Campus News: August 21st, 2008

This summer the College began the abatement of lead paint found on parts of the trim on the Elliot Center overlooking the Child Development Center (CDC) playground. The project started on June 18, and the final pieces of scaffolding were removed on August 15.

“They were able to remove all of the paint from the rake and eaves and sunporch on the portions of the Elliot Center that border the playground, and replaced 63 windows,” said Sylvie Rice, manager of Environmental Health and Safety.

The white picket fence separating the playground from the sides of the Elliot Center has been reinstalled, and on August 9 Covino Environmental Associates, Inc., collected soil samples from the playground and along the drip line to document the concentrations of lead. All of the soil samples outside of the fenced area are well below the maximum allowable concentration. The CDC opens on August 25.

“The project went well and was completed on schedule, thanks to Chris Cormier and American Construction Company, who managed the project,” said Rice. “The College will be meeting this fall with the state to determine what, if any, actions will need to be taken to address the one location between the picket fence and the building where elevated soil levels remain.”

Photo: Sylvie Rice

Scaffolding covered the Elliot Center for much of the summer while 63 windows were replaced and all lead paint was removed from the wooden trim.

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From Frank Mazzola, Physical Plant: The Keene State College Physical Plant Department was formally recognized at The Granite State Quality Council (GSQC) 2008 Conference and Recognition Ceremony held in Manchester, N.H., on June 25. The department received a plaque and a letter of recognition from Governor John Lynch. Only one other organization in the state was recognized in 2008.

The GSQC Recognition and Award Program recognizes New Hampshire organizations for performance excellence using criteria established in the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The Quality Recognition Program consists of four levels: quality interest, quality assessment, quality commitment, and quality achievement. The Physical Plant Department was recognized in the quality assessment category.

Governor John Lynch joined the GSQC in congratulating Keene State with a letter stating “[they] have recognized the need to identify and strive for best practices in support of better serving their customers, developing an engaged and skilled workforce, and ultimately in support of strengthening the New Hampshire economy.”

Photo: Gil Talbot Photography

Frank Mazzola (director) and John Lorette (Work Control supervisor) accept GSQC and the Governor’s recognition on behalf of the Physical Plant Department at Keene State College. L to R: Ann Warner, executive director, Granite State Quality Council; Frank Mazzola; John Lorette; David Branch, Conference keynote speaker and Baldrige evaluator; Tom Raffio, GSQC chair and CEO of Northeast Delta.

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The Georgia Guitar Quintet will open Redfern’s 2008-09 Presenting Series on October 4.

From Bill Menezes, Redfern: For 100 years, the arts have played an important role in the life of Keene State College, and Redfern’s 2008-09 Presenting Series will honor that tradition with a season that builds on the past, looks to the future, and celebrates KSC’s Centennial. The 2008-09 season will open on Saturday, October 4, with the dynamic Georgia Guitar Quartet.

This year, three visiting artists return to perform at the Redfern. In keeping with the theme of building on the past to celebrate the future, they will bring their latest creations: In March, the chamber theatre group Core Ensemble will perform Ain’t I a Woman, celebrating the life and times of four remarkable African-American women.

Also in March, one of New York’s hottest dance companies, Keigwin + Company, will perform Elements, an evening-length work that premiered this summer at the Bates Dance Festival. In April, I Musici de Montréal, on its 25th anniversary tour, will perform Moussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition with large-screen projections of paintings inspired by the original paintings that in turn inspired Moussorgsky’s timeless music.

Tickets for these and other performances may be ordered by calling 8-2168 or visiting http://www.keene.edu/racbp.

Courtesy photo

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KSC students return this weekend, and the campus will once again come alive. To accommodate students moving into the Winchester Street dorms, the section of street between the Main Street roundabout and Blake Street will be closed to through traffic on Saturday and Sunday. The road will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and only KSC traffic and emergency vehicles will be allowed through. Traffic control personnel will be assisting with traffic, but motorists should expect delays.

You can find all the information on opening weekend here. If you’d like to join the team of faculty and staff who will be here to help students move in, please call Caroll Lothrop at 8-2346.

