Greetings from SSU and welcome to the third edition of the Shawnee State Alumni E-Mail Newsletter!

First, I want to welcome all of our new readers.  You can read the first two editions of the newsletter at www.shawnee.edu/off/alum/newsletter.html.  Remember, if you have any news you would like to share with your fellow alumni, e-mail it to me at alumni@shawnee.edu.  I’ll post the news on our website and it will be listed in “Currents.”

And as always, feel free to forward this newsletter to any alumni you think may be interested.

Ketchum Thanks

Thanks to all of you who participated in the online survey for our campaign consultants, Ketchum.  Ketchum was very pleased with our level of participation.  I’ll be able to tell you more about the results in the coming months.

“Countdown to Commencement”

The weather hurt us a little bit, but “Countdown to Commencement” was very successful.  We had 15% participation by the students—which for a first time event is pretty good.  Most importantly, though, we were able to help some students who were unsure if they could graduate.  You can see more about the event on our website.  Thanks to the SSU Bookstore, the Office of the Registrar, Herff Jones, the Office of Financial Aid and Career Services for a job well done. 

Alumni Roundtables

I appreciate all of you who have participated in the alumni roundtables.  I’ve gotten a lot of great feedback about upcoming alumni events and programs.  If you were unable to attend the roundtables, but you have ideas or suggestions, please let me know.

MySSU

I am happy to offer you, our alumni, a new service that will allow you to better communicate with us.  It’s called MySSU.  Current students are using it to register for classes, but alumni will be able to use it as a search tool to locate other alumni.  It will also be a place for me to post announcements for you and there’s even a personal datebook for you to record appointments.  All you need to get started is your SSU ID number. To get your ID, just send me an e-mail at ahenderson@shawnee.edu.  I will send your log-in instructions, as well as some information about the features of MySSU.  If you have any questions, please let me know.

Collegiate License Plates

We are still gathering signatures for our petition to resurrect Shawnee State’s License Plate Program.  We need 150 signatures of people with the intent to purchase the plate in order for the Ohio BMV to begin manufacturing the plates again.  The plates require an additional fee of $35, but $25 of the fee goes directly to the Friends of Shawnee State Scholarship Fund.  If you would be interested in purchasing a plate, please contact me so I can get the petition to you.  For more information, be sure to visit our website at www.shawnee.edu/off/alum/Plates.html.

Alumni Awards Banquet

The annual Alumni Awards Banquet is scheduled for Saturday, May 7^th at 6:30 p.m. in the Micklethwaite Banquet Hall of the University Center.  The cost will be $10 for individuals, $15 for couples.  Invitations will be mailed shortly, so if you’ve recently changed your mailing address, please let me know.  If you are coming from out of town and need accommodations, you will want to reserve them early as there are other events going on in the community.

Dr. Rita Rice Morris, SSU President, will be the guest speaker at the banquet and she will discuss the changes that have taken place at SSU and the changes coming in the future.  Also, we will have a class roll call, during which alumni will be asked to stand when their class year is called. 

Two awards will be given out during the banquet: The Silver Star Alumni Award and the Alumnus of Tomorrow Award.  The Silver Star is presented to a graduate of Shawnee State who has contributed time and effort in an exemplary manner to the University, promoted community service to improve the quality of life for residents in their community and been a Shawnee State alumnus for at least five years.  The Alumnus of Tomorrow is presented to a Shawnee State student, who graduates in June, who has displayed commitment to their individual endeavors—academic, social and personal.  Nominations will be accepted until Friday, April 8^th.

We will also be honoring past winners of these awards, so if you or someone you know falls into that category, please let me know.

Graduation

This year’s Commencement ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, June 11^th at 10 a.m. on the Alumni Green.  We may be in need of some volunteers to help with the ceremony, so please keep this date in mind.

Campus Happenings

PTA Program Accredited

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program was recently granted accreditation until the year 2011.  The PTA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

AQIP

SSU is beginning a new accreditation journey.  We are adopting the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) to maintain our accreditation with the North Central Association’s Higher Learning Commission.  As part of the process, we are interested in receiving alumni response to the question: “What could be done to improve Shawnee State University?”  Please e-mail your responses to that question to Dave Todt at dtodt@shawnee.edu.  Thanks to everyone who has already sent their thoughts to Dave.

“One Book, One Community”

SSU’s Clark Memorial Library and the Portsmouth Public Library are hosting south central Ohio and northeast Kentucky’s first “One Book, One Community” initiative, a community-wide reading and discussion program that encourages all area residents to read the same book at the same time.  The book is “She Walks These Hills” by Sharyn McCrumb, which is available at the SSU Bookstore.  To celebrate the Appalachian theme of the book, there are several events planned over the next two months:

Open Mic

March 16^th, 6 p.m., Portsmouth Public Library

Join the members of the Phoenix Writer’s Guild in a poetic competition and celebration of “She Walks These Hills.”  Everyone is invited to submit a folk ballad that must include one line from the book.  Entries will be judged and prizes awarded.  For additional information, contact Jenny Cowling at (740) 354-5688.

The art of “She Walks These Hills,” presented by the Down By the River Quilt Guild

March and April, Portsmouth Public Library

Sharyn McCrumb Discussion

April 13^th, 2 p.m., Portsmouth Public Library

Author Sharyn McCrumb discusses her Ballad Novels and writing techniques.

Sharyn McCrumb Lecture

April 14^th, 9:30 a.m., Main Theater, Vern Riffe Center for the Arts, SSU

McCrumb speaks to Scioto County high school students.

“Evening of Words and Song”

April 14^th, 7 p.m., Main Theater, Vern Riffe Center for the Arts, SSU

Author Sharyn McCrumb and accomplished Appalachian and Bluegrass musician, Jack Hinshelwood, present this special evening of words and song.

“As You Like It,” presented by the Unicorn Players

April 22^nd & 23^rd, 7 p.m. and April 24^th, 3 p.m.

Plumbers and Steam Fitters Local 577, 1236 Gallia Street

Ticket Information TBA

For more information, call SSU’s Clark Memorial Library at (740) 351-3323 or visit www.onebookscioto.net.

University Outreach Services

Here is a look at the courses University Outreach Services will be offering over the next few months.  To register, or for more information, call Penny Merritt at (740) 351-3171.

University Outreach Services Spring Courses

Grant Writing Tips and Techniques

March 18^th, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., $79

Did I Say That? (better communication skills)

April 8^th, 8 a.m.-Noon, $99

Marketing Your Business

April 22^nd, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., $29

Exploring Business Ownership…a Seminar for Small Business Start-Ups

May 6^th, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m., $49

Basic Investing Planning

May 13^th, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m., $15

Retirement Planning

May 13^th, 10:30 a.m.-Noon or 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m., $15

Education Funding and 529 Plans

May 13^th, 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m., $15

Take all three for only $39.

Vern Riffe Center for the Arts

The Vern Riffe Center for the Arts and the Southern Ohio Performing Arts Association are continuing their 2004-2005 season; and as alumni, you are entitled to discount prices on tickets!  Just reference the words “box office” when you order your tickets.

Here’s what’s still to come this year:

Rich Little Show

4/19/05, 7:30 p.m.

4/20/05, 7:30 p.m.

Columbus Symphony Orchestra

5/19/05, 7:30 p.m.

You may purchase your tickets at the McKinley Box Office, or by calling (740) 351-3600.  Box Office Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Campus Calendar

Phi Eta Sigma installation

Tuesday, April 12^th, 6:30 p.m., Vern Riffe Center for the Arts

10^th Annual SSU Spring Bear Run/Walk

May 4^th at 6:00 p.m.

Free registration for all alumni

To register, call (740) 351-3280

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.

Until next month…