Graduate Spotlight: Ed Lundeen

Grantham University graduate, Ed Lundeen, considers himself a time management expert. In fact, if he didn’t have ten things going on at once, he’d probably get bored. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in June 2008, he began working as a Legal Administrative Specialist with the Department of Veterans Affairs, a job that entails being an expert on all VA programs. “I feel that my degree did help in the hiring process because I did not start at an entry level position,” said Ed. In addition to his new position with the VA, Ed also ran for a spot on the Board of Trustees for the Lexington County School District #1. As a strong advocate of education and its impact globally, nationally and locally, Ed ran to give back to the community just a small part of what his family received. All three of Ed’s children attended school in the district and his daughter is now a middle school teacher there. Although he didn’t win a seat on the board, he was able to make a name for himself in the community, and he plans to run again in 2010.

Ed joined the US Army in 1984 after deciding that a career in the textile industry was not for him. At first, he only planned to serve four years, but he stayed for 21. Ed commented, “There was just something about being a Soldier that clicked; I seemed destined to serve.” He retired as a Master Sergeant in 2005, and it was at his last duty station in Fort Lee, VA, that he learned about Grantham University.

He chose to attend Grantham because we offered the convenience and the flexibility he needed to accomplish his goals. During his first 15 months at Grantham, Ed was also finishing up a history degree at the University of Maryland and working full-time.

After completing his history degree, Ed was able to focus fully on earning his Business Administration degree. “I chose Business Administration because it is a degree that is versatile, prestigious and well-rounded,” commented Ed. He hopes to one day run his own business.

Ed credits much of his success to the Student Progress Representatives (SPR) he had at Grantham University, especially Mary Marshall and Ellen Vetter. “Both offered encouragement and advice and showed me that they cared,” said Ed. “They were always there, always responsive, responsible and dependable.” Speaking from experience, Ed’s advice to Grantham students is to rely on your SPR because your goals are their goals. He also feels that it is important to stay disciplined and focused on getting your coursework done.

Ed recently became a grandfather and he is focused on the being the best one he can be. As to future plans, he wants to run for public office again, pursue a third degree, move-up the ladder in the Department of Veterans Affairs and enjoy time with his family.

Give Great Gifts from Grantham's Campus Store

The holidays are here and the shopping frenzy is almost over. Make your shopping a little easier this year by purchasing items from the Grantham University Campus Store for your loved ones. There are great gifts from sweatshirts to keep you warm on those long winter nights to mugs to fill with your favorite hot beverage. Don’t forget about new the holiday ornament. This shatterproof blue ornament arrives individually gift-boxed and features the Grantham University logo in white and yellow. To view our products and place an order, visit: https://www.grantham.edu/campus_store/apparel/home.

Grantham University would like to congratulate the following recent graduates:

Congratulations on a job well done from all of us at Grantham University!

University Holiday Closures

The staff at Grantham University would like to remind you that the University will be closed on the dates below in observance of the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

• Christmas - Closed on Thursday, December 25th and Friday, December 26th  
• New Year's - Closed on Thursday, January 1st

Please have a safe and happy holiday season!

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Thomas Canfield

Dr. Thomas Canfield has been an instructor at Grantham University since 2006. He received his Ph.D. in English, with a specialization in Elizabethan Drama, from the University of Louisiana in 1998. Prior to that, he received a Master of Arts in English from Truman State University. He is currently pursuing a second Master’s degree in Theatre History, Dramatic Literature and Dramaturgy, at the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC).

Not only is he a college instructor and student, he is also involved in the performing arts as a dramaturg. A dramaturg works closely with a production’s director, actors and designers to aid them in uncovering details that might need scholarly research, such as historical information about the time period in which the play is set, or background information on the playwright. From an audience’s standpoint, the most visible contribution that the dramaturg makes is the program essay that prepares the audience for the theatrical experience they are about to undergo.

Dr. Canfield is currently working on a stage version of Great Expectations, a classic novel by Charles Dickens, which opens in February at UMKC, and Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, which opens in mid-June at the America Shakespeare Festival in Kansas City, MO.

When asked why he decided to teach, Dr. Canfield credits the wonderful teachers he had throughout his educational career. “I remember those who challenged me to become not only a more well-rounded individual in the academic sense, but also those who inspired me to become a better person,” he said. “Many of my teachers gave me the opportunity to grow and reach my fullest potential, and I hope to do the same for my own students.”

