|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Photos by
Stephanie Smith, Communications Specialist)
Tech Prep
Showcase Competition
Shawnee State University (SSU)
hosted on Feb. 24 the annual Tech Prep Showcase Competition,
an event coordinated by the Ohio South Tech Prep Consortium
that allows students to work in teams or individually to
develop projects related to their Tech Prep high school
programs.
From left to right) Nick
Montavon, Brandy Lute, and Christie Norman from the Scioto
County Joint Vocational School, won 1st place in the Health
division for their showcase on animal abuse.
SSU Professor Debbie Risner
and Director of Preprofessional Services/Education Paul
Madden judge Kara Moore’s project, which took 3rd
place in the Education division of the competition. Moore
is from the Collins Career Center/Dawson-Bryant High School.
(From left to right)
Pictured are Nick Legg, Nick Dean, T.J. Oyer, and Jake
Burton from the Pike County Career Tech Center, placed first
in the Information Services/Systems category.
Winners of this event are
as follows:
Business:
First Place:
Students: Deana Sherman, Juanita Wilson, Morgan Koenig
Collins Career Center/Dawson-Bryant High School (Lawrence
County)
Second Place:
Students: Kayla Boggs, Hannah Collins, Taylor Leach, Angie
Reffitt
Collins Career Center/Dawson-Bryant High School (Lawrence
County)
Third Place:
Zach Abrams, Danielle Columbro, R.C. Lewis, Bobbie Watson
Collins Career Center/Dawson-Bryant High School (Lawrence
County)
Engineering:
First Place:
Students: Adam Cook, Kyle McGraw, Brandyn Ward
Pike County Career Center
Second Place:
Students: Ryan Appleton, Evan Baer, Dustin Woodruff
Pike County Career Center
Third Place:
Students: Adam Cook, Kyle McGraw, Brandyn Ward
Pike County Career Center
Health:
First Place:
Students: Brandee Lute, Nick Montavon, Christie Norman
Scioto County JVS
Second Place:
Students: Kim Harless
Collins Career Center (Lawrence Co.)
Third Place:
Students: Brittany Curington, Brittany Sexton
Collins Career Center (Lawrence Co.)
Interactive Media:
First Place:
Students: Joseph Conley, Ryan Rose, Toni Ward
Pike County Career Center
Second Place:
Students: Corey Belville, Justin Kelley, Holly Madden,
Blake Roth, Joey Zornes
Ironton High School
Information Systems/Services:
First Place:
Students: Jake Burton, Nick Dean, Nick Legg, T.J. Oyer
Pike County Career Center
Education/Teacher Preparation:
First Place:
Students: Susan Jaime, Erik McWhorter, Olivia Price
Collins Career Center/Chesapeake High School (Lawrence
Co.)
Second Place:
Students: Shannon Steward
Collins Career Center/Dawson-Bryant High School (Lawrence
Co.)
Third Place:
Students: Kara Moore
Collins Career Center/Dawson-Bryant High School (Lawrence
Co.)
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
Children's Learning Center Book Fair
Shawnee
State Park naturalist Jenny Richards reads a book about insects to
students at the Dr. Miller and Genevieve Toombs Children's
Learning Center (CLC), located on Shawnee State University's
campus, as part of the CLC's "Camp Read-a-Book" Scholastic Book
Fair activities going on this week. The book fair is open to the
public from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. for the remainder of the week.
Troy Newman of the Ohio
Department of Natural Resources and his wife Rachelle teach the
children at the Dr. Miller and Genevieve Toombs Children's
Learning Center (CLC), located on Shawnee State University's
campus, about the importance of water safety on Tuesday, Feb. 28
as part of events for the Scholastic "Camp Read-a-Book" book fair.
The couple read a book about different types of boats and taught
students about boating safety with a demonstration. The Newman's
son Pete, a CLC student, assisted his parents and explained his
father's tools and gadgets to his classmates. The book fair is
open to the public from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. for the rest of the
week.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by
Stephanie Smith, Communications Specialist)
SHAWNEE
STATE THEATER TO PRESENT WINTER QUARTER PLAYS
The Shawnee State University (SSU) Theater will be presenting
several plays as a winter quarter production this year. Five
new one act plays open March 8th at 7:30 p.m. and run
through March 11th in the Kahl Studio Theater,
located in the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts. Tickets for all
SSU students, faculty, staff, and military personnel are $5, and
$6 for the general public.
The production is the brainchild of Lorri Tipton and
adjunct professor of theater Jim Hayes, and is part of New
Millennium Plays, a new international competition first
presented three years ago in collaboration with the SSU theater
department. The finalists were chosen by Hayes and Tipton, who
read scores of submissions.
“I designed
the program when I first started this company as a way to
support new playwrights and introduce the community to new
work,” said Tipton. “This company has since evolved into A
Working Theatre Company, which is an incorporated
semi-professional theatre company based in Portsmouth. Jim
Hayes and I worked together on Plays for a New Millennium from
the first, and we are co-directors of A Working Theatre
Company. Jim’s unique personality as a director has been
stamped on the productions from the beginning”.
This year, several SSU students and recent graduates
will read through the submissions and direct a short play which
they have chosen. Afterward, the competition winner will be
decided by the audience in a secret ballot vote.
Nathan Wheeler will direct the satiric and topical
10- minute piece by Thomas H. Diggs titled “Harper Lee’s
Husband.” Through the protagonists, “In Cold Blood” author
Truman Capote and “To Kill a Mockingbird” author Harper Lee, the
play presents an “In Cold Blood”-styled fictionalized account of
their relationship and Lee’s relationship with her “imaginary
husband,” represented by an inflatable doll.
Recent SSU graduate Shaun Umland will direct
“Leftovers” by Scott McMorrow, which in the author’s own words
“takes a candid and comedic look at the taboo subject of
cannibalism.”
Tipton has chosen to direct a satire of aspiring but
untalented authors who submit their work to play festivals in
“Festival!” submitted by playwright Eileen M. Nowak, who also
plans to attend the performance on the 10th.
“The Devil is in the Details,” a short play by Jill
Elaine Hughes, will be directed by Kasey Wallace, a recent SSU
theater. In a Los Angeles drug cartel warehouse, a gang
“executive” and his sculptor girlfriend argue over the body of a
man they have just killed.
Loren Keller will direct the tragic comedy “Three
O’Clock” by Dennis Edelsen, a short piece in which four soldiers
wait out an unspecified war in a trench, all dreaming of the
same girl. Edelsen plans to attend two of the performances.
“These students and recent graduates are all very
bright people and they all have a very unique style,” said
Vivian Robson, associate professor of theater at SSU. “They
have all chosen very interesting pieces.”
The event is
sponsored by the Shawnee State Theater and SSU’s Development
Foundation. For more information or to purchase tickets contact
the McKinley Box Office at (740) 351-3600.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article
by Shanna Mustard, Communications Specialist)
CELL PHONE
COLLECTION DRIVE
TO BENEFIT THE MARCH OF DIMES
The Shawnee State University (SSU) Women’s Forum
will be collecting used cell phones for the March of Dimes
throughout March as part of Women’s History Month activities.
The March of Dimes collects used cell phones as
part of a national campaign to help fund the research of birth
defects. The March of Dimes sells the phones to ReCellular,
Inc. According to their website
www.wirelessrecycling.com, the company pays the March of
Dimes an average of $4 per phone but may pay more than $10 for
newer phones. ReCellular, Inc. refurbishes the newer phones
and uses older ones for parts.
Debra Knutson, Ph.D., suggested the Women’s Forum
participate in the cell phone drive to honor Virginia Apgar,
Ph.D.
According to
www.pbs.org, in 1933 Apgar became one of first women to
graduate from Columbia University with a medical degree
despite financial hardships brought on by the Great
Depression. In 1952, Apgar invented the Apgar test, which
evaluates the vitality of a newborn based on pulse,
respiration, muscle tone, color, and reflexes. The Apgar test,
still in use today, is credited with saving countless infant
lives by detecting birth defects quickly and recognizing
trauma caused by birth.
“Most people do not know that Dr. Apgar was a
female,” said Shannon Lawson, Women’s Forum member and chair
of the Women’s History Month committee. “We picked March of
Dimes because of the connection to Apgar.”
According to
Lawson, the Women’s Forum wanted to inform people about the
great things women have accomplished by recognizing a
historical female figure who people wrongly assume to be male.
“All
cell phones, even the old bag phones, can help the March of
Dimes,” said Lawson.
Forum
members will collect phones throughout the month of March.
Collection points include:
·
The Clark Memorial Library
·
The English and math department on the fourth floor of Massie
Hall
·
The writing center in the basement of the administration
building room 031
·
The Student Success Center
·
The ground floor of Kricker Hall
·
The Advanced Technology Center (ATC) in the lobby near BASICS
·
The University Center (UC) in front of the Student Activities
office
For more information on the drive, contact Knutson via email
at
dknutson@shawnee.edu. For more information on the March of
Dimes mission, visit
www.marchofdimes.com.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
Mary Tomlin Retires
Mary
Tomlin, associate director of financial aid, who has served
the Shawnee State University (SSU) community since 1975, was
honored Tuesday, Feb. 28 at her retirement party.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by Shanna Mustard, Communications Specialist)
SSU OFFERS COMPUTER TRAINING
Shawnee State University (SSU), through the
office of Business and Industry Training Services, will
offer computer-training courses during March and April.
“We are offering a wide array of workshops
which include Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook,
PowerPoint, web page design, and understanding Windows
software,” said Brenda Covert, Education for Business and
Industry manager. “The classes are three hours in length
and individuals have the option of taking the classes
during the day or evening.
Each class costs $39 but
participants can take two classes for $69 or three for
$99. Any interested individual can take the classes,
including community members, SSU staff, and students.
“This is an excellent deal,” said Covert.
Classes include:
-
"Microsoft Word: Basics” on March 6 from 9 a.m. until
noon and on March 7 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
-
“Microsoft Word: Creating Forms and Templates for User
Input” on March 6 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. and on March
14, 6-9 p.m.
-
“Microsoft Word: Streamlining Mailings with Mail Merge”
on March 13 from 9 a.m. until noon
-
“Microsoft Excel: Basics” on March 14 from 9 a.m. until
noon and on March 20 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
-
“Microsoft Excel: Advanced Editing and Formulas” on
March 14 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. and on March 27 from 6
p.m. until 9 p.m.
-
“Microsoft Excel: Designing Databases that Work” on
March 28 from 9 a.m. until noon
-
“Microsoft Project Management with Excel” on March 28
from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
-
“Microsoft PowerPoint: Basics” on March 20 from 9 a.m.
until noon and on March 21 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
-
“Microsoft PowerPoint: Pushing PowerPoint to the Limit”
on March 20 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. and on March 28
from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
-
“Microsoft Access: Basics” on April 3 from 9 a.m. until
noon and on April 4 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
-
“Microsoft Access: Building Queries and Managing Data”
on April 10 from 9 a.m. until noon
-
“Microsoft Access: Creating Forms for Easy Input” on
April 3 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
-
“Microsoft Outlook: Emailing Basics” on April 11 from 9
a.m. until noon and on April 17 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
-
“Microsoft Outlook: Unleash the Power of Contact
Management” on April 11 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. and on
April 18 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
-
“Microsoft FrontPage: Web Page Design” on April 18 from
9 a.m. until noon and on April 24 from 6 p.m. until 9
p.m.
-
“Microsoft Windows: Skills for Home and Work” on April
18 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. and on April 25 from 6 p.m.
until 9 p.m.
