Welcome to 2011
Students are back in the dorm, winter is upon is and seems to be worse than last year. Snow is flying almost every day and the students and the staff are dealing with it.
My goal this semester is to impress the students with some cold facts that are facing this generation. By the time this class graduates we will be approaching the projected end of the recession. The need for higher education is greater now than anytime in our nations history. These sharp minds of tomorrow have to find a way to complete there education here at WVU. This acceptable graduation rate of 51- 52 % is not acceptable any more.
By the year 2018 sixty three percent of all new jobs will require higher education degrees. For the first time in history if these young minds want to stay in the middle class they are going to have to work for it.
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
We grow older and they just stay the same age.
I have lived in Morgantown for almost twenty years now and the most amazing aspect is that students do not get older. I mean they do not get older, they are all still 18 to 22 years old
I get self reflective a couple times each year and as my birthday approaches I feel older this year. Most years I do not feel my age, but this year I have more aches and pains than before.
I get self reflective a couple times each year and as my birthday approaches I feel older this year. Most years I do not feel my age, but this year I have more aches and pains than before.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Freshmen of Pierpont
About two weeks ago we had a meeting of all the freshmen of Pierpont. Our goal of this meeting was to ask the freshmen to fill out some surveys that would give us more insight into how they studied as well as how they are adjusting to college. I was the skeptic and thought we would only have about 30 students show up, much to my surprise we had over 160 students come.
I opened the evening with. "Welcome Freshmen of Pierpont!" Over the summer Tracie and I had heard concern from both students and parents that Pierpont had to many upperclassmen. Although we tried to assure them this could be a benefit many of them were not buying it. As I watched the students look around the room and see all the others that were at the same place as themselves you felt an air of calm. They cheered and clapped for the Pierpont freshmen and then asked, "Why are we here?"
I explained to them that we are looking to assist them in their academic success and by filling out these surveys and follow-up in their UNIV 101 class we would assist them in becoming more organized. I watched as they filled out the questionnaires. They had their heads down and the room was quiet. They were concentrating.
We are just starting to look at the survey results now and are following up with a meeting next Wednesday. Hopefully we can answer there questions and address concerns.
The freshmen of Pierpont have united to address academics and see that there are others around.
I opened the evening with. "Welcome Freshmen of Pierpont!" Over the summer Tracie and I had heard concern from both students and parents that Pierpont had to many upperclassmen. Although we tried to assure them this could be a benefit many of them were not buying it. As I watched the students look around the room and see all the others that were at the same place as themselves you felt an air of calm. They cheered and clapped for the Pierpont freshmen and then asked, "Why are we here?"
I explained to them that we are looking to assist them in their academic success and by filling out these surveys and follow-up in their UNIV 101 class we would assist them in becoming more organized. I watched as they filled out the questionnaires. They had their heads down and the room was quiet. They were concentrating.
We are just starting to look at the survey results now and are following up with a meeting next Wednesday. Hopefully we can answer there questions and address concerns.
The freshmen of Pierpont have united to address academics and see that there are others around.
Monday, September 13, 2010
GAMEDAY BABY!
"AND NOW FROM THE COLLEGE OF CREATIVE ARTS ON THE CAMPUS OF WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY UNDER THE DIRECTION OF JAY DURY, THE PRIDE OF WEST VIRGINIA, THE MOUNTAINEER MARCHING BAND." I remember the first time I heard that. I was 14 years old and a member of the high school marching band here for Band day. I marched on the Old Mountaineer field with such big eyes, just thinking WOW I get to march on Mountaineer field. WOW
GAMEDAY for me is about the feeling of fall in the air, friends and family gathering for a WVU game with current students. Cheering for our team to get a win for all of us. I love to watch the students facees as they experience the Mountaineers for the first time.
