‘Tis the season for decorating Christmas trees with sparkling lights, burning the Yule log, and lighting the Menorah! These are traditions that have been passed down from one generation to another for hundreds of years. But, have you ever wondered about the meaning behind these celebrated traditions?

            Shawnee State University’s (SSU) Clark Planetarium will present “Season of Light,” a show that explores the meaning behind these traditions and others. The show traces the development of many holiday customs, including gift-giving, Christmas carols, and kissing under the mistletoe!

            “The ‘Season of Light’ show tells the historical background of Christmas and Hanukkah, and it explains the origins of many of the customs that have become associated with them, such as Christmas trees and mistletoe,” said Timothy Hamilton, assistant professor of physics at SSU. “The show also discusses the Star of Bethlehem and what type of astronomical event it might have been.”

            Beginning December 1 and ending January 1, 2005, “Season of Light” will be presented every Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday (except Christmas Day). Two shows will be presented on each of those days at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. The Clark Planetarium is located in the Advanced Technology Center (ATC) on the Shawnee State University campus.

            “Season of Light” will be open to the general public, and is appropriate for both children and adults. The cost is $3 for adults, $2 for children under 12, and the money will be collected at the door. Seating in the Clark Planetarium is limited to 66.

            “We don’t have the ability to take reservations, unfortunately, so it is first-come, first-served,” said Hamilton. “If you have a long drive, it is best to arrive for the 7 p.m. show, and if it sells out, you will be at the head of the line for 8 p.m.”

            For more information, please contact Scott Watson, planetarium operator, at watsons@shawnee.edu, or contact Hamilton, planetarium director, at (740) 351-3145 or via e-mail at hamilton@milkyway.gsfc.nasa.gov .

Do you hear what I hear? The holiday season will be brought into full swing when the Shawnee State University Choir presents its annual holiday concerts on Sunday, Dec. 5 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, located at 5^th and Market Streets, at 4:30 p.m., and at the Evangelical United Church of Christ, located at 5th and Washington Streets, at 7:30 p.m., according to choir director Shirley Crothers.

The concerts are presented free of charge as a gift to the community in connection with the “Dickens of a Christmas” festival. Crothers said giving the gift of music is one of the most rewarding aspects of the annual concert, which combines secular and religious contemporary songs

“I love bringing good music to the people of Scioto County,” Crothers said.

Local teacher Michelle Gleim is guest soloist on trumpet. Vocal soloists are SSU students Lindsay Cunningham, Grace Morgan, Tom Yost, post-secondary student Macy Idzakovich, and SSU professor Dr. Carlson Yost. Jeff Nowlin and Harry Alcorn, two well-known singers in the area, will also perform. Piano teacher Linda Day is the accompanist. SSU student Chris Boyles will be performing an organ overture.

For more information, contact the Department of Fine, Digital and Performing Arts at (740)351-3118.

            The Shawnee State Native American Student Association is organizing a dinner and movie night in recognition of National Native American History Month.

            November is the month in which Native people across the United States and Canada have organized events to raise awareness of the contributions American Indians have made to the development and prosperity of the United States.

            Velma Brehm, an SSU student and president of the Native American Student Association, says she hopes to raise awareness of Native American issues on the SSU campus. Brehm believes her experience living on a reservation in Washington has given her insight into the culture and traditions of Native Americans. She is an enrolled member of the Spokane Tribe and lived on a reservation until she was 21.

            “When I first came to the SSU campus, I saw a need for more programs for Native Americans, and because the university is named after the Shawnee Tribe, I felt there should be something on campus that has to do with Native American culture and traditions,” Brehm said.

            Brehm says she hopes the club’s upcoming event will raise awareness.

            “I want people to be aware that Native Americans are present in our society, and to break through the stereotypes,” Brehm said.

            The Native American Student Association will be showing the film “Skins,” which is directed by Chris Eyre. The film explores the social problems faced by many Native Americans living on reservations. The club will also be serving a traditional Native American food called fry bread, which will be prepared by Brehm.

