Dr. David Soltz, Central Washington University provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, announced that Dr. Sura Rath has been appointed director of CWU's Douglas Honors College (DHC) effective Sept. 16.

"Dr. Rath was chosen from a highly competitive field of outstanding candidates," Soltz says. "He brings to the university his leadership skills and his expertise in interdisciplinary, global studies."

Rath currently serves as a professor of English and is founding director of the India studies program at Louisiana State University in Shreveport (LSUS).

He was selected from among those who applied during a nationwide search, screened by a university search committee comprised of faculty, staff and students. Dr. Linda Beath, associate vice president for undergraduate studies, chaired the committee.

During his 18 years at LSUS, Rath has been involved with a variety of administrative roles, including assistant to the provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs, and chair of the English department. In addition, he is the founding president of the Flannery O'Connor International Society and currently serves as president for the Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association and co-editor of the "Journal of Contemporary Thought."

"LSU-Shreveport is a 'teaching' institution, so my research projects and scholarship activities have either developed from what I teach or led to courses I have developed," Rath notes. "I believe teaching and scholarship complement each other, and often involve my students - undergraduate and graduate - and junior colleagues in my projects."

Rath also serves as a board member of the Multicultural Center of the South, a tri-state organization promoting cultural diversity in the tourism industry of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, and has provided leadership to the Indian Cultural Society student group and the community-based India Association of Shreveport.

He earned his bachelor's degree in English at Ravenshaw College, in India; two master's degrees in English: one from Tulane University and the second from Utkal University, in India; and his doctorate in English literature from Texas A&M.

As the DHC director, Rath will oversee a program, founded in 1977, to serve academically talented students. Its goal is the pursuit of excellence in university education through basic studies in the liberal arts and sciences.

Named for the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, a Yakima native, DHC encourages intellectual breadth, academic curiosity and the fusion of scholarship and everyday life that Douglas personified.

Central Washington University awarded 1,836 bachelor's and 253 master's degrees to students who completed their coursework during the 2002-03 academic year. Commencement ceremonies were held in Ellensburg and, for CWU's westside graduates, at Highline Community College.

"Learning is not a task that you complete, it's a process to be continued," Bob Moawad, founder and chairman of Edge Learning Institute, told graduates participating in the 112th CWU commencement June 14 at Tomlinson Stadium on the Ellensburg campus.

Moawad, a CWU alumnus from Tacoma, is an internationally acclaimed leader in human development and change management. Moawad was named a distinguished university alumnus in 1994 and was inducted into the CWU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.

"Success is all about the journey," he said. "There is no destination. It's not when you graduate from the university. It's not when you get a new job, a raise and get your first new car. It's not when you get married. It's not when you have children. It's not when you become a grandparent. We need purpose. What is your vision, graduates?"

Moawad offered several suggestions to the graduates, including to continuously try to improve their skills and abilities and to fall in love with their careers.

"If you fall in love with what you do, work will be a beautiful four-letter word," he said. "You'll never have a 'job.'"

Nearly 1,100 students participated in Central's graduation ceremony.

CWU alumnus Mark Pearson, a senior partner in the accounting firm of Ernst & Young, presented "a few simple lessons that I've learned since leaving Central" to graduates participating in the 19th CWU westside commencement June 15.and I do this because I try to be an active representative of the university and a good role model."

One of the lessons Pearson offered was to avoid compromise when it matters.

"There are many times when compromise is necessary and appropriate, but not always," he said. "Some of the greatest lessons I've learned come from the times I've compromised on issues when I knew what I was settling for was a bad answer. Don't be afraid to hold out for what you know is right - it will always be worth it."

Pearson encouraged the CWU Class of 2003 to be willing to stretch themselves.

"Don't be afraid to be uncomfortable," he added. "Always strive to be just a little more than you think you can. Don't just do what's safe or what's easy. There's no reward in taking that route. In business, and in my personal life, I've gotten the greatest satisfaction from successfully doing those things I wasn't certain I could do or do well."

Pearson serves as Ernst & Young's director of Assurance and Advisory Business Services (AABS) Standards and Methodology. In that role, he is responsible for the company's technical auditing guidance and its Global Audit Methodology.

Graduates from CWU's Lynnwood, SeaTac and Pierce County centers, along with friends and family members, heard Pearson's address. The CWU centers are designed primarily to serve students whose professional or family obligations prevent them from leaving their communities.

CWU has centers in Wenatchee, Moses Lake and Yakima. More than 20 percent of CWU's graduates earn their degrees at university centers.

