Ohio State Welcomes Changes in College Entrance Exams: Writing Components will Provide a Clearer Picture of Applicants Abilities

Applicants to The Ohio State University freshman class of 2006, presently high school freshmen, will be the first to provide a writing sample when taking college entrance exams.

In the 2004-05 academic year, the ACT assessment will include an optional writing section, an option which students planning to apply for admission to Ohio State will be required to take. Ohio State's Faculty Committee on Admissions unanimously approved a recommendation late last month that the writing section be required of all ACT testers applying for admission to the university. The College Board previously announced that it will include a required writing section on its SAT I exam beginning in spring 2005.

Mabel Freeman, assistant vice president for Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience, said an early announcement that Ohio State will require the ACT's writing section will give students appropriate time to prepare.

"It is our intent to ensure that students who are beginning to examine their college choices are informed of the admission standards required by Ohio State," Freeman said. "It is important to us that both students and high schools are given sufficient time to prepare for this change."

Approximately 84 percent of students admitted to Ohio State provide ACT scores, and 66 percent provide SAT scores. Many applicants submit score results from both exams. Freeman noted that requiring the ACT writing section will allow Ohio State's Office of Undergraduate Admissions to correlate ACT testers with those taking the SAT I, in which the writing section will be required of everyone.

"The development of effective writing skills is critical to an individual's success in high school, college, and beyond," Freeman said. "Our requirement of a writing assessment is a reflection of our commitment to the importance of effective written communication in our society."

Both ACT and College Board, responding to concerns about the need to put a greater emphasis on writing skills for entering college students, announced changes to their exams last summer. Ohio State joins the universities of Texas and Michigan, each of which has plans to require the writing assessment of applicants taking the ACT exam.

ACT and Ohio State plan to collaborate on validity studies this fall with a sample of students in order to determine the correlation between performance on the exam and performance in college-level composition courses. Such studies will allow the university to determine how best to use writing assessment scores in its admissions and course placement processes.

ACT notes that its writing test will be based upon the results of a National Curriculum Survey conducted with high school teachers and college instructors across the country, ensuring that the assessment will measure the writing skills taught in America's schools and deemed necessary for incoming college freshmen. According to ACT, which also tests students in English, math, reading and science, Ohio is one of the top five states in the number of ACT-tested high school graduates. Nationally, more than 2 million ACT assessments were administered in 2001-02.

Additional contacts: Allen Kraus, Ohio State Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience, kraus.1@osu.edu, (614) 292-1252; Ed Colby, ACT, ed.colby@act.org, (319) 337-1147

For additional releases go to: http://www.osu.edu/news_db/index.php OSU Faculty Experts guide is online at http://www.osu.edu/news_db/experts_index.php

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Local College Students Chosen For Leadership and Overseas Opportunity

Ohio State Marion freshman, Cheryl Johncox and fellow freshman Melinda Hoffman, were recently chosen from a university-wide pool of candidates interested in continued advancement of agriculture and natural resources to become part of Ohio Stateıs Alpha Zeta Partners.

Alpha Zeta Partners (AZP) binds together a group of men and women interested in the continued advancement of agriculture and natural resources. The group fosters and develops a high standard of scholarship, character, leadership, and a spirit of fellowship among its members. Alpha Zeta Partners further extend this purpose by focusing on the component of leadership development.

The AZP program is the only one of its kind in the United States and was founded at Ohio State in the 1800's. Johncox, a natural resources major, and Hoffman, agriculture/undecided will participate in state seminars, a national seminar in Washington D.C., and travel to Brazil for six weeks study abroad.

Students were chosen for the AZP based on academics, faculty recommendations, past volunteer efforts, and a three-page essay written by each nominee.

Johncox, a non-traditional aged student from Richwood, Ohio is excited about the opportunity AZP will provide her and appreciates the recognition.

³Students with attachments donıt have opportunities like this present themselves as often,² she explained, and says Johncox, her husband has been very supportive of the opportunity she was presented.

