News University of Northern Colorado

UNC to Host USA Women’s Rugby Team

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The University of Northern Colorado will host the USA Women's Rugby National Team during a camp for the top 60 players beginning Saturday, May 18, through Sunday, May 26. The camp will include scrimmages at the Butler-Hancock practice fields. For more details visit: http://usawomensrugby.org/top-60-camp-roster-named/. A schedule of scrimmages is available at: http://usawomensrugby.org/schedule/2013-scheduleresults/.

It's one of four national rugby camps that will be held on campus throughout the summer. Stars & Stripes (high school boys and girls, July 9-13), Collegiate All-Stars (female, July 18-21) and the USA Rugby Nation's Cup (July 28-Aug. 12), which features competition among four women's national teams: USA, Canada, South Africa and England.

For more information on other summer camps at UNC, visit http://www.unco.edu/summerconf, including camps offered by UNC's Division I coaches, and click on "Find Your Conference."www.unco.edu/summerconf

Trustees Continue Discussion of Proposed Budget

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Members of the University of Northern Colorado Board of Trustees continued discussion of next year's proposed budget during the finance and audit committee meeting Wednesday, May 15.

No action was taken.

As mentioned in a previous report, the proposal calls for a 5 percent average tuition increase ($284/year) for resident undergraduate students and up to a 4-percent tuition increase for resident graduate students. UNC's resident undergraduate tuition is currently the lowest among the state's research universities. For more details on pricing, visit www.unco.edu/news/?5027.

Provost Robbyn Wacker addressed multiyear planning that takes a systems-based and entrepreneurial approach in informing the budget. The strategic framework for transformative education — defined as the intersection among academics, research, scholarship and creative works, and community building (see diagram) — sets the foundation for the nine interconnected core plans and five support plans in carrying out annual implementation.

For example, one component in the academic portfolio is academic quality and addresses supporting faculty and instruction. One way of doing that in the budget calls for piloting the delivery of classes in new ways (such as the concept of flipped classrooms, where "homework" takes place in the classroom and lectures are available online).

Another example is the Community and Civic Engagement Plan with investments planned for student experiences, such as standardizing internships and other co-curricular opportunities, such as conducting research, that connect with the community.

Such planning provides the structure for the multiyear budget process to intentionally invest in academic quality, student support, programs and employees.

Trustees are expected to consider the proposed budget as an action item at their next scheduled board meeting June 7.

Summer at UNC: Classes, Community Events, Camps and More

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The University of Northern Colorado this summer will offer more than 300 classes and a variety of community events along with academic, arts, music and sports camps for all ages.

Classes over six-, eight- and 12-week sessions begin May 20. Registration is still open. Visit http://www.unco.edu/summer for details.

Community events include:

The 79th season of Little Theater of the Rockies, featuring five shows, opening with The Fantasticks on June 13: http://www.arts.unco.edu/ltr
Concerts Under the Stars, free weekly outdoor performances beginning in July at Garden Theater: http://www.arts.unco.edu/calendar/concerts.html
See the online calendar for more events: http://calendar.unco.edu

Academic camps include:

The Young Child Program (ages 4 through entering fourth grade), Summer Enrichment Program (grades 5-10), and Leadership Enrichment Program (grades 11 and 12), http://www.unco.edu/cebs/sep
Frontiers of Science for rising high school juniors and seniors, June 16-July 26: http://mast.unco.edu/programs/fsi
Center for Integrated Arts summer institute: http://www.arts.unco.edu/ciae/
A complete list of academic, arts, music and summer camps, including those offered by UNC's Division I coaches and by national rugby programs is available at http://www.unco.edu/summerconf/ by clicking on "Find Your Conference."

Orientation, room rentals, lodging:

Throughout the summer, orientation for new freshmen, transfer students and parents will be held: http://www.unco.edu/orientation/
The university also offers affordable options for private gatherings such as family reunions, weddings and wedding anniversary parties. Indoor conference facilities and meeting rooms, beautiful outdoor wedding or party venues, catering services, dining rooms, convenience food outlets and a recreation center are among the amenities available. Details at: http://www.unco.edu/uc/events/
The university also offers nightly hotel-style accommodations during the summer in North Hall, a residence hall featuring suites accommodating up to four persons. Built in 2009, the spacious, air-conditioned suites include 2-3 bedrooms, a bathroom and a living area.

For more on summer housing, conferences and events, visit http://www.unco.edu/summerconf/

Governor Signs Bill at UNC to Create State Grant Program

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Gov. John Hickenlooper signed the Advanced Industries Accelerator Act on Wednesday, May 15, in the Panorama Room at the University Center. The bill creates a grant program in the Colorado Office of Economic Development for advanced manufacturing, aerospace, bioscience, electronics, energy and natural resources, infrastructure engineering, and information technology.

Visit UNC in the News for coverage.

