East Central College   

Month: April 2018

2018 Commencement Information

April 29, 2018 | Campus News

Commencement is right around the corner! We are so excited to celebrate your big day with you and your families. Below is some important information about this year’s ceremony.

When is it?

The 2018 commencement ceremony will take place Saturday, May 12th, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. in the Donald D. Shook Student Center, located on the Union campus. Rehearsal for commencement will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 11. The rehearsal is not mandatory, but it’s a good idea to show up!

What should I wear?

When you are putting on your cap and gown, remember that tassels are to be worn on the right side of the cap. Please wear a white or light colored dress shirt and tie. Although some consider the tie optional, the shirt collar and tie are visible at the throat of the gown. The gown is black and therefore dark dress slacks or a skirt that does not show below the gown’s hemline look best. Do not wear a boutonniere on your gown.

Ceremony rules (Yes, there are rules)

Looking your best and conducting yourself in a manner appropriate to the decorum of this time-honored ceremony are ways you can show pride in your accomplishment. Please leave the beach balls, confetti, and silly string at home. Even if you may not personally care about preserving the dignity and decorum of the commencement ceremony, please do not spoil it for those who are proud of their accomplishment. It also can create a trip hazard. No one wants to trip.

Guest information

Seating is on a first-come basis. Doors open at 10:30am. Seating on the floor will be initially reserved for guests needing special physical accommodations or wheel chair accessible arrangements.   Commencement guests are requested to remain in their seats during the entire ceremony, which lasts approximately 80 minutes. Overflow seating will be available in the cafeteria. The seating in the cafeteria also provides guests with space to move around if needed.

A reception will be held in the cafeteria at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Facilities will run several golf carts around the parking lots to pick up any guests who may need a lift to the building entrance. Wheelchairs will be available to transport guests to and from the parking lot if needed. There will be personnel available to assist with wheel chairs just inside the doors of Loading Dock 1 in front of the entrance to the Bookstore in the Donald Shook Student Center (DSSC). Elevator access is available from any level of the DSSC.

Professional photos will be taken at the ceremony and will be available for purchase through Grad Images.

#InspiringExcellence – Students Named to 2018 All-Missouri Academic Team

April 27, 2018 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

Each year, students are selected for All-Missouri Academic Team by the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. East Central College is proud to announce three students made the list in 2018!

Jamie Foutch was named to the All-Missouri Second Team. She currently serves as the President of the Union chapter.

“At her time at East Central College,” said Phi Theta Kappa advisor Wendy Pecka, “Jamie has grown as both a leader and a scholar.  One of Jamie’s strengths is her gregarious nature. She effectively serves as the voice of PTK on campus.  She is not afraid of tackling a challenge and doesn’t give up when encountering roadblocks.”

Another All-Missourian Second Team designee, Hannah Bausch-McKellips currently serves as the Public Relations Secretary for the Union chapter.

“Hannah is able to quietly serve as a group leader as we plan fundraisers, campaigns and fellowship events,” said Pecka. “Her passion for helping others is an asset to our chapter.  When I think about Hannah’s impact on our organization, I am reminded of Mahatma Gandhi’s words, ‘in a gentle way, you can shake the world.’”

Sally Cundiff was named to the All-Missouri Third Team this year. Phi Theta Kappa advisor Beth Winters-Rozema says the Rolla student is a valuable, active member who joined in October 2015.

“Sally serves as a link between past and current good ideas,” said Winters-Rozema. “She brings maturity and life experiences to discussions and is very good at applying what she learns in classes to chapter discussions of current issues.”

Members of the All-Missouri Academic Team are selected based on the extent to which they meet the definition of the word “scholar,” which Phi Theta Kappa defines as “one who excels in the classroom, has the intellectual curiosity to pursue an academic career and cultural enrichment outside the traditional classroom, shows evidence of substantial development of talents in academics and technical education and has demonstrated an ability to share this development with others.”

Students from each of Missouri’s 25 Phi Theta Kappa chapters apply to be on the All-Missouri Academic Team. Only 40 students are selected each year. The students are recognized at a Missouri Community College Association luncheon in April in Columbia, MO.

Phi Theta Kappa is the officially recognized honor society for two-year colleges on a national level.

Featured photo: Hannah Bausch-McKellips.
Below photo: Jamie Foutch, left, Sally Cundiff, right.

Cashier’s Office Schedule Change April 30 – May 3

April 26, 2018 | Campus News

The East Central College Cashier’s Office will be open from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. April 30 – May 3. On Friday, May 4 the Cashier’s Office will be open from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Hours will resume as normal on May 7. We appreciate your flexibility and patience!

Earth Day Celebration at ECC

April 23, 2018 | Campus News

Many hands-on activities for children will highlight the Earth Day celebration at East Central College on Saturday, April 28. The free event will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Donald D. Shook Student Center.

Children will have the opportunity to plant seeds, dissect owl pellets, play with water bugs, create fairy gardens, dive into strawberry DNA, build bird feeders and much more!

Donations of old crayons will be accepted at the event, as well as HALO blankets.For more information about Earth Day activities at ECC call 636-584-6627.

#InspiringExcellence – Nursing Program Named Top 10 in Missouri

April 20, 2018 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

More than 54 nursing programs were ranked in the state of Missouri, and East Central College landed near the top of the list in 2018!

According to RegisteredNursing.org, East Central College is ranked the tenth best nursing program in the state. The methodology used for the rankings was based on the NCLEX-RN exam, which is used by all state boards of nursing across the country to help assess a student’s competency and is required for licensure.

Dean of Nursing and Allied Health Robyn Walter believes the dedication of the nursing faculty truly makes a difference at East Central College.

