U.S. News' lists BU among the best

U.S. News and World Report's recently released annual ranking of U.S. colleges and universities lists BU as number 74 Best Universities – Master's for the northern region.

BU is tied with New York Institute of Technology and, for the second year in a row, SUNY – Oswego. BU is 21st among public universities in the north and second among institutions in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

BLOOMSBURG — U.S. News and World Report's annual ranking of U.S. colleges and universities once again lists Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania as one of the best.

In data released last week, U.S. News lists BU as number 74 Best Universities – Master's for the northern region. BU is tied with New York Institute of Technology and, for the second year in a row, SUNY – Oswego. Bloomsburg is 21st among public universities in the north and second among institutions in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).

Best Universities – Master's ranks institutions that offer a full range of undergraduate degrees and some master's degree programs but few, if any, doctoral degrees.

BU's consistent 81 percent retention rate (the percentage of freshmen who return for additional years of study) matches several colleges that earned higher overall ratings, such as Hood College, Rutgers University and Misericordia University. BU's six-year graduation rate of 64 percent matches Millersville University, ranked 15th among public universities and the only PASSHE institution to receive a higher overall rating at number 54.

With 94 percent full-time faculty, BU matches East Stroudsburg University and is surpassed by just five institutions in the northern region: Husson University in Maine, 98 percent; College of Notre Dame of Maryland, 97 percent; Kutztown University, 96 percent; and Slippery Rock and Edinboro universities, both 95 percent. BU also rates favorably among public universities in the percentage of alumni who make financial donations to their alma mater, 12 percent.

Five hundred seventy-two universities are included in Best Universities – Master's. Highlights of the college rankings will be published in U.S. News and World Report's September issue and the America's Best Colleges guidebook.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 8,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Education, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.

President welcomes in new semester

BU students and faculty have settled back on campus for the 2009-10 academic year. The fall sports season kicked off Aug. 27, along with a full slate of fun for the Class of 2013 to continue through Welcome Weekend. To wrap up the excitement, President David Soltz welcomed everyone back with a video greeting.

New university division unveiled

BU's newest division, University Advancement, took shape this summer with the arrival of its new vice president, Erik Evans. Previously part of University and Student Affairs, University Advancement encompasses the offices of alumni affairs, development and communications working in collaboration with the Bloomsburg University Foundation.

Gary Wassmer, associate professor of biological and allied health sciences, is spending the semester in Uganda as a Fulbright scholar teaching entomology and conducting research. Wassmer, who says he misses chocolate the most, recently provided an update on his experience.

Wassmer has taught a second-year level entomology course to 33 undergraduate students and recently began teaching a scientific writing course, as well as directing the work of two graduate students.

"PowerPoint was interesting," Wassmer said. "Power outages made it difficult, but students were used to that."

Wassmer also took students on field trips to his research sites, where he is researching pesticide use on small and large homesteads in Uganda.

"We would call these farms, but some are no more than gardens," Wassmer said.

With the help of Ugandan agricultural and veterinary outreach officers, Wassmer recruited 50 homesteaders to participate in his research. They visited each homestead and had the homesteaders tell them about the size of their farms, what they were planting, what animals they had, how they were using pesticides, costs of pesticides. The people in the study were overwhelmingly eager to help, according to Wassmer.

Wassmer has traveled extensively in south west Uganda, including Kisoro, Kampala, Jinja (see today spics), Fort Portal, Kasese, Kabale, Entebee and Kigali (capital of Rwanda). Wassmer's travels are well documented on his Facebook page.

Things Wassmer misses the most other than his wife, family and friends: chocolate, shower, drinking water out of the tap, wearing shorts, green vegetables, news and of course, chocolate. Wassmer noted several things he has discovered to be great about his Uganda experience: fruit, seeing something new almost every day, people singing in public and sitting on a jam-packed bus and having it breakdown.

"I've learned a lot about patience," Wassmer said. "Great quote I heard, 'You can always be certain that you will get to your destination, you will never be certain when it will be'."

