Putting theory into practice

A phenomenon is occurring across our campus as the amount of undergraduate research grows each semester and each summer. Yes, I said undergraduate research. Traditionally research in higher education has been reserved for graduate studies, a staple for master thesis work and doctoral candidacy.

Here at Bloomsburg University, we’ve added a third component.

We take pride in the way we integrate out-of-classroom experiences into our undergraduate curriculum. Research and creative work provide students with a richer academic experience and allow them to hone the skills they will use in their professions.

In labs, studios, auditoriums and elsewhere, students are working at a professional level. In the sciences, for example, Kevin Ball, associate professor of psychology, has been awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the neurochemical aspects of addiction.

Working with students, Ball’s research may suggest ways to combat addiction. In the arts, the members of BU’s Jazz Ensemble have earned a place on a very public stage at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland in the summer of 2015, an experience that combines performance with an opportunity for international travel.

These two successes and others like them are worth celebrating. The redesigned and expanded 2014 edition of Research and Creative Activities includes in-depth stories about projects, as well as a broad overview of the various activities — research and creative — students and faculty have undertaken in the past year.

The publication includes:

• A story about biology professor John Hranitz’s research on bees and the ongoing threat of hive collapse.
• A study of how high-fat diets may impair learning ability.
• A project by a business professor and two students that could enable researchers to analyze data in medical records while maintaining patient privacy.

These successes and valuable research experiences carry our students to the next level. This is evident from a recent email we received from East Carolina University praising two of our alumni who are enrolled at its Brody School of Medicine. The program specifically mentioned how well Bloomsburg University prepared these doctoral students, both of whom have made such an impression that ECU is hoping to recruit more Huskies.

#CollaborativeLearning

The Husky pride that binds us

In this age of ever-expanding digital communications, written correspondence seems like a dying art. However, there’s something personal about letters that cannot be replicated through text, email or social media.

Earlier this semester university correspondence went full circle. I wrote a letter to our alumni, university friends and supporters highlighting the quality of education here at Bloomsburg University and how we measure its success. One example I used came directly from a recent graduate, Julie Gould.

Julie emailed me this past summer to mention how happy she was about her education and how the academic support she received in and out of the classroom enabled her to land a job within weeks of graduating in May. Her story epitomizes the daily impact our faculty and staff have on our students, which leads to personal and professional success for our graduates.

Julie’s story not only touched me as Bloomsburg University’s president, it resonated with an alumnus from the Class of 1982 now living in Florida. After 32 years, he admitted this was the first piece of correspondence he’s received from the university that inspired him to respond.

In a letter to me, he said he is very grateful of the education he received here and the support that led to his post-graduate success. Much like Julie, this alumnus said he was able to make important connections through his academic department and the university’s recruitment program to land a job soon after graduation. That entry-level position spurred him onto a very successful career. A journey I’m confident will be shared by Julie.

How do I know?

I’ll use this alumnus’ own words ...

“To summarize, and to concur with Ms. Gould, when you attend Bloomsburg as a student you don’t realize the quality of education and the experience the university provides you. It only becomes apparent when you get out into the workforce and match up with graduates from other universities or work side by side with others that you begin to realize the quality of education you received at Bloomsburg. I am proud that I attended Bloomsburg, and it did prepare me for a lifetime of success.”

For me, this letter, so heartfelt and personal, is a keeper.

#SenseOfCommunity #ProfessionalU

Rising to the challenge

Following another successful Meet the President event last week on campus, I had the pleasure of joining the millions of people who have taken the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. The creative fundraiser, made famous on social media by the many ice-dousing videos, has been tremendously successful in raising more than $110.5 million for the ALS Association.

As I said during my challenge, ALS, commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a relentless degenerative disease that leads slowly to death. To date, there is no cure. Hopefully this will change due to the overwhelming support seen these past few months by our society, including many of our own Bloomsburg University family and friends.

Rising to the challenge to support a worthy cause is nothing new to our university community. It’s almost second nature for our students, faculty and staff.

For example one of our sororities, Sigma Sigma Sigma, recently helped Geisinger’s Janet Weis Children’s Hospital land a $2,210 grant for needed teaching aides for its patients.

Their charitable effort is one of many examples of how our Greek organizations – as well as other student groups – work with our community and support local and national charities like the Ronald McDonald House, Toys for Tots, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and our local women’s shelter and food cupboard.

Of course a prime example of our passion for charity and community support is The Big Event, which annually receives a steady flow of volunteers from our entire student population. In fact, two of our largest on-campus fundraising efforts turned in record level donations this past academic year.

Relay For Life of Bloomsburg University, coordinated by our Chapter of Colleges Against Cancer, had more than 800 participants on 50 teams raise more than $50,000 to benefit the American Cancer Society.

The Multicultural Center’s annual Breast Cancer 5K Walk/Run has raised more than $100,000 since the first step was taken in 2002, including more than $12,000 last fall.

These recent highlights remind me of the biggest challenge we faced and the strongest relief effort we pulled together during my tenure as president. Three years ago this past week, the Flood of 2011 forever changed the landscape and, in many case, the future of our community. The clear view of the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds from Route 11, where a row of houses once stood, is one permanent reminder. There are a thousand other examples in our immediate region.

We lost seven days of classes, yet our university continued to work. Students, faculty and staff volunteered with clean up, Red Cross efforts and local emergency governmental agencies, such as call-in centers and supply aide distribution. These volunteer efforts continued well into the fall and spring. It was a clear and emotional snapshot at how much we value our community and, in many ways, brought us all closer together. Today, we enjoy a stronger sense of community because of it.

#SenseOfCommunity #CoCurricularLearning

Welcome back Huskies!

It’s become tradition for me to do a welcome back video to kick off the new academic year, joining the ranks of presidents from universities and colleges across the country who are featured on YouTube.

I’m not sure which president or school can be credited with the first one, but I’d like to think Bloomsburg University is among the pioneers.

This latest version is the sixth time I have worked with the Office of Marketing and Communications and Instructional Media Services to produce an entertaining and informative greeting for our returning and incoming campus community. The welcome video is an important communication tool for me.

As the university’s 175th anniversary celebration continues this fall, my attention has been piqued many times this year at how our school has evolved since its earliest days. Modes of communication have changed with each era, particularly in our recent chapter in history.

Social media is now a major player, of course, and during my tenure has rapidly become a preferred method of communication among our students, along with text messaging and email. This generation faces distractions from devices vying for their attention. Video helps me to break these barriers.

Lifestyles were very different in the days of our first principal Henry Carver, when the main manner of communication was the written letter. Harvey Andruss had it easier 50 years ago — just letters and telephone calls.

Even my predecessor Jessica Kozloff, who hosted a regular cable TV program, “Here and Now,” did not have to deal with Facebook, Instagram or Twitter during her presidency, although she is active in social media now. I admit, I have conceded to social media ... joining Twitter earlier this year.

As I have become more comfortable in front of the camera — something not as easy as one might think — our videos have ventured out of the studio and become more creative. With each version, the bar of expectations has risen. I enjoy the challenge. It’s a project I look forward to each year and hope the campus community does, too.

And in honor of our #BU175 celebration, a look back at ...

• Welcome Back 2009 
• Welcome Back 2010  
• Welcome Back 2011  
• Welcome Back 2012  
• Welcome Back 2013  

#BackToHuskyLife

Adding the impact to experiential learning

Michael Boguski’s reflection on his experience at Bloomsburg University is common to accolades heard from many of our successful alumni. It starts with receiving a high-quality education at an affordable price. It leads into discovering long-term benefits and lifelong friendships and expands to building professional networks that result in success.

And then it becomes personal.

Boguski ’85 and his wife, Beth, recently committed $1 million to the Bloomsburg University Foundation to support several university initiatives. He says it was the variety of experiential learning opportunities he received as a Bloomsburg student that made the biggest impact.

As a first-generation student, this business administration graduate and president of Eastern Alliance Insurance Group knows firsthand the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity given to you.

And through this support, Mike and Beth are helping to ensure students have the financial ability to take advantage of plenty of opportunities during their time at Bloomsburg.

The Boguskis’ gift will help support many high-impact experiential opportunities, such as internships, job shadowing and capstone experiences provided through our Professional U program. The gift will also assist with ongoing efforts for our growing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Magnet School and the Henry Carver Fund, Bloomsburg University’s annual fund.

Experiential learning opportunities are an important part of the student experience that complement the outstanding classroom learning provided by our dedicated teacher-scholar faculty. Through this gift, the Boguskis have made it possible for students to gain the real-world experience that gives them a competitive advantage.

#SenseOfCommunity #CollaborativeLearning

STEMing ahead of the learning curve

As a former zoology major and biology professor, I naturally have a strong enthusiasm for science and science education on all levels. As a university administrator and president, I have witnessed the steadily growing influence technology, engineering and mathematics have had on higher education.

When there’s opportunity to blend them together into one initiative, it’s an opportunity we can’t pass up. Research, statistics and resulting media coverage highlight the benefits of early exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics for students.

The STEM movement has even grabbed the attention of the federal government, which allocated $3.1 billion into promoting STEM education in its 2014 budget.

And I’m proud to say Bloomsburg University is staying ahead of the curve.

From courses in human biology to object-oriented Java programming to calculus, our Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Magnet high school program recently capped its first year.

Nearly 20 students from Berwick, Bloomsburg and Central Columbia high schools got a taste of higher education while earning college credits by completing STEM courses on campus this past fall and spring semesters.

The program will grow in the coming academic year, adding students from Benton, Danville, Millville and Southern Columbia school districts, along with Columbia-Montour Area Vocational Technical School, and introducing a new health care track to go along with the original engineering focus.

Why STEM at BU?

Recognizing the growing need for college graduates in science, health science, technology, engineering and mathematics, our university established a regional math and science education center last summer to support a wide range of programming focused on:

• STEM pipeline development (K-12)
• professional development of teachers in collaboration with regional districts
• cutting-edge research in STEM education
• innovative college programs based on proven strategies that produce graduates prepared for success in the STEM fields

The STEM Magnet program not only strengthens our connection to neighboring communities and partnerships with regional school districts, it serves as another example of Bloomsburg’s commitment to creating a competitive and influential learning environment. And success with STEM will surely serve as a catalyst for other targeted educational areas, like applied humanities and teacher education. This is just the first step.

#FutureHusky #CollaborativeLearning

Bridging the gap between spring and fall

After a brutally cold winter, the rising temperatures of late spring have been a rewarding start to our summer session on campus. Outside of the classroom, it’s time for the beach, swimming pools, music festivals and amusement parks – an opportunity to unwind after a busy and productive school year.

And that includes my wife, Robbie, and me. We recently enjoyed a wonderful trip to visit our younger son, his wife and our only grandson in Hawaii.

Taking a breather from higher education is not the case for everyone and, of course, Bloomsburg University does not shut down after graduation. Many students and faculty put their vacation plans on hold to continue the momentum from the spring semester through on- and off-campus research, internships and study abroad experiences.

For example, two of our faculty will be conducting research with international colleagues as Fulbright Scholars, a prestigious award granted through a highly competitive, merited-based program.

Michael Hickey, professor of history, is spending this summer in Russia continuing his archival research on local Jewish history among other scholarly activities at Smolenski State University.

Mehdi Razzaghi, professor of mathematics, statistics and computer science, will spend this coming academic year researching statistics problems in developmental toxicology while teaching a graduate course at the University of Warsaw in Poland.

Other university-sponsored faculty research this summer will be pursued in such disciplines as psychology, instructional technology, biology, history and physics.

Faculty often mentor students in summer research. Thirty students had projects accepted for the Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity program.

Among the research topics are:

• comparing the human experience in Cameroon, Africa, to Juniata Country, Pa.
• construction and characterization of a fiber-coupled laser
• impacts of cochlear implants
• implementing clothesline stories into skilled nursing facilities
• impact of international trade on rising income inequality

In addition to our very successful URSCA program, students also land opportunities through individual scholarship and research programs. Jocelyn Legere, a chemistry major, is one of them.

She will be working on a nanotechnology project at Yale University to see if carbon dioxide can be turned into useful products or even an energy source as part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program at Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. The summer program will also focus on graduate-level research and methods of professional research.

Research is just one way our students are adding to their resumes this summer.

Many others are tapping into their adventurous side through a variety of study abroad and field experiences, such as an archaeological dig in Ohio, exploring the rainforest in Nicaragua and immersing themselves in the cultures of Argentina, Cameroon, Chile and Spain.

