It's also about leadership, service learning and citizen involvement in the preservation of Kentucky's natural resources.

That's why EKU's Center for Appalachian Studies is kicking off its annual month-long observance with a massive tree planting April 4-5 along Muddy Creek on University-owned Meadowbrook Farm in eastern Madison County.

More than 200 local middle school and high school students will join EKU faculty, staff and students, and individuals and groups from the community to plant 6,000 tree seedlings in a half-mile-long corridor. Organizers believe the trees will prevent erosion and reduce sediment pollution.

The University received a $7,000 Bluegrass Pride Community Grant to help conduct the stream restoration and reforestation project last fall and began making plans for it then.

"By literally taking care of our own back yard, we want to be a model for how to treat land elsewhere in the community," said Dr. Alice Jones, professor of geography at EKU.

Jones said the watershed will continue to serve as an outdoor lab for EKU students, who will monitor changes in water quality.

"This is an excellent example of how to link research, teaching and service in a single project," she said. "It'll be a lot of fun, too."

While the first day of the planting is set aside mostly for the middle and high school students, the second day, Saturday, April 5, is more a community work day, said Jones. "All ages and skill levels are welcome."

On-campus or community groups interested in helping should call EKU's Center for Appalachian Studies, 622-3065.

The remainder of Earth Days in the Cumberlands consists of an art exhibit and reception, several public presentations, a panel discussion, an environmental fair, a book signing, a free concert and a hike. All the events are designed to heighten awareness about environmental issues in the Commonwealth and beyond.

Several academic programs, offices, centers the Center for Appalachian Studies to help sponsor Earth Days events. All the events are free and open to the public; events and dates are subject to change. For more information, call 622-3065 or visit www.appalachianstudies. eku.edu.

Forooka Gauhari will present "Women in Islamic Society: An Afghan Woman's Personal Account" at 6:30 p.m. in Posey Auditorium. This is the first of a two-part series on "The Effect of Oppression and Violence on Women" sponsored by the Law & Justice Forum.

Gauhari's personal account covers searching for her missing husband, watching her home country topple, seeing the Afghan woman's presence in politics shrink, witnessing the government institutionalize repression and gradually deciding to take her family and leave the country.

"Today I am torn between two nations," she told the (Waterbury, Conn.) Republican- American last year. "A country that provided me an education with the hope that I would someday help and save the younger generation …(and a) second nation that extended an arm and lifted me from the ground and helped my children become the people they wanted to be."

Now a U.S. citizen, Gauhari is coordinator for the physiology-anatomy and freshman biology department at the University of Omaha. She holds degrees from Kabul University in Afghanistan, where she taught biology, and Auburn University, as well as English Language Certificates from the American University of Beirut and Bucknell University (Lewisburg, Pa.). Her book, "Searching for Saleem: An Afghan Woman's Odyssey," was published in 1997 by the University of Nebraska Press.

This fall, the second part of the series will focus on the effect of violence on women in Kentucky.

EKU's Student Government Association honored the memory of children’s author Dr. Seuss with a special reading for Model Laboratory School elementary students. Courtney Reitz, left, an EKU student from Prestonsburg, was among the guest readers. At right is Jadi Masry, a pre-kindergarten student at Model.

A mother-and-daughter team of Ecuadorian potters demonstrated their craft during a visit to the EKU Department of Art. At center is Joe Molinaro, professor of art.

More than 500 students are expected to attend the event, which also includes a panel of distinguished alumni of the College and a corporate-style luncheon.

The Conference "is an opportunity for our students to hear successful men and women share their views about critical skills that graduates need in order to succeed as professionals," said Dr. Janna Vice, associate dean of the College.

Davis, who captained the 1972 Olympic men's basketball team in Munich, Germany, will present "A Few Pieces of Silver" at 8:40 a.m. in Brock Auditorium. The '72 team lost to the former Soviet Union in a controversy-marred final, after which each player refused to accept a silver medal.

At 9:40 a.m., distinguished alumni representing every department in the College will present a panel discussion on how they became successful.

Then, at 10:50 a.m., French-Henry, wife of Lt. Gov. Stephen Henry, will talk about setting and achieving goals. As Miss America 2000, French-Henry toured the nation to support her platform, "The Forgotten Heroes: Honoring Our Nation's Homeless Veterans." Her efforts have resulted in the Heather French-Henry Homeless Veterans Assistance Act of 2001.

Activities then move to the Keen Johnson Building for a luncheon at 11:50 a.m. Each of the distinguished alumni will be recognized at the luncheon as well as the outstanding senior in the College.
The alumni honorees are:

Marc Whitt, who earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Eastern in 1982 and 1985, respectively, will bring 18 years of experience in the field when he joins President Glasser's leadership team March 24. He comes to EKU from Campbellsville University, where he served as vice president for communications and marketing.

"I'm thrilled beyond words to return to Eastern," Whitt said. "(EKU) is the place that encouraged and developed me to become the person I am today. I now have the opportunity to give back to the institution that has freely given me much over the years."

