Valparaiso University nursing students are visiting schools, churches and social service agencies in Porter County to promote better health as a part of a 5-credit community nursing course that focuses on the growing demand for nurses who work outside of traditional hospital settings. Teams of students are leading a variety of health presentations on exercises to relieve stress, the importance of proper nutrition, exercise and sleep, and women's health.
VU's Summer Chinese Language and Culture Immersion Program is designed to meet the growing need for professionals and teachers who are fluent in Chinese and are familiar with the culture. Dr. Zhimin Lin, chair of Valparaiso's Chinese and Japanese Studies Program, will lead eleven weeks of intense, personalized language and cultural learning in Hangzhou, a city of two million people in eastern China. The program features small classes, one-on-one tutoring, intensive reading periods and numerous group activities designed to promote learning through interaction with residents of the local community. Valparaiso has established a partnership with Zhejiang University and Zhejiang University of Technology to offer the immersion program and also maintains a Study Center in Hangzhou.
Valparaiso University's efforts to promote international education will be recognized in "Internationalizing the Campus 2007: Profiles of Success at Colleges and Universities," to be published this fall by NAFSA (Association of International Educators). With more than 9,000 members, NAFSA is the world's largest professional association dedicated to international education. The report recognizes six U.S. institutions leading innovative and creative efforts in campus internationalization and presents an agenda for better preparing students to thrive in a global economy and increasingly interconnected world. More information about international study at Valparaiso is available on the Web.
VU freshman Chester L. Cameron Jr. of Portage (son of VAN member Teresa Cameron and husband Chester) has been selected for the prestigious Kemper Scholar Program. The mentorship-scholarship program prepares a handful of students at leading institutions of higher education for leadership and service, particularly in the fields of business. The program is funded by the James S. Kemper Foundation to promote the undergraduate study of liberal arts as the best preparation for life and career, and combines education in the liberal arts with opportunities for career exploration and practical experience. Cameron is a history major and is enrolled in Christ College. Valparaiso is one of 15 leading colleges and universities around the country selected by the Kemper Foundation to participate in the program. Cameron is the fourth Valparaiso student selected as a Kemper Scholar in the past three years.
VU will host Lutheran youth from across the Midwest during its 24th annual Light in Thy Light Retreat June 24 to 26. The retreat, sponsored by Valparaiso's Office of Church Relations, will help teenagers who are members of Lutheran churches build relationships with one another and grow spiritually. The event annually draws approximately 150 youth and adult leaders from 20 congregations. The theme of this year's retreat is "Bare Feet" and features several workshops, team building activities, a service project, opportunities for worship and a concert. Wes Halula, founder of the improvisational and sketch comedy troupe HappyFunTime and director of communications for Life! Promotions, will be the featured speaker at this year's retreat. As part of retreat activities, youth also will participate in a servant project.
The 3rd annual Valparaiso University Juried Student Photography Exhibition opened April 16 at the Center for the Arts and features works by more than a dozen students. Located in the Strimbu Gallery of Photography on the 2nd floor of Valparaiso's Center for the Arts, adjacent to Room 2413, there is no admission fee for the exhibition. Featured in the show are works by students enrolled in black and white, digital and advanced photography courses this academic year. The exhibit will run through May 21. The Strimbu Gallery is open from 9 am to 8 pm Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 6 pm Friday and Saturday and noon to 5 pm Sunday.