education for the 21st century™ department of gerontology · 2020-04-21 · the gerontology...

Inside This Issue:

In Memoriam

May 2012

Graduates

Meet Our

Students

GERO

News

Sigma Phi Omega

Dual Degrees

Spring Online

Courses

From the Advi-

sor/Coordinator

Mark your

Calendar

Fall 2012

Colloquium

Department of Gerontology

Education for the 21st Century™

In Memoriam

David A. Peterson, PhD

1937-2012

Professor Emeritus

University of Southern California

In 1972, Dr. David Peterson became the founding Director of

the Gerontology Program at the University of Nebraska Omaha.

A small academic program was developed in 1972-73, offering a four-course under-

graduate Certificate in Gerontology and a five-course, graduate level Certificate to peo-

ple who had received scholarship through the Title V Career Training Grant. The course

offerings expanded as people were added to the faculty, and there were over 100 ger-

ontology students—not all of whom received grant support—by 1977, the year that the

Board of Regents gave its approval for UNO to grant the Certificates.

The Gerontology Program had formed an alliance with Teacher’s College at UNL, thanks

to Dr. Peterson and others, to cooperate in the offering of doctoral degrees for people

who wanted to specialize in gerontology. This arrangement has continued over the

years. It is now call the PhD in Human Sciences with a Specialization in Gerontology, a

specialization recognized and approved by the Graduate College.

Dr. Peterson left UNO in 1978 to become director of the Leonard Davis School of the

Andrus Gerontology Center at the University of Southern California. He served in lead-

ership positions at USC from 1978-2003. In this capacity he established a PhD in Geron-

tology making it the first of its kind in the U.S. In addition to his work at USC, Dr. Peter-

son served as the President of The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education and

the California Council of Gerontology and Geriatrics.

We are indebted to Dr. Peterson and all of our former colleagues who have paved the

way for our department to become a leader in gerontological education in Nebraska

and beyond.

Adapted from the history of the Department of Gerontology by James A. Thorson, Ed.D

and from an announcement from the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education.

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May 2012

Gerontology Certificate/Honors Ceremony

Congratulations !

Left to right: Kelsey Freed, UNO, Marilyn Klinkacek, UNO, Susan

Siebler, UNO, Melissa Hohenstein, UNL, Jessica Andersen, UNO, David

Piontek, UNO, Cheryl Frickel, UNO, Mona Lisa King-Ward, UNO,

Nicole Dertzo, UNO, and Jennie Prokupak, UNO.

Not pictured: Bede Bolin UNL, and Hanna Stadsvold, UNL.


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Education for the 21st Century” ™

I am a senior Biology major with Gerontology and Humanities in Medicine minors. The first Gerontology class I took was Death and Dying with Dr. Masters, which made me realize the im-portance and role geriatric studies play, especially in the helping professions.

After taking Introduction to Gerontology and Programs and Services with Dr. Kelly, I de-cided to minor in Gerontology. Currently I am working on my honors research project with Dr. Masters and Dr. Kelly and it is about bad news communication between doctors and patients. I am also taking Health Aspects of Aging with Dr. Haefele, who is a physician practicing and teaching in Lincoln. It is a unique experience being taught by a medical doctor and it adds to the experience of learning, as he is able to give us real life examples and case studies of concepts we are covering.

Overall, the Gerontology department has not only allowed me to gain knowledge about the elderly and the programs and services that affect them, but the professors are won-derful mentors who are willing to invest extra time and energy to make sure that I am a successful student. A minor or certificate in Gerontology is an excellent option for anyone who wants to go into a helping profession such as medicine because a significant portion of our population is and will be the elderly, and these classes are excellent resources to help students prepare for the future.

MEET OUR STUDENT

Bhavini Gopaldas—UNL Gerontology Minor

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“Education for the 21st Century” ™

MEET OUR STUDENT

I was born and raised in the musical capital of Colombia, Iba-gue. After high school I pursued my bachelor degree in Fash-ion Design, and then I studied Architecture Interior Design. It was about this time that my father was diagnosed with and soon passed away from kidney disease. After my father’s death, I re-evaluated what I wanted to pursue academically.

It took me two years to finally decide to come to the United States and learn English through UNO’s ESL program, and now I am in the Gerontology master’s program because I have learned that I like to help oth-ers. While I was working in Colombia as a volunteer I discovered through people’s faces how much I enjoyed working with people. I discovered the ability to take care of people, as I did with my father when he was in his last stages of kidney disease before he died. It was after that I decided to help people with this kind of illness to show them that somebody cares about them.

