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Message from the Dean
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, DELO! (We’re five years old.)
On July 1, 2008, the Division of Extended Learning and Outreach begins its sixth year of operation as a Board of Regents approved unit of WKU Academic Affairs. I have had the personal honor and privilege to serve as your dean for the past four years. No person outside of the DELO organization ever expected us to be as successful and achieve as much as we have in five short years. The success of this achievement history is due to YOU, the DELO family and team. Congratulations.
July 1st marks another major event... Happy New Year (fiscally speaking of course). Although much of WKU is feeling down because of the budget cuts which reduced faculty and staff positions, operating budgets, and more, the DELO team is pleased with the achievements of another successful year. Our programs and services increased, partnerships increased, customer participation increased, and our fiscal position improved. All this happened because of your hard work and continuous dedication to quality. Thanks again to all of you who are a part of DELO.
Two very positive goals were accomplished this year for the benefit of our campus partners. We were able to increase faculty teaching stipends in our summer term, because of the continued administrative efficiency of the DELO team. Secondly, we are able to provide our college and department partners (very soon) with a significant distribution of funds as a reward for their part of the DELO partnership. Again team, you made it happen. Thanks.
July also marks a major administrative leadership change for WKU–Owensboro. We once again give a big thank–you to Joe Etienne for the excellent leadership he provided this past year as associate dean of DELO and director of WKU–O. We wish him the very best of success as he returns to his role as the Communication Disorders Department Head at WKU–Bowling Green. On July 15, we will officially welcome Gene Tice as the new associate dean of DELO and director of WKU–O. We wish him the greatest of success in his new role.
Finally let me say that I hope each of you will take some time for R & R this summer as I am doing now. I’m writing this from my kitchen table in Chandler, Arizona. Chandler just happens to be the hometown of Adam Beadle as well. If you don’t know who Adam is, you won’t do very well on the test. He met Ginny and me at the airport on June 21, and it has been non–stop fun since then. He has shown me DVDs of Barney, the Wiggles, Blues Clues, and more; and each DVD several times in case I missed something while dancing or singing. The greatest parts are the hugs and kisses he shares willingly with me; these are the greatest rewards one can experience. Oh yes, the Rodgers have moved into their new house this week. Ginny is planning to take a little side trip to Des Moines when we go home after the 4th. She has to see if Molly and Jake are settled in OK.
The house that holds the kitchen I wrote this from
Adam and grandpa with some pretty flowers at Adam’s house
Adam in his big blue chair watching Blues Clues
A picture to put the flowers in context... water’s greatI’ll continue to enjoy my time here, and you enjoy the letter.
Don S.
Gene Tice Named Associate Dean/Director Of WKU–Owensboro
Dr. Gene Tice, former WKU vice president for Student Affairs and Campus Services, has been named associate dean and director of WKU’s Owensboro Regional Campus. He will begin his new duties on July 15.
An educator and administrator with 40 years of experience, Dr. Tice joined WKU in 2000 as the vice president for Student Affairs and Campus Services. Prior to WKU, Dr. Tice spent 22 years at Mississippi State University, moving from director of Housing and Residence Life to associate vice president for Student Affairs while also serving as an assistant professor of counselor education.
WKU–Owensboro has experienced a nearly 30 percent growth in enrollment in the past five years. Dr. Tice said he will draw on his experience at WKU and other institutions to help WKU–Owensboro continue to grow.
(from WKU news – read entire article)
Master of Public Administration Open House in Owensboro
About thirty interested students attended an open house at the Owensboro Police Department to learn about a new master’s degree opportunity for Owensboro area public safety professionals, including law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency management personnel. Owensboro Police Chief, Glenn Skeens, along with WKU representatives Dr. James Chappell, MPA Program Director, Charlotte Dixon, WKU–O Advisor, and Laura Ricke and Amy Fitzpatrick of DELO’s Cohort Programs presented information and answered questions from the group.
WKU’s Owensboro campus and the departments of Political Science and Communication have created a partnership with the City of Owensboro to bring the professional development program. The partnership reflects WKU’s overall outreach strategy, facilitated through the Division of Extended Learning & Outreach. Classes will be delivered in traditional face–to–face format at the Owensboro Police headquarters as well as online, and via Interactive Video Service at the WKU–Owensboro campus. The courses are planned in specific sequence to assure degree attainment.
The 39–credit hour cohort program will offer a Master’s of Public Administration (MPA) and Graduate Certificate in Organizational Communication to participating students. These two courses of study blended together into one customized program will bring highly valued skills to graduates. For more information, read the full story and visit the program website.
Amy Fitzpatrick is shown reviewing the application process with potential MPA cohort students.
An Owensboro firefighter is shown taking notes during Dr. Chappell’s
presentation.
Other Owensboro News
Neil Bradley, Coordinator of Student Services and Advisor, is shown working a kiosk at the Towne Square Mall in Owensboro. WKU–O joined the "Owensboro Has It" campaign through the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce. Neil gave out information on all the programs available through the WKU–O campus.
