Author: gjones

ECC Quiz Bowl Team Competes at National Tournament

March 9, 2023 | Campus News

The East Central College quiz bowl team competed at the National Academic Quiz Tournament’s (NAQT) Community College Championship Tournament (CCCT) Feb. 24-25 in Chicago, Ill.

The team of Kyle Meyer and Tim Martens finished 14th out of 24 teams with a 4-7 record, competing against quiz bowl community college teams from seven states.

Meyer was named to the tournament’s all-star team, ranking third in overall individual points with 65 points per game.

The team was eligible to compete in the CCCT after winning the NAQT Kansas Community College sectional championship tournament, held at Johnson County Community College Jan. 21.

Meyer finished first in overall individual points with 106 points per game. Second place in points finished with 58 points per game.

ECC is the only community college in Missouri with a quiz bowl program.

Culinary Arts Student Receives $1,000 DMR Events Scholarship

March 7, 2023 | Campus News

East Central Culinary Arts program student Kalie Mullins received a $1,000 scholarship from DMR Events Inc., for her continuous efforts academically and professionally.

That’s according to Chef Mike Palazzola, Culinary Arts program director, who said Mullins, of Warrenton, has a bright future in the restaurant world.

“Kalie has maintained great attendance and made the President’s and Vice President’s lists for academic success,” he said. “She also has demonstrated through her professionalism and work ethic on a daily basis that she could earn a spot in any kitchen she desires.”

Nick Risch, executive vice president and chief financial officer of DMR Events Inc., a hospitality staffing company, presented Mullins with the scholarship.

“DMR believes that the key to the foodservice industry’s future is energizing the next generation,” Risch said. “By providing opportunities to East Central students the culinary world will grow and provide a strong future for everyone.”

DMR Events Inc. is a member of the American Culinary Federation & the American Staffing Association. The company was founded in 1987 specializing in front of house temporary staffing and culinary back of the house staffing, as well as professional chefs.

DMR Events is the recognized Premier supplier of hospitality staffing in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

To learn more about ECC’s Culinary Arts program, visit www.eastcentral.edu/career-technical-education/culinary-arts/, or contact Chef Palazzola at 636-584-6793, or Michael.Palazzola@eastcentral.edu.

ECC Rolla to Host Health Careers Exploration Day

February 24, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College in Rolla will host a Health Careers Exploration Day to provide area high school students with a hands-on learning experience about the College’s Allied Health programs.

The event will be Wednesday, March 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at ECC Main in the Rolla Technical Center.

Joannie Blakely, Rolla Nursing Program Coordinator, said there will be opportunities for high school students to explore each of ECC Rolla’s Allied Health programs — Nursing, Paramedic Technology, Radiologic Technology and Surgical Technology.

“The students will participate in hands-on modules, and we also will have an interactive simulation with the students,” she said. “Rolla has never hosted this type of event, so we are excited to bring it here. Our faculty, students and staff will be participating in the activities.”

To participate, RSVP to Blakely by March 1, at joannie.blakely@eastcentral.edu or 573-202-6948.

ECC Seeking Sponsors, Vendors for Senior Expo and Health Fair

February 21, 2023 | Campus News

East Central College is spreading the word about its 15th annual Senior Expo and Health Fair and is seeking sponsors and vendors for the event.

The Senior Expo and Health Fair will be Tuesday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to noon in the Donald Shook Student Center. This free event will feature many local vendors.

The purpose of the event is to provide information to adults 55 years old and over, promote health awareness through education and prevention, and to provide information about available programs and services in our area.

Area seniors, who are 55 and older, can receive free health screenings, listen to speakers on various topics and win prizes. The event is in the College’s gym. Elevator and shuttle services from parking lots to the building will be available for our patrons.

For more information, contact External Relations Executive Administrative Assistant Cynthia Cubas at 636-584-6742.

