PRESIDENT’S REPORT | May 2014
SCC to offer American Welding Society (AWS) Certificate course in June
26th Annual Commencement Exercises
Top: Several students filmed the day, while seated and even as they crossed the stage. Left: Keynote speaker, Graham Fisher, Ph.D., shared valuable lessons on past experiences with the class of 2014. Above: Students and their families enjoyed beautiful weather following the ceremony outside the College Center.
Helling is Distinguished Alumni Award recipient More than 820 students graduated during SCC’s 26th annual commencement exercises Saturday, May 17, at the College Center on 2014 Distinguished campus. Alum Laura Helling During the ceremonies, the SCC Foundation presented its 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award to Laura Helling, director of development for Wings of Hope. A returning learner, Helling received her Associate of Arts degree from SCC in 2001 before continuing her education. “Before the luck – and there was some –
there was a tremendous amount of hard work, and that started here on this campus,” Helling said. Graham R. Fisher, Ph.D., chief scientist at SunEdison Inc. in St. Peters, Mo., gave the keynote address. “Your degree will give you more choices on what is next for you,” he said. “Remember, in life, it’s not so much where you go but it’s more about what you do when you get there.” Of the 227 graduates receiving honors distinctions, 30 received Highest Honors, 91 received High Honors and 106 earned the Honors distinction.
Classes are now forming at St. Charles Community College for a nationally recognized American Welding Certificate that covers welding techniques in manufacturing. The certificate includes skills training in the areas of safety, equipment identification, drawing and symbols, cutting and weld techniques MIG, TIG, GMAW, SMAW. Flexible lab and classroom opportunities allow participants to earn industry credentials that validate their skills in welding. Current welders who want to improve their skills are also welcome to apply. “The benefits of a welding certification are that there are so many industries that need welders today: fabrication, manufacturing industries, mining, the petroleum and energy industries, and steel and bridge construction,” said Fay Aubuchon, associate director of workforce programs and services at SCC. “Welders are in high demand and the salaries are high, too.” For registration information, contact Patty McNamee at 636-255-6060 x 5213 or pmcnamee@stchas.edu. Classes begin in June. This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability or ownership.
Ribbon cutting marks opening of trails that wind through campus SCC Child Development Center and Library Foundation support children’s literacy The SCC Child Development Center (CDC) is partnering with the St. Charles CityCounty Library Foundation to better support children’s literacy. The Library Foundation donated 48 Ready-to-Read Activity Kits to the CDC. The kits include a book, games and activities for parents and children to enjoy together. Ready-to-Read Activity Kits empower parents to teach their own children, making it easier for busy parents to become involved in their child’s learning and can help parents understand the importance of reading and interacting with their children. Every family enrolled in the CDC receives a Ready-to-Read Activity Kit filled with information for parents about the benefits of reading with their children and several books for families’ own home collection.
Foundation names SCC a 2013 Tree Campus USA SCC is a Tree Campus USA for the fourth year in a row, the Arbor Day Foundation announced this April. Tree Campus USA is a national program created in 2008 to honor colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. SCC met the Tree Campus USA’s five standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures toward trees, an Arbor Day observance and student service learning projects.
A beautiful new green space at the college was dedicated May 6 during a ribbon cutting for the Dardenne Greenway Trail hosted by Great Rivers Greenway. The new 1.5-mile segment links existing sections of the Dardenne Greenway in Cottleville and St. Peters. It also connects existing trails in nearby parks, resulting in nearly five miles of continuously connected trails. The new expanse features many native-to-Missouri plants and spacious paths for cyclists, runners and walkers. The Dardenne Greenway is a key component of Great Rivers Greenway’s planned River Ring, a 600-mile web of greenways, parks and trails and is “a perfect example of how community partnerships result in an improved quality of life for
our residents,” said Ron Chesbrough, SCC president. The campus portion of the trail was spotlighted in a May 15 KSDK “Show Me St. Louis” feature depicting members of the campus community enjoying the trail.
SCC to host Camp Scrubs at Center for Nursing and Allied Health This summer, middle school students will get a small taste of what a career in nursing would be like at Camp Scrubs. The camp will be held 9 a.m.4 p.m. Monday-Friday, July 28-Aug. 1. Camp Scrubs will give campers a feel for nursing and other healthcare fields. Participants will learn many real world skills including how to use a stethoscope and how to test pulse, blood pressure and vital signs through use of a Human Patient Simulator. “We want to show students that nursing is more than giving medications and bed baths,” Amy Fitzwilliam, SCC program coordinator, said. A behind-the-scenes tour will include a look at
life in the ER. “Through hands-on activities and working on state-of-the-art Human Patient Simulators our SCC Nursing Department will give students an exciting glimpse into the nursing and healthcare fields,” Fitzwilliam said. The camp also includes a focus in healthy living, as students learn about the importance of eating right, the power of exercise, the world of science and the heart. Camp Scrubs will be held at the SCC Nursing and Allied Health Center in Dardenne Prairie, and will be run by SCC nursing professors. Register online at stchas.edu/learnforlife.
