University Theater presents the comedy “Around the World in 80 Days” in the Spotlight Arena Theater Oct. 1 to 4 and Oct. 9 to 11. See News Brief below for more information. Among the students starring in the production are, from the left Randall Brammer, David Munnell and Nathan Beagle.

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

• Students receive national Phi Kappa Phi awards
• Jewish/Islamic lecture series continues this year
• YSU presents 'Around the World in 80 Days'
• Law Day scheduled for Oct. 15 in Kilcawley Center
• Mental health training set for YSU employees

Calendar
Monday, Sept. 28 through Thursday, Oct. 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Tunnel of Oppression, a walk–through visual exhibit in which forms of oppression are depicted, will be in the Presidential Suites on the second floor of Kilcawley Center. The exhibit, coordinated by the Office of Housing and Residence Life, includes video clips, audio segments and written materials.

Wednesday, Sept. 30, 12:15 p.m. YSU's Dana School of Music presents a free Music At Noon concert featuring choral music in the Butler Institute of American Art.

Wednesday, Sept. 30, 7 p.m. "Studying the Jewish and Islamic Traditions," a lecture series by the Center for Judaic and Holocaust Studies and the YSU Center for Islamic Studies, will kickoff its fifth year in the Gallery in Kilcawley Center. See News Brief.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1, 2, 3 and 4 and Oct. 9, 10 and 11. University Theater presents the comedy "Around the World in 80 Days" in the Spotlight Arena Theater. Thursday through Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m., while Sunday matinee performances are at 3p.m. See News Brief.

Friday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m. YSU soccer squad takes on Loyola in Stambaugh Stadium. Visit www.ysusports.com.

Saturday, Oct. 3, 6 p.m. YSU football team returns home to play Missouri State in Stambaugh Stadium. Visit www.ysusports.com.

Students receive national Phi Kappa Phi awards

For the third consecutive year, Youngstown State University students have been awarded national Phi Kappa Phi Emerging Scholar Awards.

YSU students Brian Garcar and Justin McIntyre have received the awards for 2009.

A total of 60 Emerging Scholar Awards are given to students entering the sophomore year of study at Phi Kappa Phi member institutions nationwide. This year, only two Ohio institutions had Emerging Scholar Awards. Wright State University had one recipient in addition to the YSU awardees.

This is the third year of the competition and the third consecutive year that YSU students have won the award. Previous winners were Lora Wermeister in 2007 and Jennifer Edwards in 2008.

"The success of YSU first–year students in this competition is a measure of their academic success," said Ron Shaklee, director of YSU University Scholars and Honors Program. "It is an indication of the confidence our students have when faced with a national level scholarship competition, and it recognizes their engagement as participants and leaders in events, organizations and community service activities beyond the classroom."

Garcar is a Leslie H. Cochran University Scholar at YSU, majoring in integrated math secondary education. He is a 2008 graduate of Poland Seminary High School. He also is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Sigma Alpha Lambda honors organization.

Justin McIntyre is a Leslie H. Cochran University Scholar majoring in political science and criminal justice. He graduated from Mineral Ridge High School in 2008.

The Emerging Scholar Award recognizes outstanding rising sophomores. Recipients must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.75 and a minimum 30 semester hours of academic credit.

Jewish/Islamic lecture series continues this week

"Studying the Jewish and Islamic Traditions," a lecture series co–led by Helene Sinnreich, director of the Youngstown State University Center for Judaic and Holocaust Studies, and Mustansir Mir, director of the YSU Center for Islamic Studies, will kickoff its fifth year 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30.

The lecture will focus on the concept of justice and will be held in the Gallery in YSU's Kilcawley Center.

The second lecture of the series will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, in McKay Auditorium in Beeghly Hall at YSU and will focus on Jewish and Islamic perceptions of history. The series continues into 2010 with a lecture on women (co–sponsored by the YSU Women's Studies Center) on Wednesday, Feb. 10, in the Jones Room of Kilcawley Center and a lecture on free will on Wednesday, April 14 in the Gallery in Kilcawley Center. 

YSU presents 'Around the World in 80 Days'
University Theater presents the comedy "Around the World in 80 Days" in the Spotlight Arena Theater Oct. 1 through 4 and Oct. 9 through 11.

Thursday through Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m., while Sunday matinee performances are at 3 p.m. All seats are general admission. Due to the stage set–up, seating is limited to 120 seats per show. Patrons are encouraged to make reservations early.

Set in 1872, stampeding elephants, raging typhoons and runaway trains characterize this slapstick comedy. Main character Phileas Fogg and his resourceful servant set out to circle the globe in 80 days, but his every step is dogged by a detective who thinks he's a robber on the run.

The cast consists of senior musical theater major David Munnell of Girard, Ohio, as Phileas Fogg; seniors Nathan Beagle of Warren and Zachary Campbell of East Liverpool; junior Randall Brammer of Salem; and freshman Alexis Gorgacz.

The adaptation uses five actors to portray 39 characters and calls for the imaginative use of four chairs, two tables and two planks to represent European and American trains, steamships and sailing vessels, a makeshift dogsled, and various locales ranging from London to the Suez and on through India, China, and the United States.

In addition, the actors must portray dozens of characters, each having special dialects or accents. Paul Meier, internationally acclaimed dialect specialist, was enlisted as a guest artist in September to work with the actors.          

Live Foley Sound will be created by senior theater major Jonathan Zelezniak of Pittsburgh. Foley sound is the creation of believable sound effects using everyday objects, vocalizations and even musical instruments that are recorded in a sound studio.

Tickets may be reserved by calling the University Theater Box Office at 330–941–3105. Ticket prices are free for YSU students with ID; $10 for adults; $5 for senior citizens, YSU faculty and staff and 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 is complimentary on Sundays in the parking lot next to the former Wick Pollock Inn.

Law Day scheduled for Oct. 15 in Kilcawley Center
The Youngstown State University Political Science Department and Rigelhaupt Pre–Law Center will sponsor Law Day on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Presidential Suites in Kilcawley Center.

Representatives from several law schools will be on hand to answer questions about their programs. In addition, catalogs, applications and financial aid information will be available for prospective students.

For more information, contact Cheryl Ellis in the Political Science Department at 330–941–3436.

Mental health training set for YSU employees
Youngstown State University, in conjunction with the Mahoning County Mental Health Board and NEOUCOM Criminal Justice Coordinating Center of Excellence, will again provide a program known as Mental Health Training, Response, and Awareness on Campus, M–TRAC.  

 The eight–hour education and training workshop will be Oct 13 and 14. It is designed for YSU faculty, staff and administrators to identify signs and symptoms of mental illness and stress that potentially may lead to violent behaviors both inside and outside of the classroom. The training also focuses on how to deal with such behaviors. Registration is limited to the first 200 individuals to register. Registration must be completed by Oct. 6. Register by clicking on this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=hhnY_2b9T5mzRw8Gwzr_2fA0EA_3d_3d

This is the third such workshop held for YSU employees and is part of the universityￕs efforts to prevent and prepare for possible campus emergencies and crises.

For more information, contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs at 330–941–3532.

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