Spring semester kicks off at Edinboro University

Classes began today for the spring 2020 semester at Edinboro University. We are excited to welcome our first-year, graduate and transfer students to campus. And we wish all returning students, as well as our dedicated faculty and staff, a fantastic semester!

A few start-of-semester dates for you to keep in mind:

• Monday, Jan. 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No classes.
• Tuesday, Jan. 21: Last day to drop or add a class in person by 4:30 p.m. in Hamilton Hall.
• Tuesday, Jan. 21: Last day to drop or add a class by 11:59 p.m. using S.C.O.T.S.
• Friday, March 27: Last day to withdraw from a class by 11:59 p.m. using S.C.O.T.S.

View the Detailed Academic Calendar for more information.

For the latest updates, University news and information on campus events and activities, be sure to "like" Edinboro University on Facebook and follow EU on Twitter at @edinboro and Instagram at @edinborou.

Important first-day attendance, E-REG reminders

Renowned artist creates unique sculpture on campus

International artist and Edinboro University alumna Danae Mattes, known for creating colossal evaporation pools on location, has returned to campus for a special exhibit in the Bruce Gallery.

Mattes, who earned her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Edinboro in 1980, will unveil her latest evaporation pool, “The Fluidity of Change,” at a public opening reception on Friday from 6-8 p.m. in Bruce Gallery. The one-of-a-kind clay and water structure will evolve throughout the months-long exhibition due to evaporation.

To create the evaporation pools, she pours water into a circular sculpture on the floor of the gallery. From there, the water blends with the clay and malleable powder to allow the sculpture to grow and change on its own.

After graduating from Edinboro, Mattes earned a Master of Fine Arts from California State University at Long Beach. She lives and works in Berkley, Calif., and travels the globe for solo and collaborative art exhibits at galleries, schools and museums.

She has exhibited her work at the Brigham Young University Museum of Art (2018), Kulturraum Lübeck in Germany (2014), Fresno Art Museum (2004) and Contemporary Crafts Gallery in Portland, Ore. (1985).

Mattes’ visit is part of ART100, a yearlong celebration marking the centennial anniversary of art and art education at Edinboro University

Peer responder volunteers needed

Student Health Services is currently seeking student volunteers interested in Edinboro University’s Peer Responder Program.

The training program prepares student participants to assist peers during concerning situations. Topics include listening skills, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), stages of grief, depression, cybercrime, dating and sexuality and knowing when it is appropriate to refer the individual to professional services.

Participants must attend 10 weekly sessions to receive certification. Interested students will be interviewed prior to acceptance into the program.

For additional information about the voluntary Peer Responder Program, contact Darla Elder at the Ghering Health & Wellness Center at healthcenter@edinboro.edu or (814) 732-2734.

Join UPB for viewing parties of 'The Bachelor'

Jefferson Educational Society kicks off spring series

A satellite lecture series from an Erie-based community think tank continues Tuesday at Edinboro University – with eight regional experts delivering educational presentations through June.

Jefferson Educational Society, a nonprofit civic-engagement institution founded in 2008, launched the Edinboro Satellite Programming series in 2019 to offer Tuesday programming on campus through the summer and fall.

Upcoming lectures:

Tuesday – Nancy Agostine, “The 2020 Census: What You Should Expect and What You Need to Know.” Agostine is a partnership specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce at the Bureau of Census. She is currently located at the Philadelphia Regional Census Center. Location: Dr. William P. Alexander Music Center – Recital Hall.

Jan. 28 – David Hanes, “Life and Times of a Western PA Militia Musket and Its Erie Connection.” Hanes has spent many years in research and study of American military history and has acquired a historically significant firearms collection that depicts the advancement in technology and tactics through the 18th and 19th centuries. Location: Dr. William P. Alexander Music Center – Recital Hall.

Feb. 11 – Richard Arthur, “George Washington in Pennsylvania.” A 23-year veteran Army officer, Arthur has a lifelong interest in history with particular focus on the American Colonial period. He has given talks on the Founding Fathers and the Continental Army. Location: Dr. William P. Alexander Music Center – Recital Hall.

