Contents
Message from the Dean
Greetings from the Dean...
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I know it is more politically correct to say Happy Holidays, and, for any of our friends who do not celebrate Christmas, I wish each of you the very best in however you celebrate your holiday. Regardless, this is the time of the year that should be joyous and fun for everyone, a time to be with family and friends, and most importantly a time for spiritual uplifting for all. If you have little ones to be with as I do, you cannot be anything but happy and excited to watch the sparkling eyes as presents are opened and cheers of glee are expressed over the latest new toys and gifts (the only hint of disappointment in those eyes is when the occasional present of clothing is opened). Ginny and I will once again have the special opportunity to be with Jake, Molly, and Adam in Arizona on Christmas day, which for us is the best present we could get. I hope you all experience a like excitement with those you love.
November began for me in Owensboro at the Rooster Booster breakfast where President Ransdell spoke about the exciting future plans for our WKU–O campus. The next year will indeed be an exciting time for WKU and the Division of Extended Learning and Outreach at all three regional campuses as well as in Bowling Green and every point that DELO makes it possible to touch learners and customers around the world. This letter will again provide a sampling of activities that our Division folks are involved with that will impress you.
We hosted the Kentucky Association for Continuing Higher Education fall meeting at Mammoth Cave National Park for our colleagues in Outreach and Continuing Education from higher education institutions across the commonwealth in early November, excellent meeting coordinated by our own Sharon Woodward.
Seems like tons of meeting again this month such as: Board of Regents, search committees, regional campus planning, master plan meetings, chamber events, award recognitions, holiday open houses, and program and organizational meetings all focused on meeting our goals and objectives to serve our customers and achieve our mission.
We did have the special opportunity to share a Thanksgiving Pot–luck with our DELO staff and take some time off to be with our kids and grandkids for Turkey Day. You don’t want to miss a DELO Pot–luck if you can help it; they are always terrific.
December will be a short work month for all of us at WKU, but much will be accomplished. We will hold another graduation ceremony on the 15th, and turn another class of leaders into the world to accomplish great things. The Knicely Conference Center is having a busier season than ever with holiday parties and meetings which keeps this team hopping. The decorations and smells around the Center are wonderful. We are also implementing our new video screen "way–finding" and announcement system at the Center; it’s looking better all the time thanks to Derek Olive’s leadership. We give a special wish and prayer for the quick recovery for Ron Stephens who will be getting a new knee on the 18th of this month, although it may be his wife Judy that will need more prayers than Ron.
I continue to have much to be thankful for. Among my personal blessings continues to be the opportunity to serve as your dean and to work with one of the finest and most productive group of people I’ve had the honor to be associated with in my 40 years in this business. Thanks to ALL of you; everyone of you is special.
Enjoy the letter...
Don S.
Radcliff Center for Regional Development Announced
WKU Board of Regents Chairperson, Lois Gray, welcomes the large crowd gathered for the announcement of the Radcliff Center for Regional Development.
Secretary of Education, Laura Owens, WKU President Ransdell, and Ft. Knox Post Commander, Major General Robert Williams, share the excitement of WKU’s dedication to meeting the educational needs of military and civilian personnel in the region at the new center.
On November 12, WKU announced that the Center for Regional Development is being developed to help WKU meet the needs facing the Hardin County area because of changes at Fort Knox caused by the U.S. Army’s Base Realignment and Closure Law (BRAC). BRAC will be bringing a significant number of military and civilian jobs to Fort Knox, including the Army’s Human Resources Command and the Accessions Command. The announcement was made at the future site of the center, a former Houchins Grocery Building in Radcliff.
The Center is being developed in collaboration with the Fort Knox Federal Credit Union, North Central Education Foundation, the BRAC–One Knox Task Force, the Lincoln Trail Area Development District, area chambers of commerce, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, and the city of Radcliff. The Ft. Knox Federal Credit Union is donating over $100,00 the help WKU develop 44,000 square feet of space at the site, which will be constructed in phases. Initially, four multi–purpose classrooms–including two interactive video studio classrooms, a computer lab classroom and a technology–enhanced classroom and offices are being constructed to open in the Spring, 2008 semester.
Radcliff Mayor, Shelia Enyart, welcomes WKU to the community.
Dr. Ransdell said that for the Center concept to work, WKU had to find the right person to establish it and initiate its operation. In this regard, he announced the appointment of Laura Emberton Owens as the Assistant to the President for Regional Development. Owens previously served as Secretary of the Education Cabinet in the Fletcher Administration.
Fort Knox Federal Credit Union CEO, Bill Rissell, expresses the interest of the Credit Union and others in the community of the WKU presence in Radcliff.
