PUPILS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

PUPILS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Joining law forum in D.C.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Jenna Kupec, an Ursuline High School student, is among more than 350 students nationwide selected to participate in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Law in Washington, D.C., this month. Jenna, daughter of Steve and Rose Kupec of Youngstown, will spend the five-day trip interacting with attorneys and law professors and examining the impact of various court cases on the legal system.
Nominated to compete
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- Carrie Davis, a senior at Springfield Local High School, was nominated to compete in the national Principal's Leadership Award scholarship program sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and possible through Herff Jones Inc. Nominees were selected based on leadership skills, participation in service organizations and clubs, academic record and other achievements. Next spring, 150 national PLA winners will be chosen to receive $1,000 college scholarships.
Mathematics award
STRUTHERS -- The United States Achievement Academy has announced that Struthers High School student Patrick J. Thomas was named a United States National Award-winner in mathematics, based on academic performance, leadership, recommendation and other criteria. Patrick is the son of Joe and Tina Thomas of Struthers. He was nominated for the award by one of his teachers.
COLLEGE EVENTS
Open house to showplanetarium update
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Slippery Rock University's chemistry and astronomy departments will host an open house from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday for the newly renovated Vincent Science Hall Planetarium. The 36-year-old planetarium has new control electronics and an audio system with wireless microphones as well as specially designed chairs, new flooring and painting. A goal is to launch a minor in astronomy and include the planetarium in on-campus recruiting.
Gender and urban history
CLEVELAND -- A "Sex and the City" panel discussion on gender issues in American urban history will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at Cleveland State University's University Center. Featured are Dr. Brett Beemyn of Ohio State University, Dr. Gregory Conerly of CSU, and Dr. Molly Merryman of the Kent State University Trumbull Campus. Sponsors are the Ohio Humanities Council, the CSU Department of History's Social History and the City Program, and the Office of Minority Affairs and Community Relations. Call (216) 523-7190 or write history.department@csuohio.edu.
Kent information fair
KENT -- A Kent State University Information Fair will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the student center on the main campus. Representatives from KSU's academic colleges and schools will be on hand to provide information about graduate and undergraduate programs, financial aid options, distance learning, continuing studies and other topics. To register, visit www.admissions.kent.edu or call (800) 988-KENT.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
College cost workshops
The free workshop, "Nine Ways to Beat the High Cost of College," will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Book Nook bookstore, 2103 Elm Road NE in the Elm Road Plaza in Warren; and from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday at the Liberty Branch Library, 415 Church Hill-Hubbard Road in Liberty. Topics include financial aid; need-based scholarships, grants and low-interest loans; and colleges that give the best financial-aid packages. Speaker is college-funding adviser Dennis B. Cunningham. Reservations are recommended. Call (330) 638-2828, 24 hours a day.
Career center offers GED
CANFIELD -- The Mahoning County Career and Technical Center's adult education department will offer the GED test from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the center, 7300 N. Palmyra Road. Students are required to submit an application with the state GED office. Free preparation classes will be held at MCCTC, Struthers High School, the Southern Park Mall and the F.A. Sebring Community Center at various times and days. Call (330) 729-4100.
EDUCATOR NEWS
Taking post at WVU
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Youngstown native Cheryl B. Torsney has been named West Virginia University's associate provost for academic programs.
Torsney will direct accreditation, retention, degree review, university advising, the honors program, service learning and all academic programs at the main campus, three branches and the medical and law schools. Torsney is a graduate of Villa Maria High School, Allegheny College and Louisiana State University and earned a doctorate degree in English from the University of Florida. She also was a Fulbright Scholar in France and the Netherlands. She is the daughter of the late Elsa Malkin Brenner and Paul Brenner of Van Wert, and the late Irwin Stambor of Los Angeles. She has two sons.
Director at NEOUCOM
ROOTSTOWN -- Youngstown resident Yvonne Mathis was named director of the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. Mathis, who has been with NEOUCOM since 1984, holds an undergraduate degree from Malone College and a master's in business administration from Youngstown State University.
She is director of the Area Health Education Center-sponsored Project Health Quest outreach program, and a member of The Links Inc., Youngstown Area Urban League, the Board of Associated Neighborhood Centers and Leadership Mahoning Valley's Class of 2003.