Student Doers & Deeds

 

Elizabethtown/ Ft. Knox/ Radcliff 

 

 WKU Graduate Takes Control of 3/1 Brigade

Lt. Col. Glenn Robert Bollinger III, a Special Forces officer and Radcliff native, took command of the Special Troops Battalion of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. Bollinger graduated from North Hardin High School, obtained a Bachelors of Science degree from WKU and a Masters of Arts from the School of Advanced Military Studies. Bollinger's sister, Sara, graduated from WKU with her Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education. She took classes at the Elizabethtown/ Radcliff/ Fort Knox Regional Center, and is now working at Woodland Elementary in Radcliff. 

Lt. Col. Bollinger was commissioned into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant in 1992. Bollinger takes over a battalion in transition as soldiers reorient to civilian life and the brigade stabilized after a yearlong deployment. It's expected at least 40 percent of the battalion to be new soldiers and he will be tasked with building them up from their foundation and preparing them for whatever the Army has next.

 

Gamma Beta Phi 

Six new students were sworn into Gamma Beta Phi by Dr. Donielle Lovell. Pictured Corinda Hopkins, Jennifer Daniels, Rita Rowe, and Jenna Holman with Dr. Stephens, Elizabethtown/ Radcliff/ Fort Knox Director. Not pictured Jose Ramirez adn Crystal Townsend. 

 

Gender & Women Studies

 Study Abroad in Belize

Over spring break 2012, four Gender & Women's Studies graduate certificate seekers, Leigh Gaskin, Brandi Button, James Miller and Emily Gillespie, went on a study abroad to Gales Point, Belize, with faculty member Dr. Molly Kerby. Leigh, Brandi, and Emily are students in the Social Responsibility and Sustainable Communities Master's Program. The students conducted research about community-based issues; they interviewed residents of the village, visited a wildlife sanctuary, and observed national elections. The students used their experience and community research to complete projects for their Sustainable Communities Research course and/ or master's thesis. The topics ranged from brain drain, a phenomenon in developing countries where natives receive secondary education and leave their homes for employment outside the country, village craft trade from a post-colonial feminist lens, and Kriol food culture, which included creating a cookbook.

Left to right: Brandi Button, Lloyd, Emily Gillespie, Molly Kerby, Leigh Gaskin, James Miller

 

Institute for Citizenship & Social Responsibility

 

Inaugural Graduates of Certificate of Citizenship & Social Responsibility

from Left to Right are Loretta Zocklein, Bianca Brown, Rebecca Katz and Sara Moody

The Institute for Citizenship & Social Responsibility is pleased to announce the first four graduates of the Certificate in Citizenship & Social Responsibility. The certificate is an interdisciplinary program fusing academics studies and civic duties. The certificate focuses on contemporary issues that prepare students to be effective citizens.

The students were Bianca Brown (Philosophy/ English), Rebecca Katz (Religious Studies), Sara Moody (Social Work/ Asian Religions and Cultures), and Loretta Zocklein (Interdisciplinary Studies). Each student was recently recognized at a celebration held at the ICSR.

When asked about the ICSR, Rebecca Katz, who was also and ICSR student worker, answered, "The ICSR is the most valuable asset to my academic career. As I was growing and learning about the world, the ICSR was an outlet for me to explore my passions and refine my skills to accomplish things. This space, and the people in this space, have given me the tools to do anything I want to. Most importantly, I am empowered. I understand how we are all connected in the world. I know how to make a difference. I am a problem-solver and there's no turning back."

Sara Moody also commented on the importance of the ICSR courses for her future: "My time with the ICSR was an invaluable experience that I will carry with me in more professional career. The resources and coaches at the ICSR allowed me to develop experience and skills to work collaboratively with community members to make tangible differences. The most valuable idea that I learned in the ICSR was my own capacity to create change within my community."

Congratulations to these four students. For more information regarding the Certificate of Citizenship & Responsibility, visit www.wku.edu/icsr/certificate.

 

 

Military Student Services

 

Although his military commitments prevented him from attending the graduation ceremony, CW4 Thomas Mangrum's photo was displayed on the Jumbo Trons in E.A. Diddle Arena on Saturday, May 12th.

Dr. Ransdell recognized Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Mangrum who is serving on active duty with the U.S. Army at Ft. Gordon, Ga. Mangrum, who began his college education in 1983 and has served in Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, graduated with a degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in social and behavioral science.

Members of WKU's Class of 2012 who have served in the military wore red, white, and blue honor cords. All veterans and those serving in the military were recognized at each ceremony. "We proudly salute all of the students, faculty, staff and guests who have previously served or are currently serving in the armed forces," shared Dr. Ransdell.