President’s Welcome

LeGrand Champions Education
Trustees Deliver Classrooms of the Future
The fundamental principles of
education have not changed much
since the days of Aristotle and
Confucius, Isaac Newton or Albert
Einstein. The method of delivery,
however, is another story.
The challenge of educating a student
is vast and ever evolving thanks to
technology. And with the youth of
today, it seems that you are either
plugged in or missing the boat entirely.
Former university trustee Glenna
K. LeGrand would have welcomed
such a challenge. The quintessential
elementary school teacher had a zest
for life and passion for faith, family
and education. While she passed
in November of 2010, her legacy
lives on through the LeGrand
Classrooms of the Future in the
Bunce School of Education.
say a kid in middle school now is
considered a digital native because
they have grown up with all this
technology. We are considered
digital immigrants.”
Gulati said utilizing that technology
makes students more motivated,
and comfortable learning in the
classroom. It also helps teachers
reach a wider range of learners with
more teaching methodologies rolled
into a singular practice.
The LeGrand Classrooms of the
Future allow Rio students to learn
the latest skills necessary to utilize
technology in teaching.
One of the first students to benefit
was Megan Cowles, a 2011 graduate
now teaching preschool in the Lower
Kuskokwain School District in Alaska.
The LeGrand gift also allowed
Rio to secure a teacher-planning
grant from eTech Ohio designed to
increase the use of technology within
public K-12 schools.
Rio students were sent to schools
throughout Meigs County to assist
with technology implementation
made possible by the eTech
grant. Each student also made a
presentation to the entire faculty and
staff of their respective school.
Challenges No Match for Grande Dreams
For Patricio Guerra life is all about chasing your dreams
and seizing whatever opportunity comes your way.
Growing up he never once imagined playing soccer for
perennial NAIA national powerhouse Rio Grande. And why
would he? Growing up in the small village of Con Con, Chile,
Guerra had never heard of Ohio, let alone the RedStorm.
But in 2011 the talented midfielder caught the attention of
Rio head coach Scott Morrissey during a scouting camp in
Brazil. Despite knowing just a handful of words in English,
Guerra did not hesitate to accept a scholarship.
“It wasn’t that tough for me,” he said. “Before I came here
I was always looking for opportunity. It wasn’t that scary. It
was a new experience, but my family encouraged me to go,
so I just took the risk.”
It was a big change from working alongside his grandfather
as a 13-year-old gardener. Putting in those long summer days
developed the work ethic necessary to save enough money to
purchase the plane ticket to Brazil for the scouting camp.
It also helped Guerra become conversational in English in
less than two years at Rio. The sophomore also boasts a 3.9
GPA in Sport & Exercise Studies.
Guerra has been home to Chile only once since arriving in
Rio Grande, although he plans to travel home this Winter
Break. Thanks to technology, however, he communicates
regularly with his family.
As for what is next, Guerra is not worried about that.
He would love to accomplish his dream of being
a professional soccer player, yet understands that
opportunity may ultimately elude him.
But do not worry, if that happens Guerra plans to pursue
another dream.
“Honestly, I always go step by step because you never
know what’s going to happen in the future,” he said. “I’m
very relaxed and I just try to do my best every day.”
A generous gift from trustee Richard
P. LeGrand in honor of his late wife
allowed the university to outfit five
classrooms with interactive white
boards and digital document cameras,
as well as a 22-unit computer lab and
the purchase of 10 iPads.
“Technology is like oxygen to
today’s youth,” Education Professor
Sangeeta Gulati, Ph.D, said. “They
Rio’s Classrooms of the Future “helped
me to enhance my own understanding
of technology and apply it to the
lessons I teach my students,” Cowles
said via email. “I was amply prepared
to provide my students with the
technological foundation and support
they need to succeed.
“Most of my students have never
been outside of the village,”
Cowles continued.
“With our technology,
we travel to the zoo,
explore oceans and visit
farms to help build the
background knowledge
of our students.”
While the overall reach of
the LeGrand Classrooms
is obvious, the number
of those already
positively impacted is
unquantifiable.
The Rio students and faculty
involved in the project also
traveled to the annual Ohio
Education Technology Conference
in Columbus and were featured
during a workshop.
“We are so lucky,” Gulati said. “The
LeGrand gift allowed us to provide
the necessary skills in technology
to our students, who then taught
local teachers, who then taught their
student. And those students will
eventually become our students, and
only enhance the process.”
“It’s all about a global curriculum.
We’re no longer restricted by local
resources because of technology.”
Glenna LeGrand was a true
champion of education in life, and
thanks to the generous gift that
created the LeGrand Classrooms of
the Future she always will.
2 | Dream Grande
Dream Grande | 3