Seven Democratic presidential candidates visited Saint Anselm College (NH), the location of their final televised debate before the New Hampshire primary. (See below for coverage of other campaign activities on CIC campuses.) Photo courtesy of Saint Anselm College.

Front Page News
Randolph-Macon Woman’s College (VA) was given front-page coverage for four consecutive days in January in the Washington Post. The Post coverage focused on the personal story of Kakenya Ntaiya, a Randolph-Macon student from Kenya who has been attending the College on a nearly full scholarship. Ntaiya’s attendance at Randolph-Macon is part of an ongoing effort by the College to diversify its student body—nearly one of every eight students is from overseas. The prominent coverage led to a tremendous response from the public, including a donation that allows Kakenya’s mother to travel from her remote village in Kenya to attend her daughter’s graduation this spring.

Unique Discoveries
An astronomy student at Calvin College (MI) discovered a new object in the solar system—a previously unmapped asteroid, now given the name 2003 RA11. Andrew Vanden Heuvel’s discovery was made in September 2003, and confirmed soon after by the Minor Planet Center, the institution responsible for tracking small bodies in the solar system. The discovery was made using a new 16-inch telescope installed last spring at Calvin, thanks to a $130,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, and features precision computer pointing and imaging techniques identical to those used at major observatories.

Creating Partnerships
Several CIC campuses have enhanced their academic effectiveness by creating new partnerships with other colleges or organizations. Allegheny College (PA) has entered into a teacher preparation partnership with Columbia University’s Teachers College (NY), ensuring Teachers College will give special consideration to Allegheny students who apply for admission; Chatham College (PA) and Carnegie Mellon University’s H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy announced an agreement to create a dual-degree program allowing undergraduate students from Chatham to begin a master’s degree at Carnegie Mellon in their senior year; Lesley University (MA) has partnered with the Audubon Expedition Institute, the culmination of a 20-year relationship that will now become the centerpiece of a new division of environmental studies at Lesley; and Silver Lake College (WI) has been selected as one of the first five partners in a cooperative postsecondary partnership program in higher education with the University of Minnesota’s College of Education and Human Development and its School Technology Leadership Initiative (STLI), a three-year project designed to give technology training to existing school leaders.

Celebrating Achievements
Two CIC faculty members were included among the 12 major presenters at a January 31 symposium that launched the national bicentennial activities about Alexander Hamilton. James Read, professor of political science at the College of Saint Benedict (MN) and Saint John’s University (MN), and Willard Sterne Randall, an historian at Champlain College (VT), spoke at the event in New York, which was sponsored by The New-York Historical Society, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, and the National Park Service.
     Johnson C. Smith University (NC) was one of three institutions recently elected to the science consortium of Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU). The benefits of joining include participation in scientific research programs sponsored or administered by ORAU, as well as access to internships, laboratory research, and grants.
     Xavier University (OH) Assistant Professor Ann Marie Tracey was recently appointed by Governor Bob Taft to the Ohio Ethics Commission, the state governing body responsible for enforcing Ohio ethics laws.
     Four members of the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (IN) soccer team were recently honored by the United States Collegiate Athletic Association. Frieda Crispin, Sarah Greenberg, and Sarah Schinkel were awarded Honorable Mentions in All-American balloting. Crispin and Schinkel also joined Jennifer Sahr in being named USCAA Academic All-Americans. St. Norbert College (WI) student Danielle Partain joined First Lady Laura Bush at the White House for the kick-off of Heart Health month. Partain had invited First Lady Bush to the St. Norbert campus to speak on heart health, but instead received a personal invitation to attend the White House event.

A 17-student solar car team from Principia College (IL) placed sixth in the 2003 World Solar Challenge held in Australia. The Principia team's solar car, Ra V, ran from Darwin to Adelaide along Australia's Stuart Highway, traveling approximately 3,000 kilometers to reach the finish line. Prior to Australia, the Principia team placed fourth in the American Solar Challenge. Photo courtesy of Principia College.

Profile of Success
St. Norbert College (WI) was selected as one of five schools nationwide to be profiled by the Association of International Educators (NAFSA) and the U.S. Department of State and Educational Testing Service in their second annual publication, Internationalizing the Campus 2004: Profiles of Success at Colleges and Universities. In addition, St. Norbert was selected by the American Council on Education (ACE) for its second annual Promising Practices: Spotlighting Excellence in Comprehensive Internationalization report. St. Norbert offers programs such as the English as a Second Language Institute; study abroad; interdivisional, international major and minor programs of study; and an international student recruitment program. The college is one of only four schools to be selected by both associations for such a profile. Webster University (MO) was also featured in ACE’s Promising Practices report.

