Shawnee State University
Academics Future Students Current Students Faculty/Staff Alumni/Friends Parents

  Home> Offices> Communication> News Release> Archives

News Releases
  ::  News Releases
  ::  This Month's Calendar
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2002

SSU Board of Trustees
To Meet April 12

           The Shawnee State University (SSU) Board of Trustees will meet Friday, April 12 at 1:15 p.m. in the Selby Board Room located in the Clark Memorial Library on the SSU campus.

             The committees of the Board will meet in the University Center at SSU as follows: 

                  ·        Finance and Facilities—9:15 a.m. in the Ketter Room;

·        Quality of University Life—9:45 p.m. in the Howard Room;

·        Academic Affairs—10 a.m. in the Founders’ Room.

 # # #

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2002

SHAWNEE STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
ACTIONS AND BUSINESS FROM APRIL 12 MEETING

               At its April 12 meeting, the Shawnee State University Board of Trustees:

  • Approved the postponement of the program review for the Individualized Studies degree programs on or before June 2003; 

  • Granted special recognition to the Women’s Basketball team, the Men’s Basketball team, and their coaches for their outstanding accomplishments and commended the following individual coaches and team members: 

  •        American Mid-East Conference Coaches of the Year

  • Coach Robin Hagen-Smith

  • Coach Geno Ford

  •        NAIA Basketball Scholar Athletes

  • Ashley See

  • Camey Geiman

  •        NAIA 1st Team All-American

  • Andre Horton

  •        NAIA 3rd Team All-American

  • Heather Schilling

  •        NAIA Honorable Mention All-American

  • Mandy Goin

  •        American Mid-East Conference All-Scholar Athletes

  • Ashley See

  • Camey Geiman

  •        American Mid-East Conference Player of the Year

  • Andre Horton

  •        American Mid-East Conference Freshman Player of the Year

  • Heather Schilling

  •       1st Team American Mid-East Conference

  • Mandy Goin

  • Heather Schilling

  • Andre Horton

  •        2nd Team American Mid-East Conference

  • Antwain Lavender

  •        American Mid-East Conference Honorable Mention

  • Camey Geiman

  • Angie Ingram

  • Jeff Fraley

  • Jay Hall

          The SSU Women’s Basketball Team was also honored for repeating as American Mid-East Champions and for winning the American Mid-East Conference Basketball Tournament and advancing to the NAIA Division II National Tournament for the ninth consecutive year.  The Board of Trustees also recognized the remarkable achievement of the SSU Women’s Basketball team and commended the players and coaches listed below for their outstanding team and individual performances:

Camey Geiman, Angie Ingram, Sarah Tackett, Natalie Gill, Susie Kline, Nikki Tucker, Mandy Goin, Heather Schilling, Cheri Griffith, Ashley See

Head Coach: Robin Hagen-Smith

Assistant Coaches: Greg Smith and Kyle Copely

Student Trainer: Nikki Halloway

  •       Approved the recommended room fees schedule for summer term 2002 and room and board fees schedule beginning the academic year 2002-2003;
     

  •       Approved the Southern Ohio Agricultural and Community Development Foundation (SOACDF) funded coordinator, SOACDF Educational Assistance Program, position in the Ohio Appalachian Center for Higher Education (OACHE); 

  •       Authorized personnel changes and action items;
     

  •       Approved the submission of the ABLE (Shawnee BASICS) Grant proposal renewal and the Appalachian Technology and Workforce Development Initiative grant proposal;
     

  •       Approved a change to Policy 1.01, paragraph 2.1, Change to Board Bylaws, changing the terms of office for Board members from a calendar year to a fiscal year—aligning them with the budget cycle and the academic year, consistent with the start and ending dates for trustee appointments.  Board officers elected in January 2003 will serve until new officers are elected during the last regular meeting of the Board in fiscal year 2003-2004; and
     

  •       Gave an update on the status of the search for the next president of Shawnee State University.  The first meeting of the search committee was held on March 11.  Elaine Hairston, former chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, has been hired as a consultant to facilitate the search.  The second meeting was held on April 8, to review the institutional profile, and review ad copy for various publications.  A timeline has been developed for the search process.

