Good Day Everyone and Happy June!
As I write this on the very last day of May, I am once again confused by Kentucky's changeable weather. I understand that it takes 100 years or so of data to establish "normal" weather expectation patterns, but in the three years I've lived in Kentucky I've yet to experience a season of "normal" conditions. This year even the plants are confused. We had a killing frost in April, and a real drought in May, neither is considered "normal" conditions. Lucky for me I grew up on a farm and have worked my entire professional career in higher education, these two experiences prepare one to expect the unexpected every day. The only thing that I can count on to remain constant is the continuous development and delivery of exciting programs, courses and events that the Division of Extended Learning and Outreach offers each month, a sample of which you will see in this month’s newsletter.
I had the honor of representing DELO at three commencement ceremonies this month which is always an exciting time for both graduates and families. The spring commencement is a signal to me that Summer Term is about to begin, and sure enough it started the following week. We are very excited at the enrollment numbers to date for the summer sessions this year. Through a tremendous amount of work and every type of marketing technique possible from Beth and the DELO Summer Term team, we are hoping to exceed last year’s numbers a bit. This will be a very significant achievement since our prediction a year ago was for a decrease in enrollment and a very significant financial loss. Just another example of DELO determination and hard work.
Several of us, Beth, Laura, Scott, Dewayne and me, traveled to Newport, KY, for the spring meeting of the Kentucky Association of Continuing Higher Education. The meeting was hosted by Northern Kentucky University, and the program presentations and discussions with continuing education colleagues from other institutions of the state was enlightening as always.
I am pleased to announce three reclassifications/staff promotions that will be effective July 1, 2007. Derek Olive will become Assistant Manager of the Knicely Center, Linda Jones becomes a Program Specialist, and Alicia Pirtle will become a Summer Session Specialist. Congratulations to all of you.
I am also delighted to announce that Elizabeth Main has been hired "permanently" into our Marketing Specialist (Webmaster and more) position. Elizabeth has held this position on a temporary basis over the past year, and we are very pleased that she was selected as our top candidate and has agreed to join us permanently. Congratulations Elizabeth.
Next week we will have the opportunity to interview four outstanding applicants for our DELO Marketing Manager position. The search committee has done an excellent job of screening a large number of applications down to this final four. I hope many of you will have the opportunity to meet these folks and provide us your feedback on your impressions.
Finally, I must report to you that Adam's first birthday party was a huge success, as was the entire few days spent with all three grandkids in Arizona. These are all really great kids, obviously products of a superior gene pool. Adam and his mom paid a return visit to Bowling Green last week. He wanted to see for himself the progress that DELO has made since his last visit nine months ago...I believe he was very impressed. He waited until he got to our house to take his first five steps by himself, and now...he's off, and the race is on.
I hope you all will get a chance to have some time to relax and enjoy yourself for a bit this summer, and I hope that you enjoy reading this month's letter.
Don S.
The North Central Education Foundation is giving 20 acres of land to Western Kentucky University to help WKU increase bachelor and graduate degree programs at the Elizabethtown/ Ft. Knox Regional Center. The property is adjacent to the Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) campus.
Two major developments for the Elizabethtown/ Ft. Knox communities ––the relocation of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command and an infantry division to Ft. Knox and a 1500–acre industrial park near Glendale–– will have a significant impact on the economic future of the area. As stated by WKU President Gary Ransdell, "WKU will gear up to meet the educational needs of the military and provide the necessary educational support to make these opportunities successful." The property donation will allow for additional WKU facility space which will help accommodate expanded programs and increasing enrollments.
Read full news story...
WKU President Dr. Gary Ransdell and US Congressman Ron Lewis addressed the audience during the property donation announcement.
Dr. Ron Stephens presents the two workshop leaders with WKU gifts.
The Elizabethtown Regional Center participated with ECTC in May to present career workshops for the "8th Grade Institute". Over 900 eighth–grade students from area schools attended three workshops over a two-day period. WKU partnered with Elizabethtown Independent Schools to provide programs for students interested in teaching as a career.
