Compassion can be found everywhere, according to Dr. Peter Feldmeier — a point he plans to emphasize at The University of Toledo Center for Religious Understanding’s annual Murray/Bacik Lecture in Catholic Studies.

Feldmeier, the UT Thomas and Margaret Murray and James J. Bacik Catholic Studies Professor, will give a presentation titled “The Power of Compassion in a Cold World” Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Center for Performing Arts Room 1025. A reception will follow the free, public event.

“It’s very valuable to recognize some of the increase in disparities in the world,” Feldmeier said. “The disparity between rich and poor is increasing. In a lot of places, people just seem to not care.”

He said, “It’s a cold world; our hearts are cold.”

Feldmeier said he plans to focus on compassion through the lenses of three different religious backgrounds during his lecture: Judaism, Buddhism and Christianity. He explained that each of the religions utilizes compassion as a core belief.

Judaism holds the belief that the world is broken and it’s humanity’s job to heal it; in other words, compassion is the essence of the life of faith.

The Buddhist tradition has a foundational posture of compassion, which is connected to being attentive to the suffering of one’s self and those surrounding him. Some go so far as to take a Bodhisattva vow — a pledge to devote their lives, all of them because Buddhists believe in reincarnation, to attend to the suffering of others.

In Christianity, compassion is the face of God, which Feldmeier said he supports with the reflections of Cardinal Walter Kasper, author of the book Mercy: The Essence of the Gospel and the Key to Christian Life, and Pope Francis’ teachings on the necessity for compassion.

“Compassion is currently an imperative to address a world that’s gotten colder,” he said. “Compassion is a core foundation for authentic religion, and compassion has a kind of power like no other — a power to warm, heal and unite like no other thing.”

Free parking will be available in lots 12, 12S and 12W.

For more information, contact the Center for Religious Understanding at 419.530.6187 or visit utoledo.edu/llss/philosophy/cfru/events.html.

The University of Toledo will honor those who serve or have served our country, as well as their families, at the annual Veterans Day celebration Tuesday, Nov. 11.

The 10th annual Veterans Appreciation Breakfast and Resource Fair will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Savage Arena, and is open to the public. The program will end with a remembrance ceremony at 11 a.m., and a bus will be available immediately following the ceremony for those who wish to visit UT’s Veterans Plaza.

Anyone planning to attend should enter campus at the University’s north entrance off Bancroft Street and park in lots 1 south, 2 or 10.

“You have to remember,” said Vern Snyder, vice president for institutional advancement. “There’s always going to be war, but you have to remember your colleagues, your comrades, and your friends, and the guy down the street that you didn’t know, who gave up everything.”

Opening remarks and invocation will be led by Snyder and Capt. Peter Drury of the U.S. Air Force, 180th Fighter Wing Chaplain. Toledo News Now’s Jerry Anderson will serve as this year’s master of ceremonies, and the keynote speaker is Toledo Mayor D. Michael Collins.

“At the very minimum, they’ve sidestepped their life for two or three years,” said Snyder, who served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1971. “Anybody who makes that commitment is worthy of respect and worthy of honor.”

Parking will be free and available in Lots 3, 5, and 6. This year’s event is sponsored by The University of Toledo, American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio, Fifth Third Bank, Block Communications, Inc., Lucas County Commissioners, and the Lucas County Veterans Service Commission.

GI Jobs magazine featured UT in its 2014 Military Friendly Schools list, recognizing the University for working with veteran-students to translate their military service experience to useable credits for their education. UT also opened a new Veteran’s Lounge on Sept. 4, accessible to students who are using Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits, as well as their dependents and spouses.

The lounge, located in Rocket Hall Room 1529, has a refrigerator/freezer, microwave, one-cup coffee maker, toaster, couches, and a flat-screen TV with cable and Xbox game system, as well as two computer stations and a study table.

“This is a place where vets are honored, are respected, welcomed,” Snyder said. “If you are a vet, this is the place to be. People understand the sacrifices you make.”

The lounge was made possible through donations from Whirlpool-Clyde Operations and the Ohio Army National Guard. Those interested in donating snacks, coffee and beverages for the lounge should contact Navy Reserve Lt. Haraz N. Ghanbari, UT military liaison, at haraz.ghanbari@utoledo.edu or 419.530.4137.

