News Archive

(01/26/06)

Black History Events Scheduled

Miami University Middletown is sponsoring a number of events for Black History Month. All are open to the public and many are free.

Feb. 2, African-American Read-In, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Johnston Hall Balcony Lounge. Bring something to read representative of the African-American experience, free.

Feb. 16, LeAlan Jones, 4 p.m., Dave Finkelman Lobby. Jones was co-creator of Ghetto Life 101, National Public Radio's award-winning 1993 radio documentary. Sponsored by Middletown City Schools and Miami University Middletown. Free.

Feb. 18, Open Mic Night with Ralph Farley of "I Witness Life", 7 p.m., Verity Lodge. Farley uses poetry to tell a story of adversity and triumph, failures and victory. Free.

Feb. 23, Soul Food Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Verity Lodge. Experience a taste of "soul food," reminiscent of the South, $6.

Feb. 24, Same Spirit Different Movement, Illstyle and Peace Productions, noon, Dave Finkelman Auditorium. This dance-theatre production combines the spirit of hip-hop with a variety of other performance discipline. Free.

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

| BACK TO TOP |

(01/24/06)

Register Now for March 4 Golf Clinic

Too cold to go outside? Why not get a jump-start on next season's golf game by attending the 8th Annual Golf Clinic at Miami University Middletown?

PGA Professional Tony Elieff of the N.C.R. Country Club will be at Miami University Middletown on Saturday, March 4 to provide individualized instruction covering putting, chipping and full swing. Also instructing this year will be former PGA Tour player Mike McGee, of Mike McGee's Teaching Center. Sessions will be held at 9 a.m., 11:30 and 2 p.m.

Golfers of all ages and skill levels are welcome! Each golfer will work in a small group with golfers of similar playing experience. They will receive a total of 2 hours of instruction.

The Golf Clinic will be held at the Bennett Recreation Center at Miami University Middletown. The cost is $40, with proceeds benefiting the Middletown campus golf team. Do not delay as this clinic has a limited enrollment.

For more information or to register, call (513) 727-3317.

| BACK TO TOP |

(01/23/06)

Students Honored for First Semester GPAs

Miami Middletown recently honored its first semester students, full and part-time, who earned a 3.5 or better grade point average for the first semester 2005-2006. They are:

