November 5, 2009 QuickNotes

OH COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

Now through Friday night, the three-day centennial interfaith symposium, "To Each a Key: Unlocking the Door to Interfaith Harmony," continues with all-day festivities today (Thursday, November 5) and a spectacular Friday evening finale, complete with live music. This event brings to campus Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders from across the nation to dialog with faculty, students and the Helena community, including local faith leaders. Their subject: not our differences, but our common beliefs. The U.S. is a religious melting pot, yet we don't experience the same level of conflict between faiths that occur in other countries, says organizer Dr. Barry Ferst. Because of our ability to harmonize people of all religions and even no religion, what can the U.S. teach the world about peace? Plenty, says Professor Ferst, and we can all be part of the conversation right here on Carroll's campus during this multi-day "retreat." It's all open to the public.

Events today kick off in the Campus Center at 1 p.m., continuing into the evening. Thursday highlights include the 1:15 Sister Annette Memorial Lecture "The Face of Female Spirituality," a visual presentation by honored speaker Dr. Elizabeth Ursic; a 3 p.m. panel of students from various faiths; and an all-evening discussion of Islam, Judaism and Christianity in three separate talks starting at 6:30 p.m. and wrapping up at 9. On Friday at 6 p.m., the final symposium discussions begin, with a confab on interfaith peace prospects. The Helena Chamber Singers will offer the send-off with uplifting "Songs of Joy" at 9.

For the full story in the Helena Independent Record and the schedule of events, read: http://www.helenair.com/news/local/article_369fd6e0-c900-11de-8fe7-001cc4c03286.html

You can also view the information about all the national speakers and their talks here: http://www.carroll.edu/about/pressreleases.php?id=12561

The full event schedule is also online on the Carroll website here: http://www.carroll.edu/about/pressreleases.php?id=12559

MIDEAST MEALS

The symposium's only non-free events are the food-related ones. Last night was the Middle East buffet dinner, and you can still sign up for the special Sweets of the Mediterranean dessert buffet tonight (Thursday, November 5). Reservations are required for this delicious happening, with tickets $25. Call Dr. Barry Ferst at 406-447-4324 or email to get your place at the table.

Executive chef Gail Babcock (right) and her cooking staff at Sodexo Campus Dining Services plied their culinary skills to create these exotic foodie events. Check out the yummy details at: http://www.helenair.com/news/local/article_da726dec-c83c-11de-ab62-001cc4c002e0.html

SCURVY STAGERATS

Tonight--Thursday, November 5--Carroll Director of Improv Michael McNeilly's musical comedy with social commentary, "The Pirate Play," makes its world premiere on the Carroll Performing Arts Center stage in Old North, St. Charles Hall. McNeilly directs a cast of scurvy stagerats, including the blackhearted Count Long Gone Madoff and his band of bailout-seeking bankers. Original music and plenty of laughs promise a memorable night at the theater.

"The Pirate Play" will only be showing this weekend and next. See it tonight through Saturday at 7 p.m., with a 3 p.m. Sunday matinee on November 8; and next week on November 12-14 at 7 p.m., with a final 3 p.m. performance on Sunday, November 15. Carroll students admitted free on Thursdays (that means tonight!) and Sundays. Faculty and staff are free for all performances. For non-Carroll theater-goers, tickets are $11 general admission, $8 for seniors and students. Call 447-4304 and leave a message to reserve tickets.

See the Helena Independent Record story on the production here: http://www.helenair.com/entertainment/yourtime/article_ec733fca-c9d7-11de-be07-001cc4c002e0.html

GOING THE WAY OF OZYMANDIAS

No, this isn't about "The Osbournes." Next Monday, November 9, Carroll Assistant Professor of History and modern European historian Dr. Gillian Glaes takes the stage in Simperman Hall's Wiegand Amphitheater to talk about the November 9, 1989, fall of the Berlin Wall (photo right) and, with it, the Iron Curtain. "Commemorating the Berlin Wall: 20 Years after the Fall," starts at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to everyone. In her talk, Dr. Glaes will examine the wall's origins and its role in the Cold War, how and why it fell, and what's occurred since its demise.   

GET INSPIRED

The community is pumped about this one: next Wednesday and Thursday, November 11-12, popular national touring speaker Matthew Kelly, a New York Times bestselling Catholic author, will present two talks on becoming the best version of yourself. He will appear at 7 p.m. in the Carroll PE Center each night (new material each evening). Young people, those searching for faith, devoted parishioners, priests and public are welcome to this energizing, dynamic event. Suitable for ages 12 on up. Sponsored by Carroll College Campus Ministry and OYYAM (Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry).

