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A Message from the Dean
This is the point in the academic year when life is quieter, when things slow down and we can all catch our breath. The semester is over and summer session is in full swing. The view from my office window is greener and will soon be filled with young children as our pre-college programs get underway with game time held out on the Quad. What I miss this year are the geese (how did we get rid of them?) and the alligators in the moat (where's Rocky?). Life is filled with simple pleasures such as a full candy dish on Susan's desk and Rick's ready smile. And we are still glowing from another very successful graduation where we joined family and friends in honoring and congratulating our fantastic students and launching them into the world. They are prepared and the world needs their bright, excited, questioning, problem solving, communicating, engaged presence. We will be in good hands.
Kristin Sobolik
Dean, College of Liberal Arts
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Creative Arts Center (CAC) Modernization and Expansion

There's a giant hole in front of the CAC! And walls are beginning to go up (top photos above). This marks another phase of the renovation and expansion project. New art galleries, a dance studio, and a movement/stage combat studio will all be part of the new addition on the front of the building, and there will be a splendid new entrance as well. We will have to continue to use alternate building entrances for a while, but it will be well worth it when the addition is open: just in time for ARTSGALA 2016.
Other parts of the project have been completed already. The Music department faculty studios complex at the garden level has been gutted, entirely renovated, and is now occupied, soundproofed, and is beautiful (bottom left photo above). Motion Pictures has moved into a new home in the old TV Center - now the new Motion Pictures Center (bottom right photo above). And other bits and pieces are in process.
It's an exciting time in the CAC! Messy, but exciting.
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LEAP Intensive English Program earns highest accreditation

Wright State's intensive English program, which provides international students with the language skills to be successful, has received the highest level of accreditation from the nation's accrediting agency.
"Being accredited by the Commission of English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) shows that we meet the rigorous guidelines for intensive English program set forth by the CEA," said Jeannette Horwitz, director of LEAP (Learning English for Academic and Professional Purposes). "It makes us more attractive to potential students who are looking for a top-notch program."
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College of Liberal Arts Student Success (CLASS)
The Center for Liberal Arts Student Success (CLASS) is a new initiative designed to consolidate and augment the College of Liberal Arts activities focused on student retention and career attainment. It will help students make secure connections between their liberal arts education and their future. By utilizing and coordinating academic advising, internships, tutoring, scholarships, workshops, alumni networks, career development and job placement strategies, CLASS will provide students with the resources they need to envision success after college --and achieve it.
Our new Director for Student Retention, Becca Salay, was hired late March and is making a great impact already.
We are in the process of hiring a new Director of Workforce Development. Stay tuned for more updates in the fall!
Becca Salay Director of Student Retention
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Quilt Show Raises Money for Scholarships
The Women's Studies program, recently renamed the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program, held its 2015 Quilt Show on January 30 and 31 in Wright State's Student Union. The WSU Service Knitting/ Crocheting Circle demonstrated their art and provided kits for attendees to try their hand at this needle craft. Guest speaker Lois McFarland shared her journey in the making of a memorial quilt dedicated to her husband Charles "Budge" McFarland, a founding faculty member at WSU. Angela Reichelderfer, a professional historical dressmaker, showcased a beautiful costume display. Through a silent auction of ten Scholarship Quilts donated by Tracey Cravan, the Quilt Show successfully raised enough funds for two $500 Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies scholarships!

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2015 CoLA Outstanding Alumna - Judy Wyatt
We are pleased to announce that Judy Wyatt is CoLA's Outstanding Alumna for this year! Judy received her BA Degree in Organizational Communications from Wright State University in 1988. She utilized her education throughout her 23 year career with the Dayton Power and Light Company, where she retired as Group Vice President in 2011. She then launched Whispers Home, a fine linen and lingerie boutique in Oakwood's retail district. She has previously served on the boards of the Dayton Art Institute, DP&L Foundation, Sinclair Community College Foundation, and Victoria Theatre Association. Judy currently serves on the Alzheimer's Association, Miami Valley Chapter Board and the Community Advisory Board for the Wright State University, Person-Centered Medical Home for People Living with Dementia which was initially funded by the Wyatt Family Fund. This innovative program is receiving national and international attention and is currently providing care to 80 families in the Dayton area.
Read more about Judy Wyatt and previous WSU Outstanding CoLA Alumni.
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Internship Celebration Breakfast
The College of Liberal Arts hosted its second Internship Celebration Breakfast to thank 150 community companies, organizations, and nonprofits who hosted over 235 CoLA interns over the past year. This hard-working group of students logged over 56,000 internship hours! "Internships provide students with real-world opportunities to apply what they are learning in the classroom. Student have to engage and reflect and process on the skills they've acquired, and what they've learned about leadership, communication, networking, research and so much more," said Jennie Buckwalter, assistant dean of the college. "Internships help our students get their foot in the door and often times lead to future employment opportunities."

