Below are a variety of items about upcoming events and other news notes on the campus of Youngstown State University:

• YSU grad, award–winning journalist returns to campus
• SMARTS features Yambar’s ‘Itsi Kitsi’ cartoon paintings
• District Science Day is Saturday in Beeghly Center
• University Theater’s ‘Miss Julie’ opens this weekend
• YSU presents ‘What to Wear to Interviews’ seminar
• Dana Flute Festival features guest recital and master class
• Social Work presents ‘Strengths Based’ conference

Calendar
Monday, March 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The American Red Cross holds a blood drive, sponsored by the Department of Health Professions, in Cushwa Hall Atrium, Room 1103.

Tuesday, March 24. YSU alumnus and respected saxophonist Ralph Lalama will perform as the guest artist for the annual Leonardi Legacy Series Concert at the Youngstown Club, 201 East Commerce Street, in downtown Youngstown. The pre–concert reception starts at 6:30 p.m., followed by the concert at 8 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by calling 330–941–3105 or visiting the first floor Bliss Hall Box Office at YSU.

Tuesday, March 24, noon. YSU’s women’s tennis team starts a busy week in a match against Duquesne at the Boardman Tennis Center. The women also play 6 p.m. Friday, March 27 against Cleveland State and 8 a.m. Sunday, March 29 against Valparaiso, also at Boardman Tennis Center.

Monday, March 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. YSU students who are undecided about their majors or thinking about changing their majors are invited to attend the Majors Exploration Fair in the Chestnut Room of Kilcawley Center.

Monday, March 23, 1:30 p.m. “What Not To Wear And What To Wear to Interviews and Beyond: Fashion and Feedback” will be conducted by the YSU Office of Career and Counseling Services noon to in the Ohio Room of Kilcawley Center. See News Brief below.

Wednesday, March 25, noon. Hallie Liberto of the University of Wisconsin talks about “Prostitution and Alienation of Sexual Rights” in the Jones Room of Kilcawley Center, as part of Women’s History Month.

Wednesday, March 25, 12:15 p.m. A Musical Theater Recital, directed by Nancy Wolfgang, is featured in a Music at Noon concert in the Butler Institute of American Art

Wednesday, March 25, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. YSU softball squad takes on Morehead State in a doubleheader at McCune Park.

Wednesday, March 25, 8:00 p.m. The Dana School of Music Guitar Ensemble performs a recital, under the direction of Francois Fowler, in Bliss Recital Hall on the YSU campus.

Thursday, March 26, 5 p.m. Hallie Liberto of the University of Wisconsin talks about “The Ethics of Polyamorous Marriage” in the Presidential Suite of Kilcawley Center, as part of Women’s History Month.

Thursday, March 26, 7 p.m. The YSU Poetry Center and Etruscan Press announce a publication reading in celebration of a new book, “Synergos: Selected Poems of  Roberto Manzano,” translated by YSU Professor Steven Reese. The reading in the Gallery in Kilcawley Center will feature Spanish and English readers. Co–sponsored by the Bates–Manzano Fund.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 26, 27, 28 and 29. University Theater presents the tragic drama, Miss Julie, in Bliss Hall’s Spotlight Arena Theater. See News Brief below.

Thursday, March 26, 7:30 p.m. Craig Duff, an award–winning broadcast journalist and director of multimedia for TIME.com, gives a presentation of his work and teaching in McKay Auditorium in the Beeghly College of Education. See News Brief below.

Thursday, March 26, 8 p.m. YSU Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Glenn Schaft and Tetsuya Takeno, performs at Butler North. Also featured will be a Group Improvisation featuring YSU students. Free.

Friday and Saturday, March 27 and 28. Mathematicians and researchers from Russia, Austria and Poland will be among the invited speakers in YSU’s Kilcawley Center for an International Symposium on Topology and Abstract Analysis, sponsored by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Keynote speaker for the two–day symposium is Alexander Arhangelskii, a distinguished mathematics professor and researcher from Ohio University and Moscow University. For more information, visit http://www.math.ysu.edu/~math/Conferences/TopologyConWeb.html, or call 330–941–2257.

