Lawrence D. Starr Global Studies 2011-2012 Calendar

UPCOMING GSI-SPONSORED EVENTS

• Ongoing “Tasty Tuesday” sales of cinnamon rolls and pecan rolls as fundraising for the Peru Service Trip in March.
• Oct. 26 – In the Faculty / Staff Lounge from 11:20 to 12:00, Kate Schebaum will be giving a brownbag lunch lecture for GSI regarding her experience for two years in Cheongju, South Korea.  Her presentation will include discussion of the Fulbright Scholar program, her educational preparation at USM, Korean culture and language, travel throughout Asia, and her teaching experience.
• Nov. 7 – In the Faculty / Staff Lounge from 11:20 to 12:00, USM students Michael Steele and Alex Waite will give a brownbag lunch lecture for GSI about their semester of study abroad in Russia.
• Nov. 10-13 – In partnership with the USM Department of History, Political Science, and Global Studies, GSI will twelve students to the International Studies Association Regional Conference in St. Louis.
• Nov. 18 and 19 – Please mark your calendars for the USM Garage Sale scheduled for November 18 (Friday – 1pm to 4pm) and November 19 (Saturday – 8am to 3pm) in the former Student Union in Berchmans’ lower level.  All proceeds will go towards the Global Studies/Campus Ministry Service Trip to Peru, South America over Spring Break.  Your donations would be very much appreciated!  You may start bringing in items, clothing, furniture, etc. (in good condition) and placing them in Berchmans Student Union area beginning October 24.  There will be two pick up days for those unable to bring furniture to USM.  Please contact Campus Ministry if you need more information. 
• Nov. 28 – In the Faculty / Staff Lounge from 11:20 to 12:00, USM student (and former long-time employee) Shirley Rockwell will give a brownbag lunch lecture for GSI on her Summer Trip to Europe.

• 5    GSI announced the “Global Studies in the Classroom” Grants, in amounts of up to $500 each, intended for projects or specific activities at the University of Saint Mary (at any site and in any department) that are designed to help increase international awareness and understanding among USM students. In promoting the study of the increasingly-integrated global community, priority will be given to projects or activities that clearly support the principles of peace, justice, freedom and human rights.  Faculty were provided with specific guidelines and instructions, and informed that the deadline for submissions would be Friday, January 16, 2012.  Determination of project approval will be made by members of the Starr Global Studies Institute Advisory Board. 
• 10  GSI started its Brownbag Lunch Lecture Series for the 2011-2012 academic year by hosting Caleb McNary of Numana (www.numanainc.com / twitter.com/calebmcnary).  Addressing USM students, Mr. McNary, who is the Director of Communications and Advocay for Numana, said, “You are going to change the world, but you probably don't know it yet.”  He explored the topic of world change in his presentation, “How Big is Your Vision?”  Using real life examples and humorous illustrations, Mr. McNary made the case that in one way or another, people do change the world, but it is up to them and their vision to determine how, and by how much.
• 15  The Statewide Packaging Event (SWIPE) at USM attracted over 120 participants, who created over 20,000 meal packets (composed of soy, beans, and rice) for Somali refugee camps in Northeastern Kenya.  SWIPE was a partnership between USM Student Life, Campus Ministry, the Starr Global Studies Institute, and Student Government Association.  All ages from 2 to 92 were represented and every department and office at USM had representatives participate.  Our coaches and student athletes really made this event a success!  There were numerous Sisters of Charity, alumni, and community partners.  The most important community partner was Numana, who provided the food ingredients and materials.   Youtube.com video USM’s SWIPE 2011 can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VKdM8V5nQM. 
• 17  To coincide with the United Nations focus on world hunger, GSI partnered with the University of Saint Mary McGilley Chair for Liberal Studies, to hold the Light of Saint Vincent de Paul Poetry Contest.  In the Catholic tradition, Saint Vincent de Paul was a French priest who worked on behalf of the poor and hungry in Paris in the 17th Century.  His influence was essential in the formation of the Sisters of Charity, and it was appropriate that he should be honored as his “light” was reflected in USM’s canned food drive and week-long focus on hunger and hunger-relief issues.  There were two winners of poetry contest, Amanda Beeson and Ian Lutz.  Both Amanda and Ian were awarded $100 for their poems.
• 21  GSI announced the redesign of its website (http://gsi.stmary.edu/), and the launch of its Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Starr-Global-Studies-Institute-at-USM/129099590479602?sk=wall.)