March 11th, 2010

New Hampshire Forum on the Future is coming to campus next week. It’s a nice chance to show off the College — and could be a great opportunity for folks who are interested.

From Misha Charles, President’s Office:

The New Hampshire Forum on the Future Breakfast Series focuses on the forces that face the state’s future - economically, socially and culturally with respect to our education system, environment and historic traditions.

Forum Breakfast Series

Driving Economic Development in the Monadnock Region: From Issues to Action
New Solutions for the New Economy
Monday, March 15, 2010
Zorn Dining Commons, Keene State College
Breakfast served

Speakers:
Helen F. Giles-Gee, President, Keene State College
Molly Kelly, Senator, New Hampshire
Thomas Dowling, President, Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce
Fred Kocher, President, New Hampshire High Technology Council
Stephen A. Norton, Executive Director, New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies
Dennis Delay, Research Consultant, New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies
Thomas Horgan, President and CEO, New Hampshire College and University Council
Register to participate in one of seven focus group discussions on education, health, housing, manufacturing, small business development, technology and transportation.

To register, visit The New Hampshire Forum on the Future’s site.

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On Saturday, February 13th, 2010 (snow date Feb. 20), hundreds of citizens in 11 locations across New Hampshire will have an opportunity to participate in day-long, facilitated, small-group community-based conversations to address the question: What’s At Stake? Community Conversations to Weigh the Benefits and Risks of Expanded Legal Gambling in NH. This is an opportunity to find new ideas and talk about what we value and our hopes for NH. Participants must register prior to the session – lunch and snacks are provided. Results will be reported out to the Governor’s Study Commission on Expanded Gambling.

Regardless of your opinion – whether you are pro-gambling, anti-gambling, neutral or undecided – they want your participation.

These community conversations are being sponsored by the University of New Hampshire, and hosted by local UNH Cooperative Extension offices statewide. The Keene discussion will take place on campus, in Morrison Hall. For more information and to register, visit the “What’s at Stake” website, call (877) 338-5322, or e-mail whats.at.stake@unh.edu.

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Forrest Seymour accepted the 2010 Partners in Prevention Award from the Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention at MCVP’s annual meeting on January 20.

When contacted, Forrest wanted to be sure we acknowledged that the work being honored is conducted primarily by students; three KSC Mentors in Violence Prevention peer educators joined him at the ceremony. “I am merely the ‘coordinator.’”

Congratulations, then, to MVP. And to their coordinator.

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From Misha Charles, President’s Office:

Each March, as part of the campus celebration of Women’s History Month, Keene State College recognizes outstanding women. This year’s Outstanding Women of New Hampshire Awards will be presented at an event on Monday, 29 March, 2010.
The theme for the 2010 National Women’s History Month is Writing Women Back into History. With this theme in mind, we will celebrate the diverse accomplishments of women and honor those who have made significant contributions to the campus, community, and state of New Hampshire. Their contributions might include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Volunteerism and community service
• Leadership
• Innovation
• Advocacy
• Mentorship and positive role modeling
• Advancement of equality

Awards are given to women in four categories: KSC student, KSC faculty or staff member (excluding current commission members), greater Monadnock community member, and other state resident.
Nomination letters should be no more than two pages and provide the following information:

1. How you know the individual
2. Why you feel this individual is deserving of this recognition
3. How this person has contributed to the campus, community, and/or state of New Hampshire
4. Category in which this individual falls: student, faculty/staff, Monadnock, or state
5. Contact details for both the nominator and the nominee

Nominations may be sent by e-mail to mcharles1@keene.edu or through US or campus mail to Misha Charles, President’s Office, Keene State College, 229 Main Street, Keene, NH 03431-1504.
All nominations must be received by 4:30 p.m. Friday, 12 February, 2010.

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From Shelley Rines, Student Center: The Keene State College Circle K club, an internationally recognized community service organization, made and donated 55 fleece blankets for children at the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute. The blankets, handmade by club members, were delivered in December at the Annual Open House for the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute, KPTI in Boston.

Circle K, the college version of Kiwanis, donates many different handmade items to the hospital every year, including blankets, welcome tote bags, and trauma dolls. While the club also donates money, the homemade items are usually the most important, because they make the hospital a more comfortable place for the children. KPTI is funded through Kiwanis and their youth affiliate groups; it’s part of Tufts Medical Center in Boston.

