LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Bellarmine University has been selected by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) to receive the Wal-Mart College Success Award - a $100,000 grant to help build on Bellarmine’s demonstrated successes in enrolling, retaining, and graduating first-generation college students. Bellarmine was one of only 20 colleges selected through a highly competitive application process to receive the award, which is intended to help institutions that are already deeply committed to the education of first-generation students.

“Bellarmine is honored to be selected as one of just several outstanding universities nationwide to receive the Wal-Mart College Success Award,” said Bellarmine Vice President for Enrollment Management Sean Ryan. “Thanks in large part to this award, we will be able to enhance and expand our work with first-generation students.”

Building on a well-established record of offering substantial scholarships and academic support to first-generation students, Bellarmine will use the award to provide a new mentorship program for these students. The First-Generation Student Advisor - a new staff position modeled on the university’s very successful Academic Advisor for Athletes - will work with first-generation students individually and also coordinate services for them across the campus. In addition, 15 peer mentors will be trained to work with small groups of first-generation students in their first year and to help them excel academically and to become actively involved in the university’s co-curricular programs.

“CIC was delighted that 217 institutions - more than a third of its membership - applied for the grants. More importantly, we were amazed at the outstanding quality of their programs - truly a testament to the efforts of private colleges to ensure the success of first-generation students,” said CIC President Richard Ekman in announcing the awards. “These awards will help strengthen those programs and also provide recognition that their work is important,” Ekman added.

“Wal-Mart is proud to support programs that enable first generation students to succeed in college,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Wal-Mart Foundation. “Wal-Mart’s partnership with CIC identifies institutions committed to the success of first generation students and will help identify and share effective programs.”

Nationwide, at all colleges and universities, only 24 percent of first-generation students succeed in earning a bachelor’s degree compared with 68 percent of students whose parents received a bachelor’s degree (Source: NCES).  The colleges that have been selected for the Wal-Mart College Success Awards have developed programs that result in higher percentages of graduates among their first-generation college students than the national average, and many graduate first-generation students at the same rate as all other students.

The Wal-Mart College Success Awards program is administered by the Council of Independent Colleges and made possible by a generous grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation. The 19 other winners include: Adrian College (MI), Bay Path College (MA), California Lutheran University, Carroll University (WI), College of Idaho, College of Mount Saint Vincent (NY), College of Saint Benedict (MN), College of St. Scholastica (MN), Florida Memorial University, Illinois College, Juniata College (PA), Kalamazoo College (MI), Lesley University (MA), Manchester College (IN), North Central College (IL), Ripon College (WI), St. Edward’s University (TX), Wartburg College (IA), and Wiley College (TX).

For more information about the Wal-Mart College Success Awards and the programs of the 20 winners, visit the CIC website at www.cic.edu/projects_services/walmart_college_success.asp .

Courtesy Bellarmine University communications office.

WASHINGTON, DC - Campbellsville University has been selected to receive a $399,800 grant through the U.S. Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program, U.S. Representative Ron Lewis announced today. Funds will be used to support efforts to improve achievement and retention during the first two years of students’ academic careers.”I congratulate Campbellsville University for their success in receiving this grant,” said Lewis. “Initiatives such as the Strengthening Institutions Program provide important resources to help students further their education and build successful careers.”

The Strengthening Institutions Program helps eligible colleges and universities to become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve low-income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible institutions.

The grant will be used to support Campbellsville University’s ongoing efforts to improve student retention via three primary components: an expanded freshman year experience, redesigned general education program, and intensified academic support services.

“We are very grateful that the U.S. Department of Education has approved the Title III grant for Campbellsville University,” said Campbellsville University President Dr. Michael Carter. “These funds will greatly enhance the mission of Campbellsville University in helping students reach their full potential as servant leaders.”

CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky.– On June 15, 2008 Thomas More Professor of Biology, Dr. Chris Lorentz, and two Newport Aquarium biologists: Jolene Hanna and Keri Siegert, along with a WAVE Foundation Board member, traveled to Bald Head Island, NC, to take part in the tagging of at least one loggerhead sea turtle. This is the sixth consecutive year that the WAVE Foundation at the Newport Aquarium has supported turtle conservation by tracking loggerhead sea turtles.

This year, the WAVE Foundation funded one satellite tracking device. This turtle will be tracked, via satellite, as it journeys through the Atlantic Ocean. Satellite tags last approximately 12-18 months and provide vital data to researchers about the habits of these elusive and threatened animals at sea. The turtle was tagged with the help of North Carolina Wildlife Resources, as well as staff from the Bald Head Island Conservancy and the Marine Turtle Research Group.

Scientists, like Professor Chris Lorentz, will use the data collected from the satellite tags to learn more about where these endangered sea turtles travel so organizations can better work to save them. This research is vital in the efforts to save this species from extinction.

The WAVE acronym stands for Welfare of Aquatic Animals and Natural Resources. The WAVE Foundation, designated as a 501(c) 3 organization, is the independent, educational branch of the Newport Aquarium, which was created to further efforts to educate the community about aquatic life and the conservation of natural resources and habitats.

Courtesy of Thomas More College communications.

Performances, graduation highlight GSA final day this weekend (transy.edu)

LEXINGTON, Ky.—The Governor’s School for the Arts 2008 summer session comes to a close Saturday at Transylvania, highlighted by final student performances and graduation ceremonies.

The GSA will wrap up its ninth year on the Transy campus on Saturday, with final day-long performances in all disciplines preceding graduation ceremonies at 5:30 p.m. in Haggin Auditorium. Final performances, including those in instrumental and vocal music, musical theater, visual arts, drama, new media and architecture, will begin at various campus locations at 12:30 p.m. All final day events are open to GSA parents, friends and relatives as well as the public and media. Previous final day performances have attracted over 1,000 people to the Transy campus. Refreshments will be available at various campus locations near Old Morrison.

Final performances will be held at the Mitchell Fine Arts Center, the Little Theater, the Shearer Art Building, the Haupt Humanities Building, Old Morrison and the Cowgill Center.

A total of 241 high school students from nearly 50 counties and about 85 high schools have been on the Transylvania campus since June 22, immersed in a rigorous schedule of daily seminars, master classes, lectures, hands-on workshops and field trips to local arts attractions.

For more information, contact GSA director Heather Weston Bell at (859) 281-3532.

Highlights of the 2008 GSA program can be found at this link: http://www.kentuckygsa.org/students/highlights/2008-highlights/index/index.html

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Steve Beshear has appointed two AIKCU faculty members to the Kentucky Humanities Council to serve for terms expiring Jan.1, 2012:

Howard V. Roberts, of Pikeville, is the division chair of business and economics and a professor of business at Pikeville College. His appointment replaces Mary C. Farrell, whose term has expired.

Suzanne D. Rose, of Owensboro, is the chairperson of the English Department and an assistant professor of English at Kentucky Wesleyan College. The appointment replaces Bruce B. Pope, whose term has expired.

The Kentucky Humanities Council is a 23 member volunteer board consisting of college and universities humanities faculty and members from the public at large. Five at large members are appointed by the governor.

The council is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, D.C. It is supported by the National Endowment and by private contributions and is not a state agency and does not receive state funding.

In addition to the two AIKCU faculty members Governor Beshear named two other new members and reappointed one to the KHC. See the full release here for more information.

Campbellsville University student Yoo Jin (Eugene) Lee (3rd from left) and CU staff.

By Linda Waggener, CU Communications

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Ron McMahan, director of Team Taylor County, made a call to Campbellsville University’s Center for International Education after he confirmed a site visit by a Korean auto parts manufacturer. The result of that call may have been a key contributing factor to INFAC Corporation’s decision to locate in Campbellsville.

When McMahan made the call, he hoped for assistance with protocol. What he got was CU student Yoo Jin (Eugene) Lee, who was happy to act as translator and aid in communications with the guests.

Campbellsville University president Dr. Michael V. Carter said that this is a prime example of CU and the community working together to help advance economic opportunity and quality of life.

“This is another example of how Campbellsville University impacts our community and region and how we in turn benefit from the close working relationship we feel with our community leaders and residents,” said Carter. “The world has literally come to Campbellsville University as well as to our larger community. We’re thankful that our faculty, staff, and students are very much involved in the betterment of this fine community.”

Ohe Gil Choi, CEO and chairman of INFAC Corporation, has said Yoo Jin Lee helped him to better understand Campbellsville. It turned out that the CU student’s father lives near the INFAC Corporate headquarters in Korea.

“Eugene was very helpful,” McMahan said, “I credit her assistance with helping close the deal.”

McMahan said that Jay Choi, director of North America operations for INFAC Corporation, said they felt safe here. INFAC has since asked the CU International Office for assistance with interpreters, student interns and locating a full-time Korean speaking employee.

The CU Center for International Education’s director Bill Holmes said, “We are proud to help in any way - this is part of the process of community learning. I want people to know that I see the CIE as a service, most directly to the university, but also a service to the community and region. Opportunities for our international students to be involved outside the campus are very helpful in making them feel accepted and more at home.”

Yoo Jin (Eugene) Lee is a senior majoring in music with an arts minor from Seoul, South Korea. She noted that this was a great opportunity for an international student to represent the university and the local community and connect with her home country.

“It was a great time to meet with and help people from my country,” Lee said, “I hope it helped them to know more good things about Campbellsville.”

For more information about the Office of International Education at Campbellsville University, contact Bill Holmes, director, at (270) 789-5051.

Dr. Robert Imhoff, Mid-Continent University President, is one of 7 Americans set to participate in the 39 chair Oxford Round Table.

Mayfield, KY - The President of Mid-Continent University has been invited to Oxford University, England to study at the prestigious Oxford Round Table.

The Invitation marks the second honor Dr. Robert Imhoff has received recently.  Imhoff received a personal invitation from Dr. Condolezza Rice, Secretary of State, to attend the World Education Summit held at the State Department in Washington, DC.  Dr. Rice invited one hundred U.S. university presidents and one hundred international university presidents from around the world to promote international partnerships and collaboration.  Dr. Imhoff was one of two presidents from Kentucky with Dr. Lee Todd, President of the University of Kentucky being the other Kentuckian in attendance.

Commenting on the Oxford invitation Dr. Imhoff said, “I am profoundly honored and humbled by this opportunity.  To have a chair at Oxford is almost beyond imagination for me. The doors of opportunity for Mid-Continent University could be substantial.”

Dr. Imhoff will be one of seven Americans to be seated at the 39 chair round table.  University Presidents from around the world will convene for one week exploring current ventures and future trends.  Previous Round Table results of specific deliberations have been published and distributed to individuals, governments and academic institutions around the world.

Dr. Imhoff is currently in his ninth year as President of Mid-Continent University where enrollment has grown from 169 in 1999 to nearly 1900 full-time students today.  However, President Imhoff takes little credit for Mid-Continent’s success stating “Its not difficult to succeed when surrounded by excellence.  My wife, Jackie, who is our Vice President of Adult Programs, has put together a great team whose passion is serving adults, and our Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Stephen Wilson, heads a faculty whose dedication and academic excellence are unprecedented.  Truly I am blessed to serve with such an outstanding group of dedicated Christian educators.”

Mid-Continent, a Baptist university, is headquartered in Mayfield, Kentucky and serves students from Rend Lake, Illinois to Lexington, Kentucky at more than thirty different sites. Mid-Continent University is a four-year institution accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Experts agree that constructive change will take place in the energy industry. But it will take some time, and real success will require a long-term commitment from business, government, education and the American people.

That was the message delivered by Sandra Meyer, president of Duke Energy Kentucky and Duke Energy Ohio, during the opening session of the Energizing Kentucky conference June 3 at the Henry Clay Building in Louisville.

Energizing Kentucky is a series of conferences sponsored by Centre College, University of Louisville, Berea College, and University of Kentucky to bring business, government and education leaders together to discuss energy, an issue vital to Kentucky’s future.

More than 200 people attended the opening session, which featured Meyer’s presentation and brief comments from Centre President John Roush, UofL President James Ramsey, UK President Lee Todd, and Berea President Larry Shinn.

The conference continued June 4 with presentations by state Representative Rocky Adkins and state Senator Robert Stivers, leaders in establishing energy policy in Kentucky. Other speakers included Leonard Peters, secretary of Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet, and Tom Fitzgerald, director of the Kentucky Resources Council.

University and college presidents John Roush, Centre College; James Ramsey, University of Louisville; Lee Todd, University of Kentucky; and Larry Shinn, Berea College, joined together to form Energizing Kentucky.

Meyer told the audience that Kentucky needs a “cathedral mentality” in dealing with energy issues. Because many historic cathedrals took more than a century to build, those who worked on the foundations often never saw the finished products.

The energy decisions we make today should be “thoughtful, credible and long-term” in scope, perhaps offering more benefit to our children and grandchildren than to us, Meyer said.

She also noted that simple solutions, such as wind and solar power, must be augmented by clean coal and other efforts to be effective for Kentucky.

“The sun doesn’t shine all the time. The wind doesn’t blow every day,” she said.

Meyer advocated clean coal and nuclear energy as keys to Kentucky’s energy future. And she applauded Kentucky’s legislature for recent energy policies that encourage exploration of alternative fuels.

The next Energizing Kentucky conference is scheduled for September in Louisville. Noted author and New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman is scheduled to be the keynote speaker.

Article and photo courtesy of Centre College. See the original here.

Transylvania University President Charles L. Shearer was the subject of an article in the May 24 Lexington Herald-Leader. Shearer, who will celebrate 25 years in office in July, is the second-longest serving AIKCU president. Reporter Art Jester chronicles the great strides that Transy has made during Dr. Shearer’s tenure:

In the nearly 25 years that Charles L. Shearer has been president of Transylvania University, the 228-year-old liberal arts college has grown stronger and better in every respect, largely due to him.

“He’s a once-in-a-lifetime president,” said William T. Young Jr., chairman of Transylvania’s board of trustees. “I don’t think most people realize Transylvania has been transformed under his leadership.”

By any measurement — students, faculty, alumni, scholarships, geographical diversity, facilities or fund-raising — Transylvania is far different than it was in the troubled hour when Shearer took office on July 8, 1983. Transylvania had been through three presidents in three years.

Shearer immediately restored stability and confidence, as well as ambition.

Continue reading the full article on Kentucky.com.

Owensboro, KY - Brescia University is now accepting applications for their new Masters in Business Administration (MBA). The first cohort of the MBA program will enter the University beginning in August 2008.

The new 15-month accelerated MBA program is designed specifically for the professional who has experience, is time-conscious, shows leadership potential and possesses strong quantitative skills. Through completing the MBA program, professionals will acquire depth and fluency in business concepts in relation to their technical skills which will prepare them for larger leadership roles.

Brescia’s new MBA replaces the Masters of Science in Management (MSM) which Brescia has offered for over a decade. “The MBA offers a more comprehensive program,” stated James Garvin, Associate Professor of Business and Chair of the William H. Thompson School of Business. “After extensive research as to what best fits the accelerated model and how Brescia could best deliver it, we’re excited to offer a high quality accelerated MBA program to the greater Owensboro community.”

The MBA program consists of 10 three-credit hour courses. The first cohort in the program will begin August 2008. The next cohort will begin in January 2009. Classes in this program are designed in a specific sequence to facilitate the assimilation of a large amount of knowledge over the 15-month time span.

Those interested in obtaining an MBA should contact Brescia University’s STARS Program Director, Greg Alvey, at (270) 686-4252 or by email, STARS@brescia.edu. STARS, an acronym for Success Tracks for Adults Returning to School, is the new umbrella for all programs serving adult learners.