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News Archive
October 2009
(10/29/09)
Henny Penny is MUM's Next Free FridayMiami University Middletown's Fantastic Free Fridays series continues its tenth season on Friday, Nov. 6 with 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. performances of Henny Penny by ArtReach Theatre. While seating for the 10 a.m. performance is limited, the 12:30 p.m. show has ample seating available.
Based on the original folktale, Henny Penny enjoys a day gathering acorns when one hits her on the head. She is convinced the sky is falling and that she must tell the king. This performance is recommended for grades K-4.
The series' fall schedule will conclude with the Celtic/folk Maidens IV group at 10 a.m. on Dec. 4.
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.
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(10/29/09)
Middletown Area Miami Alumni Host Wine TastingA wine tasting party and silent auction sponsored by the Middletown Area Chapter of the Miami University Alumni Association will be held at Miami's Voice of America Learning Center in West Chester at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. The evening's proceeds will support scholarships for students beginning their education on the Middletown campus but may follow them to Oxford, Hamilton or the new VOA Learning Center.
Five wines with accompanying hors d'oeuvres from the Dorothy Lane Markets of Springboro and Dayton will be served. Dorothy Lane's wine expert, Todd Templin, will provide tasters with information concerning each of the selected wines, including white, red and dessert wines.
More than twenty items will be offered in a silent auction, including an original watercolor painting of the Black (Pugh's Mill) Covered Bridge near Oxford by the late, renowned watercolorist Frank Martindell. The painting was featured in Mr. Martindell's one-man show at the Middletown Art Center in 2007. Other items range from massages and spa treatments to Miami and Reds sports memorabilia and sports gear.
Reservations may be made by calling Joanne Harper at 513-529-1451 or by following an on-line link on www.miamialum.org. The cost is $40.00 per person or $35.00 for members of the Miami University Alumni Association. You do not have to be a graduate of Miami to attend. Anyone wishing more information may contact Joanne Harper (harperjh@muohio.edu), Paula Cohen (513-423-4443) or Ellen Kukuk (513-423-1778).
The Voice of America Learning Center is located at the corner of Cox Road and VOA Park Drive in West Chester.
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(10/28/09)
MUM Memories…  | | In September 1995, pie-eating contestants (from left) Alana Burkholder, Jonah Flowers and Brian Cavanaugh were congratulated by Student Advisory Council Chairman Marc Morgan. |
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(10/28/09)
Miami Middletown Instructor Receives Award From GovernorJanet Hurn, a senior instructor in physics at Miami University Middletown, who also serves as director of the Miami University Center of Online Learning, has received one of the University System of Ohio's first Faculty Innovator Awards. These awards are given to 10 faculty members and teams recognized for work they have done to introduce digital course materials in the classroom that enrich learning and make college textbooks more affordable for their students. Hurn and other honorees were recognized by Chancellor Fingerhut and Governor Ted Strickland on Tuesday, as well as on the floor of the Ohio General Assembly.
"Making college more affordable, including leveraging technology to reduce out-of-pocket textbook costs for students, is a priority of the University System of Ohio," Chancellor Fingerhut said. "We commend the awardees for developing outstanding, affordable materials for their students and want to share their 21st century ideas and practices with others across the system."
Many awardees completely replaced printed textbooks in the classroom and made digital materials available at no cost to students. Some offered students online eTextbooks and class notes, audio recordings, music files, and video/Flash animations that are not available for purchase elsewhere. Other awardees taught students how to use the latest digital technology in the classroom, including the social bookmarking of web pages, and have taught other faculty how to use technology to innovate in their own classrooms.
As a faculty member, Hurn has been providing both video and audio recordings of course content to students, allowing them to review material as often as needed to maximize learning. Audio and video materials have also been transitioned from CD format to Web-based podcasts and vodcasts (even less expensive). Anecdotal evidence indicates that students find Hurn's videos extremely useful and, in particular, increase their understanding of the more complex concepts covered in physics. In addition to her own courses, she has assisted Miami faculty developing their digital content by offering easy-to-use tech solutions, finding low-cost options for recording digital content and encouraging faculty to work with library staff to find digital resources to supplement or replace textbooks. This not only reduces student costs but also ensures that students have access to more timely material.
