Emporia State University - Recent News

Commencement ceremonies cause for celebration

Sat, 18 May 2013 15:53:00 -0500

“You’re what I’m banking on in the new world order,” Dale Cushinberry told the newest alumni of Emporia State University.

Cushinberry, a member of the 2012 class of Emporia State Distinguished Alumni, addressed the candidates for undergraduate degrees during their graduation ceremony Saturday morning, May 18, 2013, in White Auditorium in Emporia.

“You young people are going to have to ensure our children are the priority,” the retired educator from Topeka told the next generation of leaders.

To navigate this new world order, Cushinberry advised the graduates to develop themselves to their fullest potential, have a positive attitude, look to themselves rather than others for motivation, dream big and set goals, embrace change and create their legacies.

“Having been a part of the Emporia State experience, you will be forever changed,” Cushinberry said. “Just know you are not alone. You will have the force of the entire Hornet Nation supporting you.”

More than 600 students were candidates for baccalaureate degrees at the ceremony that also included remarks from Tim Emert of Independence, chair of the Kansas Board of Regents, and Dr. Michael D. Shonrock, president of Emporia State University.

During the afternoon, nearly 300 candidates for graduate degrees were honored at the doctorate, specialist and masters ceremony in Albert Taylor Hall on the Emporia State campus.

The focus of the separate 2 p.m. ceremony was each graduate receiving his or her academic hood.

Hornets head to China

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:16:00 -0500

This isn't your typical road trip for Emporia State's volleyball team. A traveling party of approximately 20 teammates, coaches and Hornet athletics representatives is packing for a trip across the Pacific to Beijing, China.

For Bing Xu, Hornet volleyball head coach, the trip is an opportunity to take his team back to where he learned to play the game he now coaches.

The team leaves Sunday for a week in Asia. They have four games scheduled with Chinese universities, but will also have time to do some sightseeing at the Great Wall and the Olympic Stadium in China's capital, where Xu and his wife and assistant coach Xiangping (Ping) Wang grew up.

For many of the team members, though, the trip is the first time they've been outside the United States. Hear more about their thoughts in a video posted on Emporia State's YouTube channel, http://bit.ly/12HFvaZ. Team members will be posting on Twitter during their China trip: #esuvbchina

Update on Yali Huang

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:56:00 -0500

In late February, Yali Huang was transferred from Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kan., to Shanghai Blue Cross Brain Hospital in China. A medical team developed a treatment plan that combined Eastern and Western medical practices. These included two sessions of acupuncture on her head each week as well as massage therapy on her head.

While there, Yali’s extended family was able to visit as well as her two younger brothers.

Yali’s condition slowly improved. Her tight muscles relaxed, letting her fingers and legs take a more natural, straight position. She began eating mashed-up cooked food. Her feeding tube remains in place, but is mostly used for to administer medicines, which have a bitter taste.

In April, Yali was transferred to a new public hospital — HuaShan Hospital Fudan University, one of the biggest hospitals in Shanghai. The move was difficult, and Yali has had some setbacks.

She ran a fever for a few days and lost weight; her father estimates 10 pounds. Scans show her brain has shrunk. Her new medical team is developing a new treatment plan, but, for now, Yali is no longer receiving acupuncture, massage therapy or Chinese medicine.

Yali’s mother remains in Shanghai with her, but Yali’s father and brothers returned home.

Donations for Yali’s care continue to be taken in through the Yali Recovery Fund in care of Bixiang Huang or Ruijie Huang at Capital Federal Savings.

Help Desk Summer Hours

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:27:00 -0500

IT Help Desk – Summer 2013 Hours

The IT Helpdesk hours during the Summer 2013 semester (beginning May 20) will be:

Phone and Email Support:

Mon - Fri :	8:00^AM – 7:00^PM
Sat :	Closed
Sun :	3:00^PM – 7:00^PM

IT Helpdesk --- Butcher Complex Location:

Mon - Fri :	8:00^AM – 5:00^PM
Sat - Sun :	Closed

IT Helpdesk --- Library Kiosk Location:

Mon - Thu :	5:00^PM – 7:00^PM
Fri - Sat :	Closed
Sun :	3:00^PM – 7:00^PM

For more information about the IT Helpdesk, including special hours and closures for the Summer 2013 semester, our Help Desk locations, and helpful FAQ’s, please visit us on the web at http://emporia.edu/IT

The Teachers College honors students

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:28:00 -0500

Sixty-four Emporia State University students from The Teachers College received special recognition at the 29th Annual Teachers College Honors Banquet held the evening of May 10. Twenty-seven received outstanding student awards and 40 students were honored for achievement of a 3.8 grade point average or higher.

