The Saint Louis University Museum of Art will host “Urban Wanderers: The Tail End” on Sunday, August 29, beginning at 1 p.m. Barret Jackman, defenseman for the St. Louis Blues, will be at the museum to mark the final day of the exhibition, featuring artwork inspired by abandoned animals rescued by Stray Rescue of St. Louis.

Urban Wanderers: The Tail End will offer a final opportunity to personally view the art that inspired over 40 area artists, including actress Loretta Swit, to paint, sculpt, and photograph an abandoned stray. All artwork is available for auction at blacktie-stlouis.com/auctions. Proceeds support Stray Rescue of St. Louis.

The dog days of summer are nearly at an end, however, the Stray Rescue mission continues. Over 90 dogs formerly housed at the city pound are in the process of being relocated and provided with clean, new homes at the new Stray Rescue shelter located at 2320 Pine. Although the Stray Rescue shelter is ready for occupancy, more than $600,000 is needed to complete construction. Stray Rescue of St. Louis requires $1.7 million annually for operational costs.

Light refreshments Pappy’s Smokehouse, and Anheuser-Busch products will be served.

Must be 21-years-of-age to consume alcohol.

Chaifetz Arena will host Vampire Weekend with Beach House and the Very Best on Sunday, October 3, at 7:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased on the Chaifetz’s website or at the box office.

Last time Beach House was here, they were playing for free at the Billiken Club. My how time flies.

The University Theatre will be holding auditions for the fall 2010 semester starting Sunday, August 22, at 6:00 p.m. and will wrap at 9:00 p.m.

Please prepare:
· To be considered for both the play and musical, prepare 1 comedic, contemporary monologue and 16-32 bars of a song from a Broadway-style musical. [Accompanist will be provided].
· To be considered for the play only, prepare 1 dramatic, contemporary monologue and 1 comedic,contemporary monologue with a combined time of not more than 3 minutes. Monologues should be memorized and from dramatic literature.

Auditions will continue Monday, August 23, from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Interviews for technical positions will also occur at this time. Sign up sheets for these sessions will be available on the callboard outside Xavier Hall 109 after noon on Thursday, August 19.

In order to save slots for new students returning theatre majors must audition on Sunday, August 22.

Prof. Gary Barker will conduct a brief Audition Workshop from 4:00-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 22. This may be particularly helpful to incoming students as you prepare for the semester auditions (what to wear, resumes, introductions/slating, etc.). But anyone is welcome to attend.

It is strongly suggested that you read the plays prior to auditioning and/or interviewing for a tech position. We will likely have some copies available in the Production Office the day of the Sunday Festivity.

The productions for the fall semester 2010 are:

Almost, Maine – October 1-2 and 8-10, 2010
by John Cariani
On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised, hearts are broken, bruises heal, and hearts mend—almost—in this delightful midwinter night’s dream.

Cabaret – November 12-13 and 19-21, 2010
book by Joe Masteroff, based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood
music by John Kander
lyrics by Fred Ebb
Based on Christopher Isherwood’s book Goodbye to Berlin, this daring musical uses the Cabaret as a mirror image of a decadent and vulgar German society sliding toward the Nazis. This exciting intertwining of entertainment with social history includes such musical classics as “Life is a Cabaret”, “Welcome”, and “Money, Money, Money”.

The shows for the 2011 spring semester are listed below. The auditions for the these two shows are Friday and Saturday, December 3 and 4, before the semester break, so people know where they are cast during the vacation. This also lets us hit the ground running (starting rehearsals) as soon as the second semester begins.

Much Ado About Nothing – February 25-26 and March 4-6, 2011
by William Shakespeare
One of Shakespeare’s most enduring comedies. Set in Sicily, Much Ado showcases Benedick, a confirmed bachelor, and Beatrice, his verbal adversary, in a classic battle of the sexes. Filled with romance, deception, buffoonery, and lots of laughs it is easy to see why this is a romantic comedy classic.

Dead Man’s Cell Phone – April 29-30 and May 6-8, 2011
by Sarah Ruhl
An incessantly ringing cell phone in a quiet café. A stranger at the next table who has had enough. And a dead man—with a lot of loose ends. So begins this wildly imaginative new comedy by one of America’s most celebrated playwrights. A fantastic odyssey of a woman forced to confront her own assumptions about morality, redemption, and the need to connect in a technologically obsessed world.

If you’re handy with a USB cable and would like to work along-side some great faculty and staff the John Cook School of Business is looking for help.

From the Technology Coordinator, Conrad Ramos:

Techs troubleshoot and resolve any technical issues that a staff or faculty member may have. These issues include troubleshooting printers, replacing hardware components on workstations, editing the registry and everything in between. Student workers are also trained in areas which they may not be knowledgeable in order to perform their duties.

The hours are flexible around your academic schedule and technicians start at $9/hr.

Interested parties should email their resume to Conrad at  ramoscc@slu.edu.

Photo by Joshua Davis – Licensed under Creative Commons

Interested in current news and events happening around campus? Need to find a building on campus? Do you need to contact your professor while you’re walking to class?

Good news – now you can do all of these things from your web-enabled mobile device!

Information technology services and student development have teamed up to bring you mobile SLU, a web site for mobile devices that includes the following features:

• News
• Events
• Map
• People Finder
• Athletics News
• Twitter

To get started, visit m.slu.edu.

One More Thing…

Have an iPhone, or iPod touch? The team has also completed the development of an iPhone app that offers these features and more.

Stream KSLU live, checkout the mobile version of SLU Connection and use the GPS-enabled maps to find your way around campus.

Download the App now on the iTunes App Store.

For more information about the mobile website, please contact the ITS Service Desk at 977-4000. For assistance with the iPhone app, please contact iphone@slu.edu.

Do you want to be the next Scorsese or Kubrick?

The Student Media Production Team (SMPT) is looking to hire an additional member to work on video production projects through the summer. Candidates must be a current SLU student who enjoys all aspects of video production. Over the course of the summer you’ll be involved in filming and editing various video projects for the university community.

Take a look at the job description below and if you are interested please contact Jason Young at jyoung42@slu.edu with your cover letter and resume.

JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Summary: Under the general direction of the Student Media Coordinator, the Student Media Staff members will provide media production services and to the division of Student Development.

CHARACTERISTIC JOB TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
May include any and/or all of the following:

1. Works with the staff of Student Life and the Student Development Department in creating, editing, and conceptualizing media projects for staff events and projects
2. Provides insight on what types of projects and mediums are most likely to capture students’ attention and interest.
3. Provides their services on a per project basis; meets with “customers” to discuss their ideas and desires for each project.
4. Knowledgeable in at least one main area of media production (video, audio, web technology and creation

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
• Working knowledge with Windows and Mac OS Platforms
• Interpersonal/Human relations skills
• Written and verbal skills
• Project coordination skills
• Planning/organizational skills
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to relate to students, institutional staff, and the public
• Ability to use consumer and prosumer video cameras and equipment
• Basic knowledge of videography/photography including white balance, framing of shots, lighting, and sound

REQUIREMENTS:
• Must be a student currently enrolled at Saint Louis University.
• Must have prior experience with at least one main area of media (audio, video, web design.
• Must be willing to work an irregular schedule (nights, weekends, etc.) on an as needed, hourly basis

Photo by santheo – Licensed under Creative Commons

Last Thursday, the Saint Louis University Annual Leadership and Service Awards were held in the Wool Ballrooms. Congratulations to all the winners!

Student Awards:
• Samantha Morr – Fr. Mario Ross, O.F.M. Leadership and Service Award
• Katie Semkiu – Fr. Paul Reinert, S.J. Service Award
• Steve Della Camera – Student Hall of Fame Award & Servant Leadership Award
• Alyssa Kernen – Student Hall of Fame Award & Servant Leadership Award
• Amanda Mason – Student Hall of Fame Award
• Laura McDowell – Mev Puleo Social Justice Award
• Candace Marie Ruocco – Exemplary Achievement Award & Servant Leadership Award
• Caitlin Boyce – Exemplary Achievement Award
• Chelsea Jaeger – Omicron Delta Kappa New Student Leader Award
• Tamara Harris – Servant Leadership Award
• Fady Hawatmeh – Servant Leadership Award
• Katherine Langlay – Servant Leadership Award
• Ashley Pitlyk – Servant Leadership Award
• Chris Fakoury – Servant Leadership Award
• Melissa Eckart – Servant Leadership Award
• Kurt Curtis – Servant Leadership Award
• Lauren Hashiguchi – Servant Leadership Award
• Stephen Schnettler – Servant Leadership Award
• Ashley Johnson – Servant Leadership Award

Outstanding Advisor Awards:
• Gregory Beabout, Ph.D.
• Steven Fowler

Student Organization Awards:
• InterFaith Alliance – New Student Organization Award
• Great Issues Committee – Outstanding Organization Award
• UNA – Outstanding Organization Award
• Alpha Phi Omega – Bill Nordmann Community Service Award

Click to enlarge.

National poetry month is now!

You can celebrate, find out how:

Join the University Libraries in celebrating National Poetry Month by attending the first annual poetry symposium April 14-16! Poet bios. and list of events–all free–can be found in the April issue of the University Libraries e-newsletter.

The Great Issues Committee has created a new campaign for campus unity:

Do you want to take a stand against injustice and help to spread the message of respect, inclusion, multiculturalism, and social justice? Join the Saint Louis University community in the “We are ALL Billikens” campaign, sponsored by the Great Issues Committee. SLU students, faculty, staff, and administrators have the opportunity to receive a free wristband stating the slogan. By wearing it, you will demonstrate that we are ALL Billikens regardless of race, religion, gender, age, ability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, and culture. By making a commitment to diversity and the Saint Louis University community, you can make a difference. Look for members of the Great Issues Committee and other student organizations as well as administrators handing out wristbands around campus and at SLU events.

You can find a Great Issues Committee table this week outside of ABP. Wristbands will always be available in the Student Involvement Center, BSC 319.

If you are interested in becoming a voting member of the Great Issues Committee, check out gic.slu.edu.

The SLU Haiti Relief Effort was created to coordinate the campus response to the Haiti earthquake. They’ve been very successful so far, and are planning more initiatives during the Lenten season.

Campus Ministry and the Haiti Relief Task Force are encouraging the SLU community to participate in Operation Haiti this Lent by making a daily pledge or donating what they would have spent on their Lenten Promise to an individual donation box. Those participating in this fundraiser have the opportunity to deepen their Lenten experience and aid the people of Haiti this Lent. All funds raised will be collected at the end of Lent and sent to the American Red Cross. Boxes containing inserts with instructions will be distributed after Sunday Masses, Residence Hall Masses, and in the Busch Student Center.

Operation Haiti seeks to bring a deeper connection between Lent and making a difference for others in need. For more information, contact sluhaitirelief@gmail.com or check out www.slu.edu/haiti.

Sponsored by Campus Ministry and the Haiti Relief Task Force.

Photo by United Nations Photo – Licensed under Creative Commons

Each semester a faculty member will be selected from student nominations to speak for the Last Lecture series.

The Last Lecture series provides an informal format for selected faculty to share reflections from their life and to speak to students as if it was their last lecture ever. There are not any rules for the lecture – the faculty member will be speaking from the premise, “If you knew this was your last lecture you would ever give, what would you share with students?”

Nominations from students will be accepted through February 26, 2010. The faculty member selected will be asked to speak during April 2010.

Nomination forms can be picked up in 319 BSC in the Student Involvement Center or via the website.

Submit nominations to Student Involvement Center in 319 BSC or via email to lastlect@slu.edu.

This program sponsored by the Division of Student Development and the Office of the Provost.

Image by bensonkua – Licensed under Creative Commons

The Office of Student Financial Services is here to serve you! Each year, students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to March 1 for priority consideration for financial aid. You can complete this form online at: www.fafsa.gov.

If you need help filing the FAFSA, take advantage of a FAFSA Workshop on SLU’s campus in the Busch Student Center- St. Louis Room from 2-4 p.m. on the following dates:
January 10, 24, 31
February 14, 21, 28

Can’t Attend A Workshop?
Log onto one of SLU’s financial aid chats between 5 and 8 p.m. CST on the following dates to speak with financial aid professionals:
January 6, 20, 28
February 11

Learn more about these workshops and chats at finaid.slu.edu.