"I simply love to teach and to explore new and innovative ways for my students to learn," said Hurn. "I deeply appreciate that my colleagues found me worthy of nomination and that Chancellor Fingerhut and Governor Strickland are so supportive of 21st Century higher education. It was a truly exciting experience that I wont soon forget."
 | | Miami Middletown's Janet Hurn (center) is congratulated by University System of Ohio Chancellor Eric Fingerhut and Ohio Governor Ted Strickland on receiving a Faculty Innovation Award earlier this week in Columbus |
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(10/28/09)
Middletown Area Miami Alumni Host Wine Tasting  | | The original watercolor by Frank Martindell will be auctioned at the Middletown Area Alumni Wine Tasting at the VOA Learning Center on Nov. 7. |
A wine tasting party and silent auction sponsored by the Middletown Area Chapter of the Miami University Alumni Association will be held at Miami's Voice of America Learning Center in West Chester at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. The evening's proceeds will support scholarships for students beginning their education on the Middletown campus but may follow them to Oxford, Hamilton or the new VOA Learning Center.
Five wines with accompanying hors d' oeuvres from the Dorothy Lane Markets of Springboro and Dayton will be served. Dorothy Lane's wine expert, Todd Templin, will provide tasters with information concerning each of the selected wines, including white, red and dessert wines.
More than twenty items will be offered in a silent auction, including an original watercolor painting of the Black (Pugh's Mill) Covered Bridge near Oxford by the late, renowned watercolorist Frank Martindell. The painting was featured in Mr. Martindell's one-man show at the Middletown Art Center in 2007. Other items range from massages and spa treatments to Miami and Reds sports memorabilia and sports gear.
Reservations may be made by calling Joanne Harper at 513-529-1451 or by following an on-line link on www.miamialum.org. The cost is $40.00 per person or $35.00 for members of the Miami University Alumni Association. You do not have to be a graduate of Miami to attend. Anyone wishing more information may contact Joanne Harper (harperjh@muohio.edu), Paula Cohen (513-423-4443) or Ellen Kukuk (513-423-1778).
The Voice of America Learning Center is located at the corner of Cox Road and VOA Park Drive in West Chester.
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(10/28/09)
MUM Alum is Gold Star CEOMike Rohrkemper joined Gold Star Chili in May 2008, bringing with him more than 30 years of senior-level experience, strategic leadership and financial expertise. A seamless transition into his new role was largely due to the management consulting work he did with Gold Star as a principal at Kemper & Brown Business Consultants and as a partner with the accounting firm of Rohrkemper, Ossege & Combs.
"It is an honor to hold the reins of one of Cincinnati's signature institutions that occupies such an important place in the minds and hearts of people throughout the Tri-State," he said.
Rohrkemper's strong background in finance and management also includes CFO and directorship positions at Pomeroy IT Solutions.
Rohrkemper's college career began at Ohio University but was interrupted when he was drafted after one year and joined the Marines. When he returned from the service, he took classes and met his future wife at MUM before commuting from Middletown to Oxford to finish up with a 3.7 gpa. Upon graduation from Miami, he joined Arthur Young & Company.
He is an unabashedly positive about the time he spent at Miami Middletown. "My advice to any student who is lucky enough to live in the area is to do as much as you can at Miami Middletown. It's the same Miami quality education at a much lower cost. The professors are great."
 | | Gold Star Chili CEO Michael Rohrkemper is very positive about the time he spent at Miami Middletown. |
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(10/28/09)
Chinese Acrobats Coming to Miami Middletown on Nov. 7  | | The Chinese Acrobats of Hebei will perform at Dave Finkelman Auditorium on Nov. 7.
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Miami University Middletown's Artist and Lecture Series kicks off its 2009-2010 season at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 with a must-see performance by the Chinese Acrobats of Hebei at Dave Finkelman Auditorium. This show will bring Chinese traditions, incredible acrobatics, stunning costumes, Chinese props and beautiful music.
Ranging in ages from 19 - 25 and trained from childhood in acrobatics, these performer- athletes are marvels of what the human mind and body can accomplish. Performances such as Chinese poles, hoop diving and happy chef (with plates) are based on Chinese tradition and have been handed down through generations. The strength of hand balance and stacking chairs are exciting for audiences of all ages.
