Winter 2014 MCCC Avant-Garde Alumni Newsletter

NEWS FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS

Volume 11, Issue 2 • Winter 2014

MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MCCC SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO HELP EDUCATE COMMUNITY ABOUT MILLAGE REQUEST

Julie Edwards, Chair Richard Greer, Vice Chair

Monroe County Community College is seeking volunteers to assist in educating the community about its Millage Request by providing residents with all the information they need to make an informed decision.

Wendy Abbot

Volunteer opportunities include:

Amber Barron Leon Bartley Angela Bomia Doug Donnelly Tennery Hicks Christopher Holmes

• Calling or emailing community and educational leaders and asking that they help educate the public about MCCC. • Calling or emailing community and educational leaders and asking them to write letters to the editor to help educate the public about MCCC. • Calling voters and reminding them to vote and providing them with facts about the Millage Request.

Kathryn Perkins

• Sharing Millage Request info on your personal Facebook page.

DeLaney Provencher

• Calling or emailing to recruit and schedule speaking engagements.

Liesel Riggs

• Going door to door in your neighborhood to distribute information about the Millage Request.

James Thomas Vivian Walczesky

Questions about this publication ?

• Distributing information at local events and/or gathering places.

If you would like to volunteer, please complete the form at www.monroeccc.edu/ millage or contact the MCCC Millage Request volunteer coordinator, Julie Edwards, at jedwards@sienaheights.edu or (734) 731-2552.

Contact Ramona Fisher Co-Editor/ Coordinator of Annual Giving and Alumni Affairs rfisher@monroeccc.edu (734) 384-4177 -ORJoe Verkennes Co-Editor/ Director of Marketing jverkennes@monroeccc.edu (734) 384-4207

www.monroeccc.edu/millage 1

MEMBERS ONLY:

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MEMBER BENEFITS Becoming a member of the Monroe County Community College Alumni Association was a choice, not a requirement. So as a member, you are entitled to receive a benefits package that provides excellent discounts and special offers.

You can find these offers below. However, some offers are only available for a limited time, and offers change frequently. Therefore, at the beginning of each month, we will email you an updated package detailing our most recent offers.

Workplace Perks WorkPlace Perks offers its members exclusive deals on hundreds of merchants, travel deals and special benefits in its shopping portal. Just a few of the partners include 1-800flowers.com, Panasonic USA, Spa Week, As Seen on TV and Books-A-Million. Go to www.WorkplacePerks.com/mcccalumni, and register using MCCCPERKS as your registration code.

MCCC’s La-Z-Boy Center, Meyer Theater Please visit our website: www.monroeccc.edu/alumni or email $2 Discount on tickets. Must purchase tickets from rfisher@monroeccc.edu to make sure we have your correct information so the MCCC cashier; offer is not available online. you can receive these offers.

MCCC Fitness Center ALUMNI BENEFITS: Fitness Center membership for only $50 per year.

Call the Fitness Center at (734) 384-4423.

Monroe Multi-Sports Complex • $2 off public skating admission MCCC Bookstore • 25 percent off Learn to Skate classes and Learn to Play Soccer classes 15 percent discount on all purchases upon presentation of your membership card (excludes textbooks and software).

Nationwide Insurance-Cuccia Insurance Agency Up to 20 percent off auto insurance Discounted Detroit Zoo Tickets This offer is not available to the general public or at the box office.

To purchase tickets, go to tickets.detroitzoo.org. Enter the store name: MCCC Discounted Detroit Pistons Tickets This offer is not available to the general public or at the box office. To purchase tickets, go to pistons.com/MCCC. Enter the promo code: MCCC Discounted Red Wings Tickets This offer is not available to the general public or at the box office. To purchase tickets, go to www.detroitredwings.com/monroeccc. Enter the promo code: MCCC Eastern Michigan University Sporting Events Group Discount Order 10 or more tickets and get them at $5 each – a 50 percent discount per ticket. Simply call the ticket office at (734) 487-2282.

Discounted Cedar Point Tickets Tickets will become available in the spring. Be on the lookout!

