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  • Open Enrollment Meetings for 2009 Health and Dental Plans

    Please mark your calendars to attend one of the scheduled Open Enrollment meetings for our 2009 Health and Dental plans.  During this meeting we will explain the plan and pricing changes for 2009.  Read on for more details.

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    Please mark your calendars to attend one of the scheduled Open Enrollment meetings for our 2009 Health and Dental plans.  During this meeting we will explain the plan and pricing changes for 2009.

    Also this year, as a part of the College’s “green” initiative, we are rolling out an on-line enrollment tool. We will not be sending out any paper enrollment packets this year.

    In addition, 2009 is an active enrollment year.  This means that every employee will need to enroll or waive coverage for 2009 using the new on-line tool.

    Following is a list of meeting dates, times, and locations:

    • Tuesday, October 28—8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Sayles-Hill 251
    • Wednesday, October 29—6 to 7 p.m., Alumni Guest House Meeting Room
    • Thursday, October 30—2 to 3 p.m., Sayles-Hill 251
    • Monday, November 3—9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Alumni Guest House Meeting Room
    • Monday, November 10—12 to 1 p.m., Sayles-Hill 251

    We hope to see you there!

    Linda Laughlin, Human Resources
  • Rollerblade Inventor Scott Olson to Present the October 24 Convocation

    Scott Olson is known worldwide as the man who invented, named, and marketed Rollerblades, praised by Time magazine as one of the 100 coolest products of the 20th century, alongside computers, cell phones, and Post-it notes.  The success of slapping four roller skate wheels down the middle of an ice skate was only the beginning for Scott.  After growing bored with rowing on a stationary rowing machine in an indoor gym, Scott thought:  “Why can’t I put this thing on wheels and go outside?”  His next successful invention, Rowbike was born.  Scott has gone on to invent and market many products, including Antarctic Lawn Penguins, Lunar Bed, Kong Pong and his biggest endeavor yet—a cross between cycling, riding a roller coaster, and human-powered flight known simply as Sky Bike.  With the same passion and excitement it took to create his inventions, Scott shares his exciting entrepreneurial journey and the keys to his success in his presentation titled “Fit Innovation: Exercise Your Entrepreneurial Spirit,” at 10:50 a.m. in Skinner Memorial Chapel.

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    At 19, Scott Olson was a young, professional hockey player with the persistence and passion of an entrepreneur.  Looking for a fun way to train in the off-season, he picked up another inventor’s take on an inline skate, bought the patent, tinkered in his parents’ basement to make it better, and in 1979, he introduced Rollerblades to the world. Praised by Time magazine as one of the 100 coolest products of the 20th century, alongside computers, cell phones, and Post-it notes, Rollerblades created an entirely new category of fitness. 

    Evergreen in heart, mind, and soul, Scott went on to successfully marrying his love for the outdoors and his passion for great health with the invention of the Rowbike, a revolutionary fitness machine that blends all the freedom of a bicycle with the ultimate total body health benefits of a rowing machine.  As is the goal of any driven entrepreneur, Scott grew his business and recently sold the company to one of several suitors clamoring to further grow Rowbike’s presence in the worldwide marketplace.

    When he’s not blading or rowing, Scott continues to refine and perfect one of his latest, most challenging innovations, Skybike.  Suspended from a track, Skybike brings the amusement ride and fitness industry together with freedom, excitement, and speed.  Imagine traveling at speeds faster than Lance Armstrong can pedal with the control and safety of a guided suspended track just like a roller coaster.  “Skybike is the future of fitness. Its going to be the closest thing to flying without getting into an airplane,” says Olson.

    Flying high on the rails of his entrepreneurial success, Scott also rallies with willing competitors in friendly games of Kong Pong—yet another Olson invention.  Kong Pong is outdoor, all-season, over-sized table tennis designed for families, fitness enthusiasts, and table tennis players of all levels.  The swivel base and other special features make it unique from competitive products.  Differentiation rests at the foundation of every Olson invention.

    Scott has a proven track record for finding ways to bring fitness and fun together. With a keen eye for opportunity and a passion for staying fit, it’s no surprise that he continues to bring the enjoyment of traditional sport to the great outdoors and the marketplace in winning ways.  Olson has yet to meet a competitor who can beat him at his own game! 

