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

Calendar
Monday, April 20, 1 p.m. Penguins baseball team takes on Slippery Rock at Eastwood Field in Niles. The Pens also play a doubleheader 3 p.m. and 5:30 pm. Wednesday, April 22 against Kent State, also at Eastwood Field.

Tuesday, April 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nearly 60 employers will attend the 2009 Spring Job Expo in the Chestnut Room of Kilcawley Center on the campus of YSU. See News Brief below.

Tuesday, April 21, 3 p.m. Lecture — The Mind of a Symphonic Composer: Using the Orchestra as an Instrument by Johnterryl Plumeri, Bliss Hall, Room 3150. Part of the Dana School of Music’s New Music Festival. Plumeri also lectures Wednesday, April 22, 1 p.m. on Debussy’s “Nuages” from Nocturnes, in Bliss Hall, Room 3137.

Tuesday, April 21, 3 and 5 p.m. YSU re:CREATE Program collects used sports equipment at YSU’s doubleheader softball game at McCune Park. See News Brief below.

Tuesday, April 21 through Wednesday, April 29. YSU celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Dana School of Music’s New Music Festival. See News Brief below. 

Wednesday, April 22. YSU marks Earth Day with a variety of events, including a 1 p.m. news conference in the Presidential Suites of Kilcawley Center to highlight environmental initiatives underway at YSU, including the announcement of the new YSU “Red, White and Green” campaign. See News Brief below.

Wednesday, April 22, 3 to 6 p.m. The YSU College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics presents “STEM Careers and Student Project Displays” in the lobby of Moser Hall on campus. YSU students in STEM majors will display projects they have worked on during this past year, including the concrete canoe, Supermileage car, steel bridge and moon rover.

Wednesday, April 22, 4 p.m. The YSU Board of Trustees holds a joint meeting of its Finance and Facilities and its Internal Affairs committees in the Presidential Suites of Kilcawley Center.

Thursday, April 23, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Rich Center for Autism at YSU holds an open house as part of Autism Awareness Month. The center is located in Fedor Hall on the YSU campus.

Thursday, April 23, 7 p.m. The YSU Poetry Center’s 2009 Reading Series presents a celebration of the Penguin Review and new books by YSU faculty, including readings by Chris Barzak, Phil Brady and student writers. The event is in the Gallery of Kilcawley Center on the YSU campus.

Friday, April 24, 7:30 p.m. YSU football’s annual Red and White Spring Game will be played at Stambaugh Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on NewsRadio 570 WKBN.

Dana School of Music
Monday, April 20, 8 p.m. YSU Dana School of Music Piano Department Recital in Bliss Recital Hall.

Monday, April 20, 8 p.m. Jazz Combos, directed by Kent Engelhardt, perform in the Chestnut Room of Kilcawley Center.

Tuesday, April 21, 6 p.m. Dana Flute Ensemble, directed by Kathryn Thomas Umble, in Bliss Recital Hall.

Wednesday, April 22, 12:15 p.m. New Music, directed by Robert Rollin, performs at Music at Noon concert in the Butler Institute of American Art.

Wednesday, April 22, 8 p.m. Gala main event of the Dana School of Music’s New Music Festival features the Festival Chamber Orchestra and guest artists at Bliss Recital Hall. See News Brief and more events below.

Friday, April 24, 8 p.m. YSU Concert Band and Symphonic Band, conducted by Christopher Heidenreich and Stephen Gage, at Powers Auditorium in downtown Youngstown.

Forum examines President Obama’s first 100 days

“President Barack Obama’s First 100 Days” is the topic of a free forum 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, in the auditorium (Room 132) of DeBartolo Hall on the campus of Youngstown State University.

The forum, presented by YSU’s Black Faculty and Staff Association, will include a panel discussion moderated Victor Wan–Tatah, director and professor of YSU Africana Studies.

Among the panels will be Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams; Jim Graham

President of United Auto Worker Local 1112;ﾠ Clifford Scott, executive director of Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Association; Molly Seals, senior vice president of Human Resources and Learning for Catholic Healthcare Partner’s Eastern Division and Humility of Mary Health Partners Region; Veronika Dolar, Ph.D candidate in economics at Cleveland State University; Keith Lepak, YSU associate professor of Political Science and coordinator of Peace and Conflict Studies; and Paul Carr, YSU assistant professor of Education.

