A number of “modern day abolitionists” have been nominated for the Ohio Liberator Awards, honoring the dedication and sacrifice of those working towards eliminating human and sex trafficking.

Founded by author, advocate and survivor, Theresa Flores, the Liberator Awards were created in honor of William Lloyd Garrison, a prominent American abolitionist, journalist, suffragist and social reformer.

“I created the awards three years ago. I wanted to shine the light on others in the state who were also working very hard and sacrificing to fight human trafficking,” said Flores.

Flores also founded S.O.A.P., which stands for “Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution,” an outreach program designed to provide hotels, bars and strip clubs with resources to identify sex trafficking. S.O.A.P. is partnered with Be FREE Dayton, a nonprofit to both abolish and prevent sex trafficking, to distribute bars of soap wrapped with a red band that provides the National Human Trafficking Hotline (888.373.7888) and resources to high-risk hotels and motels. Be FREE Dayton also acts as the fiscal unit for S.O.A.P.

Each of the nominees from northwest Ohio are actively involved in the Lucas County Human Trafficking Coalition, founded by The University of Toledo.

Nominations are accepted for seven categories, including individual; student or student organization; civic club, organization or church; volunteer; business; elected official or law enforcement; and survivor. The top four finalists and winners from each category are determined by popular vote. This year, the awards received 84 nominations and more than 2,000 votes.

The Liberator Awards ceremony is Monday, Jan. 19 at Via Vecchia Winery in Columbus, Ohio.

The nominees from northwest Ohio include:

•  Dr. Celia Williamson, professor of social work and director of UT’s Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute
•  Kizzy Williams from Second Chance, a social service program which provides comprehensive services to victims of sex trafficking and prostitution
•  Ashley Wickerham, associate director of UT’s Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute
•  Det. Ginnie Barta, Wood County Sheriff
•  Rahab’s Heart, which will be a resource and recovery home for adult women trapped in prostitution
•  TARTA
•  Michelle Moore, a survivor of human trafficking

Many of this year’s nominees are also involved with UT’s International Human Trafficking, Prostitution and Sex Work Conference, which has been educating social service, health care and criminal justice professionals on human trafficking since 2004.

“I am so honored to be nominated for the Liberator Awards and equally as honored to work alongside so many strong activists from Toledo who were also nominated,” Williamson said.

The inaugural Michigan Liberator Awards ceremony was Saturday, Jan. 10.

For more information, visit liberatorawards.com.

Media Coverage
The Blade (Jan. 23, 2015)
The Blade (Feb. 2, 2015)

Martin Luther King Jr. Day has become a day of service in honor of Dr. King’s passion to serve others.

The Toledo community will gather at The University of Toledo on the holiday for its annual Unity Celebration themed after Dr. King’s words, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”

The 14th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Celebration will be 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19 in Savage Arena on the UT Main Campus. The event is free and open to the public. A free community luncheon will follow the ceremony.

“As we begin 2015, it is the perfect time to answer Dr. King’s question by volunteering alongside our neighbors to better our community,” UT Interim President Nagi Naganathan said. “By working together and committing to serve others, each of us can honor the spirit of Dr. King and continue on the journey to making his dream a reality.”

“While we may be of different backgrounds, and races, we have a strong sense of faith, family, and community,” Toledo Mayor D. Michael Collins said. “We hold the values of service and volunteerism very high and I think that those are all a part of a very strong quilt that binds us together.”

The 2015 Unity Celebration will feature remarks by President Naganathan and Mayor Collins, as well as performances by the Toledo School for the Arts’ Afro-Caribbean Dance and Drum Ensemble, FU5ION, Madd Poets Society and others.

The recipients of the 2014 MLK Scholarship and MLK Unity Award also will be recognized.

Jerry Anderson, WTOL 11 anchor, and Rhonda Sewell, media relations coordinator for the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, will emcee the event.

The Unity Celebration is organized by a committee with co-chairs Marcus Sneed, associate director of the UT Alumni Association, and Linda Alvarado, executive director of the Toledo Board of Community Relations.

