Psychology Internship Spotlight: Dendara Oakleaf

As a psychology major in my final semester, I can honestly say I would be lost if I hadn’t completed an internship last semester. From January until the end of April, I interned at Ashland Parenting Plus (APP). Normally, APP interns are social work majors. In fact, I was the very first psychology major to intern at APP. This was a perfect fit for me, though, as the direction I had been planning on going with my degree overlaps between psychology and social work. FULL STORY

Social Work Club Begins in October

Did you know the Social Work Department has a great way to get involved? 

The purpose of the Social Work Club is to provide those interested in helping others with programs and experiences which will enhance their education, to contribute positively to the improvement of the community, and to enhance the awareness of social issues on the Ashland University campus. Past events include the “Give a Meal” service project, an Ethnic Potluck, and Easter Basket donations for Associated Charities.

The Social Work Club's first meeting will take place in early October.  For more information about the club, contact President Jessica Green at jgreen13@ashland.edu.

JDM Students Participate in Media Ethics Workshop

Journalism and Digital Media students recently watched and listened to numerous presenters from the Poynter KSU Media Ethics Workshop via a live video stream shown in the JDM Converged Newsroom. The day-long event focused on media roles and social justice--important concepts for future media professionals. The JDM session was coordinated by professional instructor Maggie Cogar.

Reviewers Needed for Philosophy Journal

Philosophy students, if you would like an opportunity to get some experience doing academic philosophy, consider being a reviewer for the undergraduate journal STANCE. Information at stancephilosophy.com/inforeviewers

Elenbaum Accomplishes Advanced Mid

Congratulations to senior Spanish BSED major, Rossana Elenbaum, for her rating of Advanced Mid on the Writing Proficiency Test from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.

"Is Anybody Listening?" Film Screening, Sept. 28

The Ashland Center for Nonviolence at Ashland University and the Ashland County Mental Health and Recovery Board are co-sponsoring a film screening and discussion of the film “Is Anybody Listening?” The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held Sept. 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center Auditorium. Filmmaker Dr. Paula Caplan will be on-site to facilitate a discussion on her “Welcome Johnny and Jane Home project,” which helps to welcome veterans back into our communities by listening to their stories one-on-one. FULL STORY

And He Laughed: A Tribute to John Stratton

By Jenny (Valko) Mercer, class of 2007, Integrated Language Arts major

When I saw on social media that Dr. Stratton had passed away, I audibly gasped, and my heart broke. My favorite professor, advisor, a man whom I admired and adored, was gone. I took Dr. Stratton for second semester freshman composition because it was an open section. That small decision made a significant impact on the rest of my time at AU. He gave me my first C ever on the first paper. I ended up in his office in tears. It was during that conversation he looked at me and asked why I was crying, because he knew it was more than that paper. He somehow saw into my heart in that conversation; and I told him the truth. My father had been diagnosed with cancer over that Christmas break and I wrote that paper the week before his surgery to remove the tumor. FULL STORY 

2016-2017 AU Theatre Season Pursues Happiness

Ashland University Theatre has announced its 2016-2017 season schedule that reflects on the pursuit of happiness. From coming of age, to young love and mid-life crisis, people all learn and grow from life experiences and hope to find happiness along the way. This year, AU Theatre presents a collection of live theatre that offers humor, fantasy and drama on the journey to a fulfilled life beginning with Lillian Hellman's drama The Autumn Garden followed by Pippin, winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival; and closing with the romantic comedy Almost, Maine. MORE INFO

Killing for one's "Best Interests"

The distinction between killing (act) and letting die (omission) is nuanced and controversial in ethics. It divides theorists into many different camps given its potential application and implications in medical scenarios. In a recent paper, published in the Journal of Medical Ethics (31 August 2016), Dr. Zoe B. Fritz of Warwick University proposes a way to determine whether we should actively kill an "incapacitous patient", i.e., a patient that is in a permanent vegetative state, in order to harvest their organs. READ MORE

English Majors Participate in Entrepreneurship Immersion Week

Current English majors Bethany Meadows and Tom Nesbitt participated in Entrepreneurship Immersion Week at the University of Mount Union July 31-August 5. Along with three other students, Meadows and Nesbitt represented AU in a competition to devise the best new business concept. Nesbitt describes the experience in a recent Collegian article. READ HERE

Madrigal Sales Being Monday, Sep. 26

Tickets for the 41st Annual Madrigal Feaste go on sale to the public on Monday, Sept. 26 at 12 p.m. Patrons are reminded that this is a very popular event and the box office will be incredibly busy. Patrons can come to the box office window located in the lobby of Hugo Young Theatre, order online at www.ashland.edu/tickets (additional fees apply), or call the box office at 419.289.5125. Ashland University Department of Music produces the annual Madrigal Feaste which is slated for Wednesday through Sunday, November 30 - December 4, 2016. All performances begin at 6:30 p.m. in Redwood Hall. MORE INFORMATION

