Just a sample of hands-on experience!

Mr. Joerns Goes to WashingtonUST graduate John Joerns spent the fall of 2007 working in the center of the nation’s capital after being selected as a White House intern. Specifically, he worked under a special assistant to the president in the Office of Public Liaison, a department that coordinates the president’s involvement with various causes and organizations. Joerns’ internship was nothing short of exciting.

On his first day, he witnessed the final departure of former Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove and the resignation of former Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez. In between the long hours he spent each day doing everything from answering phones, to taking care of schedule and travel arrangements, to helping with events and briefings and acting as a personal assistant to his boss, Joerns encountered many well-known political figures.

During the internship, he saw Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, got an autograph from Justice Antonin Scalia, met Justice Clarence Thomas, spoke with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger by phone and, along with a group of about 100 interns, had a private gathering with President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

Joerns also attended a White House press conference and heard lectures by news reporters Dan Rather and Helen Thomas at a National Press Club event. In fact, Joerns said it was not uncommon to see many other public figures walking around Washington, going about their business or getting coffee from a local Starbuck’s. Joerns said he is grateful he had the opportunity to spend a semester working for the White House.

In particular, he was very impressed by the devotion, commitment and vibrant energy of the staff. “The White House staff members were busy, energetic and even funny,” Joerns said. “They were all very hardworking people that really made you feel like a part of the team.”

Joerns graduated with a B.A. in political science in spring 2007. He plans to attend medical school at Tulane University in fall 2008.

____________

UST 2007-08 Global Ambassadors Chosen

Center for International Studies students Claudia Espinosa and Laura Adal have been named University of St. Thomas Global Ambassadors by the World Affairs Council of Houston. The Global Ambassadors initiative for the 2007-2008 academic year was launched to bring some of the most outstanding college students to 6th-12th grade classrooms to speak about their experiences abroad. Espinosa and Adal were chosen through a rigorous application process.

“I think it is a great opportunity to talk to younger kids, who may not have been exposed to outside cultures and teach them about different intercultural opportunities they may not be familiar with.” said Adal, Espinosa is a senior International Studies major. Her parents are from Mexico. Her study abroad trips included visits to Mexico and Argentina. Her experiences cultivated her knowledge of each country’s culture, history, economics and politics. It also motivated her to further travel and discover her heritage.

“I was really excited when I found out I was chosen,” said Espinosa. “Going abroad is a wonderful experience. When you visit other countries you learn a lesson in cultural adjustment. It is not just about seeing great sites, but learning about people who function in different ways.”

Adal is a UST senior, majoring in International Studies with a minor in French and Arabic. She grew up in Houston where her Syrian parents taught her to be bilingual in English and Arabic. After graduating from high school, Adal lived in Damascus, Syria for three months with relatives. She has also spent time in a little town called Dhour Shweir in Lebanon. Adal has travelled extensively around the world. She backpacked around Egypt and Tunisia, as well as visited Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

For all of you Communications/Journalism or Pre-law students!

Just another reason why UST is an awesome place to get hands on experience in so many fields with your professors! The really awesome thing about this story is that it was actually showcased on Court TV. :) Read below and I hope you take the opportunity to find out more about what our students do!

Investigative Journalism: The UST Innocence Project

When University of St. Thomas students sign up for Communication Professor Nicole Casarez’s class “Investigative Journalism: The Innocence Project,” they can expect a hands on opportunity to learn the “ins and outs” of investigative journalism.

“I felt the Innocence Project was an excellent way to teach students about investigative reporting. It involves interviewing witnesses, searching public records, reviewing case files, public information requests and reading court transcripts. These are all elements of investigative reporting,” said Casarez.

The UST Innocence Project is affiliated with two different innocence organizations: the University of Houston Law Center’s Innocence Network and the Innocence Project of Texas, which is made up of six affiliated schools across the state of Texas, including Texas Tech, Southern Methodist University, University of Texas-Arlington, South Texas College of Law and Texas Wesleyan.

