Lost in Time Face to face with the Cretaceous - College Magazine | Fall/Winter 2018
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
College Magazine | Fall/Winter 2018 Lost in Time Face to face with the Cretaceous
Contents
Reflecting the mission of the college,
St. Norbert College Magazine links the institution’s past and present by
chronicling its academic, cultural, spiritual and co-curricular life.
ST. NORBERT COLLEGE MAGAZINE
In Print Online
Vol. 50, No. 3, Fall/Winter 2018 A sampling of related content available at snc.edu/magazine.
Cover Story
Page 7 Involved: There are 109 student
A new Wellness by Design initiative orgs active on campus, this year. We
at St. Norbert is meeting the needs of spoke with a few of them at September’s
today’s college students – a generation Involvement Fair (page 9).
that is increasingly attuned to the
importance of emotional wellness, In the beginning: It’s a new year on
say campus professionals. campus (page 11), the place never looked
better, and we’re looking forward to
sharing it with you!
Page 10
Joy Pahl (Business Administration) In the hands of the experts: Revisit
some of our most notable buildings via our
can’t claim to feel joyous all the time, but Page 16 student-led virtual tours (page 12).
fortunately she says her extreme optimism
“can pass for joyfulness in a pinch.” It’s an My Room/His Room:
interesting thing, says Joy-with-a-capital-J, Installed: When the seventh abbot of
to be named for an emotion!
Burke 215 St. Norbert Abbey (page 14) was blessed
at his Installation, he found a unique way
They’re both SNC-educated. They like to
to honor those who had held the sacred
think about things. And they have both,
trust before him.
Page 18 in different eras, fitted their tall frames
happily into one of the smallest spaces on
Page 13 Unpacking a Plesiosaur campus: Burke 215. One, a history and
In pieces: Rebecca (Schmeisser)
“If it isn’t a struggle for beauty, what are we McKean ’04 (Geology) and Riley Hacker
political science major, has the world at his
struggling for?” – Brandon Bauer (Art) When Rebecca (Schmeisser) McKean ’17 talk about their discoveries (page 18)
feet and will graduate this year. The other
’04 (Geology) discovered a plesiosaur fossil and the painstaking work of finding out
is now a college president – president of
in Grand Staircase-Escalante National more about fossils unlike any ever seen.
this very institution, in fact.
Monument, she knew that it was unlike
In hockey futures: Spencer Carbery ’06,
anything else so far found in the Tropic
Shale. Now, after three years of diligent head coach of the Hershey Bears, is one of
work on the shoulder section – three years many hockey alums now taking lessons
of toil over bone fragments little larger Page 23 learned at St. Norbert into the future of his
than dust – McKean is finally face to face sport (page 26).
with her find once more. She is beginning Cradle of Coaches
In the ‘60s: Athletes of the 1960s (page
work on the skull. The collegiate sports landscape is 27) huddle up to share memories.
littered with coaches who pursue
Departments On our cover: Rebecca McKean at work positions at bigger schools or higher In living color: As a new mural (page
in the field. Photo courtesy McKean. NCAA divisions only to find they had
6 Guest Editorial 34) takes shape in the Bush Art Center,
things pretty good where they were. many hands join in the work.
7 News of St. Norbert That’s not the case at St. Norbert,
where the coaching carousel stops
27 Alumni of St. Norbert intentionally for many of those who lead
the Green Knights’ athletics programs. Keep an eye open throughout this edition for
34 Connection more links to content on the web. Follow us
snc.edu/magazine
on your favorite social media channel, too.
Just search for St. Norbert College.
Small matters
Cute critters, faculty children, mud
and water: It’s all in the name of
science. When Adam Brandt (Biology)
and his students trap small mammals
as part of a long-term biodiversity
study at the abbey pond, he invites
his colleagues to bring their children
out to watch the fun. Here’s Brandt
talking to his daughter Lily in com-
pany with other young scientists
Emilia (left) and Lucy (right), the
children of Erik Brekke (Physics).
4 St. Norbert College Magazine | Fall/Winter 2018 snc.edu/magazine 5
In My Words / Lee Reid
News
OF ST. NORBERT COLLEGE
Let me level with you #1 CONCERN
Sixty-one percent
Wellness initiative for a healthy campus
of college students
nationally head to their
As mental health issues are finally
campus counseling losing their remaining stigma, changes in
A few weeks before I first joined the Informational Rather, let’s dig in to analyze and improve the process.” center due to anxiety, attitude are especially noticeable among
Technology Services team at St. Norbert, I met the A culture of no blame opens up ideas, lowers according to the today’s college students. A study by the
division directors Krissy, Scott, Ravi and Rob. It was feelings of vulnerability and starts to build trust. We American Psychologi- Center for Collegiate Mental Health
over lunch. I gave a little talk about plates and bowls, start to listen better, we get excited about making cal Association. Other
reasons for their visits
revealed a 30 percent jump in the number
and I think the group was puzzled a bit by my analogy small improvements, we’re not afraid to experiment, of college students across the country
include depression
– except for Rob who was busily enjoying his burger. we don’t get down when things go awry, and we start (49 percent), stress seeking counseling services over a seven-
The lunch was nice and somehow, later on, I learned to transform our precarious plates into safe bowls. (45 percent), family year period, from the 2009-10 school year
I’d got the job. It’s the same safe environment, in fact – one that concerns (31 percent), through 2014-15. And that’s despite the
The talk goes like this: The name of the game is welcomes diversity of perspective, critical thinking, academic perfor-
fact that college enrollment during this
Plates & Bowls, and the goal is for a team of three to experimentation and hands-on learning – that our mance (28 percent)
Lee Reid, chief informa- and relationship time increased just 5.6 percent.
lower a plate of six marbles through a hole in the floor students have always experienced in their classrooms. That’s a sign that today’s students are
issues (27 percent).
