Our SSS workshop series continued with SSS participants and the Center for Global Learning presenting information about how students can make study abroad a reality. 

You can view the entire presentation by clicking on the graphic below: 

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This January 14, thirty-two students were lucky enough to play Financial Aid “Jeopardy.”

Divided into four teams, students competed for the chance to win Java John’s gift cards (and learned lots about Financial Aid in the process).  Categories included Acronyms, Completing the FAFSA, Financial Aid Programs, Loans, Loans, Loans and Potpourri; while the answers ranged from Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant to the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.  

While competing, we snacked on chips & salsa and pinwheel hors d’oeuvres, and three students received door prizes such as a USB powered lamp and an LED board.

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On December 7, 2012 SSS hosted our annual “Kick Off to Finals Pizza Party and Board Game Night.”  

Forty-seven students enjoyed the variety of Pizza Hut, including a pineapple pizza (apparently it was excellent), along with fresh fruits and vegetables.  While the movie A Christmas Story played in the background, we played card or board games (I lost badly at Disney Sorry, again ☹ ). 

For the door prize winners:  Read more...

Forty-four First Year SSS students enjoyed a delicious meal in Peace Dining Room while asking and receiving answers through the collective wisdom of our excellent faculty panel: Mark Muggli, Steve Hubbard, Angela Kueny, Germano Streese, Deb Fordice, and Molly McNicoll.  Over apple crisp dessert, questions were asked and answers provided by our wonderful SSS student panel: Cody Orr, Amanda Dunn, Becca Rudquist, Calvin Simmons, Kendra Moser and Jennie Solverson.  (photos inside)       Read more...

Seventy-one students gathered in Hovde Lounge for pizza and conversation - this fun group included 43 new students and 28 returning participants.  Orientation began just outside the SSS office with the “mingle mingle” mixer hosted by SSS Mentor Becca Rudquist ‘14.  In fact . . . (photos inside)
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Several SSS Students made study abroad a reality this J-term. 

To view video, photos and blogs . . .   Read more...

Eighteen SSS students attended the Study Abroad Workshop on February 13th.   Jon Lund from the Center of Global Learning (along with Corby Preus) presented oral & written information about Luther’s study away options.  Kathy Kerber discussed financial aid options to create awareness of the affordability for studying abroad.  Three representatives from off campus spoke about their programs:

• Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA)         
  

• International Studies Abroad (ISA)

• Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM)

Please note that all of these programs also include scholarships/grants to ensure that you can afford to study off campus!

Three SSS participants shared information about their Study Abroad experiences, including a full year in Nottingham, a semester in Spain, and a J-term in Turkey/Jordan.  

Everyone enjoyed Subway sandwiches, pretzels and Valentine’s candy during the presentations. If you missed it, here are the on campus links and the financial aid information: 

Center for Global Learning

Financial Aid for Off Campus Learning

Other Opportunities to Study Abroad (music, athletics, etc.)

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Two SSS participants, Tony Dischinger `14 and Jordy Barry `15, attended the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize Forum in Minneapolis

"It was truly inspiring. I had an absolutely wonderful experience. I had the opportunity of partaking in two workshops. The first was about the Israeli Palestinian conflict, and how peaceful negotiations are possible. The second was about the psychology behind trauma, and how we as a society can ultimately come together and foster peace instead of relive major atrosities. It really sparked a lot of questions in regards to differing global perspectives, as well as challenged my beliefs. For some ethical dilemmas, I either was forced to think about why I believed what I did, or I thought about different issues in society in a new light. I really enjoyed it!

Thank you for the opportunity!"

Jordy Barry `15

 

Fourteen students participated in the January 10th Dependable Strengths workshop facilitated by Keley Smith-Keller, Director of the Career Center.

This two hour session guided participants in articulating possible strengths they can use in choosing a major, deciding on a career, and becoming more self-aware.  

The workshop began with everyone identifying four good experiences from their life; then participants shared these with others in small groups, with the listeners providing feedback about possible strengths.  The process continued with everyone identifying, organizing and prioritizing their possible strengths; ultimately developing what they felt to be at least one dependable strength.  

Keley concluded with online resources while students enjoyed Subway sandwiches and cookies.

O*Net OnLine (finding occupations, searching for jobs, connecting to resources)

Occupational Outlook Handbook
For hundreds of different types of jobs the Occupational Outlook Handbook tells you:

• the training and education needed
• earnings
• expected job prospects
• what workers do on the job
• working conditions

Both of these resources are also available through the SSS Resources for Students webpage.

In our follow up survey we asked, "In what ways will you use the information from this workshop?"  Participants responded:

• “I will now make a decision for a major based on my strengths”
• “I figured some things out that I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t done this.”
• “When I go to a job interview, I feel well prepared on what questions they might ask me.”

All the photos from the event are posted on our SSS Facebook page, but you can see a few here . . .
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A “funtastic” group of 55 students enjoyed pizza, cake and games with SSS on December 9th.  In addition to several battle of the sexes games, general silliness and humor, a wide variety of door prizes were handed out.  

Katie Peterson won $50 Decorah Chamber of Commerce Dollars in a random drawing of the three First Year students who completed their campus passport. 

Cindy San can slide around with her “Sled-o-ramma” door prize, while Tony Dischinger can become entangled with his “Game Night” door prize (Twister).  Stacy Hopson can buy online with her door prize, “iApps for you,” while Ryan Fugleberg can relax with National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation for his door prize.  

Six other students won bags of treats for correctly answering SSS and Luther College trivia questions. 

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Twenty-seven First Year students benefited from the wisdom of a faculty panel and the collective experience of a student panel at the first “BBQ & A” event.  They also enjoyed a delicious barbecue beef sandwich supper in Peace Dining Room and won several door prizes, including gas cards, grocery cards and a Kindle.  

If you want to be on the panel for next year, let us know in SSS because . . .  Read more...

On September 22nd over 85 SSS participants attended “Winning the Money Game” with Adam Carroll.  

Of the 53 respondents to our event survey

• 92% felt they learned “exactly what I needed to learn” from the event and that it was beneficial. 
  
• An amazing 98% felt that Adam Carroll was very/extremely helpful in explaining how to Win the Money Game. 
  
• In response to the question, “What will you take away from this event?” respondents frequently replied, “If you can eat it, drink it, or wear it, do not put it on a credit card.”  Others took away tips on saving, investments, and future money management. 
  
• Everyone agreed he was a fun and informative speaker!

 If you missed it, you can still find out how to Win the Money Game by . . .   Read more...

We had beautiful weather and and an excellent turnout of 76 students (and about 14,394 bees) for this year's SSS Eat & Greet event. 

Thank you to the SSS Leadership Council for putting together a fun, interactive program. 

Check inside for more photos!   Read more...

Norsekey?  Googledocs?  How-to sessions are going on now! 

Monday, September 12 - 4:00-4:45 pm

Tuesday, September 13

     9:40-10:30 am

      2:30-3:15 pm

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Teams of students tested their financial aid knowledge by playing “Financial Aid Jeopardy” at an SSS-sponsored event on April 13th.

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