Chicopee, Massachusetts (PRWEB) May 19, 2012

Elms College awarded degrees and certificates to 398 members of the class of 2012 on Saturday, May 19 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass. This year’s graduating class is the largest in the college’s history and includes the first graduating class of students who completed their bachelor’s degree though the partnership between Holyoke Community College and Elms College.

The class of 2012 includes:

318 undergraduates

181 bachelor of art degrees

135 bachelor of science degrees

Two associate of art degrees

80 graduate students

Three master of arts in applied theology degrees

25 master of arts in teaching degrees

20 master of arts in education degrees

Nine master of science in nursing degrees

17 master of science in autism spectrum disorders degrees

Six certificates of advanced graduate study

Mark Gregory Hambley, veteran diplomat and retired United States ambassador to Qatar and Lebanon, received an honory degree and delivered the commencement address.

“I guess this mean I’m now one of you, and this makes me very proud,” Hambley told the graduates in reference to his honorary degree. “Always look at the glass as half-full, not half-empty. Have fun and treat life like the adventure it is. And find ways not to take yourself too seriously.”

Class of 2012 valedictorian Victoria Puff, of Hampden, Mass., addressed her fellow students with the theme of missing what will be left behind at Elms College.

“And even if we don’t want to, no matter how scared we are, we must grow with change,” Puff said. “And yes, we will miss the way things used to be. My advice to you: miss those things. But I also know, in the end, that we will all be okay. We are meant to miss things.”

Puff is a communication sciences and disorders major. She received the Monsignor Conaty Award her freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years. She was recently inducted into Kappa Gamma Pi and Delta Epsilon Sigma. Victoria received the Marion Kennedy Sweeney Award from the CSD division. She traveled to Jamaica both her sophomore and junior years to spend time with the residents. Victoria is a member of the Student Government Association and the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association. She plans to attend the University of Connecticut in the fall to receive a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology.

Diane Brunelle, a 1984 Elms graduate and the vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Noble Hospital, received the Distinguished Alumni Award. The Via Veritatis Award was given to Mary Jane England, M.D., visiting professor of Health Policy and Management at the Boston University School of Public Health and former President of Regis College. The Via Veritatis Award is presented annually to an outstanding Catholic woman who exemplifies Catholic womanhood and culture at their best, and who has made significant contributions to society.

Elms College President Mary Reap, IHM, Ph.D., congratulated the class, which includes full- and part-time students.

“You are the reason we come to work every day; you are the source of our pride; you are the proof that we do is worth it all,” Reap said. “You leave this college a better institution because of your many contributions in the classroom, in sports, in service to others, and in just being the fine people you are.”

Greetings were also delivered by Elms College Board of Trustees Chair Linda Mansfield, class of 1977; Maxyne Schneider, SSJ, Ph.D., class of 1965 and president of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield; and Michael Bissonnette, mayor of the City of Chicopee.

Copies of the speeches are available upon request.

Elms College is a co-educational, Catholic college offering a liberal arts curriculum that gives students multiple perspectives on life. Founded in 1928 by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Elms College has a tradition of educating reflective, principled, and creative learners, who are rooted in faith, educated in mind, compassionate in heart, responsive to civic and social obligations, and capable of adjusting to change without compromising principle.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Nevada Northern Railway recently recognized as a Nevada Top Treasure http://travelnevada.com/discover/winner/territory/pony-express-territory/

Pony Express Territory, Nevada (PRWEB) May 17, 2012

Although there’s not much today’s traveler can do about rising gas prices, smart travelers can seek out some of the most affordable lodging options and still get to experience a low-to-no cost cultural adventure in Nevada’s Pony Express Territory.

This area includes the six adventurous towns of Dayton, Fallon, Fernley, Austin, Eureka and Ely all connected along U.S. Route 50 through the middle of Nevada also known as America’s Loneliest Road. “To counter rising gas prices, our towns are offering some incredible lodging deals and we’ve always had the most unique ways to experience the cultural heritage of Nevada’s rugged West,” said Rick Gray, president of the Pony Express Territory.

According to a recent marketplace.com report, the Travel Price Index rose 3.6 percent year over year, primarily a result of rising gas prices and lodging becoming more expensive. But Gray reminds travelers that in Nevada’s Pony Express Territory, affordable lodging and lower cost cultural adventure help to counter the gas price.

Gray pointed to a relevant 2012 report by Trip Advisor on U.S. Travel Trends which cites a surge in popularity of ‘Cultural Trips’ with 42% of travelers wanting to visit museums and historical sites especially if the trip, tours and lodging are affordable. “Cultural travel is on the rise and our Territory has the adventure, mystical vistas and quirky historical towns to match,” said Gray. “And, importantly our attractions and lodging are both affordable and accessible.”

Travelers can drive the entire territory from one end to the other starting in either Dayton or Ely and can expect to drive roughly 409 miles in about 6.5 hours if driving 65 miles per hour. In comparison, original Pony Express Riders took approximately 41 hours to cover the territory on horseback.

