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Message From The Dean

Welcome to the newsletter,

I hope you received more Treats than Tricks for Halloween. This year has once again been so rewarding to me personally that there will be lots to be thankful for, as I consume all the turkey and ham possible.

This past month I had a chance to tour the nearly complete WKU–Owensboro building being built by Daviess County. It is beautiful and will be a joy for our WKU–O staff to work in. Now we’re ready to bring in the faculty, programs, and students.

We completed the program unit reviews we began last month and I continue to be proud and amazed at the tremendous programs that our DELO team delivers with our partners.

I had the privilege of addressing the First Faculty Colloquium on Online Teaching & Learning, sponsored by our own Office of Distance Learning and FaCET. The theme was "Celebrating Our Accomplishments & Envisioning Our Future." I stepped in for Rob Wyatt on this because he decided to take a week off to have a heart attack and recover from it. Thankfully Rob is fine and back to work. I have suggested that he take a sailing vacation next year as an alternative to another heart attack.

Travel to professional meetings continues to be the biggest time consumer these days. Beth, Stacey, Manon, Jenni, and I attended the UCEA South conference in Atlanta a week ago. Jenni served on the conference planning committee as well as chairing the awards committee; Stacey was a session presenter; Manon received an award for her training program, "Uniting Industries, Sharing Costs, Building Success"; and Beth received an award for the "Summer Early Entry program" (a partnership with BGCC). Laura and Dewayne attended the KACHE meeting in Corbin, KY, during this same time where Dewayne was a presenter on High School Partnerships and led a Roundtable on "Partnership: Best Practices." Dewayne was also a presenter at the NACEP Conference on "Online Training Opportunities for Instructors."

In early November, Beth, Alicia, and I will be at the North American Association of Summer Sessions in Biloxi, Mississippi (I still love spelling that word). Beth and Alicia will give a presentation on "Using Google Analytics to Improve Website Design." I will introduce a keynote speaker, and I expect to increase my retirement portfolio at the resort casino where the meeting is being held. In mid–November Beth, Jenna, Tanja, and I will attend the national ACHE meeting in Philadelphia where Jenna and Tanja will be presenting on their Independent Learning Marketing Campaign that won us the Crystal Marketing Award for the third straight year.

The week following the conference in Philly, I will fly out to see the grandkids (Adam, Molly, and Jake) who are assembling with their folks and grandma Ginny in Chandler, Arizona for all of us to give thanks for the tremendous blessings we’ve received. As always, I will give thanks for them and the opportunity I have been given to know and work with all of my DELO team members and the partners that have joined with us to once again be the most successful outreach program in Kentucky. I hope you all have a very happy Thanksgiving.

Enjoy the letter,

Don S.

DELO Active at UCEA South Region Conference

Over 80 colleagues from the southern United States gathered in Atlanta last month for the University Continuing Education Association (UCEA)–South Region Conference. Five WKU DELO members participated and all were active in the proceedings.

The WKU Center for Training and Development (CTD) was presented with the award for Program of Excellence in the Non–Credit category for its training project, "Uniting Industries, Sharing Costs, Building Successes." Through partnerships with companies, educational providers, and the chamber of commerce leadership, CTD has been able to provide educational opportunities to business and industry throughout south central Kentucky at a fraction of the normal cost.

The Summer Sessions office was also recognized by receiving the Program for Special Populations award. This award was presented for Summer Sessions’ partnership with the Bowling Green Community College to provide the Summer Early Entry program (S.E.E.) for incoming freshmen with developmental education needs.

Beth Laves, Assistant to the Dean and Director of Summer Sessions/Winter Term, presented on "Evolution of an Optional Winter Term." Stacey Biggs, DELO Marketing Manager, gave a presentation on "15 Tips to Marketing on a Shoestring Budget." Jennifer Perry, DELO Marketing Specialist, was a member of the conference organizing committee.

