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Issue 9
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Fresh news every day at
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Keeping our friends and supporters informed about what’s new and exciting at Rocky Mountain College
Peering over the vast containers of turkey, ham and all the trimmings, Owen and Riley Smith, sons of Prof. James Smith, were wide-eyed at the heaping plates
YULE TIME A Rocky Mountain College Christmas includes an array of activities. The campus community finds time for prayer, song, play and psalms. Feasting figures into the equation. The Yule Log Dinner rolls out ample fare. At RMC music is almost always present, whether it be jazz at the Babcock or Lessons & Carols at First Presbyterian. Gingerbread houses become a gingerbread village in Fraley Hall. Prescott Hall, and especially the Great Room become Continued on page 5
Travis Kuehn, accompanied by Tiffany Personett, provided festive entertainment for this year’s Yule Log Dinner. The audience applauds as the Yule Log catches fire. Tradition calls for the log to be lit by the youngest student and this year is was Oscar Nunez.
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Keeping our friends and supporters informed about what’s new and exciting at Rocky Mountain College
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE RMC INSID E R
BY ROBERT WILMOUTH, M.D., F.A.C.S. -
About a year ago I considered a succession plan for the Masters of Physician Assistant Studies program in the event that I was no longer its Director. I did this to be prepared and reckon with any possibilitis that lie ahead. I did not know at that time that I would be named interim president, but I’m ready to accept that responsibility. Let me tell you why this is a privilege for me. When I prepared for the possibility that, at some point, I would no longer be directing the physician assistant program I still wanted to have a role in this college. I had come to know the physician assistant students, but I also became acquainted with other students, and always was impressed with how well their education,
President
rooted in liberal arts, had prepared them for the future. We want students who leave here able to make good decisions in their lives and I believe that’s what makes them successful. Our faculty makes this a reality. It is humbling for me to step into this role and be a part of this. Some say this is a hard job. I don’t think it will be that difficult as our College has an identity and a direction that have been well established. The hard part is to have the courage to not fear making mistakes as long as we learn from those, and to speak up and speak out about what we think can make our College better. We certainly have some needs and I’ll be there to listen. We all need clarity. We need to know what we’re doing and why. We need to
know that good outcomes will come from our tireless work. Let me be clear about one thing you can count on from me. I will be both accountable and results-oriented. I will represent RMC in a positive way. I hope this will be a Merry Christmas season for all of you. I am impressed and energized by the spirit and strength of this College in the many ways we celebrate the holidays. Thank you for the opportunity to serve RMC.
RMC IS ULTIMATE RESUME BUILDER ALL A BO UT T H E S T U D EN TS
Johnathan Diem Never sell yourself short is advice Johnathan Diem would give to every student at Rocky Mountain College. Certainly that’s advice to which Diem has subscribed as he worked on his dual major 2
degree – managerial accounting and business administration – and finishes off his master of accountancy this year. Diem came to RMC with skiing on his mind, having been a ski racer growing up and admiring two RMC skiers, Pete Petry and Michael Tichy. “Both were phenomenal skiers and committed students. I looked up to them and the successes that they had achieved academically and athletically at Rocky. Inspired, I wanted what they had found at Rocky,” Diem said. He found success in both athletics and academics. Diem was part of the 2011 National Championship Ski Team, and lettered as an All-American three times academically and once athletically in the 2011 SkierCross. He also was a successful candidate for president of the Associated Students of RMC and, as a consequence, has the unexpected responsibility and honor being named to the RMC Presidential Search Committee, charged with finding a replacement for Michael R. Mace, who is
retiring this year. When it comes to his motivation, Diem gives credit to a number of professors and staff: RMC Provost Anthony Piltz, who taught him the difference between “being educated and trained.” Prof. James Smith taught him to be creative in problem solving, to merge your self-worth and values in a life alignment. Katie Carpenter, RMC associate dean of student life, encouraged him to recognize the importance of making a social contribution. RMC Ski Coach Jerry Wolf is a “friend and legend of the mountains: who pushed him to go harder and faster. The future is not worrisome for Diem. He is confident he can land a job in finance/accounting with ski companies located around the world. Some day he hopes to earn his Ph.D and become a college professor. “Rocky is the ultimate resume builder. If you take advantage of the opportunities to be submersed in the whole educational experience, you’re bound to succeed” he said. “Just don’t sell yourself short.”
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION MAJORS TEACH ‘SIX TRAITS’ FOCU S O N FACULTY
Mark Damico, Assistant Professor, Elementary Education
six small groups. Each group was then given a choice of original writing prompts created by the RMC students for the writing assignment. As the fifth graders wrote, the college students acted as writing mentors and assisted the kids in every aspect of the writing process. The RMC student-teachers then collected the first drafts and assessed each piece using the Six Traits rubrics. They
returned to Arrowhead the following week to conference with each student individually. Using the advice and suggestions of their “teachers” the fifth grade writers edited and revised their work to create their final writing piece. The final student work will be published into a booklet that the class will share with their teachers, classmates, and families.
Mark Damico For an aspiring teacher, hands-on experience in the classroom is crucial. For a young student, the ability to write effectively is a necessity. Recently the two came together in an experience that was beneficial for all. Rocky Mountain College students Brittany Hodgson, Jami Eaton, Logan Weidman, Bryce Baker, Bo Grandahl, and Taylor Kufeld were given the opportunity to spend time with the 5th graders at Arrowhead Elementary School, where they guided them in the Six Traits Method of writing and writing assessment. Marc Damico, RMC assistant professor of elementary education, worked with Arrowhead Principal Pam Meier to create this experience which ultimately helps the younger students become better writers and the RMC students better teachers. The Six Traits are the essential elements of writing: Ideas, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, Organization, and Conventions. As students learn mastery of these elements, teachers use rubrics to assess each phase of the writing process. The rubrics serve as guidelines by which teachers can quantify and describe desirable elements to look for within each trait. Each of the six RMC students taught one of element of the Six Traits to the entire class and then divided the class into 3
Photo: Mark Damico, RMC
Jami Eaton, an RMC elementary education major, supervises her grade schoolers during a writing exercise at Arrowhead.
‘I like hanging out with college kids . . .’ Remarks from the students about the class with RMC prospective teachers show humor and insight: “I liked hanging out with college kids and writing because I’m the oldest of four kids and I like to be with people older than me.” “I liked this experience because it was a good experience and made me a little bit smarter.” “I liked Brittany who worked with us because she is very nice and pretty and I liked how she corrected our papers.” “I liked writing and getting my work
published. This was really fun.” “Well, I liked the food (snacks), but what I really enjoyed was getting feedback and learning what I can improve on.” “I liked our teacher because he helped us with our papers and I think that it is easy to learn when it is fun!” “Awesome + Friendly + Pretty + Smart = Great Teacher!” “I liked this experience because I got to write an essay and present it to the class and I got to hear everyone’s story.”
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‘FRESHMEN DAY’ GOOD FOR STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY FOCU S O N S TA F F
Blaire Brush, Career Services director
A unique aspect of Rocky Mountain College is the Rocky Freshman Experience (RFE). Designed to foster writing skills, cross-disciplinal thinking, and new student friendships, RFE classes are composed of small groups of freshmen. One class required in these groups is Campus Compass, a class that introduces students to campus policies and offers advice on developing good study skills and habits. Under the direction of Blaire Martin Brush, director of career services, and Jill Washburn, community services coordinator, this year’s Campus Compass classes incorporated another element into (and outside of) the classroom – community service. Service has always “been a passion throughout my life,” said Brush. Hoping to share that passion with Campus Compass students, Brush included community service in her class for the past several years. Community service not only provides benefits outside of the classroom, but inside the classroom as well. Brush, who recently completed a master’s thesis focusing on service in the classroom, college, and the community, pointed out that studies have shown that students who participate in service projects perform better academically; they demonstrate more engagement, curiosity, and critical thinking.
“They just do a better job of managing their academics,” said Brush. Using community contacts, Brush set up service opportunities around town at organizations including the Billings Food Bank, ZooMontana, and the Yellowstone Boys & Girls Club. One group, led by Associate Dean of Student Life Katie Carpenter, spent the day packaging meals for local assisted living centers and boxes of groceries for needy families. “I picked the food bank because I thought it was one place that a student would want to go back and volunteer in the future,” said Carpenter. Packing the food supply boxes, Carpenter set a goal of 100 boxes for her group. The final count impressed Carpenter – her group had packed 200 boxes of food. Carpenter’s group wasn’t the only one to exceed goals; her other group was tasked with creating 300 boxed breakfasts. The final tally was 600. According to Carpenter, “the projects were not pre-organized. What impressed me the most was that the students just dove in and organized.” Despite the serving event being part of a class, Carpenter was surprised by the lack of resistance from students
This year’s freshman class volunteered at local organizations to connect with one another and with the Billings community. Students exceeded expectations at the Billings Food Bank, packing twice the number of food boxes set as their goal. 4
Blaire Brush having to give up a Saturday morning. “Surprisingly, they were interested in going. As an instructor, I entered into the situation expecting resistance, but there was a surprising amount of motivation. And once we got there, they were really proud of how well it was going and how far ahead we were of schedule.” Other groups experienced similar successes. Brush’s group worked at the Yellowstone Boys & Girls’ Club and accomplished in two hours a project that the club has worked on for almost two decades. The service day sparked media coverage, and Brush received over a dozen calls the following day from other agencies. One of Brush’s goals is to let the community know that “RMC does care and is involved in the community. It’s part of our mission. In my mind, it’s a great way to inspire students to a lifetime of service to their community. Being a good citizen is serving.” According to Carpenter, the service day had numerous benefits, not only for the organizations, but also for the students and the College. “It’s set a nice tone and good foundation for future serving and [the students’] time here,” she said. --By Erica Wall, RMC
RMC CELEBRATES HOLIDAYS IN MANY WAYS F O CUS O N CA M PU S
Ya Ting Chang smiles as she puts the finishing touches on her gingerbread house. Fraley Lounge became Gingerbread Central as dozens of students concentrated on making festive models.
