University of Rio Grande News Feed

Special Event for MBA Students

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The University of Rio Grande will celebrate the work of its Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Entrepreneurship students with a special event on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

On that day, the students will be finishing their programs and will make special presentations about the businesses they started while taking classes at Rio Grande.

In addition, the MBA students and area business leaders will also be able to hear from special guest speaker Gurminder Singh, chief operating officer of Student Space and founder and co-chair of The Green Technology Institute of UCLA.

He is an authority on finance, entrepreneurship development and the future role of technology in the global business community, said Krishna Kool, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Professional Studies at Rio Grande.

Prior to the speech, the students in the MBA program who are completing their Advanced Entrepreneurship capstone course will make presentations to a panel of judges. The presentations will be designed to give them the chance to sell the businesses or business ideas they came up with while in the MBA program, or sell franchises for their businesses.

The panelists will act as prospective buyers and establish offering prices for the students to consider. All during the academic year, the students have been putting together business plans and starting their own companies. Many of the students are already active with their businesses in the community, and have begun marketing and selling their products and services.

Two students combined to form a business that is selling a new device for baseball and softball teams, as well as recreation programs, to outline batters boxes on fields. Two other students formed a company that is helping international soccer players find college scholarships in America. Another student formed a business to help local companies with their debt collections, while another student formed a business to sell jewelry. The other students started a wide range of businesses that they are already putting into practice through the MBA program.

The program is unique in Ohio with its focus on entrepreneurship, and works with the Center for Small Business Entrepreneurship at Rio Grande. The MBA students have the opportunity to work with local businesses, as well as with individuals interested in starting their own companies.

The program is excellent for people working in large and small businesses, and the MBA students are using what they have learned to begin their own businesses.

Rio Grandes MBA program is only one year old, but it is already growing.

This fall, the program will also be offered at Shawnee State University, where more than 20 students have already enrolled to take part Rio Grandes MBA program. Kool is also talking with other colleges and universities in Ohio interested in having the program on their campus.

At Rio Grande, students can choose to enroll part-time or full-time in the MBA program. Full-time students can complete the program in just one year (three semester), while part-time students can complete it in two years. Part-time students only have to attend classes one night per week.

For more information on the MBA program or on the August 5 events call the Evans School of Business at Rio Grande at 1-800-282-7201.

Gold Medallion Awards Presented

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The University of Rio Grande presented Gold Medallion Awards to several of its strongest friends and supporters during a special ceremony on Saturday, July 12.

The ceremony was held in conjunction with an event commemorating the end of the Lighting The Way Capital Campaign, the dedication of the new J. Tim and Wylodine Evans Terrace at the Davis University Center, and a proclamation naming John. D. Kidd as a University of Rio Grande Fellow.

The Gold Medallion Award is the second-highest award that the University of Rio Grande can bestow on an individual or organization. The award is a gold-plated disc that has the seal of the University of Rio Grande on one side and the specifics of the presentation on the other.

In order to be nominated for a Gold Medallion Award, individual candidates must be honorable people who are above reproach and are respected in the community. They must also have contributed their time, work, resources or knowledge to the University of Rio Grande and its students in order to help the university continue to grow and thrive. The president of the university recommends the candidates for this high honor, and the candidates also have to be approved by a special committee and receive unanimous approval from the University of Rio Grande Board of Trustees.

During the Saturday, July 12 ceremony, several individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the success of the University of Rio Grande were selected to receive the awards.

Greg Sojka, Ph.D., president of the University of Rio Grande, presented the awards to the individuals and organizations and talked about why each was selected for this prestigious honor.

The first Gold Medallion Award, for example, was presented to the family of the late Lyvonia Bunce. Bunce, for whom the Bunce School of Education at Rio Grande is named, was a strong supporter of Rio Grande who helped the university in numerous ways.

James M. Caldwell was given the second Gold Medallion for his outstanding service to Rio Grande and leadership to the capital campaign.

Evan and Elizabeth Davis were also presented Gold Medallions for their support of campus organizations such as the Madog Center for Welsh Studies and the soccer program, and their overall assistance to the university.

We appreciate everything you do for Rio Grande and our students, Sojka told the couple.

Stanley E. Harrison, who received the next Gold Medallion Award, has been a dedicated member of the University of Rio Grande Board of Trustees and has helped to lead two successful capital campaigns. He has also assisted with countless other programs and initiatives to help Rio Grande.

Holzer Clinic was also presented a Gold Medallion Award. Holzer Clinic helps Rio Grande by providing clinical work experience for students in the nursing program, as well as in several of the allied health programs such as diagnostic medical sonography, radiologic technology and respiratory therapy. Holzer Clinic also supports Rio Grande in numerous other ways.

Barbara McManus, daughter of Bernard Fultz, received the medallion on his behalf. Fultz was an alumnus, former trustee, and fellow was presented the next Gold Medallion Award for his strong work for Rio Grande and his support of the institution.

The Raymond Mason Foundation was also presented a Gold Medallion Award for its support of scholarship programs targeting students in the region and the institution.

C. Michael and Stephanie Reardon were also presented Gold Medallion Awards. C. Michael Reardon served as a national co-chair of the successful Lighting The Way Capital Campaign, and he and Stephanie Reardon have generously supported the institution.

Sarah Rannells Simonds, the other national campaign co-chair for the Lighting The Way Capital Campaign, was also presented a Gold Medallion Award.

Simonds could not be present for the ceremony, but Sojka read a letter from her that discussed how proud she was to be a part of the University of Rio Grande, and how proud she is of the bright, motivated students and the outstanding faculty and staff.

The names of all of the Gold Medallion Award winners will now be placed on a plaque that will be permanently displayed on campus.

For more information on the awards or on the July 12 ceremony, call Beverly Crabtree at 1-800-282-7201.

Dedication of Evans Terrace at the University of Rio Grande

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Left to Right: Cindy Epling, Brett Epling, Wylodine Evans, Greg Smith, J. Tim Evans, Karen Smith, Marty Huestis, Robert Huestis

The University of Rio Grande recently dedicated its new outdoor terrace next to the cafeteria in honor of two of its strongest friends and supporters.

On Saturday, July 12, Rio Grande dedicated the new outdoor terrace at the Davis University Center in honor of J. Tim and Wylodine Evans.

The terrace was built as part of the recent expansion of the Davis University Center. That expansion project included adding space to the cafeteria (which increased the seating capacity from 350 to now 500), creating a new student recreation center, improving the food preparation area for the cafeteria, creating new meeting rooms and adding space for campus and community events.

The outdoor terrace was also a main part of the expansion, and this facility will become a new focal point of the campus. The J. Tim and Wylodine Evans Terrace is 90 feet long and more than 20 feet wide and is filled with tables, chairs, and umbrellas. Students can take their food out of the cafeteria space to eat on the terrace, and they can also gather on the terrace at all times of the day.

