Campus Connection - September 15-21, 2008
- International influencer: Hong Rost helps give campus a global flavor
- Centennial Campaign update: group donates $250,000
- Graduation regalia sale Sept. 15-19
- East meets West Sept. 19
- Gardens, art featured in Milwaukee tour
- Professor Emeritus Ernest Hartman dies
- Etiquette Dinner set for Oct. 15
- Undergraduate Research and Creativity Activity Grant applications due Oct. 15
- Correction to FERPA article
- Continuing Education update
- Human Resources
- In the news
- Murphy Library update
- PeopleSoft update
- Classified ads
- Getting information into the Campus and Eagle connections
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| Hong Rost |
International influencer: Hong Rost helps give campus a global flavor
Hong Rost knows what it's like moving to a foreign country as an apprehensive college student. She was one of them — from central China — in the early '90s. Now, she's helping to bring others from nearly 50 countries to the Coulee Region and helping American students get overseas.
As assistant director in the International Education Office, Rost works with campus colleges and departments to start and expand international programming. Much has changed since she began in the International Education Office as a graduate student intern in the early '90s.
The number of students studying abroad has exploded from 100 to more than 500. The university now has 30 exchange partners, up from half a dozen. And the number of international students on campus has expanded from around 50 to the 400 expected this fall.
In a more global world, expansion is necessary, explains Rost. "We try to bring the world to La Crosse," she says. "This gives our students an opportunity to learn about different cultures they may eventually experience in their careers. It's not a luxury anymore, it's become more of a necessity."
The Hong Rost file
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Rost's firsthand experience with international exchanges is appreciated by campus colleagues. Amelia Dittman, assistant to the dean in the College of Business Administration, credits Rost for helping her college with new initiatives.
"On Asian recruiting trips, not only is her Chinese language ability and knowledge a priceless asset, but so is her willingness to go much beyond the extra mile in meeting with prospective students and their families," notes Dittman. "She will meet them at midnight if that's the only time available. She is very proud of UW-L and our programs and is tireless in her efforts to attract international students."
Rost is proud to be part of a team effort by International Education Office staff who picks up students at the airport. They help students when they become sick. And since 9-11, they make sure proper paperwork is filed so students don't find their stays shorter than expected.
"I understand the difficulty they run into and what they are going through living in a new country," explains Rost. "That's why we're here, to help them adjust to the U.S."
Rost says the job of welcoming students to the U.S. is made easier by the area's large welcome mat. The La Crosse Friends of International Students group includes hundreds of area residents willing to help students adjust to a new country. At holidays, many open their homes for the students to discover American traditions firsthand.
"These offers have been extremely popular with our international students," notes Rost. "The community and campus are really so welcoming to international students."
Rost has impacted hundreds of students worldwide — and she has hand-written and e-mail thank you's to prove it. But she gets much from them as well. "I love students," Rost says. "They enrich my life every day."
The office's team atmosphere provides groundwork for happy international students and an ever-growing program. Rost credits office colleagues for receiving the Academic Staff Excellence Award from peers campus wide. "There's no way to achieve this goal by myself," she notes. "My office provided the teamwork."
Academic staff to honor Hong RostHong Rost, International Education, will receive the 2008 Academic Staff Excellence Award during the annual Academic Staff Council Meeting at 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, in Port O' Call, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition. Award recipients receive $750 in professional development funding. Recipients are selected by a committee of peers. Friends and colleagues are welcome to attend. Academic Staff Excellence Award Recipients 1994-Mary Torstveit *Also, recipient of the UW System Board of Regents Academic Staff Excellence Award the following year. |
Centennial Campaign update: group donates $250,000
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Team. Together everyone achieves more.
That's the strategy behind a recent gift received to name the Grand Reception Area in the new academic building, "Centennial Hall."
Spearheaded by Faculty Emeritus Ron Rada and Vice Chancellor Emeritus Carl Wimberly, a group, spanning across campus and community boundaries, collaborated to collectively give $250,000 to be a part of the naming opportunity for the Grand Reception Area.
The group includes people in leadership positions, from the most senior — Vice Chancellor Emeritus Carl Wimberly — to the newest — Chancellor Joe Gow, says Rada. It includes faculty leaders, as well as community members.
