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NEWS:

Chinese Delegation Visits WSU


WSU to Host Brothers Behind Academy
Award-winning film "The Fighter"


Wolfensberger Commemorated at WSU


WSU welcomes back International Musician Joe Jencks for Theme Semester Concert

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NOTEWORTHY:

Worcester State Theatre and the Dept. of Visual & Performing Arts is happy to announce the cast for The Weir by Conor McPherson: John Karwaski (Jack); Michael Sparks (Brendan); Joseph Aliberti (Jim); Devin Malko
(Finbar); and Trang Le (Valerie). This is Worcester State Theatre's first student designed production with David Higginbottom - scenic design, Robby Dookhran - lighting design; and Caitlyn McKenna - sound design. Costume design will be done by Gosia Malkowska '11. The Weir is the second play in Worcester State Theatre's 2011-2012 Season. Tickets are now on sale for The Good Person of Setzuan Nov. 17-20, 2011. Visit the Fuller Theatre box office, 2nd Floor of the Admin Building or call x8843 for reservations.



Hemant Pendharkar's (Computer Science) research paper in the area of Operator Algebras, titled, "A note on central sequences," has been accepted for publication in an international journal of Mathematics. The main goal of this research is an effort to establish the analysis of central sequences as a tool to classify certain operator algebras. This research also establishes a relationship with multiplicity free representations and certain types of central sequences. Broadly speaking, these algebras are either self-adjoint or non-self-adjoint. This research article falls in the area of self-adjoint algebras.



Amaryllis Siniossoglou (Visual and Performing Arts) was selected to exhibit two of her large linocut prints at The 16th International Print Biennial in Varna, Bulgaria. The show was on view from May 19 to July 10, 2011.

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AROUND CAMPUS:

SAVE THE DATE: Candace Allen Scola
Memorial Lecture Series on Violence
Against Women
By Ene Idoko '11

A free panel discussion titled "When Domestic Violence Leaves Home: Work and Campus Issues and Solutions" will be held Wednesday, October 26 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the North/South Auditorium.

The discussion will be led by three panelists: Virginia C. McDonald, Ginger Navickas and Rosemary Naughton. McDonald is the senior vice president and director of human resources at Webster Five Cents Savings Bank in Auburn. She also serves on the board of directors for the Employers Against Domestic Violence organization. Navickas is the department director of Domestic Violence Services and the Transitional Housing Service for the Central Massachusetts YWCA. Naughton is the chief of WSU police.

The Candace Allen Scola Memorial Lecture Series brings awareness of domestic violence to the university and the public. In July 2002, Candace Allen Scola was murdered in her home. She was a bright and much loved WSU geography major who served as vice president of the Gamma Theta Upsilon, the Geography Honor Society. In her memory, the members of Gamma Theta Upsilon decided to establish a "Student Meditation Garden" on campus grounds and to set up an endowed lecture series in her name for the prevention of violence against women.

The lecture is for Women's Studies faculty and students. The entire campus and general public are welcome to attend as well.

For more information, contact Communication Professor Barbara Zang at bzang@worcester.edu or 929-8015.


Perkins Urges Students to Use Talents
to Create a More Just Society
By Chelsea Tougas '12

New York Times bestselling author John Perkins spoke to a crowd of more than 900 students Tuesday, October 18 in the Sullivan Auditorium. His lecture, "Economic Crisis: The Hit Men Strike Home, What Next, and How to Deal With It," is part of the Theme Semester, Worcester in the World.

Perkins began his lecture by telling the audience how they are all able to change the world around them. He discussed how he believes corporations took over our country and the world. He does not think people should watch silently as this happens. "Corporations run the world," he stated.

Perkins discussed how these corporations only exist because we buy their products. This fuels their power. Perkins stated that we need to find ways to clean up our planet, help people who are starving, create power without power plants that destroy the earth, and make available transportation and communication systems for all countries.

"Follow your passions. Use your talents," said Perkins. "Create a sustainable, just and peaceful world."