The next meeting of the Shawnee State University Board of Trustees will be June 14, 2002 at 1:15 p.m., in the Selby Board Room of the Clark Memorial Library on the campus of Shawnee State University.  The next meeting of the executive committee of the SSU Board of Trustees will be May 13, 2002 at 4 p.m. in the Founders’ Room located in the University Center on the SSU campus.

# # #

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2002

SSU to Host “Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper” Star
Mark Curry at Comedyfest Next Week

Portsmouth—On Wednesday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m., Shawnee State University (SSU) will host its annual Springfest at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts (VRCFA).  This year, instead of providing a music concert, the Student Programming Board (SPB) decided to sponsor a Comedyfest, featuring three comedians, including comedian/actor Mark Curry headlining the event. 

“Mark Curry is best known for his title role in the hit ABC-TV sitcom ‘Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper.’  He also appears regularly on ‘The Drew Carey Show,’ and was featured in a hilarious cameo role in the blockbuster ‘Armageddon,’” Jacob Hickman, SPB president at SSU, said.

            Also joining Curry will be comedians Steve Byrne and Jon Reep, popular acts among college campuses all across the country.  Byrne, who has appeared on Black Entertainment Television’s program “Comic View,” has also made appearances on the programs “Que Loca,” and “Club 54.”  Reep recently showcased at the Montreal Comedy Festival and has worked with acts as diverse as Anthony Clark, Wendy Liebman, and rap star Busta Rhymes.  Each comedian will perform for approximately an hour.

Hickman said he thinks it is a great opportunity to have a well-known celebrity like Curry appearing in Portsmouth. 

“It’s a great value getting three hours of high caliber entertainment for an extremely low price,” he said.  “The goal of Springfest is to provide the SSU student body and the surrounding community with quality entertainment at a price everyone can afford.” 

Before May 1, tickets for the three-hour event are $12.50 for the general public, and $10 for students with a valid student I.D. from any college, and $10 for SSU faculty and staff.  On the day of the show, ticket prices for the public will cost $14.50, and $12 for students/faculty/staff.  Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased at the McKinley Box Office located in the VRCFA. 

For more information, call (740) 351-3600.  Springfest is sponsored by Pepsi and the SSU Student Programming Board.

# # # 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2002

Pennsylvania Artist To Speak
In Jane M.G. Foster Distinguished Lecture Series At SSU

Syd Carpenter, associate professor of studio arts and head of the ceramics program at Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA, is scheduled to be the next speaker in the Jane M.G. Foster Distinguished Lecture Series at Shawnee State University.  The lecture will be given at SSU on Tuesday, May 7, at 7 p.m. in the Flohr Lecture Hall located in the Clark Memorial Library.

Elyse Saperstein, assistant professor of ceramics at SSU, said Carpenter’s work has been exhibited extensively and can be found in numerous public and private collections throughout the country, including the Philadelphia Art Museum, Nabisco Brands, the Bell Atlantic Corporation, and the Philadelphia Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum. 

“Ms. Carpenter has been the recipient of several grants and awards.  Some of these include two Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Individual Artist Grants, a Pew Fellowship in the Arts and a National Endowment for the Arts award,” Saperstein said. 

Most recently, Carpenter was selected as the Tyler School of Art Alumna of the Year.  She has been a guest artist at numerous universities, crafts schools, and art centers, and has been on panels for the International Sculpture Center Conference, in addition to serving as a guest artist for the National Conference on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA).  

Carpenter’s ceramic sculptures, according to Saperstein, are a fusion of architectural and organic domains. 

“Part of Ms. Carpenter’s work grows from her personal history, including stories she heard as a child, family illness, and her response to healing,” Saperstein said.  “She says that traditional African American healing practices run concurrently with conventional practices.  An important issue is that of traditional practitioners’ need to be aware of both their own methodology and their ability to recognize signals that patients give, whether they are spoken or withheld,” she said.

