Melanie Anderson
Staff Writer
Dec. 2, 2004, Page 1
Picture your busiest day here at Doane. Now, take away your legs. How well would you do? Not sure? Neither was I, so I did exactly that- I took my legs right out from underneath me for 12 hours on my busiest day. What I discovered was not only an eye-opening experience, but also a frustrating, humbling and physically exhausting day. A day that left me thankful that I don’t have to spend every day at Doane in a wheelchair, because I don’t think I could do it.
I began my day at eight in the morning. I picked up a wheelchair in Nurse Kelly Jirovec’s office. According to the Jirovec, only one student on campus is currently wheelchair bound and that student has a motorized chair and a full time assistant.
I ran into my first difficulty when I tried to leave the building. There weren’t any buttons to open the doors. Looking around, I asked a person standing nearby to open the door and I was on the way.
My first class was in the Communications Building, on the bottom floor. I wheeled my way towards the one door into the building that isn’t either preceded or followed by a series of steps. I pressed the button to open the door near Heckman Auditorium and wheeled my way into a small hallway with a locked door. A service elevator sits behind that locked door, a service elevator that I only found out about by asking dozens of questions before my experiment.
In order to access the elevator, I had to ask a stranger in the hall to run down to the library and send someone up on the elevator to open the doors. The elevator is run by a key that only a few people have. The elevator is approximately four by five feet. My wheelchair wouldn’t fit going straight in, but turning it made it exceedingly difficult to get back out of it when the doors reopened on the bottom level in the library’s office.
My first class was in a lecture hall. I didn’t have any trouble getting into the class, but I had to remain in the very top row, unable to descend farther into the room because the only access is a set of stairs lining both sides of the room. So I simply plopped a book onto my lap and took my test on it. It was uncomfortable, but doable.
My next class was in Gaylord hall. I wheeled my way across campus on the sidewalks. I never fully appreciated the number of sloping hills between the two halls until that day. After almost ending up swimming with the swans, I finally learned how to control the chair going downhill. Going uphill was another story. If it wasn’t for the thoughtfulness of my fellow students, I never would have made it up several of the hills. Not only did I lack the upper arm strength to propel myself upward, but when I tried I almost tipped over backwards.
Gaylord Hall has a handicap accessible entrance. It is on the back of the building. In front of the door is a handicap parking space. A car was parked in that slot. I couldn’t get by it to get to the door. Other students had to help me get around it by tipping my chair up over the curb.
My next class was back in the Communications building and I made it back only by the good nature of some of my fellow students, especially Ebony Lawrence who gave me a much needed push when I was almost sure I was ready to give up and roll backwards down a hill and right into a tree. My Shakespeare class was in the same lecture hall as my earlier class. I prepared myself for another session of sitting too far away from the twelve students below me to hear the teacher’s voice, but I needn’t have done so; Robert Montgomery was in that class and didn’t feel it was fair for me to sit all that far away, so he came and picked me up and carried me down to a closer seat. This chivalrous and humorous, act left me smiling for quite some time.
By the end of the day I was completely exhausted. I barely made it back up the ramp to the Perry Campus Center at 9:00PM following my last class to turn the chair back in. It was so tempting about halfway across the Communications parking lot to just stand up and push, but I did stick it out to the very end.
There are several laws that are in place to protect individuals from discrimination because of physical ability. The Americans with Disabilities Act “prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, State and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications,” according to the ADA’s official website, www.ada.gov.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, goes beyond that to ensure that all schools that receive federal funds make it possible for every student to learn. Information on that law can be found at www.ed.gov.
The Architectural Barriers Act requires that new buildings must meet federal standards for accessibility, which Doane has done in its newer buildings and renovations like Whitcomb and Hansen. For more information on this act, contact the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division.
A few days after my experience I paid a visit to Doane’s vice president of finance, Pappy Khouri, to discuss the difficulties I encountered. After describing my experience to him and outlining the difficulties I had, Khouri went through the problems one at a time with me to explain what the college could or would be willing to do if a student was actually placed in the position I put myself in.
“We are prepared to accommodate students in that situation,” Khouri said. He went on to explain that because we are a small school, we are capable of rearranging schedules of classes to make things easier for students. For example, if a student had a class in the art building, the entire class could be moved into a different building.
There are solutions to the more difficult problems, like the situation in the Communications Building, in the works. Khouri explained that there is a five-year plan for the Communications Building in which a new elevator will be installed in the education workroom and which will go all the way up to the third floor.
Khouri went on to say that the art building situation could be remedied in as soon as two years if the funding comes through on the new education and art building. The college has almost reached the halfway mark on its funding goal for that building. After the new building is constructed the current plan is to raze the old art building.
Smaller issues, like the sidewalk entrances and soap dispensers were acknowledged by Khouri, and he assured me that he will look at it and that they will change it if they find the current situation lacking.
If any student on campus has a problem with access, Khouri is the one to go to. “I’d be the one to ultimately help,” Khouri said.
It isn’t only those in wheelchairs that find Doane to be difficult. Students like Amanda Brakhage, who wound up on crutches after a soccer injury, find the campus to be problematic as well.
“Getting around on crutches was very difficult,” Brakhage said, “Especially living in Sheldon with no elevator. Stairs were very difficult and somewhat dangerous but I really didn’t have a choice. The hills on campus were also very fun, those were always a joy going up while carrying my books. For the most part people were more than willing to help me out, as far as carrying my tray for meals & opening doors.”
It was the spirit of the people at Doane who made it all bearable for Brakhage.
“It was amazing to have complete strangers offer to help me out or just give me words of encouragement throughout the whole time,” Brakhage said.
There are people other than students that could have problems with the handicap accessibility at Doane. Some students have parents who visit and have trouble getting up to their child’s dorm rooms. Khouri said that this really couldn’t be helped right now, although he regrets that it is the way it is.
Showing posts with label Page 1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Page 1. Show all posts
Monday, May 7, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Radio reaches out
KDNE’s new show targeted at Crete
Jessica Amen
Staff Writer
Dec. 2, 2004, Page 1
The Doane radio station, 91.9 CORE FM, is reaching out to the community by broadcasting a radio show in Spanish.
Lee Thomas, CORE advisor, said that the show is not aimed toward student listeners. Although the Spanish show will have little impact on most Doane students, the goal is to serve the community of Crete.
“There is a large Hispanic population in and around Crete, and this is an effort to serve them.” Thomas said. “At the same time, it’s an opportunity for students in Spanish classes to practice the language and hone their skills.”
“Our intent is to provide some outreach to the community, to make them aware of what is going on at Doane, and to provide a service for them.” assistant Spanish professor Christy Hargesheimer said. “Of course, it would be nice to have Doane students also listen to it.”
There are two options for the name of the thirty minute show. These are “La Voz del Tigre”, which translates into “The Tiger’s Voice” or “El Tigre Habla”, which is “Tiger Talk”. During the academic year it will broadcast on Sundays at 2 pm.
The first two installments have included talk, music and announcements. Thomas said the content of the show is up to the Spanish language students who are co-producing it. Hargesheimer said she hopes eventually community members will be included in the program. She said this could be done through resident interviews and highlighting outstanding students at Crete High School.
“There has been some interest expressed by personnel at the high school who wish to be included, so perhaps we will be able to build on this,” Hargesheimer said.
“It’s a collaborative effort between a broadcasting class and a Spanish Conversation class,” Hargesheimer said. “It will give broadcasting students experience with production, and the Spanish students will get practice with public speaking as well as with researching cultural material.” She said the classes participating are Spanish 305 (Conversation and Composition) and Basic Audio Production.
“The program is stand-alone.” Thomas said. “That is, it doesn’t occur within someone’s ‘disk jockey’ show, so no CORE disc jockey is involved.
Because this type of show has never been experimented with at CORE, its longevity is unknown.
“We are learning by doing it,” Hargesheimer said. “It would be good to get it established as an ongoing program.”
Although promotion for the show is currently only word-of-mouth, Hargesheimer said eventually they will place announcements in local businesses, schools, and churches in Spanish
This isn’t the radio station’s first attempt to serve the community. The Sunday afternoon show, “Sunday Conversations”, sometimes includes discussions of issues that Crete and Saline County are facing.
“This is a part of an ongoing effort to get beyond CORE as a platform only for student disk jockeys talking to a Doane student audience,” Thomas said.
“We want Doane to be perceived as a welcoming place for Crete’s Hispanic population, and as a place young Hispanic students will one day want to study,” Hargesheimer said.
Jessica Amen
Staff Writer
Dec. 2, 2004, Page 1
The Doane radio station, 91.9 CORE FM, is reaching out to the community by broadcasting a radio show in Spanish.
Lee Thomas, CORE advisor, said that the show is not aimed toward student listeners. Although the Spanish show will have little impact on most Doane students, the goal is to serve the community of Crete.
“There is a large Hispanic population in and around Crete, and this is an effort to serve them.” Thomas said. “At the same time, it’s an opportunity for students in Spanish classes to practice the language and hone their skills.”
“Our intent is to provide some outreach to the community, to make them aware of what is going on at Doane, and to provide a service for them.” assistant Spanish professor Christy Hargesheimer said. “Of course, it would be nice to have Doane students also listen to it.”
There are two options for the name of the thirty minute show. These are “La Voz del Tigre”, which translates into “The Tiger’s Voice” or “El Tigre Habla”, which is “Tiger Talk”. During the academic year it will broadcast on Sundays at 2 pm.
The first two installments have included talk, music and announcements. Thomas said the content of the show is up to the Spanish language students who are co-producing it. Hargesheimer said she hopes eventually community members will be included in the program. She said this could be done through resident interviews and highlighting outstanding students at Crete High School.
“There has been some interest expressed by personnel at the high school who wish to be included, so perhaps we will be able to build on this,” Hargesheimer said.
“It’s a collaborative effort between a broadcasting class and a Spanish Conversation class,” Hargesheimer said. “It will give broadcasting students experience with production, and the Spanish students will get practice with public speaking as well as with researching cultural material.” She said the classes participating are Spanish 305 (Conversation and Composition) and Basic Audio Production.
