HPJ Student Adam Downing In the Lima News

When Governor John Kasich brought his State of the State Message to Lima, the Lima News found itself short of reporters to cover all that was going on during the day.  They reached out to ONU for top students who could cover some of the events and Downing answered the call.  He attended a meeting of county officials who discussed what the governor's tax plan would mean to their areas.  According to Downing, most of the county officials were positive about the changes, but local officials were concerned that the new tax code would be more complicated.  To see Downing's complete article, click here.  Photo by Adam Downing for the Lima News.

Well done Adam!

Professor Nsia-Pepra Hailed for Donations in Ghana

Dr. Kofi Nsia Pepra recently was in Ghana and took the opportunity to bring donated items to the Kwabe East district health directorate.  According to ghanaweb.com:

Professor Kofi Nsia-Pepra, of the Ohio Northern University, United States, donated various items to the Kwabre East district health directorate, the district educational department and orphanage at a durbar of chiefs, school children, medical personnel and citizens of the district at Mampongten Ashanti region. Prof. Nsia- Pepra was in Ghana for his mother’s burial and funeral ceremony. 

The items valued about $50,000 that included medical supplies-such as wheel chairs, bed sheets, gloves, 60 computers, chairs, books, clothing, shoes, toys were contributed by Puritan Street Church of Christ , Detroit, Michigan USA and the Faculty , Staff and students of Ohio Northern University. The items were later distributed to schools, orphanages, churches/mosques, and health posts in the district.

The Chairman for the occasion, Nana Kwakye Berko Nkosohene of Adanwomase thanked, on behalf of the citizens of Kwabre East district, Professor Kofi Nsia-Perpa, the Puritan Church of Christ and Ohio Northern University USA for their kind gesture. He asked all citizens of Kwabre East both abroad and in Ghana to emulate the remarkable contribution of Prof. Nsia-Pepra towards the development of health and education in the district.

Receiving the items, Dr. Boateng Boakye, district director of health services, thanked Prof Pepra, Pastor Mary Ealy, Ms Leslie Matthews and the entire congregation of the Puritan church as well as the faculty, staff and students of Ohio northern university for the philanthropic contributions. He said that the medical center faces numerous challenges and asked all citizens and friends of Kwabre East district to contribute towards the development of the health needs of the people in the district. 

The District education officer, Mr J B Danquah, on receiving the school items also thanked the donors and promised to use the items, especially the computers, for the benefit of the school children. He equally appealed for support to establish a computer laboratory for the schools in the district.

Prof. Nsia-Perpa thanked the gathering for the warm reception back home. Citing his own humble beginning from abject poverty, then as a former Airforce Officer of the Ghana Armed Forces and now as a university professor, Prof Nsia-Pepra advised the school children and the youth that nothing comes easy in life but with determination, dedication and perseverance they can achieve their dreams. He advised them to avoid dangerous short cuts to success and acts of immorality such as drugs. He asked them to focus on their studies and choose good and moral role models in society and follow their examples. Prof Nsia-Pepra also advised the Ghanaian political leadership to be self-less and make people-centered policies to develop the human capacities of the “leaders of tomorrow.” He asked Ghanaian politicians not to close the door of opportunity behind them when they walk through it to deny the youth similar opportunities. He asked politicians to eschew corruption and redirect the resources into productive endeavors for the youth. He promised to continue to support the district because “to whom much is given much is expected”.

ONU Model United Nations Competes at Dayton

 In a tune up for their trip to the National Model United Nations event in New York, our team traveled to Dayton for a regional competition.  Although team awards were not given at the competition, MUN director Tristan Kilgallon was happy with the performance turned in by the team.  According to Professor Kilgallon, James Lee earned an honorable mention (3rd place overall) for his efforts representing the United States in the Simulated Security Council.  He further stated that "the competition in the Sim Sec was quite fierce as students were place in the challenging position of trying to prevent the Srebrenica massacre of 1995.

From the ONU News site: Also taking part in the conference were Victoria (Tori) Army, a junior in criminal justice from Lafayette, Ohio; Hannah Allen, a sophomore in political science from Troy, Ohio; Katie Deeter, a junior in political science from Troy, Ohio; Franklin Howard, a senior in history from Akron, Ohio; Regine Jean-Michel, a freshman in nursing from Milton, Mass.; Sarah Lewer, a sophomore in management from Indianapolis, Ind., Jeehye Min, a freshman from Namdonggu, South Korea; Bradley Nungester, a junior in criminal justice from Ada, Ohio;  Kirk Stein, a freshman in political science from Las Vegas, Nev.;  Yuki Tada, a senior in international studies from Akitashi, Japan; Daniella Chambers, a senior in international studies from Fremont, Ohio; and Andrew Crozier, a senior in graphic design from Ada, Ohio.

Model UN conferences, held all over the world, are a fun way for students to learn about international affairs. Students from colleges and universities in Ohio and Michigan took part in the Dayton event, representing more than 60 countries.

Well done James!

Mock Trial in Indianapolis

The ONU Mock Trial Team went on the road to Indianapolis for a tournament last week.  The trials did not go particularly well for our teams this time out, but better luck next time!

Holliday Hilling: Boardman, OH and the Hobbit

Current students Lisa Bradley and Amarilla Fair met up with recent graduate Megan Piersol at a showing of the Hobbit (Hill Building in the Shire!) in Boardman, OH - near the border with PA. 

Thanks and keep that Hilling going!