Information for Vendors

Each vendor is asked to provide informational or educational materials, demonstration, screening, or service. Although vendors may demonstrate products, our Board of Trustee policies prohibit sales on our campus of articles or services.

Vendors are welcome to gather contact information from anyone interested in purchasing products or services later.

The vendor set-up date is Monday, May 15, from 2-5 p.m. Staff will be available to assist, and the gymnasium will be locked overnight to protect equipment and materials.

Anyone who cannot set up until May 16 morning, should contact Cubas to make arrangements.

There will be presentation opportunities during the Expo and Health Fair. Anyone with expertise on a subject, or anyone who can recommend someone to give such a talk, are asked to indicate that on the reservation form. A committee will select five presentation topics from those proposed by the vendors to share in a 15- to 20-minute talk on a subject of interest to seniors.

Sponsorships

ECC also is seeking event sponsorships. Listed are the sponsorship levels and what each level will receive:

Gold $500 donation — Sponsorship recognition on ECC’s corner digital sign, KLPW radio interview the day of the event, sponsorship featured in event radio ad, sponsorship recognition in event advertising, company name and logo on sponsor recognition board, sponsorship acknowledgement on ECC’s website, sponsorship acknowledgement on social media and news releases and gold sponsorship acknowledgement in event program.

Silver $250 donation — KLPW radio interview the day of the event, sponsorship featured in event radio ad, sponsorship recognition in event advertising, company name and logo on sponsor recognition board, sponsorship acknowledgement on ECC’s website, sponsorship acknowledgement on social media and news releases and silver sponsorship acknowledgement in event program.

Bronze $100 donation — sponsorship recognition in event advertising, company name on sponsor recognition board, sponsorship acknowledgement on ECC’s website, sponsorship acknowledgement on social media and news releases and silver sponsorship acknowledgement in event program.

To receive sponsorship recognition information must be received by Friday, March 31.

College Hosts Successful Academic Challenge — Winner Announced

February 20, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla Images

There were 103 students from five high schools who competed in the annual Academic Challenge for Engineering and Science.

The competition was designed to challenge the best and brightest high school students. All five varsity teams will advance to the sectionals at Missouri S&T in Rolla. In addition to the five varsity teams, there were two junior varsity, or at-large teams, that also participated in the Academic Challenge.

Teams from Linn (Osage County R-II), Washington (varsity and junior varsity), Warrenton (varsity and junior varsity), Houston and St. Francis Borgia Regional high schools attended.

The students participated in a battery of tests in seven subject areas: math, biology, chemistry, physics, English, computational science and engineering graphics.

The tests are taken individually, and prizes are awarded for top individual scores in each subject area and for top team scores.

Alison Tucker, STEM recruitment & success coordinator, who coordinated this year’s event, said the tests are written by college-level faculty, and are designed to present a challenge to the brightest students.

The Challenge is divided into large (1,500), intermediate (700) and small (300) school categories, with the top team and individual winners from the competition at ECC advancing to the sectional competition.

Winners

The overall team winners for each school category, are:

300 Category

Linn High School, first place, 500 points.

700 Category

Saint Francis Borgia Regional High School, 484.3 points, first place; and Houston High School, 474.1 points, second place.

1,500 Category

Warrenton High School, 422.6, first place; and Washington High School, 418.4 points, second place.

Individual winners

Student winners from each category and in each subject, are:

300 Category (all from Osage R-II/Linn High School)

Biology — Annaliese Bowser and Vivian Baker, tied for first; Arlyn Martin, second; and Kiana Hostetler, third.

Chemistry — Marrisa Ghelert, first; Arlyn Martin and Lily Strope, tied for second; and Ramsie Tschappler, third.

Computational Science — Levi Crane, first; Gabe Branson, second; and Mia Jaegers, third.

Engineering Graphics — Levi Crane, first; Gabe Branson, second; and Kiana Hostetler, third.

English — Mia Jaegers, first; Annaliese Bowser, second; and Vivian Baker, third.

