MCowan Accepts a Job Offer

Michael Cowan, senior majoring in Computer Science has accepted a job offer at Alliance Data Card Services, Columbus. He will be working in software development. He has had internships with this same company over the past two summers. He will start his new job on July 7, following his May 2019 graduation.

COM Studies Prof & Students Receive Leadership Training

Dr. Gwen Hullman, Camille Pollutro, and Samantha Stutzman completed their training in Leadership In Deliberative Democracy, taught by Professor Louise Fleming- Dufala, and sponsored by the Center for Civic Life at Ashland University.

Pi Mu Epsilon Cording Ceremony

The mathematics honorary, Pi Mu Epsilon, held its cording ceremony for members graduating in December. The PME members also enjoyed dinner at the home of PME advisor, Dr. Gordon Swain. The December 2018 PME member graduates were Kyle Puhl and Ashlyn Smith.

10-Minute Play Festival, Dec. 10

The Ashland University Department of Theatre announces the 10-Minute Play Festival which will be held Monday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall.

The Festival will include performances of eight 10-minute plays directed by students enrolled in the theatre directing class taught be Robert Sean Parker, Assistant Professor of Theatre. The performances are free and open to the public. Audiences are advised that some plays contain strong language and adult situations. Also, due to the venue's layout, patrons are asked to remain seated for the entire run of the eight plays. More info at autheatredepartment.blogspot.com

Study Break on Dec. 10

The Math and Computer Science Department is hosting a Study Break on Monday, Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop in or stay the whole time for food, drink and fellowship in Patterson 204/211.

Festival of Lights, Dec. 9

Ashland University will officially begin its observance of the holiday season with the 28th annual Festival of Lights on Dec. 9 in Ashland University’s Jack and Deb Miller Chapel, located at the intersection of King Road and College Avenue.

The 7 p.m. candlelight service, which is free and open to the public, symbolizes Christ coming into the world. The story is communicated in verse and song. It will include Scripture readings by Mark and Cathy Britton, traditional carols, and seasonal choral music by the Ashland University Choir and Women’s Chorus, and the Ashland Area Chorus. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Winter Festival Band Concert, Dec. 8

The Department of Music at Ashland University presents its annual Winter Festival Band Concert on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre. The concert will feature the Ashland University Symphonic Band directed by Joseph Lewis, Jr., Ashland University Director of Bands, 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 some holiday favorites. The concert is free and open to the public. More at ashlanduniversitymusic.blogspot.com

ILA Major Accepts Job in South Carolina

Senior Integrated Language Arts major Corinne Spisz had accepted a job at Hilton Head Island High School in Hilton Head, SC. She will be teaching 11th-grade American literature. Spisz, who graduates later this month, has spent her final semester student teaching in South Carolina. In addition to her teaching excellence as evidenced by her upcoming job, Spisz has been an active and integral part of the department as a member of the English honorary society Sigma Tau Delta and as a dedicated Writing Assistant at the campus writing center. Spisz has also demonstrated her mastery of high-quality literary analysis through her presentation earlier this year, titled "'To His Coy Mistress': The Irony of Time and Love," at Ashland University's Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Symposium (URCA).

The department is holding a graduation reception to celebrate Spisz's accomplishments on Wednesday, December 12 from 2-3 PM in the Bixler Lounge.

Holiday Jazz Concert, Dec. 6

The Ashland University Department of Music will present an Ashland University Jazz Concert on Thursday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 pm in Hugo Young Theatre. The concert is free and open to the public.

Under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock, the concert will offer pre-concert music from the Mellow Work Chicken jazz combo with Bridgid McDonald and Jared Metz on saxophone; Molly Winnard, drums; Torin Dunn, guitar; Emily Ebert, bass and Alex Kwan, piano.

The 3rd annual AUJO Alumni Big Band will perform selections beginning at 7:30 p.m. followed by the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra's (AUJO) program of jazz standards and holiday favorites including Auld Lang Syne, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas and Let It Snow.

Religion Class Prepared Student for Summer Mission

When God opened the door for me to work as a Cross-Cultural Intern with Experience Mission (EM), I had no idea what I would be stepping into. One of the fun parts of being on EM’s summer staff is that you accept your position without knowing where you will be serving. I found out that I would be serving in Atlanta, Georgia, and Harlem in New York City. When I received the email I was excited, but at the same time absolutely terrified. I am from a small town in Ohio and have attended college at AU, so big cities were not really my cup of tea. I sent a text to a friend and mentor, “I have no idea how to live in a big city, but I guess I will figure it out.” 

