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The Graduate School Announces Four New Academic Programs
Capitalizing on strategic partnerships both inside and outside of Northwestern, several new academic programs will be offered through The Graduate School in 2008-2009.
The Graduate School is proud to announce the creation of four new academic programs at TGS for the 2008-2009 academic year: a certificate Program in Language, Music and Communication; a doctoral program in Plant Biology and Conservation; a doctoral program in Screen Cultures; and a joint doctoral program in Physical Therapy & Engineering. These four programs were formally approved by the Graduate Faculty on June 13, 2008, and represent TGS' continued efforts to enhance Northwestern's reputation for innovative interdisciplinary research and creative practice.
Certificate Program in Language, Music and Communication
With an emphasis on advanced experimental and computational methods, the certificate in Language, Music and Communication recognizes students' interdisciplinary research of language and music systems at all levels - from the physics and biology of speech, to mental representations and social dynamics.
Joint Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy & Engineering
The joint doctoral program in Physical Therapy & Engineering gives students a unique opportunity to receive training both as engineers as well as licensed physical therapy doctors. Focusing on movement and rehabilitation sciences, this joint program gives exposure to the pathophysiology of movement disorders and how the resulting impairments and handicaps impact the design of therapeutic devices, rehabilitation strategies, and patients' quality of life.
Doctoral Program in Plant Biology and Conservation
The biological world is currently confronted with more rapid changes than it has faced during the course of human history. Addressing a growing need for expertise in plant science and conservation, and in partnership with the Chicago Botanic Garden, the doctoral program in Plant Biology and Conservation will provide students advanced training in plant ecology, evolution, and biology and in applied plant conservation theory and methods - allowing them to help solve real environmental issues, and to pursue careers in academia, governmental and non-governmental agencies, and beyond.
Doctoral Program in Screen Cultures
Formerly a track within the Media, Technology, and Society PhD program, the new Screen Cultures doctoral degree is an interdisciplinary program housed in the School of Communication and the Department of Radio, Television, Film. Screen Cultures maximizes Northwestern's already strong (and yet highly dispersed) resources in film and media to create a diverse and dynamic center for innovative research in the media arts. By drawing together the University’s interdepartmental strengths in the theory, history, and criticism of film and electronic media, the Screen Cultures program is uniquely poised to emerge as a national center of excellence in the rapidly expanding field of film and media scholarship.
Registration for GLC-TGS Summer Social Opens July 3
It's time for the quarterly TGS Night Out. This quarter's event will be a picnic held at the Lakefill, and is hosted by the Graduate Leadership Council (GLC).
TGS continues to receive good feedback about this event - it is an excellent opportunity to get students talking across disciplines. GLC-TGS invites you to gather with students outside the lab and library and have a drink and a bite to eat with colleagues from across campus. We'll be providing refreshments. There is no charge for admission or for refreshments. The details:
Registration is open in the Events section of the TGS home page through July 9. This extended registration will ensure that most students interested in the event are part of the pool from which students will be randomly selected. From the respondents, we will choose a cross section of humanities, social science, and STEM students on July 10, and send confirmation letters to up to 1000 students in a separate memo. While you are at TGS’ home page, check out the latest from TGS in our News section.
Building a graduate student community is one of our goals at The Graduate School, and we believe that providing this kind of event is right in line with that goal. We will be hosting these events quarterly; students that cannot make the event this time may have the opportunity to join the fun next time!
Diversity Workshop Call for Volunteers
The Graduate School is looking for student volunteers who are willing to share their real, personal experiences with diversity at Northwestern.
TGS is planning a new diversity workshop at New Graduate Student Orientation on September 15, 2008, and needs your help. Included in this program will be a short video of students sharing anecdotes about diversity.
We want to ensure that NU remains a welcoming place for all. With this new orientation session, TGS aims to:
- Increase new students’ awareness of the many cultures and backgrounds represented by students at Northwestern,
- open students’ thoughts to what constitutes good behavior in a richly diverse population – including how their behavior may be viewed by others both in real life as well as online, and
- make new students aware of the various student groups and support services available to them at Northwestern.
