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RELEASE Contact: (Article by Jennifer Moorhead, communications specialist--Office of Communications) Bear Care Health Fair at SSU Oct. 30 Shawnee State University and Southern Ohio Medical Center are joining forces to promote wellness for SSU students, staff members, and the general public. The annual Bear Care Health Fair will be at SSU from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 30 in the University Center lobby and Baxter Lounge and will offer a wide array of testing and information regarding various health issues. "This event is designed to promote wellness among SSU students and staff, as well as the community," said Michael J. Hughes, Ed.D., director of counseling and psychological services. "Additionally, Shawnee State students from the respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and nursing programs participate in the event." Flu shots will be given for $10. Shots for SSU students are free with a university identification card. Free testing will be administered for the following: cholesterol, blood sugar, body fat, strength testing, blood pressure, oxcimitry, breathing test, anemia, and balance check. Information will be available for eating disorders, steroids and supplements, asthma education, sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS, domestic violence, sexual assault, breast cancer, and disabilities. Additionally, information will be on hand for cardiac risk counseling, mental health, substance abuse, smoking, nutrition, diabetes, meningitis, and fitness. For more information, call (740) 351-3539. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Contact: (Article
by Jennifer Moorhead, communications specialist--Office of
Communications) 8th
Annual SSU Fall Bear Run The
8th Annual Shawnee State University Fall 5K Bear Run/Walk Road Race
held on Oct. 1 established many new records. A
record 612 runners and walkers made the 3.1 mile trek, that started
at SSU's campus, continued past the Portsmouth Floodwall murals on
Front Street, and returned back to SSU. The
men's winner was SSU cross-country standout John Williams who ran
the course in 15:27. The 21-year-old junior and three-time
consecutive Bear Run/Walk 5K Road Race champion managed to beat his
record time of 15:35 that was set at the Bear Run last spring.
Williams and his cross-country teammates Dirk Hollar, Craig Arnett,
Adam Tolle, Brett LeMaster, and Trent Hyland took the top six places
in the race. Newcomer
Jennifer Lattavo, 24, of Portsmouth, took the title of champion in
the women's division with a new record time of 19:47. Jennifer
Henman from the SSU women's cross-country team finished second in
20:10. The
yearly event, sponsored by the SSU division of student affairs, is
designed to promote fitness and fun for everyone, with participants
ranging in age this year from as young as 4-year-olds Vincent
Schwamberger and Kaitlyn Campbell to 88-year-old Edward Kirkendall,
according to Larry Mangus, vice president of student affairs at SSU.
All competitors received a Bear Run t-shirt and 173 medals
were awarded that evening. The
8th Annual SSU Spring 5K Bear Run/Walk is scheduled for May 8, 2003.
For more information
about the spring race, contact the SSU division of student affairs
at (740) 351-3280. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Contact: SHAWNEE STATE
UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES At its October 11 meeting, the Shawnee State
University Board of Trustees:
·
Approved changing the SSU Mission
Statement from being exclusively focused on undergraduate education
to allow for the creation of graduate degrees in the future;
·
Approved a change to University Policy
5.03 (Unlawful Discrimination and Harassment) that broadens the
current policy to prohibit harassment or discrimination based on
gender, nationality, race, age, sexual orientation, and disability.
The policy also improves the process for handling complaints;
·
Recognized and commended John Sparks,
Carl Wooten, Dennis Litz, and Steve Burton
for their exemplary actions that saved the university thousands of
dollars in potential fire damage;
·
Approved the implementation of the SSU
Investment Committee’s
Investment Policy;
·
Approved personnel action items; and
·
Approved the submission of the Ohio
Learning Network Grant proposal.