Frangrance.net Discount 10 percent off your entire order. Go to www.fragrancenet.com or call 1-800-PARFUMS. Use the coupon code: MNRE5 Tireman Auto Service Center VIPlus and Discount Program. Your membership card entitles you to discounts on all of Tireman’s automotive products and services.

Additional Benefits: • A subscription to Avant-Garde, the Alumni Association newsletter.

• Special invitations to college and The Foundation at MCCC events via email or Facebook.

• Library privileges at MCCC’s Learning Resources Center.

• Eligibility for membership in the Education Plus Credit Union.

• Free services from the Office of Workforce Development.

• Ability to nominate students for Alumni Association scholarships.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK The Alumni Association has a Facebook page.

Just search for Monroe County Community College Alumni Association and “like” the page to receive regular updates about MCCC and Alumni Association happenings.

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Coupons: Please cut out coupon and take with you to the store.

25% OFF

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Discounts will be updated monthly.

Check your email regularly to see what the MCCC Alumni Association can do for you.

FOR CURRENT BENEFITS, PLEASE REFER TO THE BACK OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD. For more information, or if you own a business and would like to provide an offer for your fellow Alumni Association members, please contact Ramona Fisher, coordinator of annual giving and alumni affairs, at rfisher@Monroeccc.edu or (734) 384-4177.

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MCCC TO SEEK ADDITIONAL TAX LEVY FOR FIRST TIME IN

If the millage proposal passes, MCCC will use the increased revenue to: • Keep MCCC affordable and student debt low. MCCC will be able to continue to be the most affordable college option for our residents. With more than 30 percent of all high school graduates in Monroe County starting their college education at MCCC, the college plays a large role in helping local families keep money in Monroe County.

Many students served by MCCC likely could not afford to attend another college or university. Tuition rates, however, have been rising steadily as revenues have decreased, and this will continue without additional funding.

34 YEARS

Monroe County Community College will ask voters to approve an additional 1 mill property tax levy in November.

The college has not asked for an additional tax levy in 34 years. If passed, the levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $4 per month.

• Maintain existing, high-quality academic programs and offer much-needed additional programming.

In order for the college to maintain all of its existing, high- quality academic programs, additional funding is required.

In addition, new academic programs are needed to prepare students for employment in fast-growing fields like health care, computer information technology, and career and technical education. Areas where MCCC would explore expanded or new programming include:

According to Board Chair William J. Bacarella Jr.,

cost containment efforts have been underway at MCCC since 2008 to offset critical decreases to its funding streams. These efforts continue today due to

basically flat revenues from property taxes and state

appropriations following years of declines.

• An honors program • Physical therapy assistant • Occupational therapy assistant • Surgical technician

“We have been treading water financially for 7-8 years to continue to meet the changing needs of our constituents,” Bacarella said. “Even though our

cost containment efforts have produced substantial

savings and efficiencies, MCCC still faces numerous challenges to our ability to continue to offer high quality higher education at an affordable price.”

LEVY FACTS

• Medical coding and billing • Electronic medical records (EMR) • Dental assistant • Radiology/medical imaging • EMT • Paramedic

• Paramedic to registered nurse

• Information assurance and security (expansion of current program)

Monroe County Community College will ask voters to approve an additional 1 mill property tax levy in

November.

• MCCC currently levies 2.1794 mills.

• If passed, the levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $4 per month.

• Biotechnology (medical electronics) • Culinary arts (expansion of current program)

• Auto service (expansion of current offering)

• Travel, tourism and hospitality management

• Entrepreneurship

• MCCC has proven to be an excellent financial

steward of the county’s tax dollars; the last

time the college asked for an additional tax levy to fund operational needs was 34 years ago.

• Beverage science- fermenting/distilling/brewing/ bottling (marketing and management/expansion of current culinary arts program) • Transportation and logistics

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“That is a testament to what this college means to this community,” he said, adding that two-thirds of MCCC graduates stay in Monroe County and contribute to the local economy.

• Maintain and expand student success services.

Student services that are key to student success

need to be expanded to meet demand. In addition, the college must continue to meet guidelines

required by law in the area of disability services, and the percentage of students who need these services is growing rapidly. Areas where MCCC would explore expanded or new students services include college preparedness, orientation, academic advising, turoring, mentoring, learning communities, financial literacy, career planning, job placement, internships and co-ops.

