Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Forest City’s new Rotary Club president promises engaging meetings, fun activities

Meet Nancy Olson, the new president of the Forest City Rotary Club, whose main aim as the leader is to have fun.

“When I joined Rotary, I was pleased to see that the club enjoyed having a good time together.  One of my top priorities as Rotary president is to continue the tradition of having interesting, purposeful and fun Rotary meetings.” said Olson who is also the director of institutional relations for the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation. “I want fellow Rotarians to be eager to attend meetings and make it a priority in their schedules.”

Sworn in early July, Olson has prepared to be the president since she joined the club in 2007, and has been in various leadership roles since then. She started as the program director-elect, became the program director and recently was the vice president-elect.

In March this year, she attended a conference for presidents-elect of Rotary Clubs from throughout the state of Iowa and heard interesting stories about previous presidents who made their meetings engaging for the members. Inspired by the conference, Olson started prepping for her new role immediately. Since the beginning of July, she has already introduced and implemented several new ideas for the club that will make the experience more exciting for the members.

Walk into Olson’s office and a three-foot-tall trophy sits on her credenza.  The trophy’s been named the “Class Act Award” which stands for Community Leaders Acting with Selfless Service—All Collaborating Together.  Each week, one Rotarian will have an opportunity to place a single item on the trophy that symbolizes one way in which he or she has performed a service or impacted another life in the community. Olson was the first one to initiate the new tradition by placing the ace of diamonds (a playing card) that signified her association with a card club that has performed countless acts of service together.

“By the end of the year, there will be 53 items on the trophy,” said Olson, pointing out the number of members in the club. “I put a card, somebody else might add a garden seed, a pack of coffee or tea, or a golf tee.  The possibilities are endless, and it will be fun to see what new items are added.” she said.
Olson’s idea behind the trophy was to bring out the creativity in every Rotarian and also give each member the opportunity to choose the next week’s recipient. The reason for receiving the award could be almost anything.

A resident of Forest City for 34 years, Olson wants other Forest City residents to learn more about Rotary.  She has created “elevator speech” cards that list Rotary International facts on one side and the purpose of the local club on the other. Next on her agenda is starting an award program that recognizes a member’s years of service as a Rotarian. “Currently we recognize a member’s attendance for which they get a certificate. In addition to that, it would be really meaningful to give out awards for the different years of service.  One of our members has been a Rotarian for 51 years and several others for over 35 years.  Now that deserves recognition!” she said.

In the months to come, the new president also plans to update the current club handbook, ask members to learn the four-way test, and brainstorm new fundraising ideas. At present, the club is working toward collecting items such as clothing, hygiene items, pens, pencils, notebooks, games and toys to put in at least 40 shoeboxes that will be sent to Nicaragua in Central America.

“My hope and prayer is that as we Rotarians perform selfless acts of service, lives will be transformed in the process,” said Olson. “Imagine the impact we can make as we provide clean water to people in third world countries, help eradicate polio in the entire world or supply food to the local food bank.”
The group meets at noon every Tuesday in the beautifully restored ballroom in historic Salveson Hall on the Waldorf campus and enjoys a wonderful lunch catered by Brian Keely, the director of campus dining at Waldorf.

If you are interested in joining the Rotary Club, please contact Nancy Olson at (641) 585-8147 or olsonn@waldorf.edu

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Waldorf College biology professor to serve as associate editor of Journal of Herpetology


Waldorf College biology professor Dr. Paul Bartelt has been invited to join the Journal of Herpetology as an associate editor. The journal publishes papers and shorter communication articles about the biology of amphibians and reptiles.

“I’m honored by the invitation, and I welcome the opportunity to serve,” said Dr. Bartelt.  “One nice thing about being an associate editor with the journal is that you get to read the literature before anyone else does.”

Dr. Erin Muths, co-editor at the publication, approached Dr. Bartelt during the national herpetology meetings in Minneapolis early last month. He was chosen for the position based on his publication and reviewing record, as well as his breadth of research and herpetological knowledge.

The position involves handling all aspects of manuscript review for 10 to 15 submissions per year. Dr. Bartelt, who has reviewed many publications in the past, will be responsible for determining and contacting appropriate reviewers, ensuring timely turnaround and corresponding with the authors.

