Spring has arrived and the Campus of Dana College is buzzing with excitement. As I look at the calendar of events for April I find a variety of activities and events. These events include Laser Tag, Movie Night at Village Point, Dana’s Funniest Home Videos (a chance for students to earn cash) and an Omaha Royals game. The softball, baseball and track teams are competing so I encourage you to make a trip to campus and check them out. I sometimes wonder how our students can keep up with studies and participate in the activities that the campus offers. I have just mentioned a few, as I know that various clubs and campus organizations have activities scheduled as well.

A reminder to parents: Financial Aid is not automatically renewed each year. You must reapply each year. This requires submitting new financial aid applications, Federal Student Loan Applications and any requested supplemental documentation. Please complete the FAFSA . Dana’s Title IV Code is 002543. If you have any questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Students will be registering for the 2007-2008 academic year April 2nd -27th. The 2006-07 year is quickly coming to an end. May 14th will be the last day of classes with final exams scheduled to begin on May 15th and finish on May 18th. The final exam schedule for the semester is listed below.

Below is a special offering for care packages that can be sent to students. What a great way to let your student know that you are supporting them from home during final exams. Make sure to place an order for your Dana Care Package! Download the .pdf order form here.

The PAC (Parents Advisory Council) will hold its next meeting in May. Please check back for date and time. All parents are encouraged to attend. If you have any questions regarding the PAC please contact President Lee Ann Jones @ 402 932-4404.

Social Work Departmental Spotlight

As the new semester begins, social work seniors have finished their first practicum placement and are beginning a second placement, some at a new setting and some at the same agency. They have been practicing the skills they have learned by working in a wide variety of settings – and they are enthusiastic about being able to function as professionals! Here’s a sampling of what our students are doing: Mandy Hershey is working as a school social worker at the Fremont Public Schools, Jena Anderson is working at the Millard Good Samaritan Home, Shannon Young is placed at the Voices for Children in Omaha, Kim Joedeman finished a semester at the Child and Family Office at Winnebago and is starting work at the Friendship Program in Omaha, Erin Sanders is working for the domestic violence program at the Omaha YWCA, and Abby Stella is beginning a practicum as a medical social worker at Immanuel Hospital (Alegent) in Omaha. It is inspiring to see how well all of them are doing!

Our social work students, however, do not have to wait until their senior years to get out into the field. Sophomores spend the January Discovery Term working in social agencies to learn about social work practice from a “hands-on” perspective. They come back excited about the many possibilities. Students tell us that this course helps them to understand their subsequent coursework much better, and they dive into their studies with renewed interest.

Matthew Thielen
Dean of Student Life