Author: gjones

Sally Dill to Exhibit at ECC Art Gallery

June 18, 2021 | Art Campus News

New York City artist and former Franklin County resident Sally Dill will be featured this summer at the East Central College Art Gallery.

Dill’s show will be from July 1 through Aug. 27. It is called “Pieces” and the exhibit is dubbed, “Playful Collage Works.”

Dill was born in St. Louis and moved to the Krakow area in 1949 when she was 5 years old. Her family remained in Krakow and Dill graduated from St. Francis Borgia Regional High School before she left the area to attend the University of Saint Mary, Kansas.

She noted that her brother, Tom Dill, is a former teacher and baseball coach at ECC. He also served on the College’s board of trustees. He encouraged her to seek a show at ECC.

Dill worked as an art teacher, on and off, from 1967 to 2001. She first taught art in Blue Springs, Mo., and later Kansas Cit. She moved to New York City in 1995 and took a position as an art teacher at the Claremont Riding Academy.

First Body of Work

Dill began creating paper cuts of human figures in 1988, introducing her into the art world. She utilized the “blind contour line method” to cut directly into paper.

“A focusing of the eyes almost exclusively on the subject as I cut, whereby capturing a gesture — the essence,” she explained. “Later, the cut shapes, positive and negative, move me in unplanned ways to a composition”

Krakow Revisited

Part of Dill’s show at ECC will be her “Krakow Revisited” collection, which are pieces she created while in Krakow, Mo.

“It will be nice to show at ECC because my roots are in Krakow,” Dill said.

“Krakow Revisited” was inspired by the St. Gertrude Church’s sesquicentennial celebration in 1995, and her family’s history in the area. Her great grandfather, Gerhard Voss, settled in Krakow from Germany in the late 1830s.

Dill worked with the sesquicentennial committee to exhibit her Krakow cut photo collages, which included wax and natural elements, such as tree bark from Krakow.

“I used dogwood, pinewood needles and dirt from the church ground,” she added.

Her work was displayed in the St. Gertrude Catholic School lobby in the spring of 1995 and she worked with schoolchildren as a visiting artist during the display.

New York City

While walking around the streets of New York City, Dill noticed gloves of varying styles and sizes in gutters, and on sidewalks and streets.

“I am so interested in lost gloves,” she said. “They are such a metaphor for all of humanity. I found so many kinds of gloves — Children’s, gloves, men’s and women’s, gloves, work gloves. . .”

Dill would collect gloves she found abandoned or misplaced on roads and sidewalks, wash them, and incorporate them into her artwork.

Other Works

Dill also creates mixed media collages of found objects displayed in antique frames that she has collected, and other small-format works of cut photo pieces and other paper.

She has exhibited in 40 states and Montreal, Canada, since 1988 and is a signature member of the National Collage society since 2000.

College to Utilize COVID-Relief Funds for Health and Safety Upgrades

June 18, 2021 | Campus News

East Central College Board of Trustees approved the use of federal COVID-relief funds for technology and furniture purchases, heating and ventilation upgrades, and new remote access door systems.

During its June 14 meeting, trustees agreed to utilize federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund dollars, allocated as part of the CARES Act, to purchase equipment to mitigate the transmission of viruses, as well as technology upgrades to expand broadband for distance learning.

Much of the CARES Act funded furniture, technology and air-quality upgrades will be in place before the fall semester, according to ECC President Dr. Jon Bauer.

“There is going to be a lot of work going on in the next few months,” he said.

Furniture Purchases

Trustees approved two bids for the purchase of furniture at the Union campus and Rolla sites from Krueger International (KI). The college will purchase furniture for classrooms and student gathering areas in Union at the cost of $313,300.50; and furniture for classrooms at Rolla Main and Rolla North for $81,144.

“This will provide more flexibility to configure classrooms for social distancing, and the finish of the furniture is much easier to clean and sanitize,” Dr. Bauer noted.