“The program is stand-alone.” Thomas said. “That is, it doesn’t occur within someone’s ‘disk jockey’ show, so no CORE disc jockey is involved.
Because this type of show has never been experimented with at CORE, its longevity is unknown.
“We are learning by doing it,” Hargesheimer said. “It would be good to get it established as an ongoing program.”
Although promotion for the show is currently only word-of-mouth, Hargesheimer said eventually they will place announcements in local businesses, schools, and churches in Spanish
This isn’t the radio station’s first attempt to serve the community. The Sunday afternoon show, “Sunday Conversations”, sometimes includes discussions of issues that Crete and Saline County are facing.
“This is a part of an ongoing effort to get beyond CORE as a platform only for student disk jockeys talking to a Doane student audience,” Thomas said.
“We want Doane to be perceived as a welcoming place for Crete’s Hispanic population, and as a place young Hispanic students will one day want to study,” Hargesheimer said.
Prevent ID theft
Ashley Noel
Staff Writer
Dec. 2, 2004, Page 1
What’s in a name? More than what you may think.
It isn’t only an identity but a social security number, a source of credit, something that can cause havoc if in the wrong hands.
Doane students should be cautious with their personal information to protect themselves from identity theft.
Sophomore Vanessa Pingel discovered that even being careful with this information isn’t always fool-proof.
“I got a notice in the mail that my application for a credit card was denied, because I had opened up too many credit accounts,” she said. “I supposedly had opened a $1,800 account with a credit card company. I don’t know who they are or how they got my information in the first place.”
Pingel said she has spent a lot of time to fix the situation and is still in the process of finding out exactly what happened. She said that people probably don’t realize how easy it is to have their identity stolen.
“I think it is more common than people think,” she said. “I’m going to be more cautious now of giving information such as my social security number if I don’t know for sure where it is going.”
An easy way for people to use another’s identity and credit is burglary.
Megan Hild, a graduate of Kansas State University, had her purse stolen out of her car.
“They broke into my driver side window and stole everything,” she said.
Steps had to be taken to protect her credit.
“Luckily my mom works in a bank and encouraged me to call Equifax, Experian, Trans Union, and the Social Security Administration,” she said. “I told them my credit cards were stolen and they informed the company so they could see where and when they were used last.”
The precautions that Hild took helped catch the person responsible.
“I discovered my identity was stolen when the Ogden, Utah police called my parents and asked if they knew where I was.”
The police had a woman in custody that claimed she was Hild.
“My mother told them it was impossible, because she had just talked to me on the phone five minutes before,” Hild said. “She had my driver’s license, my social security card, everything.”
The woman, who was later identified as Michelle K. Cleary, was arrested and charged with forgery, resisting arrest, false information, PCS/Marijuana and procession of stolen property.
Cleary was sentenced on March 31, 2003 to one year in jail, suspended if she completed the following: 60 days in jail, probation, and being released to Kansas on a warrant.
While it was comforting to know that the perpetrator was sentenced, Hild said the situation was very distressing.
“It complicated my life,” Hild said. “It made me fearful because my identity could be stolen so easily, and she could have ruined my credit by running up my credit cards.”
Hild said that simple things, like renting a movie, became a hassle.
“Even when I went to Blockbuster to rent a movie, I was unable to because the clerk said I had rented two movies and three Sega games and never returned them,” she said. “I don’t even have a Sega.”
Hild had to go to the police department and get a copy of the theft report to prove to them she wasn’t responsible for the videos or games.
“I had to actually point and show them the dates, so they could see that the items were rented after my purse was stolen,” she said.
Staff Writer
Dec. 2, 2004, Page 1
What’s in a name? More than what you may think.
It isn’t only an identity but a social security number, a source of credit, something that can cause havoc if in the wrong hands.
Doane students should be cautious with their personal information to protect themselves from identity theft.
Sophomore Vanessa Pingel discovered that even being careful with this information isn’t always fool-proof.
“I got a notice in the mail that my application for a credit card was denied, because I had opened up too many credit accounts,” she said. “I supposedly had opened a $1,800 account with a credit card company. I don’t know who they are or how they got my information in the first place.”
Pingel said she has spent a lot of time to fix the situation and is still in the process of finding out exactly what happened. She said that people probably don’t realize how easy it is to have their identity stolen.
“I think it is more common than people think,” she said. “I’m going to be more cautious now of giving information such as my social security number if I don’t know for sure where it is going.”
An easy way for people to use another’s identity and credit is burglary.
Megan Hild, a graduate of Kansas State University, had her purse stolen out of her car.
“They broke into my driver side window and stole everything,” she said.
Steps had to be taken to protect her credit.
“Luckily my mom works in a bank and encouraged me to call Equifax, Experian, Trans Union, and the Social Security Administration,” she said. “I told them my credit cards were stolen and they informed the company so they could see where and when they were used last.”
The precautions that Hild took helped catch the person responsible.
“I discovered my identity was stolen when the Ogden, Utah police called my parents and asked if they knew where I was.”
The police had a woman in custody that claimed she was Hild.
“My mother told them it was impossible, because she had just talked to me on the phone five minutes before,” Hild said. “She had my driver’s license, my social security card, everything.”
The woman, who was later identified as Michelle K. Cleary, was arrested and charged with forgery, resisting arrest, false information, PCS/Marijuana and procession of stolen property.
Cleary was sentenced on March 31, 2003 to one year in jail, suspended if she completed the following: 60 days in jail, probation, and being released to Kansas on a warrant.
While it was comforting to know that the perpetrator was sentenced, Hild said the situation was very distressing.
“It complicated my life,” Hild said. “It made me fearful because my identity could be stolen so easily, and she could have ruined my credit by running up my credit cards.”
Hild said that simple things, like renting a movie, became a hassle.
“Even when I went to Blockbuster to rent a movie, I was unable to because the clerk said I had rented two movies and three Sega games and never returned them,” she said. “I don’t even have a Sega.”
Hild had to go to the police department and get a copy of the theft report to prove to them she wasn’t responsible for the videos or games.
“I had to actually point and show them the dates, so they could see that the items were rented after my purse was stolen,” she said.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Heier says goodbye to Doane
Tosha Rae Long
Special Sections Editor
May 6, 2004, Page 1
She smiled back with tears in her eyes. The realization that she was leaving behind the students, faculty, and co-workers who had been such a big part of her life overwhelmed her. Dean of Student Leadership Kim Heier’s resignation announcement Monday came with much struggle.
“She had struggled with it [the decision to resign],” President Fred Brown said. “The issue was up in the air. It was her call, her life. She owes herself happiness.”
The campus wide e-mail sent to all users publicized that Heier is leaving Doane due to professional and personal life choices. The inconsistent hours and abundance of time needed to fulfill her job requirements have become somewhat overwhelming, Heier said.
“I haven’t been able to maintain a healthy balance between work and home,” Heier said. “It is getting harder to bounce back. I’ve got to think about even though I am healthy, maintaining my health. Having cancer changes your life.”
Heier came to work for Doane as the Hansen Leadership Program director seven years ago.
“We needed someone like her to run the program,” Brown said. “We knew the quality of person she was. She was the first director and then dean I’ve found that ‘got’ it; the vision that you can lead at any level. She understood that perfectly. We sought her out.”
Heier’s decision to accept the position came relatively easily.
“It is my alma mater and I love Doane College,” Heier said. “The challenge of being director of the Hansen Leadership Program really excited me. The philosophy of the leadership program fit my personal leadership philosophy as well.”
Taking on the position as Hansen Leadership Director, Heier faced completing the transition from Student Life to Student Leadership, a challenge Brown said Heier took in stride.
“Its not just student life, it is student leadership,” Brown said. “She was a catalyst of change. She was the one who took the lead and said we are going to take a step forward.”
After the resignation of George Clancy, her career quickly unfolded as she became Dean of Student Leadership. Heier began to implement her personal objectives into the program. Her goal was to find the leader within each one of the students.
“I think what I really wanted to achieve most was to help the students realize that they all have leadership skills,” Heier said. “Some are perhaps more on their way while others might just be realizing they have them.”
After working here for seven years, Heier has become part of the Doane family.
“She really is a lovely lady,” Brown said. “She is a classy lady. That may sound old-fashioned, but there are ladies in this world and she is one of them.”
Heier plans to move to Lincoln with her husband and family. She has no definite career moves in mind at this time, however she is optimistic about the future.
“It’s kind of weird because since the age of 13, I have never not had a job,” Heier said. “I am not exactly sure [what I am going to do after Doane]. I am exploring opportunities where I can combine my level of leadership with working with people.”
While Heier feels that moving on is her best option, leaving Doane will be a feat in itself.
“I have never gotten used to how beautiful this campus is,” Heier said. “I went to school here and even just driving up today, it hit me. It is beautiful. It just is. When Thomas Doane picked a hill, he picked the right one.”
Heier leaves big shoes to fill
Finding a successor to fill Heier’s position is a job Brown feels will be harder than it seems.
“As I said in my e-mail, she can’t be replaced, she can only be succeeded,” Brown said. “We will seek the nearest Kim we can find.”
According to Brown, the quest to find a new Dean of Student Leadership will involve an internal and national search. Interviews will be conducted by students and faculty once any candidates are chosen. The ultimate decision however, is Brown’s, as he signs the contract.
The search has yet to commence but Brown hopes to begin the interview process this summer.
Heier believes Doane will replace her in time for the 2004 fall semester. In the mean time, she is coordinating fall orientation so her replacement can effectively take over.
Brown is confident that the transition will be as smooth as possible.
“It is going to be a challenge to keep the pace,” Brown said. “But if we have the right person, they will have the advantage of her success.”
Special Sections Editor
May 6, 2004, Page 1
She smiled back with tears in her eyes. The realization that she was leaving behind the students, faculty, and co-workers who had been such a big part of her life overwhelmed her. Dean of Student Leadership Kim Heier’s resignation announcement Monday came with much struggle.
“She had struggled with it [the decision to resign],” President Fred Brown said. “The issue was up in the air. It was her call, her life. She owes herself happiness.”
The campus wide e-mail sent to all users publicized that Heier is leaving Doane due to professional and personal life choices. The inconsistent hours and abundance of time needed to fulfill her job requirements have become somewhat overwhelming, Heier said.
“I haven’t been able to maintain a healthy balance between work and home,” Heier said. “It is getting harder to bounce back. I’ve got to think about even though I am healthy, maintaining my health. Having cancer changes your life.”
Heier came to work for Doane as the Hansen Leadership Program director seven years ago.
“We needed someone like her to run the program,” Brown said. “We knew the quality of person she was. She was the first director and then dean I’ve found that ‘got’ it; the vision that you can lead at any level. She understood that perfectly. We sought her out.”
Heier’s decision to accept the position came relatively easily.
“It is my alma mater and I love Doane College,” Heier said. “The challenge of being director of the Hansen Leadership Program really excited me. The philosophy of the leadership program fit my personal leadership philosophy as well.”
Taking on the position as Hansen Leadership Director, Heier faced completing the transition from Student Life to Student Leadership, a challenge Brown said Heier took in stride.
“Its not just student life, it is student leadership,” Brown said. “She was a catalyst of change. She was the one who took the lead and said we are going to take a step forward.”
After the resignation of George Clancy, her career quickly unfolded as she became Dean of Student Leadership. Heier began to implement her personal objectives into the program. Her goal was to find the leader within each one of the students.
“I think what I really wanted to achieve most was to help the students realize that they all have leadership skills,” Heier said. “Some are perhaps more on their way while others might just be realizing they have them.”
After working here for seven years, Heier has become part of the Doane family.
“She really is a lovely lady,” Brown said. “She is a classy lady. That may sound old-fashioned, but there are ladies in this world and she is one of them.”
Heier plans to move to Lincoln with her husband and family. She has no definite career moves in mind at this time, however she is optimistic about the future.
“It’s kind of weird because since the age of 13, I have never not had a job,” Heier said. “I am not exactly sure [what I am going to do after Doane]. I am exploring opportunities where I can combine my level of leadership with working with people.”
While Heier feels that moving on is her best option, leaving Doane will be a feat in itself.
“I have never gotten used to how beautiful this campus is,” Heier said. “I went to school here and even just driving up today, it hit me. It is beautiful. It just is. When Thomas Doane picked a hill, he picked the right one.”
Heier leaves big shoes to fill
Finding a successor to fill Heier’s position is a job Brown feels will be harder than it seems.
“As I said in my e-mail, she can’t be replaced, she can only be succeeded,” Brown said. “We will seek the nearest Kim we can find.”
According to Brown, the quest to find a new Dean of Student Leadership will involve an internal and national search. Interviews will be conducted by students and faculty once any candidates are chosen. The ultimate decision however, is Brown’s, as he signs the contract.
The search has yet to commence but Brown hopes to begin the interview process this summer.
Heier believes Doane will replace her in time for the 2004 fall semester. In the mean time, she is coordinating fall orientation so her replacement can effectively take over.
Brown is confident that the transition will be as smooth as possible.
“It is going to be a challenge to keep the pace,” Brown said. “But if we have the right person, they will have the advantage of her success.”
Teacher evaluations do make an impact
Megan Bowen
Staff Writer
May 6, 2004, Page 1
The time has come when students get a chance to grade their professors.
Teacher evaluations take place at the end of every semester. These evaluations consist of several questions dealing with the professor’s teaching skills, attitude, relationship to students, assignments and tests. The students fill in the circles ranging from “Strongly Agree” to “Strongly Disagree.”
Many students feel that these evaluations are just a waste of time and have questions about what happens to the forms after students fill in their opinions.
The envelopes are sealed and handed in by a student after they leave the classroom. The evaluations remain anonymous to the professors.
Kathy Sand, Faculty Office Manager and Head Secretary, said that once the envelopes are handed to her, she scans them and the evaluations are turned into numerical data. She says this takes three or four days to do.
Following scanning, this data is sent to the Institutional Research office for analysis. This is where Rebecca Gonzales’ role in the process begins.
“After the results are given to me, I turn them into a statistical analysis,” Gonzales said. “From here, they go to Academic Affairs.”
Director of Academic Affairs Nan Weilage said that the analysis becomes a summary sheet. Each course has an individual ranking and all the courses together get an overall ranking. Each department keeps a copy in their file to use in faculty reviews.
“These definitely are considered in the reviews,” Weilage said.
While faculty does get reviewed every year, the first, third and sixth year reviews are considered more important than most years. Student evaluations play a major role in these reviews.
The evaluations are then handed back to the professors, but if everyone involved in the process is busy, this can take up to two months. Giving the sheets back to the professors is designed to help them improve in weaker areas.
Not only does the evaluation go back to the faculty member, a cover sheet that explains it and the overall evaluation of the faculty is attached. Professors do not see others’ individual reviews, they are only shown the general results.
Kathy Sand said that handwritten comments by students are also given to the professors once grades are turned in.
After learning how the evaluation process works, students have some ideas on how to improve it. A number of students said that they felt the evaluations were too broad.
One student commented on how the questions are the same for every course. For example, a music professor and a math professor have completely different forms of teaching, yet the same questions are asked about the way they teach.
“I think they’re vague,” junior Jason Sillasen said. “I never see anything happen with them.”
Students suggested asking for actual, written answers from students, instead of just filling in circles. They feel this might be a more efficient way of seeing if students feel the professors are doing a good job.
Staff Writer
May 6, 2004, Page 1
The time has come when students get a chance to grade their professors.
Teacher evaluations take place at the end of every semester. These evaluations consist of several questions dealing with the professor’s teaching skills, attitude, relationship to students, assignments and tests. The students fill in the circles ranging from “Strongly Agree” to “Strongly Disagree.”
Many students feel that these evaluations are just a waste of time and have questions about what happens to the forms after students fill in their opinions.
The envelopes are sealed and handed in by a student after they leave the classroom. The evaluations remain anonymous to the professors.
Kathy Sand, Faculty Office Manager and Head Secretary, said that once the envelopes are handed to her, she scans them and the evaluations are turned into numerical data. She says this takes three or four days to do.
Following scanning, this data is sent to the Institutional Research office for analysis. This is where Rebecca Gonzales’ role in the process begins.
“After the results are given to me, I turn them into a statistical analysis,” Gonzales said. “From here, they go to Academic Affairs.”
Director of Academic Affairs Nan Weilage said that the analysis becomes a summary sheet. Each course has an individual ranking and all the courses together get an overall ranking. Each department keeps a copy in their file to use in faculty reviews.
“These definitely are considered in the reviews,” Weilage said.
While faculty does get reviewed every year, the first, third and sixth year reviews are considered more important than most years. Student evaluations play a major role in these reviews.
The evaluations are then handed back to the professors, but if everyone involved in the process is busy, this can take up to two months. Giving the sheets back to the professors is designed to help them improve in weaker areas.
Not only does the evaluation go back to the faculty member, a cover sheet that explains it and the overall evaluation of the faculty is attached. Professors do not see others’ individual reviews, they are only shown the general results.
Kathy Sand said that handwritten comments by students are also given to the professors once grades are turned in.
After learning how the evaluation process works, students have some ideas on how to improve it. A number of students said that they felt the evaluations were too broad.
One student commented on how the questions are the same for every course. For example, a music professor and a math professor have completely different forms of teaching, yet the same questions are asked about the way they teach.
“I think they’re vague,” junior Jason Sillasen said. “I never see anything happen with them.”
Students suggested asking for actual, written answers from students, instead of just filling in circles. They feel this might be a more efficient way of seeing if students feel the professors are doing a good job.
Seniors reflect on four years
Laura Gieseking & Jo Teeters
Sfaff Writers
May 6, 2004, Page 1
The caps and gowns are ordered, all the final papers and projects are due, and with graduation only a week away, seniors are looking ahead to life beyond Doane.
As their eyes gaze forward to the future their minds are looking back.The past four years have created many memories. However, seniors would rather forget some of them.
“I had a really bad freshman year, I had to go through six roommates,” senior Anne Golden said. “From language barriers to being allergic to deodorant, my roommates gave me terrible circumstances to work with.”
Senior Wyatt Webster said that he himself was to blame for his worst memory.
“I would have to say the worst experience was stressing myself out,” Webster said. “I was kidding myself, thinking I could take on all these responsibilities and not be stressed.”
Though seniors have had their share of bad memories, most find themselves smiling at the good.
Senior Aaron Hall said he will never forget his adventures on his freshman interterm trip to Washington, D. C. with fellow senior Jonathon Hoke.
“We had two missions and completed them,” Hall said. “We invaded the White House, got two VIP passes to visit the Kennedy Center and got to sit in the presidential suite.”
For many seniors, this year has also proven to be unforgettable.
“I had some really big highs and lows this year,” Golden said. “I got the Homecoming Duchess and that was really great. But a couple of months later they found a blood clot in my leg and I had to miss school for a month and a half.”
For senior Andrea Clark, the setting for her senior year was unexpected, as she interned with the Department of Corrections for most of her spring semester.
“I spent more time in prison than in the classroom,” Clark said.
Some seniors wanted to have a more relaxed and enjoyable year.
“After having three majors and 20-25 credit hours a semester, I took a few summer classes to lighten the load,” Hall said. “I wanted to enjoy the aspects of college, such as camaraderie and being involved in HLP events.”
Though the seniors’ time at Doane is nearing its end, the rest of their lives are just beginning.
For some seniors the future is clear.
Hall said that he is going to Germany as a Fulbright Scholar, after which he will pursue a military career as either an intelligence officer or a J. A. G. core officer. His long-term goals include owning his own business and becoming a United States senator.
For others, the future remains unknown.
“I plan to find a job or possibly go to grad school,” Hoke said.
Soon, seniors will throw their caps in celebration and leave Doane to embark on their new lives. But the experience of Doane will always stay with them.
“‘Carpe diem!’ It is Latin for ‘seize the day’,” Webster said. “Realize that even though Doane is just a four-year experience, the bonds you make are for a lifetime. And realize you never know what tomorrow will hold.”
