We Have Less Time Than We Think

The following is an excerpt from the second place Taylor Essay by Jackson Yenor.

Given these mostly average assumptions about my life as an American, I can look and confidently say that I will have 24 years of uninterrupted consciousness to spend time with family, friends, reading good books, even travelling. I have 24 years for the good things in life, for leisure. Not bad!

READ FULL ESSAY

AU Theatre Invited to Perform at KCACTF

Ashland University Theatre has been invited to perform a 15-minute scene from its fall production of The Trojan Women (directed by Assistant Professor of Theatre Robert Sean Parker) at Region II of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF). In addition, several students will be participating in the Irene Ryan Acting and Stage Management Competitions including: Gabriella Carr, Alejandro Ridolfi, Jake Riley, Maya Rickard, Jessica Dupee and Megan Harvey.

AU Music Boasts Large Presence at OPCICA

AU Music once again finds a great number of its students represented in the annual Ohio Private College Instrumental Conductors Association honor bands including:

OPCICA Honors Concert Band
Erica Wheaton bass clarinet
Eric Watts bass trombone
Ariane Hill, flute
Stefan Jonsson, percussion
Jennifer Wigton, trumpet
Brandi Wells, tuba

OPCICA Honors Jazz Ensemble
Derek Rangel, lead tenor saxophone
Jason Wolf, baritone saxophone
Nik Psota, lead trumpet
Frank Stanek, bass trombone

Additionally, Ashland's Director of Bands Joseph Lewis will conduct a selection with the Honors Concert Band, and Professor of Music Dr. Scott Garlock will be one of the conductors of the Honors Jazz Ensemble.

Three JDM Students Graduate

The Journalism and Digital Media department congratulates its December 2017 graduates Vince Lester, Hannah Predojev and Torin Wetzel. READ MORE

Students Place at Ohio NATS Competition

Ashland University voice students of Denise Milner Howell recently participated in the Ohio NATS competition at Youngstown State University. Accompanied by Deb Logan, freshman Gabriella Carr was awarded 3rd place overall in the Lower College Women and Men's Musical Theatre category, and post-secondary student Katie Harrigan was awarded 2nd place in High School Musical Theatre. They are both now eligible to compete at the Great Lakes Regional Competition in March 2018.

Randall-Griffiths Selected for Conference Panel

Dr. Deleasa Randall-Griffiths, associate professor and director of the Online Communication Studies Program, is slated to be part of the panel, Understanding the Need for “Difference”: Navigating the Realities of Competitive Communication Programs for the Undergraduate Education and Administration division of the Central States Communication Association in Milwaukee. Dr. Randall-Griffiths was sought out for the panel after seeing the work she is doing in Ashland University's Correctional Education Program. READ MORE

Acting Showcase, Dec. 13

Join students from AU Theatre's Advanced Acting Styles class as they present a showcase of their semester-long work on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 242 of the Center for the Arts. READ MORE

Morgan Miller Interns at Acton Institute

"In the few months I worked for the Acton Institute as an intern, I was surrounded by like-minded people that pushed me to think seriously about the way I viewed the world--everyone was eager to have a discussion or provide materials to help me expand my understanding on a particular area of study." FULL STORY

Kathleen Foster Covers English Workshop

On November 6, 2017, Ashland University held its 32nd annual English Department high school workshop. Sophomore students from Wadsworth High School described the future benefits of visiting the workshops and Ashland University in various ways. “It gives us the chance to be introduced to a higher level of thinking,” said Aniya Harris. FULL STORY

Festival of Lights Services, Dec. 10

The  annual Festival of Lights candlelight service will be held on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel. The service symbolizes Christ coming into the world. The story is communicated in verse and song. It will include Scripture readings, traditional carols, and seasonal choral music by the Ashland University Choir and Women’s Chorus, and the Ashland Area Chorus.

Math/Computer Science Study Break, Dec. 11

All Math and Computer Science Department students are invited to a Finals Study Break on Monday, Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in Patterson 204/211. There will be snacks and drinks!