Faces of the Class of 2013

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Whether validating a lifetime of experience, conquering obstacles to achieving their educational goals or trying to find their calling in life, members of the University of Northern Colorado's spring class of 2013 are now poised to make a difference during the next chapter of their lives. Here are profiles of just a few.

Artie Mae Grisby
Validating a lifetime of experiences

When Artie Mae Grisby crossed the commencement stage on May 11, she was among the oldest graduates in University of Northern Colorado history at 79.

Although she's proud of earning her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, the completion of her degree is just one step on a lifelong journey that didn't end on graduation day.

"I keep my feet flat on the floor," Grisby said recently at UNC's Center for Urban Education (CUE) in Denver, where she took classes for the past two years. "This is my time, that's all."

She said she never thought she'd go into a career working with children after visiting a friend's childcare center in her home state of Louisiana many years ago.

Nor did she imagine that she'd go on to become a sought-after childcare trainer and first aid instructor for the state of Colorado.

"I was a nurse for a few years before I worked in the insurance business. After 10 years of that, I knew I had to do something else," she said.

But she didn't know what so she turned to her religious faith and prayed for guidance on her next steps. The message was clear.

"'Childcare,' the Lord told me. And I said, ‘No, not me!'" But each time she prayed, the answer was the same. "So I finally decided to listen. I said, ‘Ok, I'll quit my job and I'd better have one child in my care by August 1.'" Continue Reading.

Mario Hernandez
From Guatemala to Greeley … and beyond

The fact that Mario Hernandez was selected as both the student speaker for this year's undergraduate commencement ceremony and as one of two recipients of the 2013 Robert and Ludie Dickeson Presidential Prize for Leadership gives you an idea of how he made a difference during his time at UNC.

And it shows just how far he's come in 10 years. When he and his parents left Guatemala for a better life in the United States, he was 11, spoke no English and college seemed like an impossible dream.

Hernandez used multiple merit-based scholarships and jobs to help make the dream come true and he embraced campus life, serving as a diversity mentor and resident assistant in multiple residence halls while helping with a variety of Residence Hall Association initiatives. He was a member of the President's Leadership and Honors programs, a participant in and then student facilitator for UNC's yearly Catalyst Social Justice Retreat and helped plan two of the school's annual Leaders Engaging in Action through Passion annual summits.

He also co-founded and served as standards chair of UNC's chapter of Pi Kappa Phi, a national fraternity focusing on developing members' leadership skills.

Hernandez was also active off campus, volunteering countless hours at the Weld County Food Bank, Greeley Place Senior Living Center, A Children's Place and Relay for Life.

Hernandez, who earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration - Management, will work as an assistant residence hall director on the University of Colorado's Boulder campus for the next year while he saves money to help finance a master's degree in higher education and student affairs so that he can continue in a role of leadership in a university setting.

Emilie Nemchak
Leading in and out of the classroom

Emilie Nemchak's involvement in a wide variety of student life activities and organizations while working toward her bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communications summa cum laude earned her one of two Robert and Ludie Dickeson Presidential Prizes for Leadership given each spring to a graduating senior.

In addition to serving on the campus Residence Hall Association council, Nemchak was social and traditional events coordinator her senior year, leading the association's involvement with a variety of campus events such as homecoming and earning her a nomination as RHA student of the year.

As a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary, she represented UNC at NRHH national meetings and conferences, playing a key role in implementing the organization's national safe trick-or-treat and anti-bullying campaigns at UNC and assisting with leadership education activities to help develop other student leaders' leadership skills.

In addition to her residence hall responsibilities, Nemchak helped recruit new students through her work as a campus tour guide and then assisted new freshmen transition from high school to university life in her leadership role during orientations for new students.

As a member of the Student Public Relations Network, she helped organize seminars and networking events with working professionals in the field. Her involvement with Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority gave her opportunities to help plan and volunteer at events such as highway clean-ups and the Special Olympics.

She'll use the experience she's gained as a campus leader and in internships off campus to pursue a career in marketing.

Konrad Schlarbaum
Leaving a sustainable legacy

Konrad Schlarbaum leaves behind a legacy at UNC after leading the effort to establish the Student Leadership Environmental Action Fund, a fee-funded initiative approved by students in 2012 that promotes a sustainable campus community and culture.

He also served as the first president of the student-run fund, which in its inaugural year used more than $100,000 to support water-saving improvements to the campus' lawn sprinkler systems, the placement of 20 outdoor recycling kiosks expected to increase recycling totals by 10 percent and the installation of 32 bottle-filling water stations in buildings that have already diverted more than 500,000 plastic water bottles from landfills.

When he wasn't helping UNC's "greening" efforts, Schlarbaum, a veteran of tours in Belgium and Iraq with the U.S. Army, was helping other veterans transition from military life to campus life or participating in community service activities on and off campus, including ones as a member of UNC's chapter of Mortar Board, the National Senior Honor Society.

