Jeremy Glasstetter Hired to Lead Veterans’ Center at Excelsior College

Jeremy Glasstetter Hired to Lead Veterans’ Center at Excelsior College

By Mike Lesczinski, Excelsior Life News Staff--

The Center for Military Education (CME) at Excelsior College today announced the hiring of Jeremy Glasstetter to lead the College’s Lt. Col. Bryant A. Murray Veterans Center, an online, array of services to meet the needs of former members of America’s armed forces. Glasstetter, a U.S. Army veteran of both Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom, served previously as a military & veterans program advisor for Baker College (Michigan).

[AUDIO: Glasstetter discusses higher education transition challenges for returning veterans]

The Center offers resources and support for both academic and life needs to the more than 4,000 veterans currently enrolled in the college. Working within the Center for Military Education, Glasstetter will develop and advance services available to veterans, promote increased use of veteran benefits, enhance communication to veterans and related organizations, serve as an advocate for veterans issues, and work toward unit and college strategic planning goals related to the center.

“Jeremy served our country with distinction on two fronts and has dedicated his post-military career to helping his fellow servicemembers transition back to the civilian world,” said Sue Dewan, executive director of the Center for Military Education at Excelsior, which in addition to its veterans population, also counts more than 10,000 active duty military personnel among its 36,000 currently enrolled students. “His experience and commitment to nontraditional higher education for adults and, more specifically, military service members and veterans, make him a valuable addition to Excelsior. We are thrilled to have him on board.”

Raised in Flint, Michigan, Glasstetter enlisted in the U.S. Army as an avionics, armament, electrician and helicopter mechanic less than one month after the attacks on September 11th. In 2004, he proudly deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2007, he deployed once again, this time to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Honorably discharged from activity duty, he returned home to serve in the Michigan National Guard and began his studies at the University of Michigan-Flint.

While at UM, Glasstetter founded the Student Veterans of America – Flint Chapter (SVA-FC); eventually he was elected the 3rd President of the national organization. During his undergraduate studies Glasstetter also helped orchestrate, with the help of the University of Michigan Board of Regents and others, the creation of the university’s first Student Veterans Resource Center. One of the few in the nation at that time, the center offered returning military veterans a place to work and congregate during their transition home.

In August 2011, Jeremy graduated with his Bachelors of Business Administration Degree from the University of Michigan and in May, 2013 will earn his Masters of Business Administration in Leadership degree from Baker College Center for Graduate Studies.

Jeremy, married with a young son, resides in Clifton Park, NY.

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Alternative Pathways to a College Degree

Alternative Pathways to a College Degree

By Alicia Jacobs, Excelsior Life Staff --

For adult learners, time and cost can be obstacles towards earning a degree. However, there are alternative pathways that can save time and thousands of dollars for individuals with some college background and/or demonstrated knowledge from real world experience. Three options include testing, transfer of credits, or a prior learning assessment (PLA) portfolio.

In 1976, Excelsior College began offering exams for college credit nationwide. In 2012, Excelsior College accepted 14,046 transfer students bringing with them more than 616,000 credits. At Excelsior’s current tuition rate, this savings, which Excelsior calls its Knowledge Value Index, had an economic value of $219 million.

Excelsior Life sat down with Mark Michalisin, executive director of Business Development, Center of Educational Management at Excelsior College, and Roberto Figueroa, executive director, Admissions, to discuss three popular pathways to a degree that can save time and money.

Pathway 1 - Pursuing credit by exam at Excelsior College. Excelsior College Examinations (ECEs), are proficiency exams within a variety of subjects ranging from accounting, biology, philosophy, and economics. These three- and six-credit exams enable individuals to earn college credit by demonstrating their knowledge and expected learning outcomes. Unlike the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or DANTES, students who earn credit through an ECE by achieving a “C” or higher, earn a letter grade on a college transcript.

To prepare for a proficiency exam, Michalisin suggests registering for its corresponding practice exam. Exams are designed for motivated, self-disciplined learners who study on their own time and at own pace, using a variety of study materials including Open Educational Resources (OER). Excelsior College has identified OER’s readily available on the web at no or low-cost for each of its exams. In addition, Excelsior has matched more than 30 Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs) to its existing exam programs, providing a pathway to credit.

Exams are administered at more than 4,500 secure, Pearson VUE testing facilities worldwide.

Pathway 2 - Most students enroll in Excelsior College with 25 to 75 percent of their college degree requirements already completed. Excelsior College conducts a thorough review of each student’s incoming transcript to determine not only the eligibility of credit for transfer (must be from an accredited institution) but which credits meet degree requirements within the student’s chosen degree program at Excelsior.

In addition, Excelsior accepts non-collegiate sources of credit, such as corporate or military training programs, that have been reviewed and recommended for credit by ACE-CREDIT or the National College Credit Recommendation Service. Excelsior also accepts credit earned through nontraditional learning programs e.g. GE’s Renewables Wind Technician Certification Program, that have been evaluated for academic and psychometric qualities by internal Excelsior teams consisting of academic faculty, subject matter experts, and psychometricians.

Pathway 3 - The evaluation and assessment of an individual's life learning for college credit, certification, or advanced standing is called prior learning assessment (PLA). Excelsior’s portfolio assessment is conducted through LearningCounts.org at the Center for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL).