Dr. Bartelt is looking forward to reading a collection of manuscripts, which he says, will add to his pool of knowledge. “As we pursue our own research questions and seek new knowledge, we get to read how others have addressed similar questions,” he said. “It makes one a larger, more integrated part of the whole conversation.”

He is particularly excited about this new assignment as it involves peer review, which is an integral part of research. “Only a small fraction of papers are accepted for publication, most are rejected. That is because of their peer review process,” said Dr. Bartelt. “If you cannot convince someone else, the paper is not going to get published.”






Thursday, August 18, 2011

New coverage August 8-15

Here's the news coverage Waldorf College received in the last two weeks.


Co-workers say center's namesake deserves the recognition
Forest City Summit - Aug 17, 2011 | 5:19 am
ARTICLE: Denny Jerome is a legend at Waldorf, and it is well deserved, according to some of the people who have worked with him over the years.

Waldorf makes improvements to Denny Jerome Center
Forest City Summit - Aug 17, 2011 | 5:21 am |
ARTICLE: FOREST CITY - Waldorf College athletes will have some fancy new digs this sports season, as the new Denny Jerome Center nears construction completion.

Pastor joins Immanuel, Waldorf partnership
Forest City Summit - Aug 17, 2011 | 4:51 am
ARTICLE: FOREST CITY - The Rev. Greg Anderson is working with a model in Forest City and he has the chance to fashion that model to make a difference.

Waldorf's Gassman takes new job; Flickinger named head coach
Forest City Summit - Aug 16, 2011 | 4:47 pm
ARTICLE: FOREST CITY — Ryan Flickinger has been promoted to head baseball coach at Waldorf after Chad Gassman accepted the head coaching job at the University of Pikeville (Kentucky).

Beefing Up Campus Security
KIMT – August 15, 4:31 p.m.
FOREST CITY, IA - The weather is cooling down and that means if your student hasn't already started school they soon will, and one area college is making sure their students will be a little safer when they return.

Waldorf College installs surveillance cameras
Mason City Globe Gazette - Posted: Friday, August 12, 2011 11:46 am
FOREST CITY - A new security camera system has been installed throughout the Waldorf College campus to further protect students and property, Waldorf officials announced this week.

KIOW radio channel ran the news in their morning radio on August 15, 2011. 

Warrior football team ready to take next step
Forest City Summit - Posted: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 9:17 pm 
FOREST CITY - Waldorf football coach Greg Youngblood knows the mountain is steep. Just don't expect him to concede just because times have been tough lately.

Alsop, Searcy begin transition to new roles at Waldorf College
Forest City Summit Aug 10, 2011
FORESTCITY - New administration leads Waldorf College this school year, as the college establishes a framework focused on being "not transitional leadership".

Waldorf to launch drum line
Mason City Globe Gazette | Posted: Saturday, August 6, 2011 12:07 pm
FOREST CITY - Waldorf College is getting ready for its first-ever percussion ensemble: the Warrior Line drum line, which will start this fall.
 
DECORAH NATIVE CHOSEN TO CONDUCT THE WALDORF COLLEGE DRUM LINE
DECORAH NEWS
Posted: Sun, Aug 7, 2011 12:44 PM
Waldorf College is gearing up for its first ever percussion ensemble this fall--the Warrior Line drum line.  Decorah native Chris Ward has been hired to lead the program.

KIOW radio channel ran the Chris Ward starting a drumline on Waldorf campus story on August 8, 2011 as well.

A Brand New Band
Western Michigan University’s blog, Western Express - August 9, 2011
Waldorf College is a small liberal arts college in Iowa. Just like WMU, it was founded in 1903, but one of the bigger differences is that Waldorf doesn’t have a marching band—that’s all about to change because of a Western alum.



Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Waldorf College’s Office of Student Life welcomes three new staff members


The Waldorf College’s Student Life team is ready for fall, as three energetic multi-taskers take on new roles

Brett Geelan is the new area coordinator for Breen Hall, and will also manage intramural sports, student recreation and transportation. Mary Dickman, who was previously with admissions, will now split her time equally between student life and admissions. Her student life half will be area coordinator for Ormseth and Rasmusson Halls and she is also in charge of campus vending. Sera Ranaivoson area coordinator for Tanner, Timberland, and Theme Houses, will also work with campus ministry and the mail center.

