Lafayette Online

Panel to discuss 10th anniversary of 9/11 at Purdue

Carolyn Shelby — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 01:58:21 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A panel discussion on how and why the nation and world have changed since 9/11 will be presented on September 13 at Purdue University.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is at 7:30pm in Wetherill Hall, Room 172.

The panelists are:

Berenice Carroll, professor emerita of political science and former director of Women’s Studies.
Harry Targ, panel coordinator and professor of political science
Jacob Hernandez, president of Amnesty International at Purdue.
Justin Mueller, a doctoral student in political theory, will moderate the panel discussion.

The event will begin with a short video prepared by the September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, an organization of family members of those killed on 9/11 that oppose wars of retribution and advocates nonviolent options.

Some of the topics that will be discussed by the panel will include how 9/11 has affected the economy, workers, women, civil liberties, human rights, foreign policy, and war and peace. Audience members also are encouraged to participate in the discussion.

The event is organized by Purdue’s Committee on Peace Studies, and co-sponsored by Lafayette Area Peace Coalition, the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church in West Lafayette, the Lafayette Friends Meeting, and Amnesty International at Purdue.

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Purdue kicker Wiggs named SI.com Preseason All-American

Carolyn Shelby — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 23:44:58 +0000

Sports Illustrated says Purdue kicker Carson Wiggs might have the strongest leg in the country. (Photo: Chuck Rydlewski/Icon SMI)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue kicker Carson Wiggs has been named a first team preseason All-American by SportsIllustrated.com. The senior from Grand Prairie, Texas, owns the four longest field goals in school history (59, 55, 53 and 52 yards), has the highest career field goal percentage ever at Purdue (.715, 37 for 51) and has converted 80 percent of his attempts inside 50 yards.

At Purdue’s annual Black and Gold spring game last April, Wiggs hit a 67-yard field goal which would have tied the Football Bowl Subdivision record shared by Russell Erxleben of Texas (vs. Rice, 1977), Steve Little of Arkansas (vs. Texas, 1977) and Joe Williams of Wichita State (vs. Southern Illinois, 1978).

Wiggs and the Boilermakers open the 2011 college football season this Saturday when Middle Tennessee visits Ross-Ade Stadium. Kick-off is set for noon and the game will be shown live on the Big Ten Network.

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150 tickets to Big Ten Football Championship Game available to John Purdue Club members

Carolyn Shelby — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 23:21:57 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Although general public tickets for the inaugural Big Ten Football Championship Game are sold out, each conference school will receive 150 tickets (100 priced at $125 and 50 priced at $175) to sell.

The Purdue Athletic Ticket Office is taking requests from interested John Purdue Club members through November 1, 2011 and tickets will be allocated based on JPC priority points.

In addition, a limited number of premium packages are available for $1,000 from the Indiana Sports Corp.

The packages include:

Game Ticket (best seats)
Ticket to the Big Ten Conference Awards Gala
Ticket to the Big Ten/FOX Sports Fan Festival
Ticket to the VIP Pregame Hospitality in the Indiana Convention Center
VIP access to Lucas Oil Stadium from the Convention Center
Commemorative Gift
VIP Parking (one pass for every four VIP tickets purchased)

Fans interested in the premium packages should email the Indiana Sports Corp.

The 20,000 general public tickets were sold within two hours when they went on the sale July 30. The remaining tickets for the game are being allocated as follows: 30,000 to the participating teams (15,000 apiece) and 18,000 for the Big Ten, sponsors and Indianapolis Colts season-ticket holders.

The Big Ten Football Championship Game will be played Saturday, December 3, 2011 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Kickoff is set for 8:17pm Eastern Time.

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Greater Lafayette Senior Fair Committee seeks nominations for Spirit of Jane Award

Carolyn Shelby — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:46:23 +0000

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Greater Lafayette Senior Fair Committee is asking for nominations for the 3rd annual “Spirit of Jane Award”, to be awarded this fall at the Greater Lafayette Senior Fair on Wednesday, October 5, 2011.