Undergraduate and graduate students were honored for excellence in their respective departments. Nine students received outstanding undergraduate student awards, 18 students received outstanding graduate student awards, and two were awarded graduate research awards. The students honored included:

Undergraduate Awards

Athletic Training – Kaci Ludwig, Atchison

Elementary Teacher Education – Sarah Anderson, Overland Park

Health Education – Tiffany Orth, Wichita

Health Promotion – Annelise Adams, Emporia

Physical Education – Trevor Steinbacher, Erie

Psychology – Alexandria Lara, Wetmore

Recreation – Mitchell Martin, Mankato

Rehabilitation Services – Gerri Lee Sprecker, Americus, KS

Middle & Secondary Teacher Education – Blake Ballinger, Olathe

Graduate Awards

Alternate Route Program – Elizabeth Ricke, Olathe

Art Therapy – Deborah Cotterman, Emporia

Clinical Psychology – Chelsey Bohr, Royal, Iowa

Curriculum and Instruction – Phyllis Clark, Olathe

Early Childhood Education – Christine Hipsher, Olathe

Educational Administration – Jaclyn Pfizenmaier, Clay Center

Experimental Psychology – Amanda Martens, Emporia

Industrial/Organizational Psychology – Breanna Morrison, Augusta

Instructional Design & Technology – Qing Zhang, Jiangsu Province, China

Master of Education in Teaching – Abbey Steinbrink, Clearwater

Master Teacher/Reading Specialist – Leslie Wolf, Prairie Village

Mental Health Counseling – Jennifer Krehbiel, Haven

Physical Education – Aubrey Koeppe, Emporia

Rehabilitation Counseling – Alicia Hiles, Raymore, MO

Adaptive Special Education – Mary Anderson, Franklin, TN

Gifted Special Education – Shelley Kirk, Overland Park

School Counseling – Luke Greene, Overland Park

School Psychology – Carly Horne, Fayetteville, AR

The 2013 Graduate Research Awards went to two outstanding students:

Jason Busche, Anthony, KS, a student Health, Physical Education and Recreation department, for his research project titled, “Comparison of Dynamic Warm-Up in Relation to Time Using the Vertical Jump Test” “
Amanda Martens, Shelby, Iowa, a psychology student, for her research project titled, “Women, Men, and Monsters: The Expression of Aggression in Video Games.”

Honored Students

The following 40 undergraduate students were also recognized for a cumulative grade point average of 3.8 or higher. These students are due to graduate or have graduated in December 2012, May 2013 or Summer 2013:

Beattie – Landon Ross Wright

Berryton – Victoria Ann Crocker

Burlington – Dacey Jo West

Council Grove – Erica Sue Henning

Easton – Katherine V. Fox

El Dorado – Annamarie Lea Larue

Emporia – Liuhan Cai, Elizabeth J. Cunningham, Chase B. McIver, Hannah Sue Steimel, Chynna D. Prenzler, Brittany Redd, Stefanie Sprenkle, Michelle Thompson

Eureka – Brittanie McKenna

Galva – Sherlynn Goering

Garden Plain – Jaclyn Marie Hahn

Garnett – Amanda Jo Foltz

Kansas City – Alexander Latin

Lansing – Jeremy Ryan Farr

Lawrence – Hannah Lee Arndt Bain, Kaci L. Ludwig

Leavenworth – Elizabeth Edmonds

Louisburg – Cameron Schneider

Marysville – Shannon Leigh Mangnall

Mission – Viviana E. Merlos

Moran – Kaylan Brooke Colgin

Neodesha – Katie L. Ewert

Newton – Jamie Nicole Kientz

Norton – Kendall Yeoman Fiscus

Olathe – Blake B. Ballinger, Laura Nordeen, John Spencer Weaver, Lindsey Renee Freund

Overland Park – Sarah Ashley Anderson

Saint Mary’s – Hannah Hutley

Spring Hill – Brittany Ann Thompson

Tecumseh – Therese Voegeli

Weskan – Raney Okeson

Wichita – Tiffany Orth

Spring commencement ceremonies are May 18

Thu, 9 May 2013 16:49:00 -0500

Spring commencement ceremonies at Emporia State University will be Saturday, May 18.

Baccalaureate commencement will begin at 9:30 a.m., at White Auditorium, 111 E. Sixth Ave., Emporia. More than 600 undergraduate students are candidates for baccalaureate degrees. Graduate commencement will be at 2 p.m., at Albert Taylor Hall in Plumb Hall on the Emporia State campus. Nearly 300 students are candidates for doctorate, specialist and master’s degrees.

These 2013 graduates have the distinction of earning their degrees during Emporia State University’s 150th-anniversary year.

Commencement speakers include Dr. Michael D. Shonrock, president of Emporia State and Dr. Gwen Alexander, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. Dale Cushinberry, a member of the 2012 Emporia State University Distinguished Alumi class, will give the address at the baccalaureate ceremony. Tim Emert, chair of the Kansas Board of Regents, will give the address at the graduate ceremony.

Cushinberry worked in the Topeka schools as an elementary teacher, secondary counselor and administrator at all levels. He also served seven years at Washburn University as a professor and administrator and retired in 2010 as principal of Highland Park High School in Topeka.

He has served on the boards of the Kansas Children’s Service League, Gospel Explosion and Topeka Youth Project and has been recognized for his volunteers work and leadership by the Boy Scouts of America Jayhawk Council, the Baptist Ministers Union and the Kansas Senate.

Gov. Mark Parkinson appointed Emert to the Kansas Board of Regents in 2010. He is a partner in the Emert, Chubb and Gettler law firm in Independence.

Emert is a past president and board member of the William Inge Festival Foundation, a board member of the St. Andrew’s School Foundation, and is serving as the chairman of the Independence Downtown Art and Cultural Advisory Board.

Additional information, including Emporia lodging accommodations and maps, is available online at www.emporia.edu/commencement.

Student-athletes honored at banquet

Thu, 9 May 2013 10:50:00 -0500

A school record holder and player that was both an All-American on the field and in the classroom were named Emporia State University Outstanding Student-Athletes of the Year at the ESU Senior Awards and Honors Banquet tonight. Over 70 Hornet senior student-athletes and support staff were recognized for their contributions to Emporia State and the Hornet Athletic program.