A double major in Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality and Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Schlarbaum was regularly named to the Dean's List. This summer, he'll combine what he's learned in both majors during an internship as a tour guide at Great Sand Dunes National Park in southern Colorado.

He hopes to use that experience as a springboard to a career in environmental tourism.

Corina Brown
Doctoral dissertation changes the way nursing students learn

Corina Brown is a familiar face in UNC's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry: She earned her master's degree in Biochemistry in 2009 and served as a teaching assistant while earning her Ph.D. in Chemistry Education.

But she'll be best remembered not for how long she was associated with the department, but rather for the impact of her graduate work, particularly her doctoral dissertation, which earned her a Graduate School Dean's Citation for Excellence and is changing how a required chemistry course for nursing students is taught.

Her dissertation, a product of her experiences as a graduate teaching assistant of UNC nursing students' required chemistry course, Principles of Biochemistry, provides a model for assessing students' pre-course knowledge of the subject.

Her research, done in collaboration with UNC's School of Nursing, has already been used to re-design the course to provide students with more information relevant to their careers.

Moreover, since presenting her dissertation at multiple regional and national chemistry meetings, she's been fielding requests from chemistry faculty throughout the U.S. for approval to use her assessment materials in their classroom.

Brown also was selected by the American Chemical Society to present her work at the European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences Congress in Prague, Czech Republic, and so far has had it published in one peer-reviewed journal with manuscripts pending publication in two other publications.

She hopes to continue teaching and researching in a university faculty position.

Originally from the Transylvania region of Romania, Brown's story of growing up under communism before emigrating to the U.S., a 3.94 GPA and her outstanding dissertation made her an excellent choice as student speaker at the Graduate School's commencement ceremony.

Lisa Regan and Sara Regan
Mother and daughter share a common motivation for earning their degrees

A combination of career fairs and personal ties to physical therapy led Sara Regan, a Greeley native and a Daniels Fund Scholar, to pursue the undergraduate degree in Sports and Exercise Science she received May 11 from UNC. Her mother, Lisa Regan, a second-grade teacher at University Schools, graduated the night before with a master's degree in Reading.

While their chosen fields are quite different, Sara and her mother have similar post-graduation goals in mind: to use their education to make a positive impact on the lives of each person they work with.

Sara experienced the positive impact of physical therapy second-hand; her mother was diagnosed with epilepsy as an infant; the apparent result of a stroke that occurred before or shortly after she was born. Her doctors didn't think she would graduate from high school, let alone college. Lisa did both, and inspired Sara to show others with traumatic brain injuries that the effects don't define who you are, or the goals you've established for yourself.

Lisa pursued a master's in Reading because of her interest in language and unique learning styles, and because of her desire to better understand reading and writing as separate entities and how they relate to each other. She's looking forward to bringing her knowledge to the classroom and getting her students excited about learning.

The saying, "Like mother, like daughter" certainly applies to these UNC graduates, even though their college experiences were anything but similar. Both women are living proof that with motivation and determination, and sometimes a little inspiration, a college degree is possible at any age.

Taylor Hall
Passion for public speaking, faith earn him a Princeton scholarship

After he interviewed for admission into the elite seminary graduate program at Princeton University, where less than 7 percent of those who apply are accepted, Taylor Hall knew the interview went well when he was asked to submit letters of recommendation.

He was told he'd be contacted in a few weeks, after the letters were reviewed.

Hall couldn't help but wonder, though, if admissions staff might think it odd that someone from Sterling, Colo., with a bachelor's degree in Finance would want to get a master of Divinity degree.

Imagine his surprise when, only a week later, he received an e-mail notifying him that not only had he been accepted into the seminary program, he'd also been awarded a full scholarship that covered books, tuition, residential housing and even a living stipend.

"I was speechless," Hall said. "They told me this particular scholarship was based only on the quality of the interview, not GPAs or activities or letters of reference. I'm still amazed."

Being speechless is a rare thing for Hall, who as a student ambassador for UNC's Admissions Office the past two years, became accustomed to talking for 90 minutes straight while conducting campus tours for prospective students and their parents.

According to Hall, Professor of Finance Christine McClatchey helped him identify his passion for public speaking and motivating people, which helped him decide to pursue motivational speaking as a career.

"And what better way to do that then to combine my passion for religion and philosophy and wanting to make a positive difference in the lives of others?" he said.

Don Alvarez
Non-traditional student sets the bar high for others

Although Don Alvarez was almost 30 years older than most of his classmates, the 50-year-old father of three didn't lack for energy in the classroom or outside it during his pursuit of a bachelor's degree in Nursing.

He graduated summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA and was a College of Natural and Health Sciences Scholar. He served as president-elect and president of the Student Nurses Association, taught CPR to other nursing students and served as a greeter for the School of Nursing's 50th anniversary event.

