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The U.S.  Small Business Administration (SBA) announced on Oct. 15 the addition of three new clusters to the portfolio of communities it supports through the Regional Innovation Clusters initiative. Among these new additions is the Appalachian Ohio Wood Products Cluster, which will serve 32 Appalachian Ohio counties and will be administered by the Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth (APEG).
The SBA awarded $500,000 the first year, which can be renewed four additional years for a total of $2.5 million. These funds will assist APEG in partnership with Ohio University's Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs and local non-profit Rural Action to improve manufacturing productivity; provide industry workforce training, mentoring and counseling services; offer export assistance; and conduct industry research.
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On a hill above The Ridges, beside the Ohio University Compost Facility, a huge grey pillowy bladder sits inside an almost unbearably hot glasshouse. The bladder churns food waste and compost and turns it into fuel. It's an interactive process that makes for a perfect open house - and that's just what Assistant Professor Sarah Davis and Research Scientist Kim Miller did at their Waste to Fuel: Bioenergy open house on Oct. 7.
 The bladder is an integral part of a larger system of anaerobic digesters. Developed and built from scratch by Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs researchers Davis and Miller, the digestion system is co-located at the Ohio University Compost Facility, which is the largest in-vessel composting system at any college or university in the nation. More than 70 visitors attended the open house, providing them a unique opportunity to explore the next generation of energy production for transforming waste not only into fertilizer, but also a sustainable energy source. "We really wanted to integrate a sustainable energy system to make it more holistic," Miller said. "The opportunity we have to make useable fuel here is truly unique." |
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Former U.S.  Senator George Voinovich visited Athens recently and sat down for an hour-long interview with WOUB's Tom Hodson. Sen. Voinovich talked about his views of "gridlock" in Washington and how to solve it. He also discussed qualities of leadership and what qualifications future presidents should have.
He did the interview in front of about 50 Ohio University students and responded to their questions after the formal interview concluded.
Voinovich voiced his concern about the current status of politics in Washington D.C. and what he called the lack of "trust" that the American public has in its government.
Voinovich says his long experience in government gave him the critical tools to solve problems during his 12 years in the Senate. Not only did Voinovich serve as U.S. Senator but he also served as Governor of Ohio, Mayor of the City of Cleveland, Lt. Governor, Cuyahoga County Commissioner and Cuyahoga County Auditor.
Throughout his 40 years in government, Voinovich advanced his mantra: "Work harder and smarter and do more with less."
To listen to the whole interview, check out the story on WOUB's website. |
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 During Homecoming Weekend 2015, Ohio University competed against colleges and universities across the nation in the 2015 GameDay Recycling Challenge, a waste reduction and recycling competition.
Participation in the GameDay Challenge was led by the Appalachia Ohio Zero Waste Initiative (AOZWI), a program of the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, in partnership with Campus Recycling, Facilities Management and OHIO Athletics.Thanks to the coalition's work, football games and tailgates are now single-stream events staffed by student leaders to help fans divert recyclables from the landfill.
This season, OHIO has nearly doubled recycling capacity inside Peden Stadium - all nonrecyclable or noncompostable items are eliminated from being provided in the first place.
 "We are working toward creating a zero waste campus here at OHIO, and our work on Athletic events is making a huge impact," Kate Blythe, OHIO student zero waste coordinator, said. "The collaboration, planning and effort that everyone has put in this season has led to our most successful waste diversion efforts to date. We hope to continue this trend through the rest of the season and into future athletic events."
For more information, contact zerowaste@ohio.edu and follow their Twitter updates at @OHIOzerowaste.
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Since 1994, the Environmental Change and Security Program (ECSP) has explored the connections among environmental, health, and population dynamics and their links to conflict, human insecurity, and foreign policy. ECSP brings together scholars, policymakers, the media, and practitioners through events, research, publications, multimedia content, and their daily blog, New Security Beat.  The ECSP is offering a spring internship in Washington D.C.for students an d/or recent graduates with an interest in, coursework related to, and/or experience working on environmental and human security.Interns will write for their award-winning blog; network with leading experts in the environment, demography, and security fields; and work closely with the "Green Team" to explore new media while seeking a sustainable future. Applications are due December 13, 2015. For more information and to apply, visit the website by clicking the link. |
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An Ohio University graduate student's thesis recently helped the state of Ohio hit a new milestone.
