News from May 2009
Commencement on the Quad
Nearly 1,181 BU graduates received bachelor's degrees in two commencement ceremonies on the Academic Quadrangle on May 2. Students from the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Science and Technology graduated at in the morning, and students from the College of Business and the College of Professional Studies graduated in the afternoon.
Six doctor of audiology degrees and 156 master's degrees were conferred during graduate commencement on May in Haas Center for the Arts, Mitrani Hall.
Search here for more on BU's commencement ceremonies.
Scenes of Commencement
Hit browser refresh button to change photo. Twenty-three photos.
BU students make pit stop at BMW headquarters
Students participating in the BU Central Europe Program took time from their schedule of briefings and tours to visit the BMW World Headquarters Building in Munich. The nearly 20 students received briefings in Munich on the history of BMW and the current status of the world automobile industry. In addition, students were briefed at the Seimans Corporation on the past, present and future of that international conglomerate.
BU graduate wins Phi Kappa Phi fellowship
Olga Bertelsen was awarded one of 60 fellowships in the national fellowship competition of Phi Kappa Phi. The national organization awards 60 fellowships of $5,000 and 40 Awards of Excellence in support of the first year of graduate or professional study. Bertelsen graduated in May with a history degree. She conducted research under the guidance of Michael C. Hickey, professor of history, on the Ukrainian famine of 1933 and the repression of the Ukrainian Intelligentsia by Russian Bolsheviks and Stalin's purges. Her research has taken her to the Ukrainian State Archives (Kiev, Kharkiv, the Crimean, including the former Archives of the KGB in Kiev) and libraries in Kharkiv and Kiev. Her work at the archives was supported by a Jessica S. and Stephen R. Kozloff Undergraduate Research Scholarship.
Bertelsen recently presented a paper, "Engineering Stalin's Famine of 1932-1933 in Kharkiv region, Ukraine," at the Mid-Atlantic Slavic Conference in New York City. She has also presented three papers at the annual Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Conference sponsored by the Frederick Douglass Institute. She received the Mary A. Moore Taubel scholarship for Excellence in History during her junior and senior years. In addition to Phi Kappa Phi, she is a member of Phi Alpha Theta, the history honor society. Bertelsen has served the community by tutoring exchange students from Moscow and the Ukraine. Prior to attending BU, she graduated from Kharkiv Medical University and has practiced dental surgery for 15 years. Bertelsen plans to pursue a doctoral degree in Eastern European history.
BU gets new vice president for university advancement
Erik Evans, formerly associate vice president for advancement at Juniata College, Huntingdon, joined BU as vice president for university advancement on July 27. Evans is responsible for all aspects of the advancement functions of the university, including development, alumni relations, communications and government relations. He will work closely with the BU Foundation. More on Evans here.
BU student selected for D.C. internship
Julianne Tootell, a political science major from Columbus, N.J., was selected to participate in the 2009 Washington, D.C. Summer Internship Program at the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations. Participation in the program is competitive and highly selective. Tootell's interest in the Arab world was sparked by studying Arabic at BU. She is the founder and president of the Arabic club and has helped organize several cultural events on campus this spring. She also has a career concentration in public administration.
BU student awarded summer research assistantship with Navy
Michael Dutko, a senior electronics engineering technology (EET) student, was awarded a $6,075 summer research assistantship to support several power electronics projects for the Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC. The research focus is to design, develop prototype hardware and evaluate performance improvement of electronic power converters using emerging silicon-carbide and gallium-nitride semiconductor devices to aid Navy's modernization effort for future ships and aircrafts. This research will be carried out in BU's power electronics research laboratory under the guidance of Biswajit Ray, professor and program coordinator of BU's EET program.
12,000 benefit from BU's WEDnetPA program
Nearly 12,000 Pennsylvania residents have gained work-related skills during the past decade through BU's partnership with the Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania (WEDnetPA). Across the commonwealth, more than 800,000 employees at 14,000 companies have taken advantage of WEDnetPA's Guaranteed Free Training Program since it began in 1999.
Tom Fletcher, BU's director of corporate and continuing education, said BU has provided $2.6 million in WEDnetPA funding to more than 100 companies in northeastern, south central and central Pennsylvania during the past 10 years. Nearly 12,000 employees benefited from basic skills and information technology programs, he added. More ...
