Fall 2010 Newsletter Extended: Wooden Desk
Live It, Protect It, Explore It!
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FROM MY LITTLE WOODEN DESK…
By: Dr. Bill Hendricks, Department Head
Each fall quarter incoming students arrive at Cal Poly with exuberance, confidence, a sense of adventure, a thirst for knowledge, and a bit of the unknown awaiting them in San Luis Obispo. One of the hats the RPTA faculty
wears is to challenge new and returning students to stretch themselves beyond their comfort level. In part, this means recognizing the vast array of co-curricular opportunities available that is a crucial ingredient to students’ learning and “the college experience.” In this issue of the newsletter, you will read about the steps many of our students have taken to gain experiences outside of the classroom.
For example, the International College of Management in Sydney has become a popular study abroad choice of RPTA majors. In fact, based on the results of a recent National Survey on Student Engagement, more than 1 in 5 Cal Poly RPTA seniors has studied abroad and nearly 70% of first-year students intend to study abroad. Similarly, in recent years RPTA students seem to have caught the professional development conference bug. Conferences provide students with an opportunity to network with seasoned professionals, to learn first-hand about industry trends, and to investigate job opportunities, internships and graduate school. Of course, as faculty we often boast of our students as if they are our own children. Please join me in congratulating our Academic Quiz Bowl team of Amber Black, Amy Lepp, Kristen, McClay, and Kelsey Pavao who along with their coach Dr. Brian Greenwood, returned from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Congress in Minneapolis as the National Champions of the first ever parks and recreation quiz bowl. Moreover, Katherine Soule, a recent M.S. degree recipient from our program deserves accolades as one of only two future scholars in North America recognized at the NRPA Congress.
In parting, rejoice in the holidays, take time to visit a special place, create new memories, and don’t forget as my dad always said, “keep those cards and letters (emails) coming.”
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