Hou Chunyan, artistic director, grew up learning the art of Chinese acrobatics and was a pupil of the Nanjing Troupes world famous Lu Yi who is currently master trainer with the San Francisco School of Circus Arts. Hou left China to join Cirque du Soliel, performing in their successful shows in Las Vegas. Some of his professional credits include the Cirque du Soliel's production of "Mystere" at the Mirage Resort in Las Vegas, the United Nations Peace Summit, the premier of Disney's animated movie "Mulan" and numerous shows at the Venetian and Circus Circus in Las Vegas.
Acrobats of Hebei China are a rigorously trained, superbly skilled and highly accomplished acrobatic troupe. They are talented and disciplined athletes who have entertained the world by performing an awe-inspiring spectacle leaving audiences amazed and delighted. Performances from South Africa to the South Pacific, from Korea to the United Kingdom, and now the Acrobats of Hebei China introduce their talents to the United States.
Tickets for this performance are $35 for adults, $25 for senior citizens and Miami faculty/staff and $15 for students/youth. They are available online at www.tickets.muohio.eduor by calling (513) 727-3383. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Shriver Center box office in Oxford or from the cashier's office in Johnston Hall at Miami Middletown.
The Miami Middletown Artist and Lecture Series 2009-2010 season will continue with a Nov. 21 performance by Bluegrass legend J.D. Crowe and a Feb. 5 performance of Playhouse in the Park's "Cyrano."
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(10/28/09)
Veterans Welcomed at MUMMore than 70 veterans of the Armed Forces are now taking classes at Miami Middletown and administrators expect that number to grow thanks to increased benefits for veterans in a new GI Bill that took effect on August 1.
Army Staff Sgt. Donnie Distler is representative of many of the veterans at Miami Middletown. The 23-year-old Madison graduate (2004) served two tours in Iraq and earned the Bronze Star for zero casualties and 50 successful missions as a convoy commander. A sophomore studying computer science, Distler spends one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer with the reserves. He also works as an operations specialist at First Financial Bank.
"Everyone here at Miami Middletown has been very cooperative and understanding of the commitments that veterans have," said Distler. "I feel right at home here."
"Most veterans make exceptional students," said Microbiology Professor and former Dean Kelly Cowan. "They're very focused and involved, with a lot to contribute to the life of the campus."
Staff Sgt. Donnie Distler served two tours in Iraq. |
A sophomore at MUM, Distler says he feels right at home on campus. |
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(10/28/09)
Message from the Dean  | | Jeanne Hey |
Hello,
Welcome to the second edition of Miami University Middletown's newest outreach effort…eNews@MUM.
Since being named Miami Middletown's Interim Dean in August, I have been immersed in the life of this campus. I come to the position from the International Studies Program in Oxford, where I was Director.
I am very excited to be contributing to Miami University's regional mission, especially on the Middletown campus. I hope to assist the very able faculty and staff here as they move forward on so many fronts during the year.
I have been delighted to meet many "MUM alums" on campus and in the community. I invite you to come to campus to attend a ThunderHawks sporting event, Artist and Lecture Series program or simply to visit. MUM is at its loveliest this time of year!
Jeanne Hey,
Interim Dean, Miami University Middletown
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(10/26/09)
Holocaust Survivor to Lecture on Nov. 3"Holocaust Survivor Memories," a lecture by Werner Coppel of Cincinnati, will be presented at Miami University Middletown at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3 in Johnston Hall Room 142. This lecture is free and open to the public.
Coppel was eight years old when Hitler came to power. He survived Neuendorf labor camp near Berlin, Auschwitz death camp in Poland and death marches to Germany near the end of the war. He moved to Cincinnati in 1949 to join his wife's family. Dedicating his life to Holocaust education, Coppel has lectured constantly on the subject for 25 years. He was one of the founders of the Holocaust and Humanity Education Center at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati and was instrumental in the development of the Bombing of Auschwitz project.
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(10/23/09)
Middletown Downtown Redevelopment Forums ScheduledThe Miami Middletown Community Building Institute (CBI) will hold public forums on Wednesday, Oct. 28, repeating on Thursday, Nov. 5, to present a strategic plan for redevelopment of downtown Middletown that was developed by Woolpert Associates.
This plan was commissioned by the City of Middletown with the support and input of a group of downtown stakeholders. The final report will be presented by a representative from Woolpert.
The City of Middletown, Middletown Community Foundation and the downtown stakeholders group have asked Miami Middletown's CBI to lead the process from this point on -- beginning with presenting the plan and gathering input and reactions from the community, helping to identify priorities and connecting the goals of the plan with the people and resources who will carry them out.
