October 2007 President's Update
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 502.272.8333. 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.