--Abigail McMaster, an International Business and Hospitality Management major, Spanish minor, and Honors Program student

Art + Design Senior Exhibition Opens Nov. 29

The  Coburn Gallery will host the Senior Art Exhibition which features the capstone experience for graduating art and design majors at AU. Bringing together the artwork made by graduating seniors in the Department of Art and Design, the Fall 2018 Senior Art Exhibition will open on Thursday, Nov. 29, with an opening reception from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Coburn Art Gallery. This year’s exhibition, which will run from Nov. 29 through Dec. 16, includes digital art, painting, printmaking, graphic design and sculpture from three senior artists - Samantha Rhonemus, Ellyn Kilpatrick and Zula Kile. Read more at ashlanduniversityart.blogspot.com

Health and Risk Communication Students Discuss Health PR Jobs

Health and Risk Communication students Cyleen Sharpe, Samantha Stutzman, and Wenyu Zhang met with Dr. Gwen Hullman Wednesday for lunch. Topic of the day: statewide health public relations job opportunities and the Bureau of Labor Statistics' prediction on job growth in this sector. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Health Educator opportunities will see a 16% above average job growth over the next 10 years. Those focusing on health communication and public relations will see a 9% projected job growth market over the next ten years.

Sigma Tau Delta Host Writing Workshop for Girl Scouts

Sigma Tau Delta members invited local Girl Scouts to campus for a writing workshop during which participants engaged in story-telling and collaborative writing. Nine young writers were in attendance to hone their creative skills.

Senior Integrated Language Arts (ILA) major Zoe Jenkins reflects that "This event was meaningful to me because I will be teaching students how to write someday. Even though these girls were much younger than the students I will teach, it was rewarding to see how excited they were to write. Their responses were really creative." 

Junior Creative Writing and English major Emily Beaver, who also helped facilitate the event, had this to share: "As an English major, this event was meaningful to me because when I was their age, I was always writing or drawing stories. I loved having the opportunity to be included in their excitement for writing and to even feel like a child again." Asked what the most memorable thing about the workshop was for her, Beaver replied that it was "seeing how enthusiastic the girls were while they were writing and sharing their stories."

Watts Presents Original Compositions

Sophomore music and computer science dual major Eric Watts (Ontario) will present a concert of his original compositions titled "Paperclips: An evening of music for trombones" on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The event is free and open to the public. More info at  ashlanduniversitymusic.blogspot.com

Announcing AU Bateman Case Study Competition Team

Communication Studies has recently chosen four students to lead the AU Bateman Case Study Competition team. This will be the second year that Ashland’s PRSSA Chapter has competed in this national case study competition. Those selected for the team for this year are Samantha Stutzman, Erin Staley, Ricardo Leona and Cyleen Sharpe.

Read more at ashlandcomstudies.blogspot.com

2018 ACM Programming Contest

The 2018 Association of computing Machinery (ACM) ICPC East Central North America Regional Programming Contest was held on Saturday, November 10 at Youngstown State University. The 10 problems this year were very difficult. The teams representing Ashland University were:

Team AU Eagles: Phillip Waller, Brennen Nalley, Kyle Hall
Team AU Purple: Kelly Fullin, Renne Lucas, Michael Cowan
Team AU Gold: Mohammed Bawazeer, Jonathan Meredith, Josiah Moore
Team The Bug Slayers: Nathan Ahrens, Erich Berger, Brennan Kunkel

Read more at aumathcs.blogspot.com

Lewis' Career in Music and the Military Leads Him to AU

Joseph Lewis, Jr., Ashland University Director of Bands, is honored to have a career which combines his two worlds of music and the military. Not only will he lead the Ashland University Eagle Marching Band into Jack Miller Stadium for the football game against Northern Michigan on Nov. 10, but he will also recognize fellow military men and women for their service at a special halftime show in observance of Veterans Day.

Full story at ashlanduniversitymusic.blogspot.com

Conners Speaks with JDM Students

Bill Conners from iHeartMedia visited with JDM students. He spoke about his 30+ years in radio production and offered advice to those interested in the media industry. Bill provided interesting insight on being creative when writing promos and commercial spots. He also let the class listen to some examples of his work for WGAR and WMJI in Cleveland.

