The Digest
What’s Happening at KVCC
What’s below in this edition
ü Talking about 9/11 (Page 1 ü Managing people (Page 9)
ü The ‘BRAIN’ (Pages 1-4) ü ‘Thief of Bagdad’ (Pages 9/10)
ü Checkups for students (Page 4) ü Teaching globally (Pages 10/11)
ü Traffic challenges (Pages 4/5) ü Concerts for kids (Page 11)
ü Our welcomers (Pages 5/6) ü ‘BRAIN’ programs (P 11-13)
ü Klezmer music (Pages 6/7) ü KVCC Foundation (P 13/14)
ü E-CARS era (Pages 7/8) ü Historic homes (Page 14)
ü State’s heritages (Page 8) ü And finally (Pages 14/15)
☻☻☻☻☻☻
Commons hosts 9/11 dialogue
"Five Years Later," a drop-in dialogue about what happened in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, and its lasting effects, is scheduled for Monday (Sept. 11) at Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Texas Township Campus.
Free and open to the public, the reflections on "9/11," the people who died that day in the twin towers of the World Trade Center, and what that catastrophe has wrought, will run from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The round-table discussion involving faculty, students, staff and the public will be held in the Student Commons Forum.
‘BRAIN’ debuts at museum Sept. 30
It’s about the size of a blue-ribbon head of cauliflower and looks like that vegetable, but it’s the V-8 juice and garden salad of human organs.
It’s the human brain, and what it is, how it works, what keeps it healthy, and the disorders that affect it will be explained in an exhibit opening at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum on Sept. 30.
“BRAIN: The World Inside Your Head,” sponsored by Pfizer Inc and designed by Evergreen Exhibitions (formerly Clear Channel Exhibitions) in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health, is a free, interactive exhibition.
With a plethora of special events, programs and films for people of all ages, the nationally touring showcase will complete its downtown-Kalamazoo run Jan. 7.
“BRAIN” made its debut at the Smithsonian Institution in July 2001. After its five-month stay in Washington, the exhibition was booked by museums in Portland, Atlanta, Cleveland, Indianapolis, New York City, Detroit, St. Louis, Kansas City, Boston, Dallas, Memphis, Raleigh and Mexico City.
The 5,000-square-foot display, designated for the museum’s third-floor Havirmill Special Exhibition Gallery, provides a hands-on, up-close look at the human body's most essential and fascinating organ by exploring its development, geography, functions and malfunctions.
Since more than 44 million adult Americans suffer from diagnosable brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and anxiety each year and two-thirds of them receive no treatment, one of the exhibition’s prime objectives is to de-stigmatize these conditions through education.
Using virtual reality, video games, optical illusions and other interactive features at its score of stations, the exposition introduces visitors to some amazing facts:
● The brain is regarded as one of the most complex structures in the universe.
● It contains as many neurons as there are stars in the Milky Way, which is viewable in one of the museum’s planetarium shows.
● The computer between each person’s ears never turns off or even rests in its lifetime.
● By age 4, a person’s “thinking cap” is full size.
● While it is only 2 percent of a human’s weight, it consumes 20 percent of the body’s fuel.
● The brain doesn’t feel any pain.
In addition to viewing the brains of humans and animals, visitors can “walk through” a brain complete with neurons flying about and can explore a 19th-century lab when researchers began more intensive and extensive studies of the complex organ.
The “interactives” include launching an electrical signal down a neuron tunnel, stimulating memories through the sense of smell, deciphering optical illusions, “conducting” brain surgery, and playing a game filled with facts that boost one’s brainpower.
One of the objects in the exhibit is a replica of a human skull from around 1300 A.D. found in Cinco Cerros, Peru, with signs of cranial surgery. Another, on loan from the Smithsonian, is an epoxy cast of a triceratops’ brain cavity from an animal that lived around 70 million years ago.
In addition to outlining what is coming next in brain research, the exhibition sheds light on the realm of conditions from manic depression to bipolar disorder to schizophrenia, on the power of brain chemicals, and the organ’s role in dreaming and language development.
The interactives include:
● “Synapse Pop” that shows how a synapse makes the connection between neurons, the brain’s electrical-relay system.
● “Back and Forth,” a three-station platform that demonstrates how the brain controls reflexes, autonomic functions and balance.
● “Neuron Sightings,” a microscopic view of real neurons from a variety of species.
● “Nightshift” is a video game showing how sleep "recharges" the human battery. While the body sleeps, the brain is doing memory, repair and growth work.
● “Wired” illustrates how an infant will not recognize himself/herself in a mirror until he/she is between 18 and 24 months old. This station also offers the chance to take apart a brain model and put it back together, bringing to light the five stages of brain development.