Dan
White, university information services (UIS) manager, will
teach the classes.
For more
information or to register, call (740) 351-3304 or 866
672-8778.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Photo
by Shanna Mustard, Communications Specialist)
Countdown to Commencement
Shawnee State
University (SSU) graduating seniors were able to
complete many of required graduation tasks at once
thanks to the "Countdown to Commencement" held on
Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. The event,
sponsored by the participating offices, allowed students
to get help from various offices and to ask questions
about graduation requirements. Offices participating
included the registrar's office, financial aid, the SSU
bookstore, career services, and the alumni association.
Students also ordered graduation announcements and class
rings from Herff Jones. Over 160 students attended the
event.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Photo
by Stephanie Smith, Communications Specialist)
Hair and the Feminine Image
On
March 1, Roberta Milliken, Ph.D., associate professor of
English at Shawnee State University (SSU), presented
“Hair and the Feminine Image” at the Southern Ohio
Museum of Art in Portsmouth. Her presentation, a
depiction of women in art and literature of the Middle
Ages, was given in celebration of March being Women’s
History Month.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by Shanna Mustard, Communications Specialist)
SSU
PROFESSOR FORMING BALLROOM DANCING CHAPTER
Shawnee State
University (SSU) accounting professor Steve Doster, DBA,
can dance his way through most situations.
Doster, an accounting professor at SSU since
1986, dedicates his free time to ballroom dancing. He
began introductory group lessons in 1999 and has
attended lessons and events over the years to improve
his technique.
“Ballroom dancing has undergone a resurgence
of popularity because of films like ‘Shall We Dance’ and
‘Mad Hot Ballroom’ as well as reality shows like
‘Ballroom Bootcamp’ and ‘Dancing with the Stars,’” said
Doster.
According to Doster, others on campus enjoy
his hobby.
Dan Moore, Ph.D., Lois Rase, Julia Coll,
Ph.D., Joyce McCall, Ruthie Heffner, Lindsey McRoberts,
and Ray Carson, Ph.D. also share Doster’s enthusiasm for
ballroom dancing.
Doster has served as both student and teacher of ballroom
dancing.
“My most memorable learning experience was
when I enrolled in theatrical tango, taught by visiting
professor Bruce Marrs on SSU’s campus,” said Doster.
“The course spanned 10 weeks, during which Marrs did a
masterful job of teaching the technique and energy of
tango to experienced dancers as well as to relative
beginners like myself.”
Doster teaches beginning dance classes both
in and outside of the classroom.
“Julia Coll and I have taught the tango many
times on campus,” said Doster. “We taught her advanced
Spanish students at the 2005 International Day. I also
assisted Lois Rase, a professional dance instructor and
SSU Bear Cubs program coordinator, in teaching the
foxtrot, waltz, and swing to Upward Bound students
during the summer. I also assist Lois in teaching these
same dances to adults, as well as Latin dances such as
the rumba, cha-cha, and tango.”
Doster and Coll recently performed at the
2006 International Culture and Cuisine Day which
included teaching students basic tango.
Doster hopes to eventually compete in the
bronze category of ballroom dancing as an amateur in the
future. He recently attended a national dance
competition in Sarasota, Fla. as a spectator and
received encouragement to enter a competition.
Doster, a former vice-president of USA Dance
(formerly U.S. Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association) in
Kentucky, hopes to start a similar chapter in the
Portsmouth Area.
“USA Dance chapter activities vary, but
typically include hosting one dance per month and
supporting group dance lessons at the introductory, and
sometimes the intermediate level,” said Doster.
Anyone interested in ballroom dancing
opportunities, such as lessons, dances, or competitions,
or in establishing a Portsmouth chapter of USA Dance
should contact Doster by email (preferably) at
tangoman@maysvilleky.net or by calling (740)
351-3466 (work) or (606) 759-7457 (home).
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Photo by Shanna Mustard, Communications Specialist)
SSU
Children’s Learning Center Book Fair
Shawnee State
University (SSU) geology professor Jeffrey Bauer, Ph.D.,
teaches children from the Dr. Miller and Genevieve
Toombs Children's Learning Center (CLC), located on
SSU's campus, about rocks and fossils on Wednesday,
March 1 as part of the events for the "Camp Read-a-Book"
Scholastic book fair going on this week. The book fair
is open to the public from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. for the
remainder of the week.
Miss
Jenny, the naturalist from Shawnee State Park, reads
nature books to the children of the CLC. Miss Jenny
taught the students about insects and reptiles.
Mr.
Steve, a local school guidance counselor and scout
master, gives the children of the CLC a lesson in
patriotism. Mr. Steve and the children gathered
around the campfire to learn about the American flag.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
SSU PRESIDENT MORRIS TESTIFIES BEFORE HIGHER
EDUCATION FUNDING STUDY COUNCIL
Shawnee State University (SSU)
president Rita Rice Morris, Ph.D. presented the following testimony
on Thursday, March 2nd during a meeting of the Higher
Education Funding Study Council (HEFSC) in Columbus.
The HEFSC was created in the state budget and charged with
reviewing all aspects of higher education funding contained in the
state budget and recommending any changes it determines are
necessary.
The HEFSC will issue a report of its activities, findings
and recommendations to the Governor, Speaker of the House of
Representatives, and the President of the Senate by May 31, 2006.
(FOLLOWING IS PREPARED TESTIMONY. THE TESTIMONY AS PRESENTED
MAY HAVE VARIED FROM THE TEXT.)
Testimony of
Rita Rice Morris, Ph.D., President
Shawnee State University
Prepared for Presentation to the
Higher Education Funding Study Council
March 2, 2006
Chairman Webster and distinguished members of the Higher
Education Funding Study Council. Thank you very much for giving me
the opportunity to speak for a few minutes about Shawnee State
University and the role we play in serving Southern Ohio as a high
quality regional university.
As you consider higher education’s role in preparing
Ohioans for the challenges that lay before us, I ask you to
remember: one size does not fit all. Different universities fill
different roles and serve different types of students. Young people
and non-traditional students need an array of options to enable them
to meet their educational goals.
Shawnee State is the newest state university, established
in 1986 with a clear and singular mandate: Make a difference in the
lives of those who live in Southern Ohio. We have been and will
continue to strive to be a high quality regional university.
In achieving that mission we are constantly mindful of
the Appalachian Ohio and first-generation college student
populations we serve. Fully two-thirds of our students are the
first in their family to attend college. These are students who are
more likely to attend college if they can do so near to home and
family. Were it not for Shawnee State University these students
might not have the opportunity to pursue a college degree – and the
need for more college graduates is acute in the region.
As you can see on the front page of the pamphlet I have
handed out, the median household income in the counties from which
Shawnee State primarily draws its students is over $10,000 less than
that of Ohio and the United States. It is no coincidence that while
the percentage of Ohioans with a bachelor’s degree is about 22
percent, only about 10 percent of residents in the Shawnee State
counties have achieved that level. As the CHEE report notes, there
is nearly a $20,000 difference between the average annual income of
a high school graduate and an individual who possesses a bachelor’s
degree. We will not improve the level of income and the quality of
life in Appalachian Ohio without increasing the number of
individuals with a bachelor’s degree.
Since 2001 Shawnee State has expanded access to a college
education by increasing enrollment 13 percent. We are one of
several institutions that are open-access. But we play many roles.
We are an important part of the array of postsecondary options for
Ohio citizens.
To provide the access that is central to our mission, it
is vitally important we keep tuition low. Research indicates our
students are keenly sensitive to cost as they consider whether or
not they should attend college.
Let me say that again – our students are not choosing what
college to attend, but whether they should attend college at all.
That is how important keeping tuition low is to our mission of
providing the opportunity of a college education to those who live
in our region.
I also ask the council to keep in mind that many students
from Appalachian Ohio are academically at-risk. They need special
attention from a university that can meet their needs. Shawnee
State provides a small student-to-teacher ratio (about 14 to one)
and services designed to help students unfamiliar with campus life
to adjust to the demands of a college education. We assess our
students’ ability to meet their academic goals, and help in
developing a plan to meet them. If they are not sufficiently
prepared, they take basic courses, typically in math and English.
Thereafter, they are like any other students and are expected to
achieve the same level of performance as someone who came to Shawnee
State with an ACT score of 28.
We take our access mission very seriously, but we are
committed to being a high quality regional university. We
provide the opportunity to attend college and challenge every
student to achieve excellence. We offer faculty and staff dedicated
to bringing out the best in our students. Our promise of a brighter
future through a university education must not ring hollow.
In demanding the best of our students, we expect the same
level of performance as at any other university. In the new
knowledge economy, the coin of the realm in both higher education
and business is a bachelor’s degree. Shawnee State offers a number
of associate degree programs which are typically fully enrolled and
provide very marketable skills. However, we encourage students to
look upon an A.A. degree as the beginning of their college
education, not the end. This standard is supported by business
leaders looking for highly trained employees.
At Shawnee State, students can earn bachelor’s degrees in
such fields as: fine, digital and performing arts, social sciences,
natural sciences, mathematics, teacher education, business, pre-law
and pre-med. We have a thriving undergraduate research program.
This program is a Center of Excellence and links our students to
Third Frontier projects.
As of this date 100 percent of our current students
graduating in pre-med who applied for admission to medical or dental
school have been accepted. In recent years our acceptance rate has
been in the neighborhood of 90 percent.
In the past 20 years we have graduate nearly 9,000
students. Beyond our impact on individual students, Shawnee State
has played and will continue to play a major role in the region.
In two weeks this council will be considering economic
development. Shawnee State plays an important role in regional
economic development as a major employer in Southern Ohio. Based on
a conservative 1.5 multiplier, an economic analysis placed the
impact of our student and staff spending at over $54 million last
year.
Our professional faculty and staff serve the community in
leadership and volunteer roles. Through our Office of Outreach
Services, Shawnee State provided training to more than 160 local
companies and about 50 government offices and agencies during the
last school year. Shawnee State partners with OSU’s Endeavor Center
to provide training to the regional business community. We also
have entered partnerships with higher education institutions
throughout the tri-state region.
Shawnee State is also host to a number of postsecondary
options. We offer an on-campus GED program, and a full array of
federal TRIO programs. We are working with schools in three
counties on Tech Prep, and are working with local schools and
hospitals to develop a literacy council. Our students are in the
community teaching adults to read, we extend our health care
education programming to the community, and in partnership with
local schools and the Ohio Appalachian Center for Higher Education (OACHE)
raise student awareness of the possibilities created by a college
education.
As I have mentioned, the vast majority of our students are
from Southern Ohio. They earn a degree at Shawnee State and use it
to begin promising careers in the region. Our programs are
absolutely essential to the communities in Southern Ohio who depend
on our graduates. Shawnee State graduates are found in every niche
of the local economy, and are particularly prominent in education
and the allied health professions.
At Southern Ohio Medical Center, 100 percent of the
current certified occupational therapists and physical therapy
assistants are Shawnee State graduates. About 80 percent of the
staff at Pike Community Hospital calls Shawnee State their alma
mater.
I am very proud to say that Shawnee State has already made
significant changes to better serve our students and the region.
Our experience as a university is somewhat unique in that
we have always provided educational opportunity to so-called
“non-traditional students.” Just a few years ago Shawnee State was
almost exclusively a commuter university. Our Board of Trustees
decided to expand the opportunities at our university by enhancing
the on-campus living experience. In response we have formed a
partnership with a local developer who has built residence halls
without spending any taxpayer money. This year we had 500 beds, and
this fall we will add another 100, with more on the drawing board.