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The College will officially welcome new students to the Keene State community on Sunday, August 24. Faculty and staff who would like to participate in the New Student Convocation should be at the Appian Way Gateway at 1 p.m. This year faculty and staff are asked to wear regalia, if possible (if not, please wear business-casual attire). Upon arrival, faculty and staff will be asked to line up along Appian Way to Spaulding Gym.

Around 1:15 p.m. students will pass through the Main Street Gateway onto the campus, a symbolic part of the program where new students literally step into the KSC community. Faculty and staff will add to the symbolism by “clapping in” the students as they begin their walk to the gym. When all the students have walked down Appian Way, faculty and staff will enter through the side doors of the gym that face the Student Center. The program will run from 1:30-2:15 p.m. There are no activities following the convocation. For more information, call Pauline Dionne at 8-2106.

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From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information: While the men’s soccer team got an early start with a trip to Costa Rica last week, the rest of Keene State’s fall teams began their preseason on Monday, August 18. The Owls are hoping that practice makes perfect.

The first day of practice can be a logistical nightmare for the coaches and staff. Eligibility has to be confirmed, physicals have to be taken, and housing has to be assigned. “The key is preparation,” said KSC athletics director John Ratliff. “You need a system in place that enables the athletes to get as much done as possible before they even arrive back on campus.”

Before stepping onto the field, coaches give their players a chance to unwind and catch up with friends. “We don’t get them out and put them through their paces running wise,” said KSC cross-country coach Peter Thomas. “We want them to start forming some bonds with their teammates and get comfortable in their environment.”

“Sometimes you get players who are a little homesick,” said KSC women’s soccer coach Denise Lyons. “You need to talk to talk to them and make sure they are able to make the adjustment.”

“I think the freshmen can be intimidated by the whole experience,“ said KSC field hockey coach Amy Watson. “It’s different for fall sports because you’re not only coming to a new team, but also a new school and a new home. The first week can be overwhelming.”

KSC women’s volleyball coach Bob Weiner said evaluation can be tricky and time-consuming. “We have 10 new players, so we’re trying to figure out who’s who and what they are capable of doing,” he said. “You have to give players time to acclimate. Some take longer than others.”

While some coaches start off with drills, Lyons’s first practice includes a scrimmage pitting veterans against the new players. “We get to see what we have, and the players get a chance to evaluate their competition,” she said.

Thomas, in the meantime, uses a short time trial for his runners before sending them out on longer practice workouts.

Regardless of their methods, the name of the game is to get ready for the season. The price paid in August could pay dividends in November. “The preseason can be very trying, both mentally and physically, but you have to look at the big picture,” said Watson. “It’s all about motivation and bringing the team closer. A good season starts with a good preseason.”

KSC teams kick-off their fall seasons the weekend of August 30. The women’s soccer team is home against Norwich while everyone else is on the road. The men’s soccer team is at the Salisbury (Md.) tournament, the field hockey team is at RPI, and the volleyball squad is at Gordon College. The Owl cross-country teams begin their season with an Alumni Meet before getting set for a meet the following week at Trinity College.

Photo: Adam Skibek

Junior Lindy Caslin makes a defensive save during field hockey practice.

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From Lynne Andrews, Recreation Center: Just a friendly reminder that all facility memberships (those issued for 2007-08) end on Sunday, August 31. Memberships can be renewed for 2008-09 by stopping by the front desk with completed membership application and Par-Q forms that were sent to you by mail. If you did not receive these forms or would like to join the Recreation Center as a new member, please stop by the front desk to complete the paperwork and receive your membership card.

The membership period runs from September 1 to August 31, so you will want to process your renewal or first-time membership by the end of August or the first week of September.

A membership fee of $480 for KSC faculty, staff, and their spouses/partners includes use of the entire Recreation Center from September 1, 2008, to August 31, 2009. Benefits-eligible faculty and staff can use the Wellness Connection benefit of your Harvard Pilgrim health insurance to cover the cost of membership. For more information about this program and the other membership options available, please stop by the front desk of the Recreation Center or contact the Recreational Sports office at 8-2814.

