It has already been a busy semester and it's only mid-term! We are in the midst of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the university, which meant that Homecoming Weekend was particularly exciting. Activities ranged from a golf cart parade and a bonfire, to Alumni College and reunions of various affinity groups including COLA's Model UN team, to a Homecoming Festival and the Alumni Achievement Awards.CoLA awardees were recipients of four of the seven alumni awards, and I was proud to be able to help celebrate the achievements of Stefanie Hreha, Alumni Society Award of Excellence; Karri O'Reilly, Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award; Nicole Scherzinger, Alumna of the Year; and Colleen Ryan, Honorary Alumna Award. It was inspiring to hear about the accomplishments of these extraordinary women, and hear them speak about how their experiences in the College of Liberal Arts contributed to their success.

Stefanie  Hreha

Karri  O'Reilly

Nicole  Scherzinger

Colleen  Ryan

Learn more about this year's recipients here. 

 

This year COLA faculty and staff are focusing on enrollment management, which means recruiting new students and helping our existing students cross the finish line. We are providing more internships and career programming. We have refocused some scholarship funding to an emergency fund we call the flat tire fund: sometimes an inability to pay for something like a flat tire can mean a student can't come to class, drops out and never completes a degree. Advisors are reaching out to students more frequently to help solve problems before they become obstacles. We are visiting high school classes to tell students about our wonderful programs, and recruiting transfer students from community colleges. We have even begun a program rewarding students who display our College of Liberal Arts car window clings: I've been passing out home-baked goodies and gift certificates to help build a sense of community. It all makes a difference.

 

I hope you are enjoying the beautiful fall weather: I have to admit it's my very favorite time of year.

On September 26 the college hosted our annual CoLA Donor Appreciation Reception. Nearly 200 donors and scholarship recipients were in attendance in our beautiful Creative Arts Center to celebrate the generosity of our patrons and wonderful accomplishments of our students. Guests were entertained by percussion music by our students as well as songs from Fiddler on the Roof.

Our students benefit tremendously from the gifts of many generous people who invest in their futures, and it was magical to see many students and donors meet each other for the very first time. It was especially touching to hear the remarks by David Scheffner, a senior English major who shared his personal story about the impact his scholarship has made on his life.

Students from around the country could be heard on Wright State University's campus playing their hearts out during double reed camp this past summer. A double reed is a type of reed used to produce sound in various wind instruments. The camp included 40 players of oboes, clarinets and bassoons. This was the third year for the week-long camp with a concert featuring all 40 campers performing in Schuster Hall in the Creative Arts Center.

Listen here>>

Lukas Wenrick, who graduated from Wright State in April with a degree in Social Science Education, was admitted into the Harvard Graduate School of Education where he is pursuing a Master of Education in Higher Education.  "Wright State gave me every opportunity I could have ever imagined," he said. 

ENJOY THE ARTS AT WSU!   

Come enjoy the fine and performing arts at Wright State! Click on the links below for the calendar of events for Wright State's music and theatre performances as well as art exhibitions. Don't miss the great entertainment!