I hope your Treats out numbered your Tricks this year.
As I'm writing this, Halloween is just ahead. I will return from the National ACHE conference in LA just in time to hand out treats to neighborhood goblins and superheroes. This has been a month of meetings and travel for a number of DELO staff. I attended the UCEA region South conference in Daytona Beach, Florida and the UCEA joint conference of the Midwest and Great Plains regions in Kansas City immediately following. Ten days out of one suitcase is a bit much, but the meetings were good. I was asked to serve on a keynote panel at the KC meeting which was well received. Today, as I write this, is Friday, October 27 and I'm on my way to the national ACHE Annual Conference in LA. The LA meeting will be more special than usual because DELO will receive an ACHE National Award for Credit Programs...Beth and Laura will be in the spotlight once again. (See article below for more information on this achievement.)
Winter Term enrollments started last week and are growing very well. Beth's "winter crew" did another great job getting prepared for the kick-off, so we're hoping for significant growth in numbers over last year. Our Distance Learning enrollments, over 10,000 last year, continue to increase and we are very pleased. We will be hiring our third staff person in the instructional design area and will add additional as more and more faculty want to convert and teach courses online. We've had a great first quarter in all areas of DELO. The regional campuses are hubs of excitement and activity as is the Bowling Green campus and our many outreach sites. Thanks to all of you for your continued hard work and dedication. The articles in this month’s newsletter are just a sample of your achievements, so enjoy.
November is the month we set aside one day to give "thanks" for all we have. I try to tell you often how grateful I am for the skills and willing attitudes each and every one of you brings to our organization. But, just in case the message hasn’t been clear, let me take this moment to say "thank you" for making DELO the great, and successful, place it is. We couldn’t do it without you.
Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. ~W.T. Purkiser
Don
An innovative partnership administered by DELO has brought national recognition for excellence to WKU. The online Master of Science in Communication Disorders for the United Federation of Teachers in New York City has been honored by the Association for Continuing Higher Education (ACHE) with the 2006 ACHE Distinguished Credit Program Award. This prestigious award is presented to one college or university annually.
The award was presented to Dr. Swoboda, Beth Laves and Laura Ricke from DELO on Monday, October 30 at the ACHE Awards banquet held in Los Angeles. The program was part of the 68th Annual Meeting of the ACHE. According to the ACHE criteria for the award, winning programs must be judged as being original or innovative and successful.
DELO administers the partnership between the University’s Department of Communication Disorders and the UFT. The program offers speech teachers in New York City the opportunity to earn their Masters Degree in Communication Disorders through online instruction from WKU with locally supervised and assessed clinical experience.
According to Dr. Don Swoboda, Dean of DELO, "This award for the online Master of Science in Communication Disorders is one example of the value DELO brings to WKU. Our staff works hard ensuring that colleges, departments and individual faculty receive recognition on state, regional and national levels for the excellent work they do in outreach programming."
The Association for Continuing Higher Education (ACHE) has members in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and 6 foreign countries (Canada, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and United Arab Emirates). There are 1535 individual members representing over 458 different institutions and organizations dedicated to the promotion of lifelong learning and excellence in continuing higher education. For more information on the ACHE, go to www.acheinc.org.
Recent past winners of the ACHE Distinguished Non-Credit Award include Stanford University, the University of Tennessee, the University of Alabama and Penn State University. "Being included in this group shows that WKU is on track for being recognized as a leading American university," states Dr. Swoboda.
The DELO marketing department received recognition at the ACHE Annual Meeting in October. The marketing campaign developed for the 2006 WKU Winter Term was awarded second place in the Crystal Marketing Award competition.
The award was presented October 30 at the 68th Annual Meeting of the ACHE. The Crystal Marketing Award honors organizations achieving successful results from a marketing communications tool in print, broadcast and electronic media. The strategic approach, quality of work and results achieved are important criteria in determining the award recipient.
A total of 28 entries were entered in the national competition from 15 institutions.
The Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Rooster Booster Breakfast took place at the International Room of the Executive Inn Rivermont. President Ransdell was the keynote speaker at the event.
Western Kentucky University recognized its top volunteers, alumni chapters and alumni in October at the eighth annual Summit Awards.
Distinguished Service Medals to recognize the service of the University’s top three volunteers will be presented to Clarence Glover of Louisville, James N. Johnson of Bowling Green and Forrest Roberts of Owensboro.
