Happy Christmas to All

Happy Christmas

As the sun sets in Waverly, IA, we begin our celebration of Christmas.  It is cold and supposed to snow, but the houses are warm and everything smells delicious.  We wish you a great Christmas, a Merry New Year, and safe travels back to campus, or wherever you may be.

Mariah Birgen

Scholars Director

Class of 2008

2014 is the tenth anniversary of the Wartburg Scholars Program.  Because I am supposed to be cleaning my office and preparing for Winter term classes, here is a bit of a retrospective in pictures.

The first class of Scholars included

Kayla Becker	Shantel Leary
Andy Bell	Jessi LeClear
Brittany Brugman	Lourey Middlecamp
Kristin Burkey	Amy Nass
Nicci Chapman	Stephanie Nederhoff
Ben Clarkson	David Neil
Ashley Dietz	Beau Nelson
Randy Fowler	Drew Newhoff
Kate Franklin	Chellie Orluck
Erin Gustitus	Ashley Richards
Meaghan Hagensick	Natalie Richardson
Heidi Hanson	Jessica Saunders
Tasha Hauschild	Julie Scheibel
Heather Horning	Jennifer Starner
Krystina   Irvin	Carrie Tibbetts
Sara Jane Jones	Tyler Vachta
Erin Jontz	Mari Voelker
Katherine Knutsen	Sarah Witte
Kristall Laursen

2013 December Commencement

The December commencement at Wartburg College is always quite a bit smaller than in May, but this year we have had several students graduate.  So, congratulations to Jena, Kelsey, and Josh.

CCPT Recruitment Announcement Dec 2013

U.S. Department of Energy

Office of International Climate Change Policy and Technology Fellowship Program

Application closes Wednesday, January 15, 2014, midnight EST – click http://orise.orau.gov/ccpt/ to get started NOW!

The Office of International Climate Change Policy and Technology within the Office of International Affairs (IA) seeks a talented and committed person to support efforts related to the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), which is a high-level forum to promote policies and programs that advance clean energy technology, to share lessons learned and best practices, and to encourage the transition to a global clean energy economy. Participating governments include Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, the European Commission, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. More information can be found at www.cleanenergyministerial.org. The Fellowship position would involve frequent interactions with international counterparts and some international travel.

Desired qualifications:

• Experience with electricity markets design, regulation, and analysis. 
• Project management experience
• International experience, and general experience in energy and climate change policy topics and analyses are preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills, communication skills, and analytical abilities.
• Ability to commit to a full-time appointment, for at least one year, located in Washington, D.C.

Stipends range from $60,000 to $90,000 depending on academic level, skills, and experience. Additional allowances for medical insurance or transportation may be provided.

For more information, e-mail ccpt.fellowship@orise.orau.gov

 

2014-2015 ISI Graduate Fellowships

Dear Mariah, Do you know a student who needs financial support for graduate studies? The Intercollegiate Studies Institute is now accepting applications for its 2014-2015 Graduate Fellowships Programs. Current graduate students and those who plan to pursue graduate studies in the upcoming year with the intention to teach at the university level are eligible to apply. ISI offers the Weaver Fellowship, the Western Civilization Fellowship, the Renshaw Fellowship, and the Salvatori Fellowship. The Weaver Fellowship supports academics dedicated to liberal education broadly considered.  The Weaver Fellowship pays tuition, a stipend of $5,000, and a $1,000 book award. The Western Civilization Fellowship provides each recipient $20,000 for dissertation work related to the intellectual, economic, political, social, or religious heritage of Western Civilization. The Salvatori Fellowship is designed for graduate students who are exploring both the principles of the Founding Fathers and the culture that formed their convictions and ideals. The Fellowship provides $10,000 to each recipient for graduate work related to the American Founding. The Renshaw Fellowship awards each recipient $12,000 toward doctoral study in education that will influence the discipline with the ideas, values, and institutions that are fundamental to America's Western tradition. I encourage you to consider applying; if you are not currently a graduate student, please let qualified graduate students know about these opportunities. For more information about this year's fellowships you can email fellowships@isi.org or visit isifellowships.org. The postmark deadline for the graduate fellowship application materials is January 16, 2014. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions about our fellowships or any of ISI's other programs. My phone number is (302) 524-6131. Sincerely, Joel Boersma Academic Program Officer

