Greetings,

As we head into winter break and the holiday season, I would like to highlight a particularly noteworthy accomplishment, to encourage all of you to participate in planning for the university's future, and to remind you that the university-wide holiday party is planned for this coming Thursday afternoon.

Professor of the Year for Washington State: As you have already heard, Dr. Bruce Palmquist, CWU professor of physics and science education, has been selected as the Professor of the Year for Washington State by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Dr. Palmquist's record as a teacher, scholar, and public servant, which resulted in his selection as the CWU Distinguished Professor of the University - Public Service in 2004, provided the evidence that the CASE and Carnegie selection team looks for in its candidates. Recipients are selected in four institutional categories: baccalaureate colleges, community colleges, master's universities and colleges (the category in which Central's candidates compete), and doctoral and research universities. Our faculty have done extraordinarily well in this competition, having received this honor in three of the last seven years. Dr. Palmquist joins Dr. Jim Nimnicht, business administration, honored in 1999; and Dr. Terry Martin, English, honored in 2003. This record of success confirms that faculty at Central take their teaching role seriously and that they excel in this very demanding arena. Congratulations, Bruce, but congratulations as well to our entire faculty who devote themselves to excellent teaching. I appreciate your dedication, but more important, our students appreciate it and enjoy a lifetime of benefits because of it.

Planning at Central: I'd also like to remind everyone that there are several planning initiatives under way at the university, and each of you has an opportunity to participate. The strategic planning synthesizing committee is soliciting individual comments on a survey that is available online at www.cwu.edu/president/stratplan/. Comments on the survey will form the basis for forums to be held in winter quarter in preparation for revising and extending the current strategic plan. To date, the committee has received responses from 50 students, faculty, exempt employees, and classified staff. They hope to hear from many more of you between now and January 9.

The division of academic affairs is also planning for its future. Faculty members have had several opportunities to comment on the academic plan. The faculty senate executive committee and the provost have asked the deans to provide another opportunity for input at the faculty development day on December 5.

Holiday Party: And finally, I hope you all will be able to join David and me on Thursday, December 1, for the holiday party. Faculty, exempt employees, and classified staff and their guests are invited to attend this annual celebration in the César E. Chávez Theatre in the Samuelson Union Building from 4:00 - 6:00 PM. In case I don't see you there, please accept my wishes for a restful and joyous holiday season.

Sincerely,

Jerilyn S. McIntyre
President

Dr. John Jay Harper, a 1977 CWU graduate in psychology, has published a new book, "Tranceformers: Shamans of the 21st Century," that explores the near- death experience within the framework of both science and religion. It recounts his 1988 after- death visitation from a deceased physicist colleague and the subsequent communication that forced him to seek scientific answers to a variety of spiritual questions that this evoked.

"After immersing myself for 15 years into astrology, biology, computer science, genetics, mythology, physics, psychology, medicine, sacred geometry and theology, I finally did find the Rosetta Stone that deciphered ancient visions into modern wisdom," Harper says. "I learned that we are becoming fifth- dimensional beings of light with third eye open, telepathic, psychic solar powers, as both Egyptian and Mayan mythology documented was the case for those civilizations."

Harper, 54, now a clinical hypnotherapist research scientist and writer on these topics in Spokane, is also the director of the "American Delphi Academy," a non- profit educational research corporation focused on body- mind- spirit wellness promotion. He previously served as a clinical mental health counselor with the Defense Department. A disabled Vietnam- Era veteran of the U.S. Army, he has also worked as an electronics and computer specialist in avionics, missilery and nuclear submarines in Europe and the USA.

Harper says the book may be made into a feature- length film. More information is available on his website www.johnjayharper.com.

Dr. Steve Nourse, from the CWU College of Education and Professional Studies, has received the Governor's Trophy in Memory of Carolyn Blair Brown Award. It is the state's highest honor recognizing a person with a disability who has significantly enhanced the empowerment of individuals with disabilities in the workforce and in the community.

Nourse is an early childhood education professor and field supervisor at CWU-Des Moines, he has taught undergraduate and graduate courses and supervises student teachers.

"As an individual, the most important thing we can do is help others in our jobs and community," Nourse says.

The annual recognition is made in memory of Carolyn Blair Brown, an early advocate of civil rights for those with disabilities and the first recipient of the award. Nominees are rated on their involvement in making positive changes in the disability community at the local, state, and national level. Considerations include volunteer activities, community services, recognition from other disability organizations, and dedication to disability issues.

"I was pleased that in the materials that were presented to the group for consideration, and at the awards ceremony, significantly referenced CWU," Nourse notes.

