Although Macalester is weathering the global financial downturn as well as or perhaps better than many of its peer institutions, it too has been impacted. Recently, President Brian Rosenberg announced initial steps the college is taking as it finalizes its 2009-10 budget.

Along with difficult decisions Rosenberg also announced measures to strengthen the college's mission: a significant new investment in financial aid — consistent with Mac's commitment to access and in recognition that many families are also experiencing financial difficulties — and that no faculty or staff layoffs are expected during the coming year.

Among the difficult decisions was the announcement that, with few exceptions, salary increases will be suspended for next year, no new positions will be added, open positions will be assessed as to whether they may remain open, and some non-personnel program reductions will be made.

Macalester is not faring as severely as some because it has prudently managed its finances. The college has manageable debt and has consistently operated within its means. As well, Macalester's endowment — while not escaping the overall market decline — experienced declines of about 15 percent in the last six months of 2008, compared to an average decline of 24 percent at peer colleges.

"Current and incoming students can be confident that academic excellence and the student experience will continue to be our top priories as we navigate these difficult waters," said Rosenberg.

Professor Emeritus Wayne Roberts retires from directing Math League

Professor Emeritus Wayne Roberts founded Math League in 1980.

Mathematics and Computer Science Professor Emeritus Wayne Roberts stepped down from his role as director of the Minnesota State High School Mathematics League, an organization he founded 29 years ago to recognize students who excel in math and prepare them for national competitions. The league currently counts 3,000 high school students from 173 schools as participants. The organization's president Tom Young believes the program has touched the lives of 50,000 students since it began. Roberts and his work in Math League was featured in a Star Tribune story on Tuesday, March 10.
· Read more at StarTribune.com
· Read an April 2005 Macalester Today article about Roberts

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Students volunteer in New Orleans for spring break

Many houses still require repair in New Orleans Lower 9th Ward. Photo: eschipul (flickr.com)

A group of 24 Macalester students and four staff members are volunteering in New Orleans through the new Bonner Week of Service during spring break. Fifteen members of the group are first-year students who are part of the college's new Bonner Community Scholars Program.

The group will work through Relief Spark to provide services in concert with community-based organizations in the New Orleans area. Their efforts will focus on a charter school, a Lower 9th Ward organization called NENA, and the Operation Green Light project. They will also tour the levies with a professor from Tulane and engage in reflection and discussion throughout the experience.

Rev. Neale Miller '72 has invited Louisiana alumni to welcome the group over coffee, dessert and conversation 7 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Lakeview Presbyterian Church 5914 Canal Blvd., New Orleans. To attend, email Rev. Miller.

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Power Shift conference energizes Macalester students

President Brian Rosenberg (right) took on the look of James Wallace (left) to help students attend Power Shift 2009. Photo: Nathan Young '11.

Macalester students joined 150 Minnesota students to attend Power Shift 2009, a climate and clean energy conference held Feb. 27 - March 2 in Washington, D.C. President Brian Rosenberg helped the group raise $6,000 from their classmates by growing a beard, and shaving it in a style picked by students — mutton chops joined by a mustache ala James Wallace, Macalester's president from 1894 to 1906.

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Frank Deford to speak on campus Monday, March 30

Frank Deford, NPR commentator

Minnesota Public Radio's Broadcast Journalist Series presents Frank Deford, commentator for National Public Radio's Morning Edition and nationally recognized sportswriter, at 7 p.m. Monday, March 30, in the Alexander G. Hill Ballroom of Kagin Commons. He's a regular correspondent on the HBO show RealSports With Bryant Gumbel and a senior contributing writer at Sports Illustrated. Deford was elected to the Hall of Fame of the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association in 1998, and has been recognized as "sportswriter of the year" six times by the same organization. He is author of 15 books including his recent The Entitled (2007). Sponsored by Macalester College, the Bibelot Shops and Dorsey and Whitney. No charge and open to the public, but tickets are required and can be picked up at any Twin Cities Bibelot location.

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Registration opens for Reunion 2009

The much anticipated online registration form for Reunion 2009 opened on Friday, March 6. Nearly 3,900 alumni are members of reunion-year classes, a number of whom have already registered to go. The young men who once sang with The Traditions and the founding members of Sounds of Blackness are also invited, along with all Twin Cities alumni who wish to check out the weekend's Alumni Awards Convocation, all-class picnic, two forums on race and the Obama impact, and a wide range of other activities.
· View the Reunion 2009 schedule
· Register to go

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Alumni share career-networking tips with seniors

Alumni career-networking presenters John Van Hecke '85, Jeremy Hanson '95, Marcia Peters '89, Emily Koller '03, and Katie Eukel '04. Photos: Kelly MacWilliams

The Student Support Committee of the Alumni Board worked with Alumni Relations, the Career Development Center, and the Internship Office to put on a career-networking reception for seniors Wednesday, March 4. In a series of five-minute presentations, more than 60 participating students heard from John Van Hecke '85 about overall networking tips; Emily Koller '03 about deciphering dress codes for different functions; Marcia Peters '89 about interviewing do's and don'ts; Alumni Board Vice President Jeremy Hanson '95 about on-the-ground networking tactics; Katie Eukel '04 about cleaning up and making use of online social networking services; Nick Raleigh about using MacDirect, the online community exclusively for alumni; and Susan Huffman about tips and tricks for engaging with food and dishware at a social function.

