Joey Barretta to Intern at ACTA

Congratulations to senior Joey Barretta, who will be interning this summer at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni in Washington D.C. His primary job will be to assist with the "What Will They Learn?" project, which evaluates the core curricula at universities throughout the country and provides a grade based on meeting certain requirements for a well-rounded liberal arts education.

Can a Materialist Believe in the Incarnation?

The Philosophy Department, in conjunction with the Philosophy Club and Phi Sigma Tau, are proud to invite Dr. Kevin Sharpe, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Director of Religious Studies at St. Cloud State University, MN, who will be delivering a talk on: “Can a materialist believe in the incarnation?” Join us Tuesday, February 28 at 4 p.m. in Schar's Ronk Lecture Hall.

Psychology Offers Student Grant Program

The Department of Psychology is excited to announce a new competitive grant program to fund undergraduate research activities. Students can apply for up to $150 to support their research. The list of possible expenses to be funded include but are not limited to:  experimental computer software, equipment, incentives for participant performance, and recruitment of participants outside of the SONA system. The Department plans to award 3-4 grants per year and each student can win only one award per year. To apply, discuss the opportunity with a faculty member and complete the application form.

Model Arab League Overall Outstanding Delegation

Ashland's Dr. Rene Paddags led a group of students to the Model Arab League competition at Miami University of Ohio, and the students, representing the Republic of Tunisia, returned with the award for the Overall Outstanding Delegation! READ MORE

Ashland AHS Ranks 4th in Nation

The Ashland chapter of the Alexander Hamilton Society ranks fourth nationally on the AHS Chapter Leaderboard. The AHS is "an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting constructive debate on basic principles and contemporary issues in foreign, economic, and national security policy." READ MORE

Disch Presents An Evening of O'Neill

Ashland University theatre major Andrea Disch of East Liverpool, Ohio, is sealing her college career with a senior theatre performance project scheduled for Saturday, February 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the University's Studio Theatre. As fulfillment for her senior theatre project, Andrea will perform an act from Eugene O'Neill's American drama A Moon for the Misbegotten. She will portray the character of Josie while fellow theatre students Jake Riley plays Tyrone, and Elizabeth Grace Davis serves as the director. READ MORE

Writing Center Renovations Completed

By Emily Cardwell and Susanna Savage

Over winter break, the Writing Center received a much-needed renovation in order to accommodate the growing number of students who use the Writing Center. The two smaller rooms were combined to make one larger room, and glass doors were also installed. The update created a more open and inviting space, thus increasing the work space and allowing students and Writing Assistants (WAs) to work more comfortably. “We’re really trying to create a space that’s inviting for students, including WAs, returning visitors and those who are new to the Writing Center,” said Dr. Maura Grady, director of the Writing Center. FULL STORY

Winter Choral Concert Previews Germany Tour Program

Under the direction of Dr. Rowland Blackley, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities, and accompaniment by University organist Dr. Timothy Guenther, the Ashland University Choir and Chamber Singers present a winter choral concert on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 4 p.m. in the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel. The concert is free and open to the public.

The concert program will be comprised of selections which the choirs will sing on their March tour to Germany. Most of the selections are from the Americas and written by composers from the United States, Canada, and Latin America. The University Choir is also preparing music by Bach and other Lutheran composers, as the students will be singing in churches in the region of Germany where Martin Luther made history.

The University Choir will perform J. S. Bach's motet Jesu,, meine  Freude, Sing Joyfully by William Byrd, Set Me as a Seal from Daniel Pinkham's Wedding Cantata, Praise to the Lord by Hugo Distler, Ich freue mich (I will rejoice) by Gottfried Homilius, How Can I Keep from Singing by Z. Randall Stroope and Jack Halloran's arrangement of the spiritual Witness.

The Chamber Singers will round out the program with four selections including Mosquitoes, from Due North by Canadian composer Stephen Chatman; the popular Cuban folk song Son de Camaguey; Eric Whitacre's A Boy and a Girl; and Darmon Meador's a cappella arrangement of I'll Be Seeing You.

Junior Recital: Nikolaus Psota, trumpet

Junior criminal justice and psychology major Nikolaus Psota of Hinckley will perform a trumpet recital accompanied by pianist Susan Gregg on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. His concert program will include pieces by G. F. Handel, Joseph Haydn, Alexander Goedicke and Halsey Stevens. The concert is free and open to the public.

English Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Joe Mackall

What I love most about being a professor is easy: working with students on their writing. I’m awed and gratified that students keep showing up who love and value reading and writing. I love seeing how much a student grows as a writer in four years. It’s my students who keep me coming back to teach every year. I love their optimism and their warmth, their capacity for dreaming and their hope for the future. READ MORE

Collegian Earns Second Place

The Collegian staff and students from the Journalism & Digital Media Department attended the Ohio Newspaper Association Conference where they placed second for best website (B division). The best website category is judged based on content, ease of navigation, layout, design, and advertising, according to the ONA collegiate competition guidelines.

Alumni Spotlight -- Olivia Hess '16

Due to my experience at Ashland, I feel well prepared for my next step at Liberty University where I will pursue my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. If there is anything that I have learned within these past few months about my psychology education from Ashland University it is that the study of the mind transcends the means of a classroom environment... FULL STORY

Dr. Hess and Students Visit State House

Dr. Emily Hess and AU students Joey Barretta, Daivon Barrow and Logan Alexander spent the morning of February 8 representing the Department of History and Political Science at the State House in Columbus for 2017 Independent College Day. They met with statehouse aides, lobbyists, state elected officials, and Legislative Services Commission Fellows which included two AU alumni, September Long and Jenna Beadle.

Cleveland Orchestra Violinist Joins Schoeffler for Ashland Recital

On Sunday, Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall, Susan Schoeffler, Adjunct Professor of Applied Piano at Ashland University, will perform a concert with The Cleveland Orchestra violinist Kim Nolen Gomez. The Northeast Ohio duo performs repertoire from Mozart to the 20th century masterworks. The concert is free and open to the public. READ MORE

Eleven Psychology Students to Present at Regional Conference

Congratulations to eleven of our psychology students who were informed that their research was accepted to present at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association this coming April in Chicago! Two of these students, Emily Wirtz and Danielle Bruno, also found out that their research project was one of 24 (out of over 600) to receive a regional research award! READ MORE

Sikkenga Shares Expert Insight on Supreme Court Justice Nomination

Dr. Jeff Sikkenga, AU Political Science Professor and Co-Director of the Ashbrook Scholar Program, was featured on Cincinnati's News Radio 700WLW Rocky Boiman Radio Show. During the show, Dr. Sikkenga offered expert insight and comments on the nomination of Neil Gorsuch as the next Supreme Court Justice. Listen Here

PSG Recognized for Correct Solutions

The Ashland University Problem Solving Group (PSG) solved and submitted three problems last semester. Their solution to Problem 5403 from Science and School Mathematics website was recognized as being correct on the website (December 2016). Aaron Arnold was the primary author.

The PSG's solution to problem 1316 from the Pi Mu Epsilon Journal was recognized as being correct in the Fall 2016 Pi Mu Epsilon Journal. Michael Woode was the primary author.

In addition, their solution to Problem 5412 from the School Science and Mathematics website (January 2017) was selected to be published! Emily Law was the primary author of this solution.