Headed across the Territory, travelers witness dramatic landscapes between each of these towns along America’s Loneliest Road. Starting with the town of Ely, here’s a glimpse of some of the low-to-no cost historical adventures and affordable lodging:

Just announced from the town of Ely, located 350 miles east of Reno and 240 miles north of Las Vegas, is a new lodging program for 2012 Spend the Night at the Museum where guests choose to sleep in either a Caboose or in the Bunkhouse. Home of the Ely Renaissance Society, this town displays rich murals to celebrate its history. The Nevada Northern Railway is a main highlight where visitors can actually operate a historic locomotive and it is the recent winner of the Nevada Top Treasures award. The 1929 Ely Hotel is another affordable lodging option and is both pet and celebrity friendly!

Stay the night in Ely and take a short-distance day trip to the Great Basin National Park with several sites listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. Wheeler Peak is the second highest in the state and The Lehman Caves is a magnificent limestone cave ornately decorated with stalactites and stalagmites. Park rangers guide cave tours. Extensive backpacking or short walks to Lakes and ancient Bristlecone pine forests also welcome visitors. The Border Inn is also a favorite place to stay near Great Basin National Park.

Eureka offers a walking-tour of restored historical buildings including an art gallery, the Eureka Sentinel Museum and the 1879 Courthouse used today by county government. Performances regularly occur at the festive Eureka Opera House and its Cultural Arts Center is a visitor favorite. The official grand opening of the Eureka Opera House in January 1881 featured the drama, ‘Forget Me Not’.

Austin founded in 1862 during the silver rush is a classic historic mining and living ghost town. It features 11 sites on the National Register of Historic Landmarks: the Courthouse; Episcopal and Catholic Church; the Methodist Church/Emma Nevada Town Hall; The Austin Cemetery; the Round Table down below town, Old Town Hall/ American Legion Hall; the Masonic Hall; Austin’s old School House; Stokes Castle and the Gridley Store. Fourteen miles east on U.S. Route 50 is Toquima Cave an archaeological site that contains prehistoric pictographs and petroglyphs. Native peoples consider it a sacred site still used today for ceremonial activities and visitors can view from a distance.

Fallon’s Grimes Point offers a self-guided tour of petroglyphs and tours to Hidden Cave, an important archeological dig site. Visitors are encouraged to start at the Churchill County Museum. Fallon offers a historic downtown walking tour along with guided tours of the World War historic, Naval Air Station. For the birding enthusiasts, the internationally recognized Lahontan Valley Wetlands is known as a “historic” birding paradise. Sand Mountain is a “Singing” sand dune 20 miles east of along U.S. Route 50, lying on the edge of the ancient Lake Lahontan, which dried up 9,000 years ago.

Many travelers know Fernley as a gateway to the Paiute Tribe Reservation where Pyramid Lake is located (30 mile drive), the largest remaining remnant of a lake system known as Lake Lahontan that covered much of the Great Basin at the end of the last ice age. The Museum and Visitors Center feature several Paiute tribe exhibits.

Dayton, a short drive from Carson City, is where Nevada’s first gold was discovered in 1849. In 1950, Misfits starring Marilyn Monroe was filmed here and Old Town features historic buildings such as Wells Fargo, the Pony Express Way Station, the 1865 stone Schoolhouse Museum and the restored 1875 firehouse and jail. Visitors may also tour the ruins of Fort Churchill, an1860s-era U.S. Army base built to protect settlers.

ABOUT THE PONY EXPRESS TERRITORY:

Nevada’s Pony Express Territory sits on 17 million acres of wide-open space with 150 years of rich history, rugged undisturbed nature and black night skies. The Territory is where the Pony Express riders once galloped along its main trail crossing 1,840 miles of wilderness, now Highway 50 which connects the six adventurous towns of Dayton, Fallon, Fernley, Austin, Eureka and Ely. Twenty years ago, Life Magazine designated this section of Nevada State Highway 50 – “America’s Loneliest Road.” For more information, visit http://www.ponyexpressnevada.com or call 1-888-359-9449. Follow the Territory on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pony-Express-Nevada/115945638472057 and on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/PonyExpressNV

Attachments

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Company.com is a business social networking site designed to allow businesses to promote their products and services, find new customers, establish partnerships and grow.

Roswell, GA (PRWEB) May 18, 2012

Company.com Corporation, the revolutionary business social networking provider for the enterprise and small to medium-sized business, today announced a partnership with Hearst Media Services / Bay Area to help the company build brand awareness for the upcoming launch of its enterprise social media platform.

Company.com’s new business networking platform will enable businesses of all sizes to leverage social media to market and generate new business, serve existing clients, and effectively manage conversations among internal and external audiences.

