Moving Along
I started this a while ago, but have equivocated about really going live with the blog. I know it is the best way to communicate with OIT students, but I’ve also had some input that said a blog wasn’t very presidential.
Well, we’re off and running now. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. There was a state board meeting last week, and everyone is preparing for budget discussions this week.
I’m already looking into the future. This term will be completed soon and commencement will be here in no time. Next week is the Oregon Tech Foundation board meeting and we will watch the launch of a high altitude balloon by the Mars Reach team, led by Associate Professor Tim Brower. It’s always exciting to introduce the community to the wonderful research and theory-building in which our students and faculty participate.
Last Friday, Assistant Professor Jim Long arranged for student projects to be displayed in the College Union. A variety of majors were represented and everyone walked away knowing OIT students are engaged in amazing work.
On the topic of great work, Professor Don Metzler let us know this morning that OIT’s Windows Embedded Student Challenge team is an international finalist. Only 30 teams qualified internationally, and OIT’s team is one of five from the United States competing in the 2006 World Finals at Microsoft’s Redmond, Washington campus June 22-24. Jim Long sent an e-mail indicating that our team includes Koa Nguyen, Kiel Spencer, Josh Kimball and Skyler Aarabak. What wonderful news. Another U.S. qualifying team is from Georgia Tech.
Another team making the community sit up and take notice is the Hustlin’ Owl Softball women. They won the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Championship and are hosting the regional tournament over the weekend. I hope to see a good crowd at the softball field. Also, several team members received CCC honors, including Player of the Year Amanda Doherty. She led the CCC in four offensive categories, including a .960 slugging percentage and a .517 on-base percentage, while raking up five of the six first-place votes.
Other players named to the All-Conference Team were Kelsi Anhorn, Jenni Bittle, Lisa Erwert and Kelsi Haylett. Honorable mention went to Megan Erner and Kindel Thomspson.
I’m looking forward to introducing the OIT community to the Oregon Center for Health Professions. There will be a student forum from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, in the College Union Mt. Mazama room. The informational session is open to all students, faculty, and staff, who would like to view the current drawings for the CHP, learn about the vision for the Center, and have an opportunity to ask questions and chat with me and CHP Director Denise Honzel in an informal setting. Allied health students are especially encouraged to attend this forum. I hope people will bring their lunches, and light refreshments will be served.
That’s it for now. Next week I’ll tell you more about our different commencement exercises.
Well, we’re off and running now. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. There was a state board meeting last week, and everyone is preparing for budget discussions this week.
I’m already looking into the future. This term will be completed soon and commencement will be here in no time. Next week is the Oregon Tech Foundation board meeting and we will watch the launch of a high altitude balloon by the Mars Reach team, led by Associate Professor Tim Brower. It’s always exciting to introduce the community to the wonderful research and theory-building in which our students and faculty participate.
Last Friday, Assistant Professor Jim Long arranged for student projects to be displayed in the College Union. A variety of majors were represented and everyone walked away knowing OIT students are engaged in amazing work.
On the topic of great work, Professor Don Metzler let us know this morning that OIT’s Windows Embedded Student Challenge team is an international finalist. Only 30 teams qualified internationally, and OIT’s team is one of five from the United States competing in the 2006 World Finals at Microsoft’s Redmond, Washington campus June 22-24. Jim Long sent an e-mail indicating that our team includes Koa Nguyen, Kiel Spencer, Josh Kimball and Skyler Aarabak. What wonderful news. Another U.S. qualifying team is from Georgia Tech.
Another team making the community sit up and take notice is the Hustlin’ Owl Softball women. They won the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Championship and are hosting the regional tournament over the weekend. I hope to see a good crowd at the softball field. Also, several team members received CCC honors, including Player of the Year Amanda Doherty. She led the CCC in four offensive categories, including a .960 slugging percentage and a .517 on-base percentage, while raking up five of the six first-place votes.
Other players named to the All-Conference Team were Kelsi Anhorn, Jenni Bittle, Lisa Erwert and Kelsi Haylett. Honorable mention went to Megan Erner and Kindel Thomspson.
I’m looking forward to introducing the OIT community to the Oregon Center for Health Professions. There will be a student forum from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, in the College Union Mt. Mazama room. The informational session is open to all students, faculty, and staff, who would like to view the current drawings for the CHP, learn about the vision for the Center, and have an opportunity to ask questions and chat with me and CHP Director Denise Honzel in an informal setting. Allied health students are especially encouraged to attend this forum. I hope people will bring their lunches, and light refreshments will be served.
That’s it for now. Next week I’ll tell you more about our different commencement exercises.
posted by VVL at 9:02 AM
2 Comments:
I don't think I would worry too much about what is or what isn't "presidential" in the eyes of others. If you're going to confine how you're doing your job to other people's standards, you tend to leave little room for innovation. Frankly, the only time I've ever really heard much from you in any sort of personal way was when I've made the time to have an appointment with you, and I don't think 99% of the student body has a reason to ever do that. Taking that into account, I don't see any reason why this is anything but a good idea, as it enables you to help the student body to get to know you. Try it out, and see where it leads you.
Martha Ann, I fully support this blog and feel that it is a great way for you to let students know that you exist to serve them. As I travel the state advocating for those same students I am sometimes appalled by how little other university presidents relate to the struggles of the average student. On a small campus like OIT such personal, direct communication has the potential to travel the distance that no flyer or press release can. I believe that this blog can help you understand us and for us to understand your tough decisions. Taking the time to interact with the students is truly presidential to me and is especially admirable since I know the reality is few presidents do so.
-Catalina Clarke, ASOIT President
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