It doesn’t end there. Summer is a prime time to undertake an internship, and we have plenty of Huskies out getting their first taste of the real world. Among the variety of placements include Seventeen Magazine, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, PPL Susuehanna, Geisinger Medical Center in Danville and Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy.

What do you have planned this summer? Tell us. Better yet, show us on your favorite social media network using #HuskySummer.

#CollaborativeLearning

A weekend of life-changing moments

This weekend will be a life-changing moment for so many Bloomsburg University students as they officially earn their college degrees, some becoming the first in their family to do so.

It’s also traditionally one of my most cherished moments each year.

Adding to the excitement of this weekend will be the special life-changing opportunity four of their former classmates may enjoy as well.

Eight years ago we took pride in seeing Jahri Evans, a perennial All-Pro offensive lineman for the New Orleans Saints, become the fifth and earliest Huskies football player ever drafted in the National Football League. We may see that number grow to a total of nine by the end of this weekend.

The 2014 NFL Draft will take place on Thursday, May 8, through Saturday, May 10. Television coverage begins Thursday at 8 p.m. on ESPN and the NFL Network. You can also follow our own coverage online!

Larry Webster, Matt Feiler, Brian Clarke and Harlon Hill Trophy winner Franklyn Quiteh have garnered plenty of NFL attention since the season ended in November, including an on-campus pro day this spring attended by 17 NFL team representatives at Danny Hale Field at Redman Stadium.

Webster, a defensive lineman, made national headlines in February for his impressive NFL Combine performance, coupled with his basketball resume. This combination, has made him an intriguing and popular “small school prospect” target among many draft analysts like ESPN’s Todd McShay.

Teammate Matt Feiler, an offensive lineman, joined Webster at the combine, giving Bloomsburg University two representatives among the nation’s best Division I football prospects, along the likes of Jadeveon Clowney, a defensive lineman and consensus No. 1 overall prospect, and Greg Robinson, the consensus No. 1 offensive line prospect.

Brian Clarke, an offensive lineman, and Quiteh, a running back, also drew some national spotlight after the season by playing in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. Feiler and Webster were invited to the East-West Shrine Game. Their efforts and hard work this winter and spring haven’t gone unnoticed. Just search each of their names on Twitter.

The wide-spread media attention brought on to these Huskies through television, newspapers, magazines and social networks is a great testament to them, their teammates and to the tremendous quality of our football program and coaching staff. In their own way, they have put Bloomsburg University on the map for a much greater audience.

Whether our four players hear their names called this weekend or are left to wait until next week for a free agent invite to a NFL summer training camp, they each have accomplished something special. As a true definition of student-athletes, these men have excelled on the playing field and three have already earned college degrees. That’s a life-changer in itself.

#BUClass2014

A great place to discover a new you

Many of our students share a common ingredient for success: a willingness to take on challenges. Brooke Shannon is one of these high-achieving Huskies among the Class of 2014 who will soon be walking across the stage at commencement.

Since coming to campus, this chemistry major from Harrisburg has not only forged a love for her academic discipline but has discovered a future in medicine. Bloomsburg prepares students for medical school.

Through our Accelerated Bloomsburg-PCOM Physician Preparation Program, students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry-Doctor of Osteopathy by spending either:

• three years at Bloomsburg University plus four years at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) 
• or four years at Bloomsburg plus four years at PCOM

It’s a great way to get a head start on graduate school, as well as limit the amount of medical school loans you may face with other traditional options. Brooke’s path to medical school has been facilitated by many of the advantages Bloomsburg University offers to all of its students, pre-med or not.

• Dedicated teacher-scholar faculty 
• Small student-to-faculty ratio which allow students to develop relationships that promote learning outside of the classroom 
• Hands-on experience with research that developed a sense of pride, responsibility and independence not achievable in the classroom alone

Although personal to Brooke, her story is not unique. Each graduating class has hundreds of Huskies who discover a new side of themselves during their time on campus, then take on the challenge to gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. Some of them follow a path to medical school similar to Brooke’s. Just ask Dr. Tracey Dechert ’88, who played an integral role in the emergency medical response last year at the Boston Marathon bombing.

Soon, we’ll confer nearly 1,600 undergraduate and graduate degrees. Each graduate has an individual story, but most share similarities with the journeys of Brooke and Tracey. Each story demonstrates how Bloomsburg enhances academic excellence while developing individuals to be contributing citizens.

