UNO/UNK to Offer MSW Off-Campus Program

A new group of UNO students will begin pursuing master of social work (MSW) degrees in a unique off-campus program hosted at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) campus early next summer.

"Our first group of MSW students who took part in the original UNK off-campus program exceeded expectations," said Jacque Reiser, the program's coordinator. The first Off-Campus MSW Program group began classes in 2004 and graduated with their MSWs in August 2006.

"They not only pursued a graduate degree, but they built a community of peers to draw on, too," she said.

UNO is currently taking applications for the next cohort, which will have a clinical concentration focus. Information and application forms are available online at http://socialwork.unomaha.edu.

Starting in May of 2007, UNO professors will drive to Kearney on alternate Fridays, teach that night and then have a full day of classes on Saturday before driving home. Classes will be offered year-round. Students who start in May will finish in December 2009.

The Social Work Program at UNK has strongly supported the MSW Off-Campus Program by providing office space for the UNO faculty, classroom space and library access, as well as other campus student support services, Reiser said.

"It's been a win-win situation for everyone," she said. "There's a tremendous demand for social work professionals in rural Nebraska, and our program is unique in addressing that need."

Applications are being taken through Feb. 1, 2007. Up to 25 students will be accepted into the program.

For more information, call 554.2792 or 554.2891.

Fall 2006 BFA Thesis Exhibition Opens

The UNO Art Gallery will present the work of four UNO bachelor of fine arts (BFA) thesis candidates in Speculatio Verto: Observation Interpreted, the Fall 2006 BFA Thesis Exhibition. The exhibition will open Friday, Dec. 1, and run through Friday, Dec. 15. An opening reception will be held Friday, Dec. 1, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the UNO Art Gallery.

The thesis exhibition is a thought-provoking display of observations that features the work of UNO students Jeff Halvin, Dan Lowe, Katrina Pierce and Bart Vargas. Halvin's photographs of ready-made and fabricated elements construct photo-narratives to make ideas credible through the power of visual imagery. Lowe uses video installation to invite viewers to reflect on childhood memories to break down barriers and incite an emotive response. Pierce actively explores space and printmaking through the examination of a 99.9 percent germ-free, clean environment to expose the things that exist all around us, regardless of whether we can see them or not. Vargas' sculpture installation examines the ambiguity of the self to find its specific origin.

It is the mission of the UNO Department of Art and Art History to prepare artists to enter into their field with the skills necessary to make significant contributions to the practice of art. The BFA with studio emphasis degree provides an extensive, well-rounded, performance-oriented background that not only equips students with intense knowledge of their practice and broad critical understanding of visual culture, but also prepares students for entry into a competitive art community and/or pursuit of higher degrees. After two semesters of rigorous independent study and a final semester of focused, individually-designed concentration in their selected area of emphasis, BFA candidates are required to participate in the thesis exhibition as the culminating element of their study.

Each BFA candidate in studio art is also required to present a public thesis talk to articulate and defend the philosophical, aesthetic, historical, critical and technical aspects of their work. Halvin, Lowe, Pierce and Vargas will be joined by bachelor of arts in art history candidates Elise Brazeal, Elizabeth Mostek and Tammi Owens in these public presentations. Each art history candidate will present a scholarly paper that addresses critical, creative and theoretical thinking, and analysis of a specialized topic in their area of emphasis. Fall 2006 thesis talks will be held Dec. 4, 6 and 8 from noon to 1 p.m. in the UNO Art Gallery.

The UNO Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the Weber Fine Arts Building. The exhibitions are free, handicapped accessible and open to the public. Gallery hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 4 p.m.; Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.; and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.

For more information, call 554.2796.

Annual Fall Scholastic Children's Book Fair Nov. 27-29

Wild about books? Like to share your treasures with others? Then come visit the UNO Library Friends annual fall Scholastic Children's Book Fair Nov. 27-29 in Criss Library!

Books for children of all ages, holiday titles, instructional materials, games, videos and toys will be available for purchase. Proceeds from the sale benefit Criss Library's juvenile book collection.

"It's always fun to come do some holiday shopping at the book fair," said Melissa Cast, education and reference librarian. "The book fair will also continue its support of local literacy efforts. Donations for the Open World Mission and the One World Community Health Center will be accepted." This summer, the Criss Library was recognized for putting more than 700 books in the hands of Omaha children.

The fair will be located on the main floor in the center aisle of Criss Library. Dates and times for the event are as follows:

- Monday, Nov. 27
5 to 9 p.m.

- Tuesday, Nov. 28
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

- Wednesday, Nov. 29
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, contact Cast at mcast@mail.unomaha.edu.