The next meeting of the Shawnee
State University Board of Trustees will be December 13, 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 November 12, 2002, at 4 p.m. in the Founders’
Room located in the University Center on the SSU campus. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Contact: SSU Board of
Trustees The Shawnee State University (SSU) Board of Trustees will meet Friday, October 11 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 a.m. in the Howard Room;· Academic Affairs-10 a.m. in the Founders’ Room.# # # FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Contact: (Article by Jennifer Moorhead, communications specialist--Office of Communications) Dr. Ralph Stanley
and His Clinch Mountain Boys Grammy award winner and legendary bluegrass band Dr. Ralph Stanley and His Clinch Mountain Boys will perform at Shawnee State University's Vern Riffe Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 11, 2003. "It is not often that a performer of the stature and reputation of Dr. Ralph Stanley is able to take time from his busy performance schedule to come to Portsmouth," said Carl Daehler, executive director of the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts. "As an active participant in the incredibly popular Down from the Mountain national tour, featuring stars from the movie, 'Oh Brother, Where Art Thou,' Dr. Stanley is one of the last remaining authentic mountain voices in commercial music." John Simon, Ph.D., SSU adjunct professor, arranged to have the celebrated tenor and banjo picker, who has been in the business for 55 years, make a trip to Portsmouth with his band. "The Stanley sound is something that audiences feel," said Simon. "It causes their whole body to move. There are so many of us in southern Ohio who have appreciated Dr. Stanley's musical contribution to our mountain heritage for a lifetime and now we are able to honor him in person." Dr. Ralph Stanley, at 75 years old, is known as the patriarch of traditional and mountain music. The winner of two Grammy awards in 2002 for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and Album of the Year, Dr. Stanley has recorded more than 170 albums and has written and recorded many songs that have become bluegrass standards. His contribution to the success of the musical score for the movie, "O Brother, Where Art Thou," has made Dr. Stanley a mountain music icon throughout the world. Joining Dr. Stanley on stage will be the Isaacs, a seven-member family group, who have been performing for more than 30 years with such stars as gospel music artist Bill Gaither and Dr. Ralph Stanley. Reserved-seat tickets are now on sale at the McKinley box office located in the lobby of the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts. Tickets are $20, or $18 for SSU students and seniors. Box office hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information or to make credit card purchases, call (740) 351-3600. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Contact: (Article by Jennifer Moorhead, communications specialist--Office of Communications) Fall Schedule Ready
for SSU Part of the mission of Shawnee State University is to provide service to the public by offering the community an opportunity for personal development. The Office of University Outreach Services at SSU helps the university achieve its mission through the Community Education classes offered yearly in the fall and spring. "The community education classes give people an opportunity to learn a new skill, develop a new hobby, or learn more about a special topic of interest," said Megan Horne, program manager. "It's a chance for people to get together with other people with similar interests and enjoy the experience of learning." The fall schedule for Community Education classes is now available and presents a wide range of choices for both adults and children. Seasonal classes offered include Vinyl Mailbox Covers, Beaded Christmas Ornaments--Glued, Sew Simple--Christmas Tree Skirt, Christmas Stockings with Flair, and Beaded Christmas Tree Ornaments--Sewn. Classes geared toward the whole family are Kids Crafts: Beautiful Christmas Cards, Kids Crafts: Christmas Ornaments, Kids Crafts: Halloween Masks, Responsible Pet Ownership, Saturday Afternoon Crafts for Kids, Professional Mask Making, and Tennis Basics. A home finance course will be offered twice on understanding insurance and how to get the most out of auto, home, life, and long term insurance. For those interested in fine arts and crafts, the following courses will be offered: One Stroke Painting--Basics; One Stroke Painting--Floral Project; One Stroke Painting--Glass Painting; Sew Simple--Quilted Purses; Rag Rug Crochet; Portraiture Photography--Family; Portraiture Photography--Kids; Basics of Photography; Black and White Photography; Beaded Jewelry; and Beaded Accessories. The cost of classes is $15 and up. Students are asked to supply materials for some of the classes. To register or for more information, contact Horne at (740) 351-3535 or e-mail her at mhorne@shawnee.edu. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Contact: SSU Founders’ Day
An institution that has been providing higher education
opportunities to thousands of residents from this region, other
parts of the United States, and across the globe since 1945 will
focus on its past, present, and future on October 30.