“I am overwhelmed and humbled by their devotion,” she said, “and students truly feel it. It’s also important to recognize the support staff, because it is the entire student experience that promotes success.”

East Central College offers two programs leading to an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing. This program prepares students to become registered nurses. The main campus in Union, as well as the Rolla site, offers a complete pre-licensure program (generic) for those interested in becoming a registered nurse. A LPN to RN Bridge program is also available at the Rolla location for LPNs interested in becoming registered nurses.

Engineering Students Explore Largest Particle Accelerator in North America

April 19, 2018 | Campus News

Just outside of Chicago, there is a 6,000 acre preserve that houses something magnificent. As East Central College Engineering/Math Academic Advisor Linda Arrington puts it – it merges science and architectural beauty.

“We raised funds for two years to go on this trip. It is something students really looked forward to,” said Arrington.

It’s called the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, and it is home to Tevatron – the largest proton accelerator in North America.  After the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva, Switzerland, it’s the second largest in the world.

According to its website, the purpose of the facility is to expand humankind’s understanding of matter, energy, space and time, capturing imaginations and inspiring future generations.

During Spring Break, students from East Central College took a peek inside.

“I learned there are a lot of things particle accelerators can do for us,” said engineering student Zachary Bartels. “We were told someone was working on a particle accelerator to harden asphalt quicker. I had no idea.”

Though Tevatron was shut down in 2011 after 26 years of colliding particles, the facility is still home to seven other particle accelerators used for research and development.

“This visit was pure science,” said Arrington. “Students were able to see the scale and scope of the super magnets the accelerator used. They also got to experience what it would be like to work in an environment where exciting and innovative research takes place.”

“The trip gave us insight about the applications of a particle accelerator,” said engineering student Cody McWay. “While learning about these applications, we observed how we, as future engineers, could possibly be integrated into that environment. A plethora of electrical, mechanical and civil engineers are necessary for the physicists to be able to build these machines, buildings, and circuits to be able to study how these particles interact at velocities near the speed of light.”

Students also visited an Exxon Mobil Refinery in Joliet, Illinois during the trip.

“This was a rare opportunity,” said Arrington. “A refinery is not usually open for visitors. Students got a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see major unit operations in real-time.”

Ann Schroeder Named 2018 Commencement Speaker

April 11, 2018 | Campus News

East Central College is proud to announce that Ann Schroeder will serve as the 48th Annual Spring Commencement on May 12, 2018.

“Ann has made a significant impact in Franklin County throughout her career,” said East Central College President Dr. Jon Bauer. “We are honored to have her be a part of the ceremony.”

A lifelong resident of Union, Ann attended Union High School before pursuing an Associate of Arts from East Central College. She later transferred to the University of Missouri where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Parks and Recreation Administration.

In her professional career, Ann served as the Director of Parks and Recreation for Union for nearly 20 years. She also spent seven years as the Recreation Director for Webster Groves, where she helped complete the construction of a community center, ice rink and outdoor aquatic center.

In 2001, she made a career change and ran for public office as the Second District County Commissioner in Franklin County. She served in this role, as only the second woman ever to hold the office as County Commissioner, until 2012.

“I am most proud of the Putting Kids First tax initiative,” Ann explained. “It helped fund comprehensive school-based prevention programs, initiated professional mental health service providers to move to Franklin County and created temporary shelter for abused, neglected and homeless people.”

Outside of her career, Ann has dedicated her time to making a difference. She brought her leadership skills to the Missouri Parks and Recreation Association (MPRA), where she served as a board member, state conference chairperson, secretary and president. She also received the Associate Fellow Award and the Fellow Award for her work on the MPRA. Additionally, Ann spent a decade as a board member for the Missouri Association of Counties and served as a board member for the Great Lakes Region of the National Parks and Recreation Association. She was named a board member for the Franklin County Youth Fair and Franklin County Children’s Resource Board. She is also a member of the Union Kiwanis, Daughters of Isabella and Immaculate Conception Parish Choir.

She has been honored by the Union Chamber of Commerce with the Distinguished Service Award and by East Central College with the Outstanding Alumni Award. She is married to her husband Norman and has two daughters, Kate and Abby, as well as two granddaughters, Kassidy and Elly.

ECC Month of Service in April

April 10, 2018 | Campus News

Make a difference in the month of April and join our cause! We are challenging our campus to participate in at least one service project during the month of April.

East Central College has partnered with several local agencies and community groups to expand volunteer site offerings.

2018 Volunteer Opportunities:

  • Cedarcrest Manor
  • Children’s Advocacy Center
  • Exceptional Equestrians of MO Valley
  • Victorian Place of St. Clair
  • Franklin County CASA
  • Union Food Pantry
  • Grace’s Place Crisis Nursery
  • Willow Brooke by Americare
  • The Road Home Event
  • ECC Beautification Day

Volunteers can sign up here: signup.com/go/rqYTLMQ

Each volunteer will receive a free T-Shirt! Email Shanee Haynes with any questions.

Snacky Hour with Dr. Bauer

April 9, 2018 | Campus News

East Central College President Dr. Jon Bauer invites students to enjoy some free snacks and get their questions answered about the recent Higher Learning Commission (HLC) visit to campus.

Come to Cafe Central from 12 – 1 p.m. on April 11 in Union or Rolla Technical Center, Room 147  from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. on April 16 as we dive into various topics like:

  • Will the HLC visit affect my financial aid?
  • Will my credits still transfer?
  • Will it affect my degree?
  • What else do I need to know?

No need to RSVP – just show up! We hope to see you there!