COLLABORATION TO IMPACT RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS

Central Washington University's office of business and financial affairs and the office of student affairs and enrollment management have combined housing and residence life and arranged it under the management of student affairs. The unit will be led by Stacy Klippenstein.

The change will allow student affairs and enrollment management the opportunity to implement goals related to retention and co-curricular initiatives in all aspects of on-campus housing, university officials explained. Business and financial affairs will retain many financial and facilities planning responsibilities.

"We see this as a positive collaboration between two divisions - both with similar goals and specific strengths that will, when combined, positively impact the residential students at Central Washington University," university officials said.

Ken Baxter will become director of conference and retail services. He will continue to be responsible for the conference program and printing services, and will assume responsibility for the University Store and all custodial services related to housing and conference services. This will enhance the seamless delivery of services to our students and our conference guests throughout the year.

CERT PROGRAM OFFERS TRAINING COURSE

Would you like to gain the skills and knowledge to ensure that your family, friends, home and business are secure in the event of a disaster? The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program teaches how to save life and property while minimizing the damage and risk to the rescuer. Individuals with the critical skills and knowledge gained from this seven-week course are a valuable asset to their neighborhood and community. The course begins on July 16 and continues each Wednesday night, culminating with the simulated disaster on Saturday morning, Aug. 23.

This Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) curriculum teaches: Disaster Preparedness; Disaster Fire Suppression; Disaster Medical-Part I; Disaster Medical-Part II; Light Search & Rescue; Disaster Psychology & Team Organization; and Disaster Simulation-A real-life simulation of an actual disaster scenario.

The $15 fee helps offset the cost of materials, certificate of completion, and the comprehensive manual you receive on completion of the course. If you, your neighbors, employer or employees are interested in gaining these valuable skills, or need additional information, please call 509-962-4311 for an enrollment form.

This program is sponsored by the Retired Senior and Volunteer Program and Ellensburg Fire Department.

CWU GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDENTS WIN AWARDS

Two CWU graphic design students took two of the top three places at the 11th Annual Northwest Graphic Design Portfolio Competition, sponsored by the Seattle Chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA).

Seniors Robert Wees, from Boise, Idaho, and Nicole Owens, Veradale, were selected for top honors in the "Trapeze Awards" competition, which recognizes the best portfolios of students graduating with degrees in graphic design.

"The portfolios were judged for depth of work, consistency of pieces and style, overall presentation, and for originality with writing, research of content, photography and illustrations," Melody Christensen, the competition coordinator for AIGA Seattle, says. "These are two exceptionally talented students. But, having two students in the top three also shows the quality of Central's graphic design program and its director Glen Bach."

The top three, including Wees and Owens, will have their conference fees paid to the National AIGA Conference in Vancouver, B.C., in October.

AIGA, a non-profit educational organization founded in 1914, represents more than 15,000 designers through national activities and local programs developed by more than 40 chapters and 80 student groups.

FACULTY PAPER PUBLISHED

Mary Ellen Reimund's paper "Mediation in Criminal Justice: A Restorative Approach" was published May 2003 in "The Advocate" (Idaho State Bar Association publication). The article coincided with a two-day training, "Mediating the Criminal Case," sponsored by the Northwest Institute for Dispute Resolution, University of Idaho, College of Law for lawyers and law students. Reimund was an instructor along with Honorable Judge Monte Carlson, District Judge, Idaho's Fifth Judicial District, and Professor Maureen E. Laflin, director of clinical programs at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Also, Reimund and James Roberts, both law and justice faculty, were part of the organizing committee at the statewide Third Annual Restorative Justice Conference, "Community, Justice and Reconciliation" and Victim Offender Training in Ellensburg last spring.

IN MEMORY

CWU alumnus John E. Pollock passed away Friday, June 20, as the result of injuries sustained in a head-on collision on U.S. Highway 97 near Yakima.

Pollock, 39, who received his bachelor's degree in elementary education and initial teaching certificate in December 2002, took graduate level classes at CWU through this past spring quarter. He was recently hired by the Battle Ground School District.

Pollock is survived by his son John Michael Pollock, parents John and Marilyn Pollock, an uncle and four nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to Olympic Theatre Arts, P.O. Box 1474, Sequim, WA 98382.

CWU EMPLOYEES

Civil Service new hires: Judy Drexler, Office Assistant I, Human Resources.

