Attending a Cougars baseball game this season with a camera? Tag us on Instagram: @stcharlescc
Do you have a fun campus photo to share? Post it on the SCC Facebook wall: stchas.edu/facebook
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF ST. CHARLES COMMUNITY COLLEGE Vol. 25, No. 1 | 2013
College offers voluntary early retirement incentive plan SCC sophomores (from left) Brannon Callaway, Aaron Bedsworth and Dan Droege will lead the Cougar charge from the mound this spring on the baseball field.
Baseball season has arrived, and the Cougars are looking forward to a great 2013 campaign. With seven returning players and a team full of fresh faces, the outlook appears promising. Leading this year’s squad are three returning pitchers, Aaron Bedsworth, Dan Droege and Brannon Callaway. “Our goal is to have a winning season. It’s possible with the team we’ve got,” said Bedsworth. “We’re working together more as a team this year. We’ve got a lot of leaders, and it is helping us stay focused.” For the Cougars, teamwork will play a big role in the success of this season. “It’s not necessarily that our skill level has improved this season, but we are working together and it’s making a huge difference in our performance,” said Callaway. “We’ve already had some pretty solid practices and put in the hours at the gym. We are
“We’ve got a lot of leaders, and it is helping us stay focused.” Aaron Bedsworth, SCC Cougars pitcher
getting our work done, and I know it will pay off this season.” All three returning pitchers agree that the highlight of the season will be regionals. “We can’t wait to compete,” said Droege. “We all know how well we want to perform at the end of the season.” “Playing baseball in college is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Droege. The best part about playing baseball at SCC, the three say, is getting to do what they love. “We get to be around baseball all day. I couldn’t ask for more.” The Cougars encourage the campus community to come out and support the team as they strive for success. SCC’s first home game is March 7. Learn more: stchas.edu/athletics
In Memoriam The college was saddened by the loss of SCC student Andrea Marie Wills of Moscow Mills, Mo., who died in an auto accident on Jan. 25. Andrea had attended SCC off and on as a part-time student since 2000.
Cougar sophomore catcher/infielder Shea Dean is featured on the 2013 SCC Softball schedule and player guide.
With new cast of teammates, coach, sophomore catcher pepped for 2013 The Cougar softball players are gearing up for another season, working as a team and spending time getting to know one another. With a positive atmosphere and all the tools in place to be successful, Shea Dean, sophomore catcher and infielder, is looking forward to getting on the field. “We are excited,” said Dean. “We got together as a team before the season started to set goals, which is really helpful because now we’re all working together to achieve something as a team.” With the core group of leaders from last year’s squad leaving, the team is going through a transition. “It’s hard to say where the team is at now,” said Dean. “Last year there were some sophomore girls who really pushed us, and this year we’re working together to push each other equally. We won’t really know where we are until we hit the field.” “We’re also adapting to a new head coach this season, so we’re going through an adjustment period,” said Dean. Michelle Patrico recently became the Cougars’ new head coach. Shea says the Cougars’ determination sets them apart from the competition. “We never give up, no matter what score is on the board,” said Dean. “It’s not over until it’s over for us.” Dean and her teammates encourage students, faculty, staff and community members to support the Cougars by coming out to watch a game. “Cougar softball is really fun to watch, especially this year, because we’ve got a fun group of girls. Our fans will find themselves enjoying our games more than they expected.” SCC’s first home game is March 21. View their whole schedule: stchas.edu/athletics
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 • Peggy Schreiner and Brynne Buell, writers
2/2013
Baseball Cougars aim for a winning season
The former Barat Academy building located in Dardenne Prairie will become the LU/SCC Center for Nursing and Allied Health Sciences later this year. (Photo courtesy of Lindenwood University.)
