1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC
- Career services walk-in advising: not available in the GLC for rest of Spring 2011; please visit the Career Services Center on weekdays 12:00-3:00pm
- Walk-in counseling: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room (across from G)
- Writing support: Thursdays, 1:00-6:00pm, Video Conference Room
2. SHORT COURSES IN STATISTICS FOR NON-STAT MAJORS: INTRO TO SAS PART I and II
Monday and Tuesday, Feb 21 and 22, 4:00-6:00pm, 3080 TORG
These two sessions provide an introduction to SAS statistical software for people who have little to no experience using SAS. Part 1 contains two sections: an introduction to the SAS environment, SAS programs and datasets and methods used to manipulate data, including combining and sub-setting data and the creation of new variables. Part 2 provides an overview of common procedures that can be used to summarize and analyze data, including those that generate descriptive statistics, plots, and frequency tables, and that analyze correlation, association, ANOVA, linear regression, and logistic regression. These courses will be conducted in a computer lab and attendees will program the SAS code along with the instructor. The Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis (LISA) provides a series of evening short courses to help graduate students use statistics in their research. The focus of these two-hour courses is on teaching practical statistical techniques for analyzing or collecting data. See LISA website for instructions on how to register and to learn more. Refreshments are provided at the end of each short course. All courses are from 4:00-6:00pm in 3080 TORG.
The rest of Spring 2011 Schedule:
- Feb 28 and Mar 1: Introduction to R
- Mar 14-15: Bayesian Methods for Regression in R* (these two sessions are the same)
3. VT GRADUATION FAIR
Wednesday, Feb 23, 11:30am-7:30pm, Holtzman Alumni Center
Get all your graduation needs at this fair, from caps and gowns, diploma frames to graduation announcements. Take a tour of the Holtzman Alumni Center and learn about all the programs and services that the Virginia Tech Alumni Association has to offer. Learn more about this program. The Alumni Association also offers post-graduation trips.
4. UPRISING IN THE MIDDLE EAST: MAKING SENSE OF HISTORY IN THE MAKING
Wednesday, Feb 23, 7:00pm, 130 Hahn Hall
A panel discussion with VT Faculty sponsored by: departments of Religion and Culture, Political Science, Economics, Science and technology in Society, The Institute for Society, Culture and Environment (ISCE), The Middle East Working Group, Center for Human-Computer Interaction, Iranian Society at Virginia Tech and Friends of Egypt. Contact graduate student Aida Farough if you have any questions.
5. LEARN TURKISH AT VT
Starting Thursday, Feb 24, 6:00pm, Cranwell International Center
Experienced teachers are offering Turkish language classes – brought to you by the Intercultural Understanding Club, a graduate student organization. You don’t need to know any Turkish to start Turkish classes. The Intercultural Understanding Club offers Turkish courses from elementary to advanced levels.
Spring program: One hour-long class per week, four classes in a month. For registration and questions, contact Haktan Suren.
6. GRAD STUDENT PREVIEW EVENT IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION
Thursday-Friday, Feb 24-25
The Department of Engineering Education invites prospective doctoral students for its preview event. Participants will have the opportunity to meet current graduate students and faculty, attend a weekly research seminar, and learn about the program curriculum, application processes, and research opportunities. Please direct questions to Whitney Hoskins, Graduate Coordinator, or 540/231-7359.
7. COMMUNITY VOICES: SPEAKERS WORTH HEARING
Thursday, Feb 24, 4:00pm, Lyric Theatre
Graduate students are invited to the first Community Voices presentation by Anthony Flaccavento, recipient of The Ford Foundation Leadership for a Changing World Award. Anthony will talk about "Economies, Community and Love: Renewing the American Dream from the Ground Up." The speaker will discuss how locally-led economies, resilient communities and love could provide the foundation for this new vision. He is an organic farmer who was recognized with a Fellowship on National Food and Society Policy. Community Voices engages leaders from public, private, and non-profit sectors in sharing stories and insights about their creative leadership initiatives and innovative approaches to problem-solving. Speakers give concise, engaging talks, followed by dialogue with audience members. The presentations are video recorded and made available through a public website. If you have any questions about this event, contact Brendan Brink-Halloran, or Deepu George.
