Stark State Review Spring 2010 Edition

starkstate.edu

STARK STATE COLLEGE

REVIEW

Health Sciences Building – an investment in the future

[ spring 2010 ]

STARK STATE REVIEW The Stark State Review is published for alumni, friends of the College and the community.

Story ideas and articles are welcome from alumni, staff, faculty, administrators and friends of the College.

Please send your correspondence to Stark State Review, 6200 Frank Ave., NW, N. Canton, OH 44720.

Administration John O’Donnell, PhD President, Stark State College of Technology Thomas A. Chiappini Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer Dorey Diab, PhD Provost and Chief Academic Officer John J. Kurtz Vice President /Chief Information Officer Cheryl A. Rice Vice President for Student Services/ Enrollment Management Board of Trustees Christopher J. Maurer, Chairman Michael Thomas, DDS, Vice Chairman Jeffrey A. Halm Penny Sherrod-Campanizzi Tony Townsend Fonda P. Williams III Kelly A. Zachary 2009-10 Foundation Board of Directors Paul Feaser, President Larry Smerglia, Vice President Grace Wakulchik, Secretary Jeffery Walters, Treasurer Hortense Bobbitt Donald Colaner Sally Efremoff Monica Gwin Jeffrey Halm Lynn Hamilton Alexander Hays IV Randall Kreinbrink William Lavery George Lemon William Luntz, Emeritus John McGrath, EdD Nancy McPeek John O’Donnell, PhD Timothy Putman Ahmed Sabe, MD Mary Jo Shannon Slick Shari Shiepis William Strohmenger Thomas Strouble Patricia Wackerly Frank Weinstock, MD, Emeritus Charles West Ronald Wilkof Frank Wittman Alumni Advisory Council Members John Fetty ’92 Randall Kreinbrink ’81 George Lemon ’65 Mark Martin ’92 Ronald Revlock ’82 Mary Beth Reynolds ’74 Phillip Rohr ’83 Lucinda Stone ’01 Steve Yoder ’95 Jayne Sterner ’96, Staff Advisor

On the cover

The new $9 million Health Sciences Building offers more than 48,000 square feet of classrooms and laboratories boasting the latest instructional technology and energy efficiency. See pages 4 and 5 for all the details.

Stark State College is committed to equal opportunity for all and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran’s status.

President’s Message

by John O’Donnell, PhD, President, Stark State College

With record-setting spring semester enrollment, the vision of Stark State College — “to be a first choice in higher education and a catalyst for economic growth” — continues to be borne out by both our growth and economics.

Our most recent expansion — the opening of our $9 million Health Sciences Building — demonstrates how our facilities and curriculum closely align with the needs of the community. The state-of-the-art facility supports students enrolled in or preparing for health care programs, and the structure represents a wonderful collaboration of federal and state government, health care companies, local foundations and individuals. Complementing this project is a $2 million U.S. Department of Labor grant project that is further diversifying our health programs, giving the community more options from which to choose, and enabling the College to increase the number of students we can educate and graduate in this high-demand field.

But not only is enrollment growing in health programs, but in all areas, as these difficult economic times have prompted a record number of individuals to turn to Stark State to help them make career changes as well as find career success and stability. Since 2003 enrollment has jumped each year by an average of 20%, but between the fall of 2008 and 2009 it leaped by 33% at our main campus and nine satellite centers.

Such enrollment growth has stimulated equally formidable increases in our facilities and personnel.

Over the past five years, we’ve invested more than $17.6 million in structures and improvements to support our educational mission. During the same time period, our faculty and staff has grown by more than 50%, with our part-time faculty nearly doubling. And let’s not forget the quality of our faculty and staff, their teaching and service to students, state-of-the-art facilities, affordable tuition, programs in demand by local employers, and transferability to other colleges and universities.

Other evidence of Stark State’s economic benefit to our community was documented in an independently conducted 2009 Socio-Economic Impact Study, a snapshot of which includes these facts: • $35.3 million of a total annual operating budget of $55 million was spent locally.

• Spending for supplies and services and the expenditures of out-of-area students generated a net impact of $30.4 million of added income to the Stark County economy.

• Approximately 39% of our student body came from outside the county and generated an estimated $1.2 million in local sales annually while attending Stark State.

• The increased productivity of area workers, due to the accumulation of past and present skills attained at Stark State, contributed approximately $145.6 million in added annual income.

• Higher student income, attributed to degree attainment and as¬sociated increases in property income, generates about $3.2 million in added tax revenue each year.

• Approximately 90% of Stark State students remain in Ohio and contribute to economic growth, expanding the tax base by generating higher earnings and reducing social costs.

As a strong business and community partner, Stark State will continue to play a pivotal role in the economic growth of our area and, yes, I’d certainly say that Stark State has become a “first choice in higher education” for many citizens in greater Stark County.

