COEHS Faculty and Staff || Fall 2022 Conclave
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
I want to take this moment to remind you that Black History Month begins today, Wednesday, February 1st, and ends Wednesday, March 1st. I do hope that we all take some time to celebrate the important meanings of this month. As was noted in https://www.history.com/topics/black-history, “Black History Month honors the triumphs and struggles of African Americans throughout US History…”
From the initial beginnings of slavery in this country in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Underground Railroad, the Civil War era, the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896, the Civil Rights Movement, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka in 1953 and 1954, Central High School in Little Rock, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Maya Angelou, President Barack Obama, to only name a few, there is much to reflect on and to study.
Did you know that Mary Ford Holland was the first Black student enrolled at Murray State University in 1955 and that she was a teacher? Did you also know that Nancy Tyler Demartra was the first African American graduate from Murray State in 1961 and that she graduated with a degree in elementary education?
The theme for this year’s Black History Month is "A Legacy Revealed | A Glimpse of Hope" and is intended to “showcase the achievements and contributions of African-American, Afro-Caribbean, and Afro-Latino cultures in the Hartford area through an interactive exhibit, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.”
Black History Month has its origins in 1915 when Carter G. Woodson helped form the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). There is an excellent description of its origins and early history at the following site: https://asalh.org/about-us/origins-of-black-history-month/. For instance, the month of February was chosen to celebrate Black History Month because February is the birth month of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.
Please join with me in celebrating this Black History Month.
Other News:
Jeanie Robertson, Coordinator of Student Teaching, has announced her retirement, effective March 1, 2023. Jeanie is celebrating her 30th year at Murray State University and Teacher Education Services. We will miss Jeanie greatly!
28 - Number of years that Jay Simmons worked in the Carlisle County School District. We are delighted to have Mr. Simmons now working part-time at Murray State University as our school superintendent liaison.
$688,000 - Scholarship dollars that will be awarded through the College of Education and Human Services. This does not include any federal grants or Murray State University scholarships.
134 - Number of spring student teachers.
567 - Teacher candidates in the pipeline.
We have 567 teacher candidates in the pipeline from our college and 252 from other colleges at Murray State University (including 3 BIO, 1 CHEM, 16 MATH). There are currently 68 students in the Option 6 content area program and there are 28 in the option 6 special education program.
Important Spring Dates to Note:
February 2nd - KDP (Kappa Delta Pi - Largest Honor Society for Educators) Student Initiation
February 4th - Admitted Student Open House
February 13th - EPSB and KACTE Meeting
February 14th - Valentine’s Day
February 15th - Faculty IAFs Due to Department Chairs/Director
February 17th - Random Acts of Kindness Day
February 22nd - WKEC Board Meeting
February 24th - MSU Board of Regents’ Meeting
March 7th - All Majors Career and Grad School Fair (CFSB)
March 10th - Teacher Career Fair, Murray State University
March 20th - 24th - Spring Break; No Classes. University Closed March 22nd-24th
May 13th - Commencement - CFSB Center
From Dr. Susana Bloomdahl:
Spring Semester Awards
There are many faculty and staff awards given in the spring semester. Please consider nominating a colleague for the Board of Regents Teaching Excellence Award, the COEHS Outstanding Research & Creative Activity Award, or the COEHS Outstanding Staff Award.
More information and deadlines will be announced soon!
From Dean David Whaley and Dr. Stephanie Schaaf:
Updates in Center for Communication Disorders
Congratulations to Megan Yochum, a senior Communications Disorders major, who has been announced as a recipient of the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad during the spring of 2023! The Communication Disorders Spring Break Program in Ireland will be a culminating experience as she wraps up her bachelor’s degree requirements. Yochum hopes to diversify her knowledge in speech therapy and gain cultural competence from her experiences, and praises the Gilman Scholarship for making this possible for her!
Dr. Stephanie Schaaf shared the following: "This is a very competitive scholarship and we are thrilled for [Megan]. She is an outstanding and deserving recipient." Safe travels, Megan - COEHS is so proud of your accomplishments! To read the full article, click here. Megan's photo is included below in the "COEHS Photos" section.
From Dean David Whaley and Dr. Samir Patel:
Updates in Educational Studies, Leadership, and Counseling
Best Universities has ranked the most affordable online Doctorates in education, and our incredible Ed.D. program was included at 6th in the United States! Rankings were based on the following criteria: "are regionally or nationally accredited; offer at least one fully online doctorate in education (with no more than two weeks of required in-person work); and were collected from official accrediting agency websites." Wow, how awesome is that?!
