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November 2007
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AU-ABC Program - New CCAF Degree Added
In July, Grantham University announced its partnership with the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) in support of the Air Force's Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative Program (AU-ABC). This program allows CCAF to partner with military friendly academic institutions, such as Grantham University, who will accept all CCAF degree program credits in one or more of its bachelor degrees.
This month, it was announced that Airmen holding an associates degree in Transportation can now transfer into the Business Administration program at Grantham. Airman with one of the following CCAF Associate degrees can apply to the corresponding approved Grantham baccalaureate degree program:
- Contracts Management - 1CAO
- Financial Management - 9GEC
- Human Resource Management - 1AOY
(Formally Personnel Administration)
- Logistics - 1AMY
- Public Affairs - 2FDE
- Social Services - 9IKY
- Transportation - 1ATY
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= Grantham Business Administration Program
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- Communications Applications Technology - 2IAL
- Computer Science Technology - OCYY
- Information Management - 1AUY
- Information Systems Technology - OIYY
- Scientific Analysis Technology - 4VES
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= Grantham Computer Science Program
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- Criminal Justice - 9IJY
- Paralegal - 1CAM
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= Grantham Criminal Justice Program
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- Avionic Systems Technology - 4VHS
- Communications Applications Technology - 2IAL
- Electronic Systems Technology - 4VHP
- Mechanical and Electrical Technology - 4VGA
- Scientific Analysis Technology - 4VES
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= Grantham Electronics Engineering Technology Program
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Grantham University was one of ten schools that tested the concept, and CCAF accepted four of its degree programs, Electronics Engineering Technology (EET), Computer Science (CS), Business Administration (BA), and Criminal Justice (CJ) for this initiative.
Approved Grantham University AU-ABC programs fulfilled the following requirements:
- Met specific accreditation standards
- Required no more that 60 semester hours after the AAS degree for a bachelor's degree
- Delivered instruction via distance learning
- Maximized application of military credit
- Related degree programs to Air Force specialty
To learn more about the AU-ABC, Airmen can log into the Air Force portal and browse through the available degree programs.
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Student Spotlight - FS1 Galen Varon
FS1 Galen Varon enlisted as a Food Service Specialist in the U.S. Coast Guard and served on active duty for ten years, after which, he felt that he needed a change. With his food service experience, FS1 Varon didn't think that he would have any difficulty finding employment in the civilian sector. He submitted over 200 resumes to job banks, agencies, online employment sites and recruiters and barely received any interest. After completing more research, he discovered that in order to get a job with comparable benefits to the ones he received in the military, most employers required a minimum of a bachelor's degree (in anything).
At this point, six months had gone by and he had two job offers: one at a fast food restaurant and the other in the kitchen at the county jail. So, he decided to re-enlist with the Coast Guard. He was accepted back, but at a loss of a pay grade. From that point forward, FS1 Varon put the pedal to the medal and hasn't looked back. "Within four months of rejoining the Coast Guard, I was enrolled in Grantham and burning through classes as fast as my Tuition Assistance could keep up," said FS1 Varon.
One year into his associate degree program, FS1 Varon used the skills he learned in Grantham's HTML and Javascript courses to create a Web site for his unit. He incorporated career resources, work-life and morale information, an in-depth unit history, and the first ever "Officer In Charge (OINC) College" web page. This page features priceless resources for perspective OINC candidates, where they can gather the tools needed to study, prepare and learn everything they need to run a Coast Guard unit. It even included information on how a unit could put together their own OINC College.
As a result of the Web site he created, FS1 Varon received scores of e-mails from Coast Guard units around the country about how beneficial the site was to them. Furthermore, because of his initiative, he was selected as the Ninth Coast Guard Districts' Enlisted Person of the Year in 2006. "I can attribute many things towards this success, but I believe that what I attained from Grantham University was the foundation of it all," he said.
FS1 Varon chose Grantham University for several reasons. First, Grantham awarded him the most transfer credits of any school he applied to. Second, Grantham's flexible online degree programs allowed him to progress through his courses on his own time, at his own pace. Third, by combining his military Tuition Assistance with Grantham's Military Scholarship program, FS1 Varon hasn't had to pay any out of pocket expenses. "In this country, there are millions of students in debt, but I'm not one of them," said FS1 Varon.
He earned his Associate degree in Information Systems from Grantham in a year-and-a-half with a 3.79 GPA, and received his old pay grade back. FS1 Varon was also selected as a Special Command Aide to the Commander of the 13th Coast Guard District. Now, FS1 Varon is only five classes away from earning his Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, and is maintaining a 3.86 GPA.
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Reminder - Official Transcripts Required
Grantham University staff would like to remind students that official transcripts must be submitted to the University within six months of enrollment. If your official transcript(s) are not received, you will not be given transfer credit for those courses outlined in your Individualized Education Plan (IEP). An official transcript is one mailed directly to Grantham University from the Registrar of the sending educational institution. Those students with outstanding transcripts from a branch of the U.S. Military, College Level Examination Program, or Defense-Activity for Nontraditional Education Support, please follow the corresponding links below to request that your transcript be sent to Grantham.
DANTES Score Report (School Code: 8473):
www.voled.doded.mil
CLEP Score Report (School Code: 2244):
www.collegeboard.com
Army ACE Registry Transcript (AARTS):
aartstranscript.army.mil/
Marine/Navy ACE Registry Transcript (SMART):
smart.navy.mil
Community College of the Air Force (CCAF):
www.maxwell.af.mil
Coast Guard Institute:
www.uscg.mil
If you if have any questions about outstanding transcripts or would like to find out if you have outstanding transcripts, please contact your Student Progress Representative (SPR) at 800-955-2527.
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SAIGE Awards Grantham Scholarship
The Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE), Grantham's newest association partner, announced that it awarded a four-year Grantham Scholarship to Jinny Shulenberger. The scholarship, valued at approximately $34,000, covers: tuition costs, required textbooks, software, fees and shipping of the course materials.
Ms. Shulenberger applied for the scholarship through SAIGE because she needs to obtain her degree in order to advance in her federal government career and meet her lifelong goal of becoming the first Native American manager at her facility.
"I am interested in pursuing a degree in Business Administration at Grantham University because with the flexibility of distance learning, I can work full-time and earn my degree at the same time," said Ms. Shulenberger.
"Education is powerful and plays an important role in everyone's lives," said Christine Shelly, executive vice president of Grantham University. "Providing a scholarship to a deserving SAIGE member is one small way that Grantham can make a big difference in someone's life."
In addition to the scholarship program, SAIGE members can take advantage of special tuition rate of $250 per credit hour which includes a Technology and Textbook Grant that covers the cost of required textbooks and software. (Proof of membership is required to apply for the tuition grant.) For more information, visit: www.grantham.edu.
About SAIGE
SAIGE was formed in 2001 to serve the needs of American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) federal employees. It is SAIGE's mission to promote the recruitment, hiring, retention, development, advancement and equitable treatment of AI and AN employees in the workforce. For more information about SAIGE, visit: www.saige.org.
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Coming Soon - GU's Revamped Online Store
Over the last few months, Grantham University's Online Store has been getting quite the makeover. When the new store opens, it will have a new look and feel, new Grantham clothing and accessories, and items will be shipped directly from Grantham's bookstore in Kansas City, MO. Below is a sneak peak at some of the new store items. Stay tuned for the grand opening announcement...
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NAIMES Student Spotlight Award
On October 2, 2007, the National Association of Institutions for Military Education Services (NAIMES) announced the organization's search for military members who have put in long days and extra hours in order to pursue an education, and recognize their accomplishments through the 2007 NAIMES Student Spotlight Award program. Honors include a $1,200 cash prize to the top three applicants, along with a commemorative plaque.
The program presents active duty military with the opportunity to showcase scholarly achievements that have been accomplished while participating in the Voluntary Education program. The program was created to recognize student achievements in the Armed Forces and promote a healthy communication between students, faculty, and military communities.
The selection process targets academic accomplishments, attributes and qualifications, as well as the student's quality and rigor of work. Ramona McAfee, the Committee Chair from the University of Alaska, believes "[a] truly accomplished student is one who demonstrates the ability to blend their academic skills, their military occupational skills and their life skills together to become the best service member they can be."
Applications are currently being accepted for the award and should be submitted online at www.naimes.org. Eligible candidates consist of active duty military, selected Reservists and National Guard members. Applications must be received by December 1, 2007, and winners will be announced on December 14th.
