Fun With Flash Fiction

By Mary Moeller, class of 2015, Creative Writing minor

Going into Dr. Jayne Waterman’s Short Story class, I expected it to consist solely of analytical exercises. While we did do quite a bit of reading and analyzing short stories from a wide variety of very talented authors, I was pleasantly surprised when Dr. Waterman informed the class that the final paper would be a creative piece rather than an analytical one. The assignment was that every student in the class had to write a piece of “Flash Fiction,” which is a very brief short story.  READ MARY's FLASH FICTION

Freshman Creative Writing Major Discusses Opportunities to Meet Authors

By Madison White

This year in English 405: Problems in Creative Writing, two authors graced the class with their presence: Michelle Herman and Dandi Mackall...It was interesting as well to hear about how each writer works and learn more about her writing process; each writer worked differently. Whenever the opportunity to pick apart the brain of a writer arises, take it because you never know when you might learn something useful.  READ MORE

Psychology Majors Perform Well on National Test

This past spring 16 AU graduating psychology majors completed an examination of psychological knowledge by taking the Psychology Area Concentration Achievement Test (PACAT). The AU students scored better than 72% of the 5,064 students nationally who also took this exam.  Congratulations!!

Dr. David McCoy Interviewed on PBS Program

Dr. David McCoy, Assistant Professor of Journalism and Digital Media, was interviewed for the Western Reserve Public Media (PBS Channels 45/49) program "90-Second Stories."  McCoy discussed the significance of historical documentaries as models for raising cultural awareness in local and regional communities.  He described the power of documentary storytelling as a "living and breathing entity" that improves our understanding of the world. WATCH HERE

NYC Reading of "In the Event of My Death"

Theatre major Natalyn Baisden will appear as "Amber" in the New York City reading of In the Event of My Death on Monday, June 8, 6:30 p.m. at Cherry Lane Theatre.  The reading is presented as a celebration of the Farm Theater's College Collaboration Project and will include actors from each of the three college productions. There will be a reception following the reading. To reserve a seat email: rsvp@thefarmtheater.org. READ MORE

Awards Announced for Ashland Community Art League Juried Exhibition

The Coburn Gallery is currently showing a regional juried exhibition featuring 25 members of the Ashland Community Art League. Awards were announced at the opening reception on Friday including Best in Show, Marty Bossler Lee; 1^st Place, MP Marion; 2^nd Place, Susan Shafer; 3^rd Place, Nancy Pierce; and Juror Honorable Mentions to Caryl Richmond, Janet Wells, Robin Roberts and Janet Steiner. READ MORE

One Year Later, The Pain Remains

A little more than one year ago, Journalism and Digital Media student Andrew Keim was killed in a car crash. One year later, his friends find themselves finishing up their college careers without him. Read the story by Andrea Stevenson in The Collegian at AshlandCollegian.com.

Coburn PAINT NIGHT June 12th, 6:30-9:30 pm

Learn the basics of acrylic painting in great company and leave with your own 16x20 masterpiece. For ages 16 and up, no previous art experience required and all materials provided! $30 per person - Contact Coburn Gallery at 419.289.5652 or coburngallery@ashland.edu.

2015 Social Work Graduates

Congratulations to Jennifer Williams (cum laude), Joshua Yoder, Alexis Lee (cum laude), Mary Hitchcock, Morgan Richter, Ashley Starcher, Kaitlyn McCreary, Jennifer Lindsay (magna cum laude), Haley Mossing (cum laude), Chelsea LaPorte, Jereese Wilson, Kaitlynn Dolezal, Casey Kelley and Heidi Howard (not pictured).

Summary of Spring Psychology Research Activities

Over the course of the spring semester, the students and faculty in the Psychology Department were busy with data collection.  A total of 21 researchers (both students and faculty) collected data from participants in our pool, which amounted to over 375 total hours of data collection for 18 different studies.

Ashland Community Arts League Juried Exhibition Opens Friday

This Friday join us for the opening reception for the Ashland Community Arts League Juried Exhibition from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., then enjoy Opus II Dance Studio's spring dance concert in Hugo Young Theatre at 7:30 p.m. celebrating Ashland's Bicentennial with "An Evening at the Old Ashland Opera House."

Biology and Toxicology Students Earn Honors

Congratulations to biology and toxicology students earning honors including Hannah Baumann, Isabella Steiner, Alyssa Predota and Mack Reece.  MORE...

AU Choir Touring OH, PA & NY

The Ashland University Choir will tour Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York from May 11-17. All concerts are open to the public. Specific times and locations are available HERE.

Psychology Names Academic Honorees

Congratulations to the following Psychology students who earned awards at the annual Academic Honors Convocation. Olivia Hess was named the department's sophomore Award winner; Emily Shrider was named the Junior Award winner; and Mary Moeller, the Senior Award winner.  Please join us in congratulating them!!

Alumni Spotlight: Alyssa Berthiaume

Alyssa Berthiaume, Creative Writing graduate of 2007, wrote about her journey in this blog post "Creative Writing major From Ashland University to Ashgate Publishing— How Ashland’s Creative Writing Program Set My Course and Helped Me Succeed." Read her story here...

Peaceful Protests and Rioting in Baltimore

<By Craig Hovey

The recent rioting in Baltimore following the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray from injuries sustained while in police custody has called for a return to “peaceful protests” from various government entities. As someone committed to nonviolence, I might be heartened to hear authorities suddenly embrace the language of peace. But there are some reasons to be wary of how this language is being used. MORE...

Criminal Procedure Students Learn from Judge Vercillo

Judge Vercillo recently visited the Criminal Procedure and discussed the progression of his legal career from defense attorney to Judge. He also explained the procedures in juvenile court, including sentencing (disposition), which the class had been studying, so it was a great experience for them to hear directly from someone involved in those procedures.

Animated Philosophers

Writer, editor, and host George Chatzivasileiou has put together some great introductions to the great thinkers of history.  Called "Animated...Philosophers", these videos are short and worth watching, covering a range of thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, and others. Link to his YouTube page here to see the videos.

Are Background Checks for Emergency Volunteers Necessary?

Communication Studies student Adam Stone recently had his research published in Emergency Management magazine. His paper addresses background checks for emergency volunteer personnel and whether they are necessary.  Read his findings at EmergencyManagement.com.