UToledo CAL and JHCOE eNewsletter

Email header College of Arts and Letters and Judith Herb College of Education

News and Events

November 2024

NEXT ISSUE: December 2024

Join us for an Alumni Trivia Night

UToledo student wearing university sweatshirt and walking in front of The Stubborn Brother Pizza parlor

The College of Arts and Letters and Judith Herb College of Education will host an Alumni and Student Trivia Night at Stubborn Brother Pizza Bar on Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 6:30 – 9 p.m. Form a team or register solo! RSVP today.

English and Ocean Vuong at Toledo Museum of Art

Ocean Vuong and Joey Kim onstage at Toledo Museum of Art

On October 12th, the Department of English Language and Literature co-sponsored with the Toledo Museum of Art a conversation with the MacArthur Genius Grant-winning poet and novelist Ocean Vuong, featuring Joey S. Kim, assistant professor of English. The TMA’s Great Gallery was packed for this memorable event.

Audience in the Toledo Museum of Art Great Gallery for Vuong conversation

Education Faculty Member Named Judith Daso-Herb Endowed Chair in International Experiences

Colleen Fitzpatrick, Daso-Herb Endowed Chair in International Experiences at The University of Toledo

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick has been appointed the Judith Daso-Herb Endowed Chair in International Experiences. In this new role, Dr. Fitzpatrick will explore the impact of Rocket Kids on preservice teachers, with a focus on broadening their global perspectives and enhancing their professional development.

Rocket Kids Leads Student to

a Master’s in Educational Psychology

Addie DelFierro UToledo Educational Psychology major

Speaking of Rocket Kids...an opportunity to serve United States Military children in Europe, paid travel, paid housing, a living stipend, and college credits all sounded like a dream to Adalaide Del Fierro. Adalaide was an undergraduate at Indiana State University when she was first introduced to UToledo’s Rocket Kids program, a service-leadership opportunity where college students work overseas with military children on international army bases.

Adalaide’s dedication to kids and the great experience she had as a Rocket led her to choose the UToledo for graduate school. She is now a master’s student in the Educational Psychology program and continues to support the Rocket Kids program as a graduate assistant in the UToledo Center for Advocacy and Student Experience.

Department of Psychology Uses Virtual Reality in Research Study

UToledo student using virtual reality equipment

The UToledo Department of Psychology is working with clinical psychologist, Zach Demoss, to conduct a research study on suicide using virtual reality tools. Andrew Geers, professor of psychology, says, "the research goal is to help students experiencing thoughts of suicide. This is, obviously, very important for the mental health of our student body here at UToledo." Students who would like to participate in the study will be compensated $65 for about 2 hours of their time. To sign up, visit the study's online form.

Double Communication and English Major Sweeps Press Club Student Awards

Communication and English senior Autumn Vasquez was the recipient of the Kurt G. Franck Scholarship awarded by the Press Club of Toledo during its annual Touchstone Awards this fall. In addition, she swept the student awards, winning both the Student Digital Video/Television and the Student Digital/Print honors. Autumn is also a writer for the Toledo Free Press.

Press Club Touchstone Awards

Department of Art Forges Ahead in Bronze

The Queen’s Medallion, 2024. Yatreda | ያጥሬዳ. (Ethiopian, established 2021) Bronze model for non-fungible token (NFT). Courtesy of the artist. Photo courtesy of the Toledo Museum of Art.

UToledo art students pose with bronze material gifted to the University by Ransom and Randolph

UToledo's Julia LaBay (right) with representatives of Ransom and Randolph, Amber Meach (digital technology laboratory specialist), Ralph Carter (product development manager) and Katie Elco (product development engineer), pose with the bronze material the company donated to the University.

The UToledo Department of Art collaborated with the Toledo Museum of Art and worked with the Ethiopian family artist collective Yatreda to cast the "Queen's Medallion" in UToledo’s Center for Sculptural Studies, a stand-alone facility near the art museum and the adjacent UToledo Center for the Visual Arts.

