Jeff Kelly – Academic Support Services

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Originally uploaded by go mustangs

Yesterday was a great day at Stevenson with the naming of the new football coach, Ed Hottle. I actually had the day off yesterday, so it gave me a chance to come to the press conference with my two kids. We all had a great time and we can’t wait to start watching SU football. Go Mustangs!

On Friday (11/13), beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the Rockland Center, Stevenson University will host the annual Lego Challenge.  This tradition marks the end of the First-Year Seminar program and is designed to provide a fun way for students to explore the concept of Career Architecture.   Each of the First-Year Seminar classes is given 1000 Legos and their task is to build a structure (or structures) out of Legos that represents their understanding of the Career Architecture process.   Each class has 3 hours to build their structure and then the judging takes place.   This year, the judges will be President Manning, Vice-President for Student Affairs Claire Moore and Dean of the School of Design, Keith Kutch.  The judges will be responsible for selecting a third place winner, a second place winner and a first place winner.  There will be 32 First-Year Seminar sections participating in this year’s competition.

This will be the 5th year that I have participated in the Lego Challenge and I think my class this year has come up with a great idea.  The first year I participated in this competition, my team came in second place.  The second year, my team had what I thought was the best overall design but, unfortunately, we were disqualified for a minor rule infraction.   The past two years, my teams produced great structures, but we came up short each year.  However, if my class is able to execute their idea (which I think they will) then I think this could be the year that my team finally breaks through and wins the first-place prize.

This is one of the highlights of the year for me as it really is a great event.  I am always amazed at the creativity that is shown by the students.  Some of the more interesting designs that I have seen during the past few years have been an unbelievable roller coaster, an ant farm, and, last year’s winner, ”Science World”, shown above.   I am looking forward to see all of the first-year students on Friday for what promises to be a great time! 

Take care…

Jeff

I would like to take a minute to remember all who have served, or who are currently serving, in our Armed Forces.  Earlier today, I was thinking especially of the students I have known over the years who have either served, or who are currently serving, in the military.   The sacrifices they have made on behalf of their country leave me in awe and I thank each of them, and all members of the military, for helping to insure the freedoms that we all enjoy.  On the White House website, President Obama described Veterans Day as follows:

“It’s a chance to pause, and to pay tribute — for students to learn the struggles that preceded them; for families to honor the service of parents and grandparents; for citizens to reflect upon the sacrifices that have been made in pursuit of a more perfect union.” President Obama, 11/10/09

Thank you to all of our Veterans.

Take care.

Jeff

It’s been a while since I have been able to post a new entry to my blog.  I hope the year has been going well for you.  If you are like me, I am sure you are amazed that we are nearing Thanksgiving…where has the time gone?

Part of the reason for my lack of postings is because I have been somewhat consumed by my doctoral work.  As some of you know, I am working on my doctorate in higher education from Widener University.   Since January, I have been writing the first three chapters of my dissertation.  This has occupied much of  my non-work time.  However,  I am definitely making good progress and I hope to complete my dissertation sometime this spring.

Although I have been busy with my own studies, I have done my best to stay active in the SU community.  I have attended many of the soccer games this season and it has  been awesome to see the success of both the men’s and women’s programs.   Peter, my two year old son, has especially enjoyed the soccer games…he has to be one of their biggest fans!  And, we both can’t wait for the start of basketball season!

Our office continues to be busy helping students with their academics and, during  this time of year, helping them get registered for their spring 2010 classes.  Please do not hesitate to stop by if we can be of assistance to you.

I plan to once again keep this blog active.  So, please feel free to check-in from time to time.  Take care…Jeff

Congratulations to the Academic Link for being recognized by the National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA) as having the nation’s best learning support website among colleges and universities.   To get a sense as to how impressive this award is, consider the fact that Clemson University and the University of Louisville tied for second place, and the Rochester Institute of Technology received honorable mention. 

Congratulations to Christine Flax, the Director of the Academic Link, as well as to Kaitlyn Marzullo, Esther Rosenstock, Carmen Velez, Brandon Seidl, and Jen Brechin.   Each of you did an amazing job and I thank each of you for supporting the students of Stevenson University.

The Academic Link is Stevenson University’s tutoring center and is utilized by hundreds of students each week.  I encourage all students to visit the Academic Link as well as their award winning website.      

