To The University Community:

Some time ago, I engaged the campus in a discussion about its "centers of excellence" and recommended that we identify our outstanding programs, activities and approaches. At some point in our discussion, the division of Academic Affairs suggested that it might help if we focused on areas where we are distinctive. I agreed. It was at that time that we chose the term "spheres of distinction" to describe this strategic initiative. The spheres of distinction were defined as "innovative and resourceful approaches to academic, student and campus life giving regional, national, or international prominence to Central Washington University.

In order to determine the broad categories within which CWU is distinctive, the five divisions of the university as well as employee groups were asked to identify areas, activities, or approaches to learning and service that make Central the special place it is. At the end of the 2004-05 academic year, that process culminated in the CWU Board of Trustees' approval of these five "spheres":

• Interdisciplinary Programs and Research;
• Preparation of Professional Educators;
• Programs and Activities That Nurture the Development of Students as Individuals, Scholars, Artists and Citizens;
• Activities Addressing Regional Needs and Enhancing Regional Resources; and
• University Centers.

When the budget for 2006-2007 was developed, money was set aside to fund proposals that fell within and met the definition of these five spheres of distinction. This past spring, proposals requesting support for established and emerging programs of distinction were invited from the campus. From the large pool of proposals received, the university provost and vice presidents selected and forwarded to me a shorter list of those they believed were most deserving of funding.

I am pleased to announce that the following proposals received funding for this academic year:

• Support for CWU's 13 existing interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate programs: American Indian Studies, Energy Studies, Environmental Studies, Ethnic Studies, Film and Video Studies, Gerontology, Primate Behavior and Ecology, Public Policy, Resource Management, Social Science, Women's Studies, Latin American Studies, and Asia Pacific Studies, submitted by Drs. Meghan Miller, dean of the College of the Sciences, and Marji Morgan, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, on behalf of the interdisciplinary program directors (Sphere 1);
• Center for Science and Math Education, submitted by Dr. Martha Kurtz on behalf of the science and mathematics education faculty (Spheres 2 and 5);
• Science Honors Program, submitted by Drs. Carin Thomas, Andrew Piacsek and Michael Braunstein (Sphere 3);
• Center for Latino and Latin American Studies, submitted by Dr. Michael Ervin on behalf of associated faculty and staff, which includes Drs. Lois Breedlove, Eric Mayer, Stella Morena, Chris Schedler and Nancy Wessel, along with Lisa Garcia-Hanson, Elise Forier, Veronica Gomez-Vilchis, Teresa Kramer, Amber Peoples and Michael Reilly (Spheres 3 and 4);
• Civic Engagement and Academic Service Learning, submitted by Drs. Jan Bowers and James Pappas, in conjunction with Lorinda Anderson and Nan Doolittle (Sphere 3);
• Science Talent Expansion Program (STEP), submitted by Drs. Michael Braunstein, Lisa Ely, Wendy Bohrson, Anthony Diaz, Carey Gazis, Martha Kurtz, Andrew Piacsek, Robbie Soltz and Steven Wagner (Sphere 3);
• Courtesy Assistance Team, submitted by Assistant Vice President Steve Rittereiser (Sphere 3);
• Environmental Concerns and Energy Conservation, submitted by Dr. William Bender and Bill Vertrees (Sphere 4); and
• Westside Advising, submitted by Sheila Walton (Sphere 5).

In selecting projects, I gave priority to those that crossed divisional or departmental lines, provided funding for staff and/or faculty positions, supported student research or other student activities, and indicated a capacity of the program or activity to obtain additional outside funding, such as grants, to further extend their reach. All of the projects that were funded this year were thoughtfully described, high in quality and broad in their impact.

Even so, the choices were far from easy. That's why the spheres of distinction initiative will not end with this year's selections. Based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback received and the large number of programs and activities that are worthy of additional support, I intend to set aside additional funding for other promising "spheres" in future years.

Thanks to all of you who participated in this process and congratulations to those whose projects were funded this year. I look forward to seeing many of those that weren't funded this year again in next year's competition.