PLA encompasses a variety of tools to evaluate learning acquired outside the traditional college classroom. One of these methods is portfolio assessment. When existing standardized examinations or other methods of evaluation are not available, portfolio assessment provides a means by which students may have the learning they have achieved evaluated by teams of faculty for college-level equivalency. LearningCounts.org will provide portfolio assessment services for students enrolled or interested in Excelsior College.

Research has shown that students who received PLA credit completed degrees at much higher rates than students who do not utilize PLA. Students using PLA also had higher persistence rates and a faster time to completion.

Figueroa explains, “Each of the three options are cost effective and potentially a faster way to complete a degree in a difficult economy.”

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Excelsior College Poll: Research Shows Higher Education Top Priority For Servicemembers

Excelsior College Poll: Research Shows Higher Education Top Priority For Servicemembers

ALBANY, N.Y. (February 27, 2013) — The Patriot Poll, an online survey conducted by the Excelsior College Polling Institute, reveals strong interest among active duty military personnel in pursuing higher education during their transition to civilian life, as well as a desire for flexible options and online learning solutions to complete their degrees.

Results of the Patriot Poll research findings were presented by Excelsior College at the Council of College and Military Educators Annual Symposium, in San Diego, Calif., on February 27, 2013.

The 678 respondents nationwide were loud and clear about the importance of a college degree to success in a post-military career. Nearly nine in ten (88.4 percent) believe that earning a degree was very or somewhat important to their future success. In addition, 43.4 percent believe that salary levels are higher for persons with a college degree.

The majority of participants (75.4 percent) were aware that military job training can be accepted as college credit, an important consideration in planning a degree path as a civilian. More than half of the respondents intend to work while they attend college after military life. Equal amounts, 28.7 percent, stated that they plan to study either full- or part-time while working either full-or part-time. Only 16.6 percent had plans to attend school full-time and not work while doing so.

An “online four-year school” was of most interest to one-fifth of all Patriot Poll respondents (19.4 percent). About one-third preferred a four-year public school (33.7 percent), a community college (20.8 percent), or a four-year private school (13.4 percent).

Regardless of the preferred institution, however, 81 percent expressed interest in online programs that allow students to study at their own pace and take exams when they are ready.

Regarding the use of text books, 37 percent of respondents said they preferred “E-Books” sent electronically to their own devices or computers versus printed & bound text books. Only 17 percent had no preference, 28.5 percent preferred traditional text books and 12.5 percent said they would opt for whichever is less expensive.

In terms of choosing a college, 59.4 percent cited financial considerations the most important criteria. Financial aid was ranked second, at 48.8 percent. However, only half (49.4 percent) indicated they were aware of Veterans education benefits and planned to use them. A full one-fifth (20.6 percent) of respondents said they were either unsure of or did not know how to use these benefits.

Three-quarters of those surveyed indicated support from relatives or their spouse in degree planning and school decision making was “very” (33.7 percent) or “somewhat” (39.9 percent) important.

The Patriot Poll reported the most popular fields of study among service members include business/management (19.4 percent), medicine/healthcare (18.3 percent), criminal justice/law/security (15.2 percent), computer science/IT (13.4 percent), science (7.8 percent) and engineering (5.7 percent).

About the Patriot Poll
The Patriot Poll was conducted by Excelsior College which focuses on military issues and higher education. For full results, including crosstabs: http://bit.ly/PatriotPoll

Research Methodology
The Patriot Poll surveyed 678 active duty servicemen and women. Participants have either earned a degree and plan another; are enrolled in a college degree program; or are interested in a degree but have not yet enrolled. The poll was conducted November 18-22, 2012. Participants completed an online survey. The poll has a +/- four percent margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level.

About Excelsior College
Excelsior College is a regionally accredited, nonprofit distance learning institution that focuses on removing obstacles to the educational goals of adult learners. Approximately 31 percent of Excelsior’s students are active-duty or reserve military personnel. Founded in 1971 and located in Albany, NY, Excelsior offers more efficient and affordable access to degree completion through multiple avenues: its own online courses and college-level proficiency examinations, and the acceptance in transfer of credit from other colleges and universities as well as recognized corporate and military training programs. Excelsior College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

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Maynards honored at special College Coffee & tree planting

Reid and Grace Maynard’s ardent support of Elon in its formative years was recognized Tuesday during Founders Day events on campus.

Elon University President Leo M. Lambert (left) joins members of the Maynard family in planting a tree March 12 in the Academic Village in honor of Reid and Grace Maynard. Reid and Grace Maynard are the Founders Day 2013 honorees at Elon.

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The campus community celebrated Founders Day 2013 on Tuesday during a special College Coffee and tree-planting that honored the late Reid A. and Grace M. Maynard, longtime supporters of Elon and one of the most prominent couples in North Carolina throughout much of the 20th century.

Reid Maynard served for more than three decades as an Elon trustee, the same number of years he devoted to the board at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and he was part of the committee that selected former Elon President J. Earl Danieley to lead the school. He received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Elon in 1970.

Maynard founded Grace Hosiery Mills, Inc. – named for his wife – and started producing men’s hosiery in 1927. It was the first of several mills that he would open and a move that launched a lengthy and notable career in the textile industry, which had significant impact on Alamance County’s economy and put Burlington on the map as “Hosiery Center of the South.”

Reid Maynard later organized Tower Hosiery Mill, Long Finishing Mills and Webco Mills, which would merge into Dan River Mills. He served as director and chairman of the National Association of Hosiery Manufacturers. At the time of his death in September 1983, he was serving as chairman of the board of Tower Hosiery Mills and was a director at Leath, McCarthy and Maynard, Inc., Lemco Mills and Copland Fabrics.

In testimony to the couple’s commitment to Elon and philanthropy, Maynard Hall, a residence hall in the former Story Center complex that first opened in 1982, was named in their honor. The name continues today on a residence hall in the Danieley Center.

After Grace Maynard’s death in 1988, their stately two-story, Georgian-style brick home was bequeathed to Elon to serve as the president’s residence. Maynard House, which overlooks the 10th hole of the Alamance County golf course, remains a versatile facility used by President Leo M. Lambert and his family to host university receptions, dinners and meetings, with ample space to accommodate overnight stays by dignitaries and guests.

In 2007, Elon board member James W. and Jo Anne A. Maynard of Burlington also made a major gift to establish the Elon Business Fellows endowment in memory of his parents.

President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley shares stories and reflections of the Maynards in remarks he gave during College Coffee on March 12, 2013.

“We’re honored and flattered to have this recognition for our parents,” James Maynard said Tuesday following the tree-planting. “I want to thank Dr. Lambert, the staff and students who worked so hard to put this together. And certainly the students! Their presence is wonderful. My parents would feel honored to know this happened today.”

Elon established Founders Day in 1939 to honor significant figures from its first half century in existence. Today, the annual Founders Day celebrations continue to commemorate the lives of administrators, faculty and trustees who impacted the growth of the institution. Programs throughout the week often include a College Coffee dedicated to honorees, a special Numen Lumen event (formally College Chapel), displays in Belk Library and trivia contests on E-net.

A tree-planting is another relatively recent tradition tied to Founders Day. Young white oak trees have been spaced around the Academic Village, and the Maynards’ tree was planted in front of the Numen Lumen Pavilion, the university’s new multi-faith center and home to the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life.

College Coffee had been moved to McKinnon Hall earlier Tuesday as rain bands moved through North Carolina. Speaking to hundreds of students, faculty, staff and members of the Maynard family, two Elon presidents - President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley and current University President Leo M. Lambert - reflected on just how critical Reid and Grace were to the development of the school.

“They understood the value of Elon College to this region and were deeply committed to its growth and development,” Danieley said. “And his experience on the Board of Trustees at Chapel Hill, alongside Bill Friday, allowed him to be an unusually effective trustee here.”

In his opening remarks, Lambert shared with the room the history of Founders Day and its meaning during a week that celebrates the university’s origins. Elon was chartered on March 11, 1889, and will celebrate its quasquicentennial next March.

“Happy 124th birthday, Elon!” Lambert told the crowd. “And she’s still looking awfully good!”

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by Eric Townsend, Staff Last Updated - 3/12/2013

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Excelsior College Launches Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Program

Excelsior College Launches Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Program

Albany, New York (March 5, 2013) – Excelsior College today announced a new scholarship program for Phi Theta Kappa members transferring from a college academic partner.

Two scholarships will be awarded annually under the new program. A regional scholarship will be awarded to an enrolling student residing within New York State, and a second to a national recipient residing outside state boundaries.

Each recipient will be awarded $1,000, which may be applied to Excelsior College tuition and fees only. This scholarship is in addition to our preferential partnership pricing.

“This scholarship provides another unique opportunity to our community college transfer students,” said Lisa LaVigna, executive director for Outreach and Access at Excelsior College. “We recognize the outstanding academic achievement of Phi Theta Kappa students, and we want to acknowledge and reward them for their commitment to their education. Phi Theta Kappa is widely known and respected. By partnering with them, we are able to increase educational opportunities for students transferring from our community college partner institutions.”

Established in 1918, the mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students.

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Excelsior College Students’ Median Debt is Substantially Less Than The National Average

Excelsior College Students’ Median Debt is Substantially Less Than The National Average

By Alicia Jacobs, Excelsior Life Staff—

Finances can be a roadblock to many things in life, and education is no exception. With student debt eclipsing one trillion dollars (and one in five households holding a balance on their student loans), issues surrounding higher education affordability and access are once again front and center in the national discussion.

On the bright side, nontraditional students may have an advantage says Christina Roarke, Excelsior College’s assistant director of financial aid.

“On average, online education costs are less than traditional brick and mortar education,” says Roarke. “Online education allows students to continue working while pursuing their degree, reduce travel expenses, and cut the cost of campus living.”

Students at Excelsior College are a prime example. As a comparison, median debt at Excelsior College is $9,600 per student, well below the national average of $26,000 per student borrower. One of the main factors for Excelsior’s lower debt burden is a result of its liberal transfer policy and alternative pathways to degree completion, including credit by examination.

Reducing debt begins with college choice. Roarke suggests those looking to attend or return to school review the websites of prospective colleges and universities to identify potential scholarships, grant programs, and partnership discounts. Some employers also offer employee reimbursement or tuition discounts. Students should check whether either of these options fit their particular situation.

The next step is completing key federal and state applications for aid. Students can determine their eligibility for federal grant funding and direct student loans by filling out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Timing is critical, with student aid applications considered on a first-come, first-served basis (with some types of aid). New York residents who have lived in the state for at least, one year are encouraged to file an application for state aid through NYSTAP.

After applying for federal, state and institutional aid, students should review their loan offers carefully and only borrow what they need to cover costs less other sources of aid.

“It is important for students to review their expected (estimated) student loan needs for the entire duration of their education so they can estimate how much they will be paying back when they graduate,” Roarke says. “The Department of Education has some great resources for students to help them plan long term. Students can go to www.studentaid.ed.gov for answers to questions that range from: How do I prepare for college? To: How do I manage my loans?”

Doing your homework on financing is fundamental to the college search process. Many financial literacy tools are available to assist students with borrowing responsibly. For example, Excelsior College offers extensive resources on financial aid options, responsible borrowing, and financing education.

Another popular tool when conducting financial comparisons is the Net Price Calculator.

Created by the College Board, the calculator helps students determine the full cost to attend a specific college, less any grants and scholarships for which students may be eligible. "Full cost" includes direct charges (tuition and fees, room and board) and indirect costs (books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses).

Finally, Roarke reminds students that the Financial Aid Office should always be viewed as a resource and never a roadblock.

“We are here to help students through the entire process,” says Roarke. “We are acutely aware of how financial aid impacts students ability to persist and graduate. Because of that, we work hard to ensure that students understand their options as well the process and provide them with as much information as possible so that they can make informed decisions about their education.”

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Class of 2013 College Grad Forecast Trends Engender Optimism

Class of 2013 College Grad Forecast Trends Engender Optimism

By Alicia Jacobs, Excelsior Life News Staff—

College students often find landing a job after graduation just as difficult as working towards a degree. However, there is reason for optimism for the Class of 2013. According to a study conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers' (NACE) (Job Outlook 2013), surveyed employers expect to hire 13 percent more new college this year than they did in 2012.

Reports also indicate the lowest unemployment rates for 2012 came from career fields that require a college education, such as health care, finance, social services, and engineering. Among the top 10 bachelor’s degrees for the class of 2013 include finance, computer information, accounting, engineering, management information systems, and marketing.

Of the popular college degrees, business administration was listed among CareerBuilder's 2012 most in-demand. This holds true for Excelsior College students with over 85 percent of students pursuing an associate’s degree in business at Excelsior enrolled in the administrative/management studies degree program. More than1,500 students are enrolled in Excelsior College’s baccalaureate business degree program, with 508 of those students in the Bachelor of Professional Studies in Business & Management degree. Excelsior College's Master of Business Administration (MBA) is 585 students strong.

Excelsior College also finds within degrees, there is also popularity among certain concentrations.

“Based on our current data and industry trends, the MBA with concentrations in technology management, leadership, and human resource management are very popular," said Andrew Wheeler, assistant dean of the School of Business and Technology at Excelsior. “We have seen enrollments in these concentrations grow rapidly. The MBA Leadership concentration grew by 70 percent from January 2012 to January 2013. The MBA technology management concentration grew by almost 40 percent in the same time period, and the MBA human resource management concentration grew by 92 percent since February 2012.”

Of course, many enrolling and current students want to know what a college degree equates to in terms of an expected future salary.

However, students must keep in mind the hiring needs in a particular field when reviewing potential salaries, says Maribeth Gunner, career services coordinator at Excelsior. Business administration majors earn from $42,800 to $65,700 with a median salary of $55,200 with a baccalaureate degree. Associate degree graduates generally will not have the same earning power of the baccalaureate degrees. As a rule of thumb, starting salaries for MBA graduates begin on average where the baccalaureate graduates topped off: $69,200.

Computer, electrical, mechanical, civil, chemical and aerospace engineering majors dominate the list of college degrees paying the highest salaries according to the NACE’s new salary survey. Excelsior offers electrical engineering technology degrees as well as nuclear engineering technology. There are approximately 1,250 students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in nuclear engineering technology – one of only three accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET.

In addition, when looking at salaries and future hiring, industry research reveals that there is going to be a major void in nuclear leadership.

“Thirty-nine percent of the nuclear workforce will be eligible for retirement by 2016,” said Dr. Jane LeClair, dean of Excelsior College’s School of Business and Technology. “The looming workforce shortage has many nuclear and energy industry employees scrambling for a degree so they begin to fill all levels of plant staffing - especially leadership.”

While these indicators are certainly cause for optimism among the 1,000 expected School of Business and Technology graduates this fiscal year, they will only make up twenty percent of Excelsior’s expected 5,000 strong Class of 2013. However, the growth of the health care industry, increased demand for graduates with advanced critical thinking skills, and an improving economy indicates the four thousand graduating students from Excelsior’s other three schools, Nursing, Health Sciences, and Liberal Arts, can also look towards a bright future.

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Excelsior College Launches Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Program

Excelsior College Launches Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Program

Albany, New York (March 5, 2013) – Excelsior College today announced a new scholarship program for Phi Theta Kappa members transferring from a college academic partner.

Two scholarships will be awarded annually under the new program. A regional scholarship will be awarded to an enrolling student residing within New York State, and a second to a national recipient residing outside state boundaries.

