Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Communication
Review Quarterly March 2014
President’s Office
Dear Campus Community, The year 2014 marks 175 years of academic excellence at Bloomsburg University. Since our earliest days as a literary institute, Bloomsburg has provided a personalized approach to education, always putting our students first. That tradition continues today. This year, we are reflecting on Bloomsburg University’s growth over the decades and charting our path to shape the Bloomsburg of tomorrow. Our observance of the 175th anniversary celebrates the values that form Bloomsburg’s foundation: collaboration, community, critical thinking, diversity, excellence, integrity, knowledge, opportunity, respect and personal and professional growth. We began our celebration with Myrlie Evers-Williams, widow of slain Mississippi civil right activist Medgar Evers, as the keynote speaker at the 21st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration on February 25. As the story of Bloomsburg University continues to unfold, we invite you to share your memories and the reasons you celebrate BU during this special anniversary at facebook.com/bloomuniversity or magazine.bloomu.edu. A website (www.bloomu.edu/175) has been created to chronicle BU’s history and features upcoming events.
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Office of the President Carver Hall Bloomsburg University 400 E. Second St. Bloomsburg, PA 17815-1301 Email: president@bloomu.edu Blog: bupresident.blogspot.com www.bloomu.edu/president ON THE COVER:
Emily Bostian presents at the first Zeigler Case Competition in November. She and her teammates won the competition. Learn more on BU’s Tumblr.
Please join us in marking this historic occasion.
David L. Soltz President, Bloomsburg University
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is committed to equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to race, religion, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.
President’s Office
2013 Annual President’s Report
The 2013 President’s Report, Vision, is available online. This year’s report highlights BU’s economic impact, community partnerships and collaborations. Download the report.
Strategic Planning Grants Five projects were selected to receive the 2013 President’s Strategic Plan Grant award: Community-based hydrologic monitoring and flood forecasting for Fishing Creek, Pa. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Magnet Program in the Central Susquehanna Region The Bloomsburg University Sustainable Food Systems Outdoor Classroom Leading Educators Advocating Diversity (L.E.A.D.) Center for Healthy Aging Grant recipients’ names, grant amounts and short project abstracts are located on the Strategic Planning website, www.bloomu.edu/strategicgrants.
Physics professor Ghassan Ibrahim teaches a physics class to students involved in BU’s STEM Magnet program. The STEM Magnet program is one of the projects being funded by a President’s Strategic Plan Grant.
Academic Affairs
New Academic Program: Doctor of Nursing Practice Bloomsburg University will offer its second doctoral program – the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – starting this fall. Approved by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors in January, the new degree builds on the Master of Science in Nursing to help meet the shortage of health care professionals in the state and the nation. Twelve students are expected in the first cohort of the 33-credit, online program.
PCOM Physician Preparation Program Bloomsburg University now offers a fast-track program for chemistry majors pursuing a Doctor of Osteopathy degree through a partnership with Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). The Accelerated Bloomsburg-PCOM Physician Preparation Program is a combined Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry-Doctor of Osteopathy dual degree program that can be completed in three years at Bloomsburg University plus four years at PCOM instead of the traditional four years at BU plus four years at PCOM. To qualify for the accelerated program, students must complete four years of high school science and attain a minimum SAT score of 1150, minimum high school GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale and a class rank in the top 25 percent of high school graduating class. At BU, students must earn a minimum GPA of 3.2 in science and an overall GPA of 3.2, take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) no later than April of their junior year and score at least an 8 in each section of the test to be considered for admission. The accelerated program guarantees five seats for students meeting the requirements.
Undergraduate Research Featured in Publication Undergraduate research and creative experiences are distinguishing features of a Bloomsburg education. From esoteric to applied research, student research is as diverse as the many fields of study BU offers. Download the undergraduate research booklet to learn about recent student projects.
Academic Affairs
EGGS Dept. Honored by National Organization Bloomsburg’s Department of Environmental, Geological and Geographical Sciences was honored by the Geological Society of America last year. The society produced a video about the department. Shown are members of a film crew recording students doing tests in Fishing Creek.
STEM Magnet Program Receives Boost from Local Grants The Central Susquehanna Community Foundation (CSCF) and UGI Utilities Inc. through The Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce recently awarded grants totaling $55,300 to the Bloomsburg University Foundation in support of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Magnet Program for local high school students. The funding amount was a result of Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) contributions. The CSCF, UGI and The Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce joined PPL, U.S. Gypsum, Merck and Kawneer-Alcoa as first-year partners with BU in providing creditbearing college coursework for high-achieving high school juniors and seniors to get a head start on a college career in the STEM disciplines with an engineering focus. Starting with the 2014-15 academic year, the program will expand to two areas of focus: engineering and the health sciences.
College of Education Receives Two Major Grants The College of Education recently received two grants – a Pennsylvania Safe Schools/Healthy Students Partnership award of approximately $863,000 from the Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health to the McDowell Institute for Teacher Excellence in Positive Behavior Support and a $2.2 million award from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for Pre-Service Differently Education. The Safe Schools award supports a project to decrease bullying, youth violence and criminal behavior; Pre-Service Differently is designed to improve field experiences at all levels for BU’s education majors.