Sincerely,

Jerilyn S. McIntyre
President

Susan Van de Venter, Industrial and Engineering Technology secretary supervisor, has been honored as the university civil service "Employee of the Month" for June. During a surprise ceremony, she received a certificate and $125 from the president's discretionary fund, through the CWU civil service employee recognition program.

Those nominating Van de Venter, called the "face" of IET, said:

• Susan has been very effective in creating new ways to display data and information to allow the department to better manage resources.
• She performs many functions and is the key individual responsible for the smooth operation of the department.
• She is the "go to" person in the department because she will know how to get something done, but also because people feel very comfortable interacting with her.

Initiated by the CWU civil service employee council, recognition goes to employees who foster a personalized environment that supports members of the university community as well as the mission of Central.

University students, faculty and staff, along with Ellensburg community members, are encouraged to make signed or anonymous nominations for employees of the month. Nomination forms are available from the CWU human resources office, employee council representatives and on-line at: www.cwu.edu/~hr/ec/.

In October, Central Transit will receive new financial support that may lead to additional services. Last year, the transit service, a partnership involving CWU and HopeSource, was funded by Central students, who paid a $3 quarterly fee for access, along with one-time money from CWU Public Safety and Police Services.

"We knew that the one-time funding couldn't carry us into future years," says Capt. Kevin Higgins. "So, we've been working with a new community transportation committee to find other ways to support Central Transit."

Higgins chairs the committee, comprised of Ted Barkley, Ellensburg city manager; Jadon Berry, Associated Students of CWU president; Ken Baxter, director of CWU Conference and Retail Services; Bruce Porter, director of CWU Business Services and Contracts; Von Elison, director, Central Washington Disability Resources (CWDR), and Bruce Tabb, executive director, Elmview.

The committee has been working to encouraging other organizations to join in the partnership. Two local non-profits, CWDR and Elmview, have agreed to earmark funds this year for the service, which will allow their clients to also access Central Transit.

"The current Central Transit route is suited not only to Central students, but to community members as well," Tabb says. "We foresee this as an exciting opportunity to work collaboratively to meet the needs of both Central students and community members."

Berry adds, "This is extremely beneficial for students. There were more than 24,000 riders last year and we are anticipating over 30,000 this year. We really wanted to find a way to keep this thing going. Central students are pleased to be able to work with the greater Ellensburg community in solving transportation needs within the community."

In the July-August issue of Natural Health magazine, an article, titled "Say No Evil," focused on the groundbreaking work of Dr. Marshall Rosenberg in the area of non-violent communication (NVC), also known as "compassionate communication." Through NVC training, participants learn to focus on what they are observing, feeling, needing and requesting, in expressing themselves, how they hear others and, ultimately, how they resolve conflict.

Margaret Smith, CWU internal audit director, recently attended a 10-day conference and workshop conducted by Rosenberg. That, in turn, led to her being featured in the Natural Health article, by Valerie Reiss, who wrote:

"Margaret Smith was spending an evening with her 9-year-old grandson. 'He was behaving rudely,' Smith recalls, 'throwing the dice for a board game onto the floor and speaking to me in a demanding way. When he thrust his glass at me and said, "Get me a drink of water," I felt irritated.'

Normally, she says, her reaction would have been to issue a 'judgmental demand like "say please," "don't be rude," or "what's up with you today?"' Instead, as a six-month practitioner of NVC, she paused and asked, 'Trevor, are you irritated because, Grandma is going away for so long?'

'Yes,' Trevor responded, visibly relaxing. 'When I go away in the summer, you miss me. When you go away now, I'll miss you.'

Watching her grandson's anxiety dissolve in response to her empathy was incredibly clarifying for Smith. 'He didn't know how else to express his feelings, and concerns in that moment,' she says."

Reflecting back now on that interaction, Smith calls it, "A big a-ha moment for me. It was the first time I gave someone true empathy."

Smith was first introduced to NVC during a seminar in Tri-Cities, Wash., in April of 2005.

