January 28 – February 3, 2013

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC

  • Career advising (walk in, no appointment needed): Wednesdays 2:00-5:00pm, GLC Lobby
  • Cook Counseling (walk in, no appointment needed): Thursdays and Fridays 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room
  • GLC Café: 3:30-5:00 every Thursdays, Reading Room
  • Statistical consulting by LISA: Weekdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room; find out each consultant’s software expertise here: http://www.lisa.stat.vt.edu/?q=walk_in
  • Writing Center support for grads: Thursdays 4:00-6:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room (additional hours are available in the Library)

2. JESUS & WOMEN? – AN OVERVIEW OF THE GOSPELS
Monday, Jan 28, 7:30-9:00pm, GLC Room C
At a time when some prayed “Blessed art thou O Lord that you have not made me a gentile, a slave or a woman,” we see the Rabbi Jesus having dramatically different interactions with women. Come and see Jesus in his own words – teaching, interacting with and empowering women. Sponsored by InterVarsity Graduate Christian Fellowship. Learn more>>.

3. RESUME 101 FOR INTL STUDENTS
Tuesday, Jan 29, 4:00-5:00pm, Cranwell International Center
Get some expert guidance on how to create a resume for your job search in the United States. This workshop is offered by the Career Services Center.

4. SHORT STAT COURSE: DESIGNING EXPERIMENTS AND COLELCTING USEFUL DATA
Tuesday, Jan 29, 4:00-6:00pm, GLC Room G
Across all disciplines, the ability to test theories by experimentation is vital for validation and discovery.  When designing an experiment, the researcher hopes to maximize the obtained information by reducing wasted resources and allocating treatments in such a way as to minimize variances. In this course the basic principles of experimental design will be given and specific designs discussed, including completely randomized designs and optimal blocking strategies. For each design participants will discuss implementation, appropriate analysis and provide examples in SAS.  Learn more and register >>.

5. COUPONING 101 WORKSHOP
Tuesday, Jan 29, 5:00pm, GLC Room C
Learn the technique of couponing and other money-saving strategies specific to the New River Valley. Light refreshments will be served. If you aren’t able to attend but would like a copy of the Power Point slides from the workshop, please email Lauren Surface.

6. WRITING A WINNING RESUME
Wednesday, Jan 30, 5:30pm, GLC Room G
If you are planning an industry, government, or non-tenure track educational job search, having a well polished resume is the most critical step toward getting an interview. Start early to be ready for September and October career fairs and on-campus interviews. Contact Amy McPherson if you have questions.

7. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Jan 31, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
The GLC Café is offered throughout the year with free coffee, tea and cookies in the company of your graduate-student and Grad-School colleagues.

8. CAREER FAIR PREP FOR INTL STUDENTS
Firday, Feb 1, 4:00-5:00pm, Cranwell International Center
Learn how to present yourself effectively at career fairs in the U.S. This workshop is offered by the Career Services Center.

9. WELCOME BACK SOCIAL FOR GRAD STUDENTS
Friday, Feb 1, 4:30-6:30pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Enjoy music, free food, games and more at this welcome-back social for graduate students! Bring your appetite, friends and family. Sponsored by the GLC Fellows and Graduate Student Assembly.

10. APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY HONOR SOCIETY – 1st posting
Iota Delta Rho, the Interdisiplinary Research Honor Society at VT is accepting membership applications starting today, Monday Jan 28 through through Friday, Feb 15. There are two different levels of honor society membership: full and associate. Download the application package >>. Direct questions to Tammy Parece, Vice President of Membership, at tammyep@vt.edu.

11. GET INVOLVED IN NEW SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY ORGANIZATION – 1st posting
Are you  interested in learning more about how science and engineering can influence and be influenced by policy decisions? Would you like the opportunity to experience policy-related activities such as going to Washington, DC to discuss issues in science and technology with members of Congress? If yes, please fill out this short survey so that organizers may contact you about upcoming meetings and plan events that you want! Email Amanda Shea  with any questions.