“We offer students the opportunity to attend college locally at an institution recently recognized by CNNMoney as No. 2 in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana for student success,” said Quartey. “The college also plays a key role in attracting new businesses to Monroe County and retaining current businesses. “With that kind of a track record, it is difficult to imagine the last 50 years in Monroe County without Monroe County Community College. We do not want to see any of that put in jeopardy due to funding issues.”

• Update computer technology and equipment. MCCC will update information technology infrastructure to be in line with the requirements of today’s jobs.

• Address critical facility needs. In order to maintain and enhance academic programs and student services, the college must address significant maintenance issues and renovate existing facilities.

Many of MCCC’s facilities are nearly as old as the college itself and date back to the late 1960s and early 1970s.

“MCCC contributes substantially to the success of students, businesses and the community-at-large,” Bacarella said.

“We have not asked for an additional tax levy since 1980 and have proven to be an excellent financial steward of the county’s tax dollars. The efforts of the administration, faculty and staff to mitigate difficult budget situations year after year are to be commended. But the college must immediately address the many challenges that remain.”

According to MCCC President Kojo A. Quartey, the college conducted a survey over the summer and learned that 7 in 10 Monroe County residents or their immediate family members have taken classes at MCCC.

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UTILIZING WHAT MCCC HAS TO OFFER

By DeLaney Provencher, MCCC Alumni Board Member

When I was trying to decide what to do in 2005, it was on the heels of some personal losses in my life. My mother had been very sick, I lost my fiancée to esophageal cancer, and my construction business didn’t hold the interest that it had in the past. I held two associate degrees, one in accounting and one in business; but I wasn’t interested in pursuing anything in business at that time.

My son, Tobie, and his wife Loraine suggested that I try nursing, since I was always taking care of someone who was sick. While nursing sounded interesting, it didn’t exactly resonate with me at the time.

However, every time I saw an MCCC catalog come to my home, the Respiratory Therapy program just seemed to draw my interest. So, I contacted Bonnie Boggs at MCCC, went on the tour of C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at the University Of Michigan, and started my prerequisites for the program in the winter of 2007, taking chemistry, biology, algebra and a computer class all at the same time. I made it through with straight As, was accepted into the program and started that fall.

Bonnie encouraged me to try for some scholarships and grants, which I did. I received an instructional scholarship that covered my tuition while I was in the program. Later, I also earned a scholarship that covered my books. Let’s face it, college isn’t cheap, even at the great college we have at MCCC! Just over a month into the program, I was in a terrible car accident. I totaled my car, and I hit my head, giving me a TBI (traumatic brain injury). I struggled to work full time and go to school. My grades began to suffer so I went to see a counselor at the Learning Assistance Lab on campus. The counselor was very concerned for me and suggested that I might benefit from pulling out for the semester. I didn’t feel that was an option. With encouragement from Jack Woltmann, my instructor, I went back to the LAL, and with my doctor’s recommendation, I was granted some extra help through tutoring. I also was allowed to take my tests in the LAL so I could concentrate better.

My grades started to improve; although my head was still giving me problems. In May 2009, I graduated from the program. Then I joined the Alumni Association and went on to participate as a board member. I also joined the Respiratory Therapy Advisory Council at the college and got my “dream job” working with children at Mott Children’s Hospital.

Had it not been for Bonnie, Jack and the wonderful counseling staff at the LAL, the steady concern of Jane Clevenger, the LAL administrative assistant, I’m pretty sure I would not have finished the program on time. But I did.

With a team like that behind you, you can’t lose.

My message to anyone who wants to go back to school or is having any difficulty with finances, learning or anything else that pops up with life while going to MCCC is: Use the resources that MCCC has to offer! Talk with your instructors and other students. Ask for help in finding the right resources – there are a lot of them right on campus. MCCC wants to help you succeed!

