Dear Bellarmine Community Members, Congratulations and many thanks for making our launch of the 2007-08 academic year such a great beginning to a year that will be filled with great progress toward Vision 2020.
"The Bellarmines" nomination form now online
We are now accepting nominations on our website for our 2007-2008 faculty and staff awards. The awards recognize the distinguished achievements of faculty and staff in living the core values of the Bellarmine campus community. To nominate a faculty or staff member for one of these prestigious awards, please visit the nomination page. The page includes descriptions of the awards, along with a form you can use to make a nomination. Just enter the name of the nominee, your name (optional), choose the appropriate award, and include a brief description of why your nominee is deserving. Award winners will receive a beautiful stoneware "Bellarmine jug."
New photos online
We've recently added several photo galleries to the Bellarmine University Photo Galleries page on our website. The new galleries, which depict many happy Bellarmaniacs celebrating recent events, include photos of Crossroads, Move-In Day, Convocation, the Siena Primo dedication, the Frazier Stadium dedication, and Alumni Awards weekend. We're frequently adding new photo galleries, which you can always access from the "About" or "News" links on our home page.
New Assignments
Please join me in congratulating and supporting the faculty and staff who recently assumed these new duties and responsibilities:
Dr. Fred Rhodes has graciously accepted my invitation to help us better integrate the teaching and learning opportunities in academic and student life as Vice President for Academic and Student Life. The W.L. Lyons Brown Library, The Merton Center, Registrar, and Brown Scholars are now supported and overseen by Dr. Rhodes.
Dr. Michael Mattei has been appointed Dean of Professional Studies with oversight for our innovative CITÉ program, Campus Technology, Media Services, and development of the School of Continuing Education and Professional Studies.
Mr. David Mahan, Director of Institutional Research, will report to Vice President Sean Ryan to support Enrollment Management efforts.
Siena Secundo in the works!
Bellarmine has filed drawings for a Category III hearing before the Metro Design Review Committee downtown, so that we can put construction of Phase II of the new residence hall complex on a fast track. This new hall will connect at the Gatehouse and run parallel to Bonaventure Hall, between Bonaventure and the driveway down to the chapel.
Stemmer article
Congratulations to Dr. John Stemmer upon the publication of his article, "The Perception of Effectiveness of Merged Information Services Organizations." The article appeared in the peer-reviewed journal Reference Services Review (35:3). Dr. Stemmer is the Director of the W. L. Lyons Brown Library.
Yet another Ryan Sean Ryan’s wife, Holly, delivered a beautiful healthy baby girl Sunday morning. Aislinn Elizabeth Ryan (Ace-Lynn) is 7lbs. 14oz. and 20 inches Aislinn, Mom, Brothers & Dad are doing great.
President's Classic Golf Tournament
If you enjoy the maddening sport of golf or if you just like a good excuse to get out in the sunshine, I hope you'll join me for the President's Classic Golf Tournament next Monday, October 8th. The tournament starts at 1 p.m, at Covered Bridge Golf Club, and benefits the Financial Aid Fund. To sign up, e-mail Pat Ballard or call 502.452.8333. For more information, please see the September Alumni Newsletter.
Bellarmine hosts conference on the poetic works of Thomas Merton
The Merton Center will host a two day conference on Oct. 19 and 20 on Thomas Merton’s poetry titled "In the Dark Before Dawn: Thomas Merton, Poet." The conference includes an international group of scholars, including Michael Higgins, George A. Kilcourse, Ross Labrie, Patrick F. O’Connell, Lynn Szabo and Bonnie Thurston. There will also be a panel chaired by Frederick Smock of three poets who knew Merton: Jonathan Greene; Brother Paul Quenon, OCSO; and Ron Seitz. Registration before Oct. 5 is $65 and after is $85 or $50 for students. Fees cover the conference, refreshments, lunch and the conference dinner. For more information, visit the Merton Center website.
Heyward to speak, Serve as Fellow
Retired President of CBS News Andrew Heyward will serve as a Fellow at Bellarmine University’s Institute for Media, Culture and Ethics this fall. He will visit the Institute Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, and his activities will include meeting with students in communications classes, speaking to the Student Government Association about broadcast network coverage of Presidential elections, and a public lecture on November 1. The lecture will be held at 7:30 p.m. in Frazier Hall, and Mr. Heyward is expected to speak about his experiences at CBS News and the state of network news.
Recently, Heyward was in the news when former CBS anchor Dan Rather sued the network and three executives for $70 million. Rather asserts that the network violated his contract by giving him insufficient airtime on "60 Minutes" after forcing him to step down as anchor of the CBS Evening News in March 2005. As part of his public lecture and within the limits prescribed by CBS attorneys, Heyward will discuss the lawsuit and circumstances regarding Rather’s departure from CBS.
School of Education to provide principal certification for Kentucky teachers
Congratulations to the Annsley Frazier Thornton School of Education on a rare public sector/private sector education collaboration. BU is partnering with The Kentucky Department of Education to help provide principal certification for qualifying teachers in the eastern and western parts of the state.
The program is taught by Bellarmine faculty here on campus and at locations in Pike and Graves counties. Students will be in residence on Bellarmine’s campus during the summer sessions with degree completion scheduled for summer 2009. The program is funded by a grant from the Wallace Foundation. The grant’s goal is improving leadership in Kentucky’s schools.
Debbie Daniels, director of the State Action Education Leadership Project, said that when looking at the state’s principal programs, Bellarmine was the only university in Kentucky offering a "real world grounded" program. Cindy Gnadinger, acting Frazier Thornton School dean said, "We’re pleased that the state chose Bellarmine to provide principal certification for Graves and Pike County teachers. School leadership is one of the most important components in achieving the educational outcomes we desire. We’re excited about this pilot program and hopefully this type of collaboration can continue between public and private sectors."
President's Update suggestions
If you have a suggestion for an item for the President's Update, please send it to Jim Welp in the Office of Communications and Public Affairs.