● “Brain Live!” uses electrodes to see real-time EEG measurements and simulated imaging of corresponding brain activity.
● “Unhinge-a-Brain” charts the evolution of the human brain and reveals many of its components, including the cortex, the site of thinking that helps to set humans apart from other animals.
● “Yesterday” is an encounter that shows, with the help of popcorn, grass and fire, how different senses produce different intensities of memory.
● In “Virtual Reality,” visitors can experience the "phantom limb syndrome," the sensation of feeling in an amputated or nonexistent limb.
● “Be a Brain Surgeon” offers the chance to wield a gamma-knife simulator to excise a brain tumor.
● “Hills or Craters” is an exercise showing how the brain interprets the world according to built-in biases.
● “A Hole in the Head” is the story of Phineas Gage, the iron rod that rocketed through his skull, and how he lived to tell about it.
“The goal of this innovative exhibit is to de-mystify brain disease and put to rest some of the negative stigmas associated with them,” said Dr. Joe Hammang, director of science policy and public affairs for Pfizer. “We also aim to open lines of communication within families dealing with any kind of brain disorder.”
According to a recent Pfizer survey, 38 percent of American adults said they have a family member with a brain-related disorder. To help caregivers communicate with children about these disorders, Pfizer, in conjunction with the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, has produced a guide, “Talking to Kids About Brain-Related Conditions.”
As with the exhibit, this free brochure helps families talk about these sensitive issues. Available in both English and Spanish, copies are available at the exhibit or can be downloaded at www.pfizer.com/brain.
"Whether we're talking about dyslexia or depression, Alzheimer's or anxiety disorders,” Hammang said, “it's important for people to know that brain-based conditions have a physical cause and that treatments are available. By talking openly and honestly in our families about these conditions, we can help remove the stigmas that have become associated with them."
According to the Pfizer survey, only 16 percent of parents said they have "very thoroughly discussed" mental illness with their children. That’s about one-fourth of the number of parents who have talked to them about alcohol use, drug abuse and sexual activity. “BRAIN” can prompt discussions that brain-based conditions can and should be treated like any other physical disease or condition.
Throughout its four-month stay in downtown Kalamazoo, the exhibition will be complemented by targeted programming for children of all ages, presentations for adult audiences, live entertainment, and showings of movies with both serious and comedic looks at the brain.
Are your students on the right track?
Faculty, administrators and staff should be reminding students about the upcoming opportunities to make certain that they are on the right track in pursuit of a degree, certificate or career path.
Under the guidance of Peggy Hohnke, a technician in a special project targeting degree completion in the KVCC Counseling Office, an “Are You on Track” initiative will be held Sept. 25-28 at three locations:
þ Texas Township Campus in the cafeteria: Monday, Sept. 25, from 5 to 7 p.m.; Tuesday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Thursday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
þ Anna Whitten Hall in the lobby: Monday, Sept. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m.; Tuesday, Sept. 26, from 1 to 4 p.m.; and Thursday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to noon.
þ Center for New Media in the lobby: Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Counseling staff will be available to help students identify their programs of study, whether they are taking the right classes to advance toward a degree in a chosen field of study, and how, if they are not, how they can get on the right path.
For more information, tap into this KVCC link: http://www.kvcc.edu/counsel/career/events.htm
Hohnke, who is based in Room 1344 on the Texas Township Campus and can be reached at extension 4751, is also doing some of these assessments in the library’s computer lab. Information about those sessions is also available at that link.
Major highway projects impact routes to campus
Students, faculty and staff might have their get-to-campus travel routes affected because of two major highway projects in the vicinity of the Texas Township Campus.
The $68-million widening project on I-94 from west of U. S. 131 to east of Oakland Drive has been launched with the first phase calling for median reconstruction and the installation of crossovers to maintain traffic through 2007.
Meanwhile, through Oct. 13, the repairing and painting of the Michigan Avenue overpass on U. S. 131 will close the bridge to traffic.
The I-94 project includes the reconstruction of the U. S. 131 interchange - including building four new bridge ramps - and the Oakland Drive configuration, as well as widening that 2.6-mile stretch of the interstate to add one lane in each direction. As part of the project, Oakland Drive in that vicinity will be widened to add a second left-turn lane from northbound Oakland to westbound I-94.
Also part of the blueprints are the addition of eye-appealing sound barriers adjacent to residential areas, along with new signs, traffic signals, pavement markings, drainage systems, and information-technology conduits.
Throughout the work, two lanes of traffic will be open in each direction. The occasional single-lane closures will take place in off-peak travel hours.
