Higher Education Commission Awards Major Grant to Washington College for GIS Training Programs

Chestertown, MD — Washington College is pleased to announce that it has been awarded $164,511 from the Maryland Higher Education Commission to provide Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) technology training to members of the state's work force affected by Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC).

In addition to the BRAC Higher Education Grant, Washington College also has been awarded $10,500 from county economic development offices to provide GIS training for teachers and students in Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot counties. Washington College has also partnered with Chesapeake College, the Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board, and the Regional Higher Education Center to deliver GIS training to members of the adult workforce in our region to help prepare them for possible BRAC employment.

"Maryland's colleges and universities are the catalysts of our workforce," said Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown. "...These programs will keep Maryland on the path to progress as we continue the work to prepare for BRAC."

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has been identified as one of the top 10 high-growth career fields by the U.S. Department of Labor. The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency has identified a serious shortage of skilled workers required to support our nation's national defense needs. In Maryland, the Governor's Workforce Investment Board has identified GIS as having a shortage of skilled workers.

These organizations recognize the need to increase the number of youth with interest and knowledge in this STEM related field. In addition, there is a recognized need to train current BRAC employees in GIS.

Washington College is uniquely positioned to address these needs: its GIS Program, run by the Center for Environment & Society, is recognized both statewide and regionally as a leader in the field.

"The Center for the Environment and Society and the GIS Program at Washington College are very excited about this groundbreaking opportunity to work with local high schools on the Eastern Shore to help them establish a strong geospatial technology program that will help prepare their students for exciting new career opportunities in good paying jobs," said Stewart Bruce, GIS Program Coordinator at Washington College.

"We will provide free curriculum and training to teachers and students in Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot County Public Schools. This summer we are holding a camp for students and a camp for teachers that will help prepare them for courses next fall. There is a very small nominal charge to cover incidental expense but the grant pays for all staff, housing and meal costs for the kids."

He added, "This grant would not have been possible without the support of our county economic development partners in Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot counties. We want to also recognize the Boards of Commissioners in each of these counties for having the vision to see that the future of our economic growth is tied to educating our local students in technology fields."

For more information, visit http://gis.washcoll.edu.

December 17, 2008

National Public Radio Features Washington College in "All Things Considered" Broadcast

Chestertown, MD — As part of National Public Radio's "All Things Considered," Robert Siegel interviewed President Baird Tipson and several students about how the economic downturn is affecting the higher-education community.

Listen Online

December 12, 2008

Green Student University Names Washington College "Sustainable and Eco-Friendly College"

Chestertown, MD — Green Student University included Washington College among ten nationwide Sustainable and Eco-Friendly College Programs, citing the success of the Green Pledge and George Goes Green blog.

Sustainability Resources

• Green Pledge
• G3 Blog
• Center for Environment & Society
• George Goes Green
• Chestertown Goes Green

December 8, 2008

Massive Historical Research Databases Now Accessible to Washington College Community

Readex Archive Acquisition to Be Feted November 19

Chestertown, MD — Washington College students, faculty, and staff now have unlimited access to a research treasure trove: over 15 million pages of historic newspapers, books, broadsides and pamphlets, newly accessible through Miller Library.

Today, the C.V. Starr Center and Miller Library invite you to celebrate the College's new acquisition, and begin exploring its treasures, at a special event in the library's Sophie Kerr Room. Please join us at 4:00 p.m. for a short demonstration (laptops will be provided, or bring your own), to be followed by a reception with refreshments.

This rich online library, the Readex Archive of Americana, lets you keyword-search the full texts of millions of documents - and will be a valuable resource for students and faculty in many departments, studying topics from around the world. For instance, the newspaper collections include over 8 million original pages (12 million when completed) of papers published between 1690 and the early 20th century, with titles from all 50 states. In a matter of seconds, you can be reading original coverage of the Battle of Gettysburg, following foreign correspondents' day-by-day accounts of the Russian Revolution, unearthing obscure poems by Edgar Allan Poe, or scanning ads for runaway slaves from the Eastern Shore. This archive is the most comprehensive online newspaper resource available - and Washington College's access now is superior to that of places like Harvard and the Library of Congress!

The databases also include page-by-page, fully searchable facsimiles of almost every book published in America before 1820 (7 million pages), as well as pamphlets, broadsides, posters, and advertising.

