Maureen Nelson, violin; Melissa Reardon, viola; John Marcus, violin; and Richard Belcher, cello, are the Enso String Quartet. Photo: Rich Hawley

The Year 2009 in Photos

2009 was an eventful year for the Macalester community.
· Check out these photos from the year

A handful of the amazing Macalester events from 2009. Clockwise from top-left: Commencement 2009, Kofi Annan '61 visit, Reunion 2009, Scottish Heritage Day, Marvin Plaza dedication, and the Step Forward Twin Cities Regional event.

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Professor Marlon James nominated for NAACP Image Award

Professor Marlon James was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in Literature.

English professor Marlon James has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the literature category for his 2009 novel The Book of Night Women (Riverhead). He is one of five finalists for fiction.

More than 1,200 artists were considered for NAACP Image Awards across 53 categories; only five were chosen in each. Winners will be announced at 7 p.m. (CST) Friday, Feb. 26, on Fox.

James's novel was also named among the best of 2009 by New York Magazine.
· Read Fall 2009 Macalester Today story about Marlon James
· View stories about Marlon James at Delicious.com

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Paul Light '75 to deliver annual Mitau lecture

Paul Light '75 will deliver Macalester's Mitau Lecture on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Author Paul Light '75 returns to campus to deliver this year's Mitau Lecture titled "Social Entrepreneurship in an Age of Urgent Threats" at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, in Weyerhaeuser Memorial Chapel. The event is open to the public.

Light is Paulette Goddard Professor of Public Service at New York University's Wagner School of Public Service. Before joining NYU, he was vice president and director of governmental studies at the Brookings Institution, and founding director of its Center for Public Service. He has held teaching posts at the University of Virginia, University of Minnesota, and Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. He was also senior adviser to the U.S. Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, and director of the public policy grant program at the Pew Charitable Trusts. He is the author of 21 books, most recently A Government Ill Executed: The Decline of the Federal Service and How to Reverse It (Harvard University Press, 2008) and The Search for Social Entrepreneurship (Brookings Institution Press, 2008).

The G. Theodore Mitau Endowed Lecture is named for one of Macalester's most memorable and highly regarded political science professors and alumni. The endowed lecture was established in his honor by his students and friends.
· Read alumni stories about Professor Mitau from the:
Class of 1956 - Class of 1957 - Class of 1958

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Macalester in the news

President Brian Rosenberg was quoted by In These Times on challenges faced by liberal arts colleges. Macalester investment officer Craig Aase '70 was quoted in a Star Tribune story about the endowments of Minnesota private colleges and nonprofits. Alumnus Don MacKenzie '66 was interviewed by CBS about his work with the Interfaith Amigos. Professor Kristi Rogers was quoted in the Pioneer Press's review of Minnesota Children's Museum exhibit. Women's basketball coach Ellen Thompson was called a miracle worker by Star Tribune's Patrick Reusse. Student Robert Woo '12 wrote about the civically engaged culture of Macalester for Twin Cities Daily Planet. Joe Nathan, director of the Center for School Change at Macalester, was quoted in a New York Times article about fixing failing schools.
· Keep up with Macalester in the news at delicious.com

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Forty alumni volunteer for Annual Fund phonation

Forty Macalester alumni volunteers are making phone calls this week for the Annual Fund's Summit Society Phonathon. This four-day alumni event happens annually in January.

Alumni volunteers join student callers to reach out to classmates and peers to encourage broad-based support of the Annual Fund. "The great joy of my job is working with Annual Fund volunteers. Their ability to share their passion and experiences with their peers is crucial to the success of the Annual Fund," phonathon organizer Paul Odegaard '04 said. "Our thanks go out to everyone who made this year's phonathon a success."

To build on the Summit Society's momentum, M Club volunteers will make Annual Fund calls Monday-Wednesday, Jan. 18-20, from 6 to 9 p.m. each night. All former Mac athletes and friends are invited back to campus to call teammates and peers in support of the Annual Fund. If you're interested helping with the M Club's phonathon, email Maggie Patrick and let her know which days you'd like to volunteer.
· Learn more about the Annual Fund

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Macalester visits alumni in Asia this month

Macalester President Brian Rosenberg and staff will be traveling to Asia Sunday, Jan. 17, through Sunday, Jan. 31, to reconnect with the college's alumni, parents, and friends in four regions. It has been eight years since a Macalester president has visited the continent.

Local alumni are hosting special receptions with the president in four cities:

All alumni, parents, and friends living in these regions are invited. If you’d like to attend, email Macalester’s manager of special events, Lea Barron.

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Ambassadors for Friendship celebration planned for Reunion 2010

Macalester's 1962 Ambassadors. Download

The first-ever Ambassadors for Friendship Celebration will be held June 4-6 as part of Reunion 2010.

For about a dozen years in the 1960s and '70s, Macalester offered the unique, and probably unrepeatable, ambassadors program. Each summer a small group of international and American students were given the keys to a Rambler, a list of alumni and others willing to host them, and the mission to explore the United States. And they did.

The Ambassadors for Friendship Celebration will provide the program's alumni a chance to share their favorite ambassador stories, compare tips on repairing the Rambler, and reconnect with each other and the college.
· More at the Ambassadors for Friendship Celebration website
· Were you an ambassador? Share your story

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Alumni safari this fall — register today to ensure your spot

Alumni and their guests will see sights like this on the trip to Kenya and Tanzania happening next fall.

Macalester alumni are traveling to Kenya and Tanzania Oct. 27-Nov. 12, 2010. Registration is now open. To sign up, use this form.

The group will travel the world's premier safari destinations, from the grassland plains to the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and from the world's largest volcanic crater to the edge of the Rift Valley, enjoying intimate game drives and up-close encounters.