Just as important to Johncox was the fact that someone took notice of her academic efforts. ³Itıs nice to be recognized for all the hard work you are doing.²

³Itıs going to be excellent to look at natural resources from a different cultural prospective and economic standpoint than the U.S.²

Johncox believes the overseas portion of the experience will give her a unique prospective on how natural resources are handled in a country at a different stage of economic development.

Hoffman, a Crawford County resident and graduate of Wynford High School, was very thankful for the opportunity this experience will provide her, but she expressed concern over traveling abroad during a time of heightened security awareness.

³Iım excited and Iım worried about the national issues that could happen, but if there is any problem theyıll pull the trip, said Hoffman.²

Language barriers and cultural differences seem to be more on the mind of the OSUM freshman. ³Youıre going to have to learn to adjust and adjust quickly,² explained Hoffman, but these experiences arenıt something I can get stateside,²

Each class travels to Pircicaba, Brazil for their study abroad seminar, ³Linking Individual Leadership to Organizational and Societal Change at the Universidade de Sao Paulo/Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ).

For this six-week study abroad, students enroll in three five-hour Ohio State courses, Agriculture Economics 697, International Studies 697, and Rural Sociology 697.

The students will study Brazilıs historical and social development; explore fundamental changes in Brazilıs government, religious, educational, and cultural institutions; observe and experience fundamental changes in Brazilıs industry, agriculture, social service organizations, and families through field trips; and experience living with a Brazilian family during a weekend excursion.

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Ohio State Marion Celebrates Black History Month through Diverse Programs

The Ohio State University at Marion will host a series of programming and public events throughout February in celebration of Black History Month. The initiative, which began February 1, is also part of an ongoing campus effort toward offering multi-cultural events, lectures, and student recruitment activities that positively influence campus diversity.

The celebration of Black History Month got underway with a campus based display and fact table of significant contributions made by Black people throughout history. The same historical information is also made available to university faculty, staff and students through weekly electronic email updates.

The purpose of the display, according to Coordinator of Retention and Campus Diversity Karen Fasheun, is to heighten awareness among the Marion campus and the public in regards to the importance of Black History Month and how the contributions of these Americans have shaped our world today.

The first event in the universityıs Black History Month celebration is a free public learning lecture that is also part of Ohio State Marionıs February Student Advantage Series programming entitled, ³Images of Black Women in America: Past, Present, and Future.² The learning lecture event is scheduled for February 19, 2003 at noon in Morrill Hall, room 200 on the Marion campus.

Associate Professor of Black Womenıs Studies of Denison University, Dr. Toni King, will explore the common images and stereotypes associated with Black women historically, as well as how these images have evolved to become embedded in contemporary society. Through a discussion of media and popular culture images of Black women in American society, Professor King will raise questions about the persistence of historical stereotypes over time. She will explore some of the new images of Black women that are currently evolving, and the implications of some of these more recent images for Black women's lives, women's lives and American culture.

The university will host the Black Heritage Councilıs Annual Soul Food Dinner, Thursday February 20, 6 p.m., at the Alber Student Center. After the Soul Food Dinner, Ohio State Marion presents their third installment of the Five Nights on Campus Music and Cultural Arts series with, ³Gospelfest 2003,² at 7:30 p.m. in Morrill Hall Auditorium.

Presented by Raise Productions, this highly acclaimed concert is held in partnership with the Black Heritage Council in celebration of Black History Month. The Raise Mass Choir of Columbus will treat attendees to an encore performance of choral, spiritual, traditional, and contemporary gospel music. Tickets are $5 for the Soul Food Dinner and $8 for the concert or $10 for both events combined.

Tickets can be obtained by contacting the Office of Community Relations at Ohio State Marion at 740-389-OSUM (6786), extension 6341.

The series of events ends with Minority Student Visit Day to campus, Friday, February 21, 10 a.m. Minority students from north central Ohio area high schools will be offered tours, financial aid, scholarship, academic, and student life information. University representatives will share with students the multiple resources The Ohio State University has to offer.