Mathematics — Trevor Murray, first; Lily Strope, first; and Marrisa Ghelert, Linn, third.

Physics — Elijah Baker, first; Ramsie Tschappler, second; and Trevor Murray, third.

700 Category

Biology — Kristen Ely, Houston, first; Miah Bressie, Houston, and Tyler Dill, Borgia, tied for second; and Ava Fischer, Borgia, third.

Chemistry — Owen Wells, Houston, first; Zach Posinski, Borgia, second; and Lily Johnson, Houston, third.

Computational Science — Brody Adkison, Houston, first; Jackson Comely , Borgia, and Stone Jackson, Houston, tied for second.

Engineering Graphics — Drew Eckhoff, Borgia, first; Aiden Kelly, Houston, second; and Sam Dunard, Borgia, third.

English — Andy Durham, Houston, first; Jack Dunard, Borgia, second; and Brandon Jones, Borgia, third.

Mathematics — Lexie Meyer, Borgia, and Jack Dunard, Borgia, tied for first; Lily Johnson, Houston, second; and Brandon Jones, Borgia, and Sam Dunard, Borgia, tied for third.

Physics — Andy Durham, Houston, first; Ben Cook, Houston, second; and Addison Cook, Houston, third.

1500 Category

Biology — Leah Wheeler, Washington, first; Emma Wheeler, Washington, second; and Grant Beuchner, Warrenton, third.

Chemistry — Luke Rausch, Warrenton, first; Dominic Johnson, Warrenton, second; and Lilly Schmitt, Washington, third.

Computational Science — Roy Briggs, Warrenton, first; Micheal Hotra, Washington, second; and Isaac Lough, Washington, third.

Engineering Graphics — Tyler Eckelkamp, Washington, first; Nikolas Hellebusch, Washington, second; and Owen Thompson, Warrenton, third.

English — Alice Briggs, Warrenton, first; Roy Briggs, Warrenton, second; and Abby Palmer, Warrenton, third.

Mathematics — Tyler Eckelkamp, Washington, first; Isaac Lough, Washington, second; and Kellen Scheimeier, Washington, and Claire Hellebusch, Washington, tied for third.

Physics — Owen Thompson, Warrenton, first; Katie Shramek, Warrenton, Kellen Scheimeier, Washington, and Nick Holdmeyer, Washington, tied for second; and Nate Kutsch, Warrenton and Grant Beuchner, Warrenton, tied for third.

The Learning Center at ECC Awarded Internationally Recognized Certification

February 17, 2023 | Campus News

The Learning Center (TLC) at East Central College has been awarded Levels 1, 2 and 3 certifications by the internationally recognized College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA).

That means the TLC has worked hard to develop a tutor training program that meets the CRLA’s rigorous standards and has completed the International Tutor Training Program Certification (ITTPC) peer review process.

“Universities and community colleges alike seek this certification because it sets a precedent for tutoring,” said TLC Executive Director Erin Anglin. “It is a benchmark for academic support excellence, and it shows that TLC tutors will provide the highest level of assistance to students.”

Achieving certification means that ECC’s Learning Center has met CRLA’s high standards for tutor selection, training, direct service and evaluation as an integral part of their overall tutoring program.

About TLC

The Learning Center offers free tutoring in math, writing, science and many other subjects to students and community members. ECC students can make tutoring appointments or stop in for assistance. The center also contains over 40 computers for student use, study tables, a lounge area for relaxed study, private group study rooms and more.

For more information about the center, to make an appointment or chat with a tutor, visit www.eastcentral.edu/learning-center/.

About CRLA

For more than thirty years CRLA has been a leader in learning assistance reading, and academic support programs with almost 1,300 members and over 2,000 certified training programs worldwide.

The association is a group of student-oriented professionals active in the fields of reading, learning assistance, developmental education, tutoring and peer educating at the college and adult levels.