ESU OUTSTANDING STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
The Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year Award is presented annually to deserving male and female student-athletes based upon their performance over time, athletic achievement, academic success, community service and contribution to the team.
Ben Carlson • Senior • Football • Topeka.
Carlson is a business administration major from Topeka, Kan. He earned honorable mention All-America honors at linebacker for the Kanza Bowl Champion Hornets. He led Emporia State in tackles with 112 on the season. He was ranked sixth in the MIAA in tackles and was second in the league in fumble recoveries. He was ranked 60th in the nation in tackles per game and had 197 total tackles in his two year Hornet career. He is the first Hornet to crack the century mark in tackles since Chad Pratz had 103 in 2001. He was a First-Team Academic All-American this past season and became the first Hornet since Tyler Paul in 2003 to earn All-American honors on the field and in the classroom. He has a 3.84 cumulative GPA.
Karley Schmelzer • Senior • Softball • Garden Plain, Kan.
Schmelzer is an elementary education major from Garden Plain, Kan. She is currently leading the nation in wins with a school record 31 victories heading into this weekend's NCAA Tournament action. She is a three-time All-MIAA performer in the circle for the Hornets and was an All-Region selection last season. In addition to leading the nation in wins she leads the MIAA in appearances, starts and innings pitched, is second in ERA, strike outs, and shut outs, and is fifth in opponent batting average. She is sixth in the nation in shutouts and 13th in total strike outs. With two no hitters this season she has a total of six in her career. She maintains a 3.34 GPA and is a member of the Emporia State Athletic Director's Honor Roll and the MIAA Academic Honor Roll.

UNDERGRADUATE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
The Undergraduate Award of Excellence is given to an outstanding male and female underclass student-athlete who excels in the areas of athletic performance, academic achievement and community service.
Payson Maydew • Freshman • Track & Field • Pratt, Kan.
Maydew is freshman music major from Pratt, Kan. He finished third in the decathlon at last weekend's MIAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships with a provisional qualifying mark of 6,615 points. He was fourth in the heptathlon at the MIAA Indoor Championships with 5,133 points and placed tenth nationally in the event. He has a 4.00 cumulative GPA.
Sara Dunkin • Sophomore • Track & Field • Topeka, Kan.
Dunkin is a sophomore business major from Topeka, Kan. She set the Emporia State school record in the javelin earlier this year to guarantee her spot in the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships for the second straight year. Her mark of 151-07 (46.20m) is ranked fifth in the nation this year. She advanced to the finals at the national championships last year, finishing ninth in the nation. She has a 3.65 cumulative GPA.

WALMART WITHOUT PEER AWARD
The Walmart Without Peer Award was established during the 1999-2000 school year to give recognition deserving student-athletes from their peers - the student-athletes at Emporia State. Each team nominates an individual for the award and it is then voted on by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at ESU.
Zack Carlson • Senior • Baseball • Topeka, Kan.
Carlson is a business administration and accounting major with a GPA of 3.91. He was named to the Capital One Academic All-Region Team and has been named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll and D2 Athletic Directors Association Achievement Award list. He is a member of Beta Gamma Honor Society and was named Most Outstanding MBA Student. He has been a four year starter for the Hornets. He is involved on campus as a member of Beta Alpha Psi and Fellowship of Christian Athletes and participated in numerous community service events including Youth Friends, Camp Alexander Haunted Trails, and the Emporia Middle School Hanging with a Hornet mentor program.
Alex Crowe • Senior • Tennis • Lenexa, Kan.
Crowe is a biochemistry and molecular biology major with a GPA of 3.83. She is a member of the Dean’s List, the MIAA Academic Honor Roll, and D2 Athletic Directors Association Achievement Award list. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Eta Sigma and Chi Alpha Sigma Honors Societies. Alex has received many academic awards in her major and was just named the Newberg Outstanding Senior. Crowe has been named first-team All-MIAA in her career. She was a member of Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Caduceus Society and Chi Omega Sorority. She has helped with Make A Wish, Relay for Life, Sleep in Box, and St. Jude Up til Dawn among her over 500 hours of community service.

JOE CANNON SERVICE AWARD
The Emporia State Athletic Department annually gives special recognition to person not currently a member of the staff for their dedication, service and commitment to bettering ESU and intercollegiate athletics. Joe Cannon was one of the most prominent supporters of Hornet Athletics over the years. The Joe Cannon Service Award honors his memory.

Pete and Leslee Euler
The Eulers can be seen helping the Emporia State Athletic department in many capacities throughout the year. They can be found hosting teams and recruits on football game-days, coordinating the football chain gang, hosting team meals, officiating track meets, and participating as members of the Athletic Committee for the Now & Forever Fundraising Campaign.

At the end of the night long-time Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. John Rich of the Emporia State School of Business was recognized for his 23 years of service to Hornet Athletics. Members of each team presented Dr. Rich with a memento and the entire Student-Athlete Advisory Committee signed a photo of him shaking hands with a student-athlete accepting his Athletic Director's Honor Roll certificate. Dr. Rich is retiring at the end of this school year and Dr. Scott Waters of The Teachers College will take over the role of FAR.

Dr. Kristie Ogilvie named new business dean

Tue, 7 May 2013 14:46:00 -0500

Dr. Kristie Ogilvie will become dean of the School of Business at Emporia State University by July 1, according to Dr. Michael D. Shonrock, president of Emporia State University.

