Enough pictures – time to EAT

Originally uploaded by mjchatter

Stevenson University celebrated this year’s Founder’s Day (Oct. 1) with severals days of events and celebrations. These included a scarecrow contest, an wonderful outdoor fall picnic with hot cider and sausages & saurkraut, the Dedication of the Ratcliffe Community Center in honor of former Chairman of the Board and architect, Donald B. Ratcliffe, the First SU Crab Feast (which was delicious), the Second Annual Community Building Day which gave students, faculty & staff opportunities to volunteer all around Baltimore County & Baltimore City, and finally closing the festivities with the Laignaippe Faire to thank all the volunteers and also raise funds for Mission: I’m Home and the New Orleans spring break trip. There were other activities as well, giving the SU Community lots of opportunities to participate.

All in All it was a terrific few days.

For more pictures of some of the Founder’s Day Celebration

Student Activities in the Very Cool Welcome to SU Shirts

Originally uploaded by mjchatter

Student Activities, along with the clubs and organizations, welcomed new students and welcomed back returning students at the annual SU Welcome Picnic & Club Info Fair. Clubs and organizations were able to share info about who they are and students were able to sign up for one or several of the diverse clubs on-campus. It was a bright and beautiful August day filled with music, fun and Free Food on the Greenspring Campus. Later in the day the clubs and organizations also set up in Rockland Center for the evening version of the Info Fair.

Congratulations to Student Activities on a great event!

Click here for more pictures from the Welcome Picnic and Clubs Info Fair.

SMiLE always have a smile on

Originally uploaded by mjchatter

I have to admit to being totally lazy about Blogging this summer. It is not that things weren’t happening but … oh well, no excuse other than laziness but I’m Back and so are the students.

On Thursday, August 20th a team of some 144 volunteers joined the ranks of the SMiLE crew and helped Move-In approximately 400 new residents. The SMiLE Crew, as one parent commented, “swarmed the cars like killer bees” to help unload residents’ Stuff and get it up to their rooms. The Residence Life staff was on hand in full force to check in the new residents and get them all the necessary paperwork, keys, etc.

Move-In day is the perfect introduction to the SU way of life – happy faces helping out, volunteers willing to brave the hot, humid Maryland summer to welcome new members of the SU community, and staff waiting to make the process as smooth as possible.

Along with the SMiLE Crew and Residence Life, Facilities, Security, Student Activities, Auxiliary Services, Dining Services, the Wellness Center, Student Solution Center, and so many more were out to help make the morning one of the best move-in’s EVER.

For more pics of the day

How Many Finger?

Originally uploaded by mjchatter

Every year the President and his wife invite the faculty and staff to celebrate the end of the academic year with a BBQ & Picnic. This year the University Kicked-It-Up with additional health and wellness activities including massage, health info, acupuncture, salsa dancing, and KickBall.

I have to admit, I had real misgivings about doing KickBall – all I could picture were injuries! The two team, Team Green & Team White, hit the field and the fun began. You can go and check out the pictures, including lots of action shots. I think everyone had a great time and I hope it is an annual tradition because it certainly was a lot of fun.

For more action shots

Ok – so I have now seen the new “Star Trek” movie two times and I have loved it both times.  First – I saw it twice because I didn’t take my kids with me the first time I saw it and they almost killed me.  Second – I will totally “out” myself and will admit to being a “Trekkie”… yes… I did watch all the original shows… yes… I did own Star Trek Stuff… yes… I did go to a Star Trek convention in the 70’s BUT I didn’t dress up, if that helps.  I also watched several of the later shows, Next Generation being my favorite.

OK – that said – I really loved the show because they did it right.  As a Trekkie they acknowledged a lot of the cannon (history) of the show and did a great nod to some of the inside jokes (i.e. “I’m a Doctor, Jim, Not a physicist”) but you didn’t Have to know those jokes to enjoy the movie.  The students who have gone to see it have told me how much they enjoyed the movie and most didn’t know much of anything about Star Trek before.