Media Coverage
1370 WSPD (Nov. 10, 2014)
The Blade (Nov. 10, 2014)
13 ABC, WTOL 11 and FOX Toledo (Nov. 11, 2014)
The Independent Collegian (Nov. 11, 2014)
The Blade (Nov. 12, 2014)

As our nation approaches Veterans Day, the Student Veterans of America UT Chapter is scheduled to retire several American flags Friday, Nov. 7, at 11:30 a.m. near the front steps of the Student Union.

“The American flags that we will be retiring are torn, tattered and/or faded — they are no longer suitable for display,” said Joshua Ortiz, a Marine Corps reservist and president of the Student Veterans of America UT Chapter. “This is the first such ceremony conducted on our campus, and we thought it would be a fitting tribute to retire the flags near Veterans Day.”

According the United States Flag Code, when an American flag is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

In conjunction with the College of Adult and Lifelong Learning’s nontraditional student recognition week, the ceremony will include:

• The presentation of colors by The University of Toledo Army ROTC Battalion;
• Singing of the national anthem by UT student Lauren Kerr;
• Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance;
• Welcome by Joshua Ortiz, a Marine Corps reservist and president of the Student Veterans of America UT Chapter;
• Remarks by guest speaker retired Army Brig. Gen. Lance Talmage;
• Flag disposal ceremony; and
• Closing comments.

Following the ceremony, the Student Veterans of America UT Chapter will host an obstacle course on courts four and five in the Student Recreation Center. Following the obstacle course, the chapter and the Ohio Army National Guard will provide complimentary pizza and refreshments.

The University of Toledo has been named a military friendly school for six consecutive years by G.I. Jobs, and remains committed to helping service members, veterans and families transition from military service to the classroom and beyond.

For more information, contact Navy Reserve Lt. Haraz N. Ghanbari, The University of Toledo’s military liaison, at 419.530.4137.

Diya, an annual event presented by the Indian Students Cultural Organization, is Saturday, Nov. 8 at 6 p.m.

Diya takes place in the Student Union Auditorium. Tickets are $5 for members and $15 for non-members. A traditional Indian dinner is included in the price of admission.

Diya showcases the rich cultural heritage of Indian students on campus and showcases their talent. Dance and musical performances, along with a fashion show, will be performed during dinner. A DJ will perform beginning at 10 p.m.

For more information, visit facebook.com/utisco or utoledoisco.org.

Rocket Pediatrics will celebrate the grand opening of its newest location Saturday, Nov. 8. An open house will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at 1089 Pray Blvd. in Waterville.

Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the new practice and meet the Rocket Pediatrics doctors.

Rocky the Rocket will cut the ribbon at 10:30 a.m., and refreshments and giveaways will be offered for children in attendance.

“We are excited to expand the reach of Rocket Pediatrics,” said Dr. Valarie Stricklen-Ruiz, UT associate professor of pediatrics. “It is important to us that we are able to provide top-tier care to as many families as possible across northwest Ohio.”

New patients are always welcome. Rocket Pediatrics is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon. Evening appointments also are available.

To schedule an appointment, call 567.952.2100.

Are we protecting our water resources or are we engaging in regulatory overreach, threatening shipping, and stifling an energy boom? How do we prevent recurrence of the crisis that deprived half a million persons in the Toledo area of drinking water this August?

These questions will be among those addressed by panels of legal and scientific experts at the 14th annual Great Lakes Water Conference on Friday, Nov. 7 at The University of Toledo College of Law.

The free, public conference titled “Defining and Defending Our Waters” is sponsored by the College of Law the Legal Institute of the Great Lakes.

Panel topics during the conference will be “Defining the Reach of the Clean Water Act,” “Open Lake Disposal of Harbor Sediments,” “Fracking Bans and State Preemption,” and “Algae and the Toledo Water Crisis.” Gail Hesse, executive director of the Ohio Lake Erie Commission, is the keynote speaker.

“The annual Great Lakes Water Conferences consistently tackle topics at the cutting edge of law and policy,” said Kenneth Kilbert, director of the Legal Institute of the Great Lakes and associate dean for academic affairs. “Last year’s conference focused attention on harmful algal blooms before the crisis in Toledo this summer, and this year the topics are just as critical and timely.”

