BU welcomes new class of alums

Nearly 1,200 seniors received bachelor’s degrees in two commencement ceremonies Saturday in the Academic Quad.

Completing a unique education experience

Sixty BU elementary and special education students recently completed an intense two-week teaching course in the Bethlehem and Easton school districts. The students conducted classroom instruction, listened to speakers and assisted with community activities.

Three BU faculty members, Frank D'Angelo, Molly Marnella and Cherie Roberts, joined the students for the practicum. Photo gallery

Arnold honored with STRIVE Award

Carol Arnold, administrative assistant in the graduate studies and research office, was recently honored with a STRIVE award. In his nomination, graduate dean Larry Fritz wrote, “Carol has been with Bloomsburg University for over 30 years and yet she maintains the energy and enthusiasm of one new to her position.

"To this energy, Carol adds the wealth of knowledge and institutional memory of someone with so many years of experience,” Fritz added.

Students take education to federal level

BU senior and graduate nursing students recently completed their programmatic requirements relating to public policy and health care advocacy by meeting with local senators and representatives in Washington D.C. Among the legislators was BU commencement speaker, U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski.

Tenure, Promotion and Sabbatical approvals

This year’s list of tenure, promotion and sabbatical approvals have been announced with 16 faculty receiving tenure, 21 faculty earning promotions and 13 faculty approved for sabbatical leave. Tenure and promotions are effective fall 2010, while sabbaticals are effective for 2011-12. Full list

Students earn anthropology honors

Giselle M. Lara, Padraic Costello, Joseph Nebiker, Victoria Schlieder, Kristin Marie Fisher, Stephanie McGilloway, Luis Medina, Joshua Stoner, Hannah Mael, Rachel Awan, James Hill, Sherrol Browne, Cara E. Okey, Liesl Driver, Maryam Cristillo and Laura Baker were accepted into Lambda Alpha National Collegiate Honors Society.

Also, Driver received a Charles R. Jenkins Certificate of Distinguished Achievement from the Lambda Alpha Executive Council and was a finalist for the National Lambda Alpha Senior Scholarship Award.

DeeAnne Wymer, professor of anthropology, was selected as the 2010 Honorary Faculty Inductee and gave a presentation on, “Mentoring Bloomsburg University Students in the House of a Million Years, Egypt,” to students, faculty, and family members. Faith Warner, associate professor of anthropology, is advisor to the Bloomsburg University chapter and serves as member for the East, of the National Lambda Alpha Executive Council.

Thailand Rotary group connects with BU

The International Rotary Group Study Exchange team from Thailand recently spent a day at BU touring campus, attending a class and visiting with several university administrators, faculty and campus community.

The group’s itinerary included attending an Introduction to Communication Disorder class, visiting with Robert Marande, Richard Angelo, Ruhul Amin, a tour of the nursing department, the library, upper campus and the admissions office by Madhav Sharma. Anita Wasileski, clinical supervisor of audiology and speech pathology, coordinated the group’s visit.

BU faculty join prestigious group

Leo Barrile, professor of sociology, social work and criminal justice, and Sheila Hartung, assistant professor of nursing, were recently inducted in Phi Kappa Phi honor society. Founded in 1897, it's the nation's oldest, largest and most selective honor society for all academic disciplines.

Phi Kappa Phi chapters are on more than 300 campuses in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Philippines. Approximately 30,000 members are annually initiated.

Graduates honored for completing journey

BU's Office of Diversity and Retention acknowledged 30 graduates from the Board of Governors Scholarship Program recently with a senior tea reception. The theme for the event was, "Success Is A Journey ... Not A Destination," with guest speaker, Dr. Melissa N. Smith, BU alum '04.

Preschoolers get in tune with music

Eileen Hower, assistant professor of music education, joined her students from her Elementary Methods and Curriculum in Music class to recently instruct music movement with the preschool in the Campus Child Center. Hower and her class presented the music program throughout April.

Student musicians included (L-R) Adriana Alvarado-Padilla, Jen Stahley, Caitlin Tevis, Michael Adams and Jenna Hyatt.

Russian students relish strong BU connection

Twenty-seven students from the Finance Academy in Moscow, Russia, who are enrolled in BU’s economics program, mingled with President David Soltz, Provost Ira Blake and economics faculty in a reception.

The students exchanged greetings and shared their rich experiences in multiculturalism and international cooperation at BU. The group, who were presented with academic certificates, are excited to keep in touch with BU.

COST honors high achievers

BU's Physics and Engineering Technology Department recently inducted five new members into the Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society. In order to be considered for Sigma Pi Sigma, students must have at least a 3.2 GPA in upper level physics classes. New members include Jason Vognetz, Tyler Latsha, Eric Otruba, Alex Hallden-Abberton and Aaron Ohl.

