BU Campus Beat

Semester Wind Down

2006-12-03T06:55:00.000-08:00

This semester's BuBeat blog has been an exciting adventure. Being able to inform students, faculty, staff, alumni and prospective students has be great! Over the semester we've published many blogs about activities on and off campus. These have included study abroad opportunities, RSO happenings and events held at Bellarmine. We hope you enjoyed our weekly postings and we hope you continue to read the next BuBeat blogger's entries! Have a great break!

2006 December Graduation

2006-12-03T06:40:00.000-08:00

Graduation can be an exciting time for students. Embarking on the real world allows for great career opportunities and an exciting adventure. More than 230 students will experience this in just a few weeks.

Bellarmine will have commencement on December 20th for its 2006 December graduates. The university will award more than 235 diplomas. The ceremony wil begin at 5 p.m. in Knights Hall. Helen Prejean will deliever the commencement address.

Bellarmine will award 27 doctorates, 121 master's degrees, and 90 undergraduate degrees. Other awards include the Archbishop's Medal of Scholastic Excellence which is awarded to the graduates haveing the highest cumulative grade point average.

How do you spend the holidays?

2006-12-03T06:35:00.000-08:00

After protesters rallied outside of a Sacramento Wal-Mart, the retailer decided to change the usual “Happy Holidays” slogan used by employees. Wal-Mart is now encouraging all employees to greet customers with their choice of holiday cheer. This change in holiday tradition allows employees to express their religious and holiday celebrations. All people celebrate the holidays in their own special way and Wal-Mart is attempting to acknowledge this. According to Aledda Jackson, freshmen economics major, “I think the change in Wal-Mart's policy allows for equal treatment of all religions. Now people who celebrate holidays such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa will be recognized.”

Students on campus are excited about the holidays and sharing the special time with their family. LaShayna Thomas, junior business major, says “for my family Christmas is the only time my family gets to see each other since we're always separated. We spend the time enjoying each other's company, eating, and catching up. We also celebrate Christmas by not only giving, but by celebrating the true reason for the season, the birth of Christ.” According to McKenzie Cox, sophomore history major, “we all go to my Grandma's house on Christmas Eve and eat dinner then spend the night and wake up the next morning at the crack of dawn, open presents and eat breakfast.” In the end, if you greet friends with “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Hanukkah,” it doesn't matter. The season is about giving, being with family, and remembering “your” true meaning of the holidays.

The Guatemala Group

2006-12-02T10:23:00.000-08:00

Each year, a select group of Bellarmine students are chosen to participate in a spring break trip to Guatemala. This is not a typical spring break trip; it is not about having fun, relaxing, or partying. This trip is about service, it is a chance for students to broaden their world view, to see first hand what the term “third world country” means and what life there is like. It is a chance to try and effect change, even if only within yourself.

This year thirty-five students, led by Bob and Dotti Lockhart, will travel to Guatemala where they will work in a community by building, repairing, painting, distributing food and clothing, and getting to know the people of the community. The group, though Bellarmine associated, will travel and work under Hearts In Motion (H.I.M.). H.I.M. is an organization that has worked to provide care and medical treatment for communities, and opportunities for individuals to participate in mission experiences throughout Guatemala for more than ten years. However, this does not men that H.I.M. covers the cost of the trip for participants, as travel, transportation, and lodging for the ten day experience will cost about $1500 dollars per person.

Since this is a service learning experience though, participants are not asked to pay the cost themselves, but rather to raise it. This year, each group member is asked to raise about $850 each by themselves and then the remainder by participating in group fundraisers. The individual funds will be raised by sending letters to family and friends, and the group funds raised through events held at and around Bellarmine.

Right now, the group is collecting donations of clothes, toys, furniture, books, and knick-knacks for their annual garage sale. This is their biggest fundraiser, and always promises an abundance of good deals for Bellarmine students and community members alike. This year the sale will be held in Frazier Hall on January 27, from 6:00am until about 1:00pm. If you can’t make it to the yard sale, make an effort to contribute to attend one of their other events next semester. If you are too busy to attend an event, find a group member and give them a donation – every bit helps. More than that though, it lets the group, and the university, know that the Bellarmine community supports the group, the trip, and all that they represent.

