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Show UTAH--STATESM AN WEDNESDAY JAN. 26,2005 Club encourages women in medicine BY HILARY INCOLDSBY Senior Writer Utah State University is behind the national average for women applying to medical school and a campus club is trying to change that. This year, about 80 USU students are applying to medical school with the help of the prehealth program advising committee and only four are women, said Linda Woertendyke, a biology academic adviser. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, this number puts USU far below the national average, which has a 50 to 50 split between the genders. The difference may be caused by the state culture, which does not encourage women to seek degrees beyond a bachelors, Woertendyke said. The campus club Women in Medicine aims to help female students be successful in their studies and realize that a woman can have a successful career and a successful family as well, said Stephanie Chambers, the club president. "Many female students are trying to choose a career so they can balance family and a career *,* Chambers said, "and many haven't had enough exposure to the [medical] field to know that its possible." The club matches beginning students with those that are further along in the medical courses, Chambers said. This mentoring program allows students to ask questions of someone who has experience and understands what is expected in the program. Chambers said she hopes the club will be able to retain younger students who, without the help, would possibly become discouraged or give up. Jo Seargent, a senior majoring in biology, said the helpfromher mentor was "extremely beneficial." Seargent said her mentor helped her apply to medical schools, choose teachers and programs, write her personal statement and was a great resource of support during stressful moments. Seargent has already been accepted to three different medical schools and is still waiting to hear on others before she makes her final decision. to bring women speakers to the The number of female USU university who are successful in students who apply to medical the medical field and also have school has fluctuated over the families. past few years, "Many women have ™i great things to contribute, from anywhere Hczz~r^n but are hesitant," Chambers between three to "Many women said. "They get their feet 10, Woertendyke have great wet, but are scared to throw said. On averthings to contheir whole bodies in. We age, between 60 tribute, but want to encourage them to to 70 percent of throw their whole bodies USU applicants are hesitant. are accepted for They get their in." medical school Women in Medicine feet wet, but and it's likely does not want to exclude are scared to the average for men and their contributions throw their women is highto medicine, nor do they whole bodies er, she said. want to exclude them in family responsibilities such "The women in. who come Stephanie Chambers as cooking dinner, Chambers said. through our committee are "Gender roles have very highly qualified," changed since the '50s and will Woertendyke said. continue to change until there is more of an equal sharing," The advising committee is Chambers said. designed to, through interviews and personal information, write Women in Medicine meets a committee letter for students every other Thursday in the applying to medical school that Biology and Natural Resources gives more information than Building Room 315. required on an application. Those interested in the club March is Women's History can e-mail Chambers at sjchamMonth and Chambers said the bers@cc.usu.edu. Women in Medicine club hopes -hilaryi@cc.usu.edu Dining helps Cache Valley fire victims if they would be willing to donate their salaries and tips for the day," Hamilton said. Staff Writer "They agreed to donate the money they felt they could afford, and I agreed to donate all On Monday night some of Cache Valley the money madefromsales." came together and raised more than $12,000 to help the 17 victims of last weeks The night of giving was then marketed to fatalfiresin Logan and Smithfield. the community, and people came in droves. Parking lots were overflowing with vehicles. Saul Merida, a chef at the North Logan The lobbies were packed. One man invited restaurant Hamiltons was a resident of the Logan four-plex damaged by last weeks fire. his entire LDS ward to eat dinner at Hamiltons - and he covered the cost for "After thefire,we thought we wanted to more than 100 people in his party. do something to try and make a difference," said Justin Hamilton, owner of both Thefiredepartment officials brought Hamiltons and Cafe Sabor in Logan, "not their wives. Business men came in groups. only for Saul, but for all the people who lived People camefromout of town. It was like a there." Friday night at both restaurants, Hamilton Hamilton said he decided to partner with said. the American Red Cross and donate In tips alone, more than $1,700 was Monday night sales revenue from Cafe Sabor donated from Cafe Sabor, and more than and Hamiltons to the victims of the fires. $1,800 from Hamiltons - not including the "We wanted to do something that would- party of 100. n't put too much of a strain on people, but The money raised will be distributed they would still be able to make a difference," through the Red Cross as needed, Hamilton Hamilton said. "Wefiguredeveryone has to said. eat" "The victims of the Jan. 19fireshave Hamilton contacted all of his suppliers to places to live now, but almost nothing to fill see if they would donate the products the those homes," said Red Cross