News Archive

(08/27/08)

Miami Middletown Downtown September Events Scheduled

In September, Miami Middletown Downtown will present a slate of events that includes music, book club, chess club and writing group. All events are free and open to the public. Miami Middletown Downtown is located at 4 North Main Street, former home of the Masonic Temple, in Middletown.

On Thursday, September 11, the Chess Club will meet at 7 p.m. If you have ever wanted to learn the game of chess, help others learn, or meet and play with other chess enthusiasts, then the All the King's Men Chess Club is for you! All the King's Men chess club is open to anyone eight years old and up, any gender, and any experience level. As a part of this regularly meeting club, you will learn the fundamentals of chess through game-playing and discussion, and participate in chess tournaments. Stop by to see what we're all about, make new friends, and learn about the fascinating game of chess in a relaxed, informal environment! For more information, contact Rees Benty at bentym@muohio.edu.

On Wednesday, September 17, the Booking It! Non-Fiction Book Conversations group will meet at 5 p.m. to discuss John S. Friedman's Out of the Blue: A History of Lightning: Science, Superstition, and Amazing Stories of Survival. The odds of being hit by lightning each year are only about 1 in 750,000 in the United States, however this rare phenomenon has inspired both fear and fascination for thousands of years. Friedman has blended a vibrant history with riveting first-hand accounts of those who have clashed with lightning and lived to tell about it. Out of the Blue takes the reader on an extraordinary journey that explores our awe and dread in the face of one of nature's most fearsome spectacles. As entertaining as it is informative, it is a book for outdoor adventurers, sports enthusiasts, science and weather buffs, nature lovers, and anyone who has ever been awed or frightened by the sight of lightning. For more information, contact Barbara Roberts at (513) 727-3337.

On Saturday, September 20, the Illuminati Writing Group will meet at 2 p.m. This casual writing and work-shopping group is for all levels and genres of writing. Peer critique and writing exercises will help you polish your craft while having fun with other local writers. For more information, contact Michelle Lawrence at illuminati@muohio.edu.

On Tuesday, September 23, Ed and Debbie Simpkins will be featured during a music hour at 7 p.m. Drawing on traditional folk music of Appalachian culture, the Simpkins perform original songs using guitar, banjo, harmonica, dulcimer and voice. They have been performing for nearly 30 years at venues across the country, and have recorded seven albums together. For more information, contact Gary Drigel at (513) 727-3237.

Miami Middletown Downtown is a multipurpose activity center designed to bring the campus and community together by providing flexible space for workshops, lectures, seminars, meetings, cultural events and more. For more information on any of these events or other upcoming events at Miami Middletown Downtown call (513) 727-3200 or log onto www.mid.muohio.edu/community.

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(08/22/08)

Terrific Science leader receives award for lifelong science outreach

Mickey Sarquis, a Miami University professor of chemistry and biochemistry, received the 2008 Helen M. Free Award for Public Outreach on Aug. 19 at the American Chemical Society's national meeting in Philadelphia.

By bringing to life mottos such as "When you capture a teacher, you capture a generation," and "Chemistry is for everyone," Sarquis created award-winning Terrific Science programming within the Center for Chemistry Education. Over the past 25 years, more than 21,500 kindergarten through college educators within the U.S. have participated in Terrific Science courses. Her pioneering efforts in professional development and resource publication for teachers have become national and international models. A strong proponent of active learning, Sarquis has forged enduring partnerships between academia and industry to build fun, engaging, and relevant experiences for children and teachers of all ages. She has published more than 60 books (including the popular Teaching Science with Toys series) and is a widely traveled guest lecturer and tour speaker.

For her efforts, Sarquis has been awarded the national Chemical Manufacturers Association Catalyst Award and The Ohio Academy of Science Outstanding University Educator Award. She has also been awarded more than $15 million in grant funds from federal, state, and numerous industrial sources. Within ACS, she has held positions as Chair of the Division of Chemical Education and consultant to the ACS Committee of Education, and she was the first high school editor of the Journal of Chemical Education (1979 - 96).

