Chaos and confusion begin the journey

Ariana Winder, a junior biochemistry major, is spending part of the summer in China studying at Shandong University of Technology, learning about Qi culture, Chinese tradition and modernization, and the impact of Confucius philosophy. In this blog, Ariana describes the unexpected delay to the trip.

BU graduate students land scholarships

Samantha Post, who is pursuing a master’s degree in counseling, and Emily Faber, pursuing a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, each recently received a Highmark Graduate Scholarship for individual research and academic excellence within their respective fields.
 
Post, the first BU counseling student to elect to complete a master’s thesis, has special research interests in cyber bullying and sexting in K-12 educational systems. Faber plans to further her education by working with a cleft palate team and eventually work abroad, as well as pursue studies in traumatic brain injury and aphasia.

Youths hit pay dirt to begin summer

Local youths, ages 10 to 16, recently kicked off BU’s summer adventure camp season with Camp Sahara, the first camp Quest has co-sponsored with an academic department. Coordinated with anthropology, the camp featured a daily archeological dig, team-building activities, river-rafting and high ropes course.

Experiencing growth as a future teacher

Meghan Sullivan, an elementary ed major and Spanish minor, is in the Dominican Republic on a summer teaching practicum, helping an underprivileged community near Santo Domingo learn English. Meghan describes how she is becoming more comfortable as a teacher.

Business students begin Russian journey

Sarah Geise, a junior, Sean Muldowney, a senior, and Olya Barnett, a sophomore, have begun their Russia summer study abroad experience at Moscow Finance University, where they will study economics, language and liberal arts, as well as immerse themselves in the rich Russian culture.

Sean checks in having already experienced many “firsts,” while Sarah is at a loss for words to describe what she has seen so far.

PASSHE approves new tuition rates

PASSHE's Board of Governors approved a $436 tuition increase Thursday for the 2011-12 academic year. The new annual tuition rate for full-time, PA undergraduate students beginning this fall will be $6,240 — still among the lowest rate of all four-year colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, and well below the national average among all public institutions.

Audiology students offer hearing screenings

Eight audiology doctoral students advised by Thomas Zalewski gave healthy hearing screenings recently at the 2011 Special Olympic summer games at Penn State University, evaluating 120 Special Olympic athletes and their families.

(L-R): Serena Gibney, Cory Surridge, Nicole Leonzi, and David Flynn. Standing: Jackie Gargiulo, Heather Stone, Erica Miele, Matthew Bonsall, and Zalewski.

Compete in intramurals this summer

BU's Intramurals Department is launching an intramural sports program this summer. The deadline to register is Friday, July 8, for men’s and women’s basketball or co-ed volleyball. Competition will be July 11 to Aug. 5 with all games played on Monday through Thursday evenings.

BU to offer new MSIT program this fall

BU's Master of Science in Instructional Technology degree program in Application and Management will begin this fall as one of six programs under PASSHE’s Professional Science Master’s initiative, designed to address critical workforce needs in PA by combining rigorous math or science study with professional skills-based coursework in business, management, communications and policy.

Harrisburg students hone skills at BU

Thirty-four Harrisburg High School students recently honed their academic skills for two weeks at BU through the Harrisburg Partnership Program, a two-week residential program hosted by BU for students beyond 10th grade each summer. The program provides feedback on academic skill levels, builds self-esteem and familiarizes students with university life.

Activities include outdoor challenges, group problem-solving and environmental science courses, as well as creative writing and multimedia production classes. Concepts of adaptation and cooperation are stressed.

Mandel joins BU as purchasing director

Jeffrey I. Mandel has been named BU's director of purchasing and operation after serving several roles in the state, including the Department of General Services, Bureau of Procurement and as Chief Procurement Officer. Mandel also has nearly 17 years of experience in supply chain and purchasing work across several manufacturing companies in private industry. He holds a M.B.A. and professional certifications in purchasing, production and inventory control, as well as project management.

Valley field school covering all areas

The Susquehanna Valley Field School recently held several seminars featuring topics of Walkable Communities and Good Work, as well as a door-to-door community health needs assessment and progress workshops of student research, and GIS and GPS technologies.
 
Student field school fellows (L-R) Nicholas Telepak, Shannon Bilder, Andrew Macmillan, Rubin Rhodes, Brandon Vinton, and Ryan Jarvis.

Never to be seen in America

Ariana Winder, a junior biochemistry major, is spending part of the summer in China studying at Shandong University of Technology, learning about Qi culture, Chinese tradition and modernization, and the impact of Confucius philosophy. In this blog, Ariana describes a unique scene along the road.

