National Geographic's Documentary on Battling Climate Change, 10/1

The National Geographic Documentary Film Paris to Pittsburgh will be shown on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. in Ashland University's Hawkins-Conard Student Center Auditorium as part of the College of Arts & Sciences' biennial Symposium Against Indifference which is focusing on "Liberty and Responsibility."

Co-sponsored by the Ashland Center for Nonviolence, the free, public event will also include a panel discussion immediately following the film's screening with Craig Hovey, Director of the Ashland Center for Nonviolence; Patricia Saunders, Associate Professor of Biology; and William Vaughan, Professor of Philosophy. Read more at cas-symposium.blogspot.com

Madrigal Ticket On Sale 9/23

Tickets for the 44th Annual Madrigal Feaste go on sale to the public on Monday, September 23 at 12 p.m. 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 at the corner of College Avenue and Grant Street or call the box office at 419.289.5125. Discounted tickets for children 12 and under can only be purchased directly through the box office and not online.

Ashland University Department of Music produces the annual Madrigal Feaste which is slated for Wednesday through Sunday, November 20 - 24 which is before Thanksgiving this year. All performances begin at 6:30 p.m. in Redwood Hall. More info at: ashlanduniversitymusic.blogspot.com

Mocktail Mix-Off Winners Announced

Congratulations to the Mocktail Mix-Off winners!

• Best Overall & Best Taste: Black Student Alliance (BSA) with a Raspberry Mojito
• Best Mocktail Name: Ashland University Fraternity & Sorority Life with "Gamer Fuel"
• Best Presentation: Campus Activity Board (CAB) with "Pink Flamingo"
• Honorable Mentions: Tech Crew, Panhellenic Council, Leadership

Thank you to John Moser & Louis Mancha for their insightful presentations during the Ashland University CAS Symposium Against Indifference's DEMON RUM: A Spirited Discussion of Alcohol event.

Also, thanks to student groups for their spirited response: AU Young Democrats, Ashland University College Republicans, Ashland University Young Americans For Liberty, Ashland University Fraternity & Sorority Life.

DEMON RUM Mocktails, Spirited Discussion & Response, 9/18 at 6pm

The biennial Symposium Against Indifference begins the 2019-2020 theme of “Liberty and Responsibility” with a multi-faceted event titled "Demon Rum: A Spirited Discussion of Alcohol."

On Wednesday, Sept. 18 beginning at 6 p.m. in the Alumni Room of the Myers Convocation Center, the free, public event (organized in partnership with the Student Life and Fraternity and Sorority Life offices) will reflect on the ratification and appeal of the 18th Amendment prohibiting liquor in the United States as well as exploring lessons this episode holds for us today. Ashland University history and philosophy faculty members, Dr. John Moser and Dr. Louis Mancha, and representatives from several student organizations will address the constant and unavoidable tension between liberty and responsibility on this legislation. Read more at cas-symposium.blogspot.com

Theatre Season Focuses on "Stories of Courage"

Throughout our life experiences we rely on our courage to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear or difficulty. The 2019-2020 AU Theatre season will tell three courageous stories indifferent styles (drama, comedy, musical) and set in varying time periods and places. Although they differ from each other in many ways, the stories and messages are timeless and universal including:

• Arthur Miller's dramatic adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People 
• The storytelling magic of ABBA's timeless songs in the musical Mamma Mia!
• The female version of Neil Simon's hilarious comic classic, The Odd Couple

 To order tickets, call the Ashland University Box Office at 419-289-5125, Monday through Friday, 12 noon to 6 p.m., beginning Sep. 9, or order online anytime at www.ashland.edu/tickets (additional fees apply). More details at autheatredepartment.blogspot.com

An MFA Residency Recap

In just shy of two weeks we experienced ten craft seminars by our stunning faculty and visiting writers; eight readings by graduating students, faculty, and visiting writers; a panel on life after the MFA with our amazing alumni; a publishing panel with some super star editors; impromptu open mics late into the night; a trip to the Cleveland Museum of Art; a tear-jerking graduation ceremony — oh, and workshops every morning! See more photos and details at ashlandmfa.blogspot.com

Meredith Participates in Cyber Security REU

Jonathan Meredith participated in a Cyber Security REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) at North Dakota State University over the summer 2019.

Toxicology Major Receives Travel Award

Ashland University Toxicology, Biology, and Environmental Science triple-major Shelby Reutter recently attended the national meeting of the Society of Toxicology (SOT) in Baltimore, Maryland with support from the society's Undergraduate Diversity Program Travel Award.  This travel program provides full support for travel and housing to the annual SOT meeting and a program designed for undergraduate students to learn about careers in toxicology.  Shelby is the fifth of our students since 2010 to receive this award. Read more at ashlandscience.blogspot.com

Creative Executive talks to JDM 331 students

It is not often when a film company moves to a small Midwestern town. In the case of Good Deed Entertainment and Cracked Films that relocation occurred, as GDE recently settled in downtown Ashland. That move has many benefits for Ashland University students. Already, two Journalism and Digital Media students benefited from onsite internships. For the students in JDM 331 Digital Media Management, it was enlightening when GDE Creative Executive Andy Myers provided his insight to managing a film organization. Read more at ashlandmedia.blogspot.com

Mourning the Loss of Dr. Iyad Ajwa

It is with great sadness that we share that Dr. Iyad Ajwa, Professor of Computer Science, passed away on Friday morning after a battle with cancer. Services for Dr. Ajwa were held on Friday afternoon at the Al Noor Mosque in Columbus.

Dr. Ajwa joined Ashland University as an Assistant Professor in 1997 and was devoted to our institution. He was a beloved teacher having been nominated twice for the prestigious Taylor Teaching Award. Dr. Ajwa was the recipient of a prestigious Fulbright Award for the 2013-2014 academic year during which he taught and conducted research at Umm Al-Qura University in Saudi Arabia. In 2005-06 he was granted a Senior Study Leave to teach at Abu Dhabi University. Dr. Ajwa's scholarly record includes numerous peer-reviewed articles, grants and contributed papers. He served as Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (2014-2019) and recently developed the curricula for two new majors: cyber security and software design and development. The entire academic community joins the entire Ashland University community in mourning his loss. Please keep Dr. Ajwa's family in your prayers.