Nourse holds a bachelor's degree in special education from CWU, a master's degree in social work in physical disabilities and a Ph.D. in special education both from the University of Washington.

At its meeting Friday, Dec. 2 in Ellensburg, the CWU board of trustees (BOT) will discuss potential changes to the university's room and board rates, along with a variety of other matters. The eight-member board that will convene its regular meeting Friday at 1 p.m. in Barge 412.

Prior to its afternoon meeting, the CWU governing board will participate in an 8:30 a.m. tour of the new CWU recreation center and meet in individual committee sessions -- on academic affairs, resource development and student affairs -- at 9:30 a.m.

Board members will convene as a committee of the whole at 10:30 a.m. to discuss the room and board rate adjustment for the 2006-07 academic year. They had previously approved a 6 percent increase in housing and dining rates for the fall of 2006. However, because of the continuously increasing prices for goods, energy and labor, an upward adjustment is being considered. The revised rate will be presented at the trustees' February meeting for approval.

At 11 a.m., trustees will hear a report from CWU President Jerilyn S. McIntyre, followed by lunch.

At the 1 p.m. regular meeting, trustees will consider adopting an academic fee request for certain biology, computer science, information technology and psychology courses to help defray the costs of software, supplies and field-trip transportation. The fees range from $10 to $70 per quarter.

The BOT will also discuss revisions to "Exempt Employees' Code of Personnel Policy and Procedure." The proposed changes were approved by the Exempt Employees' Association in October and make the code consistent with CWU policy language and current practices.

The consent agenda includes a variety of faculty and exempt staff personnel actions and reports. Trustees have also slated an executive session at the end of the public meeting, to discuss a collective bargaining matter.

Chris Hull, CWU science building custodian, has been honored as the university's October civil service "Employee of the Month."

Those nominating Hull said:

• "Chris is always looking for ways to do her job quicker or more efficiently";
• "She is willing to lend a hand to the other custodians in the building if they have a large project to be completed"; and
• "Chris takes care of those little details that make the difference to the customer. She is pure sunshine everyday."

During a recent surprise ceremony, she received a certificate and $125 from the president's discretionary fund, through the CWU civil service employee recognition program.

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/index.html.

Drs. Kimberlee BARTEL, Lori BRAUNSTEIN, Robert LUPTON, David RAWLINSON and Connie ROBERTS (information technology and administrative management) attended the 7th annual "Working Connections Workshop" in August. The weeklong workshop was designed to teach faculty emerging technologies. ROBERTS attended the project management track, BARTEL attended the wireless technology track and BRAUNSTEIN, LUPTON and RAWLINSON attended the database and web technology track. In addition to attending the workshop, the professors worked with community college colleagues in building articulation agreements for the new Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology and Administrative Management degree.

Sarah BRITTO (law and justice) and students Tycy HUGHES, Colin STROH and Kurt SALTZMAN have had a paper, "Deconstructing the Meaning of 'Special' in 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit,'" accepted for presentation at the 2006 American Criminal Justice Society annual meeting in Baltimore. BRITTO has also been invited to be a guest speaker at the Youth Violence Prevention Conference hosted by the University of Missouri St. Louis in April.

Teresa FRANCIS (law and justice) has had a paper, "Cruel and Unusual Punishment: Prison Health Care Privatization in the Jails and Prisons," accepted for presentation at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences at the 2006 annual meeting in Baltimore.

Dr. Steve JEFFERIES (health, human performance and recreation) recently had an article, "Promote healthy and active lifestyles: Organize a physical education summer camp," published in the journal Strategies, and "What can physical educators learn from coaches?" in the journal Teaching Elementary Physical Education.

C. Christopher LEE (business administration) had his co-authored paper, "Dynamical Volatilities for Yen-Dollar Exchange Rates" published in the Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Vol. 359, Issue 1 (January 2006), Pages 569-575. The Physica A is a refereed scholarly journal listed in the Science Citation Index (SCI).

Mary Ellen REIMUND (law and justice) and former student Christine HENDERSON presented a paper, "Confidentiality and Victim Offender Mediation," at the International Victim Offender Mediation Association conference in Philadelphia on Oct. 28.

Key SUN (law and justice) has had a paper, "The hate offender's mens rea, victim salience, and intergroup conflict," accepted for presentation at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. Mens rea is a culpable mental state, especially involving intent or knowledge and forming an element of a criminal offense. SUN had a second paper, "The legal definition of hate crime and the hate offender's distorted cognitions" accepted for publication in Issues in Mental Health Nursing.

