Lasell College: James Tweed

Meet the Faculty • 3

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:02:09 -0500

Interested in Environmental Studies? Want to know more about Sustainability? Do concepts like hybrid technology, alternative fuels, conservation, and recycling get you excited? Let me introduce you to Dr. Michael Daley, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at Lasell College. Michael is a forest ecologist with interests in global change biology. His research examines the interaction of vegetation and its physical environment. He's also a very interesting guy! Personally, one of Michael's favorite activities is mountain climbing. "I am a member of the Adirondack 46ers," says Michael. "To gain membership to this organization, I climbed all 46 mountains in the Adirondack Mountains of New York that are above 4000 feet in elevation. My next goal is to complete the Northeast 111. These are the 111 peaks in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine that are above 4000 feet. So far, I have completed 84 of these peaks. I particularly enjoy the challenge of climbing in the winter. My most exciting climb was in the winter of 2006 when I joined an expedition to climb Mount Katahdin in Maine. Going up the Saddle Trail depending on crampons and an ice axe was a little hairy but an incredible experience. I look forward to the opportunity to guide Lasell students into the mountains to explore what the Northeast has to offer."

Michael is also a huge hockey fan. Growing up in upstate New York near the Canadian border he became a supporter of the Montreal Canadians (sorry Bruins fans). And he added, "I run a top-notch fantasy hockey team that is always in contention for the RSHL Cup." Michael continues to play hockey in the Boston area. He is a member of a team in the New England Senior Hockey League and he travels to tournaments twice a year to play with friends from the Camp Pok-O where he was a counselor. At Camp Pok-O, he worked as an outdoor educator in the spring and a camp counselor in the summer for three seasons. "This experience really shaped my interest in the environment and conservation issues," Michael stated. "While leading trips into the remote wilderness of the Adirondacks, I developed a strong appreciation for nature." Recently Michael picked up the sport of triathlon. "I really enjoy the training and the culture associated with this sport," he said. "I have competed in the Mooseman Olympic Distance Triathlon in New Hampshire, the Musselman Half-Ironman in New York, and the Shelburne Athletic Club Sprint Triathlon in Vermont. I took this summer off to spend time with my newborn son but I look forward to training again for races next summer." In June, Michael and his wife had their first baby, Ethan. As a biology student at Siena College, Michael explored and studied nature. "I had a great ecology professor that led me in studies of stream fish, ducks, barnacles, frogs, and other exciting aspects of our ecosystems." He added, "My trip to the tropical forests of Trinidad & Tobago during my senior year reaffirmed that I wanted a career working with nature and the environment." Michael spent two years working as a middle school science teacher in New Hampshire. "I knew I wanted to remain in education, but I really wanted to become a scientist and study our natural ecosystems," he remembered. "This desire shaped my decision to pursue a PhD at Boston University. I am really excited about my current position at Lasell. It allows me to engage in ecosystem research, teach about the environment, and work with community organizations. I hope I can inspire students to take action and bring about change to improve the condition of our natural environment." Visit Michael's blog to see what he's currently up to on campus at Green at Lasell. While there, learn about his work with Lasell College's Green Campus Initiative. Michael Daley is also a scholar of K-12 science education. He has worked with the JASON Project and co-authored several books including Disappearing Wetlands: Texas Instruments Activity Book & CD and JASON Science Adventure: Aquatic Field Studies. In 2004, Professor Daley was awarded a National Science Foundation fellowship to pursue research on the impact of the invasive species hemlock woolly adelgid on New England forests. He has presented this work at professional meetings of the Ecological Society of America and the International Union of Forest Research Organizations. He has published findings in journals including The American Naturalist, Canadian Journal of Forest Research and Tree Physiology. Michael is committed to the learning and teaching of environmental science. He states: “Global environmental change is an unprecedented threat to life on earth. I believe my role in education is to help students understand the connection between their actions and the health of our planet. With this understanding, students are prepared to help reduce the ecological footprint of humans on the planet."

