Arete contribution submitted by Erika Brown

Dr. Elizabeth Gish and Dr. Paul Markham teach Honors 251: Citizen and Self. The course aims to educate students of the individual’s role in the many interconnected communities of the world. The class addresses questions of the state, of the community, and the directions that one could take to better the community. Since involvement in the community serves as a main objective of the class, students partake in one collective, large project in order to improve the state of Bowling Green.

The course is broken down in two different sections. On Monday mornings, every student in the course attends a lecture lead by Dr. Gish and Dr. Markham. During the lecture, students discuss the ideas and themes of articles read in class about the contemporary issues of various communities in the world. The lecture is then divided into six seminars of approximately 20 students on the other days throughout the week. In the seminars, students work in small research teams in order to construct a portion of the State of the City Report, the collective project mentioned earlier. The State of the City Report addresses many different aspects of life in Bowling Green, ranging from environment to disability issues. In order to create the State of the City Report, students must reach out into the community to conduct research and they must propose creative solutions of the problems of their certain topic.

Honors 251 requires students to personally engage themselves in their research, and many students find the course not only intellectually satisfying, but also emotionally satisfying. “This class challenges me to take into account that I am not separate from the community,” says Sean Jacobson, a first year film major from Louisville, “Since there is a continual relationship between community and individual, I feel that this class is helping me examine my values and my role in the world on a deeper level.”

(Source: Honors Headlines, Oct 29, 2012)

Arete contribution submitted by Abby Ponder

Entering college life may seem daunting at times. There are new and unfamiliar faces and many strange new places. The upperclassmen can be a little intimidating, too. This is where the Honors Club Student Planning Board enters the picture. The Club is an organization dedicated to “creat[ing] enjoyable experiences through service, community and development by providing meaningful opportunities for Honors Club members.”  The Club also provides students within the Honors College at WKU a way to grow closer to their peers and faculty.

On September 12^th, the Honors Club started the year off with a tasty treat by hosting an Ice Cream Social for all Honors scholars. The social presented new students with the opportunity to not only get to know some of their classmates, but also the chance the meet some of the upperclassmen.

The event was hosted on Bates-Runner Hall’s front lawn with tremendous assistance from students in the Honors Club and the hall director, Jorge Wellmann. The Phi Gamma Delta fraternity provided music and the ice cream was donated by Chaney’s Dairy Barn. The ice cream wasn’t the only attraction; students were encouraged to talk, dance, and play a little corn toss.

According to Honors Club member, Emily Gott, “The event turned out even better than planned! We had bowls and spoons for 200 people and we ran out of them within 40 minutes. I would say we had around 250 people, which is way more than we have ever had before!”

The Honors Club puts on a wide variety of events throughout the year, with a wide range of activities: There was also a movie night on October 23^rd, the upcoming Fall Mix-n-Mingle, the Thrift Shop Bop on Friday, November 9^th, and many others. (Further details will be announced closer to the event dates.) For students looking to get involved, attending some of the programs is a great place to start!

With the tremendous success of the Ice Cream Social, it’s safe to say that the 2012 Honors Club is off to a great start.

(Source: Honors Headlines, Oct 29, 2012)

This past weekend (October 26-27), eight CE/T Honors College students attended and presented at the Kentucky Honors Roundtable at Murray State University. Kentucky Honors Roundtable is an organization that invites honors colleges and honors programs of Kentucky public universities to come together to network with one another. It also allows students to present original research that they have been developing. The event is held twice throughout the academic school year, one conference being held in the fall while other is held in the spring.  Students are able to present related-Honors Program material or they can present research that they have been doing in their classes. Most WKU students who present at this conference are students who are finishing  their Capstone Experience/Thesis (CE/T). During the Spring semester, the conference will be held at the University of Kentucky. If you would like more information about KRH, please contact Dr. Baylis at leslie.baylis@wku.edu.

Titles & abstracts of students’ CE/Ts

Regressions on Personality and Political Preference of Collegiate Greek Letter Social Organizations by Micheal B. Armstong

Empirical research examining collegiate Greek letter social organizations (fraternities and sororities) is minimal. Whenever research does arise, it usually focuses on negative stigmas with these organizations (alcohol abuse, hazing). This study seeks to examine more positive aspects of Greek organizations. This study hypothesizes that Greeks differ from non-Greeks in the Big Five personality traits such that Greek members are less open to experience, less conscientious, more extraverted, and less neurotic than non-Greek members. Greek and non-Greek members will be similar in agreeableness. It is hypothesized that Greek members are more politically conservative than non-Greek members. In a 2 (affiliation: Greek vs. non-Greek) by 6 (traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, conservatism) within-subjects design, 572 college students (395 female) participated in a 24-item online survey consisting of the Mini-International Personality Item Pool and a brief measure of conservatism. Preliminary analyses via logistic binary regression provided partial support for the hypotheses. Greeks are more likely to be extraverted than non-Greeks (p <.001), less likely to be neurotic than non-Greeks (p < .01), and more likely to be conservative than non-Greeks (p < .01). Implications of these finding will be discussed.