The Helen M. Free Award was established in 1995 to recognize outstanding achievements in public outreach. A former president of the ACS, Dr. Free initiated many programs and activities designed to improve the public's awareness of chemistry's contributions to the quality of daily life.

Helen Free (left) presents the Center for Chemistry Education's Mickey Sarquis with the Free Award for Public Outreach at the American Chemical Society's national meeting.

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(08/22/08)

MUM Hosting Art by Andrew Martin

"Plainsights II," an exhibition by artist Andrew Martin, appears in the Campus and Community Center Galleria at Miami University Middletown until October 23. A lecture by the artist will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 23, with a closing reception to follow at 6 p.m., both in the Campus Community Center.

Martin's work features acrylics and colored pencil on masonite and wood, as well as pigment, conté and charcoal on paper.

Martin has a B.F.A. in drawing and painting from the University of New Mexico and an M.F.A. in painting from the University of California. His work has been shown widely in California, Ohio and Texas. He has had numerous two-and three-person exhibitions, and received ten awards in over 65 juried and invitational group exhibitions across the United States, including the Fifteenth Annual Greater Midwest Invitational Exhibition, and the San Diego Art Institute 41st Annual International Juried Exhibition. Martin is an Associate Professor of Art at Texas Tech University.

Free and open to the public, this exhibition is open from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

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(08/19/08)

Terrific Science Press receives award for student handbook series

Miami University's Terrific Science Press was selected as a winner in the 15th annual National Health Information Awards. This program recognizes the nation's best consumer health information programs and materials. The Strive to Thrive! series of student handbooks received a Gold Award for Health Promotion/Disease and Injury Prevention Information.

The Strive to Thrive! Series, of teen-friendly, magazine-style activity books challenges teens to explore important and timely health science issues that they confront in their daily lives. The books are ideal for after-school science clubs or as a real-life addition to the classroom curriculum. Each title features hands-on activities (using readily available materials), magazine-style readings, thought-provoking questions, and games and puzzles. Plus, the companion website at www.terrificscience.org/thrive/ offers free games, puzzles, and opportunities to learn more about each topic.

The series is co-authored by Susan Gertz, Susan Hershberger, and Lynn Hogue, all of the Miami University Center for Chemistry Education. Mickey Sarquis, Director of the Center for Chemistry Education, is the series editor. Titles in the series include Lather Up! Handwashing Activity Handbook; Wet Your Whistle! Drinking Water Activity Handbook; More Than Skin Deep! Skin Health Activity Handbook; Safe Not Sorry! Chemical Safety Activity Handbook; and Breathing Room! Indoor Pollution Activity Handbook. To view details about the books, including links to the National Science Education Standards, and to order visit www.terrificscience.org/bookstore.

Terrific Science Press is the not-for-profit small publishing arm of the Center for Chemistry Education.

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(08/18/08)

Public Welcomed to Miami Middletown Convocation

Miami University Middletown's Opening Convocation for the 2008-2009 academic year will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 2 at noon in the Campus and Community Center.

Speaker for this year's convocation is Dr. Eric Melbye, Associate Professor of English. He was the recipient of the Greater Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and Universities' Excellence in Teaching Award for full-time faculty at Miami Middletown for the 2007-2008 academic year. Melbye serves as the Director of the Campus-Community Connection and the Miami Middletown Downtown facility. He is also the editor of Segue, an online literary journal and educational site, and faculty advisor for Illuminati, MUM's award-winning student literary journal. A writer himself, Eric published his first novel, Tru, in 2007.

Convocation represents a very old tradition in higher education where members of the academic community join together to celebrate the beginning of the new year and to especially welcome their newest members.

This event is free and the public is welcome to attend. For more information, call (513) 727-3200. Miami Middletown is located at 4200 E. University Blvd.

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(08/12/08)

Office Hours Extended

Miami University Middletown's Admission, Cashiers, Financial Aid and Records and Registration offices, as well as its Bookstore, have adopted extended hours in advance of the start of fall classes on Monday, August 25.