Area residents will also be able to use the terrace during the wide array of community events held in the Davis University Center.

Greg Sojka, Ph.D., president of the University of Rio Grande, said it is important for the students to have this new space.

You have to have things for the students to do and places for them to go, Sojka said. The expanded Davis University Center provides more student recreation and activities, and the new Evans Terrace will be a great place for the student to meet with each other, Sojka said.

Jason Kellison, president of the Student Senate at Rio Grande, said the students appreciate having the new Evans Terrace.

Its going to be a great asset for the students, Kellison said.

When the students gather on the terrace for lunch, they will be able to see nearly all of the students and faculty walking to and from the cafeteria and making their way around the small, scenic campus, Kellison said. One great thing about Rio Grande is that the students have the opportunity to get to know all of the other students, and also work closely with the faculty. The Evans Terrace will be a great place to meet with friends, study and hold campus events, Kellison said.

Its a very nice place to go, Kellison said. He thanked the Evans family for their support of Rio Grande, and said the students appreciate everything the couple has done for the university over the years.

J. Tim Evans, a native of Gallia County, worked at the Evans Meat Packing Company, where he was the part-owner, until 1974. He was a founder of the Bob Evans Sausage Company and was active on the board until 1996. He also served on the Holzer Medical Center Board of Trustees and the University of Rio Grande Board of Trustees.

Wylodine Evans was born in LeSage, W.Va., and was a co-founder of Smith Buick Pontiac, Inc. Her ancestors were some of the founders of the University of Rio Grande. Her great-grandparents, in fact, were Lewis and Elizabeth Wood, and they built the structure that is today known as the Greer Museum. Lewis Wood was a member of the University of Rio Grande Board of Trustees from 1881 until 1901.

Mr. and Mrs. Evans were married in 2002 and they have five children, 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

The couple lives in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and Rodney, Ohio. They are members of several community organizations and own the Sunset Valley Farms, which was named the Angus Cattle Breeder of the Year in 2005.

During the Saturday, July 12 ceremony, a plaque of J. Tim and Wylodine Evans was unveiled, and that plaque will be displayed at the Davis University Center. J. Tim Evans said he and his wife are honored to have the outdoor terrace named after them and said they are proud of their association with Rio Grande.

For more information on the J. Tim and Wylodine Evans Terrace at Rio Grande, call Beverly Crabtree at 1-800-282-7201.

Historic Celebration at the University of Rio Grande

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Left to Right - C. Michael Reardon, Beverly Crabtree, Stanley Harrison, Dr. Gregory Sojka

The University of Rio Grande celebrated a historic day on Saturday, July 12, as faculty, staff and friends of the institution gathered to salute the completion of the Lighting The Way Capital Campaign and to honor several of the universitys strongest friends and supporters.

The Lighting The Way Capital Campaign began as a fundraising program to raise $16.5 million for the university. That goal was reached early in the campaign, so it was decided to extend the goal to $21 million.

During the Saturday celebration, Rio Grande officials announced that the university far exceeded the goal, raising $22,567,573.32.

This was a big undertaking for a small school, explained C. Michael Reardon, national campaign co-chair for the Lighting The Way campaign.

Reardon said that when the late Dean Brown, who was then the vice president for institutional advancement at Rio Grande, first approached him about helping with the campaign, he turned him down. He then turned him down again several additional times, but Brown kept after him until he agreed to help.

He didnt take no for an answer, Reardon said. Brown and the entire Lighting The Way campaign had a refuse to lose attitude, and that served the university well in reaching the goal, he added.

It was really beyond by belief, Reardon said about the amount of money raised in the campaign.

Stanley E. Harrison, chair of the institutional advancement committee for the University of Rio Grande Board of Trustees, explained that the campaign goal was the highest goal ever set by Rio Grande.

Today is a special day, Harrison said. The campaign showed how important Rio Grande has been to this history of the region, and how important it is to its future. The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College work together well to help its students and to help the region, and the success of the capital campaign shows that people appreciate everything Rio Grande does for it students and the community, Harrison said.

Every gift was a vote of confidence, Harrison said.

Beverly Crabtree, vice president for institutional advancement at Rio Grande, explained that 1,630 different donations were made to the Lighting The Way Capital Campaign.

Thats 1,630 people who believe in our mission and who know that Rio Grande is doing important work, Crabtree said. She thanked everyone who worked on the campaign and who donated to it, and said it is a very important campaign for Rio Grande.

The money raised by the Lighting The Way Capital Campaign is being used to create new scholarships, expand academic programs, improve campus facilities, create new athletic programs, create new student activities and fund a wide array of programs that benefit students and area residents.

The celebration was held in one of the expanded buildings, the Davis University Center. In that building, the cafeteria was improved and enlarged, a new student recreation center was built, new student meeting rooms were built and other important services were added.

The Lighting The Way Capital Campaign is already making a big difference in the lives of students at Rio Grande, and the changes and improvements will benefit students for generations to come.

The July 12 event also honored several friends and supporters of Rio Grande.

During the celebration, John D. Kidd was named a University Fellow, Rio Grande officials dedicated the new J. Tim and Wylodine Evans Terrace at the Davis University Center, and Gold Medallion Awards were presented to several individuals and organizations. The Gold Medallion Awards were presented to Lyvonia Bunce, James M. Caldwell, Evan and Elizabeth Davis, Stanley E. Harrison, Holzer Clinic, Bernard Fultz, Raymond Mason Foundation, C. Michael and Stephanie Reardon and Sarah Rannells Simonds.

For more information on the event or on the Lighting The Way Capital Campaign, call the office of Institutional Advancement at Rio Grande at 1-800-282-7201.

John D. Jack Kidd Named Fellow of the University of Rio Grande

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Left to Right Dr. Gregory Sojka, John D. Jack Kidd, Jane Kidd

The University of Rio Grande presented its highest honor to John D. Kidd during a special ceremony on Saturday, July 12.

The day was historic for Rio Grande, as it also marked the completion of the Lighting The Way Capital Campaign and was an occasion to honor several other friends of the institution.

Greg Sojka, Ph.D., president of the University of Rio Grande, explained that there is no higher honor at the university than to be designated as a University Fellow.

Only a few individuals have been chosen for this honor, Sojka said.

The other Fellows of the University of Rio Grande are Emerson E. Evans, Esther Bradbury Allen Greer, Charles Allen Weed, Francis Ward Shane, Samuel Spencer Davis, John Ernest Halliday, Harland Martin, Paul C. Hayes, John L. Beckley, Max W. Morrow, Robert L. (Bob) Evans, Bernard V. Fultz, Jeanette Albiez Davis, James A. Rhodes, Vernal G. Riffe, Jr., Robert S. Wood and Evan E. Davis.