The Concise Guide to the Calvinist/Arminian Debate The Concise Guide to the Calvinist/Arminian Debate by David Leonhardt

The Calvinist/Arminian debate is not a new issue to the Protestant Church; however, it is an issue that has resurged within contemporary Christianity.  One major offense committed in this controversial debate occurs when a person or group uses a term from the opposite side in a way that is not the proponent’s original intent or meaning.  Furthermore, misconceptions concerning the actual doctrines maintained by either side have become commonplace in the debate.  In order to improve this problem, this thesis will serve as a guide for understanding the Calvinist/Arminian debate.  It will provide information on the founders of the two systems, the definitions of fundamental doctrines of each, the definitions of lesser-known terminology of the debate, the truth behind common misconceptions, and an analysis on the debate.  This thesis will, in no way, attempt to determine a correct view.  All the definitions, information concerning the founders, and information regarding misconceptions have been retrieved from the proponents of the theology.  Calvinists will only define Calvinist terminology and Arminians will only define Arminian terminology.  The goal of this work is to present an accurate depiction of both Calvinism and Arminianism.

Mattathias’ Other Son: A Novel of the Maccabean Revolt by Ameliah Given

In the primary and secondary literature regarding the Maccabean Revolt, Judas, the son of the man who began the revolt, is depicted as a warrior of epic proportions. Despite a Seleucid king’s attempt to squelch out Jewish practices, Judas brought religious freedom to the people through his military strategy and might. After his untimely death in battle, his younger brother Jonathan finally succeeded in gaining political freedom for the Jewish people. Throughout his lifetime, Jonathan’s feats of valor rivaled, if not surpassed those of his brother Judas. Yet Jonathan’s story and life are not given the attention they deserve. My purpose, then, is to tell the story of the Maccabean Revolt through Jonathan’s perspective in the format of a historical novella. Since Jonathan was most likely very young when the Revolt began, I will show how the Revolt functioned as a catalyst for Jonathan’s initiation into adulthood. Using the best-known sources, this novella seeks to maintain historical accuracy while telling the story of Jonathan, the Jewish people’s unsung hero.

Modern Hispanic Immigration in America: What we are Seeing and What to Expect by Parker Wornall

Hispanic Immigration into the United States is no new phenomena. Within the most recent decades, though, these numbers have spiked to astounding heights, especially in regards to illegal immigration. There are many push and pull factors that have cause this phenomenon, and they will be thoroughly explored and analyzed through poll research; push factors being factors that will drive people away from Latin America, and pull factors being factors that attract them to the United States. This hike in immigration, and the negative attention recently gained by it, has also forced many states to alter or create very strict immigration laws. Arizona has served as the benchmark for “stop” policies in state legislation concerning immigrants, so an analysis of their law will serve as the focal point of this paper. It is my belief that Arizona’s law does not correctly address the current circumstances causing immigration, reflect traditional American values towards immigrants, nor levy the appropriate punishments, which are debatably unconstitutional.

Jesus, I trust in You: St. Thomas Aquinas’ Jubilee by John Allen Sohl, III.

Broadcasters are known for the news. In fact, many are so caught up in things outside of their personal lives that they don’t even enjoy talking about themselves at all. Broadcasters are known for the news. In fact, many are so caught up in things outside of their personal lives that they don’t even enjoy talking about themselves at all. For my Honors Thesis at Western Kentucky University, I plan to challenge that stereotype, not by showing a biased report, but through the professional journalistic approach in the confines of my own close-knit community. My project entails a 20-40 minute documentary on the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center. Much of my research is based on the history of the center, but more importantly, as head of the 50th Anniversary Committee, I am also charged with celebrating the history as well. My broadcasting and editorializing skills must be reconciled if I am to accomplish the ethically sound, yet positive approach to our October Jubilee. It is my hope to give cause for journalists to no longer see themselves as merely outside storytellers, but to better improve their approach when reporting on events that directly concern their personal lives.

Exploring College Freshmen Students’ Self-Efficacy, Attitudes, and Intentions toward Chemistry by Amanda F. Cook

Recently, there has been much discussion about the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) crisis happening in the United States (U.S.). U.S. colleges are not producing enough STEM graduates. General chemistry is an important introductory course required for completion of many STEM degrees. Intentions have previously been identified as the antecedent to behaviors. Therefore, this study seeks to analyze the variables which predict intentions to enroll in general chemistry courses. Using a sample of 1,126 first-time, first-year freshmen from Western Kentucky University, the following research questions were addressed 1) How well do self-efficacy for general chemistry and attitudes toward chemistry predict intentions to take future chemistry courses? 2) Which is the best predictor of intentions; self efficacy for general chemistry or attitude toward chemistry? And 3) If we control for other known factors that influence intentions (i.e., past experiences, past performances, and choice of major), is self-efficacy for general chemistry and attitude toward chemistry still able to predict a large amount of the variance in intentions to take future chemistry courses? Implications for science educators are discussed.

The Librarian and the Courtier: Changing Attitudes Towards Book Collection and Scholarship in 16th and 17th Century Europe by Anna Helton

The mass availability of printed books in the 16th and 17th centuries not only increased book ownership, but changed the nature of book collection and even scholastic endeavor itself. Collectors and librarians increasingly strove for universality in their collections, and new methods, especially bibliography, were created to cope with the impossibility of this feat. In turn, Northern humanist scholars expressed increasing cynicism towards the ideal of encyclopedic knowledge, often paradoxically ridiculing “book fools,” exhaustive libraries, and the bibliography, which was frequently perceived to be only a shortcut to true scholarship.

