AU Theatre Announces Fall Casts

Last week was filled with auditions, call-backs and casting for AU Theatre.  Not only were the two fall shows cast, but in-house auditions were held for February's production of The Wizard of Oz.  For the fall, over thirty roles were cast with students from every class level and several major areas of study (not just theatre majors).  For fall cast listings for Saint Joan and In the Event of My Death, visit the theatre blog here. Congratulations to all!

What Is Philosophy?

Philosophers often get this question, and it's usually difficult to answer in a short, efficient manner.  Jack Russell Weinstein, Director of the Institute for Philosophy in Public Life, takes on this challenge in this Youtube video link.

Policing as Counterinsurgency

By John Moser

For the last ten years the Department of Defense has been providing local police forces across the country with military hardware at cut rate prices. Delaware (Ohio) paid only $2,600 for its MRAP, which ordinarily sells for some $700,000. MORE...

Psychology Major Experiences "AU in Germany"

by Edie Henthorne

My experience through the AU Germany Program was unforgettable. I had always wanted to travel to Europe and when I had heard about this program last Fall I knew this was my one chance to see a European country. MORE...

English Alumni Spotlight: Brittany Potter ('10)

Shortly after graduation, I was lucky to land an internship with Ketchum, a PR agency in Washington, DC. I lived there for about four months and enjoyed every second of it - I got involved in their digital sector, which was the transition into my full-time career.  MORE...

Weidenhamer Participates in Australian Research Partnership; Receives Award

Dr. Jeff Weidenhamer, trustees’ distinguished professor of chemistry, has just returned from spending five months in Australia as part of an international research partnership through the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation at Charles Sturt University. He concluded his time abroad by presenting two papers at the Seventh World Congress on Allelopathy in Vigo, Spain, and was honored as a winner of the Molisch Award by the International Allelopathy Society recognizing his contributions to research excellence in allelopathy.  MORE...

Psychology Internship Spotlight - Shelby Gaydosh

This summer I completed my second internship at Lorain County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services (LCADA). LCADA is a non-profit organization to help those struggling with addiction. When I started my first summer at LCADA, I had no idea working with addicts was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. MORE...

AU Theatre Acknowledged In Latest Farm Report from NYC!

From Padraic Lillis, Artistic Director, Farm Theater

The weekend workshop of the play went wonderfully as reported. The day after our workshop Ashland University held the first round of auditions. I was thrilled to talk with Scott Hudson the night before auditions and learn that after speaking to those interested in participating in theater this semester the audition sheet had filled up.  MORE...

Why Do Questions Matter? Philosophy for Children!

Numbers?  Ring of Gyges?  Ship of Theseus?  Bravery?  Kids worry about these kinds of things, and everyone else should too. Dr. Sara Goering discusses how to talk philosophy with kids (and everyone else) and why it really matters. SEE VIDEO...

AU Alumnus Wins Art Kudos Award

Congratulations to AU Alumnus Casey Snyder on her Art Kudos Award of Distinction! MORE...

"Jettisoned"
oil & mixed media on panel
36" x 36"

Videos from 2014 MFA Residency

If you missed your chance to be on campus for the MFA summer residency, you can still experience a small bit of Ashland by watching videos from this year's residency. Links to the videos are available at ashlandmfa.blogspot.com.  MORE...

The Colors of My School

By Sue Dickson
Certainly on this day, in this idyllic mountain setting, laughing and singing with the school children and enjoying their presentations of poems and songs and acrostics, and receiving from them a folded-paper flower, it seems as if the return has begun and hope is alive.
MORE...

Who Do You Recognize on the New Music Scholarship Postcard?

The Department of Music will soon be mailing their newest scholarship audition postcard to prospective majors, minors and participants.  The photo collage featured on the postcard shows the variety of programs and ensembles offered throughout the department.  From the AU Eagle Marching Band to the annual Madrigal Feaste and work in the theory classroom -- AU Music has something for everyone.  MORE...

‘AU in Costa Rica’ Program Provides Perfect Study Abroad Setting

Ten Ashland University students took the ride up the mountain from Santa Ana (outside of San José, the capital) each morning to attend “Conversa” language school. For four weeks they enjoyed the ideal learning environment. Conversa’s strict policies of no more than four students to a class and “Spanish only” allowed every participant to meet their personal and academic goals. MORE...

AUTV20 Shows Off Unique Aerial Shots Around Campus

Five new AUTV20 station IDs (Station Identifiers) began airing this week featuring spectacular aerial footage from a drone-mounted HD camera dubbed, "JDM-1." The short spots also feature the voice talent of WRDL 88.9FM Advisor, Steve Suess. Check out all of the new aerial station IDs on the JDM YouTube Channel and look for more aerial footage this semester on AUTV20! MORE...

Spanish Film Festival Begins Sept. 4

AU's Foreign Language Department has received a grant to host a Spanish Language Film Festival “Celebrating the New Wave of Ibero American Cinema” on the AU campus during the month of September. The Spanish films with English subtitles will be held Sept. 4, 10, 15, 23 and 29 at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public.

The festival, which is titled “Celebrating the New Wave of Ibero American Cinema,” is made possible by a grant from Pragda and its Spanish Film Club, as well as support from The Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of Spain, and SPAIN arts & culture.  MORE...

"Meet the Researcher"

The Psychology Department will host its annual "Meet the Researcher Night" on Wednesday, August 27th at 7:00 p.m. in the Ronk Auditorium in Schar.  All students who are interested in being student research assistants are encouraged to attend.  MORE...

Alumni Spotlight: Cecilia Garman

By Cecilia Garman, class of 2011, English and Creative Writing major.

I am currently living in Harbin, China, teaching students from ages 3 to age 14 at a private English school called Kid Castle. In order to be able to teach English abroad, I had to get my TEFOL/TESOL certificate.  MORE...

AU Involved in Research Showing Lead Released from African Cookware Contaminates Food

Lead levels in foods prepared in aluminum pots from Cameroon exceed U.S. guidelines for lead consumption according to a new study published this month in Science of the Total Environment.  AU Chemistry professors Jeff Weidenhamer and Rebecca Corbin as well as senior biochemistry major and Choose Ohio First scholar Peter Kobunski were involved in the research which included testing 29 samples of cookware.  MORE...

Senior Alli Combs Writes About Her Trip to Ecuador

This past week has been so busy but I cannot even believe how blessed I am to be here! I arrived late Friday evening and got about 4 hours of sleep before my next day began. Saturday was orientation with the other interns and a visit to the food market in town.  MORE...

College Collaboration Play Workshop Deemed Success

"Today was the first day of the workshop of the College Collaboration Play. Today is the day that the collaboration began. Everyone has been working on this project in their own way but today was the day we were in the same room together. Today was thrilling. It was exactly what was envisioned when the project was first imagined. There were 14 artists in the room ready to work and share their experience with the play."  --Padraic Lillis, Artistic Director, The Farm Theater   MORE...

Creative Writing Major on Her Internship with the AU MFA Residency

By Audrey Art, Creative Writing and Journalism & Digital Media Major

When Joe Mackall pulled me aside after my writing workshop and told me about an internship at the AU Master of Fine Arts Creative Writing residency in July, I panicked. Then he unexpectedly rushed me downstairs to Sarah Wells’s office and he left me there to listen to her explain the job description. I was petrified and eager all at the same time.  MORE...

Ashland Area Chorus and Community Concert Band Announce Fall Schedules

Two community music ensembles at Ashland University (Ashland Area Chorus and Ashland Area Community Concert Band) announce their fall schedules including rehearsals, concerts and membership requirements.  Beginning Monday, August 18, Ashland Area Chorus rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from 7-8:45 p.m. in Room 242 of the Center for the Arts. Initially meeting on Tuesday, September 2, the Community Band rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9 p.m. in the Center for the Arts' Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall.  MORE... 

Allison Elia's "Sculptural Snapshots" Opens August 21

The Coburn Gallery at Ashland University will host a ceramic sculpture exhibition titled “Sculptural Snapshots” that will feature artworks created by Ohio artist Allison Elia. The exhibition will run from Aug. 21 through Sept. 21, with an opening reception planned for Thursday, Aug. 21, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. After the reception, Elia will present an artist talk at 7 p.m. in Ronk Lecture Hall in the Dwight Schar College of Education. The artist talk is free and open to the public.  MORE...

English Department Sponsors Lecture on The Shawshank Redemption

The English Department at Ashland University is sponsoring a lecture titled “Redemption through the Feminine in ‘The Shawshank Redemption,’ or Why Rita Hayworth Belongs in the Title” by Tony Magistrale, a professor of English at the University of Vermont. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held Aug. 29 at 9 a.m. in the Ronk Lecture Hall in the Schar College of Education on the AU campus.  MORE...

Ashland University Group Spends Three Weeks in Germany

Three Ashland University CAS faculty members and 17 AU students participated this summer in a three-week “AU in Germany” experience that included a stay in Wittenberg as well as weekend excursions to nearby cities. MORE...

JDM Internship Spotlight: Kevin Stoicovy

While the department placed 100% of last year's seniors, a new year brings a new crop of JDM majors who spent this summer honing media crafts around the country. Senior Kevin Stoicovy spent his summer working as a sports reporter for WJET-TV Erie News Network.  MORE...

Ashland University MFA Graduate Sets Record with 12th Graduate Degree

On Aug. 9, 2014, Dr. Benjamin B. Bolger will earn his first Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from Ashland University and his 12th graduate degree, setting a record for the most number of graduate degrees from the most number of graduate schools in the United States and England. MORE...

The Search for Psychology's Lost Boy

Students of psychology are well aware of the story of "Little Albert", and many students are left wondering what ever became of psychology's most famous little boy.  Click HERE to read an article from the Chronicle of Higher Education which details a recent search for John Watson's famous subject.