Month: May 2021


ECC Alumna Wins Award for Dissertation


May 28, 2021 | Campus News

East Central College alumna Brittni Cebulak recently was recognized for her dissertation on Margaret Atwood novels by an international association that celebrates the famous author’s work.

Cebulak, of Hermann, who attended ECC from 2014-16, received the 2020 “Best Dissertation on Atwood and Her Work Award” from the Margaret Atwood Society.

Cebulak’s dissertation, “Food, Consumption, and Nostalgia in Atwood’s MaddAddam Trilogy” was developed for her master’s degree in English studies at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.

Atwood is a Canadian poet, novelist, and activist who penned, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “The Blind Assassin” and many more novels, poems and essays.

According to Cebulak, her thesis takes a “food studies and consumption studies approach” in the analysis of Atwood’s trilogy.

“It is about how our consumption habits, framed from nostalgia from the past, and how it connects to our reality,” she said.

According to Cebulak, food and consumption studies is an emerging field in literary studies that is becoming increasingly significant as people confront food shortages, obesity, climate change and environmental destruction.

She added that “The MaddAddam” trilogy is dystopian fiction that depicts humanity bringing about its own destruction through corporate globalism and overconsumption.

Winning the Award

Cebulak said the thesis writing process was grueling and time-consuming, but worth it after the project was completed.

“The thesis writing — and re-writing, and re-re-rewriting — process was so difficult emotionally and intellectually,” she said.

“There were times when I just wanted the project to be over so I could forget about it and move on with my life,” Cebulak added. “I didn’t think it could get any better than the feeling of achievement and relief I experienced after passing my thesis defense.”

That’s until she learned her thesis was award-worthy by professional Atwood literary scholars, Cebulak further added.

“Winning the Margaret Atwood Society Award is a complete honor,” she said.

“It was truly validating for all of the time and effort I put into reading, researching and writing my master’s thesis project,” Cebulak commented. “It made me feel like my work actually meant something more besides being a means to the end of getting my master’s degree.”

She said it was a “really great feeling” to learn her work adds to a scholarly conversation of Atwood’s writing in correlation to food studies, environmentalism, consumption and climate change.

Studying at ECC

Cebulak noted that she developed a deeper understanding of literature though analysis and criticism while enrolled in classes at ECC such as creative non-fiction writing and philosophy.

“In many ways, I think my time at ECC definitely built the foundation for where I ended up going later on in my education,” she said. “I really enjoyed the thought-provoking questions that would arise in Leigh Kolb’s courses during class discussions regarding things like religion, race, gender or sexuality.

“At the time, the fact that these kinds of conversations could take place in a classroom was a completely foreign concept to me,” Cebulak added. “But over time I think I began to embrace the feeling of being uncomfortable in order to dig deeper into myself in an attempt to reconcile my own understandings —and misunderstandings — of how the human condition is experienced by individuals who are both similar and different from me.”


ECC Nursing Grads Presented With Clinical Excellence Awards


May 28, 2021 | Campus News

Four East Central College Nursing Program graduates were honored May 15 with Spirit of Clinical Excellence awards from the college’s community health care partners.

Each year, Mercy Hospital Washington, Phelps Health in Rolla and Missouri Baptist Hospital Sullivan present nursing graduates with Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards during the pinning ceremony marking the completion of the program.

The award recipients are Lilli-Anne Mantle, Mercy Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award recipient; Karlie Peth and Jennifer Eaton, Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing award recipients; and Brittany Smith, Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award recipient.

The awards were presented to the graduates by ECC Nursing faculty from Union and Rolla.

To be consider for the Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards, the graduate nurse must:

  • Demonstrate characteristics of caring and compassion.
  • Demonstrate the spirit of inquiry.
  • Demonstrate exceptional critical thinking and decision making.
  • Demonstrate superior organizational skills and the ability to effectively prioritize.

To learn more about the ECC Nursing and Allied Health program, visit https://www.eastcentral.edu/nursing/, or contact Nancy Mitchell at Nancy.Mitchell@eastcentral.edu.