Since beginning at Grantham, he has taught English Grammar and Vocabulary, English Composition I and English Composition II. “Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of teaching at Grantham is seeing my students improve their writing, organization and critical thinking skills over the course of a class,” he said. He cautions that students shouldn’t think of online instruction as an impersonal environment. “Just as they would in a traditional brick-and-mortar classroom, students should not be afraid to establish rapport with their instructors and they should never be reluctant to ask for extra help when it is needed.”

Recently, Dr. Canfield was awarded the Jeanette Nichols Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to graduate students at UMKC who are majoring in Theatre. He plans to use the funding to underwrite the costs of researching and publishing his second thesis, which will be a complete history of the Circle theatre, Kansas City’s first professional Equity playhouse.

Handle Your Holiday Stress

By Tara Kuther, Ph.D., About.com

It's holiday time! Time for fun, festivities, and stress! Stress? But the holidays are a happy time of year? Why would anyone feel stressed? College students are sure to feel stressed as the holiday season rolls around. Why? Maybe because finals are looming and you've got several papers due? You're getting ready for the holidays, and have a ton of holiday shopping still left to do. Whew! No wonder you're stressed! Here's what you can do about it:

Recognize the Signs of Stress
You know when you're stressed, right? Just remember that the signs are more pervasive than you think! Usually when we think of stress symptoms, we think of high blood pressure, elevated heart rate, overeating, and sweating too much. Signs of stress also include irritability, insomnia, anxiety, headaches, indigestion, muscle tension, and jitteriness.

Learn How to Relax
Easier said than done, you say? Take the time to learn relaxation techniques, as they'll help you all throughout school and the rest of your life. For example, practice the relaxation response, a form of meditation.

Find a quiet environment (a room at home, school, the library) where you can be alone without distractions. Get into a comfortable position, preferably with your spine straight. Try sitting down cross-legged or in the lotus position. Don't lie down or you might fall asleep! During the relaxation session, focus your concentration on an object, word, or phrase. This is your point of focus. Begin to breathe deeply and slowly. Inhale through your nose. As you exhale through your mouth, repeat your chosen word or phrase. Concentrate on your point of focus and don't worry about your thought processes. It is difficult to eliminate distracting thoughts, but instead concentrate on your point of focus. Try not to dwell on your distracting thoughts; let them slip away. Continue for 10 to 20 minutes and you'll feel more relaxed and at peace.

Be Realistic
When you begin to feel tense and overwhelmed, stop what your doing and try to look at your situation from a fresh perspective. Ask yourself, "Why am I feeling this way? If this task doesn't get done, what's the worst thing that can happen? What is the absolute minimum that I need to do to complete this task?" Be realistic. Every assignment does not have to be perfect. If your assignment isn't perfect, is it really the end of the world? A year from now, will it be important? All too often we get stressed out over everyday things whose consequences are minimal. Try to look at the "big picture."

Use Time Management Strategies
Another way to take control is to get more done by using your time more effectively.

• Make use of wasted time. Carry pocket work, something that you can do while waiting. Whether it's reading for the train, or flash cards to study. Ten minutes here, fifteen there; it adds up. Plus, cognitive psychology and memory research has shown that we can recall more information if we work and study in short periods rather than long ones, so you just might learn more!
  

• Use a "to-do" list. Write in all your assignments, chores (like laundry!), and other tasks (e.g., holiday shopping). Prioritize the items. When is that paper due? Is it high priority? Place all high priority tasks first. Regularly stop and ask yourself, "What is the best use of my time right now? What needs to get done now?" Do that task.

Upcoming Events

December 25th and 26th: The University is closed.
December 29th: Military Programs’ Outreach Visit to Fort Riley
December 30th: Military Programs’ Outreach Visit to Fort Leavenworth
January 1st: The University is closed.
January 5th: Military Programs’ Outreach Visits to Scott AFB & NAS/JRB Bellechase
January 6th: Military Programs’ Outreach Visits to CBC Gulfport & Keesler AFB
January 7th: Military Programs’ Outreach Visits to Fort Knox & Fort Polk
January 8th: Military Programs’ Outreach Visits to Fort Campbell & Barksdale AFB
January 12th: Military Programs’ Outreach Visit to Maxwell-Gunter AFB
January 13th: Military Programs’ Outreach Visits to Fort Riley & Fort Rucker
January 14th: Military Programs’ Outreach Visits to Offutt AFB, Eglin AFB & Hurlburt Field
January 15th: Military Programs’ Outreach Visit to NAS Pensacola
January 16th: Military Programs’ Outreach Visit to Fort Leavenworth

Quote of the Month

“The ability to concentrate and to use your time well is everything if you want to succeed in business - or almost anywhere else for that matter.”

~ Lee Iacocca