Kirkwood is a big place, but I’m starting to learn my way around. I found the closest Starbuck’s to my office, so if I need a warm cup of coffee I can quickly scoot over to the C-Store. I also discovered I can use my Eaglecard at vending machines! For someone who never has cash, I’m thrilled!
So what are the three most exciting, cool things I learned about Kirkwood this week? Let’s find out!
#1 Kirkwood Eagles Head to Nationals!
Did you know the Men’s Basketball team made it to Nationals?! The Eagles head to Danville, Illinois March 18-22 to take a shot at the National title, which they previously won in 1998. For more information, click HERE.
Good luck at Nationals and GO EAGLES!
On another athletics note, I made my first trip over to Johnson Hall and was happy to meet Kirkwood’s Athletic Director and Men’s Basketball Coach, Doug Wagemester. I also met our Head Volleyball Coach, Jill Williams. Both are enthusiastic people who I’m looking forward to working with in the future. I'm also looking forward to my first home Kirkwood sporting event...be looking for a report soon!
http://www.kirkwood.edu/athletics
#2 Professional Development Perks
Last Friday I was able to take part in a Website Manager 3.0 training course facilitated by Bonnie Cackoski. The course was part of Kirkwood's Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (KCELT).
KCELT offers a wide variety of professional development opportunities for faculty, staff and administrators. You can take technology training courses, register for webinars and audio conferences, grow professionally through interactive skills presentations and much more.
Bonnie Cackoski did a great job teaching us Website Manager 3.0. She’s upbeat and enthusiastic, plus she brings chocolate! If you have a session with Bonnie, she won’t disappoint.
http://www.kirkwood.edu/kcelt
#3 Coming Soon…Kirkwood Wine!
Possibly one of the most surprising things I've learned about Kirkwood so far is that we have a college vineyard! Most people, like me, don't think of Iowa when it comes to wine. What's incredibly cool is that Kirkwood could help change that!
Tom Moore, Kirkwood’s viticulture technician, has planted 15 kinds of grapes on about two and a half acres on the southeast side of campus. Each of these varieties could potentially yield about 75 gallons of finished wine.
In case you're wondering, viticulture is the art of growing grapes and enology is the art of making wine from those grapes.
Still in the early stages, Kirkwood will continue this exciting project. I hope to have more updates for you soon!
For an article on Kirkwood's vineyard, click HERE.