Defying Audiences: Wicked in its Various Forms of Media by Amanda Adams

An extensive text-to-stage analysis of the progression from Gregory Maguire’s original novel Wicked to the stage musical of the same name, in an effort to understand a successful adaptation process. I will focus on how each medium uses the characters present in both mediums, as well as the themes of social and political commentary. I will argue that the Wicked franchise is an example of effectively appealing to both separate and concurrent audiences. The use of the two opposing mediums serves as an example of the repurposing of an aesthetic, literary text to create a more popular, accessible text.

Reflections of students on the Kentucky Honors Roundtable

“This year Kentucky Honors Roundtable was held in Murray, KY at Murray State University. WKU sent 8 Honors students to present research to the conference consisting of Honors programs from University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Eastern Kentucky University, Northern Kentucky University, Morehead State University, and Kentucky State College. Topics ranged from religious studies to micro-biology to studies on autism, ancient peoples, endangered wildlife and everything in between. I was looking forward to adding a presentation to my resume, but I was not necessarily looking forward to the conference. I did not even know most of the people attending from WKU! However, my perspective changed over the weekend. I enjoyed bonding with my WKU Honors peers over silly car ride conversations, poking fun at the high “quality” of our hotel, guessing what dinner would be or what “gargantuan game night” may possibly entail. Besides that, I met some really fantastic students from other Honors programs across the state. Their research was so interesting! Not only had I not even considered such topics, but they were very professionally executed and presented. All the same, WKU came home with the win (at least we think so). Presenting my own research was very good experience. I received much positive feedback from my WKU Honors peers as well as students from other universities. It was a good confidence booster, even though I was incredibly nervous leading up to my presentation, gulping down Powerade and trying not to look to sweaty. I think that KHR is something every Honors student should experience and enjoy. Without it, I would never have met or gotten to know some of the most incredible people I have met in college.”  – Bo Armstrong

“My experience at the Kentucky Honors Roundtable at Murray State University was my first time presenting an academic work. I would definitely recommend it to anyone, and I wish that I had done it sooner it my academic career. It was great to present my work for an overwhelmingly accepting community of people. Furthermore, I enjoyed being able to meet other WKU Honors students and discuss our campus-wide research projects.” – Amanda Adams

• To be published in the journal Frontiers in Bioscience
• Title: Bactericidal Activity of Starch-Encapsulated Gold Nanoparticles
• Abstract: We report the bactericidal applications of eco-friendly starch encapsulated gold nanoparticles (St-AuNPs). The mechanism of interaction of the properly characterized St-AuNPs with both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria were investigated using spread plate assay, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and fluorescent propidium iodide (PI) exclusion assay. The St-AuNPs were found to possess significant dose dependent antibacterial activity against both types of bacteria. St-AuNPs at 1.2 mg/mL caused 98 % eradication of Gram positive bacteria that was exposed over a period of 12 h.  Similarly, 4.8 mg/mL St-AuNPs caused 98 % eradication of Gram negative bacteria over a period of 12h. The St-AuNPs are biocompatible and present a useful solid porous carbohydrate-based polymer vehicle with excellent antimicrobial activity against both Gram negative and positive bacteria.
• Dillon on his background & future plans: “I am originally from Elizabethtown, KY where I graduated high school in Spring 2009, then began attending Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC). By attending ECTC I became the first member of my family to attend college. I graduated from ECTC with Associate degrees in Science and in Art in Spring 2011. I then transferred to WKU the summer after I was part of the WKU REU program, where I first met my research advisor Dr. Raja and first became involved with research. I will graduate from WKU this upcoming Spring 2013 with my BS in Chemistry and Biology. I have been accepted to the University of Louisville School of Medicine and plan on attending next Fall in 2013.”

Nate Hovee is currently studying at Yeditepe University in Instanbul, Turkey, as part of a WKU international exchange program. Nate will graduate from the Honors College this spring with majors in theater and broadcasting. This is his fourth study abroad program.

Please see his fantastic photos & reflections on his experience below.

Proud to represent WKU on Yeditepe University’s campus (Asian side of Istanbul)

Visitors to Hagia Sophia, Istanbul’s most famous ancient mosque (now a national museum), admire the numerous chandeliers adorning the main hall.

Inside Hagia Sophia. The immensity and beauty (not to mention the long history) of this ancient mosque draw thousands of visitors daily in Istanbul’s “Old City.”

Looking toward the Blue Mosque from the colorful domes of Hagia Sophia

While exploring “Old City” Istanbul, I stopped briefly in Mehmet Akif Ersoy Park. In the background, The Sultanahmet Mosque, commonly referred to as the “Blue Mosque” for its richly colored ceiling tiles, rises above the ancient city.