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Originally uploaded by go mustangs

Yesterday, I enjoyed the women’s soccer game along with my wife, Alice, and kids, Peter and Marylynn. It was a great day to be outside and to support the Mustangs. Peter, who is 2 and a half, especially enjoyed the game and cheered quite a bit, yelling “Go Mustangs”. His only disappointment was that he was not able to say hi to Coach Graeme, who of course was busy coaching. I encourage everyone to come out and cheer on the Mustangs! We had a great time and we hope to see you at the next game. If you see us, please come over and introduce yourself.
Take care.
Jeff

I love August for so many reasons.  The baseball season is really heating up and, as has been the case in recent years, my two favorite teams (the Phillies and the RedSox) are playing well.  In addition, football season is right around the corner!  For the first time this year, I will be participating in a fantasy football league, which I am very excited about (by the way, if anyone has advice regarding who I should and should not pick in my upcoming draft, please let me know).

Most of all though,  I love August because it means the start of another school year.  I really enjoy meeting the new students and welcoming back the returning students.   I encourage the new students to stop by my office (AC 220 – Academic Support Services) to introduce yourself or come by and say hi when you see me at a student activity or an athletic event.   I am here to help you with your adjustment to Stevenson and to help make your college experience the best it can be.

For now, I would like to offer you one piece of advice.  Always remember that attending college is a privilege.  You have a wonderful opportunity available to you, one that unfortunately not everyone has.  So, be sure to take advantage of everything that Stevenson has to offer.  Attend classes always;  visit your faculty during their office hours often; join a club, organization, sports team, etc. as soon as possible; attend  the many cultural events on campus; utilize the academic link when you need academic help; learn beyond the classroom every chance that you get; and most of all, always try your best and have fun.  Remember, college is not a spectator sport.  Participate to your fullest extent.  If you do, you will be amazed at how much you will learn.

Once again, welcome to Stevenson. 

Take care

Jeff

There are few things in life I enjoy more than watching a college football game on a Saturday afternoon in the fall.   As a result, I am thrilled that football will be coming to Stevenson University.   This continues to be an exciting time on campus, and the addition of football is just one more thing to be excited about.   I am looking forward to bringing my kids to the game, especially my son, who is definitely growing up a fan of the Mustangs!  In the meantime, I will continue to support all of the Stevenson athletic programs and I am definitely excited for the start of soccer and field hockey season.  Go Mustangs!

Now that the spring semester has ended, I have had a little more time to follow baseball.  Most folks on campus know that I love baseball, especially the Phillies and the RedSox.  I was born and raised in Philadelphia, so I love all things about Philly, especially the Phillies and Eagles.   I became a Sox fan largely because of my dad.   When I was in 8th grade, my dad started telling me about the Sox and their storied history, including their dreaded curse.  I immediately became hooked and started following their success (or I should say, lack of success) in the box score each day.  Then, during my sophomore year in high school, our family went to Boston for a family vacation, a vacation that included a trip to Fenway Park!  What a great vacation!  The Sox played the California Angels and it was awesome!  This trip definitely made me a lifelong member of RedSox Nation.  Several years later, I enrolled in graduate school at Northeastern University, which is only a 10 minute walk to Fenway Park and, I ended up living in Massachusetts for 9 years before moving to Baltimore, which further cemented my interest in the Sox. 

Of course, after many years of baseball misery, I am now the fan of arguably the 2 best teams in baseball.  How great is that?!  However, when the two teams play each other, I do cheer for my first baseball love, the Philadelphia Phillies.  In fact, i will get the opportunity this weekend to do just that, as I will be heading to Citizen’s Bank Ballpark to see the Phillies take on the RedSox. 

So, for any new student who may be reading this who is a fan of baseball, be sure to stop by my office (AC 220) to discuss America’s greatest game.  I am happy to talk baseball with anyone, even those who cheer for the Yankees    And, if baseball is not your thing, don’t worry, I am always ready and willing to talk football, basketball or my new favorite sport, lacrosse (especially SU Lacrosse – Go Mustangs)!

Take care.

Jeff

Congratulations to all who graduated in the class of 2009.  Friday’s commencement ceremonies were fantastic and it was great to see so many students walk across the stage to receive their diploma.  I hope and trust that your experience at Stevenson was positive and that you will return often to let us know how you are doing.

I also thought Juan Williams pictured here) gave a very inspiring keynote address.  What a pleasure it was to have him participate in the commencement ceremonies!  Among my favorite lines from Mr. Williams was when he shared the following quote by Mark Twain: “the person who does not read has no advantage over the person who cannot read”.  I thought this was a great reminder to all of us that our education does not end when we graduate from college but, in many ways, it is just the beginning.  We must all continue to learn every day, and one way to do this is to read, and to read often. 

Once again, congratulations to the Class of 2009!