Grantham Graduate Named as a DETC Outstanding Graduate

On April 18, 2007, at the Distance Education and Training Council’s (DETC) 81st Annual Conference, graduates from all over the United States will be recognized for their hard work, dedication and academic excellence, including Grantham University’s DETC Outstanding Graduate, Staff Sergeant Christopher Correll.

SSgt Correll was chosen for his excellent academic performance, and for his perseverance toward earning his degree.  Despite working long hours as a Biomedical Equipment Technician for the U.S. Air Force, SSgt. Correll decided to return to school to earn his Master’s of Science degree in Information Technology from Grantham University.  As a graduate of Grantham’s undergraduate degree program in Electronics Engineering Technology, Correll knew that Grantham’s flexible distance learning programs would fit in with his already busy schedule.

SSgt Correll graduated with a 3.92 GPA in May 2006 and used the knowledge and tools he gained at Grantham to manage a $168,000 X-ray installation project.  He also used the concepts behind Grantham’s distance learning model to create a more effective learning/training process for his team.  He incorporated simulations, Flash tutorials, visual aids and hands-on instruction into his training sessions, which improved the skill-levels of his employees.

“I have received many accolades for my attention to detail, my leadership abilities and my ‘can do’ attitude, all thanks to Grantham University, who gave me the confidence to succeed,” said SSgt Correll.

By completing his studies at Grantham, SSgt Correll serves as an example to his children and soldiers that education is important.  Correll also serves as a role model for others by spending some of his free time tutoring current Grantham students and volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and other local community organizations. Grantham is proud to be one of the contributors to Correll's career success, and we wish him the best in all of his future endeavors.

Grantham University Graduates

January and February 2007

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

Revised MBA Program

Grantham’s Academics department has been busy updating the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program over the last few months to allow more transfer credits into the program.  Three elective courses have been built into the program.  Students enrolled in the MBA program still have to complete at least 27 credit hours at Grantham, but can transfer in up to 9 elective credits to meet the graduation requirement of 36 credit hours.  If your prior military or work-related training has been evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE) and is at a masters or graduate level, it may be used as transfer credit at Grantham. To view the revised course curriculum, please visit: http://www.grantham.edu/academics/degrees_business_admin_master.php.  

Student Spotlight - Jody Hanks

Grantham University student, Chief Master Sergeant Jody Hanks has been in the United States Air Force for 21 years.  He is currently the manager of the 81st Dental Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, and he provides operational management to one of the largest dental clinics in the Air Force. The dental clinic is responsible for the care of 3,600 beneficiaries, as well as graduate-level education for Air Force dentists.

When deciding to return to school to complete his degree, CMSgt Hanks chose Grantham University because of its flexible degree programs and its military scholarship.  In his previous assignment with the Air Force Inspection Agency, he averaged two weeks per month on the road evaluating Air Force hospitals around the world. “Grantham provided the means to obtain my degree in spite of the heavy travel demands of my job,” said CMSgt Hanks.  “In addition, Grantham’s Military Scholarship allowed me to obtain my degree with almost no out-of-pocket costs.  There aren’t many students that can say they have graduated from college debt-free!”

CMSgt Hanks completed his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in November 2006, while on a one year assignment to Korea.  Since then, he has enrolled in Grantham’s Master of Science in Information Management Technology program. 

“With Grantham, there is a campus everywhere,” commented CMSgt Hanks.  “I have literally attended classes in 21 states and 7 countries while traveling with the Air Force.  My classroom is wherever I am hanging my hat on any particular day.”

In addition to taking classes at Grantham, CMSgt Hanks is an avid reader and enjoys the opera.  He and his wife, Cindy, have four children and one grandchild.

Grantham Visits Service Members at the National Naval Medical Center

Tom Macon, Chairman of Grantham University and Valerie Beall, Grantham’s National Director of Business Development, were invited for a special tour of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, on March 14th, 2007.  They visited the rooms of five recuperating soldiers and thanked them for the sacrifices they and their families have made to keep our Nation safe.  Each soldier was given a phone card, compliments of Grantham University.