The panelists will discuss the impact of President Obama’s policies enacted during his first 100 days in office, including issues such as the economy, manufacturing, education and healthcare.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 330–941–2734 or e–mail hawilson@ysu.edu.

Gerontology students present at state conference
Four students in Youngstown State University’s new gerontology program recently presented papers at the Ohio Association of Gerontology in Education Conference at Miami University:

• Krystal Culler of Weirton, W.V., presented “Life Course Planning Suggestions for People with Autism.”

• Tammy Eisenbraun of Boardman presented “An Assessment for a New Exercise Facility.”

• Pamela Falkenberg of North Royalton, Ohio, presented “Self–Rated Health and Recovery of Lower Physical Activities of Daily Living Among Older Adults with Hip Fracture.”

• Julie Iudiciani of Lowellville presented “An Assessment of the Need for Senior Services Programs in Mahoning County.”

Daniel J. Van Dussen, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology and coordinator of the gerontology program, also presented a paper.

YSU’s new gerontology program, started this semester, offers a bachelor of arts degree in gerontology and a certificate in applied gerontology.

Van Dussen said the program’s applied, interdisciplinary nature sets it apart from other gerontology programs across the nation. With the interdisciplinary learning and professional experience that the program offers, students will be prepared to enter any of a number of available jobs when they graduate, including occupations in nursing, hospice, physical therapy, elder advocate groups, non—profit organizations and charities.

For more information on the program, contact Van Dussen at 330–941–1683.

Campus Earth Day activities set for Wednesday

Youngstown State University marks Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22, with an array of events.

About two dozen state, county and city environmental and sustainability organizations will set up tables, booths and demonstrations on the south side of Kilcawley Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A news conference will be held at 1 p.m. in the Presidential Suites of Kilcawley Center to highlight environmental initiatives underway at YSU, including the announcement of the new YSU “Red, White and Green” campaign.

In addition, the “YSU Rock” outside Kilcawley Center will be covered in “environmentally–friendly” paint, and the new sculpture of YSU’s first president, Howard W. Jones, will don a green scarf for the day.

 

 

Beeghly College of Ed holds Alumni Awards event
The Beeghly College of Education’s 7^th Annual Alumni Awards Dinner will be 6:30 p.m. April 23, in McKay Auditorium in Beeghly Hall at Youngstown State University.

The dinner is by invitation only and costs $40 per person.

This year’s honorees are:

• Thomas Yazvac — Administrator Award, elementary school principal, assistant superintendent and federal grants coordinator at Springfield Local Schools.
• Dr. JoLynn Carney — Counselor Award, associate professor of Counselor Education in the Department of Counseling Education, Counseling Psychology, and Rehabilitation Services at Pennsylvania State University.
• Jennifer Walker — Educator Award, teacher of English and Advanced Placement Literature and Composition and lead literacy teacher and chairperson of the English department at East High School in Youngstown. She was namedﾠ 2009 Ohio Teacher of the Year by the Ohio Department of Education.

• Dr. Gary Jones — Lifetime Educational Service Award. Jones helped create and continues to direct Camp U Can!, a truancy diversion program for middle school students. He was recently elected President of the Hammond, Ind., Education Foundation. The Governor of Indiana designated Jones as a “Sagamore of the Wabash,” Indiana’s highest distinction.
• Dr. Sylvia Imler — Diversity Award, YSU Assistant Professor, Counseling and Special Education.
• Dr. Pietro Pascale — Dean’s Appreciation Award, retired professor at YSU.
• Dr. Karen Becker — Dean’s Excellence Award, coordinator of the Reading and Study Skills Center at YSU.

2009 Spring Job Expo is this week on YSU campus
Nearly 60 employers, from the fields of business, insurance, arts, banking, retail, government and much more, will attend the 2009 Spring Job Expo 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, in the Chestnut Room of Kilcawley Center on the campus of Youngstown State University.