If you have additional questions, please stop by to see us in DuBourg Hall, Room 121 or call 314-977-2350.

Photo by The Bent Tree – Licensed under Creative Commons

Billikens After Dark, Relay For Life, & Student Activities Board are taking over the Busch Student Center with casino games, dueling pianos, movies, prizes and much more!

The evening activities kick off this Saturday the 16th at 8pm  and continue until midnight. Meet in BSC 253 to start off and enjoy the rest of the events throughout the BSC.

Photo by Lisa Brewster – Licensed under Creative Commons

The Saint Louis Billikens (9-5) begin Atlantic 10 Conference play against Richmond Saturday, Jan. 9. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.

The game will be televised on Fox Sports Midwest with Pat Parris and Scott Highmark on the call. During halftime, the 1988-89 and 1989-90 Billikens NIT finalist teams will be honored as part of the “Billiken Legends” program, which recognizes great SLU teams from the past.

Want to spend your Mardi Gras having a good time and helping a local Parish? Saint Francis Xavier Social Ministry is having a Mardi Gras Fundraiser on Feb. 6th to benefit the Sister Parish.

The theme this year is ‘Mardi Gras Fusion: The Best of Rio, Venice & New Orleans’. Dinner and dancing will be in the beautiful Xavier Ballroom from 7pm to 11pm.

Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased as such:

1. Tickets sold after masses (Cash & Checks)
2. Mail in Checks to Mary Redford (113 South Gore Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63119)
3. Pay by credit card by contacting the parish office at 314-977-7309

Note: You must be 21 years old to attend!

Photo by Will Montague – Licensed under Creative Commons

One of the SLU bloggers, Katie, was nice enough to let us stalk follow her through her day (for which we are eternally grateful). Katie, a sophomore in the Doisy College of Health Sciences, let us go to her classes, follow her to lunch, and hang out with her during her evening activities.

What follows is a condensed day in her life.

Elie Wiesel is coming to SLU on December 1 in the Wool Ballrooms. The Facebook group already has over 1500 attendees, and counting. Here’s what GIC has to say about the event:

Elie Wiesel is an internationally renowned professor, writer, and activist. A survivor of the Holocaust, Mr. Wiesel was appointed Chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council by President Jimmy Carter in 1978 and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for speaking out against global repression in 1986. Mr. Wiesel has also been award the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. In 1960, his work Night was published and is now recognized as a landmark work in non-fiction. Night details Mr. Wiesel’s personal experience of the horrors of the Holocaust and has become a cornerstone of educational courses worldwide. Today, Mr. Wiesel is a professor of the humanities at Boston University and campaigns actively on behalf of victims of genocide and other forms of oppression. Doors open at 6:30 and the event starts at 7 in the Wool Ballrooms.

The Department of Fine and Performing Arts has sent us this information about the inaugural invitational exhibit:

The Department of Fine and Performing Arts at Saint Louis University has invited the artists Kate Bingaman Burt, Coby Ellison, Fran Lattanzio, Snail Scott, and Victor Wang to show their artwork in an inaugural invitational exhibit in the gallery at Boileau Hall.

Boileau Hall is located at 38 Vandeventer Avenue with parking in front of the building. The exhibit runs through November 21 with hours on Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 4 pm and by appointment. Please call 977-4070 for more information.

Image by Fran Lattanzio

Most residence halls are closing for break, so many students who don’t have local housing need a place to stay. The International Student Federation is calling on families to reach out to international students and host them over Thanksgiving Break:

The Host Family Program allows international students to stay with a domestic family and learn about culture in a familial environment. The student is expected to abide by all the family’s rules and therefore fills out a contract. A copy of the contract is given to the family after it is filled out.

The family’s responsibilities include picking up the student from school on the afternoon of November 24 and dropping them back off on November 29.

Families are not paid for taking this on but it does enrich the cultural experience of all of those who are involved!

For more information and to get a form, email Anelga Doumanian at adoumani@slu.edu.

Image by tuchodi – Licensed under Creative Commons