Media Coverage
The Blade (Jan. 15, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 19, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 19, 2015)
1370 WSPD (Jan. 19, 2015)
NBC 24 (Jan. 19, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 20, 2015)
13 ABC, FOX Toledo and NBC 24 (Jan. 20, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 20, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 20, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 20, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 20, 2015)

The Keystone XL Pipeline is politically controversial, but the more pressing concern missing from the ongoing debate is how the legislation subverts the important constitutional principle of separation of powers, according to a University of Toledo law expert.

The bill passed by the House approving the pipeline to connect Canadian crude oil to existing pipelines in the United States is “special legislation” because it singles out an individual company for special treatment that is not available to the rest of the population, said Evan C. Zoldan, UT assistant professor of law.

The Keystone legislation permits TransCanada Keystone Pipeline L.P. to construct and operate the pipeline simply by submitting an application without having to comply with environmental or other applicable laws that would apply to any other person or company.

By passing a law that gives a benefit to a single company, Zoldan said, Congress impinges on the constitutional principle of separation of powers by assuming the power to apply the law in derogation of the responsibilities of the executive branch.

“Although advocates of the pipeline may discount the separation of powers concerns that are raised by the Keystone legislation, they do so at their peril,” he said. “A healthy respect for the prerogatives of the different branches of government helps maintain a properly functioning government. The willingness of the House to pass special legislation is both a symptom of governmental dysfunction and cause of concern for the future.

“As the Senate considers the Keystone legislation in the coming weeks, it should consider carefully whether a short-term win is worth the attendant degradation of the important constitutional principle of separation of powers.”

Contact Meghan Cunningham, assistant director for media relations, at 419.530.2410 or meghan.cunningham@utoledo.edu to arrange an interview with Zoldan.

Former presidential adviser and political strategist Paul Begala will continue The University of Toledo’s Jesup Scott Honors College Distinguished Lecture Series speaking in Doermann Theater at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21.

Begala

Begala is a commentator and member of the CNN political team that won an Emmy for its coverage of the 2006 U.S. elections and a Peabody Award for its coverage of the 2008 presidential election.

In the 2012 presidential campaign, he was a senior adviser for the pro-Obama Super Political Action Committee. As a White House counselor to Bill Clinton, he functioned as one of the president’s closest aides. A consultant for political campaigns across the country and around the world, Begala has advised politicians in Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa.

Currently an affiliated professor of public policy at Georgetown University, Begala also has taught at the University of Texas and the University of Georgia. He is a member of the Board of Visitors of MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Board of Visitors of the University of Georgia. Along with his professional partner James Carville and GOP strategist Karl Rove, he was a 2012 inductee into the American Association of Political Consultants’ Hall of Fame.

Begala received his bachelor’s degree in government and his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was the student body president.

Rove, fellow Texan and political adversary, spoke at UT in September as part of the lecture series. Rove was a political adviser for George W. Bush and serves as a political strategist.

Tickets for the event are free, although seating is limited. To obtain tickets, visit utole.do/begala.

Click here to download a photo of Begala.

Media Coverage
The Independent Collegian (Jan. 14, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 22, 2015)

The University of Toledo’s College of Business and Innovation is again partnering with United Parcel Service (UPS) and the U.S. Commercial Service to provide area small- and medium-sized businesses access to experts who will help their companies enter new global markets through the GlobalTarget program.

This is the fourth year the college is offering this program.

Beginning in March, GlobalTarget participants will meet monthly for nine months in specialized sessions covering relevant topics based on an understanding of current members’ needs. The program then helps companies develop plans to improve their business’ supply chain, identify talent, understand export financing and develop market entry strategies.

“It’s a global world. Facilitating existing or new exporters to enter foreign markets benefits all of Northwest Ohio,” said Dr. Gary Insch, dean of the College of Business and Innovation. “Companies often recognize that expanding to global markets is something they should do. We make it easier for them to do this, because we have the experts who will show them how to proceed. Furthermore, we provide them with all the criteria for success, whether they have a manufactured product or intellectual property.”