“Instead of just writing about campus events, this offers students a way to do interesting work and trains them in the skills they’ll need to be reporters,” said Casarez.

Classes are typically small with student interest varying from semester to semester. The program has received help from alumni who continue to be active.

“Cases don’t go away, they are ongoing. A semester is not that long a time period when you consider that the students need to get up to speed during that short time span. Most alumni do it because they are truly interested in the program. I feel truly blessed that many of my students come back to help,” said Casarez.

The Innocence Project is just one example of Service Learning at UST. The mission of service learning is to expand opportunities for public and community service in higher education and to advocate the importance of civic responsibility in students’ learning.

"The Innocence Project is an outstanding model of an academic project that uses service-learning while also showcasing the values of the University of St. Thomas and Catholic Social Teaching,” said Dr. Jean-Philippe Faletta, Director of UST Service Learning Program. “Students learn the theory in the classroom and then go out into the field where they use experiential learning to fuse theory with practice.”

“These are real situations. We are taking what is learned in class and applying it to a real person who is hoping for help in his or her case. Even if we don’t actually meet the inmates, we may be the only people helping them,” said Casarez.

One case that has received national attention has been UST’s work with the Anthony Graves case. He was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death in 1994 for the murder of six people in Somerville, Texas, a small rural town northwest of Houston. In March of 2005, his conviction was overturned by a Panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The state of Texas has chosen to re-try his case. Graves is now sitting in a Burleson County Jail awaiting trial. Graves asked Casarez to join his legal team, largely due to her familiarity with the case. While her classes are no longer working on the case, several alumni are assisting in his new trial.

The work of the UST group in the Graves’ case has garnered national attention through profiles on the A&E television series, “The Innocence Files” and the PBS program “NOW.”

While the class has been a good training ground for future journalists, it has also inspired many to continue on to law school.

“There is a pre-law connection in the class and the Innocence Project is a way for them to get experience doing legal research, reading cases and getting their feet wet,” said Casarez.
For more information about the Innocence Project go to www.innocenceprojectoftexas.org.

Oh my goodness!

I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW BUSY THIS YEAR HAS BEEN!!

Travel season this year hit me pretty hard in regards to being able to process applications and every second I had in the office was spent on you guys! :) The holidays came and went...I LOVE CHRISTMAS...and as such...here we are in February. I promise I won't let this blog go like I did before. It's a top priority to do my weekly posting! :)

So! The financial aid process is in full swing here at UST as well as the Spring Semester!! :)

Have you filed your FAFSA yet? If you haven't, don't sweat it! You still have time, but you want to go ahead and pressure your folks to try to do it as soon as possible! In just a few weeks, the colleges you've sent information to will begin sending out their financial packages.

What does that mean? That means you are ONE STEP CLOSER to beginning your college career! Why? You can't go to college unless you find the FUNDING! The FAFSA helps you do so!

So what's your first step?

1. GET YOUR PIN NUMBER!
- Make sure you and your folks go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to sign up for your PIN numbers. This allows you to electronically sign your FAFSA. If you do the sign page, it might take longer to process your FAFSA when it makes it to Washington, or wherever it goes! :)

2. FILE TAXES!
-The easiest way to assure your financial aid package is as accurate as possible, have your parents file their 2007 taxes and this will make things so very very simple!

3. FILE FAFSA!
-Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov and file that FAFSA! If you have a copy of your parents' tax forms, you'll get it done in just 15 minutes or so! :)

If you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to give our Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid a call at 713/525-2170. Your financial aid counselor will always be more than happy to help you!

Every student is assigned a financial aid counselor based on last name. The breakdown goes as follows:

Salomon Medina (A-F/I) 713/525-3414
Marisela Maldonado (J-N/P) 713/942-5065 *Spanish speaking
Lety Gallegos (G) 713/525-2177 *Spanish speaking
Lynda LeClair (H) 713/525-2173
Jan Abasolo (Q-Z/O) 713-525-2174

Give them a call! :) They are the COOLEST people and they know their stuff when it comes to financial aid.