[ administrative news ] Diverse college activities supported with $8.6 million in federal, state and local grants Through the Office of Strategic Grant Development, Stark State College received more than $8.6 million in grants for 2009-10. Among those received in 2009 were grants to support fuel cell research and development at the College’s Fuel Cell Prototyping Center, expand textbook rentals, provide soft skills training to Stark County residents, expand educational opportunities to individuals with physical disabilities, purchase human simulators for the classroom and continue a college access and success initiative for African-American males.

The College received its third Ohio Third Frontier Wright Projects grant since the program began in 2003.

This one, in partnership with Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US) for $2,789,975, will expand the company’s fuel cell prototype manufacturing and test capabilities in support of its one megawatt solid oxide fuel cell development program.

With a $300,000 two-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, the College will significantly expand its rental of textbooks to students as a way of cutting the high cost of textbooks in higher education. Another $70,768 grant from the Workforce Initiative Association in Canton will enable the College’s Corporate Services and Continuing Education Division to provide soft skills training to 135 adults and dislocated workers in Stark County. Another $816,901 from the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission is enhancing access to college education for individuals with disabilities.

Also this year, the Health Foundation of Greater Massillon awarded a $12,000 grant to the College to purchase adult simulators to support learning in the associate degree nursing program. In addition, United Way of Greater Stark County supported the continuation of the College’s Focus on African-American Males and Education (FAME) project with a $52,449 grant. Project personnel work with 50 high school students at Alliance, GlenOak, McKinley, Timken and Massillon Washington high schools who enroll in two college courses prior to graduating as a way of encouraging them to pursue postsecondary education after they graduate.

Rebecca Priest, senior director of emerging technologies and strategic grant development, and Caroline Maloney, assistant director, work closely with faculty and staff and external partners to develop and administer grants that afford the College many opportunities to expand programs, support services and expand the economic development of the region. In addition to the grants mentioned, another $4 million in funding was awarded through grant renewals and/or continuations.

Better lives through education. The Stark State College Foundation for 23 years has been a building block in achieving that goal by funding scholarships and special projects to benefit Stark State students.

Most recently, the Foundation was instrumental in raising more than $1.5 million in private funds through the Addressing the Need campaign. The three-year initiative netted nearly $1 million for new health sciences instructional and laboratory equipment, while $200,000 was added to existing endowed scholarships and more than $335,000 was raised for 19 new endowed scholarships.

The Stark State College Foundation thanks everyone who participated in the Addressing the Need campaign, one more way Stark State donors are changing lives and building futures.

Talk about the gift that keeps on giving – a named endowment fund at Stark State provides support for its students, now and into the future.

Established for as little as $5,000 over five years, a named endowment fund is invested for the long term. The investment income continues to generate scholarship money for current and future Stark State students, helping cover the cost of expenses such as tuition, books, lab supplies, transportation and childcare expenses.

Four new endowed scholarships recently were established: > The Larry Abel Memorial Scholarship, set up in memory of Stark State’s Human Resources director and providing general scholarship support to students in need. > The Canton Chapter of APICS Scholarship, provided by the American Production Inventory Control Society to support students in business management or applied industrial technology. > The Doris Jean Huston Memorial Scholarship, initiated by students in occupational therapy, massage therapy and physical therapy programs as a tribute to their professor, who recently passed away. > The Kismet Foundation Scholarship, recently established to provide support to students who exhibit financial need, with priority given to those whose need cannot be met through other means, such as government grants and loans.

To learn how you can help Stark State students create a better future through education via an endowed scholarship, contact Jayne Sterner, development officer, at 330-494-6170, Ext. 4416.

Stark State College Board of Trustees announces reappointments Michael Thomas, DDS, of Thomas and Associates, DDS, and attorney Jeffrey A. Halm, partner in the law firm of Buckingham, Doolittle and Burroughs, LLP, have been reappointed to three-year terms on the Stark State College Board of Trustees.

Originally appointed to the Board in 2000, Thomas currently serves as vice chair. President of the Stark County Dental Society, he was instrumental in starting the dental hygiene program and clinic at Stark State and is founder of the Canton Community Clinic dental department. An avid community volunteer, the Louisville resident serves as Louisville High School team dentist and Southgate School dentist. He also is head coach for the Louisville youth baseball, basketball and football teams.

Thomas earned his doctorate of dental surgery from the The Ohio State University and his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Notre Dame.

He was voted the Stark County Dental Society Man of the Year in 1998 and is a past recipient of the Ohio Dental Association’s N. Wayne Hiatt Rising Star Award and the Marvin M. Fisk Humanitarian Award.

Halm, of Canton, was originally appointed to the Board in 2005. He received his bachelor’s degree from Denison University in Granville and his J.D. from The Ohio State University College of Law. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the area of trusts and estates since 2007, and has been recognized by his peers as one of Ohio’s Super Lawyers since 2004. He serves on the Trusts & Estates Committee of the Stark Community Foundation.