The various stages of the project will extend throughout 2007 and 2008. With restoration scheduled for early 2009. the entire project should be completed by that May.
Regarding the Michigan Avenue overpass, there will be intermittent land closures on both north- and south-bound U.S. 131 traffic through mid-October, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Starting Sept. 6, the entrance ramp connecting westbound Stadium Drive to northbound U. S. 131 and the exit ramp linking southbound U. S. 131 to westbound Stadium Drive were closed. Traffic is being redirected to the ramps at West Main Street.
Michigan Avenue traffic is being redirected down Drake Road to Stadium Drive and back up 11th Street.
KVCC’s smiling faces
Scores of KVCC folks stepped forward to staff welcome-back tables and provide other opening-week services at both the Texas Township and Arcadia Commons campuses.
The ACC volunteers included Barbara Taraskiewicz, Barbara VanZandt, Brian Olson, Heidi Stevens-Ratti, Kevin Dockerty, Lisa Peet, Makida Cunningham, Nancy Woods, Nicole Newman, Ola Johnson, Ron Campbell, Steven Gerike, Valerie Jones, Pat Pallett, Jim Ratliff, Karen Matson, Grace Grant, Scott Eberstein, Don Chapman, Claudia Barbee, Mark Sloan, Jill Storm , Char Gibson, Isaac Turner, Anora Ackerson, Lesa Strausbaugh, Kris Bazali, Karen Thorngate, and Maggie Noteboom.
Kalamazoo Valley Museum staffers who served as downtown-campus welcomers were Donna Odom, Elspeth Inglis, Gail Kendall, Tom Dietz, Paula Metzner, Pat Norris, Annette Hoppenworth, Jay Gavan, Mary Fortney, and Elizabeth Barker.
Their counterparts at Texas Township included:
Steve Doherty, Brenda Moncrief, Carol Orr, Colleen Olson, Cynthia Schauer, Sherri Adams, Dan Mondoux, Dawn Pantaleo, Deb Bryant, Denise Baker, Karen Visser, Darlene Kohrman;
Doug Martin, Dwight Coblentz, Daniel Betancourt, Geof Crosslin, Helen Palleschi; Jackie Howlett, Jeff Donovan, Jennifer LaFrance, Jim Taylor;
Lauren Harkness, Terry Coburn, Kathy Anderson, Marylan Hightree, Muriel Hice, Mel VanAntwerp, Mike Collins, Theresa Hollowell, Michael McCall;
Diane Vandenberg, Nancy Taylor, Shequella White, Louise Wesseling, Nancy Vendeville, Pat Pojeta, Patricia Niewoonder, Ray Hendriksma, Rick Ives, Marilyn Schlack, Rod Albrecht, Erick Martin;
Steve Cannell, Sue Puckett, Candy Horton, Roxanne Bengelink, Sheila Eisenhauer, Stella Lambert, Sue Visser, Terry Hutchins, Theo Sypris, Tom Lentenbrink, Fred Toxopeus, Pat Conroy, and Tom Thinnes.
Doing their part of smiling and direction as part of the Cougar Connection in the Student Commons were:
Connie Edlund, Bob Vezeau, Steve Walman, Kate Ferraro, Su Cutler, Denise Morrison, Kim Grubka, John Stasiuk, Terry Reynolds, Teresa Fornoff, Gloria Larrieu;
Pantaleo, Larry Taylor, Rick Brill, Vendeville, Ann Lindsay, Tom Hughes, Daniel Cunningham, Chris Garrett, Chris Preston, Art Parker, Rita Fox, Karen Visser, Bob Post; J. P. Talwar, Moncrief, Rick Garthe, Sue Hollar, Stella Lambert, Bill Wangler;
Tom Keena, Lena Cool, Puckett, Natalie Patchell, Lisa Winch, Kandiah Balachandran, Anderson, Mike Tyson, Jean Snow, Jonnie Wilhite, Martin, Gloria Barton-Beery, Hendriksma, Charissa Oliphant, Howard Carpenter, Joe Brady, Mary Johnson, Robert Sutton, Keith Kroll, Rob Haight, Howlett, and Debbie Nelson.
According to Mike McCall, faculty and staff volunteers filled more than 140 hourly slots at the tables from 7:30 a.m. through 7 p.m. on both Monday and Tuesday on the Texas Township Campus. Many signed up for double duty as well as multiple sessions.
“Diane Vandenberg, myself, the rest of the staff and Mary Johnson want to thank everyone for their dedication and commitment to welcoming our students back to campus,” McCall said. “It is much appreciated by those organizing this event and appreciated even more by our students.”
Are you ready for a ‘klezmer koncert?’