Mercy Clinical Excellence Award

The Mercy Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award was presented to ECC Union nursing graduate Lilli-Anne Mantle. From left, are, ECC Union nursing faculty members Jessica Van Leer and Dr. Connie Wissbaum; Mantle; and Union nursing faculty members Judy Bieker and Brittany Yoakum.

Missouri Baptist Clinical Excellence Award

A Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence Award was given to Karlie Peth. From left are ECC Union nursing faculty members Jessica Van Leer and Dr. Connie Wissbaum; Peth; and Union nursing faculty members Judy Bieker and Brittany Yoakum.

 

A Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing was presented to ECC Rolla nursing graduate Jennifer Eaton. From left are ECC Rolla nursing faculty member Joannie Blakely, Eaton; and Rolla nursing faculty members Courtney Brandt and Julie Chirban.

Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence

Brittany Smith was presented the Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing. From left are ECC Rolla nursing faculty member Joannie Blakely; Smith; and Rolla nursing faculty members Courtney Brandt and Julie Chirban.


The Learning Center Offering ‘Bridge’ Programs


May 27, 2021 | Campus News

The Learning Center (TLC) at East Central College is offering free online and in-person “Bridge” courses for students who need a boost in their placement test scores.

Bridge courses are non-credit, one- to two-weeklong courses geared toward students whose placement test scores indicate they could benefit from additional assistance. Bridge courses are available to Union and Rolla students.

The goal is to prepare students to retake the placement test in hopes that they will increase their scores, move more quickly into college-level classes and use less financial aid funds in the process.

For more information about Bridge courses, people may visit www.eastcentral.edu/college-readiness/Bridge-courses/.

The Learning Center is located on the first floor of Buescher Hall next to the library. Contact TLC at 636-584-6688 or general_tutoring@eastcentral.edu.

This year, students who complete the Bridge programs will be offered a gift certificate to Dairy Queen.

Writing Bridge

The writing Bridge class is designed to assist in improving placement scores by focusing on test taking skills and targeted remediation in writing skills.

At the end of the weeklong Bridge course, students will retake the writing skills portion of the placement exam.

Reading and Writing Bridge

The two-weeklong reading and writing Bridge course is designed to assist in improving placement scores by focusing on test taking skills and targeted remediation in reading and writing.

At the end of the course, students will retake the reading and writing skills portions of the placement exam.

Mathematics Pre-Algebra Bridge

A weeklong pre-algebra Bridge is designed to assist in improving placement scores by focusing on test taking skills and targeted remediation in mathematics.

Mathematics Introductory Algebra Bridge

The introductory algebra Bridge course is one week and designed to assist in improving placement scores by focusing on test taking skills and targeted remediation in mathematics.

At the end of the Bridge course, students will retake the mathematics portion of the placement exam.


Faculty Members Receive Outstanding Instructor Awards


May 26, 2021 | Campus News

East Central College students have recognized instructors for their dedication and passion for education.

This is the first time the Outstanding Instructor Awards have been presented at ECC, and more than 80 students nominated their favorite instructors, with many faculty members receiving multiple nominations.

Students also left heartfelt comments and notes of gratitude which were later shared with the instructors, along with a certificate recognizing the award recipients.

Listed are the faculty members who have received the 2020-21 Outstanding Instructor Awards by their students for their commitment to students and their devotion to education and teaching:

Adisa Velic
Anna Schwein
Ann Boehmer
Anne Estes
Dr. Aurelia VonTress
Dr. Beth Rozema
Dr. Cori Derifield
Courtney Brandt
Dr. Elizabeth Flotte
Grace Austin
Gregory Stotler
Gregory Stratman
Jason Durbin
Jennifer Higerd
Dr. Jennifer Judd
Jenny Kuchem
Jessica Van Leer
John Hardecke
Joshua Stroup
Julie Chirban
Keith Pulles
Kevin Dixon
Larry Pierce
Laura Roselli Insall
Leigh Kellmann Kolb
Lesley Peters
Lisa Hanneken
Lucy Crain
Matthew Gifford
Dr. Matthew Monzyk
Nancy Hayes
Rachel Howard
Dr. Richard Hudanick
Dr. Robert Mahon
Dr. Russ Henderson
Shawna Flanigan
Sue Henderson
Tanner French
Theodore Coburn
Timothy Derifield
Tracy Mowery
Dr. Wendy Pecka


Water Tower Removal to be Livestreamed


May 26, 2021 | Campus News

The water tower on the Union campus will be razed Wednesday, May 26, and the work will be viewable online.