Call for 2019 URCA Abstracts: Due Jan. 25 | Symposium: Apr. 9

The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Symposium Committee is pleased to announce the Call for Abstracts for the 10th Annual College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (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 Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Please consider submitting your work to the Symposium!

Current students, as well as December 2018 graduates, are welcome to present their work.  The deadline for submitting abstracts is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 25, 2019. This deadline is firm.

More at: ashlandurca.blogspot.com

2018 Rinehart Lecture: Come Matter Here

Author Hannah Brencher is delivering the 2018 Rinehart Lecture in Practical Theology at Ashland University on Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. Hannah will be speaking on the subject of her recently published book Come Matter Here - a call for Christians to start living like they mean it here and now.

The Rinehart Lecture in Practical Theology is an annual endowed public lecture honoring the memory and continuing the work of Dr. Don Rinehart who, in his 46 years of teaching at Ashland, inspired generations of students.

More at:  ashlandreligionnews.blogspot.com

Remembering Liz

Dear Friends:

We are saddened to announce the passing of Elizabeth Pastor, a truly amazing person who meant a great deal to her students, friends and colleagues over her long life.

Liz taught piano at Ashland College/University from 1947 to 2015! She also taught piano at the Cleveland Institute of Music for many decades and at her home until a few weeks ago. She was a demanding, inspiring and persistent teacher, who always kept the focus on playing with beauty, expression and musicianship. She gave huge amounts of extra time to students preparing for recitals and juries. She taught students from absolute beginners to advanced students embarking on professional careers.

Liz received her artist’s diploma at the age of eighteen from Boston’s Longy School of Music. She studied piano with Boris Goldovsky, Carl Frieberg, Beryl Rubinstein and Arthur Loesser. She made her debut at Town Hall, New York and made solo appearances with leading orchestras throughout the country including the Cleveland Orchestra, the NBC Symphony in New York, the Boston Pops, the Las Vegas Philharmonic and various Ohio orchestras including Mansfield, Wooster and Ashland. She performed in solo recitals throughout the United States as well as being a participant in many chamber music concerts.

In 1987, Liz was named Ashland University’s second Trustees’ Distinguished Professor, an academic honor awarded by the University’s Board of Trustees to a professor who is recognized as an outstanding educator, performer and campus leader. She was chairperson of the Ashland University Music Department from 1983-1987, had an extensive record of serving on University faculty committees and was a multiple-year recipient of the AU Mentor Award.

Also an avid collector of contemporary art, her home and her yard are an amazing array of unique sculptures, paintings, sketches, mobiles, furniture, etc. Her office in 209 CFA was a miniature art gallery as well.

Liz was a community activist, using her clout to advocate for the preservation of historical buildings in Ashland. She helped bring speakers to Ashland on a variety of topics outside of music, including environmental and social issues.

She co-founded Ashland University’s Spectrum Series which hosted world-renowned performers and speakers from 1980 to 2014. She also regularly brought outstanding musicians to Ashland for recitals, sometimes at her own expense, and initiated the Music Department’s tradition of attending Cleveland Orchestra concerts as a group.

Her passion for great music, for helping others succeed and for her community is a great example to us all, and we will miss her.

From the Department of Music
Tom Reed, Chair

Sounds of the Stadium Concert, Nov. 4

The Ashland University Department of Music presents the Sounds of the Stadium concert featuring the Ashland University Eagle Marching Band under the direction of Joseph Lewis Jr., director of Bands, on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Kates Gymnasium inside the Physical Education Center. The concert is free and open to the public.

The 2018 Eagle Marching Band will perform selections from their halftime shows including music from boy bands, Panic! at the Disco, The Greatest Showman, classic spy shows, and the ’70s along with other Ashland University traditional favorites. The color guard and feature twirlers will also perform at this concert, which will be inside away from inclement weather.

Vigil for Synagogue Shooting, Nov. 1

Ashland University will hold a vigil on Thursday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m. in the lower level of the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel to honor the victims of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting from this past Saturday. A gunman took the lives of eleven people at the Pittsburgh synagogue, also wounding several others.