"It seemed so simple, yet it's so difficult to apply," she points out. "I've been looking for more and more ways to embody the work."

Those efforts have included serving as a volunteer mediator with Kittitas County's Dispute Resolution Center, where she has been training fellow mediators in NVC. She also introduced Donna Kramer, CWU ombuds, to non-violent communication.

"In my role as ombuds, I've found NVC to be a valuable and powerful tool that individuals and groups can use to break patterns of thinking and speaking that lead to conflict," Kramer adds. "It helps people understand and articulate their needs and requests in any given situation, and listen in a way that builds connection."

Kramer found NVC so powerful that she requested and received an OK to make an NVC presentation to members of the CWU President's Cabinet during their August retreat.

Dr. Elizabeth Street, executive assistant to the president for policy and planning and CWU psychology professor, points out, "The training was eye-opening and an excellent reminder that we all are creatures of habit in everyday interactions with family, friends, and co-workers. The exercises Donna provided challenged us to discover needs and values that underlie conflict, to take responsibility for our own needs and values, and to use 'I' instead of 'you' statements when we confront situations that trouble us. It was both challenging and fun. Donna is an excellent trainer, model and coach."

Smith and Kramer are both now working toward becoming certified NVC trainers, an arduous process that could take up to another year, according to Smith.

Even after earning her certification, she plans to continue on as CWU's director of internal audit, a job "I love," Smith points out, adding "Learning and incorporating NVC betters my communication skills to do my job."

Karen J. BLAIR, history, holds membership in only one organization, the Ellensburg Music Study Club. But she has devoted her 30-year academic career to the study of hundreds of voluntary organizations. Her seventh book, "Joining In: Exploring the History of Voluntary Organizations in America," was recently published by Krieger Publishers, of Melbourne, Fla. It's part of the Nearby History Series that was founded at the American Association for State and Local History. The book shares shortcuts Blair has learned in sleuthing the history of multitudes of groups, from the PTA to Kiwanis International to fraternal orders including the Moose, Elk and Eagles. Ellensburg and Kittitas County history are featured in Blair's book, with images provided by photographer and CWU art major John HOLMGRIN.

Tim ENGLUND, mathematics, recently received the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning award, which is presented to those who, during the same year, complete four of the oldest 100-mile trail runs in the U.S. Those races are the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run in California, the Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run, Colorado's Leadville Trail 100 Mile Run and the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run in Utah.

Nancy HULTQUIST, geography, received the 2006 "Summit Award" as Washington's GIS (Geographic Information System) Person of the Year. The annual award is presented by the Washington chapter of the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (WAURISA), a non-profit association of professionals who use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other information technologies to solve challenges in state/provincial, regional and local government agencies. The award goes to a person who has a demonstrated, long-term commitment to the field, is known for their excellent work and successful projects that involve innovative solutions, and for their volunteer service activities. Hultquist was also profiled in the summer edition of WAURISA's "The Summit Newsletter."

Yakima's Blue Begonia Press has just published a new book of poems, "The Secret Language of Women" by Terry MARTIN, English. Poet and novelist Lucinda Roy says of Martin's book: "This is a collection about what we dare to love and what dares to love us back. It's a celebration of the many paths we take as we edge toward 'the warm, the changing light.'"

Linda A. RAUBESON, biological sciences, presented a paper, "Seed plant phylogeny based on sequences from 61 (mostly) shared plastid genes," to the annual convention of the Botanical Society of America and the American Society of Plant Taxonomists in Chico, Calif., in August. Three CWU students, mentored by Raubeson, also attended the conference and presented their research - Stephanie MARGHEIM (biology and Science Talent Expansion Program undergraduate student) presented a poster, "Chloroplast genome rearrangements in Pinaceae," Skip McCOY (biology and Science Honors Research Program undergraduate student) presented a poster, "The complete plastid genome sequence of Welwitschia mirabilis," and Rhiannon PEERY, who received her Master of Science degree in biology in 2005, presented a paper, "Comparisons of three Apiaceae chloroplast genomes - coriander, dill and fennel."

