U-LEAD is a self-guided university leadership program here at UW-L that I took part in this year. There was a Celebration of Involvement and Leadership ceremony this past Tuesday where all the participants who had successfully completed the program received their certificates. U-LEAD is a great way to get involved and develop leadership skills in your own way and at your own pace.
There are four major components of the U-LEAD program including involvement, volunteerism, cultural awareness, and workshops. The involvement category mainly entails getting involved on campus with clubs, government, and athletics either by becoming a member or simply attending a meeting/event. The volunteer component requires that you complete 10 hours of community service which can be done through a campus organization or something else in the city of La Crosse. The cultural awareness category is pretty self-explanatory in that you attend different events on campus to enhance your cultural awareness. The category of workshops involves attending 4 workshops sponsored by the U-LEAD program centered on different aspects of leadership.
Overall, I found my experience with the U-LEAD program to be very worthwhile and beneficial for me. I feel like I really did develop leadership skills in my own way and definitely had fun along the way. I believe the four categories of requirements that are designed to help you develop your leadership skills in a variety of areas did just that for me! So when you come to campus, you should consider taking part in the U-LEAD program. You can talk to your RA or simply stop by the Involvement Center in room 222 Cartwright Center for more information about U-LEAD and tons of other opportunities to get involved!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Refugee Awareness Program
So this week one of the RAs in our residence hall put on a Refugee Awareness Program. I went to the program to learn more about refugees because I really didn't know that much. I learned SOOO much at this program!! It blew me away!
The RA presented information about three refugee camps---one in Uganda, one in Israel/Palestine and then just Africa as a whole. These were just three examples of what is happening in refugee camps all across the world everyday that most of us never even think about. There are so many things that go on in the world that some of us can be so uninformed about---including myself at times. Before attending this program, I didn't know much at all about refugee camps.
The refugee camp in particular that really caught my attention was the one in Uganda. Three men started this army to rebel against the government and they had a lot of followers that were a part of their army. Later, some of their followers left and in order to maintain the large numbers of soldiers in their army, they started taking the children of refugees who had come to their country seeking a safe place. These children were torn away from their parents and families at the tender ages of 9 or 10 to be forced to serve in this army and eventually turn into killers. The children were subjected to horrible forms of torture in order to desensitize them so that they would be able to treat other people in a similar way while they served in this army.
As I was hearing all this information, I couldn't believe it. I was stunned. This is just one example of all the horrible things going on in the world every single day. I feel like we all need to do our part in becoming aware of these issues and then hopefully try to bring an end to all the terrible things going on. I plan on watching the movie "Invisible Children" because it is about the refugee camps in Uganda and the children who were forced to be in that army. I want to become more informed and then hopefully use that new knowledge to do something about these events.
The RA presented information about three refugee camps---one in Uganda, one in Israel/Palestine and then just Africa as a whole. These were just three examples of what is happening in refugee camps all across the world everyday that most of us never even think about. There are so many things that go on in the world that some of us can be so uninformed about---including myself at times. Before attending this program, I didn't know much at all about refugee camps.
The refugee camp in particular that really caught my attention was the one in Uganda. Three men started this army to rebel against the government and they had a lot of followers that were a part of their army. Later, some of their followers left and in order to maintain the large numbers of soldiers in their army, they started taking the children of refugees who had come to their country seeking a safe place. These children were torn away from their parents and families at the tender ages of 9 or 10 to be forced to serve in this army and eventually turn into killers. The children were subjected to horrible forms of torture in order to desensitize them so that they would be able to treat other people in a similar way while they served in this army.
As I was hearing all this information, I couldn't believe it. I was stunned. This is just one example of all the horrible things going on in the world every single day. I feel like we all need to do our part in becoming aware of these issues and then hopefully try to bring an end to all the terrible things going on. I plan on watching the movie "Invisible Children" because it is about the refugee camps in Uganda and the children who were forced to be in that army. I want to become more informed and then hopefully use that new knowledge to do something about these events.