17th Annual Rally to Demand Closure of the School of the Americas

2006-11-14T20:10:00.000-08:00

This weekend Bellarmine students and residents throughout the Louisville community will join thousands from across the nation at Fort Benning, Georgia to demand a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy in the form of the closure of the controversial School of the Americas (SOA).

The SOA, now called the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, made headlines in 1996 when the Pentagon released training manuals used at the school that advocated torture and execution. There have also been hundreds of cases of documented human rights abuses connected to soldiers trained at the school. Yet, no independent investigation into the facility has ever taken place.

New research confirms that the school continues to support known human rights abusers. For example Col. Francisco del Cid Diaz was allowed to return to SOA in 2003 for further training despite having been investigated by the United Nations for ordering the shooting of 16 indigenous peasants in El Salvador after his initial session at the base.

“This school is responsible for training militaries that then use the techniques they learned against their civilian populations,” says Nancy Jakubiak, a grandmother in Louisville, Kentucky, who has been protesting for years at Fort Benning. "Closing the SOA would send a strong human rights message to Latin America and the world."

There is hope for this mission too, as support for the SOA continues to erode, and even transform into opposition. Earlier this year, the governments of Argentina and Uruguay announced that they would cease all training at the school, becoming the second and third countries to announce a cessation of training, following the 2004 announcement of Hugo Chavez that Venezuela would no longer send troops to train at the school. Last year over 19,000 people gathered for the annual protest, creating the largest demonstration to date in the 16 year history of the protest. According to coordinators, this year’s protest has the potential to break that record yet again, as more and more people become aware of the situation in Fort Benning every year.

Huber's Family Farm and Restaurant

2006-11-14T19:57:00.000-08:00

Huber's Family Farm and Restaruant is a very familiar attraction to Kentucky and Indiana residents. The farm is located in Starlight, Indiana and is about 45 minutes away from Bellarmine. The farm features many cool things to do. During the summer hours you can pick strawberries and apples. During the fall and winter season you can pick pumpkins and cut down your own Christmas tree!

The farm offers a full service restaurant that features tasty home cookin'! Items for lunch include: country fried chicken, Huber honey ham, fried biscuits with apple butter, homestyle vegetables, chicken & dumplings, and homemade fruit cobblers. You can also enjoy wine made in Huber's own winery.

Other attractions at the farm include:
Volleyball
Basketball
Tug of War
Horseshoes
Fishing
Golf Chipping
Paint Ball Shooting
Guided tractor and wagon rides
Feed the Fish and Ducks
Bon-Fires
Mini Farm...
Tractor
Garden
Windmill
Barn
Playground
Fly a Kite
Little Farmer Country Motor-cross
The Amazing Maze through the corn field

The costs of the different events vary.

If interested in visiting Huber's please call: 1-877- Joe- Hubers

BSU Bowling Night

2006-11-14T19:44:00.000-08:00

The Black Student Union is a student run organization which promotes the unity of black students and diversity on campus. The organization hopes to bring miniorities together and create unity between all races. BSU held a free bowling event on Friday, November 10th. The event gathered over 20 minority students and supporters of minority organizations. The president of BSU, Alecia Prince, hosted the event. The bowling night was the first event for the newly declared RSO and turned out to be a big success.

Before the bowling event held at Rose Bowl, many students gathered at Dr. Milton Brown's house to discuss important issues about campus and treatment of miniorities. Many students and staff attended the event and hope to continue to host events such as these.

If interested in joining the Black Student Union please contact Alecia Prince for more information.

International Education Week

2006-11-08T15:35:00.000-08:00

Next week promises to be an international affair, or rather several, as BU observes International Education Week. Each year, Bellarmine hosts a wide array of speakers and activities with international ties in observance of International Education Week (once called Heritage Week), and this year will be no exception.

On Monday, FLOW and the International Club will present the “Flow in Different Area Codes” show. This showcase will present several different types of dance from all over the world, to be performed by Bellarmine’s own FLOW performers. The show will start at 8:30pm in Frazier Hall, but there will be various, internationally themed appetizers prior to the show, beginning at 8:00pm. Tickets for the event are $5, and can be purchased from any member of FLOW.