Ogilvie currently is associate dean of academics in the College of Business and Public Administration at California State University at San Bernardino. Ogilvie visited the Emporia State University campus April 23 and 24 for interviews.

“The students and faculty were so inspiring,” Ogilvie said of the visit. “They made the decision for me that Emporia State University would be a good fit.”

Ogilvie earned a bachelor’s degree with a marketing concentration from California State University at Sacramento, a master’s of business administration degree from University of Tulsa and advanced research certificate and doctorate of business administration from Grenoble Ecole de Management.

She was a senior business analyst at GenCorp Corp./Aerojet in Sacramento, Calif.; and taught at California State University at Sacramento and California State University at Fullerton before moving to San Bernardino where she served on the management faculty and as director of AACSB accreditation before becoming associate dean. As associate dean, Ogilvie is responsible for graduate programs, accreditation, administrative affairs and student services.

“I am very excited to bring what experiences I have to take the School of Business to the next level with support of a wonderful combination of faculty, staff, community and Emporia State leadership,” said Ogilvie.

“Kristie is a real ‘go-getter,’” said Shonrock. “She brings energy and ideas that will move Emporia State University’s School of Business forward.”

For Ogilvie, the move allows her to return to her roots. Her father returned to the family farm in South Haven, Kan., after his retirement, and her mother, who recently died, grew up near Emporia.

“I often say I have the work ethic and mindset of being raised with parents from Kansas, but in the unique environment of California,” Ogilvie explained. “It’s exciting to get back to family.”

Ogilvie’s appointment closes out two national searches at Emporia State. Dr. David Cordle also will begin by July 1 as the new provost at the regional university. Both searches worked with the Witt/Kieffer executive search firm.

“Witt/Kieffer did a remarkable job securing exceptional candidates for both positions,” said Shonrock. “Thanks to local media, our campus constituents and the local community participated in candidate forums and provided feedback.

“As we celebrate our 150th anniversary, this is an exciting time to announce two new administrators. Both Kristie and David will be important members of the Hornet team that will move us to our next milestone.”

ESU Scholarship Run set for May 9

Tue, 7 May 2013 08:21:00 -0500

Now’s the time to dig out those running shoes from the back of your closet and get ready to raise scholarship money at Emporia State University. The annual Emporia State Empowering Scholars Run/Walk in memory of John Blaufuss is coming up Thursday, May 9, on the Emporia State campus.

Runners and walkers will gather in front of William Allen White Library for a 6 p.m. start. Participants have their choice of a five kilometer run or a two mile walk over meandering courses through the campus before winding up at the finish line back in front of Plumb Hall.

Activities including an inflatable obstacle course, beanbag toss, washers and other yard games will be there to enjoy before the race begins. Another event has been added to the run/walk to raise more money for scholarships. The Classified Assembly will be cooking hotdogs and brats to sell at the event that evening. They will be available hot off the grill beginning at 5 p.m. Make it a meal with chips, a drink and dessert item for $3.50.

Now in its ninth year, the event is held in the memory of John Blaufuss, former Emporia State controller. A dedicated runner, Blaufuss was killed while jogging in 2005. His dedication, both to running and to garnering support for the university, is symbolized in the run/walk event.

To preregister and view course maps, navigate to www.emporia.edu/recsports.

Participants may also register at the Sauder Alumni Center during business hours, or at the event beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 9. Event T-shirts will also be available in limited quantities.

Following the race, medals will be presented to the top three runners in different age categories — 25 and under, 26-39 and 40 and above. Members of the Blaufuss family will also award five $100 scholarships following the race. The fastest male and female runners who are enrolled to attend Emporia State in the fall will each receive a $100 scholarship award. Three $100 scholarship awards will also be given from a drawing of entries at the event.

All proceeds from the event go to the Empowering ESU Scholars Fund, which is the No. 1 tool used in recruiting and retaining the best and brightest students at Emporia State.

For more information on the event, contact Mike Wise, director of recreation services, 341-5952 or email mwise@emporia.edu.

Emporia State to introduce newest Shepherd Scholars

Mon, 6 May 2013 08:22:00 -0500

Celebrating the promise of continued academic achievement, Emporia State University will introduce its 12 newest Shepherd Scholars at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at the Sauder Alumni Center. Everyone is welcome to attend.

“We look forward to the opportunity to recognize some of our best and brightest students,” said Dr. Michael D. Shonrock, Emporia State president, expressing appreciation to the Shepherd family of Emporia, whose gift created the scholarship awarded to current Emporia State juniors.

The 2013-14 Shepherd Scholars, hometowns, and academic majors are:

Eric Anderson, Olathe, Pre-Medical Biology
María Castro-Muñoz, Lima, Peru, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Allex Dysart, Maize, Elementary Education
Kira Danelle Hall, Lebo, Computer Science
Rachel Hovey, Wichita, Secondary Education-Chemistry
Christopher Krause, Colorado Springs, Colo., Secondary Education-Earth Science
Kady Paul, Osage City, Elementary Education
Adam Petz, Lawrence, Mathematics
Nicole Reutzel, Topeka, Mathematics Education
Brooke Schultz, Topeka, Elementary Education
Michelle Wilk, Olathe, Secondary Education-English
Hui Yang, Guangong, China, Elementary Education

“The Shepherd Scholars represent not only our best students but also those students who demonstrate special versatility, community involvement, creativity and commitment,” said Dr. William Clamurro, professor of English, modern languages and journalism and chair of the Shepherd Scholar selection committee. “They are a tribute to the whole Emporia State community, and the annual ceremony is a reaffirmation of our highest values and also a gesture to the Shepherd family of our appreciation for their generosity,” he continued.

