2012-13 Issue 6

Page 1

Washburn University

Fore more coverage of on campus events, such as Family Day, go to www. washburnreview.org.

TheReview Serving Washburn Universit y since 1873

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volume 138, Issue 6 • wednesday, September 26, 2012

1700 S.W. College • topeka, kan. 66621

Washburn named 2013 best college Washburn searches for Angel’s replacement

AJ Dome

WASHBURN REVIEW

Photo by Mike Goehring Washburn Review

Proud to be an Ichabod: This view of Washburn’s campus is from the Crane Observatory in Stoffer Science Hall. Recently, Washburn has been recognized as the best college of 2013 by the U.S. News and World Report Rankings.

Amanda Narverud

WASHBURN REVIEW

Washburn University has been named a U.S. News and World Report Best College in 2013. The U.S. News and World Report published an “America’s Best Colleges” report annually since 1985. The rankings are based upon data that U.S. News and World Report collect from each educational institution. The data is collected through an annual survey sent to each school or from the school’s website. “Being recognized by U.S. News and World Report Rankings as a best college is an affirmation to our commitment in providing a high quality education,” said Richard Liedtke executive director of enrollment management. According to a news release

A&E

from Washburn University, the U.S. News assigns public and private institutions to a group of their peers, based on Carnegie classification. In the 2013 Best Colleges edition schools are designated national universities, national liberal arts colleges, regional universities and regional colleges. Washburn is in the regional university category meaning the institution provides a full range of undergraduate and master’s programs, but offer few, if any, doctoral programs. While there is no funding model connected to these rankings, they are one of the resources that promote a positive image for Washburn. As prospective students begin the college search they look to many resources to help them make a decision. Washburn was ranked as the top master’s level public institution

in the state of Kansas and 20th in the midwest region. “[These rankings] help to support the message of a quality education, the vibrant campus, and our student’s success, in which many have come to experience and know as an Ichabod,” said Liedtke. Washburn also ranks third among regional universities in the midwest of students graduating with the least debt. According to Liedtke Washburn is a journey where discovery, exploration and enlightenment take place and life-long bonds begin, while receiving a degree. Washburn students pride the university with being able to offer small class sizes that maximize student’s potential and faculty who mentor students and motivate success. On average graduates from Washburn have less debt than

other public institutions in the state of Kansas and nationally. The national average student debt upon graduation is $25,000. Washburn students graduate with an average debt of $17,970. “Students and professors work together to enhance educational experiences and gain the most out [of] the learning environment,” said Liedtke. “Moreover, this is done at a very affordable cost when compared to many other institutions that possess the ability to provide the same level of quality Washburn is accustomed to.”

Amanda Narverud is a junior mass media major. Reach her at amanda.narverud@washburn.

Washburn will be hosting presentations for new Learning Management Systems (LMS) within the coming weeks. The first of these LMS presentations was on Sep. 24 for Blackboard Learn. Blackboard Learn bought Angel Learning--the system currently used at Washburn--in 2009 for $95 million, causing a shift in the way educational systems are managed and used by schools. “Speaking as a past client, I’m happy to be seeing and helping make changes to the learning systems since we acquired Angel,” said Liam Ferris, solutions engineering manager at Blackboard. Blackboard’s upcoming Service Pack 10 would replace the current Angel system. Service Pack 10 premiers in December, and would include a host of new features, including Blackboard Social. “It’s like a less intimate Facebook,” said Ferris. Blackboard Social operates on an interface that combines some design traits of both Facebook and Blackboard. Many features, like a real-time chat box, private messaging, and the equivalent to Facebook groups and organizations called “Spaces,” are similar to the popular social-networking site. There’s even a mobile app, and a demo version of the app is available for free download in mobile app

Photo by Mike Goehring Washburn Review

stores. File-sharing will also be different. According to Ferris, the file management system in Blackboard is much more robust than Angel’s, and offers a similar but easier-to-use interface. Blackboard is compatible with all browsers, and it generally works on mobile devices, but Ferris said that Blackboard doesn’t actively test their mobile app on different devices. “It should work on most anything you have,” said Ferris. “The latest updates ensure that the system keeps working on anything and everything students use to access the site.” Two more presentations are scheduled for prospective LMS providers. Desire2Learn will be in the Washburn B Room from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1. From 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, in Washburn Room A, Instructure Canvas will be presenting. Videos of each of the presentations is available online, under the Technology Services tab in students’ MyWashburn account. Students and staff are encouraged to attend the sessions if possible, watch the demo videos, and provide feedback during this process. More information and evaluation sheets for the different presenters can be accessed at www.washburn.edu/lms. AJ Dome is a junior mass media major. Reach him at AJ Dome at andrew.dome@washburn.edu

Art department plans trip to Malta

Michelle Boltz

WASHBURN REVIEW

Washburn students will have the opportunity to travel to Malta in the spring of 2013, and it is open to anyone who would like to go. The trip will have two tour guides, Mary Dorsey Wanless, assistant art professor in photography, and Kelly Watt, assistant art professor in art history. There is a class that is available next semester called Documenting Art and History Abroad (AR399 XA), taught by Wanless. The Malta trip will be taken toward the end

of the course. It will have three undergraduate credit hours earned in either studio art (travel photography) or art history. One perk about this course is that Jim Richardson from National Geographic will come visit the class to talk more about Malta. Grades for this course won’t be posted until after the trip. Malta is located between Italy and Greece, four hours away from the tip of Sicily. Malta was British owned until it became a republic in 1974. Malta is one of three islands that are in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. The other

Let’s Go Ichabods!

two islands are Gozo and Comino. Malta has both Islamic and Egyptian history, and their airport was once controlled by Napoleon during World War I and II. People in Malta speak English, Maltese and Italian, and use Euro currency. “Malta has a very rich history and is fun to unpick,” said Watt. The Malta trip will take place from May 14 until May 24, 2013. Deposit for the Malta trip is to be determined. The estimated cost for the trip will be approximately $2,800. Price will include: airfare to and from Kansas City International

Airport to Malta International Airport, transfers from the airport and hotel, eight-night stay in Malta, one–night stay in Frankfurt, Germany on return trip, bus tours and tour guides, breakfast at hotel, four lunches and two dinners. It is recommended to take at least $500 for additional expenses. Bus fare is only $1.50 per trip in Malta. Travelers will be staying in Valetta, the capitol of Malta at the Osbourne Hotel. They will be exploring many historical sites during their stay, as well as exploring Gozo and Comino. “Culture is all around

you,” said Wanless. There are three opportunities for scholarships and financial aid for the Malta trip that are available to students. One is the Washburn Transformational Experience, and is only available once during a student’s college career. The International Programs Fund can provide up to $300$500. The art department also has funding available, and is equally distributed to those who want to travel. For those who are choosing the WTE scholarship, deadline is March 1, 2013. Travel can also be paid

It’s FAMILY DAY! September 28 & 29, stop by the Ichabod Shop for some Family Day specials. Purchase one regular priced WU merchandise, get a second half off. *of equal or lesser value. Not good with any other offer.

through their WU account. Last year’s trip was to Greece, and had 26 art and kinesiology students. “The more students we can get to go on this trip, the better,” said Glenda Taylor, art department chair. This will be the first time that Washburn will be going to Malta.

Michelle Boltz is a junior mass media major. Reach her at michelle.boltz@washburn.edu.

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