Turkish residents enjoy a conversation in the park near Hagia Sophia

The Blue Mosque (as seen from the balcony of Hagia Sophia)

A beautiful evening in the park of “Old City” Istanbul

Honors Experience in Turkey: Invigorating Istanbul by Nate Hovee

From the moment I arrived in Istanbul, Turkey, two months ago for the start of my international exchange program at Yeditepe University, I have been amazed at just how much this sprawling city of over 15 million people has to offer. From its rich culture and history to the delicious food, awe-inspiring architecture, colorful festivals, and welcoming Turkish citizens, Istanbul is very much an “alive” metropolitan community with so much to offer to any international student.

As an Honors broadcasting and theatre double-major, I am currently studying film production, visual communication, and acting at Yeditepe University, one of the largest academic institutions in the country. One great aspect of my educational experience at Yeditepe is the amount of customized film, media, and photography projects I’m able to carry out around Istanbul. This invigorating city (the entire country, for that matter) has become my classroom with limitless opportunities to stretch my creative mind and skills.

Being in a foreign place with an unfamiliar  culture and language is not easy, but that challenge is something I truly love about studying abroad. My experiences thus far in Turkey have repeatedly pushed me outside of my comfort zone, but I realize at that point, I really begin to learn, appreciate, and even genuinely enjoy the unexpected encounters and opportunities thousands of miles away from the “safety net” of my own culture. The thrill and adventure in not knowing what to expect on a daily basis (and the amount I learn not only academically, but personally in the process) continue to make my international exchange program in Turkey one of the best experiences as a WKU WorldTopper.

Nearly 80 research projects by WKU students and faculty members were presented recently at 98^th annual Kentucky Academy of Science meeting.

Twenty WKU undergraduate and graduate students received awards for their oral and poster presentations during the Oct. 19-20 meeting in Richmond. (More: The 2012 program is available online.)

Dr. Nancy Rice, associate professor of biology, was a member of the 2012 symposium panel discussion on “Engaging Students in Global Health Research.” Dr. Rice’s topic was “Integrating Undergraduates in Substantive Global Health Research Projects: Lessons from Kenya,” which provided information on WKU’s Partners in Caring: Medicine in Kenya program.

Steve Hume, director of Process Science at Kentucky BioProcessing in Owensboro, presented a lecture on “Cytokines: Expressions, Purification, and Evaluation of Its Secretion Mechanism.” KBP specializes in the production of therapeutic protein candidates including monoclonal antibodies, anti-viral proteins, and vaccines using tobacco as the production host. Hume is pursuing a master’s degree in chemistry from WKU.

Since 1913, the Kentucky Academy of Science meeting has provided a venue for Kentucky’s scientists and student scientists to publicly present their research. Approximately 800 individuals attended the 2012 meeting co-hosted by Eastern Kentucky University and Berea College.

WKU undergraduate and student award winners in the student research competitions included the following:

Undergraduate Oral Presentations

Cellular And Molecular Biology

• Third place: Charles Coomer, a senior biology major from Louisville, Classification of Bacteriophages using Polymerase Chain Reaction: An Alternative to Complete Genome Sequencing

Geography

• First place: Ryan Difani, a senior meteorology major from Pocahontas, Ark., A Case Study of a Rare Long-Track EF-3 Tornado in Eastern Kentucky
• Second place: Emily Yates, a junior meteorology major from Brentwood, Tenn., March 9 Hawaii Kona Low System Case Study
• Third place: Ellen Green, a Gatton Academy student from Henderson, Karst Stormwater Regulation under the Safe Drinking Water and Clean Water Acts

Geology

• First place: Michael Powers, a senior geology major from Bowling Green, Melt Inclusions in Olivine in the Martian Meteorite NWA 5789: Methods, Bulk Composition and Evolution
• Second place: Charles Hancock, a senior geology major from Frankfort, Identification of Metamorphic Grade and Characterization of Gold Deposits from the Rochford Formation of Southwestern South Dakota

Undergraduate Poster Presentations

Ecology and Environmental Science

• First place: Melissa Smith, a Gatton Academy student from Guthrie, Does ecology promote sexual dimorphism in the Pecos pupfish (Cyprinodon pecosensis)?

Microbiology

• First place: Donna Williams, a sophomore biochemistry major from Bowling Green, A Tripartite Association Between an Insect, an Endosymbiont and a Parasite

Graduate Oral Presentations

Agricultural Sciences

• Third place: Dan Sandor of Bowling Green, Cultivar, Mowing Height, and Herbicide Effects on Bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon, Suppression in Tall Fescue, Schedonorus phoenix

Cellular and Molecular Biology

• Third place: Julia Freeman of Eddyville, Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms linked to Essential Hypertension in Kasigau, Kenya

Chemistry

• Second place: Jason Young of Owensboro, The Synthesis and Characterization of Some Thallium Cyclopentadienide Salts

Computer And Information Sciences

• First place: Elizabeth Tyrie of Glasgow, A Streamlined Utility for Universal DTI Analysis building on the Medical Image Processing and Visualization (MIPAV) application

Ecology and Environmental Science

• Third place: Kevin Tewell of Bowling Green, Landscape genetics of the marbled salamander, Ambystoma opacum (Gravenhorst), in a nationally protected park