Lasell Day • 2008

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:35:25 -0500

On Saturday March 29th, Lasell hosted its annual Lasell Day (Accepted Students Day Program). Admitted students and their families traveled from all over the United States, including California, Texas, Virginia, and Missouri to attend. Treated to a variety of Academic, Student Life, and Financial Planning presentations, the day began with a cheerful welcome by Lasell's new President Michael B. Alexander. President Alexander offered the 440 admitted students in attendance his congratulations on their acceptance to Lasell's class of 2012. Also, he reminded the crowd of over 1300 how competitive this year's admissions process was, (as Lasell was experiencing a record increase in the number of applications received). Interested students also had the opportunity to learn more about Lasell's study abroad and honors programs, discover residential life opportunities, and tour the campus - showcasing the future site of two new student residences scheduled to open in 2009. To all who attended, thank you for making the trip! On behalf of the Office of Undergraduate Admission, we hope you enjoyed the day! Check out these wonderful pictures from Saturday, and visit the entire Lasell Day • 2008 Slide Show!

Financial Aid 101

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:22:48 -0500

It's that time of year, you've made it through the Admission Process (hopefully with a positive decision) and you're thinking, "There’s nothing to this college application stuff.�? And that's when it hits you. All of the confusing acronyms. All of the deadlines. All of the forms. What is it? It's the Financial Aid Process. Not to worry...with a little review and a few mouse clicks - we’ll get you through it! Lasell College offers two types of Financial Assistance. 1. Merit Awards 2. Need based Financial Aid To receive a Lasell College merit award, students must first be admitted to the college and be selected for an award based on certain academic criteria. Additionally, some of Lasell's merit awards invite selected candidates to submit an essay for further consideration. The Office of Undergraduate Admission determines the eligibility for and notification of the Lasell College merit awards. Lasell's merit awards are renewable for four years, requiring recipients to remain in good academic, judical, and program standing as determined by the College. Many of Lasell's merit awards are connected to programming at the College. Check out these Academic Centers to learn more about Lasell's commitment to Honors, Service, and Civic Responsibility at - Lasell's Honor's Program, The Center for Community Based Learning, and The Donahue Institute for Values and Public Life. _____________________________________________________________________________ Lasell College also offers need based aid. To receive need based aid, students must apply for financial assistance by completing the following: (Click on the links below to access the actual forms) 1. Lasell College Financial Aid Application 2. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Eligibility for need based aid is determined by just that, (a student's/families need). Need based assistance may take the form of a Lasell Grant, Federal and State Grants, Federal Loans, and Federal work-study. Once a student applies for need based aid and they are determined to be eligible for assistance, they will received a Financial Aid Package that includes any merit award(s) they have been offered, and any Federal, State, and Institutional Grants they are eligible for; as well as, their eligibility for the Stafford Loan and Federal Work Study assistance will be included. In addition, a Lasell College Financial Aid Package includes information on how to finance your education beyond what the available aid covers. This includes information on the monthly payment program, private student loans, and parent loans. The Office of Student Financial Planning provides a worksheet with each financial aid package, giving you the general cost of attendance which allows you to figure out your estimated out of pocket expense. Lasell College's Office of Student Financial Planning is your best resource for Financial Aid questions. You can email them directly at finaid@lasell.edu. All that’s left are the “dos and don’ts�?… DO: Complete and submit the Financial Aid Applications as soon as possible, but no later than March 1, 2008. DON'T: Wait to have your taxes completed before applying for Financial Aid. DO: File your Financial Aid Applications electronically. DON'T: Compare aid packages to those of your neighbors, friends, or relatives – financial planning is as individual as the situation of the families and the students they serve. DO: Ask questions! The Lasell College Office of Student Financial Planning is ready to answer any questions you have about the entire financial planning process. And remember, the Lasell College Guarantee: If there are no significant changes in your student status or your family’s finances, and you complete all required paperwork on time, we will renew your Lasell College funding at the same level each year of your four years at Lasell!

Meet the Faculty �? 2

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 23:07:35 -0500

“I brew my own beer!�? I bet you'd never guess that a member of the faculty would admit to that. But, YES according to Professor Tessa le Roux she brews her own beer, and admits she is a micro-brew connoisseur. However, the question she is most often asked is "where are you from?" Dr. le Roux is originally from South Africa. "During that time, South Africa was in transition," states Tessa. She continues, "Nelson Mandela had been released from prison, the country held its first democratic elections, and had written a constitution. Living in South Africa during such a time of transition helped shape my academic interests and conviction to social justice." In addition to teaching Sociology at Lasell College, Professor le Roux serves as Director of Lasell's Donahue Institute for Values and Public Life and Director of International Programs at the College.

