Bellarmine Faculty Sweep Metroversity Awards!
Bellarmine University professors captured three of four Kentuckiana  Metroversity Instructional Development awards announced on November 5.  Chair of the Dept of Clinical Laboratory Science Professor Karen Golemboski's proposal "Atlantic Storm in the Classroom – A Global Bioterrorism Scenario" and Theology professor Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty's "Theology from the Margins" each collected $1,000 for their respective proposals.  Biology faculty Steven D. Wilt and David J. Porta shared a $1,000 prize for their joint proposal: "An Interdisciplinary Approach to Teaching Tropical Marine Biology". Read more about how these Bellarmine faculty are re-defining the university classroom!

News and Information for Parents Now Online
We're happy to direct you to two new online resources for parents.  Please visit our new advising blog especially designed for parents of Bellarmine University students. We'll provide weekly updates and insights about how you can help your student be successful at Bellarmine and make the most out of the time here.  The blog is also designed as a space where parents can ask questions, dialogue with each other, and even network on mutually important topics, from travel plans to career opportunities.  Please visit this link.

As a parent of a Bellarmine University student you are also a member of a prestigious group -- the Bellarmine University Parent Association.  We encourage you to get involved and get connected through joining the Parent Association Facebook page.  Create an account at www.facebook.com.  Once you have an account search for Bellarmine University Parent Association or click here.

Come connect online and let us know what you think!

Declaration Day
Bellarmine's fifth-annual Declaration Day will be held on Tuesday, February 3rd from 11 am until noon in Frazier Hall.  Sponsored by the Academic Resource Center (ARC), Declaration Day celebrates the official point at which freshmen "commit" to a major and transition from their Freshman Focus advisor to a new faculty advisor in the department of the major.  While enjoying jazz music and King Cake, students meet their new advisor in a more informal setting.  As they stroll among tables representing all majors, minors, and several student service areas , students are encouraged to ask faculty about major coursework, academic student organizations, potential minors, internships, careers, and graduate programs.  Undeclared freshmen—who are assigned to an advisor in the ARC—also benefit from the chance to speak with various faculty about personal interests and potential majors in an effort to further the decision-making process. 

The Challenges of Second Semester
by Dr. Catherine Sutton, Director Academic Resource Center
I. A Fresh Start Regardless of grades, virtually every freshman looks forward to Spring semester, eager for a fresh start.  Even if students earn superior grades first semester, most of them recognize that they would make some sort of change in their approach to college, and Spring semester offers the opportunity to start over, in a sense.  So, encourage your son or daughter to look around and consider what changes might be desirable.  Most college students scoff at the idea of "New Year's resolutions," because they believe that no one ever keeps them, but most students will, at the same time, consider whether they want to take steps to be more involved, meet new people, join various organizations, and, for many, take steps to improve their grades. So, the beginning of the semester is a good time to talk about change; freshmen tend to have high motivation at the beginning of the semester. Let's help them seize the moment.

II. Leaving Home—Again If you son or daughter lives on campus and moved back home for the holiday—how did that go?  The typical problems associated with the first Christmas vacation usually involve some conflicts between the students who now consider themselves wholly independent, enjoying the freedom to take off for Steak-and-Shake at 3:00 a.m., and their parents who believe they still have a role in setting some expectations about social activity. Hence the conflicts.  But what happens when the opposite occurs? Some freshmen get so reconnected with family and friends back home that they can hardly bear to leave and return to college.  These students suffer through periods of homesickness again, just as they did in August and September.  Once again, the best method of dealing with this situation is for students to stay busy, get out, and plunge into activity, at least as a diversion that will help them focus less on their feelings about leaving home again.

Commuter Students
Bellarmine University is committed to the needs of commuter students.  It is important for this population of students to get involved on campus. The Pit Stop is a space dedicated to all commuter students, a one stop shop for everything from socializing to providing a place to keep lunch cold.  Encourage your son or daughter to stop by the Pit Stop located on the first floor of Horrigan or to check out The Commuter Post, a weekly publication emailed to all commuter students providing relevant information and opportunities for involvement. 

Don't Forget: FAFSA!
In addition to welcoming in the New Year, now is the time to complete the 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)! The FAFSA must be filed every year online at www.fafsa.ed.gov by the March 15 priority filing deadline. Not meeting this deadline could mean that your student will miss out on federal or state grants, loans, and work-study. Questions? Contact the Office of Financial Aid at 502-452-8124 or by email at finaid@bellarmine.edu. 

Siena Secondo Open!
Eighty Bellarmine students marked the New Year by moving into a brand new residence hall, Siena Secondo. Both first-year and upper-class students moved into the beautiful second phase of the Siena project during the first weekend of the New Year, and what an exceptionally beautiful January weekend to move! Professional movers and facilities personnel helped students pack and move their belongings, while parents, University staff, and members of the Student Government Association helped with the transition. Many of the Siena residents came from Lenihan Hall, one of the oldest residence halls on campus. Lenihan will be razed this spring to make way for another phase of the Siena project. The students were excited about the move, and as sophomore Amanda Gray said, "It's exciting to be the first people to live in a building that will be here for years to come."

Get a Jump Start on Career Opportunities!
The Bellarmine Career Center has added a new product for student and alumni use. Through the Career Center website, students can access OptimalResume, an online software suite that guides students through the process of creating resumes, writing cover letters, practicing interviews, creating an online portfolio, and more.

Encourage your son or daughter to participate in an upcoming Optimal Resume training session and to schedule an individual appointment with a career counselor in January or February. Students will gain hands-on experience writing a professional resume, which is essential for anyone seeking summer internships, scholarship awards, scientific research programs, full-time employment, and service year opportunities.

