Poetry to Be Celebrated May 15 with "Poetry and the World" Event at Ohio State Marion

The annual poetry celebration day, "Poetry and the World," is planned for May 15 at the Ohio State University at Marion and will feature nationally recognized poet Richard Robbins.

The public is invited to attend a poetry reading by Robbins, planned for noon to 1 p.m. Marion Campus Nature Center and Prairie shelter house. In the event of inclement weather, the poetry reading will be held in 206 Morrill Hall. The event is free. Robbins grew up in California and Montana and currently directs the creative writing program and the Good Thunder Reading Series at Minnesota State University. His first collection, The Invisible Wedding, was published in 1984. Over the years, Robbins has received awards from the Minnesota State Arts Board, Hawthornden Castle International Retreat for Writers, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Robbins' newest book of poems, Famous Persons We Have Known, was published in 2000. From the char and kokanee-choked waters of Montana to an art gallery in Utah where the narrator notices but doesn't meet a famous poet laureate, many of the book's most memorable poems connect past and present, the dead and the living, as Robbins playfully and ironically critiques our cultural obsession with celebrity. Through it all, Robbins does so with sly humor, a naturalist's precision, and a potent lyricism. "This is the most colorful book of poems I've read in recent years. There is something fresh in almost every line, and when I came to the end of the last poem, I felt I'd been given a world," said one reviewer, well known poet Ted Kooser.

Poetry and the World organizers are Stuart Lishan, associate professor of English at Ohio State Marion, and Terry Hermsen, also an English faculty member at Ohio State and director of the Writing that Connects program in area schools. They said the day will provide students, faculty, staff and community members an opportunity to come together to play with poetry in the form of exercises and language games, to listen to poetry and engage in conversation about various aspects of poetry and its place in American and world culture.

"It will be a day in which we celebrate the power and joy of language," Lishan said. "And it will enable our community to hear one of the most interesting poets in the mid-west."

Students and teachers from area high schools will gather in the morning to discuss poetry and to engage in poetry writing exercises based on Robbins' work.

From noon to 1 p.m., the high school students will be joined by college students, faculty and community members for the poetry reading.

A "master class" will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Selected high school and college students will present their work, and Robbins will respond and discuss the students' poems. The public also is invited to attend this part of day's events. "This will be a poet-to-poet talk about the craft of poetry," Lishan said. "It will treat young writers as working poets who are trying to improve their craft."

Robbins will hold an informal reading at the Utopia Coffee House, in the Marion Plaza Shopping Center, at 7 p.m.

OSU Marion Faculty Members Win Grant for Tutoring Program

Ohio State Marion English faculty members Jacquelyn Spangler and Anne Bower have been awarded a Service Learning grant for their Ohio State Marion/Marion City Schools Literacy Project, which involves college students tutoring elementary pupils.

The $3,600 grant, which comes through the university from the Corporation for National Service, will allow expansion and improvement of the already established partnerships Ohio State Marion has formed with Pearl Street Elementary School and the Mark Street Elementary School after-school program (and administered by the Marion County Boys and Girls Club.)

Ohio State Marion student involved in the program are enrolled in the two course-sequence, Intensive Writing and Reading (English 109.01 and English 109.02.) Part of the course requirements involves the tutoring program.

A portion of the funds permit purchase of items that will be used in the English 109.01 classroom: videos that depict teachers and different teaching situations (students can re-watch and "read" such materials, allowing them to develop vocabulary for analyzing real world observations), and books about volunteer tutoring, ways of learning (multiple intelligence, etc.), and school funding systems. The Volunteer Coordinators at Pearl Street and the Mark Street after-school program will speak to the college students about public school education, tutors' roles, and ways to mentor school-age kids.

A second use of the grant funds will occur in a "real world" writing assignment for the second half of the English course. The college students, working in small groups, will research what books, games, or other materials are needed at a school where they are tutoring. Then, the groups will collaboratively write proposals to purchase these items and submit their proposals to the instructors. If the proposal clearly explains and justifies the requested purchase, a "grant" will be awarded and the items purchased. Purchased materials will become available to all service learning students working in the tutoring program.

The final portion of the grant funds will be used in the creation and distribution of an anthology of 109.02 essays. For this "book" of essays, the students will write individual essays and also will collaboratively write an introduction to their anthology. This kind of experience offers students an opportunity to reflect on the work of the entire term, especially the way that the course's service learning component has impacted their own writing and reading advances and their sense of themselves as community contributors. Spangler and Bower will be assisted throughout 2001-2002 by other service learning scholars and will be required to attend sessions of the University's Service Learning Scholars Roundtable.

