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There's more than one response to the election of Donald Trump. The Prime Minister's is to look on the positive side, seeing new trade opportunities for Britain in the US. The Mayor, Sadiq Khan, takes a more profound approach. As he writes here, he wants to focus on the politics of social integration, to get away from the polarisation evident in the US election. More broadly, he seeks to address the problem that communities feel disconnected from politics.
That is the theme of the conference Mr Khan hosts today in London, where he and mayors from around the world share ideas about social integration. In many ways the major global cities share similar problems when it comes to assimilating people of different ethnicities and religions and ensuring that they integrate into society rather than exist in separate, often marginalised, communities.
Mr Khan has made a good start in setting an inclusive tone to his mayoralty, which he inaugurated in Southwark Cathedral — that integrationist approach can be applied more generally. Tone matters. It establishes at the top what the priorities are. And in the effort to encourage social cohesion, churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship are excellent places to start. Mr Khan is right to make integration the signature issue of his mayoralty; if he succeeds, it will be a huge achievement.
The other obvious way to tackle social separatism is to address economic deprivation. That means equipping young people of all backgrounds with the skills to flourish in the new economy, and, as importantly, with a decent work ethic. The Prime Minister has focused on those left behind by globalisation; schools must play their part.
The world's mayors are at the sharp end of the challenges of immigration and integration; they can learn from each other's solutions to those problems. There are big changes at work in society and politics, and mayors will play a crucial part in ensuring that the new politics do not become confrontational and divisive. Practical solutions to these problems are hard to find but sharing experiences from different cities is a good place to start.
Building communities
Another conference on the future of cities takes place in London today: the Intbau biennial gathering of architects, planners and builders. It has big themes: the rapid growth of cities — half the world's population lives in cities; respecting existing architectural heritage; and building sustainable housing for ever greater numbers of people. Interestingly, this echoes many of the themes that the Mayor is emphasising today. Social cohesion can be enormously enhanced by good planning: there is little more inimical to integration than big tower blocks. Streets of terraced housing make it easier to be neighbourly.
There is no escaping the increase in urbanisation but we can ensure urban planning and building is not only designed to accommodate greater numbers but does it in a civilised, sustainable way, respecting the existing built heritage. Good architecture can make good communities.
Arts and the stars
London's stars were honoured at the annual Evening Standard Theatre Awards last night. The top acting awards went to Billie Piper and Ralph Fiennes, while Harry Potter and the Cursed Child won Best Play. Many award-winners emphasised the importance of the arts as a counter-point to political disunity, while Lord Lloyd-Webber called on the Government to reverse cuts to arts funding in schools. He is right: children need a strong academic foundation, but it is subjects such as music, art and drama that can bring sweetness and light.
- More about:
- Sadiq Khan
- Donald Trump


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Now largely forgotten, competitive walking was something of national craze in the 1870s and '80s, staged in sold-out arenas where the idolized pedestrians tried to trek as many as 600 miles in six days. Author Matthew Algeo, who recently published a book on the pastime, sheds light on its rather juicy history, which includes gambling and fixing scandals, doping accusations hurled at 18th-century A-Rods and the reason competitors downed bottles of champagne while on foot.
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See Also: Beans, Dried
adzuki bean, azuki bean
(Phaseolus angularis, syn. Vignus angularis)
The Adzuki bean is a small Asian red, burgundy or maroon colored bean with a white ridge along one side, and have a slightly sweet flavor and soft texture.
Originally from Asia, its name means "little bean" in Japanese. Its red coloring - red being the most important color in Eastern celebrations - means that it is greatly used in festive or special meals. Although they are mostly dark red in color, they can also be black and gray.
They can be cooked whole with rice, used in soups, and made into a paste or flour for use in cakes, ice cream, beverages, etc. The are can also be used for bean sprouts. Adzuki beans are especially popular in Japan and Korea.
Adzuki beans have been cultivated in China for more than 3,000 years, and were introduced to Japan sometime before the 8th century. It is the second most popular legume in Japanese cuisine after the soya bean.
These small burgundy-colored beans have a snappy white stripe. They are mostly used cooking to make sweet desserts. They are also a favorite in health food circles and are easier to digest than most other beans.
(Purcell Mountain Farms).
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Chapter 30- An Utterly Insane ChallengeMature
Shalius Firion
The Sword that Kalton had given Shalius, did not feel right, it was a little unbalanced ,and the hilt seemed to be consuming some of his magic when he gripped it. However he did not say a word to Kalton, beggars aren't choosers. Shalius turned to Sukeroku with a look of determination.
"Train me." He said grabbing the hilt of his sword. Sukeroku looked unimpressed with his rudeness of demaning to be trained but this did not change Shalius's position.
"An interesting proposistion, but I will not train you."
"Then I challenge you!" Shalius drew the sword.
"Shalius do you have any idea who you'r..." Shalius charged forwards ignoring Raitoguchi's advice. He slashed downwards with all of us strength, Sukeroku blocked using his left forearm a shock wave of power emanated from his body pushing Shalius back a few feet. Shalius left no mark on Sukeroku, confusion rode his face and he jumped back reevaluating his strategy.
"Are you sure you want to continue this challenge?" Sukeroku asked politely.
" Of course! If I can't train with you, then I'll fight with you and until I beat you then I'm not leaving! I am not strong enough to just plop myself into the realm of gods, and arrogantly believe I will survive! I must get stronger!" He yelled releasing his a great amount of magic to compete with Sukeroku's presence.
"Shalius we haven't the time, and what makes you think you have a chance with him?" Nythal says impatiently.
"No he has the right Idea!" John says arming himself.
"Stay out of this John! I have to do this myself you can try after I'm done with him." Shalius snarled running at Sukeroku again with his weapon hand dragging ever so slightly behind him. He imagined his magic sharpening the edges of his blade in his mind. This time he would cut Sukeroku, this time he would force him to unsheathe his weapon! He brought his sword up to slash Sukeroku, again he lifted his forearm. Shaliuse moved quickly to the side and brought the blade down quickly. Sukeroku barely managing to block this time lifted his arm up which was now bleeding heavily.
"Impressive, its been a long time since someone has cut me." He said calmly throwing Shalius away from him," A very long time." This time he said a little more darkly. He grabbed the hilt of his weapon worn on his left side, an ominous sound of a sword being unsheathed filled the cavern," There is a reason I turned down your request, not because you were rude. Its because I didn't believe any of you were at the level were you even threatened me. I was wrong. Shalius Firion I will honour your request, but please forgive me if I kill you." Sukeroku paused before saying, "Bleed them."
His sword glowed a bright red and another shock wave of power hit Shalius this one sliding him backwards 10 feet. Where had Sukeroku found all of this power? Was he really a human!
"Do not hesitate Shalius!" Sukeroku said flashing rate in front of him. He moved his sword but his reaction seemed to move glacially compared to Sukeroku's amazing speed. Both of their blades hit each other sending violent sparks into the air.
"Very good, you barely managed that didn't you?" He said," If you want you can have any one of your friends help you."
"No." He said firmly keeping Sukerok's kattana from cutting his face this required almost all of his strength.
"Foolish but maybe its a good thing to show you how foolishness is born from stubbornness." Sukeroku said seeming to annoy Shalius greatly. Shalius yelled in pain as he forced Sukeroku's sword away from him, he charged but Sukeroku was behind him before he even noticed. He turned around but it was to late as his blade sliced across his abdomen and sent him crashing into a wall.
"Already done Shalius?" Sukeroku called through the dust that had been kicked up. The others stood their slightly concerned for his well being but mostly annoyed at this hold up, and the fact that Shalius always seemed to be causing trouble and getting hurt.
"No, I'm just getting started." His voice said strongly though the dust. He stepped out holding the blades forwards, a small pool of blood forming at his feet. Sukeroku stepped forwards," Idiotic, your hardly standing!" Sukeroku roared," How dare you?" He rushed forwards thrusting his blade at him. Shalius blocked with his sword hand and punched him with his left, Shalius and Sukeroku Slipped backwards ten feet before stopping. A small explosion sounded from Shalius fist throwing Sukeroku back.
"How dare you underestimate me!" Shalius shouted at him raising his weapon releasing another bout of magic this time though it did not send a wave out it was concentrated around him to the point it started to give off an orange tinge.
"Oh where is this coming from? You had nothing left a minute ago." Sukeroku said in surprise.
"What do you mean." Shalius said cockily jumping forwards swinging downwards meeting Sukeroku's blade , he swung again, and again, not giving Sukeroku the time to counter attack," Is this all your capable of?" Shalius taunted spinning around sending Sukeroku sliding backwards this time. Sukeroku smiled shifting again behind Shalius, Shalius turned around striking his hand before Sukeroku could make his own attack.
"I see you cannot shift, but your reflexes have improved rapidly, so has your threshold for magic, but your skills ,agility, attacks are still basic." Sukeroku said striking Shalius with such force he flew into the wall rate beside Kalton. The force of the blunt trauma made him spew blood from his mouth, Shalius kneeled towards Sukeroku the magic beginning to die away. "You also reached your limit for today, don't be hard on yourself your body is still trying to heal its wounds inflicted from Step. As much as Kalton healed your wounds Steps magic still leaves a mark on you." Shalius gasped getting back up shakily holding his sword, towards Sukeroku. The orange tinge returned.
"I'm not done." An Upwards pressure emanated from him the orange tinge darkened, distorting the blade that Kalton had given him. He raised the blade above his head," Crush." He said simply dropping the blade down upon Sukeroku the blade met Sukeroku's with such force Sukeroku's legs sunk into the the cavern floor. Something else was about to happen but thats when Shalius had truly hit his limit, the magic behind the blade dispersed, and sent him flying back into the wall. He slid to the ground exhausted but with a smile on his face.
