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Alumni Spotlight -“East Central College Helped Set Me Up for Success at Missouri S&T”

September 11, 2018 | Campus News

He’s the type of person who likes to figure things out. It’s why Blake Bohl decided to become an engineer.

“I enjoy problem solving and determining the most effective solution to a given problem,” the Owensville native explained. “I enjoy studying engineering because I know I will eventually be in a place where I can improve the quality of life for many people, and I know I will enjoy doing it.”

Bohl got his start at East Central College.

“Instructors at ECC not only challenged me to do my best on my coursework, but also helped me to understand what I really wanted to do with my life,” he said.

He is now continuing his education at Missouri S&T, where he is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.

“East Central College helped set me up for success at Missouri S&T,” He said. “At ECC, I got out what I put in. The harder I studied, the more my instructors noticed and were able to get to know me better.  Although she was not the only one, Linda Arrington played a big role in who I became at ECC and what I am going to become at Missouri S&T.”

He received a bit of good news this semester. Bohl was one of only six students in an eight-state region to receive the Weary Scholarship – designed to help deserving, academically-oriented students to further their college education.

“I was ecstatic! I felt an incredible amount of joy, but also relief,” he said. “This scholarship will cover roughly half of this semester’s costs and allow me to spend more time studying, or participating in clubs and design teams rather than working as much.”

East Central College and Missouri S&T have had a thriving transfer partnership for more than 40 years. Originally established for the benefit of engineering students, the partnership has expanded to include students majoring in more than 40 different degree programs.

Center for Workforce Development Searching for Local Experts

September 11, 2018 | Campus News

The East Central College Center for Workforce Development (CWD) needs talented people to help provide training to local businesses. It is holding a series of talent fairs this fall to allow those interested to stop by and discuss how their talents can be used.

“This is a great opportunity for retirees or someone looking for part-time work,” said Joel Doepker, Vice President of External Relations. “We have a great amount of knowledge in our area and their work experience has a tremendous amount of value.”

The events will be held at the East Central College Business and Industry Center, 42 Prairie Dell Plaza Drive, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Each talent fair has a different focus based on the type of talent needed.

  • September 20
    AutoCAD, Tool & Die, Welding, Quick Books, Industrial Maintenance, Industrial Electricity and Precision Machining
  • October 4
    Lean Six Sigma, Quality Management, Logistics and Material Coordination, OSHA 10 & 30 Instruction
  • October 25
    Holiday Artisans, Craft Instructors, Personal and Professional Development, Peach Tree Software Instruction
  • November 1
    Certified Nursing Assistant Instruction for East Central College – Rolla

CWD offers credit and non-credit classes and training in a wide range of areas for employers and employees who are looking to upgrade their skills or may be seeking a new skill set for a change in employment. Additionally, through its Community Education Program, it provides children and adults with opportunities for personal and professional enrichment.

Attendees are asked to bring a current resume. Questions can be directed to training@eastcentral.edu or call 636-649-5803.

#InspiringExcellence – Leigh Kolb Named Outstanding Young Professional

September 6, 2018 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

Each year, fifteen individuals are selected as Outstanding Young Professionals by the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce, and we are proud to announce Leigh Kolb made the list in 2018!

“I’m in awe,” said the East Central College Assistant Professor of English and Journalism. “It is such an honor and privilege.”

The award is designed to recognize young professionals, ages 40 and younger, who make significant contributions to the Washington area, both in business and volunteer service. According to the Washington Chamber of Commerce, the selection committee received more nominations than ever before in the six-year history of the awards!

“The work Leigh Kolb does every day directly and positively impacts our region,” said Joel Doepker, East Central College Vice President of External Relations. “She is dedicated to bringing social justice and cultural education to the community.”

Aside from her dedication inside the classroom, Kolb spearheads the East Central College Film and Lecture Series and the East Central College Student Media Club, which organizes and staffs the student newspaper. She has also played a role in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations on campus. In 2018, she is helping bring together Democrats and Republicans for a non-partisan candidate forum to be held on campus on September 20.

“She not only teaches but mentors those around her,” said Doepker. “She is highly praised not only by her students each year but also by other faculty and staff members at the college.”

Recipients of the Outstanding Young Professional Awards will be honored at the Chamber’s Member Luncheon on Monday, September 24.