For more information on the program, contact Bower at (740) 389-6786, ext. 6203, or Spangler at ext. 6297.

OSU Marion Celebrity Golf Event to Be Held on the Ohio State University scarlet Golf Course

The public is invited to golf at the prestigious Ohio State University Scarlet Golf Course with Ohio State celebrities at the second annual Ohio State Marion Golf Scramble on June 4. The event will be co-hosted by Director of Athletics Andy Geiger.

The event begins with registration at 11 a.m., and includes lunch and a chance to meet OSU's new football coach Jim Tressel, who will be on hand for the shotgun start at noon. After golf, unwind in the OSU Golf Course clubhouse with dinner and camaraderie with celebrities and friends. OSU celebrities already committed to play include Jim Karsatos, Ike Kelley, and Craig Taylor. Prizes will be awarded to winning golfers and teams, and an OSU memorabilia auction will feature some great gifts.

Proceeds for the event will benefit community cultural arts and youth education programs at Ohio State Marion, including the Celebrate Summer Art Festival, Five Nights on Campus, exhibitions in the Wayne and Geraldine Kuhn Fine Arts Gallery, Kids' College and Young Women's Business Academy.

The cost of the golf event is $150 for an individual golfer, or $500 for a foursome registered before May 20. After that the cost is $175 and $600, respectively. Corporate sponsorships also are available.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play on one of the best golf courses in Ohio, and to rub elbows with some great former Ohio State athletes," said Debby Shade, director of community relations at Ohio State Marion and event organizer. "And the best part of all is that all the proceeds from the event come back to this community and benefit our residents and students."

For registration information, contact the office of Community Relations at Ohio State Marion, (740) 389-6786 extension 6279.

The Ohio State Golf Course is located on Tremont Road in Upper Arlington, just west of Kenny Road.

New Edition of Pettijohn's Classic Social Psychology Readings Recently Published

Terry Pettijohn, professor of psychology at The Ohio State University at Marion, has published his third edition of "Sources: Notable Selections in Social Psychology." The edited book is a collection of 40 selections of importance which have shaped the study of social psychology throughout this century.

"I wanted to be able to provide students with access to the original writings of the most influential social psychologists of the century," Pettijohn said about his book.

Pettijohn said he could not find an appropriate textbook that was comprehensive, readable, and inexpensive. So he was extremely excited when the McGraw-Hill Publishing Co. asked if he would be interested in developing such a collection.

"This was a great opportunity to help students understand social psychology by actually reading what psychologists wrote," Pettijohn said. The first edition was published in 1995 and sold extremely well. "Obviously there was a strong need for a book such as this one," Pettijohn said. Because of the textbook's success, the company asked him to twice revise it, taking student feedback into consideration. He did, and the third edition is the current result.

Each reading is accompanied by a brief introduction to the author and the topic. Thought questions allow students to begin questioning the applications of the concepts presented.

Pettijohn said he read hundreds of articles and book chapters before settling on the final ones included in the book. He wanted to find articles that were interesting to students and important in understanding the discipline of psychology. The result is an up-to-the-minute book with readings relevant to the students' personal lives. He used students' feedback to the first two versions of the book when making revisions for the latest edition.

Pettijohn uses the book for supplementary readings in his Social Psychology course at Ohio State Marion. Students in the course read several selections each week, post their reactions on the Internet, and then come to class to discuss the theories and applications with classmates. What happens is usually a lively interchange about the most important ideas in social psychology. Each student has the opportunity to go beyond the material presented in the textbook to actually read the original writings of the people they read about in the textbook.

Students are excited about the readings book, and indicate that it helps to make the course come alive for them. By the time they complete a unit, they feel they are familiar with the people and the ideas in the field. The readings book makes the textbook come alive, since it provides original thoughts by the most important social psychologists of the past century. Pettijohn also wrote an accompanying instructor's manual, which includes test questions and discussion topics.

Pettijohn is the only OSU regional faculty member ever to have received the OSU Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award three times. The American Psychological Association has also recognized him for his teaching efforts.

Kids' College Offers Summer Opportunities

The lazy, hazy days of summer don't need to be a bore for children. Kids' College at Ohio State Marion offers a break from the summer doldrums, lots of hands-on activities, and an opportunity to learn something new.

