A simple formula equating to summer fun

More than 150 elementary students spent a week this summer exploring math in various ways from group activities to one-on-one mentoring at BU’s annual Math Camp, sponsored by the Department of Exceptionalities. Nearly 30 BU education students were teachers for campers ranging from pre-K through eighth grade.

Among the activities included a shape scavenger hunt, a mapping game and creating wind mobiles. BU has hosted the math camp in cooperation with the local community since 1997.

Earthquake rattles Washington, East Coast

Tremors from a reported 5.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Washington, New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Cleveland were felt in Bloomsburg and across portions of campus. Bloomsburg University sustained no damage or reported injuries. The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake struck Virginia near the town of Mineral.

If you notice any building damage please report it immediately to University Safety and Police (570) 389-4168.

Mike McFarland named new athletic director

Mike McFarland has been named director of athletics at Bloomsburg University. McFarland comes to BU after six years as Bucknell University's associate athletic director for facilities and event operations. Prior to Bucknell, McFarland was the Patriot League's associate executive director for five years. He replaces Mary Gardner, who retired at the end of June with more than 30 years at BU, including 23 years as the director of athletics.

Test your skills in a driving simulator

To kick off the year, the Drug and Alcohol Wellness Network (DAWN) is promoting safe driving by bringing a DUI/Distracted Driving Simulator Car to campus from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 31, behind the Student Services Center. As students come back to campus, we want to emphasize the dangers of drinking or texting while driving.

The Arrive Alive Tour includes an on-going high-impact video presentation and simulators where students sit in an actual vehicle, put on virtual reality goggles to test their driving skills. A pledge station will be available where students can choose to sign a pledge not to drink or text and drive.

Summer is over, time to the hit the ice

BU’s Ice Hockey Club Team, which won its conference division for the second consecutive season last year, will hold an open meeting about the 2011-12 season at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 30, in KUB 410. The first team practice will be from 8:30 to 10 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 31, at Revolution Ice Center, Pittston.

Student teacher meeting this week

There will be a Prospective Student Teacher Meeting on Friday, Sept. 2, in KUB 345B, for all elementary and secondary education majors who will be student teaching in the spring 2012, 9 to 10 a.m., or fall 2012 semesters, 10 to 11 a.m. A third meeting, 11 a.m. to noon, will be offered for those who may miss the earlier options.
 
There will be essential information discussed, which will help students preparing for their student teaching experience, including crucial deadlines that must be met. Contact Angela McCabe at (570) 389-5128 for more information.

CAS to present dynamic new season

BU’s Celebrity Artist Series is celebrating its 26th season with renowned comedy, music, ballet and theatre performers, including jazz legend Phil Woods and national Broadway tour of The Color Purple. PPL, a long-time supporter of CAS, recently provided support of the upcoming 2011-12 season, which kicks off Oct. 29 with Josh Blue, former winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing.
 
Accepting the gift from Teri MacBride, PPL regional community relations director, and Michael Munroe, PPL Montour Plant manager, are David Soltz, BU president (left), and Jim Hollister, BU assistant VP, external relations.

It's time to find your team

Registration for the new fall intramural sports season is being accepted through Friday, Sept. 9, for dodgeball, 3-on-3 basketball, flag football, residence hall indoor volleyball, sand volleyball, soccer and softball. Students can register online as a team or individual players.

TRiO Upward Bound wraps up great summer

This summer, 35 students of BU’s TRiO Upward Bound program completed the six-week summer academy preparing them for the college atmosphere, highlighted by a Service Day, a TACT performance and a day-trip to the Harrisburg Capitol. TRiO guides first-generation college students to a path of post-secondary possibilities and has a high success rate of the students enrolling in college and finishing with a degree.

Scripting a homegrown success story

 
Where ever you find Haili Shetler, odds are you’ll discover a notebook. Creative writing, even simple note-taking, has long been a passion for this Bloomsburg native. And according to Shetler’s footnotes, she has become the quintessential homegrown talent.

Art of the Alumni in the spotlight

A collection of work by 14 studio art alumni is now on display at the Haas Gallery through Friday, Sept. 9. Artists’ comments and bios are also included with each piece. Some art is inappropriate for younger viewers and is intended for mature audiences. The gallery is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

LLC mentors ready for new communities

More than 50 mentors representing BU’s 11 Living and Learning Communities recently completed their annual training and team-building activities in preparation for the new class of LLC students arriving on campus this week. Once moved in, students will take part in various activities designed to facilitate interpersonal relationships and a sense of community within the program, BU and the region.

An epic Quest to the peaks of the Northwest

Two BU Quest groups, including six alums and students, spent a part of this summer hiking to the peaks of Mt. Hood in Oregon and Mt. Olympus in Washington, battling the weather elements for 40 miles of backpacking and more than 7,000 feet of climbing. Joining the groups were Brett Simpson, director of Quest, alum ’08, Jeremy Quant ’07, Scott Dustman ’07, Kevin Zuech ’00, Kenny Pallis, a junior, and Jim Shields ’04.

Here's to a healthy school year

The 2011-12 academic year is here, and the Student Health Center staff is ready to help you with your health care needs. We encourage all students to visit the health center to become familiar with the location and services we offer.

College is full of exciting new experiences, from meeting new people, living away from home for the first time, and for being responsible for your own decisions, actions and care. Being responsible for your own health care may be one of those totally new experiences for many of you.