Both forums will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Campus and Community Center at Miami University Middletown.
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(10/19/09)
Chinese Acrobats Coming to Miami Middletown
Miami University Middletown's Artist and Lecture Series kicks off its 2009-2010 season at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 with a must-see performance by the Acrobats of Hebei China at Dave Finkelman Auditorium. This show will bring Chinese traditions, incredible acrobatics, stunning costumes, Chinese props and beautiful music.
Ranging in ages from 19 - 25 and trained from childhood in acrobatics, these performer- athletes are marvels of what the human mind and body can accomplish. Performances such as Chinese poles, hoop diving and happy chef (with plates) are based on Chinese tradition and have been handed down through generations. The strength of hand balance and stacking chairs are exciting for audiences of all ages.
Hou Chunyan, artistic director, grew up learning the art of Chinese acrobatics and was a pupil of the Nanjing Troupes world famous Lu Yi who is currently master trainer with the San Francisco School of Circus Arts. Hou left China to join Cirque du Soliel, performing in their successful shows in Las Vegas. Some of his professional credits include the Cirque du Soliel's production of "Mystere" at the Mirage Resort in Las Vegas, the United Nations Peace Summit, the premier of Disney's animated movie "Mulan" and numerous shows at the Venetian and Circus Circus in Las Vegas.
Acrobats of Hebei China are a rigorously trained, superbly skilled and highly accomplished acrobatic troupe. They are talented and disciplined athletes who have entertained the world by performing an awe-inspiring spectacle leaving audiences amazed and delighted. Performances from South Africa to the South Pacific, from Korea to the United Kingdom, and now the Acrobats of Hebei China introduce their talents to the United States.
Tickets for this performance are $35 for adults, $25 for senior citizens and Miami faculty/staff and $15 for students/youth. They are available online at www.tickets.muohio.edu or by calling (513) 727-3383. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Shriver Center box office in Oxford or from the cashier's office in Johnston Hall at Miami Middletown.
The Miami Middletown Artist and Lecture Series 2009-2010 season will also include bluegrass and country music, comedy, a lecture and theatre. Miami University Middletown is located at 4200 E. University Blvd.
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(10/07/09)
Fantastic Free Fridays Continue with the Miami University Steel BandMiami University Middletown's Fantastic Free Fridays series continues its tenth season on Friday, October 23 with a performance at 10 a.m. by the Miami University Steel Band.
Under the direction of Chris Tanner, the Miami University Steel Band has been propelled onto the world stage with its ever-expanding repertory. This performance is recommended for all ages.
Other Fantastic Free Fridays fall performances are: Henny Penny by Artreach Theatre (10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on November 6) and Maidens IV (10 a.m. on December 4).
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.
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(10/06/09)
Miami Middletown Downtown October Events ScheduledIn October, Miami Middletown Downtown will host a writing group and an open mic night. Both events are free and open to the public.
On Saturday, October 24, the Illuminati Writing Group will meet at 2 p.m. This casual writing and workshopping 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. New attendees must RSVP to Michelle Lawrence at illuminati@muohio.edu.
On Saturday, October 24, the monthly open mic night will be held from 8 - 10 p.m. All ages, experience levels and types of performers (singers, musicians, writers, actors, etc.) are encouraged to join the fun. For more information, contact Kip Moore at wmoore@coxohio.com.
Located at 4 North Main Street, 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.
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(10/02/09)
MUM Hosts Campus Visit on October 20Miami University Middletown will host a Campus Visit Program focused on "Making Undergraduates Magnificent" at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20 in the Campus Community Center.
The evening will feature presentations on admission, financial aid/scholarships, information on college majors at Miami and an overview of the application process. Current Miami Middletown students will host a question and answer session and will serve as tour guides for those wishing to take a brief tour of the campus.
Anyone wishing to apply for admission for Spring 2010 may do so at this program by bringing a high school transcript, GED or current college transcript and the $35 application fee.
Campus Visit Programs for the remainder of 2009 are scheduled for Nov. 10 and Dec. 8, both at 5 p.m.
Check-in will begin at 4:45 p.m. followed by light refreshments. All are welcome at this event and reservations are encouraged. For more information or to register, call the admission office at (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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