Biology Department Newsletter

Volume 4  Number 7 December 18, 2000

Note from the Editor:

During the past week or so we’ve had some great seminars.  For example, alum Jeff Muntifering (SJU ’99) shared with us some of his experiences studying cheetahs in Namibia, wolves in N. Minnesota and bears in Alaska.  He also offered some tips on finding a job as a field biologist.  Although he said that the salary in this field is low, the benefits are well worth it.  To find such a position he said that you must persevere.  But, once the door to one position opens, other doors will open, too.  He restated the old truths that you can never make a second first impression and that you must be willing to work hard and go the extra mile.  You may also have to volunteer to get a start.  For example, he began by working at the Wildlife Science Center and he also advised that you should “never do what you’re expected – do something more!”  He encouraged students to use their resources and network.

Steve McGreevy’s (SJU ’00) presentation about his study of the fungal spores in the air around a Cold Spring (MN) composting facility was also good.  His work showed that the composter had no impact on airborne spores, much to the relief of the skeptical neighbors.  Finally, Kristi Kubista (CSB ’01) gave a good presentation concerning her research on integrated pest management techniques for Minnesota apple growers.   The department has many more seminars planned for the spring and I hope to see you there.

This is the “Summer Job” edition of the newsletter.  In this issue you will find many summer job possibilities listed.  If you are interested in any of the positions, don’t delay because many of them have early January deadlines.  For more information about any of the positions, you can check out the Job Seeker that is available through the Career Resources Home Page at the URL (csbsju.edu/career/students/postgrad/jobopps.htm#environmental).

Have a great holiday season. 

Student News:

Megan Keefe (CSB ‘ 99) is currently at the Audubon Center of the Northwoods in Sandstone (MN). 

Rachel Reuter (CSB ’00) is spending the year volunteering for the Edmundite Mission Corp, a faith-based community volunteer program that falls under Americorp.

Faculty News:

Dr.’s Phil Chu, Larry Davis, and Stephen Saupe hosted a meeting of the Central Minnesota Audubon Society at St. John’s.  The title of the meeting was “Behind the Scene at St. John's:  Winter Weeds, Birds, and Geology”, and it provided the participants with a peek at our bird, rock and plant collections.

Curriculum News:

Senior Biology Majors Required to take “Major Field Test”

Graduating Biology majors are required to take a test called the Biology Major Field Test.  The test is provided at no charge and will given on campus.  The reason for this test is to assess whether the Biology Department has been successful in providing a Biology major that is outstanding in both breadth and depth.  Since other colleges also give their Biology majors the same test we can compare the performance of our students to Biology majors in other programs across the nation.  The exam is scheduled for the evening of TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20.  There will be a pizza party followed by the test.  Every graduating senior biology major is required to take this test, so please block out this evening on your calendar now.  For more information contact Dr. Jeanne Lust, Biology Dept. Chair or Dr. Mike Reagan, Biology Assessment Committee.

Calendar of Events:

• Feb 20              Biology Major Field Test – Senior Biology Majors
• Mar 23             GRE Registration deadline (contact CSB/SJU Career Resource center
• April 22            MCAT Exam (registration materials should be available in January 2001)
• Aug 18             MCAT Exam (registration materials should be available in January 2001)

Biology Club News:

Internships/Scholarships/Jobs: 

Minnesota County Biological Survey Positions
Applications are being accepted for field assistants to conduct surveys of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and amammals in Aitkin, Carlton, Crow Wing, and Pine counties.  For more information contact Gerda Nordquist, MN DNR at 651 – 297 – 7115; gerda.nordquist@dnr.state.mn.us.

Summer Internship/Work Opportunity with DNR/MN Conservation Corps
The Department of Natural Resources' Minnesota Conservation Corps (MCC) is recruiting Crew Leaders and Assistant Crew Leaders for its summer residential conservation work program at St. Croix State Park near Hinckley, MN. For more information contact Keith Doucette, Minnesota Conservation Corps, Summer Program Coordinator, 500 Lafayette Rd., St. Paul, MN  55155, Phone (651) 296-9165, Fax (651) 296-5954, www.dnr.state.mn.us/mcc.

American Foundation Of Vision Awareness
The American Foundation of Vision Awareness - Minnesota Affiliate is offering two scholarships in the amount of $1,500.00 each to Minnesota students entering optometry school in the Fall of 2001.  Applications are due by 1 March 2001 and are available at the External Scholarships Program Office - HAB 103, CSB.

