Month: April 2015

Faculty Member and Students Honored

April 22, 2015 | Campus News

A long-time faculty member and two East Central College students were honored by the Missouri Community College Association on April 8 in Jefferson City. The students were named to the All-Missouri Academic Team, an honor bestowed on the state’s top community college students.

Dr. Bill Cunningham, associate professor of sociology at ECC, received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award is given to the top community college teachers in the state each year and includes a proclamation from Missouri Governor Jay Nixon. Cunningham has taught at the college since 1993.

All-Missouri Academic Team member Dawn Little is majoring in psychology at ECC and plans to become a clinical psychologist working in an underserved area of the state. The Union resident is currently president of Phi Theta Kappa and Rotaract, and has been a volunteer for the long-term care ombudsman program. She also serves as a campus peer coach. Little earned recognition as a Phi Theta Kappa 5 star member, Student Government Association senator of the month, and has been on both the vice president’s and dean’s honor lists. After completing her studies at ECC she plans to transfer to Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla.

Little is also a Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Silver Scholar Award recipient. Each year the foundation honors the 150 highest-scoring All-USA Team members from around the country by presenting them with gold, silver, or bronze medallions and a stipend.

Faith Joyce of Union is currently studying music and hopes to eventually work full-time at East Central College, teaching and

Faith Joyce, 2015 All-Missouri Academic Team Member

helping students. She is involved in community choir, piano performance and instruction, musical outreach to the elderly, and music tutoring. She has earned many honors and awards including outstanding music student, president’s academic honor list, and the community college president’s transfer scholarship. Joyce plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Little and Joyce received scholarships made possible by a donation from MOHELA, the state’s not-for-profit secondary market lender and servicer in the student loan industry.

Students Complete Intro to MIG Welding Class in Rolla

April 20, 2015 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College recently awarded certificates of completion to participants in its first Introduction to MIG Welding program in Rolla.

Nine students completed the eight-week program which was held in the Rolla Technical Institute welding lab. The training included OSHA10 certification, a National Career Readiness certificate, and five weeks of welding instruction.

According to Mardy Leathers, executive director of ECC’s Center for Workforce Development, the partnership between the college and RTI to provide this program is beneficial to the area.

“We are pleased to have an asset like RTI to work with and provide a much-needed program to enhance the welding skills for employees at area businesses. It is definitely a need the college is filling for the industry as we are offering this program at four locations in the region.”

The Rolla welding program will be offered on Monday and Thursday evenings. Registrations are now being accepted for upcoming classes. Qualified students will need to pay a $40 fee and supply certain materials.

The Introduction to MIG Welding program is funded by Missouri Manufacturing WINs, a U.S. Department of Labor grant-funded program that serves Trade Act participants as well as veterans, unemployed and underemployed individuals, and low-skilled persons in Missouri in manufacturing-related programs.

The MoManufacturingWINs program provides qualified students with low-cost or no-cost training in high-demand, high-growth industries at proven training institutions such as ECC. Personal assistance is provided along the way from trained, professional career coaches and other college staff. In addition, recognized certifications such as the National Career Readiness Certificate can be obtained, giving students opportunities to enhance their employability and competitiveness in the job market.

NineIntroduction to MIG Welding class students — Nine people recently completed the Introduction to MIG Welding class offered at Rolla Technical Institute through a grant program administered by East Central College. Shown, front row, from left, are: Danny Wools, Bill Lloyd, Devin Woodall, Cody Leathers, and Jason Blanc. Second row, from left, are: Shelly Steiger, Logan Hetrick, Steve Campbell, and Gene Jesteadt. Back row, Cord Jenkins, RTI instructor.

This workforce solution is funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Tickets on Sale for Musical

April 14, 2015 | Campus News

Tickets for ECC Theatre’s upcoming production of Legally Blonde are now on sale. Performances are set for 8 p.m. Thursday – Saturday, February 18 – 20. The production wraps up Sunday, February 21, with a 2 o’clock matinee.

