eInside Events

Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Literature Celebrates 30 Years

Coretta Scott King award-winning children’s author
Christopher Paul Curtis will speak at Kent State University's
Virginia Hamilton Conference in April.

Kent State University’s Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Literature for Youth marks its 30th anniversary this year, celebrating the “Pearls of Wisdom” found in the works of renowned children’s author Virginia Hamilton and those she has inspired over the years. The conference is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, April 3 and 4, in the Kent Student Center.

Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King award-winning children’s author Christopher Paul Curtis; New York Times best-selling author Andrea Davis Pinkney; and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator David Diaz headline this year’s conference, which includes a full schedule of workshops addressing multicultural themes and issues in literature for children and young adults.

The conference begins Thursday evening with a pasta dinner, keynote address by Curtis and “African-American Experience,” a performance by Voices in the Valley Heritage Performance Class. Friday’s schedule includes presentations by Pinkney and Diaz, along with workshops on such timely topics as multicultural approaches to the common core, growing 21st-century global citizens, and multicultural and international apps, ebooks and websites for young people.

New York Times best-selling author
Andrea Davis Pinkney will speak at Kent
State University’s Virginia Hamilton
Conference in April.

Curtis will receive the 2014 Virginia Hamilton Literary Award, honoring an American author or illustrator whose books demonstrate artistic excellence and make a significant contribution to the field of multicultural literature for children and adolescents. His highly acclaimed first book, The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963, published in 1996, was a Newbery Honor Book, Coretta Scott King Honor Book, Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, New York Times Book Review Best Book of the Year, American Library Association (ALA) Best Book for Young Adults and ALA Notable Children's Book. In September 2013, The Watsons Go to Birmingham was named one of the New York Public Library’s 100 Great Children’s Books of the Last 100 Years. With his second book, Bud, Not Buddy, Curtis became the first African-American man to receive the Newbery Medal, and his book was the first novel to receive both the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award.

Pinkney is the award-winning author of more than 30 books for children and young adults, including picture books, novels, historical fiction and nonfiction. Her Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America received the 2013 Coretta Scott King Author Award medal and was named a New York Times Notable Book and a Chicago Public Library “Best of the Best.” In addition to her work as an author, Pinkney is vice president and executive editor at Scholastic, where she launched the first African-American children’s book imprint at a major publishing company. She has been named one of the “25 Most Influential Black Women in Business” by The Network Journal and one of “The 25 Most Influential People in Our Children’s Lives” by Children’s Health Magazine.

Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator David
Diaz will speak at Kent State University's
Virginia Hamilton Conference in April.

Diaz won a Caldecott Medal for the illustrations in his first picture book, Smoky Night (1994), by Eve Bunting, which was also named a 1995 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year. Most recently, he won the Pura Belpre Illustrator Award for Gary D. Schmidt’s Martin de Porres: The Rose in the Desert (2013). Three other books have been Pura Belpre Honor books: The Pot That Juan Built by Nancy Andrews-Goebel (2004); César: ¡Sí, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand (2006); and Diego: Bigger Than Life by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand (2010). His work is sometimes compared to that of George Rouault or Marc Chagall, but Diaz does not seek to emulate any artist. Inspired by the innovation of Viennese Secessionists, such as Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, Diaz aims to break away from any constrictions and develop his own way of telling stories through illustration.

The Virginia Hamilton Conference is the longest-running event in the United States to focus exclusively on multicultural literature for children and young adults. Honoring author Virginia Hamilton, the conference reflects a commitment to promoting cultural awareness and affirming cultural pride while addressing the array of issues that surround the concept of culture. The conference, held each April at Kent State, is sponsored by the School of Library and Information Science and the College of Education, Health and Human Services and through the Office of Continuing and Distance Education.

For more information about the conference and a link for registration, visit www.kent.edu/virginiahamiltonconference/index.cfm.

Kent State University School of Art Gallery to Host 2014 Student Annual Art Exhibition

Pictured are artwork from last year's School of Art
Student Annual art exhibition. The 2014 Student Annual
art exhibition will take place from March 6-20 at the
School of Art Gallery in the Art Building.

The Kent State University School of Art will host the 2014 Student Annual art exhibition from March 6-20 at the School of Art Gallery in the Art Building at 400 Janik Dr. in Kent. The Student Annual is the only exhibition of the semester that comprises a juried sampling of both graduate and undergraduate student work. There will be an opening reception for the show on Thursday, March 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. The reception will boast live jazz accompaniment and double as an award ceremony, with more than $1,500 in prizes distributed to the artists.

