Online registration for fall classes begins next week
 

All students need to see their advisor in order to register online next week.

Don't forget to give your advisor the Golden Ticket, which you received in your tuition letter, that entitles you to a $3,000 EXP@CSC  curriculum award for the 2008-09 academic year.

Online priority registration for seniors begins at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, April 6. Juniors may begin registering at noon on Tuesday, April 8. Online registration for sophomores opens at 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, April 9. Students who have not yet obtained sophomore status may begin registering at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 10.

An academic advising fair, open to all students who have not already met with their advisor, will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, in Meaders Lounge in the Gladys Crown Center. Faculty advisors will be on hand to work with students and to complete the online registration process for fall classes.

As part of Golden Ticket Week, April 7-11, students will be eligible for a grand prize drawing of a portable GPS unit, sponsored by the Office of Enrollment Management and College Marketing. Here's how it works. Of those seniors who complete their registration on their priority day, 25 names will be drawn; 25 juniors will be added after their day; and then 25 sophomores. Fifty more names will be added to the pool from those students who register during the April 10 academic advising fair. One name will be drawn from those 125 eligible students to receive the GPS unit. The others will all receive a consolation prize.

Streck wins EXP@CSC T-Shirt Contest

President William L. Fox presents C-SC student, Caitlin Streck, with a GPS navigator.

Caitlin Streck has been announced the winner of the EXP@CSC T-Shirt Design Contest. She is a senior elementary education major from St. Joseph, Mo.

"I love making T-shirts and coming up with fun ideas," said Streck.

In her design, she used the school colors and created a quote for the back of the shirt. She believes creating a quote adds a personal touch. Her winning shirt reads:

"Hands-on experience is the best way to succeed...Expect, Explore, Experience...That is why I am at C-SC."

"I hope students will find different hands-on experience in their majors rather than just getting through their classes," added Streck.

As the winner of the contest, Streck received a portable GPS navigator.

More than 100 students will receive one of Streck's winning T-shirts in the Golden Ticket Week drawing. A limited number of shirts will be available for purchase in the C-SC bookstore.

For a complete viewing of all the submitted T-shirt designs, click here.

Middle school students in professional learning communities

What makes a middle schooler tick? How do different components of a professional learning community partner meet students' needs? Culver-Stockton students, featured presenters at the recent Missouri Middle School Association Conference, answered these questions for conference participants. The students are members of the "PIES," short for Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social Needs, Education Troupe, which is taking courses in middle school philosophy and curriculum. The group was guided in this experiential learning activity by Ann Hammer, director of teacher education at Culver-Stockton.

One component of the students interactive presentation featured man- on-the-street fictional interviews with C-SC students playing the roles of middle school students of various interests and abilities, parents, administrators, and middle school teachers. The students combined research, technology, and role-play to design a creative presentation that received a commendation from conference organizers.

"The students' research focused on how community resources and home and school environments can come together to form a well-oiled machine to meet the unique needs of students transitioning from childhood to adolescence," Hammer said.

"This presentation represents the best type of learning experience for our students. They have taken a giant step toward becoming a part of the professional learning community of educators," added Hammer.

"The Missouri Middle School Conference was a terrific hands-on experience for everyone involved. We were able to collaborate not only with one another, but also among professionals," said Katie Truster, C-SC student.

Participants at the session took home an Owner's Manual for Middle School Students with hands-on activities to use in the classroom, which was developed by the group.

The "PIES" education troupe combines the expertise of students Gina Miller, Trina Karl, Frank Cash, Joe Rue, Grant Stephenson, and Truster, as well as Cari Schoon, recent C-SC alum and middle school teacher at Owensville, Mo.

Culver-Stockton hosts Scholarship Luncheon

Scholarship recipients met their donors at the Annual Scholarship Luncheon.

Culver-Stockton College held its Annual Scholarship Luncheon April 1. More than 60 students, parents, and staff were in attendance to honor the 20 scholarship donors at the luncheon.

During the event, donors were able to explain why they decided to fund scholarships. Students also had the opportunity to meet with their scholarship donor and thank them for their contribution. This event allowed for donors and recipients to make a lasting connection.

 "It was nice to finally meet my donor, in person, and to thank that person for helping me pay for my education," said Jim Varner, sophomore at Culver-Stockton. 

"Without having my scholarship, I would have had to go to a university where I would have been just another number," added Michael Zehnle, senior at Culver-Stockton. 

"The opportunity to actually sit and speak with my scholarship donors gave me a better outlook and perspective as to where my scholarship has come from," said Jillian Bentley, senior at Culver-Stockton.

CAAC Gallery show focuses on realism

Canton Area Arts Council will feature the work of Hannibal, Mo., artist, Kimberly Shinn, for the April CAAC Gallery show "Color Life Rural," which opens Friday, April 4, with a public reception at 7 p.m.  Working primarily in pastels and acrylics, Shinn paints images of life in her small Northeastern Missouri hometown of Ewing as well as memories of time spent at her grandparents' farm in Steffenville.  Her technique is realism; her treatment is a tribute to rural community life.

Drawing has been part of Kimberly Shinn's experience from sketching horses with her father in earliest childhood to honing her skills through extensive reading and practice.  She has drawn from life and from photographs taken as she traveled to broaden her awareness. 

"Color Life Rural" will show in the CAAC Gallery during weekend hours on Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sundays 1-3 p.m. until April 26.  The CAAC Gallery is located at 309 Lewis St., a space provided by and adjacent to the Canton State Bank.  Curator for the show is Nancy Ellison. The Canton Area Arts Council is associated with the Missouri Arts Council.

Nominations sought for Helsabeck Prize

Nominations are being sought from the Culver-Stockton College community for the Helsabeck Prize for Excellence in Teaching. The Helsabeck Prize, established in 1980, is a cash prize of $1,000 and will be awarded during Commencement. Recently, all students received the nomination form through e-mail.

Your help is needed to identify a current faculty member who, in your judgment, exhibits those qualities that mark the truly outstanding teacher. Since Culver-Stockton is, above all things, a teaching institution, awards for excellent teaching speak to the very heart of the college's work. 

While definitions of excellent teaching vary, qualities that are frequently identified include: knowledge and proficiency in the subject area; creative approaches to the subject matter; ability to nurture interest, enthusiasm and responses in students; clarity of educational objectives and course expectations; maintenance of high expectations and standards; openness to other points of view; fairness; and effective timely feedback to students.

The winner will be chosen by a panel of faculty, students, and administrators. You are invited to submit a nomination to Dr. R. Joseph Dieker, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, Henderson Hall. Nominations will be accepted through April 21. Students can access the nomination form from the student tab of MyCulver. For more information, contact Debbi Henderson.