Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Teaching Excellence Center announces their spring World of Opportunity for Faculty Development events. While the events are focused toward faculty, they are open to students, staff and the public. All events are free to attend.

Among the calendar of events are two book clubs that will meet throughout the semester. The first is Poetry in Motion with Giovanni and Hughes. The group will explore poems by Nikki Giovanni, a contemporary poet who is a distinguished professor at Virginia Tech, and Langston Hughes, a poet of the Harlem Renaissance.

The second book club will read and discuss, "Caught in the Middle" by Richard Longworth. The book analyzes how globalization has affected the Midwest. The group will not only discuss the book, but also ways to contribute to the economic success of the region. Anyone interested in joining either book club may contact the Teaching Excellence Center at (608) 342-1798 or tec@uwplatt.edu to find out meeting places, dates and times.

The next two events address international experiences at UWP. On Wednesday, Feb. 18 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Susan Hansen, Donna Perkins and Lisa Riedle will discuss different international opportunities at UWP. The event will be held in the Platteville West Room in the Pioneer Student Center.

Participants will be able to hear what it's like to study abroad directly from students on Monday, March 23 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Platteville East and West Rooms in the PSC. A panel of students who have been abroad will share their experiences.

On Thursday, April 2, the TEC will hold a coffee and discussion about distinguished lecturer's presentation. This years distinguished lecturer is Richard Picciotto, a chief of the New York Fire Department. Picciotto is the highest-ranking firefighter to survive the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He was trapped for four hours under the rubble of the North Trade Center Tower. He will speak on campus on Wednesday, April 1.

The final event is the French Film Festival. TEC is sponsoring one of the films. The festival will showcase five films: "Persepolis," an Academy Award nominated animated feature based on the graphic novel about the Iranian revolution, which will run Tuesday, April 7; "Terror's Advocate," a documentary about a controversial French attorney who made his name defending German war criminals, which will run Wednesday, April 8; "Her Name is Sabine," a documentary about the relationship between an award-winning French actress and her severely autistic sister whose life has been shattered by institutionalization, which will run Tuesday, April 14; "La Mome," a biography of famous French singer Edith Piaf and the first French language film to garner an Oscar for an acting role, which will run Wednesday, April 15; and "Moliere," a fictionalized biography of the famous French playwright, often borrowing from his most famous play, which will run Thursday, April 16.

TEC provides services that aid in the development of faculty as teachers, scholars, people and professionals as part of UWP. Events like these help them fulfill their purpose. With their activities, resources and programs, TEC also seeks to fulfill its mission to provide shared leadership in the pursuit of effective and innovative teaching to enhance student learning.

While registration for the events is not required, it is preferred. Anyone wanting more information or to register, may contact TEC at (608) 342-1798 or tec@uwplatt.edu. Registration may also be done online at www.uwplatt.edu/tec/calendar.

Contact: Tom Lo Guidice, director, Teaching Excellence Center, (608) 342-1798, tec@uwplatt.edu Written by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Office of Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, kurdik@uwplatt.edu