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NEWS:
Student and Faculty Scholarship
and Creativity on Display, April 20th
WSU to Host Alumnus Dr. Imo Aisiku for the Lecture "Developments in Medicine and Neuroscience: A Physician's Perspective"
WSU to Honor Drs. Arthur and
Martha Pappas at Scholarship Tea
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NOTEWORTHY:
Richard Bisk (Mathematics) presented
"Improving the Mathematical Preparation of Elementary Teachers in Massachusetts" at the 2011 Spring Eastern Sectional Meeting of the American Mathematical Society held at the College of the Holy Cross on April 9 , 2011. It was part of a Special Session on New Trends in College and University Faculty Engagement in K--12 Education.
MSN Student Fredrik Oestberg (right) with fellow colleagues from the Nurse in Washington Internship Program. From left, Nicole Dholakia RN from Beth Israel and a nurse anesthetist student at Northeastern University and Becky Patton, immediate past president of the ANA.
Fredrik Oestberg, RN BS, (student, Master of Science in Nursing in Community and Public Health Nursing), recently completed a six month health policy internship with Massachusetts State Senator Richard T. Moore.
Senator Richard T. Moore has long been an advocate for nursing and has filed state nurse staffing legislation. Nurse staffing has been a hot topic in legislature over the last few years. Currently only one state, California, has passed nurse staffing legislation with mandated ratios. Fred worked to develop nurse overtime legislation and a comprehensive analysis of Massachusetts state, federal, and Massachusetts medical school policies related to interactions between physicians and pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturer industries. Fred analyzed legislation, finding supportive research, and providing Senator Moore's office with policy recommendations for this upcoming 2011-2012 legislative session.
Fred also recently completed the Nurse in Washington Internship Program (NIWI). Through the NIWI program nurses learn how to be effectively involved and influence policy at the local and national level and how to work effectively with legislative staff to advance policy agendas.
Adam Zahler (Visual & Performing Arts
- Theatre) directed Breaking the Code by Hugh Whitemore for Underground Railway Theater and the Catalyst Collaborative. The play is about Alan Turing, famed mathematician, cryptologist, and computer science founder whose homosexuality and defiance of authority caused him trouble. The play has received very favorable early reviews from the Boston Globe/Boston.com and Boston Herald. Breaking the Code runs through May 8 at Central Square Theater, 450 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. For more information, visit the Central Square Theater website.
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AROUND CAMPUS:
WSU Theatre Raises Awareness
with Social Drama "Boy Gets Girl"
Worcester State Theatre's Spring 2010 production, Boy Gets Girl, played to over 450 people in five performances this past week. This included a standing room only performance on Friday which was followed up with a panel of WSU Women's Studies and Psychology faculty who discussed the plays? relevant themes and real-world implications.
Students and Faculty Recognized for
their Service Projects at Annual Event
On Thursday, April 14, the Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement and the Intergenerational Urban Institute sponsored a Celebration of Service across the Ages. The event, which featured keynote speaker Charles Cullum (Academic Affairs), focused on the many contributions our students make throughout the community and underscored the University's growing emphasis on incorporating service learning into the curriculum.
Maureen Power (Urban Studies) presented the Evelyn Deignan Intergenerational Leadership Award to Laken Euzibio, an Urban Studies major who coordinates the Intergenerational Urban Institute's Hunger Outreach Team (HOT).
WSU Student Receives League of Women
Voters "Rising Star" Award at State House
Presenting Colleen McKenna (right) with her Rising Star award are, from left,
Leanore F. Bona, vice president of programs, League of Women Voters,
Harriette L. Chandler, Senator Michael Moore.
Colleen McKennna (Class of 2013) was honored with the League of Women Voters 2011 "Rising Star" award for outstanding contributions in civic service on April 13 at the Statehouse. Colleen was recognized for her work in chairing the Have-a-Heart auction, mentoring freshmen and encouraging civic
participation through her involvement in the Student Government Association. This award is given to a maximum of three 2nd year students in the consortium. Dean of Students Julie Kazarian and Residence Director Joshua Katz attended the ceremony along with
Colleen's parents and friends.
University Faculty from Thailand Visit WSU
Visiting WSU from Chulalongkorn University Demonstration Secondary School in
Thailand are, from left, Ms. Korawan Saengchai, instructor in the Department of
Mathematic Staff; Mr. Chaisak Changjai, assistant professor in the Department of
Mathematic Staff; Ms. Pornprom Chaichatpornsuk, head of the Department of Science;
and Mr. Santi Sriprasert, assistant professor in the Department of Science Staff.
Several math and chemistry faculty members from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand visited WSU through an exchange program between the two universities. They were members of the Faculty of Education participating in teacher training programs as well as teachers in the demonstration school (grades 7-12) affiliated with Chulalongkorn University.
During their visit, they participated in classes at WSU involving science and math education and visited many schools in the region. WSU faculty members very graciously provided access to their classes. In addition, collaboration with University of Massachusetts Medical School's Pipeline Program facilitated access to several public schools in greater Worcester.