"Thank you Sukeroku."


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Analyze This! An Iterative Analysis of Reference Statistics. Nadia J. Lalla, Erin Kerby , Deborah Lauseng Taubman Health Sciences Library University of Michigan. The Three Amigos. Deborah. Nadia. Erin (with Alfie ). Original Service Model. In the Beginning. Original Service Model.
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Analyze This!An Iterative Analysis of
Reference Statistics
Nadia J. Lalla, Erin Kerby, Deborah LausengTaubman Health Sciences LibraryUniversity of Michigan
The Three Amigos
Erin (with Alfie)
Original Service Model
In the Beginning
Original Service Model
Does the transaction datasupport our service model?
I Have A Question!
Types of Questions
Citation Management
Where Are Questions Asked
Integrated Reference/Information Desk
Office Hours
The Counting Part
Year One (June 2010 – July 2011)
Monthly statistical nag
End of the year statistical beg
Ran a basic report (who, what, when, where)
Performed a trend analysis
Trends in Usage at Service Points
Trends in Usage of Service Points
Purpose of Contact
Peak Service Times
Trends in usage andpeak services times were as expected.
Could a New Service Model Work?
Simultaneous Uniform Single Service Point
Year Two (June 2011 – July 2012)
DeskTracker and Footprints statistics gathering
Additional data collection instrument
Affinity analysis
Problems with Data Collection
A New Nag
Interpretation is a Fine Art
AKA how to drive your SI student insane
Information/Circulation Desk
The Details – Information/Circulation Desk
The Details – Backup/Reference
Immediate Changes @ THL
Library-Wide Changes
Changes to types of data collected
Institutional Changes
A A major building renovation
Points to Consider
Difficult to separate the question from the cause of the question (i.e., what is the question really about?)
Theoretically, access is easier with so much online but …. people still need help with HOW to access ebooks,ejournals, etc. These are not easy transactions.
Ongoing reluctance/resistance to enter statistics (librarians) and record details on questions (staff/students).
There's a lot of data.
Contact Information
Nadia J. Lalla, MLIS
Coordinator, Collections & Information Services
Taubman Health Sciences Library
The University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
Erin Kerby, MSI
Veterinary Medicine Librarian
Veterinary Medicine Library
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Deborah Lauseng, AMLS
Coordinator, Liaison Services
TaubmanHealth Sciences Library
The University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI


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LA Weekly Flickr Pool Reader Photo of the Day: Art of Latte Art
This LA Weekly Flickr pool photo comes to you courtesy of photographer R.E.~, who took the gorgeous shot on October 2 at Intelligentsia Venice on Abbot Kinney. Latte art is a beautiful thing; art of latte art is too.
art of latte art
LA Weekly Flickr pool/R.E.~
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Mary Bearman is located at the address 1777 S Bellaire St in Denver, Colorado 80222. They can be contacted via phone at (303) 756-1968 for pricing, hours and directions.
Mary Bearman has an annual sales volume of 2M – 4,999,999. . For more information contact Mary Bearman,
For maps and directions to Mary Bearman view the map to the right. For reviews of Mary Bearman see below.
Bearman Mary CHT is a Psychologist office located in Denver, CO. A psychologist focuses on the evaluation, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral health issues. A clinical psychologist uses psychotherapy and other counseling skills to improve emotional and mental health.
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Bearman Mary Cht is located at 1777 S Bellaire St Ste 145, Denver, CO. This location is in the Virginia Village neighborhood. This business specializes in Hypnotism.
Bearman Mary CHT is a Psychologist facility at 1777 South Bellaire Street in Denver, CO.
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Schwalbe Lugano Wired Tyre: 700c x 23C (Black)
- EPI: 50 (All SCHWALBE tyre carcasses are made of nylon. The density of the carcass fabric is expressed in EPI or TPI (Ends Per Inch, Threads Per Inch). The range of carcasses used for SCHWALBE tires are 50, 67 and 120 EPI. Generally, tires with more dense fabric are more resistant to punctures and roll better. The best compromise for low weight and resistance is around 50 to 67 EPI).
- Weight: 325g
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|Tyre Size
|700 x 23
|Rider Type
|Road, Commuter
|Tyre Type
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Delivery Information
At Pedal Pedal we want to make all of your purchases as simple as possible and that includes postage costs. For all UK purchases over £10 we offer a completely FREE delivery (under £10 is £2.50 for postage) – so the price you see for the vast majority of our products includes postage and packing. If you want any of the other delivery methods then these and the prices are described below.
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Served as the 16th President of the United States from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865.
Born in Hardin County, Kentucky on February 12, 1809
Father: Thomas Lincoln Mother: Nancy Hanks - died when Lincoln was nine. Stepmother: Sarah Bush Johnston Siblings: Sarah Grigsby was the only sibling Wife: Mary Todd Children: Robert Todd - lawyer and diplomat; William Wallace - the only president's child to die in the White House, and Thomas died at 18.
On April 14, 1865, Lincoln was assassinated while attending a play at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. Actor John Wilkes Booth shot him in the back of the head before jumping onto the stage and escaping to Maryland. Lincoln died on April 15th.
In office March 4, 1861 – April 15, 1865
"A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half-slave and half-free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved - I do not expect the house to fall - but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other." Abraham Lincoln (House Divided Speech, June 16, 1858)
One of his Greatest Accomplishments during his presidency was the initiation of the Emancipation Proclamation.
The Civil War broke out. Between the North and the South.
Gettysburg Address


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Why I care
I've only told you one lie, and I wish I could bring myself to admit it to you. You don't understand why I still care about you so much, even after the hurt you put me through, and even after all this time. The reason I still care is because even after all this time, I'm still in love with you.
I just wish you'd finally leave him instead of talking about it, not because I wish we were together, but because you deserve so much better.
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Awwww. She should realize how fortunate she is to have such a caring man in her life, in any capacity.


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Memories or Child
She knocked on the door. A hatch opened and 2 cold grey eyes looked out.
"Who's there?" He asked, his voice breaking.
"512. I think that's me number."
"Oh you, it's 521 you dyslexic idiot. Thankfully you're the only Irish one."
"So who's 512?"
"Darren? Oh ye mean the stout fellow with the hat?"
"Yeah that's him. Got the girl?"
"Yeah I got her. Lemme in will ye?"
Inside was the cleanest but most plain area Miss Evener had ever seen. Everyone wore robes and only the eyes were visible. Each voice was slightly different.
"Oi Harry, could you get this girl into the medical bay?"
"Room, medical room you Star Trek nerd."
"I've never seen Star Trek in me life. Now kindly shut up and take her will ya?"
"Sure whatever."
The robed boy took her then led her to a room full of instruments.
"Where did she go?"
"To ask the Section Leader about your payment."
"I don't have any money on me."
The robed boy chuckled then walked off after signalling to another. They walked over, said everything would be okay, gave her some pain relief then tended to the wounds. The relief was instant and it numbed any pain she may have experienced during the treatment.
A robed person walked up a few hours after the aid.
"Alright? I got ye payment sorted. It's either your first child or memories from when up to 5 years old."
"What? What kind of payment is that?" Miss Evener said angrily. "Memories or a child? Are you barbarians?"
"If ye didn't know how to pay then ye shouldn'ta called." She said.
"I don't understand."
"Well I'll explain it simple okay? Just make sure ye listen. This service is unique, it is used by a select few each millennia. Uh…if you're in so much danger it may kill ye, then we get a message and we are sent to the place you are at. Got it so far?"
"Uh yeah."
"Well then we save ye, bring you for healing if you need it and you pay us. We have no need for money so we take other things like: valuables, memories, first children, hobbies, likes, hates and stuff like that ya see? I like to take accents personally, if they're foreign or something. I got someone's Welsh accent, they were famous for it and then their life went down hill. Sometimes that happens."
"But you're not Welsh."
"No, I'm naturally Irish. We have other uses for those kinda things." She said. "So. First child or memories up to 5?"
"Uh… how long have I got to choose?"
"Not long, I hate hanging around my tasks longer than I need. Hurry it up will ye?"
"So you're asking me to choose over a child or memories and to be quick about it?"
"Basically yeah. Well?"
Miss Evener, now very disturbed and worried, sighed and began to race through her thoughts. "I choose: my memories."
"Very well. I'll not be seeing ye again most likely. Have a good life."
"You too." Miss Evener said, hoping it was the correct response. She then felt dizzy, couldn't keep her eyes open and fell asleep.


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Blackmores Lecithin 1200 is derived from soybeans and helps support normal liver function and aids normal fat metabolism.
Why Use
- Derived from soybeans
- Supports normal liver function
- Aids normal fat metabolism
- Helps in the maintenance of general wellbeing
The Blackmores difference
Blackmores Lecithin 1200 is derived from soybeans, conveniently available in a capsule.
Lecithin occurs naturally in every cell of the body. Blackmores Lecithin 1200 supports normal liver function and aids in the metabolism of fats.
Blackmores Lecithin 1200 also helps in the maintenance of general wellbeing.
Active ingredients per capsule
1.2 g (1200 mg)
Adults: Take 1 capsule 4 times per day with a meal.
Children under 12 years: Only as professionally prescribed.
Contraindications and Cautions
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult your healthcare professional before use.
Do not take this product if you have an allergy to lecithin, egg or soy.
Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional.
Customer Reviews
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text:
- 1[countable] = zoom lens a zoom shot
- 2[singular] the sound of a vehicle moving very fast More Like This Onomatopoeic words beep, bleep, boohoo, brrr, buzz, click, clip-clop, ding-dong, hiss, mwah, peep, ping, plop, pop, rat-tat, splat, splosh, squeak, squeal, squelch, swish, tee-hee, thud, thwack, tick-tock, toot, vroom, wham, whoosh, zoomSee worksheet. Word Originlate 19th cent.: imitative.
