Quarterly writing contest winner Nila Klaiber shares that growing older is no disaster

For her poignant look at the aging process, Nila Klaiber won the OU-C Writing Contest winter quarter writing contest for her personal narrative, “The Disaster of Growing Older.” “It is a tongue-in-cheek title for a story that compares the life I led when I was in my 20s to my current life in my 40s,” she said. Klaiber, a human services technology major from Marion, Ohio, originally wrote the story as an assignment for an English class that was intended to compare and contrast. She was then encouraged by the class faculty member, Pamela Kraft, to submit the story for the quarterly writing center contest. “Her support meant a lot to me. She encouraged me to enter the contest, so I decided to rewrite the story a bit and submit it,” Klaiber said. “I have not written much in the past, and without her support, I would not have realized I have this talent. I thank God for giving me the talent and Professor Kraft for bringing it out in me.” The faculty member returned the compliment. “Nila Klaiber is an exceptional student. She has a very interesting past, and she was able to take events that had happened in her life and develop these ideas into fascinating essays,” Kraft said. “Even though her experiences were unique, Nila was able to convey them into works that could reach a wide variety of readers. I hope she will continue to explore various aspects of writing, because she has a lot of talent. Although she claims that I encouraged her, Nila put forth the effort to refine her pieces into polished works. She deserves all the credit. Nila is a remarkable young woman and an excellent writer. It was a pleasure to have her in my English class.” Klaiber won a $75 gift certificate from the campus bookstore. “Surviving Disaster” was the topic of the winter writing contest. “Getting older is really not a disaster,” Klaiber said. “I found it easy to write about different stages of my life. The story came to me quickly. I injected some real-life stories, and I think that helped to make the story stand out.” In her award-winning story, Klaiber writes about the transformation from a rather care-free lifestyle when she was younger to a thoughtful approach in her current days. “To say my appearance was significant to me was an understatement … I was very shallowness and a little arrogant … I went out to bars, danced and got drink … My dance card was always full” Klaiber shares in describing her life as 20-something in Columbus. Now, her life is marked more by substance than style. While her self-esteem was previously based on what others thought of her, “Contentment with myself is now my constant companion,” she wrote. “In the present, I feel wonderful about myself … “That is because I know whom I am and who I am not.” “Nila just approached the topic of ‘Surviving Disaster’ with such a great sense of humor and thoughtfulness in her essay. As she implies, finding the humor in a situation is a great way to survive disaster. Sure, there were other essays that were earnest and well-developed (it was a close round), but Nila's approach stood out because of its adventurous and fun tone -- she just has such a great voice. In fact, this essay is a great example of women on campus who are returning to school and experimenting with their own narrative voices in courses like Freshmen Composition. Our instructors who assign these types of personal narratives create a space in which writing can empower students. By reflecting on their own experiences and by crafting their stories into these essays, students can discover hidden talents--such as the case with Nila Klaiber,” Writing Center Coordinator Debra Nickles said.

Cutline: Writing contest winner Nila Klaiber is congratulated by OU-C Dean Richard Bebee

OU-C faculty member Barbara Mahaffey has technique on couples counseling published in professional journal

An article authored by Ohio University-Chillicothe faculty member Barbara Mahaffey has been published in a recent edition of the professional journal The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families. The title of Mahaffey’s article is “Couples Counseling Directive Technique: A (Mis)communication Model to Promote Insight, Catharsis, Disclosure, and Problem Resolution.” As the abstract explains, the article proposes a psychoeducational model for improving communication for couples. An important goal in couples counseling is to assist couples resolving communication conflicts. “The proposed communication model helps to establish a therapeutic environment that encourages insights, therapeutic alliance formation, catharsis, symptom relief, and positive outcome.” The article points out that counselors who are involved with couples counseling often notice that the clients display troubled communication. In fact, researchers report that communication is a main reason for individuals to seek marriage counseling, and wives rate communication as the highest-ranked problem in marriages. In the article, Mahaffey notes that, in studying couples communication, a gap exists between information that is available in literature and what is discussed in the training and practice of counselors. Mahaffey’s article states that what is missing are “techniques that addressed how to help clients acquire insight into the missed, misconstrued, negative, or dysfunctional communication patterns they had prior to counseling.” Mahaffey proposes communication techniques that first educate the couple about what goes wrong before working on how to better communicate and providing a helpful and therapeutic environment that encourages a positive outcome in resolving communication conflicts. Mahaffey is an assistant professor and coordinator of the Human Services Technology program. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communication, her master’s degree in education in community counseling from Ohio University, taking courses at OU-C, and her Ph.D. in education with a major in counselor education from Ohio State University. She is a licensed professional clinical counselor with supervising counselor credential. Mahaffey’s specialty is marriage, couples and family counseling. Mahaffey joined the OU-C faculty in June 2005.

Julie Rosenbauer joins OU-C as Assistant to the Faculty

Julie Rosenbauer has been hired as a part-time employee as Assistant to the Faculty in the Central Processing Center, beginning with training April 16. Her regular schedule will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and the center’s daily hours will be extended to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Among her duties, she will help with course development and evaluation, provide support for Blackboard course development, prepare agendas and documents for faculty meetings and assist with the typing and updating of exams and other course materials, and other specified office duties.

Fans are invited to make some racket at upcoming OU-C home tennis matches

The OU-C tennis team continues to make progress in its second season of competition after being resurrected last season.

The Hilltoppers’ next home matches will be at April 17 vs. Miami University-Hamilton at 10 a.m. and vs. Ohio University-Lancaster at 2 p.m. on the campus courts behind the Shoemaker Center.

“Participating on the tennis team offers OU-C students an opportunity to include athletics as part of their college experience, with many of the student-athletes finding that it provides a good change of pace from their classroom activities,” said Ellen Clark, who coaches the OU-C tennis program.

Cutlines: Members of the OU-C tennis team practice on the campus courts behind Shoemaker Center.

Let's take it outside

With the springtime weather, some faculty members have chosen to conduct their classes outside, including these two classes that recently met in the campus amphitheater and patio behind Stevenson Center.

Events commemorate Week of the Young Child

Several activities are planned at the Ross County/Ohio University-Chillicothe Child Development and Family Service Center as part of the annual national Week of the Young Child from April 11-17. Among highlights are: • Local artists will visit classrooms from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 13. Participating artists and their crafts are: Vicki Anthony, hand bells; Agnes Burris, line activity; Nancy Gigley, wool beads; and Kay Wallace, quilting. The local N’Step Chillicothe Dance Group will perform at 1:15 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. • At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 14, a proclamation from Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer will be read in the Town Square area of the facility. Also, children from the Child Development Center will present a signing concert, and Kris Ramsey will present a concert at 10 a.m. and at 2 p.m. • Family Night will allow parents of children enrolled in programs at the CDC to come together for activities for the whole family from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 14. • The “No Strings Attached” puppet show will be presented at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 15. “Week of the Young Child is held each year to honor young children and thank teachers and all of those who make a difference in children’s lives,” OU-C early childhood education faculty member Jamie Harmount said.

Cutline information: OU-C Dean Bebee read a proclamation from Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer, and Cindy Cunningham from Rep. Zack Space's office read a proclamation from the Congressman at Wednesday morning's event.

Chillicothe Campus to host informational sessions for Professional MBA Program

Informational sessions for the Ohio University Professional MBA Program (PMBA) will be held in Shoemaker Center room 215 at Ohio University-Chillicothe at 6 p.m. on April 26 and on May 11. Details are available online at www.cob.ohiou.edu/pmba/informationsessions For individuals interested in earning an MBA degree - without sacrificing job and income - the Ohio University Professional MBA Program (PMBA) is especially attractive. Recently redesigned, the PMBA is now an online program with once-a-month, all-day Saturday residencies. The 18- month course of study is a unique, part-time program that recognizes the multiple demands of working professionals. Emerging business leaders, non-managers moving into managerial roles and individuals whose careers are in transition will find the schedule and the coursework especially appealing and relevant. To learn more about the PMBA, visit www.cob.ohiou.edu/pmba.

Registration is now underway for Kids in College summer program for youth

Registration is underway for the Kids in College program on the Ohio University-Chillicothe campus. The schedule for 2010 includes sessions from June 14-18, June 21-15 and June 28- July 2. Registration deadline is May 28. The complete registration book is available online at www.chillicothe.ohiou.edu/kic The popular Kids in College program will again offer area youth the opportunity to combine fun and education while pursuing their hobbies and interests. New features have been added this year including the offering of some evening classes, classes for parents while their children attend Kids in College, and instruction in tennis, swimming and babysitting. Most offerings are designed for students who have completed grades kindergarten through the sixth grade with some class ranges going up to 8th grade. The babysitting course is designed for students in the eighth and ninth grades. For more than 20 years, the popular program has offered enrichment learning opportunities for youngsters. June Allred-Smith of the Ross County Educational Service District coordinates the instruction and classes. Flyers are being distributed to all schools in the Ross County and Chillicothe City school systems. They are also available at the Ross County Schools Office and the OU-C reception desk. For more information or to register, contact Janet Fink or Joyce Atwood at (740) 774-7226. Registration is $30 for the first week and $27 for the second week and the third week plus any material and lunch fees for each weeklong, half-day session. “The Kids in College program offers an opportunity for students to become involved in summer enrichment activities in a safe, vibrant learning environment. The students have fun and learn at the same time,” OU-C Dean Richard Bebee said, “This is an outstanding outreach initiative that continues the campus’ commitment to being an engaged member of the community.”

Upcoming Campus Events

• Academic Council meetings at noon in Bennett Hall room 105 on April 20 and May 4 & 18

Poetry Day from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on April 22 in Stevenson Center Learning Commons • Classified Group meeting at 9 a.m. on May 4 • Administrative Council meetings at 9 a.m. in Bennett Hall room 105 on April 15 and May 6 • Recognition of Graduation event at 7:30 p.m. on June 11 in the Shoemaker Center; Nursing pinning ceremony at 2:30 p.m.