The long-term Hearst Media Services / Bay Area digital marketing campaign is a multifaceted online marketing program that utilizes the power of SFGate.com as a source of high-quality news and information, search engine tools, and the latest optimization techniques to maximize placement of media along many different stages of Company.com’s prospective customers’ engagement cycle.

Under the agreement, Hearst will also develop and distribute press releases and news content relevant to Company.com through PRWeb, the largest online PR distribution channel in the world, to build brand awareness and educate enterprise and small to medium-sized businesses about social networking.

“Our partnership with Hearst marks the beginning of a comprehensive effort to spread awareness about Company.com, one of the top online social networking companies focused on businesses” said Kevin Sasser, vice president of Company.com Corp. “We’re confident their services will help us get the word out and we’re excited to see what they have in store.”

For more information about the Company.com / Hearst Media Services partnership or any of Company.com’s products, call 855-812-6290, or go to http://www.company.com.

Stay up to date with Company.com on Facebook and Twitter, @companydotcom.

About Company.com

Company.com is a unique social networking platform that provides solutions to challenges common to those who want to use social media to promote, connect and grow their business. Company.com’s social enterprise network helps business owners streamline and monitor their communication efforts and provides special tools to tailor networking solutions towards employees, clients, partners, affiliates, and prospects for efficient internal and external communication.

Subscriptions to Company.com are free and available to businesses throughout the nation, from San Francisco to New York.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

The WoodworkTools website webcam is broken… but not for long!

Evesham, Worcestershire (PRWEB UK) 18 May 2012

A brand new webcam has been added to the WoodworkTools website – hurrah. However, the joy hasn’t lasted long.

The boys at WoodworkTools who woke up to a broken webcam that wasn’t displaying the view of Clun Hills in Shropshire that they’ve become accustomed to – definitely put a downer on their morning.

WoodworkTools, one of the largest retailers in the UK for woodworking tools had only recently put up the webcam. It’s such a tragic story that so soon after its birth, something as horrid as this could happen – who knew gale force winds could be so life threatening to a small piece of plastic and cables?

However, there’s no need to fear as local hero on the premises, Tim Hodge was thankfully on hand to save the day. The only problem with this hero is that he cannot fly, and since the webcam was located over 60 miles away from the business premises, Tim has been sent on a long jog. It’s anticipated that by the time this press release goes out, he will have rectified the problem, but no promises are being made.

Tim Hodge, the hero in question commented on this particular event (before he ran off). “I always feel obliged to fix problems, no matter what they are or where they’re found, I just have an urge to get my hands dirty and get stuff sorted. You may have heard about my heroic stunts when I fixed a previous broken webcam for a woodburning stove business; I think I need a cape which says webcam ‘fixit’ king… or something along those lines anyway. The cape has to be green, I love green.”

The webcam was put in place by the Marketing team at WoodworkTools in an attempt to make visitor’s experience on the website that bit more enjoyable. Let’s be honest, people enjoy looking at nice scenic views and if you can do that whilst you’re shopping online, that’s a pretty fantastic combination right there.

James Cook, another member of the Marketing team explained how the webcam has benefited the business. “After installing the webcam and featuring it on the website we added the cam to a lot of directories and we’ve totalled over 2,000 views since the launch. This gives the website a healthy bunch of links, constant visitors and it promotes the WoodworkTools webcam and site, which is priceless. Now we’ve just got to hope Tim returns safe and sound!”

WoodworkTools.co.uk is a sub-site of the Toolbox brand which happens to be the sister site of bathroom king, Plumbworld. Both sites operate on the Plumbworld Network which boasts an astonishing 50+ websites selling everything from small bathroom suites and hedge-trimmers to bathroom vanity units and decorating tools. Plumbworld was an early pioneer of online trading, started by James and Anita Hickman in 1999 and sold to the Grafton Group PLC in December 2006. The business now employs more than 50 people in its purpose built warehouse and offices and has a total turnover in excess of £18 million and is growing at more than 20% year on year.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Susquehanna Health’s Williamsport Family Medicine Residency faculty, staff and resident physicians are pictured at Williamsport Regional Medical Center.

Williamsport, PA (PRWEB) May 17, 2012

One way of ensuring and sustaining quality healthcare is investing in future healthcare providers. As part of its commitment to high quality healthcare for the communities served, Susquehanna Health (SH) offers several programs through which seasoned medical professionals provide clinical opportunities to educate future generations of medical service providers.

Clinical Laboratory Science Program

SH’s Clinical Laboratory Science program is an intense one-year course developed to serve as the fourth or fifth year of a baccalaureate program. For this program, SH affiliated with about eight colleges and universities in Pennsylvania and is accredited with the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Upon completion of the course, graduates receive their bachelor’s degree from their respective school of higher education along with certification from SH as a clinical lab scientist and are prepared to sit for the national certification exam.

“This program is comparable to compressing two years of medical school into one year,” explained Program Director Ed Beitz. The curriculum includes everything from clinical chemistry and microbiology to immunology and molecular diagnostics presented via a daily lecture and hands-on instruction on state-of-the-art laboratory equipment. “We have a very strong relationship with our physicians. We work to help them with a diagnosis,” said Beitz.