"It's very important to gather like this and stand against hatred and bigotry," said Dr. Craig Hovey, executive director of the Ashland Center for Nonviolence. "We need to demonstrate that peace and unity will characterize us, not violence and division."

18th-Century Literature Class Reads Through Cato

Dr. Hilary Donatini’s Eighteenth-Century English Literature course gathered at the Eagles’ Landing on campus, on Friday, October 12, to transport themselves back to 1713, when Joseph Addison’s Cato was first performed. Students in attendance brought Addison’s language to life, as they each took on roles in a read-through of the entire play. This is only one example of the many creative approaches to understanding literature found in AU’s English Department. Read more at: englishatashland.blogspot.com

Ancient Igneous Boulder Finds New Home at AU

Ashland University has become the new home for a large igneous boulder which originated on the Precambrian Shield in Canada and was formed deep underground over a billion years ago, probably at the base of an ancient volcanic mountain range. Displayed on the east side of the Arthur and Maxine Sheets Rybolt Greenhouse on the AU campus, the boulder and its findings will be recognized at a ceremony on Oct. 31 at 1 p.m.

“The plaque draws attention to this boulder that was unearthed near Nankin in Ashland County in the summer of 2017 by the Kinder Morgan Co. during construction of the Utopia East Pipeline,” said Dr. Nigel Brush, professor of Geology at AU. “It was found on the property of the John Keener family by a neighbor, Robert Brownson, who recognized its significance and reported it to the State Historic Preservation Office in Columbus.”

Read more about the amazing life of this ancient boulder at ashlandscience.blogspot.com

Very Grimm Halloween, 11/2

AU Art Club & Eagles for Pride present A Very Grimm Halloween on Friday, Nov. 2, 8-9:30 p.m. in Redwood Hall. The event will include costume contest, prizes, food, drink and a live DJ.

English Majors Experience 24-Hour Theatre

Several English major participated in AU Theatre's 24-Hour Theatre Project, which involved the writing, production, and performance of an original script within a 24-hour period. Schuyler Kunkel reflected on her experience saying:

The most rewarding thing about this project by far was seeing our idea go from simply a concept to a full production, and it was really amazing being able to be a part of the project in so many different ways. Despite the fact that, by the time I got home, I hadn’t slept in over 40 hours, I was so glad to have been able to contribute throughout the entire process. The production surpassed all my expectations, and I am beyond thankful to have been able to be a part of such an extraordinary opportunity.

Read more at: englishatashland.blogspot.com

Little Women, the musical, opens 18.19 Season

Ashland University Department of Theatre opens the 2018-2019 season of "Treasured Classics Renewed" with Louisa May Alcott’s American classic Little Women which has been transformed into a musical through the creative team of Jason Howland, Mindi Dickstein and Allan Knee. Directed by Robert Sean Parker, Assistant Professor of Theatre, with music direction by Deborah Logan, the Ashland production will be performed in Hugo Young Theatre on:

• Nov. 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m.
• School Matinee performance: Friday, Nov. 9 at 9 a.m. 
• Opening Night Reception with the cast and crew: Nov. 2 immediately following the show

More information at:  autheatredepartment.blogspot.com

English Honor Society Elects New Leaders

Sigma Tau Delta recently elected sophomore Creative Writing and English major Rachel Barkley to serve as Co-President alongside junior English and Creative Writing major Sara Ludwig. Some of the activities they have planned include:

• monthly open mic nights
• a writing workshop for local Girl Scouts 
• a booth on October 22nd celebrating National Writing Day
• expansion of the English Department’s social media presence 
• renovation of the Bixler study lounge
• outing to AU Theatre's performance of Baskerville

Lecture About Lead Poisoning to Children, Oct. 24

A public lecture titled “Lead Poisoning: An Invisible Threat to Our Children,” will be held Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the UH Samaritan Community Room at 663 E. Main St. in Ashland. The lecture will feature Dr. Ted Lidsky and Dr. Ralph Spezio -- two nationally recognized experts on the problems associated with lead poisoning and how it can be prevented.

Lead poisoning remains an issue in both Ashland and Richland Counties due to the presence of lead paint in older housing.  The use of lead in paint for consumer use was banned in 1978, but lead paint remains in many older homes, often underneath layers of newer paint.

