The Ohio State University at Lima


Around the Quad, Spring 2017 2017 Archive

Around the Quad captures the news and activities of the employees at Ohio State Lima.
Spring 2017

Ohio State Lima Perry Webb Student Life Building groundbreaking ceremony 2017

About 75 staff, faculty, students and community members attended the groundbreaking for the Perry Webb Student Life Building May 12. Construction has now begun. If you missed the ceremony, check out the newspaper and TV stories. Keep up with the progress at Lima.OSU.edu/TheWebb.

Comings and Goings

Javad Abdalkhani

Javad Abdalkhani, professor of Mathematics, has retired after nearly 29 years at Ohio State Lima. He has moved to Powell to be closer to the Columbus campus, where he plans to attend applied mathematical conferences and be involved with research activities. He also hopes to volunteer to help students at various levels who need assistance with math.

Photo: Abdalkhani (center) with other members of the Mathematics Department at his retirement party.

Bryan Albright

Bryan Albright will serve as the Interim Assistant Dean beginning May 8. As the Interim Assistant Dean, Bryan will have a variety of responsibilities consistent with a reorganization of the Dean’s office. Bryan’s duties will include, but not be limited to: master scheduling, serving as the liaison with the Campus Bookstore, outreach and engagement efforts, auxiliary services, community partnerships, and special projects as assigned by the Dean.

David W. Hartwig

David W. Hartwig, lecturer in English since 2012, has taken a tenure-line position as assistant professor of Medieval and Renaissance British Literature at Weber State University. “This campus has been an amazing place to start my career,” Hartwig said. “Students, colleagues, and friends, have been instrumental in my development as a teacher and scholar. I’m extremely proud of having worked with such great people, winning the campus teaching award in 2015, and significantly improving our student retention on campus.”

Photo: David Hartwig, right, with Dean Charlene Gilbert, at his farewell reception.

Roger Nimps

Roger Nimps, assistant dean, has retired after 28 years at Ohio State. He and his wife Allison Gilmore, associate professor emeritus of History and former associate dean, are moving to Rapid City, South Dakota, where Gilmore has taken the position of department head for Humanities and Social Sciences at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Photo: Roger Nimps, center, at his last Senior Leadership meeting.

Doug Raver

Doug Raver, assistant technical director in Theatre, has retired after nearly nine years of service at Ohio State Lima and many more on campus.

Photo: Doug Raver, third from right, with the rest of the Theatre Department onstage at his retirement party.

Richard Scheer


Richard Scheer, custodial worker, has retired after 14 years of service. Scheer plans to spend time with his family and possibly take a retirement job of driving the shuttle for Tom Ahl Family of Dealerships.

Al Slaughter


Al Slaughter has joined the Facilities Department as air quality technician. Slaughter previously served as a service manager for the John P. Timmerman Company.

John Upshaw

John Upshaw, chief diversity officer, took advantage of the recent VSIP to depart from Ohio State Lima after 13 years.

Biography of John Upshaw

John A. Upshaw was Special Assistant and Chief Diversity Officer at The Ohio State University at Lima. Prior to his position at Ohio State Lima, Upshaw was employed at Rhodes State College, where he served as Assistant Professor in the Social Sciences and Humanities departments and as Director of Transfer, Residency, International and Multicultural Affairs. Upshaw also served as Student Retention Officer, Student Peer Advisor and Instructor at DeVry University.

At Ohio State Lima, Upshaw created the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, or ODI, from ground zero and he was the administrator and founder of CLIFFS, College Level Intervention For Freshman Success. Prior to becoming Chief Diversity Officer, Upshaw served as Director of Student Life and Student Conduct Officer.

In addition, Upshaw served on a number of Ohio State committees and made numerous contributions to the University in an effort to create a learning environment that promotes student success. He served as a member of the Consultation Assessment Team; as a steering committee member for the student retention initiative; as an oversight committee member for all staff searches; provided diversity training for all new employees; and was a member of Ohio State Lima’s Diversity Committee.

