Sept. 17, 2008 - Vol. XVII No. 2

Events and Invitations

Free band uniforms
Stop by the music building to pick up free band uniforms. All the uniforms, capes and hats are on display in the south hallway.

Register for Homecoming/Family Weekend Sept. 19-21Central dog
All Central College alumni, parents and friends are encouraged to register for Homecoming/Family Weekend 2008. A variety of activities for all ages are planned for the weekend. Register Now.

Lifelong Learning schedule
Saturday 9:30 – 10:20 a.m.
Never Too Late to Start: Fitness Program Basics – Kuyper Athletic Complex Rm. 226
John Roslien, associate professor of exercise science
Finding it hard to believe that you are back for a reunion, already! Not feeling as in shape as you were when you played in the Stagg Bowl? Want the energy and fit body you used to have in your college days? Whether it has been 5, 10 or 20 years since your last workout, it's never too late to start. Come and learn the basics of starting a fitness program to get you on the right track so you can look fantastic at the next reunion!

Plants that Blow your Mind – Vermeer Science Center Rm. 189
Paul Weihe, associate professor of biology
Join Paul Weihe as we examine specimens of plants with psychoactive qualities. Why do these plants produce chemicals to alter our thoughts and perceptions? These species can be amusing, sacred or deadly, depending on which plant, when and how harvested and prepared. Learn about these and other topics. Sorry, no free samples.

Asian Perspectives – Weller Center Rm. 101
Don & Maxine Huffman, professor emeritus of biology (Don) and professor emerita of English (Maxine)
Historical evidence discovered in recent years establishes that Chinese naval vessels had sailed to and mapped most coastal aspects of the N. and S. American continents, New Zealand, and Africa well before Western “discoverers” such as Columbus, Balboa, etc., and that these later discoverers had in their possession maps of the world, of Chinese derivation, many years before they left Europe. Chinese ships had gone to Venice and other ports as early as 1434, had given written documents to Italian authorities on astronomy and geography, including maps, navigational methods, many inventions [with illustrations] that were later credited to European scholars such as Da Vinci, and Copernicus, etc. The Chinese also introduced silk cloth, along with silk worms and techniques to produce silk, brought rice seed and growing techniques, irrigation techniques, etc. This information challenges our previous “Eurocentric” view of world discovery and the stimulus for the Western Renaissance which we have previously learned as a strictly European event.

Lifelong learning classesMore Wheat, Less Chaff: Tips for Faster and Easier Web Searching – Weller Center Rm. 103
Natalie Hutchinson, associate professor library science/director of Geisler Library
Beth McMahon, assistant professor of library science/reference instruction librarian
Have you ever wondered how your kids, friends or coworkers can find all of that good stuff on the Internet? Are you an experienced searcher, but worried about scams, false information, viruses and other hassles of the information age? As we all know, the Internet is a very valuable resource that puts an astonishing amount of information at your fingertips 24/7.  Unfortunately, sifting through all of this information can be a very daunting task.  How can you get to the “good stuff” more effectively and quickly, while protecting yourself from the risks? Join librarians Natalie and Beth as we discuss a variety of tips and tricks that can help you easily find the information you need in your everyday life.

Saturday 10:30 – 11:20 a.m.
Is there any such thing as a fair voting method? - Vermeer Science Center Rm. 241
Mark Mills, associate professor of mathematics
With this being an election year, it is worth considering whether our voting method for electing a president is really fair. Other countries and organizations use other methods for electing a leader. So is there a method that is truly fair? We will examine a number of different voting methods and some criteria that have been used to determine when a voting method is fair. The answer to the question that makes up the title of this session may surprise you!

The Slow Food Movement – Lubbers Building Rm. 19
Treva Reimer, faculty director, cultural affairs
What were those Italians thinking when they challenged McDonald’s with pasta in Rome? The Slow Food movement’s goal is to create dramatic and lasting change in the food system. Come learn about this international group which seeks to reconnect us with the people, traditions, plants, animals, fertile soils and waters that produce our food.

Hocker golf tournamentHocker golf tournament
The 10th annual Dan Hocker Memorial Golf Tournament is Friday, Sept. 19, at Bos Landen in Pella. The four-person best shot starts at noon followed by a dinner, raffle and auction. Questions? Contact Greg Vines ’86 at gvines@tremcoinc.com or 515-205-8344.

1988 Stagg Bowl reunion
Celebrate the 20-year reunion of the 1988 Stagg Bowl football team during Homecoming. Saturday, Sept. 20, the team will be honored at halftime of the Dutch vs. Wartburg football game and recognized at the all-alumni Homecoming dinner at 5:45 p.m.