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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES ‘LIFETIME ALUMNI FRIEND’ CATEGORY In March 2014 Alumni Association Board of Directors meeting, the Board approved a “Lifetime Alumni Friend” category that gives anyone an opportunity to become a member and support MCCC. A lifetime friend membership includes those individuals who have earned between 0-23 credit hours and do not qualify for an Annual Membership or Lifetime Membership. Lifetime Alumni Friend members who have paid the required dues shall receive full membership benefits as set by the Alumni Association Board of Directors; however, Lifetime Alumni Friend members are not eligible to sit on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. A Lifetime Alumni Friend membership can be transferred to a Lifetime Membership once an individual completes the Lifetime Membership requirements.

The cost for a Lifetime Alumni Friend membership is a one-time payment of $50.

Application info is available online at www. monroeccc.edu/alumni.

WORKING TOGETHER TO GROW OUR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Dear MCCC Family,

More than 15,000 students have graduated from Monroe County Community College since it was founded in 1964. Many of those individuals still live in the area and joined us on campus during our recent celebration of the college’s 50th anniversary.

Thank you so much to all who volunteered and helped MCCC to bring the entire event to fruition.

The MCCC Alumni Association is on a revitalization quest, and we want all alumni involved. Our goal is to recruit an additional 5,000 members in the next five months. I encourage all alumni to contact their friends and acquaintances and encourage them to join. There are numerous benefits to joining the Alumni Association, and the cost is just $15 a year. There is also a great opportunity to join with a Life Membership for a one-time payment of $50, $25 of which will be donated to the Alumni Scholarship Fund – yes, that is for life! I could not believe that when I heard it, so I immediately joined myself.

According to the Alumni Association bylaws, full time faculty and staff, even if they are not MCCC graduates, have the option to join the Alumni Association and take advantage of these wonderful benefits.

A new development is that anyone who has earned 0-23 credit hours at MCCC can now become a member of the Alumni Association under the Lifetime Friend member category for a one-time payment of $50.

So, the Alumni Association is growing, and many more alumni and community friends have an opportunity to join at minimal cost.

Volunteers are needed to assist in educating the community about its Millage Request by providing residents with all the information they need to make an informed decision. Please consider donating some of your time to assist in this effort.

To learn about available Millage Request volunteer opportunities and sign up, please visit www.monroeccc.edu/ millage You can also email MCCC Millage Request Volunteer Coordinator Julie Edwards at jedwards@sienaheights.edu.

For more information on Alumni Association membership, please contact Ramona Fisher, coordinator of alumni affairs, at rfisher@monroeccc.edu or (734) 384-4177.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kojo A. Quartey President

Monroe County Community College

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MCCC’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION On June 21, 2014, Monroe County Community College hosted an all-ages, community-wide celebration on the central mall of the Main Campus to mark its 50th anniversary.

The event began at 1 p.m. and culminated in a spectacular fireworks show at dusk. Headlining the event was American Idol winner and national recording artist Kris Allen. The festival also featured multiplatinum 90s rock group The Verve Pipe; Toledo-area band Madison Avenue; Chelsea’s Ben Daniels Band, led by the son of Emmy-awardwinner Jeff Daniels, and a Swedish alternative Americana folk rock band, Baskery.

The event also included a children’s zone with a bounce house, an obstacle course, a 20-foot slide, fun and educational games, face painting, a dunk tank, college exhibits, an alumni art show, a culinary cooking exhibition, lifelong learning demonstrations, a showcase of current credit and non-credit academic offerings, a beer tent and wine tasting.

The festival was made possible by a grant from The Foundation at MCCC and through the support of sponsors. No college funds were used to underwrite the event. MCCC would like to extend special thanks to Laibe Electric/Technology, DTE Energy, Dolce Vita and Nick & Nino’s for providing additional support for the event.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Agora Chorale Concert Tuesday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m.

La-Z-Boy Center General Admission: Free Symphony Band Concert Monday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m.

OCTOBER

La-Z-Boy Center General Admission: Free

Jim Brickman Friday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m.

La-Z-Boy Center Reserved Seating: $27 VIP Seating: $37

JANUARY Classic Albums LivePink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” Saturday, January 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Band and Choral Concert

La-Z-Boy Center

Monday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m.

