Month: January 2022


Date Change for ECC ‘Puffs’ Performance


January 28, 2022 | Campus News Performing Arts Theatre

The East Central College Theatre Department has moved the performance of the Off-Broadway smash hit, “Puffs” to April 21-24.

Theatre Department Director Grace Austin, who is directing “Puffs,” said the decision to reschedule the show from February was made from an abundance of caution.

“This was a difficult choice to make,” she said, “but with COVID cases on the rise and with the hope to have actors unmasked, it was the right choice to keep everyone safe.

“We are thrilled that the entire original cast will be appearing at the April performances.”

“Puffs” was originally slated for performances Feb. 24-27. It now will be performed in April when “Church and State” had been scheduled. “Church and State” will move to next season.

The company of “Puffs” includes ECC Theatre veterans Connor Aubuchon, Dora Bell, Andrew Carter, Johny Cojocaru, Lukus Dement, Mekaela Sanders, Abby Scanlin, Tara Steffens and Sydney Smith.

Also in the cast are newcomers Anne Brock, Ryan Balmer, Joshua Bergin, Jaelyn Bergin, Kaylin Buckingham, Lorelei Edwards, Felicity Enloe, Aiden George, Dominique Harper, Brooklyn Hyatt, Evan Kiriakidis, Ethan Mier, Paige Pelster, Ireland Shortt, Kody Scaggs, Stephen Thompson and Elijah Waters.

“Puffs” tells the story of a familiar seven years at a famous school of magic in an unfamiliar way. Boy wizards, broomsticks and owls abound as our heroes are the “Puffs,” a House long neglected in a certain book series.

Tickets for “Puffs” are on sale now at ecctheatre.com. East Central College will offer both socially distanced and non-socially distanced seating at every performance.

For more information, call Box Office Manager Connor Joyce at 636-584-6693 or visit ecctheatre.com.


Mizzou College of Engineering, ECC Sign Computer Information Systems Agreement


January 24, 2022 | Campus News

East Central College has signed an agreement with the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., to streamline the path for students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.

The articulation agreement guarantees that any student who earns an Associate in Applied Science degree in Computer Information Systems (CIS) at ECC — with an emphasis in database administration and security — has the opportunity to complete an information technology degree at MU College of Engineering.

The “2+2” agreement is designed for students to complete two years, or four semesters, of classes at ECC, and then two years of courses at the University of Missouri. It was signed by Dr. Jon Bauer, ECC president; Dr. Robyn Walter, ECC vice president of academic affairs; Dr. Latha Ramchand, UM provost; and Dr. Noah Manring, MU dean of college of engineering.

Dr. Walter explained that both institutions are committed to seamless transfers so students can complete their academic goals. The new partnership enhances access for students across the ECC district, and throughout the state.

She further explained that agreements like this align with ECC’s strategic plan, SOAR to 2024.

“One of our strategies in our five-year strategic plan is to grow partnerships with our four-year university partners, and provide opportunities for the students and the community,” Walter said.

“This articulation agreement with MU is really impactful for students who choose to pursue a career in computer science and choose an online option to obtain their degree.”

Walter noted that the market demand for qualified CIS professional is high.

“This degree is suited for the traditional-aged student, as well as the returning adult student, with the benefit of the online platform at the associate degree level and at the bachelor’s degree level,” she added. “I am thrilled to have this innovative and comprehensive articulation agreement with MU.  Our CIS faculty have built a strong program with an outstanding reputation that partners well with MU’s program.”

Background at ECC

According to Dr. Richard Hudanick, dean of career and technical education at ECC, about five years ago CIS faculty members Anna Schwein and Jason Durbin began revamping the program’s curriculum.

“Anna and Jason committed more than three years updating curriculum, rebuilding curriculum layout for a total online learning environment, and new course,” Hudanick said. “They also taught a group of students who were finishing their degree.

“There are a lot of moving parts to a program rebuild, including maintaining student success,” he added.

In 2020, ECC’s CIS online program caught the interest of valued education partner, the University of Missouri, Hudanick noted.

Over the next year, Schwein, Durbin and Hudanick worked with Mizzou’s liaison and faculty to forge the “2 plus 2” articulation agreement.


ECC AEL Offers High School Equivalency Courses in Belle


January 21, 2022 | Campus News

The East Central College Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) program will begin a new session of classes in Belle, Mo.

The classes are held at the First Baptist Church, 203 W. 2nd St. The instructor of the course is Amber Hendrix, a full-time teacher at Owensville High School and Belle resident.

Classes will meet Thursdays from 5-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8-11 a.m. Students can register online at www.eastcentral.edu/ael/ or by calling the AEL office at 636- 584-6533.

The AEL program is free to everyone.

In addition to the classes in Belle, there are day classes available in Franklin and Phelps counties, including Sullivan, Union, Washington and Rolla; and evening classes in Franklin, Crawford, Gasconade, Montgomery and Phelps counties.