The visitors also participated in a laboratory session that brought ninth graders to WSU to perform a green chemistry lab involving the manufacture of solar cells. This lab session combined WSU chemistry and biology majors who taught the students and was supervised by members of Beyond Benign, a nonprofit group involved in developing green chemistry curriculum for K-12 schools. Expansion of green chemistry labs into the curriculum in Thailand is of interest to Chulalongkorn University and will be started as part of this exchange program. The math teachers worked with Professor Richard Bisk , to learn about Singapore Math and to take knowledge of that back to their school.
Diversity Office to Host Summer
Social Justice Academy
Office of Diversity/Affirmative Action & Compliance is excited to announce the opening of the Social Justice Academy (SJA) for summer 2011. The purpose of the Social Justice Academy is to introduce students to topics regarding identity, equality, access, and equity. The 2011 SJA will provide participants with a diverse curriculum and a variety of age appropriate labs, activities and team-building exercises. The goals of the academy are to educate and engage students; establish friendships; and explore opportunities and careers in related fields. The SJA program will be offered in two formats:
- The Middle School SJA is a weeklong education experience held from June 27 - July 1, 2011. The middle school program will run from 9 a.m.
- 4 p.m. daily on the campus of Worcester State University. Lunch will be provided daily in the campus dining hall. The Middle School SJA program cost is $300 and includes instruction, lunch, and a program T-shirt.
- The High School SJA program will be residential and will run from June 26 - July 2, 2011. The cost of the high school (rising 9
- 12) program is $600 and will include instruction, housing, meals, and a program T-shirt.
Children of Worcester State University employees are waived the application fee, and will be awarded a $50 reduction for the Middle School program and a $100 reduction in program cost for the High School program.
If you would like more information, please contact the Diversity/Affirmative Action & Compliance Office at Worcester State University by calling 508-929-8117 or email diversity@worcester.edu. Application materials can be found at www.worcester.edu/diversity
Volunteers Assist with over 450 Tax Returns
Thanks to a dedicated group of 25 volunteers comprised of current students, alumni and community members, the VITA Tax Center was extremely busy this year. They helped members of the community to file over 500 federal tax returns, a 35% increase over last year, and over 450 state returns. Tentative figures as of Friday afternoon were $672,310 in federal refunds; $151,197 in state refunds.
WSU Hosts Department of Higher
Education Student Leadership Conference
Members of WSU's Student Government Association participated in the Department of
Higher Education's Student Leadership Conference, held at the Student Center.
From left, SGA Officers Colleen McKenna, Amber Connors, Alex Hackathorn,
Isaiah Goss, and Dan Duclos participate in a regional group meeting.
Last Friday, the Department of Higher Education held their annual Student Leadership Conference on the WSU campus. Student leaders in student government and other campus activities came together from the 29 public colleges and universities in Massachusetts to discuss important issues with state government leaders. Over 200 students from around the Commonwealth were in attendance for the day-long event which included break-out sessions focused on lobbying techniques, organizing strategies and effective use of digital media run.
Break-out sessions were run by: Sen. Michael Moore and Rep. Thomas Sannicandro, co-chairs of the Legislature's Joint Committee on Higher Education, Jessica Constantino, director of advocacy for AARP Massachusetts, Mary Joyce, new media operations manager from President Obama's 2008 campaign and a digital media activism trainer, Lindsay McCluskey and Jake Oliveira, both SAC alumni, now president of the U.S. Student Association and assistant executive officer for the Massachusetts State Universities' Council of Presidents, respectively, and Student representatives from PHENOM, the Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts.
UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan provided the keynote address, and Commissioner Freeland and BHE Chairman Charles Desmond hosted a Q&A session featuring questions suggested and selected by students.
Biology Faculty and Family Members Participate in Pancreatic Cancer Walk
By: Professor Peter Bradley
The WSU team at the 2nd Annual Westborough Pancreatic Cancer Research Run/Walk. (Left to Right) Maura Pavao and her son Victor, Daron Barnard and his wife Katherine (and in the front) Lucy and Malcolm, Frances Fynan, Ellen Fynan and Peter Bradley.
On Sunday, April 10, a team of runners and walkers from the Biology Department participated with family members in the 2nd Annual Westborough Pancreatic Cancer Research run/walk. There was a 10K road race, 5K run/walk, as well as a kid's fun run. The team wanted to do this to support cancer research and would like to thank everyone who encouraged them or acted as a sponsor.
It was a beautiful day for a walk or run alongside Lake Chauncy. All members of the WSU team had a great day. Team leader, Maura Pavao ran the 10K option and was the overall female winner with an amazing time of 43:46. Daron Barnard was second overall in the 10K and won his age division (30-39) with an outstanding time of 38:53. Peter Bradley was first in the 60-69 age division of the 5K (36 minutes even). Professor Pavao's son Victor ran a great 5K with a time of 28:16. Walkers were Ellen Fynan and her daughter Frances Fynan as well as Katherine Barnard, Lucy Barnard and Malcolm Barnard. Lucy and Malcolm also ran the kid's race. The team hopes that more WSU members can join next time to support such a great cause.
