Keene State College

College Relations

Campus News - April 20, 2005

Larry Welkowitz Honored with Faculty Research Award

Dr. Larry Welkowitz, professor of psychology, has been chosen to receive the Keene State College Award for Faculty Distinction in Research and Scholarship for 2004-05. He is the fifth recipient of the award, which recognizes contributions to research and scholarship at Keene State.

Larry’s primary area of research is child developmental problems, and he is recognized internationally for his work on Asperger’s Syndrome, characterized by problems related to social interaction and other behaviors. He is the co-author of two books: The Hidden Face of Shyness (Avon Books, 1996) and, with his KSC colleague Dr. Linda Baker, Understanding Asperger’s Syndrome: Interventions for Therapists, Educators, and Communities (Lawrence Erlbaum Press, 2004). Larry and Linda co-direct the Asperger’s Resource Group (ARG), a recent recipient of a grant from the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation, which helps support their research in Asperger’s and related problems.

“Keene State students are fortunate to have Larry Welkowitz as a teacher and mentor,” said Dr. Gordon Leversee, dean of sciences and social sciences. “He is an extraordinary ‘scientist practitioner’ who models learning by investigation and publication, as well as by application of knowledge to real-world problems.”

A graduate of Middlebury College, Larry received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Hawaii. Before coming to Keene State in the mid-1990s, he served on the faculties of Columbia University (the College of Physicians and Surgeons) and Antioch New England Graduate School. In addition to his research on child developmental problems, he has interests in the prevalence of anxiety problems in communities, including panic and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and developing more effective treatments for those problems.

Larry was recently featured in The Keene Sentinel for his “podcasting” activities, in which he produces short audio web pieces for downloading by students, colleagues, parents, and others interested in Asperger’s and autism issues. Learn more about Larry and his work at welkowitz.typepad.com.

In the community, Larry develops mentoring programs for children with disabilities and helps nonprofit groups identify sources of grant revenue. He’s also an assistant soccer coach and, on campus, faculty advisor to WKNH radio, working to establish more community-relevant programming.

Earth Week Continues

Thursday, April 21
Om is considered the all-connecting sound of the universe – one word interpreted as having three sounds representing creation, preservation, and destruction. Student Center Lawn 12:15-12:45 p.m. Sponsored by the Counseling Center.

Friday, April 22
Planting of an Atlantic White Cedar near the Wright Theater entrance, Redfern Arts Center. 11 a.m.

Saturday, April 23
Giant Puppet Parade: Appian Way, 10 a.m.
SolarFest: noon-5 p.m.

To learn more, visit www.keene.edu/sustain/earthweekevents.cfm.

Grantseeker Looks for Research $$

A million dollars in grant funding a year goes a long way, especially at Keene State College.

Each year, Keene State faculty and staff apply for grants that both help the College achieve its mission and contribute much-needed resources to local agencies and schools.

But applying for a grant isn’t as simple as sending an application to a funding agency, says Mary-Ellen Fortini, sponsored programs director at KSC, who in her two-and-a-half years at the College has helped faculty and staff secure $4,425,000 from outside sources. Her job involves finding potential sources, encouraging and training faculty and staff to seek funding, helping write grants, and reviewing, editing, and resubmitting grants. When the grants are awarded, she works closely with the Business Office to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the grants.

Among initiatives she’s helped bring to the College and local agencies are funds to establish the Monadnock Center for Successful Transition (coordinated by Steve Bigaj, associate professor of education) and the N.H. Center of Biological Research Excellence Lung Disease Research Lab (coordinated by Melinda Treadwell, assistant professor of technology, design and safety). She also played a major role with the U.S. Department of Justice appropriation to support the development of a state public safety program for emergency personnel. She’s worked on grants to support work by the Center for Writing, the Summer Institute on the Holocaust, the Early College Awareness Program (ECAP), and many individual faculty members.

“Bringing these resources into the community as well as the College supports our mission,” she says. “It fits with the way we want our students to be.”

Grant applications are typically complicated, Mary-Ellen explains. “Sometimes the funding agency will take 10 pages just to tell you how to write a 20-page application.” Part of her role is to translate the regulations and legalese into a guideline for the applicant to follow.

It’s also unlikely, she says, that the first submission of a grant will be accepted. The initial application is likely to be returned with pages of feedback about how to “improve” the request. The second submission may well be treated the same.