Twelve members of Keene State College Circle K and three members of Kiwanis traveled to Boston on Saturday to present their gifts to the hospital. “The gift we were able to give was incredible,” says Abigail O’Haire, past projects and fundraising chair of Circle K, “I have never seen such a big gift, and I was very happy to be part of it.” The blanket project was such a success due to donations made by Kiwanis, KSC, and community members through a sponsorship project. Over $600 was raised to pay for the fleece blanket material. Circle K and Chelsey Rothermel, the project coordinator, would like to thank the community for making this project a success.

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You still have one last chance to celebrate Keene State’s centennial year! Keene City Clerk Patricia Little contacted the College and asked if part of the Celebrating Our Centennial 1909-2009: 100 Years of Academic Community (at the Thorne last summer) could be condensed and brought downtown. College and Media Relations designer Lynn Roman sifted through the original exhibit’s photographs and memorabilia chronicling the college from 1909-2009 and assembled the display currently in the Ingersoll cabinets in the lobby of City Hall. The lobby is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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From Mary McEntee, Student Center: First Book is a national literacy program that works through local Advisory Boards to provide new books for children in need. KSC-First Book has helped to distribute more than 2,000 books in the Monadnock Region and will hold another book grant cycle for interested programs in March. Children in an eligible program have the opportunity to receive a monthly free book (for six months) to take home and read with their family.
 
We are planning a used-book sale at the Winter Celebration on December 9th as a fundraiser for First Book. The books you donate will be resold and the money raised will be used to buy new books for local children in need. There will be a collection box (no textbooks please) in the Student Center Atrium labeled “First Book,” or you can email Student First Book Coordinator Chelsey Rothermel to have books collected anywhere on campus. Thank you in advance!

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From the Thanksgiving Basket Committee: This year’s Thanksgiving Basket Drive was a success that touched the hearts of many local families. Students, student organizations, departments, faculty, staff, and even a local bank prepared 111 baskets with personal touches.

In addition, an astounding amount of additional food items were donated: six large boxes of winter outerwear for men, women, and children and boxes filled with toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, stuffed animals, coloring books, crayons, household supplies, and so much more. Again this year, the young daughter of a KSC family wanted her birthday guests to bring one unwrapped toy to go to the children of the Community Kitchen. With a generous amount of cash donations, we were able to provide for an additional 31 WIC families for a total of 142 baskets! It is truly a reflection of our campus community that for 24 years we have worked together to contribute to so many people during the Thanksgiving holiday.
 
This year’s event was a success due to extraordinary teamwork, generosity, and efforts by many. Volunteers included 45 students from a variety of Greek and student organizations, along with over 26 faculty and staff from all corners of our campus community.
 
We are grateful to the local vendors who added an assortment of coupons and items for distribution to the Community Kitchen. Be sure to say “thank you” to these participating vendors and friends: Children’s Dental, Chili’s Restaurant, Delta Dental, Jack’s True Value, Dr. Peter Welnaks’s office, First Book Reading Program, Friendly’s at the West Street Shopping Plaza, Hannaford Supermarket, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Price Chopper Supermarket, the Richmond Family, Shaw’s Supermarket, St. James Thrift Shop, Studio H Hair Salon, Supercuts, Toadstool Bookshop, Uptown Salon, Wal-Mart, Yankee Lanes Bowling, and Sylvania/Osram.
 
We would like to extend our most sincere thanks to the Equinox for their support of our ads, Sodexho for supplying refreshments as well as baskets, the KSC Bookstore for their contributions along with two boxes full of baby food, the Physical Plant for their pickup and delivery services - and 14 baskets - as well as those individuals who initiated the collection for their departments. Amazing. Thank you!

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From Mark Reynolds, College and Media Relations: OK, you’ve had that Monadnock United Way pledge card on your desk for a few weeks now. You keep thinking, “Yeah, I’m going to donate as soon as I get a free minute.” Well, it’s time to pick up that card, and your pen, and offer some critical help to our neighbors in need. Even a small donation will make a big difference. Let’s show the community how KSC steps up to the plate when it needs us.

Please, chip in what you can. You’ll feel good about yourself - and don’t forget, your gift is tax deductible.

Send in the pledge cards you received, or contact Francis Brush (8-2652, MS 3101) or Melissa Laughner (8-2865, MS 1603), our General Campaign chairs, or Mark Reynolds (8-2147, MS 1502), the Leadership Giving campaign chair. They’d love to hear from you.

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Graph prepared by Lynn Roman

From Mark Reynolds, College and Media Relations:

Want to feel especially good going into the holiday season, and have another reason to be proud of KSC? The campus United Way campaign needs your help, and so do the many struggling people in our local community. The agencies that the Monadnock United Way supports are overwhelmed this year with requests for assistance, and it’s important that KSC be there for the community when it needs us.

