If you are a new transfer student to Lourdes College this fall and you would like to meet other students who are transferring to Lourdes, I have just the thing for you!  On Thursday, July 31st, I am taking a group of transfer students to the Cleveland Indians vs. the Detroit Tigers.  We will be leaving Lourdes at 9am SHARP and returning around 5 or 6 in evening depending on what time the game is over with.  We will be taking a bus down there (dvd player, air conditioned, bathroom, etc.)  Your ticket and bus are paid for already, all you have to worry about is if you would like to purchase food at the game.  If you are interested in coming, please email me at kbishop@lourdes.edu or call me at 419-824-3917.  It will be a great day of fun, meeting each other, and baseball!  What more could you want?

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 1:52:04 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [0] | 

It's hard to believe that we've been in Assisi for almost 2 weeks. When we arrived, it seemed like we would be here forever, now the days are dwindling.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:55:59 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [2] | 

Lourdes welcomed its largest incoming class ever with a number of outings and orientation events designed to acclimate students to the College's campus and resources while also offering various opportunities to meet faculty, staff and fellow students:

President's Barbeque: On Friday, July 25, Lourdes President Dr. Robert C. Helmer and wife Linda hosted a barbecue at their home in Sylvania for new students.



Thursday July 31: Transfer students were invited to an outing at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Transfer students traveled by bus to see the Cleveland Indians play the Detroit Tigers.



College Night at Fifth Third Field: On Friday, August 8, direct from high school students attended College Night at Fifth Third Field. Lourdes students will met for dinner in the Roost and then stayed for the Toledo Mud Hens vs. Norfolk Tides game.



Get In the Game: On Friday, August 15, students and family members attended the fall 2008 new student orientation, Get in the Game. Get in the Game began with a welcome from Dr. Helmer. Afterward, students gathered for activities including informative break-out sessions, a class photo, a Lourdes College heritage walk and a diversity dance. Lunch was by Abuelos Restaurant and music was provided by Tower 98 FM.



Winning the Game: On Sunday, August 17 and Monday, August 18, Lourdes hosted a new event for students called Winning the Game, an interactive two-day session focusing on strategies for academic success. Winning the Game is an optional program to help students learn what it takes to be academically and personally successful at Lourdes College.



Tranfer Student Orientation: On Wednesday, August 20, the College concluded its welcome week events with its Transfer Student Orientation. This event is designed particularly for students transferring to Lourdes from other institutions.

Monday, July 21, 2008 1:45:17 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [0] | 

I haven't blogged in awhile and I am trying to be better about blogging regularly, but sometimes it's hard to think of a topic that would interest people.  Not everyone is as interested in baseball as I am!  Well except for maybe Bob Campbell :)  

So what is new with me?  Well I just returned from Chicago where I spent four days the ACT Conference.  Now usually conferences are not my favorite thing, but I was really looking forward to this one.  A lot of the sessions were on topics I was interested in and it was in Chicago!  More about Chicago later!

One of the topics was specifically on blogging, so I thought I would attend and hopefully get some ideas on what the heck I should be blogging on.  Most of the counselors had the same question, should this be a personal blog or should this be a blog on Admissions?  The majority of the counselors said that students seem to like it when the blog is a little bit on a more personal level.  So I decided I'm going to try and mix it up, throw in some info on Admissions and always tell a little personal story :)

One of the counselors I met at the conference and one of her blogs was on what happens in Admissions after a student applies and she said that students really liked this blog because they did not know what happens after they apply.  I thought, "what a great idea!"  It's so true, even though I know what happens when a student applies, not everyone does!  So here goes!

You can apply a couple different ways to Lourdes.  You can apply online (fee waived), you can come in and meet with a coordinator and fill out an app (fee waived), or we can send you an application in the mail which is also fee waived.  Once we received the application through the web or paper, we will request your transcripts for you, if you have never attended college before, we will request your high school, if you have attended college we will need to get transcripts for any colleges you have attended, even if it was only one class.  Once we receive your transcripts, we will make an admissions decision and call you and let you know if you have been accepted.  Once you are accepted you can meet with an Academic Advisor and get registered for classes!  And that's it!  It's so simple!  The whole process sometimes does take a week or two depending on where we are getting your transcript from.  If you would like to speed up the process by requesting your transcripts yourself, that's fine, just make sure not to open them!

