Spring Break March 13-17

Spring break at UNO is set for March 13-17.  UNO What's Up will not be published Monday, March 13.

The next issue of UNO What's Up will be published Monday, March 20.

Student Exhibition Under Way at UNO Art Gallery

The Spring 2006 UNO Art Student Exhibition is currently on display in the UNO Art Gallery.

This juried exhibition, which runs through March 31, features the 2006 recipients of the Bertha Mengedoht Hatz Memorial Awards. It includes work by Sarah Brogren, Matt Carlson, Rita Chandler, Blake Conant, Molly Connolly, Tiare Cyphers, Shaun Kiel, Lisa Lebens, Brandon Liebig, Dan Lowe, Melanie Martinez, Weenonah Miller, Alex Myers, Francis Osugi, Joe Pankowski, Katrina N. Pierce, Kym Rutledge, Nikki Snyder-Coffman, Jon Sours, Seth E. Thompson, Ashley Vak, Bart Vargas, Jenny Wagner, Monica Yoo and Ying Zhu.

The juror is Aaron Holz, an assistant professor of art and art history at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Admission to the UNO Art Gallery is free, and the exhibit is open to the public. Gallery hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 4 p.m.; Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.; and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.

The gallery is located at the north end of the Weber Fine Arts Building.  For more information, call 554.2796.

Seven Days of Service Begins March 13

More than 350 UNO students will be giving up their spring break to help renovate the Wesley House and four homes in North Omaha during the Seven Days of Service project March 13-17.  

The community service project, which began four years ago, is student driven and organized. Students gain hands-on experience and contribute by recruiting volunteers, collecting donations, publicizing the event and making renovations. Last year, students logged more than 15,000 volunteer hours.

"Most students say they want to be involved in their community," said Paul Sather, director of UNO's Service-Learning Academy and American Humanics Program. "We are helping them get the connection."

Work begins at 8 a.m. for the 50-some volunteers per day. The work includes tearing out and replacing carpet and linoleum, replacing windows, painting and landscaping. The volunteers receive free breakfast, lunch and a T-shirt each day they help. Guest speakers also talk to the volunteers each day on topics such as homelessness.

"What we are about is building the community," said Kathe Oleson, project consultant. "This project has all the right elements – learning, serving and connecting to the community. Students can feel that positive energy and want to contribute. They also learn that it can be fun and joyful to serve."

After the rehabilitation process is finished, Omaha Family Housing Advisory Services will qualify low to moderate income families to purchase the homes. For many, it will be their first owned home and a new beginning.

"The families who live in these homes are so grateful. To many of them, their new home represents the American dream," Oleson said.

This year, renovations also will be made on the Wesley House at 2001 North 35th St. The Wesley House is a nonprofit community-based organization that provides programs for teenagers and their families in North Omaha and throughout Douglas County. Renovations will include taking out temporary walls and restoring a sanctuary.

Nearly all of the funding for Seven Days of Service comes from donations made by more than 40 Omaha companies. The top donator, Wells Fargo, contributed more than $47,000 to Family Housing Advisory Services to assist with the project.

Erika Berg, a senior at UNO, will volunteer for the project again this year. "Helping with Seven Days of Service gives you such a rewarding feeling. You know you are giving back to the community and making it a better place for everyone, especially the families who get to move into the houses," she said. "Everyone benefits from the hard work. That's what makes it all worthwhile."

For more information or to volunteer for Seven Days of Service, call Oleson at 402.426.1303.

University Library Spring Break Hours, Temporary Closing

University Library will be closed Saturday, March 11, and Sunday, March 12, due to construction on the new addition. Electricity will be switched off in order to connect the addition to the existing building's power supply and fire alarm systems.

"Without electricity, we can't safely offer our normal services, so we have reluctantly decided to close. Since those two days are the beginning of spring break, we hope the inconvenience will be minimal," said Steve Shorb, dean of University Library. A special generator will be installed, so all online databases and other Web-based library services will be available without interruption.

University Library will be open March 13-17 according to the following schedule:

Monday, March 13, through Thursday, March 16

8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Friday, March 17

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, call 554.2640.

