Graduate Studies - Newsletter

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WKU Graduate Studies Newsletter

 

The WKU Graduate Studies newsletter, currently referred to by the clever-yet-devious name "NEWSLETTER," is a twice-yearly publication illustrating the points of pride and opportunity of and for graduate students, faculty, and staff.  While the newsletter will whet the palate, more in-depth articles will be found here, allowing you to sit back, sip your coffee, and bask in the informational aura of Graduate Studies knowledge!

 

Message from the Dean
Welcome to the newsletter of WKU Graduate Studies. This is the first time that I can remember (and I am in my 14th year at WKU) Graduate Studies publishing a newsletter, and we are very excited about this endeavor. We plan to publish xxx once per semester, and we will use it to highlight both graduate students and graduate faculty, to communicate with you about news and events, and anything else which you might find interesting that is pertinent to graduate education. Obviously, we are a bit late sending out this first issue, but in the future we plan to publish around mid-term of each semester. I hope you enjoy what we have put together, and I am happy to receive any feedback you want to provide. Hope everyone has a very Happy Holidays! - Dr. Scott Lyons, Dean, WKU Graduate Studies

 

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Research Highlights of Geoscience Graduate Student Shelby Bowden: Ethiopian Plateau Erosion, East Africa

Shelby Bowden, a Geoscience Master’s student advised by Dr. Nahid Gani (Assistant Professor of Geology in the Department of Geography and Geology), is studying structural geology and tectonics. His thesis research investigates timing of the Ethiopian Plateau erosion using thermochronology techniques (this technique provides time and temperature history of a certain mineral in the rock when it cools as the Earth’s surface erodes). As part of this project, Shelby spent three weeks in rural Ethiopia in summer, 2017 collecting rock samples for thermochronologic dating. Sample collection was from field sites across western and northern Ethiopia where large rivers have carved over 1.5 km deep canyons into the Ethiopian Plateau (a landscape akin to the Grand Canyon). He also conducted structural analysis of the poorly studied geologic features on the plateau, and worked with local geologists to collect structural data for later analysis. This project is part of Dr. Gani’s multi-year research in Ethiopia, funded by the prestigious and nationally competitive American Chemical Society-Petroleum Research Fund, National Science Foundation, and WKU RCAP grants.

 

Some field sites had no nearby roads and required extensive hiking through countryside and down sheer cliffs to access. In some areas, warring tribes that are often hostile to visitors control the government, and maintaining effective local contacts is paramount. Few people speak English, and Ethiopia is home to 60 completely different languages; therefore, in order to travel around the country, it was necessary to learn the basics of three of the languages. Despite the difficulties, he finished his fieldwork while collaborating with geologists from the Addis Ababa University, Unity University, Geological Survey of Ethiopia, and the Ministry of Mines.

 

Shelby is currently processing his samples at the Geography and Geology Department’s LeGo (Landscape Geodynamics) Lab in preparation for thermochronologic dating. Sample preparation includes crushing the rock, magnetically separating minerals, and using high-density liquids to separate minerals by specific gravity differentials. After processing the samples, Shelby will take apatite grains from the samples to the Arizona State University Geochronology Laboratory for thermochronologic dating. Using dating ages, he will generate thermal models based on geologic constraints to determine plateau unroofing timing.

 

In addition to thermochronology, Shelby is using the samples to investigate the structural history of the rocks and the plateau. He is in the process of making thin sections from the samples, which are pieces of rock cut and sanded to 30 micrometers thick. That is about the same thickness as a piece of hair! Thin sections allow polarized light to be sent through the samples and viewed in a microscope, which provides a unique perspective on the rock’s minerals and structural features at a microscopic scale. These data will be combined with field analysis to better understand the plateau’s structural history.

 

Shelby received competitive graduate research funding such as the WKU Graduate Student Research Grant and the Geological Society of America (GSA) Graduate Student Research Grant in partial support of travel and research expenses. He is on track to graduate with his master’s thesis in fall 2018, and plans to publish his work in 2018 before continuing his research in a PhD program in 2019.