This fun, fast-paced musical follows the adventures of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who follows her ex-boyfriend to Harvard to try to win back his heart. On the way, she meets up with a group of friends and ends up defying expectations while staying true to herself.

Legally Blonde stars ECC Theatre veterans Samantha Rodgers as Elle, Riley Dunn as Emmett, Keith Goers as Professor Callahan, Holly Szakal as Paulette and Andrew Groom as Warner.

Supporting them are Trish Baker, Claire Blythe and Anna Miller as the Delta Nu Trio; Elin Feldmann as Brooke Wyndham and Brittany Losh as Vivienne.

The company includes Cara Arrigo, Mike Askins, Katie Bauer, Rebecca Brinker, Rita Bub Jr., Rita Bub Sr., Carol Buescher, Taylor Coggins, Madison Darrah, David Dereak, Molly Eckelkamp, Elin Feldmann, Ethan Fields, Alex Gansmann, Chad Greife, Mekaela Gross, Patty Kellmann, Heather Marsh, Hannah McKean, Michael Niehaus, Heidi Nuckolls, Dawson Nuener, Shelby Oberle, Laurie Osseck, Alan Peterson, Allison Rice, Brendan Rodgers, Joe Schimsa, Jacob Schmidt, Olivia Schmitt, Anna Smith, Jared Sprick, Tara Steffens and Haley Walter.

Legally Blonde is directed by Grace Austin with music directed by Colin Healy. Chris Page is the choreographer while Chris Swanson is in charge of technical direction and design.

Nominated for seven Tony Awards, the music and lyrics for Legally Blonde were written by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, with book by Heather Hach. The story is based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name that starred Reese Witherspoon.

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 636-584-6693. Tickets are also available for purchase at the Cashier’s Office located in the lobby of Buescher Hall, Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Admission is $15 for adults.

This show is not recommended for children under the age of 12.

Trustees Approve Purchase of Former Gala Center in Union

April 13, 2015 | Campus News

East Central College trustees gave authorization Monday morning (April 13) to purchase a building near campus to house several of its career and technical programs.

The board approved purchasing the former Gala Center, located southeast of the main campus in Union.

The Precision Machining and Industrial Engineering Technology programs currently housed at Four Rivers Career Center in Washington will be relocated to the new facility, as well as the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning program now located on the main campus.

College President Dr. Jon Bauer said the purchase is an exciting opportunity for the college.

“This purchase is the next phase in the development of the college, and it will enable us to grow and enhance these critical programs,” Bauer said. “This opportunity allows us to accomplish this within the next year, and to do so at a cost much less than new construction.”

The cost of the building is $1.2 million. The college is purchasing the facility from Bequette Construction, Inc.

Once the purchase is finalized, work will begin on plans for its renovation. Bauer said he expects renovation to begin later this year, with the relocation of the programs expected in 2016.

“The building is as close as you can get to the main campus. It will allow students in these programs to more easily access the full array of services available on campus, and to schedule classes without traveling between two locations,” Bauer stated. “With this enhanced facility we will be able to increase enrollment in these programs and subsequently better serve the region.”

East Central will continue to partner with the School District of Washington on several programs, including Automotive Technology, Building Construction, Welding, and Early Childhood Education.

Bauer noted that East Central College has benefitted from the partnership with the School District of Washington for decades. “Our joint programs will continue and our partnership has never been stronger.” As the district is able to utilize additional space at Four Rivers, Bauer said there is potential for even more collaboration with the college.”

“The timing will be good for both institutions as we work to provide more opportunities for our students, Bauer said.

“I wish to congratulate East Central College on the acquisition,” said Dr. Lori VanLeer, superintendent of the School District of Washington. “Both ECC and the School District of Washington need more space as we are always looking for ways to maximize efficiency while also providing outstanding programs and services for students.