Faculty Emeritus Larry Lebiecki and his wife, Anita Evans, director of Murphy Library, are members of the group. "One of the reasons we all got together is to help people understand how important this project is to the campus," says Lebiecki. "UW-L has been short on classroom space for quite some time. The new academic building will go a long way to answer space problems and is critical to continuing the excellence of UW-L's academic programs."
Evans agrees. "The essential value of the project is unquestionable," she explains. "With classrooms overflowing now and a growing student population, there is a compelling need for more space. Connecting students directly with faculty in university classrooms is at the heart of the university's mission. There may be a perception that the Centennial Campaign is solely focused on 'bricks and mortar,' but there is an inclusive menu of choices for people considering making a donation," Evans states. "Any level of donation, given in one year or pledged over five years, will help to advance the university and send a message to alumni and friends of the university that there is strong campus support for the campaign."
Although individually those in the group may not have had the money to take advantage of the quarter of a million dollar naming opportunity, collectively, they could. Rada hopes their collective gift triggers more interest in finding creative ways to give.
Grand Reception Area donors include:
- Faculty Emeriti A. B. (Anna Beth)* and Jerry Culver
- Murphy Library Director Anita Evans* and her husband, Faculty Emeritus Larry Lebiecki
- Chancellor Joe Gow and his wife, Betsy Valentine
- Co-chair of the Campus Campaign Leadership Team for "Centennial Hall" Joe Heim,* political science and public administration; and his wife, Pat
- Faculty Emeritus Ron Rada and his wife, Jane
- Faculty Emeritus John Magerus
- Val Schute representing River Architects
- Vice Chancellor Emeritus and Honorary Chair of the Campus Campaign Leadership Team for "Centennial Hall" Carl Wimberly* and his wife, Barbara
*On Campus Campaign Leadership Team for "Centennial Hall"
Talk with them and other team members to find out more about why they've chosen to give. See www.uwlax.edu/universityrelations/campusconnection/2008/fall/august/25/LeadershipTeam.pdf for a complete list of the Campus Campaign Leadership Team.
To date, the total amount raised in gifts and pledges to the new academic building, “Centennial Hall,” is approximately $2.4 million. The UW-L Foundation's goal is to raise $6 million.
For more information on the campaign, go to www.uwlax.edu/campaign. To see other naming opportunities, go to www.uwlax.edu/campaign/pdf/namingopportunities.pdf.
Graduation regalia sale Sept. 15-19
The UW-L Bookstore is holding a sale Monday through Friday, Sept. 15-19, on graduation regalia. Take advantage of this opportunity to purchase custom–made faculty apparel at a 20 percent discount. The “Deluxe Dr. Package,” including gown, tam with gold tassel and hood, regularly sells for $555. The package is on sale this week for $444. Orders placed during the sale will arrive in time for the Sunday, Dec. 14, graduation ceremonies. Check out the display and pick up an order form. All orders must be received by 4:30 p.m. Sept. 19.
East meets West Sept. 19
Join UW-L alumnus Rumi Kunitsu and Patrick Randolph, English as a Second Language, at "East meets West" from 5-6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, in Port O' Call, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition. Kunitsu will play the shamisen, a traditional Japanese three-stringed lute; and Randolph will read poetry from his latest publication. The free event is sponsored by UW-L's Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program, modern languages department. For information or advising about TESOL, come early or stay late. And visit www.uwlax.edu/TESOL/What%20is%20TESOL.htm.
Gardens, art featured in Milwaukee tour
UW-L's Continuing Education in the Arts program will combine gardening and art for a weekend in Milwaukee, along with a stop in Madison. "The Milwaukee Art Excursion and Garden Tour" features a bus trip to Milwaukee Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4 and 5.
The trip's first visit will be to the Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison. The gardens include 16 acres of outdoor display gardens and Olbrich's Bolz Conservatory ($1 admission), featuring a glass pyramid filled with exotic plants, fragrant orchids, a rushing waterfall and birds.
The tour then heads to The Milwaukee Art Museum. The museum's collection includes nearly 20,000 works from antiquity to the present, including 19th and 20th century art, American decorative arts, German expressionism, and more. The museum's current special exhibit is "Wisconsin Photographers Confront Portraiture," featuring John Shimon and Julie Lindemann who make use of antique cameras, modern lens technology, artificial light and contemporary pop culture to create portraits of people in the state. The current feature exhibit is "Act/React," a digitally developed interactive exhibit. Get more information on the museum at www.mam.org.