CWU geography students, Teresa Ann BURROUGHS, Patrick ANDERSON, Jeff TRAMMELL, Bryn LOFTNESS, Lindsey OZBOLT, Keith McEVOY, Kolten KOSTERS and Barbara STANCIL were inducted into the Gamma Tau Chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon (GTU), the international geographical honorary society, on June 2, at the end-of-year barbecue and departmental awards presentation ceremony. Nancy HULTQUIST, geography, is the faculty advisor for GTU.

Others honored included Brook-Shaw Scholarship recipients, who included Trammel, Rebekah LaBAR, Jason McCORMICK and Keith McVOY. The Phoenix Award was presented to Bryn LOFTNESS. The Macinko Award went to Greg Hinze, who also received a CWU Alumni Association departmental award this year. Ben Lavalleur received the Marc Fairbanks GIS/Cartography Award.

CWU EMPLOYEES
Civil Service new hires: Anne Agars, Program Coordinator, Financial Aid; Marla Weidenaar, Secretary Senior, Department of Foreign Languages; Jennifer Rogers, Campus Police Officer, Public Safety and Police Services; Todd Ames, Campus Police Officer, Public Safety and Police Services; Andrew Bayne, Campus Police Officer, Public Safety and Police Services; Rachel Wiersma, Alumni Events Coordinator (Program Assistant), Alumni Relations; Benjamen Woodruff, Library and Archive Parapro I, Library; Rodney Solverson, Custodian 1, Business Auxiliary Custodial Services; Virginia Letson, Custodian 1, Business Auxiliary Custodial Services; Cynthia Strawder, Secretary Senior, Political Science; Rhiannon Peery, Research Technologist I, Biological Sciences.

Civil Service job changes: Barbara Bisson, Information Technology Specialist 2, Financial Aid; Janis Orthmann, Office Assistant 3, Undergraduate Studies; Susan Bentley, Secretary Senior, Art Department; Katherine von Reis Baron, Program Support Supervisor I, Registrar Services; Jillana Vanaman, Information Technology Specialist 2, Registrar Services; Tamara Morrill, Information Technology Specialist 3, Registrar Services; Sandra Stewart, Program Assistant, Career Services.

Exempt new hires: Eva Whitsett, Financial Aid Counselor, Financial Aid; Arthur Manjarrez, Academic Advisor/Supplemental Instruction Coordinator, Academic Achievement; Ramon Cardenas, Admissions Counselor, Admissions; Victor Zamora, Admissions Counselor, Admissions; Laura Jordan, Apartment Complex Coordinator, University Housing and New Student Programs.

Exempt job changes: Connie Lambert, Associate Dean of College of Educations and Professional Studies, College of Education and Professional Studies; Ethan Bergman, Associate Dean of College of Educations and Professional Studies, College of Education and Professional Studies; Gerald Connolly, Director, Education Technology Center, Education Technology Center.

To view current job openings at CWU, go to www.cwu.edu/~hr/jobs/index.html.

Poet Gladys Cardiff will begin CWU's 2006-07 Performing Arts and Presidential Speaker Series with a lecture on Tuesday. Oct. 3, in the Music Building Recital Hall. The title of her presentation is "The Paths from Every Direction."

Cardiff is of Irish and Welsh descent on her mother's side, and from the Owl clan of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians on her father's side, won the Governor's Writer's Award for her first book of poetry, "To Frighten a Storm," in 1976. She published "A Bare Unpainted Table" in 1999. A native of Seattle, Cardiff is now a professor of American Literature at Oakland University (Rochester, Michigan), where she teaches courses in creative writing, contemporary poetry, and Native American literatures. Tickets for her lecture are $7. Students with ID will be admitted free.

On Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Music Building Concert Hall, the Seattle Symphony Orchestra will take center state in the Music Building Concert Hall. During the orchestra's only performance in central Washington this year, conductor Carolyn Kuan will lead it in a repertoire of Handel's Concerto Grosso Op. 6, No. 1; Mozart's Divertimento K 131, D major; Piston's divertimento; Copland's "Appalachian Spring"; and Hovhaness's Prelude, Quadruple Fugue for Orchestra, Op. 128. Reserved seats are $45; general admission is $35 and tickets for students with I.D. are $25.

In October 1998, Matthew Shepard, a gay college student, was brutally beaten and tied to a fence to die in the Wyoming countryside. Shepard's murder helped bring to the forefront the social and legal issues surrounding hate-motivated crimes in the U.S.

Shepard's mother, Judy Shepard will share her story at CWU on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. in a free, public program in the Student Union Ballroom. The event is sponsored by the CWU Diversity Education Center's LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender/Transsexual) Initiatives, Campus Activities, Pride Foundation and Wenatchee and Kittitas County PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).

The 34th annual Yakima River Clean Up will take place Saturday, Oct. 7. The event marks the long-standing collaboration between Central and Kittitas County residents who are committed to preserving the Yakima River.

Coordinated through the Civic Engagement Center, some 200 volunteers are expected to again participate in removing about 2.5 tons of litter from the Yakima River watershed and adjacent areas, such as Irene Rinehart Park.

A major change this year that will be 30-person flotilla that will collect in-river litter and garbage from along riparian zones, sponsored by CWU's Outdoor Pursuits and Rentals.

Registration and the free "Breakfast of Champions" begin at 9:30 a.m. at the east patio of the Student Union and Recreation Center. The actual clean up slated for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All transportation, snacks and clean up materials provided, as will lunch following the clean up, at which time a drawing for prizes will also be held.

For more information, visit takeaction.u.cwu.edu.

Tickets are on sale for the fourth annual Wells Fargo Battle in Seattle for the Cascade Cup, presented by Comcast, football game Saturday, Oct. 21, at Qwest Field in Seattle between archrivals Western Washington University and Central Washington University. Kick-off is slated for 6 p.m. This will be the only meeting of the cross-state rivals during the 2006 football season and the Cascade Cup will be on the line.

Tickets are $35 reserved with Club access, $25 reserved and $15 general admission and are available at the Wildcat Shop and online at cwubookstore.collegestoreonline.com.

SUNDAY, OCT. 1
Faculty Recital: Joseph Brooks, clarinet, 4 p.m., Music Building Recital Hall

TUESDAY, OCT. 3
Classic Film Series: "The Story of the Weeping Camel," 7 p.m., Student Union Building Theatre, $3, $12 bargain pass
Performing Arts and Presidential Speaker Series: Gladys Cardiff, "The Paths from Every Direction," 7 p.m., Music Building Recital Hall, $7, free for students with ID
Law and Justice Presentation: Norm Stamper, former Seattle police chief, "War on Crime, Not Drugs," 7:30 p.m., Science Building 216

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 4
National Coming Out Day Keynote Speaker: Judy Shepard, "The Hate Crime That Changed America," 7 p.m., Student Union Building Ballroom

THURSDAY, OCT. 5
President's Annual State of the University Address: 3 p.m., Music Building Concert Hall (with a reception immediately following in the foyer)
Art Presentation: Joseph Scheer, "Night Flyers," 7 p.m., Science Building 147
Volleyball: CWU vs. Western Washington, 7 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion, $8 adults, $4 students and seniors, $2 under 12

FRIDAY, OCT. 6
Natural Science Seminar: Dr. Holly Pinkart, CWU biological sciences, "The Flu and You: An Influenza Primer," 4 p.m., Science Building 147
Opening Reception/Artist Lecture: "Virtually Sublime," Scott Bailey, 5-7 p.m. (lecture begins at 7 p.m.), Randall 117

SATURDAY, OCT. 7
Civic Engagement Center event: 34th Annual Yakima River Clean Up, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Volleyball: CWU vs. Northwest Nazarene, 7 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion, $8 adults, $4 students and seniors, $2 under 12

