Jackson State University spring 2011 biology graduate Dorothy Ndishabandi has been selected to participate in a summer program at the Harvard Medical School Comprehensive Cancer Center with more than 1,000 researchers across seven Harvard institutions. In this prestigious program, students will learn from experts who are devoted to preventing, treating and curing cancer.

Each year, a number of promising students are selected for this unique opportunity to expand and extend their interest in basic and clinical cancer training. The program runs from June 2 to August 24, 2011. A stipend is provided to each participant.

“I want to learn about cancer as much as possible,” said Ndishabandi, a magna cum laude graduate who plans to go to medical school.

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Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors including the scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service, and the extent to which the school offers academic service learning courses.

“One of Virginia Union’s founding principles is service to mankind,” said Dr. Claude G. Perkins, President of the University. “We expect for our students to be active participants in their community. It’s part of our tradition.”

Each year, the Corporation invests more than $150 million in fostering a culture of service on college campuses through grants awarded by its programs; the education awards that AmeriCorps members receive at the conclusion of their term of service to pay for college; and through support of training, research, recognition, and other initiatives to spur college service.

(Bluefield)—On May 14, as more than 350 Bluefield State College graduate, three BSC freshmen will be making a trip “North of the Border.”  The students will participate in a statewide university-level international experience class made available to West Virginia public baccalaureate institutions by WVU.

BSC freshmen Danielle Feury and Katie White of White Sulphur Springs, and Deidra Smalls of Bluefield learned of the opportunity in Dr. Sudhakar Jamkhandi’s English 102 course.  They’re looking forward to the experience.

“I’m really excited,” Feury said.  “Dr. Jamkhandi has opened my eyes to study abroad opportunities.  In Quebec, I’ll be able to see how things function where two languages, French and English, are spoken.

White sees the week-long educational experience as a way to develop a greater appreciation of the differences and similarities between the people of Quebec and the United States.  “We will be able to see the U.S. from the perspective of others,” she said.

When she graduates from BSC, Smalls hopes to study and, perhaps, teach overseas.  “I want to learn about other religions, customs, and cultures,” she explained.

The course in which the students will be enrolled during the trip is “An Introduction to the Political & Cultural Identity of Canada & Quebec.”  It will be taught collaboratively by WVU faculty Drs. James Natsis and Jennifer Orlikoff in conjunction with faculty from the Universite’ de Laval in Quebec City.

“Students will attend daily lectures in the morning, presented by Laval University faculty, then will participate in afternoon excursions that reflect and deepen the students’ understanding of the morning sessions,” Dr. Jamkhandi explained.

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