We have seen in the last few years’ growth in the number
of full-time traditional students. We are striking a very happy
medium that brings together traditional and non-traditional students
to create an exciting, dynamic learning environment in which
students benefit from the experience of their fellow students as
well as their professors.
We may have increased enrollment, but too many of our
students do not graduate. Addressing that deficit is part of the
reason we have undertaken a dramatic change in campus culture by
switching from quarters to a semester calendar.
Many of our students come to Shawnee State entirely unsure
if they can succeed at college. These students may be adequately
prepared (many are not) but nothing in their culture tells them they
can make it, or that they need to complete their education. In a
10-week course one bad quiz at week five and these students are
wondering if college is right for them. The 15-week semester will
give students more time to adapt to college, more time to learn the
course material, more time to succeed. The semester calendar will
also allow them to enter the workplace sooner, something that
prospective employers have strongly urged.
There are a number of students who go away for college,
but decide they want to be closer to home. There are also students
attracted to the academic programs at Shawnee State because of their
high rate of placement upon graduation.
About 40 percent of our graduates transfer into Shawnee
State with prior college credit. To facilitate the smoothest
possible transition to our campus we are adding a new admissions
officer with the specific responsibility of assisting transfer
students. I should also point out that transfer students are not
included in completion rates. In effect, Shawnee State must bear a
lower apparent completion rate for providing safe harbor to transfer
students.
Shawnee State will be offering its first master’s degree
this fall. The program was created in response to the Occupational
Therapy field now requiring a master’s degree for licensure. Shawnee
State already participates in a number of cooperative programs with
other campuses to give our students the chance to undertake
graduate-level work. Nevertheless, we felt strongly that if we were
to ensure a steady supply of licensed occupational therapists for
our citizens and communities, we had to offer our own master’s
degree program.
At Shawnee State we are expanding the opportunity of
individuals to attend college, we are offering new programs in
fields that will help graduates secure bright futures, and we are
adapting our campus to the needs of students. We believe we are
proceeding in the same spirit of reform that has inspired this
council.
Yet our efforts to keep this promise of a high quality regional
university serving the needs of our students and the surrounding
region are being eroded by fiscal pressures.
We have done what we can to squeeze the most out of every
dollar received. In 2003 Shawnee State was the most efficiently run
campus in Ohio. Our expenditure per FTE was $7,996, more than
$1,100 less than the second lowest campus.
Because of our efficiency, we are able to offer an annual
tuition of about $5,500, second only to Central State as the lowest
in Ohio.
As I have already noted, our students face the most
challenges in earning a college degree, yet Shawnee State receives
less support – in 2003 $474 less per FTE than the average main
university campus – to help our students overcome these challenges.
As you can see on page three of the pamphlet, our state operating
support per FTE has dropped from $6,204 in 2001 to $4,262 in 2004.
We suffered a decrease of almost $2,000 compared to the average drop
for universities of $959.
We are concerned that current funding discussions could
lead to further reductions of resources.
To help us meet the promise of being a high quality
regional university in Southern Ohio, Shawnee State has received a
special Supplement, about 15 percent of our current state support.
It has been whittled in recent years. In 1995 the Supplement was
$4.8 million, but this year it stands at $1.8 million, $200,000
below the $2 million funding point recommended in the 1994 report of
the Board of Regents, which was commissioned by the General
Assembly.
Please consider the predicament we face. At Shawnee State
we are expanding opportunity by enrolling more students, and giving
them the top-flight education they deserve. Yet, at the same time
that we are growing, our state funding has been diminishing and our
tuition has been capped. We are very concerned that reduced funding
is threatening our continued capacity to fulfill our mission. The
money to run Shawnee State has got to come from somewhere.
I would ask the Higher Education Funding Study Council
consider including in its report the following:
•
Restore the five
percent each year of the biennium in cuts to Shawnee State’s Special
Supplement through a funding model that recognizes the access
mission of Shawnee State.
•
Consider additional
funding models that are based on factors other than average cost.
Shawnee State’s funding per FTE is less than the statewide average
because we are open-access and almost exclusively undergraduate in
our program offerings.
•
Lift the tuition cap so
we have the flexibility to gradually secure resources currently at
risk because of dramatically reduced funding.
•
Identify access to
undergraduate degrees as a funding priority.
•
Recognize that
universities will be unable to fulfill their role in the development
of Ohio’s economy laid out in the CHEE report without sufficient
investment by the state.
Shawnee State cannot continue to serve more while
receiving less. Sooner or later something will have to give. We
want to do more. We want to make a profound difference in Southern
Ohio. But we need the tools to do it.
I know I speak for my colleagues in expressing our deep
appreciation for the recognition regularly voiced by this council
that Shawnee State and the other universities in Ohio are essential
to the state’s re-birth. I am at your disposal as you continue your
work on behalf of the people of Ohio.
Thank you for giving me this time. I would be happy to
answer any questions.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
Saving Energy
By: Butch Kotcamp
Director of Facilities
We have all
been stunned by the dramatic increase in utility costs over the
last few months. The university has responded by finding ways to
reduce campus energy usage. There are also steps we all can take
to conserve energy.
The natural
gas unit price paid by the university has skyrocketed by
approximately 50 percent in the last year alone. Electricity will
soon follow with scheduled rate increases of approximately 23
percent over the next three years – a 9 percent increase next year
followed by seven percent increases in the subsequent two years.
Our current annual utility budget is approximately $1.12
million.
The
university is working hard to rein in energy costs. We recently
connected the HVAC systems of the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts
and the Library to take advantage of the newer, more efficient
system in the Riffe Center. This modification allows the Riffe
Center’s heating and cooling system to supply the Library except
during peak energy load requirements in the Riffe Center, such as
performances in the main auditorium.
Most campus
buildings were already equipped with digitally-controlled HVAC
systems that automatically adjust building temperatures during
unoccupied times. A major lighting retrofit for the Library is
under review, as are projects to address other causes of high
energy consumption.
What can we
all do to improve energy conservation at Shawnee State?
To the extent
possible, schedule as many off-peak events – before 8 a.m. and
after 5 p.m., Monday through Friday – into as few buildings as
possible. Try to use Kricker Hall, as it is the campus’ most
energy efficient building. Our goal should be to eliminate the
need for multiple buildings to accommodate open labs and other
smaller functions. Other good building candidates to house night
and weekend events are the Library and the University Center which
already operate extended hours.
As buildings
are renovated, we are installing occupancy sensors with the most
efficient lighting fixtures. However, for most of our buildings,
we depend on you to turn off lights and any other office equipment
when not in use.
Please
contact the Plant Department, x3458, regarding any change in event
scheduling, cancellations, or any other alteration of building
occupancy. Doing so will allow staff to change the building HVAC
schedule to increase efficiency.
By simply
changing a few habits we can conserve energy with no additional
renovation costs and with no effect on our level of comfort.
Working together, we can lessen the strain dramatically increased
energy costs will put on the university’s operating budget by
reducing how much energy we use. That’s good for us, and good for
the environment.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by
Shanna Mustard, Communications Specialist)
MERIWETHER
OFFERING "FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH" CLASS DURING SPRING QUARTER
Nicholas
Meriwether, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy at Shawnee
State University (SSU), will offer “Foundations of Faith,” a
philosophy class exploring Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
According to Meriwether, the course will examine the origins of
the three religions, their historical development in and their
impact upon the West, including the Crusades, the Inquisition,
and the wars of religion, and their relationship in modern
times, including the sources of conflict and the prospects for
peace in the Middle East.
Course requirements include a midterm, final, one
paper, and reading assignments.
“With this class, I am trying to gauge student
interest in a religious studies program,” said Meriwether.
“Religious studies departments on public university campuses
have a special role. The social sciences study religion as an object instead of as something in
and of itself. Although these studies provide important
information, religious people do not view their religion from
this perspective, so it is important to study religion from the
perspective of someone practicing the faith.”
Class reading assignments will come from a newly
published textbook, tailored to courses like this one, with
contributions by Islamic, Jewish, and Christian scholars.
“It is also important to study important primary texts, like the
Koran, to get an inside understanding,” said Meriwether.
Meriwether hopes to visit a mosque and synagogue in
either Cincinnati or Columbus as part of the class.
Some of the questions Meriwether hopes to discuss in
the class include:
·
What are the unique contributions
each religion has made to
Western Civilization?
·
Is conflict among the three faiths
inevitable, especially between
Islam and the other two?
·
Are there resources within Islam
for an enduring peace with other religions?
·
Can liberal democracy take hold in
Islamic soil as easily as it has on Christian and Jewish soil?
“Because the course is brand new, the format will be a bit more
on the order of a symposium than a lecture,” said Meriwether. “I
will also invite adherents of the three faiths to speak on the
issues to the class.”
The class will explore the future of the religions
as well as the history and foundations of each faith.
There are no prerequisites for the class, listed in
the course catalog as “Philosophy 299.” The class will meet on
Mondays and Wednesdays during spring quarter from 4:00 p.m.
until 5:50 p.m.
For more information, contact Meriwether by emailing
nmeriwether@shawnee.edu or by calling (740) 351-3447.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by Mistie Spicer, Communications Coordinator)
SUNSHINE WEEK EVENT TO BE HELD AT SSU
In observance of
National Sunshine Week, March 13th through
the 17th Shawnee State University’s (SSU) Clark Memorial
Library in cooperation with the Portsmouth Public
Library is sponsoring “Are We Safer in the Dark? A
National Dialogue on Open Government and Secrecy”.
Connie Salyers Stoner, the local event
coordinator and associate director of public services at
the Clark Memorial Library, said at 1:00 p.m. on Monday,
March 13th there will be a telecast from the
National Press Club in room 205 of the library.
“They will be talking about secrecy in our
government, the problems secrecy creates, and the real-
life impact of unnecessary secrecy on ordinary
Americans,” Stoner said.
Those participating in the panel discussion
from the National Press Club are Geneva Overholser,
endowed Chair of the Missouri School of Journalism
Bureau, who will serve as the moderator; Thomas Blanton,
National Security Archive Director, Thomas M. Susman,
Ropes and Gray Washington and Barbara Petersen, Florida
First Amendment Foundation.
“The National Press Club wants Americans to
discuss how they use openness to keep communities safe
and to examine at how government’s power to keep secrecy
grows and the power of those secret keepers in our
courts, in our Congress and in our executive branch.
This undermines oversight.” Stoner said.
Following the national telecast there will be
a local community update on the Sunshine Law. Martin
Susec, with the Ohio Attorney General’s office will give
an overview of the state law and will lead a discussion
about the effects of government secrecy on the lives of
area citizens and what the public can do about it.
Stoner said State Representative Todd Book
will also give an update on House Bill 9 which enhances
Ohio’s public records law and answer questions.
“People should come if they are interested in
having our legislator, our city council people and our
county commissioners share with us how government really
works and to make sure all of the discussions are out in
the open,” Stoner said. “It’s up to the citizens to make
sure that’s happening.”
National Sunshine Week is sponsored by the
American Library Association, American Association of
Law Libraries, American Society of Newspaper Editors,
Coalition of Journalists for Open Government, League of
Women Voters, National Freedom of Information Coalition,
www.OpenTheGovernment.org,
SSU and the Portsmouth Public Library.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by
Shanna Mustard, Communications Specialist)
EXPLORE THE GALAXY FOR ONLY $3
Ever wanted to explore distant
galaxies?
If you can’t afford the roughly $200,000 to be one
of the first people to enjoy a private 30-mintue space flight
when they become available, the Shawnee State University (SSU)
Clark Planetarium has the perfect opportunity for you.