12. FREE STATS ASSISTANCE FOR GRADS FROM LISA

Walk-in consulting services at the Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis=LISA) begin on Jan 22 and will be available until May 8 Monday-Friday 1:00-3:00pm in the GLC Videoconference Room; additional times and locations available at www.lisa.stat.vt.edu. Statistical consultants answer quick questions and help with research projects requiring less than 30 minutes of assistance.  For more in-depth questions or longer projects, complete the LISA Collaboration Request Form at www.lisa.stat.vt.edu and a team of statistical collaborators will be assigned to work with you. LISA also offers short courses on various topics:
Jan 29: Designing Experiments and Collecting Useful Data;
Feb 5: A Tutorial in T-Tests and ANOVA in JMP;
Feb 12: Regression Analysis Using JMP;
Feb 18: Introduction to R, Part I;
Feb 19: Introduction to R, Part I;
Feb 25: Introduction to R, Part II;
Feb 26: Introduction to R, Part III;
Mar 5: How to make plots to tell the story of your data;
Mar 18: Data Mining Basics;
Mar 19: Data Mining Basics;
Mar 26: Classification and Regression Trees (CART);

13. APPLICATIONS NOW ACCEPTED FOR GRAD BOV REP POSITION – 2nd posting
Applications for the graduate representative for the Board of Visitors (BOV) are now being accepted.  The graduate student representative to the BOV serves as a liaison between graduate students and the board.  This position will give a graduate student an opportunity to broaden his/her experiences and learn from direct participation about how decisions are made that affect the university. Applications are due by Friday, Feb 15, 2013.  More information>>. Please encourage deserving peers to apply.  Contact current BOV grad rep Robyn Jones with any questions.

14. NOMINATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS OPEN – deadline Feb 1
A number of prestigious awards are granted to graduate students each year, carrying a monetary prize ($500-$1000 each) and award certificate. Consider applying or discuss the possibility of your nomination by your advisor/department for any of the following awards that will be given out during the Graduate School’s annual awards banquet on March 28, 2013:
– Outstanding Dissertation in (1) math, sciences and engineering, and (1) in social sciences, business and humanities
– Graduate Student Teaching Excellence
– Graduate Student Service Excellence
– Graduate Man and Woman of the Year
– Outstanding master’s and doctoral student in each college and in interdisciplinary programs
More information about criteria, forms, and process for nomination>>.

15. GRAD 5984: FROM MEMEX TO YOUTUBE: COGNITION, LEARNING AND THE INTERNET
T,R, 9:30-10:45am, taught by Dr. Gardner Campbell
How is Wikipedia not simply a reference work, but a learning environment and a community of practice? How does Google both model and shape human cognition? How does Twitter both represent and stimulate collective intelligence? This course explores the intersections of computing, information science, education, Internet studies, the humanities, and the visual and performing arts, as well as the crucial and long-contested relationships among making, doing, and knowing. The course includes readings, hands-on experiences with blogging, tweeting, social bookmarking, and other Web 2.0 affordances, as well as student-led class presentations and student-selected projects. Read more at http://gardnercampbell.wetpaint.com/page/vtclis13, or contact Dr. Campbell.

16. SPRING GRAD COURSE OFFERING: EFFECTIVE ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT FOR HIGHER ED
CRN 18694 Thursday 6:00-8:50 PM
Taught by Ray Van Dyke, this course provides an overview of assessment principles and practices in contemporary higher education. The course promotes a general understanding of academic assessment, as well as the assessment of ancillary programs that support academic quality. The course prepares the future professoriate to design and implement successful assessment practices that enhance teaching and learning.

17. SPRING COURSE: GRAD5304 PREPARING THE FUTURE CAREER PROFESSIONAL
Tuesdays, 1:00-3:30pm, spring 2013
This class is designed to provide graduate students with knowledge, skills and abilities to prepare for employment in industry, business, government, research development and non-profit worlds. Topics will include communication, collaboration/teamwork, motivation, workplace and community ethics, leadership, building relationships, starting a business, managing change, writing a resume and cover letter, and working in a diverse environment.

18. WAGE POSITION OPENING IN MARKETING DEPARTMENT
Teaching assistant (not GTA) sought for Marketing Strategy course (Ugrad/MBA). Average under 10 hrs/wk (distribution varies) at $12/hr (no tuition assistance). Must be master’s or doctoral student; familiar with Scholar; knowledgeable in Excel; detail oriented; able to execute tasks quickly and accurately; reliable. Must have very good English (native preferred, but not required), sufficient available time. Restrictions: international students with existing full-time GTA/GA/GRA contracts should not apply; no first year MBA students. To apply, email your resume and a cover letter conveying your interest/a summary of relevant experience to yael@vt.edu with subject line “Teaching Assistant Application”.