Sponsored by the YSU Office of Career & Counseling Services, the event features representatives from local, regional and national companies, who will be available to discuss employment opportunities, distribute organizational information and accept resumes from YSU students and alumni.

Professional dress is recommended. Participants are encouraged to bring several copies of their resume.

For more information, contact Susan George in the Office of Career & Counseling Services at 330–941–3299.

YSU, JA, ASECU sponsor money skills conference

In recognition of National Financial Literacy month in April, Junior Achievement of the Mahoning Valley, Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business Administration and the Associated School Employees Credit Union, through the Ohio Credit Union Foundation, will hold a financial life skills conference called “Financial Starting Points” for area high school students on Tuesday, April 28, on the YSU campus.

About 500 area high school students and 20 educators will receive education and hands–on experience in four areas of financial literacy – credit, budgeting, saving and investing and scholarship aid. 

A recent poll conducted by Junior Achievement and the Allstate Foundation found that that the lifestyles, income, saving and spending habits of young people have been deeply impacted by the current economic climate. Young people are feeling nervous and pressured by the economic stability of their families and communities and the absence of traditional income streams available to them, the poll indicated.

Fourteen percent of respondents ages 15 to 17 years old report the need to contribute financially to the family budget. One–third of all teens surveyed report less job availability; 53 percent say they’re choosing activities that cost less money and more than 50 percent say they talk about the economy with their friends.

“The results of this poll demonstrate a strong need for increased financial literacy,” said Michele Merkel, president of Junior Achievement of Mahoning Valley. “Young people are particularly vulnerable to making financial mistakes through trial and error, and the consequences can be costly. Research shows that individual financial practice and habits begin early in life and understanding and establishing them is essential to achieving monetary goals.

“Possessing and using sound money management skills can help young people feel more in control of their futures. Regardless of the state of the economy, Junior Achievement programs teach students how to budget, save, invest and use credit wisely. We’re proud to partner with Williamson College of Business Administration and Associated School Employees Credit Union to increase financial literacy for future generations.”

Junior Achievement is the world''s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in–school and after–school programs for students which focus on three key content areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Junior Achievement of Mahoning Valley provides programs for more than 9,000 K–12 grade students annually within Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull Counties. For more information, visit http://warren–youngstown.ja.org.ﾠ

May Day festival features entertainment, food, games

Penguin Productions will sponsor the 2nd annual May Day festival 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 30, at Youngstown State University.

The free event in the Rec 5 area, located in front of Pete’s Place on the YSU campus, features Josh Kelley, Ryan Cabrera, The Kin and Brandon Whyde. It also includes free festival–style food, free carnival games and more. The first 100 YSU students at May Day 2009 will receive a complimentary May Day Green Hat.

Student organizations are encouraged to sign up for a spot for their end of the year celebration and to promote their organization for the next academic year. The first 10 student organizations to sign up will be eligible for two “Meet and Greets” with the musical guests. To register, follow this link: http://cc.ysu.edu/student–services/livingoncampus/may_day_form.shtml.

For more information, contact Daniel DeMaiolo at djdemaiolo@student.ysu.edu or check Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=60178577474#/event.php?eid=60178577474

New Music Festival marks 25^th anniversary this week

Youngstown State University will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Dana New Music Festival April 21 through 29 with guest composers Johnterryl Plumeri and Allen Vizzutti and guest artist, trumpet player Eric Brewer.

Plumeri lives in Santa Monica, California, where he writes music for films, and also has a home in Tampa, Florida, where he regularly performs with his professional jazz trio. For this year’s Dana New Music Festival, Plumeri has composed a new work for faculty flutist Kathryn Thomas Umble, four clarinets and strings. Plumeri’s Sand Without Water for flute, English horn and strings, and the Romance for clarinet, strings, and harp will also be performed and will feature Dana Faculty member Alice Wang on clarinet.

Brewer will play Dana faculty Robert Rollin’s Rondo Capriccioso for trumpet and strings. Brewer earned a bachelor of music degree from Baldwin–Wallace College and a master’s degree from Yale. He has served eight years as principal trumpet of the Utah Festival Opera Company, and as soloist with the San Jose Chamber Orchestra in California. He recently moved to Dallas where he is a member of The Imperial Brass Quintet and teaches trumpet in the Allen Independent School District.

