A weekly publication by Loras College students
Vol. 90, Issue 14
March 29, 2012
my lorian.com
Mind games The psychology department goes ... well, a little nuts, during Brain Awareness Week by SURya pandey features editor
Brains on tables, in boxes, and everywhere in between. The Loras Ballrooms turned into a brain symposium this past Sunday. Faculty and students in the Loras psychology department put together a one day event to educate children in the community about the importance of the brain. The event was Loras College’s recognition of international Brain Awareness Week (BAW), which is a global campaign to increase public awareness of the progress of brain research. BAW is a weeklong event in March that celebrates the brain through various events and activities for all age groups. As mentioned in the Dana Foundation website, “events are limited only by the organizers’ imaginations and include open days at neuroscience labs; exhibitions about the brain; lectures on brain-related topics; displays at libraries and community centers; classroom workshops; and more.” The event started with a welcome by Dr. Sarah Hankerson, professor of psychology at Loras, and organizer of the event. This was followed by an introduction to the brain led by a group of students in a Neuroscience course taught by Hankerson herself. Students that led the informative session included seniors Stephen Brandt, Surya Pandey and Joe Klauer, as well as junior Amanuel Hmariam. The audience was informed about various brain regions and their respective functions using an artificial brain model. They were also given the opportunity to observe preserved sheep and human brain. Both children and their parents were enthusiastic and engaged. “I know we all enjoyed the brain awareness event and we all left with some valuable information about the brain and how it works,” Jessica Deutsch, a parent and Carver Elementary Girl Scout Leader said. “My daughter was so excited about everything she learned. She couldn’t wait to tell everyone about the event. The Girl Scout troop would love to come again next year.” After a basic introduction to the brain, the kids participated in a series of activities that included constructing brain models out of Play-Doh while being quizzed about brain lobes and discussing brain health and safety. They also made neuron (brain cell) models out of pipe cleaners and styrofoam, while talking about communication within the brain. At the end, kids were handed out different books and stationary items related to the brain to take home with them. This was the fourth year Loras has been a part of the BAW events. In previous years, Loras took the celebration to the Dubuque community schools. This year, because of restructuring within the school system and at Loras, the event was run on campus. Due to the site re-location, participation was lower compared to previous years. “While we did have fewer children involved in BAW events this year, we still got to talk to over 50 children about brain anatomy and health,” Hankerson said. “This included children in outlying communities that normally, due to their location, would not get the benefit of BAW.”
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Junior Cody Wolter browses the shelves of the ARC for literary material.
photo by Rajendra Thakurathi
Booking the future
Library officials mull over changes to the ARC, including a 24-hour room Another goal is the ‘weeding of books.’ There are books that are no longer necessary for the collection. Meldrem Retooling of the Loras Academic Resource Center has be- said that there is not a sense in having “50 books about gun, and the underlying theme in the initial stages is rath- George Washington when you can have 15 good ones.” But that is not all. The student-centered mentality brings er simplistic. “Students first, faculty second,” said Deone Merkel, hospitality to the forefront of the plan. Merkel said she feels very strongly about the hospitaliCirculation Coordinator at the Library. That is the motto of the library and the guiding principle behind the Li- ty of the library.” “It should be the family room of the colbrary’s new ‘Strategic Plan.’ lege,” she said. The plan, which outlines the library’s poWith the theme of hospitality comes the tential goals for the next three years, includes Students first, idea of adding more study rooms, including a 24-hour room, an increased e-book colleca smart-board room. This type of room would tion, and more study rooms. faculty second. be used for students to create and practice The planning process began two years ago, according to Joyce Meldrem, the library’s diDeone Merkel their presentations. “There is a demand for that,” Merkel said. rector. But even after those two years the plan ARC circulation When the library closes for the evening, there is still in an exploratory phase with many coordinator will potentially be a space for students to use. questions still to be answered. But, plans are The plans explore the possibiliy of blocking off picking up in steam. space to make such a room. The space would be “All of us on staff were integral in the a hang-out area, as well as a formalized learning center. plan,” Merkel said. Because the project is still in the exploratory phase, ofThey started off with a focus group and then broke into small groups. But the process was slowed down because ficals do not feel comfortable talking about cost until more of staffing issues. So, one of the goals is to have a Col- data is provided. The data comes from an annual survey givlection Development Librarian. this person would analyze en during “Library Week.” By participating in the survey, data about the kind of books that are checked out and the students can take an active role in the process, because the individuals that are checking them out. Because there is data collected will be used to see where there is demand. no one currently in charge, the director ends up doing a lot However, the goal right now is to see how the library can best serve both students and teachers. of the work.
by NICK Sentovich staff writer
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27 students, faculty and staff members have been nominated for The Lorian ‘2012 Person of the Year’ award ... pages 10-11
photo by Jon Denham
Reflecting on Haiti ... page 2