Upshaw also served as the advisor for the LGBTA, Multicultural and Human Trafficking student clubs on campus.

Upshaw received the Ebony Award in 2009 during the 73rd Annual Celebration at the Bradfield Community Association. The Ebony Award recipients are honored for their efforts to promote harmony between the races in the community.

Upshaw’s work with the Lima Family YMCA Black Achievers program led to Ohio State Lima being recognized as the volunteer organization of the year in 2007-2008 and 2011-2012 and Upshaw received the individual 2010 Volunteer of the Year Award presented by the Lima YMCA Black Achievers.

In 2015, Upshaw received the Cultural Awareness Award during the 30th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemorative Celebration. The recipients selected in this category have demonstrated an appreciation for diversity and evidenced skill in building and maintaining harmonious cross-cultural relationships. The recipient’s achievements foster Dr. King’s vision of unity among people of diverse cultural backgrounds.

Hello Prius, goodbye Happy Bus

Thanks in part to an OSU Sustainability grant, a 2017 Prius Four Touring sedan has joined the Ohio State Lima vehicle pool and will be the primary car for long-distance trips. The Ford Taurus will also still be available. The Happy Bus has been retired and made its last trip to Columbus surplus under its own steam.

Announcements

Mark Kleffner is looking for volunteers to help with the Faculty Session during summer orientations. The open slot is on July 12. Second volunteers are needed for June 9 orientation. All faculty sessions are from 11:45 a.m.-12:15. Contact Mark Kleffner if you are available.

Staff Appreciation Days are May 17-18 in the Galvin Commons. Teams for the annual Cornhole Tournament are still forming. Email Debbie Gordon if you have a team. If you have Starbucks to send, they will be passed out on Wed., May 17.

The deadline for faculty to vote on the revised Pattern of Administration is 2 p.m., Tues., May 16, 2017. Vote here.

From May 8-Aug. 11, Julie Paxton will oversee all Ohio State Lima faculty services. During that time, Nancy Vennekotter will focus on responsibilities in the Learning Center. Faculty services hours will be Mondays, 8-10 a.m. in Reed and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in Galvin; Tuesdays, 8-10 a.m. and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in Galvin and 9-11 a.m. in Science; Wednesdays, 8-10 a.m. in Reed, 9-10 a.m. in Science, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in Galvin; Thursdays, 8-10 a.m., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in Galvin and 9-11 a.m. and 2-3 p.m. in Science; and Fridays, 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. in Galvin. Faculty Services office numbers are Science 8451 and Galvin 8388.

Teaching

Dan Matthews

Dan Matthews, assistant professor of Theatre, taught Theatre 2100 at Lima Central Catholic High School as part of the College Credit Plus program. He also taught Theatre 4921S in conjunction with Knowlton School of Architecture and the City of Lima. (http://knowlton.osu.edu/news/2017/04/ohlex-activating-land-vacancies)

Swathi Mohan


Swathi Mohan, lecturer in Chemistry, has been selected to participate in the Lecturer Learning Community of the Ohio State Teaching Enhancement Program, or OSTEP, in a competitive, peer-reviewed process. As part of the program, Mohan will develop and implement a personalized teaching enhancement plan. More info.

Construction

Activity on the Perry Webb Student Life Building has begun. You will notice that fencing is up and the former employee parking lot and visitor spots between Public Service and Galvin Hall are closed. Follow the progress online at Lima.OSU.edu/TheWebb.

The projected start date for resurfacing of Lot D is June 12. Look for more details and a firm date closer to the start.

Sustainability

Look for new deskside recycling bins and larger recycling bins in common areas across campus as they are distributed this summer.

