East Central College   

Month: November 2016

How to Prepare for Finals Week, Dec. 13-16

November 29, 2016 | Campus News

Finals week is around the corner, and how students approach the week can make a difference. According to Time Magazine, “pulling an all-nighter is one of the worst things [a student] can do (short of accidentally sleeping through your final).”

This finals week, students should focus on allotting some time each day for studying, and avoid cramming into the late hours of the night. Tired minds don’t retain information, nor do they recall it well. It’s science! Additionally, the National Institutes of Health says the part of your brain that controls sleep also interacts closely with the immune system. Getting sleep keeps you healthy!

Besides sleeping and studying sensibly, students should try to exercise, eat healthy and limit distractions like social media. According to psychiatrist and Washington Post columnist Dr. Vanita Braver, “Nothing is more important than your health, now and at any stage of your life. Eat proper meals, stay hydrated and avoid sugar and caffeine.”

The week prior to finals week, Dec. 5-9, The Learning Center will be holding activities to help students prepare for their exams.

“I wanted to do more than just have math review sessions this year,” said The Learning Center Director Erin Anglin, “The Learning Center is more than a place to use when time is running short and you’re scrambling. It’s an amazing resource for students to get assistance any time of the year.”

To help students de-stress and feel comfortable, The Learning Center will be giving away 100 grab bags every day filled with goodies. Plus, one hot and cold beverage will be available courtesy of the ECC Culinary Arts Club. If that’s not enough to get students to stop by, Anglin has a few more incentives.

“We will be holding a prize raffle for students logging in to The Learning Center three or more times December 5 – 9,” she explained. “Students can also attend one study session and log in two or more times to win.”

The prize is a $50 Target gift card!

Other events throughout the week:

  • Monday, Dec. 5 – Grab and Go Breakfast in the student center and Buescher Hall lobbies, 8-10 a.m.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 6 – Grab and Go Breakfast in the student center and Buescher Hall lobbies, 8-10 a.m.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 7 – Massage-On-The-Go Licensed Massage Therapists in the Learning Center, 10-2 p.m.
  • Thursday, Dec. 8 – Sheba the Comfort Dog will be in the Buescher Hall Lobby, 11-1 p.m.

Phi Theta Kappa Hosts Pancake Breakfast for Honor Flight Network

November 15, 2016 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

The griddle was hot, the pancakes were aplenty and there were toppings galore! It was all part of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) fundraiser in early November.

Each year, the honor society satisfies sugar cravings to help a good cause. This year, the group chose Honor Flight, a non-profit organization that transports America’s veterans to Washington D.C. to visit those memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of themselves and their friends.

Earlier in the year, members were inspired to center their attention on veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. They found those ideals lined up best with Honor Flight’s mission.

“There are more than 21,000 veterans still on the Honor Flight wait list,” said Phi Theta Kappa advisor Kevin Dixon. “The students thought this would be a worthwhile cause, especially since Veterans Day is in November.”

PTK students initially raised 115 dollars. However, an anonymous campus colleague matched the fundraiser’s total earnings by double, resulting in 230 dollars. “We cannot say ‘thank you’ enough to ECC students, staff and faculty,” said Dixon. “We sincerely appreciate your generosity.”

For students who missed their chance at a hot breakfast, there are more opportunities for tasty treats in the near future. PTK is hoping to host an additional event before the end of the semester.

ECC Student Nurses’ Fall Blood Drive – November 16

November 14, 2016 | Uncategorized

Come help save lives at the the East Central College Fall Blood Drive! All presenting donors will receive a complimentary t-shirt.

Date and Time:

Wednesday, Nov. 16 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Location:

Donald Shook Student Center Gym

For an appointment, please visit MercyBloodDonor.net. Appointments will be given priority, but walk-ins are welcome!

To register:

  1. Click on Locate a Blood Drive
  2. Enter 63084 in zip code box
  3. Select East Central College
  4. Pick a time that works for you!

All donors will be required to bring a state issued for of ID.

 

Patsy Watts with V.P. of Instruction Dr. Tia Robinson

#InspiringExcellence – ECC Instructor Receives Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award

November 14, 2016 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

Dr. Patsy Watts has been teaching English since 1983 – a subject she is deeply passionate about.

“I embrace the challenges of this discipline because it is the foundation of all other academic endeavors.  That is, a student’s ability to read and write well will help ensure success in other courses.  It is exciting to be a part of something so important,” Watts said.

When she became an instructor at East Central College in 2006, she brought along a philosophy with her. “A good college instructor is one who cares enough about students’ futures to stay current in the discipline and help students reach beyond quick and easy solutions to complex problems,” she explained.

Watts practices what she preaches, and now she is being acknowledged for it. Each year, the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Awards program recognizes more than 100 educators in the St. Louis metropolitan area who are examples of excellence in their field – including Watts.