Prairie Wetlands Learning Center Internships
The Prairie Wetlands Learning Center in Fergus Falls is accepting applications for environmental education internshipos for spring, summer, and fall of 2001.  for more information contact Teresa Jaskiewicz at teresa_jaskiewicz@fws.gov; http://midwest.fws.gov/pwlc.

Seminars/Lectures/Symposia:

Restoration Ecology Seminar
The National Arbor Day Foundation is sponsoring a seminar entitled "The Practice of Restoring Native Ecosystems" to be held in Des Moines, IA Feb.  22, 2001, and in Mpls/St. Paul Feb. 23, 2001.  Cost $125/person.   For more information and registration information visit: http://www.arborday.org/programs/conferencereg23.html

Emerging Issues In Commercial  Harvest Of Native Plants -  Minnesota Native Plant Society 2001 Symposium.  Saturday, March 24, 2001; 8:15-3:30 PM. 

Miscellaneous:

Annual Biology Fall Poster Session
The annual Fall semester poster session was held last week and included posters from the Aquatic Ecology, General Ecology, and Virology classes.  It was a festive affair complete with the posters, their creators, and pop & homebaked goodies.  Thanks to Dr.’s Bill Lamberts, Gordon Brown and Ellen Jensen for organizing this event.

 Herbarium Loans Specimens
    The CSB/SJU Bailey Herbarium has been busy.  During the past semester we have loaned specimens to one investigator studying the spread of a rust fungus (Puccinia glechomatis) and responded to several other requests for information.

Summer Course - Biology of Seabirds
This course will be held at the Millport Marine Station, Scotland, May - June 2001. The course will carry 10 credits from the University of Glasgow which is likely to equate to a 6 credit hour course in the US.  The cost is 1200  pounds sterling (approximately 1800 dollars US).  This includes all tuition, local transportation, accommodation and meals for the duration of the course.  The Marine Station Millport is a facility of the University of London, jointly managed with the University of Glasgow.  For more information contact Dr William Fowler, University Marine Biological Station Millport, Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland. KA28 OEG., Tel: +44 (0)1475 530581, Fax: +44 (0)1475 530601, Tel: +33 (0)4 68 87 65 42 (home), web: www.gla.ac.uk/Acad/Marine.

 Prairie Grant Funding Available
    The MN DNR is soliciting proposals from individuals, consultants and organizations interested in providing assistance to prairie landowners under the Prairie Stewardship Planning Assistance program.   The Request For Proposals and other materials are available at http://prairie.inet7.com/~pstewardship

Web Sites Worth A Visit: (have you visited any cool sites lately?  Send us your suggestions)

• CSB/SJU Pre-professional Health Programs: http://www.csbsju.edu/premed/ 

• Biology Department Newsletter – On Line: http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/ssaupe/Newsletters/newsletter.htm. 

• DNR Volunteer Opportunities – www.dnr.state.mn.us

• MN Nature Conservancy (for field trips, volunteer opportunities, etc.) – www.tnc.org/minnesota.

• CSB/SJU Career Services Home Page – www.csbsju.edu/career

• CSB/SJU Career Services Home Page:  Job Opportunities – csbsju.edu/career/students/postgrad/jobopps.htm#environmental

• National Academy of Science – www.national-academies.org

• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships - http://orau.org/nsf/nsffel.htm

• Connections Bulletin Board –  http://www.csbsju.edu/bulletinboard/campus.asp

• Scholarship Office - http://www.csbsju.edu/scholarships/. 

Summer Research Programs

• University of Wisconsin (Madison, WI):  http://www.wisc.edu/cbe/bioprog/

Summer Jobs Special

 TRIP LEADERS, Counselors, Program Leaders - Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center, Camden Hills State Park.  Tate Gale or Jim Dunham, Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center, RR4 Box 670, Lincolnville, ME 04849 E-mail: tgale@umext.maine.edu  Filing date: ASAP.

 FIELD INSTRUCTOR / CAMP COUNSELOR - Deep Portage Conservation Reserve, Hackensack, MN.  Contact Patrick Ames, 2197 Nature Center Dr NW, Hackensack, MN 56452>218/682-2325  E-mail: portage@uslink.net   http://www.deep-portage.org

 RANGE AID (Firefighter): GS-2/3  $7.67-$8.36/hour & RANGE TECHNICIAN (Firefighter):  GS-4/5/6  $9.39-$11.71/hour   3-6 months.  Available in various locations.  A copy of the vacancy announcement and application materials may be obtained from the USFWS Jobline at 303/236-8121 x257  E-mail: Tanya-Lewis@fws.gov. 