Bloomsburg University student Amber Kolk is completing the laboratory science program. “It’s been very busy,” Kolk said. “I’ve learned a lot in a very short period of time.” Kolk chose the program because of the hands-on experience obtained in an hospital lab environment, as opposed to a student-lab format. She also appreciates the one-on-one training she has received from her instructors. “They really take a lot of time to make sure you understand things,” said Kolk. A graduate of Millville Jr./Sr. High School, Kolk served two years in the Army Reserves and four years of active duty with the U.S. Army before entering the program. After completing her bachelor’s degree and certification, Kolk will begin working in the Clinical Laboratory at Divine Providence Hospital in July.

Williamsport Family Medicine Residency

More than 240 family practice physicians have graduated from Susquehanna Health’s Williamsport Family Medicine Residency Program since its inception in 1974. Many of the program’s graduates have chosen to establish their practices in the region. The residency program’s mission is to “train highly competent and compassionate family physicians through academic exchange in an atmosphere of respect, friendship and professionalism.” In addition, the program values “high quality, family-centered patient care through the development of exceptional clinical skills and the pursuit of life-long learning.”

This comprehensive, three-year training program is designed for allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) residents and is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Third year resident Dr. Kimberly Jones completed undergraduate studies at Lycoming College, Williamsport. In 2003, Dr. Jones trained in the Clinical Laboratory Science program at Williamsport Regional Medical Center (WRMC), pursued a career in medical technology/phlebotomy for a time, then decided to pursue her medical degree at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her clinical rotations at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. “I came here for college, fell in love with Williamsport and came back again,” explained Dr. Jones.

As someone who has trained in various learning environments, Dr. Jones said her experience at SH has been a very good one. “I would do it all over again, a hundred times over,” she said of her residency experience. The deepest impressions have been made upon her by the people she has encountered—from patients to clinical staff to program directors and students. “We really do embody the word family,” she said.

Upon graduating from the program in June, Dr. Jones will continue her practice with Susquehanna Health Family Medicine at Grampian Boulevard. “I have chosen to stay here because of the community and the health system as a whole,” explained Dr. Jones. “I love my patients and enjoy practicing obstetrics and the full-scope family practice. That has really made the decision easy for me.”

The Commonwealth Medical College

In 2009, SH partnered with The Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC), Scranton to provide a regional campus center serving Bradford, Clinton, Lycoming, Tioga and Sullivan counties at WRMC. Jessica Warnke, Richmond, VA, and Kenneth Potter, Camp Hill, PA, are third year medical students at TCMC. Both are members of the charter class and are assigned to the WRMC campus. The couple’s placement together is perhaps their destiny: in addition to anticipating graduation from TCMC’s program next spring, Potter and Warnke are also planning a March 2013 wedding.

Warnke holds bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology/biology from the University of Richmond. She chose TCMC because of the school’s values and goals and because she has family in the Bethlehem, PA area. “I absolutely love it here,” said Warnke. “I think everyone is very supportive of all of us.” Warnke also appreciates the way physicians work together in Williamsport. “Everything is so interconnected—it supports our education model. It’s a good medical community and the kind that I would like to practice in.”

Potter is a graduate of Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA. A triple-major, he earned degrees in biochemistry, molecular biology and psychobiology. Potter is also the recipient of the Williamsport campus’s charter scholarship of $ 20,000 per year toward his medical education at TCMC. “Not a day goes by that I am not grateful,” he said. Potter appreciates the seamlessness of the partnership between SH and TCMC. “The unified front with Susquehanna Health has made it easy for us not to worry about anything more than going to work to learn,” said Potter. “Everything we need, if we ask, they are willing to deliver.”

According to Potter, physicians have been very accommodating by allowing a student to follow a patient’s case, which he believes is just as beneficial to the patient as it is the student. “Doctors with whom I work know which patients I work with, and often schedule those patients when I am working. This helps the patient because they are able to see a familiar face,” Potter said. The medical students have also been impressed that they have had an opportunity to speak with SH President and CEO Steve Johnson and that he is interested in their progress, according to Potter. “I honestly believe that if we had a concern, they would want to help,” he said. “Dr. Shenberger [Associate Dean for Regional Campus Development] and the office staff are also really great advocates for us.”

For more information on the medical education programs offered by Susquehanna Health, visit SusquehannaHealth.org.

About Susquehanna Health

Susquehanna Health is a three-hospital integrated health system including Divine Providence Hospital, Muncy Valley Hospital and Williamsport Regional Medical Center located in northcentral Pennsylvania. Serving patients from an 11-county region, Susquehanna Health is a healthcare leader and has been recognized at the national and state levels for quality of care. Susquehanna Health offers a wide array of services that include cancer treatment, heart and vascular care/heart surgery, neurosciences including neurosurgery, orthopedics, urology, OB/GYN, gastrointestinal services, behavioral health, physical rehabilitation, home care, long term care, assisted living and paramedic/ambulance services.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Bradford, Yorkshire (PRWEB) March 16, 2012

This was released on behalf of The National Media Museum by Bolton Web Design company Vizcom

The gallery will bring together historically significant content, multimedia displays, and a program of special exhibitions exploring contemporary trends and issues related to how the internet and the web are changing society.