“Global Target not only assists companies that are planning to conduct international business, but it also works with businesses already doing business globally who are looking for ways to expand their international presence,” said Debbe Skutch, director of UT’s Center for Family & Privately-Held Business and GlobalTarget Program coordinator. “Furthermore, GlobalTarget is the first organized, focused attempt in this region to not only provide information, but to actually match local manufacturing companies with foreign markets.”

Kurt Miller of Northwood Industries found his recent experience with GlobalTarget very beneficial. “The UT Global Target program covered topics that included understanding business and social cultures, credit policy and getting paid, international marketing and shipping. Topics were led by knowledgeable individuals who work directly in those areas of international business.”

He added, “I think our greatest lesson from the GlobalTarget program was the quality of professional contacts available to us and the vast resources accessible to companies who want to pursue international business.”

Maureen Georgevich of Right Way Safety Equipment said, “GlobalTarget is not only an educational experience, but also a celebration of local businesses. Right Way Safety is better prepared to handle the importing and exporting of goods from other countries. We will utilize shipping strategies to keep costs low and we have a better understanding of international contracts and legalities, which will ensure that business continues to run smoothly.”

“The resources, advice and knowledge offered by the guest speakers are valuable beyond estimation,” she added. “Those who spoke were eager to answer any questions and help with any dilemmas. The experience will surely benefit us for years to come.”

GlobalTarget participants also have access to the International Trade Assistance Center, which provides free export assistance services to small- and medium-sized businesses. Services include market research; an examination of their culture, finances and resources to make sure they are ready to export; locating sources of funding, such as a loan or grant; export compliance education; cultural and language assistance; export documentation, and logistics.

Other features and benefits of GlobalTarget include access to ancillary educational programs offered by the college, such as the Schmidt School of Professional Sales and the Center for Family and Privately-Held Business, and site visits to area companies that have already achieved a level of success in global entrepreneurship.

A limited number of grant and funding opportunities are available for the GlobalTarget series that begins in March. For more information and to download a registration form visit utoledo.edu/business/global or call UT’s Center for Family and Privately-Held Business at 419.530.2068.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
Monday, January 12, 2015
Driscoll Alumni Center, Board Room
10:30 a.m. Clinical Affairs Committee Meeting

PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday and Wednesday, January 20-21, 2015
The Henry Hotel – Dearborn, MI
8:30 a.m.
Upon convening the meetings, the Committee will enter Executive Session to discuss
the employment of a public employee with Executive Search Firm Witt/Kiefer.

Any questions may be directed to the University Communications Office by calling (419) 530-7832 or via email at jonathan.strunk@utoledo.edu.

Military Advanced Education (MAE) has named The University of Toledo a top school in the 2015 MAE Guide to Colleges and Universities, which measures best practices in military and veteran education. The guide was released in the December issue of the journal.

“This recognition further demonstrates UT’s commitment to serving our veterans and helping them achieve successful and productive lives,” said Dennis Lettman, dean of the College of Adult and Lifelong Learning.

“We believe the guide serves as an invaluable tool for both education services officers and transition officers when advising service members about their educational opportunities,” said Kelly Fodel, MAE’s editor. “We used strict criteria to individually evaluate the submissions of respondents, and we had a record number of schools participating this year.”

MAE’s guide presents results of a questionnaire of the military-supportive policies at more than 600 institutions and provides students with information about the institutions that go out of their way to give back to the men and women in uniform. This year, institutes were evaluated on their military culture, financial aid flexibility, on-campus support and online support services.

“Not only is the 2015 guide printed in our December issue of Military Advanced Education, but also published in a searchable database online,” Fodel said. “We designed this database with the military student in mind. We want to help them make informed choices, so we are giving them access to all the survey questions and answers provided by the schools, as well as explanations about critical issues like activation and deployment policies, withdrawal policies, scholarship and financial aid information and important support information.”