Civil Service job changes: Karen Koontz, Secretary Senior, University Housing & New Student Programs; Judy McNeil, Program Assistant, Dining Services; Rose Spodobalski-Brower, Program Support Supervisor I, Registrar Services; Teresa Vadnais, Conference Coordinator II, Conference & Retail Services; and Crystal Weddington, Information Technology Applications Specialist I, Enterprise Information Systems.

CWU'S NEW ADDRESS ANNOUNCED

On Jan. 15, 2004, Central Washington University's address will change to 400 East University Way. Even though the new address will not be "official" until then, the U.S. Postal Service will begin delivery to the new address effective Aug. 1. The old address will be processed until January 2005 - one year following the official change.

The official address is:

Department Name
Central Washington University
400 East University Way
Ellensburg WA 98926-(mail stop)

All letterhead, envelopes, business cards, Web sites and publications will begin using the new address.

Please note that the department's building and room number are not included in the official address. If departments need to publicize their building and room number, it should be included along with the department's telephone number, fax number or other contact information, but not in the official address.

If departments have previously ordered negatives for letterhead and envelopes with the new signature/logo, there is no need to contact Graphics Productions for updated negatives. New negatives will be available mid-July.

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION BEGINS

Central Washington University's Discover Program, a new student orientation, continues this month with four more sessions, including one for transfer students.

This summer's Discover event, which started July 7-8, is expected to attract 3,000 students, parents and family. The program allows new students to register, begin the transition to college process, meet with faculty and staff, and learn about resources. The remaining two-day programs are July 10-11, July 14-15 and July 17-18. The day for transfer students is July 28.

CWU ROTC STAFF MEMBER RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD

The Commandant of Cadets for the Central Washington University Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps "Wildcat Battalion" was recently honored by being named the winner of a "2003 U.S. Army Cadet Command Award for Excellence" at the annual national awards banquet.

Army Master Sgt. Alan C. Buford was presented the "Meritorious Service Medal" for being named the Cadet Command's top "Enlisted Instructor of Military Science" for 2003 during the May 21 ceremony at San Antonio, Texas.

"It is an honor to be recognized by the U.S. Army Cadet Command as the top enlisted instructor of the year," said Buford. "The Central Washington University Army ROTC program is filled with dedicated cadre members and staff who all work very hard to develop the cadets into commissioned officers for the U.S. Army, Army Reserves and the Washington Army National Guard.

The CWU Army ROTC program is ranked in the top 20 percent in the nation.

"The cadets in the CWU Army ROTC program are a very motivated group of young Americans," Buford said. "It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to serve as one of their primary instructors. It was a role that I took very seriously. They have very high expectations of the cadre members and it was a challenge to live up to them."

CWU JOB OPENINGS

Searches are under way for the following positions. You can access the CWU home page (www.cwu.edu/~hr/jobs) or the Job Line at (509) 963-1562.

Faculty:

• Accounting Instructor, two positions, Jay Forsyth, 963-3340;
• American Sign Language, Lecturer, Dr. Natalie Lefkowitz, 963-3328;
• Assistant Men's Basketball Coach, Greg Sparling, 963-1926;
• Earth Materials/Mineralogy, Assistant Professor, 963-2801;
• General Chemistry, Temporary, non-tenure track, Lisa Stowe, 963-2811;
• Mathematics, Search Committee, 963-2103.

Exempt:

• Assistant Athletic Director for Business Affairs, Paula Romeo, 963-1914;
• Associate Vice President for Business & Financial Affairs, Shirley Sadler, 963-2323.

Civil Service:

• Accountant/Accountant, Principal/Accountant, Senior;
• Credentials Evaluator II, July 16;
• Curriculum Advisor, July 18;
• Early Childhood Program Specialist, July 31;
• Office Assistant Positions, July 16;
• Scheduling Center Supervisor, July 14;
• Scientific Instructional Technician II, July 25;
• Secretarial Support Positions, July 16.

MONDAY, JULY 14
Discover: New Student Orientation, through July 15

THURSDAY, JULY 17
Discover: New Student Orientation, through July 18
Presentation: "Exploring Kittitas County," by members of the Wanapum tribe from Vantage, Wanapum Culture and actual tule-mat making, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., north side of Farrell Hall

WEDNESDAY, JULY 23
Summer first session closes

THURSDAY, JULY 24
Summer second session begins

MONDAY, JULY 28
Discover: Transfer Student Orientation

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7
Retreat: CWU Board of Trustees, through Aug. 8

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8
Summer six-week session closes

MONDAY, AUGUST 11
Groundbreaking Ceremony: CWU-Des Moines Center, Highline Community College

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22
Summer second and full sessions close