Glasser cited Whitt's extensive experience and diverse strengths.

"Marc has done it all in higher education advancement, and done it all well," she said. "Even more importantly, he has taken on numerous leadership roles in his profession and in his community. He is a solid, well-respected professional who has the vision and the energy to help us become a comprehensive regional university of national distinction."

Whitt joined Campbellsville in 1992 as director of public relations and marketing and was named in 1995 as assistant to the president for public relations and marketing. He was named vice president for advancement in 1997 and vice president for communications and marketing in 2001.

He is a two-time president of CASE Kentucky and has served on the Board of Directors for CASE District III (southeastern United States).

Prior to joining Campbellsville, Whitt was director of public relations at Georgetown College, 1988-92, and associate for church relations and admissions counselor, Cumberland College, 1985-87.

Whitt will serve as EKU's chief spokesperson, and plan, develop and coordinate the implementation and evaluation of the University's public relations and marketing programs.

"Through (President Glasser's) leadership, combined with a faculty and staff who are truly dedicated and committed to student success, EKU has an incredible success story to tell. I want to help tell that success story."

Jamie Vinson, a senior journalism major from Mt. Sterling and editor of the Eastern Progress, was nominated for the honor by state Rep. Susan Westrom because of two stories she authored for the Feb. 6 issue of the award-winning, student-produced weekly.

The University negotiated a new contract this semester with MBNA America Bank that severely restricts credit card solicitation. On-campus solicitation, which must be arranged with prior approval of the University, is now limited to any athletic event and no more than six days per calendar year in the Powell basement or outside on the Powell concourse.

No student names, addresses or telephone numbers are supplied through the University, and cards issued to students are limited to an initial $1,000 credit line. The agreement also stipulates that any giveaways must have prior approval of the University.

Similarly restrictive legislation passed in the recent Kentucky General Assembly special session. Westrom has personally invited Vinson to be present for any formal bill signing in Frankfort.

The restrictions are "a huge step in the right direction," Vinson said. "I think it's great that the University and the legislature are … working to protect our best interests."

Vinson is particularly pleased that the Progress was able to play a role.

"What we're doing does have an impact," she said.

Vinson, a 1999 graduate of Montgomery County High School, plans to graduate in May. After she gains experience as a general assignment reporter or copy editor/page designer, "my dream is to one day land an investigative reporting job at a major newspaper."

Kentucky Colonel commissions are presented for contributions to the community, state or nation, and for special achievements of all kinds. Other well-known Colonels include Ann-Margaret, Tiger Woods, Dwight Yoakam, Muhammad Ali and Whoopi Goldberg.

OSHA's education centers offer training courses on OSHA standards and occupational and safety health issues. The centers are primarily responsible for training private sector personnel and state and federal personnel from agencies outside OSHA. "Training is key to safety and health," said OSHA Administrator John Henshaw. "The more employers and employees know about hazards and protection, the more injuries, illnesses and fatalities can be prevented. These new centers will allow us to reach more people with information that can protect their safety and save lives."

EKU is among 20 education centers at 35 locations nationwide and one of three centers that will serve Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

Programming will be coordinated by EKU's Division of Continuing Education & Outreach.

"This partnership with OSHA enhances our ability to provide high quality, comprehensive loss prevention, safety and health training programs," said Ethan Flatten, CE&O projects coordinator.

Flatten said the EKU center will draw on the expertise of the College of Justice and Safety faculty, and other resources, both on- and offcampus, to deliver the training program curriculum to meet the needs of business and industry in the eight-state region, and beyond.

OSHA's previous training program included 12 centers, and the OSHA Training Institute in Illinois. The new centers were selected through a national competition. Evaluation included occupational safety and health experience, non-academic training background, classroom and laboratory availability, and the ability to provide training throughout the region.

For more information about the OSHA Training Institute Education Center at EKU, call 622-6216.

Eastern's IFC also took second place in the Outstanding Service Project and Alumni Development categories, was one of 11 IFCs to receive the Fraternal Excellence Awards and earned nine Awards of Excellence certificates. More than 100 schools in Kentucky, West Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee were represented.

Also, Brandon Bisig, president of EKU's IFC, was elected Area IV vice president representing 19 schools.

The Community Service and Philanthropy Award goes to the IFC that "best provides initiates and new members with the opportunity to enrich their own lives by giving back to the campus or local community in a meaningful way."

This past year, Eastern' IFC hosted its second annual Cheer for the Cure cheerleading competition/fund-raiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which benefits breast cancer research, and conducted a book drive for local schools.

The Cheer event raised $8,000 for the Komen Foundation, and the book drive netted almost 4,000 children' books. The book drive was the basis for the secondplace award for Outstanding Service Project. Eastern won the second-place Alumni Development Award for its biannual Leaders Lantern electronic newsletter.

The Awards of Excellence certificates were given for chapter services, judicial processes, leadership development, legal concerns, philanthropy and community service, publications, public relations, scholarship and academic achievement, and social programming.

