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Soldier returns from Iraq deployment

Army Spec. Matthew Kyle Paul has returned to Alaska after being deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The soldier is assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division at Fort Richardson, Anchorage.

Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq.

Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces also are assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy.

The specialist is the son of Linda A. Paul of Oxford.

Miami forensics coach honored

Ben Voth, director of Miami University's forensics program and associate professor of communication, was selected as the Ohio Forensic Association's Educator of the Year. The selection, made by the executive council of the Ohio Forensic Association, is based on nominations from directors of Ohio's collegiate speech and debate programs. The honor was announced at the OFA State Championship held Feb. 15-16 at Ohio State University.

Voth, who has been coaching for 13 years in Ohio, was recognized for his work at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and his commitment to the education of students within the activity of speech and debate.

At the championship, speech team members won four state titles and the speech team finished third overall behind Ohio University and Bowling Green State University.

The speech team is part of Miami's forensics program — a co-curricular activity of the communication department. The program is directed by Voth and coached by graduate students Ryan Lauth, Kenneth Kantz and Jillian Anderson.

MU soph attends assembly in Israel

Liza Abramson, a sophomore at Miami University, attended Hillel's Charles Schusterman International Student Leaders Assembly in Israel this past winter break. This international assembly focused on topics pertaining to core ideas concerning international Jewry.

During the assembly, the students had the opportunity to interact with each other learning about their personal ideas and beliefs in a global environment. Abramson represented the Miami University Hillel community.

Zoology student's work at Sundance

Molly Barger Steinwald, a Miami University doctoral student in zoology, was one of seven emerging female artists to participate in an exhibition curated by Gen Art and held in conjunction with the Sundance International Film Festival on Jan. 18-21 in Park City, Utah.

Steinwald, a self-taught environmental photographer and former teacher, works to "invoke wonder and respect for the natural world."

Gen Art is "the leading arts and entertainment organization dedicated to showcasing emerging fashion designers, filmmakers, musicians and visual artists."

Last fall Steinwald was awarded a nature photography scholarship from the North American Nature Photography Association — one of 10 recipients selected in an international competition for the scholarship.

Steinwald, a mother of two, works with adviser Susan Hoffman, associate professor of zoology, on research in wildlife genetics. Images of her artwork may be seen online at http://mollysteinwald.etsy.com.