News

Ten Tons of Love (TTL) is Syracuse University and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s semi-annual food and clothing drive. Last year, more than 45 tons of donated goods were collected. The TTL program collects non-perishable food, clothing, furniture and other used items from on-campus and off-campus student residences.

Ten Tons of Love is only possible with the assistance of many volunteers to help load, move and sort all the donated items. The organizers are looking for volunteers to help with the drive. The items collected are distributed to local charities and individuals in need in the Syracuse community.

Volunteers are needed to assist with loading and moving April 27-May 16, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Volunteers should meet at Goldstein Student Center on South Campus and will travel to the residence halls to load donated items into trucks to be taken to First English Lutheran Church. The shift ends at 1 p.m. Transportation and lunch is provided. This opportunity involves some heavy lifting. To volunteer, register online at http://tentons.syr.edu.

To volunteer for opportunities that do not involve heavy lifting, call Paula Hughson at First English Lutheran Church at (315) 471-1678.

For more information, call (315) 443-5489 or email offcampus@syr.edu.

The April 21 session of Institute for Retired Professionals will host Robert West, associate professor in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department at SUNY Upstate Medical University. West will discuss “Personalized Medicine: Tailoring Health Care in the Information Age.”

Genotyping, plus the Internet, is creating “personalized medicine,” a new age of medicine in which health care providers appreciate that what works for one patient may be ineffective for another. West was among the first in the nation to offer training to medical students that incorporates genomic and personalized medicine into the curriculum at SUNY Upstate.

West is a molecular biologist and geneticist by training and has taught medical students for the past 26 years. He currently serves as a co-director for a first-year medical student course in Molecular and Cellular Principles of Medicine, as an advisory dean to first- and second-year medical students and as a member of several campuswide committees dedicated to medical student education. Most recently, his mission has involved educating medical students in the areas of genomic and personalized medicine. He advocates a 21st -century health care that is predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory for patients. While a scientist and educator by training, West is also a staunch supporter of patient advocacy, and an ardent e-patient.

The Institute for Retired Professionals, established by University College of Syracuse University, provides opportunities for retired people to stay intellectually active, to expand interests and make new acquaintances. Presentations are made by SU faculty and specialists within the community.

For more information on this program, call University College of Syracuse University at (315) 443-4846, or visit http://www.yesu.syr.edu/IRP.

The Circles Campaign, launched by Move the Mountain Leadership Center in 2007, has drawn national attention for helping families out of poverty.

Bea González, dean of University College, has been named to the University Professional Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) Board of Directors for the 2011/2012 term.

University College (UC), home to Syracuse University’s English Language Institute, has 10 Japanese students from Tokai University on campus this semester. Tokai University has been sending students to the ELI for many years as part of their study abroad experience.

As news of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan broke, administrators at UC focused on helping students contact their family members hit by the disaster. All of the students were able to contact their families, although for some it took 48 hours or more to establish communication. All of their families are safe.

The Tokai students are working with the Japanese Student Association to collect money. Additionally a Japanese flag is situated in the ELI upon which students can write messages. Funds collected, as well as the flag, will be sent to the Japanese Consulate General in New York City at the end of the month.

“The Tokai students are scheduled to return to Japan the week of March 28 for the start of the Tokai semester,” says associate dean and ELI director Geraldine de Berly. “Understandably, the returning students are concerned about their country and the welfare of their family members.”

In addition, the ELI has been able to contact many former students who have returned to Japan and has received good news as to their well-being.