His many other extracurricular activities included co-organizing a free health fair for members of Greeley's refugee communities and leading a fund-raising effort that paid for the majority of immunizations administered during the fair. He then built on that experience by serving as medical coordinator for the first-ever 9Health Fair hosted by UNC, attended by an estimated 800 area residents.

Away from campus, he responded to medical emergencies as an EMT with the Poudre Valley Health System, taught portions of EMT courses and CPR courses at Front Range Community College and volunteered as an assistant Boy Scout leader.

Alvarez, who said being in classes with students young enough to be his children made him feel like an awkward teenager trying to fit in but taught him how to be a better listener, will start work on his master's in Nursing at UNC in the fall.

Caitlin Miller
Trip to India inspires grad to continue community service work

In addition to graduating cum laude with bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Anthropology, Caitlin Miller leaves UNC with awards for outstanding community service and research, and a legacy for helping those less fortunate, both in Greeley and India.

In the summer between her junior and senior year, Miller spent six weeks in India working with three different community service organizations, including one that sought to empower women and another striving to educate children that were once beggars in the country's poorest areas.

She fully immersed herself in the culture, wearing Indian clothes, eating Indian food and even wading in the country's holiest - and by American standards, its dirtiest - rivers.

When she returned to Greeley, Miller, pictured at right with Congolese refugee Jackline, began an internship at the Global Refugee Center, working to raise awareness about the refugee populations in Greeley, helping connect the refugees with the rest of the community and organizing awareness events such as "Walk in Their Shoes."

She also organized concerts, Swahili drum lessons and cultural shows, and taught English to refugees.

As a research assistant in UNC's neurophysiology lab, Miller studied traumatic brain injuries' effects on the brain's ability to process information and then combined her anthropological and psychological work for her honors thesis, in which she studied Somali refugees' interpretations of trauma-related mental illnesses.

Her work with refugees, other volunteer work and her thesis earned her the Center for Honors, Scholarship and Leadership's Civic Engagement Award and second place in UNC's annual Research Excellence Award competition.

Miller plans to take a break from school by returning to India to continue her work with women's empowerment and rural development organizations before pursuing an advanced degree in psychological anthropology.

UNC Trustees’ Committee to Meet May 15

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The finance and audit committee of the University of Northern Colorado's Board of Trustees will meet from 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, May 15, in the fourth-floor boardroom of Carter Hall, intersection of 9th Avenue and 17th Street.

Discussion will include a state update from UNC President Kay Norton; an FY14 budget preview that includes enrollment, tuition and financial aid (trustees discussed a proposed budget at the March 8 meeting - recap at: http://www.unco.edu/news/?5027); and an internal audit update.

No action will be taken.

Greek Tragedy Medea to Close Out Spring Performing Arts Series

Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The University of Northern Colorado School of Theatre Arts and Dance's spring Performing Arts Series, featuring the schools' top theater majors, wraps up the year May 2, with Medea, a Greek tragedy by Euripides.

Medea, directed by UNC Professor of Theatre Arts Mary Schuttler, plays May 2-4 at 7:30 p.m.; and at 2 p.m. May 5 in Langworthy Theatre in Frasier Hall, intersection of 9th Avenue and 17th Street.

It's rated PG-13 for adult language and mature themes.

For more information, including an overview of the production, visit the Performing Arts Series website.

For ticket prices, call the Performing and Visual Arts Box Office at 970-351-2200.

UNC in Photos: An April Retrospective

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A slideshow of events and activities on campus.

Autism Advocate Temple Grandin to Speak at UNC April 22

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The University of Northern Colorado will host a free public presentation by Internationally known autism and animal welfare advocate and activist Temple Grandin from 6-8 p.m. Monday, April 22, in the University Center ballrooms, intersection of 10th Avenue and 20th Street.

Diagnosed with autism at age 2, Grandin will offer a personal perspective on autism, sensory issues and social issues along the autism spectrum.

Drawing from her soon-to-be-released book, The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum, Grandin will talk about her own experience with autism and discuss neuroimaging advances and genetic research that link brain science to behavior.

Grandin advocates the benefits of treating autism symptom by symptom, and suggests that raising and educating children on the autism spectrum should focus on new ways to foster their unique contributions.

She's authored nine other books, including Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism, which was the basis for the 2010 acclaimed biographical film Temple Grandin.

Also renowned for her insights into animal behavior and her innovations in livestock handling that have revolutionized food-animal welfare, Grandin is a professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University.

Her appearance is part of "ED Talks," a series of lectures from leading teachers, authors and scholars in the education field, sponsored by UNC's College of Education and Behavioral Sciences.

Free parking is available in lots adjacent to the University Center.

More information about Grandin is at http://templegrandin.com.

Every Day is Earth Day This Week at UNC

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The University of Northern Colorado is putting new meaning into "going green" and celebrating environmental awareness April 22-26, with each day assigned a different "green" theme, starting with Earth Day on Monday.

