16 December, 2008

Featured Prospective Student of the Week!

Woo hoo-- it's almost Holiday Break for students! I bet you're all stoked! I would like to take a moment to introduce you to one of Valpo's prospective students, Tamer Lee. Tamer is a total rock star. Two months ago she entered Chicago Tribune's Holiday contest for singing and playing the holiday hymn, "Gloria." Tamer is now one of 7 finalists for the BIG event which is this Friday, December 19th.

Tamer is doing her best to represent her community. She is involved with the 4-H mixed Clovers, The Church of the Living God as a guest violinist, Merit School of Music Orchestra, Marshall High School's jazz band, Hyde Park's Marching Band and Chicago Area Alliance of Black School Educators as a guest performer.

Tamer is currently a Senior at Hyde Park Academy in Chicago, IL. and the Merit School of Music. She studies violin and voice, plays 5 instruments and performs in 2 choirs including All City Chorus at Whitney Young.

Please check out, http://chicagotribune.com/gloria so you can check out Tamer perform!

**
If any other student readers have updates/announcements about awesome things you're doing, let me know and I will feature you in my blog!

Until then-- be legendary in your own way!

04 December, 2008

It's beginning to look a lot like Destination Valpo Day Season!

Hello, Dear friend--

I hope your week has been going well since I last posted. Things on campus have been very festive and students are gearing up for finals. Let me catch you up on some campus events as well as visit information and... yes, another contest!

Academics:
Eighteen Valparaiso University professors have received grants from the University’s Committee to Enhance Learning and Teaching for classroom tools and software, travel expenses and other activities designed to improve student learning.

Grants totaling $10,000 were awarded to:
  • Dr. Carter Hanson, associate professor of English, for expenses involved in developing a new graduate-level course on the cultural history of electronic dance music from the 1970s to the present;
  • Drs. Angela Vernon and David Simpson, assistant professors of psychology, to conduct a survey examining the relationship between an individual’s level of moral reasoning and perception of the purpose of Valparaiso’s honor code;
  • Dr. Zuhdi Aljobeh, associate professor of civil engineering, to accompany a team of engineering students on a service learning trip to Central America next spring and collect information about water and air quality, interview community leaders and study possible solutions to a community’s health issues;
  • Elise Alverson, adjunct assistant professor of nursing, to attend a conference on dietary supplements offered by National Institutes of Health;
  • Dr. Nirupama Devaraj, assistant professor of economics, to present her research on collective action and international carbon dioxide regulations at a national economics conference;
  • Dr. Del Gillispie, assistant professor of education, to support a service learning trip by education majors to Nicaragua during March 2009;
  • Dr. Christina Grabarek, assistant professor of education, to present research on predicting eating disorder risk at the National Association of School Psychologists’ annual conference;
  • Dr. Todd Hillwig, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, to observe and collect data on the formation and shaping process of planetary nebulae at the South American Research Telescope in Chile;
  • Dr. Jennifer Hora, assistant professor of political science, to present a paper on “Fantasy Congress,” an online drafting game similar to fantasy football, and its impact on student learning at a conference of the American Political Science Association;
  • Dr. Larry Jorgensen, assistant professor of philosophy, to present a paper on philosopher Gottfried Leibniz at a seminar on early modern philosophy;
  • Dr. Carlos Miguel-Pueyo, assistant professor of foreign languages and literatures, to present a paper on the meaning of the use of blue color by European Romantic writer G.A. Becquer at an international colloquium in Germany;
  • Dr. Rachel Rivers Parroquin, lecturer in foreign languages and literatures, to serve as an interpreter for a service learning trip to Central America during March 2009 by students from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Nursing and Engineering;
  • Dr. David Simpson, assistant professor of psychology, to present his research on religion and psychology at an international conference of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies;
  • Dr. Zsuzsanna Szaniszlo, associate professor of mathematics and computer science, to participate in the annual Joint Meetings of the Mathematical Societies, including a panel on undergraduate research;
  • Dr. Paul Tougaw, assistant professor of education, to present a paper and workshop on professional and ethical dilemmas facing young teachers at the International Phi Delta Kappa Summit and to present sessions on classroom management and the interview process at the National American Association for Employment in Education;
  • Dr. Jeff Will, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, to allow him and an undergraduate engineering student to travel to Japan and collaborate with faculty at Hokkaido University on deploying virtual reality technology in their teaching, as well as bringing ideas back to Valparaiso;
  • Drs. Stanislaus Zygmunt and Andrew Richter, associate professors of physics and astronomy, to attend a national conference of the American Association of Physics Teachers and learn more about creative pedagogical innovations and best practices in college-level physics instruction.
Valparaiso’s Committee to Enhance Learning and Teaching works to promote and enhance teaching and learning on campus and assist in faculty development. It awards grants annually to faculty members developing new courses, enhancing current courses, presenting their scholarship and engaging in other activities that benefit student learning.