Freshmen test 50-foot wall, go on a night hike

BU's Quest hosted an open event on Aug. 29 for freshmen to navigate the 50-foot climbing wall on the upper campus near the Nelson Field House. In addition, Quest hosted its first night on Sept. 1 hike from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Gearing up for Welcome Weekend

More than 300 of BU's incoming freshmen and transfer students registered to volunteer during Welcome Weekend 2009, held from Aug. 27 to 30, which included opportunities with the Women's Center, BU Catholic Campus Ministries and the Ronald McDonald House in Danville.

BLOOMSBURG — More than 300 of Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania's incoming freshmen and transfer students have registered for volunteer opportunities offered with Welcome Weekend 2009.

According to Kristin Austin, coordinator of new student orientation, the volunteer efforts will help BU's newest students feel an immediate connection to the town and campus.

"The goal is for the students to continue to serve as volunteers while they are working toward their degrees," she said, adding the effort, "Building a Better Community," is co-sponsored by the SOLVE and civic engagement offices.

Among the locations where students will volunteer Friday, Aug. 28, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. are the Women's Center, Loyalton of Bloomsburg, Balanced Care at Bloomsburg, BU Catholic Campus Ministries, Bloomsburg Health Care, the Ronald McDonald House in Danville and Orangeville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Orientation events are designed to acquaint new students with the campus, their majors and the Town of Bloomsburg. Approximately 2,015 freshmen, including those who were enrolled in classes during the summer, and more than 400 transfer students are expected at BU this fall, according to admissions director Chris Keller.

Some events during Welcome Weekend, which runs from Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 27 to 30, will focus on environmental issues, Austin said. The new students will learn about campus conservation and recycling efforts during two Sunday sessions of the "Growing Greener Initiative," presented by members of Help Our Planet Earth (HOPE) and the Campus Green Initiative committee.

New students will move into campus residence halls Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 26 and 27. To accommodate move-in, Second Street traffic is expected to be one-way, downhill, Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 3 to 9:30 p.m. and Thursday, Aug. 27, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Orientation activities will begin Thursday with a pep rally preceding the Huskies first football game of the season versus Ashland University, with kickoff at 6 p.m. in Redman Stadium.

Daytime events on Friday, Aug. 28, will stress academics, beginning with the new student convocation, when BU President David Soltz and faculty will officially welcome students. Following the convocation, students will discuss their summer reading assignment, "The Freedom Writers Diary," and meet faculty and other students at lunchtime barbecues hosted by each of the four colleges — Education, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology. Other Friday activities include mandatory fire safety meetings for residence hall students and the Town of Bloomsburg Scavenger Hunt.

New students may register to vote on Saturday, Aug. 29, at "A Vote is a Voice," sponsored by BU's chapter of Democracy Matters. Sessions will focus on student standards and conduct and services available through the Student Health Center.

The main event Sunday, Aug. 30, is the activities fair on lawn of Schuylkill Hall when representatives of student clubs, organizations and intramural sports will share information with the newcomers. Also planned are BU Bucks and Bingo and Protestant and Catholic worship services.

Classes begin for all BU students Monday, Aug. 31.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 8,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Education, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.

BU students survive recent boot camp

BU's Department of Envionmental, Geographical and Geological Sciences hosted a Geoscience Boot Camp for 13 students from Aug. 26 to 27, who took part in orienteerting at Town Park, field trips to the Shamokin Whaleback and Centralia, and water sampling at mine discharge and water reclamation sites. Faculty members Brett McLaurin, Cindy Venn, Mike Shepard, Chris Whisner, Jen Whisner and Patty Beyer gave preview lectures for their courses scheduled this year.

Freshmen officially welcomed

BU's Class of 2013 were officially presented, received and welcomed during Friday's freshman convocation. President David Soltz stressed BU's three core values, which center on intellectual curiosity and academic integrity, diversity, and civic engagement and service to others.

BU student captures images of Guatemala

Ren Frattone, a BU student majoring in anthropology, recently conducted research in visual anthropology in Guatemala through the help of a BU College of Liberal Arts Student Professional Development Travel Award. Frattone researched traditional dress (traje) near the Lake Atitlan area in the department of Chimaltenango.

BU names new interim provost

Ira K. Blake, current associate vice chancellor of academic and student affairs for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), has been named BU's new interim provost and vice president of academic affairs. Blake will replace James E. Mackin, BU's provost since 2005, who accepted the position of provost at Abu Dhabi University in the United Arab Emirates.

