Recent grad makes promising authors list
A 2010 graduate of Northern Kentucky University’s Masters of English program, Lorraine Zago Rosenthal, was recently ranked third on IndieBound’s Most Promising Authors list. Rosenthal’s young adult novel, “Other Words for Love,” was published by Random House/Delacorte Press in January 2011. IndieBound is part of an independent bookseller movement to support independent authors and booksellers. Rosenthal told NKU Graduate Programs, “The positive feedback I’ve received from those who have read the novel has been overwhelming, and I’m very fortunate to be able to share this story and its characters with readers.”

Fraternity brothers raise money for worldwide issue
During YouthAIDS Week, the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity raised and donated $2,025 for YouthAIDS and HIV/AIDS fundraising awareness campaign and the fraternity’s national philanthropy. To raise the money, the fraternity held a Dine-to-Donate at Applebee’s, penny wars in the Student Union, a leadership university event titled Sexversations and a dodgeball tournament with the women of Theta Phi Alpha. This is the largest amount the chapter has raised for YouthAIDS since its chartering date in 2009.

Communication professors receive national recognition
The National Communication Association awarded four Northern Kentucky University professors with outstanding recognition at the national conference in New Orleans. Nine delegates from NKU attended this year’s conference. In addition to the many scholarly contributions these representatives made, four were also elected to national office or received prestigious awards or recognition.

Major league baseball team signs former Norse
Former Norse baseball player Josh Lueke signed with the Tampa Bay Rays after spending a season with the Seattle Mariners. 27-year-old Lueke “was one of the Mariners’ most effective relievers over the second half of the season. He made the Mariners’ Opening Day roster but was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma in April after allowing 12 runs in 6 1/3 innings over eight appearances,” according to an article from MLB.com.

Doctorate students take first in worldwide competition
Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership students from Northern Kentucky University competed in the annual International Leadership Association competition in London and received first place. Megan Downing, Linda Hayes, Shawn Nordeim, Cheryl Swayne and Melody Rawlings represented NKU in the student case competition, where teams analyze real-world cases involving contemporary leadership issues and develop a specific set of strategic recommendations that address key issues in the cases. NKU’s team competed in the final round against teams from Indiana Tech and a combined team with representatives from Marquette, Regents and Mountain State universities.

Theater grad to play Snow White
The Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati’s presentation of “Snow White” will feature 2011 Northern Kentucky University theater grad Sara Kenny as Snow White. Instead of the familiar Disney version, the Ensemble Theatre decided to make the holiday musical more “Tim Burton-y as they use the Brothers Grimm as the source for this tale of a modern heroine, celebrating her 16th birthday,” the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. “Snow White” runs through Dec. 30.