2014-2015 Music Department Awards

Last night after the Spring Honors Recital, several students were recognized for their excellence within the music department.

A member from each class was recognized for their Academic Honors including sophomore Jaylynn Buchmelter, junior Shayne Smith and senior Devyn Renninger.

OCMEA Leadership Awards went to Jessie Barnhouse, Rachel Crow, Hannah Phillips an DR Haught.

Other departmental awards included:

• Julie Bontempo, Zach Spier Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution by a non-Music Major
• Devyn Renninger, Outstanding Student Teacher
• Hannah Phillips, Most Improved Music Major
• DR Haught, Oustanding Performer
• Devyn Renninger, Outstanding Music Major

Pulitzer Honoree Guirgis and His AU Theatre Connections

Congratulations to professor Scott Hudson's friend and fellow LAByrinth Theatre Company member Stephen Adly Guirgis on receiving the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play Between Riverside and Crazy. AU alumus Sean Smith ('11) worked on costumes for the production. Last spring, Guirgis gave 2014 graduate Hilary Rheinheimer permission to produce his one act Dominica, the Fat Ugly Ho for AU's Experience/Experiment: 2014 One Act & New Works Festival. Read More HERE.

“We’re Taking Back the Rainbow!”

By Emily Wirtz

Now, I know that I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, specifically those of #TheSelmaProject, that I’m from the Youngstown area, which just so happens to be ridden with crime and inequality. This is not to say that everyone from Youngstown falls into this category of anti-activism, but it’s come to my attention that some crazy things have been going on back in my hometown.  FULL STORY...

Variable Winds Band Concert, Sunday, May 3

The Department of Music concludes an eventful 2014-2015 academic year on Sunday, May 3, 4:00 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre with the annual Variable Winds Band Concert. The Ashland Area Community Concert Band under the direction of Leonard Salvo, and the Ashland University Concert Band directed by Kenneth Will will perform. MORE DETAILS...

Tonight's 2015 Spring Honors Recital

On April 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall, the honors recital will feature the best of Spring 2015 and recognize exceptional students through Music Department Awards. Instrumentalists will include Shayne Smith, baritone saxophone; Nik Psota and Hannah Phillips, trumpet; Jaylynn Buchmelter, trombone; Nicolas Bartulovic, violin; Emily Minns and D.R. Haught, flute. Vocalists performing are baritone Deric Dove; sopranos Abigail Brady, Rachel Gollhardt, Fatima Imani Smith and Leslie Childers.

Russell Weaver Publishes Edited Collection

"I am pleased to say three weeks ago my third book was published. Unlike my first two books, which were scholarly in nature, this was devoted to teaching. I had actually written a fourth book in the late 90s about teaching, but my current publisher, Peter Lang, did not elect to publish it. However, my current book Teaching Literature at Ridgeview was accepted by them for publication." FULL STORY...

Three Vocal Ensembles Perform Combined Concert

The Ashland University Chamber Singers, Women's Chorus and a cappella ensemble Surround Sound present their final spring concert on Sunday, April 26 at 4 p.m. in the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel.  The performance is free and open to the public. MORE...

Science Students Heading to Great Summer Internships

We have started to hear from students who have been accepted into research internships for this coming summer including:

• 10-week field ecology internship at the Environmental Research Center at the University of Notre Dame
• Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates program with Oregon State University
• Summer internship at Gorman Nature Center, Mansfield, OH 
• International Volunteer HQ summer program in Cusco, Peru
• Internship at the Columbus Zoo

Fairy Tales & Opera Join Forces This Weekend

The Department of Music presents two evenings of opera scenes which feature seven different operas each night from fairy tales such as Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel along with Elixir of Love, Lakme, Sweet Betsy from Pike, Porgy and Bess, and The Tenderland by Aaron Copland. Directed by Stephanie Sikora, the performances which are free and open to the public are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25, 7:30 p.m. at the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. MORE...

Shakespeare in Cleveland

By Sarah Ludwig, English major

This past Sunday, I traveled to Cleveland with other students and professors in the English and History departments to see the Hanna Theatre’s adaption of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Going into it, I had hoped that the performance would bring something unique to this timeless comedy. I had wished that the performance would divert from a typical interpretation that one would expect and offer something unanticipated. I was extremely happy when the play did just this.  MORE...

Composition Students Respond to Author's Classroom Visit

Tom Montgomery Fate, author of Cabin Fever, visited my English 102: Composition 2 classroom. All of the students found a personal connection with the text as well as the value of studying such a piece of creative nonfiction for their own growth as writers. Written reactions from selected students representing a range of majors from sports management to psychology and finance can be found HERE...

Ethnic Potluck Shares Experiences, Recognizes Academic Achievements

Every April, senior-level students of the social work program hosts an ethnic potluck dinner for their fellow students to share their experiences as practicing social work interns.  This year, fourteen  graduating students presented their expertise to about 30 other social work students who will follow in their footsteps.  An outstanding student from each class was recognized for their academic, leadership, and mentoring achievements including sophomore Alison Bartholomew, senior Jennifer Lindsay, and junior Bailey Fullwiler.

FREE Jazz at the Nest Tonight!

Dr. Scott Garlock will conduct the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra for their final concert of the year at the Eagles Nest in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center on TONIGHT, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. Audience members are welcome to grab a snack, enjoy a beverage and relax to the live music of AUJO at the Nest.

Spiesz Takes Senior Art Award

Shauna Spiesz was selected as the senior art award recipient by the AU art department faculty at the 2015 Senior Art Exhibition opening reception. Shauna is from Bay Village, Ohio, and is a double major with a BFA concentration in Painting and BS in Art Education. Cecelia Maxwell was awarded honorable mention for her work.

JDM Professor publishes "Ghosts I Run With" on SB Nation.com

Matt Tullis, associate professor of journalism and adviser to The Collegian, published “The Ghosts I Run With,” a piece of memoir on running and childhood cancer on the national sports website SB Nation Longform.  The article focuses on the children and other cancer patients that Tullis knew when he was battling childhood leukemia as a teenager, most of whom did not survive, and how he often finds himself thinking about them when he goes on long runs. Read his story HERE...

Fuhrmann Awarded 2015 Taylor Excellence in Teaching

Professor of Music Dr. Christina Fuhrmann is the recipient of AU’s 2015 Taylor Excellence in Teaching Award. Fuhrmann's acceptance spoke on her teaching philosophy for motivating her students in an address titled “Run the dog you brought." Fuhrmann ended the address with a comment that summarizes her philosophy:

“All this is not to say that every single day in the classroom is an amazing, perfect experience...There will be failures and frustrations. And this is where I think love is the most important. The thing that surprised and humbled me most about training my dog was that no matter how many mistakes we both had made, my dog was always ready to get on that start line and try again, with everything he had. Likewise, our students are waiting there for us. They are eager and ready to run. So let’s get up there with them and run the dog we brought.”

Is Torture Wrong?

The Alexander Hamilton Society, the Philosophy Club, and the Department of Political Science and History present Elbridge Colby from the Center for a New American Security to lead this debate on Tuesday, April 21 at noon in the Conference Rooms of the Hawkins-Conard Student Center. Food and drinks will be provided and the event is free and open to the public. MORE...

Two Student Ensembles Recitals Scheduled for Monday Evening

AU Department of Music presents two instrumental ensembles recital on Monday, April 20 in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The 7 p.m. concert features a trumpet ensemble, clarinet trio, flute trio and saxophone ensemble. At the 8:15 p.m. recital, the percussion ensemble, string ensemble, brass ensemble and jazz combo will perform. Both concerts are free and open to the public.

Kylee Bogner Presents Math Senior Seminar

On Tuesday, April 21 at 4:30 p.m. in Patterson 301, Kylee Bogner will present "Computing Determinants Using the Dodgson Condensation Method" which was invented by Alice's Adventure in Wonderland's author, Lewis Carroll. Her talk will cover the original method, theorem and solution for the zero issue. Then it can be determined whether the Dodgson Condensation is an easier method for computing these determinants.

Surround Sound Performs Annual Concert This Sunday

The student-led a cappella ensemble Surround Sound presents their annual concert on Sunday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. The program will feature a variety of popular tunes including When I'm Gone, The Cup Song from Pitch Perfect, selections from Katy Perry, Boys II Men, Cold Play along with several arrangements by Pentatonix and more. The concert is free and open to the public.

Jennifer Lindsay, Intern at Appleseed

I feel like the Social Work Program at Ashland University has prepared me in countless ways for my internship, and my future as a social worker. All of the behavioral classes have given me a greater understanding for the needs that my clients have. Furthermore, I feel as though I was very well prepared through all of my classes in the Social Work Program to enter my internship...I am so thankful for the ways that Ashland University’s Social Work Program not only prepared me for my internship, but also my future career.  MORE...

Math Senior Seminar Presents "Markov Chains and the Risk Board Game"

William Horn will present his math senior seminar Tuesday, April 14, 4:30 p.m. in Patterson 301 focusing on the application of Markov chains to the popular board game RISK. His talk will look at the probability of winning a territory given the size of the defending army and size of the attacking army. By analyzing the results, he will answer to the question, "When should I attack?"

Ashland Choirs Join ASO for "An American in Paris"

The Ashland University Choir and Ashland Area Chorus join the Ashland Symphony Orchestra to perform “An American in Paris” concert at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, April 18 at McDowell Auditorium. Full Details HERE...

Science Students, Including Choose Ohio First scholars, Present at URCA

Eleven science students from biology, biochemistry, chemistry, environmental science, geology and toxicology presented their independent research projects in oral and poster presentations at the 6th Annual URCA Symposium.  Six of these students are members of our Choose Ohio First scholars program, which provides scholarship funding for excellent graduates of Ohio high schools majoring in the sciences. 

Justina Fleming Honored

Congratulations to Justina Fleming on her induction into Kappa Delta Pi, the International Education Honor Society, Sunday, April 12.  Justina is a Spanish PK-12 major.

Congratulations to the URCA Student Presenters!

Wow, what a day we had last Wednesday! As is true every year, the students presenting their work at the URCA Symposium amaze me. I was impressed all day by the intellect, the creativity, and the poise of our presenters. To see some photos from the poster sessions, follow this LINK.

75th Annual William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition

The seventy-fifth annual William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition was held on Saturday, December 6, 2014. The results are in: Ashland University had two students receive non-zero scores. They were Paul Pernici and Grace McCourt. Pernici received a score of 18 and McCourt received a score of 2. Pernici holds the record for the highest score by an Ashland University student. FULL STORY...

Composition Students Reflect on Cummings Class Visit

By Hilary Donatini

I decided to feature some works from our spring reading series writers on my English 102: Composition 2 syllabus this semester. On March 23, J. David Cummings, author of Tancho, visited my class, sharing his writing process and providing context for understanding his poetry. Two of my students who attended both the class session and the afternoon reading agreed to write about the experience: Amelia Sidley, a nursing major from Thompson, Ohio, and Jessica James, a social work major from Loudonville, Ohio. Read their responses HERE...

2015 Senior Art Exhibition Opens Today @4:30pm

2015 Senior Art Exhibition opens today, Thursday, April 9 at 4:30 p.m.

Orff Specialist Roger Sams Presenting April 12-14

Orff specialist Roger Sams has been selected for the 2015 Gretchen French Visiting Artist Series in Music at Ashland University.  Mr. Sams will visit Ashland University on April 12 to 14 to present four workshops each focusing on a different music classroom setting. All of the workshops are free and open to the public and will be held in Room 242 in the Center for the Arts. MORE DETAILS

Moseman Passes Exam P

Joel Moseman has passed the Society of Actuaries' Probability Exam (Exam P). The exam tests the candidate's knowledge of the fundamental probability tools for quantitatively assessing risk. Exam P is one of the exams required to achieve professional status as an actuary.

Haught Presents Senior Recital on Flute

Music education major Don Roger Haught will present his senior recital assisted by pianist Susan Gregg along with fellow flutists Jane Berkner, Emily Minns and Devyn Renninger on Sunday, April 12 at 5 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. His program of classic and contemporary pieces will include Greg Pattillo's Three Beats for Beatbox Flute.