BLOOMSBURG — Ira K. Blake is Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania's new interim provost and vice president of academic affairs.

Blake, currently associate vice chancellor of academic and student affairs for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), will replace current provost James E. Mackin. Mackin, BU's provost since 2005, has accepted the position of provost at Abu Dhabi University in the United Arab Emirates. He will assume his duties in UAE in September. Blake will join BU's administrative staff Aug. 31.

"I'm very pleased to announce Ira Blake's appointment as BU's interim provost," said David Soltz, BU's president. "Dr. Blake will be an excellent addition to the leadership team at Bloomsburg University. She brings extensive knowledge of academic programs, policies and planning and has broad knowledge of the PASSHE system."

In her current position, Blake is responsible for reviewing new academic program proposals and conducting periodic review of ongoing academic programs and student units at PASSHE's 14 universities. Previously, she was assistant vice chancellor of academic and student affairs at PASSHE and an executive intern in the chancellor's office. At Kutztown University, she served as assistant to the president for public engagement, interim dean of the College of Education and assistant to the president for enrollment management. Blake also held faculty positions in psychology at Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, and Teachers College, Columbia University, and Marymount Manhattan College, both in New York.

"Bloomsburg is known as a university with excellent faculty and staff who have an unwavering commitment to standards," Blake said. "I am honored to serve the Bloomsburg community with President Soltz and his leadership team."

Blake earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from George Washington University, master's degree in educational psychology from San Francisco State University and a doctoral degree in developmental psychology from Columbia University.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 8,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Education, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.

BU senior excavates ancient Egyptian city

Maryam Cristillo, an anthropology major and recipient of BU's 2009 Wymer and Warner Anthropology Scholarship, spent July in northern Egypt working an expedition at the ancient Mendes site in Tell er' Ruba as a member of the Pennsylvania State University Akhenaten Temple Project. Cristillo joined DeeAnne Wymer, a BU anthropology professor, who has been a project member since 2004.

Quest paddles to the Chesapeake

Tabitha Chlubicki and Robert Smith, of BU Quest, recently completed a 146-mile paddle down the Susquehanna River from Bloomsburg to the Chesapeake Bay, ending in Havre de Grace, Md. The duo camped on river islands over the week-long journey. Learn more about Quest here.

Memorial celebration held for BU professor

A memorial celebration for BU theatre arts professor Michael Collins, who died unexpectedly on July 17, was held in K.S. Gross Auditorium, Carver Hall, on Aug. 24. The celebration was open to the public. Time was provided for those wishing to share their memories of Collins, who directed and performed in more than 50 plays during the past 20 years at BU and at the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble.

Another fun summer for Camp HERO

BU's Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program recently wrapped up its fourth Camp HERO, a summer camp for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Held at Camp Victory in Millville last week, the camp had 65 campers attend and nearly 30 BU students work as counselors.

BU to welcome new Trustees next month

Three new members will join BU's Council of Trustees for the Sept. 2 quarterly meeting after being nominated by Gov. Ed Rendell and confirmed by the state Senate. They are Nancy Vasta, a '97 BU alum, Patrick Wilson, a '91 BU alum, and Terrell Garrett, a BU senior who will serve as the new student Trustee.

BLOOMSBURG — Three new members will join Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania's Council of Trustees for the Sept. 2 quarterly meeting after being nominated by Gov. Ed Rendell and confirmed by the state Senate. Nancy Vasta

Nancy Vasta '97/'98M, Langhorne, fills the unexpired term of Robert Gibble '68, who joined the Trustees in 1999 and served as chair from 2006 to 2008. She is product development manager with CIGNA, Philadelphia, where she has worked since 1999. She also is a member of BU’s College of Business Advisory Board and former member of the Corporate Advisory Council. Patrick Wilson

Patrick W. Wilson '91, Williamsport, fills the unexpired term of A. William Kelly '71, who became a Trustee in 1995 and served as chair from 2002 to 2006. Vice president of operations for Little League International, Baseball and Softball, Wilson joined the organization in 1993. His affiliations include the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Leadership Lycoming Board of Directors and United Way of Lycoming County loan executive. Terrell Garrett

Terrell Garrett '10, an interpersonal communications major from Philadelphia, is the new student Trustee, replacing Nicole Najpauer who graduated in May. Former vice president of the Black Cultural Society and executive board member of the Frederick Douglass Learning Institute, Garrett has been a student director and founder of the mentorship program, Men of Intelligence, Notability and Desire.

