Mountain State University Newsroom

MSU Educator Receives Prestigious Lectureship

A Mountain State University educator was awarded the prestigious Elizabeth Devereaux Lectureship during the West Virginia Occupational Therapy Association's recent 2011 Annual Conference.

Jackie Hughes-Hurt, academic fieldwork coordinator for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at MSU, received the honor during the Oct. 21-22 conference in South Charleston. She will deliver the keynote Elizabeth Devereaux Lecture during the 2012 conference.

"This is a well-deserved honor for Jackie," said Kay Blose, director of the OTA program at MSU and a 2005 winner of the award. "The lectureship recognizes extraordinary work in occupational therapy in West Virginia. Jackie is not only very active in the state organization as its secretary, but she is an excellent mentor for our students."

Hughes-Hurt also is a graduate of MSU's occupational therapy program.

Elizabeth B. Devereaux passed away in May 2010 at age 84. She was a former president and honorary life board member of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation, serving as president from 1988 to 1994. She retired in 1994 after serving for 16 years as associate professor and director of the Division of Occupational Therapy in the Department of Psychiatry, Marshall University School of Medicine.
 
The WVOTA represents occupational therapy practitioners statewide, providing continuing education opportunities and assisting in the development of OT programs at West Virginia colleges and universities.

SIFE Sponsors Fall Food Drives at Mountain State University

Mountain State University's Students in Free Enterprise team is sponsoring three ways to help stop hunger in our local community.

Today and Wednesday, visit the MSU Forensic Investigation Association's Haunted House at 703 South Kanawha St. in Beckley and receive $1 off the price of admission for each can of food donated (up to $3). The Haunted House is open from 7 to 11 p.m.

At 6:30 p.m. Nov. 2, bring canned food to the MSU-Pikeville College volleyball game and be entered for chances to win free bowling at Leisure Lanes. Prizes will be drawn throughout the evening.

Then on Nov. 4, help MSU support the United Way food drive by donating unexpired canned or boxed food at the Kroger locations on Harper Road and Beckley Crossing. Monetary donations toward food purchases also are accepted.

SIFE is an international organization that works with academic professionals and business and community leaders to apply their business background to leave a lasting impact on their respective campuses, communities and the environment.

Renowned musical group Simple Gifts to perform as part of Appalachian Visions Series

Two women plus ten instruments equals one good time when Simple Gifts takes the stage of the John W. Eye Conference Center, Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. as part of the fall 2011 season of Mountain State University's acclaimed Appalachian Visions series.

Musicians planning to attend are encouraged to bring their instruments for an open jam following the performance. Like all Appalachian Visions events, it is free and open to the public.

Simple Gifts performs on an impressive array of instruments, including two violins, mandolin, hammered dulcimer, recorders and guitar plus some more unusual instruments like the bowed psaltery, baritone fiddle, banjolin, guitjo and doumbek.

This award-winning band presents a wide variety of ethnic folk music, including everything from lively Irish jigs and down-home American reels to hard-driving Klezmer freilachs, haunting Gypsy melodies and exotic Balkan dance tunes. Throughout their performances, they put their own distinctive stamp on traditional tunes, blending styles from diverse cultures with their American roots.

According to the Celtic Classic Festival in Bethlehem, Pa., "few musicians can match the warmly personal stage presence Simple Gifts possesses. It is obvious that these women love the music they play, and they know how to share their talents, their enthusiasm, and their sense of humor with the audience."

Linda Littleton and Karen Hirshon have performed as Simple Gifts since 1995. The group was founded by Littleton in 1989 and has performed throughout the mid-Atlantic region, including appearances at the Smithsonian, Brooklyn Museum of Art, National Governors' Convention, Longwood Gardens, National Theater, Whitaker Center, Hershey Theatre, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Ontario Center for Performing Arts and dozens of colleges and universities throughout the region.

Simple Gifts has opened for Natalie MacMaster, Tom Paxton, John McCutcheon, Robin and Linda Williams, Jay Unger and Molly Mason and Boys of the Lough.

Mountain State University's Appalachian Visions series has been bringing the best of regional studies and arts to southern West Virginia for more than 15 years. It provides outstanding programs drawn from Appalachia's history, culture, literature, music, and traditional arts in a relaxed atmosphere that encourages interaction among a wide range of viewpoints.

This performance is partially supported by a grant from Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, a program developed and funded by The Heinz Endowments; the William Penn Foundation; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency; and The Pew Charitable Trusts; and administered by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. Additional support has been provided by the Southern West Virginia Irish Heritage Festival Committee.

Doctoral Candidate Researches How Personality Affects International Relations

A Mountain State University doctoral candidate believes that greater analysis and understanding of the personality characteristics of national leaders could help prevent international conflict.

"Conflict between nation-state leaders is inevitable," wrote Andrew Campbell. "However, the examination of how the leaders' personality characteristics shape the management of conflict ultimately determines the actions of the state."