“Shepherd Scholars are selected through a competitive application process led by our distinguished Roe R. Cross professors,” said DenaSue Potestio, Emporia State Foundation president. “It is a great honor for students to receive this prestigious award and a true pleasure to celebrate their achievements with the Shepherd family,” she added.

Augusta Shepherd and her late husband, R. Hershel Shepherd of Emporia established the Shepherd Scholars program in 1994 to provide financial support for Emporia State’s most accomplished students as they approach their senior year in college.

Since the first awards were presented in 1995, more than 220 Emporia State students have received the plaques and cash awards that recognize them as Shepherd Scholars.

David Edds named 2013 Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:48:00 -0500

Teacher, scholar, mentor, Peace Corps volunteer. Today, Dr. David R. Edds added a new title — 2013 Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor.

Edds learned of his award during a surprise announcement in the aquatics laboratory at Emporia State University where he and students in his ichthyology class were preparing to leave for a field trip.

Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professors are selected for their “scholarship, teaching and, in particular, mentoring students,” Dr. Brent Thomas, chair of the Division of Biological Sciences told Edds and his students.

Thomas led the announcement delegation that included Dr. Marie Miller, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Dr. Gwen Alexander, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs; and Dr. Michael D. Shonrock, president of Emporia State University.

Edds, who grew up in Independence, Kan., joined the faculty at Emporia State University in 1989.

“He is one of the most highly respected teacher on this or any campus by the people who truly matter most, the students,” wrote a colleague, describing students’ reactions to taking Edds’ classes.

A graduate student agreed, writing in the nomination packet that Edds “is a professor who cares about his students and wants them to succeed, pushing them past what they think their limits are.”

Edds earned an associate’s degree from Independence Community College and bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Kansas, then served as a Peace Corps volunteer working in Siraha and Kathmandu, Nepal. While there, Edds was a volunteer and volunteer leader for fisheries extension and aquaculture, a conservation program developer and community foresty training project director.

He returned to the United States to earn his master’s and doctorate degrees in zoology from Oklahoma State University. For his dissertation, he studied fish in Nepal’s Kali Gandaki/Narayhani rivers. Between earning his two graduate degrees, Edds spent another term with the Peace Corps in Kathmandu, this time as a math-science training project director.

During his time in Nepal, Edds conducted extensive research into the native fish populations. His work established research collections at Oklahoma State University and the University of Kansas that remain in use today.

Closer to home, Edds and his students have conducted extensive research into aquatic life in the Neosho River and other Kansas waterways. This research includes zebra mussels, the Neosho madtom and effects of dams on aquatic life.

Outside the campus community, Edds’ activities have included at the Emporia Area Regional Science and Engineering Fair, coaching soccer and baseball for the Emporia Recreation Commission and conducting aquatic ecology summer camps for Girl Scouts, the Youth Conservation Corps at the Flint Hills Wildlife Refuge and Emporia Recreation Commission summer camp.

He is a member of American Fisheries Society, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Chelonian Conservation Society, Southwestern Association of Naturalists, Kansas Academy of Science, Kansas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society and Nepal Fisheries Society.

The Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor Award includes a $1,000 honorarium for professional activities. Edds will be honored at a university reception later this month, be listed in the spring commencement program and be the speaker at the December commencement.

Teachers recognized for National Board Certification

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:28:00 -0500

Twelve Kansas educators were honored this week for joining an elite group of educators who have earned National Board Certification.

The teachers, administrators, mentors and families for the recognition dinner held April 23 at Emporia State University. National board certification is recognized nationwide as a model for identifying accomplished teaching practice. Teachers were notified in late November 2012 if they achieved the certification they worked for during the 2011-12 school year.

Kansas Commissioner of Education Diane DeBacker, spoke at the dinner. “Through working in education in Kansas, I knew these teachers before they started the process of becoming National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs),” DeBacker stated. There are 41,000 teachers in Kansas, DeBacker concluded, “This shows NBCTs are the movers and shakers in education.”

New NBCT Brandi Leggett, a teacher at Prairie Ridge Elementary School, addressed the audience on behalf of the 2012 class of NBCTs: “(This process) provided me with innovative methods and strategies I could use to improve the student learning taking place in my classroom. Whether it was ways I could have provided better feedback for my students during a teachable moment, how I could improve the way I was delivering content to my students, ways I could raise the expectations higher for my students or how I was stepping in too quickly rather than giving students a chance to build their own discussions and thinking, this process taught me how to become an accomplished teacher…. When I informed one my students I had passed, she quickly gave me a hug and said, ‘We did it!’… To me, this is what accomplished teaching is all about. It is about taking journeys with your students to build relationships, taking risks to promote student learning, not putting any limitations on your students, and truly believing ALL your students will succeed.”

Ken Weaver, Dean of The Teachers College at ESU, read the resolution passed by the Kansas Senate Congratulating and commending the 2012 Kansas National Board Certified Teachers.

