#WhyGustavus Series: Alumni Successes: Tara Selly ’13 finds the oldest fossil

Tara Selly, A geology major ‘13 recently found the oldest fossil gut and made New York Times’ front cover! After Gustavus, she moved down to The University of Missouri where she would get her masters, and finally a job where she would continue her studies. We are all so proud of her!

In January, Tara Selly (Geology ’13) made the New York Times’ “Science & Technology” front page for helping to discover the oldest known animal gut! She is now an assistant research professor Geology at the University of Missouri, and helped make the discovery in her role as the assistant director of the University’s X-ray Microanalysis Center where she operates scanning electron and x-ray microscopes.

Jim Schiffbauer, center, and Tara Selly, right, work with Brock Andreasen in the X-ray Microanalysis Core facility, one of University of Missouri’s core facilities. View from inside the micro-CT. Image provided by T. Selly

In the New York Times article (L. Joel, 1/10/2020) she and her colleagues explain how they received these fossils and used powerful microscopes to create a 3-D image of the interior structures; when Tara saw the results, she knew right away they had an interesting find.

The ancient guts can be seen in red in the micro-CT 3D rendering (top) of one of the cloudinomorph specimens (bottom). Image provided by T. Selly

At Gustavus, Tara did summer research with Julie Bartley investigating how organisms decay, and how that might affect what gets preserved in the fossil record. It was an interesting summer — we kept getting deliveries of gallons of ocean water and algae for her to grow and observe! She earned two graduate degrees at the University of Missouri before being hired there, where she has continued her studies of fossilization and the evolution of early life forms.
When asked for some words of wisdom to share with Gustavus students, she replied: “Be creative and investigate what makes you curious. I looked for the animal that made these tubes, not expecting to find anything. What I found instead, however, was really amazing!”

#WhyGustavus Series: Fundraising Underway for Lund Center Expansion Project

Gustavus has planned to launch a new project starting as soon as possible. The Expansion of the Lund Center, Gustavus’s wellness, and athletic facility. The fundraising begins to support the 60 million dollars new project. With new additions incoming, the new Lund Center will be looking fresh. The Project is expected to be completely finished by late 2024. So, with your help, we can reach the fundraising goal!

The Gustavus Adolphus College Board of Trustees recently approved a plan to move forward with the development of construction documents for the proposed expansion and renovation of Lund Center, the College’s wellness and athletic facility.

Fundraising is underway for the ambitious $60 million project, which calls for a 160,000 square-foot expansion that will include new academic spaces, workout areas, offices, and an all-season field house with synthetic turf.

“The increased space and state-of-the-art facilities will support the incredible academic work that takes place here and honor our rich athletic tradition while creating an even greater experience for future generations of Gusties,” said Tom Brown, director of intercollegiate athletics.


An exterior rendering of the proposed Lund Center expansion and renovation project looking east over Hollingsworth Field.

When it originally opened in 1984, Lund Center was celebrated as one of the best athletic facilities in NCAA Division III. The proposed project will dramatically increase the size and scope of wellness and athletic facilities at Gustavus, providing a best-in-class experience for students, faculty, athletes, visitors, and members of the campus community.

“First and foremost, it will enhance the College’s commitment to wellness and wellbeing, and it will help us continue to attract outstanding students to Gustavus,” Brown said.

Highlights include:
A new academic wing housing improved classrooms, faculty offices, and a 120-seat lecture hall
The Human Performance Lab will more than double in size, supporting student research and hands-on learning in exercise science and athletic training programs
Upgraded locker rooms will provide improved spaces for visitors, employees, and varsity athletic teams
A new office suite will support athletic coaches and administrators and alleviate overcrowding in current office areas
The proposed 60,000 square foot field house will add all-season practice, exercise, and recreation space for multiple varsity sports, club teams, and intramural leagues.

$30 million has already been raised for the project, and an aggressive fundraising and planning timeline is underway as the College seeks to complete the project by late 2024.

“It will be the continued partnership of our generous alumni and friends that will enable us to deliver this project on time for our students,” said Thomas W. Young ’88, vice president for advancement.

The project is one of the major outcomes of Show the World, the College’s $225 million comprehensive campaign that was announced in September.

For more information about the Lund Center expansion and renovation project, visit the Show the World campaign website.

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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication JJ Akin
jakin@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510

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#WhyGustavus Series: Theory Meets Practice in Applied Marketing Course

The Gustavus January Intermiurm course, offers students a new way of thinking, not only about arts but also about marketing. Lichty, a lawyer, entrepreneur, and consultant taught a marketing class to students, so they could learn how to set up for success and gives students hands-on skills related to marketing, communications, and brand management. Lichty is offering students to become creative and innovative for the future to come.

Marshall Lichty '99 talks to students in the Applied Marketing January Interim Experience class.

Applied Marketing is not your average Gustavus Adolphus College class, and that starts with the instructor of the unique January Interim Experience course.

“Marketing is a skill I believe every student who comes to Gustavus would be wise to get curious about,” said Marshall Lichty ‘99, a lawyer, entrepreneur, and consultant who is teaching the month-long class. According to Lichty, the changing face of the economy is providing new marketing opportunities, and developing an understanding and appreciation of the field will open many doors for careers for people who might otherwise think that marketing is not for them.

Marshall Lichty ’99, course instructor, lawyer, and entrepreneur.

“I love this course because it’s not a thing that I could teach anywhere else or any other time,” Lichty said.

He learned about Gustavus from his parents, who both attended the College, as well as reading the regular installments of the Gustavus Quarterly that arrived at their home when he was growing up. Lichty followed in their footsteps to Saint Peter, graduating with majors in communication studies and religion. He went to law school at the University of Minnesota and worked for two law firms before taking on entrepreneurship at EntrePartner Law Firm, LLC, where he served as a small business lawyer, chief operating officer, and owner from 2013-2018. In addition to teaching the January course, Lichty’s continuing connection with Gustavus includes serving as a mentor in the Gustavus Mentoring Program and as a judge at the Gustie Entrepreneur Cup.

The class, which focuses on marketing for startup companies, is a creative, project-based introductory course that gives students hands-on skills related to marketing, communications, and brand management. “I think marketing and startups are a really nice collection of two things that I get really passionate about. Startups are unique and interesting and entrepreneurship undergirds every profession and influence every person’s career,” Lichty said.

Students are currently working on a month-long capstone project creating their own digital marketing video project. Projects include everything from delivering free college courses to creating a burrito roller and orange peeler. The capstone project enables students to learn and understand their target market, the benefits of their product, and develop practical marketing skills by creating a video used to sell the product or idea.

“I want to do something creative and innovative focused on what consumers want—a service that satisfies people’s needs and closes the gap in marketing,” said Chao Yu ‘20, a communication studies major who has taken several management courses.

Students are also exploring how marketing presents itself in everyday life when companies or organizations advertise products on social media, billboards, and in stores. According to Lichty, marketing continues to evolve just as products and platforms do.

“I really hope people understand that marketing isn’t a boring old subject that only applies to creative people anymore. If you have curiosity about marketing or about entrepreneurship, or about anything in your life, it positions you to succeed,” the instructor said. “Any space that we can find places to teach entrepreneurship is critically important for the students.”

Yu looks forward to leveraging his skills to reach his aspirations of working in finance and marketing. “One aspect that really caught me is how we’ve been looking at marketing from a consumer’s perspective,” Yu said.

Throughout the course, Yu has gained the experience of looking at everything with a marketing lens and perspective. Not only is he gaining a better understanding of the consumer outlook, but the business and organizational side of marketing as well. “I’m looking forward to see how I came to use this class to contribute to what I can do in the future after graduation,” he added.

Gustavus’ January Interim Experience courses allow professors to teach what they’re especially passionate about and gives students the ability to dive deep into interesting and innovative topics.

“We talk about real-life marketing all day, every day. Each day I ask students on a scale 1 to 10 how curious they are about marketing,” Lichty said.

The alumnus entrepreneur hopes that students take one thing away from the class: “I believe that marketing isn’t about hope, I believe that marketing is about change. I think it’s about helping people get to a decision or a place in their life that is better for them. Marketing, done right, is helping people lead better lives.”

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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication JJ Akin
jakin@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510