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Focus on Graduate Faculty: Dr. Jason Crandall

Dr. Jason Crandall, Associate Professor of Exercise Science in WKU’s School of Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport and WKU alumnus (BS ’96) was a faculty member at Kentucky Wesleyan College in 2011 when students in one of his classes were asked to begin an exercise program for older adults in Owensboro. The students put a program together, but none of the older adults participated because the facility’s bingo game was going on at the same time. That’s when Dr. Crandall began to develop Bingocize®, a program that combines exercise, health education, and bingo for older adults.

With help from Drs. Matthew Shake (Psychological Sciences) and Jean Neils-Strunjas (Communication Sciences and Disorders), Dr. Crandall has received over $1,000,000 to fund various Bingocize® projects. For example, the U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid is currently funding a project to implement Bingocize® in 23 Kentucky nursing homes with the goal of helping 1000 residents. Over 150 students from WKU and seven other universities and multiple disciplines (Exercise Science, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Social Work, Physical Therapy, Nursing, and others) are participating and gaining valuable experience serving older adults in communities across Kentucky. In fact, since its creation, over 300 WKU students have help implement the program across South Central Kentucky positively effecting the lives of hundreds of older adults.

Funding from the Kentucky Science and Engineering Fund helped create a Bingocize mobile app. Older adults use tablets to play bingo, exercise, and learn valuable health information. A recently completed investigation funded by the Retirement Research Foundation found the mobile app significantly improved functional performance (e.g. chair stands), knowledge of falls prevention, gait velocity, aspects of cognition, and patient activation. Recognizing the potential benefits of using the mobile app in rural areas, the Owensboro Health Hospital recently funded a project to help Dr. Crandall and Dr. Mark Schafer (Exercise Science) introduce the mobile app in three different older adult facilities in Muhlenberg County.

These and other positive results helped the program grow statewide and beyond. The program now meets the highest-level criteria for evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion programs as established by the U.S. Administration on Community Living. Facilities in Tennessee, Alabama, California, Illinois, Indiana, Arkansas, New York, West Virginia and Ohio are using Bingocize in a variety of older adult facilities. In addition, the National Council on Aging is currently reviewing Bingocize® as a nationally recognized falls prevention program. Other successes include a nationwide launch of a Bingocize® app by It’s Never 2 Late for seniors living in nursing homes, as well as on-going international research collaborations in countries such as Finland, England, and Poland.

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MA History Program Boasts Three James Madison Fellows

The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation offers $24,000 Graduate Fellowships to individuals desiring to become outstanding teachers of the American Constitution at the secondary school level. The competition for this prestigious fellowship is keen since the Foundation offers only one fellowship per state per year. The History Department is therefore particularly proud to include among its outstanding students three (!) Madison Fellows, all of whom earned their fellowship in 2017.

 

   Allie Crume graduated from Vanderbilt University in May, 2017 and is planning on entering the teaching profession once she completes her MA. After only three months as a Graduate Research Assistant, her mentors have nothing but compliments about her work. Not only is Allie a self-driven and committed researcher, she is also thoughtful and reflective about the investigating she’s pursuing. The care and pride she invests in helping professors with their scholarship have already earned her the respect and admiration of history faculty. For her part, Allie was drawn to WKU because she was “so impressed by the History Department when I visited last fall.” She specified that: “The students I spoke to talked about the personal connections they had been able to make with professors during their time here, and the ways in which the program had prepared them well for the next step in their careers.”

 

   Jesse Brewer works at Dayspring Academy (Greenbrier, TN) where he teaches AP US history, middle school US history, and government. Jesse’s teaching goes beyond academics and he seeks to connect his students to the world beyond the classroom; for instance, he encouraged his world history students to participate in the Adopt-A-United-States-Soldier program, which helps a student and a solider become pen pals. Jesse explained that he decided to pursue his graduate degree at WKU because “WKU has a hybrid program, offering online and on-campus courses which fits well with my teaching career, and the WKU history department offers the exact courses which piqued my interest. I have found the professors to be encouraging, and they always have a speedy response to any questions.” Although he has only been in the program for a semester, his professors are already singing his praises, commending him for his impeccable work ethic and attention to detail.