BU honored for Toys for Tots effort
BU was presented with the Toys for Tots Coordinator's Award 2008 — the fifth year in a row the university has received the award — for the work they've done coordinating toy pickups and deliveries to area families. In 2008, BU volunteers helped to collect toys for over 4,500 children in a five county area. Shown from left are Carol Barnett, Gary Hilderbrandt, Norm Manney, Kim Schmitz, Pauline Roberts, Richard Roberts (both from the Marine Corps Reserve, Susquehanna Valley Detachment #308) and Jolene Folk.
BU researchers aid Susquehanna water trail summer project
Jessica D. Dowsett, a senior anthropology and French major, along with David Minderhout, professor of anthropology, conducted research this summer to aid the National Park Service in establishing a historic water trail along the Susquehanna River.
Minderhout and Dowsett, along with four faculty from Bucknell University, researched Native American settlements along the Susquehanna in the early 17th Century. They also interviewed individuals with Native American family origins. The research, funded by the Conservation Fund and the Mellon Foundation, will support the creation of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Water Trail, stretching from the Chesapeake Bay along the Susquehanna to the New York state border.
"The result will be something like a river equivalent of the Appalachian Trail that's so familiar to hikers," said Minderhout.
Dowsett, of Abenaki/Penobscot ancestry, is involved in research with Native American identity in New England and Pennsylvania. She has been a teaching assistant for Minderhout and anthropology professor Tom Aleto, and is a Tae Kwan Do black belt and instructor.
Trash to Treasure sale nets more than $9,000 for United Way
The Trash to Treasure Event recently raised more than $9,000 for the Columbia County United Way. Combined with a sale held in January, the more than $18,000 was raised. WHLM radio 930AM is a cosponsor of the sale.
Retired professor, recent graduate fire up Japanese kiln
Retired art professor Karl Beamer, and Sam Martin, a recent BU graduate in art studio, spent April in Shigaraki, Japan, firing ceramic work in the wood-fired kiln of ceramicist Shiho Kanzaki. Kanzaki and Beamer constructed a similar kiln at Beamer's Mainville home, where he has conducted firing twice a year (including students) for more than a decade. Beamer is shown at right, tending the kiln during the firing, which lasts about a week. Martin is shown at left with one of his works.
Cole promoted to Custodial Supervisor
Wanda Cole was promoted in May to custodial supervisor. Cole started with BU as a temporary employee in May 1992. In 2003 she was promoted to Lead Worker (CW2) and in July 2008 to acting supervisor. Cole will provide the leadership to second shift operations for Kehr Union, Carver, Old Science Hall, McCormick Center, Navy Hall, Ben Franklin, University Store, Simon Hall and the Carpenter building.
Scholarship and Recognition
Joseph L. Andreacci, associate professor of exercise science, has been named a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The ACSM Fellowship program recognizes professional achievement and competence in the related disciplines of sports medicine through education, published works, and professional practice, as well as a demonstrated interest in and/or contribution to the goals of sports medicine.
Andreacci, who advanced to fellowship through his esearch, has been a member of the ACSM since 1999. With more than 30,000 members, the ACSM is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world.
Nathalie Cornelius, associate professor of languages and cultures (French), has had her review of Philippe Besson's novel "Un Homme accidentel" published in the May 2009 edition of The French Review.
Kurt Smith, associate professor of philosophy, will publish his book manuscript, "Matter Matters: Metaphysics and Methodology in the Early Modern Period," with Oxford University Press. The bulk of the manuscript was written during his 2007 sabbatical, during which time he was a visiting scholar at Princeton University.
Gifford Howarth, assistant professor of music, was invited to be one of the selected international adjudicators for the World Music Contest (WMC) in Kerkrade, a city located in the southern part of The Netherlands. The event ran from July 9 to August 2. The WMC takes place every four summers and the participating groups come from around the world.
Howarth is one of only a handful of judges from the U.S. He adjudicated the Percussion Ensemble, Marching Band, and Drum Corps categories during the month-long contest. While in Europe, Howarth gave percussion clinics and performances throughout eastern Europe and took in as many sight seeing trips as possible.
