DIMENSIONS SPRING 2008
Dear Alumni and Friends,
With the close of the 2007-08 academic year, it's time for us in the College of Arts & Sciences to take stock-and to share with alumni and friends some of the many accomplishments of our students and faculty. As you'll see from the stories below, the College continues to develop programs that serve both our University community and our society, our students continue to amaze, and our faculty continue to gain recognition for their many accomplishments.
The stories we've included in this issue of Dimensions Online cannot capture all the exciting developments in Arts & Sciences, but I hope they provide you with a sense of the talent, energy, and creativity that animate this wonderful College that I have been privileged to lead for the past eight years.
I will be leaving BGSU this summer to assume a new position as dean of Harpur College of Arts & Sciences at the State University of New York at Binghamton. Even though I am looking forward to the many exciting opportunities that Binghamton offers, I will always treasure the wonderful relationships I have developed-with faculty, students, fellow administrators, and alumni and friends-at BGSU. This is a wonderful University with a proud past and a bright future, and I am proud to have been a part of it.
I hope to see many of you on campus June 20-22 at the Alumni Association's first annual Alumni and Friends Weekend. This is a great opportunity to reconnect with friends and to sample some of the excitement that our students experience every day through a variety of "classes without quizzes" facilitated by some of the College's top faculty. Check out the schedule via the following link:
http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/alumni/programs/page37373.html.
Best wishes,
Donald G. Nieman
Dean
TEACH-IN TACKLES CHANGING WORLD CLIMATE
January's Focus The Nation teach-in, centered on climate change, provided a forum for BGSU faculty and students to become informed about, and discuss, issues related to this vitally important topic.
http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/mc/monitor/02-04-08/page44937.html
BGSU GEOLOGIST AND DOCTORAL STUDENT RECEIVE FULBRIGHT AWARDS
The College of Arts and Sciences is proud to note that Dr. Peter Gorsevski, a geologist, and J. L. Murdoch, who is pursuing her Ph.D. in theater, are both the recipients of Fulbright honors. Dr. Gorsevski traveled to his native Macedonia with the hopes that his research will aid in that nation's development, while Murdoch will study a form of drama called Talchum in South Korea during the 2008-2009 academic year.
http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/mc/monitor/01-07-08/page42637.html
http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/mc/monitor/06-02-08/page50793.html
JONES HONORED FOR EXCEPTIONAL FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING
Akiko Jones' more than 25 years as an instructor in Asian languages at BGSU have added greatly to the lives of countless University students. Her many contributions were deservingly recognized in April by the Ohio Foreign Language Association, which named her as the state's best foreign language instructor.
http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/mc/monitor/04-21-08/page49435.html
GEOLOGY MAJOR HAS NO 'BONES' TO PICK WITH GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP
Ben Linzmeier, a Geology major specializing in paleobiology, has had a lifelong passion for paleontology. The recipient this year of a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, he has already amassed an impressive amount of experience in his field.
http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/mc/news/2008/news50711.html
BGSU FORENSICS TEAM MARKS A BANNER YEAR
The Falcon Forensics, Speech and Debate team continued their tradition of excellence this year, emerging victorious from the National Comprehensive Tournament held in St. Louis this March, besting 50 other teams. In addition, team member Michelle Baker placed first at the International Forensics Association championships in London later that month, the first time BGSU has taken international honors in forensics.
http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/mc/monitor/03-17-08/page47463.html
http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/mc/monitor/03-24-08/page47812.html
MOCK TRIAL TEAM WINS REGIONAL TOURNAMENT
The BGSU Mock Trial team took first place in their recent regional tournament, held at the University of Notre Dame in February. Earning numerous individual honors, the team has additionally earned the right to send two teams to this year's National Championship Tournament.
http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/mc/monitor/03-17-08/page47787.html
GIVENS FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT SHARES TALES OF EXPERIENCES WITH REFUGEE CAMP WORK
Senior Martina Hanulová used her award from the Stuart R. Givens Memorial Fellowship to work in a Liberian refugee camp in Ghana. Working in the camp in a number of capacities, she found inspiration and gained a new understanding as a result of her experiences.
http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/mc/monitor/04-21-08/page49432.html
BIOINFORMATICS TO BECOME A NEW AVENUE OF STUDENT STUDY
Supported by the Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program, BGSU will work to encourage students in the study and application of bioinformatics, a multifaceted discipline focused on applying genetic and other research to pressing world issues.
http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/mc/monitor/04-21-08/page49437.html