#FutureHusky #BUClass2014

Matching majors with scholarships

Everyone has a story as to why they chose the major they did. Some stories are long, some are complex, others are comical and others straight-to-the-point.

For Adam Kulp, it’s personal.

Kulp is one of roughly 600 biology majors at Bloomsburg University. And he came to campus three years ago with a promise. Studying biology is Kulp’s first step toward making a difference in the life of his sister, who battles Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome, an incurable disease of the central nervous system. His goal is to someday treat or possibly cure his sister’s disease.

Kulp’s promise is supported by Bloomsburg University. He is among the hundreds of students annually who receive scholarships for tuition assistance, research stipend, conference travel or another academic venture. Kulp is a Biology and Allied Health Science Scholarship recipient.

As an institution, we understand the strong relationship between scholarships and students’ academic interests. Tying scholarship opportunities to specific academic programs and opportunities will contribute to our successes in retention, a term that describes efforts to welcome new students and ensure continuing students return and continue to graduation. It also helps with recruitment by using scholarships to help grow programs deemed high in quality and capacity.

New retention initiatives include:

• Calling continuing students who had not scheduled classes
• Calling continuing students who had fewer than eight credits scheduled
• Creating class schedules for transfer students as they were identified
• Compiling tracking reports that will guide future enrollment management efforts by providing a historic perspective

As a public institution, we take great pride in our ability to develop the potential of each student. We can attest to the success of our focused efforts on providing quality student services, retention programming efforts, and other means to prepare each student for graduation.

It is the Bloomsburg tradition. It is what has helped us become who we are and will allow us to remain a great choice for future students.

#FutureHusky

Putting Careers into Professional U

A recent survey by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA found that 84.7 percent of students attend college to obtain a well-paying career in a field they love. Bloomsburg University established Professional U to help our students reach this goal by enhancing their excellent academic preparation with practical experience. We are now building upon this initiative by bringing the Career Development Center, in addition to academic internships, into Alumni and Professional Engagement under the leadership of Lynda Michaels.

Professional U brings together students, talented alumni and organizational partners in a variety of fields to offer a distinct advantage for our students. In a relatively short time, Professional U has established a network of opportunities for our undergraduates, including career road trips, job shadowing and academic internships, while providing support and activities to customize experiential learning within each of the four colleges.

Likewise, our Career Development Center has earned a well-deserved reputation for helping students explore their interests, discover their potential, investigate their employment and graduate school options and prepare for their job search. Combining the Career Development Center’s tools and services with Professional U’s initiatives establishes opportunities for every student to have at least one career-related experience each year. Quite simply, it gives our students a head start on professional success.

I am pleased to announce this new collaboration and look forward to the outstanding career preparation, networking opportunities and professional experiences it will provide for our students.

#ProfessionalU

Developing energy-saving strategies on campus

A new kiosk has been constructed on campus as part of an energy project coordinated by faculty members Nathaniel Greene and Jeff Brunskill and assistant director of facilities management John Holtzman.

It was designed to educate the Bloomsburg University community about solar energy and the university’s energy consumption using Lucid Design Group’s Building Dashboard software.

The project aims to develop energy-saving strategies for the university.

Energy use in Hartline Science Center, Student Recreation Center, Nelson Field House, Columbia Residence Hall and Elwell Residence Hall are displayed. The kiosk and the data that it tracks and displays will be used by Bloomsburg students in energy- and environment-related courses and research students.

The data and trends revealed by the Building Dashboard software also will be used to develop strategies to reduce energy use.

#BUSustainability

IOM: One of a Kind

Each of Bloomsburg University's 54 undergraduate and 18 graduate programs are unique and special in their own way. And our audiology department’s Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IOM) path, a graduate training program in clinical neurophysiology led by Qing Yue, associate professor of audiology and speech pathology, may be the most unique.

It is the only program of its kind offered in the nation.

IOM involves the identification and monitoring of neurological structures during surgery to prevent injury/complications to the nervous system and provide surgical guidance. Students obtaining a doctorate in audiology specializing in IOM graduate with not only an academic understanding of IOM practices and technology but clinical application as well.

