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Campus FYI for 4/18A newsletter for WSU Vancouver faculty and staff. |
Gretchen Rollwagen-Bollens receives 2016 Students’ Award for Teaching ExcellenceEach year the Students’ Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes a faculty member who commits time outside of the classroom to prevent students from falling through the cracks, demonstrates an enthusiasm for the subject matter, and instills enthusiasm and passion in students. This year students selected Gretchen Rollwagen-Bollens, associate clinical professor in the College of Arts and Sciences. “She is inspirational, encouraging and a really strong example of a successful woman in science,” a student wrote in nominating Gretchen for the award. “She makes it a priority to get students interested in what they are learning.” As a teacher, Gretchen seeks to impart not only the subject matter but also three interrelated principles: the scientific process of observation, questioning and evidence-based conclusions; collaboration with others to gain multiple insights and expertise; and critical thinking. “I believe the teaching of science must mirror the conduct of science,” she said. Gretchen teaches both undergraduate and graduate classes and also leads a new National Science Foundation grant that brings undergraduates from around the region to WSU Vancouver to conduct summer research with faculty in the School of the Environment. 
Valenter recognized as Woman of InfluenceVice Chancellor for Finance and Operations Lynn Valenter was honored as one of the Portland Business Journal’s 2016 Women of Influence last Thursday. Honorees represent women from every industry and profession who have made a difference in their communities, are blazing a trail and leaving a mark on the region. Twenty-five women were honored. The Portland Business Journal selected Lynn from among more than 200 applicants because she “subscribes to the notion that there isn’t just one path that leads to success. She leaves the door open and brings an experienced hand to the financial helm of WSU.” This is the 13th year the Portland Business Journal has recognized local business women. Winners are women who are compelling, affect change and represent their positions with unwavering devotion, knowledge and grace. Congratulations, Lynn! 
NW Noggin takes its roadshow to Washington, D.C.NW Noggin, the neuroscience outreach group based at WSU Vancouver, has been invited to make a “Brains + Art” briefing to Congress in Washington, D.C., on April 27. Student and faculty scientists engaged in federally funded research on chronic pain, opiate addiction, hearing loss, adolescent brain development and other topics will discuss how science and art together can help inspire the next generation of scientists to tackle tough questions about the brain. They will also speak to Senate leaders about their efforts to excite K-12 students and the public about federal investment in research. NW Noggin volunteers are graduate and undergraduate students who develop their own collaborative, arts-integrated neuroscience outreach programs. The students come from WSU Vancouver, Portland State University and Oregon Health & Science University. The group is coordinated by WSU Vancouver instructors Bill Griesar and Jeff Leake. Sponsored by the American Brain Coalition in cooperation with the Congressional Neuroscience Caucus (co-chaired by Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rogers of Washington) and the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics (STEAM) Caucus (co-chaired by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici of Washington and Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York), the neuroscience briefings seek to promote understanding of how the brain develops, functions and ages. The briefing will reinforce the idea that the Pacific Northwest is a “neuroscience powerhouse,” as Blumenauer has called it. 
Add closed captioning to assigned YouTube videosFaculty, if you plan to assign YouTube videos that do not have closed captioning, IT, in collaboration with the Access Center, can caption videos to give students with disabilities equal access to course materials. Simply submit a closed caption request. Requests must be submitted no later than two weeks before the video is due in class. Closed captioning, as with other types of alternative print conversion, is labor intensive. Especially long videos may require more than two weeks’ notice. 
Spring brings babiesPlease drive cautiously and adhere to the speed limit on campus. More than one mama deer/fawn pair have been spotted on campus, and they don’t have the best road-crossing skills. There are a lot of rabbits, raccoons and other creatures milling about as well. Spring also brings out bikers, joggers, dog walkers and stroller pushers. Look out for our human friends, too. 
