University of Phoenix names 2011 student/faculy members of the year

TULSA, OK. (Feb. 15, 2011) -- University of Phoenix will recognize David Patterson as the 2011 Faculty Member of the Year and Lindsay Plott-Buckner as the 2011 Student of the Year at graduation ceremonies Saturday, Feb. 20 at the John Q. Hammons Multi Purpose Activity Center (UMAC) in Tulsa. Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordan will be the keynote speaker.

David Patterson, Human Resources Director for Parkside Psychiatric Hospital & Clinic, earned a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from The University of Oklahoma and a Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from University of Tulsa. He has taught at University of Phoenix since 2000. "Our students are privileged to have faculty of Mr. Patterson's wide range of experience. He understands that our students balance professional, personal and educational responsibilities and is always ready with a smile and encouragement to inspire them to achieve their highest potential," said Lori Santiago, State Vice President, Director of Oklahoma Campuses.

Lindsay Plott-Buckner began pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Human Services Management in 2005. Plott-Buckner serves as marketing manager for Buckner Media in Broken Arrow and volunteers as vice president of marketing for the Northeast Oklahoma Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development. She is an experienced copywriter for both new and traditional media and a savvy promoter, helping clients develop a clear vision for their marketing messages.  "I wanted to complete my degree so I could combine my passion for serving people with a desire to support causes that enrich lives and strengthen communities," Plott-Buckner says. "Lindsay Plott-Buckner exemplifies the standard of a University of Phoenix graduate. She was chosen as 'Student of the Year' because she stands out in her educational accomplishments and is clearly a leader in whatever she undertakes. Without exception, her instructors noted commitment to her studies and enthusiasm for learning that motivated classmates and enhanced the learning environment," Santiago said.

ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX

University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help students balance education and life in a rapidly changing world. Through flexible schedules, challenging courses and interactive learning, students achieve personal and career aspirations without putting their lives on hold. University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.phoenix.edu/"www.phoenix.edu.

University of Phoenix workshops target job seekers

Free workshops to help job seekers know where to look for employment and how best to go about getting work will be held Tuesday and Wednesday evenings by the University of Phoenix.

The private university will hold its "Growing Careers" workshops Tuesday at its Pleasant Grove campus, 2174 W. Grove Parkway, and Wednesday at its facility in Taylorsville, 4393 S. Riverboat Road. Both run from 5:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.

"To be competitive, employers recognize they must continue to seek out high-quality workers," said Darris Howe, a University of Phoenix vice president and director of Utah operations, in a release.

"Companies are still hiring, but are being more selective and deliberate about staffing decisions," he added. "Candidates who can demonstrate how their experience fits into an organization's long-term plan will have an advantage."

University instructors will help workshop participants improve their résumé writing and verbal interviewing skills and will provide advice on traits that appeal to company job recruiters.

Participants also will receive information, based on data from CareerBuilder.com, about the best Utah industries in which to look for work in the next year.

That data suggested about 25,000 openings will develop this coming year in a field categorized as "administrative outsourcing services," which often involves temporary help filling positions such as secretaries and office assistants.

Health clinics and hospices are expected to add 11,400 jobs, while another 10,700 openings are anticipated at hospitals.

University of Phoenix Madison hires associate director academic affairs

University of Phoenix Madison campus has announced the hiring of Tamera Wagner as associate director academic affairs.

In her new role, Wagner brings 27 years of leadership experience to the campus where she will assist in directing and overseeing the academic affairs activities of the Madison campus. She will also work closely with Madison area businesses to identify their professional development requirements and how the University can assist in meeting those needs.

Wagner received a doctorate of psychology and master of science degree, specializing in educational psychology, from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minn

Arizona Christian University begins inaugural baseball season this weekend

Arizona Christian University will begin its inaugural baseball season this weekend with a three-game series against Wayland Baptist University at Phoenix Pinnacle High School.

The teams will play a doubleheader at 11 a.m. Saturday and a single game Sunday at noon.

ACU, formerly Southwestern College, will play a 50-game schedule with 21 at home, split among several sites including Pinnacle and Scottsdale Stadium, while the university builds an on-campus stadium for the 2012 season.

"We believe baseball in Arizona is a natural combination, and Christian athletes will be drawn to ACU for the opportunity to play competitive college baseball in a great environment," university President Len Munsil said.

Glendale vs. Scottsdale: Which Benefits Most from BCS Tourism?

SCOTTSDALE - Glendale is getting ready for college football's biggest game, the BCS National Championship at University of Phoenix stadium.