Pictured below are Ms. Karen Branham (left), Associate Superintendent of Elizabethtown Independent Schools, and Ms. Kelly Graham (right), Principal at Morningside Elementary School, presenting the teacher workshop programs.
Staff and friends gathered at Ronda and Casey Sullivan’s beautiful home for a congratulations party for WKU Military Programs Counselor Bea Cobb, who graduated from the University of Louisville in May with a Master’s Degree in Social Work. Everyone had a great time and we are all very proud of Bea’s outstanding achievement.
Elizabethtown Regional Center Outstanding Faculty award recipient Ann Case received her plaque from Dr. Ron Stephens. Ann has taught English courses in Elizabethtown for the past twelve years.
Leslie Hester is the Elizabethtown/Ft. Knox student of the month. He received a Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Social/Behavioral Sciences. Leslie is married and has two children, ages 14 and 15. He is also a minister.
Leslie is originally from Selma, Alabama. He joined the military, following in his father’s footsteps. His father was in World War II and died while Leslie was a junior in high school.
Leslie’s future goal is to obtain a Master’s degree.
Several Elizabethtown/Ft.Knox staff members attended a Day at the Races, sponsored by the WKU Alumni Association, at Churchhill Downs in Louisville on May 26. They had a wonderful time... good food, good company, and they even won some money!!
Pictured left to right are: (front row) Ronda Sullivan, Office Associate (Elizabethtown), Lia, guest, and Melissa Ballinger, Office Assistant (Ft. Knox); (back row) Gail Smallwood, Student Advisor (Elizabethtown), Gerrie, guest, Carole Runyon, IVS Facilitator, and Frances, guest.
A series of three professional development activities was held at the Glasgow campus for pre-service teachers. It was coordinated by the Glasgow campus mathematics faculty (Suzanne Britt, Linda Fitzpatrick and Leigh Ann Wells) with the assistance of Nancy Button from the Elementary Education department.
The series began on April 16 with a panel discussion. The panel consisted of Mr. Brian Clifford, principal at Park City Elementary School, Jeanne London, math teacher at Park City Elementary School, and Anthony Frazier, assistant principal at Red Cross Elementary School. Their discussion covered such topics as applying for and interviewing for teaching positions. The panel also discussed the mathematics taught in the elementary classroom. This session was very well attended and the students felt they gained much useful information from the discussion.
Two other sessions focusing on geometry were held on April 26 and May 1. During Mira Magic, students learned to use Miras to find lines of symmetry, identify and classify plane geometric shapes based upon lines of symmetry and other characteristics. In Geometric Connections, students constructed and painted a stained glass geometric design on plexiglass. They also made an accordion booklet using paper folding techniques.
Two of Glasgow’s students, Rachel David and Ryan Furkin, were initiated into Psi Chi this month. The purpose of Psi Chi is to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship of the individual members in all fields, particularly in psychology, and to advance the science of psychology. Membership is open to graduate and undergraduate men and women who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests and who meet the minimum qualifications.
The Spring 2007 Dynamic Leadership Institute culminated with the end of term banquet held at Bolton's Landing restaurant. Dr. Bayless and James McCaslin joined instructor Scott Taylor in congratulating the graduates. Pictured (l-r) are Nick Hurt, Dr. Bayless, James McCaslin, Brittany Kelley, Becky Tracy, Valerie Key, and Scott Taylor.
We wish to send congratulations to all of the Glasgow students who graduated in May. Pictured below are some of them in their caps and gowns as they await their turn to enter the graduation ceremony.
The Glasgow Campus has said farewell to two of our long term faculty. Wanda Key was a full-time ADN Nursing Instructor at the Glasgow Campus. We wish her the best.
Dee Miller, SITE ELED Instructor, also retired. Dee joined the WKU-Glasgow staff while we were still at Liberty Street. She has worked with our ELED students in their block, supervising in the field experiences, and collaborating with the school systems. We know she has many plans waiting in the wings. Thanks, Dee, for all your years of service. Best wishes.