November Spotlight on Student Employment

Is your work area a better place because of student employees? Student Employment Services (SES) thinks the following student employees from the UNO Department of Facilities Management and Planning are stellar and selected them as the November Spotlight on Student Employment recipients.

The November Spotlight on Student Employment recipients include:
- Nikhil Hardikar, a management information system major from Dombivli, India;
- Seth Goeken, an architectural engineering major from Norfolk, Neb.;
- Jamie Erb, a criminal justice major from Irwin, Neb.; and
- Tom Martinez, a pre-architecture major from Omaha, Neb.

"Our department must be able to respond quickly and adjust to multiple departments and personalities in a professional setting and manner. Seth does this with an attitude of ‘how can I be of help,'" said George Killian, architectural department manager.

Deb Ekeler, supervisor and network coordinator, also appreciates the students' work. "Nikhil continues to be a reliable, dedicated worker meeting the requests of users and performing his job very well," she said. "Nikhil works with all people with respect and has excellent communication skills."

Goeken said it's not just the departments that benefit from student workers.

"At Facilities Management and Planning, the emphasis is placed on hands-on learning and comprehension of the construction industry rather than just completing the work without fully understanding it…I think I can speak for all the student workers here at facilities when I say that we are gaining priceless experience and knowledge in our chosen field of study in a relaxed office setting that is geared toward helping further our education," he said.

SES is featuring student employees from a new department each month through April. Featured departments will be entered in a drawing for an end-of-the-year party.

Departments also are featured on the Human Resources Student Employment Job Board on the first floor of the Eppley Administration Building. For more information about the program, contact Emily Muckerheide at emuckerheide@mail.unomaha.edu.

Students seeking work experience during school can gain assistance through SES, located in Human Resources, 205 Eppley Administration Building. On-campus student worker, work-study and graduate assistant positions are posted on the SES Job Board on the first floor of the Eppley Administration Building and online at http://careers.unomaha.edu.

Native American Heritage Month Celebration Concludes This Week

The history and culture of Native Americans will be highlighted in two events this week on campus. The events will conclude a month-long celebration of Native American Heritage Month.

Both events are free and open to the public and are listed below.

Tuesday, Nov. 28
Michael Murphy (folk singer-songwriter/guitar and Native American flute player)
11:30 a.m.
Milo Bail Student Center (MBSC) Dodge Room
Sponsored by UNO Student Organizations and Leadership Programs (SOLP)

Thursday, Nov. 30
Bear Butte Panel Discussion (featuring panelists Sheila Rocha and John Pappan)
11:30 a.m.
MBSC Ballroom
Sponsored by SOLP, UNO Native American Studies (NAS) and the UNO Intertribal Student Council (ISC).

For more information, call 554.2711.

UNO PRSSA Chapter Garners Three National Awards

Teams from the UNO Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) won three awards at the national PRSSA conference, which was held Nov. 10-14 in Salt Lake City. Details about the honors are listed below.

- National Community Service Award ($300) - First Place
The UNO chapter won the 2006 F. H. Teahan National Chapter Award for outstanding community and university service. The chapter won both the NODAC and the Teahan first place awards in 2004.

- First Annual Ethics Advocacy Award ($500 to chapter and $100 to adviser) - Third Place
UNO took third place honors in the first National Ethics Advocacy Awards, sponsored by the Betsy Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations. The chapter based its entry on a public relations writing class project. Karen Weber, an instructor in the UNO School of Communication and the UNO PRSSA chapter adviser, teaches the class. With the assistance of David Odgen, a UNO associate professor in the School of Communication, the students presented crisis communication plans based on the recent UNO Athletic Department funding situation and the resignations of former UNO Vice Chancellor James Buck and former UNO Chancellor Nancy Belck.

- National Organ Donor Awareness - First Place
The 2006 National Organ Donor Awareness Competition was sponsored by Rowan University in New Jersey. Five UNO students conducted a campaign, "Licensed to Give: We Card," that was designed to increase the number of registered organ donors on campus.

"I am so proud of all of our students in the 2005-06 school year that helped make winning the national community and university service award and the ethics advocacy award possible," Weber said. "Our students continue the legacy of distinction that makes our chapter very special."

The UNO chapter of PRSSA is an active organization on campus and in the community. Its mission is to enhance knowledge in the field of public relations by networking locally and nationally.

For more information about PRSSA at UNO, contact Karen Weber at 554.2246 or kweber@mail.unomaha.edu.

"Leveraging Resources" Brown Bag Session Nov. 28

Faculty, staff and graduate students are invited to attend a brown bag session on "leveraging resources" Tuesday, Nov. 28. Sponsored by the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research (SPR), the event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center U mon hon Room.