Relay for Life to be held
Mandie Craven
Staff Writer
April 29, 2004, Page 1
The 3rd Annual Relay For Life walk will kick off at 5 p.m. on Friday.
Each team will have at least one representative walking throughout the entire night to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
“You don’t have to be on a team to walk,” said Faculty Advisor Rachel Schaefer. “It’s for everyone.”
Walking laps is not the only way that people can help raise money.
“Even if you’re not on a team, you can still make donations,” Chairperson Erin Cico said.
Relay For Life has grossed millions of dollars to fund cancer research. Doane is not only participating in the walk, but has other activities to help raise money as well.
Last Friday students participated in a Car Smash. Students paid $1 for three hits anywhere on the car. All proceeds made went to Relay For Life. A total of $159 was raised.
The evening will start at 5 p.m. with a tailgate dinner and will continue with games and activities throughout the night.
It will end at 6 a.m. Saturday morning.
Other fundraising activities include: basket auction, luminaries, 3rd Annual Miss Relay Pageant, and Jail’n’Bail.
Another organization on campus, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, has also helped with the cause.
The organization decided to auction off several males and whatever funds these gentlemen brought in would go directly into the Relay For Life account. One hundred and ninty dollars were raised through this activity.
This year there is Nebraska Wesleyan University challenged Doane to raise more money than them.
Cico said that the Doane and Crete communities have gotten more involved with Relay For Life each year.
“Most students don’t realize all treatments have come from the American Cancer Society,” Cico said. “We are a large part of that and it’s very important.”
Staff Writer
April 29, 2004, Page 1
The 3rd Annual Relay For Life walk will kick off at 5 p.m. on Friday.
Each team will have at least one representative walking throughout the entire night to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
“You don’t have to be on a team to walk,” said Faculty Advisor Rachel Schaefer. “It’s for everyone.”
Walking laps is not the only way that people can help raise money.
“Even if you’re not on a team, you can still make donations,” Chairperson Erin Cico said.
Relay For Life has grossed millions of dollars to fund cancer research. Doane is not only participating in the walk, but has other activities to help raise money as well.
Last Friday students participated in a Car Smash. Students paid $1 for three hits anywhere on the car. All proceeds made went to Relay For Life. A total of $159 was raised.
The evening will start at 5 p.m. with a tailgate dinner and will continue with games and activities throughout the night.
It will end at 6 a.m. Saturday morning.
Other fundraising activities include: basket auction, luminaries, 3rd Annual Miss Relay Pageant, and Jail’n’Bail.
Another organization on campus, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, has also helped with the cause.
The organization decided to auction off several males and whatever funds these gentlemen brought in would go directly into the Relay For Life account. One hundred and ninty dollars were raised through this activity.
This year there is Nebraska Wesleyan University challenged Doane to raise more money than them.
Cico said that the Doane and Crete communities have gotten more involved with Relay For Life each year.
“Most students don’t realize all treatments have come from the American Cancer Society,” Cico said. “We are a large part of that and it’s very important.”
Weather boosts morale
Laura Gieseking
Staff Writer
April 29, 2004, Page 1
Beautiful 68 degree weather leaves little room for students to stress about final projects and tests.
From playing catch on the lawns of the quads to playing frisbee on the lot near Frees, students have decided to close their text books and use the daylight hours for their own enjoyment.
“On nice days its great to be able to go outside, play frisbee, and forget about class,” freshman Ellie Windle said. “These days just make me happy to be alive.”
After the long winter months of freezing cold temperatures and heavy amounts of snow, students are not taking the warm weather for granted.
“If it’s a nice day, I’m skipping class and going fishing with a six pack,” junior Blake Lambert said. “Cold beer is always better on a warm day.”
The warm weather has also helped with the overall morale of the campus.
“I got back my chem test and it was a 44%,” freshman Jack Smith said. “But I walked outside and saw that it was a beautiful day and the sun was still shining. I wasn’t going to let one insignificant test ruin my day.”
The warm temperatures are allowing students to put away their bulky winter coats and bring out their summer wardrobes, giving students some interesting benefits.
“I like it when the tan, hot sweaty boys take their shirts off in the heat,” freshman Heather Yancy said. “That is when you know that summer is almost here.”
Staff Writer
April 29, 2004, Page 1
Beautiful 68 degree weather leaves little room for students to stress about final projects and tests.
From playing catch on the lawns of the quads to playing frisbee on the lot near Frees, students have decided to close their text books and use the daylight hours for their own enjoyment.
“On nice days its great to be able to go outside, play frisbee, and forget about class,” freshman Ellie Windle said. “These days just make me happy to be alive.”
After the long winter months of freezing cold temperatures and heavy amounts of snow, students are not taking the warm weather for granted.
“If it’s a nice day, I’m skipping class and going fishing with a six pack,” junior Blake Lambert said. “Cold beer is always better on a warm day.”
The warm weather has also helped with the overall morale of the campus.
“I got back my chem test and it was a 44%,” freshman Jack Smith said. “But I walked outside and saw that it was a beautiful day and the sun was still shining. I wasn’t going to let one insignificant test ruin my day.”
The warm temperatures are allowing students to put away their bulky winter coats and bring out their summer wardrobes, giving students some interesting benefits.
“I like it when the tan, hot sweaty boys take their shirts off in the heat,” freshman Heather Yancy said. “That is when you know that summer is almost here.”
Playing cards common campus pastime
Kiley Mackie and Sara Mettlen
Staff Writers
April 29, 2004, Page 1
College is supposed to prepare students for the game of life.
In history classes, students learn about kings and queens. In math classes, they learn about numbers and probability.
In philosophy classes, students learn about ethics and rules of engagement.
Most importantly, however, college teaches students how to use the hand they’ve been dealt to accomplish their goals.
These lessons have been taught in classrooms for decades, but, on campuses nationwide, students have been applying them in another venue.
Playing cards is one of the most prevalent activities among college students and incorporates many life lessons into a social and entertaining atmosphere.
Students can be found playing games of poker, pitch and a variety of drinking games such as Presidents and Assholes, 7’s and Kings somewhere on campus at any given time.
“Not too many dorm rooms don’t have a deck of cards,” freshman Bobby Thompson said.
Thompson said he plays Texas Hold ‘em, a form of poker, at least once a week and also plays online every day.
Many students also said they play cards often, with games starting up in dorm rooms, suites, quads and homes.
“It seems like there are always cards around somewhere,” junior Blake Sissel said. “Games usually start up in the quad when a bunch of people are there.”
Socializing with friends is a chief attraction to playing cards. Additionally, cards are an inexpensive and convenient form of entertainment.
“It (playing cards) is a great way to kill a couple hours and spend time with my friends for relatively little money,” Thompson said.
However, not all card games are strictly social or considerably cheap. Some students choose to play competitively and hold high monetary stakes.Others play non-traditional card games they make up themselves.
Sophomores Nate Paisley and Adam Thompson and freshman Amy Sherwood invented a game they call Flog Ball where a ball is thrown toward a round tin surrounded by cards lying either face-up or face-down. Any card hit by the ball has different consequences.
“We were throwing cards around and we just kept adding different rules and it turned into a drinking game,” Paisley said. “See how cards can turn a boring night into a great one.”
Non-traditional games also include new ways to play old favorites. Online gambling, Solitaire and Freecell are constantly played by students who are trying to escape their studies.
Card games have also provided an escape for students who merely enjoy watching the games.
Thompson said there are usually five to eight spectators at their poker games in Frees Hall lounge and that he actually became interested in poker after watching the World Series of Poker on television.
This initial spark of interest is usually all that is needed to prompt students to start a game or purchase a new deck.
Kim Denker, a clerk at Dollar General in Crete, said decks of cards are one of their bigger selling items.
“We have to order a new case (24 packs) of cards every week,” Denker said. “They are mostly bought on impulse.”
Packs can be bought at the Dollar General for little more than a dollar, giving true testament to the economic value of such a versatile item.
Consequently, cards provide students with a good option while allocating their scant finances.
Beyond teaching students how to be financially resourceful, playing cards allows students to be resourceful strategically and socially.
Exercising these resources opens up an opportunity for students to learn about the game of life outside the classroom and entertain themselves at the same time.
The competitive nature of the games teaches students how to win and lose graciously, to see how each hand fits into the whole game and how to play the game through to the end.
Staff Writers
April 29, 2004, Page 1
College is supposed to prepare students for the game of life.
In history classes, students learn about kings and queens. In math classes, they learn about numbers and probability.
In philosophy classes, students learn about ethics and rules of engagement.
Most importantly, however, college teaches students how to use the hand they’ve been dealt to accomplish their goals.
These lessons have been taught in classrooms for decades, but, on campuses nationwide, students have been applying them in another venue.
Playing cards is one of the most prevalent activities among college students and incorporates many life lessons into a social and entertaining atmosphere.
Students can be found playing games of poker, pitch and a variety of drinking games such as Presidents and Assholes, 7’s and Kings somewhere on campus at any given time.
“Not too many dorm rooms don’t have a deck of cards,” freshman Bobby Thompson said.
Thompson said he plays Texas Hold ‘em, a form of poker, at least once a week and also plays online every day.
Many students also said they play cards often, with games starting up in dorm rooms, suites, quads and homes.
“It seems like there are always cards around somewhere,” junior Blake Sissel said. “Games usually start up in the quad when a bunch of people are there.”
Socializing with friends is a chief attraction to playing cards. Additionally, cards are an inexpensive and convenient form of entertainment.
“It (playing cards) is a great way to kill a couple hours and spend time with my friends for relatively little money,” Thompson said.
However, not all card games are strictly social or considerably cheap. Some students choose to play competitively and hold high monetary stakes.Others play non-traditional card games they make up themselves.
Sophomores Nate Paisley and Adam Thompson and freshman Amy Sherwood invented a game they call Flog Ball where a ball is thrown toward a round tin surrounded by cards lying either face-up or face-down. Any card hit by the ball has different consequences.
“We were throwing cards around and we just kept adding different rules and it turned into a drinking game,” Paisley said. “See how cards can turn a boring night into a great one.”