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CoLA Alum Turns Painting Degree Into Banking Career
Joel Huxley earned a B.F.A. in painting at Wright State in 1998. The skills and knowledge he gained through his liberal arts education and fine arts degree ultimately led him on a path to a very successful career at Wright-Patt Credit Union where he has worked in many different capacities. Joel's co-workers have a lot of respect for his painting degree, saying that because he's an artist, he has a perspective and critical eye that they don't. Joel received scholarships while at WSU that helped him greatly, and he is now paying that forward through the Elaine Davis Scholarship that he and his partner, Ryan King, recently established in honor of Joel's mother. "I had a great experience at Wright State and realized that sometimes you just don't appreciate what you have until you actually get in there and experience it," Huxley said. "Wright State actually means a lot to me. There is so much going on."
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Area High School Chinese and Latin Students Experience a Fun Day of Language Immersion
The Department of Modern Languages hosted its second Chinese Immersion Day on February 12. Pledging to speak only Chinese throughout the day, 117 students from 6 area high schools practiced painting bamboo-the symbol of spring; competed to show their knowledge of Chinese history and culture; practiced recognizing, pronouncing, and writing select Chinese characters; and learned a popular fan dance. The day included an authentic meal of prosperity dumplings, longevity noodles, chicken, and tofu.
Read more>>
The Department of Religion, Philosophy, and Classics hosted its first Latin Day on April 20, drawing almost 130 area high school students to WSU's Student Union. Students participated in a performance of scenes from Plautus' Miles Gloriosus, a discussion of the Roman household, an introduction to reading Latin inscriptions, and a Latin trivia contest.
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Pathways to Success
The second annual CoLA Pathways to Success Open House was held February 16 and was a great success. Because area high schools are closed on Presidents' Day students and parents had the opportunity to see what it is like when Wright State is in session. Members of the WSU Spirit Unit escorted students from the Student Union to Millett Hall where they were met by Rowdy Raider himself. Almost 100 prospective students and guests met with representatives from CoLA Departments and Programs, as well as other academic and support offices from around the campus. Most importantly students were able to attend a variety of classes taught by outstanding CoLA faculty, learn about financial aid, and take tours of the CAC and campus.
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ARTSGALA 2015 Celebrates A Record-Breaking Year!
| Wright State's 16th annual ARTSGALA set new records for both attendance and revenue. More than 770 patrons - a 10 percent increase over last year - enjoyed amazing student performances while helping raise a record $191,000 for scholarships for fine and performing arts students. We are proud this year to surpass the $2 million mark in overall proceeds for ARTSGALA Scholarships!
View our amazing photos and fantastic reviews of ARTSGALA 2015.
Join us on April 9, 2016 for another fabulous night of arts entertainment!
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Model UN Team Wins Delegation Award for 36th Straight Year
 Model UN's award-winning tradition continues! This year's team earned 6 Outstanding Position Papers and a Distinguished Delegation (top 10%) Award, plus a brilliant briefing at the Netherlands Permanent Mission to the United Nations. Congratulations to the 2015 Model UN team for their 36th year of consecutive success!
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Wright State House Speaker Supports CoLA Students with State Funding for Internships
 CoLA received a $75,000 boost for internship scholarships thanks to help from Cliff Rosenberger, the speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, who is a graduate of WSU's Urban Affairs program.
Rosenberger served on the legislative group that added the funds to the state budget. A total of 51 students received internships. Kaylee Morris, a senior and social work major, had to complete 420 hours for her internship and take a full course load. She quit her part-time job to stretch the scholarship throughout her senior year. "I would have been stressed beyond belief if it were not for that scholarship," Morris said.
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Outstanding Graduates 2015
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Kaitlin Flamm
Anthropology
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Charmaine Griffith
Art & Art History
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Jeremy Gambrell
Religion
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Catherine Hoover
Communication
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Brittany Wozniak
English
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Lauren Loney
Geography
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Kenneth Price
History
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Andrew-John Hickman
International Studies
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Christina Roark
Liberal Studies |
Jasmine Higgins
Modern Languages
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David Swiggett
Music
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Angelica Loyd
Political Science
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Nathan Shields
Social Science Education
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Laura Tran
Social Work |
Paige Dobkins
Theatre, Dance, & Motion Pictures
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Erin Flathers
Applied Behavioral Science
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Sarah Bay
English
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Daniel Wright
History
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William McIntire
International & Comparative Politics
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Katie Luckenbill
Humanities
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Elizabeth Kelly
Public Administration
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Ginger Goubeaux
Social Work
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Tyler Shepard
Music
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