‘Mom’s Turn to Learn’ arrives Thursday, March 31

Women who want to start or return to college are invited to a program offered by Marshall University Thursday, March 31, according to Dr. Susan Jackson, professor of art and coordinator of the women’s studies program at the university.

“We’ve put together the essentials for women who want to get started on a degree from Marshall,” Jackson said. “They can get information on admissions, financial aid, and the Regents Bachelor of Arts program, get a tour of the Huntington campus and the Drinko Library, and perhaps even sit in on a class or two.”

Participants can select from a morning session, beginning at 9 a.m. and including lunch at 12:30 p.m., or an evening session, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Optional campus tours and class visits will take place in the afternoon for those who attend either session.

In addition, participants will be able to attend two other events on the Huntington Campus. The annual John Deaver Drinko Symposium takes place at 2 p.m. that day in the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse. Professor Mary E. Reynolds will speak on the topic, “Language Difference versus Language Impairment: Role of Working Memory in Diagnosis and Outcome.”

Following the Mom’s Turn to Learn evening session, a panel discussion will take place among women who have served in public office in West Virginia. They will speak about their experiences and how their gender influenced opportunities available to them.

Rebecca Coffman, now a student at Marshall, participated in Mom’s Turn to Learn two years ago. “Going to Mom’s Turn to Learn … made going back to school a lot easier,” she said. “People like Taella Hill made me realize that I could do it, and she has been willing to help me with anything I have a problem with or don’t understand.”

Jennifer Reynolds echoed those sentiments. “I had the desire to return to school; however, I was apprehensive because I didn’t know where to get started. I had been out of college for nine years and knew that things had changed. The Mom’s Turn to Learn seminar gave me all the information and support I needed to make coming back to school happen ... Everyone involved understood the help that I needed.”

The full schedule for the day is as follows:

Morning Session:

• 9-10 a.m. – Memorial Student Center – pick up parking permit, register, coffee and snacks

•10-11 a.m. – Formal information program on admissions, financial aid, and the Regents B.A. Program

•11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Informal question-and-answer session with past and present nontraditional students

•12:30 p.m. – Lunch provided in Harless Dining Room.

Optional Afternoon Activities:

•2-5 p.m. – Campus and library tours, class visits, or attend the Drinko Symposium at 2 p.m. in the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse (reception to follow).

Evening Session:

•5-5:30 p.m. – Pick up parking permit, register, refreshments.

•5:30-6 p.m. – Mini tour of campus

•6-7 p.m. – Formal information program on admissions and financial aid

•7-7:45 p.m. Informal question-and-answer session with past and present nontraditional students

•8 p.m. – Panel discussion including women who have served in public office in West Virginia.

Persons who want more information on the sessions may contact the Marshall Women’s Studies office by phone at (304) 696-3643, or by e-mail at womenstudies@marshall.edu.