GET A TASTE OF VAMPIRE FICTION

Next Thursday and Friday, November 12-13, poetry, prose and a panel discussion on vampire fiction (just in time to whet your appetite for "Twilight 2") are all on the table as the 7th annual Carroll Literary Festival arrives. Festivities begin on Thursday evening with a reading by celebrated Helena-homegirl Maile Meloy (left), who will read from her latest work, "Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It," at 7:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Campus Center. Meloy is also the author of the short story compilation "Half in Love" and the novels "Liars and Saints" and "A Family Daughter." Her stories have been published in The New Yorker, Granta and The Paris Review.

The fest continues on Friday, with student author readings starting at 10:30 a.m. in the lower level of the Campus Center. At noon, Associate Professor of English Loren Graham, an award winning poet, will delight the audience with excerpts from his forthcoming book, "Mirrow," in Trinity Hall lounge. Afterward, it's back to the Campus Center for more student readings and a unique panel discussion,  "Sympathy for the Devil": Vampires in Popular Culture," at 4:15. Everything is free and open to the public. The full schedule of Literary Fest readings is online at: https://www.carroll.edu/about/pressreleases.php?id=12669

IN BOARD WE TRUST

Last week's Carroll board of trustees meeting resulted in new developments, including the election of three new board members and a new board chair, plus tenure and promotion for faculty. For the latter, see Faculty News below. For the new board constituency, check out: https://www.carroll.edu/about/pressreleases.php?id=12665

In summary, our new board chair is Ray Messer (right), class of 1970, of Bellaire, Texas, the president and board chair of Walter P. Moore and Associates, a Houston-based engineering firm. The three incoming board members are: Dick Anderson, the president of Dick Anderson Construction, Inc., in Helena, Mont.; Dannette Sullivan, class of 1972, the western regional director of the higher education nonprofit National Student Clearinghouse in Herndon, Va.; and Dr. Thomas Flynn, class of 1958 with a 2006 Carroll honorary doctorate, who is the Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Philosophy at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga.

IT'S BIN A LONG TIME

Just two months, and your plastics recycling bin can get close to overflow, but relief is on the way with this weekend's SAVE plastics drive in the usual location, the YMCA parking lot just east of Carroll's campus. Bring your cap-free, rinsed type 1 and 2 containers, including trays, to 1100 North Last Chance Gulch on November 6-9 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Volunteers are still needed to help sort recyclables and unload cars-if you can spare a few hours, just email .

STUDENT NEWS

 For all the latest on Student Activities and events coming up, check the Carroll Students webpage: http://www.carroll.edu/students/

 ALUMNI NEWS 

Events

Due to the overwhelming response to the spring 2010 Treasures of Italy tour, Carroll Alumni Relations has decided to open the trip up to more participants. A second tour bus has been added to the itinerary, leaving room for all of you who were disappointed when this popular trip sold out early on. The 12-day base tour to Italy will be May 17-28, 2010, with the optional tour extension to Oberammergau, Germany, for the famous Passion Play. For a complete itinerary and pricing information visit: http://www.carroll.edu/alumni/travel/index.cc These will not last long, so if you are interested contact Alumni Director Kathy Ramirez at or at 406-447-5185.

In the News

As of September 1, 2009, Jon Saunders, class of 1990, has been vice president of Cordillera Communications-Group Manager of the Montana Stations. Jon retains his position as the president/general manager of Montana's KRTV and KXLH television stations. "I am excited about leading the Montana Group of Stations and building on the rich tradition of market leadership and news dominance. The fact that this opportunity is in my home state, working with the most talented people in small market television and for a premier broadcast company like Cordillera is a realized dream," Jon says.  His career started in 1992 at KTVM (Eagle Communications) in Butte, Mont., in advertising sales.   He joined Cordillera in November 1993 at KXLF in advertising sales and moved to KVOA in June 1997 in advertising sales. In October 1999, he was hired as a local sales manager at KTVQ. In April 2007, he became the president/general manager at KRTV. He was inducted into Carroll's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006 for his renown on the Fighting Saints football squad. He and wife Merisa (Smith) Saunders, class of 1994, live in Great Falls.

Dr. Joshua Nickerson, class of 2001, reports that he, wife Angele Mott-Nickerson (class of 2000) and son Gabriel are moving to Baltimore, Md., this summer where Josh will be in a neuroradiology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital. In 2006, Josh graduated from medical school at Loma Linda University (Calif.) and went on to a radiology residency at the University of Vermont.

KayLee Dart, class of 2009, has been hired as the marketing specialist at Mortgage Advisory Group in Everett, Wash.

The Billings Outlaws football team has hired former Carroll College running back Sean Herrin, class of 2009, as an offensive assistant. Herrin will serve as the running backs coach and assistant offensive coordinator. Herrin, a Helena native, played running back, wide receiver and kick returner in his career at Carroll, where he was part of NAIA national championship teams in 2004, '05 and '07. The 2010 Indoor Football League season will begin in March.