 NATURALIST:  (5)  $8.40/hour   May 15-Sep 6, negotiable  Location:  South Dakota Dept of Game, Fish and Parks, Custer State Park, Custer, SD  Contact:  BradleyBlock, Chief Interpreter, Custer State Park, HC 83 Box 70, Custer, SD  57730 605/255-4828  Fax-605/255-4460  E-mail: brad.block@state.sd.us  Filing date: Jan 19

 CAMPS COUNSELOR: Oregon Museum of Science and Industry Science Camps, Warrenton, Bend, and Fossil, OR.  Contact:  Kayla Chitwood, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, 508 SW 13th St, Redmond, OR, 97756   541/504-2538  Fax-541/504-2538  E-mail: kayla.chitwood@omsi.edu , http://www.omsi.edu  Filing date:  Jan 3

 SUMMER TEACHER NATURALIST:  Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, Townsend, TN.  Contact:  Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, 9275 Tremont Rd. Townsend, Tennessee 37882   865/448-6709   E-mail: mail@gsmit.org, http://www.nps.gov/grsm/tremont.htm.

 ENDANGERED SHOREBIRD MANAGER , Interpretive Naturalist, Island Managers, Science School Directors -  Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Falmouth and Mashpee, MA.  Contact:  Program Manager, Waquoit Bay NERR, PO Box 3092, Waquoit, MA  02536  508/457-0495  E-mail: wbnerr@capecod.net  http://www.capecod.net/waquoit

 RESEARCH INTERNS:  University of Minnesota, Cedar Creek Natural History Area (35 miles north of the Twin Cities), MN.  Contact:  Dr. Clarence L. Lehman, University of Minnesota, 100 Ecology Bldg, 1987 Upper Buford Circle, St Paul, MN  55108 E-mail: interns@cedarcreek,umn.edu   http://cedarcreek.umn.edu/interns

 TRAIL CREW, LODGES CREW, NATURALIST, INFORMATION CENTER, SUMMIT STEWARDS - Adirondack Mountain Club, NY.  Send self-addressed stamped envelope requesting application to Adirondack Mountain Club, Box 867, Applications, Lake Placid, NY 12946.

 SUMMER NATURALIST INTERNSHIP -  Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, Aspen, CO   Application is available at http://www.aspen.com/aces, or call/E-mail to request application packet.   Contact:  Jim Kravitz, Interpretation Director, 100 Puppy Smith St, Aspen, CO 81611   970/925-5756; Fax-970/925-4819 E-mail: acesone@rof.net   http://www.aspen.com/aces 

 STEWARDSHIP INTERN - The Nature Conservancy, Phantom Canyon Preserve, northeastern CO.   Contact:  Heather Knight, Laramie Foothills Program Manager, Northeast Colorado Program 117 E Mountain Ave Suite 201, Fort Collins, CO 80524   970/498-0180  Fax-970/498-0225

 CRATERS OF THE MOON NATIONAL MONUMENT INTERPRETIVE INTERNSHIP-200 –Contact:  Volunteer Coordinator, Craters of the Moon National Monument, PO Box 29, Arco, ID 83213   208/527-3257 x302.

TRAILS-DISPERSED RECREATION-WILDERNESS RANGER INTERN - Chequamegon-Nicolet  National Forest, Florence, WI.  Contact:  Jeff Herrett, USDA Forest Service, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, PO Box 1809, Eagle River, WI 54521  715/479-

 SEASONAL NATURALIST - Massachusetts Audubon Society, Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Wellfleet, MA .  Contact:  Melissa Lowe, Education Coordinator, Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, PO Box 236, South Wellfleet, MA 02663; E-mail:mlowe@wellfleetbay.org  http://www.wellfleetbay.org 

 ‘BIOLOGY/OUTREACH INTERNSHIPS:  - Lake Umbagog National

>Wildlife Refuge, Errol, NH.  Contact: Lake Umbagog NWR, PO Box 240, Errol, NH 03579-0240   603/482-3415  E-mail: FW5RW_LUNWR@fws.gov.