More recently, toys have piqued Carpenter’s visual interests, Saperstein said. 

“As some of our first objects of ownership, toys are indicators of children’s own perception of their position in society,” she said.  “Toys elicit levels of fantasy and learning behaviors that in turn develop into social markers.  Ms. Carpenter uses toys, as she uses healing, as points of response for her work.”

            Carpenter said her ceramic sculptures reflect her attraction to fluid, moving shapes in architectural and organic relationships. 

“Many refer to mundane objects with their everyday aspect acting as cover for some alternate purpose,” Carpenter said.  “Each object’s configuration suggests a capacity for use but simultaneously it is internally and independently animated.”

In addition to presenting her lecture, “Sins and Digressions:  A Discussion of Roots, Toys and Medicine Bottles,” Carpenter will spend two days in the SSU art department. 

“During her residency she will create her work in the Levi Ceramic Studio and interact with the students and the community-at-large through critiques and discussions,” Saperstein said. 

Carpenter’s two-day residency will take place in the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts, Room 107 on Wednesday and Thursday.  Call (740) 351-3327 for additional details.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2002

(Article by Jarod Shaw, Communications Specialist-SSU Office of Communications and Terry Hapney)

“Dean” of the White House Press Corps, Helen Thomas,
To Speak at SSU April 16 

Famed Journalist to speak at the inaugural Leslie Williams Symposium for the Advancement of Women

The first annual Leslie Williams Symposium for the Advancement of Women will be held at Shawnee State University (SSU) on April 16, 2002, at 7:30 p.m., with Helen Thomas headlining the symposium with her presentation “Front Row at the White House.” Thomas, who is internationally known as the former Senior White House correspondent for United Press International (UPI), will speak at the event that honors the memory of Williams, the late chairperson of SSU’s department of arts and humanities.  

Williams stayed active at SSU until she passed away as a result of cancer on Feb. 9, 2001, at the age of 60.  SSU personnel and students viewed Williams as very passionate and energetic about her work and it was evident that she accomplished so much for the University. 

According to Vivian Mason, associate professor in the department of fine, digital, and performing arts at SSU, Williams was “a strong-willed woman who was always on top of her job.” 

“She fought for her faculty and was more ambitious for SSU and its faculty and students than for herself.  She was a very special, unique person,” Mason said. 

            Most of all, Williams was a strong proponent of the leadership of women.  She worked to get more women into chair and administration positions at SSU, and played a major role in developing the Women’s Forum to help promote and advance women.

            “She strived to bring SSU into the 21st century,” said Mason. 

            Former SSU President James P. Chapman, Ph.D., created a fund for the university to conduct this annual symposium in memory of Williams’s accomplishments. Behind Chapman’s leadership, Shawnee State University’s Women’s Forum now has $10,000 set aside each year for the organization and development of this honorary forum. The fund is also to be utilized to invite a guest speaker who has done something for the advancement of women or women’s issues.

            Susan Warsaw, executive director of development at SSU and coordinator of the event, said faculty and students are very excited about the opportunity to hear Thomas speak.

“For 40 years, Helen Thomas had a front row seat that she used to her utmost advantage,” she said.  “She announced on May 16, 2001, that she was stepping down from the press corps. She was so highly regarded that she had the opportunity to cover eight presidents in her storied career, including Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton. Her relentlessly tough questions and her persistence earned her numerous journalism awards.”

It was during her first White House assignment that Thomas began closing Presidential press conferences with “Thank you, Mr. President,” a custom that continued.  She was the only print journalist traveling with then President Nixon to China during his breakthrough trip in 1972.  Thomas covered the Watergate and Iran-Contra scandals, all of the inaugurals since Eisenhower, and all of the conventions since Truman.

