Thomas K. Jewell, the Carl B. Jansen Professor of Engineering, has been appointed chair of the Civil Engineering Advisory Committee for the University of Qatar.
He will lead a four-person team, including Mohammad Mafi, associate professor of engineering, and former adjunct professors Keith Lashway and Dennis O'Malley in Qatar this month. The committee will make recommendations to develop a strategic plan and an implementation plan to reform the university's civil engineering department into a world-class program and a leading department in the region.
David Ogawa, assistant professor of visual arts, chaired a panel at the College Art Association 94th Annual Conference in Boston last week. The panel, titled “New Directions in 19th Century Art History,” presented the work of emerging scholars in the field. The Conference included more than 180 sessions in art history and studio art as well as career-development workshops and other events.
Several members of the Union College community were prominently featured in the October-December 2005 Journal of Quaternary Science. Donald T. Rodbell, professor of geology and director of environmental studies, was guest editor for the issue, which was dedicated to the memory of his friend and colleague, Geoff Seltzer.
A former Syracuse University professor, Seltzer died of cancer in January 2005. The special issue focused on glacial geology and palaeoclimate records from the Americas.
The article, “Comparing Reconstructed Pleistocene Equilibrium-line Altitudes in the Tropical Andes of Central Peru,” was co-authored by Rodbell and Seltzer with Jacqueline A. Smith, a postdoctoral teaching and research fellow in the geology department, and Joan Ramage, a former visiting professor of geology at Union.
Nick Balascio '01 authored a piece titled, “Equilibrium-line Altitudes During the Last Glacial Maximum Across the Brooks Range, Alaska.” Rodbell, Smith and Seltzer also contributed a number of other articles to the publication
Two College students, Rosa Rodriguez '06 and Genesis Robinson '07, are spearheading an effort against discrimination and intolerance on campus by co-founding a new organization, Union Students for Change. The group will look at everything from organizing sensitivity workshops to increasing mentorship by faculty and residential advisors.
“Our mission is to integrate and unite the College community into one large group that can produce results,” says Rodriguez.
The group, which held its first meeting in late February, already has made a visible impact at the College by hanging signs that read, “Stop Hate Crimes at Union” on numerous buildings.
“We want to open communication,” says Rodriguez. “We want change.”
Time management, test anxiety, social pressures… for new students on campus, the stresses are many. Where to go for help?
For many, the best answer is another student.
A new program on campus is offering just that opportunity. PALs – the Peer Assistants for Learning – pairs students with students, and by all accounts, it’s a growing success.
“It’s a really great idea to help the transition from high school to college,” says Laura Meloney ’06, currently a dedicated PAL to 13 students.
PALS
Like the other five Union PALs, Meloney was selected for her academic and social skills by Shelly Shinebarger, director of student support services, with Kimmo Rosenthal, dean for undergraduate education. “The PALs represent the best that we have,” said Shinebarger.
PALs is a joint endeavor between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, made possible by the Academic Success Fund endowed by Preston T. Reed ’38 and his brother, Donald E. Reed ’50.
The program, which kicked off in the fall, adds a new dimension to Union’s academic coaching. In the past, the Writing Center, under the direction of Mary Mar, has offered some coaching, and it continues to help students improve study skills in specific subject areas.
But a Union “PAL” offers something special.
“PAL helped me get the most out of my classes,” said one student who came for help with general study skills.
While PALs help students with academic needs, such as time and stress management and how to access other on-campus resources, they also offer support and a sympathetic ear for any number of more personal issues, such as feeling socially awkward or dealing with demanding parents.
Ali Gardezi ’09, who worked hard at his studies but needed some encouragement in accessing social opportunities at Union, said his PAL, Nathaniel Brown ’06, “has really been a source of great inspiration for me.”
Union’s six PALs had helped 36 students by the end of the fall term. All together, they logged more than 220 hours of work and also held workshops with the Minervas for on everything from note-taking to learning styles. The next PAL-sponsored session, “Finals Prep,” will be held March 9 at 7 p.m. at Golub House.
In addition, a PAL is generally available for “office hours” once a week in each Minerva.
Current PALS, in addition to Meloney and Brown, are Alex Chomut ’06, Risa Dubow ’05, Lindsay Quereau ’05 and Kate Swartz ’05. PALs receive several days of training from Shinebarger and Sarah Boone, assistant director for Minerva programs.
Struggling students are recommended to PALs based on first term grades, referrals from parents, professors, athletic coaches or self-referrals, but no one is required to join the program. Those who do decide to participate generally find the experience beneficial.
“My PAL was unbelievable,” said one student. “I would be lost without her help.”
For more about PALS, contact Shinebarger at shinebas@union.edu, ext. 6116.