Non-traditional games also include new ways to play old favorites. Online gambling, Solitaire and Freecell are constantly played by students who are trying to escape their studies.
Card games have also provided an escape for students who merely enjoy watching the games.
Thompson said there are usually five to eight spectators at their poker games in Frees Hall lounge and that he actually became interested in poker after watching the World Series of Poker on television.
This initial spark of interest is usually all that is needed to prompt students to start a game or purchase a new deck.
Kim Denker, a clerk at Dollar General in Crete, said decks of cards are one of their bigger selling items.
“We have to order a new case (24 packs) of cards every week,” Denker said. “They are mostly bought on impulse.”
Packs can be bought at the Dollar General for little more than a dollar, giving true testament to the economic value of such a versatile item.
Consequently, cards provide students with a good option while allocating their scant finances.
Beyond teaching students how to be financially resourceful, playing cards allows students to be resourceful strategically and socially.
Exercising these resources opens up an opportunity for students to learn about the game of life outside the classroom and entertain themselves at the same time.
The competitive nature of the games teaches students how to win and lose graciously, to see how each hand fits into the whole game and how to play the game through to the end.
Monday, April 23, 2007
StuCo senators elected
Kelsey Tegtmeier
Staff Writer
April 22, 2004, Page 1
After almost three hours of counting and recounting, eleven people were elected senators to Doane Student Congress.
Twenty-six people competed for the title of senator. Under normal circumstances only 10 students would have been elected.
This year was a different situation.
The votes were recounted numerous times and the numbers revealed a tie between two candidates for the final position, Jordan Hahn, newly elected StuCo vice president, said.
An emergency StuCo meeting was called as a result of the tie, Hahn said.
The organization’s constitution states that Congress cannot chose one candidate over the other.
The Congress decided to add both individuals as StuCo senators next year, Hahn said.
Almost half of the student body voted to elect the following senators for next year: Amanda Bennett, Stephanie Blackstone, Brent Cole, Mike Dale, Troy Haenfler, Jordan Kenyon, Griffin Lothrop, Mark Rogge, Danielle Settles, Adam Thompson and India Williams.
The new senators are joined by treasurer Natalie Nelsen and secretary Todd Andrews, newly elected president Lindsay Wegener said.
She said she is excited about the new Student Congress.
“I was excited to see the caliber of people that were on the ballot,” Wegener said.
Griffin Lothrop, sophomore, ran for Student Congress senator because he wanted to be more involved on campus.
“I’m confident about what StuCo can do next year,” Lothrop said.
Jimmy Feeney, current StuCo President, said he was pleased with the entire election process including candidates and voter turnout.
“The candidates did an incredible job of campaigning and we had an extremely strong field of candidates this year,” Feeney said. “I would like to thank those who ran and congratulate those who will represent the student body on the 2004-2005 Student Congress.”
Staff Writer
April 22, 2004, Page 1
After almost three hours of counting and recounting, eleven people were elected senators to Doane Student Congress.
Twenty-six people competed for the title of senator. Under normal circumstances only 10 students would have been elected.
This year was a different situation.
The votes were recounted numerous times and the numbers revealed a tie between two candidates for the final position, Jordan Hahn, newly elected StuCo vice president, said.
An emergency StuCo meeting was called as a result of the tie, Hahn said.
The organization’s constitution states that Congress cannot chose one candidate over the other.
The Congress decided to add both individuals as StuCo senators next year, Hahn said.
Almost half of the student body voted to elect the following senators for next year: Amanda Bennett, Stephanie Blackstone, Brent Cole, Mike Dale, Troy Haenfler, Jordan Kenyon, Griffin Lothrop, Mark Rogge, Danielle Settles, Adam Thompson and India Williams.
The new senators are joined by treasurer Natalie Nelsen and secretary Todd Andrews, newly elected president Lindsay Wegener said.
She said she is excited about the new Student Congress.
“I was excited to see the caliber of people that were on the ballot,” Wegener said.
Griffin Lothrop, sophomore, ran for Student Congress senator because he wanted to be more involved on campus.
“I’m confident about what StuCo can do next year,” Lothrop said.
Jimmy Feeney, current StuCo President, said he was pleased with the entire election process including candidates and voter turnout.
“The candidates did an incredible job of campaigning and we had an extremely strong field of candidates this year,” Feeney said. “I would like to thank those who ran and congratulate those who will represent the student body on the 2004-2005 Student Congress.”
Successful Spring Visit Day
Tosha Rae Long
Staff Writer
April 22, 2004, Page 1
Spring Visit Day brought in approximately 40 students and their families to explore what Doane College has to offer.
According to Dan Kunzman, dean of admissions, three fourths of the visitors were juniors, just beginning their college hunting, while the remaining one fourth were seniors, finishing up their college search.
“It was not the largest visit ever, but was definitely in the ballpark,” Kunzman said.
The day began with a greeting where Kunzman talked to the guests and encouraged them to not make this their only visit. He emphasized the importance of one-on-one interaction between admissions counselors versus the large groups customary of visit day.
After opening remarks, guests went on campus tours with Doane Ambassadors. Following the tours, guests were able to meet with current students during a 30-minute panel session. Also, prospective students met with faculty and activity staff.
Lunch was served followed by seniors meeting with admissions representatives to talk about the Federal Application for Student Financial Aid while juniors received general tips for financial aid.
The large numbers of students that visit days bring in sometimes displace the current students. Kunzman said that this to him is the most gratifying thing about these kinds of events. He sees current students being nice to the visitors, helping them when they are lost and greeting them on the paths.
“It is the Doane culture,” Kunzman said. “It isn’t just the admissions office hosting visitors; it is the entire Doane community.”
Staff Writer
April 22, 2004, Page 1
Spring Visit Day brought in approximately 40 students and their families to explore what Doane College has to offer.
According to Dan Kunzman, dean of admissions, three fourths of the visitors were juniors, just beginning their college hunting, while the remaining one fourth were seniors, finishing up their college search.
“It was not the largest visit ever, but was definitely in the ballpark,” Kunzman said.
The day began with a greeting where Kunzman talked to the guests and encouraged them to not make this their only visit. He emphasized the importance of one-on-one interaction between admissions counselors versus the large groups customary of visit day.
After opening remarks, guests went on campus tours with Doane Ambassadors. Following the tours, guests were able to meet with current students during a 30-minute panel session. Also, prospective students met with faculty and activity staff.
Lunch was served followed by seniors meeting with admissions representatives to talk about the Federal Application for Student Financial Aid while juniors received general tips for financial aid.
The large numbers of students that visit days bring in sometimes displace the current students. Kunzman said that this to him is the most gratifying thing about these kinds of events. He sees current students being nice to the visitors, helping them when they are lost and greeting them on the paths.
“It is the Doane culture,” Kunzman said. “It isn’t just the admissions office hosting visitors; it is the entire Doane community.”
Restoration continues on Con
Ryan Moore
Staff Writer
April 22, 2004, Page 1
Restoration of the Whitcomb Conservatory, better known as “The Con,” is now schedualed to be completed on August 16.
The original date of completion was Decomber of 2004.
Initial interest for the restoration of The Con was sparked by alumni, as well as the need for an additional congregating place on campus.
“We didn’t have a space for 250 people to come and congregate,” said Pappy Khouri, vice-president of Financial Affairs. “The Con provides us with the perfect hall for middle-sized venues.”
Keith Hale, director of Theatre, is also excited about the smaller venue size,
“One hundred people is a great crowd for a show, but in Heckman Auditorium, which seats 500, the house looks empty but with the new performance hall, the house will look full,” Hale said.
Bahr Vermeer and Haecker Archetics out of Omaha are in charge of the project. Some of their restoration obligations include structural repair to the 10 sided roof, installation of a new mechanical system including a heating and cooling plant and elevator, new wiring and plumbing, cosmetic restoration, and landscaping.
The Con will soon serve as a home for the Doane’s theater and forensics departments and will offer efficient state-of-the-art theater and meeting spaces.
Along with hosting Doane theatre productions, musical recitals, student convocations, and alumni activities, Crete community events will also be held.
“The Con is going to give us a lot more flexibility,” Hale said. “The more available space will allow us to add shows, and we will be able to run shows two weekends instead of one.”
The project which was started with a $919, 054 grant from the Housing and Urban Development organization, as well as generous donations, is still 1 million dollars short.
“Right now we are working on fund raising from about anyone we feel may donate to the project. We’ve contacted alumni, foundations, Nebraska Senators, historical preservation groups, as well as others,” Khouri said.
Built in 1906-07, the Con is the only non-domestic Prairie School structure in Nebraska, and is listed in the national registry of historical places.
The historic building has also been rumored to be occupied by a ghost.
For 65 years the Conservatory served dual purposes as a chapel and musical conservatory.
All students attended weekly required chapel services as well as regular convocations in the auditorium located in the middle of the building.
Concerts and theater productions were also originally held there as well as the music department offices and practice rooms.
The building has been vacant since 1971 and until this year was being used for storage.
Staff Writer
April 22, 2004, Page 1
Restoration of the Whitcomb Conservatory, better known as “The Con,” is now schedualed to be completed on August 16.
The original date of completion was Decomber of 2004.
Initial interest for the restoration of The Con was sparked by alumni, as well as the need for an additional congregating place on campus.
“We didn’t have a space for 250 people to come and congregate,” said Pappy Khouri, vice-president of Financial Affairs. “The Con provides us with the perfect hall for middle-sized venues.”
Keith Hale, director of Theatre, is also excited about the smaller venue size,
“One hundred people is a great crowd for a show, but in Heckman Auditorium, which seats 500, the house looks empty but with the new performance hall, the house will look full,” Hale said.
Bahr Vermeer and Haecker Archetics out of Omaha are in charge of the project. Some of their restoration obligations include structural repair to the 10 sided roof, installation of a new mechanical system including a heating and cooling plant and elevator, new wiring and plumbing, cosmetic restoration, and landscaping.
The Con will soon serve as a home for the Doane’s theater and forensics departments and will offer efficient state-of-the-art theater and meeting spaces.