N E W S O F S T. N O R B E R T
tion officer and vice
to a basement where a dinner table is set below each We become more effective, together, in working much more aware of emotional wellness
president of information
technology services, ini- hole. To achieve this they each use a short fishing toward our goals.
than previous generations, say campus
tially joined the ITS team in pole, fishing line, and a 9-inch plate with three evenly Along the way, inevitably we drop a few marbles.
professionals. The college’s approach to
the spring of 2016. Prior to spaced holes drilled around the rim. Each player ties In the IT world, these are the times where the inter-
joining SNC, Reid’s career
investments in wellness was recently the
their fishing line to the plate and then the team places net connectivity is down, deadlines are missed and
spanned 33 years with IT focus of a cover-lined article in Healthy
the marbles to begin the task. The first team to lower systems don’t perform well. We run over to try and What is TAO
and engineering teams. Campus, a publication of the American
Lee holds four U.S. patents
the plate of marbles to the waiting table without restart the technology in a classroom, only to find we self-help? College Health Association.
and several certifications, dropping any of the marbles wins. don’t have the right tools. We launch a few ideas; for Therapy Assisted The stigma around mental health has
having worked at Gen- Oh, and the players are blindfolded. all those that help move the college forward, there are Online (TAO) Self-Help
decreased over the years, and St. Norbert,
eral Motors, IBM and How can you win such a game? Success, I believe, some that don’t pan out so well. offers materials and
three startup firms on interactive modules to like other colleges, is also seeing a higher
lies in the level of experience and, more notably, trust But we have colleagues to help us with their feed-
numerous assignments assist with a variety of demand for on-campus counseling and devotes resources to all of these wellness Eight Dimensions
among the team members. A team that trusts one back – both when we get it wrong and when we get
that encompassed health concerns such related services. And St. Norbert is well-
another to maintain the delicate balance that is it right. They help us to learn how to be better; and dimensions, it will focus on the emotional, of Wellness
robotics, control systems, as stress, anxiety, positioned to help.
networking, software required, that uses the right amount of communi- we’re especially grateful for the times when they trust anger management, environmental and physical dimensions The USSAMHSA says
cation among players and manages to compensate us to be a supporting partner in their success at SNC. The college has always viewed the during the next three years, responding wellness encompasses
development and enter- communication, and
prise architecture. Reid for shortfalls during the competition will have the Working together, we in IT can develop the tech they evaluating alcohol and health and wellness of its students as to a survey of SNC students that showed eight dimensions:
has a bachelor’s degree same confidence in lowering a plate of rolling marbles need and the services to keep it useful, and build up drug use. The site critical to their success and core to its own those were the most critical. n Emotional: life skills,
in mechanical engineering
as if it were a bowl of marbles. our partnership as we define what’s our best “next” for
is available 24/7 to mission. Over the years, St. Norbert has Two enhancements already in place: satisfying relationships
from Kettering University students, faculty and updated its programs and facilities to offer n Environmental:
I love this analogy. And, although, three years in, the college. We as a college can refine and streamline The campus will become 100 percent
and a master’s in compu- staff. stimulating, pleasant
ter engineering from the the team still often looks at me as if I’d lost my own our processes so we can keep our focus clearly on students healthier food, better workout tobacco-free from Jan. 2, 2019, and the
environments
University of Michigan, marbles, I think it has a lot to do with our work here our mission to create the best possible learning facilities, financial-wellness services and St. Norbert community can now access n Financial: positive
Ann Arbor. at St. Norbert. environment for our students. spiritual-wellness programs, among other Therapy Assisted Online (TAO) Self-Help finances
One of the first things we need to do, in order to So, back to my lunch with the ITS directors. As we enhancements. in addition to the full range of on-campus n Intellectual: recog-
help our teams transform from lowering plates to parted, I think we all pondered how things might pan This fall, St. Norbert unveiled its counselling and psychological services. nizing abilities, growing
lowering bowls, is create a “no-blame” environment. out. Well, the team has gotten used to my fondness new Wellness by Design initiative. The TAO offers educational materials and knowledge and skills
initiative, several years in the making, n Occupational:
That’s a key principle of the lean-process approach for analogies, and I still haven’t lost my marbles. And modules to help users learn strategies
enrichment from work
we’re beginning to adopt at the college. That’s where a all the while, we’ve continued to build up the sides of is based on the eight dimensions of and skills that foster wellness. n Physical: healthy diet,
team says to itself, “If there’s something not working – those plates, starting to form them into bowls – into wellness identified by the United States “We’re trying to make the healthy sleep and activity
some service we provide that is not meeting the needs vessels that can do the job more easily and more Substance Abuse & Mental Health choice the easy choice,” says Chrystal n Social: healthy
of our faculty, students and staff – let’s not blame. successfully. Services Administration (USSAMHSA): Woller (Health & Wellness). “We want to connections, support
emotional, environmental, financial, prepare students to adopt healthy lifestyles n Spiritual: expanded
intellectual, occupational, physical, as a foundation for optimal health after sense of purpose and
meaning in life
social and spiritual. While the college graduation.”
6 St. Norbert College Magazine | Fall/Winter 2018 snc.edu/magazine 7
Noted / Pinnacles of Achievement Involvement Fair / Sights High
Homeward bound Newly decorated for services to France
Tom Conner (Modern Languages & Literatures), has been recognized
by the government of France as a chevalier (knight) in the Ordre des
Palmes Académiques (Order of Academic Palms). The order, established
in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, is France’s highest national order for
distinguished academics and figures in the world of culture. Conner
receives the decoration this fall at the French Consulate in Chicago.
Conner is being recognized for his service over more than three Strength in numbers
decades to “promote French language and culture in the United
Daijah Brown ’22 shows her power at
States” as well as for his pioneering work in the former French colony
the ROTC booth on Involvement Fair day.
of Cambodia. The citation accompanying the decoration also includes
Paul Tutskey ’74 had no doubt mention of his extensive service to the profession and of his two most
There are 109 student orgs on campus
which band he hoped to see on the this year, so it was a busy afternoon for
recent books (on André Gide and on the Dreyfus Affair).
our video team as they tried to keep up.
marina stage this summer. And the
snc.edu/magazine
fact that the artists were based at some Author Palgrave Studies vative and civic “We thought they left
distance from De Pere was no deterrent St. Norbert faculty in Globalization & responsibility, along no written records.
to the Knights on the Fox sponsor. members break new Embodiment. with service as an Now, we’re untangling
New York-based duo The Guthrie ground in their fields inspiration and role the truth,” says author
with a crop of new Advocate model to the Filipino Daniel Cossins.