I am a person who likes challenges, I am not afraid of change and I am always willing to help and assist those in need. I am a dreamer, an optimist, an enterprising and sensitive person. It was only after the death of my father that I woke up, to this talent of service to assist people in the health field, then I understood the great value of being able to help those in need. I linked to a foundation for cancer patients that was very rewarding and something that helped me grow as a person and understand God's mercy through the organization. I began this journey with many dreams and eager to start a new life, to seek a new direction and im-prove all aspects of my life. Moving to the U.S., tackling the educational objectives I have, and being away from family has been a challenge. It isn’t easy, but when I have a goal I want to reach in life, I will always find a way to make my dreams come true. I am in my last year of the gerontology masters program and hope after I finish to be able to find a job in the field of Gerontology.

Sandra Espinosa—Master’s Social Gerontology

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GERO Graduate Students

A meeting was held on September 24, for the graduate students. Dr. Masters

welcomed everyone and Drs. Kosloski, Kelly, Kercher, Holley and Quinn explained

some changes in the programs and answered questions that the students had.

Some of our master’s and doctoral students are pictured above.

“WELCOME” Jennifer Lagemann our stu-

dent worker. Jennifer is doing a great job

helping the faculty. Jennifer is a graduate of

the University of Nebraska Lincoln. She is

currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in

Social Gerontology program.

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Sigma Phi Omega, Upsilon NU

National Academic Honor

and Professional Society in Gerontology

Sigma Phi Omega welcomed the new Executive Committee in August, 2012.

David Piontek was elected President, Kristy Carlson is Vice President of Administration, and

Marcia Adler is Vice President of the Athletes and Elders Program and Poetry Across Genera-

tions program.

David is currently a graduate student in the Masters of Social Gerontology program.

Kristy is a graduate student in the doctoral program specializing in Gerontology and also

teaches gerontology classes on both the UNO and UNL campuses.

Marcia is a graduate student in the doctoral program specializing in Gerontology and is em-

ployed at UNO as the Director of Health Services.

On August 17, Sigma started the new school year with a "Lift Off" event of the Athletes and

Elders Program. Local media and community partners enjoyed refreshments and learned

more about our plans for the upcoming year. The new committee welcomes your ideas and

participation in the 2012-2013 school year!

In August 2012, Sigma Phi committee began major recruiting and marketing efforts to in-

crease membership in the organization and participation in one of our major programs, Ath-

letes and Elders. This effort saw Sigma Phi members recruiting students looking for service op-

portunities, and to learn more about the field of Gerontology.

We are very pleased to announce Lakelyn Hogan has volunteered to manage the monthly

Athletes and Elders newsletter.

In September 2012, Sigma Phi Omega participated in the Chuck

Powell Lecture Series held at UNO. Sigma Phi recruited volunteers

to manage and participate in these functions and we look forward

to more exciting lectures by leaders in the field of Aging.

David Piontek, President


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Dual Degree/Certificate Program

in Gerontology and Law

The department of Gerontology at the University of Nebraska Omaha and the College of

Law at the University of Nebraska Lincoln are partnering to meet the needs of future ag-

ing adults and their families by offering a dual degree/certificate program. The joint

program with the College of Law has been approved by the University of Nebraska Board

of Regents; authorization by the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary

Education is expected by November 1, 2012.

Beginning in Fall 2012, students interested in the fields of Law and Gerontology will

have the option to pursue one of three joint programs:

Master of Arts in Social Gerontology/Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Master of Arts in Social Gerontology/Master of Legal Studies

Graduate Certificate in Gerontology/J.D.

For more information about offerings through the Gerontology Department,

please call

402-554-2272 in Omaha, 402-472-0754 in Lincoln or visit our website at

http://www.unomaha.edu/gero/


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CHECK THIS OUT!

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Education in the Twenty-First Century

You may have noticed we are offering more on-line courses each semester. Interest in dis-tance education is growing for our department and in the field of gerontology. As a program with a statewide mandate to serve all of Nebraskans, offering online courses for those be-yond Omaha and Lincoln provides prospective students with a thought-provoking and enrich-ing experience to learn about the aging process. We know some of you have benefited from this opportunity and we are working to offer you more courses to choose from in the future.