The planetarium, located in the Advanced Technology
Center (ATC) on SSU’s campus, will offer a one-hour show, “More
than Meets the Eye,” to the public for only $3 for adults and $2
for children under 12. The shows will be held every Monday
and Thursday, at 7 p.m., beginning March 27 and concluding
on June 1.
“The show, ‘More than Meets the Eye,’ is a guide to
backyard astronomy,” said Timothy Hamilton, Ph.D., assistant
professor of physics at SSU and planetarium director. “It
explains what we can see in the skies with our naked eyes, with
an ordinary pair of binoculars, and with a small telescope. It
is a wonderful introduction for the amateur, explaining
constellations, major stars, nebulae, and galaxies.”
Seating is limited to 66 persons admitted on a
first-come, first-serve basis with money collected at the door.
If the first show sells out, another show will be available at 8
p.m.
Each show concludes with a special treat for
visitors, thanks to the state-of-the-art Digistar II Projection
System.
“Each show will be followed by a set of our renowned
‘roller coaster rides’ of special effects,” said Hamilton.
For more information or to schedule a private
planetarium show, call (740) 351-3125.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Photo by
Shanna Mustard, Communications Specialist)
SSU CAREER EXPO
Many Shawnee State University (SSU)
students and alumni attended the annual Career Expo in the James
A. Rhodes Athletic Center on Wednesday, March 8. The event,
sponsored by the SSU Office of Career Services from 10 a.m.
until 2 p.m., allowed students to learn about potential area
employers and to interview with businesses seeking employees.
Eighty-four employers attended the Career Expo.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article
by Stephanie Smith, Communications Specialist)
SSU
HOLDS FOOD DRIVE
The Shawnee State University (SSU) Center for
Community Service is holding a food drive to benefit the
Salvation Army’s Food Pantry. Through March 17th
any non-perishable food items can be donated.
“I have held drives at the end of each quarter
because a lot of students will be cleaning out their dorm
rooms and realize they have food left over which could be
donated,” said Tracey Leo, coordinator of Community Service
at SSU. “The Salvation Army has a soup kitchen every few
weeks so the items will be used and appreciated.”
Donation boxes are located in Massie Hall in the
Student Success Center and in the University Center by the
Student Activities Office. For more information, contact
Tracey Leo at (740) 351-3662 or by emailing tleo@shawnee.edu.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by Stephanie Smith, Communications Specialist)
SSU
TO HOST ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONAL DAY 2006
Shawnee State
University (SSU) Outreach Services will host
Administrative Professional Day 2006 on April 27.
“This year’s event promises to be our best
ever,” said Tracy Conn, University Outreach Services
representative who has coordinated this successful event
for the past six years. “Faculty, staff, and companies
will enjoy this event.”
There will be two presenters at this year’s
event, Bruce Boguski and Kay Potetz, Ph.D.
“At the conclusion of each year’s event, we
do an evaluation to find out the interests for the
upcoming year, and the number one response last year was
to have topics dealing with stress, difficult
situations, or overcoming odds. The Ohio Speakers
Bureau has a list of people they recommend, and Boguski
and Potetz were top rated for those topics.”
Boguski will
present, “The Winner’s Edge.” An automobile accident
paralyzed Boguski from the waist down at age 18. After
two years, he regained full use of his body and went on
to become a two-time state champion in racquetball and
also played on a state championship softball team. He
was a high school head baseball coach, assistant
football coach and a university tennis coach. He
speaks, from personal experience, to all groups on how
attitude makes the difference in whatever a person does
in their life. He is one of the most in-demand
motivational speakers in the Midwest.
Potetz, whose presentation will be, “What
Makes me Tick, What Ticks me Off!” has been a keynote
speaker and management consultant since the early 1980s.
Her qualifications include 25 years of management and
administrative experience and she was most recently
vice-president of a Midwest hospital.
“Potetz
combines her business experience with a generous amount
of common sense,” said Conn. “Her keen observations of
people and quick wit make her presentations enjoyable
and educational for all.”
The event will include a morning session
beginning at 8 a.m. or an afternoon session starting at
noon, both to be held in the Micklethwaite Banquet Hall
of SSU’s University Center. The registration fee is $65
per session, and $59 for groups of five or more
individuals. SSU employees receive a 20 percent
discount on the seminar.
“The event is
suitable for anyone who works with the public, but we
coordinate it each year to coincide with Secretary’s
Week, which is now called Administrative Professionals
Week,” said Conn. “We try to do an event every year
that brings frontline people on campus in for training
and gives staff a special day away from the office.”
For more information or to obtain a
registration form, please contact Tracy Conn at (740)
351-3490 or email
tconn@shawnee.edu.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by Stephanie Smith, Communications Specialist)
LOCAL DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION CHAPTER
ESTABLISH SSU SCHOLARSHIP
The Shawnee State University (SSU) Development Foundation is
proud to announce the Joseph Spencer Chapter National Society
Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship (NSDAR).
According to
Susan Warsaw, executive director of the SSU Development
Foundation, the scholarship was established as a way for the
group to give back to the community.
“This is indeed a special scholarship because its
creation exhibits the support of such a large and wonderful
group of women,” said Warsaw. “We truly appreciate the
confidence in Shawnee State they have shown.”
The $1000 award is for tuition and books only.
Applicants must be entering his or her sophomore, junior, or
senior year as an education or history major and reside in Ohio,
Kentucky, or West Virginia. Applicants must also have a GPA of
2.5 or more, complete the FAFSA and have an Estimated Family
Contribution (EFC) that falls between $3001 and $3850, and be a
non-smoker.
Applications will be made on the traditional SSU
scholarship form released annually. The selected recipient will
be chosen by the SSU Financial Aid/Scholarship Committee.
Preference will be given to a veteran, spouse of a veteran or a
dependent of a veteran.
Recipients must be a full-time student at SSU and
remain in good academic standing. The recipient will receive
the award in increments of one-third to cover three academic
quarters.
For more information, contact SSU’s Development
Foundation at (740) 351-3284.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by Stephanie Smith, Communications Specialist)
SSU GALLERY FEATURES GOODMAN’S ART OF THE MASK
The Shawnee State University (SSU)
Appleton Gallery, located in the Vern Riffe Center
for the Arts, is featuring Lynn Goodman’s exhibit
titled, “The Art of the Mask,” on display until
March 17.
Goodman has taught almost continuously
as an adjunct professor in the art department at SSU
for about six years, although she is not teaching
this quarter. Goodman received her Bachelor of Fine
Arts from Eastern Washington University in Spokane,
Washington in 1993 with a concentration in
sculpture. Currently she is working on a Bachelor’s
degree in Biology.
“My current work is cast in neoprene, an
artificial latex substitute preferred for its
strength and durability,” said Goodman. “The masks
are painted with acrylic paint, and sometimes
adorned with fur, feathers, horsehair, and/or
artificial hair, among other things.”
Goodman said the masks start with a life
cast of a person’s face which is then cast into a
mold, built up with clay into the desired form, and
cast again so the Neoprene can be poured. After two
hours, the Neoprene forms a skin inside it, which
drains and dries in about 12 hours. The mask is
later removed from the mold and allowed to dry
completely before being painted or finished.
“I have a strong interest in Native
American cultures, which is reflected in some of my
work,” said Goodman. “Other work deals with demons,
mythical figures, images from literature, and
occasional whimsy.”
“What I find most interesting about her
work is how she combines themes from diverse
cultures,” said Clifford Poirot, Goodman’s husband
and also assistant professor of economics at SSU.
“Also, I get to see a lot of the process that is
involved in the creation of art and learn about the
kinds of materials that are used in making art.”
Goodman’s masks are for available for
purchase. To inquire about pricing or for more
information, contact Djwana Spradlin at (740)
351-3118.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by Stephanie Smith, Communications Specialist)
SSU TO HOLD
PRE-MED DAY
Interested in medical
sciences? Shawnee State University (SSU) offers an excellent
pre-med program that stands apart from pre-med programs at other
universities.
On March 17, the first annual Pre-Med Day will be held for those
considering a graduate level health profession who are undecided
as to where they should complete their undergraduate
educations.
With a variety of health-oriented science courses
and a high percentage of its students getting into the
professional program of their preference, SSU is ideal for
undergraduate education.
“The purpose of this day is to share what SSU can
offer to those interested in the pre-med programs,” said T.J.
Stidham, president of SSU’s pre-med club. “We have 42 students
and 77 people signed up so far for Pre-Med Day. We have seen
our pre-med club and program help many people get into the
programs of their choice.”
Sessions will include a cadaver lab tour, a
discussion of research opportunities available at SSU, a lecture
on requirements for entrance into professional schools, and a
chance to speak with SSU alumni currently attending professional
school. Participants will also tour SSU’s campus, meet with
local physicians who are SSU alumni.
SSU offers pre-professional preparation for graduate
education in dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, veterinary
medicine, human medicine, chiropractic medicine, physician
assistant training, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
Advanced pre-med courses include advanced human anatomy,
histology, immunology, neuroanatomy, pathogenic bacteriology,
pathophysiology, virology, and undergraduate research.
SSU pre-med students can also get involved with a
variety of clubs, such as the Pre-Med Club, the BBB Biological
Society, and the Chemistry Club.
Pre-Med day registration begins at 9:30 a.m. at the
main entrance to Massie Hall. The program begins at 10 a.m. and
includes a campus tour, parent and student interactive
workshops, and academic and scientific presentations. Lunch
will be offered.
Pre-Med Day qualifies as a college visit for high
school juniors or seniors. Staff from the Office of Admissions
will sign campus visit verification forms. RSVP by March 15 by
calling (740) 351-4778 or (800) 959-2778 or by emailing
to
SSU@shawnee.edu. For more information, contact T.J.
Stidham at stidhamt@shawnee.edu
or Pre-Med Club chair Andrew Little at littlea@shawnee.edu.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by
Mistie Cook Spicer, Communications Coordinator)
RALPH
STANLEY AND TIM O’BRIEN COMING TO SSU IN APRIL
For
the fourth year in a row, the” King of Bluegrass” Ralph Stanley
and The Clinch Mountain Boys are coming to the Shawnee State
University (SSU) Vern Riffe Center for the Arts on Thursday,
April 6. The show begins at 7:00 p.m.
“Ralph Stanley is the patriarch of traditional and
mountain music. There is no equal,” said Carl Daehler, executive
director of the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts. “There is no
other like him.”
The Grammy award winning performer has recorded more
than 170 albums and written and recorded many songs that have
become bluegrass favorites. The winner of two Grammy awards in
2002 for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and Album of the
Year, his contribution to the success of the musical score for
the movie, “O Brother Where Art Thou,” has made Stanley a
bluegrass music icon throughout the world.
“This concert is very special in that Stanley will be
sharing the stage with Grammy Award winning fiddle player, Tim
O’Brien who is one of the hottest stars in traditional music
today. This is an opportunity all music fans can not afford to
miss,” Daehler said.
John Simon, Ph.D., adjunct professor of Appalachian
music at SSU, who worked to bring Stanley to campus, likes the
fact that Stanley and O’Brien will be sharing the stage.
“Ralph Stanley is an older performer,” said Simon.
He’s very traditional and has a following that’s passionate
about him. We thought including someone whose a little younger
would attract a different audience. O’Brien has a great respect
for the traditions of Appalachian music, but he is also a song
writer and is known as an outstanding instrumentalist. He plays
the fiddle, banjo and guitar.”
In September of last year, O’Brien released “Cornbread
Nation” on the birthday of country and bluegrass legend Bill
Monroe. The CD features such songs as “Moses,” “Hold On,” and
“Boat Up The River,” Other works include “Rock in My Shoe,” “Red
on Blonde,”, “Songs from the Mountain,”, “Two Journeys,” and
“Traveler,” among others.
“O’Brien plays music that represents old music and
new music and music from the country and the city,” Simon said.
“The people from Europe and the people from Africa like his
music. He’s such a versatile person.”
Reserved-seat tickets are now on sale at the McKinley
Box Office. Tickets are $10 for SSU students, $22 for adults and
$18 for groups of 20 or more. For more ticket information, call
the McKinley Box Office at (740) 351-3600.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article
by Shanna Mustard, Communications Specialist)
CLC WINS $1,000 IN NATIONAL SCRAPBOOKING CONTEST
The Dr. Miller and
Genevieve Toombs Children’s Learning Center (CLC) was one of
only 16 second place winners in the national 2005 Scholastic
Book Fair scrapbooking contest and the only second place
winner from Ohio.
The CLC won a $1,000 Scholastic catalog-shopping spree for
their efforts.
According to
Cindy Ferguson, CLC director, anyone who hosts a book fair
can enter the contest.
The co-chairs
of the book fair were Hetty Philips, a CLC teacher, and Barb
Davis, CLC secretary, who oversaw the completion of a
scrapbook about events held during the book fair. Scholastic
judges the scrapbooks based on several factors including
events held, increase in sales, and the number of volunteers
for the book fair. Anyone who hosts a Scholastic book fair
can participate in the contest.
According to
Ferguson, about 2,000 schools in Ohio held book fairs last
year and since Scholastic sponsors book fairs in all 50
states, approximately 100,000 schools were eligible to
participate in the contest.
The CLC book
fair, held Oct. 31, 2005 to Nov. 4, 2005, allowed students
to explore medieval times with the theme of “Enter the
Kingdom of Reading.”
“The book fair was about
inspiring literacy,” said Ferguson. “We built a castle the
kids could read in and a draw bridge. We decorated with
dragons and I dressed as a knight each day. We dressed our
guest readers in costumes and I knighted them as reading
heroes or heroines. The kids got to visit the book fair each
day and read some of the books even if they didn’t buy
them.”
The outside of the scrapbook featured a
three-dimensional castle similar to the giant one they built
for the book fair. The scrapbook highlighted the astounding
sales figures of the book fair.
“We increased our sales by 92 percent over the
previous year,” said Ferguson. “The average dollar amount
sold per child for Ohio is around five to 10 dollars per
child.”
The CLC sold approximately $46 per child and had
37 volunteers assist with the book fair.
Ferguson stressed that the CLC promotes literacy
year round, not just during the book fair.
“Every child gets a free book when they enroll
at the center and the parents get two books from the
International Reading Association,” said Ferguson. “I say to
the parents ‘When you accept this book from the CLC, you are
entering a partnership for lifelong learning for your child
and when you accept this book, you are committing to read a
certain number of minutes each day to your child.’”
Ferguson expects the parents of a three-year-old
to read to the child for ten minutes each day and to
increase the amount of time spent reading each day as the
child gets older.
“We really value the Scholastic partnership,”
said Ferguson. “Because of our message of literacy and the
ability to make books available at a low cost, our families,
even those struggling financially, value books and they make
adjustments to their budgets to help put books into
children’s hands.”
The CLC also won second place in the Scholastic
scrapbook contest in 2004, which came with a $250 prize.
Scholastic increased the prize amount to $1,000 for the 2005
contest. The CLC can use the prize to purchase things such
as furniture, electronic equipment, and, of course, books.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by
Mistie Cook Spicer, communications coordinator)
SSU COMMUNITY CHOIR PRESENTS ANNUAL WINTER CONCERT
The Shawnee State University (SSU) Community Choir
will present its annual winter concert “Songs for a Winter
Evening” on Saturday, March 18th at 7:30 p.m. at
Wheelersburg United Methodist Church, 11605 Gallia Street in
Wheelersburg.
The free choir is under the direction of Shirley
Crothers-Marley, Linda Day will accompany on the piano and
Dianna Whitaker will be the violinist.
Crothers-Marley said the concert will feature music
from the master composers Schubert, Wagner and Gounod.
“We’re also doing some lighter things. We’ll be doing
some really lively spirituals the audience will really enjoy,”
Crothers-Marley said. “For St. Patrick’s Day one of our singers
‘Paul Wetzig’ is singing ‘Danny Boy’. He does a wonderful job.”
This is the first performance of the SSU choir since
it became a community choir earlier this year. The choir meets
on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in room 130 of the Vern
Riffe Center for the Arts. Membership is open to all SSU
students, staff and faculty and community members. Registration
for the spring community choir will be held on Tuesday, March 21
at 7 p.m.
For more information or to schedule an audition, call Shirley
Crothers -Marley at (740) 351-3577 or the Office of University
Outreach Services at (740) 351-3274.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by Stephanie Smith, Communications Specialist)
SSU OFFICES HELP STUDENTS RETURNING FOR SPRING QUARTER
To accommodate new and returning students, several offices of
Shawnee State University (SSU)
will be open on Sunday, March 26th
from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“SSU wants to make students feel welcome in their return to campus,”
said Rita Rice Morris,
Ph.D., university president. “We can do that
by providing them with access to necessary university
services, even
on a Sunday.”
The following offices will open at 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.:
- Bursar’s Office so students may pay their fees for spring quarter
- Financial Aid
- The bookstore
- The Student Success Center to aid with registering for classes
- The University Housing Office will open at noon
- University Information Services (UIS) Help Desk
For more information call the Bursar’s Office at (740) 351-4778, the
Office of Financial Aid at (740)
351-3292, the bookstore at (740)
351-3203, the Student Success Center at (740) 351-3130, University
Information Services Help Desk (740) 351-3538,or the
University Housing Office at (740) 351-3555.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by
Mistie Cook Spicer, communications coordinator)
SSU
COMMUNITY CHOIR PRESENTS ANNUAL WINTER CONCERT
The Shawnee State University (SSU) Community Choir will present
its annual winter concert “Songs for a Winter Evening” on
Saturday, March 18th at 7:30 p.m. at Wheelersburg
United Methodist Church, 11605 Gallia Street in Wheelersburg.
The free choir is under the direction of Shirley
Crothers-Marley, Linda Day will accompany on the piano and
Dianna Whitaker will be the violinist.
Crothers-Marley said the concert will feature music
from the master composers Schubert, Wagner and Gounod.
“We’re also doing some lighter things. We’ll be doing
some really lively spirituals the audience will really enjoy,”
Crothers-Marley said. “For St. Patrick’s Day one of our singers
‘Paul Wetzig’ is singing ‘Danny Boy’. He does a wonderful job.”
This is the first performance of the SSU choir since
it became a community choir earlier this year. The choir meets
on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in room 130 of the Vern
Riffe Center for the Arts. Membership is open to all SSU
students, staff and faculty and community members. Registration
for the spring community choir will be held on Tuesday, March 21
at 7 p.m.
For more information or to schedule an audition, call
Shirley Crothers -Marley at (740) 351-3577 or the Office of
University Outreach Services at (740) 351-3274.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by
Mistie Cook Spicer, communications coordinator)
SERVSAFE
FOOD TRAINING TO BE HELD AT SSU
A ServeSafe Food Safety Certification Training
class will be held March 20th and 21st
on the campus of Shawnee State University (SSU). The class
will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in room 209 of the
Advanced Technology Center (ATC).
The two day comprehensive ServeSafe training
according to Brenda Covert, manager of Business and Industry
Training at SSU, educates attendees on the elements of safe
food handling and how to design a safety program that
protects customers from potential food borne illnesses.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC),
an estimated 76 million cases of food borne illness occur
each year in the United States, as a result of the
mishandling of food by workers. In addition over 500,000
people are hospitalized each year and at least 5,000 people
die as a result of food borne illness.
Covert said the two day training is for food
service managers or employees who serve food anywhere to the
public. She said the training is also appropriate for local
health officials whose responsibilities include restaurant
inspection and inspection of food concessions at local fairs
and carnivals.
Participants who pass the examination at the end
of the training will be eligible for certification by the
Ohio/Kentucky Department of Health and the National
Restaurant Association.
The cost for the March 20-21st training
session is $199, which includes lunch, handouts and the
exam. Covert said those interested can call (740- 351-3171
or toll free (866) 672-8778 (ext. 3171) to register. The
deadline to register is March 17.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by
Stephanie Smith, Communications Specialist)
NEW SSU BROWN BAG LUNCH CONCERT SERIES
The new Shawnee State University (SSU) Brown Bag Lunch Concert
Series will begin April 12th in the University Center
lobby. Bill Hannah, associate director, instructional
technologies/blackboard, will present local talent at the free
concert running from noon until 1 p.m. A second concert will be
conducted on April 26th at the same time and locale.
“I would like to encourage all local talent to
perform,” said Hannah. “I’m looking for all kinds of music,
whether it is blues, gospel, musicians or singers, all are
welcome and encouraged to audition to perform.”
Each concert will present a different musical
style. All faculty, staff, students and community members may
set up an audition by contacting Hannah at (740) 351-3318.
“This event will give people a free series of
concerts where they can mix, mingle and decompress with some
nice musical presentations,” said Hannah.
At each concert, the SSU café will provide a box
lunch for $5.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article
by Shanna Mustard, Communications Specialist)
DISTRICT 14 SCIENCE DAY SET FOR MARCH 25
The 16th annual District 14 Science
Day will be held Saturday, March 25 at sites throughout the
Shawnee State University (SSU) campus beginning at 8 a.m.
Students participating in the district science
fair have received superior ratings at both their school
science fair and their county science fair. Students who
receive superior ratings at the district fair advance to the
state competition to be one of 1,000 students from around
the state who will compete for prestigious awards and
scholarships.
“In 2005, District 14 students attending State
Science Day received some outstanding awards, including
renewable scholarships,” said Judy Meeker, SSU Outreach
Services program manager and co-director of the District 14
Science Day. “In all, their awards exceeded a cash value of
more than $240,000. The District Science Day is an important
step in getting to the state level competition.”
“Students will compete in 13 categories,” said
Jeffrey Bauer, Ph.D., co-director and judging chair of the
district event. “These include behavioral science,
biochemistry, botany, chemistry, computer science, earth and
space, engineering, environmental sciences, mathematics,
medicine and health, microbiology, physics, and zoology.”
According to Meeker, Bauer corresponds with
hundreds of individuals each year to secure qualified judges
for each category.
“Annually, 60 to 80 individuals representing
public education, higher education, government, and business
and industry come to help judge student projects at the
District 14 Science Day,” said Meeker.
Lunch will be available in the Bear’s Den
cafeteria for $5. An awards ceremony for the participants,
which is open to the public, will be held at 3:00 p.m. in
the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts.
“We had 39 students advance to the state
competition last year,” said Meeker. “We can send up to 57
students this year, but we only send the students who
qualify.”
Students must earn 36 out of 40 possible points
from the judges, based on knowledge achieved, use of
scientific method, clarity of expression, and originality
and creativity, to earn a superior rating and advance to the
state competition.
“We are one of the few districts who allow fifth
and sixth graders to participate in the district event,”
said Meeker. “We don’t have to let them participate but we
see it as way to encourage them to do research projects so
they will stay involved when they are seventh graders who
can advance to the state event.”