Carsen Myhre, RMC 2010 and RMC admissions counselor, popped from downstairs Prescott Hall to lend a hand with hauling in decorations for the Great Room. Marilyn (Morledge) Kohles and her mother, Patti, continued the family’s tradition of making Prescott Hall glow with Christmas decorations.
YULE TIME Continued from page 1
Kelsey Merriam, dressed for Moulin Rouge, wheels her horse, Felix, into position at the annual RMC Equestrian Winter Drill. Equestrian students from all classes and their horses – dressed up for different themes -- perform with their horses at the free-to-the-public event.
“Christmas Central” as the Morledge Family continues its tradition of making it beribboned and bedecked with festive decorations. Equestrian students perform their Winter Drill, with riders and horses dressed colorfully and creatively for themed presentations. We worship. We sing. We commune. The community gathers, smiles abound. This is a family where harmony’s found.
Steven Hart conducts the RMC Concert Choir during Lessons & Carols, an annual holiday concert that requires two performances to accommodate crowds wanting to attend. 5
Marisa Gollus provided a swinging version of “I’m Elizabeth McNamer, RMC religious Beginning to See the Light” for the RMC Jazz Concert at studies professor, reads Scripture the Babcock. Shown accompanying her are Ramon Ochoa during Lessons & Carols. on drums and Leo Steiner on trumpet.
Kristin Mullaney, RMC 2009 and RMC parent relations and events coordinator, offers a psalm during Lessons & Carols.
Testimony to RMC’s participation in the community is exhibited on the Babcock Theatre marquee.
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THERE ARE MANY BENEFITS TO BEING A ‘CHEERFUL GIVER’ ADVAN CE M E N T A DVI C E
BY JULIE SEEDHOUSE -
We all know when we give a gift we are doing more than bestowing something to another. We give because we have an expectation that it will make someone happy or create a better situation, and it will improve someone’s life, or make better circumstances for the larger good. We give because we feel better for it. It’s human nature to enjoy endowing another with something precious. And, yes, we give because there may be a benefit to ourselves. This comes to Montana residents when we maximize our chari-
Vice President, Advancement
table donations by taking advantage of the Montana Tax Credit for Endowed Gifts. By directing your gift of $1,000 or more to the Rocky Mountain College Endowment, you will earn a credit on your Montana incomes taxes of 40 percent of the the value of your gift. The maximum credit is $10,000 per person per year, or $20,000 for a married couple. Tax laws may be very different next year, but remain unchanged through December, 2012. We welcome your gift to help our students and we’ll be happy to help you structure your gift for your greatest benefit.
Obert Undem will be available to help you make sure your gift is not only most appropriately invested in Rocky Mountain College, but also provides the most benefit for you. Please call him before Friday December 28, 2012 at 406.657.1142. This is a season where we send our warmest wishes for a wonderful holiday and new year, and a season where we are always grateful for your generosity.
COMING EVENTS FEBRUARY 1
FEBRUARY 22-23 & 28 – MARCH 1-2
Fifth Annual Invitational Honors Concert, Alberta Bair Theatre, 7:00 p.m. The RMC Office of Admissions, in conjunction with the RMC Music Department, welcome high school sophomores-seniors to perform with RMC students at our fifth annual concert. The public is cordially invited to attend. Admission is free. For more information, contact Kristin Mullaney, Admissions Event Coordinator, 406.657.1026 or admissions@rocky.edu. Pictured: Performers at last year’s concert at Alberta Bair Theatre.
RMC Theatre Dept. presents “South Pacific” at Billings Studio Theater, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $10 General Admission, $8 Students and Seniors, $6 Rocky Family. For more information: Gearld Roe, RMC professor, theatre arts. 406.657.1111 / roeg@rocky.edu and/or Sarah Brewer, RMC associate professor, theatre arts 406.657.1162 / sarah.brewer@rocky.edu. Photographs appearing in Rocky Now, unless otherwise noted, are by Dave M. Shumway, RMC staff photographer.
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