Despite a rough end to the 2019-2020 academic year for area high school students, there was still no shortage in their desire to complete college credits this summer.

East Central College again offered the Summer Three for Free Scholarship program, which this year allows students graduating in 2021 and 2022 the ability to take one course tuition-free.

There was a 22 percent increase in enrollment this year compared to the 2019 session, according to Megen Strubberg, director of early college programs.

There were 122 students enrolled this year, which is 22 more than the 100 enrolled last year.

“I am thrilled to say that we were able to increase our headcount this summer,” Strubberg said. “The promotion and success of this program is due in a large part to our area high school counselors encouraging students to take advantage of the opportunity. Word of mouth among high school and homeschool parents also contributed significantly to this number.”

The intent of the program is to encourage students to continue taking dual credit classes during the summer. The program is part of an ECC strategic plan goal to increase opportunities for college credit for students in the community.

The Three for Free program provides students with a chance to take one tuition-free summer course. The name of the program suggests only classes worth three credit hours are available, but the program applies up to a five credit hour course, Strubberg added.

Students are encouraged by the Early College Programs office to take CORE 42 courses, which are state-approved general education courses that will transfer to any public institution in Missouri.

This is the second year of the program that provides an additional opportunity for students who do not have access to traditional financial aid.

Students were only responsible for general fees, which were $22 per credit hour, plus books.

Free Digital Books

ECC is also continuing its initiative to offer additional open educational resources for students by way of free digital textbooks, so many of these students in the Three For Free program had an added bonus of free course materials and only paid $66  total.

Free digital textbooks are only offered for select courses at this time, but the plan is to increase this effort. Additionally, students who are still in high school qualify for the dual enrollment rate of $51 per credit hour, which is half of the regular in-district tuition of $102. That rate does increase to $53.00, beginning with the fall 2020 term.

In addition to offering the Three for Free program to reduce the financial burden on students, the college also waived online fees for students this summer.

Enrollment for the summer program is now closed. However, students interested in taking dual enrollment courses during the school year, around their current high school and home school schedules, are always welcome.

Fall registration is already underway. For more information, please contact Strubberg at earlycollege@eastcentral.edu or 636-584-6723.

East Central College has been facilitating the disbursement of federal funds for ECC students impacted economically by the Covid-19 pandemic.

An emergency grant program has been created through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The college received $825,661 for students, a portion of which already has been distributed.

The federal legislation was approved in April to aid students with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. Many students have encountered financial challenges due to COVID-19, and CARES Act funding assists with food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child-care expenses.

The ECC financial aid office has sent text messages and emails to eligible students and also started a phone call campaign to reach students.

The number of students eligible for the CARES Act funding is 1,323, which is determined by the federal government, however, that number could change.

For eligible students, the awards will appear in the student self-service portal at Eastcentral.edu.

The funds will be disbursed to students through direct deposit into bank accounts and students are urged to check their address and banking information on file at ECC.

Students who have not signed up for direct deposit can do so by going to www.eastcentral.edu and clicking on “eCentral” and then “Financial Information.” The funds will not be available to pick up in person.

ECC is required to report information about distributions on its website at www.eastcentral.edu/covid/cares-act-reporting/.

Any questions from students should be directed to the ECC Financial Aid Office at 636- 584-6588 or finaid@eastcentral.edu.

Kelly Austermann, D.M.A., wasn’t sure what to expect when she submitted a video of herself performing “Abblasen,” the theme song of CBS Sunday Morning, to the television program staff.

Austermann, an East Central College music adjunct instructor and professional musician, said a friend from grad school shared with her a video of himself being featured playing the song on a French horn.

The video of her friend was on the CBS Sunday Morning Facebook page about a month ago, she said.

“I saw it and realized that CBS Sunday Morning was asking viewers to submit videos of themselves performing the opening ‘Abblasen’ theme,” Austermann added. “They were featuring one new video every single morning on their Facebook and Twitter pages.”

Because she is a fan of the show, Austermann made the video of herself performing “Abblasen” on the clarinet.

View the video of Kelly Austermann performing “Abblasen”

“I’ve always been a fan of the show because it’s not your typical news show.  It focuses on human interest stories like the arts, science, nature, unique attractions, and the list goes on,” she said.

“I decided to make a video because of my love for the show and because I had suddenly found myself with a ton of extra free time while sheltering-in-place.”

Austermann emailed the program a video she made with her cell phone but she did not get a response for about one month.

She noted that she expected the video to appear on a CBS Sunday Morning Facebook or Twitter feed.

“I kept checking the Facebook page each morning to see if they had posted my video,” Austermann said.

On May 28, Austermann received a phone call from a CBS Sunday Morning producer asking her how to pronounce her last name because they were going to air her video on the actual televised broadcast, May 31.

The producer told Austermann that Jane Pauley, CBS Sunday Morning host, was recording at that moment and she needed to know the pronunciation immediately.

“I was in a state of disbelief that they had selected me for national television,” Austermann said. “I had sent the video hoping that I might make just the online platforms of Facebook and Twitter.  I never imagined they would select my video to be aired nationally on the actual show!”

About Austermann

Austermann teaches Music Appreciation, Fundamentals of Music, and History of Jazz at ECC, as well as, St. Louis Community College and Jefferson College.

In addition to being a music educator, Austermann is a performing clarinetist and scholar.

She has performed with the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hot Springs Festival Orchestra, the Gateway Festival Orchestra, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, the Fountain Hills Chamber Players, the AKME Clarinet Duo, Casella Sinfonietta, the Saint Louis Wind Symphony, the Vintage Brass Band, the Queens of Swing, El Monstero, and the Lettermen.

She can be heard in solo clarinet passages on the Grammy-nominated CD, Fireworks! released under the Equilibrium label and on In This Hid Clearing released under the Naxos label.

Austermann has extensive teaching experience with students of all ages and ability levels.  She currently maintains a private studio of clarinet and saxophone students.  She is professor of clarinet and saxophone at ECC and teaches clarinet at Jefferson College.

Austermann is also the clarinet instructor for the band programs of the Mehlville, Fox, and Parkway West school districts where she teaches private lessons, coaches chamber music, and provides sectional instruction.

She received her Bachelors of Music from the University of Missouri-Columbia, her Masters of Music from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, and recently completed her Doctor of Musical Arts from Arizona State University.

Scott Breckenkamp paid his way through college by working part-time jobs during summer months and throughout the year while attending classes.

Through his hard work, dedication and continuing his education, Breckenkamp today is the First State Community Bank (FSCB) president of the Washington and Pacific markets.

Breckenkamp, of Washington, was chosen as the 2020 East Central College Outstanding Alumni for his professional accomplishments and service to the community.

“East Central College has always been a special place to me as it was an affordable option as I began my education beyond high school,” he said. “I had to pay for my own college so this allowed me to stay local, live at home, continue to work and take the courses I needed.

“ECC is a local treasure and we should all be proud to have this wonderful resource in our backyard,” Breckenkamp added.

According to Bridgette Kelch, ECC Foundation executive director, the award is presented annually by the ECC Alumni Association to honor an ECC graduate who has used his or her education and been of service to the community.

“Scott is a wonderful example of an ECC graduate who has gone on to become a successful community member and volunteer,” Kelch said. “We are thrilled to recognize Scott for his accomplishments and thank him for his work with East Central College.”

Breckenkamp graduated from St. Francis Borgia Regional High School. He attended ECC in 1988-89 and earned an Associate of Arts Degree before transferring to Missouri State University, Springfield, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in finance.

ECC played a vital role in his education because he still could work to pay tuition while taking classes. It was easy to then transfer to MSU to attain a four-year degree.

According to Breckenkamp, his former economics teacher and advisor at ECC, Bryan Hickey, helped guide him toward a finance degree and set him down a career path in finance/banking.

“I am forever appreciative of his guidance,” Breckenkamp added.

After graduating from MSU, Breckenkamp worked at US Bank in Washington. He also had been employed at the Bank of Washington, US Bank in St. Louis and Merrill Lynch.

Breckenkamp returned to Washington and became vice present and later president of US Bank. In 2005, he became the first president of the new Washington branch of FSCB.

He has been very active in the community and in the county by serving on the ECC Foundation Board, Mercy Hospital Board of Directors in Washington, Washington Rotary Club, Franklin County Area United Way Board and Washington 353 Corporation.

Breckenkamp also has coached Little League football for one of his three sons and coached basketball at Our Lady of Lourdes. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and Borgia Athletic Association and has been chairman of the Borgia Dinner Auction. He is a Washington Town and Country Fair volunteer, among many more volunteer jobs.

Breckenkamp is married to Julie Pogue Breckenkamp and they have three sons: Tyler, Connor and Spencer.