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From the IT Group: The IT Group has been busy this summer with technology changes:

• We have installed permanent PCs in 22 of the SmartCarts in our media-enhanced classrooms. An updated list of MECs with permanent PCs can be found at: http://www.keene.edu/it/insttech/mediaenhanced.cfm.

• More than 150 KSC faculty and staff members have upgraded to Office 2007. If you are interested in upgrading, please fill out this web form.

• The wireless network now includes the entire first floor of the Science Center. We have added a secure wireless connection and modified our log-in options. The new log-in options are: KSC_Student, KSC_Guest, and KSC_Secure. All faculty and staff will use the KSC_Secure log-in option, which will provide the most security to KSC users.

To be sure you have the media equipment you need and access to the tools you use:

• Log in to WebAdvisor now and request a password reset, if necessary, so you can access your class roster.

• If you need to request media equipment this semester, visit our website and reserve your equipment early; the HelpDesk has a limited supply of circulation equipment.

• There are media equipment closets throughout the campus where you can reserve equipment, pick up equipment when you need it, and return it when you are done. You can view the list of closets and the equipment available in: Outlook Public Folders –> Media Equipment Closet Schedules.

Information on the media-enhanced classrooms, Office 2007, the wireless network, media equipment requests, and more can be found on the HelpDesk website. If you have questions about any technology issue, please contact the HelpDesk at 8-2532 or stop by our office on the second floor of the Elliot Center.

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The Ashuelot Valley Environmental Observatory (AVEO) and the Keene State College Film Society will present a one-night-only benefit showing of Winged Migration, on Thursday, August 28, at 7 p.m. in the Putnam Theatre. Just in time for the fall bird migration in New England!

Filmed on all seven continents, this Oscar-nominated documentary presents a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of migrating birds in flight, best seen on a big screen. This film showing will benefit AVEO (suggested donation $5). Click here to see a trailer of the movie.

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Banner Finance training for the fall semester will begin on Tuesday, September 8. All classes are in Rhodes CE Lab unless otherwise indicated. To view the entire schedule and to self-register, go to www.keene.edu/it/helpdesk/training/. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sue Freitas at 8-2478.

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From Mary Jensen, Campus Sustainability and Recycling Programs: Work with fun and interesting people from across Keene State on campus-related sustainability issues. Energy and resource use, food, water, student engagement, and alternative transportation are just a few of the projects for the upcoming year.

The deadline for applications is Friday, September 5. Apply online at http://www.keene.edu/sustain/join.cfm.

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From Steve Spiegel, National and International Exchange Center: The class of 1939 International Education Fund was established at Keene State as a gift from members of Keene Teachers College class of ’39. This fund is established to promote international education at Keene State College and is used to bring international scholars on campus for lectures, class presentations, and residencies. This year up to $3,800 is available to support visiting international scholars. Grantees will be responsible for making all arrangements for visitors.

Applications should be submitted in electronic version and must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, September 1, 2008. For grant application guidelines and additional information, contact Steve at 8-2499. Applications should be e-mailed to Steve at sspiegel@keene.edu. Review of applications and selection will be made by the Advisory Committee to the National and International Exchange Center.

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From Stephen Clark, Psychology: Staff, faculty, and students are invited to hike Mount Monadnock on Saturday, September 13, to celebrate the start of a new academic year. Come hike the most climbed mountain in the United States and meet some fellow members of the KSC community. Contact sjclark@keene.edu for details.

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From Karyn Kaminski, Human Resources: Chuck Doolittle, retirement counseling representative, from TIAA/CREF is coming to campus for one-on-one consultation (see the schedule below). Whether you are currently enrolled in a retirement plan or thinking about enrolling, this is an opportunity for you to meet privately with Chuck to discuss your financial goals. To schedule a counseling session, please visit TIAA/CREF or call Melissa Prunier at 866-904-7801.