The workshops are sponsored by Ohio State Marion's Office of Community Relations. Children who have completed second through sixth grades are eligible to enroll. The workshops will be taught on the Marion Campus, 1465 Mt. Vernon Ave., Marion. Dates and times of the sessions to be offered are as follows:

June 25-28
o 9 a.m. to noon All the Way from Safe Surfing to Web Design. Begin this course by exploring the Internet safely in our state-of-the-art computer lab. The first half of the program will focus on how to surf the Internet in a friendly, helpful manner. Explore exciting places where you've never been before! Class participants will also design their own personal home web page. This course is recommended for children who have some knowledge of computer operation. Instructor: Jon Beard Registration deadline: June 18

o 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Let's Get Physical. Come join the excitement as we explore various and unusual forms of exercise and the best practices in nutrition. Stretch and move to the latest fitness trends, such as yoga, tae bo, circuit training, step aerobics, rock wall climbing, and more! Learn ways to keep you body healthy through nutrition, heart health and first aid. Instructor: Marty Beaver Registration deadline: June 18

July 9-12
o 9 a.m. to noon Food, Fun and Flair. Prepare a variety of goodies such as cookies, fun-shaped party sandwiches, ice cream and punch for a celebration! Learn those special ways of serving for now and future occasions with family, friends and dates. Enjoy the preparation of fun foods while enhancing social skills and preparing for a final celebration at the end of the course. Instructor: Linda Meister Registration deadline: July 2

o 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Around the World in Four Days. Begin in Mexico, the land of fun and warmth. Travel to the mysterious Middle East and visit Sudan and Rwanda. Finally, stop off in Greece on the way home! Learn about the culture, games, food and the wonderful people of far-away places in just four days. Sample different dishes, break a piρata, and sing traditional songs from the rich diversity of our globe. Instructors: Teresa Bucklew (Mexico), Debbie Nemo & Hassan Aly (Middle East) Gafar Beheit Bosh & Bernard Rubabaza (Africa), and George Kasotis (Greece), Registration deadline: July 2

July 16-19
o 9 a.m. to noon The Power of Plants and Animals. Agriculture is an important part of our daily lives, providing us with food, clothing and many surprising products. Explore traditional farms, their crops and livestock. Spend a day on the Marion Campus Prairie learning about life during pioneer days and the importance of the prairie ecosystem to our history. End the week with the chance to meet and compare farm and zoo animals. This will include some traditional animals and some not-so-usual species from the Columbus Zoo. Instructors: Holly Cox and Gale Martin Registration deadline: July 9

o 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Weather Phenomena and Natural Disasters. Discover what makes our wacky weather so wacky! In this weeklong exploration of the world's natural disasters, learn what makes a tornado swirl and jump, why thunderstorms and hurricanes are so powerful, and why you don't want to be caught on an erupting volcano. Create your own phenomena, including a volcano and watch it erupt before your very eyes! Instructor: Lynn Tatman Registration deadline: July 9

Space is limited and registration can be made by calling Bronwen Babich at (740) 389-6786 extension 6341. The cost for each session is $65; or a student can enroll in two sessions for $100. Also, two students can enroll in the same session for $100. A supervised lunch will be provided for students who enroll in both afternoon and morning sessions and who bring a sack lunch.

Non-Profit Seminar Series Continues June 8 with "Getting Great Grants"

"Getting Great Grants" will be the keynote address at the June 8 session of Strengthening Your Non-Profit Organization, a series of workshops and seminars for board members, volunteers and senior staff of non-profit organizations. The event will be held at The Ohio State University at Marion, 1465 Mt. Vernon Ave., Marion, from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

"Getting Great Grants" will be presented by Cynthia Bailie, a veteran fund-raiser and director for the Foundation Center - Cleveland, a national non-profit organization with a mission of facilitating the philanthropic process by gathering, organizing, and disseminating information on foundations, corporate giving and related subjects.

Bailie will present specific ideas for researching, organizing, writing, budgeting and submitting grant proposals, as well as describing strategies to negotiate a final contract.

Bailie's presentation will be followed by a panel discussion by grant funders: Richard Axline from Whirlpool Corp., Bradley Bebout from the Marion Community Foundation, David Bradford from Verizon, and Pamela Stone from United Way of Marion County.

From 11:15 to 12:15, participants will have the opportunity to join one of three special break-out sessions. Topics to be offered include volunteer recruitment, facilitating effective meetings, and the basics of proposal writing.

The fee for the seminar is $20 per person. The registration deadline in June 1. To register, or for more information, contact the Marion Community Foundation, (740) 387-9704.

The Strengthening Your Non-Profit Organization series is coordinated by the Non-Profit Connection, a coalition of seven non-profit organizations from the Marion area.