Art for Martin Luther King Jr. Vigil

Photo Courtesy of The National Archives

USU students,faculty and staff are invited to create art work that shares reflections of  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for this year's annual vigil, "Remembering his legacy..." Possible art pieces include but are not limited to poetry, drawings, paintings, sculptures, etc.

The Black Student Union will display these art pieces on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012 at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Vigil, which will be at 5 p.m. in the TSC Ballroom.

"This is a great opportunity to illustrate your talents as well as impact those around you," said Ami Meite, president of USU's Black Student Union.

The art pieces can be deposited at the Access and Diversity Center located in the TSC. Participants are asked to pick up their Art pieces after the event has ended. To ensure that every piece is returned to the rightful owner, each piece is tagged and the owner will receive a matching tag as well.

"We hope everyone can participate in this meaningful event, even if it is just by attending," said Meite.

For more information contact Ami Meite, aminata.meite@aggiemail.usu.edu.

What's going on around campus? 12/5-12/11

Tips from the A-Team

Take breaks during studying!

As you study for your finals, remember to take a few breaks and enjoy some of the holiday activities on campus.  While finals can be a stressful time, remember the big picture.  You are here to learn and grow as a person.  Sometimes a hectic finals week can be the wake-up call you need to study more next semester.

Football Is Going Bowling

Aggie Tailgate Party Saturday, December 17, 2011 Tailgate Party 1-3 pm • Kick-off 3:30 pm The Aggies are going bowling! Come cheer on the Aggies in Boise Idaho before they take on the best the MAC has to offer in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Join the USU Alumni Association before the the game for food, fun, and entertainment to get you in the spirit. More information to come shortly. Time: 1-3 pm Location: Bronco Stadium Cost: TBD RSVP: TBD Be sure to reserve your hotel room* and buy game tickets. *Special Aggie Football rate of $69 per room at the Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, and Fairfield Inn in Boise, ID with discount code: "AGGIES!!".

Around Campus 11/28-12/4

The arches of Old Main's east entrance.

Tips from the A-Team

Study Groups Be aware of any comprehensive finals in your future, and start a study group now.  Ask around in your class and you will easily find a few other students willing to get a start on studying.  You might even announce a study group in front of the class, which can impress your professor.  Optimal study locations for groups include the second floor of the Merrill-Cazier Library, lobbies of any on-campus residence hall, and the “fish bowl” study rooms on each floor of the new library (the rooms have large windows).  The rooms have white boards and big tables to accommodate study groups.  Some rooms even have a computer and large screen.  Study rooms are extremely popular, so reserve them in advance at http://library.usu.edu/main/group_study_rooms/.

Monday 11/28

Free Math and Statistics Tutoring

8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

On and Around Campus 11/21 - 11/27

Monday 11/21

Free Math and Statistics Tutoring

8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Free drop-in tutoring is provided for Math 0900-2250/2270/2280 and Statistics 1040, 2000, 3000, in the Taggart Student Center Room 225A and Lundstrom Student Living Center. Click the URL below for the schedule.

Ka-pow! Graphic Novel Exhibition

October 24^th- December 10th

The Merrill-Cazier Library is presenting Ka-pow! Graphic Novels, an exhibition on graphic novels used in academia. It will be shown in the atrium of the Merrill-Cazier Library from Oct. 24 through Dec. 10. A formal opening reception is Thursday, Nov. 10, at 4 p.m. in room 101 of the Library where several USU professors will discuss the use of graphic novels in their current classroom curriculum.

Snow By Morning

Some for everyone,
plenty, and more coming-

fresh, dainty, airily arriving
everywhere at once,

transparent at first,
each faint slice-
slow, soundlessly tumbling;

then quickly, thickly. a gracious fleece
will spread like youth, like wheat,
over the city.

Each building will be a hill,
all sharps made round-

dark, worn, noisy narrows made still
wide, flat, clean spaces;

streets will be fields,
cars fumbling sheep;

a deep, bright harvest will be seeded
in a night.

By morning we'll be children
feeding on manna,
a new loaf on every doorsill.