Halm also is board chairman of the Canton Symphony Orchestra and a member of the boards of the American Heart Association, the Arc of Stark County and the Jackson-Belden Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of Jackson Township Rotary and the advisory board for the Boy Scouts, Buckeye Council.

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[ around campus ] Canton Carnival of Wheels raises $2000 for automotive scholarships The Canton Carnival of Wheels, hosted by retired and active Timken Company associates, was held on Stark State’s campus with $2,000 in proceeds donated to the Stark State College Foundation’s Automotive Technology Scholarship Fund. The show featured motorized vehicles on wheels, including street rods, classic and stock cars, motorcycles, tractors, trucks, along with the Stark State College solar car. Plans are already underway for next year’s event/fundraiser scheduled for Sept. 12, 2010, on Stark State’s campus.

Kudos to the Canton Carnival of Wheels and all who volunteered!

Timken associate Dick Mautz, center right, presents Ken Buie, Toyota T-Ten coordinator, center left, with a ceremonial check, while flanked by Timken Company associates and Stark State faculty and staff who volunteered at the event.

With Buie and Mautz in the front row are, left to right: Dave Weary, automotive instructor; Jayne Sterner, Stark State advancement and fund-raising specialist, and Brent Benzie, automotive instructor. Back row, left to right are: Dick Zakrzewski, Timken associate; Perry Brelish, automotive instructor and Dan Thoma, Timken associate.

Absent from the photo: Fred Richards, automotive instructor, who also assisted with the event.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu visits campus

Stark State distinguished faculty and staff named 2009 Distinguished Teacher Award Margaret Atkinson, associate professor of accounting and finance technology, received the 2009 Distinguished Teacher award. She holds a bachelor’s of science degree in accounting from Southwest State University in Minnesota and a master of business administration degree from the University of Akron. A full-time associate professor since 1997, Atkinson has served as faculty advisor for the Institute of Management Accountants, is a member of the Endowment Committee, AQIP Committee and the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. She and her husband, Bob, have three children and reside in Jackson Township.

2009 Adjunct Excellence in Teaching Award Eric Toalston, adjunct instructor, received the 2009 Adjunct Excellence in Teaching Award. A resident of Jackson Township, he earned his bachelor’s of science degree in comprehensive science from Walsh University in 2000. A Stark State adjunct instructor since 2002, Toalston received his Ohio teaching license in 2003. He currently assists as a tutor in the College tutoring center.

2009 Staff Excellence Award

U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu chose Stark State College as his venue when he presented U.S. Rep. John Boccieri (16th-District) with a check for $25 million that will be awarded to various communities in his district to develop energyefficient projects. Projects from this federal award will create jobs in the field of clean and renewable energy. Secretary Chu is pictured above at the press conference with U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, (left) and Nadeane Howard (right), assistant director of the Ohio Department of Development’s Strategic Business.

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Kathleen Steere, a full-time staff member since 2005, was awarded the 2009 Staff Excellence Award. She holds a bachelor’s of science degree in petroleum geology and petroleum engineering from Marietta College. Steere is a member of American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Mid America Paleontology Society and Sigma Sigma Sigma. She currently serves on the College’s Fuel Cell Technology Team, Department Chair Sciences Interview Committee and the College Staff Association Social Committee.

[ around campus ] Enrollment grows dramatically; College meets community needs

Satellite centers open in Barberton, Plain Township and Portage Lakes

Meeting the demands of students and the community, Stark State is continuing unprecedented growth in enrollment, opportunities, facilities and hiring.

Stark State continues to branch out with new satellite centers, offering college credit at Barberton High School, GlenOak High School and Portage Lakes Career Center.

Fall enrollment was up nearly 33%, bringing numbers to an all-time record high of 12,483 students – students who are taking more credit hours per semester than ever. And while fall numbers are the official headcount for the Ohio Board of Regents, the College’s spring enrollment grew by another 870 students, bringing current enrollment to 13,353 new and returning students. Enrollment has more than doubled in the last half-dozen years, making Stark State the sixth largest of Ohio’s 23 public two-year colleges.

Classes taken at GlenOak High School and Portage Lakes Career Center lead to associate degrees offered on Stark State’s main campus, as well as transfer opportunities to other colleges and universities. The Barberton courses, offered in partnership with the University of Akron, lead to degree completion on both campuses, along with transfer opportunities.

In today’s tough financial times, more students of all ages are choosing Stark State, which offers one of the most affordable tuition rates in the area, along with a wide range of financial aid and scholarships. About 60% of students receive some type of financial aid, including private scholarship support through the Stark State College Foundation. “Affordability is absolutely essential, given the state of our economy,” said Stark State President John O’Donnell, PhD. Remaining aware of the needs of businesses and corporations for an educated workforce, the College has responded with expanded course offerings, flexible scheduling and additional course offerings at its satellite centers in Canton, Alliance, Massillon/Perry, Barberton, Carrollton, Navarre, Plain Township and Uniontown/Hartville. Enrollment in online courses, eStarkState, also has increased dramatically, up 48% over last fall semester and attracting students from 16 states.