Geography

• First place: Gilman Ouellette of Hawley, Pa., Reconstructing Climate Change in the Caribbean to Address Water Resource Issues on Karst Islands
• Second place: Jeremy Young of Bowling Green, Teleconnective Influences on the Strength of Post-tropical Cyclones in the United States

Geology

• Second place: Rachel Bowles of Bowling Green, A comprehensive analysis of the relationship between ostracode shell chemistry, pore morphology, and host water chemistry in Bahamian lake systems: to build confidence in the use of ostracodes as paleoenvironmental indicators

Health Sciences

• First place: Chandra Pranav of Bowling Green, Therapeutic Role of Natural Coconut Oil in Experimental Ulcerative Colitis

Microbiology

• First place: Shawn Smiley of Bowling Green, Genome Assembly and Syntenic Analysis of Clostridium scatologenes ATCC 25775

Psychology

• Second place: Tara Holaday of Bowling Green, Habituation to the fear of pain and death: A significant link between physical abuse and self-injurious behavior

Zoology

• Third place: Emily McIntire of Indianapolis, Evaluating Personality and Leadership in African Elephants (Loxodonta africana)

Contact: Bruce Kessler, (270) 745-4449.

(Source: WKU News, Nov 1, 2012)

WKU President Gary Ransdell and the Confucius Institute hosted a dinner that celebrated the accomplishments of all Hanban Chinese teachers for academic year 2012-2013.

WKU President Gary Ransdell and the Confucius Institute hosted a dinner on Oct. 30 to celebrate the accomplishments of Hanban Chinese teachers. From left are Chinese teachers Peng Yin, Lu Xiangyu and Allen County Superintendent Randall Jackson.

The staple program for the Confucius Institute is its Hanban Chinese teacher program.  During its inaugural year 2010-2011, 11 teachers taught in 11 schools in three Kentucky counties; during the second year 2011-2012, 23 teachers taught in 21 schools in six counties; this academic year 2012-2013, 33 teachers are teaching in 41 schools in 12 counties.  This is a 43.48 percent increase from last year and a 200 percent increase since the inaugural year.

As the program grows, the major issue expressed by the school districts is to have certified teachers in middle school and high school, since the Chinese language class is for a grade. Thus, the CI at WKU was faced with the task of determining how to obtain certification within the state of Kentucky and sought assistance from WKU’s College of Education and Behavioral Sciences to accomplish this goal.  The CI’s job was to ensure that the most qualified individuals were selected.

The process started in April 2012 when WKU education faculty members Dr. Kay Gandy and Dr. Lisa Murley traveled to China to assist the Hanban Chinese teachers with developing their own portfolios. Once the portfolios were approved in August, Ellen Gott submitted the Hanban teachers’ application to Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board.  As of September 2012, all 17 teachers received Kentucky Professional Certificates for Teaching Chinese K-12^th from EPSB. These teachers are now the teacher of record in the Kentucky school systems.

On Oct. 30, Dr. Ransdell hosted a dinner honoring all Hanban teachers. Dr. Ransdell also recognized the 17 Kentucky certified Chinese Hanban teachers and presented them with awards documenting their achievement.

While the accomplishments of the program are grand, it means nothing without the commitment and sacrifice from the 33 Chinese Hanban teachers who left behind families and friends to come and teach in the United States. There are transitions that take place that most do not see, nor understand behind the scenes. China is a populated country, and many of the Hanban Chinese teachers are teaching in rural counties. The CI at WKU is proud that they were able to acclimate so quickly to the American culture, the teaching demands and school structure. The Hanban Chinese teachers have successfully managed all this with the support of their school district personnel, colleagues, host families and newfound American friends.

The WKU-CI and Hanban, China’s Ministry of Education, work to promote understanding of the Chinese language and culture through children’s programming, training courses, cultural workshops and community events. Together, these organizations have introduced fully articulated K-16 instruction in Modern Standard Chinese into local school systems, serve as a regional center for Chinese teacher training and Chinese curriculum development, and build connections and partnerships between Kentucky and China.

Contact: Betty Yu, (270) 745-2836; or Terrill Martin, (270) 745-2530.

(Source: WKU News, Nov 2, 2012)

Arete contribution submitted Erika Brown

Scarecrows created by several members of the Bowling Green community were on display on the natural walking trails at Lost River Cave. The exhibition, comprised of over 40 scarecrows, was available to the public form October 6^th-October 31^st. The Honors College at WKU contributed their creation, a WKU-themed scarecrow channeling the painting American Gothic by 20^th century artist Grant Wood, to the seasonal event. The Honors Club at WKU visited the scarecrows with Dr. Craig Cobane.

(Source: Honors Headlines, Nov 1, 2012)

The ALIVE Center offers a number of internships for students wanting to get experience or needing internship credit for their degree program. Some of our internships include: Communications & Marketing, Service-Learning, Community Partnerships, Multicultural Services, and Digital Media & Design. The internship descriptions are listed on our website at http://www.wku.edu/alive/internships.php. We are asking for resumes and cover letters by November 14th. We are also looking for students for our Student Advisory Board. All of the information is on our website. Please share this information with any student that you believe may be interested.

(Email from Aurelia Spalding, Communications & Marketing Coordinator, WKU ALIVE Center for Community Partnerships)

For the first series of fantastic photos & Nate’s reflections, please click here.