From Drs. Ben Littlepage and Samir Patel:
Discover Korea Study Abroad Information ~ Great to Share with Students!
In May 2023, Drs. Patel and Littlepage are coordinating a 10-day study abroad program to Daegu, South Korea. Attendees will explore how individual wellness is defined, assessed, and supported at the secondary and post-secondary education levels in a Southeast Asian culture.
In 2018, they realized few opportunities for study abroad existed at the post-baccalaureate levels for graduate students and professionals, so they designed a short (10 day) and inexpensive ($2,500) program centered around the culturally relevant topic of "student wellness."
They encourage students to view the webpage to learn more about the program, cost, scholarships, and itinerary or to complete the short questionnaire to discuss the opportunity further.
Important Deadlines to Note
-Final Application Deadline - February 1, 2023
-Scholarship Application Deadline - February 1, 2023
Click here to view step-by-step instructions regarding the study abroad process.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for graduate students - spots are still available!
From Debbie Bushart:
Updates in Teacher Quality Institute
The Professional Development School (PDS) application deadline is February 17th, 2023. For more information, contact Debbie Bushart at dbushart@murraystate.edu
Additionally, student teacher orientation dates are February 7th, 9th, and 16th.
The flyer is included below in the "Upcoming Events" section!
Please join us on Wednesday, February 8th from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Atrium of Alexander Hall!
Come congratulate Jeff Gentry, Chief of Police of the MSU PD, on his retirement and wish him well on his exciting future adventures!
The Professional Development School application deadline is quickly approaching - February 17th, 2023.
Student teacher orientations will be on February 7th, 9th, and 16th. For more information, contact Debbie Bushart of TQI by emailing her at dbushart@murraystate.edu
Student teaching orientations for Spring 2024 are as follows:
Tuesday, February 7th
Thursday, February 9th
Tuesday, February 16th
Wednesday, February 22nd
Monday, March 6th
Further details can be found here.
Be sure to join us on Monday, February 27th at 12:00 p.m. in the Alexander Hall Atrium for Friendship February, a part of Racers Empower! This event will focus on friendships, feeling good about oneself, and mental and emotional well-being.
Thank you to the co-sponsors of our Pet Therapy events - the Center for Student Engagement and Success and the College of Education and Human Services!
Murray State University is excited to welcome W. Earl Brown for the 2023 Presidential Lecture, which is set to take place on Tuesday, February 28th at 7:30 p.m. inside the historic and newly-renovated Lovett Auditorium.
To learn about Brown's Kentucky roots, as well as his extensive and impressive resume, please visit this link.
Dr. Parr's secret shouter expressed their appreciation for all the support and communication she shows for how to make ACS the “family” of specialized department members in the college! ACS, as well as COEHS, is so grateful for all of her help this year!
Terri received an anonymous shout-out for being so dedicated to her students and the Library Media program. "I am amazed at how well you know each of your students. You maintain such good working relationships with them. The fact that you travel throughout the state to meet with them personally is inspiring. AND you're a JOY to have as a colleague. I'm so glad that you're part of the CoEHS team." Wow, Terri! Keep up the amazing work!
Dr. Clemson also received an anonymous shout-out for "always being the one who brings snacks" to meetings! The shout-out also expresses gratitude for the way she always asks how everyone is doing and is "the Sunshine of the Sunshine committee!" We are so lucky to have her here with us at COEHS!
Send your congratulations to Dr. Frazier! She has been chosen as a fellow in the ACTE National Leadership Fellowship Program. Selected fellows will discuss the importance of CTE programming; serve on a CTE task force to address issues at the state, regional and national levels; and work with other fellows to present program sessions at ACTE's CareerTech VISION 2023. Way to go, Dr. Frazier!
Dr. Chanel Schwenck would like to give a HUGE shout-out to Melissa Bazzell to welcome her to the ECE family, as well as to COEHS as a whole! We are so happy that she is joining us and we look forward to getting to know all about her! Welcome, Melissa!
Natalie Copeland wants to send a GIGANTIC thank you to Tamela Darnell for showing so much kindness in my first week on the job! Tamela has been incredible in helping me learn all there is to know about the College of Education and Human Services! Thanks SO much, Tamela - you're the best and I couldn't have made it through my first week without your guidance! Awesome job, Tamela!
Dr. Mahoney received an anonymous shout-out, referring to her as an absolutely amazing professor - in fact, she was even given the title "best professor ever!" This secret shouter praises Dr. Mahoney for caring so much about her work and her students. Great job, Dr. Mahoney - keep up the amazing work!