“Economic development begins with an educated work force,” says Barberton Mayor Bob Genet, who was one of the driving forces behind the development of the Barberton center. “This partnership makes education more accessible and more affordable to area residents.”

The College also has become a major employer in Stark County. Over the past six years the school has increased its full-time and part-time workforce by 69%. Anticipating the College’s rapid growth, over the past five years four new buildings have added 110,000 square feet to the facilities and several parking lots have been constructed. A new 48,000-square-foot health sciences building was opened this fall.

The satellite center partnerships addresses Gov. Ted Strickland’s 10-Year Strategic Plan for Higher Education to provide accessible, transferable education and degree completion programs to all Ohioans.

Stark State’s enrollment growth aligns with the University System of Ohio’s goal to provide convenient, affordable college access to all Ohioans, with seamless transfer from two-year to four-year colleges and universities. “We’re seeing more and more students get their start at Stark State and then transfer their two-year degrees to baccalaureate programs,” O’Donnell said.

Stark State also has satellite centers in Alliance, downtown Canton, Carrollton, Massillon, Navarre and Hartville/ Uniontown.

Stark State receives 2009 economic development award Citing leadership in fuel cell and defense metals research, health care education and workforce training, the North Canton Area Chamber of Commerce presented Stark State College with their 2009 Economic Development Award. Chamber President Doug Lane presented the award to Stark State President John O’Donnell at the Chamber’s 50th Anniversary Annual Dinner Jan. 8. “Stark State is in the business of education and in the business of increasing the per capita income of our region’s citizens, O’Donnell said. Citing the dramatic loss of income in recent years for both citizens and communities, O’Donnell pointed out that the College’s vision is to be a catalyst for economic growth. Recognizing the business and industry leaders in attendance and their strong commitment to North Canton and surrounding communities, O’Donnell said “I am filled with optimism that all the potential in this room can turn the per capita around.” Pictured above with the award are, left to right: Dorey Diab, PhD, provost and chief academic officer; John O’Donnell, PhD, president; and Cheri Rice, vice president for enrollment management and student services.

Photo by Lee Spencer Photography, North Canton, OH

New majors in emerging technologies also are driving the sustained high enrollment growth. The College continues to add new courses and programs such as biotechnology, geographic information systems, homeland security, fuel cells and cyber security/computer forensics. Stark State’s strong business collaborations with Rolls-Royce U.S. Fuel Cell, Inc., the Defense Metals Center and Contained Energy are partnerships all located on campus, creating new industries and jobs for Stark County.

For information about course offerings, call 330-494-6170, Ext. 4228 or visit www.starkstate.edu/satellites.

Stark County Dental Society It was a mutually-beneficial move when the Stark County Dental Society recently relocated its offices to Stark State College. The “lease” fee for the Society’s warmly-appointed and well-lit spaces on the second floor of the Sciences Wing will go directly into a fund dedicated for capital improvements to Stark State’s Dental Hygiene Clinic. “It’s the perfect public-private partnership,” said Dr. Michael Thomas, DDS, immediate past present of the SCDS and a Stark State trustee.

Above, Dr. Thomas, right, poses in the new offices with incoming SCDS President Dr. Ronald Saxen, DDS, and Laura deForest, SCDS executive director. The Dental Hygiene Clinic, open to the public, was built 10 years ago with the assistance of the Stark County Dental Society.

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[ MAIN FEATURE ]

New Health Sciences Building opens doors to opportunities Microscopes … hospital beds … computer stations. Stark State’s new Health Sciences Building is full of plenty of new equipment, new space and new students, but mainly, it’s full of promise.

The $9-million facility accommodates the nearly-35% of Stark State students who are focusing on health sciences programs – and has room for growth. Its more than 48,000 square feet includes spacious classrooms and laboratories boasting the latest instructional technology and energy efficiency to meet the needs of a high-growth, high-demand health care job market.

John Thornton, dean of health sciences, has swung open the doors for tours of the gleaming new building many times since it opened this fall. The sparkling new space is perfectly suited to accommodate increased enrollment, he said, both in new programs and expansion of current curriculums. “Despite current economic struggles, health professions remain career opportunities that are in demand, not only in our region, but nationally,” Thornton said.

Stark State currently offers 17 associate degrees and one-year certificates in health-related professions. “More than 4,000 of the College’s 12,400 students are either in, or preparing to enter health sciences programs and the health care job market within a few years,” said Dr. John O’Donnell, president of Stark State College, noting predictions of a continuing strong job market.

The new building’s spaces were “designed for specific purposes,” Thornton said. Architects worked closely with faculty and students to create classrooms that cater to the demands of individual programs.

