Kerry Meyers, director of YSU's first-year engineering program, brought together incoming freshmen engineering students  during IGNITE for a unique project - create letters to spell out the word "ENGINEERING" using recycled newspapers and cardboard. Each team of students was assigned a letter  - "E" "N" "G", etc. 

Resident Assistants in the Cafaro House resident hall underwent training before the start of the Fall semester to learn how to respond to active shooter situations. The training by the YSU Police Department included a drill that involved officers from other area law enforcement agencies and staff from the YSU Office of Housing and Residence Life. The training led by YSU Officer Don Cox was held in conjunction with the ALICE Training Institute. ALICE stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate.

John Granger, who TIME magazine calls the “Dean of Harry Potter Scholars,” presents a free lecture 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29th in DeBartolo Hall on the campus of Youngstown State University. The lecture is being held in conjunction with an exhibit on display at YSU through Oct. 9 that explores the connections between Harry Potter and real life Renaissance science. The six-banner exhibit from the National Library of Medicine is titled “Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine.” The schedule for the exhibit:

Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music, in collaboration with the Butler Institute of American Art, again presents free Music at Noon concerts this semester. Performances are Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. at The Butler. The free concerts are open to the public; parking is free at The Butler. The concerts conclude Dec. 2 but will resume again in January 2016. Performances for September: Sept. 2, Dave Morgan and Friends Sept. 9,Dana Brass Quintet Sept. 16, Flute Studio Recital Sept.

Youngstown State University has made SuperScholar.org’s list of top online master’s programs in Early Childhood Education. The YSU program is ranked 37^th in the nation. SuperScholar, an independent college search and rankings website, developed the list based on publicly available information on affordability, starting salaries of recent grads, market reputation, awards and recognition, and flexibility.

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 1 to 2 p.m. Welcome Week activities conclude with YSU Day on the campus core. YSU joined the Ohio system of higher education on Sept. 1, 1967 and officially became known as Youngstown State University. Tuesday, Sept. 1, 7 p.m. The Penguins volleyball squad takes on St. Francis (Pa.) in Beeghly Center. The team is also in action against Colgate 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5. Wednesday, Sept. 2, 7 p.m. The YSU Wind Ensemble performs a free “Strike Up the Band 2015” concert 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept.