News Archive

(01/23/04)

More Miami Middletown Students Get Financial Aid

Middletown, Ohio -- January has been identified as Financial Aid Awareness month by the Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, who were recently recognized by Governor Taft for their work in promoting access to higher education by reducing financial barriers.

At Miami University Middletown, the trend over the past four years has been an increase in the number of students receiving financial aid, and an increase in the amount of grants, loans, and scholarships being awarded.

The number of Miami Middletown students receiving financial aid from grants, loans, and scholarships increased from 1,013 students receiving aid in 2000 to 1,319 in 2003. The campus serves approximately 3,000 undergraduates each semester.

"Pell grant awards increased 90% over the past four years," noted Ellen Hall, coordinator of financial aid at Miami Middletown. "In 2000 students received $905,000 in Pell grants, which rose to $1,720,000 in 2003."

Ohio Instructional Grants (OIG), another major source of financial aid for Miami Middletown students, increased significantly as well. OIG award amounts increased 80% from $218,000 to $394,000 during the same period.

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form is the key first step for students seeking financial aid. This form is available through the internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

"FAFSA is the beginning point for determining how much financial aid students are eligible for," Hall pointed out. Through FAFSA filings in 2003, Miami Middletown students demonstrated $10.6 million in financial need. Through a combination of grants, loans, and scholarships, $7.9 million of that financial need was met.

"My best advice is to Just Do It," said Lou "Bode" Gibbs, recipient of the Akers, Knoll and Middletown Rotary Club Scholarships at Miami Middletown. "Try to make that early deadline. Give it your best effort and don't spend a lot of time wondering if you stand a chance of getting that scholarship. Give it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised like I was."

Scholarships are a key source of financial assistance. Miami Middletown awarded $139,000 in scholarships in 2003, up from $76,000 in 2000. The campus has a wide range of scholarships recognizing financial need, academic achievement, and some scholarships that are designated for certain subject areas such as nursing, business or history.

"If you are thinking about attending college, make sure that you look at all your options and take the time to research the scholarships that are available," said Brenda McGinnis, recipient of the Bank One, Miriam G. Knoll and Gardner Scholarships at Miami Middletown. "There might be something out there that is just perfect for you."

Miami Middletown has a January 31 deadline for scholarship applications from continuing or early decision entering students, and a May 1 deadline for entering freshmen.

For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office at Miami Middletown at 727-3299, or toll free at 1-86-MIAMI-MID. Information is also available on the campus' web site at www.mid.muohio.edu.

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(01/23/04)

Miami Middletown Announces New Arts Series

Middletown, OH -- Miami University Middletown begins a new Cultural Arts Series with a lecture on Feb. 2 by WLWT's Michelle Hopkins.

The Media and Its Influence on Public Opinion is the subject of the lecture, which will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the Johnston Hall Lounge. It is free and open to the public.

Hopkins, recipient of two Emmy awards, joined Channel 5 four years ago. Prior to this she was morning anchor and family reporter for WCPO-TV and weekend anchor and family reporter for WBNS-TV in Columbus. Her column, From the Heart, is featured in Cincinnati's Inspire Cincinnati magazine.

Other performers scheduled for the new series include Black Broadway - A Musical Journey Through Black Theatre History, An Evening with Thomas Mapfumo and The Del McCoury Band.

"With this new series, we are trying to offer lectures and performances that will appeal to a large segment of our student body and our community," said Miami Middletown Associate Executive Director of Student Affairs James Ewers. "From bluegrass to Zimbabwe, I think we're off to a good start."

The Black Broadway performance is a celebration of 12 hit musicals, including Ain't Misbehavin', Porgy and Bess, The Wiz and Sophisticated Ladies. Free and open to the public, this event will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17 in Dave Finkelman Auditorium.

Next is an Evening with Thomas Mapfumo at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 10 in Dave Finkelman Auditorium. Mapfumo is Zimbabwe's biggest selling musician and is known throughout the world for his music as a voice of resistance to repressive regimes. This performance is free and open to the public.

The Del McCoury Band wraps up the season at 8 p.m. on May 1 in Dave Finkelman Auditorium. McCoury is the foremost practitioner of bluegrass singing today, enjoying the praise of traditional and new bluegrass lovers. Cost for this performance is $10. For ticket information call (513) 727-3353.

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(01/23/04)

Miami Middletown Sponsors Black History Events

MIDDLETOWN, OH – Miami University Middletown is sponsoring a number of events in January and February for Black History Month. All are open to the public and many are free (see notation).

Jan. 30, The Reason Why I Sing, directed by William “Kip” Moore, 7 p.m., Johnston Hall, free.

Feb. 5, African-American Read-In, 11:00 a.m. – 1 p.m., Johnston Hall Balcony Lounge, selected readings provided by Gardner-Harvey Library, free.

Feb. 6, Spike Lee Film Festival, 12:00 noon – 2 p.m., every Friday during the month of February. Featured films include: Do the Right Thing, Bamboozled and 3 am. Room 117 Johnston Hall. Do the Right Thing and 3 am will also be shown at 7 p.m. on Feb. 5 & 9 in Room 12 Johnston Hall, free.

Feb. 12, Soul Food Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Verity Lodge, $5.

Feb. 18 & 19, Spades Tournament, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Hawk Haven, free.

For more information on any of these events, call Miami University Middletown’s Office of Multicultural Affairs at (513) 727-3353, or click here .

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(01/23/04)

Internet Ministry Workshop Offered At Miami Middletown

Middletown, OH – Miami University Middletown will host a four-hour workshop on "CyberMinistry" geared for church personnel involved with reaching out to a greater population.

Mark Stephenson, Director of CyberMinistry at Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Tipp City, will explain how he has taken an Internet idea and developed it into an international success, realizing over 70,000 visits each month! Tips for using the Internet as a tool to expand ministries while maintaining a personal and meaningful message will be shared. "Experience shows that the web is a safe place that leads to entry into a physical church, not an encouragement to stay away," says Stephenson.

The Internet Ministry workshop, which costs $69, will be held from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Friday, February 13. For more information or to register, call Miami Middletown’s Office of Continuing Education at 513-727-3300 or visit the website at www.mid.muohio.edu. Miami University is located at 4200 E. University Blvd.

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(01/23/04)

MUM to Host Reading by Author Brian Kiteley

Middletown, OH -- Miami University Middletown will host a reading by Author Brian Kiteley in February. Kiteley will read from his forthcoming historical novel, The River Gods, a 400-year history of the author's hometown of Northampton, Massachusetts.

Written in brief, lyrical vignettes, Kiteley's provocative novel explores the line between fact and fiction. In his own words, he "creates another version of both past and present, not necessarily interpretation of past, but illumination of the passage of time…" The reading takes place on Monday, Feb. 9, from 1:30-3:00 p.m. in Verity Lodge and is free and open to the campus and the community.

Brian Kiteley is Associate Professor of English at the University of Denver. His books include the novels Still Life With Insects, I Know Many Songs, But I Cannot Sing, and The River Gods, as well as a collection of fiction exercises, Each Sentence Educates the Next (forthcoming). His fiction has been anthologized in The Best American Short Stories and The Four-Way Reader, and he is the recipient of Guggenheim, Whiting and NEA fellowships. For more information about him, visit his web site at .

This event is co-sponsored by the Office of Co-Curricular Programs and the Miami University-Middletown Community Chest fund.

Miami Middletown is located at 4200 E. University Blvd.

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(01/22/04)

POST-SECONDARY ENROLLMENT REGIONAL MEETINGS SCHEDULED

MIDDLETOWN, OH -- Miami University Middletown participates in the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEO) which allows eligible high school students to attend college during the regular academic year.

Miami Middletown will conduct five regional information programs on Ohio’s PSEOP in January and February as follows:

• Springboro High School, Thursday, Jan. 29, 7 p.m.

• Mason High School, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m.

• Lebanon High School, Thursday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m.

• Middletown High School, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 7:00 p.m.

• Miami University Middletown, Saturday, March 13, 10 a.m.

The programs will include an overview of Ohio’s Post-Secondary Program, the pros and cons of participation in the program, the expectations of the colleges and universities and admission criteria for the area’s participating colleges and universities.

For more information on the PSEOP program, contact your high school’s guidance counselor.