 

   Kendrick Bryan teaches social studies at LaRue County High School. Kendrick has established himself as a dynamic educator who’s dedicated to experiential learning. For instance, in 2016, Kendrick mentored a delegation of LCHS students as they participated in the Kentucky Youth Assembly. This project allowed student to visit the state capital and experience the legislative process first-hand. As for why he chose WKU for his MA work, he noted: “I selected WKU's MA program because WKU has a strong History Department. I received a bachelor’s degree in History in 2009, and I enjoyed my classes and time on the Hill. I became a better writer and the professors love the subject. WKU professors also care about the overall student, and I always appreciated their friendliness.” We are glad to welcome Kendrick back.

 

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   2016-17 Graduate Student Award Winners

Minton Award (pictured above)
Ms. Jessica Wellman
(Gordon Ford College of Business)
Advisor: Dr. Alex Lebedinsky

 

Outstanding Graduate Student
College of Health and Human Services
Ms. Zona Ascensio
Advisor: Dr. Marilyn Gardner

 

Outstanding Graduate Student
Potter College of Arts and Letters
Mr. Gavin Kirkwood
Advisor: Dr. Holly Payne

 

Outstanding Graduate Student
University College
Ms. Heather Oliver
Advisor: Dr. John Baker

 

Outstanding Graduate Student
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Ms. Annastasia Williams
Advisors: Dr. Monica Burke and Dr. Aaron Hughey

 

Outstanding Graduate Student
Gordon Ford College of Business
Mr. Zane Ramey
Advisors: Dr. Steve Wells and Ms. Sheri Henson

 

Outstanding Graduate Student
Ogden College of Science and Engineering
Mr. Aykut Arslan
Advisor: Dr. Ferhan Atici

 

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  New Graduate Studies Initiatives

The implementation of two new initiatives designed to increase engagement and retention of graduate students began in the Fall 2017 semester. The Lunch & Learn series provided opportunities for students to learn about such disparate topics as strategies for academic success, methods of accessing primary research data, and effectiveness in constructing a resume and searching for employment. Sessions were led by Dr. Lisa Duffin (Psychology), Ms. Nancy Richey (Library Special Collections), and Ms. Amy Johnson (Advising and Career Development Center).

 

The Lunch & Learn series brings students from different academic disciplines to learn from the presenters, but also to interact with each other. Student feedback from other programs indicated a need for enhanced opportunities for graduate students to make connections with peers in other fields of study.

 

WKU President Dr. Timothy C. Caboni presented the inaugural installment of the Graduate Studies IMPACT Speaker Series. This event invites alumni and others with connections to graduate programs at WKU to share their experiences with current undergraduate and graduate students in order to illustrate the benefits of graduate study on their lives and careers.

 

Dr. Caboni related his personal philosophy of graduate and professional education as he addressed the theme of the series, “The Value of Graduate Education: Personal Impact, Professional Opportunities.” Referencing Costa and Kallick’s Habits of Mind, his presentation focused on the influences that inspired him to persist throughout his graduate and doctoral programs, as well as in his professional roles at Vanderbilt University, the University of Kansas, and ultimately at WKU.

 

Both the Lunch & Learn sessions and the IMPACT speaker series will continue in the spring semester. For more information, please check the WKU Graduate School’s website (www.wku.edu/graduate), or any of our social media platforms.

 

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Have an idea for an article?  Let us know! 

 

Graduate Studies
Wetherby Administration Building, Room 207
Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Blvd. #11010
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1010
graduate.school@wku.edu
Phone: 270-745-2446 Fax: 270-745-6950