There are a variety of things happening on Tuesday, especially during free period. From 11:00 – 12:00 there will be tables in the café for Just Creations, the Guatemala Group, and the International Club. A representative from Just Creations, a Louisville based store that promotes Fair Trade, will have an area set up in the café to talk to any interested students about how Fair Trade works, who it benefits, and also what Just Creations does, and what they sell. The Guatemala Group will be selling Guatemalan crafts and coffee in an effort to raise money for this year’s trip. The International Club will be attempting to entice students away from café fare, selling a delectable assortment of Kizito cookies and muffins. Then, Tuesday evening the International Club will be hosting an internationally themed Jeopardy game at 8:00pm in the Anniversary classroom.

Wednesday there will be a pizza and Profs study abroad session in Miles Hall. This presentation and discussion session will focus on summer courses abroad being taught by BU professors. Various professors will be on hand to talk about their upcoming international courses and answer questions from students. There will also be free pizza for those who attend. Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm the International Club will host Movie Night in the small science theater in Pasteur – movie TBA.

Thursday will see the return of Guatemalan goods and Kizito cookies to the café, and more activities from BAC to come.

Then, to wrap up the week on Friday the International Club is planning an ‘International Night Out’. The club will be gathering people to go to the African restaurant Queen of Sheba for dinner at 7:00pm. Each individual is responsible for buying their own dinner, but the portions at this particular restaurant are generally generous enough to split. It promises to be an evening of fun, friends, and really good food!

So there will be plenty to do next week, and plenty of opportunities to learn about, and even experience, a new culture. Take advantage of these opportunities and expand your horizons without having to go out of your way.

Festival of Faiths

2006-11-07T08:38:00.000-08:00

Saving a Dying Planet: A Call to Action

What: Festival of Faiths
When: November 9-11,
Cost: Free

The Center for Interfaith Relations, (CIR) is a non-profit, interfaith organization whose mission is to promote and support interreligious understanding, cooperation,
and action. The CIR is sponsoring the Festival of Faiths, which is an annaul event, being held in Louisville November 9th through the 11th. "Death and Transformation" is this years headline. The ecological symposium, a conference relating to the interrelationships of organisms and their environment this festivals main event, will be held in the Cathedral of Assumption, on Saturday November 11th. I urge everyone to attend.

For more information, on festival of faith, or to learn more about CIR, please visit www.cathedralheritage.org
or call the Center for Interfaith Relations at 502-583-3100.

Helpful Holdiay Shopping

2006-11-01T17:42:00.000-08:00

KRM Holiday Shopping Night @ Just Creations
Date: Friday December 08, 2006

Louisville has one of the largest populations of immigrants in the country, this is so because of our size, good public transportation, surplus of low-skill level jobs. The immigrants that flock to our fine city have added culture and new ideologies to help our city grow and thrive.

Just Creations, Louisville's not-for-profit international crafts marketplace, is hosting a special Holiday Shopping Night on December 8. A percentage of sales will be donated to Kentucky Refugee Ministries, which helps immigrant refugees in their asimilation to their new country upon arrival. This would be the perfect opportunity to pick up some unique international gifts for the holidays, everything from hand made paper journals to hand carved instruments, and to support KRM in their mission to provide love and care for immigrant refugees.

Just Creations is located at 2722 Frankfort Avenue. For additional information please call (502) 897-7319, or visit, www.kyrm.org

Shanty Town III

2006-10-31T20:34:00.000-08:00

When: November 14th- 16th,
What: Shanty town
Cost: $10 donation

Hundreds of homless people die every year in America due to starvation and intense cold winters. The 3rd annual homeless awareness event is hosted by Junior Brown Scholars and Drs. Renner and Brown. This event is open to all Bellarmine Students from free period on Tuesday, November 14th, until Thursday November 16th. The simplicity of this event is meant to reflect the life of a homeless person, participants will be sleeping outside in what ever materials are left in the quad of Bellarmines campus. The main objective of this is to simulate the life of homeless people, and to bring awareness to the problem of poverty. This event will also be raising money for local charities that provide care for homeless people. All participants are encouraged to donate $10. The official registration for this event is on Tuesday. To learn more about this event contact Britanny Patton at bpatton01@bellarmine.edu

Engage Your World

2006-10-31T15:52:00.000-08:00

Engaging Our World

Once again, the idea of global perspective is invading Louisville. This weekend, November 3-5. the University of Louisville will host the “Engaging Our World” Conference, which is aimed at raising awareness among college age students to contemporary problems confronting our global society. Conference coordinators hope that this conference will not only inform participants, but also empower them to engage the issues and contribute to the creation of possible solutions.