CWU EMPLOYEES

Civil Service new hires: Patrick Coffey, Program Assistant, Registrar Services; Fan Qi, Cook, Dining Services; George Hansen, Custodian Lead, Dining Services; Karen Henderson, Secretary Senior, Business Services and Contracts.

Civil Service job change: James Bertella, Cook, Dining Services; Rolanda Miller, Food Service Supervisor II, Dining Services.

Exempt new hires: Becky Watson, Director, Public Relations and Marketing, Office of Public Relations and Marketing.

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

CWU COMBINED FUND DRIVE CONCLUDES FRIDAY

As of the last official tally on Nov. 15, CWU employees have pledged $22,368 to the 21st annual Combined Fund Drive (CFD) campaign. That's an increase of $814 from last year. Statewide, more than $5.46 million has been raised, as we on track to meet Gov. Gregoire's challenge to exceed last year's $5.46 million pledge total. Friday, Dec. 2 is the official last day of the CWU Combined Fund Drive effort.

If you've been considering making a donation, please do so online at www.cfd.wa.gov. Payroll deductions are a great way to give because they save you time, give you the freedom to donate to a cause in which you believe and cut down on burdensome administrative costs to charities.

For complete information about giving to the CWU CFD visit www.cwu.edu/~relation/cfd.html.

INAUGURAL 'SHOWDOWN IN THE SOUND' COMES UP DECEMBER 17

Following on the heels of the successful football "Battle in Seattle" at Qwest Field, the CWU and Western Washington men's and women's basketball teams will square off in the inaugural "Showdown in the Sound" Saturday, Dec. 17, at Key Arena in Seattle. The women's game tips off at 5 p.m. and men's action will follow at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the University Store and Ticketmaster in the SUB. They range in price from $10 to $75.
For complete information about "The Showdown In The Sound," please visit www.cwu.edu/~relation/pr-nov17-05.html.

SKI OR SNOWBOARD AT MISSION RIDGE THIS WINTER

The health, human performance and recreation (HHPR) department is sponsoring a bus on four consecutive Sundays for skiers and snowboarders wanting to go to Mission Ridge. The dates are Jan. 8, 22 and 29, and Feb. 5. For those wanting credit, it's available through PEID 128/129. However, that is not a requirement to enjoy stress-free transportation on a luxury bus to the foot of the slopes and back to Ellensburg.

Mission Ridge offers dry snow and challenging terrain for all ability levels and this year features a new high-speed quad lift.

Costs and registration details are available on at HHPR department in Nicholson Pavilion or by calling ext. 1911. Space is limited.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1
Guest recital: Bradley Howard and Lee Thompson, tenor and piano, 6 p.m., Music Building Recital Hall
Music: Wind Ensemble concert, 7 p.m., Music Building Concert Hall

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2
Music: Jazz Nite, 7 p.m., Music Building Concert Hall
Natural Science Seminar: Dr. Linda Raubeson, biological sciences professor, "Insights into seed plant phylogeny from comparative chloroplast genomics," 4 p.m., Science Building 147
Ware Fair: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Samuelson Union Building (SUB)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3
Campus Life: "Santa Comes to Central," 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., SUB Pit
Music: String Quartet performance, 2 p.m., Music Building Recital Hall
Music: Guitar Ensemble recital, 7 p.m., Music Building Recital Hall
Performing Arts and Presidential Speaker Series: "Jazz Nutcracker," 4 p.m., Music Building Concert Hall, $10 adults, $8 seniors and $5 students
Ware Fare: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., SUB

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4
Music: Symphony Orchestra concert, 4 p.m., Music Building Concert Hall

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5
Finals week begins
Music: Preparatory String Program recital, 6 p.m., Music Building Concert Hall

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9
Fall quarter ends
Music: Preparatory Choir Program recital, 7 p.m., Music Building Concert Hall

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11
Music: Second Sunday Faculty Holiday Concert, 4 p.m., Music Building Concert Hall

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13
Men's basketball: CWU vs. Puget Sound Christian, 7 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion, $5 adults, $3 students and seniors, $2 under 12

MONDAY, DECEMBER 26
Holiday: Christmas Day (Observed)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29
Women's basketball: CWU vs. Seattle Pacific, 5:30 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion, $5 adults, $3 students and seniors, $2 under 12
Men's basketball: CWU vs. Alaska Fairbanks, 7:30 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion, $5 adults, $3 students and seniors, $2 under 12

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31
Women's basketball: CWU vs. Northwest Nazarene, 2 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion, $5 adults, $3 students and seniors, $2 under 12
Men's basketball: CWU vs. Alaska Anchorage, 4 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion, $5 adults, $3 students and seniors, $2 under 12

For other events, please visit the Major University Events site.