The Cultural Diversity and International Education Committee exists to:

• promote global education and the acceptance and inclusion of a diverse population,
• develop and promote initiatives and programs for diversity awareness and understanding, and
• identify academic issues of international students, such as English as a Second Language, and develop methods to address the issues.

As part of our charge to promote inclusion and increase diversity awareness and understanding, we will be sharing Diversity Events with you every month via the Daily Bulletin.  We hope you find this information informative and inspiring.    

Diversity Events 2012

MARCH

Information obtained from the National Education Association:  http://www.nea.org/grants/41388.htm

March 1-31
Irish American Heritage Month

Céad Mile Fáilte! This month is a time to remember the many ways America is enriched by contributions from people of Irish heritage.

March 1-31
Music in Our Schools Month

All children should have access to music in public schools. Visit MENC: the National Association for Music Education web site for more information.

March 1-31
Women's History Month

In the United States, March is Women's History Month and the celebration of the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. For teaching resources, see Women's History Month for the Classroom and Women's History Month Resources.

March 5 – April 13
Orthodox Lent

Eastern Orthodox and Greek Orthodox Lent mark a period of fasting and penitence before Easter. During this period, members of the Eastern Orthodox and Greek Orthodox churches fast and do penance prior to Easter Sunday. 

March 8
International Women's Day

International Women's Day honors working women everywhere, celebrating their economic, political, and social achievements. This year marks the International Women's Day Centenary, 1911-2011. This day is also the anniversary of the 1857 garment and textile workers' strike in New York, one of the first organized actions by women anywhere.

March 11
Johnny Appleseed Day

John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, was a planter of orchards and a friend of wild animals. He died on March 11, 1847.

March 16
Publication of the First Black Newspaper in America

In 1827, Samuel Cornish and John B. Russwurm debuted Freedom's Journal, the first African-American-owned and-operated newspaper published in the United States. All 103 issues have been digitized and are available at the Wisconsin Historical Society web site.

The Cultural Diversity and International Education Committee exists to:

• promote global education and the acceptance and inclusion of a diverse population,
• develop and promote initiatives and programs for diversity awareness and understanding, and
• identify academic issues of international students, such as English as a Second Language, and develop methods to address the issues.

As part of our charge to promote inclusion and increase diversity awareness and understanding, we will be sharing Diversity Events with you every month via the Daily Bulletin.  We hope you find this information informative and inspiring.    

Diversity Events 2012

JANUARY

Information obtained from the National Education Association:  http://www.nea.org/grants/41388.htm

January 1-31
National Mentoring Month

Sponsored by the Harvard Mentoring Project, this observance encourages volunteer mentors to help young people from under-privileged backgrounds reach their full potential. Find out more about National Mentoring Month.

January 1
Ellis Island Opens

From 1892 to 1924, this New York Harbor facility served as the gateway to the United States for more than 20 million people. It has been estimated that nearly half of all Americans today can trace their family history to at least one person who passed through Ellis Island. To learn more, visit the Ellis Island web site.

January 1
Emancipation Proclamation Anniversary

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed this edict proclaiming that all slaves living within rebelling Confederate states "are, and henceforth shall be, free." Find out more at the National Archives.

January 1-3
Japanese New Year Celebration

To celebrate this important annual holiday in Japan, people send New Year's postcards to friends and relatives (to arrive on New Year's Day), decorate their entrances, wear ceremonial attire, visit shrines, and eat mochi (rice cakes). Find out more at the Japan Guide web site.

January 5
George Washington Carver Recognition Day

In commemoration of George Washington Carver’s life and work, Congress declared January 5 as George Washington Carver Recognition Day. Find out more at George Washington Carver Recognition Day.

January 7
Christmas Day (Orthodox)

Following the Julian calendar, Greek and Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on or around January 7. 

January 16
World Religion Day

This day was established to foster interfaith understanding and harmony by emphasizing the commonalities underlying all religions. Read more at World Religion Day web site.

January 16
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Day of Service

This federal holiday honors Reverend King's life and commitment to equality and unity. Celebrated simultaneously, the Day of Service encourages citizens to follow King's words: "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve." Read more at the Martin Luther King web site.

January 23
Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year)

Chinese New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. To prepare for this major holiday, people clean their homes, buy new shoes and clothing (especially in red), and get new haircuts. The biggest event is the New Year's dinner, an elaborate meal that celebrates family ties. 2012 is the Year of the Dragon.

January 23
First Native American Senator

On this day in 1907, Charles Curtis, of Kaw, Osage, and Pottawatomie ancestry, was sworn in as the U.S. senator from Kansas. From 1928-1933, he also served the nation as vice president with President Herbert Hoover.

January 23-27Â
No Name-Calling Week

The goal for this week is to end name calling of all kinds and to provide schools with tools to promote dialogues about ways to eliminate bullying. See the No Name-Calling Week web site.