Throughout the course of the weekend, the conference will provide several forums to engage and enlighten conference attendees, in an attempt to provide them with a truly global perspective. For instance, this year’s keynote speaker, Mr. Paul Loeb, will speak on citizen responsibility and empowerment – his area of expertise. Loeb has spent over thirty year researching and writing about what makes people choose lives of social commitment, and what that entails. Other topics to be covered in breakout sessions and work shops will include: trade and economic justice, global health, women’s issues, immigration, and globalization.

It is not too late to register for the conference. There is a small fee, but it covers the cost of materials and lunch. To register for the conference, get more information, or to download a schedule of events visit www.engagingourworld.org . It’s sure to be an eye-opening, educational experience.

The Sierra Club

2006-10-28T07:56:00.000-07:00

The Sierra Club is an organization which emphasizes nature and protecting the planet. With more than 750,000 members, the club works together to preserve communities and the earth. The Club is America's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots organization.

The Sierra Club concerns issues such as: global warming, preserving wetlands and coasts, oil drilling and many more enviornmental topics. On October 29th, The Sierra Club held the "Healthy Foods, Local Farms" conference at Bellarmine University.
The conference included speaker, author and environmentalist Barbara Kingsolver. Other speakers included Wendell Berry and Wes Jacskon.

The conference was held from 8:00am to 5:30pm. Registration for the event cost $40 and included meals, snacks and conference materials. All of the food served was locally and substantially grown, antibiotic and hormone free.

If interested in joining The Sierra Club please visit: www.thesierraclub.com

Help Diversify Louisville

2006-10-25T17:42:00.000-07:00

Today I want to take Brie’s example and offer insight and information on a worthwhile service opportunity with international ties. Many people are familiar with Catholic Charities here in Louisville, but what a lot of people don’t realize is that Catholic Charities runs a Migration & Refugee Services office/program which is responsible for settling about 80% of the refugees that are sent to Kentucky each year. Many of these newcomers are placed throughout Metro Louisville, making them our neighbors and classmates. But just because they get placed does not mean they are settled.

The individuals and families that receive help from catholic charities are refugees, they are people that have been forced out of their homes, forced to seek asylum here. Often times this means leaving most of their belongings behind, and entering an entirely new culture – and in most instances an entirely new language – with little but a mix of relief and insecurity. In order to help assuage these fears and truly welcome and aid these people Catholic Charities offers a number of services, many of which are volunteer based. From welcome committees, to child care, to education, and even just mentoring, these programs help make a world of difference to many new Louisvillians, and you can be a part of that. Below are some of the programs run by Catholic Charities that are really in need of volunteers, there is something for everyone.

“Welcome Basket” Outreach Project:
Volunteers are encouraged to put together welcome baskets for new arriving refugee families. Assistance is needed to fill large plastic laundry baskets with important, simple household items. Once the baskets are completed the volunteers will be able to meet the refugee family at their home, or at Catholic Charities, to give them this welcoming gift.

Donation Room Straightening Project:
Volunteers are constantly needed to help with straightening up and stocking any of the organizations many donations rooms. Often times, volunteers will be able to meet and engage in conversation with various refugee clients.

Child Care Room Assistance Project:
Volunteers are needed to help with one of three child care rooms at the English Language Teaching School. Assistance is needed in singing songs and playing games with the children, working on projects, and even rocking babies.

Friends:
When I spoke with one of Catholic Charities’ refugee clients, he said that one of the things that he really needed and wanted was American friends. He wanted someone outside of his own ethnic community with whom he could practice his English, and someone that could teach him about culture, and about Louisville. Call it being a mentor, a tutor, or a friend, it’s an easy way to volunteer and help someone who will be truly appreciative. Not to mention, you never know what you will learn through interacting with someone from another culture

For more information about these and other programs, contact Catholic Charities’ Community Resource Developer Chris Clements at: 502-636-9263 x145 or cclements@archlou.org

Festival of Faiths

2006-10-23T12:07:00.000-07:00

The 11th annual Festival of Faiths will take place November 5-ll. The Festival of Faiths is presented by The Center for Interfaith Relations in Louisville, Kentucky. The festival will attract more than 60,000 visitors. According to an informational flyer, the festival is a great way to "connect the region's diverse houses of worship and to foster an environment in which various traditions come together and work for the betterment of the community."

Each day of the festival will be a wide variety of seminars and events to attend. Here is a basic sketch of the events offered:

Rumi on Death and Transformation
East/West Perspectives on Change, Loss, and Letting Go
Perfect Stranger/Perfect Guest
Ballads between Life and Death
Interfaith Breakfast
Stewardship of the Earth
The Destruction of the Eternal World

These events will include experts, speakers and other people interested in the topic. There will be more than a dozen different faith traditions and groups. The booths will "convey to Festival visitors an understanding of customs and beliefs surrounding death and dying."

If interested the 2006 Festival of Faiths is centered at the Louisville Gardens, located on the corner of 6th Street and Muhammad Ali Boulevard.

Art Major--Senior Project

2006-10-21T07:32:00.000-07:00

Getting an art degree from Bellarmine can be an exciting adventure. According to the Bellarmine Student Handbook: "The Art Program is a dynamic interaction of creativity, instruction, and experimentation. The program offers an intensive examination of fundamental principles in visual phenomenon coupled with a wide exposure to various techniques and media, tempered by an environment designed to encourage creative expression and experimentation. The individual’s inclinations and needs are considered in forming a program of study best suited to his/her tasks: those of utilizing technical skills, knowledge, and intuition to create an effective visual statement. The emergent major has a sense of self as creator and the tools necessary to put his/her creative flow into physical reality. Classes are small and each student receives generous amounts of individual instruction."

The major requries classes such as painting, ceramics, sculpture, and figure drawing. These classes teach the student a variety of techniques and give a broad range of talents to every individual.

Every senior art major must complete a senior project. The senior project is an independent study which allows students to choose any project whether it be a mural, painting, or anything that entices the artist's mind. The project is completed over the course of the semester and is to be presented to the professor in its completion.

Alexis Brown is in the process of completeting her senior project. She has decided to do a painting. The painting is still uncompleted but when finished it will be an African-American man and African-American woman holding each other in a garden. The piece has yet to be named. The painting will include mixed media such as: acrylic paint, oil paint,tree bark, wood, pencil and pastels.

Alexis is extremely proud of her project and if you're ever curious on her progress stop by the art department to check the piece out!!

Conflict Causes Hold Up with HPV Vaccine

2006-10-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

As many people are aware, and many more are not, this past June the FDA approved the clinical use and distribution of Gardasil, which has been hailed as the first ever clinically affective cancer vaccine. The vaccination does not actually prevent cancer; it prevents the contraction of the four main types of the Human Papillomavirus Virus, or HPV.

Shockingly, many Americans are unaware of HPV, or its affects of catalyzing cancer. This is likely because, in many cases, the human immune system can fight and discard the virus. However, for about 10,000 women each year contracting this virus means contracting cancer, as virtually all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV. Meaning that each year HPV kills over 3,000 women.

Gardasil, which proven affective in fighting off the spread of the four main strains of HPV, has the potential to reduce the contraction of HPV by 70%, which translates to a 70% reduction in cervical cancer. In fact, the drug is so promising, that the American Cancer Society has praised its approval by the FDA as “one of the most important advances in women’s health in recent years.”

So why are there not lines around the block for this vaccine? Why is it not more known in a community such as ours, where the majority of our female population falls in the approved age range on 9-26? Simply put, because medicine is no longer just about the patient.

There is no shortage of Gardasil, despite the high demand, because issues are arising with distribution. Here in Louisville, and all across the nation, doctor’s offices are with holding vaccinations because of insurance. The vaccination is actually a series of three shots given over the course of 4 months - 1 year, and at roughly $150 per dose, the process is an investment, and one that insurance companies are debating.