La-Z-Boy Center

Reserved Seating: $27 VIP Seating: $37

Reserved Seating: $5

FEBRUARY

NOVEMBER

The Marshall Tucker Band

General Election

Friday, February 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 4

La-Z-Boy Center

The Highway Men Live:

Reserved Seating: $33 VIP Seating: $43

A Musical Tribute Saturday, November 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Band and Chorale

La-Z-Boy Center

‘Collage’ Concert

Reserved Seating: $27 VIP Seating: $37

Sunday, February 22 at 7:30 p.m.

DECEMBER

Reserved Seating: $5

Davina and the Vagabonds

28th Annual Black History Month

La-Z-Boy Center

Blues Series Concert

Saturday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m.

La-Z-Boy Center

Saturday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Reserved Seating: $15 VIP Seating: $25

General Admission: Free

La-Z-Boy Center

MCCC’s Prelude Children’s Chorus Monday, December 8 at 7 p.m.

La-Z-Boy Center General Admission: Free

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20TH ANNUAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GOLF OUTING RAISES MORE THAN $9,000 TO BENEFIT STUDENTS The Monroe County Community College Alumni Association’s 20th Annual Golf Outing netted more than $9,000 to benefit student scholarships and the Alumni Association’s Career Technology Center pledge.

The September scramble, which was held at Carrington Golf Club in Monroe, included 28 teams. There was nine VIP Sponsors, nine Hole Sponsors, four Specialty Hole Sponsors and one Cart Sponsor. The Cooley, Hehl, Wohlgamuth, and Carlton team took the top prize -- tickets to the Jim Brickman show at the La-Z-Boy Center, Meyer Theater on October 17. The Men’s Longest Drive prize, two tickets to a Detroit Piston’s game, was won by Bob Tozzi. The Women’s Longest Drive prize, also two tickets to a Detroit Piston’s game, went to Sally Jaynes. There were three Closest-to-the-Pin Holes. The winners were Barry Kinsey, Matt Hehl and Roland Jagutis.

Again this year, there was a challenge hole, “Out Drive the Prez for a Prize.” Golfers could pay $5 each for the chance to outdrive MCCC President Dr. Kojo Quartey. Raffle tickets were given to those who did outdrive him. The winner of the raffle, Dr. Roger Spalding, won a onenight stay in a luxury king guest room and dinner for two at Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria and Cucina Restaurant at the MGM Grand Casino. The contest raised $460.

This year, the Alumni Association Board of Directors awarded four Alumni Association scholarships and two Alumni Family Member scholarships.

For more information on the Alumni Association scholarships, please contact Ramona Fisher in the Alumni Office at 734-384-4177 or rfisher@monroeccc.edu

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MCCC AWARDS ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIPS Alumni Association Scholarship

Monroe County Community College has awarded the MCCC Alumni Association Scholarship to Taylor Cole, Samantha Bartley, Chelsea Siebarth and William Burrous. The $900 scholarships are to be used for tuition, fees and books.

Cole is 2012 graduate of Airport High School. She is studying nursing at MCCC and played on MCCC’s club volleyball team. She is the daughter of Sunshine and Troy Cole.

Taylor Cole

Bartley is a 2014 homeschool graduate. She is studying pre-social work at MCCC. She is a member of Monroe County 4-H and received the 4-H member of the year award in 2010. Bartley is the daughter of Leon and Jennifer Bartley.

Samantha Bartley

Siebarth is a 2012 graduate of Ida High School. She is pursuing her associate of science degree at MCCC. Siebarth is the daughter of Parents Terry and Susan Siebarth.

Chelsea Siebarth

Burrous has volunteered for Trojan Wrestling Camp for kids, Home Depot/ Habitat for Humanity builds, and Lowes/ Habitat for Humanity builds, and has helped organize two car seat checks for the community of Taylor with Safe Kids and the Taylor Fire Department. He is married to Jennifer Burrous and they have two children, Aidan and Avery.

William Burros

Alumni Family Member Scholarship Monroe County Community College has awarded the MCCC Alumni Family Member Scholarships to Jesiqua Hutchison and Kyle Poley. The $1500 scholarship is to be used for tuition, fees, books and other essential supplies.

Hutchison is a 2012 graduate Summit Academy North High School. She is majoring in fine arts at MCCC. She is the co-chair of the MCCC Gay/ Straight Alliance and the co-vice president of the International Studies Club. She is the daughter of Melisa Hutchison.

Poley (not pictured) is a continuing student at MCCC who is working

Jesiqua Hutchison toward an associate of science degree.

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IN BRIEF • The Monroe County Community College Board of Trustees approved a threeyear contract with the MCCC Maintenance Association. The new contract took effect July 1, 2014.

• Monroe County Community College has been granted continuing accreditation of its associate degree in nursing program by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing with the removal of warning status and the next evaluation visit scheduled for fall 2021

EMAIL ADDRESS UPDATES We are currently in the process of updating the email addresses we have on file for alumni.

Please send your current email address to Ramona Fisher, coordinator of annual giving and alumni affairs, at rfisher@monroeccc.edu. If you also have a new mailing address, please send that as well as your phone number, just in case we need to contact you.

PAUL W. SMITH NAMED ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR The 2014 Monroe County Community College Alumnus of the Year Award was presented to Paul W. Smith at the 47th Annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 2.

The MCCC Board of Trustees established the Alumnus of the Year Award in 1996 to recognize and honor outstanding alumni who have made significant contributions to their career, community and the college.

A 1973 graduate of MCCC, Smith continued his education, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.

He has been a host on the ABC Radio Network and the former Financial News Network in New York and has also hosted morning shows on both radio and television in Toledo, New York, Windsor, Philadelphia and Detroit. Since 1996, he has hosted the morning show on WJR-AM 760 in Detroit. In 2013 he was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame and was recently dubbed by the Wall Street Journal as “The King of Talk Radio in Detroit.”

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Smith has been a generous supporter of MCCC, delivering the keynote address at the 1987 MCCC Commencement Ceremony, serving as the master of ceremonies at the Career Technology Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, and sharing his talent as the voice of the “Realizing the Vision Capital Campaign” video and the Shirley A. Meyer tribute video.

Since 2007, Smith has broadcast his award-winning show – The Paul W. Smith Show – live from MCCC’s La-Z-Boy Center as part of his annual summer Pure Michigan Tour. In May, he hosted a special broadcast live from the La-Z-Boy Center in celebration of the College’s 50th Anniversary.

A tireless community volunteer, Smith gives his time and talent to the Think Detroit PAL, a partnership with the Detroit Police Department and community volunteers that works to build character in young people through athletic, academic and leadership development programs.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

DIANE M. VAJCNER

My journey began after I graduated from Monroe High School’s Business Education Course in 1965. As I began to experience work in the real world, I knew I needed to keep learning; I enrolled in my first MCCC courses.

Like so many others, I had to work my way through college. I received a bachelor of science degree in social psychology from Park College in Parksville, Mo., in 1982, while serving nearly eight years active duty in the U.S. Army Chaplaincy.

For three of those years, I was program coordinator for the 8th U.S. Army Religious Retreat Center located on Nam Mountain, South Korea.

Having met many missionaries there, I was often invited to stay at the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary Mission and helped in their medical clinic. I had a good taste of what it means to offer care for the poorest of the poor. I sensed a “nudging” within me to pursue a career in a health care field. I returned to Monroe after my discharge from the Army and enrolled in the EMT course offered through the Lifelong Learning Office at MCCC. After this, I became a certified nurse aide. I knew I wanted to become a registered nurse, so I set my sights on the nursing program at MCCC. Once accepted, I worked as a student nurse at Mercy Memorial Hospital. I completed the program in 1986. After graduation, I was blessed with a full-time nursing position at Mercy Memorial Hospital’s Pineview Center.

It is with great praise and respect that I put in a “plug” for an MCCC nursing educator and leader who I will never forget, Patricia Schramm. At the time, she was both the division chair and director of the nursing program. Schramm was probably one of the most influential people I have ever met. Her vision was to develop and strengthen the MCCC nursing program. Her plan was to seek ideas and feedback from nursing homes and hospitals where MCCC nursing graduates were presently working or, ultimately, would seek employment after graduation. Schramm’s vision came to fruition, and the MCCC Nursing Advisory Board was created. Directors of nursing from homes and hospitals met together on a regular basis for this purpose. I felt humbled, blessed and honored that she would ask me to sit on this board as well. It is people like Schramm and many of the early “movers and shakers” throughout the history of MCCC who continued to build upon the foundation laid by their predecessors.