Here at Pierpont Hall, the crowd starts gathering around us about 8:00 o'clock in the morning. Cars slowly begin to filter in around us, people start walking all around. Gold shirts by the thousands stream up and down the road. From small children and little footballs to the big boys throwing the regulation football around you can feel it is the air. HERE COME THE MOUNTAINEERS.
All students need to be at the stadium 30 minutes before kickoff to here the Pride of West Virginia (The West Virginia University Marching Band) take to the field and bring the crowd to there feet with there opening songs. I can feel the chills down my back just writting about it.
LETS GO - Mountaineers!!!!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Learning--From the Dorm to the Classroom
Since my last post the announcement has been made that the RFL program will not be under academic affairs. Although the reporting lines have changed I do not see much change in the way I do my work with the students. I have always made social connections with students so I can then follow-up with my academic inquiries. With the third week (how did that happen so fast) about to begin this has already started.
The first week was met with students asking anything from, "Where do I catch the bus?" to "How do I change my schedule?" Whenever anyone on staff would walk into the lobby they were met with questions of new students navigating their way around WVU. Some students were even asking, "Do I want to go home?" For this questions we asked all these students to look around at the opportunities and to try WVU out for at least a semester so that they could find their niche. At the end of the week all questions were answered and the weekend was meant for celebrating.
The weekend brought more learning. Two students learned you never know when the RFLs are going to drive up. After dinner out on Saturday evening Brian and I arrived at the building to see one cool cat just hanging out outside our door and another placing a bag on the steps and then coming down. All we had to say was "Gentlemen bring down the bag with the beer'" for us to have our first alcohol violation of the year. Brian and I have at least one each a year. The two students were cooperative and learned that you never know when you will get caught so.....DON'T TRY.
Earlier on Saturday we learned a new way to strain spaghetti. Brian had noticed that there were towels hanging from windows on the second floor. He and a RA made there way to the room to inquire why the screens were removed. You need to know the screens in Pierpont are bolted in so students should not be able to hang things from their windows. When they arrived the students tried to teach Brian that they could handle the situation and he did not need to intervene. After some talking with the RA the story is that one the boys arrived home Friday night and wanted spaghetti. After boiling the spaghetti he realized he did not have a strainer. He then cut the screen so he could use it as a strainer. We learned, although quite disgusting, a new use for a screen. While the young man learned that $100 will buy you a new screen and a strainer. An expensive lesson to learn but one that will go down in the history books here at Pierpont.
The first week was met with students asking anything from, "Where do I catch the bus?" to "How do I change my schedule?" Whenever anyone on staff would walk into the lobby they were met with questions of new students navigating their way around WVU. Some students were even asking, "Do I want to go home?" For this questions we asked all these students to look around at the opportunities and to try WVU out for at least a semester so that they could find their niche. At the end of the week all questions were answered and the weekend was meant for celebrating.
The weekend brought more learning. Two students learned you never know when the RFLs are going to drive up. After dinner out on Saturday evening Brian and I arrived at the building to see one cool cat just hanging out outside our door and another placing a bag on the steps and then coming down. All we had to say was "Gentlemen bring down the bag with the beer'" for us to have our first alcohol violation of the year. Brian and I have at least one each a year. The two students were cooperative and learned that you never know when you will get caught so.....DON'T TRY.
Earlier on Saturday we learned a new way to strain spaghetti. Brian had noticed that there were towels hanging from windows on the second floor. He and a RA made there way to the room to inquire why the screens were removed. You need to know the screens in Pierpont are bolted in so students should not be able to hang things from their windows. When they arrived the students tried to teach Brian that they could handle the situation and he did not need to intervene. After some talking with the RA the story is that one the boys arrived home Friday night and wanted spaghetti. After boiling the spaghetti he realized he did not have a strainer. He then cut the screen so he could use it as a strainer. We learned, although quite disgusting, a new use for a screen. While the young man learned that $100 will buy you a new screen and a strainer. An expensive lesson to learn but one that will go down in the history books here at Pierpont.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
A Volleyball to the Head
Sunday the staff and all of our freshmen students boarded buses to the Coliseum to take part in the "University Welcome Celebration." As we entered the Coliseum tee shirts with the class of 2014 were handed out and students began to sit down in their assigned sections. Due to the bus schedule we at Pierpont arrived about an hour before it was about to begin. Brian and I walked up and down the section meeting students and answering questions. Then as it was about to begin Josh, a RA, and Brian started the wave and then a cheer of "Let's Go Moutaineers." After this the program began.