Tickets on Sale for Cesar Chavez Celebration

The 2006 Cesar Chavez celebration at UNO is set for Friday, March 24, at noon in the Milo Bail Student Center (MBSC) Ballroom.

Tickets are currently on sale in the MBSC Business Office. The cost is $10 for faculty and staff, $5 for students and $15 for the general public. Watch future editions of UNO What's Up for more details as the event nears.

For more information, call 554.2711.

Application Deadline for Cyber Corps Scholarships April 21

Applications for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Cyber Corps Scholarship for Service (SFS) at UNO are due Friday, April 21.

This program provides scholarship funding in exchange for service at a federal agency as an information assurance professional. While participants complete their studies, they will gain practical experience working with a federal agency as a summer intern. Once they graduate, their hands-on experience in information assurance at a federal agency will continue as they serve in a full-time position in the federal government.

Student participants receive scholarship funding for up to two years in exchange for service at a federal agency for the period equivalent to the length of the scholarship or one year, whichever is longer.

Application materials and instructions on how to apply are available at http://nucia.unomaha.edu/coeannounce/cybercorp.php.

Full program details are available at http://nucia.unomaha.edu/academics/academics.php.

UNO Library Friends to Host Faculty Author Talk March 7

The UNO Library Friends will host an evening with faculty author Steven Bullock Tuesday, March 7. He will present "Playing for Their Nation: Baseball and the American Military during World War II" at 7 p.m. in 100 University Library. 

Dr. Bullock joined the UNO Department of Political Science in 2005 after spending two years in the UNO Department of History. He has written or edited several books, including Playing for their Nation: Baseball and the American Military during World War I and a two-volume work titled The Founding Principles of the United States with Carson Holloway. He is currently working on a biography of Ty Cobb, which will be published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in 2008.

For more information, call 554.3205.

Information Session on Volunteering at Bethsaida March 8

Have you ever wanted to put your hands on history, literally?

International Studies and Programs will host an information session on volunteering with the Bethsaida Excavations Project Wednesday, March 8.  The event, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 6 p.m. in 216 Arts and Sciences Hall.

The Bethsaida Excavations Project is an archaeological site located near the Sea of Galilee in Israel. Bethsaida was the capital city of the forgotten biblical kingdom of Geshur. It is one of the most frequently mentioned towns in the New Testament and the purported place where Jesus performed several of his major miracles.

Rami Arav, director of excavations and research, will discuss the history of Bethsaida and how those interested can volunteer to dig at the site.

For more information about the March 8 information session, contact Steve Reynolds at 554.3108.  For more information about the Bethsaida Excavations Project, visit the Web at http://www.unomaha.edu/bethsaida/.

National Sierra Club President to Speak March 8

The national president of the Sierra Club will discuss economics, business and the environment in America at a public forum set for Wednesday, March 8, at UNO.

Lisa Renstrom, a graduate of Westside High School and UNO, was elected the 51st president of the 750,000-member Sierra Club in May 2005. She will speak at 7 p.m. in Eppley Auditorium in the Eppley Administration Building. The event is free and open to the public, and student groups are welcome.

"We are told so often today that we have to choose between a healthy environment and a strong economy. While environmental protection comes at some cost, most issues are not that simple," said John McCarty, a professor of biology and director of environmental studies at UNO. "Lisa Renstrom combines a strong background in the business world with a commitment to a healthy environment. I am looking forward to hearing the perspective she brings to the difficult environmental questions facing America today."

Renstrom received her B.S. in business administration from UNO in 1982. 

Dr. McCarty said the subject of Renstrom's address is timely for Omaha and the state, as both are concerned with attracting and keeping young professionals in Nebraska communities. In a survey of college students conducted by the Chronicle of Higher Education last fall, 75 percent identified better environmental protection as an important priority for them.

"Community leaders here in the midlands recognize that by investing in environmental protection and by helping to conserve natural habitats, they are not only helping the environment but are also making the metropolitan area more attractive to those young professionals our economy depends on," Dr. McCarty said.

