McDaniel Weekly - October 12, 2020
“Invention is the most important product of the creative brain.” — Nikola Tesla Bored? Stressed? Vacillating between all kinds of extremes? Whatever you’re feeling right now, it’s an unusual semester--and you’re not alone. At the same time, it is my sincere belief that out of times of great pressure, great innovation is born. I applaud all the creativity you’ve shown so far, and I look forward to what’s still to come.
From Josh Ambrose, Associate Dean of Campus and Community Engagement
“Invention is the most important product of the creative brain.” — Nikola Tesla
Bored? Stressed? Vacillating between all kinds of extremes? Whatever you’re feeling right now, it’s an unusual semester--and you’re not alone. At the same time, it is my sincere belief that out of times of great pressure, great innovation is born. I applaud all the creativity you’ve shown so far, and I look forward to what’s still to come.
Speaking of which, we have a number of upcoming opportunities for you to get involved in entrepreneurship, here on the Hill! Keep reading below for announcements for the annual Pitch to Get Paid contest and the Griswold-Zepp Award. This is your chance to win cold, hard cash and incredible mentorship connections! Lots of other innovative things to also highlight this week, including:
- DYK? Cybersecurity is a 150 BILLION dollar a year industry. Build your skills and network with professionals at MAGIC’s online Capture the Flag event in November—details below. Space is limited!
- Want to connect with other ambitious folks? The McDaniel Entrepreneurs student club is for you! Reach out to president Josh Arruda via jca010@mcdaniel.edu to learn more. They’re setting up some cool funded opportunities, and pitch workshops!
- And don’t forget now is a good time to declare your entrepreneurship and/or marketing minors. Reach out to the registrar to pick up your declaration form!
No matter your major, the liberal arts are all about creating connections and approaching things creatively. Keep climbing, as you create your own future!
Dean A
PS: Be sure to join SGA for a very important “Ask McDaniel Anything” forum this week! Details below.
Share your innovative business ideas--and get paid!
Submit your innovative business, product, or social entrepreneurship idea to the annual Pitch to Get Paid contest! Up to 7 winners will win $100 right away--PLUS another $175 after 3 follow-up meetings to develop a plan for the spring's Innovation Challenge.
Record a 2-4 min idea pitch for a new product or service (either solo or with a team) and upload it to YouTube. Email the url by Friday, November 6th to Dean Ambrose (jambrose@mcdaniel.edu). Reach out today for more pointers/guidelines!
Get your social-justice project started
Got an issue that needs action NOW, but don't have the money/support to make your project a reality? The Griswold-Zepp Award could be your answer! The GZ Award will help you and/or a group of your friends to jump-start your social justice project, addressing a local, regional, national, or even international need.
Both your application and sponsor form are due Friday, November 6th, 2020. Projects can be either in the Spring 2021 or in the Fall of 2021; projects also must include a virtual/remote back-up option to have full consideration.
Katherine Taylor (kataylor@mcdaniel.edu), the Assistant Director of Community Engagement, is holding an information session on Monday, October 26th at 4:30pm. Additional details TBA. They are also available to meet with you one on one if you have questions!
Make your perspective known at Ask McDaniel Anything
TOMORROW, Wednesday, October 14th, at 5:30pm, join our Student Government Association on Zoom (click here for access). Talk with President Amara Edwards-Foster and SGA, make your perspective known, and freely discuss concerns and questions!
Make a difference: Run for Student Government!
The SGA Special Elections are in full force! The nomination period is running from Monday, October 12th, 8am to Friday, October 16th, 5pm!
Special eligibility is granted this year for the treasurer, secretary, and VP positions. If you are interested in running, email Courtney Cunningham (ccunningham@mcdaniel.edu) and Dean Ambrose (jambrose@mcdaniel.edu) to learn more about the requirements for each position.
You must also attend one of the candidate information sessions happening TONIGHT, Tuesday 13th, at 4pm or Thursday, October 15th, at 6pm. Zoom links will be made available on the OSE Instagram (McDaniel_OSE).
LGBTQIA+ Rights when voting and at work
On Tuesday, October 19th, at 12pm, ODEI will be hosting a Zoom session (click here for access) that will focus on formal legal protections at work and at the polls. Jennifer Kent, McDaniel College’s Title IX Coordinator, will talk about the Supreme Court’s landmark decisions this summer that recognized that LBGTQ people are protected under the federal employment law’s bar against sex discrimination, what you can do if you are discriminated against, what kind of identity documentation poll workers are allowed to request, and what to do if you have difficulty voting this November. Submit questions in advance to Jennifer Kent (jkent@mcdaniel.edu).
