News Archive

(04/25/07)

Barnum, Taylor Named MUM Students of the Month

Terry Barnum and Lindsey Taylor have been named Miami University Middletown's Students of the Month for December and January.

Terry Barnum, a junior communications major from Middletown, was nominated for the award for his outstanding work with Miami Middletown's Gardener-Harvey Library. In the two and a half years Barnum has worked at the library he has assisted with outreach activities and worked on several special projects.

"Terry has more than technical and procedural competency to offer," said his nominator. "He has a very affable, easy-going manner and can set anyone he interacts with at ease."

Lindsey Taylor, a junior from Camden majoring in technical study, was nominated for the award for her outstanding work with Miami Middletown's Center for Chemistry Education. She maintains a high grade point average while working in two offices on campus. She is actively involved with the campus' Model U.N. and recently returned from New York where she was a representative for Miami Middletown.

"She is quite dedicated to anything that she sets her mind on achieving and will work hard for it," said her nominator.

The Student of the Month award is given in recognition of students who make a significant contribution to the campus either in or out of the classroom.

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(04/23/07)

Three MUM Students Receive Miami President's Award

Three Miami Middletown students were the recipients of the Miami University President's Distinguished Service Award, presented in Oxford on April 15. Keith Gilland, Laura Richey and KellyTrueman all received the prestigious award, given to those students whose service to the university has been extraordinary. Only 17 students from all of Miami's campuses received the award.

Keith Gilland, a botany major from Middletown, received the award for work related to his majors of botany and environmental science, He has been involved in research projects relating to the restoration of the American chestnut tree to Ohio and has given many hours to the volunteer-operated tree nursery in Middletown. He was also part of the effort to raise funds to support the "learning lunch" initiative at Amanda Elementary School in Middletown, which includes a series of hands-on science and environmental topics presented to students during their lunch break in an effort to stimulate scientific inquiry in young children.

Laura Richey, journalism major from Middletown, has made her mark on the Miami University Middletown campus since 2005 as the Editor-In-Chief for KAOS, the Miami Middletown Student Newspaper. Her passion for inspiring creativity and freedom of speech allowed the newspaper to spring to life under her leadership. In fall 2006, she took on a demanding internship at the Middletown Journal and her byline began to appear there on a regular basis. She has volunteered as an information technology counselor at Jump Start, an after school resource for low-income students run by Miami Middletown faculty and students.

Kelly Trueman, a business major from West Chester, founded Miami Middletown's Philanthropy Club and co-founded the campus' Leadership Program for students. She is the former President of Miami University Business Leaders and is currently President of Miami University Middletown's Student Government. She was recently awarded the 2006 Angel Award by the Middletown United Way for her philanthropic leadership and commitment to raising money for Hurricane Katrina survivors, the Animal Friends Humane Society and the American Cancer Society.

(From left) Miami President David Hodge presented the Distinguished Service Award to Keith Gilland, Kelly Trueman and Laura Richey. Miami Middletown Dean Kelly Cowan assisted in the presentation.

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(04/23/07)

Tassoni, Cook Win MUM Teaching Award

John Tassoni and Sue Cook are winners of the 2007 Excellence in Teaching Award at Miami University Middletown.

Tassoni, recipient of the award for full-time faculty, joined MUM in 1994. He has taught courses in the English Department at every level from developmental education to the graduate program. In each case he has attempted to address what he describes as "the particular demands of open-admission students and broader issues relating to access and empowerment." Tassoni co-founded MUM's English 001 Studio program, which features small-group workshops in which students get help on writing assignments from other students and an experienced composition instructor. This past year he served as co-coordinator of MUM's Center for Teaching and Learning and planned a series of a half-dozen workshops built around different aspects of access and empowerment for students on the campus. A nominator for Tassoni said, "I believe it is long overdue to celebrate a faculty member who so totally embraces and embodies the many phases of our campus mission."

Cook, recipient of the award for part-time faculty, has taught in the English and Teacher Education departments at Miami Middletown for more than ten years. Her classes have included a variety of reading and writing courses, mostly at the developmental and introductory level. One of her nominators said that "she nurtures her students in a way that perhaps they've never before experienced" and Cook's highly empathetic approach to teaching has benefited many students who might otherwise be at risk in higher education. As Cook put it herself, "My students get me, the real me, and they have always responded well to that." One of her students wrote to the awards committee: "To look for someone else's well-being instead of their own, that's what Sue Cook is all about."