More at: news.ashland.edu

Lipsky, Reed & Hoca in Concert, Oct. 22

Maestro Arie Lipsky (cello and flute), Dr. Thomas Reed (clarinet) and Claudia Hoca (piano) combine and showcase their talents for a chamber ensemble concert on Monday, October 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital. The concert is free and open to the public and will feature pieces by Stravinsky, Rachmaninoff, Brahms, Schoenfield and Boulanger.

More at: ashlanduniversitymusic.blogspot.com

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Hilary Donatini

I love to witness the process by which students move from confusion to comprehension and even enjoyment--the essence of intellectual growth. I teach many older works, and it’s often a struggle to understand what is happening on the page, let alone build an interpretation. Seeing students put effort into this process is infinitely satisfying, and it never gets old for me. Working together on challenging texts allows us to explore the beauties of language and the deep questions of our existence through literature. We are often reaching across centuries to encounter worlds that are both familiar and strange, and it’s a delightful way to spend our time. Read the full interview at: englishatashland.blogspot.com

Communication Studies Presents at OCA Conference

Communication Studies professors Shawn Orr, Deleasa Randall-Griffiths, Wendy Hall and Jessica Coleman presented a panel titled Corrections Education in the 21st Century at the Ohio Communication Association's annual conference. Randall-Griffiths also presented with students Erin Staley and Samantha Stutzman on a panel titled Using Narrative Analysis to Explore the Influence of Health Humanities which featured papers by Staley and Stutzman, along with Camille Pollutro who was unable to attend.

Jazz at the Nest, Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Led by Dr. Scott Garlock, Professor of Music, the award-winning Ashland University Jazz Orchestra (AUJO) will present a free public concert on Tuesday, October 16 in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center’s Eagles Nest at 7:30 p.m.

Audience members are welcome to grab a snack, enjoy a beverage and relax to the live music in the venue's relaxed, club-like atmosphere. More at: ashlanduniversitymusic.blogspot.com

Rathbun Presents Poetry Reading, Oct. 15

Dr. Jennifer Rathbun, professor of foreign languages, will hold a talk and reading from her newly released poetry translation on Monday, Oct. 15, at 4 p.m. in the Schar College of Education’s Ronk Lecture Hall. The reading is free and open to the public.

Artepoética Press in New York has just released Dr. Rathbun’s ninth full-length poetry translation of La llama Inclinada/The Inclined Flame by Colombian author Carlos Satizábal. Satizábal will join Dr. Rathbun and participate in the reading. More at:  news.ashland.edu

Fall Choral Concert, Sunday at 4 pm

The Ashland University Choir, Women's Chorus and the Ashland Area Chorus present a fall choral concert with an eclectic program ranging from a sea chantey, to a Serbian gypsy dance, folk and art songs as well as sacred compositions. The concert will be held on Sunday, Oct. 14, at 4 p.m. in the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel and is free and open to the public. More at ashlanduniversitymusic.blogspot.com

Final "Naturalist on Duty" Event on 10/13

The final event in this year’s “Naturalist on Duty” series at Ashland University’s Environmental Studies Center located at the AU Black Fork Wetlands, 2636 Ashland Road, will take place on Saturday, Oct. 13. This month’s event will focus on “Insects and Microscopic Life.”

“This time of year, even on cool days, there are grasshoppers, crickets and katydids in the prairie habitat near our wetlands classroom," Dr. Patricia Saunders said. "Much like birds and frogs, many species of insects have unique songs that can be used to identify which species are around. Drops of water from the wetland will have tiny animals with their own special ways of moving and eating.”

Art Faculty Exhibit Opens 10/11

The Coburn Gallery opens its annual faculty exhibition on Thursday, Oct. 11 at 4:30 p.m. with an opening reception. The exhibit highlights the two and three dimensional works of the current faculty as professional artists exhibiting in their prospective areas including Keith Dull, Priscilla Roggenkamp, Dan McDonald, Cynthia Petry and Michael Bird. The exhibit runs through Nov. 17 and is free and open to the public. More at coburngallery.blogspot.com

Lecture to Discuss eWriter Development

Dr. Asad Khan, chief technical officer of Kent Displays, will present a talk on the development of materials for eWriters, electronic alternatives to paper as well as other computer display technologies. Titled “eWriters: Flexible Displays & Electronics – Beyond the Hype and onto Commercialization,” The lecture is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ronk Lecture Hall in the Schar College of Educaiton. The event is free and open to the public.