Part of the strategy for submitting successful grant applications lies in interpreting the comments of the funding agencies’ reviewers (who are often experts in the field the grant covers). Mary-Ellen recommends to applicants that they have a conversation with program specialists early in the process both for initial submissions and resubmissions. “A specialist can clarify whether in fact this is the best grant to apply for, or whether there’s a better fit somewhere else,” she said. Useful tips may also be dropped during a phone conversation.

In one such conversation, says Mary-Ellen, “a specialist mentioned that a professor so-and-so said our literature review was incomplete. That was code for ‘You didn’t cite this expert, who’s also on the review committee, in your literature review.’”

Each year about 30 or 40 grants are submitted by KSC faculty and staff to funding agencies, and more than half are awarded, says Mary-Ellen. One grant in particular stands out in her mind. For several years, Keene State has worked with Thayer Middle School in Winchester to offer the ECAP program Win Win. The program survived year to year on a number of funding sources that slowly began drying up. Last year, Mary-Ellen and ECAP coordinator Mary Whithed helped the Winchester School District apply to the government-supported 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program. The application was accepted for a five-year term, enabling the program to be expanded to include the elementary school.

Mary-Ellen sees her job as giving staff and faculty permission to try something. “These people are very busy and they’re toying with the idea of extending their research or doing something new,” she explains. “I provide a place for them to ask questions and to see that there’s support for their efforts.”

Guitar Orchestra Concert Tonight

Classical guitar music by four guitar virtuosos and composers – Agustin Barrios, Leo Brouwer, Fernando Sor, and Andrew York – will highlight the KSC Guitar Orchestra concert on Wednesday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Alumni Recital Hall of the Redfern Arts Center. Professor of Music José Lezcano will direct the Guitar Orchestra through this “Guitar Heroes Plus” program of Latin music and a concerto by Vivaldi.

Playing for Peace Scholar Performs Farewell Recital

Nouran Meho ’05, a KSC Playing for Peace Scholarship recipient from Amman, Jordan, will perform her senior (and birthday) recital – and her last public performance at Keene State – on Sunday, April 24, at 3 p.m. in the Redfern Arts Center’s Alumni Recital Hall. Nouran, a violist, will perform two pieces with piano accompaniment by Maura Glennon: Vocalise Op. 34, No.14 by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Sonata Arpeggione for Viola and Piano by Franz Schubert. She will also play J.S. Bach’s Cello Suite No. 3 in C major. The recital and reception to follow are open to the campus and community at no charge.

Ten-Minute Screening Could Save Your Life

ELF (Embrace Life Fully), the USNH health promotion program for employees, will offer a Life Line Screening Program to promote stroke prevention on Friday, April 29. The price of the program has now been reduced to $50 for benefited employees and spouses/partners and has been extended to non-benefited employees at a cost of $109 per person.

Life Line Screening is the nation’s leading provider of health screenings. The non-invasive, painless ultrasound screenings help people identify their risk for stroke and the presence of vascular disease or osteoporosis early enough for their physician to begin preventive procedures.

These screenings include a carotid artery screening, abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, and an Ankle Brachial Index (ABI).

To register, contact Cathy Greene in the KSC Human Resources Office at MS-1604.

Graphic Design Seniors Show Work

Seniors majoring in graphic design at Keene State College will open their portfolios for public review on Friday, April 29. According to Robert Kostick, assistant professor of graphic design and coordinator of the event, more than 25 students will showcase their work to family, friends, and the local business community. The Graphic Design Portfolio Review will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Mabel Brown Room. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the art department at 8-2040.

Purchasing Cut-Off Dates Announced

With the end of the fiscal year approaching, the Purchasing Office has announced cut-off dates for FY ’05.

The equipment purchasing cut-off date is Wednesday, May 25. This includes capitalizable equipment normally categorized in the 74% account code range as well as smaller-dollar equipment normally coded in the 715025 account code. Therefore, any equipment purchase which requires a Form D,will be governed by the 5/25 cut-off date. All approved paperwork (Form Ds and Banner requisitions) must be in the KSC Purchasing Office by noon on that day to be included in this fiscal year.

The supply purchasing cut-off date is Wednesday, June 22. All approved paperwork must be in the KSC Purchasing Office by noon that day to be included in this fiscal year.

Reminder: P-cards are available for continuous use and do not fall under supply cut-off timelines.

Unit managers with large-dollar purchasing requests should submit detailed specifications for formal bid well in advance of these cut-off dates.

Departments are encouraged to plan for FY ’06 POs and standing orders to meet your needs. FY ’06 will be open in Banner to enter requisitions beginning June 22, 2005. Reminder from Purchasing: P-cards are a sound alternative to standing orders.

If you have any questions, call Purchasing at 8- 2493.

