Caicey Schartz, Reporter
Greetings All from Barton County!
With one little email plea for donations our library has received almost 500 books of leisurely reading. Mary Hester, Director of Learning Resources, sent out an email in August asking for any donations on fiction books. "Our funding is limited so it needs to go toward curriculum support," explained Hester, who began working for Barton last July. "The fun stuff has to come through donations." This has been a great addition to the library, for students and staff.
Our Child Development Center has been working hard on fundraisers to earn enough money to finish their new playground. Completion of the project will more than double playground space compared to the original playground, built in 1998. The original playground measures approximately 40 by 80 feet. The new play area measures about 80 feet wide, but is 67 feet long on the south side and 54 feet on the north side. Once the work is complete, the preschool and school-age children will utilize the new space, while the infants and toddlers will utilize the original playground. The children are really excited about the new playground.
Terri Chartier was the recipient of our scholarship this year. She was extremely grateful to receive it.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Johnson County at the Conference this year.
Butler County Community College
Laura Albert, Reporter
During a special event on Tuesday, March 2, Butler County Community College will honor its past while looking toward the future with the unveiling of a new logo for the college and a new athletic/activity programs logo. Butler has been working with the Greteman Group, a creative agency located in Wichita, to develop an internal marketing statement, a new college logo, a new athletic/activity logo and a new tagline for the College. It has been approximately 20 years since the last logo change and only the fourth college-wide logo change in Butler’s seventy-seven year history. Special speaking guests for this event will include alumni, community members, college administrators and Sonia Greteman, president/creative director of Greteman Group.
In February and March, Butler is hosting two grant-writing workshops. Shannon Thom and Heather Huntington Fuesz of SHEnterprises will conduct the one-day workshops covering topics such as project development, identifying funders, writing a grant proposal and grant management. By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to develop a draft grant proposal.
The college held an Adult Learners Fair February 26 at its newest facility at Butler of Andover. The fair targeted adult students, typically 24 years and older, needing to return to or start college. Representatives from 15 colleges including Butler, Baker University, Wichita State University, University of Phoenix, Kansas State University, Pittsburg University and more visited with potential students.
The Florida-based Forrest C. Lattner Foundation has made a $5,000 gift to New Books for Newborns. This project promotes reading in preschool-aged children by providing books to parents of newborns. Sue Choens, Butler’s adult education/GED director, anticipates the program will be available to Butler County residents later this spring.
The K.T. Wiedemann Foundation has presented the college with a $25,000 grant for Serving the Elderly through Quality Care. This grant will assist in developing a gerontology certificate program for post-associate degree nurses. Trish Hutchinson, Dean of Butler’s Nursing and Allied Health, plans to open the program to students in the fall 2005 semester.
Butler’s Operational Staff has elected new officers and plans are being made to update the Op Staff by-laws so they are in agreement with Learning College principles. Other projects under consideration are: reviving the mentoring program for operational staff, developing professional development programs, re-building attendance at the monthly meetings, and getting more active involvement by Op Staff members. One committee is working on the 5th annual “Recharge” day. This is a one-day meeting that allows operational staff to “get away from it all for a day” to discuss challenges, stress, and finding “fun” at work. This is also a way for the operational staff from the various campuses to meet and visit with each other. This year the recharge is being planned for March 24.
The annual “Cubs Store” fund-raiser held at Christmas time brought in $803 this year. This money helps with the Op Staff book scholarship that is maintained by Butler’s Foundation Office.
Butler of El Dorado’s horizon will be changing this summer. This change will be in the form of the new Champions fitness center. The college hopes to have the center completed by August 1, 2004.
We are looking forward to the AKCCOP conference at JCCC. Travel plans and registrations are being made for a group of 12 from Butler. See you at Johnson County Community College!
Coffeyville Community College
Janice Lair, Reporter
Greetings from Coffeyville Community College. Ten new employees have joined the CCC team this fall.
Our Emergency Medical Training Program had a 100% passage at the board exams. There were 8 students in this program who are now certified EMT paramedics.
The National Association of Photoshop Professionals formed the Photoshop User Student Scholarship Program this fall. Two Coffeyville web design students were among the 25 awarded the scholarship to attend the Photoshop World Conference in Miami, FL.
A Ravens Success for 80 Years was the theme for this year's homecoming week. Spirit sheets were designed by different organizations then placed in the Graham Library for judging. Other events were dunk your favorite professor, milk a cow, skate night, video dance party and the crowning of a King and Queen. It was a busy, but fun week for all.
