When was the last time you explored the solar system or witnessed the explosion of a star? When was the last time you journeyed inside a living cell or experienced roller-coaster-type rides under a large domed projection screen?

            You can when you visit Shawnee State University’s (SSU) Clark Planetarium in Portsmouth, Ohio.

            SSU’s Clark Planetarium will be opening to the public every Thursday and Saturday at 7 p.m. beginning July 15. Admission charge will be $2 per person, and shows will be chosen at the time of the event.

            The planetarium seats 66 and will sell out very quickly, according to director Tim Hamilton, Ph.D. On nights the planetarium sells out, a second show will be scheduled for 8 p.m.

            Directed by Hamilton, assistant professor of physics, Department of Natural Sciences, and operated by SSU students Jason Bryant and Mark Hamilton, the Clark Planetarium sports a magnificent array of shows for all ages and audiences.

            For more information, call (740) 351-3145 or (740) 351-3224.

            It was a surprise to Jerry Blanchard as he stood to the applause of nearly 1,200 people at an awards luncheon at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel in San Diego recently.

            Blanchard, who has been the director of the 21st Century Community Learning Center project for Scioto, Lawrence, and Pike counties for the past four years and served as teacher and administrator in the Russell (Ky.) Independent School system for many years prior to that, was nominated and awarded one of three leadership awards handed out at “Beyond School Hours VII: Viewing Challenges as Opportunities,” a national conference on extended-day programs.

            Blanchard was very pleased to receive the award.

            “I had no forewarning that I was going to receive the award,” said Blanchard. “It was the first day of the conference and we were attending the luncheon. They called me to the podium and made the presentation. I was surprised and extremely honored to receive this recognition.”

            The conference is an annual event designed to help educators working in extended-day programs across the United States learn from the research and experience of other individuals in related fields. Presentations regarding a variety of topics pertaining to learning, education, and students were given over a four-day period, Feb. 15 to 18. Blanchard has attended previous conferences in New Orleans, San Francisco, and Orlando, along with site coordinators from Scioto, Pike, and Lawrence county schools.

            Blanchard, who helps facilitate and oversee the 21st Century Community Learning Center project, popularly known as the “After School Mall” program in 39 area schools, bases the project out of his office in University Outreach Services at SSU. The program serves approximately 2,500 students.

            As part of the project, Blanchard has worked closely with Foundations, Inc., an organization based out of Philadelphia that evaluates after school programs and provides curriculum materials. Blanchard believes it was individuals from this organization who nominated him for the “2004 Beyond School Hours Leadership Award.”

            Besides the recognition he received at the conference, Blanchard has viewed his position as area “After School Mall” director as one of the most rewarding experiences of his 33 years in education.

            “Being in this position is a very rewarding experience,” said Blanchard. “The program has enabled these kids to do things they wouldn’t have otherwise been able to do. Helping to make this program work and see these kids receive these opportunities has been great.”

            Although grant monies for the 21st Century Community Learning Center project have been relegated to the state level, thus cutting the budget significantly, Blanchard intends on continuing in his current position as director.

            Blanchard currently resides in Flatwoods, Ky., with his wife, Pat.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2004

(Article by Jennifer Moorhead, communications coordinator-Office of Communications)

SSU Development Foundation awards
grant to establish women’s studies minor at university

            One of the goals of the Shawnee State University (SSU) Women’s Forum, formed in the fall of 2000 to promote, advocate, educate, and support the women of SSU and the community at-large, is to encourage the establishment of academic programs that provide the opportunity for concentrated study of women's issues.

            Now, thanks to the SSU Development Foundation and the late Mary Jane McMillan who left unrestricted funds to SSU through a bequest, that goal is being met through the awarding of a grant to aid in the establishment of a minor in women’s studies at SSU.

            “It is exciting to have this opportunity for our students and faculty,” said Rita Rice Morris, Ph.D., SSU president. “We are grateful to the Foundation for their support of this very important project.”

            Morris also appreciates donors like Mrs. McMillan who remember SSU in their will.

            “We feel certain that Mrs. McMillan would feel good about her role in bringing this special project to fruition,” said Morris. “The selflessness she showed by naming Shawnee State University in her bequest will be felt by countless students for years to come. The difference donors can make when they leave money in a will is extraordinary.”

