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NEWS:

First Haitian Baptist Church of Worcester
Choir Voice of Triumph Entry (V.O.T.E.) to
Perform as Part of Annual Courageous
Conversations Lecture

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NOTEWORTHY:

Maryann Sabetti, MSN, RN (Class of 2010, Community & Public Health Nursing) will be traveling in July to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala to participate in an exchange with a group of Guatemalan midwives, health promoters and community leaders. Maryanne will be working with the local group Association of Highland Women (AMA) following up on a health assessment administered in two villages and supporting the communities efforts in the development of a Maya Health Center and Maternity House, to reduce infant and maternal mortality rate in indigenous women in Guatemala.



Amaryllis Siniossoglou (Visual & Performing Arts) has been accepted to exhibit two of her photopolymer plate prints at the Center Yourself, juried photographic exhibit, at the Krikorian Gallery, Worcester Center for the Crafts, from February 17 March 12. For more info visit the Krikorian Gallery website.



Gregory K. Shuler, RN, (MSN student, Community & Public Health Nursing) had his manuscript, the "Role of Nursing Informatics for Leadership," accepted as a lead story in the May 23 issue of Advance For Nurses.

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AROUND CAMPUS:

WSU Volunteers Provide Free Tax Help

Business Adjunct Professor Michael Shamgochian is in his third year coordinating a program which provides free tax preparation service to the greater community.

A dedicated group of about 26 volunteers, comprised of current students, alumni and community members are preparing state and federal tax returns for free. Over 350 taxpayers used the service last year. "So far this year we have prepared returns for 300 taxpayers already," said Shamgochian. "We expect to surpass last year's numbers. It grows every year."

The program has been in place at WSU for over 30 years and resided in the Math, Business and Sociology Departments.

All of the volunteers receive IRS training and are IRS certified. In addition, every return is reviewed by Shamgochian and volunteers use computer software for all calculations to eliminate mathematical errors.

"Students receive valuable work experience -- It's a great resume builder," said Shamgochian. But he said students also take great pride in the valuable service they provide. "We had a mom come in to work on her tax return and she brought her daughter along. The daughter knew that any tax refund would go to pay for a dentist visit," explained Shamgochian. "Our volunteers understand -- and take pride in knowing that their work that helps taxpayers receive a refund that will pay for family expenses like dentist appointments, computers, or school supplies."

The office is located in Sullivan 206 and will be open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until April 16. Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 3-7 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Questions? 508-929-8424 or VITA@worcester.edu. Shamgochian said response rate via email is a bit faster. Phone calls are returned in about one business day.


Harvard Law Professor Analyzes
Notion of Racial Sellouts
Taneisha Mings `13

Harvard Law professor Randall Kennedy spoke about his latest book, Sellout: The Politics of Racial Betrayal, to a crowded Blue Lounge at Worcester State University on Tuesday, February 22. Kennedy explored actions that lead to cries of selling out in America's African-American communities. He noted that there is a vivid history of racial betrayal
among many racial groups. In instances where social reform about a
 race is present, there is always opposition and backlash. He explained
 that slaves confronted problems with informers among them and many times, rebellions were not successful as a result of that betrayal. The Black Panther Party also experienced informants for the FBI amongst them, which ultimately led to the raid and killing of the group's leader.

In addition, Kennedy spoke about interracial marriages and the adversity that such couples face from both sides of the racial spectrums. Black men/women who are in relationships with white women/men are classified as being a sellout to their own race and their racial betrayal often results in the disassociation with their racial group. Living in white communities also adds to race anxiety and the notion of black individuals thinking and acting "white."

Kennedy said he deals with such issues of racial betrayal by saying it's all right to "just simply disagree." It is better to do so than widen the gap between black individuals and the rest of the world, he explained.

The lecture is sponsored by the Student Center/Student Activities Office, Disability Services Office, WSU Pride Alliance and Third World Alliance.
For more information on the entire series, visit; www.worcester.edu/diversitylectures.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS:

University Police Launch Anonymous Tip Program
University police have launched a new program to report an anonymous tip if you see a crime happening on campus. You can send a text to 274637(CRIMES), type WSUPD and then your message. From the University Police website there is an app you can download or use a web form to send an alert. Remember to dial ext. 8911 or 508-929-8911 if you need an officer to respond immediately.

Learn to Ride Bicycle Event
Join the students of the Worcester State University Occupational Therapy Dept. for the 5th Annual "Learn To Ride" Bicycle Event on Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 9-10 am or 10:30-11:30 am. Rain date April 30th. Ages 6-10 FREE event, personalized instruction. Registration limited, first come, first serve. Register with Joanne Gallagher EdD, OTR/L at 508-929-8783 or Joanne.Gallagher@worcester.edu

Student Tutors Needed
--Attention Faculty-- Send your recommendations or let students know that the Academic Success Center is looking for students to tutor in many classes next fall. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0, be enrolled in a full time degree program, and have a letter grade of B or higher in the class they wish to tutor. We are looking for enthusiastic students who demonstrate flexibility, creativity, humor, dedication and professionalism.

Students must return a filled out application to the Academic Success Center Room A-130 in the Administration Building by 2pm Friday, March 25. Click here for the application. The students who apply will then go through the
 first group process on April 1. Emails will be sent out following the group process to inform students if they have made it to step 2, which is an individual interview. The interviews will be help from April 5 - April 8. Decision letters will be available in Academic Success for students to pick up by
April 11.

By becoming a tutor, students will gain excellent leadership experience, acquire tutor certification, and develop presentation skills. Among many other benefits, the student will also act as a role model who provides guidance to others. Please encourage any students you feel fit for the position to apply!

Worcester "Give-A-Book" Drive
Worcester State University will once again participate in the annual Worcester "Give- A-Book?" Drive. Thanks to your generosity, WSU has donated over 1300 books in the last two years. The drive is put on by "Worcester: The City that Reads" committee which is led by school committee member John Monfredo. The goal of the city-wide book drive is to collect K-8 level books for distribution by the Worcester Public Schools to students who don't have the means to obtain adequate books for summer reading. New or gently used books would be greatly appreciated. Books will be collected until the end of April in the Public Relations and Marketing Office (Admin Building, Room 231). If you have any questions or need a helping hand getting them to the office, please call 508-929-8018. Thank You!!

Spring 2011 Center for Service Learning Newsletter
The Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement have launched their Spring semester newsletter. In this issue: meet the Americorps Grants students, learn about student service projects, tips on how to get involved with your community and upcoming service events.

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WSU IN THE NEWS:

College Town
Telegram & Gazette 3/6/11
Ten WSU students will travel to Managua, Nicaragua to serve as volunteers with a nonprofit organization called Manna Project International. While there, they will teach...


A place of safety: The Bridge honors LGBTQ advocates
Telegram & Gazette 3/3/11
Ms. Lavallee, who is graduating from Worcester State University with a degree in psychology this spring, plans to specialize in youth issues. She said the process of a child coming out is a family matter. "This is a journey for everyone," she said.


WSU students to exhibit artworks at Danforth
Telegram & Gazette 2/27/11
Worcester State University student Katelyn Kieler received one of the Gamblin Awards at the Arches Student show. Ms. Kieler and fellow students Alyssa Bell, Anastasia Caras, Britni Kirk, William Rasku, Jennifer Thulare and their professor Amaryllis Siniossoglou will exhibit their work at...

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