Calendar of Events
April
April 7 & 8 Celebration of Scholarship Undergraduate Conference
SSU students showcase their research, creative work in the visual and performing arts, community service or study abroad achievements at this yearly undergraduate conference. The public is welcome to watch, learn and listen.
April 7 Festival of Achievement
9 am–Noon | Clark Memorial Library
Come view the published works, photography and artwork of SSU faculty, staff and administrators. Faculty and staff will give presentations of academic research, publications or creative teaching activities each hour from 9 a.m. to noon. Presented by the Clark Memorial Library and the Teaching and Learning Center.
April 7 Guest Speaker Andrew Hacker
7 pm | Sodexo Ballroom,
University Center
The community is invited to join faculty, staff, and students to hear from special guest speaker, Andrew Hacker, author of the controversial book "Higher Education?" A political science professor who has taught at Cornell University and Queens College of the City of New York, Hacker takes a critical look at higher education, particularly the cost of an Ivy League education, and offers recommendations on how students can receive a first-rate education at a more reasonable price. Contact Pat Spradlin at 351-3328 for more information.
April 8 Birthday Bash!
11 am–2 pm
University Center Lobby and
Sodexo Ballroom
Kick-off our 25th anniversary celebration by wishing Shawnee State University Happy Birthday! Join faculty, staff, students, the community, and Shawn E. Bear for free food, t-shirts, games, prizes – and cake. WNXT 99.3 radio will be doing a live remote from the event.
April 8 Evening of Honors
6pm | Sodexo Ballroom,
University Center
University departments and programs honor their outstanding students during this stellar event. One SSU faculty, staff or administrator will also receive the prestigious "Bear Hug" award, one of the university's highest honors.
April 9 SSU Baseball vs UVA-Wise
Noon | Branch Rickey Park
Join the SSU Bears as we celebrate our 25th anniversary at the ballpark. The first 50 students to enter the park will receive free t-shirts. SSU Retirees are invited to a special tent celebration hosted by the SSU Office of Alumni and Retiree Services.
April 16 Wendy's Rock N Roll House Party
Featuring Huey Lewis
and the News
8 pm | Vern Riffe Center for the Arts
Huey Lewis and the News had the No. 1 hit in 1986, the year SSU was created – and they are still going strong with their newly released album, Soulsville. Tickets are going FAST. Visit Ticketmaster or call the McKinley Box Office at 351-3600 today.
April 20 Spring Bear Run
6 pm | James A. Rhodes
Athletic Center
One of the most successful 5K races in the region, the Bear Run is free to all students (elementary, secondary, and SSU students), SSU faculty and staff, and their families, SSU alumni, and the Golden Bears. The entry fee for the general public is $10 for those who register before April 18 at noon, $15 for those who register the day of the race.
April 22 Distinguished Service Awards Luncheon
12 noon | Sodexo East Ballroom,
University Center
A worthy recipient is honored each year for his or her contributions to the advancement of women at SSU. Contact Ann Linden at 351-3738 to find out more information or to RSVP.
April 30 President's Gala
6 pm | Sodexo Ballroom,
University Center
Join President Rita Rice Morris and Jim Morris for this special 25th anniversary event. Tickets are available through the SSU Office of Development, 351-3284.
May
May 7 Spring Commencement
10 am | Alumni Green
SSU will graduate the spring class of 2011, adding hundreds of students to the growing number of SSU Alumni Association members. In the event of severe weather, commencement ceremonies will be held at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts. Check the Commencement website for more information.
May 18 Summer Orientation
New students attending summer sessions are invited to visit campus with their parents. For details, and to register, click here.
June
June 7, 10, 16, 18, 28 Fall Orientations
New students attending SSU for the first time fall 2011 are invited to visit campus with their parents. For details, and to register, click here.
June 27–30 Kids on Campus
9 am–2 pm | University Center
We welcome our future SSU students to have some fun on campus taking a number of courses from guitar playing to cooking to forensic science. Students from grades 1 through 8 may choose up to three courses. For registration details, click here.
June 30 Transfer Student Orientation
Students who are transferring into SSU from another university this fall are invited to visit campus. For details, and to register, click here.
July
July 4 4th of July Celebration
Join Shawnee State University alumni on the riverbank as we participate in Portsmouth’s annual 4th of July Celebration. July is a commemorative month for us as SSU officially became a university on July 2, 1986.
July 12 & 30 Fall Orientation
New students attending SSU for the first time fall 2011 are invited to visit campus with their parents. For details, and to register, click here.
August
August 8–13 Scioto County Fair
10 am–10 pm Daily
Scioto County Fairgrounds
Visit us at the SSU booth at the fair as we continue our community celebration of our 25th anniversary.
August 17Fall Orientation
New students attending SSU for the first time fall 2011 are invited to visit campus with their parents. For details, and to register, click here.
August 18-27 Welcome Week
We welcome our students to campus for the beginning of a new academic year! Look for more details soon.
September
September 3Portsmouth River Days Grand Parade
11am | Beginning at Spartan Stadium
Shawn E. Bear, backed by students, faculty and staff, will participate in this year’s parade. Last year, SSU Women’s Basketball Coach Robin Hagen-Smith was the Grand Marshal of the parade.
September 21 Fall Bear Run
James A. Rhodes Athletic Center
This 5K race is free to all students (elementary, secondary, and SSU students), SSU faculty and staff, and their families, SSU alumni, and the Golden Bears. The entry fee for the general public is $10 for early resistration and $15 for those who register the day of the race.
September Fall Speaker and Faculty Symposia
Planning is underway to bring a nationally-recognized speaker to campus and to present a faculty symposia where the role of higher education in society – and the future of education – is discussed. Look for details coming soon.
October
October 20 Business After Hours
5:30 pm | Sodexo Ballroom, University Center
Chamber of Commerce members are invited to join us as we spotlight the past 25 years and the many years to come.
November
November 10Veteran’s Day Recognition
Join us for this annual event honoring our veterans. Details about this year’s recognition will be coming soon.
December
December 16 Fall Commencement
Vern Riffe Center for the Arts
SSU will graduate the fall class of 2011, adding hundreds of students to the growing number of SSU Alumni Association members.
February
February 11 Homecoming
Join us for a variety of activities as we close out our 25th anniversary celebration with Homecoming 2012.