Owens will begin her new duties December 12. She has spent 25 years in education, workforce training, and government and was appointed Kentucky’s Education Secretary in 2006. She joined the Education Cabinet in 2004 as commissioner of the Department of Workforce Investment and was later appointed deputy secretary of education. Owens is a WKU graduate and has been a classroom teacher in Warren and Barren counties, and has served on the Education Commission of the States and the Southern Regional Education Board. She has also taught classes at the WKU Glasgow Regional Center.
The initial program offerings are now being developed for the Center.
More photos from the announcement...
More Elizabethtown - Fort Knox News
Bluegrass Middle School Basketball Program Project
The Elizabethtown/Ft. Knox Regional Center partnered with the Grayson/Meade/Hardin Agency for Substance Abuse Policy to sponsor a project for the Bluegrass Middle School basketball program. Each student on the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade team who signed a pledge to stay drug–free (all players signed) received a Big Red water bottle. Pictured is the sixth–grade boys team with their new Big Red bottles, and Bluegrass Head Basketball coach and eighth–grade teacher, Dan Mahon.
Homecoming Game Ticket Winner
Dr. Linda Glover (left) and Anna Dunkelberger
Anna Dunkelberger has worked for ECTC for 6 years in the Business Office. She is pictured with Dr. Linda Glover, ECTC Provost/Chief Academic Officer. Anna won the drawing for two football tickets to the WKU Homecoming Game. Below is what she said about the game.
“My husband, Bart Dunkelberger, and I really enjoyed the WKU Homecoming Football Game this past Saturday. We joined up with our son, Derek Dunkelberger, a sophomore who lives on the WKU campus. It was really nice to be able to attend this game together as a family.”
Student of the Month
November Student of the Month:Jacie Rowe
Jacie is currently working on a BA in Psychology. He owns his own restaurant (J.C.’s Bar and Grill) located in Radcliff. Two of his favorite hobbies are cooking and watching lots of sports (especially those Hilltoppers). He’s retired from the military, married, and has a son, Michael, who will turn three soon.
Staff Attend "In the Interest of Women: A Forum for the Women of Kentucky"
Pictured below on left are Ronda Sullivan, Office Associate in Elizabethtown, and Bea Cobb, Military Programs Counselor, who attended the eleventh annual Women’s Forum at the Galt House East in Louisville on October 22. Ronda is shown (below right) conducting a cooking demonstration. The Women’s Forum was hosted by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky and the keynote speaker was actress Geena Davis.
Staff Participate in the Hospital Benefits Fair
Elizabethtown/Ft. Knox Regional Center had a table set up at the Hardin Memorial Hospital (Elizabethtown) Benefits Fair on November 6 to advertise their health sciences and post–RN degrees. Shown above at the table (l to r) are Mrs. Ken Whitley, Ken Whitley, WKU Dental Hygiene Instructor, and Melissa Ballinger, Office Assistant, Ft. Knox Regional Center.
Recent Marriage
At right is a wedding picture of Betty Milburn and her husband, Larry Milburn. Betty has been an Office Associate at the Elizabethtown Regional Center for one year and Larry is a retired KY State Trooper.
Glasgow News
2007 Homecoming Kickoff
Dr. Wood Selig, WKU Athletics Director, Kelly Headrick, Glasgow Homecoming Queen Candidate, Big Red, Dr. Juanita Bayless, Associate Dean, DELO and Director, WKU-Glasgow
The annual Homecoming Kickoff was held at the Glasgow Campus and, even though the weather was cool, the turnout and bonfire were very warm. Dr. Bayless welcomed Big Red, the WKU Pep Band, Athletics Director Dr. Wood Selig, Glasgow Homecoming Queen Candidate Kelly Headrick, alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community members. Everyone enjoyed the night! To see ALL the pictures, go to www.wku.edu/glasgow/data/photos/homecoming07/.
TEAM MATH
Teaching and Engagement for Achievement in Mathematics using Modules Assessment Tutoring Homework was presented by the Glasgow MATH faculty (Suzanne Britt, Linda Fitzpatrick and Leigh Ann Wells) to the Kentucky Association for Developmental Education (KADE). KADE is an organization devoted to the promotion and support of developmental education at the post–secondary level. This program started as the College Algebra Modules pilot program at the Glasgow Regional Center during the Spring 2007 semester. TEAM MATH is continuing to be developed and broadened in scope at WKU–Glasgow during the 2007–2008 academic year.
New Staff for EOC
Kathy Fraim has joined the WKU Educational Opportunities Center (EOC) staff to serve Barren, Allen, and Hart counties. Her position is Educational Enhancement Programs Counselor.
Kathy was a non–traditional student at Lindsey Wilson College and graduated in December 2006. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Counseling and previously worked as a substitute teacher in Allen County. We are excited to have Kathy here at the Glasgow Campus.