8. ENGINEERING EDUCATION GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
Friday, Feb 25
The Department of Engineering Education offers a 13-credit certificate for those graduate students interested in exploring teaching practices specific to engineering courses. This certificate is complementary to the Graduate School’s Future Professoriate Graduate Certificate. The PhD program seeks undergraduate and graduate students interested in rigorous research in engineering education, faculty positions in universities, pursuing careers in engineering policy, corporate training management, university assessment staff or administrative faculty. If interested in learning more about the certificate and PhD or participation in the recruitment day, please contact Whitney Hoskins.
9. LATEX WORKSHOP II.
Friday, Feb 25, 5:30-7:00pm, GLC Room C
This workshop is a follow-up to the previous workshop to give advanced assistance with LaTeX, a type-setting program for creating professional scientific documents. It will cover document creation (document classes, the basic preamble, basic environments and sectioning) and tricks of using LaTeX at a more advanced level. The presentation will leave time for a Q&A session. Please register here if you are interested in attending. If you have any questions, please contact grad student presenter Darren Maczka.
10. MULTICULTURALS IN AGRICULTURE CELEBRATION
Friday, Feb 25, 6:30pm, Sharkey’s , 9:00pm in BreakZONE
Graduate student Keira Banks invites you to this celebration hosted by the MANRRS VT Chapter, in honor of multiculturals in agriculture. Join other multiculturals in CALS who are honored to be a part of the diversity in agriculture. Dinner social will start at Sharkey’s at 6:30pm; event will continue in the BreakZONE in Squires from 9:00pm. All majors are welcome! Pleaser register here. Contact Keira if you have any questions.
11. SPRING 2011 ART, PHOTO & WRITING CONTEST: FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD
The Graduate School invites submissions of food-themed art work, photography and as a new addition, written work, by graduate students for display in the GLC during Graduate Education Week 2011 and beyond. Submissions are limited to three pieces (art, photography, or written work) per graduate student. Submissions may depict anything related to food, including but not limited to growing, preparing, experimenting with, missing, consuming, sharing, and enjoying food. Submission deadline: Mar 16, 2011. Read more here.
12. ULAX IS COMING TO VT – SRPING MEN’S LACROSSE LEAGUE
Graduate student Zach Geller invites you to join: cost per player: $115.00, which includes 6 regular season games and a playoff for the top teams (weather permitting); ULAX Jersey; photos and stats each week; professional referees; champions shirts for the winners; games played at VT’s SRA fields. Sign up deadline: Mar 12, 2011 ($25 late fee). First week starts Mar 20. Sign up fast! Space available for 8 teams! Email Zach Geller for more info or visit the project website.
13. NEW MEMBERS SOUGHT FOR AEL GRAD HONOR SOCIETY
Application is now open for AEL Grad Honor Society. Alpha Epsilon Lambda (AEL) is the academic excellence and leadership honor society of graduate and professional school students. Graduate students may become members based on their academic achievements and leadership experiences. Apply here by March 4, 2011. The induction ceremony for new members will take place during the Graduate Education Week at the Graduate School. Please contact Ganesh Balasubramanian for any questions.
14. DOCTORAL STUDENT PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR SURVEY ON POST-PHD CAREER CHOICES – 1st posting
Doctoral students are invited to participate in a short survey (approx. 10 min) on factors that influence post-PhD career choices. The information you provide on what will influence your career choice after completing your PhD will enable VT to better serve you as a valued professional. It will form the basis of some preliminary recommendations to improve PhD student experiences and professional preparation that will be shared with senior university leaders as well as President Steger. For more information and to complete the survey, follow this link. Contact Mike Garvin with any questions.
15. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR MINDFULNESS STUDY – 2nd posting
Participants are sought for a mindfulness study aimed at increasing cardio-respiratory fitness in sedentary adults. Participants must be in good health (e.g. non-smoker, no history of diabetes, heart, liver, or pulmonary disease, no orthopedic injury or musculoskeletal disability), between the ages 18-64, and NOT engage in any regular physical activity (but willing to start!). Participation will involve weekly group workshop sessions over a 10-week period. These workshops will use mindfulness practices to help increase your adherence to a fitness-based walking program. For more information, please call Emily Martin, MS at the Center for Research in Health Behavior with the Department of Psychology at Virginia Tech, 231-8746 or email.
