UT Guarantee Seed Money mailer

The University’s Marketing and Communications offices earned several accolades at the recent CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) V Awards Program.

UT earned five silver and one bronze awards for online, print and overall projects.

Listed by category, silver awards went to:

• Teresa Du Bois Exline Award for Best Practices in Communications and Marketing, 3,000 to 9,999 FTE — the myUT Web site;

• Excellence in Design, Individual Poster — the 2009 Art on the Mall piece;

• Excellence in Design, Miscellaneous — the Seed Money mailer;

• Excellence in Writing, Series — “Unexpected Treasures of UT,” which ran in the Toledo Alumni Magazine; and

• Best Event on a Shoestring — the employee appreciation project.

The University also earned an award for Excellence in Design, Individual Poster, for the NCAA Golf Championships piece.

“It’s quite an honor to receive an award like this from CASE in a best practice category,” said Sherry Andrews, director of the Center for Creative Instruction. “The myUT site has a lot of technology components that made it complicated to develop; these included pulling feeds from news, journals, YouTube, daily pictures and others. The results are a very interactive, robust site that requires little maintenance.”

“UT has an incredible amount of talent,” said Esther Fabian, director of marketing and creative services. “From the writers and the graphic and Web designers, who have an eye and an ear for the best way to convey a message, to the account reps, who know the message and personality of each department, our team is top-notch, and UT’s showing at this year’s CASE Awards highlights that excellence.”

“…,” said Sherry Andrews, director of the Center for Creative Instruction. “…”

The CASE V Awards Program annually lauds the best work in communications, alumni relations and development. The organization includes institutions from Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

“We in the UT community have been privileged to see the outstanding results of our creative team on a daily basis,” said Lawrence J. Burns, vice president for external affairs and interim vice president for equity and diversity. “Being honored by the CASE Program gives us a nice pat on the back from others within a wider scope of the academic community.”

John Amato, left, showed off one of his shirt designs and UT student Zach Beebe held up a T-shirt in the NEX Clothing Co.

For many students, the most important test of their college career isn’t taken during finals week or even in the classroom. The true test comes after graduation, when a person is required to take lessons learned and apply them to everyday life in a new career.

For Zach Beebe, University of Toledo student and co-owner of NEX Clothing Co., the opportunity to gain success as a young entrepreneur presented itself early.

Armed with three business partners, retail space, and personal experience in the clothing industry, Beebe, 22, a junior majoring in business marketing management, began building his business from the ground up.

Earlier this year, NEX Clothing Co. opened in the Campus Village Plaza on Secor Road across the street from Rocket Hall. From designer shoes to hats and everything in between, NEX is focused on introducing Toledo and the surrounding areas to a more fashion-forward sense of style and dress.

“What I saw with Toledo is that it’s very behind in fashion and music, like much of the Midwest,” Beebe explained. “There is a whole movement known as ‘streetwear,’ which is really big in L.A., New York and Tokyo. It’s a freedom of speech by clothing, not just words.”

Although Beebe took the semester off from classes to focus on NEX, he is still very much concerned with campus life at UT. One of Beebe’s goals for the store is to help create a more student-friendly atmosphere in the areas around UT.

“We would like to create more traffic outside of campus,” Beebe said. “We want to develop the area a bit more and actually have things for students to walk to, instead of thinking that the Student Union is their only option.”

NEX carries more than 20 brands of clothing and accessories, including UT shirts created by John Amato, Toledo native and owner and founder of the online clothing store, Jupmode.com.

After his initial success with the creation of the Ohio State University sweater vest T-shirt, which mimics Head Football Coach Jim Tressel’s game-day attire, Amato began designing licensed merchandise for several universities, including UT.

“I had some design ideas for UT, and having grown up in Toledo, it’s a school I’ve wanted to make T-shirts for ever since I received my first product license,” Amato said. “Because of the personal connection, I think I can offer Toledo something other companies can’t. I have lived in northwest Ohio my entire life and I know the school very well.”