Technology

CARES Act funds also will be used to purchase new fiber and network switches for the Health and Science and Donald Shook Student Center buildings.

Trustees approved the bid from Link Data Services, Inc. for installation of fiber at a cost of $41,482.35; and the purchase of 15 Dell switches at the cost of $84,105.

‘This will improve the bandwidth for distance learning and Wi-Fi,” Dr. Bauer said.

HVAC System

The $1,437,620 bid from Johnson Controls for a HVAC project also was approved by trustees.

The scope of work includes a heat pump replacement, new ultraviolet lamps, new duct work and ventilation upgrades, and Variable Air Volume (VAV) box replacement in three buildings on campus.

According to Dr. Bauer, the ultraviolet lamps, bulbs, and components can disinfect airstreams and continuously clean surfaces of cooling units and drain pans for maintaining indoor air quality and comfort performance.

“The developed clean air solutions from Johnson Controls help to decrease the risk of infection and create a safer, healthier environment,” he said.

Access Door Control

Another project funded by COVID-relief funds that was approved by trustees is for access door control and ADA touchless entries. TSI Global Companies, St. Charles, was the low bidder for the project at the cost of $165,805.

The access door control and ADA touchless entry project will be an upgrade over the aging automatic door hardware now in place. The touchless entry will help prevent the spread of viruses, improve security and safety, and be ADA compliance.

In addition, Union campus police officers will have remote access to doors and can quickly lockdown the campus if warranted during emergency situations.

Upgrades to access doors will be installed at the Union and Rolla locations.

ECC Receives Funds for Student Career Guidance and Mental Health Support Center

June 17, 2021 | Campus News

East Central College has received $871,761 in state funding to create a new Center for Career Advancement and Student Wellness on the Union campus.

On Wednesday, June 16, the Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE) approved the college’s request to the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD) for the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Excels funds to renovate the former Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning (HVAC) lab in Hansen Hall for the new center. The HVAC program was moved to the Business and Industry Center in 2016.

The new center will assist students with registration and completion of short-term training programs, with the goal to provide job skills to enter the workforce or continue to enhance their education to obtain a certificate or a two-year degree.

The center will better serve the needs and demands of the local workforce, especially in advanced manufacturing and health care industries, that are in desperate need of qualified and skilled employees.

In additional, short-term training programs for other high-demand industries will also be available including, information technology, HVAC, logistics and early childhood development.

The renovated areas of Hansen Hall will also be used to house the college’s Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) program, including office space and class space. The minor demolition work of the former HVAC lab and construction of the new center is tentatively scheduled to begin in January 2022 to be completed in late spring of 2022.

“I’m excited to have the funding to create this new center for our students,” said Dr. Jon Bauer, ECC president.

“Increasing career counseling and mental health resources to our students is vital to their success, especially at a time when mental health is so important to a student’s well-being. The enhanced career counseling resources will better prepare our students both personally and professionally. “

Services

Plans call for the 3,560-square-foot area in Hansen Hall to be converted into two classrooms, a training lab and five offices. Within the classrooms, various groups and classes will meet, including AEL students and Certified Nurse Assistant and Certified Medication Technician students.

Five offices will be created for AEL staff, a CNA/CMT instructor, a Career Navigator and a Social Services Navigator.

The Social Services Navigator will support all ECC students and assist those who lack essential resources for success and who may be anxious about returning to classes in person. The role of the navigator is to advocate for those with mental and physical health needs.

With resources in the college and from local service providers, students will be referred to the appropriate services. A social worker will act as an advocate for the student to connect them with the resources they need.

The Career Navigator will work with students through their education experience to help them identify the best Career Pathway for their specific interests and career goals. The Career Navigator services include resume building and job search services, and services to assist students in developing a personal and professional development plan.

It will be the responsibility of the Career Navigator to help students progress through their selected career pathway. This could include helping them enroll in partner programs before and after the short-term training is completed, working with financial aid, and verifying eligibility for other funding sources.

The hiring process of the two navigator positions will begin in July to have the positions ready to assist students for the 2021 fall semester.

Funding

Through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) additional funding was appropriated for the GEER Excels fund, that will allow institutions to continue to provide assistance for recovery from the economic impacts of COVID-19, either in terms of meeting specific workforce needs or removing barriers to student success.

The preliminary request for proposals (RFP) was issued on March 1. The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development received 22 applications from the state’s community colleges and universities requesting $19.66 million.

New Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement Approved by Board

June 17, 2021 | Campus News

The East Central College Board of Trustees Monday, June 14, approved the negotiated collective bargaining agreement with faculty for the 2021-22 academic year.

Two primary changes address sabbaticals and a 4 percent pay increase, according to ECC-National Education Association (NEA) President Aaron Bounds.

“I am very happy with the process and how well the NEA and administrators worked together,” Bounds said.

The one-year deal was approved unanimously by the 29 current ECC-NEA members.

“This was a very collaborative process,” added ECC President Dr. Jon Bauer. “This covered a lot of areas, including compensation.”

Under the new agreement, the college and ECC-NEA recognized the importance of maintaining competitive salaries as compared to other community colleges in the region.

The agreement states that ECC commits to increasing faculty salaries to the average of base faculty salaries at the region’s community colleges, including Jefferson College, St. Charles Community College, and St. Louis Community College, within the next four years.

Sabbaticals

Bounds added that under the new CBA, the sabbatical process was refined and fleshed out.

“Sabbaticals were allowed but weren’t consistent over the last few years,” he said. “This cleaned up the process and ensures we could utilize a sabbatical when applicable.

“In fact, since adding this process we have already approved an application for this school year,” Bounds added.

The East Central College seal with the words: board of trustees meeting below it

Trustees Approve $19.8 Million Balanced Budget

June 16, 2021 | Campus News

The East Central College Board of Trustees approved a $19.8 million spending plan, that includes a boost in salaries for employees.

The 2022 fiscal year balanced budget projects $19,813,874 in both revenue and expenditures. The college’s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. The budget was approved Monday, June 14.

In the 2021 fiscal year, there was $19,457,624 in actual revenue to date, and $16,054,046 in expenditures.

Included in the budget is a 4 percent increase in employee compensation, an area that the college has strived to increase, according to ECC President Dr. Jon Bauer.

“I think this puts us on the right path, but it doesn’t get us to the finish line,” Dr. Bauer said.

There is an anticipated increase in state and local revenue, as well as tuition and fees.

Dr. Bauer noted that the there is an increase in enrollment, so far, for the Fall 2021 semester.

Anticipated revenue for tuition and fees this fiscal year is $6,334,616, an increase of $765,550 over last year’s budgeted tuition and fees revenue of $5,569,066.

“We are seeing strong enrollment growth for the fall cycle,” Dr. Bauer added. “This is still a little bit of a tricky budget year, and we are only halfway into the enrollment cycle.”

Locally, budgeted revenue is expected to increase $534,234 from the previous budgeted amount of $6,977,522 last year to $7,511,756.

State aid is projected to increase to $5,236,024 from the previously budgeted amount of $4,603,701, a total increase of $632,323.

Technology Purchase

Trustees also approved the purchase of 306 personal computers (PCs) and monitors from the state negotiated Dell purchasing contract at a cost of $206,703 that will be funded using technology fees.

“This will replace a generation of computers on campus by the start of the fall semester,” Dr. Bauer said.

College Recognized in State Report for Degree Reclamation Initiative

June 16, 2021 | Campus News

East Central College’s efforts to assist students in returning to college to complete their degree was recognized by the state in a “White Paper” report published earlier this month.

ECC’s Finish Your Investment (FYI) degree reclamation program is part of a nationwide initiative — named Degrees When Due. The program is sponsored by the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) and supported by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD).

ECC was the only community college recognized in the DHEWD report for its reclamation program during the 2020-21 academic year. The state agency applauded ECC’s communication and outreach during planning and implementation of the FYI program.