If everyone gave just $1 a week, or $2 per pay, we’d raise about $52,000. Donating via payroll deduction is easy, you’d really be helping your neighbors who need it, and you’d never even miss the $2 each pay. Besides, Sedexo is donating cakes and the Bookstore has donated KSC sweatshirts, so there will be some fun raffle prizes for several lucky donors. Step right up!

Over 160 faculty and staff members contributed last year, and the need is far greater this year. So, please, chip in what you can. You’ll be glad you did!

Send in the pledge cards you received, or contact Francis Brush (8-2652) or Melissa Laughner (8-2865), our general campaign chairs, or Mark Reynolds (8-2147), the Leadership Giving campaign chair. They’d love to hear from you.

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In the fall of 2008, senior seminar students in the Biology Department held a successful marrow registration drive in honor of Biology Department faculty member Dr. Johanna Kolodziejski, who was, at the time, being treated for leukemia in Boston. “Dr. K” lost her battle against leukemia in January of 2009. On November 18, students from the KSC Biology Club and the Biology Honors Society sponsored a second marrow registration drive in Johanna’s memory. Kristin Porter-Utley (Biology) reports that near the end of the day on Wednesday they had 156 registrations.

Lynn Roman photo

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From Rebecca Briggs, Dining Services: Keene State Dining Services’ Helping Hands across America promotion was a success - we reached our campus goal!

More than 500 pounds of food was collected (538 pounds, 9 ounces to be exact - every ounce counts when you’re shooting for a world record!). We also raised over $330 to donate to the Community Kitchen. Thanks, everyone. Your support and generosity are greatly appreciated.

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From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information: All-New England and All-Little East athletes in the pool, Keene State swimmers showed they can also strut pretty well on land when they participated in the Symonds School 14th Annual Turkey Trot on Tuesday afternoon.

For the past six weeks, Owl swimmers have been getting Symonds School third-through-fifth graders ready for the event as part of the school’s Healthy Bodies, Healthy Hearts program, which includes a variety of physical activities and games. The Turkey Trot has evolved over the years. Initially an exercise that encouraged students to be healthy and active, it has grown into a community event that includes donations for the Community Kitchen and raffle prizes for the participants. More than 500 people, including students, teachers, staff, family, and friends ran, jogged, and walked around the Symonds School path on Tuesday.

Pam Lawton, a physical education teacher at the school and a recent KSC grad says the connection between the Owl swimmers and the young students is one of the key elements of the program. “The students form a special bond with the Keene State athletes,” said Lawton. “They look forward to them coming every day and really make a strong connection.”

Symonds School Turkey Trot

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From Mark Reynolds, College and Media Relations: My mother used to tell me, “First, take care of your own.” One of the best ways we can take care of our own - our neighbors right here in our local community - is through the Monadnock United Way, and now’s the time. There are plenty of folks in the Monadnock region that desperately need our help. Area requests for food, shelter, and heating assistance are way up and well beyond what the local agencies can handle. The cry for help is loud and strong.

The MUW supports 49 critical agencies through a largely volunteer organization that puts 90% of your dollar to work for the people who need it most. As in other years, KSC is pitching in to help this important effort. So far, over 60 people are supporting the general campaign, and 12 have contributed at the Leadership Level by giving $500 or more. We’ve raised a total of $15,089. Those who have given have been remarkably generous, but we can still do a lot more.

We need everyone’s help! Most contributors choose to give by payroll deduction, an easy and painless way to help. Just think: If every employee on campus gave just $2 per pay (anyone can afford that!), we’d raise over $52,000. With so many people hurting in our community, there’s never been a more important time for those of us fortunate enough to be receiving steady paychecks to step up and help those who don’t have that security.

Everyone should have received a pledge form from Francis Brush (fbrush@keene.edu or 8-2652) and Melissa Laughner (mlaughner@keene.edu or 8-2865), our general campaign chairs. Please use that form to chip in and let the Monadnock region know that KSC cares. For those of you who are feeling especially fortunate, please contact Mark Reynolds (mreynolds@keene.edu or 8-2147) for a Leadership Giving Pledge form. It’s easy for you to make a big difference - and take care of our own!

President Helen Giles-Gee and KSC faculty, staff, and students kick off the Monadnock United Way campaign in the Student Center on October 29 (courtesy photo Jan Kobeski).

