A camp where everyone really is one

More than 125 children who are deaf or hard of hearing recently enjoyed a week of fun and fresh air with several BU students as part of the annual Camp HERO experience at Camp Victory in Millville. The interactive outdoor camp featured many activities, including arts and crafts, line dancing, a zombie chase and music lessons by the Allentown Symphony’s education initiative El Sistema Lehigh Valley.

Each summer, BU students play a major role in Camp HERO’s success and lasting impact. The counselors are mainly students who have a background in working with and teaching children who are deaf or hard of hearing. There are also a number of graduate students in the Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program who work with the children.

PCN spotlights alum

David Williams ’81, president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and BU’s spring 2012 commencement speaker, is the featured guest on the Sunday, Aug. 19, episode of PCN Profiles. The program will air at 7 p.m. and repeat Monday at 6 a.m. Williams holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from BU and an MBA from the University of Houston. PCN Profiles features interviews with notable Pennsylvanians. In each episode, profiles sits down with leaders of business, politics, science, sports and the arts to get a candid look at their lives.

Senior earns prestigious PASSHE scholarship

Natalie Wagner, an anthropology and mass communications major, was recently among four PASSHE students to earn a William D. Greenlee Scholarship for the upcoming year. The competitive $2,500 scholarship honors the former chair of PASSHE’s Foundation board who had more than 45 years experience in government, public relations and journalism. Greenlee founded Greenlee Associates in 1980, a prominent lobbying and business strategies firm.

McDowell Institute sponsors first event

The director of the University of Connecticut’s Center for Behavioral Education and Research will present the first event sponsored by BU’s new McDowell Institute for Teacher Excellence in Positive Behavior Support. George Sugai, also professor of special education and endowed chair of the Neag School of Education at UConn, will speak on “Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support: What is It and Why is It Important?” at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, in McCormick Center, room 1303.

Positive Behavior Support is an approach that increases quality of life and decreases problem behavior by teaching new skills and making changes in the classroom environment. The McDowell Institute is designed to equip educators with strategies, practices and experiences to effectively support the academic, social and emotional growth of all students.

Sugai, also co-director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Center of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, has published monographs, college textbooks and more than 100 articles on effective teaching practices, positive behavior support and applied behavior analysis. He previously taught at the University of Oregon and University of Kentucky and earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Washington. The program, an introduction to positive behavior support, is open to the public free of charge. For information or to register, contact Pam Badolato in BU’s College of Education, pbadolat@bloomu.edu.

Students showcase research at regional symposium

A number of Bloomsburg University students displayed research posters at the second annual Susquehanna Valley Undergraduate Research Symposium on Aug. 2 at Geisinger Medical Center’s Henry Hood Center for Health Research. This symposium, sponsored jointly by the Geisinger Center for Health Research, and Bloomsburg and Bucknell universities, provided an opportunity for students to showcase their research activities, learn about other methods and disciplines and gain the experience of presenting at a professional conference.

The 2011 conference showcased the research of students from BU and Bucknell; this year, the conference expanded to include student research interns at Geisinger and an open invitation to students from other regional universities. Conference organizers were Heather Feldhaus, assistant dean of BU’s College of Liberal Arts; Amy Wolaver, Bucknell Institute for Public Policy, and Judith Argon, Geisinger Center for Health Research.

New titles, new duties in student affairs

Two Student Affairs staff members with more than 50 years combined service to Bloomsburg University start 2012-13 with expanded responsibilities reflected in their new titles. Tom Kresch, former director of Residence Life, is now assistant vice president for Student Affairs and Donald W. Young, former director of student standards, is now dean of students.

Kresch (left), a 1981 BU graduate, is responsible for enhancing the learning environment for campus students. Along with Dione Somerville, vice president for Student Affairs, and Jeff C. Long, assistant vice president, Kresch is part of the senior leadership team that manages the division and develops and implements strategic plans, policies, programs and services. Beginning his 29th year of employment at BU, he is married to Deb Scanlon Kresch ’84, who works in Student Activities. They are the parents of Thomas ’10 and Robert, a junior at BU.

Young (right), a Philadelphia native, has worked at BU in various Residence Life and Student Affairs positions for more than 25 years. His office, the Office of the Dean of Students, continues the work of the former Office of Students Standards — administrating BU’s student code of conduct, off-campus housing and commuter student programs — as well as Greek Affairs. The office now has a greater focus on student support, outreach and advocacy. Young earned a bachelor’s degree in education and master’s degree in counseling and higher education from West Chester University.

To correspond with changes in responsibilities, titles have changed for several other staff members. They are: Jennifer Raup, associate dean of students; Anthony Beard, interim assistant dean of students; and Gretchen Osterman, assistant dean of students for Greek Affairs.