The week's events include:

Monday, April 22 - "Learn Green"
Earth Day Information Fair
10 a.m.-2 p.m., University Center (lower level, and west patio)
A variety of organizations will provide information about resource conservation and environmental awareness efforts on campus and in Greeley with eco-friendly give-a-ways.

Third Annual Boys and Girls Club Service Project
4-6 p.m., BGC's Jerry Pawl Unit (2400 1st Ave.)
Students, faculty and staff will provide information and excitement about environmental sustainability to local youths while helping plant gardens and prepare play areas for warmer weather. More Info

Tuesday, April 23 - "Think Green"
Movie: "Bidder 70"
7:30-9 p.m., University Center (Columbine B)
This free film screening features the true story of a young man who tried to throw a monkey wrench into oil and gas exploration on federal lands when he bid $1.7 million on 22,000 acres of land at a Bureau of Land Management oil and gas leasing auction with no intention of paying for or drilling on the land. His act of civil disobedience earned him two years in prison.

Wednesday, April 24 - "Eat Green"
Special Dining Facility Menu
5-9 p.m., Holmes Dining Hall, Tobey-Kendel Dining Room
Local cuisine and environmentally sustainable recipes will be on the dinner menus at UNC's dining halls.

Thursday, April 25 - "Buy Green/Buy Local"
Greeley Night Out
5-9 p.m., Downtown Greeley
Students will be encouraged to shop at locally-owned businesses and save money by paying just $5 for a dinner at the Rio, a cupcake at Batter Up Cakes and a movie at the Kress Cinema. More Info

Friday, April 26 - "Celebrate Green"
Thrift Store Prom
7-10 p.m., Campus Recreation Center
Prom-goers will wear their best second-hand garb and re-experience high school prom night, complete with a photo booth to capture all the wacky outfits.

Saturday, April 27 - "Live Green"
Bears PAY it Forward
9 a.m.-noon, University Center
Students, faculty and staff will be joined by community volunteers for this annual clean-up of some of Greeley's more neglected neighborhoods and UNC will celebrate its recent designation as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation with a special tree planting. More Info

Other "go-green" events for Earth Week at UNC include "Lunch Time Lights Out" and the "Tray-less Dining Incentive," with members of the campus community saving resources in dining facilities by eating lunch with the lights off and forgoing trays that have to be washed.

Student LEAF, UPC, SEA Club, Dining Services and Off Campus Life have collaborated to put together the week-long "Every Day is Earth Day" celebration.

For more information, visit: the Earth Week website.

Academic Excellence Week: Research Day

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

More than 350 undergraduate and graduate students from nearly every academic discipline at UNC will share information about their research projects during 258 presentations from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11, throughout the University Center's second floor.

Top research projects in undergraduate and graduate oral and poster presentations will be selected for recognition through a competitive judging process and winners will be announced at the Research Excellence Awards and Graduate School Celebration of Research from 4:45-5:30 p.m. in the Mount Evans ballroom. The winner in each of the four categories will receive a $100 cash prize.

The Research Day program, which includes information about the finalists in the competition and a complete list of presentations is available on the Research Day website.

Research Day is one of several activities during Academic Excellence Week April 7-13. Other activities promoting academic excellence and recognizing student, faculty and staff scholastic achievements include:

Teaching and Learning Fair: Faculty from a variety of disciplines will exchange ideas, strategies, assignments and other tools that foster academic excellence through teaching and learning during the fourth annual Teaching and Learning Fair from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, in the University Center Panorama room and Aspen suites. Schedule.

Hewit Distinguished Professor of History Lecture: Susan Schulten, professor of History at the University of Denver and the 2013 Hewit Distinguished Professor of History at UNC, will present "The Meaning of Maps," a free public lecture and book signing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, in the Panorama room at the University Center. Full details.
Distinguished Scholar Luncheon: UNC's Faculty Research and Publications Board will honor the 2013 A.M. and Jo Winchester Distinguished Scholar, college scholars and faculty achievements from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday, April 8, in the University Center Panorama room.
College- and School-Hosted Events: A variety of UNC's colleges, schools and programs will honor faculty and student academic achievement with convocations, banquets and other events during the week.

For a complete schedule of activities or additional information about UNC's celebration of academic excellence, visit http://www.unco.edu/hsl/aew.html or contact the Center for Honors, Scholars and Leadership at 970-351-2940.

Academic Excellence Week is coordinated and sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research; the Center for Honors, Scholars and Leadership; and the Graduate Student Association along with academic departments and programs across campus.

Academic Excellence Week: Hewit Distinguished Professor of History Lecture Wednesday

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Susan Schulten, the 2013 UNC Hewit Distinguished Professor of History, will present "The Meaning of Maps" at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, in the Panorama Room of the University Center,

The lecture, open to the public free of charge, will focus on an American culture that is saturated with maps, from Google Maps to geographic information systems.

Schulten, professor and chair of the University of Denver's History Department, will examine how maps came to be used in the 19th century United States, not only to identify locations and represent the landscape, but also to analyze information.

Through maps of the weather, the population, the economy, disease, and even their past, Americans gradually learned to view themselves and their nation in altogether new ways.

A signing of her newest book, Mapping the Nation: History and Cartography in Nineteenth-Century America will follow the lecture. For more, please see http://www.mappingthenation.com/.

The William E. Hewit Endowment, the UNC History Department and Phi Alpha Theta are sponsoring the event.

The lecture is one of several activities during Academic Excellence Week April 7-13. Other activities promoting academic excellence and recognizing student, faculty and staff scholastic achievements during the week include:

Teaching and Learning Fair: Faculty from a variety of disciplines will exchange ideas, strategies, assignments and other tools that foster academic excellence through teaching and learning during the fourth annual Teaching and Learning Fair from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, in the University Center Panorama room and Aspen suites. Schedule.
Research Day: More than 350 undergraduate and graduate students from nearly every academic discipline at UNC will share information about their research projects during 258 presentations from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11, throughout the University Center's second floor. Top research projects will be selected for recognition. List of presentations.
Distinguished Scholar Luncheon: UNC's Faculty Research and Publications Board will honor the 2013 A.M. and Jo Winchester Distinguished Scholar, college scholars and faculty achievements from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday, April 8, in the University Center Panorama room.
College- and School-Hosted Events: A variety of UNC's colleges, schools and programs will honor faculty and student academic achievement with convocations, banquets and other events during the week.

22nd Annual Beyond Paradise Lu’au Brings the Tropics to UNC

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The University of Northern Colorado will get a taste of the tropics with this year's Beyond Paradise Lu'au, a traditional Hawaiian celebration on April 13 involving native food, dances and other activities.

The event, hosted by UNC's Ha'aheo ‘O Hawaii Club and open to the public, starts at 4:30 p.m. in the ballrooms of the University Center, intersection of 20th Street and 10th Avenue.

Food at the lu'au will include traditional favorites such as haupia, a pudding-like dessert made from coconut milk, and kalua pig, which is traditionally cooked by lining a pit with hot coals and burying the pig in it. The dinner menu also includes chicken long rice, teriyaki chicken, vegetable kabobs, pineapple, rice and green salad.

The celebration will feature a variety of dances from the Pacific islands with student dancers performing both ‘auna (modern) and kahiko (traditional) Hawaiian hulas and slow and fast Tahitian dances, with a special performance by the club's graduating seniors.

There'll also be a women's chant, a "haka" warrior chant performed by the men and poi-ball dances, which involve the swinging of tethered weights in intricate geometric patterns.

After their popular performance at last year's lu'au, Fort Collins-based reggae band Trichome will return to the stage at this year's event.

The Beyond Paradise Country Store will offer a variety of Hawaiian treats, gifts and souvenirs for sale, and children will be able to play games and win prizes in the Keiki Corner while their parents shop, and have their picture taken in front of a Hawaiian-themed backdrop.

Tickets are $15 for students, $20 for adults, $10 for children under 13 and free for children under 5, and are available in person at the UNC Ticket Office in the University Center, by calling 970-351-4849 or at www.unco.edu/tickets.

Free parking will be available in lots adjacent to the University Center.

Photo Exhibit Tells Story of ‘Totem Teddy’

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A photo exhibit that recognizes the inspiration behind UNC's mascot and tells the story of "Totem Teddy" will begin at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11, in the Fireside Lounge, second floor of the University Center. The exhibit honors the legacy of the totem pole featuring a bear carving at the top. Nicknamed Totem Teddy, it became a source of school spirit — in 1923, the mascot was changed from the Teachers to the Bears.

The photos in the exhibit showcase Totem Teddy's history from the time it arrived in a crate as a gift from an alumnus in 1914 to its rightful return to the tribe in Alaska it belonged to in 2003.

For more about the story of Totem Teddy, visit http://www.unco.edu/totemteddy.

Schedule of Events

3:30 p.m. - Welcome Reception
3:45 p.m. - Display unveiling
4 p.m. - Provost's remarks

UNC to Celebrate Story of ‘Totem Teddy’ with Photo Exhibit

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The University of Northern Colorado will unveil a photo exhibit that recognizes the inspiration behind the school's mascot.

The ceremony celebrating the story of "Totem Teddy" will begin at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11, in the Fireside Lounge, second floor of the University Center, intersection of 10th Avenue and 20th Street. The event is open to the public free of charge. Refreshments will be served. Paid parking is available in lots at the University Center.

The exhibit honors the legacy of the totem pole featuring a bear carving at top. Nicknamed Totem Teddy, it became a source of school spirit — in 1923, the mascot was changed from the Teachers to the Bears.

The photos in the exhibit showcase Totem Teddy's history from the time it arrived in a crate as a gift from an alumnus in 1914 to its rightful return to the tribe in Alaska it belonged to in 2003.