    Kerry Raadt, College Relations
  • Ceremonial Bricklaying for New Residence Halls

    Carleton will hold a ceremonial bricklaying acknowledging the completion of the initial phase of construction for Cassat Hall and Memorial Hall, two new residence halls at the College, on Saturday, October 25 at 8:45 a.m. The ceremony will celebrate the generous gifts made by George L. Cassat '46 and his late wife Patricia D. Cassat '46 which supported the construction of the two new structures. Cassat Hall, named in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Cassat, will stand as a testimony to their historic commitment to provide Carleton students with abundant opportunities to live independently and as part of a dynamic community. Memorial Hall is named to honor Carleton men and women who have perished while in military service to the United States, and will serve as a bold reminder that the freedoms enjoyed by current Carleton students were ensured by the sacrifice of our nation’s servicemen and women.

    The event will take place on the construction site of the new buildings, located on First Street between Nevada and Maple Streets on the southeast part of the College campus. Parking is available at the Music and Drama Center and Cowling Gymnasium.

    Sarah Forster, Office of Stewardship
  • Don't Forget to Get Your Flu Shot

    The College’s Flu Shot Clinic is scheduled for Monday, October 20, between the hours of 2 and 6 p.m. and again on Wednesday, October 22, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Great Hall.  Appointments are not required.

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    The College’s Flu Shot Clinic is scheduled for Monday, October 20, between the hours of 2 and 6 p.m. and again on Wednesday, October 22, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Great Hall.  Appointments are not required.

    The College will be paying for the cost of the shots for employees, including spouses or domestic partners.  Flu shots for minor dependents must be obtained through a physician or medical clinic.

    If you carry Carleton's health insurance, please remember to bring your Carleton health insurance card.  If you don't have Carleton's insurance, you are still eligible to participate in the Flu Shot Program and Carleton will pay for the cost of the shots for employees, including spouses or domestic partners. Please wear short-sleeved shirts for easy access of the flu shot, and allow enough time to complete the appropriate forms.

    Attached for your convenience is the Homeland Health Specialists, Inc. Influenza Claim and Consent Form to be completed and brought to the Flu Shot Clinic.  If you carry Carleton’s health insurance, please fill out the top Insurance Information and the other sections of the form and sign. If you are on another plan other than Carleton’s health insurance, cross off the top part and complete the Patient Information and Consent and Medical Information and sign.

    If you have questions, please contact Colleen Strese in the office of Human Resources at x4175.

    Colleen Strese, Human Resources
  • Remember to Attend the Benefits and Wellness Fair

    Please mark your calendar and plan to attend the Benefits and Wellness Fair on Wednesday, October 22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Great Hall.  Many of our insurance vendors will be on hand to talk with you and to provide informational materials.

    The Recreation Center will be offering free head, neck, and shoulder massages from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will also be offering a host of other free services.

    Be sure to attend and have a chance to win a door prize!

    Linda Laughlin, Human Resources
  • Student Summer and Winter Break Fellowship Awards

    The Dean of the College Office is soliciting applications from juniors who are interested in 2009 summer or winter break fellowships.  Students need two letters of recommendation and will be asking faculty or staff to write these letters.  The deadline for recommendations is 5 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2009, e-mailed to Karen Moldenhauer at kmoldenh@carleton.edu.  Detailed information on fellowships can be found on our Web Site.  Read on for more details.

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    The Dean of the College Office is soliciting applications from juniors who are interested in 2009 summer or winter break fellowships.  Students need two letters of recommendation and will be asking faculty or staff to write these letters.  The deadline for recommendations is 5 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2009, e-mailed to Karen Moldenhauer at kmoldenh@carleton.edu.  Below are brief descriptions of the fellowships.  Detailed information on fellowships can be found on our Web site.

    Class of 1963 Fellowships

    The Class of 1963 Fellowship was established by gifts to the College from the Class of 1963 to provide an opportunity for qualified students to pursue intellectual or creative interests.  This Fellowship is also available during the school year for studies that would qualify as Independent Studies.

