BU students making a difference

A group of BU exceptionality students has given students at Bloomsburg Memorial Elementary School an added boost this fall tutoring them afterschool, working on reading skills and studying techniques. The afterschool program was funded by a $2,543 grant from TALE (Teaching and Learning Enhancement) center awarded to Maureen Walsh, assistant professor of exceptionality programs.

Campus Shuttle to run a third night

The weekly Campus Shuttle run to Wal-Mart Shopping Plaza will add another evening to the schedule beginning Thursday, Feb. 17, in addition to its existing Tuesday and Friday evening run. The hours for all three evenings will remain the same as the current schedule.

BU participates in national survey

In conjunction with the National Research Consortium of Counseling Centers in Higher Education, a national survey has been launched at BU where randomly selected students are picked to complete an online survey about stressful experiences. Students who participate will contribute to the campus community by helping researchers understand the issues students face and how students can be supported. Contact Linda Cook for details.

Paul Payne named president of NSCAA

BU men's soccer coach Paul Payne was recently installed as the president of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) at its annual meeting in Baltimore. He will serve as president through the 2012 NSCAA convention in Kansas City.

Among his many duties at the NSCAA, Payne serves as a Senior National Staff Coach as well as the Region II Technical Director for the NSCAA. He holds a U.S.S.F. "A" License and a NSCAA Premier Coaching Badge.

A true campus love story

Valentine’s Day will forever be extra special for two BU alums. Michael Wentz, ’80, and his wife, Christina Mallozzi Wentz, ‘79/’80, who met on campus as students 34 years ago today and later got engaged at the steps of Carver Hall. They remain happily married and the proud parents of a new Husky alum, their son Drew, who graduated in May 2010.
 

Ready to go Greek?

Greek Life is looking for new members, and recruitment events are about to begin. Fraternities and sororities coordinate membership recruitment in various ways that include membership intake, recruitment, and rush. Each allows a student an opportunity to meet other students, as well as learn what each fraternity or sorority has to offer.

BU ice hockey takes over first place

BU’s Ice Hockey Team came out strong and swept their first weekend back from winter break as Matthew Markert was hot in net in the Huskies victory over Rowan University 3-1 on Jan. 22 at the Hollydell Ice Rink in New Jersey. Matthew Loscalzo shut down East Stroudsburg University on Jan. 23 during the7-2 win at the Huskies home rink in Sunbury.

BU freshman, Zach Gower, also contributed by scoring back-to-back hat tricks during the weekend sweep. The team is now in first place atop its division in the Delaware Valley Collegiate Hockey League and has four games left before the playoffs.

Learning beyond the classroom

BU’s Global Awareness Society International, a student organization designed to pique and encourage student interests and concerns beyond Northeastern PA, is holding its first meeting of the semester Monday, Feb. 14, at 5:30 p.m., Bakeless Center 204. The group is open to all students of all majors.

Among the group’s key activities include a trip to Washington D.C., social events with the International Student Association and International Faculty Association, annual pumpkin carving party, awareness campaigns on selected world issues and hosting speakers on particular issues and on their home countries.

Greeks go From Ritual to Reality

Roughly 350 members of BU’s Greek community recently attended an anti-hazing presentation by Mari Anne Callais on “From Ritual To Reality.” Callais, who has worked in higher education for 16 years, is director of development for Tri Delta and speaker for CAMPUSPEAK. She has presented more than 500 workshops on fraternity and sorority values, leadership and team building.

By sharing her experiences and observations, Mari Ann helped fraternity and sorority members explore their values and their reasons for being part of a fraternity or sorority. The Greek students found this presentation both useful and entertaining.

Business student relishes local internship

Abubakar Sheriff, a senior business information and technology management major, is currently an intern at Rieter Automotive North America Inc., Bloomsburg, working alongside IT professionals. Sheriff says the learning experience has been priceless, adding he has already learned various techniques to troubleshoot problems, install drivers, format hard drives and much more. In addition, Sheriff says improved his critical thinking skills, which will serve him well in the IT career field.

Sampling culture on a new canvas

A dream educational trip to Egypt gave Maryam Cristillo more than just an once-in-a-lifetime archeological experience. It opened her eyes to a deep passion for art. The new-found love, along with her commitment to studying culture, led Cristillo in pursuit of bachelor’s degrees at BU in art studio and anthropology.

A unique summer European experience

Students will have an opportunity to experience Europe this summer through this four-week study abroad program, which includes courses about the European Union, a number of different perspectives on life and work and a chance to see in-person artworks they’ve only seen in books.

Students will learn about allegiances, treaties and laws that kept certain families in power for centuries and how churches, mosques and synagogues played a role in that power struggle. In cities such as Amsterdam, Brussels, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Budapest and Prague students will visit museums, tour castles and palaces, be briefed at NATO, The United Nations and the European Union Parliament.

PRAXIS I workshop offered

Today’s Praxis I workshop has been cancelled. The workshop has been rescheduled for next Tuesday, February 8th at 4:25 in McCormick 2314. Thomas Starmack, assistant professor of educational studies and secondary education, will discuss how to register, testing dates, required passing scores and tips to be successful including showing you “exactly” what is on the test!

BU leaders participate in Safe Zones training

BU administrators showed their support for recognizing diversity on campus by attending a recent Safe Zones training led by Jen Bayer, Safa Saraçoğlu and Gretchen Osterman. The training, an interactive discussion on how to address insensitive language or behavior in order to expand campus safe zones, supplements an online module on basic knowledge of LGBT issues.

In the session, a BU Gay Straight Alliance student panel relayed (mostly positive) anecdotes from their lives on campus as members of the LGBT community. Safe Zones trainings, open free to the campus, will be held
this semester on Feb. 21, March 15, March 30 and April 14.

Campus stays busy over winter break

As the campus gears up for the start of the spring semester on Jan. 18, construction crews have kept busy this winter break working on the $10 million renovation of Sutliff Hall, which began in June 2010. The project includes a complete renovation of the existing building, along with the addition of a third floor and main entrance facing the Academic Quad.
The project is expected to be completed by August 2011.

Toys for Tots reaches 4,363 local children

BU’s annual Toys for Tots campaign collected 21,917 toys, which were given as Christmas gifts to nearly 4,400 local children. A big thanks is being given to those in the BU campus community and local community neighbors who donated items and volunteered their time.

Campus smoking policy is in effect

The concerns of nonsmokers and smokers working together in a common work place have resulted in the need for a policy which addresses issues relative to smoking. BU is dedicated to providing a healthy, safe and productive work and educational environment. This goal can best be achieved through ongoing efforts to protect nonsmokers and to help people adjust to restrictions on smoking. In recognition of the health hazards associated with tobacco smoke, smoking is prohibited in:

• all buildings and facilities
• all areas within 25 feet of building entrances and heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
• the academic quad area including the areas contiguous to the following buildings: Waller, Andruss, Centennial, Sutliff, Hartline, Warren SSC, Bakeless, and McCormick

Smoking is permitted on university grounds other than as defined above, and as long as tobacco waste is properly disposed.