Four students in YSU's Williamson College of Business Administration are working at the Youngstown Business Incubator through the Entrepreneurial Internship Program, a new partnership of YSU and YBI. Among the students is Adrianne Morris, left, a senior business administration major who is working at Syncro Medical Innovations. She is pictured here with Vanessa Shields, director of marketing at Syncro Medical Innovations. Read more in this week's YSU News Briefs.

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

• Incubator, YSU launch internship program
• YSU designated a 'military friendly' school
• SMARTS art exhibit features two YSU alums
• YSU's Homework Express launches fifth season
• Classical guitarist performs Thursday on campus

Calendar
Monday, Sept. 21 through Friday, Sept. 25. A full array of programs is scheduled for the YSU campus in recognition of Safer Sex Week 2009. A complete list of programs can be found at http://cc.ysu.edu/student–services/livingoncampus/indeximages/safer_sex_week_2009.pdf. Sponsored by the Office of Housing and Residence Life and the Department of Campus Recreation & Student Programming.

Wednesday, Sept. 23, noon. "Topping off" ceremony for the new Williamson College of Business Administration building. The final steel beam of the building will be signed by university and other officials and put in place by construction workers. The event will take place at the construction site on Rayen Avenue.

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 12:15 p.m. YSUￕs Dana School of Music's Jazz Combos performs a Music at Noon concert in the Butler Institute of American Art. Free.

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 8 p.m. Percussion Studio Recital in Room 2326 of Bliss Hall.

Thursday, Sept. 24, 8 p.m. Classical guitarist Stephen Aron performs a guest artist recital in Bliss Recital Hall.

Friday, Sept. 25, 3 p.m. YSU Board of Trustees meets in the Trustees Meeting Room in Tod Hall.

Friday, Sept. 25, 5:30 p.m. Hispanic Heritage Celebration 2009, "Sharing in the Hispanic Traditions," will be in the Chestnut Room of Kilcawley Center on the YSU campus. Andres Gonzalez, director for the Office of Diversity at the Cleveland Clinic, will give the keynote address. For more information, visit http://cfweb.cc.ysu.edu/marketcomm/view.cfm?articleID=2071.

Friday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m. YSU volleyball squad takes on Loyola in Beeghly Center. The volleyballers also play University of Illinois–Chicago 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, also in Beeghly.

Sunday, Sept. 27, 4 p.m. YSU soccer team plays St. Francis (Pa.) in Stambaugh Stadium.

Incubator, YSU launch Entrepreneurial Internship Program
The Youngstown Business Incubator is partnering with Youngstown State University's Williamson College of Business Administration to launch the Entrepreneurial Internship Program this fall.

The program's goal is to expose students to entrepreneurship and increase their understanding of what is necessary to create and grow a new venture, explore new markets, and develop a customer base. Interns will be placed with YBI and its Portfolio Companies.

Interns work for one semester for a total of 225 hours and their salaries will be paid by YBI and WCBA's Monus Entrepreneurship Center. The Entrepreneurial Internship Program will continue for future semesters, providing the opportunity for more interns to work with YBI and its Portfolio Companies.

"YBI is strongly committed to encouraging entrepreneurship in the Mahoning Valley, and we are excited to partner with YSU on this internship program," said Julie Michael Smith, chief development officer of YBI. "Exposing students to entrepreneurship on the ground level is the best way to show the excitement, challenges, and reward of working with innovation."

"This is a very exciting opportunity to provide our students with professional experience in an entrepreneurial company. These internships support the professional development of our students and their contributions to the success of our valley entrepreneurs," said Betty Jo Licata, WCBA dean.       

Four internships were awarded this semester to WCBA students:

• Rose Shaffer, a senior marketing management major, will work with BizVeo, which offers an Internet–based, video training and competency testing solution.

• Jessica Sferra, a senior business administration major, will assist SenSource, a technology company that provides traffic and vehicle counting solutions and environmental sensors, with its marketing initiatives.

• Arianne Morris, a senior business administration major, is interning with Syncro Medical Innovations which has developed a unique magnetically guided feeding tube.

• Courtney Vitullo, a senior management information systems major, will work directly with YBI to promote new entrepreneurial programs with YSU and social media applications. 