volunteer Katie restaurants would use in the fund raiser. All the vendors agreed to donate, he said. DONATIONS "Then I approached the employees to see See Page 4 BY A N N PASSEY Statesman file photo JUSTIN HAMILTON, owner of Cafe Sabor and Hamiltons, donated all sales revenue from Monday night to the victims of the Logan and Smithfield fires. DIAMOND From Page 7 Briefs Campus &_ Conimunity ASUSU may change executive positions In the next few weeks, the Associated Students of Utah State University will be conducting a selfstudy to evaluate the current structure of the ASUSU Executive Council. During this time, the council will be addressing how to more effectively represent and meet the needs of the student body at large. Th discussion will include defining the role of each office and whether the current organization is structured to represent all USU students. Students who have an interest in running for a particular office are encouraged to be a part of this conversation and watch for updates in the Utah Statesman and the AStation, http://a-station.usu.edu/. For more information attend the ASUSU Executive Council meetings on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Taggart Student Center Room 336 or contact the Student Involvement and Leadership Center at 797-2912. Air Force ROTC to offer internships The Air Force Institute of Technology will sponsor internships from May 1 to Sept. 30, 2005. This is open to undergraduate students and those recently completing an undergraduate degree in selected fields. There is no obligation to the Air Force upon completion of the internship. The application deadline is Feb. 29, 2005. For more information or to apply visit https://en.aflt.edu/interns/. Asian American Week hosts banquet Utah State University's Asian American Student Council is hosting the Asian American Awareness Week on campus Jan. 24- to 28. Throughout the week, there wall be a display of arts, crafts and photographs depicting the varied cultures and landscapes of Asia in the International Lounge on the second floor of the Taggart Student Center. On Friday, "Tiptoe into Asia Banquet" will be held in the TSC Ballroom at 7:30 p.m. with dinner and will feature a showcase of traditional Asian Fashion, along with Indonesian, Malaysian, Japanese and Middle-Eastern dance performances. There will be a dance following the dinner. Tickets to the banquet are $9 in advance and $11 at the door and will be on sale during this week in the TSC International Lounge. A portion of the banquet proceeds will go to the campus-wide "Wave of Relief" fund benefiting victims of the South Asian tsunami disaster. For more information about Asian American Awareness Week, contact USU's Multicultural Student Sendees office, located in TSC Room 309, at 435-797-5562. Tsunami memorial service planned Jamie Crane//am/ecrane@cc.usu.edu DREAMY PHIL AND THE DIAMOND DAZZELERS played 17 cover songs to honor the singer/songwriter Neil Diamond. This is the third annual celebration. was legendary." This was the first year the party was held on campus. "Our parties got so big they would get busted by cops," Leffler said. "We had too many people in a house, so this year we decided to try it on campus." He said he was pleased when he saw the turnout before the show, and knew more were coming. Nate Lieshman, a Logan resident, has been attending the party for five years. He said the sound was great, but he'd like to hear more than the 17 cover songs because it is so much fun. Three USU students, Becky Hogan, Ashely Hunty and Nikki Gregerson, have named themselves the Neil Diamond fan club. They said their club's favorite song is "Shilo," though they all have their own personal favorites. They even designed their own shirts - which they wore. "We made them today," Hogan, a junior majoring in special education, said. "This is our third year and this time we got front row." Hunt, a senior majoring in exercise science, said she wants to thank Diamond for all the good times and wishes him a happy birthday. Gregerson agreed. "We love him " Gregerson said. The club said they don't like chest hair, but there is an exception when it comes to Neil Diamond. Stephanie Proctor, a senior majoring in journalism, said she had to attend the show because Neil Diamond reminds her of her early years. "I grew up listening to 'Forever in Blue Jeans'," she said. "My bus driver would blare it." She said the song has even inspired some goals in her life. "I want to find a man who will love me in blue jeans forever," she said. Leffler told the crowd this was the band's last year. "We need someone to carry the legacy," he said. Poppleton said she hopes the party will continue to be a tradition. -srkrebs @cc. usu. edu The community is invited to a memorial gathering in remembrance of the victims of the South Asian tsunami disaster. The service will be held Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. in the Utah State University Taggart Student Center International/Sunburst Lounge commemorating the 6:15 a.m. onset of the tsunami. Students from countries affected by the tragedy will speak and a moment of silence honoring the victims will be observed. Representatives from USU's ROTC will also participate in the memorial service. The Wave of Relief committee, which consists of students and staff, continue to ask for donations to reach the goal of $100,000. For more information, contact the Vice President for Student Services office at 797-1712 or visit the university's Web site, www.usu.edu. For more information on USU's relief efforts visit www.usu.edu/featu restories/tsu nam i. COMPILED BY STATESMAN STAFF |