Monday Memo October 21, 2019

Dean's Message

Dear Faculty & Staff,

Happy Homecoming week! As we welcome returning alumni to campus, I hope you'll take advantage of the many fun-filled activities and community engagement opportunities happening this week. Don't forget our annual day of giving, #RaiseSomeL, begins tomorrow at 6:02 PM. Please help spread the word! 

In addition to the flurry of Homecoming events, mid-semester classes are commencing, so while it's the middle of the term for some, it's the start of classes for others. The NACADA Annual Conference for academic advisors is in Louisville this week, as well, and many of our advisors are taking advantage of this unique professional development opportunity. 

Next week is Halloween and we received a great suggestion to help continue our support for the Cardinal Cupboard. We're requesting $5 donations from anyone who wears a costume next Thursday, which will go towards supporting students experiencing food insecurity. There will be a collection box in Gardiner Hall for donations.

Sincerely,

Kimberly Kempf-Leonard, Ph.D.
Dean 

Kudos

Prof. Dugatkin's book wins gold medal

Congratulations to Prof. Lee Dugatkin (Biology) who, along with fellow writer Lyudmila Trut, won a gold medal from the California Reading Association for the book Pushinka the Barking Fox: A True Story of Unexpected Friendship, the children's adaptation of How to Tame a Fox (and Build a Dog).  

Great Place to Learn

Capitol steps: Political Science students make run for experience

Founded in 1998, the Frankfort Legislative Program continues to grow under the leadership of Prof. Jason Gainous (Political Science). A new feature of the program that makes it unique is that it gives stipends to students, making it more accessible.

“It’s not a barrier; the travel, the time, getting lunch in Frankfort,” Farrier said. “We want all students to have this opportunity. Our motto in Political Science is that students build their resumes as they earn their degrees.” Full story here

Want to know more about the Fulbright program?

If you are interested in learning more about the Fulbright Scholar Program don’t miss your chance to listen to former UofL Fulbright Scholars Muriel Harris, Karen Kayser, and Gerry Willinger.  They will be available for two days only on behalf of the Fulbright Scholar Program November 13 and November 18.  You are invited to attend and discover all the benefits participating in the program can offer.  Hear about travels to Ghana, India, Hungary and more!
 
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers nearly 470 awards in over 125 countries.                  
Don’t miss this engaging opportunity with your Fulbright Alumni.
 
Muriel Harris presents “A Fulbrighter’s Journey from Louisville to Kumasi”
Karen Kayser presents “A Research and Teaching Fulbright in South India
Gerry Williger presents “The Fulbright Program with Hungary”                     
 
RSVP

Great Place to Work

Prof. Fisher part of a study on racial achievement gaps

University of Louisville researcher Prof. Benjamin Fisher (Criminal Justice) is one of four authors of a national study released last week by the American Educational Research Association about the relationship between racial achievement gaps and racial discipline gaps in school districts. Read the news release from the AERA and find the full study here.

Great Place to Invest

Raise Some L

Raise Some L, UofL's annual day of giving is right around the corner and we are so excited for another record-breaking year! Starting at 6:02 PM on 10/22 and continuing for 1,798 minutes, we will call on faculty, staff, campus partners, and Cardinals everywhere to make a gift and spread the word to #RaiseSomeL. Last year we raised funds for nearly 300 different campus initiatives. Be sure to direct supporters to the A&S fundraising link

In the News

Is the love of high school football putting players in danger as Kentucky rosters shrink? (Courier-Journal, 10/17/19) - features Prof. Tracy K'Meyer on the history of football participation.

The truth about Columbus Day, explained (Salon, 10/14/19) - Prof. Frank Kelderman discusses the shift to "Indigenous Peoples' Day".