Travelers will also visit:

• Kenya’s Maasai Mara, home of the Maasai people;
• Amboseli National Park, known for its large elephant population;
• Serengeti National Park, one of the last great wildlife refuges;
• Ngorongoro Crater, home to Africa’s “Big Five” (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and cape buffalo);
• Olduvai Gorge, site of important discoveries in human evolution;
• and Lake Manyara, noted for its abundant bird life.

Participants will also have the option to take a four-day/three-night post-tour extension to Zanzibar, known for its vivid history, stunning beaches, and colorful spice markets. Email Carol Polk for more information.
· Download Safari registration form

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Spring 2010 alumni film series announced

Due to popular demand, a second alumni film series, "Hidden Gems and Surprises," will be held on campus Feb. 24-March 31. Meeting every Wednesday for six weeks, participants will see four films selected by Star Tribune critic Colin Covert '74, discuss the Oscars, and venture out to a local theater together to view a new release.

"Hidden Gems and Surprises" line up:
Feb. 24 - The Story of Weeping Camel - trailer
March 3 - Oscar Talk
March 10 - Treeless Mountain - trailer
March 17 - Field trip to local theater
March 24 - City of Men - trailer
March 31 - Adventureland - trailer

The cost for entire series is $20, which does not include tickets to the local theater. Registration for select evenings is also available. Email Stephen Sporer for more information.
· Register online for the spring alumni film series

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Tuesday & Wednesday, Jan. 19 & 20

Festival Chorale Auditions
Rehearsal Hall, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center & Gallery
· Details

Wednesday, Jan. 20
7 p.m.

Tokyo Reception for Alumni and Parents
Roppongi Hills Club, The French Cellar Restaurant, 51 Floor, Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
· Details

Thursday, Jan. 21
6 p.m.

MacReads: San Francisco
Unicorn, 191 Pine Street, San Francisco
· Details

Friday & Saturday,
Jan. 22 & 23

Men's Basketball Alumni Weekend
Leonard Center athletic & wellness complex
· Details

Friday, Jan. 22
7 p.m.

Hong Kong Reception for Alumni and Parents
Conrad Hong Kong Hotel, 7th Floor, Pacific Place 88 Queensway, Hong Kong
· Details

Saturday, Jan. 23
1 p.m.

M Club Winter Sports Day
Gymnasium, Leonard Center athletic & wellness complex
· Details

Saturday, Jan. 23
1:30 p.m.

Chicago Alumni Volunteer at Eden Supportive Living
Eden Supportive Living, 940 W. Gordon Terrace, Chicago, IL
· Details

Saturday, Jan. 23
2 p.m.

2010 Alumni Track Meet
Field House, Leonard Center athletic & wellness complex
· Details

Monday, Jan. 25
6:30 p.m.

MPIRG Gubernatorial Candidate's Forum
Alexander G. Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons
· Details

Monday, Jan. 25
6:45 p.m.

London Alumni Celebrate Burns Night
St Pancras Grand Champagne Bar,
London, UK
40 GBP per person.
· Details

Monday, Jan. 25
7 p.m.

Singapore Reception for Alumni and Parents
Raffles Hotel, Casuarina Suite A, Level 3, 1 Beach Road, Singapore
· Details

Thursday, Jan. 28
7 p.m.

Seoul Gathering for Alumni and Parents
Millennium Seoul Hilton Hotel, "Il Ponte" Restaurant, 395 5-ga, Namdaemun-ro, Chung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
· Details

Sunday, Jan. 31

Chopin Society: Pianist Jeremy Denk
Concert Hall, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
$12-$20
· Details

Sunday, Jan. 31
8 a.m.

Chicago Alumni Climb to the Top for Step Up for Kids
Aon Center, Chicago, IL
· Details

Thursday, Feb. 4
7 p.m.

San Francisco Alumni see A Prairie Home Companion Live in HD
Century San Francsico Centre 9, 845 Market Street, San Francisco, CA
$22 per person, $20 for seniors and children
· Details

Thursday, Feb. 4
6:30 p.m.

Boston Alumni see A Prairie Home Companion Live in HD
Regal Fenway Stadium 13, 201 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA
$20 per person
· Details

Thursday, Feb. 4
7 p.m.

MacReads: Portland, Ore.
At the home of Lesly Sanocki '90, Beaverton, Ore.
· Details

Wednesday, Feb. 10
6 p.m.

Twin Cities Young Alumni Wine and Cheese Tasting
Boardroom, Weyerhaeuser Hall
$10 per person
· Details

Thursday, Feb. 11
6 p.m.

Atlanta Alumni Reception with President Brian Rosenberg
Carter Center, 453 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, GA
· Details

Thursday, Feb. 11
7 p.m.

Alumni College Faculty Lecture: 100-Hour Couples
Boardroom, Weyerhaeuser Hall
· Details

Saturday, Feb. 13

EXCO Winter Carnival
Aldine Park, St. Paul
· Details

Thursday, Feb. 18
8 p.m.

Paul Light Mitau Lecture
Weyerhaeuser Memorial Chapel
· Details

Thursday, Feb. 25
6 p.m.

American Studies Conference
Alexander G. Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons
· Details

Sunday, Feb. 28

Chopin Society: Pianist Benjamin Grosvenor
Concert Hall, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
$12-$20
· Details

Saturday, Mar. 27
12 p.m.

M Clubbers Unite for Men's and Women's Tennis
Macalester Tennis Courts
· Details

Saturday, Mar. 27
8 p.m.

An Evening of Jazz with Geri Allen
Concert Hall, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center & Gallery
· Details

Saturday, Apr. 24
8 p.m.

Songs of Love, Hope, and Faith featuring Igor Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms
Concert Hall, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center & Gallery
· Details

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