Students will compete for ratings of
satisfactory, good, excellent, and superior as well as
sponsored special awards.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by Stephanie Smith, Communications Specialist)
STUDENTS AND STAFF ATTEND NACA CONFERENCE
Four students and two staff members of
Shawnee State University (SSU) in February attended the
National Association for Campus Activities (NACA)
conference. NACA, formed in 1960, is the nation’s first
collegiate organization for campus activities, with
programs and services designed to reflect the field’s
increased responsibilities for student leadership
development.
“I think the students really enjoyed the
trip to NACA in Boston,” said Tiffany Weaver,
coordinator of student activities. “The conference
offered so many activities, from educational programs to
comedians. We also took a little time to explore the
city and see some amazing things.”
Students Jessica Crosby, Dustin Martin, Ty
Hartman, and Hannah Kenny attended the conference along
with Weaver and Marcie Hatfield, assistant coordinator
of student activities and housing. Crosby and Martin
represented the Student Programming Board (SPB) while
Hannah and Hartman represented SSU’s Resident Advisors.
At the conference they attended a variety of educational
workshops.
“We learned through the workshops how to
build the Student Programming Board and make it
stronger,” said Crosby. “I got a lot of new and
exciting advertising ideas I can't wait to share with
SSU, and information about making events and programs
better. It was a good opportunity for SSU to be
represented at the national level. Also, Boston is such
an enchanting city. The conference was right in the
middle of the city which made it an excellent site
during the day and night.”
NACA’s
mission is to link the higher education and
entertainment communities and to provide a unique forum
for business and professional development, information
exchange, and networking.
NACA first
formed to help increase the buying power of campus
programming offices. The school representatives
involved developed a process that allowed schools to
work together to share travel and other logistical costs
for artists and performers booked for campus shows over
a certain block of dates. This “cooperative buying”
forms the cornerstone of NACA.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by
Mistie Cook Spicer, communications coordinator)
SEEKING
NOMINATIONS FOR SSU ALUMNUS OF TOMORROW AWARD
The Shawnee
State University (SSU) Alumni Association is now accepting
nominations for the Alumnus of Tomorrow Award. The deadline for
nominations is Friday, March 31st.
The award is given each year by the Alumni Association
to a student who shows promise and who will be eligible to
participate in the 2006 commencement.
“We’re looking for someone who has done a lot of great
things on campus and participated in community activities,”
Angela Henderson, assistant director development/alumni affairs
said. “We’re looking for someone who is really going to make us
proud, someone who is going to make a difference in their career
and in their community.”
Henderson said anyone wishing to nominate a student
for the Alumnus of Tomorrow award can submit the student’s name,
along with how the student meets the award criteria to: SSU
Alumni Association, 940 Second Street, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662.
Nominations will also be accepted by e-mail at
alumni@shawnee.edu.
“We’re asking for information on the student, what
they’ve done and why they should be considered for this award,”
Henderson said.
The winner will be chosen by the Alumni Awards
Committee. Henderson said the award will be presented at the
annual Evening of Honors in May.
“This award gives us a chance to see what the students
at SSU have done,” Henderson said.” It’s really nice to read the
nominations, to see what great students we have here and what
great alumni they’re going to be in the future.”
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by Shanna Mustard,
Communications Specialist)
SSU TO HOST “SUPER SATURDAY”
Shawnee State
University (SSU) will host “Super Saturday,” the first conference
for childhood
educators and child care providers at SSU, on Saturday, April 22,
2006.
SSU faculty,
Ohio University (OU) faculty, and educators from the region will
present sessions along
with keynote presenter William Mosier, MD, a child development
specialist, licensed marriage and family
therapist, director of research at the Center for the Study of
Child Development, and assistant professor of
early childhood education at Wright State University in
Dayton, Ohio.
“This is the
first conference for childhood educators and child care providers
created by and hosted by
SSU, University Outreach Services, the Dr. Miller and
Genevieve Toombs Children’s Learning Center (CLC),
and the Department of Teacher Education,” said Ginnie Moore,
University Outreach Services director.
Participants
will hear Mosier present, “Meeting the Needs of Young Children:
Addressing Each Child’s
Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Development,” and select
which other presentations they wish to attend
throughout the day.
Sessions
include:
· “ADHD and Mental Health Disorders in Children,” presented by Sue
Meeks, RN, Well Child nurse coordinator Ohio University College of
Osteopathic Medicine, Clinical and Community Services.
· “Beyond Joy…Seeing and Valuing the Work and Play of Children,”
presented by Leslie Gleim, early childhood special needs
teacher/lead teacher, Carousel Center.
· “Developmentally Appropriate Child Guidance: What You Need to Know
to Cope with Challenging Behavior,” presented by Mosier.
· “Early Language and Speech Development,” presented by Lyn Scaife,
speech therapist, Argillite Elementary, Argillite, Ky.
· “Folk Dance Fun,” presented by Barbara Trube, assistance professor
of early childhood education at OU, Chillicothe.
· “Getting a ‘Write’ Start with School-Based Occupational Therapy,”
presented by Barbara Warnock, occupational therapy instructor at SSU.
· “Getting In-Sync with the Out-of-Sync Child: Understanding Sensory
Integration Disorders,” presented by Stephanie Schaefer, South
Central Ohio Educational Service Center, preschool/occupational
therapist.
· “Grant Writing,” presented by Jane Williams, head teacher, Adams
County/Ohio Valley Schools and Melissa Williams, kindergarten
teacher, Adams County/ Ohio Valley Schools.
· “Life is Like a Box of Crayons…” presented by Wei-Ying Hsiao,
assistant professor of teacher education at SSU; Jessica Woodruff,
SSU junior early childhood education student; Kris Roades, junior,
SSU early childhood education student; and Jill Montgomery, SSU
early childhood education junior student.
· “Medication Administration,” presented by Debbie White, RN, nurse
coordinator, child care health consultant, Ohio University College
of Osteopathic Medicine, Clinical and Community Services.
· “Playing it Smart…Playing it Safe,” presented by Jamie Harwood,
kindergarten teacher, Jackson City School, Jackson, Ohio; Daisy
Mosley, junior, intervention specialist student; Hannah Mattern,
junior, early childhood education student; and Joe Maiden, junior,
physical therapy student.
· “Really Good Books that Make a Difference,” presented by Diane
Tomlin, early language and literacy specialist, OU, Chillicothe.
· “Secrets of the Cardboard Rocket-Planetarium Presentation,”
presented by Timothy Hamilton, Ph.D., director, Clark
Planetarium/assistant professor at SSU, and Tygre Morehart, student
assistant.
· “Stressed or Desserts…You Decide,” presented by Hetty Phillips,
head teacher at the CLC, and Amanda Hedrick, preschool teacher at
the CLC, with assistants Andy Graffis, senior, multi-age and K-12
intervention specialist student, and Brandi Norris, freshman social
science major at SSU.
· “Tour of Quality,” presented by Teresa Stockham, preschool teacher
at the CLC, along with Christina Hoffer, Heidi Peltier, and Jill
Puckett, early childhood education students.
“Super
Saturday” costs $59. Scioto County Department of Job and Family
Services (DJFS) providers
pay $39 but should contact Gary Warnock at DJFS to apply for a
scholarship to assist with the registration
fee. Full-time college students can attend for only $29. SSU
employees, their dependents, and senior citizens
may be eligible for a 20 percent discount.
Those
interested should register early because some presentations have
limited seats available. To
register call (740) 351-3274 or toll-free 1-866-672-8778 or visit
University Outreach Services, located in the
basement of Massie Hall on SSU’s campus.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
SHAWNEE
STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
special Executive
Committee Meeting MARCH 23RD
The Shawnee State University (SSU) Board of Trustees
Special Executive
Committee will meet Thursday, March 23, 2006 at 6:00
p.m. at the
Emmitt House, 123 North Market Street, Waverly, Ohio.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article
by Stephanie Smith, Communications Specialist)
REAL
ESTATE AGENT COURSES TO BE OFFERED
Shawnee State University (SSU)
Outreach Services, Business and Industry Education in
collaboration with SSU’s Department of Business
Administration will be offering a series of real estate
agent courses during spring quarter from March 28 through
June 8.
“Selling real estate is, first and foremost, a
customer service business,” said Brenda Covert, manager of
Business and Industry training at SSU. “Buying or selling a
home is one of the largest transactions most people make in
their lifetime, and in many cases, you are making someone’s
dream come true.”
To obtain a real estate sales associate license
in Ohio a person must meet the following requirements:
-
Be
honest, truthful, and of good character.
-
Be
at least 18 years of age.
-
Have
a high school diploma or its equivalent.
-
Not
have been convicted of a felony or a crime of moral
wrongdoing or violated any civil rights laws regarding
real estate within the past two years.
-
Complete the following classroom hours (120) required to
sit for the state sales exam:
-
40 hours in principles and practices of real estate
-
40 hours in real estate law
-
40 hours in real estate finance & appraisal
-
Obtain sponsorship from an Ohio broker or real estate
company by the time you file your test application with
the Ohio Division of Real Estate.
-
Successfully pass the real estate sales license exam,
given once a month with the exception of December in
Columbus and Cleveland.
The
course, “Real Estate Principles and Practice,” will be
offered from March 28 through April 27, from 5:30 p.m. to
9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and will provide an
introduction to real estate economics and administration,
including elementary physical, legal, locational, and
economic characteristics of real estate.
“Real Estate
Law” will be offered May 1 through June 5 from 5:30 p.m. to
9:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. The course includes
the law of agency as applied to real estate brokers and
salesmen, the law of fixtures, estates (including leases),
conveyancing of real estate, license laws of Ohio, and
topics relating to zoning, cooperatives, and condominiums.
“Real Estate Finance and Appraisal,” offered
Tuesdays and Thursdays May 2 through June 8 from 5:30 p.m.
to 9:30 p.m. will include the nature and characteristics of
mortgage loans, government influence on real estate finance,
the mortgage market, and effects of monetary and fiscal
policies on real estate financing with emphasis on value,
cash flow, leverage, and tax shelters.
The non-credit fee is $389 per course or $1,049
if registering for all three courses. If registering for
credit, the appropriate in-state and out-of-state credit
tuition and fees apply. Textbooks are available at the SSU
bookstore.
For more information contact University Outreach
Services at (740) 351-3171, email
bcovert@shawnee.edu, or visit
http://www.shawnee.edu/off/uos/bie/real_estate.html.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article
by Stephanie Smith, Communications Specialist)
MTV CAMPUS
INVASION TOUR TO HIT SSU FOR SPRINGFEST
The Shawnee State University (SSU) Student Programming Board (SPB)
has just announced the MTV Campus Invasion Tour 2006 will
headline SSU’s annual Springfest event, Wednesday, May 3rd
at 8 p.m. in the Rhodes Athletic Center.
“Currently Shawnee State is the only scheduled stop in Ohio the
MTV Campus Invasion Tour will be making,” said Wayne Allen,
senior SSU photography major and SPB member. “We’re proud to
have MTV returning for the second time to campus. This is going
to be a great show for all who attend.”
This year’s
artists joining the tour are Motion City Soundtrack, Straylight
Run, and Hellogoodbye, who MTVu.com refers to as this year’s top
emerging artists.
Motion
City Soundtrack is a power-pop rock quintet formed in 1999.
Their most recent album, “Commit This to Memory,” was released
in 2005. They won an award for best emerging artist at the MTVu
Awards.
Straylight Run, with their self-titled album, have recently
completed a full tour of the United States co-headlining with
The New Amsterdams, followed by a United Kingdom tour with the
band Brand New. Their video “Hands in the Sky” has been a
favorite among college students since its release, earning a
heavy rotation on MTVu.