The £2 million project will explore various themes, including the origins of the internet, global communications, issues of online identity and the nature of digital communities and businesses.

Life Online will be made up of two spaces in the Museum. The permanent gallery on the ground floor will reflect and interact with the story of the internet and the web, from the very first email, to the rise of home computing and the non-stop evolution of social and technological communication. It will also explore the future of the internet.

The exhibition space will showcase experimental temporary exhibitions dedicated to exploring the ever-changing relationship between society and the internet. The first Life Online exhibition, called [open source], will focus on the open source online culture of sharing and collaboration, whilst examining current threats to net neutrality which could signify the end of online culture as we know it.

Visitors will be able to actively participate with the Life Online gallery, exhibition space and online presence – through a series of interactive elements. This will enable Life Online to be powered by the ideas, thoughts and opinions of both physical and virtual visitors. This model of engagement will ultimately create an invaluable public archive of society’s relationship with the internet and the web in the 21st century.

An additional purpose-built learning space will house an exciting program of workshops and events investigating the processes of producing online content and issues surrounding our relationships with the web as we explore our online world.

Tom Woolley, curator of new media at the National Media Museum said: “We have been planning for this gallery for a long time and it is fantastic to see the building work commence for our new permanent gallery Life Online. Although other galleries tell the story of the internet no other gallery in the world links that ever-evolving history with the impact the internet has on our lives and we are very excited to house the world’s first gallery of its kind in the world here in Bradford. There are many exciting milestones ahead as we build towards the gallery opening in March 2012 and we look forward to sharing the finished gallery with visitors.”

The content of the gallery has been informed by a variety of web experts and pioneers including Ben Hammersley, the UK Prime Minister’s Ambassador to TechCity and editor at large of Wired Magazine; representatives from Google and Microsoft; Freeserve co-founders Rob Wilmot and Ajaz Ahmed and Helen Milner, the managing director of UK Online Centres. A senior member of the Virgin Media broadband team is the most recent addition to the gallery advisory panel. A variety of Universities have also advised including Oxford, Bradford, Nottingham Trent, Southampton, Brunel, Manchester Metropolitan and Lancaster.

Life Online is funded by the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and the DCMS Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund. The project also has a number of corporate supporters such as Virgin Media; Brass, one of the UK’s foremost creative and digital marketing agencies; and by leading environment, brand and interaction agency Start JudgeGill who are assisting with the creation of the Life Online Exhibition space.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) May 16, 2012

The partners organizing Rio+Social – the interactive event and global conversation about the intersection of social media, technology and sustainable development – today announced the addition of new speakers to the already impressive lineup for the event. Rio+Social will take place June 19 alongside Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, and is being organized by the United Nations Foundation, Mashable, 92nd Street Y, Ericsson, Energias de Portugal (EDP) and LiveAD. The event will feature high-level conversations among global leaders and influencers representing digital media, technology, the private sector, philanthropy, the United Nations and civil society, on how we can harness social media to shape a sustainable future. Rio+Social will utilize social media platforms to bring the conversation to a global level through an interactive online discussion in the lead-up to the event and open live-stream on the day of the event.

The following new speakers will lend their voice and expertise to the conversation:

    Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director, UN Women
    Ertharin Cousin, Executive Director, World Food Programme (WFP)
    Sergio Fernandez de Cordova, Founder, Pvblic Foundation; Developer of Public-Private Partnerships
    Ricardo Guimarães, CEO and Founder, Thymus Branding
    Kate James, Chief Communications Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    Anthony Lake, Executive Director, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
    Ronaldo Lemos, Creator, Overmundo, Director, Center for Technology and Society, Fundação Getulio Vargas
    Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland, Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Member, The Elders
    Matthew Shirts, Editor-in-Chief, National Geographic Brazil

Rio+Social partners today also announced a special “Elders+Youngers” panel, where members of The Elders Gro Brundtland and Mary Robinson will join youth from Brazil, China, Nigeria and Sweden in an intergenerational discussion about the future of our planet.

These new additions to the line-up join previously announced speakers Hans Vestberg, President and CEO of Ericsson; Ted Turner, Founder and Chairman, UN Foundation; Pete Cashmore, Founder & CEO of Mashable; Fabio Barbosa, CEO, Abril Group; and Dr. Gro Brundtland, Former Prime Minister of Norway, Director-General Emeritus, World Health Organization; Fabien Cousteau, Ocean Explorer and Founder, Plant a Fish; Luciano Huck, TV Host & President, Instituto Criar de TV, Cinema e Novas Mídias; Florian Jürgs, Co-Founder and CEO, and Thorsten König, Co-Founder and CMO, Kuuluu; António Mexia, Chief Executive Officer, EDP; Maura O’Neill, Chief Innovation Officer, USAID; Rene Silva, Founder, Voz das Comunidades; and Leonardo Tristao, Business Director, Facebook Latin America.

The discussions at Rio+Social explore the new role of social media and technology in sustainable development. Digital advancements have contributed to increased awareness and more effective calls-to-action worldwide. Rio+Social invites everyone to participate in the Rio+20 conversations and, more importantly, encourages a discussion about solutions and how people everywhere can get involved.

Registration is now open for Rio+Social at http://www.rioplussocial.com.

For more information on Rio+Social, including how to get involved in the global community that has already come together to discuss technology, social media and how to solve global problems, visit http://www.rioplussocial.com.

About Ericsson

Ericsson is the world’s leading provider of communications technology and services. We are enabling the Networked Society with efficient real-time solutions that allow us all to study, work and live our lives more freely, in sustainable societies around the world. Our offering comprises services, software and infrastructure within Information and Communications Technology for telecom operators and other industries. Today more than 40 percent of the world’s mobile traffic goes through Ericsson networks and we support customers’ networks servicing more than 2 billion subscribers. We operate in 180 countries and employ more than 100,000 people. Founded in 1876, Ericsson is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. In 2011 the company had revenues of SEK 226,9 billion (USD 35.0 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX, Stockholm and NASDAQ, New York stock exchanges.

About EDP

EDP – Energias de Portugal – is a global energy company engaged in the electric utilities and gas sector. EDP is the thirst largest producer of wind energy in the world and, for the second year running, is the world’s leader in the electricity sector of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. EDP Group today serves as a benchmark in the global energy market, as a result of its solid vision for the company and the sector and also a philosophy of growing integration and the pursuit of excellence that is firmly rooted in the EDP culture.

About LiveAD

LiveAD is a creative agency that believes in the potential of relevant contemporary ideas, enlarging them through the integrated use of digital media and PR. It is currently working with the following brands: Nike, Doritos, C&A, Grendene, Multishow, Lacoste, Itau, Ketel One, J&B and Baileys. LiveAD is a member of the Society of Digital Agencies (SoDA), a group made up of the world’s key digital agencies. LiveAD has been recognized on Facebook Studio Awards in 2012, Cannes Lions Festival in 2009 and 2010 and 2011 SXSW Interactive finalist.

About Mashable

Mashable is a leading source for news, information and resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable’s 20 million unique visitors and 6 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities.

About United Nations Foundation

The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by global corporations, foundations, governments, and individuals. For more information, visit http://www.unfoundation.org.

About 92nd Street Y

92nd Street Y is a world-class nonprofit community and cultural center that connects people at every stage of life to the worlds of education, the arts, health and wellness, and Jewish life. Through the breadth and depth of 92Y’s extraordinary programs, we enrich lives, create community and elevate humanity. More than 300,000 people visit 92Y’s New York City venues annually, and millions more join us through the Internet, satellite broadcasts and other digital media. A proudly Jewish organization since its founding in 1874, 92Y embraces its heritage and enthusiastically welcomes people of all backgrounds and perspectives. 92Y is an open door to extraordinary worlds.

Media Contact: Amy DiElsi, 202-492-3078; adielsi(at)unfoundation(dot)org

Attachments

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Joliet, IL (PRWEB) May 16, 2012

The University of St. Francis (USF) College of Education and The Connecting Link (TCL) introduce a new Master of Science degree programming option to certified teachers nationwide.

The University of St. Francis and The Connecting Link have worked collaboratively since 2002 to offer site-based and online graduate level programming to teachers in Illinois. In March 2012, they extended their partnership to encompass online options across the country as well.

The new agreement between the University of St. Francis and The Connecting Link, adopted March 2012, outlines a plan for USF to accept fifteen (15) credit hours of selected TCL course work into the Master of Science in Teaching and Learning degree program. Interested educators may select five (5) courses from the following offerings:

    21st Century Learners: Reaching and Teaching the iGeneration
    Collaborative Web Technologies
    Creating a Collaborative and Engaged Classroom
    Destination Differentiation: How to Meet the Needs of 21st Century Learners
    Microsoft Office: Digital-Age Applications
    Powerful and Authentic Social Studies
    Strategic Literacy: Topics in Reading K-5
    Strategic Literacy: Topics in Reading 6-12
    Strategic Literacy: Topics in Writing K-8
    Strategic Literacy: Topics in Writing 9-12
    TechQuests: Teaching and Learning with Web and Mobile Technologies
    The 21st Century Mathematics Classroom 9-12
    Transformative Classroom Leadership

The new courses being released for a June 2012 launch have been designed to infuse 21st century learning and differentiated instructional strategies. Technology and Common Core Standards are highlighted within these offerings. The outcomes of all courses have been aligned to national standards including InTASC, NBCT, NETS and IRA, and the assessments embedded in each course link directly to enhancing student achievement.