DHEWD also credited ECC for creating a well-balanced campus-wide team to support the degree reclamation program, which can be used as a model for other higher education institutes.

‘Life Changing’

ECC’s FYI program was designed to guide students who’ve completed college credits at the College to help them complete a degree.

There were 742 former students targeted, of those, 39 “auto graduated” due to the number of credit hours they already had obtained. Another 31 students applied for admission; 20 enrolled in courses; and five ultimately earned a degree.

Laura Deason, associate registrar, was recognized June 14 by the ECC Board of Trustees for her work in examining student records and then determining that the 39 “auto graduated” students were eligible for degrees.

“We firmly believe for the students that have returned it is life-changing,” Robyn Walter vice president of academic affairs was quoted in the DHEWD publication.

The White Paper recounted a story published by ECC about Mercedes Mangrum, 26, who was motivated to finish her degree after a four-year pause. She was just 12 credit hours away from an associate degree.

“My decision to complete this semester was solely to give myself options for future endeavors. As an older student, I did feel more focused and ready to complete my degree,” Mangrum said.

FYI Team

According to the DHEWD, a key part of successful reclamation programs was building a campus team tasked with cross-campus collaboration strategies to retain current students and support adult reengagement.

ECC’s team was composed of about 15 employees from varying areas of the College.

Plans call for a continuation of the FYI program at ECC, to help meet the needs of a diverse demographic of students, including first-generation college students, low-income students, single parents, and veterans.

Early College Academy Students Thrive at ECC

June 10, 2021 | Campus News

The Early College Academy (ECA) at East Central College has already been paying dividends for 11 students in the form of experience and earning college credit.

That’s according Cheyanna Bowen and Kevin Donovan, incoming seniors at Union High School, who wrapped up the inaugural year of the Academy in May.

“What I love most about ECA is the experience that I am getting with college, while still being able to be a high school student,” said Bowen.

“I personally like attending ECC and UHS because I’m able to be challenged better academically, but also maintain my high school experience,” she added.

Through the ECA, the students attended classes at UHS 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.

“Not too many people can say that they graduated high school with an associate’s degree,” Donovan commented. “I appreciate that I was given this opportunity, and this will allow me to earn my bachelor’s degree with two years already paid.”

Donovan said he is looking forward to the slate of classes he’s enrolled in for the upcoming academic year.

“I am excited to have one year down,” he said. “Next year, I get to have more flexibility with my course choices, and I am very excited to pick out some fun electives.”

For Donovan, the ECA is the best of both worlds, combining college credit while maintaining the high school experience.

“I applied to be in the UHS Leadership Class next year, and I was accepted,” he said. “I am looking forward to giving back to UHS and continuing to be involved.”

ECC Director of Early College Programs Megen Strubberg oversees the ECA and she has met regularly with the UHS students since they began attending ECC in August 2020.

“It has been amazing to watch this talented group of students learn and grow this past year — both academically and personally,” she said. “Their hard work is reflected in their grades and their reputation on campus for being some of the best students in the classroom.”

Markie Lampkin, UHS associate principal over sophomores and juniors, has collaborated with Strubberg in spearheading the inaugural year of the ECA.

“Overwhelmingly, it has been meaningful and impactful for the students,” Lampkin said.

More Districts

The success of the ECA is even more evident considering two more school districts — Washington and St. Clair — will join the ranks of the ECA next year.

“The ripple effect that it has had on area schools clearly demonstrates the success and positivity of the rollout at Union High School.,” Lampkin said.

“Other schools want that experience for their students,” she added. “That’s humbling, exciting and shows the unity that many Franklin County schools have in the investment in our kids and their futures.”

Strubberg noted that Lampkin has been an ambassador to the program when speaking with administrators of other school districts.

But it isn’t just Strubberg and Lampkin spreading the message about the Academy — the students enrolled in ECA also are sharing their stories.

According to Strubberg, seven ECA students have talked with prospective students at UHS, encouraging them to take part in the Academy. Additionally, six students participated in a project to provide feedback on the ECA to college faculty.

Above and Beyond

Strubberg said three ECA students, Emily Green, Julie Krull, and Zoe Strassner, have been named to the President’s List with 4.0 grade point averages.

Four more students, Sarah Harris, Sage Sparkman, Kevin Donovan and Jessica Stallman, finished the year with a GPA between 3.5 and 3.84, landing them on the Vice President’s List.

In addition, Harris is in the process of being hired as a supplemental instruction tutor in chemistry by The Learning Center at ECC, and she and Krull have been tutoring other students on their own time.

To learn more about the Early College Academy, email admissions@eastcentral.edu or call 636-584-6723.

New Summer Learning Academy Classes in Rolla

June 9, 2021 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College is offering a new slate of Summer Learning Academy (SLA) classes for Rolla area children and teens.

The academy will provide a unique, fun experience for area youth this summer, and this year the classes are free.

SLA is facilitated by the ECC Community Education division. This is the first year there will be classes offered in Rolla.

There are a variety of classes geared toward children ages five to 16. New classes include: Newborn/Pediatric Nursing: How to Care for Baby, Science by Brewer, Fly Tying Fun!, EV3 Robotics, Harry Potter and the Science of Potions, Exploring Egyptology and Learn the Art of Crochet.

To sign up or to see a class schedule, visit Summer Learning Academy.

SLA classes are designed with curiosity and creativity in mind — letting students develop talents and encourage exploration and personal growth.

Students or parents will be asked to prioritize their interests while registering. After registering for three courses, they will be placed on a waiting list if they choose to sign up for a fourth course. Participants can register for a maximum of four classes.

For more information, people may email Pam.Kaiser@eastcentral.edu or call 636-649-5803.

Graduate Receives Accounting and Business Award

June 9, 2021 | Campus News

East Central College graduate Christy Love is the recipient of a Student Achievement Award for Outstanding Performance in Business and Accounting.

Love graduated from ECC with Highest Honors on May 16. She earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business, and an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Accounting.

According to Tanner French, accounting and business instructor, Love is also a member of the Chi Delta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

“Christy was so excited to put her newly learned skills to work, she accelerated her schedule this past semester by taking eight classes, all the while working and being a mom,” French said.

“Christy deserves this award not only for her academic achievements, but also for her hard work, diligence, and the sacrifices she made during her pursuit of an education and a better life,” he added.

“Congratulations Christy, your journey has just begun, and we cannot wait to see where you go from here.”

New Pre-Apprenticeship Manufacturing program registering students

June 8, 2021 | Campus News

The new pre-apprenticeship program at East Central College is purposely designed to provide needed job skills to those interested in a career in manufacturing. The three-week program is provided at no cost to each participant and will prepare them in such areas as welding, HVAC, industrial maintenance and precision machining.

Students will also gain skills that area manufacturers need for their employees, such as decision making, Microsoft Word and Excel, team building, goal setting and workplace quality and safety.

“The curriculum is specifically designed with our area manufacturers in mind.” says Dr. Ed Shelton, executive director of the ECC Center for Workforce Development. “At a time when manufacturers are in desperate need of workers, our program provides the entry level skills for the pre-apprentice to be successful as well as helping the area’s economy remain competitive with a qualified workforce.”

A key to the program’s success is the engagement and involvement of local manufacturers. Clemco Industries. G.H. Tool & Mold, Henniges Automotive, Royal Canin, Silgan Plastics and WEG Transformers will discuss career opportunities with the students. Once the pre-apprentices finish the program, they will be provided the opportunity to continue their education into a registered apprenticeship program at ECC.

The program is offered at no cost due to a state award from the Missouri Office of Workforce Development in the amount of $75,000.

Classes will be held in the ECC Business and Industry Center July 12-July 29. For those without a high school diploma, the program will start July 6.

For those interested, contact Melissa Richards at Melissa.Richards@eastcentral.edu or 636.649.5806. The deadline to register is Friday, July 2.