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| Monday, November 13, 2006 |
| Ribbon cut at official Grand Opening of the Discovery Exchange Columbus State faculty and staff, community members, VIPs and plenty of students were on hand this morning as the bright red and orange ribbons were cut on the big new retail complex, Discovery Exchange.  Warm Columbus State scarves and gloves sit in the foreground as guests at the Grand Opening listen to the speakers. Speeches by Terry Gehr and President Moeller, and a special plaque presentation from Discovery District Development Corporation members Chuck Wickert and Drew Vennemeyer, preceded the ribbon cutting, which was followed by an elegant reception, delicious hors d'oeuvres, and classy music from the Ft. Hayes High School Jazz Band.
CPE tech projects coordinator a good fit from day one Watts was hired as the first CPE fulltime employee in the Continuing Education and Workforce Development Division back in 2000. "We saw an immediate need for technology in CPE," says Baker. "Dave has played an integral role in so many projects including setting up the ACT SkillsMax Center, working through technical difficulties in the new WD building, and helping the B&I Training Services with a recent networking problem." But what Dave Watts likes best about his job is working with diverse groups of students. "One day I'll be working with high-level engineers on certification programs, then the next day I'm working with the unemployed or underemployed on job training," says Watts. "I learn something new every day." Watts also works with the Real Estate and Employee Benefits Training programs. He likes the new building that houses all CEWD programs because "it's not the Taj Mahal, but it has been designed to allow the departments to interact well--the office spaces are beautiful," says Watts. A Dublin resident, Watts is married to wife Kris, and they have two children, son Cory, 14, and daughter Victoria, 11. International Festival Nov. 14 to feature dance, music, games Columbus State's growing international student body will put on a showcase Tuesday, November 14, to celebrate International Education Week. The celebration, to be held in the Nestor Hall East Lounge area from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., will include Sakura Sakura, a Japanese dance that honors cherry blossoms; Latin dancing and music; a demonstration of martial arts from Japan and the Philippines; and "Geography Jeopardy." To become a contestant on Geography Jeopardy, contact Assistant Professor Eric Neubauer at 287-5698 or eneubaue@cscc.edu. Columbus State plays host to about 200 international students and 1,300 permanent residents from other countries. International Education Week is a joint project of the U.S. State and Education departments. Renee Hampton, Carla Tatum in the news Renee Hampton , interim director of Multicultural Affairs and director of TRIO programs, just returned from Mid-America Association for Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MAEOPP) conference where she was the trainer for a year-long Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI). Carla Tatum, an Upward Bound staff member, also participated in the Institute. The 2006 ELI class produced a DVD detailing the history of TRIO programs including testimony from the participants who have benefited from the various TRIO programs. The ELI 2006 class received the President's Award for the production of the DVD, and Hampton received special recognition as the trainer from the MAEOPP Educational Foundation (MEF) for continuing to support the Foundation by encouraging the 2006 ELI class to contribute to the foundation for student scholarships throughout the 10-state region. The proceeds from the sale of the DVD, after production costs, will go directly to MEF for student scholarships only. Hampton was also given the President's Award for co-chairing the 2006 Pre-College Student Leadership Conference (SLC). The conference, held at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Ill., was host to more than 746 student participants. Di Pietro tries to be two places at once in December Rocco Di Pietro, instructor in electronic music and humanities, has been invited to perform at the Electro-Acoustic Music Festival December 2 -3 at the University of Washington in Seattle. Di Pietro will perform his own works for piano and electronics at the Festival, which is what he teaches in Music 120 and 103 classes at Columbus State. Because Di Pietro cannot be two places at once, he is sending friends and students of his to the University of Michigan to perform his work "Lost Project" on December 3 for the International Society for Improvised Music (ISIM). The group will meet with internationally renowned improvisational musician Pauline Oliveros, with whom DiPietro worked in September at Stanford University. Staff Advisory Council to hold bake sale to fund Holidays Are for Kids The 2005 campaign raised $1,222.38 through donations, raffle sales, and bake sales. Gift cards are purchased with this money and are then given to Community for New Direction to distribute to the children. The annual bake sale will be held Wednesday, Nov. 15 and Thursday, Nov. 30, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. near the Delaware Hall Cafeteria. If you would like to donate a baked good, please bring the item to the sale table by 10 a.m. on either date. Please let the volunteers know if your item contains nuts.
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With Jay Imbody interpreting, Terry Gehr welcomes the crowd and thanks everyone who worked to open the Discovery Exchange.
With one swift cut, the ribbon falls on the new Discovery Exchange. From left are Trustees Priscilla Mead and Bill Antonoplos, President Moeller, Glenda Sanders, director of Auxiliary Services, and Terry Gehr, VP for Business and Administrative Services. 
On the second floor of the DX, the Fort Hayes HS Jazz Band provides background music for the special event. 
"The day we hired Dave Watts from Nationwide, he came in here and won everybody over with his humor and personable nature," says Fred Baker, administrator for Continuing Professional Education (CPE). Watts was named Staff Employee of the Month for November, nominated by Baker, not only for his recent hard work in the new WD building, but also for his continuing efforts in the role of technical programs coordinator for CPE. 
"This is a celebration of the multicultural environment that we have here at Columbus State," said Amy Burrell, an advisor for international students and organizer of the event. 
Each year before the holiday season, the Staff Advisory Council Activities Committee coordinates a fundraising event to help support the work of Community for New Direction. Community for New Direction is a United Way organization that assists local children up to age 18.