Defining the life behind Greek Life

Connecting with and giving back to the community is an integral part of Greek Life and the foundation of BU’s 29 Greek organizations, each of which provide unique opportunities for students to serve the community.

From volunteering with neighborhood clean ups like The Big Event and children events like Kids’ Fun Day to giving blood and raising money for charities, such as the Ronald McDonald House and American Cancer Society, Greek Life provides a much needed hand to those in need and support for other groups throughout the year.

Spearheaded by the overwhelming effort to aid Bloomsburg’s Flood Relief this past fall, Greek Life tallied nearly 12,000 hours of community service. Among the past semester’s activities included assisting BU’s inaugural Women’s Day of Dialogue, SOLVE's Empty Bowls Banquet, Bowl for Kids’ Sake, Kids’ Fun Day, and of course, CGA's The Big Event – which in itself drew more than 750 student volunteers despite chilly temperatures and drizzling rain.

So it begins: A journey through Lebanon

Robby Nixon, a history major, is finishing an intense 10-day Lebanon Summer Fellowship, where he has immersed himself in the culture through an itinerary packed with trips to cedar forests and ancient cities, to museums and meetings with important figures. Nixon, the head delegate for BU's Model Arab League, takes us along his journey into the heart of Lebanon that included an insightful meeting with three Lebanese journalists.

"Overall, the visit so far has been an intense and in-depth look at Lebanon as a whole. Our days are marked by a rigid schedule that, sometimes unfortunately, must be kept closely if everything is to get done in time. But the experience is incredible, and we have enjoyed nothing but the best hospitality." — Robby Nixon #BUAbroad

Biology grad places in national competition

Meghan Duell, a recent biology graduate, won third prize in the oral presentation category at the national convention of Beta Beta Beta, the biology honor society, in Puerto Rico. She qualified to present her work at the national convention by winning the outstanding presentation award in March at the 2012 Northeast District 2 Regional Convention, hosted by Bloomsburg University, for her research on “Honeybee Stress: Behavioral and Physiological Implications of Flumethrin Treatment.” Duell was mentored by John Hranitz, Ph.D., professor of biological and allied health sciences.

Math and Science Summer Experience

Roughly 50 area middle and high school students were immersed in numbers, computer animation, astronomy, chemistry and physics from June 25 to June 29 during the College of Science and Technology’s Math and Science Summer Experience. Among the week-long activities include learning mathematical diversions, the night sky, kitchen chemistry and the physics of sound.

A Husky in Beirut: The Living City

Robby Nixon, a junior history major, is on an intense 10-day Lebanon Summer Fellowship in Beirut, where he is immersing himself in the culture through an itinerary packed with trips to cedar forests and ancient cities, to museums and meetings with important figures to discuss everything from politics to business to the press. Nixon, who is the Head Delegate for the BU Model Arab League, takes us along his first journey into Beirut where he leaves with an unexpected perspective, describing it as very much alive, ancient and yet growing. He says Beirut is a city full of complimentary contrasts. #BUAbroad

A “koofi” look at the Arabic language

Mike Curry, a digital forensics major, is halfway through his intensive Arabic program in Meknes, Morocco, where he is spending four hours a day studying classical Arabic and three hours a week studying the Moroccan dialect. Curry updates us on his experience of following the footsteps of the Romans and trying his hand at Arabic calligraphy.

"I’m proud to say I’ve made the greatest memories of my life so far with my new friends. There has been so much laughter amongst us, and I have a myriad of pictures I have been taking to look back on and relive these six weeks all over again." #BUAbroad

Design and delivery of study abroad while studying abroad

Ryan Geiger, a graduate student in BU’s Guidance Counseling and Student Affairs program, recently completed his European study abroad journey that included Switzerland, Ireland and Spain. Geiger, BU's first counseling student to pursue study abroad, gets us caught up with a visit to the birthplace of the Renaissance and then with a day trip to Siena.