Also pictured: Mike Dutko, winner of Outstanding EET student, and Andrew Gerhart, winner of Levi-Gray Scholarship, who were honored at the College of Science and Technology (COST) symposium.

Anthropology students present research

Students from BU’s Department of Anthropology recently presented research at the 2010 PASSHE Undergraduate Anthropology Research Conference at California University of Pa., on topics ranging from a study in retail anthropology to archaeological fieldwork. More ...

Outstanding art students recognized

Elizabeth Hanrahan and Dominique Filiziani were recently recognized as this year’s Outstanding Junior in Art History Award. Besides the recognition they had the highest QPAs in their major courses, both received a check for $250. Christine Sperling, professor of art and art history, instituted the award in 2006 to recognize especially promising students of art history.

Phi Sigma Iota greets new members

BU’s International Foreign Languages Honor Society recently welcomed in 11 new members during its annual Ceremony of Initiation, joined by readers Gilbert Darbouze, Nathalie Cornelius, Luke Springman, Amarilis Hidalgo de Jesus and guest speaker Paul Loomis.

New members included Nicole Kloet. Kayla Riccuitti, Nicole Sensinger, and Emily T. Stevens, in French; Steven Balsama, in German; Brittany Bohach, Katrina M. Bradley, Amanda Deloy, Liesl Driver, Elizabeth Lucas, and Kaitlin Moore, in Spanish. The ceremony event was organized by Patricia Dórame-Holoviak, advisor of the Iota Theta Chapter 74. Dashira Gerao, interim chapter president, welcomed the new initiates and read the common belief and obligations they assume as members of the society. Details

Student group honored for community work

Kristina Kachur, Dan Downing, and Lauren Robinson, members of BU’s Geography and Planning Society, accepted a certificate of appreciation from the Town of Bloomsburg at an Arbor Day ceremony for the bare root tree planting the society did last fall. This is Bloomsburg’s 15th year as a Tree City USA. Group photo
 

The Big Read reaches Danville students

Ferda Asya, associate professor of English and co-project director of The Big Read in Columbia and Montour counties, was invited to Danville High School recently to talk to AP English students about Edith Wharton and her novel, “The Age of Innocence.”

This talk is a part of The Big Read event conducted by Danville High School, a partner of The Big Read project, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture.

Exploring global diplomatic issues

Recently nine BU students participated in the Model Organization of American States, Washington, D.C., where 33 universities represented a country in the Western Hemisphere to conduct research and resolve issues of the hemisphere, while gaining a better understanding of being a diplomat.

This spring BU represented Suriname. Pictured in the courtyard of the Organization of American States Building in Washington, D.C. are (front row) Emilie Fourot, Victoria Wood, Melanie Jeske, Danielle Rodriguez, Sonia Boumedjane and (back row) Ryan Geiger, Aaron Griffin, Lauren McLaughlin, Dennis Hartlove. Faculty advisor is Mark L. Usry.

Student research showcased at conference

Members of BU’s National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) Research Committee recently presented three research projects at the 2010 PSHA Convention in State College. Faculty advisement was provided by Pamela Smith and Thomas Zalewski.

 
Students presenting research include Sarah Kitko, Erin Lolley, Stephanie Marcino, Carolyn Novaleski, Leeanna Erway, Chip Benedict, Leeann Koch, Kristin Horan, DJ Tanney, Katlin Fleischut, Stefanie Williams, Stefanie Chaffee, Meredith Pfister, Britani Bartello, Kristi Sekulski, Marian Shovlin, Michelle Griffin, and Carolyn Novaleski. Photo gallery ...

SIFE performs well in regional competition

BU’s SIFE team recently finished second at the Regional Competition in New York, where they made professional presentations about their completed projects in front of 20 judges comprised of CEOs and vice presidents of sponsoring companies. BU’s 62 member SIFE Chapter includes students from the College of Business, along with students from math, exercise science and education.

Students’ generosity helps local charities

Campus Dining’s annual leftover Flex campaign doubled last year’s effort with more than $6,350 donated by BU students, who volunteered extra Flex dollars left on their 2009-10 meal plan to benefit local food banks. (L-R) Joe Marro, operations director for ARAMARK at BU; Tara Lynn, marketing manager for ARAMARK at BU; Tim Pelton, civic engagement coordinator; and Jim McCormack, associate director of residence life.

CDC receives financial gift for renovation

Enterprise Holdings Foundation recently provided a financial gift to the renovation project in BU’s Career Development Center. Enterprise Holdings employs a number of BU graduates in locations throughout the country.

(L-R) Erica Smith, ’98, HR recruiting manager; Jeffrey Long, interim VP for student affairs; Carol Barnett, director of the Career Development Center; and Dino Lombardo ‘99, area manager for North Central Pa.