The Glasgow Regional Center’s first intramural sports team started their season’s play. Coached by Kath Pennavaria, WKU–Glasgow Librarian, the softball team is off and running. Everyone is invited to join the spectators and cheer for our team. We want to send a special thanks to the WKU Bookstore for their sponsorship of our team shirts.
One of the student workers from the Glasgow Campus, Silves Earl Mitchell, had a poem published in Timeless Voices: The International Library of Poetry. Earl’s poem "Looking For Love" is the second poem he has had published.
The Glasgow Daily Times created a special insert to the Sunday newspaper called Her Story, the inaugural in what will be an annual awards program recognizing "our area’s women in business and community who embody the spirit of accomplishment, and to publicly recognize these individuals who are making a positive difference." Included in the honorees was the Glasgow Campus Director, Dr. Juanita Bayless. Our campus has always been very proud of her and was greatly pleased that she was included.
Of the 12 honorees, 8 have ties to WKU and 6 of these 8 have a direct connection to the Glasgow Campus. Our congratulations also to the other WKU ladies who were honored: Ellen Bale, Cathy Botts, Candy Reed Browning, Alma Glover, Krissie Coe Fields, Gina Lyon, and LaDonna Rogers. Everyone is invited to attend the reception given by the Glasgow Daily Times to honor these remarkable women and their stories. The reception and awards ceremony will take place on June 14, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at George J’s on the Square.
• On April 30 and May 15, Owensboro hosted information sessions for graduate students. Dr. Lisa Murrell, Dr. Toby Daniel, Dr. Retta Poe, Dr. Wayne Rickard, and Neil Bradley answered questions and gave potential graduate students information on Master’s Degrees through WKU-O.
• On May 22, Desiree Williams from WKU Career Services came to Owensboro to meet with students. Desiree helped them learn to navigate the Career Services website in order to strengthen their job seeking skills.
• On May 23, Dr. Wayne Rickard and Neil Bradley represented WKU-O at the Annual Owensboro Job Quest, held at the Executive Inn. They joined over 100 employers and schools for an all day event.
Friday, May 11, marked a historic day for WKU’s Department of Physical Education and Recreation as its first cohort of students graduated from the Online Master’s of Science in Physical Education–Teacher Education Option degree program. The students began their trail blazing pursuit in August 2005 and took two or three courses online each term to complete the 33 hour curriculum. Their program culminated in an assessment activity where groups of students worked in teams applying their learning to address a real–life situation they will likely face as Physical Education/Health educators.
Pictured left to right: Dr. Thad Crews, Department Head, Corey Haynes, Julie Nuckols, Jeremy Childress, Timothy Butler, Lance Hamilton, Ashley Geralds, Kyle Pierce, Thomas Muse, Jason Lemily, Justin Vessels, and Dr. Randy Deere.
Not pictured: Leslie Girdley, Grant Landrum, and Michael McClintic.
Dr. Randy Deere created this online program in 2004 to meet the needs of the department’s graduates. "Many of our students are teacher/coaches who have after school and evening professional responsibilities and are not able to travel to campus for the traditional evening classes," he said. "We believe the online teaching/learning strategy affords those students an opportunity to continue their education while meeting their personal and professional responsibilities." Western's commitment to the professional preparation of teachers has always been a priority. Dr. John Bonaguro, Dean of the College of Health and Human Services, praised Dr. Deere’s creativity in demonstrating this commitment by developing this innovative program in his remarks at the graduates’ celebration dinner.
The Online MSPE program is administered by the university’s Division of Extended Learning and Outreach as a cohort program. Students from surrounding states joined Kentucky teachers in the second cohort presently progressing through the program. Applicants are currently being accepted for the third cohort scheduled to begin in Fall 2007.
For information on the program, contact Dr. Randy Deere, WKU Department of Physical Education and Recreation, by e-mail at randy.deere@wku.edu or Laura Ricke, Cohort Programs Director, at (270) 745-2481 or by e-mail at laura.ricke@wku.edu.
Amanda McGaughey describes how Independent Learning Courses work during a lunchtime showcase.