The event is free and open to the public, and will be held in the Main Theater of the SSU Vern Riffe Center for the Arts.

            For more information on the upcoming presentation, call the SSU Office of Development at (740) 351-3284.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2002

(Article by Dave Monhollen, Communications Specialist—SSU Office of Communications)

SSU To Offer Classes Toward
Marshall University Graduate Programs This Summer in Portsmouth

Portsmouth—An informational meeting and registration for the Shawnee State University (SSU) Graduate Center’s/Marshall University summer course offerings will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, in the SSU Advanced Technology Center, Room 134. 

The programs offered include master’s degrees in environmental science, and in safety technology—both of which are administered by Marshall University on the SSU campus.  Offered in conjunction with these programs will be two courses—SFT 647 Industrial Hygiene, and EM 660 Project Management.  EM 660 is a stand-alone course.  

For admission or registration information, call Tony Szwilski, Ph.D. at(304) 696-5457, or visit www.marshall.edu/cite.  For information regarding graduate programs offered at SSU, contact the SSU Graduate Center at (740) 351-3177, or via email at graduate_center@shawnee.edu.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2002

Morehead State Music Faculty
To Perform at Shawnee State University

MOREHEAD, Ky.---Musicians at Morehead State University (MSU) are on the loose, and will make a stop Shawnee State University (SSU) in Portsmouth.

            For the first time, MSU’s music faculty is taking its show on the road.  On Thursday, April 18, “Musicians On The Loose” will showcase the talents of the MSU Department of Music, at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts (VRCFA) at SSU.

Beginning at 7:30 p.m., the performance will offer listeners an evening filled with exciting compositions ranging from jazz and opera to classical chamber music.

Tickets are $12.50 for general admission, $10 for seniors, and $5 for students.  They are available from the VRCFA McKinley Box Office by calling (740) 351-3600.

 Scheduled to perform are:  Michael Acord, assistant professor of clarinet and music history; Dr. Stacy Baker, assistant professor of tuba/euphonium; Suanne Blair, assistant professor of cello and music literature; J. T. Cure, MSU senior playing acoustic bass; Dr. Sandra Derby, assistant professor of music education and voice; Deb Eastwood, lecturer in trumpet and music theory; Janean Freeman, lecturer in voice and music history; Dr. L. Curtis Hammond, associate professor of horn and music theory; Amy Jones, visiting assistant professor of trumpet; Larry Keenan, professor of organ/keyboards; Dr. Jeanie Lee, assistant professor of trombone;

            Dr. Ricky Little, associate professor of voice; Brian Mason, instructor of percussion; Mary Ellen McNeill, staff accompanist; Frank Oddis, associate professor of percussion; Dr. David Oyen, assistant professor of bassoon and music theory; Dr. Roma Prindle, associate professor of voice; Dr. Robert Pritchard, associate professor of flute and music theory; Raymond Ross, Jr., assistant professor of guitar and music history; Steven Snyder, assistant professor of jazz studies and piano; Dr. Paul Taylor, associate professor of piano; Dr. Gorden Towell, associate professor of jazz studies and saxophone; and Dr. John Viton, associate professor of oboe and music theory.

Following the performance, guests can meet the performers at a reception in the lobby.

            Additional information is available from the MSU Department of Music at (606) 783-2473, or by calling the McKinley Box Office at the VRCFA at (740) 351-3600.

# # #  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2002

(Article by Dave Rucker, Communications Specialist—SSU Office of Communications)

Three-time Mr. Olympia
To Speak At Shawnee State University May 7

PORTSMOUTH—Now that spring is here, many people begin to put a great deal of emphasis on getting in shape via weights, aerobics, stretching, and exercise.  Eating right becomes another important factor as one begins to think about squeezing into a swimsuit during summer.  Three-time Mr. Olympia Frank Zane, author of “Fabulously Fit Forever,” will discuss these and other topics during his appearance in the 2001-2002 Jane M.G. Foster Distinguished Lecture Series at SSU, Tuesday, May 7, at 6 p.m. in Micklethwaite Banquet Hall located on the second floor of the University Center on the SSU campus in Portsmouth. 