Brothers were wrapping up a cross-
books that includes Cole Johnson people.” Hyland, a long-serving
country tour that had taken them to Boyer, who served
“Mary, Mother ’21 and Jason member of the SNC
21 states in the last 12 months. And Salisbury (Emmaus as a visiting professor faculty along with
of Martyrs: How
the De Pere gig July 31 would be a form Motherhood Became Center) traveled to at the University of her husband, Bill,
N E W S O F S T. N O R B E R T
N E W S O F S T. N O R B E R T
of homecoming: Jock Guthrie ’75 and Self-Sacrifice in Early Washington, D.C., the Philippines, is the now teaches at
his brother Jeb are both alumni of the as members of author of “Sundays St. Andrew’s
Christianity” (2018),
the recent Student in Manila” (2012), a University in Scotland.
former Abbot Pennings High School an examination
Ambassador travel memoir. He
on campus, where they played for the of notions of early
Leaders Together writes a monthly Next generation
Christian mother-
Friday-night dances of their era. Jock summit group called column for ViaTimes
hood by Kathleen At this year’s
stayed on to major in English at the Gallagher Elkins by Catholic Relief Newsmagazine, a
Philippine-American national MathFest,
college. (Theology & RS), Services. They
publication out of Allison Gerk ’20
Tutskey would serve as emcee for published by Feminist met with staff of
earned the Janet L.
Sen. Ron Johnson, Chicago.
his friends at the Simon & Garfunkel Studies in Religion. Andersen Award for
“The Importance Sen. Tammy Baldwin
tribute concert, which was designated Ultimate discer Outstanding Student
of Organizational and Rep. Mike
as Alumni Night in the popular outdoor Gallagher to advocate Nicely calculated
Exposition & Research
Knowledge: in Mathematical
summer series. An Exploration for maintaining moves served Seth
funding for poverty- Meyers (Math) or Computation
of Knowledge
reducing international well on his way Biology for her work
Bump, set, spike Management in the
Trenches” (2018), a development to the American on “Columnaris
and humanitarian Ultimate Disc League Disease and the
Men’s volleyball is the rigorous study for
assistance. championship title Population Dynamics
newest program to be both academics
in August. Meyer’s of Infected Fish,” and
and practitioners
added to the Green Friend professional ultimate Bao Van ’19 was
by Jamie O’Brien
Knights slate of varsity (Schneider School), Bob Boyer (English, disc team, the recognized with a
sports. The Green is published by Madison Radicals, national Pi Mu Epsilon
Emeritus) is to be
Knights will begin compe- Common Ground inducted into the overpowered the speaker award for
Publishing; and Chicago Filipino Dallas Roughnecks his presentation
tition next year as an associate member
“Queering Trans- Asian American Hall 20-16 in Madison, on “Common
of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Wis., for the No. 1 Configurations in
cultural Encounters: of Fame as a Friend
Conference. An emerging sport at the spot. Rank-3 Simple
Bodies, Image, and of the Filipino. The
NCAA Division III level, men’s volleyball Frenchness in Latin award honors high- Matroids on Small
was sponsored at 94 institutions during America and North achieving friends of Expert Number of Elements.”
the 2018 season, with at least nine Africa” (2018), an the community for Research by Sabine Mark Nichols ’20
schools adding the sport for the 2019 interdisciplinary accomplishments Hyland, former was also accepted
approach by Luis in their own fields, associate professor to present at the
campaign. “Men’s volleyball is quickly
Navarro-Ayala and for their work of anthropology at conference, on
growing at the Division III level, as well “Examples of Graphs
(Modern Languages in promoting the St. Norbert, is includ-
as in recruiting areas in Green Bay, the & Literatures), is pub- positive image of the ed in a recent New that Admit No Normal
Fox Valley and metro Milwaukee and lished by Palgrave Filipino. It recognizes Scientist cover story Nonabelian Sylow
Chicago,” says Tim Bald (Athletics). Macmillan in the series “uncommon, inno- on how to read Inca. P-Subgroup.”
8 St. Norbert College Magazine | Fall/Winter 2018 snc.edu/magazine 9
Personally Speaking / Joy Pahl Gallery / Move-In Day
Home away from home
Teddy bears, photographs and other
Making a name for yourself reminders of home filled the duffel bags,
totes, backpacks and boxes that were
carried into residence halls as incoming
W
e all have one: the name that was bestowed my name on them somehow. I try to oblige! new students made St. Norbert College
upon us at birth. Those parents of ours Some might view this as an unreasonable expec- their home. Parents, veteran students,
faculty and staff – and even a few furry
didn’t know anything about us yet, and tation. “You cannot possibly be joyful or joyous all the friends – were on hand to make the first day
still they carried out some kind of decision-making time! Come on!” This is true. I am not. That would of college life run smoothly for the largest-
process to arrive at a label for us. Of course the name be humanly impossible; however, I do tend to be ever class of first-year students.
selected would have to carry meaning, because this extremely optimistic, and this (fortunately) can pass
given name would be part of this new person’s for joyfulness in a pinch. In fact, I am lucky that a
identity … forever. This word would be hurled at, friendly smile can often suffice. But here’s the twist: It’s a new year on campus, the
place has never looked better,
whispered to and cooed to this person thousands of I think that the expectations others have of me help and our cameras were there to record it.
times over the course of her life. But how to decide? me live up to my name because, before people snc.edu/magazine
What do we know of this little lump? encounter me, they are already anticipating some
Some parents take the “Junior” path. I’m not kind of positivity, so they treat me positively.
sure if all of these parents envision Jack Jr. to be the Who can resist that? Well, maybe some. I distinctly
younger essence of Jack Sr., but I think there might remember the first time I met someone else with the
be certain expectations riding on his name. Other name Joy. I was 16 years old, and I was playing in a
parents take the unique route – “we want our summer basketball league against girls from various
N E W S O F S T. N O R B E R T
N E W S O F S T. N O R B E R T
child to be the only one in her class to have small towns around the Mankato, Minnesota, area.