"Everything is fresh and delicious! Food is a real art in Italy and the shopkeepers take their craft seriously. It doesn’t matter if you’re at an elegant restaurant that serves a seven-course meal or a bar to get a quick sandwich. A testament to how good the food is — it’s a challenge to get me to eat a tomato in the states, in Italy, not only have I been eating them, but they are really good; especially paired with mozzarella." #BUAbroad

A life-changing classroom experience

Sixty-three BU students recently completed what many of them considered to be a life-changing experience while also having the opportunity to teach and observe in real classrooms. From May 14 to 24, these graduate and undergraduate students from the College of Education took part in the 2012 Urban Practicum in Bethlehem. For two weeks, they were in kindergarten through eighth grade classrooms across the Bethlehem and Easton Area school districts in one of five different area schools including Marvine Elementary School, Paxinosa Elementary School, Fountain Hill Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School and Broughal Middle School.

Audiology program helps Special Olympics

A group of graduate students and faculty representing BU’s audiology program were among those recently lending a hand to the 43rd Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Annual Summer Games at Penn State University, which featured more than 2,000 athletes, 750 coaches and 2,500 volunteers from the community, organizations and corporations around the state. The Summer Games featured three days of intense competition in aquatics, athletics, basketball, bowling, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, softball and tennis.

Launched in 1997, Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program offers free health services and information to athletes. This initiative works to:

• improve access and health care for Special Olympics athletes
• make referrals to local health practitioners when appropriate
• train health care professionals and students about the needs and care of people with intellectual disabilities
• collect, analyze and disseminate data on the health status and needs of people with intellectual disabilities
• and advocate for improved health policies and programs for people with intellectual disabilities

The Special Olympics Healthy Hearing program in Pennsylvania includes audiologists and graduate students from around the state. Those from BU helping the hearing program were (L-R) Thomas Zalewski, Ph.D., Ashlee Gentile, Sasha Prendergast, Anna Pham, Kristen Horan, Erin Lolley and Joe Motzko.

Secretarial Roundtable provides gift to AGAPE

Members of the BU Secretarial Roundtable recently gave a donation of more than $400 to Eileen Chapman, of AGAPE, from the proceeds made from the Chinese Auction at the annual Administrative Professional Symposium held on April 25 at Ponduce Farms.

(L-R) Eileen Chapman, executive director of AGAPE, Vickey Rainis, Donna Gillaspy, Pam Badolato and Beth Brennan, chairperson of the Roundtable. Members not shown are Pat Stockalis, Becky Musselman, Carla Rodenhaver, Michele Slusser, Jamie Cotner, Amy Long and Linda Lapp.

BU hosts Technology and Mass Media Camp

BU’s mass communications faculty will offer a free, week-long Technology and Mass Media Camp from Monday, July 30, to Friday, Aug. 3, for rising high school juniors and seniors. Classes and workshops will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day in McCormick Center. Students will be introduced to the field of mass communications and how the mass media operate. During the workshop, students will produce web- and broadcast-quality projects using equipment and software in the mass communication television studio, control room, edit bays and multimedia computer lab.

David Magolis and Jason Genovese, assistant professors of mass communications, will host the camp. A limited number of seats are available and registration is competitive. For additional information, contact Magolis at dmagolis@bloomu.edu.

Upper Campus fun for children this summer

BU is offering an all-sports/activity summer day camp for students in first through eighth grade from July 16 to 20. The camp will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day utilizing both Redman Stadium and the Nelson Field House. During the week campers will play soccer, tennis, Frisbee, kickball and participate in relay games. There will be some informal instruction in some of the sports, but nothing that would compare to a regular sports camp. In addition, campers will practice math, play board games, memorize poems and do arts and crafts projects. There will also be a kid-friendly movie one afternoon. Cost of the week-long camp is $150. For more information or to register for camp visit www.BUcamps.com or call Louise Duffus at (570) 389-4951.

New website for Husky Gold accounts

BU’s Card Center has found a new home for its Husky Gold accounts … online. The website includes easy-to-access logins for users’ Husky Gold eAccount, as well as a place to make a Husky Gold guest deposit.

New textbook purchasing program on its way

A new process for students to purchase textbooks and other course-related materials at the University Store using excess financial aid will soon be available. Students will be 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 will replace the CGA Emergency Book Loans. No cash back will be given.

Textbook rental program expands

Students enrolled in summer classes at BU will 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, she said.

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.

COB interim dean finalists named

Two finalists for the position of Interim Dean of the College of Business are scheduled to meet with members of the campus community on Thursday, June 20.

