Dr. Jill Biden to kick off college tour here

All Columbus State students, faculty and staff have been invited to the special event at Columbus State with Dr. Jill Biden, Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, and Department of Education Under Secretary Martha Kanter on Wednesday, February 22, at 10:00 a.m. (audience members must arrive no later than 9:30).

The Columbus State event launches a three-day, five-state tour to celebrate the work of outstanding community colleges.

In order to attend, you must respond to: rsvp@cscc.edu by 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 21. Reservations will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. If space is available, your reservation will be confirmed by email. The event will be held in the Conference Center Ballroom, WD 435.

If you are unable to attend, you can watch the event streamed live here: www.LiveStream.com/ColumbusState.

Bicentennial cake competition captures media’s attention

Columbus State received plenty of savory stories in the media last weekend. It was all due to the 30 cake designs created by students in Chef Karen Krimmer’s Principles of Baking Operations class. They spent weeks sketching and planning before designing and building cake replicas of Columbus landmarks. All of them were featured—and then served—at the city’s official bicentennial birthday celebration February 10.

Giant Eagle donated 150 sheet cakes, the icing and other décor elements. And here’s the icing on the cake: The grocery chain and the 200Columbus committee also pitched in $8,000 in scholarship money for the top seven designs, making it a fun competition. Take a look at the video to see some of the steps along the way and highlights of the news coverage that topped it off.

Barnhart creates original play commemorating Titanic

Possibly the last Titanic picture taken as she left Queenstown, Ireland, on April 12, 1912.

April 15, 2012, marks the 100th anniversary of one of the greatest tragedies ever to occur on the open seas—the sinking of the Titanic. Sailing on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, 2,200 passengers and crew were heading for New York when, just four days later, the luxury liner collided with an iceberg. Only 700 people survived.

Frank Barnhart, instructor in Theater, has researched the archives and culled stories of the survivors to create an original play, which will premier next week. Titanic – A Retrospective will be presented in Nestor Hall Auditorium as a single, 90-minute act with no intermission. It runs February 29 through March 3 at 8:00 p.m. nightly with an extra 3:00 p.m. matinee on Thursday, March 1. Admission is free.

Frank Barnhart

Using transcripts from the American and British trials, signed affidavits from the survivors and witnesses, news stories from national and international papers and original words spoken by those touched by the tragedy, the play will present the story through the eyes of the storyteller. Sixteen actors will portray more than 50 roles, including passengers, crew members, ship musicians, family members, journalists, and Columbus' very own connection to the Titanic. Throughout the play, large projections will present photographs of the ship’s passengers, crew, and the ship itself. Told using the theatrical format of “documentary drama,” all words spoken in the play will be the actual words spoken by eyewitnesses to history.

Chorus presents Winter Quarter concert

Aaron Copland composing in his home.

Chorus Columbus State will perform a selection of works by 18th Century American composer William Billings and 20th Century American composer Aaron Copland, Monday, March 5 at 8:00 p.m. in the Conference Center Ballroom, WD 435.The performance is free and open to the public.

William Billings (1746-1800) is widely regarded as the father of American choral music. His works are superb examples of Revolutionary War-era music and are some of the first distinctly American compositions ever heard. More than 100 years later, Aaron Copland (1900-1990), was instrumental in furthering the distinction of American compositional sound and style. The Copland choral arrangements featured in the concert showcase the influence of American folk melodies which permeate many of Copland’s works.

Spring Street literary magazine extends deadline for submissions

The deadline for submissions to the 2012 issue of Spring Street has been extended to Wednesday, February 29. Spring Street welcomes a diverse range of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, photography, and visual arts. The journal also accepts poetry written in foreign languages with an English translation.

Go online to the Spring Street website for more information and submission forms. You can make submissions via email to springstreet@cscc.edu, or drop them off in the Library or in Nestor Hall 420.

DiPietro to premiere new work for orchestra

Rocco DiPietro, instructor in Humanities will premier his new work for orchestra called “Finale,” Sunday, March 11 in a chamber version with The Greater Columbus Community Orchestra, conducted by Olev Viro. The soloist will be Luis Biava, cellist with the orchestra.  The concert is free and open to the public, and will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the Hilliard Presbyterian Church, 3600 Leap Rd., in Hilliard. You can read more about the concert program here: www.communityorchestra.com.

Bookstore to offer free movie tomorrow

Join The Bookstore for FREE popcorn and the movie Legally Blonde Tuesday, February 21, at 5:30 p.m. There will be free popcorn and special prices on a drink/snack combo. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Core Strength Seminar offered Wed.

Learn how develop a strong core with Dawn Skedell, exercise specialist in the Human Performance Center.  In this seminar, you will learn exercises that will help improve your back, abs and balance.  Join us Wednesday, February 22 at 11:00 a.m. in the Human Performance Center.  Please email Anne Justice to reserve your spot today!