 RESEARCH ASSISTANTS (Falkner Island Tern Project) - Connecticut Audubon Society, Falkner Island, CT.  Contact: Milan G. Bull, Director, CAS Coastal Center at Milford Point, 1 Milford Point Rd, Milford, CT  06460   203/878-7440 

 RIDGERUNNER, TRAIL CREW LEADER, TRAILS ASSISTANT - Appalachian Mountain Club, CT and southern MA,  Contact:  Appalachian Mountain Club, PO Box 1800, Lanesboro, MA  01237   413/443-0011 x16. 

 NATURALIST:  -  Appalachian Mountain Club, Lanesboro, MA.   Contact:  Appalachian Mountain Club, PO Box 1800, Lanesboro, MA  01237   413/443-0011 x15.

 SUMMER TEACHER / NATURALIST -  New Canaan Nature Center, New Canaan,  CT.  Contact:  Karen S. Brooks, Director of Summer Camps, New Canaan Nature Center, 144 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, CT  06840   203/966-9577 x36  Fax - 203/966-6536 

 TRIP LEADERS - Visions Service Adventures, Newport, PA.  Contact:  Joanne Pinaire, VISIONS, PO Box 220, Newport, PA 17074;  717/567-7313  Fax-717/567-7853  E-mail:  visions@pa.net  http://www.visionsadventure.com

SUMMER TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES  Johns Hopkins University's Center for Talented Youth (CTY).   For more information and to download an application please visit  www.jhu.edu/gifted/ctysummer

Graduate Research Program for Women 
    Sponsored by Lucent Technologies (NJ).  For more information contact Lucent Fellowship Program – GRPW;  Scholarship Management Services, CSFA;  1505 Riverview Road; P.O. Box 297; St. Peter, MN 56082;  Email: coopgraduate@lucent.com; Website: http://www.bell-labs.com/fellowships/GRPW

TRIP LEADER -  4-H Camp Howe, Goshen, MA.   Contact: David Z. Freedman, Executive Director, 4-H Camp Howe, PO Box 326, Goshen, MA 01032   413/549-3969  Fax - 413/549-6337  E-mail: dfreedman@camphowe.com;  http://www.camphowe.

INTERLOCKEN 2001 SUMMER JOB POSTINGS (Counselors and Group Leaders) - Contact:  Kim Nilsen, Staffing Manager, Interlocken, RR2 Box 165, Hillsboro, NH  03244   603/478-3166 x20  Fax- 603/478-5260  E-mail: kim@interlocken.org  http://www.interlocken.org 

WILDERNESS PROGRAM COORDINATOR  - Manice Education Center, New York, NY  Contact:  Manice Education Center, One East 53rd Street, 1401, New York, NY 10022; 212/371-5225  Fax-212/371-2111 E-mail: dawn_christodora@prodigy.net; http://www.geocities.com/

OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS  - Student Conservation Association.  Contact: SCA, Attn: Crew Leader Recruiting, PO Box 550, Charlestown, NH 03603  603/543-1700  E-mail: cwc-program@sca-inc.org  http:// www.sca-inc.org 

 ADVENTURE PROGRAM SPECIALIST - Penn 4-H Educational Center-Summer Camp, Reidsville, NC.  Contact:  Emily Fisher, Summer Camp Director, Penn 4-H Educational Center, 804 Cedar Ln, Reidsville, NC  27320  

 CAMP DIRECTOR -  Girl Scouts-Kickapoo Council, Camp Tapawingo, Metamore, IL.  Contact:  Lara Campbell, Director of Programs and Properties, Girl Scouts-Kickapoo Council, 1103 W Lake Ave, Peoria, IL  61614  309/688-8671 x24  Fax-309/688-7358  E-mail: kcgs@mtco.com

 FARM and NATURE DAY CAMP TEACHER / NATURALIST -  Massachusetts Audubon Society, Drumlin Farm Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln, MA  Contact Hannah Freedberg, Camp Director, Drumlin Farm, 208 S Great Rd, Lincoln, MA  01773   781/259-9506 x7725; Fax-781/259-1242  E-mail: hfreedberg@massaudubon.