            Eleven SSU faculty members were selected to receive a stipend to develop 10 courses pertaining to women’s studies within their areas of expertise.

            “This grant will help give the faculty members the support that they need to develop the courses,” said Roberta Milliken, Ph.D., associate professor, English, and 2003-04 Women’s Forum chair. “If all goes well, conceivably we could have a minor in women’s studies by spring of 2005. This was an outstanding group effort."

            Many Forum members were involved in this project and deserve recognition, said Milliken, including Ginnie Moore, director of university outreach services and new chair of the Women's Forum, Tess Midkiff, director of the Clark Memorial Library, Kimberly Lata, institutional research analyst, Susan Warsaw, executive director, development, Elinda Boyles, director, human resources, and SSU President Rita Rice Morris, Ph.D.

            Courses now being developed and by whom include: “Women in Appalachia,” Mattie Burton, Ph.D., chair, Department of Nursing; “Hispanic Women in the Arts,” Julia Coll, Ph.D., professor, applied linguistics, education; “Women in Health,” Barbara Duncan, professor, dental hygiene, and Mary (Kitty) Linde, Ph.D., professor, medical laboratory technology; “Women in Government,” Stylianos Hadjiyannis, Ph.D., professor, political science; “Women In Film,” Darren Harris-Fain, Ph.D., associate professor, English; “Women and the Narrative,” Debra Knutson, Ph.D., assistant professor, English/director, composition; “Women in American History,” Barbara Kunkle, Ph.D., associate professor, English; “Feminist Rhetorical Theory,” Michael Powell, senior instructor, English; “Women in Music,” Timothy Scheurer, Ph.D., chair, Department of English and Humanities; and “Women of Color in America,” Joan Weston, Ph.D., assistant professor, social sciences.

            Once the courses are developed, the paperwork will be submitted to the Educational Policy and Curriculum Committee for approval.

            A minor in women’s studies will create a much more well-rounded student with greater critical thinking skills, said Milliken, for it enables students to study and celebrate women and their contributions to society--something that unfortunately is still not done often enough.

            “People think that because we have certain anti-discrimination laws on the books, the whole gender issue is moot,” said Milliken. “But traditional social structures remain that are very subtle and restrictive. This suggests that much more needs to be done to change the way we value women and their social contributions. Women’s studies, then, helps enable students to become more adept at navigating their own society as individuals."

            Presently, there are four courses offered at SSU that may count towards a women’s studies minor-“Introduction to Women’s Studies,” “Women in Literature,” "Gender Socialization," and "Women in Medieval Europe."

            Classes offered at SSU set students on a path toward attaining any one of more than 80 bachelors’ and associate degrees offered by the institution. Degree areas include the arts, English and humanities, mathematical sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, teacher education, business administration, industrial and engineering technologies, and health sciences.

            For more information, call (740) 351-4778, (800) 959-2SSU, visit www.shawnee.edu or www.shawnee.edu/comm/wforum <http://www.shawnee.edu/comm/wforum>. For more information on becoming a donor to SSU, call (740) 351-3284.

            A unique opportunity for a student to obtain financial aid has been created at Shawnee State University (SSU) through the establishment of the Pay It Forward Award.

            Anonymous donors created the Pay It Forward Award as a means to allow a student who might otherwise not be able to complete an academic year because of financial difficulty to remain in school.

            The donors intend for the award to be a loan to be repaid by the recipient by lending it to another deserving individual, other than a family member, in the future. Thus, good begets good.

            The first recipient of the award-Rick Abney of Quincy, Ky.-was very appreciative of the financial support he received after he and his family lost their home to a fire in September 2003.

            Rick, a plastics engineering technology student, found it difficult to return to the routine of college while he and his wife, Amy, continued to raise three children and establish a new home.

            “I was very grateful for the support,” said Rick. “I returned full-time in spring, and that money helped me pay for school and books. It helped greatly.

            Applicants must exhibit financial need, be and remain in good academic standing, and pledge to repay the loan by loaning it to another individual in the future.

            Offering more than 80 bachelor’s and associate degree programs in areas such as fine, digital, and performing arts; English and humanities; mathematical sciences; natural sciences; social sciences; teacher education; business administration; industrial and engineering technologies; and health sciences, SSU has over $2 million available to students in both need- and academic-based scholarships.

