Greetings—finally—from SSU!

I apologize for the delay in getting this newsletter out, but things are really starting to move around here…

Just a quick reminder that the Alumni Awards Banquet will be Saturday, May 7^th at 6:30 p.m. in the Micklethwaite Banquet Hall of the University Center.  The cost is $10 for individuals and $15 per couple.  We tried to send one to everyone, but if for some reason you did not get an invitation, I apologize.  You can send your check made out to the Shawnee State University Development Foundation to: Shawnee State University Alumni Association, 940 Second Street, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662.  Please let me know if you plan to attend by April 30^th.

SSU President Rita Rice Morris, Ph.D., will be speaking at the banquet and we will do a Class Roll Call where you will be asked to stand when your class year is called.  The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of our two special awards: The Silver Star Alumni Award and the Alumnus of Tomorrow Award.

This year, the Silver Star will be presented to Linda Nickel (1975) of Portsmouth.  The Alumnus of Tomorrow will be presented to Sarah L. Tingler of Minford.  Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations.

Don’t forget that tomorrow night (Thursday, April 21^st) at 7, Mary Alice Williams will be speaking in the Main Theater of the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts.  Her presentation is entitled “Daily Rounds: An Evening on Women’s Health and Family Issues.”  Williams is a former news anchor for CNN and NBC.

The One Book events will conclude this weekend with the Unicorn Players presentation of William Shakespeare’s “lost bluegrass musical,” “As You Like It!”  The performances will be April 22^nd at 7:30 p.m., April 23^rd at 7:30 p.m. and April 24^th at 3 p.m. at the Plumbers and Steam Fitters Local 577 at 1236 Gallia Street in Portsmouth.  For more information, call (740) 354-5688. 

The 10^th Annual Shawnee State University Spring Bear Run/Walk is scheduled for May 4^th at 6 p.m. at the Rhodes Athletic Center.  Registration is free for all alumni.  Each participant receives a free t-shirt and there will be a special award to alumni.  For more information, call (740) 351-3280.

The Men’s Alumni Soccer Match will be Saturday, May 14^th at 2 p.m. at the game field on campus.  Participants need to be there no later than 1:30 p.m.  All alumni who wish to participate need to contact Bryan Smith at bsmith3@shawnee.edu by May 7^th.  The after-game party will start at 7 p.m. at the Ramada Inn in Portsmouth.  Even if you can’t participate this year, Coach Smith would like for you to e-mail him your info so he can tell you about future events.

Shawnee State will have its first undergraduate conference May 26^th and participation by alumni is encouraged.  If you have career information, advice for graduate school, or other topics of interest that may be helpful to current students, you can consider giving a 10-15 minute presentation at the conference.  For more information, you can contact Gary Gemmer, Professor of Physical Science and Conference Director, at (740) 351-3341 or ggemmer@shawnee.edu.  The deadline to register your presentation is April 29, 2005.  All alumni are also welcome to attend the conference.

Here’s a look at May’s University Outreach Services schedule:

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

May 6^th, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., $49

These three can be taken together for only $39:

Basic Investing Planning

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

Retirement Planning, 10:30 a.m.-Noon or 1-2:30 p.m., $15

Education Funding and 529 Plans

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

Career Services had a successful Career Fair last month that several alumni attended.  Remember that as an alum you are eligible to use our career services, including resume critiquing and interviewing workshops.  For a complete workshop schedule, visit www.shawnee.edu/off/car/workshops.html.  We are also looking for alumni to volunteer their time to support Career Services.  This could include speaking to a group of students, allowing internships at your business, having your business participate in the career fair, or serving as a mentor for a student.  If you are interested in helping, please let me know.

Homecoming 2006 is scheduled for February 4^th.  We are now in the process of planning events for that weekend, so mark your calendars!  Remember that if you are a former Homecoming Queen or King, I need to hear from you.

Please also remember that June 11^th at 10 a.m. is Graduation.  We may be in need of some volunteers, so if you can spare a few hours on a Saturday, please let me know.

I’ll have much more next month and I’ll make sure it’s on time…

See you on the 7^th!

Angela