Here are some stories of interest to the Ohio University-Chillicothe campus community:  

• OU-C LEARNING COMMONS RECEIVES RAVE REVIEW

• OU-C’S INVOLVEMENT IN PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION ADVANCES MISSION OF SERVICE TO THE REGION

• RICK BARNES HAS PASSION FOR HIS PROFESSION

• ‘PERCEPTIONS’ EXHIBITION BY FORMER OU-C STUDENT ON DISPLAY IN PATRICIA SCOTT MEMORIAL GALLERY

 

The full stories are below.
 

OU-C LEARNING COMMONS RECEIVES RAVE REVIEW

 

Dean of Ohio University Libraries Julia Zimmerman gave the computer lab in the campus’ Learning Commons a thumbs-up during a recent visit to Ohio University-Chillicothe. Zimmerman toured the facility, located in the Stevenson Center, with OU-C interim Director of Information and Technology Services Patty Griffith.

 

“This is a creative use of space that advances and supports the campus’ educational mission. I love the way the room looks, with an open and friendly atmosphere. It is also extremely functional in that the computer lab opens the doors to such student-centered offerings as the tutoring services,” Zimmerman remarked. “The students who are using the computer stations are obviously energized. It is a fabulous facility.”

 

Zimmerman remarked on the forward-thinking aspect of the Learning Commons, which is modeled after a similar facility in Alden Library on the Athens campus.

 

“While several large universities have a type of learning commons, it is unusual for a smaller campus such as Chillicothe to have this type of facility that meets the students’ needs so well. In a commuter campus environment, there is an increased need for a gathering place for students since they do not have residence halls, and this meets that need in a way that helps to establish a real sense of community,” Zimmerman said.

 

The Learning Commons consists of Quinn Library, the Writing Center, the Math Center and the computer lab.

 

The spacious computer lab opened fall quarter. With an open floor plan and abundant windows, the room has an open, airy look that creates a comfortable atmosphere for students and encourages them to become engaged with one another in their educational pursuits.

 

“The design was based on input from students and faculty. We had focus groups and a Web survey to gain insights from those with a vested interest in the effectiveness of the facility,” Griffith said.  “While the space was previously underutilized, it has become a hub of campus. This facility offers an opportunity to build a sense of campus community and to expand the college experience beyond the classrooms and labs.”

 

The computer lab features nearly 40 work stations, wireless capability, three small group rooms with tables and seating for six individuals and mobile furniture that allows students to design their own study spaces.

 

“This is one of the most attractive spots on campus, and we sought to use the space in a way that continues the campus’ focus on students,” Griffith said.

 

The computer lab is available for use by OU-C students, faculty and staff. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. The facility is closed on Sundays.

 

“We wanted to create a space that is essentially one-stop shopping for students and their study needs,” Griffith said. “With access to the tutoring services and the multi-dimensional aspect of the computer lab, the lab does serve students of virtually all academic pursuits.”

 

Besides offering a study center for students, the computer lab is used for other purposes such as proctoring tests, online and independent study courses, and entrance placement tests in English, math and reading.

 

OU-C’S INVOLVEMENT IN PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION ADVANCES MISSION OF SERVICE TO THE REGION

 

Ohio University-Chillicothe’s participation in the local chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) advances the campus’ mission of service to the region, particularly where higher education can help as an economic driver.

 

Director of Continuing Education, Training and Development Jodie Van Winkle represents the campus as a member of the South Central Ohio Human Resources Council, the area chapter of the professional organization.

 

The chapter, which has grown to nearly 100 members, has been in existence for more than five years and received its charter from the national organization approximately a year ago. It next meets Thursday, Jan. 18, at Kenworth Truck Company. The group, whose membership spans Ross, Fayette, Pickaway and Pike counties, meets monthly to discuss relevant topics. This month’s point of discussion will be the implementation and impact of the new minimum wage standards.

 

“My participation in SHRM allows me to become engaged with other area professionals and to participate in OU-C active involvement in the region’s economic development,” Van Winkle said.