This is the second annual presentation of the “Lab to Marketplace seminars” sponsored by the Science Scholars Program in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Morgan Center for Entrepreneurial Studies in the Dauch College of Business and Economics. Read more at news.ashland.edu/article/ashland-university-host-talk-materials-ewriters

Tournées Film Festival Returns

Thanks to a grant from the French-American Cultural Exchange, the Department of Foreign Languages will host the Tournées Festival this October. The Festival 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 and Chair of the Department, who secured the grant and organized the festival.

The Festival, which is free and open to the public, will take place on October 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 and 30 at 7 p.m. in the Ronk Lecture Hall in the Schar College of Education. The Festival is presented in collaboration with Ashland University’s College of Arts and Sciences. More details at news.ashland.edu.

Roggenkamp & Art Ed Alumna's Work Selected

Priscilla Roggenkamp, Associate Professor of Art, has had three works selected for the Art Educators As Artist exhibition. The exhibition will be held at the Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery in Columbus from Nov. 1 - Jan. 5. Of the 46 artist who have been chosen, one is an AU art education alumna, Erica Kenny, who is currently teaching at Eastern High School.

AU & AHS Bands Perform Together This Weekend

The AU Marching Eagles and the Ashland High School Arrows Marching Bands join forces this weekend to present two halftime shows. Directors Joseph Lewis, Jr. (AU), and Martin Kral (AHS) will lead 200 students to perform at the halftime shows for AHS' Friday night football game versus Mansfield Senior High School and again at AU’s Saturday evening football game against Saginaw Valley State University. Both games begin at 7 p.m. Read more at: ashlanduniversitymusic.blogspot.com

2018-2019 Season Brings the Classics to Life

Ashland University Theatre announces its 2018-2019 season themed "Treasured Classics Renewed" as it brings three literary classics to life. Audiences will journey back to the Victorian era filled with drama, mystery, romance, comedy, adventure and farce as AU Theatre revisits the classics through the eyes of today’s ground-breaking playwrights and composers including:

• Louisa May Alcott’s American classic of the March sisters in a musical written by the creative team of Howland, Dickstein and Knee
• Anton Chekhov’s Russian drama masterpiece brought "to life as if it were taking place today. And 110 years ago" through Sarah Ruhl’s translation
• Sir Arthur Conan Doyles’ most famous Sherlock Holmes mystery transitioned to a fast-paced, madcap comedy by Tony-winning playwright Ken Ludwig.

Full details at: autheatredepartment.blogspot.com

Toxicology Majors Intern at Lubrizol Corporation

AU Toxicology majors have spent their summer as paid interns at specialty chemicals producer Lubrizol in Northeast Ohio. The Product Safety and Compliance department where they worked is managed by AU alumna, Karen Jordan '00. Abigail Culver wrote a report about her internship saying:

This internship showed me the non-laboratory side of Toxicology as well as gave me real-life applications of topics that I have learned about in classes. I learned so much during my time there and had the opportunity to meet so many new people. I am so grateful for my experience and would recommend this internship to anyone interested in Toxicology.

Read more at:  ashlandscience.blogspot.com

Kiefer Is West Coast Editor for the Paris Review

The Paris Review recently announced that Dr. Christian Kiefer, Director of Ashland University's MFA Program in Creative Writing, will be taking on the newly created role of West Coast Editor. Emily Nemens, Editor of The Paris Review, writes that

Christian’s inveterate energy, good taste, and large network have already proven valuable to my first issue, and we should all be thankful that he connected us with Lawrence Ferlinghetti, whose Art of Poetry interview is now underway.

24-Hour Theatre Project Returns 9/29

Due to its success last spring, the Ashland University Department of Theatre and Alpha Psi Omega (APO) theatre honor society are producing another 24-Hour Theatre Project this fall. The performance of an original script written and produced within 24 hours will be held on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 p.m. in Ashland University's Studio Theatre.

A limited number of tickets are available for this free performance, which is open to the public. Patrons can secure their seats by calling the Ashland University Box Office at 419.289.5125. More info at autheatredepartment.blogspot.com

Christianity & Immigration

The Ashland Center for Nonviolence continues its "Who Is My Neighbor?" series on immigration with a panel discussion of faith leaders, tonight, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Ridenour Room in the Dauch College of Business and Economics. The panel will discuss "Christianity and Immigration" and will feature:

• Sister Rita Mary Harwood, secretariat for Parish Life and Development for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland; 
• Bishop Abraham Allende of the Northeastern Ohio Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America; and 
• Dr. Carlos Campo, president of Ashland University.