President Ron Chesbrough named HLC Peer Reviewer SCC President Ron Chesbrough, Ph.D., has been named as Peer Reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission’s Open Pathways process. According to The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), peer review in accreditation is based on the fundamental assumption that quality in higher education is best served through a process that enables peers of the organization, informed by standards created and applied by professionals in higher education, to make the judgments essential
to assuring and advancing the quality of higher learning. The HLC is an independent corporation and one of two commission members of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), which is one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. Chesbrough will attend an initial intensive three-day training in July in Chicago that will walk participants through an Assurance Argument case study.
SCC’s fifth annual Rhythm & Ribs set for June 5
From left: Joel Jennings, Paige Bogert, Maria Pizzo, Paige Waltrip and Kevin Gadjos.
Phi Beta Lambda members recognized at state conference SCC student members of Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) were recognized in April at the 55th Annual Missouri Phi Beta Lambda State Leadership Conference in Columbia, Mo. The conference featured competitive events for students and teams, leadership training and election of state officers for next year. SCC students Paige Bogert, Troy, Mo.; Maria Pizzo, St. Charles, Mo.; and Paige Waltrip, Weldon Spring, Mo., placed first as a team in Business Ethics. Kevin Gajdos, St. Charles, Mo., placed fourth in Computer Applications; Joel Jennings, St. Charles, Mo., placed second in Sales Presentation. Pizzo also placed third in Job Interview and fourth in Retail Management. Bogert, Pizzo, Waltrip and Jennings qualified to compete in their events at the PBL National Leadership Conference in Nashville June 24-27. Pizzo was also inducted as Missouri vice president of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)/PBL Relations.
Robertson Recognized by Athena Leadership Foundation Andrea Robertson was presented with the 2014 Emerging Young Professional in Business Award by the Athena Leadership Foundation of St. Charles County May 7. Andrea is married to Ryan Robertson, SCC Board of Trustees member. The award was presented to Andrea by Kasey McKee, vice president for college advancement and planning. McKee was a 2012 recipient of the Athena Young Professional Leadership Award. An experienced triathlete, Andrea is the founder and CEO of Triflare, a triathlon/athletic apparel brand for women that was one of 20 local startups awarded a $50,000 2013 Arch Grant. The internationally recognized Athena Leadership Award® Program supports the development of women in leadership roles locally, nationally and internationally.
The St. Charles Community College Foundation’s fifth annual Rhythm and Ribs fundraiser, with live music, food and dancing, is set for 6-10 p.m. Thursday, June 5, on the college’s campus in Cottleville. Smash Band will return, live on the main stage at 8:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the St. Charles West Jazz Ensemble. At 7 p.m. the rhythm revue hour will include a feature performance by the popular St. Charles-based acoustic/rock band, “Clockwork,” with Jordan Slone (guitar/ vocals). Performances by A Big Sad Whale and Matt Wynn also will entertain the crowd. All three groups feature SCC students and/ or alumni. Wynn won the college’s own “SCC Idol” competition last fall and received a scholarship from the SCC Foundation. “We’ve moved the event to June this year, and invite all our friends and neighbors to join us in kicking off the summer with mouthwatering barbecue and live music,” said Betsy Schneider, SCC director of development. “It’s the best party in town, and we are so thankful to everyone who supports this event and helps us provide much-needed scholarships and academic programs to area students.” Rib vendors will include Ethyl’s Smokehouse and Saloon, Mannino’s Market and Stumpy’s House of Bar-B-Que and Catering. Other fare will include chicken from Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and gourmet nachos and veggie burgers by Quintessential Catering. Drinks will include Anheuser-Busch products by Krey Distributing, soda by Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, lemonade by Red Robin, wine by Terra Firma USA and water by Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles. The five Main Stage sponsors are Ameren Missouri, Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital/ Progress West HealthCare Center, Mercy, SSM St. Joseph Health Center/SSM St. Joseph Hospital West and KTRS the Big 550 AM. “Rock Star” sponsors include Acropolis
Hundreds of local residents and friends of the college turned out for the 2013 Rhythm & Ribs fundraising event held on campus May 10.
Investment Management, Commerce Bank, Enterprise Band and Trust, Fastlane Convenience Stores, General Motors, Krey Distributing, NHC HealthCare & Rehabilitation and UPS. “Ribster” Sponsors: American Eagle Credit Union, First State Bank, Bates CPAs, P.C. and Hoschild, Bloom & Company LLP CPAs. Tickets are $5 for general admission, which includes entry to the event/live entertainment; $25 for the Music and More package, which includes live entertainment and food, beverages and raffle tickets; and $50 for the VIP package, which includes unlimited beverages, unlimited food, raffle tickets and reserved seating. For more information on tickets and events, contact Schneider at 636-922-8473, bschneider@ stchas.edu, or visit www.rhythm-and-ribs.com.
MARK THE CALENDAR “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” auditions 7 p.m., Tuesday-Wednesday, May 21-22 stchas.edu/centerstage
AEL Student Recognition Ceremony 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 11 stchas.edu/AEL
RegFest 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 18 stchas.edu/RegFest