First Thursdays Current Issues Forum is an initiative co-sponsored by Project Pericles and the Office of the Vice President for Student Life. This month’s discussion address questions like these:

• What is the Occupy Wall Street movement all about?
• What is the story behind this event and where did all of this passion come from?
• What are the major issues and causes that are present in the OWS movement?
• Who is participating in this movement and what do they hope to accomplish?
• Why should you care about the OWS movement?
• How broad is the OWS movement in the United States?
• How had the media presented information about OWS?
• Has there been an international dimension to this movement?
• What impact will this OWS movement have on our national Presidential campaign? On other political campaigns?

John Kernodle ’05 and Rebecca O’Quinn ’08 will be special guests for this month’s discussion. John has been heavily involved in the “Occupy” movement in Greensboro and will share some of his experiences. All students, staff and faculty are welcome to come and participate in this open forum.

The program includes a two-day retreat and a one-credit hour course led by faculty and peer leaders during the first half of the spring semester. This program offers sophomore students the opportunity to discover who they are, where they want to go in life and how to get there.

福利亚洲国产精品 is collaborating with national leadership development company, New Mountain Ventures, to offer this innovative program for sophomore students. Charting Your Journey will prepare students to craft a meaningful and flexible life plan in light of the ever-changing, fast-paced world outside Elon. Students will learn to identify their strengths, be alert to opportunities, take measured risks, set goals and think strategically, and practice the art of reflection and renewal. Students will also develop a resume. These skills will help students better align their core identity with their professional and personal goals, especially in the context of their remaining years at Elon.

Five cohorts of 10 to 12 students will participate in the two-day retreat on Jan. 30-31, 2012, featuring Christopher Gergen, author of Life Entrepreneurs: Ordinary People Creating Extraordinary Lives. Students will enroll in a one-credit Transitions Strategies course during the first half of the spring semester. Cohorts will each be co-led by a faculty or staff person and an upper-class peer leader trained by professional facilitators. Students selected to participate will be assigned a cohort that will schedule a convenient time for the weekly class meetings in the spring semester.

There is a $100 program fee to participate (limited program fee scholarships available on a case-by-case basis) and students are required to submit an application, along with one reference from a faculty or staff member. Applications are due electronically or in hard copy to the Office of the Vice President for Student Life in Alamance 109 by Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 5 p.m. Those accepted to participate in the program will be notified by email no later than Monday, Nov. 7. Accepted students are required to submit the $100 program fee by Nov. 18 to guarantee their place in the program.

We encourage you to apply. If you would like an application or have any questions please contact Brian O’Shea, assistant to the vice president for student life and dean of students at 336.278.7220 or boshea@elon.edu.

The Multicultural Center was awarded $3,000 to fund a student advocacy conference for Elon and other local colleges and universities. The conference is planned for spring 2010 and is a joint project between the Elon Multicultural Center and Spectrum, a student organization that strives to increase visibility and better the lives of LGBT individuals at Elon and beyond. The conference’s focus on student advocacy is a timely one, in light of current national conversations about same-sex marriage, the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and protection for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
 

Richard McBride was also honored at the dedication for his service to both the campus chapter and the local affiliate. McBride supported the founding and has served as advisor of the campus chapter for 18 years. He also served many years on the Board of Directors for Habitat of Alamance County. McBride will retire from his role as University Chaplain at Elon in May after 25 years of service to the institution.

“I believe that the board, the staff and volunteers would agree with me that the campus chapter has been an outstanding partner over these past 18 years,” said board president, Derek Hinton. “We certainly look forward to continuing our joint ministries of providing affordable housing to those in need within our community.”
 

To Apply:

Proposals will be judged on the following factors: creativity; originality; potential for academic or personal development or positive impact on others; relevance to course of study or career goals; overall presentation of proposal; and financial need.

Students must submit an essay to the Office of the Vice President for Student Life (Alamance 109) by Wednesday, February 25, 2009. The essay should describe the proposed project, explain its relevance to the student’s goals, make a compelling case for funding and list any other funding sources sought. Applications should include two letters of support from Elon faculty or staff members with whom the student has discussed their project. The top 8 candidates chosen by the selection committee will be invited to make a short presentation about their project mid March.

The award is presented annually at the spring Omicron Delta Kappa awards ceremony. This year’s ceremony will be held April 30.

The Ward Family Learning in Action Award consists of a cash prize of $3,000 to support the student’s project. Each year, the previous year’s recipient will be invited to the ceremony to discuss how the award enhanced his or her education and preparation for life, and to announce the next recipient.

Please contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students in Alamance 109 (x7220) with any questions.
 

Student cohorts led by facilitators Mallory Anderson, director of the center for leadership, Dr. Tina Das, professor of economics and Dr. Tim Peeples, associate dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences kicked off the 5 month program with a retreat at the Laurel Ridge Camp, Conference and Retreat Center in Laurel Springs, NC. Students identified their strengths and passions, developed vision and purpose statements, learned how to turn goals into action strategies and were trained on building healthy support systems. Peer leaders and Elon upperclassmen, Noelle Clemente, Paige Hannah and Alaina Pineda helped reinforce the principles by sharing their own experiences with students.

“Across the short span of one weekend, I acquired the key elements to leading an entrepreneurial life.” Said senior Jessica Foust. “While discovering my strengths, passions and values, I simultaneously met a cohort of students who were striving to do the same. I am more than certain that the weekend planted seeds for audacious ideas and goals that will inevitably lead to paths of entrepreneurial success.”

The program is a collaboration between Student Life and Academic Affairs led by Dr. Smith Jackson, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students and Dr. Nancy Midgette, Associate Provost. Jackson and Midgette worked with the national leadership development company, New Mountain Ventures, to develop the program based on the book Life Entrepreneurs: Ordinary People Creating Extraordinary Lives by New Mountain Ventures Co-Founders, Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanourek. The weekend retreat was coordinated by Gergen and Rex Waters, Associate Dean of Students. Jodean Schmiederer, Assistant Dean of Students and Dr. Gary Palin, senior lecturer in entrepreneurship and executive director of the Doherty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership also attended the retreat.

Gergen commenting after the retreat said, “Over the course of the three short days, the students proved that they are not only passionate about leading an entrepreneurial life – but also committed to making it a reality. Elon is once again proving why it’s one of the most innovative universities in the country and we’re thrilled by the ongoing partnership.”

Elon is collaborating with national leadership development company, New Mountain Ventures, and the authors of Life Entrepreneurs: Ordinary People Creating Extraordinary Lives to offer this program exclusively for Elon students. The program will teach skills to help students align their core identity with their professional and personal goals, especially in the context of their remaining years at Elon.

You will consider what you might be doing if all of your external pressures were removed, as well as what steps could be taken during your time at Elon to move further in the direction of your goals. The program is free and will begin each night with dinner at 5:00pm and conclude by 7:00pm.

If you are interested, RSVP to Brian O’Shea at boshea@elon.edu by Friday, Jan. 16.

Burst the Bubble programs are student taught classes that focus on new and exciting subjects you won’t find in your everyday classroom. Students who have a talent, interest or skill teach courses that you can take for free! There are no stressful homework assignments or final exams. There is no risk and no books to buy. Burst the Bubble is the new opportunity you’ve waited for to finally do something different over Winter Term.

It’s free. It’s fun. It’s designed with you in mind.

Any class listed below as “OPEN” is still available.  To register email burstthebubble@elon.edu with the course number in the subject line.  Information about course meeting location will be emailed back you.

2009 sessions include:

BTB 001: OPEN
Learn the Carolina Shag!
Instructor: Will James
Wednesdays/Fridays starting 1/7 7:00 – 8:00 pm
The Carolina Shag, South Carolina’s State dance, is a form of dance similar to west coast swing but with less swing and more footwork. I will teach the basic, the full turn, half turn, and the pretzel. Shagging is great to dance to just about anything and you will impress all your friends! For all that are interested, Youtube “Carolina Shag” to get a feel of what potential they could have!

BTB 002: CLOSED
Movie Marketing
Instructor: Colleen Callahan
Mondays/Wednesdays starting 1/7 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Ever wanted to know the process behind marketing a movie? Well here’s your chance to learn and even be a part of it. This class will focus on the planning behind developing mass appeal of a film. Then, the class will be divided into groups to develop a campaign for an upcoming 20th Century Fox movie. Campaigns will be sent to studio executives in Hollywood, who will determine the best campaign and possibly use them in their own marketing planning. This class will serve as a great portfolio and resumé builder. Keep in mind it will be a commitment. While communications, business and digital art majors are preferred, all majors and classes are eligible.

BTB 003: OPEN
Superhuman Behavior: A Study in Ethics of Superhuman Ethics
Instructor: Brenton Davis
Mondays/Wednesdays starting 1/7 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Through discussion of the actions of Superhumans and the ethical rationale behind those actions one may learn how to act ethically. Superhumans discussed will range between classics such as Superman, Batman and Spiderman, to more modern heroes such as the Punisher, Hyperion, and the Question. Course Materials will include reading and select scenes from visual media and will be conducted as a class discussion facilitated by a mediator (the Instructor)

BTB 004: OPEN Clogging: From Hillbilly to Hip Hop! (Beginner)
BTB 005: OPEN Clogging: From Hillbilly to Hip Hop! (Intermediate)
Instructor: Karena Thacker
Beginner: Tuesday/Thursday starting 1/6 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Intermediate: Tuesday/Thursday starting 1/6 7:00 – 8:00 pm
This class will focus on teaching the basic technique of clogging. Students will also be introduced to the history of clogging via mini-lectures, video sessions and a performance by a guest clogging team. The class will end with an informal performance for students to show the routines and steps they have been working on.

BTB 006: OPEN
The Culture and History of Surfing
Instructor: Mike Milano
Tuesday/Thursday starting 1/6 5:00 – 6:30 pm
The course will highlight where and how surfing originated, what it means physically, mentally and possibly spiritually to surf, and the culture of those who are bitten by the surfing bug. We will also go over how surfboards are made and possibly give each student the chance to make a scaled down replica of a surfboard.

BTB 007: CLOSED
Steppin’ Out!
Sponsored by the Ballroom Dance Club
Tuesday/Thursday starting 1/6 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Learn the basics of Swing, Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba, Salsa, and more! Taught by Flight of the Phoenix – Elon’s Ballroom Dance Team, and Club Dance – Elon’s Ballroom Dance Club.

BTB 008: OPEN
The Ins and Outs of eBay
Instructor: Alan Duvall
Mondays/Wednesdays starting 1/7 5:00 – 6:00 pm
It’s official, we are in a recession. Everyone is strapped for cash. What better time to learn how you can turn your old junk lying around into cold cash. This class will give you the basic understanding of how eBay works, the different ways to market your items on eBay, as well as how to start an eBay business.

BTB 009: CLOSED
Scarves, Socks and Sweaters, Oh My!
Instructor: Molly Frank
Mondays/Wednesdays starting 1/7 7:00 – 9:00 pm
This class will teach how to knit, purl, and make other common techniques. I’m flexible about the material I will teach so if you have specific questions I am more than happy to accommodate. Based on your skill level, I can find new and more challenging projects for you. Knitting needles and yarn will be provided but you can bring or purchase your own supplies as well. All skill levels are welcome!

Established in 2007 through a gift from the Ward family – Dorothy Mears Ward GP’05 and ‘08, Tom and Beth Ward P’05 and ‘08, A.T. Ward ‘05, Christopher Ward ’08 and Chase Ward – this award annually recognizes one rising sophomore, junior or senior to support an experiential learning project.  The projects may include, but are not limited to, international study, undergraduate research, internships, service and leadership experiences.  Student recipients must be in good academic and social standing.  Demonstrated financial need is not a requirement but may be taken into account.

To Apply

Proposals will be judged on the following factors: creativity; originality; potential for academic or personal development or positive impact on others; relevance to course of study or career goals; overall presentation of proposal; and financial need.

Students must submit an essay to the Office of the Vice President, Alamance 109 for Student Life by March 15. The essay should describe the proposed project, explain its relevance to the student’s goals and make a compelling case for funding. Applications should include two letters of support from Elon faculty or staff members.

The Vice President for Student Life will appoint a selection committee composed of representatives from the faculty, Division of Student Life, Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, Office of Financial Planning and a member of the Ward family.

The award will be presented each year at the spring Omicron Delta Kappa awards ceremony.

The Ward Family Learning in Action Award consists of a cash prize of $3,000 to support the student’s project. Each year, the previous year’s recipient will be invited to the ceremony to discuss how the award enhanced his or her education and preparation for life, and to announce the next recipient.

Please contact the Office of the Vice President, Alamance 109, or X7220 with any questions.