Ducks Across the Pond From Japan to England to Morocco, 2010 Graduates Spread Their Wings by Steve Reed 7. What’s your most interesting experi- ence so far? hen asked where a typical Cottey student transfers after Alison Akridge-Foy graduation, the simplest 1. Walnut Creek, California Wanswer is “anywhere and everywhere.” However, with one or two exceptions per 2. Temple University, Japan Campus, year, American students have tradition- Tokyo, Japan ally transferred somewhere within the United States. This year has seen a 3. Psychology remarkable jump in the number of recent alumnae who have chosen to continue 4. I chose Temple because it’s an Ameri- their studies abroad. In fact, six women can university that happens to be located who were students on campus last year, in Japan -- which is where I wanted to go are international students this year. The to school. It’s good, because wherever I Viewpoint was able to contact five of go for grad school, they will accept my them and received responses from them degree, instead of questioning it as it on their experiences of studying abroad. came from a foreign school. Or, if I get Those students are Alison Akridge-Foy, a job in Japan, I’ll still have gone to a Robin Flaharty, Caitlyn Nichols, Rae school in Japan, and will have some con- Shubin, and Magdalene Thomas. nections. So, it’s sort of the best of both worlds, here. All were asked the following questions: Maggie Thomas ‘10 in front of Malahide Castle in Ireland. Maggie is one of six 1. Where you are from (hometown)? 5. I found out about Temple from my recent Cottey alumnae studying abroad this year. 2. Where you are studying this year roommate at Cottey, Eri Oshibe. I was (name of university, and city, country)? looking at schools in Japan one day, and I could transfer to Richmond while still 3. What is your major? she turned to me and asked if I’d heard Robin Flaharty keeping many of my Cottey credits. 4. Why did you chose that university? of TUJ, an American school in Tokyo. 1. Wichita, Kansas 5. How did you found out about it? 6. It has been hard to overcome the 6. What’s the experience like being an 6. It’s very difficult being an American 2. Richmond American International culture shock, and really get involved in American student abroad? in Japan. First, Japanese is nothing like University in London the community in such a large city. Many English, so the language is hard to grasp. people do not expect a culture shock in So, some things, like shopping, are 3. International Relations London, but if you live here you learn adventures, because you can’t really read there is actually a large cultural differ- what’s on the packages. (I’m really glad 4. I wanted an international educational ence. London was a little overwhelming I’m not allergic to foodstuffs.) Besides experience, especially because my major especially coming from such a small that, the people are very nice, and very is international relations. place as Nevada, Missouri, but at the understanding of the poor gaijin who can’t speak properly. 5. Cottey has an agreement with Rich- Please see Pond, on page 4 mond over course credits, and this way 7. The most interesting experience... well, we got a new apartment just this Cottey Can Help You Study Abroad past weekend, and my roommate flooded it on accident because she used the wash- ave you been envious the nois State Chapter of the P.E.O. Sister- ing machine without plugging things in last few years as you’ve read hood in honor of Lucille H. Smith, past properly. Really, everything here is an about the Cottey trips to president of International Chapter of the HEurope and wished you could have the P.E.O. Sisterhood. The scholarship is experience. And it’s like, every day I do something -- get on the train, go shop- same experience? Has it been your dream available to a Cottey alumna who will ping, etc. -- and I feel like I’m in over my to study abroad? Have you been accepted study abroad. Applications may be ob- head a little, because I don’t understand to a university in another country and tained from Cottey’s Office of Financial basic things here. I’m sort of the equiva- are now wondering how to pay for it? If Aid after February 1, 2011. Caitlyn Nichols ‘10 impressed all of her lent to a three-year-old, I feel like. So, so, you are encouraged to apply for the theater friends when she posed with the I’m kind of going wide-eyed through it Lucille H. Smith Scholarship for Foreign To request an application, write to: TARDIS, a prop from the BBC show, all. It’s just so very different -- especially Study. Office of Financial Aid Dr. Who. Dr. Who is filmed in Cardiff, going to Tokyo from Nevada. Cottey College Wales, on some of