Month: March 2015

Alzheimer’s the Topic of April 8 Forum in Rolla

March 31, 2015 | Campus News ECC Rolla

Alzheimer’s the Topic of April 8 Forum at ECC in Rolla

The number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is expected to escalate rapidly in coming years as the baby boom generation ages. To help families deal with this issue, East Central College-Rolla will host a free forum on Alzheimer’s Wednesday evening, April 8.

“Best Friends – Caring for our Loved Ones with Dementia” will be the topic at the 5:30 p.m. opening presentation by Judy Crane. She is regional nurse consultant with Americare Assisted Living. Crane’s presentation will be followed by several breakout sessions.

All activities will be held at ECC’s main Rolla location at 500 Forum Drive (at Rolla Technical Center).

Stephanie Jost, community relations manager with Alternative Hospice will discuss the various choices in care available to families. Another breakout session will center on handling the challenges in the care of individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s presented by Gretchen Rex, manager of New Hope Behavioral Center at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. Tina Gosh and Whitney Pelton with Americare will discuss creating memory boxes.

The April 8 event is the second in a series of free forums on issues affecting families hosted by the psychology and sociology departments at ECC. Dr. Bill Cunningham, associate professor of sociology, noted that activities will wrap up at approximately 7:30 p.m.

The event is open to the public at no charge through the financial support of the ECC Foundation. Refreshments will be provided by Dunsford Court Assisted Living of Sullivan. Individuals with questions can call 636-584-6658 or email: wendy.pecka@eastcentral.edu.

Cunningham noted that the forum series is designed to let families know about the resources available in the community. “Every 67 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s. We want to connect people with the experts in the field who can offer support and provide some direction as they struggle with this disease,” he said.

Opportunity for High School Students to Earn College Credit

March 17, 2015 | Campus News

This summer East Central College will once again offer high school juniors and seniors a unique opportunity to earn college credit at a reduced tuition rate.

The Summer Scholars program provides an institutional scholarship for eligible high school juniors and seniors to attend at a cost of $60 per credit hour for selected 2015 summer semester courses. Students are taught by ECC faculty at ECC locations or online alongside enrolled ECC students.

“We instituted this program last summer and we’re excited to provide this opportunity to high school students who’ve shown an interest in college coursework.” said Nathaniel Mitchell, ECC’s director of admissions. “The program also highlights our dual credit program and how beneficial it is for students to begin their college career while they are in high school.”

Those eligible for the program include high school students in the graduating class of 2015 or 2016 who enrolled in dual credit, dual technical credit or dual enrollment courses with ECC or any other accredited Missouri college or university. Current seniors who were enrolled as dual credit students as juniors are also eligible. The class offerings include accounting, art, business, communications, computer science, English, history, math, music, philosophy, physical education, political science, psychology, sociology, Spanish, and a variety of sciences.

Interested students will need to complete an application for admission and the Summer Scholars agreement form and supply proof of dual credit classes. Students will be responsible for purchasing/obtaining appropriate books and supplies. Special fees may also apply to some courses.

Summer session classes begin Monday, June 1. Due to the winter weather that is causing some districts to extend their school calendar, students should contact ECC if a class schedule conflicts with the end of the school year.

Those interested in the program can apply online at www.EastCentral.edu/summerscholars or contact the Student Service Center at 636-584-6588 or Admissions@eastcentral.edu.

Building to be Named in Honor of Founding President

March 17, 2015 | Campus News

The East Central College board of trustees unanimously resolved at their March 2 meeting to rename the Multipurpose Building after Dr. Don Shook. Shook was ECC’s first and longest serving president.

A naming policy instituted in 2009 states that the board may consider naming honors for an individual who had a significant, lasting and measurable impact on the college. Board president Jim Perry noted that it’s appropriate to honor Shook in this manner based on his long-term commitment to the college.

Shook was hired in August of 1968 to lead East Central Junior College; a position he would hold for the next 18 years. During that time enrollment grew from 470 when the first classes started in September of 1969 to 2,973 students in the fall of 1986.

“The original trustees hired the right person when they selected Don Shook to be the first president,” noted Jim Perry, president of the ECC board of trustees. “Don Shook was responsible for hiring the charter faculty and took on countless other tasks involved with the day to day operations of a new institution. He was instrumental in the growth of the college from its earliest days in temporary facilities through selection of a permanent campus site and the construction of four major buildings.”

Perry stated that Shook was also instrumental in establishing the ECC Foundation in 1975. “It is truly fitting that one of the early buildings erected on the Union campus be named after ECC’s first president,” Perry stated. “This is a well-deserved honor.”

“I am very pleased the board took this step and enabled the college and community to honor one of the most influential individuals in the history of ECC,” stated College ECC President Jon Bauer.

Shook worked in higher education for more than 30 years. He was president at Crowder College for four years prior to being selected as president at East Central. He left ECC in 1986 to serve as the founding president at St. Charles County Community College.

A ceremony will be planned to honor Shook and formally rename the facility later this year. The multi-use building currently houses the gymnasium, cafeteria, bookstore, fitness center, locker rooms classrooms, as well as offices for faculty, staff and student organizations.

Summer & Fall Enrollment Now Underway

March 16, 2015 | Campus News

Registration is now underway for summer session and fall semester classes at East Central College.

Shelli Allen, vice president of student development, encourages anyone who is considering enrollment to contact the college as soon as possible to start the registration process since some class sections will fill quickly.

“Summer classes begin Monday, June 1,” Allen stated. “Although applying for admission is easy and can be done online, completing the basic skills assessment and submitting financial aid information requires more time. We encourage students to start the process now instead of waiting until May. That way, students have time to get their classes scheduled, purchase their books and still plan for vacation and other summer activities,” she said. “This is also the right time for students who are coming home from other colleges for the summer to pick up a couple of classes. If they talk with advisors at the institution they currently attend, summer is perfect for picking up some low-cost credits that they can transfer back.”

Allen stated that general advisors on the main campus in Union are available every weekday to meet with people individually and help them through the registration process. She encourages new and returning students seeking more information to contact ECC at 636-584-6588. Information is also available on the college’s website: www.eastcentral.edu.

In addition to classes on the Union campus, ECC is offering classes this summer in Rolla, Sullivan, and Washington.

Fall Semester Registration Open

New students who plan to attend ECC in the fall should contact the college now to start the registration process. “We gave our current students the opportunity to register early, and opened registration for new students March 23,” noted Allen.

Allen stated that all students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for financial aid. The application is available online at studentaid.gov. “Many of our students utilize the payment plan which allows them to spread out the cost of tuition and fees over several months,” she said. “We also accept payment by credit card.”

“We’re proud that ECC continues to be an affordable, high-quality choice in education,” said Allen. Tuition and general fees are just $95 per credit hour for in-district students and $130 per credit hour for those who live outside the college district.

Missouri residents age 65 or older can take advantage of ECC’s Senior Citizens Waiver. Those citizens pay just $57 in fees for each three-credit-hour class, plus the cost of books.