Three expert project directors will talk about their success in maximizing grant funding and university resources to achieve their project goals. The speakers will include Alan Kolok, biology; Jack Shroder, geography/geology; and Rick Yoder, Nebraska Business Development Center.

Participants are invited to bring a lunch. SPR will provide beverages and dessert.

For more information, call SPR at 554.2286, or visit the Web at http://www.unomaha.edu/spr.

Vern Raburn to Be Honored Nov. 29 at Durham Lecture Series

The UNO Aviation Institute will host its annual Charles W. Durham Distinguished Guest Lecture Series Wednesday, Nov. 29, in the William H. and Dorothy Thompson Alumni Center. The featured speaker will be Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation Corporation.

A reception will be held at 6:30 p.m., followed by Raburn's lecture at 7:30 p.m.

Since its inception in 1998, Raburn has led Eclipse Aviation Corporation to achieve numerous advancements in its quest to change the way people travel. To date, the company has raised nearly half a billion in capital and has made significant progress toward the certification and delivery of its flagship product, the Eclipse 500 jet.

With more than 25 years of experience as a senior executive in the information technology industry, Raburn is a successful entrepreneur who has also helped to shape the course of the information technology revolution and the high technology industry. In the mid 1970s, Raburn opened one of the nation's first computer stores, the Byte Shop of Westminster. Shortly thereafter, he joined Bill Gates as one of the first employees at Microsoft Corporation. He served at Microsoft as president of the Consumer Products Division and was responsible for the company's entry into the retail channel.

During the past 25 years, Raburn has consistently taken companies to the highest levels of success. Following his tenure at Microsoft, he served as executive vice president and general manager of Lotus Development Corporation, where he played an integral role in the successful launch of Lotus 1-2-3. He has also served as chairman and CEO of Symantec Corporation and Slate Corporation. Prior to founding Eclipse, Raburn worked as president of the Paul Allen Group, overseeing high technology investments for Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

Raburn's passion for high technology is exceeded only by his love of aviation. Since he first learned how to fly as a teenager, he has accumulated more than 6,500 hours of flight time and has earned his multi-engine, instrument, commercial and rotary ratings. He holds type ratings in more than 15 aircraft types, ranging from WWII bombers to piston airliners to modern corporate jets. He serves on the board of directors of the Experimental Aircraft Association; the Executive Council to the FAA's Research, Engineering and Development Advisory Committee (REDAC); and the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Presidential Advisory Board

The Charles W. Durham Guest Lecture Series and Scholarship Program was established by the Aviation Institute to thank Charles Durham for his inspiration as the lead co-founder of the UNO Aviation Institute. The Aviation Institute holds the Durham Lecture every year and presents the guest speaker with the William F. Shea Distinguished Contribution to Aviation Award. This award is given in honor of the Aviation Institute's founding director, William F. Shea, and is presented to those who have impacted the aviation industry during their varied aviation careers.

For more information or to receive free tickets to this event, call Vida Hill at 554.3424.

"Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" Continues on Stage This Week

Performances of the UNO Department of Theatre's production of William Shakespeare's tragedy "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" continue on stage Wednesday, Nov. 29. Additional showtimes are set for Nov. 30-Dec. 2.

The performances - all directed by Cindy Melby Phaneuf - will be held in the UNO Theater, located in the Weber Fine Arts Building. The house opens at 7 p.m., with a 7:30 p.m. curtain time. An interactive talk-back session with the director, designers and cast will be held immediately following the Friday, Dec. 1, show.

"Hamlet" is regarded by many as Shakespeare's most powerful play. Actors love it; academics are engrossed by it; audiences are challenged by it; and directors want to direct it. Audiences often find the story compelling and the young prince one of Shakespeare's most sympathetic tragic characters.

From the moment audiences see Hamlet standing - dressed in black, mourning his father's death - they are able to empathize with his anguish. Hamlet endures as the object of universal identification because his central moral dilemma transcends the Elizabethan period, making him a man for all ages. In his difficult struggle to act within a corrupt world yet maintain his moral integrity, Hamlet ultimately reflects the fate of all human beings.

Tickets for "Hamlet" are currently on sale at the UNO Theater box office, located on the first floor of the Weber Fine Arts Building. Ticket prices are $15 for general admission, and $12 for students and seniors. They may be purchased in person, via e-mail at unoboxoffice@mail.unomaha.edu, or by calling 554.2335.

For more information, contact Ron Zank, UNO Department of Theatre secretary, at 554.2406.

UNO to Present "Works in Progress" Colloquium Nov. 30

Poetry and nonfiction are the focus of "Works in Progress," a fall faculty colloquium planned for Thursday, Nov. 30, at UNO. The event will feature UNO English professors Michael Skau and Susan Maher.