Vizzutti will appear at a concert of the Dana Symphonic Wind Ensemble concert, 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 29 in Stambaugh Auditorium. Vizzutti holds degrees from Eastman School of Music and has performed internationally with artists such as Chick Corea, Doc Severinsen, Chuck Mangione, Woody Herman, the New Tokyo Philharmonic, and the Budapest Radio Orchestra.

Below is the schedule for the festival. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 330–941–3636:

• Tuesday, April 21, 3 p.m. Lecture — The Mind of a Symphonic Composer:ﾠ Using the Orchestra as an Instrument by Johnterryl Plumeri, Bliss Hall, Room 3150.

• Wednesday, April 22, 12:15 p.m. Composers Ensemble, Robert Rollin, director, in Recital of Music, at Butler Institute of American Art. Works by Daniel Brandt, Richard Zacharias, and Robert Rollin.

• Wednesday, April 22, 1 p.m. Lecture — Debussy’s “Nuages” from Nocturnes, by Johnterryl Plumeri, Bliss Hall, Room 3137.

• Wednesday, April 22, 8 p.m. Gala Main Event. Festival Chamber Orchestra, Robert Rollin, conductor, and Guest Artists at Bliss Recital Hall. Works by Johnterryl Plumeri, Robert Rollin, Ryan Coffey and others.

• Friday, April 24, 11 a.m. Convocation: Composers Ensemble at Bliss Recital Hall. Works by Daniel Brandt, Richard Zacharias, Robert Rollin, and Alexander Scriabin. Guest Ensemble, YSU Clarinet Choir, Alice Wang, director.

• Sunday, April 26, 2 p.m. Two Piano Recital with Dana Faculty Dror Biran and Zahari Metchkov, assisted by Dana Faculty Alice Wang at Bliss Recital Hall.ﾠ Works by George Crumb, Arvo P￤rt, and others.

• Wednesday, April 29, 8 p.m. Dana Symphonic Wind Ensemble, director Stephen Gage, at Stambaugh Auditorium.ﾠ Guest Artists Allen Vizzutti and Caroline Oltmanns.

‘Hit a Home Run’ sports equipment drive on Tuesday
The Youngstown State University re:CREATE Program is collecting used sports equipment at YSU’s doubleheader softball game Tuesday, April 21 at McCune Park.

The program’s goal is collect more than 2,000 pieces of baseball and softball equipment – helmets, catcher’s gear, cleats, bats, gloves, balls, etc. The Youngstown Police Athletic League, YMCA and Boys & Girls Club will distribute the equipment to Youngstown city children in need.

Equipment can be donated at the Hit a Home Run through Recycling Doubleheader when YSU takes on Akron Tuesday, April 21, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at McCune Park. Admission is free.

Other collections points are: Youngstown Police Department, 2nd Floor Police Chief’s Office; the YMCA in Boardman and downtown Youngstown and Creekside Fitness & Health Center. All locations will accept equipment through April 24. Also accepting equipment is Lake Milton State Park Office, through May 22.

For more information, contact Gary Williams at garypres11@aol.com or 330–518–2706.

‘Understanding Exporting’ seminar set for May 5
The Ohio Small Business Development Center at Youngstown State University, in conjunction with Cohen & Company and International Trade Assistance Center, will present an export basics seminar entitled “Understanding Exporting,” on Tuesday, May 5, 8:30 a.m. to noon at the YSU Metro College in Boardman.

Seminar topics include compliance, payment methods, export financing, development of local representation in international markets, fundamentals of NAFTA and tax benefits of exporting with an IC–DISC. Attendees will gain a basic understanding of the role of exporting in a global economy and the steps involved in the export process. Participants will also learn about the advantages and challenges of exporting, how to get started and effective export transaction strategies.

ITAC representatives, in conjunction with representatives from the Small Business Administration, the U.S. Export Assistance Center, the Ohio Department of Development Global Markets Division, and Cohen & Company, will conduct the seminar.

The deadline to register for the event, which costs $25 per person and includes a continental breakfast, is May 1. For more information, contact Rosie Sulik at OSBDC at YSU at 330–941–2140.

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