The 2007 Online Teaching Summer Camp was held from May 16 to May 22. The 5-day camp is designed for faculty who are interested in developing online courses. 19 WKU faculty participated in the camp held in the Mass Media and Technology Hall. The Office of Distance Learning sponsored the camp. Dr. Sally Kuhlenschmidt, Director of the Faculty Center for Excellence in Teaching worked with faculty on a host of subjects ranging from creating the online instructor presence to legal and ethical issues involved in teaching online.
Julie Dent, Shawn Brewer and TJ Higdon provided training in how to use Blackboard tools effectively. Pam Wilson, Coordinator of Distance Learning, planned the camp. Other presenters from DELO included Robert Wyatt, Director of Distance Learning, who presented a session on learning objects. Amanda McGuaghey, Coordinator of Independent Learning, presented a lunchtime showcase on repurposing online content. Leyla Zhuhadar and Elizabeth Romero, Instructional Designers in the TSOnline Center, presented on technology for the future of online instruction. Tabatha Spain, Testing Specialist, presented on the services of the DELO Testing Center.
Robert Wyatt discusses learning objects, where to find them, and how to use them in online courses.
The 2007 Online Teaching Summer Camp graduating class and camp facilitators.
Alicia Pirtle, the DELO representative on the tour, writes:
The literary tour of New England was a great success! The course (ENG 399 M02) was led by Professor Walker Rutledge and consisted of 11 students and a teacher assistant. We began our adventures Sunday, May 13th, flying from Louisville to Manchester, NH and then driving to Massachusetts.
Highlights of the trip included visiting the homes of several 19th century authors such as: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, the Alcott family, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Herman Melville, Mark Twain, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Emily Dickinson. We also had the opportunity to go whale watching along the Stellwagen Bank. The fin whales and humpbacks were exceptionally active, making the experience one I’ll never forget! Towards the end of the trip, we headed to Boston for a couple of days and participated in a Freedom Trail tour.
The students were extraordinary. They are documenting their experiences in blogs via the internet. The site is www.wku.edu/honors/LitNE and it includes a lot more photos. I feel very fortunate to work for such an amazing division that allowed me the opportunity to travel along with the group to New England.
The Commencement ceremony was held on May 16 for the participants of the 2006-2007 Staff Leadership Institute. This is the fifth year for the program, which began in September, and was designed to enhance job performance and personal development skills.The Staff Leadership Institute met once a month and covered such topics as personal leadership development, managing multiple projects, dealing with difficult people, communicating assertively, time management, teamwork and habits of successful people.
Among the graduates of the class were Knicely Center Account Specialist Donna Roche and WKU-G Bookstore manager Wanda Quiggins. Other participants of this year's program were: Paul Barbour, Lisa Beaty, Lysandra Bowles, Stephanie Coy, Tom Edmonds, Sarah Fricks, Tricia Harper, Janice McDonald, Kathy McGill, Heather Nicklies, Elizabeth Paris, Heather Pruitt, Greg Purpus, Misty Rich-Flickinger, Annette Stratton, Michelle Tedder and Bobbie Thomas.
Plans for the 2007-2008 program are currently underway. For more information about the Staff Leadership Institute, visit www.wku.edu/continuinged.
RV enthusiasts from all over the United States gathered at the Carroll Knicely Conference Center on May 10–12. The annual Life on Wheels conference attracted hundreds of novice, intermediate and advanced "RVers".
This 3-day series of educational classes on the RV lifestyle featured experts, writers, and educators from the industry, each presenting seminars and workshops related to RV recreation and travel, equipment and maintenance, and a variety of lifestyle enhancement courses. All activities took place inside and outside of the Carroll Knicely Conference Center.
The Life on Wheels annual conference has been returning to the Knicely Center each year and the sight of all the RVs in the parking lot never fails to create excitement.
Approximately 400 May Term students and faculty enjoyed the opportunity to get to know each other better during a free, networking lunch on May 17th at Fresh Foods. The lunch was sponsored by Summer Sessions and the Campus Activity Board.
