Welcome 2008!
What a great, long holiday break! Even I had 10 days off! Seems like the university was closed for an extra long time this year, but who's complaining, right? This HeadsUp is all about calendar items for you for this semester. I've included faculty meeting dates, colloquium dates, and other FYI and update items of interest to you. Get those calendars handy.
Faculty meetings will again be on Wednesdays this semester. However, please note that we'll be meeting an hour earlier, 2:00-3:30. We'll be in Craig 337.
Faculty Meetings, Spring 2008, 2-3:30pm
- Wed, January 23
- Wed, February 20
- Wed, March 19
- Wed, April 16
- Wed, May 7
Colloquium dates for Spring 2008, 12-1pm, Mondays, Craig 337
- February 11
- February 25
- March 10
- March 31
- April 14
- April 28
Also, the search committee for the two assistant professor positions is in the process of narrowing down the field for interview finalists. Plan for on campus interviews in late January and early February.
Updates
1. The Modern and Classical Languages Department is offering a free introductory Chinese course to the MSU faculty and staff during the spring 2008. This past semester for the first time we offered a free introductory Spanish course. Due to the overwhelmingly positive response to this offering, we decided to make available a similarly formatted introductory Chinese course. Beginning January 23, the course will meet each Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. for approximately one hour until the end of the semester.
This course, which will be taught in a relaxed atmosphere, is open to anyone interested in learning the Chinese language.
Dates: January 23 to May 7, 2008
Time: 5 to 6 p.m.
Place: Craig Hall 321
Phone: 417-836-4896 to RSVP by 1/23/08
Email: miriamburlison@missouristate.edu
2. Lynn Borich continues to recover but I encourage you to email her and check in to say hi. Here's an excerpt from an email from her last week:
"I am improved but not as improved as I would like. Out of 24 hours a day, I still spend about 16 to 17 hours on my back. The medical treatment here for orthopedic problems is probably where we were in th 1970s. Imagine that I was told to stay in bed without any exercise, physical therapy, etc. for 12 weeks. After less than 2 weeks I became so weak that I began to exercise in and out of bed as much as I could tolerate and began making some progress. I still can't walk far or for long because my sacrum keeps shifting and moving like it goes in and out of place...not a pleasant feeling I must say. I had some acupuncture today and will do that for three days consecutively (or every other day for 3 days as we have final exams this weekend to give) I have contacted a couple doctors in Springfield and will send all my pictures(MRI, CT and X rays) as soon as I hear back from them. I've had to be proactive because the doctor I had at the hospital has been of little help and the language barrier -- even with translators is impossible to get through.
I ended up having substitutes finish out my semester. I was able to have Michael take one of my classes ( so the university here would continue to pay me). I will be helping administer their final exam (an oral) on Saturday am. as they will come to our apartment. Exams end January 17 here.
This has been a frustrating semester but that's okay because I have learned more than I knew before about this enigmatic country. Just good stuff for my blog when I can sit a bit longer to write. "
3. Alumni News - Pam Anderson '95
NEWS RELEASE from 1/3/07: Missouri State Alum, Pamela Anderson, receives CenturyTel’s top company award for outstanding service
Each year CenturyTel recognizes employees who go above and beyond to provide outstanding service to their customers. The company’s Outstanding Service Provider (OSP) awards were recently announced and Missouri State University alum, Pamela Anderson, was among the 35 recipients.
Public Relations Manager for South Missouri, Pamela Anderson, was selected from more than 550 nominations submitted by employees all over the country.
The OSP program is CenturyTel's Companywide internal recognition program. Each year employees are asked to identify co-workers who go above and beyond to provide superior service to the people they interact with. Though the company employs nearly 6,500 in 25 states, only 35 are selected for this prestigious award. Pamela received numerous nominations based on her commitment to serving her customers.
She joined the other recipients for a three-day visit to the company’s Corporate Headquarters in Monroe, La. where they enjoyed tours of the company’s facilities and got a chance to talk to CenturyTel’s executive team about issues they face while trying to provide the best service possible to their customers.
Pamela graduated from Missouri State University in 1995 with a bachelor’s in marketing, and in 1997 with a master’s in communications.
CenturyTel (NYSE:CTL) is a leading provider of communications, high speed Internet and entertainment services in small-to-mid-size cities through our broadband and fiber transport networks. Included in the S&P 500 Index, CenturyTel delivers advanced communications with a personal touch to customers in 25 states. Visit us at www.centurytel.com.
That's about it for now. I'm sure something else will come up and I'll need to send you updates. Have a great semester and see you soon!
Kelly