After six years of working at Mercy Memorial Hospital, I became restless and decided to pursue a master of science degree in counseling psychology from Chaminade University of Honolulu, Hawaii. I took an educational leave of absence from Mercy Memorial Hospital and applied for R.N. licensure in Hawaii.

Once I was settled in Kaneohe, Hawaii and enrolled at Chaminade, I was hired at the new Hawaii State Hospital. I was employed as a part-time staff nurse with full-time benefits and the option to work as many hours as I wanted. At the same time, I did volunteer work at the Windward Spouse Abuse Shelter and the Kaneohe Mental Health Clinic.

At the time, Governor John Wahaee decided to form area service boards throughout the Islands. Again, I felt humbled and blessed when he personally appointed me to sit on the Windward Oahu Area Service Board for Mental Health and Substance Abuse. I remained on the board until I completed my masters degree in 1994 and returned to Monroe. I never returned to Mercy Memorial Hospital. Instead I chose to provide personal nursing care for my mother.

A friend who taught at MCCC encouraged me to seek a part-time teaching position at MCCC and referred me to Al Hileman, division chair at that time of humanities and social sciences. The timing was perfect. He needed adjunct staff to teach General Psychology and Social Psychology. So I began the wonderful experience of teaching at the very college that paved the road for so many blessings that came into my life. I taught at the Main Campus and Whitman Center, and loved every moment of it.

After a few years teaching, my mother and I found we had difficulty dealing with the cold weather in Michigan. I gave up my adjunct teaching position, obtained a Florida R.N. license, and we moved to Florida at the end of 1997. Since my mother’s passing in 2004, I’ve been moderately involved in my community, offering a variety of free personal growth classes for our residents and helping my neighbors.

I consider myself fully retired now; however, I do maintain my Michigan R.N. license. I continue to do what I love most; I am still studying, learning and enjoying my flower gardening. It doesn’t get much better than this. Above all, it is my God who has allowed all of this to happen in my life. It was His Spirit that was the “little nudge” that got me moving on and up the ladder of personal growth and character development. I can always look around and find some way that I can be of help to whoever happens to be my “neighbor.” This is fulfillment!

God bless every one of you at MCCC who are building that wonderful college into the very best it can be. MCCC will never stop growing as long as there are visionaries within its walls.

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I GOT MY START AT MCCC. Nicole Borowski

WELDER

VENTOWER INDUSTRIES

Nicole, who says she loves her job because there is nothing better than “fusing two metals together,” is in her second year of MCCC’s welding program.

www.monroeccc.edu 877-YES-MCCC

I GOT MY START AT MCCC. Asia Rapai

PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Asia’s experiences on the MCCC student newspaper – and, later, as editor of Bowling Green State University’s newspaper – led to her interest in the growing field of public relations.

www.monroeccc.edu 877-YES-MCCC

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NON PROFIT US POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT 421 MONROE MI

www.monroeccc.edu Monroe County Community College is an equal opportunity institution and adheres to a policy that no qualified person shall be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, gender, marital status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, height, weight or veteran’s status in any program or activity for which it is responsible.

Alumni Volunteerism Volunteerism is an integral aspect of philanthropy. It is the giving of time, talent and contacts to help your community and improve society.

According to the Department of Labor, more than 60 million people across the nation recently volunteered through or for an organization — more than one fourth of the population. Are you part of the 25 percent? Now is your chance!

I would like to volunteer to assist with (check all that apply) Alumni Golf Outing

Antiques in April

Great Pumpkin Pursuit

One Book, One Community

Family Fun Day

Student Mentoring (students)*

Meyer Theater Events

Please return this form or email the info to: RAMONA FISHER Coordinator of Annual Giving and Alumni Affairs Monroe County Community College 1555 S. Raisinville Rd. Monroe, Mich. 48161 rfisher@monroeccc.edu

Board Interest (check all that apply): Alumni Association Board Foundation Board Advisory Board

*Your name and contact information will be passed on to the Learning Assistance Lab.

Name Address City

State

Phone

E-mail

Date of Graduation/Last Attended News or story suggestions/comments

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