Letter from the Director: Featuring Samba Bah
Dear Students,
The month of June is almost over, and we are heading into one of America’s favorite holidays – the Fourth of July. In Athens, there will be a variety of celebrations.
- On Tuesday, July 3, the City of Athens celebrates with a fireworks display at 10 p.m. at the Market on State (this is the shopping mall near Lowe’s).
- On Wednesday, July 4, there will be a “Fabulous Fourth Parade” at 9:30 a.m. The parade will start near the Ohio University College Gate and proceed north on Court Street.
- Later that evening, at 7 p.m., Ohio University will host a special concert titled “Celebrate America” on the College Green.
- The new Athens outdoor swimming pool will offer free admission on both July 3 and July 4. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. I hope you can go to some of these events to experience American culture.
Samba Bah
Someone who has experienced American culture over the last few years is OPIE Special Assistant Samba Bah. Samba is from The Gambia, the smallest country on mainland Africa. He graduated from The University of The Gambia with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science (2010) and a master’s degree in African History (2014). He came to Ohio University in August 2016 and graduated in May 2018 with a master’s degree in International Development.
He enjoys studying at Ohio University, working in OPIE, and living in Athens. He appreciates the diversity of the community. His favorite activity in Athens is the International Conversation Hours, where he can meet different people from all over the world. He said he is excited by the people’s willingness to share their culture and learn from others.
Samba is a huge soccer fan. He likes playing, watching and organizing games. I wonder which team he is cheering for in the World Cup!
Get ready for the Fourth of July!
Best regards,
Dr. Gerry Krzic
P.S. The winner of last week’s question was Norah Aldosari. She correctly identified the Winter Solstice “as the day during the year when the path of the sun in the sky is farthest south in the Northern Hemisphere (Dec. 21). On this day, the sun travels the shortest path through the sky, and that day therefore has the least daylight and the longest night.”
This week’s question is: What country borders The Gambia? Hint: They have a soccer team in the World Cup. Email me at krzic@ohio.edu your answer to win a prize.
Public Telescope Nights at the Ohio University Observatory
Telescope nights are hosted by the Ohio University Astrophysical Institute and Physics & Astronomy Department faculty and students. Visitors may see lunar craters, Saturn’s rings, Jupiter, Mars, star clusters, or distant galaxies, depending on the time ofp.m.PM – 11 PM (ET) at the Ohio University Observatory (Ridges).
Public Telescope Nights at the Ohio University Observatory will continue throughout summer; currently scheduled dates include:
Wednesday, July 11
9:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Friday, July 27
9 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday, July 28
9 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Friday, August 17
9 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday, August 18
9 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Visit the Public Telescope Nights web page for additional information, including parking directions.
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