“We consider this an opportunity to potentially expand and build on our partnership with the college. We have a joint commitment to serving students of this region and we value our relationship with the college. Although they are relocating some programs, it opens the door for innovation on both fronts. I believe in the future we will see business, industry, the college and the School District of Washington working even more closely to ensure the success of students,” VanLeer said.

This year ECC is paying $80,769 to the school district to lease 12,426-square feet of space at Four Rivers. Bauer stated that ECC plans to continue to offer general education classes as needed in Washington and will continue to work with business and industry on non-credit and customized training courses.

Existing fund balances will be used to purchase the 19,807-square foot building. The facility was built in 2007.

Jim Perry, president of the ECC board of trustees, stated that the college is fortunate to acquire a building of that quality for the price. “This is a great opportunity to acquire space for several of our career-technical programs in such close proximity to campus,” Perry said. “Students will benefit from being closer to services available on campus.”

The former Gala Center sits on 4.33 acres and includes parking for 255 vehicles.

Dedication of Shook Student Center During May 16 Commencement

April 7, 2015 | Campus News

East Central College will honor Dr. Don Shook, the founding president of the college, by naming the Multipurpose Building on the Union campus in his honor.

Shook Student Center will be dedicated during ECC’s commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16, at 11:30 a.m. Shook will give the commencement address.

The ceremony is open to the public and will be held in the gymnasium of the Multipurpose Building with a reception to follow.

“In so many ways, East Central College is the institution it has become because of the leadership and vision of Don Shook,” noted ECC President Jon Bauer. “He led the college from its establishment, oversaw the construction of the main campus, and put into place the foundation that enabled the college to grow into a mature institution. Thousands of students became college graduates because of the work of Don Shook, and it is fitting that from this point forward every student who walks across the stage to become an East Central College graduate will do so in the Donald D. Shook Student Center.”

Shook led East Central for 18 years, the longest tenure of any president in the 47 year history of the college. He was the first employee hired by the Junior College District of East Central Missouri and was president when doors opened to students for the first time September 15, 1969. At that time, classes were held in temporary facilities, including the Memorial Auditorium in Union.

During his administration at ECC, Shook was responsible for the establishment and growth of the current campus, including four major campus buildings. The college opened with 470 students. At the time of his departure in 1986 more than 2,900 students were enrolled.

Shook served at four Missouri community colleges. Prior to his work at East Central he was president of Crowder College in Neosho and dean at Mineral Area College in Park Hills. He left ECC almost 29 years ago to become the founding president at St. Charles Community College and served there until his retirement in 1996. Shook was also a college instructor, worked in admissions, and served as a high school principal and teacher.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in speech and English from Missouri State University, and his master’s degree and doctorate in school administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Awards and honors included the Citation of Merit presented by the Alumni Association of UMC, Outstanding Alumnus Award presented by MSU, and Distinguished Service Award presented by the Missouri Community College Association, of which Shook is a past president.

Today, Shook lives with his wife, June, in Overland Park, Kansas.

ECC instituted a facilities naming policy in 2009. It states that the board may consider naming honors for an individual who had a lasting and measurable impact on the college. Trustees unanimously voted at their March meeting to name the building in Shook’s honor.

Differential Tuition Rate Effective This Fall

April 7, 2015 | Campus News

Most students at East Central College will see tuition remain unchanged next year, according to a plan approved by college trustees Monday, April 6. However, students in four career-technical programs at East Central College will pay more tuition this fall, due to the higher cost of operating those programs.

Trustees Monday night approved a two-tier tuition model. Tier 1 is the same tuition structure that is in place this year. Tier 2 includes higher tuition for precision machining, industrial engineering technology, nursing and culinary arts classes.

“These are our highest-cost programs,” noted Dr. Jon Bauer, ECC president. “The tuition rate for classes in these programs will be at 125 percent of the appropriate in-district, out-of-district, out-of-state or international rate.” He stated that Tier 2 tuition only applies to classes in the programs; students would still pay the base, or Tier 1, rate for general education courses.