19. REVIEWERS NEEDED FOR GSA GRADUATE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PROPOSALS – 1st posting
Join the Graduate Research Development Program (GRDP) Panel of Reviewers and learn more about the grant proposal writing and review process. GRDP provides graduate students from any department with an opportunity to apply for funding for their research projects. The application cycle is open once per semester and graduate students from all departments are needed to review these applications.  No experience is necessary. If you are interested in joining the panel, please fill out this survey.  For more information, contact Amanda Shea at ashea04@vt.edu.

20. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR BALANCE/GAIT STUDY – 1st posting

Female subjects are needed for a study investigating balance and gait. The study will take place in Kevin P Granata Biomechanics Lab in 208 Norris Hall. The study will take about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete, and subjects will be paid $20 for their participation. If you are interested, please email your name, age, height, and weight to biomechanics.esm@gmail.com. Overweight individuals are especially needed.

21. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON TALKING WITH CHILDREN ABOUT EMOTIONAL EVENTS – 1st posting

Do you have a 3-5 year old child (pre-kindergarten)?  If so, researchers would love to see you for a fun research study with two VT doctoral students who are interested in how you and your child talk about emotional events along with your child’s understanding of emotions and their language ability. The visit will take about an hour to complete and you will receive a $10 Target gift card for participating.  Child care for brothers and sisters is available if needed.  For more information, please email or call 540-231-1390.

22. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON MOTHERS AND CHILDREN – 3rd posting
Are you a mother who sometimes worries or has fears? Do you have a child between 7 and 12 years of age? A new study is investigating how mothers and children interpret situations in their day-to-day lives. The study is being conducted at the Child Study Center at 460 Turner Street, Suite 207, Blacksburg. For more information please contact Kristin Austin  or call 540-231-8276. Compensation: $50.

23. UPCOMING EVENTS:

MY PRESIDENT IS BLACK: EXPLORING THE ROLE AND INFLUENCE OF BLACK LEADERSHIP IN AMERICA
Tuesday, Feb 5, 6:00pm, GLC Room F
The Blacksburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta invites you to participate in this Black History Month 2013 program. As integration and progression have been seen in multiple contexts in America, the African-American leaders have remained present. Though many Americans are proud of these leaders and the work they continue to do, some may argue that the “relevance” of African-American leaders has diminished. Others may feel confused about which communities African-American leaders are supporting or feel that leaders have become complacent. Join this interactive forum to delve deeper into the role and influence of Black leadership. All opinions, perceptions, and experiences are welcome. Light refreshments will be served. Contact Kacie Allen at kaciea1@vt.edu with any questions.

LUNCH WITH THE DEAN
Wednesday, Feb 6, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room B
Meet Graduate School Dean Dr. Karen DePauw and several graduate student leaders at this free lunch and learn about the latest in graduate education. Share your perspectives in a casual setting. While this program is primarily targeted to new students, returning students who haven’t had a chance to participate in previous lunches with the dean are also welcome to sign up. Registration required.

I LOVE BLACK HISTORY MONTH: SPEED NETWORKING LUNCHEON
Thursday, Feb 7, 11:30am-1:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
The Black Graduate Student Organization, Multicultural Programs and Services, and the Graduate School’s Office of Recruitment and Diversity Initiatives invite you to attend this networking event. Please register if you are interested in attending. The event is free and lunch is provided. This is a great opportunity to meet other students, faculty, and staff. Contact Dannette@vt.edu if you have any questions.

CREATING A CAREER PATH IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Friday, Feb 8, 11:00am-12:00pm, GLC Room B
Join a conversation with Dr. Dianne Boardley Suber, President of St. Augustine’s University, who will be speaking about creating career paths in higher education. This program is sponsored by the Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program (MAOP).  For more information contact: Delight Yokley, b18409y@vt.edu or Dr. Jody Thompson, jodyt@vt.edu.