SUNDAY, OCT. 8
Music: Second Sunday Faculty Concert, 4 p.m., Music Building Concert Hall
Faculty Recital: Curtis Peacock, tuba, 7 p.m., Music Building Recital Hall

TUESDAY, OCT. 10
Classic Film Series: "The Squid & the Whale," 7 p.m., Student Union Building Theatre, $3, $12 bargain pass

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 11
Faculty Recital: Mark Babbitt, trombone, 7 p.m., Music Building Recital Hall

FRIDAY, OCT. 13
Soccer: CWU vs. Simon Fraser, 2 p.m., CWU soccer field

SATURDAY, OCT. 14
Football: CWU vs. Western Oregon, 1 p.m., Tomlinson Stadium, $12 adults, $5 students and seniors, $2 under 12

SUNDAY, OCT. 15
Faculty Recital: Dan Lipori, bassoon, 7 p.m., Music Building Recital Hall

TUESDAY, OCT. 17
Classic Film Series: "Howl's Moving Castle," 7 p.m., Student Union Building Theatre, $3, $12 bargain pass

THURSDAY, OCT. 19
Performing Arts and Presidential Speaker Series: Seattle Symphony, 7 p.m., Music Building Concert Hall, $45 reserved, $35 general admission, $25 students with I.D.

FRIDAY, OCT. 20
Natural Science Seminar: Peter Landolt, Yakima Agricultural Research Laboratory, Wapato, Wash., 4 p.m., Science Building 147

SATURDAY, OCT. 21
Soccer: CWU vs. Northwest Nazarene, noon, CWU soccer field
Football: "Battle in Seattle" and Cascade Cup game, CWU vs. Western Washington University, 6 p.m., Qwest Field, Seattle, $35 reserved with Club access, $25 reserved, $15 general admission

SUNDAY, OCT. 22
Music: Ellensburg Campus Chamber Orchestra, 2 p.m., Music Building Concert Hall
Guest Recital: William Chapman-Nyaho, piano, 7 p.m., Music Building Concert Hall

TUESDAY, OCT. 24
Classic Film Series: "United 93," 7 p.m., Student Union Building Theatre, $3, $12 bargain pass
Music: Jazz Combo Nite, 7 p.m., Music Building Recital Hall

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 25
Soccer: CWU vs. Seattle Pacific, 3 p.m., CWU soccer field

THURSDAY, OCT. 26
Volleyball: CWU vs. Alaska Anchorage, 7 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion, $8 adults, $4 students and seniors, $2 under 12

FRIDAY, OCT. 27
Music: Halloween Concert, CWU Symphony Orchestra, 7 p.m., Music Building Concert Hall

SATURDAY, OCT. 28
Soccer: CWU vs. Western Washington, noon, CWU soccer field
Student Recital: Bjorn Rowberg, piano, 4 p.m., Music Building Recital Hall
Volleyball: CWU vs. Alaska Fairbanks, 7 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion, $8 adults, $4 students and seniors, $2 under 12

SUNDAY, OCT. 29
Music: Quake chamber music ensemble, featuring Don Immel, 4 p.m., Music Building Recital Hall
Recital: CWU Flute Choir, 7 p.m., Music Building Recital Hall
Homecoming 2006: Opening Ceremony, Student Union and Recreation Center, 8 p.m.

MONDAY, OCT. 30
Homecoming 2006: Recreation Center Bench Press Contest, Recreation Center, 4 p.m.
Homecoming 2006: The Second City National Touring Company, Student Union Ballroom, 7 p.m.
Homecoming 2006: Opening Ceremony, Student Union and Recreation Center, 8 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCT. 31
Homecoming 2006: Halloween 5k Costume Run, Recreation Center, 4 p.m.
Homecoming 2006: "Boo Central," Student Union, 5-7 p.m.
Classic Film Series: "Pyscho," 7 p.m., Student Union Building Theatre, $3, $12 bargain pass

For other September 2006 calendar items, visit www.cwu.edu/wv3_cal