Robert Easler , Superintendent of Grounds, recently received his Environmental Landscape Certification (ELC) from the South Carolina Landscape and Turfgrass Association. Thus far, Robert is the 16th landscaper in South Carolina to obtain this certification. The certification exam is a 4 segment exam containing questions on; Plant Identification, Certified Pesticide Applicator License, Best Management Practices for Plants, and Environmental Landscape Plant Material Selection. Robert’s ELC certificate and contributions to USC Upstate continue to be recognized by the dynamic changes in the university landscape.

Congratulations to Tanna Barger (Switchboard, ext. 5000) who was married over the winter break.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Visit www.uscupstate.edu/jobs for additional information and online application submission instructions.

STAFF/ADMINISTRATION POSITIONS:

Assistant Registrar
(State Title: Student Services Program Coordinator I)
Office of Records & Registration
Requisition No. 042877
Online applications accepted through Monday, January 22, 2007.

Ginger Johns
Administrative Specialist
School of Nursing
Ext. 5455

Scott Larson
Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance
Athletics Department
Ext. 5793

Jeannette Cook
Administrative Assistant
School of Education
Ext 5573

David Moss
Landscape Technician
Facilities Management
Ext. 5500

Mary Thompson
Application Processing Specialist
Admissions
Ext. 5246

Louanne Weber
Director of Health Services
Student Affairs
Ext. 5191

Heidi From
Director of Burroughs Child Development Center
School of Education
Ext. 5318

Heather Arthur
Manager, Learning Resource Center, Greenville Campus School of Nursing
Ext. 7728

Lisa Caggiano
Administrative Specialist
Housing & Residential Life/Student Affairs
Ext. 5422

Today is the Shrinkdown Kickoff!
If your list of New Year’s resolutions includes weight loss and healthy diets, make plans to attend the kickoff celebration event at the annual Shrinkdown. The Greater Spartanburg Shrinkdown is a FREE, ten-week healthy living awareness program that targets youth and adult obesity and related diseases. It starts January 8 at the University Readiness Center from 12 – 7 p.m. Participants are provided with a Healthy Living Guide loaded weekly with information about nutrition, exercise and health education. During the Shrinkdown program, participants take part in weekly weigh-ins and counseling, as well as attend “Health Talks,” a weekly series of lectures by wellness and medical experts that focus on topics related to health and wellness. In order to participate, you will need to register at the kick off event.

New Year, New You!
Maybe your list of New Year’s resolutions included quitting smoking? Do you think you might need some help and encouragement with that goal? If so, make plans to attend this smoking cessation workshop.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
The Shoestring Players at the University of South Carolina Upstate will perform One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest February 22-24 at 8:15 p.m. and February 25 at 3:15 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest is the story of McMurphy, a man with several assault convictions to his name, finds himself in jail once again. Rather than spend his time in jail, he convinces the guards that he's crazy enough to need psychiatric care and is sent to a hospital. He tries to liven the place up a bit by playing card games and basketball with his fellow inmates, but the head nurse is after him at every turn. For the cast of characters and more details, read on …

USC Upstate to Administer $500,000 “Healthy Living Initiative” from the State of South Carolina
On December 19, 2006, South Carolina House Ways and Means Committee Chair Dan Cooper presented Representative Harold Mitchell and Dr. York Bradshaw with a $500,000 grant from the State of South Carolina to fund a new “Healthy Living Initiative.” The award was made during a press conference at the CC Woodson Recreation Center on Spartanburg’s Southside.

The award will be used to extend on-going collaborative projects between the ReGenesis Community Health Center and the University of South Carolina Upstate’s Community Outreach Partnership Center. For the full story …

Shoestring Players Hold Auditions For “Man of La Mancha”
The Shoestring Players at USC Upstate will hold auditions for Man of La Mancha on Monday, January 29 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. Man of La Mancha is a cooperative production between The Shoestring Players and the Spartanburg Little Theatre. For a description of roles, plot line, performance dates and more details, click here …

Marius Valdes (Graphic Design) was a guest juror recently at Lander University at the Scholastic Art Awards Competition.

Distinguished Alumni of the Year Reception honored Dodie Anderson (center).

Members of the Heritage Club, retired employees of USC Upstate, gathered for their annual holiday social. 3 pics here

Getting ready for Fall Convocation at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium

Carla Owing’s (LLC) three year old niece wanted to be sure she didn’t miss Santa’s visit…

This Week…

University Day
Thursday, January 11 … 7:45 – 9:00 a.m. … Campus Life Center Ballroom
All faculty and staff are invited to hear Dr. Stockwell share the University’s achievements over the past semester and a blueprint for what is to come, at this biannual start-of-the-semester university gathering.

Classroom Technology Demonstrations
January 8 - 12
If you are teaching in a classroom that contains equipment you are unfamiliar with, contact Tom Davis in Information Technology & Services Division via email at tdavis@uscupstate.edu to arrange a demonstration during the week of January 8 – 12. Additional demonstrations may be scheduled later as needed.

Martin Luther King Commemorative Walk
Thursday, January 18 … 11:45 a.m. … Campus Life Center
USC Upstate will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a series of events. The celebration begins with a commemorative march at 11:45 am, beginning on the CLC patio, with a commencement ceremony afterwards in CLC 309. Everyone is welcome to come and walk.

USC Upstate Visual Arts Faculty Exhibition
Friday, January 19 – Friday, February 23 … HPAC University Gallery, First Floor
The USC Upstate Visual Arts Faculty exhibition, complete with a variety of work in various media, will run from January 19 through February 23.

Sankofa: African American Museum on Wheels
Monday, January 22 – Thursday, January 25 … Campus Life Center 319
The Sankofa African American Museum on Wheels rolls into USC Upstate with its fascinating collection of African American artifacts, art and collectibles from the 1860's. The exhibit will be set up in Campus Life Center 319.The event is sponsored by Multicultural Affairs and the Department of Student Life.

Take the Mystery Out of the Search
Does your institution/department rely solely on the guidance of search committees to fill faculty and administrative positions? In this webinar, The Art of the Search Committee, learn how to create a search committee that brings together subject matter experts and experts in the development of effective recruitment plans and evaluation strategies.

Seminars and Workshops
Jeanette Reeves (Planning & Organizational Development) has scheduled a variety of seminars and workshops for the spring semester. They include: Financial Strategies for Successful Retirement Session 1 and Session 2; Smoke Cessation Workshop; The Art of the Search Committee; DISC Workshop; The Latest on the Sexual Harassment Front; Diversity Management – Past, Present and Future; Intro to Excel; Travel Workshop; Determining Institutional Metrics That Matter; Purchasing and DEV Training; Building Great Places to Work; and Intermediate Word. Visit the Planning & Organizational Development website for more details. And remember to sign up early as seating is limited.

Crop for a Cause: Scrapping From the Heart
There will be a charity scrapbooking crop event to benefit SAFE Homes – Rape Crisis Coalition on February 3 at Spartanburg Regional Heart Center. See the flyer for more details.