February 21, 2013

Theatre Columbus State presents “A Murder of Crows”

Theatre Columbus State will present the dark comedy “A Murder of Crows” by award-winning playwright Mac Wellman February 27 – March 2.

The play examines the human condition of a dysfunctional Midwestern family.
Nancy Kephart, director of the play says “We’re looking at all of these types of things that we don’t like to talk about but are there—for instance, the greed and the bigotry. All of these things are touched upon in the play.”

The stage play is fast-paced. It’s a single act with nine quick scenes, lasting just about one hour.

A Murder of Crows includes adult language. Nightly performances are at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, February 27 through March 2, and there is a 3:00 p.m. matinee on Thursday, February 28. All performances are in Nestor Hall Auditorium and are free of charge. Due to the short length of the play, there will be no late seating once the performance starts.

Admissions to offer one-stop workshops for new students

Enrollment Services will offer a series of “One-Stop Wednesdays” on February 27, March 27, and April 17, from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The workshops are an opportunity for new students to complete placement tests, register for classes, and learn about available programs and resources. The workshops are for accepted students only. Invited to upcoming sessions are those students who are accepted for Summer Semester 2013 without transfer college credit. For more information or an agenda, contact Elizabeth Wyles-Smith.

Spring Semester Christopher’s begins tonight!

Christopher’s the student-run dining experience, will offer dinner service tonight from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. in Eibling Hall Room 005.  Check out tonight’s menu here! (The Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo sounds pretty good!)

Holiday t-shirts bring lucky charms

The Columbus State Bookstore will offer  St. Patrick's Day tees for $5 (reg. $7.99) on February 27 and March 4 only. You’ll get a free "lucky charm" with your purchase!        

Top high school automotive techs compete

Associate Professor Mark Mitchell, far right, and Department Chair Dr. Andy Rezin recognize the winners of the Regional Skills USA Competition hosted by the Columbus State Automotive Technology program on February 16. Thirteen of the top local high school automotive vocational students competed to identify the best and brightest. The three top finishers and one alternate will move on to the State Competition in April. There they will be judged by industry professionals including Columbus State Automotive faculty. The top finisher from the State Competition will compete at the Skills USA Nationals. 

Operation Ceasefire works to stop gangs
Columbus State is teaming up with Operation Ceasefire, a Columbus city pilot program to combat gang activities in the Near East Side.

Don Ricker, center, works with members of the City of Columbus’ Operation Ceasefire team.

“The program started in Boston in the mid-90s when youth homicide spiked in the inner city,” says Don Ricker, instructor in Social Sciences. David Kennedy, a Harvard researcher, brought a data-collecting approach to the problem.

Kennedy’s strategy relies on direct discussions with gang leaders.  Stop the shootings and drug selling and gang members would be eligible for services, housing subsidies, and help finding jobs. The alternative would be full court police action coupled with federal, not state, sentences.

“The U.S. attorneys play a huge role,” says Ricker, a former Houston police officer.  He’s in the middle of a housing and demographic study of the Near East Side neighborhood.  A poll of residents called “A Neighborhood Disorder Survey,” will be next.  Once the pilot program is up and running, Hilltop and Linden neighborhoods are next in line.  You can read a review of   Don’t Shoot (2011) by David Kennedy here.  A link to the Columbus city program which focuses on inner-city violence prevention and conflict mediation is online here: APPs (Application of Purpose, Pride and Success).

Volunteers needed for Central District Science Day March 16

Columbus State will host the Ohio Academy of Sciences Central District Science Day on Saturday, March 16. Approximately 500 students from local area middle and high schools will present their science projects in hopes of advancing to the state competition in May. Volunteers are needed to judge these projects and to assist in the smooth operation of the activities.

Judges will be needed during the period from 8:00 a.m. to approximately 12:30 p.m. If you have never judged before, don’t worry. An orientation session will assist you. All judging is done in pairs and any inexperienced judge will be paired with an experienced judge.

Additional volunteers are needed to assure smooth operations during the event. Times of service will vary. Volunteers help students find their display sites, assist in registration, tally up the scores, assist the judges by collecting score cards, and acting as hall monitors to maintain order and security.  There is a volunteer job for every person regardless of science training.

This is an excellent community service opportunity so come and make it a success! If you would like more information about this event or if you want to volunteer as a judge or in any other capacity please contact John Blaha at ext. 5930.

Employees invited to OSCHE presentation

All Columbus State employees are invited to attend the Ohio Staff Council of Higher Education (OSCHE) Winter Meeting Friday, March 1, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. in the Conference Center Ballroom (WD) to hear David Cannon, Ohio’s Vice Chancellor of Finance, speak about recent changes to college and university budgets. There will be a Q&A period following the presentation.