The College will livestream the removal of the tower via YouTube at https://youtu.be/wQt-VhU_OwU.

McGuire Iron, Inc., Sioux Falls, S.D., is expected to begin work at 6:30 a.m. and the tower is slated to be down by about 2:30 p.m. the same day.

Construction of the water tower, a “Horton Water Sphere,” was completed in 1971. It was the first structure on the college campus.

The tower is 100 feet tall and it can hold 50,000 gallons of water. The tower has not held any water for several years.

The water tower was used by ECC until the 2006-07 academic year when the college switched to the City of Union water system.

McGuire Iron, Inc., known as the “Water Tower Experts,” is under contract with ECC to remove the tower at the cost of $39,000.  The college will be reimbursed 50 percent of the cost by the State of Missouri through the maintenance and repair fund.

College records indicate that ECC entered into a contract with Clark & Son Contractor, St. Clair, to install the tower. The contract was approved June 23, 1970, at the cost of $15,330.


Nursing Graduates Receive Awards


May 25, 2021 | Campus News

East Central College nursing graduates were presented with Student Ambassador and Outstanding Nursing Student awards at the May 15 pinning ceremony for program graduates.

ECC Outstanding Nursing Students

The 2021 East Central College Outstanding Nursing Students are Union graduate Lisa Heimos and Rolla graduate Summer Thorp-Lancaster.

To be considered for the Outstanding Nursing Student award, ECC must have made a difference in the life of the student. For many award recipients, they most likely would not have realized the dream of becoming a nurse had ECC not been in their community.

The award winners must also display success in the classroom and the clinical setting.

Lisa Heimos

East Central College in Union nursing graduate Lisa Heimos is the recipient of a 2021 ECC Outstanding Nursing Student Award. Pictured, from left, are, ECC Union nursing faculty members Jessica Van Leer and Dr. Connie Wissbaum; Heimos; and ECC Union nursing faculty members Judy Bieker and Brittany Yoakum.

Summer Thorp-Lancaster

East Central College in Rolla nursing graduate Summer Thorp-Lancaster is the recipient of a 2021 ECC Outstanding Nursing Student Award. Pictured, from left, are, ECC Rolla nursing faculty member Joannie Blakely, Thorp-Lancaster; and Rolla nursing faculty members Courtney Brandt and Julie Chirban.

Missouri League for Nursing Student Ambassador Award 

There were two Missouri League for Nursing Student Ambassador Awards presented to ECC nursing graduates.

To be considered for the award, students must show leadership potential by being active in student organizations or active in organizing activities for the class; exhibit interpersonal skills, by working cooperatively with faculty, other students, and agency staff; and continuing professional growth by showing an interest in learning beyond graduation.

ECC Union nursing graduate Christine West received one of the Missouri League for Nursing Student Ambassador Awards.

A second Missouri League for Nursing Student Ambassador Award was presented to ECC Rolla graduate Shannon Herode.

To learn more about the ECC Nursing and Allied Health program, visit https://www.eastcentral.edu/nursing/, or contact Mitchell at Nancy.Mitchell@eastcentral.edu.

Christine West

East Central College in Union nursing graduate Christine West is a recipient of a Missouri League for Nursing Student Ambassador Award. Pictured, from left, are, ECC Union nursing faculty members Jessica Van Leer and Dr. Connie Wissbaum; West; and Union nursing faculty members Judy Bieker and Brittany Yoakum.

Shannon Herode

East Central College in Rolla nursing graduate Shannon Herode is a recipient of a Missouri League for Nursing Student Ambassador Award. Pictured, from left, are, ECC Rolla nursing faculty member Joannie Blakely, Herode; and Rolla nursing faculty members Courtney Brandt and Julie Chirban.