this name.” The uniqueness strategy can be Other Joy was not only not joyful, she was downright
effective, but it can also backfire. Where did negative! I have to admit, her behavior was so upset-
all of these Olivias come from, anyway? Of ting to me that it put me off my game. Other Joy was
course, there are always parents who are quite tarnishing the name – my name! Of course, being the
happy to stick to traditional names associated optimist I am, I chalked up Other Joy’s crabby attitude
with certain character traits depicted in the to her having a bad day; it couldn’t have anything to
Baby Names books. One can only speculate do with her normal disposition, after all!
that these parents are hoping their child So much brings me joy: having a conversation with
will possess those same character traits. my husband that only the two of us can appreciate;
And then there are parents, like mine, who watching and listening to our two children thoroughly
went for emotion. How does a baby end up enjoy one another’s company; reading the work of a
being named for a feeling? According to my student who has made a fascinating insight; sharing
parents, it went like this: One day, when my a favorite story with friends, family or students and
mother was tending to her 4-year-old son, Jay, knowing that they really get it; unexpectedly hearing
who was running circles around his 8-month-old from an old friend or a former student because they
baby brother, Jon, a call came in: “Congratulations, want to share something with me; making an amazing
Mrs. Stevens. You’re expecting!” Was this news curling shot (and it doesn’t matter if I am the deliverer
met with jubilation? Quite the opposite – which of the stone, the skip calling the shot or one of the
would not surprise any busy young mother. By sweepers of the stone, it all brings me joy).
the time she gave birth, my mother was convinced Two of the most joyful people I know are my father
that this child would most certainly be another boy, and my daughter. And their names are Bill and Chloe.
so when she and my father learned it was a girl, the These two amazing individuals manage to spread joy
name Joy presented itself. (After all, the name Shock around, even without an emotional name as a cue!
was a bit edgy for 1963, plus it didn’t have three letters I cannot imagine either one of them being any more
and begin with a “J”). joyful with different names. But still, the way I see it,
So, what is it like to be named for an emotion? Do my parents gave me a great gift when they bestowed
people treat a person named Joy differently than they my name. They gave me a leg-up on joyfulness.
treat other people? As a social scientist, I should study
Joy Pahl, associate professor of business administration, is director of
this, perhaps. However, I have not, so I will simply International Business & Language Area Services. She joined the faculty
share my observations. Yes – I think when people in 1998. An avid curler, she has taken youth and SNC teams to national
meet me, they have an expectation that I will spread success.
10 St. Norbert College Magazine | Fall/Winter 2018 snc.edu/magazine 11
Noted / On Instagram: Humans of St. Norbert Treasure / The Rilke Portfolio
Big-ticket ticker conductive ballistics
When student gel? “Ah, yes,” says
researchers set Olson. “No such
about developing thing exists. A major stnorbert
a lab exercise to part of their research
model the process is to figure out how
to create one. In
of cardiac defibrilla-
fact, that’s what they
tion, their shopping
are working on right
list posed a problem.
now.”
They needed a
model of a human
torso created out of
Ink-stained
electrically conduc-
tive ballistics gel,
as well as real AED
units for testing –
all big-ticket items.
Psychology
major Claire
Rosenberger
’19 reached out The work of
to a number of tattoo artist Rick
companies asking Harnowski – master-
how a team like pieces that have
theirs might acquire been featured in
N E W S O F S T. N O R B E R T
N E W S O F S T. N O R B E R T
old, out-of-service museums, galleries
AED units. Cardiac and media around
Life responded with the world – can
a donation of 10 currently be seen in 178 likes
units – enough to the art galleries on
equip an entire lab campus. stnorbert Humans of St. Norbert: “There is a big stigma surrounding it.
with two left over Harnowski, a Everyone thinks: ‘Oh you teach in urban Milwaukee, it’s going to be tough
for testing/spares. leading proponent there, you got some tough kids. Or, you’ve got your work cut out for you,
of tattoo regulation,
Michael Olson good luck.’ I will agree that it is a tough job, but these kids are so much more
(Physics) says: is known for his
imaginative custom capable than society gives them credit for – even though they are in an urban
“I think this is an
pieces. Among his setting and even though they may not come from the best home lives, even
excellent example
of self-advocacy, clients are former though they may be underprivileged in a variety of ways. My experience with
something we are Green Bay Packers the Center for Urban Teaching has taught me that these kids really are capable.
always trying to Donald Driver and It’s really about building that relationship and showing them that they matter,
Charles Woodson.
promote with our that you love them and that Christ loves them. Once they see that other
students. Moreover, people believe in them, they are more motivated to do great things. I’ve seen
the seniors are pro- Virtually there
the great things my students can do both in the classroom and outside. I’ve
viding mentoring for You’ll find
a promising first-year yourself in seen the great things they can accomplish. As we continue to do this and
student.” expert hands if you spread awareness for teaching in an urban setting, my hope is that someday
Rosenberger is choose to revisit that stigma will be erased and those kids can be seen as equal to the rest of
working with her some of the most the students because they are just as capable and just as smart as any other
project partners notable buildings student.” – Laura Riegg ’20
Alexis Puyleart on campus via our
’19 (see p. 15) and student-led virtual
Leah Zimmer ’22 – tours. Leading the bobbischlenvogt Yes Laura!!!!
both physics majors way are the same Brandon Bauer
– to not only draft SNC student tour margaretbentley5593 You go girl! Teaching is hard gig ANYWHERE! I have Associate Professor of Art
an official thank-you guides who orient done it for almost 40 years. Still love it…
letter but also make prospective students It’s wonderful that we have this portfolio by Ben Shahn. What’s It would be wonderful to see the complete series displayed in an exhi-
a plan to keep the to campus. They get really nice about lithography as a process is that you can have both a bition, to be able to walk through and experience the poem and his work
company informed rave reviews and The campus is getting to know itself just a they’re passionate about, you can kind painterly and a graphic sensibility in the work. That blue in the center both spatially and sequentially. Shahn defines the sort of beauty we see
of their progress as play a key role in little bit better through the every-Thursday of hear … oh, this is going to be good!” of Print XVI becomes a real focal point, and then he has those little here and at other points in the portfolio as a source of strength through
the year goes on. bringing in the next Humans of St. Norbert posts. Says social- Humans of St. Norbert runs on the points of gold for the stars with these delicate lines that radiate out. … hard times. If it isn’t a struggle for beauty, what are we struggling for?