BrE BrE//zuːm//; NAmE NAmE//zuːm//
Check pronunciation: zoom


text:
48" Cherry Console Electric Fireplace
Orig. $299.99
Save $80.99 (27%)
Classic style with versatile design, this wonderful cherry media console fireplace is the perfect accent piece for your home. Constructed with a solid wood frame with birch veneer and antique black hardware, the fireplace features a remote controlled 23" insert that heats up to 400 sq. ft., allowing any room in your home to be warm and cozy. An open media shelf keeps your equipment secure and organized while the two side cabinets offer storage for movies, CDs and more.
- Wonderful cherry finish
- Solid wood frame with birch veneer
- Heats up to 400 sq. ft.
- 5,120 BTUs
- 23" Insert with remote control
- Assembly required
- Model number: F16-C-031-059A
- Box size: 75.25"L x 22"W x 8"H
- Assembled size: 47.5"L x 15"W x 34"H
- Wattage: 1500
- 1 Year limited warranty on insert
- Product weight: 97 lbs.
Shipping & Returns
If you have the option to "Add to Cart", this item is available for shipping. If not, enter your zip code to find a store near you.
Questions? Visit our Shipping FAQS for more info about shipping. For questions about returns see our Returns Policy.


text:
"I am, like, so jealous right now."
"I know, right? I'm super excited." My best friend, Ashley, and I march through the airport, a giant piece of luggage wheeling behind each of us.
"You have to call me everyday."
"I will, don't worry."
"And you can't forget about me just because you meet some ridiculously cute artist boy or something."
"No way!" I say, affronted.
"Okay, good." She seems satisfied.
A few moments of silence pass between us as we listen intently to the click, click of the wheels behind us. "So, I guess you and Brad are really over then."
"That easy, huh?"
"No, it wasn't easy, but I told him I had to go. I asked him to come with me and he wouldn't. I asked him to try long distance for awhile but he said he didn't want to. What else could I have done?" I let out a strained sigh at the memory of the conversation.
"Well you're better off without him then. There will be plenty of new people to meet and friends for you to make, trust me." She looks at the floor as she says it.
I stop abruptly and grab her shoulder. "Ashley, you are my best friend in the whole world. My only best friend. It's me and you, always. Got it?"
She flashes me one of her gigantic smiles and I know everything is going to be cool. "Got it."
"Good. Now, let's get these bags checked in so we can get a latte."
Over coffee, we discuss a few very important issues. "So I'm thinking that if I'm going to be a famous artist I should change my name to something more…exotic."
"I can't be known as just 'Leslie Harding'; how boring is that?"
"Okay, what were you thinking?"
"Alright, how about…" I pause for effect and spread my fingers apart on either side of my face for dramatic emphasis, "Mist…"
"Mist?" She repeats rather blandly.
"I don't get it."
"There's nothing to get. It's a name."
"Don't you think it's intriguing?"
"By intriguing do you mean weird?" Ashley takes another sip of her coffee, avoiding eye contact with me.
"Don't you think people would want to buy amazing art from a woman named Mist?"
Ashley has that terse look on her face now; the one where it looks like she's contemplating what I've just said but in fact she's just thinking of a way to tell me I'm being weird. "Maybe you should just stick with Leslie for now and see how things go."
"Okay…for now."
"So where did you say your parents are?"
"Umm…the last time I was talking to them I think they were in Istanbul."
"Yeah, seriously."
"So what did they think when you told them you were moving to Toronto?"
I recall the conversation I had with my mother weeks before. "She tried to convince me to move to Japan instead." Ashley gives me a confused look. "Yeah, she said the culture was way more interesting and that I'd learn a lot."
"Man…you're parents are really messed up."
"Tell me about it." I agree.
My parents, the eternal adventurers, have been travelling the world for the last two years. When they decided that I was old enough to not actually need them around, they both retired, packed up their things and left. Just like that. I guess that's what I get for having hippies for parents. I never minded them not being around but sometimes I can't help but miss them when they're not around for something like this. Sometimes my older brother, Lucas, flies up from the States for special occasions but lately he hasn't been able to since he's married and has a kid of his own.
"Okay, I better get going."
Ashley sticks out her lip in a pout. "Okay, if you must."
We say our goodbyes and I walk down the hall towards security. I turn back, waving and she yells after me, "Nova Scotia will miss you!!"


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Nintendo announced that the successor to their Wii system will arrive in 2012. IŌĆÖve never WiiŌĆÖd, and as the video game controllers became more and more complicated through the various system ŌĆ£upgradesŌĆØ, IŌĆÖve fallen far off the gaming wagon. That being said, I was a Super Mario girl (actually I preferred Luigi, I like green) back in the day (the day of 5 simple controller buttons vs. 16 buttons + joystick + motion sensor + wireless headset + balance board…)
On the original NES console, Super Mario Bros. was the platform game of the timesŌĆ"and of the future! The Mario story has been rolled over through all the Nintendo upgrades, and has been branched into the soap opera of the century with game spin-offs. (Nintendo developersŌĆ"call me. IŌĆÖve got a team of Yoga experts lined up to help you build a brand new Mario Bros. manifesto.)
In the midst of a Mario memory meditation, I was inspired once again to recognize Yoga in pop culture. As far as I can see, the eight-fold path of Yoga is laid out, flat-screen, in the story of the Super Mario Bros.
For the unfamiliar, the basic plot of the original Super Mario Bros. game features the game player as Mario who travels through eight ŌĆ£worldsŌĆØ in order to save Princess Toadstool (aka ŌĆ£PeachŌĆØ) from the evil Bowser dragon-looking monster. The first seven domains are guarded by BowserŌĆÖs children, the Koopalings, and the final eighth castle is held by the fierce foe himself.
As I insert the game cartridge and hit the power button (and then push the reset button three times, and then take the cartridge out and blow on it before re-inserting it and trying again), the game flickers to life and I am reminded of PatanjaliŌĆÖs first Yoga Sutra, ŌĆ£atha yog─ünu┼ø─üsanamŌĆöNow the exposition of Yoga is being made.ŌĆØ
With only eight worlds to enlightenment Princess Toadstool, Mario begins his expedition through the eight-fold outline of Yoga. Sutra II:29 outlines the branches:
- Yama : social morality
- Niyama : personal observances
- Asanas : physical postures
- Pranayama : control of breath and life energy
- Pratyahara : control of the senses
- Dharana : concentration
- Dhyana : meditation
- Samadhi : complete union; super-conscious state
Mario immediately encounters enemy obstacles such as Goombas, Koopa-Troopas, Bullet Bill, Piranha Plants, and the crabby fish Cheep-Cheep. On our Yoga path, Patanjali outlines five obstacles, or klesas, that can manifest in many forms and block our path to Peach peace. Sutra II:3 says, ŌĆ£Ignorance, egoism, attachment, hatred, and clinging to bodily life are the five obstacles.ŌĆØ Our analogical Mario battles several enemy obstacle forms on his journey to Princess Peach.
When Mario puts Yoga into practice, observing the yamas, niyamas, applying asana and pranayama, and practicing meditation, he stays conscious of the gifts offered in present play. Offerings such as the Super Mushroom of awareness give Mario a boost (literally, he grows taller) and he is able to break bricks and sustain himself longer through enemy attacks. MarioŌĆÖs physical competence is a direct result of his asana practice!
As he performs his dharma (conformity to religious law, custom, duty, or one's own quality or character), Mario collects coins throughout his journey to withstand his task. Coins offer extra game lives, as do 1-Up Mushrooms. Mario has a load of karma to work through, and needs a LOT of second chances on his journey!
In each level, Mario has an allotted amount of time to complete his tasks, and if time runs out before he finishesŌĆ"he comes back again at varying past points in the game, again representing his progression or regression through his karma. Sutra II:12 describes this model, ŌĆ£The womb of karmas (actions and reactions) has its root in the klesas (obstacles), and the karmas bring experiences in the present or future lives.ŌĆØ
As Mario evolves on his karmic path, he more easily perceives and deflects the tricks and obstacles of ego-self, his continuing practice improves his tactics, and this increasing awareness opens up new routes, or warp zones to bypass to more advanced stages of his path.
If Mario is keen and diligent practicing pranayama and pratyahara in each level, he may be offered siddhis (super-natural powers) such as the Fire Flower, giving him the ability to shoot fireballs, or the Star, turning him invincible from enemy attacks (and playing a fun happy song!) Sutra III:29 gives insight, ŌĆ£By samyama (concentrated meditation) on the pole star comes knowledge of the starsŌĆÖ movements.ŌĆØ If he is in complete absorption with the star, he can attain it.
But, if Mario gets too arrogant and forgets the source of his siddhis, Isvara (God), he can easily get caught unawares by an obstacle. Sutra III:52 says, ŌĆ£The Yogi should neither accept nor smile with pride at the admiration of even the celestial beings, as there is the possibility of his getting caught again in the undesirable.ŌĆØ
At the end of each world is a castle, guarded by one of BowserŌĆÖs spawns. Bowser and his minions represent various manifestations of ego attachment. After defeating each of these Koopalings, a messenger appears to MarioŌĆÖs discouragementŌĆ"
Poor Mario! He gets so close to samadhi but seems to lose his focus at the flagpoles and fluctuating firebars and gets pulled back into ego-consciousness. Sounds like my morning meditations! (Just kidding. There are no firebars when I practice sitting, but my cat is super annoying.)
