Friendly Competition Serves Area Agencies
Ohio State Mansfield and North Central State College joined forces this year in a friendly competition to raise funds for the local United Way drive. Lead administrators challenged each other to raise the highest institutional dollar amount or suffer the consequences of wearing the logo shirt of the other institution.
After a month of fund raising within faculty and staff circles, the winner was NC State.
Runner up OSU-M Dean and Director Evelyn B. Freeman said, “We’re proud of the funds raised by both institutions, as the ultimate winners are the United Way and the many community agencies
they serve.”
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Math is the Key for Historical Figure
History came alive at OSU Mansfield with a recent visit by Robert Moses, one of the pivotal organizers of the civil rights movement in the early 1960s in Mississippi.
During his visit, he spoke to different groups about his experiences in Mississippi and his reflections on the early civil rights movement.
In the mid-1980s, as a MacArthur Foundation fellow, Moses developed the concept for the Algebra Project. The initiative calls for the improvement of math literacy to help all children have the opportunities to achieve their full potential.
An extension of the initiative is being developed this year as the Mansfield Algebra Project, a collaboration between OSU Mansfield and the Mansfield City Schools. Students eligible for the program are current eighth-graders at Malabar Middle School who are struggling with math as determined by Ohio Achievement Test scores.
Moses addressed a group of Malabar students involved in the program, providing them with a rare opportunity to meet the founder and encouragement to stick with the program in upcoming months.
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Best Bash Ever Preps Faithful for OSU vs Michigan
The 28th Annual Buckeye Bash drew 1,200 excited OSU fans for what some have called “the best bash ever.” Special guest Archie Griffin, college football’s only two-time Heisman Trophy winner, gave a rousing talk to the assembled scarlet-and-gray-clad crowd.
All proceeds from the annual event are contributed to the OSU Richland County Alumni Club endowment fund managed by the university.
Earnings from the endowment are used to provide scholarships each year to area students attending The Ohio State University.
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Carrie Jeffrey “Accesses” First Place
Carrie Jeffrey lost her job a few years ago and began to take a hard look at her future. After visiting the local UCAN office, she received a call about a new program, “Access to Higher Education,” starting at Ohio State Mansfield.
She was excited about the prospect of starting college, but was told she had to be at a placement test scheduled the following morning. Not to be deterred, she passed the test, thereby opening the door to a new academic world that would change her life.
Completing a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in just three years, Jeffrey was named the first graduate of the “Access to Higher Education” program. She is now enrolled in the master’s program in education which carries certification to teach.
“I think the Access program has improved even more since when I started,” said Jeffrey. “Those of us who were the early enrollees are mentors to those who begin now.”
The Access program is designed for individuals who have had a disruption of academic life for three years or more. The program also provides a one-third scholarship for tuition.
“I worried at first about enrolling with younger students,” said Jeffrey. “But, what I found is that my life experience gave me a step up and, many times, the younger students relied on me for a better perspective.”
Jeffrey’s life may have moved in a different direction had it not been for the Access program. She encourages others to investigate the option, as it offers the opportunity to broaden future career horizons.
(Individuals who have been out-of-school for three or more years and who may have an interest in the Access to Higher Education program should call 419-755-4317 for more information.)
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Action is the Byword for OSU-M Student
OSU Mansfield student Donald M. Bryant has been selected to
participate in the Clinton Global Initiative University being held in Austin, Texas, in February. Over a thousand students have been selected from applications received from around the world. He is one of only two people selected from Ohio.
President Clinton
established the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in 2005 to turn ideas into action. CGI represents a growing community
of young leaders who do not just discuss the world’s challenges, but take real action toward solving them. From presidents to academics, from the boardroom to the classroom, CGI members from all walks of life are attempting to affect positive change.
Prior to attending the February meeting, each student must develop and submit a “Commitment to Action.” The plan must address a pressing challenge on the campus or in the wider global community.
Bryant has applied for a CGI grant to establish an after-school program for 11-14 year olds that would be both academic and fun. In conjunction with the program, he hopes to form a mentoring group of business and community leaders to work with the young participants.
Now a senior in his academic program, Bryant, 23, is majoring in diplomacy with a minor in security intelligence.
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“Science Champions” visit OSU Mansfield
A group of 45 eighth graders from NE Ohio recently visited OSU Mansfield as part of a highly successful outreach program, “Breakfast of Science Champions.” The students represented some of the best science students from the region.
The students spent the day exploring science, math, and engineering, in addition to meeting faculty and students involved in the academic areas.
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