Friday, March 27, 5 p.m. Screening of the film “When Two Won''t Do” in DeBartolo Hall auditorium, as part of Women’s History Month.

Friday, March 27, 8 p.m. Guest artist Andrew Mah performs a concert in Bliss Recital Hall on the YSU campus. Hailed as “one of the most brilliant guitarists of the new generation,” Mah is widely regarded for his virtuosity, versatility and musicality. He is also scheduled to conduct a master class 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 28, in Bliss Hall Room 2222.

Friday, March 27, 8 pm, and Saturday, March 28, 8 p.m. YSU’s Ward Beecher Planetarium presents “Telescopes — A View to the Universe. This live presentation will look into the 400 years of the instrument that has helped transform our view of the universe — the telescope. YSU astronomer Pat Durrell will show images of the current state–of–the–art astronomical facilities in both space (including the Hubble Space Telescope) and on the ground, and also will look forward to the future of the telescope.

Saturday, March 28, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hundreds of elementary, middle and high school students from throughout Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties will participate in the 2009 Lake–to–River District Science Day in Beeghly Center. See News Brief below.

March 28, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Young women in grades 6 through 12 will learn about career opportunities in science and technology at the 12^th annual Women in Science and Engineering Career Workshop on the YSU campus. For more information, contact Diana Fagan, YSU associate professor of biological sciences, at 330–941–1554.

March 28, 10 am to 1 pm. Ray Beiersdorfer, professor of geology at YSU, presents “Dr. Ray’s Amazing Sideshow of Science” in Ward Beecher Planetarium on the YSU campus. Beiersdorfer said the presentation aims “to entertain, educate, and just plain amaze&with high–voltage, low–temperature, faster–than–the–blink–of–an–eye feats that must be seen to be believed. Science facts and carnival flair meet head–on. Warning: occasionally volunteers from the audience may be needed.” The show runs continuously.

Saturday, March 28, 7 to 10 p.m. The Masquerade Bash, a semi–formal dance, will be held in the DeBartolo Stadium Club, sponsored by the YSU Residence Hall Association and Penguin Productions. Tickets are $10 for singles and $15 for couples and include a complimentary mask and food. Two dollars from every ticket will be donated to the Youngstown Boys and Girls Club. For groups of ten or more, tickets are $5 each. For more information, contact Daniel DeMaiolo at djdemaiolo@student.ysu.edu.

YSU grad, award–winning journalist returns to campus

Youngstown State University graduate Craig Duff, an award–winning broadcast journalist and director of multimedia for TIME.com, gives a presentation of his work and teaching 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, in McKay Auditorium in the Beeghly College of Education on the campus of YSU.

At TIME.com, Duff oversees video and podcasts, trains reporters in the use of video, and produces his own work as the magazine expands its online offerings. 

In spring 2008, Duff was a Ferris Professor of Journalism in residence at Princeton University, where he taught a seminar on multi–platform journalism. He spent the previous year in Egypt, where he served as a Knight International Journalism Fellow at the Center for Electronic Journalism at the American University in Cairo. Prior to the fellowship and during his academic appointments, Duff worked with the The New York Times as the paper ventures into broadcast journalism through the expanded use of video on its website.

Duff will also lead two, day–long hands–on workshops where he will teach the basics of multimedia reporting. Workshop participants will shoot and edit video, talk about how to develop stories and learn what it takes to capture audiences.

Duff’s visit to YSU is sponsored by the Center for Working Class Studies and the journalism program.

SMARTS features Yambar’s ‘Itsi Kitsi’ cartoon paintings

This spring it will be raining cats and beatniks at the SMARTS Center Gallery in downtown Youngstown.

Through May 9, nationally acclaimed neo–pop artist and cartoonist Chris Yambar will bring his signature brand of over–the–top entertainment to the gallery with 20 new paintings featuring his characters Mr. Beat and Itsi Kitsi — Happy Adventure Cat.