FACULTY NEWS

At its annual fall meeting on October 30, 2009, the Carroll College board of trustees granted tenure and promotion to six of the college's faculty members.

Granted tenure were Dr. Kelly Cline, associate professor of mathematics and astronomy; Dr. Bradley Elison, associate professor of psychology and chair of Carroll Psychology Department; and Dr. Jennifer Geiger, associate professor of biology. All three have taught at Carroll since 2003.

The board promoted Terry Mullen to the rank of full professor of mathematics, engineering and physics and Brent Northup to the rank of full professor of communication studies. Northup joined the Carroll faculty in 1989 and serves as the chair of the Communication Studies Department and as the award-winning coach and director of the Carroll Talking Saints forensics team. Mullen is a professional engineer who has taught at Carroll since 1983.

The board promoted to the rank of associate professor of computer science David Marshall, who has taught at the college as an assistant professor since 2005.

ATHLETICS

Plenty of news to report. First up: on All Saints Day eve, Carroll's Fighting Saints clinched the Frontier Conference title for the 10th straight year. The usual playoff stuff is on the horizon after this Saturday's away game against Eastern Oregon.

And, the amazing Saints' women's soccer team won its third straight Frontier Conference regular season title, giving them the right to host the 2009 Frontier Conference/DAC post-season tournament on top of the invitation to enter the NAIA Unaffiliated Group Tournament November 11-14 in Dallas, Texas. The Frontier Tournament will take place this Friday and Saturday at Nelson Stadium with the Saints playing in the first game at noon against the University of Great Falls. 

For everything purple and gold, check Carroll's Athletics website, where you'll find news, schedules and much more at: http://www.carroll.edu/athletics/

COMING EVENTS

Ongoing: The second art exhibit in the centennial "Carroll Connected" series. The new show gives us art from the collections of Carroll faculty and administrators, including President Tom Trebon and Professors Sam Alvey, Kyle Strode and Robert Swartout, plus Professor Emeritus of Music Joe Munzenrider. Running through December 10, this exhibit is free of charge in the Art Gallery in St. Charles Hall, open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, closed weekends and college holidays.

Ongoing: The Corette Library now has on exhibit the centennial archive display of historic Carroll images and documents on the top floor, north wall.

Ongoing: The Myrna Loy Center continues its discounts for Carroll students, faculty and staff (with Carroll ID) during its popular Tightwad Tuesdays, with $2 film admission. On non-Tuesdays, tickets are just $4.50 for Carroll audience members. Discount tickets for top acts live on the Myrna stage are also available to the Carroll community, with students admitted for $7 and faculty/staff for $15. Find the Myrna on 15 N. Ewing Street, just off Broadway Avenue and across from the courthouse. Check out the Loy schedule at www.myrnaloycenter.com.

November 5: Part of the Lewis and Clark Library's "Big Read Under the Big Sky III" program, retired Carroll Political Science Department Chair and Professor Emeritus Dennis Wiedmann will present "Domestic and Electoral Politics of the '60s" at 7 p.m. in the Lewis and Clark Library, 120 S. Last Chance Gulch, in Helena.

November 8: Carroll Choirs sing at Sunday 11 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of St. Helena.

November 12: November Faculty Colloquium with speaker Fine Arts Professor Ralph Esposito presenting "Cultural Immersion: Greece and Bulgaria, a Fulbright Experience" at 4:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Campus Center.

November 14: Race to Raise Hope for Haiti, 5K fun run. All proceeds benefit Montana Dental Outreach, which took a student group to Haiti to provide dental care to thousands of poor rural citizens last spring and is planning a return trip this winter. Entry fee is $5 for students, $12 general in advance or $15 on race day. Race registration begins at 10 a.m. at the Carroll PE Center (no credit cards on race day). The run/walk begins at 11 a.m. at the Bill Roberts Municipal Golf Course (just across the railroad tracks from campus). Registration is also available at Active.com, with race name "Hope for Haiti." Packets will be available on race day. For more, contact Jade Johnstone at (406)788-4837 or or Louis Bartoletti at (406)925-2306.

November 15: Carroll Choirs sing at the "college fair" event at Crowne Plaza in Billings, hosted by Carroll Admissions Office.

November 16: Carroll Choirs give concerts at Billings Central Catholic High School and Skyview High (Billings).

November 17: Carroll Choirs give concerts at Billings West High School and the St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, Mont.

November 16-17: Carroll students will have a chance to learn more about summer internships with the Federal Highway Administration, which will have reps on campus on November 16 and 17. Contact Career Services at to schedule an interview.

