ART EXHIBIT TO BE UNVEILED – The unveiling of the Traci Molloy collaborative art project, titled “I AM, I Will, I’m Afraid – Ashland,” is scheduled for 5:30 pm on April 19 in Ashland University’s Hawkins-Conard Student Center and will be followed by a community forum in the Student Center Auditorium at 6 pm.

The Art Department’s visiting artist Traci Molloy will be leading the forum and the event is free and open to the public.

The “I Am, I Will, I’m Afraid (Ashland),” is a piece Molloy made in collaboration with 20 women from Ashland University who have experienced sexual assault and/or sexual harassment. It is currently on display in Iowa City, Iowa, at PS 1 (Public Space One) in “We Are Survivors,” a show featuring works of art by female survivors of sexual assault. The piece is traveling to Portland, Ore., to be part of Chronodrift at the Lumber Room, which will be up concurrent with the SGCI print conference.

RECITALS AT ASHLAND – The Department of Music at Ashland University announces a variety of recitals to close the spring semester, including small ensembles such as brass, saxophone, string and jazz combos, as well as vocal soloists and the semi-annual Jazz at the Nest.

All of the concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Recitals are performed in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall, with the exception of Jazz at the Nest, which is held in the Eagles’ Nest in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center.

On Thursday, April 21, various jazz combos under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock and Jeff Neitzke will perform a joint student ensembles recital along with a low brass ensemble also directed by Dr. Garlock.

Another student ensembles recital will be held on Monday, April 25, and will feature a brass ensemble under the direction of Michael Metcalf, a saxophone ensemble led by Dr. Thomas Reed, and a string ensemble directed by Jane Reed.

On Tuesday, April 26, Jazz at the Nest will present the final concert of the year for the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra conducted by Dr. Garlock. Audience members are welcome to grab a snack, enjoy a beverage and relax to the live music of AUJO at the Nest. The program will include jazz standards such as Duke Ellington’s In a Sentimental Mood, Stevie Wonder’s Isn’t She Lovely and George and Ira Gershwin’s Summertime along with more contemporary pieces from Justin Haynes, Rich Shanklin and Paul Ferguson.

Members of the AU Jazz Orchestra include vocalists Fatima Imani Smith and Ariel McCleary and saxophonists Michael Byndas, Jason Wolf, Derek Rangel, Jessie Barnhouse, Chanel Buntschly and Shayne Smith. The brass section includes trombonists Jaylynn Buchmelter, Cody Henderson, Rachel Crow and Sean Strader; along with Hannah Phillips, Alex Sandwisch, Nick Psota and Tyler McFarland on trumpet. The rhythm section is comprised of Alex Trotter, piano; Dan Pflueger, guitar; Emily Ebert, bass; and Darren Allen, drums, alto sax.

The final recital in April features the best of spring 2016 at the Honors Recital on Monday, May 2. Students who accomplished exceptional musical work during the semester will showcase their vocal and instrumental talents as selected by their private teachers.

SHOWCASE SET – Ashland University Theatre’s Drop of a Hat Players, a musical theatre revue troupe, presents its 2016 Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 23, at 2 p.m. in the Studio Theatre in the Center for the Arts.

Although the performance is free and open to the public, audience members are encouraged to reserve a free ticket through the Ashland University box office to guarantee a seat. The box office is currently open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and can be reached at 419.289.5125.

From “The Sound of Music” and “Show Boat” to “Pippin,” “Spamalot” and “Spring Awakening,” the performance promises to cover more than 60 years of musical theatre gems. The students will perform songs from classic and contemporary musical theatre productions.

ROLLINS TO SPEAK – Political consultant and Fox News commentator Ed Rollins will be the keynote speaker at the 31st Annual John M. Ashbrook Memorial Dinner at 6:30 p.m. April 27 at Ashland University. Sponsored by the Ashbrook Center, this event has hosted many political leaders including Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Margaret Thatcher, Rick Perry, Colin Powell and John Boehner.

The dinner program will be held in Ashland University’s John C. Myers Convocation Center. Tickets for this Ashbrook event are $250 per person. A limited number of VIP reception tickets are available for an additional cost. Tables of 10 are available in different price packages and include reception tickets, program recognition and preferred table location.

For more information, reservations, or to purchase tickets, contact Jennifer Nixon at (419) 289-5411 or order online at www.ashbrook.org.

UNIVERSITY RECEIVES GIFT – Ashland University has received a $1 million anonymous estate gift that will be made to the Ashland University Endowment Fund upon the passing of a well-known and well-respected Ashland couple.

While this anonymous gift will be used to strengthen the University’s endowment and help fund strategic priorities for Ashland well into the future, interest from the gift will be used to help fund student athletic scholarships.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, our faculty, staff and — most importantly — our students, we thank these two individuals for their remarkable gift to the University that will help our scholar-athletes from Ohio and beyond to come to AU and continue our tradition of excellence,” said AU President Dr. Carlos Campo. “The donor said the gift was prompted by ‘The clear vision and direction of the leadership team at Ashland University. We have been impressed by the young men and women who compete for AU, and by the way the Ashland campus has risen over this last year to define its commitment to excellence in and out of the classroom.’”

Staff report