December 2, 2015

t-notes archive

Next Issue: December 9

Thiel Happenings

Phi Theta Phi extending annual 100-mile fundraising walk

Thiel College’s Phi Theta Phi fraternity is an organization that goes the extra mile. The Phis have earned regional acclaim for their annual fundraising Walk-a-thon for the Free Care Fund at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The Free Care Fund ensures that all children receive the medical care they need and that no child from the tri-state area is denied care because of an inability to pay. This year, the fraternity is going an extra 25 miles for their annual 100-mile walk, which starts Friday and ends Saturday at Children’s Hospital.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Disability Resource Center Minute

Director of the Disability Resource Center Tami Micsky, M.S.S.A., L.S.W., C.T., will discuss important issues regarding her office in the “Disability Resource Center Minute” in this space in the first T-Notes of each month during the academic year. If you have any questions, contact Micsky at ext. 2063.

This month, she discusses "universal design."

Think of something that doesn’t always work well for you: can openers, copiers, clamshell/plastic packaging, or Christmas lights. Design shortcomings are easy to spot and are frustrating. Imagine for a moment that every day you had to untangle holiday lights and make sure every bulb lit before you could even go to class or work. Imagine if then, to complete your assigned task, you had to find a way through clamshell/plastic packaging just to access the work. This is how many of our students feel. However, we can help reduce barriers by using universal design.

Universal design (UD) challenges the practice of designing products and environments for the average user by promoting consideration of a wide range of characteristics, including disabilities. Universal design doesn’t place focus on people with disabilities. Instead, it recognizes that no one has the same definition of ‘normal.’ 

Educators who embrace UD employ a variety of teaching styles and assessment methods to address the expected learning differences in their students. When preparing for your courses, consider many modes of delivery: lectures, videos, outlines, readings, discussions, small groups; and multiple ways for students to demonstrate learning: projects, written assignments, take-home exams. It’s also important to consider equal access: captioned videos, handouts available in alternative formats, bold fonts, and uncluttered backgrounds. The Association on Higher Education and Disability embraces the UD approach, and the Center for Applied Special Technology’s research supports the use of UD.

Employee Christmas Luncheon

Break out your ugliest holiday sweater and come to the Employee Christmas Luncheon at noon Dec. 10 in the Lutheran Heritage Room. As part of the festivities, there will be an ugly holiday sweater contest.

Print and return the invitation to Linda Nochta by Friday, Dec. 4 or RSVP by email.

Student News

TLC Extraordinary Effort Award recipients for November

The Learning Commons recognized Hailey Becker '16 and Dom Licata '15 as its Extraordinary Effort Award recipients for November.

Etc.

Tomcat Tributes

Tomcat Tributes are designed to recognize the teamwork Thiel College employees exhibit each day. Employees can nominate co-workers for recognition in four categories (Random Act of Kindness, Going the Extra Mile, Had a Great Idea, Just Because).

Special Notes

HR Notes

Thiel College welcomes:

Events

Campus Events

Advent Lessons and Carols
Today at 7:30 p.m.
David Johnson Memorial Chapel

Advent Lessons and Carols is a worship experience patterned after the King's College Lessons and Carols worship services in Cambridge, England. Readings from Holy Scripture will be read interspersed with carols sung by the congregation and music shared by the Thiel College Chamber Singers and the Bell Choirs. For more information, contact Pastor Jayne Thompson at ext. 2130.

Movie Night with the Environmental Club
Thursday at 7 p.m.
Bly Hall, Academic Center

The Environmental Club will host an action movie that also contains an environmental message.

Dome Opening Celebration
Friday at 5 p.m.
Rissell-Schreyer Dome

The sixth annual dome opening celebration includes food, music, inflatables, custom novelties, games and more! Free entry for community members, but food and select activities will be ticketed. For more information, contact Than Oo, M.S., at ext. 2192.

63rd Annual Christmas Festival
Sunday at 4 p.m.
William A. Passavant Center

This year's theme is "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear." The Thiel College Chamber Singers and the Thiel College Handbell Ringers, under the direction of Michael Bray, D.M.A., and accompanied by Kathryn A. Gray, M.M., will be performing. For more information, contact Bray at ext. 2149.

Sip and Paint
Sunday at 7 p.m.
Sawhill-Georgian Room, Howard Miller Student Center

The sisters of Sigma Kappa will be leading a sip and paint to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association. Tea, coffee or hot chocolate will be served. The event is open for anyone who wishes to purchase a seat.

For more information, contact Audrey Rickard '17.

Pedas Presents: Study Break! New phone apps and better uses for the ones you know
Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Discover Room, James Pedas Communication Center

A presentation that will discuss new phone applications and new ways to use familiar apps.

For more information, contact Dane Claussen, Ph.D.

Community Events

Shenango Valley Madrigal Singers
Dec. 4-6
Tara Inn, Clark, Pa.

The Shenango Valley Chorale Madrigal Singers present “An Olde English Feaste.” Cash bar opens at 6 p.m. and dinner and performance begin at 7 p.m. Cost is $45 per adult, $350 for a table of eight and $25 for children under 12. 

Reservations are required and can be made by contacting Arch Messer at 724-588-2055.

'Gold, God, and Glory' Art Opening
Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.
Sans MOCO, 172 Main St., Greenville

Kyle Marini '18 will display a series of paintings and ceramics that criticize the effects of the Spanish conquest of Latin America. His show "God, Gold, and Glory" will be on display from Dec. 12 to March 12, 2016.

T-Notes Publishing Schedule

The next issue of T-Notes will be out Wednesday, Dec 9.

Send your submissions by noon Monday, Dec. 7 to tnotes@thiel.edu.

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Thiel College
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Greenville, PA 16125
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