This five-part series is free and open to the public. The events are co-sponsored by the Catholic Commission of Wayne, Ashland and Medina Counties, and the Ashland University Religion Department.

"Building Societies of Peace"

Emmanouil (Manolis) Ntamparakis, Director of Social Action, NAOMI Ecumenical Workshop for Refugees, in Thessaloniki, Greece will present a lecture titled "Building Societies of Peace" on Thursday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Ridenour Room, Dauch College of Business and Economics.

Manolis Ntamparakis’ works to create societies of peace by providing emergency aid and integration measures to alleviate the suffering of refugees in Northern Greece. Manolis studied Physics at the University of Thessaloniki. He holds a Masters of Divinity in Theology and Pastoral Studies from Trinity Theological Seminary in Amsterdam, and a Masters of Theology in Bible Translation and Eastern Orthodox Theology from the University of Amsterdam.

Madrigal Sales Begin Monday, 9/24

Tickets for the 43rd Annual Madrigal Feaste go on sale to the public on Monday, Sept. 24, at 12 p.m. Patrons are reminded that this is a very popular event and the box office will be incredibly busy. This year's feaste is slated for Wednesday through Sunday, Nov. 28 – Dec. 2. All performances begin at 6:30 p.m. in Redwood Hall.

For immediate service, the box office recommends that patrons order online at www.ashland.edu/tickets (additional fees apply for online orders). Patrons can also come to the box office window located in the lobby of Hugo Young Theatre or call the box office at 419.289.5125.

More information at ashlanduniversitymusic.blogspot.com.

Martin Completes Grant Writing Internship

The greatest takeaways I have from this experience are learning that I have the capability to be successful in this career field and that I definitely want to pursue a career in grant writing. This internship has given me confidence that I can be successful in writing grant proposals for nonprofit organizations and that I can make a difference through my work.    --Jordan Martin, English Major
FULL STORY

Theatre Alumnus Appears at Severance

Ashland University Theatre alumnus and acting instructor Jeff Haffner (1994) stars in a new video series produced by The Cleveland Orchestra. Jeff portrays Music Explorer Major Scale to explain to youngest audience members what happens at a live concert. Here is the first video of the series.

Roger L. Beckett

The Ashbrook Center lost a great leader on Friday as its Executive Director, Roger Beckett, passed away. During these difficult days, please keep his wife, Danielle, and his daughters, Sydney and Laura, in your thoughts and prayers. Calling hours for Roger will be held on Sunday, Sept. 23 at the Ashbrook Center from 1-3 p.m. A memorial service will follow at the Jack & Deb Miller Chapel beginning at 4 p.m. His obituary can be view at www.wappner.com/obituary/roger-l-beckett/.

Center for Nonviolence to Host Series on Immigration

Ashland Center for Nonviolence is hosting a series on immigration titled, “Who Is My Neighbor?”, during September and October. The 5-part series includes two public lectures, a panel discussion, a film screening and discussion, and a book discussion. All are free and open to the public.

Co-sponsored by the Catholic Commission of Wayne Ashland Medina Counties, and the AU Religion Department, the series begins on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Ridenour Room of the Ashland University Dauch College of Business and Economics with a public lecture by Brian Hoffman, Justice Campaign Fellow at the International Institute of Akron. More at: news.ashland.edu/article/ashland-center-nonviolence-host-series-immigration

Art Alumnus Returns to Design

AU Art alumnus Eric Meister will be designing the Ashland University Art + Design Department's High School Art Experience poster this year ! Check out more of Eric's work at ericjmeister.tumblr.com.

Parade of Bands, Sunday at 2 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 16 is the opening of the 2018 Ashland County Fair which will kickoff with the Annual Parade of Bands at 2 p.m. Held at the Fairgrounds Grandstand, the Parade of Bands will lead off with the Ashland University Marching Eagles and several of the local high school bands playing a combined and moving rendition of the National Anthem. Each band will then perform their own show of 3-4 tunes including their school's fight song. Enjoy this video of last year's performance.