For more about the story of Totem Teddy, visit http://www.unco.edu/totemteddy.

Schedule of Events

3:30 p.m. - Welcome Reception
3:45 p.m. - Display unveiling
4 p.m. - Provost's remarks

AEW Kicks Off with Distinguished Scholars Luncheon, Teaching and Learning Fair Tomorrow

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Academic Excellence Week begins today with the annual luncheon honoring UNC's Distinguished Scholars. Tomorrow, April 9, faculty from a variety of disciplines will exchange ideas, strategies, assignments and other tools that foster academic excellence through teaching and learning during the fourth annual Teaching and Learning Fair from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, in the University Center Panorama room and Aspen suites.

The fair includes a luncheon and accompanying discussion about teaching and learning that will be led by UNC's Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellows.

RSVPs for the luncheon were due April 5, but all members of the university community are welcome to attend the poster/display session from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and either of the two concurrent 90-minute breakout sessions featuring several guest presenters from 1:30-3 p.m. Schedule.

The fair is one of several activities during Academic Excellence Week April 7-13. Other activities promoting academic excellence and recognizing student, faculty and staff scholastic achievements during the week include:

Hewit Distinguished Professor of History Lecture: Susan Schulten, professor of History at the University of Denver and the 2013 Hewit Distinguished Professor of History at UNC, will present "The Meaning of Maps," a free public lecture and book signing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, in the Panorama room at the University Center. Full details.
Research Day: More than 350 undergraduate and graduate students from nearly every academic discipline at UNC will share information about their research projects during 258 presentations from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11, throughout the University Center's second floor. Top research projects will be selected for recognition. List of presentations.
Distinguished Scholar Luncheon: UNC's Faculty Research and Publications Board will honor the 2013 A.M. and Jo Winchester Distinguished Scholar, college scholars and faculty achievements from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday, April 8, in the University Center Panorama room.
College- and School-Hosted Events: A variety of UNC's colleges, schools and programs will honor faculty and student academic achievement with convocations, banquets and other events during the week.

Academic Excellence Week: Distinguished Scholars to be Recognized

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Faculty Research and Publications Board, College Deans and Office of Sponsored Programs will recognize faculty achievement in research and other academic pursuits at the Distinguished Scholar Luncheon on Monday, April 8. RSVPs for the luncheon were due

Nine faculty will be presented with awards.

Rick Adams, professor of Biological Sciences, will receive the 2013 A.M. and Jo Winchester Distinguished Scholar award - given annually to a faculty member who's consistently demonstrated outstanding scholarly performance.

Awards for college scholars will be presented to: Robyn Hess, professor of School Psychology; Nicholas Syrett, assistant professor of History; Isaac Wanasika, assistant professor of Management; Robin Macaluso, associate professor of Chemistry; Melissa Malde, professor of Music; and Jennifer Leffler, associate professor and manager of Resource Maintenance at the University Libraries.

In addition, Paula Conroy, associate professor of Special Education, will receive the Outstanding Achievement in Sponsored Programs Award, and Jill Bezyak, assistant professor of Human Rehabilitative Services, will receive the Sponsored Programs New Faculty Recognition Award.

Read honorees' profiles.

Other activities promoting academic excellence and recognizing student, faculty and staff scholastic achievements during the celebration include:

Teaching and Learning Fair: Faculty from a variety of disciplines will exchange ideas, strategies, assignments and other tools that foster academic excellence through teaching and learning during the fourth annual Teaching and Learning Fair from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, in the University Center Panorama room and Aspen suites. Schedule.
Hewit Distinguished Professor of History Lecture: Susan Schulten, professor of History at the University of Denver and the 2013 Hewit Distinguished Professor of History at UNC, will present "The Meaning of Maps," a free public lecture and book signing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, in the Panorama room at the University Center. Full details.
Research Day: More than 350 undergraduate and graduate students from nearly every academic discipline at UNC will share information about their research projects during 258 presentations from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11, throughout the University Center's second floor. Top research projects will be selected for recognition. List of presentations.
College- and School-Hosted Events: A variety of UNC's colleges, schools and programs will honor faculty and student academic achievement with convocations, banquets and other events during the week.

UNC Graduate School to Bestow ‘Century of Scholars’ Awards

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The University of Northern Colorado Graduate School's celebration of 100 years of providing graduate degrees and certificates continues Friday when the school's Century of Scholars Awards will be presented during a reception in the University Center ballrooms.

Graduate School alumni will receive the following awards.

Lifetime Achievement Award
Lydia Ruyle (MA 1972) will be recognized for her significant contributions over several decades as an artist and educator, who in addition to teaching at UNC, has conducted workshops and exhibited her work across the U.S. and internationally.

Raymond Tschillard (MA 1991), director and president of the board of directors of the Poudre Learning Center, will be honored for his lifetime devotion to science education, which has included teaching the subject in grade six through the graduate level.

Service Award
Becky Safarik (MA 1975), assistant city manager for the city of Greeley, will be acknowledged for her record of service and volunteerism for the betterment of the community.

Vernon Brown Ingraham (MA 1974), executive secretary the Scottish Rite Foundation of Colorado, will be honored for his work in providing funding for scholarships for graduate students in UNC's Speech-Language Pathology program.

Research Award
George Sage (MA 1957), UNC professor emeritus of Kinesiology and Sociology, will be recognized for outstanding research achievements in his field that resulted in the publishing of 21 books.

Educator Award
Mark Kolokoff (MA 2010) will be honored for his 26-year exemplary career as an educator in RE-6 schools.

Century of Scholars Award - College of Natural and Health Sciences
George Sage (MA 1957) will be recognized for his nearly 30 years of service to the college as a faculty member, department chair and graduate coordinator.

Century of Scholars Award - College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Elizabeth Kozleski (Ed.D 1985), chair of the Special Education program at the University of Kansas, will be honored for her internationally recognized work in special education teacher education.

Century of Scholars Award - College of Performing and Visual Arts
Lowell Graham (MA 1970), chairman of the music department and director of orchestra activities at the University of Texas-El Paso and former conductor of the United States Air Force Band, will be honored for his long and distinguished career as a musical conductor and his ongoing support of UNC's School of Music.

Other Awards
Susan Hutchinson, UNC professor of Applied Statistics and Research Methods, will be presented with the Friend of the Graduate School Award in recognition of her service to graduate students on campus, and Carl Gerbrandt, professor emeritus of Voice, will be given the Faculty Emeritus Award for his contributions to graduate education while a UNC faculty member.

Tickets for the reception, which begins at 6: 30 p.m. April 5, are sold out.

The Graduate School's 100th anniversary celebration includes the Century of Scholars website at www.unco.edu/grad100, which features a place for alumni and others to share their stories, a detailed history of the Graduate School and a timeline marking 100 years of milestones.

The website is a window through time. More than 100 stories from recent and not-so-recent graduates are already available for reading. They and numerous photos allow visitors to the site to easily compare the experiences of someone who graduated in 1965 to those of someone who graduated as recently as 2011.

In 1914, what was then called Colorado Teachers College awarded its first advanced degrees when three students received master's degrees in teaching. Today, the Graduate School has 2,395 students enrolled and more than 100 programs of study. The school has awarded a total 53,457 graduate degrees.

UNC Professor to Present ‘Meaning of Maps’ on April 10

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Susan Schulten, the 2013 UNC Hewit Distinguished Professor of History, will present "The Meaning of Maps" at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, in the Panorama Room of the University Center, intersection of 10th Avenue and 20th Street

The lecture, open to the public free of charge, will focus on an American culture that is saturated with maps, from Google Maps to Geographic Information Systems. Schulten will examine how maps came to be used in the 19th century United States not only to identify locations and represent the landscape, but also to analyze information. Through maps of the weather, the population, the economy, disease, and even their past, Americans gradually learned to view themselves and their nation in altogether new ways.

A signing of her newest book, Mapping the Nation: History and Cartography in Nineteenth-Century America (University of Chicago Press, 2012), will follow the lecture. For more, please see http://www.mappingthenation.com/

The William E. Hewit Endowment, the UNC History Department, and Phi Alpha Theta are sponsoring the event. Schulten is Professor and Chair of the University of Denver's History Department.

UNC to Celebrate Academic Excellence April 7-13

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The University of Northern Colorado will celebrate academic excellence with a variety of activities and ceremonies during the school's annual Academic Excellence Week, April 7-13.

The highlights of the many activities promoting academic excellence and recognizing student, faculty and staff scholastic achievements during the celebration include:

Teaching and Learning Fair: Faculty from a variety of disciplines will exchange ideas, strategies, assignments and other tools that foster academic excellence through teaching and learning during the fourth annual Teaching and Learning Fair from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, in the University Center Panorama room and Aspen suites. Schedule.
Hewit Distinguished Professor of History Lecture: Susan Schulten, professor of History at the University of Denver and the 2013 Hewit Distinguished Professor of History at UNC, will present "The Meaning of Maps," a free public lecture and book signing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, in the Panorama room at the University Center. Full details.
Research Day: More than 350 undergraduate and graduate students from nearly every academic discipline at UNC will share information about their research projects during 258 presentations from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11, throughout the University Center's second floor. Top research projects will be selected for recognition. List of presentations.
Distinguished Scholar Luncheon: UNC's Faculty Research and Publications Board will honor the 2013 A.M. and Jo Winchester Distinguished Scholar, college scholars and faculty achievements from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday, April 8, in the University Center Panorama room.
College- and School-Hosted Events: A variety of UNC's colleges, schools and programs will honor faculty and student academic achievement with convocations, banquets and other events during the week.