Press Releases:
November 2008
METROPOLITAN STATE COLLEGE of DENVER
HOLIDAY SEASON BOOTCAMP:
STORY IDEAS/EXPERTS FOR THANKSGIVING THROUGH THE NEW YEAR
The following Metropolitan State College of Denver professors are available to lend their expertise for holiday-themed stories.
Finding holiday savings without spending any money: Assistant Professor of Accounting Allan S. Rosenbaum can address how family’s can save money during what can often be an expensive season. While many are looking for the best deals to save money on airfares, rental cars and gifts, Rosenbaum suggests the best gift might in end-of-year tax planning. Contact Professor Rosenbaum at 303-619-7333.
New Year’s Resolution? Fit at any size: Professor of Human Performance and Sport Joe Quatrochi is available to show viewers how to maintain an exercise routine through the holiday season. The cancer survivor believes there’s a routine for everyone. His expertise includes physical activity and disease prevention, physical activity and heart disease. Contact Professor Quatrochi at 303-358-0860.
Sitting at the holiday table with family that irks you: Professor and clinical psychologist Shawn Worthy can provide tips to make the holidays less stressful and more enjoyable, including developing realistic expectations and creating family traditions. His expertise includes family systems, mental health and teen suicide. Contact Professor Worthy at 303-550-2414.
How will President Bush and President-elect Obama spend the holidays?: Political Science Professor Norman Provizer can address how president-elects and presidents have traditionally celebrated the holidays. He has expertise in a number of areas, including constitutional law, public policy, as well as media and politics. Contact Professor Provizer at 303-809-5696.
Your turn to cook holiday dinner?: The Hospitality, Tourism and Events Department has a team of professionals available to discuss budget-wise and health-conscious meals, holiday desserts, wine/food pairings and alternatives to the traditional ham and turkey. Michael Wray, director of restaurant management, Jackson Lamb, director of culinary management, and Shelly Owens, director of culinary arts are available for on-air cooking and meal-prep demonstrations.
Tough economy, but no need to skim on safe holiday toys: Industrial Design Professor David Klein offers smart shopping tips to consumers as they continue to look for safe toys for children leading up to the Christmas holiday. Contact Professor Klein at 720-212-4224.
Finding the right fitness equipment for your exercise routine: Professor of Human Performance and Sport Marc Rabinoff is available to discuss the safety hazards consumers need to be aware of when purchasing exercise equipment. He can address personal trainer qualifications, fitness fraud, and health club standards. Call Professor Rabinoff at 303-594-3101.
The professors can be contacted directly at the above numbers or through Angelia McGowan at 303-556-5133 or angeliam@mscd.edu.
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METROPOLITAN STATE COLLEGE of DENVER
Women’s soccer team advances to Final Four in NCAA Division II
Allendale, Mich. - Metropolitan State of College of Denver’s women’s soccer team advanced to the NCAA Division II national semifinals on Sunday with a 1-0 win over the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. The goal was made by junior forward Becca Mays, with an assist by senior midfielder Jaimie Stephenson.
The Roadrunners (20-1-3) will face Seattle Pacific University (20-1-2) on Dec. 4 in Pepin Stadium at University of Tampa in Tampa, Fla.
“We’re keeping our eyes on the prize,” says head coach and former Roadrunner Adrianne Almaraz, who began her first season as head coach in March 2008.
Almaraz was captain of Metro State's 2004 national championship team and an assistant coach for the 2006 national title squad.
“I’m really proud of Adrianne,” says Athletic Director Joan McDermott. “She’s handling the pressure with being a new head coach. She’s doing a phenomenal job.”
On Friday, Metro State women’s soccer team downed Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference rival Regis University 2-1 on an overtime goal from Stephenson to advance to the quarterfinal round.
St. Rose, N.Y. (20-3-1) will play West Florida (23-0-1) in the other semifinal. The championship game is scheduled for Dec. 6 in Tampa.
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METROPOLITAN STATE COLLEGE of DENVER
Contact: Angelia McGowan, 303-556-5133 or Jeffrey Price, 303-912-0917
Metro State professors publish landmark textbook on aviation security
DENVER - On Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists used aviation to commit the largest terrorist attack ever against the United States. At the time, there existed no comprehensive textbook or any undergraduate courses that addressed aviation security practices. Now the first comprehensive textbook on the subject is available.
Co-authored by two aviation professors at Metropolitan State College of Denver, “Practical Aviation Security: Predicting and Preventing Future Threats” (Butterworth-Heinemann, an Imprint of Elsevier, http://elsevierdirect.com) addresses the wide range of aviation security issues starting with key historical attacks and the formation of subsequent aviation policy. The book also outlines the role of state, local and federal government agencies.
“A few attempts were made to publish such a text after 9/11 by various authors, but none that focused on the practical application of international and domestic aviation security policies and procedures,” says Jeffrey S. Forrest, associate professor and chair of the Department of Aviation and Aerospace Science.
