Delaware Woman Wins Red Cross Award For Education Program

Delaware resident C. Joy Kaser, director of community relations at Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State student Gale Martin, a Cardington resident who also serves as coordinator of the Marion Campus Nature Center and Prairie, received Clara Barton Awards presented by the Marion County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Kaser received the award in the Education category for her leadership, motivation, inspiration and organization for the newly implemented college access program "I Can Go To College," a partnership between Ohio State Marion and the Marion Rotary Club.

"I Can Go To College" uses community volunteers to motivate and encourage children and teens to stay in school; to advise students and parents regarding financial aid opportunities; and to provide the financial assistance necessary so that no academically qualified high school graduate is denied an chance at higher education.

The program targets all ages: books for second-graders, classroom supplement material for older elementary students; a Summer Scholars program for Taft Middle School (Marion City Schools) students to attend enrichment programs; motivational speakers for all age groups; financial aid counseling and paper-work assistance; and finally, funds to fill in the gap between college-based financial aid, and family need.

The "I Can" program began in the 1998-99 school year as a pilot program in Marion City Schools. Programs were provided in three elementary and one middle school, and Harding High School. Over the next few years, Kaser expects the program to expand to include all of Marion's elementary and middle schools, and grow into the Marion County school districts.

Martin's award in the environmental category is for her work on the Marion Campus Prairie. In her role as coordinator, Martin implements educational programs and nurtures the prairie ecosystem. Each year, the prairie is visited by hundreds of people -- school students and other visitors, and prairie programs are presented to hundreds more through classroom programs and special presentations to community groups. Martin has initiated new educational programs, and improved several programs used for years. She trains prairie tour guides, prepares informational brochures, and presents programs to classrooms throughout Central Ohio. Martin also organized the first annual seed and plant sale at the Marion Campus Prairie.

As an environmentalist, Martin worked to enhance the diversity of the species growing on the Prairie, established four gardens that serve education and conservation functions, and helped establish the Prairie Heritage Garden on the Marion County Fairgrounds.

Martin is majoring in agriculture communications.

Free Workshops To Help Students Prepare For ACT Exam

The Ohio State University at Marion offers free workshops to help students prepare to take the ACT exam.

The winter workshops will be held Jan. 10 and March 1, from 5 to 8 p.m., in room 100 of Morrill Hall, on the Marion Campus, one mile west of U.S. 23 on State Route 95 (Mt. Vernon Avenue.)

University admissions counselors will offer advice on test-taking strategies and what to expect on testing day, and also provide a review of the ACT practice test.

All participants will receive a free ACT Assessment Sample Test booklet.

Workshop registration is requested, and can be made by calling (740) 389-OSUM, extension 6242.

Kuhn Fine Arts Gallery To Feature Quilts By Dayton Fiber Artist Anne Hubler

Quilts by Dayton's Anne Hubler will be exhibited in the Wayne and Geraldine Kuhn Fine Arts Gallery on the campus of Ohio State University at Marion, 1465 Mt. Vernon Ave. The exhibit will run January 4 to 28.

Hubler's quilts have earned her the reputation as one of the state's most innovative and inspiring fiber artists. An arts supporter for many years, it wasn't until 1995 that Hubler entered her first juried exhibition of art quilts and won the "Most Innovative" award.

"My work is inspired by the subtleties of nature, the weather or the seasons and what they bring to mind," Hubler said. "Generally, I do not plan out much in advance beyond having a theme, a starting wisp of an idea, and a deadline." Her work may include soft sculpture, photo transfer, hand stamping, batik, silk screen or painting.

In 1998, Hubler was one of six Ohio artists selected to create a Christmas tree ornament to be hung in the Blue Room of the White House.

A public reception for Hubler is planned for January 12 at noon in the gallery. The reception, as well as the exhibit, are free and open to the public.

The Kuhn Fine Arts Gallery serves the north central region of Ohio, and maintains exhibits throughout the year. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays. For more information, contact (740) 389-6786, extension 6279.

Slavic Literature And Culture Offered Via Distance Learning At Ohio State Marion

An introduction to Slavic literature and culture will be offered at The Ohio State University at Marion winter quarter (Jan. 6 - March 16) through the Alber Enterprise Center's Division of Continuing Education. The course will be offered through distance learning -- with the lecture originating on the Columbus campus and telecast via interactive video link to the Marion campus.

The class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The course covers selected Slavic or East European literature in its cultural context, relationships between literature, film, and drama. Art and music also may be included. The instructor is George Kalbouss, associate professor of Slavic and East European Languages at Ohio State.

Students registering for the course can select a noncredit option or elect to take the course for its five hour undergraduate credit. The cost is $245 for noncredit, or $490 to enroll in the course for credit. Contact Ohio State Marion, (740) 389-6786, extension 6334, for more information on credit options.

High School Students' Work On Display In Kuhn Gallery At Ohio State Marion

Art produced by local high school students will be on display Dec. 7 through Dec. 17 at Wayne and Geraldine Kuhn Fine Arts Gallery on the campus of Ohio State University at Marion, 1465 Mt. Vernon Ave.

The exhibit will feature about 40 pieces created by students from Harding, Cardington and Ada high schools, as well as others in the seven-county area.

A public reception for the students and their teachers is planned for Dec. 9, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the gallery. The reception, as well as the exhibit, is free and open to the public.

 The Kuhn Fine Arts Gallery serves the north central region of Ohio, and maintains exhibits throughout the year. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays. For more information, contact (740) 389-6786, extension 6279.

Portfolio Builders Program Continues; Computer Illustration Added To Curriculum

The Ohio State University at Marion continues its Saturday morning program aimed at high school students with a serious interest in art.

The curriculum for February session has been modified and now will provide computer illustration instruction.

Portfolio Builders is a new program for high school students considering application to a college or art academy program. Art instruction will be offered to sophomores, juniors, and seniors to improve their admission opportunities for a college art program. The goal of the Portfolio Builders series is to supplement art instruction and to strengthen the projects that comprise a students' college admission portfolio.

Four-week sessions with project-focused instruction will be held at Ohio State Marion on consecutive Saturday mornings from 9:30 to noon. The topics and the scheduled dates are as follows:

• Two-dimensional Design - January 8, 15, 22, and 29
• Computer Illustration - February 5, 12, 22, and 29
• Sculpture - April 8, 15, 22 and 29
• Computer Graphics - May 6, 13, 20, and 27

The topics are designed to develop artistic skill, increase conceptual awareness of the art form, and reinforce each student's portfolio of art projects. Instructors will be selected based on their expertise in the topic area. Instructors also will discuss with students what to expect in a college or professional art program, and information on a career as a professional artist.

The cost of each four-week session is $50, which includes all materials. Students may enroll for one or more sessions, and enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The program will be administered by Todd DeVriese, assistant professor of art at Ohio State Marion. For more information or to request a brochure, contact the Office of Community Relations at (740) 389-6786 extension 6279.