Each recipient will be awarded $1,000, which may be applied to Excelsior College tuition and fees only. This scholarship is in addition to our preferential partnership pricing.

“This scholarship provides another unique opportunity to our community college transfer students,” said Lisa LaVigna, executive director for Outreach and Access at Excelsior College. “We recognize the outstanding academic achievement of Phi Theta Kappa students, and we want to acknowledge and reward them for their commitment to their education. Phi Theta Kappa is widely known and respected. By partnering with them, we are able to increase educational opportunities for students transferring from our community college partner institutions.”

Established in 1918, the mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students.

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Flagler College ranks 10th on U.S. News list of Best Regional Colleges in the South

September 13, 2011

Flagler College ranked 10th in the south for Best Regional Colleges in U.S. News and World Report's new 2012 edition of "Best Colleges." The widely-used college guide includes rankings on more than 1,600 schools nationwide.

The guidebook will be available on newsstands Sept. 20.

"I am very pleased with our ranking by U.S. News and World Report," said Dr. William T. Abare, Jr., president of Flagler College. "It is a significant achievement for Flagler to be ranked among the top regional colleges in the south by this prestigious national publication."

The Best Regional Colleges category includes schools whose focus is almost entirely on the undergraduate experience and who offer a broad range of programs in the liberal arts, as well as fields such as business, nursing and education. The 371 colleges in the category draw heavily from nearby states and are divided into four regions.

The Best Colleges guide compares the quality of schools based on "indicators of excellence" such as freshman retention, graduation rates and the strength of the faculty. Colleges and universities are sorted into categories that the publication bases on the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

In August, Flagler was also included in the Princeton Review's annual college guide, "Best 376 Colleges – 2012 Edition."

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Flagler College to Host Florida Humanities Council Documentary and Discussion on the Future of Florida

October 1, 2011

Flagler College will host a free screening of the documentary "Florida: Choosing the Future" on Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Flagler College Auditorium. The half-hour film, sponsored by the Florida Humanities Council and Flagler, challenges viewers to grapple with tough decisions that will affect our state's future in government policy, business development, education and citizen involvement.

Following the film there will be a panel discussion by Florida leaders including two-term Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, Jacksonville civic activist Philip Mobley, and former Department of Community Affairs Secretary Steve Seibert.

Iorio, who left office with an 87 percent approval rating, is now the Leader-in-Residence at the John H. Sykes College of Business at the University of Tampa. Mobley is chair of OneJax, an organization dedicated to promoting understanding and respect among people of different races. He also is on the of Hope Haven Children's Clinic and Family Center. Seibert, a Florida Humanities council board member, has a statewide reputation for helping resolve contentious environmental issues. He also is on the boards of the Fortune 500 crop nutrition company Mosaic, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes and the Friends of Florida State Parks.

The Flagler College Auditorium is located at 14 Granada St. in St. Augustine.

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Flagler College History Honor Society to Hold Talk About Sept. 11

September 9, 2011

The Phil Alpha Theta History Honor Society at Flagler College will host a faculty forum on the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on Monday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m. in the Flagler Room.

The forum is entitled, "Sept. 11: Did it really change everything?" It will be chaired by Dr. Brenda Kauffman, and panelists will include Dr. Jim Pickett, Dr. Jim Rowell, Dr. Art Vanden Houten, Dr. Hugh Marlowe and Dr. Felix Livingston.

The discussion is free and open to the public.

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Flagler College Art Professor Accepted into English Film and Video Festival

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL (08/11/2011) -- Patrick Moser, Art and Design Department chair and associate professor of painting and drawing at Flagler College, recently had his short film, "Patty Goes," shown at the Fundada Artists' Film Festival (FAFF) in Wakefield, England. The festival is a film and video event run by artists intending to showcase the best in contemporary screen-based art.

The film, which features stop animation using 400 different paintings to tell the story of Patty – an homage to 1960s Bigfoot images – was created by Moser while on a faculty research sabbatical grant from Flagler.

"I'm really a painter, but I've been immersing myself in video and film. The curious thing about video art is it's not film," said Moser. "It's a way to experiment with contemporary screen-based art using video, computer programs and animation."

Moser was the only American artist chosen for the film festival.

"I found out about the Fundada Festival on the video site, Vimeo, and submitted it to be considered for acceptance," Moser said. "I never anticipated that it would be selected."

The films were screened in late July at Westgate Studios in Wakefield, England. Moser was unable to attend.

"I've been running an art camp here at Flagler all summer and wasn't able to get away," Moser said. "In the fall, I will be teaching a Video Art class using the skills I've learned during my sabbatical."

Moser received his M.F.A. from the University of Florida and teaches painting and drawing courses at Flagler.

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Flagler College Community Lecture Series to look at Yellow Journalism and the Spanish-American War

September 20, 2011

The Flagler College Community Lecture Series continues on Oct. 11 at 10 a.m. with a presentation by Dr. John Diviney, associate professor of Liberal Studies. His talk will be, "The Spanish-American War: You Furnish the Pictures and I'll Furnish the War."

"Yellow journalism was pervasive in the United States in the years preceding the war," said Diviney. "Hearst and Pulitzer both owned major newspapers in New York, and they were not averse to sensationalism. I'm looking at this culture and how it played into racial prejudices against blacks and Hispanics. These prejudices in large part fed the decision to go to war. The consequences on Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines were, of course, tremendous."