In 1994, Zane was inducted into the Joe Weider Bodybuilding Hall of Fame and has been named one of the top 10 legends of bodybuilding.  He is one of only three people to ever beat Arnold Schwarzenegger in bodybuilding competition.

            Brian Saul, admission counselor at SSU and the individual responsible for bringing Zane to the SSU campus, said a major reason why he was inspired to do this was so that the people in the Tri-State area could get a better understanding of the importance of maintaining good health.  He also hopes to build upon this event and do more through the university in the future to promote health and fitness.

            “For instance, the LIFE center is using Zane’s appearance as a continuing education project,” Saul said.  “I have been involved with fitness since I was 13 and I see this as an excellent opportunity for anyone who works out to further educate themselves about fitness from a well-educated source.”

Zane is not only an accomplished bodybuilder, but he is very familiar with the college setting as well.  He has a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in psychology.

Some of the topics that will be discussed in Zane’s presentation include weight lifting, aerobics, and stretching; how to eat right to enhance lean muscle mass; the importance of recuperation; and how to create the body you want.  A question and answer session will conclude the presentation.

Zane’s book received excellent reviews, and will be available at the event.  The first 45 people to arrive will receive a free copy.

 Zane is now a commentator for bodybuilding competitions and remains in tremendous shape at age 61.  Following the lecture, he will be performing with his band “IN ZANE” at Richard Noggins Pub in Portsmouth. 

The event, co-sponsored by AAA and the SSU Development Foundation, is free and open to the public.  For more information, call (740) 351–3228 or send an e-mail message to frankzanessu@yahoo.com.

###

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2002

Colman and Clevenger: Over the Edge
April 30 at SSU’s Vern Riffe Center for the Arts

            An evening of entertainment by the piano duo of Colman and Clevenger is best described as a rousing excursion into the world of pop music, according to Carl Daehler, executive director of the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts at Shawnee State University.

“Jim Colman and Chuck Clevenger combine the power of two pianos with the orchestral sounds of synthesizers to produce a wonderful blend of music from musicals, movies, fractured classics, and contemporary/popular tunes,” Daehler said.

All this music, presented in a very light-hearted and fun style suitable for the entire family, will be on the main stage of the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts at Shawnee State University, Tuesday, April 30 at 8 p.m.    

Combining the wonderful dynamic range of the piano with the expansive sound capabilities of modern synthesizers, Daehler said Colman has performed as a concert artist and arranger since 1978 and has played as a guest soloist across the country. He received his doctorate in music education from Michigan State University and currently serves as the chairman of the Department of Music at Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio, where he has taught since 1989.

“Along with his administrative responsibilities, Jim also teaches music theory and music technology,” Daehler said.

Known for his brilliant sound, the tasteful effectiveness of his interpretation, his easy manner at the piano, and his engaging interaction with audiences, Daehler said Clevenger effectively combines the roles of scholar, musician, and entertainer. An active concert pianist and contest adjudicator, he also holds a doctorate in piano performance from the University of Cincinnati’s College–Conservatory of Music. In addition to his concert schedule, Clevenger has served on the music faculty of Cedarville University since 1982 where he maintains a large teaching studio.

“His first love is the piano and his greatest satisfaction comes from performing for appreciative listeners of all ages,” Daehler said.

The duo of Colman and Clevenger was formed in 1992 in an effort to showcase the magnificent sound of two pianos performing familiar favorites. In 1996, the power of synthesizer technology was added to provide orchestral accompaniments to the musical arrangements and additional performance opportunities to the artists.

“Over the years, Colman and Clevenger have provided thousands of people with a blend of musical artistry and humor,” Daehler said.  “I’m certain members of the Tri-State community will thoroughly enjoy this evening of music and entertainment.”

Tickets to the Tuesday night program are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students, and can be purchased at the McKinley Box Office or by calling (740) 351-3600.