OhioLINK, Ohio's Academic Library Consortium, now has more than 55,000 electronic theses and dissertations from graduate students at 30 higher education institutions available online in the OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD) Center, https://etd.ohiolink.edu/.
The 55,000th submission, "United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Understanding the Applicability in the Native American Context," was made by Alaina Morman, an Ohio University graduate student in the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs. The student won a first-place prize for her presentation of this research at the 2015 Ohio University Student Research and Creative Activity Expo.
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Gail Hesse's motivation to study the environment came from the long-distance bicycle trips she took as a student. The connection she felt to the landscape caught her attention. Those trips encouraged her to forge ahead academically as she earned her bachelor's degree in geography and her master's degree in environmental studies at Ohio University.
A 1988 graduate of the Master of Science in Environmental Studies program, Hesse is the former executive director of the Ohio Lake Erie Commission. Hesse will continue her work on Lake Erie issues when she enters the next chapter of her career as director of the Great Lakes Water Program at the National Wildlife Federation.
"The diversity of skills I've gained and unique content areas I've worked on have made a big difference in getting me to this point in my career," Hesse said. "In environmental professions, you develop expertise in very technical areas, but I've been lucky enough to study and work in lots of depth in lots of areas."
Throughout her career, Hesse's bicycle trips as a student have inspired her, and she attributes much of her success and respect for the environment to the deep connection she felt to the land as she cycled on different roads and trails.
"On those bicycle trips you understand the feel of every mile, in all senses of that phrase," she said. "I think that that had a very significant impact on me. It coupled nicely with my academic career."
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CFI Harvest Dinner
Oct. 24, 6 - 8 p.m.
The Community Food Initiatives Harvest Dinner will feature a gourmet Indian dinner and a Jazz band
Eclipse Company Store 11309 Jackson Dr.
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
Oct. 26Submit your campus application for a chance to earn $7,500 per year.
More information
Venture Cafe'
Oct. 27, 5:30-7:00pm
"Building an Entrepreneurial Team" with Mike Langer
Baker University Center, Room 240
Konneker Medal Nominations
Oct. 30Submit a nomination for an outstanding student, faculty or alum at research@ohio.edu.
More information
3 Minute Thesis®
Oct. 28, 7 - 8 p.m. Clippinger 119 Nov. 12, 7 - 8 p.m.Stocker 103 Nov. 16, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Glidden 550
More information
Theater Delta
Nov. 2 & 3, 5:15-6:45 p.m.
CE3 Brownbag Lunch Series
Nov. 6, 12 - 1 p.m.
The Sugar Bush Foundation
Nov. 13, 12 - 1 p.m.
Balkans Delegation (special session)
Nov. 20, 12 - 1 p.m.
Tracy Sabetta,
Initiative Consulting
The Ridges, Building 22
GIS Day
Nov. 18, 12 - 2 p.m.
Dennis Dimick, Executive Editor of National Geographic
Schoonover Center
Important Dates
Oct. 26 Spring semester Priority Registration begins Oct. 30Last day to withdraw from an individual class on fall semester schedule |
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"The SBA received more than 40 applications for the Regional Innovation Cluster program, and we are honored to be one of the three awards. The Voinovich School has more than 20 years of experience in collaborative research projects with numerous entities in the region. This grant provides an opportunity to take our expansive work in this area and continue to make a difference in the economy and lives of the residents of Appalachian Ohio."
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Impact & Innovation is a newsletter for the students, faculty and professionals of the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs.
Have an article idea? Contact Laura Alloway, Voinovich School Director of Marketing and Communications.
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Welcome to the new Impact and Innovation e-newsletter. We hope to use this as a way to facilitate ongoing communication with the students, faculty and professionals within the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs. 
Dr. Jason Jolley, Master of Public Administration program director and assistant professor with the Voinovich School, quote from news release; Voinovich School was featured in the Lancaster Eagle Gazette article,