In order to be named a Fellow, an individual must be a citizen of note and worth to the general community, must have a positive impact in community affairs, must be recognized as a leader with altruistic motivations, must be honorable and above reproach, must have a long and sustained interest in the University of Rio Grande and must have the unanimous approval of the University of Rio Grande Board of Trustees.

A University Fellow is also an advisor to the Board of Trustees, president and the entire university.

Kidd joined the University of Rio Grande Board of Trustees in 1982 and served a two-year term as chairman of the Board from 1994-96. He also received an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Rio Grande in 1997.

The vice chairman of WesBanco, Kidd is a graduate of Miami University. He previously served as a CPA specializing in auditing and systems, and joined Oak Hill Banks as CEO in 1970.

Kidd is very active in the community, and he and his wife, Jane, are members of the Christ United Methodist Church of Jackson. They have three children, Larry, Peggy and Doug.

Upon receiving the designation of University Fellow, Kidd said he was very honored and thanked his wife for her love and support.

We do appreciate this so much, Kidd said. To be named a University Fellow is very humbling, especially when you consider the other people who have been named Fellows at Rio Grande, he added.

We are so passionate about Rio Grande, Kidd said. One of the items he is proudest of at Rio Grande is the high number of non-traditional students the institution is able to serve, Kidd said.

Rio Grande has one of the largest percentages of non-traditional students in the whole state of Ohio, Kidd said. Rio Grande is set up to help people who want to come back to school while they also have work and family responsibilities, he said.

The four-county service area of Gallia, Jackson, Vinton and Meigs counties, has one of the lowest levels of college graduates in the state, but Rio Grande is doing important work helping more and more people in the region receive their degrees every year, he said.

Do we make a difference here? I think we definitely are making a huge difference, Kidd said. Rio Grande has outstanding faculty members, dedicated staff and excellent individuals serving on the Board of Trustees.

The University of Rio Grande is working well with Rio Grande Community College to serve the students, and the work is benefiting the people of the region in numerous ways, Kidd said.

Weve got to keep in mind what we are all about, and that is the students, he said. Thanks so much for this award, and God Bless Rio Grande.

For more information on Kidd or on the University of Rio Grande Fellows, call the presidents office at Rio Grande at 1-800-282-7201.

Orientation at Rio

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The University of Rio Grande will hold its second orientation session of the summer on Thursday, July 10 and Friday, July 11.

The summer orientation sessions are open to all students who will be beginning classes at Rio Grande during the fall semester. All of these students are strongly encouraged to attend one of the three summer orientation sessions, and all parents of the students are also invited to attend.

The first orientation session was held in June, and the third and final session will be held on Aug. 15

Fall semester classes at Rio Grande will begin on Aug. 25.

At the orientation sessions, students have the opportunity to take placement tests, meet with academic advisors, register for classes, talk to financial aid counselors and get familiar with the campus.

The orientation sessions also allow students to schedule their classes, and by attending the early sessions of the summer they will be able to put together the best class schedule that meets their needs.

Students can still schedule classes and take placement tests if they do not attend the orientation sessions, but the orientation sessions provide the best opportunity for students to get everything completed in only one or two days.

During the July 10-11 session, students will be able to spend the night on campus, and their parents will be able to as well. Parents are not required to attend, but are definitely welcome. Different sessions are held for parents and students during the orientation events.

Our goal is to answer any questions and concerns that the students and their parents might have, said Tammy McCain, director of admissions at Rio Grande. During the two-day event, students will have a chance to get to know some of the faculty and staff, and learn more about what college life will be like in the fall.

This is also a great opportunity for the students to meet the other members of their class, McCain said. The orientation sessions are set up so the students will have the chance to meet others in their class, so that they will know at least a few other students before classes begin in the fall.

The regular business items of registering for classes and taking placement tests are very important, but McCain said it is also important for the students to get to know each other.

A very important aspect of orientation is to socialize and get to know each other, McCain said. This will help to take away some of their anxiety about starting college. Several social activities will be held for the students and their parents.

I strongly encourage the commuter students to attend the after-hours social activities as well, McCain said. Whether students will be living on campus or at home, they will enjoy and benefit from the social activities.

Students pay just $65 for the orientation session, and that cost includes overnight lodging, meals and other expenses. Guests of students pay just $15 per guest.

Students can register by calling admissions at 1-800-282-7201 or by logging onto the Rio Grande home page, www.rio.edu, and clicking on the link for orientation.

The third orientation session will be a one-day event on Aug. 15.

For more information on orientation, call admissions at 1-800-282-7201.

New Admissions Team at Rio Grande

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The University of Rio Grande has a new team in place in its admissions office in order to help students.

Tammy McCain is the new director of admissions, and took over the position in March. McCain, who is from Oak Hill, has worked at Rio Grande since 1997 and is proud to serve in her new position.

Its a very high-stress, high-demand job, but I enjoy knowing that I am helping people change their lives, McCain said. At Rio Grande, she is able to help students learn more about the university and enroll, and then she can see the students succeed as they go through their educational careers.

I believe in everything we have to offer McCain said. I believe Rio Grande is not like any other place. Its the whole Rio Grande experience that you cannot get on a larger campus or really anywhere else.

At Rio Grande, there are always people available to help students, and McCain is proud to be a part of the institution, and proud to tell students around the region about everything Rio Grande has to offer.

We want to see our students succeed, McCain said.

Alicia Martin is the new assistant director of admissions. Martin, who is from Wellston, has worked for three years at Rio Grande.

I love my job, Martin said.

McCain explained that Martin is excellent at organizing projects and initiatives for the admissions office, and said she is a strong part of the team. Martin has traveled a great deal during her time in the office, often working in the western half of the state, visiting schools in Cincinnati and Toledo and everywhere in between.

Kristie Russell, who has worked in admissions since 2004, has been promoted to the position of admissions representative. Originally from Oak Hill, Russell now lives in Gallipolis.

She really brings a lot to our team, McCain said, adding that her experience in the office and working with students helps her in her job.

I love helping students, and I enjoy my co-workers, Russell said.

Sara Will, who is from Pomeroy, has also been named an admissions representative. She attended Rio Grande and has a great deal of experience working in management positions. Her knowledge about Rio Grande from a student perspective and her work experience both help her a great deal in her new position.

Gretta Lunsford, who is from Lawrence County, has also been named an admissions representative. She also attended Rio Grande and was active with several campus groups, including the cheerleading squad. Her knowledge of student activities and campus life will help her talk with students about the college experience at Rio Grande and better explain to them everything the small college has to offer.