 

OU-C provides the SHRM Learning Systems Course, an intensive program that is designed primarily for individuals seeking certification as a professional in human resources or senior professional in human resources. Additionally, the campus provides guest speakers and offers a quarterly workshop on a variety of HR-related topics.

 

RICK BARNES HAS PASSION FOR HIS PROFESSION

 

Rick Barnes has parlayed his passions for audio and video production and for sharing his insights with students into his ideal job. In his role as Coordinator of I.R.I.S. (Instructional Resources Image and Sound) Center, Barnes says he is “doubly blessed.”

 

Barnes, who keeps an office in the Bennett Hall ground floor, creates multimedia productions such as DVDs, Webcasts and other instructional material for use by faculty, staff and community outreach efforts.  He further teaches classes in telecommunications.

 

“My current position combines all that I truly love doing. I love audio production and I love sharing that passion with students. I cannot imagine doing anything that better combines my passions and interests or that gives me more joy,” Barnes said.

 

He takes his teaching role seriously.

 

“Being a teacher and bringing out the best in students involves being part mentor, part entertainer and part psychologist,” Barnes said. “Teaching is a dialogue and not a monologue. I encourage students to participate and to express their thoughts. I want them to not be afraid of failure. They can learn a lot from failing here in the classroom, where we can work together to correct the mistakes so they do not make them out on the job.”

 

Barnes, who joined OU-C as an adjunct faculty member in April 2004, brings a wealth of experience to the classroom. He was an audio engineer and was also involved in video production for network TV (primarily ABC and NBC) for six years. He has also worked as an audio engineer on documentaries and movies. Also, he honed his teaching skills at Southern Ohio College in Cincinnati for eight years.

 

During his audio engineering days, Barnes worked with news anchors such as Ted Koppel and Peter Jennings and rubbed elbows with such celebrities as President Clinton and the Three Tenors. He helped produce segments for 20/20 and Primetime news magazines.

 

“From my career, I feel I can provide students with insights that add knowledge that goes beyond what they can learn in the book,” Barnes said. “I can share how to work with other professionals and that there is often no clear-cut formula for success, but that each situation is unique.”

 

“The majority of the students in my classes tend to be creative and want to express themselves. They are often looking for their niche, and telecommunications provides a number of avenues for creative expression.”

 

The Chillicothe native attended both OU-C and the Athens campus. He is a veteran musician who plays guitar and sings vocals in the band “Goodbye Rose,” whose music Barnes describes as “American alternative style.”

 

‘PERCEPTIONS’ EXHIBITION BY FORMER OU-C STUDENT ON DISPLAY IN PATRICIA SCOTT MEMORIAL GALLERY

 

“Perceptions,” an exhibition of paintings by Chicago artist Joey Dott, is currently being featured at Ohio University-Chillicothe’s Patricia Scott Memorial Gallery.  The exhibition of 18 paintings will be on display through February 22. 

 

Dott is a former Ohio University student who studied painting at OU-C in the mid-1980s.   After having lived and worked in the Los Angles area for 10 years, he recently returned to live and work in his native Chicago. 

 

Dott has developed a style of painting that he calls “Thematical Figurative Abstraction.” In this style of painting, each work represents an attempt to realize an inner truth derived from a source of higher inspiration. In his working process, each painting is developed in stages, with each respective stage having its own unique story.  This produces in each painting a rendition of human themes that many individuals can easily understand.

 

Many of these themes can be seen as universal in origin and can be traced back to his personal experiential knowledge of life and his extensive research into the evolution of the human psyche.  Knowing that one’s reality is shaped by what one perceives, Dott challenges his viewers with each painting’s expressive content.

 

Dott is also a member of the Screen Actors’ Guild and has appeared in a number of TV programs and feature-length motion pictures.  He will be present at the closing reception of the exhibition on Thursday, February 22, from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend this closing reception to meet and speak with the artist.

 

The Patricia Scott Memorial Gallery is located in Bennett Hall. Gallery hour are 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Fridays.  The gallery is free and open to the public.

 

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Campus News Archive 2007

Campus News Archive 2006