Monday Missive
May 18, 2009

Kudos
Gregory Marchant received a "Distinguished Alumnus" honor from the Indiana University South Bend School of Education last month where he received 2 degrees.  Congratulations, Greg!

Kathryn Fletcher and Serena Shim had their Cardinal Fellows Program grant funded.  There were only a handful of these funded and will help them work towards a larger grant submission next year. 
 
Kathryn Fletcher also had a grant funded by the Action Research in Community Health at IUPUI to support her special assigned leave research next spring.
 
Tracy Cross, Jennifer Cross, and Holmes Finch had an article accepted in the Roeper Review: Maximizing student potential versus building community: An exploration of right-wing authoritarianism, social dominance orientation, and preferred practice among supporters of gifted education.


Tracy Cross Retirement Reception
Tracy Cross is in his final weeks at Ball State University before he retires.  Please come celebrate his 16 years of service at a retirement reception on June 22 from 3:00-5:00pm at the E.B. Ball Center.  This reception is being co-hosted by our department, the Indiana Academy, the Gifted Center, and the Dean's Office.  Invites are being sent out as I write, so mark your calendars.


Upcoming Travel to Kenya
Thursday Winnie Mucherah and I are off to Kenya for Summer Session 1 with 12 Ball State students. During our travels in Kenya we will explore the role of culture and context in the development of children and adults.  If you need help while I am away feel free to email me, but keep in mind I will be only checking email every few days.  If you need immediate help please chat with Penny or Linda.  For official business Jerrell Cassady has agreed to serve as Department Chair, but for the most part I think Penny, Linda and myself can handle day-to-day issues. I will be back in the office full time Friday, June 19th.
 
On a related note one of our stops while in Kenya will be our little school Shivembe where we will have a trial run of our lunch program.  Thanks to all of you for your support in making this possible!
 
I hope I have not forgotten anything, but if I have please let me know.
 
Here is to a great week!
 
Lisa