Tristana Renee Harvey, assistant professor counseling in educational studies and secondary education, presented "Virtual Career Development for Adults in Continuing and Professional Education" at the Pennsylvania Association for Adult Continuing Education Midwinter Conference in Hershey in February. Harvey was also interviewed by Career Developments Magazine, a publication of the National Career Development Association, for her research on African American Women and Mentoring: Implications for Career Interventions Across the Adult Life-Course.
She was recently named state representative to the National Career Development Association (NCDA). As state representative, she will coordinate efforts statewide to reestablish the Pennsylvania Career Development Association. She currently serves as a member of the NCDA Nominations and Elections Committee.
Susan R. Dauria, associate professor of Anthropology, has published two articles. "A Museum Exhibit Honoring Factory Workers," appearing in the Anthropology of Work Review (an affiliate of the American Anthropological Association published by Blackwell) investigates the way in which a post-industrial community memorialized its manufacturing identity in a museum setting. A second article, "Understandings of Diversity in Teaching Post-Secondary Education" with Caryn Terwilliger, assistant professor of Elementary Education, has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Global Awareness. The article deals with innovative ways to incorporate anthropological techniques into diversity experiences for future teachers. This work is part of a continuing project that Dauria and Tewilliger are preparing to present for the National Migrant Education Conference in San Antonio, Texas on May 4.
Dauria and Terwilliger, along with Jean Downing (SOLVE office), have been invited to present at the conference to discuss the long-term collaboration between BU and the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit in creating the Migrant Community Project.
Doreen M. S. Jowi, assistant professor of communication studies, presented a paper titled: "Dealing with Tragedy: A professor's Role in Managing Emotions in the Workplace" at the annual Eastern Communication Association Conference held in Philadelphia in April. Jowi was also elected vice chair of the Health Communication Division. Jowi will plan the 2011 Conference to be held in Washington, D.C., as the chair of the Health Communication Division.
Williams Emeka Obiozor, assistant professor of Exceptionality Programs, recently presented "Culture and Education: The Significance of Names in Igboland, West Africa" at the 7th Annual Igbo Studies Conference at Howard University, Washington DC, from April 3 to 4. Obiozor was also appointed to serve in the 2010 Conference Planning Committee for the International conference which promotes cultural diversity and scholarship in the U.S.
Search here for more scholarship and recognition ...
Children explore physics at BU
Ned Greene from the BU physics department recently worked with a group of fifth and sixth grade students from the Southern Columbia School District. The students spent the day on campus exploring hands-on physics experiments and toured the bio-diesel production facility for the bus.
They ended the day at the Quest climbing wall with Brett Simpson, Quest associate director, learning about pulleys and mechanical advantages while climbing the wall. Pictured are Greene and the students putting a pulley into action.
Students offer $3,000 in flex dollars
Students with meal plans at BU were given an opportunity to donate leftover Flex Dollars. ARAMARK, the universities food service provider used the more than $3,000 to purchase food that was then donated to local Bloomsburg food cupboard. Shown is Dan Sokoloski, ARAMARK food production manager at BU.
Campus Child Center pre-K class has toothsome lesson
Graduate counselors, Tara Robuck and Kelli Alexander, developed a month-long unit on dental health to teach children the purpose of teeth, types of foods that are healthy and unhealthy, effective teeth brushing, using floss, cavity prevention and the importance of regular dentist visits. The graduate counselor program is supervised by Fran Kendris, program coordinator of the master's in education counseling program, and Judy Coleman Brinich, director of the Campus Child Center.
Shown from left are Mikel Salas-Warner, Dominic Valentino, Wyatt Gordner, Zachary Whisner, Jax Foresman, Dillon McCloskey, Lauren Barnes and Cameron Lenner holding their Healthy Smile Certificates.
60 'Caught in the Act' on campus
Sixty members of the BU family (including Brenda Musselman at right) have been "caught in the act" since a new campus program began earlier this year. Students have recognized their roommates and friends for their compassion, friendship and support. Individual faculty and staff members have been "caught" being helpful, hardworking, great advisers and "the best prof ever."
"Caught in the Act" provides a way to recognize acts of service, kindness and thoughtfulness that occur daily on campus. Part of BU's STRIVE program, "Caught in the Act" aims to increase the number of people who are recognized for making BU a better place to learn, live and work.
The 'Acts'
Here are a few of the "acts" members of the campus community committed before they were "caught":
- Helped an elderly woman cross Lightstreet Road.
- Was a compassionate roommate through difficult times.