Perkins discussed his involvement in third world countries as an economic hit man (EHM). These EHMs helped create a corporate empire around the world for the United States that enriches a small group of families around the world, he said. These EHMs convince underprivileged countries to taking out enormous loans with international finance agencies and the U.S. government that they can never feasibly pay back for infrastructure and economic development projects. As a result, these countries become indebted to the United States and agree to pay down the loans by permitting the corporations to take their natural resources, the U.S. to build bases, and other harmful things.

If an EHM cannot make a deal with a country's leader, "jackals" with guns "take care of the problem," he said. If "jackals" fail to persuade a leader, the United States military may be brought in.

Perkins was an economic hit man for more than 10 years. His guilt and the horrible nature of his job led him to quit. He now works to promote peace and sustainability in third world countries. Perkins believes that everyone can make a difference in the world if they just put their heart and soul into their work.

"You have the power," Perkins reminded students at the end of his lecture.

During the question-and-answer session, students asked Perkins provocative questions such as, "Why are you a communist?" and "How do you feel about yourself after causing the 9/11 event to happen?" Perkins appeared uncomfortable with the questions and was unable to directly answer the students.

The questions showed students' reaction to reading Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, which was assigned to first-year students as part of their "First-Year Experience" course. They read and analyzed it in their fourth-hour classroom discussions, which are led by peer mentors. It was the first book in WSU's new common reading program for first-year students. The reactions students had toward the book ranged from agreeing with Perkins and his decision to leave his work as an EHM to questioning his intentions and the guilt he expressed in his book. Perkins's lecture was thought-provoking as well as controversial, which caused many students to speak out about how they truly felt about the book and Perkins himself.

Perkins is now touring the country and giving lectures on his books, which also include The Secret History of the American Empire and Hoodwinked, all of which have been featured on the New York Times bestseller list. More information is available at JohnPerkins.org.


Renovated Art Gallery Opens with Fall Exhibit

Students, faculty, staff, alumni and donors attended receptions for the first juried show in the renovated Gallery at WSU last week. Titled "The Global Perspective: Understanding the Past, Looking to the Future" to coordinate with the campus theme semester "Worcester and the World," the show featured a wide range of work from artists throughout the U.S. and Canada. Jurors' choices include David Pollock, Town of Lake Cowichan; Leah Oates, Transitory Space, Beijing; Tom Grady, My House. Honorable mentions are Catherine Jaggi, Code Pink, Over and Out; Emily Sandagata, Working Family; Emily Somma, Somewhere Between; and Annie Bissett, The Great Wall. The show runs through Thurs., December 1 and is free and open to the public. A $25,000 grant from the Fletcher Foundation helped support the renovation project. Click here to view a video interview with The Gallery's curator, Dr. Catherine Wilcox-Titus, on the WSU YouTube Channel.


ESL Tutoring Program Fosters Shared
Learning Between WSU Students and Elders

The Intergenerational Urban Institute has partnered with Worcester Housing Authority (WHA) and our neighbor, Bet Shalom, to provide ESL tutoring to elder immigrants in our community. Elders come to campus via WHA bus or walk over from Bet Shalom to participate on Tuesdays from 1-2 in classrooms in the Urban Studies area. WSU students help the elders with their English skills while learning about the culture and customs of the many countries they represent. Immigrants from Albania, Russia, Puerto Rico, Sudan, Japan and Vietnam have been part of the tutoring program.

In addition to tutoring on campus, WSU students travel to the WHA site at 425 Pleasant St. to meet with about 15 residents there who come for ESL class at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons. These IUI tutoring programs are coordinated by WSU students Ali Suenaert, 2012 and Kelsey Hopkins, 2014. Master teacher, Lionel Carbonneau, a retired businessman and ESL specialist, rounds out this intergenerational team. The team works under the direction of Dr. Maureen Power, Urban Studies professor and Executive Director of the Intergenerational Urban Institute. Many of the immigrants participating in the program have received their citizenship. Students participate across all majors for a 1 credit practicum.