And, there is information about numerous summer research and internship opportunities on the Career Center internship website.  Information about summer research experiences with professional and non-profit organizations such as the National Cancer Institute, Videobred media production company of Louisville, and the World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana is available for all majors and professional interests.  For more information, contact Ann Zeman or Todd Reale in the Career Center.

The Center for Campus Ministry and Service in cooperation with the Career Center will sponsor a monthly series on the "Spiritual Dimension of Your Career Search."  Anchored in the belief that each of us has a unique role to play in the world, we will explore both ancient and new ways of discovering our gifts, talents, and call to be God's hands in the world. The seminars will be during a Free Period in February, March, and April.  For more information, students should contact the Director of Campus Ministry, Dr. Melanie Prejean-Sullivan,  Horrigan Hall 113 or x8051. 

The Office of Student Activities will begin the semester by sponsoring the Louisville Connections program through which 20 students will have a chance to attend the musical Wicked at the Kentucky Center on Thursday, January 29th free of charge.  Students should look for an announcement in the Daily Knight about sign-ups  for this great event.  The Lead On Series resumes this semester and students should read the Daily Knight for information about these great leadership opportunities. For more information regarding Louisville Connections or Leadership programs, please contact Holly Caudill-Grote at hcaudillgrote@bellarmine.edu.

Homecoming 2009
Bellarmine University celebrates Homecoming 2009 with a week of Mardi Gras themed activities February 15-21.  This annual tradition is a terrific opportunity for your son or daughter to shake off the mid-winter doldrums and have some fun as we build spirit for the men's and women's basketball games on the 22nd against University of Indianapolis. With events ranging from a charity date auction to a masquerade dance at the Seelbach Hotel  to the grand finale and crowning of the Knights of Honor during the Men's home game on February 22nd there will be something for every Knight on campus!

Study Abroad: Opportunities and Deadlines
Studying abroad is not only an excellent way to enhance a college education, but expected by many graduate schools and employers. Bellarmine has over 150 partners & programs in 50 countries with programs that range from summer & winter break programs to a semester abroad on exchange. All BU majors who meet the program requirements are eligible to study abroad.

Students interested in the many opportunities available for this summer such as an 8-week program in Japan or a 3-week program in Scotland need to act quickly to meet the February and March deadlines.  Bellarmine's most popular and affordable summer options are with CCSA, KIIS & CIEE. These organizations offer a variety of 2-10 week programs all over the world, many of which do not have a foreign language requirement.  Scholarships are available for most programs, and information is available at: http://www.bellarmine.edu/international/scholarships.asp

The world is truly our campus! If your son or daughter is interested in learning more about Bellarmine's study abroad programs, please encourage attendance at one of the weekly information sessions. Or, contact directly: Hannah Holler Egea, Study Abroad Coordinator, Miles Hall 113, Phone:  (502) 452-8423 hholler@bellarmine.edu.

UPCOMING EVENTS

January 19:
MLK, Jr. Day, University closed

January 20:
MLK Walk and Presidential Inauguration Viewing Party, Frazier Hall, 10:30 am

January 22:
Student Organization Involvement Fair, Hillary's 11 am

January 23:
Louisville Connections trip to a production of Wicked

January 30:
Last day for 75% tuition refund

January 30:
Ben Lee Concert, Frazier Hall

February 1:
Last day to register for Internship, Independent Study, Contract Course, or Music lesson

February 3-4:
Tuition due — Bursar's office, 8 am-6 pm

February 10, 3:00pm:
Black History Month Speaker — Dr. Adewale Troutman, Director, Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness.

February 22:
Men's and Women's Basketball Homecoming Games

February 26, 7:00pm:
Black History Month Speaker — Ed Hamilton, renowned artist and sculptor

February 27:
Last Day for 50% tuition refund

February 28-March 8:
Spring Break

Do you or your student have a question about?

Living in the residence halls?
Leslie Maxie-Ashford, Director, Residence Life; 502-473-3000, lmaxie-ashford@bellarmine.edu

Trouble with a class or an assignment, or making a change in class schedules?
Dr. Catherine Sutton, Dean of Advising and Director; 502-452-8071, csutton@bellarmine.edu

How to find something fun to do on campus?
Sarah Fromm, Assistant Director of Student Activities; 452-8433, sfromm@bellarmine.edu

Financial Aid?
Jennifer Likes, Financial Aid Assistant; 502-452-8124, jlikes@bellarmine.edu

Workstudy?
Lindsey Downs, Financial Aid Counselor; 202, 502-452-8134, ldowns@bellarmine.edu

Getting a terrific summer job or internship?
Ann Zeman, Director of Career Development and Counseling, 502-452-8151, azeman@bellarmine.edu
Todd Reale, Assistant Dean, Career Services and Experiental Learning; 502- 452-8242, treale@bellarmine.edu

Joining an intramural sports team?
Chuck Vogt, Director of Intramural sports; 502-452-8348, cvogt@bellarmine.edu

What to do when sick or injured?
Alice Kimble, Director, Campus Recreation and Health Services; 502-452-8493, makimble@bellarmine.edu

Who to talk to about personal problems?
Dr. Gary Petiprin, Director of Counseling Center; 502-452-8480, gpetiprin@bellarmine.edu

Studying abroad?
Hannah Holler Egea, Study Abroad Advisor; 502-452-8423, hholler@bellarmine.edu

Spiritual programs, service, or faith-based networks?
Dr. Melanie -Prejean Sullivan, Director of Campus Ministry and Service; 502-452-8051, mpsullivan@bellarmine.edu

Disability Accommodations?
Ronda Purdy, Coordinator of Disability Services; 502-452-8480, rpurdy@bellarmine.edu

A more general question about life on campus?
Helen Grace Ryan, Dean of Students; 502-452-8426, hryan@bellarmine.edu