So – check it out if you want a fun summer movie and bravo to J.J. Abrams for a job well done!

Starting on Thursday, May 14th and ending at 5 p.m. on Friday, some 400+ Stevenson University students were awarded their Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees.  The weather was somewhat cooperative and allowed for the tradition of the students processing between the applauding faculty and staff as a fond farewell from the University.  Student leaders were recognized for their achievements at the Baccalaureate Ceremony on Tuesday, May 12th including SU Pin recipient, Mimi Bory.  Accounting professor Lynn Duncan and Athletics Director Brett Adams were awarded the President’s Medal at Friday’s ceremonies – both recipients were genuinely surprised and honored.  One of the highlights of Friday’s ceremonies was keynote speaker, Juan Willaims – who captured the audiences attention with both humor and inspirational stories.  Congratulations os ALL of the May 2009 graduates – we will miss you – please stay in touch and remember your class motto: Live The Live You Imagine (Thoreau) !

Where to start on this movie? First – I love Julia Roberts and Clive Owen.  I would probably like most anything they are in.  But, just because I like actors does Not mean that they are good together in movies.  A good example?  Warren Beatty and Annette Benning – I like both actors and, hell, they are actually married TO each other but in Love Affair?.. NO Chemistry… None… zip… nil.  SNORE, in fact.  So – I was relieved to have Chemistry between Julia Roberts and Clive Owen – it was fun watching them together and pretty darn believable.

Second – the plot was pretty good and the way that they jumped Back and Forth in time really helped maintain the confused feel of the movie.  Who do you trust?  Who is telling the truth? What do you actually Know?  Which is not only the plot but how I felt frequently – like I thought I knew what was going on but Not.

Third – I cannot tell you the end but it is, in many ways, worth the whole movie.

I liked it – parts were funny, which I always like – I hate when movies forget and take themselves too seriously – parts were confusing and intriguing and I wanted to know what was going to happen and was invested in the characters.  All and all – four stars.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!

The SU 2009-2010 SGA and CLASS OFFICERS

SOPHOMORE CLASS COUNCIL

President – Gerald Cole
Vice President – Megan Peterson
Treasurer – Eric Geisendaffer
Public Relations – Josephine Ioime
Secretary – Michelle Plakatoris

JUNIOR CLASS COUNCIL

President – Brian Brooks
Vice President – Ashley Adle
Public Relations – Heather Zink
Secretary – Kirsten Hviding

SENIOR CLASS COUNCIL

President – Cassandra Corkell
Vice President – Becky King
Secretary – Ebonee Hallman
Treasurer – Alfred Tetteh
Public Relations – Dave Partin

SGA EXECUTIVE BOARD

President – Ronnie Meusel
Executive Vice President – Megan Hughes
Secretary – Courtney Carter
Vice President of Commuter Affairs – Stefani D’Addario
Vice President of Service – Latrice Price
Vice President of Campus Traditions – Ciera Bosworth

SECOND – Thank You SU Community.  Last year, the Blood Drive did an terrific job, collecting almost 90 units of blood.  But I thought we could do better so I set the goal at 100 units.  Our Red Cross Rep (who was supportive and incredibly helpful and who suggested the Wii grand prize – which no doubt helped bring people in)… but Steve didn’t really believe we could get to 100 units.  Even yesterday, he kept say – “I think you’ll make just about 100 and that’s real good!”

But NO… the community stepped up and… 142 donors signed up for appointments in the past few weeks BUT 155 people actually came and offered to donate (including 51 first-time donors) and the final amount?  113 Units – that is approximately 300 lives saved.

So great thanks to the Trifecta for good work and commitment… Amazing THANKS to the SU Community for their support in this important venture… and last, but certainly not least, a huge thank you to the American Red Cross for making this event as “easy” as it could be.