Author: gjones

Dr. Eric Park Appointed to State School Retirement Board

July 7, 2021 | Campus News

East Central College Board of Trustees Treasurer Dr. Eric Park was appointed by Gov. Mike Parson to serve on the Public School Retirement System of Missouri Board of Trustees.

Dr. Park, Washington, is co-founder of the LPL Financial office in Washington and he also co-founded The Steamboat Financial Group.

Park attended East Central College (ECJC at the time) after he received his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army. He earned an associate degree in May 1982. He then continued his education, earning an undergraduate degree in business, two master’s degrees, one in finance and one in personal financial planning, and his PhD in Economics from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2014.

In addition to being a student at ECC, Park once served as an instructor. He also is a founding board member of the ECC endowment program. Currently, Park serves on the ECC Board of Trustees and Foundation Board.

A successful investment advisor for more than 35 years, Park is co-founder of LPL Financial, Eric Park & George Meyer, investment firm in Washington. He has received several national industry awards for his dedication to quality investment management. He was named the Registered Rep’s Outstanding Broker of the Year in 2005 and was admitted to Research magazine’s Advisor Hall of Fame in 2007.

Dr. Park was a member of the Missouri Credit Union Commission from 2005-2011. He is licensed in Life Insurance, Variable Life and Variable Annuity, and has Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Series 6, 7 and 8. He is also a Certified Financial Planner, a Certified Fund Specialist and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary.

Outside of work, Park is past president of the Franklin County Humane Society and the Washington Rotary Club. He also is past district governor of Rotary International and helped with international poverty relief efforts in developing nations.

Additionally, he has served on the Missouri State Commission charged with regulatory oversight of credit unions and is a member of the St. Francis Borgia parish finance committee.

Nursing Alum Recognized as Practitioner of the Year

July 2, 2021 | Campus News

East Central College Nursing Program alumna and nurse practitioner Jennifer Raffaelli recently was recognized by the resident doctors at Barnes-Jewish Hospital for her knowledge and the assistance she provides them.

Raffaelli, a 2010 ECC Nursing Program graduate, is a trauma surgery nurse practitioner with Washington University at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. In June, she received the Advanced Care Practitioner of the Year for 2020-21.

She was nominated for the award by a resident physician. Then the residents, interns, chief residents and fellows voted for the nominee who is most helpful to them when they need assistance.

This is the second consecutive year that Raffaelli was nominated for the Advanced Care Practitioner Award, and the first time she won.

“It is such an honor to even be nominated,” she said. “I appreciate that the residents recognize what I do to make their life easier — I am very gracious that they picked me. It is a huge honor.”

The award is presented to the surgical care practitioner who shows “great accomplishment to the education and training of the surgery residents.”

Nursing Career

In 2008, Raffaelli, who had a business degree, was considering a career change. She enrolled in the ECC Nursing program and graduated in May 2010.

She said ECC had a very positive impact on her education and her career trajectory.

“I loved the ECC nursing program,” Raffaelli said. “The instructors were all amazing.

“It was such a supportive and positive environment not only with my classmates but with all the nursing faculty and administrators,” she added. “If I had to do nursing school all over again, I’d absolutely go right back to ECC. No hesitation.”

Raffaelli, who is originally from St. Louis, worked at St. Anthony’s Hospital, now Mercy Hospital South, after graduating from ECC.

She later obtained a degree to become a board-certified nurse practitioner from Maryville University.

Raffaelli began working at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in 2018. She is married with two children.

Students Save Through Free, Affordable Textbook Options

July 1, 2021 | Campus News

The East Central College library has saved students more than $500,000 over the past two years with free or affordable textbook options.

The college is closing out its second year utilizing open educational resources (OER), which are teaching, learning and research materials that are either copyright free or have a license that allows for reuse, according to Lisa Farrell, ECC Library Director.

Farrell has been spearheading the free and affordable ($50 and under) textbook initiative at ECC since 2018.

