SW Washington MESA Awarded Grant for Summer Science and Engineering Progra - 07/13/10
VANCOUVER, Wash. – Southwest Washington MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) has been awarded a $12,070 grant by the Qwest Foundation to support the MESA Summer Science and Engineering program. Hosted by Washington State University Vancouver, SW Washington MESA is an academic-enrichment program that helps provide a pathway to college and careers in the science, technology, engineering and math fields for middle and high school students.

The fourth annual MESA Summer Science and Engineering program started on Monday, July 12 and will run through the week at WSU Vancouver. Designed for students in grades 7- 12, first priority was given to students who have participated in previous MESA programs.

The MESA Summer Science and Engineering program is designed to draw students into hands-on, real-world activities that create meaningful connections between academic content and practical application. Classes are offered in marine biology, animal physiology, LEGO robotics, Game Maker and medical career exploration. Students are introduced to instructors and mentors from the professional community, have access to cutting-edge equipment and exposed to a higher-education environment. Each class is limited to 10 - 12 students.

Armetta Burney, director of SW Washington MESA, is confident the grant from Qwest will benefit the local community.

"This partnership with Qwest helps MESA continue its mission to provide enriching educational opportunities in the science, technology, engineering and math fields for students in Southwest Washington. We believe the Summer Science and Engineering program fulfills a need in our community and gives students a great opportunity to make connections to real-world applications," said Burney.

Founded in 2004, SW Washington MESA brings resources into schools that build pathways to careers in engineering and science. MESA targets students who are underrepresented in math- and science-based careers: African American, Latino/a, Native American and female. The program serves students by providing after school, hands-on math and science enrichment, field trips and speakers, local, regional and national events, teacher professional development and family engagement.

The Qwest Foundation is dedicated to enriching the lives of customers and the communities they serve. The foundation awards grants that generate high-impact and measurable results through community-based programs in the area of pre-K through 12 education.

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WSU Vancouver Accepting Nominations for Two Community Awards of Distinction - 07/12/10
VANCOUVER, Wash. – Washington State University Vancouver established two Community Awards of Distinction as part of its 20th anniversary celebration last year. The awards will be presented annually and nominations are currently being accepted.

The awards will be presented to community members or organizations in two categories: Community Partnership and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Any member of the community may submit a nomination.

The award for Community Partnership will be given to an individual or organization whose leadership has made a significant impact on the community. The recipient will have demonstrated commitment to community partnerships, prosperity, vitality and overall well-being within WSU Vancouver's region— Southwest Washington and the greater Portland metropolitan geographic areas. A 500-word nomination essay should elaborate on the following: value to community, length of service, sustainability of effort/impact, leadership and collaboration.

The award for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion will be given to an individual or organization whose exceptional achievement has broadly impacted equity, diversity and inclusion within WSU Vancouver's region. A 500-word nomination essay should elaborate on the following: value to community, length of service/effort, long-term sustainability of achievement, breadth of reach, advocacy and impact.

Nomination forms may be downloaded from www.vancouver.wsu.edu/community then click "Community Award of Distinction." The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. Aug. 20. Completed nomination forms may be sent to the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, Washington State University Vancouver, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98686, e-mailed to lea_pfau@vancouver.wsu.edu or faxed to 360-546-9079. Questions may be directed to Lea Pfau at 360-546-9600.

Award winners will be selected by a committee of WSU Vancouver staff, faculty and community members. The awards will be presented at Washington State University Vancouver's Scholarship and Service Dinner on Oct. 5.

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Women's Studies Professor Publishes Book on Mexican Women and Immigration - 07/12/10
VANCOUVER, Wash. – Luz María Gordillo, Ph.D., assistant professor of women's studies at Washington State University Vancouver, has published a book on immigration, transnational communities and women's studies through the University of Texas Press. "Mexican Women and the Other Side of Immigration: Engendering Transnational Ties" weaves personal narratives with history and an analysis of gender roles of Mexicans in the Midwest.

The book traces the development of a unique community created as Mexican immigrants moved from the small western town of San Ignacio Cerro Gordo, Jalisco to Detroit, Michigan. Starting with the 1942 inception of the Bracero Program, a program designed for the importation of contract laborers from Mexico to the United States, Gordillo focuses on the concept of transnational and working-class experiences as Mexican immigrants recreated and adjusted to their changing environments in Detroit.

Families were often separated as Mexican men migrated to work in the United States, leaving their families behind. Gordillo's findings indicate that while male family members lived abroad, many female San Ignacians shattered stereotypes and transgressed traditionally male roles. With the men away, many women were forced to become the heads of household and earn income for their families in Mexico. When the San Ignacian women eventually joined their husbands in Detroit, their experiences in their community of origin facilitated their adaptation.

Placed within the larger context of globalization, "Mexican Women and the Other Side of Immigration" is a timely excavation of oral histories and archival documents.