Graduation applications for spring and summer 2012 are now available in each division office and with your faculty advisor. The deadline for submission of completed spring graduation applications is February 10, 2012. For summer graduates who plan to attend the commencement ceremony on May 11, applications must also be submitted by February 10, 2012. For summer graduates who do not plan to attend the ceremony, applications will be accepted until June 29, 2012.

In order to successfully graduate and receive an Associate Degree, Certificate, or Career Studies Certificate at Virginia Western, a student must complete the following established graduation requirements:

•        Fulfill all of the course and credit hour requirements of the degree curriculum with at least 25 percent of the total semester hours acquired at Virginia Western;

•        Earn a grade point average of at least 2.0 in all studies attempted that are applicable toward graduation in their curricula;

•        File an application for graduation with his/her advisor by the established deadline;

•        Submit the graduation fee to the VWCC Cashier's Office;

•        Resolve all financial obligations to the college and return all library and college materials.

At the end of the semester, the appropriate college official will determine if the graduation applicant has met all the above criteria and is eligible for graduation.

Sharlona A Wimmer

Student Services Functional Analyst

swimmer@virginiawestern.edu

540 857 6548

Career Bytes are 30-minute informational seminars offered a couple of times each month throughout the semester. They are held in the Hall Career Center, Student Center room S202, at 11:30 a.m.0 and 5:15 p.m.

Thursday, January 19, Resumes, Cover Letters, and Applications. 

Thursday, February 2, Job Searching Tips.

Call 857-7298 or emai rrice@virginiawestern.edu to register. This event qualifies for an Hall Career Center passport stamp. Attend 3 or more events during the spring semester and you will be eligible for prizes at the end of the semester.

The Hall Career Center is now registering for the first Lunch Leads of the spring semester. The guest employer will be Carilion. Lunch Leads will be held on Wednesday, January 25, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Natural Science Center. Come find out about employment with Carilion, ask questions, get answers. This is a great networking opportunity. Free Lunch Is Provided. You MUST come to the Career Center, Student Center room S202, to register. Space is Limited!! This event does qualify for an Hall Career Center passport stamp.

The Hall Career Center will be holding Resume Power Hour during the spring semester. It will be held in the Hall Career Center, Student Center room S202, Mondays between 11 a.m. and noon. Drop by with your resume and have it tweaked. It is on a first-come, first-served basis. Your resume is your first impression to an employer. Take advantage of this opportunity to get the help you need.

The Student Activities Office at Virginia Western would like to welcome back students to campus with a "Welcome Back" breakfast!  Warm up with some hot beverages and breakfast pastries!

Wednesday, January 18

9:30 a.m. ... until it's gone!

Student Center

Free!

Submitted by the Student Activities Office. Contact Natasha Lee at nlee@virginiawestern.edu with questions.

STUDENT ID OFFICE HOURS

Spring 2012  January 16 – February 9, 2012

 Open:

Mondays

11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thursdays

11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Student Activities Office – S203

Student IDs with a current enrollment sticker (Spring 2012) are REQUIRED for free Valley Metro service and for use of the Virginia Western Fitness Center.Students who already have a student ID can receive a Spring 2012 enrollment sticker during these hours. To receive a new photo ID, students must bring a Government Issued Photo ID (i.e. Driver’s License) For information or questions, contact Student Activities at 857-6326.

Join us for the following FREE MOVIES in Whitman Theater. Movie times are 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Please have your college ID. Faculty, staff and students with a current (SPRING STICKER) ID get in free, all others are $5.

• January 19th, Tower Heist
• February 2nd, Puss in Boots
• March 1st, Twilight: Breaking Dawn, part 1

The movie for April is still to be determined but for an exciting and fun change of pace, the movie will be shown outdoors! Bring your lawn chair and picnic!

Join us for the 2012 Graduation Registration Event on January 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.   The event is being held in Webber Hall.  Faculty and staff will be available to answer any questions you have regarding graduation.  Light refreshments will also be available.

In order to successfully graduate and receive an Associate Degree, Certificate, or Career Studies Certificate at Virginia Western, a student must complete the following established graduation requirements:

•             Fulfill all of the course and credit hour requirements of the degree curriculum with at least 25 percent of the total semester hours acquired at Virginia Western;

•             Earn a grade point average of at least 2.0 in all studies attempted that are applicable toward graduation in their curricula;

•             File an application for graduation with his/her advisor by the established deadline (February 10, 2012);

•             Submit the graduation fee to the VWCC Cashier's Office;

•             Resolve all financial obligations to the college and return all library and college materials.

At the end of the semester, the appropriate college official will determine if the graduation applicant has met all the above criteria and is eligible for graduation.

Sharlona A Wimmer

Student Services Functional Analyst

swimmer@virginiawestern.edu

540 857 6548