VIDEO – High School Equivalency Graduation Ceremony
They all had different backgrounds and stories, but they all shared the same dream – getting their High School Equivalency. We are so proud of our 2018 graduates!
Category: Campus News
How to Skip Over Classes You Don’t Need
June 6, 2018 | Campus News
Spending just a week in The Learning Center this summer could potentially save you nearly a thousand dollars in tuition and three semesters worth of classes! The free Bridge Program can help students assess their skills, improve class placement, accelerate coursework and save money!
It is ideal for students who have already taken an Accuplacer assessment test and have been placed in Reading Comprehension, Intro to Writing/Comp Expansion, Connected Reading and Writing, Pre-Algebra or Introductory Algebra. Students who haven’t tested yet are are still welcome to register and attend a Bridge Program class.
“The courses are designed to work in a student’s favor,” said Erin Anglin, Director of The Learning Center. “There is no penalization for scoring below initial test scores. Students can only improve placement. This is really beneficial to students and gives them an opportunity to potentially improve math placement by up to three courses and to completely test out of developmental reading and English courses.”
Students will also get the chance to take the Accuplacer Diagnostic test, allowing Learning Center Specialists to help students find individual opportunities for growth and work one-on-one to create a plan for improvement that builds on the student’s strengths and previous knowledge.
“We encourage all students wanting to improve their placement to give us a week of their time to help advance their skills, build academic support systems, get an introduction to East Central College and achieve their goals,” said Anglin.
Students can sign up for the free Bridge Program by visiting or emailing The Learning Center or stopping by Student Services.
Getting Employees in a Tight Labor Market – June 27 Forum
June 5, 2018 | Campus News
Hiring skilled or first-tier employees in the area is becoming so competitive that practically every industry is concerned about the lack of available talent.
“There are several factors contributing to the shortage,” said Ed Shelton, ECC Center for Workforce Development Executive Director. “One of the biggest contributors is the age of the workforce. There are simply not enough young workers to fill the gap right now.”
Additionally, many younger workers lack the necessary experience to immediately step in and fill the shoes of the retiring workforce.
“The skills gap is very real,” said Shelton. “That’s why we are hosting area manufacturers and businesses to provide insight on how to find top talent and retain employees during this challenging time.”
On June 27, join the Center for Workforce Development from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Business and Industry Center, 42 Prairie Dell Plaza Drive in Union for an engaging forum on the topic.
The event is only ten dollars and includes lunch. For more information or to register, contact 636-649-5803 or training@eastcentral.edu.
The mission of the Center for Workforce Development is to establish and promote economic opportunities that lead to a comprehensive workforce system in the ECC Service Region (Franklin, Warren, Gasconade, Maries, Crawford, Dent, Osage and Phelps Counties).
East Central Area Literacy Council Awarded National Grant
May 30, 2018 | Campus News
For the last 30 years, the East Central College Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Program has provided free adult education classes to the community. It has been possible thanks to the hard work and dedication of volunteers. In 2017 alone, more than 30 volunteers provided 3,000 hours of tutoring.
“Literacy is a problem that very much exists in the East Central College service area,” said AEL Director Alice Whalen. “Franklin County has nearly 13,500 adults who do not have a high school education. Gasconade is close to 2,500, Phelps hovers around 5,600 and Warren has nearly 5,200 people without a high school diploma or High School Equivalency (HSE) Certificate.”
To help their cause, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded the organization a $13,000 grant to support adult literacy and training volunteers to work in adult education classrooms. The grant is being facilitated through the East Central Area Literacy Council and is a part of more than $8.3 million in grants awarded to more than 1,000 schools, nonprofits and organizations across the 44 states that Dollar General serves.
“We are honored to fund literacy and education initiatives,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General CEO. “We believe these programs can have a positive impact on the communities we serve and we look forward to continuing to partner with organizations dedicated to making a difference in the lives of millions of Americans.”
Currently, AEL classes are held in Rolla, Sullivan, Union and Washington during the day. Night classes are held Cuba, Hermann, Owensville, Pacific, Rolla, St. Clair, St. James, Sullivan, Union and Washington. Additional English Language classes are held in Rolla, Wright City and Union.
“Volunteer recruitment and tutor training are key to providing support to students seeking to improve their academic skills,” noted Whalen. “Students who have already faced many challenges can receive the encouragement they need to complete their education with the support of the volunteers.”
AEL is currently recruiting volunteers for the 2018-2019 academic year. There are several upcoming information sessions for interested parties to attend:
- Rolla: Tuesday, July 17, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. or Thursday, July 19, 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
- Union: Tuesday, July 24, 9 a.m. -12 p.m. or Thursday, August 9, 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
To register for a volunteer session or get more information about the AEL program, call 636-584-6915 or email ael@eastcentral.edu.
VIDEO – 2018 Spring Commencement Highlights
May 22, 2018 | Campus News
The 2018 Spring Commencement was an emotional, exciting and inspirational day at East Central College. We are proud of all of our graduates and want to thank everyone who made the day so special! Please watch the video below to see the highlights of the ceremony!
President’s List – Spring 2018
Each semester, East Central College recognizes students who have demonstrated exemplary academic achievement.
Upon completion of at least 12 fall semester credit hours with a semester grade point average of 3.85 or greater, students are acknowledged on the President’s List. More than 110 students made the list for the Spring 2018 semester!
Vice President’s List – Spring 2018
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 2018 semester, there were more than 160 students on the list!
Center for Workforce Development Talent Fair – June 7
May 15, 2018 | Campus News
The Center for Workforce Development (CWD) at East Central College is hosting an event to recruit talented community members to assist the department with providing workforce training programs.
A talent fair will be held Thursday, June 7, 10 a.m.-7 p.m at the Business and Industry Center, 42 Prairie Dell Plaza Drive in Union, located southeast of the main ECC Campus.
CWD is looking to hire part-time trainers to use their skills and abilities to teach short-term training programs for the region’s local business and industry. The department provides workforce training to local businesses in various time periods of days, weeks or months.
“There is a wealth of talent in our area that hasn’t been fully tapped”, says Joel Doepker, Vice President of External Relations, “In addition to current workers, there are retirees from our local manufacturers, banks, health care and other industries that have the skills, knowledge and experience to train the current workforce.”
A range of skills are needed in a variety of areas such as safety training, industrial maintenance, customer service training, Welding, Microsoft Office and other possibilities. A degree or certificate isn’t required as experience is highly desired. The CWD staff will help design the training plans and provide teaching guidelines.
For more information contact Cindy Brinker at 636-649-5803 or training@eastcentral.edu.
Unnerstall Named 2018 Outstanding Alumni
Nearly 30 years ago, Ron Unnerstall helped found Washington Engineering and Architecture. Today, the company’s influence can be seen around Franklin County and beyond. Its portfolio is vast – from the Washington Public Safety Building to the new Heat and Control facility in Union.
Unnerstall has used his engineering knowledge over the years to help serve the community. His firm has donated services to help local organizations with projects big and small. Outside of work, he volunteers his personal time to help those around him. He’s an inspiration to those who know him, and it’s why he’s been chosen as the East Central College 2018 Outstanding Alumni! The award is presented annually to honor an ECC graduate who has used his or her education and been of service to the community.
“It’s a great honor to win this award,” Unnerstall explained. “I know there are thousands of other East Central College alumni who are deserving of this award as well.”
After graduating from St. Francis Borgia Regional High School in 1975, Unnerstall enrolled in East Central College’s pre-engineering program. “It was really just getting off the ground at the time,” explained Unnerstall, “but my instructors were dedicated, passionate people who helped me get to where I am today.”
In 1977, he transferred to the University of Missouri-Columbia where he earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1979. “At the time, we were still using punch cards to write code,” he said. “I still remember getting my first programmable calculator – which was an engineering marvel at the time!”
After college, he returned home. He began his career in engineering at a major construction company in St. Louis. The position would eventually move him to Ohio, where he spent several years.
“My wife and I got a little homesick,” he remembers. So, he returned to Missouri, working at different engineering jobs in the area. However, travel was becoming burdensome. It was at that time when Unnerstall decided to venture out on his own. In 1989, Washington Engineering and Architecture opened for business.
Since that time, the company has experienced success. They’ve used it to help others along the way. Unnerstall’s firm has offered free design services to organizations like St. Francis Borgia and the Washington Town and Country Fair. His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed as he was named the St. Francis Borgia High School Knight of the Year in 2013 and was named Grand Marshal of the Washington Town and Country Fair in 2012.
Unnerstall not only volunteers professional services but his personal time. He’s served on various committees at St. Francis Borgia as well as the school board. He has also volunteered on the Washington Town and Country Fair Board, eventually becoming chairman of the event in 1998. Additionally, he served as president of the East Central College Alumni Association and as a board member for the East Central College Foundation. He also served on the Franklin County Building Commission as chairman and is involved in the Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge and Lions Club.
Unnerstall and his wife Donna are parents to four girls and have six grandchildren. He currently enjoys spending time with his family and playing drums in the Washington Brass Band.
The East Central College 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 and Audrey Freitag.
Outstanding Student Award Winner – Jonathon Stone
It’s rare to find Jonathon Stone without a smile on his face. His enthusiasm and positive attitude are contagious. It’s no surprise that he excels as an East Central College Student Ambassador – giving tours and sharing his knowledge with potential students.
“His ability to connect with prospective students and parents has been an invaluable resource to East Central College,” explained Sara Marler, East Central College Admissions Representative. “Jonathon is highly praised by those he works with and is always humble about the praise he receives. He has been an excellent representative of East Central College.”
His hard work and dedication to the college are part of the reason why he was chosen as the 2018 Outstanding Student Award winner at the 47th Annual Spring Commencement.
“Jonathon brings joy to my days,” said Shelli Allen, Vice President of Student Affairs. “The youth, energy and positivity that he brings into the workplace infects all of us. He shows up on time each day, ready to take on whatever new or different tasks await.”
The Outstanding Student Award is the highest award given to an East Central College graduate. It is awarded to one student who embodies academic excellence and contributes to the life of the campus community. The honoree is selected by a vote of the faculty and staff who thoughtfully consider academic achievements as well as extracurricular involvement.
To be considered for the honor, an ECC student must have maintained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Participation in campus and community activities are also considered.
In addition to his role as a Student Ambassador, the Villa Ridge native was also a member of the Student Government Association and Phi Theta Kappa. Outside of East Central College, Jonathon is passionate about helping others. He volunteers with Franklin County Young Life, a Christian outreach program for adolescents, where he listens to the stories of young people and learns about their joys, triumphs, heartaches and setbacks.
Jonathon graduated with Highest Honors, and will continue his education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis where he plans to study business marketing and participate in the U.S. Air Force ROTC program.