September 12th: COALS Awards Ceremony

Important Advising and Career Fair Dates for Students:

We will be holding walk-in advising on the first floor of AGLS every Tuesday from 9 am – 11 am. We will be holding walk-in advising in the Kleberg Atrium every 1^st and 3^rd Thursday of each month from 9 am – 11 am. We will be holding walk-in advising in the Heep Atrium every 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of each month from 9 am – 11 am. This will all start next week.

 

ACE Day will be held on October 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd in the AgriLife Center from 9 am – 3 pm. Please have your students check aceday.tamu.edu to view companies who are attending. We will be updating that list soon.

 

In preparation for ACE Day we are holding a presentation on resumes, cover letters, and how to prepare for ACE Day on September 23^rd at 5:30 pm in 113 AGLS. All students are invited to attend. In addition, we are also holding resume reviews from 9 am – 3 pm on September 24^th and September 25^th in my office (515 AGLS).

 

In October, we are holding two presentations specific for COALS students. The first one is “LinkedIn for Ag Majors” and it will be held on October 16^th at 5:30 pm in 113 AGLS. The second one is “Interviewing and Salary Negotiation for Ag Majors” and it will be held on October 30th at 5:30 pm in 113 AGLS.

 

TAMU COALS Women's Summit 9/18

Meet Holly Smith: Welcome to the Hort Department!

Holly Smith joined the Department of Horticultural Sciences as the new Experiential Learning Program Coordinator this summer and has been busy working to expand opportunities and increase awareness among Horticulture students.

About Holly:

Holly Smith received a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Geoscience from Texas A&M University in 2012. During her time as a student, Holly worked at the TAMU Office of Sustainability creating a student internship program, planning campus wide events and networking with students, faculty and staff from various departments across Texas A&M.  She was instrumental in helping to grow and develop their Facebook page.

As the Departmental Experiential Learning Coordinator, Holly will be working to encourage participation in the many hands-on experiences offered to Horticulture students.  She encourages students, faculty, and staff to share internship, study abroad, and research experiences with her and to stay connected through Facebook.  

She welcomes you to get in touch by email as well, Holly.Smith@ag.tamu.edu

2013-14 Undergrad Research Scholars (apply by 9/20)

Honors and Undergraduate Research announces a call for proposals for the Undergraduate Research Scholars program for the 2013-14 academic year.  The goals of the Undergraduate Research Scholars program are: 

• to encourage motivated undergraduates to participate actively in research or other scholarly projects
• to give students the opportunity to communicate their findings as principal authors to the university's scholarly community

 

Students may participate in the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program as individuals or as members of a team of 2-5 students working on a common project.  Students successfully completing the program will be recognized at graduation and on their transcript as an Undergraduate Research Scholar.  

 

ELIGIBILITY

• Students must be currently involved in or planning a suitable undergraduate project under the mentorship of a Texas A&M Faculty Advisor. 
• Students must have completed at least 60 hours of undergraduate courses with at least 24 hours at Texas A&M. 
• Students should have and maintain a Texas A&M GPR of 3.0 or higher.
• Applicants must submit a proposal and a project time line.
• Applications will be accepted August 26 - September 20, 2013 at 5 p.m.

 

Dr. Duncan MacKenzie, Associate Director for Undergraduate Research will describe the scope of the Scholars program, the procedures for applying, and the expectations for successful completion in two identical Scholars Informational Sessions:

 

• Wednesday, August 28th from 5:30-6:30 Rudder 501
  Sign up at https://academicevents.tamu.edu/hur/event/undergraduate-research-scholars-informational-1

• Monday, September 2nd from 5:30-6:30 Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building Auditorium (ILSB)
  Sign up at https://academicevents.tamu.edu/hur/event/undergraduate-research-scholars-informational-2

 

If you are interested in becoming an Undergraduate Research Scholar or you are a faculty member interested in mentoring a Scholar, come hear about the program. 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• See http://honors.tamu.edu/Research/Requirements.html
• Contact Ms. Tammis Sherman at ugr@tamu.edu

Texas A&M University Virtual Library offers popular Horticulture selections:

PerennialGarden Color

by (TAMU Horticulture's own) William C. Welch

foreword by Neil Sperry   

William C. Welch knew that gardeners in Texas and the South face special problems with climates and growing seasons; he penned this guide to give them the greatest chance at success. His gardening classic includes extensive photos, landscaping ideas, and planting techniques. Over 125 different perennials and more than a hundred varieties of old garden roses are detailed.

A new Texas A&M University Press edition! 

". . . the profiled plants . . . remain beautifully illustrated and Welch's gardening observations about them remain unchangeably valid and useful. . . . This book remains an enduring resource."--William Schieck,Texas Gardener's SEEDS

Butterfly Gardening for Texas

by Geyata Ajilvsgi 

Geyata Ajilvsgi, one of the top plant and butterfly experts in Texas, explains in engaging style how to attract some of the more than fifty beautiful Texas butterfly species to gardens. She includes in-depth butterfly profiles, descriptions of necessary food plants, and adaptable landscape plans and extensive planting options for each of seven state regions.

". . . a must for the butterfly gardener."--Houston Chronicle   

". . . the very best book on butterfly gardening! . . . Wherever you live, this book is an essential addition to your library."--American Butterflies

CLICK HERE  for details about Geyata's upcoming book signing events on September 8, 2013, at the Texas Discovery Gardens in Dallas and on October 6, 2013, at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin! 

The Bulb Hunter  

by Chris Wiesinger and William C. Welch
 

Have you ever wondered why flowers sometimes pop up in the strangest places? What stories do these flowers tell, and why are they important to southern and global horticulture legacy?

Follow Chris Wiesinger as he tracks  

down bulbs and digs up history. He teams up with the legendary  William C. Welchto deliver advice on how to properly grow bulbs that have been rescued from obscurity and reintroduced into modern gardening landscapes. Read more.         

"Wiesinger makes a living finding pretty things in ravaged places. . . . resilient flowers without patrician connotation that thrive in areas largely lost to the economic revival of the New South. His is the world of old cotton towns, condemned properties, abandoned buildings and houses where torn sofas crest on bowed porch fronts."--New York Times

 

Benjamin A. Gilman Study Abroad Scholarships for Spring 2014

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program Spring 2014 Online Application Now Open

The Gilman International Scholarship Program is happy to announce that the online application system is now open for students participating in study abroad programs during the Spring 2014 term.

Each school can set their own deadline.  The Texas A&M Campus Deadline for Spring 2014 online applications is September 24th, 2013.

Eligibility Requirements:
* United States citizen
* Receiving a Federal Pell Grant
* Currently enrolled as an undergraduate student and will not graduate until after program concludes.
* Participating in a study abroad program that is no less than 4 weeks (28 days) in one country
* Receiving academic credit
* Study in any country not currently under a U.S. State Department Travel Warning or Cuba

Application Webinars: http://www.iie.org/en/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program/Multimedia#Webinars

How to Apply:
* Visit http://www.iie.org/gilman
* Select Orie Varner as the Study Abroad Advisor.  She will certify all study abroad applications across campus.
* Select any one of the listed Financial Aid Advisors
* Upload a scanned copy of official paper transcript from Texas A&M (can pick up in person from Admissions)
* Upload a scanned copy of official or unofficial transcript from previous institutions that you attempted to obtain a degree from.

Do you have questions or would like to have someone review your application essays?  Contact Texas A&M Study Abroad Gilman Advisor, Ms. Orie Varner at 979.845.0544 to schedule an appointment or use online appointment request system at http://studyabroad.tamu.edu/?go=MeetOrie (please pick a day/time slot from the options).

Call for Proposals from Grad Students & Faculty: Startup Aggieland

As a researcher at Texas A&M University, we invite you to submit proposals aimed at Integration of entrepreneurship and the launch of early stage ventures.  This research project is made possible through the Texas A&M University '2013 Tier One Program (TOP):Integration of Multidisciplinary Research and Creative Activities into the Learning Experience”. Successful research proposals must target Startup Aggieland, a student accelerator based in Research Park located on West Campus. The accelerator contains over 4,700 sq. ft. of class A office space and houses anywhere from 10-20 student led startups at any one time. These budding entrepreneurs and their ventures are a unique opportunity to study entrepreneurship at its earliest stage.

 

We invite faculty members, doctoral and masters students of Texas A&M University to submit proposals for research grants to be awarded during the 2014 academic year.  Proposals must be aimed at the discipline of entrepreneurship and be applicable to Startup Aggieland, a student accelerator which promotes and facilitates the launch of student run businesses http://startupaggieland.tamu.edu/.  This proposal will award grants up to $5,000 for faculty members and up to $2,500 for doctoral/masters students per year.  This grant program will run for three years so each grant awarded in this cycle is potentially renewable for additional funding in years 2 and 3 of the grant period; pending progress and re-approval by the selection committee.

To submit a proposal, follow the link below which will take you to the web address of the Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurship which is administering this research project. At the link you will find the application and more information on the award process. We look forward to receiving your completed application.

Call for Proposals - Application

Richard H. Lester Ph.D.

Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurship 

Important Fall Semester Dates

August 21	Wednesday. Graduation application opens for all students planning to graduate in December 2013.
August 23	Friday. 5 p.m. Last day to register for fall semester classes. Refer to http://finance.tamu.edu/sbs for tuition and fee due dates.
August 26	Monday. First day of fall semester classes.
August 30	Friday. 5 p.m. Last day for adding/dropping courses for the fall semester.

Event Planning Opportunity: Brazos Valley Worldfest seeks volunteers

  Brazos Valley Worldfest, a cultural and heritage festival organized by Texas A&M University and the City of College Station set for Friday, November 15 and Saturday, November 16, 2013 at Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater, is looking for individuals to chair or co-chair some of its twelve committees.  Committees include stages, culture displays, logistics, kid’s village, salsa tasting contest, merchandise and photography contest.

Planning begins the end of August.  This volunteer opportunity is excellent for anyone interested in building leadership qualities, event planning, or community involvement.  Brazos Valley Worldfest can work with individuals or organizations and documentation of your service can be provided.

Visit http://www.brazosvalleyworldfest.org for information on Brazos Valley Worldfest or email Festival Coordinator, Kim Fox at kfox@tamu.edu if you are interested in volunteering.

ASHS Launches new Online Career Center!

The American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) is proud to announce a new online Career Center!

For Job Seekers:

If you are looking for a job in horticulture, you can post a resume, search for a position, and apply for it all in one click! Even if your need for a job will not occur for a year or more, you can start a resume now and add to it as your experience and education grow. Then you can make it public when the time is right. Go to jobs.ashs.org to register as an applicant and begin the process.

If you’re looking for a job right now, there are currently over 50 jobs posted!

We are sending out Starbucks gift cards for the first 50 people who complete and post their resume.

For Recruiters:

The new online Career Center is the perfect place to advertise your job openings to a great horticultural audience. ASHS has more than 2,500 members in all areas of horticulture. From professional industry positions to post doc opportunities to intern positions, you will be posting to an interested and qualified market.

We are offering complimentary postings for new announcements now! The listing will post immediately and run through August 19, 2013. At that time, you can choose to re-list it for a flat fee of $295 per month (and that includes a listing in our monthly ASHS Newsletter) or you can remove it from the listings. To take advantage, simply go to jobs.ashs.org and register as a recruiter. Post your position and we will approve it quickly to go live.

With your recruiter status, you can also search through resumes that are made public. You can easily view experience, education, and skills that are offered by the candidates.

Please contact Cindy Slone at cslone@ashs.org with any questions.