Shawnee State University’s Founders’ Day celebration, a
day that focuses on the formation of the university and its history,
is a yearly celebration held at SSU—the institution that began as
a branch campus of Ohio University in 1945 and merged with Scioto
Technical College (formerly Scioto County Technical Institute that
was founded in 1970) in 1975 to become Shawnee State General and
Technical College, Shawnee State Community College in 1977, and
Shawnee State University in 1986.
Michael Field, Ph.D., interim president of SSU, said the
University welcomes the entire community to campus to join in
celebrating Shawnee State University.
“Founders’ Day allows SSU to focus on where it has been,
where it is today, and where it hopes to be in the future,” he
said. “And it makes
it even more special that we will be rededicating our Department of
Business Administration building.
Many events are planned, and we hope everyone joins us in the
celebration.” The
day will begin at 10:30 a.m. with self-guided tours of Kricker
Hall—the university’s newly renovated building that houses the
Department of Business Administration.
A scholarship reception for SSU Development Foundation
scholarship recipients and donors will begin at 11 a.m. in the
student lounge (2nd floor) of Kricker Hall.
The day’s main event, the Founders’ Day Address and
Kricker Hall Rededication, will begin at 11:45 a.m. on the Alumni
Green on the SSU campus. United
States Congressman Rob Portman (R-Ohio) will be the featured
speaker, and a free picnic lunch will follow his address.
Complete Strangers, a local music group, will provide
entertainment during lunch. Portsmouth
Kiwanis Club will attend the event in lieu of its weekly meeting to
honor Jim Kricker, fellow Kiwanian and the individual for whom
Kricker Hall is named. SSU
is also holding the Chamber of Commerce “Business During Hours”
at this time.
At 1:30 p.m., the administration, faculty, and children at
the SSU Children’s Learning Center will hold a dessert reception
and dedication of the Frank C. Taylor Memorial Butterfly Garden.
Taylor, who died in May of this year at the age of 83, was
SSU’s first president when the institution became a four-year
university in 1986.
The all-new national tour of the classic Broadway musical Grease
will hit the stage of the Main Theater of the SSU Vern Riffe Center
for the Arts (VRCFA) at 7:30 p.m. that evening.
For tickets, visit the McKinley Box Office in the VRCFA, or
call (740) 351-3600.
For complimentary tickets to the picnic lunch (which are
required), call (740) 351-3284 by October 22 to reserve them, or
send an e-mail message to kboggs@shawnee.edu.
For information about Founders’ Day, call the SSU Office of
Communications at (740) 351-3810. #
# # FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Contact: (Article by Erica Fulton, communications specialist--Office of Communications)
George Lawson Takes Over as Director of Tech Prep at SSU PORTSMOUTH,
Ohio--Shawnee State University's Tech Prep program has a new
director, George Lawson, a prominent figure in the community who has
37 years of experience in education.
Lawson, a retired superintendent of Scioto County Schools,
will bring a great deal to the growing Tech Prep program, which
provides a combination of college prep and technical training to
high school students and helps them transition to college where they
will prepare for a career in a technical field.
His extensive experience in education as an elementary and
high school teacher, principal, elementary supervisor of the Scioto
County Office of Education, consultant for Ohio University and
University of Dayton, SSU instructor, and assistant superintendent
at the Scioto County Office of Education will prove valuable
especially because his background is in this region.
As
a result, Lawson brings with him innumerable contacts but not just
within the field of education. He has also been extremely active in the community, serving
in civic organizations such as the Scioto County Children's Services
as chairperson of the board, Southern Ohio Medical Center as
director, Portsmouth Rotary Club's board of directors, Scioto County
Heart Branch, and many more organizations.
Lawson said he is looking forward to his new position,
especially working in such a cutting edge program.
"It’s
going to be fun for me to be out there encouraging kids to go into
programs where there are jobs," he added.
Indeed, Lawson will be recruiting qualified students to join
Tech Prep’s tracks in engineering, health, information, business,
and multi-media technology. Tech Prep, which is federally funded and state distributed
through a Carl Perkins grant, allows junior and senior high school
students interested in technology-related fields to get an early
start on their training and transition directly into college
programs at SSU or other institutions after graduation.