Winter Festival Band Concert, Dec. 9

Ashland University Music presents its annual Winter Festival Band Concert on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre. The concert will feature the Ashland University Symphonic Band directed by Joseph Lewis Jr., and the Ashland Area Community Concert Band (AACCB) under the direction of Leonard Salvo. The concert will offer a program of classic compositions for concert band along with holiday favorites. The concert is free and open to the public. READ MORE

Taylor Essay Award Winners

Every semester Ashbrook Scholars compete in an essay writing competition. Authors choose their own topics, a first draft is critiqued in a writing seminar and winners are selected from the revised versions. Winners from the Fall 2017 competition are:

• First place: "The Good Catastrophe" by Caleb Boyer
• Second place: "We Have Less Time Than We Think" by Jackson Yenor 
• Third Place: "Waiting for Change: It's Time to Abolish Tipping" by Lucas Trott 
• Honorable Mentions: "Through the Lens of Mary" by Morgan Miller, "Contrasts in Community: Healing at Home by Looking Abroad" by Dennis Clark, "In the Midnight of the Mind" by Tyler MacQueen

Read Caleb Boyer's essay HERE

Fall Honors Recital, Dec. 7

On Thursday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall, the best instrumental and vocal performances of fall 2017 are showcased in the Fall Honors Recital. Vocalists include Gabriella Carr, Sami Eron, Alli Lange, Maya Rickard and Rebecca Young. Instrumentalists are Kailyn Buyok, Nikolaus Psota, Emily Schordock and Michael Woode. Free and open to the public.

Senior Art Majors & Cleveland Ceramic Artists Featured

The Coburn Gallery is currently hosting two exhibitions through Dec. 17 -- the 2017 AU Senior Art Exhibition by Danielle Smith and Anamarie Coors as well as a ceramic works exhibition by Cleveland artists Stephanie Craig and Todd Leech -- from Nov. 30 to Dec. 17, 2017. READ MORE

Student Ensembles Concert, Dec. 5

Several chamber ensembles present the culmination of their semester rehearsals in a joint concert including brass, saxophone, string and percussion ensembles. The Student Ensembles Recital will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall.

Final Open Mic Night on Dec. 6

Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society, will be hosting an open mic in the University Writing Center on Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 9-10 p.m. This event is a chance for students of any major to read their own work or even a poem or short story that speaks to them, even if it's by someone else. Register here.

Retired Secret Service Agent Shares Experiences

Stephanie Yoha, a retired Special Agent with the United States Secret Service, spoke to students about non-traditional routes for Criminal Justice as well as what her job was like working for the Secret Service. READ MORE

Dr. Paddags' Sabbatical Update

While on sabbatical, Assistant Professor of Political Scienc Dr. Rene Paddags has found a temporary home at the Herzog August Bibliothek in Wolfenbuettel, Germany, where he is a visiting scholar during the Fall 2017. The library has an extensive collection of works from the early modern period, including the 18th century. READ MORE

Sigma Tau Delta Inducts New Members

On November 16, seven students were inducted into the Alpha Beta Phi chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society. Congratulations to the following new members:

Jakob Demers, Darion Holmes, Zoe Jenkins, Schuyler Kunkel, Sara Ludwig, Sydney Ross, Susanna Savage

READ MORE

Jazz Alumni Invited to Rehearse & Perform

Dr. Scott Garlock invites all AU Jazz alumni to a rehearsal for the 2nd annual AUJO Alumni Band on Wednesday, Nov. 29 from 7-9 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The rehearsal will prepare the alumni band to perform at the Ashland University Jazz concert on Monday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre. For more information, contact Scott at sgarlock@ashland.edu.