CRLA’s most vital function and overall purpose is to provide a forum for the interchange of ideas, methods, and information to improve student learning and to facilitate the professional growth of its members. For more information, visit CRLA.

Nominations Sought for Outstanding ECC Alumni

February 15, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

There are many great East Central College alumni making a difference in their communities, and throughout the world.

And now is the perfect time to recognize those former students.

Nominations are being sought for the 2023 Outstanding Alumni Award presented by the East Central College Foundation.

To be considered for the award, nominees must have completed a college credit course at ECC at some point in their educational journey.

According to Bridgette Kelch, Foundation executive director, nominees should be viewed by their peers as leaders in their field, with a demonstrated commitment to their community. Residency within the college district is not required.

“Our annual Outstanding Alumni award is the perfect way to recognize an alum’s commitment to their career and community,” Kelch said. “We know that many of our alumni are deserving of this prestigious award and are reaching out to the community for help to find those deserving individuals.”

Nominees should demonstrate outstanding contributions to ECC or the community, and nominees must have an ongoing commitment to ECC, she added.

Guidelines

Current candidates for public office and past recipients are not eligible for the award.

To nominate a former ECC student, write an explanation in 500 words or less as to why the person is worthy of consideration. The explanation should accompany the nomination. Nominations must be received by Friday, March 31. All nominations received within the last three years are eligible.

The nomination form can be accessed from the webpage: www.eastcentral.edu/alumni/alumni-of-the-year/. People can also email foundation@eastcentral.edu or call 636-584-6505 to request the form for more information.

The recipient will be selected by the ECC Foundation Alumni Committee. A formal invitation to the 2023 Commencement Ceremonies will be sent to the honoree and a plaque will be displayed at the ECC Union campus in his or her honor.

ECC Partners With Manufacturer to Provide Internships for Welding Students

February 14, 2023 | Campus News

East Central College and WEG Transformers USA embarked on a collaboration project that has benefited both the college’s welding students and the Washington-based manufacturer of power transformers.

WEG Transformers provided an internship for four ECC Welding students who learned the ropes while working for the industry. Through the internship, the students gained hands-on, real-word experience at the manufacturer. WEG is a multi-national company that produces power and distribution transformers at its Washington plant for North America and overseas.

The students — Holly Downey, Sadie Meyer, Zach Regot and Cole Vance — completed the internship in the Fall 2022 semester and earned 5 credits hours each.

WEG and ECC developed a four-week internship that assesses students from safety, attendance, welding, blueprint reading and communication, according to ECC Welding Program Coordinator Bobby Bland.

“The interns were partnered with select employees from WEG that would be a great fit to the needs of the students, while working with the employees, students got to see first-hand to what working in a manufacturing facility was really like,” Bland said. “As instructors we can talk about the experience all we want in class but for student to be in that production environment it is higher learning education at its finest.”

Once they completed the internship, students were given a writing assignment to reflect on their experience at WEG.

“The papers were above and beyond my expectations of what they learned while they participated in the internship,” said Dr. Richard Hudanick, dean of career and technical education. “Students wrote about their struggles, triumphs and excitement, coming back with more value that they can share with their fellow students in class, which really engaged the rest of the class.”

“These students are developing talent in an ever-expanding field of transformer manufacturing where welding is core,” he added. “This is a success story.”

WEG USA Human Resource Director Chris Vansickle said the ECC students worked closely alongside WEG employees and learned from the company’s culture.

“We value each individual contribution to our success, and we motivate people by means of integrity, ethics and constant support to personal development,” he said. “Working as a team, we gather the best knowledge, intelligence and skill to constantly improve our work and benefit our customers.

“Every day we work to make things better. All products, processes and developments are driven by the desire to increase efficiency,” Vansickle added.

Hudanick said Bland met with the four students, and WEG supervisors and employees after the conclusion of the internship to gather information to make the next collaboration even more successful.