Participants from the four county area of Pike, Adams,
Scioto, and Lawrence are able to take college preparatory classes
from the high school while studying introductory technology courses
at vocational schools or SSU. Those
technology courses are reviewed upon graduation by the university of
the student’s choice and can lead to up to 16 credit required
hours being waived depending upon such factors as student competency
levels, material covered in the class and the student’s portfolio.
“I think this is the way school curriculum needs to go and
will go,” Lawson said of the pairing of academic and hands-on
technology based learning.
Tech Prep began at SSU eight years ago as part of a movement
to meet the needs of a changing job market and currently works with
approximately 300 high school students and 50 graduates in technical
programs. "I
feel that probably 16 to 20 percent of students would greatly
benefit from the program and maybe even more," Lawson stated. The
program centers around the combination of academics and hands-on
training, with a strong emphasis on partnering with businesses to
discover what skills are needed by and valuable to employers.
Based in part on the feedback from businesses, the program
guides students into the right combination of technical classes and
strong academics, especially in math and communications.
To best benefit interested students, Lawson advocates early
career exploration, as early as elementary school so students know
at least in what field they are interested by the ninth grade.
Then students can begin taking the right classes to prepare
them for the Tech Prep curriculum.
"I always believe in planning.
The better the plan, the sooner it can be implemented and the
better the opportunities it provides," Lawson said adding that
he believes Tech Prep is a great way for students to prepare for
successful careers. Tech Prep is available at almost all high schools in Scioto, Lawrence, Pike, and Adams counties. For information on how to get involved in a Tech Prep program contact George Lawson at the SSU Office of University Outreach Services at (740) 351-3122 or toll free at (866) 672-8778. ### FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Contact: THE WILD AND WACKY
SUPER COOL '50S ARE BACK! The new national tour of the long-running hit Broadway musical, "GREASE," comes to Portsmouth's Vern Riffe Center for the Arts on the campus of Shawnee State University for two performances, Wednesday, October 30 and Thursday, October 31 at 7:30 p.m. It's time to turn back the hands of time to 1959 as "GREASE" slides into town in a brand new production. "GREASE," one of Broadway's longest running musicals, takes a hilarious, tuneful, and loving look at what it was like growing-up in the super-cool '50s. At a time when hot-rod-loving boys dressed in black-leather jackets chased boy-crazy girls in white bobby socks and pedal pushers, "GREASE" is complete with drive-ins, sock hops, pajama parties, hubcap stealing, and sneaking cigarettes at the senior prom. "GREASE" brings back the classic rock 'n' roll sounds of the 50s with songs including "We Go Together," "Since I Don't Have You," "Beauty School Dropout," and "It's Raining on Prom Night." And for those who cannot get enough of "GREASE," special arrangements have been made to include three songs from the movie. "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "You're The One That I Want" (by arrangement with Warner/Chappell Music) and Barry Gibb's "Grease" (by arrangement with BMG Music Publishing). "GREASE" is the story of Danny Zuko, king of the Burger Palace Boys and Sandy Dumbrowski, the wholesome, naďve and pretty transfer student whose life changes forever after meeting the tough yet vulnerable Rizzo, leader of the Pink Ladies gang. It takes a dab of Brylcreem, drive-in movies, pajama parties, cool cars, some tough-talking Pink Ladies, and their very own Teen Angel to keep these lovebirds on course. "GREASE" was written by Warren Casey and Jim Jacobs. Direction is by Ray DeMattis, choreography by Christopher Gattelli, set design by James Youmans, costumes by Wendall Goings, lighting design by Mike Baldassari and sound design and musical direction by Steve Bishop. "GREASE" is produced by Phoenix Productions; co-producer is Magic Arts and Entertainment. Reviews of the new production include: "It's fluorescent!" -- Waterbury Republican-American; "A well-oiled limo!" -- Connecticut Post; "A perfect musical. Grease indeed is still the word!" -- New Haven Register; "Grease sets the Shubert a rocking... the actors' phenomenal talent and the director's innovative vision make for a spectacular night of musical theatre," shouts the New Haven Herald Review. Come early and have fun in the Vern Riffe Center lobby. Local WNXT-FM dee-jay, Steve Hayes, will treat you to some of your favorite tunes at 6:30 p.m. and then join the coolest of cool dee-jays, Vince Fontaine, on the stage at 7:15 p.m. with dance contests and more fun at the best dance party in town! Call the McKinley Box Office at (740) 351-3600 for ticket information. Box office hours are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Portsmouth performances of "GREASE" are presented by the Southern Ohio Performing Arts Association and Shawnee State University, and are sponsored by the Southern Ohio Medical Center and media sponsor WOWK-TV. The Scioto County Area Foundation and gifts made to the Shawnee State University Development Foundation have helped fund these performances. Grease -- it's still the word. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Contact: (Article by Jennifer Moorhead, communications specialist--Office of Communications) Shawnee State