The Queen’s Medallion, a bronze work emblazoned with the stately profile of an imagined Ethiopian queen, recently displayed in the TMA exhibit, “House of Yatreda." Visitors to the immersive installation used their smartphones to claim a digital version of the medallion as a non-fungible token (NFT). View the medallion exhibit.

And speaking of bronze, Ransom & Randolph, a company known for creating and testing mold-making and foundry materials, recently donated 326 pounds of bronze to the UToledo Department of Art. In acknowledging the generous gift, Julia LaBay, the department's 3D technical assistant, said, "The impact of this partnership on our students is substantial. With the reduced cost of materials, more students can participate in hands-on projects that enhance their understanding of metalworking techniques."

Higher Education Student Completes Leadership Institute, Awarded Scholarship

Mary Coleman (scholarship benefactor) and UToledo Higher Ed student Alicia Shivers

Alicia Shivers, a student in the Higher Education program, recently completed the National Council on Black American Affairs (NCBAA) Dr. Carolyn Grubbs Williams Leadership Development Institute in Windsor, Connecticut, and received the Mary E. Coleman Scholarship for those transitioning to higher education. Alicia researches African American student retention in community colleges as part of her doctoral candidacy, and has shared that this experience profoundly boosted her confidence in pursuing community college leadership roles.

Photo - Mary Coleman (left) and Alicia Shivers (right).

Geography and Planning Students Achieve Success

UToledo students and faculty at AAG 2024 Regional Conference

Last month, ten students and three faculty from the Department of Geography and Planning, recently attended the 2024 joint regional meeting of the East Lakes and West Lakes Division of the American Association of Geographers (AAG). Five of the students won awards and one, Elizabeth White, received one of two Best Student Presentations awards. The award will also help fund her trip to the national conference in March. Read more...

Alayalyn J. Aure-Vachon (Geography and Planning) started with UToledo as a business student. Eventually, she found her calling in urban and regional planning which led her to a related professional internship. Recently, she was hired by City of Toledo Planning Commission. Incidentally, the director, Thomas Gibbons, is also a UToledo alumnus (B.E. '91 - Comprehensive Social Studies, M.A. '98 - Geography).

Communication Student Helps Rebuild Campus Radio Station WXUT

When Trip Floyd joined UToledo’s radio station, WXUT, two years ago as a freshman in media communication, there were only 10 members with four shows ran by current students on air.

“We were so disorganized, it was kind of ridiculous,” Floyd said. “When my sophomore year came, I was determined to not only get myself on the air, but recruit and get as many other students as possible into this awesome radio station we have.”

The station had been hit hard especially after the pandemic. Floyd took it upon himself to get the station back into working order, from building up their social media presence to handling the bureaucracy.

“We currently have over 60 members involved in some sort of way in the station." Read more...

Alumni Spotlight - Judith Herb College of Education

Jaimee Sabatino Field Experience Coordinator UToledo JHCOE

We are excited to welcome Jaimee Sabatino, a 2013 graduate of the JHCOE, as our new Field Experience Coordinator! With a wealth of experience in education and a strong understanding of both the field and our college’s mission, we look forward to the positive impact she’ll make in her new role.

Alumni Spotlight - Women's and Gender Studies

What do UToledo Women's and Gender Studies (WGST) students do after graduation? Elevate the lives of women! In October, Stormy Hogle (WGST '24), the youth board director for Women of Toledo, helped organize a local youth forum in honor of international Day of the Girl. See the WTOL-TV news story.

Dr. Amanda Kitson, M.D. (WGST B.A., Biology B.S '12, M.D. '16) was named a Breast Pathology Fellow with the Cleveland Clinic in October. Dr. Kitson is a board certified pathologist in Toledo.

Upcoming Events

See all these events and more on our calendar! It is available online at utoledo.edu/al/calendar. Please bookmark it! If you have a college event to share, you can also share it there by clicking on the Submit Event link on the page.

Each event below links to its calendar event online when you click the event's title.