The two admissions secretaries for the admissions office are Bethany Davies and Renee Barton. McCain explained that Davies and Barton are the two people that most people talk to when first when they call in or stop into the office. McCain said the Davies and Barton both do excellent work, and they fit in well with the admission staff that is working very hard to talk to students around the region about Rio Grande.

Were all working together to tell each individual student that their future is within reach at Rio Grande, McCain said.

For more information on the admissions office at Rio Grande, call the office at 1-800-282-7201.

Rio Grande Graduation Ceremony in China

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The University of Rio Grande held its first graduation ceremony in China recently, honoring its first class of graduates from that country.

Rio Grande has an exchange program with BaoJi University in BaoJi, China, and the agreement allows students from each institution to travel to the other. Over the last two years, 26 faculty members from BaoJi University have studied in Rio Grandes master of education in classroom teaching program, and on June 10 they received their degrees.

The school wanted to hold an authentic Rio Grande, American commencement, explained Greg Sojka, Ph.D., president of the University of Rio Grande. The ceremony was very different from traditional Chinese graduation ceremonies, which are usually small affairs.

For the Rio Grande ceremony, the graduates invited family and friends, Rio Grande officials handed out diplomas and gave their remarks, and the Rio Grande alma mater was even performed.

It was great to have the students there with their parents to celebrate their graduation, added Barbara Hatfield, Ph.D., provost/vice president for academic affairs. It was a very traditional Rio Grande graduation even though it was held at BaoJi. She was honored to be part of the ceremony, and was proud of the BaoJi students for their work in the masters degree program.

The exchange program with BaoJi and the experience of having the masters degree students in the Rio Grande program have proved beneficial for everyone involved, she added.

I think it was a really great experience for the Chinese students and the American students who interacted with them, Hatfield added.

College experience in America is valued in China, and the graduates were pleased with the opportunity to study with the Rio Grande faculty and students, and learn from American educational style.

Over the last two years, the BaoJi students took classes on-line, along with Rio Grande students in America. Many of them also had the opportunity travel to Rio Grande in the summer of 2007, and two of them spent the spring 2008 semester at Rio Grande with a group of undergraduate students from BaoJi.

The undergraduate students who spent the spring semester at Rio Grande also attended the ceremony, as did a group of masters degree students from Rio Grande who were on summer study trip to China.

The masters degree students from BaoJi enjoyed the program, and several of them wrote about their experiences after they completed their studies.

When I learned fresh ideas about teaching and learning, a dramatic change took place in my teaching, one student wrote. While I knew the concepts of student-centered learning, and task-based learning, etc., before I entered the program, I had not thought of changing my traditional way of teaching because I felt comfortable with it and most teachers taught that way. After I learned about multiple intelligences, the brains natural learning systems, and the importance of emotions in learning, I began to change. I had to change, for my students benefits.

The student went on to write that there were some difficulties with this way of teaching in the beginning, but the changes have paid off and the students have responded well.

There will be no end to my change and improvement, the graduate wrote.

Another student wrote that the Rio Grande masters degree program helped change the students style of teaching and presenting materials.

The black folder filled with my course book and teaching files is no longer enough, so I found a bigger handbag to hold a camera, videos, flip chart and various other teaching articles. Sometimes I feel like a movie maker, the student wrote. I am pleased to see positive outcomes that are both encouraging and rewarding. Multiple Intelligences really improves students learning and provides interactive situations that are more closely aligned with the real-world and social needs.

Rio Grande and BaoJi are continuing the exchange program, and undergraduate students from Rio Grande are expected to travel to China to study in the spring 2009 semester. BaoJi students will then come back to Rio Grande in the future, and additional masters degree students from China may also be taking part in the Rio Grande program.

For more information on the exchange program with BaoJi University, call Dr. Greg Miller at 1-800-282-7201.

Big Red Basketball Camp

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The University of Rio Grandes Mens Basketball program held its largest boys basketball camp ever recently, attracting students from Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee and Indiana.

The Big Red Basketball Camp was held June 22-27 at Rio Grande, and attracted 217 young men between the ages of 10 and 15. Rio Grande coaches and players, as well as college and high school basketball coaches from around the region, worked as staff members at the camp. During the week, the campers took part in individual drills and competed in several different games and contests.

Rio Grande holds a series of camps in several sports in the summer, and also holds special weeks when teams of high school student-athletes from around the region come to campus to play games.

The Big Red Basketball camp is an individual skills camp, where the players stay on campus during the week. The camp is designed to teach young players about the game in a fun environment.

This camp helps the players grow as people, but it also gives them the opportunity to fall in love with the game of basketball, explained Ken French, head coach of the mens basketball program at Rio Grande. The coaches and staff members at the camp share a passion for the game, and they enjoy teaching the players about basketball.

We also spend a lot of time talking about character, French said. The players were taught about acting responsibly on and off the court, and about why character is so important.

The players have a good time, but they also work very hard, which is why the camp has the nickname, The Hard Work Camp.

It was fun, but it was a lot of hard work, said Clayton Christensen, a player from Oak Hill. He enjoyed the five on five games and other contests during the week.

It is awesome, added Zach Dameron of Jackson. He also liked all the games the campers were able to play in, and said he learned a lot.

Its fun, and its challenging, said Trevor Downey of Jackson. He added that in addition to learning about basketball, he also learned a lot during the week about being a better person.

I think its a great camp. Its the Hard Work Camp, said Quincy Smith of Huntington, W.Va. He said his basketball skills improved during the week and he had a good time.

I like it, added Austin Keyser of Huntington, W.Va. He said the agility drills and other drills for the players were very helpful.

Ed Fry, a high school basketball coach from Clemson, South Carolina, helped teach at the camp and was impressed with the players. The players worked hard and were respectful, and Fry enjoyed talking with them and getting to know them.

He traveled a long way to work at the camp, and to work with his friend French. Fry gave French his first coaching job years ago, and the two still enjoy working together.

You really dont find camps like this anymore, Fry said. Most camps dont focus on the individual drills and basic skills like the Rio Grande camp, and no other camp has the well-known triple-elimination tournament.

Its the only one of its kind in the country, Fry said. In the triple-elimination tournament, teams play late into the night on the last night of the camp, and the players love the fact that they get to play so many games and compete against so many other teams.

For more information on the mens basketball camp, or the mens basketball program at Rio Grande, call French at 1-800-282-7201.

Women In Leadership Conference

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

University of Rio Grande student Nicole Chapman had the opportunity to spend a week at a very select conference in Columbus recently, and said she learned a lot from the experience.

