A look at what’s going on in the field of education.

Hardin appointed to Heritage Commission

John A. Hardin, associate professor of history at Western Kentucky University, has been appointed to the Kentucky African-American Heritage Commission by Gov. Ernie Fletcher.

Hardin, who is also the appointed chair of the Kentucky Oral History Commission, will serve through February 2009. He said the commission’s charge is to preserve all meaningful vestiges of Kentucky’s black heritage.

Hardin is one of three general co-editors of the &#8220Kentucky African-American Encyclopedia,” the first work of its kind. His books include &#8220Fifty Years of Segregation: Black Higher Education in Kentucky, 1904-1954” and &#8220Onward and Upward: A Centennial History of Kentucky State University, 1886-1986.” He is also an editor and consultant to &#8220Community Memories: A Glimpse of African-Americans in Frankfort, Kentucky” and a chapter contributor to &#8220A Commemoration of WKU’s Integration 1956-2006.”

Biologist announces research toolsWestern Kentucky University biologist Jeffrey Marcus announced the official launch of Kentucky Butterfly Net on Nov. 10 at the 92nd annual meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Science in Morehead.

Kentucky Butterfly Net at www.kybutterfly.net is a set of Web-based database tools designed to facilitate Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) research and education. The tools provide known geographic ranges and flight times of each species within the state, according to Marcus, assistant professor of biology.

The database contains almost 50,000 documented records for 2,450 species of butterflies and moths known from the state and covers the period from 1872-2006. Kentucky Butterfly Net also includes a mechanism for members of the public to add new records to the database.

Gold project supplies toys for foster kids

Bowling Green Christian Academy alumnus Katie Reeves included her alma mater in her Girl Scout Gold Award Community Project.

The Gold Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout may earn. Reeves’ project focused on addressing the needs of foster children in the area. Along with redecorating a family visitation room, she wanted to offer something to the children to give them a sense of comfort.

She asked Bowling Green Christian Academy students to donate gently used or new stuffed animals to her project. With a goal of 100 stuffed animals of various sizes and species, the school and Reeves were overwhelmed with the outpouring of generous giving, more than doubling the goal.

Greenwood students make all-district band

Seven Greenwood High School band members have been selected for the Third District 11th-12th grade All-District Band this year.

The students are Caley Foster, Jessica Deal, Sarah Abell, Mike Sivley, Bryant Cary, Matt White and Elliott Beckley.

The following Greenwood band members were selected for the Third District ninth-10th grade All-District Band: Sarah Smalling, Stephanie Gaiko, Sam Williams, Julie Hansbrough, Josh Smith, Cecelia Satterly, Sarah Newton, Chelsea McCay, Daniel Jones, Miles Cary, Colin Schumaker and Ben Hussung.

Training for first responders scheduled

Emergency providers, outdoor professionals and Western Kentucky University students can receive Wilderness First Responder training during the 2007 WKU Winter Term.

Hands-on training will help enable participants to provide first aid in areas where advanced medical care may be hours away. The Wilderness First Responder curriculum uses the principles of long-term care, improvised resources and varying environmental conditions as the framework for learning.

The course is scheduled for Jan. 12-20 at WKU and various field locations in Warren County. Students who successfully complete the Wilderness First Responder course will receive a Wilderness First Responder card and an American Heart Association Adult Heartsaver CPR card, or the equivalent.

Class participants will learn how to deal with medical emergencies when they are miles from help and dialing 911 is not an option. Wilderness medicine differs from traditional first aid in three respects. First, many phases of patient care must occur in the field because transportation to medical facilities may take hours or days. Second, severe environments increase the complexity of any emergency and heighten risks to patients and rescuers. Third, limited equipment makes resourcefulness essential.

Anyone interested in taking the course for credit can contact Steve Spencer at steve.spencer@ wku.edu. If you are not a student but are interested in the course, the fee is $550 and you can contact Sharon Woodward, director of Continuing Education, at 745-1910 or by e-mail at continuing.education@wku .edu.

Go to www.wku.edu/winter/ WFR for more information.

American Indian program is Tuesday

In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Sequoyah Guess will have discussions Tuesday.

Guess will be in the Mass Media and Technology Hall Auditorium from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to discuss the ravenmocker, a vampire-like demon in Cherokee lore.

Guess wrote, directed and produced an independent film based on this important figure in Cherokee stories.

See the movie &#8220Sigili: Dark Keetoowah Tales” and discuss it with Guess from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Guess will keep with the theme of the supernatural and macabre by sharing dark tales of his tribe, the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians.

The program is sponsored by the Provost’s Initiatives for Excellence, the Department of Folk Studies and Anthropology, and the Office of Diversity Programs.