            The event is free, open to SSU students, faculty, and staff members, and is scheduled for Nov. 18. The movie will begin at 7 p.m. with dinner starting at 6 p.m. in the Micklethwaite Banquet Hall, located in the SSU University Center.

            For more information call (740) 351-3376.

If you have ever considered opening your own business, University Outreach Services at Shawnee State University (SSU) has an excellent opportunity for you.

The Home Inspection Institute, a nationwide training program, teaches participants the business of home inspection in 40 hours, said Ginnie Moore, director of University Outreach Services; the organization is bringing its curriculum to SSU. Upon completion of the course, participants will have learned home inspection techniques and participated in three on-site home inspections, she said.

“A home inspector provides an objective evaluation of a home that someone is considering buying,” Moore said. “The inspector identifies problems and potential problems in the home and can give the prospective buyer estimates for repairs.”

The cost of the course is $995, which includes the text, materials, and a certificate from the Home Inspection Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio. There is a $50 discount on the cost of tuition for the first three participants willing to open their homes to an inspection. The course will run from Dec. 6-10 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, contact University Outreach Services at (740) 351-3274 or call the Home Inspection Institute at (800) 783-0092.

            Shawnee State University (SSU) took a moment today to recognize and show its appreciation to the active philanthropists in the SSU and surrounding communities during National Philanthropy Day (NPD) on Nov. 15.

            National Philanthropy Day is a day set aside to recognize the great contributions of philanthropy, according to Susan Warsaw, executive director of development at SSU. It provides an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of giving and all that it has made possible, she said. First held in 1986, NPD celebrates the endless daily contributions of individuals and organizations across the world to countless causes and missions.

            In recognizing NPD, participants are able to show appreciation for all that has been accomplished in the name of giving, as well as to show that there is still more to do, Warsaw said. It is an opportunity to remind communities, society, and the world that the spirit of giving is alive and well.

            “Shawnee State University shows its appreciation to all of the scholarship donors by placing ads in local newspapers and acknowledging their contributions in other ways,” Warsaw said. “However, scholarships are certainly not the only way that people donate. People contribute in many, many other ways.”

            The Shawnee State University (SSU) Development Foundation’s Annual Report will be available after Thanksgiving. All of SSU’s donors will be listed in the report, which includes the largest gift that is given each year, a financial statement, and more. The Annual Report is sent out to those who have donated to SSU during that particular year, however, anyone who does not receive one in the mail is welcome to contact the Development Foundation and request that one be sent to them.

            “It has been a privilege for me to work with the SSU Development Foundation and see firsthand how important the gifts received from our donors have been in affecting the growth of this university,” said Cheryl Albrecht, president of SSU’s Development Foundation. “Through giving, we share our blessings so that we might help others, and in the case of Shawnee State, we benefit not only the university community, but also the community in which we live, of which Shawnee State is an integral part. How nice it is to be able to recognize those who do so much.”

            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 offers over $2 million to students each year in both need- and academic-based scholarships.

            For more information about scholarships and other development opportunities, or to make donations to SSU, call the SSU Office of Development at (740) 351-3284.

            Sharyn McCrumb’s She Walks These Hills will be brought to life through an oral adaptation presented by an “Oral Interpretation of Literature” class taught by Michael Powell, senior instructor of English and Humanities at Shawnee State University.

            The book was recently selected as part of the One Book: One Community program, an initiative through both SSU’s Clark Memorial Library and the Portsmouth Public Library in which books are chosen by popular vote through online and library voting to be read by the community.

            One of the storylines in the book revolves around a woman who is kidnapped by Shawnee Indians and taken from North Carolina to the banks of the Ohio River. So the book is certainly tied to the southern Ohio area.

            Powell’s “Oral Interpretation of Literature” class is offered on SSU’s course schedule during fall and winter quarters. Throughout the course, students are required to participate in oral presentations of selected literature readings. During the last few weeks of the quarter, students rehearse in order to participate in a group presentation of a work that can either be suggested by students or chosen by Powell.

            When the course was offered during spring quarter 2004, Beth Mohr, an English major and student in the class, suggested “She Walks These Hills” as the literary work to present. She single-handedly condensed and deconstructed the text for the dramatic presentation, Powell said. She was able to dissect the book from 500 pages into 40 speaking parts for 10 speaking roles to be performed by herself and her classmates, according to Powell.

            “This book is really a great one, with a lot of references to this area,” said Mohr. “It has been a lot of work, but it has been a great experience. The Reader’s Theater is not really an in-depth analysis of the book—we can only touch on the main parts of it—but it is not meant to be. Hopefully, the presentation will spur people to actually read the book, which is the same goal of the One Book: One Community initiative.”

            Powell said that the event turned out to be such a success that he decided to present it again this quarter. Although she is not part of this class, Mohr has agreed to reprise her role.

            “What is great about Mohr’s script is that, for people who have already read the book, the characters will come back to life for them,” Powell said. “Also, she does a good job of making the script interesting without giving away too much of the plot for those who have not had the opportunity to read it.”

            The presentation will take place on November 15 at 4 p.m. in Shawnee State University’s (SSU) Flohr Lecture Hall, located in the Clark Memorial Library. Music will be performed by Hank Waring.

            For more information call (740) 351-3277.

        When you get home today, take a look in your closet. Do you have too many suit jackets?  How about a pair of slacks that don’t fit?  Maybe you have a blouse that still has the tags attached. Chances are there are a few things in your closet that might help change someone’s life. 

For the third year in a row, the SSU Women’s Forum will be collecting items for the First Impressions Clothes Closet organization, which provides free clothing appropriate for job interviews and work settings to those who may not be able to afford it. 

 Patricia Spradlin, SSU English and humanities professor and Women’s Forum Steering Committee member, says the clothing drive helps many people.

“This project touches a lot of people in our community.  It is important to support First Impressions, a local agency that provides professional clothing for women entering the workforce.  The agency needs gently used suits, jackets, skirts, black slacks, scrubs, shoes, purses, briefcases, etc. Anybody who wishes to help should bring the items to one of our drop boxes and we will donate it so it can help a new worker get a good start on a new job or career,” Spradlin said. 

She adds that men’s clothing is also welcome, large sizes are especially needed, and that all items should be clean and in good condition.

Collection boxes are located on the SSU campus in the Student Success Center, the Health Sciences Building, the University Outreach Services office in Massie Hall, the University Center, and the Children’s Learning Center. 

For more information on the Women’s Forum/First Impressions Clothes Closet drive, contact Spradlin at (740) 351-3228.

            Shawnee State University will host its 12^th annual Veterans Recognition Day on Wednesday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The salute to veterans will include military displays, health screenings, exhibits, and a recognition ceremony.

            Displays of memorabilia, recruiter’s displays, a support group display, the Shawnee State University Veterans Wall, and health screening stations will be located in the University Center lobby. A Huey Helicopter, military equipment and vehicles, and a climbing wall will be located on the University Center lawn.

            A recognition ceremony will be held from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m. on the University Center lawn. Brian Saul, admissions counselor at SSU, will serve as the master of ceremonies. Dr. Rita Rice-Morris, SSU President, will provide the welcome. Congressman Rob Portman will also speak.

            Michael Hughes, director of counseling and psychological services, said about 500 people attend the event each year. He also said it takes about one year to organize the event. This year, he says the crowd is in for a special event; President Morris will be parachuting onto campus to open the recognition ceremony.

            Hughes said he hopes attendees will appreciate the sacrifice and service made by our area veterans, especially in a time of war.

            “It is definitely important to make people aware that soldiers in our community are serving their country and that they need our support,” Hughes said.

            The general public, the SSU community, and veterans are invited to attend the events. For more information, call (740) 351-3539.

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             The Shawnee State University Board of Trustees Executive Committee Meeting scheduled for Monday, November 8, has been cancelled.

