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Nikki, the Top Hawk Cessna aircraft, was revealed Feb. 23 at the 91���� Airport to students, alumni and friends of 91����’s Aeronautics Program, and to family members of the plane’s namesake. Nikki joins the university’s fleet of 33 training planes. 91���� was named a 2016 university, one of only four universities nationwide to receive the honor. Each school was awarded a Cessna Skyhawk to use for one year. 

In 2009, Shanice Cheatham, who received her bachelor’s degree from 91���� in 2013 and is pursuing a graduate degree in environmental health sciences at 91����, was told that her father had a 10 percent chance of living after being infected with MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA is a type of staph bacteria resistant to antibiotics used to treat general staph infections, according to the Mayo Clinic website.

91����’s Center for Student Involvement authorized 50 new student organizations in fall 2015, bringing the total to nearly 400 different organizations, according to Katie Goldring, assistant director of the Center for Student Involvement. “As the number of student organizations continues to increase at 91����, it truly expands the opportunities for our students, as there is a group to fit every interest,” Goldring said.

When you first meet Liz Schmidt, an instant friendship emerges, filled with conversation illuminated with respect and kindness. Her friendly disposition and welcoming nature, coupled with her sense of adventure, reflects the social responsibility she lives by: “foster relationships and value people that you run into every day.” Schmidt is a sophomore majoring in conflict management in 91����’s College of Arts and Sciences. She is also Yes! Magazine’s online “Justice For All” University Winner.

When you first meet Liz Schmidt, an instant friendship emerges, filled with conversation illuminated with respect and kindness. Her friendly disposition and welcoming nature, coupled with her sense of adventure, reflects the social responsibility she lives by: “foster relationships and value people that you run into every day.” Schmidt is a sophomore majoring in conflict management in 91����’s College of Arts and Sciences. She is also Yes! Magazine’s online “Justice For All” University Winner.

Scholar of the Month Willie H. Oglesby III Associate Professor of Health Policy and Management College of Public Health 2009-present Willie Oglesby is a member of the founding faculty at the College of Public Health. He is an associate professor of health policy and management and also serves as the assistant director of the Office of Public Health Practice and Partnerships.

91���� held its 14th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Jan. 28 at 4 p.m. in the Kent Student Center Ballroom. The keynote speaker for the event was Joy-Ann Reid, national correspondent for MSNBC and author of “Fracture: Barack Obama, the Clintons and the Racial Divide.” A book signing and reception followed the event at the Kent Student Center Ballroom Balcony.

The 91���� community will be treated to a week of welcome-back festivities to kick off the spring semester.

From getting deployed to Afghanistan, to being unable to pay for classes, to starting a family, and even accepting a job at a winery in southern Germany. The reasons for leaving 91����, before completing a bachelor’s degree, fall across a wide spectrum for some students. For student Andrew Sonnanstine, it was an easy choice to trade in the last few classes his senior year for a professional baseball contract.

Scholar of the Month Cassandra Storlie Assistant Professor   College of Education, Health and Human Services 2013-present Cassandra Storlie is an assistant professor in the School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences at the College of Education, Health and Human Services. She has built a research program that addresses important diversity issues.