Along with hosting Doane theatre productions, musical recitals, student convocations, and alumni activities, Crete community events will also be held.
“The Con is going to give us a lot more flexibility,” Hale said. “The more available space will allow us to add shows, and we will be able to run shows two weekends instead of one.”
The project which was started with a $919, 054 grant from the Housing and Urban Development organization, as well as generous donations, is still 1 million dollars short.
“Right now we are working on fund raising from about anyone we feel may donate to the project. We’ve contacted alumni, foundations, Nebraska Senators, historical preservation groups, as well as others,” Khouri said.
Built in 1906-07, the Con is the only non-domestic Prairie School structure in Nebraska, and is listed in the national registry of historical places.
The historic building has also been rumored to be occupied by a ghost.
For 65 years the Conservatory served dual purposes as a chapel and musical conservatory.
All students attended weekly required chapel services as well as regular convocations in the auditorium located in the middle of the building.
Concerts and theater productions were also originally held there as well as the music department offices and practice rooms.
The building has been vacant since 1971 and until this year was being used for storage.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Doane alumni share success stories, memories
Sara Mettlen
Staff Writer
April 22, 2004, Page 1
As the semester winds down, seniors are looking for jobs, undeclared students are searching for a major and the summer is beginning to seem more like a job search than a break.
It is hard to see how four years spent in various classrooms will prepare you to spend eight hours a day in the same office week after week.
If the prospects of getting a job make students want to stay in college forever, fear not. Hope for the future comes from the past.
A long list of Doane alumni have made themselves successful in interesting careers.
Meet Steve Schulz. Schulz had decided to go to another college until a chance meeting with Mark Alderman, a former Doane football standout, while on campus for the Nebraska Shrine Bowl game changed his mind.
Schulz earned his physical education degree in 1977. He taught in a public school and played semi-professional football for two years then went back to school. He attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln, serving as graduate assistant strength coach.
In 1980, Schulz got a job at Stanford University, where he formed the college’s first strength and conditioning program.
After 15 years at Stanford, Schulz resigned to start his own company.
He currently contracts work with Santa Clara University, Menlo College, and Saint Francis High School, as well as owning and operating a small facility in Mountain View, Calif., where he trains athletes for their particular sport.
“Over the years in my career, I have had the opportunity to meet and work with some of the finest coaches and athletes in the nation,” Schulz said.
Another Doane graduate who boasts an interesting career is Andrew Clark. Clark owns Black Hawk Productions, a video production company.
After earning his communication degree in 1991, Clark went to Middlesex University in London, where he earned a master’s degree in film and television.
He returned to the United States to work for former Doane professor Timothy Cane at his company, Timothy Cane Productions.
Clark now lives in Nottingham, England.
He started Black Hawk Productions about three years ago, and has worked on several interesting projects.
Clark said that he travels a lot for his job, and has worked with high profile people such as Oprah and Margaret Thatcher.
“We went to Rwanda and Burundi during the civil war.” Clark said. “That was scary, getting shot at.”
Clark works mostly for television and does a lot for advertising agencies. He said that he does just about anything that involves moving image production.
“My company was basically formed because of Doane and my experience with Tim,” Clark said.
Doane’s list of alumni also includes Ralph Tyler, the father of the American College Testing (ACT) test.
In the sports world, Samuel Bell is track coach at Indiana University, Bloomington, Roger Hughes is head football coach at Princeton University and Edward Hubbs is tennis coordinator for the Omaha Tennis Association.
Daniel Jackman, the chief financial officer for waste management in Siam, Bangkok, Thailand, is one of several Doane alumni that now work overseas.
Sharon Wilch is now the associate commissioner of the Colorado High School Activities Association.
William Johnson works for Nebraska Pulmonary Critical Care, and Tom Tonniges is director/pediatrician at the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Sean McArdle works as the props master for the Public Theater of New York.
Terry Michael was elected to a position as a Federal bankruptcy judge.
Tom Songster lives in Washington D.C. and works as senior vice president of sports policy for the Special Olympics.
This is just a small cross-section from an extensive list. Doane’s legacy of successful alumni presents an optimistic outlook.
The future may seem blurry now, but it will clear up.
Staff Writer
April 22, 2004, Page 1
As the semester winds down, seniors are looking for jobs, undeclared students are searching for a major and the summer is beginning to seem more like a job search than a break.
It is hard to see how four years spent in various classrooms will prepare you to spend eight hours a day in the same office week after week.
If the prospects of getting a job make students want to stay in college forever, fear not. Hope for the future comes from the past.
A long list of Doane alumni have made themselves successful in interesting careers.
Meet Steve Schulz. Schulz had decided to go to another college until a chance meeting with Mark Alderman, a former Doane football standout, while on campus for the Nebraska Shrine Bowl game changed his mind.
Schulz earned his physical education degree in 1977. He taught in a public school and played semi-professional football for two years then went back to school. He attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln, serving as graduate assistant strength coach.
In 1980, Schulz got a job at Stanford University, where he formed the college’s first strength and conditioning program.
After 15 years at Stanford, Schulz resigned to start his own company.
He currently contracts work with Santa Clara University, Menlo College, and Saint Francis High School, as well as owning and operating a small facility in Mountain View, Calif., where he trains athletes for their particular sport.
“Over the years in my career, I have had the opportunity to meet and work with some of the finest coaches and athletes in the nation,” Schulz said.
Another Doane graduate who boasts an interesting career is Andrew Clark. Clark owns Black Hawk Productions, a video production company.
After earning his communication degree in 1991, Clark went to Middlesex University in London, where he earned a master’s degree in film and television.
He returned to the United States to work for former Doane professor Timothy Cane at his company, Timothy Cane Productions.
Clark now lives in Nottingham, England.
He started Black Hawk Productions about three years ago, and has worked on several interesting projects.
Clark said that he travels a lot for his job, and has worked with high profile people such as Oprah and Margaret Thatcher.
“We went to Rwanda and Burundi during the civil war.” Clark said. “That was scary, getting shot at.”
Clark works mostly for television and does a lot for advertising agencies. He said that he does just about anything that involves moving image production.
“My company was basically formed because of Doane and my experience with Tim,” Clark said.
Doane’s list of alumni also includes Ralph Tyler, the father of the American College Testing (ACT) test.
In the sports world, Samuel Bell is track coach at Indiana University, Bloomington, Roger Hughes is head football coach at Princeton University and Edward Hubbs is tennis coordinator for the Omaha Tennis Association.
Daniel Jackman, the chief financial officer for waste management in Siam, Bangkok, Thailand, is one of several Doane alumni that now work overseas.
Sharon Wilch is now the associate commissioner of the Colorado High School Activities Association.
William Johnson works for Nebraska Pulmonary Critical Care, and Tom Tonniges is director/pediatrician at the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Sean McArdle works as the props master for the Public Theater of New York.
Terry Michael was elected to a position as a Federal bankruptcy judge.
Tom Songster lives in Washington D.C. and works as senior vice president of sports policy for the Special Olympics.
This is just a small cross-section from an extensive list. Doane’s legacy of successful alumni presents an optimistic outlook.
The future may seem blurry now, but it will clear up.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Wegener elected president
Kelsey Tegtmeier
Staff Writer
April 15, 2004, Page 1
Voter turnout was not an issue this election.
More than half of the student body voted in the Student Congress election, Lindsay Wegener, newly elected president said.
“I was really pleased with the student body for voting,” Wegener said.
Wegener will be assisted by vice president Jordan Hahn, who could not be reached for comment.
Current StuCo President Jimmy Feeney declined to release the voting numbers, stating in an e-mail that, “Out of respect for all candidates, the specific numbers will not be released.”
Both the student body and Student Congress members took an active role in the election.
“I think the Student Congress did a great job of having the people working the election encourage voting,” sophomore Angie Knowlton said. “That was my number one concern, not having enough people vote. Go Wegener.”
As Wegener prepares to serve Doane students during the next year, her first official duty is to appoint two senators as treasurer and secretary. These positions will be announced in the next few weeks.
“Right now I have contacted the people I am interested in,” Wegener said. “I appoint them and then Congress approves them.”
Wegener said she plans to follow through with the commitments that she made in her speech during the Town Hall Meeting. She plans to work on projects in the residence halls to improve student living areas. Wegener will get a head start on the year by working on things over the summer.
“Officially I don’t start until next year, but I am staying here and working over the summer so I will be able to start brainstorming and planning things,” Wegener said.
Wegener said that she looks forward to working with Hahn and is willing to let him take a more active role.
Todd Andrews, who ran against Wegener, is also looking ahead.
“I think with the help of a strong Congress, we can expect many good things next year,” Andrews said.
Student Congress elections are not over. Senator elections take place outside the cafeteria April 19, 20 and 21.
Wegener said she looks forward to working with Congress next year and is excited to see who will be elected as senators next week.
“I am excited for the challenge next year and I know I will live up to that challenge,” Wegener said. “I know it won’t be easy all the time, but at the end of the year we’ll come out on top.”
Datatel used for pre-registration
Tosha Rae Long
Staff Writer
April 15, 2004, Page 1
This week began the process of scheduling students for the 2004 fall semester. Adviser training has been completed in anticipation for this week’s registration period.
“There were 12 sessions of training,” said Nan Weilage, Academic Affairs Office Director. “This fall we will have one more session for new teachers and those on sabbatical.”
Weilage said the web advisor is set up as a ‘point and click’ system much like the Internet. Advisers can access transcripts and audits. The training process was designed to show advisers what screens exist and what is out there for use. Each adviser did web test before actually using the program live.
Advisers and students are really the only people who will use the web adviser, Weilage said.
The rest of the faculty will have to go through the original software, Datatel, to look at the web advising. Even then, only those with advisees have the capabilities to register students. The rest of the faculty can only use web adviser for viewing the class roster and such.
Overall, Weilage feels that web adviser and Datatel have been a positive experience.
“I think it is working pretty well,” Weilage said. “There are always a few people that don’t like it, but most have said that they liked it.”
The initial decision to choose Datatel was wielded down from nine initial companies who responded to Doane’s bid to one.