"My book is designed as a tool for understanding historical processes of U.S. and Mexican immigration. It emphasizes important links between our historical past and our current attitudes toward Mexican immigration to the United States. I hope and expect our society to come up with a humane solution to the present-day immigration challenges we're encountering, rather than implementing Draconian policies, such as the ones recently passed in Arizona," said Gordillo.

Gordillo's book is part of the University of Texas Chicana Matters Series, which focuses on documenting the lives, values, philosophies and artistry of contemporary Chicanas—working-class Latinas from different walks of life. The books in the series represent the leading knowledge and scholarship in the growing field of research on the history, culture, art and activism of Chicanas.

Originally from Mexico City, Gordillo worked as a full-time professional photographer for several years in New York City while attending graduate school. Her doctoral work at Michigan State University focused on immigration and transnational gender studies. Gordillo lived in Detroit and San Ignacio for several months in order to conduct interviews, get archival data and take the documentary photographs that appear in the book and illustrate its cover.

Gordillo is already working on her second book, "Memoirs de una Wetback." The book includes a series of short stories focused on the female immigrant experience juxtaposed with the history and implementation of immigration laws in the United States. Gordillo has presented and performed excerpts from the book at Willamette University, the University of California Davis and at Washington State University Vancouver through The Center for Social and Environmental Justice.

"I'm very excited about my second book. I am convinced that understanding the immigrant experience, along with legal processes that regulate immigration, will further the public's understanding of a complex issue and thereby bring about positive social change. Writing is a fantastic tool for activism," said Gordillo.

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Summer Exhibits Grace the Galleries at WSU Vancouver - 07/08/10
VANCOUVER, Wash. – The art galleries at Washington State University have put up new exhibits for the summer. Travel photography, hand-made books and an eclectic collection of alumni art are ready for public viewing.

The Book Exhibit – WSU Vancouver Library
An exhibit of artist-made books is on display in the Washington State University Vancouver Library through Aug. 20. The juried exhibit includes nine artists from Washington and Oregon working in a variety of styles and themes.

Some of the books in this exhibit are done with traditional book-binding techniques. Others are conceptual pieces that use the idea of a book as inspiration. Most of the books in this exhibit use letters and words, although not all of them are readable. In some cases there is a straight-forward narrative that is meant to be read. In other cases some of the words are obscured, or the letters form a pattern or a texture that adorns the structure of the piece with no story.

Some of the art books are in display cases. Other books are available for viewing through the reference desk and can be handled and read in the library—a rare opportunity to touch and interact with the artwork.

"Visions of Cuba" – Administration building gallery
A collection of color photographs taken by WSU Vancouver staff members while working with the University of Havana and the Instituto Superior de Arte in Cuba is on display in the Administration building gallery through September.

Beautiful and enigmatic, "Visions of Cuba" reflects on the memories and sensibilities of the delegation from WSU Vancouver. Artists featured in the exhibit include: José Alamillo, Hal Dengerink, Luz Maria Gordillo and Brian McNeill.

The collection portrays an array of experiences that invite the spectator to become an active participant. Fantastic architectural landscapes along with personal moments are the core and soul of these visual texts.

Alumni Artist Showcase – Engineering and Life Sciences building gallery
The first showing of strictly WSU alumni-created art is on exhibit in the Engineering and Life Sciences building through Aug. 26. The artwork includes abstract and figurative images, large paintings, small, intimate photos and quilting fiber arts.

The variety of media and themes shows the diversity of the WSU alumni. There is a 50-year difference in the graduation dates of these alumni and a world of different perspectives. The common thread between the artists is shared community. Each artist has maintained a connection to WSU and is part of the Vancouver community.

Alumni artists include: Jeannette Altman, '99; Missy Bachmeier, '04; Ethan Elkins, '03; Barbara Hilkey, '00; Melisse Laing, '60; Bronwen Lee, '92; Stephanie Reed, '10; and Merlinda Sain, '07.

Missy Bachmeier, owner of Take 5 Photography in Battle Ground, Wash., specializes in photographing newborns, children, families and high school seniors. A graduate of WSU Pullman, Bachmeier gives credit to WSU for turning her interest in art into a full-time profession.

"WSU was incredibly supportive of my photography. I took all offered photography classes and worked as a photographer for the Daily Evergreen newspaper, The Chinook yearbook and for the Sports Information Department. I was on the field for every Cougar home football game, on the court for the basketball games, and on the first baseline for every home baseball game. Those valuable experiences taught me more than any classroom could have. I felt very prepared and confident in my success when I graduated and started my own business," said Bachmeier.

An Artists' Reception will be held 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. July 28. Enjoy refreshments and meet the artists.

WSU Vancouver Galleries
WSU Vancouver is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205. WSU Vancouver art galleries are open from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday. Admission is free. Parking is available at parking meters or in the Blue Daily Pay lot for $3. For more information, contact Erin Dengerink Madarang at madarang@vancouver.wsu.edu or 360-546-9551.

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