Beginning August 18 the offices and Bookstore will be open 8:00 a.m. - 7:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, the offices and Bookstore will be open 8:00 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Bookstore, Records and Registration, Business Services and Cashiers offices will also be open from 9:00 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 23.

For more information on enrolling at Miami Middletown call (513) 727-3216 or 1-86-MIAMI-MID toll-free or email mumadmission@muohio.edu. Miami University Middletown is located at 4200 E. University Blvd.

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(08/07/08)

Thirteen Receive Miami Middletown Scholar Incentive Awards

Miami University Middletown has announced that thirteen area high school graduates will receive Scholar Incentive Awards for 2008. The Scholar Incentive program provides a $1,150 scholarship to one newly admitted student from each of thirteen area high schools. The student with the highest GPA among those admitted to Miami Middletown from each school automatically receives the award.

Recipients of the 2008-2009 Scholar Incentive Awards are:

Brittany Nicole Bowermaster, daughter of John Banks of Middletown and Amy Shearer of Franklin. Brittany graduated from Carlisle High School where she was a member of CERA. She received the AAUW Scholarship and a French Award. Brittany is an active member in her youth group.

Aaron Carberry, son of Chris and Bonnie Carberry of Franklin. Aaron graduated cum laude from Madison High School where he was President of the Guitar Club and Vice-President of the Art Club. He is a Youth Group Worship Leader and a Sunday school teacher at the Vineyard Community Church in Franklin. He has participated in the Vineyard Tech Team. Aaron received the Humanitarian Award, Art Award, Business Award, the Arthur Harvey Scholarship and the Harry A. Finkelman Scholarship.

Casey Detro, daughter of Dale and Cindy Detro of Franklin. Casey graduated from Franklin High School where she was a member of the Spanish Club, SADD, National Honor Society and Teens for Christ. She received the Middletown Community Book Scholarship, Franklin Education Association Scholarship, DAR Good Citizen Award, Youth Volunteer of the Year and the Franklin-Carlisle Rotary Club Outstanding Female Citizen Award.

Ryan Anthony Gaston, son of David and Beth Gaston of Middletown. Ryan graduated from Bishop Fenwick High School where he was Senior Captain of the Varsity Soccer team, a member of Hi-Y/Youth in Government, Key Club, Spanish Club, and the John XXIII Latch Key program. He received the Marianne Dorenbusch Scholarship from the Middletown Community Foundation, Wright State Raider Scholar Scholarship, State Board of Education Award of Merit, UD Dean's Merit Scholarship and the Thomas More Dean's Scholarship.

Rachel Holderby, daughter of Martin and Dreama Holderby of Monroe. Rachel graduated from Monroe High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society, Women's Varsity Track, and a student athletic trainer's aide. Kimberly received the Monroe Area Optimist Club Scholarship and the John MacDonald Insurance Inc. Scholarship.

Halley Renée Lucas, daughter of Kenneth and Robin Lucas of Trenton. Halley graduated from Edgewood High School where she was an Honor Graduate and a member of the National Honor Society, German Honor Society and DECA Vice-President. Halley received an Honors Diploma, the National Marketing Education Award, Award of Merit, FCCLA Power of One Award, Sinclair Tech Prep Scholarship, Wright State Scholarship, IUE-CWA Union Scholarship and the Ohio Dominican University Scholarship.

Joshua Lucas, son of Roy and Ruth Lucas of Camden. Joshua graduated from Preble Shawnee High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council; he received five Varsity Letters for his team leadership in basketball, tennis, soccer, golf and football. Joshua was awarded the BF & Kathleen OHO Scholarship, Vancrest Nursing Home Scholarship, Jill Taylor Memorial Scholarship, PSHS Student Senate Scholarship, PSHS National Honor Society Scholarship, Anthony Muñoz Leadership Conference Designee, Rotary Honor Scholar Designee and Preble County Honor Scholar for four consecutive years. He participated in Future Farmers of America and Somers Super Beef Club.

