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RPTA FACULTY SUMMER UPDATE

Compiled by Brian Greenwood, Faculty Advisor for "The Report"

Have you ever wondered what RPTA faculty do over the summer? We thought you might, so we've decided to open up a bit and share some tidbits from our summer. We wanted RPTA students, alumni, parents, and friends to get a brief glimpse into our lives. No, we're not all out playing golf or lounging by the pool all summer! Yes, we are a bit busier than you may have imagined! Here goes (in alphabetical order by last name):

Marni Goldenberg - Two of my research papers were presented at an international conference, and I have also worked on some of my grants/research and traveled in CA. Enjoying the great SLO weather!

Jerusha & Brian Greenwood - The first part of the summer was spent traveling back East (NC/VA) for one-year old Max to finally meet his grandparents on Brian's side. Notice we did not use the term "vacation" in that sentence. Traveling with two kids ages 1 & 3 is no "vacation!" But in all seriousness, it was wonderful seeing friends and family and making stops in Washington, DC, Asheville, NC, and Charlottesville, VA to name a few.

Upon our return, we've been very busy. Brian is juggling work with Cal Poly's Center for Teaching & Learning, teaching an online course through NC State, and overseeing a research grant studying the the Junior Giants, the San Francisco Giants' flagship youth program. Jerusha is busy supervising senior projects and internships, compiling the department's assessment report, planning for next year, and writing journal articles. And we're both busy chasing Max around the house (he's walking now) and shuttling Evie to swimming lessons (with Jayson Jones, RPTA '11). We have one last trip planned up to Oregon in mid-August, which is a combined work (data collection) and family fun time.

Dr. Hendricks - On a professional basis I have been busy holding down the RPTA "fort" here at Cal Poly. We have a few exciting projects in the works that hopefully will be announced in an upcoming newsletter. I’ve also spent time visiting interns and attending functions including the Cal Travel Conference and Cal Travel Board of Directors meeting, and a strategic planning meeting with President Armstrong and other department heads. I have a couple of research endeavors in the hopper including a request to write a chapter(s) for a new recreation, parks, and tourism research/evaluation textbook and a manuscript for a journal.

Now, the fun stuff! Our 15-year old son, Sam spent nearly three weeks traveling in Australia with People to People as a Student Ambassador. We braved “carmageddon” to pick him up at LAX in mid-July. While he was away, Maggie and I spent a couple of days in Santa Barbara, hosted college friends over the 4th, and celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary! I have been trying to surf at least a couple of days a week, and we have a camping trip planned at Lake Tahoe with Maggie’s side of the family. I will also be playing in a golf tournament up at Graeagle with old high school buddies later this summer, and Sam and I will be taking our annual surf/camping trip.

Jeff Jacobs - Every summer, Dr. Jacobs returns to his roots and serves as the Camp Director for Camp Henry in Michigan. It's a family affair with all of the Jacobs family chipping in. And most summers, a couple of RPTA students join him for firsthand experience in running a large summer camp. This summer is no different, as Dani Correll ('11) and Lara Choma ('11) made the trek to serve on Camp Henry's staff. We look forward to hearing about all the adventures!

Cynthia Moyer - As many of you can attest, Professor Moyer has earned the label of "advising guru" and that label along with her countless advising awards led to her being asked by Dean Wehner to head the development of a centralized advising structure for CAFES. After her sabbatical in the spring quarter (which was spent mostly working on the new advising structure), Professor Moyer has been working overtime this summer finalizing the development of the new system. Two new college advisors have started, which means lots of training and meeting sessions.

In addition to the new responsibilities, she's taken time to play "Grandma" with her grandsons - how else could she explain the fact that she's seen the new "Transformers" film. And of course, she enjoys her daily 3-mile walk with her dog Sienna and finding time for bike rides. She's also looking forward to a much deserved vacation traveling to Sisters, Oregon in August.

Kendi Root - No down time yet.... but soon. Here's a list of things happening in my life this summer: (a) With a year long commitment planning CTTC's Sustainable Summit (unfortunately it was recently canceled) and the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference, the team and I jumped right into the most critical planning phase...summer, which is the 3-month timeline when all the action happens. This means we are busy auditing room blocks, food menus, planning details, and pre-planning of controlling and measuring waste for the conferences. (b) Moved offices. Such an endeavor. Never realize how much stuff accumulates over time. Still purging through this, but I like my new digs! Come and visit me next to Dr. Jacobs. (c) Teaching a new course RPTA 470 Sustained Planned Events. The students are engaged, curious, and delightful, and we are all learning excellent insights into sustained and green planning tactics. (d) Family, family, family. I am enjoying time with my family. We finished our first 3000 piece puzzle and just started a 5,000 piece. We are all reading our Kindles outside on the patio with BBQ's, dogs, walks, and great movies! (e) I have been gardening, and re-painted my home office and Halle's room.

(f) Speaking of Halle, we celebrated her 11th birthday on 7/11/11 with several RPTA students at Mustang Lanes (pictured above). (g) Traveling on the weekends to Newport Beach, Balboa Island, El Dorado Hills, San Francisco, Santa Cruz. Nieces and nephews having birthdays, babies and getting married! (h) When in town, garage sales every Saturday morning with my mom and Halle. (i) Moved a childhood friend who was very ill this past year into her own small home with assisted daily care. This was very exciting, considering we didn't think she would be with us today! (j) Volunteering my time for my church to help raise money for kids camp.

Kirk Sturm - Kirk is taking a risk management course from the University of Southern Florida. The course is similar to RPTA 342, and it is interesting to see how different professors present the concepts and learning domains. Kirk finished his pilot data collection for his dissertation, including interviewing students on the Cal Poly campus, generating transcripts, and starting the analysis. Kirk hopes to present his findings in September and start his 'real' data collection in the fall. Kirk is enjoying walking at Montana de Oro State Park and rowing. His host daughter, Anna, went back to Germany in early July and his daughter Emma is headed to Switzerland for a one-year study abroad.

Rene Van Hoorn - Rene just finished up with the Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp and is excited now for her vacation to begin!

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