Three current Trustees also were reappointed recently. They are: Steven B. Barth, Lewisburg, chair; Robert N. Dampman ’65, Ringtown, vice chair; and LaRoy G. Davis ’67, Feasterville. More on the Trustees ...

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 8,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Professional Studies, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.

BU artists on display

BU art students, Brandon Brown and Matthew Wynn, were among the artists presenting art pieces at Bloomsburg's 2nd Annual ArtFest from Aug. 15 to 16. BU art professors Marilee Salvator, Sue O'Donnell, Vince Hron and Jason Godeke also presented pieces along Center Street.

BU Quest tackles the Cascades

Participants of BU Quest's latest trip, "3 Peaks of the Cascades," recently returned home after hiking on Mt. St. Helens and reaching the summit of Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier. Quest plans to climb peaks from northern California to southern British Columbia.

New political science course ready for the fall

BU's nine-year history with the Model United Nations program moves to the next level this fall with a new five-session course for high school educators. Global Classrooms: Globalization and the United Nations will be launched in October, designed to give teachers background on the United Nations and model U.N. simulation.

BLOOMSBURG — Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania's nine-year history with the Model United Nations program moves to the next level this fall with a new course for high school educators.

BU's Model U.N. began in 2001-02 to give high school and college students a chance to simulate United Nations sessions. In its first year, the student organization received a $4,000 Pennsylvania Campus Compact Service Learning Course Integration Grant to cover the costs of training and materials. Three high schools – Berwick, Danville and Southern Columbia – participated.

Over the years, Model U.N. has grown to encompass both a student organization and a fall semester, three-credit course, Globalization and the United Nations, taught by Diana Zoelle, associate professor of political science. The course includes a three-day field trip to Washington, D.C., where students may attend U.S. State Department briefings or visit embassies through the Osgood Center for International Studies, a non-profit foreign policy program. When they return to campus, BU students simulate a Model U.N. Security Council session, inviting local high school students to observe the simulation as background for the on-campus Model U.N. in the spring.

"Participating in the Model U.N. enhances students' understanding of the world and helps them develop public speaking, research and analytical skills," Zoelle said. "High school teachers take the time to prepare their students and bring them to our Model U.N. They do extra work without receiving compensation and, so far, without formal training."

A new five-session course is being offered for the first time this fall, Global Classrooms: Globalization and the United Nations, is designed to give teachers background on both the United Nations and the Model U.N. simulation. Zoelle will teach the course, which will meet on BU's campus Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m., beginning Oct. 7, and is offered through BU's corporate and continuing education office. The course has been approved for 15 Act 48 continuing education units; additional credits may be granted for an optional one-day trip to Washington, D.C., and participation in BU's Model U.N. on April 27, 2010.

For information, contact Zoelle by e-mail or at (570) 389-4919; Deb Thomas by e-mail or at (570) 389-5162; or Linda Tomashefski by e-mail or at (570) 389-4429. See the corporate and continuing education's Web site for a complete fall course catalog.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 8,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Education, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.

Math Camp hosts 175 students

BU's Department of Exceptionality Programs hosted 175 local students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in late July for its annual math camp, which was held in conjunction with a graduate course in teaching math to students with special needs. However, children of all ability levels participated.
Three BU programs receive PDE accreditation

BU's College of Education is now one of fewer than 20 colleges and universities across the state to have a PreK-4 certificate program approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which recently granted initial program approval. BU's 4-8 and PreK-8 Special Education programs also received accreditation recently. The PreK-4, 4-8 Mid Level and PreK-8 Special Education Programs will be reviewed for full program approval in two years.

Celebrity Artist Series gets $2,500 gift

PPL Corporation, a corporate sponsor of the Celebrity Artist Series, recently contributed $2,500 for the 2009-10 season. (L-R) are Jim Hollister, BU assistant vice president; Teri MacBride, PPL regional community relations director; and David Soltz, BU president. The new season begins on Sept. 19 with ventriloquist Kevin Johnson. More...

BU students attend special education conference

Sixteen graduate students of BU's Department of Exceptionality Programs were among the sponsored participants at the Jones Center for Excellence in Special Education conference on autism, held on July 10 at the Bloomsburg Area High School.

Attending were Bethany Varano, Brian Rees, Christina Grendzinski, Diana-Lee Stenglein, Elsie Shaffer, Heather Bartholomew, Heather Miller, Holly Sulouff, Jennifer Barreca, Kristen Onder, Kristin Cercone, Kristen Seiwell, Melissa Wehry, Nichoel Schoch and Sandra Remphrey.

"I was honored to have been part of the collaborative team efforts of many talented people who worked diligently toward a common goal of providing all participants an opportunity to explore, learn and share successful collaboration strategies for effective teaming outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities," said Grendzinski, who led the student delegates and volunteered at the conference. The student delegation was coordinated by Williams Emeka Obiozor, assistant professor and course instructor in the Department of Exceptionality Programs.

BU health physics receives $3,000

PPL Corporation recently contributed $3,000 to BU's health physics program. Shown from left are Peter Stine, chair of BU's Department of Physics and Engineering Technology; Joe Scopelliti, PPL manager of community relations; Teri MacBride, PPL regional community relations director; Robert Marande, dean of BU's College of Science and Technology; and David Simpson, BU's health physics program coordinator.

Mackin accepts new position in Middle East

James Mackin, BU's provost since 2005, has accepted the position of provost at Abu Dhabi University in the United Arab Emirates. Mackin will oversee academic affairs and student affairs and serve as the university's chief information officer at the institution's main campus in Abu Dhabi and branch campus in Al Ain.

Abu Dhabi University, which opened in 2003, has about 4,000 students from 35 different nationalities enrolled in 19 undergraduate and nine post-graduate programs. Mackin will oversee academic affairs and student affairs and serve as the university’s chief information officer at the institution's main campus in Abu Dhabi and branch campus in Al Ain.

"This is a chance to build a university from the ground up," Mackin said. "The university is accredited within the country and wants to gain accreditation from a U.S. accrediting body. Plans also are under way for a medical college and business park."

BU President David Soltz said, "This is an outstanding opportunity for Dr. Mackin. Abu Dhabi University's students, faculty and staff will benefit from his breadth of knowledge and experience, both at BU and the institutions where he served previously. We wish him well."

Under Mackin's leadership, BU successfully received 10-year reaccreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and nine first-time accreditations, ranging from theatre arts and music to radiologist assistant and nurse anesthesia master's programs. As of September 2008, more than 80 percent of BU's eligible programs have been accredited.

Woman donates vintage hats, dress to BU

Marietta Episcopo, of Berwick, recently donated 27 vintage hats and a 1960s maxi dress to BU's department of music, theatre and dance. The hats, many purchased in Wilkes-Barre, belonged to her mother who died 15 years ago.

BLOOMSBURG — There was a time when a well-dressed woman would not leave home without a hat to match her ensemble. Actors in upcoming Bloomsburg University Players productions set in that era will be properly accessorized, thanks to the generosity of a Berwick resident.

Marietta Episcopo recently donated 27 vintage hats and a 1960s maxi dress in a bright floral print to Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania's department of music, theatre and dance. The hats, many purchased in Wilkes-Barre, belonged to her mother who died 15 years ago. "She was a dressmaker," Episcopo said. "She would wear the hats to go to church. I sewed for myself and made the dress to wear to my daughter’s confirmation. I wore it just once."

The hats range from the asymmetrical sweep of the 1930s to sculptured styles of the 1950s and the neon hues of the 1960s.

"Mrs. Episcopo's main concern was that the hats get used," said Sarah Stuble, BU's costume workshop manager and a 2002 BU graduate. "Her mother had impeccable taste. The quality is amazing and these hats have been beautifully preserved," Stuble said. "We're hoping to produce a show from this period soon so we can get them on stage."

For information on donating vintage clothing to be shared by BU Players and Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, contact Stuble by e-mail or Bruce Candlish, associate professor of theatre arts, by e-mail.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 8,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Education, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.