"I feel very blessed to be a part of this program, and I believe it will be a very enriching educational opportunity. Not only will I be able to obtain professional experience, but I will also see the unique characteristics that go into working with an innovative entrepreneurial organization," said Morris, intern for Syncro Medical.

The Youngstown Business Incubator is a 501 (c) 3 charitable, non–profit organization, with a mission to accelerate the start–up and development of scalable, technology–based companies in northeast Ohio. YBI Portfolio Companies primarily develop and integrate software and technology solutions for business–to–business applications. Designated an Edison Technology Incubator by the Ohio Department of Development, YBI provides entrepreneurial assistance, facilities and technology support. For more information about YBI, visit www.ybi.org.

The Williamson College of Business Administration, established in 1923, offers both graduate and undergraduate programs accredited by AACSB International–The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. For more information about WCBA, visit www.wcba.ysu.edu.

For more information on the Entrepreneurial Internship Program, contact Julie Michael Smith at the Youngstown Business Incubator at 330–259–7644.

YSU designated a 'military friendly' school

Youngstown State University has been named a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs magazine, a national publication for individuals transitioning from military to civilian life.

The magazine's 2010 list of Military Friendly Schools honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace Americaￕs veterans as students.

"The common bond is their shared priority of recruiting students with military experience," said a news release from G.I. Jobs.

"When men and women are planning their lives after the military, many of them are looking for universities that are sensitive to the special needs of veterans transitioning out of the military and into civilian life, and people on campus who can answer their unique questions," said Jim Olive, coordinator of YSU's new Office of Veterans Affairs. "Our inclusion on this list tells veterans that they can come here and receive the kind of services they need to make that transition successful."

YSU launched the new Office of Veterans Affairs in May to help veterans with the transition from military life to college life, including assistance with admissions, financial aid, registration, academic advising and tutoring.

"The office is designed to help make their time at YSU – both in and out of the classroom – a fulfilling, successful experience," Olive said.

Cynthia Anderson, vice president for student affairs, said the office has been received quite favorably by individuals across campus who are dedicated to providing service to students. 

"Additionally, we have received many positive comments from the Mahoning Valley community thanking us for providing these services to our very deserving veterans," she added.

Olive credited the YSU administration, including Anderson and President David C. Sweet, and the work of several people on campus – from academic advisors and faculty to admissions and student accounts – for the early success of the office.

G.I. Jobs magazine said that the tens of billions of dollars in tuition money, now available with the recent enactment of the Post–9/11 GI Bill, has intensified an already strong desire by colleges to court veterans into their classrooms.

"This list is especially important now because the GI Bill has given veterans virtually unlimited financial means to go to school," said Rich McCormack, G.I. Jobs publisher. "Veterans can now enroll in any school, provided they are academically qualified. So schools are clamoring for them like never before. Veterans need a trusted friend to help them decide where to get educated. The Military Friendly Schools list is that trusted friend."

The full 2010 Military Friendly School List can be found at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com/mfspr.           

SMARTS art exhibit features two YSU alums

YSU SMARTS – Students Motivated by the Arts presents a new exhibition by local artists Samantha Grbinick and Jason Vaughn Sept. 25 through Nov. 13 in the SMARTS Center Gallery, 258 Federal Plaza West in downtown Youngstown.

The exhibit, titled Through the Eyes of Travel, a Collection of Illustrations, features anatomical drawings and surreal imagery.

Vaughn is an alumnus of Youngstown State University and is most known for his work with Jack Carlton and the Museum Without Walls murals project, which creates and installs historic photo–montages along West Federal Street in downtown Youngstown. Grbinick is an alumna of YSU and the co–director of The Karma Lab – A Green, Multifunctional Outlet for the Creative Arts.

A free reception for Vaughn and Grbinick is planned for 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25. Gallery hours are Tuesdays through Thursdays 10 a.m. 4:30 p.m. and other times by appointment by calling 330–941–2787.

Students Motivated by the Arts is an arts education program at YSU's colleges of Fine and Performing Arts and Education. The program seeks to motivate students to succeed in all areas of life by teaching them the discipline and focus that creating art requires. SMARTS classes are free and open to the public by application. For more information, call 330–941–ARTS.