University presenting two free events to public Nationally renowned magician Mike Super will be at Shawnee State University at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts. Mike Super's Magic & Illusion Production is an interactive experience combining energetic music, lighting, comedy, magic, and illusion with audience participation. Super will make an audience member levitate, cause it to snow with his bare hands, physically fold a spectator so small that he fits into a Japanese shoe box, and breathe life into a piece of paper that will dance in a stranger's hand, just in the first 15 minutes of the show. Super, who travels over 300,000 miles each year with over $150,000 worth of equipment, has received two Performing Arts Entertainer of the Year nominations. Additionally, the readers of the entertainment industry publication "C.A. Magazine" named him Novelty/Live Entertainer of the Year in 2001. The event, sponsored by the SSU student programming board, is free and open to the public. "The student programming board provides activities suited to fit the educational, cultural, recreational, and social needs of Shawnee State University students, often providing free events to the campus community," said Tiffany Weaver, student activities coordinator. Another event free and open to the public is the annual Halloween Carnival, sponsored by the office of student activities. This evening of fun is offered for families to come and celebrate Halloween in a safe place, said Weaver. Featuring a costume contest, pony rides, a petting zoo, games, and prizes, the Halloween Carnival will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at the University Center at SSU. For more information, please call the Office of Student Activities at (740) 351-3217. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Contact: (Article by Jennifer Moorhead, communications specialist--Office of Communications) Public demand creates
two PORTSMOUTH, Ohio--Such an interest has been generated in the upcoming premiere of the local documentary "River Voices," two more free presentations of the film depicting the tragic 1937 Ohio River flood have been scheduled. On Saturday, Oct. 5, "River Voices" will be shown simultaneously at 7:30 p.m. in the Flohr Lecture Hall in the Clark Memorial Library at Shawnee State University (SSU) as it shown to a crowd of nearly 1,140 at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts. A special encore presentation will also take place at SSU at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, in the Flohr Lecture Hall. "The additional showings of 'River Voices' are necessitated by the quick sell-out of tickets for the premier showing," said John Lorentz, Ph.D., director of the Center for International Programs and Activities and history professor at SSU. "All tickets were snapped up by the public in one week of their availability and continuing demand for tickets prompted us to schedule more viewings." No tickets are required for the two presentations at the Flohr Lecture Hall on Oct. 5 and 7. It will be on a first come, first served basis, said Lorentz. The encore presentation on Oct. 7 will offer an added treat with the viewers having the opportunity to participate in a cineforum, a format where some of the film's key players discuss the making of the film after the show and answer questions from the audience. Those on hand for the evening to discuss the project which took nearly three years to complete will be Nathan Lorentz, director; John H. Lorentz, producer; and Mikael Jacobson, musical score writer. "We are gratified by the overwhelming public interest and response to our efforts in documenting the 1937 Ohio River flood," said Lorentz, whose family lost their home to the tragedy. Lorentz's son, Nathan, who directed the 60-minute documentary about the flood that covered almost two-thirds of the city and claimed the life of one resident, earned a master's degree in film and video production at the American University in Washington, D.C. He now lives in Washington, DC, where he still works as a filmmaker as well as a computer network manager for a national firm. Musical score writer Jacobson of Los Angeles, Calif., who earned a master of arts in film composition at the University of Southern California, will discuss his part in the film and explain the process of