Following the tour, Macon and Beall met privately with Rear Admiral Adam M. Robinson, Jr., MD., who said he had heard the “great things that Grantham was doing for [U.S.] soldiers” from an officer who just graduated.  After the tour, Mr. Macon and Ms. Beall were “coined” by the Rear Admiral which is a distinct honor for civilians to receive.

The National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) is one of the Nation’s largest and most renowned military medical centers, best known for its history of providing care to war heroes and presidents alike for the past 65 years. NNMC is comprised of nearly 4,500 professionals who make it their daily mission to be the Flagship of Force Health Protection and operational readiness; to deliver outstanding customer service; maintain outstanding opportunities in graduate medical and dental education and research; and always deliver world-class health care within an integrated system.  Currently, Grantham has 10 students who work at NNMC.

Join MentorNet for access to “real world” information and advice from professionals in your field of interest.

Grantham University is continuing its partnership with MentorNet, who offers One-on-One Mentoring Programs pairing undergraduate and graduate students with professionals for one-on-one, email-based mentoring relationships. As a student at Grantham University, you can sign-up for a mentor at no cost to you.

Currently, there are 73 Grantham students participating in MentorNet, and over 360 Grantham students have been matched with mentors in the last 5 years.  Mentors come from a variety of companies including IBM, Microsoft, Texas Instruments, Hewlett-Packard and more.  Not only will a mentor provide you with excellent career advice, they can also provide you with support, encouragement and access to professional networks within their companies.  

Comments from Grantham students:

“My mentor was really someone I admired. She was focused and volunteered her time on so many things other than herself. That really made a difference in my life.”

“I learned from my Mentor that some jobs have to be created. The MentorNet program has helped me to stay much more focused on getting my degree...helping to keep it in front of me without putting additional pressure on. I am working in my chosen profession at this time so the encouragement is what I needed without being pushed.”

“My mentor offered lots of encouragement from someone who's been there.”

How can you find a mentor?

Joining MentorNet is simple, and as a Grantham student, there is no cost to you.  Just follow the steps below.

1. Visit: http://www.mentornet.net/join
2. Create a UserName and Password, and choose the option to create a protégé profile.

For more information about MentorNet, visit: www.MentorNet.net.

National Women’s History Month Celebration

On March 17, 2007, Valerie Beall represented Grantham University at the Federally Employed Women - DC Metro Region celebration of National Women’s History Month hosted by the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum in Washington, D.C. 

The Museum is the headquarters of the historic National Woman's Party (1917) and was the Washington home of its founder and Equal Rights Amendment author, Alice Paul.  The Museum also houses the Florence Bayard Hilles Feminist Library which was the first library in the country entirely dedicated to the study of the history of women in the United States and abroad.

”It was a moving experience to be celebrating American women in the house where Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul and Lucretia Mott, leaders in the campaign for equal rights and women's suffrage, regularly met,” said Ms. Beall.

Keynote speaker Ms. Molly MacGregor, co-founder of the National Women’s History project, shared her fascinating journey from an elementary school teacher to petitioning Congress to recognize and validate the accomplishments of American women.  In 1980, MacGregor co-founded the National Women's History Project (NWHP), an educational nonprofit institution. The NWHP spearheaded the movement for National Women's History Week, which in 1987 became National Women's History Month.

Upcoming Events

April 15th – 17th, 2007 –Distance Education and Training Council’s (DETC) 81st Annual Conference in Tucson, Arizona

April 15th – 18th, 2007 –Training Officers Conference’s (TOC) Annual Institute in Ocean City, Maryland

April 26th, 2007 – Andrew’s AFB Education Center from 11am until 2pm 

Guide to Setting Up an Ergonomic Computer Station

By: Chris Adams, About.com

Poor posture, lack of proper equipment and incorrect “ergonomic” information are all contributing factors to an improper computer setup. You can see, as illustrated here, that working at a computer can cause a lot of distress in a number of different parts of the body. With that in mind here are some key things not to do:

• Avoid existing ergonomic guidelines unless they make scientific sense. Ergonomics should be based on fact, research, experimentation and theory using body mechanics as a base line.
• Do not sit in a rigid and upright position.