Some insurance companies are willing to cover the cost of the vaccine for their clients, some will only cover part, and some companies have yet to release a policy on the issue. As a result, doctor’s offices are very hesitant to distribute the vaccine. Here in Louisville, many physician’s offices are insisting that patients pay for the shots up front and then bill their insurance themselves so that the patient is the only one with any financial risk; other offices are flat out turning patients away, refusing to administer the vaccine until negotiations are finished with all of their accepted insurance groups.

One would assume that an opportunity to prevent a serious, life threatening illness in roughly 37 million Americans (approximately the number of females 9-26 living in the US) would be welcomed, not withheld. Hopefully the facts and figures will be resolved soon, so that the vaccination can be distributed. And when it is, this generation, and the generations to come will hopefully see a decline in, and the eventual end of this particular type of cancer. This is a start, a foothold on the overall fight against cancer, so Bellarmine ladies, if you have not done so already, look into this option, talk to your doctor, and take a step to help eliminate this disease.

The Big Benefit

2006-10-17T11:18:00.000-07:00

Come join friends and family to help raise funds for Frank Constantine. Frank has been diagnosed with Advanced prostate cancer. The money that is raised will help pay for a treatment that will prolong his life. The benefit will be held at Phoenix Hill Tavern 644 Baxter Avenue. The cover charge will be $10 except for children 12 and under who get in for free. There will be live music, door prizes, food and drinks, kids activities, and karaoke until close. Come see live music acts such as JennY's DawG's, Science Friday, Slo Kill, Plan of Man, Frank Mcguire, Hurricane Alley, Good Sunday, Tim Krekel, Lamont Gillespie, and so much more.

Zade Diriani's "Roads to You" to Come to Louisville

2006-10-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

Among the over 40 keynote speakers to the Ideafestival this year was a twenty-five year old Jordanian composer and pianist by the name of Zade Diriani who openly and frankly addressed a room of Ideafestival attendants about his inspirations, his work and his goals. A graduate of Berkley College of Music, and an avid believer in the power of music to bridge cultural gaps, Zade was deeply touched by the events of September 11, 2001.

In response to the prejudices spurred by 9.11, Zade began a grass-roots, house concert tour across the country – “seeing America through the backdoor”, as he calls it. Since the beginning of the tour, this musical mastermind has performed roughly two hundred nights a year. The reason for his non-stop schedule, he explained, is because “in that setting, through the music, we [he and the audience] were connecting on a level that totally transcended all cultural tensions.” This reaction has spurred Zade to dedicate his life to spreading peace and tolerance through the universal language of music, a goal which has earned him the title of ‘Jordan’s leading cultural ambassador’.

In fact, his US tour and subsequent diplomatic traveling and concerts have been so successful in provoking cultural discussions and understanding, that Zade has envisioned a new project – “Roads to You”. Sponsored by Queen Noor of Jordan, and the Berkley College of Music, “Roads to You” is a concert series that will bring together 40 musicians from 18 countries to showcase participants from war-torn regions and attempt to build atmospheres of understanding and trust. The participating musicians will not only share their talents, but also their cultures, and their personal stories. Each stop on the tour will last approximately one week, during which the group will break up into quartets and host breakout sessions throughout the city. The weekly mini tours will then culminate in the full concert.

The “Roads to You” tour will come to Louisville May 14-20, 2007. The breakout sessions are still in the works, but there is every possibility, after talking to the event coordinator for Louisville, Mr. Omar Ayyash, that one of the sessions may be held here on campus if there is enough interest. Furthermore, Ideafestival is slotted to stay in Louisville for at least the next four years thereby attracting even more speakers and performers like Zade Diriani to the area – a promising idea.

Special talents at BU

2006-10-12T19:43:00.000-07:00

Every student on campus holds a special talent that sets them apart from the rest. Whether it be dancing, singing, poetry or any talent for that matter, everyone has something unique to offer. Junior LaShayna Thomas' talent is singing and she is actively pursuring a career in the music industry. "I love to sing because it brings out something in me that no one or nothing else can. Many people see me as a shy person, but when I perform, its like another person comes out of me when I sing. It makes me feel relaxed, inspires me, and makes me happy. Music is my life" says Thomas on why she likes to sing.

LaShayna has been singing since she was 18 months old. She sang in church choirs, school choirs, and started a R&B group with two of her friends. Here at Bellarmine, Thomas sings jazz and R&B.

"I wrote my first song when I was eight and performed it with my best friend at her dad's funeral. It was my first huge performance because her dad was well known in the city and the funeral was jam packed with over 3,000 people in attendance. I write my own music, mostly R&B, christian, and jazz. I've recorded a few R&B tracks while working with a local rap group called TBR Entertainment" says Thomas.

When asked what her favorite song was Thomas responded, "'You Go to my Head' by Billie Holidae. She also enjoys artist such as Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Crystal Lewis, Stacie Orrico, Brian McKnight, Bizzy Bone, Mariah Carey and Earth, Wind and Fire.

LaShayna hopes for her musical career to be successful and she stays busy in the studio working on her songs. She is majoring in business now because "I know how to sing, I just need to learn what goes on behind the scenes."

If interested in hearing LaShayna Thomas you can find her music at myspace.com.

The Blessing of the animals

2006-10-11T19:59:00.000-07:00

The Blessing of the Animals started about 5 years ago as a way to honor the Franciscan tradition of BU. Many of our first professors on campus were Franciscan priests. St. Francis (their founder) was known as a man whose gentleness was so great that wild animals were unafraid of him. It's a cool legend and he's become the patron saint of animal rights and the environmental movement. The "blessing" part only lasts about 10 or 15 minutes and consists of prayers and a sprinkling rite. Anyone who wants to come should bring their pet on a leash or in a cage for safety. Students, if you are a resident and have a photo of your pet, bring it! If you'd like to be around some puppies, dogs, and cats....here's an easy break from your hectic schedule. Treats for people and pets will be available after the ceremony. It's on Wednesday, October 11 at 5pm on the Quad (if it rains, it'll be inside outside the Campus Ministry office).

Robert Ellsberg

2006-10-11T08:29:00.000-07:00

Robert Ellsberg
Saints for Now:
Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day and Henri Nouwen
Wednesday 11th October, 2006 - 7 pm
Cralle Theater, Bellarmine University
Free and Open to the Public

I have learned from Dr. Hinson-Hasty's Theology from the margins class that a brilliant speaker will be coming to Bellarmine. This is the notice I received.

Robert Ellsberg is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Orbis Books. He was a former managing editor of The Catholic Worker, he worked with Dorothy Day for the last five years of her life, an experience that prompted his conversion to Catholicism and shaped his subsequent life.

Since 1987 he has served as editor-in-chief of Orbis Books, publishing arm of the Maryknoll Society, where he has overseen the publication of almost 1000 titles. He has edited a number of award-winning books, including works on Dorothy Day, Fritz Eichenberg, and Mahatma Gandhi. His most recent books include All Saints: Daily Reflections on Saints, Prophets, and Witnesses For Our Time, The Saint’s Guide to Happiness, and Blessed Among All Women: Women Saints, Prophets, and Witnesses for Our Time.

I encourage all to attend.

An Inundation of Ideas - Ideafest 2006

2006-10-06T11:19:00.000-07:00

Whenever there is mention of a meeting of the minds – a major academic conference – it is generally followed by cities such as New York, Chicago, or L.A. In less than a week, Louisville will break that pattern, when it plays host to Ideafestival 2006. The event attracts some of the brightest and most unique minds from around the globe to speak about ideas.

Ideafestival was started by Kris Kimel in 2000 as a means of jumpstarting the notion of innovation, of discussing and applying similar ideas across disciplines to generate solutions and new ideas for the future. Because of its incredible growth over the last few years, the festival was forced to migrate this year from its native Lexington to downtown Louisville. The Festival will run October 11 – 14, and while it is headquartered at the Galt House sessions will take place all over downtown; from the Galt House, to the Ali Center, to 4th Street Live. However, the festival will continue its tradition of severing as an “open source”, with many of the sessions being free and open to the public.

