Matanuska-Susitna College
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Calendar of Events

P.O. Box 2889
Palmer, AK 99645
(907)745-9774

Number 10
February 28, 2002

• Online Learning 2002 Spring Conference
• Presentations 2002 Conference and Expo
• Training 2002 Conference and Expo

The sessions and exhibitors all were involved in e-learning and technology for online learning and training. Topics included designing e-learning courses, assessment, teaching strategies for online learning, learning styles, etc. Also there were wonderful hands on labs where she used Flash, Dream Weaver, Authorware, PowerPoint, and Photo Shop.

"Overall if you are involved in online learning or use technology at all in your courses or training this was a great conference to go to! Not to mention the weather in Atlanta was 60 degrees and sunny!"

Carolyn Holbert, Assistant Professor of ENGL, attended the regional Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, February 13-17. For the conference, she served as area chair for Alaska. This means that she submits the calls for papers on all Alaska topics, reads and approves paper submissions, and sets up panels of presenters. Carolyn says this is the first year that there has been an Alaska area for the conference, and we have two panels and seven presenters, including her. One presenter traveled all the way from Gronigen University in The Netherlands to present at the conference. Attendance was good and the discussions animated.

Also, Carolyn was recently appointed by Associate Deans Feldman and Hatch to serve on the UAA Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) Program Advisory Board.

Congratulations to Joel Kondas on receiving the "Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Student Appreciation Citation" from UAA Chancellor Gorsuch. This award is given annually to students who have made a positive difference on campus at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Their actions reflect the spirit of giving and community that Martin Luther King, Jr. advocated.

Welcome back to Eric Blomskog who has returned after a well deserved month long vacation. He traveled by car a total of 6,000 miles from Tucson to Washington D.C., down the eastern seaboard to Florida, along the gulf coast stopping for Mardi Gras, then back through Arizona and on down to Mexico. He visited every air and aviation museum along the way and says it was a wonderful trip. D.C. is a "must see" but there is just no place like Alaska to live. Of course, we know that!

Robin Burdick was in Fairbanks for three days last week to attend the Rural Sites Training Conference while Fran Russell also went to Fairbanks for a face-to-face workshop for registration personnel from campuses around the state.

New academic calendar - UAA is reviewing options for a new academic calendar in spring 2003. The calendar that seems to be favored has instruction beginning on Monday, January 13, and contingency days will be going away.

Avalanche awareness - You may recall when Palmer residents, Aedene and Jerry Arthur lost their son in an avalanche in Turnagain Pass a couple of years ago. Since this tragic accident the couple has been active in an organization called BAART (Backcountry Avalanche Awareness Response Team) promoting public awareness on the danger of avalanches for snowmachine riders and other outdoor enthusiasts. Through funding provided by the Mat-Su Emergency Medicine Physician Corp., in memory of Dr. Scott, the Arthur’s have donated a set of five video tapes and books on the topic of avalanche awareness to the MSC Okeson Library. Titles include:

• Avalanche Awareness
• Beating the Odds
• Winning the Avalanche Game
• Avalanche Rescue Beacons
• Riding Safely in Avalanche Country

It’s not too late !  You can still sign up for the following spring ‘02 classes: 

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