East Central College   

Category: Campus News

#InspiringExcellence – Organization Makes Donation to Help Women in Need at ECC

September 13, 2017 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

Going to college can be a balancing act. For some women attending East Central College, juggling a full-time work schedule and a family can make it difficult. Financial burdens can also bring on added stress. With the help of the Philanthropic Education Organization (PEO) International Sisterhood, these women have a helping hand toward earning a degree.

Chapter NA of Franklin County serves local women by providing grants, scholarships and low-interest loans to those in financial emergencies. The group is one of many PEO Sisterhood chapters throughout the country and Canada.

As part of their local efforts, the group donated a thousand dollars to the East Central Financial Aid Department for the 2016-17 academic year. Student Financial Aid Director Karen Griffin hopes the funds will prevent local women from dropping out of school when facing a hardship.

“The fund gives women in need at East Central College a helping hand,” Griffin said. “We are so thankful we have an organization in the community that supports our students in this way.”

PHOTO: Franklin the Falcon, Jean Bennett, Barb Schroepfer, Karen Griffin and Missy Lochirco

 

Fall Writing Contest Now Open

September 7, 2017 | Campus News

Are you a talented storyteller? Until Tuesday, October 31, current ECC students can submit their stories and/or essays to the Annual ECC English Department’s Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction Writing Contest.

“We received amazing entries every year,” said English instructor Josh Stroup. “I feel it is extremely important our students get a real audience to read their work, not just family or friends. We should celebrate writing, and this contest does just that.”

Each student is allowed a maximum of three entries, and each entry must be no longer than 20 pages.

Additionally, submissions should be in size 12 Times New Roman font and single spaced. Please include a cover sheet with your name, phone number, email, mailing address and entry titles. As for individual stories or essays, only the title in a header is needed. Entries should be submitted as a Microsoft Word attachment to Joshua.Stroup@eastcentral.edu.

Winners will be announced via email on November 15. First prize is $100, second prize is $50 and third prize is $25.

For more information about this contest, contact Josh Stroup at Joshua.Stroup@eastcentral.edu.

Ace Your Semester – Fall Workshop Series for Students

August 31, 2017 | Campus News

The Learning Center is offering a fall semester workshop series for students. These free sessions will take place in the BH 103 computer lab, which is located by the elevator in the Karen S. Weida Student Service Center.

There is no need to RSVP for the workshops. Students just have to show up!

Topics:

  • Accountability: Take Control of Your Learning
    • September 5, 12 p.m.
    • October 25, 3:30 p.m.
  • Working When You Don’t Feel Like It
    • September 6, 3:30 p.m.
    • October 26, 12 p.m.
  • Setting SMART Goals
    • September 12, 12 p.m.
    • November 1, 3:30 p.m.
  • 30 Day Study Challenge (Study Skills)
    • September 13, 3:30 p.m.
    • November 2, 12 p.m.
  • Find Your Balance: Managing Stress
    • September 20, 3:30 p.m.
    • November 9, 12 p.m.

Questions? Contact Erin Anglin or Kristin Milligan.

ECC Awarded Federal Grant for Industrial HVAC Equipment

August 29, 2017 | Campus News

For the second year in a row, the USDA has awarded a Rural Business Development grant to East Central College.

“This is a very competitive grant,” said East Central College President Dr. Jon Bauer, “and we are honored to receive it. We look forward to using the funds to help create more educational and workforce development opportunities in the community.”

The $56,606 USDA grant award will be used to construct an entry level chilled water system to further develop ECC’s Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC) program. The bid for the project went to Johnstone Supply in Bridgeton, Missouri.

“Although regular air conditioners are very popular in residential projects,” said HVAC program coordinator David DeArmond, “larger installations like office buildings, hospitals and factories use chilled water systems instead. This purchase will give our students the industrial experience they need to work on these units.”

The entry level chilled water system will be housed in the HVAC lab inside the college’s Business and Industry Center. It will be used in degree and certificate programs.

“The average age of an HVAC employee right now is 55 years old, and the need for a new batch of workers is growing. We can train students on state-of-the-art equipment in two years or less and get them into the workforce,” said DeArmond.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of HVAC workers is projected to grow by 14 percent by 2024, much faster than then average for all occupations. The average salary in the greater St. Louis area is $52,590.

“Employers are constantly knocking at our door looking for qualified workers,” said DeArmond. “They come from more than 50 miles away in some cases.”

Board Approves Tax Levy

Meanwhile, the East Central College Board of Trustees also passed the operating tax levy for 2017 at .37 per one hundred dollars valuation. A proposed debt service levy of .0841 per one hundred dollars assessed valuation for 2017 was also approved.

The tax rate is set to produce revenues of at least $6,392,834 which the operating budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 shows to be required from the property tax. The debt service levy is set to produce revenues of at least $1,500,000 which is required to meet the debt service of East Central College for the calendar year beginning January 1, 2018.

The tax rates are subject to change based up actions by county boards of equalization, the State Tax Commission, subsequent information, applicable law and certification by the State Auditor.

#InspiringExcellence – Local Artist Headlines Art Gallery Show

August 28, 2017 | Art Campus News

Jenn Brown and Sara Weininger, graduate students at Washington University, are bringing their art exhibit “In Between” to East Central College September 5-29. A reception with the artists will be held September 21 from 5 – 7 p.m.

“We are very excited to have these up and coming artists to our gallery,” said Gallery Coordinator Jennifer Higerd. “Jenn Brown is from the area and a graduate of East Central College. It’s always special to be able to showcase alumni work.”

“East Central College was close to home and affordable,” Brown said. “I actually became an art major by accident, and it changed my entire life.  I learned so much while I was there; it made me a better student and a better person.  I still consider the ECC art department my home.”

Brown works mostly with metal. Her work for the “In Between” exhibit is self-described as “references to inner-body structure and physical representations of the toll it can take to shut others out.”

Weininger, meanwhile, will focus on drawings and paintings.

“Drawing is both the source and structure for my present work. Awkward dreamlike perspectives are constructed through a physical building up of marks,” explained Sara Weininger.

Both artists are excited to showcase their work at the East Central College Art Gallery. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Brown said. “This is my first major show, so it only seems right that I go home to do it.”

“In Between” will be displayed at the ECC Art Gallery, Hansen Hall, Room 121, 1964 Prairie Dell Road, Union.

ECC Alumna Jenn Brown

Library Fall Book Sale

August 24, 2017 | Campus News

ECC is holding its Library Fall Book Sale on Sept. 5-7 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The sale helps raise funds for college activities and provides affordable reading options for the public.

Rather than paying full price for a used book online, ECC Library Services Director Lisa Farrell encourages students and community members alike to stop by. “We’ve seen many great fiction titles go quickly for 50 cents a paperback and $1.00 for hardbacks, including textbooks – it’s quite a steal.” The cost of each book ranges from 50 cents to one dollar. Sale items range from fiction and non-fiction books, recent magazines, and popular movies.

Cash, check and credit/debit card are all accepted!

Solar Eclipse Awes, Inspires on First Day of Classes

August 21, 2017 | Campus News

Hundreds of people sat in complete silence and eyed the sky as the clock inched closer to 1:15 p.m. on August 21. The anticipation on campus, in Franklin County, across the country and around the world had been building to one moment: the total solar eclipse.

As the moon completely blocked the sun, the East Central College campus erupted in cheers.

“It was like nothing I’ve ever seen,” said ECC freshmen Erin Parker. “I remember talking about it in high school my junior year, but I had almost forgotten about it.”

Parker admits she didn’t know what to expect, and as the sunshine started to turn to darkness, she was visibly awestruck.

“It was just so fun,” she said. “It was an incredible experience.”

Check out the photo gallery on Facebook!

To help celebrate the event, East Central College canceled classes from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. to allow people to watch the eclipse. Food vendors, telescopes and even a bubble machine helped pump the crowd up while they waited for the path of totality to reach campus.

Because of East Central College’s preferable viewing location, Popular Science Magazine teamed up with ECC and the University of Missouri-St. Louis to live stream the event on their Facebook page, which was viewed all over the world more than 110,000 times!

Class Schedule for Eclipse: NO Classes: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

August 15, 2017 | Campus News

In order to let students, faculty and staff experience the solar eclipse, classes at East Central College will be canceled from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Monday, August 21.

Any classes leading up to 11:00 a.m. will let out early. Any classes starting at 2 p.m. will go on as scheduled.

Call 636-584-6500 with any questions.

Eclipse Parking – August 21

August 14, 2017 | Campus News

August 21 is the first day of classes at East Central College! We are excited to welcome students back to campus. This year will be very different, as it falls on the same day as the total solar eclipse happening across the country.

East Central College, as well as most of Franklin County, will be in the direct path of the eclipse. Because of the expected traffic congestion, we are advising students, faculty and staff to allow extra time to get to campus that day.

Classes will be canceled from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in order to allow everyone on campus to experience the once-in-a-lifetime event.

East Central will modify its parking lots to accommodate the expected influx of public visitors to campus, while at the same time allowing parking for our students, faculty and staff. Signs will be posted on campus directing people where to park. Our facilities staff will also help direct traffic.

Click on the map below to find out where to park.