In medical centers across the country, IOM training is mostly done on the job. However, with a doctorate from BU, graduates enter the workforce fully prepared. As its own area of specialty within audiology, the IOM path has more than 10 graduate courses tailored to academic and clinical application of all IOM equipment used today. Students with backgrounds in biology, engineering or premed are encouraged to apply for the IOM program.

#FutureHusky

New leadership center comes to campus

BU’s new Center for Leadership and Engagement (CLE) focuses on leadership development, community engagement and student organizational support. At CLE, students gain knowledge of core leadership skill sets and enhance their co-curricular experiences through a three-level Leadership Certification Program, in which nearly 300 students are currently enrolled.

Level one includes educational workshops that focus on self-awareness, learning about others and leadership development and gets students involved in student clubs, organizations, leadership roles, athletics, arts, committees and service experiences.

In level two, students work on professional presentation and portfolio development, step up to get involved in additional student organizational events and service projects and choose to explore one of four specific leadership areas: organizational leadership, community engagement leadership, group leadership or social justice leadership.

Levels one and two can be completed sequentially or concurrently. Level three affords students the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in levels one and two through practical out-of-classroom initiatives. Workshop topics for both level one and two will be incorporated at the Husky Student Leadership Conference on Saturday, March 8.

#HuskyUnleashed

Economic Impact Study Commissioned

Bloomsburg University recently selected Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI), Moscow, Idaho, to conduct an economic impact study. The study will analyze our university's contribution to the regional economy through personal and institutional spending, directly and indirectly.

When BU’s economic impact was last studied in 2006 as part of a PASSHE-wide project, it showed the institution annually contributed more than $121 million to the local economy.

As Columbia County's largest employer, BU is also one of the region's major economic drivers, annually contributing more than $357 million statewide and is responsible for creating more than 4,100 jobs across the state and 1,400 jobs locally.

Spending by the university and its students, visitors, faculty and staff generated more than $148 million and indirect revenues for local individuals and businesses totaled nearly $209 million.

EMSI has conducted more than 1,300 comprehensive socioeconomic impact studies for two- and four-year colleges and universities since its founding in 2000, including a 2010 survey for Slippery Rock University.

#SenseOfCommunity

Celebrating 175 years of excellence

One hundred seventy-five years of outstanding educational opportunities. Certainly, a milestone to celebrate at a time when Twinkies have a shelf life of 45 days, a total knee replacement takes a surgeon 40 minutes to complete and the latest technology seems to become obsolete the moment it leaves the store.

Times were different when our predecessor, the Literary Academy, was established in 1839 “to teach the elements of a classical education.” That year in Lexington, Mass., an experimental normal school opened as the first state-funded institution in the nation specifically established for teacher education. Starting with just three students, the school in Massachusetts could be considered an early example of what our academy would become when it was purchased by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1916 and renamed the Bloomsburg State Normal School.

Our institution has grown over the ensuing decades with name changes to reflect its expanding mission, from state teachers college to state college and today’s Bloomsburg University. However, the values that form Bloomsburg’s foundation have remained: collaboration, community, critical thinking, diversity, excellence, integrity, knowledge, opportunity, respect and personal and professional growth. It was these values, aligned so well with my own, that attracted me to the Bloomsburg University presidency six years ago.

I am proud to be part of this special celebration as Bloomsburg University’s 18th president. I am even prouder of the successes of the nearly 85,000 alumni who graduated from our institution over the years and of the potential of our more than 10,000 current students.

Throughout 2014 we will celebrate our history and our future. Please join us!

• 175, online BU history game, January
• Bloomsburg University 175 calendar, January
• Special issue of Bloomsburg: The University Magazine featuring 175 Reasons to Celebrate Bloomsburg University, February Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Program with guest speaker Myrlie Evers-Williams, Feb. 25
• College of Liberal Arts’ Taste of the Arts, March 8
• Anniversary-related exhibits in Andruss Library, March and October
• Alumni Weekend, May 16 to 18
• Community movie nights on the Academic Quad, July
• Athletic Hall of Fame induction, Sept. 12
• Celebration of BU Athletics, Sept. 13
• Book release, updated BU history by Robert Dunkelberger, university archivist, fall
• Homecoming, Oct. 10 to 12
• President’s Gala, Oct. 11

#BU175