Drop of a Hat Players Spring Showcase, April 11

Ashland University Theatre’s Drop of a Hat Players, a musical theatre revue troupe, presents its 2015 Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 11, at 2 p.m.  in the Hugo Young Theatre in the Center for the Arts. Although the performance is free and open to the public, audience members are encouraged to reserve a free ticket through the Ashland University box office to guarantee a seat.  The box office is open 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and can be reached at 419.289.5125.

Psychology Inducts 16 Students to Psi Chi

Sixteen psychology students were recently inducted into Psi Chi, the honorary society for psychology.  Congratulations to Sara Amato, Jillian Bajaksouzian, Derek Baker, Molly Brys, Kathryn Budzik, Lisa Coey, Emily Embrescia, Olivia Hess, Alicia Jones, Ashley Keres, Megan Maguire, Margo Miller, Kara Smith, Lydia Smith, Courtney Troyer, and Melanie Ward!

Social Work Club Raises Funds for Easter Baskets

In mid-March, the Social Work Club raised $178 from a bake sale to make Easter baskets for children through Associated Charities. Club members created and donated 23 Easter baskets which included craft supplies, coloring books, puzzles, jump ropes, bubbles, stuffed animals, stickers, small games and, of course, Easter candy!

Reflections on Terrorism from Kenya

Dr. Sue Dickson is spending this semester in Kenya. On Good Friday, she wrote about the terrorist attack on Garissa University on her personal travel blog and below is an excerpt:

...Kenyan Christians are afraid. Actually, they have good reason to be afraid. In fact, I suspect lots of Kenyan Muslims are afraid, too. It wasn’t just Christian students who were murdered yesterday… I truly understand the fear and frustration and the reflexive desire for revenge and aggression and self-preservation...

Today is Good Friday… Lord, help us to embody the mercy and forgiveness you embodied on the cross. Help us to love one another as you have loved us. Lord, remember us when you come into your kingdom.

READ MORE...

Whiteness and Blackness

By Emily Wirtz

In February, the Coburn Gallery hosted a faculty art show. Cynthia Petry, the director of the art gallery, created a piece for show entitled “Whiteness and Blackness”... In the light of the recent Black History month, MLK Day, Selma, etc., the piece stood out as a bold statement, not simply on the colors of black and white as art, but on the contrast of Blacks and Whites in America. She portrayed in the piece both contemporary situations and those dating back to pre-abolition. READ MORE

Accountability Awry? A Philosophical Diagnosis

Dr. Michael Seifried from the College of Wooster will present a lecture addressing this question on Tuesday, April 7 at 4 p.m. in Schar's Ronk Lecture Hall. Drawing on contemporary philosophy of science, classic works of German philosophy, and recent research in cognitive science, Seifried argues that the way we conceive of the shared “standards” that ground practices of accountability is the ultimate problem.  After presenting this diagnosis, Seifried explores an alternative theory of accountability and its prospects.

Art Majors Served as Jurors for Congressional Art Competition

AU Art Majors served as the jurors for the Congressional Art Competition where they selected five finalists for Congressman Gibbs. The winner will be announced on Friday, April 10th in an award ceremony at the Coburn Art Gallery.

Theatre Closes Season with Award-Winning Dark Comedy

Ashland University Theatre closes the eclectic 2014-2015 season of four "Somethings" with John Guare's award-winning dark comedy The House of Blue Leaves as "Something Blue." Directed by Dr. Teresa Durbin-Ames, the performances will be staged in the intimate Studio Theatre on April 9, 10, 11, 15, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 12 at 2 p.m. Patrons are advised to secure their tickets early due to the limited seating in the Studio Theatre. READ MORE...

Communication Studies Faculty & Students Presenting at ECA

On April 23-26, 2015, the Eastern Communication Association Conference (ECA) will take place this year in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Several AU students and faculty will travel to Philadelphia and will present their research including Dr. Theodore Avtgis,  Dr. Dariela Rodriguez, Kimberly Field-Springer Zoe Escandon, Haley Pittman, Courtney Troyer, Megan Salatino, Taylor Campbell, Lauren Fattlar and Lauren Miller and Katie Margavio Striley. See the full schedule and details HERE.