FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2005 

 
SHAWNEE STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
TO MEET DECEMBER 9TH

             The Shawnee State University (SSU) Board of Trustees will meet Friday, December 9th at 1:15 p.m. in the Selby Board Room located in the Clark Memorial Library on the SSU campus.
            The committees of the Board will meet in the University Center at SSU as follows:

· Finance and Facilities--9 a.m. in the Founder’s Room;

· Academic and Student Affairs--10:15 a.m. in the Micklethwaite Banquet Hall.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2005 

The first photo:
Physical Therapist Sam Coppoletti talks to students about a career as a physical therapist assistant.

The second photo:
Video game design program director Matt Cram talks to students.

The third photo:
Dr. Angie Sherman of the Shawnee Animal Clinic shows a student how to check Jake the dog’s heartbeat.

The fourth and fifth photos:
Students visit displays during Shawnee State Career Fair

MORE THAN 500 STUDENTS ATTEND CAREER FAIR AT SSU

            Professionals from 30 different career fairs offered their experience and advice to 500 high school juniors from throughout Scioto County at the career fair sponsored by the Ohio Appalachian Center for Higher Education (OACHE) “BEAR CUBS” program and the Shawnee State University (SSU) Development Foundation.
          “To our knowledge this is the largest career fair in the area,” said Brenda Hass, executive director of OACHE. “We’re delighted to bring so many high school students to SSU for the chance to consider all possibilities that a college education creates for them.”
          In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Michael Field, SSU provost and vice president for academic affairs urged students to use the career fair as an opportunity to “open your minds and consider the possibilities.”
          Amanda Munion, a media information technology specialist at East High School attended the career fair as a junior at East. Now, she’s come full circle.
           “The career fair inspired me to pursue teaching and showed me that the only way to get there was through a college education,” said Munion. “That’s why I got my teaching degree from Shawnee State. Today, I’ve brought my own students to help them see clearly that their brightest future passes through college.”
          The students attended sessions with professionals from a broad range of career fields, including the arts, health sciences, criminal justice, military service and even video game design, helping students make the connection between a college education and a successful career.
          Macy Idzakovich, a junior at Portsmouth West, appreciated the opportunity to gain some first-hand experience about college.
          “The career fair is a chance to actually be on a college campus, and get a preview of what to expect from college,” Idzakovich said. “We’re learning from the professors themselves what they expect, instead of second-hand from other students.”
          Sam Coppoletti, a licensed physical therapist who is the physical therapy assistant (PTA) program leader and clinical coordinator at SSU, has seen the impact the fair has on students.
          “I recognize faces in out PTA program from the career fair,” Coppoletti said. “I’m happy to participate because I get to speak to so many students at one time, and I know the other professionals feel the same way. This is a great way for students to see at one time many successful individuals who wouldn’t be where they are without college.”
          The career fair is one of OACHE’s most popular activities. Ten colleges and 20 school districts partner with OACHE to improve the college attendance rate in the 29-county Ohio Appalachia region, where according to the 2000 Census only 12.3 percent of adults over 25 hold a four-year degree or higher, far below the national average of 24.4 percent. The schools receive grants from the state of Ohio to participate in college-attendance programs coordinated by OACHE.
          Since receiving a grant, the South Webster School District has increased its percentage of students attending college from 36 to 67 percent, a gain experienced by other districts as well. OACHE has been so successful in 2003 it was the winner of the Innovations in American Government award by the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University.
          Brenda Hass, the OACHE Executive Director, knows attending college is quickly becoming a necessity for a successful career.
          “By 2008 about seven in 10 jobs will require some form of post-secondary education,” she said.
          Or, as Sam Coppoletti told students, “People will pay you for what you know.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 2005 

 

(Article by Mistie Cook Spicer, Communications Coordinator)

 
SSU COMMUNITY CHORUS LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS

             Talented singers of all ages are invited to join the Shawnee State University (SSU) Community Chorus. The chorus, under the direction of Shirley Crothers-Marley, will meet on Tuesdays, beginning on January 3 from 7 to 10 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.
          “It has the potential of being a really great opportunity for people who have been wanting to sing in a choir and haven’t had the chance or didn’t know which one to sing in,” Crothers-Marley said.
          The SSU Community Chorus is being offered through the Office of University Outreach Services and director Ginnie Moore says it can be taken as either a credit or non-credit option.
          “The members of the Shawnee State University Community Chorus come together to experience the joy of singing and sharing beautiful music,” said Moore. “Whatever your age or musical background, we are sure you will find much to enjoy as you prepare for the musical events the chorus performs throughout each season.”
          Crothers-Marley, an adjunct professor of music at the university said the SSU Community Chorus will present four annual concerts including Sacred Concerts at area churches, the Spring Pop concert, the SSU commencement and the annual Dickens of a Christmas concert.
            “Traditionally, the University Community Chorus has always done a variety of music, some religious and very much non-religious,” Crothers-Marley said. “Spring quarter is when we’ll continue to do our Pops concert with all popular, Broadway and even bluegrass music.”
          Listed in the World Who’s Who of Women in Education, Crothers-Marley is a published composer of choral music, including the Shawnee State University Alma Mater. Crothers-Marley has held teaching positions in both the Ohio and New Mexico public school systems. Since 2001 she has traveled to the Navajo reservation outside Gallup, New Mexico, where she teaches piano to Native American children at a Catholic mission.
          A native of Rio Grande, Crothers-Marley has 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, New York.
          An active soloist in the tri-state area, her singing repertoire ranges from oratorio to folk music. Crothers-Marley’s stage experience includes major roles in both opera and musical comedy, many of them with the Southern Ohio Light Opera, which she co-founded and coordinated for several years. In 1994, Crothers-Marley sang professionally with a national touring choir.
          Those interested in becoming a member of the SSU Community Chorus can take the class for credit by contacting the Office of the Registrar or take it as a non-credit continuing education option for only $25 per quarter or $60 per year.
          For more information or to schedule an audition, call Shirley Marley-Crothers at (740) 351-3577 or the Office of University Outreach Services at (740) 351-3274.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2005 