writing original music for the documentary. Some of Jacobson's credits include the films "You're Never Too Old to Dream," and "Thank God for Rock and Roll." He is also noted for a national ESPN commercial and a Fox animated series. "The original music score adds immeasurably to the impact of the film since it captures exactly the mood of the moment that the director and producer wish to evoke," said Lorentz. "Working with Jacobson, as well as Noah Adams of National Public Radio, the narrator of the film, has been both a privilege and a memorable creative endeavor. Both have greatly helped to take wing the vision that my son and I imagined for 'River Voices.'" "River Voices," made possible in part by the Ohio Humanities Council, Shawnee State University, and the State of Ohio, will be available for purchase in both a VHS format for $24.95 and a DVD format for $29.95. For more information, please call (740) 351-3223. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Contact: (Article by Jennifer Moorhead, communications specialist--Office of Communications) Astrophysicist Sara Seager
Astrophysicist
Sara Seager, Ph.D., one of the top scientific detectives who is
presently working to solve that age-old question of just what is
really out there, will be at SSU at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, in the
Flohr Lecture Hall located in the Clark Memorial Library. The event,
sponsored by the SSU Department of Natural Sciences and funded by
the Pixley Committee on Science and Technology, is free and open to
the public. Seager,
a Harvard University graduate who works at the Carnegie Institution
in Washington, D.C., will speak about the discovery of extrasolar
planets and the stimulating research that has resulted from the
discovery. "This
is a new and very exciting field of research," said Seager, 31,
an Ontario, Canada native. "Just over 100 giant extrasolar
planets have been spotted in only the last seven years or so. We are
trying to understand what these planets look like and what they are
made of. In addition, we are embarking on the search for Earth-like
planets and biological signatures of extraterrestrial life." Extrasolar
planets orbit sun-like stars, just like the Earth orbits the sun.
The first one was discovered in 1995. Surprisingly, said Seager,
almost all of the known planetary systems are very different from
our solar system.
"This discovery allows us to
explore the possibility of our origins, such as how our solar system
was formed and where we come from," said Seager, whose work at
the Carnegie Institution of Washington mainly involves building
models of the new planetary systems through computer programming and
conducting research.
Seager, who spent nearly three
years at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton after
graduating from Harvard University in 1999 with a doctorate in
astronomy, will also present a science seminar for SSU students at 2
p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, in the Flohr Lecture Hall. Additionally, the
SSU Women's Forum will host a luncheon with Seager as the guest of
honor for SSU women students interested in science.
Aside from the obvious reward of
being directly involved in cutting edge research, Seager also takes
great pleasure in the part of her job where she gets to travel and
educate other people about the discoveries she and her colleagues
make.
"This is brand new and it's
very exciting," said Seager. For
more information about Seager’s presentation, call the SSU
Department of Natural Sciences at (740) 351-3456. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Contact: (Article by Erica Fulton, Communications Specialist-SSU Office of Communications) (ATTN: A list of students' names (award recipients)--those who reside in your circulation area--is included at the end of the release.) TRIO Programs Help Make College Attainable PORTSMOUTH, Ohio--In the past, when jobs are cut, traditionally there has been an increase in the number of people choosing to go to college to enhance their job opportunities, but for many, the prospect of tackling higher education admission, financial aid, and academic tasks seems overwhelming. Enter the TRIO programs at SSU, whose primary goal is to encourage first-generation college students or those whose income meets federal standards to go to college by providing services to help them along the way. Serving middle school students to adults, the U.S. Department of Education funded programs at SSU provide a range of services aimed at assisting the area in educating its residents and not necessarily just at SSU. In fact, most of the programs are available no matter in what university the prospective student is interested, because TRIO programs cannot recruit for SSU; however some programs by nature, provide support for SSU students. Of the TRIO programs, that began at the federal level in 1965, SSU offers Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math and Science, Student Support Services, Educational Talent Search, and