Date	Events
Now through Dec. 13	ART STUDENT SHOWCASE Carlson Library, North Gallery
Monday, Dec. 2	WORLD AIDS DAY FILMMAKER EVENT 2024 Film Screening: "Wilhemina's War" 6:30 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.) Center for Performing Arts, Center Theatre Free Admission - RSVP for Free Ticket
Wednesday, Dec. 4	COLLEGE OF ARTS AND LETTERS AND JUDITH HERB COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ALUMNI AND STUDENT TRIVIA NIGHT 6:30 - 9 p.m. Stubborn Brother Pizza Bar 3115 W Bancroft St. Toledo Free to attend - Must RSVP
Wednesday, Dec. 4	JON HENDRICKS MEMORIAL JAZZ SCHOLARSHIP CONCERT With Guest Jazz Vocalist, Kate McGarry 7 p.m. Center for Performing Arts, Recital Hall Tickets Required $10 each; free for students with UToledo ID
Sunday, Dec. 8	UTOLEDO HOLIDAY MUSIC SHOWCASE 7 p.m. University Hall, Doermann Theatre Tickets Required

Faculty Accomplishments

Research, Scholarship and Creative Work

OCTOBER 2024 Christopher Martin (Philosophy and Religious Studies Program) found a novel way to structure his new book, "Spinoza’s Argument for Substance Monism: Why There is Only One Thing," which was published in October. He imagined having a conversation at party with a stranger who had little knowledge of philosophy. Read more...

OCTOBER 2024 Ashley Pryor (Philosophy and Religious Studies) presented a paper, "Does AI have an Aura? Reassessing Benjamin's Work in an Age of AI-Generated Art" at the International Visual Literacy Association conference in San Diego. Dr. Pryor was also included as a panelist to discuss the recent publication of Connecting Visual Literacy to Theory (Routledge 2024) with editors Ricardo Lopez Leon and Dana Statton Thompson. Dr. Pryor's book chapter, "The Conspiracy of the Spectacle: Guy Debord's Relevance for Visual Literacy Today," was included in the volume.

OCTOBER 2024 Jeanne Kusina (Women's and Gender Studies), Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, was an invited panelist at an all-day forum on “AI and Higher Education” at Oakland University.

Congratulations

OCTOBER 2024 Revathy Kumar (Department of Educational Studies) was recently recognized at the American Psychological Association's annual meeting for her contributions to an article in Educational Psychologist titled "Transforming Fear into Rigor, Love, Freedom, and Joy: A New Paradigm of Standards-Based Reform." The article was selected as the 2024 Outstanding Educational Psychologist article. All authors were invited to discuss the article on an APA Division 15 (Educational Psychology) podcast. Listen...

OCTOBER 2024 The Telling It Our Way podcast, produced by WGTE and hosted by professors Becca Monteleone and Ally Day (Disability Studies Program), was awarded the 2024 Touchstone Award for Best Podcast from the Press Club of Toledo. Telling It Our Way shares stories written and performed by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

OCTOBER 2024 Becca Monteleone (Disability Studies Program) was awarded the Educator of the Year award at the Annual Courageous Community Services (CCS) Gala. CCS is a NW Ohio nonprofit focused on building community, advocacy, and opportunities for people with disabilities.

See a complete list of recent CAL news and achievements or a list of outstanding JHCOE accomplishments.

Media Appearances

WTOL 11 (Nov. 7, 2024) Who Will Take Over JD Vance’s Seat

Sam Nelson (Department of Political Science and Public Administration) discusses Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s role in appointing a new U.S. Senator after current senator J.D. Vance’s election as vice president.

WTOL 11 (Nov. 6, 2024) Tracking Your Vote on Election Day

Sam Nelson (Department of Political Science and Public Administration) spoke about state Issue 1 and the U.S. House and Senate races ahead of the polls closing on Election Day.

WTOL 11 (Nov. 5, 2024) National Attention on Ohio’s Senate Race

Sam Nelson (Department of Political Science and Public Administration) discusses the race between Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown and Republican challenger Bernie Moreno.