SCC, Lindenwood announce nursing partnership SCC and Lindenwood University have agreed in principle on a collaborative initiative that will help launch the new LU/SCC Center for Nursing and Allied Health Sciences. The Center will be located at #1 Academy Place in Dardenne Prairie, former site of Barat Academy, a 69,000-square-foot building purchased by Lindenwood. The boards of both institutions approved terms of the agreement. SCC will move its Associate Degree Nursing program to the site, as well as its Practical Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Health Information Technology and health occupation programs. SCC will lease some 26,000 square feet of building space. LU will offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree completion program for students with a two-year nursing degree. “We are excited to add Lindenwood University to our list of four-year partners in the nursing and allied health fields in this very
unique and enterprising collaboration,” said SCC President Ron Chesbrough, Ph.D. SCC will move its state-of-the-art simulation lab to the new location and expand the space to create a “virtual hospital” that can offer concurrent simulations. “It will provide opportunities for multidisciplinary simulations and afford both programs a way to reduce some constraints related to securing clinical sites and to increase program capacity,” said Patti Williams, SCC dean of nursing and allied health. “This partnership between two indispensable institutions will not only change the lives of the students and patients, it will help to transform our local economy,” said Greg Prestemon, president and CEO of St. Charles County Economic Development Center. “I believe that 10 years from now, people will mark this partnership as a pivotal event in the growth and development of St. Charles County.”
For only the second time in college history, a voluntary retirement incentive was made available to eligible SCC employees, the college announced in December. Some 15 faculty and staff took advantage of the program by the Jan. 25 deadline. The plan was offered to employees who, as of June 30, 2013, will have completed 10 or more years of full-time continuous service at SCC. Participants were to have met the normal eligibility or early retirement eligibility requirements for retirement as defined by the Public School Retirement System (PSRS) or Public Education Employee Retirement System (PEERS) as of June 30, 2013. Under the agreement, the incentive offered $7,500 plus $750 per year of full-time continuous service (as of June 30, 2013). Eligible employees were required to complete an application packet. “Offering the voluntary retirement incentive provides the opportunity for the college to realize payroll savings in the future and offers a monetary payment to help participating employees transition to retirement,” said Donna Davis, vice president for human resources. On Jan. 28, the SCC Board of Trustees approved the early retirements of: Hal Berry, professor of history and cinema; Terri Borger, payroll and administrative services compliance director; Tana Burton, division office coordinator; Linda Cole, professor of nursing; Candace Cundiff, training specialist; Dennis Fleming, maintenance assistant; Floretha Johnson, director of administrative computing; Bernadette Moody, professor of nursing; Wanda Newmyer, division office coordinator; Kevin Patton, professor of life science; Linda SandersBalcer, GM project support specialist; Christine Scherer, website coordinator; Ann Vernon, professor of science; Karen Vossenkemper, financial aid manager; and Janice Williams, DPS office assistant/ dispatcher.
Grants at SCC helping fund educational programs Students, faculty and staff will benefit from a variety of grants recently funded that will support the college’s values of learning and stewardship. In partnership with MCCA, eight Missouri community colleges and Linn State will develop programs to support manufacturing and related careers. SCC was designated to receive more than $1.4 million of the MoManufacturingWINs grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor through the fiscal agent, St. Louis Community College. SCC received a $19,000 grant from the St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District to fund additional outdoor recycling containers, additional internal recycling containers and signage for the existing black cans in both the Plaza Bistro and Café-Bookstore. SCC received a Global Skills for College Completion grant for $6,012 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to provide professional development for faculty teaching developmental mathematics classes. Nurses in St. Charles County and throughout the U.S. who care for seniors will benefit from having access to the non-credit Gerontological Nursing class in a new online format, thanks to a $5,000 grant from the Foundation for Geriatric Education. Foundation board member and local entrepreneur, Richard Jensen, gave a $5,000 gift to the Chemistry Department to go toward the purchase of an autosampler for the High Performance Liquid Chromatography instrumentation. Ameren Charitable Trust gave another annual gift of $2,500 to the Pre-Engineering Department. Funds will be used to purchase a mobile computer lab where laptops will be equipped with special purpose software and rolled in and out of classrooms as needed. SCC was one of 843 libraries and humanities organizations awarded the Muslim Journeys Bookshelf on Muslim history and culture by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Thanks to support from the campus and community, the SCC Foundation was able to award $15,000 in mini-grants. A full list can be found at stchas.edu/news.