    Independent Research Fellowship

    The Independent Research Fellowship is awarded to enable qualified students to carry out independent research activities in any field taught at the College or to undertake projects in the creative and performing arts.

    Paul and Lynn Kelley Fellowship

    The Paul and Lynn Kelley Endowed Fellowship Fund was created to honor Paul and Lynn who have done a great deal to support and promote cultural understanding, including medical travels to Central America, years-long service to indigenous and tribal peoples, AIDS work, and much more. The Fund is intended to support students with financial need who are doing research fellowships abroad. These fellowships may be in conjunction with senior comps, in collaboration with faculty, or a project of student interest.

    Larson International Fellowship

    The Larson International Fellowship is awarded to students who have a deep interest in international understanding and involvement.  The fellowship fund enables students with leadership promise to have a significant international summer experience. The best “Larsons” have elements of adventure!

    Allen and Irene Salisbury Student Fellowship

    The Allen and Irene G. Salisbury Fellowship is an endowed fund that supports student research fellowships in any field taught at Carleton or projects in the creative or performing arts.  Preference is given to those studying any aspect of Nepal or Asia.

    Richard Salisbury Student Fellowship

    The Richard A. Salisbury Fellowship is an endowed fund that supports student research fellowships in any field taught at Carleton or projects in the creative or performing arts.  Preference is given to those studying any aspect of Africa and Latin America.

    Liz Ciner, Dean of the College Office
  • Luncheon ITS Workshop: PowerPoint 2007 and 2008

    This week's Luncheon Workshop will be Tuesday, October 21 in LDC 243 and we will take a look at the new Microsoft PowerPoint.  We will talk about how to use PowerPoint for slideshows and posters, including slide transitions, animated effects, themes, and using graphic elements to make your slides and posters more eye-catching. This class will be on an introductory level, but we can tailor these luncheons to your ideas and questions.

    This is the fifth of our series of weekly workshops on the new Microsoft Office Suite for both Mac and Windows. You don’t need to sign up, just bring your lunch and your questions to LDC 243 for an informative, hands-on session all about the new Microsoft Office 2007 for Windows, and 2008 for Mac.  (Next week we will return to the topic of Graphics in the new Office!)

    We are looking forward to a rewarding series of workshops to help introduce and ease the transition to the new Office suite. Please send your ideas for other Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access workshops to lweinber@carleton.edu.

    Lew Weinberg, Information Technology Services
  • Northfield Area United Way Campaign

    We are pleased to announce the start of the 2008 Northfield Area United Way campaign. This week, departmental campaign coordinators across campus will be distributing pledge packets to all staff and faculty. The College's United Way campaign will run through November 17. In that time we hope to collectively raise $70,000, putting the Northfield United Way well on its way toward the area goal of $500,000.

    We hope that you will consider making a gift this year, not least because of the trying economic times that so many of our neighbors currently face. By making a gift—no matter how small or large—every member of the Carleton community can reaffirm the College’s deep ties to Northfield and provide much-needed aid to Northfielders.

    Thank you for considering a gift this year. We welcome any questions you might have.

    Christopher Tasava, United Way Coordinator
  • Perlman Center for Learning and Teaching (LTC) Fall Term Event This Week

    Fall 2008 reading and discussion second meeting for Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain, by Maryanne Wolf, facilitated by Fernan Jaramillo and Mike Flynn, is Thursday, October 23, 4:30 to 6 pm, in Willis 211.

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    Looking Ahead:

    Tuesday, October 28

    Catching the Wave: Politics and Image-making in the New Media Environment

    In the current media landscape the number of potential “news” outlets continues to expand, yet the diversity of political coverage remains problematic. Online, broadcast, and printed media synergistically feed off one another as news and entertainment production staff work feverishly to respond to daily cycles of story circulation and viral media patterns… What would a more responsible and ethical approach to political coverage look like in this new media environment and how do we get there?

    Michael Griffin, Visiting Assistant Professor of Cinema and Media Studies, Macalester College         

    Co-sponsored by EthIC (Ethical Inquiry at Carleton), Visuality Initiative, and Gould Library 

    Noon to 1:30 p.m., Gould Library Athenaeum
    Bag lunches provided for 50

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    See all our LTC/Mellon events.