            The next meeting will be a special Board meeting on Friday, November 12 at 9:00 a.m. in the Pin Oak Room at the Dear Creek Resort and Conference Center located in Mt. Sterling, Ohio. The Board will consider only one agenda item, approval of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement with CWA.

            Shawnee State University Theater presents its fall quarter production, “The LEOs Award and Game Show”—a show that is seeking audience members who will participate in the production.

            This is a spoof awards show comedy, which has been described as being “like the Oscars meets Jeopardy.” It is audience-interactive and promises to be a great time for all.

            The production will run on Thursday, Nov. 4 and Friday, Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kahl Studio Theater located in the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts (VRCFA). Tickets are $3 and can be purchased at the McKinley Box Office located in the Selby Lobby of the VRCFA. For more information call (740) 351-3600.

Shawnee State University to hold meeting about offering
A Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science

            Shawnee State University (SSU) and Kent State University (KSU) will hold an informational meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. regarding offering a master of library and information sciences degree through the Shawnee State University Graduate Center. The meeting will be held in the SSU Micklethwaite Banquet Hall, located on the second floor of the University Center.

            SSU is exploring hosting this degree on campus as early as fall quarter 2005, said David Todt, associate provost at SSU. The degree would be offered through the 12-12-12 Distance Degree program of the Kent State University School of Library and Information Science (SLIS), he said. Courses are offered over a two-year cycle, although additional time is typically required to complete the degree. All coursework can be completed without taking courses at Kent. Courses are primarily offered through interactive video conferencing and classes would be held on the SSU campus.

            “In today’s technological and information-based society, there is a demand for individuals who can manage, retrieve, and handle information,” Todt said. “Kent State University has the only master’s degree program in library and information sciences (MLIS) in Ohio. We are happy to put the need that schools and libraries in our region have for individuals with the MLIS degree together with the program at Kent State. This is another example of the Graduate Center at SSU offering programs that serve the needs of southeastern Ohio.”

            The Graduate Center at SSU regularly holds informational meetings for potential as well as ongoing graduate programs offered on SSU’s campus by other higher educational institutions. The next such event following the MLIS meeting will be conducted on the SSU campus by the University of Dayton concerning school psychologist licensure and educational specialist degree programs. Meetings for ongoing programs with the University of Rio Grande such as a master of arts in education, and Marshall University’s master’s in environmental science or safety technology, are held each quarter.

            For information about other SSU Graduate Center programs, call (740) 351-3177 or send an e-mail message to smontavon@shawnee.edu.

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            Beginning Monday, Nov. 1, Shawnee State University (SSU) students will be able to register for winter quarter 2005 classes with just a click of a mouse.

            Steve Midkiff, Ph.D., registrar at SSU said after students have been advised (if they need advising, are required to be advised, or if they are not required to be advised), they begin the Web registration process through their student home page on SSU's new campus Intranet—myssu.shawnee.edu.

            "Students will go to the student section of myssu.shawnee.edu, choose 'registration,' and once there, depending on the timetable in which they can register (beginning Monday for seniors, Tuesday for juniors, Wednesday for sophomores, and Thursday for everyone else) they can proceed to add classes to their schedule," he said. "There is no form to submit; students simply enter courses directly via the Web. In addition, students can print a copy of their schedule and bill."

            Registration, according to Midkiff, opens at 12:01 a.m. on Monday morning and will remain open for students to add/drop their classes all the way through the first week of winter term.

            "Students can also register the 'old way' via submission of the blue form," he said. "There are no signatures being taken from advisers. If students are required to be advised, they must see their adviser, and then the adviser or someone in the department will enter an authorization/release for them to register. Then they are eligible to enter their schedule. Prerequisites and other requirements are built into the system."

            Two terminals will be set up in the Office of the Registrar lobby, located in the University Center on the SSU campus, if students need assistance logging into their account.

            "This should make things easier for everyone," Midkiff said. "It's all right at their fingertips."

            Information about Web registration was mailed to all SSU students. It is also available in the SSU winter quarter course schedule. For more information or assistance, call the Office of the Registrar at (740) 351-3403.