OU-C students are a cut above in Locks of Love donations

OU-C student Neeley Clary talks about why she is participating in the “Locks of Love” program and how college students can become involved in community service. View the video on the campus’ YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/ouchillicothe

Two Ohio University-Chillicothe students have used recent trips to their hair stylists to benefit others who are facing serious health challenges. Neeley Clary and Nicole Pickerrell both donated their cropped hair to the “Locks of Love” program, which weaves the ponytails into hairpieces for children who have lost their own hair because of medical conditions.

“It is something I have wanted to do for a long time. I have an aunt who has cancer, and I thought this was a way to help those with the disease,” Clary said. “Having a wig or other hairpiece is a way to boost patients’ self-confidence and keeps their hopes up. During this time, they need as much happiness as they can have. I wanted to get my hair cut, and I thought I had might as well give it to someone who needs it.”

Clary, a student employee in the campus’ Office of Student Services, donated 10 ½ inches of hair, which took approximately nine months to grow. An Adena High School graduate, she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communication studies. She has previously completed an associate degree in science. For a class at OU-C, Clary completed observation in an oncology unit, and the experience made lasting impression.

“That really brought home to me the effects that cancer and similar diseases can have on a person. This is just a small way that I can help. As college students, we may be busy, but this is a way to help others,” she said.

Pickerrell grew her hair for two years before donating 12 inches in April.

“I know children and family members who have been affected by cancer, and I figured that my hair will grow back. So, why this is not a big deal for me, it can mean a lot to others,” said Pickerrell, a Chillicothe High School graduate.

“I have always been focused on helping others. I think it is important to take time to help others,” said Pickerrell, a student employee in the Dean’s Office at OU-C.

Pickerrell has already earned an associate degree in business and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in specialized studies with an emphasis on business media communication and a minor in art.

According to its Web site (www.locksoflove.org), Locks of Love provides hairpieces financially disadvantaged children who are suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. Donations of hair must be at least 10 inches and in a ponytail or braid.

Scholarships available for first-time OU-C students

Scholarships at Ohio University-Chillicothe are available for students who have an interest in the field of information technology as it applies to the administrative profession. Criteria for the renewable scholarships include first-time college students who are enrolled in the Office Technology (OTEC) associate degree program. Two $500 scholarships will be awarded.

Application deadline is Aug. 18. For more information, contact Allison White, OTEC program coordinator, at (740) 774-7256 or whitea3@ohio.edu.


This field of study prepares students for careers as administrative assistants in legal medical and general business fields as well as office positions in information processing and accounting.

Campus offers new academic offerings for students

July 22, 2010
Dear Student:


I am excited to tell you about new opportunities at Ohio University-Chillicothe. To meet the needs of our students and our region, we are working tirelessly to offer new programming and additional educational opportunities.

Students now have two new educational opportunities: the Health Services Administration bachelor’s degree and a history sequence this Fall, Winter and Spring applicable to Ohio University’s pre-law and history programs.

The Health Services Administration program at Ohio University prepares students for administrative management positions in settings such as hospitals, physician practices, managed care organizations and other health delivery systems. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a growing career field.
Also new for this academic year is an intensive history track through the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters. Students interested in completing a history degree, a pre-law program or a bachelor of specialized studies should seriously consider completing this challenging and exciting sequence.

If you have questions about these new offerings and how they can fit into your educational goals, or have registration questions, please contact the Hilltopper Advising Center at 740-774-7731.
We look forward to seeing you fall.

Sincerely,
Thomas Eveland
Manager of Student Recruitment

Alicia Gray named interim director of Teays Valley Center

Alicia M. Gray has been named interim director of the Teays Valley Center, effective July 1. As director, her primary duties include serving as first contact for the center and responsibility for all administrative and academic support operations of the center to ensure that students taking classes at the center are provided with a first-rate learning environment.


Among her responsibilities are coordinating classrooms’ usage; ensuring that classrooms, labs and offices are fully functional for students and faculty members’ needs; and making sure the center is properly supported.

The center is the result of a partnership between Ohio University-Chillicothe and Teays Valley High School, which was signed in June. Nursing courses are being relocated from Berger Health System to take advantage of the recently-renovated space at Teays Valley High School. Beginning July 26, deaf studies and interpreting classes will be offered at the center for the second summer session of courses at OU-C.

“I am very excited about this opportunity. The Teays Valley Center is a wonderful facility,” Gray said. “Much of my focus will be on making certain the center is adequately equipped to provide a post-secondary environment that meets the needs of students and faculty. With a ready-made nursing program in place and students already advancing through the system in cohorts, everything is in place for success.”

A graduate of Chillicothe High School, Gray has experience in program development, grant-writing and proposal-management. She previously was coordinator of minority affairs at Shawnee State University and was a funding and key accounts specialist with McGraw-Hill Company. Gray has also worked as a public information officer and grants administrator with the state of Ohio, serving in the offices of Job and Family Services, the Attorney General’s Office and the state’s Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services.

Gray earned her bachelor’s degree from Ohio Dominican University and has completed graduate work in education and education administration at Ohio University and the College of Mt. St. Joseph.

“We are pleased that Alicia Gray has joined Ohio University-Chillicothe in this important role. With her strong background in managing projects, she has an ideal background for this endeavor, which helps to make higher education accessible for residents of this region,” OU-C acting Dean Michael Lafreniere said.
In preparing for this opportunity, Gray visited the university’s Proctorville and Pickerington centers to gain insights about their operations that can be applied at the Teays Valley Center.

Mary Jane Preece named to Human Services Technology faculty position at the Chillicothe Campus

Mary Jane Preece has been named assistant professor in Human Services Technology at Ohio University-Chillicothe, effective fall quarter 2010.

Preece has a strong background as both a professional practitioner and as a classroom instructor. She is a licensed clinical counselor with supervising counselor credential and a certified rehabilitation counselor. Preece owns a small private counseling practice. She has also served as a counselor for the Domestic Violence Intervention Project in Athens and as a crisis intervention specialist at New Horizons Youth and Family Center in Lancaster, Ohio.

She has served as a board member for the Ohio Mental Health Counseling Association and is currently the treasurer for the Ohio Rehabilitation Counseling Association and president-elect of the Southeast Ohio Counseling Association.

Academically, she has served as an adjunct faculty member, teaching HST courses on the Chillicothe and Lancaster campuses, in addition to counselor education classes on the Chillicothe and Athens campuses. She has also been a co-instructor for graduate classes and was a graduate teaching assistant on the university’s Athens campus.

A South Bloomfield resident, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Capital University and her master’s degree and doctoral degree from Ohio University.

While a student at Ohio University, Preece earned the Donald Green Outstanding Student Award. She belongs to several professional organizations and has delivered numerous presentations at professional conferences.

“I am pleased that Mary Jane Preece is joining the faculty at Ohio University-Chillicothe. She has a strong teaching background and extensive professional experience that should prove invaluable in sharing relevant insights with our students,” OU-C acting Dean Michael Lafreniere said.

"Having Mary Jane in a full-time faculty position will further bolster the HST program and allow us to further meet the needs of our students in preparing them for careers in this field," said Barbara Mahaffey, coordinator of the Human Services Technology program.

One-day seminar course focuses on common-sense financial practices

Robert L. Lawson, Ed.D., will teach a one-day course, “Dare to be a Millionaire,” from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 31 in the Bennett Hall auditorium at Ohio University-Chillicothe. The seminar course can count toward college academic credit.

The class is based on a book by the same name that Lawson has authored. “The class and the book stress a common-sense approach to saving money that is relevant to individuals of all ages and wages,” Lawson said. “Rather than a ‘get rich quick’ scheme, we will discuss practical ways to reduce debt, develop savings habits, set up a budget, generate more income and develop a strategy for reaching financial goals.”

Class space is limited. For more information or to register for the course, contact Janet Fink in the OU-C Office of Continuing Education, at (740) 774-7226 or finkj@ohio.edu. In addition to the class, Lawson will sign copies of his book from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on July 27 in the OU-C bookstore, located in the Bennett Hall basement. The book will be available for purchase at the signing.

“The seminar will help those in attendance develop a 20-year plan and will emphasize how they can pursue their passions and their interests toward attaining greater financial prosperity. These are proven methods. As with the book, the seminar emphasizes processes and philosophies that have been utilized by others who have acquired wealth,” Lawson said.

According to material for the course, the seminar will include insights from others who have found success, the importance of self-motivation and how to develop a long-term financial game plan.

“The seminar and the book are designed to provide individuals with a goal-achievement strategy for acquiring money and following their own dreams to achieve financial independence,” Lawson said.
A Portsmouth resident and an OU-C adjunct faculty member, Lawson earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Rio Grande, a master’s degree from Marshall University and a doctoral degree from Nova Southeastern University.