Doane had a software problem and the committee chose Datatel as the solution. The capabilities of this software are far better than the previous software used, Poise.
In the words of Sociology professor and committee member Steve Gunkel, “Could anything be worse?”
According to Gunkel, the selection committee was set up as divisional representation. There were several representatives from every area of Doane to look at all the possible companies.
In the first round, all nine companies gave proposals -- module-based written representation of every division on paper. Along with these proposals, company experience and size were considered, narrowing the choice down to five.
The next round involved web based simulations that allowed members to see some of the software capabilities.
This allowed the committee to reduce the choice down to three.
The final choice was a hard one, Gunkel said.
“There was give and take, forging consensus was a major part of it,” Gunkel said. “Datatel was very responsive, answering questions within the day. That played a big part. Also, they had worked with many comparable institutions.”
The decision to implement Datatel over the other software companies was also largely a visual thing.
“Visually, it is easier to interpret,” Gunkel said. “It is very user friendly.
The careful thought process that went into this is well deserved, Gunkel said. All angles were covered.
“There were so many different perspectives,” Gunkel said. “There was a lot of deliberation. We didn’t want to leave Poise 1 for Poise 2.”
The most talked about feature of Datatel is the “What if” advising.
This feature allows advisers and students to look at their four-year plan and see what needs to be done. For example, if a student wanted to change majors, i.e. “What if I am a education major and want to change to a mass communication major.”
The Datatel software will show what is needed to successfully make this transition. This design will allow for better advising, Gunkel said.
“With this program, it is a lot faster,” Gunkel said. “This will allow more time to talk about internships and such, rather than just scheduling classes.”
Datatel is living up to its potential, Gunkel said. He is hopeful for the future.
“With any new system, there is going to be hiccups,” Gunkel said. “My hope is that it is as smooth a transition as possible.”
Staff Writer
April 15, 2004, Page 1
This week began the process of scheduling students for the 2004 fall semester. Adviser training has been completed in anticipation for this week’s registration period.
“There were 12 sessions of training,” said Nan Weilage, Academic Affairs Office Director. “This fall we will have one more session for new teachers and those on sabbatical.”
Weilage said the web advisor is set up as a ‘point and click’ system much like the Internet. Advisers can access transcripts and audits. The training process was designed to show advisers what screens exist and what is out there for use. Each adviser did web test before actually using the program live.
Advisers and students are really the only people who will use the web adviser, Weilage said.
The rest of the faculty will have to go through the original software, Datatel, to look at the web advising. Even then, only those with advisees have the capabilities to register students. The rest of the faculty can only use web adviser for viewing the class roster and such.
Overall, Weilage feels that web adviser and Datatel have been a positive experience.
“I think it is working pretty well,” Weilage said. “There are always a few people that don’t like it, but most have said that they liked it.”
The initial decision to choose Datatel was wielded down from nine initial companies who responded to Doane’s bid to one.
Doane had a software problem and the committee chose Datatel as the solution. The capabilities of this software are far better than the previous software used, Poise.
In the words of Sociology professor and committee member Steve Gunkel, “Could anything be worse?”
According to Gunkel, the selection committee was set up as divisional representation. There were several representatives from every area of Doane to look at all the possible companies.
In the first round, all nine companies gave proposals -- module-based written representation of every division on paper. Along with these proposals, company experience and size were considered, narrowing the choice down to five.
The next round involved web based simulations that allowed members to see some of the software capabilities.
This allowed the committee to reduce the choice down to three.
The final choice was a hard one, Gunkel said.
“There was give and take, forging consensus was a major part of it,” Gunkel said. “Datatel was very responsive, answering questions within the day. That played a big part. Also, they had worked with many comparable institutions.”
The decision to implement Datatel over the other software companies was also largely a visual thing.
“Visually, it is easier to interpret,” Gunkel said. “It is very user friendly.
The careful thought process that went into this is well deserved, Gunkel said. All angles were covered.
“There were so many different perspectives,” Gunkel said. “There was a lot of deliberation. We didn’t want to leave Poise 1 for Poise 2.”
The most talked about feature of Datatel is the “What if” advising.
This feature allows advisers and students to look at their four-year plan and see what needs to be done. For example, if a student wanted to change majors, i.e. “What if I am a education major and want to change to a mass communication major.”
The Datatel software will show what is needed to successfully make this transition. This design will allow for better advising, Gunkel said.
“With this program, it is a lot faster,” Gunkel said. “This will allow more time to talk about internships and such, rather than just scheduling classes.”
Datatel is living up to its potential, Gunkel said. He is hopeful for the future.
“With any new system, there is going to be hiccups,” Gunkel said. “My hope is that it is as smooth a transition as possible.”
Dygert cleared on 3 charges of swan teasing
Kiley Mackie
Staff Writer
April 15, 2004, Page 1
Sophomore Andrew Dygert, accused of provoking the swans while videotaping them for a class convergence project, was acquitted on three of the four charges against him at a formal hearing Wednesday.
Dygert was acquitted of the following charges:
- Conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person on college premises or at college-sponsored or college supervised functions or conduct likely to result in property damage.
- Disorderly Conduct.
- Providing false information to staff.
Dygert says he plans to appeal his only guilty charge: Failure to comply with directions of college officials or their designees acting in performance of their duties, based on insufficient evidence.
Russ Hewitt, director of Residence Life, informed Dygert of the charges during an informal hearing last Thursday after initially questioning him during an unrelated interview the day before.
Hewitt said the initial interrogation resulted from an anonymous student e-mail stating he/she had seen Dygert provoking and video taping the swans on April 6. Additional complaints received after the initial interview prompted Hewitt to continue investigation and summon Dygert to the informal hearing.
During questioning, Dygert offered his own account of the event.
On April 6, he and freshman Tosha Rae Long went down to the pond behind Hansen Hall to film the swans for a convergence project they had been assigned in class, Dygert said.
While filming the swans from the walking path, Dygert said the swan flew across the pond toward him.
Both he and Long said they had not provoked the swan in any way prior to the attack.
Dygert said after he was attacked, he retreated from the swan while the camera was still rolling and both he and Long left the area.
After hearing Dygert’s account of the event, Hewitt sent an e-mail to Dygert requesting the tape be viewed to either confirm or deny Dygert’s initial claim of being more than 50 feet away before the swan attacked.
Dygert, the news editor of The Owl, forwarded the e-mail to the The Owl staff, who denied Hewitt’s request, saying the tape was The Owl’s property and that turning over research material would be in violation of its policy and would set a dangerous precedent that any research material could be accessed upon anyone’s request.
Dygert agreed with The Owl’s decision.
“What’s actually on the tape shouldn’t matter,” Dygert said. “If I get assigned to write a paper for a class, should I get charged for what I write in it?”
Long, who was there while Dygert was filming and has seen the footage, also said she thought the tape would only provide circumstantial evidence.
“It (the tape) could have helped Andy’s case or hurt it,” Long said. “It just depends on who’s watching it and what point they’re trying to prove.”
Though Hewitt said that all procedures fell within the scope of the student handbook, he agreed that cases with such few consequences should not have to be dealt with formally.
“With the amount of complaints we receive, we’re much too busy to be having formal hearings when we could just get a damn video tape,” Hewitt said.
Regardless, the tape was not viewed in the investigation or at the formal hearing and did not affect the outcome of the formal hearing.
Though Dygert said he was somewhat pleased by the decision, he said he still disagrees with the single guilty charge and the way the matter was handled.
When Dygert complained of several procedural discrepancies in the investigation, Hewitt denied them using the Student Handbook.
Hewitt also said that if any student were to claim procedural problems as grounds for dismissal of a case, he would direct them to pg. 87 of the Student Handbook which states: “Doane College, as a private college, is not required to provide due process in its response to student discipline matters.”
Friday, March 30, 2007
Swan Photo
Jerrome Morgan
Photo Editor
April 8, 2004, Page 1
The swans swim on Doane Lake while a woman and her dog enjoy the nice weather. Signs posted around Doane Lake warn that the swans are nesting and may be aggressive
Photo Editor
April 8, 2004, Page 1
The swans swim on Doane Lake while a woman and her dog enjoy the nice weather. Signs posted around Doane Lake warn that the swans are nesting and may be aggressive
Close encounters of the swan kind
Andy Dygert and Tosha Rae Long
Staff Writers
April 8, 2004, Page 1
The swans on the Doane lakes are stirring up a lot of controversy during mating season. However, many people are wondering whether the swans are causing the problems or if it is the students’ actions that are antagonizing them.
“There seem to be more reports of students attacking swans versus swans attacking students,” said Russ Hewitt, director of Residence Life.
One student has been reportedly attacked by a swan.
Sarah Newton, friend of the supposedly attacked student, recounted the incident.
“It attacked her with its wings and left bruises on her legs as she was walking from Communications to Hansen,” Newton said.
Designed as a scenery addition to the campus, the swans have since created turmoil.
“Usually I think the swans are a great addition to Doane’s campus, however lately we’ve had some incidences where the male swan is being very protective of his eggs,” said Kim Heier, Dean of Student Leadership.
The solution to this problem, although it might seem simple, is rather complex. Removing the swans would be the obvious answer.
“If the swans continue to be aggressive, we will have to relocate them,” said Pappy Khouri, Vice President of Financial Affairs.
However, Khouri said that if the male swan is removed, nature is disrupted because the male and female alternate in sitting on the eggs.
There have been reports of students provoking the swans. The best way to avoid conflict is to abstain from contact with the swans Hewitt said.
“The college will take steps to protect the students,” Hewitt said. “I hope that students just realize to walk on by.”
Recent attempts to squander student aggressiveness toward the birds include signs posted near the water stating “Nesting swans may be aggressive. Please use caution” and a campus wide e-mail sent by Hewitt stating that any students caught aggravating the swans will be issued an automatic $500 fine.
Tiffany Grossman, freshman, feels that the aggressiveness of the swans is a harsh reality.
“It is a tough one,” Grossman said. “It is a sucky situation because they are attacking people, but they have to because they are protecting their babies.”