GSA/QG&A SPEED DATING
Friday, Feb 8, 7:00-9:30pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
The Graduate Student Assembly is partnering with Queer Grads and Allies for this Valentine’s Speed Dating event, catering to both the straight and the LGBTQ community; please register and participate so that this event can be a success. All graduate students, VCOM students, VMRCVM students, as well as young professionals are invited to attend. Register here. Send questions and comments to Elaine Mathis, GSA VP Programs, efm28@vt.edu.

January 22-27, 2013

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC

  • Career advising (walk in, no appointment needed): Wednesdays 2:00-5:00pm, GLC Lobby
  • Cook Counseling (walk in, no appointment needed): Thursdays and Fridays 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room
  • GLC Café: 3:30-5:00 every Thursdays, Reading Room
  • Statistical consulting by LISA: Weekdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room; find out each consultant’s software expertise here: http://www.lisa.stat.vt.edu/?q=walk_in
  • Writing Center support for grads: Thursdays 4:00-6:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room (additional hours are available in the Library)

2. GLC BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, Jan 22, 8:00pm, GLC Fellows office (off the main GLC lobby)
Open to all graduate students! The next book is “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Read the book during the winter break, then meet with other grad students on Jan 22 at 8pm in the GLC Fellows office to discuss it and pick the next book as well. Contact Emily or Mark at eceskew@vt.edu or esmark86@vt.edu respectively for any questions.

3. LUNCH WITH THE DEAN
Thursday, Jan 24 and Wednesday, Feb 6, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room B
Meet Graduate School Dean Dr. Karen DePauw and several graduate student leaders at this free lunch and learn about the latest in graduate education. Share your perspectives in a casual setting. While this program is primarily targeted to new students, returning students who haven’t had a chance to participate in previous lunches with the dean are also welcome to sign up. Registration required:
for 1/14
for 2/6

4. GLC CAFÉ: MUG RAFFLE 2013 ONCE MORE
Thursday, Jan 24, 3:30-5:00pm, Graduate School Lobby
The GLC Café is offered throughout the year with free coffee, tea and cookies in the company of your graduate-student and Grad-School colleagues. This week’s special: mug raffle back by popular demand. Raffle at 4:30 – stop by between 3:30 and 4:30 to get your name into the pool. Do not have to be present to win. 

5. APA WORKSHOP
Friday, Jan 25, 2:00-3:00pm, GLC Room C
Have any questions about APA 6th Edition Citations? Still confused about how things are supposed to look in-text or in your references? Then this is the session for you. Heather Moorefield-Lang, Education and Applied Social Sciences Librarian, will be talking about APA 6th, what the manual contains, different citation and referencing rules, as well as some updates for items such as e-books, online videos, and more. Plenty of time for discussion and questions will be available.

6. BLUE RIDGE WORKSHOP @ SOLITUDE
Fridays, 3:00-4:00pm, Solitude of Virginia Tech
Creative and literary workshop with VT/RU alum, teacher and poet T. Byron Kelly.
Email contact tbyron@vt.edu for more information.
 
7. FREE STATS ASSISTANCE FOR GRADS FROM LISA
Walk-in consulting services at the Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis=LISA) begin on Jan 22 and will be available until May 8 Monday-Friday 1:00-3:00pm in the GLC Videoconference Room; additional times and locations available at www.lisa.stat.vt.edu. Statistical consultants answer quick questions and help with research projects requiring less than 30 minutes of assistance.  For more in-depth questions or longer projects, complete the LISA Collaboration Request Form at www.lisa.stat.vt.edu and a team of statistical collaborators will be assigned to work with you. LISA also offers short courses on various topics:
Jan 29: Designing Experiments and Collecting Useful Data;
Feb 5: A Tutorial in T-Tests and ANOVA in JMP;
Feb 12: Regression Analysis Using JMP;
Feb 18: Introduction to R, Part I;
Feb 19: Introduction to R, Part I;
Feb 25: Introduction to R, Part II;
Feb 26: Introduction to R, Part III;
Mar 5: How to make plots to tell the story of your data;
Mar 18/19: Data Mining Basics;
Mar 26: Classification and Regression Trees (CART);

8. APPLICATIONS NOW ACCEPTED FOR GRAD BOV REP POSITION
Applications for the graduate representative for the Board of Visitors (BOV) are now being accepted.  Applications are due by Friday, Feb 15, 2013.  More information>>.  Please encourage deserving peers to apply.  Contact current BOV grad rep Robyn Jones for more information.

9. NOMINATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS OPEN – deadline Feb 1
A number of prestigious awards are granted to graduate students each year, carrying a monetary prize ($500-$1000 each) and award certificate. Consider applying or discuss the possibility of your nomination by your advisor/department for any of the following awards that will be given out during the Graduate School’s annual awards banquet on March 28, 2013:

  • Outstanding Dissertation in (1) math, sciences and engineering, and (1) in social sciences, business and humanities
  • Graduate Student Teaching Excellence
  • Graduate Student Service Excellence
  • Graduate Man and Woman of the Year
  • Outstanding master’s and doctoral student in each college and in interdisciplinary programs

More information about criteria, forms, and process for nomination>>.

10. SPRING GRAD COURSE OFFERING: EFFECTIVE ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT FOR HIGHER ED

CRN 18694 Thursday 6:00-8:50 PM
Taught by Ray Van Dyke, this course provides an overview of assessment principles and practices in contemporary higher education. The course promotes a general understanding of academic assessment, as well as the assessment of ancillary programs that support academic quality. The course prepares the future professoriate to design and implement successful assessment practices that enhance teaching and learning.

11. SPRING COURSE: GRAD5304 PREPARING THE FUTURE CAREER PROFESSIONAL
Tuesdays, 1:00-3:30pm, spring 2013
This class is designed to provide graduate students with knowledge, skills and abilities to prepare for employment in industry, business, government, research development and non-profit worlds. Topics will include communication, collaboration/teamwork, motivation, workplace and community ethics, leadership, building relationships, starting a business, managing change, writing a resume and cover letter, and working in a diverse environment.

12. CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR STUDENT CONFERENCE IN FEB 2013 – deadline extended
The VT Institute for Policy and Governance and Department of Religion and Culture is organizing a student conference on "Religious extremism and its impacts on Culture and Civil Society" on Feb 15-16, 2013, including a film festival and student panels. Papers are invited that cover any of the following topics : Intra-religious/church institutional discourse and politics; the roles of media and technology in religion-based movements; how adherents of extreme religious views conceive of the role of the state and of faith within it, including what their perspectives portend for accepted understandings of human rights; how leaders of groups view and use history, culture and contemporary religious discourse in structuring their beliefs and motivating their adherents; how humanitarian and peace building NGOs can/should navigate such movements in the course of their efforts to ameliorate suffering and bridge social differences. Send an abstract of max. 300 words describing the topic, contribution and methods underpinning your proposed paper to Sabith Khan at khanpgg@vt.edu by Jan 25, 2013.

13. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON MOTHERS AND CHILDREN – 2nd posting

Are you a mother who sometimes worries or has fears? Do you have a child between 7 and 12 years of age? A new study is investigating how mothers and children interpret situations in their day-to-day lives. The study is being conducted at the Child Study Center at 460 Turner Street, Suite 207, Blacksburg. For more information please contact Kristin Austin at momanxiety@vt.edu or call 540-231-8276. Compensation: $50.

14. UPCOMING EVENTS:


RESUME 101 FOR INTL STUDENTS

Tuesday, Jan 29, 4:00-5:00pm, Cranwell International Center
Get some expert guidance on how to create a resume for your job search in the United States. This workshop is offered by the Career Services Center.

SHORT STAT COURSE: DESIGNING EXPERIMENTS AND COLELCTING USEFUL DATA
Tuesday, Jan 29, 4:00-6:00pm, GLC Room G
Across all disciplines, the ability to test theories by experimentation is vital for validation and discovery.  When designing an experiment, the researcher hopes to maximize the obtained information by reducing wasted resources and allocating treatments in such a way as to minimize variances. In this course the basic principles of experimental design will be given and specific designs discussed, including completely randomized designs and optimal blocking strategies. For each design participants will discuss implementation, appropriate analysis and provide examples in SAS.  Learn more and register at www.lisa.stat.vt.edu.

COUPONING 101 WORKSHOP
Tuesday, Jan 29, 5:00pm, GLC Room C
Learn the technique of couponing and other money-saving strategies specific to the New River Valley. Light refreshments will be served. If you aren’t able to attend but would like a copy of the Power Point slides from the workshop, please email Lauren Surface.