Diviney is a retired United States Army Major and has completed training missions in Panama, Colombia, Liberia and Buenos Aires. A decorated army veteran, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. Widely published in academic and literary journals, Diviney teaches courses in Spanish and Hispanic literature, Latin American Studies and Latin American History.

The Flagler College Community Lecture Series was established in 2007 and offers educational and cultural opportunities to the St. Augustine community. Topics are provided by local experts and Flagler faculty. Tickets are $5 per person for a single lecture, or $15 for the semester. Active military personnel may attend at no charge.

Lectures begin at 10 a.m. in the Flagler Room at Flagler College, 74 King St. Reservations are required as space is limited. The lecture will last approximately one hour and will be followed by a coffee and pastry reception. Call (904) 819-6282 or visit www.flagler.edu/our-community for reservations or more information.

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Flagler College and SCORE to host business planning workshop

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL (08/15/2011)(readMedia)-- Flagler College is again partnering with SCORE - Counselors to America's Small Business - to host a four-part planning workshop for small businesses. This will be the fourth time that SCORE has presented this highly successful workshop series.

All sessions will be held at Flagler College on Wednesday evenings Sept. 14, Sept. 21, Oct. 5 and Oct. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. The cost to participate in all four sessions is $99. Attendance at individual sessions is possible for $30 per session.

The workshop is designed both for those with an existing business who wish to grow their business, as well as those considering starting a new business. The SCORE counselors will address preparations for a professional business plan and options for obtaining the necessary financing.

The workshop will be in four parts: business concepts and data collection, marketing strategies, financial forecasting and completing the business plan. It is designed to help clients make a "go" or "no-go" decision for their business idea. Both homework and counseling are a part of the workshop process.

"Small businesses are the backbone of our economic community, and our goal is to both help new entrepreneurs get started, as well as to help existing businesses grow," said Marty Cohen, a SCORE counselor.

To make reservations, please call (904) 460-1251, (904) 471-8891, or email shelmar826@bellsouth.net.

The four sessions that will be presented are:

Business Concepts and Data Collection - This session reviews the process of putting together a Feasibility Plan to determine if a business idea makes sense. This session covers the business idea or concept, the need met by the product or service, industry profile, competition, and target markets. The session also reviews the process of selecting a name, business structure, hiring/managing employees, and determining how and where your business will operate.

Marketing Strategies - This marketing segment reviews the proper positioning of a product or service to maximize its appeal in the marketplace. The session also identifies the features and benefits of a product or service; adapting them to their most appropriate markets using the "4 P's of marketing" to maximize the business opportunity.

Financial Forecasting - This session reviews building a financial model for a business including estimating start-up costs, forecasting sales units and prices, and estimating fixed and variable operating costs to allow the development of a cash flow and income projection, determine breakeven points, and investigate the impact of pricing decisions on a venture's profitability. The session also focuses on understanding accounting principles, general business records, taxes and management accounting.

Completing the Business Plan - This session covers financial statement analysis, accounting and bookkeeping systems, the "six C's of credit," banking relations, and sources of capital both traditional and non-traditional. The session also discusses how to use a business plan, either to secure financing, or as a guide to help one make decisions as one grows their business. The session concludes with a question and answer session with SCORE experts to address any remaining questions.

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Flagler College Theatre Arts to present tale of seduction and manipulation, 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses'

October, 1, 2011

The Flagler College Theatre Arts Department kicks off its fall season on Oct. 21 with a six-show production of "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" by Christopher Hampton, presented by special arrangement with Samuel French.

This dramatic adaptation of the 1782 novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos features a tale of seduction set in aristocratic pre-revolution France. A classic drama, the play explores decadent sexuality, morality and manipulation.

In addition to the community performances, Flagler's production of "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" will also be entered in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, a prestigious competition for college and university theater programs around the country. Two actors will also be selected to compete for the renowned Irene Ryan Acting Award. Last year, the Flagler Theatre Arts Department participated in the Kennedy Center competition with both "Antigone" and "Agnes of God," and five Flagler students were selected to compete for the Irene Ryan.

"Les Liaisons Dangereuses" will be performed Oct. 21, 22, 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 23 and 30 at 2 p.m. at the Flagler College Auditorium, 14 Granada St., St. Augustine. General admission tickets go on sale Oct. 17 for $15, cash or check only. This production is for mature audiences only and is not suitable for younger audiences. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, noon - 5 p.m.

In November, the Flagler College theatre arts department will present "Endgame" by Samuel Beckett, presented by special arrangement with Samuel French. For information on either play, call the theatre events line, 904-826-8600, or Andrea McCook, 904-819-6401. Also, visit www.flagler.edu/theatre.

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Flagler College wins two Florida Public Relations Association Golden Image Awards

August 31, 2011

Flagler College's Public Relations Student Society of America chapter and Flagler College Magazine both recently won in the Florida Public Relations Association Golden Image Awards. One of the awards recognized the school's 2011 Communication Week in a category for student public relations campaigns.