Hellogoodbye, a pop-rock group from Huntington Beach, CA. are
best known for their comedic songwriting. They took first place
in the recent MTV2 Dew Circuit Breakout battle-of-the-bands
competition.
This concert
is presented for SSU students but is also open to the community
as well. Tickets go on sale April 15th and are $16
for students and $21 for the general public. To purchase
tickets, call (740) 351-3600. For more information call (740)
351-3467 or visit http://www.mtvu.com/uconnect/campus_invasion_tour/.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by
Mistie Cook Spicer, communications coordinator)
TICKETS
STILL AVAILABLE FOR WILL ROGERS FOLLIES AT SSU
The magnificent Ziegfeld Follies comes alive on the stage of
Shawnee State University’s Vern Riffe Center for the Arts on
Tuesday, March 21 and Wednesday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. each
night.
According to Carl Daehler, executive director of the
Vern Riffe Center for the Arts, “The Will Rogers Follies” tells
the captivating story of Will Rogers, America’s first media
star. The show features dancing, singing and even rope tricks.
“Will Rogers would be a media giant if alive today,”
Daehler said. “He was a star in the Ziegfield Follies, became
Hollywood’s highest paid actor, wrote a nationally syndicated
humorous column that appeared in more than 350 newspapers, and
had the top rated weekly radio show in the country. ‘The Will
Rogers Follies’ is the story of this American sensation.”
“The Will Rogers Follies” opened on Broadway at The
Palace Theatre in New York on May 1, 1991 to rave reviews and
has continued to win praise and awards. “The Will Rogers
Follies” is the winner of six 1991 Tony Awards including Best
Musical and the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.
Tickets for the show are still available at the
McKinley Box Office and are $16 and $18 for SSU students and $30
and $32 for SSU staff and the community. Call the box office at
(740)-351-3600.
The show is presented by the Southern Ohio Performing
Arts Association (SOPPA), Shawnee State University (SSU) and
Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC).
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by
Mistie Cook Spicer, communications coordinator)
REGISTRATION COMING UP FOR SSU COMMUNITY CHOIR
Interested
in singing? How about joining the Shawnee State University (SSU)
Community Chorus? Registration and auditions for voice
placement will be held in the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts
on Tuesday, March 21 at 7:00 p.m.
The SSU Community Chorus is a mixed choir of 25-40
voices which performs a wide array of music from a cappella
pieces, to large scale choral/orchestral works, from
traditional to pop compositions.
The Community Chorus performs four annual
concerts, including a “Dickens of a Christmas”, sacred
concerts at area churches and the Spring Pop concert. The
chorus also performs at the SSU commencement ceremony.
The chorus is under the direction of Shirley
Crothers-Marley who holds a baccalaureate degree in music
from The Ohio State University, and an M.F.A. with vocal
emphasis from Ohio University. She has done further graduate
study at the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
and the Manhattan School of Music in New York.
The Community Chorus will meet on Tuesdays from
7:00-10:00 p.m. in room 130 of the Vern Riffe Center. For
more information about the chorus or about auditioning call
Crothers-Marley at (740) 351-3577.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Opening Night
review by John Leasure)
WILL ROGERS FOLLIES IS A GREAT SHOW!
The opening night performance of the national
touring production of “The Will Rogers Follies” at Shawnee
State University’s Vern Riffe Center for the Arts was a two
and an half hour spectacular of pure enjoyment. Tuesday
night’s show (March 21) recreated the magnificent staging,
costumes and dance numbers that made the Ziegfeld Follies
the entertainment highlight of the early 1900’s.
“The Will Rogers Follies” was produced as a
homage to Rogers and Flo Ziegfeld by some of today’s heavy
hitters on Broadway. Cy Coleman, Peter Stone, Betty Comden
and Adolph Green are legends of stage and movie musicals
with credits too long to discuss here. Suffice it to say
the pedigree of “The Will Rogers Follies” is solid and
genuine. The subject of the show, Will Rogers, transcended
decades and rose to the level of legend. He was on
Broadway, in the movies, wrote a daily newspaper column and
had a radio show. Will Rogers was the king of all media in
his day.
Flo
Ziegfeld’s name is synonymous with “follies,” a show that
was both a stage and musical extravaganza. These shows were
big, brassy and fun. The closest comparison to today would
be (depending on your age) either the TV variety show or the
current line-up of Las Vegas spectaculars.
Credit goes to the Southern Ohio Performing Arts
Association and Shawnee State University who showcased “The
Will Rogers Follies” as part of their performing arts
season, and the Southern Ohio Medical Center for its
sponsorship of the Broadway Musical Series. While the show
is an old style revue, it is in fact a study of the life and
times of Will Rogers as well. It sets its songs to
illustrate the history of our country during his life.
There are two stand-out performances in the
show. Amy Decker as Will’s wife, Betty Blake, simply
radiates through her performance. Her songs are the
emotional power of the show. Decker’s voice has the right
emotive quality to make you laugh or raise a lump in your
throat. The songs “My Unknown Someone” and “Without You”
showcase her talent and her character.
Chris McDaniel as Will’s father and various
other characters in the show (all referring back to the
father Will was always trying to please) also shines in the
depth he brings to a character role. Without McDaniel and
Decker there is no emotional base for the show. They are
wonderful.
Okay, so what about the guy who has to play the
legend? Who has to play the guy everyone in world loved,
laughed with and then mourned? The job falls on the broad
and tall shoulders of F. Michael Zaller. He can play the
“aw shucks” quality as well as the quiet private moments
with equal strength. Zaller is very much up to the
challenge of giving life to a charismatic legend.
His final
song “Never Met a Man I Didn’t Like” ends the show on an
emotional high given the fact that Rogers dies in a tragic
airplane crash. Zaller sells the laugh as well as the lump
in the throat. Decker, McDaniel and Zaller hold the show
together through some great dancing and staging by the rest
of the cast. “The Will Rogers Follies” is simply a great
evening’s entertainment.
The final
performance of “The Will Rogers Follies” is Wednesday, March
22, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, call the
McKinley box office at 740.351.3600.
Next up for
SOPAA is the sold out performance of LORD OF THE DANCE on
Tuesday, March 28, 23006 at 7:30 PM. However tickets are
available for a special return performance of LORD OF THE
DANCE on Friday, April 7 at 7:30 PM. Call the McKinley Box
Office soon for ticket information at 740.351.3600.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
PHYSICAL
THERAPY ASSISTANT LICENSURE TEST PREP AT SSU
Scorebuilders, a professional
company specializing in licensure preparation will present a
two-day seminar at Shawnee State University (SSU) for Physical
Therapy Assistant (PTA) students on Saturday, April 22 and
Sunday, April 23 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in room 134 of the
Advanced Technology Center (ATC). The class is being offered
through the office of University Outreach Services at SSU.
“This course is for Physical Therapy Assistant
students and graduates,” said Ginnie Moore, director university
outreach services. “Taking this test prep course will help
students to pass the national exam on the first attempt. It will
help students reduce test anxiety, help them to identify their
strengths and weaknesses and give them a head start on preparing
for the exam.”
The course includes test taking strategies, test
analysis and follow up. It will help students limit their
anxieties, increase their test-taking efficiency and will
examine the intricacies of computer- based testing. Students
completing the course will be better able to analyze clinically
oriented multiple-choice questions and explore the scope of the
content outline. The course also identifies areas of strength
and weakness through self assessment and develops strategies to
maximize the effectiveness of study sessions.
The fee for the course is $179. Class size is limited.
For more information, contact Tracy Conn at
(740) 351-3490.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article
by Stephanie Smith, Communications Specialist)
MODEL
ARAB LEAGUE TO ADVANCE TO NATIONAL COMPETITION
A group of students from Shawnee State
University (SSU) participated in the annual Model Arab
League (MAL) competition, a student leadership development
program sponsored by the National Council on U.S.-Arab
Relations. The students learned about the politics and
history of the Arab world as they met and discussed issues
pertinent to the Arab culture and society. The group
excelled and will go on to compete in the National MAL
competition, scheduled April 6 – 9 in Washington D.C.
The event took place from February 22 – 26 at
Miami University at Oxford, Ohio where the students from SSU
were assigned to represent Lebanon and Morocco. At the
competition, a team is split into committees to discuss
concerns such as joint defense, Palestinian affairs, and
social, political, and environmental issues.
“Representing Lebanon, we had to know everything
about that country so we could represent it,” said Debra
Swayne, an SSU senior majoring in international relations.
“We had to know how they would feel, how many people live in
the country, how long they have lived there, and issues that
are important to Lebanon.”
Swayne said the most important indicator of
success in the event is the ability to write resolutions and
get them passed.
“For example, we created a resolution where
doctors in Palestine could effectively communicate with
doctors in any other Arab country,” said Swayne. “Our group
did very well and a few of the students received awards for
their resolutions.”
The group will be advancing to the National MAL
competition where they will compete against schools such as
the University of Cincinnati, George Mason University, the
Ohio State University, and the University of North Texas,
among many others. The Arab Court of Justice will convene
at the competition for its fourth year and eight states will
bring their cases before the court over the course of four
days. Also, a reporters’ corps will be present, covering the
significant events.
“This is a great chance to learn public
speaking, how to write resolutions and get them passed, and
how to speak quickly and diplomatically,” said Swayne. “It
has been an amazing opportunity.”
Swayne said the Student Government Association (SGA)
has been a tremendous help in assisting the students
financially for their Washington trip. Seven students and
one advisor will have the opportunity to attend. Those
students who will attend are still being decided upon.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
GRANTS
AVAILABLE FOR DEGREE HOLDERS TO BECOME
MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS
Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in math or science can
receive grants to cover the tuition and fees required for them
to receive a teaching license.
The “TeachOhio Math Science Project,” an initiative
of the Ohio Department of Education, has made $200,000 available
to the Southeastern Ohio Center for Excellence in Math and
Science. The money will be used for grants covering tuition and
fees for courses needed to earn a license through Ohio’s
alternative educator license program.
“This grant is a tremendous opportunity for people
who used their math and science degrees in other professions and
are now interested in bringing their knowledge and experience
into a high school classroom,” said Paul Madden, chair of the
Teacher Education Department at Shawnee State University (SSU).
“Thanks to the grant, students will be responsible only for
books and materials.”
A joint effort of Shawnee State and Ohio University,
the TeachOhio Math Science Project is aimed at addressing the
shortage of math and science teachers in the region and
throughout Ohio.
“A solid education in math and science is essential
for success in the 21st century information economy,” said
Madden. “Without superior high school math and science
teachers, students will be ill-equipped for the demands of the
workplace and unprepared to enroll in college for a more
advanced education and even greater career choices.”
For more information, contact Amber Hall, Department
of Teacher Education, Shawnee State University, at
1.800.959.2SSU.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by
Stephanie Smith, Communications Specialist)
SSU WOMEN’S
FORUM TAPESTRIES RELEASE PARTY
As part of
the celebration of Women’s History Month, the Shawnee State
University (SSU) Women’s Forum is sponsoring the release of
“Tapestries: Women Weaving our World,” a collection of original
works and readings by local featured artists. The release party
will be held March 29 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Clark Memorial
Library alcove.
“Featured in
this issue are very good short stories, poems, and photographs
submitted by faculty, students and staff, both men and women,”
said Elsie Shabazz, SSU English and Humanities department
secretary. “The Women’s Forum steering committee worked hard
on this issue.”
