BU honored for Toys for Tots effort

BU was presented with the Toys for Tots Coordinator's Award 2008 — the fifth year in a row the university has received the award — for the work they've done coordinating toy pickups and deliveries to area families. In 2008, BU volunteers helped to collect toys for over 4,500 children in a five county area. Shown from left are Carol Barnett, Gary Hilderbrandt, Norm Manney, Kim Schmitz, Pauline Roberts, Richard Roberts (both from the Marine Corps Reserve, Susquehanna Valley Detachment #308) and Jolene Folk.

Commencement on the Quad

Nearly 1,181 BU graduates received bachelor's degrees in two commencement ceremonies on the Academic Quadrangle on May 2. Students from the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Science and Technology graduated at in the morning, and students from the College of Business and the College of Professional Studies graduated in the afternoon.

Six doctor of audiology degrees and 156 master's degrees were conferred during graduate commencement on May in Haas Center for the Arts, Mitrani Hall.

BU students make pit stop at BMW headquarters

Students participating in the BU Central Europe Program took time from their schedule of briefings and tours to visit the BMW World Headquarters Building in Munich. The nearly 20 students received briefings in Munich on the history of BMW and the current status of the world automobile industry. In addition, students were briefed at the Seimans Corporation on the past, present and future of that international conglomerate.

BU graduate wins Phi Kappa Phi fellowship

Olga Bertelsen was awarded one of 60 fellowships in the national fellowship competition of Phi Kappa Phi. The national organization awards 60 fellowships of $5,000 and 40 Awards of Excellence in support of the first year of graduate or professional study. Bertelsen graduated in May with a history degree. She conducted research under the guidance of Michael C. Hickey, professor of history, on the Ukrainian famine of 1933 and the repression of the Ukrainian Intelligentsia by Russian Bolsheviks and Stalin's purges. Her research has taken her to the Ukrainian State Archives (Kiev, Kharkiv, the Crimean, including the former Archives of the KGB in Kiev) and libraries in Kharkiv and Kiev. Her work at the archives was supported by a Jessica S. and Stephen R. Kozloff Undergraduate Research Scholarship.

Bertelsen recently presented a paper, "Engineering Stalin's Famine of 1932-1933 in Kharkiv region, Ukraine," at the Mid-Atlantic Slavic Conference in New York City. She has also presented three papers at the annual Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Conference sponsored by the Frederick Douglass Institute. She received the Mary A. Moore Taubel scholarship for Excellence in History during her junior and senior years. In addition to Phi Kappa Phi, she is a member of Phi Alpha Theta, the history honor society. Bertelsen has served the community by tutoring exchange students from Moscow and the Ukraine. Prior to attending BU, she graduated from Kharkiv Medical University and has practiced dental surgery for 15 years. Bertelsen plans to pursue a doctoral degree in Eastern European history.

BU gets new vice president for university advancement

Erik Evans, formerly associate vice president for advancement at Juniata College, Huntingdon, joined BU as vice president for university advancement on July 27. Evans is responsible for all aspects of the advancement functions of the university, including development, alumni relations, communications and government relations. He will work closely with the BU Foundation.

BLOOMSBURG — An advancement professional with more than 11 years of experience at public and private institutions will become Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania's vice president for university advancement, effective in late July.

Erik Evans, currently associate vice president for advancement at Juniata College, Huntingdon, will be responsible for all aspects of the advancement functions of the university, including development, alumni relations, communications and government relations and will work closely with the Bloomsburg University Foundation, according to BU President David L. Soltz.

In his four years at Juniata, Evans has overseen all aspects of development and alumni relations, including capital campaigns, major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, prospect research, corporations, foundations, athletic fundraising, alumni relations and parent programming.

“Erik brings a wealth of fundraising experience, campaign management and leadership to Bloomsburg University,” Soltz said. “His leadership skills and passion and dedication for fundraising will help to shape the division. He will provide a strategic vision for advancement to secure a foundation for continued strong relationships with alumni and friends, while also developing new relationships for the university.”

Significant accomplishments under Evans’ leadership at Juniata include leading and collaborating with the advancement and marketing team to design “Changing Lives to Change the World,” a comprehensive fundraising initiative to increase the college’s endowment to $100 million and the annual fund to $1.3 million. The campaign is currently in the private phase. In addition, Evans developed and managed Juniata’s $4 million Founders Hall Campaign, which outperformed its original goal.

Prior to working at Juniata, Evans served as the executive director for alumni and development at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, for seven years. His primary responsibilities included leadership and oversight of the university’s capital campaign, major gifts, annual giving, athletic fundraising, alumni events and services and marketing of all alumni and development programs. At Lock Haven, Evans spearheaded the university’s largest comprehensive capital campaign, “Touching Tomorrow Today,” exceeding the $10 million goal. He also led the creation of the university’s $10 million Alumni Conference Center Campaign.

“I am excited for this opportunity to return to Bloomsburg and join President’s Soltz’s team,” said Evans, who earned a master’s degree in business education from BU. “I look forward to fostering meaningful and caring relationships with Bloomsburg constituents and fellow alumni and identifying giving opportunities that not only meet the needs of the institution, but also make a difference in the lives of donors and, ultimately, the students.”

Evans, who earned a bachelor’s degree in speech communications from Lock Haven University, will assume his new duties at Bloomsburg on July 27.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 8,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Professional Studies, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.

BU student selected for D.C. internship

Julianne Tootell, a political science major from Columbus, N.J., was selected to participate in the 2009 Washington, D.C. Summer Internship Program at the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations. Participation in the program is competitive and highly selective. Tootell's interest in the Arab world was sparked by studying Arabic at BU. She is the founder and president of the Arabic club and has helped organize several cultural events on campus this spring. She also has a career concentration in public administration.

BU student awarded summer research assistantship with Navy

Michael Dutko, a senior electronics engineering technology (EET) student, was awarded a $6,075 summer research assistantship to support several power electronics projects for the Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC. The research focus is to design, develop prototype hardware and evaluate performance improvement of electronic power converters using emerging silicon-carbide and gallium-nitride semiconductor devices to aid Navy's modernization effort for future ships and aircrafts. This research will be carried out in BU's power electronics research laboratory under the guidance of Biswajit Ray, professor and program coordinator of BU's EET program.

12,000 benefit from BU's WEDnetPA program

Nearly 12,000 Pennsylvania residents have gained work-related skills during the past decade through BU's partnership with the Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania (WEDnetPA). Across the commonwealth, more than 800,000 employees at 14,000 companies have taken advantage of WEDnetPA's Guaranteed Free Training Program since it began in 1999.

Tom Fletcher, BU's director of corporate and continuing education, said BU has provided $2.6 million in WEDnetPA funding to more than 100 companies in northeastern, south central and central Pennsylvania during the past 10 years. Nearly 12,000 employees benefited from basic skills and information technology programs, he added.

Nearly 12,000 Pennsylvania residents have gained work-related skills during the past decade through BU's partnership with the Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania (WEDnetPA). Across the commonwealth, more than 800,000 employees at 14,000 companies have taken advantage of WEDnetPA's Guaranteed Free Training Program since it began in 1999.

Tom Fletcher, BU's director of corporate and continuing education, said Bloomsburg University has provided $2.6 million in WEDnetPA funding to more than 100 companies in northeastern, south central and central Pennsylvania during the past 10 years. Nearly 12,000 employees benefited from basic skills and information technology programs, he added.

Bloomsburg University is one of 33 educational partners statewide that make up WEDnetPA, an organization created to provide training that will help companies become more competitive and strengthen the statewide business environment. Managed by Pennsylvania College of Technology, WEDnetPA provides access to training funds through an alliance of educational providers, including Bloomsburg University and her 13 sister institutions of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the state's 14 community colleges, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and several technology centers.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development funds the Guaranteed Free Training through its customized job training program. Opportunities focus primarily on manufacturing fundamentals, product and process control, quality assurance, applied math and measurement and information technology. Ninety-one percent of the program's resources go directly to help pay for employee training.

During a recent WEDnetPA anniversary observance at the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg, George Cornelius, acting secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development, reaffirmed Pennsylvania's commitment to training in the business community. "To date this year, WEDnetPA and Gov. Ed Rendell's administration have provided basic and entry-level skills training and advanced information technology training to more than 37,000 employees in 64 counties. This investment is providing businesses with an educated, highly skilled workforce to encourage job growth and business expansion."

Also attending the anniversary event were state Sen. John Gordner, state Rep. Peter Daley, Tom Venditti, WEDnetPA state director, and representatives from 30 companies where employees participated in the Guaranteed Free Training program.

BU researchers aid Susquehanna water trail summer project

Jessica D. Dowsett, a senior anthropology and French major, along with David Minderhout, professor of anthropology, conducted research this summer to aid the National Park Service in establishing a historic water trail along the Susquehanna River.

Minderhout and Dowsett, along with four faculty from Bucknell University, researched Native American settlements along the Susquehanna in the early 17th Century. They also interviewed individuals with Native American family origins. The research, funded by the Conservation Fund and the Mellon Foundation, will support the creation of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Water Trail, stretching from the Chesapeake Bay along the Susquehanna to the New York state border.