A special artist reception for Yambar will be held 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 1. The reception will include special event–only items created to commemorate the anniversaries of his two characters — Mr. Beat, who will be celebrating his 15^th year as an international comic icon, and Itsi Kitsi — Happy Adventure Cat, who will be enjoying her 9^th birthday. Refreshments will be served and party hats will be provided.

A creative coloring and drawing contest will be held for young children during the exhibit. Contest winners will have their images included on a limited–edition print, which will be revealed when the show closes on May 9.

Yambar, a native of Youngstown, is a well–traveled national art celebrity who has created more than 2,100 painted images. He has work in more than 100 celebrity collections in eight countries. His comic book credits include titles as Bart Simpson Comics, I Dream of Jeannie, Mr. Magoo, and Radioactive Man.

Yambar is the recipient of the 1999 Big Ameba Award for Best Independent Comic Writer and Publisher and Cinescape magazine’s 2003 Best Science Fiction Comic Writer. In 1999, Yambar’s character Mr. Beat took top honors among comic convention fans for Best Independent Comic Character. In 2004, Itsi Kitsi and her comic, Meow Wow!, was featured in Time and The Sun tabloid. That same year, Yambar co–wrote with rock stars Alice Cooper and Gene Simmons of KISS for the landmark Treehouse of Horror title for Simpson’s publisher Bongo Comics.

Yambar can be reached for interviews concerning this exhibit and his career by calling 330–506–1991.

The SMARTS Center is located at 258 Federal Plaza West in downtown Youngstown, adjacent to the DeYor Performing Arts Center. Gallery hours are Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

SMARTS – Students Motivated by the Arts is an arts education program at Youngstown State University’s College of Fine and Performing Arts and Beeghly College of Education. For more information, call 330–941–ARTS or visit www.fpa.ysu.edu/smarts.

District Science Day is Saturday in Beeghly Center
Hundreds of elementary, middle and high school students from throughout Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties will participate in the 2009 Lake–to–River District Science Day 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, March 28 in Beeghly Center on the Youngstown State University campus.

Public viewing of all exhibits will be noon to 3 p.m., with an awards ceremony at 3 p.m.

More than 400 students, parents and friends will be on campus, with students from 5th through 12th grades competing for awards and prizes in 13 areas: behavioral sciences, biochemistry, botany, chemistry, computer science, earth and space sciences, engineering, environmental sciences, mathematics, medicine and health, microbiology, physics, zoology.  

Many of the prizes are from various commercial and educational institutions organized by Rhonda Williamson of the Institute for Industrial Information Inc.  

The top prize, open only to 11th and 12th graders, is a four–year, full tuition scholarship to YSU in a program in the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The award will be presented to the student by Stephen E. Rodabaugh interim Associate Dean of the College of STEM.

Students from 7th through 12th grades compete for invitations to the State Science Day 2009, which is May 9 in Columbus.

For more information, visit http://stem.ysu.edu/laketoriver/index.html.

University Theater’s ‘Miss Julie’ opens this weekend

University Theater at Youngstown State University presents its final main stage performance this season, the tragic drama, Miss Julie, March 26 through 29 and April 3 through 5 in Bliss Hall’s Spotlight Arena Theater.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances start at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. All seats in Spotlight Arena Theater are general admission. Due to stage set–up, seating is limited to 100 seats per performance. Patrons are encouraged to make reservations early. An opening night dinner is scheduled for Thursday, March 26 at 6 p.m. in Winslow’s Caf￩ at the Butler Institute of American Art. Reservations and payment are required prior to the event.

For tickets, call the University Theater Box Office at 330–941–3105. Tickets are free for YSU students with ID, $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens, YSU faculty and staff, high school and college students from other universities, Penguin Club members and YSU alumni. Parking is available in the Wick Avenue parking deck Thursday through Saturday for a nominal fee, and on Sundays, in the parking lot next to the former Wick Pollock Inn.

Miss Julie vividly depicts the battle of the sexes and classes that ensues when a wealthy businessman’s daughter falls for her father''s bitter servant. August Strindberg''s renowned 1888 play brings to scalding life the excoriating words of the stage’s preeminent surveyor of all things rotten in the state of male–female relations.

