Child and Young Adult Education
Sign of the Times
The University offered American Sign Language and Deaf Culture classes to 85 pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students within the region. The lessons serve as an important educational endeavor that teaches children the value of diversity and the importance of how language is conveyed in different ways.
Going with Genki
Genki Japanese Language Club is offered annually since 2015 through the Mazza Museum for children in grades 2-6. Activities such as Japanese language learning and exercises that teach cultural appreciation are a hit with participants. During the fall 2018 sessions, six children and their families participated for only $10 each.
Far Out
Newhard Planetarium, located near Brewer Science Center, resumed offering year-round programming for people of all ages. Faculty, students, and teachers use the facility to teach and learn about science, technology, engineering, math, chemistry, and outer space. This past year, the Mazza Museum provided a show during one of its Funday Sunday events; and the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library's SummerREAD program hosted two public events in the planetarium in keeping with its “A Universe of Stories" theme. Planetarium shows illuminate topics such as deep space science and the history of astronomy. To schedule a visit, contact Steve Wild, Ph.D., at [email protected] or at 419-434-4533.
Happy Campers
From color mixing to medicine compounding, learning activities abound for participants in UF's academic and special interest summer camps. Equestrian camps taught English eventing and youth Western horsemanship, and Pharmacy Camp was a week-long residential experience that introduced the basics of this essential profession. Religious diversity drawn from Christian-based principals was a hallmark of The Well, UF's residential theology institute funded by the Lilly Endowment that focuses on vocational discovery and enrichment for high school students.
Bowling for Ethics
In what ways, if any, are governments justified in restricting firearms ownership? What moral considerations are at play when breaking up with a romantic partner? Teams at the 2019 Ohio High School Ethics Bowl, the only ethics bowl offered in Ohio, pondered these challenging dilemmas and others while vying to advance to nationals. The event coordinated and hosted on UF's campus, is open to the public.
Adult Education
Academic Refueling
K-12 educators are well-positioned to take advantage of UF's continuing education offerings, particularly those that offer graduate credit and are designed to ultimately prepare younger students for state-of-the-art careers. This past school year, two workshops on sustainability topics were offered to 15 area educators thanks to funding support from Columbia Gas of Ohio and its parent company NiSource. This partnership incentivized STEM teaching and learning by offering stipends for classes to develop the most efficient biodiesel using waste oil. The Waste to Energy program was structured to encourage youth to reduce their carbon footprint, become energy leaders of tomorrow, and prepare for productive STEM careers.
Good Grief
Professional development educator workshops were offered earlier this year to help adults communicate with children who are dealing with significant losses such as death, divorce, pet loss, and moving. The four-session program was facilitated by grief recovery specialist Ginny Williams, now director of adult clinical services for Family Resource Center in Findlay.
Leadership Lessons
Annually offering a vast array of practical and innovative leadership insight, the 2018/2019 Fridays at Findlay breakfast lecture series was rife with resonance. Kevin Sauder spoke about how one man turned his cabinet-making skills into a global furniture business focused on sustainable production. Cincinnati Zoo team members relayed how they kept prematurely-born Fiona the Hippo alive. Others spoke of the need for a more humanistic focus with emerging technology, the value of servant leadership, diversity's essential role in globalized business, and the most successful season in UF basketball history. More than 940 community members attended these presentations.
Tech Topics
Privacy versus convenience was the theme of the 17th annual Information Assurance Forum in 2018 sponsored by UF's Computer Science Program. Given that our lives are increasingly influenced by and reliant upon digital discourse and design, this event consistently targets essential practical issues that can be addressed for more informed decision making. Tech and business industry leaders, government officials, and others with digital expertise share relevant and useful insight at this forum. Past events focused on smart technology in farm equipment and home appliances and cybersecurity threats. Several past forum presentations are available to view on UF's YouTube channel.
Never Stop Learning
What does Haitian missionary work entail? How vast is Ohio Logistics' headquarters? Lifelong Learning Connections participants know the answers. Formerly called Senior Forum, this program offers numerous compelling educational sessions each fall and spring that cater to learners over 50. Nearly 30 presentations and tours of regional businesses provided attendees with valuable knowledge and additional opportunities to connect with the campus and community. Learn more about 2017 spring senior forum here.
Ballot Initiative
Voting rights expert Mike Brickner, the Ohio director of All Voting is Local and former senior policy director of Ohio's American Civil Liberties Union, spoke on UF's campus in September 2018 in celebration of national Constitution Day. The free public talk addressed U.S. Supreme Court cases involving voter purges, partisan gerrymandering, how individuals can protect their vote, and how to encourage others to cast their ballots.
Creative Commons
UF's annual Symposium for Scholarship and Creativity, which is open to the public, is a daylong celebration in April that showcases student research and other scholarly projects. During the latest symposium, more than 100 oral and poster presentations discussed topics such as cancer research at the molecular level, the effects of cannabinoid use on human health, and the correlation of family structure breakdowns and mental illness pertaining to mass shooters. Learn more about the 2019 annual Symposium here.
Family Matters
“Fortifying the Family: Exploring Strategies for a Life in Balance" was the focus of UF College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences' 2018/2019 Richard E. Wilkin Event Series. Sessions offered information on how to strengthen and sustain family dynamics in an increasingly digital and demanding world that pulls our attention in all directions. William Berry, a Toledo resident, offered a public presentation about his daughter's mental health challenges; former Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik shared her strategies for work/life balance; Wilkin Chair Andrea Mata, Ph.D., associate psychology professor, presented research on the topic; and Manfred van Dulmen, Ph.D., associate dean of Kent State University's College of Arts and Sciences, detailed his research knowledge and personal experiences with adoption.
Divine Direction
In fall 2019, Harvard University graduate and former Microsoft executive Anil Singh-Morales, UF's Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow, offered a free public lecture on “Liberal Arts and Success." You can watch the video here. Singh-Morales is the executive director of Spirit Directors International a nonprofit multi-faith international organization that provides spiritual direction via educational events, publications, and outreach programs. The Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow program is administered by the Council of Independent Colleges in Washington, D.C. The fellow program brings prominent, artists, diplomats, journalists, business leaders and other professionals to campuses across the U.S. for a week-long residential program of classes, seminars, workshops, lectures, and informal discussions. Campus programming involving these fellows is open to the public.
Planning for the Future
During the 2018-2019 school year, UF hosted two planned giving workshops that served 60 in attendance. Designed for leaders such as managers, coordinators and others involved with operating successful development programs, and legal and financial planning programs, the workshops provide a wealth of strategic and practical information.
Education for All
In the News
From Findlay, Ohio to Foshan, China, University of Findlay's media resources regularly provide free informational and entertaining content to people locally and around the world. The University's YouTube channel is a source of recorded lectures, news, and more; WLFC radio (88.3 FM) provides the region with alternative musical programming, live performances, and coverage of local UF sports ; and the student newspaper, The Pulse, prints investigative pieces, opinion columns, and other campus news. Additionally, UF's online Newsroom is a great source for information on the latest university research, public events, features, personality profiles, and campus news.
Historical Highlights
The University of Findlay's strong partnership with the Hancock Historical Museum has resulted in more opportunities for the public to engage and learn about the region. Fall presentations are offered at the museum by Master of Arts in Rhetoric and Writing students who conduct artifact research ranging from hair art to Victorian prostitution; some of these projects have produced compelling special exhibits at the Hancock Historical Museum. With preservation as the continuing focus, the museum's Davis Learning Institute will also provide a permanent home to collect, store, and interpret digital narratives and oral histories from within the community.