Scholarships for doctoral studies in Science and Religion to work under the direction of Prof Alister McGrath

All, 

I am delighted to pass along news of an important and exciting new opportunity for your most able students interested in pursuing graduate studies in science and religion and able to apply for a DPhil.  As you may have heard, Professor Alister McGrath has just been appointed to be the Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University.  Some of you may know that Alister has been a close friend and colleague of SCIO and the CCCU joining together to offer multiple summer programmes in science and religion, welcoming SCIO to Wycliffe Hall when he was its principal, and working closely with me in establishing the Scholars' Semester in Oxford. We look forward to Alister returning full time to Oxford to take this post in April (most recently he has held a professorship at Kings College, London).

The Theology Faculty at Oxford has just released the following statement and information on the five new scholarships.

Following the appointment of Professor Alister McGrath as the new Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University, the Oxford Faculty of Theology and Religion is delighted to announce that there will be up to five fully-funded three-year studentships available for candidates studying for doctorates in the field of Science and Religion. Three of the studentships in Science and Religion will cover university and college fees at the "overseas" rate. Full details of the studentships and the application process can be found here:

http://www.theology.ox.ac.uk/student-funding/graduate2/graduate-studentships.html

[NB: UK to US translation——Studentship = Graduate Fellowship/Scholarship]

Yours, Stan

Scholars Semester in Oxford

Changes to Scholars' Semester in Oxford: GPA minimum now 3.7, second semester sophomores welcome

GPA minimum now 3.7

BestSemester's Scholars' Semester in Oxford (SSO) programme has always been designed for high achieving students who can meet the University of Oxford's exacting requirements for Visiting Students. Until recently such students needed a GPA of 3.5. In October 2013 Oxford University increased the requirement with immediate effect such that students must normally have a GPA of 3.7; this standard will affect all new admissions decisions.

This change should make SSO even more clearly the programme of choice for your really high achieving students, especially those who are aiming for graduate or professional school. SSO welcomes applications from them and from students whose GPA does not meet the new requirements but who still deserve consideration because of extenuating circumstances. The new requirements may disappoint some students who cannot now attend SSO: they are very welcome to apply to the Oxford Summer Programme for which there is no absolute GPA requirement, though typically 3.0 has been a minimum.

Second semester sophomores welcome

SSO now welcomes applicants from second semester sophomores. While juniors and seniors are likely to benefit most from time in Oxford, having greater academic experience and maturity, sophomores are now welcome to apply to spend their second semester at SSO if they cannot be in Oxford in their junior or senior year.

More information on the programme can be found at:  

https://www.bestsemester.com/locations-and-programs/oxford/sso

Your help in advising students as to how they can best profit from BestSemester's programmes in Oxford is much appreciated.  As always, we appreciate your entrusting your students to us for a semester and really appreciate the challenge and pleasure of working with these bright, able, and engaged students.

Yours with every best wish,

Stan

Stan Rosenberg, PhD

Director, SCIO

Faculty Member: Wycliffe Hall and Faculty of Theology, University of Oxford

_____________________________________

SCIO... Scholarship & Christianity In Oxford

8 Norham Gardens  I  Oxford  I OX2 6QB  I  United Kingdom

    Or

Wycliffe Hall  I  University of Oxford  I  Oxford OX2 6PW I  United Kingdom

Direct Tel: +44 (0)1865 355621 

www.scio-uk.org

stan.rosenberg@scio-uk.org

stan.rosenberg@theology.ox.ac.uk

stan.rosenberg@wycliffe.ox.ac.uk

University of Tennessee Knoxville Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)

Department of Biochemistry and

Cellular and Molecular Biology

Sensing and Signaling in Biological Systems

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)

The BCMB Department at UT-Knoxville will once again offer a special REU program for undergraduates interested in hands-on scientific research experience. 