Dr. Littlepage also received an anonymous shout-out, in which he was complimented on the sense of excitement and energy he brings into the office. It is so wonderful to see someone who undoubtedly enjoys his job and collaboration with his peers! Way to go, Dr. Littlepage!
Dr. Park, yet another recipient of an anonymous shout-out, was praised for the refreshing energy she brings to the Education department! She is a wonderful professor who always has a smile on her face and treats every person with kindness! Thank you for all you do, Dr. Park!
Tamela Darnell sends a big shout-out to Cooper Levering for his creative ability to make sense of any work order that she puts in for vinyl and the way that he always makes it look awesome! Keep it up, Cooper!
Emily Smith sends a shout-out to our newest addition to the COEHS Administrative Assistants, Natalie! She has been working hard to get everything caught up and ready for the spring semester! She’s doing an awesome job and we’re so happy to have her here with us!
Libby received an anonymous shout-out that compliments the way that she always goes above and beyond! She was even referred to as the "glue that holds ELC together!" Wow, Libby! Keep it up!
To send your own shout-out, click on the button below and fill out the form!
It will appear in the Midweek Round-Up as well as on the Faculty and Staff Shout-Out Board by the Dean's Office!
*Dates are subject to change*
February 1st - Fall Schedules due to Academic Affairs
February 3rd-5th - Admitted Student Weekend
February 15th - Graduation application deadline for Graduate Students – May Applicants
February 22nd - Final Proof for Fall Schedule - 118 Wells
February 24th - BOR Meeting
February 28th - Presidential Lecture - W. Earl Brown
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March 1st - Graduation application deadline for Undergraduate Students – August Applicants
March 7th - All Majors Career and Grad School Fair (CFSB)
March 8th - STEM & OSH Career Fair (CFSB)
March 9th - 2nd Half of the Semester begins
March 10th - Teacher Career Fair (CFSB)
March 13th - Midterm Grades Due
March 14th - Agricultural Career Fair (Curris)
March 15th – Graduation application deadline for Graduate Students – August Applicants
March 17th - Golden Scholars Banquet
March 20th-24th - Spring Break; No Classes. University Closed March 22nd-24th
March 27th - Advanced Scheduling for Summer
March 29th - Racer Day
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April 1st - Fall Textbook Orders Due; December graduation application deadline for Undergraduate Students
April 3rd-7th - Advanced Scheduling for Fall Semester
April 12th - All Campus Sing - 3pm - Quad
April 13th - Faculty Recognition Banquet - 5:30pm - Curris Center Ballroom
April 14th - Racer Nation Orientation (Honors)
April 15th - Racer Nation Orientation; Student deadline to upload theses/dissertations into Digital Commons
April 21st - Distinguished Alumni Reception and Dinner - 5:30pm - CFSB Murray Room
April 26th - Senior Breakfast - 8am - CFSB Center; Administrative Professionals Day
April 28th - Dissertations & Theses have signatures and routed to Provost Office for Spring Graduation
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May 13th - Commencement - TBD - CFSB Center
May 15th - 10am - All grades due for Full Term/2nd
May 29th - Memorial Day Observance - No Classes; University Closed
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June 1st - Racer Nation Orientation
June 2nd - BOR Meeting
June 3rd - Racer Nation Orientation
June 14th - Racer Nation Orientation
June 16th - Racer Nation Orientation
June 19th - Juneteenth Observance - No Classes; University Closed
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July 6th - Racer Nation Orientation
July 31st - TENTATIVE - Spring/Winter Schedule Drafts sent to Departments
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August 3rd - Racer Nation Orientation
ALL ACADEMIC DEADLINES - murraystate.edu/deadlines
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Stay tuned...
Information about Sparks Lecture (April/May) coming soon!
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Dr. Chanel Schwenck's cat refused to let her get any work done
Tamela Darnell's son was hard at work with shapes and colors
Dr. Samir Patel and his daughter, Alana, played games on the floor
ELC had its department meeting on Zoom
Sadie, Simeon, & Dr. Ben Littlepage went riding, exploring, and night sledding after work was completed
Dr. Schwenck's other cat napped by the fire
Congratulations to the COEHS celebrities of the week:
Ashley Bourke (Staff) and Dr. Teresa Clark (Faculty)!
We applaud each of you for your outstanding contributions and appreciate all that you do for COEHS!
Shelby Bailey, KATE ~ February 6th
Amanda Gorman
Harriet Tubman
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Muhammad Ali
Shirley Chisholm
Michelle Obama