The current Tier 1 rate remains at $76 per credit hour for in-district students. Out-of-district students pay $111 per credit hour. Tuition for out-of-state students is $168 per credit hour, while the tuition rate for international students remains at $181 per credit hour.

Tier 2 courses will cost $95 per credit hour for in-district students and $139 per credit hour for out-of-district students. Out-of-state students will pay $210 per credit hour with the rate for international students set at $226.

“Charging a higher rate of tuition acknowledges that fact that there are vastly different costs for our academic programs,” Bauer said. Based on data from the 2013-14 academic year, the cost per full-year equivalent student was $14,459 for culinary arts, $13,169 for nursing, $11,833 for industrial engineering technology and $9,088 for precision machining.

Bauer noted that a growing number of college and universities are using differential tuition to account for the adjustment in program costs. “Even with these changes, tuition at ECC remains very affordable compared to competing institutions,” stated Bauer.

Based on current enrollment, college officials estimate that the change in tuition will generate approximately $84,000 in additional revenue.

The college will continue to evaluate program costs and may recommend other programs for Tier 2 tuition in the future.

College Partners with Clemco to Offer MIG Welding Classes

April 2, 2015 | Campus News

East Central College is partnering with Clemco Industries to provide an Introduction to MIG Welding program. On Wednesday, March 25, ECC’s Center for Workforce Development awarded certificates of completion to participants in the first Introduction to MIG Welding program held at the Washington manufacturer.

Five students completed the eight-week program. The training included OSHA10 certification, a National Career Readiness certificate, and five weeks of welding instruction.

Arnie Sallaberry, president of Clemco Industries, says Clemco is proud to be part of East Central’s MIG welding training program. “East Central has become a valued partner in so many aspects of our business and this program is just one more example of how ECC has worked hard to connect with the needs of local manufacturers.”

Mardy Leathers, executive director of ECC’s Center for Workforce Development, says the response to the program has been tremendous. “We are offering this program at four locations in our service area and we’re at capacity. In fact, we are considering expanding the program at Clemco to meet the high demand.”

The welding program will be offered every eight weeks throughout the year at Clemco Industries on Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday evenings. Registrations are now being accepted for upcoming classes. Qualified students will need to pay a $40 fee and supply certain materials. The program is being offered at several locations in the area in addition to Clemco.

Five people recently completed the Introduction to MIG Welding class offered at Clemco Industries through a grant program administered by East Central College. Shown, front row, from left are Chris Helsene, Justin Orf, and Lou Ann Feldmann (Clemco Industries). In back, from left, are Kody Fleming (instructor), Larry Wilken, Justin Spencer and Kristever Blair.

The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Professional Clothing Donations Being Accepted

April 1, 2015 | Campus News

As people go through their annual spring cleaning ritual, the Student Government Association at East Central College is asking community members for donations of professional clothing for men and women to help current ECC students as they start to build a professional wardrobe.

“We are looking for gently used, professional clothing to outfit our students for upcoming seminars and interviews,” noted Brady Griffith, student activities coordinator at ECC. “We would welcome any donations of suits, skirts, blazers, dresses and pants. It would also be great to get some dress shoes, ties, belts, scarves and jewelry to complete the outfits.” Griffith noted that students come in many shapes and sizes, so all sizes would be useable. “In the past many students were able to put together appropriate interview outfits,” he said.

Clothing and accessories can be dropped off at Room 133 located on the first floor of the Multipurpose Building on the Union campus weekdays before 3 p.m. from April 1 through 22. People who are unable to stop by campus can call Griffith at 636-584-6583 to arrange an alternate drop off time. All donations are tax deductible.

The Community Closet is part of the inaugural Graduation Fair for ECC students. “Our Community Closet will be set up in the gym and students will begin ‘shopping’ Thursday, April 23,” Griffith said. He noted that any clothing not chosen will be donated to local charities.