The honored teachers – each presented with a certificate and a plaque – were:

USD 229 Blue Valley –
Lisa Ciminieri, Harmony Elementary School
Ashley DeForest, Heartland Elementary School
Catherine Healy, Sunset Ridge Elementary School
Erin Pearson, Blue Valley Northwest High School

USD 232 De Soto –
Brandi Leggett, Prairie Ridge Elementary School
Wendy Ping, Prairie Ridge Elementary School

USD 259 Wichita –
Rachel Aponso, Horace Mann Dual Language Magnet School

USD 437 Auburn-Washburn –
Teresa Hime, Pauline South Intermediate School

USD 446 Independence –
Leigh Ann Stewart, Independence High School

USD 475 Geary County –
Heather Fleming, Junction City Middle School

USD 500 Kansas City –
Tamara Hedenskog, Stony Point Elementary School

While state licensing systems set the basic requirements to teach in each state, NBCTs have demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices. National certification takes from one to three years to complete.

The accomplishment of national board certification benefits the teachers, the schools they work in, and studies have shown NBCTs improve student learning. The program hosted at ESU, Great Plains Center for National Teacher Certification, has a 79% initial certification rate over the past seven years. This is nearly twice the national initial certification rate of 40%. More information about ESU’s program can be found at www.emporia.edu/jones/nbpts/.

100 presenters set for Research and Creativity Day

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:30:00 -0500

Research and Creativity Day will begin at 8:30 a.m. May 2 with student oral presentations in the Memorial Union.

The poster session, which highlights research and scholarly activity of faculty and students at ESU, will be held in Memorial Union Webb Hall I beginning at 1 p.m. The award ceremony will begin at 3:15 and will include the announcement of the Audrey S. Major Research Fund Awards by University Libraries and Archives, graduate student scholarships and awards, and the ESU Summer Undergraduate Research Program Awards.

Faculty who received research and creativity grants this spring will also be recognized, and the award ceremony will conclude with the presentation of the 2013 President’s Award for Research and Creativity. The recipient, Dr. Kalyan Chakraborty, Accounting and Information Systems, will be the keynote speaker.

Please join us in honoring these outstanding faculty and students. With more than 100 oral presentations and poster exhibits this year, there is something to interest everyone - we encourage the campus community to attend as many of these events as possible. The complete schedule of activities and list of presentations is available at www.emporia.edu/research.

White book awards go to titles with dog themes

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:26:00 -0500

Dogs rule for readers in the 2013 William Allen White Children’s Book Awards. “Guinea Dog” by Patrick Jennings (EgmontUSA) and “Ghost Dog Secrets” by Peg Kehret (Penguin Group) have been judged the best by Kansas schoolchildren.

The William Allen White Children’s Book Award program was founded in 1952 by Ruth Garver Gagliardo, a specialist in children’s literature for Emporia State University. One of the few literary awards that asks young readers to choose the winners, the program is directed by Emporia State University and supported in part by the Trusler Foundation.

Both authors have been invited to the awards celebration, set for Saturday, Oct. 5 in Emporia.

“Guinea Dog,” selected by voters in Grades 3 through 5, tells the story of Rufus, who dreams of having a dog as a pet. But his dad objects, and his mom’s solution sounds crazy. Still, Mom brings home a guinea pig for Rufus, who discovers this pig things she’s a dog.

“Ghost Dog Secrets,” selected by voters in Grades 6 through 8, is the story of Rusty, a sixth-grade boy who feeds a dog left chained in frigid weather with no food, water or shelter. Eventually, Rusty and his friends take the dog to their hideout. As they face multiple challenges — a snoopy sister and threats from the dog’s owner — Rusty faces a new challenge when a ghost dog appears in his room and tries to lead him to an even deeper secret.

During the October awards celebration, schoolchildren from across the state of Kansas travel to Emporia for special events including lock-ins, author readings and book signings along with a parade through downtown Emporia to the awards ceremony itself. Many teachers use travel to the book awards as incentives in their school reading programs.

Additional resources:

William Allen White Children’s Book Awards: www.emporia.edu/libsv/wawbookaward/
Egmont USA: www.egmontusa.com
Penguin Group: www.us.penguingroup.com
Patrick Jennings: www.patrickjennings.com
Peg Kehret: www.pegkehret.com

Jalapeno contest kicks off annual car show

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:10:00 -0500

A jalapeno-eating contest at Emporia State University will be an early kick-off to the 16th annual Super Custom Car Show in downtown Emporia. Proceeds from both events benefit Emporia State University’s general scholarship fund.

The Caliente (hot) Jalapeno Contest begins at noon Wednesday, April 24 on Main Street of the Memorial Union. From noon to 1:30 p.m. contestants will be eating jalapenos. Contestants will be divided into two categories — students and faculty-staff-administration. Within those categories, women will compete against women, men against men. Free soda pop and popcorn will be available for everyone.

Winners of the contest will take home $50 cash.

Prize drawings during the event will include merchandise and Clint Bowyer memorabilia. Bowyer’s NASCAR car will also be on display.

The car show will follow from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 28 in the 1000 and 1100 blocks of Commercial Street. Registration for entrants will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The entry fee is $20 in each of four categories — cars, trucks, sound-off stereo and SPL.

First-place trophies and second-place plaques will be awarded in each individual category — antique, classic, domestic 1980-95, domestic 1996-2012, Corvette, street rod, hot rod, low rider, muscle car, imports, Camaros, trucks, SUV, under construction and miscellaneous.

