Costs almost 'brought down' business | Cincinnati.com | The Cincinnati Enquirer

Costs almost 'brought down' business | Cincinnati.com | The Cincinnati Enquirer

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NKU Presidents Gather for Unveiling

Buildings are popping up all over the campus of Northern Kentucky University and none is more loved by the students then the new Student Union. This beautiful facility is something you really need to see. It contains everything from banquet halls to a sushi bar.

Sunday the Alumni Association unveiled their contributions to the new Student Union. A team led by David Bender and Chad Bilz raised funds to personalize the massive lobby officially the "Alumni Reception Area."

The Alumni Reception Area entertains guests prior to entry into the massive banquet hall which hosts events such as the Alumni Lecture Series in November featuring Mike Huckabee. The facility is encased in glass and powered by state of the art electronics.

Over 20 past Alumni Council Presidents attended this special event to unveil multiple art pieces donated by the Alumni Association to the Student Union.




Current NKU Alumni President, Chris Sturm addressed the crowd and described the detailed process the Alumni Board of Directors followed to integrate the importance of Alumni support on a university campus that has grown to over 15,000 students.

"NKU's personal connection with students and families has always set this university apart. It was very important that the Alumni Association participated in the Student Union and personalize the surroundings with the people that love the Black and Gold."

One unique artistic element in the Alumni Reception Area of the Student Union is the wall of Past Presidents. Each unique colorful illustration reminds us of the individuals that invested their attention heavily on the advancement of NKU Alumni Affairs.

NKU President James Votruba attended this event and shared his passion for encouraging Alumni to be and stay involved with NKU.

A unique fact was discovered during the event.

Rebecca Sturm Schultz and Chris Sturm are the

first siblings to serve as Alumni Council President. Here Chris and Rebecca are seen with Life long friend and Past President, Vicki Kilburn as well as Chris' four daughters.

If you have not visited NKU's campus in a while then I encourage you to attend an on campus event. It is amazing.

NKU Alumni Outing brings many together

Northern Kentucky University held its alumni golf outing on friday and it brought out everyone. Corporate sponsors like Liberty Mutual, Capital Software, Bender Law Associates and many more provided funding for a great experience at Kenton County Golf Course. A packed course got to share a true NKU experience and then everyone met at Pachinkos in Covington for drinks and prizes.

NKU has over 45,000 alumni. Visit http://alumniconnect.nku.edu for all the pictues and fun events you can be a part.

Chris Sturm
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Kids and Adults love the fun of Dry ice (videos)

I am not Mr. Science but playing with Dry Ice is cool and amazing. A friend, Glenn Hughes, brought some dry ice over and the kids and adults got a chance to learn about how dry ice works. Do you realize dry ice is at a temperature of -109 degrees. That is negative 109. That means if you touch dry ice you will get frost bite on your skin. Dry ice is made of CO2.



When you combine dry ice with water, it become irriated and a transaction occurs. Look at this video of the kids experiment. It is neat. My friend Craig Bluemlein added the laser for a Pink Floyd effect.


Being curious folks, we naturally wondered what would happen if we placed the Dry ice in the toilet with a laser. Even better.



Chris Sturm

Do you Know NKY chamber is fighting for you

I was participating in a NKY Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting and I realized many local citizens are not aware that there are people fighting on your behalf in the community.

Today the board discussed positions with the federal government to help local businesses with the healthcare issue. Locals like Rob Hudson and Greg Greene volunteer hours on your behalf. This is a tough one and if you have an opinion I encourage you to visit www.nkychamber.com and be sure we hear your voice.

The actions taken effect you directly. We must be a strong community to build the NKY economy.

Chris Sturm
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Kids and Doctors Funny Answers

Have you every taken your child to the doctor and been amazed by their answers. Some answers are embarassing and some are quite brillant. The fact is that we forget how much of a sponge our chilren are until they speak in front of others. Here are a couple real life examples from my family. Please add your examples making this a fun article.

#1: Bad parent, I do nothing
DR: "So do you like to help around the house?"
Child: "No"
DR: "Do you like reading books?"
Child: "No"
DR: "What do you like to do?
Child: "Watch tv and eat ice cream with Mom."

#2 Duh Doctor
Dr: "Does your tummy hurt?
Child: "No"
Dr: "Do you feel dizzy?"
Child: "Yes"
Dr: "When?"
Child: "When I spin around."

Oh the wisdom of children.

Chris Sturm

Song Jerry Sturm from 1979 Highlands High School

Happy Birthday Jerry Sturm!

A digital remake from the 70's sounds great and is your birthday gift from your brother Chris Sturm and shared with the rest of the world.

I invite all highlands high school and NKU grads, Jerry's friends, Intel, Cisco and VMWARE associates to enjoy the silky smooth sounds of Jerry and the Sturm boys.




Jerry's getting up there in age but this trip down memory lane will remind Paula why she said yes to that charmer. Jerry is singing and playing the drums. Joe Sturm is tickling the ivories and wrote this masterpiece. I was 7 years old.

Jerry, you are doing well. Your kids are good. You have many friends and family that love you. And as a bonus you have a younger brother willing to embarass you in front of the world.

Remember Google will index this blog so your voice will ring over the Internet forever.

Chris Sturm

Bengal Palmer Pushing Iphone

I think you will find Jordan Palmer's business venture interesting. Jordan is using the Iphone to extend his career outside of football. It is creative and catchy. Enjoy.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-appsforathletes&prov=ap&type=lgns

Chris Sturm

KY Coal is critical to the United States economy

Since the US economy is dependent on coal into the future, it is important to stop villifying the members of the coal industry that are playing by the rules and start learning about the positive impact it has on our economy. We can also learn of the positive environmental steps the coal industry has in place to minimize any effects.

I experienced a tour of an eastern Kentucky coal mine operation and was amazed at the attention to detail for safety, the environment and efficiency to get the product to market and power this great nation.

Watch the video and look at the pictures of a real coal experience in Eastern Kentucky. Feel free to pass the link of this message to friends so they can also see the care and attention exercised by the mining company to restore the land to its natural state.

There are two types of mining and the type known as "Surface Mining" receives a great deal of criticism because it can alter the exterior appearance. What I learned is that most coal company's exercise a great amount of care to extract the coal and restore the area to a natural setting. The amazing video above is an example of a restored area. The following pictures are a before and after of an area being surface mined for coal.

This tour was an eye opening experience for me. What I learned is that mining coal is not a question of right or wrong. It must be done. It is absurd for anyone to think the United States could function with out coal. Be it must be done by responsible coal miners that understand the significance of their actions. I am proud of the good men and woman in eastern Kentucky that risk their lives to power this nation.

Stay tuned for more articles and photos from my coal mining tour.

Chris Sturm

Supporting NKU 5K Run

Jill Sturm led the entire Sturm girl clan in a 5K run at Northern Kentucky University. The race is in support of Brian Rohne, an NKU cross country runner, that lost his life in a running accident.

Jill is a great example for the girls and feels it is important to teach the girls to be fit and support the community.

Have you ever run in this race? It is a great event for a great cause.

You may notice Chris is absent from the race. I am claiming that I forgot my shoes.

Chris Sturm
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KY Energy Secretary lays out a Road map

In Prestonsburg KY today, Kentucky's Secretary of Energy and Environmental Matters shared the Govenor's vision for the state and energy. He wants clean energy that creates jobs. The problem lies in regulations. Good luck getting permits to build a power plant. Ky has power plants that last about 50 years and they are in year 38. No other plants are being built. Anyone see a problem with this situation.

Kentuckians, as long as there are outdated rules to enforce you will have no real energy solution and no new jobs. Do the research and get involved. Energy can be KY's future.

Chris Sturm
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Sturm learns future from respected economist, Jeremy Rifkin

Folks the future can hold good news and bad news but it depends upon the people and the actions the people are willing to take.



Rifkin, a respected economist graduated from the Wharton School of Business, is a best selling author and is the President of the Foundation on Economic Trends, shared the crisis facing Kentucky and the world with my Leadership Kentucky class. I am not a believer of extreme climate change but even I could not dispute Rifkin's statistics on when fossil fuels will reach their end game and the energy actions that need to be taken.



Let me give you the short version. In order to survive, the next revolution will be the merging of power and communication. Just as the Internet enabled Napster to let you share music, imagine each house generating power and pumping the excess back into the energy grid. Think about it.



Now get the politicians out of the way. Google Jeremy Rifkin to learn about his books.



We can only keep our heads in the sand for so long.

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Sturm says patton not a bad dude

Tonight I got to have dinner with KY Govenor Paul Patton and his wife Judi and I was pleasantly surprised. Although Gov. Patton and I differ on many political views what I enjoyed was discussing and learning of his support for small town initiatives. During his term he funded a lot of projects in the Pikeville area. I really have no problem with this because no one else was listening to pikeville. What do you think? Is it ok if a politician helps the area where he came from?

Gov Patton shared a neat story when he and Judi got to stay in the Lincoln Bedroom at the whitehouse. He said he was excited to meet the president just as we would be excited to meet Gov. Patton. Patton is a real dude with some fun stories to tell.

Has anyone out there met Gov. Patton?
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Song Young Wild and Free - Scotty Welch, Chris Sturm, Kenney Shields

My first official blog entry starts with a bang. A trip back 19 years to Highlands High School playing rock band. Scotty Welch proves a pack a day gives you a rock star voice. Kenney makes the guitar move and I prove that I have no rhythm on keyboards. Recorded with no fancy equipment this will bring back memories of High School fun for everyone who listens.



Since I am still learning please forward this link to your friends on facebook, etc to create a following. It is going to be fun. Follow this blog by pushing the easy links on the right. I have many more songs and I expect to be uploading more submitted by you as you find them.

Life is too serious. Let's have fun, share and celebrate. Please start your comments as the memories flow.