Tommy Felts a former CCC student was named editor of The East Texan at Texas A& M University-Commerce. He is responsible for the total content of the newspaper, design, supervising and working with the university community.
Three students were selected for Irene Ryan nominations by the American College Theatre Festival. They will compete at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Denver, CO.
Phi Theta Kappa Eta Gamma Chapter members won the quiz bowl, an academic challenge, at the Kansas Region Honors Institute that was between all the PTK chapters in Kansas. These same students then went to Jackson, MS to participate in the International PTK Satellite Seminar.
Theatre student Jason Inman was selected as a finalist in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Ten-Minute Play Festival. His original script will advance to the Regional Festival at Denver University in Denver, CO. Jason's was the only community college student to have his script advance out of 166 submitted.
The Coffeyville Cheer Team went to Orlando, FL to defend their Universal Cheerleaders Association National Title. They finished second this year.
Fifteen students participated in a one day Track Pipe seminar. Track Pipe is a new type of gas piping being introduced to the industry. A representative from the American Gas Association conducted the seminar.
These students earned their certification which is needed to purchase track pipe and the necessary fillings for installation. Instructor Ken Smith and Richard Robinson earned their certification to become qualified trainers for track pipe.
Nate Albin, a Computer Networking student designed a computer that would fit inside the body of a remote control Hummer. He took the existing frame and built the computer to fit it.
Jim Stringer is back on campus as interim president. He has served as president in the fall of 1994 and again in 1999.
The Foundation office is gearing up for the scholarship auction on Saturday May 1st. This event brings in money for scholarships for our
students with the help of many generous supporters. The theme for this
year's auction is "Come fly With Us".
Instructor Bethanie Frank had two poems published in the Pagan's Muse:
Words of Ritual, Invocation and Inspiration. Her poems are Protection and Prayer to Arachne.
Instructor Mark Frank's Greek Soup, an original play produced last semester won a American College Theatre Festival Merit Achievement Award for Outstanding Writing for a Farce.
Instructor Shaun Moffitt published her first book, Myopic Memories:Girls Who Wear Glasses.
Colby Community College
Doris Anderson, Reporter
It was encouraging to experience an increase of approximately 35 students in our spring enrollment.
Bev Anderson volunteered to fill the Vice President position that had been vacant. We appreciate her willingness to serve.
We have discussed service project ideas to undertake this year and have encouraged members to develop ideas for possible future projects. Some ideas are under consideration, but we have not decided on a particular project for this year.
Donnie Waterman, distance learning technician, was invited to our October meeting and demonstrated our “smart classroom” capabilities and its many innovative features.
Our annual Phonathon was held in October and was a tremendous success. Calls are made to alumni and community citizens soliciting donations by Presidential Scholars, Student Senate members, and other students.
On February 12, 2004, the second Dr. Max Pickerill Lecture Series presentation will feature Dr. Ed Ramey, ACLU rep speaking on civil liberties, and in March we will host Robert Kennedy, Jr. speaking on environmental issues.
There are 45 Presidential Scholar applicants this spring. Their interviews will be held
February 23-25 and March 2-4. 12-14 will be chosen as freshmen scholars.
We will be taking applications for the Office Professionals scholarships awarded students each spring for the next school year. Last year scholarships were awarded to two students who met the established criteria. After scholarship applications are received, the scholarship committee reviews them and makes a recommendation to our group for selection of the winning recipients.
Both our Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams have been nationally ranked this season. Men’s Coach Brian Ostermann has had the most wins in the school’s history. Tom Stephens' team leads Jayhawk Conference tied with Seward. The Lady Trojans record now stands at 23-2.
CCC received a $250,000 federal grant to erect a Wellness Center. Endowment and administration are working on fundraising from private sources for this building.
Northwest Kansas finally received measurable snowfall!!!! While the rest of the state has had moisture in recent months, the Colby area has been in dire need of precipitation.
100 more tulip bulbs were planted by the maintenance staff this fall to beautify our campus this spring.
We are looking forward to the AKCCOP Workshop hosted by Johnson Co. in March. Two of our members will be selected to represent us at that workshop. We know that it will be a very interesting, entertaining time for them and a memorable experience.
Garden City Community College
Pam Caldwell, Reporter
Members of the Garden City Community College Educational Support Professionals have had a busy and fun-filled year. The Fall 2003 semester began with construction on an exciting new addition to the Student Center which now provides extra curricular life and fun for dorm students, faculty and staff, as well as some additional office spaces, a new bookstore, new snack bar, new theatre room, new club offices, new nursing office, new lounging areas, and other areas, with a wonderful portico to connect everything together!! It is a beautiful addition and a welcome change for students and the community. The grand opening to the addition was held the week of January 19 to coincide with Martin Luther King Week celebrations.
GCCCESP members helped with the successful annual scholarship Phonathon the first part of October, helping to raise over $70,000 for academic and technical scholarships.
The group also selected names from an Angel Tree at Christmas as their service project for four needy children, and purchased Christmas gifts for the children. Last year, GCCCESP members raised money for their annual scholarship fund to be awarded this year and the Christmas service project, by hand making beautiful Easter baskets and selling different basket sizes.
The group recently held their Valentine’s celebration at Sunnyland, an historic bed and breakfast located in Garden City.
Currently, many of the members are preparing for training to learn the new administrative computer database system. The new system will replace the out-dated system that was installed in 1989, and everyone is excited about its potential to create more efficiency and ease of operation.
The Endowment Association is gearing up for its annual spring scholarship auction “Jokers Wild” to be held April 2, with a goal of $100,000. GCCCESP members will be on hand again to lend their help.
Members are looking forward to attending the annual AKCCOP conference to be held at Johnson County Community College March 31 thru April 2. See you then!
Hutchinson Community College
Tammy Neal, Reporter
This crazy weather we have been having has us all wishing spring was here. Let’s just hope it is over with before our conference begins. A special thank you to Johnson County for all the hard work of putting together this year’s conference. Our group is sure excited and can’t wait for the great times we are about to share with each of you March 31 – April 2.
For Valentine’s Day we had a very successful bake sale, with all the proceeds going towards scholarships. We are planning another one around Easter. We also held a silent auction and that worked out well too.
We are celebrating HCC’s 75th anniversary and planning some major renovations. We will be updating our stadium, and central campus area, adding parking and plans of expanding our dorms and science hall are also in the works. I will have more updates for you in the future editions.
The Dillon Lecture Series have brought some very interesting speakers to our campus. We had Dr. Benjamin Carson back in January. He is the author of “Gifted Hands”. This is a very interesting book, and if you get the chance you should read it. On February 26 we will have Ronan Tynan, who is a physician, accomplished Irish tenor and a champion disabled athlete. I will share more on this story in the next edition.
Our Academic Excellence Team won all 14 rounds of the Kansas sectional championship of the National Academic Quiz Tournament and has been invited to compete at the national tournament in St. Louis, Missouri in April.
Our Livestock Judging team has also done very well this year. They competed in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and won first place and just came back from Jackson, Mississippi where they finished second at the Dixie National Livestock Show.
Our Forensics team has also done very well this year. They were just selected as the top community college team at their meet in St. Louis.
We also have three students from our drama department that were selected to represent us in the 24 Hour Play Festival at the American College Theatre Festival in Denver, Colorado.
Johnson County Community College
Kathy LaBelle, Reporter
Get on Track with AKCCOP – Make a Difference.
This is the theme of the AKCCOP Annual Conference scheduled for March 31, April 1 and 2, 2004 hosted by Johnson County Community and the Office Professionals League on our campus in Overland Park Kansas. We hope you are one of the many who have signed up as we are looking forward to seeing you!
Photo: Sally Gordon, AKCCOP President and member of JCCC OPL.
As you’ve read, Wednesday evening’s attire is either to dress in College logo clothing or 1940’s Railroad Theme. Please park in the ITC (Train Lot) and head for the Gym as registration begins at 6:30. Group pictures, a light supper and entertainment will follow. Then Thursday we will start off with a continental breakfast served in the lobby of the Carlsen Center and the conference will officially get underway with the welcome address starting at 8:30 a.m. in the Carlsen Theatre.
Our main speaker on Thursday is Cynthia Smith, Vice President of Content and Communications for KCPT Public Television in Kansas City. Cynthia heads a team of 16 in three departments responsible for national and local programming, documentaries, web content, member magazine, public relations, advertising, promotion, viewer information, board communications and legislative affairs. Cynthia’s presentation is, “Staying on Track When You are On a Runaway Train.” Other guest speakers are Judy Korb, Director of Staff and Organizational Development and Jim Wheeler, Assistant Dean, Computer and Information Systems. (The title and content of their presentations were not available at the time of this writing.)
What happens when you turn a highway patrolman into a magician? Find out on Friday when Jim Lysaght combines his dynamic speaking ability, humorous outlook on life, and skill as a magician to present “If Education is a Journey, Where Do I Put My Baggage.” Jim Lysaght, who left a 21-year career with the Missouri State Highway Patrol because, “There wasn’t a demand for a funny highway patrolman,” is a great entertainer. You won’t want to miss his presentation!
While much of our focus these past several months has been placed on planning for this conference because we want you to have a memorable time, that’s not to say that we haven’t been doing other things as well.
Our general meetings, which take place at noon on each third Wednesday of the month, have been too good to miss! This semester is no exception. In January we received tips from two of our active members on where to go for bargains and what to do to get the most for your money. In February, Donna Salkil, JCCC Greenhouse Technician, will give us tips for the planting season. The OPL of the Year Award will be presented at our March 24th meeting, and then in April Susan Cunningham, instructor for the Massage Therapy Program here at JCCC will speak to us about the need for relaxation in our lives. May’s meeting will feature guest, Nancy Post, who will discuss organ donations, and June’s is already billed as the month for members to bring their favorite salad and gather for our annual Spring Salad Luncheon.
Our November 20th annual Silent Auction and Special Grants drawing brought in more than $5000 this year, ensuring that the organization will once again be able to amply fund both Special Grants and Scholarships. JCCC OPL reporter Barbara Hockman said that, “Like ants preparing for winter, or elves preparing for Christmas, OPL members worked hard to make the Silent Auction a fun and rewarding event.” The winner of the $300 mall gift certificate was Mark Daganaar, Director of Library Services here at JCCC. Photo: OPL Silent Auction
Our Boss’s Day event in October was a huge success. With the theme of Café OPL, the third story Commons’ room was decorated with a musical/coffee lounge theme, and entertainment provided by OPL members Rhonda Hutton and Ginger Henderson singing “oldies but goodies” accompanied by Cindy Kleinsorge at the piano. It was great to see everyone having such a good time. One couldn’t help but notice people around the room quietly singing or tapping their toes to the music.
Our Community Service Committee visits residents of the Olathe Good Samaritan Center on a regular basis. Often they work on art projects with the residents, or help with Bingo. Members who do not attend are encouraged to get involved by contributing costume jewelry or hand lotion, for example, to be used as Bingo prizes.
Nominees for the Office Professional of the Year award were announced at the October OPL general meeting. Dee Staples of the committee reported that Sherri Conner, Betty Erhard, Jane Franek, Berni Freeman, Rhonda Hutton, Kathy LaBelle, Kay Lampe, Kathy Larson, Dara Ramaglia, Beth Ramirez, Lori Vogelsberg and Karen Znidarsic all were nominated. The Office Professional of the Year ward recognizes and rewards outstanding office professionals who have contributed to OPL and the JCCC community, demonstrated excellence in job performance, and exhibited personal and professional growth through participation in college and community activities. Betty Erhard and Sherri Conner accepted their nominations and each submitted a portfolio to the Award Committee. An outside judge evaluated the portfolios and selected the award recipient. At the time of this reporting, the name of the recipient had not been announced.
A great opportunity awaits our office professionals: Each year JCCC’s Staff & Organizational Development Department invites our office professionals to participate in a Master Staff Workshop. At this conference professionals gather for intensive learning, listening and reflection. The goals for the workshop include sharing successes, working together to find solutions to challenges and making JCCC stronger with communication across campus. This mini-retreat will take place April 20-21 at a location off campus.
Our social committee is planning a SPA day. Saturday, March 27 has been set aside as a day of pampering and fellowship with fellow OPL members. Skin care services can be purchased from the JCCC Esthetics students, and massages by JCCC alumni. A potluck luncheon follows.
Campus-wide we are awaiting the completion of our new parking garage. In the spring we will break ground on a new Technology building. It is exciting to be on campus, watching these changes take place. Enrollment is up, so these additions to our campus are greatly appreciated.
You may remember that in the last issue of the Kollator, we mentioned that JCCC had applied for the Kansas Award for Excellence (KAE). This award is presented to organizations that have demonstrated through their practices and achievements the highest and most consistent level of excellence. We are pleased to announce that JCCC is on of four recipients who received this award in 2003.
I think that pretty much brings us up to date on what is happening here at Johnson County Community. We’ll see you in a few weeks! In the meantime, hope you enjoy the first signs of spring with snow melting, warmer temperatures and the promise of tulips and daffodils!
Labette Community College
Fran Clay, Reporter
Hey from here at Labette, you know what? With temperatures hovering around the upper 50’s and low 60’s, I reallllllly don’t think that the old ground hog in Pennsylvania knows what he is talking about. Oh, we may have a little more snow but I sure feel that Spring is in the air.
Sorry I missed getting an article in the Kollator last fall. I believe that last Fall was my busiest in my 15 years here in the Athletic Department at LCC. So I’ll try to catch you up on all our news since the start of Fall semester.
The LCC Athletic Association started the sports year off with a new item, “The Cardinal Kick-off”. The Kick-off featured fall and winter athletics on Saturday, October 11th. The event started with a volleyball game at 2:00 and around 3:30 the Kick-off began with the introduction of the Spirit Squad performing a dance routine. Wrestlers were introduced and an exhibition ensued. Men’s basketball players were introduced and did a short slam-dunk demonstration. Chris the Cardinal was on hand to have pictures taken with children. Booster Club had sports shirts, license plates and Cardinal fans. Many local businesses were sponsors for the event.
Another event that was held here at the Athletic Department was The Great American Duck Race. Next to our Athletic Department is a park and a small slew runs through the middle of the park. Chances were sold from the beginning of school on little yellow ducks. On a beautiful October afternoon our local fire department came down to the park and released pulses of water into the slew sending the duck careening along the stream of water – student and athletes along with coaches would cheer on the ducks, with an occasional help from a stick if a little duck got tangled in the grass of the swollen slew. The first 4 ducks in each “heat” would have their numbers recorded and ended up in the final race. Prizes were given for the top six ducks. It was a good fundraiser and a lot of fun.
In the October issue of The National Junior College Wrestling Coaches Association magazine, the magazine recognized Labette Community College Wrestling team for having the overall number on the All-Academic team with 17 wrestlers and an overall GPA of 2.83.
LCC is becoming a really modern school, an ATM machine was installed this Fall in the Student Union. I understand one day it was the most popular place to be as no matter what was punched into it, the machine was supplying everyone with $80.00.
Our Athletic Director, Jody Thompson, was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. Way to go Coach T!
Our Tasting Party and Cookbook went well again this year. And our Christmas Baskets program served 10 families with 23 children. I helped deliver baskets again this year for the first time in about 10 years and it was just as rewarding in spirit as it was 10 years ago. As the group delivered our last basket, we all wished that we had more to deliver as everyone had been pleasant and thankful. Classified Staff group had a luncheon and an ornament exchange for our December meeting.
David Oldham, Graphic Arts, was featured in the Fall/Winter 2003 issue of the Cardinal magazine. The featured story was about his coin-collecting hobby. The article was reprinted in the Oswego Independent newspaper during the month of January.
Our Volleyball team has signed four premier player in the last couple of months. Currently signed is Holly Hoffman, a defensive specialist from Parsons; Krystle Evans, an outside hitter from Diana, TX; Candice Glover, a standout outside hitter from Parsons, and Kamie Ellis, a setter from Carl Junction, MO. There will be four returning sophomores.
The Debbie Groff Book Scholarship purchased $1,200 worth of books for 18 students, and loaned books to another 6 students for the Spring 2004 semester.
The 2004 Auction, the fifth annual, to benefit students at LCC is scheduled for April 24th at the VFW hall in Parsons. This year the theme is “Our 80th Birthday Bash.” The first academic year for the college was 1923-24. The auction is sponsored each year by the Foundation and the LCC Alumni Association.
LCC Foundation Board of Directors has authorized lighting and sound improvements in the Thiebaud Theater up to $30,000. Approximately one-half of the money has been contributed from individuals and businesses that designated their gifts to Thiebaud Theatre improvements. The remainder will come from Foundation unrestricted funds from contributions and investment earnings.
Since Melody Eisenbart has joined LCC as our Landscape Gardener, things are looking up here at Labette. Not only are our grounds looking better, Melody puts articles in our monthly publication, The Card, produced by Janice Clifton-George in our President’s Office. This month’s tip was when excess snow accumulates on your plants, shake the snow off very carefully so you do not break or bruise the stems. If you tear the outer layer of stem you will be leaving the areas as an open invitation for pests and disease.
Melody is outgoing and always helpful. We are glad to have Melody as our gardener at LCC.
