Campus News Briefs

Kinesiology and Health Science Sponsors Workshop

The Department of Kinesiology and Health Science sponsored a physical education workshop in October for more than 98 Richmond County teachers. The theme of the conference was the New Physical Education. B. McKinley Thomas, PhD, conducted basic computer skills training. Graduate students Kristy Olive, Maureen Rosenberger, and Norman Williams made a presentation on National Standards for Physical Education. Michael O'Connor, PhD, discussed the New Physical Education, which involves the design and delivery of school-based physical education programs that help students lead healthy lives.

Chemistry and Physics Department Observes "Mole Day"

Mole Day – October 23 – was observed by the Department of Chemistry and Physics to increase chemistry awareness among students, faculty, and staff. A basic concept that is taught in introductory chemistry courses is that atoms and molecules can be "counted" in units of moles. Tom Crute, PhD, chemistry, explains, "one mole of any substance consists of 6.02 x 1023 units of that substance. Of course 10 to the 23rd power is a big number and you will notice that Mole Day is the 23rd day of the 10th month."

Mole Day was celebrated in chemistry classes throughout the nation; and on the ASU campus, nine chemistry and physics faculty dressed in Mole Day-related costumes. The observance doubled as a fundraiser with faculty members collecting money for chemistry classes at our adopt-a-school, Lucy Laney High. "According to one of the teachers that we contacted," says Crute, "each teacher only has a $50 supply budget for the whole year to cover 6 classes of 24 students each." Their goal was to double the supplies budget, and according to Crute, approximately $250 was raised in the effort, which when added to incentives from a chemical supplier comes to more than $300. A presentation is planned with the Laney chemistry teachers.

Business Students at ASU Score High

Students in the College of Business Administration continue to perform exceedingly well on a nationally administered test of basic business knowledge. Dean Jack Widener says that on the fall 2000 ETS Major Field Test in Business, ASU students' overall score was better than 93 percent of the two-year average scores of 388 business schools across the country.

The test is not a graduation requirement nor is it a part of a course grade, says Widener, but, rather, is used to evaluate and improve the business curriculum. These scores were the second highest since 1995– the first year that business students at Augusta State were administered the test. Widener says that the top scoring business student was Shannon Clark who had a score of 183 of a possible 200 points.

ASU Students Perform Well on Regent's Test

Augusta State ranks among the top schools in the University System of Georgia in the passing rates for students taking the 1999-2000 Regents' Test on the first attempt. Of 34 institutions, ASU's passing rate was higher than 26 other System schools. With a passing rate of 74 percent, only Georgia Tech (88.1), the Medical College of Georgia (74.4), the University of Georgia (90.6), North Georgia College and State University (83.5), Dalton (82.7), Coastal Georgia (78.2) and Darton (74.2) scored higher. Augusta State's percentage pass rate for the reading portion of the Regents' Test was 86.6 and for the essay portion, 81.5. The percentages for the University System as a whole were 85.9 percent on the reading, 81.5 percent on the essay, and 73.9 percent for both.

Career Center Members "Dress for Success"

Staff members at the ASU Career Center dressed up in Halloween costumes to take greetings and treats to area businesses that support their job service. Pictured from left: Julie Goley, Pam Schwiebert, Chad Buchanan, and Patricia Braswell.