First-place trophies will be awarded for paint, graphics, interior and club participation. First-place trophies will be given in the Sound Off Stereo competition in multiple competition classes — 10-inch subwoofers, 12-inch subwoofers, 15-inch subwoofers and no-wall.

The vehicle awarded Best of Show will receive the Dan Tebbetts Memorial Trophy.

Admission to the show is free, and family entertainment will be on hand including DJs, a Zumba dance class by Genesis Health Clubs, the Raices Hispana Folkloris dancers.

The events are sponsored by Emporia Brown Express Athletic Club, ESU Karate Club, Emporia State Federal Credit Union, Sodexo, Memorial Union Corp., Navrat’s Office Products, Community Hornets, Clint Bowyer Autoplex, Davis Moore, Becker Auto SS, Complete Works Custom Engraving, Mussato Brothers, T Mobile, Genesis Health Clubs, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and Emopria Area Chamber and Visitors Bureau.

For more information on either the jalapeno-eating contest or the car show, contact director Gilbert Rodriguez by email at rgitchel@emporia.edu or by phone at (620) 340-0353.

Finalists for business dean set to visit campus

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:22:00 -0500

Three finalists for the position of dean of Emporia State University’s School of Business will visit the campus during the next two weeks. Each candidate’s visit will include individual meetings with the search committee, members of the Emporia State University Provost Council, as well as an open forum with various constituencies, including faculty, staff and students of the School of Business and the campus community.

Dr. Kristie Ogilvie, associate dean of academics at California State University at San Bernardino, will visit April 23 and 24. She will be at a reception with the Emporia community at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at the Emporia Arts Center, 815 Commercial St. At 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, Dr. Ogilvie will meet with School of Business faculty and staff and Emporia State employees for an open forum in the Cross Conference Room, 204 Cremer Hall.

Dr. Sam Beldona, associate dean of the Graduate School of Business at Bryant College in Smithfield, R.I., will visit April 24 and 25. He will be at a reception with the Emporia community at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at the Emporia Arts Center, 815 Commercial St. At 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25, Dr. Beldona will meet with School of Business faculty and staff and Emporia State employees for an open forum in the Cross Conference Room, 204 Cremer Hall.

Dr. Percy S. Poon, interim dean of the Lee Business School at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, will visit April 30 and May 1. He will be at a reception with the Emporia community at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, at the Emporia Arts Center, 815 Commercial St. At 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, Dr. Poon will meet with School of Business faculty and staff and Emporia State employees for an open forum in the Cross Conference Room, 204 Cremer Hall.

Curriculum vitas, cover letters and photographs of each candidate as well as individual survey forms and detailed visit schedules are posted on the business dean search page of the Emporia State University website, www.emporia.edu/executivesearches/businessdean/candidates/. Surveys will be open until 8 p.m. Thursday, May 2.

Dr. David P. Cordle named new provost

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:03:00 -0500

Dr. David P. Cordle, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at University of North Carolina Wilmington, will assume his duties as provost and vice president for academic affairs by July 1, according to Dr. Michael D. Shonrock, president of Emporia State University, who offered the position to Cordle on Tuesday.

As provost, Cordle said, he will take on the traditional role of providing internal leadership for the university while also having an external focus, a part of the Emporia State position that was attractive.

“I enjoy fundraising; I enjoy external advocacy for academic programs and advocacy for students,” Cordle said. “To me, that’s a part of what a provost does.”

Cordle visited the Emporia State University campus April 3 through 5. During his visit, he met with the search committee, administrators and members of the campus and Emporia communities, including faculty, staff and students. The new provost described that visit as a way for both him and the campus community to determine whether they were good fits for each other.

“Very early in my visit, I recognized Emporia State as the kind of university I want to be a part of. I’m thrilled to be joining an institution with a distinguished history and a bright future ahead under President Shonrock’s leadership,” Cordle said. “Pam and I were so impressed with the wonderful people we met at the university and in the city. We look forward to becoming a part of the Emporia community.”

Cordle’s academic background is in music. He earned a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Shorter College and both master’s and doctorate degrees in piano performance from Florida State University.

Professionally, Cordle served as chair and assistant professor of the Department of Music at William Woods College, chair and associate professor of the Department of Music at Virginia Commonwealth University and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of music at Longwood University before moving to University of North Carolina Wilmington as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of music.

“David’s extensive experience as an academic leader and his commitment to shared governance will be key to his success at Emporia State,” said Shonrock. “We are excited that he is joining our team while we are celebrating out 150th anniversary and looking forward to our next milestone.”

Cordle takes Emporia State University’s provost and vice president reins from Dr. Gwen Alexander, who began serving as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs in August 2012.

“It’s been my pleasure to serve as the interim provost,” Alexander said. “I am looking forward to resuming my position as the dean of the School of Library and Information Management.”

“We are raising the bar at Emporia State University,” said President Shonrock, “and Gwen served as our interim provost and vice-president of academic affairs at a crucial time.”

Kansas Board of Regents to visit campus

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:48:00 -0500

Hornet Nation will welcome members of the Kansas Board of Regents next week.

The Regents will visit the Emporia State University campus Thursday, April 18 and Friday, April 19 after their regular monthly meeting in Topeka. During their time on campus, Regents will be able to interact with students of all ages and get a first-hand look at different programs on campus.

Highlights of their schedule include participating in the Newberg Outstanding Senior Banquet, attending classes with individual students, visiting with the Little Hornets of the Center for Childhood Education and receiving reports on Emporia State’s initiatives including enrollment management, marketing, information technology and learning about programs like School of Library and Information Management, Enterprise Resource Planning and Instructional Design and Technology.

