Sen. Orrin G. Hatch will lead an economic forum known as “The Fiscal Future of America” to be held in the Ragan Theatre on August 28 at 9 a.m. “Our nation is at a critical juncture,” stated Senator Hatch. “The runaway spending train enveloping Washington, D.

UVU Professor of marketing, Paul Dishman, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to lecture and research at the University of Donja Gorica (UDG) in Montenegro during Spring 2010. “The purpose of the Fulbright Program is to bring American cultural exchange down to a very personal level, for both the scholars and those they touch in the host country,” Dishman said.

It has become essential for many students to incorporate Distance Education into their schedule whether their time is consumed with activities, work or a family. Distance Education (DE) is UVU’s way of catering to students without sufficient time available to take courses on campus.

UVU’s new Master of Business Administration Program was unanimously approved by the Utah State Board of Regents July 17, 2009 and is scheduled to launch in fall 2010. “There has been an incredible demand for this program,” said Scott Hammond, an associate professor of business management and assistant academic vice president in the Office of Academic Affairs.

Six Ukrainian students from the Medical University of Bukovyna had the opportunity to observe U.S. medical practices for two weeks beginning July 6 through UVU’s nursing exchange program. Gary Measom, an associate professor in the nursing department, and Mina Wayman associate professor of nursing and chair of the Ukraine program at UVU, started the nursing exchange program two years ago at the suggestion of the mayor’s office of Salt Lake City The four medical students, one nursing student and one medical technology student were able to shadow medical professionals at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.

Director of the Center for Engaged Learning, Dr. Jack Christianson, is taking on additional responsibilities as he enters his new role of Special Assistant to the President of Engaged Learning, effective July 20. This new position will see his former responsibilities sustained and intensified with emphasis put on the development of new institutional strategies and external alliances.

UVU sociology major Aaron Wood has recently returned from a two-week delegation to Israel and Palestine during which he spoke with both Israelis and Palestinians regarding the ongoing conflict. The delegation, co-sponsored by Interfaith Peace-Builders (IFPB) and the National Peace Foundation (NPF), gave 16 American students the opportunity to travel through the conflict zone during President Obama’s visit to discuss the halt of illegal Israeli settlement and the reintroduction of peace negotiations.

Enrollment at UVU is expected to continue increasing into the fall semester, according to statistics being tracked by Institutional Research. “Historically speaking, as the economy slows and job opportunities decrease, university enrollments generally increase,” said President Matthew Holland.

In an effort to facilitate international understanding, the Open World Program has invited five government leaders from Kyrgyzstan to explore various aspects of Utah from June 12 through the 20. The Open World Program is dedicated to establishing a system of leaders in specific regions who have had significant exposure to American democracy, government and our free-market system.

The Ethics Across the Curriculum Faculty Summer Seminar was held May 4-8 with sponsorship from the Center for the Study of Ethics. “This conference benefits the UVU faculty because it allows us to get together with colleagues from across campus and discuss an interdisciplinary topic with renown visiting scholars.

The position of Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) was filled May 1, 2009 by Dr. David Yells. After completing a national search and campus interviews with five qualified candidates, Dr. Yells was selected for this prestigious position based largely on his relevant experience in administrative leadership.

Dr. Ruhul H. Kuddus was recently announced the 2009 through 2010 University Faculty Fellow in Ethics by the Ethics Across the Curriculum Faculty Advisory Committee. Following David Knowlton, associate professor of Anthropology, and Laura Hamblin, professor of English and literature who were each previously granted the fellowship, Kuddus is the third UVU professor to receive this distinguished recognition.

The first annual Scholarship of Teaching and Engagement Conference was held on Monday April 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesday April 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. The conference, sponsored by the Faculty Center, Faculty Senate and Center for Engaged Learning was themed “Learning as a Community: UVU’s Engaged Teaching Strategies.

Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) gave a well-attended presentation in the UVU Grande Ballroom on March 31 in an effort to raise awareness regarding issues of violence and neglect towards children. BACA was established by John Paul Chief Lilly, a licensed clinical social worker, play therapist and part-time faculty member at Brigham Young University.