The award honors Jane L. Shuck, who lost her battle with lung cancer in 2009. She was a founding member of the Greater Lafayette Senior Fair and a long-time employee at Rosewalk Commons in Lafayette. She had an amazing zest for life and people, and took her caring, fun-loving spirit out into the community to advocate and plan many great activities for the senior population.

The winner will receive a plaque and $50 restaurant gift certificate…to celebrate the honor just as Jane would have done… she loved to eat out!

The Greater Lafayette Senior Fair Committee is looking for an individual who meets the following criteria:

Age 55 by October 1, 2011
Passionate about life and people
Always interested in others well-being; looking for ways to help family, friends & neighbors
Positive attitude – ability to bring joy to others
Volunteer-oriented (Community Involvement)

The deadline for nominations is September 16, 2011.

One-page summary nominations highlighting the criteria above should be mailed to:

Greater Lafayette Senior Fair
P.O. Box 4533
Lafayette, IN 47903-4533

For more information, contact Anita Bowen at Area IV Agency on Aging and Community Action Programs at (765)447-7683/(800)382-7556 or info@areaivagency.org.

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New features added to Purdue iPhone, iPad apps

Carolyn Shelby — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:28:28 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University has updated its app for Apple iPhone and iPads to make it easier for students to view dining court menus or catch a bus.

Martin Sickafoose, director of online marketing, said when developing the updated version, the team looked at how the app could be most useful.

“We received feedback from students and tried to incorporate many of the things they wanted to see,” Sickafoose said. “For example, the CityBus feature will allow them to plan out their day more efficiently.”

The newest features include:

Real-time tracker of buses and schedules
Information regarding the capacity of computer labs
Menus for the dining courts
Easy access to MyMail
Access to the Purdue directory
Photos of various campus events
Safety updates and tips

The app also includes previous features that include campus news, maps, tours of Purdue landmarks and more.

The Purdue app is free and is available through the Apple Store at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/purdue/id371741254?mt=8

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Purdue’s LCC events celebrate Latino Heritage Month

Carolyn Shelby — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:50:27 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University’s Latino Cultural Center will observe Latino Heritage Month from September 15th through October 12th, 2011 with several events surrounding the theme of “The African Presence in the Americas.”

The events are part of national Hispanic Heritage Month, which was established in 1968. In fall 2010, there were 1,184 Latino students enrolled at Purdue.

“Every year the Latino Cultural Center uses Latino Heritage Month to highlight a certain aspect of Latino cultures,” said Maricela Alvarado, LCC director. “This year, the LCC will be highlighting the Afro-Latino diaspora through its programs. Latin American countries have had a long history connecting with Africa and the migrations of African people and culture. The U.S. has an ingrained and rich African and Latin American history. On college campuses, it’s common for Latino and black student organizations to work together and learn from one another.”

Scheduled events include:

Thursday, Sept. 15. Latino Heritage Month begins with the LCC Open House. The center will welcome new and returning students and faculty and staff to campus. Guest speaker will be Joseph C. Dorsey, associate professor of history and African American Studies. Also featured will be a step/stroll demonstration by the Multicultural Greek and National Pan-Hellenic Greek Councils.
Place: Latino Cultural Center, 600 N. Russell St., West Lafayette.
Time: 4:00p-6:00p