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From the Thanksgiving Basket Committee: There’s still time to join in the fun and build a Thanksgiving basket for a local WIC family (families with young children under five years of age) in Keene and the local communities. Last year, Keene State collected a record 158 baskets, which helped 703 people, including 400 children. This year our goal is to maintain that spirit of making a difference, and we can do this with your help. We cannot have too many baskets - there are so many families in need. As of November 5, more than 1900 requests for Thanksgiving baskets were received by local organizations. Any type of donation will help a local family and be greatly appreciated. Please consider encouraging co-workers in your office/area/building, organization or Residence Hall to put together Thanksgiving baskets for this holiday season.

Collection of Thanksgiving baskets will be on Monday, November 23, in the West Dining Area of the Young Student Center, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For donations by check, please make payable to “KSC - Thanksgiving Basket” and send to Tara Kavanagh at the Child Development Center in Elliot Hall, MS 2503. New this year, we have donation boxes set up in the Gym, Library, Science Center, and Student Center until the 23rd for gently used winter outerwear and additional last-minute food items to be donated to the Community Kitchen. For more information, contact Human Resources at 8-2406.

Thank you & have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

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From Cheryl Martin, Office of the President: It is time for the Annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive, and once again, we are asking you to help by encouraging your office/area/building/ organization or residence hall co-workers to put together Thanksgiving baskets for this holiday season. All KSC contributions are distributed to WIC families (families with young children under five years of age) in Keene and the local communities.

Last year we collected a record 158 baskets from all corners of our campus community! This year our goal is to continue with the spirit of making a difference by helping our friends and neighbors. We need your help. We cannot have too many baskets - there are so many families in need. As of October 23, over 1,700 requests for Thanksgiving baskets were received by local organizations, and that number is expected to increase. New this year, we will have donation boxes set up in the Gym, Library, Science Center, and Student Center until the day of the drive for gently used winter outerwear and additional last-minute food items to be donated to the Community Kitchen.

Collection of Thanksgiving baskets will be on Monday, November 23, in the West Dining Area of the Young Student Center, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, please contact Human Resources at 8-2406.

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From Rebecca Briggs, Dining Services: Keene State Dining’s Helping Hands across America promotion is well underway, and we need your help! We’ve had lots of donations of both food and cash so far, but folks in the Keene area need our help.

Please consider supporting the cause by donating a non-perishable food item or your pocket change on your next visit to the DC, Hoot-n-Scoot, Lloyd’s Marketplace, or the Zorn North Dining Room. All donations will go directly to the Community Kitchen of Keene and will help us meet our goal of collecting 500 pounds of food.
 
We know folks in Keene and the surrounding area are no strangers to world record attempts, and this event is no exception. All collections will be tallied and included - with Sodexo accounts across the country - in a nationwide attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the most canned and non-perishable food items collected nationwide in a 24-hour period. All donations must be received on or before November 12 to be included in the world record attempt. Please visit our website for additional information.

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From Francis Brush, Bookstore: This year’s United Way fund-raising campaign kicked off on October 29 with remarks by President Giles-Gee in the Lantern Room of the Student Center.

This year’s campaign theme is “Step Right Up!” Imagine a barker at the circus imploring people strolling down the midway to “Step Right Up!” and partner with the 49 human service agencies that depend on the United Way for support. In the words of Margaret Meade, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” For more information, contact Francis Brush, 8-2652.

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2500 pumpkins from Bradford, Vermont, were delivered to Fiske Quad for the annual Pumpkin Lobotomy on October 16. More than 40 student organizations had tables surrounding the quad, providing caramel apples, cider, popcorn, and face painting for the crowd of KSC carvers. The pumpkin “guts” are always composted, but this year they were collected in the College’s new rubbish truck, which eliminated a lot of lifting and extra dumpster moving. Mary Jensen (Sustainability/Recycling) reports that several tons were collected and will be composted with leaves and chipped brush and used as mulch or soil conditioners for campus lawns and flowerbeds.

(Lynn Roman photo.)

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Elsewhere on campus, 144 members of the KSC community participated in the Fifth Annual Pumpkin 5K Fun Run/Walk, including nuns-on-the-run Patty Farmer, Amanda Warman, and Beth Zinn. “We are a team in the College’s Healthy Challenge initiative,” said Warman. “Our team name is the Sisters of Perpetual Hunger, so Beth came up with the idea of walking as a team in costume since it is a ‘fun run’ - or a ‘fun nun run’ now, I guess.”

Nuns on the run (l–r) Patty Farmer, Amanda Warman, and Beth Zinn (Lynn Roman photo.)

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From Bud Winsor, Physical Plant/ Grounds: More than 100 Greek students, three campus ecology students, and a student from the Campus Outing Club showed up on a cool, misty morning to help clean up the banks of the Ashuelot River from West Street all the way down to Route 101. More than 30 shopping carts, one old rusty bike, and several hundred pounds of trash were retrieved from campus clean-up efforts.

Additional thanks to TEK and Chi Phi for volunteering to help at the off-campus location (Beaver Brook, off of Water Street).

Chi Phi fraternity members collected eight bags of debris at Beaver Brook as part of the Source to the Sea cleanup, October 3. (Zack Hawkins photo.)

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From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information: Kerri Paquette may no longer play for the Owls, but the former KSC standout defender was on the mind of Keene State women’s soccer players, coaches, and fans on October 17. Members of the team held a raffle during halftime of Saturday’s game against UMass-Boston for Paquette who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

“It’s just devastating; she’s just 26 years old,” said KSC Coach Denise Lyons, who, along with several of her former teammates, attended a benefit for Paquette in her hometown of Millbury, Mass. “Kerri was a tough competitor on the field, and I know she’ll battle through this tough time as well.”

Former teammate Tara Wagner donated the top prize for the raffle, which raised $350. Paquette played four seasons for the Owls (2001-04), earning All-LEC honors as a junior.

Kerri Paquette

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From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information: Several members of Keene State’s men’s lacrosse team recently put down their sticks and picked up shovels to help out at the Surry Village Charter School. The school recently moved, and director Matora Fiorey was looking for volunteers to help spruce up the new location. Craig Roach, KSC assistant men’s lacrosse coach, works as a paraprofessional at the school, and knew he had the right men for the job.

“The guys really enjoyed it,” said Roach, a 2003 KSC grad, who earned his graduate degree in education last spring. “The coaching staff always tries to express how important it is to give back to the community. They jumped on board and were ready to go.”

 
“It was a dream when 13 of the players arrived early on Saturday morning to do a variety of jobs, including digging ditches, collecting trash, and transporting fencing,” said Fiorey. “The pride, enthusiasm, and leadership shown was truly inspirational and will long be remembered. ‘Come on guys, let’s show them what Keene State is all about,’ is a quote that sums up the day.”

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From Chris Santiago, Campus Safety: The Keene State College Community has seen a significant increase in bicycle usage this Fall. This is an extremely good thing, but it creates some issues for us as a community. There have been announcements through various mediums asking community members to please secure bicycles to bicycle racks around campus rather than to trees, light poles, and handrails. The Department of Campus Safety would like to reinforce that message - this will keep our campus both beautiful and safe.

The increase bicycle usage has created other issues as well. Since First Year Orientation on August 26, Campus Safety has taken six bicycle theft reports and other reports of bicycle vandalism. We encourage you to leave your bicycles in well-lit and high-travelled areas, to use the bicycle racks, and, most importantly, to secure your bicycle with a good lock. In addition, City of Keene ordinances require all bicycle owners to register their bicycles (stop by the Department of Campus Safety or the Keene Police Department to do so).

Here are some bicycle safety tips:

• Safety first: Safety equipment begins with the helmet. Wearing an approved helmet can reduce the risk of a head injury by up to 85% in the event of an accident. In addition, wear brightly colored or reflective clothing so you can be seen during the early morning and evening hours. You should avoid riding your bicycle at night.
• Keep your bicycle in good shape: Make sure all parts are in good repair, checking your brakes, tires, and gears often. Learn the basics so that you can practice routine maintenance. Be sure your bicycle is equipped with reflectors and lights.
• Follow traffic laws: Bicycles are considered vehicles, and cyclists should obey the same traffic laws as motorists. Travel on the right side of the road and avoid riding on sidewalks.
• Check other routes: Sometimes the main road may not be the safest way to travel by bicycle. Look into alternate routes with less motor vehicle traffic and better road conditions.
• Find the correct fit: The most important factor in bicycling is finding a bicycle that fits you properly. You should be able to stand just over the top bar of the bicycle with your feet flat on the ground.

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On September 23, Keene State College employees became Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Jailbirds. Francis Brush (Bookstore), Patrick Hearn (Spaulding Gym), Jim Draper (Purchasing), Ken Howe (Athletics), and Irene Herold (Mason Library) were the Lock-Up participants from campus. With only four reporting in, these KSC Jailbirds raised $2,815. The Keene Lock-up event raised $30,000 overall, so the KSC contributions were just under 10% of the total raised. The contributions from this event will benefit more than 700 families in New Hampshire that MDA serves. Funds are used to provide program services such as the clinic at Dartmouth Hitchcock, support group sessions, summer camp for children, and research in over 43 neuromuscular diseases.

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