The Valpo Core

VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY 2009

Understanding the Night Sky

A Public Lecture by Dr. David Bradstreet, Eastern University

A new age of planetarium education is dawning with the onset of exquisitely capable digital planetariums that increase the usefulness of these exciting facilities one hundred fold! This presentation will emphasize some of the new curriculum and fantastic capabilities that have been developed specifically for the Spitz SciDome digital planetarium. Astronomical concepts can be taught in new and exciting ways and topics presented that were almost impossible to get across to lay audiences in the past. A new planetarium age is upon us!

Neils Science Center – Room 224

7:30 pm Friday, October 2, 2009

8:30-9:30 pm -Telescope viewing at the VU Observatory (if it is clear; if not planetarium show in Neils)

SPONSORED BY: Valparaiso University Dept. of Physics & Astronomy and the Indiana Space Grant Consortium

Public Service Announcement:

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Anthem at the ARC

September 11th Memorial Ceremony
Friday, September 11, 5:00 PM

• Join the Army and Air Force ROTC outside the ARC Friday, September 11th 2009 at 5:00 PM for a ceremonial lowering of the American flag.
• Pastor Darlene Grega will be present for an invocation and benediction.
• Valparaiso University trumpeters will play taps as America remembers those both at home and abroad who are impacted by acts of terrorism and war.
• All Students and Staff are invited to attend this memorable event.

Flyer: September 11th Memorial Ceremony Flyer

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(Please note that since this is a memorial rather than instructional event, it does not qualify for Core 5th hour credit. However, it is an important campus event and we encourage everyone to attend.)

You are cordially invited to an Evening of Ives, Valparaiso University Theatre Department’s last production of the year, directed by VU senior theatre major Caroline Crafton.  Two comedies by David Ives will be performed: The Philadelphia and English Made Simple. Production time is 35 minutes, in case you’re cramped for time. The Performances will take place this Friday (May 1st) and Saturday (May 2nd) at 8 pm in the Studio Theater. Admission is free.  Don’t miss out!

A talk by Dr. Adam Rengstorf, Purdue University Calumet

Friday, May 1, 7:30 pm in Neils Science Center 224

Many of us remember memorizing in elementary school an acronym for the names of the nine planets (My Very Energetic Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas). For better or worse, this listing is no longer the case. With the formal definition of a planet by the International Astronomical Union in August of 2006, Earth is now one of eight planets in our solar system, with Pluto reclassified.  I will present a brief overview of the solar system with an eye towards how and when the planets were discovered, when and why planets have been demoted (yes, it’s happened more than once), and the necessity and appropriateness of the official IAU definition.

8:30-9:30 Telescope viewing at VU Observatory ( or Planetarium show in NSC if cloudy)

Brauer Museum of Art

Opening Reception

BSFA Student Exhibition

featuring Renee Brozo, Adam Hager and Patrick Lay

Friday, April 24, 2009 7 pm

Refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Flyer: BSFA Opening Reception

Neils Science Center, room 234, 8 pm.–TONIGHT! (Wed, 4/22)

In connection with National Day of Silence, there will be a screening and discussion of the film “For the Bible Tells Me So,” sponsored by Alliance.

The movie is an exploration of the intersection between religion and homosexuality in the U.S., and how the Bible has been used in the debate over homosexuality. This discussion will be tied in with the recent campus workshop on sexual orientation and will also explore new issues within this overall topic.

Saturday April 25th, 2009, 7 pm – 11 pm

Valparaiso University, Harre Union Ballrooms B&C

Hosted by Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society, Kappa Phi Chapter

Come enjoy a night of literary fun, experience new works of literature you may not have known about before (or re-experience old favorites), eat a meal with others, and learn a ballroom dance! This will be a night of food, fun, and literary surprises.  We plan to have literary themed tables, toasts, and scenes re-enacted from different literary works. Purchase a ticket for $11 at the Union Info desk, dress in semi-formal attire (formal highly encouraged!), wear a mask, and show up at 7 pm on Sat. April 25th!

This event is open to students, faculty, staff, administration, and the Valparaiso community.  We look forward to seeing you there.  For more information, please feel free to contact Katelyn.Power@valpo.edu or our chapter president, Jenna.Johnson@valpo.edu.

Come at 6 pm for a free ballroom dance lesson!

Thursday, April 16, 12:30-4:00 pm

Huegli Hall, Lumina Room

12:45-1:30: Comparative Perspectives on Law and Social Justice

1:45-2:15: Breakout sessions

•    The Law School Admissions Time-Line

•    Surviving the First-Year of Law School

2:30-3:30: Legal Practitioners Panel on Career Paths in the Law

Panel includes a US Federal Judge, a JAG Corps Attorney, a Public Defender, and a Civil Litigator

Networking Reception to Follow

Sponsored by: Prelaw Society, Office of Graduate Studies, and
College of Arts and Sciences

Flyer: Law Day

A talk by Dr. John P. Wefel (VU ‘66), Louisiana State University, Department of Physics and Astronomy

Friday, April 17, 7:30 pm in Neils Science Center 234

Antarctica is the “continent of science.”  While best known for the early explorers (e.g., Scott) who traveled there to cross the continent and reach the South Pole, modern day explorers are more likely to wear white lab coats and be studying a wide variety of scientific questions, including those in astronomy and astrophysics.  Antarctic facilities include telescopes, neutron monitors, in-ice detectors for high-energy neutrinos, and balloon launch infrastructure for high altitude investigations.  The last, in particular, offer some of the best means to study cosmic rays, cosmic microwave background radiation, and cosmic infrared radiation.   Highlights from several of these investigations will be discussed along with the living and working conditions on the frozen continent.

8:30-9:30 Telescope viewing at VU Observatory ( or Planetarium show in NSC if cloudy)

9:30-10:30 Remote telescopic viewing through the SARA telescope in Arizona (NSC 234)

Flyer: Astronomy and Astrophysics from Antarctica

Free Concert Performance by Black Violin, brought to you by Union Board!

Black Violin is a male duo who play classical violins along with their DJ who mixes some of the most recent and fun music around. Together, they bring a sound that has never been heard before. This is a once in a lifetime experience to see two genres of music collide in the best way.

Tickets are free to all VU Students, Faculty and Staff with Valpo ID and are available at the Welcome Desk of the Harre Union.

The event starts at 9 pm, Thursday April 23 and takes place in the Ballroom.

You do not want to miss out on this upbeat concert!