“I am grateful to my colleagues,” said Watts, who spends a majority of her time at the ECC campus in Rolla, “who I see working so hard every day. Every one of them deserves this award as well.”

Watts was honored with the other awardees at a gala on November 13, at the Ritz Carlton in St. Louis.

 

Photo: Dr. Patsy Watts with East Central College V.P. of Instruction Dr. Tia Robinson at the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Awards Gala.

East Central College Honors Veterans Day

November 11, 2016 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

Driving onto the East Central College campus, it is easy to see the giant flag hanging on the side of the Donald Shook Student Center. It’s an appropriate place for the flag to be. Not only can you see it from Highway 50, but the building itself was named after a man who served in the U.S. Army before helping found the college.

November 11 is Veterans Day – a day we set aside each year to honor those who have served our country and those still serving. At East Central College, students, staff and faculty used the entire week to honor our heroes.

“We are proud to have nearly a hundred veterans enrolled at ECC,” said President Dr. Jon Bauer. “They are an important part of our campus and an important part of our community. We want to thank each one of them, as well as all of our employees who served in the armed forces.”

In Buescher Hall, a fallen soldier table acted as a centerpiece to the lobby – reminding us of the veterans who never made it home. Thank you cards also decorated the lobby during the week. Created by students at St. Ignatius Loyola School in Marthasville, the messages were simple but powerful.

“We are lucky to have you protecting our country,” one card read. “Thank you for helping those in need.”

“I love freedom, and I couldn’t have it without you,” read another.

“We all owe you our amazing lives here in America,” read one more.

Baskets filled with little green and khaki Army men also started appearing on campus at the beginning of the week with a message: “Please take a soldier home and place it somewhere that will remind you to pray for the men and women who served and are serving our country.”

On the actual morning of Veterans Day, former ECC professor and Marine veteran Vince Niehaus gave an inspiring speech after a flag raising ceremony.

“Here at East Central College,” he said, “we have employees, students and family members who serve and have served their country. They are willing to go wherever and whenever the need arises to face aggression and defend our freedom.”

Students were also given the opportunity to sign a thank you banner for local veterans throughout the day. Flags were also placed on the ECC quad in honor of service members. A food drive was also held throughout the week for veterans. Donations will be given to Jefferson Barracks for veterans in need.

View the photo gallery on Facebook.

ECC Students and Faculty Help Beautify Community

November 10, 2016 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

The weather might have been gloomy in early October, but that didn’t stop several ECC students from spending the day helping their community. “I’m glad I came,” said Baylee West. “I was impressed by all the involvement that goes into serving the community!”

Multiple individuals, faculty and student-clubs represented East Central College in United Bank’s Project United. The project encourages students of all ages to play an active role in community service.

Students from the ECC Green Committee worked to clean the East Central College roundabout, an oasis for local native prairie plants. According to committee chair Dr. Parvadha Govindaswamy, the plants will require years of special maintenance before they can sit among ornamental plant species. Due to the group’s commitment to local ecosystem preservation, members weeded and raked the plant beds to introduce the plants to the area.

“Engaging students in such endeavors directly impacts their learning and their worldview.” she said. “Service learning as an objective, when paired with opportunities offered by community leaders, is the ideal blending of education and its application. It helps create advocates who can add value to the community they live in.”

The ECC Green Committee is a faculty-staff-student driven organization whose goal is environmental education, awareness and service.

The committee’s service didn’t stop at the roundabout. Students took an additional Saturday to volunteer for the River des Peres Trash Bash, an event where service members collect trash and debris.

East Central College Approves New Career and Technical Advisor Position

November 8, 2016 | Campus News

At the November 7 Board of Trustees meeting, members approved a recommendation on the creation of a career and technical academic advisor.

“Since the start of the year,” said East Central College President Dr. Jon Bauer, “we have looked at ways to enhance the level of academic advisement services provided to students.”

A key component of the plan is to move advisement primarily to the corps of professional advisors on staff, with less reliance on faculty advisement. The new position will serve career and technical programs located in the Business and Industry Center, primarily Precision Machining, Industrial Engineering, and Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning (HVAC). A trained advisor with expertise in these programs will better serve students and help the college grow enrollment in those disciplines.

“This enables students to work with staff whose primary role is advisement,” Dr. Bauer added, “and provides the opportunity for faculty to focus on teaching and learning.”

The position of Instructional Program Assistant for Engineering will also be reclassified, consistent with the classification level of other academic advisors, in order to serve in an advisement role.