The juror for the 2014 Student Annual is Hilary Gent, who received her B.F.A. in painting from the School of Art. Currently, she is the director of the HEDGE Gallery, part of 78th St. Studios in Cleveland’s Gordon Square Arts District. Gent is quick to point out the overlap between her work in Cleveland and this juried show at her alma mater.

“Much of the work I curate at the HEDGE Gallery is also by emerging student artists,” she says. “It will be refreshing to be immersed in the art school environment once again!”

For more information, contact Anderson Turner, director of galleries at haturner@kent.edu or 330-672-1369.

Center for Applied Conflict Management to Hold 40th Anniversary Conference

Kent State is too often known for the violent conflict that occurred on campus on May 4, 1970.Yet it is becoming increasingly well-known for its many creative and constructive responses to that conflict.

In the aftermath of the tragic deaths of four Kent State University students shot by the Ohio National Guard on May 4, 1970, while protesting the U.S. war in Vietnam and Cambodia, the Center for Applied Conflict Management was created at the university in 1971 as a “living memorial.” Originally named the Center for Peaceful Change, the center established an undergraduate B.A. degree program in peace and conflict studies in 1973/74, making it one of the oldest and now also one of the largest in the country.

“The need for this center and the study of conflict management is still as great as it was when our degree was first established 40 years ago,” says Patrick Coy, Ph.D., political science professor and director of Kent State’s Center for Applied Conflict Management.

On March 7, the Center for Applied Conflict Management will present "Conflict Management Practices and Possibilities: A Conference Celebrating 40 Years of Peace and Conflict Studies at Kent State University.” The conference will kickoff at 9 a.m. in the Moulton Hall Ballroom with a keynote address by George Lopez, Ph.D., vice president and director of the Academy for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding at the United States Institute of Peace. He will address the evolution and current state of the field of peace and conflict studies, charting current trends and future challenges and opportunities.

Other highlights of the conference include morning and afternoon workshops on diverse methods of mediation, improving organizations through appreciative inquiry, alumni of the center discussing careers in conflict management, and methods for creating positive community change. The workshops will be led by local professionals in the field as well as the center’s alumni. Bernie Meyer will portray Mohandas Gandhi and lead a discussion on Gandhi during the luncheon at 12:45 p.m. Meyer is a former Catholic priest, social worker, peace activist and author of The American Gandhi: My Truth Seeking with Humanity at the Crossroads.

“This conference celebrates two milestones at the university: the establishment of the B.A. degree 40 years ago and the inaugural year of the conflict analysis and management doctoral track in the Ph.D. in political science,” Coy says.“Kent State University is a national leader in the study of constructive conflict management, and this conference is a deserving celebration of that role.”

A detailed conference schedule is available at www.kent.edu/cacm/news/annivconf.cfm.

10th Annual Rock the Runway Fashion Show Set for March 8

Kent Student Center Programming and
the Center for Student Involvement will
host the 10th annual Rock the Runway
fashion show on March 8 in the Kent
Student Center Ballroom.

The 10th annual Rock the Runway fashion show, hosted by Kent Student Center Programming and the Center for Student Involvement, will take place on Saturday, March 8, in the Kent Student Center Ballroom. Fashion is merely the catalyst to create a show that is fun and entertaining, while allowing Kent State University students of all different majors an opportunity to showcase their talents. This year’s design theme is “The Second British Invasion” featuring New Wave music by British artists. Contestants will submit a line consisting of three pieces inspired by the theme. At least one representation of the British flag must be present in the line.

A total of 15 designers will rock this year’s runway, including a guest line from the Ursuline College fashion program. Under the direction of fashion program chair and Kent State alumna Constance Korosec, Ph.D., the students will collaborate on the designs and model their line in the show.

During the show, the designers’ models will walk to British hits being performed live by the band Decadia, from New York. Decadia is the ultimate 80’s experience!

This year’s guest judges are Suede, Kent State alumnus and former contestant on Project Runway; Emma Day, native Londoner and owner of Carnaby Street Style, a London-style clothing store in downtown Kent; and Anne Siegel from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, who has produced events for many high-profile clients, including Martha Stewart, the Food Network and Disney.

The winning line will receive an all-expense paid trip to New York City to tour the fashion scene and be mentored by Kent State’s own Suede. The mentorship experience will include a visit to the garment district, along with a stop at the Kent State NYC Studio to discuss career objectives. The audience choice winner will receive a $500 Mood Fabrics gift card.

The event is free to attend, but tickets must be picked up or reserved in advance. The show is anticipated to sell out again this year, so it is encouraged to reserve your tickets early.