Educational Opportunity Center (EOC). Barbara Bradbury, director of pre-college programs and Ombuds, said, "The purpose of the TRIO programs is to get adults or youths into college and see them through graduation. One of the first TRIO programs at SSU was Upward Bound. According to Bradbury and Rebecca Harr, the Upward Bound program assistant, the program is designed to give high school students extra encouragement to attend college. TRIO provides to these students, who either qualify due to their household income or because neither parent has a four-year degree, academic, social, recreational, and cultural services as well as counseling to help generate the skills, motivation, and self-confidence necessary for success in college. The program, housed at SSU, completed a six-week residential summer component this past summer. Students from area schools lived in campus housing and attended a variety of academic and enrichment classes and activities, which included a reward trip to Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition, participants traveled to various colleges for campus visits and to businesses for career opportunities, while a new work-study component provided some students with the opportunity to earn stipends from volunteer work on campus. Upward Bound has experienced great success with 96 percent of its students going to college over the last ten years. Scott Powell, a recent Northwest graduate and Upward Bound participant, said, "Upward Bound is one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. I have done a lot of great things, met so many new people, but most important, it's opened me up and better prepared me for life." Upward Bound's spin off, Upward Bound Math and Science, is in its third year. Very similar to its predecessor in purpose aside from the emphasis on promoting math and science college pursuits, the program offers classes taught by SSU professors including forensics, environmental microbiology, geometry and seismology. A major difference however, is in its recruitment efforts. Tim Amburgey, program assistant, explained that Upward Bound Math and Science draws on students from 29 counties, all of Appalachia and all of West Virginia; whereas, Upward Bound serves Scioto county only. This year the program was able to take the senior participants to Oregon for a weeklong educational trip. A similar program, Educational Talent Search, which serves Pike, Lawrence, and Scioto counties, works with high school and some middle school students in career and college exploration. Serving 667 students during the 2001-2002 school year, students participated in college visits throughout the region including Berea College, Ohio University, Rio Grande, and the University of Cincinnati. Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) is another TRIO program, but it exists to help non-traditional students in the attainment of higher education. "The EOC does an excellent job of encouraging the off campus, adult population to come back to campus and go to or finish college," Bradbury said. Ten coordinators, housed on 10 campuses, help adults who are interested in college search for information, fill out applications, book campus tours, fill out financial aid forms, and even enroll in classes designed to help them get their GED if needed or just refresh themselves in necessary skills before they enter classes at the college of their choice. Working with plant closings, CAO, WIA, and other government agencies, the EOC staff works as coordinators to adults who want to go to college but need some guidance to make the transition. Teresa McKenzie, SSU Outreach coordinator of the EOC, explained, "We try to ease the stress associated with going to college as an adult. We want them to succeed and try to give them the tools to do that." Once students choose a college, there are also programs there to see them through graduation. At SSU, first-generation or income qualified students as well as students with disabilities, can turn to Student Support Services (SSS) to provide assistance or simply encouragement to help them stay in college. SSS offers individual tutoring in English and math, career and graduate school counseling, instruction materials and supplies on loan, study groups, and informal support networks, workshops on personal and academic issues, and individual help with reading and writing. In addition, SSS just received a $49,000 increase in its budget, which will be used for SSS students for college tuition and fees to help reduce their dependence on loans. Danielle Collins, a SSS student attending SSU said that she had to overcome many obstacles to stay in college but not without support. "In February 2000, I lost my home to a flood, and my children and I were without our own home for five months. The Student Support Services staff would not allow me to give up, because they knew just how much my success and education mean to me," she said. SSU's Student Support Services program has been a great success on