Names & notes

Tuesday, June 24, 2008 2:00 PM MDT

CC instructor earns award

The Wyoming Distance Education Consortium has recognized physics and education instructor Paul Marquard as the Master Distance Educator for Casper College for 2008.

Lois Davis, who nominated Marquard, noted that he “continues to challenge himself by learning new technology and course management systems to use online and in the classroom.”

Marquard has been employed by Casper College since 1986 and has been a technology/online faculty innovator since its inception in 1997.

He held the position of director of Distance Education at Casper College from 2001-07 when he returned to full-time teaching.

“Now that he is back in the classroom, he continues to challenge himself by learning new technology and course management systems to use online and in the classroom,” said Davis, dean of educational resources at the college.

“Many other Casper College faculty (members) have learned to consult Paul before making technology/online teaching decisions for themselves,” she said.

To enable his distance education students in their learning, Marquard said he uses “podcasting and Captivate movies to help students learn to use the tools of distance education and my lab software.”

Marquard received his B.S. in physics and mathematics from Creighton University, his M.S. in physics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and his M.S.E.E. from the University of Southern California.

UW photo

Three students and three teachers from the Casper area are among the participants in the University of Wyoming Department of Physics and Astronomy's 2008 AstroCamp. The students, front, from left, are Justin White, Alan Hatlestad and Reid Cruickshank. The teachers, back, from left, are Michelle Long, Megan Salvador and Colleen Zeglin.

UW AstroCamp gives students fun in science

There's more to the University of Wyoming's AstroCamp than physics and astronomy -- there’s a lot of fun.

"When we started AstroCamp in 2003, we wanted to find ways to show kids that science is interesting and fun and not scary and complicated," said UW professor Chip Kobulnicky, one of the co-founders of the six-day, hands-on camp for middle school-aged students.

Danny Dale, another professor in the UW Department of Physics and Astronomy, is the other co-founder.

Students this year built and launched model rockets, experimenting with liquid nitrogen and using UW's high-powered observatories to view faraway galaxies and planets.

The students have so much fun that they have a tough time picking a favorite part of each day, said Michelle Long, who has worked as a teacher at AstroCamp for the past four years.

"When I ask them what their favorite part of the day was, I usually hear four or five different things," said Long, who is the program and exhibit director at The Science Zone in Casper.

The AstroCampers spent one morning launching rockets from a field on the UW campus. One rocket didn't get far and exploded in midair and fell to the ground in two pieces about 50 yards from the launch pad.

Several other campers were thrilled with the crash-and-burn.

"That is awesome!" said Justin White of Bar Nunn as they inspected the wreckage.

Reid Cruickshank of Casper echoed White’s sentiments, saying, "Awesome!"

The week's activities also included processing astronomical images on computers, constructing scientific spectrographs to identify chemical elements and assembling a satellite while underwater.

"It's a cool camp," White said. "We're learning about the stars, we get to look through the big telescopes and find the planets, and we get to build rockets too. It's fun."

Boe named to Dean’s List

Jennifer Boe of Casper earned a spot on the Dean’s List MSU-Billings for the 2008 spring semester.

To be eligible for the MSU Billings Dean’s List, undergraduate students must achieve a minimum 3.50 GPA.

Wyoming students benefit from RMP Foundation grant

The Rocky Mountain Power Foundation awarded $34,000 to the University of Wyoming for education and research programs and scholarships for entering freshmen.

The gift will in part fund 12 $1,000 scholarships for freshmen from various Wyoming communities.

David Schmitt and Jennifer Dundas, both of Casper, were selected as scholarship recipients.

"I am very honored to receive this scholarship, which will assist me in achieving all of my educational and career goals," Dundas said. "My educational goals are to continue on the track of receiving a bachelor's degree in nursing."

"Providing educational opportunities to young adults is essential to ensuring our communities continue to thrive," said Harold Babbitt, Rocky Mountain Power customer and community manager.

"The University of Wyoming has enjoyed a great partnership with Rocky Mountain Power and the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation for many years," said Ben Blalock, UW vice president for institutional advancement and president of the UW Foundation.

"This gift is an example of the important role that corporate support plays in advancing opportunities for UW students.”

For more information, visit www.rockymountainpower.net/rmpfoundation.

Three local grads earn Alger association scholarships

Gabrielle L. Ridgeway and Amanda G. Spriggs, both graduates of Natrona County High School, and Swade Geiger, who graduated from Kelly Walsh High School, have been awarded scholarships.

The three were given the prestigious Horatio Alger Association’s 2008 Wyoming State Scholarship for $5,000, presented to 25 recipients, to assist in funding their college education.

To earn this award, students must have demonstrated integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity and hardships in their lives, while also demonstrating strength of character, strong academics, commitment to pursue a college education and the desire to contribute to society.  

Horatio Alger Association Immediate Past Chairman Dennis R. Washington said, “We are proud to present this award to the students of Wyoming who have demonstrated integrity and determination despite significant challenges. We envision great futures for these teens.”

The state scholarship programs, ranging from $2,500 to $10,500, are sponsored by Horatio Alger members and friends of the association.

The Wyoming scholarships are made possible by the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation, which has supported the state with scholarships through the Horatio Alger Association since 2007.

For more information about the scholarships, visit www.horatioalger.org.

Enzi accepting fall internship applications

If you are a college student interested in witnessing the workings of national government firsthand, U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., has an opportunity for you.

Enzi now is accepting applications for fall internships in his Washington, D.C., office.

"An internship on Capitol Hill is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Interns have the chance to meet remarkable people, gain experience and knowledge in their field of study, observe our country’s government at work, and experience the energy and excitement of Washington, D.C., life," Enzi said.

"Opportunities abound for students who complete a Capitol Hill internship. Nearly half of my Washington D.C. staff members were previously congressional interns."

Fall internships run from Sept. 8 through Dec. 19. To be considered, applicants should submit all application materials by July 11.

Interns are responsible for a broad range of duties, some of which include constituent services, Capitol tours and research on various issues.

Interns also have the opportunity to attend floor proceedings, committee hearings and lectures given by government leaders.

Enzi interns receive a monthly stipend of $1,600. Many colleges also offer school credit for internship programs. The senator encourages candidates to look into the specific programs provided by each school.

Students can access the online application at www.enzi.senate.gov. Completed applications can be submitted online or faxed to 202-228-0359.

For additional information, contact Sergio Lemus, Enzi’s intern coordinator, at 202-224-3424 or toll free at 1-888-250-1879.

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