"The result will be something like a river equivalent of the Appalachian Trail that's so familiar to hikers," said Minderhout.

Dowsett, of Abenaki/Penobscot ancestry, is involved in research with Native American identity in New England and Pennsylvania. She has been a teaching assistant for Minderhout and anthropology professor Tom Aleto, and is a Tae Kwan Do black belt and instructor.

Trash to Treasure sale nets more than $9,000 for United Way

The Trash to Treasure Event recently raised more than $9,000 for the Columbia County United Way. Combined with a sale held in January, the more than $18,000 was raised. WHLM radio 930AM is a cosponsor of the sale.

Retired professor, recent graduate fire up Japanese kiln

Retired art professor Karl Beamer, and Sam Martin, a recent BU graduate in art studio, spent April in Shigaraki, Japan, firing ceramic work in the wood-fired kiln of ceramicist Shiho Kanzaki. Kanzaki and Beamer constructed a similar kiln at Beamer's Mainville home, where he has conducted firing twice a year (including students) for more than a decade. Beamer is shown at right, tending the kiln during the firing, which lasts about a week. Martin is shown at left with one of his works.

Cole promoted to Custodial Supervisor

Wanda Cole was promoted in May to custodial supervisor. Cole started with BU as a temporary employee in May 1992. In 2003 she was promoted to Lead Worker (CW2) and in July 2008 to acting supervisor. Cole will provide the leadership to second shift operations for Kehr Union, Carver, Old Science Hall, McCormick Center, Navy Hall, Ben Franklin, University Store, Simon Hall and the Carpenter building.

Children explore physics at BU

Ned Greene from the BU physics department recently worked with a group of fifth and sixth grade students from the Southern Columbia School District. The students spent the day on campus exploring hands-on physics experiments and toured the bio-diesel production facility for the bus.

They ended the day at the Quest climbing wall with Brett Simpson, Quest associate director, learning about pulleys and mechanical advantages while climbing the wall. Pictured are Greene and the students putting a pulley into action.

Students offer $3,000 in flex dollars

Students with meal plans at BU were given an opportunity to donate leftover Flex Dollars. ARAMARK, the universities food service provider used the more than $3,000 to purchase food that was then donated to local Bloomsburg food cupboard. Shown is Dan Sokoloski, ARAMARK food production manager at BU.

Campus Child Center pre-K class has toothsome lesson

Graduate counselors, Tara Robuck and Kelli Alexander, developed a month-long unit on dental health to teach children the purpose of teeth, types of foods that are healthy and unhealthy, effective teeth brushing, using floss, cavity prevention and the importance of regular dentist visits. The graduate counselor program is supervised by Fran Kendris, program coordinator of the master's in education counseling program, and Judy Coleman Brinich, director of the Campus Child Center.

Shown from left are Mikel Salas-Warner, Dominic Valentino, Wyatt Gordner, Zachary Whisner, Jax Foresman, Dillon McCloskey, Lauren Barnes and Cameron Lenner holding their Healthy Smile Certificates.

60 'Caught in the Act' on campus

Sixty members of the BU family (including Brenda Musselman at right) have been "caught in the act" since a new campus program began earlier this year. Students have recognized their roommates and friends for their compassion, friendship and support. Individual faculty and staff members have been "caught" being helpful, hardworking, great advisers and "the best prof ever."

"Caught in the Act" provides a way to recognize acts of service, kindness and thoughtfulness that occur daily on campus. Part of BU's STRIVE program, "Caught in the Act" aims to increase the number of people who are recognized for making BU a better place to learn, live and work.

The 'Acts'

Here are a few of the "acts" members of the campus community committed before they were "caught":

• Helped an elderly woman cross Lightstreet Road.
• Was a compassionate roommate through difficult times.
• Recovered more than 3,000 files from a hard drive.
• Gave wonderful advice to get a student through the freshman year.
• Improved the appearance of BU Police Department.
• Did an exceptional job on a project over spring break.
• Devoted many hours to community service.
• Helped a student find his or her educational path.

BU students to participate in ArtWalk

Several BU students exhibited their work at ArtWalk downtown on May 7, including Brandon Brown, (a detail of his work is at right) whose work was shown at Phillips Emporium. Kelly Chester will show photographs at Steph's subs; Jessica Chappell will have her work at Prana Juice Bar, and Jason Godeke, assistant professor of art and art history, will have drawings and paintings up at Town Camera.

