WSU Spokane Campus Bulletin
Issue 2005-5 (March 2, 2005)
IN THIS ISSUE
Commitment to students makes a difference:
Liz West, Student
Services
Since
1998, Liz West, assistant director of
Student Services, has directly impacted students’ lives at
WSU Spokane. From recruiting prospective international students and
making their transition to a new country as smooth as possible, to
assisting students with financial aid alternatives and the writing
portfolio, West does everything she can to make sure students have a
good experience at WSU Spokane.
West’s loyal following makes it obvious that her first objective is to serve students. Take it from school psychology distance degree student Suzanne Stephan: “Liz is always available to answer questions and has helped me through a maze of problems. She responded quickly to my emails and always relieves my anxiety. She is an asset to WSU and I don't know what I would have done without her help.”
West, the 2000 WSU Spokane Classified Staff Excellence Award recipient, said, “My favorite memories have to do with seeing students with academic or financial struggles be successful or with seeing international students embrace the American university experience and make the most of their time here.”
Through West’s efforts, international students are met at the airport by host families and for some, introduced to their first baseball game during international student orientation. She helps these students build a network for themselves so they have a support system during their time here. West is active in the local group of international student advisors, Spokane International Educators Coordinating Council, and along with three colleagues from area universities has been invited to present at a national conference in June.
West’s genuine desire to help students yields powerful results.
“This lady is one of the few people who gives her work her ALL. I think she really loves what she does and that shows in her work ethics that I respect and that I am trying to follow in the work setting I am performing in today,” said Fadwa Bouachrine (MTM 2002), a student who came from Morocco and now works for the President’s Cabinet at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane. Bouachrine received the prestigious WSU President's Award in recognition of her active role as a student leader, a role in which she was encouraged and supported by West.
Students’ appreciation and admiration for West’s contributions are echoed by her office colleagues.
"We are all so lucky to have
Liz as part of the student services team,” said Joan Menzies,
director of Student Services. “I'm sure she will be embarrassed by
the attention this article will bring to her, but it's well
deserved! One of her colleagues will sometimes let me know when a
student has come in with words of thanks for Liz, knowing that Liz
probably won't tell me herself. She reflects the value our unit
holds for quality and integrity in everything we do."
Young
scientists in action
at MESA competitions
See future engineers and scientists in action during March as more than 300 middle and high school students put their science skills to the test in Washington State University Spokane’s Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) annual competitions. Competitors are aiming for a shot at going to the national event this summer.
“The challenges, excitement and success the Spokane team had while participating in the National MESA USA event really gave these kids an experience they will remember for a very long time,” said Kirk Reinkens, MESA high school coordinator. “We’re looking forward to having Spokane middle and high school teams represent Washington again this year.”
Last year’s high school team placed second in the MESA USA National Engineering Design Competition in Albuquerque, NM.
Middle school competition March 11
On March 11, an estimated 130 7th and 8th grade students from Spokane Public Schools’ MESA classes will gather to test their skills through engineering events (mousetrap cars & catapults) and logic games (9 Man Morris, Mancala, and Tangrams) at the East Central Community Center. Teams design, build, and test catapults in an on-site competition, launching marshmallows in a design test for distance. In a timed/measured event, mousetrap powered vehicles will race for the finish line in tests for speed and power.
High school competition March 22 & 24
On March 22 and March 24, some 200 9th and 10th grade students will converge upon the Phase I Classroom Building for the MESA High School Science Competitions. During the two-day event, more than 50 teams will deliver presentations on a variety of topics centered on scientific inquiry, understanding scientific systems, and solving science or engineering problems.
Students prepare for two months with volunteers from Avista and Agilent Technologies who serve as mentors for research, planning and development of team projects. Employees from WSU Spokane, Avista, Agilent Technologies and other companies will serve as judges for their papers and presentations.
School and team winners from these competitions receive awards and prizes. Winning student teams in the MPV event will move on to the MESA State Competition in Seattle on May 24, 2005. The national event will be held in Irvine, CA this June.
Students, parents, and teachers benefit
In addition to competitions, MESA provides field trips, in-class enrichment, and support for teachers and parents. A MESA field trip might be anything that brings science and engineering alive. Sample activities in 2004:
- A visit to a WSU County Extension office and creation of a compost bin to serve as a home for red wriggler worms;
- a trip to an Avista Utilities power plant to look at electric and gas meter calibration and the use of Geographic Information Systems;
- traffic monitoring in the Department of Transportation Traffic Management Center;
- a tour of the physics and chemistry departments at WSU Pullman.