Now on a bit of a personal note, Chicago was awesome!  I have been to Chicago a handful of times and each time I'm there I always think I would love to there, but by the time I leave, I'm glad I don't live there.  There is never anywhere to park!  It's very frustrating.  Anyway, I have never really explored Chicago much when I have went there, so this time I decided to take a boat tour, which was really fun and interesting, I highly recommend taking one.  I even attached a picture.

I hope everyone is having a great summer and I promise I will blog more!  Go Tigers :)

Monday, July 21, 2008 10:56:39 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [0] | 

Well, I haven't been good about keeping up with the postings...The days have been filled and the in the evenings I generally have to make profound decisions like...go for gelato or blog...go for gelato or blog...gelato seems to win out...of course, it's all in the interest of connecting with the rest of the pilgrims! Don't want to seem rude or stand-off-ish.

There have been SO many events this week. Will just try to touch on the highlights. Earlier in the week we had a prayer service at dusk. We gathered near the site where Clare's family home would have been and we slowly made our way through the town to the gate that she used the night that she left her family and met Francis and the brothers at the Portiuncula. We stopped several times along the way to reflect on all that she was leaving behind...family...friends...social standing...security - what a leap of faith! You hear the stories so often, but it's fascinating to put the pieces together when it comes to location. The gate that Clare used to leave the town isn't far from the bishop's residence. She would have needed someone to help her get out without alarming the town guard. Was Bishop Guido part of the plan?

By the time we got to the gate it was dark. Clare would have still had quite a distance to cover through wooded roads to get to the Portiuncula - an intimidating journey.

A few days later we headed to Bastia, which is the site of the Benedictine monastery where Clare stayed for a brief time. Here she invoked the right of sanctuary when her uncle and relatives came to drag her back home. The ruins of the original altar are still there. It seems to strange to connect 'physically' with these events that took place almost 800 years ago. It makes you ask yourself, "Where do we find 'sanctuary' and security from those that don't understand our choices in life?

The taxi ride back from Bastia was an interesting 'reality check'. Having spent so many days as a pedestrian dodging the cars on these tiny, narrow streets...it was odd being on the other side. I felt like I was in some type of action movie with people scurrying to get away from the run-away car!

Finally (for now)...we took some time in the cathedral church of San Rufino. Among the many time historical and spiritual notes of the town, one side chapel contains a memorial marking honoring the bishop of Assisi during WWII who helped to hide and conduct to safety the many Jewish refugees that were fleeing persecution. Another little shop contains the printing press that was used by one of the local merchants to print false documents for the refugees (the family still owns the shop). And people tell the story of Valentin Mueller, a german physician in charge of the hospitals in Assisi during WWII. He 'ignored' all that was going on and convinced the germans to declare this a 'hospital city' so that it was saved from bombing. Not all the heroes of this town lived in the 13th century.

The photo below is the dormitory at the Monastery of San Damiano, where Clare eventually 'settled'. Can you picture 40-50 sisters sleeping on the floor in this one room? It's about the size of a classroom (so much for 'personal space'!) After her death, the sisters who lived with her told of how she would get up in the middle of the night to tend to the sick sisters and to make sure they were all covered and warm.

Sunday, July 20, 2008 6:30:27 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [3] | 

Theater Vision was also awarded an Ohio Arts Council grant totaling $12,160. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund Theater Vision with state tax dollars in order to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

For more information about Theater Vision and for the full season schedule, call 419-824-3968 or visit www.franciscancenter.org and click on “Theater Vision / Arts Workshops.”