Anthropology student researchers on display

BU hosted the 25th annual PASSHE Undergraduate Anthropology Research in April, featuring students from five state system schools presenting original research and special projects mentored by anthropology faculty. The conference, supported by College of Liberal Arts and Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, featured more than 25 BU students.

Town Parking Permits undergo change

Town of Bloomsburg parking permits (Red Meter Permits) for local residents and employees will now be sold, starting Friday, July 1, by specific lots on a first-come, first-served basis. Price will range from $75 to $160 depending on the chosen lot — now referring to as zones. Residents must bring current lease, vehicle registration and photo ID. Call the Bloomsburg Police Department, 301 E. Second St., at (570) 784-6799 for more information.

SOLVE hosts its third annual Spring Summit

SOLVE recently invited non-profit and governmental organizations to the third annual BU-Community Spring Summit to learn about how to incolve students in volunteer work and other efforts that benefit our neighbors in the region through work with those groups.

New assistant VP for facilities management

Eric Ness, a licensed engineer with more than 25 years of experience in facilities maintenance, planning design, construction, budgeting and management, is BU’s new assistant vice president for administration. Ness has worked at Milton Academy, UMass Amherst, Olin College of Engineering, Babson College, Suffolk University and Springfield Technical Community College. His experience includes facilities in areas like NYC and Boston, as well as Alaska and Africa.

Student veterans give back to campus

Josh Bentley, of BU’s Student Veteran's Association (BUSVA), recently presented a check to Brett Simpson, executive director of Quest, with proceeds from a coin drive to help fund the wheelchair accessible high ropes course. Funds were used
to add a new zip line, increasing the options for more users.

Quest will be partnering with BUSVA on upcoming projects to serve the campus community and area military veterans.

Firefighting teens, Confucian philosophy

Ariana Winder, a junior biochemistry major, is spending part of the summer in China studying at Shandong University of Technology, learning about Qi culture, Chinese tradition and modernization, and the impact of Confucius philosophy. In this blog, Ariana takes time to describe the lessons learned in class.

Digging up an enriching field experience

DeeAnne Wymer, professor of anthropology, is leading a group of BU students on a four-week archeological field school experience in Chilicothe, Ohio, where they're excavating a Hopewell habitation site. The excavation team, relying on new imaging technologies, hope to uncover another living site of the Mound Builders from 2,000 years ago.

• A new discovery every day
• Learning to accept dirt and live with it
  
• Turning a break into a new adventure
• Seeing history come alive
• Goose bumps precede final day

Taking in the Dominican culture bit by bit

Meghan Sullivan, a junior elementary education major and Spanish minor, is in the Dominican Republic on a summer teaching practicum, helping an underprivileged community near Santo Domingo learn English. Meghan tells us in this blog how she is gradually becoming Dominican.

Alumna earns teacher of the year

Lianna Personeus, a 2010 BU dual graduate of special education and elementary education, was awarded Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Council for Exceptional Children in Osceola County, Fla. Personeus is an autism spectrum disorder teacher at Saint Cloud Middle School.

Roh Scholars go global, spread awareness

Matthew Kinney, Ana Delgadillo and Salman Haque, recently participated in the Global Awareness Society International (GASI) Conference in Puerto Rico. The Roh Scholarship winners are pictured with BU alum, Hiram Martinez, during a break at the conference.

Adjusting to a new lifestyle and culture

Meghan Sullivan, a junior elementary education major and Spanish minor, is spending the summer in the Dominican Republic on a teaching practicum, helping an underprivileged community outside Santo Domingo learn English. In this blog, Meghan updates us on her first week of class.

Newly minted graduate heads to Spain

Samantha Bussanich, a Spanish and biology May graduate, has been accepted by the Ministry of Education of Spain to participate in the North American Language and Culture Assistants. As an Auxiliar de Conversación (Conversation Assistant), she will share her knowledge of English and North American culture in public K-12 schools this fall to June 2012.

Alum named CFO of the Year

Michael R. Gillespie ’95, chief accounting officer for Hersha Hospitality Trust of Harrisburg, was named a Central PA CFO of the Year for 2011 during a recognition ceremony on June 1. The Central Penn Business Journal award program honors financial executives who contribute to the success of the region’s economic growth and stability. A graduate of BU’s College of Business, Gillespie holds his bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting. He was selected among four nominees to receive the “Growth Specialist Award” by an independent panel of judges based on his career achievements, the impact of his contributions to his company and leadership in other areas. When Gillespie began with Hersha six years ago, the company had 27 hotels, total assets of $256 million and a market capitalization of roughly $100 million. Today, the company boasts 77 hotels, assets of $1.5 billion and a market capitalization in excess of $1 billion.