            This presentation is sponsored in part by a grant from the Ohio Arts Council and from gifts made to the Shawnee State University Development Foundation.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2002

(Article by Dave Monhollen, Communications Specialist—SSU Office of Communications)

“Picasso at the Lapin Agile”
To Be Performed at Shawnee State University

Portsmouth— “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” a comic play written by famous playwright/comedian Steve Martin, will be begin it’s six performance run at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 3, at Shawnee State University’s (SSU) Kahl Studio Theater located in the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts (VRCFA) on the SSU campus. 

            “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” winner of the 1996 Outer Critics’ Circle Awards for “Best Play,” has earned Martin the O.C.C.A. award for “Best Playwright.”  “Picasso” is a fictional comedy set in the real life bohemian Paris bistro, the Lapin Agile, in 1904.  Loosely translated, Lapin Agile means “nimble rabbit.”

In “Picasso,” Martin has created a fictional meeting between a passionate, 23-year-old artist, Pablo Picasso, and fiery, 25-year-old scientist, Albert Einstein. The comedy begins as the then unmarried Einstein arrives at the bistro, a regular hangout for Picasso, for a date.

”Both men, at this point in their lives, are just two young men who really have an eye for the ladies,” said Jim Hayes, veteran stage and film actor, and director of the production. 

Einstein’s intrusion into Picasso’s realm is where the comedy really begins.  During the course of this hypothetical meeting, a comic battle of wits between these two icons ensues. Also discussed in “Picasso” is the nature of art, creation, and genius. 

“Masterpiece can go unrecognized unless you are right there to receive it at that time,” Hayes said.  “In 1904, both geniuses are on the verge of great breakthroughs: Picasso is about to break out of his Blue Period, and Einstein is working on his Theory of Relativity.”

Included in this comic mix is a mysterious visitor from the future who drops in and has something to say about Pop culture, Hayes said.

SSU student actors Josh Holt and Kerry Brown, who play Picasso and Einstein respectively, are the leaders of Hayes’ “cast of real comics.” Also part of the “Picasso” cast are Brandy Chandler, of Portsmouth, Emily Davis of Waverly, and Bo Davis, also of Waverly.  Completing the cast is Thomas E. Lewis, Rebecca Gray, Lorne Keller, Don Kozee, Elizabeth Quatman, and Rebecca Glardon.

“Picasso” opens Friday, May 3. Tickets are $5 for SSU students, staff/faculty, seniors, and military.  Tickets are $7 for general admission.  For more information, call the McKinley Box Office at (740) 351-3600.

# # #

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2002

The Scioto County Board of Commissioners and the mayor of Portsmouth presented a resolution and proclamation recognizing Shawnee State University's participation in the celebration of the Week of the Young Child this week. In conjunction with Scioto County Head Start, the Carousel Center, South Central Ohio ESC's cooperative preschools, and Scioto County Even Starts, SSU’s Children’s Learning Center (CLC) will be hosting the week's main event, a Children’s Fair, on Thursday, April 11 on the Alumni Green on the SSU campus. Cindy Ferguson, director of the CLC, said it is SSU’s hope to build a broad base of support for early childhood programs that nurture young children's early learning and growth. ”Truly, children's opportunities are our responsibilities," she said. Pictured with children from the CLC (left to right) are Hetty Phillips, head teacher at the CLC; Skip Riffe, Scioto County Commissioner; Ferguson; Portsmouth Mayor Greg Bauer; and Opal Spears, Scioto County Commissioner. Tom Reiser, president of the Scioto County Board of Commissioners is not pictured.

Directories Offices Library Search MySSU


Shawnee State University
940 Second Street
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662-4344
To_SSU@shawnee.edu
740.351.4SSU
TTY: 740.351.3159

Last Updated:
04.15.2008 12:10 PM

For technical issues, please contact the webmaster at Webmaster@Shawnee.edu
©Shawnee State University