The sun radiates through the twisting trees of Büyükada Island (a few miles off the coast of Istanbul, Turkey)

The beautiful shoreline of Büyükada Island and the surrounding Marmara Sea

Carriage ride on the Büyükada Island, the largest of the nine Princes’ Islands in the Marmara Sea. Other than biking or walking, this is the only form of transportation allowed on the islands.

A trip to Büyükada Island in Turkey’s Marmara Sea takes any visitor back in time. Victorian-era houses and carriages keep history alive on this secret gem just outside of Istanbul.

A ferry takes visitors across the Bosphorus Straight in Istanbul. This popular form of public transportation connects Europe and Asia, with each ride taking approximately 15 minutes.

The Blue Mosque rises above Istanbul’s Old City

Inside Hagia Sophia

As day turns to night, lights throughout Istanbul’s Old City illuminate the beautiful architecture from centuries past.

The facade of the Library of Celsus (built by the Romans in the 2nd century AD) stands strong in Ephesus, Turkey

A hike along the southern coast of the Black Sea, just outside of Istanbul, Turkey

While exploring ancient ruins in Bergama, Turkey, a Yeditepe student stops for a photo opportunity

WKU’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present Urinetown, an uproarious musical of greed, corruption and love, set in a future after a 20-year drought. A single malevolent company profits by charging admission for one of humanity’s most basic needs. Amid the chaos a hero rises to lead the revolution!

This “Un-musical” directed by Professor Scott Stroot will have you laughing out loud as it makes fun of politicians, big business, its own title and even other musicals.

“I personally like this musical a lot; it’s very funny and theatrically entertaining, but also smart, and politically sharp,” Stroot said. “It’s a Tour de Force through musical styles; it’s a whole lot of fun to work on this loving send-up of theatrical composers, from Kurt Weill to Stephen Sondheim, and it will be a whole lot of fun for the audience too!”

Assistant Professor Tracey Moore, who is providing music direction for Urinetown, commented on the humor in the show. “Inside jokes about West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, and all the corny love-stories that you find in musicals are all there in the songs and story of Urinetown,” Moore said.

Sarah Hall, a sophomore from Dawson Springs, plays the heroine Hope.  She was drawn to the show because of its humor.  “I wanted to be in this show because I love how it’s able to combine comedy and quirkiness with such an important message. Not only are you being entertained, you’re seeing what our future could hold if we aren’t careful,” she said.

Urinetown plays Nov. 8-13 in Russell Miller Theatre, located in WKU’s Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center. Show times are 8 p.m. Nov. 8-10 and Nov. 12-13 and 3 p.m. Nov. 11. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students.

More than 15,000 people were entertained by the WKU Department of Theater and Dance last year.  The department presents more than 20 productions every year including four Mainstage theatre productions, two Mainstage dance concerts, three student-choreographed dance concerts, a Children’s Theatre Series, a Studio Series of student-directed works, a Before Broadway Series featuring a staged reading of a new musical, and a Next Stage Series of showcases and works in progress.  More information about the WKU Department of Theatre & Dance can be found online at www.wku.edu/theatre-and-dance or by calling (270) 745-5845.

Contact: Julie Pride, (270) 779-2560.

(Source: WKU News, Nov 1, 2012)

WKU forensics team members traveled to Peoria, Ill., to compete in a tournament hosted by Bradley University the weekend of Nov. 3-4.

The Bradley tournament is the largest of the fall semester, with more than 1,200 entries, and is one of the two largest invitational tournaments of the entire season. WKU was crowned team sweepstakes champion, ahead of 46 other schools, including George Mason University, University of Alabama, Illinois State University, North Central College, Eastern Michigan University, Miami University, Marshall University and University of Texas at Austin. In all, WKU team members secured five individual events championships and 44 other awards.

“This is a big win, and I’m very proud of the work these students have invested so far this year,” said Dr. Jace Lux, WKU Director of Forensics. “This is the largest tournament of the semester, and a great opportunity to face some of the best teams from across the country.”

WKU Provost Dr. Gordon Emslie also traveled to Peoria to watch the team in action and was impressed with the team’s efforts. “It was an honor and a privilege to witness the world-class WKU forensics team in action at the Norton tournament. The team members performed magnificently, and the strong team spirit was evident from start to finish. I congratulate the students, the coaches, and Forensics director Jace Lux on their success, and I look forward to even greater achievements at both national and international levels in the future.”

This weekend, WKU will host a high school forensics tournament on campus while sending a small squad to compete at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.

