Higher Learning

Beth Olshansky, director of the Center for the Advancement of Art-Based Literacy at UNH presented at the 51st International Reading Association’s (IRA) Annual Convention in Chicago, Ill. April 30-May 4. More than 400 teachers from across the country attended the presentation to learn more about Picturing Writing: Fostering Literacy Through Art and Image-Making Within The Writing Process, two art-and-literature-based literacy programs developed by Olshansky.

These two innovative approaches to literacy learning give students access to visual and kinesthetic modes of thinking at each and every stage of the writing process. Participants at the conference were able to view Picturing Writing and Image-Making first hand via a new DVD created by Olshansky and review the research which documents dramatic improvement in students’ reading and writing, particularly for at-risk students. A variety of teacher-training options will be available during the summer months. For more information about these programs, visit www.picturingwriting.org or call Liz Arcieri at 2-3691.   (06-21-06)

Three years ago, professor of kinesiology Stephen Hardy and Bob Barcelona, assistant professor of recreation management and policy, did what Hardy calls “a little independent study” with two seniors that explored the impact of community relations programs on sports teams and the communities they serve. Barcelona and Hardy teamed up with those two former students – Randi Hickox, who works for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Caitlin Lazaro, now working with USA Hockey – to write an article about their program in Athletic Business, one of the most influential publications in that trade. “The coolest part of this for me is seeing the names of the two students as co-authors,” says Hardy. Read the story here: http://athleticbusiness.texterity.com/ab/200605/  (06-07-06)

George Romoser , professor emeritus of political science, led the discussion at the Portsmouth Music Hall April 25 after the screening of the new German film "Sophie Scholl." The film depicts the last days of Sophie Scholl and her brother Hans in February 1943, when they were beheaded by the Hitler regime. They had led the "White Rose" student movement against Hitler from their University of Munich-based resistance group of Anti-Nazi German students.   (05-03-06)

Paula DiNardo, coordinator of UNH’s Washington Center internship program, was chosen outstanding liaison of the year by the center and recognized at a dinner at the Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C., April 10. The award is presented each year to a liaison for their outstanding contributions to the Washington Center program, which hosts almost a dozen UNH students each year in internships at locations such as the Smithsonian, Department of the Treasury, U.S. EPA and the U.S. Senate. 

In the photo, left to right: Eugene J. Alpert, senior vice president of The Washington Center; Elizabeth S. Kyriacou, junior studying political science and international affairs at UNH who is interning at Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA; Paula M. DiNardo, UNH's Washington Center liaison for UNH; and  Joseph S. Johnston Jr., senior vice president for institutional relations, The Washington Center.   (04-05-06)

P.T. Vasudevan, professor of chemical engineering, was awarded the 2006 American Society for Engineering Education (New England Section) Outstanding Teaching Award.

The ASEE New England Section Outstanding Teaching Award is given annually to recognize excellence in classroom instruction and project advising of engineering, engineering technology or engineering science. The purpose of the award is to honor the recipient and to serve as an incentive to make further significant contributions to teaching.

The annual award was presented at the spring meeting of the section March 18 and consisted of a $250 honorarium and a certificate of recognition. The award is supported by John Wiley and Sons, Inc.   (04-05-06)