"We are extremely excited to win an Award of Distinction in the statewide Golden Image competition for the third consecutive year," said Assistant Professor of Communication Rosemary Tutt, APR, CPRC. "My congratulations goes to our PRSSA chapter who not only hosted an outstanding event, but took the reins to fulfill all the requirements for award submission."

Flagler College students Kayla Ward and Kayla Sullivan spearheaded the 2011 Communication Week award submission and attended the FPRA Awards Banquet on Aug. 9, 2011 to receive the award. Communication Week brings in speakers from the field of communication to classes and special talks.

"It was a really great networking opportunity for us to be around all of those public relations professionals," said Ward. "Kayla and I worked really hard to put together our application, so it is a real honor to have been able to accept it on behalf of the rest of PRSSA and Professor Tutt."

This is the third time PRSSA has won on the statewide level. They have also won several awards on the regional level.

Flagler College Magazine, the school's biannual alumni publication with a circulation of 20,500, also took an award of distinction in the magazine category. The magazine was the only publication in the state awarded in that category.

"A big part of the judging for these awards isn't just the look and the content, but also what your mission and goals are, and how well you accomplish them," said Brian Thompson, director of public information and the magazine's editor. "So it's rewarding that the judges feel we're not just an attractive publication, but that we're also achieving what we set out to do."

This is the first time the magazine has won on the statewide level.

The Golden Image Awards competition is conducted annually in Florida and its mission is to advance the development of public relations professionalism. It singles out exceptional public relations programs.

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Memoirist Robert Leleux to speak at Flagler College

September 22, 2011

On Oct. 13, Flagler College will host writer Robert Leleux, whose coming-of-age memoir, "The Memoirs of a Beautiful Boy," has been hailed as "wickedly funny and tender" by The Seattle Times. Leleux will read and sign books at the Flagler College Auditorium, 14 Granada Street, at 7 p.m. The presentation is part of a new college series, "Ideas and Images: Scholars and Artists in Residence."

Robert Leleux's essays and articles have appeared in newspapers and magazines across the country, including the New York Times, the New York Times Magazine, and the Utne Reader. He writes the "Tex in the City" column for the Texas Observer and the "History of Style" column for Lonny Magazine, where he is features editor. Leleux is the author of "The Memoirs of a Beautiful Boy," a comedy about the end of his teenage years and his parents' messy divorce. His newest book, "The Living End," will be published by St. Martin's Press in winter, 2012. He is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and lives in New York City.

Critics have raved about "The Memoirs of a Beautiful Boy." Janet Maslin of The New York Times called the book, "Head-tossing, high-strung comedy ..." "If David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs combined their talents, they might come up with something to match Robert Leleux's mesmerizing memoir," wrote BarrnesandNoble.com

"Ideas and Images: Scholars and Artists in Residence" is a new program at Flagler College. Throughout the academic season the college will feature an international composition of artists and authors, introducing a fresh and creative component to the greater St. Augustine community. Each event is free and open to the public. Call (904) 819-6282 or visit www.flagler.edu/our-community for more information.

Upcoming presentations in the "Ideas and Images" series include:

Jan. 12, 2012 - Mark Ruwedel and Chris Balaschak - A Conversation Between the Artist and the Art HistorianFebruary 2, 2012 - Fiction Writer and Essayist John Domini

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Memoirist and Fiction Writer Peter Trachtenberg to Speak at Flagler College Writers in Residence program

September 12, 2011

Nationally-renowned writer Peter Trachtenberg will visit Flagler College on Oct. 3 as the first event of the college's 2011-2012 Writers in Residence Program. Trachtenberg will give a public reading in the Gamache-Koger Room at 6 p.m.

Trachtenberg is the author of "The Book of Calamities: Five Questions About Suffering and Its Meaning" (Little, Brown 2008), a book that combines reportage, memoir and moral philosophy. The work won the 2009 Phi Beta Kappa Ralph Waldo Emerson Award for works that contribute significantly to interpretations of the intellectual and cultural condition of humanity.

"Trachtenberg ... rais[es] complex questions about justice, malice, compassion, blame, self-pity, personal responsibility, faith, and doubt ..." writes O: The Oprah Magazine. "The artistry and humor of his writing, the pain of his mercilessly self-punishing insights, the relentlessness of his guilty misanthropy ... all give Trachtenberg a solid claim to being a genuine American Dostoevsky," writes The Washington Post.

Trachtenberg's fiction, essays and reportage have appeared in The New Yorker, Harpers, Bomb, A Public Space, Bidoun, O: The Oprah Magazine and The New York Times Travel Magazine. He has performed his monologues at Dixon Place, PS 122 and The Kitchen, and broadcast commentaries on NPR's "All Things Considered."

The reading will be held in the Gamache-Koger Room at the Ringhaver Student Center at 50 Sevilla St. in St. Augustine. The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign language interpreters available upon request.

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Screenwriter and producer Khris Baxter to speak at Flagler College

September 22, 2011

Screenwriter Khris Baxter will visit Flagler College in October to work with screenwriting students and deliver a presentation titled, "Don't Let the Truth Get in the Way of a Good Story: Telling Compelling Stories in Non-Fiction Television." The presentation will be held in the Gamache-Koger Theater at 7 p.m. on Oct. 19. Baxter's visit is sponsored by the Flagler's English and Communication departments as part of the College's Writers in Residence Program.

Baxter is a screenwriter, producer, teacher and story consultant. He teaches screenwriting at The Writer's Center in Bethesda, Md., Gettysburg College, and the low-residency MFA at Queens University in Charlotte, N.C. His body of work includes five optioned screenplays and one produced film. He is a member of the Virginia Film Office, where he is a judge for the annual Governor's Screenwriting Competition. He is also the founder of Baxter Baker & Associates, a consulting firm that engages the power of Hollywood story craft, helping clients share their passion, sell their ideas and win more business. Story Lab Partners, his newest company, produces fiction and nonfiction "Inside the Beltway" stories for film and television.

"I was in Khris Baxter's workshop at last year's Jacksonville Film Festival. His presentation was a wealth of information; it not only covered screenplay pitching, but also offered ideas that have informed how I now approach my writing and teaching my feature screenwriting class," said Lorraine Portman, Flagler screenwriting instructor. "I am thrilled he agreed to visit Flagler and work with our students. He is an excellent teacher with a wonderful body of work."

In addition to his evening workshop, Baxter will also spend two days visiting Flagler's screenwriting classes and providing guidance to students and faculty on the screenwriting business and effective pitching techniques.

Baxter's presentation will be held in the Gamache-Koger Theater at the Ringhaver Student Center, 50 Sevilla St., at 7 p.m. on Oct. 19. The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign language interpreters available upon request. Call (904) 819-6282 or visit www.flagler.edu/our-community for more information.

Upcoming events in the College's Writers in Residence Program include:

Nov. 10-12, 2011 - Florida Literary Arts Coalition Other Words ConferenceFeb. 8, 2012 - Poet Tim Seibels

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David Cooper talks to local students about attending college

School of Education Dean David Cooper visited Maureen Joy Charter School in Durham, N.C. to talk about Elon and the value of a college education.

School of Education Dean David Cooper visited Maureen Joy Charter School in Durham to talk about attending college.

*****

By Caitlin O’Donnell ‘13

Photo Credit: Barbara Tyroler

Somewhere in the depths of the Duke Forest, students in Caitlin Trapani’s second grade class let out a loud “Long Live Elon” cheer. It was a chant the class had perfected in the fall during a visit from Cooper, who came to the classroom bearing both Elon gifts and information about attending college.

“The whole incentive behind it is that we just want them to start thinking about college and how that should be their future goal as early as possible,” said Trapani ’07, who teaches at Maureen Joy Charter School in Durham.

Each classroom at Maureen Joy is named after the teacher’s alma mater and, in preparation for Cooper’s visit, Trapani introduced her students to the hallmarks of an Elon education, including convocation, study abroad and the symbolism of the oak tree.

Following Cooper’s visit, the students wrote thank you notes, complete with illustrations of Acorns and Phoenix, as well as a narrative of the day.

When he arrived in his full academic regalia, they were prepared with a barrage of questions and were eager to share their knowledge.

“It was just awesome because they had never seen an outfit like that,” Trapani said. “He seemed important just from being dressed up.”

Armed with Elon swag – including a beach chair now used as an author’s chair and a football used at recess – Cooper answered questions about the Elon experience and his daily responsibilities as dean and watched as the students acted out scenes from convocation.

In response to Cooper’s visit, the students wrote thank you notes, complete with illustrations of Acorns and Phoenix, as well as a narrative of the day.

“You were so kind. I love the gifts you brought us,” one student’s thank you reads. “They make me feel so speacial.”

Following Cooper’s visit, the students wrote thank you notes, complete with illustrations of Acorns and Phoenix, as well as a narrative of the day.

Another student expressed love for Elon.

“I am going ther when I grow up and I will become a better lerner,” the note reads. “I love Elon Universite.”

Cooper’s visit to Maureen Joy was not his first classroom trip intended to introduce students to the idea of attending college. In 2010, he visited the second grade classroom of Kim Mellor G’04 at McDougle Elementary in Carrboro.

“Now I’ve got two classes and I’d be eager to do more of them,” he said. “They’re very reinforcing for me to do.”

While students from families with a history of college attendance often take the opportunity for granted, other students aren’t as lucky or well-prepared for what Cooper calls the “intensely complicated process” of getting into college.

“Children who come from families with no history of college attendance often need to have the prospect of college introduced to them in a very explicit and careful way and the earlier you start with this, the better,” he said. “When a kid learns about college for the first time in high school or even middle school, it’s almost too late to really get on the right track.”

According to Trapani, the students still talk about Elon and Cooper’s visit and have expressed interest in attending the university one day. And they take every opportunity they can to talk about it.

Following Cooper’s visit, the students wrote thank you notes, complete with illustrations of Acorns and Phoenix, as well as a narrative of the day.

It was during a reading unit called “Let’s Explore” that the class took a hike through Duke Forest and passed a woman wearing an Elon sweatshirt. After sharing her affiliation with the university – both her son and daughter attend – the students shared their cheer and spoke about Cooper’s visit.

“Even if they go to a different college, I think that they’ll definitely remember the conversations about study abroad and traditions,” Trapani said. “They all said how cool it would be to study abroad and learn a new language and be in a different culture. They connected his visit to so many other components of college life.

“It had a lasting impression.”

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by Katie DeGraff, Staff Last Updated - 2/19/2013

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