The LCC Nursing Department
purchased a Laerdal SimMan with Perkins funds. All faculty have been trained,
and the human patient simulator will be used by nursing, respiratory, and
radiography programs. This equipment will allow students to practice
interventions on a computerized mannequin that can talk and demonstrates vital
signs such as pulse, respirations, and blood pressure. There is an attached
monitor with an EKG tracing on it.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing publishes the NCLEX-RN, the national exam that our graduates take to be licensed as registered nurses. NCSBN is raising the passing standard, effective April 1. The last time this was done, the national passing rate for first-time test takers on NCLEX-RN declined markedly. Labette had a 96.8% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN for May 2003 graduates. One re-took, and passed, so we are at 100%. 100% of the students who completed the PN level in July 2003 who took the NCLEX-PN passed. Great program – great students.
Last Tuesday our Board of Directors authorized plans to be drawn up, bid specifications taken, and Labette County banks to submit a plan with potential interest rates for the addition to the Student Union Building. The current building was built in 1972. The new addition would be a 2-story structure attached to the current building with approximately 1500 square-footage for student use and 950 square-footage for office space. When the above items come into the Board, they will have to authorize the go ahead. Approximate completion date would be by Christmas of 2004. Thought I’d show you the old face so hopefully next newsletter we can see the new face of our Student Union.
Brad Huffaker’s, Sociology Instructor, classes have been doing poster presentations in the library for a year now. The classes are Sociology, Social Problems, Marriage and Family and Anthropology. It is a 2-day and 1-night event. The posters are only in the library for the hour of the presentation and then moved up to Huffaker’s classroom for display. Last semester over 150 people were in to view the posters made by the students.
The library will host a former Parsonian who is now an author. Vernon Schmid will be at LCC on April 21, 2004 in the afternoon for a book signing and will talk about writing and his books. He will also have books to purchase.
Talk about exciting. Last weekend LCC hosted the Region VI National Wrestling Qualifier. Seven teams were in attendance. The Cards had two champs and took second place to Number One NJCAA ranked Northwestern Wyoming. The Redbirds managed to qualify 8 people to travel to the National Tournament next week. Our two Champs were Earl Jones at 125 lbs and Mikel Delk at 149 lbs. Other placers were: 133 lbs – Emery McReynolds; 141 lbs – Dustin May; 157 lbs - Toby Waters; 174 lbs – Joe Gorczynski; 197 lbs – James Williams and at 285 lbs – Shane Grant. NW Wyoming finished the day with 96 points; Labette 73 points; Colby 67.5 points; Western Wyoming 55.5 points; Neosho 51.5 points, Pima, AZ with 24 points and Glenndale, AZ with 3 points. It may have been a long day but the wrestling was suburb, the tournament well run, and a good supporting crowd.
Well enough of my rambling on for now. With AKCCOP just around the corner, we are looking forward to heading up North to Johnson County Community College. Eight Labette brakemen, engineers and conductors will be attending the 2004 conference at Johnson entitled “Get on Track with AKCCOP and Make a Difference.” From the look of the agenda, we will come home with a learning and networking experience that we won’t soon forget.
We look forward to seeing all of you at JCCC in March.
Neosho County Community College
Terri Dale, Reporter
Greetings from the Neosho County Community College. We are looking forward to the annual meeting at Johnson County Community College and having a chance to see old friends, and maybe have time for a little shopping.
Since the last newsletter, our office professional staff has several new members. Jackie Kinzer was hired as the Outreach/Workforce Development administrative assistant. She replaces Sarah Smith who transferred to become the administrative assistant to the vice president of student learning. Susan Haddan transferred to the business office as accounts receivable clerk and Angie Zaragosa transferred to administrative assistant to the Director of Development and Athletic Secretary. Theodora (Teddy) Johnson was hired as a library clerk and will be working part-time. She replaces Bea Orozco who retired in January after 26+ years at the college. Laura Love was hired as the nursing administrative assistant at the Ottawa campus and Susan Beddo was hired as a secretary for the Ottawa campus.
Spring 2004 the first NCCC OP Scholarships were awarded. Over ten applications were received and the scholarships were awarded to Pam Beeman and Deshon Orr. We were very pleased to have so many applications. We will continue to fund raise so that our scholarship fund can grow. Later this month we are planning to serve lunch for the faculty in-service day.
In addition to our monthly meetings, we have chosen the first Tuesday (or Wednesday) each month to go to lunch together. It’s just a time for socializing and everyone seems to enjoy the outing.
The College has adopted a new tag line and logo. Our new tag line is: “The education you need. The attention you deserve.”
Enrollment numbers for Spring 2004 are up almost 8% from Spring 2003. Credit hours have increased just over 5%.
In February, the TRIO programs hosted the Harlem Ambassadors basketball team to raise money for their summer trip. The Ambassadors entertained the crowd and stressed the importance of getting an education. Incidentally, the Ambassadors beat the home team by a score of 105.to 51.
Everyone at the College is preparing for our accreditation visit from the Higher Learning Commission in April. The Self-Study document has been completed, printed and mailed to the visiting team members. We are looking forward to the campus visit April 19-21.
In other news, our men’s wrestling team qualified seven wrestlers for the NJCAA Nationals and finished 9th place in the nation at the championships held in Rochester, Minnesota. Congratulations to first year wrestling coach Merrick Wiles.
The NCCC Debate/Forensics team received a 3rd Place Overall Sweepstakes Award at the first tournament of the spring season at the University of Central Oklahoma and are scheduled to compete at several more competitions this spring.
See you all March 31 in Kansas City. Have a great spring!
Pratt Community College
Diane Thompson, Reporter
Last issue, our reporter Cathy Blasi was literally “down in the back” and unable to get out our news. Unfortunately, Cathy is out again as she has required a third back surgery to repair a spinal fluid leak related to a previous surgery. She is most disappointed that this will keep her from attending the AKCCOP conference at Johnson County in April. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she recuperates once again.
Since we neglected to report last time we will briefly fill you in on the happenings of the last few months.
Jerry Sanko, Director of Information Technology, returned home at the end of September 2003 from eight months serving his country in Bosnia. Jerry, a captain having spent 18 years in the Kansas National Guard, was mobilized with the U. S. Army and served as a weapons inspector. He left behind a wife and four children, one of which was just a two months old when he left. What a sacrifice! The service of Jerry and approximately ten other employees who are veterans was celebrated at our November Monthly Celebration. Jerry also presented a flag to the employees and Board which had been flown over his base in Bosnia in honor of PCC’s support of him and his family during that difficult time. It is displayed proudly as one enters the college.
The athletic department has desperately wanted a permanent concessions stand for quite some time. Crystal Scherer, athletic secretary, was having to set up tables, haul equipment out of storage rooms, and put it all back again at the end of the evening. Well, after lots of hard work by our maintenance and athletic department staff, their goal has been realized. The “Beaver Bytes Cyber Café” was dedicated on December 2, 2003. The name was chosen via an all-campus contest, and the café features PCC sports memorabilia and internet access terminals. It is now the prime spot for employee get-togethers.
Pratt Education Support Professionals (E. S. P.) co-hosted the December monthly celebration with the Business Department. The highlight was the official lighting of the PCC Christmas tree by the president, Dr. Wojciechowski. The activity of December did not end there as we also hosted an all-employee and student Goodie Day over finals. Everyone was invited to contribute to and enjoy the pot-luck of snacks. Also accompanying finals was our traditional “Survival Pack” fundraiser. This fall E.S.P. sold 90 bags, with a profit of about $630. Preparation begins again for the spring finals “Packs”.
By mid December, the final office shuffled as a result of the fire made its way home. The new Advising and Counseling Services Office remodel was complete and they were very grateful.
This year E.S.P. has 12 members and new officers have been elected as follows: Lora Lobmeyer-President, Crystal Scherer-Vice President, Sharon Barrett-Treasurer, Laura McGovern-Secretary and Diane Thompson-Reporter. The members have voted to put another $1,000 towards the E.S.P. pre-endowed scholarship, leaving us just $1,000 away from the $5,000 needed to complete the endowment. It was also decided that E.S.P. will participate in the auditorium renovation project sponsored by the PCC Foundation. Chairs can be endowed at $200 and E.S.P. will put $100 towards a chair this semester with another $100 after the spring “Survival Pack” fundraiser.
Seven members of E.S.P. are planning on attending the AKCCOP conference at Johnson County Community College. We can’t wait!
Seward County Community College
Terri Barnes, Reporter
Warm greetings from Seward County Community College.
Seward County Community College experienced a heartbreaking event in October 2003 with the unexpected loss of Dr. James R. Grote, SCCC president. His death left the campus and the community stricken with grief.
In November Dr. James Tangeman was named as interim president, and the process of selecting a new president for Seward County Community College began. Students, staff and faculty moved forward as Dr. Grote would have wanted us to, finishing the fall semester.
Campus News: June 2004 Doralia Reynolds, business division chair, will be retiring. Doralia has taught at SCCC for thirty-four years. Marcia Hatcher, marketing instructor, was named as the new Business Division chair. Larry Wade, criminal justice instructor, will be retiring at the same time.