Update from Brian Le in South Korea

Brian Le's study abroad experience in South Korea is turning out to be more interesting perhaps than he expected. He wrote: "If you have not heard by now, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck the southeastern coast of South Korea with its epicenter a mere 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) away from my school on Wednesday afternoon." READ MORE

Students Selected to Lead AU's Bateman Team

The Communication Studies Department recently selected five students who will lead the first-ever AU Bateman Case Study Competition team. Seniors Morgan Badenhop, Kathleen Foster and Susanna Savage, along with juniors Katie Dailey and Erin Staley will research, plan, implement and evaluate a public relations campaign for the national competition. FULL STORY

Meet the 2018 MFA Team

The Ashland MFA in Creative Writing announces their spring 2018 faculty and here are a few links to help you get acquainted with these writers and their work: interviews, book reviews, short publications, excerpts. For a full listing of faculty including their bios and additional information, visit our website's faculty page. READ MORE

Madrigal Sales End Nov. 21

Tickets for the 42nd Annual Madrigal Feaste are still available for the 6:30 p.m. performances in Redwood Hall. The last day to order tickets is next Tuesday, Nov. 21 before 5 p.m. Although the Saturday evening show is sold out, there are still seats remaining for all other performances slated for Nov. 29 - Dec. 3. Tickets can be purchased at the AU Box Office in-person, by phone at 419.289.5125 or online at www.ashland.edu/tickets.

JDM Documentary Screens at Atlanta Film Festival

Alternate Route, a health care documentary produced by Dr. Dave McCoy and John Skrada, recently was screened at the American Public Health Association film festival in Atlanta, Georgia. The documentary was a cooperative effort between the Journalism and Digital Media department and the Communication Studies department at Berry College. Berry College assistant professor Kim Field-Springer was the co-producer of the documentary. Watch HERE

McCourt Added to OhioLINK ETD Center

Congratulations to 2017 graduate Grace McCourt, whose thesis has been added to the OhioLINK Electronic Theses & Dissertations Center.  Grace's is the 34th Ashland University Honors Thesis to join the more than 90,000 dissertations and theses in the OhioLINK ETD Center. READ MORE

URCA 2018 Call for Abstracts: Due Jan. 26

The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (URCA) Symposium Committee announces the Call for Abstracts for the 8th Annual College of Arts and Sciences URCA Symposium. This event will highlight the research, scholarly, and creative activities of students throughout the College of Arts and Sciences, and will be held on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. The deadline for submitting abstracts is 5 p.m. on Friday, January 26, 2018. MORE DETAILS

AU Signs Agreement for Intelligence & Cyber Training Internships

Ashland University signed an agreement allowing AU students to enroll in internships in the Wright State Applied Research Corporation’s (WSARC) intelligence and cyber training programs.

“The intelligence field seeks students with a wide variety of liberal arts majors and we need to get that message out into the public,” said Dr. Dawn Weber, dean of the AU College of Arts and Sciences. “These internships will help students to gain their security clearance, to learn software used in the agencies and to begin working on actual cases.”

This program unites with Ashland University’s new minor in cyber security, which is a program that was started within the math and computer science department in the 2016-2017 academic year. FULL STORY

Arnold Passes Exam FM

Congratulations to Aaron Arnold who passed the Actuaries Financial Mathematics exam (Exam FM) on his first attempt.

Science Magazine Features AU's New Research Center

Science magazine published an article about a new initiative dubbed "Psychological Science Accelerator" that is led by AU's Chris Chartier. Dr. Chartier, who is an associate professor of psychology at AU, has established an International Collaboration Research Center (ICRC) that has so far forged alliances with more than 170 laboratories on six continents in a bid to enhance the ability of researchers to collect data at multiple sites on a massive scale. This is the first project following approval of the ICRC and it is already receiving national attention. READ ARTICLE

Veterans to be Recognized This Saturday

Attention Military Veterans:

The Ashland University Marching Band invites you to join us on the Ashland University football field at halftime for this Saturday's (Nov. 11) game to recognize you for your service. Kick off is 1 p.m. Please RSVP to Joe Lewis at jlewisjr@ashland.edu.

Madrigal Feaste Tickets Still Available

Tickets for the 42nd Annual Madrigal Feaste are still available for the 6:30 p.m. performances slated for Wednesday, November 29 through Sunday, December 3 in Redwood Hall. Although the Saturday evening show is sold out, seats remain for other performances. Contact the AU Box Office at 419.289.5125 or www.ashland.edu/tickets.

