2007 – 2008 Messiah College President's Report - (Page 7)

LUCY BARNHOUSE ’08 HOMETOWN: Scholarship Days showcase student research Students present to faculty, peers, and off-campus community In the spring, several of Messiah College’s academic schools and departments provided venues for students to showcase their scholarship. On May 2, the School of Mathematics, Engineering, and Business hosted its fth annual Scholarship Day, an event that featured a diverse range of student projects. Presentation topics included wind-solar hybrid energy, alternate aviation solutions, mathematical literacy in West Africa, and the role of human resources in fostering an environmentally friendly workplace. Off-campus attendees included parents, donors, potential employers, and partnering organizations. “Student presenters learn there really is an interested and appreciative audience, beyond the classroom, for high-quality scholarship,” says Lamarr Widmer, associate professor of mathematics. Off-campus community members also attended the fourth annual Senior Day hosted by the Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice on May 3. According to Ronald Burwell, department chair and professor of sociology, more than 70 people attended the event, including many supervisors for students’ social work eld experiences. The School of Health and Natural Sciences hosted its fourth Scholarship Symposium on April 18. Students presented their laboratory and eld research projects, as well as nursing research projects, to faculty, family members, and friends. Vanessa Schmouder ’08, who presented her research on arti cial heart devices, says that the Scholarship Symposium was a highlight of her education at Messiah and a good example of how collaborative relationships between professors and students “can push students to achieve things they never thought possible.” King of Prussia, Pennsylvania MAJORS: Medieval and Renaissance studies; German PURSUIT: Received a Loyola Fellowship at Fordham University where she began a Ph.D. program in medieval history this fall Anita Voelker, associate professor of education, has presented papers at the American Educational Research Association and the National Reading Conference. She shares her experiences with future teachers studying at Messiah. Perfect pass rate proves the strength of education program Graduates are well prepared to serve in nation’s schools Messiah College’s Department of Education continues to build its reputation for graduating top-quality teachers. Last year, 100 percent of the department’s 65 graduates passed the 2007 Praxis II exams, which certify teachers for employment in many states, including Pennsylvania. According to Kevin Zook, chair of the education department, the 2007 data re ect the success of students in the elementary education, early childhood education, and special education programs of the College. In order to qualify to teach in public schools, education students must pass the Praxis exams. While the Praxis I exam is required for admission to the education program at Messiah, the Praxis II exam is taken during a student’s senior year and tests for subject-speci c knowledge as well as educational theory. Pass-rate data for the Class of 2007–2008 will not be available until April, but Zook is con dent that the program will continue to graduate a high percentage of students who have mastered the requirements for teacher certi cation. “Our students always do well on the Praxis II exam,” says Zook, “and their consistently high achievement is a testimony to the hard work and dedication of the faculty, staff, and adjunct supervisors in the education department.” “When surveying the past four years of my academic career, gratitude is my overwhelming sensation. My academic ‘accomplishments’ have been achieved within a vibrant, supportive community of scholars. . . . To be a scholar is to pursue knowledge with perfect fearlessness and perfect humility. To investigate the past humbly and to interpret it boldly is a twofold task which I hope to master more fully in the years ahead.” 7 http://www.messiah.edu/departments/modern/programs/ http://www.messiah.edu/schools/math_eng_bus/ http://www.messiah.edu/schools/math_eng_bus/ http://www.messiah.edu/schools/math_eng_bus/scholarship_day.html http://www.messiah.edu/departments/education/ http://www.messiah.edu/schools/math_eng_bus/ http://www.messiah.edu/departments/socio/ http://www.messiah.edu/departments/socio/ http://www.messiah.edu/departments/socio/ http://www.messiah.edu/schools/health_nat_sci/

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2007 – 2008 Messiah College President's Report Contents The Fusion of Intellect and Faith Centered on Scholarship Fueled by Faith Energized for Impact Stewards of our Mission Financial Reports / Volunteer Leader Appreciation Donor Recognition From Our Core Messiah College at a Glance A Year in Photos

2007 – 2008 Messiah College President's Report

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