Bowling for Kids: Thanks to All

From Debra Rohloff, KSC Bookstore and Keene Coordinator for Bowl for Kids’ Sake: On behalf of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Monadnock Region, I would like to thank the various members of the KSC community who participated in the annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake event on Sunday, April 10. From the KSC Bookstore: Becky, Kiddo, Dan, Steve, Nick and Steve. From the Honors Council: Amy Horton, Rob Clifford, Tiffany Nowell, Cate Brennan, Ben Pelletier, and Ann Rancourt. From the Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society: Jennifer Holmes, Juddson Marineau, Jennifer Jesuele, Jolene Iverson, and Joy Doliber. Thank you for your time and the money you raised to help Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Monadnock Region and its over 300 littles.

Professional Activity

Beverly J. Ferrucci, professor of mathematics, presented “Triangles and Their Special Points: Cabri Jr. for Middle School Teachers” at the Annual Meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) in Anaheim, Calif. Her presentation dealt with ways to use graphing technology to help enhance geometric and visualization skills of middle school mathematics students. As president of the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in New England, Beverly also represented the six New England states at the NCTM Delegate Assembly and National Caucus.

Rec Center Plans for the Summer

From Lynne Andrews, Rec Sports: Summer memberships for the Recreation Center for faculty, staff, spouses/partners, and KSC students will be available to purchase beginning the week of May 2. Summer hours begin on Monday, May 9: Monday-Thursday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.; and closed Saturday and Sunday. Summer pool hours are Monday-Friday, noon-1 p.m. (tentative); Monday and Wednesday, 7:30-9 p.m.; and Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30-9 p.m.

Summer Recreation Center memberships are $120 from May 9 to August 26; the Spaulding Gym membership to use the pool and racquetball court only is also available at no charge in the summer. Please see the front desk for additional information on summer memberships. (KSC students must purchase a summer membership as student fees are not collected by Recreational Sports in the summer).

Anyone not planning to use the Recreation Center this summer should plan to clean out your locker by Friday, May 6. Please notify the Rec Sports desk staff when you complete this task. Summer users of the facility may retain their lockers but should also notify the desk staff of this as well. Locker re-registration will begin the first week of classes of the Fall 2005 semester; it is done on a first-come, first-served basis.

Leversee Appointed Interim Academic VP

Dr. Gordon Leversee, dean of sciences and social sciences at Keene State College, has been appointed interim vice president for academic affairs, President Yarosewick announced last week.

Gordon will serve in the office until KSC’s new president completes a national search for a vice president.

“I appreciate Gordon’s willingness to step forward and take on this responsibility during this time of transition,” Dr. Y said. “Gordon was interim VPAA when I assumed the presidency. He was a great help to me, and I know that he will be of great assistance to the new KSC president. He has my full confidence.”

Gordon first came to Keene State in 1981 as dean of sciences, taking on leadership roles in strategic planning, facilities master planning, general education revision and accreditation. Recently he helped lead the effort in the College’s most ambitious building project to date, the KSC Science Center.

Gordon has served before as interim vice president for academic affairs, for several years in the early 1990s.

A graduate of Dartmouth College, Gordon earned his Ph.D. in zoology at Duke University.

Dr. Y said that he and Gordon will work together over the next several weeks to appoint an interim dean of sciences and social sciences.

KSC Orchestra Performs in Opera Workshop

Selections from Mozart’s operas The Magic Flute and The Marriage of Figaro along with Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado will highlight the KSC Chamber Orchestra’s Opera Workshop program on Friday, April 22. Don Baldini, artist in residence, will conduct the 36-member orchestra during the Opera Workshop, which is directed by Carroll Lehman, professor of music. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Main Theatre of the Redfern Arts Center. For ticket information, call the box office at 8-2168.

The KSC Chamber Orchestra, composed prmarily of KSC students and some community members, will perform the triumphal march from Aida, the overture to Die Meistersinger, and the intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana.

A dozen KSC music students will perform in the workshop, which includes Act III and the Papagano-Papagena duet from The Magic Flute and two songs from The Marriage of Figaro – “To Greet You, My Lady” and “Unlock the Door and Hurry.” The song “Three Little Maids from School” from The Mikado will be performed along with the first scene from the opera Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck. Students also will perform a duet from Lakme by Leo Delibes.

Concert Band Tours British Isles

The KSC Concert Band, under the direction of Professor Douglas Nelson, will perform music of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales on Friday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m. in the Main Theatre of the Redfern Arts Center on Brickyard Pond. For ticket information, call the box office at 8-2168.