Due to the growing popularity of the festival, its new location, and this year’s stellar line-up of speakers, the festival is expected to reach 15,000. Bellarmine students have the unique opportunity to be among this number, to take part in this international exchange of ideas for free. In fact, there are some professors that are even offering extra credit for attendance. And there are many more that may if approached by a student with interest, and there are a great deal of interests – both personal and academic – that will be covered by one or more of this year’s sessions. Keynote speakers/performers for the 2006 Ideafestival are:

Paula Bates – U of L professor and co-founder of Aptamera Inc. Dr Bates was part of the team that discovered and commercialized the new GRO compound which inhibits the growth and multiplication of cancer cells. Dr Bates’ focus is molecular targets that influence the development of cancer, her goal: finding a cure.
*Dr Bates will be a part of the “Finding Answers to Cancer” panel on October 13, from 9-10:15 am in the Galt House – East. The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited and therefore tickets are required.

Valerie Boyd – Journalist and author. Ms Boyd is an accomplished writer who focuses her work in African American culture. Her newest work, Wrapped In Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neal Hurston, has been hailed as the definitive Hurston biography.
*Ms Boyd will be the keynote speaker for the “Zora Neal Hurston” session on October 14, from 3:15-4:30 at the Galt House - East. Free but ticket required.

Zade Diriani – Jordanian composer and pianist. Mr. Diriani is dedicated to the prospect of using his music to bring people together, to promote intercultural communication and understanding, and to building bridges of peace and tolerance. In his recent tour “Roads to You: Celebration of One World” Zade lead 40 musicians from 18 different war-torn countries who came together to perform and show that music is a universal language that can promote trust and cooperation.
*Mr Diriani will host the session “Roads to You” in the Galt House – East on October 13, from 10:45 – 12:00 noon. Tickets are free but required.

These are only a few of the festival’s presenters. For a complete list of presenters, sessions, dates, times, and costs visit: http://www.ideafestival.com/.

To order tickets to an event call: 1-800-743-3100

Residence Hall Association

2006-10-05T21:29:00.000-07:00

Bellarmine has many Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) that cater to about any interest. Ranging from dance groups to political affliations, RSOs allow students to get involved on campus, meet new people and give back to the Bellarmine community. Residence Hall Association (RHA) is an RSO led by students living on campus.

According to Jessica Sprowl, sophomore physical therapy major, "RHA's goal is to promote school spirit to ALL residents. RHA supports a learning/living/thriving experience in the residence halls. We also support the needs and problems of the residents and we strive to establish a better communication between the residence halls and the administration. The main goal of RHA is to become a unified voice for all the students living in the residence halls."

RHA's officers include: Vanessa Ferguson --President
Ashtin Riney -- Secretary/Treasurer
Emily Kordik--NCC
Dan Petrik--Programming
Sean Campbell--NCC-IT
Samantha Gunning--NRHH president

RHA is in the process of planning "RHA week." The week will be filled with fun for all the residence halls.

If interested in joining RHA or for more information feel free to contact Jessica Sprowl at jsprowl01@bellarmine.edu

St. James Court Art Show/Festival

2006-10-05T17:32:00.000-07:00

As you may be aware every year for the last decade Louisville has hosted the St. James court Art fair. This festival began as just a small one block fair, and over time has expanded to become one of the nations largest Art festivals, displaying art work of all kinds from many different talented artisans and craftsman. Of those artists you may recognize the spouse, Shannon, of one of our very own Faculty members, Fong Choo . Like her husband, she does focus on clay pieces. If you are interested in seeing her art work she is near the beer tent. The festival is held on the first full weekend of October every year, meaning THIS weekend, as in TODAY, Saturday, and Sunday.
The festival is on third and fourth street around St. James Court just south of Central Park and extends for 17 blocks of festival fun.
If you are worried about parking, I suggest the YPAS (youth performing arts school) parking lot, they do charge between $5-10 , but its well worth it for the convienent parking, plus all proceeds go towards donations for continuing the arts programs at YPAS.
As a born-and-raised Louisvillian, and having 19 previous years of St James-ing under my belt, I urge you to check it out. Admission is free, and who knows, you might just find something special.
If you are interested in learning more about St. James Court Art show, or if you would like to preview the artisans, or get driving directions, I emplore you to visit http://www.stjamescourtartshow.com/