Wed., Sept. 24 - 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Green Room, Student Center
Tues., Oct. 7 - 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Green Room, Student Center
Thurs., Nov. 6 - 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Green Room, Student Center
Thurs., Dec. 18 - 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Green Room, Student Center

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From Karyn Kaminski, Human Resources: Please welcome the following newy hired staff members to Keene State College and also offer congratulations to members of the staff who have recently transferred to a new position on campus: Debra Herget (formerly complementary), Academic/Student Services assistant, Teacher Education Office; Barbara Yardley (formerly complementary), administrative assistant, School of Sciences and Social Sciences; Colleen Brennan (formerly Office of Student Financial Services), administrative assistant, Office of Continuing Education; Cheryl McCabe-Charron, Business Services assistant, Student Financial Services; Joy McIntire, DBA Systems administrator, IT Group; Casey Wilson (formerly Student Affairs), Residence Hall director, Residential Life Office; Kim Schmidl-Gagne (formerly Residential Life), program coordinator, Division of Academic Affairs; Patty Farmer, director of Alumni and Parent Relations, Office of Alumni and Parent Relations; Adam Skibek (formerly complementary), Sports Information assistant, College and Media Relations; Forrest Seymour (formerly complementary), counselor, Counseling Center; and Amanda Pollack, Residence Hall director, Residential Life.

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Professional Activities
In June, José Lezcano (Music) performed the Carulli double concerto with the Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional del Ecuador, and duo concerts with viola virtuoso Brett Deubner in Quito and Loja, including José’s own “Sonata for Viola and Guitar.” His “Guitar Concerto” received critical acclaim in Fanfare Magazine, Turok’s Choice, and the American Record Guide after release on the North-South label in 2007 as “Remembrances/Recuerdos.”

Patricia Pedroza (Spanish and Women’s Studies) presented her paper “Exploring (Dis)membered and Re(membered) Chicana Embodiment” in August at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. The 21st Annual MALCS Summer Institute (Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social) brought together 230 Chicana/Latinas scholars. Pedroza is a member of the national Executive Committee, which coordinates this important event each year for Latina women in the United States.

Daniel L. Patterson (Theatre and Dance) attended the annual conference of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) in Denver from July 29 through August 3. At the conference, Patterson directed a production of the winner of the David Mark Cohen National New Play Award, The Elephant’s Graveyard. The award is given jointly by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and the Association for Theatre in Higher Education for the best new play of the year. The play is then traditionally staged at the ATHE conference using professional actors and conference attendees. The play this year was based on the true story of a small town in 1900s Tennessee, where townspeople executed an elephant that had killed a circus employee during the Main Street parade. Also in the cast of this production was Keene State Theatre adjunct PeggyRae Johnson.

Keene State College was represented at several important events at the 236th American Chemical Society Fall National Meeting in Philadelphia (August 17 to 21). Colin Abernethy (Chemistry) gave an oral presentation at a symposium dedicated to excellence and innovation in teaching inorganic chemistry. He showcased the new laboratory and classroom activities that have been developed for his CHEM 363 Inorganic Chemistry course to a national audience of chemical educators.

In addition, students who have been working with him over the summer [Project SEED students Erica Cornellier and Samantha Gallagher from Keene High School and KSC students Katherine EdeslilizElizabeth Neuhardt (sophomore, Biology] presented a poster, “New Complexes of High-Valent Vanadium Containing Didentate Imine Ligands.”

The 40th anniversary of Project SEED was celebrated by special events during the conference. Erica Cornellier and Colin Abernethy represented the State of New Hampshire at the Presidential Symposium Project SEED: Crossing Generations and Energizing Minds.

Dr. Loren Launen (Biology) also attended the conference. She has been working with two SEED students this summer: Garry Card (Keene High School) and Jessica Phaneuf (Fall Mountain Regional High School). They presented a poster, “A Characterization of the Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon Microbes Present in Sediment of a Northeastern U.S. River Impacted by Historical Manufactured Gas Plant Operations.”

Larry Welkowitz (Pysychology) was in the news recently: his weekly blog, Aspergers Conversations, was named one of the top 100 mental health blogs by Online University reviews.

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