It was amazing, said Nicole Chapman, a senior from Lewisburg who is a behavioral social science comprehensive major and a political science minor. During the week of June 16-20, she attended the Women In Leadership Conference in Columbus. Chapman was just one of 22 students from around Ohio selected to attend this prestigious conference, which was sponsored by the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at Ohio State University.

It was definitely not what I expected, said Chapman, who explained she was curious about the conference before she attended. It was about how women have the capability to be in leadership positions.

The students at the conference had the opportunity to listen to and meet female leaders from around Ohio, and were able to learn more about leadership skills.

It was empowering, Chapman said. The speakers at the conference included a Franklin County judge, and Chapman was inspired by listening to her.

Chapman hopes to become an attorney, work in criminal law and eventually become a judge, but she was unsure about her plans before she went to the conference.

I was wondering if it was really possible, it just seemed so far and distant, she said about working in law. After listening to the judge and taking part in other events, she sees how she can achieve her dreams.

The students at the conference also had the chance to listen to several other speakers, including female professors and former Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery.

She is a wonderful woman, Chapman said, adding that she is also very inspirational.

Also during the week, Chapman enjoyed the opportunity to get to know college students from around the state. The other students at the conference are also interested in working in leadership positions, and Chapman explained that the students all bonded with each other. It was a group made up of students from diverse backgrounds, but all of the women there work very hard and are planning for their careers.

Chapman is also planning for her senior year, and is looking ahead to enrolling in graduate level programs after she graduates from Rio Grande. She is also planning to work as an intern in the Gallia County Municipal Court in the fall, and will be applying for an internship at the Ohio Statehouse.

She went to the conference not sure about what she wanted to do with her career or how she should approach it, and left the conference with new ideas, new friends to support her and a feeling that she can achieve her goals.

It was just what I needed to rejuvenate myself, Chapman said about the conference. She said she is excited about being a leader, and confident that she can be successful in whatever she does.

They stressed to all of us to be proud of who you are, and what you can bring to the table, Chapman said.

For more information on Chapman or on the conference, call Rio Grande faculty member Ellen Brasel at 1-800-282-7201.

New Look for a Rio Grande Locker Room

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The University of Rio Grande Mens Soccer team has a new look to its locker room thanks in a big part to a local friend of the university.

Adam Blair, owner of Superior Flooring and Cabinets of Gallipolis, recently donated and installed new flooring for the locker room in the Lyne Center. The flooring is much safer, and also looks much nicer.

Assistant Coach Tony Daniels explained that the new flooring is similar to green astro-turf in the locker room. The players like how the new flooring changes the look of the room, and also makes the floor much less slippery and much more comfortable.

Blair said he was happy to make this donation to Rio Grande.

I grew up outside of Rio Grande, Blair said, adding that he attended basketball camps on campus as a child, and also did work as an athletic trainer and a referee for the university.

Ive known Tony for a long time, Blair added. In talking to Daniels about the soccer program and the athletic facilities, he learned about the need for this improvement in the locker room.

I thought it would be a good opportunity to help, Blair said.

The new flooring is often referred to as indoor/outdoor carpet that can be used in a variety of settings. It looks similar to astro-turf, but also looks similar to natural grass, Blair explained.

It provides something for them as they come in and out of the showers, and as they come in and out of the rain, he said. This way they wont slip around on a concrete floor anymore.

Rio Grande officials came up with the idea to get the floor in the color of green, and to also put white field markings on it to add to the look, Blair said.

It does look good, he added.

Many people purchase this type of carpet to put around swimming pools or on front porches, Blair said. Superior Flooring and Cabinets, which sells and installs a wide range of carpets, hardwood floors, ceramic tiles, kitchen cabinets, countertops and other items, is proud to be working with Rio Grande and adding to the improvements in the Lyne Center, Blair said.

Daniels added that Rio Grande soccer players assisted with installing the new flooring, and he said the players are very happy with the new floor. Rio Grande is also making other improvements to the locker room, such as new benches that have been made by people affiliated with the program.

The locker room will have an old-school look when it is completed. The mens soccer program is nationally ranked and is one of the best programs in the region.

Other improvements are also being made in the Lyne Center, such as the renovation work last year in the indoor swimming pool, the changes made to add new space and equipment to the fitness area, and improvements to the free weights area. The Lyne Center is open to the public, and is also used by Rio Grande students for varsity sports, intramural activities and other campus recreation events.

For more information on the improvements to the mens soccer team locker room, or on other improvements in the Lyne Center, call Daniels at 1-800-282-7201.

Rio Grande Choose Ohio First Program

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The University of Rio Grande is receiving nearly $1 million over the next five years from the state of Ohio to be used for scholarships as part of the Choose Ohio First program.

The scholarships will help pay for tuition for four or five years of college education for students in certain programs, and the funding will be awarded to students for the upcoming 2008-2009 school year.

Rio Grande and its partner schools such as Hocking College and the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine are working together to make new educational opportunities available to students through the Choose Ohio First program. The funding will also help to pay for internships at local organizations such as the Holzer Health System and Fruth Pharmacy.

Barbara Hatfield, Ph.D., provost/vice president for academic affairs at Rio Grande, said the Choose Ohio First program provides a total of $940,520 in scholarship funds, to be used to help students pay tuition expenses for four years in college. Students who move onto the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine can also use some scholarship funds for their fifth year in college.

Students in qualified programs are eligible to apply for the Choose Ohio First scholarship funds. At Rio Grande, there are five scholarships for students studying fish and wildlife conservation management in the four-year program, five for students in teacher education, five for students in the four-year nursing program, five for students in pre-medicine, five for students in the four-year diagnostic medical sonography program, five for students in the two-year nursing program, five for students in allied health programs, five for students earning two-year degrees in teacher education, five for students in programs such as fine woodworking, and five for students in two-year programs in either pre-medicine, pre-dentistry or pre-veterinary science.

For Rio Grande students taking classes at Hocking College, there are five scholarships available for those who are studying fish and wildlife conservation management and five for students studying nursing. For Rio Grande students who continue their pre-medical studies at Ohio University, there are three scholarships available.

A total of 63 scholarships will be awarded this fall, and all Rio Grande students in these fields are encouraged to contact the financial aid office at the university to learn more about how to apply for the Choose Ohio First program. The financial aid office also has information about how the tuition funds are awarded.

The Choose Ohio First Scholarship program is a unique opportunity for colleges and universities in Ohio to transform the nature of the education being provided. The program is designed to significantly strengthen Ohios competitiveness in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.

Around Ohio, $22.7 million in scholarship funds are being awarded to special programs, such as the initiative set up at Rio Grande, to help educate students in these areas. State officials selected the Rio Grande program to receive funding because of the way it is designed to assist students.