Friday, April 4, 2008
"Fine Dine"
Last night, the ladies of our fourth floor wing of Wentz Hall had a "Fine Dine" with some gentlemen from White Hall. I had went to a "Fine Dine" last year as a freshman, but I liked it so much that I wanted to go to another one this year.
A "Fine Dine" is a dinner where two wings/cubes of opposite genders from different residence halls get together for a nice dinner and some good company! There is a nice little place in the basement of Coate Hall (UW-L's all freshmen residence hall) called Koehler's where all the "Fine Dines" are held. It is a unique and interesting room that can be used for nice dinners or just a cool place to hang out. When you go to a "Fine Dine," you are served very good food comparable to what you would get at a restaurant! (You just use one of the meals from your meal plan.) The meal starts with a salad and biscuit for everyone. Then you are served the main course with a side and finally the meal ends with a tasty dessert! Yum! :)
Usually every wing/cube of each residence hall is able to take part in a "Fine Dine" sometime throughout the year. It is a really nice experience and a great opportunity to dress up and meet other people from across campus all while sharing a nice meal!
On a side note, if any of you have any questions or comments about anything I write, please feel free to post them in response to my blogs. I will do my best to answer any questions you may have. Don't be shy. :)
A "Fine Dine" is a dinner where two wings/cubes of opposite genders from different residence halls get together for a nice dinner and some good company! There is a nice little place in the basement of Coate Hall (UW-L's all freshmen residence hall) called Koehler's where all the "Fine Dines" are held. It is a unique and interesting room that can be used for nice dinners or just a cool place to hang out. When you go to a "Fine Dine," you are served very good food comparable to what you would get at a restaurant! (You just use one of the meals from your meal plan.) The meal starts with a salad and biscuit for everyone. Then you are served the main course with a side and finally the meal ends with a tasty dessert! Yum! :)
Usually every wing/cube of each residence hall is able to take part in a "Fine Dine" sometime throughout the year. It is a really nice experience and a great opportunity to dress up and meet other people from across campus all while sharing a nice meal!
On a side note, if any of you have any questions or comments about anything I write, please feel free to post them in response to my blogs. I will do my best to answer any questions you may have. Don't be shy. :)
Friday, March 28, 2008
Welcome Back
Welcome back for the last half of the second semester! Things this week are crazy for a lot of the students here at UW-L. Some people are having midterms if they didn't have them before spring break while others have another round of tests and projects, so either way school is keeping everyone pretty busy! I had a lot of stuff going on this week and next week is also jam packed for me, but I'm just taking it one day at a time. Atleast I'll be able to relax a little bit this weekend (even though I will have to do some homework).
This morning after I got done with class, I went over to Reuter Hall, which is our newest residence hall on campus (it's only a few years old). I have a friend who lives there and I needed to give something to her. For those of you who don't know, Reuter Hall is an apartment style living environment on the UW-L campus. Its rooms are similar to suites and there are four people with their own separate rooms in each suite. There is a kitchen area, living room, and bathroom all within the suite. Anyway, as I was on my way to my friend's room, I saw someone who I sit next to in one of my classes. She lives in Reuter too and she ended up giving me a tour of her suite because I had never actually seen a suite in Reuter. I was very impressed with how nice the suites in Reuter actually were! However, the living environment is very different than the other residence halls on campus which is most likely part of the reason why Reuter Hall is only available for students of sophomore status or higher to live in. It's just one more of the many options that UW-L offers to its students!
This morning after I got done with class, I went over to Reuter Hall, which is our newest residence hall on campus (it's only a few years old). I have a friend who lives there and I needed to give something to her. For those of you who don't know, Reuter Hall is an apartment style living environment on the UW-L campus. Its rooms are similar to suites and there are four people with their own separate rooms in each suite. There is a kitchen area, living room, and bathroom all within the suite. Anyway, as I was on my way to my friend's room, I saw someone who I sit next to in one of my classes. She lives in Reuter too and she ended up giving me a tour of her suite because I had never actually seen a suite in Reuter. I was very impressed with how nice the suites in Reuter actually were! However, the living environment is very different than the other residence halls on campus which is most likely part of the reason why Reuter Hall is only available for students of sophomore status or higher to live in. It's just one more of the many options that UW-L offers to its students!
Friday, March 14, 2008
SPRING BREAK!!!
Spring break has finally arrived for the students at UW-La Crosse!! This week was pretty hectic for lots of people, but that's the life of a college student. I had a physics lab midterm on Monday which I think went pretty well for me. Then on Wednesday, I had a midterm exam in my literature class and it was not as hard as I thought it would be so that's always a nice surprise. This morning I had a group presentation in my sociology class. Our group had met a couple times outside of class to put the presentation together. It was tough to find times when everyone could meet since so many people had tons of exams this week, but we managed. The presentation itself went really well this morning and our professor was pleased with our work.
I think that's all I've got for this week. I am so excited for a week off of school!! It's going to be so nice and relaxing! Aaaahhhhh!
I think that's all I've got for this week. I am so excited for a week off of school!! It's going to be so nice and relaxing! Aaaahhhhh!
Friday, March 7, 2008
Another Great Reason to Love UW-L!
As a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society UW-La Crosse Chapter, we have regular monthly meetings like any other organization. Last night we had our March meeting and there was a guest speaker from the Career Services department on campus. I learned so many things that I didn't even know UW-L offered!!
The speaker talked about all the things UW-L offers career-wise. It blew me away! There is something called Eagle Opportunity that every student enrolled at UW-L has access to. It is an online list of all kinds of job and internship opportunites in virtually all fields that businesses, companies, etc. have to offer all around the world. You can obviously narrow your search with specific information you are looking for; history-related jobs in Atlanta, GA was the example she used. The staff at Career Services compiles this listing and updates it monthly by going to all the major job websites plus more and putting all the internship and employment opportunities into one convenient place for UW-L students!
With Eagle Opportunity, UW-L students can also upload their resumes into the program. Then they can instantly use it to apply for jobs by clicking a button that says submit resume. It's as easy as that to apply for some jobs and internships. Others obviously require a little more than just submitting your resume, but nevertheless, Eagle Opportunity is a great tool for UW-L students to take advantage of! So that's just another great reason to love UW-L!!
The speaker talked about all the things UW-L offers career-wise. It blew me away! There is something called Eagle Opportunity that every student enrolled at UW-L has access to. It is an online list of all kinds of job and internship opportunites in virtually all fields that businesses, companies, etc. have to offer all around the world. You can obviously narrow your search with specific information you are looking for; history-related jobs in Atlanta, GA was the example she used. The staff at Career Services compiles this listing and updates it monthly by going to all the major job websites plus more and putting all the internship and employment opportunities into one convenient place for UW-L students!
With Eagle Opportunity, UW-L students can also upload their resumes into the program. Then they can instantly use it to apply for jobs by clicking a button that says submit resume. It's as easy as that to apply for some jobs and internships. Others obviously require a little more than just submitting your resume, but nevertheless, Eagle Opportunity is a great tool for UW-L students to take advantage of! So that's just another great reason to love UW-L!!
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Being Productive Feels Good!
I've been very productive the past few days and it feels really good! On Thursday, I finished up my applications for scholarships through the UW-L Foundation and turned them in---that was a big weight lifted off of my chest! Then on Friday, I worked on filling out Financial Aid Forms both for UW-L and the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). That is always such a time consuming process but it didn't take too long for me this year. So today I called home and got a few of my questions answered and I was able to fill out the FAFSA online and submit it. What a great feeling!!
Tonight, I am going to the 5pm Mass at the Newman Center (the Catholic church right across the street from Cartwright Center on campus). Then I am meeting some friends at The Cellar for supper. From there, we are all going to The Price is Right event that is being held on campus! There was an event like this last year and it was really fun. Hopefully one of us will get to "come on down" and win some cool prizes!!! :)
Tonight, I am going to the 5pm Mass at the Newman Center (the Catholic church right across the street from Cartwright Center on campus). Then I am meeting some friends at The Cellar for supper. From there, we are all going to The Price is Right event that is being held on campus! There was an event like this last year and it was really fun. Hopefully one of us will get to "come on down" and win some cool prizes!!! :)
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