WRITING A WINNING RESUME

Wednesday, Jan 30, 5:30pm, GLC Room G
If you are planning an industry, government, or non-tenure track educational job search, having a well polished resume is the most critical step toward getting an interview. Start early to be ready for September and October career fairs and on-campus interviews. Contact Amy McPherson if you have questions.

CAREER FAIR PREP FOR INTL STUDENTS

Friday, Feb 1, 4:00-5:00pm, Cranwell International Center
Learn how to present yourself effectively at career fairs in the U.S. This workshop is offered by the Career Services Center.

WELCOME BACK SOCIAL FOR GRAD STUDENTS

Friday, Feb 1, 4:30-6:30pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Enjoy music, free food, games and more at this welcome-back social for graduate students! Bring your appetite, friends and family. Sponsored by the GLC Fellows and Graduate Student Assembly.

I LOVE BLACK HISTORY MONTH: SPEED NETWORKING LUNCHEON
Thursday, Feb 7, 11:30am-1:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
The Black Graduate Student Organization, Multicultural Programs and Services, and the Graduate School’s Office of Recruitment and Diversity Initiatives invite you to attend this networking event. Please register if you are interested in attending. The event is free and lunch is provided. This is a great opportunity to meet other students, faculty, and staff. Contact Dannette@vt.edu if you have any questions.

GSA/QG&A SPEED DATING
Friday, Feb 8, 7:00-9:30pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
The Graduate Student Assembly is partnering with Queer Grads and Allies for this Valentine’s Speed Dating event, catering to both the straight and the LGBTQ community; please register and participate so that this event can be a success. All graduate students, VCOM students, VMRCVM students, as well as young professionals are invited to attend. Register here . Send questions and comments to Elaine Mathis, GSA VP Programs, efm28@vt.edu.

January 14-21, 2013

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC
Weekly services are on hiatus until the spring semester begins, except for the GLC café, which is always on!

  • GLC Café: 3:30-5:00 every Thursday, Reading Room

2. GLC CAFÉ: MUG RAFFLE 2013 ONCE MORE
Thursday, Jan 17, 3:30-5:00pm, Graduate School Lobby
The GLC Café is offered throughout the year with free coffee, tea and cookies in the company of your graduate-student and Grad-School colleagues. This week’s special: mug raffle back by popular demand. Raffle at 4:30 – stop by between 3:30 and 4:30 to get your name into the pool. Do not have to be present to win. 

3. NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION/CAFÉ
Friday, Jan 18, 3:00-4:30pm, GLC Lobby
Join new graduate students for some conversation, coffee and refreshments in the GLC Lobby and help us make them feel at home in the GLC and at VT!

4. WINTER BREAK 2012 PHOTO CHALLENGE   
You are invited to submit photos of your winter break experience (wherever and whatever that might be) to be displayed in the GLC and on the Grad School Facebook page in January and February. Each student may upload up to three photos here. Submission deadline is Jan 18, 2013.

5. NOMINATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS OPEN – deadline Feb 1
A number of prestigious awards are granted to graduate students each year, carrying a monetary prize ($500-$1000 each) and award certificate. Consider applying or discuss the possibility of your nomination by your advisor/department for any of the following awards that will be given out during the Graduate School’s annual awards banquet on March 28, 2013:

  • Outstanding Dissertation in (1) math, sciences and engineering, and (1) in social sciences, business and humanities
  • Graduate Student Teaching Excellence
  • Graduate Student Service Excellence
  • Graduate Man and Woman of the Year
  • Outstanding master’s and doctoral student in each college and in interdisciplinary programs

More information about criteria, forms, and process for nomination>>.

6. SPRING GRAD COURSE OFFERING: EFFECTIVE ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT FOR HIGHER ED

CRN 18694 Thursday 6:00-8:50 PM
Taught by Ray Van Dyke, this course provides an overview of assessment principles and practices in contemporary higher education. The course promotes a general understanding of academic assessment, as well as the assessment of ancillary programs that support academic quality. The course prepares the future professoriate to design and implement successful assessment practices that enhance teaching and learning.

7. SPRING COURSE: GRAD5304 PREPARING THE FUTURE CAREER PROFESSIONAL
Tuesdays, 1:00-3:30pm, spring 2013
This class is designed to provide graduate students with knowledge, skills and abilities to prepare for employment in industry, business, government, research development and non-profit worlds. Topics will include communication, collaboration/teamwork, motivation, workplace and community ethics, leadership, building relationships, starting a business, managing change, writing a resume and cover letter, and working in a diverse environment.

8. CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR STUDENT CONFERENCE IN FEB 2013 – deadline extended
The VT Institute for Policy and Governance and Department of Religion and Culture is organizing a student conference on "Religious extremism and its impacts on Culture and Civil Society" on Feb 15-16, 2013, including a film festival and student panels. Papers are invited that cover any of the following topics : Intra-religious/church institutional discourse and politics; the roles of media and technology in religion-based movements; how adherents of extreme religious views conceive of the role of the state and of faith within it, including what their perspectives portend for accepted understandings of human rights; how leaders of groups view and use history, culture and contemporary religious discourse in structuring their beliefs and motivating their adherents; how humanitarian and peace building NGOs can/should navigate such movements in the course of their efforts to ameliorate suffering and bridge social differences. Send an abstract of max. 300 words describing the topic, contribution and methods underpinning your proposed paper to Sabith Khan at khanpgg@vt.edu by Jan 25, 2013.

9. WAGE JOB OPENING IN THE GLC
The GLC Student Building Manager works closely with the Auxiliary Student Center Operations Coordinator and Graduate School to provide services to the patrons who use the GLC. This includes providing excellent customer service, reserving rooms, oversight of the information desk, basic cleaning (wiping tables, vacuuming, etc.), administrative support, marketing and clerical duties. The Student Building Manager has primary responsibility, including emergency response, for the building during evening and weekend hours. 10-15 hours per week at $12/hour. Apply online. Click the “Student Centers and Activities ‘VT Graduate Student’ Pool.” Please contact Eric Margiotta (Margiotta@vt.edu) with questions.

10. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON MOTHERS AND CHILDREN – 1st posting
Are you a mother who sometimes worries or has fears? Do you have a child between 7 and 12 years of age? A new study is investigating how mothers and children interpret situations in their day-to-day lives. The study is being conducted at the Child Study Center at 460 Turner Street, Suite 207, Blacksburg. For more information please contact Kristin Austin at momanxiety@vt.edu or call 540-231-8276. Compensation: $50.

11. STUDY PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT – 3rd posting
Volunteers are needed for a research study on how diet influences muscle metabolism. Participants must be: males between the ages of 18-40; not currently taking any medications; non-smokers; free from major medical issues; willing to eat a high fat diet for 4 weeks. You may benefit by receiving extensive help information and up to 200$ to compensate you for your time. Please contact the following if you meet the above criteria and are interested in participating: Nabil Boutagy or Kris Osterberg at the Human Integrative Physiology Laboratory at Virginia Tech by email at heartlab@vt.edu or call (540) 231-8299.

12. UPCOMING EVENTS:

GLC BOOK CLUB
Open to all graduate students! The next book is “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Read the book during the winter break, then meet with other grad students on Jan 22 at 8pm in the GLC Fellows office to discuss it and pick the next book as well. Contact Emily or Mark at eceskew@vt.edu or esmark86@vt.edu respectively for any questions.

LUNCH WITH THE DEAN
Jan 24 and Feb 6, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room B
Meet Graduate School Dean Dr. Karen DePauw and several graduate student leaders at this free lunch and learn about the latest in graduate education. Share your perspectives in a casual setting. While this program is primarily targeted to new students, returning students who haven’t had a chance to participate in previous lunches with the dean are also welcome to sign up. Registration required:

APA WORKSHOP
Friday, Jan 25, 2:00-3:99pm, GLC Room C
Have any questions about APA 6th Edition Citations? Still confused about how things are supposed to look in-text or in your references? Then this is the session for you. Heather Moorefield-Lang, Education and Applied Social Sciences Librarian, will be talking about APA 6th, what the manual contains, different citation and referencing rules, as well as some updates for items such as e-books, online videos, and more. Plenty of time for discussion and questions will be available.

January 7-13, 2013

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC
Weekly services are on hiatus until the spring semester begins, except for the GLC café, which is always on!