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(01/22/04)

Fantastic Free Fridays Continue at Miami Middletown

The fourth season of Miami University Middletown's Fantastic Free Fridays series continues on Friday, Feb. 6 with a performance by "Guitar Man" Jim McCutcheon at 10 a.m. in Dave Finkelman Auditorium.

McCutcheon is a children's artist, multiple guitar master and Miami Middletown faculty member who serves as an irresistible ambassador for the instrument. As the "Guitar Man" he engages the audience with lively vocals, conversation and his entire "guitar zoo". This performance is recommended for grades K-5 and for all guitar fans.

Other upcoming performances include Black Eagle by the Mixed Blood Theater Company (10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 20, recommended for grades 4-12) and Circles and Arrows: Soul Food, Succotash and Sauerkraut - Multicultural Songs and Stories (10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on April 2, recommended for all ages).

Miami Middletown began the Fantastic Free Fridays programs in the fall of 2000, offering free one-hour performances to schools in a five-county area. Since that time, more than 13,000 young people have had the opportunity to experience jazz and big band music, a marching band, theatre, opera, ballet and world music.

A generous donation from the Bever family of Oxford is helping to support the Fantastic Free Fridays performances this year.

Fantastic Free Fridays performances are open to the public. Schools interested in attending performances need to contact Susan Joyce, music faculty member at Miami University Middletown, at joyces@muohio.edu, or by phone at 727-3415.

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(01/05/04)

Miami Middletown Courses Continue at Warren County

Miami University Middletown will be offering several courses at Warren County Career Center, ranging from art history to pre-calculus and psychology, beginning January 12. This is the eighth year that Miami Middletown has offered classes at WCCC.

Classes scheduled are:

- Art 187, History of Western Art (Prehistoric to Gothic), 3 to 4:15 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday

- Botany 171, Ecology of North America, 5:30 to 8:10 p.m., Wednesday

- Communication 135, Introduction to Public Expression and Critical Inquiry, 6 to 8:40 p.m., Tuesday

- Engineering Technology 135, Computer Assisted Drafting, 6:30 to 8:45 p.m., Monday and Wednesday

- English 112, Composition and Literature, 6:30 to 8:45 p.m., Tuesday

- History 112, Survey of American History (Civil War to Present), 6 to 8:40 p.m., Thursday

- Mathematics and Statistics 101.3, Introduction to Elementary Algebra, 6 to 8:40 p.m., Wednesday

- Mathematics & Statistics 102, Intermediate Algebra, 6 to 8:40 p.m., Monday

- Mathematics and Statistics 123, Pre-Calculus, 3 to 4:15 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday

- Physics 101, Physics and Society, 3 to 4:15 p.m., Monday and Wednesday

- Psychology 111, Introduction to Psychology, 6 to 9:40 p.m., Monday

ENT135, Computer Aided Drawing, will be offered jointly by WCCC and MUM.

In addition, two special college-prep classes are scheduled as sprint courses. College Study Skills will be offered from January 12 through February 24, and Career Development and The College Student will be offered beginning February 26 and continuing through April 25. These courses will be offered from 3 to 4:15 p.m.on Monday and Wednesday.

"We are very excited to again have this opportunity to work with Miami University to bring college courses to Warren County," Gary Patton, WCCC Deputy Superintendent, said. "This is a great start toward launching the Warren County Community College. I believe Miami will bring a lot of valuable offerings for the community."

"The adult education department at the Warren County Career Center is looking forward to working with Miami University to bring quality classes to the citizens of Warren County through the Warren County Community College," said Nancy Parker, interim assistant director of adult education.

"Miami University Middletown appreciates the opportunity to broaden its course offerings through this collaboration with the Warren County Career Center," Michael Governanti, Executive Director of the campus, noted. "We trust that the course offerings, including the college-prep courses, will help to meet the educational needs of Warren County residents."

The complete course schedule for Miami Middletown is available on line at www.mid.muohio.edu, For an application or to receive a free course guide, call Miami Middletown at (513) 727-3216, or toll-free at 1-86-MIAMI-MID.

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(01/05/04)

Classes Offered at Eaton High School in January

Classes for spring semester at Miami University Middletown's Extended University location in Eaton begin the week of January 12, 2004. Students may apply and register the first night of class at Eaton High School or in person at the Office of Records and Registration at Miami Middletown. Current Miami students may also register for Extended University classes via Bannerweb.

