Top Stories
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Annual Fund breaks record
The Annual Fund surpassed $10 million in cash gifts for the first time in the University's history. [full story]
More than 42 percent of current Bucknell parents donated toward a record-setting $1,422,000 in the Parents Fund. Total Annual Fund commitments received from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009, topped $45.7 million, the second-highest total in University history.
Since launching its comprehensive campaign in 2007, Bucknell has raised 31 percent of the $400 million goal. "The momentum and energy behind the campaign are remarkable in tough economic circumstances," said Ken Freeman '72, chairman of the campaign and newly elected chair of the University's Board of Trustees. "We are grateful for the strong donor support thus far and look forward to keeping the momentum going."
The amount raised brings Bucknell's comprehensive campaign to $122,264,699 in its first 24 months. "Bucknellians are extraordinarily loyal to the University," said President Brian C. Mitchell. "We are deeply grateful for their continued generosity, particularly in the current economy."
To make a gift to Bucknell, visit the online giving form.
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Bucknell graduates earn top salaries, survey finds
Bucknellians have the second-highest earning potential among liberal arts college graduates. [full story]
The 2009 PayScale College Salary Report ranks Bucknell at No. 2 in median starting and mid-career salaries among graduates of top U.S. liberal arts colleges. Bucknell tied for 11th among all "top U.S. colleges," including Ivy League and state universities, for mid-career earning potential and tied for 4th among all engineering colleges in the same category. The salary report includes data for 40 majors from nearly 600 U.S.-based undergraduate colleges and universities.
"Our 2009 report shows that a degree from the right college or university in the right major can have huge and lasting benefits, from the start of a career to the mid-point," said Al Lee, director of qualitative analysis at PayScale.
The University's Career Development Center confirms that recent Bucknell graduates continue to find success in a difficult economy. Its annual Postgraduate Report of Activity showed that 93 percent of 2008 Bucknell graduates are employed or in graduate school.
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Renowned historian, environmental activist join Bucknell Forum
Niall Ferguson, Howard Gardner and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will speak in the continuing series, "Global Leadership: Questions for the 21st Century." [full story]
Niall Ferguson, an award-winning author and renowned professor of history and economics, will kick off the fall series on Sept. 15 with a talk titled "Is the United States an Empire? Should It Be?"
On Oct. 21, Howard Gardner will describe how ethics, engagement and excellence can be combined in work and citizenship in his talk, "Leadership that is Ethical: Promises and Pitfalls." The Harvard University scholar pioneered the multiple intelligences theory and has published a series of books on individual and institutional leadership.
Internationally renowned environmental lawyer and bestselling author Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will lead off the spring series with a talk about "Globalization and the Green Economy: A New Vision for American Leadership and Strength" on Feb. 2. The Bucknell Forum series, "Global Leadership: Questions for the 21st Century," runs through spring 2010. See video of previous speakers, including F.W. de Klerk and Matthew Bogdanos '80, here.
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Alumni careers benefit from Bucknell services
A shrinking economy feeds this growing trend, reports The New York Times. [full story]
Laura Denbow, executive director of alumni relations and career services, spoke to The New York Times about how Bucknell helps alumni re-invent their careers in this difficult job market. Services available to Bucknell alumni through the Career Development Center include career counseling, a robust network of professionals and a job database.
The Career Stories website allows alumni to share their professional experiences and advice. Alumni can also receive the bimonthly Alumni Career Notes e-newsletter, and tune into B-Link's Career Center to search for jobs and career Tips of the Week. The Bucknell connection helps many alumni thrive in an economic downturn.
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Students get hands-on experience in Nicaragua
Two professors and 17 Bucknell students learned first-hand about worker-owned co-ops in El Porvenir. [full story]
Geography Professor Paul Susman and Assistant Professor of Chemistry Molly McGuire taught "Grassroots Development: Nicaragua" during a three-week trip May 19 to June 7. The service-learning class is one of several "Bucknell in" programs that offer off-campus study opportunities led by Bucknell faculty in a variety of disciplines in locations around the world.
While studying in Nicaragua, Bucknell students worked alongside members of coffee and cotton cooperatives. "Aside from the formal class sessions, the whole thing is 24-7 teaching and learning, with unlimited office hours," Susman said. Leslie Kramm '11, a Spanish and environmental studies major, said the class "solidified my career goal to get into global public health. It changed my perspective, too. ... When you get home, you really think about your activities and what you buy and consume."
The class and Susman's research are an outgrowth of the Bucknell Brigade to Nicaragua, a service-learning program celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
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Kate Matelan '10 is crowned Ms. Wheelchair USA
Her pageant platform addressed disability issues on college campuses. [full story]
"Having a disability does not hinder me from achieving my goals nor does it mean that I have boundaries put on my future possibilities," said Matelan. A quadriplegic since an auto accident when she was 5, Matelan is a management major at Bucknell. After graduating from Bucknell, she plans to attend graduate school and work in New York City's fashion Industry.
In May, she won the Pennsylvania title with a similar disability-focused platform. Read the story here. As a resident advisor at Bucknell, Matelan met with college deans to point out obstacles in science labs for students with disabilities. "The support and encouragement of the administration, faculty and staff, and students has been overwhelming, and I cannot thank them enough for believing in my dream," said Matelan. Her pageant sponsors included Bucknell's Office of the President.