The colloquium will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center Gallery Room. It is free and open to the public.

Dr. Skau will present "Conversations with the Old Poets: New Poems," while Dr. Maher will showcase "Conversations with the Landscape: Deep Map Country on the Great Plains."

For more information, call 554.2772.

Library Copy Card Exchange Concludes Nov. 30

Remember the old library copy card - the green card with coins on it? The last day the library will issue vouchers redeeming the value of the old copy cards is Thursday, Nov. 30.

Check your coat pockets, desk drawers and billfolds, and turn those copy cards in for value on your MavCard. Any vouchers issued through Nov. 30 may be redeemed at the MavCard Business Office through Dec. 15. The office is located on the second floor of the Milo Bail Student Center.

For more information, contact the library circulation desk at 554.3206.

Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra to Present "Omaha y Xalapa"

Bienvenidos! The Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra (UNO's symphony orchestra) invites the Omaha community to a concert titled "Omaha y Xalapa" Sunday, Dec. 3. It will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Strauss Performing Arts Center Recital Hall.

Xalapa is the Mexican sister city of Omaha, and the concert will feature one of the city's musical celebrities: Mexican conductor Maestro Antonio Tornero. He will lead the UNO Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra at the event.

The concert will also feature international favorites, including Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio Espagnol and Beethoven's Seventh Symphony. Maestro Tornero is the music director of the Youth Orchestra at the State of Verzcruz and is highly regarded as a conductor and music educator in Xalapa. UNO student Miriam Freeman, winner of the UNO Concerto-Aria Competition, will also be featured with the orchestra in a performance of Prokofiev's Third Piano Concerto.

Tickets are $5 for adults, and $4 for students and seniors.

The Consulate of Mexico in Omaha is sponsoring this event. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 554.3427.

Donations Still Sought for 72nd Street Food Fight

This event has been designated a UNO spirit event.

Each year, many families in Douglas County go without a holiday meal. However, an annual event that started three years ago is working to help solve the problem.

UNO has joined forces with five Omaha organizations this holiday season for the third annual 72nd Street Food Fight, which will help stock the shelves of The Salvation Army's food pantry.

UNO, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, the College of St. Mary, Omnium Worldwide Inc., Travel and Transport, and First Data Corp. will be competing against one another to collect the most food during the campaign.

At UNO, donations of non-perishable food items will be solicited through Thursday, Dec. 7. Donations will also be sought at future Maverick sporting events.

If able, faculty, staff and students are encouraged to pick up a few extra items for the Food Fight during the next few weeks while grocery shopping and bring them to campus. For convenience, blue barrels with the Food Fight graphic will be available in all campus buildings for food donations.

The Salvation Army is requesting the items listed below. No glass containers will be accepted.

- Canned meats
- Dry cereals
- Canned fruits
- Tomato products
- Dry boxed items
- Canned soups
- Canned vegetables
- Disposable diapers
- Hygiene products

Last year, more than 72,000 pounds of food were donated to this drive. In addition to its corporate partners, The Salvation Army would like to thank the "Food Fight" sponsors: HyVee and Payless Office Products.

To find out how your UNO organization can get involved in the Food Fight, contact Rita Henry at 554.2779 or John Jensen at 554.3382.

Discount Coupons Available for "The Nutcracker"

Discount coupons for the Nov. 30 through Dec. 3 Omaha Theater Ballet performances of "The Nutcracker" are available in 108 Eppley Administration Building. All shows will be held at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha.

The discount is applied when the coupons are redeemed by calling Ticket Omaha at 345.0606 or presented in person at the Holland Performing Arts Center, 13th and Douglas.

For more information about the discount, contact Mindy Bush at 391.2625.

Maverick Watch

Go Mavs! Support your Mavericks by attending their home events.

Students are admitted free to all home athletic games with a valid UNO ID (MavCard) and game-day ticket. The spouses, significant others and children of students also are admitted free, except to hockey. At the game, students must present their MavCard to receive a ticket. Tickets will be available on the day of the game at each home event. For more information, call 554.MAVS (6287).

At home this week...

Tuesday, Nov. 28
- Men's basketball vs. Peru State
Sapp Fieldhouse
7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 1
- Mutual of Omaha Swimming and Diving Invite
Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) Building Pool
10 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 2
- Mutual of Omaha Swimming and Diving Invite
HPER Building Pool
10 a.m.

- Women's Basketball vs. Adams State (Doubletree Downtown Classic)
Sapp Fieldhouse
4 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 3
- Women's basketball vs. Hawaii-Hilo (Doubletree Downtown Classic)
Sapp Fieldhouse
2 p.m.

For more information about UNO Athletics, visit the Web at http://gomavs.unomaha.edu/.