March Cornell Events...enjoy a wide variety of cultural and learning events, from music and theatre to lectures and comedy...Cornell College has something for everyone...

MARCH 2010 Cornell College Events, Mount Vernon, IA

Mon. 1    Term seven begins.
Chautauqua: “Frontiers of Astronomy: Dark Energies and Odd Solar Systems”
On the first four Mondays in March Physics Professor Lyle Lichty will investigate recent advances in cosmology and astronomy, including the fact that scientists have finally accepted that we don’t know what 95 percent of the universe is. He will cover topics including the big bang, cosmic inflation, the expansion and geometry of the universe, gravitation, star deaths and the ultimate fate of the universe. He will also explore the status of extrasolar planet research and the future missions that will greatly improve our ability to detect planets outside our solar system.This course continues March 8, 15, and 22. Open to adults of all ages. Cost of the four-week program is $30.00. For more information call 895-4119.

Thur. 4
Children’s Story Time
9:30-10 a.m., Children’s Room, Cole Library
Cathy Boggs, public library coordinator, uses a weekly theme that ties together stories, songs, and fingerplays.

Lecture: “Modern Paganism”
Geoff Johnson, 5-7 p.m., Shaw Lounge, The Commons
Johnson lives in Cedar Rapids and speaks at local colleges on a variety of Pagan topics. He will discuss how one defines Paganism, his experiences with the local Pagan community, and some of the issues that Pagans face today.

Theatre production, “Reasons to Be Pretty”
7:30 p.m., Plumb-Fleming Studio Theatre, Armstrong Hall
Written by Neil LaBute and directed by Ron Clark. An off-Broadway hit, later transferring as a Tony-nominated best play, this incendiary drama is set off by a casual remark on a woman’s “pretty face.” As their relationships crumble, four friends are forced to confront deceit, infidelity, and betrayed trust in their journey to answer that oh-so-American question, “How much is ‘pretty’ worth?” The show runs March 4, 5, 6 at 7:30 p.m., and March 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for non-Cornell students. Free to Cornell students, faculty, and staff. For tickets call 895-4293.

Fri. 5
Wrestling NCAA Championships, 11 a.m., U.S. Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids.

Theatre production, “Reasons to Be Pretty”
7:30 p.m., Plumb-Fleming Studio Theatre, Armstrong Hall. See March 4.

Sat. 6
Wrestling NCAA Championships, 10 a.m., U.S. Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids.

Theatre production, “Reasons to Be Pretty”
7:30 p.m., Plumb-Fleming Studio Theatre, Armstrong Hall. See March 4.

Sun. 7
Theatre production, “Reasons to Be Pretty”
2 p.m., Plumb-Fleming Studio Theatre, Armstrong Hall. See March 4.

Mon. 8
Chautauqua: “Frontiers of Astronomy: Dark Energies and Odd Solar Systems”
Lyle Lichty, physics professor, 9 a.m.−noon, Hedges, The Commons. See March 1.

Music Mondays: Moscow String Quartet
7:30 p.m., King Chapel
An all-female string quartet performing and recording worldwide since 1978, known for their elegance, precision, power, and musicality. The group will perform Alexander Borodin’s String Quartet No. 2 in D Major, Dmitri Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 7, Op. 108 and Peter Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet No. 2 in F Major, Op. 22. General admission: $10 at the door and $5 for students. Free to Cornellians and Purple Pass holders. This is the year’s final Music Monday. For more about the quartet, visit their Web site at http://www.moscowquartet.com/aboutus.htm.

Tues. 9
Lecture: “Understanding the Psychological, Social, and Spiritual Care Issues of Our Soldiers, Vets, and Their Families”
6:30 p.m., Hedges Conference Room, The Commons
While we may hold different views on war, including those in Iraq and Afghanistan, we share common concern and responsibilities for our relatives, friends, co-workers, classmates, neighbors and others serving in the military. Military chaplains Gary Selof and Martha Kester will address the psychological stress and other factors experienced by troops stationed in war-torn areas, and how that affects mental and spiritual health, as well as family life, both during soldiers’ tours of duty and upon re-entry to civilian life. Gary Selof is CH (MAJ) - Staff Chaplain Iowa Army National Guard, and Martha Kester is CH (1LT) – Chaplain for 185th CSSB HHC Camp Dodge and Priest in Charge St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Co-sponsored by the Office of the Chaplain and the Mt. Vernon-Lisbon American Legion and local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter.

Thur. 11
Children’s Story Time, 9:30-10 a.m., Children’s Room, Cole Library. See March 4.

Humanities and Arts Interest Group lecture
11:10 a.m., Hedges, The Commons
Rebecca Entel, assistant professor of English, will lecture.

