January 7-13, 2013

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC
Weekly services are on hiatus until the spring semester begins, except for the GLC café, which is always on!

  • GLC Café: 3:30-5:00 every Thursday, Reading Room

2. GLC CAFÉ: MUG RAFFLE 2013 – Note the special location!
Thursday, Jan 10, 3:30-5:00pm, Graduate School Lobby
The GLC Café is offered throughout the year with free coffee, tea and cookies in the company of your graduate-student and Grad-School colleagues. This week’s special: hot chocolate, with three orange mugs raffled off among participants (see why>>). 

3. WINTER BREAK 2012 PHOTO CHALLENGE   
You are invited to submit photos of your winter break experience (wherever and whatever that might be) to be displayed in the GLC and on the Grad School Facebook page in January and February. Each student may upload up to five photos here. Submission deadline is Jan 18, 2013.

4. COMMENCEMENT DVD SALES

A DVD of the Fall 2012 Graduate Commencement Ceremony will be available from the University Bookstore for a limited time. Click the Graduation button on the bookstore’s homepage for ordering information: www.bookstore.vt.edu or contact the Bookstore with any questions.

5. GLC WINTER RENOVATIONS
A couple of the first-floor public areas of the GLC are undergoing some renovations during the winter break, including new lighting, seating and flooring in the auditorium and new painting in the back corridor and meeting-rooms corridor. Residents and graduate students in active status will continue to have access to the GLC (use your Hokie Passport for entry) 24/7. Some of the work will be noisy and/or smelly – please forgive the inconvenience. Follow the progress on Facebook and check out the finished spaces after Jan 17!

6. NOMINATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS NOW OPEN
A number of prestigious awards are granted to graduate students each year, carrying a monetary prize ($500-$1000 each) and award certificate. Consider applying or discuss the possibility of your nomination by your advisor/department for any of the following awards that will be given out during the Graduate School’s annual awards banquet on March 28, 2013:

  • Outstanding Dissertation in (1) math, sciences and engineering, and (1) in social sciences, business and humanities
  • Graduate Student Teaching Excellence
  • Graduate Student Service Excellence
  • Graduate Man and Woman of the Year
  • Outstanding master’s and doctoral student in each college and in interdisciplinary programs

More information about criteria, forms, and process for nomination>>.

7. COMMUNICATING SCIENCE GRAD 5984 SPRING COURSE – ENROLL NOW!

Seats are still available for Communicating Science (CRN 18468) meeting on Fridays 2:15-4:15pm. This 2-credit participatory course is taught by Professor Patricia Raun, and was inspired by her work with the Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University (http://www.centerforcommunicatingscience.org/) and the belief that "scientists have a responsibility to share the meaning and implications of their work, and that an engaged public encourages sound public decision-making. In addition, the ability to communicate directly and vividly can enhance scientists’ career prospects, helping them secure funding, collaborate across disciplines, compete for positions, and serve as effective teachers." Participation in the course will lessen the discomfort of spontaneous interaction. Areas of emphasis will include imagination, relaxation, observation, and concentration through improvisation.  Please contact Professor Raun at praun@vt.edu if you have questions or need more information.

8. SPRING COURSE: GRAD5304 PREPARING THE FUTURE CAREER PROFESSIONAL

Tuesdays, 1:00-3:30pm, spring 2013
This class is designed to provide graduate students with knowledge, skills and abilities to prepare for employment in industry, business, government, research development and non-profit worlds. Topics will include communication, collaboration/teamwork, motivation, workplace and community ethics, leadership, building relationships, starting a business, managing change, writing a resume and cover letter, and working in a diverse environment.

9. STUDY PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT – 2nd posting

Volunteers are needed for a research study on how diet influences muscle metabolism. Participants must be: males between the ages of 18-40; not currently taking any medications; non-smokers; free from major medical issues; willing to eat a high fat diet for 4 weeks. You may benefit by receiving extensive help information and up to 200$ to compensate you for your time. Please contact the following if you meet the above criteria and are interested in participating: Nabil Boutagy or Kris Osterberg at the Human Integrative Physiology Laboratory at Virginia Tech by email at heartlab@vt.edu or call (540) 231-8299.

10. UPCOMING EVENTS:

GLC BOOK CLUB

Open to all graduate students! The next book is “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Read the book during the winter break, then meet with other grad students on Jan 22 at 8pm in the GLC Fellows office to discuss it and pick the next book as well. Contact Emily or Mark at eceskew@vt.edu or esmark86@vt.edu respectively for any questions.