For more information, visit www.kent.edu/kscprogramming/rock-the-runway-2014.cfm.

Creativity to be Celebrated At First Kent State Mini Maker Faire®

Applications now being accepted for makers and vendors for April 24 event

Members of the Kent State University community will have
the opportunity to exhibit their work and explore new
technologies and creative processes at the first Kent State
Mini Maker Faire® on April 24.

Makers across all disciplines, from art and design to technology and science, will now have the opportunity to exhibit and discuss their unique talents in one environment at the first Kent State Mini Maker Faire® to be held on April 24 from noon to 4 p.m. on the first floor of the University Library.

Developed in collaboration with the Fashion School’s TechStyle LAB, the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, University Libraries and the Blackstone LaunchPad program, the Kent State Mini Maker Faire will offer a venue for students, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as the greater Kent community, to exhibit their work, explore new technologies and creative processes and talk firsthand with makers while sharing information and resources.

“The College of the Arts is excited to sponsor the Maker Faire through a new internal grant award process called Catalyst Interdisciplinary Projects,” says John Crawford, dean of the College of the Arts. “The Catalyst awards are meant to promote creativity and collaboration across disciplines both within and outside the arts college. The Maker Faire will bring artists, entrepreneurs and collaborators together to explore new ideas and innovations."

“Our respective programs saw a natural affinity in bringing Maker Faire to Kent State University based on the wide range of resources our departments collectively provide the community and the makers we come in contact with regularly,” says Kevin Wolfgang, manager of the TechStyle LAB. “Kent State University has a well-developed maker culture, and we look forward to highlighting and fostering that talent and creativity through this event.”

The event is free and open to the public. Individuals interested in participating and exhibiting at the Maker Faire or who wish to learn more about the event can visit http://makerfairekent.com. Applications are being accepted until April 14.

Maker Faire is a place where people show what they are making, and share what they are learning. Makers range from tech enthusiasts to crafters to homesteaders to scientists and garage tinkerers. They are of all ages and backgrounds. More than 100 Maker Faires are held annually around the world. The aim of Maker Faire is to entertain, inform, connect and grow communities.

Register for Spring 2014 Bowman Breakfast by March 12

The spring 2014 Bowman Breakfast will take place at Kent State University in the Kent Student Center Ballroom on Tuesday, March 18. Doors open at 7 a.m., breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m., and the program will follow at 8 a.m.

Five speakers will discuss the topic “Kent Businesses … A Local and Global Impact.” The featured speakers are Matthew C. French, vice president and general manager of AMETEK; Albert Green, Ph.D., CEO of Kent Displays Inc.; Robin Kilbride, president and CEO of Smithers-Oasis; David Ruller, city manager for the city of Kent; and Nicholas R. Sucic, vice president and controller for the Davey Tree Expert Company.

The cost to attend is $10 per person, payable by cash or check at the door only. Invoicing is not available for this event. Reservations can be completed online or by contacting Mary Mandalari at 330-672-8664 or mmandala@kent.edu no later than Wednesday, March 12. No shows will be billed. If you find you cannot attend, please contact Mandalari to cancel your reservation by March 12.

Kent State is committed to making its programs and activities accessible to those individuals with disabilities. If you or a member of your family will need an interpreter or any other accessibility accommodation to participate in this event, contact the university’s accessibility liaison, Jacqueline Gee, by phone at 330-672-8667, by video phone at 330-931-4441 or via email at accessKSU@kent.edu.

The Bowman Breakfast, a tradition since 1963, is sponsored by Kent State and the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce.

Brazilian Photographer Exhibits “BRASILIA, Straight Lines, Curves and Shadows” at Kent State

The Uumbaji Art Gallery at Ritchie Hall will present
“BRASILIA, Straight Lines, Curves and Shadows” by the
Brazilian photographer Ricardo Pinheiro Penna, now through
March 21.

The Uumbaji Art Gallery, located at Kent State University’s Ritchie Hall, will present “BRASILIA, Straight Lines, Curves and Shadows” by the Brazilian photographer Ricardo Pinheiro Penna, now through March 21. The exhibit is curated by Moema Furtado, and is free and open to the public.

An opening reception will take place on Thursday, March 6, from 5-7 p.m. Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Penna holds a B.A. degree in architecture from the Universidade de Brasilia and an M.S. and Ph.D. in city and regional planning from Cornell University. He worked as a photographer for the Brazilian newspapers O Correio Braziliense and O Estado de Sao Paulo. He also was a photographer for the Brazilian magazine VEJA.

Penna spent his youth in Brasilia and witnessed its construction from the start. He acquired a special love for the central plateau’s unique sky and vegetation, as well as for the amazing city built in three years and inaugurated in 1961.