Click here for a full schedule.

Biology students take top awards

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:52:00 -0500

One weekend, two states and three graduate students taking top honors for their presentations is spreading excitement through Emporia State University’s Department of Biological Sciences.

Nathan Holoubek of River Falls won the Wilks Award at the 60th annual meeting of the Southwestern Association of Naturalists. The Wilks Award is given for the best paper presentation by a student at the conference, which was held April 4 through 7 at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La.

Holoubek presented “Bird Occupancy in Relation to Habitat Structure in the Oak Savanna Cross Timbers of Kansas, USA,” which was co-written with his thesis advisor, Dr. Bill Jensen.

For the Wilks Award, students are required to submit expanded abstracts to a committee that reviews them and selects the best for presentation.

“Usually only three or four students are chosen to present,” said Dr. R. Brent Thomas, professor and chair of the Department of Biological Sciences. “Historically, the vast majority of students selected to compete for the Wilks Award are Ph.D. students.

“This year, Nathan was the only master’s student selected to compete from among a field of Ph.D. students from larger research institutions.”

Holoubek received a cash award of $1,250 and a copy of all available back issues of “The Southwestern Naturalist,” the professional society’s scientific journal.

More than a dozen faculty and students from Emporia State attended the conference in Louisiana with a number presenting papers and posters:

Skyler Delmott, Emporia graduate student, presented “Zebra mussel maturation and seasonal gametogenesis in Marion Reservoir, Kan.,” which was written with Dr. David Edds;

Benjamin Smith, DeSoto graduate student, presented “Zebra mussels in the Neosho River Basin, Kan. — Ecology and economics,” which was written with Edds and Jason Goeckler of Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism;

Holoubek, Goeckler, Smith and Edds presented the poster, “Comparison of zebra mussel veliger sampling techniques;

Pamela McClain of Quenemo presented the poster “Leukocyte ratio variation in response to captivity stress in five common non-venomous snakes in the Flint Hills ecoregion, Kan.,” which was written with Dr. Lynnette Sievert.

McClain also moderated a technical session on “Amphibian and reptile ecology.” Other students who attended were undergraduates Andrew Rutter, Chris Schwinghamer, Marcus Portofee, Aaron Haflich and Mason Vanderford; and graduate students Zack Stark and Judith Bilyea.

Kansas Academy of Science

A delegation from Emporia State made a clean sweep of the top awards for master’s level presentations at the 145th annual meeting of the Kansas Academy of Science on April 5 and 6 at Johnson County Community College.

Chen Yang of Shenyang, China, earned first place for best master’s level oral presentation for “Oleanolic acid induces apoptosis and autophagy in human malignant melanoma cells,” which was written with Christian Smith and Dr. Yixin “Eric” Yang. Chen Yang also presented a poster based on this research, and won one of two student grant awards for master’s level students.

Brittany Miller of Overbrook earned first place for best master’s level poster presentation for “Exposure to luteolin exacerbates cyclophosphamide teratogenesis in CD-mice,” which was prepared with Hanna Kim, Betty J. Herring, Lu Jiang, Kyle K. Wells, Do-Kyong Kim, Jennifer A. Brady, Xuan T. Lam, Justin E. Axman, Alexandra R. Crowe and Dr. Melissa Bailey.

Yiting Ni also presented a poster, “In vivo and in vitro study of inhibitory effects of zerumbone on human malignant melanoma,” which was created by Chen Yang, Chang Liu and Eric Yang.

Emporia State and Wichita State to host disaster awareness workshop to benefit small businesses

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:51:00 -0500

An estimated 40 percent of businesses do not reopen after a disaster, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Of those that do reopen, 25 percent fail within one year.

Emporia State’s Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC at ESU), in partnership with WSU’s Center for Innovation and Emprise Engagement and Wichita State’s Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC at WSU), will host a workshop and panel discussion featuring national and local disaster preparedness, and continuity and recovery experts from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at Butler County Community College – Andover Campus, Grizzly Den, 715 E. 13thSt. N, Andover.

The event is open to small-business decision makers and owners. Registration costs $20 in advance and $30 at the door. Register and pay online at http://bit.ly/14HknWC or call 620-341-5308 or ksbdc@emporia.edu.

Presenters for the KSBDC workshop are:

Alfred E. Judd, director, Small Business Association (SBA) Disaster Field Operations Center West, Office of Disaster Assistance, United States SBA.
Barry Parker, business continuity project director, Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) State Office.
Carmen Sunda, director, LSBDC Greater New Orleans.
Brian Dennis, consultant, KSBDC at the University of Kansas.
Dan Reisig, president and CEO, Concergent.
Greg Panichello, state director, KSBDC Network.

The workshop and panel discussion will include topics such as disaster preparedness and recovery, data and documentation protection, business continuity planning, and crisis communication.

About Kansas Small Business Development Center

The KSBDC Network is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Kansas Department of Commerce. KSBDC is nationally accredited through the Association of Small Business Development Centers by congressional mandate.

KSBDC receives funding from and partners with higher education and economic development organizations to provide Kansas entrepreneurs with no-cost business consulting and resources for starting, maintaining and growing their businesses. The statewide host for the KSBDC is Fort Hays State University.

For more information on the KSBDC Network, go to www.kansas.gov/ksbdc or call (877) 625-7232.