Extracurricular:
  • Basketball season is about to start with a few exhibition games already taking place. Valpo has been guaranteed 3 ESPN appearances this season with a possibility of 7! Make sure to check our website to see what games will be on ESPN (http://www.valpo.edu/athletics)
  • Co-ed volleyball has wrapped up and now it's onto intramural basketball season. Students are tearing up the courts and staying occupied outside of the classroom.
  • With the new union almost finished and ready for it's grand opening on January 4, 2009... office that will be located in the Harre Union are making their move into the new facility.
  • Stop.Drop.Rewind. performed in the Christopher Center during an end of semester gathering. Students were able to relax, decorate and eat cookies, listen to some music and mingle.
Plus lots of other events happening on campus!

Now onto the contest-- with the new year just around the corner and since most people reading this are in high school and about to graduate, whomever can submit the best New Years GOAL will win an amazing surprise. Deadline is January 15, 2009 midnight CST. This can be a wide variety of goals-- example: Each year my resolution is the same-- do at least one thing per year that scares me. This year I went to China with 17 people from the MBA program that I hardly knew, never having traveled abroad before. It's still up in the air what I will do next year, but I know it will be hard to top a trip like the one I experienced when going to China.

Many of you have received your Acceptance letters from many schools and are facing the dreaded, "So what are you doing after high school? Where are you going to school??" Trust me, I completely understand how obnoxious it can get and also how intimidating the whole college decision process can be. As much as I would like to say, "You HAVE to be at Valpo!" if you're not happy, it's a lose lose situation for all. Take time to figure out the pro's and con's of each school you are considering and remember, if you ever have questions or have concerns and would like to chat-- that's why I'm here! This is a very exciting time in your life and you should feel very proud of your hard work and, while perhaps feeling a bit sad about ending your highschool days, look forward to the awesome doors that are opening right before you.

Keep in mind that visiting campus definitely helps with making a final decision. May 1, 2009 is the decision deadline, but you can submit your deposit any time before. We have some overnight visits scheduled (DVD's) in January, Febuary and March-- with our first one being tonight-- where we'll match you up with a current student, you get to chill on campus, go to class, meet with the profs and see what it would be like to attend Valpo. I strongly encourage you to attend one and get to know our awesome hosts and students while learning about the Valpo experience.

As an early head's up starting January 1, 2009 you can start filing the FAFSA, but until then I encourage you to file the early aid estimator.

I hope you are having a wonderful week! Look for an update next week.

And remember-- be legendary in your own way!

25 November, 2008

Megan On Facebook!

Hiya my loyal readers! I apologize for my hiatus. A lot has been happening on Valpo's campus-- mainly lots and lots and lots of file reviewing. All of you early action applicants will receive your notification within the next week, if you have not yet already. Let me know what questions you have-- and also, CONGRATS!

Those of you who have not yet applied, we have a web portal where you can apply online. Those of you who apply via the portal can check if we are missing anything for your application to be complete-- those of you who do not apply via the web portal cannot see that same info, you'll need to call or email me. http://www.valpo.edu/admissions/apply

Also, Valpo is now part of the exclusive Youtube Campus Network where you can see some of our students featured in videos, partial tour, and other fun clips. Check it out at: http://www.youtube.com/valpo.