Thursday, July 17, 2008 9:44:56 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [0] | 

I almost finished with my residency here at the hospital and I am getting more excited every day!  These last six months have been ridiculous.  In that sense I mean good, bad, ugly, sad, depressing, and everything in between.  I now have a unit to call my home--Medical ICU.  It's a fabulous unit full of great learning experiences and great people as well.  As I become more adapted into yet another new nursing role, I would like offer all the new nurses out there some tips.

1.  Never, ever be afraid to ask questions.  How are you supposed to learn anything or be challenged if you don't ask questions?  Can you really take care of a patient you know nothing about? Would you be comfortable doing a procedure you have never done before? Ask!  Always ask!  This also comes in handy when you have a preceptor/co-worker/doctor who thinks he/she knows everything.  Feed the ego.  It can't hurt.

2. Be prepared for anything.  Sometimes the job isn't as exciting as you think it will be.  It is most certainly not nearly as enthralling as an episode of "Grey's Anatomy" or "ER".  Sometimes it might be, but most nights, not so much.  Then again, a disaster could strike at any minute and you could be thrust into the most action-filled night of your life.

3.  Know your unit.  Be aware of where everything is, regardless of how unimportant it may seem.  Know where the crash carts are, the codes to get into the supply room, where the Pyxis is, etc.  You never know when you may need this stuff and it will save you from running amok on the unit.

4.  It's ok to cry.  I do it a lot.  Sometimes you just get physically drained, sometimes you are working a devastating case.  Sometimes you just have to let it out.  I have cried during break, on the way home, on the phone with my mom, with families, when I go to bed.  Things will affect more than you think, especially when you are running on fumes.

5.  Don't be intimidated by doctors.  Easier said than done.  I am still going through that, but I think it's great advice.  Every nurse will tell you not to take offense to the docs who are pompous/mean/overbearing.  They will also tell you when and when not to call the doctors.  Always ask another nurse before calling a doc.  You may be able to avoid it.

6.  Learn to adjust to working nights.  Unless you get EXTREMELY lucky, most of you will be working nights.  There is really no easy way to make the transition.  You just have to be patient.  Get some room-darkening shades and tack them around the window to block out the light. Put a blanket at the top of the curtain rod to block out any additional light.  When you get home at 8am the last thing you want is to be awakened by the high noon sun.  Darkness is your friend.  I've been on nights for almost four months and I am just now sleeping for at least five straight hours.

7.  Ask for help.  Quick-you just got a new admission and your other patient needs to use the bedpan.  What do you do?  Ask for help.  As long as you maintain a healthy, professional relationship with your co-workers and give help in return when you can, someone will almost always be there to come to your aid. 

8.  Be yourself.  The quickest way to lose points among your co-workers is to be stuffy, mean, and have a know-it-all attitude.  Be who you are--and accept the people who are not the nicest folks.  You may need them someday.

9.  Vent!  We all need to do it, and who better to vent to than your fellow nursing friends.  (Family and friends outside of the healthcare realm are essentially clueless when it comes to our line of work).  I have several friends from Lourdes that I work with that I can count on, as well as several new friends I met in the program here at the hospital.  As you get to know the seasoned nurses, you will be able to complain away freely on the unit.  Just don't do it in front of patients/families/people who you don't want to hear.  You will feel better getting all the bullcrap off your chest.

10.  Breathe!  Collect yourself.  This could be very overwhelming.  Remember that you are new, you don't know everything, and you may feel utterly stupid.  This field of work is always full of surprises, new learning experiences, and whatnot.  The day you stop learning is the day you are either an uber genius or realize this is not the line of work for you. 

11.  Research.  You probably thought that after Nursing Research, Community, and Management there wouldn't be research until you decided to go for your doctorate (no offense, nursing staff!! :>) )  WRONG!  The only way to really get what you're doing (example: cardiac output, using a Swan-Ganz catheter, understanding sepsis) is to look it up.  The AACN's Essentials of Critical Care Nursing is my bible, and along with the Internet, as well as my co-workers, I have information at my fingertips.  I also subscribe to several nursing journals, which are also a great source.