Acquisition of the archives was made possible by a grant to Washington College from the National Endowment for the Humanities' "We the People" project. More digital archives will be available soon. For more information on the NEH grant, seehttp://news.washcoll.edu/press_releases/2007/09/21_nehgrant.php.

If you can't join us today and want to get started using the databases, visithttp://libraryweb.washcoll.edu/ and at the bottom of the page, under "New Resources," click on "America's Historical Newspapers," "American Broadsides and Ephemera, Series I," or "Early American Imprints, Series II: Shaw-Shoemaker, 1801-1819." Access is available to anyone with a Washington College ID, from on- or off-campus.

Feedback from students, faculty, and staff is welcome as the Starr Center and Miller Library continue working together to acquire digital resources for the College.

November 19, 2008

Washington College to Screen New Lyme Disease Documentary

Chestertown, MD — As natural habitats and animal populations are impacted by humans, unintended consequences often result. Recent decades, for example, have seen a population explosion of deer and rodents in the forests of the eastern U.S. Behind the scenes, they have been accompanied by many more ticks carrying Lyme disease, one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the country. For anyone who spends time outdoors, Lyme and other tick-borne infections should be a cause for concern. The symptoms can be severe and debilitating, but diagniosis is not always easy.

On Monday, December 1, Washington College's Center for Environment & Society will screen a powerful new documentary on Lyme disease, "Under Our Skin." A dramatic tale of microbes, medicine and money, this eye-opening film investigates the untold story of Lyme, an emerging epidemic larger than AIDS. Each year thousands of Americans go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, told that their symptoms are "all in their head." Following the stories of patients and physicians as they battle for their lives and livelihoods, the film brings into focus a haunting picture of our health care system and its ability to cope with a silent terror under our skin.

This free screening is open to the public and will be held in Litrrenta Lecture Hall, John Toll Scince Center at Washington College, 7:00 p.m.

November 17, 2008

Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers Perform at Washington College

Chestertown, MD — In celebration of American Indian Heritage Month, the Washington College SGA Office of Diversity will present a performance by the Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers at Cain Gymnasium on Saturday, November 15, at 6 p.m.

Famous for their internationally recognized living history program, the Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers conduct workshops, present lectures and perform authentic Native American dance, drum and song.

From "Tayac Territory" near Port Tobacco, Maryland, Mark Tayac and the Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers travel throughout Europe, Canada and the United States with one of the most colorful, artful and educational programs in the country. While the performance is a feast of sight and sound, it also educates the audience about Native American history, culture and contemporary issues.

Admission to the performance is free and open to the public.

November 12, 2008

Campus Cracks up with Comedy Week

Chestertown, MD — Comedy Week is an exciting series of hilarious events planned by the Student Events Board in cooperation with many other organizations at Washington College. The events will take place November 17-21. The mission of Comedy Week is to bring laughter and smiles to every student on campus and to provide the biggest and most entertaining events ever seen at Washington College. The campus-wide comedic carrying-on includes:

Roast of George Washington

Stadium Skybox, Monday, November 17, 6-9 p.m.

A Historic Roast Of George Washington in the sky box at Roy Kirby Stadium , plus dinner and a "celebration" of our dear President Tipson.

"The Office" Mini-marathon

Dining Hall During Cove Hours, Tuesday, November 18, up to 8:30 p.m.

If you can't get enough of Michael Scott, join us for a mini-marathon of one of NBC's latest hit series. Snacks will be provided.

Student Comedy Competition

Norman James Theatre, Wednesday, November 19, 6-9 p.m.

Featuring songs, skits, and stand-up—all by WC students. The competition will be judged by Comedian Evan Wecksall and a member of Improv Everywhere, Charlie Todd. Both of these comedians will perform as well. The student(s) who win the competition will get to open up for the Mainstage Comedian on Friday.

Rock Lit with Dan Kennedy

Norman James Theatre, Thursday, November 20, 8-9:30 p.m.

The Rose O'Neil Literary House and the Student Events Board's Comedy Week present ROCK LIT with author Dan Kennedy.

The Mainstage Comedian — Nick Swardson

Lifetime Fitness Center, doors open at 7 p.m.

The LFC will be decorated as a comedy club. Seating, food/drink and a cash bar will be available. Tickets are $10 for students/staff/faculty. Each student/staff/faculty member can purchase up to four tickets at the discounted rate. Tickets are $20 for the general public. Advance tickets are available at the Washington College Bookstore or online a thttp://seb.washcoll.edu.

November 11, 2008