“The unity of Latino and black student organizations is sometimes demonstrated through dance, particularly through stepping,” Alvarado said. “Stepping is based in traditional African storytelling through song and dance. Popularized by historically African-American fraternities, stepping has progressed into a competitive event and is now part of popular culture. Latino Greek organizations joined this tradition in the late ’70s, incorporating salsa, merengue and other Latin rhythms. These traditions and practices are wonderful expressions of the fusion of cultures.”
Saturday, Sept. 17. Orgullo de Purdue. Tailgate activities before the Southeast Missouri State-Purdue football game hosted by the LCC. Cost is $25 and includes game ticket, T-shirt and tailgating activities at the LCC. To order tickets, call 765-494-9476.
Place: Latino Cultural Center, 600 N. Russell St., West Lafayette.
Time: 10:00am-Noon
Tuesday, Sept. 20. Joe Cortez, a boxing official and Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, will give the annual Latino Heritage Month keynote lecture in Stewart Center’s Fowler Hall. Cortez has officiated Oscar De La Hoya, Julio Cesar Chavez, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, George Foreman and Lennox Lewis, among others. He is well known for saying, “I’m fair but firm,” to both boxers before a match.
Place: Stewart Center, Fowler Hall
Time: 6:00pm
Friday, Sept. 23. Delta Phi Mu Latino Heritage Show. The 12th annual show by Purdue’s first Latina-based sorority will showcase Latino/a culture with talent from across campus and the surrounding area.
Place: Stewart Center, Fowler Hall
Time: 7:00pm
Tuesday, Sept. 27. The Multicultural Efforts to end Sexual Assault and the LCC will present “Abrazando Nuestra Esperanza: Using art in the healing and prevention of sexual violence against Latinas” in Yue-Kong Pao Hall. An arts-based activity will explore violence experienced by Latina women and focus on creating images of healthy relationships. Art creations will be displayed at the LCC through October.
Place: Yue-Kong Pao Hall
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Thursday, Oct. 12. Black in Latin America, Mexico and Peru: The Black Grandma in the Closet.” In this Public Broadcasting Service program, professor Henry Louis Gates explores the nearly unknown history of the significant number of black people brought to Mexico and Peru as early as the 16th century. The two countries together received far more slaves than did the United States. Dorsey will facilitate the discussion.
Place:Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering
Time: 6:00pm
Saturday, Oct. 13. Presented by Purdue’s Black Cultural Center, “Platanos and Collard Greens” is a comedy about two college students, a Latina and an African-American, who fall in love. Their families are forced to confront and overcome biases while the couple defends their bond to family and friends.
Place:Stewart Center, Fowler Hall
Time: 8:00pm

For more information about Latino Heritage Month events, visit http://www.purdue.edu/lcc

The Latino Cultural Center was established in 2003 as Purdue’s first center for Hispanic and Latino culture. The organization is a gathering place where people of similar cultures and backgrounds can come together to share events in the university community.

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Latino Cultural Center assists local nonprofit in annual dinner to fund local scholarships

Carolyn Shelby — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:21:52 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University’s Latino Cultural Center is partnering with Tippecanoe-based nonprofit organization, United Businesses Serving the Community, to host its fourth annual dinner and dance on September 24, 2011 at the Purdue Memorial Union North Ballroom in West Lafayette.

Proceeds from the event will be distributed as scholarships to local high school graduates for college education. Last year the event benefited five students who are now attending Purdue University, Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana University and Danville Community College, said Maricela Alvarado, LCC director.

“This year’s theme is ‘Honor Our Diverse Cultures and Histories,’ ” Alvarado said. “Our focus and purpose is to honor our differences and make our communities a better place to live and grow.”

Isaac Rivera, director of process research and development at Evonik Industries, will be the keynote speaker.

United Businesses Serving the Community’s (USBC) purpose is to enhance the involvement of the local Latino population in the social, economic, cultural, educational and religious life in and around Tippecanoe County.

“This event provides an opportunity to network with local business owners, nonprofit groups, political figures, campus and community leaders and students,” said Tony Del Real, USBC president.

The event, which is from 6:00pm to midnight, will also feature a silent auction and cash bar.

Tickets are $50 per person pre-sale by Sept. 9 and can be obtained by mailing the payment to:

UBSC
P.O. Box 4832
Lafayette, Ind. 47903

After Sept. 9, tickets are $65.