Events planned for Community Diversity Series
Youngstown State University's Community Diversity Committee presents the following events as part of the 2009–2010 Community Diversity Program Series, sponsored by the YSU Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity:

Monday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m., Public Library Main Branch
Former teacher Jeff Steinberg leads high school students on "Sojourn to the Past," visiting landmarks of the civil rights movement in the Deep South. 

Friday, Sept. 25, 5:30 p.m., Chestnut Room, Kilcawley Center, YSU
Hispanic Heritage Celebration 2009, "Sharing in the Hispanic Traditions"

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Downtown Youngstown
Hands–on educational journey with YSU Department of Physical Therapy in recognition of Disability Awareness Month and National Physical Therapy Month. Rainout day Oct.14. Call Nancy Landgraff for more information 330–941–2703.

Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009, 5 p.m., Stonewall Community Center
National Coming Out Week exhibiting the evolving culture of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community in the Mahoning Valley.

Saturday, Nov. 14, Noon, Newport Branch Library
Multimedia presentation by the Pipe and Jorge families on Native American culture in commemoration of Native American Heritage Month.

Tuesday, Feb. 23, Newport Branch Library, 4 p.m.; East Library, 6 p.m.
Langston Hughes Poet Society of Pittsburgh presents "Remembering Langston Hughes."

For more information, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, 330–941–3370.

YSU's Homework Express launches fifth season

On the heels of its second Emmy Nomination, Youngstown State University's Homework Express has launched its fifth season.

The program, an interactive call–in television show broadcast from YSU, is seen via cable TV in 27 counties in Ohio, primarily in the northeastern part of the state, and eight counties in Pennsylvania, primarily in the northwestern part of the state. The population of the viewing area is more than 5.4 million people.

Students, mostly in grades 6 through 8, call into the show and get assistance with homework questions from on–air teachers.

Armstrong Cable will continue to carry the program, with distribution into the suburbs of Mahoning County (Austintown, Boardman, Poland, Canfield). The show is also streamed live on the Web at www.homeworkexpress.org.

The first live show of season five was Tuesday, Sept. 15. The show airs 4:30 to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. The Tuesday and Thursday shows are live, call in shows. Monday, Wednesday and Friday are taped shows, and live calls will not be taken on those days. Students can talk to a teacher by calling 330–941–2030, or toll free 1–866–941–2030.

Radio personality Kelly Stevens of HOT 101 continues as program host, interacting with students and TV teachers. Amy Burd, Tom Burd, Judy Moschella, and Kristy Fill all return for a fifth season of helping kids learn math through the magic of television. Plus, John Hoffman, International Man of Math and host of the segment Math Matters, returns for a second season of making math look cool for kids.

Classical guitarist performs Thursday on campus

Classical guitarist Stephen Aron will perform a guest artist recital in Youngstown State University's Bliss Recital Hall 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24.

Described by the New York Times as "cultivated and musical," Aron performs regularly throughout the United States, Canada and recently completed a tour of Italy. An avid arranger, his work is published by Tuscany Editions. His original composition "Rockport Stomp" and the "Complete Guitar Works of Burle Marx" were recently released by Clear Note Publications. His new recording and publication of 30 "Lieder ohne Worte" by Felix Mendelssohn for solo guitar were released this season.

Aron has adjudicated numerous national and international competitions and has been a repeat guest, giving performances, lectures and master classes at Guitar Foundation of America Conventions, Stetson Guitar Workshops, Portland Guitar Festivals, Eastman Guitar Festivals, Rantucci Guitar Festivals, Alexandria Guitar Festivals and Appalachian Guitar Festivals, as well as at the Yale Guitar Extravaganza, the Ithaca College Winter Guitar Festival, the National Summer Guitar Workshop, the Eastern Carolina University Guitar Festival, the Eastern Tennessee Guitar Festival and others.

In addition to his post as professor of music and chair of Guitar Studies at the University of Akron, Aron is teacher of guitar and founder of the classical guitar studies program at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. For more information, visit his website at www.stephenaron.net.

For more information on this performance, contact the YSU Dana School of Music at 330–941–3636.

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