Lastly, I know that some of you might not like communicating via email or on the phone, I have created a facebook account and would love if you add me as a friend! Don't worry, I will not contact you thru facebook often, but if you find it easier to connect this way or would just like to facebook your favorite Admission Counselor, please click on the Facebook badge below.

Megan At Valpo's Facebook profile

Now that students are being admitted, we will be having large over-night visits on campus, with the first being December 4-5, 2008. It's not too late to register, and you can do so by logging onto our admission webpage, calling us, or emailing me. We do have other overnights (DVD-- Destination Valpo Days) in January, February and March so let us know! Also, if the dates we have scheduled do not work with your schedule, we're more than happy to host you any Sunday through Thursday-- please give us two weeks notice.

Check back next week for another update-- and until then, Happy Thanksgiving!!

14 October, 2008

O-H...I-O

... Thus completes my travels in Ohio. Thanks for the great time, I'll see you soon...

I'm kidding, I have more to divulge to my loyal readers! I began my journey to the Buckeye state on Oct 5th and got back on Oct 12th. My first trip was to the Columbus Suburban Fair at Otterbein College where I met with fabulous students-- what's up Samantha!? After the fair I decided to discover part of north C-bus to learn what the locals love about the city. I cannot lie, being a Purdue University graduate I did have my prejudices; however, I was won over by the charm of everyone I met, the wonderful schools I visited, the counselors as well as... yes, the mall that was across the street from my hotel.

I spent Monday in Columbus, checked out downtown and made plans to discover the Buckeye campus when I went back on Friday. I then made the trek to the 'natti (Cincinnati) where I fell in love with the fall foliage, local charm and of course, THE greatest ice cream known to man: Graeter's. If you're ever in the Cincinnati area, make sure you stop in for some-- ask for the raspberry chocolate chip-- you'll thank me later.



While in Cincinnati I met with some amazing students **Zack and Justin thanks so much for pointing me in the Graeter's direction!** who had great questions and high desires to attend Valpo. Definitely good times. After my busy week I had Friday night and Saturday to enjoy and explore. Since I was downtown for the NACAC (National College Fair), I spent Friday afternoon and early evening walking around taking pictures of the bridge-- which, interesting factoid-- John A. Roebling suspension bridge was the longest of it's type... until The Brooklyn Bridge was built and stole the title. And there's your history lesson for the day. Not only am I an Admission Counselor, I'm also an architecture buff. I really enjoyed spending time at the Fountain Square downtown where there is a huge flat screen tv that people watch games on and also tail gate before home games. I spent some time there watching football and some of the ALCS game. I also loved being in the city and the view of the bridge and buildings...



My weekend was completed with the NACAC where I met with a great number of students.

New contest-- oooh, see I hold up my end here-- let's make this a bigger challenge... the student that provides with with the quickest and most creative route from Valpo to Columbus will win a prize of legendary proportions... please submit your travel route to me by Nov. 1st -- oh what else is November 1st?? That's right, EARLY ACTION, NON-BINDING deadline. How convenient! For you Buckeyes wanting to come to Valpo, this is the perfect compliment to your process... not only may you gain admission, you may also win a smaller, but amazing, prize.

Onto some campus happenings-- we had our second visit day of the Fall season where 88 students and their families came for a good Valpo Visit filled with info, laughs, tours, and of course, amazing chocolate chip cookies. We're all looking forward to the upcoming visits. It's not too late to sign up for a visit day, and as always, you can sign up for an indiviualized visit!

This previous weekend was also our Homecoming. While I missed it, I hear that it was amazing. We had so many alumni back to celebrate their love of Valpo and see the new developments on campus.

This coming Friday, October 17th, our new President, Mark Heckler will be innaugerated at the Chapel. We are all very excited about the events leading up to and after the ceremony.