Congrats to Leigh!

#InspiringExcellence – CNA/AEL Program Gives Second Chances, Changes Lives

August 17, 2018 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

Healthcare was always a field of interest for Pacific resident Heather Delisi. “My mother and my aunt were both Certified Nurse Assistants,” she explained. “It’s something I grew up with.”

The drive to help people in need is what led Kayla Jenkins to healthcare. “I want to become a nurse. I want to help new moms and take care of new babies,” the Union resident said.

Both had something standing in their way – no high school diploma.

“I dropped out when I was 16,” Delisi explained. “At the time, I was following my fiancé to a new state.”

She is now 36, and decided it was time to finish what she started.

“I wanted to show my kids I could do it,” she said. “I want to set a good example.”

Jenkins left high school her senior year. She admits bad influences got in the way of her education. Nearly seven years later, she made a very important phone call.

“I called my old high school about getting my diploma, and they told me about a local program for people just like me,” she said. “I have a daughter now, and I need a career – not just a job.”

Both landed at the East Central College Adult Education and Literacy Program and enrolled in the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program. It is designed to prepare individuals to care for clients in long-term care facilities, hospitals and home health agencies. The innovative program consists of 75 hours of classroom training and 100 hours of supervised clinical training. It also includes 100 hours preparation for the high school equivalency exam.

“After looking into the program, I was ready. I said ‘let’s do this,’” said Jenkins.

“I was tired of just sitting at home,” said Delisi. “I admit I was a little terrified starting the program. I had no idea what to expect.”

Her fears quickly went away once the program got underway. “The class sizes were small. It made me so much more comfortable,” she said.

Terri Warmack leads the CNA program. As the Health Careers Workforce Coordinator, she knows the program can be a life-changing experience for many.

“This program is about second chances,” she said. “It’s about taking that first step to a new life. Certified Nurse Assistants are vital to healthcare. It’s a rewarding, exciting and challenging career where you can make a difference every day.”

“Terri is a great teacher,” said Delisi. “She’s like another mom. She relates to us. We laugh together. We cry together.”

Betsy Williams is also in the classroom. As an AEL instructor, she is helping the class prepare to get their high school equivalency.

“Betsy is all about discipline,” Delisi joked. “She keeps on us to make sure we stay the course.”

The combination is working. In August, Jenkins and Delisi passed the final exam to become a Certified Nurse Assistant through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. They will now both finish their High School Equivalency in the coming weeks.

“Once this is over, I plan to get a job and take a break,” said Jenkins, “but it’s not over. I want to keep going.”

“It feels so good to prove so many people wrong,” said Delisi. “I want to keep proving people wrong and become a registered nurse.”

The next CNA/AEL starts in September. Students must be 18 years of age at the start of the program. For more information: 636-584-6531, Terri.Warmack@EastCentral.edu.

Friends of Library Book Sale – September 10-13

August 15, 2018 | Campus News

ECC is holding its annual “Friends of the Library Book Sale” on September 10-12 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and September 13 from 7:30 a.m. – noon in Union. 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.

Friends of the Library allocates book sale funds to support free raffle drawings during Falcon Fest, snacks during finals week and additional movies for the circulating collection.

Cash, check and credit cards are accepted!

Summer Learning Academy Thrives in First Year

August 7, 2018 | Campus News

This summer, Samuel Getchman kept busy. He designed a video game, solved a forensic mystery and escaped a vault.

“I wanted to be able to express my creativity,” he said, “I like exploring. I like expanding my mind.”

He was able to do all three at East Central College’s Summer Learning Academy. Facilitated by Community Education, it provided a unique, fun experience for area youth on the Union campus this summer.

“These classes were designed with curiosity in mind – letting students develop talents and encourage personal growth,” said Program Coordinator Bonnie Devine. “In the past, we’ve offered traditional summer camp-style activities, but we went in a new direction this year.”

Along with the new name, classes were completely redesigned.

“To make this program successful, we knew we needed faculty buy-in,” said Joel Doepker, Vice President of External Relations. “We wanted to bring their knowledge and expertise into the mix. We wanted to strike the right balance between having fun and learning something new.”

Several East Central College instructors jumped at the chance to be a part of Summer Learning Academy. Assistant Professor of Engineering Dr. Isaiah Kellogg created an escape room where students used math and science skills to solve puzzles before the clock ran out. Journalism instructor Leigh Kolb facilitated a student-run online newspaper where students put their reporting skills to the test. Science Laboratory Manager Jennifer Chitwood ran a forensics lab where students were able solve crime mysteries and learn from real law enforcement investigators.

Culinary Program Coordinator Mike Palazzola offered a made-from-scratch pizza class and a dessert bakeshop class for students.

“I always get excited when we have young students in the kitchen,” said Palazzola. “We not only teach them how to cook but also why it’s important to learn about kitchen safety and following instructions.”

The new look and feel of Summer Learning Academy made a difference with enrollment. Nearly 220 students signed up for classes this year, a 70 percent jump over 2017!

“Several classes reached capacity in just a few weeks,” said Devine. “We hope to expand more next year and continue to offer new, exciting classes for area youth.”

East Central College Awarded National Endowment for the Arts Grant

August 1, 2018 | Art Campus News Inspiring Excellence

East Central College is proud to announce it has received an Arts Engagement in American Communities (AEAC) grant from the National Endowment for the Arts!

The $10,000 matching grant will help support the annual concert series in the John Anglin Performing Arts Center for the 2018-2019 school year.

“We are proud to host world-renowned acts like the Arianna String Quartet and St. Louis Symphony every year,” said Dr. Jennifer Judd, Concert Series Coordinator and East Central College Professor of Music. “It couldn’t happen without the support of the community, the college and amazing organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts.”

The AEAC grant supports arts projects in all artistic disciplines, extending the National Endowment for the Arts’ reach to communities across the United States. These grants engage the public in diverse and excellent art in underrepresented geographic areas.

Information about upcoming concerts can be found at eastcentral.edu/tickets.

Peggy Zotta Memorial Scholarship Established for Nurses at East Central College

July 26, 2018 | Campus News

For the last several years, an area woman has been on a mission – honoring her longtime friend and nursing colleague Peggy Zotta.

“Peggy and I worked together at St. Luke’s side by side, mostly in the Newborn and the Special Care Nurseries,” her friend said. “She was a nurse’s nurse.  Someone you could count on.  Someone you would want taking care of those you loved the very most.”

In 2014, Zotta became terminally ill. Her friend wanted to honor her memory after her passing.

“There is a lot more to nursing than the mechanics and knowledge base.  More even than human touch.  Maybe it’s compassion, an empathy that can enhance healing beyond the physical things we do.  I know it is essential in the very best of us, and Peggy had that gift, that art,” she said.

The friend and her husband set out to establish the Peggy Zotta Memorial Scholarship for nursing students.  They started their quest at the University of Missouri – St. Louis, and they recently started working with the East Central College Foundation to bring the scholarship to even more students.

“Peggy was aware of the first scholarship before we lost her and was pleased to be honored,” her friend added.  “I think she’d be even more tickled about this one.  I’m excited about how many students may benefit!”

The friend and her husband donate $40,000 annually to help students in need at East Central College.

“I want this scholarship to be part of her legacy,” she explained, “something to honor her, who she was, the lives she touched.  I am privileged to be able to help a deserving student – glad to be able to give back.  I never imagined, working all those years, that the money I had put aside for retirement would end up giving back to the profession that I love.”

The Peggy Zotta Memorial Scholarship at East Central College will be available for any student with great need but especially for those who often fall through the cracks or who have no other means for pursuing their goals. It will be available for the 2018-2019 school year.

New Student Orientations

July 19, 2018 | Campus News

It’s time to get ready for the Fall 2018 Semester! At New Student Orientation, you will learn about student rights and responsibilities, campus safety, financial aid, instructional technology and campus life. Each session is held in the Health and Science Building. Check-in starts 30 minutes before each session in the lobby.

New Student Orientations:

  • Thursday, August 2 from 4-8 p.m.
  • Tuesday, August 7 from 4-8 p.m.
  • Thursday, August 9 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 11 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Orientation attendance is required as part of Foundation Seminar, the class required for new ECC students. Any degree seeking student who is registered for the upcoming semester who has *not* attended an earlier orientation session is required to attend.

The New Student Orientation or Campus Orientation is not an event open to the public, but a course in which new students are enrolled when they meet with an Advisor to schedule their first semester.