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East Central College Alumna Using Art Therapy to Help Patients

February 5, 2018 | Art Campus News

When she was a senior in high school, Morgaine Denison was awarded an art scholarship to East Central College. She didn’t know it at the time, but it started the St. James native down a path to helping people in need.

“Creating art has always provided a space where I feel confident that my voice is heard and understood,” she explained. “It has always been my voice and sanctuary.”

After her time at East Central College, Denison transferred to Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville.

“While I was finishing my bachelor’s degree, I had the opportunity to shadow an art therapist at a community mental and behavioral health facility,” she explained.

It was an eye-opening experience for Denison. She soon after decided to pursue a master’s degree in art therapy counseling. The degree combines the therapeutic uses of art-making with the skills of a professional counselor. Art therapy counselors are able to help people work through trauma, mental health issues, illness and challenges in living, as well as help those who seek personal insight and change.

“A common misconception is that art therapy only suited for children,” she said, “but art therapy has been proven effective among a variety of populations!”

When trauma occurs, Denison explained, the brain stores information from the event on both sides of our brain. Complications from trauma arise when people are unable to access the verbal processes in the brain. That’s when art therapy can be a useful tool.

“If we cannot speak about the experience, it makes traditional talk-therapy difficult to engage in. Art has the ability to move information from the ‘feelings part’ of our brain to the ‘speaking part’ of our brain. I feel this makes art therapy such a viable treatment modality for many,” she said.

Denison’s artwork is currently on display in the East Central College Art Gallery. Titled Art Therapy Expanded, the exhibit gives the community an inside look into art therapy. All works were created by the art therapy graduate students from Southern Illinois University—Edwardsville, as well as a few faculty members.

A reception will be held for the exhibit February 15 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in Hansen Hall, 1964 Prairie Dell Road in Union. It will give the community a chance to interact with the artists.

Fink Johnson, Freitag Selected for Board of Trustees

January 22, 2018 | Campus News

Prudence Fink Johnson and Audrey Freitag will be sworn in as East Central College Board of Trustees members in 2018.

Filing for the April Board of Trustees election closed January 16 for two expiring terms. Since neither seat was contested, an election will not be held in April. Fink Johnson and Freitag will be sworn into office and begin their terms at the April meeting.

Fink Johnson will continue representing Subdistrict 2, which includes the school districts of Lonedell R-14, St. Clair R-13 and Union R-11, excluding the Lyon and Boone Township portion of Union R-11 and the portion located in the Beaufort-Union precinct. She was first elected to the board in 1994 and will begin her fifth term in April.

Freitag will represent Subdistrict 1, which includes the school districts of Crawford County R-1 (Bourbon), Sullivan C-2, Strain-Japan R-16, Spring Bluff R-15, Franklin County R-2 and New Haven, including the portions of Lyon and Boone Townships and the Beaufort-Union precinct in the Union R-11 School District.  Also included are the portions of the Boeuf and Lyon Townships in the Washington School District. She will replace Don Kappelmann, who retired after 12 years on the board. Audrey is an ECC alumna and has been active with the ECC Foundation for many years.

The Board of Trustees is the sole statutory legislative governing body responsible for the control and operation of East Central College. Monthly meetings are normally held on the first Monday of the month on campus. Learn more about the Board of Trustees.

Union Police Department Holding Active Shooter Drill on Campus Jan. 9, 11

January 4, 2018 | Campus News

On Tuesday, January 9 and Thursday, January 11, the Union Police Department will hold active shooter drills at East Central College.

The training sessions will be held from 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. in Hansen Hall both days. ECC faculty and staff will take part in the training. Because of winter break, classes are not currently in session for students on campus.

“This exercise will be an important training opportunity for area law enforcement,” said East Central College President Dr. Jon Bauer, “and will better enable our faculty and staff to understand what this situation could involve.”

During the drills, campus will still be open. Any student needing assistance for the Spring 2018 semester can visit the Student Services Center located in Buescher Hall.

Fall 2017 President’s List Announced

December 20, 2017 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

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 115 students made the list!

Fall 2017 Vice President’s List Announced

December 20, 2017 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

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 Fall 2017 semester, there were more than 180 students on the list!

Education Instructor Receives Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award

December 19, 2017 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

There is no formula for a “perfect teacher.” It’s a message East Central College Education Instructor Greg Stotler delivers to his students every semester.

“As teachers, we strive to be the best we can and know our limitations,” he explained. “Flexibility is key.  No class is the same. Teaching takes a tremendous amount of skill in listening and evaluating.”

It’s also important to have a sense of humor. “Good” teachers, Stotler argues, are not afraid to laugh at themselves or with their students.

“If I had to designate one requirement for teachers it would be the ability to laugh.  Life is funny.  Some days it may come in the form of joy and others it may come in the form of irony or even discomfort.  Laughter helps us survive.”

Stotler practices what he preaches. It’s one of the many reasons he is such a valuable resource to students. It’s also one of the reasons he was awarded the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award in 2017 – an annual recognition of educators in the St. Louis area who are examples of excellence in their field.

According to his nomination form (which is kept anonymous), “Greg Stotler provides a positive and comfortable classroom environment that empowers students to ask questions freely. He consistently engages his students in a manner that forces them to think outside their comfort zone in order to connect their understanding of concepts to their experiences.”

It added that his teaching is not limited to just the classroom. Stotler can often be found around campus engaging students in activities. He continuously pushes students to access their full potential and to test their limits.

Stotler credits his success in education to his upbringing.

“I went into teaching because I was surrounded by amazing teachers, family, friends and colleagues in and outside school,” he said. “A countless number of people believed in me and always supported my path.  Those people knew when to push me and knew when I needed guidance, always demonstrating that life is not a solitary endeavor.”