Interested educators in Illinois and Wisconsin may elect to take these courses in either a site-based or online format. Educators across the country may enroll in the structured online offerings being offered by The University of St. Francis (see http://www.connectinglink.com/masters for details). Educators taking site-based courses with other TCL academic partners may transfer six (6) hours of approved graduate-level credit from another university into the USF Teaching and Learning Master of Science degree program.

About University of St. Francis

The University of St. Francis has established a proud tradition of preparing high quality educators since 1925 when the College of St. Francis first began offering courses in education. Over the years, hundreds of our graduates have contributed to our legacy of quality by serving in various roles in the public and private schools. While the College of Education has enjoyed tremendous growth, it remains dedicated to its original mission: “to prepare competent and caring educators who understand students, serve the community and develop professionally to become ethical decision-makers and leaders.

The University of St. Francis, College of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Visit:

http://www.stfrancis.edu/tcl

Contact

University of St. Francis

Patricia Pierson, Partnership Coordinator

ppierson(at)stfrancis(dot)edu

About the Connecting Link

Founded in 1981 by educators for educators, The Connecting Link offers engaging, convenient, and pertinent courses designed to meet the professional development needs of educators and their school districts. Our mission is to provide high quality graduate-level continuing education courses designed to help teachers respond to challenges and opportunities facing educators today. Each course is developed in accordance with applicable standards, adult learning principles, and current educational research. Whether in the classroom or online, the TCL learning experience centers on engaging and relevant activities that help educators work in a community of peers to forge durable links between the latest research and daily practice.

Visit:

http://www.connectinglink.com/masters

Contact

The Connecting Link

Sharon Wysoglad, Director of Academic Affairs

swysoglad(at)connectinglink(dot)com

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) May 14, 2012

May is Healthy Vision Month and according to an NEI survey [1], vision is the one sense that people fear the most of losing. Ironically, one’s eyesight is also often taken for granted.

Many conditions of the eye can be treated. Millions of Americans have common, correctible vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia [inability to see close up], and astigmatism. The prevalence of nearsightedness is increasing and recent studies are confirming “mother’s intuition” that activities early in life may affect growth of the eye and thus, nearsightedness.[2] Individuals who spend more time reading in academic pursuits, more commonly develop nearsightedness.[3-5] “Recent studies suggest that using bifocals for children or eyedrops may help to diminish nearsightedness so visiting an eye doctor is very important for children and young adults [6],” said Dr. Sandy T. Feldman of ClearView Eye & Laser Medical Center.

During different stages of life, the eyes are also affected by aging. One clear sign of being in one’s forties, is the difficulty seeing menus and needing more light to see. This issue can easily be treated with eyeglasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery, so seeing an eye doctor during the middle age period is also important.

As one ages further, the risks of eye diseases also increase. “One of the best things for people to do is to get regular eye examinations, even if they are not experiencing difficulties. Everyone should approach their annual eye examine like they do with their annual physical, it’s an appointment that is critical to maintaining your overall health status.” said Dr. Feldman. “Some eye diseases like glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy may be silent yet damage is occurring and would never be detected without a regular eye exam” continued Dr. Feldman.

There are also certain groups that are more at risk to eye diseases. A recent study found that Latinos have higher incidence rates of visual impairment, blindness, diabetic eye disease, and cataracts than non-Hispanic whites and that more than 60 percent of eye disease in Latinos remains undiagnosed.

Dr. Sandy T. Feldman offers these tips for individuals:

    Know your family eye health history as some conditions are inherited.
    Eat a diet high in dark green leafy vegetables may help to protect your eyes.
    Wear protective glasses to prevent eye injuries when playing sports or working around your home.
    Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the harmful UV light rays of the sun.
    Find an eye doctor by looking up on your health plan AAO.org, AOA.org

—–

As a leader in the field of ophthalmology, Dr. Feldman has participated in FDA clinical studies of custom LASIK. Currently, she is involved in studies of a new treatment to halt the progression of keratoconus, a disease in which the fitting of contact lenses can become challenging. In 2009, she was one of ten laser eye care providers in the U.S. to receive the Goldline Award as seen Forbes Magazine. In 2010, she was awarded the Silver Elite RealSelf award, and in 2011, she was awarded Top Doc San Diego, inducted into the prestigious American College of Ophthalmic Surgeons and was one of nation’s 15 leading laser eye surgeons as seen in Newsweek magazine. Dr. Feldman is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Clearview Eye and Laser Medical Center

6255 Lusk Blvd, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92121

858.452.3937

http://www.clearvieweyes.com

—–

References:

1.    http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/winter12/articles/winter12pg10.html

2.    Wallman J, Turkel J, Trachtman J. Extreme myopia produced by modest change in early visual experience. Science. 1978;201:1249–1251.