 “All of these positions are replacing somebody else,” said Jason Ramaker, dean of students at Waldorf College. “It is always good to get fresh new ideas, and having people in the department who can identify with students’ needs.”

Dickman graduated in 2010 from Waldorf College, and Ranaivoson in 2011. Geelan recently graduated from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA.

In his position, Geelan will focus on sports leagues, one-time events, and outdoor recreation such as canoeing, wall climbing, softball, tennis, dodge ball and volleyball.
Most of these activities, Ramaker said, are a great way for students to get out of their dorms and meet new people. Geelan will play a major role in introducing students to new activities and avenues of having fun.

Ranaivoson was a resident assistant and an active member of campus ministry during her time as a student, experience highly relevant to her new position. As a student, Ranaivoson was part of the praise and worship group and Exit-to–Hope, a ministry-based group. “Sera knows Waldorf really well, and understands our residential life program. That made her qualified for those two areas,” said Ramaker.

Meanwhile, Dickman will be in-charge of two residential halls and also help with international students in getting their status back. “Mary was an RA for two years at least and did a nice job. We are happy to have her,” said Ramaker.

The new staff members are enthusiastic about their positions and looking forward to the new school year.I’m very excited to be at Waldorf College,” said Geelan, “and I’m looking forward to interacting with students. It will be very enjoyable work.”

Dickman agrees. “I’m excited for the new opportunity to serve the students at Waldorf. I definitely enjoyed my time with residential and student life as a student and I’m glad to do it as a staff member too.”

And Ranaivoson notes some added benefits: “As a student right out of college, I won’t have to worry about meals and housing. I like my position because it incorporates all the things I was involved with as a student.”

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Waldorf College biology professor presents at UI Carver College of Medicine’s FUTURE program


Dr. Gary Coombs and senior Cody Barnes at the FUTURE program's
poster presentation
After spending two months at UI Carver College of Medicine, Waldorf College biology professor Dr. Gary Coombs, and senior Cody Barnes gave their final presentations last week as part of the FUTURE program.

Dr. Coombs was one of the six faculty fellows selected for the program from colleges throughout Iowa. Upon his selection, he discussed the project with his students and chose Barnes to accompany him.  

The FUTURE program, which stands for Fostering Undergraduate Talent – Uniting Research and Education, started May 31 and ended this Friday, July 29. Barnes was one of the 174 poster presenters last week. Dr. Coombs spoke about his research on Friday, July 29.

Barnes, of class 2012, majoring in wellness, studied expression of NIAM (Nuclear Interactor of ARF and MDM2) in tumor biopsies from patients with glioma (a type of brain tumor), and helped identify mice with a nonfunctional NIAM gene for studies of NIAM’s role in health and disease. Dr. Coombs, in a separate research project, used mass spectrometry to identify other proteins that interact with NIAM.

Barnes has his future mapped out with plans to pursue a career as a physician’s assistant. While at University of Iowa, he was able to meet the admissions director one-on-one and was encouraged to apply for the physician’s assistant graduate program.

“I think this is a kind of experience you can’t get while studying in a classroom through textbooks,” said Dr. Coombs. “Cody gave the program high marks and would recommend it to others.”

For the biology professor, this fellowship provided funding and equipment to pursue research beyond what he can do at Waldorf College. “It also gave me opportunities to learn more about grants availability,” he said. “I think, there is a likelihood that we may get a publication or two out of this visit, which will reflect positively on Waldorf.”

Now in its third year, the FUTURE program aims to bridge the gap between large research universities in the Iowa area and small liberal arts colleges. This increased interaction helps boost the number of undergraduate students that choose research, medical or graduate school.

During the summer program, visiting faculty from smaller schools served on the panel and answered questions from participants. Admissions officials from the physician assistant program, graduate schools, MD and PhD programs also spoke about what they look for in applicants.

“They bring us here and give us the opportunity to do research. There are weekly seminars and activities,” said Dr. Coombs, who has been working with UI pharmacology faculty member Dawn Quelle. “The hope is to take the information when we are mentoring and counseling at Waldorf to guide students who want to pursue graduate level experiences,” he said.