May Swenson
Alumna '34

Jim Cangelosi Named Utah's 2011 Carnegie Professor of the Year

Jim Cangelosi is Utah's 2011 Carnegie Professor of the Year.

According to Utah State University professor Jim Cangelosi, most people have fallen prey to a common ruse.

“Their experiences with textbook-driven ‘school math’ have left them with the impression mathematics is a robotic activity with either ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers,” says Cangelosi, who joined the faculty of USU’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics in 1982. “‘I’m no good at math’ is a common refrain — thus, it’s a joyous challenge for me to immerse students in the culture of authentic mathematics and rock their world.”

Recognized for his dedication to students and contributions to the field of math education, Cangelosi was named a 2011 Carnegie Professor of the Year. One of 31 professors from across the nation selected for this year’s prestigious honor, the Louisiana native’s award was announced at a Nov. 17 ceremony in Washington, D.C.

On and Around Logan Campus 11/14-11/20

Students walking along the Quad.

It's common to have a dust of snow on the ground during the autumn here in Logan. This makes for a contrast of colors as many of the trees still hold leaves. But a little bit of snow doesn't stop the Aggies from enjoying all there is to do on and around campus! From big name comedians to college night at many local restaurants, there is plenty to do.

If you'd like to receive this, as a weekly email, just send an email to soar@usu.edu and request the "weekly email."

HBO's "Temple Grandin"

Utah State University is proud to present the HBO film that earned nominated for 15 Emmys, "Temple Grandin," 7 P.M., Nov. 1, in the TSC Auditorium.

This event is made possible by the USU College of Agriculture, the Disability Law Center, USU Charter Credit Union, the Center for Persons with Disabilities, the Disability Resource Center, and Utah Film Center.

World Renowned Speaker Coming to USU

Bestselling author Temple Grandin.

She’s been featured in The New York Times, People, and Forbes. She was listed in Time’s list of 100 most influential people in the world under heroes. A movie based on her life earned 15 Emmy nominations.

Yet Temple Grandin is far from a billionaire. She’s an expert on livestock and animal behavior, a bestselling author and a professor of animal science at Colorado State University.

                                   

Oh yes, and she was born with high-functioning autism.

Diagnosed at 3 years old, Grandin’s mother was told that she had brain damage and should be institutionalized. At a time when little was known about autism, her mother scoffed at the suggestion, and instead began a journey to ensure her daughter had the best opportunities possible. She was placed in a nursery school from the time she was a small child. Her mother hired a one-on-one speech therapist helping Grandin learn to communicate. She graduated from Hampshire Country School, a private school focused on giving gifted children specialty education, in 1966.

Lecturing Around the World

Lancy on his birthday vacationing in the Dolomite Mountains of Italy.

USU Professor David F. Lancy, 2001's Carnegie Professor of the Year, is spending much of the fall on a lecture tour in Europe at some of the world's most prestigious institutions. 

He delivered his first lecture, on the nature of apprenticeship, in early October at the Society for the Study of Childhood in the Past Conference at Cambridge University. He will give a keynote address at a conference on the anthropological study of schooling at Brunel University in London in early December. 

He has also been invited to consult and speak at Osnabrück University and at L’ecole des Haute Etudes en Sciences Sociale in Paris. He will be speaking on his research on children’s work. The specific topic will be “Les Tâches Ménagères, Agricole et Butinage:  L'éducation Avant la Scolarisation” (Household chores, Agricultural and Foraging: Education Before Schooling). Dr. Lancy is the 2011 D. Wynn Thorne awardee at USU, a prestigious honor that recognizes faculty for outstanding research throughout their career.  

It takes all kinds of minds: Dr. Temple Grandin sheds light on autism at USU

Dr. Temple Grandin

Dr. Temple Grandin will soon visit Utah State University. She’s coming to discuss animal handling, a field she’s revolutionized. She’ll also talk about Autism Spectrum Disorder.

She’s on the autism spectrum herself, and her life experience gives her a refreshing, insider’s approach to the topic. On November 2 she’ll deliver a free public lecture: “All Kinds of Minds Need to Work Together.” She speaks at 4 p.m. in the Taggart Student Center ballroom.