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Five Nights Welcomes Classical Pianist to Marion Campus

The Ohio State University at Marionıs 2002-2003 Five Nights on Campus performing arts series welcomes classical pianist and former college professor Andrew Manfred Brown to Morrill Hall Auditorium, Thursday, March 20, 7:30 p.m.

Brown, an artist from Kentucky, will combine educational and entertaining dialogue with pieces by Mozart, Schubert, and Brahms.

Attendees are also encouraged to visit The Wayne & Geraldine Kuhn Fine Arts Gallery next to the auditorium in Morrill Hall.

Tickets for the Andrew Manfred Brown concert are $8 general admission, $3 students, and are available at the door. For tickets or information contact The Ohio State University at Marion Office of Community Relations at 740-389-OSUM (6786), extension 6341.

Five Nights on Campus is a cultural arts outreach to the residents of the seven-county regional service area of Ohio State Marion. This series features a variety of entertainment styles form classical music to bluegrass, with an opportunity for the audience to meet with artists following each performance.

The mission of the Five Nights on Campus performance art series is to provide unique cultural opportunities to the community, educational opportunities about diverse cultures and backgrounds, and to encourage residents to be a part of campus life.

This yearıs sponsors of the Five Nights include: Clear Channel Radio, Marion; Herald Printing; Marion Area Health Center; Marion Steel; Medical Mutual; Smith Clinic; Verizon; Warren Brown Family Foundation; Whirlpool Corporation; and Wyandot Inc. Five Nights is also made possible through a grant from The Ohio Arts Council, which helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

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Denison University Professor to Present ³Images of Black Women in America²

The Ohio State University at Marion Office of Retention and Campus Diversity welcomes Dr. Toni King of Denison University, Monday, March 10, 12 noon in Morrill Hall, room 200 for its rescheduled Student Advantage Series presentation, "Images of Black Women in America...Past, Present and the Future."

All Student Advantage Series programs held on the Marion campus will also be made available via teleconference connection with The Ohio State University Delaware Center.

An Associate Professor of Black Women's Studies, King will explore the common images and stereotypes associated with Black women historically, as well as how these images have evolved to become embedded in contemporary society.

Through a discussion of media and popular culture images of Black women in American society, Professor King will raise questions about the persistence of historical stereotypes over time.

She will explore some of the new images of Black women that are currently evolving, and the implications of some of these more recent images for Black women's lives, women's lives and American culture.

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Marion Campus Celebrates Ohio Bicentennial

The Ohio State University at Marion invites the public to join us Tuesday, March 4, 12 - 1 p.m., Morrill Hall, room 290 for the Student Advantage Series presentation, "Celebrating Ohio's Bicentennial,² sponsored by the Marion Campus Ohio Bicentennial Committee.

Ohio turns 200 in March 2003. In recognition of this event, the Marion Campus Bicentennial Committee kicks off campus bicentennial activities with the video, "Ohio's Bicentennial, A Time to Celebrate." Planned Marion campus activities will also be announced and bicentennial giveaways will be available at the Student Advantage Series presentation.

You can get information on Ohio Bicentennial events/activities across the state at: www.ohio200.com.

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OSUM scarlet Wave vs. Warriors

The Ohio State Marion Scarlet Wave defeated the Warren Warriors 81-79 Saturday afternoon at the George H. Alber Student Center. It was a very physical game, resulting in over thirty fouls and numerous lead changes. Warren had the ball with three seconds left and a chance to win, but couldn't score on the stifling OSUM defense. Alvin Jennings of Warren lead all scorers with 35 points. Joe Miller and Tracy Lanum lead OSUM with 19 and 18 points respectively.

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Court of Dreams Game Ends Season in Defeat for OSUM

The Ohio State University at Marion menıs basketball team closed out their four month/thirty-one game schedule last Friday night with the thrill of playing in Gund Arena, the home court of the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the trip ended in a bitter 49-87 season ending loss to Lorain Community College.