The broad focus is on Sensing and Signaling in Biological Systems. The team of REU faculty represent multiple modern scientific disciplines including cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, physical chemistry, and computational biology.

We especially encourage rising sophomores and rising junior undergraduate science majors to apply.

Underrepresented minorities, women, and first generation college students are also strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a US citizen or a permanent resident.

More information and on-line applications are available at our web site at: http://web.bio.utk.edu/bcmb/summer/reu.html  or email bcmbreu@utk.edu.

 

NCTR Summer Student Research Participation Program 2014

ORISE Summer Student Research Participation Opportunity at NCTR

Introduction

Summer research opportunities are available at the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Jefferson, Arkansas.  This program is designed for science and mathematics students preparing for future careers in toxicology, regulatory science, or related scientific disciplines. Selected individuals will participate in research projects on the biological effect of potentially toxic chemicals and the solutions to toxicology problems that have a major impact on human health and the environment.
The appointment period is for up to 10 weeks beginning May 27, 2014.  The participant will receive a stipend depending on education level and experience. The Research Participation Program for FDA is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education under an agreement with FDA and the Department of Energy (DOE).  Participants do not become employees of FDA, DOE, or the program administrator, and there are no fringe benefits paid.

For additional information about this opportunity, NCTR or FDA, please see the attached document or visit

http://www.orau.org/science-education/internships-scholarships-fellowships/description.aspx?JobId=14519

 

Finals greetings from Alumni

Yesterday, I posted on Facebook:

Alumni, it is finals time at Wartburg College and the students are all getting pretty discouraged. Do you have any advice or suggestions or even an uplifting story about how it was all worth it after you graduated?

I have gotten the following:

Put yourself on a strict, healthy schedule and remember that working to earn your degree is a gift from yourself to yourself. Also, don't put off eating/hydrating...

make a fort on the 3rd floor of the science center with a bunch of friends and order pizza to Mr. Dr. Birgen's office when you are studying (like around 6 or 7). And stay put until you get kicked out. As long as everyone is serious about actually studying/getting work done, it's a super productive method of studying. And fun!

Study fort! Also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H4ebn0BeSM (It helps to listen to it, for real)

TWO STEM Internship Opportunities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)

Student, Alumni and Faculty Research Opportunities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) – Oak Ridge, TN

Opportunities for qualified students and faculty to participate in hands-on research in a real-world setting with award-winning scientists

Higher Education Research Experiences (HERE)

·         Undergraduates, Post-BS and AAS, MS, PhD and Faculty – Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) majors

·         Stipend based on academic status

·         Travel/Housing assistance (if eligible)

·         Full-time and part-time appointments

·         Professional development activities

·         Minimum GPA  - 2.5/4.0

·         U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident (LPR)

Nuclear Engineering Science Laboratory Synthesis Programs (NESLS)

·         Undergraduates, MS, PhD, and Post-MS or Postdoctoral – Majors related to Nuclear Science and Nuclear Policy; Engineering; Physics; Nuclear Medicine

·         Stipend based on academic status

·         Travel/Housing assistance (if eligible)

·         Full-time and part-time appointments

·         Professional development activities

·         Minimum GPA  - 3.0/4.0

·         Open to U.S. and International Citizenship

Visit http://www.orau.org/ornl or contact ORNL Education Programs at ornledu@orau.org for more information!

 

Congratulations to Ben Bogard and Mattea Otten

Both Ben and Mattea are Wartburg Scholars

A picture is worth a thousand words — Congratulations to these students who won the Study Abroad Photo Contest:

Ben Bogard ’15, first place, "Peace in China"
Mattea Otten ’14, second place, "Something Beautiful"
Samatha Salow ’15, third place, "Faith Worldwide"
All 63 entries can be viewed on the Study Abroad Facebook page. The photos also will be on display outside the Den in January and February, during which time the Student Choice and Faculty/Staff Choice awards will be voted on and awarded.