Oh, and the new class. snc.edu/ It demonstrates his wonderful abstract sensibility. Even this dark at the
media correspondent Kyra Kronberg ’20: St. Norbert College Facebook, Instagram
human torso created magazine bottom is almost like an emotional weight that you see expressed as Brandon Bauer uses art as a space for critical and ethical inquiry,
“Once people start talking about what and Twitter accounts.
out of electrically- human figures in other pieces in the portfolio. discourse and dialogue. He joined the St. Norbert faculty in 2011.
12
overset text
St. Norbert College Magazine | Fall/Winter 2018 snc.edu/magazine 13
Norbertine Now / New Center for Spirituality Farewells / Passages
Celebrations
During the Solemnity
of St. Augustine this
Battery-powered summer PRESIDENT EMERITUS
August, the Rev. THOMAS MANION 1934-2018
Frater Patrick
LaPacz ’09 was St. Norbert College
ordained to the bade farewell to its fifth
priesthood. president at a funeral
Frater Jordan Mass that brought him
Neeck ’11 professed home to campus once
Solemn Vows, form- more. President
ing a mutual lifelong Emeritus Thomas
commitment to the Manion, who died
canonical life between June 26 at the age of 84,
himself and the entire
was laid to rest after a
professed community.
service at Old St. Joe’s.
Neeck was also
During Manion’s presidency, 1983-2000, SNC saw an
ordained to the
expansion that was reflected in the rigor of its educa-
diaconate.
tional offerings, the updating and expansion of campus
Frater Johnathan
Turba and the Rev.
Peter Ambting
All are welcome in this place facilities, the focus on international education, the
success of its athletics programs and the institution’s
outreach to the business community. Both Manion and
(Parish) professed St. Norbert Abbey’s new northeast entrance is also plan to hold community receptions, celebrations
Simple Vows, commit- his wife, Maureen – a member of the college’s political
ting themselves to the
now officially open to the De Pere community and and other special events, which previously were not Most college students pull all-nighters. funded each year by the NSF. She was science faculty 1983-2012 – devoted themselves to
N E W S O F S T. N O R B E R T
N E W S O F S T. N O R B E R T
traditional vows of beyond. The renovated northeast corner of the feasible. Few do so in a national laboratory, con- one of eight students to be accepted out improving the college’s profile and reputation. Manion’s
poverty, chastity and abbey, under construction for about a year, now Pichler is pleased to see that the abbey and view of the college’s destiny was unwavering: “The
ducting high-stakes experiments using of hundreds of applicants nationwide to college’s vision is to be a first-ranked, quality institution
obedience. (Poverty serves as the building’s main entrance and provides the center are becoming all-inclusive with these
reflects simplicity of
billion-dollar equipment. a program that assisted Ralph Wheeler, – the best Catholic college in the Midwest,” he said.
easy access to the Norbertine Center of Spirituality additions. “It was so difficult watching people who
life, chastity opens the In addition to taking part in an professor of computational chemistry Manion is survived by his wife and his children
(NCS) while also reinforcing an important tenet have mobility issues [walking] up the steps of the old
avowed to growth in extremely competitive National Science at Northern Illinois University (NIU). Gregory, Marcy O’Malley (Michael O’Malley, both
of the mission of the Norbertine order: radical [center] entrance,” he says. “The elevator goes to all formerly of International Education), Andrew; Margaret
the Holy Spirit in union Foundation (NSF) program, Alexis Coincidentally, Wheeler and Mauro were
with others, and obe- hospitality. floors and opens up the possibilities for inclusivity Close ’87, Christine Manion Reiss ’88, Victoria
Puyleart ’19 spent part of her summer already working together, members of a
dience makes them The remodel strengthens the order’s capacity when welcoming people here. and Thomas III ’98 (Jennifer Pishko ’99). His
attentive to God’s will.)
conducting round-the-clock experiments five-person team researching electrolytes, grandchildren include Mary Close ’15 and Michael
to be inclusive and welcoming to churchgoers and “There is such a great collaboration between
Simple Vows pre- at the Argonne National Laboratory. a component of ion batteries. O’Malley ’19.
visitors, no matter their level of ability or mobility. the college, the abbey and the center. With this
cede Solemn Vows, Puyleart is partnering with Nick This summer, Puyleart and her newest
The reimagined space includes an elevator, a space, groups from [St. Norbert College] that have
typically by three Mauro (Physics), who has received professor headed to Argonne for two
years. reception hall with two new conference rooms, come here for years, students, faculty, [the] board WOODY WILSON 1942-2018
the Cloister Art Gallery, the abbey’s main office of trustees, will be able to enjoy a new, fresh place approval from the Department of Energy experiments: one 48-hour experiment in
and the spirituality center. to gather as they connect to the hospitality and to use the high-tech X-Ray machine at which Puyleart took the 12-hour 2 a.m.
Abbatial blessing Argonne National Lab in Illinois. It’s one shift, and one 24-hour experiment when The college mourns the
The center currently sees more than 10,000 communio of the Norbertines.” loss of Woody Wilson,
When the Rev. visitors and hosts hundreds of events each year, When visiting the abbey, guests can find the of few places in the world that has the Puyleart worked straight through.
assistant basketball
Dane Radecki but those numbers are anticipated to continually church by walking through the main entrance and equipment Mauro needs for experiments “Being able to do research for a few coach. Wilson devoted
’72 was blessed as in a research initiative that, ultimately, hours is one thing, but being able to fully
seventh abbot of
increase as they offer more workshops, multi-day then the chapter room. The church’s front entrance, his career to teaching life
retreats, conferences and other popular programs. which faces the cemetery, will be open at Mass times will contribute to improved batteries. immerse yourself in the field that you lessons and the funda-
St. Norbert Abbey in
June, Jerry Turba Tony Pichler M.T.S. ’94, director of the NCS, throughout the year. “It’s really hard to get beam time on love and the field that you’re studying mentals of his sport to
these things,” Mauro says. “More to the for 24 hours straight, with multi-million- “just help kids get better.”