The 2015 MAE Guide to Colleges and Universities is available online at mae-kmi.com.

MAE serves education services officers and transition officers at every U.S. military installation, along with the service members they counsel.

“We are fortunate to have service members and veterans attending The University of Toledo. Every day they continue to make positive impacts in the classroom and in our communities,” said Navy Reserve Lt. Haraz Ghanbari, UT’s military liaison. “While we are honored by this recognition, we realize there is more we can do. We pledge to continue to explore ways to best support them in their transitions.”

The University of Toledo has been named a military friendly school for six consecutive years by G.I. Jobs, and remains committed to helping service members, veterans and families transition from military service to the classroom and beyond.

For more information, contact Ghanbari at 419.530.VETS.

Media Coverage
NBC 24 (Jan. 9, 2015)
The Independent Collegian (Jan. 28, 2015)

The Toledo community will gather together at The University of Toledo on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. King.

The 14th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Celebration will take place at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19 in Savage Arena.

UT Interim President Nagi Naganathan and Toledo Mayor D. Michael Collins will hold a news conference at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12 in the Schmakel Room of the Driscoll Alumni Center on the UT Main Campus to extend an invitation to the greater Toledo community to attend the Unity Celebration.

The theme of the 2015 event quote’s Dr. King, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” in celebration of how the holiday has become a day of service in his honor.

The celebration will feature remarks by President Naganathan and Mayor Collins, as well as musical performances by the Toledo School for the Arts’ Afro-Caribbean Dance and Drum Ensemble, essay readings from local students and recognition of the 2014 MLK Scholarship recipients. A free community luncheon will follow the ceremony.

Media Coverage
The Blade (Jan. 10, 2015)
13 ABC, WTOL 11 and NBC 24 (Jan. 13, 2015)
13 ABC (Jan. 13, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 13, 2015)
The Independent Collegian (Jan. 14, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 15, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 19, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 19, 2015)
1370 WSPD (Jan. 19, 2015)
NBC 24 (Jan. 19, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 20, 2015)
13 ABC, FOX Toledo and NBC 24 (Jan. 20, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 20, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 20, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 20, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 20, 2015)

The University of Toledo is hosting the fifth annual Tie One On event on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. in Savage Arena.

Since 2011, Tie One On has raised more than $70,000 towards the fight against prostate cancer. All proceeds benefit UT’s Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center.

For $100, Rocket fans receive a ticket to the men’s basketball game vs. Bowling Green State University and a UT bow tie or scarf. Students can purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $20. Tickets can be purchased online at utoledo.edu/tieoneon.

Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk and his staff will wear bow ties during the game in support of the cause. An online auction featuring custom, Tie One On game-worn jerseys will be available.

The event is part of a partnership between UT and BowTie Cause, a national initiative that designs bow ties for charitable efforts across the country.

“Our relationship with BowTie Cause helps us in taking our efforts to fight prostate cancer to the national stage,” said Lawrence J. Burns, vice president for external affairs.

Some of the money raised during the event supports the Prostate Cancer Awareness Lecture Series. The community lectures are led by Dr. Samay Jain, assistant professor, division chief of urologic oncology and medical director of the Urology Clinic, and Dr. Ajay Singla, professor and director of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. Jain has been named honorary chair for Tie One On 2015.

“This event is very important to the community. It forces conversation about a topic that many men avoid,” Jain said. “There are a lot of myths surrounding prostate cancer and the care for it, so events like this are critical in making sure that men have the right tools to take care of themselves.”

A da Vinci Xi robotic surgery system, developed by Intuitive Surgical, Inc., will be on display during the event. The system allows surgeons to perform a variety of procedures in a minimally invasive manner.

“The system we have acquired is the latest iteration of the technology and is the most advanced medical robotic system on the market,” Jain said.

This year’s celebrity guest is Ernie Johnson, host of “Inside the NBA” on TNT. Johnson was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2003. He also is the lead television voice for Major League Baseball on TBS, and contributes to coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Dhani Jones, founder of BowTie Cause, will also be appearing as a Tie One On celebrity guest. Jones was a linebacker in the NFL for 11 seasons, and played college football for the University of Michigan.