the same stages where As an alumna, you may be eligible for 1000 W. Austin Nichols attends school. Also, sushi? It’s much better here, in case this scholarship, established by the Illi- Nevada, MO 64772. you were wondering. Faculty/Staff Notes Peace Week 2010 racy Comstock is the sec- Dr. Bruce Holman, professor of art, retary to the executive director of has been asked to contribute one of his the Institute for Women’s Leader- cartoon features to Cave Region Review, Tship and Social Responsibility. Mrs. the literary publication of North Arkan- Comstock has served as an English sas College. The work will appear in this teacher in the K-12 system in areas sur- season’s issue. rounding Nevada, including Richland and Joplin. She also is experienced in On November 9, Jessi Jordan, Cottey private business and the application of Class of 2005, assumed her duties as numerous software programs that will be the new half-time P.E.O. Hall Director. utilized by the Institute in developing, Jordan replaced Glenda Crowder who marketing, and monitoring programs of left after two years as P.E.O. Hall Direc- study associated with the establishment tor to retire in Texas. Her last day was of baccalaureate majors at Cottey. September 30. During Dr. Ganga Fernando’s mater- Trisha Stubblefield attended the Sigma nity leave, we are happy to have Ms. Kappa Delta National Board meeting Venney Wong on campus as an adjunct September 9-12, in Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- instructor of chemistry. Ms. Wong has a vania. She serves as National Regent for Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry the Board. embers of the Cottey community and biochemistry from Southern Illinois celebrated the third annual Peace Week University Carbondale and is currently Dr. Julie Tietz took four students to on campus in late September. Events a student in their doctoral program. Dr. the Missouri Undergraduate Psychol- included a diversity workshop titled The Day After Fernando resumed her teaching duties on ogy Conference at Westminster College M Peace, based on the work of filmmaker Jeremy November 29. in Fulton, Missouri, on November 5-6, Gilley and his Peace One Day project; the annual 2010. One of the students, Sabrina Beltz, Peace Pole celebration, where students celebrate Dr. Angela Firkus has published two presented a poster titled “Happiness with poetry and music at Cottey’s Peace Pole; pieces in the journal Agricultural His- is...a happy friend?” The poster is based a luncheon with filmmaker Sue Quitno Vicory tory: a book review in the spring 2010 on data collected by Psi Beta during the to learn about her My Power of One program to edition and an article about government spring 2010 semester. empower change; and a drum circle on the final farm programs and race in California, night where students could share their thoughts 1910-1932, in the fall 2010 issue. through drums, dance or song. Above are some of the students, faculty, and staff who gathered before the Peace Pole celebration. This change will allow undergraduate were all females, and where we go on students from two-year colleges and our international trips. Sociologists were community colleges to participate in the amazed how much Cottey could offer to paper competition. its students. Our students served as the ambassadors of Cottey to answer all the Dr. Wang also brought four students questions. They also actively participated from her Soc. 101 class (Introduction in discussions and activities during the to Sociology) to the MSA conference: conference. Several times, the keynote Su Bin Park, Victoria Edwards, Thinn speaker and presenters mentioned Cottey Thinn, and Allison Campbell. Students students. They represented Cottey favor- love the opportunity to participate in the ably at the MSA conference. Dr. Wang academic conference. Cottey students are feels very proud of our students! welcomed to participate in lower-level undergraduate paper competition at the Julia Thompson 2011 MSA meeting. Interested students Amber Francis should contact Dr. Wang for further As this issue of the Viewpoint was going Julia Thompson has joined the enroll- information. to press, we received notice that Ginny Amber Francis has joined the enroll- ment management staff as the replace- Nash, wife of professor emeritus of ment management team as the new ment for Amy Diaz. Thompson is a Another interesting outcome was that our English, Dr. Charles Nash, passed away transfer representative. Francis is from P.E.O. from Neosho, Missouri, and students became the focus of sociolo- suddenly on November 13, 2010. Condo- El Dorado Springs, Missouri, and is a a graduate of Pittsburg State Univer- gists’ attention.