NEX carries two of Amato’s T-shirts, including a long-sleeve raglan shirt featuring Rocky the Rocket, and plans on carrying more as they become available.

“Any new products I create for UT, NEX will be in my plans because they are the trendsetter for Toledo fashion,” Amato said. “It looks good for me to have my products in NEX because people associate my brand with the other brands that are carried. Zach runs a very good store there, and the image he presents is something I want to be a part of.”

In efforts to create a complete multimedia facility, NEX Clothing also has received accreditation as an art gallery — making each piece of artwork in the store available for purchase. In addition, to ensure a memorable visit for customers, Beebe invites local DJs to perform during select business hours.

For more information on NEX Clothing or Jupmode, visit www.nexclothingco.com and www.jupmode.com.

Students, faculty and staff recently dedicated the Mary Sue Cave Honors Rain Garden, celebrating the life and career of the longtime UT Honors Program professor and adviser.

Annie Baibak watered the Mary Sue Cave Honors Rain Garden earlier this year as Shannon Booth and Andrew Walsh finished putting in plants. They are students in the Honors Program.

The rain garden, located between the Horton International House, Academic House and Sullivan Hall, is composed of deep-rooted vegetation that tolerates wet soil and irrigation drains. The garden prevents surface flooding as water is absorbed and slowly released over time. It also serves as a natural filter as the plants and soil trap pollutants carried by the water.

“We wanted to honor one of the great Honors Program teachers and advisers,” said Dr. Tom Barden, professor of English and director of the Honors Program. “Mary Sue and her husband, Al, lived and breathed Honors and the humanities during their time at UT and it just seemed appropriate.”

Al Cave is professor emeritus of history, and Mary Sue Cave, professor emerita, taught Honors Readings Conference courses and advised in the program from 1968 to 1992. She died in 2004.

Barden said that environmental stewardship was one of three central promises Honors students make when they join the program; students also commit to exploring the social and ethical consequences of decisions they make.

Honors students have committed to maintaining the rain garden, and Barden said it will provide a daily reminder of their obligations to the environment.

Dozens of former students and Honors advisees from across the nation sent in their memories of Mary Sue Cave.

Barden read from former student Blythe Howard’s letter to represent that collective affection.

“Not only did Mary Sue’s willingness to help enable me to continue at the University, but it was also the first time anyone in my life had ever supported my professional dreams,” Howard wrote.

The garden was funded with contributions from the Stranahan Foundation and was installed by Blanchard Tree & Lawn Service of Holland, Ohio.

Sue Kielczewski’s holiday season has already begun. She and her daughter, Nicki, have discussed supplies needed for the 70 ornaments to be made and an ingredient list for more than 150 cookies to be baked.

Mrs. Santa Claus (Sue Kielczewski) danced with a student from Oak Harbor Middle School as part of last year’s annual holiday program.

There’s also the matter of freshening the red velvet dress with the white collar. Since it’s the trademark of “Mrs. Santa,” this is particularly important.

Kielczewski, an account clerk in the Student Accounts Office on Health Science Campus, is UT’s most recent Jefferson Awards “Champion” honoree. She was lauded for her service to a local school district and the Luther Home of Mercy, where crowds of young and old believers welcome her each December as Mrs. Santa Claus.

The 21-year employee said she began dressing as the yuletide’s famous missus to shake things up at family gatherings.

“It was getting boring, and Santa always looked so uncomfortable in his costume,” she said. “The retirees in the family really loved it.”

Her daughter, UT graduate and Oak Harbor Middle School teacher Nicki Kielczewski, pondered her mother’s offer to appear as Mrs. Santa during the school’s annual holiday music program. Anticipating a tough crowd in her daughter’s junior high pupils, Kielczewski won them over with her bubbly persona and presents that encourage the giving aspect of Christmas.