• George Ebbs, Jr. is a retired president of Embry-Riddle University. During his 12-year-tenure at Embry-Riddle, Ebbs also served as professor of Aviation and Aerospace Leadership. His experience includes teaching business courses at Columbia University Graduate School of Business and Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn MBA. Dr. Ebbs earned his bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering from Purdue University, master’s degree in policy and production from University of Washington, and a doctoral degree in business policy and organization management from Columbia University Graduate School of Business.
• Carol Matteson is President Emerita of Mount Ida College in Newton, MA. Matteson was president and professor of management at Mount Ida College for 10 years. She also served as executive vice president/provost and professor of management at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. Prior to this, Dr. Matteson served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Bloomsburg University from 1992-95 and dean of the college of business for three years (1989 -92). Dr. Matteson earned her bachelor’s degree in health education from Slippery Rock University, a master’s degree in psychomotor learning from the University of Oregon, and a doctoral degree in organization studies from the University of Pittsburgh, Katz Graduate School of Business.

The finalists are members of The Registry for College and University Presidents, a nonprofit organization which engages former university and senior administrators interested in service in interim leadership roles. The interim dean will provide academic leadership and coordination for the College of Business during this time of transition. The selected individual will serve as Interim Dean for one-year as the University searches for a permanent leader.

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.

A pioneering look at study abroad

Ryan Geiger, a graduate student in BU’s Guidance Counseling and Student Affairs program, is making his way through Europe on a study abroad journey that includes Switzerland, Ireland and Spain. Geiger, BU's first counseling student to pursue study abroad, has already encountered several exciting adventures! His latest stop in Italy, he came across the Pope in a surprising way while visiting the Vatican.

"The second day started off rather leisurely with breakfast in the hotel of a croissant with Nutella and coffee. We assembled our group and walked to another country, Vatican City. The Vatican is its own sovereign nation within Italy. This is a relatively short walk through central Rome across the Tiber River." #BUAbroad

Field school shifts into higher gear

BU’s anthropology field school with SUNY-Geneseo is in its fourth and final week in Chillicothe, Ohio. In just three weeks, the group has discovered more than 200 Hopewell Culture artifacts, been featured in the local newspaper, learned new field research techniques and formed lasting friendships — a range of adventures students say can only be found through Life in the Dig.

Becoming completely immersed in Arabic

Mike Curry, a digital forensics major, is taking an intensive Arabic program in Meknes, Morocco, where he is spending four hours a day studying classical Arabic and three hours a week studying the Moroccan dialect. Outside the classroom, Curry — who plans to use this study abroad experience as a gateway to the FBI — wants to immerse himself in the culture, including finding an opportunity to ride a camel. #BUAbroad

Jones Center hosts Temple Grandin’s mother

Eustacia Cutler, a Harvard graduate and noted autism researcher, will be the keynote speaker for the upcoming Jones Center Summer Institute on “Autism: Attitudes and Acceptance Celebrating 5 Year of Building Relationships.” In her book, “A Thorn in My Pocket,” Cutler describes raising Temple Grandin in the “Leave it to Beaver” world of the 1950s when children with autism were routinely diagnosed as infant schizophrenics and banished to institutions.

Grandin grew to become doctor of animal science and professor at Colorado State University, bestselling author, and consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior. Cutler lectures nationally and internationally on autism and its relation to the rapidly emerging bio-neurological study of brain plasticity.

The conference which will be held Friday, July 13, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bloomsburg Area High School, also features several other speakers on autism, including Mary Katherine Duncan, Ph.D., professor of psychology, and James Krause, assistant dean of the College of Education. Act 48 Credits and Paraeducators Training Hours also available. Deadline for registration is Saturday, June 30.

Arts Showcase brings together area creativity

BU’s Institute for Culture and Society (College of Liberal Arts) inaugurated its first Area Arts Showcase on May 8 at the Moose Exchange in Bloomsburg with guest speaker Cassandra Pisieczko, a Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble member and director of BTE’s recent play, “When Hysteria meets the Hysterical: Staging Sarah Ruhl’s In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play,” which is an in-depth look at directing the most currently produced stage play in the country. Pisieczko discussed the historical research she did to direct the production, and to help develop the musical and set design aspects of the production.

Music program students Matt Leece (guitar) and Charlie Bryant (saxophone) also performed for the evening event. The new Area Arts Showcase initiative is designed to connect local creative and performing arts activities in the Susquehanna Valley with the Institute and the BU community. In the fall, the Institute also plans to invite back the Early Music Ensemble, whose performance was postponed.

Students present research at global conference

Five BU students recently attended the Global Awareness Society International Annual Conference in New York City and presented their scholarly papers in front of an academic audience and received feedback to improve their work for the future. Four of the students were fully supported by the Office of Global Education.

Student Researchers

• William Lovell, “Integrating Cultural Synergy and Leadership Development through Globalized Initiatives”
• Spencer McHugh, “Innovation and Globalization: Investing for the Future”
• Chris Rumbough, “Recommendation for a US Policy on Poverty
• Joshua Stout, “Cultural Integration for Expatriates on a Superior Level through a Direct Focus Institution”
• ASM Tuhin, “A Sustainable Workforce for A Growing Industry: What Path Will Bangladesh Follow to Save the Garments Industry”

Students join in Cameroon celebration

A group of BU students led by English faculty S. Ekema Agbaw and Stephanie Schlitz, along with David Walker, assistant professor of early childhood and adolescent education, on a five-week summer study broad program in Cameroon and Ethiopia joined Cameroonians in Buea, capital of the South-West region to celebrate their national day. After watching the national day parade with Cameroonian dignitaries from the grandstand, the student and faculty were invited to the governor’s annual gala.

During their time abroad, the students studied at the University of Buea, Cameroon and visited historic and cultural sites in Ethiopia. Buea is located at the foot of Cameroon Mountain, the highest peak in West Africa, and is the only English-speaking university in this bilingual country.

Student research showcased at PASSHE conference

Sixteen BU students were among the collection of student anthropologists from across the state presenting research at the 26th Annual PASSHE Undergraduate Anthropology Research Conference at West Chester University late in the spring semester. Twelve different presentations were made. Travel and research for the conference was supported by the College of Liberal Arts, the Community Government Association, Department of Anthropology and Anthropology Club.

Student Presenters

• Jimmy Muwombi, “Disaster Anthropology, Assessment, and Support in Bloomsburg , Pennsylvania: The Tropical Storm Lee Flood of 2011”
• Gabrielle Vielhauer, “How Public Is Public Anthropology? An Ethnographic Assessment of Public Interest in and Support of Cultural Enrichment Services, such as the National Park Service”
• Beverly Hendricks, “Diverse Religions: Christian Perceptions”
• Elizabeth Kinger, “Views on Divorce and Marriage in a College Student Population”
• Jennifer D’Amico, “An Uneven Starting Point: College Students’ Experiences of Social Class”
• Alexa Rose and Melanie Yoduck, “Anthropologists and Assessments in Academia: An Application of Library Ethnography”
• Gessica Barry, “A Tale of Three Houses: A Comparison of three Hopewell Domestic Structures”
• Leona Roselli, Alexa Rose and Amanda Adler, “And when is there time to remember, to sift, to weigh, to estimate, to total?: Microcontextual Analysis of Disposal Practices at the Lady’s Run Site, Chillicothe, Ohio”
• Emily Burnett, “Blowing the Whistle: Spectator Harassment at Sporting Events”
• Katelyn McMichael and Michael Grevera, “The Effect of Age on Gender Differences in Adults who Experience Childhood Trauma Associated with 9/11 Violence”
• Kristen Kelly, “Anthropology of Law and Violence on the West Bank and Gaza Strip: Bloomsburg University Students’ Knowledge and Opinion on the Conflict”
• Brittany Vaszlavik, “Social Support and the College First Year Experience”

Biology research presented to international audience

Keith Kinek, a senior biology major, and Ryan Dorkokosk, a biology graduate student, recently presented their research at the Society for Freshwater Science annual meeting in Louisville, Ky., where approximately 1,000 international aquatic scientists were in attendance.

Kinek presented, “Storm runoff and polyphosphate storage in periphyton communities inhabiting autotrophic and heterotrophic streams,” while Dorkokosk presented, “Using extracellular enzymes to monitor water quality in streams.” Both are students of Steven Rier, Ph.D., associate professor of biological and allied health sciences, who himself presented a talk, “Quantifying the role of polyphosphate storage in stream periphyton across environmental gradients,” at the annual meeting.