Diversity comes in many forms for graduate students: STEM vs. Social Sciences & Humanities, lone scholars vs. students who work in labs, international students vs. U.S. citizens. For this reason, this new orientation program will also address the concept of “diversity” within the context of professional and interpersonal skills development. This is especially relevant for graduate students, who are expected to interact with each other and with the students they will teach.
Are you interested in helping shape our new program and make it a success? Can you share an experience or incident you had on campus that illustrates the importance of consideration and understanding among people of diverse backgrounds? If so, please contact Penny Warren, Assistant Dean of Student Life & Multicultural Affairs, at 847.491.8507 or p-warren@northwestern.edu. We would like to hear from as many students as possible – from different cultures and countries – to capture different voices in this program.
The Graduate School Announces Implementation of the Professional Development Grant
The Graduate School has introduced the Professional Development Grant, a newly established program intended to support meaningful graduate student professional development programming at the department and program level.
This includes any activity that provides professional and life skill development relevant to the preparation of graduate students for their future career endeavors, whether inside or outside of academia. Directors and administrators of any academic program that falls under the purview of The Graduate School have been invited to submit a grant proposal. Students who would like to suggest ideas for grants should contact their director of graduate studies or department assistant. Please visit our Web site or contact Kate Veraldi for additional information.
TGS Hosts a "Day Out" at the Chicago Botanic Garden July 12
TGS invites graduate student parents and their children to a Summer outing at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe on Saturday, the 12th of July, from 10:00am-1:00pm.
The Graduate School's Day Out for Graduate Student Parents is dedicated entirely to graduate students and their children. The day will start with the Grand Tram Ride, which is scheduled to leave at 10:30am. After the ride, lunch will be available at the Garden Café and the Garden Grille (on the Café deck) where a variety of flatbread pizzas, salads, soups and sandwiches will be available for order (free food vouchers will be distributed). Guests will also have the access to the Model Railroad Garden: LandMarks of America. Those guests interested in purchasing gifts at the Garden shop will enjoy a 10% discount.
Parking is free for our group, so please identify yourself by the group name at the gate when you arrive. For Museum information and directions, please visit the Chicago Botanic Garden Web site.
To confirm your attendance, please contact Antoaneta Condurat by email at a-condurat@northwestern.edu by July 7, 2008. Please include the name of your guests and the age of your children.
Volunteers Needed to Help Welcome New International Graduate Students to Northwestern
The International Summer Institute (ISI) is looking for graduate student conversation partners and volunteers to help with orientation and social activities from July 28 to August 29, 2008.
As part of the ISI month-long orientation and language program, international PhD students attend fun social events in the Evanston and Chicago area – including trips to Ravinia, the Art Institute, SummerDance, Northwestern's beachfront, and the Botanic Gardens. ISI needs volunteers to come along and talk with the students, so that they may practice their English skills.
Other volunteer activities include accompanying students from the airport to Engelhart Hall, attending a student-run coffeehouse event, and organizing the ISI Olympics (a day of games and sports).
This is another great opportunity to get to know other graduate students and learn more about Evanston and Chicago. If interested, please contact Assistant Director Meredith Larson at meredith@northwestern.edu.
Call Made for New Graduate Student Orientation Volunteers
New Graduate Student Orientation will be held on Monday, September 15, 2008, from 9am to 5pm.
The Graduate School is soliciting student volunteers and assistance in several areas for our September Orientation event, including:
- General volunteer assistance on the day of the event,
- Serving on a panel,
- Campus tours, and
- Serving on the New Graduate Student Orientation Committee.
Time commitments vary by role. The Graduate School values current students' input and participation on this very important day! If interested, please contact Stephen M. Scott at sms@northwestern.edu.
McCormick Town Hall Meeting
Have questions or concerns about McCormick? Take the opportunity to ask Dean Julio Ottino.
The first McCormick Town Hall Meeting is intended to provide graduate students with a chance to learn about new McC programs, initiatives and to address important issues. Questions for Dean Ottino can be submitted in advance to the MGLC at mglc@u.northwestern.edu.
