Greetings EEP Land
Attached below is the Winter 2007 Newsletter for your enjoyment! We will be mailing the grade reports and meeting schedules very soon.
Thank you to all the EEPsters who threw me a welcome back party yesterday!!I was very touched and I really felt the love!
Good to be with you all again!!
Rich
Welcome EEP Family to the Winter quarter 2007 and the beginning of a brand new calendar year!! Winter is always interesting as everyone usually returns five pounds heavier with a completely new wardrobe after the holidays. We hope you all had a restful break and a wonderful holiday season. Look for more details on all of our student’s Fall 06 activities and happenings plus lots more EEP news in Events, Accomplishments, Announcements and Reminders so keep on reading! Also, the EEPC will publish their enhanced version of the Newsletter with lots of pictures and student input. Keep reading for the web link. JThis student Newsletter is more fun and very Daily Show’ish in content so be sure to check it out as well as the more adult i-like parent –oriented PEEP Newsletter found at your EEF (Foundation) website where you can find many references and updates on the Program. Link addresses ahead so keep reading all.
-----------------
Last Quarter’s EventS
-----------------
The General Education Honors Program and The General Education Honors Club hosted a preview dinner on Thursday, October 5th, 2006 in the Golden Eagle Ballroom. There was a large turnout of EEP Freshman, who are new additions to the GE Honors Program and who are encouraged to participate in the GE Honors Club’s activities and events.
The PEEP Fall Welcome was held in the Golden Eagle Ballroom on October 8th, 2006. This lovely Brunch allowed returning PEEPsters to mix and mingle and welcome the new members of our PEEP family. Among the speakers were EEP dads Brian Kadison ( Paisley ) and David Lustig (Alegra) who discussed study abroad programs, and of course, Rich discussed many topics including a highlight of EEPster accomplishments. We hope that the relationships kindled at this event will lead to years of support and companionship among EEP parents and the Program.
CSULA hosted a Study Abroad Fair on Thursday, October 12th 2006. This fair offered information about many international study abroad programs and opportunities. Some EEP Juniors and Elders may be interested in taking advantage of this opportunity.
A large number of EEP boys and girls volunteered at the Sally Ride Festival on Saturday, October 14, 2006. The festival was a day full of fun filled activities and workshops designed to introduce young middle school aged girls to the sciences. Sponsored by the College of NSS , EEPsters volunteered their time to represent EEP and NSS by manning an EEP booth and helping out in any other areas of the fair.
A Junior Class Meeting was held on Monday, October 16th 2006 in the EEP kitchen. The meeting was run by Junior Class President Stephanie Sung and addressed such issues as the location of a Junior class trip and that class’s choice of graduating gift to the EEP.
EEPC held their annual EEP Fright Night on Friday October 27th, 2006. This event started off with a trip to see the Spider Exhibit at the Natural History Museum where students were able to meet and interact with the famous “Bug Guy,” Brent Karner http://eecue.com/images_archive/eecue-images. They then went to the Old Town Haunt, a haunted house in Pasadena , and returned to the EEP Lounge for a complete night of scary movies, treats and all-around fun. Thank you to chaperones Sehba Arif (Zeeshan Ott) and Dawn Clark (Chris Kocurek) who helped make this event possible.
HOC (Humanitarians on Campus) held a very successful bake sale on Wednesday, November 9th , 2006 in the kitchen area. This was a great way to give back to your community while getting some yummy treats in return!
EEPC hosted a Thanksgiving Potluck in the EEP Kitchen on November 22, 2006. Many hungry EEPsters were able to enjoy an array of savory traditional holiday foods including turkey and cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, and pie.
The College of Natural and Social Sciences hosted a pizza party to all the students that volunteered at the Sally Ride Festival on Tuesday, December 5, 2006. Special thanks to Dean Cardoza (NSS)for hosting this generous reward for our volunteer-oriented EEPsters.
