In This Issue
Feature Stories:
| • | Humpback Whale Researcher Enjoys Her Teaching Career at LCC |
| • | LCC Launches Basketball Tournament And Invites Players from Around the Region |
News Bites
Saltshaker Conference Once Again Brings Christian Youth Together »
LCC International University hosted the Christian youth conference Saltshaker for the ninth year in a row. This year over 200 conference participants once again came from various Lithuania cities and village areas to Klaipėda for one common purpose: to grow in Christ. The event was held for four days - from December 29th, 2011, to January 2nd, 2012.
LCC Students Tie for First Place in Global Business Simulation Competition »
LCC International University students for the first time in LCC history have ranked the highest in the international GLO-BUS business simulation competition. This time John McQuaig's Business Strategy Simulation students have gone even further - they have hit the record and ranked 1st place among 1841 other teams worldwide! The team members are Paulius Grigaitis, Artūras Grimalis, Elsi Hametaj, Dainius Šilingas, and Mantas Baranauskas.
First time in LCC history: December Graduation »
Students completing their requirements for graduation from LCC International University in the fall semester have often had to miss the experience of participating in commencement exercises in the spring. But this year, on Sunday, December 11, LCC for the first time held a December graduation.
Feature Stories
Not only does Jennifer Schneider teach complex disciplines like neuropsychology, but this LCC Social Sciences department professor has a unique biographical fact to discuss – she has been researching humpback whales for some time. “Nothing is more exciting than looking down into the water and seeing an animal that is twice the size of your boat hovering in the depths, or feeling the boat vibrate with the whale's song”, she says, sharing her unforgettable memories of this work. Jennifer talks more about close encounters with whales, teaching at LCC and her future plans in her interview for the Transformations newsletter.
Jennifer, you have been teaching great courses – Neuropsychology, Cognitive Psychology, Behavioral Genetics to name just a few. No doubt they make LCC’s Psychology program’s offerings much richer. Do you feel like students are eager to learn complex things that have never been a part of the program before?
I started out teaching Biological Psychology last year. I think at first the students were overwhelmed and had a hard time seeing how biology was related to psychology. However, as this year has progressed I have noticed the students getting more excited about the courses and really taking personal ownership in understanding the material. Even some of the students who have been struggling in courses in the past are working hard and showing an in-depth understanding of the material. It has been really encouraging to watch this transition happen.
Where are you originally from? Where have you taught before?
I grew up in a Naches, Washington, a small agricultural town in the middle of the state. I have also lived in Tacoma (Washington), Newfoundland (Canada), Riga (Latvia) and Buffalo (New York). Most of my previous teaching experience was in Buffalo at the University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, Daemen College, and Medialle College. In addition, I taught at the University of Buffalo's Singapore campus last summer.
From what you observe, is LCC and its atmosphere any different from what you have experienced elsewhere?
What has struck me most about LCC is the relationship between the faculty/staff and the students. Before I came to LCC people I talked to told me I would fall in love with the students. They were right. LCC's unique vision, combination of academic and student life, and small class sizes make it possible to care for the academic needs of each student and to get to know the students as individuals. On the other hand, that same relationship is equally frustrating when students do not perform well. But I will take the bad days in return for all the good moments.
It is your first year at LCC. How do you like it? What brought you to our university and Lithuania?
After I received my undergraduate degree, I spent 10 months in Riga working with the International Church of Riga and International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. I have been wanting to come back to the Baltics for a long time now. So when my good friend and 2004 LCC alumna Andreta Livena suggested I apply to LCC, it seemed the like the perfect solution. Being in Lithuania and so close to Latvia has been like coming home.
A unique aspect of your professional biography is that you research humpback whales. How did you get into this research program? Why whales?
I first saw a humpback whale on television when I was four years old. It was an educational program that showed some scientists studying the whales' songs. I was mesmerized and I never grew out of my fascination with the animals. I went to university to study animal behavior and learned biology and psychology in the process. Getting into a research program is very difficult, as the programs are highly competitive. I would have to say I got the position through God's providential timing. When I was applying to PhD programs, Dr. Mercado was a new professor just starting his own lab and had not yet been recognized by the masses. Most whale researchers receive hundreds of emails from prospective students a day. I had the skills Dr. Mercado was looking for in a student and my application did not get lost in the crowd!
Researching whales involves direct contact with them, doesn’t it? How does it feel to be close to these gigantic creatures? What are they like?
During my research I was fortunate enough to spend four winters in Puerto Rico in addition to a trip to Maui, Hawaii. While a lot of my work involved recording whales from a distance, I had some amazing close encounters. Nothing is more exciting that looking down into the water and seeing an animal that is twice the size of your boat hovering in the depths, or feeling the boat vibrate with the whale's song.
What are your future plans? Does the fact that you are already spending your second semester at LCC mean you have commitments to our university?
I have learned to trust God with my future and not to make too many plans of my own. However, in the short -term I am planning on spending spring semester teaching in Singapore, an opportunity that will allow me the financial freedom to commit to LCC for the entire 2012-2013 school year.
The story is indeed fascinating – thank you very much!
In February 2012, LCC International University will launch a great event for sports enthusiasts at the university and in the local community – the LCC Basketball Championship 3x3! Players of all ages are invited to register and will eventually compete for a number of great prizes likes a scholarship for LCC’s Summer Language Institute, evening English courses, trips abroad and other outstanding gifts from the university and numerous partners all across the city. Coordinator of the tournament Demas Mockus, who also is a recent LCC grad, presents this event to the readers of the Transformations newsletter. "This will be a special event in the history of LCC", he believes.
Demas, when will the basketball tournament start and how long will it last?
This tournament – or I’d rather say a championship – is exclusive and one of a kind in western Lithuania. It is special because this event is not a one-day tournament, but a four-month championship. It will start on February 4th and will last for four months. We encourage everyone who likes basketball to be a part of this 3x3 basketball championship here at LCC.
The structure of the game is designed to satisfy every participant. Each team will play two games per day, on weekends. The playing time for one game will be 15 minutes. Teams will get a chance to rest after the first game for 20 minutes and then will battle once again for another 15 minutes. LCC has a perfect gym for mini-sports events. Eight teams will have a chance to compete at the same time. Four courts meet all FIBA regulations and rules for 3x3 games and are bigger than similar summer basketball 3x3 tournament courts. Moreover, every participant will receive a championship T-shirt and get a 100 litas paintball coupon from our sponsors.
What are the age groups of team members? How many teams are in each age group?
Youngest participants have to be born by 2002. There will be six age groups as well as an elite group and one composed of business representatives. The maximum number of teams in each group is 16.
How many teams do you expect?
Today we have about half of the expected number of registered teams. We expect that many more teams will register when the deadline for the registration will be coming to the end. From my experience it happens every time, all the time. Our forecast for this championship is to have 10 teams in each group. However, we aim to have as many teams as we are able to, so that this championship will leave a special mark not only in the memories of the participants, but also in the history of LCC.
What are the prizes? Who supports the championship?
The three best teams from each age group of the LCC 3x3 Basketball Championship will receive various prizes, including trips abroad, the opportunity to attend LCC’s Summer Language Institute and English evening courses, and coupons from our sponsors – IKI, McDonalds, Café kubu, DSMD Group, Forum Cinemas and others. We will announce the main prize of the championship shortly, so stay tuned.
What is your role in this tournament?
I always wanted to create something different from the one-day 3x3 basketball summer tournaments. I believe that along with LCC we created something unique. My role in this championship is organizational. I am responsible for the whole championship. It is hard to manage all the tiny details which will help to create an unforgettable championship, but the thought that I am working towards something different, something unique, satisfies and motivates me. This championship should benefit people and create a place for them to play basketball even in the wintertime. I believe that this championship will become a tradition and a good example for other cities of how to increase the physical activity of the local community.
Why do you think this kind of event is important for LCC?
This kind of event in every way increases LCC’s publicity and gives a different view of the university from the sports perspective. LCC favors a healthy and physically active society, so why cannot we create something that will benefit the students and local community all together?
What do you think it means for LCC to have its own basketball team?
You can say that in Lithuania every person is crazy about basketball. Some people call basketball a second religion. Therefore, not to have a basketball team which will represent the university is more than bizarre. I think every university in Lithuania has their own basketball team which plays in one of the many Lithuanian basketball leagues. This year the LCC Moose compete in RKL league which is a third division professional basketball league in Lithuania. By standing in the fifth place, the LCC Moose leave nine teams behind them. Last year we finished at 5th place, but this year with the support from our students we want to rank even higher and show to Lithuania that LCC International University has the best basketball players.
Anything you would like to add?
Do not hesitate--register right now! Be a part of the LCC 3x3 Basketball Championship. LCC student teams will get a 50% discount off the registration fee!