16. GET INVOLVED WITH LEANTEAM@VIRGINIATECH – 2nd posting
LeanTeam@VirginiaTech is recruiting and developing high performing, keen to learn to be lean students from across disciplines. You will get the chance to develop and run Lean workshops and summits for professionals from a broad range of organizations, participate in continuous improvement events, and undertake fun team events. If this is what you always wanted, then contact the LeanTeam by email, or phone at 540-443-6688. You can learn more here.
17. GSA 27TH ANNUAL RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM: (RE)SEARCH: WHY IT MATTERS!
There are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved with the GSA Research Symposium:
a) Submit an abstract: Feb 11-Feb 25
b). Volunteer to review abstract submissions by completing this survey
c) Help the GSA recruit faculty judges for the event by completing this survey
The time commitment is low compared to the potential to share your prestigious research, win prize money within your category, and add a line to your CV for volunteering some of your time. Please contact Samantha Downey with any questions.
18. TRAVEL FUND AND GRADUATE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
The GSA’S Travel Fund (TFP) and Graduate Research Development Programs are competitive travel and research funding (reimbursement) opportunities administered by the GSA to support qualified travel and research and innovative ideas proposed by VT graduate students. Applications go through a rigorous review process. Visit (TFP) or (GRDP) to learn more about these opportunities. All questions should be directed to the TFP Chair, Courtney Gleason, or GRDP Chair, Ranjana Mehta.
19. GRA OPENING FOR SPRING 2011-2012 – 3rd posting
Graduate Research Assistant is sought for Virginia Broadband Mapping and Planning project, funded by the Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration and managed by VT eCorridors and the Center for Geospatial Information Technology. The GRA will inventory, analyze, and model various aspects of statewide broadband infrastructure; participate in the research, development and maintenance of a comprehensive statewide data library that represents broadband availability, affordability and quality of service in Virginia through the use of existing data/base maps, supplemental data from private/public sector providers, third-party (independent) data collection and verification, survey research methods, and self-reporting Internet speed testing and mapping tools. Requirements: good organizational and communication skills and attention to detail. Preferred qualifications: experience with GIS software, data collection and management, and map preparation. Interested students, or their faculty advisors, should contact Jean Plymale at 231.2270. This position will remain open until filled.
20. UPCOMING EVENTS:
GSA POTLUCK AND POT PAINTING
Tuesday, Mar 1, 6:30-8:00pm, GLC Room G
Join GSA for a potluck dinner and artistic escape! Use your creativity to paint a terra cotta pot and relax with friends while enjoying a potluck dinner. Terra cotta pots, paints, and brushes will be provided, but feel free to bring your own paint or decorations to add to the rainbow of choices. All guests are asked to bring a dish to add to the collective dinner. Be sure to wear clothes you can paint in! As always, children, spouses, and friends are welcome. Please register here. Questions: Amanda Cronin Rumore (VP of Programs).
PLANT WORKSHOP
Wednesday, Mar 2, 6:30-7:30pm, GLC Room D
Take a plant home for Spring Break! Learn about different indoor plant propagation techniques, growing conditions and basic horticulture principles. Start your own herb garden and take cuttings from common indoor plant varieties. For more information, contact GLC Resident Fellow Scott Lail.
ETHICS BOWL 2011-sign up now
Test your sense of ethics, communication and critical thinking skills during the 4th annual Ethics Bowl organized by the Graduate School. Consider, discuss and resolve case-study-based ethical dilemmas with fellow students and faculty on Wednesday, Mar 16, 3:00-4:30pm in GLC Room G. You may sign up as a team of 3-4, or as an individual and be assigned to a team by the organizers, or you may attend as an audience member. Teams may include current VT students, faculty or staff, but team leaders must be graduate students. Register here by Monday, Mar 14, 12:00 noon.
REGISTER NOW FOR CANCER RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
Friday, Apr 29, 9:00am-5:00pm
The Cancer Research Symposium serves as the first interdisciplinary cancer symposium at VT, providing an opportunity for faculty and graduate students to showcase their research. Invited speakers include leaders in the field of cancer research. There will be a poster session (lunch provided), which is open to graduate students involved in cancer research. The symposium will also include a survivors and advocates panel to allow the researchers to see the impact of their work. If interested, please register by March 15 (registration is free).