I think what they liked was our collaborative effort, said Rio Grande faculty member Kimball Clark, who is working on the Choose Ohio First program on campus. The Ohio Board of Regents is pushing for colleges and universities to work together more, and the Rio Grande Choose Ohio First program does this through its partnership with Ohio University and Hocking College, in addition to the partnerships with local businesses and organizations.

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, in announcing the Choose Ohio First program, discussed how important this new program is for the state.

In order for Ohio to be globally competitive for the jobs of the 21st century, we must increase the number of Ohioans with college degrees in critical areas of math, science, engineering and technology. Choose Ohio First helps us to do just that, Strickland said in the announcement.

For more information on the Choose Ohio First program at Rio Grande, call the financial aid office at 1-800-282-7201.

New Staff and Ideas in URGs Financial Aid Office

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The University of Rio Grande Financial Aid Office has a new director and new initiatives to help students receive the funding they need to pay for college.

The new team of employees working in the Financial Aid office brings both years of experience and new ideas to the campus. They are serving the campus at a time when Rio Grandes enrollment is growing and the university is reaching out to students in the area and around the world.

In addition, as part of the institutions commitment to helping students with financial aid, every new student at Rio Grande will receive a scholarship this year.

Dawn Knepper is the new director of financial aid at Rio Grande. She has worked in the financial aid office for four years, and has worked for Rio Grande since 2003.

Were making a lot of positive changes in the financial aid office, Knepper said, adding that she is proud to be working with the other employees in the office.

The assistant director of financial aid is Jenny Dyer, who has worked in the office for 14 years.

I love my job, said Dyer. She is an expert on all of the grants, scholarship and loans available to students and is described by others in her office as being like a financial aid encyclopedia. Dyer enjoys interacting with students and working with people all across campus to help students receive the financial aid assistance they need.

Eric Lollathin, who has been with the office for four years, is now serving as a financial aid advisor.

He is a true asset in his new capacity, Knepper said. Lollathin is an expert on technical matters and is helping the office integrate new software and technology into its services.

Mandy Willoughby is the new computer specialist for the office. She earned her degree in information technology from Rio Grande earlier this year and graduated summa cum laude.

With her recent college experience, she will able to relate well to our students and assist them, since she has seen the student perspective, Knepper said.

The employees in the financial aid office all enjoy working with the Rio Grande students and are involved in activities across campus. Dyer, for example, also serves as a sorority advisor. Knepper also advises a sorority, and is also the advisor for the Rio Grande Dance Team. Lollathin also volunteers for numerous activities on campus.

Its important that the students know us and can see us on campus, so they will feel comfortable when they come to see us in the financial aid office, Dyer said.

The financial aid office is also working with new and expanded scholarship programs this year such as the institutional scholarships, the Choose Ohio First scholarships and the TEACH grants. All Rio Grande students are encouraged to apply for financial aid, and are reminded that a wide range of financial assistance is available. In addition, all new students at Rio Grande are eligible to receive scholarships, and they are all invited to visit the financial aid office.

For more information on financial aid at Rio Grande, call Knepper, Dyer, Lollathin or Willoughby at 1-800-282-7201.

Robert Rees Scholarship at URG

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The Robert Rees Scholarship at the University of Rio Grande is providing more than $41,000 in scholarship dollars for nearly 30 students for the 2008-2009 academic year.

The scholarship money will provide funding for eight returning students and 21 first-year students at Rio Grande this year. The scholarship helps numerous students attend Rio Grande every year, and this year is providing a total of $41,325 in funding for students.

The Robert Rees Scholarship was originally established to help nursing students from Gallia and Jackson counties pay for college, and it has evolved over the years to reach out to even more students to help them attend Rio Grande.

The students who will be receiving the Robert Rees Scholarship during the 2008-2009 school year include returning students Tiffany M. Erwin, Leslie Ward, Laura K. Kline, Trista Booth, Travis A. Stout, Lehanna Craft, Megan B. Deel and Krista Speirs.

The first-year students receiving the scholarship include Kelli M. Irwin, Tyler Canaday, Courtney Circle, Taylor McGroom, Ian Lewis, Brooke Taylor, David Robbins, Daniel Sherman, Margo Fraley, Reba Russell and Chelsea N. Layton.

Additional first-year students receiving the scholarship include Cassandra D. Bapst, Farrah Simpson, Melissa Messinger, Andrea Petrie, Derek R. Webb, Zachary K. Tackett, Candice Clonch, Samantha Simmons, Michael Haney and Eric L. Caldwell.

Students have to meet certain academic requirements and other stipulations in order to receive the scholarship funding.

The scholarship was set up under the will of Robert Rees, a Gallia County native born in 1912. He owned and operated the Bob Rees Pontiac dealership in Gallipolis for 37 years and was one of the regions most prominent business leaders. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the First National Bank in Gallipolis, was a principal stockholder and organizer of the Holiday Inn, and held a lifelong interest in farming. At the time of his death in 1972, Rees was also involved with the Greenacres subdivision and was a partner in a Lincoln Mercury dealership in Ironton.

During his life, he contributed considerable resources to the establishment of the Robert Rees Scholarship Fund. The trust fund is a lasting memorial to Rees interest in education and his dedication to assisting the youth of the region.

Each year, Rio Grande officials take applications from students interested in the scholarship, and then meetings are held to discuss the applications and determine to whom the funds will be awarded.

The scholarship fund helps a great number of students each year.

Rees was a smart, successful businessman who was an important part of the community. Today, through his scholarship fund, he is still helping college students and area residents become successful, too.

For more information on the Robert Rees Scholarship or on other scholarships, grants, loans or financial aid programs available at Rio Grande, call the financial aid office at 1-800-282-7201.

Luncheon Honored Grounds and Maintenance Staff

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The University of Rio Grande honored its grounds and maintenance employees with a special luncheon on Wednesday, June 10. The employees do an excellent job every year on campus, and this year they are being led by a new director.

Ron Mash is the new director of maintenance and grounds at Rio Grande, and he has already made a positive impact on the campus.

Phyllis Mason, director of human resources at Rio Grande, explained that the luncheon was held at the Presidents House on campus in order to recognize all of the hard work the employees do throughout the year.

The grounds and maintenance employees do an outstanding job of keeping the campus looking nice, making sure everything works properly and making Rio Grande a comfortable, safe environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors.

At the luncheon, the employees had chances to win door prizes, and they all received packages that included candy, gummy tools (like gummy bear candy, but in the shape of tools) and several other items. The employees also had the opportunity to win prizes such gift cards and a day off with pay.

Mason explained that while the grounds and maintenance employees have always done a very good job at Rio Grande, Mash has also helped them take on new challenges and improve in several areas this year through his work as the director.

Mash, who lives in Athens and is also an accomplished musician, formerly served as director of residence and dining maintenance at Ohio University, worked in maintenance in several areas for OU and even led the maintenance efforts for the Nelsonville-York City School District.

Since starting his work at Rio Grande in January, Mash has worked right along with the other grounds and maintenance employees, and helped the department continue to improve and grow.

Hes very good at leading the department and making sure everything gets done, because he works right along with the rest of the employees, Mason said. Mash is very good at communicating with people all across campus, and has proved to be very dependable, she added.

Mash also has excellent computer skills, and has brought more high-tech advances, such as on-line work order forms, to the department.

Best of all, he has fit in well with the department, where the employees are known for working well in a team environment.

They all go to lunch together and they take their breaks together, Mason said. She is happy Rio Grande was able to honor the employees with the luncheon, and is pleased with the work Mash is doing for the students, faculty and staff at the institution.

For more information on the grounds and maintenance department or on the luncheon, call Mason at 1-800-282-7201.

Relay for Life

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Students and faculty from the University of Rio Grande helped raise money for the American Cancer Societys Relay For Life in Gallia County on June 6 and 7.

Relay For Life is an annual event that supports the American Cancer Society. All around the country each year, Relay For Life events are held to raise money for this important organization.

Different groups and organizations from around southern Ohio came together for this years Gallia County event, which was very successful.

At the Gallia County event, Rio Grande and the Area Agency on Aging teamed up to form one of the groups volunteering to help raise money for the American Cancer Society at the two-day event.

Bob High, director of the Center for Small Business Entrepreneurship and a faculty member in Rio Grandes master of business administration in entrepreneurship program, explained that the whole event was very moving. One main focus of the event each year is to honor cancer survivors, and remember those who have died from the disease.

High was proud to do his part to help with the Relay for Life event, and explained that the Rio Grande/Area Agency on Aging team members worked together very well before and during the event.

We did a lot of work getting information about Relay for Life out, High said. Information was presented on campus, and students and faculty were invited to attend.

Greg Sojka, Ph.D., president of the University of Rio Grande, even participated in the event.

Each group at Relay for Life has its own booth, and each booth tries to raise money during the two-day event. The Rio Grande/Area Agency on Aging booth sold items like pop, coffee, flashlights and armbands that lit up at night.

The booth also held silent auctions for items such as Longaberger baskets, and held a corn hole tournament in order to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

It was very popular, High said about the corn hole tournament. Some of the players were very good, and the participants enjoyed the game.

The Rio Grande students who helped at the booth included several students from the MBA program, High explained.

The Area Agency on Aging was also an integral part of the booth, and High said the representatives of the agency did an outstanding job assisting with the event.

High added that he was impressed with all of the booths and all of the people who took part in Relay For Life, and said he was pleased Rio Grande could be a part of it.

For more information on the Rio Grande group that assisted with Relay For Life, or for information on the MBA program at Rio Grande, call High at 1-800-282-7201.

American Free Enterprise and Leadership Conference

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

High school students from all across Ohio who spent a week at the University of Rio Grande recently had the opportunity to create their own businesses, hear from business leaders and have fun while they learned a great deal.

The students were on campus during the week of June 15-20 for the annual American Free Enterprise and Leadership Conference. The event is sponsored each year by the Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) chapter at Rio Grande.

I am having the time of my life, said Matt Miller, a high school student from Lakewood. He enjoyed learning about the different business topics at the conference, but said he also liked meeting the other students on campus for the week.

There are just so many diverse people from all around Ohio, Miller said.

Julia Cane, a high school student from Sandy Valley, said she also enjoyed the conference. I have been learning about free enterprise, the American economy and how to run a business, Cane said. The speakers at the conference, she added, helped her understand how businesses get started and grow.

Adam Taylor, a high school student from Columbus, said he liked the way the week was set up for students.

Its a mix between a fun camp and an educational camp for college, Taylor said. He is interested in a possible career in business, and said he learned a great deal at the conference. He also enjoyed the social aspects of the week. The students all had a chance to get to know each other through working on projects, and through the social activities.

Emily Stasko, a high school student from Lakewood, said she liked the diversity of the students at the camp, and also liked the fact that the students could earn two college credit hours by taking part in the conference.

I see it as an opportunity, Stasko said.

Seun Banjoko, a high school student from Columbus, said she liked how the students got to choose the businesses they wanted to run, and then were able to run their companies throughout the week.

Her group chose to sell bracelets and then donate part of the profits to help the people in need in Darfur.

Carol Smith, advisor for the SIFE program at Rio Grande, said that 68 students took part in the conference.

They all worked really hard all week, Smith said. The students were attentive at the lectures, they asked the speakers excellent questions and they had some very good business ideas. The businesses the students created included a car wash, food products and clothing businesses.

Rio Grande students who are members of the SIFE team worked with high school students at the conference, and the students in Rio Grandes Masters of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship program were also invited to assist.

At the end of the week, the students presented reports on their businesses and talked about what went well, and what didnt go well with their business ideas. For the companies that made money during the week, the students also had to decide what they would do with the profits.

For more information on the 2008 American Free Enterprise Leadership Conference, call Smith at 1-800-282-7201.

Kids College Day Camp

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Area children looking for activities that are fun, exciting and educational this summer will want to attend the Kids College Day Camp at the University of Rio Grande.

The Day Camp, which will have the theme "Learning To Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci," will be held July 7-11 on the Rio Grande campus. The activities each day will begin at 9 a.m. and finish at 4:30 p.m. This exciting, hands-on enrichment camp is open to all area youth between the ages of 10-15, and features classes on a wide range of subjects such as archeology, creative writing, theater, art and the Civil War.

"Kids College will have a whole new look on campus this summer, explained Gina Pines, special assistant to the provost at Rio Grande. "This new approach to academic enrichment is set against the backdrop of day camping. This new approach has many advantages to both students and parents. With gas prices being what they are and day care costs rising, we understand that your money and time is more valuable than ever."

The Day Camp has a tremendous range of classes that will both challenge and entertain students. The classes are full of fun activities, and the students will enjoy working together.

"Kids learn best by being fully engaged - by using all of their senses," Pines said. "This day camp focuses on an educational approach that is hands-on, exciting and fun, while keeping students highly engaged in the subject matter at hand."

The theme for the camp, "Learning To Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci," is woven through all of the classes in order to reinforce the concepts being taught.

"Every class is specifically designed to provide hands-on enrichment, and each course encourages both critical and creative thinking skills," Pines said.

This unique program will be very rewarding for the youth who participate, and at the end of the week the students will host an exhibition of their works, which will include papers, historical documents, scientific research and artistic creations. The program has been designed by, and will be primarily taught by Pines, who has successfully held this program in other locations for eight years. Pines has a master's degree in education and humanities, and she will be assisted by Rio Grande professors in some of the courses.