The game kicks off Monday night, but the festivities are already underway. Thousands of fans from both teams, the Oregon Ducks and the Auburn Tigers, are descending on the valley.

Even though the game is in Glendale, the hub of the pre-game action is happening in Scottsdale.

At the Scottsdale Waterfront, there is a giant replica field. There are musical acts, food vendors, and other activities.

Many fans chose to stay in Scottsdale because of all the resorts and nightlife. So it's a tale of two cities -- the city hosting the game, and what appears to be the city hosting the fans.

The game is expected to bring in an estimated $420 million to the local economy. So which one is truly reaping the economic benefits of the big game? Where are fans spending their cash?

Glendale spent millions of dollars building Westgate City Center to attract big events like this, but somehow, still can't drum up the reputation as the valley's hot spot.

The party has started in Scottsdale, and that's where the main event is, at least on Friday night. The restaurants and bars are staying busy.

Across town at Westgate, the party may not be as crazy and the crowds may be thinner, but that didn't stop some fans.

FOX 10's Andrew Hasbun has more.

Weekend Bowl Events

Bud Light Fiesta
Through Jan. 9, 11am - 9pm
Scottsdale Waterfront
7025 E. Via Soleri Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Free admission
For tickets & event listings, go to www.budlightfiesta.com

College Football's Biggest Party
Jan. 10, 12:30pm - 5:30pm
Glendale Youth Sports Complex
1 Cardinals Drive,
Glendale, AZ 85305
For tickets and more information, go to www.fiestabowl.org

BCS National Championship Tailgate Party
Jan. 10, 12pm - 6:30pm
Westgate City Center
Waterdance Plaza
Loop 101 & Glendale Ave.
Glendale, AZ
www.westgatecitycenter.com

'Fired-up' Ducks land in Arizona

The Oregon Ducks arrived safely in Phoenix, Ariz., on Sunday, and will practice on Monday to continue preparation for the BCS national championship game Jan. 10 at University of Phoenix Stadium in nearly Glendale.

"The kids are fired up to be here to represent the University of Oregon," coach Chip Kelly said during a news conference at Sky Harbor International Airport. "Getting a chance to play in the national championship is what these guys have worked for since last January when we came back from the Rose Bowl."

Players and coaches and support staff got through the trip without any problems, although Kelly joked, "Besides coach (Nick) Aliotti's two hips, where he's got to get wanded through, we were pretty good." Aliotti had double hip replacement surgery several years ago.

Kelly says the 12-0 Ducks, who face 13-0 Auburn, are approaching it as "a business trip." They won't be relaxing in Arizona.

"Our guys know we keep the same schedule when we leave the 'Cas' (Casanova Center) 'til we get to the Eugene airport 'til wheels up," he adds. "It's just like any other away game for us in terms of how we traveled today. We've just got a couple more players with us than we normally do on a travel squad." Postseason games allow for expanded rosters.

The Ducks haven't reflected too much on their epic season, given the date ahead with the Cam Newton-led Tigers.

It'll be the first BCS title game berth for the Ducks, who had to settle for the Fiesta Bowl in January 2002 after finishing the regular season 10-1 – and then whipped Colorado to conclude the previously best season in school history. And, in 2007, the Ducks were cruising along with the BCS title game in their sights when QB Dennis Dixon went down with a knee injury, and several losses followed.

"I knew we had something special, and I've said it before, during spring practice," Kelly said. "We had 15 practices in the spring and we didn't have a bad one." The coach added that keeping an eye on the program's "vision" and fueling things with hard work paved the way to Glendale.

A reporter asked Kelly about how dealing with the media ranked in his priorities.

"It's No. 1 in my book," he said to laughter.

The Ducks' practices will be closed this week. Players and coaches will do media interviews starting Wednesday, with a full media day scheduled for Saturday.

University of Phoenix joins with Fohi JROTC for donation of 800 toys

Fourteen University of Phoenix Southern California Campus Learning Centers donated more than 800 new and unwrapped toys to the local U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and Fontana High School Junior ROTC as part of the national charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps.

The event was held last week at the University of Phoenix San Bernardino Learning Center.

The toys collected will be distributed to local children in the community.

"We were excited to partner with University of Phoenix Southern California Campus to make the holidays a little brighter for children in our communities who are in need," said Wayne Harkley, MSgt, USMC, (Ret), a local Toys for Tots coordinator. "Toys for Tots has had a major impact on the lives of millions of people who are less fortunate and we are proud to join with them for this cause."