Shown above is Andrew Coin who is responsible for attaining a sign to the WKU–O campus from the US Highway 60 Bypass in Owensboro. Andrew is currently a graduate student on the WKU–O Campus and he is also a member of the WKU Owensboro Toppers.
On June 19, the WKU–O Advisory Council met to meet and talk to Dr. Gene Tice, the new Director of the WKU–O campus. Shown above is Dr. Tice with long–standing Advisory Council member Dave Roberts in the foreground.
On June 30, the WKU–Owensboro staff had an appreciation luncheon for interim director, Dr. Joe Etienne. "Thank you, Dr. Etienne, for all that you've done for the Owensboro campus!"
Glasgow News
Dr. Bayless Honored at Toast & Boast
Silas Matchem, emcee for the event, presented Dr. Bayless with a certificate of appreciation while Glasgow Mayor Darrell Pickett looked on.
Dr. Juanita Bayless was honored at the 1st Annual Bunche Community Center Toast & Boast Banquet on Saturday, June 21 at the Lera B. Mitchell Clubhouse. Dr. Bayless was recognized for her contributions to the community of Glasgow and for her willingness to chair the original advisory committee to help see the community center to fruition. Mark Biggers, fellow board member and adjunct instructor of Biology at WKU–Glasgow, provided the "Toast" to Dr. B.
James McCaslin, Assistant Director of WKU–Glasgow, provided the "boast." During McCaslin’s "boast," he commented that the most remarkable part of the evening was the fact that he was able to plan to be at the banquet and surprise Dr. Bayless without her prior knowledge. "Nothing gets past her!"
Big Red Attended Temple Hill Elementary School Pep Rally
Big Red got wrapped up by teachers Tammy Lowe and Charlotte Stafford.
Big Red recently visited Temple Hill Elementary School in Glasgow, KY to join in on the action of a pep rally to get the students pumped up for Commonwealth Accountability Testing System (CATS) testing. This year the school decided on a sports theme with the motto "Go Pro". The pep rally was considered a "half–time" entertainment after the first week of testing.
Big Red participated in various activities such as a one-on-one basketball tournament, leading cheers, judging spirit contests, and competing against two other teachers in a contest of being the first to be "All wrapped up" with a roll of toilet paper. Of course Big Red won.
The students as well as the teachers enjoyed Big Red’s visit and all anticipate great success from the students while completing their CATS testing. Lisa Pack, WKU–Glasgow Campus, who is completing her student teaching at Temple Hill, secured Big Red for the event.
Annex Move-in
Assistant Director James McCaslin and Math Tutor David Scott were caught moving a filing cabinet into the new facility.
We’ve passed all of our inspections, and after much planning and anticipation, we’re moving into some much needed space in our Annex. The WKU–Glasgow Annex can provide space for 3 additional classrooms, 12 faculty members, and a math tutoring and testing area. It's located at the west end of our existing building.
Lois Ryan Retires
Lois Ryan, who has served the WKU–Glasgow Campus as our Clinton County Liaison since 2001, retired on June 25. After lunch with Dr. Bayless, a surprise reception was held in her honor. The entire staff of WKU–Glasgow gathered to wish her well and to share in a delicious Big Red cake.
Dr. Bayless presented Lois with a plaque which read: "Presented to Lois Ryan, For her years of dedicated service to the students of Clinton County, June 25, 2008."
Lois cuts the Big Red cake which was baked in her honor.
Elizabethtown/Radcliff/Ft.Knox News
ECTC Phase II Groundbreaking
Dr. Michael B. McCall, KCTCS president, spoke at the groundbreaking.
Dr. Thelma White, President/CEO of ECTC and Dr. Stephens
Dr. Ron Stephens, Associate Dean, DELO and Director, Elizabethtown/Radcliff/Ft.Knox Regional Center, and Gwen Sutherland, an employee at ECTC, are shown greeting Dr. Swoboda, DELO Dean.
Dr. Thelma White, Dr. Swoboda, Laura Owens, Special Assistant to WKU President Ransdell, Dr. McCall, and Dr. Stephens
July Student of the Month – Tina Howard
Tina is currently working on a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and will be graduating in the spring of 2010. She is hoping to teach 3rd grade while working on her master’s degree in principalship.
Her plans include working on a doctorate and eventually "teaching the teachers" and being a college professor at WKU. Tina advises, "Never give up on your dreams... when the time is right, pursue with everything that you possess."
Office Associates’ Day Out
On June 12, the Elizabethtown/Radcliff/Ft.Knox Office Associates took a day to visit the Glasgow campus, South campus, and the WKU Main campus. Carol Taylor gave them a tour of the beautiful Glasgow campus.
Shown from left to right are Jenny London – Elizabethtown, Melissa Ballinger – Ft. Knox, Carol Taylor – Glasgow, Liza Ramirez – Radcliff, and Ronda Sullivan, Office Coordinator–Elizabethtown.
Distance Learning News
Universal Accessible Video
The use of video in computer-based learning is becoming increasingly common and more important. ADA regulations require that all media incorporated into courses be accessible; adding closed captions to video clips is an effective and useful method of accomplishing this. The Universal Accessible Video (UAV) was designed and programmed by the Office of Distance Learning to provide a user-friendly process for adding closed captions to a variety of video applications commonly used by faculty at WKU.
This past month, Universal Accessible Video (UAV) has been requested from more than 15 faculty members. The Distance Learning staff assists faculty in all aspects of UAV use, such as installing the software, transcribing video text, providing training on the software use, and uploading videos with the transcripts.
There is a need for this type of software in the overall field of online education. The WKU Office of Distance Learning will make UAV available to other universities with the purpose of enhancing accessibility of all online learning materials.
For more information about Universal Accessible Video or other online learning topics, contact Distance Learning at reachu@wku.edu.
Dual Credit Summer Sessions
Bowling Green
Students enrolled in Summer Sessions courses through the Dual Credit Program enjoyed a nice treat on the first Thursday of classes. The students had the opportunity to mingle with their classmates from all over the region while partaking in pizza and drinks provided by the program. Each student also received a memento of their participation with a Dual Credit Summer Sessions backpack and pen.
The number of Summer Sessions participants has tripled in the second year of the courses being offered. Three classes, including History 119 and Sociology 100 held at Bowling Green Community College as well as a Sociology course held at Glasgow Regional Center, were offered for summer 2008. Students from ten participating high schools chose to spend their summer increasing their knowledge while receiving three hours of college credit. Those schools participating were: Barren County, Franklin Simpson, Glasgow, Greenwood, Logan County, Monroe County, Metcalfe County, Warren East, and Warren Central as well as Firm Foundation Home School.
As the program continues to grow, we hope that more students will choose to take advantage of the opportunities that the Dual Credit Program has to offer.
Glasgow
For the second year, WKU–Glasgow is hosting a dual credit summer session for area high school students seeking a jump–start on their college careers. This summer, Lisa Boswell is offering Introductory Sociology.
Thomas Gaffin, WKU - Glasgow Technology Specialist, spent one afternoon showing the students how to access their WKU e-mail accounts, TopNet, and Blackboard.
On June 12, Ms. Boswell (seen standing left) and her students were treated to lunch by the Dual Credit office, represented by (standing right) Jenna Haugen and Dewayne Neeley.
Juliana Martins, New Independent Learning Instructional Support Specialist
DELO would like to congratulate Juliana Martins! Juliana is currently a part–time Specialist in Independent Learning. Beginning August 1st, Juliana will become the Independent Learning Instructional Support Specialist in the TSOnline Center.
Juliana is originally from Brazil and earned her B.A. from WKU in Political Science with a Minor in Broadcasting in 2005. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Juliana can be reached at 745-2674 or by email at juliana.martins@wku.edu.
Please join us in congratulating Juliana as she begins work in a new facet of the DELO team.
DELO Promoted in Logan County
On Wednesday, June 25, Laura Ricke, Manon Pardue, and Stacey Biggs represented DELO at the Logan County Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon in Russellville. They met with other attendees and handed out information about all of DELO's units, focusing on active partnerships in Logan County.
Continuing Education News
First Annual WKU Topper Clarinet Weekend was a Success
The first annual Western Kentucky University Topper Clarinet Weekend, hosted by Dr. John Cipolla (June 5-8, 2008), was a huge success! High school students from Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, and New Jersey rehearsed clarinet chamber groups, attended master classes and recitals, swam, socialized, had fun at the WKU Preston Athletic Center, and lived like a WKU College Student for three days. The weekend culminated in a student clarinet ensemble recital.
This camp was open to all high school students of any ability level and from any geographical location. More photos from the camp are available on the Clarinet Weekend website. Plans are already underway for next year!
Congratulations, Alicia and Travis!
Alicia Pirtle, Summer Sessions Specialist, and Travis Bingham were married Saturday, June 14, 2008 at the First Baptist Church in Franklin, Kentucky. After honeymooning in Florida, the couple returned to their new home in Franklin.
...Congratulations and best wishes to the happy couple!
Selected Knicely Center Events in June
- Winner by Choice, hosted by Networking Women
- AARP Conference
- KESA (Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Fund) Conference
- Truth Book Store Conference
- A wedding every weekend
To schedule your event at the Knicely Center, call 745-1908. WKU departments get a 40% discount on room rental rates.
DELO eNewsletter
The goal of the DELO eNewsletter is to share highlights of DELO and the individual DELO units with employees and interested individuals.
You are an important part of the success of the DELO newsletter. Submit information or story ideas to Elizabeth Main, (elizabeth.main@wku.edu) by the end of the month. Topics could include new program offerings, new employees, contracts made with outside organizations, professional awards received by you or your employees... anything that your fellow DELO employees might be interested in. Don’t be timid – take this opportunity to brag on your professional accomplishments!
Please send your information or comments to Elizabeth. We want to make the information in this newsletter interesting and useful for you.
Past issues of the DELO eNewsletter can be found at www.wku.edu/delo/NewslettersHTML/newsletterArchive.htm.