The office technology program officially changed its name to Administrative Professionals, to reflect what the program can do for all career choices. The courses offered by this program are foundation courses for any career, such as keyboarding, word processing, note taking and voice and handwriting recognition.
Following an on-site preliminary visit from the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the Business Division received recognition to begin the accreditation study process for the ACBSP. ACBSP has 372 members with 160 of them being two-year community colleges. The vocational department of SCCC is undertaking this self-study because the accreditation should improve transferability and help promote SCCC and the vocational department. The purpose of the accreditation standards is to assist member institutions of the ACBSP in achieving performance excellence in business education. It also signifies that the business unit is committed to serving students, other institutions, and industry as defined by the bylaws of ACBSP. An on-site visit is scheduled for March 2004.
Catherine Collins moved from the Saints Bookstore to a part-time instructor position at the Colvin Adult Learning Center. Michelle Armstrong is the new sales associate at the Saints Bookstore. Allison Lyon is the Assistant Wellness Center Director and Kristal Farrow is the Wellness Center secretary.
Two Title III staff have been hired. Teresa Wehmeier, Student Services Support, will move into the new position of Title III Student Tracking Specialist March 1, leaving her position vacant. A new face and former graduate of SCCC, Bronwyn Smith, will begin her employment within the next week as Title III Secretary. This takes on the meaning of “growing our own employees.” There are two Title III positions yet to be filled.
Ty Hughbanks, biology instructor/PTK Co-sponsor and an awesome photographer, has resigned effective at the end of this academic year. He is a “free spirit” who has plans of traveling for a couple of years to South America and Australia. He has a dream of linking up with Steve Irwin and doing a documentary on him. If anyone can, it would be Ty. He has commented that “he will be back.” We will miss him.
The 2003 Telolith, SCCC’s literary and art magazine, received a 1st place from the American Scholastic Press Association. (Fourth consecutive year to be so recognized.) Telolith 2003 received 940 out of a possible 1,000 points.
SCCC’s survivor theme is still going strong. One of the physical challenges last semester was for each tribe to fill two paper boxes with non-perishable food for a local food cupboard.
Photo: Representatives from each SCCC tribe with the 21 food boxes that were delivered to the Liberal food cupboard.
News from SCCC Office Professionals (SCCCOPS): SCCCOP members worked on a fund raiser for scholarship money by selling products from the World of Product catalog. Mr. William Bryan, chemistry instructor, and his wife sell merchandize from this catalog. Mr. Bryan was willing to let our group sell from the catalog, and to give the group 40% of the sales before taxes. Since William could deliver the items to the college, he was very nice and forego the shipping charges. SCCCOP’s members sold the merchandize before Christmas. SCCCOPs raised $274.86. Ten percent went into our general fund with the remaining balance being placed in our scholarship fund. The group is discussing the feasibility of selling Easter baskets for a spring fund raiser.
On October 21, SCCCOPs arranged a Bosses Day Luncheon. Office professionals provided a pot luck meal, and each supervisor was given a gift. This was a celebration and a sobering event in light of Dr. Grote’s death the week before.
The SCCCOP’s scholarship committee is in the process of reviewing scholarship applications for the spring. SCCCOPs provide three $100 scholarships per semester to applicants who meet all the requirements.
SCCCOP’s members and spouses met at the home of Gayle and Don O’Kane for the annual Christmas party. Fun and good food were in abundance.
In the fall 2003 newsletter, I wrote about a special BUNCO membership drive party that SCCCOPs hosted. The Bunco party was so much fun that staff from SCCC have met three more times to play. The Bunco parties are scheduled once a month. Hostesses volunteer and provide the place to meet. Other players help provide food and drinks. Gifts are given to the players with the most Buncos, the most wins, the most losses, and the person with the last Bunco. This is a special and fun way to become better acquainted with fellow employees away from the stressful workplace.
For the SCCCOP’s January meeting, we met at the Colvin Adult Learning Center. The wonderful ladies there provided lunch. It was great to move away from the main campus to hold the meeting in another area; moreover, it was an opportunity for the office professionals at the Colvin Building to attend a meeting which is difficult for them during the lunch hour.
Photo: Monthly SCCCOPs meeting at the Colvin Adult Learning Center. From the left Pam Perkins, Diane Heiers, secretary, and Betty Glenn, president.
A small group of SCCCOP’s members are planning on attending the AKCCOP conference at Johnson County Community College, and hope to see many of you there.
Have a good semester and summer.