So I hope this semester is going well for you guys!! :) I'll be posting again next week with some more good info! :)

UST Faculty Highlight - Introducing Dr. Brady Knapp

For those of you potential Music majors out there in internet land...here is someone you should definitely visit campus to meet. COME VISIT HIM! This man welcomes you. Our music department welcomes you.

But WAIT! Even if you are not anywhere at all interested in music...read about this man. Why? He is an example of the kind of dedication and passion you will find here at UST when it comes to faculty (professors). Our faculty is awesome all the way across the board.

So let me introduce to you, the man of the hour.

The man: Dr. Brady Knapp

My personal opinion on him: He is the most AWESOME music professor/musician. He is dedicated to his students, truly wants you to succeed, and is one of the strongest vocal teachers I have ever encountered. This man is your musical advocate. Just read about him, and I guarantee you will want to meet him. I can further guarantee he wants to meet you!

The story: (also found at http://www.stthom.edu/Public/index.asp?page_ID=4420)

Opera Workshop in early October has electrified the air in the Department of Music, where students showed up in droves to get a part in the stellar, professional performance. Dr. Brady Knapp, assistant professor of music who revived the much-loved workshops last fall and spring, scrambles to find parts for every music student who shows up, as if he’s putting together a giant musical jigsaw puzzle.

And, judging from last year’s response, all four upcoming performances–Oct. 5, 6, 7 and 8–will be before a packed house, much as they were before the opera workshop was discontinued in the early 1980s. Everything is of professional quality: the stage set, the directing and performing. It’s not hard to close your eyes and swear you’re on Broadway rather than Cullen Hall on the UST campus.

It’s not just a labor of love–it’s a labor of passion. And it’s a beautiful outreach for UST to prospective music students that has greatly enhanced UST’s reputation as a music school nationwide, says Professor Tom Crow, chair of the Department of Music.

In fact, since Knapp, an accomplished musician, voice teacher and effervescent Renaissance man, began teaching at UST in 2005, enrollment in vocal and choral music has doubled or even tripled, Crow said. “The man can teach stones to sing,” he said laughingly.

Knapp exudes unflagging enthusiasm. “My students are smart, talented and sophisticated,” he said. “My job is a real joy.”

And his schedule is really packed. He teaches private, one-hour voice lessons to 21 students and directs UST’s two choirs, both of which have grown exponentially during his two-year watch. He created the choral workshop. When he took the job, he took on what two professors used to do. Oh, and one more tiny detail. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights–and most of Sunday–he serves as co-director of music at Palmer Episcopal Church with his wife Courtney, who is director.

In addition to teaching private voice for more than a decade before coming to UST, Knapp served on the faculties of Rice University, where he received a doctorate of musical arts in voice performance, and at Kenyon College in Gambler, Ohio, and Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. He also served as the upper school choirmaster for the Columbus School of Girls in Columbus, Ohio.

Although he enjoyed all those jobs, none can compare with his work at UST. “I was built for this job. It’s the best job in the world.” And Knapp says, UST is the best place to be. “I believe in small, private, liberal arts education."

“The curriculum here is so attractive to me,” he said. “The professors are at the highest level of education, and they teach at the highest level of education. The cross-pollination of coursework means a music major or pre-med student is going to have had classes in art history and English. If you are a vocal major, you’re not going to be just a singer in this place.”

A big part of his job is networking. Locally, he judges high school music competitions, and nationally, he spreads the UST gospel.

“The Basilian tradition is a humble tradition,” Knapp said. “They’re not going to be tooting their horn. People around the country know more about St. Thomas than people in Houston. I consider getting the word out as part of my job.”

Knapp has talked almost non-stop for almost an hour about his love for his job, his family, UST in general, music and his life. But it abruptly comes to a close as the hour approaches for a voice lesson.