Fulbright Scholar Speaks at Glasgow
Associate Professor, Azmuddin bin Ibrahim, with the Department of Communication, International Islamic University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was on the Glasgow Campus. Dr. Azmuddin, a Fulbright Visiting Scholar, made a presentation on "Media Images of Islam and the West." The presentation was open to everyone.
Internet Safety Initiative
Three Glasgow Sociology students, Kasey Furkin, Kristy Furkin, and Ryan Furkin, are working to develop the program "Secure Your Future – Be Internet Safe" which will be presented to fourth graders in Barren County. They are collaborating with Barren County Sheriff Chris Eaton and are being supervised by David DuCoff, fulltime Sociology Instructor at the Glasgow Campus, and Manon Pardue, Director - DELO Center for Training & Development.
This program is being developed and designed as an internship and it will include not only the children, but also their parents. It will likely be the first one of its kind in the state of Kentucky and we are very proud of all those involved.
Glasgow/Barren County Christmas Parade
Once again, the Associated Student Body entered a float in the Glasgow/Barren County Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Parade. The theme of this year’s parade was "My Favorite Christmas Movie." The students, under the supervision of faculty advisor Lisa Boswell, constructed the float which will also be entered in the Edmonton Christmas parade. The Associated Student Body Float, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," took second place in the school category.
Congratulations to all the hardworking ASB members, their sponsor Lisa Boswell, and to Curtis Boswell for all their hard work. To see more pictures, go to: www.wku.edu/glasgow/data/photos/
Sociology Club Activities
The Sociology Club sponsored Leyda Becker, Director of Community Education with Hope Harbor, Inc. (a Sexual Trauma Recovery Center). Ms. Becker’s presentation, "Got Consent," was a 60–minute program that addressed the most common misconceptions regarding sexual assaults and rapes. The presentation was followed by a question/answer period.
Kyle Harris (left, in blue), Sociology Club President, and David DuCoff (right), Sociology Club Sponsor, presented donation checks to Ms. Becker.
Adam J. Pritchard (standing in photo on left – in red shirt) of the University of Kentucky Center for Research on Violence Against Women gave a presentation on Fear & Violence against Women: Culture and College Women’s Experience. He was introduced by Mike Sickels, adjunct sociology instructor at the Glasgow Campus. Dr. Pritchard’s presentation was open to the campus and community.
PSY Club
(l – r) Andrea Hatfield, Emilee Wilson, Rachel Davis, Mariea Geis, and Ryan Furkin are piled on the donations collected.
The WKU–Glasgow Psychology Club held a clothing drive and collected items to donate to Eastern State Hospital in Lexington. Clothes, shoes, hats, etc., are needed for patients who often are admitted to the hospital lacking many personal items.
Club members enjoyed an afternoon visit to the Hospital, during which they served party food and socialized with the patients. They also played BINGO with a group of patients, after using Club funds to purchase prizes for the BINGO game.
The Club members send their thanks to the WKU community for supporting their lunch fundraisers and donating items! They couldn't have done this service project without everyone’s help!
Leadership Banquet
Jeremy Birge was recognized as the recipient of WKU-Glasgow’s Leadership Award at the Fifth Annual Center for Leadership Excellence Leadership Banquet. We wish to congratulate Jeremy for this accomplishment.
Jeremy Birge
Cans for KANS
The A.D.N. (Associate Degree Nursing) students at Glasgow collected over 300 cans of food for KANS (Kentucky Association of Nursing Students). The cans were distributed throughout 3 counties. We wish to commend these students for such a worthwhile project.
Athletics Ticket Kiosk
The newest service at the Glasgow Campus is the athletics ticket kiosk. This allows students, faculty, staff, and community members to purchase WKU athletics tickets here at the Glasgow Campus.
Dual Credit Students
James McCaslin and Thomas Gaffin are shown assisting Barren County High School students who are enrolled in EDU 250 for Dual Credit. James and Thomas were helping the students learn to use electronic portfolios.
Owensboro News
Dynamic Leadership Institute
The Dynamic Leadership Institute is a program offered through Student Affairs and Campus Services that has been on main campus since the early 90's and at Glasgow for the last 5 years. The purpose of the program is to teach students the basic interpersonal skills and knowledge needed to engage in various leadership roles on campus, within the community, and in their futures. There are 3 phases of the program. Each phase allows students to view leadership from different perspectives and provides opportunities to examine and enhance their skills.
This fall DLI finally has come to WKU–O. We had 20 students participate and on November 30 students celebrated the completion of WKU–O’s first Phase I at the Ruby Tuesday restaurant in Owensboro. We are looking forward to offering another phase I and a phase II in the spring.
Shown above are the participants and staff at the Dynamic Leadership Institute Phase I completion celebration.
Penny Riley receives her certificate and pen set.
