@ Events Calendar . J e - Ad - ~ r e a Py - , es a - = « ry * 7° Ps Py ° id * © Five Early Childhood Education (ECE) students are headed to Sweden this Spring. They will be working in the preschool system that many professionals in the field laud as the one of the most progressive in the world in terms of practicing diversity and social justice. “T think this will offer our students an alternative perspective to contrast and nurture our understanding of the philosophy and practices that we encounter in our local early childhood centres,” says April 16-May 29 The Amelia Douglas Gallery presents, Naitre, Works by former Douglas students Jessie Couzelis and Trena Coulter. Opening reception April 16, 4:30-7:30pm Free cf ld. International relations expand ECE instructor and Practicum Coordinator Alejandra Sanchez. The students — Jennifer Brewer, Paige Cummings, Leticia Najera, Lisa Marie Bramley and Moira Stubbs — depart for Sweden on April 23 and will be working in four preschools located in Stockholm and Jonkoping, Sweden, for five weeks. Sanchez is hoping to forge a formal agreement between the Douglas ECE Program and the preschools in which these students will be completing April 25 ¢ The Community Music School presents Douglas College Choral Society 25th Anniversary Gala Saturday April 25, 2009 7:30pm, reception to follow Queens Avenue United Church 529 Queens Avenue, New Westminster. Tickets: 604-527- 5469. $15 general admission, $12 students/seniors _ om their special needs and infant and toddler practicum. “Jan Carrie, the Child, Family and Community Studies Dean and John Newark, director of the International Office at Douglas, have encouraged and supported this project from the start,” says Sanchez. Ideally, the ECE Program would like to place practicum students in Sweden on a regular basis. Sanchez is also negotiating an academic exchange with the Stockholm Institute in which Douglas to Sweden students and faculty might participate as part of their professional training. Sanchez hopes this practicum project will also “reaffirm the leadership of the Douglas certificate and diploma programs.” Sanchez and colleague Laurie Kocher initially visited the Swedish preschools in August 2008 with Veronica Pacini- Ketchabaw of the University of Victoria. Travel dollars awarded As five Early Childhood Education students pack their bags for Sweden, they and nine other Douglas students have a financial weight off their shoulders as recipients of International Studies Awards. In addition to Sweden, their destinations include Uganda, Wales, Japan and Nepal. The awards range from $500-$900. “This year students from the Faculty of Child, Family and Community Studies walked off with most of the awards—a remarkable 56% of all awards granted,” notes John Newark, manager of international contracts and projects with the Centre for International Education. More international opportunities are being planned for Douglas students next year and the College is exploring various ways to increase funding support, says Newark. Watch for more details in the Fall. Briefly Join the Print Futures: Professional Writing Class of 2009 for a celebration of their accomplishments at the 2009 Print Futures Portfolio Show. The festivities take place at the Amelia Douglas Gallery, April 8 from 4:30-7:30pm. More info at douglas.be.ca/portfolio-show or call Program Coordinator Maureen Nicholson at 604- §27-§292. v Creative Writing instructor Glenda Leznoff is one of the new artists showing her paintings in Artists in Our Midst Annual West Side Art Walk. This annual art celebration involves 43 artists in more than 26 studios. The opening night group show will be held at Lord Byng Secondary School’s art gallery on Thursday, April 23 from 7-9pm. On the weekend of April 25-26, the artists open their studios to the public from 12-9pm. This event is free. To see photos and studio listings, visit artistsinourmidst. com. Leznoff launched her art career in September 2007, showing her paintings at the Amelia Douglas Gallery. Her work has been purchased by collectors across Canada. v Music instructor Ellen Silverman recently adjudicated bursary awards for the Vancouver Women’s Musical Society, along with the North Shore Music Festival which wrapped up on March 6. Vv Philosophy and Humanities Department Chair Dr. Robert Nicholls presented a paper at the University of the Fraser Valley entitled, “Zarathustra’s Love” on Friday, March 6. The paper argues that much of recent Nietzsche scholarship rests upon “misrepresentations of Nietzsche’s thought by demonstrating that, contrary to the commonly held view that Zarathustra is a misanthrope, the work by that name is the philosophical expression of the most profound love for human existence conceivable,” says Nicholls. v The Centre for Academic and Faculty Development has selected two faculty to serve with it for three-year terms, beginning September 1, 2009. Lin Langley is currently a faculty development coordinator with the centre, a role she has held since 2005. An Interpersonal Communications instructor, Langley holds an MA (SFU) and has a strong background and experience in curriculum development, assessment methods, student engagement, interpersonal communications and faculty development. Sociology instructor Alison Thomas holds a PhD (University of Reading) and has taught at Douglas since 2005. Prior to this, she taught at the University of Victoria and at several UK universities. Thomas brings organizational, interpersonal and development skills to the role and a strong commitment to scholarly teaching. She is a member of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning cohort research group. Vv The Department of Biology sends a special thank you to instructor Todd Harper, whose invaluable connections resulted in retired electron microscopist Frank Skelton sharing his botanical knowledge, and to Linnaea Nurseries for providing a gift of over 50 medicinal plants that are native to British Columbia for its Scholarly Activity Research. Skelton is a past president of the BC Native Plant Society. Extracts of the plants will be prepared and tested for their ability to alter mediators of inflammation. v In the Faculty of Language, Literature and Performing Arts, Erin Miller replaces Pauline Hadfield as the new Community Music School Assistant. The Library wishes Linda Fosti the happiest of retirements after her more than 34 years of service, and extends a warm welcome to Jean Kim, the new Cataloguing Technician. INside Douglas College is published by the Communications & Marketing Office the first Tuesday of each month. Submissions and story ideas are welcome; deadline is 10 working days before publication. Email text-only files to INside editor, CMO, Room 4700, New Westminster Campus; e-mail to kittelbergl@douglas.bc.ca; or call 604-527-5323. Printed by the Douglas College Printshop.