Hall, a 1998 graduate of Johnson Central High School, has completed co-op assignments with the Administrative Office of the Courts in Frankfort, where she served with Pre-Trial Services, and with the University's NOVA Program, where she was a mentor/tutor for first generation college students.

Drs. Roseanne Lorden and Rose Perrine, professors of psychology, nominated Hall, citing her willingness to accept special assignments "which take her beyond expectations. She fosters good relationships, is competent with little supervision, productive, dependable and embraces learning."

Two other EKU students were nominated for the award: Sarah Darnall, a senior political science major, and Jatana Anderson, a senior accounting major.

Dr. Emily Craig, state forensic anthropologist with the Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office and an internationally known expert in the field, spoke at the Student Services Building Auditorium on Wednesday, March 12. Craig's lecture was sponsored by the Women's Studies Program, College of Justice and Safety, and the Forensic Science Program.

She will be responsible for providing administrative oversight to EKU's extended campus centers in Corbin, Danville and Manchester, and the university's other offcampus instructional sites.

"As a former extended campus center director, Rhonda Wheeler understands the special needs of non-traditional learners," said Rich Boyle, assistant to the CE&O dean. "Her steadfast commitment to students of all ages will help ensure that our extended campus programs are of the highest quality and continue to meet the educational needs of those who live in our service region, and beyond."

Previously, Wheeler has served as program outreach coordinator at EKU's Danville Center, representing the university's extended campuses on a variety of university committees. From 1997 to 2002, she served as area director of EKU's Tri-County Center at Corbin, EKU's largest, with over 1,000 students enrolled each semester.

"I am pleased to have this new opportunity to serve EKU," Wheeler said, "and I look forward to helping identify additional needs for our academic programs and services, and then working with the university's academic leadership to meet these needs."

Prior to joining EKU, she was assistant director of continuing education at Macon (Ga.) College, a grant writer in North Carolina and Kentucky, and a research associate for the Council of State Governments in Lexington.

Wheeler holds a master's degree in public administration and a bachelor's degree in management, both from Georgia College.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2004 Kentucky Legislative Internship Program. Students from all academic majors are invited to apply. To qualify, students must be a junior or senior by January 2004, and have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.8. Students selected will work in Frankfort from late December, 2003 to early May, 2004, will receive a monthly stipend of $1,000, and will be eligible to receive 12-15 hours of academic credit. The application deadline is April 1, 2003. For application material and additional information, contact Dr. Paul Blanchard, Director of the EKU Center for Kentucky History and Politics in McCreary 117 (phone 622-4380 or e-mail paul.blanchard@eku.edu).

Effective Monday, March 24, EKU's Correspondence Course office will be located in Perkins 208. The e-mail contact, michelle.minter@eku.edu, and the telephone number, 622-2003, will remain the same. The KET/Online office will be located in Perkins 209. The e-mail contact, nancy.neeley@eku.edu, and the telephone number, 622-2329, will remain the same. Both offices are units within EKU's Division of Continuing Education & Outreach.

The EKU Retirement Class of 2003 will set sail on Wednesday, April 23, during the annual retirement dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the Perkins Building (preceded by a 5:30 p.m. reception). Tickets are available at a cost of $16 for those who want to say "bon voyage" to the retiring faculty and staff members. Tickets may be purchased at the cashier's window, SSB 210, now through April 16.

Eleven Central Kentucky business owners have completed a special training program designed to help minorities and women obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and manage a small construction business.

The 16-week Lexington Bluegrass Area Minority and Women Contractor Training Program teaches business basics and tradespecific skills in estimating, bidding and project management. Participants work with small business development professionals, industry practitioners and faculty members from EKU.

The training program partnership includes the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development/ Small and Minority Business Division, Kentucky Finance Cabinet, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet/Office of Minority Affairs, Lexington- Fayette Urban County Government, Lexington Small Business Development Center, Associated Builders and Contractors of Kentuckiana, Associated General Contractors of Kentucky, Community Ventures Corporation, and the EKU Center for Economic Development, Entrepreneurship and Technology.

Each full-time employee will be asked to review his/her current benefits elections. During this open period employees may elect to add additional benefits such as dental, increase life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment and long-term disability. An increase in life and long-term disability may require medical underwriting.

Other optional benefits include long-term care and critical care insurance.

"With some changes in employee health contributions it is anticipated that employees may be interested in changing their health plan," stated Tarena Tyree, benefits coordinator.

Even though the entire month of April is considered open enrollment a specific period for a “benefits fair” will be conducted April 15-17. The fair will be held primarily in the Keen Johnson Ballroom, although other sites will be available as needed.

Representatives from each of the major benefit providers will be available to answer questions and to assist with benefit enrollment.

Benefits booklets with enrollment information will be mailed to each eligible employee through campus mail in the near future.

Questions regarding the open enrollment process should be addressed to Human Resources.