Well, I think that's about it for now.  It's almost 3am and my shift is almost over.  So much for finishing up my Hemodynamic Monitoring module in ECCO.  There's always next week.   

Thursday, July 17, 2008 1:51:27 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [2] | 

In a recent report conducted by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NTCQ), Lourdes College was among the top ranked colleges and universities across the nation whose elementary education program scored a passing grade.

NTCQ’s report, No Common Denominator: the Preparation of Elementary Teachers in Mathematics by America’s Education Schools, examined 77 elementary education programs in 49 states. The report graded the quality of teacher education programs in mathematics based on “relevance” (the extent to which courses were relevant to what candidates would be teaching in their field), “breadth” (the degree to which topics are covered), and “depth” (the amount of time allotted to each topic). Out of the 77 programs examined, only ten programs including Lourdes College’s met all three of the above criteria.

“Lourdes College prides itself on an Education Department comprised of dedicated faculty and staff who foster excellence in the both the classroom and in practicum and who act as a community of learning, reverence and service,” says Dr. Janet Robinson, Vice President for Academic Affairs.

“It is a great honor for our program to be recognized for it’s excellence in preparing our students to teach mathematics,” notes Dr. Michael Smith, Dean of the School of Professional Studies and Chairperson of the Department of Education. “It acknowledges the efforts of our outstanding faculty, including our colleagues in the Math Department, for their commitment to preparing our future teachers with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be effective teachers.”

The National Council on Teacher Quality advocates for reforms in a broad range of teacher policies at the federal, state and local levels in order to increase the number of effective teachers nationwide.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008 2:08:33 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [0] | 

Lourdes College's Lifelong Learning (LCLL) program is hosting an exciting Roadrunner outing this summer. On Tuesday, July 29, guests will get an up-close look at various wildlife and ecosystems during LCLL’s “Naturally Connected” Roadrunner.

Participants will meet in the Lourdes College Life Lab at 10 a.m. where they will explore the interactive plant and animal laboratory and learn about the ecosystems inhabited by exotic birds, fresh and saltwater fish, frogs, turtles and more. Linda Penn, Program Coordinator for the Life Lab, and Marge Malinowski, Living Display/Animal Care Specialist will serve as guides. 

After touring the Life Lab, guests will travel by mini-bus to Whitehouse for lunch at the Whitehouse Inn. The Roadrunner will conclude with a tour of the popular Butterfly House.

The cost for this Roadrunner is $39 per person and does not include lunch at the Whitehouse Inn. For further information or to register, contact Gloria Burke, Director of Lifelong Learning, at 419-824-3707.                    

Tuesday, July 15, 2008 2:01:21 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [0] | 

Attention Students: Business Students

Company Description:  

Job Title:  Business Development Specialist

• Assists and supports the Account Executive in supplying various business development services to our clients.  This position includes organizing, planning and communicating our clients’ value propositions to target buyers; learning about and reporting on buying systems and influences.

Job Description: Principal Duties and Responsibilities

1.       Works closely with the Account Executives in formulating and implementing the business growth projects for our clients.

2.       Plans, organizes and implements market research projects on behalf of our clients.

3.      Produces high-quality touch points through phone conversations and written documents with various clients’ targets. 

4.      Plans work activities related to each client project; completing specific projects and duties to support our clients with minimum delay, efficiency and accuracy.

5.       Contributes to and/or reviews client reports that record status of recent activities and determines status of ongoing project work.

6.       Informs Senior Account Executives and/or an Account Executive of issues that affect the quality of our service and/or client satisfaction.

7.       Participates in coordination and sales meetings that disseminate pertinent information, regularly reviewing and previewing business growth project status for each client.

8.      Participates in and shares responsibility for the company’s ongoing strategic improvement.

9.       Coordinates and manages projects, as assigned.

10.  Performs related duties as assigned or as the situation dictates.

Qualifications: Required Knowledge, Abilities and Skills

1.      Knowledge of general operational processes, policies and procedures.

2.       Knowledge of business development techniques, while continuing to develop skills in the field.

3.      Ability to work well with all personality types, seeking out and finding what will motivate them to enter successful client relationships (internal and external).