“I put things in the gift bag that remind them of what Christmas is all about,” Kielczewski said, “like a Charlie Brown tree and cutout hearts. I asked kids to write things they could do to help their families during the holiday season. My daughter had to ask for more hearts because they were writing on two or three of them!”

For the past three years, Kielczewski and her daughter have taken their holiday cheer on the road to Toledo’s Luther Home of Mercy, which houses retirees and mentally challenged adults. Nicki Kielczewski’s students accompany them as guests, presenting a music program and distributing the Kielczewskis’ handmade ornaments to residents.

Concerns regarding whether the students could cope with people of different circumstances were quickly dispelled. Although residents can be agitated and even aggressive when brought to Mrs. Santa, most eventually are calmed by the students’ songs and Kielczewski’s compassionate banter.

“If you could see the difference between when we come in and when we’re getting ready to leave,” she recalled, tearing slightly. “Making someone else feel good and the smiles we get make it worthwhile.”

Colleague Annette Johnson, room scheduler in the Office of the Registrar on Health Science Campus, is familiar with Kielczewski’s charitable work even though she hasn’t seen her co-worker in action.

“She gets so excited,” Johnson noted. “She talks about these events months beforehand and shows everyone her photos. She never even thinks of the work and time that goes into it. She puts so much love into this.”

The Oak Harbor students continue to feel that love even after Mrs. Claus has hung up her velvet dress. Once the assemblies and visit to Luther Home have ended, Kielczewski bakes dozens of cookies and writes a special e-mail complimenting the children’s behavior. Nicki Kielczewski reads that message as her students devour her mother’s treats.

“It’s my little way of spreading the holiday cheer,” Kielczewski said when asked why she engages in this community service. “I believe in Christmas, and it helps them believe in themselves.”

Naama Shafir

See you at the game! The women’s basketball team will tangle with the Northwestern Wildcats Friday, Nov. 13, in Savage Arena, and the men’s basketball team will tip off its regular season at home vs. Eastern Illinois Saturday, Nov. 14.

In addition to hosting a home game against a Big Ten team, the women will compete in the University of New Mexico Tournament following the Thanksgiving holiday.

UT finished with an impressive 11-2 win-loss mark at Savage Arena last year and has led the conference in home attendance a record 19 consecutive seasons, averaging 2,674 fans per contest in 2008-09.

“We have definitely challenged our team with our non-conference schedule,” said 2008-09 Mid-American Conference (MAC) co-Coach of the Year Tricia Cullop. “We are going to play against some squads from power conferences with postseason experience.”

The Northwestern contest will mark only the fourth time in the last 13 years the Midnight Blue and Gold will entertain a Big Ten member.

“It will be pretty exciting to host a Big Ten team,” Cullop said. “In the near future, we are trying to do everything we can to get some exciting home games. That is kind of our thank-you to our great fans.”

UT’s home schedule also includes contests versus Cleveland State (Nov. 15), Saint Peter’s (Nov. 21), Dayton (Dec. 9) and Indiana University-Purdue University (Dec. 12).

Justin Anyijong

“I love the fact we will face quite a few strong teams in our region at home,” Cullop said. “We are glad to have those teams come to our arena, and that is something we hope to continue for many years to come.”

The men’s basketball schedule features seven non-conference home games for the most non-league contests since the 1991-92 campaign.

Toledo led the MAC last year in attendance with 5,610 fans per game and will look to continue to set the pace again.

“After leading the MAC in attendance last season, we wanted to have as many home games as possible to give our student-athletes more opportunities to experience our home court,” said second-year Head Coach Gene Cross. “Our student fan base along with our season ticket holders have been tremendous, and we want to continue to pack Savage Arena as much as possible.”

The Rockets’ challenging non-conference schedule includes a home date vs. Southeastern Conference foe Alabama (Jan. 4) and road tilts at 2009 NCAA Final Four participant Michigan State (Nov. 20) and Big East Conference member Cincinnati (Nov. 18). UT is slated to face opponents from 10 different conferences, a schedule that should give Cross’ squad a look at several different styles of play.