The ECC Alumni Association established the award in 2002 to recognize outstanding alumni who have set an example for ECC graduates by using their college education and serving their community.

Past recipients include: Tanya Voss, John Griesheimer, Tom Robertson, Chris Manhart, Deborah Koelling, Tammy Watz, Dr. Frank Miller, Ken Schmidt, Chris Stuckenschneider, Ann Schroeder, Ted Coburn, Linda Mahon, Joe Purschke, Amy Wildhaber, Tony Kreutz, Dave Arand, Audrey Freitag, Ron Unnerstall and Dorothy (Dot) Schowe.

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

Upon completion of at least 12 semester credit hours with a semester grade point between 3.50 and 3.84, students are acknowledged by placement on the Vice President’s List. For the Spring 2020 semester, there were more than 165 students on the list!

Five East Central College nursing graduates were presented with awards from the Nursing Program and instructors.

ECC Outstanding Student Nurse Award

Crystal Murphy was presented the Rolla ECC Outstanding Nursing Student Award. Instructors Laura McDonald and Heather Sluis presented the award.

Margaret Ruether was presented with the Union ECC Outstanding Nursing Student Award by instructors Judy Bieker and Dr. Connie Wissbaum.

To be considered for the ECC Outstanding Nursing Student award, ECC has had to make a difference in the life of the student.

For most of them, had ECC not been in their community, they most likely would not have realized the dream of becoming a nurse.

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

Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards

Three ECC nursing student graduates were presented with Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards.

Union Nursing graduate Ciara McDonald was presented the Missouri Baptist Spirit of Clinical Excellence Award by faculty members Judy Bieker and Heather Sluis.

Benton Frala, also a Union Nursing graduate, received the Mercy Spirit of Clinical Excellence Award from instructors Judy Bieker and Kelly Adkins.

ECC Nursing graduate Jesseca Medlock was presented the Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence Award. Nursing Instructor Laura McDonald gave her the award.

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

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

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

Emergency funds for unemployed students are available through the Missouri Office of Workforce Development.

The funds are available through July 1 to assist unemployed students experiencing a funding gap.

Students who qualify can apply these funds to their tuition costs.  Students with an approved unemployment claim are encouraged to apply.

The deadline to apply July 1.

In the Franklin County area, students may contact Kim Kopp at the Washington Job Center via email at kkopp@mersgoodwill.org or by phone at 636.583.9649.

In Phelps County, students can email Trish Rogers with the Rolla Job Center at progers@copicinc.org, or call 573.364.7030.

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

Upon completion of at least 12 Spring Semester credit hours with a semester grade point average of 3.85 or greater, students are acknowledged on the President’s List.  There were 145 students who made the list for the Spring 2020 semester.

By Jon Bauer, Ph.D., President, East Central College

The recent events that have transpired following the deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and most recently George Floyd have made clear our country remains deeply divided and has a long way to go in its pursuit of social justice.

We in the St. Louis region know far too well the depth and intransigence of this racial divide, and as we see violence thwart dialogue and progress, we are left wondering whether any progress has been made. Our campus has been the site of a peaceful vigil, and our community has been the location for protests against bigotry and hate. To date, these demonstrations have remained peaceful.

East Central College remains strongly committed to social justice. Diversity is an institutional value we hold with passion and intentionality. We recognize that we cannot be silent when this value is threatened, whether that happens on our campus, in our community, or in our country.

We take seriously our mission of enriching our community through education. Community colleges such as East Central College serve a wide range of students with open access to the benefits of higher education. Accordingly, we embrace the privilege of serving underrepresented students from all walks of life. We recognize the vitality of a diverse campus and the enriching experience that provides for all students. And we recognize the unique and deeply rooted barriers caused by racial injustice and intolerance.

As a leader in our region, we understand the responsibility to show by example and speak with a strong voice when it comes to our commitment to equality and inclusion.

Moreover, as our vision calls for East Central College to be a leader in higher education, we support without reservation the opportunity to be heard and the imperative to work for change.

Loss of life is wrong. Abuse of power is wrong. Injustice is wrong. Violence is wrong.

The deep fissures in our culture can be filled in part with a commitment to understanding each other, hearing each other, supporting each other, and standing for each other. That is the work of a rich and vibrant college.

East Central College is committed to leading in this effort and to living out the values we hold dear. We are committed to education in place of bigotry, intentional action in place of violence, and opportunity in place of injustice.