She explained that students could spend nearly $1,500 in books each year, and many students use financial aid money or pay out of pocket to cover the costs.

In 2019, the college launched a pilot program to lower textbook costs for student, with the intent to lower — and in some cases eliminate — what students spend on books for class.

In summer 2019 session there were 95 students in five courses who saved a total of $12,000 under the new program.

The number of faculty members and courses utilizing OER and affordable textbooks has continued to grow. In this past spring semester, 22 courses used OERs and affordable textbooks, 1,229 students and $95,530 in savings.

OERs are not only textbooks, they are any type of educational material, typically peer-written and reviewed, that is available through an open access license. And is downloadable.

Emerging Technologies Librarian

Not only has the savings grown, but so has the library staff overseeing the program — Morgan Spangler was hired as the library’s new Emerging Technologies Librarian in May.

“We are excited to have this new position in the Library and another MLS (Master of Library) librarian on staff,” Farrell said. “She will be taking over facilitating the program, and eventually all of the OER curation and cataloging.”

Spangler’s other responsibilities include managing the library’s electronic services and technical aspects of online resource subscriptions, student instruction in use of library resources and maintenance of integrated library system.

Faculty

Library staff stays up to date on affordable and OER through listservs and a network of OER users.

Spangler explained that the library reaches out to faculty if a free or affordable textbook is located within the network.

“Textbook selection is up to the faculty,” Spangler said. “They are the experts in the field, and we help facilitate the process — it is a partnership.”

Farrell noted that the English Department was first to embrace the OER and affordable book program, and English Instructor John Hardecke received training on OER materials.

“This program started out mostly with English books, and then social sciences began to use them,” she said. “And then biology was quick to jump on.”

Farrell added that she keeps the ECC bookstore informed of the affordable books that will be used for classes

Advantages

In addition to keeping costs down for students, through the OER program, faculty members can rearrange the digital resources, cut sections, tweak or add to sections of the materials, Spangler said.

“Faculty has an opportunity to customize the materials to the way they want to teach,” Spangler said.

The materials also can be customized to reflect demographics and current events.

“They can pick and create to make it the best they can for their class,” Farrell added, “and without incurring extra cost to students.”

High Honors for Top Men’s Soccer Falcons

June 28, 2021 | Campus News

Three East Central College men’s soccer players were recognized with “high honors” following the 2020-21 season.

ECC Athletic Director Dr. Jay Mehrhoff noted that the Falcons finished the season 8-4 and ended the season ranked No. 16 in the final National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DII Men’s Soccer poll.

“Despite a postponed and shortened season, excitement was proven by hard work and determination by some of the top players on the team,” he said. “Several Falcons were recognized with high-level postseason honors.”

Joseph McInnes, Airdrie, Scotland, was named to the NJCAA DII Men’s Soccer All-American Second Team for the 2020-21 season. He led the Falcons in scoring with 10 goals and five assists.

“His offensive output and tenacity in attacking the opposition’s goal helped garner the honors, with support from a skilled cast of teammates,” Mehrhoff added.

Diego Navia, a sophomore transfer from Lincoln College and hailing from Guayaquil, Ecuador, was named to the United Soccer Coaches, Scholar All-American team.

In addition, Navia and fellow sophomore teammate Guy Baskerville, London, England, were recognized with United Soccer Coaches Distinction Award Players for Junior College in 2020-21.

Photo Credits:

Diego Navia and Joe McInnes – Farhatt Photography

Guy Baskerville – ECC Athletics

Union PTK Chapter Earns Multiple Awards

June 24, 2021 | Campus News

The Chi Delta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at East Central College in Union recently was recognized for individual accomplishments and the work of the chapter.

Each year the honor society chapter participates in regional and international programs related to research and service projects and then report on their work to the statewide organization, according to Kevin Dixon, PTK advisor of the Chi Delta Chapter.

Once the reports are submitted each year, they are judged by the PTK headquarters staff.