Lasell College's Donahue Institute for Values and Public Life was established in 1997 through a donation by Mrs. Nancy Donahue. "The Donahue Institute's mission is right up my alley," says Tessa. As it sponsors and facilitates activities that challenge students inside and outside the classroom to active citizenship, civic engagement, and civility. While the Center for International Programs facilitates Lasell students pursuing International studies. According to Tessa, “Lasell students have such an advantage, as they can spend one or two semesters abroad studying at American Intercontinental University in London, Bond University in Australia, Semester at Sea, University College in England, Lancaster University in England, and Accademia Italiana and AIFS programs in Italy - just to name a few. “ "Living abroad and experiencing the culture of another country is an invaluable educational experience. It allows you to see how you fit into the rest of world," reports Professor le Roux. Tessa's office is located in Plummer House and when she is not multi-tasking on-campus, Tessa can be found outdoors. "I enjoy rock-climbing, hiking, and camping," she exclaimed. Her main scholarly work is in the field of gender and family studies. She has published articles in the area of gender role socialization, teenage pregnancy and single parenthood, domestic work and migration, and family ideology. Tessa's current work focuses on immigration and family separation, with particular interest on women and migration. She is an active member of the Committee on Family Research of the International Sociological Association, and is an invited member of the Groves Conference on Marriage and Families. Before joining Lasell College, Tessa was a Research Coordinator for PXE International, a patient advocacy group for genetic disorders. Prior to her relocation to the United States in 1997 - she was a professor, first in the sociology department at the University of South Africa and later at the University of Pretoria, where she was also a founding member of the Women’s Center. Until recently, Tessa was on the executive board of PXE International, and was designated “Volunteer of the Year�? at Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary. She is fully bilingual in Afrikaans and English, and speaks Dutch, German and some Spanish. Tessa has taught a range of courses on both the graduate and the undergraduate level, and has supervised masters' and doctoral students on topics such as the effect of military service on families, and the role of teachers in political change in South Africa. She is passionate about teaching. In her own words: “The great poet Yeats said: ‘Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.’ From my very first working days training fieldworkers in a family planning program, through my experiences as a substitute teacher, professor at various universities and volunteering as a teacher naturalist for the Audubon society, I have always been most fulfilled when I was teaching - interacting, being instrumental in "lighting the fire." My position as Sociology Professor and Director of the Donahue Institute and of International Programs at Lasell, allows me to light the fire of social justice in the classroom and beyond - what more can anyone ask?"

Happy Holidays

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 13:51:55 -0500

If you live in New England you don’t need me to remind you that “Thursdays�? this month have been synonymous with snow. About a foot of the white stuff fell in our area during the weeks leading up to our winter break. I couldn’t resist sending out our Associate Director of Admission and resident photographer (Christine) to get a few shots of campus. Enjoy! From all of us in the Office of Undergraduate Admission, best wishes for a very happy and healthy holiday season. See you in 2008! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fall 2008 Applicants - you've got mail!

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 06:13:03 -0500

Last Friday, the Friday before our break, while most were beginning to think about their holiday celebrations or getting in some last minute shopping, our office was scrambling. Working hard to honor a commitment we've made to our Fall 2008 applicants. I've always worked for an institution where the application process was rolling. If you're not familiar with rolling admission, here's a quick review: Rolling admission means there’s no deadline by which an application must be received, and complete applications are reviewed by date. In our office, we strive to make decisions and notify candidates with-in two weeks of their application becoming complete. It's a hectic pace, and it begins back in September as soon as we receive our first application. Most students will apply throughout the fall and early winter, meaning this past week many of our earliest applications were complete and needed to be reviewed. Selecting the class is never easy. It begins with an initial review, summarizing an applicants credentials and determining if a candidate has met certain academic requirements. This first reader is assigned based on geography. Click here, to learn which one of Lasell's Admissions Team reviews applications from your area. After the initial review, a second reader will attempt to learn even more about an applicant through their examination of the candidate’s credentials, and then they will add their comments to the folder. If the application makes it this far, it’s off to committee, where on any given evening, between one and three additional members of the admissions team will dissect an applicants candidacy. What are we doing? We’re reading everything - and sometimes we even read it twice! Why? Because we want to know as much about you as possible. We want to learn about your goals, your obsessions, your successes and your failures. We care about the challenges you've overcome and the ones that overcame you. We need to hear you describe in your own words your passions, your up-bringing, your interests in lacrosse, musical theatre, environmental research, and your commitment to service. We want to see your latest fashion designs and read about what has inspired your career interests in fields such as Criminal Justice, Sport Management, Communications, and Education. It’s a painstaking process. And even with the increasing volume of applications you can't help but become invested. Each applicant is different. Each student unique. Each dream personal. The end result, many eyes review each application, ensuring fair decisions. So back to last Friday... It was about 6:00 pm by the time I signed all of the letters for this weeks decisions. A few minutes later, Sally, Nancy, Christina, Peter, Katie, Allison, Christine, and Mike completed the mailing assembly line. Every package sealed. Every envelope stamped. This round of decisions probably arrived in mailboxes this week, some maybe in time for the holidays. To those of you who have already heard from Lasell, please know your applications have touched us and we appreciate you sharing your extraordinary lives with us. To those of you still waiting to hear, the team is back at it on the second day of 2008, and we’re looking forward to getting to know you.