Faculty, staff and students submitted nominations for the Excellence in Teaching Award. The nominees were then asked to submit a statement about their teaching philosophies and practices. A committee of five faculty members who were all former winners of the award then selected the recipients. The awards will be formally presented at MUM's annual Awards Ceremony on April 27.

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(04/18/07)

Community Invited to Miami Middletown for Ice Cream Social

The community is invited to help Miami University Middletown wind up its fortieth anniversary year at an Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social from 2 - 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 22.

This free event will feature strawberry shortcake and ice cream, music from the Madison High School Steel Drum Band and ragtime pianist Randy Runyon and clowns, a magician, face painting, a cookie walk and games for the children.

Miami Middletown will also be giving away 200 trees at this event, some which are offspring of the National Champion buckeye tree that lives in Ohio.

"We wanted to say thank you to the citizens of the region for forty wonderful years," said event planner and communications instructor Janet Sauter. "And if you haven't seen our beautiful new Campus and Community Center, this would be the perfect time. Bring the kids and grandkids and stop by for a treat."

For more information visit www.mid.muohio.edu/40th/ or call (513) 727-3471.

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(04/13/07)

Miami Faculty Will Host China Tour

Faculty and staff from Miami Middletown's Center for Chemistry Education will be hosting a "Terrific Science" tour of China this summer. The two-week tour, scheduled for June 23 - July 7, 2007, will include visits to Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai. As a bonus, the group will visit schools and interact with Chinese teachers. This tour is open to college students, teachers and other adults interested in visiting China, especially those interested in science education.

If you would like more information, visit: http://www.terrificscience.org/general/studyabroad/ or at call 727-3470.

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(04/12/07)

MUM Citizens' Council Meets April 16

The Citizens' Advisory Council of Miami University Middletown will hold its regular meeting at noon on Monday, April 16. The public is invited to attend this meeting, which will be held in Room 136 of the new Campus Community Center in Johnston Hall.

The Citizen's Advisory Council is composed of 15 members from Miami Middletown's service region who serve as a channel for community interaction with the campus. The purpose of the Council is to represent the community's expectations and needs to the campus and to provide the campus with a direct means of communication to the community.

Time will be allotted for public comment. Faculty, staff and students are also encouraged to attend this meeting.

For more information on this meeting, call (513) 727-3379. Miami University Middletown is located at 4200 E. University Blvd.

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(04/12/07)

Evers to Speak at Miami Middletown

Charles Evers, brother of slain civil rights activist Medgar Evers and first black mayor of Fayette, Miss., will speak at Miami University Middletown at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 16.

Free and open to the public, this lecture is the last in the Mississippi Civil Rights Legends Series that brought James Meredith, Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss), Constance Slaughter-Harvey, Alice Scott and Dr. Beverly Hogan to Miami Middletown in February.

Evers was the first black to run for governor of Mississippi and is the author of Have No Fear, The Charles Evers Story. Evers will speak on "Forty-four Years and Counting: Where Do We Go from Here?" He will discuss the impact that Medgar Evers' death had on him and his family and will share what he has done over the years to honor his brother's legacy.

He will be joined at this event by award-winning gospel recording artist Cynthia Goodloe Palmer.

For more information call (513) 217-4002. Miami University Middletown is located at 4200 East University Blvd.

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(04/06/07)

Spring Campus Visit Set For April 26

Miami University Middletown will hold a Spring Campus Visit Day/Open House on Thursday, April 26. The visit will begin at 10:00 a.m. at Miami Middletown's Johnston Hall.

This program is for those interested in learning more about Miami University Middletown and for all accepted students. The program will open with a general session, include a tour of the campus and will conclude with the end of the year picnic.

"This will be a great day for meeting our faculty, staff, and students," said Miami Middletown Admissions Director Stacey Adams. "Come out and have a great time with us!"

This program is free and open to the public. The first 50 reservations will receive free lunch at the picnic. For more information, call the admission office at (513) 727-3216 or 1-86-MIAMI-MID (toll-free) or email mumadmission@muohio.edu. Miami Middletown is located at 4200 E. University Blvd.

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(04/04/07)

Fantastic Free Fridays Presents The Ugly Duckling

Miami University Middletown's Fantastic Free Fridays will conclude its seventh season on Friday, April 20 with10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. performances of The Ugly Duckling by Artreach Theatre.

The Ugly Duckling is based on Hans Christian Andersen's classic story that follows a poor little swan as he grows up "ugly" in a family of ducks before realizing his full potential. Recommended for grades K-3.

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.