Amanda Suzanne Milleson, daughter of Keith and Carrie Milleson of Germantown. Amanda graduated as valedictorian from Valley View High School where she was a member of the choir, Interact Service Club, Project Charlie Leadership Program and Spanish Club. She received the Germantown Lion's Club Outstanding Music Award.

David Elias Miller, son of Randy and Melissa Miller of Mason. David graduated magna cum laude from William Mason High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Club and Marching Band.

Matthew A. Randles, son of John and Tammy Randles of Springboro. Matthew graduated from Springboro High School.

Aaron Blaine Smith, son of Randall and Jennifer Smith of West Chester. Aaron graduated from Lakota East High School where he was a member of the High Honor Roll, an ROTC Honoree and participated in the Global Youth Leadership Conference. He plays lead guitar for the rock band "Graveyard Hollywood."

Devin Terry, daughter of William and Teresa Terry of Lebanon. Devin graduated from Lebanon High School where she was a member of the golf team and jazz band. She received the Wednesday's Couples' Golf League Scholarship and the Ronald K. Lefeber Memorial Scholarship.

Kayla Williams, daughter of Steve and Verna Williams of Middletown. Kayla graduated from Middletown High School where she was Vice-President of Cooperative Business Education. She graduated with honors and ranked in the top ten of her class.

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(08/06/08)

Miami Middletown Downtown August Events Scheduled

In August, Miami Middletown Downtown will present a slate of events that includes a book club, career help and a writing group. All events are free and open to the public. Miami Middletown Downtown is located at 4 North Main Street, former home of the Masonic Temple, in Middletown.

On Tuesday, August 19, the Booking It! Non-Fiction Book Conversations group will meet at 6 p.m. to discuss Bertie Bowman's Step By Step: A Memoir of Hope, Friendship, Perseverance, and Living the American Dream. A great American story of an ordinary man who is living an extraordinary life, Step by Step is the inspiring personal account of Bertie Bowman's remarkable rise from farmer's son in the Jim Crow South to hearing coordinator for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the U.S. Capitol.

On Thursday, August 21, a "career changers" session will begin at 7 p.m. For those on the job hunt or thinking about changing careers, these seminars focus on a variety of useful topics, from finding your career path to job hunting to developing interviewing skills.

On Saturday, August 23, the Illuminati Writing Group will meet from 2- 4 p.m. This casual writing and work-shopping group is for all levels and genres of writing. Peer critique and writing exercises will help you polish your craft while having fun with other local writers.

Miami Middletown Downtown is a multipurpose activity center designed to bring the campus and community together by providing flexible space for workshops, lectures, seminars, meetings, cultural events and more. For more information on any of these events or other upcoming events at Miami Middletown Downtown call (513) 727-3200 or log onto www.mid.muohio.edu/community.

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(08/05/08)

Middletown Miami Alumni Chapter Offers Book Awards for Fall

The Middletown Chapter of Miami University's Alumni Association is making available book scholarships for entering students enrolling on Miami's Hamilton, Oxford or Middletown campuses this fall.

As with the Chapter's annual scholarship, these book awards are available to students who graduated from one of the following area high schools: Butler Tech, Carlisle, Edgewood, Fenwick, Franklin, Lakota East, Lakota West, Lebanon, Little Miami, Mason, Middletown, Middletown Christian, Monroe, Springboro, Preble Shawnee, Warren County Career Center and Waynesville.

Application forms are available online at www.mid.muohio.edu/admission/scholarships.cfm and are also available at the Financial Aid office at Miami Middletown. Applications must be received by Friday, August 15.

For more information contact Stacey Adams at adamssd@muohio.edu or 513-727-3216.

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(08/05/08)

Miami Middletown Downtown to Hold Book Discussion on August 19

Miami Middletown Downtown's Booking It! Non-Fiction Book Conversations group will meet at 6 p.m. on August 19 to discuss Step By Step: A Memoir of Hope, Friendship, Perseverance, and Living the American Dream by Bertie Bowman.

Bowman tells the story of his inspiring personal journey from being a farmer's son in the Jim Crow South to becoming hearing coordinator for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the U.S. Capitol.