WPCT and PEEP General Meeting was held on Sunday December 3rd, 2006. Special thanks to Ned and Susan Fenton and Donna Hay for organizing and running the parent meetings and to all other PEEPsters who volunteered. Thanks to all our student and parent volunteers, we had another successful testing
The first annual EEPC Holiday Party took place on Saturday, December 9th, 2006 at Paseo Colorado in Pasadena and the Pasadena Ice Rink. EEPsters met at Paseo Colorado to participate in a hide and seek competition. The winners, Herbert Lee, Albert Hung, Amanda Jancu, Lea Richardson, Theresa Cheng, and Lubabah Ben-Ghaly, were presented with a gift basket full of sweet treats and Starbucks gift cards. The party ended at the Pasadena Ice Rink for two full hours of unlimited ice-skating.
The EEP Lounge was once again the host of a box for the annual EPIC Food and Toy Drive. As usual, our box was overflowing with toys for underprivileged children compliments of our generous EEPsters and PEEPsters!
-----------------
AnnouncementS
-----------------
As everyone now knows, on Monday, October 30th while at work in the EEP Lounge, Rich suffered a stroke and spent the next eight days at Arcadia Methodist hospital in treatment. As per his request from the hospital that day, we did not immediately notify the entire EEP family of the exact nature of his illness as he did not want to cause alarm and he did not fully know what the problem was until late in the week as the doctors were unsure of the particular illness until all the tests were completed. A number of PEEPsters, EEPStaff members, and EEP student leaders have truly stepped up to the plate to handle EEP duties during his absence and we will forever be in their debt for this assistance! Several e-mails were sent to the EEP masses regarding this unfortunate occurrence in order to keep everyone informed and involved. We have heard that he will return to campus in a somewhat limited capacity beginning in January 2007. More in News Notices and Announcements
The EEPC is drafting a petition and arranging a meeting with Vice President of Student Affairs to appeal for an additional room for the EEP Lounge. The room desired is next door to Lisa’s office and the study area is currently being used by a graduate student and we are hoping to be granted that space to alleviate the pains and stresses of overcrowding in the current EEP Land . Keep your fingers crossed and be ready for a request for your support in this petition quest as receiving this area would be more than convenient, it seems now to be very necessary J
Academic Counselor Randi Swedenburg will continue meeting with each EEP student beginning Week #2 of Winter quarter. Students must sign up for a meeting time on the Meeting Clipboard in the EEP Lounge and can email Randi at rswedenberg@calstatela.edu for all academic needs including proofreading papers or arranging for a tutor.
Mr. Ned Fenton donated a soda machine to the EEPC, which the students have affectionately named Gladys. The machine is in the EEP Game Room and was provided in order to supply more healthy drinks that may not be sold at other places on campus. Drinks are 75 cents each and juices and other types of drink donations are most welcomed and appreciated.
The Mock Trial Club, for those interested in careers in law, will next compete in the regional competition at Claremont McKenna College (CMC) from February 23-25. If you are interested in learning more information about Mock Trial, or if you want to join the team for next year, feel free to e-mail the President of the club, David Nagy, at tealterror@sbcglobal.net or attend Winter meetings on Wednesdays from 1pm-4pm and Fridays from 12pm-3pm. See the Lounge postings/BigBoard for the location. The advisor/coach for the Club is EEP alum and lawyer Mark Gordon, J.D.
-----------------
Student NewS & AccomplishmentS
-----------------
Law school-bound Senior Andrew Post took the LSAT last September and scored a 172. This score is extremely high (top 10%) and will probably land him acceptance in the ranked law school of his choice. Congratulations Andrew and keep up the good work!
EEP Alum Leana Wen was the first CSU alumnus to be awarded a Rhodes scholarship from Oxford University . Additionally, Leana is also the president of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), which has chapters nationwide to support students interested in the medical field.Leana was also featured in numerous papers including the L.A Times and the national University magazine Winter 06 edition
Nika Nourmohammadi’s article “Keeping Girls in the Mathematical Loop” was published in the University Times on October 23, 2006. The article described her experience and involvement in volunteering at the Sally Ride Festival, which promoted women’s involvement in the sciences.
EEP students are actively involved in a large number of the clubs and organizations on the Cal State LA campus. The following clubs and organizations are among the many groups whose officers are primarily EEP students:
-----------------
Alumni Visits and Written Communiqué this Quarter:
-----------------
Susan Ngo emailed Rich to check in and give him an update on her life and application to business school. She has recently spent some time at the Wharton School in Pennsylvania and was also invited to attend a diversity weekend at Stanford. She was also in training for L.A. ’s first half-marathon, which took place in December.