China presentation Sept. 25
All are invited to attend a presentation about Central’s program in Hangzhou, China, Thursday, Sept. 25, at 4 p.m. in Vermeer Science Center room 180.  Kevin Den Adel (economics/accounting/management) will talk about his June visit to Hangzhou as the faculty liaison as well as several Central students who studied in Hangzhou during the spring 2008 semester.  Also, Phil George (education) will report on his visit to Hangzhou last winter. 

Newton event Sept. 25
Join Central College alumni, parents, friends and guests for an alumni event in Newton at the Okoboji Grill, Thursday, Sept. 25. A social reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres in the banquet room of the Okoboji Grill begins at 6 p.m. A cash bar will be available. Cost is $10 and payment in advance is preferred. RSVP to the alumni office by Monday, Sept. 22. Call Lynne Petty (advancement) ext. 5154 or e-mail alumni@central.edu.

1998 volleyball reunion Sept. 26-27
The Central College volleyball team will celebrate the 10-year reunion of the 1998 national championship team Friday-Saturday, Sept. 26-Sept. 27. All players, coaches, trainers and family members from the 1998 volleyball team are invited. RSVP to the alumni office by Friday, Sept. 19. 

San Antonio, Texas, Sept. 30
Join Central College President David Roe, alumni, parents, friends and guests for an alumni event in San Antonio at Casa Rio in San Antonio, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 30. A social reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres in the Rio Room of Casa Rio begins at 6 p.m. Cost is $15 per person and payment in advance is required. RSVP to the alumni office by Wednesday, Sept. 24.

Luther Tailgater Oct. 4
Alumni, parents, friends and Dutch fans are invited to a tailgater before the Central vs. Luther football game Saturday, Oct. 4, in Decorah. The tailgater, located in the tent north of the Regents Center parking lot, features pizza and chicken from Mabe’s Pizza from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. Coach Jeff McMartin (athletics) will speak to the crowd. Cost is $7 for adults and students, $4 for kids 5-12 and free for children under 5. Payment in advance is preferred. RSVP to the alumni office by Monday, Sept. 29, at ext. 5154 or e-mail alumni@central.edu.



Campus News

Enrollment numbers
Central’s enrollment totals 1,558 this fall semester, including 405 new freshmen. For complete enrollment numbers, click on the links below.

Fall Enrollment Report
Enrollment/head count, geographic distribution and ethnic/race.
https://my.central.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/Admin%20Depts/Registrar/
Fall%20Enrollment%20Reports/Fall%202008%20Enrollment%209-10-08.pdf

Enrollment Data Summary (10 years)
Comparison summary of headcount, ethnic/race, and first-second year retention from 1998 to present.
https://my.central.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/Admin%20Depts/Registrar/
Fall%20Enrollment%20Reports/Fall%202008%20Enrollment%20Data%20
Summary.pdf



Faculty and Staff News

Employee Spotlight - Dave Pavlat

Dave Pavlat

Name: Dave Pavlat
Department: Exercise science
Title: Chair and associate professor of exercise science
About me: Bachelor's degree in exercise science from Iowa State University; master's in exercise physiology from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln; EdD in kinesiological physiology from Northern Colorado University; has lived and worked in Pella and Central College for 11 years; family includes wife Deb; daughter Ashley, 24, a Central grad who lives in Colorado; daughter Whitney, 17, and sons Andrew, 11, and Luke, 9, have grown up around Central College and have been fixtures with their dad at athletic events and functions on campus; spends time at kids' athletic events and working on skills and practices with each child. 

Promotion consideration for non-tenured faculty
The Personnel Committee solicits requests for consideration of promotion for non-tenured faculty. Submit these requests to either Marilyn Vrban (academic affairs) or Kevin Den Adel (economics/accounting/management) by Monday, Sept. 29. Chapter 5.IV of the Faculty Handbook provides the following process:  “A faculty member may request consideration for promotion at the time of the yearly evaluation interviews with the department chair, or may make the request directly to the Personnel Committee at the start of its yearly review process.

Request for promotion may also be made on the faculty member’s behalf by his/her department or division chair, the provost, or by any member of the Personnel Committee.”

Nominations for promotion of tenured faculty will be solicited in a few weeks.

Sabbatical leave applications
Sabbatical leave applications for the 2009-10 academic year are due to the office of academic affairs no later than Sunday, Nov. 2. Information about sabbaticals is found in chapter nine, pages 1-3, of the Faculty Handbook. Eligible faculty who are interested in applying for sabbatical leave must consult with both the department chair and the provost prior to submitting the application. Forms are available on the academic affairs Web site. Nominations should be sent to Kevin Den Adel (economics/accounting/management), chair of the personnel committee, at denadelk@central.edu or campus box 011.

Day writes online course
Christine Day (education) wrote an online course for experienced school administrators coming to Iowa from another state. The course, Evaluator Approval Training for the Evaluation of Iowa Teachers, will allow experienced administrators to learn about the Iowa Quality Teacher legislation, focusing on evaluation, with an online format. The course will be administered through the School Administrators of Iowa.

Van Kooten’s article published in Iowan
Valerie Van Kooten (English) has a story in this month’s Iowan Magazine on the work of Ottumwa photographer Michael Lemberger and his role in photographing Iowa politics for the past 40 years.

Viesselman chair of committee
Chris Viesselman (athletics/exercise science) was appointed as chairperson for the Clinical and Emerging Practices Athletic Trainer’s Committee (CEPAT) for the Iowa Athletic Trainer’s Society.

Cannon’s review published
Walter Cannon’s (English) review of “Much Ado About Nothing,” directed by Nicholas Hytner for the National Theatre, London, England, was published in Cahiers Elisabethains, spring 2008 issue.

Datatel annual conference
Carol Van Weelden, Paul Thomassen and Matt Wenrick (all IT services) attended the Midwest Regional Datatel Users Group annual conference in Sioux City, Iowa, Sept. 16-28. They attended session dealing with colleague advancement, WebPortals, financial aid, reporting, programming tools and several vendor presentations.


Strategic Planning Initiatives

No news.


Students Doing Interesting Things

No news.


Comings and Goings

Coming
Maria Hickle, territory representative for Central College Abroad
Manoj Aryal, marketing and media relations
Denise Jackson, facilities planning and management
Janet Benford, HR assistant
Stacy Pfantz, cheerleading coach

Going
Alexia Rodriguez, cook in dining services
David Paulsen, athletics


Name Dropping

No news.


Personally Speaking

No news.


Human Resources

Deadline and information on Tuition Exchange for new and returning dependents
The Tuition Exchange (TE) program provides the opportunity for eligible dependents of faculty and staff to receive undergraduate scholarships at one of the participating member institutions. A list of over 500 colleges and universities that participate in the TE program can be found on the TE Web page www.tuitionexchange.org.  Applications for new and returning dependents for the TE program must be submitted to human resources by Monday, Nov. 3, for the 2009-10 school year. In addition to the application form, you will also need to submit a copy of your most recent tax return showing verification of dependent status. Once you get your 2008 tax return completed, you will need to submit the dependent status information from that. TE eligibility is limited to full-time employees and may be limited based on point criteria established by the college.

Deadline information on tuition reduction for new and returning employees and dependents
Tuition reduction benefits are available for spouses and dependent children commencing in the academic period following two years of continuous employment for a full-time employee (or  3,328 accumulated hours for less than full-time employment).  As an employee of the college, you receive this benefit immediately upon employment. Tuition reduction does not apply to any off-campus programs (i.e. internships, study abroad). The form to submit for tuition reduction can be found on the HR Web site at https://my.central.edu. After logging in, click on the “For Employees” tab and look for forms in the human resources area. Please submit this form for new and returning students to human resources by Monday, Nov. 3, for the 2009-10 school year. In addition to the application form, you will also need to submit a copy of your most recent tax return showing verification of dependent status. Once you get your 2008 tax return completed, you will need to submit the dependent status information from that.

Upcoming holidays
Thanksgiving
Thursday-Friday, Nov. 27-28

Christmas
Wednesday-Friday, Dec. 24-26
Half day Wednesday, Dec. 31

New Year’s
Thursday-Friday, Jan. 1-2

Upcoming events
A professional development event will be Thursday, Oct. 16, from 10-11:30 a.m. Details will come at a later date via e-mail.

Open Positions

To review general open positions and download an application click here or visit the college Web site at www.central.edu and select job seekers on the home page drop-down menu for more information. 

Central College is strongly committed to creating a diverse community. In furtherance of that commitment, the college encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds, under represented groups and/or those who have had experience working with and/or interacting with individuals from diverse populations to apply. Central College is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates.


Submit news for CampusTown!
News items should be submitted to Abby Gonzales by noon Friday, Sept. 26.
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