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Winter Term

Dates and Deadlines

Nov. 6th

Deadline for Financial Aid Winter Term application

Nov. 13th

Deadline for Video Contest entries

Dec. 12th

Last day winter term classes will be cancelled

Jan. 3rd

Last day to register for a Winter Term course without late penalty

Jan. 5th

TUITION DUE!!!

Jan. 12th

Last day to withdraw from a Winter Term Course

Jan 22nd

Final Exams for Winter Term

Winter Term Video Contest

There’s still time to enter the Winter Term Video Contest! So get your group together and have a little fun... be creative!! Video your group performing the WKU fight song and then upload the video to YouTube.

The best video will be shown on the jumbo screen at the last home football game on December 3. Videos will be judged on creativity, relevance, and the number of views your video receives. Preference will be given to videos that incorporate Winter or Winter Term.

Challenge other groups to do a video as well! Visit the Winter Term website to get more information, see the promotional video, and see the rules and regulations. If you need us to video your group’s performance, please e-mail winter.term@wku.edu or call us at 745-2478. The deadline to upload videos is November 13.

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Glasgow News

President Ransdell’s Listening Tour Comes to Glasgow

Dr. Gary Ransdell, WKU President, came to the Glasgow Campus as part of his "Listening Tour." The setting was informal and consisted of questions from the faculty and staff of the Glasgow Campus. President Ransdell spent the time taking notes, answering questions, and asking a few questions of his own. The session covered a variety of topics and was well attended.

College Street Campus Tour

The Barren County College Street Campus students toured the Glasgow Campus, and Kathy Fraim, Educational Enhancement Programs Counselor with the WKU Educational Opportunities Center, spoke to them about financial aid opportunities. It was the first tour that included our new Agriculture Greenhouse. The group of approximately 40 students also toured our science and nursing labs.

Kristi Castillo Appointed District Judge

Kristi Castillo, adjunct Management instructor, has been appointed to serve as district judge for the 60th Judicial District, made up of Cumberland and Monroe counties, until the November 2, 2010, general election.

Kristi was previously assistant Cumberland County attorney and received her bachelor’s degree from WKU. Congratulations, Kristi!

Guest Speaker

Brad Cannon, the owner of Home Instead Senior Care, spoke to Melissa Schoeck’s Death Education class, in support of the lecture for palliative and hospice care for the terminally ill. This agency serves the needs of ill people and their caregivers.

Brad described how the agency worked and how they served the diverse needs of their clients. He spoke about how he became interested in this field when he was the director of a nursing home in Florida and realized that there was a larger need for in–home care for patients who were not ready or willing to enter long term care.

WKU-Glasgow Student Activities

Glasgow Health Days

The Western Kentucky University Associate Nursing Program students participated in the Annual Health Days at the Glasgow Campus. Eleven first semester and seven third semester students participated in the activities. Sixty people in attendance had their blood pressure checked and 15 people had their blood sugar checked.

KANS

On October 21, the Glasgow chapter of the Kentucky Association of Nursing Students (KANS) had their regular monthly meeting. The Glasgow KANS Chapter consists of first and third semester Associate RN students. Twenty-one students attended this meeting and they were visited by members of the Air Methods Glasgow base. Air Methods is the nation’s largest provider of air medical emergency transport services and systems.

Rick Smith, Pilot, landed the Air Methods helicopter in the WKU–Glasgow Campus lower parking lot. When the helicopter landed, Rick Smith smiled and stated, "What a great place to land, I usually do not have this much room." The Air Methods helicopter is used to land at emergency sites such as automobile accidents. This particular helicopter and crew were on standby to be called out at any time during their visit to our campus.

Walter Middleton, BSN, Flight Nurse and Medical Base Supervisor, Beverly Ford, Flight Paramedic, and Bill Milan, Flight Paramedic, spoke to the nursing students and answered questions. All of the speakers offered a wealth of knowledge regarding in–flight transport care. They also made the helicopter available for the students to observe and ask questions.

This visit sparked quite an interest in in–flight nursing for several of the nursing students. There is some indication that we might have some new flight nurses in the making here at WKU–Glasgow!

Spanish Students at International Festival

On the last Saturday in September each year, beautiful Circus Square Park in Bowling Green becomes an International Festival of nationalities coming together to proudly share their unique cultures. For the past four years, the Glasgow Campus Modern Language students volunteer at the International Festival, along with their fellow main campus students and faculty. This year eight Glasgow students staffed a festival booth and had a wonderful experience.

Violence & Destructive Relationships Presentation

Elizabeth Mohon from the WKU Counseling and Testing Center was invited by the WKU–Glasgow Sociology Club to speak with students about violence and destructive relationships. Elizabeth has a number of years counseling experience.

She spoke about the warning signs of abusive relationships. Elizabeth also presented information about the Green Dot Program, which is being implemented across South Central Kentucky to promote safety for everyone and communicate intolerance of rape, domestic violence, and stalking.

As a gesture of thanks, Elizabeth was presented with a WKU–Glasgow umbrella.

WKU–Glasgow Business & Professional Women’s Club

The WKU Glasgow chapter of the Business & Professional Women’s Club provided doughnuts and coffee for faculty, students, and staff as a part of Business & Professional Women’s Week.

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Elizabethtown/Radcliff/Fort Knox News

Career/Job Fair

Congressman Brett Guthrie sponsored a Career/Job Fair in Elizabethtown in September. Several hundred local residents attended to learn about existing and new jobs coming to the area.

Pictured with Rep. Guthrie at the WKU table at the event are WKU REAL (Reaching Every Adult Learner) Counselors Rebekah Phillips (left) and Chonda White (right).

ELED Student Civic Engagement Project

As part of their Civic Engagement Project in their Block II courses, WKU students presented a full day of hands–on, minds–on science activities developed to promote positive attitudes towards science in elementary school, while teaching content based on state and national science standards.

This science fair was a collaboration project involving 11 WKU Elementary Education (ELED) Seniors, 4 area classroom teachers, Site Instructor Gena Jeffries, and 100 eager 4th grade "scientists."

WKU–E Programs Promoted

WKU brought a part of "The Hill" to prospective students and their parents from Elizabethtown and the surrounding areas on Tuesday, September 15 at Elizabethtown’s Pritchard Center. There was an excellent turn–out, with about 94 prospective students in attendance. Dr. Ron Stephens, Director of the Elizabethtown/Radcliff/Ft. Knox Regional Center, and Liza Ramirez presented information about WKU-E’s programs.

WKU Football Tickets Winner

Chonda Saettel was the winner of WKU football tickets in a drawing that is a regular part of WKU promotional activities. Chonda is a nursing student from Elizabethtown Community and Technical College.

Staff Attends Appreciation Luncheon

Staff members from WKU–Elizabethtown/Radcliff/Fort Knox attended an appreciation luncheon in Bowling Green for Office Associates, Assistants, and Coordinators.

Pictured are the first place winners of the Cake Decorating Challenge. Included in the group are Jenny London, Elizabethtown Office Associate, Ronda Sullivan, Elizabethtown/Radcliff/Ft. Knox Office Coordinator, and Melissa Ballinger, Ft. Knox Office Associate.

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Owensboro News

United Way Chili Cook–Off

WKU–O partnered with the Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) Learning Resource Center to participate in the annual United Way Chili Cook–Off. Students, faculty, and staff were encouraged to donate dollars to United Way and then have fun tasting all the different chili recipes made by various departments. The voting then began on the best tasting, the hottest, and most unique tasting chili.

This year WKU–O and the Learning Resource Center were the LRC Rock Stars. It was fun times and lots of good food for a great cause. Thanks to everyone for their support!

Fall Fling

Big Red made a big appearance at the annual OCTC Fall Fling, which is a time for clubs and organizations to come together for recruitment and fundraising opportunities. Clubs showcase their campus involvements and sell tasty treats and lunches to help raise money.

WKU–O took part in setting up a booth to highlight the joint admissions program we have developed with OCTC and to promote Bachelor degree opportunities available in Owensboro.

Czech Republic

Students from the Czech Republic visited the OCTC campus on Wednesday and performed a mini choir concert. During their day on campus, they toured the WKU–O offices and chatted with Dr. Tice.

Building Update

The WKU–O office has started an official count down to move–in day! The construction phase is over and work on the inside is nearing completion. The first layer of asphalt was poured this week and furniture is starting to be delivered.

The building is beautiful and our students and community members are starting to feel the excitement of Western Kentucky University’s presence in Owensboro. The official move in date is December 19, 2009.

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Knicely Center News

Selected Knicely Center Events in October

Conference Center highlights included a 3.5 day sales meeting conducted by Fruit of the Loom at the Knicely Center. There were 150 attendees who represented the brands of Fruit of the Loom, Vanity Fair, Russell, and Bike. New fashions were rolled out and sales professionals had a chance to see the new products.

The Knicely Center also hosted the Bowling Green Area Lodging Association monthly meeting and provided lunch and showcased the center to about 40 hotel and hospitality professionals. The Knicely Center along with our food partners, Aramark, provided a themed buffet and gave an overview of our offerings and provided tours of the facility.

Sue Parrigin Presented at ACCED-I Conference

Sue Parrigin, Knicely Center Manager, attended and presented at the ACCED-I (Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors International) conference. Her topic was the "Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership" by Kouzes and Posner.

The three–day conference brought together conference and events directors from universities across Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. The conference focused on best practices in conference and special events management and leadership training. It was held at Grand Valley State University in Michigan.

Knicely Center Expansion Update

Construction is in full swing with the steel for the framing of the project up and a roof applied. The shape of the new building is now starting to show. Lots of workers are here on a daily basis and the project is coming along well within the projected time period.

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Cohort Programs

WKU Brings Occupational Health and Safety Certificate Program to Kingsford Manufacturing

Kingsford Charcoal prides itself on its commitment to safety. This fall the company, located in Summer Shade, KY, partnered with WKU’s Department of Public Health to provide 17 interested employees an opportunity to take a series of undergraduate courses leading to a certificate in Occupational Health and Safety for those who successfully complete the program.

The Division of Extended Learning and Outreach’s Office of Cohort Program supports the department’s efforts to bring the safety program to the workplace. Students will be enrolled in five courses sequentially over the next year. Public Health department faculty will deliver classes in a hybrid format where students attend five or six face to face meetings during each course with the balance of the material covered on the web.

Ritchie Taylor Ph.D., Associate Professor of Environmental Science who created the program of study for Kingsford, says "students will get a mixture of learning modes that will allow more flexibility for each learner. Since adult learning should be an active process, the methods of instruction will include: case analysis, project based assignments, independent research, and chapter readings and review questions. Students are expected to be actively involved, ask questions, share their own personal and professional experiences, and take an active role in the class."

"Safety is every employee’s responsibility. Most importantly, everyone on site has come to believe accidents are preventable," says Plant Manager Rob Service. "We are working hard to be an injury-free workplace." Kingsford Manufacturing, a division of Clorox, Inc., has 95 team members employed at its 100–acre facility in Metcalfe County.

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Dual Credit Staff Attend National Conference

Cohort Programs Office staff members Brittney Joiner–Jones, Dewayne Neeley, and Laura Ricke attended the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) Fall 2009 Conference in Memphis. NACEP links programs offering college courses in high schools. NACEP supports and promotes its constituent partners through quality initiatives, program development, national standards, research, and communication.

Dewayne Neeley presented "Online Training Opportunities for Instructors" during one of the conference’s concurrent sessions. The session outlined how the WKU Dual Credit Program serves its instructors and academic partners by providing academic training and other resources through the virtual resource of Blackboard.

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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.

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