On June 14, PTK Missouri Regional Coordinators Jo and Steve Fritts presented the 2021 Missouri Regional Awards hardware to the award recipients in the Chi Delta Chapter.

Typically, an in-person awards ceremony is held in March to recognize the recipients.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There was not an in-person ceremony this year, said Dr. Wendy Pecka, contact advisor for the Chi Delta Chapter.

“We are very proud of the hard work you put into these submissions,” she told the PTK members. “I only wish you all could have participated in the convention in person to understand how exciting it is for your work to be honored with these awards. Not every chapter gets to experience this.”

Chi Delta Awards

Listed below are awards the Chi Delta Chapter received:

Distinguished Chapter Award — one of six awards for Missouri.
Honors in Action Award — one of six awards for Missouri.
Honors in Action Distinguished Theme Award (theme of Perceptions of Progress) — one of three awards for Missouri.
College Project Award —one of six awards for Missouri.

Following are individual awards that members of the Chi Delta Chapter received:

Distinguished Chapter Officer – Lucille Vanek, chapter president — one of six awards for Missouri.
Distinguished Chapter Member – Sarah Murphy — one of two awards for Missouri.
Continued Excellence in Advising Award – Wendy Pecka —one of three given for Missouri.

Dixon explained that the Honors in Action projects involve scholarly research that lead to a service project for the community.

The Union chapter’s 2020 project was “Slicing the Stigma on Community College,” and the students prepared a PowerPoint that was sent to local high schools on the benefits of starting at a community college.

The College Project is focused on providing a service to the campus or college, and last year’s program began a project of revamping the look of trash receptacles on campus to make them more “visible” in hopes campus littering will decrease. That project will be continued into this fall, Dixon added.

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.

Rolla PTK Chapter Project, Advisor Recognized

June 24, 2021 | Campus News ECC Rolla

The Rolla Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) chapter, Beta Omicron Phi, recently was recognized by the state organization with awards presented annually to the honor societies.

The Rolla chapter received an Honors in Action Distinguished Theme Award, one of three awarded in the state. Honors in Action projects involve scholarly research that leads to a service project for the community.

PTK chapters take part in projects to benefit their community or campus, and then file a report with their state or regional PTL organization. The projects are then judged by the PTK headquarters staff.

On June 14, PTK Missouri Regional Coordinators Jo and Steve Fritts presented the 2021 Missouri Regional Awards hardware to the award recipients in the Beta Omicron Phi Chapter.

In addition to the Distinguished Theme Award, Beta Omicron Phi Chapter Advisor Dr. Elizabeth Winters-Rozema was the recipient of the Distinguished Advisor Award.

Advisors with four or more years of service are eligible for this award, which they can only receive one time.

Distinguished Theme Award

The Rolla chapter submitted under the theme Perceptions of Progress. The chapter’s project was titled “Pandemic’s Impact on Rural Area.”

The PTK members compiled national research on the impact of this virus on people experiencing homelessness.

According to the project summary, the chapter determined that disadvantaged people in the Rolla community are significantly impacted by COVID-19.

The project earned the chapter a PTK Honors in Action grant to directly help people experiencing homelessness and inspire future generations to serve the community.

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

ECC Baseball Field Will Have Turf Infield

June 23, 2021 | Campus News

A turf infield at the East Central College baseball field is scheduled to be installed before exhibition and scrimmage games begin in October.

That will make ECC the first National Junior College Athletic Association school in Missouri with a turf infield.

The ECC Board of Trustees earlier this month approved the bid by Country Baseball, LLC, Johnson City, Texas, for the purchase of the turf and installation at the cost of $213,700.

The project will be funded by the ECC Foundation’s baseball campaign funds and matched by the Foundation to cover any amount over budget.

Athletic Director Dr. Jay Mehrhoff said his department planned to use grass seed, sod and install in an irrigation system. However, with recent increases in material costs, bids coming in higher than expected for materials, and future plans to install turf within the next few years, it was decided to move forward with turf now.

