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

New Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Chi Inductees

This weekend, October 5, 2013 at 10 a.m., the honor societies Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Chi inducted their new class of members.

Jacklyn Budding

Courtney Geibert

Merry Gillaspie

Robert King

Aditi Patel

Hailee Reist

Phillip Wessels

These students join our past inductees : Daniel Bonthius, Kim Chaffin, Justin Clark, Jena Daubenberger, Rebecca Fishbune, Ashley Freese, Larisa Greve, Hollis Hanson-Pollock, Allison Huedepohl (Current Secretary), Victoria Jochims, James Juett, Shea Kruger, Stephen Morefield, Derek Norton, Andra Peeler (Current Vice President), Lindsey Pogge, Chelsea Reisner, Gordon Roedel, Jordan Sadecki, Jessica Schenk, Staci Speer, Danielle Tanner, Justine Trueblood, Serena Ugoretz

Benjamin Bogard

Alexia Brewster

Megan Ellis

Levi Endelman

Sarah Mullinax

Emily Smith

Megan Tapp

Andrew Tubbs

Mackenzie Walsh

These students join our past inductees : Kalysta Adkins, Kelsey Anderson, Laura Barkema, Andy Bell, MacKenzie Benson, Jalen Bergman, Anne Bergquist, Adam Best, Daniel Bonthius, Jacklyn Budding, Kim Chaffin, Justin Clark, Jennifer Czachura, Ashley Dietz, Anna Fagre, Rebecca Fishbune, Alison Fraehlich, Kate Franklin, Ashley Freese, Courtney Geibert, Merry Gillaspie, Larisa Greve, Erin Gustitus, Joy Hanson, Emma Hellevik, Juliane Herder, Audrey Hesse, Ngaire Honey, Heather Horning, Amy Houser, Allison Huedepohl, Nathan Hunziker, Krystina   Irvin, James Juett, Ashley Kieler, Robert King, Katherine Knutsen, Adam Kucera, Jason Lizalek, Andrea Lohf, Ann Makar, Sarah Matt, David Neil, Drew Newhoff, Derek Norton, Chellie Orluck, Aditi Patel, Erin Peeler, Andra Peeler, Lindsey Pogge, Scott Post, Timothy Reisner, Hailee Reist, Caitlyn Reynolds, Randon Ruggles, Jordan Sadecki, Margaret Schatzberg, Jessica Schenk, Karin Schmidt, Kelsey Smith, Arun Sondhi, Staci Speer, Jennifer Starner, Elizabeth Mettler Strandberg, Karen Summerson, Danielle Tanner, Justine Trueblood, Serena Ugoretz, Phillip Wessels, Courtney Westling, Sarah White, Jill Wiebke, Jolene Wierschke, Amanda Wills, Sarah Witte

Phil and Lit Society - Sept. 20, 2013 - YHWH is a Warrior: Images of Divine Violence in the Bible

The speaker on the 20th will be Professor Brian Jones and the title of his talk is "YHWH is a Warrior: Images of Divine Violence in the Bible."

The second meeting of the Wartburg College Philosophy and Literary Society for fall term will be held on Friday, September 20 at 4:00 in McCoy West. All are welcome.

Constitution Day on Thursday, Sept. 19

Hi Mariah,

I just wanted to see if you could let your Scholars know about the Constitution Day speaker on Thursday at 11:30.  The speaker is Jane Hudson of Disability Rights Iowa and they have been involved in some high profile advocacy recently on behalf of residents at the Iowa Juvenile Home and even blind people who want to carry guns in public.  Should be interesting!

Thanks for your help in getting the word out.

Karen

Corrected CBFO announcement

U.S. Department of Energy

Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) Fellowship Program

Now Accepting Applications for BS, MS or PhD Graduates and recent Alumni (within the last 5 years) in Mathematics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Physical Sciences, Cyber/Computer Security, Information/Systems Technology or related technology degrees.

Application closes Sunday, September 22, 2013, midnight EST – visit http://see.orau.org/ProgramDescription.aspx?Program=10417 or see.orau.org and search for CBFO to get started NOW! 

Opportunity in Carlsbad, New Mexico for a full-time, one-year or more commitment, starting in October or November 2013 to conduct mission-oriented research in DOE's Carlsbad Field Office.  Applicant must be interested in a multi-disciplinary, fast-paced environment focused on energy technology research and development.

  Applicants must be U.S. Citizens - no exceptions.

Strong analytical, research and communication skills are required.  Annual stipends are dependent on academic level, skills and experience. Additional allowances for travel to site, medical insurance or housing may be provided. 

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

Spring 2014 Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

        

CBFO announcement

U.S. Department of Energy

Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) Fellowship Program

Now Accepting Applications for BS, MS or PhD Graduates and recent Alumni (within the last 5 years) in Mathematics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Physical Sciences, Cyber/Computer Security, Information/Systems Technology or related technology degrees.

Application closes Sunday, September 20, 2013, midnight EST – visit http://see.orau.org/ProgramDescription.aspx?Program=10417 or see.orau.org and search for CBFO to get started NOW! 

Opportunity in Carlsbad, New Mexico for a full-time, one-year or more commitment, starting in October or November 2013 to conduct mission-oriented research in DOE's Carlsbad Field Office.  Applicant must be interested in a multi-disciplinary, fast-paced environment focused on energy technology research and development.

  Applicants must be U.S. Citizens - no exceptions.

Strong analytical, research and communication skills are required.  Annual stipends are dependent on academic level, skills and experience. Additional allowances for travel to site, medical insurance or housing may be provided. 

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

Spring 2014 Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

        

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Keep Sharp Over the Summer

Sometimes, after a few weeks of working a minimum wage job, you start to miss college.  Here are some thinks you can do to keep yourself sharp over the summer:

1. Report things you did to earn Scholars Culture Points.  Okay, I know this isn't your favorite activity, but it will help you reflect on the things you did over the last year and is worth the time it takes.
2. Read some of the books that the first year Scholars are reading.  Personally, I really enjoyed reading the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and can't wait to start discussing the issues that the text raises.
3. Listen to National Public Radio or watch Public Television.  Because these information sources are not tied to advertising revenue, they can take the time to study one topic in depth.  You can even to this over the internet if you do not receive radio signals where you are living.
4. Join the Scholars Facebook Group and discuss the books or topics of the day with the new students.

Personally, I will be going to math camp for three weeks in July, so if you are wondering why Dr. Birgen is not getting back to you quickly, it is because I am having fun.

Feel free to add things in the comments section of the Blog.

Department of Energy wants you

Philosophy and Literary Society today.

Remember Phil and Lit today.

Castle Room at 4. Bring your friends

Professors David Herwaldt and Brian Pfaltzgraff along with a raft of students.

'The Wartburg Opera Workshop performs excerpts from "The Duenna"—Richard Brinsley Sheridan's comic, romantic opera.

Wartburg Philosophical and Literary Society. The next meeting will be held Friday, April 12 at 4:00 pm in the Castle Room. The speakers will be Professors David Herwaldt and Brian Pfaltzgraff supported by several students. The title of their talk is 'The Wartburg Opera Workshop performs excerpts from "The Duenna"—Richard Brinsley Sheridan's comic, romantic opera.




> Dr. Herwaldt will introduce the performance by telling the story of Elizabeth Linley's and Sheridan's tumultuous romance (which inspired the opera) and how it was that Dr. Pfaltzgraff and his students revived an unfortunately neglected and nearly forgotten opera. Professor Herwaldt's talk will be illustrated with pictures by Thomas Gainsborough, Sir Thomas Lawrence, George Romney, and Joshua Reynolds—the greatest English painters of the late 1700s.

Do Not Panic - Call for Assistance

1. We need two student moderators for the Scholars Senior Project Defenses next Thursday.  The job of the moderator is to keep the defenses flowing smoothly.  You will:
• Help the speaker get set up
• Introduce the speaker and the topic
• Keep the speaker on time by giving notice
• Run the question and answer session
• Earn Scholars Culture Points 
• If you are interested - send Dr. Birgen an email or comment on this post.
2. Next year, the Scholars Program would like to hire a Scholars student for five hours a week to run activities specifically for the first-year Scholars students.  These would be activities in and around the Scholars housing, but the person would not need to be someone living with the students.  If you are interested - send Dr. Birgen an email.  If you have a great name for this job, respond with a comment.

RICE Day

You can earn up to two Culture Points on RICE Day. You can earn one point by attending one hour of Scholars Senior Defenses. You can also earn one point for attending one hour of RICE which is not the Scholars Defenses.

1-3:30 p.m.  Scholars Program: Senior Project Defenses, WBC 217

The complete RICE schedule is online.

To receive credit for your Culture Point activities, you need to submit reflections using this Google Form

Committee Heads

The Wartburg Scholars Program has five committees that are in charge of most of the extracurricular parts of the program.  Chosen by their peers, the heads of the committees for 2013-2014 will be

Academics Committee	Robert King
Admissions Committee	Aditi Patel
Publicity Committee	Nicole Jamieson
Service Committee	Kelsey Smith
Special Events Committee	Andra Peeler

Additionally, there will be a Service Project opportunity Friday afternoon outside Dr. Birgen's office in the Science Center when we put together Travel Gift Bags for all the Scholars traveling over May Term.

"Extermination of the wretches should follow" with Dr. Lindell

Wartburg Philosophical and Literary Society — The next WPLS meeting will be Friday, April 5 at 4 p.m., in McCoy West. The speaker will be Professor Terry Lindell. Title: "'Extermination of the wretches should follow' Iowa Newspaper Coverage of the Dakota War of 1862."

A Great Tuesday

On Tuesday, I learned of two exciting events in the lives of Wartburg Scholars Alumni:

1.  Samantha Irvin successfully defended her Masters Thesis in Engineering at Iowa State University.

2.  Andrew Reisner will be attending graduate school at the University of Illinois in Computer Science.

MCSP Seminar - Adam Kucera

The next MCSP Seminar will be on Tuesday, March 26 at 11:30 in SC 134.
The featured speaker will be Adam Kucera, a 3Y Mathematics and Computer Science major and member of the Scholars Program.  He will speak about his research experience at South Dakota State University last summer, which involved work on communication models for a supercomputer, specifically the development and implementation of various communication schemes related to Fast Fourier Transforms on a distributed processing system.  His presentation is entitled, "Parallel Fast Fourier Transform."  (See below for an
abstract.)  As always, refreshments (cookies and beverages) will be provided.  We hope to see you there!


March 26 Speaker: Adam Kucera, 3Y Mathematics and Computer Science major

"Parallel Fast Fourier Transform"

The Black-Scholes formula, one of the major breakthroughs in modern economics, allows for fast and easy computation of options pricing.
However, the basis of the formula, the Fast Fourier Transform, suffers from becoming too computationally heavy for serial computing models.
Developing models to compute the FFT portion of the Black-Scholes formula on a parallel architecture is very important to being able to calculate multiple option prices.  To approach this we started with a generalized communication model for the FFT as well as attempting to implement this in a more standard computation library.

Pearson Prize

The Pearson Prize is an award distributed by the Pearson Foundation that recognizes students who distinguish themselves by leading public service efforts and give back to their local community while completing their undergraduate studies.

We've made a few exciting changes to the program this year in order to provide even more students with the financial support and additional assistance they'll need to grow their programs and community outreach efforts. In 2013, 100 students will receive a cash prize of $1,000 to meet their goals, empowering more students than ever before to enrich their communities!

Please share this exciting opportunity with your students. The Pearson Prize application is available online and applications must be completed by April 19, 2013.