Paul Gowder (J.D. Harvard Law) sent an email telling us that he has recently left the practice of law in Oregon and has reestablished himself as a student in the PhD program in Political Science at Stanford University .
Rex Cheng stopped by the Lounge to visit around Thanksgiving while he was on vacation from Duke School of Medicine where he is currently studying.
Harry Budisidharta visited the Lounge on January 3rd to see Rich and to check in on the student body (Harry is a former EEPC President and current law school student in Colorado )
Remember, many of these EEP Alumni and others have provided the EEPsters with their e-mail addresses for consultation and advisement (in the Student Information Binder) with new additions available at Group Meetings quarterly.
-----------------
ReminderS
-----------------
Priority Registration for Spring 2007 will be* during the 5th week of Winter 2007
Advisement Slips due by Wednesday, January 24th @ noon, 12:00pm
Tuition due by Friday, January 26, 2007
Priority Registration is Monday, January 29th 2007
*We will alert EEPsters of changes @ Group Meetings, the Big Board and/or through mass e-mail.
Remember, Advisement Slips will be due by noon on January 24th .
Group Meetings Winter 07 Week #3 January 16th-17th and Week #8 February 20th-21st
PEEPsters located at earlyentrance@sbcglobal.net
Or visit: http://www.earlyentrancefoundation.org
EEF Newsletter at: http://www.earlyentrancefoundation.org/newsletter.html
EEP Class Rings through Jostens in September eleanorboudreau@jostens.com
EEPC Contacts and Newsletter and MORE http://www.eepclub.org
E-bay retailer PEEPster will help you donate items to be sold via E-Bay with proceeds to the EEP. Contact helene.chemel@i-soldit.com
Students must have their basic subject Math and English coursework finished in their first 45 units, take the WPE prior to earning 135 units and should have the EEP staff direct them to a major advisor when ready.
Earn extra money by becoming an EEP Tutor. Contact EEPC Academic Chair Sam Hsu at sammy_hsu@sbcglobal.net
Mock Trial Club contact David Nagy tealterror@sbcglobal.net for details
American Medical Student Association (AMSA) contact tcheng5@gmail.com
Remember to use Lounge Resources
--Student Information Binder (campus policies, alum contact e-mails, etc.)
--Course Evaluation Binders (faculty ratings / course evaluations by EEPsters)
--Group Meeting Binder (opportunities, EEPC events, sign-ups, policy changes)
--Hanging Wall File & Stand Alone File (campus forms and information on clubs, scholarships, campus phone directory, Honors classes, etc.)
--Cubby Shelf Unit (interesting magazines, old schedules, class materials, weird EEP stuff, spare umbrellas, etc.)
CSULA-EEP Important Dates
Jan 1st -- University Closed – New Years Day
Dec 11th - Jan 2nd -- Fall 2006 Quarter Break
Jan 2nd -- Winter 2007 Quarter classes begin
Jan 2nd - 16th -- Late registration/adjustments
Jan 9th -- No record drop deadline
Jan 10th -- Winter 2007 “W” withdrawal period begins
Jan 15th -- University Closed – Martin Luther King Holiday
Jan 16th Winter 2007 ADD Deadline
Jan 16th, 17th -- EEP Group Meetings
Jan 24th -- EEP Advisement Slips Due by noon
Jan 26th -- Payment for Spring 2007 Priority Reg. Due
Jan 29th -- Spring 07 Priority Registration Date
Feb 15th -- Withdraw Period Ends
Feb 16th - Mar 8th -- Emergency Withdraw Period
Feb 20th, 21st -- EEP Group Meetings
Mar 13th -17th -- Winter 2007 final examinations
Mar 18th - 26th -- Winter 2007 Quarter break
Mar 26th -- Spring 2007 Quarter classes begin
Mar 30th -- University Closed – Cesar Chavez Holiday
-----------------
News, Notices, Cheers and Jeers
-----------------
A Message to the Parents of the EEP from Richard S. Maddox
Our exclusive delivery method for the Newsletter and the Meeting Schedule is now through e-mail as you likely know If you want a printed version of the entire text Newsletter mailed home call the EEP office at 323-343-2287
Just a brief reminder that the full, student-enhanced version of the EEP Quarterly Newsletter with photos is available on-line at: www.eepclub.org
For the EEF Newsletter, go to: http://www.earlyentrancefoundation.org/peep/newsletter.html
NEWS & NOTICES
As expected, Rich is well on his way to a full recovery and has added a personal message to everyone below. After hours of physical therapy each week, Rich has regained some of his motor skills in the left side of his body and is now able to lift his arm and legs and also has regained some motor and sensory functions. He also has recently undergone another surgical procedure related to his carotid artery.