“We have put together a very competitive schedule with quality opponents from a number of different conferences, including the SEC, Big East, Big Ten and Missouri Valley,” Cross said. “I think our non-conference schedule will challenge our young men while preparing us very well for MAC play. Our conference has some very talented players returning, and there will be heated contests every night.”

For schedules, go to utrockets.com.

Russell Frautschi, a radio operator and gunner on a B-17 shot down over Germany, lived for 10 days in a bare six-by-eight interrogation center room where, as he said, “All I would give them was my name, rank and serial number. I don’t know why they kept questioning me. They knew everything about me, even knew my mother’s maiden name.”

Harvey Canard, who spent five weeks on the ash-covered Pacific island of Iwo Jima, recalled the peculiarly personal turn combat could take: “If someone creeps up on you at night, you can’t fire your rifle because the flash can be seen for miles and the next thing you know, shells would come raining in on you … next you throw a hand grenade at him. The downside to that is he can pick it up and throw it back at you. The next option is to take him hand-to-hand. The choices are bad, bad and bad.”

Marguerite Terrill, a real-life Rosie the Riveter who worked on B-24s at Michigan’s Willow Run plant, remembered the day a flight engineer helped her sneak onto a bomber test flight: “The crew was in on it, so I told them I was there and they gave me a parachute to wear. The crew had to work out a lot of bugs while in the air, so I didn’t get back until an hour after shift change. I missed my ride home.”

Those are just snippets of three of the 80 interviews with members of the “Greatest Generation” that appear in What a Time It Was: Interviews With Northwest Ohio Veterans of World War II, a book published today by The University of Toledo Urban Affairs Center Press. The book was compiled and edited by U.S. Army veteran and UT alumnus Andrew “Bud” Fisher, a volunteer for the local Veterans History Project that’s archived in the Ward M. Canaday Center of Special Collections in Carlson Library.

Fisher interviewed some 500 area WWII veterans, a feat honored by the Library of Congress. He spoke with men and women from all service branches and both the European and Pacific theaters of operation, in addition to the home front. The book’s appendix lists all the interviewees, whose recordings are housed in the Canaday Center.

Fisher, who located the book’s subjects though veterans’ organizations, said of the experience, “It was a privilege to talk with all these people who answered the call to duty. There was a thread that ran through all [the stories]: patriotism and modesty. No matter how many medals some of them won, they would downplay it; sometimes I’d have to drag it out of them.”

In many cases, veterans who’d never shared their wartime experiences with their families would open up for Fisher. “Afterwards, receiving a copy of the audiotape for the family was important to them,” he said.

Dr. Tom Barden, professor of English and director of the UT Honors Program, who helped edit the book, noted the confluence of its publication and the Nov. 11 dedication of the Veterans’ Plaza on Main Campus. “It’s an ideal match,” he said.

Pointing to the success of the National Public Radio’s “StoryCorps” project, Barden added, “A lot of what‘s circulating out there points to the importance of oral histories like these.”

“[The veterans] took me all over the world, to places I never heard of,” Fisher said of the interviews. “It was a history lesson, a geography lesson, a lesson about Americans.”

What a Time It Was will be available for purchase for $25 following the 11 a.m. Veterans’ Plaza dedication at a table inside the Memorial Field House. It also can be ordered online from the Urban Affairs Center at http://uac.utoledo.edu/Publications/uac-press/WhatATimeItWas.htm. Shipping and handling is $1.35. An option for credit cards will be available soon, as will copies at the UT Bookstore and UT Medical Center gift shop, and at Borders Books.

Although the United States and China may seem distant in many ways, one very important thing both countries share is the value of higher education.