AU Art Alumnus Recognized at OAEA Conference

Ohio Art Educator and Ashland University art alumnus Erica Kenny has been elected as the SW Regional Director and also one of two SW Outstanding Art Teachers for 2019 OAEA conference.

Fall Poetry Workshop Set for Nov. 18

On Nov. 18, Ashland University and the Ashland Poetry Press will present a one-day poetry workshop. Workshop leaders will be Columbus-area poet Charlene Fix and Ashland Poetry Press director/editor Deborah Fleming. The event also includes a reading by the presenters and an opportunity for participants to share their own poetry in an open-mic event. Registration is $25. RSVP by Monday, Nov. 13, as space is limited. READ MORE

Reed Performs Concert of Songs & Dances, 11/5

The Department of Music announces a concert of Songs & Dances by Dr. Thomas Reed on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 5 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. For his 33rd consecutive annual faculty concert at Ashland University, Dr. Reed will perform on clarinet and soprano saxophone with pianist Susan Gregg, violinist Jane Reed, percussionist Andy Pongracz and Gary Davis on trumpet. READ MORE

Trojan Women Examines the Strength of Women

For AU Theatre's upcoming production of Euripides' The Trojan Women, director Robert Sean Parker explains, "These women are beacons for us all...Euripides presented important issues and represented women victimized by patriarchy. They were defiant, and although provoked by male abuse, took action and believed in hope...The Trojan Women are a symbol of strength. They are not victims but survivors who should be respected. They are a fortress that is incombustible. These women oppose patriarchal order and strive for equality, respect, and control of their own bodies." FULL STORY

FL 221 Class Writes Calaveras

Calavera to The Devil's Highway

Martin Myer

Rode into the fire

Didn’t bring enough water

Ended up prime for the slaughter

Broke the steering wheel

Now you and Lisa will never heal

A weekend of camping at Buttercup

Ended with La muerte showing up

Written by: Chancelor Clihe, Ben Cipa, Like Ogi

READ MORE

Writing Center Tutor Wins Business Scholarship

Laurena Shick, a Writing Assistant in the Writing Center, has won the 2017-18 Business Advisory Council Endowed Scholarship presented by the Dauch College of Business and Economics at Ashland University. READ MORE

Philosophy: "Return on Life"

As a Philosophy professor, I enjoy seeing articles that attempt to defend the study of Philosophy. In the classroom, I emphasize the need to develop one's critical thinking skills and to make careful value judgments. We also highlight the flexibility of these basic abilities for enhancing and empowering students in any field they choose. Everyone needs to become a better thinker...Until administrations and students stop asking about the ROI issue, and focus more on the ROL ("Return on Life") that education is supposed to offer, then we can expect to see continued losses in university enrollment, losses in the arts and sciences, diminished cultural awareness, confusion, petty disagreements, and increased unrest and unhappiness. FULL STORY

Brian Kilmeade Lectures on Andrew Jackson

Brian Kilmeade, the co-host of Fox and Friends and host of the nationally syndicated radio show, “The Brian Kilmeade Show”, will deliver the second Peter W. Schramm Memorial Lecture on Friday, November 3, 2017 at 7:30 PM, at the beautiful Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield, Ohio.  The title of the lecture is "Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans." READ MORE

2017 ACM Programming Contest

Twelve computer science students traveled to Youngstown to compete at the 2017 ACM programming contest. The twelve students were formed into 4 teams to represent Ashland University. The math and computer science department is pleased to announce that team AU Golden League solved two problems in 237 minutes and team AU Eagles solved two problems in 413 minutes.  Congratulations to the teams for their excellent performance. READ MORE

Ickes Presents at Sports Psychology Conference

Dr. Curt Ickes, Associate Professor Psychology, presented at the 32nd Annual Association for Applied Sport Psychology Conference which was held in Orlando, Florida. The title of his presentation was Designing and Implementing a Mental Game Training Program for Smaller Colleges and Universities. READ MORE

High School Students Invited to 'Pursue Their Passion'