Inspired by the architecture of Oscar Niemeyer and Lucio Costa’s urban plan, Penna captured with these photographs the essence of the city, its straight lines, curves and shadows.

“Large spaces, pinpointed by huge monuments designed by Oscar Niemeyer, and an absolute linear horizon contour, produce delightful shadows. People move against these lines and in contrast with empty spaces. The walls, the concrete, the sun and the people are the essence of my photographs and part of my dreams about the city,” says Penna.

The exhibit is sponsored by Kent State’s College of the Arts, College of Architecture and Environmental Design and the Department of Pan-African Studies.

Kent State University Opera Presents the Spring Program, “I Feel an Aria Coming On…”

Kent State voice faculty, alumni and students perform some of opera’s most inspiring arias

Assistant Professor of Music Marla Berg is co-director
of the opera program at Kent State.

The Kent State University Opera will present “I Feel an Aria Coming On…” on Saturday, March 8, at 7:30 p.m., in Ludwig Recital Hall. Ludwig Recital Hall is located in the Center for the Performing Arts at 1325 Theatre Drive on the Kent Campus. For tickets, call the Performing Arts Box Office at 330-672-2787 or go online at www.kent.edu/music.

Highlights of the performance include the special appearance of Mark Pennell, WKSU’s classical music program host. Pennell will serve as the evening’s host as he introduces each of the arias. Pennell, a music lover and advocate for the arts, says, “I love the arts, and want very much for people to know how accessible it can all be.”

It will be the first time Pennell and the Kent State Opera program participate in this one-of-a-kind collaboration.

Audience members will be treated to arias from Carmen, The Marriage of Figaro, Pagliacci, La Traviata and The Ballad of Baby Doe, to name a few.

“The idea behind this concert is that the performers will be singing arias that inspired them to become singers,” says Marla Berg, co-director of the opera program.

Associate Professor of Music Tim
Culver will perform at the Kent State
University Opera's program on March 8.

Charles Latshaw, director of the Kent State Orchestra, will conduct performers and vocal faculty members Jay White, Lara Troyer, Melissa Davis, Tim Culver and Berg. Xingye Cai, a piano student in the Master of Music Performance, along with Raquel Teare and Donna Oberlin, will serve as piano accompanists for the evening.

“The performers include the voice faculty of the Kent State School of Music, recent graduates, guests and the current students of the opera program,” Berg says. “There will be soaring moments of exhilarating singing and surprising elements of complete fun.”

Tickets for the performance are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and Kent State faculty and staff, $10 for groups of 10 or more patrons, $8 for non-Kent State students, $5 for children and free for full-time Kent Campus undergraduate students.

Tickets are available weekdays noon to 5 p.m. at the Performing Arts Box Office, located in the lobby of the Roe Green Center in the Center for the Performing Arts. The Performing Arts Box Office accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover, in addition to cash and checks.

The Ludwig Recital Hall box office will open one hour prior to the performance for walk-up sales, and will accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover. Tickets and more information are available by calling 330-672-ARTS (2787) or by visiting www.kent.edu/music.

Kent State University to Host M.A.L.E. Initiative Conference on March 8

Acclaimed author, speaker and life
advisor Tim Storey will speak at the
second annual M.A.L.E. Initiative
Conference on March 8.

The second annual M.A.L.E. Initiative Conference will take place on Saturday, March 8. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m., and the program runs through 6 p.m. at the Kent Student Center. The conference will feature Tim Storey, an acclaimed author, speaker and life advisor, and Desmond Howard, an ESPN analyst, Heisman Trophy Winner and Super Bowl XXXI MVP. Several Kent State University faculty and staff will facilitate dynamic conference sessions covering topics such as Media Profiles, Men and Music and Male Leadership Styles. The event is free, but registration is required by March 3. Lunch will be provided.

The theme of this year’s M.A.L.E. Initiative Conference is “Limitless.” The conference will explore the personal concept of living your life with a full perspective of limitless possibilities beyond average norms; not waiting but recognizing and exploring these possibilities now! The conference also will explore how self-perceptions are connected to action, leadership and engagement.

The M.A.L.E. initiative, Men focusing on Action, Leadership and Engagement, is a program of Kent State’s Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This initiative provides an inclusive venue for men at Kent State, with the goal of having participants learn from working with one another and moving forward, engaging and uplifting society through civic and community service and a productive life after college.

ESPN analyst Desmond Howard will speak at the second
annual M.A.L.E Initiative Conference on March 8.

The M.A.L.E. Initiative Conference focuses on networking among successful and professional men from Kent State and surrounding areas. Attendees will learn about being leaders and engaging the community with positive change. Although most of the topics are tailored toward male students, women are welcome to attend.

To register for the M.A.L.E. Initiative Conference, visit www.kent.edu/smc/male-initiative-conference.cfm.

Donna Lee To Play Ohio Premiere of Grammy Award-winning Composer Robert Aldridge

Chamber music guest performers include Dan Gilbert (clarinet) and cellist Keith Robinson

Kent State University School of Music
faculty member Donna Lee will close
the Kent Keyboard Series 2013-2014
season with a performance on
March 9.

The Kent Keyboard Series will close its 2013-2014 season with a performance by Kent State University School of Music faculty member Donna Lee on Sunday, March 9, at 5 p.m. in Ludwig Recital Hall. Ludwig Recital Hall is located in the Center for the Performing Arts at 1325 Theatre Drive on the Kent Campus.

Audience members will be treated to works such as Benjamin Britten’s “Night Piece – Notturno for solo piano,” Tomaso Albinoni’s “Adagio in G minor for cello and piano,” Robert Aldridge’s “Three Waltzes for solo piano,” Louis Cahuzac’s “Cantilène for clarinet and piano,” and Frederic Chopin’s “Nocturne Op. 62, No. 1 for solo piano” to name a few.

The program features music that is beautifully reflective and colorful, alongside works that are brilliant and dynamic.

“I had fun putting together this wonderful program of solo and chamber music works of composers whose names start with the first three letters of the alphabet” Lee says. “I'm especially excited to perform some unfamiliar works, including the Ohio premiere of American Grammy-award winning composer Robert Aldridge.”

A chamber music portion will include Daniel Gilbert, associate professor of clarinet at the University of Michigan, and Keith Robinson, cellist and artist-in-residence at Kent State. Both artists will join Lee in a performance of Beethoven’s “Trio in B-flat major, Op. 11.”

“I always look forward to collaborating with Robby and Dan, both fantastic musicians,” Lee says.

This year, the Kent Keyboard Series’ 11th season continues to feature prominent performers known in the field for their expertise. Tickets for the performance are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and Kent State faculty and staff, $10 for groups of 10 or more patrons, $8 for non-Kent State students, $5 for children and free for full-time Kent Campus undergraduate students.

Tickets are available weekdays noon to 5 p.m. at the Performing Arts Box Office, located in the lobby of the Roe Green Center in the Center for the Performing Arts. The Performing Arts Box Office accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover, in addition to cash and checks.

The Ludwig Recital Hall box office will open one hour prior to the performance for walk-up sales, and will accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover. Tickets and more information are available by calling 330-672-ARTS (2787) or by visiting www.kent.edu/music.

Residence Services Hosts Presentation on Difficult and Respectful Workplace Conversations

Jasmine Clay, assistant director for
Chadbourne Residential College, and
Joel Spiess (not pictured), academic
advisor, both from the University of
Wisconsin-Madison, will discuss how to
engage in difficult workplace conversations
in a Google+ PowerPoint presentation on
March 13.

The Department of Residence Services invites you to attend a Google+ PowerPoint presentation titled “We Need to Talk: Engaging in Difficult and Respectful Conversations in the Workplace” that will be streamed live on YouTube (Watch live on Charles Holmes-Hope’s YouTube Channel). The presentation will feature presenters Jasmine Clay, assistant director for Chadbourne Residential College at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Joel Spiess, academic advisor, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

The presentation is scheduled for Thursday, March 13, from 10-11:30 a.m. at Studio A in the Twin Towers. Please arrive 10 minutes beforehand.

Ever felt that a coworker or supervisor was missing key information when making an important decision? Did you believe they overlooked the impact of a decision on certain people or neglected to seek input from those who will be impacted? Were there “big picture” pieces missing from your interpretation of what happened? Explore strategies to use when approaching your coworkers to express concerns and provide meaningful and appropriate feedback. Make the choice to take a stand while respecting your colleagues and continuing supportive relationships.

Clay earned a M.S. in Student Affairs and Higher Education from Indiana State University, and she is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a focus on Higher Education from Edgewood College in Madison, Wis. Her research interests focus on the intersections of race and gender in the workplace and the impact of first-year and social justice seminar experiences on college students. Follow Clay on Twitter at @jasminepclay.

Spiess earned his M.S. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and he is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration at Northeastern University. His research interests include the organization of undergraduate advising services and the role of identity in the development of leaders. Follow Speiss on Twitter at @JoelPSpiess.