In the Arts

In the Farmer Family Gallery, May 12-June 30, Hindsight from photographer Ben Morales puts a spotlight on the photographs of historic landmarks in and around Toledo by juxtaposing the past and present of places. Summer gallery hours are noon-4 p.m., Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. More - -> Hindsight

The rock musical Next to Normal from Octopus Productions will be performed in the Martha W. Farmer Theatre for the Performing arts June 23-25. Margie Anich, lecturer in Theatre, will direct. Dan Matthews, assistant professor of Theatre, is the set and lighting designer. A number of Ohio State Lima students will participate both on and off stage.


Presentations, Research and Creative Work

Bill Angel

Bill Angel, associate professor of Political Science emeritus, presented “Frank Lausche: The Last Progressive” to the Allen County Historical Society on April 30. More info.

Margie Anich

Margie Anich, lecturer in Theatre, appeared in the Octopus Production of Cabaret and is currently directing the Octopus Production summer musical, Next to Normal, which will be performed at Ohio State Lima, June 23-25.

Joe Brandesky

Joe Brandesky, professor of Theatre
• keynote speaker for the Czech and Slovak Scenography for Shakespeare Symposium at Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic, Nov. 2017.
• curator for the joint Ohio State University/Columbus Museum of Art exhibit Shakespeare in Prague — Imagining the Bard in the Heart of Europe. The exhibit will be at the Incarnate Word University in San Antonio July-Sept. 2017. He was also a contributing editor for the exhibition catalog. More info.
• Convened the Czech and Slovak Scenography for Shakespeare Symposium in Columbus, March 2017.
• His essay, "Jaroslav Malina in Memoriaum," appeared in Theatre Design and Technology, Nov. 2016. His essay "Jaroslav Malina’s Last Exhibition" appeared in the journal Theatralia.

Sabine Jeschonnek


Sabine Jeschonnek, professor of Physics, had an article "Factorization breaking of A T d for polarized deuteron targets in a relativistic framework" published online in the April 1, 2017, issue of Physical Review C (Vol.95, No.4).

Dan Matthews

Dan Matthews, assistant professor of Theatre, had the opportunity to build two scale models of famous, historical scenery from the 20th century for the Columbus Museum of Art exhibit, “Shakespeare in Prague: Imaging the Bard in the Heart of Europe,” which will be on display through May 21. Click here for more from the museum. The designs were both for “Hamlet” – the first designed by Vlastislav Hofman in 1926, and the second by Frantisek Troster in 1941.

"After travelling to Prague as part of Dr. Joe Brandesky’s Prague Theatre Program, a study-abroad program for Lima and Columbus students, and gathering information about the original designs, I was ready to start the reproductions," Matthews said. "Using long-lasting materials and adhesives I took time to create reproductions that would last for years to come, whereas most scenic models are built to be light weight, quick, and cheap. After 80+ hours of work, two band-aids, and the complete usurpation of my family’s utility room the models were ready for the museum."

Nancy Stephani

Nancy Stephani, lecturer in Social Work, is a regular contributor to the “Mental Health Moments” column in the Findlay Courier.

Beth Sutton-Ramspeck

Beth Sutton-Ramspeck, associate professor of English, presented “ ‘Scourgify!’ Voldemort, Mudbloods and the Politics of Cleaning” at Harry Potter and the Pop Culture Conference at the 20th Annual DePaul Pop Culture Conference. DePaul University, Chicago, in May 2017; and “ ‘Filth! Scum! By-Products of Dirt and Vileness!’ The Dirt on Dirt in the Harry Potter Series” at the World of Harry Potter, an Annual Conference on Popular Culture and the Deep Past at The Ohio State University in Feb. 2017.

Doug Sutton-Ramspeck

Doug Sutton-Ramspeck, associate professor of English, had a short story, “Winter Sky,” appear in The Georgia Review, vol 71.1 (Spring 2017) and a poem, “Nomads,” in The Kenyon Review, online March 1, 2017. His book of poems, Naming the Field, is board approved at the LSU Press and will be published in fall 2018. He has won the 2016 McGinnis-Ritchie Award for Fiction for the short story “Messenger.” The award is selected by the editors of Southwest Review at Southern Methodist University as one of the best works of fiction published in their journal that year.