A confirmation of strep for a local doctor’s office likely will come from a Stark State-trained med lab technician, who has had the advantage of learning in a new facility. It’s not always textbook cases,” Thornton said. “They really have to learn to be detectives.” Massage therapy students share their skills with outside clients, who have direct access to the warm, dimly-lit room filled with soft music and strong hands.

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Anatomy and physiology students benefit from being enrolled at one of the few two-year colleges in Ohio using cadavers in labs. In respiratory care, students learn in classrooms set up to teach them to administer medication; they eventually work with critically-ill patients in outside settings under the supervision of a faculty member.

First-year nursing students receive both lecture and active learning experience, then put their classroom practice into action on-site. Qualified LPNs and paramedics can become RNs in one year in new Stark State programs housed in the Health Sciences Building; other programs range from one semester, such as hospital phlebotomy, to one-year certificates (e.g., medical transcription) and two-year curriculums with licensing requirements.

Programs build on each other; a medical coding certificate, for example, can serve as a foundation for the health information associate’s degree, which can be a basis for a bachelor’s degree.

Last year 220 Stark State health science students graduated into a strong job market, with from 94-98% of them passing national licensure exams. More than ever, O’Donnell said, “Stark State College represents a center of excellence in the health sciences.”

Photos on the next page show the dedication ceremonies and tours that showcased the state-of-the-art Health Sciences Building. Left: Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric Fingerhut delivered remarks praising Stark State for its commitment to educating health care workers to fill community needs. Center: Health sciences faculty and students demonstrate medical procedures during tours.

Right: Stark State is one of only a few two-year colleges in Ohio using cadavers in anatomy and physiology labs. This stained glass artwork, Receiving the Gift, memorializes the selfless donation many individuals have made so that others may learn. The artwork was designed by Stark State Associate Professor John Herring and fabricated by Robert and Wendy Joliet, owners of Studio Arts & Glass in North Canton. Funding for the artwork was provided through the Ohio Arts Council and the Ohio Percent for Art Program; through private donations from the community, faculty, staff, students, and local artists; and the Wilkof Foundation, represented by Ron and Ruthanne Wilkof.

[ MAIN FEATURE ] Health Sciences Building Programs – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Health information Hospital phlebotomy Massage therapy Medical assisting Medical coding Medical laboratory Medical transcription Nursing Respiratory therapy Other Stark State Health Programs Dental hygiene Dietary manager Expanded dental functions Dental hygiene clinic Occupational therapy assistant Physical therapy assistant Emergency fire services Emergency medical technician – basic Paramedic Dental assisting Medical instrument sterilization technology

Funding Partners > State of Ohio ($5.1 million) > Federal funding ($400,000) > Stark State College Foundation-secured funds from individuals, business and industry > Area medical partners and foundations > Akron Children’s Hospital > Aultman Health Foundation > Austin Bailey Health and Wellness Foundation > Diebold Foundation > Greater Alliance Foundation > Herbert W. Hoover Foundation > Medical Mutual of Ohio > Mercy Medical Center > Fred F. Silk Charitable Foundation

The ECHO grant is paying off in big ways for Stark State College and its students.

So far, the benefits include more than $85,000 in scholarships awarded to over 100 students, additional faculty and staff and extra student supplies and equipment totaling more than half a million dollars.

The grant, Expanding Capacity in Health Occupations, is a community-based job training effort sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. Providing $2 million over three years, ECHO focuses on meeting current and projected health care worker shortages in the region. Stark State will be part of delivering qualified health care workers to the local workforce by: > > > >

an increased number of clinical sites additional students accommodated in the new Health Sciences Building expanded programs in under-served surrounding counties identification of new health-related technologies to address growing employment demands.

“The ECHO grant has provided resources that benefit the college during this time of rapid growth,” said Donna Alexander, project director.

More than 400 additional health students – including dislocated workers, currently-employed workers who need new skills and new entrants to the workforce – will benefit from the grant, Alexander said. Enrollment in health sciences at Stark State has skyrocketed, especially in medical assisting, medical coding and the paramedic program. Other grant-funded initiatives include a massage therapy program at Wayne College in Orrville and the implementation of a dietary manager degree. Funding from the ECHO grant will directly benefit students pursuing certificate or associate degree programs in: – – – – – – – – –

dietetic technician (new) dietary manager (new) expanded functions dental assisting (EFDA) EMT- paramedic (expanded sections) massage therapy (Wayne) medical assisting (expanded sections) medical coding (expanded sections) RN (expanded sections) RN completion for paramedics

An application for an ECHO grant scholarship is available on the Stark State Web site at www.starkstate.edu.