The Departments of Theatre & Music invite high school students to 'Pursue Their Passion' at an experiential opportunity on Saturday, November 11. The event is free and open to any high school student interested in learning more about music and/or theatre at Ashland University. Registration is due by Friday, November 3. Participants can register online at www.ashland.edu/PursueYourPassion. MORE DETAILS

English Hosts Annual High School Workshop

On November 6, the English Department will hold its 32nd annual High School Workshop for 150 area high school students and their teachers. The event will include a discussion of William Stafford's poem "Traveling Through the Dark," Ursula K. Le Guin's short story, "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas," The Magic and Mystery, Purpose and Power of the Opening Sentence in Fiction, Exploring the Scope of the Very Short Story, Satire: Techniques and Traditions, and audience participation poems.

Introducing Histort/PoliSci's Gregory McBrayer

The Department of History and Political Science welcomes Dr. Gregory A. McBrayer as Assistant Professor of political science and Director of the AU Core Curriculum.  Dr. McBrayer teaches courses in political philosophy and international relations. READ MORE

Concert Presents Three Vocal Ensembles, Oct. 29

The Ashland University Choir, Women's Chorus and the Ashland Area Chorus present a fall choral concert program ranging from a sacred cantata to madrigals, contemporary songs about the strength of women, spirituals and compositions from early English composers. The eclectic concert will be held on Sunday, October 29 at 4 p.m. in the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel and is free and open to the public. READ MORE

Art Exhibition to Build Bridges

The next Symposium Against Indifference program will feature two art exhibitions co-sponsored by the Ashland University’s Coburn Gallery.  The exhibitions titled “Strength through Connection” and "Thy Neighbor" will run from Oct. 26 to Nov. 17. An opening reception, which is free and open to the public, will be held Thursday, Oct. 26, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. READ MORE

Jones Achieves Advanced Low on ACTFL

Congratulations to Spanish major Lindsey Jones for achieving Advanced Low on her ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test in Spanish.

Community Youth & AU Auditions for Seussical, Oct. 22

Ashland University Department of Theatre announces auditions for their upcoming production of the most performed show in America - Seussical. Auditions for youth in grades 2 - 8 will be held Sunday, Oct. 22, 2-4 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre. University student auditions will be held on Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. MORE INFO

Sgt. of Columbus Sexual Assault Unit Visits AU

Sgt. Pelphrey of the Sexual Assault Unit at the Columbus Police Department spoke to Criminal Justice students about the Special Victims Bureau. He discussed the various units that are a part of this bureau and what each of their roles are in investigations. Sgt. Pelphrey concluded his presentation by discussing the different employment and internship opportunities the Columbus PD offers, and discussed what qualities they are looking for when recruiting. READ MORE

First Open Mic Night a Success

On October 4, a group of Ashland University students met in Eagles Landing for the first Open Mic Night. Sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society, Open Mic Night is a monthly gathering of students to read their creative work. Four students read their creative works. Three read short stories that they wrote and one shared a poem. Students are invited to join us for the next Open Mic Night on November 1 at 9pm in Eagles Landing. READ MORE

AU Alumnus Exhibits 'Opioid Trail' Exhibit in NYC

Ashland University alumnus Andrew D. Ringler's exhibition titled "The Opioid Trail " is on view from October 4-22 at Gallery OneTwentyEight in NYC. Ringler's work is a stirring visual exploration of the people and places throughout rural America affected by a dismal outbreak of despair and drug abuse. READ MORE

Nesbitt Shines at WVMC Internship

This past summer, senior journalism and digital media major Tom Nesbitt worked more than 100 hours for his internship at WVMC in Mansfield, Ohio. Tom explains, "my internship at WVMC provided me with experience that shall be valuable to my future career, especially working in multiple formats and genres." READ MORE

Biology Major Interned in Croatia

Senior biology and health and risk communication major Hannah Wiles is planning to become a physicians assistant after graduating in the spring.  This past summer Hannah interned for two weeks in a hospital in Pula, Croatia as part of a program called Gap Medics. FULL STORY