campus. Bradbury noted that according to a recent report, SSS students' grade point averages and retention rates are higher than similar students within the University. TRIO programs are grant-funded and the services are free to students. For information on any of the programs mentioned in the article, contact SSU at (800) 959-2778. Listed below are the Upward Bound students who received special recognition for their hard work this year. Recipients were honored at the annual Upward Bound Awards Ceremony. Outstanding Student Award: Joe Maiden-Wheelersburg Director’s List Award and Perfect Attendance Award: Megan Adams-Lucasville, Erica Adkins-New Boston, Emilee Belcher-Minford, Charlotte Bender-Portsmouth, Amanda Biars-Sciotoville, Lynnsey Bias-Portsmouth, Zachary Boyd-Sciotoville, Christine Davis-Wheelersburg, Sarah Dials-Wheelersburg, Criston Ellis-Lucasville, Whittney Evans-Portsmouth, Lacie Hacker-Portsmouth, Joe Maiden, Nikki Mitchell-Lucasville, Ashley Roberts-Lucasville, Kyle Rooney-Portsmouth, Adonna Watts-Wheelersburg, and Marissa Zinker-South Webster. Math Honors Award: Erica Adkins, Criston Ellis, Emilee Belcher, and Lacie Hacker Science Honors Award: Christine Davis, Lakeisha Snook-Sciotoville, Criston Ellis, and Kelli Picklesimer-Portsmouth English Honors Award: Marissa Zinker, Matt Swords-West Portsmouth, and Joe Maiden Highest Points Award: Joe Maiden, and Justin Farmer-Portsmouth - Bridge student No Infractions Award: Billie Jo Burk-Portsmouth, Melissa Dials-Wheelersburg, Whittney Evans, Justin Farmer, Crystal Hill-West Portsmouth, Latosha Lamblin-Portsmouth, Nikki Mitchell, Kelli Picklesimer, Scott Powell-Otway, Ashley Roberts, Tara Ross-Piketon, Lakeisha Snook-Sciotoville, Adonna Watts, and Marissa Zinker. # # #
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Contact: (Article
by Brenton Parsons, writer--SSU Office of
Communications) Student
Literary Magazine at SSU Do you prefer the savage clash of heavy, hot,
and hard rock music? What about the melancholy strumming of acoustic
performers? Perhaps intellectual, inspired poetry is more your
style. Whatever your preference, the Silhouette CD may be for
you. The CD, which is a venture from the Silhouette
magazine at Shawnee State University (SSU), is a combination of all
three genres-a good indication of what the Silhouette is about-a
publication aimed at celebrating different types of art. “We had been concerned for some time that
the Silhouette publication is the only creative voice at SSU
and, for that matter, in Southern Ohio,” said the faculty adviser
to the Silhouette, Brian Richards. “It was also clear that
some of the strongest creative work that was being done in our area
was by musicians. We wanted to use that creativity, and the CD is an
offshoot of that.” The bands that worked on the album, along with
the staff of the Silhouette, worked tirelessly to raise money
for the album by doing such things as donating the proceeds from
performances to the cause. The CD was also helped along in large
part by a stipend from the Scioto County Area Foundation, which
enabled the CD to be created. “We knew we could do something like a CD if
we could get the money,” said Richards. “The Foundation was
critical in helping us. They gave us a stipend, which gave us the
ability to move forward.” While some people may be reluctant to purchase
the CD because of the lack of big name artists appearing on the
bill, Richards is quick to point out that undiscovered talent is one
of the key features of the album. “I think the level of talent is certainly
the distinguishing feature about the album,” said Richards. “There
are wonderful bands in the area and wonderful singer-songwriters.
This is an opportunity to bring that talent to a greater audience.” Another new feature on the album is the
addition of Spoken Word performances. The Spoken Word is
non-rhyming, free-flowing, and thought-provoking poetry that is at
times both academic and utterly street-wise. “Tom Bridwell’s work has been nationally
recognized,” said Richards. “Not to mention Jake Rakovan, who is
profoundly local and extremely talented. To hear them read is to
experience that type of work in a way that is otherwise unavailable.” So what is next for the Silhouette?
Hopefully, more of the same. Richards is hoping that the sale of the
Silhouette CD will raise enough money to become an ongoing
project. “The simple fact is that the university is
very generous with us but it doesn’t give us enough money to
produce both (printed and audio) issues," Richards said.
"If we are able to sell all of the copies of the CD it will put
us on a fairly independent basis.” For now, the Silhouette continues to be
one of the best ways for Scioto County residents to express
themselves artistically and to have their art displayed to a wide
range of people. The Silhouette is being released at The State
Bar and Grill on October 24 at 9 p.m. For more information, call the Silhouette
office at (740) 351-3689. # # # |
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