Sarah Abbott, Corie Agricola, Victoria Albaugh, Laura Alderton, Steve Allen, Margaret Allen, David Allen, Rebecca Alteri, Jennifer Apking, Meredith Araujo, Jessica Back, Markita Bales, Renee Barnett, Allison Barnett, Rosa Barnett, Melissa Barrett, Brenda Barrington, Kristen Beasley, Danielle Begley, Paul Bernard, Nika Bevis, Joan Boiano, Katie Bonnell, Jennifer Bonsall, Deborah Boomershine, Dustin Booth, Michelle Bowling, Ashley Bowman, Elizabeth Bowman, Tiffany Bowser, Bradley Boyer, Cynthia Braden, Dana Brewer, Jamie Brockman, Leah Broderick, Matthew Brooks, Angelique Brooks, Shari Brown, Elizabeth Brown, Jonathan Brown, Melissa Browning, Anthony Brubaker, Wendy Bryan, Crystal Bryant, Calvin Bryant, Mary Buffenbarger, James Burton, Jacob Burton, Stacy Buss, Bethany Butler, Matthew Buttram, Michael Callihan, Erin Caminiti, Alicia Campbell, Candice Carberry, Rhoda Carder, Aaron Carroll, Emily Carrozza, Ashley Carter, Charles Carver, Katherine Caskey, Craig Caudill, David Chadwell, Kathryn Chamberlain, Jannessa Chenault, Gina Clausi, Ashley Clay, Markeda Coker, Lindsey Coles, James Congleton, Sarah Cooper, Brandi Cornwall, Heather Couch, Charmane Creekbaum, Daniel Cross, Douglas Cross, Julie Crossley, Robert Curtis, Aundrea Curtis, Courtney Curtner, Leslie Dahlinghaus, Elizabeth Dalton, Courtney Daniels, Bethany Davidson, Emily Davis, Kenneth Davis, Jay Dearth Erica Deaton, Michelle DeBacker, Kimberly Debord, Allison DeBrosse, Alice Deisenroth, Abigail Detcher, Edward DeVault, Brittany Dorko, Tina Dreckman, Eileen Ebeling, Jennifer Edwards, Brian Elleman, Kathryn Ellenburg, Cristina Elliott, Christin Emerick, Nicole Erdy, Karen Eutsler, Maria Falter, Mackenzie Farmer, Diana Ferguson, Aaron Fessler, Brian Feustel, James Fields, Jaysie Flaherty, Laurie Flowers, Evan Floyd, Kenneth Foltz, Julia Foreman, Daniel Frease, Mary Fugate, Dennis Furia, Bryan Gabbard, Olethia Gaines, Christa Garland, Imogene Garretson, Kyle Gaston, Casie Gebhart, Ashley Gehm, Kaitlyn Geise, Kimberly Geraci, Lindsay Gerber, Kathryn Golic, Stephanie Graf, Nathan Grant, Brittany Gray, Anessa Greenwell, Tina Gregory, Robert Gregory, Justin Grieshop, Clifford Griffen, Ben Griffen, Clarissa Griffin, Lori Griffith, Joan Grigger, Rachel Grigsby, Evan Grimes, Rita Gross, Eric Haas, Ronald Hall, Chelsea Harrington, Alyssa Harris, Brittney Hasty, Christina Hawthorn, Amy Hedges, Jayson Heller, Alex Heller, Ashley Henry, Jennifer Henry, Katie Henry, Keri Hensley, Abby Hess, Elizabeth Hess, Kelissa Hieber, Travis Hileman, Catherine Hoffman, Paula Holland, Elke Holt, Whitney Homan, Bianca Hooks, Robert Horton, Andrew Hounshell, Bertha Hounshell, Jocelyn Howard, Cecilia Howard, Daniel Howard Melinda Howell, Jennifer Hunsberger, Jordan Jacobs, Kristal Janson, Julie Jervis, Chandra Johnson, Gloria Johnson, Kelli Johnson, Lindsey Jones, Chadwick Kalter, Theresa Katke, Holly Kavanagh, Brooke Keene, Bonnie Kegley, Jacqueline Keith, Kathryn Kelley, Joretta Kendrick, Gale Kibler, Nicholas Killin, Patricia Kincaid, Jonathan Kinner, Andrew Kissel, Ali Klapper, Rachel Klipfel Rose Kodros, Rachael Koeller, Kaitlin Kubilius, Jenny Kurtz, Ashley Kuykendoll, Robert Kyle, Stephen Lacey, Allie Lambes, Lisa Lang, Anna Leach, Lisa Lewis, Sarah Lewis, Rachel Linkous, Emily Linn, Michelle Linville, Pamela Lipscomb, Janna Logan, Brittany Lohner, Alexander Long, Joseph Long, Ronald Longworth, Melody Lunney, Christine MacIntyre, Curtis Maggard, Nicholas Magill, Emily Marshall, Nicholas Marshall, Julie Martin, Cassandra Marucci, Alison Masters, Jamee Maurer, Sarah Mayabb, Heather McGlothen, Catherine McLaughlin, Autumn Meade, Shirley Meadors, Traci Meadows, Stephanie Mehl, Jennifer Melton, Kristin Meyer, Megan Michael, Jennifer Mitsoff, Candi Moore, Allan Morgan, Dawn Morgan, Lauren Morgan, Zachary Morningstar, Jaclyn Morton, Gwendolyn Motley, Andrew Murry, Heather Nafziger, Jason Nerenberg, Jeffrey Nichols, Rachel Nusbaum, Mark Oakley, Tamara O'Hair, Ian Pacey, Susan Pack, Lindsay Pelfrey, Kathleen Penfold, Brianna Pennington, Brandon Perry, Trisha Peters, Lori Pettit, Shelby Pettus, Joanne Phipps, Michell Pieschel, Jennifer Pilcher, Melinda Poorman, Ashley Price, Michael Principato, Bobbi Quillen, Ryan Radel, Sarah Ratliff, Matthew Reams, Chris Reeves, Barbara Reeves, April Riedel, Johnna Roark, Jessica Roberts, Jamie Rodgers-North, Jessica Rodriguez, Andrew Ross, Breehan Rumpke, William Runyan, David Rush, Kurtis Russell, Erin Ryan, Cassie Sanders, Adrienne Scherrer, Sarrah Schultz, Matthew Schwieterman, Daniel Schwieterman, Diana Scrimizzi, Chad Sebald , Jeff Shaner, Kyerra Shepherd, Cathie Sherman, Lindsay Shockley, Tiffiny Smallwood, Jessica Smith, Brendon Smith, Bradley Smith, Andrew Smith, Nicholas Smith, Ronald Sorrell, Hope Specht, Cynthia Spencer, Elizabeth Spicer, Ian Spring, Jessica Stamper, Edsel Stamper, Beverly Stamper, Diana Starkweather, Anastasia Strodel, Lauren Strong, Jeremy Suiter, Joseph Summa, Aaron Tacinelli, Lindsey Taylor, Jennifer Terhaar, Carla Thomen, Brandon Tirey, Scott Tobias, Tiffany Traud, Jessica Trump, Sarah Tucker, Teresa Tunnell, Dawna Turner, Dustin Turner, Christina Van Sickle, Sarah Vance, Kylie Vaughn, James Ventura, Benjamin Wagner, Lindsay Wagoner, Allison Walker, Jennifer Walters, Theresa Ward, Marissa Warwar, Summer Waugh, Shannon Webb, Jeffrey Webb, Alicia Wellinghoff, Rebecca Louise Wells, Rebecca Lynn Wells, April Wells, Zachary Wertz, Amanda West, Michelle Wheeler, Bryan White, Natalie Williams, Kristen Williams, Jason Williamson, Heather Willoughby, Brenda Wilson, Susan Woodrome, Amanda Woodruff, William Woodward, Amanda Wright, Betheny Yeary, Amanda Zehring.

