In the KNPA competition, Brynn Anderson received the 2011 Ed Reinke Memorial Best of Show for her feature picture story while David Kasnic received the Judges Award for his portfolio. In the student division, Armando Sanchez won Student Photographer of the Year while Anderson was runner-up.

In the KPA competition’s University division, the College Heights Herald finished second in the General Excellence competition.

Attending the KPA/KIPA conventions from the Herald staff were Cole Claybourn, editor; Tessa Duvall, managing editor; Brad Stephens, sports editor; Emily Patton, features editor; fall editor Jonathan Lintner; and reporters Spencer Jenkins, Michael McKay and Natalie Hayden. Bob Adams, Student Publications director, Herald adviser and member of the KPA Board for 2012, also attended.

Awards were presented Jan. 20-21 in Lexington.

Kentucky Press Association awards

• College Heights Herald staff: Honorable mention, best editorial; second and third, special section; honorable mention, best spot news picture; second, best lifestyle page; second, best editorial page; first, best front page
• Cole Claybourn, Evansville, Ind., senior: first place, best general news story; honorable mention, best on-going/extended coverage
• Jonathan Lintner, Louisville senior: second place, best general news story; third, best headline
• Emily Patton, Nebo senior: first place, best sports story; third, best sports feature
• Brad Stephens, Winchester junior: third place, best sports story
• Zach Greenwell, May graduate from Ekron: honorable mention, best sports feature story
• Tessa Duvall, Bowling Green junior: first place, best investigative story or series; honorable mention, best on-going/extended coverage
• Katherine Wade, Paducah senior: honorable mention, best investigative story or series; honorable mention, best on-going/extended coverage
• Chris Rutledge, Hendersonville, Tenn., senior: honorable mention, best investigative story or series
• Alyssa Orr, Albany, N.Y., senior: first place, best spot news picture.
• Jabin Botsford, Knoxville, Tenn., senior: second, best spot news picture
• Leslye Davis, Greensburg senior: first, best general news picture
• Danny Guy, Bowling Green senior, third, best general news picture
• Luke Sharrett, Forest, Va., senior: first, best feature picture
• Chris Wilson, Louisville senior: third, best picture essay
• Tanner Curtis, May graduate from Louisville: honorable mention, best picture essay
• Christian Randolph, Oxnard, Calif., senior: third, best sports picture.
• Jerry Englehart Jr., Ormand Beach, Fla., senior: first, best graphic
• Josh Moore, May graduate from Beechmont: honorable mention, best graphic

Kentucky Intercollegiate Press Association awards

• College Heights Herald: second, overall website; second, editorial
• Herald spring 2011 staff: first, feature page layout; second, front page layout; first, informational graphic; first, special section; first, sports page layout; honorable mention, opinion pages;
• Herald fall 2011 staff: honorable mention, front page layout; first, overall layout;
• Alex Weires, LaGrange senior: second, advertising art; second and honorable mention, advertising design; second, best house ad
• Melissa Pinguely, May graduate from Fort Thomas: honorable mention, advertising art
• Steven Charny, Louisville sophomore: third, best house ad
• Annie Erskine, Bowling Green senior: first, student created art
• Jonathan Lintner, Louisville senior: second, best news headline; third and honorable mention, sports column; third, sports feature; third, sports game story
• Zach Greenwell, May graduate from Ekron: first, best sports headline
• Emily Patton, Nebo senior: second, feature story; honorable mention, personality profile;
• Tessa Duvall, Bowling Green junior: third, general interest column; third, continuing news; third, news story
• Natalie West, Bowling Green senior: first, personality profile
• Brad Stephens, Winchester junior: second, continuing news
• Cole Claybourn, Evansville, Ind., senior: second, continuing news; third continuing news; third, investigative reporting; fist, sports column; second, sports feature; honorable mention, sports news story
• Katherine Wade, Paducah senior: third, continuing news
• Rialda Zukic, Bowling Green senior: second, news story.
• Josh Moore, May graduate from Beechmont: first, investigative reporting;
• Jerry Englehart Jr., Ormand Beach, Fla., senior: third, multimedia; honorable mention, news photo
• Darren Vogt, Louisville sophomore: honorable mention, editorial cartoon
• Ryan Stone, May graduate from Roanoke, Va.: second, feature photo
• Cooper Burton, Louisville freshman: third, feature photo
• Leslye Davis, Greensburg senior: honorable mention, feature photo; second, news photo
• Jabin Botsford, Knoxville, Tenn., senior: second, photo story; first, sports photo
• Michael Rivera, Dallas, Texas, senior: third, photo story
• Christian Randolph, Oxnard, Calif., senior: third, sports photo
• Brad Stephens, Winchester junior: honorable mention, sports feature; first, sports news story.