Last month, representatives from 15 institutions gathered at the Dana Conference Center on The University of Toledo Health Science Camps for the U.S.-China Symposium on Higher Education Research.

The purpose of the two-day conference was to enhance student learning through collaborative research between both countries. More than 20 researchers submitted proposals to be discussed during each of the nine symposium sessions.

Each presentation focused on areas of higher education in both countries, such as student development, comparative studies, assessment of student learning, faculty collaborations in a global environment, student exchanges, and institutional partnerships.

“The conference provided great opportunities for researchers from both countries to showcase their scholarly work and explore future opportunities of collaboration,” said Dr. Ron Opp, UT associate professor of higher education, who was symposium co-chair. “This is the first step to begin a broader exchange between the United States and China in higher education research.”

In addition to The University of Toledo, other U.S. institutions represented at the symposium included the Ohio Board of Regents, Bowling Green State University, Wright State University, Terra Community College, Owens Community College and Monroe County Community College.

Represented institutions from China included Xiamen University, Tongji University, Xiamen City University, Ningbo Polytechnic, and the Beijing Vocational College of Finance and Commerce.

This event was sponsored by UT and Xiamen University.

Once William Schmitt becomes Dr. William Schmitt in June, he will probably leave this area to fulfill his goals of practicing reconstructive and plastic surgery.

William Schmitt listened to the heart of a patient in Nicaragua as Dr. Anna Rohrbacher reviewed information.

Even after he’s gone, however, a spirit cultivated during four years of Schmitt’s training will remain in The University of Toledo Medical Center. It will spark every time a UT volunteer checks the heart rate of a child, prepares a patient for surgery, and dispenses medication for dengue fever in Leon, Nicaragua.

Schmitt, who earns his medical degree in June and has applied for residencies outside of northwest Ohio, has been honored as UT’s monthly Jefferson Awards “Champion” recipient for creating a medical mission program.

“Not only is Will committed to serving people, but his passion to serve is inspirational,” said Denise Oancea, faculty member in the College of Nursing. “He’ll be leaving us this year, but the tradition he’s started with the mission program will carry on.”

Schmitt’s dedication to service began with a somber realization.

“I had been asked for three examples of altruism on my medical school applications and was completely stumped,” he recalled. “I hadn’t done anything altruistic.”

Shortly after, he was accepted into medical school. The same week, he bought a one-way plane ticket to Nicaragua. The five months he spent there would set the tone for a program that, today, assists thousands of Nicaraguan patients.

“Being in Nicaragua was the most incredible experience,” Schmitt said. “When I came back, I knew I wanted to go on more of these trips and get other medical students involved. It would be a great chance to help people and promote a learning experience for the clinical participants.”

During Schmitt’s first year of medical school, he hosted fundraisers, recruited volunteers, and secured donations of supplies and equipment. With $8,000, he and a team of about 20 volunteers treated more than 1,000 patients during eight days in Leon.

As he continued the demanding curriculum of a medical student, the mission expanded. With $13,000 annually secured through numerous fundraisers, Schmitt and his team have returned to Nicaragua for three years to treat more than 3,000 indigent natives — some of whom haven’t seen physicians in months or even years. Their maladies include tropical illnesses, parasite infections, nutritional deficiencies and other, more common conditions, including surgical procedures performed in Nicaraguan facilities far different from the state-of-the-art technologies at UTMC.

“We practice in a hospital that has no air conditioning or sophisticated imaging equipment, such as CT scans or MRIs,” Schmitt said. “IV tubing is hung on sticks, and sometimes the electricity just goes off and you don’t know when it’s coming back on.”

Despite the rustic conditions, membership on Schmitt’s teams has increased.

“We’ve all grown very attached to the Nicaraguan people, and we can see how much of a need they have for medical care,” he said. “They’re very gracious, welcoming and so grateful for any help we can give.”

Oancea marvels at Schmitt’s dedication to the cause. “He’s done whatever he has to for the mission to continue,” she said, “even being the DJ at one of our fundraisers. I can’t wait to see what he’s going to do as a physician. I have a feeling he’s one of those people we’re going to read about someday with all of the great things he’s going to do.”

UT Matters is a partnership with The Blade and Buckeye CableSystem to bring the community health science education and the latest news about how University of Toledo faculty, staff and students are changing Toledo and how the community can be a part of it.

Esther Fabian, director of health-care marketing at UT Medical Center, fought breast cancer and won.

This month’s UT Matters topic is increasing awareness about breast cancer and women’s health.

“In June, I found a lump. I do not have a family history of breast cancer, but I still got it,” said Esther Fabian, cancer survivor and director of health-care marketing at The University of Toledo Medical Center.

The American Cancer Society recommends women between the ages of 20 and 30 have a clinical breast exam at least every three years. When they reach age 40, women should have a clinical breast exam and mammogram every year.

“Every woman should seek a physician who listens to her concerns and is an advocate for her well-being,” said Dr. Donna Woodson, director of women’s health at UT Medical Center. “Her physician should be up-to-date in evidence-based medicine and testing interventions and should provide comprehensive care, not only for disease prevention, but for wellness promotion.”

There are many reasons patients get a higher degree of healing at UT Medical Center. “The availability of multiple specialists in one location offers a complete package for excellent, coordinated and gender-specific care for women of all ages,” Woodson said.

To learn more about comprehensive women’s health services at UT Medical Center, call 877.451.2299 or visit UTMatters.com.

Senior catcher Mica Sanchez read to children at Apple Tree Nursery School.

A sacrifice hit is a critical component to winning on the softball diamond.

The University of Toledo softball team is showing that it knows how to make sacrifices off the field as well.

The 22 players and three coaches take time out of their Friday mornings to volunteer at Apple Tree Nursery School on Main Campus. Children vary in age from infants to preschoolers, and it’s been a rewarding experience for both them and the team.

“At first, the kids were shy,” said senior utility player Lacey LeVier. “But once you’re around them for a few minutes, it wears off. They’re throwing balls at you, laughing, playing, giving things to you and telling you to pick them up. It makes you feel like you’re making a difference in their lives.”

“[The team] came on the playgrounds the first day and provided a tremendous amount of energy,” said Sherry Roush, Apple Tree director. “They were ready to run and play, and the children just loved it.”

Sophomore utility player Melissa Rons cheered on some finger painting during a visit to Apple Tree Nursery School.

The idea to volunteer at Apple Tree came from first-year Head Coach Tarrah Beyster, who approached Roush about it several weeks ago. Roush admitted to being overwhelmed at first with the prospect of having 25 volunteers, but it was something she wanted to try.

“It was a good overwhelmed because I have so many people that I don’t know what to do with them,” Roush said. “I want it to be a positive experience for everyone. Right now I’m enjoying the fact I can share them with the children.

“We want to show the children all of the choices they have in life. By turning on the television, they know men can be athletes, but they may not know women can be athletes, too,” Roush continued. “That’s what I really like about having the softball team coming. They identify themselves as athletes.”

The team was more than eager to participate in the program. The first week involved time on the playground, with kids chasing players and players chasing kids. With the weather starting to turn, activities have shifted indoors. The team splits up to work with the different age groups, taking turns reading to the kids, building blocks and painting.

“Giving our time to make the little kids happy — this is something they remember and enjoy,” said junior pitcher Trisha Rons. “It’s a great place and what they have going here is really special.”

“Everyone is so excited that we’re doing this,” LeVier added. “Most girls love babies. It’s exciting to work with the kids and cute to see them laughing and playing. I’ve seen this place so many times, and I always wondered what it took to work or help out here. It’s a good opportunity to have the whole team here, give back to the community, and help shape the kids’ future.”

Apple Tree Nursery School has been awarded a three-star rating by the state of Ohio and is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs.