Meet the President - Rockhurst University
Meet the President - Rockhurst University
Meet the President - Rockhurst University
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4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4Faculty Offer Fun Physics RefresherEvery summer, elementary and middle schoolteachers from districts all over Missouri cometo <strong>Rockhurst</strong> to ride hovercraft down hallways,swing bowling balls at <strong>the</strong>ir noses (no, <strong>the</strong>ynever get hit) and play with motion detectors. It maysound like just fun and games, but it’s all in <strong>the</strong> nameof learning.The activities are part of <strong>the</strong> Constructing and Understandingof Physics summer workshops taught by <strong>Rockhurst</strong>physics professors Bob Hegarty, Ph.D., and NancyDonaldson, Ph.D. Because physics can sometimes bedaunting to learn, it can be especially daunting to teach.“Often <strong>the</strong>se teachers know <strong>the</strong>y don’t know as muchphysics as <strong>the</strong>y should,” Hegarty says. “We help <strong>the</strong>mmake sure <strong>the</strong>ir knowledge is up to par.”And if you think physics is all equations and formulas,think again.“We don’t just stand <strong>the</strong>re and lecture,” Donaldsonsays. “It’s very hands-on and materials-intensive,” hence<strong>the</strong> hovercraft for studying force, motion and gravity.“The teachers are put in <strong>the</strong> position of becoming <strong>the</strong>student. If <strong>the</strong>y get excited, <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong>y’ll get <strong>the</strong>ir studentsexcited,” she says.But this year, Hegarty and Donaldson are <strong>the</strong> oneswho are most excited. They were awarded a three-year,$337,000 Improving Teacher Quality Grant by <strong>the</strong> MissouriDepartment of Higher Education for <strong>the</strong> workshops.Though <strong>the</strong>y’ve had funding for nearly 10 years, this is<strong>the</strong> first three-year grant, which reflects not only <strong>the</strong> outstandingquality of <strong>the</strong> program but also <strong>the</strong> accomplishmentof exceeding expectations in years past.“We’re thrilled,” Donaldson says. “This grant helps establish<strong>Rockhurst</strong> <strong>University</strong> as a center of science education.”There’s No Place Like HomeBean bags or classroomfurniture?When it comes tospiritual discussions andpersonal reflection, can youguess which option collegestudents prefer? Thanks to<strong>Rockhurst</strong>’s new CampusMinistry House, studentsare feeling much more athome discussing deeplypersonal topics from <strong>the</strong>comfort of a couch or overa pizza among friends.Located at 5134 ForestAve., <strong>the</strong> house is a perfectlocation for student organizationmeetings and prayergroups, especially <strong>the</strong><strong>University</strong>’s popular newChristian Life Communities.These small, student-ledgroups meet weekly forscripture, reflection, discussionand prayer.Purchased from <strong>the</strong>Jesuit Community late lastyear, <strong>the</strong> house feels likeno o<strong>the</strong>r place on campus.Its home-like atmosphere,bean bags and floor pillowshave proven an invitingaccompaniment to <strong>the</strong>spiritual discussions andpersonal reflection thattake place <strong>the</strong>re.“The new campus ministryhouse is a place wherewe can feel comfortablesharing,” says sophomoreJessica Wagner. “The houseis rapidly becoming a placefor us to minister to o<strong>the</strong>rsand ourselves.”Students feel right at home in <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>’s new CampusMinistry House, a perfect location for student meetings andprayer groups.<strong>Rockhurst</strong>4spring 2006