The evening in Milwaukee for travelers is "on your own." Rooms will be reserved at the Hampton Inn & Suites, 176 W. Wisconsin Ave., which is within walking distance to pubs, theatres, shopping, restaurants and the Milwaukee River walk.
The final stop, on Sunday, is the Mitchell Park Domes, featuring self-guided tours of the Show, Arid and Tropical domes.
Linda Steine, associate outreach specialist for UW-L Continuing Education in the Arts will be the trip host. Cost is $185 per person for double occupancy and $219 for single occupancy. Pre-registration is required; space is limited.
To register or for more information, contact UW-L Continuing Education and Extension at 785.6504 or www.uwlax.edu/conted.
Professor Emeritus Ernest Hartman dies
Professor Emeritus Ernest Hartman who taught recreation and parks from 1970-90 died Sept. 3. Fondly called "Ernie," many alumni will likely remember him for his infectious smile and words of encouragement, says George Arimond, recreation management/recreation therapy department chair. As internship coordinator, Hartman developed a one-of-a-kind internship interaction day and camp placement day. Held annually, recreation and camp professionals came to campus to interact with recreation management and therapeutic recreation students, recruiting them for seasonal jobs or internship. During his 20-plus years in La Crosse, Hartman was involved with area Boy Scouts and was an executive board member. He was UW-L's resident expert on turf management, says Arimond, and taught courses related to parks, golf course turf management and pools. "What I will remember most about Ernie is his laughter and his uncanny ability to create such student's enthusiasm and pride for our profession." A memorial service was held in Cottonwood, Ariz. Sept. 8. Donations can be made to either the Verde Valley Humane Society, c/o V.V.H.S. Building Fund, P.O. Box 1429, Cottonwood, AZ 86326; or to the Boy Scouts of America, c/o Grand Canyon Council, 2969 North Greenfield Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016-7715.
Read the full obituary at: www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/09/07/obituaries/obits07.txt.
Etiquette Dinner set for Oct. 15
The fall 2008 Etiquette Dinner is set for Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Cleary Alumni & Friends Center. The Alumni Association, Career Services, Chartwells and the Student Alumni Ambassadors are sponsoring this year’s program which has become a signature event that helps prepare students for the work world.
A diploma and resume aren’t the only things students need to be successful after graduation. Proper manners and etiquette are essential skills in today’s competitive professional environment.
Nationally known speaker Maria Everding will provide dining and business etiquette during a four-course meal. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available for $10 at the Cleary Alumni & Friends Center. This program fills quickly, so encourage students to register early. For more information and to register, contact the Alumni Association at 785.8494.
Undergraduate Research and Creativity Activity Grant applications due Oct. 15
Each fall and spring, UW-L offers full- and part-time undergraduate students an opportunity to compete for research and creative activity grants. Working with a faculty mentor, students can receive up to $1,350 for domestic individual projects, $1,500 for domestic collaborative projects or $2,100 for international projects. This fall, grant proposals are due in the Provost's Office, 145 Graff Main Hall, by 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15.
The grants are available for students in all academic disciplines. Awards for the fall competition will be announced within the first two weeks of December.
If you know of a student involved in new, innovative research or are currently mentoring a student, advise them to apply for an undergraduate research grant. This opportunity enhances the research experience and strengthens the UW-L community through continuous learning.
Interested students should consult the application guidelines and complete the application forms found on the Undergraduate Research Web site at www.uwlax.edu/URC/grants/index.htm.
Correction to FERPA article (Campus Connection Sept. 8-14)
Last week’s article about FERPA and confidential records contained two errors. Directory information, which can be released without written permission from the student, does NOT include adviser or parent/spouse names. Both of these pieces of information are considered confidential; therefore, they cannot be released without permission from the student. Directory information includes names, address, phone number, e-mail address, college/school status, enrollment status (full-time/part-time), classification (freshman, sophomore, etc.), previous institutions attended, past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities, physical factors (height, weight, etc., for athletes), field(s) of study, awards, honors (includes Dean’s List), expected graduation date, degree(s) conferred and date(s) awarded. Sorry for any confusion these mistakes might have caused.
Additionally, clarification is warranted. The Federal law says schools “may” release confidential information to parents if the student is claimed as a dependent on income taxes. However, our institution has chosen not to adopt that provision. Instead, we encourage parents and students to communicate with each other. Students can choose to share their log-in information for TALON, which gives parents access to information. Parents are notified if a health or safety emergency involves their son or daughter. — Diane Schumacher, Records and Registration.
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- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Saturdays, designed to provide youth with opportunities to advance interests and abilities in science and technology, begins Sept. 20. Tim Gerber, biology, will lead the session "Myrick Park Marsh Plants and Animals."
- The First Steps to Starting Your Art Business, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 17, will review the basics of starting an art business and identify next steps, which include government regulations and basic record keeping.
- More than 60 high school students presenting research and experimentation in sciences, mathematics and engineering will attend The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. Tim Gerber will lead the symposium at the Pigeon Lake Field Station.
- Essentials of Gerontology, a core workshop for the Gerontology Certificate Program begins Tuesday, Sept. 16. The workshop is designed for health and human service professionals and other interested individuals.
- Area employers and human resource professionals attended Creating Inclusive Workplaces: For Employers Embracing Excellence workshop, Sept. 11. The first of a four-part series examines diversity at work. The next session, Employers of Choice is Thursday, Sept. 25. To register, call 785-6500.
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Classified Excellence Appreciation Breakfast is Sept. 25
Permanent and project classified staff are welcome to join Chancellor Joe Gow as his guests at the 12th annual Classified Excellence Appreciation Breakfast Thursday, Sept. 25, in Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition. Food will be served from 7:15 a.m. through 8:45 a.m. Invitations should have been received via e-mail with a request to RSVP. Release time is allowed for this event, but you are asked to arrange for office coverage.
In addition to breakfast, permanent classified staff reaching a five-year milestone between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008, based on their length of service date with the State of Wisconsin, will be recognized. If you have not been contacted and feel should have been, contact Kathy Ring at ring.kath@uwlax.edu.
Persons other than permanent or project classified staff who wish to join the celebration, such as family members, LTEs, faculty or academic staff, can attend the breakfast by sending a check made out to UW-L Foundation for $8.50 by Friday, Sept. 19, to Kathy Ring in 144 Graff Main Hall.
For more information, contact Classified Recognition Committee members. They include Cheryl Brye, Cyndi Taylor, Jim Treu and Pam Woods, with assistance from Kathy Ring and Human Resource staff members.
New employee
Diana Moran as an Instructional Program Manager I in the Cultural Diversity and Community Renewal Center, Sept. 9.
Transfer opportunities
UW-L has the current transfer opportunity: a 92 percent time academic department associate in recreation management and therapeutic recreation. This position will be in pay schedule and range 02-11 by the time the position is filled. Interested individuals at or above the pay range indicated may apply by contacting Kathy Ring at ring.kath@uwlax.edu or 785.6499. For additional information, including a full position description, visit www.uwlax.edu/vacancies. Deadline to sign up for transfer is noon, Monday, Sept. 22.
Transfer
Paula Lund, accountant, to another accountant position within Business Services, Sept. 14.
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"State should find grant money for students most in need," Editorial, La Crosse Tribune, Sept. 8. The state is faced with growing budget challenges, and there's no question that legislators are juggling a lot of priorities in a tough economic environment. Everyone wants more, of course. But it's troubling that as many as 4,000 students in Wisconsin's technical college system could be denied financial aid for this school year because the state fund for it has run dry ... Full article: www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/09/08/opinion/editorial/00edit08.txt
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- Sharon Jessee, English, presented an overview of the work of author Dorothy Parker on Aug. 22 at The Grounded coffee house in La Crosse. The all-day event on Parker's birthday was sponsored by the La Crosse Public Library.
- Cecilia Manrique, political science/public administration, had a review, "That's Entertainment: HCI Impact and Uncitedness" by John Hopson, published in the Aug. 8 issue of Computing Reviews.
- Timothy McAndrews, sociology and archaeology, presented “Use and Exchange of Faunal Resources During the Late Formative and Tiwanaku Periods in the Cochabamba Lower Valley, Bolivia" at the Primer Congreso Nacional de Zooarqueología Argentina in Malargüé, Argentina. Sept. 8.
- Susan "BOON" Murray, therapeutic recreation, delivered a national teleconference, "Journaling for Well-Being: Finding the 'Friend at the End of Your Pen' to Learn, Adapt, and Grow," June 5 as a continuing education opportunity for members of American Therapeutic Recreation Association.
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EBSCOhost 2.0
EBSCOhost released a new version of its Web-based search software during the summer. Because many of the library's information databases are provided by EBSCOhost, this affects researchers in many disciplines.
Some of the software changes are cosmetic, and some are functional. At first glance, the initial search screen looks familiar, but closer inspection reveals a number of additional search and limit options that have been consolidated from other locations and now placed on the main search page.
Additional features have also been added to the search results screen, allowing people to more easily refine searches and process their results. For example, depending on the database, users may be able to quickly refine the list of articles they found using pre-defined limiters such as publication type, age, gender, geography, major subject heading and more.
The software incorporates newer Web technologies, allowing users to share searches and articles with other uses via permalinks, RSS feeds, social networking sites such as FaceBook and MySpace, and others. It also makes it easier to create citations on the fly, including Digital Object Identifiers (or DOIs), and allows users to more easily set up research alerts in which they automatically receive new results based on their own individual searches.
To learn more about EBSCOhost's newer features, visit the library home page at www.uwlax.edu/murphylibrary and follow the featured "EBSCOhost 2.0" link.
PeopleSoft update
PeopleSoft Campus Solutions for Admissions and Recruiting went live successfully on Sept. 8. Over 120 new applications for fall 2009 were loaded into PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, over 12,000 prospect records were converted from CAS, and new prospect records have been entered and updated.
The campus will see more improvements over the next few weeks with electronic communications, and, soon, new applicants will be able to log into the new online Student Center and monitor the status of their application. Congratulations to the PeopleSoft Admissions Team of Corey Sjoquist and Marsha Gottovi. Thanks also to the Admissions staff and the entire project implementation team for their hard work and contributions in making UW-L's first PeopleSoft Student Information System go-live a great success. The next PeopleSoft Module to be implemented will be Financial Aid, which is scheduled for February 2009. For more information on the PeopleSoft Student Information System implementation project, see: www.uwlax.edu/Peoplesoft/
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For sale
- Queen-sized comforter, 100 percent down with new white duvet cover, from The Company Store. Mary at 785-6922.
- 2008 Moped 49CC Bronc Rally, 450 miles, purchased April 2008. $950. 608.385.5968 or 608.783.7069.
Wanted
- Subleaser who can move in starting Sept. 24 at Gund Brewery Lofts apartment 312 on South Avenue. Brandon at 715.323.3065 or 793.1500 and ask for Barb.
- The Modern Languages department seeks five adult-size bicycle donations for Amity Scholars. Fenders and racks or side packs are a plus. Modern Languages will pick up bikes and take them to Outdoor Connection for repairs and safety checks. Contact Charlene Sauer at sauer.char@uwlax.edu.
Getting information into the Campus and Eagle connections
The Campus Connection is published Mondays. The Eagle Connection is published Wednesdays when classes are in session. To submit information for inclusion in the Campus Connection or Eagle Connection, e-mail it to connectx@uwlax.edu. The deadline for the Campus Connection is noon Wednesday for the following Monday's edition. The deadline for the Eagle Connection is noon Mondays preceding the Wednesday edition. Refer students who are interested in writing or shooting photos for the Connections to Editor Sue Lee at lee.sue@uwlax.edu or 785.8497.
To view the Campus Connection online, see: www.uwlax.edu/universityrelations/campusconnection/
Or go to the Campus Connection from UW-L's home page. Click on "More News" at the bottom of the page, then click on the Campus Connection link on the Campus News Resources page.
To view the Campus Connection calendar online, see: www.uwlax.edu/universityrelations/campusconnection/calendar.html
Or go to the Campus Connection calendar from UW-L's home page. Click on "More Events" at the bottom of the page, then click on the Campus Connection calendar link on the Campus Event Resources page.
To view the Eagle Connection online, see: www.uwlax.edu/universityrelations/eagleconnection/
Or go to the Eagle Connection from UW-L's home page. Click on "More News" at the bottom of the page, then click on the Eagle Connection link on the Campus News Resources page.
To view the Eagle Connection calendar online, go to www.uwlax.edu/universityrelations/eagleconnection/calendar.html
Or go to the Eagle Connection calendar from UW-L's home page. Click on "More Events" at the bottom of the page, then click on the Eagle Connection calendar link on the Campus Event Resources page.