11/12/96

Contact: Nicholas Zefran, Ohio University, 614/593-4175

MEDIA ADVISORY: Reporters, photographers and videographers are welcome to cover the AmeriCorps ceremony. Lunch is expected to be served at noon and will be followed by remarks from university and local officials. Participants will walk Uptown from Baker Center at approximately 1 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 14) for the swearing-in on the courthouse steps.

ATHENS, Ohio -- The third year of Appalachian Access, the AmeriCorps national service program overseen by Ohio University, will be launched Thursday (Nov. 14) during a swearing-in ceremony on the Athens County Courthouse steps.

A luncheon ceremony from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Baker Center Ballroom on the Athens campus will be followed by the courthouse ceremony between 1 and 1:30 p.m. Athens County Probate and Juvenile Judge Edward S. Robe will swear in the new members.

The luncheon ceremony will highlight accomplishments of the second year of the collaborative program seeking to improve access to health care and education in Appalachian Ohio, a region of 29 counties in Southeastern Ohio. The program, funded through September 1997 by a federal grant, involves 28 members working in six projects across the region. The program is sponsored by Ohio University's Center for Community Service and 20 community-based organizations.

The luncheon will feature remarks by Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Joel Rudy, Athens Mayor Ric Abel and Athens County Commissioner Gary Seeley. Also attending will be Governor's Community Service Commission Executive Director Kitty Burcsu, Program Officer Gayle Hilleke and Public Relations Officer John Poole.