The concert will feature tuba soloist John Manning, assistant professor of tuba at The University of Iowa, guest conductor Glen D’Eon ’94, and announcer Tom White, educational program coordinator of the Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies at KSC.

Manning, a founding member of the award-winning Yamaha performing ensemble the Atlantic Brass Quintet, will perform “Four Temperaments for Tuba” by British composer Michael Brand.

Glen D’Eon, who now teaches at Fall Mountain Regional High School, will conduct “First Suite in E-Flat for Military Band” by British composer Gustav Holst.

The 57-member Concert Band also will perform James Curnow’s “Three Irish Dances,” “English Folk Song Suite” by Ralph Vaughn Williams, and Samuel Hazo’s Scottish ballad “Perthshire Majesty.”

The KSC Concert Choir will join the band to sing the traditional Irish tune “Be Thou My Vision.” The band also will play Daniel Kallman’s “The Jig Is Up,” written in the style of Irish folk music, and Robert W. Smith’s “Ireland: Of Legend and Lore,” which tells of Brian Buro marching to battle and attacking Cahir Castle.

KSC Acts for Cleaner Air

From Nora Velazques, environmental health and safety coordinator: In 2003, the campus added a new boiler and had to reapply for an air permit as required by New Hampshire environmental regulations. The new boiler was required to run on low-sulfur-content fuel oil (less than 0.5 percent by weight). Instead of installing a separate dedicated storage tank, the College opted to use existing fuel oil storage and switch all campus boilers to the cleaner low sulfur fuel. While switching to the cleaner fuel was initially a more expensive option, the benefits in air pollution reduction have been substantial.

In 2001, the heat plant emitted 85 tons per year of sulfur dioxide, a pollutant that contributes to acid rain. After switching to the new fuel, the emissions of sulfur dioxide in 2004 were only 36.4 tons per year, a 57 percent reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions. Particulate matter, which contributes to respiratory and other health problems, was similarly reduced by over 39 percent during the 2001 to 2004 time period. Overall campus emissions of all major air pollutants have been reduced by a total of 38 percent since 2001.

This reduction in air pollution supports the College’s mission to promote environmental health and safety initiatives and to provide a sustainable environment for our campus and the wider Keene community.

Eco Note

From Mary Jensen, Sustainability Coordinator: Mason Library has recently installed print management software on several computers. This software requires a user to “release” the print job before it will print. Over the month of March, on these printers alone, 45,070 pages were sent to the printer. Of these, 7,066 pages were cancelled before printing, because the users ultimately decided they didn’t really need those pages printed. This software resulted in a savings of over 15 percent. Thanks go to the Library staff for their diligence in finding, installing, and troubleshooting the software, which was funded in part by a grant from the PCSF.

On the Web

As the campus continues to grow and evolve, keep up with plans and progress at www.keene.edu/admin/construction. You can keep an eye on the Zorn Dining Commons construction via the web cam linked from the page.

Today’s Multicultural Seminar:Targeted Cuts in Higher Ed Assistance

Today’s Multicultural Seminar (Wednesday, April 20, noon-1 p.m.) will look at “Restricting Educational Opportunities for Lower Income Students: The Impact of Department of Education Policies, Rising Tuitions, and Federal Budget Recommendations.” The entire campus community is invited to attend.

Campus Calendar
selected events

Wednesday, April 20
7 p.m. (to 4/21). Film: The Story of the Weeping Camel. Putnam Lecture Hall, Redfern Arts Center.
7:30 p.m. KSC Guitar Orchestra Concert. Alumni Recital Hall, Redfern Arts Center.

Friday, April 22
7 p.m. (to 4/28; also 9:15 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sat.-Sun.). Film: Imaginary Heroes. Putnam.
7:30 p.m. KSC Chamber Orchestra Opera Workshop. Main Theatre, Redfern Arts Center.

Sunday, April 24
3 p.m. Senior recital: Violist Nouran Meho. Alumni Recital Hall, Redfern Arts Center.

Visit www.keene.edu/newsevents to learn what’s happening on campus. For the latest news and schedules of all KSC teams, go to www.keene.edu/athletics.

Send in Your News

Campus News is published every Wednesday during the academic year and every other Wednesday during the summer. Send news or items for Professional Activities by e-mail to campusnews@keene.edu or by mail to Campus News, College Relations Office, Mailstop 1502. No phone submissions, please. The editor is Dave Orsman. The deadline is at noon on the Friday prior to publication. We reserve the right to edit. Due to space limitations, not all items can be published in Campus News.