The drama is widely regarded as the most important drama to come out of the literary movement known as naturalism. The movement was based largely on the theory of social Darwinism, which proposed that individuals fight for position in society much as animals fight for their survival in the wild, and that, with humans (as with animals) only the fittest can survive. As a naturalistic drama, Miss Julie focuses on Julie’s and Jean’s struggle for survival in their society. 

Cast members include: Dana Chauvin of Boardman as Christine, Brandon Smith of East Liverpool as Jean, and Laura Young of Pittsburgh as Miss Julie. Ensemble members include Rebecca Anderson of Cortland, Aaron Kubicina of Cortland, Cheney Morgan of Boardman,  Montaja Simmons of Pittsburgh, Randall Brammer of Youngstown and Kirsten Pesa of Boardman. The play is directed by Dennis Henneman, with music direction by Nancy Wolfgang and choreography by Chris Cobb. Costumes are by Jane Shanabarger and scenery and lighting design are by John Murphy. Vijay Welch of Boardman is property master and Jake Rafidi of Lowellville is sound designer.

YSU presents ‘What to Wear to Interviews’ seminar 
“What Not To Wear And What To Wear to Interviews and Beyond: Fashion and Feedback” will be conducted by the Youngstown State University Office of Career and Counseling Services noon to 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 23, in the Ohio Room of Kilcawley Center.

Stephanie Volpini–Hann, a recent YSU alumni and professional fashion consultant, will facilitate the seminar, while current YSU students will model examples of appropriate and inappropriate interview and business attire. A panel of employers will discuss their opinions of the models’ clothing as well as provide feedback on how dress influences the success of a candidate’s job search. WFMJ–TV 21 meteorologist Mark Monstrola will co–host the event.

Students will receive information on topics such as professional dress etiquette, fabrics, piece coordination, and how to dress professionally on a budget. YSU students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to attend.ﾠ

For more information, contact Leigh Ann Waring, YSU Career Services coordinator, at 330–941–3515.

Dana Flute Festival features guest recital and master class

The 16th annual Dana Flute Festival will be 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4 in Bliss Hall on the campus of Youngstown State University.

Flutist Marianne Gedigian, associate professor of flute at the University of Texas at Austin, is the special guest artist.

The event is designed for flute players of all levels, from beginners to professionals, and will include Gedigian in a full recital and master class, a recital by the Olsen Duo and concerts of area flute ensembles, workshops and reading sessions, and vendor exhibits.

The cost to attend is $16 per person if registered prior to April 4 and $20 at the door. Registration forms are available at www.fpa.ysu.edu under the Dana School of Music, Special Events section, or by contacting Kathryn Thomas Umble at kaumble@ysu.edu or 330–941–1831.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Bliss Hall Lobby located on the first floor of Bliss Hall. Participants should bring their own instruments. Parents are welcome to attend free of charge.

“The Dana Flute Festival is an exciting annual event that gives new and experienced musicians the opportunity to hear inspiring guest artists perform and teach,” said Umble, festival coordinator and assistant professor of flute at YSU.

Social Work presents ‘strengths based’ conference 
Youngstown State University’s social work program presents “Social Justice and the Strengths Based Perspective: Empowering People for Self Help,” 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25 in Kilcawley Center on the YSU campus.

The conference will discuss the strengths–based perspective and its theories to social workers and other human service practitioners. It will also attempt to advance awareness of client system strengths and the capacity for self–help along with other topics.

John Kretzmann, co–director of the Asset–Based Community Development Institute, is the keynote speaker. The Institute is a research project for policy research at Northwestern University. Kretzmann was a founding faculty member of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest Urban Studies Program in 1969 and was a director of the ACM program for six years. He has also taught at Northwestern University, Valparaiso University and the Lutheran School of Technology in Chicago. In Chicago, Kretzmann worked as chair of the Neighborhood Planning Committee for Mayor Harold Washington and was an active consultant throughout Washington’s term.

The conference is co–sponsored by the Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic and the Eastern Ohio Area Health Education Center. 

Call 330–941–2491 for more information.

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