“Whoops, there’s my student and he looks ready to go,” he said. Pausing for a split-second, he adds one more thing. “People say, ‘How do you do it?’” I say, ‘How can I not do it?’”

....................

So tell me...don't you want to be taught by a professor who has this true kind of a passion for teaching? Not just teaching in general, but teaching YOU? This man is dedicated. Your classes of 4-6 students...taught by him. Your one-on-one voice lessons...taught by him.

And he is just one example of hundreds of professors here at UST who have this strong of a passion for teaching and helping their students succeed. Our professors believe in UST, it's mission, but most importantly, they believe in their students.

I know I've experienced it first hand. Whether it was in the Political Science, Environmental Science, English, Philosophy or even Math department...I experienced this passion and dedication inside and outside the classroom. I really hope you contact me so you can experience it for yourself!

Visit UST. Period.

Goodnight and goodluck from the Holiday Inn Express in San Antonio.

Your awesome and oh so rad admissions counselor,
-Chrissy

Much Ado About Me

Well hello everyone out there in internet land! To all of you soon to be graduating guys and gals...welcome!

I can't tell you enough how grateful I am that you decided to stop by my blog. My name is Chrissy. I will be your host for this evening.

Oh! And I will also be your Freshman Admissions Counselor at the University of St. Thomas throughout your entire application and financial aid process. I guess I should mention that, as well. ;) Essentially, when it comes down to it: I am your "go-to" gal in admissions. If you ever need anything, you call me.

If you have any questions: call me.
If you have any doubts: call me.
If you need someone to vent to: call me.
If you need some help talking to your folks about college: call me.
If you want to visit camps: call me.
If you have any questions regarding financial aid and/or scholarships: call me.

As you can see...the Ghostbusters and I have much in common. However, in this case...Who you gonna call?

Me. :)

Just a little bit about myself, before we begin, for those of you who are interested to knowing more about the person behind the voice:

As I stated before, my name is Chrissy. I am a very proud alumna of the University of St. Thomas, having recently graduated in 2005 with my B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy. I also went though UST's Pre-law program (which is EXCELLENT) and was pretty much involved in almost everything you can possibly imagine during my years here.

Student Government - check!
Student Activities - check!
Clubs - multiple checks!
Sports - psuedo-check! (What can I say...I'm not that coordinated!)

I used to use the expression, when describing my involvement at UST, "I had my finger in every sugar bowl imaginable!"

So I am not only well equipped to help you with anything regarding admissions, but I can also give you first hand experience regarding what it's like to be a UST student. You want to know what UST students do? Want to know where they hang out? What kind of culture UST has? I can answer all of these questions and more and will be as honest with you as possible.

I do have a confession, however. It's a secret I'm currently dealing with. I know I have to get a grip on it before it goes out of control. Here it is. Brace yourself.

I...

Wait...I think this might go over better in a "group" setting.

Hello, everyone. My name is Chrissy. And I...am a UST addict.

Yes, that's right. I'm obsessed with UST. I love this university like you wouldn't believe. From the professors, to the administration, to the clubs, sports, campus ministry, etc...I love it. My current catch phrase: "If UST were a person...I'd be stalking it!"

Scary? Yes.
Helpful? Definitely.
Could this be you one day? Let's hope. ;)

All joking aside, I truly do have a passion for the University of St. Thomas. I believe in it's mission. I believe in it's strong academics, it's unabashedly Catholic community, and most importantly, it's vivid and diverse campus life. In all things, the University of St. Thomas was the right fit for me.

The question I pose to you is this: Is the University of St. Thomas the right fit for you?

I hope it is. And I most certainly think it could be.

Welcome to my blog. I hope you find it helpful, and if there is anything you specifically ever want me to write about, please let me know. And don't ever feel like you can't contact me either by phone, email, AOL Instant Messanger (screen name: ustrocks1947), MSN messanger (same), Facebook, or Blogger. I am here to help you through this, and trust me when I say it is truly my pleasure to do so.

This is Chrissy, signing off.
GO CELTS!