Each year at this time, members of the campus community gather to recognize the service of their colleagues and say thank you. On May 22, there were 671 employees recognized at the 2013 Service Awards Ceremony, held at Quaker Square Station Hall.

Among the honorees — Dr. Mary Jo MacCracken, professor of sport science and wellness education, who has taught several generations of students in her 45 years at UA.

In writing about her time here, MacCracken can pinpoint not just the physical changes to campus, but the differences her colleagues' service has made over time to improve opportunities for today's students.

“I remember arriving for work and parking across the street from Memorial Hall (near the fire station in one of two parking lots, where the library or the JAR now stand). Buildings down, buildings up; streets open, streets closed. Colleagues, deans and presidents may be here no longer, but their legacy lives on. 

“Nothing ever stays the same, except students who keep faculty young,” MacCracken continues. “No longer just from the Akron area, but from all over the world. UA students are hardworking, conscientious, curious and eager to learn. Many now embrace service-learning projects … not only to be selfless, but also to use the knowledge learned from a textbook or lecture.”

You can read more of MacCracken's reflections on the College of Education website.

The 2013 Service Awards Ceremony program, listing all honorees, is available on the Service Awards page of the Talent Development and Human Resources website. To the headlines.

Most children use the summer break from school to relax and play. Most parents hope their children will learn something over break, and with all the offerings of mobile technology, the options are vast — and confusing. So which technological amusement is more teacher than babysitter? How can children benefit intellectually and academically from the many apps available on iPads, smartphones and other mobile devices?

The challenge for parents is to make sure that their children are using technology appropriately — that they are exercising their minds and not merely their thumbs. Jeremy Brueck, director of the Digital Text Initiative at the Center for Literacy, offers a variety of tips. Story continues online. To the headlines.

Training materials for Excel 2011 on the Mac are currently available. Developed by Software Training Services, written documentation and practice files for Excel 2011 Essentials, Charts Introduction and Page Numbering are available online at Office2011.

If you have questions, contact pstrain@uakron.edu. To the headlines.

Supervisors looking to hire Federal Work Study students are invited to participate in the UA Federal Work Study career fairs on Thursday, June 13, and Monday, July 15, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Student Union ballrooms. The fairs will be attended by incoming freshmen of all majors who received Federal Work Study awards.

To participate, RSVP to Anna Bahvala at bahvala@uakron.edu by Friday, May 31, indicating which date, or dates, you will participate. For more information, contact Bahvala at ext. 8110 or bahvala@uakron.edu. To the headlines.

The track and field program will have a combined total of 24 athletes – competing in 29 events – from its men's and women's teams at the NCAA East Preliminary Round at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, N.C., today and Friday.

The meet, which invites the region's top 48 athletes in each event, serves as the opening round of the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The top 12 finishers in each event will advance to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore., June 5-8. 
Story continues online. To the headlines.

Student assistants may work up to 29 hours per week for all on-campus jobs combined, consistent with new rules that limit hours for part-time employees.

The change takes effect Monday, the start of the summer term.

The Student Employment site has more information about summer employment of students. Anna Bahvala, assistant director for student employment, can answer your questions at ext. 8110. | To the headlines.

Reading and writing support for students in grades one through eight will be offered during Summer Session I in Zook Hall 34. This opportunity is open to children and grandchildren of faculty and staff members during the weeks of June 17, June 24, July 1 and July 8. 

College of Education pre-service teachers will tutor students one-on-one for a total of 12 sessions, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. A commitment for all four weeks is required.  

For more information and specific details, contact Judy Hendershot at jhender@uakron.edu. This literacy support program is free of charge, and students will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. To the headlines.

A Chinese Summer Day Camp for students in grades seven through 12 will be hosted by the Confucius Institute July 15 to 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on campus. Participants will learn Chinese language, music, art and culture. Cost for the camp is $100.

For more information and a registration form, visit the Confucius Institute online or call Nancy Easterling at ext. 2013. To the headlines.

If you are a graduate student, or know graduate students who would like to be involved on campus, Graduate Student Government has just the opportunity for you.

To achieve GSG's goal of “Connecting Campus,” it will introduce four new leadership positions. The four "directors of outreach" (representing alumni, undergraduates, student organizations and the Akron community) will act as the liaisons between graduate students and these groups, providing timely updates on issues as well as opportunities during the 2013-2014 academic year.

More information about the leadership positions, including the duties and qualifications, and the application packet can be found at Graduate Student Government online. Applications will be accepted from Friday, May 17, to Friday, May 31, at 5 p.m. Interviews will follow.

Please contact GSG President Marissa Blewitt with any questions at gsgpresident@uakron.edu. To the headlines.

Summer sessions of American Red Cross swim lessons will begin the week of June 10. Instructors will teach swimming skills for children 6 months and older through adult learners. Lessons are open to the public and will be held at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center and Ocasek Natatorium pools. Pricing includes eight group lessons. The member pricing applies to current UA students, UA faculty and staff, SRWC members, and also applies to their siblings and children.

Classes will be offered twice weekly on Monday and Wednesday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday evenings. One summer session of Saturday morning lessons will begin June 15. Registration is limited, and most classes fill quickly. 

For registration information or specific class days/times and pricing, please visit Group Swim Lessons and click on the registration form, stop by the SRWC, or contact Diane Weaver at weaverd@uakron.edu. To the headlines.