Learning Center Offering Jumpstart! Courses


May 25, 2021 | Campus News

The Learning Center (TLC) at East Central College is offering free online and in-person “Jumpstart!” courses to help prepare students for college-level classes.

The Jumpstart! program is a self-paced tool for students who can benefit from seeing coursework ahead of time. There are Jumpstart! programs for math, life science, and English.

Lisa Haag, TLC English specialist, noted that the JumpStart! program is for any student enrolled in courses at ECC.

“They are really positive opportunities for proactive students,” she said. “Science and math courses start fast, and many students would benefit from getting an early look at some of the course content.

“They are not just for students who are behind or who have been out of school for a while,” Haag added. “Those are just some people who might benefit.”

Some students who utilize the JumpStart! classes are high school students experiencing college for the first time. It is designed to close the skills gap between the end of traditional high school curriculum to the beginning of college, giving students a refresher and jumpstart to college at the same time.

In addition, the program could be utilized by students returning to college after they have been in the workforce for an extended period.

This year, students who take JumpStart! courses will receive a gift card and a pass for a movie or to a public pool.

For more information about JumpStart! visit ecc-sailtosuccess.weebly.com. Courses are offered in Rolla and Union.

There are three JumpStart! programs available through the ECC Learning Center — JumpStart! English, JumpStart! Life Science and JumpStart! Math.

The English JumpStart! Program has been designed to give students an even stronger foundation in reading and writing, not just for English classes, but also for other general college courses they may be required to take.

JumpStart! Math is designed to give students a foundation in math and the study skills essential for college-level courses.

According to Haag, the life science course would be excellent for anyone who is interested in the health care pathway, such as nursing.


Grad Completes 14-Year Journey to Earn Her Degree


May 24, 2021 | Campus News

Every East Central College graduate has a unique path to earning their degree.

That’s no different for Class of 2021 graduate Heather (Luehr) Rice, but her accomplishment was 14 years in the making.

Rice, 35, of Union, first started taking classes at ECC in 2007. On May 16, she rolled across the stage in the Donald Shook Student Center to receive her diploma from ECC President Dr. Jon Bauer.

‘It was pretty emotional,” she said. “I never thought I would accomplish it.”

Rice has cerebral palsy, which affects her ability to move and maintain balance. She uses a motorized chair to get around.

Rice earned an Associate’s Degree in Psychology because she wants to help others like her, she said.

“I want to be an advocate for people like myself,” she added. “There are not many people who understand what I have gone through.”

Rice explained that she wants to work at a medical supply store that sells equipment for people with cerebral palsy to use in their daily life.

“I want to help people find the right equipment, because the majority of what is available, I have used,” she said. “I have had the experience of having a feeding tube, catheter and power wheelchairs — I am aware of the technology and how it can help others.

“I just want to be at a place to help others and be a source of encouragement,” Rice added. “If I had someone like that when I was younger, things may have been a little different for me.”

A Long Road

Rice first enrolled at ECC in 2007 taking three courses her first semester, but then life-changing events impacted her schedule.

The first of which was in 2009 when Rice nearly died on the operating table. She said her heart stopped beating before doctors saved her.

“My workload became too much,” Rice commented. “I started to take one class at a time.”

Then, about 11 years ago, Rice’s mother, Sheryl E. Osseck, died.

“That was a major point in my life,” Rice said, adding that she and her mother were very close and Osseck assisted her with many tasks.

But Rice persevered and continued with her education at ECC.

“I told myself it doesn’t matter how long it takes me, I am going to get it done,” she said. “And here we are, 14 years later.”

 

Friends, Family and Faith

Rice’s graduation weekend was much bigger than crossing the stage during one of the ECC commencement ceremonies. On May 15, the day before she graduated, Rice married Steven Rice.

She met Steven through the Union Baptist Temple, a church she had been attending for several years.

Steven delivered groceries to Rice’s home and, one day, found her on the floor after a fall. Rice went to the hospital and Steven stayed there with her and the couple talked about faith and family.

“Steven and I really connected,” she said. “He stayed up all night with me.”

As it turns out, Rice added, the two had met while children but they hadn’t realized it initially as adults.

“So many years later we actually got married,” she commented.