For times and locations visit www.eastcentral.edu/ael/.


‘Monsterbet’ Exhibit Coming to ECC Art Gallery


January 19, 2022 | Art Campus News

The East Central College Art Gallery will present “Monsterbet: An Aberrant Abecedarius,” a solo exhibition of oil and mixed media paintings by California-based artist Heidi Brueckner.

The exhibition will run from Jan. 25 to Feb. 15, in the gallery located in Hansen Hall. Heidi Brueckner painting

“Monsterbet” is a series of cultural allegories based on the traditional format of children’s ABC books, but with a layer of social commentary. Each letter of the alphabet stands for an invented monster that has a particular quirk.

The works are playful and fanciful, while simultaneously symbolic and conceptual, touching on some of the artist’s favored themes of human vice, morality and fear.

The series includes many types of mixed media such as sewing pins, safety glass, vintage Italian doll’s eyes, eyelashes, screen, seeds and pods, flocking, dollar bills, AstroTurf, computer keyboard keys, leaves and blossoms, band-aids, dice, garlic skins, lace, glitter, springs and paper. A companion book of the series is available.

Brueckner has been a professor of art at West Valley College in Saratoga, Calif., for over 20 years. She graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz, with degrees in both art and art history. She earned a master’s in fine arts in painting from the University of Kansas.

Brueckner has shown her work nationally and internationally in over 100 solo and group shows. During 2020-21 she won 11 first-place awards among others, including Italy’s International Prisma Art Prize and the Faber Birren Color Award. She lives and works in Oakland, Calif.

To learn more or see Brueckner’s work, visit www.heidibrueckner.com.

For additional information about the exhibit or the ECC Art Gallery, contact Assistant Professor of Art and Gallery Curator Jennifer Higerd at jennifer.higerd@eastcentral.edu or 636-584-6653.

Heidi Brueckner paintings


ECC, Department Receive 10-Year Music Accreditation


January 11, 2022 | Campus News Music

East Central College and its Music Department received full accreditation with the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), a rare distinction among community colleges.

The NASM Commission on Community Colleges approved the ECC’s 10-year accreditation.

NASM is an organization of approximately 637 accredited institutional members, including colleges and universities. The association establishes standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees in music-related disciplines. The standards ensure the level of rigor expected of students and articulating requirements of the curriculum.

ECC has been accredited by NASM since 2014. The Music Department and the college underwent a comprehensive review in 2020-21 for a reaccreditation process, which included a team of evaluators coming to the college for an on-site visit in March 2021.

Dr. Jennifer Judd, the music department program coordinator, noted that the purpose of pursuing NASM accreditation is to provide an optimal learning environment for music students and to develop a nationally recognized program.

“We were able to demonstrate the administration and community’s strong support of our program and the fine work by our faculty, staff, and students during the review process,” she said.

According to Dr. Robyn Walter, ECC vice president of academic affairs, there are very few community colleges that hold a NASM distinction.

“I am so proud of our music department faculty and staff, our students, and our patrons who support them,” she said.  “NASM accreditation is a remarkable achievement. Full accreditation with a 10-year approval is an amazing achievement. Such a mark of quality!”

NASM is recognized by the United States Department of Education as the agency responsible for the accreditation of all music curricula and is designated as one of the U.S. Secretary-approved accrediting bodies for federal funding, like the Higher Learning Commission.


Early College Academy Students on President’s, VP’s Lists


January 6, 2022 | Campus News

East Central College is recognizing our Early College Academy students who have demonstrated exemplary academic achievement last semester.

Upon completion of at least 12 fall semester credit hours with a semester grade point average of 3.85 or greater, students are acknowledged on the President’s List.

There are 11 students from the Academy on this year’s President’s List.

Upon completion of at least 12 semester credit hours with a fall semester grade point average between 3.50 and 3.84, students are acknowledged by placement on the Vice President’s List.

There are 10 students from the ECA on the Vice President’s List.

Through the ECA, the students attend classes at their high school and on the ECC campus. The goal of the Academy is for these students to earn an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree, at the same time as their high school diploma.

To learn more about the ECA, visit www.eastcentral.edu/earlycollege/academy/.

Early College Academy President's & Vice President's Lists


From New Haven to Seoul — ECC Grad Follows a Dream


January 6, 2022 | Alumni Spotlight Campus News

In 2016, while working toward a liberal studies degree at East Central College, Kjia Zuroweste had no idea that a few years later she’d be living and working more than 6,600 miles away.

But today, there is no place that Zuroweste would rather be than in Seoul, South Korea, her home for nearly two years.

Zuroweste graduated from ECC in 2017. She then earned a business administration degree in 2019 from Westminster College, in Fulton, Mo.