Meet the Faculty

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:35:27 -0500

I try to get out of my office and walk the campus as often as I can. A few days ago, I noticed a new display in the Winslow Academic Center. The College’s Archivist/Library Director filled the glass cabinets with many of the "works" of our published faculty. The display had something for everyone, from fiction and children’s stories; to scientific research and biographies. I am often asked "what makes Lasell College special?" Or "how is Lasell College different?" My answer, simple, the people. Ironically, the same people whose published work caught my attention during my walk - our faculty. But unless you visit campus, you might not have an opportunity to meet them. So, let me introduce you...

Dr. James Ostrow (Jim) is Lasell’s Vice President for Academic Affairs and a Professor of Sociology. He earned his Ph.D. from Boston University with areas of specialization in Social Theory and Philosophy of Education. About teaching, Jim writes: "Nothing matters to me more than converting subject matter into a perspective on the world for my students, a perspective they are driven to have and use toward positive change in the world. Students acquiring and proving that they know certain information is unimportant to me if I haven’t succeeded in affecting this conversion. I find that there is no better way to succeed in this than by collaborating with students on activities and projects where we are actually using ideas and methods of exploration in creative ways leading to actual discoveries." Prior to his position at Lasell College, Jim served as Director of Academic Affairs/Chief Academic Officer of Penn State University, Fayette Campus, and before that was Director of the Bentley College Service-Learning Center and Chairperson of Bentley College’s Department of Behavioral Sciences. He was Review Editor for the journal Human Studies, and he has served on the Steering Committee for "Project Connect," a HUD funded collaborative providing voice mail service to homeless people in the Boston area. He is currently Co-chair of the Newton South High School Council and is a member of the Board of Directors of The Second Step (an organization providing transitional housing and supportive services for survivors of domestic violence).

Jim Ostrow’s principal scholarly interests lie within the intersection of social theory, continental philosophy, and American pragmatist philosophy. He is the author of Social Sensitivity: A Study of Habit and Experience (State University of New York Press) and Cultivating the Sociological Imagination: Concepts and Models for Service-Learning in Sociology with Garry Hesser and Sandra Enos (American Association of Higher Education). Interested in picking up a copy? Click on the image of his book - Social Sensitivity, to order it online. He has written articles in sociological theory, qualitative research, educational philosophy, and educational research methods, appearing in such journals as Sociological Perspectives, Human Studies, Qualitative Sociology, Perspectives, International Journal for Qualitative Studies in Education, and NSEE Quarterly. Jim's office is located in Potter Hall, and when he's not teaching or spending time with his family, Jim can be found playing tennis or fishing, two of his favorite past times. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Preview of future "Meet the Faculty" Blogs: I'll be introducing you to Professor Tessa le Roux

Red Sox are coming to Lasell!?

