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                                                              College of Liberal Arts 

CoLA Color
CoLA Weekly
 
Friday, April 15, 2016 
 
I love this time of year when the awards, receptions, final papers, and recitals come fast and furious. This past weekend saw many of us in the thick of things - in the Creative Arts Center, Millett Hall, and in the community. Soon we will be celebrating with our students as they graduate and move out into the world, and we'll get to take a breath as we recollect the year and plan for the future.
 
On Saturday we hosted the biggest ARTSGALA event yet, welcoming over 900 people to the Creative Arts Center and the new addition. It was a fantastic evening with many more performances to see given our extra space. It was nice to see so many of our CoLA faculty and staff there taking advantage of the reduced ticket rates and supporting our students. Many people helped put on this event including faculty, staff, and students from the School of Music, Department of Theatre, Dance, & Motion Pictures, Department of Art & Art History, College of Liberal Arts Dean's Office, Advancement Division, Marketing Division, and Student Union Administrative Offices. The Guru and Guru-helper of ARTSGALA are Jennie Buckwalter and Susan Paul - BIG round of applause here! This week is the week of thanks as we thank everyone and wait (im)patiently to see how much we have raised for scholarships. Check out highlights from ARTSGALA 2016. Mark your calendar for next year - April 8, 2017.


On Sunday our Department of Communication once again welcomed dozens of the most articulate students in the region as they hosted the Rotary District 6670 Four-Way Test Speech Contest. Kudos to Chair
Mary Rucker and Tracey Hill for organizing the event, and to our numerous faculty judges - Martha Antolik, Dave Baxter, Ike Brunner, Will Davis, Elliot Gaines, Jessica Lawson, Ray Marcano, Scott Peterson, Melissa Spirek, Marie Thompson, and Jung-Soo Yi. I loved judging some of the speeches and welcoming the group, and was impressed with the dedication of the students and the support of their parents and friends. 

Finalist were: Samantha Baker, Katelyn Marie Niehaus, Rachel Martin, and Kaylee Hurley
 
Then it was over to Shuster Hall for the School of Music's Young Artist Competition and Honors Reception where faculty, students, alumni, and donors were present to support the top students who had competed in previous rounds to perform in this competition.
 
Congratulations to the following musicians:
  • Lisa Burwinkel - Mezzo Soprano
  • Patrick Fansler - Clarinet
  • Jonathan Jacky - Trumpet
  • Jacob Rhodes - Marimba
  • Vicky Tong - Piano
  • Thomas Yagisawa - Marimba
  • Rob Zimmer - Saxophone
All of the performers were wonderful and the outside judges selected Rob Zimmer as the overall winner.  Kudos to Rob, all of the faculty supervisors and mentors, and to Chair Randy Paul for his leadership and oversight of this event.

CoLA students also received many of the Student Leadership Awards presented by the Office of Student Activities. The ceremony welcomed students, families, staff, and faculty. Congratulations to the following students:

        Emerging Leaders Award:
                Courtney Resnicky, English 
                Amy Burgher, Art & Art History 
                Ariel Kramer, Mass Communication
        Established Leaders Award:
                Stephanie Patino-Garfias, Mass Communication & International Studies 
                Evan Sumlin, English 
                Gabrielle Ritter, Spanish 
                Jordan Large, Urban Affairs 
                Pamala Michael, Political Science 
                Vicky Lindsey, Communication Studies  
                Madison Tyler, Social Work 
                Melanie West, Social Work 
        Advanced Leaders Award:
                Lukas Wenrick, Social Science Education 
                Kayla Muncie, Social Science Education 
        Senior Leaders Award:
                Tristina Allen, International Sudies 
 
Join us for the first official exhibit of the new Robert and Elaine Stein Galleries this Sunday, April 17, from 4:00-5:30 as the galleries open the 2016 senior thesis exhibition.  The galleries are stunning!  A Big congratulations and thank you to Gallery Coordinator Tess Cortes for all of her vision and hard work!   

  
This week's Dean's Student Advisory Board featured member is Stephen Monath. Stephen is beginning his third year pursuing a BM in Music Education and Performance with a focus on percussion. He is in his second year as the Percussion Director for Tipp City Schools where he has an active role teaching private lessons, percussion ensemble, concert band, and marching band. He is also the director of the indoor drumline. In addition to serving on the CoLA Dean's Student Advisory Board, Stephen serves on the WSU Wind Symphony Leadership Council. Since moving to Dayton in 2013, Stephen has performed at numerous public and private events for the University and the surrounding community.  
 
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Kristin Sobolik
Dean
 
  
 
   
   
CLASS CORNER
Please check out the many upcoming activities planned through our Center for Liberal Arts Student Success (CLASS).