From time to time, I receive letters applauding the efforts of our faculty. I thought you’d like to see the most recent one, dated October 30, 2007. _________________________________________________________________ Dear Chancellor Telfer, I just returned from a sixteen day trip to China where I worked very closely with one of your faculty, Dr. Guoli Liang. His work was so inspiring and impressive that I wanted to share a few thoughts with you about him and his activities. Guoli and I have been working together for over a year in preparing an edited book for the People’s Education Press (PEP) in Beijing. Dr. Liang initially approached me with the idea for the book and asked me to be the co-editor along with an executive from PEP. Working together, Guoli and I were able to negotiate a trip to China to disseminate information about the book’s content and its upcoming publication. This book is an introduction to our area of expertise, human motor development. Hence, as an eventual part of our agreement with PEP, a group of our chapter authors were hosted in China. Through this book, the associated travel activities, and the contributions of Dr. Liang, we believe we had the potential to make historic academic contributions to our discipline in China. Throughout this process, Guoli and his contributions were remarkable. Much of his initial work was behind the scenes. As an example, he provided editing for chapter sections that were written in Chinese. He also completed most of the translations for the seventeen chapters. His early work also included translations of an extensive Power Point presentation we prepared for use in China. Just as important, Guoli was instrumental in working with PEP to organize our efforts in China. Our original plans were for a small group of American motor development experts to visit a few different locations in China. Thanks to Guoli’s influence and efforts, ten experts, including Guoli, traveled to fifteen or more sites throughout many different provinces. In short, through a series of presentations at the likes of Beijing University, Beijing Normal University, the 8th China National Sports Sciences Convention, University of Hong Kong and many more, we were able to introduce the field of human motor development to literally thousands of people. This occurred through a planned effort to send four groups of our scholars in four different directions across China following a few days of joint efforts in Beijing. We were all amazed at the complexity of the planning that was required for this trip. The brunt of this work was completed by Dr. Liang. In addition to the maze of travel plans, Guoli organized Chinese college students to accompany our experts on their travels. The students also served as translators for our presentations. Though the students were skilled in English, Guoli spent hours with them practicing the presentations, so they would be familiar with the technical jargon of our discipline. These students were hand selected by Guoli, and they were simply delightful. They were professional, smart, capable, responsible, pleasant, polite, and a joy to be around. Perhaps even more impressive was Guoli’s character, demeanor, and professionalism throughout this endeavor. He was always immediately responsive to our requests for information, and despite being in a situation that would be stressful to many, he always remained calm while maintaining a personable, genuine, and pleasant approach. I also saw Guoli present on a number of occasions during our trip. Though I do not understand Mandarin Chinese, I recognize when an audience is held in rapt attention throughout a talk. I know when numbers of attendees approach the podium at the end of a talk, they are interested and have been compelled to know more. Guoli clearly has a way with words. I can only imagine what a great teacher he must be. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I saw Dr. Liang interact with University Presidents, corporate executives, colleagues, students, and people of all walks while in China. He was a terrific emissary and representative for your university and our profession. He has a personal engaging style that attracts others. Within minutes he made those around him feel comfortable. I enjoyed watching Guoli create bonding relationships with people of all walks wherever we went in China. He is a wonderful representative for the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater and the field of motor development and pedagogy. In short, you should be very proud to have a faculty member of this caliber in your university. I know I am proud to call him a colleague. He is an excellent representative with the potential to do much more of this and other kinds of academic work. He certainly made an outstanding contribution to both the written, spoken, and travel portion of this project, and I look forward to working with him again in the future. Thank you. Greg Payne, PED Acting Associate Dean College of Applied Sciences and Arts San Jose State University San Jose, CA 95192-0049
Monthly Archive for October, 2007
We had a busy weekend. On Friday, along with several UW-Whitewater students, I attended the signing of the state budget in Madison. From there I went to the Truax campus of MATC to sign a transfer agreement with MATC, an agreement that will make transfer from MATC to UW-Whitewater easier. Later, we attended the UW-Whitewater Volleyball Invitational and watched the Warhawks win their first two matches.