In 2003, Forrest Roberts was appointed to the WKU Board of Regents and the WKU Owensboro Regional Campus Advisory Council and has worked with others in the WKU community to increase WKU’s presence and course offerings in Owensboro.
Mrs. Jenny Inman, 2005 Summit Award Winner has been appointed to the Western Kentucky University Alumni Association Board of Directors. She was appointed to the Board because of her demonstrated involvement, support and commitment to WKU and the Alumni Association.
Judge Reid Haire is the 2006 Chairman of the Green River Area Development District (GRADD).
Sheriff Keith Cain has been appointed to the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council by Governor Ernie Fletcher.
Come walk with WKU-O staff, Advisory Council and Big Red!
Congratulations to Ms. Holly Carter on winning the Owensboro Noon Optimist Club/WKU College Heights Foundation Scholarship for 2006-2007. Holly is a Communications Disorder Major and plans to graduate from WKU Owensboro in 2 years.
November is the time when thoughts turn to falling temperatures, falling leaves, and the approaching holidays. The hustle is noticeably beginning, and nowhere is it more evident than at the Glasgow Campus. Here are a few of the activities of the past month.
Bake sale fund-raiser for the
American Heart Association
Gamma Beta Phi held its second bake sale; this time to benefit the American Heart Association. The members baked special treats which were sold, along with hotdogs. Everyone enjoyed helping out a good cause and filling their bellies with goodies.
The return of the photographers for the Talisman was greeted by students, faculty and staff who lined up to be included in next year’s edition. We were very pleased with the turnout. The photographers will return next month to take pictures of the seniors.
In addition to having their pictures made, students were encouraged to reserve their copy of the Talisman by using the computer that was set up specifically for that purpose.
Front Row: Susan Morris, WKU Women’s Alliance; Dr. Juanita Bayless, Associate Dean//Director WKU-Glasgow Campus; Sandy Mudd, Mary Kay Consultant. Back Row: Velma Runner, KCW BRADD Commissioner; Cote Stepteau, KCW Project Manager; Martha Jenkins, WKU Women’s Alliance
The Regional Kentucky Commission on Women held a meeting at the Glasgow Campus. The meeting focused on projects for the BRADD region in the areas of education, equity, leadership, economic sufficiency, and health and well-being. A special computer based Adult Education Program by the FDIC called, "Money Smart" was also offered to those in attendance.
Faculty, staff, students and community members were on hand for a discussion led by President Ransdell on the prospect of a divisional change for Hilltopper Football from Division 1-AA to 1-A and how it might affect the WKU Community. This was an opportunity for alumni, friends and students to provide feedback and gain insight on this important matter for WKU.
Head Football Coach David Elson, Jeff Younglove, WKU Pep Band, and Big Red were joined by a crowd of faculty, students, staff and alumni to celebrate the Kickoff for Western’s 2006 Homecoming. David Dickerson, of Dickerson Lumber, provided the wood and setup for the bonfire. Dr. Bayless welcomed everyone and invited them to take part in the activities. Big Red danced and the Pep Band entertained as everyone gathered around the bonfire. The Glasgow Fire Department was on hand in case the fire got out of control. Fortunately, Big Red’s assistance was not needed, even though he was ready and willing.
Tammy Brown was honored at this year’s Summit Awards Dinner because she has provided opportunities for American Sign Language students at the WKU-Glasgow Campus for six years. She works with these students personally on a regular basis. She also plans and organizes social events throughout the year that combine ASL students and members of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing community. Brown is energetic, creative and resourceful in her dedication to WKU-Glasgow students, the ASL program, and the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Community.
In addition to Homecoming activities, Doug Jenkins and Rico Tyler (Astronomy instructors) held telescope viewing at the other end of the parking lot. Attendance at this event was the best yet. Students, faculty, staff, and community members were assisted in locating and identifying planets, stars, constellations, and satellites. Everyone enjoyed the experience!
We have been pleased to work in conjunction with the various community education offices for our area. These offices offer classes for the general public, and the Glasgow Regional Center makes a classroom available for their use. Some of the courses offered this month include: Basic Spanish for Medical Personnel (we collaborated with Community Education of which we sit as a part of the board), Microsoft Word, Welding Class for Farmers, and Advanced Computer Training for Farmers.
Steve Nunn was a guest speaker for Amy Miller’s PS 110 American Government Class. He spoke about his personal experiences as related to his parents’ civic engagement, and his years as a teenager in the Governor’s Mansion. He also discussed with the class the responsibilities of a state representative. The students had an opportunity to engage in a question and answer session with Mr. Nunn.