But with faith, Mario continues his quest, for however long it may takeŌĆ" Sutra I:14 encourages, ŌĆ£Practice becomes firmly grounded when well attended to for a long time, without break in earnestness.ŌĆØ (I do not believe, however, that Patanjali is advocating that we plug our faces in front of our game system without a break in earnestness.)
When Mario defeats ego-abducting Bowser in the final stage, Peach appears to congratulate Mario for finding her. In our Yoga analogy, Peach is our peace, the samadhi state that comes with surrender to God and brings the end of the karmic cycle! Sutra II:45 states, ŌĆ£By total surrender to God, samadhi is attained.ŌĆØ And Sutra IV:30 guarantees joy, ŌĆ£From that samadhi all afflictions and karmas cease.ŌĆØ
At the end of the saga, it seems that Mario is instructed to remain in his world as a jivanmukta, or a liberated living being. According to Yoga philosophy, a jivanmukta is a person in samadhi who doesnŌĆÖt leave the world realm, but stays involved in the world for the sake of humanity. Princess Toadstool offers Mario this role.
I hope that this pop-culture parallel doesnŌĆÖt take away from the importance of the Sutras and the practices of Yoga and spirituality. It is not my intention to make light, but to shed a light in a non-conventional way…because though they may be glued to their Wii, gamer yogis exist, and they deserve a little something deeper than what the Wii Fit yoga game offers, philosophically.
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Newsletter of the
School of Public Administration 3
Fall 2012/Winter 2013
University of Nebraska Omaha
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
New SPA Faculty Dr. Jooho Lee and Dr.Tara Bryan
From the Directors Desk: Collaborating Across Curricula, Colleges, Campuses, Community and Countries By Dr. Ethel Williams
Greetings! This year has been an exciting one for the School of Public Administration (SPA). We have welcomed two new faculty members, Dr. Tara Bryan and Dr. Jooho Lee; we began the search for a senior-level professor in Health Care Administration, and launched the Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management. But, beyond these accomplishments, the 2012-2013 academic year marks the 40th anniversary for the College of Public Affairs and Community Service and the School of Public Administration. We celebrate this milestone in the history of the college and in the School. The theme of collaboration in this issue is truly appropriate for this time in the SPA's history. The School, which started out as a department in 1972, has undergone tremendous growth and change, and most of it results from collaborative efforts. The first faculty of the department, Drs. Harry Reynolds, Harold Gordon, David Paulsen and David Scott, had the vision and foresight to establish collaborative efforts very early with city managers and public administrators across the state. They recognized that the discipline of public administration needed to be anchored in both theory and practice, and by so doing both the community and the academy could benefit. Their efforts developed partnerships that are still valued and used to strengthen public administration in the Omaha community, the state of Nebraska and beyond the borders of the United States while enhancing the education of students in the School. From a solid beginning, we have built on those collaborative efforts with community stakeholders to establish the Nebraska Municipal Clerk Institute and Academy in 1976, the Nebraska Certified Public Manager Program in 2007 and the Church Administration Institute in 2010. There are numerous other projects and grants that provide the opportunity to team with community leaders and administrators. In addition to work in the community the faculty and staff have worked across academic disciplines to develop the interdisciplinary B.S. in Emergency Management, and the joint MIS/MPA; and across disciplines, colleges and campuses to develop the Master of Science in Human Services Administration at UNL. Collaboration in the SPA is not narrowly defined. Working across borders has always generated great interest, pleasure and faculty and student growth and development. Stories of cold winters in Moldova and wonderful spring and summer weather in Norway have also anchored research partnerships and practical public sector initiatives in those countries and here. Lecturing and other opportunities in China have resulted from Ph.D. graduates who have remained connected to the SPA through research and other collaborations. Faculty Fulbright Fellowships in Estonia, Brazil and the Czech Republic continue to generate teaching and research opportunities for faculty and doctoral students and provide practical case studies for masters students. So, as we begin our 41st year we celebrate partnerships, team work and pooled resources and look for new opportunities to strengthen scholarship and public administration in Omaha and beyond.
FACULTY & STAFF SCHOOL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (402) 554-2625 Ethel Williams Acting Director John Bartle Robert Blair Tara Bryan Carol Ebdon Angela Eikenberry Mary Hamilton Bryce Hoflund Dale Krane Ken Kriz Jooho Lee Gary Marshall James B. Milliken BJ Reed Chris Reed Arwiphawee Srithongrung Jay White Ellen Freeman-Wakefield Amy Kelley Rhonda Sheibal-Carver Meagan Van Gelder AVIATION INSTITUTE (402) 554-3424 Scott Vlasek Director David Byers Becky Lutte Patrick O'Neil David Smith Gayle Lokey Sara Martin NASA OFFICE (402) 554-3772 Lulu Ferdous Daneisha Hall Mike Helgerson Michaela Lucas
"I not only use all of the brains I have, but all I can borrow." Wilson, Woodrow 28th President of the United States (1856-1924)
Collaboration: Omaha and Beyond Collaboration is a trendy buzzword for many corporations and organizations but not for the School of Public Administration (SPA). "It's really the nature of Public Administration," says SPA Acting Director Ethel Williams, Ph.D. "Collaboration has always been integral to what we do, even before it became a priority for the University system. "Experience has shown us that we accomplish a whole lot more when we work across department and unit lines, as well as across disciplines. It yields solutions, and there is a shared pride that comes from being successful by working together." Collaboration at SPA comes in many forms: Within the school, as faculty members team with students and colleagues to devise new classes or conduct research; Across disciplines within the University, in efforts such as the dual Master of Public Administration/Master of Social Work degree with the School of Social Work, the dual master's degree with the College of Information Science & Technology, and the School's partnership in the Master's in Public Health degree. SPA also collaborates with colleges and departments including civil engineering, political science, criminology and criminal justice, business and community and regional planning; Through informational and educational outreach to the local and regional communities by providing valuable tools such as the Omaha Economic Index, professional training programs for municipal clerks, city administrators and county commissioners; and training leading to the Certified Public Manager® designation; And internationally, as graduates return to their native countries, they continue to work with faculty at the School. Through extraordinary teaching opportunities for faculty members that enable them to lecture and learn around the world, they bring their experiences back to the classrooms at UNO. There are also significant opportunities for collaboration on the horizon, such as those that will result from the $24 million Community Engagement Center, now under construction south of the Criss Library and west of SPA's home in the College of Public Affairs & Community Service building. When completed in 2014, the 60,000-square-foot center will support the expansion of university-community partnerships, help meet a growing demand for public meeting and planning space, and extend UNO's logistical resources to its community partners. 'Relates Perfectly' The new Community Engagement Center represents "a terrific opportunity" for CPACS and the School of Public Administration, says CPACS Associate Dean Sara Woods. "A lot of what will occur in the engagement center relates perfectly to SPA," she says. "The center will enhance what Public Administration has been doing for many years, especially regarding nonprofit administration, building dialog on public policy issues and engaging citizens." Woods notes that B.J. Reed, Ph.D., senior vice chancellor in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs, was dean at CPACS when the Neighborhood Center, which is administered by UNO, was launched. "That idea, to support small nonprofits by providing access to university resources, students and faculty, is a model that has proven effective in helping nonprofits grow," she says. The community service aspect of SPA is important to CPACS and ties in well with UNO's metropolitan mission. "That's what Public Administration is all about," Woods says. "It's the best of what a metropolitan university represents." The new Community Engagement Center will enable SPA to build upon its teaching, research and outreach components.
S CH O OL "The space may house student projects as well as collaborative planning sessions and meetings," Woods says. "When SPA faculty secure grants for applied research with local nonprofits they may use that facility for their project. We could move Ph.D. students there part time to work on their collaborative research. "The engagement center will open a number of new doors and opportunities for SPA." Joint Degree Program Collaboration between SPA and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has led to a new opportunity for students in the form of a graduate degree program, the Master of Science in Child, Youth & Family Studies with a specialization in Human & Family Services Administration. The 39 credit hour program is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding and the broadbased skills necessary for the development, administration and management of human service organizations. The first students enrolled in the degree program are expected to earn their degrees in 2014 and interest from potential participants continues to grow, says Associate Professor Rochelle L. Dalla, Ph.D., with the Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies (CYAF) at UNL. "This joint degree with Public Administration will allow our graduates to move from direct service positions with families in crisis to become the directors and creators of these programs," Dr. Dalla says. The degree is available completely online, although not all of the CYAF classes are available online every semester. "SPA is in the forefront of online and distance education, and the School's administration and faculty have been very willing to collaborate with us to serve our students," she says. "It took a lot of brainstorming to bring these two elements together, and the Public Administration faculty have been fabulous about making certain the program and our students succeed." Having the degree program available online is drawing interest from well beyond Nebraska. "We have a student from West Virginia who actually traveled to Lincoln just to meet some of the instructors," Dr. Dalla says. "There are no physical limits to where our students are located." Information & Education Collaboration for SPA faculty means teaching, research and service. Associate Professor Ken Kriz, Ph.D., is a good example of how far the School's collaborative reach extends. He works with a group of financial professionals to deliver training sessions for nonprofit managers through the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands. "This has been going on about three years now and in that time, we have probably trained 100 nonprofit managers and board members," he says. "We're making quite an impact." He also works with fellow faculty members from SPA and the College of Business Administration (CBA) to provide budgetary and financial training for organizations, such as the sessions he and Associate Professor Carol Ebdon, Ph.D., conduct for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He developed the monthly Omaha Economic Index, which is compiled and analyzed by CBA Department of Economics Professors Chris Decker, Ph.D., and Mark Wohar, Ph.D. To determine the latest index, Drs. Kriz, Decker and Wohar examine local economic activity for five counties: Douglas, Sarpy and Washington in Nebraska and Pottawattamie and Mills in Iowa, by measuring five factors: nonfarm employment, taxable sales, residential building permits, commercial building permits and industrial energy use. Dr. Kriz says the index is unique to the area because it is based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Omaha Public Power District and various other sources, compared to survey-based indexes that measure perceptions of business and may not be an accurate reflection of the economy today. The index has been utilized and publicized by The Omaha World-Herald newspaper, and serves as an example of the University's expanding efforts to inform, engage and educate the community. And he is engaged in several international collaborations. He has worked with nonprofit organizations in the Republic of Kazakhstan, and has served as a professor and Fulbright Scholar at the University of Tartu in the Republic of Estonia and as a Fulbright Senior Specialist in the Czech Republic, where he conducted training sessions and developed financial performance measurements. The international collaborations provide more than an opportunity to teach foreign students and citizens, Dr. Kriz says. "The things I learn give me real-world examples from transitional countries that I incorporate into my classes," he says. "Having been there, touched it and lived it allows me to say more in terms of the world beyond the classroom." Going forward, Dr. Williams says, the faculty and staff at SPA will continue to seek new avenues of collaboration that benefit students, faculty, the university and the community. "As we expand and grow our outreach," she says, "our collaborations with our community partners and internationally will continue to expand as well." Because, she says, collaboration at the School of Public Administration "just comes naturally for us."
