ASU Spring 2013 Commencement
Saturday, May 11
10 a.m.
Plachy Hall

All are welcome to join graduates and their families for a reception following the ceremony in the Plachy Hall Field House.

Faculty, administrators, and coaches are expected to participate in the undergraduate commencement exercises. They are asked to arrive in the Field House at 9:15 a.m., attired in appropriate academic dress, for the processional.

Adams State will award 233 degrees, including 209 bachelor’s degrees, and 24 associate degrees, at its upcoming commencement ceremony. Former Adams State Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Gary Peer, will give the commencement address.

Dr. Gary Peer

His speech, “The Enduring Power of Place,” will convey the idea that graduation from college is a special day in every graduate’s life and something fewer than half of those who begin college ever accomplish. “The college/university from which they are graduating will forever remain one of the most important ‘places’ in their life experience.”

Peer joined Adams State as the assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and graduate dean in 1985. He also served as interim president for a few months during his tenure as vice president. After leaving Adams State, Peer became assistant vice president for academic affairs and later the vice provost for academic affairs at Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Mich. From 2001 until 2007 he was the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas.

ASU EARTH (Environmental Actions for Resources Transportation & Health) welcomes participants and volunteers for a range of activities scheduled during Earth Week. Most events are free and open to the public.

Monday April 22

• Ute Elder Russell Box will discuss and show a DVD about the annual Bear Dance
  6 p.m.
  Student Life Center

Tuesday, April 23

• EARTH Art Show Reception
  4 p.m.
  Art Building Lobby
  Featuring a tie-dye activity

Thursday, April 25

• Bike to Campus Day with prizes

• EARTHling Booth, BYORB Hoops
  11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  SUB Solarium
  Bring 5 recyclable bottles and make all 5 in the hoops to winSUB Solarium

• Film: Revenge of the Electric Car
  Diego Martinez will show his Tesla car
  6 p.m.
  Porter 130

Friday, April 26

• Rio Clean-up
  4 p.m.
  Meet on North Campus Green

Saturday, April 27

• EARTH Garage Sale
  7 a.m. – noon
  Outside SUB
• East Campus Garden Work Day
  9 a.m.
  Volunteers are needed to construct raised garden beds.

Sunday, April 28

• Leave No Trace Hike of Windy Peak
  $8 per person, includes transportation
  To participate, contact Adams State Adventure Program, ext. 7813.

Questions about Earth Week may be directed to Dr. Jared Beeton, assoc. professor of earth sciences, ext. 7357.

• Next regular meeting:  Friday May 3, noon, Student Life Center
• EARTH blog

“A Curvy Path to Leadership: Mentoring and Professional Development Opportunities for Women in Higher Education”

Tuesday, April 30
Noon to 12:50 p.m.
SUB A127/130

The CIELO: Women in Higher Education Learning Community invites all faculty and staff to a lunch with speaker Margaret Doell, professor and chair of the Art Department. An alumna of HERS and current ACE (American Council on Education) Fellow, she will discuss her experiences with being mentored as an ACE Fellow and the various professional development opportunities available to women in higher education. She will present the challenges and obstacles facing individuals aspiring to leadership ranks in higher education. In preparation, she asks that participants read this article from the Chronicle of Higher Education.

2013 Hilos Summer Institute

Faculty and staff are invited to apply to participate in the 2013 Hilos Summer Institute, sponsored by Adams State University and Title V. It will be held July 21-25 in San Luis, Colorado. The Title V Grant will select twenty faculty and staff to attend the 2nd annual 2013 Hilos Summer Institute.

The application deadline is April 26. All applicants will be notified regarding their selection by May 3. Hilos Summer Institute participants will receive a $800 stipend (less payroll taxes) for the week. Hotel and meal accommodations will be paid and made by the Title V Institutional Grant Office. Participants should plan to be present for the entire experience (not commute from Alamosa). It is optional to stay at the San Luis Inn or request to be a guest of a host family, if one can be provided.

Additional information and the application for the Hilos Summer Institute is available on the Title V Institutional website.

For more information, please contact Lillian Gomez or Anna Torello, ext. 7691.

ASU Equity Retreat

May 19 – 24
San Luis, Colorado

Faculty and staff are invited to apply for the ASU Equity Retreat (formerly CELT Institute), sponsored by the Title V Institutional Grant and the CIELO Working Group. This week-long institute embraces ASU’s efforts to achieve inclusive excellence and cultural responsiveness, and to build leadership for equity. The Retreat is the cornerstone of the work that the CIELO Working Group does throughout the year.