’74 was on hand to says: “The largest spaces we had were the Killeen The need for renovations on the Webster He is survived by his wife,
capture moments Room and the Abbey Chapter Room. The Killeen Avenue side of the building has been a long time point, it’s a really unique experience. dollar equipment, it was huge,” Puyleart
both splendid and Joanne, who recently
Room seats approximately 50 people comfortably coming, with talk of adding an elevator starting These are 24-hour-a-day experiments, says. retired from the education
sacred. snc.edu/
yet some of our programs have drawn over in the mid-2000s. After some thorough planning and so the preparation that goes into Mauro adds: “It was challenging, and department at SNC.
magazine
100 people. The new space, with two new large and a generous gift from an anonymous donor, these things is very intense. It’s not like it was stressful. And it was great, and it
conference rooms that each hold over 100 people, construction kicked off last summer. research in a lab here where you can was terrible. And it was fun, and it was
BEVERLY ALLEN 1926-2018
adds to the programming options that we have. We Since the abbey was originally built in 1959 as screw up three times, screw up four exhausting. But at the end of it, she did
will no longer need to limit what we currently offer.” a home for members and seminarians of the order, times. … You only have 24 hours.” really well.
Before Mauro, the newest member of “It’s science on a scale most students St. Norbert College remembers Beverly Allen, instructor
The new conference rooms can seat 180 and there was much to be done to ensure the new
in library science and catalog librarian. Allen played a
150 people and also include a small kitchen and facilities met the growing needs of everyone in the the physics faculty, arrived at St. Norbert, don’t get to experience. You simply do
key role in facilitating the introduction of women under-
accessible bathrooms. The hope is to invite larger community, from laypeople to administrative staff Puyleart had already been accepted to not get these experiences very often. So, graduates at St. Norbert and is also remembered for
groups within the parish, from the diocese and from to the Norbertine priests who are its permanent one of the handful of Research Experi- to be able to capitalize on them is super- numerous roles on the SNC stage. She is survived by
the community to use the space. The Norbertines residents. ence for Undergraduates programs important.” her son, John.
14 snc.edu/magazine 15
My Room/His Room
a junior in high school, GMS was up but Burke didn’t have any lounges and we SCHMUDLACH: I have an on-campus
nothing was in it yet. didn’t have a Campus Center then, so job in the library. It’s a great place to study,
there was a lot more hanging out in the don’t get me wrong! But I actually go to the
BRUESS: When I graduated, Cofrin residence halls than there is today. It was Pennings Room off the church atrium to
Hall was not here, Bemis was not here, common to see five or six people hanging study. I’ve gone in there maybe three dozen
and of course the Mulva Library and out in the rooms and all sorts of chaos times and only had other people in there
the new residence halls were not here. going on in the halls. Good memories! maybe three times. It’s super chill in there.
Last summer, the Class of 1957 was here
BURKE 215 celebrating their 60th. Carol and I were
talking to a table of people. [Bruess is
married to Carol (Sessler) Bruess ’90,
SCHMUDLACH: This past year was the
first year I had my turntable on campus. I
got into vinyls because my friends collect.
BRUESS: What are you excited about for
your senior year?
who also lived in Burke.] They were having Half of my collection, bands like Asia, are SCHMUDLACH: I only have to take three
trouble navigating on campus because of part of my dad’s collection and I get good classes for the last two semesters in order
They’re both SNC-educated. They like all the new buildings! I understand. Half use out of it. I tend to lean toward heavier to finish both of my majors. I’m looking
to think about things. The inventories of the meetings I’m going to I don’t know music when listening to CDs or digital, forward to getting more work experience.
of their dorm-room furnishings in both where they are. It’s kind of amazing! so having many of my vinyls fall into the I’m working in the library, I’m working
cases include a basketball, a turntable. easy-listening category provides a nice for athletics. I do the filming for volleyball
They make the most of their educational SCHMUDLACH: The first two years I was selection, especially for my guests. and basketball. When you watch it on
opportunities, and ascribe great value to rooming with people and then last year The misconception about introverts is, the computer, that’s usually me doing the
them. They appreciate the changes they’ve I went to a single room in Burke 215. they can’t do any social interaction. If you camera work.
seen on campus over the time they’ve The room itself was small. It was kind of need to survive, you’re going to do social
known it. They’re both above average BRUESS: How aware are you that this is
tough in the early going. When you have interaction. It’s part of how we’re wired.
height. And they have both, in different a roommate, they’re always there if you the most fun time of your life? Once you
eras, fitted their tall frames happily into need something. I counteracted that by BRUESS: I grew up more of an introvert,
graduate, the pressures are different.
one of the smallest spaces on campus: inviting people over to my room or going but I’ve watched my preferences evolve
SCHMUDLACH: I’m aware of [that]. I’m
Burke 215. One, a history and political to their place to hang out. A single room is a bit. When you recharge, you’re doing
science major, has the world at his feet just pushing it away and trying to keep it at
very nice because you don’t have to worry it solo. For someone like you who’s really
bay for a while. It’s going to be interesting,
and will graduate this year. The other is about rowdy roommates. If there’s a mess good at interacting with other people and
but in a way I’m looking forward to it.
now a college president – president of this in the room, the mess is yours. There are can function well, you and I are what I call
very institution, in fact. Mike Dauplaise pros and cons to both. performance introverts. You can turn it on
BRUESS: I think it’s really good that you’re
’84 sat down with Nicolas Schmudlach when you need to.
holding off. I also think it’s important
’19 and Brian Bruess ’90 as student and BRUESS: I chuckle when I hear you Do you study much in your room?