He brings that mentality to the classroom every day.

“I love preparing students for one of their first ‘teaching’ roles through our coursework.  During this experience, a wonderful combination of nervousness and excitement resonates from the students,” he said.

#InspiringExcellence – East Central College Student Wins State Music Competition

December 12, 2017 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

Reflecting back to his second-grade years, Ethan Stahl remembers his love for Nickelodeon.

“The Naked Brothers Band was my favorite show. It was the coolest thing to me back then,” he explained. “It inspired me to form a band with one of my pals.”

After a promising start, the band eventually fell apart due to creative differences. While Ethan didn’t end up a rock star, he did come away from the experience with something more meaningful – his love for piano.

“It’s a place I go in my head, and the escape that it provides is fantastic,” he explained. “I also just love the process of making a piece of music fulfill its potential.”

He’s taken his passion for the piano to East Central College, where he is studying piano performance and music theory. “The nuances of playing the piano have become so complex and full of such detailed characteristics that it has become an entire world for me,” he said.

In November, he got to put his skills to the test at the Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) annual competition. It was his first competitive event, and he admits it started off a bit rocky.

“I didn’t get a chance to soak much of it in,” he said. “I was terribly sick the whole time.”

Despite his ailment, he pushed forward. It was a good thing he did.

Ethan took home first place in the Collegiate Honors Audition Lower Division for freshmen and sophomores. He competed against students from community colleges and four-year institutions across the state.

“When I performed, I knew I played well,” he admitted, “but I made a major fumble at the end. I assumed botched the whole thing. I left with a less-than-lukewarm feeling, which contributed to my surprise at the results!”

Ethan plans to transfer to a four-year university after East Central College and continue his studies in music.

Board of Trustees Election Set for April 3, 2018

December 4, 2017 | Campus News

Two trustees for the East Central College Board of Trustees will be elected on April 3, 2018, for terms of six years each.

One trustee shall be elected from sub-district one, which includes the school districts of Crawford County R-1 (Bourbon), Sullivan C-2, Strain-Japan R-16, Spring Bluff R-15, Franklin County R-2, New Haven, and the portions of Lyon and Boone Townships as well as the Beaufort-Union precinct in the Union R-11 School District.  Also included in sub-district one are the portion of the Boeuf and Lyon Townships in the Washington School District.

One trustee shall be elected from sub-district two, which includes the school districts of Lonedell R-14, St. Clair R-13, and Union R-11 excluding the Lyon and Boone Township portion of Union R-11 and that portion located in the Beaufort-Union precinct.

Trustees are elected by voters in the college district at large.  A candidate for the board must be a citizen of the United States, at least 21 years of age, a voter of the district for at least one year preceding the election and a resident of the sub-district for which he or she files for at least one year preceding the election.  A candidate must not have been convicted of or pled guilty to a felony or misdemeanor under the federal laws of the United States; must not be delinquent in the payment of any state income taxes, personal property taxes, municipal taxes, real property taxes on the place of residence (as stated on the declaration of candidacy); and must not be a past or present corporate officer of any fee office that owes any taxes to the state.

Declarations of candidacy may be filed with Bonnie Gardner, Executive Assistant to the President, during normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in the President’s Office (BH254), located in Buescher Hall, East Central College, 1964 Prairie Dell Road, Union, MO, 63084.  Filing will open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, and will close on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at 5 p.m.   Please note that candidates filing on the first day of filing will be listed on the ballot in random order.  The College will be closed from 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 through Monday, January 1, 2018 and will reopen on Tuesday, January 2, 2018.  The College will also be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 15, 2018.

Food, Games and Massages – Finals Week Fun to Help Students Relax!

November 28, 2017 | Campus News

Finals can be stressful. To help students relax, Campus Life and Leadership has planned a week full of fun activities!

When you need a study break, check out one of these FREE events on campus Dec. 4 – Dec. 7:

Monday, Dec. 4

  • Grab & Go Breakfast: Join us in the The Learning Center Lobby from 7:30-10:00 a.m. for free food courtesy of DECA
  • Balloon Stress Busters: Join us as we pop and smash balloons in the cafe from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. courtesy of The Learning Center

Tuesday, Dec. 5

  • Sheba the Comfort Dog: Come see our furry friend in The Learning Center from 11 – 1 p.m.
  • Nacho Bar: Grab some free nachos in the cafe from 12 – 1 p.m.

Wednesday 12/6

  • Massage & Skincare: Come get free hand and neck massages as well as facial masks and peels from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in The Learning Center courtesy of ECC student and licensed esthetician Betty Cattinari
  • Bingo: Join us in the cafe to play the classic game and win some great prizes from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. courtesy of The Library.
  • Dodgeball: Do you have what it takes to win? Enter the S-MSTA Dodgeball Tournament in the gym at 3:30 p.m. Entry fee per team (5 per team) – $20.  All proceeds will go to help: All Abilities Athletics

Thursday 12/7

  • Massage & Skincare: Come get free hand and neck massages as well as facial masks and peels from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. in The Learning Center courtesy of ECC student and licensed esthetician Betty Cattinari
  • Massage & Skincare: Come get free hand and neck massages as well as facial masks and peels from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. in The Learning Center courtesy of ECC student and licensed esthetician Betty Cattinari

Other goodies:

  • Central Methodist University will also be passing out kettle corn throughout the week.
  • The Student Government Association will have tables set up with “survival bags” around campus.
  • The Learning Center will have snack and study sessions throughout the week.
  • Rotaract will be sponsoring a Grab & Go Breakfast during the actual week of testing (December 13-16).