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FEATURES

Anthony Colosimo sings next to Andrea Bocelli.

Student shares stage with famed tenor
CNU senior Anthony Colosimo had the rare opportunity to sing at a sold-out concert with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli on Oct. 20 at the Ferguson Center for the Arts. Anthony received the 2005 Scholarship from the National Italian American Foundation. Bocelli, a friend of the foundation, presented Anthony with the scholarship on Oct. 19, and invited him to perform during Bocelli’s concert the following evening to an audience of 1,700. Anthony describes his experience >>>

Students, faculty volunteer in Kenya
Several CNU students and faculty spent five weeks this past summer in southwestern Kenya helping the traditionally nomadic Maasai tribe make the transition into a stationary lifestyle. Senior Jonelle Hanson, alumnus Greg Poljacik, and professors Lea Pellett and Linda Waldron joined about 10 other volunteers from the United States. These volunteers with the Maasai American Organization worked in education and community health programs in the Siana Group Ranch.

CNU to offer new chemistry degree in fall 2006
Christopher Newport University has been granted approval to offer a bachelor of science degree in chemistry beginning in fall 2006. The approval, granted by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia on Oct. 25, comes after about 14 months of effort and realizes a significant goal set by CNU President Paul Trible in August 2004.

CNU Village announces new salons, restaurants
Salons and restaurants ranging from the well known to the unique are coming to CNU Village. The following businesses will begin opening after Thanksgiving: Subway, Schooners, Sushi & Spice, Tiki Mon, Supercuts and Bottoms Up Pizza.

Gulf Coast families 'adopted'
CNU students Kristen Harding, Chrissie Jaeger and 25 organizations 'adopted' Gulf Coast families that relocated to Hampton Roads as a result of the hurricanes. Kristen and Chrissie, with the help of June Boone, Student Services administration assistant, organized "Operation Starfish" with support from the Salvation Army. Many families received gifts of clothing, cookware, ironing boards, baby strollers and toys. The generosity of those who participated is heartwarming and appreciated.

Alumni Society Board Membership nominations are being accepted
As Alumni Society leaders, board members will attend all meetings, actively participate in as many alumni events as possible, provide annual financial support to the University, and assist in the recruitment of other alumni volunteers to help reach our goal to enrich the University.  If you or someone you know is interested in serving CNU as an alumni society board member please e-mail Christie Chipps, Director of Alumni Relations at christie.chipps@cnu.edu or visit the web site to fill out a nomination form.  All forms must be received by Nov. 28 to be included in the nomination process.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Alumna receives national award
A graduate’s scholarly paper has been named the outstanding undergraduate paper by the Organization for the Study of Communication, Language, and Gender. The paper by Madelin “Rosie” Russo ’04 details the limited role of women in the sports world.

Dining complex renamed, dedicated
The renamed Hiden-Hussey dining complex, formerly Harbor Lights, was dedicated on Oct. 1 in recognition of the generous gifts of the Hiden and Hussey families to the University. The Hidenwood neighborhood, developed between 1951 and 1957, was named for Philip Wallace Hiden and his wife, Martha Woodroof Hiden. Philip Hiden was the mayor of Newport News from 1920 to 1924.

Faculty chosen for research project
A team of nine members are working on a plan for creating more opportunities for undergraduate students to work with faculty on research across departments. Working with a national alliance – Project Kaleidoscope – the CNU team’s goal is to make students and faculty aware of the value and potential for undergraduate out-of-classroom research and the benefits of working in different disciplines.

Coach Vince Brown to be honored
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association will induct Vince Brown into its Hall of Fame in Jacksonville, Fla., on Nov. 30. Brown, former head coach at CNU, will join 12 others in this year’s Hall of Fame Class. The class includes coaches whose careers rank prominently among some of the all-time greats. Their brilliant coaching careers have left a lasting impression on hundreds of young men and women student athletes, as well as the sports of track & field and cross country as a whole.

Grounds Department recognized by Chesapeake Bay group
A new plan for environmental management and protection has been named an outstanding achievement by a group that works to protect the Chesapeake Bay. The Grounds Department at CNU earned the Outstanding Achievement for a Government Facility award in the State Government category from Businesses for the Bay. The new plan was designed to help monitor water use and water run off, lessen pesticide use on campus, minimize trash on campus by implementing a recycling program, and improve environmental awareness campus-wide.

Center for Economic Education gets top affiliation
Christopher Newport University’s Center for Economic Education has earned the highest affiliation status granted by The National Council on Economic Education, the full five-year affiliation. The CNU center is one of 13 member centers of the Virginia Council on Economic Education and has been entrusted with the economic education of kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers in the 11 school districts surrounding CNU. These educators teach grade-appropriate economics to more than 270,000 Virginia students.

Biology professor’s article published
An article by Dr. Robert Atkinson of the Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science was published in the August 2005 edition of Wetlands Ecology and Managment. The article, "Vegetation Communities of 20-year-old Created Depressional Wetlands" found that 20 years after creation, the 11 sites had some wetland characteristics but that shrubs and trees had not become established. Several graduate and undergraduate students were involved in the study.

Alumnus publishes book
Dr. Shaun L. Gabbidon, a 1989 CNU graduate, has recently co-published a book, “Race and Juvenile Justice.” Dr. Gabbidon is an associate professor and coordinator of the Criminal Justice Programs in the School of Public Affairs at Pennsylvania State University, Capital College. He received a Ph.D. in criminology from Indiana University of Pennyslvania.

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