Results from the 65th Annual L.E. Norton Bradley Invitational are as follows:

• Paige Settles, a freshman from Floyds Knobs, Ind., tournament champion in novice impromptu speaking, third in novice communication analysis and fifth in novice extemporaneous speaking.
• Meg Cox, a freshman from The Woodlands, Texas, tournament champion in novice informative speaking and fourth in novice prose interpretation.
• Nick Gilyard, a junior from Miami Gardens, Fla., tournament champion in poetry interpretation and semifinalist in after-dinner speaking.
• Lindsey White, a junior from St. Paul, Minn., tournament champion in dramatic interpretation and quarterfinalist in prose interpretation.
• Ashton Garber, a freshman from Osprey, Fla., tournament champion in novice poetry interpretation.
• Tyler Dailey, a senior from Blue Springs, Mo., second in informative speaking, second in duo interpretation (with Austin Groves) and third in duo interpretation (with Tyler Rife).
• Lataya Williams, a freshman from Falcon Heights, Minn., second in novice poetry interpretation and second in novice persuasive speaking.
• Austin Groves, a sophomore from Blue Springs, Mo., second in duo interpretation (with Tyler Dailey) third in persuasive speaking, and quarterfinalist in prose interpretation.
• Brittany Broder, a freshman from St. Charles, Mo., second in novice duo interpretation (with John Winstead) and fifth in novice informative speaking.
• Alexis Elliott, a junior from Kansas City, Mo., second in impromptu speaking and semifinalist in extemporaneous speaking.
• Haddy Badjie, a freshman from Lewisville, Texas, second in novice informative speaking.
• John Winstead, a freshman from Goodlettsville, Tenn., second in novice duo interpretation (with Brittany Broder).
• Ray Roberts, a sophomore from Houston, Texas, third in dramatic interpretation, third in poetry interpretation and semifinalist in prose interpretation.
• Tyler Rife, a junior from Dayton, Ohio, third in duo interpretation (with Tyler Dailey) fifth in duo interpretation (with Elle Pratt) semifinalist in dramatic interpretation and quarterfinalist in prose interpretation.
• Elle Pratt, a junior from Fullerton, Calif., third in informative speaking and fifth in duo interpretation (with Tyler Rife).
• Janniqua Dawkins, a sophomore from Hollywood, Fla., fourth in communication analysis.
• Marshall Covert, a junior from St. Paul, Minn., fourth in prose interpretation.
• Jasmine Jones, a freshman from Elizabethtown, fourth in novice persuasive speaking.
• Rebekah Hall, a freshman from Des Moines, Iowa, sixth in novice extemporaneous speaking.
• Layton Garlington, a junior from Ruston, La., semifinalist in dramatic interpretation, semifinalist in duo interpretation (with Tiffany McLarty) and quarterfinalist in prose interpretation.
• Gabriella Devia-Allen, a junior from Davie, Fla., semifinalist in dramatic interpretation and quarterfinalist in prose interpretation.
• Jamaque Newberry, a sophomore from Tamarac, Fla., semifinalist in after-dinner speaking.
• Kristina Medero, a sophomore from Davie, Fla., semifinalist in informative speaking.
• Tyler Prochazka, a sophomore from Newton, Kan., semifinalist in impromptu speaking.
• Nefertiti Dukes, a sophomore from Miami Gardens, Fla., semifinalist in impromptu speaking.
• Tiffany McLarty, a sophomore from Bronx, N.Y., semifinalist in duo interpretation (with Layton Garlington).
• Ian Dowty, a sophomore from Valley Center, Kan., quarterfinalist in prose interpretation.

Contact: Jace Lux, (270) 745-6340.

(Source: WKU News, Nov 5, 2012)

Trailer

Source: Chuck Mason, Bowling Green Daily News, Nov 3, 2012

The Society for Values in Higher Education is moving from Portland State University in Oregon to Cherry Hall at WKU, said Eric Bain-Selbo, executive director of the SVHE for the past two years and head of the Department of Philosophy and Religion at WKU.

Rachid Abou Abdellah, Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant for Arabic in the Department of Modern Languages at WKU, will give a campuswide talk about his native country of Morocco at 4 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 8) at WKU’s Faculty House. A reception will follow.

Abou Abdellah was born in Tiznit City, Morocco. He has been teaching secondary English in the city of Es-semara for the past seven years. He has been an active member of SATE, the Smara Association of Teachers of English, which aims to improve the level of English of secondary students in schools in Rabat, Morocco.

Abou Abdellah’s presentation is titled Morocco: Country of Diversity and Co-Existence. Over the years, different ethnicities have grown to live together in harmony in Morocco. His talk will address how the co-existence of the diverse groups has influenced many aspects of Moroccan culture. In his presentation, he will address the diversity of Moroccan cuisine, music, celebrations, and much more.

Abou Abdellah teaches in the Arabic Program at WKU. Beginning and Intermediate levels of Arabic are offered every year. The department is in the process of expanding Arabic course offerings. For information about studying Arabic at WKU, contact Assistant Professor of Arabic Dr. David Dimeo at david.dimeo@wku.edu or (270) 745-6408.

American students who wish to spend a year abroad teaching English after graduation may apply for an Fulbright English Language Teaching Assistantship. Contact Dr. Melinda Grimsley-Smith in the Office of Scholar Development at melinda.grimsley-smith@wku.edu or (270) 745-3170 to learn about this and other scholarship-based opportunities abroad before and after graduation.

Study abroad opportunities in Morocco are listed on the study abroad web page at www.wku.edu/studyabroad. Make an appointment with a study abroad advisor at study.abroad@wku.edu or by calling (270) 745-3970.

This event is sponsored by the Department of Modern Languages at WKU.

Contact: Dr. Laura McGee, (270) 745-2401.