Check back for updates... and remember, Be legendary in your own way!

24 September, 2008

It's official....!

Dear friends--

Not ONLY is it my favorite time of year-- Hello Fall, my dearest love-- BUT my Fall travel tour has been named. Wait for it... wait for it... this year's title has been named by Benjamin Witte of Chicago, Illinois. Ben is a Senior at Univ. Chicago Lab Schools and plans to study Art: Ceramics and Education. His amazing title.... wait for it.... has earned him a superb Valpo gift. Thanks so much BEN! And the title is.... Megan's Mega Midwest Montage **don't worry East coasters, when I visit you in the spring there will be a new title**

This week has been fabulous-- I met so many amazing students at the Brother Rice/Mother McAuley fair on Monday night and at the Maine South fair last night. Mad props to the students I met at Highland Park and Evanston Township High School... you guys rock and had amazing questions-- I look forward to seeing you on campus soon! Chicago's Northshore is absolutely beautiful-- venturing around Evanston's downtown area, Winnetka, and the entire north shore during this time of the year has fast become one of my favorite things to do. All of the people are great, beautiful weather-- and of course-- the amazing shopping!

Make sure to check out our website for new happenings on campus and to schedule a visit!

And as always... be legendary in your own way!

12 September, 2008

Liberal Arts night at Jones College Prep!

Dear friends,

My fall travel is off to an amazing start! First up was the Liberal Arts Fair at Jones College Prep.

For those of you unfamiliar with Jones, it is an amazing school, like many others in the City of Chicago. This fall we have 6-- yes SIX-- Freshman on campus from Jones. Two of those students accompanied me on this adventure and did an amazing job describing their love of Valpo to their former classmates. Needless to say, we had an awesome turn out at our table. When we first arrived we were greeted by high energy, warm smiles and a reserved parking space. Those of you familiar with parking downtown can appreciate the excitement we had with not having to stress about finding a close spot. Sam and Jeremie were asked to be "surprise" guests for the beginning panel and were very well received by everyone. There was even live music performed by members of the Jones College Prep band and a very nice meal.



All of the students I met were very prepared for the fair and had lots of great questions to ask. I couldn't have hoped for a better turn out. I look forward to seeing all of you Jones students again soon at both a high school visit and when you come visit campus! Let me know how I can help!

Big fall travel starts in a week-- I look forward to the many amazing experiences I will encounter while meeting you!

Don't forget to submit your suggestion for my fall travel tour name-- I have an amazing gift for the winner! (submit by midnight cst Sept 22nd)

And as always, Be legendary in your own way...

03 September, 2008

Coming to a high school near you..

Dear friends--

As promised, the highly anticipated return of your admission counselor's travel season is about to begin. Please check out the following dates to see if you will be able to stop by to get some Valpo info and say "HI" to me. My tour of Chicago will be somewhat epic as I plan to visit 50 high schools within 6 weeks plus many in the Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio areas. Do not fear, my East Coasters, I will be coming to you in the Spring months, but you can come visit me on campus, drop me an email or give me a call for some information in the meantime.

Let's get interactive-- Whomever submits the most creative and clean tour title for my fall travel schedule will win a fabulous Valpo gift. All submissions must be received by September 22nd, 2008 12AM CST. Please email me at: Megan.Marrs@valpo.edu

And now, the grand unveiling of the "to be named later" tour:

Wednesday September 10th, 2008
DeLasalle (fair)
Jones College Prep (fair)

Monday September 22nd, 2008

Luther High School South

Morgan Park Academy

Brother Rice (Fair)

Tuesday September 23rd, 2008

Maine South (fair)

New Trier

North Shore Country Day School

Wednesday September 24th, 2008

Evanston Township

Highland Park

Deerfield

Thursday September 25, 2008

Maria (fair)

Curie High School

Marist (fair)

Wednesday October 1st, 2008

Lake Forest Academy (fair)

Niles West

Niles North

Thursday October 2nd, 2008

Lincoln Park High School

Francis W Parker

Northside College Prep

Luther North

Sunday October 5th, 2008

Columbus, OH

Monday October 6th, 2008

High school visits TBD

Tuesday October 7th, 2008

Univ. Cincinnati

High school visits TBD during the day

Wednesday October 8th, 2008

Miami University

High School visits TBD

Thursday October 9th, 2008

High School visits TBD

Friday October 10th, 2008

High School visits TBD

Sunday October 12th, 2008

Ohio NACAC

**Back to Chicago**

Monday October 20th, 2008

Flossmoore (fair)

Gwendolyn Brooks

St. Ignatius

Tuesday October 21st, 2008

Morgan Park Academy (fair)

St. Rita

Wednesday October 22nd, 2008

Walter Payton

Whitney Young Magnet

Thursday October 23rd, 2008 (Happy birthday to my brother!!)

Noble Street

Latin School

Friday October 25th, 2008

DeSales (fair)

Mt. Carmel

Univ. Chicago Lab School

Saturday October 25th, 2008

Chicago NACAC

Wednesday October 29th, 2008

National Hispanic Fair

Thursday October 30th

William Taft (fair)


Saturday November 1st, 2008

Univ. Ill @ Chicago (fair)


*disclaimer, dates may change, and if they do, there will be a post about it*

Now, you may be thinking to yourself, "Wow, Megan, how do you stay so energetic and inspired while out on the road?" I will tell you-- it's because of Starbucks. I'm joking, partially, in reality it's because of the relationships developed during this time of the year. You also might be wondering what exactly I take with me while out on the road-- OK, ok, ok twist my arm, I will tell you. In my travel (non-valpo material, non-clothing suitcase) bag I will always have the following:
  • Bottled water (preferable vitamin water)
  • one regular can of Coke
  • Powerbars
  • trailmix
  • First-aid kit (trust me)
  • Extra socks
  • Flip-flops (I could live in flip flops)
  • Raincoat
  • Umbrella
  • cell phones, wall and car charger
  • Laptop
  • homework-- yes, my day time outfit is the Admission Counselor, while at night I am an MBA student here at Valpo.
  • iPod, charger
  • digital camera
  • Ethernet cable (just in case)
  • A wide selection of batteries
  • flashlight
  • Plastic bags (both of the sandwich and garbage varieties)
  • Tissues and napkins
  • Two hats
  • Spare toilet paper (I traveled to China this summer-- it's become 2nd nature)
  • tape, assorted rubber bands and paperclips (just in case I need to MacGyver (1) something together)
  • Pens
  • A towel
  • Tylenol, Advil, Motrin and aspirin
  • A lifetime supply of Tums
    (1) for those of you too young to know who MacGuyver is-- take a look

All this, plus a folder full of my travel schedule, insurance forms, contacts, reservations and any other scrap of paper necessary to make the travel season go swimmingly.

I look forward to seeing you all very soon!

And remember-- be legendary in your own way!

26 August, 2008

Is it me, or is it beginning to feel like Fall too soon?

Dear Friends--

The end of summer is upon us, while this is a bittersweet feeling, I cannot help but be excited about this coming year. Baseball games, visit days, beach bumming, my trip to China-- I cannot give justice to how amazing my summer has been. I hosted a High School counselor visit day two weeks ago and it was smashing-- the counselors met with Deans from each of the colleges, had a VIP tour of the new union, and a delicate lunch at one of my favorite hot spots in town.

My first class of students has started at Valpo and it has been so much fun seeing them on campus, hearing about their freshman dorm experiences, and them stopping by randomly just to say "HI!" I keep finding myself more and more anxious to meet new students and bring them on to campus. There is something so refreshing about being on this side of the desk and helping students realize their potential that I honestly cannot wait to see what my students do while here and after.

Today was especially exciting because we had our 80th Annual Opening Convocation where distinguished professors were honored by our new President, Mark Heckler. It is indeed an exciting time on campus as we celebrate our 150th year, welcome our new President, faculty, staff and of course, our new students!

