Wayne College announces spring 2012 special events lineup

The University of Akron Wayne College announced several engagements as part of its spring 2012 Community Connections Special Events Series.Tuesday, Feb. 21 — Community Forum: Fracking – 7 p.m. in the Student Life Building. The controversial method of extracting natural gas and oil from shale beds deep below the ground’s surface has gained recent attention in the news. Panel participants include Rhonda Reda, executive director, Ohio Oil & Gas Energy Education Program; Dale Arnold, director of energy policy, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation; Dan Plumly, attorney, Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston Ltd.; and Dr. Adil Wadia, associate professor of geology, Wayne College. Joining the discussion are Orrville Mayor Dave Handwerk and Wooster Mayor Bob Breneman to address what fracking means to the local community. Each presenter will speak for 15 minutes on their area of expertise, after which the floor will be opened for questions from the audience. The discussion will be moderated by Douglas Woods, associate professor of business management technology, at Wayne College. This event is free and open to the public.Thursday, Feb. 23 – 19th Annual Poetry Prose & Acoustical Jam - 7:30 p.m. in the Student Life Building. Guests can come enjoy this annual coffeehouse-style event that provides a forum to share and appreciate the visual and performing arts. Anyone interested in performing should register at http://wayne.uakron.edu/learning-center/ppaj.dot. This event is free and open for the public’s enjoyment.Friday, March 23 – Comedian Rik Roberts - 7:30 p.m. in the Student Life Building. For “super clean” comedy delivered with a little southern flair, Rik Roberts combines fresh stand-up comedy with a few original comedy songs, and sometimes even a visit from America’s favorite Mayberry deputy. Guests can come early to enjoy Wooster high school speech and debate humor students from 6-7 p.m. as they warm up the crowd. There will be a short intermission before Rik takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. General seating tickets are available in the cashier’s office at the college or charge by phone by calling 330-684-8932. Saturday, April 14 - 9th Annual Writers Workshop - 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Writers and aspiring writers are invited to meet published authors and participate in sessions about poetry, nonfiction writing, writing for publication, writing scripts, and the birth of a book. Registration required. For more information, including prices, visit http://wayne.uakron.edu/writers/writers-workshop.dot or call 330-684-8985.Thursday, April 19 – Holocaust Survivor Eva Weissman – 2 p.m. in the Community Room. In recognition of National Holocaust Remembrance Day, the college brings survivor and author Eva Weissman to share her personal story so we “never forget.” Author of the book, The War Came to Me, she will have copies available for signing. This event is free and open to the public.For more information about any of these events visit The University of Akron Wayne College website at http://wayne.uakron.edu/, email communityconnections@uakron.edu or call 330-684-8990.