Under the Arch

FOURTH ANNUAL WELLNESS FAIR TO BE HELD TUESDAY, FEB. 5

More than 150 Gannon employees are expected to attend the university’s fourth annual Wellness Fair, to be held Tuesday, Feb. 5.

The fair, “Love Yourself… Take Care of Your Health,” will run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Yehl Room of the Waldron Campus Center, 124 West Seventh Street, and will feature more a dozen outside vendors and organizations.

The event, hosted by the university’s Human Resources department, will allow participating faculty, staff, and administrators to assess comprehensively their overall health and well being, both now and in the future.

Employees will be able to take advantage of numerous tests and screenings to measure health factors like cholesterol, glucose, osteoporosis, blood pressure, strength, and flexibility. Information also will be available related to exercise tips, spine/lower back care, office ergonomics, skin care, stress management, and knowing how to discern between influenza and a cold.

In addition, employees will be encouraged to complete a Health Risk Assessment (HRA), a comprehensive survey covering all aspects of individual health and wellness, including fitness, diet and nutrition, stress, heart health, and family histories.

The HRA is particularly important, said Jay DiFrank, associate director of Human Resources. “The results help us better identify the percentage of people who might smoke or need to lose weight,” DiFrank said. “When we know those percentages, we can better offer targeted programs, like smoking cessation, for example, that meet employees’ specific needs.”

A number of organizations are scheduled to have informational tables and displays, including the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Boyd Chiropractic, Erie County Diabetes Association, Erie Runner’s Club, Erie Triathletes, Great Lakes Institute of Technology (massage therapy program), Hamot Medical Center, Hamot Wellness Center, Iadeluca Chiropractic, Metz Food Service, Super Suppers, Weight Watchers, Whole Foods Cooperative, and the YMCA.

Prizes also will be raffled off, including MP3 players and gift baskets.

Some Gannon employees already have demonstrated a commitment to improving their health. The university was the winner of the recent Erie Walks Program, an eight-week contest. Over the course of the contest, Gannon participants averaged 6.22 days walked per week to outpace Hamot Medical Center, which averaged 5.43 days per week, as well as Highmark BCBS with 5.10, Erie County with 5.0, and the City of Erie with 3.88.

RECENT NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS

News of interest on and around campus...

The university will celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week Feb. 11-18. The Gannon Community is invited to participate in a series of events throughout the week, including a Busy Person’s Retreat (Feb. 10-14), Waldron Sweet Treats (Feb. 12), Gathering in Praise “Diversity” (Feb. 14), and GUSSA Treat Day and the MCU Soul Food Dinner, both on Feb. 15. Random Acts of Kindness Week is a great opportunity to show each other respect and to enhance community spirit and pride. It is sponsored by the Chaplain’s Office, the Gannon Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, the Gannon University Support Staff Association (GUSSA), Minority Cultures United, Service Learning, Student Organizations and Leadership Development, Women’s Leadership, and the Waldron Center.
Nash Library is sponsoring a 2008 Oscar contest. Students, faculty, and staff can pick up a ballot at the Library’s Circulation Desk or by downloading one from the Library’s web site (www.gannon.edu/library). The Oscar Display in the Library’s lobby has information on all of this year’s nominees, so be sure to check it out. The contest ends on Friday, February 22^nd at 12:00 pm. Ballots must be submitted via email or turned in at the Circulation Desk of the library by noon on the 22^nd of February in order to be eligible. The entry with the most correct answers will be the winner. Tie-breaker questions will be asked if necessary. The winner will receive a movie-related prize, and will be contacted by phone or e-mail on Feb. 25. Good Luck!
Employee Wellness Fair: Employees are encouraged to attend the university’s fourth annual Wellness Fair, to be held Tuesday, Feb. 5. The fair, “Love Yourself… Take Care of Your Health,” will run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Yehl Room. Numerous tests and screenings to measure health factors will be offered, and employees also will be able to complete a comprehensive health and wellness survey called a Health Risk Assessment (HRA).
New Mass schedule: Gannon colleagues are advised to take note of the new daily mass schedule, which is as follows: Mondays: 8 a.m., 12:05 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays: 8 a.m., 12:05 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays: 12:05 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. Thursdays: 8 a.m., 12:05 p.m. Fridays: 8 a.m., 12:05 p.m. Sundays: 11 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Catch the Erie Otters: Gannon colleagues, with ID, can receive two free tickets to the Erie Otters’ game against Brampton on Friday, Feb. 8. The puck will drop at 7:30 p.m. at Tullio Arena. To get your tickets, see Jeannie Kloecker in the Communications office, third floor of Old Main, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Nominations now can be submitted for the Excellence in Undergraduate Advising Award. If you know of a deserving faculty member who demonstrates the qualities of an exceptional academic advisor, please consider nominating them. The nomination form can be found at http://my.gannon.edu/special/forms/index.html. The deadline for nominations has been extended to Friday, Feb. 8. For more information, contact Marc Adkins at x-7398 or send e-mail to adkins002@gannon.edu.