The two teams battled fairly evenly throughout the first half. As the half-time buzzer approached Lorain Community College began to pull away 46-32.

The beginning of the second half could have been referred to as a tale of two halves. The Scarlet Wave of OSUM sent Lorain Community College to the charity strip several times. Coach Matt Fisher rotated players to keep them out of foul trouble, but even with a deep bench Ohio State Marion approached the ten-minute mark with forward Derrick Morlan fouling out, center Joe Miller with 4 fouls, and Tracy Lanum with four. Several other players were also in the game with three fouls and plenty of time left in the second half.

The second half was also plagued with a multitude of turnovers on both sides of the ball. Shortly after a technical foul on Ohio State Marionıs bench, the team pulled together and responded to the deep deficit, but it was to little to late.

The team rattled off 15 points in the span of 5 minutes, but even the time on the scoreboard worked against any comeback OSUM had planned as referees were forced to take seven minutes off the game clock because of an approaching 5:30 p.m. warm-up for the Cavaliers.

Although the game was cut short and ended in a lopsided loss, both the coaches and the players for Ohio State Marion saw the silver lining in playing on an NBA floor.

³The experience was good, said Ohio State Marion Coach Matt Fisher.³Right now weıre watching Derrick Coleman of the Cavaliers walk by.² The excitement of playing here is a good thing, said Fisher. ³Iım proud of the guys,² he said. ³We played hard when things didnıt go our way at all.²

³Itıs awesome just to look up and see, well not all the fans,² explained freshman guard Christopher Webster, ³but all the seats and just how big it is in there. It just lets everybody get a chance to feel like a pro for once.²

Webster, who played his high school ball at Upper Sandusky high school, thought playing in Gund Arena took some getting used to.

³Itıs just so well lit up itıs hard to tell where itıs going to go. You let go of the ball and you canıt tell if itıs going in or not,² he explained.

According to OSUM center Joe Miller the experience, despite the loss, was amazing.

³Itıs just a once in a lifetime thing for everybody. We just tried to do the best we could I guess. It kind of got a little bit out of hand with the refs and stuff, but it comes down to us playing the game, explained Miller²

Tracy Lanum and Jason Edwards led OSUMıs scoring with ten a piece. Edwards also lead the Scarlet Wave in rebounds with 10, giving him a double-double on the night. Joe Miller contributed 6 rebounds, and Dusty Kitts had 3 assists.

Nearly 150 OSUM basketball enthusiasts and supporters made the two-hour trek up interstate 71 to catch the intercollegiate match-up. Players and fans of both teams also stayed to witness the second lopsided game of the evening as the Cleveland Cavaliers fell to the Philadelphia 76ıers 119 -99.

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Delaware Artist Featured at OSUM Kuhn Gallery Spring Exhibit

MARION, OH ­ The Wayne & Geraldine Kuhn Fine Arts Gallery at The Ohio State University Marion Campus will open the public art exhibition Remembering August, Wednesday, March 5 through Wednesday, April 23.

The exhibit features the works of Delaware, Ohio artist Mary Morrison.

Morrison will be available, Monday, March 10 at a public artist reception in the Kuhn Gallery to answer questions and speak on the personal details of her work. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Morrison works on canvas in watercolor and ink. Many of her works are of landscapes, cityscapes, and seascapes. According to Morrison, she enjoys painting architecture, as well as nature, and her subjects are often of historical or local significance.

³The compelling challenge,² says the artist, ³is always to convey vision I see onto the paper and to represent it with colors, textures, and shapes.²

Morrison feels her paintings are about how we make places for ourselves and how we interact with our surroundings.

The Kuhn Fine Arts Gallery is open year round, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed on university observed holidays and weekends. The next exhibit at the Kuhn Fine Arts Gallery is scheduled to open May 5 and features the work of Ohio State Marion art students.

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