CPM and Nebraska Clerks Institute and Academy Updates By Ellen Freeman Wakefield, Director Professional Programs
The Nebraska CPM Program graduated its fifth class of Certified Public Managers® on December 7, 2012, at the UNO CPACS Collaborating Commons. Nebraska Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy presided, assisted by UNO Senior Vice Chancellor BJ Reed. The 2012 Nebraska CPM class includes six people from city, county, state government, and nonprofit. Participants have completed their major projects for the year and presented them on December 6, the day before graduation. Projects this year included topics on; Going Paperless in City Government, State Awareness of the Department of Corrections Honor Guard, Inventory Control at the University Library, State Grant Formula, Community Disaster Preparedness and Developing an Elementary School Booster Club and Its Vision. Graduates of the program have completed a comprehensive year-long curriculum of hands-on, skills-based learning that will help them lead and manage more effectively. Courses include: leadership, managing people and teams, managing information technology, and mediation skills. The Nebraska Clerks Institute and Academy will take place March 18-22 at the New World Inn in Columbus, Nebraska. Educational sessions this year will address issues dealing with risk management, going paperless, and how municipalities can make use of social media safely. In addition, the opening key note speaker will be Police Constable Richard Watson, Public Order Division, New Scotland Yard, London, England. PC Watson will speak about working with local city, national and international governmental entities, and the general public to provide security during the Royal Wedding, Queen's Jubilee, and the 2012 Olympic Games.
Hamilton Elected Officer of National Certified Public Manager® Consortium By Mary R. Hamilton, Founder and Director Emeritus, Nebraska Certified Public Manager® Program and Faculty
School faculty member, Mary R. Hamilton was elected Secretary of the National Certified Public Manager® (CPM) Consortium at their annual business meeting in Columbia, SC, October 13-14, 2012, and took office in late November of 2012. Traditionally, but not automatically, the Secretary moves to Vice Chair of the Consortium after one year and then, automatically, to Chair. Formed in 1979, the National Certified Public Manager® Consortium establishes and preserves standards for the Certified Public Manager® (CPM) designation. A Certified Public Manager® program is a nationally accredited comprehensive management development program specifically for managers in federal, state, and local government and in nonprofit organizations. The program's primary goal is to improve the performance of public sector managers and the organizational performance of state, local and federal government. It is a comprehensive course of study by which public and nonprofit managers can acquire and apply the best practices and theory to their management behaviors and strategies using prescribed sets of professional competencies. The curriculum uses theory as the foundation and applies it to practical problems facing the participant, their agency/department, and the citizens. Those who complete the program are awarded the Certified Public Manager® designation which is a registered service mark of the National Certified Public Manager Consortium. The purpose of the Consortium is to promote CPM programs by providing and monitoring accreditation standards, facilitating program development, encouraging innovation and developing linkages with programs and organizations with similar concerns. Dr. Hamilton, was the Founder and Inaugural Director of the Nebraska Certified Public Manager® (CPM) Program sponsored by the School. She is currently a consultant and member of the Program's Advisory Board.
S CH O OL SPA Hosts Fulbright Scholar from the Republic of Moldova By Dr. Dale Krane
The School of Public administration welcomed Visiting Fulbright Scholar Dr. Tatiana Saptefrati, who is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Instructional Development at the Academy of Public Administration in the Republic of Moldova. Her academic host is Dr. Dale Krane, Frederick W. Kayser Chair Professor. Dr. Saptefrati arrived in early September and is engaged in a six month study of the evolution of public administration science in the U.S.A, and the impact the discipline has had on the nation's governing institutions. She is actively engaged in research, but this has not prevented her from traveling to other parts of the U.S. such as Reno, Nevada, to attend the Fulbright Visiting Scholar seminar on U.S. Elections in a Battleground State: Observing Democracy in Action. She also plans visits to offices of state and local government officials. Her research will serve as the foundation for a new course she will develop for the Academy. Moldova, situated between Romania and the Ukraine, gained its independence with the demise of the Soviet Union, and is striving to construct a democratic political system. The Academy of Public Administration, located in Moldova's capital city of Chisinau, is a special institution in the Office of the President of Moldova. The Academy offers the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees in public administration as well as providing training to public officials. Faculty and staff conduct research and convene scientific conferences. A team of UNO's School of Public Administration faculty in 1995 and 1996 assisted the Academy in developing its programs for local government administrators. This project was funded by the Eurasia Foundation. It is gratifying to senior faculty such as Russell Smith, Dale Krane, John Bartle, and Jay White that the work of fifteen years ago has grown into a fully functioning institution devoted to advancing public service. Here at UNO we are excited about the renewal of our relationship, and we look forward to new ways of collaborating with Dr. Saptefrati and her colleagues at the Academy.
Fulbright Experience Leads to Continuing Collaboration By Dr. Dale Krane Dale Krane, Frederick W. Kayser Chair Professor, completed a semester-long Fulbright Visiting Scholar assignment at the Federal University of Bahia (UFBa), Salvador, Brazil in 2011. Since then, he was invited to teach a graduate level course on comparative public policy implementation at the Sao Paulo campus of the Getulio Vargas Foundation. The foundation is both a private university and a think tank, and its College of Administration is home to Brazil's premier programs in public administration and public policy. The two week intensive course in July 2012 was taught in English because the Foundation requires its graduate students in administration to be fluent in languages beyond their native Portuguese. Students in the course had diverse professional experiences in public and non-profit settings. Four students
were in the public administration doctoral program. It is interesting to note that the four doctoral students were supported by a combination of money from the Foundation and the national government. A requirement of financial aid for doctoral education in Brazil is students are expected to complete their degree in four years! While in Brazil, Professor Krane also returned to UFBa to meet with Professor Sandro Cabral, School of Management, and with Fagner Dantas, Urban Planning Analyst, City of Salvador, to continue the research the three are conducting on the collaborative management of civic mega-events. Professor Krane also was invited to be a member of a committee reviewing a public administration doctoral student's dissertation proposal.
SPA Faculty Participate in Transatlantic Dialogue Professors Carol Ebdon and Dale Krane participated in the 8th Transatlantic Dialogue held on the campus of Radboud University in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. The June 7-9, 2012 conference is co-sponsored by the European Group for Public Administration and the American Society for Public Administration. The purpose of the annual conference is to create and expand dialogue between U.S. and European scholars who conduct research on public and non-profit management. The conference is organized into two-day long workshops on specific topics such as challenges and innovations in regulatory governance, accountability processes in modern government, and multi-level governance, which was chaired by Professor Krane. Professors Ebdon and Krane, along with Professor Aimee Franklin (University of Oklahoma), presented a paper titled "Multi-level Governance in the Municipal Budget Process in Brazil, China, and the United States." The paper examines the emergence of citizen participation in local government budget making in the three countries and offers propositions as to what factors facilitate or hinder citizen participation. NASA Delivers Teacher Training
By Lulu Ferdous, Research Assistant
Lulu Ferdous delivered an aeronautics presentation for Nebraska science teachers at the Science Training Day on October 9th. The presentation focused on the curriculum delivered through the NASA Summer on Innovation project. Teachers were engaged in hands-on activities they could implement in the classroom to create interest in aeronautics while improving math achievement. This effort is part of NASA's ongoing Summer of Innovation program. The project, Nebraska BLAST! (Building Lasting Afterschool STEM Teams), is a three-year effort to train teachers across the state in Cosmic Connections, Aeronautics, Robotics, and High-Altitude Ballooning. The Nebraska BLAST! project is a partnership between the Nebraska Department of Education's 21st Century Community Learning Center Network, UNL Extension, NASA Nebraska Space Grant, and NASA.
NASA Student Projects Fly High During Husker Game By Lulu Ferdous, Research Assistant
Nearly 89,000 Husker game spectators shared in the excitement when three high-altitude balloons were launched during halftime of the Arkansas State football game in September. The initiative was an effort to promote student participation in science projects and high-altitude ballooning by the NASA Nebraska Space Grant, the Strategic Air & Space Museum, UNL, and Omaha and Lincoln Public Schools.
The balloons reached an altitude of approximately 18 miles and carried student payloads with GPS and video devices. The balloons took incredible footage during their ascent and return to earth. One of the balloons also took a small astronaut figure, Herbie Husker, to near space and back. Video footage of the entire flight has been uploaded and the data from the measurement devices has been posted online.
