Local Man Earns Fulbright Grant To Teach English In Egypt
BY KAREN BERGER — MIRROR REPORTER
Oppressive heat and blazing sun may have Ohioans begging for cooler weather, but Whitehouse native Nicholas Hilgeman views it as boot camp for his next adventure: nine months teaching English in Egypt.
Hilgeman recently earned his degree in international studies and political science from Case Western Reserve University and learned in May that he was awarded a Fulbright English teaching assistantship grant. In a few weeks he’ll leave for Zagazig University, located 50 miles from Cairo.
Hilgeman, a 2006 Toledo Christian School graduate, began the Fulbright application process last year. He’ll be one of 38 teaching assistants in Egypt, and one of two at Zagazig.
“I wanted to be in the Middle East and help where I felt I could. That pushed me into the Fulbright path,” he said. “If I could have picked any country, it would have been Egypt. It’s the political center of the Middle East. I hope to get more of a pulse of what’s going on in the region.”
Zagazig University has over 150,000 students currently enrolled.
“It’s insane. That’s three times the size of OSU. It’s not uncommon to have a few thousand students in a lecture hall,” he said. “I pray that it won’t be me in front of a few thousand.”
Technically, he’s supposed to work closely with 10 to 15 advanced students on their conversational English, but it wouldn’t be unheard of to be thrown into a lecture hall to fill in for the professor, he said.
The town of Zagazig is not as cosmopolitan as Cairo, but at least in terms of dress, Western attire is acceptable for men. Hilgeman understands certain cultural rules, such as men should not extend a hand in greeting to a woman whose head is covered. Topics such as religion, the Arab-Israeli conflict and sexuality are off-limits in casual conversation.
The differences in religion are almost expected in the predominantly Muslim country, he said, but tolerance is the norm.
“As a white person, people will assume I’m a Christian. People are very respectful of other people’s religions and very tolerant. It’s almost assumed everyone has a religion. They’d be less likely to understand if I was an outspoken atheist,” he said. “But proselytizing doesn’t happen in the Middle East. If you’re pushy, it can be off-putting.”
Hilgeman’s interest in the Middle East was piqued after the events of September 11, 2001.
After his sophomore year at Case Western, Hilgeman headed to Morocco to spend the summer immersed in learning Arabic.
“I went in without knowing any Arabic,” he said of his first of two trips to Morocco. “I couldn’t even ask where the bathroom was.”
On his return flight a month later, the passenger next to him asked him a question in Arabic, and Hilgeman was surprised that not only was he able to answer, but to hold a conversation with the man.
“Once I was there, I fell in love with the area and the people,” he said. “There’s something inherent about the region that I’m passionate about. When I step off the plane I feel like it’s my second home.”
Just before learning of the Fulbright offer, he learned he was accepted into graduate school at the University of Chicago to earn a master’s degree in Middle Eastern studies. But he plans to spend time looking at several options upon his return, including staying in Egypt to work or applying to work for the U.S. Department of State or as a consultant for another organization.
“I want to use my knowledge of the region and the language. Today’s relations with the Islamic and Arab worlds are so misunderstood. Understanding the government and the people would be helpful to any organization.”
Hilgeman is the son of Tom and Michelle Shepler of Whitehouse.

Old Town Hall In Monclova Declared Unsafe
BY AMY MANLEY — MIRROR REPORTER
The Old Town Hall in Monclova Township has officially been declared unsafe.
During an initial roof inspection completed by Monclova road superintendent Ken Bucher and Fire Chief Kevin Bernhard on July 2, Bucher noted the stucco separating from the brick wall.
Phil Klocinski, acting chief building official for Lucas County, conducted a courtesy inspection of the building on July 8 noting, “the building should not be occupied until its structural integrity is evaluated by a structural engineer.”
The Mannik and Smith Group evaluated the property on July 13 and determined that while the building is “not in immediate danger of collapsing, it is very unsafe as the stucco could fall anytime,” according to a report shared by administrator Harold Grim during the July 19 township trustees meeting.
An estimate for building repair is expected to be at least $250,000, while verbal bids for demolition indicate a price tag under $20,000.
While grants will be researched for possible building repair, employees are currently working to remove contents from the building and determine other possible areas to store records, Safety Town equipment and other items.
The building is primarily used for storage, but occasionally for meetings by organizations such as scout groups. Those meetings will be relocated to the Monclova Community Center.
After a brief overview provided by Monclova Historical Foundation president Bob Conley and discussion with trustees and constituents present, it was noted that even if funds were available, preservation dollars might best be spent elsewhere.
Trustee Barbara Lang offered an example of historical property located within the township that might be moved to the Old Town Hall site.
The fence surrounding the building will also be improved at minimal cost for safety and security.
Also at the meeting, the trustees:
• Heard from fiscal officer Gavin Pike that the reconciliation of all 86 lighting districts has been completed and that the majority of districts have deficits that will be addressed through assessments for taxes. Information will be provided during the first meeting in August.
• Received an audit of police records from Grim, who shared a map of calls and location of deputies providing service.
• Heard that township solicitor Walt Celley proposed attending one trustee meeting per month instead of two to save township money. Celley will attend the second meeting of each month.
• Heard request regarding promoting events on the sign in front of the township building. While there is no policy in place, it has been the practice to place Monclova township business only on the sign. While working on a policy regarding nonprofit road closures, Grim will also develop a policy for the sign.
• Heard that 35 ash trees have been removed, including grinding of stumps, and that residents have offered positive feedback.
• Heard that the Keener parking lot is complete and that an access service drive was provided at no additional cost.

The next regular meeting of the Monclova Township trustees will be on Monday, August 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the township building, 4335 Albon Rd.