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THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF ST. CHARLES COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Vol. 25, No. 2 | 2013
SCC designated Military Friendly SCC was named to the 2014 Military Friendly Schools® list, which honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus. “We are committed to providing a quality education and supporting veterans and military students at SCC,” said Ron Chesbrough, SCC president. “I appreciate all of the good work that went into making this important designation possible.” The Military Friendly Schools® media and website, found at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com, feature the list, interactive tools and search functionality to help military students find the best school to suit their unique needs and preferences. The 1,868 colleges, universities
and trade schools on this year’s list exhibit leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience. These schools have world-class programs and policies for student support on campus, academic accreditation, credit policies, flexibility and other services to those who served. SCC’s Enrollment Services Department created a one-stop shop for veterans and current service members. SCC began the Honoring Military Families Scholarship in February 2012. A Student Veteran Organization was organized in the fall of 2012, and in spring 2013 SCC opened a Student Veteran Lounge and began a veteran-specific orientation. For more information, contact Tomi Schwandt, SCC coordinator of veteran benefits and scholarships at 636-922-8268.
In Memoriam The college was notified of the deaths of several SCC students since the previous edition of Chaz. Peter W. “Pete” Waggoner of St. Charles passed away Aug. 31. Jared Paul Vogel of St. Charles passed away May 22. Sydney C. Gramig of Lake St. Louis passed away on April 22. The college also mourned the death of Anna Louise Tripp, an adjunct professor who passed away March 10.
Sophomore midfielder Brendan Temm attempts to head the ball past the Lewis and Clark goaltender in one of just three losses this season for SCC.
Successes on the soccer field
Cougars win conference
Jennifer Lansdowne, associate dean of Enrollment Services, assists prospective students during RegFest.
Men’s soccer team defeated East Central College to earn the Midwest Community College Athletic Conference (MCCAC) title on Oct. 6. The final score was 2-1. Stephen Rozycki, a freshman midfielder, and Valmiro Gonzalez, a freshman forward, scored goals for the Cougars. “We’ve had breakout performances this season by Valmiro Gonzalez, Fernadez Franco and Nick Hufford,” said Thomas Kearns, men’s head soccer coach at SCC. As a member of the MCCAC Conference, the Cougars went undefeated in conference games, beating Jefferson College 2-1, St. Louis Community College 6-0 and East Central 2-1. The Cougars have had a strong showing, finishing the regular season with 12 wins, three losses and one tie. “The team has come together and played extremely well this season,” said Kearns. “We have made great strides offensively and defensively.” The next stop for the Cougars is the Region XVI Tournament. The first game of the tournament will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at SCC. Men’s soccer is not the only team on campus with a winning record.
Campus collaborates to boost enrollment
A pedestrian bridge is one highlight of the new Great Rivers Greenway trail connector along the north side of the St. Charles Community College campus. GRG will complete the trail that connects Legacy Park in Cottleville with Woodlands Sports Park in St. Peters with plantings and amentities in time for a ribbon cutting in the spring.
Greenway trail coming to SCC
Women’s team posts winning record The women’s soccer team also has a winning record with 12 wins and six losses, with one game left in the regular season. “We have a fantastic group of girls, and we’re excited to finish the season on a strong note,” said Ashlee Slayback, SCC women’s head soccer coach. “If we win Regionals and Districts, then we go to Nationals in Florida. That’s our team’s goal!”
Chaz is a publication of the SCC Marketing and Communications Department for SCC students, employees and friends. Heather McDorman, co-editor/writer • Ben Munson, co-editor/photographer/designer • Kelly Thebeau, photographer • Peggy Schreiner and Brynne Cramer, writers
10/2013
The sun peeks from behind the Learning Resource Center following a brief afternoon rain storm in October. The sky over campus has become noticeably more blue as autumn sets in.
Learn more about the project: http://tinyurl.com/SCCGreenway
A .67-mile walking and biking trail on SCC’s campus, being constructed by Great Rivers Greenway, will be a part of the Dardenne Greenway, linking trails from Legacy Park in Cottleville to Woodlands Sports Park and Rabbit Run Park in St. Peters. SCC’s portion of the trail will run along Mid Rivers Mall Drive from Cottleville Parkway to Ohmes Road. “The trail is a welcome and attractive addition to the SCC campus,” said Ron Chesbrough, SCC president. “Collaborations like this one benefit everyone, providing a safe and beautiful route for walkers and bikers, and helping our city to be a great place to live, work, play and go to school.”
Great Rivers Greenway was established by voters in 2000 and is a tax-supported public organization that partners with local governments to connect communities and neighborhoods by building a system of trails and greenways in St. Charles County, St. Louis City and St. Louis County. The trail will be available for use in the fall of 2013 with planting and amenities being added in time for a ribbon cutting in the spring of 2014. SCC will be responsible for maintenance costs. Former SCC President John McGuire, who retired in October 2011, was on the Great River Greenway board and spearheaded the project with SCC.
While fall enrollment is down modestly, the trend can be found across the state of Missouri. SCC’s fall 2013 headcount of 7,477 marks a 3.2 percent decrease compared to last year and, statewide, fall enrollment numbers are down 3.5 percent. “Most Missouri community college enrollments were down this fall, ranging by institution as high as 10 percent down from last fall,” said Ron Chesbrough, SCC president. “Thanks to a collaborative effort on campus, we came in ahead of where we might have expected in an environment of declining enrollments.” Several college departments took part in various enrollment-boosting efforts that brought figures in line with projections made earlier in the spring. Social media, phone calls, fliers, posters and one-stop registration events encouraged new and returning students to enroll. The new “RegFest” events held in June and July allowed prospective students a fun and easy way to get enrolled at SCC. They learned what degree programs SCC offers, met with financial aid and A+ Program advisors to discuss eligibility and benefits, completed assessment tests and toured the campus. The festival-style event included free food and prizes like a $1,000 scholarship to SCC, free books for the semester, T-shirts and more.