Parents receive information on scholarships and financial aid, assistance with federal financial aid application forms, and other guidance to help them support their students in their educational and career goals.
The goal of MESA is to provide globally competitive and
individually competent students in mathematics, engineering and
science with full participation of under-represented students,
including African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, and women.
Pitcher to
serve as
acting dean of pharmacy
WSU Spokane Chancellor Brian Pitcher takes on the additional role of acting dean of the College of Pharmacy May 16, as announced by WSU Provost Robert Bates in a meeting of the college March 1.
The University expects to have a new permanent dean hired for the college by the time classes start in the fall. Current pharmacy dean William E. Fassett announced last fall he intends to return to faculty status next fall. His last day as dean will be May 15.
A search is underway for a new dean of the college, with applications due April 1. The search committee will begin screening applications late in March and interviews with the candidates will start about May 2.
In another change, Bryan Slinker, chair of the Department
of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology and Physiology
in the College of Veterinary Medicine, will take on the additional
duty of acting chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences as of March 16,
following the resignation of Kay Meier, effective March 15.
Research First Friday March 4
Join the Research First Friday presentation at the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing.
Date: Friday, March 4, 2005
Time: 3:10-4:30 p.m.
Location: College of Nursing, 2917 W. Fort George Wright Dr., room 166.
Dr. Kathleen Stevens will link from the University of Texas Health Science Center with a presentation on "Evidence Based Research". There will also be recognition of College of Nursing faculty and staff awards.
For more information, contact Kathy Bridwell at 324-7258 or bridwell@wsu.edu.
NSF program officer on campus March 7
Dr. Emmett Wright, program officer for the National Science Foundation’s Elementary, Secondary, & Informal Education (ESIE) Program will discuss funding opportunities in that program.
Date: Monday, March 7, 2005
Time: 12 noon-1 p.m.
Location: Phase 1 Classroom Building Auditorium, 668 N. Riverpoint
Drive, Riverpoint campus
The ESIE program includes the Advanced Technological Education program, Centers for Learning and Teaching, Informal Science Education program, Information Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST), Instructional Materials Development, and Teacher Professional Continuum (TPC) program. Dr. Wright’s responsibilities include the ITEST and TCP programs, but he will also present information on the overall ESIE funding.
Dr. Wright will be available by appointment to discuss specific project ideas from 1 – 3:45 p.m. in Room 117 of the Phase 1 Building. Please call TINCAN at 744-0972 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Wright’s visit is sponsored by TINCAN (a recent ITEST
grantee), WSU Spokane, and INTEC.
Face-to-face with WSU leaders March 8
The upcoming Vice Presidents' Forum is one of numerous opportunities throughout the academic year to hear and talk with University leaders.
Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2005
Time: 12:00 noon
Location/logging on: Participate from anywhere live
and realtime
at your computer via videostreaming, and submit questions or comments
to the moderator via a chat feature. Both services are available
through Educational Telecommunications and Technology’s “Experience
WSU”.
For more information and to access the live events, go to http://www.experience.wsu.edu or contact Charmaine Wellington, WSU Pullman, (33)5-6524.
Campus Walking and Wellness Fair March 10
Walk on over to the Walking and Wellness Fair! The event is free and open to the public--encourage friends, family, and co-workers to attend.
Date: Thursday, March 10, 2005
Time: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: Health Sciences Building, first floor lobby, 310 N.
Riverpoint Blvd., Riverpoint campus
Information tables, presentations, chances to move around a lot, and goodies:
- Sedentary Death Syndrome: Presentation by Sally Blank, associate professor of exercise science (11:30 a.m.)
- Runners Soul: Selecting the right shoes (Noon presentation)
- West African dance and salsa dancing: Get up and move! (12:30)
- FSG Yoga Studio: Demonstration of asanas to help you become strong and flexible (1 p.m.)
- Pick up a pedometer to track your mileage
- Hydrate with Cougar Rain bottled water
- Learn about the Campus Wellness Collaborative
- Talk with SCAPCA to find out more about clean air
- Get a step/foot analysis by the EWU physical therapy program
- Blood pressure check
- Environmental health
- Walking and sitting meditation information
- Nutrition and sleep tips
- Walk the labyrinth (a cloth version of the one created on the lawn at St. John's Cathedral each summer).