3.    Fredrick, DR. Myopia. BMJ. 2002 May 18; 324(7347): 1195–1199

4.    Teasdale TW, Schmidt E. Myopia and its relationship to education, intelligence and height: preliminary results from an on-going study of Danish draftees. Acta Ophthalmol Suppl. 1988;185:41–43.

5.    Dunphy EB, Stoll MR, King SH. Myopia among American male graduate students. Am J Ophthalmol. 1968;65:518–521.

6.    Chiang MF, Kouzis A., Pointer RW et al. Treatment of childhood myopia with atropine eyedrops and bifocal spectacles. Binocul Vis Strabismus Q. 2001;16(3):209-15.

7.    Varma R., Choudhury F, Klein R, et al. Los Angeles Latino Eye Study Group. Am J Ophthalmol 2010. 149:752-61.

8.    Varma R., Chung J, Foong A, et all. Los Angeles Latino Eye Study Group. Four year incidence and progression of visual impairment in Latines: The los Angelese Latino Eye Study. Am J Ophthalmol. 2010. 149: 713-727.

Attachments

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) May 15, 2012

XOP Networks, Inc., a manufacturer of Value Added Service platforms and Audio Conference Bridges announced today that Walsh College in Troy, Michigan is utilizing its Firebar Emergency Conferencing service for quick communication between its first responders.

Walsh College uses XOP’s Emergency Firebar Conferencing Application to create an instantaneous ‘situation room’ when dealing with on campus incidents. When needed, college’s emergency preparedness coordinator makes one phone call to the XOP conference bridge. The bridge immediately calls back to a pre-configured group of first responders. As recipients pick up their phones, they are placed into an audio conference with the coordinator. Typically it takes less than a minute to set up the situation room.

“As part of our emergency preparedness practice, we were looking for ways to get our first responders communicating with each other quickly. While evaluating several meet-me audio conferencing services, Walsh was drawn to XOP’s Firebar Conferencing service because of its unique features and simplicity. Its intelligent dial-out conferencing capability quickly places people into a conference without a dial in number or a PIN”, said Chris Stout, Director of Facilities and Auxiliary Services, Walsh College.

“Per Clery Act guidelines, Colleges and Universities in the US are required to inform students and faculty about campus emergencies in a timely fashion. We are pleased to be able to assist Walsh College in meeting its on campus emergency situations/commitments efficiently”, added Sudhir Gupta, CEO of XOP Networks.

About Walsh College

Walsh College (http://www.walshcollege.edu) is a private, non-profit, upper-division all-business college where 4,500 students study for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certificates. The College offers courses at two campuses, three southeast Michigan university centers, and online. Faculty members integrate application and theory to prepare students for successful corporate and entrepreneurial careers, and employers value and seek out Walsh graduates for their practical business education. Walsh cultivates student and alumni entrepreneurs through the Blackstone LaunchPad and furthers education among the business community through The Walsh Institute.

Walsh College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (http://www.ncahlc.org phone: 312-263-0456). Specific degree programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP, http://www.acbsp.org) and the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE, http://www.iacbe.org).

About XOP Networks

Beginning in 2003, XOP Networks embarked on developing a next generation IP based service and application platform. Realizing this vision, it shipped its first product, a Digital Collaboration Bridge (DCB) in 2004. A DCB combines rich Audio Conferencing with Desktop sharing, Document sharing and White boarding, thus creating a collaborative experience for the end users. Leveraging the success of the DCB, the product portfolio was expanded in 2005 to include the Group Alerting and Conferencing Server (GACS). The GACS allows mass notification messages to be dispatched over a variety of communications networks, while it brings an organization’s brain trust into a quick audio conference. Year 2006 saw the addition of the enhanced Voice Mail Server (VMS) to the product line. In 2007 XOP Networks launched its Universal Service Node (USN) which offers multiple value added services on one platform. In 2008, we added support for Hoot and Holler conferencing over TDM and VoIP networks on our USN platform. In 2009 we introduced Ring down Firebar Conference (RFCS) that allows a conference to be set up simply by lifting a handset on an analog or IP phone. Several other enhancements were introduced including support for Secure conferencing, SMS driven instant-conferencing, Group SMS and Voice SMS. In 2010 the product line was further hardened for use in defense networks and received the coveted JITC certification from the US Department of Defense. In 2011, Desktop Video Conferencing and One Number Service were added to the product line.

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, XOP Networks was founded in 2002 and is backed by a seasoned management team. Deployed at multiple Fortune 100 companies, CLEC/IOC customers, Government organizations, DoD networks (Air Force, Army and Navy) XOP Networks’ products allow customers to improve employee productivity, increase business efficiency and enhance emergency communications. Having both TDM and VoIP interfaces, XOP products allow customers to seamlessly transition their value added services from legacy circuit switched networks to VoIP based packet switched networks.

For more information about XOP Networks, visit its website at http://www.xopnetworks.com.

###

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.