K-Statement

 

K-STATE BEGINS FIRST-YEAR SEMINARS Kansas State University is working to make the transition from high school to college easier by implementing first-year seminars: special classes for incoming freshmen that are capped at 22 students. A pilot study, which started this fall, will examine the feasibility and effectiveness of the first-year seminars program in enhancing the learning experience of first-year students at K-State. "K-State is a student-centered university, and the first-year seminars study aims to advance the academic success of our newest students and to help them with the transition to college-level learning and college life," said M. Duane Nellis, K-State provost and senior vice president. The pilot study consists of 16 sections of first-year seminar courses in five K-State colleges. It is being directed by Gregory Eiselein, professor of English and K-State's 2008-2009 Coffman Chair for University Distinguished Teaching Scholars, and Emily Lehning, assistant dean of student life and coordinator of new student programs. Students who were enrolled in a first-year seminar course this fall will be taking part in a survey at the end of the semester. The survey will help determine their level of engagement -- their involvement in the course work and campus life combined.   NOTEWORTHY   Jennifer Askey presented "Nursing and the Sickroom in 19th-Century German Fiction for Girls," Women Writers of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Conference Series, Sept. 5, Exeter College, Oxford University. More Noteworthy   On Campus - October   Oct. 13 Piano solo Guest pianist Solon Pierce will play at 7:30 p.m., All Faiths Chapel. Oct. 14 Provost's lecture series David Shulenburger will give a talk "Maintaining Affordability of Public Higher Education." 1:30-3 p.m., Fiedler Auditorium, Fiedler Hall. Oct. 15-19 'Once Upon A Mattress' K-State Theatre presents a production of "Once Upon A Mattress," a unique spin on "The Princess and the Pea." Performances are at 7:30 p.m., Nichols Theatre. The show will also make a run from Oct. 22-26. Oct. 19 The Capitol Steps will put the "mock" in democracy at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, as part of the McCain Performance Series. Call 532-6428 for ticket information. Oct. 16 Museum workshop "Talking about Art with Children" will teach adults how to help children tell stories with works of art. The cost is free, but reservations are requested. Childcare is available 6:30 p.m., Beach Museum of Art. Hispanic Heritage Month event "Loteria Night." Loteria is a form of Mexican bingo. The event will include music and door prizes. Admission is free. 6:30-9 p.m., K-State Union Station. Oct. 22 Poet laureate to lecture Poet Laureate of the United States Charles Simic will read from his work. 7:30 p.m., Forum Hall, K-State Student Union. Oct. 23 Art talk Arts Above the Arch talk by Steven Guarnaccia and Nora Krug. Guarnaccia and Krug, illustrators and associate professors at Parsons: The New School for Design, New York City, will talk about their work in the BLAB! exhibition. 5:30 p.m., Beach Museum of Art.

Building a brighter future

An effort to make Kansas State University not just a participant but a leader in the drive toward sustainable practices has created an on-campus conference scheduled for Jan. 23, 2009. Read more

 

A hard habit to break

There may be a very good reason why coffee and cigarettes seem to go hand in hand. A Kansas State University psychology professor's research suggests that nicotine's power may be in how it enhances other experiences. For a smoker who enjoys drinking coffee, the nicotine may make a cup of joe even better. Read more

 

UP CLOSE

Setting students on the right path

Madai Rivera sees herself in the students she helps bring to Kansas State University. Read more

 

 

PLAUDITS

 

KEEN IS FIRST TO EARN NEW CERTIFICATION

Julia Keen, an assistant professor in the department of architectural engineering and construction science, was recently notified that she passed the first ever certification examination for designation as a High-Performance Building Design Professional. She is the first engineering faculty member in the nation to achieve this designation.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers launched the certification program June 25. It is designed to recognize and promote environmentally friendly heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration design in new and existing buildings.

By earning this certification Keen now has an increased awareness and knowledge of environmentally friendly designs for new and existing buildings which she can incorporate in her classes in the department of architectural engineering and construction science.

This new certification program was developed in close collaboration with the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America and the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, and with input from the U.S. Green Building Council and the Green Building Initiative.

 

ADAMS ON BOARD OF MUSEUM TO BE HONORED

Earlier this week during a White House ceremony, First Lady Laura Bush conferred the National Medal for Museum and Library Service on the General Lew Wallace Study and Museum in Indiana. The award is the nation's highest honor for museums and libraries.

Roger Adams, associate professor and rare books librarian at K-State Libraries, serves on the museum's board of trustees.

"The award is indicative of the hard work and dedication of the museum's staff and volunteers," he said. "I am truly honored to be part of such an outstanding organization."

POINTS OF PRIDE K-State's Higuchi recipients named Christopher Sorensen, university distinguished professor of physics, and Larry Takemoto, university distinguished professor of biology, have received Higuchi-KU Endowment Research Achievement Awards. The awards honor outstanding research accomplishments by faculty at Kansas Board of Regents institutions and include a plaque and a $10,000 research grant.

 

 

OH, BY THE WAY

 

ASSESSMENT SHOWCASE IS OCT. 24

An Assessment Showcase planned for Oct. 24 will provide a morning workshop about assessment at K-State for new faculty and staff, and an afternoon session highlighting best-practice assessment efforts from across the university.

K-State's office of assessment exists to assist faculty and staff across campus develop ways to measure student learning in a meaningful and consistent way. During the showcase, the latest and most effective methods for assessment will be demonstrated.

The Assessment Showcase will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Oct, 24, at the K-State Student Union. For more information go to http://www.k-state.edu/assessment and click on the event flyer. Questions and reservations may also be directed to 532-5712 or assessment@k-state.edu

 

TECHNOLOGY OFFERINGS EXPANDING AT HALE LIBRARY

Fall 2008 brings new and exciting technology to Hale Library on the K-State campus.

The first of three collaborative technology carts has been installed on the second floor. The carts, supported by K-State Libraries and the Information and Technology Assistance Center, will help assist students working on group projects with a 37-inch LCD display, an audio splitter and connections for PC or Mac computers. Students and faculty can employ the cart for any collaborative purpose including research, projects and presentations.

K-State Libraries is also introducing two new 3M self-check stations in Hale Library. Located on the second floor near the circulation desk, the two stations provide quick and easy access to check out library materials without waiting in line, or when service desks are closed.

Assistance with any of the technologies mentioned is available from the Library Help Desk in Hale Library. For more information, contact the Help Desk at 532-7421 or email genref@k-state.edu.

 

WIND TURBINE TAKES TO THE AIR AT FIRE STATION

A Skystream wind turbine was recently installed near the fire station at Kimball and Denison Avenues. In addition to supplying electricity for the station and creating study opportunities for the K-State Wind Applications Center, the turbine is also a memorial to Luke Short, a K-State electrical engineering student who died earlier this year.

Once in service, the turbine will supply part of the fire station's electrical needs, said Ruth Douglas Miller, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering.

The fire station installation is part of a three-year Wind for Schools program that is placing similar turbines at five rural schools annually. The aim is to train young engineers for jobs in wind industry and to increase public awareness of wind power. It's financed by the National Renewable Energy Lab.

 

 

OPPORTUNITIES CLASSIFIED • A recording of classified job opportunities is available 24 hours a day on the Employment Information Line, 785-532-6271. • A list of employment opportunities is posted at www.k-state.edu/hr/ • For additional information, call 785-532-6277 or come to the Division of Human Resources in 103 Edwards Hall. Applications are accepted 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays. UNCLASSIFIED • A complete listing of vacancies can be seen at www.k-state.edu/affact/ • For additional information, call the office of affirmative action at 785-532-6220 or come by 214 Anderson Hall.