| BACK TO TOP |

(01/23/06)

IT Forum Connects Students, Employers and Educators

The Miami University Department of Computer and Information Technology (CIT) will host the IT Forum 2006: Connecting Industry, Students and Educators on Friday, Feb. 10, 2006 to bring together Information Technology employers, educators and students. The forum will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center on the Miami Hamilton Campus, 1601 University Blvd.

"We are interested in knowing how information technology will change in the years ahead and how universities can assist IT students in preparing for careers in IT," said Miami University CIT Associate Professor, Dr. Ron Harkins. "An afternoon of dialogue among area IT professionals, new hires, educators and current IT students will help us meet these objectives."

The forum's agenda includes a keynote address by a leading IT professional, presentations, and panel discussions led by industry professionals and recent IT graduates now employed in IT. A small group breakout session will also be included.

To register and receive more information on this forum or Miami University's CIT program, visit the web site www.eas.muohio.edu/cit or call (513) 727-3271. (Registration is necessary to reserve a complimentary buffet lunch.) The Harry T. Wilks Center is located at 1601 University Blvd. in Hamilton.

| BACK TO TOP |

(01/20/06)

Seven Earn Academic All-Conference Honors

The Ohio Regional Campus Conference (ORCC) has recognized seven student-athletes at Miami University Middletown as Academic All-Conference.

In women's basketball, Tara Bell of Springboro, Marianne Burgess of Carlisle and Shelby Pettus and Heather McGlothen of Monroe earned Academic All-Conference honors.

Ian Norvell of Centerville and Micah Wagner of Franklin were the honorees in men's basketball.

In women's volleyball, Christina Dyas of Springboro and Heather McGlothen of Monroe earned Academic All-Conference honors.

All of the All-Conference picks earned at least a 3.0 grade point average, with two earning perfect 4.0 averages.