He added that there are several benefits to a turf infield, including fewer postponed games.

“We would be able to play in an hour after it stops raining, where before we would have to postpone a game or relocate it.” Mehrhoff said. “This will make it so much easier.”

The turf will be installed mid-September, at the latest, which means it will be available for exhibition and scrimmage games in the fall. The regular baseball season will be in the Spring 2022.

The turf will have an ECC Falcon logo behind home plate, Mehrhoff noted. The outfield will be grass.

Advantages of Turf

The field can also be utilized by other sports when it is not baseball season.

Mehrhoff explained that the athletic department will use a removable mound, making the field usable by the softball team or for soccer practice.

He said temporary fences could by placed to meet softball field size requirements.

Other advantages, Mehrhoff said, is there will be no need to purchase an $8,000 tarp to cover the infield when it is raining, and in the summer the field can be rented by baseball tournaments for high-school-aged teams.

“That could give us some recruiting exposure over the summer,” he said.

Most four-year schools and many high schools already play on turf, Mehrhoff added.

“This is the norm for a lot of high school players,” he said. “They are used to playing on turf.”

Area High School Teachers Recognized by ECC-NEA

June 21, 2021 | Campus News

High school educators have a profound effect on students in many capacities.

That’s why the East Central College chapter of the National Education Association (NEA) is celebrating the positive influence and dedication of those educators with the Inspirers of Excellence Award.

“We can’t accomplish what we aim to do for our students at ECC without the dedication of our high school colleagues,” said Susan Henderson, ECC-NEA vice-president. “We want to recognize that educational partnership in which we build upon the foundation they put in place.”

Each year, ECC students are asked to nominate a former teacher who has had an impact on their education.

This year, the ECC-NEA is recognizing two groups of recipients, those nominated in 2020 and those nominated in 2021. The educators received a certificate in the mail to recognize their contributions to the education of students.

Appreciation

Henderson said educators who received certificates were appreciative and honored to be recognized by former students.

“Thank you for recognizing educators’ positive impact on their students. After a tough year like this one, I cannot express how much I appreciate hearing from former students — It makes the difficult times easier to bear when you feel like what you’ve done matters.”

— Dustin Klenke, Eureka High School.

“Finding this certificate in my mailbox with the student’s note was very uplifting this week. Thank you for supporting our students.”

— Amanda Engelke, Rolla High School

“Thank you so much for giving students the opportunity to recognize teachers, what a happy surprise to receive this.”

— Ellen Domijan, St. Francis Borgia Regional High School

Listed below are the 2020 Inspirers of Excellence Award recipients, followed by the high school where they teach and the student who nominated them:

2020 Recipients

Joe Obermark, Crawford County R-1, Rachael Hollmann

Chris Scheel, Bourbon High School, Krista Licklider

Lucille Behrendt, Cuba High School, Taylor Rives

Desiree Gentle, Dixon R-1 High School, Delaney Plemmons

Dustin Klenke, Eureka High School, Joseph Eilers

Nikki Locklear, John F. Hodge High School, St. James, Venita Kuntz

David Bond, John F. Hodge High School, St. James, Megan Copeland

Terrill Story, John F. Hodge High School, St. James, Megan Copeland

Zack Rogers, John F. Hodge High School, St. James, Kyle Hill,

Michelle Auxier, John F. Hodge High School, St. James, Megan Copeland

Melissa Brumagin, Liberty Christian Academy, Brooklyn Hunt

Angie Combs, Maries R-1 Vienna High School, Cheyenne Murdie

John Kinkead, Maries R-1 Vienna High School, Jaclyn Helton

Ken Wilardson, Maries R-1 Vienna High School, Cheyenne Murdie

Jessica Smith, Mehlville High School, Hannah Baker

Chef Amber Moore, Nicholas Career Center, Andrew Maslen

Kayla Pyle, Owensville High School, Addison White

Shirley Wright, Owensville High School, Tabitha Davis

Adriana Grimm, Pacific High School, Tyler Mueller

Garret Andreasen, Pacific High School, Jarred Snider

Heidi Boyer, Pacific High School, Shelby Flynn

Dr. Keith Peterson, Rolla High School, Courtney Kelley

Dr. Gwendolyn Fleming, Rolla High School; Asst Prin Rolla Middle School, Macie Parsons