Kentucky News Photographer Association award recipients

WKU students won 55 of the 59 awards presented in the student division.

• Armando Sanchez, Clovis, Calif., senior: first, Student Photographer of the Year
• Brynn Anderson, Bowling Green senior: runner-up, Student Photographer of the Year; first, feature picture story; first and honorable mention, feature; first, portrait; honorable mention, general news
• Kelly Lafferty, Shelbyville senior: first, general news; honorable mention, picture package
• Austin Anthony, Herndon, Va., junior: first, sports feature; second, general news; second, spot news; honorable mention, feature picture story
• Christian Randolph, Oxnard, Calif., senior: first, spot news; first and second, news picture story; third, sports action; honorable mention, sports feature; honorable mention, pictorial
• Chris Wilson, Louisville senior: first, picture package; second, sports feature; third, spot news; honorable mention, spot news; third, news picture story
• Justin Philalack, Chapmansboro, Tenn., junior: first, multimedia
• Megan Tan, Columbus, Ohio, senior: first, pictorial; second and third, feature picture story; honorable mention, feature; honorable mention, portrait
• Sam Oldenburg, Owatanna, Minn., senior: first, sports picture story; honorable mention, feature picture story
• Jabin Botsford, Knoxville, Tenn., senior: first and honorable mention, sports action
• Eric Shea, Bowling Green junior: second and honorable mention, sports picture story
• Sammy Jo Hester, London junior: second, picture package; second, pictorial
• Brittany Sowacke, McKinney, Texas, senior: second, feature; third, picture package
• Adam Wolffbrandt, Lexington senior: second, portrait
• Josh Mauser, Louisville senior: second, multimedia; honorable mention, portrait; honorable mention, pictorial
• Ian Maule, Johnsburg, Ill., junior: third, sports feature
• Ariana McLaughlin, Solon, Iowa, senior: third, sports picture story; third, feature; third, pictorial; honorable mention, sports feature; honorable mention, multimedia
• Shelby Mack, Crestwood senior: third, multimedia
• Morgan Walker, Bowling Green sophomore: honorable mention, general news
• Danny Guy, Bowling Green senior: honorable mention, spot news
• Alix Mattingly, Waverly junior: honorable mention, sports action; honorable mention, multimedia
• WKU photojournalism faculty also were honored: Jeanie Adams-Smith, second place in multimedia; Tim Broekema, two honorable mentions in multimedia; and James Kenney, second place in pictorial and honorable mention in feature.

Contact: School of Journalism & Broadcasting, (270) 745-4144.

Faculty and students from four departments in WKU's College of Health and Human Services participated in the Belize Program during Winter Term 2012. More photos from the trip are available on the WKU Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WKUNews

The program was led by Dental Director Daniel Carter and Supervising Dental Hygienist Bonny Petty of WKU’s Institute for Rural Health Development and Research. This year’s participants included students and faculty from WKU’s Social Work, Communication Disorders, Dental Hygiene and Nursing departments.

The Belize Program extends the mission of WKU and the College of Health and Human Services by providing services that promote wellness of body, mind and environment to the underserved community of Gales Point, Belize. Participants engage in hands-on and reflective projects teaching them to be socially responsible citizen leaders of a global society.

The WKU International Health and Human Service Learning Program started during the summer of 2007. Since then, WKU students, faculty and staff have visited the remote and underserved village of Gales Point each year.

While the program consists mostly of College of Health and Human Services faculty, staff and students, the program has spread in the recent years to include other WKU colleges and majors that have gone on to start new programs in Belize.