“Internships and apprenticeships are the future of filling manufacturing employment opportunities within our community,” Hudanick said.

ECC and WEG Partnerships

The College’s Adult Education and Literacy program and WEG already had been working together before the welding internships.

More than 30 WEG employees are being taught English Language Acquisition (ELA) courses through the ECC AEL program.

The students joined WEG in 2021 through the International Institute of St. Louis (IISTL) — an immigrant and job placement service/information hub which connects refugees and immigrants to a variety of opportunities in the St. Louis region. The jobs range from entry-level to professional positions, within a variety of industries.

AEL Director Alice Whalen and Vansickle worked together to implement the ELA courses at WEG.

NISOD Excellence Awards Presented to ECC Employees

February 13, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

Three East Central College employees are being recognized for their dedication to students, the College and their coworkers with 2023 NISOD (National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development) Excellence Awards.

The ECC award recipients are Stacy Bellville, administrative assistant for the vice president of academic affairs; Jennifer Higerd, assistant professor of art and the Art Gallery curator; and Alice Whalen, director of adult education and literacy.

NISOD is a professional development provider that offers programs and resources for community and technical colleges. Member colleges can recognize employees through the Excellence Awards, which are presented to faculty and staff who are doing extraordinary work on their campuses.

Award recipients receive a unique silver medallion engraved with The University of Texas and NISOD insignias and adorned with a burnt orange ribbon. NISOD is based out of the University of Texas in Austin.

Stacy Bellville

Bellville has worked in many different offices within academic affairs, and in each case, she has approached her work with professionalism, enthusiasm, passion and humor.

“She embodies the College’s value of service every day. She is always ready to answer questions and deals patiently with her colleagues,” Bellville’s nomination reads. “Stacy is invaluable in helping with assessment activities. She also serves with diligence, integrity, and thoroughness as the recorder for collective bargaining sessions.

“Her enthusiasm and dedication to ECC go beyond her work as an administrative assistant.”

Bellville has represented the ECC Classified Staff in various capacities for many years, bringing that same passion to helping organize an array campus events from in-service activities to holiday parties and everything in-between. She reinforces a sense of collaboration among all employees.

“Stacy is the go-to person for many, not just for her knowledge of the inner workings of the college and her competence, but for her encouragement and support.”

Jennifer Higerd

Higerd has been a valued faculty member for 12 years, serving as an advocate and mentor for art students. In her role as Art Gallery Curator, she exposes students and the ECC community to master artists of various media from all over the country.

She serves ECC through her commitment to assessment. As one of the three faculty chairs of the Instructional Assessment Committee, she has made Annual Assessment Reporting and Planning (AARP) a priority.

“Jenn’s commitment to ECC was showcased when she served as one of the tri-chairs for the Higher Learning Commission comprehensive evaluation visit,” Higerd’s nomination states. “In this role, she was instrumental in preparing faculty and staff for the site visit and in writing the assurance argument. Her hard work helped guide ECC to a successful re-accreditation.”

Whether it is creating professional development opportunities, meeting with faculty and staff regularly — one example is her monthly meeting with arts and sciences’ dean, department chairs and coordinators — or co-leading ECC faculty and staff through the first comprehensive review of general education, her passion for assessment is inspirational.

Alice Whalen

Whalen has served as the AEL program director since 2014. Alice has expanded the program from offering AEL programming in six communities in 2014 to 13 communities throughout the ECC service region today. The AEL program offers day and evening HiSET classes and English language acquisition courses, serving an average of 300 individuals per year.

She developed a program with WEG Transformers, Washington, to provide over 30 non-native English-speaking employees with classes to enhance their language skills. In 2015, under her leadership and direction, Whalen worked with the South Central Missouri Literacy Council in Phelps Country to add four counties, Crawford, Gasconade, Franklin and Montgomery, to create the East Central Literacy Council. The Council supports the ECC AEL program and raises funds to cover additional AEL student expenses.