November 18: Dr. Kelly Cline presents "Infinity and Beyond: From Mathematics to the Big Bang and Black Holes," 7 p.m. in Simperman Hall's Wiegand Amphitheatre, room 101-202. Free and open to the public.

November 19: Part of the Helena Education Foundation's Great Conversations program, Carroll will co-sponsor a panel discussion, "Future of News Media" at 7 p.m. in Trinity Hall lounge. Panelists will include University of Montana School of Journalism Dean Peggy Kuhr, Associated Press Western States Division Director Jim Clarke and Helena Independent Record Editor John Doran. Carroll President Tom Trebon will moderate. Sponsored by Carroll College and the Helena Independent Record.

November 22: The Carroll College Choirs will provide music for the St. Cecilia Day Mass at St. Mary Catholic Community in Helena.

December 2: Alpha Seminar Conference, Simperman Hall, 6-9 p.m.

December 10: "A Night of One Acts" by Carroll Performing Arts students, in the Merton Acting Studio downstairs in the Campus Center, 7 p.m.

December 12: Choreography recital by Carroll choreography students at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center, St. Charles Hall, Old North.

December 13: Carroll College Choirs Christmas concert, Cathedral of St. Helena, 4 p.m. Free. The program contains a cappella selections and carols for Christmas and features larger works by Giovanni Gabrieli and Daniel Pinkham for choir, brass quartet, and organ.

AND, COMING IN 2010!

January 18: Martin Luther King Day. Fr. Jerry Lowney is organizing events including an 11 a.m. Mass in honor of Dr. King in St. Joseph's Chapel, Borromeo Hall; outreach volunteer work by students, faculty and staff starting at noon to mark Community Service Day; and a 7:30 p.m. Martin Luther King Day Forum, with speakers to be announced.

February 9: IMPACT Business Campaign Kickoff Breakfast

February 5-7: Centennial Showcase performance of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. With guest director Katie Wright, this Senior Showcase project for senior Bryan Ferriter will feature myriad talents of Carroll student thespians. This is an edited version, a revival of a 1994 version of Shakespeare's classic tale of revenge.

February 6: Headlights Spaghetti Dinner, St. Mary's Church, 5-8 p.m. Fund-raiser for the upcoming service abroad trip to the Guatemala Mission.

February 10-13: Carroll hosts the Rocky Mountain Theatre Association Youth Festival, a week of workshops, guest artists, and a variety of shows at theatres throughout Helena.

February 16: IMPACT Friends and Parents Spring Phonothon begins

February 16: Lowney-Hunthausen Lecture by Ken Wooden, Ph.D., a sociologist and the celebrated author of "Weeping in the Playtime of Others: America's Incarcerated Children." Ken Wooden has appeared on ABC News "20/20," CBS "60 Minutes," and NBC News. As the founder of Child Lures, Ltd., a firm dedicated to developing strategies for protecting children from sexual exploitation and abduction, he has testified before Congress several times. Sponsored by Sociology Professor, Fr. Jerry Lowney.

February 19: Third annual Senior Etiquette Dinner, 6 p.m. in the lower level of the Campus Center. RSVP to: careers@carroll. Seating is limited.

March 9: IMPACT Business Campaign Wrap Up CHEERS Party.

March 18-21 & 25-28: Centennial mainstage play, "A Piece of My Heart," by Shirley Lauro, featuring guest director and Carroll performing arts alumnus Peter Ruzevich, class of 1993. This true drama brings us six women (five nurses and a country-western singer) who have returned from Vietnam and shows us each life affected by war, ending with a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. This play's selection was inspired by the Carroll College Nursing Program and the college's connection with Captain Diane Carlson Evans, U.S. Army Nurse Corps, R.N., the founder of the Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation, who received an honorary doctorate from Carroll last May. Curtain is 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center, St. Charles Hall, Old North.

April 16-17 & 24-25: Carroll Theatre for Children series presents "Charlotte's Web," based on the classic and beloved book by E.B. White, featuring direction by senior Kelly Clavin and design by junior Kailey Portsmouth. Curtain is 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center, St. Charles Hall, Old North.

April 25: Carroll College Choirs spring concert, St. Mary's Catholic Church, 4 p.m.

April 26: Honors Convocation, 7 p.m., Campus Center.

May 6-7: Theatre Alumni Reunion and "Carroll Theatre History," a performing arts review of Carroll shows from 1913 to present in a multi-media production with archive photos and reenactments of selected plays and music from our past. Curtain is 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center, St. Charles Hall, Old North.

May 8: Commencement and Centennial Gala with music of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, fine dining, and all kinds of fancy stuff. Once in a lifetime, baby-so save the date, all you Saints. More details later!

Many more Centennial events are listed on the Carroll website at: http://www.carroll.edu/forms/about/history/calendar.pdf