Getting Grants
Hanover College (IN) received an $11.4 million grant from the Lilly Endowment to fund the Rivers Institute, a collaborative, interdisciplinary program to study rivers using the liberal arts. The Institute will become an epicenter for the study of rivers, examining how rivers influence people’s quality of life, culture, ecosystems, and economies, and recommending actions for river protection and better use.
     Livingstone College (NC) received a $500,000 challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation to assist in completing a $20 million capital campaign; a $500,000 challenge grant from the Bush Foundation for the renovation of the Duncan Education building—the College already received $487,000 against the match necessary to receive the grant; and a federal $450,000 earmark grant from NASA to establish an Academy of Mathematics, Science, and Aerospace Technology. Dominican University (IL), in partnership with the Alliance Library System, was awarded a $435,456 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to recruit the next generation of library students in Illinois; Springfield College (MA) won a $788,000 Americorps grant to provide financial aid to graduate students who become Americorps members; Ohio Dominican University announced a $1 million naming gift from the Diocese of Columbus, the largest single gift in the University’s 93-year history; and Austin College (TX) announced a $1 million gift from Kenneth and Caroline Elbert Taylor, which will provide scholarship support to students through the new Kenneth and Caroline Elbert Taylor Endowed Founders Scholarship Fund and Endowed International Scholarship Fund. Tri-State University (IN) acquired a $2 million contribution—$1 million from Dr. Clifford W. Sponsel, a 1931 Tri-State civil engineering graduate and trustee emeritus, and $1 million in matching funds from the Lilly Endowment Inc.—to be used toward the renovation of an historic campus administration building; and a $2 million gift from the Callaway Foundation, Inc., was given to LaGrange College (GA) to assist in the renovation of the College’s Callaway Auditorium.
     Additionally, Albright College (PA) received a gift of more than $1.5 million from Lillian and Robert R. Gerhart, Jr. to establish Albright’s first faculty chair in communications—it is also the College’s fourth endowed professorship. And Huntingdon College (IN) has received $2.6 million in matching funds from Lilly Endowment Inc. The grant concludes a 19-month grant-raising effort by Huntingdon in response to Lilly’s Special Initiative to Strengthen Philanthropy for Indiana Higher Education.

At College Convention 2004, co-sponsored by New England College (NH), student volunteers show support for candidate Wesley Clark. Photo courtesy of New England College.

Campuses Sponsor
2004 Presidential
Election Activities
With the 2004 Presidential Election fast approaching, a number of CIC institutions have hosted visits by the candidates and other campaign-related activities. During the week before the Iowa caucuses, Morningside College (IA) hosted two of the largest political rallies in the area for presidential candidates. Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) addressed a crowd of more than 200 students, faculty, and staff; “West Wing” star Martin Sheen and actor/director Rob Reiner spoke to a standing-room-only crowd to show support for former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean; and Rep. Dick Gephardt (D-MO) made a visit to the campus earlier in November. Teresa Heinz Kerry, wife of Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), also visited the campus in October. Saint Anselm College (NH) hosted seven Democratic presidential candidates for their final televised debate before the New Hampshire primary. Hundreds of supporters and more than 600 members of the media attended the event. During the week leading up to primary night, Fox News Channel broadcast many of its programs live from a studio it set up on Saint Anselm’s quad and a newsroom it created in a campus administrative center.
     In addition, New England College (NH) and the Center for Civic Engagement held “College Convention 2004,” an event that attracted seven of the nine major Democratic candidates, as well as such prominent speakers as CNN Founder Ted Turner and New Hampshire Secretary of State William Gardner. An estimated 800 students from 38 states and about 140 members of the media attended the event, during which the candidates, students, and other attendees participated in speeches, debate sessions, and panel discussions over a period of several days.
     Many CIC institutions have also offered coursework or discussions that help capture the political energy and interest in the presidential race. Lesley University (MA) has organized a summer course, “The Meanings of a Media Event: The Democratic National Convention, Boston 2004.” The course will be centered on the Democratic National Convention, which kicks off in Boston in July. Political scientist professor Bruce Logan and his students will analyze the Democrats’ gathering as a political event, a media event, and through the eyes of the host city. There will be guest lecturers ranging from political experts to members of the national media, as well as an experiential learning component, with enrolled students taking on internship assignments with local and national organizing committees.

Senator John Edwards addresses a crowd during a political rally held at Morningside College (IA).

At Elizabethtown College (PA), the Political Science Club has organized a panel discussion on the presidential election. The discussion will take place this spring and features David Racer, former campaign manager for Republican presidential candidate Alan Keys; Richard Ridder, former campaign manager for Howard Dean (and Gary Hart); John Baer, political columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News; and E. Fletcher McClellan, professor of political science at Elizabethtown. The Political Science Honor Society for Loras College (IA) conducted an on-campus, pre-caucus straw poll using the internet and paper ballots to survey faculty, staff, and students. The final results of the poll predicted that Sen. Kerry would win the Democratic nomination. Sixty-four percent predicted that Sen. Kerry would go on to defeat President Bush in the general election with the following three issues, in order of relevance, most likely to influence their vote: domestic issues, international/foreign affairs, and the Iraq conflict.
     In New Hampshire, Franklin Pierce College’s Center for Applied Public Opinion Research continues to conduct monthly polling to track the opinions of its state’s voters. The Center, founded in 1999 and led by Rich Killion, gained national prominence with its chronicling of the 2000 New Hampshire Presidential Primary. In the months leading up to the recent New Hampshire primary, the Center showed the rise and fall in voting popularity of Gov. Dean, as well as predictions of Sen. Kerry’s eventual primary win.

