Tyler Penn

KSC freshman Tyler Penn was born three months premature, and with cerebral palsy, but he’s sure never let that slow him down. He believes he can do anything he sets his mind to, and playing soccer is one of those things. Lately, he’s been experiencing a dream come true – he made the U.S. Paralympic soccer team. For the past two weeks, he’s been in Amsterdam playing in the World Paralympic Games. Here’s a report on how the team finished their overseas trip.

When he’s here at KSC, he’s always up for a game, and frequently knocks on doors in his dorm, looking for people to go out and play. Though he’s proud to be representing his country at the World Games, he’s happy to be playing anywhere. “I consider myself lucky every time I step on the soccer field,” he said.

More information.

Keene State College’s Sixth Biennial World Affairs Symposium, “From Local to Global,” will explore issues related to globalization through a series of speakers, forums, and films offered on campus and in Keene from Wednesday, November 4, through Friday, November 6, 2009. All events are free and open to the public.

Artists, educators, scholars, planners, and community leaders will gather to examine the question, “How does globalization affect our local community, economy, and culture?” Along with expert speakers and panel discussions, this year’s Symposium will feature a film festival and panel. For more information and a complete schedule and description of speakers and events, visit the Symposium web page.)

Have you attended any of the previous Symposiums? If so, use the “comments” link below to let us know what you thought.

More information.

If you’re looking for a job and can get to campus on Thursday, November 19, spruce up your resume, dress for success, and stop by the Putnam Science Center lobby between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for the next Career Connections networking event. There will be nearly 30 employers looking for good people.

Need help with your resume? Call or stop by Academic & Career Advising on the 1st floor of the Elliot Center.

More information.

Dive into the fun at Midnight Madness this Friday!

The basketballs and the stars are aligned for what promises to be a wild and wooly night in the Spaulding Gym this Friday, October 23, when the KSC men’s and women’s basketball teams kick off the season with their 13th annual Midnight Madness. Not only is this event open to alumni and the public, you’re encouraged to attend. So come on down and get a good seat (well, at least you can try).

The doors open at 10:30 p.m. and the fun begins at 11. 
Besides all the madness and games, did you know you can also get a free haircut?

More information.

The Keene State College Alumni Association recognized three distinguished individual at its Annual Meeting and Luncheon during Reunion weekend.

• Debora Murray ’99 was recognized with the Sprague W. Drenan Award for her active leadership and tireless efforts on behalf of alumni, both as the Chair of several Reunions and as an active two-term member of the Board of Directors.
• Lorna Letourneau ’57 was awarded the Alumni Achievement Award in recognition for her exceptional career in education, both primary and secondary and her commitment to helping students who initially struggle in their academic pursuits to succeed through the founding and stewardship of an alternative high school.
• Larry Benaquist, Professor of Film Studies, was honored with the Outstanding Service award, which recognizes service to Keene State College through leadership, commitment, and influence in programs and activities of the College.

For more information about past recipients or nominate a future honoree, please visit the Awards page on the Alumni website.

The Criminal Justice Studies Program and the Department of Health Sciences will be hosting a discussion with Richard Van Wickler, member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), Superintendent of the Cheshire County House of Corrections, and an instructor here at Keene State. Van Wickler will focus on drug prohibition policies, October 19th at 7 p.m. in the Mountain View Room in the Student Center.

Superintendent Van Wickler will discuss the many failures associated with the “War on Drugs” and how this social problem needs to be redefined as something other than a criminal justice issue. The mission of LEAP is to reduce the multitude of unintended harmful consequences resulting from fighting the war on drugs and to lessen the incidence of death, disease, crime, and addiction by ultimately ending drug prohibition.

We’re happy to be able to offer parents and alumni a limited number of on-campus parking spaces during the City of Keene Pumpkin Festival on Saturday, October 17th. Passes will be available first-come, first-serve until October 10 until all available parking spaces are spoken for.

The fine print:
Parking passes are not transferable and automobile-specific; therefore, you should complete all of the requested information online for the automobile you plan to park on campus. Once you have your pass, you must park by noon on October 17. Each alum or parent may register only one vehicle.

UPDATE: Thanks to overwhelming response to this offer, we’re out of reserved spots! Thanks for your interest. For more parking options, please visit the Pumpkin Festival website. If you’ve registered already, your parking pass will be sent to you in the next several days.

And while we’re talking about employment…

Career Connections is a series of networking events held through the academic year, highlighting major career fields at Keene State College. Career Connections events offer students an opportunity to talk one-on-one with local and regional employers in an informal setting and to learn about internships and career opportunities. Employers have an opportunity to acquaint students with the company they represent and the career paths available.Typically 25 to 30 companies participate in each event, and the next one will be held November 19th in the Science Center Lobby, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., featuring careers in the sciences, business management and government.

Alumni are welcome to sign up to present or attend. Please contact Mary Pleasanton at Academic and Career Advising, (603) 358-2462.

Do you need childcare, office work, yard work or odd jobs done — on a one-time basis or year round?

Maybe you’re looking for interns to assist you (graphic design, computer science, safety, marketing, sociology …).

Maybe you’d like to be sure Keene State alumni know about the opportunities available within your organization, wherever it’s located.

Think big: Openings for part-time jobs, internships, summer jobs and career opportunities can be advertised to our students and Alumni at no charge.

To earn more about what our students can do for you, visit the Academic and Career Advising site and post your job, or contact Mary Pleasanton, (603) 358-2462.

If you’re looking for interesting professional development opportunities, or just a stimulating public roundtable discussion, the Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies has a good one coming up.

“Anguished Hope: Holocaust Scholars Confront the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict” will take place on Friday, December 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Mountain View Room, Student Center. Holocaust scholars will discuss what the study of the Holocaust helps us to understand, or leads us to ponder, when facing the Palestinian-Israeli conflict while being attentive to its history and complex dynamics. Four contributors to the book Anguished Hope will discuss their work on that project, and explore their continuing engagement with this demanding topic.

A pre-registration fee is required for each roundtable. For a registration form, or more information, please visit: www.keene.edu/cchs/.