 

(Article by Mistie Cook Spicer, Communications Coordinator)

 
          EXPLORING SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOP TO BE HELD AT SSU

            Ever thought about owning your own business, but have no idea where to start or what to do? You may want to consider taking the “Exploring Small Business Ownership” workshop on Thursday, Dec. 15 at Shawnee State University (SSU).
          Sponsored by the SSU Office of Business and Management Training, the workshop will be offered in room 030 in the Administration Building from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
          “This workshop is for anyone who is thinking about or in the beginning stages of starting a small business,” said Brenda Covert, office manager. “Participants will learn how to write a business plan, which is required by all financial institutions, and where to find funding to assist them in starting up their business.”
          Covert said the seminar will be taught by Jackie Leberth, from Parkersburg, W.Va.
          “LeBerth has over 12 years of experience in consulting small businesses,” Covert said. “She is a certified business analyst, NxLevL entrepreneurship instructor and the operator of a bed and breakfast.”
          Covert said the cost for the seminar is $49 which includes lunch and the workbook. She said those wanting to register can call her at (740) 351-3304 or toll free at (866)672-8778.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2005 

 

(Article by Mistie Cook Spicer, Communications Coordinator)

BOOK FAIR NOW UNDERWAY AT THE SSU CLC                                            

           What better Christmas present to give someone than the gift of reading.  The Dr. Miller and Genevieve Toombs Children’s Learning Center at Shawnee State University can make the gift giving easier thanks to the “BOGO” (Buy One Get One Free) book fair now underway.
          “The BOGO is a customer appreciation holiday book fair,” said Cindy Ferguson, CLC director. “It is open to the public and there are books for children through adults and many fun stocking stuffers.”
           Ferguson said the book fair which is held in conjunction with Scholastic will run through Thursday, December 15. She said the CLC can offer a “BOGO” sale because the center hosted a regular book fair in November which was very successful.
          “Any dollars generated through the sale of books at the fair will put more books back in the CLC library,” Ferguson said.
          The book fair is open through the 15^th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2005 

SSU Board of Trustees Chair Kay Reynolds swears in Trustee Elizabeth Seif


ELIZABETH SEIF JOINS SHAWNEE STATE TRUSTEES

             Elizabeth Seif of  Waverly was sworn in by Chair Kay Reynolds as the newest member of the Shawnee State University (SSU) Board of Trustees at its meeting held on December 9th.
            Seif will serve a nine-year term.
            The following actions were also taken at the Trustees’, held in the Homer Selby Board Room of the Clark Library:
University Audit
            The Trustees accepted the audit of the university budget for the 2004-05 fiscal year conducted by Crowe Chizek and Company, LLC.  The auditor gave SSU its highest rating – an “unqualified report,” meaning there were no concerns or issues to “qualify” the auditor’s findings of a sound budget.
Tuition established for the new  Master’s in Occupational Therapy (MOT) Program.
            The Trustees approved a $3,303 tuition per semester tuition for the new Master’s in Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree, SSU’s first graduate program.  With tuition and fees, SSU’s MOT program, which will begin fall 2006, will be among the most inexpensive in Ohio.
            “Beginning in 2007, licensure for occupational therapists will require a master’s degree,” said SSU President Rita Rice Morris.  “The MOT program demonstrates SSU’s continued commitment to providing students with the finest educational opportunities and ensuring Southern Ohio’s access to the professionals who help secure a high quality of life for all in the region.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14, 2005 

CLC STUDENTS ARE INTERNET ARTISTS

          Move over famous artists and make way for the preschool artists from Shawnee State University Children’s Learning Center who has teamed up with Artsonia.com to display the student’s artwork on the Artsonia website.
          “In the preschool world, art is a medium of expression children engage in each day,” said Cindy Ferguson, CLC director.
          Shawnee State University Children’s Learning Center joins thousands of students from over 100 countries whose artwork is showcased in the International Gallery of Artsonia.
           “This project is a wonderful way to build the children’s self-esteem, foster a sense of wonder in the arts, create a diverse, international experience, and integrate technology into the art curriculum,” Ferguson said.
          Artsonia is the largest student art gallery on the internet, according to Ferguson, featuring artwork by thousands of students of all ages. She said visitors can honor the young artists by leaving them comments on the website. Family members and friends can order keepsakes featuring the artist’s work, with a percentage of the funds from the purchased art returned to the Children’s Learning Center.
          Ferguson said while parent volunteer Brenda Willis is the Artsonia coordinator responsible for getting the children’s paintings on the website, it is the three CLC teachers, Amanda Hedrick, Hetty Phillips, and Teresa Stockham, who are responsible for nurturing the budding artists.
          When you visit Artsonia, Ferguson said you may want to keep in mind that you may well be looking at future Monets, Van Goghs, and Picassos. Check out http://www.artsonia.com/schools/center4 and see for yourself.

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