Undergraduate Summer Research Program - Lincoln, NE

I am writing to request your help in identifying undergraduate students who are interested in a summer research experience. I hope you will encourage them to consider applying to the 2014 Nebraska Summer Research Program. Nebraska's summer program offers research opportunities in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields in addition to a new interdisciplinary Minority Health Disparities program doing research in and around the social sciences. A complete listing of faculty mentors and research project descriptions can be found on our website at http://www.unl.edu/summerprogram. Students can also find information about program benefits including a competitive stipend, room and board, travel expenses, and more. Summer 2014 programs include:  Algal Biofuels and Nanohybrid Materials  Applied Mathematics  Bioenergy Systems  Biomedical Engineering  Chemistry  Minority Health Disparities   Redox Biology  Virology  Water in the Earth System  During the Nebraska Summer Research Program, students receive first-hand exposure to research and the experience of graduate school. They work closely with faculty mentors and research teams of graduate students and other summer scholars. Students also have opportunities to participate in meaningful social and professional development activities outside of the laboratory. Our online application makes it easy for students to apply. Priority review begins Friday, February 1 and all applications must be completed by Monday, February 17. Students historically underrepresented in graduate education and students from academic institutions where research programs are limited are especially encouraged to apply. Please feel free to forward this to your students or to download our flyer to post. If you or your students have questions, please feel free to contact me directly. Sincerely,  Maggie Jobes Summer Research Program Director Assistant Director of Graduate Recruitment  Office of Graduate Studies University of Nebraska–Lincoln graduate@unl.edu University of Nebraska–Lincoln Office of Graduate Studies | 1100 Seaton Hall | Lincoln, NE 68588 We'd miss you, but you can unsubscribe here.

Health P.A.S.S.

Get a head start in getting into medical school with Des Moines University’s Health P.A.S.S.

Health P.A.S.S. program dates: June 9-27, 2014.

Des Moines University’s Health Professions Advanced Summer Scholars program – the DMU Health P.A.S.S. – is a great way for promising college sophomores and juniors to prepare for and enhance their chances of getting into medical school and other health professions programs. The three-week program is high-quality, hands-on and FREE.

Health P.A.S.S. will provide participants with well-rounded perspectives on what it’s like to be a medical school student in osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine and surgery, physical therapy and physician assistant studies. In the program’s courses, clinical opportunities and practical exposure, students will gain the confidence that they can achieve a degree and career in any of Des Moines University’s four clinical areas - and the knowledge they need to get started. In addition, Des Moines University will cover the full costs of participants’ meals, materials, travel and accommodations in a residence hall at nearby Drake University.

Enrollment is limited to 12 students. Preference will be given to qualified applicants from populations under-represented in medicine and health care, including under-represented minority, low-income and/or first-generation college students. Students must have a minimum cumulative college grade point average of 3.0. The deadline for the application and all related materials is March 1, 2014.

Read about Health P.A.S.S. students’ experiences in the DMU Magazine.

Key components of the Health P.A.S.S. program include:

• Lectures and presentations by top faculty on topics in the basic sciences, anatomy, medical procedures, musculoskeletal injury and research
• An introduction to physical diagnosis and related procedures
• Hands-on lessons in suturing, casting, surgery, and osteopathic manual medicine
• Shadowing of doctors and other care providers in the DMU Clinic on campus
• Participation in the Diversity & Health Film Series, which focuses on cultural competence in the health professions
• Information sessions on professions in medicine and the sciences
• Information sessions on how to plan academically and financially for medical school
• Medical school mock interviews and tips on the application and admission process
• Individual meetings with admissions advisors and Heart 2 Heart Mentors, who are current DMU students
• Meaningful, informal interactions with DMU faculty, students and staff.
• Fun evening and weekend events, including trips to local restaurants, sporting events, shopping, and an amusement park.

How to apply

Applications will become available beginning December 1, 2013, for the program that begins in June 2014. In order to be considered for the program, students must complete and submit the following by March 1, 2014:

• Application for Health PASS
• Health PASS application essay questions:
  • What do you hope to learn, achieve or gain from being a part of Health PASS?
  • Tell us about your desire to work in the health professions. What interests you, what motivates you, and/or what fears or concerns do you have?
• Official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended
• Parents’ 2014 (or most recent) Federal Tax Returns (only if identifying as economically disadvantaged)
• Two letters of recommendation: one from a college/university science or math professor with whom you have taken a course, and the second from any professor with whom you have taken a course

Letters of recommendation may be submitted online atwww.dmu.edu/admission/healthpass/submit-letter-recommendation/. 