Sponsorships, at six levels, are still available for the event. For more information about sponsorships, contact the LCC, 765-494-2530 or alvaradm@purdue.edu.

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Luke Bryan to perform at Purdue during Homecoming weekend

Carolyn Shelby — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 23:00:38 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — CMT on Tour: Luke Bryan Tailgates & Tanlines – with special guests Lee Brice, Josh Thompson and Matt Mason – will perform at 8:00pm on October 21st at Purdue University’s Elliott Hall of Music. This performance is presented by Purdue Convocations and the Purdue Student Concert Committee.

Bryan’s tour is set to kick off in September with approximately 25 shows to support his third studio album for Capitol Records Nashville, “Tailgates & Tanlines,” which was released on Aug. 9 and is currently the No. 1 country album.

CMT on Tour: Luke Bryan Tailgates & Tanlines - with special guests Lee Brice, Josh Thompson and Matt Mason - will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 21 at Purdue University's Elliott Hall of Music.

“It’s all about having fun on stage with the band and giving our fans a night of entertainment,” Bryan says. “I certainly am following in good footsteps of the other artists who have had the opportunity to headline a CMT tour. I’m really anxious to get started.”

The singer-songwriter’s latest release includes his hit “Country Girl (Shake It For Me),” which he co-wrote. Following his 2010 award-winning year, Bryan was recently nominated for two 2011 CMT Music Awards: Best Web Video of the Year for “It’s A Shore Thing” and Nationwide Insurance’s Best New Live Act. Bryan has toured with Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean and most recently Tim McGraw. While Bryan has made a name for himself on the road, he also has established a name as a hit songwriter with three back-to-back co-written No. 1 singles: “Do I,” “Rain Is A Good Thing” and “Someone Else Calling You Baby.”

Three-time ACM nominee Lee Brice released his debut album, “Love Like Crazy,” on Curb Records in June 2010. The title track reached the top five on the charts and was named Billboard’s No. 1 country song of 2010. It currently holds the record for the longest-charting song in the history of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. The song is nominated for CMT Music Awards’ USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year. Brice also is known for his songwriting, penning hits for many artists, including Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw. Brice is out on the road this summer on the Country Throwdown Tour alongside Willie Nelson, Randy Houser and Jamey Johnson.

Columbia Nashville recording artist Josh Thompson stormed onto the country scene with the album “Way Out Here,” debuting in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart and earning praise from critics, including NPR’s “Fresh Air,” Billboard and People. Thompson wrote or co-wrote all 10 tracks on the album including his current single, “Won’t Be Lonely Long,” which follows previous hits “Way Out Here” and “Beer On The Table.” The blue-collar road warrior played more than 240 shows last year ranging from headlining club dates to sold-out arenas with Brad Paisley. He is currently nominated for this year’s CMT Video Music Awards as best new live act.

Since the Purdue show coincides with the university’s Homecoming weekend, those attending should allow for additional travel time due to road closures for the Homecoming parade. Vehicles will be rerouted to accommodate traffic flow. See http://www.convocations.org for additional parking information.

TICKET INFORMATION:

General public, $36.50 and students, $32.50; prices include a facilities fee (limit of six tickets per person).

Friends of Convocations can order tickets in advance beginning Aug. 29 through Sept. 2 at noon. Call 765-494-9712 for more details.

Tickets go on sale to Purdue and Ivy Tech Lafayette students and Purdue faculty, staff and retirees with a current identification card at 10:00am Sept. 9 at the Elliott Hall of Music and Stewart Center box offices or at 765-494-3933.

Tickets for the general public go on sale at 10:00am Sept. 10 through ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Group tickets are available to groups of 15 or more; call 765-496-1977 for more information.