to fully immerse yourself in the college
president chatted about life on campus describe the room as small. I had a
experience because it is so unique.
from their shared residential viewpoint. roommate when I lived in Burke 215. SCHMUDLACH: No, I have established in
It never happens again, even in grad
At the time, students could make their my mind that my room is the hangout spot school. It’s such a precious time. I love
SCHMUDLACH: I lived in Madelaine/ own lofts and we constructed a single and the sleeping spot. I can’t do anything how thoughtful you are about your own
Lorraine as a freshman and 3M as a loft across the top of the room that was productive in my room. It’s a black hole of experience and not taking it for
sophomore. That was the river end of no more than 16 inches from the ceiling. turn-off-the-brain! granted and trying to get the
campus. Now I find that I’m on the south Underneath we had a small couch and most out of it. It’s really a
end of campus, and given my majors, I a beanbag chair. We also had 4-foot-tall BRUESS: Students have to find the space model approach.
never go past GMS [Gehl-Mulva Science cabinet speakers for our stereo, and we that works. I’m always curious about
Center]. I remember when I toured here as didn’t have video games or computers. where that is.
You and I are Dennis M. Burke Hall underwent a significant renovation in 2018 that
converted most its double-occupancy rooms to singles. The renovation
what I call
project includes redecoration of its beloved colonial-style fireplace lounge,
traditional home of the Wednesday-night Burke Hall Mass. A newly
furnished lounge on the lower level provides another place for hanging
performance out with friends.
Burke, completed in 1942 in a classical style that makes it a true icon
on campus, was first named Residence Hall and then (more imaginatively)
introverts. – Brian Bruess Berne Hall. In 1979, it was renamed after the college’s second president.
16 St. Norbert College Magazine | Fall/Winter 2018 snc.edu/magazine 17
Unpacking a
plesiosaurBy Rachel Mueller ’14
The original
Nessie
Old-timers:
Plesiosaurs swam
in the oceans of
205 to 66 million
years ago.
Long-necks:
These 35-footers
with snake-like
necks and small-
er heads used
their sleek form to
chomp on schools
of fish.
Short-necks:
The 15-footers
with larger heads
C
ate bigger fish,
onfirming a new species is not something that finally face-to-face with her find. She is beginning [many times] before and found nothing, but to see turtles and
happens in a lightbulb moment, and no one work on the skull. that skull in such beautiful condition was so exciting.” squid, and were
knows this better than Rebecca (Schmeisser) After three arduous years brushing, cleaning and more agile and
McKean ’04 (Geology). hydrodynamic.
Patience and paleontology putting together the fossils in the first of her plaster
Their compact
It’s been six years since McKean spotted some It was the summer of 2012 and McKean was jackets, the one containing the plesiosaur’s shoulder bodies with
particularly interesting bone fragments while at work in Southern Utah. It was hot, it was area, McKean is ecstatic that she’s now able to start muscular front
surveying the Grand Staircase-Escalante National uncomfortable and, after several unsuccessful trips the same process with the skull this fall. Excavating and back paddles
Monument in Southern Utah. … Five years since to the desert, she began to think she was not going to a complete skull of any specimen is something to helped them dart
her plesiosaur was finally excavated from the find a fossil worth her time. Then, she noticed some celebrate, says McKean, since it’s the part that’s through the water.
Tropic Shale, its bones packed into two large bone fragments sitting in an area behind a ridge she’d widely regarded as the most reliable path to species Weight:
plaster jackets, one small jacket and several bags of never explored before. identification. Plesiosaurs tipped
fragments. … Four years since she was able to bring Pieces of bone on the ground aren’t uncommon But the entire process requires the utmost patience, the scales at 1,000
it to St. Norbert, where the science faculty was still and typically don’t lead to a fossil find, but once both in the field and in the lab, and discovering a fossil pounds.
dispersed pending the remodeling of the old John R. McKean located intact vertebrae, and the skull within worthy of excavation isn’t all that easy either.
Still with us?
Minahan Science Building. … Three years since she the hill slope shortly thereafter, she knew she’d found McKean’s trips require a prospecting permit that
These “fierce
was finally able to open the first jacket in her new the remains of a prehistoric carnivorous marine allows her to collect anything on the surface or a few dolphins” are akin
state-of-the-art prep lab. reptile from the Cretaceous Period: a 92.5 million year inches beneath the ground. When researchers find to the mythic Loch
This fall, after three more years of diligent work old plesiosaur. specimens larger or deeper than that, they need to Ness Monster.
on the shoulder section – three years of toil over “You just never know what you’re going to get in apply for a separate excavation permit in order to
Images courtesy Dan Varner
bone fragments little larger than dust – McKean is any given field season,” says McKean. “I’ve been out remove the fossil. This tends to take a full year to and Rebecca McKean
18 St. Norbert College Magazine | Fall/Winter 2018Now in 3D! process, so the discovery site itself can’t be disturbed. former science building at St. Norbert. Because of the Path to
McKean has “It can be nerve-wracking because you don’t have fragility of the specimens, McKean decided to go to paleontology
experimented with eyes on your site for a whole year,” says McKean. “You Arizona in 2014, load up the two plaster jackets (one Sara Schreder-
creating digital worry about big storms that may come through, or containing the shoulder and the other the skull) and Gomes ’19 vividly
3D images of her drive them back to Wisconsin herself. Meanwhile, remembers the
further erosion, or even poachers who could steal the
plesiosaur and others moment she
from the Museum fossil.” work continued on the new science center with its
developed a
of Northern Arizona It wasn’t until the summer of 2013 that McKean’s geology prep lab. McKean had to be patient a little desire to study
with photogrammetry, plesiosaur was finally excavated, with help from while longer. paleontology. It
using photography Allison Shackelton ’14 and Shannon Fasola ’14 was SNC Day in
to map and measure Putting the puzzle pieces together 2015, and she
with Dave Gillette and volunteers from the Museum
objects. With help was regaling her
of Northern Arizona (where McKean currently By the time McKean finally cracked open the
from Erik Brekke visiting family
(Physics), she has partners as a research associate). The excavation first jacket in 2015, it had been almost three years with tales about
printed 3D models of this particular specimen presented a unique since she first laid eyes on her plesiosaur. Revealing her fascinating
of these images with challenge. It lay in thick shale near the bottom of a the fossils once more, in her brand new lab, was geology class while
his department’s 3D exhilarating. “To have this space is enormous for me. walking through
cliff where a car-sized boulder had fallen to rest upon
printer. the Gehl-Mulva
it. While sections of the skeleton a few feet from the I had a modified setup that worked, but it was so
She plans to Science Center.