The program was filled with speakers relaying their stories of college to the group about to embark on this journey. As I looked around many were texting, listening to i-pods, or just sitting back with blank looks on their faces. After asking them about this ceremony today during UNIV 101, many stated that they were asleep and that addition of the drum line or people talking more about their freshmen year would have helped more. The section of the program they all enjoyed was the Provost's address in which she had them proclaim, "They would attend class," as well as many other habits needed to be successful. They all echoed her words but although they enjoyed her I am not sure they really believe they need to do all she spoke about to be successful, but who am I.
Later that evening we held a Welcome Back BBQ for all the students in Pierpont. 300 young residents came down the stairs to play volleyball and corn hole as well as feast on hamburgers and hot dogs. Four girls who had just met during the weekend sat under a tree and talked while others held a "Dougie" constant. All enjoying themselves and meeting new people. As I stood around and met people I was hit in the head by a volleyball gone astray. I could not help but think many of the new students I was surrounded by will need a "volleyball to the head," in the coming weeks, my hope is that they will all take it with a smile and learn from the bump on the head. Here's to a good semester without to many "volleyballs to the head"
The program was filled with speakers relaying their stories of college to the group about to embark on this journey. As I looked around many were texting, listening to i-pods, or just sitting back with blank looks on their faces. After asking them about this ceremony today during UNIV 101, many stated that they were asleep and that addition of the drum line or people talking more about their freshmen year would have helped more. The section of the program they all enjoyed was the Provost's address in which she had them proclaim, "They would attend class," as well as many other habits needed to be successful. They all echoed her words but although they enjoyed her I am not sure they really believe they need to do all she spoke about to be successful, but who am I.
Later that evening we held a Welcome Back BBQ for all the students in Pierpont. 300 young residents came down the stairs to play volleyball and corn hole as well as feast on hamburgers and hot dogs. Four girls who had just met during the weekend sat under a tree and talked while others held a "Dougie" constant. All enjoying themselves and meeting new people. As I stood around and met people I was hit in the head by a volleyball gone astray. I could not help but think many of the new students I was surrounded by will need a "volleyball to the head," in the coming weeks, my hope is that they will all take it with a smile and learn from the bump on the head. Here's to a good semester without to many "volleyballs to the head"
Friday, August 20, 2010
Welcome Back
Move-in weekend is always exciting here at WVU. Students leaving home for the first time, parents leaving their children for the first time, and the first chance for many to take responsibility for their own actions. A time when excitement and fear simultaneously courses through thoughts as rapidly as water flows through a river. What a wild ride! I say enjoy it.
Students enjoy your time exploring your new environment. Parents enjoy and celebrate the fact that you have raised children that are capable of succeeding at such an integrated university. Enjoy the the knowledge you will gain as new Mountaineers.
Growth from this knowledge will occur. The change in students from August til May is something I still marvel at even after three years here at the dorm. Have fun while growing and take all the oppurtunities that are offered to you.
Welcome and come say "hi".
Students enjoy your time exploring your new environment. Parents enjoy and celebrate the fact that you have raised children that are capable of succeeding at such an integrated university. Enjoy the the knowledge you will gain as new Mountaineers.
Growth from this knowledge will occur. The change in students from August til May is something I still marvel at even after three years here at the dorm. Have fun while growing and take all the oppurtunities that are offered to you.
Welcome and come say "hi".
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