This launch was the first scientific balloon launch ever conducted as a part of an NCAA football game. The NASA Nebraska Space Grant Consortium conducts high-altitude ballooning projects across the state each year, engaging K-12 students, educators, and university students in hands-on research projects.
Save the Date:
Professional Development Session on Ethics in Public Service: Your Professional Responsibility and ASPA Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 Contact Rhonda Sheibal-Carver 402 554-2625 for more information
S CH O OL Aviation Institute - Year in Review By Scott Vlasek, MPA, Director of the Aviation Institute
The faculty, staff, and students of the Aviation Institute have been very busy over the past several months. During a recent trip to Montreal, Scott Vlasek, Becky Lutte, and Pat O'Neil met with representatives from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The ICAO, a branch of the United Nations, was established to promote and develop safe aviation operations worldwide. As a part of that mission, ICAO and international partners are developing aviation initiatives for the future of the industry. The AI is working towards research collaboration with ICAO to address the training needs related to these initiatives. The AI has also worked with ICAO on training initiatives in Africa. The training needs analysis currently being explored will allow the AI to further expand our work in international aviation safety. Additionally, they attended the Aviation Accreditation Board International meeting hosted by ICAO. Along with seminars and workshops the conference included a tour of the ICAO headquarters. It was also at the annual meeting that the Aviation Institute's reaffirmation of the Bachelor of Science in Aviation with a concentration in Air Transport Administration was voted on by the Board and approved. The start of the 2012 fall semester also marked the formal presentation of the
Loening Trophy to the Aviation Institute. In May the Institute was selected as the winner at the 2012 National Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference that was held in Salina, KS. The Loening Trophy Competition was founded by Dr. Grover Loening, an early innovator and pioneer in the aviation world. Dr. Loening foresaw that advancements in aviation would be vital in the years to come. He recognized that future talent would come from academic institutions, so he created the Loening Trophy Competition to recognize the achievements of the most outstanding aviation university and more importantly, its current efforts at setting the standard for other collegiate aviation programs in the nation. The Loening Trophy is a priceless piece of Americana. Considered the most prestigious award presented at the national collegiate aviation competition, the Loening Trophy is by far the oldest and rarest. Designed by Tiffany of New York in 1929, the trophy is fashioned of pure sterling silver. Among the first judges were aviation legends Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Navy Commander John Towers, and Dr. Grover Loening himself. The Loening Trophy is typically only in the possession of the winning collegiate aviation program for 48 hours due to its historical and material value. However, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) has been given the opportunity to house the trophy at the Strategic Air & Space Museum for the next year. UNO is proud to give Nebraskans the chance to view a rare piece of aviation history.
Speaking from Experience Robert Blair, Ph.D., Associate Professor Ask Associate Professor Robert Blair, Ph.D., about the issues and challenges his Public Administration students would face as city managers and he responds with the conviction of personal experience. That is because Dr. Blair spent 14 years in city and state government positions before joining the academic world. After earning a Master of Public Administration (MPA) at UNO in 1975, he went to work in Grand Island as assistant to the city's Public Works Director, then as City Personnel Director. In 1979, he became Assistant City Manager in Kearney. From Kearney he moved to Lincoln, where he served as Industrial Development Consultant (1981-'85) and Coordinator of Community Assistance Programs (1985-'89) at the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. He came to UNO as a Senior Research Associate at the Center for Public Affairs Research (CPAR) in 1989, and joined the faculty of the School of Public Administration (SPA) in 1996, the year he earned a doctorate in political science from UNL. "I tell my students I've changed careers three times now," he says, smiling. "Each change has come with its own unique set of challenges." Dr. Blair puts his city government experience to work as a teaching tool he employs for his students, as a focus of his research, and in his extensive and active outreach. He is a longtime member of the International City/County Managers Association (ICMA) and is helping plan the 99th ICMA annual conference in 2013 in Boston. "We'll draw people from 14 countries," he says. "Our 50-person planning committee has 49 city managers and one college professor: me." Dr. Blair's warm, welcoming nature makes him extremely approachable, a trait appreciated by his students, colleagues and the city managers and administrators who seek his advice and collaboration. "What I do today reflects why I got into this 30 years ago," he says, "to work with local government. I stay involved through education." As associate professor of public administration and urban studies, and as director of local government programs, he is helping guide the next generation of city managers and administrators. "The greatest challenge is drawing people to the work," he says. "I take particular pride that at least 15 of my former students are now city administrators or assistants in the U.S." Reaching beyond UNO, he imparts his knowledge to students in Lithuania, where in December he gave two
weeks of lectures at UNO's sister institution, Šiauliai University. "Twenty years ago it was a Communist country," he says. "They are very eager to embrace public management, but so much of this is new to them." His research interests include policy implementation, policy specializations and public management. In 2009, he was awarded a visiting scholar fellowship by the University of Agder in Norway to conduct research in comparative local government management. The author of chapters in several public policy texts as well as monographs, applied research studies and articles in professional management publications, Dr. Blair also served as executive editor and is a member of the editorial board for Community Development: Journal of the Community Development Society. A native of Omaha, he and his wife, Barbara, have been married "40-plus" years. Their only child, Andrew, died four years ago from complications after a lifetime of cardiac disease and cerebral palsy. He was 31. In his honor, the Blairs have established the Andrew Blair Memorial Fellowship through the University of Nebraska Foundation. The fellowship is for MPA students who plan careers with the disabled or nonprofit human service organizations. "Barbara and I have incredible admiration for what people do in this field." In his free time, the 63-year-old follows the Chicago Cubs and Bears, and participates in sprint triathlons – endurance events that combine a 500-meter swim, a 12-mile bicycle ride and a three-mile run. "I always place in my age division," he says, smiling once again, "because there's no one else in my division."
FA S T FA C T S Faculty Fast Facts: Dr. Angela Eikenberry, associate professor in the School of Public Administration, is starting a new research project with Dr. Beth Breeze, from the University of Kent, to study giving circles and giving collaboratives in the UK. This research extends Dr. Eikenberry's work on giving circles, which has focused mainly on the U.S. and has been published in her book Giving Circles: Philanthropy, Voluntary Association, and Democracy (Indiana University Press, 2009) and elsewhere. Giving circles or collaboratives are groups of individuals who pool funds, knowledge, and/or other resources to support social purpose activities. This summer, Dr. Eikenberry will spend about a month conducting interviews and observations in the UK to examine the landscape of giving collaboratives in the U.K. and how it compares to giving circles in the U.S. For more information about Dr. Eikenberry's research in this and other areas go to: http://myweb. unomaha.edu/~aeikenberry/. Dr. Arwiphawee Srilthingrung attended the "2012 Thailand Conference in Public Administration and Public Affairs," August 30-31, 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand and presented a paper on the topic of budget reform effects in Asia. Dr. Arwiphawee Srithongrung and Dr. Ken Kriz traveled to the Czech Republic at the end of November. They both gave a 50-minute lecture to the Master's students in Thomas Bata University in Zlin, Czech Republic. Dr. Ethel Williams was named Vice President of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).
Faculty/Staff Publications, Research and Presentations; Dr. John Bartle, professor in the School of Public Administration and acting dean in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service co-authored the updated edition of "Management Policies in Local Government Finance" textbook, 6th Edition. Dr. Jooho Lee. assistant professor in the School of Public Administration with M. Jae Moon and Cheol Yong Roh. (Forthcoming). "The Evolution of Internal IT Applications and E-government Studies in the Public Administration Discipline: Research Themes and Methods" Administration & Society (doi:10.1177/0095399712459723). Lee, Jooho. 2013. "Exploring The Role of Knowledge Networks in Perceived E-government: A Comparative Case Study of Two Local Governments in Korea" American Review of Public Administration, 43(1): 89-108. Kim, Soonhee and Lee, Jooho. 2012. "E-Participation, Transparency, and Trust in Local Government" Public Administration Review, 72(6): 819-828. Lee, Jooho and Soonhee Kim. 2012. "E-Participation in the Era of Web 2.0: Factors Affecting Citizens' Active E-Participation in Local Governance," Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance, Edited by J. Ramon Gil-Garcia, Natalie Helbig and Adegboyega Ojo, pp. 44-47. New York, NY: ACM Press (Nominated for the Best Paper Award at the 34th EGPA Annual Conference, Bergen, Norway, September 5–8, 2012). Eikenberry, A. M. (2012). Social networking, learning and civic engagement: New relationships between professors and students, public administrator and citizens. Journal of Public Affairs Education, 18, 449-466. Eikenberry, A. M., & Jensen, C. (2012). Voluntary associations, nonprofit organizations and civic engagement. In Civic engagement in a comparative perspective, edited by Hindy Lauer Schachter and Kaifeng Yang. Information Age Publishing. Eikenberry, A. M., & Cooper , T. (2012). Nongovernmental organizations networking in disaster. In Behavioral Health Response to Disasters edited by Martell L. Teasley and Julie L. Framingham. CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group. Srithongrung, A. & Kriz, K. A. (2012). From Public Infrastructure to National Economic Growth: Do Systematic Investment Practices Matter?. International Public Management Review, 13(2) , pp.19-50 Srithongrung, A.(Forthcoming, April 2013 ). The Dynamic Impacts of State Revenue Capacity on Highway Investment. Public Works Management & Policy 1087724X12447934, first published on June 3, 2012 as doi:10.1177/1087724X12447934.
Awards: Dr. Angela Eikenberry received UNO Student Government Curulis Award, in recognition of a UNO faculty member who demonstrates concern for students beyond instruction, May 2012 and Friend of the Environment award, Omaha Earth Day Coalition, May 2012.