            For more information about the scholarship, call (740) 351-4243. For more information about establishing scholarships and other development opportunities, call (740) 351-3284.

Rita Rice Morris, Ph.D., president of Shawnee State University (SSU), has announced the president’s list for the spring 2004 quarter. To be named to the list, students must be full-time and have achieved a grade point average of 4.0.

(Article by Jennifer Moorhead, communications coordinator—Office of Communications)
 

SSU physical therapist assistant graduates

receive PTA pins
 

            Sixteen of the 17 Shawnee State University (SSU) physical therapist assistant (PTA) graduates participated in a pinning ceremony on June 12 in celebration of completing their academic program, which awards them an associate of applied sciences degree (AAS).

            “The historical significance of the pin dates back to when knights were honored for their service to their king and queen,” said Sam Coppoletti, PTA program director and senior instructor. “Most notably, Florence Nightingale, the forerunner of the nursing profession, used a pin to signify the career calling or vocational transition from student to professional nurse. The graduates may wear the pins during their clinical work once they pass their state licensure exam.”

            Coppoletti and Priscilla Pope, PTA senior instructor, presented the following graduates with their pins.

            The PTA program at SSU provides regional training via coordinated, broad-based learning experiences through excellence in teaching, transforming therapeutic principles into clinical applications.

            This training enables the students to prepare for the national criterion-based PTA State Licensing Examination.

            For more information, call (740) 351-3209 or (740) 351-3225.

            A bequest made by the late Harry A. Schirrman, a Portsmouth businessman, is being utilized to create the Schirrman Travel Fund at Shawnee State University (SSU).

            The bequest, with $2,300 to be awarded for the 2004-2005 academic year, will allow for SSU students to travel to conferences, events, and presentations.

            The amount will be evenly shared between the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Professional Studies at SSU.

            “I am very excited about the possibilities these awards will offer,” said Jerry Holt, Ph.D., dean, College of Arts and Sciences. “Students who may have never attended a scholarly conference or who otherwise may not get to take part in a class-related journey will now be able to do so.”

            Martha Rader, Ph.D., dean, College of Professional Studies, agrees.

            "The Schirrman Travel Fund provides a great opportunity for students to extend their learning experiences beyond the classroom,” said Rader. “In the process, Shawnee State University also gets much positive exposure at the regional and national levels."

            Supporters of SSU are encouraged to remember the university in their wills.

            “Donors can make an impact on students and their educational experience in a myriad of ways, even after death,” said Susan Warsaw, executive director, Office of Development, SSU. “What a proud legacy to leave.”

            For more information on how to establish bequests or make donations to SSU, call (740) 351-3284.

            E.B. Newberry, of Morrow, a recent graduate of Shawnee State University (SSU), received the Ohio Campus Compact’s Charles J. Ping Community Service Award and the Student Government Association (SGA) award from the SGA at SSU, during the SSU Evening of Honors awards ceremony held at the end of spring quarter.

            The Charles J. Ping Community Service Award is a statewide honor recognizing student leadership and community service. Newberry, who volunteers for the Salvation Army and Scioto County Children’s Services, was nominated by an SSU faculty member.

            In addition, Newberry, who served as president of the SGA for 2003-2004, received the Student Government Association award, voted on by SGA members. Newberry served a total of four years in SSU’s student government.

            Some of the accomplishments of SGA this past academic year that Newberry was involved in include making the student course evaluations accessible on reserve in the Clark Memorial Library, sending six students to Washington, D.C. for a leadership training conference, volunteering at the Salvation Army, sponsoring a campus-wide sporting event, and providing the funding for a record number of new clubs and organizations.

            Newberry graduated in June with a Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations from SSU. She plans to volunteer for a year through AmeriCorps and Campus Compact at SSU as a VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) volunteer.

            Offering more than 80 bachelor’s and associate degree programs in areas such as fine, digital, and performing arts; English and humanities; mathematical sciences; natural sciences; social sciences; teacher education; business administration; industrial and engineering technologies; and health sciences, SSU, located on the banks of the Ohio River in Portsmouth, Ohio, has over $2 million available to students in both need- and academic-based scholarships.

            For more information, call (740) 351-3221 or visit www.shawnee.edu <http://www.shawnee.edu>.