Since Step Forward, the campaign for Macalester, kicked off its public phase in October, six regional events have drawn nearly 1,000 alumni and friends from San Francisco to New York City, and from Boston to Phoenix.

Named for a call to action made by former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan '61, the Step Forward campaign has raised $105 million in gifts and pledges to enhance the Macalester student experience, grow faculty resources, improve facilities, and endow new need-based scholarships.

Fenway Park displayed a special message on the John Hancock scoreboard during the Boston Step Forward event. Photo: Glenn Kulbako.

The next two Step Forward events will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at the Seattle Space Needle and 6 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at the London Hilton on Park Lane. Alumni, parents, and friends living in Washington or Oregon, and living in Europe may email Karlyn Wegmann to attend either event.

Tonderai Chikuhwa '96 to speak at Commencement

Tonderai Chikuhwa '96 being interviewed in the U.N. Trusteeship Council Chamber. Watch video »

Tonderai Chikuhwa '96, senior program officer in the U.N. Office for Children and Armed Conflict, will address the graduating class and their guests at Commencement 2009 happening at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 16, on campus.

"Tonderai lives Macalester's values in his daily work, as exemplified by his passion and commitment to improving conditions for the world's children living in war zones," said President Brian Rosenberg. "We are delighted he has accepted our invitation to speak to our 2009 graduates, who are the next generation of global citizens and leaders."

Chikuhwa is driven by his personal encounters with children ravaged by warfare and says, "Once you have been with the children, it is not possible to turn your back on them." He is working to implement a global mechanism to monitor and report on grave child rights violations in Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sri Lanka, Colombia and other conflict zones.

At Reunion 2009 in June, Chikuhwa will be honored with Macalester's first Charles J. Turck Global Citizen Award, named for the college's president from 1939 to 1958, who first raised the U.N. flag on campus as a symbol of the college's commitment to international harmony.
· Watch a video of Tonderai Chikuhwa '96
· Read the official announcement
· Read more in the Summer 2007 Macalester Today

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Professor Jaine Strauss receives Thomas Jefferson Award

Psychology Professor Jaine Strauss

Recognizing her exceptional teaching, research, and contributions to the Macalester community, Psychology Professor Jaine Strauss was honored by her faculty peers with the 2009 Thomas Jefferson Award in March.

"Jaine is an astonishing teacher," reads the award's citation. "She routinely mesmerizes students across the range of the psychological curriculum from Introductory Psychology, through intermediate and advanced courses in her areas of specialty. Her course Distress, Dysfunction, and Disorder (affectionately known as '3-D') is a legend in the department. It would draw over 100 students each semester if it weren't capped at 75."

The Thomas Jefferson Award has been given annually since 1962. Professor Emeritus Jack Weatherford received the award last year, and Professor Jan Serie received it in 2007.
· Read the full citation of the award
· Listen to a January 2008 podcast interview with Strauss
· Read more in the December 2004 Macalester Today

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Shantee Rosado '09 receives 2009 Global Citizenship Student Award

Shantee Rosado '09

Macalester's Institute for Global Citizenship announced Shantee Rosado '09 is this year's winner of the Global Citizenship Student Award, given annually by the three-year-old institute. She and award finalists Annie Virnig '09 and Timothy DenHerder-Thomas '09 were formally recognized at the IGC's Civic Forum dinner last month.

This honor is presented annually to the graduating senior who best demonstrates a commitment to the ideals and practice of high academic performance, internationalism, multiculturalism, and civic engagement.

Shantee, a double major in sociology and psychology, was selected for the award for impressively articulating her views on global citizenship in an intellectual, yet deeply personal fashion, tying her extensive work in communities of South Minneapolis and Fiji to her development as a student and leader.
· Hear a podcast interview with Rosado
· Subscribe to Macalester Talks podcast series

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Mac baseball and softball teams play first games on new ball fields

Alison Phillips '10 throws out a batter from her shortstop position as Ali Nystrom '10 looks on. Photo: Christopher Mitchell '01 / Sport Shot

Mac baseball and softball teams inaugurated the new Nicholson Baseball Field & Macalester Softball Complex at their home openers earlier this month. The baseball team won their double header against St. Mary's and the softball team lost their double header against Gustavus Adolphus.

Macalester's alumni group for former student athletes, the M-Club, teamed up with the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), to host special BBQs for softball's home opener and baseball's second game on their home field.

As of Tuesday, April 14, the baseball team has won all five of its home games and is 4-4 in the MIAC and 13-12 overall. The softball team is 0-10 in the MIAC and 5-19 overall.
· Visit Scots Softball site
· Visit Scots Baseball site

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It's a great time to sign up for Reunion 2009

Airfare war continues to make flying to reunion less expensive. Photo: Rainer Ebert (CC).

A "perfect storm" is making it a great time to register for Reunion 2009. The airfare war continues to produce many travel deals and the registration fee (the cost without any activities or meals) is discounted to $10 through Friday, May 8. The classes of 2004; 1999; 1984; 1974, '75 & '76; 1964; 1959; 1954; 1949; 1944; and 1939 and earlier; as well as the former members of The Traditions; and alumni of color are all invited to campus for the big event happening June 5-7. Now's the time to make your plans official by registering and booking your flight.
· More about Reunion 2009
· Register online

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Newest campus building will be open for Reunion 2009

An interior shot of the new home of the Institute for Global Citizenship.