(Source: WKU News, Nov 2, 2012)

• Digital image poster by artist Dalton Rowe (WKU’12)
• Updates on Facebook
• The performance features Honors student Sarah Brazier
  
• Please note: The performance contains strong language & violent subject matter

A scene from the rehearsal

The current project is Sena’s CE/T project and is being funded in part by a generous Faculty Undergraduate Student Engagement (FUSE) Grant.

Description

The Corporate Surrealists of America, under the direction of Honors student Joel Sena, present JUMAH COLA TIME TO DRINK, an original play by the director.

The Corporate Surrealists of America is a group of artists from many disciplines and corners of the playground that have come together to create original, aesthetically radical performances free of institutional guidance.

The piece is a shocking, fierce poetic drama that draws from the writings of Rudyard Kipling and unpublished Iraq War memoirs. It cuts unflinchingly to the magmatic core of a nation’s expanding military, moral, and economic boot set firmly in the puddle of the world–its dwindling water supply.

Jumah, an angry, self-hating, and abused Muslim-American soldier fighting in a fictional American occupation of India, looks to a mysterious activist in an American military prison for solace and guidance. The woman, fighting peacefully for the return of her country’s stolen water resources from the hands of war-mongering cola barons and vampiric neo-liberals, prophesies every single unpleasant detail of Jumah’s imminent death. The Prometheus story reverses. Jumah’s final act on earth, a gift of water to the fellow soldier who will end up his murderer, proves to be the secret, quiet gesture of beauty, courage, and sacrifice that is always at hand in a world brutal, odious, and ablaze.

Students!

• access course evaluations through Nov 20 here: http://wku.evaluationkit.com
• more info: online course evaluations website
• if you complete all your course evaluations, you will:
• 1. have access to fall semester grades as soon as they are entered into TopNet beginning Dec 3 (vs. Dec 19)
• 2. be entered into a Dec 3 drawing that includes 3 iPads, 10 book scholarships worth $250 & 40 WKU Store gift cards worth $25

WKU moves to online course evaluations

WKU is saving 150,000 sheets of paper and 12,000 envelopes by moving course evaluations online.

Tuesdi Helbig, director of the Office of Institutional Research, said the move to online evaluations started with the University Senate. Following the Provost’s approval of the Senate’s recommendation in May, WKU created a pilot project to begin fall 2012.

Course evaluations give students the opportunity to provide faculty with feedback on their teaching effectiveness. The information, which is anonymous and goes to the faculty member and department head, is also used in the annual evaluation and tenure and promotion process, Helbig said.

In the past, students completed paper evaluations that were then transcribed, scanned and compiled, meaning the information wasn’t available to faculty until February.

“This will help save a lot of time, effort and paper,” she said, adding reports will be available to faculty and department heads on Jan. 4.

The information obtained through the evaluations is important to assuring and improving faculty effectiveness in the classroom, she said, so several incentives have been built into the process.

Students who complete all of their course evaluations will have access to fall semester grades as soon as they are entered into TopNet beginning Dec. 3, while others will have access beginning Dec. 19. They will also be entered into a Dec. 3 drawing that includes three iPads, 10 book scholarships worth $250 and 40 WKU Store gift cards worth $25.

Students can access the evaluations through Nov. 20 by going to wku.evaluationkit.com and logging on with their WKU NetIDs and passwords.

“Faculty can also check their response rates online,” Helbig said. “They can’t see who has filled them out, but they can see how many have completed them.”

More information is available from the online course evaluation website.

Contact: Tuesdi Helbig, (270) 745-3250.

(Source: WKU News, Nov 7, 2012)

Thu & Fri, Nov 8-9, 2012, Knicely Conference Center, WKU, Bowling Green, KY

The Kentucky Engagement Conference is planned each year by the host school with the assistance of the state-wide planning committee consisting of representatives from the eight universities across the state of Kentucky (WKU, EKU, NKU, Murray, Morehead, Louisville, UK, and KSU), Ky Campus Compact, the Council on Postsecondary Education, and the Kentucky’s Secretary of State’s office. The conference is held to bring together academic administrators and faculty to share best practices and learn about trending ideas related to community engagement, service learning, civic health, community-based research, and related topics.

• Today, Thu, Nov 8, 4pm, Honors College
• Topics: course syllabus, itinerary, costs & how to earn Honors credit

In summer 2013 there will be a two-week study abroad program in England where students can earn Honors Colloquia credit (HON 300) or Honors credit in English 399 or Religious Studies 399.  Taught by Dr. Clay Motley and Dr. Larry Snyder, students will actively learn about England’s rich religious history and contemporary religious culture through exploring such beautiful and significant locations as Harlaxton, London, Oxford, York, and Whitby.  The class will explore prehistoric stone circles, Roman ruins, Saxon churches, medieval cathedrals, and contemporary mosques and temples in order to better understand how the English have defined, fought over, and sought the divine.

If you can not make this information session or if you have an immediate questions about the program, then please contact Dr. Motley (clay.motley@wku.edu) or Dr. Snyder (lawrence.snyder@wku.edu) to discuss the program individually at a time that works for you.

You can learn more information about the course now and begin the enrollment process at the following link: http://www.wku.edu/flsa/programs/englandhonors2013.php