News and Events

Anti-racism activist to speak on campus

Tim Wise, an internationally acclaimed anti-racism activist, writer and educator, will speak on understanding and defeating race and class inequality in America on Monday, Sept. 26, at 6 p.m. at Bloomsburg University’s Haas Center for the Arts, Mitrani Hall.

Wise has spoken on more than 1,000 college and high school campuses in all 50 states. He is the author of seven books that explore the topic of racism in America. His most recent books include, “Under the Affluence: Shaming the Poor, Praising the Rich and Sacrificing the Future of America” and “Dear White America: Letter to a New Minority.”

Wise, who graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans, received his anti-racism training from the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond. He has contributed to over 25 essays and has been featured in popular journals such as The Huffington Post and The Root. He regularly appears on CNN and has been featured on ABC’s “20/20.”

Wise’s visit and presentation are sponsored by BU’s Multicultural Center, College of Education, College of Liberal Arts, Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Office of Greek Affairs, Women’s Resource Center, Frederick Douglass Institute, LGBTA Resource Center, LGBTA Commission, and Campus-Wide Committee on Human Relations.

ROTC cadet completes intensive Russian program abroad

Army ROTC cadet Laura Albright, a history major, completed an intensive Russian language program this past summer at University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, Georgia. Albright received a full scholarship to complete this course by Project Go, an initiative created by the Department of Defense to teach military cadets across the country critical languages such as Russian, Chinese, and Arabic.

According to Albright, the class consisted of 15 students, along with two tutors, and one professor from Russia, that had lived in America several years. The program was only six-weeks long, but it was incredibly rigorous.

“Every weekday, class started at 0830 and ended at 2000; there were only breaks for lunch, dinner, and tutoring. At night, we completed homework and studied for daily quizzes” Albright explained. “The workload was tough, but manageable.”

Saturday’s were spent learning more about the Russian Culture, including traditional dishes, dances, and classic Russian films.

“One Saturday, our class went on a field trip to the suburbs of Atlanta. First, we visited a Russian Orthodox Church and learned about their traditions and practices,” Albright said. “Then, we went to a nursing home for elderly Russian people. Lastly, on the field trip we went to a market with authentic Russian cuisine. There, my friends and I purchased and cooked пельнянь (pelmeni), which are similar to dumplings.”

To complete the program, the students were required to take the Oral Proficiency Interview test to measure their ability to listen, understand, and respond in Russian.

Professional U preps students for job market

Nearly 60 juniors and seniors participated in Bloomsburg University’s Career Intensive Boot Camp last weekend, learning how to leverage their sills and experience to successfully navigate the transition from student to professional.

The students took part in more than 20 unique sessions on topics, such as what to expect the first week on the job, how to negotiate compensation and how to go to graduate school. An instructor-led etiquette dinner, mock interviewing and resume reviews were all part of the boot camp experience.

More than 60 alumni, faculty, staff and representatives of BU partner organizations volunteered for panel discussions or as session leaders. Michael A. Alfonso Sr. ’93, owner and president of Trilogy Group Benefits, LLC, a Pennsylvania corporate benefits firm, served as keynote speaker.

Students received certificates upon completion of the program. This and other boot camps are a hallmark of BU’s Professional U initiative, which aims to prepare students for personal and professional success after graduation. The next boot camp will be held in Spring 2017. Students will be able to register to attend via Husky Career Link

Mental health first aid training session

Todd Hastings, certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor and professor in the Department of Nursing, is facilitating a Mental Health First Aid training session Friday, Sept. 30, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Greenly Center, Lecture Room B-117 on 50 E. Main St. Bloomsburg.

Some members of our campus community could be at risk of having an emotional crisis and even signs of an emerging mental health problem. Mental Health First Aid is the help offered to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate treatment and support are received or until the crisis resolves. A planned eight hour “Adult MHFA” training provides you with the skills to help.