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RESEARCH:
Student Research Wins Third Place at
Central Plains Regional Conference
WSU student Matthew Dellomo came in third place in a student research competition at the Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges Central Plains regional conference that was held at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO, April 8-9. Professor Hemant Pendharkar (Computer Science) attended the conference with Matthew.
"This was a very competitive event with several participants at the master's levels. To be even placed, leave aside win, is a huge
achievement," says Professor Pendharkar.
Most judges asked Matthew how he developed this project. He explained that it all began with an assignment in Professor Pendharkar's CS380 -
Systems Programming elective course that he took last semester.
This is the second time in the history of the Computer Science department at WSU that a student has been placed at a regional event.
Matthew's travel to the event was possible thanks to a Worcester State Foundation Student Research Grant Fund that was recently established to provide up to $10,000 annually to support undergraduate student research, scholarship and creative activity. Read more about the grant here.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS:
A Season of Magic, Allegory and the Supernatural!
Worcester State Theatre and the Department of Visual and Performing Arts are pleased to announce the plays for the 2011/2012 Season. The rapid growth in the new major and the influx of new students has led the program to add a third production to academic the year, providing greater opportunities and more variety for the Worcester State audience and the greater community.
The plays include three of the most celebrated writers of the 20th and 21st century: one of Bertolt Brecht's parables for the theatre, a ghost story by acclaimed Irish playwright Conor McPherson, and magical realism from one of America's hottest writers, Sarah Ruhl.
- The Good Person of Setzuan by Bertolt Brecht Nov. 17-20, 2011
(presented in conjunction with the Theme Semester, Worcester
and the World)
- The Weir by Conor McPherson Feb. 23-26, 2012
- Dead Man's Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl Apr. 19-22, 2012
Auditions for The Good Person of Setzuan will be held during the week of September 12; additional auditions will be announced in the fall. For further information contact Adam Zahler azahler@worcester.edu.
Employee Benefits Fair - Thursday, April 21
The Annual WSU Employee Benefits Fair is taking place on Thursday, April 21 from 1-3 p.m. in the Student Center Blue Lounge. Come and discover all the benefits that are available to WSU employees. Vendors include: AFLAC, Ameriprise, BJ's Wholesale Club, Dolak Family Chiropractic, Fidelity Investments, Sprint, ING, Worcester Airport Limo and many more. New vendors include: R.O.I - they offer discount vacation packages to members and will have a drawing for a free trip to Cancun (taxes must be paid by winner) and Harrington Insurance - they offer discount auto and home insurance through Arbella. Please note that this event has no information about health insurance. There will be door prizes, refreshments and free neck massages. The GIC health fair is at Quinsigamond Community College on Friday, April 22.
Mother's Day Singing Telegrams
For the fourth year, the WSU Chorale will be delivering Mother's Day wishes to mothers, grandmothers and other wonderful women on Sunday, May 8, Mother's Day. If you would like to surprise your Mother with something totally different, give the Chorale a call. They will deliver two songs, a flower and a card with your personalized greeting. We will travel to the location of your choice, a residence, a restaurant, a nursing home. Donation: $75.00. To book your telegram call or text Courtney at 774-230-0051.
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TRANSITIONS:
Welcome to:
Deborah Malone, Clerk III/Disability Services
Kristina Rearick, Staff Assistant/Database Coordinator/Research
Analyst/Academic Affairs and Information Technologies
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WSU IN THE NEWS:
Manning leads Worcester State to win
Telegram & Gazette 4/17/11
Worcester State 20, Elms 4: Colleen Manning had four goals for the visiting Lancers (2-7, 2-2 NEWLA), who scored 15 in the first period. ?
Giffords' doctor, a Worcester grad, to speak April 27
Telegram & Gazette 4/16/11
Dr. Imoigele
'Imo' P. Aisiku, a local graduate who is part of the team caring for U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Texas, will speak at Worcester State University, one of his alma maters, April 27
Worcester State Takes Two from MCLA In MASCAC Twinbill
D3baseball.com 4/16/11
Behind a pair of solid pitching performances by senior Chad Kasik (Dudley, MA) and sophomore Nick Bonofiglio (Worcester, MA/Holy Name), Worcester State swept MCLA this afternoon, 4-2 and 6-0, in MASCAC baseball action.
Ph.D. test?
Telegram & Gazette 4/15/11
Higher education can be full of puff and posturing, and we think that explains why some faculty members at Worcester State University are questioning the selection of Barry M. Maloney as the school's next president.
Worcester State U Taps Westfield State Exec as Prez
nebhe.org 4/14/11
Worcester State University trustees voted to recommend Barry Maloney be the university's next president, starting July 1. Maloney, currently vice president for student affairs at Westfield State...
WSU faculty questions prez pick
Telegram & Gazette 4/13/11
John P. Brissette, chairman of the Worcester State board of trustees, ... Mr. Brissette also maintained that Worcester State is adequately served on the ?
'Glass House' throws stones
Worcester Magazine 4/6/11
First presented at Worcester State University in 2010, the play revolves around an apparently loving, close-knit African lower-class family and its secrets. Into the family's outwardly stable home life...
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