West Virginias new Superintendent of Schools Steven Paine will give the keynote address,Education in the 21 st CenturyChallenges and Responsibilities,at West Virginia Universitys second annual education summit,Supporting Excellence,set for Monday, Nov. 7, at the Radisson Hotel in Morgantown.

Paine took over the top position at the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) in July after serving as deputy state superintendent of schools and superintendent of Morgan County Schools. Most recently, he has helped lead state school improvement efforts, including participation in a recent task force that examined West Virginias high schools.

The WVU summit offers a unique forum for guidance counselors, teachers, principals and other educators from West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania high schools to share best practices, discuss preparation for higher education with University faculty and administrators, and examine academic challenges and goals with colleagues. The summit is targeted to educators interested in improving support services for students inside and outside the classroom, as well as offering high school students highly targeted guidance for college entrance.

Topics at the free day-long forum include the power of faculty-student mentoring, 21 st century learning skills, the controversy surrounding math preparedness, predictors of academic excellence, and the health and social issues that challenge studentssuccess.

This event is being brought back by popular demand,said WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr.Last March, we held our first-ever education summit in Charleston and received positive feedback from the many educators who attended. We are looking to build on that success by providing those at the high school level with the very latest and best information we have that can help students succeed in college and in life.

Hardesty said WVU s administration, faculty and staff are committed to doing all they can to prepare the next generation of leaders.

Bringing together high school and University educators in serious two-way dialogues and discussions is an important step in helping bolster student success at the next level.

The day will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast at the WVU Visitors Resource Center, One Waterfront Place, adjacent to the Radisson. At the VRC , participants can learn about the knowledge, strength and spirit of WVU through interactive displays, soar over Morgantown and the WVU campus from a satellites view, and experience student life by watching video diaries of current students.

A glimpse of WVU s new recruitment Web portal will also be offered. The site offers guidance counselors the ability to check on their studentsapplications.

Mark Manchin, superintendent of McDowell County Schools, will formally welcome participants at 9:45 a.m. in the Radisson ballroom.

Earl Scime, professor and chair of WVU s Department of Physics, and Ryan Murphy, WVU student and the Universitys 26 th Goldwater Scholar, will presentOne Educator Can Make a Differenceat 10 a.m.

While at WVU , Dr. Scime has mentored six students who have received this prestigious national award.

Dr. Jan Palmer, director of WVU s Health Service, will speak at 11 a.m. onHealth and Well-being: Issues Facing Todays Students.

Palmer, a clinical faculty member in the School of Medicine, has helped hundreds of students cope with social and health-related issues that often challenge their academic and personal success.

Following a special lunch that reflects school programs geared toward health and wellness, the key note address will be presented by Superintendent Paine at 12:30 p.m.

Director of WVU s Instititute for Mathematics Learning, Robert Mayes, will presentThe Role of Mathematics in Academic SuccessMore Frank Discussionat 1:15 p.m.

Dr. Mayes specializes in the use of technology and mathematical modeling in the teaching and learning of mathematics.

Director of WVU s Honors Program, Keith Garbutt, will follow with a 2:15 p.m. session,What Predicts Success?

Under Dr. Garbutts leadership, the University Honors Program has increasingly emphasized the undergraduate research experience and service-learning opportunities.

The summit will conclude with comments from President Hardesty at 3 p.m.

Since becoming president of WVU in 1995, Hardesty has fostered a more student-centered culture at WVU . A host of new programs at the University have resulted in enrollment growth in a state with declining high school enrollments.

Cost of the summit is being underwritten by WVU , but parking is not included. Reservations are limited and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

To register, email WVU _Summit@mail.wvu.edu by Nov. 1. For additional information, visithttp://www.wvu.edu/and click on the education summit icon, or call Sue Davis at 304-293-3837.

Overnight accommodations are available by calling the Radisson Hotel, 304-296-1700, and asking for the conference rate.

Education Summit II officially kicks off WVU Days (Nov. 7-10) in north central West Virginia. Each year, the University travels to a particular part of the state to promote higher education in general and programs offered by WVU and its regional campuses.

This year, the focus of WVU Days will be on Monongalia, Marion, Preston, Taylor and Harrison counties.

Supporting Excellence: WVU s Education Summit II

Biographical Sketches/Speakers

Earl Scime

Professor of Physics Earl Scime is also chairman of WVU s Department of Physics. He researches plasma, which is matter at extremely high temperatures. Dr. Scime and his students create and examine scorching gases in the hope of creating a rocket engine capable of space missions to Mars and beyond. Researchers at Los Alamos and NASA recognize his name. At WVU , he has mentored six Goldwater Scholars, winners of the nations premier award for undergraduate students pursuing careers in math, science or engineering.

Jan Palmer

Jan Palmer, M.D., is the director of Student Health Service at WVU . Board certified in family practice, he specializes in family medicine and gynecology. Dr. Palmer has worked as a staff physician at WVU ’s Student Health Service for 25 years, and became director in 2003. He also works as a part time staff physician in the WVU Hospital Emergency Department. Services available at the University Health Service include general health care, immunizations, outpatient mental health treatment, family planning and a variety of health education programs.

Steven Paine

Steven Paine is superintendent of schools in West Virginia. He took over the top position at the West Virginia Department of Education in July after serving as deputy state superintendent of schools. Dr. Paine joined the WVDE in 2003 after serving as county superintendent in Morgan County. He has also served as principal, assistant principal, teacher and curriculum director in Harrison, Upshur and Morgan counties. Most recently, Paine has helped lead state school improvement efforts. He is also a recipient of the prestigious Milken Educator Award.

Robert Mayes

Robert Mayes is director of the Institute for Mathematics Learning at WVU . He came to WVU in 1989 as an assistant professor of mathematics, but left four years later to develop a doctoral program in mathematics education at the University of Northern Colorado. While there, he also directed the Mathematics and Science Teaching Center.

In 2001, he returned to WVU to head the Institute for Mathematics Learning. Dr. Mayes specializes in the use of technology and mathematical modeling in the teaching and learning of mathematics.

Keith Garbutt

Keith Garbutt joined the University Honors Program as director in July 2000. He also serves as dean of the West Virginia Governors Honors Academy and dean of students for the Governors School for Math and Science. Prior to becoming director, Dr. Garbutt was chair of the Department of Biology, where he was named Eberly Family Professor. Under his leadership, the WVU Honors Program has increasingly emphasized undergraduate research experience and service-learning opportunities. Requirements for entry into the program have changed to better attract students who have the potential to become competent and successful members of an accelerated academic program.

David C. Hardesty, Jr.

Since becoming president of WVU in 1995, David Hardesty has fostered a more student-centered culture at WVU . A host of new programsincluding the Mountaineer Parents Club (led by Susan Hardesty); Resident Faculty Leaders; new math and writing institutes; a new student recreation center; investments in student-oriented technology; and enhanced advising effortshas resulted in significant enrollment growth in a state with declining high school enrollments. The Hardesty presidency has also been marked by significant growth in research and sponsored program activities; private giving; new academic programs; a new university library and life sciences building, among other facilities; efforts to advance technology transfer; and investments in research infrastructure and laboratories.