The reception is part of Macalester's effort to help students reach their career aspirations. Alumni can help too by forwarding any job/internship opportunities to John Mountain.

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International Phonathon dials alumni around the world

Esther Kim '09, Sarah Berg '12, Ariana Riegel '11, and Emily Johnson '11 called international alumni and friends of the college.

Twenty-five callers, including alumni, staff, and student volunteers, got together to dial around the world during the 24-hour International Phonathon that ended Monday, March 9. The group raised more than $8,000 in gifts and pledges from 80 individuals and households. Some callers practiced using a second language during the event. To volunteer for the next phonathon, email Zachary Teicher '07.

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Washington, D.C., steps forward

More than 200 alumni, parents and friends of the college attended the Step Forward event at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. the evening of Thursday, March 12.

The next Step Forward event takes place at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Fenway Park's EMC Club in Boston. Events are also planned for Seattle on April 16 and London on April 23. To RSVP for upcoming Step Forward events email Karlyn Wegmann.
· View list of upcoming Step Forward events

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March 18 - Wednesday
6 p.m.

Mac Reads: San Francisco
Unicorn Pan Asian Cuisine, 191 Pine Street
· Details

March 19 - Thursday
6 p.m.   

Step Forward: Boston
Fenway Park
RSVP to Karlyn Wegmann
· Details

March 19 - Thursday
7 p.m.   

Welcome student volunteers to New Orleans
Lakeview Presbyterian Church, 5914 Canal Blvd.
RSVP to Neale Miller '72
· Details

March 21 - Saturday
2 p.m.

San Francisco Walking Tour of Pacific Heights
Starts at the corner of Broadway and Fillmore
$20 per person.
· Register online
· Details

March 21 - Saturday
2:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Alumni Day at the Wildlife Science Center
Wildlife Science Center, 5463 West Broadway, Forest Lake, Minn.
$10 per person
ages 4 & up.
· Sign up to attend
· Details

March 21 - Saturday
6 - 9 p.m.

Class of 1999 Preunion in Portland, Ore.
Paddy's Bar & Grill, 65 SW Yamhill St.
RSVP through Facebook or to Josh Collins '99.
· Details

March 25 - Wednesday
6 - 8 p.m.

How to Navigate the Housing Market for Young Alumni
Alumni House, 1644 Summit Ave, St. Paul
To RSVP, email Anthony Begon.
· Details

March 26 - Thursday
7:30 a.m.

Sears Eldredge Presents Captive Audiences/Captive Performers
On Campus, Weyerhaeuser Board Room
$5 per person. A Great Scots event for alumni 55 and older.
· Register online
· Details

March 26 - Thursday
6:30 p.m.

Scots Pride Dinner at Mai Village
Mai Village, 394 University Ave. W., St. Paul
RSVP to Marcia Peters '89
· Details

March 26 - Thursday
6:30 p.m.

Chicago Dinner and a Play Night
Meet at Viet Bowl,
1122 W. Wilson
· Details

April 4 - Saturday
3 p.m.

Minnesota Tartan Day Honors Macalester College Pipe Band
Minnesota State Capitol, St. Paul
· Details

April 16 - Thursday
6 p.m.

Step Forward: Seattle
The Space Needle, Seattle, Wash.
RSVP to Karlyn Wegmann
· Details

April 17 - Friday
6 p.m. - 6 a.m.

Relay For Life at Macalester College
On Campus, Leonard Center, Field House
· Start or join a team at relayforlife.org
· Details

April 23 - Thursday
7 p.m.

Step Forward: London
London Hilton
on Park Lane
RSVP to Karlyn Wegmann
· Details

April 27 - Monday
6:30 p.m.

New York City Theater Night
Westside Theatre Upstairs, 407 West 43rd Street (between 9th and 10th Avenues)
$40 per person includes ticket and appetizers.
· Register online
· Details

IMPORTANT
SUMMER EVENTS:

Reunion 2009
June 5-7

San Juan Islands
Kayak Trip
July 16-19

Summer Session 2009
August 2-5