Contact Ali at asuenaert@worcester.edu, 508-929-8978 for more information or to sign up as a tutor.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Yard Services Fundraiser to Benefit
Chorale's 2013 Concert Tour of Europe
Help support the arts at WSU. The WSU Chorale will be offering leaf-raking services to raise money for their 2013 concert tour of Europe. The industrious group will offer their services on November 7 and 9, and on the weekends of October 28-30 and November 4-6. The group will charge $150 per half-acre yard or $50 per hour. For more information, please call 508-345-8904 or email lilmacc123@comcast.net.

Women's Studies Program sponsors Forum on Bullying
On Thursday October 27, the Women's Studies Program is sponsoring "The Beginning of the End: An Open Forum on Bullying" from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in Sullivan 121. The forum is to discuss the kinds of bullying, the extent of bullying and what might be done about bullying at WSU. This is the first of a series of events focused on bullying. The event is free and open to the WSU community.

Applications Due for Alumni Association's
Advisory Board Annual Award
The Worcester State University Alumni Association's Advisory Board (AAAB) awards annual funding to university and community endeavors. The Board works as a liaison between alumni and the University community. There are limited amount of funds available therefore the AAABs funding process is competitive. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Thursday, November 10, 2011. To request the 2011-2012 AAAB Application for Funding or for more information, please contact Nicole Losavio in the Office of Alumni at nlosavio@worcester.edu.

Neighborhood Council in the Works
The President's Office is in the process of developing a Neighborhood Council to address neighborhood issues, community organizations and the quality of life on campus and surrounding neighborhoods. The Council is looking for faculty, staff and students who are interested in neighborhood issues. The Council will meet approximately four times a year.  For more information about serving on the Council, please contact Tim Sullivan at tsullivan@worcester.edu.

Training Sessions Available for Upgrade
to Colleague UIWeb Database
The database, Datatel's Colleague UIWeb, which is used here at WSU to store student, employee, and financial data, is being upgraded to version 4.3. The Information Technologies Colleague group will provide three sessions to demonstrate basic changes and enhancements. All sessions will be held in the LRC-319B, the Information Technologies Conference and Training Room, on Wednesday, October 26 at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 1 at 2:30 p.m., and Thursday, November 3 at 9:30 a.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Roberta Sibulkin at 508 929-8853.

Administration and Finance Department Fall Newsletter
The Administration and Finance department has released the latest edition of its Fall newsletter. The newsletter contains some interesting information and fun facts. Please click on the link below or copy it into your browser. To access more newsletters, please visit the Administration & Finance homepage on the website and look for the newsletter link. Click here to read the Administration & Finance Department's Fall newsletter

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WSU IN THE NEWS:

WTAG Jim Polito Show
10/24/11
Jim Polito interviews WSU Coach Karen Tessmer and Bentley University Woman's Basketball Coach Barbara Stevens.


College Town
Telegram & Gazette 10/23/11
Central American environmentalist Julio Sanchez and Latin culture expert Patricia Alvarado Núñez will speak at Worcester State University Tuesday as part of ...


Think It Over: Economic Hit Man at WSU
Telegram & Gazette 10/20/11
Hundreds of Worcester State University students packed the school's Sullivan Auditorium Tuesday evening for an address by John Perkins, author of "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man," during which he urged them to...


'Global Perspective'
Telegram & Gazette 10/20/11
It's new times two. The Gallery at Worcester State University is reopening after renovations with the show, 'The Global Perspective: Understanding the Past, Looking to the Future.'


NCAA loss motivation for Worcester State soccer team
Telegram & Gazette 10/19/11
The end of the 2010 season was bittersweet for the Worcester State women's soccer team.


WSU told about need for change
Telegram & Gazette 10/19/11
The system of economics and consumption Americans created is a failure, best-selling author John Perkins told an audience at Worcester State University's Sullivan Auditorium last night.

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