Profs Involved in Health Plan for Abilene, Camp for Engaging Struggling Readers, and High Tech Learning
Dr. Randy L. Armstrong, associate dean for the Cynthia Ann Parker College of Liberal Arts and professor of communication, and Mr. William C. Curtis, associate professor of finance and economics in the Kelley College of Business, recently received a combined grant from the Dodge Jones, Kickapoo Springs, and Legett Foundations for the publishing of an anniversary edition of Elmer Kelton's Living and Writing in West Texas.
Dr. Renee Collins, assistant professor of education, implemented her dissertation research concerning six teaching practices described in The Engagement Model of Instruction in developing the literacy curriculum for the Dream-Catchers Read Write Now Camp recently held on the HSU campus.
The three-week camp was sponsored by Dr. Kelvin J. Kelley's First A Chance Eventually Success Ministries, Inc., Abilene, and the HSU Department of Educational Studies. Ten local struggling adolescent readers participated in the camp.
Sabrina Izbrand, former adjunct professor in the Irvin School of Education, assisted Dr. Collins in organizing and coordinating the camp. Dr. Diana Higgins' graduate students administered informal reading inventories and prepared one-on-one literacy activities targeting specific reading goals for each of the students.
Ten Hardin-Simmons undergraduate and graduate education majors, a few HSU alumni, and several community volunteers implemented individualized and small group literacy experiences that motivated, challenged, and engaged the struggling adolescent readers.
The camp curriculum included numerous opportunities for students to make real-world connections, to use a variety of texts, and to learn explicit comprehension strategies while researching famous dreamers and writing poetry.
The students also participated in collaborative opportunities and reflected on personal goals that lead to reaching or catching lifelong dreams. By the end of the three weeks, the adolescents and adults experienced greater levels of academic success, developed a greater trust in people, and dreamed of reaching goals much sooner in life.
Dr. Dennis O'Connell, professor of physical therapy and Shelton-Lacewell Endowed Chair for Physical Therapy, has been serving on the Abilene Mayor's Council on Physical Fitness for the past two years.
"We have received two grants from the State of Texas to promote Fitness in Abilene, and we are a model city for others in the state to emulate," he says. O'Connell points to the billboards and television spots as an example of some of the things the Mayor's Council is doing. "More importantly, log on to www.myfitnessabilene.com on a regular basis to learn of fitness activities in Abilene," says O'Connell. The website launched in August.
Mr. David Stuckey, associate professor of fitness and sport sciences, director of athletic training education and chair of the Department of Fitness and Sport Sciences, presented "The Use of a Web-Based Computer Examination Program in Athletic Training Courses" at the 2009 National Athletic Trainers Association Athletic Training Educators Conference in Washington, DC.
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