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Using Numbers in Writing
From Grace Fleming
About.com
Reviewing the Rules
Why do so many people find it difficult to remember the rules for using numbers in formal writing? Probably because the rules seem a little fuzzy sometimes. So, what can you do? It's no mystery: as with anything, read and study the rules several times, and it will all seem natural, eventually.
One through Ten
Spell out numbers one through ten, as in this example:
- My little brother ate four apples before dinner and became ill.
- Why do parents always check to see if babies have ten toes?
Above Ten
Spell out numbers above ten, unless writing the number would involve using more than two words. For example:
- I have sixty-three dead bugs in my collection.
- My cousin has 207 bugs in his. (That would be three words, not counting "and.")
- This site has given me a thousand helpful hints for my homework.
- My grandmother is seventy-two today.
- My little sister had about 4,763 measles on her face. (That would be four words.)
Always spell out numbers that begin sentences:
- Four hundred and fifty people attended the birthday party.
However, you should try to avoid using long, clunky numbers at the beginning of a sentence:
- There were 450 people at the party.
Dates, phone numbers, and time:
Use numbers for dates:
- My birthday is March 16.
- He was born on Valentines Day, 1975.
And use numbers for phone numbers:
- The phone number for the school is 800-555-6262
- The international code for England is 44.
And use numbers for time if using a.m. or p.m.:
- The alarm will sound at 7 p.m.
- I make my bed at 7 a.m. each morning.
But spell out times when using "o'clock" or when a.m. or p.m. is omitted:
- The alarm will sound at seven o'clock.
- I make my bed at seven each morning.
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Boost Your Brain Power
We have all heard the saying, "You are what you eat." Well, to some degree it is true. The foods we consume each and every day affect our bodies both positively and negatively. Determining what healthy foods to eat is pretty much common sense, but did you know that you can actually eat to improve brain function? There are a variety of different foods that increase memory and productivity, and improve brain function and concentration.
Memory: A diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats will not only provide many health benefits, but can also improve memory.
| Blueberries |
Leafy Greens |
Egg Yolks |
| Strawberries |
Tumeric |
Milk |
| Spinach |
Fish |
Yogurt |
Productivity: We are all looking for ways to accomplish more during the day. If you find that you need energy to you keep going, these energy and brainpower boosting foods are just what you need.
| Salmon |
Mustard Greens |
Pears |
| Shrimp |
Cauliflower |
Papayas |
| Water |
Dill |
Sweet Potatoes |
| Turkey |
Plums |
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Brain Function: Some foods contain nutrients that are used to manufacture certain brain chemicals that may enhance mental tasks like memory, concentration, and reaction time. So, if its crunch time, incorporate some of the foods below into your diet to boost your brain function.
| Avocadoes |
Bananas |
Yogurt |
| Broccoli |
Cantaloupe |
Eggs |
| Brussel Sprouts |
Oranges |
Oatmeal |
| Collard Greens |
Lean Beef |
Peanut Butter |
| Peas |
Chicken |
Salmon |
| Potatoes |
Turkey |
Tuna |
| Romaine Lettuce |
Brown Rice |
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| Spinach |
Cheese |
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| Legumes |
Milk |
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Concentration: One of the easiest ways to boost your concentration is to begin with breakfast. Many studies show that skipping breakfast reduces people's performance at school and at work. The foods listed below are easy to slip in into a breakfast that will start your day off right.
| Strawberries |
Nuts |
Cheese |
| Blueberries |
Seeds |
Eggs |
While you may not want to blend all of these foods together to create an on-the-go smoothie, you should find ways to incorporate them into your daily diet. It may also be a good idea to supplement your diet with vitamins such as C, B12, B6 and Folic Acid, but you should talk to your doctor first. By consuming the right foods, you are not only improving your brain, you are giving your body the nutrients it needs to stave off infections and diseases like colds and high blood pressure.
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Veterans Dine for Free
McCormick and Schmick's Seafood Restaurants are offering veterans a complimentary entree in honor of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, 2007. Veterans must provide proper ID to be eligible. Visit the McCormick and Schmicks Web site for details and to find a participating restaurant near you.
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Upcoming Events
November 15th: Grand Forks AFB Education Fair
November 16th: Minot AFB Education Fair
November 17th: US Army Recruiting Command - Albany Recruiting Battalion Annual Training Conference
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Quote of the Month:
"The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue to live."
- Mortimer Adler
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