Rich will be home in EEP again beginning this Winter quarter but will not be resuming his previous (incredibly strenuous and crazy) work schedule. He will be here Monday through Wednesday for shorter days and will be working from home on Thursday and Friday. We are glad that he is finally taking time for himself, as he is much more useful to us when he is happy and healthy.
Greetings EEP Family from Rich
Thank you all for the outpouring of love and support for me and for the entire EEP during this very trying time in my life. My apologies for the brevity of this note but I wanted to personally express my thanks and appreciation to each of you and to give you an update straight from the horse’s mouth! As you know I am still recovering from this serious medical trauma but I hope to reach 100% sometime in the future; I will return to EEP in January 2007 in a limited capacity due to my still recovering condition, so I may take a while until I am back to the normal pace and fervor of my work.
As an FYI re: my specific health issues, my right carotid artery became suddenly occluded while at work in the lounge on the 30th of October, thus limiting blood flow to the rear portion of the right hemisphere of my brain. Though the exact cause of this vascular trauma is still unknown, fortunately the medication prescribed has helped to heal the damaged area thus eliminating the need for a stent implant, though I have now experienced two angiogram surgery’s I expect no further invasive medical action (luckily!).
In addition to taking some time off work to recover, I have had to take a leave from finishing my doctoral studies at USC though I will return to SC to complete my dissertation ASAP
My work and week schedule will still be somewhat ill-defined as of now and dependent on how my recovery progresses, though the tentative plan is to spend 2/3 of my time on campus with the kids and 1/3 at home working on paperwork and e-mail; etc. Please be patient with regard to the speed of my replies and my overall responsiveness as I continue to recover
Again, I thank you all for your understanding, care, prayers and help as I move through this difficult and quite challenging portion of my life. I will completely recover; I will not accept anything less, so rest assured that I am maintaining a positive outlook! Also, do not worry about the EEP as this work we do is too important not to continue so rest assured the kids will always have a place to go and an appropriate home for their studies and this includes next year’s class of EEP applicants. A special thanks to the office crew(Nancy, Amanda, Randi and Lisa) who have been outstanding during my absence!! And to the EEPC(Pam Natasha and their Board) the PEEP board who are equally great!!
I do anticipate needing more PEEP help this year and certainly, I will count on the continued EEPC contributions and hard work.
Thanks again and I look forward to returning to continue my service to you and our students.
In appreciation forever, Rich
So much has been given to me; I have no time to ponder over that which has been denied. - Helen Keller(1840-1912)
CHEERS & JEERS
Cheers to Rich for making so much progress and being so strong and brave! We all love you
Cheers to everyone who has been so supportive and helpful to the EEP Staff and EEP Club. Special thanks to Ned and Susan Fenton (Michael) and Donna Hay (David Nagy) for stepping in and helping to keep the EEP running smoothly and to Kathy Chitjian (Catrina) for volunteering her time to help in the office.
Cheers to the EEPC for supporting all EEP students and for being great student leaders. Your hard work and contributions are greatly appreciated.
Cheers to everyone who left gifts, cards, and well-wishes for Rich and EEP Staff. Your kind thoughts have contributed to Rich’s recovery and have boosted our spirits.
Jeers to the messy EEPsters who don’t clean up after themselves in the Kitchen. We all need to do our part to keep our Lounge looking nice especially since Rich will not be able to maintain his usual cleaning and straightening regiment.
Jeers to the irresponsible EEPsters who do not ensure that the EEP doors are completely closed shut when they leave. We had some trouble with strangers coming into the Lounge after hours so we need to be more aware of making sure that the Lounge is secure.
Should any parent want to discuss their child’s performance or if there are any questions or concerns please call the office to schedule a meeting. You may also feel free to call or e-mail Rich or Randi. Have a great quarter!
-- Rich
StudenT ContributionS & The EEPC Presidential Message
No contributions submitted to the offices – See Student enhanced version for more
President’s Message
Hi Everybody,
Happy Winter Quarter! As we once again lurch into the all-too-familiar routine of adding classes, buying books, and realizing just how much we miss break, I’d like to remind you of a few EEPC related things-
First and foremost, I’m sure I speak for everyone in EEPC (and everyone in EEP, for that matter), when I wish Rich the speediest of recoveries and also welcome him back to the EEP environment! It was definitely interesting trying to run the club without our almighty advisor, and I’m sure everyone on the board will appreciate his wisdom twice as much once he returns, now that we’ve been without it.
Second, I’d like to thank the EEP Staff and the rest of the EEPC board for being so great in Rich’s absence. So to Nancy, Amanda, Randi, Lisa, and the various parents who chipped in and helped out-thank you so much for everything you did and everything you will do in the future. You really were amazing in this trying time and I can’t imagine what it would have been like if you weren’t so capable-so a million thank you’s for your work J. And to the fantastic EEPC board-thank you for washing dishes, cleaning tables, making sure things didn’t get broken, and just being wonderful people in general. I was proud to have worked with all of you over the past quarter, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the year more than ever.
Third, EEPC has a new email address! We had technical difficulties with our last one, so now if you have any EEPClub related concerns, please contact eepclub1@gmail.com. We apologize for any confusion this has caused.
Finally, EEPC’s next quarter is going to be a busy one-filled with lots of new events, as well as bringing back old ones. We will of course have our Lasertag night and EEP formal (possibly held at a great new venue-stay tuned for more information) at the end of the quarter. Some new suggestions for events include a pancake breakfast, karaoke night, and paintballing. There will be more information on these events at group meetings, as well as information about the yearbook, merchandise, and much more. As always, please email us or come to us in person with any suggestions or concerns you have! Our door is always open.
Thanks and a belated happy holidays,
Pam Lee, EEPC 06-07 President
Other EEPClub Stuff
New Room: Anyone noticed the increasing lack of space in the EEP room? So have we. After admitting an extra-big class last year, the EEP Room has steadily increased in population, and students are now more crowded than ever. Our solution? Expand into an extra room. This year, EEP Club is organizing a petition to the University to add a room next door to EEP. This petition, which is currently being revised, will include signatures from professors, EEPsters, and snapshots of the crowded conditions. We hope to deliver an extra room as soon as possible!
-Natasha Spottiswoode, EEPC Vice President
Social Events: This past quarter saw four successful social events. First there was a trip to the Natural History Museum's exhibit on spiders, including a talk given by “The Bug Guy” (Brent Karner) on October 27th. Later that evening was the annual Fright Night, including a truly terrifying trip to the Old Town Haunt in Pasadena . A spooky sleepover complete with scary movies and ice cream sundaes followed. Special thanks to parent chaperones Ms. Clark and Ms. Arif and office staffers Nancy and Amanda.
The EEP Thanksgiving Potluck took place on November 22nd in the EEP Kitchen. EEP Club provided turkey, pie and other tasty treats, and several EEPsters contributed their own delicious dishes to the soiree.
The EEP Holiday Party on December 9th gave EEPsters a refreshing after-finals activity. The party began with a scavenger hunt at the Paseo Colorado, won by the Red Team: Herbert, Albert, Amanda J., Lubabah B., Theresa C., and Lea R. Pizza and a Secret Santa gift exchange followed, and ice skating at the Pasadena Ice Rink was the perfect end to the party!
Next quarter's events include the Annual EEP Formal, as well as fun day trips throughout the quarter! More details will be provided starting at the beginning of next quarter, so be sure to look out for news on these events.
-Laura Petersen, EEPC Social Chair
Merchandise & Yearbook: An updated merchandise order form will be readily available in the EEP Lounge by the beginning of winter quarter. If you have not yet received merchandise that you have already ordered and paid for, please send an email to eepclub1@gmail.com. Also, if you have photos of EEP events that you would like to submit to the EEP yearbook, please contact Margaret Lee at margaretlee.23@gmail.com.
-Cory O’Brien & Margaret Lee, EEPC PR & Yearbook Chairs
Newsletter contributions welcome for Spring 2007 - All rebuttals will be processed