Saturday began with a trip to Lake Lawn Lodge in Delavan, where UW-Whitewater was hosting the American Multicultural Student Leadership Conference (AMSLC). Over forty UW-W students were in attendance and presenting papers or posters. From Lake Lawn, we traveled to campus to meet with the Student Affairs Parent Advisory Council. We had an enjoyable discussion with some very committed and involved parents. Then, it was on to the Coulthart Family Pavillion for lunch and an opportunity to meet the President of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and other individuals from Mary Hardin-Baylor. During the football game we were able to host representatives from the sponsors who supported the acquisition of our new scoreboards. The game was exciting and rewarding. After the football game, we stopped in to see the final volleyball match, won by the Warhawks, who finished 4-0 for the invitational.
Best of luck to the Women’s Soccer team and the Women’s Volleyball team as they start conference tournament play on Tuesday!
During the next few weeks, you will be hearing a good deal about our local United Way. UW-Whitewater recognizes the importance of United Way services to individuals and families in Jefferson and North Walworth Counties.
You should have already received a pledge sheet and additional information via intercampus mail. I believe United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties is one of the best ways we can give back to our community. Your contribution helps care for people in crisis, assist families, and increase self-sufficiency among those in need. The decision to give is a personal one. Please join me in giving to United Way.
Dear Campus Community,
Today I bring you good news on the state budget. As most of you already know, yesterday the legislature approved a compromise budget. This budget is the result of much hard work by Governor Jim Doyle and the Senate and Assembly leaders. I am pleased with the support that this budget shows for the UW System and our campus, and the investment the budget makes in a Growth Agenda for Wisconsin.
Unfortunately, the new budget requires a $25 million lapse within the UW System for each of the next two biennia. UW-Whitewater’s portion of that lapse is approximately $550,000 a year for each of four years. The Chancellor’s Staff is continuing its discussion about ways to address the lapse. While we will not have to make the most severe cuts, it remains important that we look carefully at all spending. As we work toward that end we will also resume hiring new employees, including students, faculty, and staff, and continue to invest in our faculty and staff through our regular professional development program. With the adoption of a state budget, we will no longer be considering the more drastic cost cutting measures I outlined in my message last week.
Again, I will continue to keep you posted on how we proceed with the budget.
Sincerely,
Richard Telfer, Interim Chancellor
I thought you might be interested in reading this note of appreciation. Marilyn Kienbaum, Food Pantry Director, requested that I post the note where students would see it.
Oct. 2007
Greetings U.W.W. Students,
Thanks for the grocery collection you brought to the Community Food Pantry. We were so thankful to have the shelves filled again. There have been so many requests for food the Pantry was beginning to look like Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard. Thanks too for choosing the Food Pantry to do your community service. Your help is truly appreciated.
Best Wishes,
Marilyn K. F.P. Director
I thought you’d be interested in seeing some pictures from the Time Capsule Opening event (Baker, Salisbury & Sayles Halls) on Friday, October 12 in the Center of the Arts Atrium.
For more information regarding the Time Capsule Opening, please click on the link below:
http://www.uww.edu/marketingandmedia/news_releases/2007_10_time_capsules.html
It’s homecoming week on campus, one of the best times of the year. There’s so much excitement with all the student events and activities. Plus, we get to welcome our many alumni back to campus. I encourage you to take in as many of the activities as you can, and to join us at Perkins Stadium on Saturday for the football game against UW-Oshkosh. We’d love to see a packed stadium. And it looks like the weather is going to be just about perfect for a big celebration.
Here are pictures from the Family Weekend events held last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
I thought you would like to see some pictures from last Friday’s event, MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY, where over 900 students joined faculty, staff, and city of Whitewater members to work on projects around the community.
On Friday, over 700 UW-Whitewater students will join other members of the Whitewater community for our annual Make a Difference Day. The workers will meet at the Cravath Lakefront Center to work on a variety of projects. The event will truly make a difference and so the commitment of our students to serving the community
This weekend is also Family Weekend. The event will bring many parents, grandparents, and siblings to campus. Activities include “mini university” lectures on Saturday, a Family Weekend lunch, football and volleyball games, and a hypnotist on Saturday evening. I look forward to meeting families at these events. It will be a great time.