Mammoth Cave Park Ranger Clare Daitillio and Mammoth Cave Air Quality Specialist Bob Carson visited Amy Seymour's geography class. Daitillio took the class outside to demonstrate weather belt kits, like the ones used by wildfire firefighters, which are used to predict possible weather changes. Then Carson shared why Mammoth Cave is considered one of the most polluted parks (Air) in the United States and what the National Park Service has been doing to change that.
Winter Term 2007 Kickoff has been very successful. In order to get a better picture of the student needs, a survey/contest was held. Students filling out the survey were entered into a drawing for WKU prizes that ranged from a Sweatshirt, stadium seat, license plate and bag.
Members of both American Sign Language classes at Glasgow attended Celebration of Sign 2006, an evening of activities and performances geared to the deaf and hard of hearing community. The event was held at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville. The mistress of ceremonies was Deanne Bray, star of Sue Thomas, F. B. EYE. Other guests included Bailey Mills, Miss Teen International 2003.
Harold Spear and Dr. Juanita Bayless announced a new scholarship for single mothers attending the WKU-Glasgow Regional Campus. Single mothers must take a minimum of 3 credit hours in the summer and take classes at the WKU-Glasgow Campus to be eligible. Pictured in an article about the scholarship was Crystal Nuckols, one of Glasgow’s full time Academic Advisors. Crystal is a single mother who earned her college degree at WKU-Glasgow. For those wishing to read the article, go to this website: www.glasgowdailytimes.com/local/local_story_304130201.html
Dr. Ron Stephens, Gail Ledford, and Dewayne Neeley (pictured right to left) represented WKU at the Fall Conference of the Kentucky Association for Continuing Higher Education at Carter Caves Resort Park this month. The conference focused on collaboration among institutions and all three presented programs. Ron and Gail’s presentations related to collaborative programs and services developed by Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) and WKU at Elizabethtown and Ft. Knox. Dewayne presented a program on the dual credit program WKU has with high schools. Conference attendees were very interested in learning about WKU involvement in these areas.
WKU-Elizabethtown kicked off our Winter Term registration with a week of activities, door prizes, hot chocolate, and cookies. Ronda Sullivan and Betty Davenport coordinated the events, and, as shown in the picture above, students enjoyed getting Winter Term information and other goodies.
Evan Vittitow, WKU E-Town Computer Information Systems major, won one of the prizes at our Winter Term kickoff festivities
(pictured with Dr. Ron Stephens).
Amanda Fulkerson, WKU Regional Center Psychology major, models the new sweatshirt she won at the Winter ’07 term kickoff.
The Carroll Knicely Conference Center celebrated their 10th anniversary on November 2. The evening featured a Bowling Green/Warren County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting and a spectacular catering showcase put on by the WKU Restaurant and Catering Group.
More information about the Carroll Knicely Conference Center is available here.
Teachers in Adair and surrounding counties will soon have a new way to continue their education without having to leave the area. Western Kentucky University plans to begin offering graduate education coursework in Adair County beginning spring of 2007.
The cohort program will be geared toward currently employed teachers to continue their education at the graduate level and to enhance their professional development. The goal is to provide a class sequence through face-to-face and online courses so students can plan their academic and career paths. The courses will be taught at Adair County High School.
Coursework offered will lead to a Master’s of Arts in Education degree and some students may be able to take the courses to obtain a Rank I or Specialist degree, depending on the student's previous graduate coursework. Students interested in particular areas of concentration, such as counseling or biology, will be advised of coursework available at the Glasgow Regional Campus, the WKU main campus in Bowling Green, and/or online in support of their objectives.
An informational session for interested teachers will be held at Adair County High School on Monday, November 13 at 4 p.m. for potential students to learn more about admissions and course offerings. The input from the students will be vital in forming a cohort group around which WKU will shape its sequence of courses in coming semesters.
Dr. Juanita Bayless, director of the WKU-Glasgow Regional Campus, says "Western Kentucky University is happy to be able to offer this program to teachers in this region of South Central Kentucky. This program is one that will benefit teachers and their students for many years to come."
Tracey Bellamy joins the staff of the Carroll Knicely Conference Center as Events Assistant. Tracey will assist the CKCC staff and clients in making events held at the center the best they can be. Please join in welcoming Tracey to the DELO team.