Additional reminders regarding the campus ticket sales:

Ticket sales are first come at the ticket window, not at the venue door.
No lines will be formed inside either Stewart Center or Elliott Hall of Music’s lower lobby until the buildings open the morning of Sept. 9. Stewart Center opens at 5:15 a.m. and Elliott Hall of Music opens at 7 a.m.
Blocking ingress or egress to a building, sidewalk or street is not permitted.
It is not permitted to camp outside a building, including using or bringing chairs, tents, sleeping bags, etc. For additional information, please refer to the facilities use policy at http://www.purdue.edu/policies/pages/facilities_lands/i_4_1.html

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Greater Lafayette youth with disabilities invited to participate in physical activity program

Carolyn Shelby — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 22:45:42 +0000

The PETE's PALs (Physical Education Teacher Educators Supporting Physical Activity and Life Skills) program is an aquatic and motor program offered for children with disabilities. The program is designed to help the participating children become efficient movers in a fun and safe environment. Each child in the program is assigned a trained clinician who will work one on one for the two hour gym and swim program.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -– Beginning October 12th, Pete’s Pals will host a five-week swimming program for youth with disabilities.

Pete’s Pals is a Purdue University-based program that focuses on physical activity and aquatics for youth with disabilities. Those ages 3-18 can work individually with a university student clinician to improve physical fitness, swimming, and water safety. Each child’s program is designed to fit his or her needs.

The program is now accepting applications for both Purdue students who want to volunteer and youth who are interested in the program.
The cost is $30 per child. All sessions meet 6-8 p.m. each Wednesday from Oct. 12 to Nov. 9 at Faith Community Center in Lafayette.

Applications are available at http://purdue.edu/hhs/hk/petespals/. For more information or to register, contact K. Andrew Richards at karichar@purdue.edu.

Pete’s Pals is sponsored by the Department of Health and Kinesiology and coordinated with Faith Community Center.

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To make friends, new college students should go offline from Facebook, email

Carolyn Shelby — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 18:46:22 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — While it is tempting for new college students to stay connected with high school friends through Facebook or email, a communication expert encourages them to take time to mute their phones, close their laptops and meet people the old-fashioned way: face to face.

“College students should take advantage of conversational time around them as they wait for a class, walk around campus or sit outside to eat a snack,” says Glenn Sparks, a Purdue University professor of communication who studies how mass media affect people’s relationships. “Keeping in touch with family and friends back home is important, but it can take students away from interacting with those in their immediate environment.

"It can be tempting, and sometimes easier, to spend free time glancing at Facebook or responding to text messages, but when other people are present, students should turn off their phones and get to know those around them."

“It can be tempting, and sometimes easier, to spend free time glancing at Facebook or responding to text messages, but when other people are present, students should turn off their phones and get to know those around them.”

If students don’t make friends or create a support system on campus, they may find themselves alone and isolated, and that could impact their academic performance and overall emotional health, Sparks says.

“The friendships made at college today are more important than ever, because people move around a lot or spend more isolated time watching television even though strong, quality friendships are essential to our well-being,” says Sparks, who has studied the long-term friendships of college graduates. “If students are distracted by relationships through technology, they may be missing a great opportunity to create lifelong bonds that are key to our emotional health.”

Sparks, who is co-author of “Refrigerator Rights,” a book that explores the challenges of forging close relationships in the age of new media, believes technology is one reason that many Americans are lacking close, quality friendships.

Some research on Facebook use shows that the social site can be beneficial in providing people a sense of well-being and staying connected with others, but Sparks says that the technology can cut both ways and that the key is moderation.

“Research also shows that some people who consistently check Facebook or email simply may be looking for an information hit, and this kind of routinized behavior can produce feelings of dissatisfaction and sadness – especially when no new information is forthcoming,” he says.

Video games, instant messaging and television shows also can be distracting and take students away from creating in-person friendships. Sparks also says that when getting to know new people, it’s better to meet them for a meal, go for a walk or just sit and talk instead of messaging on Facebook, watching television or playing video games together.

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