As a poor, impressionable thirteen-year-old and the fifth of fourteen siblings, Bowman heard South Carolina Senator Burnet Maybank declare: "If you all ever get up to Washington, D.C., drop by and see me!" Follow the journey, sixty years in the making, which this speech inspired.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact (513) 727-3200. Miami Middletown Downtown is located at 4 North Main Street, with parking available behind the building.

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(08/05/08)

Entertainment Activities Scheduled for Start of Fall Semester

Again it is time to the hit the books, but let us find the time to have a bit of fun too.

Monday August 25:

Legacy CD - Multimedia Recording Booth & United Voices of Middletown Auditions:
10 am - 3 pm, Performance Area, Campus Community Center
Pick out a song and sing it karaoke style. We will record both audio and video and give you a take home keepsake that you will enjoy for years to come. While you are having the time of your life, try out for Middletown's hottest campus/community choir, the United Voices of Middletown.

Fresh Popped Popcorn & Pictures with "Flash," MUM's ThunderHawk Mascot (based on availability).
11 am - 1 pm, Lobby, Johnston Hall

Tuesday August 26:

Ultimate Game Zone:
10 am - 3 pm, Performance Area, Campus Community Center
The ultimate video game experience played on the largest screens, the most gaming consoles, (X-Box, X-Box 360, Wii) the most games, and the best sound systems.

Other activities include: Freshly Spun Cotton Candy & Pictures with "Flash."

Wednesday August 27:

Wacky Hat Wednesday - Wear your favorite "Wacky Hat." If you are spotted you could win a prize (while supplies last).
11 am - 1 pm, Performance Area, Campus Community Center

Other activities include: Popcorn & Cotton Candy Give-A-Way, Pictures with "Flash," and a Corn Hole Tournament.
(Sign up in the Student Affairs Office, RM 135 Johnston Hall).

Spaaaah to Offer 10 Minute Chair Massage Free for Faculty and Staff only
11 am - 1 pm, RM 142, Campus Community Center.
(Only 30 spots available, sign up in the Student Affairs Office, RM 135 Johnston Hall or call 7-3233 by 10 am on Wednesday, August 27 ). Spaaaah will be offering muscle tension scans to see where you are holding stress.

Thursday August 28:

Kick-Off Picnic - Campus Wide Picnic Featuring: Caricature Drawings - Dennis Porter, the Band - True Believers, Corn Hole, Pop Corn, Prize Give-A-Ways, Food & Fun!
11 am - 1 pm, Quad Area

Friday August 29:

Fanatic Fan Friday - Show your support for your favorite sports team with hats, jerseys, T-shirts & etc.)
11 am - 1 pm, Performance Area, Campus Community Center

Other activities include: Popcorn Give-A-Way, Pictures with "Flash", Corn Hole Games and Give-A-Ways.

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(08/04/08)

Miami Middletown to Host FAFSA Friday on August 15

Students who have been admitted to Miami University Middletown but who have not yet filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are invited to come to campus on Friday, Aug. 15 to participate in a work session designed to help them begin the FAFSA application process.

The session will be held from 1 - 3 p.m. in the computer lab in Johnston Hall Room 15. Counselors will be on hand to answer questions and assist those in attendance.

Participants are asked to bring their most recent federal tax return, Social Security Card, banking and asset information and any documents relating to any Federal or State benefits that they are currently receiving.

Filing the FAFSA is required to be considered for most federal and state financial aid. For more information, call (513) 727-3200.

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(08/01/08)

Middletown students unaffected by MU security breach

Recent news reports have described the efforts Miami University is taking to ensure the integrity of incoming student information after university-issued ID numbers for a large portion of the freshman class were accidentally included in a series of e-mails.

No Miami Middletown student records were involved in this incident, and no information involving incoming MUM students was part of the security breach.

The incident involved first-year students who enrolled on the Oxford campus. The university knows of no improper use of the accidentally released information, but is replacing the ID numbers for all those students as a precaution.

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