Brought to you by the Riverpoint Campus Wellness Collaborative,
working to foster a thriving culture of wellness. For more
information on the Collaborative, contact Kelly LaGrutta,
lagrutta@wsu.edu.
Research funding through Washington Technology Center
The Washington Technology Center is currently accepting applications for its Spring 2005 Research and Technology Development (RTD) Awards program. WTC awards more than $1 million annually to projects that partner Washington companies with academic and non-profit research teams. The RTD grant program provides state funds for research projects with near-term potential for commercialization.
Grant applicants can receive up to $240,000 through the RTD program. Notice of Intent deadline is March 10, 2005 and proposals are due on April 21, 2005.
RTD grants are given to collaborative research teams. Teams are comprised of a Washington company and an eligible university or nonprofit research partner. WTC accepts proposals for research projects in any technical area or industry. Preference is given to small companies (250 employees or less). Proposals are evaluated by a team of industry and academic professionals on the basis of technical merit, economic impact and commercial viability. Awards are announced in June.
For more information on the Spring 2005 RTD awards or for
application materials, please visit the RTD Grants page on
WTC’s website at or
contact Russell Paez, (206) 616-3102,
rpaez@watechcenter.org.
"Prostate Predicament" KPBX Health Forum March 15
Prostate cancer is the second-most common type of cancer among men in this country. Of all the men who are diagnosed with cancer each year, about one-third have prostate cancer.
Spokane Public Radio delves into the problems the prostate can cause at the 2005 Health Forum: The Prostate Predicament. The event is free and open to the public.
Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: Spokane City Council Chambers,
City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Later broadcasts: The forum airs four more times (for
schedule see www.kpbx.org).
The four panelists have extensive knowledge of prostate cancer from their work in the Inland Northwest.
- Dr. J. Suzanne Lindsey is associate professor in the department of pharmaceutical sciences at Washington State University. Her work as a researcher examines metastatic cancers (those that grow and spread).
- Dr. David Mikkelsen is board certified in urology.
- Tess Taft is a medical psychotherapist at Northwest Cancer Care who works with patients coping with cancer diagnosis and its impact, receiving treatment, dealing with chronic pain, or facing surgery.
- Dr. Gary Van Heuvelen joined Spokane Radiation Oncology in 1983
Broadcasts of the Prostate
Predicament are underwritten by Providence Cancer Care, Washington
State University Spokane, and MARSH.
Commencement regalia
You might not know it but the origins of academic regalia (caps, gowns, hoods, tassles) date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, when universities were first being formed. The ordinary dress of the scholar at that time was the dress of a cleric. Long gowns and hoods were worn and may have been necessary for warmth in unheated buildings.
The wearing of caps and gowns is therefore steeped in tradition; read more at the Web site devoted to the history of regalia and the academic costume code. Styles of gowns and all the colors associated with regalia have meaning in terms of degrees, disciplines and colleges.
A major decision for students and faculty is whether to buy or rent academic regalia. The first factor in this determination is how many times you would wear it. The Bookie has information and price lists on purchasing or renting regalia from Jostens.
Renting runs from $24.98 for a Bachelor’s degree regalia to
$51.96 for the Master’s and $58.96 for the Doctoral regalia.
Purchasing doctoral regalia could cost upwards of $400, but it would
pay for itself within 7 or so wearings. Jostens
sometimes offers online bargains on the purchase of certain
“packages” of regalia so if you are interested in purchasing, you
might want to visit their Web site.
Community Connections
Spokane Guilds’ School
Penny Drive
"Kids For Kids" Community Service Project: The Power of Pennies
How much does a penny mean in today's economy?
More than one million dollars if you are the Spokane Guilds' School.
That's the amount raised during "Kids for Kids" Penny Drives by
schools and the community since 1997!
10 Million pennies = $100,000! So, how much is 10 million pennies?
• Forty pennies for every man, woman and child in the Spokane Area.
• If stacked in one pile, they would reach over 9.5 miles high. (3.5
times higher than Mt. Rainier or 8.5 times higher than Mt. Spokane!)
• If laid end-to-end, they would reach from Spokane to Moses Lake
plus 6 miles.
Over 200 businesses participate in the Penny Drive by collecting pennies, including the Riverpoint campus. The drive continues until April 15. So drop in your pennies – they will make a difference! You'll see the jugs in offices and at Aracelia's coffee stands around campus.