Fri. 12
Spoken word artist Gabriela Garcia Medina
6:30 p.m., Rathskeller, The Commons
Garcia Medina is an international spoken word artist and award-winning poet. She has performed at colleges, conferences, and festivals all over the world from South Africa to Switzerland.

Sat. 13
Men’s Tennis vs. Grinnell, 9 a.m., Small Multi-Sport Center.

Feminist Symposium
9 a.m.−6 p.m., Shaw Lounge and Hedges Conference Room, The Commons
Members of the Cornell community and surrounding institutions are invited to listen to scholarly work done by/for/about women. This forum serves to highlight work that supports the philosophies of Third Wave Feminism.    

Men’s Tennis vs. Augustana, 3 p.m., Small Multi-Sport Center.

Lecture: “Native Women and Environmentalism”
Winona LaDuke, 4 p.m., Hedges Conference Room, The Commons
LaDuke, Native American activist, environmentalist, economist, and writer, will give a public lecture titled “Native Women and Environmentalism.” Native women have a long history of protecting the environment and Mother Earth. Today, environmental struggles often have indigenous women at the forefront, whether to protect land from PCB contamination, prevent genetic engineering and contamination of seeds, or halt coal strip mining. Though Native women have been marginalized by the dominant society, they have found a voice and continue intergenerational responsibility to protect Mother Earth.

Sun. 14
Women’s Tennis vs. Augustana, 9 a.m., Small Multi-Sport Center.

“Making Pictures: Three for a Dime” photo installation by Maxine Payne
2-4 p.m. opening reception with gallery talk at 3 p.m., Peter Paul Luce Gallery, McWethy Hall
“Making Pictures: Three for a Dime” is based on Payne’s limited edition artist’s book by the same title. It’s the story of an Arkansas family that built a homemade camera and a homemade trailer and traveled the state from 1937 to 1941 making and selling pictures three for a dime. The installation will include the original pictures along with pictures made by the artist. Payne is an associate professor of art at Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. Raised in rural Arkansas, her photo installations address issues of gender, ideas of the vernacular and yearnings for “home.” The installation continues through March 21 and is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays.

Women’s Tennis vs. Graceland, 3 p.m., Small Multi-Sport Center.

Mon. 15
Chautauqua: “Frontiers of Astronomy: Dark Energies and Odd Solar Systems”
Lyle Lichty, physics professor, 9 a.m.−noon, Hedges, The Commons. See March 1.

Tues. 16
Science Interest Group Lecture
Leon Tabak, professor of computer science, 11:10 a.m., Room 100, West Science.

Robert Frank lecture
7 p.m., Ringer Recital Studio, Armstrong Hall
Robert Frank, professor of economics at Cornell University, will give a public lecture. Frank is a nationally-known expert on behavioral economics. He is a prolific public commentator, and writes a monthly column for the “New York Times.” His most recent book is “Falling Behind: How Income Inequality Harms the Middle Class.” Frank’s visit is sponsored by the Berry Center.

Wed. 17
Haiti Benefit Poetry Reading
7 p.m., Hedges Conference Room, The Commons
Patrick Rosal and Kiki Petrosino will read from their work and members of student group Octave will perform. $5 suggested donation. All proceeds will go to Haiti relief.

Thur. 18
Children’s Story Time, 9:30-10 a.m., Children’s Room, Cole Library. See March 4.

Orchestra concert
7:30 p.m., King Chapel
Under the direction of Dr. Martin Hearne. Free and open to the public.

Fri. 19
Comedian Pete Lee
8 p.m., Orange Carpet, The Commons
Mixing smart punch lines with a juvenile perspective, Lee has been seen on “Last Comic Standing,” Bob and Tom Radio Show, and Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend.”

Mon. 22
Chautauqua: “Frontiers of Astronomy: Dark Energies and Odd Solar Systems”
Lyle Lichty, physics professor, 9 a.m.−noon, Hedges, The Commons. See March 1.

Wed. 24
Term seven ends.

Thur. 25
Spring break begins.
Continues through Sunday, April 4.

Children’s Story Time, 9:30-10 a.m., Children’s Room, Cole Library. See March 4.

Fri. 26
Baseball vs. Dubuque, 6 p.m., Ash Park Stadium.

Sat. 27
Baseball vs. Dubuque, 1 and 3:30 p.m., Ash Park Stadium.

Wed. 31
Baseball vs. Grinnell, 1 p.m., Ash Park Stadium.


Admission is free unless otherwise noted. All events are subject to change. Check the Cornell College master calendar for a complete list of events and updates. Athletic event admission cost: $6 adults, $3 for students w/ID; 12 and under free. Get free admission to Cornell home athletic events and Music Mondays concerts with a Purple Pass.