Freshmen already doing "Good Work"

During orientation, the Class of 2016 freshmen met with faculty, staff, administrator facilitators and OWLs to discuss what it means to do academic Good Work at the collegiate level. Incoming first-year students learned that academic Good Work is work that is excellent (of the highest quality), ethical (socially responsible), and engaged (meaningful and enjoyable). Following the discussions, students offered the following written comments:

“This discussion session has helped me redefine my motivation for my higher education, specifically my major. I really can make a difference in the real world so long as I have good, solid values, a good work ethic, and a pristine moral code of conduct.”

“Your decisions impact how you turn out as a person. You need ethics, excellence, and [to be] engaged in college. It was inspirational.”

“It's important to strive for what's beyond "expected" of you and strive to be exceptional. In order to achieve this you need to be ethical, engaged, and excellent.”

The Good Work model was developed by three prominent psychologists including Howard Gardner, of Harvard, who visited BU last fall, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, of Claremont, and William Damon, of Stanford, who will visit BU on Oct. 16 for a public lecture at 7 p.m. in KUB Ballroom. Contact Jennifer Johnson, Mary Katherine Duncan or Joan Miller for more details on BU’s Good Work Initiative.

Line Shift: Have what it takes for BU ice hockey?

BU’s Ice Hockey club team will be holding an open meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 29, at 9:15 p.m. in KUB 340 Multipurpose A&B. Current team members and those looking to join the team are invited to discuss the upcoming season, practice schedule and tryouts. Those unable to attend, please contact Chris Kocher at cdk59244@huskies.bloomu.edu. The team will hold its first practice of the new season at the Revolution Ice Center in Pittston on Friday, Aug. 31, at 6 p.m.

Bringing high impact to the new school year

A team from BU participated in the High Impact Practices Institute in Portland, Ore., earlier this summer. High Impact Practices include learning communities, freshmen year experiences, service learning, field experiences, and so forth, all of which create a more integrated and engaged learning environment for students. High Impact Practices have the noteworthy ability of improving retention and completion rates among all students.

BU’s team developed and refined an action plan to implement and expand the College of Liberal Arts Freshmen Seminar. The group attended a variety of plenary sessions, engaged in reflective skill-building sessions, and were given time to work as a team collaboratively. (L-R) Tom Kresch, Lisa Stallbaumer, Jonathan Lincoln, Heather Feldhaus, Scott Lowe and Christina Francis.

New faculty sharpen skills for new school year

BU's New Faculty Institute, sponsored by the Teaching and Learning Enhancement (TALE) Center, brought 16 new faculty together to discuss and learn about a variety of teaching techniques. Participants attended three-hour seminars for four days in the midst of unpacking and getting their courses ready for the fall semester.

Topics included syllabi design, understanding college students, student motivation, active learning, effective reading, giving quality feedback, diversity, and mid-semester evaluations.

Participants were Soumendra Banerjee, Economics; Charisse Baldoria, Music; Shereen Abdel Kader, Early Childhood and Adolescent Education; Mary Nagy, Communication Studies; Beverly Natividad, Communication Studies; Brooke Lylo, Exceptionality Program; Brent House, English; April Trometter, Math, Computer Sciences, and Statistics; Angelo Costanzo, English; Kelly Tenzek, Communication Studies; Lisa Von Koch, Art and Art History; Jihyun Kim, Communication Studies; Kuo-Hao Lee, Finance; Weijen Hsieh, Math, Computer Sciences, and Statistics; and Dong Zhang, Math, Computer Sciences, and Statistics.

McDowell Institute sponsors first event

The director of the University of Connecticut’s Center for Behavioral Education and Research will present the first event sponsored by BU’s new McDowell Institute for Teacher Excellence in Positive Behavior Support. George Sugai, also professor of special education and endowed chair of the Neag School of Education at UConn, will speak on “Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support: What is It and Why is It Important?” at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, in McCormick Center, room 1303.

Positive Behavior Support is an approach that increases quality of life and decreases problem behavior by teaching new skills and making changes in the classroom environment. The McDowell Institute is designed to equip educators with strategies, practices and experiences to effectively support the academic, social and emotional growth of all students.

Sugai, also co-director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Center of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, has published monographs, college textbooks and more than 100 articles on effective teaching practices, positive behavior support and applied behavior analysis. He previously taught at the University of Oregon and University of Kentucky and earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Washington. The program, an introduction to positive behavior support, is open to the public free of charge. For information or to register, contact Pam Badolato in BU’s College of Education, pbadolat@bloomu.edu.

Students showcase research at regional symposium

A number of Bloomsburg University students displayed research posters at the second annual Susquehanna Valley Undergraduate Research Symposium on Aug. 2 at Geisinger Medical Center’s Henry Hood Center for Health Research. This symposium, sponsored jointly by the Geisinger Center for Health Research, and Bloomsburg and Bucknell universities, provided an opportunity for students to showcase their research activities, learn about other methods and disciplines and gain the experience of presenting at a professional conference.

The 2011 conference showcased the research of students from BU and Bucknell; this year, the conference expanded to include student research interns at Geisinger and an open invitation to students from other regional universities. Conference organizers were Heather Feldhaus, assistant dean of BU’s College of Liberal Arts; Amy Wolaver, Bucknell Institute for Public Policy, and Judith Argon, Geisinger Center for Health Research.

Bringing high impact to the new school year

A team from BU participated in the High Impact Practices Institute in Portland, Ore., earlier this summer. High Impact Practices include learning communities, freshmen year experiences, service learning, field experiences, and so forth, all of which create a more integrated and engaged learning environment for students. High Impact Practices have the noteworthy ability of improving retention and completion rates among all students.

BU’s team developed and refined an action plan to implement and expand the College of Liberal Arts Freshmen Seminar. The group attended a variety of plenary sessions, engaged in reflective skill-building sessions, and were given time to work as a team collaboratively. (L-R) Tom Kresch, Lisa Stallbaumer, Jonathan Lincoln, Heather Feldhaus, Scott Lowe and Christina Francis.

Meet the new dean of the College of Education

Elizabeth Mauch, Ph.D., has accepted the position of dean of the College of Education. She has been serving as interim dean since 2009. Mauch earned her Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Moravian College and both her Master’s and Ph.D. from Lehigh University. She began her tenure at Bloomsburg University in 1999 as assistant professor of mathematics. In 2004, Mauch was promoted to associate professor of mathematics and in 2009 became a full professor. You may recall that Dean Mauch played a pivotal role in working with the Advancement Division in securing the funding for the McDowell Institute for Teacher Excellence in Positive Behavior Support.

Interim graduate studies and research dean named

Robert Gates, Ed.D., will serve as interim associate vice president and dean of Graduate Studies and Research. This vacancy is the result of Larry Fritz , Ph.D., accepting a position as dean of Graduate Studies and Research at the California State University – LA. Gates completed his Bachelor of Science in English at the University of Maine – Farmington. He completed his Master’s in Secondary Education and doctorate in Educational Administration at the University of Louisville. He began his tenure at BU in 1993, in 1997 was promoted to associate professor and in 2001 promoted to full professor. He served as chair of Educational Studies and Secondary Education, the graduate coordinator for the same department and for three years as assistant dean for the (then) College of Professional Studies.

Jones officially named planning and assessment director

Sheila Dove Jones, Ed.D., has been named director of Planning and Assessment, a position she held as interim director since 2009. Dr. Jones is an alumna, earning both her Bachelor of Science and Master’s in Special Education from Bloomsburg State College. In 1987, she received her doctoral degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Special Education Curriculum Development and Educational Administration. Additionally, in 2006, Jones earned a Master of Science in Instructional Technology from BU. She began her career with Bloomsburg University in 1990 and has served primarily in the Department of Exceptionality Programs. Dr. Jones has served in many capacities including director of our TALE Center, Assistant Dean and Director of Field Placement for the (then) College of Professional Studies, Special Education Graduate Advisor and Special Education Program Coordinator.

Learning groups will ensure college credit for prior learning experiences

PASSHE has formed an innovative collaboration with LearningCounts.org and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) that will ensure prospective students receive credit for college-level learning they have gained through their work, military or other prior learning experiences. PASSHE universities for years have recognized prior college-level learning as demonstrated through assessments such as the College Board’s College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams. This new collaboration will broaden the opportunities prospective students have to get their prior learning assessed through a standardized process.

Option enhances web accessibility

BU’s website, www.bloomu.edu, now has a text-only option to increase accessibility for those with visual impairments. Clicking “Text Only” in the footer of each page creates a real-time view of the webpage that eliminates graphics and can be read aloud by voice software. The accessibility software, Usablenet Assistive, makes BU’s website compliant with ADA guidelines, said Bill Barnes, manager of technology support services.

Use excess financial aid to buy textbooks!

A new process for students to purchase textbooks and other course-related materials at the University Store using excess financial aid is now available. Students are able to seamlessly use their student ID to purchase textbooks and course-related materials, accessing extra financial aid up to $600 to cover the costs. This textbook purchasing program replaces the CGA Emergency Book Loans. No cash back will be given.

Textbook rental program expands — Students will now find nearly half of the required textbooks available for rent under a newly expanded program at the University Store. According to Beth Christian, University Store manager, students will be able to rent 184 of the 400 books faculty have selected for summer classes through a new program with Campus Book Rentals. Under the previous system, just 20 titles would have been available for rent.

To rent a textbook, a student scans the book at a dedicated kiosk in the University Store and pays for the rental with a major credit card. Financial aid cannot be applied to textbook rentals at this time. At the end of the semester, students will return rented books to the University Store. Christian said rentals are available only at the University Store. Students may continue to purchase new and used books online or at the store. Campus Book Rentals, based in Utah, provides textbook rental services to more than 5,000 college bookstores nationwide, including Kutztown, Slippery Rock, IUP and Clarion.