Dr. Bauer also provided an update to East Central College’s Strategic Plan at the meeting. In reviewing the 2015-2016 school year, Dr. Bauer praised the redevelopment of semester schedules crafted by Vice President of Instruction Dr. Tia Robinson – including compressed courses, weekend classes and expanded evening offerings. Numbers are trending in a positive direction.

“So far, nearly 50 percent of weekend courses are full,” explained Dr. Robinson. “Some 40 percent of 8-week courses are already full.”

Additionally, user-friendly scheduling technology has benefited both advisors and students. “We want to remove any unnecessary barriers that could hinder student success,” Dr. Bauer explained.

While the new Business and Industry Center ribbon cutting was recently held, other capital improvements are being made on campus. Dr. Bauer said the progress on Hansen Hall were coming along nicely. Phase one has been completed, and phase two will start in December. Renovations should be completely by January 2017 in time for the spring semester.

Also at the meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the purchase of 10 South Bend Lathes from Hartwig, Inc. for the Precision Machining program. They will be housed in the new Business and Industry Center and will cost $117,090, reimbursed at 75 percent through Vocational Enhancement Grant funds.

The Board also approved the bid of $31,729 from Heggemann, Inc. for installation of a welding gas piping system for the welding lab in the Business and Industry Center.

#InspiringExcellence – ECC Staff Receives Statewide Recognition for Workforce Development

November 7, 2016 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

Joel Doepker and Mardy Leathers received the Missouri Community College Association’s Arena Award at the association’s Fifty-Second Annual Convention, November 4 at the Hilton Convention Center in Branson, Missouri.

Doepker and Leathers are being recognized by their peers for their efforts in workforce development. Both have demonstrated leadership both within their college and at the state level on various workforce development and training programs.

Doepker currently serves as vice president of external relations for the college, where he serves as a member of the college president’s leadership team. He is responsible for college-wide communication and marketing strategies, and he oversees the center for workforce development, adult education and literacy, web development and grants departments.

Leathers is executive director of East Central’s Center for Workforce Development, where he plans, manages, and implements business and industry training, community education, healthcare career certification, and WIOA programs. He also supports academic career and technical education programs, college grant programs, and other strategic projects related to external relations.

The Arena Award is one of the highest honors bestowed by the association. It is named for Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” speech given on April 23, 1910, and recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to take on worthy challenges in spite of the risk of failure. Doepker and Leathers are honored to receive the award.

“The award speaks to the work all 12 of Missouri’s community colleges are doing to enhance workforce training for the state’s business and industry”, says Doepker.

“Workforce training is crucial to keeping the state’s economy viable and competitive”, says Leathers, “We’re seeing a change in our workforce training programs as a result of this effort.”

The Missouri Community College Association is a statewide organization through which Missouri’s community colleges work together to advance common agendas.  MCCA brings the state’s 12 colleges together for advocacy, professional development, information, and collaboration.

#InspiringExcellence – East Central College Advocates Receive Statewide Recognition

November 7, 2016 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

Jim Perry, Josie Weir and Brenda Garrison were all honored at the Missouri Community College Association’s Fifty-Second Annual Convention on November 2-4 – for their dedication, hard work and selflessness.

Perry was honored with the Trustee Leadership Award–presented annually to a community college trustee whose work and leadership has substantially advanced the mission of community colleges.

“I believe a good trustee has a strong desire to serve the college and community,” Perry explained, “a deep sense of appreciation for the mission of the college, and the willingness to devote the time and effort required to help the college fulfill that mission.”

Perry was first elected to the East Central College Board of Trustees in 1998, and was re-elected in 2004 and 2010. He was elected board president in 2006, and continued to serve in that position until his retirement.

Weir received the Student Leadership Award — presented annually to an exceptional student leader from each of Missouri’s community colleges/campuses.  Students are recommended for the award by their college/campus president/chancellor and chief student affairs officer.

“I enjoy helping other students feel more comfortable on campus by getting them involved with the community and showing them more than just a classroom,” Weir said.

Weir currently serves as the President of the Art Club at ECC. She tirelessly leads efforts to interact and reach the community with artistic endeavors.
Garrison was bestowed with the Senior Service Award– presented annually to a long-serving employee from each of Missouri’s community colleges/campuses. She has been employed at the college for 30 years and has spent her entire career providing support to the Nursing and Allied Health Division.

Garrison was chosen from thousands of peers across the state for her outstanding leadership, innovation and support of East Central College.

“Each day holds something new,” Garrison said. “ECC is a warm environment in which to work.   I have also enjoyed seeing hundreds of nursing, EMS and dental assisting graduates make it in the ‘real’ world. It’s very rewarding to see a student come to campus, graduate and then join the workforce as a productive employee.”

The Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) is a statewide organization through which Missouri’s community colleges work together to advance common agendas.  MCCA brings the state’s 12 colleges together for advocacy, professional development, information and collaboration.