Research Grant: Dr. Angela Eikenberry received an award from Faculty Research International for $4,025, for research on giving collaboratives in the U.K. (with Beth Breeze, University of Kent).
Recognition: Mary Hamilton and Jack White were recipients of the Big Couple of the Year award from Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Midlands. They were nominated by their Little Brother Matthew.
MPA Capstone Projects Our MPA students complete a "capstone" research project as part of their degree requirements. The research includes a variety of topics and methodologies, and the findings are valuable for public and nonprofit agencies. Here are the projects from the Fall 2012 semester: • The Make/Buy Decision: A Case Study in Landfill Operations (Louis Jarvis) • The Effect of Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE-X) on the Number of Runway Incursions (Bernadette Klatkiewicz) • Implementing Responsibility Center Budgeting at Kansas State University: A Feasibility Study (Alyson Rome) • Analysis of Sustainability Practices in UNMC Policy (Melanie Stewart • Preference in Public Hiring: The Employees' and Hiring Officials View on Veterans Preference (Johnny Wakefield) • Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Wilderness Programs for At-Risk Youth (Andrew Wardle) • Effectiveness of the Heading Home Hennepin Network (Jessica Kasper) • Interagency Collaboration of Animal Welfare Agencies in Benton-Franklin Counties, Washington (Stephanie McCarl) • Texas Child Welfare Privatization (Hope Moss) • The St. Joseph Safety Council's Safety Town Program: A Program Evaluation with Recommendations (Jackie Spainhower) • Mutually Beneficial Partnerships: The Merging of the Private and Non-Profit Sectors (Crystal Bayliss) • Service Learning Academy's Impact on Pre K-12 Students' Attitudes (Krystal Boose) • The Identification and Examination of Various Unplanned Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Models (Tess Larson) • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Returning U.S. Military Veterans and the New Challenges Faced by the Veterans Health Administration: A Case Study of the Omaha VA Hospital (Matt Parsons) • Policy or the Lack Thereof – The Development of Policy for the Use of Unmanned Drones in Public Spaces (Keith Reagan) • Developing Software Applications for Medical Service Providers (Alan Watts) • The Reluctance of Implementing Behavioral Based Pay Systems: A Review of Pay for Performance Adoption at the Local Government Level (Valerie Boukal) • City of Fremont, NE Capital Improvement Plan (Rian Harkins) • The Impact of State Historic Preservation Tax Credits: A Review of Efforts in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Colorado (Adrian Hernandez) • Understanding and Responding to NIMBYISM: A Case Study of Low Income Housing (Matthew Roth) • The Aging of the Public Works Workforce: Preparing a New Generation of Public Employees (Al Vacanti) • The Effect of Omaha, Nebraska on the City Planning & Development of Council Bluffs, Iowa (Morgan Wade)
Student Fast Facts Lulu Ferdous, Research Assistant in the NASA Nebraska EPSCoR office, received the UNO Student Leader of the Month Award for September 2012. Lulu has been involved with Women in Aviation UNO 'Maverick' Chapter since her freshman year in 2007. Lulu was recognized for her role in mentoring other students in the professional organization, and for organizing group meetings, events on campus, and trips to national conferences. Changsoo Song, PhD Student in Public Administration, presented a paper, titled "Designing Evidence-Based Micro-Enterprise Development Programs: An Empirical Investigation of Significant Factors for Effective Information Technology Interventions," at the Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management (APPAM) annual conference, Baltimore, MD, November 7-10, 2012. Jan Glenn, LaVista Nebraska, has been appointed by Governor Dave Hieneman to serve a four year term as Public Member on the State Public Accountancy Board. Ms. Glenn is currently the Director, Business Services ESU#3. Ms. Glenn is a graduate of the University of Nebraska, College of Business and of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, School of Public Administration Certified Public Manager Program, 2008. PhD Student Catherine Brown passed field exams and got an Emerging Scholar Award from ARNOVA. Christian Janousek, a doctoral student in Public Administration, attended and presented at both a regional and national conference. In September, Christian presented on professional orientations in local government management at the Great Plains Political Science Association annual conference in Hastings, Nebraska. In October, Christian presented research related to his dissertation in professional local government management among U.S. states at the International City/County Management Association annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona. InCommon won a $50,000 grand prize from Tom's of Maine (50 States for Good) competition. Christian Gray a Master of Science in Urban Studies student is the executive director of inCommon. Melissa Trueblood was named 2012 Employee of the Year by Nebraska Department Economic Development.
S tud ent N e w s 11 Nebraska Students Explore Careers at Johnson Space Center By Michael Helgerson, Grants Specialist
Undergraduate students from three Nebraska schools travelled to Houston, TX, to take part in a pilot Career Exploration Workshop hosted by the NASA Nebraska Space Grant Consortium. Students from Metropolitan Community College, UNO, and UNL took part in the August workshop at NASA's Johnson Space Center. The workshop was created to expose Nebraska students to the career opportunities available at NASA through a hands-on engineering activity. Students participating in the workshop were given a challenge to a Mars rover that was able to complete certain mining tasks. The seven-person student team worked in a team environment that simulated the way which NASA scientists and aerospace contractors develop new space technologies. The Career Exploration workshop also provided Nebraska students with opportunities to meet with NASA scientists who serve as mentors in JSC's internship program. This pilot program was an innovative collaboration between NASA Nebraska Space Grant and the JSC Education Department and is a model that will be used in future years.
MPA Program Update
By Carol Ebdon, Ph.D., Professor, MPA Program Chair
These are challenging and uncertain times for public administrators. The news is full of stories about the fiscal cliff, natural disasters, and tragic shootings. We are so proud of our students and graduates who are dealing with these issues and are at the forefront of leading public and nonprofit organizations effectively, ethically, and democratically. Several of our students have recently expanded their horizons through international study and research experiences. For example, Sarah Wernimont studied at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands last summer, while Catie Miller spent the summer at the University of Agder in Kristiansand, Norway. Megan Edwards received a UNO Graduate Research and Creative Activity grant which allowed her to spend the summer and fall in Bolivia, where she is conducting research on the role of non-governmental organizations in civic engagement. These students enjoyed the tremendous opportunity to learn about public administration in other countries. Our MPA program has been reaccredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). Thanks again to the students, alumni, advisory board members, staff, and faculty who assisted in reaccreditation. The faculty is currently going through an extensive process to redefine the competencies expected of our students when they graduate from the program. We will be working with various stakeholder groups in this effort to ensure the continued strength of the MPA degree. Congratulations to our recent graduates, and good luck in your careers!
Two University of Nebraska System Members Honored as Emerging Scholars By Catherine Brown
Catherine Humphries Brown and Dr. James Young
In November, the Association for Research on Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Action (ARNOVA) named Catherine Humphries Brown, a doctoral candidate in the School
of Public Administration at UNO, and Dr. James Young, assistant professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, as recipients of the Emerging Scholars Award. These awards, given annually, are designed to help develop the next generation of scholars, foster dissemination of research into practice, and enhance practitioner involvement in the creation of usable knowledge. With the support of this award, both attended the 41st Annual ARNOVA Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Catherine was also thankful to UNO's Office of Graduate Studies for additional travel support through their Graduate Student Travel Grant. The theme of this year's conference was philanthropy-
specifically, what is philanthropy, and how do we develop and encourage a broad and diverse approach to understanding philanthropy in theory and in practice? As part of a larger conversation about this topic, Catherine presented a paper on philanthropic support to nonprofit organizations in the form of nonprofit capacity building programs. She also chaired a panel exploring discourses in the field of nonprofit and philanthropic studies. Dr. Young presented two papersone entitled "Exploring the Current Status of Social Media Use Among Nonprofit Human Service Organizations" and the other about the efficacy of online learning. Additionally, Dr. Young chaired a panel examining innovation at the intersection of multiple sectors.
Leadership Collaboration By Paul E. Bryant
Paul Bryant has been on a mission to change the world, one person at a time ever since the release of his book, The Purpose Living Leader. The evaluations from the students who have taken his course PA 2000 Leadership and Administration inspired Paul to expand the reach of his leadership philosophy past the boundaries of UNO and Omaha, Nebraska. No stranger to the concept of educational collaboration; locally Bryant's Leadership Institute for Urban Education partners with CPACS and HPER every other Saturday to empower 25 youth through his College for Kids program. Partnerships with the Douglas County Youth Center and Buffett Middle School enabled Paul to reach roughly 200 students annually. His curriculum resonates with incarcerate youth as well as high achieving 7th and 8th grade students. Several new collaborations this semester have enabled Paul to reach into other areas of the city. One of them is the Victory Boxing Club in South Omaha. Every Friday Paul teaches a leadership course at the center primarily servicing Hispanic and Sudanese youth. Another is Franklin Elementary School in North Omaha. Paul will teach leadership to sixth grade students in their After School Program. Another partner is Heartland Workforce Solutions; Paul will create and deliver a seminar on Customer Service for companies and job seekers. He will be the first contractor to present in their new location at 5752 Ames Avenue. On the national level, Paul has two exciting new collaborations on track for 2013. One is with mPWR10 Partners, an organization that focuses on helping individuals and teams thrive and achieve their goals. Paul is a Master Trainer for the organization and will introduce the company to the South East Region of the US. Another partner is Allan Houston, Assistant General Manager for the New York Knicks professional Basketball team. Paul is helping develop a leadership program for the NY players. Twenty-five copies of Paul's book have been ordered for the team and mPWR10 training will follow. Internationally the Purpose Living body of work is reaching 500,000 students in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, through his partnership with the Opportunity Education Foundation, Bryant serves as an Academic Advisor for the
Mellisa Wragge name Employee of the Month Melissa Wragge, Grants Program Manager for NASA Nebraska Space Grant and EPSCoR, was named Employee of the Month in November 2012. As a longtime member of the NASA team, Melissa has constantly offers to assist others on projects during critical times. She is always pleasant to be around and she works with constituents across campus and with the NASA statewide network of affiliates. Wragge earned her Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree from UNO in 2007 in Aviation Studies.