For details and an applicatoin, please visit the retreat website.  Participants must be present for the entire retreat (not commute from Alamosa). The application deadline is May 3, and selected retreat participants will be notified by May 6.

For more information, please contact Lillian Gomez or Anna Torello, ext. 7691.

A number of Adams State events and programs are featured on You Tube. Some of the latest are:

• Talk Straight with Adams State – Affordable Care Act
• HPPE Department

The Student Success Center celebrated its one-year anniversary January 31. Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management and Program Development Michael Mumper reviewed the evolution of center from an idea to reality. The celebration was a huge success and well attended by faculty, staff, and students. Several departments — all involved in student success –are represented in the Student Success Center: Americorps, Academic Advising, Career Services, Developmental Education, Disability Services, Grizzly Testing & Learning Center, and Student Support Services. For information concerning the services offered through the Student Success Center, please contact Debbie Hill, ext. 7899.

Dedication of the Presidential Teacher Award Plaque

During the Student Success Center Anniversary Celebration, Dr. Michael Mumper introduced the Presidential Teacher Award and plaque that hangs behind the main desk at the Student Success Center. Each fall, a Presidential Teacher Selection Committee comprised of undergraduate students reviews student nominations for an outstanding teacher, mentor, and advisor. Four or five finalists are selected, then the committee interviews each finalist to discuss their teaching philosophy, classroom practice, and non-classroom advising and mentoring activities. The Committee also observes two classes of each finalist. Three winners are selected and announced at the annual End-of-Year Award Ceremony. Award recipients receive faculty development funds and have the opportunity to develop a special course.

The Anniversary Celebration recognized the Presidential Teachers to date:

Presidential Teacher Award recipients, from left: Mari Centeno. Gene Schilling, Renee Beeton, Carol Guerrero-Murphy, John Tayulor, Tracy Doyle, Eva Brown, Rob Benson, Kim Kelso, Armando Valdez, and Marty Jones

 2008-2009

• Eva Brown             
• Kim Kelso              
• Gene Schilling

2009-2010

• Tim Armstrong         
• Marty Jones           
• John Taylor 

2010-2011

• Tracy Doyle           
• Clarence Parks        
• Stephen Roberds 

2011-2012

• Renee Beeton                
• Richard Goddard        
• Carol Guerrero-Murphy  
• Armando Valdez    

2012-2013

• Robert Benson               
• Mari Centeno                 
• Beth Robison     

Finalists for this year’s award, to be announced later this semester, include Sheryl Abeyta, assistant professor of accounting; Dr. Leslie Alvarez, associate professor of psychology; Dr. Zena Buser, assistant professor of business; Victoria Kretche, visiting assistant professor of nursing; and Dr. Yusri Zaro, assistant professor of business.

Read more.

Hollywood actor Ernie Hudson will premier the one-man show Ghost in the House Saturday, Feb. 2, in the ASU Theatre.

Saturday, Feb. 2
2 p.m – followed by “Talk Back” session with Hudson and Megna
7:30 p.m. – followed by reception to meet Hudson

Two performances will be held: a matinee at 2 p.m. and an evening performance at 7:30 p.m. The matinee will be followed with a “Talk-Back” discussion session with Hudson and Megna. Evening audience members may meet Hudson at an informal reception following the performance.

Perhaps best known for his role as Winston in the popular Ghostbusters films, Hudson’s original calling was the theatre, specifically playwriting. Hudson will give his premier performance as Jack Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight champion, at ASU. Hudson co-wrote the one-man show with director Frank Megna.

Tickets:

$5 for AS&F members
$10 for the general public

Call the ASU Theatre Box Office: (719) 587-8499

The show is recommended for teens and adults, as some language is not suitable for younger children. Adams State’s presentation is in association with Opening Minds Productions.

Read more.

All campus members are invited to join colleagues and friends at ASU’s 13th Annual Spaghetti Luncheon, sponsored as a fund-raising event by the ASU Classified Employee Council (CEC).

13th Annual Spaghetti Luncheon and Dessert Auction
Friday, Feb. 8
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m
Coronado Lobby

The ever-popular and entertaining Dessert Auction will begin at noon, with Dr. Ed Crowther as auctioneer.