"These students put in long hours at practice and at home and away games and still manage to excel academically," said MUM Athletic Director Jim Sliger. "Their energy and commitment are definitely worthy of this honor."

Other campuses in the conference are Ohio State University's Newark campus, Ohio University's Chillicothe, Lancaster, Eastern and Zanesville campuses, University of Akron - Wayne, the University of Cincinnati's Clermont campus and Miami University's Hamilton campus.

Earning Academic All-Conference Honors at Miami Middletown are: (from left) Heather McGlothen, Shelby Pettus, Marianne Burgess, Tara Bell, Ian Norvell, Micah Wagner and Christina Dyas.

| BACK TO TOP |

(01/19/06)

Prier Named Jackson Scholar

Darius Prier has been selected to be a Barbara Jackson Scholar by the Department of Educational Leadership at Miami University. This award is given by the University Council of Educational Administration, a consortium of major universities with doctoral programs in educational leadership and policy. The Barbara Jackson Scholar award seeks to create a network of graduate students of color and to provide a support system for them that will continue as they enter the profession.

Joining Miami Middletown in 2001 as Assistant Director of Admission, Prier is now Coordinator of Multicultural Affairs for the campus. His pre-college program, Future Leaders of America, exposes high school students of color to higher education opportunities. He also manages Miami Middletown's Cultural Arts Series.

Darius received a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in African-American studies, and a Masters degree in Urban Administration (MUA) from Wright State University. He is currently a doctoral student in Educational Leadership at Miami University. His research interests includes examining the impact of larger social, political, and economic structures on the ways black males make meaning of their lives, and understanding their perceptions of how they become academically disengaged in schools. In addition, his research gives focus to re-centering education around issues of equity and social justice with respect to race and class.

Originally from Middletown, Darius is married to Lucia Prier, and is the son of Elmon and Wilhelmina Prier. He and his wife now reside in Dayton.

| BACK TO TOP |

(01/18/06)

Weather Update

Classes are being held as normal on Wednesday, Jan. 18th.

The following classes are cancelled:

* ENG 111-Mary (Angie) Cooksey at 8:30 am

* ENG 111-Mary (Angie) Cooksey at 10 am

| BACK TO TOP |

(01/13/06)

Business Sampler serves up workshops on professional development

Miami University Hamilton and Miami University Middletown announce a new Business Sampler of professional development courses offered at the SEBC Workforce Academy located in West Chester.

Topics range from improving customer relations to learning to speak Spanish for retailers. Three specialized half-day workshops focusing on leadership, sales and labor relations are the first of a large number of courses available now through April.

Shaping Your Staff into Leaders will be held Friday, January 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for .4 CEU credits. Managers learn why focusing on performance and competencies separately are critical for employee development. Leave with templates to use in developing your people. Cost is $49.

Making Sales Simple will be held Friday, January 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for .4 CEU credits. This workshop is for small business owners ($100k to $20M annual sales) and sales teams with little or no in-depth sales training, or more experienced sales personnel who want a refresher on the key basics. Learn important concepts and practical uses of basic sales techniques that are proven in the real world. Cost is $49.

A Labor Relations series begins Friday, February 8, with The Foundation. The series also includes the following topics: Understanding Contracts (February 22), Settling Disputes (March 8), Union Campaigns (March 22), and the Golden Rules of Labor Relations (April 5). All workshops are held from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Cost is $95 each or $85 for 3 or more.

The SEBC Workforce Academy is located at 7617 Voice of America Centre Drive in the lower level of the People's Bank Building.

For registration and information on additional offerings, contact Miami Hamilton at 785-3131 (www.ham.muohio.edu/ce) or Miami Middletown at 727-3300 (www.mid.muohio.edu/conted/).

| BACK TO TOP |

(01/13/06)

Middletown Campus Crime Bulletin

*On January 9, 2006, Middletown campus security personnel received two reports of vechicle break-ins.

*Both break-ins occurred during the day on January 9, one in the east lot, the other in the south lot.

*Both vehicles had the lock "punched out" of one of the front doors and stereo equipment stolen from inside.

***IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT EITHER CRIMES CALL MIDDETOWN POLICE AT (513)425-7700.

***REPORT SUSICIOUS ACTIVITY ON CAMPUS BY CALLING MIAMI MIDDLETOWN SECURITY AT (513)727-3333.

| BACK TO TOP |

(01/12/06)

Oxford Campus Crime Alert

Miami University police have issued their second crime alert this week. Campus Crime Alert #3 concerns a male student who reported to Oxford police that an armed man entered his North Main Street home early in the morning, Wednesday, Jan. 11.

The earlier crime alert was issued Monday, Jan. 9, after a female student reported an armed robbery and rape at her North Campus Avenue residence.

Oxford police have issued a description of the suspect and other information in both crimes. Details of each crime are in the crime alerts on the Miami police Web site, www.muohio.edu/police.

Police presence will be enhanced on and off campus and police are reminding students to lock their doors and not walk alone. On-campus students are reminded not to allow strangers into halls.

A free nighttime Door-to-Door transport service operates until 2 a.m. M-W and until 4 a.m. Th-Sun. To request this service, students call 529-2277.

Other safety tips are listed here.

(01/11/06)

Fantastic Free Fridays Continue

Miami University Middletown's Fantastic Free Fridays will continue its sixth season on Friday, Feb. 3 with a performance at 10 a.m. by Jim McCutcheon, Guitar Man.

Multiple guitar master and Miami University faculty member McCutcheon is a talented ambassador for the instrument. As the "Guitar Man" he engages the audience with lively vocals, conversation and his entire guitar "zoo."

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 15,000 young people have had the opportunity to experience jazz and big band music, a marching band, theatre, opera, ballet and world music.

In addition to McCutcheon, the spring performances will include Same Spirit Different Movement by Illstyle and Peace Productions (12 noon on February 24), The Rabbit Hash String Band (10 a.m. on March 24) and Green Legs and Ham by Ballet Tech Ohio (10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on April 7).

A generous donation from the Bever family of Oxford is again helping to support the Fantastic Free Fridays program.

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

| BACK TO TOP |

(01/11/06)

January 21 is Scholarship Blitz Day

Miami University Middletown will host a free "Scholarship Blitz" program for potential and current students from 10 - 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21 in Johnston Hall.

Sessions will be presented on steps to apply, filing for Federal Student Aid, writing the scholarship essay and other scholarship options.

"Applying for scholarships can seem to be a daunting task, but if you break it down to a step-by-step process it really doesn't take that much time and effort," said Interim Admissions Director Diane Cantonwine. "Last year our scholarship awards ranged from $500 to nearly $5,000. If you think of the money that you might be awarded, it's worth doing."

Three out of four current Miami Middletown students receive financial aid of some kind. Miami Middletown has scholarships based on need, academics, ethnicity, major, high school attended and many other criteria.

Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. In case of inclement weather, the workshop will be postponed until January 28.

For more information on the program, call Miami Middletown's Office of Student Financial Aid at (513) 727-3216. Miami Middletown is located at 4200 E. University Blvd.

| BACK TO TOP |

(01/10/06)

Dr. Ewers to Speak at Indiana King Event

James B. Ewers Jr., Associate Dean of Student Affairs at Miami University Middletown, will give the keynote address at Dr. King's Unity Day Celebration on January 16 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Ewers topic is "King's Message of Hope, Inclusion and Respect In The New Millennium."

He has written extensively about access issues and the educational experiences of students of color and is the author of Perspectives From Where I Sit: Essays on Education, Parenting and Teen Issues. Ewers is the host of the Hawk Talk program on TV Middletown. He received special recognition from the Ohio House of Representatives for his work in the community and his commitment to diversity.

Now in its 21st year, the Unity Day Event features music, talks and health screenings. According to event organizers, it is the largest King Day Celebration in Indiana. More than 1,200 persons are expected to attend. For more information, call (800) 993-6105

| BACK TO TOP |

(01/04/06)

Online Learning CoOL at Miami Middletown

The establishment of CoOL, the Center of Online Learning at Miami University, is moving forward through the efforts of faculty and staff at Miami's Middletown, Hamilton and Oxford campuses.