ECHO PARTNERSHIP TEAM | Stark, Tuscarawas, Summit and Medina counties Workforce Initiative Associations | Stark Development Board | Medical Mutual | Community Health Foundation of Greater Massillon | Greater Alliance Foundation | Alliance Community Hospital | Affinity Medical Center | Aultman Hospital | Aultman Health Foundation | Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Akron | Mercy Medical Center | Stark County College Tech Pre consortium | Alliance City Schools - Robert White LPN Program | Canton City Schools Adult Career & Technical Education | Perry Schools | Ashland University | University of Akron’s Wayne College | Buckeye Career Center | Wayne County Career Center | University of Akron’s Medina County University Center | Ohio Skills Bank | Ohio College Tech Prep – Stark County

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[ around campus ]

Dozens of colorful quilted banners unfurled in the College Atrium in December were lovingly stitched tributes to teachers, friends, brothers, mothers, sisters and fathers. The eight panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt, hung in recognition of World AIDS Month, came to Stark State as part of a Nobel Peace Prize-nominated project.

The public was invited to the free exhibit of the quilt, which was conceived in 1985 by long-time San Francisco gay rights activist Cleve Jones to memorialize friends who had died of AIDS. Donated panels began pouring in from across the nation, and in 1987 the quilt was displayed for the first time on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. during the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. That weekend, more than half a million people visited the quilt, which had grown to 1,920 panels and covered a space larger than a football field.

The quilt was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. It remains the largest community art project in the world and memorial panels continue to be added to it daily. Currently, there are over 5700 panels each measuring 12’ x 12’.

Arrangements to have the quilt at Stark State were made by LBGTS Global through the NAMES Project of Atlanta. For more information about the quilt, visit www.aidsquilt.org.

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“

I have made this quilt for

my brother. I remember the day he was born, the day he died and all the fun in between.

I miss you.

”

Quick quilt facts • More than $4 million = funds the quilt has raised for direct services for people with AIDS • More than 18 million = number of visitors • More than 91,000 = number of names • Nearly 1.3 million = square footage • More than 33 days = viewing time to see the entire quilt, spending one minute per panel • More than 54 tons = total weight • Countries contributing panels include Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Dominican Republic, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, North Ireland, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Uganda, United States (all 50 states, Guam & Puerto Rico) and Zambia .

• Materials used in the quilt’s creation: A 100 year-old quilt, afghans, Barbie dolls, bubble wrap, burlap, buttons, car keys, carpet, champagne glasses, condoms, cookies, corduroy, corsets, cowboy boots, cremation ashes, credit cards, curtains, dresses, feather boas, first-place ribbons, fishnet hose, flags, flip-flops, fur, gloves, hats, human hair, jeans, jewelry, jockstraps, lace, lame’, leather, Legos, love letters, Mardi Gras masks, merit badges, mink, motorcycle jackets, needlepoint, paintings, pearls, photographs, pins, plastic, police uniforms, quartz crystals, racing silks, records, rhinestones, sequins, shirts, silk flowers, studs, stuffed animals, suede, t-shirts, taffeta, tennis shoes, vinyl and wedding rings.

[ around campus ] Regula honored by Defense Metals Technology Center

The Stark State College student chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) was named IMA’s “Outstanding Two-Year College Chapter in the Nation” for the ninth time in the past 12 years. In addition, the chapter received the “Best Practices” award for 2009. In addition to trophies, the Chapter received $1500 in cash awards designated for student scholarships at Stark State. The annual competition honors student chapters from across the U.S. for their efforts in promoting management accounting and financial management as professions and careers. Judges based the award on the chapter’s success with educational meetings,

Retired Congressman Ralph Regula (second from left) and wife Mary Regula were joined by Congressman John Boccieri (far left) and Stark State College President John O’Donnell (far right) at a ceremony honoring Regula for his efforts to bring the Defense Metals Technology Center to Stark State College. The center, operated by the Department of Defense, is working with area universities and companies to develop technology, materials and products. For now, the Center is focusing on titanium, a rustproof, low cost, recyclable metal used by the military for armor.

community service projects, awareness projects, linkages to area businesses and more. J The Stark State College Beta Gamma Epsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) was named Most Distinguished Chapter in the Ohio region and one of the top three Most Distinguished Chapters internationally. The distinctions are awarded based on performance in the four hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship; attendance at regional meetings; and regular communication with the regional and national offices and other chapters within the region. The Chapter also received the Scholarship Hallmark Award for its honor study topic “The Paradox of Affluence.” International awards were received for the Leadership Hallmark and Service Hallmark, recognizing the chapter’s involvement in Keep America Beautiful.

J Congratulations to these fine student organizations, their officers, members and advisors!