Students participating in this year’s program received hands on clinical experience ranging from dental restorations and cleanings, to extensive women’s health screenings and exams, to classroom health education in Belizean schools. In addition, the students worked collaboratively with the Belizean Ministry of Health to provide many services to the citizens of Belize City and Gales Point.

Students participating in the 2012 Winter Term course included: Alicia Azimipour, a senior Dental Hygiene major from Bowling Green; Katie Bittel, a Social Work graduate student from Madisonville; Sarah Crabtree, a Social Work graduate student from Owensboro; Lucas Hall, a Social Work graduate student from Bowling Green; Jill Howe, a Social Work graduate student from Owensboro; Brenda Lewis, a Social Work graduate student from Leitchfield; Jessica May, a junior Nursing major from Madisonville; Jennifer McDivitt, a Nursing graduate student from Evansville, Ind.; Jerri McMillan, a junior Social Work student from Vine Grove; Erin Miller, a senior Nursing student from Evansville, Ind.; Alyssa Nantz, a senior Dental Hygiene student from Nashville; Devan Russell, a senior Dental Hygiene student from Franklin, Tenn.; and Kasey Sears, a senior Social Work major from Russellville.

Faculty and staff involved in the Belize Service Learning program were Daniel Carter and Bonny Petty of the Institute for Rural Health Development and Research; Eve Main of Nursing; Trish Desrosiers of Social Work; Jan Sandidge of Communication Disorders; and Joseph Evans of Allied Health.

The College of Health and Human Services Belize Program is offered every year during the Winter Term through the Institute for Rural Health Development and Research.

More: Photos from the trip are available on the WKU Facebook page.

Contact: Stacey Forsythe, (270) 745-6948.

• The Center has been awarded membership in the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics’ Global Ageing Research Network. The IAGG, based in Toulouse, France, is building a large network to foster scientific development of gerontology and geriatrics worldwide. The aim is to develop an international research capacity and to involve Centers of Excellence dedicated to social gerontology, basic sciences and clinical gerontology. Experts will be invited to exchange information about all types of topics related to ageing; set up contacts between professionals; and build a collaborative research program.
• Dr. Kathleen Abrahamson, assistant professor of Public Health, had a study Does Cognitive Impairment Influence Quality of Life Among Nursing Home Residents? published in the latest issue of The Gerontologist.
• Dr. Kelly Fitzgerald, instructor in the Center for Gerontology, recently was elected as a Member-At-Large to the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE). Dr. Fitzgerald is a co-principal investigator on the Bowling Green “Age Friendly Cities” project. AGHE is the only international organization devoted to supporting gerontology and geriatrics education and is an affiliate of the Gerontological Society of America.

The Center for Gerontology, directed by Dr. Dana Bradley, is part of WKU’s University College.

Contact: Center for Gerontology, (270) 745-2356.

WKU graduate Jeremy Benton led a dance call during a day of auditions on Jan. 22.

On Jan. 22, 86 students sang, danced, acted and showed their technical portfolios in the hopes of getting work in the performing arts.  Although most companies were looking for performers for the summer, a few came to see recent alumni who could start work immediately.

“We have had great responses to the work our students are doing,” said Tracey Moore, director of Music Theatre. “Our event grows every year.”

Stage One Family Theatre came from Louisville to see what students might potentially be right for their next productions.  “We never choose our season with preconceived notions,” said Peter Holloway, producing artistic director for Stage One.  “Plus, as a community based nonprofit, we like building relationships with other arts organizations.”

Corey Harrison, production manager for Stage One Family Theatre in Louisville, discussed a technical internship with WKU student Holly Berger of Bowling Green.

Usually auditions are high stress situations.  However, many students commented on the ease with which the day progressed.  “It’s low stress because WKU is our home, so we have a lot of fun,” said Vicki Siegrist, a senior from Bowling Green.

More than 15,000 were entertained by the WKU Department of Theatre and Dance last year.  The department presents more than 20 productions every year, including four mainstage productions, two mainstage dance concerts, three student-choreographed dance concerts, a children’s theatre series, a studio series of student-directed works, a Before Broadway Series featuring a staged reading of a new musical, and a Next Stage Series of showcases and works in progress.

More information about the WKU Department of Theatre and Dance can be found online or by calling the department at (270) 745-5845.

More: Theatre and Dance news.