Registration is $75 for Ohio attorneys seeking 5.5 hours of CLE.

For more information and to register, visit utoledo.edu/law/academics/ligl/conferences.html.

Media Coverage
The Blade (Nov. 8, 2014)

Graduates of The University of Toledo College of Law passed the Ohio bar exam this summer at the second-highest rate among state law schools, according to results for first-time takers released Oct. 31.

UT’s pass rate for the July bar exam was 86.4 percent, as 51 of its 59 first-time bar exam takers were successful. The overall pass rate for first-time takers was 81 percent.

More than 1,000 applicants took the bar exam for the first time in July. Ohio State graduates had the highest pass rate of the nine law schools in the state.

“We are proud of our graduates’ performance, but not surprised,” said Daniel J. Steinbock, dean of the UT College of Law. “Our curriculum thoroughly prepares our students for the bar exam, and our faculty’s teaching ability is second to none.”

Steinbock noted that these outstanding results also came while UT law students are paying the lowest tuition rate of any law school in Ohio and Michigan.

Successful applicants will be sworn in as members of the Ohio bar Monday, Nov. 17.

Media Coverage
The Blade (Jan. 22, 2015)

The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation and the UT Center for Family & Privately Held Business are again sponsors of the Entrepreneurial & Business Excellence Hall of Fame, which will be held at the Pinnacle in Maumee Thursday, Nov. 6.

Established in 2006, the hall of fame recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs and business leaders who have built and sustained growing businesses and created jobs in the region.

“It is wonderful to see so many area business professionals and community leaders gather to recognize business excellence, entrepreneurship and innovation,” noted Dr. Gary Insch, dean of the UT College of Business and Innovation. “The stories about the remarkable men and women whose innovative thinking and hard work have produced outstanding achievements and entrepreneurial success are inspiring.

“At the Entrepreneurial & Business Excellence Hall of Fame, we learn about business people who are making meaningful contributions to this region, who are enhancing the economy, who are creating jobs and hiring people, which all makes life better in our community.”

Insch and Debbe Skutch, director of the UT Center for Family & Privately Held Business, will present the Excellence in Family Business Award to Rima Manufacturing Co., Ed Engle Jr., chair, and Edward Engle III, president, who are members of the center.

Dr. Clint Longenecker, Stranahan Professor of Leadership and Business Excellence in the UT College of Business and Innovation, will present the Davenport-Longenecker Lifetime Achievement Award for Business Advocacy at the event.

More than 700 area business professionals are expected to attend the ceremony.

Dr. Von Sigler, UT associate professor of environmental sciences, will deliver a seminar on MRSA infections Wednesday, Nov. 5.

The free, public event will take place at 4 p.m. in Bowman-Oddy Laboratories Room 1045.

Sigler’s seminar titled “Bacteria vs. Offensive Linemen…Who Wins the New Battle in the NFL?” will address the research he has been conducting on the pathogenic bacterium methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the survivability of the bacteria on artificial turf fields.

A survey conducted by the NFL revealed that MRSA infections occur in football players 63-fold more often than in the general population, according to Sigler.

“We have ample evidence that MRSA survives on football equipment and in the locker room environment. We also wanted to investigate its survival on an artificial turf field where frequent player contact might increase the likelihood of MRSA transmission,” Sigler said.

He will discuss the results of the research and what is being done to prevent harmful bacteria like MRSA from spreading.

For more information about the event, contact Sigler at von.sigler@utoledo.edu.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ MEETINGS

Monday, Nov. 17, 2014
Driscoll Alumni Center, Schmakel Room
10:30 a.m. Clinical Affairs Committee Meeting
1:00 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting
A luncheon will be held for the Trustees between meetings.

PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH COMMITTEE MEETING

Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014
Driscoll Alumni Center, Board Room
2:00 p.m.
Upon convening the meeting, the Committee will enter Executive Session
to discuss the employment of a public employee
with Executive Search Firm Witt/Kiefer.

Any questions may be directed to the University Communications Office by calling (419) 530-7832 or via email at jonathan.strunk@utoledo.edu.

Joan A. Stasa
Secretary, Board of Trustees