A LUM N I Alumni News (if you have a new job or professional news to share, please let us know at: firstname.lastname@example.com) Larry Burks (MPA, 2007 ) was awarded the Emerging Leader of the Year. He received the award July 11, at the 2012 Iowa City/County Managers Association's Summer Conference. Tessa Gifford (MPA, 2009) is the Director of Development – UNO College of Public Affairs and Community Service for the University of Nebraska Foundation. Jan Glenn (CPM, 2008) as the newest member of the Nebraska Board of Public Accountancy. Appointed by Governor Heineman, Mrs. Glenn was sworn into office on August 9, 2012. Sarah Hanify (MPA/MSW, 2011) is a Permanency Specialist with the Nebraska Families Collaborative. Dawn Hove (MPA, 2001) Childcare Director at UNO's Childcare Center received a new five-year term NAEYC Accreditation. Elizabeth Kraemer (MPA, 2008), UNO Alumni Association Programs Coordinator, received the Rising Star Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education in December 2012. Tess Larson (MPA/MSW, 2012) joined the Sherwood Foundation in January and was awarded the Mentor of the Year Award. Hillary Nather-Detisch (MPA, 2003) is the Sr. Vice President, Community Impact, for the United Way of the Midlands. Jessica Rial Scheuerman (MSUS, 2010) is the Carver Bank Program Coordinator, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. Brittany Sill (MPA, 2009) is the Legislative and Policy Analyst for the Association of Washington Cities. Amy West (MPA/MSW, 2012) is the Policy Coordinator for the Child Welfare System Accountability Program at Nebraska Appleseed.
2012 Nebraska Certified Public Manager© (CPM) Program Graduates From Left to right:
Marc E. Gordon, Building Service Manager, University of Nebraska Omaha, Criss Library Ann Fritz the Resource Development Manager of North Central District Health Department Megan Cruickshank, Canine Corporal, Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, Nebraska Department of Correction Aaron J. Barrow, Police Lieutenant, City of Blair Police Department Guest presenter, Rick Sheehy, Nebraska Lt. Governor Guest presenter, B.J. Reed, UNO Sr. Vice Chancellor Linda M. Douglas, Village Clerk/Treasurer, Village of Arlington Jennifer Dreibelbis, Community Services Block Grant Program Specialist, DHHS-Child and Family Services
The Public Administration Graduate Organization (PAGO) continues to meet to provide support for the school of PA and its students. The organization recently participated in the school's re-accreditation process, and co-sponsored the 2012 awards luncheon for the Nebraska Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration. In addition, alumni have donated over $10,000 to support a new scholarship fund for students. The school is now accepting its first applications for the Centennial Scholarship, which will be awarded for the fall semester. If you would like to get involved with PAGO, please contact Andy Bradley at (402) 231-1910 or Rhonda Sheibal-Carver at the school at (402) 554-2625.
SPA Alum Continuing Global Engagement in India
By Patrick McNamara, Ph.D. 2007 UNO International Studies Research Associate / Consultant & Facilitator After serving as a 2011 Fulbright-Nehru Senior Scholar in India, I have had multiple invitations to return. After some negotiations on the home-front , I did just that. I said goodbye to my wonderfully supportive wife, Aviva Segall, who serves as Music Director of the Omaha Area Youth Orchestras and our two daughters, who are in 4th and 6th grades, and ventured out for five weeks of travel. I spent one week in London where I led a conflict management training for Faith in Leadership (http:// faithinleadership.org) which prepares the next generation of clergy from all the world's major religions with skills that will help with coexistence. A few days later, I joined a group from this program and religious dignitaries from around the world at a dinner hosted by the then-Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend Rowan Williams. (See my photo outside the gates of his residence and offices, the medieval Lambeth Palace, on the banks of the River Thames across from the Houses of Parliament.) I then spent a month in India teaching, consulting and conducting research. I traveled north and south. Two of the places I taught were invitations from institutions where I taught as a Fulbrighter. But another four were new places based on relationships that UNO is trying to build with institutions abroad. (See photo of me in front of publicity poster for a guest lecture.) I even had dinner in the Delhi area with UNO Chancellor John Christensen and his wife who happened to be traveling in India at the same time. My main area of research is on conflict resolution of water disputes. Whether looking at India or Nebraska, water disputes are growing in frequency and complexity. One river system – where many conflicts exist – that is important to Indians for agriculture, transportation, fishing, energy and religious purposes is the Ganges. I spent some time on this ancient River. (See photo of one scene of life on the Ganges River.) There is great potential for University of Nebraska to continue to build up partnerships with institutions in India. It is a fertile time for this incredibly dynamic country and UNO. Global engagement is not just what we say here at UNO, it is the most exciting thing we can do for students, faculty and the communities we serve!
23(1 UNO Ranked in Top Six in New Report from "The Military Times� UNO was recently ranked one of the nation's top six universities for military veterans according to a new report from "The Military Times� magazine. This recognition is an increase from last year's ranking of ninth-place. In April, UNO officially opened its Military and Veterans University Services Office (MaV USO), which serves as a one-stop location where students can access programs and services specifically designed for active military, veterans and their families. Some of the services offered include GI Bill assistance, in-processing, deployment assistance and academic support. "MaV USO provides a holistic approach to services for military and veteran students with support from program selection to enrollment to graduation and beyond,� said Hayley Patton, the office's director and a UNO MPA graduate. "It is an office staffed by people with a military affiliation who understand veterans and want to make sure they are successful at UNO.� UNO is also a full participant in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon Program. This means eligible students, who are using the Post-9/11 GI Bill, will have their tuition and fees covered while at UNO.
Generous Donors Provide Scholarship/Fellowship Opportunities for Students Thanks to our generous donors, the School of Public Administration has five endowed funds available for student scholarships/ fellowships. Application criteria and deadlines are announced through emails and on the SPA website. Please consider a gift to support scholarships for the School of Public Administration by visiting http://nufoundation.org. • The Mary and Rodrigo Lopez Fellowship for Professional Development provides funding to engage in significant professional and career development activities. Mary Lopez retired as the School's Career Services Director in 2011 and is an MPA alumnus. • The Andrew Blair Memorial Fellowship was established by Associate Professor Robert Blair and his wife Barbara, in memory of their son Andrew. Preference is given to individuals planning work with nonprofit organizations or the disabled. • The Centennial Scholarship Fund was endowed primarily from alumni and students, for use by graduate public administration students. • The Mary Cornett Scholarship honors a longtime Omaha City Clerk who served over 50 years in public service, and is awarded to an MPA student with a Public Management concentration. Preference is given to students with a demonstrated financial need. • The Nebraska City/County Management Association (NCMA) Scholarship is funded by the NCMA, and is designed for MPA students in the Local Government concentration who have completed at least 12 hours in the program and are Nebraska residents.
The School of Public Administration Congratulates the following Graduates: Summer 2012 Kyle Buschelman, MPA Greta Chapman, MPA Matthew Chesnut, MPA Meleah Gamvroudis, MPA Elizabeth Gilbert, MPA Maureen Grace, MPA Valerie Lefler, MPA Valerie Nordstrom, MPA Laura O'Connor, MPA Jessica Warren, MPA
Fall 2012 Crystal Jean Bayliss, MPA Krystal Nicole Boose, MPA Valorie Boukal, MPA Nathan Dittman, MS Cody J. Griner, MPA Ashleigh L. Hicks, MPA Sikarn Issarachaiyos, PhD Louis Anthony Jarvis, MPA Jessica Bjorlin Kasper, MPA Tess Larson, MPA Whitney J. Mastin, MPA Stephanie Ann McCarl, MPA
Hope Marie Moss, MPA Kristina Muhhina, PhD Zacheriah E. Nelson, MPA Peter Carl Nielsen, MPA Matthew Richard Parsons, MPA Rebecca Rochelle Roggenbuck, MPA Alyson Louise Rome, MPA Matthew Richard Roth, MPA Jackie Lee Spainhower, MPA Alfred Charles Vacanti, MPA Morgan Richard Wade, MPA Johnny Jay Wakefield, MPA Andrew Rex Wardle, MPA Alan Wayne Watts, MPA
Pi Alpha Alpha Inducts New Members
SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTORS: Lead article and faculty focus article by Nick Schinker. Other contributors not noted within: John Bartle, Robert Blair, Angela Eikenberry, Dee Hall, Christian Janousek, Jooho Lee, Rhonda SheibalCarver, Changsoo Song, Arwiphawee Srithongrung and Meagan Van Gelder. Design and layout by Rhonda Sheibal-Carver Editing by Anthony Campbell, Amy Kelley, Rhonda Sheibal-Carver and Meagan Van Gelder. The Exchange is published twice a year for the alumni, students and friends of the University of Nebraska Omaha School of Public Administration.
Pi Alpha Alpha is the national honor society for the field of public affairs and public administration. The purpose of this society is to encourage and recognize outstanding scholarship and accomplishment in public affairs and administration. The society seeks to promote the advancement of quality in the education and practice of the art and science of public affairs and administration. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Carol Ebdon The School of Public Administration recognized the following graduates who were nominated and accepted membership into Pi Alpha Alpha: Summer 2012 Pi Alpha Alpha Valerie Suzanne Nordstrom Fall 2012 Pi Alpha Alpha Jessica Bjorlin Kasper Alfred C. Vacanti
Fall 2012/Winter 2013 SPA Newsletter for the UNO School of Public Administration