Wine & cheese will be served. Sponsored by the McCormick Graduate Leadership Council.
Events for Graduate Students in July
The Graduate School partners with many organizations inside and outside of Northwestern to provide valuable academic and social opportunities for graduate students. Click on any event name to view more information. Coming up in July and August:
Summer Proposal-Writing Workshops
Date: Wednesdays, June 18 through August 13, 12:00pm-2:00pm
Location: Office of Fellowships (Conference Room), 1940 Sheridan Rd., Evanston, IL 60208
The Office of Fellowships is offering a summer-long series of graduate level workshops to develop proposal-writing skills. In these workshops you will develop analytical writing skills through theoretical and practical exercises. All sessions meet Wednesdays from 12:00 - 2:00 in the Office of Fellowships Conference Room, 1940 Sheridan Road, on the Evanston Campus. No cost. No registration. Bring your lunch.
- July 9 — Il Filo: Organize Your Material
- July 23 — Introductions: Grab ‘Em by the Throat
- August 6 — Writing with Clarity and Style
- August 13 — IRB: Overview, Conduct, & Process
You need not attend all workshops. Stephen Hill can be reached by phone at 847.491.2617, or by e-mail at s-hill@northwestern.edu.
McCormick Town Hall Meeting
Date: Thursday, July 10th, 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Location: Cohen Commons, 4th floor of Tech
Have questions or concerns about McCormick? Take the opportunity to ask Dean Julio Ottino. The first McCormick Town Hall Meeting is intended to provide graduate students with a chance to learn about new McC programs, initiatives and to address important issues. Questions for Dean Ottino can be submitted in advance to the MGLC at mglc@u.northwestern.edu. Wine & cheese will be served. Sponsored by the McCormick Graduate Leadership Council.
TGS Day Out for Parents at the Chicago Botanic Garden
Date: July 12, 2008
Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm
Location: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022
The Graduate School will host a "Day Out" for graduate student parents on July 12 at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. Food, fun, and a Grand Tram ride are free to you and your family. To confirm your attendance, please send an e-mail to Antoaneta Condurat at a-condurat@northwestern.edu by July 7, 2008.
GLC-TGS Summer Social
Date: Tuesday, July 22 , 2008
Time: 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: The Lakefill, near Norris Center, Evanston
Registration: http://survey.gsad.northwestern.edu/night_out_july08/
This quarter's TGS Night Out event will be a picnic held at the Lakefill, and is hosted by the Graduate Leadership Council (GLC). GLC and TGS invite you to gather with students outside the lab and library and have a drink and a bite to eat with colleagues from across campus. We'll be providing refreshments. There is no charge for admission or for refreshments. Registration will be open in the Events section of the TGS home page through July 9.
MGLC and TGS Present: Second City
Date: September 26, 2008, time TBA
Location: Cahn Auditorium, Evanston Campus
Mark your calendars for a special visit by Chicago’s own Second City improv comedy troupe! Plans are in the works to bring the Second City’s touring show to Cahn Auditorium on the evening of September 26, 2008. Known for launching the careers of famous comedians such as John Belushi, Eddie Murphy, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Mike Myers, and Steve Carell, this is one event you don’t want to miss. The event will be followed by a coffee/dessert social. Stay tuned: more information on this exciting event will be available in the August and September issues of TGS E-News.
University Events
NU's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Searle Center for Teaching Excellence and University Career Services all offer valuable programming to the graduate student population.
Please see the following links for a full list of events:
Other Graduate Student Resources
In addition to the University offices mentioned above, there are also units dedicated, at least in part, to graduate student quality of life and professional development. For more information, please visit the following links:
Student Services Staff
The Graduate School's Student Services staff is here to help with any questions or concerns.
- Lesley Perry, Director of Student Services, l-perry2@northwestern.edu
- Stephen Scott, Assistant Director of Student Services, sms@northwestern.edu
- Kate Veraldi, Coordinator of Student Services, k-veraldi@northwestern.edu
- Antoaneta Condurat, Counselor Student Services, a-condurat@northwestern.edu
- Mike Wachowski, Data Specialist, m-wachowski@northwestern.edu
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