Spring blood drive will let Norwich University community contribute to critical need
Norwich University’s community will roll up its collective sleeves this Thursday to help meet a critical demand for blood during its spring blood drive in Plumley Armory.
The blood drive highlights a week that also includes a Dana Lecture on “squigonometry” and a Board of Fellows transition to industry lecture.
As it does twice a year, Civic Scholars from the university’s Center for Civic Engagement will partner with the American Red Cross of Northern New England to present the blood drive, running 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The drive comes amid a local and national blood shortage. The University of Vermont Medical Center’s Dr. Stephen Leffler told Vermont Public Radio that his hospital is conserving blood units and converted its gift shop into a makeshift blood drive center to encourage more donations.
Red Cross of Northern New England spokeswoman Mary Brandt told the nonprofit news website VT Digger in December that although her agency tries to keep a constant five-day blood supply to meet a major emergency or patient influx, the supply had dwindled to half a day.
“These numbers are really dangerously low,” Brandt told VT Digger. “We’re facing a situation now where some patients requiring transfusions may not receive the blood supplies that they need.”
In January, the American Red Cross declared the first-ever national blood crisis, and a national 10% drop in donations since the coronavirus pandemic began. Student donors, who accounted for about 25% of donors in 2019 accounted for just 10% during the pandemic, the Red Cross said. Flu season and a surge in coronavirus cases could make matters worse, the agency said.
Norwich’s Spring 2021 blood drive netted 165 pints. President Mark Anarumo is expected to be among Thursday’s donors.
Appointment registration is encouraged, and can be made here: https://rcblood.org/3uO5jso. Walk-ins will also be accommodated. As an incentive, each donor will receive an Amazon e-gift card after they donate.
Face masks will be required for all people during the drive.
GETTIN’ SQUIGGY WITH IT: Mathematics professor Dr. Robert Poodiack will offer a “Primer on Squigonometry” from noon to 12:50 p.m. Wednesday in Kretizberg Library’s Todd Multipurpose Room.
Some observers (and musicians) have described circles as perfect. But Poodiack, who won the 2022 Mathematical Association of America Certificate for Meritorious Service for the Northeastern Section, said in his lecture description that familiarity with circles may cause observers to lose sight of their interesting characteristics.
“The trigonometric functions sine and cosine emerge as natural functions with which to describe (circles),” he wrote. “We (will) look to enhance appreciation of the circle’s perfection by introducing some imperfection and developing an analog of trigonometry for a curve that is almost, but not quite, a circle.”
Professors who received grants from the Dana Foundation, a New York-based philanthropic organization, deliver Charles A. Dana Category I Lectures. The grants go annually to tenure-track faculty who demonstrate superior scholarship, teaching ability and university service.
To receive the grants, the recipients agree to publicly present a topic of their choice.
CIVIL DISCOURSE: From 3 to 4 p.m. Friday in Wise Campus Center Room 218, former U.S. Army medic Stephan Wolfert and Dawn Stern from DE-CRUIT will describe trauma and civil discourse tactics for addressing it. This past Friday, Wolfert performed “Cry Havoc!” a play about veterans’ challenges and understanding them through William Shakespeare’s plays, in Mack Hall’s auditorium.
The Civil Discourse series launched last month.
“Our hope is that participants can leave the discussions having learned about different people's perspectives, experiences, and their own biases,” the IDEAS Office’s leader, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Dr. Julia Bernard wrote in describing the series. “Everyone will be encouraged to take what they learn in the discussions and share with the campus community.”
IDEAS stands for inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility and support.
CORPS EXPERIENCE: The Admissions Office will hold a webinar at 6 p.m. Wednesday to discuss Norwich University’s Corps of Cadets and what students can expect if they enroll at the university and join.
ROCK THAT RÉSUMÉ: Norwich University’s Career and Internship Center will hold a “Rock that Resume” workshop from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday in Wise Campus Center, Room 218. Students can drop in to have their curricula vitae examined for structure and style.
NOW WE’RE IN BUSINESS: From 12:05 to 12:55 p.m. Thursday, Berry Plastics Consultant Samuel J. Thomas ’67 will discuss the transition from university to industry in U-Building Room 285. Thomas, who majored in chemistry at Norwich, is a fellow for the College of Science and Mathematics.
BODY POLITIC: The College Democrats Club will debut with a meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Kreitzberg Library’s North Instruction Room. The meeting will introduce current members, discuss goals, take suggestions for activities and consider growth strategies.
FUN AND GAMES: The Campus Activities Board will present Trivia Night from 9 to 11 p.m. Thursday at the Mill in Wise Campus Center. Teams of up to four people can compete for prizes and bragging rights … From 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, the board will present ice skating on the Wise Campus Center green. Skates and hot chocolate provided … from 8 to 10:30 p.m. the board will screen “Hacksaw Ridge,” a 2016 movie describing the life of U.S. Army Medic Desmond T. Doss, in Mack Hall. Doss, who served during the Battle of Okinawa, was the only American ever to receive the Medal of Honor although he refused to kill people and fired no shots. The Campus Military Club will run a concession stand … The Campus Activities Board will have two neon events, roller skating and volleyball from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday in Plumley Armory.
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See a complete list of Norwich University activities.
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