 ENVIRONMENTAL INTERNS - Warren County Parks and Recreation, Up Yonda Farm, Bolton Landing, NY.  Contact:  Matt Sprow, Up Yonda Farm, PO Box 1453, Bolton Landing, NY  12814   518/644-9767 Fax-518/644-3824  E-mail: upyonda@capital.net 

 ECONOMIST INTERN - Defenders of Wildlife, Washington, DC.  Contact:  Economist Intern Search, Defenders of Wildlife, 1101 14th St NW Suite 1400, Washington, DC 

 WILDLIFE REHABILITATION INTERNSHIP - WRANPS Wildlife Center, Pass Christian, MS  Contact:  Katy Pope, Director, WRANPS, Wildlife Center, 23228 Woodland Way, Pass Christian, MS 39571   228/452-2270  E-mail: ktraina@aol.com  http://www.ametro.net/~wranps.

 CONSERVATION EDUCATION CAMP SUPERVISOR - New York State Dept of Environmental Conservation, Camp DeBruce in the Catskills. Contact:  NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation, Environmental Education Summer Camp Employment, 50 Wolf Rd, Room 507, Albany, NY  12233-4500  518/457-3720  Fax - 518/457-0855;  http://www.dec.state.ny.us.

 National Park Service Positions. Contact:  Seasonal Employment Program, Human Resources Office, National Park Service, PO Box 37127, Mail Stop 2225, Washington, DC  20013-7127   202/208-5074 http://www.nps.gov/personnel/seasonal.html 

 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION INTERNSHIP -  Des Moines County Conservation Board, Starr's Cave Nature Center, Burlington, IA.  Contact:  Phil Broder, Environmental Education Coordinator, Des Moines County Conservation Board, 512 N Main St, Burlington, IA  52601; 319/753-

 HORTICULTURE and EDUCATION INTERNSHIPS - Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA.  Contact:  Intern Registrar, Education Dept, Callaway Gardens, PO Box 2000, Pine Mountain, GA 31822   706/663-5146  Fax-706/663-6720 

 SUMMER NATURALIST - Woodbury County Conservation Board, Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, Sioux City, IA.  Contact:  Woodbury County Conservation Board, 4500 Sioux River Rd, Sioux City, IA  51109-1657;  712/258-0838 

 SUMMER NATURALIST INTERNSHIP - Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, Aspen, CO.  Contact:  Jim Kravitz, Interpretation Director. Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, 100 Puppy Smith St, Aspen, CO 81611   970/925-5756  Fax-970/925-4819  E-mail: acesone@rof.net  http://www.aspen.com/aces 

 MARINE NATURALIST SUMMER - Port Townsend Marine Science Center, Port Townsend, WA . - Contact:  Cinamon Moffett, Port Townsend Marine Science Center, 532 Battery Way, Port Townsend, WA 98368  E-mail: ptmsc@olympus.

 ALASKA VOLUNTEER and VOLUNTEER INTERNSHIPS (including Ranger Assistants, Natural History Interpreters, Campground Hosts, Trail Crew, and Park Caretaker - Alaska State Parks, AK.  Contact:  Volunteer Coordinator, Alaska State Parks, 550 W 7th St Suite 1380, Anchorage, AK  99501-3561   907/269-8708  Fax - 907/269-8907; E-mail: volunteer@dnr.state.ak.us   http://www.alaskastateparks.org 

 Puzzler of the Week:

 Christmas is coming soon and soon you may find some mistletoe hanging above your head.  Why do we kiss under the mistletoe?  How did this tradition originate?

 From the last issue:  Kissing under the mistletoe apparently originated from a Norse legend in which Freya, the Goddess of Love, asked all things to protect her beloved son, Balder. Unfortunately she forgot mistletoe.  Balder bragged about his invincibility so his archenemy, Loki, decided to test it.  He fashioned an arrow from mistletoe wood and used it to slay Balder.  Freya was stricken with grief but after some divine finagling she brought Balder back to life with a kiss.

Joke of the Week.  Some Psychological Disorders for the Holidays (thanks to Dr. L. Mealey for sharing these)

SCHIZOPHRENIA - Do you Hear What I Hear?
DEMENTIA - I Think I'll Be Home for Christmas

NARCISSISTIC - Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me

MANIC - Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Busses and Trucks and Trees and Fire Hydrants and.....       

PARANOID - Santa Claus is Coming to Get Me.       

PERSONALITY DISORDER - Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll tell you why.      

DEPRESSION - Silent Dark, Holy Black, All is Flat, All is Lonely.      

PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE PERSONALITY - On the First Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me (and then took it all away).     

BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER -  Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire.

OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER -

Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock,Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle  Bell Rock,  Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell,  Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock,  Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock ... ...(better start again)

 Frequently Asked Questions

 For More Information, contact: