Students can combine their love of reading and art by participating in the National Alumni Board's bookmark design contest for Mission Week, Feb. 2 to Feb. 8, 2005.

The Spirit of Ignatius Committee, part of the board, created a bookmark four years ago to promote Marquette's mission, according to committee chair Jim Rand. However, the committee has few of the bookmarks left.

Mark Madigan, a committee member, said the committee decided its new bookmark should be a student design. Designs are due Jan. 18, 2005, the day classes resume.

The old bookmark states the school's mission, "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam," for the greater glory of God. While the new bookmark will still promote the mission, the theme will be "Constructing Peace."

The bookmark's size is restricted to 2" x 8.5" and should be turned into the Office of Alumni Relations, addressed to the Spirit of Ignatius Committee by Jan. 18.

A press release from the Marquette University Alumni Association said Ignatius Committee members will judge the contest and announce the winner during Mission Week. The winner will receive $300 and have his or her design distributed to students. The second place winner will receive $150 and third place $50.

"After a winner is chosen, the bookmarks will be produced in the spring and handed out to students in the fall when they buy their books," said Ed Wucker, a National Alumni Chapter officer.

Wucker said he thought bookmarks would be distributed at BookMarq and Sweeney's.

The Spirit of Ignatius Committee has participated in former Mission Weeks by promoting speakers. This year's contest is a new initiative for the committee.

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Dec. 9 2004.