Campbell is pursuing a doctorate through Mountain State's Charles H. Polk School of Leadership and Professional Development. He is a combating weapons of mass destruction strategy and integration planner within the U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.

This week, he will present his work on "The Impact of Personality Characteristics on International Leaders" during the 13th annual International Leadership Association Global Conference in London.

Campbell wrote that while there is an abundance of research into the influence of a leader's personality within organizations, little scholarly research has been conducted about how character traits in nation-state leaders shape the potential for conflict management and reconciliation.

Campbell's work explores several questions:
• Could interstate conflict be avoided by understanding the personality characteristics of national leaders?
• Do leaders' personality characteristics influence the decision-making processes that affect the state interests?
• Could international theorist and leadership theories merge to mitigate or prevent conflict among international leaders?
• Do personality conflicts among leaders ultimately affect the peace and security of daily life among national constituents?

Campbell concluded that more in-depth discussion and analysis is needed.

Mountain State Studies "Game-Changing Event"

Rural West Virginia is on a collision course with … the Boy Scouts of America.

A case study by Elisebeth VanderWeil, Ph.D., of Mountain State University focuses on the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority as it makes plans to manage a massive influx of visitors and potential residents associated with the Boy Scouts of America's Summit Bechtel Reserve in Glen Jean.

VanderWeil, director of undergraduate leadership programs at the Charles H. Polk School of Leadership and Professional Development at MSU, will present "View from the Holler: How a Rural Community Prepares for a ‘Game-Changing Event'" during the 13th annual International Leadership Association Global Conference Oct. 26-29 in London.

"A lot of things have been happening very quickly," VanderWeil explained, "and while these events have been portrayed as overwhelmingly positive – there's been nothing negative reported – not everyone knows about it or understands what is happening."

VanderWeil's study incorporates interviews with NRGRDA committee leaders "to discern awareness and the value of human capacity building and leadership."

Participants included NRGRDA Executive Director Judy Radford; Bill Baker, chairman of a steering committee for "Reaching the Summit by 2013" that is working to develop a comprehensive management plan; Matt Wender, chairman of the group's community development committee; and Doug Maddy, chairman of the tourism and promotion committee.

"Hope and fear are both running high as an organization of community leaders works to prepare residents and infrastructure for this radical transition that will force transformation of values, practices and perspectives," VanderWeil wrote in a study abstract. "Politicians have touted the arrival of the Summit as ‘a game changer,' while residents seem mainly focused on traffic conditions and shopping opportunities."

VanderWeil views the study as a way for Mountain State University to continue its involvement in the communities it serves. She hopes to gain new insights and perspectives during the conference that she can bring back and share with NRGRDA leaders.

The BSA Summit Bechtel Reserve project will bring national and international events, visitors and new residents to the area over the next three to eight years. "A four-county area with a total population of 166,000, with an average town population of 6,300, will suddenly be inundated with 300,000 to 400,000 people," VanderWeil wrote in her abstract.

Effective local leadership will be vital to managing the impact of this "game-changing event" on roads, businesses, civil services, utilities and the environment.

MSU Cougar basketball schedule and events set for the 2011-12 season

Beckley area residents have 18 opportunities to cheer for the Mountain State University men's basketball team at home this season starting Saturday, Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. as they take on Bluefield State College.

All MSU home games are played at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center. Admission is $5, and season tickets will be available at the Cougar Shop, 410 Neville St. MSU students with a current university ID are admitted free of charge.

"This is a great opportunity to bring out the family and support our guys," said Coach Bob Bolen. "We really want to encourage kids to be active and get involved in athletics. To keep them excited about the games, we give them the floor at half-time to get out there and shoot, and we're planning other activities to be held in conjunction with the games this season."

• During the Oct. 29 game, MSU is holding their 2nd Annual Halloween Costume Contest. Judging will take place from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., and winners will be announced during half-time. Three age divisions have been set up for the costume competition: the "Small Spook" age division will be for children 9 and under, "Terrifying Tweens and Teens" for those ages 10 to 17 and "Big Monsters" for adults.

• MSU is celebrating Homecoming during the Saturday, Nov. 5 game against Glenville State at 4 p.m. Homecoming king and queen will be announced at half-time.

• Both a pet food drive and cheer clinic are planned for the Saturday, Nov. 19 game. For the second year, MSU is collecting monetary donations and pet food for local shelters prior to the 4 p.m. tip-off against Bluefield College. Little General Stores, Inc. will cover admission for basketball fans who make a monetary donation to the organizations or donate dog or cat food.

The MSU Cheer Clinic is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the MSU Van Meter Gym, 350 S. Kanawha St., Beckley. Participants will learn sideline and half-time performance routines and have the opportunity to cheer with the MSU Cougar Cheer Team during the game.  For information on the cheer camp, contact Coach Claytina Shepherd at 304-253-6657.

• MSU is also teaming up with Little General on Saturday Feb. 25 for the Seniors Day game, the last home game of the season. Prior to the 4 p.m. tip-off, MSU will recognize senior basketball players and cheerleaders. Admission to the game will be free, courtesy of Little General.

• For the third consecutive year, MSU is participating in Chick-fil-A at the Beckley Galleria's 105 Point Challenge. For the first five home games where the team scores 105 points or more Chick-fil-A will reward fans with coupons for free food.

For the complete MSU men's basketball schedule, visit http://www.mountainstate.edu/sports/basketball/schedule.

 

MSU enhances library services

Mountain State University has announced dramatic improvements to enhance library services for its academic community worldwide.

Mountain State completed an extensive, four-year search before selecting SirsiDynix Symphony® as its integrated library system and SirsiDynix Enterprise® as its discovery platform.

The new system will allow MSU students at any location to rapidly access all of the university's library resources right from their own homes, or from any of MSU's locations in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida. Access to the virtual library is critically important to student learning, and the new system will make that access much more efficient.

As a private, nonprofit institution based in Beckley, MSU serves students not only in West Virginia, but all over the globe via branch campuses, online classes and distance education. Mountain State Technical Services Librarian Valerie Sellards said the Symphony and Enterprise solutions both feature "amazing functionality" that will help the library better serve students. 

With the new Enterprise discovery platform, library patrons will be able to search the catalog and electronic databases all at the same time. Checking library accounts, paying fines and renewing books can be done anywhere, anytime, saving a trip to the library. Course reserves also will be searchable, and the Enterprise "fuzzy logic" functionality will forgive typing or spelling errors, still bringing up results.

"Enterprise will offer the students so many more applications that our current catalog system cannot," said Judy Altis, director of library and technology resources. "We are so excited about the improved services we can provide to all students, faculty and staff once the system is in place."

The new system is expected to be in place at the start of MSU's spring semester in early January. SirsiDynix offers library management technology and search and discovery tools at 23,000 libraries worldwide.

 

Mountain State University names new Deans

Mountain State University has moved two distinguished faculty members into new positions as academic deans.

William M. White, Ed.D., M.L.E., is now dean of Mountain State's School of Graduate Studies and Ruth G. Wylie, Ph.D., is dean of MSU's Charles H. Polk School of Leadership and Professional Development.

Under White's guidance, the School of Leadership and Professional Development established the university's initial doctoral program – the first of its kind in the U.S.
 
"Graduate education and programs have a bright future at Mountain State University," said MSU President Charles H. Polk. "Under the focused direction of Dr. White, I have no doubt the school will experience tremendous growth and development over the next few years."

Wylie was instrumental in developing both MSU's strategic leadership program and the Doctorate of Executive Leadership. 

"Dr. Wylie has distinguished herself as an excellent facilitator and leader both within and outside the MSU family," Polk said. "With her guidance, MSU's leadership programs are positioned for even greater success."

White, a native of Bluefield, graduated from Bluefield State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and mathematics. He completed a two-year business management course designed for scientists at The Alexander Hamilton Institute, Ramsey, N.J. He earned a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Change from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, Calif., and a graduate certificate from Harvard University in Management and Leadership Education, designed especially for academic deans and provosts.

White spent more than 30 years in California, where he was founder and CEO of The Management Development Group, Inc., a multimillion dollar corporation that specialized in organization development consulting to Fortune 100 corporations. With Polk, he is co-author of two books, "Apex Thinking: A Guide to Long Term Leadership for the Rising CEO" and "What Leaders Believe."

Wylie graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and from Drake University with a Master of Science in behavior analysis. She earned her doctorate in psychology from West Virginia University with dual concentrations in organizational systems and educational psychology. 

As the School of Leadership and Professional Development's partnership liaison with the West Virginia National Guard, she helped that organization win the 2008 Army Community of Excellence Award - the Army's counterpart to the Malcolm Baldrige Award for quality. Wylie owned her own organizational and management development consulting firm prior to joining MSU.

Lynch joins National Institute for Culinary Arts at MSU

Roy W. Lynch III has joined the faculty of Mountain State University's National Institute for Culinary Arts as an instructor.

Lynch specializes in preparing Cajun and southern foods. He brings more than 10 years of diverse experience to the position, from serving as sous chef at The Greenbrier's dining establishment at Tamarack, Beckley, W.Va., to working at New Orleans landmark Pat O' Brien's. Lynch is a member of the West Virginia chapter of the American Culinary Federation.

"We're pleased to have Roy Lynch as the newest addition to the National Institute of Culinary Arts," said Chef Leonard Bailey, director of culinary arts. "Beyond being a talented chef, he has a passion for teaching and mentoring students."

During the fall 2011 semester, Lynch is teaching courses fundamental to those pursuing an education in culinary arts including basic food preparation, menu planning, restaurant management and healthy cooking techniques.

A Pennsylvania native, Lynch has spent most of his life in West Virginia. Currently, he resides in Wyoming County with his family.

For more information about the programs offered through the National Institute for Culinary Arts at Mountain State University, call 866.367.6781.