MSN (Nov. 2, 2024) Why Do We Kiss at Midnight on New Year’s Eve?

Daniel Compora and Christina Fitzgerald (Department of English Language and Literature) discuss the history and tradition of the New Year’s kiss.

Ohio Capital Journal (Nov. 1, 2024) Ohio Economists Strongly Agree That Sliding-scale Public Benefits are Best

Kevin Egan (Department of Economics) discusses a change in Ohio’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that creates a sliding scale to ease the transition off benefits.

WTOL 11 (Oct. 31, 2024) UToledo Screening "Bride of Frankenstein"

The station announces the UToledo Department of Theatre and Film's Halloween screening of “The Bride of Frankenstein” in the UToledo Center for the Performing Arts Center Theatre, Thursday, Oct. 31.

Roll Call (Oct. 28, 2024) In Northern Ohio, a Veteran Lawmaker Faces a More Skeptical Landscape

Sam Nelson (Department of Political Science and Public Administration) talks about the competitive race for the Ohio 9th Congressional District, which Rep. Marcy Kaptur has held since 1983.

The Blade (Oct. 26, 2024) The Juice is Loose: Bring ‘Beetlejuice’ Into the Kitchen

Matt Yockey (Department of Theatre and Film) discusses the connection between food and film.

The Blade (Oct. 20, 2024) Grant of $20,000 Available to Local Businesses for Adult Changing Tables

Kim Nielsen, Distinguished University Professor of disability studies, history and women’s and gender studies, discusses the benefits to making businesses more accessible.

Associated Press (Oct. 19, 2024) Together They’ve Been In Office More Than 70 Years. Now Their Races Could Help Swing House Control.

Sam Nelson (Department of Political Science and Public Administration) discusses the competitive race between Marcy Kaptur and Derek Merrin to represent Ohio’s Ninth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Columbus Dispatch (Oct. 18, 2024) Why Transgender Athlete Debate Is Getting Air Time in Ohio Senate Race

Jami Taylor (Department of Political Science and Public Administration) discusses why Republican candidates including Bernie Moreno are leaning into anti-transgender messaging ahead of Election Day.

WTOL 11 (Oct. 15, 2024) TPS Scott Park Campus Renovations

Rebecca Schneider (Dean, Judith Herb College of Education) discusses how partnerships between high schools and colleges can address a shortage of teachers in the workforce by supporting students interested in the profession.

WTOL 11 (Oct. 15, 2024) Ohio No Longer Considered a Swing State

Sam Nelson (Department of Political Science and Public Administration) discusses why presidential candidates no longer have a significant incentive to campaign in Ohio.

WTOL 11 (Oct. 14, 2024) Toledo Public Schools planning Scott Park campus renovations

Rebecca Schneider (Dean, Judith Herb College of Education) was interviewed to talk about the nationwide teacher shortage alongside an announcement of plans for a TPS teacher academy.

Ohio Capital Journal (Oct. 10, 2024) Ohio Economists Mostly Positive About Idea of $15 Minimum Wage in Recent Survey

Kevin Egan (Department of Economics) discusses the evidence that increases in the minimum wage have a small impact in overall employment.

WKYC-TV (Oct. 10, 2024) Ohio Farm Teaches Students Land Conservation

Kevin Czajkowski, Distinguished University Professor of geography, discusses how a new wetland habitat on an 80-acre Ottawa County farm that promotes nature education will help protect Lake Erie.

Flathead Beacon (Oct. 9, 2024) How Anti-Trans Language Became a GOP Campaign Cornerstone

Jami Taylor (Department of Political Science and Public Administration) discusses why some conservative candidates are using anti-transgender messaging to rally their base.

Vox.com (Sep. 12, 2024) How do kids have fun? Inside the state of child’s play in 2024

Ruslan Slutsky (Department of Teacher Education) shared insights on how technology has impacted children's play.

For more faculty media appearances, visit our website.

UTOLEDO COLLEGE OF ARTS AND LETTERS