Spring semester begins today. Please participate in Week of Welcome by wearing your blue T-shirt and/or your crimson “ask me” badge. Try to make yourself available to students at passing times. Remember you can refer students to the Week of Welcome canopy near the library if they ask questions you can’t answer.

Jake Bredstrand joined WSU Vancouver Jan. 6 as the assistant director of development in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Jake is an ’11 Pullman graduate and former ASWSU president. He previously worked in WSU Athletics and most recently held a fundraising position at Gonzaga University.

Jake can be found in the Dengerink Administration Building, Room 203 and can be reached 6-9501 or by email.

Since installation was completed in December, you may have noticed five small-scale wind turbines turning atop 30-foot poles near the 50th Avenue entrance to campus. Students in the School of Engineering and Computer Science’s renewable energy option use the wind turbines in design projects. They are examining the turbines’ mechanical and electrical performance, and looking for ways to design improved blades. In addition, the turbines generate a small amount of power to charge batteries for teaching purposes.

9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Jan. 20
Firstenburg Student Commons
RSVP

The theme for this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is Women and Poverty: Dispelling the Myths and Breaking the Cycle. Desiree Hellegers, associate professor of English, will be the keynote speaker. Desiree is the author of “No Room of Her Own: Women’s Stories of Homelessness, Life, Death, and Resistance.”

In addition to the keynote, the MLK Day of Service event will include music, poetry and hands-on service projects to benefit local organizations that serve women and children. The first 80 guests to arrive will receive an MLK Day of Service T-shirt.

The spring Involvement Fair will be held 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22 and 23 in the Firstenburg Student Commons. The fair provides an opportunity for student organizations, colleges, departments and offices that offer students ways to get involved with the campus community to exhibit. If you are looking for student volunteers, student workers or you advise a student club, consider participating. To reserve a table, contact Nikki Hinshaw, student activities director, at 6-9465 by Jan. 20.

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Jan. 25
Gray Parking Lot #5

Learn how to prune and care for your fruit trees at a free on-campus workshop. Dan Franek from NW Organic Land Care will lead the workshop. The Garden Club and Facilities Operations are co-hosting this event. If you have questions, please send an email.

Noon - 1 p.m. Jan. 27
Dengerink Administration Building, Room 129

Use of the library is increasing and more seating would be useful. WSU Vancouver has asked SRG Architects to come up with a series of plans that could increase seating and make better use of the space available. Come see the possibilities during the open house. The architects and members of the planning committee will be present and your feedback is welcome.

11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Jan. 28 and 29
Firstenburg Student Commons

Almost $2.5 million was left on the table in 2013 by WSU Vancouver students who filed their FAFSA late. The FAFSA Feed was launched four years ago as a means to increase the number of current students who file the FAFSA on time. And it’s working. Two years ago 33 percent of WSU Vancouver students filed late. Last year 19 percent filed late. But we can still do better. In 2013, 248 students missed out on an award that averaged $10,000. That’s huge!

Please take a minute to mention the FAFSA Feed in your class or remind your student employees to attend. In addition to filing the FAFSA, students can learn about available scholarships, take an essay-writing workshop, attend a financial literacy workshop and eat pizza.

The Office of Student Involvement is currently accepting nominations for three, 2014 Distinguished Woman of the Year awards. Nominees and award winners will be recognized at the annual Women of Distinction event on March 27 in celebration of Women’s History Month, observed each year in March.

Distinguished Woman of the Year awards recognize women in our community who have mentored, inspired or empowered others. These are women who have made a difference in Southwest Washington. OSI is seeking nominees in three categories:

• WSU Vancouver students
• High school students
• Community members

Nominations will be accepted through Feb. 21. Recipients will be selected by a committee. Learn more and nominate a deserving woman.

If you have questions, please contact Nikki Hinshaw, student activities director, at 6-9465.