Morgan Stanley is the presenting sponsor of Tie One On. Other event sponsors include Kroger, Yark Automotive, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Lexus of Toledo and Treu House of Munch (Bud Light). Bow tie cutouts will be available for a minimum donation of $1 at Rocky’s Locker on UT’s campus, Yark Automotive and 24 Kroger locations across northwest Ohio. All proceeds will benefit the event.

The annual Joe Metzger Award will be presented to 2015 winners Winterfest and Hobson’s during the event. Established by UT’s Division of External Affairs, the awards honors a team or individual that shows a commitment to the characteristics that Metzger demonstrated every day.

A student organization competition also is taking place at the event. The campus organization with the highest percentage of participants will win recognition during halftime of the Tie One On game; recognition at a home football game in 2015; a banner, featuring a group photo, on display in the Student Union, and suite tickets for one home basketball game, for up to eight members of the student organization.

Last year, Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity had the most student participants at the event.

“We are grateful for the support that Tie One On has received from organizations across northwest Ohio,” Burns said. “Tie One On is not only a UT event, but one that impacts and benefits the greater community.”

For more information, visit utoledo.edu/tieoneon.

Media Coverage
NBC 24 (Jan. 15, 2015)
13 ABC (Jan. 20, 2015)
13 ABC (Jan. 20, 2015)
The Independent Collegian (Jan. 21, 2015)
13 ABC (Jan. 23, 2015)
FOX Toledo (Jan. 23, 2015)
WTOL 11 (Jan. 23, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 24, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 25, 2015)
The Blade (Jan. 25, 2015)
13 ABC (Jan. 27, 2015)
WTOL 11 and 13 ABC (Jan. 27, 2015)

One of the nation’s top educational foundations has recognized The University of Toledo for its focus on community engagement.

UT is among 240 U.S. colleges and universities to receive the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching’s 2015 Community Engagement Classification.

“This is a recognition we chose to pursue because we feel it aligns so closely with the myriad ways we engage with our city and our region,” said UT Interim President Nagi Naganathan. “Thriving and effective institutions of higher learning have countless relationships that are deeply interwoven into the communities they serve. UT has embraced this mission, and we are grateful to the Carnegie Foundation for their recognition of our success.”

Unlike the foundation’s other classifications that rely on national data, this is an elective classification — institutions participated voluntarily by submitting required materials describing the nature and extent of their engagement with the community, be it local or beyond. This approach enabled the foundation to address elements of institutional mission and distinctiveness that are not represented in the national data on colleges and universities.

“The importance of this elective classification is borne out by the response of so many campuses that have demonstrated their deep engagement with local, regional, national and global communities,” said John Saltmarsh, director of the New England Resource Center for Higher Education. “These are campuses that are improving teaching and learning, producing research that makes a difference in communities, and revitalizing their civic and academic missions.”

“This is the first time that there has been a re-classification process,” said Amy Driscoll, consulting scholar for the Community Engagement Classification, “and we are seeing renewed institutional commitment, advanced curricular and assessment practices, and deeper community partnerships, all sustained through changes in campus leadership, and within the context of a devastating economic recession.”

Among first-time recipients of the classification, 47 are public institutions and 36 are private. In terms of Carnegie’s Basic Classification, 28 are classified as research universities such as The University of Toledo. They represent campuses in 33 states and U.S. territories. In order to be selected, institutions had to provide descriptions and examples of institutionalized practices of community engagement that showed alignment among mission, culture, leadership, resources and practices.

UT’s application was spearheaded by the president’s Chief of Staff Office and included contributions and examples of community engagement from all of the University’s colleges. More than 70 individuals on campus provided input and assistance in the almost yearlong application process.

A listing of the institutions that hold the Community Engagement Classification can be found on the New England Resource Center for Higher Education’s website at nerche.org.