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

Rinehart Lecture: The Virtues of a Christian Teacher

This year’s Don Rinehart Lecture in Practical Theology will feature Dr. Wesley Null, vice provost for Undergraduate Education and professor of Curriculum at Baylor University in Texas, speaking on the topic of “The Virtues of a Christian Teacher.” The event is set for Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 7:30 p.m. in Jack and Deb Miller Chapel and is free and open to the public. READ MORE

Byndas Passes Exam C

Congratulations to Michael Byndas for passing Exam C: Construction and Evaluation of Actuarial Models, of the Actuarial Science exams.

Le Studies Abroad in Seoul

Brian Le, a history, political science and international political studies triple major and Ashbrook Scholar, is studying abroad this semester at Handong Global University in South Korea. He’s studying lots of American legal and constitutional thought as well as Korean foreign policy and even some Chinese political theory. READ MORE

100% Pass Rate for Integrated Language Arts

The English Department is pleased to announce that 100% of the test takers in the Integrated Language Arts and Bachelor's Plus programs passed both exams required for licensure by the state of Ohio in the 2016-17 academic year. READ MORE

Bastian Added to OhioLINK ETD Center

Congratulations to Ryan Bastian, whose thesis has been added to the OhioLINK Electronic Theses & Dissertations Center.  Ryan's is the 27th Ashland University Honors Thesis to join the more than 90,000 dissertations and theses in the OhioLINK ETD Center. READ MORE

Homecoming to Feature Gershwin Concert

As part of its Homecoming celebration, the University will host a tribute concert featuring vocalist Cathi Muckle that will take the audience back to another era as she sings selections from the Gershwin songbook. Muckle will be accompanied at the event by AU Music faculty, alumni and current students including Thomas Reed, Scott Garlock, Steve Berry, Paul Martin, Nik Psota and Derek Rangel. The concert will be held on Friday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Myers Convocation Center. General admission tickets are $10 and $5. A VIP package at $25 per ticket will include a private reception with the artist. VIP sales end Oct. 6. READ MORE

PSG Recognized by Math Horizon

The Ashland University Problem Solving Group received credit in the Math Horizon, September 2017 issue for a correct solution to Problem 351. Grace McCourt, May 2017 graduate, was the primary author of the solution.

Jazz to Debut Holiday CD & Take Donations for Puerto Rico

The Ashland University Jazz Orchestra (AUJO) will present a free public concert on Tuesday, October 10, in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center’s Eagles Nest at 7:30 p.m. The event will offer sales of the ensemble's new holiday CD recording, which features vocals by Cathi Muckle and is titled "AUJOy to the World." CDs are $15 each. In addition, AUJO will accept freewill donations for the Puerto Rico relief efforts. READ MORE

Glitter in the Dirt

By Emily Wirtz

Gathering around the sweet and warm-hearted Israeli woman, the group of 41 adventurous Ashlanders chose their playground seats. Swings, slides, stumps, and low brick walls supported our tired bodies as we sat in the heat to listen to the tragic story of modern Israel...FULL STORY

English Major Strives for Balance in Student-Athlete Life

By Sophia Davis, English major

For some, sports consume our entire being. Whether watching, coaching, refereeing, or competing, some students become so involved in their sport(s) that they compromise time in other aspects of their lives. Though the collegiate level of sports is demanding, coaches make an effort to make sure their athletes maintain the “student-athlete” mindset over the “athlete-student” mantra. Maureen McKeown, a fellow graduate of Wooster High School, is a freshman here at Ashland and is competing on the Cross Country Team under the freshly positioned coach, Jacob Sussman...FULL STORY

AU Students Launch 1girl Chapter

On October 10, AU History Visiting Instructor Dr. Emily Hess and AU students Halle Hershberger, Katie Fossaceca, and Morgan Miller, will launch a local chapter of the afterschool program 1girl at Ashland Middle School.  Lead by facilitators, 1girl "empowers middle school girls to develop the skills they need to be successful" including public speaking, creative problem solving, critical thinking, goal setting, and conflict resolution skills. READ MORE

Jamal Rahman & Interfaith Dialogue, Oct. 4

Popular Islam, Sufi spirituality and interfaith relations speaker Jamal Rahman will present a lecture titled “Dialogue, Practices & Laughter in Challenging Times” on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Ashland University’s Hawkins-Conard Student Center Auditorium; as well as a workshop titled “Inviting the Stranger” on Oct. 4 at 2:30 p.m. in the Eagles’ Landing at the Student Center. Both events are free and open to the public. MORE DETAILS