The Spokane Guilds’ School serves the youngest members of the disabled population in Spokane County -- clients are aged 0-3 years old. They serve as many as 200 children each year without regard to race, sex, religion or ability to pay. The school’s treatment programs are individually tailored to meet the needs of the child and their families. They use a team approach in which physical and occupational therapists, speech pathologists and pre-school special education teachers coordinate their efforts and their disciplines.
For more information on the penny drive, visit the Guilds’ School website at http://www.guildschool.org.
Spokane City Forum, a community service of First Presbyterian Church, will present the Reverend Al Miles, speaking on “Ending Domestic Violence: Why the Entire Community Must Be Involved”.
Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Time: 11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Location: Spokane First Presbyterian Church, 318 South Cedar Street, Spokane.
Reservations are required; cost is $8.50 ($5 for students), which includes lunch (vegetarian option available upon advance request). Daycare is available by reservation at $4 per child.
For more information or to RSVP, call Judy Clemenson at 777-1555. You can also register by e-mail at
spokanecityforum@yahoo.com or visit their
Web site to register.
Personnel & staffing changes
Searches:
Assistant/Associate Professor, Construction Management, open
until filled
Assistant/Associate Professor, Interior Design, open until filled
Assistant/Associate Professor, Pharmacotherapy, open until filled
Clinical Assistant Professor, Pharmacotherapy, 7 positions full- and
part-time, open until filled
Research Associate/Research Scientist, Washington Institute for
Mental Illness Research & Training, open until filled
Director of Finance & Budget, WSU Spokane, open until filled
Way to go!
“Way to go to Carolyn Losh for working out a way to get the “WSU Today” to us in a more timely fashion” (from Phyllis Hornbeck).
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Mike Reitemeier and Brian DeLong for assisting me while I was not-very-gracefully hobbling around on crutches. Mike and Brian came to rescue me from the parking lot early every morning for two weeks, and made sure I made it to my office safely. Even though they insisted they were just doing their jobs, I feel they went above and beyond. I especially appreciated Mike and Brian’s encouraging attitudes, which enabled me to start those difficult days on a positive note.” (Thanks from Susan Pfeifer).
"Way to go" is the place for you to recognize a co-worker's extra effort, outstanding contribution, or all-around good nature that makes your work day go a little more smoothly.
Send your “Way to Go!” comments to Laura Scholtens,
scholtens@wsu.edu,
and watch for your thanks to be published in an upcoming issue of
the
Campus
Bulletin!
Find it on the Web
- WSU Today online: Links to past print editions, plus breaking news briefs
- News Releases: Recent news releases and links to news releases organized by subject for WSU Spokane.
- WSU News Service: Breaking news from WSU, links to all news releases, and other information sources.
- World Class Faculty: Check out the online profiles featured as links from our home page. The images rotate randomly on the home page, but the profiles are always available from this central profile page. You can also navigate to this page by choosing "About WSU Spokane" from the home page, "People" in the lefthand navigation, and "Profiles" in the lefthand navigation there.
- Bulletin archives: Links to past issues of the Campus Bulletin from Oct. 2003 forward.
- In the News: Media coverage of campus programs and people
- Events Calendar:
What's going on around here, anyway?
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The Bulletin is usually published on Wednesday biweekly during the
academic year, every three weeks during breaks and summer session.
Publication date may shift due to holidays. Deadline is Friday,
the week before publication.
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The Bulletin covers news of interest to the faculty, staff, and friends of Washington State University Spokane, and associates on other WSU campuses and on the Riverpoint campus.
Regular columns cover personnel changes, upcoming events, professional accomplishments, opportunities for involvement in the campus community and the Spokane community, notices of new developments on campus, and other news.
The Bulletin also serves as a source of information for external communications directed to alumni, future and current students, and friends of Washington State University Spokane. You'll read it here first!
Subscribers welcome! Also available: WSU Spokane News & Events Update, an irregular email newsletter with brief excerpts from news releases and articles, and links to more information online (some duplication of Bulletin content). Send an email to Barb Chamberlain, chamberlain@wsu.edu, to request the WSU Spokane Campus Bulletin and/or the News & Events Update.
Editorial staff
- Barb Chamberlain, chamberlain@wsu.edu, (509) 358-7527
- Laura Scholtens, scholtens@wsu.edu, (509) 358-7540