A celebration of academic achievement At an inaugural ceremony for the awarding of one-year certificates, Stark State students who completed one-year certificates were recognized and awarded their certificates before their families, faculty and staff. “Celebration of academic achievement is an important event along the journey of learning for our students,” said Dorey Diab, PhD, provost and chief academic officer. More than 30 students completed their one-year certificates during the fall semester and many are expected to continue their studies to earn an associate degree or additional certificates.

socialnetworking As Stark State College continues to grow it’s important to enhance communication with former students, alumni, employees and friends of the College. Social media can do just that and Stark State will continue to explore and strengthen its online presence - join the College on Facebook and Linkedin. As a College we support personal and professional success of our students and alumni and encourage all to join and be involved with the success of Stark State. www.facebook.com/starkstate www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2082570&trk=hb_side_g 7

[ around campus ]

Stand out in the job marketplace Start at the Career Development Office with “The Perfect Interview” Not only do Stark State graduates receive the education they need to be successful when entering the world of work, they get a bonus.

The skills job seekers need to stand out in the market today require additional knowledge and know-how that didn’t exist five or ten years ago, and the Career Development Office assists them with “all the tools needed to make this highly anticipated endeavor successful,” said Patty Meeks, career development specialist.

The new name of the Career Development Office reflects its focus on fostering the abilities of students and alumni to research and focus on a successful career path, said Rita Ridenbaugh, career development director. Job seekers, whether new graduates, displaced workers, or those just looking to make a change, receive help with essentials such as resumes, interviewing skills and networking.

The goal of Stark State’s Career Development Office is to give students and alumni the tools they need to forge a future.

“Successful job seekers have to be able to sell themselves, their skills and abilities to a prospective employer,” Ridenbaugh said.

The school’s career development services are free, lifelong resources to the school’s students and alumni.

“

A lot of students aren’t

aware of all the opportunities for them offered in the Career Development Office. Before they helped me, my resume was okay, but nothing like it is now.

”

— Monica Changet, massage therapy

For more information, stop in S100, call 330-966-5459 or visit www.starkstate.edu/career.htm.

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The career development office now welcomes students as one of the first departments to visit as they begin their college career as well as one of the last places to call on before they leave. Students and alumni undecided about their career path can receive help assessing their skills, abilities and interests. Assessment software is available to help students develop and focus on their vision. The Career Center maintains printed and electronic job search reference material and posts part-time jobs available to students for extra spending money while attending classes.

Alumni and students with sophomore status have access to the College’s online job board, www.collegecentral.com/starkstate. There, more than 2,000 employers are registered to post full-time, part-time, internship, co-op, seasonal and freelance jobs. Students and graduates can search for jobs as well as upload their resume to the site, making themselves available to employers searching for candidates.

Meeks and Ridenbaugh also conduct class presentations which some professors build into the syllabus. Students can participate in mock interviews conducted by volunteers from human resource departments throughout the community. An online software program coaches students and alumni through the “Perfect Interview,” explaining questions and offering guidance along the way. The “Perfect Interview” software in the Career Development Office is equipped with a Web cam, which allows users to video record their interviews.

Career Development Office also makes available data on Stark State graduates’ employment, including average entry-level salaries. To keep current with labor market trends, officials participate in academic departmental advisory committees as well as local, regional and national professional organizations. In addition, the Career Development Office maintains an advisory committee of area human resource professionals.

An annual job fair, sponsored by the Stark County colleges and universities, scheduled this year for March 23, offers students and graduates a chance to interact with local employers. Students can meet employer representatives, learn about companies, discuss career opportunities as well as distribute resumes.

“

We want to give our

students and graduates every opportunity to be successful in their job search as well as on the job,” Ridenbaugh said.

“It’s all about our students,” Meeks said. “We’re here for them.

”

Patty Meeks, career development specialist, left, and Rita Ridenbaugh, career development director, right, talk with massage therapy student Monica Changet about her plans for the future. The Career Development Office helped Changet fine tune her resume to make it shine.

[ alumni update ]

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Rick Keyes, ’80, engineering modeling technology, has been a transportation planner for the Stark County Regional Planning Commission since 1989. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in educational technology from the University of Akron. In 2008 he was inducted into the Greater Canton Slo-Pitch Softball Hall of Fame and was a 2002 inductee into the Ohio Amateur Softball Association Hall of Honor. He lives in Alliance.

Craig Tovissi, ’83, applied business, recently earned a master’s degree in ministry from Bob Jones University.

A North Canton resident, he serves as pastoral care pastor at Canton Baptist Temple.

Ron McGary, ’93, mechanical engineering technology, is now an instructor for the industrial systems technology program at Lanier Technical College in Oakwood, GA. He lives in Dawsonville, GA, with his wife, Garretta, and son, Dallas. His daughter, Jessica Bender McGary, also is attending Stark State.

Linda Peeples, ’00, early childhood education, has accolades for Carrilyn Long’s classes at Stark State. “She made her classes seem like you were a kid again,” she said, “and in return, that made you want to be a part of the classroom.” Peeples, of Canton, works at Target and Menards.

Trisha Sims, ’01, occupational therapy, is a COTA/L at Santera Rehabilitation. A Clinton resident, she was married in 2005 and currently is attending school for a nursing degree.

Pave the “Pathway to the Future” “Pathway to the Future” is the Stark State Alumni Advisory Council’s campaign to create a lasting memory for you, your family or a friend on Stark State’s campus.

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What’s new with you?

Herb Lupton, ’02, electrical engineering technology, graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Strayer University. He currently is working on his master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management. He is supervisor of distribution engineering at Northern Virginia Engineering Technology.

John Leech, ’03, interactive media, works as a computer forensics senior professional at Computer Sciences Corporation. He also works as an instructor at the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Investigations Training Center, which develops and delivers cyber investigation training courses for DOD organizations, Defense Criminal Investigative Organizations, military counterintelligence agencies and law enforcement organizations.

More information on the organization can be found at http://dc3.mil/dcita/dcitaAbout.php.

Recently, Leech helped set up the 2009 Cyber Crime Conference in St. Louis. A Maryland resident, he also holds a bachelor’s degree in information technology from Franklin University and a master’s degree in forensic studies from Stevenson University.

Andrew Dudek, ’04, interactive media, is a software developer focusing on front-end design at Synergy Data Systems.

He previously worked for Media Dimensions, Inc. as a Web designer. The Canton resident has been married for two years.

If you’ve had a special event in your life recently, perhaps a new job, promotion, or special honor, let your Stark State friends know about it! Complete the form on the Web at www.starkstate.edu/whatsnew If you have a high-resolution photograph send it to: Stark State College, Alumni Office - S200 6200 Frank Ave. N.W. North Canton, OH 44720 or electronically to webmaster@starkstate.edu.

Attention Stark State Alumni: Nominees sought for 2010 Alumni Hall of Fame

The Alumni Advisory Council is seeking nominees for the 2010 Alumni Hall of Fame. Induction will be during the May commencement ceremonies. Professional and personal achievements and service to the community, are key attributes for nominees.

Go to www.starkstate.edu/alumnihof to learn more and to submit a nomination.

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Melanie Snyder, ’06, interactive media, was the recipient of the Franklin University summer 2009 computer science scholarship.

At Franklin, she is pursuing a double major in computer science and Web development.

She lives in Canton.

Jill Elaine McDonald, ‘09, nursing, is a registered nurse working at Doylestown Healthcare Center. She lives in Massillon.

Proceeds from the campaign will provide instructional equipment for Stark State College, ensuring that students have the state-of-the-art equipment needed to prepare them for rewarding careers in technology fields.

Engraved bricks are a wonderful, permanent way to commemorate a person or event. Consider purchasing an engraved brick to: celebrate your graduate | commemorate a birth | mark a special anniversary | acknowledge a beloved faculty member | remember a special achievement in life | memorialize a special loved one | recognize your business For more information, contact Jayne Sterner at 330-494-6170, Ext. 4416 or visit www.starkstate.edu/about/foundation.htm 9

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2009 Alumni Hall of Fame A professor, a PhD, an entrepreneur – Stark State College laid the foundation for a lifetime of accomplishments for a trio of outstanding alumni. Larry Ray, Margaret Matasic and Ray Wymer were inducted into the 2009 Stark State College Alumni Hall of Fame.

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Larry Ray, a 1985 graduate with an associate degree of applied business, currently serves as department chair and assistant professor of information technology at Stark State. He received his bachelor’s degree in management and finance from Walsh University in 1990, his master’s degree in business administration from The University of Akron in 1996 and is pursuing a doctorate of philosophy in educational leadership from Touro University International.

Ray has held positions with notable companies including the J. M. Smucker Company, General Electric, Summit County Children Services, Second National Bank and Midland Buckeye Savings and Loan. Ray and his wife, Sue Ann, Canton residents, have a son, Anthony, and a daughter, Aleta.

Margaret Matasic is a 1991 graduate of Stark State College with an associate of science degree in physical therapy. She earned her bachelor’s degree in applied science from Youngstown State University, her master’s in physical therapy from Cleveland State University and her doctorate in physical therapy from Des Moines University.

Currently a physical therapist at Premier Therapy Services and Blue Sky Therapy Management, Matasic held positions at Summa Health System, Austinwoods Subacute and Long Term Care, P.T. Services Rehabilitation, Inc. and Home Health Care. She also serves as executive director of Through the Roof Disability Ministries, a nondenominational ministry for individuals and families affected by disability.

Ray Wymer, a 1976 graduate from Stark State College with an associate degree in electronic/electrical engineering technology, is co-founder and vice president of Life Cycle Strategies, Inc., a firm specializing in business-to-business product management and marketing. In 1983 he founded and was president of Star Gate Technologies which later became Digi International.

Wymer serves on the Board of Directors for NSL Analytical Services, Inc. in Cleveland and is a member of the Board of Advisors for Libra Industries, Inc. of Mentor, and InSet Systems, LLC of Akron. He and his wife of 31 years, Teresa, have five children.

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