SAVE THE DATE: 2nd Annual LLC Cup

It's that time of year again! It's time for the 2nd Annual LLC Cup! And boy, it's a lot of fun. Last year's LLC Cup was featured {here} and the Health Professions LLC group won in its inaugural year. 

But save the date! All current LLC students can join in the festivities and play, (playfully?) compete, eat and drink, and laugh with friends... all for the bragging rights and deserving boastfulness of the infamous LLC golden cup. A prized possession. 

MARCH 20TH, 2016

1:00-4:00PM

AU RECREATION CENTER

Meet on the walking track

Pizza and drinks will be provided before the awards ceremony.

Wear your team colors:

Business- Gray

Health professions- White

Education- Purple

Arts and Sciences-  Black

And just to add to the competition... last year some of the faculty advisors participated too! 

How fun that faculty and students can join together for fun activities! So SAVE THE DATE and join in the fun!

LLC Learns from Expert Cardiologist and Nurse Practitioner

Ashland University students have numerous opportunities to explore and learn inside and outside of the classroom. However last week, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences Living Learning Community called the "Health Professions Collaborative", had a unique monthly meeting where a local cardiologist and nurse practitioner came to share information with over dozen students about the field. 

(Links embedded within text)

Last Thursday, February 11, Living Learning Community members and alumni were in attendance to hear Dr. William Polinski, cardiologist from Wooster, Ohio, discuss cardiac concerns for athletes and other cardiac disorders. 

Dr. Polinski was accompanied by nurse practitioner, Dr. Lisa Young, who teaches advanced simulation and complex medical surgical nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Ashland University. Following the presentation there was a Q & A session for the students. Then of course, attendees were treated to snacks and door prizes which is a common theme at our monthly meetings. 

The event was planned by Dr. Karen Estridge, Advisor of the CONHS Living Learning Community. 

He did a wonderful job and focused discussions and learning toward sports and athletes too. 

'Tis the Season!

Last week the College of Nursing and Health Sciences hosted their annual holiday Christmas Party for students in the college involved in the Living Learning Community, Peer Mentoring, SCRUBS, etc. Almost 100 students attended. All came in their holiday sweaters and ready for a good time. 

There was cookie decorating, writing cards for the troops, an art coloring project, and an ornament exchange. Lots of prizes were given out and the students also did two service projects- they brought a coat for 'Coats for Kids' and also a toy for needy children. 

Every year this gathering allows students to socialize with each other outside the classroom, where faculty can interact too in a casual setting and relax as the semester comes to a close. It's a way to also give back to the community during this time of year which may be difficult for individuals to get through. 

Here is a collage of pictures from the event... 

LLC students representing!

Our faculty are obviously experts in their field, but what we find is that they can also be crazy at holiday parties!

Everyone gathered in the front lobby of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences building in Mansfield. The tree in the background is lit with white lights and beautifully decorated with red bows. 

From the Ashland University family to yours, we hope you have a wonderful holiday.

'Tis the season for giving to and being with others... 

COBE Connection LLC Raises Money for Loan Project

Freshmen business students are able to learn inside and outside the classroom with the interactions of invested faculty members. But the LLC students in the COBE Connection also get the one-on-one attention and outside-of-the-classroom experience with LLC Advisor, Terry Rumker. These students are not only learning information directly related to their future in the business profession, but they are building and fostering relationships with other first year business students.

Mohican State Park

For example, students spent part of a day at Mohican State Park. 

Magic Show

One of the other many fabulous things the COBE Connection LLC does during the year is work with KIVA in regards to providing loans.

Back in October, the COBE Connection students started advertising their Magic Show event. The students hosted a Magic Show in order to raise money for their KIVA Loan Project. Mike the Magician did a great job at the event. The event raised $250, combined with a dollar match from the AU Entrepreneurship Center, which brings the total dollars raised to $500. The COBE Connection LLC will now have $700 to cycle for loans, and at $25-50 per loan they can help a lot more people. 

Time to Chill... and Relax

In Living Learning Communities, we are gathering and meeting... discussing spring schedules and registration... and prepping for end of the semester tasks (like finals!). These discussions alone can be stressful. Therefore this month's meeting for the Living Learning Community in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences was focused on stress and relaxation... which is perfect time considering the semester wraps up soon and finals are right around the corner! 