ArtWalk will also include work by local artists at several businesses downtown, including J. Lylo Jewelers, As Nature Intended, Balzano's, Fabrics Galore, and many more. Paticipating businesses will display orange sign boards on the sidewalk in front of their doors.

Karpinski, Wilson named TALE top professors

The TALE (Teaching and Learning Enhancement Center) Outstanding Teaching Award recipients are Barbara Wilson and Michael Karpinski, exceptionality programs faculty. They were honored at spring commencement ceremonies on May 2.

Each received a $750 professional development stipend, sponsored by the Bloomsburg University Foundation and a plaque recognizing their achievement. The award winners were nominated by members of the Class of 2009 and graduate students who will received their degrees in the spring.

BU receives $95,000 grant

BU will receive a Congressionally directed grant of $95,000 to expand BU's Center for Computer Forensics Research. The funding, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2009, was facilitated by U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter and awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education. The projects are contained in the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill.

"I am pleased that Congress has approved this important funding for Northeastern Pennsylvania," Specter said, as he announced the grants for health care, education and labor projects. "Health and education are our nation's greatest capital assets, and these projects are vital to ensuring quality health care and education for the area's residents."

BU's grant will allow the Center for Computer Forensics Research to expand partnerships between the university and law enforcement agencies by providing training, service and research related to extracting information from digital media. It also will provide hands-on experience for students enrolled in the bachelor's degree program in computer forensics.

Major goals of BU's Center for Computer Forensics Research are:

• Provide a "clean" environment with the latest equipment and software that law enforcement personnel may use while conducting investigations.
• Develop a series of training seminars for law enforcement personnel emphasizing the practical applications of hardware and software for conducting computer forensic investigations.
• Serve as a national resource center for law enforcement and government personnel.

Rotoract club participates in dinner

Members of the BU Rotaract Club participated in the Bloomsburg Rotary Club dinner and program on April 16. From left, Blair Staley (faculty advisor), Chelsey DuFour, Mace Aumiller, Shannon Funk, Nicole Bittenbender, and Tony Petrozino. Students from all academic disciplines are welcome to join the Rotaract Club.

Walkers raise $1,800 for cystic fibrosis fight

The Bloomsburg community raised more than $1,800 on April 25 for Cystic Fibrosis. CF is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the U.S. The 5K Walk/Run benefiting Cystic Fibrosis was organized by a Bloomsburg University senior nursing major Kevin Stanley and a nursing professor Mindi Miller. Participants included BU faculty and students, members of Tau Beta Sigma, and members of A Phi O. Four nurses from GMC participated as well as residents of the north central PA community.

BU students repackage 12 tons of food

Twelve tons of food from BU's campus dining service, Aramark, has been repackaged and distributed to those in need in the Bloomsburg community. The program, the Bloomsburg University Food Recovery Project, concluded its third year at the end of Earth Week, celebrated from April 20 to 24.

Every weeknight, Aramark personnel gathered unsold food, which students repackaged and stored in coolers. Another volunteer picked up the food and delivered it to an area agency, including the Women's Center and the Bloomsburg Food Cupboard. Aramark provided gloves, utensils and some of the containers needed for the work.

Twelve tons of food from BU's campus dining service, Aramark, has been repackaged and distributed to those in need in the Bloomsburg community. The program, the Bloomsburg University Food Recovery Project, concluded its third year at the end of Earth Week, celebrated from April 20 to 24.

Every weeknight, Aramark personnel gathered unsold food, which students repackaged and stored in coolers. Another volunteer picked up the food and delivered it to an area agency, including the Women's Center and the Bloomsburg Food Cupboard. Aramark provided gloves, utensils and some of the containers needed for the work.

Approximately 50 to 150 pounds of food was repackaged each night, said Tim Pelton, civic engagement coordinator in BU's SOLVE volunteer office. The following student groups assisted in this year's program: Spanish Club, Honors Program, Civic Engagement Living Learning Community, Helping Professions Living Learning Community, National Student Speech, Language and Hearing Association and Protestant Campus Ministry. Each group selected a night when they were responsible for providing volunteers to package the food in deli containers, then label and pack the containers in boxes. Other individuals and student groups, including Greek organizations and living learning communities, also volunteered for the project.

Walking with the dog

Roongo, the Husky Mascot, joined the BU Wellness Committee in walking around campus recently as part of National Walk at Lunch Day. The event is held in conjunction with Highmark Blue Shield.

The purpose of the event is to encourage busy and sometimes tense employees to take a walk during lunch break and reap the benefits associated with walking such as fresh air and exercise, just to name a few.