Get ready to declare your major
From October 26th-29th, many departments are hosting virtual receptions for undeclared students to learn about their prospective majors or minors of interest. Hear directly from professors in certain departments and learn more about opportunities within those majors. All undeclared first-year and second-year students interested in the following majors or minors are encouraged to attend:
- Art & Art History
- Biology
- Business, Economics, Marketing, & Accounting
- Communication & Cinema
- Environmental Studies
- Kinesiology
- Health Sciences
- History
- Physics & Engineering
- Social Work
- World Languages, Literatures & Cultures (Arabic, French, & Spanish)
Click here to view the schedule and access the reception meeting invitations. Contact the Office of Academic Life (academiclife@mcdaniel.edu) with any questions.
Discuss the global crises of the COVID-19 Pandemic
On Thursday, October 29th, at 7pm, Dr. Christianna Leahy will lead a virtual panel of experts in a discussion about the interrelated nature of the pandemic, climate crisis, and racism. Those on the panel include Dr. Dana Ferraris, Dr. David Blanding, and Ronald Kaltenbaugh. To RSVP for the session, email ipo@mcdaniel.edu.
Lived experiences: Learn about the LatinX Community
On October 14th, at 12pm, join ODEI and HLA for a Zoom session (click here for access) to learn more about the LatinX Community through the lived experiences of some of our students, faculty, staff, and invited guests. LatinX individuals have accounted for more than half of the total U.S population growth since 2010. The panel will be moderated by Manuel Rodriguez, Assistant Director of ODEI. Panelists include Elva Joya, Angela Smith, Destiny Guerrero, Dr. Manuel Ruiz, and Nick Figueroa.
Participate in a cutting-edge, worldwide cybersecurity challenge
On Saturday, November 7th, participate in Capture the Flag -- an online cybersecurity challenge competition that pits teams of 1-4 players against each other, around the world, to answer the challenges for points. The team with the most points on the board at the end wins! Oh, and the top three teams win Amazon gift cards.
Space is limited—McDaniel is currently sponsoring three teams. Email Dean A (jambrose@mcdaniel.edu) by Saturday, October 24th to reserve your slot!
Support a child with their creative endeavors
Phi Sigma Sigma is hosting an art supplies drive to support the South Lake Elementary School art program. Last month, an alumnus of Phi Sigma Sigma, who is now a fourth-grade teacher at the school, reached out about some of the struggles the school is experiencing. The school's capacity is 600, however, 900 are enrolled. This past year, the art program did not receive any donations besides watercolor pallets. All items and cash donations are appreciated, especially markers, paper, colored pencils, oil pastels, scissors, and glue!
Sign up to run an Interfaith Zoom session
The CEO and ODEI are putting together an Interfaith and Service Zoom panel series -- and we need presenters! The presentation must focus on how your faith or spiritual practice connects with service, volunteerism, and community. It can be in a format of your choosing and you can select a faith or spiritual leader to present with. Please sign up by October 16th.
Totally unrelated sidenote: the first student reading this to email Amanda (agelber@mcdaniel.edu) with the word “2020” wins a blanket.
Register for the virtual SmartTalk
On Thursday, October 22nd, at 7pm, President Casey will lead a conversation with Ludley Howard ‘84, President and CEO of Pride Youth Services. Howard’s vision of creating effective, culturally competent services for African American youth and their families led to the founding of Pride Youth Services. He remains committed to empowering the lives of young people from diverse experiences and backgrounds. Click here to RSVP.
File your FAFSA
On October 1st, the 2021-2022 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opened up on studentaid.gov. You MUST complete the FAFSA every year -- it helps determine your eligibility for federal, state, and need-based financial aid for the 21-22 academic year. This year, students who file the FAFSA before October 31st will be entered into a raffle to be one of three winners of a McDaniel beanie and a $25 gift card to Starbucks!!! Email the Financial Aid Office (finaid@mcdaniel.edu) with any questions.
Prepare to VOTE
From Monday, September 14th through Friday, October 16th, stop by the McDaniel Votes registration table near the Pub on the mid-level of the Roj Student Center. A representative will be there on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 11am-2pm and 5pm-7pm, as well as on Fridays, from 11am-2pm. This is sponsored by Hoover Library, OSE, ODEI, McDaniel Political Science Dept, and Carroll County League of Women Voters.
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