JDM Produces Games for Sports Time Ohio

Ashland University signed a broadcast contract to air all home AU football games with Sports Time Ohio. The JDM department was then contracted to produce both game coverage and content. The first game's ratings drew a .5  rating in the Cleveland market which beat out Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN, ESPN-2,NASCAR on NBCSportschannel, and Cleveland TV stations WUAB and WBNX. Game two ratings grew even higher with a .59. FULL STORY

Spanish Major Scores Advanced Mid

  Senior Spanish major Delaney Jones has scored Advanced Mid on her Writing Proficiency Exam and her Oral Proficiency Interview through the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Congratulations! 

Michelle Shi interns with China's Xinhua News Agency

Journalism and Digital Media senior Michelle Shi returned home to China this summer and landed an internship with the Xinhua News Agency's Yunnan branch. Michelle worked as an assistant editor for the rapidly growing online division. FULL STORY

Community Band Rehearsals Begin 9/13

The Ashland Area Community Concert Band under the direction of Leonard Salvo begins its twenty-fourth season with rehearsals on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Center for the Arts' Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. AACCB is for those that loved playing in band in high school or college and want the opportunity to play again. READ MORE

Alumna Named Accreditation Manager of the Year

Tonya Bowser, a 1999 Criminal Justice graduate of Ashland University and the quality assurance manager at CCA Lake Erie Correctional Institution in Conneaut, Ohio, has been named Accreditation Manager of the Year for the State of Ohio by the Criminal-Justice Accreditation Association of Ohio (CAAO). Full Story

Biology Major Interns with Physicians in Florida

Junior Biology major Justin Dowell plans to attend medical school after graduation from Ashland University to become a surgeon. He spent this summer in Jupiter, Florida taking part in an internship at the Jupiter Medical Center that allowed him to shadow a number of doctors.  Read about Justin's experience HERE.

Aretta Baumgartner: It's Not All About You

Ashland University Theatre alumna Aretta Baumgartner was recently interviewed for the Summer 2016 issue of Southeastern Theatre Conference's Southern Theatre Magazine regarding her position as education director for the Center for Puppety Arts in Atlanta.

As she mentioned in her workshop at the SETC conference, "Puppetry training for an actor helps you interact with the world and objects around you in a richer, more vibrant way. Props, costumes, sets...every object on stage has the potential to transform the way you tell your story." Read the full story here.

Alumna Reflects on John Stratton's Generosity and Grace

By Christina Adkins, class of 2008, Integrated Language Arts major

The news of Dr. Stratton saddened me deeply. He was my academic advisor during my undergrad years at Ashland during 2004 through 2008. He was always patient with me even when he was offering stern advice. Because of his persistence in pushing me to finish what I started, I can honestly say that I wouldn't have graduated had it not been for him. You see, I nearly failed out during my junior year of college. I got so caught up in the social aspects of college life, was working full time waitressing, and wanted so badly to make friends that I let my studies fall to the wayside. I can recall countless times I'd sit in his office for advice, encouragement, or just to have someone to talk to. Every time I would come in, he'd turn from whatever he was doing and give me his full attention. He could have easily failed me. He could have easily turned away, but instead he gave me the grace and hope I needed to complete my education. FULL STORY

Lance interns with 90.3 WCPN Ideastream

JDM junior Tyler Lance spent the summer working on his craft and his passion. For Tyler, the two areas mean the same thing, as he interned at the Cleveland, Ohio public radio station WCPN. He began by shadowing veteran, award-winning news reporters and by the end of the summer Tyler covered stories on his own. He credits this trust to his determination and adaptability. He wrote news stories, edited video for WCPN's Ideastream social media, and read live news over the air. FULL STORY

Vocal Recital & Emmy-Nominated Composer, Thurs., Sep. 8

The Department of Music announces its first recital of the new academic year and a special presentation by an Emmy-nominated composer both to be held on Thursday, September 8. At 9:25 a.m. in room 303 of the Center for the Arts, composer and Wooster native Philip Giffin will give a presentation about his most recent film score and about producing and arranging for pop artists. At 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall, mezzo-soprano Sarah Napier will present her junior recital accompanied by pianist Deb Logan. Her program will include pieces by Handel, Donizetti, Mendelssohn, Chausson, Lerner & Lowe, Heisler & Goldrich and Mercer & Arlen.

Tournées French Film Festival Begins Sep. 6

The Department of Foreign Languages will host a Tournées Film Festival in September that will feature five recent French films and one classic film. Each film screening will include a brief introduction and a post-film discussion led by Dr. Richard Gray, associate professor of French, who organized the festival. The festival, which is free and open to the public, will take place September 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. in the Ronk Lecture Hall in the Schar College of Education. FULL STORY