Other students feel that removing the swans is the best option.
“The swan is on a power trip and someone needs to dethrone him,” said freshman Matt Cooper. “We should keep them, but maybe let them out after mating season.”
The fact is, the swans are becoming an issue on the Doane campus, one that may need a solution soon.
“I think that we may need to think about removing him [male swan] from campus on a temporary basis until he can become less aggressive,” Heier said.
Staff Writers
April 8, 2004, Page 1
The swans on the Doane lakes are stirring up a lot of controversy during mating season. However, many people are wondering whether the swans are causing the problems or if it is the students’ actions that are antagonizing them.
“There seem to be more reports of students attacking swans versus swans attacking students,” said Russ Hewitt, director of Residence Life.
One student has been reportedly attacked by a swan.
Sarah Newton, friend of the supposedly attacked student, recounted the incident.
“It attacked her with its wings and left bruises on her legs as she was walking from Communications to Hansen,” Newton said.
Designed as a scenery addition to the campus, the swans have since created turmoil.
“Usually I think the swans are a great addition to Doane’s campus, however lately we’ve had some incidences where the male swan is being very protective of his eggs,” said Kim Heier, Dean of Student Leadership.
The solution to this problem, although it might seem simple, is rather complex. Removing the swans would be the obvious answer.
“If the swans continue to be aggressive, we will have to relocate them,” said Pappy Khouri, Vice President of Financial Affairs.
However, Khouri said that if the male swan is removed, nature is disrupted because the male and female alternate in sitting on the eggs.
There have been reports of students provoking the swans. The best way to avoid conflict is to abstain from contact with the swans Hewitt said.
“The college will take steps to protect the students,” Hewitt said. “I hope that students just realize to walk on by.”
Recent attempts to squander student aggressiveness toward the birds include signs posted near the water stating “Nesting swans may be aggressive. Please use caution” and a campus wide e-mail sent by Hewitt stating that any students caught aggravating the swans will be issued an automatic $500 fine.
Tiffany Grossman, freshman, feels that the aggressiveness of the swans is a harsh reality.
“It is a tough one,” Grossman said. “It is a sucky situation because they are attacking people, but they have to because they are protecting their babies.”
Other students feel that removing the swans is the best option.
“The swan is on a power trip and someone needs to dethrone him,” said freshman Matt Cooper. “We should keep them, but maybe let them out after mating season.”
The fact is, the swans are becoming an issue on the Doane campus, one that may need a solution soon.
“I think that we may need to think about removing him [male swan] from campus on a temporary basis until he can become less aggressive,” Heier said.
Student receives Fulbright
Sara Mettlen
Staff Writer
April 8, 2004, Page 1
After a long application process, Aaron Hall has been selected as a Fulbright Scholar to Germany.
According to the Fulbright Mission, the program was created following World War II in 1946.
The program’s goal is to increase understanding between countries by cultural and educational exchange. Maureen Franklin, adviser of the Fulbright Program at Doane, described it as a nationwide competition to study aboard for one year following graduation.
A senior majoring in International Business, German and Political Science, Hall will be completing a research project about military history in Potsdam Germany to fulfill the Fulbright Program.
Hall said that he first began the application process about a year ago, working with German professor H. Peter Reinkordt on his project proposal. With Reinkordt’s help, he narrowed the focus of his proposed research and prepared a rough draft in August.
Reinkordt said that he and Hall met several times over the summer to decide which project Hall would be most likely successful with. He said that the project is good for Hall because it combines his interests and education.
“[Aaron] is unique in that he has an intimate of the military at a young age,” Reinkordt said. “This project gives a chance to understand the difficulties some Germans had [with the military].”
Reinkordt also said that in the last year, Colin Powell has written an article speaking about military personnel needing experience in foreign countries so that they are better able to relate to the countries’ civilians when they are there on duty, further adding to the significance of Hall’s project.
In October, Hall interviewed with the Fulbright committee to get a letter of recommendation. The committee sent the letter of recommendation to New York to be approved by the Department of State. Hall found out in December that his application had been approved and sent on to Germany.
Hall said he chose Germany because he knew that his greatest expertise was in German. His project will focus on the relationship between the United States and German militaries, and how it is changing now that the German military is integrating into the European Union.
“It’s a really complicated topic,” Hall said.
He noted that it was a relevant issue with the question of whether the European Union will support the United States’ stance on looming terrorism.
Hall is in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corp and found out midway through the process that he was assigned military intelligence.
He is integrating the Fulbright and military research into the same project.
Right now, Hall is going through medical procedures, getting blood work done and a complete medical history so that he can live overseas.
He will arrive in Kiel or Regensburg, Germany in August to take his orientation language course. From there, he will go to Potsdam in September, where he will stay until July 2005.
“It’s an exciting process,” Hall said. “It’s been kind of a dream come true.”
Franklin said that Kari Quammen has reached the final round for a teaching award in France. She will know later this spring if she will be a Fulbright Scholar. If awarded, she will teach English in a French public school.
Franklin said that Doane has had more Fulbright Scholars than any other private university in Nebraska.
“They’re carrying on a Doane tradition of being selected as Fulbright Scholars,” Franklin said.
Doane has had 44 Fulbright Scholars.
“It opens up many opportunities because they are part of this network of Fulbright Scholars,” Franklin said. “It’s a big step.”
Staff Writer
April 8, 2004, Page 1
After a long application process, Aaron Hall has been selected as a Fulbright Scholar to Germany.
According to the Fulbright Mission, the program was created following World War II in 1946.
The program’s goal is to increase understanding between countries by cultural and educational exchange. Maureen Franklin, adviser of the Fulbright Program at Doane, described it as a nationwide competition to study aboard for one year following graduation.
A senior majoring in International Business, German and Political Science, Hall will be completing a research project about military history in Potsdam Germany to fulfill the Fulbright Program.
Hall said that he first began the application process about a year ago, working with German professor H. Peter Reinkordt on his project proposal. With Reinkordt’s help, he narrowed the focus of his proposed research and prepared a rough draft in August.
Reinkordt said that he and Hall met several times over the summer to decide which project Hall would be most likely successful with. He said that the project is good for Hall because it combines his interests and education.
“[Aaron] is unique in that he has an intimate of the military at a young age,” Reinkordt said. “This project gives a chance to understand the difficulties some Germans had [with the military].”
Reinkordt also said that in the last year, Colin Powell has written an article speaking about military personnel needing experience in foreign countries so that they are better able to relate to the countries’ civilians when they are there on duty, further adding to the significance of Hall’s project.
In October, Hall interviewed with the Fulbright committee to get a letter of recommendation. The committee sent the letter of recommendation to New York to be approved by the Department of State. Hall found out in December that his application had been approved and sent on to Germany.
Hall said he chose Germany because he knew that his greatest expertise was in German. His project will focus on the relationship between the United States and German militaries, and how it is changing now that the German military is integrating into the European Union.
“It’s a really complicated topic,” Hall said.
He noted that it was a relevant issue with the question of whether the European Union will support the United States’ stance on looming terrorism.
Hall is in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corp and found out midway through the process that he was assigned military intelligence.
He is integrating the Fulbright and military research into the same project.
Right now, Hall is going through medical procedures, getting blood work done and a complete medical history so that he can live overseas.
He will arrive in Kiel or Regensburg, Germany in August to take his orientation language course. From there, he will go to Potsdam in September, where he will stay until July 2005.
“It’s an exciting process,” Hall said. “It’s been kind of a dream come true.”
Franklin said that Kari Quammen has reached the final round for a teaching award in France. She will know later this spring if she will be a Fulbright Scholar. If awarded, she will teach English in a French public school.
Franklin said that Doane has had more Fulbright Scholars than any other private university in Nebraska.
“They’re carrying on a Doane tradition of being selected as Fulbright Scholars,” Franklin said.
Doane has had 44 Fulbright Scholars.
“It opens up many opportunities because they are part of this network of Fulbright Scholars,” Franklin said. “It’s a big step.”
Forensics places 25th in national tournament
India Williams
Staff Writer
April 8, 2004, Page 1
The Doane Forensics team placed 25th in the nation at the American Forensic Association Nationals in Long Beach, Calif.
More than 100 schools particpated, and at least 150 students were entered in each event.
The tournament was held from April 2-5.
“It was very intense,” freshman Anthony Kraus said. “It was definitely different from any other tournament because there were so many people in one event.”
Doane placed in the top half and top third of half of their 11 events in the most prestigious intercollegiate national forensics tournament.
“Nationals was a personal success for all of us,” sophomore Abi Mihel said.
Anne Golden, senior, broke into the quarter finals, which placed her in the top 24 out of 152 students in the Communication Analysis event. After the preliminary rounds, senior Erin Cico placed 26th in Persuasive Speaking and sophomore Abi Mihel placed 32nd in After-Dinner Speaking event.
In the beginning of the fall semester, director Dawn Bartlett and assistant director Rachelle Hafer promised the team a trip to the amusement park California Adventure if the entire team qualified for Nationals.
For the first time in four years the entire team qualified and the directors kept their promise.
“The trip to California Adventure gave us a chance to relax before we went to work,” Mihel said.
The team of 12 has defeated almost every college and university in Nebraska including University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska-Omaha and University of Nebraska-Kearney, placing in the top three in many of their tournaments.
“We scored with these hardworking and talented freshmen,” Hafer said. “Losing our only seniors, Anne Golden and Erin Cico, is a great loss in leadership and success.”
Considering the fact that this activity is a year round commitment, many of the freshmen are taking this time to catch up on schoolwork.
“Now that I’m done with Forensics, I’m faced with another hurdle and that’s getting ready for finals,” Kraus said.
With hopes of returning for another great year, the team said farewell to four year members Cico and Golden.
“Losing them will be a great loss in leadership and success, but we wish them the best,” Hafer said.
Doane’s forensics team has accomplished a lot throughout the year.
Kraus plans to use the ideas he saw at Nationals to do better next year.
Meanwhile the team has gained national exposure in the forensics field.
“I’m just glad everyone finally knows who Doane Forensics team is,” Cico said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