CAMPUS EVENTS

Monday, February 4 – Showing of Darfur Now: Will be shown at 7 p.m. in room 104 of the Zurn Science Center as part of the university’s events to celebrate Black History Month. “Darfur Now,” released last year, focuses on six people who each have worked from a different perspective to help stop genocide in Darfur, a region of far western Sudan bordering the Central African Republic, Libya, and Chad. Following the showing, Richard Moodey, Ph.D., assistant professor of sociology, will lead a brief discussion.
Tuesday, February 5 – Employee Wellness Fair: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Yehl Room. Numerous tests and screenings will be offered, including cholesterol, glucose, osteoporosis, blood pressure, strength, and flexibility. Information also will be available related to exercise tips, spine/lower back care, office ergonomics, skin care, stress management, and knowing how to discern between influenza and a cold. Employees will be encouraged to complete a Health Risk Assessment (HRA).
Tuesday, February 5 – Political discussion: David Kozak, Ph.D., professor, political science program, will lead a “Super Tuesday” discussion at 9 p.m. in the Yehl Room. Students, faculty, and staff are welcome.
Wednesday, February 6 – Ash Wednesday Masses: Offered at 8 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 4:35 p.m. in the Chapel.
Thursday, February 7 – Community Mass: 11 a.m. in the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel.
Friday, February 8 – Gannon University’s Erie Chamber Orchestra: Conducted and directed by Bruce Morton Wright. This concert will be the Guess the Composer Concert with the Girard High School Bell Choir (director, Chris Dearbeck). The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel.
Saturday, February 9 – Think Pink Basketball Game: The Lady Knights will wear pink for their 1 p.m. game against Wayne State at the Hammermill Center. Join the team in showing your support!
Friday, February 15 – Soul Food Dinner: The dinner, sponsored by Minority Cultures United, will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Piano Lounge on the first floor of the Waldron Center and is open to students, faculty, and staff.
Monday, February 18 – Faculty and Staff Community Meeting: 3 p.m. in Zurn Science Center room 104.
“Our Events” is intended to serve as a random sample of campus events. For a more complete listing, refer to Eventcal.

THE PRESIDENT’S SCHEDULE

Tuesday, February 5 – Luncheon with first-year students. Thursday, February 7 – Community Mass; Student Hour; Gannon men’s and women’s basketball vs. Hillsdale. Friday-Saturday, February 8-9 – American Council on Education Board of Directors’ meeting.

PRAYER CONCERNS

Please remember all in your prayers as regretfully we announce the deaths of:

Irene “Bobcia” Dabrowski, grandmother of Dr. Mary Anne Rivera, assistant professor, Theology Department.
Grace Maynard Rose, grandmother of Lauren Foltz, research assistant, Institutional Research and Assessment.
Hazel Fye, grandmother of Bobbi Jo Fye, administrative assistant, Humanities, Business and Education Dean’s Office

CURRENT BIRTHDAYS

Rita Wood. Denise Dunne. Bonita Booker. Ed Saloum. Kay Wolfgang. Katie Nelson. Scott Helsley. Pete Morgan. Jean-Marc Baier. Sher-Ron Jones. Charles Bennett. Catherine Phillips. Roanna Lun. Dan Teliski. Kim Cavanagh. Shawn Feiock. Hamid Torab. Bruce Wright. Robert Waidley. Andrew Teets. Felisa Read. George Sucha. William Benner. Robert Snyder. Valerie Hoover. Susan Bendig. Robin Seneta. Pamela Anderson. Laura Rutland. David Kozak. Georgia Chludzinski. Trenton Pierce. Robert Teliski. John Jageman. Mary Bensur. Nicolina Pierce. Keith Hardner. Roberta Barilla. Jane Mallin. Kimberly Zippie.

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

Gannon has been “Luckey” to have him: During Friday’s annual Service Recognition Ceremony, Gannon honored Joe Luckey (right) for his 55 years of service to the university. Dr. Garibaldi (left) presented a rendering of Old Main to Luckey, who received a standing ovation from his many colleagues and friends. Many congratulations, Joe!