COLUMN: Educators unite in excellence
Just in case you haven’t noticed the large, yellow school bus in the middle of the sidewalk on your way to the Taggart Student Center, it’s Education Week. “United in Excellence” is the theme for Education Week 2003. The College of Education has experienced a few changes this year, but despite these changes, it continues to be united.
Among the changes is the name; it is now the College of Education and Human Services. The new name encompasses more departments and diverse programs within the college, such as, psychology, instructional technology, audiology, speech language pathology, rehabilitation counseling, recreation and health. These programs now have better representation within the “Human Services” section.
Another change is related to the disbandment of the College of Family Life. Many programs that were offered in the College of Family Life are now compiled into a new department within the College of Education and Human Services known as Family Consumer Human Development (FCHD).
FCHD and the seven other departments within the college contribute exceptional research, dedicated professors, and quality students, which is why Utah State University has the highest ranked College of Education in the state. Not only is our education program the best in Utah, but out of the nation’s 1,150 educational programs at U.S. colleges and universities, US News & World Report also rank it among the top 50 colleges. However, only 50 exclusive educational programs are recognized and ranked.
The Edith Bowen Laboratory School has also brought a new change to the college. A generous grant from the Eccles Jones Foundation made the construction of the lab-school’s additions possible. The new building will implement a tremendous technological advancement as well as an early childhood program. Completion of phase two is projected for the fall of 2004.
Join the college as we celebrate its united excellence. The remaining week’s activities are: Wednesday: Faculty/Student Pie-Eating Contest from noon to 1 p.m. in the TSC Sunburst Lounge; assembling school kits for Peru at 5 p.m. in the Eccles Jones Education Building; Quick Wits is coming at 7 p.m. in the Sunburst Lounge; Thursday: sign language workshop in the Sunburst Lounge, sponsored by the communications disorders deptartment; the annual Guitars Unplugged concert at 7 p.m. in the TSC Ballroom, $3. Friday: Peanut Butter and Jelly Mingle from noon to 1 p.m. in the Education Building Atrium, the Coloring/Poetry/Writing Contest winners will be announced; Men’s Basketball vs. Global Sports at 7:05 p.m. in the Spectrum. Saturday: Intramural Turkey Trot at 9:30 a.m. Participate in a four-mile, two-mile or one-mile run/walk. Meet in the HPER, Room 126; there is a $5 entry fee. Bring canned food for the Cache Valley food bank; winners receive a turkey.
I feel privileged to associate with students and faculty who exhibit incredible insight and a passion for learning. It is an honor to be a student within the College of Education and Human Services at Utah State University. It is truly a college “United in Excellence.”
Jennifer Minchey is the ASUSU education senator. Comments can be sent to ashs@cc.usu.edu.