bring them into the boulder were fractured, the skull fossil underneath cramped,” she says. “I designed this new space for my
When they came
classroom so her was in pristine condition. research. I have the ventilation, the surgical lights, the upon Rebecca
students can work “We later learned this actually improved the table that’s hydraulic – all the bells and whistles of a McKean diligently
with model fossils quality of preservation by preventing expansion prep lab that a big research institution has. I would’ve working in her
without having to not been able to work on these fossils here if GMS lab, the professor
travel to a digging of the shale during weathering,” says Gillette. “The
[the Gehl-Mulva Science Center] hadn’t been built.” stopped to explain
site or use the lab. boulder’s weight kept the ground compressed.” what she was
The field team had to tunnel far enough beneath With the plaster jacket opened, the fossil doing – sparking
the boulder to make a plaster jacket around the preparatory work began. The work includes carefully Gomes’ curiosity
skull. Fortunately, the boulder didn’t shift, the bones removing pieces of rock and bone from the jacket, Rebecca McKean at work in her GMS lab. in learning more
piece by piece, cleaning them with toothbrushes and about the history
Rebecca remained undamaged and the team safely removed
dental picks, and then gluing the pieces back together. of life on Earth.
McKean ’04 the fossil, which constitutes about 25 percent of a
has been published. She photographed bones from right now she’s taking bags of fragments, cleaning Alison Shackelton
(Geology) talks about complete plesiosaur skeleton. (It’s incredibly rare to McKean, with the help of St. Norbert geology
’14, who helped
the moment of students (including her Introduction to Paleantology several plesiosaurs from the Museum of Northern them up and putting them together to try and identify
find an entire fossil of any species, explains McKean, excavate the
discovery in 2012. class), recently finished examining the contents of the Arizona and generated 3D models so that she could what we have,” says McKean. “She’s getting that plesiosaur in
snc.edu/magazine and most complete fossils on display are composites
first jacket. Its contents were fractured and weathered undertake comparative work on campus. knowledge and making huge progress.” 2013, is in a Ph.D.
of several skeletons.)
due to erosion. This jacket contained part of the ple- After McKean officially identifies the species and Schreder-Gomes spends hours in the lab cleaning program studying
The plaster jackets were then transported to the fossil hippos. And
siosaur’s chest, one shoulder, the humerus, the publishes her research, the fossil will be transferred the fossils and putting them together, but when she
Museum of Northern Arizona for safekeeping for an Riley Hacker
scapula, a coracoid and several vertebrae and ribs. to the Museum of Northern Arizona as required by finds the perfect fit, she says it’s like no other feeling.
additional year while work began on remodeling the ’17 (below) is
(The coracoids are two large bones that stretched her permit. Museum staff there catalogue fossils of “When I work in the lab I get a little awe-struck now in grad
across the plesiosaur’s chest and helped them man- all kinds and manage them so they are accessible by just thinking that I have the privilege of being one school studying
The first more-complete long-necked euver their huge wing-like front flippers, or paddles.) other paleontologists. of the first people to handle this specimen in around Cretaceous fish.
plesiosaur was discovered by early “When you find tiny pieces that fit, they lock into Along with shared time in the field, McKean 90 million years,” says Schreder-Gomes. “It has its
paleontologist Mary Anning place and it’s so satisfying,” says McKean. “I’m really regularly incorporates hands-on experiences inside ups and downs. Sometimes I’ll spend an hour in the
(1799-1847). An image pleased with how the first jacket turned out.” and outside the classroom. It’s a chance to introduce lab and only find one or two bone fragments that fit As an
of Anning’s fossil find undergrad,
This fall she has started on the second jacket, St. Norbert students to the hands-on processes of together. Other days, I’ll find five or six.”
hangs in Rebecca Riley Hacker ’17
McKean’s office. which contains the full plesiosaur skull. It’s too early paleontology. was able to pros-
to confirm whether or not this plesiosaur is a new Some of her upper-level students also work in her Coming full circle pect a Utah site for
species – but it doesn’t resemble anything else that lab during the semester. They discuss taphonomy As a St. Norbert alum, McKean knows first-hand discovery, find a
has been found so far in the Tropic Shale, which is (the study of fossilization), talk in detail about the immense benefit she and other faculty can bring fossil fish, excavate
preservation, and open plaster jackets to clean fossil to their students. it, identify it as a
compelling in itself.
92.5-million-year-
“I love the prep work because it’s fulfilling,” pieces. McKean also advises students on their own “How cool it’s been for me to be an alum to come old Xiphactinus
McKean says. “These bones are 92.5 million years old. undergraduate research projects, which might involve back here as a professor and contribute to those same audax, and present
It’s amazing because they were in the ground for that examining specimens that they themselves have found types of student experiences that I was fortunate on his findings at a
long, and I’m the first one to see them since.” while working in the field in Utah with their professor. to have as an undergrad,” says McKean. “Tim [Tim national Geological
As the work proceeds, McKean compares her Sara Schreder-Gomes ’19, a geology student Flood] and Nelson [Nelson Ham] were my professors Society of America
conference. snc.
reconstructed fossil with other specimens that have who’s graduating this December, is currently assisting when I was here and strongly emphasized field-based edu/magazine
been discovered: first, with others from the same McKean with fossil prep work. learning, which had a huge impact on me.”
rock formation; then, with others on which research “Sara asked if she could get more experience, so McKean has worked hard to provide similar
20 St. Norbert College Magazine | Fall/Winter 2018You can also read