This is the
third release of the literary magazine, previously known as,
“The Women’s Forum Silhouette.” Copies will be available in
buildings around campus including the English & Humanities
department on the fourth floor of Massie Hall.
“We wanted
to let the community know that women can write, take pictures,
and paint,” said Shabazz. “Also, men think about their mothers,
grandmothers, sisters, or aunts and want to give a tribute to
them. We are proud to be able to showcase that kind of talent
in our magazine.”
The release party is open to the community. For
more information contact Elsie Shabazz at (740) 351-3300 or
email eshabazz@shawnee.edu.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
SSU District
14 Science Day
Valley Middle School students
Tyler Sherwood and Brandon Zimmer show off their science project
“How Do Caves Form?” to judges Larry and Mary Edenfield and
Danielle Miller, an 8th grade student at Waverly
Junior High shows her project entitled “Germ Fighters” at the 16th
annual Shawnee District 14 Science Day on Saturday, March 25th
at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by
Shanna Mustard, Communications Specialist)
CELEBRATING
250 YEARS OF MOZART
The Shawnee State University (SSU) Vern Riffe Center for the
Arts (VRCFA) will host a celebration of Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart’s life on Saturday, April 8, 2006.
Since 2006
marks the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth, the
event will feature the work of Mozart, as well as other
composers, performed by the Dayton Philharmonic String Quartet
and the Portsmouth Community Orchestra and Chorale.
Stan Workman,
music history professor at SSU, will lead a pre-concert
discussion in the Kahl Theater about Mozart beginning at 7 p.m.
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Birthday cake will be served
after the concert.
“Mozart is
considered the greatest composer who ever lived, has influenced
all of western music as we know it, and is one of the most
famous child prodigies,” said Carl Daehler, executive director
of the VRCFA and Portsmouth Community Orchestra director. “The
celebration will mark the 250th anniversary of his
birth.”
Tickets for the celebration, sponsored by the
Portsmouth Community Orchestra, the Southern Ohio Museum and
Cultural Center, and the Portsmouth Convention and Visitors
Bureau, and supported by the Scioto Foundation, cost only $15 at
the McKinley Box Office. To purchase tickets or for more
information, call the box office at (740) 351-3600.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR DEGREE HOLDERS TO BECOME
MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS
Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in math or
science can receive grants to cover the tuition and fees
required for them to receive a teaching license.
The “TeachOhio Math Science Project,” an
initiative of the Ohio Department of Education, has made
$200,000 available to the Southeastern Ohio Center for
Excellence in Math and Science. The money will be used for
grants covering tuition and fees for courses needed to earn
a license through Ohio’s alternative educator license
program.
“This grant is a tremendous opportunity for
people who used their math and science degrees in other
professions and are now interested in bringing their
knowledge and experience into a high school classroom,” said
Paul Madden, chair of the Teacher Education Department at
Shawnee State University (SSU). “Thanks to the grant,
students will be responsible only for books and materials.”
A joint effort of Shawnee State and Ohio
University, the TeachOhio Math Science Project is aimed at
addressing the shortage of math and science teachers in the
region and throughout Ohio.
“A solid education in math and science is
essential for success in the 21st century information
economy,” said Madden. “Without superior high school math
and science teachers, students will be ill-equipped for the
demands of the workplace and unprepared to enroll in college
for a more advanced education and even greater career
choices.”
For more information, contact Amber Hall,
Department of Teacher Education, Shawnee State University,
at 1.800.959.2SSU.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by
Stephanie Smith, Communications Specialist)
SGA TO
ATTEND NATIONAL CONFERENCE
The Shawnee State University (SSU) Student Government
Association (SGA) will attend the 2006 National Conference on
Student Leadership (NCSL) in Nashville, Tenn. at the Gaylord
Opryland Resort and Convention Center from April 1
through 4.
“The purpose of this trip is to prepare present and
future SGA leaders to take a more active role on campus,” said
John Campbell, SGA secretary and SSU sophomore majoring in
English and social studies. “Hopefully it will give us
information and skills we can bring back to SSU. I think this
will have a positive impact on clubs and organizations on
campus.”
According to the NCSL, the spring conference is
designed to help keep the momentum of leadership going strong
into the summer and the new school year. The theme, “Keep the
Flame Alive!” will offer hands-on, interactive workshops,
problem solving sessions where participants can work together to
find solutions, and structured networking opportunities.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to represent
SSU at the conference,” said SGA treasurer Ann Wiard. “I hope
to bring back information that will not only benefit the SGA but
also other organizations on campus as well.”
Members Will Newby, Kelly Hatas, John Campbell, Ann
Wiard, Kristy Jarrell, Ashley Leek, Jen Bourne, Wayne Allen,
Dustin Jacobs, and Amy Richardson will attend the conference.
For more information visit
http://www.ncslcollege.com/index.html.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article
by Mistie Cook Spicer, Communications Coordinator)
“WEEK OF
THE YOUNG CHILD” ACTIVITIES PLANNED AT SSU
The focus is on young children as the Dr. Miller
and Genevieve Toombs Children’s Learning Center (CLC,) in
conjunction with the National Association for the Education
of Young Children (NAEYC), celebrates, “The Week of the
Young Child” April 2-7.
“It’s an opportunity to educate the public and
advocate for a very important segment of our population;
children,” said Cindy Ferguson, CLC director. “It’s a
national week of advocacy by the National Association for
the Education of Young Children, and it brings to the
forefront nationwide issues of importance to children from
birth to age eight.”
The theme for this year’s activities is “Building
Better Futures for All Children.”
“As a provider of services to young children on
the SSU campus, I feel an important responsibility to our
youth and I think our institution supports this
responsibility by leading our community in advocating for
young children and ensuring other providers have a clear
understanding of the importance they play in the lives of
those who are our future,” Ferguson said.
One of the highlights of the week is the annual
Children’s Fair on Thursday, April 6 in the James A. Rhodes
Athletic Center from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Ferguson said
approximately 300 children from the Carousel Center, Scioto
County Head Start, Scioto County Even Start, Portsmouth City
Schools and the Children’s Learning Center will rotate
through seven different activity stations.
“Scioto County MRDD always sets up an obstacle
course. The Portsmouth Public Library will do a story time
station and local singer Steve Free will have a music
station,” Ferguson said.
Cirque d’Art will perform at one station and the
SSU women’s basketball team will have a “Bear Ball” station.
Ferguson said the SSU Occupational Therapy students will
also be there and will run the “sensory station” or the
“chalk-walk.”
“They are all things that are important for the
physical and academic development of our children,” Ferguson
said.
Each of the children who participate will receive
a T-shirt provided by SSU President Rita Rice Morris, Ph.D.
In addition to the Children’s Fair, Ferguson said
there will be an ice cream social at the CLC on Tuesday and
Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. The public is welcome to stop
in.
#
# #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by
Stephanie Smith, Communications Specialist)
President Rita Rice Morris
speaking at the globalization conference held on the SSU campus.
MORRIS
SPEAKS AT GLOBALIZATION CONFERENCE
Emphasizing education as the
key to a skilled workforce in southern Ohio, Shawnee State
University (SSU) president Rita Rice Morris, Ph.D. was the
featured luncheon speaker at the “Globalization Outlook: Its
Impact and our Region’s Response” conference, held on March 30
on the SSU campus.
“It should not be surprising that a university
president will advocate for ‘education’ as a tool for improving
our region’s economy,” said Morris. “Education pays. Recent
history tells us that it pays in several ways, such as higher
productivity and lower demand on social support programs.”
Morris said that people must think about higher
education and the economy in new ways, that the very nature of a
“skilled labor force” has changed. She observed that just a
generation ago a high school graduate with minimum competencies
could get a good job in a mill or factory in the region, but
today that is no longer the case.
“To build a strong workforce we must build upon
traditional education and specialized skills and place every
high school graduate on the path to higher education and
life-long learning,” Dr. Morris said.
That path begins in elementary, middle and high
school. To insure an environment that supports and enables
post-secondary education, Morris endorsed more rigorous K-12
education, noting Governor Taft’s “Core Ohio” proposal.
“High school education is now the base upon which
successful careers are built, but it is the base,” said Morris.
“The ability to continue to learn, to be a life-long learner who
can easily adapt to new circumstances, is absolutely essential
for success. In today’s economic environment that capacity for
life-long learning is demonstrated by a college degree.
As the regional university of southern Ohio we see
our efforts to educate students to receive an associate or
bachelor’s degree as building upon the work of regional
schools. We also partner with businesses and the community to
develop the potential of our graduates. Once at Shawnee State,
our students can continue to acquire the intellectual tools that
allow them to grow beyond
the education we have given them.”
For many students in southern Ohio, the
affordability of higher education remains a primary concern.
Morris asserted the need to move away from loans and back to
grants as means to keep students on track for graduation.
“Our students won’t have to work at outside jobs as
much while they are in school, increasing their chances of
success. Right now 65 percent of full-time students from
low-income families work 24 or more hours per week and 33
percent of full-time students from low-income families work 35
or more hours per week. The college completion rate for
low-income students working more than 35 hours per week is only
47 percent.”
Morris concluded her remarks with a few observations
on what southern Ohio faces in the 21st century
economy.
Referring to New York Times Foreign Affairs
columnist Thomas Friedman’s book,
The World Is Flat: A Brief
History of the Twenty-First Century, Morris explained
that lower trade barriers and advanced technology permit
literally billions of people to interact with one another.
“To thrive regionally, we have to succeed globally.
That would seem to be an imposing challenge for Southern Ohio,”
said Morris.
After posing so daunting a challenge, Morris noted
that Friedman also offers hope: technology renders individuals
more important than institutions.
“Someone with a PC and an internet connection in Portsmouth,
Ohio has virtually the same access to knowledge as someone
sitting in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., or
standing on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
“In this flat world we are measured by the depth of
our effort and the breadth of our imagination. We can compete,
if we are prepared.”
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
(Article by
Stephanie Smith, Communications Specialist)
VAN
DEUSEN NAMED SAFETY OFFICER OF SSU
Joe Van Deusen, assistant director of facilities
at Shawnee State University (SSU), has been named to a new
position, associate director, environmental health and
safety/facilities.
“I am excited about maintaining safety on
campus,” said Van Deusen. “I hope to keep the campus safe
for students, faculty and staff and comply with local, state
and federal regulations. It comes as second nature to me.”
Prior to SSU, Van Deussen worked for eight years
at the USEC facility in Piketon, Ohio, where he served as
systems engineer, training employees in environmental,
safety and health. He was also safety officer on the USEC
emergency response team. Van Deussen is a state-certified
safety officer.
“I look forward to using my experience in
ensuring the safety of a major nuclear facility to help
Shawnee State be prepared for any emergency we might
encounter,” said Van Deusen.
Van Deusen noted SSU has done well on safety
audits in the past but he hopes to implement safety policies
and programs that not currently in place.
“I want to raise awareness campus-wide,
everything from fire extinguisher lessons to issues that
might help you in your home, such as proper use of extension
cords or electrical equipment.”
Van Deusen graduated from East High School in
1980 and currently holds both a Bachelor of Science in
environmental management and a Master of Business
Administration from the University of Findlay. He also
holds degrees from SSU in instrumentation and control
engineering technology and electromechanical engineering
technology.
As the manager of the maintenance department,
Van Deusen controls the budget and the overall management of
the department.
Van Deusen has a wife, Donna, a daughter,
Jessica and son, Jason, who is on the SSU golf team. Van
Deusen is active in Rubyville Community Church, and enjoys
golf and spending time with his family.
# # #
|
