The NAU Review — Celebrating Giving Day, opening the EDLC, discovering Irish heritage, learning ASL and studying the impacts of stress

by Community Contributor • March 28, 2023 • Comments Off

March 28, 2023

The NAU Review. The official news source for Northern Arizona University.

Brain Keene and OT patients and families

Focusing on the future: NAU celebrates opening of Early Learning and Development Center

On Monday, NAU celebrated 30 years of feasibility studies, task forces, promises to students, faculty and staff and a commitment to a bolder and brighter future for all Lumberjacks with the opening of the Early Learning and Development Center. This facility will set the gold standard for early childhood education for the NAU and Flagstaff communities. Amid the university and community leaders who attended the ribbon cutting, there were other VIPs—the NAU education graduates who will work at the ELDC, the student-parents who received life-changing grants to enroll their children in the center and even a few of the children who will attend.

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Abigail Hunsaker poses in front of Irish grasslands

What my Irish heritage means to me

Abigail Hunsaker has always been told that she must be at least part Irish. The HRM student wanted to know what this meant to her, so she went to Ireland for a semester as part of a study abroad program. For Irish Heritage Month, she talks about how what she has learned abroad impacts what this legacy means to her.

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Creating inclusive classrooms with ASL

A group of Parks and Recreation Management professors knows the importance of creating an inclusive environment in their classrooms, which is why they have all enrolled in an online American Sign Language class together. “Having the skillset to greet someone in their language is a great way to show they are welcome in that space,” said Sandy Heath, one of 10 professors enrolled in the program.

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Zoom screen shot of professors practicing sign language

Graphic of wood cookie with scene of the Dome. Proud to be a Lumberjack. Northern Arizona University Giving Day.

Spread Lumberjack love by putting the “Give” in Giving Day

Mark your calendars for this Wednesday, March 29—our fifth annual NAU Giving Day! Tomorrow, the Lumberjack family is invited to show their support for the university they love and the programs about which they are passionate. This 24-hour online fundraising event gives people everywhere the chance to come together and spread Axe of Kindness to show support for the blue and gold. Turn one day of giving into 365 days of impact by donating to fund NAU projects, programs, scholarships and so much more.

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The relationship between humans and stress? It’s complicated.

A study coauthored by psychology professor Eric Cerino found that stress decreases as we age, partly because we are likely to develop better coping mechanisms as we age. The data, collected during a 20-year period by returning to the same study participants every few years, is the first of its kind to examine these age patterns in daily life. It is, overall, good news—less stress is better. But the study shows there’s more to the story.

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The time to learn and act together is now: NAU’s 2023 Climate & Justice Teach-In

On March 29, hundreds of colleges, universities and K-12 schools all over the world will host a Climate & Justice Teach-In. This year, NAU will host its second annual take on the event—an all-day affair that encourages dialogue about climate change and climate justice. The teach-in, which is free and open to the public, will take place at the du Bois center beginning at 9:30 a.m. and consist of panel sessions, keynote addresses, interactive workshops and live performances.

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