The classes will include "Chasing The Butterfly," which will focus on subjects such as journal writing, creative writing and theater; "Archeology and Ancient Civilizations," which will teach students about archeology and the cultures of ancient Egypt/Africa, Greece, Rome, China and Native Americans; "Big Blue Planet," which will focus on environmentalism, endangered species, the ecology, the oceans and backyard animals; "Time Travelers," which will teach students about the Vikings, knights and castles, the Italian Renaissance and the American Civil War; and "Contemporary Art," which will teach students about art basics, mural painting, collage art, 3-D art and self-portraits.

The fee for the week is just $150, and that cost covers all materials and supplies, t-shirts, a canvas tote bat, snacks and beverages. Students are asked to bring a sack lunch each day. For families with more than one child enrolling, the first child costs $150, but every child after that costs just $100.

Enrollment space is limited in the Kids College Day Camp, but there is still time to sign up. To register or receive more information about the July 7-11 day camp, call Pines at 245-7439 or e-mail her at gpine@rio.edu.

Venture Capitalist to Speak at the University of Rio Grande

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Venture capitalist Paul Benedict will speak at the University of Rio Grande on Monday, June 30.

The presentation, which will be free and open to the public, is part of a series of lectures being sponsored by the Master's of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship program at Rio Grande. The presentation will begin at 6 p.m. in Room 118 in Bob Evans Farms Hall.

The lectures were originally designed to benefit the MBA students, but they are also open to the public because so many business leaders and area residents interested in learning more about business will benefit from hearing what the expert speakers have to say.

Benedict is a senior associate with Adena Ventures, a $34 million venture capital fund based in Athens. He has been with the fund since it started in 2002.

In six years, Adena Ventures has invested nearly $20 million in 10 companies located in southern Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky.

Benedict also serves on the board of ThreeWide, Inc., a real estate software services company based in Morgantown, W.Va. He also is an observer on the boards for Ed Map, Inc., a book distributor and higher education software services provider based in Nelsonville; and Mersive Technologies, an ultra-definition display software company based in Lexington, Ken.

In addition to his investment responsibilities, Benedict also manages Adena Ventures's operational assistance program, which has provided nearly $5 million of services free-of-charge to 75 companies in central Appalachia.

Benedict is also a member of the leadership team of TechGrowth Ohio, which is southeast Ohio's $15 million Entrepreneurial Signature Program. The program is part of the state of Ohio's Third Frontier program.

Bob High, director of the Center for Small Business Entrepreneurship at Rio Grande, said that area residents who are involved in businesses that are looking to grow, or area residents who have business ideas, will benefit greatly from listening to Benedict's presentation.

Several other speakers have already given their presentations as part of the summer series, but three other business leaders will also be speaking in campus in the series in July.

On Tuesday, July 8, Don Wood, the owner and founder of the Don Wood Automotive dealerships and a member of the University of Rio Grande Board of Trustees, will lead the 3:30 p.m. presentation in Room 118 in Bob Evans Farms Hall. Wood will be discussing negotiations in all facets of sales and business management. Everyone can benefit by learning more about negotiating, whether they work in business or in other fields, and Wood will be able to share his years of knowledge and experience with those in attendance.

On Tuesday, July 22, Jerry Murphy, a former insurance agency owner, will lead the presentation. Murphy, who is an excellent speaker, will be discussing business insurance. His lecture will also begin at 3:30 p.m. in Room 118 in Bob Evans Farms Hall.

On Tuesday, July 29, Bob Stern, an expert on human resources management, will be discussing personnel management during his presentation. This event will also begin at 3:30 p.m. in Room 118 in Bob Evans Farms Hall.

For more information on the summer series of presentations or on Rio Grandes unique MBA program, call High at 1-800-282-7201.

Blood Drive at URG

University of Rio Grande — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The University of Rio Grande will host a blood drive with the American Red Cross on Wednesday, June 25.

Held in honor of a Rio Grande employee, the blood drive will begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m., in Conference Room C in the Davis University Center. The Rio Grande employee is facing surgery in the coming weeks, and the blood drive is being held in her support.

The blood drive will also benefit many other people throughout the region who need blood for health emergencies and surgeries.

Blood supplies are often at their lowest in the summer, explained Dot Neutzling, director of health services at Rio Grande.

During the warm summer months, more people are outside working and playing, and there are also more people driving, she explained. This means that there are also more accidents and medical emergencies in the summer that require the blood supplies to be full.

The need really grows during this time of year, Neutzling said.

Donating blood is a simple process that is fairly quick and nearly painless. The actual blood donation takes less than 15 minutes, but donors should expect to be at the donation site for a little more than an hour. Red Cross and Rio Grande volunteers will be available at the June 25 blood drive to assist donors with any concerns or problems they have.

Those who are giving blood for the first time should increase their fluid intake before donating, and they should eat normally. If donors are nervous, American Red Cross staff members are there to talk about the process and answer any questions.

Donors should know their Social Security numbers and have photo identification cards with them , or they can bring two other forms of positive identification. Donors also receive a brief health check to begin the process. Each individual donor is asked questions about his or her medical history, and has his or her blood pressure, temperature and pulse checked.

After the donation is finished, the donors also have the opportunity to replenish their fluids with drinks and snacks while they visit with fellow donors and volunteers. Individuals can donate once every 56 days.

Each blood donation may save up to three lives, and the blood that is donated is used for a wide variety of medical procedures.

Each year, 4 million people in the U.S. need the donated blood. For more information on donating blood or on the American Red Cross, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or log onto www.redcrosslife.org.

For more information on the Wednesday, June 25 blood drive at Rio Grande, or on the different services provided by the Health Services office at the university, call Neutzling at 1-800-282-7201.

University of Rio Grande News Feed

Special Event for MBA Students

Gold Medallion Awards Presented

Dedication of Evans Terrace at the University of Rio Grande

Historic Celebration at the University of Rio Grande

John D. Jack Kidd Named Fellow of the University of Rio Grande

Orientation at Rio

New Admissions Team at Rio Grande

Rio Grande Graduation Ceremony in China

Big Red Basketball Camp

Women In Leadership Conference

New Look for a Rio Grande Locker Room

Rio Grande Choose Ohio First Program

New Staff and Ideas in URGs Financial Aid Office

Robert Rees Scholarship at URG

Luncheon Honored Grounds and Maintenance Staff

Relay for Life

American Free Enterprise and Leadership Conference

Kids College Day Camp

Venture Capitalist to Speak at the University of Rio Grande

Blood Drive at URG

John D. Jack Kidd Named Fellow of the University of Rio Grande

New Staff and Ideas in URGs Financial Aid Office