Stark Voices February 2011 Edition

February 2011

What Do You Want To Know?

By Brenda Dembraski-Marsh

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Readers of Stark Voices: Your newspaper is going through a change.

This transformation is symbolized by the change in name from The Student Informer to Stark Voices, and as this new name suggests, it is a change which in large part depends on you, the students. Instead of a paper which, directed by its advisors, informs students of what we think they should know, we hope to create a paper in which the students tell us what they want to know. We want to create a paper which is a dialogue, rather than a monologue. So while some articles will be about upcoming events of which you may be unaware, or of various clubs that you might not know about, other parts of the paper will be shaped primarily by our readers. Nowhere is this truer than in the new “What do you want to know?” section, where we write about things that real students ask us. Is there something about Stark State that you want to know more about, or that confuses you? Or maybe you heard something and want to know if it‟s true. Ask us. If we don‟t know, we‟ll try to find out for you and write the answer for all to see in the next issue. As with any dialogue, however, this can only work with your participation. Otherwise, we can only speculate about what you might want to know. So if you have any comments, suggestions, questions, or even criticisms, about Stark State or about this paper, please let us know at starkvoices@starkstate.edu.

Because ultimately, this isn‟t our paper; it‟s your paper. The Stark Voices.

Sincerely, Ian Cain, Stark Voices Editor

What is the Stark State College Digital Library and where is it?

The SSC Digital Library is a collection of information and services available to the faculty, staff and students. It is located in B123, across from Silk Auditorium, although you don‟t have to go to the physical room to get help. You can call (330) 494-6170, ext. 4141, or you can reach a librarian through online chat.

The current hours of operation for Spring 2011 are: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.-noon, but are subject to change.

The Virtual Library hours for online chat are: Sunday 3-9 p.m. http://libguides.starkstate.edu/chat This is your corner. We want to answer your questions and make your time at Stark State College enjoyable. If you have a question or concern that you would like to see answered in Stark Voices, please comment on the web page, or email us at: starkvoices@starkstate.edu.

In This Issue What Do You Want To Know?

1

Meet the Staff

2

Center for Support

3

Recycling Month

4

A Meeting with the President

5

8th Annual Polar Bear Jump

6

Meet the Staff of Stark Voices Editor Ian Cain is the editor of Stark Voices. He earned a bachelor‟s degree in English from Ohio Wesleyan University. He is currently on his fourth and final semester at Stark State as he works towards a Computer Programming and Database Technologies major. He is excited about his current position on the newspaper, and hopes that he can help make Stark Voices great.

Assistant Editor and Photographer Christopher M. Usner is a Technical Communication major and has been studying at Stark State since the spring of 2007. He works as an IT professional and possesses an associate‟s degree in Computer Information Systems and several relevant certifications. After graduation, he plans to study communications at Kent Stark and pursue a career in public relations. His hobbies include hiking, bicycling, and wildlife photography.

Staff Writer Brenda Dembraski-Marsh is a Technical Communication major and will graduate in May. She is currently a student worker in Admissions and very excited to be writing for the newly renamed Stark Voices. She‟s a single mother of three children, “Nonni” to two, and plans on working as an administrative assistant upon graduation.

Staff Writer Connie Luthi is currently serving as an intern writer for Stark Voices in order to complete the Technical Communications degree. She has been attending Stark State for the past three years and will be graduating in May. Connie lives in Massillon with her husband, Joe, and their two dogs, Pete and Bubba.

Advisors Elizabeth Modarelli and Nicole Herrera are members of Stark State‟s English Department faculty.

Contact Us: starkvoices@starkstate.edu Stark Voices c/o Elizabeth Modarelli or Nicole Herrera Stark State College 6200 Frank Avenue North Canton, OH 44720

A Center for Support Prospers In a City with Heart

By Connie Luthi Did you know that Stark State has 10 satellite campuses? Maybe you did.

However, did you know that the Timken Campus in downtown Canton located at 521 Tuscarawas Ave. was the first one?

Cindy Putnam, the Admissions/Financial Aid Specialist and coordinator for the Timken Campus, was excited when I asked her for an interview.

It all started in the fall of 2003; Cindy worked in coordination with the Canton City Schools on a grant that helped make the Timken Campus a reality. They offered post secondary classes that first year.

The Downtown Canton Satellite Center. Photo by Christopher M. Usner

Cindy Putnam (right) works with Carmella Young (left) in the writing center. Photo by Christopher M. Usner

The next year Stark State established the site as a satellite Campus. At that time, they only offered eleven classes. Now, the Timken Campus offers twenty-six classes, and it looks as though it will be expanding in the future.

Cindy explained, “The school leased two sections of two different buildings.” In the Main Building, classrooms are located on the second floor, along with computer labs, and the new writing center. In the White Building, located on McKinley Ave., Stark State has renovated about half of the first floor, which houses the Ohio Police Officers Training Academy, three classrooms, a computer lab, and a science lab, which enables the center to offer human biology and other science courses.

The White Building is also the home of the new Academic Support Center. Jeff Beard, the Center‟s Operations Manager, possesses a Master‟s Degree in math along with extensive experience with computers. Cindy described the Academic Support Center as “a place where students can go for tutoring and support.” She added, “If a student has a question, we have the answer, or we will find one.” Cindy understands the challenges students must overcome when returning to college at any age. That‟s why “there is a real need for the Academic Support Center, and the student workers are excited to help,” Cindy explained.

Cindy is the kind of person that is easy to get to know; she has the kind of personality that makes you feel like you have known her forever. She is full of information about the campus and as we talked, I could see the enthusiasm she has for the students. Cindy talked passionately about what she calls the “holistic approach” and explained that it includes support in addition to education. (continued on next page)

“CANTON IS A CITY WITH HEART” AND “A GREAT PLACE TO Satellite Campuses Cont.

RAISE CHILDREN” Cindy would like to see the Academic Support Center grow, not only to provide support for students but also for the community, with access to information such as the homeless hotline, housing information, bus schedules, and other educational opportunities that are available.

“Canton is a city with heart,” Cindy said, and “a great place to raise children.” She has seen many people further their education at the Timken Campus and added, “It‟s a great place to start your education.” So, if you or your friends are interested in advancing a career, obtaining a degree, or just taking a class, you can get started at one of the Stark State‟s satellite campuses.

Education, close to home.

What am I?

Recycling Month

By Connie Luthi Recycling Awareness Month is a “dry run” for the RecycleMania competition that Stark State College would like to enter as a participant in 2012. The overall goal is to raise awareness and increase campus recycling rates. Events have been organized by the Sustainability Task Force with support from multiple student groups, the College Store and Sanese Dining Services.

Events  Get caught recycling or reusing a mug and win a prize!  Pledge to Recycle - Monday-Thursday in the Student Center  The first 25 people each week receive a reusable bag  Sign up for a raffle to win a Stark State Reusable Coffee Mug- 5 raffled each week  Weekly Digital Library Raffle - located in the Stark State College digital library  Reusable Mug Discount Recycling Contest for Faculty/ Staff

Photo by Christopher M. Usner

Can you identify this image? It‟s on campus.

Send your best guess to starkvoices@starkstate.edu for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the bookstore.

Please note the winner will be drawn at random from all correct entries received by March 11th.

 Compete to win the recycling contest between areas in the College from February 7-25  Recycle your paper, plastic, and aluminum to win!  Prizes to be awarded at end of the month For further information, check out: http://libguides.starkstate.edu/content.php?pid= 132288&sid=1297425

A Meeting with the President

By Brenda Dembraski-Marsh

Dr. O’Donnell, President, Stark State College

I had the pleasure of sitting down with the president of our college, Dr. John O‟Donnell, for an interview and was pleasantly surprised.