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 18:32:51 -0500

Travel anywhere on campus and it’s tough to miss the signs and posters announcing Lasell's campus events and activities - they're everywhere. I believe the philosophy on advertising around campus is, (if it stands still for more than a minute - hang a poster on it). And to tell you the truth, I'm all for it! In this day and age of streaming video, pod-casting, and cell-phone texting - I enjoy the visual appeal of POSTERS and the immediate marketing impact they have. For example, just by having lunch today in the dining hall, I learned that over the next few weeks Lasell is hosting a lecture by Lynn Marie Smith, an 80's Dance, a Comedy Group, having a Lyricist Lounge night, planning a student trip to New York City, celebrating "Holiday Fest" and playing Super Bingo. I'm sure Katie and Amanda will be blogging about these activities later this week. Check out their student blogs at: Katie's Korner and Mill's World. I should confess, I took the liberty of giving their post's cool sounding names. :) Back to the point, I've noticed signs around campus stating "Red Sox are coming 12/7". Of course my curiosity got the best of me. So, after interrogating a few students with no luck, I went right to the source - the Director of Student Activities. Believe the hype - Red Sox are coming to Lasell. Just in case you're not from this planet (aka: a Yankees fan) or somehow never got caught up in Red Sox Nation, a couple of die-hard fans (who shall remain nameless) played hooky from work for a few hours to join the festivities and capture these fantastic images of the rolling celebration honoring the 2007 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox. (scroll down to check them out!) See you on 12/7 in de Witt Hall! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giving Thanks...

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 13:17:09 -0500

The dishes are done. The rest of the family is either napping or half-way home to Rhode Island. The house is quiet, which gives me a moment to blog about Thanksgiving 2007. As we began our Thanksgiving dinner, Abby (my six year old niece) got our attention by asking an innocent question, “What is everyone thankful for?�? Maybe it was the full plate of food in front of me or the need to just “play-along�? with Abby, but I didn’t give my answer a great deal of thought at first. It wasn't until after dinner, as we sat around the table talking about life, politics, kids, work, and of course remembering our loved-ones, that I began thinking... I am thankful for: 10. Mom’s apple pie 9. The 2007 Boston Red Sox 8. for our Men and Women serving in the Military 7. Breaking 80 (it’s a golf thing) 6. Education 5. Our Siamese cat - Tai 4. Good Health 3. Family & Friends 2. Pam 1. Time Which reminds me, its time for another piece of apple pie? Wishing all a Safe & Happy Thanksgiving! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Open House • Fall 2007

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:15:42 -0500

Sunday November 4th, Lasell hosted its annual fall Open House. Over 1100 guests, some traveled from as far away as California to visit campus and enjoy the action-packed day. To all who attended, thank you for making the trip! Feedback from interested students was unanimous, “after attending Open House, Lasell College is my first choice!�? All in attendance were treated to a beautiful New England fall day, providing the perfect backdrop for our prospective students and their families to see how special Lasell College really is. Check out some of the pictures from the day! Lasell’s new President, Michael B. Alexander began the day by welcoming all and outlining Lasell’s exciting future. He was followed by the Academic Presentations, where students had the opportunity to discover how Lasell’s unique philosophy of education will impact their academic interests. For example, Lasell’s Environmental Studies major challenges students to examine the connections between the environment and their local and global communities. Open House attendees interested in Environmental Studies learned how Lasell’s coursework, connected learning experiences, and applied research prepares students to address the many environmental public policy, economic, and ethical dilemmas environmentalists face. Additional Open House highlights included: •Student guided tours of campus •Information about Lasell's Admissions and Financial Aid processes •Recruiting for Lasell’s NCAA Division III Varsity Athletic Programs If you couldn’t make it to Open House, we’re sorry we missed you! But there are plenty of ways you can visit campus and learn more about Lasell. Click VISIT NOW to schedule your tour and interview today!

Inspiration

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 02:45:12 -0500

I like many different genres of music. Rock & roll, alternative, pop, and techno currently line my collection. Mixed in amongst my CD’s and digital downloads are the solo and collaborative works of Luciano Pavarotti, who many consider the greatest tenor of the 21st century. Luciano Pavarotti died on Thursday September 6, 2007. I don’t want to spend a lot of time writing about Pavarotti’s passing. I’d rather blog about the indelible impression his music left on so many, and the countless ways we are inspired and we inspire others. I believe many would agree with me, Pavarotti’s voice and performances have moved millions. Click here to listen to one of my favorite Pavarotti performances: the music is by Puccini from Turnadot (Act 3): Nessun Dorma.