Thanks to the generosity of University of Nebraska Online, the Department of Gerontology has received funding to replicate the undergraduate and graduate certificates and the Mas-ter of Arts in Social Gerontology as an online option for students living outside Omaha and Lincoln. We are working with our colleagues in distance education to promote our offerings beyond our state borders. We look forward to having people outside of Nebraska joining our ranks of successful graduates.

In addition to funding from University of Nebraska Online Worldwide, The Vetter Foundation and Terry Haney have partnered with us in further developing distance education. We ap-preciate their generosity and support of our efforts as we move our department into the 21st century.

Information about our online offerings may be found at www.unomaha.edu/geronline.

http://www.unomaha.edu/geronline

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Spring 2013 Online Courses

Class/ Call # Course I.D. Course Title

Instructor

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA - OMAHA

17369 GERO 2000-850 Introduction to Gerontology Dr. Amy Hanson

20953 GERO 3070-850 Death & Dying Dr. Stan DeViney

19372 GERO 4350-850 Issues in Aging: Mgt & Admin Prgms Ann O'Connor

20683 GERO 4550-850 Health Aspects of Aging Shandalee Ramet

17379 GERO 4940-001 Gerontology Practicum Dr. Priscilla Quinn

18893 GERO 4720-850 Baby Boomers & 21st Century Karen Shaffer

19373 GERO 8356-850 Issues in Aging: Mgt & Admin Prgms Ann O'Connor

20684 GERO 8556-850 Health Aspects of Aging Shandalee Ramet


UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA – LINCOLN

8794 GERO 200-700 Intro to Gerontology Paul Falkowski

8792 GERO 200X-900 Intro to Gerontology Paul Falkowski

8781 GERO 435-700 Issues in Aging: Housing Karen Shaffer

8793 GERO 435X-900 Issues in Aging: Housing Karen Shaffer

8782 GERO 835-700 Issues in Aging: Housing Karen Shaffer

16579 GERO 911-700 Applied Social Gerontology Dr. Chris Kelly



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From the Advisor/Coordinator’s Desk

Priscilla M. Quinn, PhD

Greetings everyone!

I hope the semester is going well for all of you.

Fall has definitely arrived and the beautiful colors of the trees and the cooler weather

serve as a reminder that it is time for me to put away my flip-flops and bring out my fall

clothes. Nebraska really is a great place to be in the fall!

I want to extend a warm “welcome” to all our new students—we are delighted to have you

in our program.

As a reminder, please make sure your email, address, phone, etc., information is current. Periodically I receive information regarding career opportunities in the aging field and I want to be able to pass those options on to all of you.

Are you pursuing a graduate certificate in gerontology? Graduate students must apply to

the office of graduate studies. This can be done online at: http://gero.unomaha.edu

If you are planning on graduating in December 2012 please contact me so we can discuss

the next steps. While there is no formal procedure, it is useful for us to review your file to

ensure you have fulfilled all of the requirements for the program.

Please note— practicum experiences must be scheduled at least two months in advance. If

you are planning to start your practicum in spring 2013 , NOW is the time to visit with me.

Please contact me to schedule an appointment to discuss requirements. I am on the UNO

campus 3 days a week and the UNL campus two days a week.

Considering graduate school? The department of gerontology has a Thesis and Non-Thesis

option for our Master of Arts in Social Gerontology— check it out!

As always, don’t hesitate to call, email or stop by my office, I enjoy visiting with all of you.

Priscilla

Office : UNO - 402-554-2114 / UNL– 402472-0756 or [email protected]

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Mark Your Calendars

GERO Certificate/Honors Ceremony: December 5, 2013 @ 11:30

a.m. UNO CPACS Room 132.

Formal Invitations will be mailed to all students graduating and/or com-

pleting the certificate.

National Careers in Aging Week: April 7-13 , 2013

UNO Careers in Aging Week — April 2-4, 2013. Details of activities TBA.

Aging with Passion & Purpose 2013 Conference: October 20 & 21

Focus on Technology and Aging.

“A Journey in Leadership”with

Guest Speaker

Kim Moore, RN, MSNPresident and CEO

Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center

Wednesday, October 31st

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

UNL City Campus Union

Heritage Room

Department of Gerontology


DEPARTMENT

OF

GERONTOLOGY

FALL 2012 COLLOQUIUM

For more information please call: 402-472-4317


education for the 21st century™ department of gerontology · 2020-04-21 · the gerontology...

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