Political Activity Beyond the Election
The Center for Political Participation at Allegheny College (PA) will hold Model Campaign USA, a regional “Model United Nations-style” competition designed by Allegheny students to teach high school students about new-style campaign tactics and ethical campaigning. The program, as part of an outreach endeavor to local high schools, will allow students to explore everything from budgeting to delivering speeches and writing press releases, and will “help send the important message to young people that politics is for everyone,” says Center for Political Participation Director Daniel Shea.

Announcing New Programs
Numerous CIC schools have expanded their academic offerings with new degree programs. Juniata College (PA) has added a new dual major in religion and philosophy; Regis College (MA) will offer two more master’s programs, a Master of Science in Health Product Regulation and Health Policy and a Master of Science in Organizational
and Professional Communication; the University of the Incarnate Word (TX) has announced plans for a Doctor of Pharmacy degree; and Silver Lake College (WI) created its newest accelerated degree-completion program, the criminal justice degree track, which is designed for those with a criminal justice associate degree who want to obtain a bachelor’s degree in the same field.
     Seton Hill University (PA) has introduced its newest degree offering, the Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science. The new major incorporates a liberal arts curriculum with in-depth training in the areas of criminalistics and criminal justice. The state’s Bureau of Labor predicts that the need for forensic science personnel will increase 13 percent by 2010, with a similar increase predicted nationwide. In addition, The Sage Colleges (NY) will offer its first doctoral program. The graduate school has received approval from the New York State Education Department to award a clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Also being offered for the first time this year is an accelerated bachelor’s degree program in nursing at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland.

Planning New Facilities
Some CIC members have announced plans for new campus facilities. Cabrini College (PA) broke ground in 2003 on the $18.5 million Center for Science, Education, and Technology, a three-story state-of-the-art facility that will include computer/science labs and classrooms, a 60-seat “smart” lecture hall, and a rooftop observatory. The facility is scheduled to open in 2005. Loyola College in Maryland and the College of Notre Dame in Maryland will begin an $18 million renovation of the Loyola-Notre Dame Library. After renovations are complete, the 30-year-old library shared by both schools will have an additional 25,000 square feet of space and a sleek, glass-atrium exterior. The interior will include a new 119-seat auditorium along with space for digital media production. Construction begins in May 2005.

The Peace Garden at Lebanon Valley College (PA) won a citation in the design competition sponsored by American School & University magazine. The garden was the only entry to win in the Landscape Architecture category, and was featured on two pages of the magazine’s November Architectural Portfolio issue. Photo courtesy of Lebanon Valley College.

Two CIC schools, Gordon College (MA) and Seton Hill University (PA), have plans for new recreation facilities. Gordon College recently received the necessary approvals to begin construction of the much-anticipated Brigham Athletic Complex. Construction begins this year. The completed complex will provide lighted all-season fields for soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse, as well as track and field facilities. Seton Hill’s groundbreaking ceremony for its recreation complex took place in Spring 2003. The 44,000 square-foot facility will house a 1,000-seat gymnasium as well as an internal running track, fitness rooms, locker areas, event space, and athletic offices.
     College Misericordia (PA) recently announced a new Assistive Technology Research Institute. The Institute is part of an effort by the College to apply technology to benefit older Americans and people with disabilities. The Institute will conduct studies to produce data with real-world implications to help such people maximize their benefits from the rapid advances in technology, and will conduct its work in conjunction with Pennsylvania technology and manufacturing firms as well as various local, state, and federal agencies.

Completing Campaigns
Four CIC schools successfully reached the financial goals of their current campaigns: Indiana Wesleyan University recently exceeded its $48 million capital campaign that began five years ago. The money is being used for a new library, chapel, alumni house, and life calling and leadership center; Rockhurst University (MO) surpassed its “Excellence in the City” capital campaign goal with $50.5 million, using the funds for various technological renovations, a new athletic complex, and a new community center; University of the Ozarks (AR) celebrated the completion of its five-year, $60 million “Pride & Promise Campaign,” reaching an amount almost three times larger than the University’s previous
largest campaign. And Cedarville University (OH) successfully concluded a $12.8 million capital campaign in support of its new recreation center. The final phase of the campaign included the University’s qualification for a $600,000 challenge grant
from The Kresge Foundation.
     In addition, North Central College (IL) received $8.6 million from alumnus Dr. Myron Wentz, Class of 1963, to sustain the momentum of the College’s recently completed $50 million “Preparing for a New Century” capital campaign.

Changing Names
Georgian Court University (NJ) recently announced its attainment of University status. In February, the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education unanimously approved Georgian Court as the 16th university in the state.

Campus Expansion
Sterling College (KS) recently expanded its campus with the acquisition of 31 acres of ground. The land was given to the College by friends of Tony Thompson, an alumnus and current trustee of the College, to mark his birthday. The acquisition enlarges the campus grounds by nearly 60 percent. Future plans include the expansion of athletic facilities and the construction of a lighted baseball field.

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Last updated: March 2004
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