Transcripts and letters of recommendation not sent electronically may be mailed to:

Des Moines University – Health PASS
Office of Admission
3200 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312

For questions, please call 515.271.7864 or email healthpass@dmu.edu.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 2014 HS-STEM Summer Internships.

Now accepting applications for

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

2014 HS-STEM Summer Internships

Application deadline: January 6, 2014

Undergraduate students receive a $5,000 stipend plus travel expenses.

10-week research experiences are offered at: Argonne, Idaho, Berkeley, Livermore, Oak Ridge, Pacific Northwest, and Sandia National Laboratories; as well as at Homeland Security Studies and Analysis Institute, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Coast Guard Research and Development Center, Customs and Borders Protection Laboratories and Scientific Services, Naval Research Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, National Security Technologies Remote Sensing Laboratory, Transportation Security Laboratory, and more… 

Areas of research: Engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological / life sciences, environmental science, emergency and incident management,social sciences, and more.  

  

U.S. citizenship required

Detailed information about the internships can be found at: http://www.orau.gov/dhseducation/internships/

Please share this information with students and colleagues at your academic institution/organization.

A flier is located at:  http://www.orau.gov/dhseducation/internships/files/HS-STEMflier2014.pdf 
  

DHS has partnered with the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) to manage the program. For questions please email us at dhsed@orau.org.

REU in STEM Education at North Dakota State University

_______

We are excited to announce the 2^nd year of our summer undergraduate research program in discipline-based education at North Dakota State University. Growing up STEM is an excellent opportunity for students interested in the learning and teaching of STEM at the undergraduate level to engage in an immersive, 10-week summer research experience. Our program includes on-campus housing, a $5000 stipend, and is a great opportunity for students to get hands-on research experience as part of a cohort of undergraduate scholars. Students may have the opportunity to present their research at a national conference.

The program begins May 27, 2014 and runs through August 2, 2014. Applications due January 29, 2014.

For more information, including descriptions of potential research projects, please visit http://www.ndsu.edu/cider/reu/


-or-


Email Warren Christensen (warren.christensen@ndsu.edu) or Jennifer Momsen (jennifer.momsen@ndsu.edu)

Friday meeting of the Philosophical & Literary Society this week

6-Dec

Matthew Voigts

The Virtual World of Atheist Summer Camp

The Philosophical & Literary Society meets Fridays at 4:00 in the McCoy conference rooms of the Saemann Student Center when Wartburg is in session.  Students are encouraged to attend.  Beverages and snacks available.

We invite presentations of an academic nature from faculty, staff, students, and members of the community.  Please contact one of the individuals below for further information.

Philosophical & Literary Society Steering Committee:

Walter C. "Chip" Bouzard

Amy Nolan

Lynn Olson

Fred Waldstein

Roy Ventullo, Technical Consultant

2013 Scholars Christmas Book Club

The book has been chosen.  Please go to the Google form to sign up.

It is The Book Thief.  Now, this book is being turned into a movie, but as you know just because a book and a movie have the same name, that doesn't mean they are very similar.

The extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller that will be in movie theaters on November 15, 2013, Markus Zusak's unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul.
It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.
Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.

However, Dr. Birgen has decided that some of you have already read The Book Thief, so there is another option which she is considering using next year in IS 101.

Stately oaks, ivy-covered walls, the opposite sex — these are the things that likely come to mind for most Americans when they think about the "nature" of college. But the real nature of college is hidden in plain sight: it’s flowing out of the keg, it’s woven into the mascots on our T-shirts. Engaging in a deep and richly entertaining study of "campus ecology," The Nature of College explores one day in the life of the average student, questioning what "natural" is and what "common sense" is really good for and weighing the collective impacts of the everyday. In the end, this fascinating, highly original book rediscovers and repurposes the great and timeless opportunity presented by college: to study the American way of life, and to develop a more sustainable, better way to live.