Margaret Young

Margaret Young, associate professor of Music, presented at Music Teacher’s National Association National Conference in Baltimore in March 2017, “A Closer Look at Group Piano Programs” and at Research in International Music Education Conference in Bath, England, in April 2017, “Exploring Global Trends in Keyboard Education.”


Grants and Awards

Joseph Green

Joseph Green, professor of Psychology, was honored with the Ohio State Lima Faculty Award for Sustained Student Mentorship at the Academic Celebration, which recognizes efforts over several years in mentoring undergraduate scholarship or creative endeavors. Dr. Green has a been a constant presence in Ohio State Lima’s Undergraduate Research Forum since its inception in 2009. In the years since he won the inaugural award for mentorship, Dr. Green has supervised 17 undergraduate projects. Those he has mentored have presented their findings at national conferences and OSU’s Denman Undergraduate Research Forum. Green’s student Emily Allen placed second in the psychology division at the 2017 Denman. Dr. Green also supervises students who pursue a diploma with Honors Research Distinction in Psychology. His students have co-authored publications in venues such as the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis and Omega: Journal of Death and Dying.

Ron Kaufman


Ron Kaufman, Facilities Superintendent, earned the 2017 Dedicated Staff Award, which recognizes exceptional dedication to the Ohio State Lima campus shown in the performance of one’s responsibilities and often beyond one’s responsibilities.

Mark Kleffner

Mark Kleffner, professor of Earth Sciences, earned the Outstanding Scholar Award at the Academic Celebration, which recognizes a campus faculty member for scholarship representing a significant contribution in their discipline. Nominations are made by others in the scholar’s field and are reviewed by a six-person Professional Development Committee. Kleffner’s area of specialization is in Silurian conodonts.

Regional Campus Research and Creative Activity Grants

Mark Kleffner, professor of Earth Sciences, earned the Outstanding Scholar Award at the Academic Celebration, which recognizes a campus faculty member for scholarship representing a significant contribution in their discipline. Nominations are made by others in the scholar’s field and are reviewed by a six-person Professional Development Committee. Kleffner’s area of specialization is in Silurian conodonts.

Tariq Rizvi

Tariq Rizvi, professor of Mathematics, has been selected to receive a $3,000 academic enrichment grant from the Office of International Affairs for “International Collaboration: Baer and Rickart module hulls, construction and comparison.”

Margaret Young

Margaret Young, associate professor of Music and director of the Honors Program, earned the Outstanding Teaching Award, which is a student-driven honor. Nominations are generated by the student body and students are a critical component of the selection process.

Maria Ignatieva

Maria Ignatieva, associate professor of Theatre, served as co-director and taught at the International Graduate Seminar in Dubrovnik, Croatia. She also published the essay “Oleg Zhugzhda and the Art of Puppetry” in the journal Puppetry International (UNIMA USA) in Nov. 2016.


Upcoming Trips

Eight Ohio State Lima students are currently scheduled to travel on the Prague Theatre Study Group Tour in Dec. 2017 led by Joe Brandesky, professor of Theatre.

Students, faculty and staff will be visiting Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, Devil’s Tower, Dinosaur National Monument and the Rocky Mountain National park on a study tour of the American West June 12-25, 2017.

FYE will take students on the annual Fall Football Trip in August when Ohio State plays Indiana. Students will visit both Bloomington and Indianapolis.

Melissa Coldiron, Human Resources Manager, will represent Ohio State Lima on the 2017 Roads Scholar Tour, the annual, two-day traveling seminar that takes faculty, administrators and community partners through a region of Ohio to meet other faculty and community partners who collaborating, talk with current and future Ohio State students, learn from business and community leaders, and get acquainted with others who may be partners for future projects. The group will be visiting southwest Ohio this year.