Registration deadline is Sept. 28. Contact thasting@bloomu.edu or 570-389-5362 to register for this training or for more information.

Career Connections Expo

No matter what major or stage of future planning, land a connection at Bloomsburg University’s Career Connections Expo on Friday, Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nelson Field House.

More than 100 organizations representing all types of industries will be on-site recruiting students for full or part-time jobs, internships, job shadowing experiences, as well as graduate programs opportunities.

Register early to save your spot.

Why sweat the search?

The friendly atmosphere of a campus job fair event, such as this, makes it easy to explore career options and talk to representatives, because they are eager to talk to you. They are coming to campus because they know the value of hiring BU graduates!

Here's what attending can do for you, by …

• exposing you to industries and employers even if you aren't ready to graduate yet
• helping you gain confidence by allowing you to practice talking with hiring reps
• giving you the chance to talk about yourself and be more than a paper resume
• allowing you to make industry contacts and build a professional network

Career Intensive Boot Camps prepare students for success

On Friday, Sept. 16, Derek Askew, Raijiene Dreuitt, Denis Ikejiri, Megan Ikeler, and Kevin Kesselring gathered to ring the Carver Hall bell prior to attending the BU Career Intensive Boot Camp.

Held at the Greenly Center this past weekend, the Career Intensive Boot Camp is a multi-day day experience offered to juniors, seniors and recent graduates as part of Bloomsburg University’s Professional U initiative.

The event is designed to help participants learn how to leverage their skills and experiences to not only get a job, but to be successful in their transition from student to professional.

Hungry? Low on cash?

Books, rent, loans, your car, spending money and food. Whether you’re taking out loans or paying right from your paychecks for college, sometimes food is your last choice. In some cases, food isn’t even an option and you can’t be the best you when you’re hungry.

Many low-income or financially independent students can go days without a meal in order to pay for other larger expenses. The new #FeedAHusky initiative will help students who are food-insecure have access to food and learn about the resources available to them.

On Mondays from 5 to 6 p.m. there will be free BU student nights at the food cupboard. The food cupboard is on 329 Center St., which is walking distance from campus. For more information, call 570-389-2222 or visit the Hungry Huskies portal.

Safety app

Bloomsburg University is adding one more tool to enhance campus safety for students, faculty and staff, an app nicknamed Husky Safe. The Husky Safe app primarily serves as an emergency communication tool between the campus community and Bloomsburg University Police. Features of the app, produced by 911Cellular under the name 911Shield, include:

• Indoor Positioning System – IPS works off wireless access points on campus to pinpoint the location inside a building where help is needed and notify BUPD. IPS works in conjunction with GPS.
• Emergency Calling – Users can access emergency services from BUPD at the push of a button on their cell phone.
• iReports – Users can send text messages along with a photo or video directly to BUPD to alert them of any suspicious activity. The feature may be used anonymously.
• Friend Watch – This peer-to-peer safety service allows app users to alert anyone in the contacts list when they feel the need for extra safety, such as returning from a class late at night.

Tom Phillips, director of BUPD, said Husky Safe is designed for use on campus only. BUPD will redirect calls received from beyond the campus’ borders to the appropriate 911 center. For emergency assistance in the Town of Bloomsburg or beyond, members of the campus community should call 911. The free app may be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play by searching 911Shield, selecting Bloomsburg and the appropriate group and following the prompts. For information, contact BUPD at 570-389-2211.

The following students have won the first round of the prize drawing for the Husky Safe Mobile App.

• Alex Annan
• Annalise Connell
• Kris Kratohwill
• Jessica Staros

The following students have won the second round of the prize drawing for the Husky Safe Mobile App.

• Mackenzie Chaundy
• Andrew Keller
• Taylor Little
• Alberto Ruiz

The following students have won the final round of the prize drawing for the Husky Safe Mobile App.

• Maritza Almodovar
• Marcelo Benatti
• Meghan Faino
• Cassandra Seifert
• Justine Davis