On Thursday as news of Pavarotti’s passing spread, the Lasell College Community was busy welcoming our newest students (the class of 2011) and their families to campus. Lasell's annual Convocation ceremony formally acknowledges our students, and in keeping with tradition siginifies the beginning of their academic journey at the college. Lasell’s ninth and new President, Michael B. Alexander, treated all in attendance to an inspirational Convocation address. To read excerpts and view the event slide-show, click Welcome Convocation. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As I listened to President Alexander challenge the crowd to "find something about which to be passionate," in his 15 Theses for Succeeding in College. I thought of Pavarotti and came to a realization that the next generation of inspirational people was sitting before me. Lasell's class of 2011 contains musicians, entrepreneurs, designers, athletes, and influential politicians who will impact the future. Now that's inspirational! __________________________________________________________

Moving, moving in, and moving forward…

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 09:24:54 -0500

The phrase “back to school�? will take on a whole new meaning for the class of 2011 over the next few weeks. On September 6th, Lasell’s doors will open once again to welcome our newest students. Thursday is “move-in day�? – part mayhem, part magic. Curious, what’s planned? Click Welcome Class of 2011 for a sneak peek! You can also check out last year’s new student move-in day at Class of 2010 Opening. Having just gone through the moving process not once but twice in the last month, I am positive Pam, Thai (our Siamese cat) and I can relate to what the class of 2011 and their families will be going through over the next few weeks. The boxes, the packing, the lifting, the unpacking, etc, etc… Moving is just plain hard. As roughly 450 new resident students and their families finalize their moving plans to Lasell's campus, I’m sure they will be faced with some initial confusion, for example: 1. New college students are forced to decide what to bring with them for their first year of life away from home. 2. New college parents are forced to determine how the item’s that “made the cut�? from dilemma number one, will then fit into the family vehicle for the trip to campus. However, both students and parents alike will get to experience a little personal satisfaction and even a little “magic�? during move-in day, as they watch in disbelief as all of those items make there way into a “dorm room�?. Trust me, it all fits! All kidding aside, if you’re paying attention during “move-in day�? you’ll also witness other subtle transformations, magical in their own way. Lifelong friendships will be formed over discussions of where to put the stereo and who’s the biggest Red Sox fan. Skills ironically perfected in kindergarten, will be tested immediately – patience, tolerance, and sharing. In a matter of hours, new students will begin to grow and to learn, all before stepping foot into a traditional classroom. Soon after Mom and Dad have said their good-byes, “move-in day�? transforms into “moving-on day�?, and there’s plenty of NEW STUFF to see and do on the Lasell campus, especially if you haven’t been here since summer orientation. For starters: We’re putting the finishing touches on Rockwell Hall, our newest student residence overlooking Grellier Field. Check out this great shot of Rockwell at dusk We’ve expanded dining capacity in Valentine Hall with over 100 new seats added to the 1851. We’ve technologically enhanced and renovated Rosen Auditorium. And there's more! We’ve added seven additional full-time faculty. We’re introducing baseball as a club sport for Spring 2008, with plans for baseball to become our thirteenth NCAA division III varsity sport in 2008-09. We’re celebrating the grand opening of the Center for Spiritual Life with Rev. Barbara Asinger as Director. Also, we've made dramatic renovations to Taylor Field, and the new tennis court on Seminary Avenue. And, we’ve expanded our “blogging team�? - check out Katie’s and Amanda’s blog! Two current Lasell students, “telling it like it is at Lasell�?. And, don't forgert Dr. Sciegaj's blog. Mark is one of our current faculty bloggers. It’s been an exciting summer, and like the class of 2011, our plan is to keep moving! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just arrived on campus or will you find yourself “moving�? next year as part of the class of 2012? Comment - and tell me what’s on your mind as you head back to school! Is your son or daughter headed to college for the first time? Comment - I’d love to hear from you and what you think about the whole experience! ____________________________________________________________________ Preview my next Blog: The "art and science" of decision making.