All lectures will begin at 6 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Advanced registration is requested and can be made by visiting the Jefferson’s website or by calling (814) 459-8000. Seating for those without prior reservation will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis. Read more.

Play bingo to win free groceries from UPB

Celebration of Scholarship entries due by March 16

Help those in need by donating gently used items

Edinboro University's "Everyone Upcycles" campaign runs through Feb. 15. Teams of up to five individuals are encouraged to collect gently used items and drop them off at Ghering Health and Wellness Center. The team with the most points at the end of the competition will receive a prize.

Medical Equipment and Unexpired Diabetic Supplies – 20 points
Wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs and other medical equipment are distributed by Chosen International Medical Assistance at no cost.

Hearing Aids – 20 points
The Lions Eye Bank distributes hearing aids to individuals who cannot afford to purchase their own.

Cell Phones – 10 points
Cell phones are provided to local domestic violence organizations and law enforcement agencies for use with their domestic violence clients by HopeLine from Verizon.

Coats – 10 points
The Erie City Mission collects gently used, clean winter coats to warm the bodies and hearts of those in need this winter season.

Blankets – 5 points
The Warming Center at the Mental Health Association is open from 11 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. for men, women and families who are homeless or otherwise unable to have shelter through the night when temperatures are 20 degrees or below.

Sandwich Bag of Pull Tabs – 5 points
Pull tabs are the little aluminum tabs from all kinds of cans. They are recycled in exchange for funds to support families that stay at the Ronald McDonald House.

Eyeglasses – 5 points
The Lions Eye Bank distributes eyeglasses to individuals who cannot afford to purchase their own.

Hats and Gloves – 5 points
The Erie City Mission collects gently used, clean hats and gloves to warm the bodies and hearts of those in need this winter season.

New or Gently Used Shoes – 5 points
Ramps of Hope utilizes shoes to raise funds to support outreach services for those affected by homelessness and disability.

Non-perishable Food Items – 1 point
Edinboro University’s campus food pantry collects and distributes desirable food items for college students such as granola bars, cereal, peanut butter, soup and crackers. Expired food cannot be accepted.

Teams can join the competition at any time. For more information, contact Ghering Health and Wellness Center at (814) 732-2743 and ask for Darla Elder.

Dr. George Richards: Called to serve

Dr. George Richards, associate professor in Edinboro University’s Department of Criminal Justice, Anthropology, and Forensic Science, believes that at some point in life, we discover what is important. He found his answer more than 5,000 miles from home.

Richards, who joined the Edinboro faculty in 2004, was selected by Professors Without Borders to serve as a guest lecturer at the Institute for Public Administration and Management, University of Sierra Leone during the July 2019 term. A few months prior to this, he worked as a Fulbright Senior Specialist in the Department of Criminology at Raksha Shakti University in India. Seeing the plight of those living in poverty in the Third World has left a profound impression on him.

He was especially touched by the children he encountered while visiting an orphanage there: the Dream Again Home in Freetown. The orphans residing in the Dream Again Home are aged three to 14. These children are Ebola orphans who lost their parents to the epidemic when it swept through west Africa.

Involvement from a distance is not the same thing as seeing extreme poverty up close said the Cleveland resident. He had already planned to return to Sierra Leone at some point. When Pastor Joshua Sandy, the Dream Again Home director, invited him to serve on the board, he readily accepted.

“I want to be able to do something tangible. We are all part of a global community. I was fortunate to go to college and earn my degrees. I feel I have a responsibility to give back.” Read more.

Expand your horizons by studying abroad

In today’s society, a global education is more important than ever. Seize the opportunity to build cross-cultural connections and become an active citizen of the world through a university-sponsored study abroad program.

EU will sponsor a spring break trip to Costa Rica and summer 2020 trips to Italy and Greece; Iceland; London; Scotland; and Africa.

To learn more about travel study opportunities at Edinboro University, contact the Global Education Office.

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