Tickets are on sale for $7 each and can be purchased from any CEC member:

• Lisa Brown
• Jeff Cook
• Kristen Young Jaramillo
• Brenda Wilson
• Patti Ortiz
• Elaine Wenta
• Dodie Day

CEC also thanks the campus for support of its fundraising events (Holiday Craft Fair, Holiday Fund Drive, and Final Exam Care Package) which allowed them to provide ten students with a $50 Walmart Gift Card.

The ASU Foundation invites everyone to a special event, “Evening with our Stars,” that will feature performances by Mountain Valley Dance Studio, ASU’s 68 West (a capella group), and Lost & Found, the ASU Theatre Improv Comedy Troupe.

Saturday, March 2
5 p.m. Cash bar
6 p.m. Dinner, Performances & Live Auction
Inn of the Rio Grande

Tickets are $75 each, with 80% of the proceeds supporting ASU scholarships for San Luis Valley students.

To reserve a ticket, contact the ASU Foundation office, ext. 7122.

Kobie Boykins, a mechanical engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will give two free public lectures on campus, Feb. 7. He will discuss his experiences working on the Mars Rover projects.

Thursday, February 7
Noon: Lunchtime Talks in Science and Mathematics
Porter Hall 130
7 p.m.: Carson Auditorium (Student Union Building)

Boykins’ appearance is funded through a  $3.6 million Title V grant awarded in 2011 to the Adams State University STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs. Additional dynamic and nationally-recognized speakers will be brought to Adams State to talk about space research, the science of space, and STEM careers focused on the universe beyond Earth.

Read more.

The Zikr Dance Ensemble of Denver, presenting dance from ancient ritual to contemporary ballet, will perform on the Main Stage of ASU’s Theatre.

Sunday, Feb. 17
2 p.m.

Tickets will go on sale Feb. 11, and may be reserved by calling 719-587-8499.

FREE for AS&F
$12 general admission
$10 seniors
$5 youth

This exciting dance company is under the artistic directorship of David Taylor, who has brought his troupe of talented and beautiful dancers to Adams several times before. Support has been generously provided by the Grizzly Activity Board, the Office of Student Life and Activities, and Adams State Theatre.

The Lunchtime Talks in Science and Mathematics continue this semester, presenting “general interest” topics geared to non-experts

Noon
Porter Hall 130
Complimentary pizza!

• Thurs., Feb. 7
  “Exploring Mars: The Next Generation”
  Mr. Kobie Boykins, NASA Engineer
• Wed., Feb. 20
  “Evolutionary Psychology: Explaining the ‘Whys’ of Human Behavior”
  Dr. Nate Pipitone, asst. professor of psychology
• Wed., Feb.27
  “Mathematics of Poker”
  Dr. Chris Adams, asst. professor of chemistry
• Thurs., March 21
  Dr. Aaron Moehlig, asst. professor of chemistry
• Wed., April 3
  “Ski Areas and Their Slope Stability Problems: The Colorado Story”
  Dr. Jim McCalpin, GEO-HAZ Consulting
• Wed., April 17
  “GIS and Flyfishing”
  Dr. Rob Benson, professor of geology & earth science
• Thurs., May 2
  “Non-Euclidian Geometry and the Shape of Space”
  Dr. Tony Weathers, assoc. professor of mathematics

The exercise physiology lab in the department of Human Performance & Physical Education (HPPE) is ready to begin a new semester of fitness testing in their new facility in East Campus. Testing sessions are available by appointment Tuesdays from 5-7 p.m.

To set up an appointment, please contact Maria Martinez, HPPE Graduate Assistant,  or Dr. Tracey Robinson or  call 719-587-7663 . Testing will be performed in EC 106, the new exercise physiology lab.

The following tests and prices are available:

• VO2max: $50
• Fitness age testing: $10
• Body composition: $5
• Wingate aerobic power : $10

Fitness programming, based on test results and personal goals is available for $10.

Read more.

All faculty and staff are invited to participate in “ASU Women in Higher Education: A Learning Community.” The group will focus on exploring issues and topics related to women faculty and staff in higher education. This semester will be dedicated to identifying specific issues and defining group goals.

All meetings are held in SUB 309.

• Friday, Feb.1
  2 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb.19
  3 p.m.
• Friday, March 29
  2 p.m.

For more information, Contact Dr. Beez Schell or Dr. Carol Guerrero-Murphy.