EventsCDP Kids’ Art Through June 10 Children in the Child Development Program preschool and kindergarten work with many techniques, tools and materials. There is no right or wrong way to do a project. The process is as important as the result. Some of the pieces were inspired by studying famous fine art paintings; others are examples of children exploring in a spontaneous and free manner. All of the art reflects children’s thoughts, feelings and expressions. Kindergarten art is in the library. Preschool art is in the basement of the Multimedia Classroom Building. 20th annual Student Art Exhibition Through June 30 Selected artworks originate from seven fine arts classes, including visual concepts, printmaking, digital media, photography, painting, drawing and sculpture. In these classes, students investigate the organization of form, the process of conceptual development and the value of a commitment to craft. Additional work from these classes and the fine arts program can be seen in the first floor hallway of the Multimedia Classroom Building. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. April 18 Kick off a week of Earth Day activities with a scavenger hunt. Earth Day Garden Club Repotting 1 – 2 p.m. April 18 Join the Garden Club in repotting the campus planters. Culture Café Lunchtime April 19 In recognition of Earth Week, enjoy vegan ratatouille with brown rice for $5.39. The soup, sold separately, will be vegan chili. 1 – 4 p.m. April 19 Attend workshops about community organizing, letter writing and how to effectively contribute your time to a cause. Gender Neutral Bathroom Week Town Hall Meeting 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. April 19 Offer feedback, ask questions and engage in civil discourse to help shape future gender diversity events. “Holding the ‘Thin Green Line:’ From Dirty Fossil Fuels to a Carbon Neutral Future” 4 – 6 p.m. April 19 Activists and community leaders who are working to keep the Pacific Northwest from becoming an export corridor for fossil fuels will talk about the history and future of organizing efforts and what’s at stake in the struggle to maintain the region’s reputation for environmental awareness. 2 – 3 p.m. April 20 Attend a ceremonial tree planting with honorary tree planters Daisy/Brownie Troupe #40275 from Evergreen School District. 3 – 4 p.m. April 20 Join Duncan Thomas as he shows us the edible plants that can be found on campus. Legacies of the Past in the Present 4 – 5 and 6 – 8 p.m. April 20 Hear indigenous students and community leaders speak at two panel sessions. The 4 – 5 p.m. session features students speaking on the issues they have encountered in higher education. The 6 – 8 p.m. session features a panel of local indigenous community leaders speaking about the ways past events continue to affect their everyday lives. Both sessions will engage the audience in the discussions. “The Politics of Science and Technology: Moving Toward Gender Equity and Social Justice” Noon – 1:15 p.m. April 21 Luz María Gordillo, associate professor and program leader, Department of Critical Culture, Gender and Race Studies, will present the final discussion in the 2016 Women’s Studies Lecture Series. 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. April 21 Join a day of talks about ecology, bees, recycling, gardening and other environmental issues. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. April 22 Discover earth-friendly community organizations and volunteer opportunities. 6 p.m. April 26 Hear Reinhardt speak about his new book, “The End of a Global Pox: America and the Eradication of Smallpox in the Cold War Era,” and how it examines the eradication program as a complex exercise of American power. For more information, contact Aaron Whelchel. Salmon Creek Journal Launch Party 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. April 27 Celebrate the release of the 2016 edition of the Salmon Creek Journal. Receive a free copy of the journal, which includes artwork, creative writing and performances by students, faculty and alumni. Enjoy free food, creative activities, guest speakers, performances, a chance to win raffle prizes and more. For more information, contact Julia Waters. Student Loan Repayment Workshop 1:10 – 2 p.m. April 27 Faculty and staff are invited to learn the ins and outs of student loan repayment. This workshop will offer insight into smart financial planning and outline options to save students money. Topics include student loan repayment and forgiveness, and public service loan forgiveness. The presentation will be given by Jacquie Carroll, Ed.D, AFC, $ALT. For more information, contact Liliya Yefimov. Cougs in the Community: May Day Flowers 2 – 4 p.m. May 1 Bring a ray of sunshine to Golden Grads by delivering May Day flowers. Volunteers are needed to assemble and prepare cards and flowers, pick up flowers and to deliver to one or two locations, or more if you’re willing. RSVP by email or call 360-546-9600. More details will be provided when you RSVP. |
WSU Vancouver In The NewsBrains, artwork merge for trip to D.C. By Susan Parrish WSU Vancouver hosts fossil fuels panel Washington State University Vancouver will host a panel discussion, “Holding the 'Thin Green Line:' From Dirty Fossil Fuels to a Carbon Neutral ... Community Calendar April 13 LEARN HOW TO select and develop new sales channels at Washington State University Vancouver's next Business Growth MAP Alliance forum on ... How Much Can Your Brain Actually Process? Don’t Ask. “Some (or most) noise may be signal we have not explained yet,” Alexander Dimitrov, a computational neuroscience and expert on information theory at Washington State University, Vancouver, wrote to me over email. “So for now ‘noise’ is an operational definition of ‘the stuff we don’t understand yet.’ ” 
RemindersNominate a notable alumna/alumnus through May 31 |
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