If anywhere needs more frank discussion about autism, it’s Utah. Nationwide, one in 110 children is diagnosed with ASD. In Utah, the rate is one in 77. That means that two of every 150 babies born in the state will experience the significant challenges in communication, behavior and getting along with others that come with ASD. The cost of treating autism can total $3.5 million over a child’s lifetime, according to a 2006 Harvard study—including medical care, prescriptions and intervention.

USU Students Break Kissing World Record

Students at Utah State University broke the world record for the “longest kissing chain” in the late evening of Friday, Sept. 23. The previous record of 303 participants was set at a school in India earlier this year. The Aggies set the new world record with 1,450 participants.

Kissing has played an important role in student traditions at Utah State. The long standing "True Aggie" tradition—a title given to those receiving a kiss on the "A" under a full moon at midnight by somebody who is already a "True Aggie," or on Homecoming—is a right-of-passage for many students. At one time, USU held the record for “most couples kissing at the same place at the same time.”

“I thought we could organize another world record pretty easily,” said graduate student Michael Wilkey. “We’re Aggies; we can do anything when we’re united!”

Wilkey, with the help of the USU Student Alumni Association planned and carried out the event.

“Now we will just wait to hear back from the officials at Guinness World Records,” said Wilkey.

To help ensure that the record would be considered by Guinness, Judge Jeff Burbank and Representative David Butterfield were enlisted to act as judicators.

The world record was held in conjunction with the Utah State University 2011 Homecoming Week which will conclude with the homecoming football game as the Aggies take on the Rams of Colorado State, at 6 PM, Saturday, Sept. 24.

USU Bookstore: No Border To What It Can Do

See the bottom of this post for a FREE SHIPPING promo code!

By its name, obviously the USU Bookstore provides all the books necessary for student coursework. Though textbooks are just one of the products it provides. From Aggie apparel to computers and school supplies, if you need it, chances are the Bookstore can get it for you.

Here are just a few of the new products and promotions available to students, alumni, and fans alike.

USU is a Princeton Review “Green College”

For two consecutive years Utah State University has been named a Princeton Review “Green College.” Ranked in the top 80^th percentile of more than 700 schools surveyed, the university wears her green badge with pride.

But what does “going green” even mean? Besides the fact that Utah State has more green space than any other college or university in the state, it’s all about critical thinking, which means always challenging conventional ways of doing things. From the preservation of natural environments to new innovations reducing energy consumption, USU is a major player in the sustainability movement.

The "A" Gets a Facelift

If you've walked past the "A" recently, you may have noticed that it rests on the sidewalk, a few feet from where it normally sits. But don't worry, this is just the first incision of some landscape plastic surgery. The 2011 senior class wanted to leave its mark by beautifying the area that has held so many True Aggie Nights. 

Graduating seniors donated over $5,000 to refurbish the area surrounding the most recognizable icon at Utah State. The "A" will now sit on a concrete pad, which will stop it from sinking into the soft dirt near the quad. Also, five feet of paver bricks will surround the "A", keeping the area from turning into mud during Homecoming, A-Day and other True Aggie Nights. 

“It is our responsibility, as Aggies, to give back to this University," said Tessa Goodall 2011 senior gift chair. "The Senior gift can be our way to show gratitude for the experience USU has provided us.”

For more information about donations contact Elizabeth Bare,     elizabeth.bare@usu.edu, 435-797-0863.

Photo Courtesy of Isacc Brekken/AP

When thinking about your dream university, does it include incredible athletics? If so, then look no further, USU might be the place just for you. The Aggie’s just finished up, yet another incredible basketball season! On March 12th, the Aggie’s finished up their regular season by winning the WAC Championship in Las Vegas, NV against Boise State! Final score, 77-69! Congratulations to Tai Wesley who received the “WAC Player of the Year”! Also, a huge congratulations to Head Coach Stew Morrill for winning “Coach of the Year”. Can you believe it’s his 3rd straight win! The Aggie’s had an incredible season with a record of 30-3 and 15-1 in the WAC Conference.