The textbook explains the layered aviation security system and addresses topics such as: commercial service and general aviation airport security, access control and credentialing, security screening, airline and air cargo security, airport policing, terrorism and methods of handling existing and future threats to aviation.
Assistant Professor of Aviation and Aerospace Science Jeffrey C. Price traveled extensively to conduct research for the textbook. “I traveled to Israel, Great Britain, Canada and Ireland to study aviation security practices and how other countries deal with threats to aviation,” says Price, who has nearly 20 years of experience in aviation security and airport management and has been a full-time professor at the College since 2003.
To speak with the professors, contact Angelia McGowan at 303-556-5133 or to learn more about the Metro State aviation program, visit http://www.mscd.edu/~aviation/.
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METROPOLITAN STATE COLLEGE of DENVER
Metro State prof Cynthia Vannucci receives
“Educator of the Year” award
Professional Convention Management Association recognizes professor
DENVER- Metropolitan State College of Denver Associate Professor Cynthia Vannucci is the recipient of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) “Educator of the Year” award. She will be recognized at the 2009 Celebrate PCMA Awards Luncheon on Jan. 12, 2009 in New Orleans.
A professor in the Hospitality, Tourism and Events Management department for nearly 10 years, Vannucci directs her students in organizing a variety of community projects, including Frosty’s Feast – a luncheon and silent auction held annually on campus.
Proceeds from the event go to the “Be Santa Clause to an Adult” project, which is sponsored by Denver Human Services to bring holiday greetings to seniors in need. Last year, more than $13,000 was raised. This year the sold-out event will be held on Dec. 3 at the Tivoli Turnhalle on the Auraria Campus. The day has been declared “Frosty’s Feast Day” by Mayor John Hickenlooper, who is scheduled to attend.
Frosty’s Feast was started by Metro State students in 2004 to provide holiday gifts for area seniors who are forgotten during the holiday season. “The reason we are so successful is that our projects give students such purpose and fulfillment,” says Vannucci who also received the “Educator of the Year” award from PCMA in 2001. “They have a blast.”
Vannucci is no doubt proud of her students who are members of the Metro State student chapter of PCMA, as they are one of four chapters to receive this year’s “Student Chapter of the Year” award. The PCMA Education Foundation awards $500 to the winners of the award to help fund chapter projects, events and activities.
PCMA represents more than 6,000 meeting industry leaders including planner professionals, suppliers, faculty and students. The organization was founded in 1957.
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METROPOLITAN STATE COLLEGE of DENVER
Metro State honors veterans with flag-raising ceremony
WHAT/WHY: Metropolitan State College of Denver is hosting a flag-raising ceremony on Veteran’s Day to honor men and women who have served their country, or have fought or died in present or past wars. On this day, students serving in any branch of the United States military are encouraged to wear their military regalia and be recognized across campus.
Director of Metro State’s Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program Leroy Chavez will officiate the ceremony. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the VUB program serves about 120 veterans every year. Through the program, eligible veterans can participate in the program at anytime in their life. Older veterans tend to come to learn computer skills, while younger veterans come to the program for help with their transition to higher education.
WHEN: 11 a.m., Veterans Day, Nov. 11
WHERE: Flag pole (center of Auraria Campus, between Emmanuel Gallery and Auraria Library)
VISUALS: Presentation of colors by Gateway High School Color Guard, students in military regalia, national anthem and a moment of silence.
For more information contact Angelia McGowan at 303-556-5133 or angeliam@mscd.edu.
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METROPOLITAN STATE COLLEGE of DENVER
Metro State President Stephen Jordan
re-elected chair of NCAA Presidents Council
DENVER – Metropolitan State College of Denver President Stephen Jordan has been re-elected to a second one-year term as chair of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Presidents Council. He has been a member of the Council since April 2007. His membership extends through the 2010 NCAA Convention "I am honored to continue serving a national organization that recognizes the need to balance the role of the athletics program to serve both the campus and the general public,” says Jordan.
As chair, Jordan serves as a spokesperson for Division II and chair for the Division II Administrative Committee. He also is a member of the association’s Executive Committee and as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the Division II Budget/Finance Committee. In addition to presiding at the Presidents Council meetings, Jordan will continue to preside at the Division II business session at the annual NCAA convention.
The Presidents Council is the leadership structure and forum for presidential interests in Division II athletics. The council, made up of 15 presidents and chancellors from Division II institutions, establishes and directs general policy and sponsors legislation for approval by the Division II membership. It also has the authority to approve non-controversial legislation.
Involvement with such groups is not new to Jordan. At Eastern Washington University, Jordan chaired the Big Sky Conference’s Presidents Council, a board on which he served for seven years. He also was a member of an NCAA presidential advisory group that reported to the Division I Board of Directors. Jordan became president of Metro State in July 2005 after having been president of Eastern Washington University since 1998. He holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Colorado Denver and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado.
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