- Recovered more than 3,000 files from a hard drive.
- Gave wonderful advice to get a student through the freshman year.
- Improved the appearance of BU Police Department.
- Did an exceptional job on a project over spring break.
- Devoted many hours to community service.
- Helped a student find his or her educational path.
BU students to participate in ArtWalk
Several BU students exhibited their work at ArtWalk downtown on May 7, including Brandon Brown, (a detail of his work is at right) whose work was shown at Phillips Emporium. Kelly Chester will show photographs at Steph's subs; Jessica Chappell will have her work at Prana Juice Bar, and Jason Godeke, assistant professor of art and art history, will have drawings and paintings up at Town Camera.
ArtWalk will also include work by local artists at several businesses downtown, including J. Lylo Jewelers, As Nature Intended, Balzano's, Fabrics Galore, and many more. Paticipating businesses will display orange sign boards on the sidewalk in front of their doors.
Karpinski, Wilson named TALE top professors
The TALE (Teaching and Learning Enhancement Center) Outstanding Teaching Award recipients are Barbara Wilson and Michael Karpinski, exceptionality programs faculty. They were honored at spring commencement ceremonies on May 2.
Each received a $750 professional development stipend, sponsored by the Bloomsburg University Foundation and a plaque recognizing their achievement. The award winners were nominated by members of the Class of 2009 and graduate students who will received their degrees in the spring.
BU receives $95,000 grant
BU will receive a Congressionally directed grant of $95,000 to expand BU's Center for Computer Forensics Research. The funding, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2009, was facilitated by U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter and awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education. The projects are contained in the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill.
"I am pleased that Congress has approved this important funding for Northeastern Pennsylvania," Specter said, as he announced the grants for health care, education and labor projects. "Health and education are our nation's greatest capital assets, and these projects are vital to ensuring quality health care and education for the area's residents."
BU's grant will allow the Center for Computer Forensics Research to expand partnerships between the university and law enforcement agencies by providing training, service and research related to extracting information from digital media. It also will provide hands-on experience for students enrolled in the bachelor's degree program in computer forensics.
Major goals of BU's Center for Computer Forensics Research are:
- Provide a "clean" environment with the latest equipment and software that law enforcement personnel may use while conducting investigations.
- Develop a series of training seminars for law enforcement personnel emphasizing the practical applications of hardware and software for conducting computer forensic investigations.
- Serve as a national resource center for law enforcement and government personnel.
Rotoract club participates in dinner
Members of the BU Rotaract Club participated in the Bloomsburg Rotary Club dinner and program on April 16. From left, Blair Staley (faculty advisor), Chelsey DuFour, Mace Aumiller, Shannon Funk, Nicole Bittenbender, and Tony Petrozino. Students from all academic disciplines are welcome to join the Rotaract Club.
Walkers raise $1,800 for cystic fibrosis fight
The Bloomsburg community raised more than $1,800 on April 25 for Cystic Fibrosis. CF is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the U.S. The 5K Walk/Run benefiting Cystic Fibrosis was organized by a Bloomsburg University senior nursing major Kevin Stanley and a nursing professor Mindi Miller. Participants included BU faculty and students, members of Tau Beta Sigma, and members of A Phi O. Four nurses from GMC participated as well as residents of the north central PA community.
BU students repackage 12 tons of food
Twelve tons of food from BU's campus dining service, Aramark, has been repackaged and distributed to those in need in the Bloomsburg community. The program, the Bloomsburg University Food Recovery Project, concluded its third year at the end of Earth Week, celebrated from April 20 to 24.
Every weeknight, Aramark personnel gathered unsold food, which students repackaged and stored in coolers. Another volunteer picked up the food and delivered it to an area agency, including the Women's Center and the Bloomsburg Food Cupboard. Aramark provided gloves, utensils and some of the containers needed for the work. More ...
Walking with the dog
Roongo, the Husky Mascot, joined the BU Wellness Committee in walking around campus recently as part of National Walk at Lunch Day. The event is held in conjunction with Highmark Blue Shield.
The purpose of the event is to encourage busy and sometimes tense employees to take a walk during lunch break and reap the benefits associated with walking such as fresh air and exercise, just to name a few.
Scenes of campus
Centennial Hall is reflected in the windows of McCormick Center in the early evening.