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(04/03/07)

Miami Middletown to Host Blood Drive

Miami University Middletown will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4 in Johnston Hall. Donors must be at least 17 and 110 pounds, be in good general health and must bring a photo I.D. with their full name. For information on donor eligibility, visit www.cbccts.org, call (800) 388-4483 or email canidonate@cbccts.org. Miami Middletown is at 4200 E. University Blvd.

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(04/03/07)

Evers to Speak at Miami Middletown

Charles Evers, brother of slain civil rights activist Medgar Evers and first black mayor of Fayette, Miss., will speak at Miami University Middletown at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 16.

Free and open to the public, this lecture is the last in the Mississippi Civil Rights Legends Series that brought James Meredith, Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss), Constance Slaughter-Harvey, Alice Scott and Dr. Beverly Hogan to Miami Middletown in February.

Evers was the first black to run for governor of Mississippi and is the author of Have No Fear, The Charles Evers Story. Evers will speak on "Forty-four Years and Counting: Where Do We Go from Here?" He will discuss the impact that Medgar Evers' death had on him and his family and will share what he has done over the years to honor his brother's legacy.

He will be joined at this event by award-winning gospel recording artist Cynthia Goodloe Palmer.

For more information call (513) 217-4002.

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(04/03/07)

"Back to Our Future" is Gala's Theme

If you liked the eye-popping, burnished metal invitation, then you're going to love Miami Middletown's 40th Anniversary Gala.

The evening's official purpose is to dedicate the new Campus and Community Center, welcome Dr. Kelly Cowan as our new Dean and to celebrate the campus' 40th year of service to the people of the region.

This MUM event of the decade will be held on Saturday, April 14 in the new Campus and Community Center. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. and go until past midnight.

To say that event planners have pulled out all the stops would be an understatement. Revelers can blast to the past with Phil Dirt and the Dozers and then mellow out with Miami's own Four Pianos group.

Carillon Catering in Oxford also has some special treats in store for the evening, including sizzling caesar salad, beef crostinis, standing pork loin, a mashed potato martini bar, veggies and cheese, gourmet mini burgers and hot dogs, a dessert bar, gourmet coffees and a full bar.

Midway through the evening the dancing will stop for an auction of art donated by Miami alumni, faculty and community friends.

In keeping with the event's "Back to Our Future" theme, a DeLorean will be on display, along with some locally-owned classic cars from the '60s.

Sponsors for the evening include AK Steel, Middletown Regional Hospital, Dickerson Distributing, Pepsi Cola of Hamilton and Flowers by Roger.

Tickets are $60 for adults, $40 for faculty and staff and $20 for students. They are available at www.tickets.muohio.edu/ or from the Cashiers Office in Johnston Hall.

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(04/02/07)

Norman Ornstein to Present Casper Lecture on April 11

Norman Ornstein, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research and election analyst for CBS News, will present the Alex and Lena Casper Memorial Lecture at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 11, in the Campus and Community Center at Miami University Middletown. He will be speaking on "Balancing Power in Government and Governing."

Ornstein writes a weekly column called "Congress Inside Out" for Roll Call newspaper. He has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, and other major publications, and regularly appears on television programs like The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Nightline, and Charlie Rose.

Working to ensure that our institutions of government can be maintained in the event of a terrorist attack on Washington, Ornstein serves as senior counselor to the Continuity of Government Commission. His campaign finance working group of scholars and practitioners helped shape the major law, known as McCain/Feingold, that reformed the campaign financing system.

He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and the Campaign Legal Center and of the Board of Trustees of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society. He was elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2004.

Among his many books are The Permanent Campaign and Its Future; Intensive Care: How Congress Shapes Health Policy, both with Thomas E. Mann; and Debt and Taxes: How America Got Into Its Budget Mess and What to Do About It, with John H. Makin.

His most recent book, co-authored with Thomas E. Mann, is The Broken Branch: How Congress Is Failing America and What Can Be Done about It, published by Oxford University Press.

The annual Casper Lecture brings nationally and internationally known speakers on the American tradition to the Miami Middletown campus. The series was endowed by the late Isidor Casper, a prominent Middletown attorney and Miami alumnus, in honor of his parents, Alex and Lena Casper. Past Casper lecturers have included Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, double Nobel Prize recipient Dr. Linus Pauling, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist and Middletown native Clarence Page and Metropolitan Opera Star Beverly Sills.

The lecture is free and open to the public. Miami University Middletown is located at 4200 E. University Blvd.

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