Christy Dalton, Rolla Junior High School, Nick Reising

Josh Adams, Saint James High School, Cody Jones

Benjamin Martin, St Clair High School, Adrianna Collins

Benjamin Martin, St Clair High School, Benjamin Schwanitz

Donald Dement, St Clair High School, Sebastian Montowine

Ellen Domijan, St. Francis Borgia High School, Cayden Schall

George McKee, St. Francis Borgia High School, Jacob Brinker

Kayla Eckelkamp, St. Francis Borgia High School, Jackson Broom-Morse

Angela Chamber, Sullivan High School, Patricia Gassner

Sarah Rochleau , Sullivan High School, Madison Rudisill

Sarah Rochleau , Sullivan High School, Sydney Harmon

Brandi Gremaud, Union High School, Brianna Shirley

Danika Novak, Union High School, Hanah Wilbers

Dennis Smith, Union High School, Rachel Dains

Melissa Bestgen, Union High School, Alexander Hanneken

Nathan Hoskins, Union High School, Nathan Hoskins

Tina Kluesner, Union High School, Maddison Hammon

Danika Novak, Union High School, Kaylee Wentz

Jennifer Schwentker, Union High School, Stephanie Sachs

Melissa Bestgen, Union High School, Brianna Cornman

Nathan Hoskins, Union High School, Hunter Triplett

Kerry Holtmeier, Washington High School, Molly Eckelkamp

Michelle Turner, Washington High School, Colton Souders

Rachel Stahl, Washington High School, Jenna Crider

Whitney Crabtree, Windsor High School, Meagan Ross

2021 Recipients

Emily Joseph, Cuba High School, Charley Leonard

Julie Munro, Cuba High School, Kaylah Highley

Cragon McBride, Farmington (Formerly Sullivan), Brandon Royal

Melanie Behrens, Hermann High School, Geena Lee

Patrick Dell, Hermann High School, Geena Lee

Patrick Dell, Hermann Middle and High School, Hannah Gale

Amanda Sikes, Homeschool, Samantha Sikes

Jean Schaible, Homeschool, Anna Schaible

Heather Carlson, Hunter High School, Granite School District, Utah, Vaimoana Moungaafi