When alumni and their families return to campus for Reunion 2009 this June, they will be able to tour Macalester's newest building, Markim Hall. Built to exceed the sustainability requirements of LEED Platinum certification, the new hall will house the Institute for Global Citizenship. The $7.5 million facility is completely funded through gifts and is named for Mark Stricker '88 and Kimberly Stricker Griffin '87, the children of long-time Macalester trustee and supporter Ruth Stricker Dayton '57. IGC staff and faculty, primarily coming from the International Center and the Civic Engagement Center, will move into the new building this summer.
· View interior photos of Markim Hall
· Visit the institute's website

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The spring issue of Macalester Today arrives this month

The spring edition of Macalester Today is mailed to alumni and friends this month.

Look for the spring 2009 issue of Macalester Today to hit your mailbox this month. Read about a recent Mac graduate working in the South Bronx for Teach for America; learn what a trio of Mac alumni teachers think works in education today; discover how a young alum recently explored the Amazon via kayak; and delve into the project of a 1973 graduate drawing ancient sacred spaces around the world. In an effort to protect Macalester's student experience by reducing expenses, there will be no summer issue of Macalester Today. The fall issue will arrive in September.

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Macalester College Pipeband honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

The Macalester Bagpipe Band played a few numbers on the steps of the Minnesota Capitol on a Saturday named for them. Photo: Andi Wulff

The Macalester College Pipe Band was honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Minnesota Tartan Day Cooperative for providing 60 years of Scottish music and culture to Minnesota. St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman proclaimed April 4 Macalester College Pipe Band Day. Band alumni joined current members to play a special Tartan Day set of Scotland the Brave, Murdo's Wedding, and Wings, at the Minnesota State Capitol.
· Read St. Paul's proclamation

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Catch Macalester "tweets" on Twitter

Macalester officially became part of the rapidly growing social networking site Twitter earlier this month. As of publication, 77 other users are following our "tweets," the messages shorter than 160 characters distributed through the service. The college plans to use its Twitter account to share Macalester news links, event notices, photos and other micro-updates. If you're a veteran Twitter user, or are thinking about trying it out, you can now follow Macalester at twitter.com/macalester.
· Follow Macalester on Twitter

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April 15 - Wednesday
5-7 p.m.

Bay-area Multi-school Happy Hour
Casanova Lounge, 527 Valencia St., San Francisco
RSVP to Andrew Kaufteil '01.
· Details

April 16 - Thursday
6 p.m.

Step Forward: Seattle
The Space Needle
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
· Details

April 18 - Saturday
10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

M Club Spring
Sports Day
Begins at Macalester Softball Field
· Details

April 18 - Saturday
3-4:30 p.m.

L.A. Wine Tasting
Silverlake Wine, 2395 Glendale Blvd.
Limited to 36 participants. $10 per person.
· Register online
· Details

April 19 - Sunday
10 a.m.-Noon

San Francisco Ocean Beach Clean Up
Meet at Ocean Beach entrance, Stairway 17
RSVP to Mindy Lechman '04.
· Details

April 20 - Monday
7 p.m.

MPR's Broadcast Journalist Series with PBS's Lowell Bergman
On Campus, Kagin Commons, Alexander G. Hill Ballroom
No charge, but tickets required, available at Twin Cities Bibelot Shops.
· Details

April 22 - Wednesday

San Francisco Earth Day Event
Location and time TBA
RSVP to Julie Zhu '97.
· Details

April 22 & 23- Wednesday & Thursday
5 p.m.

1959 Track Team Reunion - Track Meet
On Campus, Macalester Stadium and Leonard Center Nystrom Hall of Fame Room
Thursday's dinner is complimentary for 1959 teammates and $35 per additional guest. Register by Wednesday, April 15.
· Register online
· Details

April 23 - Thursday
7 p.m.

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

April 23 - Thursday
7 p.m.

Professor Chris Wells presents Cars, Houses & Sustainability
On Campus, Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, John B. Davis Lecture Hall
· Details

April 25 - Saturday
8:45 a.m.-3 p.m.

Hands on D.C.
Service Day
A D.C. Public School, To Be Determined
· Join the Macalester College Alumni Team
· Details

April 25 - Saturday
9 a.m.

M Club Cheers on Mac Tennis and Track Teams
Macalester Stadium and Hayden Tennis Courts
· Details

April 25 - Saturday
9 a.m.-Noon

Earth Day Garlic Mustard Pull along Mississippi River
Meet on campus
RSVP to Rebekah Holmes or visit its event brite page.
· Details

April 25 - Saturday
9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Boston Day of Service at Drumlin Farm
Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 S. Great Road, Lincoln, Mass.
RSVP to Sherman Zemler Wu '99.
· Details

April 27 - Monday
6:30 p.m.

New York City
Theater Night
Westside Theatre,
407 West 43rd St.
$40 per person. Register by Friday, April 17.
· Register online
· Details

May 5 - Tuesday
7 p.m.

MPR's Broadcast Journalist Series with Roger Mudd
On Campus, Weyerhaeuser Memorial Chapel
No charge and open to the public, but tickets are required and available at any of the four Bibelot Shops locations.
· Details

May 6 - Wednesday
9:45 a.m.-4 p.m.

Great Scots Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting
Meet at 62 Macalester Street, St. Paul
$35 per person. Email Carol Polk for more information.
· Register online
· Details

May 17 - Sunday

San Francisco ING Bay to Breakers 12K
Time and meeting location to be announced
RSVP to Andrew Kaufteil '01.
· Details

May 17 - Sunday
3-6 p.m.

Tucson Young Alumni BBQ and Potluck
Reid Park, Tucson, Arizona
RSVP to Orlando Coronado Martinez '06.
· Details

May 20 - Wednesday
6 p.m.

MacReads: San Francisco
The home of Julie Zhu '97
RSVP to Julie Zhu '97.
· Details

IMPORTANT
SUMMER EVENTS:

Reunion 2009
June 5-7

San Juan Islands
Kayak Trip
July 16-19

Summer Session 2009
August 2-5