Spring semester's classes include Perspectives on Culture (ATH 231), Composition and Literature (ENG 112), Introduction to Elementary Algebra (MTH 101.3), Intermediate Algebra (MTH 102) and Introduction to Psychology (PSY 111).

"The Miami Extended University program in Eaton is a real asset for Preble County," said Extended University Coordinator George Esber. "Students have the advantage of small class size, close to home and many of the courses offered at the Extended University are hard to get on our other campuses. Most of the classes are introductory level and fulfill requirements for college degrees.

"Even if students have not gone through the formal application and acceptance process, they can still register and take courses," Dr. Esber continued. "All of the courses carry college credit that can be counted toward a degree."

The Miami Extended University program in Eaton is also a convenient option for qualified high school students who wish to take courses under Ohio's Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEOP) for high school/college credit. Additional information is available from high school guidance counselors or the Miami University Office of Admissions in Middletown at (800)662-2262.

"We've been teaching courses here in Eaton since 1996," said Dr. Esber. "We are very grateful to Eaton High School for letting us use their classrooms for the Extended University. Also, we now staff an office in Eaton one day per week thanks to the generosity of The Henny Penny Corporation."

For more information on Miami University's Extended University program in Eaton or for a course schedule, call George Esber at 456-8755 in Eaton or (513) 727-3282 in Middletown.

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(01/05/04)

Scholarships, Students Focus of Annual Fund Campaign

Miami University Middletown's Annual Fund enters its eighth year this month with a campaign focusing on scholarships and the students who benefit from them.

"Last year, nearly 200 area students received scholarship assistance thanks in great part to gifts to the Annual Fund," said Sherry Pieratt, director of development at Miami Middletown. "These students are our future community leaders, teachers, nurses, employers and employees. Many of them would not have the opportunity to pursue their dream of a college education without the generosity of so many in the community." More than 90 per cent of all gifts to the annual fund go toward scholarships.

Additionally, Annual Fund unrestricted gifts played an important role in endowing the Ryan K. Green Memorial Scholarship, the Middletown Area Chapter of the Miami University Alumni Association Scholarship, the Audrey Canfield Neel Scholarship endowment for nursing and the health related fields.

A scholarship is endowed when its principal reaches a level that will provide scholarships from the interest it earns, in perpetuity. The campus holds several scholarship fund-raising events throughout the year, including an alumni concert and pancake breakfast.

The Annual Fund also supports the Miami University Middletown Community Chest, established in 2002 to enhance the campus' already strong volunteer presence in the region. Limited funds are available to assist faculty and staff with projects that benefit the regional community and that are not covered through departmental budgets. Over the past year more than 15 projects received funds including the Tech Challenge High School Day, Future Leaders of America Multicultural Enrichment Program, Campus Student Ambassadors and a CPR course for faculty and staff which included training on the campus' new defibrillators.

"In 1966, Miami University Middletown became the first regional campus in the State of Ohio because of the generosity of the people of this region," said Executive Director Michael P. Governanti. "Our students, faculty and staff appreciate the continuing support that we receive."

Gifts in any amount are tax deductible. Donors may direct their gifts to any area of special interest such as a specific scholarship, the library, an academic department/program or athletics.

For more information on contributing to Miami University Middletown's Annual Fund, call (513) 727-3463.

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(01/05/04)

New Associate Degree

Miami University's Business Technology Department is offering a new two-year Associate Degree in marketing. The new marketing degree reflects the changing environment of business and the new fast paced opportunities in the information age; and is the result of input from the local business community as well as Miami faculty, staff and students.

The new degree combines traditional marketing with the new e-business environment. After completing an introductory marketing course students choose from such electives as: Consumer Behavior, Customer Service & Satisfaction, Internet Marketing, Marketing Research, New Product Development, Pricing Theory and Practice, Sales and Promotions, and Virtual Communities. The elective courses allow a student to focus on a specific area of marketing.

Graduates will be prepared for such careers as sales and sales management, retail management and to direct promotional activities such as advertising, trade shows and special events.

The degree is open to all high school graduates or those with a GED diploma and will be offered at the Hamilton and Middletown campuses. Daytime and evening classes are offered. For more information contact the Hamilton campus at (513) 785-3208 or the Middletown campus at (513) 727-3251.

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