News and Events
From the Dean
You Came to Otterbein for a Graduate Degree – Come Join Us Again!
“To be or not to be” a Graduate student – that was once your question. You decided “to be” and now hold a graduate degree or are obtaining a graduate degree from Otterbein University.
Let’s take a moment to remind ourselves of the “why” behind graduate study. Most of us would think about job advancement, job security, and increased earning potential as drivers to complete a graduate degree. And, we would be correct. Data tells us that the median annual income of those with a graduate degree is $17,704 more than those with a baccalaureate degree (The Economic Benefit of Postsecondary Degrees: A State and National Level Analysis, State Higher Education Executive Officers, 2012).
Graduate degrees are also increasingly important for individuals to achieve leadership positions and to assume new professional roles. But more importantly, higher education is known to create a better society. Benefits of advanced education include (from the College Board, 2010):
- Increased earning potential
- More benefits, higher pensions
- Better recession protection
- Higher job satisfaction
- More exercise, less fat
- Fewer smokers
- More volunteering and voting
- More tax revenue
- Fewer social costs
- Better – prepared kids
The desire, by you and others, to improve and advance in the workplace presents Otterbein with the opportunity to provide successful graduate programs. The Graduate School participated in the planning process for Otterbein’s new Enrollment Plan and Academic Plan. Results of our semester long study show that Otterbein University provides an affordable, rigorous education in a small, personal and caring environment. Students choose Otterbein because of distinctions in how they learn, from whom they learn, and what they learn. Our added value is our people, our location and our size!
Our newly-crafted vision statement, “Otterbein University’s Graduate School creates engaged and transformed leaders who shape tomorrow,” builds upon the strengths of ongoing programs. It guides the creation of new programs to engage new students who WILL shape our tomorrows.
Growth in Otterbein’s graduate programs is dependent on purposeful planning. Otterbein can and will strengthen its position in the Central Ohio graduate school market by investing in its people and programs, seeking partners and opportunities for growth, and moving quickly in a rapidly changing higher education environment.
Come join us in our efforts! Immediate plans include improving facilities for program growth, refocusing the MBA program, increasing blended and online courses, and improving the Graduate School infrastructure. Advisory groups are now forming for the Graduate School, Department of Nursing and for our Master of Business Administration (MBA) program! We would love to have your insight, energy and expertise. Please call the Graduate School at 614-823-3210 or email us at grad@otterbein.edu to express your intent to serve!
Barbara Schaffner, Dean
Excerpts from “The Executive Summary of the Graduate Enrollment Report” which became part of the Academic Plan approved by the Board of Trustees at their March, 2013 meeting.
News & Events
Kyriacos C. Aristotelous, Professor Books, Book Chapters, and Journal Articles (peer reviewed)
"What is the Impact of Currency Unions on FDI Flows? Evidence from Eurozone Countries," South Eastern Europe Journal of Economics, Vol. 10, No. 2, Fall 2012, 87-98 (with Stylianos Fountas)
Sharon Buxton, administrative assistant in Nursing, won a baking contest sponsored by Stam, an uptown Westerville chocolate shop. The shop, where son Josh works, sponsors the contest and requires that their products are used in the baked goodies. Sharon won “best tasting’ for her white chocolate raspberry bar cookie. Local TV station WCMH featured Sharon and her son, Josh, on the morning show just before Valentine’s Day. “I just like to bake,” says Sharon, who enters the contest each year.
The Department of Education recently added AYA Physical Sciences: Physics (Grades 7-12 and AYA Physical Sciences: Chemistry (Grades 7-12) to its licensure offerings.
Learn more by reading the Department of Education’s Journal of Teacher-Initiated Research
The Journal of Teacher-Initiated Research (JTIR) is a peer reviewed, online journal for teachers and teacher educators designed to advance knowledge, theory, and quality of teaching and learning. Contributors include Otterbein graduate students and faculty, as well as invited guests.
Come Home to Otterbein – Spring and Summer Events
Spring is busy on our college campus. We hope to see you at some of these events. Full details are available on the Otterbein web site.
- April 4 -- “A Journey to Infinity – An Encounter with Controversial Mathematics,” Vernon L Pack Lecture and Spring Graduate Symposium -- 2012 Pack Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence Robert Fefferman, Ph.D. and Dean of the Physical Sciences Division, University of Chicago. 3:30 p.m. April 4, in Riley Auditorium at the Battelle Fine Arts Center, 170 W. Park St.
- April 8 - Scholarly Projects Presentations, first DNP class of 2013, from 8-noon in Towers 318 and from 2 – 5 p.m. in Roush 331
- April 17 – Graduate Faculty Celebration. Annual celebration of faculty hosted by Dean Barbara Schaffner
- April 18 – DNP Class of 2014 Scholarly Project Presentations of 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the Board Room, Roush 338
- April 21 - Kappa Lambda chapter of Sigma Theta Tau 25 year anniversary celebration http://www.otterbein.edu/public/Academics/Departments/Nursing/SigmaThetaTau.aspx
- April 25 - Scholarpalooza. Research presentations by Education students at 4:30 in the Roush Hall Gallery
- CNL Poster Session, in the Science Building from 4 - 6 p.m.
- April 26 -- Join the campus in the second annual Otterbein CARDINAL COLLOQUIUM: A Celebration of Student Scholarly and Creative Work from 9 AM- 2:30 PM in various campus buildings
- April 29 – DNP Poster Session, Ohio Nurses Association (ONA) Building, W. Lane Avenue, Columbus
- May 10 – New Graduate Student Orientation
- May 18 – Graduate Commencement – Cowan Hall
- May 28 – Summer Term Begins
See other University events.
Westerville City Schools Innovation Summit, April 3
Westerville City School District staff, students and community members
are invited to gather in the Westerville Central High School auditorium
April 3 from 4-6:30 p.m. for an Innovation Summit. During the event,
multiple speakers, each having 8 minutes or less, will share their
thoughts on education today, as well as future and transformative trends
in education ... reflective dialogue and opportunities to discuss what
was heard with others will immediately follow the speakers. Westerville
Central is located at 7118 Mt. Royal Avenue. Check-in begins at 4 p.m.,
with the program scheduled to start at 4:15 p.m.
To register, please visit http://www.westerville.k12.oh.us/workshops/view.aspx?wid=17.This
opportunity is OPEN and FREE to ALL! For further information, contact
Kenny Lee at 614/797-6029 or Dr. Scott Ebbrecht at 614/797-5884.
Like us on Facebook!
One quick and easy way you can keep up with what is going on at Otterbein’s Graduate School is by liking us on Facebook!
You’ll find info about lectures, author visits, professional
development opportunities, and much more. We won’t take over your news
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