Participants (from left to right) Doreen Abbott, Denise Lanham, Melissa Evans, Heather Payne, and Susan Crago enjoy a great meal.
Dr. Joe Etienne (left), Interim Director WKU–O, and Scott Taylor, WKU’s Director of University Centers & Leadership.Owensboro Christmas Parade
WKU–O students, staff, and supporters get ready to ride the Shuttle in the Owensboro Christmas Parade.
The Owensboro Christmas Parade took place on November 17. Big Red joined students, staff, and family members to ride the WKU shuttle bus and hand out candy to the children.
Big Red poses with Dr. Etienne and members of his family during the Christmas Parade festivities.
George Ford came from Bowling Green to be the bus driver. He is shown standing in the bus doorway with his wife, Mary.
WKU–O Represented at Leadership Banquet
Neil Bradley (left), Coordinator of Student Services and Advisor, and Andrew Coin, WKU–O Student Representative, attend the WKU Center for Leadership Excellence’s 5th Annual Leadership Banquet at the Knicely Center on November 12.
Dora Johnson Receives MBA
Dora Johnson, Reservations Specialist with the Carroll Knicely Conference Center, received her MBA in Human Resource Management from Walden University in August. Dora has been a WKU employee for about ten years and received her Associate and Bachelor Degrees from WKU.
“I never imagined obtaining my MBA; however this has been a very rewarding and challenging experience. The MBA from Walden was entirely online and the process of completing a Master’s degree online was very intense. This was quite a diverse program, as it ranged in class offerings from Strategic Human Resource Planning to Human Resource Law to Human Resource Simulation and Concepts.”
“Now that I have completed this goal, I plan to take it easy for a while. I do plan to take some Leadership Studies classes here at WKU later on. I am very fortunate to have an exceptional support group: my family, friends, co-workers, and, most of all, God.”
Continuing Education News
• Western Kentucky University played host to the Kentucky Association for Continuing Higher Education conference at Mammoth Cave on November 5 – 7. During the conference, representatives from the public universities and KCTCS from across the state learned about the many partnership projects between Mammoth Cave National Park and Western Kentucky University. Sessions were also held on Dual Credit, CPE Project Graduate, Podcasting with Blackboard, and a panel of CE veterans discussed lessons learned in Continuing Education throughout the years. Because DELO was the university host, Dewayne Neeley, Dual Credit Program, and Sharon Woodward, Continuing Education, served on the program committee.
• On November 8, the Knicely Conference Center played host to Simon T. Bailey, Catalyst for Brilliance. Bailey is an internationally known speaker and the author of several books, including "Release Your Brilliance." Bailey’s presentation, Inclusion is the Bottom Line, focused on incorporating diversity into every aspect of an organization’s culture as a strategic advantage rather than a government requirement. He was brought to the area through a partnership between the Southern Kentucky chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, WKU Continuing Education, and several corporate sponsors.
• Sharon Woodward, Continuing Education Director, was invited to present information about noncredit online courses to the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board during their November monthly meeting. The Ag Development Board serves to distribute 50% of the state monies received from the Master Settlement Agreement for the general purpose of agricultural development in Kentucky. To date, well over $120 million has been invested throughout the state in the areas of marketing, environmental stewardship, leadership support, research and development, and education.
• Continuing Education in cooperation with the Master’s of Public Administration program is once again offering Grant Writing and Administration during WKU’s 2008 Winter Term. The course will provide a solid foundation to class participants in locating sources of grant funding, writing successful grant proposals, securing funding and administering grant contracts. Through a partnership with MPA, Continuing Education markets the program to non–profit and community–based organizations, community leaders, volunteers and government officials. Allowing these professionals to join the course provides a wonderful opportunity for WKU students to engage with community leaders while the professionals obtain information useful to their organization.
• Information on these and other Continuing Education programs can be found on their website.
Summer Sessions Staff Attend Conference in Hawaii
Beth Laves, Jennifer Perry, and Alicia Pirtle attended the 44th Annual NAASS (North American Association of Summer Sessions) Conference in Maui, Hawaii, in November. Institutions from around the country met to discuss the national trends and issues within Summer Sessions. While at the conference, Beth Laves and Jennifer Perry presented on "Utilizing Focus Groups and Online Surveys to Grow A New Term."
Beth Laves presenting
(l – r) Beth Laves, Alicia Pirtle, and Jenni Perry at the Awards Banquet
Jenni Perry presenting
Carroll Knicely Conference Center News
• New digital display monitors were recently installed in the lobby and also outside each conference center room. The displays show event locations and help visitors find out what's happening, where. The monitors also allow companies to recognize sponsors or show company logos which makes their experience more personal at the Knicely Conference Center. There have already been many positive customer comments on our new technology.
• Numerous Christmas parties have been booked at the Center and staff have seen an overall increase in facility usage.
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.