The forum is sponsored by the UNO Environmental Studies Program, the UNO College of Business Administration and the Nebraska chapter of the Sierra Club.

For more information, contact Dr. McCarty at 554.2849 or jmccarty@mail.unomaha.edu.

Concert Featuring Transcontinental Duo March 8

The music and culture of Bulgaria and America will join forces in a unique concert set for Wednesday, March 8, at UNO.

"Dan and Daniella: A Transcontinental Musical Merger" will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Strauss Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. The event will feature Bulgarian-born Daniella Ganeva and American Dan Moore. Both are internationally known musicians. 

Ganeva is a classically trained musician who champions contemporary music. Moore is known for his work in jazz and ethnic music. "Together, they generate a repertoire that defies classification in an elegant evening of distinctive music for melodic percussion," said Tomm Roland, event organizer and coordinator of percussion studies/multicultural music at UNO.

The performance will include selections from their individual solo repertoire as well as compositions and arrangements specially created for the duo. 

The concert is sponsored by Yamaha, Innovative Percussion, Sabian, LP, Mike Balter, Grover Percussion and the University of Iowa. Tickets are $8 for the general public and $5 for all students. They can be purchased in advance by calling 554.3427 or at the door.

For more information, contact Dr. Roland at 554.3155 or troland@mail.unomaha.edu.

Bookstore Women's Apparel Sale through March 10

The UNO Bookstore is hosting a UNO/Maverick women's fashion apparel sale this week through Friday, March 10. Select women's fashions are 20% off.

The UNO Bookstore is open according to the following schedule:

Monday through Thursday

7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday

7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Maverick Watch

Go Mavs! Support your Mavericks by attending their home events.

At home this week…

Monday, March 6

Baseball vs. Southwest Minnesota State

The Ballpark at Boys Town

137th and West Dodge Road

Noon and 3 p.m. (Double header)

For more information about UNO Athletics, visit the Web at http://gomavs.unomaha.edu/.

Chastain, Mavericks to Host Soccer Clinic March 7

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Brandi Chastain and the 2005 NCAA Division II champion Mavericks will team up to host a free soccer clinic Tuesday, March 7, at Sapp Fieldhouse.

Chastain will be the featured speaker at the 2006 Diet Pepsi/UNO Women's Walk Kick-Off Luncheon. The event will be held Wednesday, March 8, at 11:30 a.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Omaha.

The March 7 clinic is free for soccer players of all ages. However, tickets must be obtained in advance at any of the following locations:

- The UNO Athletic Ticket Office (Sapp Fieldhouse lobby);

- Lawlor's Custom Sportswear, Westroads location; or

- Soccer Internationale, 132nd and Center streets.

You must have a ticket to gain entry to the soccer clinic.

The March 7 event will begin at 5:30 p.m. Various activities will be featured, including kicking and dribbling. Attendees can have their photographs taken with the NCAA Division II championship trophy, and the Maverick players will be available for an autograph session. Chastain also will be available on a limited basis for autographs.

The clinic will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. It will feature Chastain, the Mavericks and Don Klosterman, the national NCAA Division II Women's Coach of the Year.

Free parking will be available on the UNO south campus at 67th and Pacific streets with free shuttle service to Sapp Fieldhouse. On-campus parking will be limited.

Tickets for the March 8 luncheon are $55 per person and may be reserved by calling 554.2533.

UNO Forensics Team Tournament Results

The UNO Forensics Team traveled to Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 18-19, to compete in the Nebraska Intercollegiate Forensics Association's annual state tournament.

The team finished in fifth place. The team's four state finalists are Teresa Oberdorfer and Matt Eledge, who placed fifth in duo interpretation; Marty Ertz, who was third in after-dinner speaking; and Buey Ruet, who was second in persuasive speaking. Ruet was also the top novice competitor in program oral interpretation.

Additionally, Ruet was chosen as one of two students who will represent the state of Nebraska at the Interstate Oratorical Association (ISO) National Tournament later this spring. The ISO tournament is the oldest, most prestigious and most selective speech tournament in the nation. Only two students from each state attend the competition.

Up next, the team will compete at a Kansas State University tournament.