  • GLC Café: 3:30-5:00 every Thursday, Reading Room

2. GLC CAFÉ: MUG RAFFLE 2013 – Note the special location!
Thursday, Jan 10, 3:30-5:00pm, Graduate School Lobby
The GLC Café is offered throughout the year with free coffee, tea and cookies in the company of your graduate-student and Grad-School colleagues. This week’s special: hot chocolate, with three orange mugs raffled off among participants (see why>>). 

3. WINTER BREAK 2012 PHOTO CHALLENGE   
You are invited to submit photos of your winter break experience (wherever and whatever that might be) to be displayed in the GLC and on the Grad School Facebook page in January and February. Each student may upload up to five photos here. Submission deadline is Jan 18, 2013.

4. COMMENCEMENT DVD SALES

A DVD of the Fall 2012 Graduate Commencement Ceremony will be available from the University Bookstore for a limited time. Click the Graduation button on the bookstore’s homepage for ordering information: www.bookstore.vt.edu or contact the Bookstore with any questions.

5. GLC WINTER RENOVATIONS
A couple of the first-floor public areas of the GLC are undergoing some renovations during the winter break, including new lighting, seating and flooring in the auditorium and new painting in the back corridor and meeting-rooms corridor. Residents and graduate students in active status will continue to have access to the GLC (use your Hokie Passport for entry) 24/7. Some of the work will be noisy and/or smelly – please forgive the inconvenience. Follow the progress on Facebook and check out the finished spaces after Jan 17!

6. NOMINATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS NOW OPEN
A number of prestigious awards are granted to graduate students each year, carrying a monetary prize ($500-$1000 each) and award certificate. Consider applying or discuss the possibility of your nomination by your advisor/department for any of the following awards that will be given out during the Graduate School’s annual awards banquet on March 28, 2013:

  • Outstanding Dissertation in (1) math, sciences and engineering, and (1) in social sciences, business and humanities
  • Graduate Student Teaching Excellence
  • Graduate Student Service Excellence
  • Graduate Man and Woman of the Year
  • Outstanding master’s and doctoral student in each college and in interdisciplinary programs

More information about criteria, forms, and process for nomination>>.

7. COMMUNICATING SCIENCE GRAD 5984 SPRING COURSE – ENROLL NOW!

Seats are still available for Communicating Science (CRN 18468) meeting on Fridays 2:15-4:15pm. This 2-credit participatory course is taught by Professor Patricia Raun, and was inspired by her work with the Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University (http://www.centerforcommunicatingscience.org/) and the belief that "scientists have a responsibility to share the meaning and implications of their work, and that an engaged public encourages sound public decision-making. In addition, the ability to communicate directly and vividly can enhance scientists’ career prospects, helping them secure funding, collaborate across disciplines, compete for positions, and serve as effective teachers." Participation in the course will lessen the discomfort of spontaneous interaction. Areas of emphasis will include imagination, relaxation, observation, and concentration through improvisation.  Please contact Professor Raun at praun@vt.edu if you have questions or need more information.

8. SPRING COURSE: GRAD5304 PREPARING THE FUTURE CAREER PROFESSIONAL

Tuesdays, 1:00-3:30pm, spring 2013
This class is designed to provide graduate students with knowledge, skills and abilities to prepare for employment in industry, business, government, research development and non-profit worlds. Topics will include communication, collaboration/teamwork, motivation, workplace and community ethics, leadership, building relationships, starting a business, managing change, writing a resume and cover letter, and working in a diverse environment.

9. STUDY PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT – 2nd posting

Volunteers are needed for a research study on how diet influences muscle metabolism. Participants must be: males between the ages of 18-40; not currently taking any medications; non-smokers; free from major medical issues; willing to eat a high fat diet for 4 weeks. You may benefit by receiving extensive help information and up to 200$ to compensate you for your time. Please contact the following if you meet the above criteria and are interested in participating: Nabil Boutagy or Kris Osterberg at the Human Integrative Physiology Laboratory at Virginia Tech by email at heartlab@vt.edu or call (540) 231-8299.

10. UPCOMING EVENTS:

GLC BOOK CLUB

Open to all graduate students! The next book is “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Read the book during the winter break, then meet with other grad students on Jan 22 at 8pm in the GLC Fellows office to discuss it and pick the next book as well. Contact Emily or Mark at eceskew@vt.edu or esmark86@vt.edu respectively for any questions.