Ashley Prawitz, John F. Hodge High School, St. James, Abby Parsons

Lea Hickerson, Missouri University of Science and Technology

Rolla High School, Nick Reising

Kelsey McCroskey, New Haven High School (formerly), Julia Unnerstall

Kelsey McCroskey, New Haven High School (formerly), Lydia Otten

Kelsey McCroskey, New Haven High School (formerly), McKenzie Overschmidt

Amanda Peery, Newburg High School, Riley Jackson

David Peery, Newburg High School, Riley Jackson

Donna Hinson, Owensville High School, Gasconade County r2, Emily Copeland

Christopher Noce, Pacific High School, Chris Noce

Scott Hauser, Pattonville High School, Haylee Bartel

Amanda Engelke, Rolla High School, Nevaeh Skyles

Christy Green, Rolla High School, Janessa Metzen

Christy Dalton, Rolla Junior High School, Nick Reising

Rebecca Bolen, Rolla Technical Center, Angelica Gore

Charles Knipp, St. Clair High School, Sue Seyer

Sgt. Gregory Cohen, St. Clair High School, Kaitlyn Salsman

Jason Harbour, Sullivan High School, Madeline Marks

Jennifer Blankenship, Sullivan High School, Abbie Zelch

Dianne Smith, Union High School, Tina Makic

Michael Underberg, Union High School, Kaitlyn Salsman

Nathan Hoskins, Union High school, Hunter Triplett

Nicole Griffin, Union High school, Jasmyne Bradley

Teresa Springer, Union High School, Gavin Pickard

Nicole Griffin, Union High School, Alex Kuelker

Colin Flynn, Washington High school, Katherine Harrison

Dane Gough, Washington High School, Jena Spreckelmeyer

Grant Young, Washington High School, Emma Von Rump

Michelle Turner, Washington High School, Autumn Osia

Michelle Turner, Washington High School, Abby Riegel

Trustees Extend Contract of ECC President Dr. Bauer

June 21, 2021 | Campus News

The East Central College Board of Trustees at a June meeting voted unanimously to award a contract extension to President Dr. Jon Bauer through the next three years.

Dr. Bauer has served as president of the college for nine years. His contract was extended through June 30, 2024.

“I’m grateful for the board’s support and excited about what lies ahead for East Central,” he said.

“With a strong leadership team, committed faculty and staff, and engaged board, we are poised for a momentous period in our history. I’m honored to lead the college and I am energized for this work.”

Board of Trustees President Ann Hartley commented that Dr. Bauer has provided clear leadership the past 18 months during an unprecedented time.

“Dr. Bauer has a passion for ECC and he always is focused on what is best for the students,” Hartley said. “He continued to keep the students and the community ECC serves as the focal point during the difficult pandemic year.

“ECC is very fortunate to have him,” she added. “Dr. Bauer has continually moved the college in a positive direction with integrity, dignity and accountability to the position.”

Bauer became the college’s sixth president July 1, 2012, succeeding Donald Shook, Charles Novak, Dale Gibson, Karen Herzog and Ed Jackson. On two occasions Fred Davis served as interim president of the college.

Recent Grad Earns Webster Leadership Scholarship

June 18, 2021 | Campus News

Recent East Central College graduate Alexis Kinnison is part of a select group of students who have earned a leadership scholarship and will participate in the WebsterLEADS Program at Webster University this fall.

Kinnison, of Union, is a member of the Class of 2021. She graduated from ECC with an Associate in Fine Arts degree, and she plans to study to be an art therapist.

“At Webster I will continue my fine arts degree with an emphasis in ceramics, and also begin psychology and therapy courses,” she said.

“Being an art therapist is a way for me to help others in my community and connect with them through making art.”

During her time at Webster, Kinnison will be part of the WebsterLEADS (Learn Evolve Apply Develop and Serve) leadership certificate program, which continues for students each year they attend Webster University. The program includes interactive courses, workshops, retreats and practicum work.

To be considered for the competitive program, applicants must have proven leadership involvement.

The leadership scholarship requires a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Applicants also must document extracurricular activities and leadership involvement.

Leadership at ECC

According to Kinnison, she strengthened her leadership skills while a student at ECC.

“During my time at ECC, I was vice president and then president of art club. I was also a student worker in the art department, where I had the best mentors to teach me,” she said.

“Through these experiences, I learned a lot about the importance of community and what it means to be a leader,” Kinnison added. “Leadership is about bringing people together. Especially through the trying times of COVID, having these groups was very valuable.”

She further added that she developed professional habits and practices that will help in continuing her education and in a career.

“I’ve learned responsibility, communication and persistence. Being able to further practice and learn this through the WebsterLEADS program is very exciting,” Kinnison said.

Kinnison admits that she wasn’t always leader among her peers.

“Growing up, I was probably the shyest kid in school,” she said. “My mom had to place a heart sticker in my palm just to get me through the school day.

“You can only imagine how excited she was to get the phone call that I had won the leadership scholarship that I had worked so hard for.”

While president of the Art Club this past year, the club created a wall mural in Hansen Hall. The mural includes a quote by French artist Edgar Degas, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”

“The mural project hopefully is the start to what my career may look like in the future,” she said.