According to Rice, her church family and her faith helped her attain her goal of graduating with a degree.

“If the Lord is in it, you will find a way to achieve what you want,” she said. “Just because I am in a chair doesn’t mean I can’t reach my goals.”

Rice’s graduation isn’t just making an impact on her and her family’s life, it potentially influenced a friend.

She explained that her friend attended the graduation ceremony and Rice’s accomplishment inspired her.

“After watching you, I want to go back and finish my degree,” her friend told Rice.

Help Along the Way

Rice said there were many people at ECC who helped her during her journey.

She made many friends in The Learning Center, and instructors who helped her along the way. She listed ECC employees Denise Walker, Amy Sisk, Josh Stroup, Cookie Hays, Wendy Pecka, Lisa Farrell, Dr. Bauer and Paul Lampe, as some of those who assisted her.

She added there were many more who aided her during her time at the College.

“They really believed in me and saw me not just as a person in a wheelchair, but as a student,” Rice said.

“East Central grew with me every year,” she added. “They were able and willing to provide assistive technology to help me be successful in classes.

“I greatly appreciate the opportunity to roll across the stage and receive my degree.”


Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society logo

PTK Honor Society at ECC Inducts New Members


May 21, 2021 | Campus News

There were 52 new members inducted into the Chi Delta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at East Central College during the spring semester.

PTK membership is by invitation only. Students must have a 3.4 GPA as a full-time student for a semester to join PTK. Once they are inducted into the honor society, students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.2.

Membership is open to all majors throughout the college, including anyone working toward a degree or certificate.

ECC Campus Life and Leadership Coordinator Carson Mowery, the ECC Student Government Association advisor, was the guest speaker for the induction ceremony held April 27.

Mowery joined the PTK Beta Omicron Phi Chapter at ECC in Rolla during the Spring 2018 semester, and she served as the chapter’s public relations officer and chapter president before graduating.

She spoke about her experiences as a member and officer and encouraged the new members to become actively involved.

Listed below are the new members followed by their hometown:

Mercedes Angell, Owensville
Dora Bell, St. Clair
Angela Boerckel, St. Clair
Cheyanna Bowen, Union
Cade Brautigam, Washington
Heather Brinker, Marthasville
Nicole Brinker, Washington
Kevin Donovan, Union
Caroline Dunne, Union
Lindsey Feth, Union
Justin Gaffney, Washington
Katelyn Garrett, Washington
Emily Green, Union
Tawnya Halloran, Leslie
Isaac Henderson, Villa Ridge
Calvin Henry, St. Clair
Libby Hillermann, Washington
Collin Immekus, Sullivan
Jonathan Johns, Sullivan
Kylie Killbreath, Labadie
Johnathan Kindel, Sullivan
Haley King, Sullivan
Emma Likert, Cuba
Melissa Mayberry, Lonedell
Kristin Mercer, Sullivan
Sarah Mier, St. Clair
Kylee Mistler, Owensville
Emily Moody, Union
Gesi Muzhaqi, Washington
Deyinaira Nappier, Sullivan
Kathy Ogle, Marthasville
Lydia Otten, New Haven
Rachel Pelton, Union
Eliana Plumb, Hermann
Irina Pruteanu, St. Clair
Brooke Reynolds, Washington
Christopher Rice, Washington
Jack Roeback, Washington
Anna Schaible, Union
Sara Schaible, Union
Cohen Scheel, Washington
Karlie Schneider, Lonedell
Samantha Sikes, St. Clair
Jena Spreckelmeyer, Washington
Mary Stoll, Washington
Gabrielle Storll, Union
Zoe Strassner, Union
Amanda Todd, Washington
Mackenzie Townley, St. James
Ashley Tucker, Sullivan
Chloe Weiss, Washington
Robert Willis, New Haven.


Students Named to Spring 2021 Dean’s List


May 20, 2021 | Campus News

East Central College recognizes students who have demonstrated exemplary academic achievement each semester.

Upon completion of between six and 11 spring semester credit hours with a semester grade point average of 3.5 or greater, students are acknowledged on the Dean’s List.

There were 187 students named to the Dean’s List from the Spring 2021 semester.