There are four areas that a computer user interfaces with: the monitor, the keyboard and mouse, the chair, and the lighting of the environment. Setting up the interfaces with these ergonomic guidelines as well as maintaining a good posture will enhance your comfort and efficiency as well as prevent repetitive stress injuries.

The Monitor

• Position the monitor to minimize glare by placing it at a right angle to light sources or windows
• Place the monitor as far away from you as possible while maintaining the ability to read without consciously focusing. Keep a minimum distance of 20 inches.
• Place the center of the screen at a 15 degree down angle from your eyes with your neck only slightly bent holding your head perpendicular to the floor.
• Align the monitor and the keyboard / mouse
• Set the refresh rate at a minimum of 70 Hz to limit flicker

Lighting

• The office should be moderately bright (equal to a nice day where sunglasses aren’t needed).
• Do not use task lighting for computer work.
• A mix of incandescent and fluorescent lights reduces flicker and provides good light color.

The Keyboard & Mouse

• Position the keyboard / mouse slightly below the elbow and at a negative angle to allow the wrists to remain straight
• Do NOT use a wrist rest while actively typing. It’s meant to rest on. Hold your hands and arms off of any supports while typing.
• Place the mouse next to and at the same level as the keyboard.
• Do NOT use the keyboard supports to raise the back up. Do NOT tilt the keyboard tray so that the back of the keyboard is higher than the front. Though design and a lot of prevailing information say you should tilt the keyboard to a positive angle like this, it is wrong. A negative angle that allows the wrists to stay in their natural position is proper.

The Chair

• Use arm rests.
• Place the lumbar support slightly below the waist line.
• Adjust the height of the chair so your feet can rest completely on the floor.
• Allow 1-3 inches between the edge of the seat and the back of your knees.
• Use a high back chair that supports your shoulder blades if at all possible

Posture

• Position your hips so that they are slightly higher than your knees while your feet are flat on the floor.
• Don’t keep your feet flat on the floor. Move them around often. Use a foot rest if you have one, but only part of the time. Do NOT cross your ankles.
• Lean back slightly. Leaning the trunk back to somewhere between 100-130 degrees from parallel to the floor will open up the hips and ease pressure on the pelvis. I like 104 degrees myself. Make sure your chair back will support your shoulders at this angle while still providing good lumbar support.
• Hold your head slightly up so that it is roughly perpendicular to the floor.
• Let your upper arms hang naturally from your shoulders.
• Let your lower arms rest on the arm rests of your chair either parallel or slightly below, to the floor.
• Keep your wrists straight.
• Change your position frequently. Move your feet, lift your arms, adjust your hips, and just make sure to subtly alter your posture continuously throughout the work day.

Association Highlights - IACP Foundation

Grantham University is proud to support the Foundation of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) in its efforts to aid the families of law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Since 2004, Grantham University has partnered with the IACP who has served policing and police agencies across the United States and around the world for over 100 years. In 1990, the IACP leadership created the IACP Foundation to add a new dimension to the organization’s support of the policing profession.

The mission of the IACP Foundation is to serve the law enforcement community by securing and providing financial resources to support leadership, education, training and research programs, and to assist survivors of law enforcement officers killed and disabled in the line of duty. This mission is accomplished by the following means:

• Sponsoring education and training programs for law enforcement officers
• Sponsoring research designed to improve law enforcement services and publishing the results of such research
• Providing financial assistance for education purposes to needy survivors of law enforcement officers who are killed or disabled in the line of duty

For more information about the IACP Foundation, please visit: http://www.theiacpfoundation.org/.