Month: February 2018

AEL/Certified Nurse Assistant Program Now Enrolling Students

February 26, 2018 | Campus News

Get your High School Equivalency and become a Certified Nurse Assistant at the same time!

The East Central College Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Program is teaming up with the Center for Workforce Development to offer a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program in March. This program is designed to prepare individuals to care for clients in long-term care facilities, hospitals and home health agencies.

“Certified Nurse Assistants are vital to healthcare,” said East Central College instructor Terri Warmack. “It’s a rewarding, exciting and challenging career where you can make a difference every day.”

The course consists of 75 hours of classroom training and 100 hours of supervised clinical training. It also includes 100 hours preparation for the high school equivalency or college placement exams. Additionally, high school graduates who need to brush up on basic reading, language or math skills can take this course while becoming a Certified Nurse Assistant.

Upon completion of all components, students will be eligible to take the final exam to become a Certified Nurse Assistant through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Students interested in the AEL/CNA Program must complete an AEL orientation:

Saturday, March 3, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., East Central College Training Center, 1964 Prairie Dell Road, Union
Saturday, March 10, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Rolla Career Center, 1202 Forum Drive, Rolla
Tuesday, March 12, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., First Baptist Church of Owensville, 112 W Lincoln Ave #28, Owensville
Friday, March 16, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., East Central College Training Center, 1964 Prairie Dell Road, Union

Students must be 18 years of age at the start of the program. For more information: 636-584-6531, Terri.Warmack@EastCentral.edu.

#InspiringExcellence – Bauer Receives National Recognition

February 22, 2018 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

East Central College President Dr. Jon Bauer was honored with the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction by the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society in February. He was one of 35 recipients to receive the accolade nationwide.

“The Phi Theta Kappa chapter at East Central College congratulates Dr. Bauer on this honor and thanks him for the support and dedication he has given and continues to give every semester,” said ECC instructor and Phi Theta Kappa advisor Kevin Dixon.

Each year, Phi Theta Kappa recognizes college presidents who have demonstrated outstanding effort toward promoting the goals of the organization. The award is named in honor of the late Dr. Shirley B. Gordon, longtime chair of the PTK Board of Directors and president emeritus of Highline College.

“I am proud to support Phi Theta Kappa’s mission. They are a very important part of East Central College’s campus culture,” said Dr. Bauer. “I was actually inducted to PTK when I was a community college student, so this award is especially meaningful.”

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in nine nations.

Upcoming Workshops at The Learning Center

February 20, 2018 | Campus News

We’re only a few weeks into the semester, but it never hurts to brush up on some study skills and embrace new habits! Join The Learning Center for a series of helpful workshops for students.

Upcoming Workshops:

Working When You Don’t Feel Like It
February 13 – 12 p.m.
March 27 – 3:30 p.m.
Accountability: Take Control of Your Learning
February 14 – 3:30 p.m.
March 28 – 12 p.m.
Setting SMART Goals
February 20 – 12 p.m.
April 3 – 3:30 p.m.
30 Days Study Challenge
February 21 – 3:30 p.m.
April 4 – 12 p.m.
Magical Thinking vs. Time Management
February 27 – 12 p.m.
April 10 – 3:30 p.m.
Find Your Balance: Managing Stress
February 28 – 3:30 p.m.
April 11 – 12 p.m.

If you can’t make it, that’s okay! Students can make one-on-one appointments with a specialist to go over a workshop content at any time.

Nominate an Outstanding Alumni!

February 14, 2018 | Campus News

The East Central College Alumni Association established the Outstanding Alumni Award in 2002. Since that time, it has set out to recognize alumni who have set an example for ECC graduates by using their college education and serving their community.

To be considered for the Outstanding Alumni Award, nominees must have completed a college credit course at ECC at some point in their educational journey. Attainment of a degree or certificate from ECC is preferred but not required. Nominees must also be looked upon by their peers as leaders in their field, with a demonstrated commitment to community. Residency within the college district is not required. An explanation of 500 words or less as to why the person is worthy of consideration should accompany the nomination.

Nominate someone who is making a difference in the community today!

Selection will be determined by a committee drawn from ECC alumni and the Foundation. Nominations will be accepted through March 31. The 2018 award will be presented at the East Central College commencement ceremony on the Union campus Saturday, May 12.

Past recipients include: 2002-Tanya Voss; 2003-John Griesheimer; 2004-Tom Robertson; 2005-Chris Manhart; 2006-Deborah Koelling; 2007-Tammy Watz and Dr. Frank Miller; 2008-Ken Schmidt; 2009-Chris Stuckenschneider; 2010-Ann Schroeder; 2011-Ted Coburn, 2012-Linda Mahon, 2013-Joseph Purschke, 2014-Amy Wildhaber, 2015-Tony Kreutz, 2016 David Arand and 2017 – Audrey Freitag.

#InspiringExcellence – Students to Perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City

February 7, 2018 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

Since opening in 1891, Carnegie Hall has set the international standard for musical excellence as the aspirational destination for the world’s finest artists. In March, nearly two dozen East Central College students will become part of its storied history, joining the likes of George Gershwin, Judy Garland and The Beatles.

“Performing at Carnegie Hall is the ultimate stage for vocalists,” said student Jennifer Komo. “It’s a huge honor. I’m beyond thankful for this opportunity and can’t wait for the experience.”

The March 19 concert is being made possible by MidAmerica Productions, the foremost independent producer of choral concerts at Carnegie Hall. It will be an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students but also for East Central College Choral Director Dr. Tim Sexton.

“The Director of Choirs at the University of South Carolina, where I did my graduate work, was asked to submit a few names of choral directors he believed would be worthy of conducting an ensemble at Carnegie,” explained Dr. Sexton. “Dr. Larry Wyatt submitted my name. I was then asked to contact other choral directors that I know to recruit singers.”

The East Central College students, alongside singers from St. Clair High School, Florida, Michigan, Arizona and New York, will perform Fern Hill by John Corigiliano.

For student Kassidy Forbus, it’s an opportunity she almost missed.

“This will be my first time to New York,” she said. “I know if I hadn’t went back to college, this opportunity would’ve never been made available to me in any other way.”

Music has become a big part of her college experience and her life.

“With words or not, one song can transport your mind to a time of your life when you were happy or sad,” Forbus asserted. “It’s truly amazing.”

The feeling is similar for Komo.

“Music is my safe haven,” she explained. “It doesn’t require anything from you. It doesn’t judge you for who you are. It is the ultimate unplug from the world.”

To go on the trip, each student has to pay their own way. They are holding two fundraising events in February to help cover costs. On Saturday, February 10, the students will host a Valentine’s Dinner at Holy Trinity Lutheran in St. Clair. On Saturday, February 24, the Sons of the American Legion are hosting a Jazz and Dinner event from 5 – 7 p.m. in Union. Following the dinner, Voce Blue, Jazz Band and Jazz Combo will perform their annual swing concert in the American Legion Hall. Tickets can be purchased at the door for both events!

Picture – Back: Caleb Sankey, Nick Rost, Gabe Loaiza, Noah Currier, Mason Witte, Daniel Nuener, Middle: Jimmy Maynard, Rachael Engelbrecht, Alex Gansmann, Toby Loaiza, Jennifer Komo, Garrett Smith, Front : Carolyn Allgaier, Mikayla Grable, Larissa Grable, Crystal Reed.

Students not pictured but attending: Courtney Burris, Sabyrn Smith, Kassidy Forbus, Jess Brown, Josh Adams, Robyn Miche.

East Central College Alumna Using Art Therapy to Help Patients

February 5, 2018 | Art Campus News

When she was a senior in high school, Morgaine Denison was awarded an art scholarship to East Central College. She didn’t know it at the time, but it started the St. James native down a path to helping people in need.

“Creating art has always provided a space where I feel confident that my voice is heard and understood,” she explained. “It has always been my voice and sanctuary.”

After her time at East Central College, Denison transferred to Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville.

“While I was finishing my bachelor’s degree, I had the opportunity to shadow an art therapist at a community mental and behavioral health facility,” she explained.

It was an eye-opening experience for Denison. She soon after decided to pursue a master’s degree in art therapy counseling. The degree combines the therapeutic uses of art-making with the skills of a professional counselor. Art therapy counselors are able to help people work through trauma, mental health issues, illness and challenges in living, as well as help those who seek personal insight and change.

“A common misconception is that art therapy only suited for children,” she said, “but art therapy has been proven effective among a variety of populations!”

When trauma occurs, Denison explained, the brain stores information from the event on both sides of our brain. Complications from trauma arise when people are unable to access the verbal processes in the brain. That’s when art therapy can be a useful tool.

“If we cannot speak about the experience, it makes traditional talk-therapy difficult to engage in. Art has the ability to move information from the ‘feelings part’ of our brain to the ‘speaking part’ of our brain. I feel this makes art therapy such a viable treatment modality for many,” she said.

Denison’s artwork is currently on display in the East Central College Art Gallery. Titled Art Therapy Expanded, the exhibit gives the community an inside look into art therapy. All works were created by the art therapy graduate students from Southern Illinois University—Edwardsville, as well as a few faculty members.

A reception will be held for the exhibit February 15 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in Hansen Hall, 1964 Prairie Dell Road in Union. It will give the community a chance to interact with the artists.