There is always something to happening on campus whether it's an athletic event (http://www.valpo.edu/athletics), within our Arts department (http://www.valpo.edu/vuca) or something in the academia realm. Starting in September our symposium series will begin. Some of the topics and speakers include:

Sept. 11 Reflections in the Dark, presented by Fredrick Barton, a Valparaiso and Christ College alumnus who is an award-winning film critic, novelist and professor at the University of New Orleans. He will reflect on the evolving American spirit as portrayed in contemporary films such as No Country for Old Men, The Dark Knight and The X-Files: I Want to Believe.

Sept. 18 Einsteins Happiest Idea: Gravity and Curved Space-Time, presented by Dr. Eric G. Adelberger, professor emeritus of physics at the University of Washington. The talk will review Einsteins theory of gravity and how it illustrates how profound ideas develop, how incorrect experimental conclusions stimulate new insights and how the best experimental techniques are sometimes the least obvious.

Sept. 25 Meditation and Monasticism: Making the Ascetic Self in Thailand, presented by Dr. Joanna Cook, George Kingsley Roth Research Fellow in Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Cambridge. Dr. Cook, who took ordination as a Thai Buddhist nun while writing her doctoral dissertation, will discuss the ways in which people make religious and cognitive concepts real through learned bodily and mental experiences.

Oct. 2 Domestic Vision: A Retrospective on the Art of Joel Sheesley, presented by the internationally-respected artist whose work is being exhibited at the Universitys Brauer Museum of Art this fall. Sheesley will discuss the development of his artistic vision from a sense of Americana to 17th century Dutch models.

Oct. 9 Faith and Work, Love and Life, presented by four Christ College alumni: Kate Goodman, a writer who serves as lead moderator for the Denver Posts blog Mile High Mama; Ben Schnakenberg, an associate at High Road Capital Partners in New York; Matt Provenzano, resident physician at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics; and Stephanie Loomis Pappas, doctoral candidate in rhetoric and composition at Northeastern University. Each will reflect on the ways their Valparaiso and Christ College experiences shaped their careers, relationships and spiritual lives.

Oct. 16 Christ College Student Scholarship Symposium, featuring the analytical, critical, creative and research projects of current Christ College students.

Oct. 30 The Lilly Fellows in Humanities and the Arts, presenting an overview of the scholarly work being pursued by Valparaisos new Lilly Fellows Dr. Susanna Childress (English and creative writing), Dr. Karin Fransen (philosophy) and Dr. Samuel Garber (American studies).

Nov. 6 Holden Village: With Christ in the Wilderness for the Life of the World, presented by Dr. Mark Schwehn Dickmeyer professor in Christian education. Dr. Schwehn and fellow Valparaiso students and faculty who have spent time at the Christian retreat Holden Village in the Cascade Range, will talk about their experiences at the center which has received national recognition for its pioneering environmental stewardship practices, liturgical experiments, artistic ventures and theological imagination.

The presentations are held each Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Christ College Refectory in Mueller Hall, with the exception of the Sept. 18 and 25 lectures. The Sept. 18 lecture will take place in Neils Science Center while the Sept. 25 lecture will take place in the Christopher Center for Library and Information Resources. Each presentation in the series is open to the public without charge. Call Christ College at (219) 464-5022 or visit valpo.edu/christcollege for more information.

In a few short weeks I will be on the road again, building relationships with students and families and checking out awesome, local hang outs known to only those within specific territories. Within the next few days I will post my travel schedule so you can come meet up with your favorite Admission Counselor! Enjoy the beautiful weather!

As a reminder, if you have any questions about Valpo or the general college admission process, feel free to contact me!


And remember-- be legendary in your own way.

30 July, 2008

Testing

Greetings from your Valparaiso University Admission Counselor! Currently we are implementing new methods to reach our students. If you have any questions about Valpo or the general college admission process, feel free to contact me.

Within the upcoming blog posts look for information about my life on the road, info about campus events, videos, photos, travel schedule, etc.

Have a wonderful day!! Go Valpo!