Whalen is the AEL representative for the Missouri Association for Workforce Development (MAWD) as the Adult Education and Literacy representative and serves as a MAWD board member, as the Public Information chair. In 2022, she presented at the MAWD conference and the Missouri Association for Adult Continuing and Community Education conference about the effects of poverty on students titled “Poverty from an Insider’s Perspective.”

“As ECC focuses its attention on adult learners, Alice is the co-chair of a committee to design a process map for AEL students to matriculate into college programming,” her nomination reads.

“Alice knows the importance of community involvement and understands how multiple barriers effect a student’s ability to start and complete their education. Alice’s positive energy at the college and throughout the ECC service region is contagious, as she strives to make sure anyone who wants to enhance their lives through education, can do so.”

Trustees Approve Fall 2023 Tuition and Students Fees

February 10, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

The East Central College Board of Trustees on Feb. 6 approved an increase in tuition costs beginning in the fall 2023 semester, which maintains tuition lower than the federal Pell Grant threshold.

There will be an 8 percent tuition increase across the board for students who live within the taxing district, outside the taxing district, out of state and for international students. The amount paid in student fees also is higher to meet technology and activity cost increases.

ECC President Dr. Jon Bauer said the increase was determined by a tuition sub-committee of the budget advisory committee, which presented its findings to the College’s administration.

Inflation at the state and national levels has caused operation costs to increase significantly over the past year.

“One of the challenges that everyone is facing is the high inflationary environment that we’re in,” Bauer said. “This increase allows us to continue to invest in our students and provide the technology and instruction tools that they deserve.”

He added that the impact on the students with the greatest financial need will be minimal.

“The students with the greatest financial needs receive Federal Pell Grant,” Bauer said. “The Pell Grant will increase next year, and tuition will remain below the maximum Pell Grant threshold.”

In addition, the Missouri A+ maximum pays $196 per credit hour, totaling $5,880 annually. Tiers 1 and 2 in-district tuition and general fees for a full-time student will remain below this A+ maximum threshold.

ECC also awards over $300,000 in academic and need-based scholarships annually, and the ECC Foundation provides more than $180,000 in scholarships to more than 120 students each year.

Bauer explained that the subcommittee on tuition recommended this increase for long-term planning and counter a projection of slow enrollment growth, adding that both state and national data show a decline in high school population in the years to come.

Trustees were presented with the new tuition plan in February so changes can be made public before students can begin registering in March. Registration for fall 2023 classes begins March 20 for current students and March 27 for new students.

Bauer added that community colleges in Missouri have yet to release tuition rates for the 2023-24 school year, but he anticipates that ECC will again be in the “middle of the pack.”

Tuition Tiers

There are three tiers of tuition at ECC. East Central College. Tier 1 includes most programs including general education classes. Tier 2 consists of classes in culinary arts, industrial maintenance technology, nursing and precision machining programs.

Tier 3 courses include health care programs at ECC Rolla, radiological technology, surgical technology and licensed practical nursing (LPN) programs.

The new in-district tuition rates will be $125 per credit hour for Tier 1 classes, $151 per credit hour for Tier 2 classes and $216 per credit hour for Tier 3.

Out-of-district rates will be $174, $211 and $324 per credit hour for Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3, respectively.

The rates per credit hour for out-of-state students will be $254 for Tier 1 and $309 for Tier 2. Tuition for international students will be $261 per credit hour for Tier 1, and $331 per credit hour for Tier 2.

Dual credit course rates in the 2023-24 academic year will be $63 per credit hour.

Student Fees

The student fees will be $37 per credit hour. Listed below is the fee breakdown and how it was changed:

Student Activities $12 per credit hour (increase of $3).
Support Services $2 per credit hour (increase of $1).
Technology $6 per credit hour (increase of $3).
Facilities $8 per credit hour (unchanged).
Security $9 per credit hour (unchanged).