Elizabethtown College News 
Back to top 7/31/2006 Think BIG camps to offer science, business to elementary students Nearly 75 elementary students from Lancaster are expected to attend this year’s “Think BIG: Believing, Inspiring, Guiding” weeklong summer camp,  organized by Elizabethtown College students.Held this year from Aug. 7-11 on the Elizabethtown campus, the camp provides exciting learning experiences in science and business to students in grades 4, 5 and 6 who attend Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary and Wharton Elementary in the School District of Lancaster. The project is organized by Elizabethtown students who are members of the Medicus Club (students with an interest in the health care field) and Students in Free Enterprise (club that focuses on the development of leadership teamwork and communication skills through learning, practicing and teaching the principles of free enterprise). With help from sponsorship by The Alcoa Foundation for the past two years, Think BIG has grown from 20 campers since it began in 2002. Throughout the week, campers work with Elizabethtown College students and faculty members to learn the fundamentals of science through hands-on activities. Business activities teach them what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur, including developing a budget and pricing items, marketing products and learning about business ethics. Students work toward the grand opening of their own mini-businesses, which occurs on Aug. 11 at the conclusion of the camp. Later that day, at 2 p.m. in the Event Space, campers don graduation caps and receive a diploma. The graduation ceremony, which is open to parents and community members, also features highlights of the week and guest speakers. Back to top 7/19/2006 Prof publishes PA camping guide An Elizabethtown College professor has written a guide that offers outdoor enthusiasts the 50 best places in Pennsylvania to pitch a tent.  In his book “The Best In Tent Camping: Pennsylvania (Menasha Ridge Press),” Matt Willen features campgrounds that offer a quality camping experience for families – ones that aren’t too noisy or crowded. He offers his own personal observations of each and rates them according to six criteria: beauty, privacy, spaciousness, quiet, security and cleanliness. Willen spent the past year traveling to each site mentioned in his guide. In addition to providing essential information (including season, rates, facilities and how to reserve a site), he also identifies the best sites at the best campgrounds, offers information on exciting day trips, suggests hikes and activities accessible from the campgrounds, and describes the flora and fauna campers might encounter on a trip. “There’s a lot in Pennsylvania,” Willen said. “I hope people who are interested in going out to some of those placed with their families will enjoy the book. I hope people will make good use of it.” A resident of Hershey, Willen has lived in Pennsylvania for the past 15 years, during which he has explored many of the state’s hiking trails and kayaked many of its rivers. He teaches professional writing courses at Elizabethtown College. Willen is currently working on another guide for Menasha Ridge Press, “60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Harrisburg.” It is set to be published in spring 2008. Back to top 7/18/2006 Marianne Calenda named dean of students Elizabethtown College has named Marianne Calenda as dean of students, effective July 1.  Calenda previously worked for a number of years in student affairs at Thiel College in Greenville, Pa., most recently serving as associate dean of students and co-director of the first-year experience. She was also responsible for residence life and worked for several years in the College’s Office of Development. A graduate of Thiel College, Calenda earned a master’s degree from Geneva College. As dean of students, Calenda will oversee the five divisions of student life: Athletics, the Office of Residence Life, Health Services, the Center for Student Involvement (Student Activities, Office of the Chaplain and Religious Life, and the Office of Diversity and Community Outreach) and the Center for Student Success (Academic Advising, Career Services, Counseling Services, Learning Services and Disability Services). “Marianne Calenda brings to this position experience gained through many years of service in student affairs at Thiel College,” said College President Ted Long. “She is a collaborative and creative leader and a dedicated student advocate, and we are fortunate to have her as our dean of students.” Back to top 7/10/2006 Nihon University students visit; host families needed Twenty students from Japan’s Nihon University will arrive in Elizabethtown on July 27 for a three-week stay, thanks for a program offered through the Edward R. Murphy Center for Continuing Education and Distance Learning at Elizabethtown College.  With the help of 1967 graduate and trustee Kyoko Akanoma, Elizabethtown College formalized in 1999 an agreement with Nihon that provided for exchange of students and faculty, as well as intensive summer programs of study. Hosted by members of the campus community, Nihon students strengthen their English language skills with faculty members Kurt Barnada, associate professor of modern languages, and Mahua Bhattacharya, assistant professor of Japanese. During their stay, they also visit New York City, Washington, D.C., Hersheypark and other area attractions. Another integral part of the program includes a weekend stay with an American host family, which allows the students to experience and understand the American culture. At the end of their stay, they earn college credits for participating in the program. Families interested in hosting a Japanese student for a weekend stay from August 4-6 should contact Cristie Dry at 717-361-1373. |
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