She is originally from New Haven and she is a graduate of Crosspoint Christian School, Villa Ridge.

Zuroweste explained that she had been interested in the culture and language of Korea for quite a while. When she was 20 years old, Zuroweste added, she challenged herself to learn seven languages by age 30.

“Why not start with Korean?” she asked.

Planning a Trip

A short time after she graduated from Westminster College, Zuroweste learned about a law school in Seoul. She already had been considering studying corporate law.

After learning about the school in 2019, Zuroweste and her mother embarked on a journey to visit the school in Seoul.

In the meantime, she needed work and began searching for an English as a Second Language (ESL) job, a position that would allow her to work in Korea.

Zuroweste met with a recruiter to help her locate and apply for ESL teaching opportunities in Korea, and she interviewed for an ESL position via Skype a short time before the trip to Korea with her mother.

“The moment I landed, I fell in love with the country,” she said. “I spent a few days on the east coast, which was absolutely beautiful, then I spent the rest of the time in Seoul.”

Zuroweste said she fell in love with nearly every aspect of Seoul and knew she wanted to live there.

“Between the history, the food, and the seemingly unlimited number of things to do, I knew it was the place for me,” she said.

As “fate” would have it, Seoul soon would be where she would live — the recruiter called Zuroweste while she was visiting Korea with her mother.

“I ended up receiving news that I got the job I interviewed for while on the subway back to my hostel and I was super excited to begin this new journey,” Zuroweste added.

Moving to Korea

In February 2020, she moved to the Gangnam district of Seoul to teach kindergarten students — just before COVID-19 became a worldwide pandemic, shuttering businesses and schools.

“I was supposed to start teaching in March but due to COVID, I didn’t start until May,” Zuroweste said. “We went through several shutdowns all year.”

Then, in February 2021 she moved to another academy where she taught mostly elementary and middle school students. The academy is in northern Seoul, right next to Bukhansan mountain.

Zuroweste rates her Korean language skills at an “intermediate level.”

“I can read, write and listen well, but I struggle with speaking,” she added. “Thankfully I have my friends and my boyfriend who are always willing to help.”

According to Zuroweste, it has been a challenge to be a foreigner during a worldwide pandemic and there have been many restrictions — curfews, QR code check-ins, and masks.

“Foreigners often get blamed for spreading the virus around Korea, so a lot of times we get told things like ‘go back to your country’ or ‘you don’t belong here,’” she said.  “Overall, people tend to be kind.”

Zuroweste noted that there are many things she misses about America, but a lot of reasons why she prefers living in Korea.

“Super affordable healthcare, reliable public transit, and incredible food are some of the things that have made my life here really enjoyable,” she added.

Zuroweste said her boyfriend, Eddie Cheon, who is a competitive bodybuilder, and many friends were born in Korea.  

“My friends that have been helpful to me with the language are also Korean nationals,” she commented.

Time at ECC

Zuroweste was very involved in the ECC community while she attended classes at the Union campus.

She was part of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, and she was president of the Chi Delta Chapter from 2016-2017. She won a few awards for being involved in the organization, she said.

Zuroweste also performed on the stage of the John Edson Anglin Performing Arts Center. She was in Book of Days and Shrek the Musical. In addition, she worked backstage and served as an usher during Theatre productions.

For a brief period, Zuroweste said, she also was part of the ECC Student Government Association.

“I really enjoyed my time at ECC — I was given so many opportunities and some of the connections I made have lasted to this day,” she said. “I am thankful for my ECC experience and wouldn’t change a thing.”

What’s Next?

Although visiting a law school was what first took Zuroweste to Korea, she doesn’t plan to continue down that path, for now.

“I no longer plan to attend law school at this time,” she said. “Since Covid, many things have changed.”

Her career plans may have changed, but Zuroweste said she will stay in South Korea, adding that she’ll likely work a remote job next year while still living there.

From New Haven to Seoul, Zuroweste’s journey shows just how far — literally and figuratively —education, curiosity, and motivation can take someone.


Students Named to Fall 2021 Dean’s List


January 5, 2022 | Campus News

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

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

There were 157 students named to the Dean’s List from the Fall 2021 semester.

Fall 2021 Dean’s List

Fall 2021 Dean’s List


Students Named to the Fall 2021 Vice President’s List


January 5, 2022 | Campus News

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

Upon completion of at least 12 semester credit hours with a fall semester grade point average between 3.50 and 3.84, students are acknowledged by placement on the Vice President’s List.

For the Fall 2021 semester, there were 197 students on the list.


President’s List for Fall 2021 Semester


January 5, 2022 | Campus News

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

Upon completion of at least 12 fall semester credit hours with a semester grade point average of 3.85 or greater, students are acknowledged on the President’s List.

There were 126 students named to the list from the Fall 2021 semester.

President's List Fall 2021

President's List Fall 2021