April 2012

Friday, April 27, 2012
Volume I, Issue 4

Chancellor's Awards for Public Engagement

The University of Minnesota Rochester is a member of Minnesota Campus Compact. MNCC leverages the collective assets of higher education institutions and communities, building partnerships and educating students to develop creative solutions to pressing public issues. Each year, Chancellors and Presidents of member institutions have the opportunity to recognize effective leaders in the development of campus-community partnership.

Student Leadership Award

Rebeca Chery, a student in the Masters of Occupational Therapy program, has shown exceptional leadership at UMR. In 2010, she became the student leader for UMR's AmeriCorps Students in Service program and, in this role, has been an amazing advocate for service in our community and a great support to other students in the program. Rebeca has completed more than 700 hours of service in the community since 2010. She mentors students as a member of Kiwanis International, provides social support to families through the Adopt-A-Family program, and assists with daily living activities by volunteering at Assisi Heights. Rebeca is compassionate with people and passionate about her service in the community. She has served as an amazing leader and role model for other UMR students and has helped to inspire and foster a strong community committed to civic engagement on our campus.

Civic Engagement Stewart Award

ACHLA is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that works to respond to the needs of Chicanos, Hispanics and Latin Americans in our community, has been invaluable to the University of Minnesota Rochester over the past two years. ACHLA's founding members and current directors, Miriam Goodson and Miguel Valdez Soto, have both worked tirelessly to assist in developing UMR’s community-based experiences for language courses in the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program. They have assisted in developing internship opportunities for our students as well. ACHLA is true to its philosophy to work cooperatively with other organizations and offer programs in the areas of education, health, communication, cultural events, leadership, economic growth, and spirituality.

Community Partner Award

For more than a decade, Jay Hesley has been actively involved in introducing the people of this region to the University of Minnesota Rochester, emphasizing its importance to the economic, educational, and cultural future of southeastern Minnesota. A fourth-generation Rochester resident, when Jay assures community leaders of UMR's commitment to further the city's long-term goals, particularly our emphasis on civic engagement, his credibility and sincerity are unquestioned. Jay's ability to form partnerships with business and civic organizations is invaluable to UMR's continued goal of establishing itself as an integral element of this community's unique appeal. Jay brings intelligence, energy, insight, and professionalism to every effort he undertakes and is truly deserving of this recognition.

Excellent Educator Award

UMR writing instructor Yuko Taniguchi was recognized as this week's KAAL TV Excellent Educator. Professor Taniguchi came to the United States from Japan when she was just 15 years old. She didn't know a word of English and now, more than 15 years later, she teaches writing at UMR. For more information, see KAAL TV.

Newman Civic Fellow Award

The Newman Civic Fellows Award honors inspiring college student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country. These students represent the next generation of public problem solvers and civic leaders.

Pertesia Gadson is a second year student at the University of Minnesota Rochester pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree. She aspires to continue her education in medical school, where she can continue to address issues related to social justice and health disparities. For the past year and a half, Pertesia has volunteered at the Salvation Army Medical and Dental Clinic in Rochester and with Miracle Empowerment Center in Minneapolis. Pertesia was selected to join UMR’s Students in Service AmeriCorps program and completed more than 450 hours of service over the course of one year. As one of the co-founders of a campus resource called Raptor Recruits, she acts as a peer advisor to help engage other students in community-based work. Lastly, Pertesia worked as an Undergraduate Research Assistant at the University of Minnesota last summer, and conducted research focusing on teens, alcohol use, and risky behavior. She has recently begun working with Justice and Opportunity for Youth (JOY) to mentor the highest-risk youth in Rochester. Pertesia understands the deep-seeded causes of systemic injustice; she has demonstrated tremendous courage and resiliency throughout her life and as a student pursuing her dream of becoming a physician.

Flash Mob

UMR students organized a flash mob at University Square on March 26, 2012. More than 30 participants danced to "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" in honor of Whitney Houston. Watch the video here.

BSHS Research Symposium 2012

The BSHS (Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences) Research Symposium in the Center for Learning Innovation at UMR is designed to introduce undergraduate students to the dissemination of information in the mode of professional conferences. The symposium is an opportunity for students to highlight the research they are doing as they move through the BSHS curriculum.

The symposium was implemented in the spring of 2010 with first year students as an integrated assignment between three BSHS courses. It has now evolved to include projects created in first year, second year, and upper division courses. The symposium now includes integrated assignments and projects from even more courses: Anatomy and Physiology, Calculus, Ethics, Integrative Biology, Organic Chemistry, Philosophy, Public Presentation, and Writing. Examples of projects from past years include: Agent Orange; Fondness for Fructose; Music May Affect Your Energy; and Sleeping Away Coronary Heart Disease.

This year's Symposium is scheduled from Monday, April 30 to Wednesday, May 2, from 2 pm to 5 pm each day, in Room 417 at University Square. The event is free and community members are invited to view the students' projects at any point during this timeframe. For more information, please visit the BSHS Symposium webpage or call Jenny Casper at 507-258-8242.

UMR CONNECTS

Supporting the University's overall mission of public engagement and outreach, UMR Connects is a free weekly showcase connecting the Rochester community and visitors to speakers and panels on a variety of engaging topics.

2012 marks the 50th anniversary of Silent Spring, the landmark book credited with launching the modern environmental movement. Rachel Carson sounded the alarm to an unsuspecting public about the detrimental effects of pesticides on eagles, fish, and many other forms of wildlife. Join us this month as we discuss the book and its continued importance as a guide for bringing environmental issues into the public forum, even fifty years later.

The series is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the website.

UMR Employment

UMR is currently hiring faculty and staff positions. You can visit our employment website here.

The University of Minnesota shall provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.