So that means, the Aggie’s are going dancing! The Aggie's will take on Kansas State on Thursday March 17th , 7:55 MST. Good Luck Aggies! Future Aggies, it’s NEVER to early to join in on what ESPN calls, “One of the Smartest Student Sections in the entire country” So, put on your Future Aggie shirt and cheer on the Aggies! And if you don't know any of the cheers yet, don't worry, here's a video to help you out. Start with the most popular USU chant! I believe that we will win....I believe that we will win....

Home Stretch....3 short months to go!

Can you believe it? Seniors you are on the home stretch, the final 3 months of your entire high school career! What a huge milestone; one you should be very proud of. Hopefully, this is just the beginning. T he majority of you have settled into making one of the most important decisions of your life. Where to attend college! You’ve gotten your applications in {if not, it’s not too late! www.usu.edu/admissions/applyonline} and now you are sitting back weighing the pro’s and con’s for each institution. Don’t worry, that’s exactly what you should be doing right now. For those of you that might need some help, here’s just a few of the pro’s of attending USU:

*A GREAT SIZE: At USU we have 15,000 students that attend our main campus. You will be getting the best of both worlds. You will be getting the benefits of attending a big university {Division 1 Sports, 170+ majors, 2nd Oldest Undergraduate Research Program} mixed with the benefits of attending a small liberal arts college {A faculty to student ratio of 17:1, Average class size 20-29, 10 of the last 16 Carnegie Professors for the State of Utah teach at USU}.

*A GREAT LOCATION: You know what the say, Location, Location, Location! Ask any fellow Aggie and then will tell you that there’s nowhere on the planet quite like Logan. Logan is a 2 minute drive to Logan Canyon, an hour drive to 4 ski resorts and a days drive to 7 National Parks! Also, with Logan being the largest residential campus is Utah there’s always something going on on our campus. No wonder AIER College Destination ranked Logan as the #13 Best College Town! Still not convinced? USU also has over 200 clubs for you to get involved in, 12 intramural sport programs, and 7 fraternities and sororities to get involved with!

*AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES: Have you always dreamed of “Running with the Bulls” in Spain? Ever wished to pass the Eifel Tower on your way to class? Or take a weekend trip to see the Great Wall? If so, USU just might be the place for you! Our Study Abroad program has over 150 locations to choose from, it might be tough choosing just one! You can follow one of our students, Dexter Summers’ incredible study abroad experience online at www.usuabroad-dexter.blogspot.com

We would absolutely love for you to come and see what Utah State University has to offer you in your future. It's not too late to take a look at USU. One of the greatest ways for you to find out if USU is a great fit for you is to come and visit our campus. We offer campus tours Monday-Friday at 10:15 and 1:15 daily. You can sign up for them online at www.usu.edu/admissions/campustour As always, if there’s ANY question in your mind regarding Utah State University please do not hesitate to get in touch with your representative {http://www.usu.edu/admissions/territory/}

As always, GO AGGIES!!!

Aggie Basketball...what's all the buzz about?

You've heard about Aggie Basketball at USU right? But, have you actually experienced it? There are still four more opportunities to attend an Aggie basketball game this season! Sign up today!

For two of the games, we are hosting our popular “Bring-A-Date to Utah State!” The cost is $20 per couple and includes dinner for two, famous Aggie Ice Cream, two game day t-shirts, two “A” beanies, and two tickets to the game. We will meet at 5:00 pm for dinner and game time is 7:00 pm. The dates are, Thursday, 20 January 2011 or Saturday, 12 February 2011

The other two games are being broadcast on ESPN so expect a Spectrum atmosphere at its finest! There is no charge for either of these games. We will meet at 7:30 pm for the distribution of tickets and game day t-shirts and, of course, some famous Aggie Ice Cream. Game time for both games is 9:00 pm. The dates are: Saturday, 22 January 2011 or
Wednesday, 2 February 2011

Sign up at the following site: http://www.usu.edu/admissions/freetickets/. Any questions, call Tad Sorenson at 435-797-1378.

We hope to see you there! GO AGGIES!!!