Guest speaker, Dr. Beth Patton, Associate Professor of Exercise Science, presented information and content which prompted peer discussion to discuss the implications of stress and how it personally affects our lives. We wrapped up with methods to practice stress relief!

Another enjoyable evening!

COMING UP:

"COBE Connections" (The LLC for the College of Business and Economics) is hosting a Magic Show on Nov 17 at 9pm. 

EVERYONE is invited. Any student can come, any faculty member, staff, etc. Come join! Cost is $2 to attend and all money goes to the COBE Connection LLC micro-loan program which lends money to small businesses all over the world. This program has worked with small businesses from 20 countries over the last three years.

Magic Show, starring "Jake the Magic Man"

November 17th at 9:00pm

Student Center Auditorium

$2 minimum admission

LLC members: Please RSVP to aucobellc@gmail.com

All are welcome!

LLC Gathering at Homecoming

We just finished participating in Homecoming weekend- which is always a blast! AU students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, community members, etc- all come together and it's very fun! This year was a little bit more chilly than last year but smiles and laughs still ensued. 

Our annual LLC Homecoming event was next to the Pizza Pizza Pizza tent. (Because you know you have a prime location when you are right next to the pizza.) Win win. 

This was an event for ALL Living Learning Community members. Door prizes and goodies were at the event. There was even time for pictures! This is a picture of some LLC students with the HPL-LLC Advisor, Dr. Karen Estridge. 

One LLC member is in the band!

Ashland University always hosts a welcoming and fun Homecoming Weekend. Everyone is able to enjoy the festivities and then watch the football game in our beautiful stadium. Very fun. 

Our next event...

Another event approaching is a MAGIC SHOW! It's hosted by the College of Business and Economics LLC ("COBE Connections") and EVERYONE is invited. Any student can come, any faculty member, staff, etc. Come join! Cost is $2 to attend and all money goes to the COBE Connection LLC micro-loan program which lends money to small businesses all over the world. This program has worked with small businesses from 20 countries over the last three years.  

Magic Show, starring "Jake the Magic Man"

November 17th at 9:00pm

Student Center Auditorium

$2 minimum admission

LLC members: Please RSVP to aucobellc@gmail.com

All are welcome!

Again, this event will be a charity event, and all donations will directly benefit Kiva; “a micro-lending charity that allows you to invest in startup companies in impoverished countries”

 Learn more at kiva.org

What a great weekend... and please SAVE THE DATE for the Magic Show!

Our Living Learning Communities are in full swing!

Autumn is here. Falling leaves and pumpkins, chilly temperatures which only require a light jacket, students socializing and ordering Starbucks drinks while preparing for upcoming midterm exams...which can be stressful. 

Typical items for an October at AU. 

Side note. Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Lattes are available at the Eagles Nest. Go get one. Delicious. 

But the students in the Living Learning Communities (LLC) are really experiencing the benefits of their LLC membership as this fall semester unfolds. These freshmen students who live and learn with other like-minded students are soaring. We already know of numerous LLC students who have shared their gratitude for being part of this group with various faculty, staff and fellow students. In only 8 short weeks, these freshmen students have seen the benefits and advantages of being an LLC member- the relationships they can foster and gain, and the additional assistance they have available during their transition to college. We even had additional students wanting to be part of this group after hearing the positive feedback from friends. Word of mouth. It's awesome. 

So despite papers and tests, lectures and group projects, all our LLC groups have been meeting monthly and even participating in charity and/or social events within their LLC organization.

For example, The College of Business and Economics has already started another year of micro-lending with Kiva, "a micro-lending charity that allows you to invest in startup companies in impoverished countries." This annual project allows students to raise money and then lend the money out. This year they are lending out five loans in 3-4 countries. One of their upcoming large fundraising events is approaching on Nov 17th at 9pm- a Magic Show! All are welcome! It's in the Student Center Auditorium, and it's $2/person admission, and additional donations are accepted for the purpose of the micro-lending project. The College of Business and Economics LLC is also planning a picnic social at Mohican on November 8th.

Another example- here is a picture of some of the LLC students from the Health Professions Collaborative (HPC) participating in the annual American Heart Association's HeartChase event on-campus! They formed a team and some even took a picture with one of their LLC advisor's, Laura Kruger! These students in the HPC-LLC have an invested interest in serving in the healthcare industry. Participating in the HeartChase event was a perfect correlation to their future professions.

We are so thrilled to join together and collaborate for the benefit of student success! Teamwork, communication, and empowerment- it's going to be an excellent year!