Master of Education Session planned at SSU

PORTSMOUTH — An information session on the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction program is planned at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 27 in Shawnee State University’s new Education Building at 945 Fourth Street, Room 126.

Kenneth Carlson, Ed.D., associate professor and graduate program facilitator in teacher education, will be conducting the session along with other faculty who teach in the program.

“We want potential students to understand the blended education delivery system,” Carlson said. “Blended education allows teachers who are working full-time jobs and have families the opportunity to get a master’s degree with some attendance on campus and some classes via the Web.”

Students in the program have commented that although they take some classes online, they have the added benefit of having the professors available close to home.

The MOE program is a cohort program that has a sequence of classes the students follow. Each fall a new cohort begins. The first cohort will be graduating in the spring on Saturday, May 7.

All of the classes are available for professional development to help teachers meet their certification requirements.

For more information, contact Marcia Tackett, graduate program representative, at (740) 351-3220 or e-mail mtackett@shawnee.edu.

Ironton Health Board to meet Tuesday

IRONTON — The Ironton Health Board will meet at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the health department.

The public is welcome.

Proctorville resident receives promotion at St. Mary’s

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Monica M. Setser, RN, CNOR, has accepted the position of cardiovascular and thoracic specialty leader in surgical services at St. Mary’s Medical Center. Her responsibilities include assisting in operating room staffing; coordinating procedures; ensuring the availability of medical supplies and implants; investigating new products; and serving as a liaison for cardiovascular surgeons.

Setser is a certified surgical nurse and received her nursing degree from St. Mary’s School of Nursing. She has worked as a registered nurse at St. Mary’s for 17 years. Setser resides in Proctorville, with her husband, Edward.

Portsmouth Library, Connect Ohio offers free computer and broadband training

PORTSMOUTH — Connect Ohio is pleased to announce Portsmouth Public Library is a partner in the statewide Every Citizen Online broadband training project.

The program recently received $6.9 million in federal funding, as well as more than $3 million in assistance and contributions from a number of participating entities across the state, to increase the sustainable adoption of broadband services for more than 200,000 state residents. Free computer training sessions will be provided at public libraries and community colleges throughout Ohio to introduce new users to a wide range of communication, education, and healthcare tools available online. Interested adults throughout Ohio are eligible to participate in the program, which is geared toward first-time computer and broadband users.

Classes are scheduled to begin Jan. 19, at the following Portsmouth Public Library locations:

> Main Branch, 1220 Gallia Street, Portsmouth

> New Boston Branch, 3850 Rhodes Avenue, New Boston

> South Webster Branch, 496 Webster Street, South Webster

> Lucasville Library, 103 Lucasville-Minford Road, Lucasville

The coursework will include three, 2-hour sessions covering computer basics, an introduction to the Internet, and discussions about how broadband can be helpful in daily life.

Participants can register by contacting the library at (740) 354-5688 ext. 204.

“This is an incredibly exciting program for Ohio. Currently, just 66 percent of Ohio households subscribe to broadband service, leaving more than three million Ohioans on the wrong side of the digital divide,” Connect Ohio Executive Director Tom Fritz said. “The Every Citizen Online program is an opportunity to close the gap between those who have computer technology at home and those who do not.”

SSU plans grad school forum

PORTSMOUTH — Shawnee State University will be hosting a graduate school forum for students from 3 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 21 in the Library Alcove.

“At the forum we will have a panel of individuals who have been through the graduate school experience,” Steve Gregory, director of Career Services said. “The panel members have experience with various universities and programs.”

During the forum, panelists will discuss many issues about graduate school. The forum will provide open discussion about any issues or questions about graduate school from those attending.

Topics include how to prepare for graduate school, college entrance exams, financial aid, assistantships, fellowships, essays, letters of recommendation and the application process.

The panel members have experience with various universities and programs. Some have gone through the traditional on-campus format while others have gone to school online.

Each panelist will give a brief account of their unique experiences while attending graduate school.

“My hope is that students who are still possibly a couple of years away from graduation will attend to be sure that they are doing the things they need to do before they are seniors,” Gregory said.

“This includes taking the appropriate classes, being involved in activities, maintaining above average grades and creating good relationships with faculty members, among other things. Waiting until the senior year to do most of these things is too late.”

For more information, contact Steve Gregory at (740) 351-3259 or e-mail sgregory@shawnee.edu.

Ironton resident receives UK nursing degree

LEXINGTON, Ky.  – Candace Ferguson, daughter of Rick Ferguson of Ironton, Ohio and Shelli Blevins of Ashland, Ky., was awarded a degree from the University of Kentucky College of Nursing at a special recognition ceremony held Dec. 17, 2010.

The UK College of Nursing offers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, as well as two doctoral programs, the Doctor of Nursing Practice and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing.

The college has a reputation for its ever-evolving approaches to nursing education, including computer-driven patient simulation. Approximately 529 undergraduate students and 225 graduate students are enrolled.

In addition, 61 full-time faculty members provide an excellent student/faculty ratio and provide a very supportive and mentoring atmosphere. The UK College of Nursing has graduated more than 5000 individuals; 60 percent have remained in Kentucky.

The college has continued to distinguish itself. Over the past five years, 97 percent of its graduating BSN students successfully passed the NLCEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) on their first attempt compared to 86 percent nationally.

Its graduate program tied for 26th  for Best Graduate Schools (2008 U.S. News & World Report). The College’s PhD program is ranked 10th out of 99 private and public PhD programs in Nursing (2008 Academic Analytics, LCC Report).