4.       Ability to take and give direction that will advance the efforts of COACT.

5.       Possesses planning, organizing and project management skills with an attention to detail, quality, and budget.

6.       Possesses a strong ability to adapt to different client needs, learn the various products and services of clients and communicate that message to buying targets.

7.      Skills in analyzing data and preparing reports or recommendations.

8.       High-level of communication skills with various levels of partners and personnel, exercising the appropriate level of professional discretion.

9.       Knowledge of general computer hardware and software tools, including internet navigation and Microsoft products.

10.  Ability to multi-task and adapt to changes.

Education and Experience Requirements:

This position requires 2 years previous sales experience.  A bachelor degree in business administration or sales and marketing is preferred. 

Application Method:

Application Deadline:

Contact Person Information:

Work Orientation Factors:

This position may require limited travel. 

RESUMES MAY BE EMAILED TO  CSCOTT@TEAMCOACT.COM

Tuesday, July 15, 2008 8:05:42 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [0] | 

Well, we're here in Assisi! It's difficult to know where to begin. The pace has slowed down quite a bit as we have more time to wander, to get to know the place, and to reflect on all that this town is and means to us.

Just spending time in the town square, listening to the variety of languages, seeing tourists and families wander the area, meet friends, and celebrate life...it's a whole different world. Of course, the others in the group have FORCED me to go out for gelato on several occasions (I highly recommend the peach and the lemon).

We've climbed to the top of the Rocca Maggiore and remembered the battle that took place between the middle class and the nobles of Assisi. We've joined the Poor Clares for vespers at the Basilica of St. Clare (my Italian is coming back slowly!). We've visited the church that now stands on the site of the property owned by Francis's father. This IS a small town and it's easy to imagine how word of Francis's actions would have traveled from one end to the other in less than an hour.

This morning we went to San Damiano. From that vantage point we could see Rivo Torto (where Francis gathered with the early brothers) and the Porziuncula (the 'home base') as well as the area where Francis would have ministered to the lepers. All those stories on paper come to life in this small town. The walk DOWN to San Damiano was gorgeous...of course that meant that we would have to walk UP on the way back. Am getting used to the pace, though.

And a photo of the piazza!

Monday, July 14, 2008 10:40:28 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [3] | 

Well, we've finally arrived in Assisi. After the hustle and bustle of Rome we spent much of this past week in the Rieti Valley (away from internet access). Rieti is one of those areas where Francis found spots for quiet and solitude...at the tops of mountains and in tiny caves. It took a bit of huffing and puffing but I made it to the top of Poggio Bustone...a spot where Francis went to find peace and the assurance of God's love and concern.

This too is the home of Greccio, where Francis celebrated that memorable Christmas Eve...calling the people to gather, to celebrate, and to remember the wonder of God's love. The day ended with a wonderful celebration of Christmas. The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (who run the retreat house where we stayed) couldn't quite understand why we were celebrating Christmas in July...but they joined in the spirit and sang some Italian Christmas carols for us.

One of the 'newest' highlights, though, was at La Foresta...yes, there is an ancient cave where Francis spent time in solitude and prayer...but there is also a strong reminder of the Franciscan presence here today. Several years back a friar became aware of the growing number of young men who were not 'well connected' with society. As a result, they turned to drugs, alcohol, and a host of other destructive behaviors. Here he started a community called Mondo X. This is a self-sufficient community of young men who come to learn how to deal with the world in healthy ways -- they refer to themselves as 'communities of Life'. Some stay for three years, some stay on longer and become the 'directors' of the communities. There is a strong sense of the power of community and the support that they give to one another. And they proudly shared with us the stories of Francis and the time he spent in this area.

...On to Assisi

Saturday, July 12, 2008 8:14:53 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [0] |