Second Chances

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:41:55 -0500

As you get to know me through these blogs, you’ll realize I have a couple of “loves�?. One of them has prompted this entry and pushed my blog on recently moving to the back burner. Today is the second round of the PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association) Championship. This year the tournament is being played at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa Oklahoma. The talk after round one was surprisingly not about the world’s number one golfer - Tiger Woods. The media and many die-hard golf fans were buzzing about an almost forgotten soul on tour - John Daly. “Big John�?. “Inconsistent John�?. “Troubled John�?. All accurately describe a personality, a golfer, and a man with the innate talent to win two majors, coupled with the physical and emotional turmoil to recently lose his PGA tour card. Why is any of this relevant to education? Just as John Daly was finishing up his first round at Southern Hills, I was concluding a meeting with a young man who had applied to Lasell, and subsequently been denied admission. These conversations are never easy to have. My objective was to try and turn a challenging situation into a teachable moment and to help this young man realize his educational journey should not end with the receipt of our thin envelope. Working with the “millennial�? generation now for a few years, I have grown accustom to some of their traits. In general, they’ve been the U.S.’s most important commodity. Protected. Special. Millennial’s are not use to being told “no�?. So I wasn’t surprised that this young adult wanted to appeal the decision. I figured he would just ask. But he didn’t. Maybe it was the gravity of why the Admission Committee had made the decision we had. Or maybe he had experienced a moment of honest self-assessment sitting in my office. Either way, the results were inspiring. The young man looked me in the eye and asked, “If my goal is to attend Lasell in the future, what do I need to do now?�? Over the next hour, we developed his plan. We talked about his future, and his options. We wasted no time discussing his past, but focused on his new goals and the path to a second chance at Lasell through the transfer admission process. After round one of the PGA championship, John Daly who shot a 67 (3 under par), spoke of his round. "I honestly don't know," when asked why he performed so well. As for clearing a series of personal hurdles, all he said was, "Just gotta keep on plugging, keep going." Its doubtful John Daly will win this weekend’s 89th PGA championship. But, I believe golf fans and educators alike would agree, it’s nice to know second chance guys always have a shot. Preview my next Blog: The "art and science" of decision making.

Diving right in...

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 16:51:20 -0500

After learning I work in college admissions, an aquintance asked me Monday night, "so what do you do all year, what's a typical day like?" I must confess, I was a little offended by the question. But I got to thinking, what an apropos topic for my first blog. Who am I, and what exactly do I do at Lasell? OK - here it goes, I'm James and I'm the Director of Undergraduate Admission. That's it, there's no more time today for lengthy introductions. (Maybe Later) The Admissions Office is just too busy for that right now. Why? Because there are no "typical" days in admissions. The calendar indicates the start of the fall semester is only about a month away. That means the Office of Undergraduate Admission is confirming our new students as they prepare to move in and particpate in our "week of welcome". Simultaneously, we've already begun recruiting the class of 2012 (the next class to enter the college), by re-designing publications, updating our literature, the website, and our statistics. You'd be amazed by all the changes at Lasell! Ironically as the incoming class arrives on-campus - our admissions team will depart, traveling to over 800 high schools and attending college fairs from Maine to Maryland. Curious if I or one of our couselors is headed your way? We've been planning fall travel since June. Meet the team and see if we're planning a trip to your area. http://www.lasell.edu/admission/counselors.asp Back on-campus in the fall, we'll be preparing to host our Open House - it's Sunday November 4th, and the day is jam-packed with activities and information for prospective students and their familes. Click on the link to learn more about Fall Open House - http://www.lasell.edu/admission/open_house.asp In the winter, we review the thousands of applications we've received and we'll begin to mail out decisions. It's not as easy as it sounds. Each year we grow more and more competitive, making the selection process extremely challenging. Not too many people know this, but I hand sign each applicants decison letter. When I first joined Lasell, over 5 years ago, I was signing far more acceptance letters than I do now. For me, signing letters has become one of those unofficial ways I know we've become more selective. Spring means accepted students day, spring travel, orientations, and of our enrollment deadline of May 1. Which brings us to the Summer and to yesterday...Monday. Just another "typical day" in the Admission Office - right? Wrong! Yesterday, we welcomed 20 students from Global Citizens, a holistic, Cambridge-based youth program, for an afternoon of college awareness. The day included campus tours, an overview of admissions, financial aid, college athletics, and we provided these young adults with a sampling of two of Lasell’s popular majors, Fashion and Communications. I almost forgot, we did take a break for some ice cream... Breaks over, and I've got work to do... Preview of my next Blog: I recently moved and as you'll read - lived to blog about it. However, it did bring back some fond and some not so fond memories of moving into my first college dorm room. Stay tuned...