Contact: Tracey Moore, (270) 745-2849.

The March 13-15 course is available through a partnership between WKU Continuing Education (CE) and WARE, Inc., an industry leader in boiler and chiller sales, rental and service. The partnership allows CE to bring the training to the area.

Continuing Education Director Sharon Woodward said that the course provides local businesses with affordable, professional training for their employees. “Bringing this training to the area means that local industries can avoid the high cost of sending employees out of state,” Woodward said.

WARE Boiler University is recommended for all employees involved in the operation, maintenance, planning or purchasing of boilers or boiler-related equipment. “Statistics show that most boiler and pressure vessel incidents are caused by human error,” Woodward said. “We hope that this course will prevent local industries from learning this the hard way. It could actually save lives.”

Seasoned boiler industry professionals lead the course, providing instruction in boiler safety, efficiency operations, maintenance, cost reduction, boiler inspections, feedwater chemistry and more. Students also receive 2.4 CE units from WKU after completing the three-day course.

The course takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 13-15 at the Knicely Conference Center in Bowling Green. Continental breakfast and lunch are provided.

Registration and fee deadline is Feb. 27. Fees are $1,200 per person. For information, visit www.wku.edu/ce/ware or call (270) 745-1912.

Contact: Susan Esters, (270) 745-8922.

To address this emerging and growing demographic, the National Embryo Donation Center’s (NEDC) Digital Media Manager, WKU graduate Chris Barrett, has collaborated with University of Tennessee child development professor Dr. Sally B. Hunter to create a heartwarming children’s book titled, Training Wheels: How Did I Get Here? The book helps parents start the conversation and answer their children’s questions.

These same questions have been asked by traditionally adopted children for decades and have influenced numerous books that assist in reinforcing an adopted child’s understanding of why they are special and very much loved. Some of these publications provide value to the parents of embryo adopted children but they don’t tell the whole story; that is until now.

Training Wheels tells about 5-year-old Miles and the new bike he gets for his birthday from his special friend, Mike. Miles’ parents explain that Mike’s mom and dad generously donated their remaining embryos and he was born as a result of their loving gift.

The story is told in a delightful rhyming pattern, using words that are easy for preschoolers to understand and a storyline that will help to satisfy their curiosity about where they came from. Fun and colorful illustrations by Knoxville artist Tyler Garrison saturate the book and enhance its appeal to young children.

Training Wheels is a privately funded project and has enjoyed its first soft cover printing. It is available online through Amazon at www.amazon.com.

About NEDC: The National Embryo Donation Center is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect the lives and dignity of human embryos by promoting, facilitating and educating the medical and legal communities and the general public about embryo donation and adoption. It is the only organization in the country that coordinates all of the social, legal and medical aspects of this process in one facility. Through the success of fertility treatments and assisted reproduction technology over the past three decades, there are an estimated 615,000 frozen human embryos in the United States. While most are retained for future children by the genetic parents, approximately 2-3 percent are in limbo with uncertain futures. Embryo disposition options available are – thaw and dispose, donate to research or donate them to other infertile couples hoping to have a baby. Dr. Jeffrey Keenan, a highly respected specialist in infertility and reproductive medicine is the medical director for the NEDC. He is also the medical director of the Southeastern Fertility Center in Knoxville, Tenn., a professor at the University Of Tennessee Graduate School Of Medicine and the director of its Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

About Chris Barrett: Barrett is the NEDC’s Digital Media Manager. His background is in print journalism, non-fiction television and documentary filmmaking. He has extensive experience in marketing, design and resource development, and has worked with numerous non-profits in Michigan, Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. He studied nuclear engineering while serving in the US Navy and graduated with a degree in creative writing from WKU in 1991.

About Sally B. Hunter, PhD: Dr. Hunter received her PhD in Child and Family Studies in 2009 and is  an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her research centers on parent-child relationships, specifically how parents’ behaviors influence their children’s self-esteem.

Contact: Stephanie W. Moyers, (865) 777-2013.

A group of WKU geology students participated in a Winter Term course in the Bahamas.

“The Geology of the Bahamas” course was led by geologist Dr. Fred Siewers from WKU’s Department of Geography and Geology, with assistance from Dr. Lisa Park from the National Science Foundation and the University of Akron.

The purpose of the course was to study modern environments of limestone formation, the development of caves and karst on tropical islands, and to explore evidence for environmental and climatic change over the last 150,000 years.

Other activities included daily snorkels over modern reefs and an examination of their fossilized counterparts, the biology and hydrogeology of saline lakes and “blue holes,” and an exploration of San Salvador’s rich cultural and human history as preserved in plantation ruins.

Dr. Siewers said most students were amazed at the diversity of field experiences on San Salvador Island, were surprised at the remoteness and rugged beauty of the island and found the course to be a “life changing experience” that transformed the way they look at the natural world and modern society.

Students participating in the 2012 Winter Term course included: Rachel Bowles, a graduate student from Bowling Green; Justin Cave, a junior from Glendale; Jordan Cottingham, a junior from Sebree; Jacob Gibbs, a sophomore from Bowling Green; Cassie Hornback, a senior from Hodgenville; Lowell Neeper, a junior from Morehead; John Papineau, a senior from Albany; Natasha Patterson, a sophomore from Springfield, Tenn.; Zack Pennington, a junior from Liberty; Mitchell Read, a junior from Elberfeld, Ind.; Andrew Reeder, a graduate student from Bowling Green; Gabe Russell, a graduate student from Bowling Green; Jordan Seng, a senior from Dubois, Ind.; Brandon Thomas, a junior from Russellville; Trevor Thomas, a junior from Bowling Green; and Nathaniel Zoeller, a junior from Shelbyville.

Dr. Siewers’ geology field course in the Bahamas is offered every other year during the Winter Term and is one of many study abroad experiences offered by the Department of Geography and Geology.

More: Photos from the trip are available on the WKU Facebook page.

Contact: Fred Siewers, (270) 745-4555.

Army Command Sergeant Major John Brownell presented the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport (KRS) and the WKU ALIVE Center with a certificate of appreciation for their support of his squadron’s deployment overseas. Above left: Dr. Randy Deere accepted the certificate on behalf of KRS. Above right: Director Leah Ashwill accepted on behalf of the WKU ALIVE Center.

Army Command Sergeant Major John Brownell honored two WKU departments Monday, following his squadron’s return from Afghanistan.

Brownell presented a certificate of appreciation to the WKU Department of Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport (KRS) and to the WKU ALIVE Center for Community Partnerships on behalf of the 6-4 Cav, Brownell’s squadron from Fort Knox that spent the past year serving overseas. KRS adopted the squadron after learning that Brownell, a WKU alumnus and current graduate student, would lead the squadron.

Brownell is working on an MS in Recreation and Sport Administration with a concentration in Athletic Administration and Coaching, a program administered by WKU Cohort Programs. Determined to help a fellow student, KRS faculty, staff and students worked with Cohort Programs staff to gather donations and ship numerous care packages throughout the deployment. They partnered with The ALIVE Center, which served as the drop-off location, creating a convenient place for the entire community to get involved.

Brownell presented the certificates to both departments for their support of the entire squadron, which included more than 750 soldiers. Throughout the deployment, WKU Cohort Programs shipped 85 boxes filled with much-needed items, which included everything from deodorant, body wash, shaving cream and razors to socks, towels and 3-in-1 laundry sheets, which Brownell said were the most popular item.

“Laundry is a challenge at such a remote camp, and we only had 12 washers and dryers” he said. Cohort Programs responded with a shipment of 55,000 laundry sheets donated by Sun Products’ Bowling Green manufacturing facility. “All the items we received made the quality of life so much better,” he added.

Leah Ashwill, director of the WKU ALIVE Center, said she and her staff were thrilled to assist in the project. “It was truly an honor to work with others from the WKU campus and this community to support our servicemen and women,” Ashwill said.

Brownell, who is scheduled to officially retire July 1, said that the squadron returned stateside in December. When asked what he planned to do next, Brownell said that he has three priorities: “To spend time with my family, finish my degree and find a job.” He begins his transition into retirement in March and will complete his master’s degree this summer.

Contact: Susan Esters, (270) 745-8922

Helping individuals improve their home is the idea behind Habitat for Humanity’s A Brush with Kindness program, and the WKU ALIVE Center for Community Partnerships and Student Activities’ Leadership & Volunteerism offices are partnering with Habitat to kick off the program during National Volunteer Week.

Through this program, local low-income homeowners are able to apply for assistance with necessary exterior home repairs and upgrades. “I think it will help them to make home repairs and small energy efficient savings that they probably won’t be able to do on their own,” said Rodney Goodman, Executive Director for the Bowling Green/Warren County Habitat for Humanity.

Habitat for Humanity’s office gets a number of phone calls from individuals that need work done to their home. Removing the worry of how to make exterior improvements, like building a ramp or patching a roof, can make a difference and truly transform someone’s life. This is why A Brush with Kindness is part of the WKU’s National Volunteer Week theme – Project Transform.

“A Brush with Kindness promotes the true meaning of partnership…it’s the type of project that allows for a connection to be made between the volunteers and the homeowners as they work together to make the home improvements. It’s truly empowering for the homeowner and deeply fulfilling for the volunteers. Isn’t that what making a difference is all about?” said Leah Ashwill, WKU ALIVE Center Director.

The ALIVE Center and Leadership & Volunteerism want to encourage campus and community members to take part by volunteering with the project during the week. In addition, other projects will take place around the theme of transforming lives.

Homeowners can attend any one of three application sessions to learn more about the program and apply for A Brush with Kindness. More information and details on what to bring to the sessions can be found at www.wku.edu/projecttransform. The application sessions will take place on the following dates:

• Sunday, Jan. 29: 3-5 p.m. at the WKU ALIVE Center, 1818 31W ByPass
• Thursday, Feb. 2: 6-8 p.m. at the Bowling Green Police Department
• Friday, Feb. 3: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at WKU Student Activities office, Downing University Center third floor

Applications will be evaluated after the Feb. 17 deadline. For information, contact Habitat for Humanity at (270) 843-6027. For information about Project Transform, contact the ALIVE Center at (270) 782-0082 or WKU Student Activities at (270) 745-2459.

Contact: Aurelia Spaulding, (270) 782-0082.

A group of WKU students and alumni participated in a recent mission trip to Haiti.

Under leadership of Pastor Jerry Gifford from First Baptist Church in Franklin, the group worked with nine volunteers from Florida under the Orphan’s Heart organization, which provides support for orphanages devastated by the earthquake in the Port au Prince area.

WKU students David and Daniel Gifford of Bowling Green joined alumni John Gifford, Mandy Wade Forbis, Carolyn Grant Groves, Alicia Pirtle Bingham and Jerry Gifford on the trip. “It was an experience we’ll always remember,” Bingham said.

Construction began Jan. 7 on a new orphanage in Bon Repos, Haiti.  The men worked on building the compound wall, digging to prepare for a suitable septic system, and forming up the foundation for the house. Although construction was the main goal for this group, the men took time to build relationships and witness to the neighborhood Haitians.

Eleven women were part of the Bon Repos team and they led Vacation Bible School all week with the children of the orphanage.  There are more than 30 children that are currently living in three 12 x 12 sheds with wooden beds and no toilet. Although conditions may seem unbearable to Americans, these children were truly joyous to be where they are and not on the streets.  The women were able to collect donations before the trip and distributed the following items to the orphanage: vitamins, Tylenol, Band-aids, clothing, flip-flops, snacks, school supplies, and one toy for each child.

One participant from the mission said: “The trip was an experience of a lifetime.  The poverty in Haiti is truly heartbreaking, but this week I learned we can make a difference one person at a time.  I learned great lessons on appreciation and hope.  The children may have nothing monetarily, but they have true joy in the Lord.”

Orphan’s Heart will continue to oversee the Bon Repos project.  There are 11 more teams scheduled to work on the site through June.  The next group, also from Kentucky, will be arriving in Haiti Jan. 28.

An effort is underway to provide ongoing sponsorship for the children. The non-profit organization is called “Children First: Love and Hope, Inc.” The foundation is based in Frankfort and accepts monthly sponsors of a child ($40) for basic physical and educational needs and individual gifts to the “Mango Tree Children’s Home” for items such as beds or school desks, etc.

Contact: Alicia Bingham, (270) 745-2478.