Administration & Finance
Campus Energy Conservation
Campus Gateway
Lower Campus Housing
Strategic issue number 4 in Bloomsburg University’s strategic plan, Impact 2015: Building on the Past, Leading for the Future, emphasizes environmental awareness and responsibility as key components of fostering a strong sense of community. To achieve this goal, Bloomsburg has developed a two-year energy reduction plan. The plan outlines ways students, faculty and staff can conserve electrical and water consumption on campus. Learn how you can help reduce water consumption and electric use on campus. Visit the campus sustainability and green initiatives web page to learn more about our ongoing sustainability efforts or contact John Holtzman at 570-389-4944 for more information.
NEO Gov Application System
BU Facilities Plan Unveiled The Facilities Master Plan is complete. The final projects proposed address the university’s existing and future space needs, including learning and non-learning areas. The plan is based on anticipated enrollment growth and the objectives of Bloomsburg’s strategic plan. It features a new campus gateway, residential villages consisting of two clusters of residence halls (one on lower and one on upper campus), dining facility, and additional parking. The new Master Facilities Plan estimates that most projects can be completed within 15-20 years. Learn more and download the plan.
The new NEO Gov application system, launched in November 2013, is an Internet-based employment application with an emphasis on easier communication with applicants and reduced waste and cost. Instead of manually printing, completing and submitting applications, the process can now be completed entirely electronically. Job applicants will find the website easier to use. Features of Neo Gov include a notification system, categorized job postings and smoother communications between Human Resources and the applicant. Human Resources conducted several successful job searches at the system’s launch and continue to explore its possibilities.
Student Affairs
Vicki Davis Named to PSAC Fall Top 10
HARLON HILL WINNER Senior Franklyn Quiteh became the second Harlon Hill Award winner in school history on December 20, 2013 at the 28th annual trophy presentation in Florence, Ala. The Harlon Hill Award is given to the nation’s top NCAA Division II football player as selected in a vote by the sports information directors at the 169 schools competing in Division II football. Quiteh, who has been a national finalist for the award three times, follows in the footsteps of Irv Sigler, who became the first Harlon Hill winner from BU in 1997. Quiteh finished the 2013 season as the leading rusher in the country with a career high 2,195 yards on 263 carries while scoring 31 total touchdowns. He also led the nation in rush yards per game (182.9), rushing touchdowns (29) and scoring (15.7 points per game). Quiteh is the 2013 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East and the Daktronics Offensive Player of the Year. He was also named to three AllAmerica teams. He finished his career as second all-time in Division II rushing at 7,523 yards and holds combined records for 20 schools, the PSAC and NCAA.
Bloomsburg University women’s cross country standout Vicki Davis (New Ringgold/Schuylkill Haven) has been named to the PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) Fall Top 10 team as chosen by the PSAC Sports Information Directors. The PSAC Top 10 Awards are designed to recognize student-athletes who excel in both the classroom and in athletic competition. Davis, a graduate student, posted a 3.76 GPA as an undergraduate and had a 4.0 GPA in her first semester of graduate school. The fall 2013 season one for the record books for Davis. She was named the PSAC Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year in 2013 and the Atlantic Region Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). She won both the PSAC and NCAA Atlantic Regional titles in 2013 and earned All-America status with an overall finish of 22nd at the NCAA Division II Championships. In earning All-American honors she became the first-ever women’s cross country AllAmerican in school history. Learn more.
University Advancement
Distinguished Faculty Fellowship Established A $30,000 donation from alumnus Michael Gillespie ’95 (left) will endow the first distinguished faculty fellowship at Bloomsburg University. The fellowship will provide financial assistance for field research support and expenses, participation at conferences, travel to professional meetings, professional and community outreach and seed money for innovative projects with students. Gillespie is the chief accounting officer for Hersha Hospitality Trust, located in Harrisburg. Ira Blake, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, will select the Gillespie Distinguished Faculty Fellow in consultation with the deans. Recipients will be invited to make a presentation at a future meeting of the Bloomsburg University Foundation Board of Directors and the Council of Trustees.
Marketing Redesigns Admissions Webpage A redesigned admissions webpage was unveiled over winter break to reflect the growth and advancement of the university’s changing enrollment demands. The redesign remodeled existing webpages, added several new webpages, expanded menu options for parents and prospective students and allotted space for promotional videos, blogs and marketing content highlighting the added value of the BU experience. The new design also connects admissions and marketing communications, specifically tracking effectiveness of targeted email communications. This component extends to social media and commercial and print marketing, helping the university to further improve its enrollment management plan. To visit the new webpage, visit www.bloomu.edu/admissions.
New Commercials Click here to view the first in a series of Bloomsburg University commercials and videos for 2014. Watch the website and digital monitors across campus for additional videos throughout the year.
www.bloomu.edu