    Jennifer Cox Johnson, Perlman Center for Learning and Teaching
  • Gould Library Athenaeum Events

    • David Rains Wallace, acclaimed nature writer, will give a reading on Wednesday, October 22 at 7 p.m.  He is a Headley Distinguished Visitor-in-Residence at the College for two weeks. Wallace is the author of sixteen books, including The Klamath Knot:  Explorations of Myth and Evolution (1983) which won the John Burroughs Medal and Neptune’s Ark:  From Ichthyosaurs to Orcas (2007). He lives in Berkeley, California, and has also written two “eco-thrillers.” A book-signing will follow the reading.
    • A panel discussion titled “Children of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar” will be held on Thursday, October 23 at 5 p.m.  This joint Muslim, Christian, and Jewish text discussion will be led by Rabbi Shosh Dworsky, Imam Adil Ozdemir, and Reverend Carolyn Fure-Slocum.  A light dinner will be served.
    • The Art Gallery will present “Contemporary Zulu Ceramics:  Life Stories from Azolina McMncube Ngema and Clive Sithole,”  by Elizabeth Perrill, on Friday, October 24, at 4:30 p.m. Perrill, an assistant professor of African Art History at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, conducted her dissertation research in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, with Nesta Nala, the matriarch of Zulu ceramics and her family and artistic circle.  Through two case studies, Perrill will discuss not only how the art world and traditional cultures interact in South Africa, but also consider the impact of art market trends on gender roles. This lecture is supported by the Edwin L. Weisl, Jr., Lectureship in Art History and sponsored by the Robert Lehman Foundation, and it complements "World Ceramics: Transforming Women's Traditions," featuring some fabulous Zulu pots on display in the Art Gallery through November 19.
    Merry Hoekstra, Gould Library
  • Upcoming Chaplain's Office Services and Activities

    • Taizé Vespers Service—Wednesday, October 22, 8:30 p.m., Chapel Main Sanctuary.

    • Careers That Make A Difference—Thursday, October 23, noon, Leighton 305.  “Working in Politics” panel discussion on how and why people get into political careers.

    • Centering Prayer—Thursday, October 23, noon, Chapel Lounge. Christian meditation and prayer led by Jill Tollefson.

    • Children of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar Discussion—Thursday, October 23, 5 p.m., Library Athenaeum.  Led by Imam Adil Ozdemir, Rabbi Shosh Dworsky, and Reverend Carolyn Fure-Slocum.  Dinner provided.

    • Torah Study—will not be held due to the Children of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar Discussion (see above). 

    • Buddhist Meditation—Thursday, October 23, 8:15 p.m., Chapel Lounge Meditation Room.  Led by students.

    • Shabbat Service—Friday, October 24, 6 p.m., Reynolds House.  Led by students.  Dinner follows service.
    Jan Truax, Chaplain's Office
  • Halloween KNIGHT Carnival Scheduled for Sunday, October 26

    The Carleton Athletic Department, coaches, and varsity athletes would like to invite all Carleton faculty and staff to bring their pre-school through elementary-age children to the community-wide 10th Annual "Halloween 'KNIGHT'" Carnival to be held Sunday, October 26, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Carleton West Gym.

    There will be game and activity booths, such as face painting, beanie-bag toss, crafts, musical chairs, bowling, and football toss to name a few.  Each booth is sponsored and manned by a varsity athletic team with tons of prizes and candy to be given out.  Please come in costume to the enjoy the Halloween 'Knight' with the Carleton student athletes!  If you have any questions, please contact Heidi Jaynes at x4447.

    Heidi Jaynes, P.E.A.R.
  • Annual Craft Sale and Custodial Bake Sale is Scheduled for December 5

    The Annual Carleton Craft Sale and Custodial Bake Sale will take place on Friday, December 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. So mark your calendars now! If you are interested in selling, or you know someone who does not work at Carleton that would be interested, please contact me at x4186 or lspringe@carleton.edu. The fee for vendors who do not have Carleton connections is $20.

    Loretta Springer, Printing and Mailing Services