Dr. O‟Donnell immediately put me at ease. It may have been the fact that he has a background in psychology or it may be the fact that he is a genuinely nice person. I think it was the latter because it is clear that he loves people—the faculty, staff, students, and the people of this community. He loves to meet people, get to know them and work with them; get things done, if you will. In fact, he loves to talk about data, but he feels that people are the drivers of change evolution and excellence.

Dr. O‟Donnell hasn‟t always lived in this area, and yet he fits right in. He was born in Scotland and lived there until the age of ten, when his family immigrated to America for the jobs and opportunity it offered. He was the first in his family to go to college, and at the time, he didn‟t know what he wanted to do.

He majored in and enjoyed history, but then he discovered psychology and fell in love with that area of study. He felt that he had a lot of career options, but the profession that he loves most has come to fruition.

Meeting his wife of 30 years, Ellen, was a defining moment in his life. He would be the first to say that they are very close and that his life revolves around her, their three kids and his extended family.

“And work,” he is quick to add, because that is part of what fulfills him. A quote from Sigmund Freud has become a guideline for his life. “Love and work... work and love, that's all there is.”

I questioned him about Stark State‟s immediate future, and Dr. O‟Donnell said that investing in the college is the key to continued growth. “I firmly believe that as goes Stark State, so goes Stark County. In terms of economic development and social development, our student graduates are going to be what propels the economy.”

When asked what one thing he wants the students of Stark State to know, he advised, “Do not back away from frustration, failure, or self-questioning. Find it within yourself and also find one other person who‟s there to understand and say, „Don‟t back off, let‟s go forward.‟” Dr. O‟Donnell has depth, an innate kindness, and genuinely cares about all of us here at our college. He was quick to let me know that his door is always open. I think that this approachability is part of what makes Dr. O‟Donnell the special man that he is.

Student Expenses and Costs Survey

By Connie Luthi The office of financial aid is conducting a survey in order to gather information to assist in developing a new financial aid student budget for the 2011-2012 award year. It‟s a simple five-minute survey that consists of 17 questions, including how much is your monthly phone bill, how much is your rent, and other questions relating to living expenses. It is anonymous, and your financial aid is not affected by the answers you give.

All students should have received it in their Stark State email. Please take five minutes to fill out the survey. Who knows? It may help you or a fellow student.

MONTH DAY YEARA

VOL 1 ISSUE 1

8th Annual Polar Bear Jump Will Benefit Regional Foodbank

By Christopher M. Usner The Portage Lakes Polar Bear Club will host its 8th annual Polar Bear Jump on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 2 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

Once again, hundreds of individuals, including students and professionals, will gather ‟round a hole in the ice at Portage Lakes State Park and await their turn to take the plunge.

Among the brave souls participating this year will be Dan Flowers, President and CEO of the Foodbank.

The Polar Bear Club says, “Remember, every dollar raised feeds three hungry people, and one of those is a child!” That means, “31 percent of funds raised feed children under the age of 18.”

Jumpers and volunteers gather on the ice in 2007 to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Photo

by Christopher M. Usner

This event is open to the public and free to attend; however, a $25 minimum donation is required to register as a jumper.

Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. and jumpers are encouraged to arrive early.

Last year‟s event was a huge success. With the help of sponsors, volunteers, and jumpers, the club raised $45,000 for the American Cancer Society. This year hopes are high as many wish to exceed last year‟s success.

Two polar bears bask in the sun on either side of the diving platform in 2008. Photo by Christopher M. Usner

More information about this event or the Portage Lakes Polar Bear Club can be obtained from the websites listed below or from “Polar Bear-Jump” on Facebook. http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/special-promotions.aspx http://www.portagelakespolarbearclub.com/index.htm http://portagelakesfun.com/default.aspx

Upcoming Events: Story Quilt Creation Workshops: March 22 & 29 and April 5, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. & 2-4 p.m.

Earth Week: April 22 - May 5 Spring Fling: May 5, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

If you have any comments, suggestions, questions, or even criticisms, about Stark State or this paper, please let us know at starkvoices@starkstate.edu. Because ultimately, this isn‟t our paper; it‟s your paper. The Stark Voices. www.webaddress.com