Educators at Miami have been teaching online classes since the late 1990s and Middletown faculty have established themselves as leaders in these efforts. Last year it was decided that it was time to unify, centralize and organize the effort. Miami Middletown led the way by creating the Center of Online Learning, which has since been adopted by Miami as a whole.

"We want to be known for media-rich, interactive, quality online classes," said Janet Hurn, Director of the Center of Online Learning and Senior Instructor of Physics at Miami Middletown. "We want to provide what the students need, and that is quality, flexible, and convenient education."

Online classes are a valuable resource for students with scheduling conflicts, family/work commitments, disabilities or who cannot drive. They may also be helpful to students who must travel extensively for work or other reasons.

"Online courses can come in a variety of formats and may integrate a wide range of media to address various learning styles," said Andrea Han, Educational Technology Center Coordinator. "Current courses being taught online at Miami include video distributed via CD or Blackboard, asynchronous class discussions using discussion boards, online chats for office hours, interactive online learning objects, extensive group projects, even online testing and more."

"Online learning is not for every student, nor is it for every faculty member," said Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Beth Uhler, who currently teaches psychology courses online. "Students need to take more responsibility for their learning in online courses and faculty need to devote significantly more time to teach their online courses."

Course Creation Teams will help interested faculty convert their face-to-face courses to an interactive online format. These teams will include a mentor with online teaching experience, a content expert, a pedagogy expert and a technical advisor. A "Quality Matters" peer review process has been developed to insure that the courses meet Miami's high standards.

The CoOL Advisory Team currently includes: Janet Hurn, Oxford Instructional Technology Specialist Brenda Boyd, Associate Professor of Math and Statistics Dr. Amy Fisher, Education Technology Center Coordinator Andrea Han, Director of Hamilton's Nursing Resource Center Susan Reams, Engineering Technology Chair Rob Speckert, Dr. Uhler and Associate Professor of Nursing Jean Vanderbeek.

"I'm proud of the group that has formed to lead the way on this project," said Miami Middletown Interim Executive Director Kelly Cowan. "Online Learning will become increasingly important in the years to come and Miami will be there to offer a high quality choice."

Middletown online courses being offered during Spring Semester include: Physics and Society (PHY 101), Astronomy and Space Physics (PHY 111), Introduction to Psychology (PSY 111) and Applied Statistics (STA 301).

| BACK TO TOP |

(01/03/06)

Miami Middletown Resumes Normal Hours

Miami University Middletown will resume normal hours on January 2, after taking a Winter Break.

Normal hours are 9 am - 7 pm Monday through Thursday and 9 am - 5 pm on Friday.

Records and Registration, the Cashier's Office, Business Services Office and Bookstore will be open 10 am - 1 pm on Saturday, January 7. Second semester classes begin on Monday, January 9.

For more information on registering or applying to Miami Middletown, call (513) 727-3216 or visit www.mid.muohio.edu. Miami University Middletown is located at 4200 E. University Blvd.

| BACK TO TOP |

(01/02/06)

Dr. Harding to Speak on Jan. 17

Dr. Vincent G. Harding, Professor Emeritus of Religion and Social Transformation at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, will speak at Miami University Middletown at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17 in Verity Lodge. The topic will be "The Last Years of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Future of America."

Harding is known for his work in the areas of religion and social transformation. Active in the civil rights movement, he was an associate of Martin Luther King Jr., and served as the senior academic consultant to the award-winning PBS series "Eyes on the Prize." He was also the first director of the Martin Luther King Memorial Center in Atlanta. Harding earned a doctorate in history from the University of Chicago and taught at the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University and Spelman College. Among his publications are The Other American Revolution and Martin Luther King, The Inconvenient Hero.

Presently he is the co-chair of the Veterans Hope Project: A Center for the Study of Religion and Democratic Renewal.

Light refreshments will be served. This program is free and open to the public. For more information call (513)727-3353.

| BACK TO TOP |