The
Campus SCCoop
New website helps K-12 students ‘Be Ready’ for college, career selection
is fulfilling the college Discover how the SCC family time: 3 minutes mission every day ... Reading 3
1
The first participants benefit from a new partnership between SCC’s Continuing Education Department and the St. Charles County Arts Council at the January Art and Wine Extravaganza event in WingHaven.
SCC partners with St. Charles County Arts Council to offer non-credit classes 1 Employees and students alike entered a Student
Senate fundraiser raffle to spend a day with Dr. Ron Chesbrough, SCC president. The winner, Kelly Heuermann, assessment technician, spent her workday by Chesbrough’s side. “I was glad to get to know the president in an informal and more casual environment,” said Heuermann. Heuermann and Chesbrough spent some time sharing personal stories. They then reviewed Chesbrough’s report that he later presented at the SCC Board of Trustees meeting, where Heuermann was introduced to the Board and guests. “I look forward to hanging out with the president again,” said Heuermann. “He is personable and funny, and I’m lucky I got to spend the day with him.” 2 On Jan. 30, SCC kicked off the Between the Covers
Book Club for faculty, staff and students. The book club has four scheduled meetings that will conclude in May. “We’re excited to host an SCC-wide book club to promote reading and camaraderie,” said Julia Wilbers, SCC reference librarian. The list of books includes “Salvage the Bones” by Jesmyn Ward, “Half the Sky” by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky. All book club attendees are entered into a drawing for a Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight. The drawing will take place at the last meeting on May 1.
Be the first to view event photos! stchas.edu/facebook | @stcharlescc on Instagram
3 SCC hosted a series of events in honor of
Black History Month. Highlights included film and and documentary showings, a panel discussion, a lecture lunchtime trivia. The “Human Race Experience” documentary series was shown to help students consider race and identity in a new light. An interactive kiosk in the SSB lounge allowed students to see computer-generated renditions res. of themselves with various skin tones and facial featu Like Lot “A Eli Kimaro, director and writer of the film c You” spoke about her experiences after the film’s publi time. re lectu ate separ showing on campus and during a The documentary “More Than a Month” was also featured. It offered perspective on heritage months such as Black History Month. 4 SCC will celebrate Women’s History Month
s throughout the month of March with a series of event l pane including film showings, guest speakers and en, discussions. “We have such an amazing group of wom with s storie their g both local and international, sharin nt us,” said Kelley Pfeiffer, coordinating counselor of stude .” activities. “Events such as these enhance our community to rd forwa look to s SCC also has several production in the theater of the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building. Center Stage Theatre will present “Deathtrap” by Ira Levin, March 6-10. Young People’s Theatre will present “The Scarlet Pimpernel” March 15-24. For tickets, visit stchastickets.com.
See what events are coming to SCC: stchas.edu/calendar
SCC’s Continuing Education Department has partnered with the St. Charles County Arts Council to offer a variety of non-credit continuing education classes for the community at the Lillian Yahn Gallery in the Arts Council headquarters located in WingHaven in O’Fallon. “This partnership is mutually beneficial and will enhance the ability of both organizations to meet their goal of providing the community with high-quality arts and cultural classes and experiences,” said Tina Sieker, SCC associate dean for continuing education. The classes kicked off in January with the first Art and Wine Extravaganza – a step-by-step, learn-to-paint event. Upcoming classes at the gallery will feature topics from “Zentangle” abstract art, to civil war stories told by authors in the “Boomers on the Boardwalk” speaker series. “We’re excited to work with SCC and hope the partnership will bring more awareness to the arts in the St. Charles community,” said Bruce Howard, president of the St. Charles County Arts Council Board. The Arts Council is an umbrella organization that advocates for all arts and artists in St. Charles County. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu/learnforlife.
Efforts grow to help students financially SCC is better serving its students by working to provide different outlets for scholarship opportunities. SCC hosted FAFSA Frenzy on Feb. 17, an event that assisted students and parents with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process. Students also had the opportunity to apply for Foundation and Board of Trustees scholarships by March 1. The SCC Foundation awards more than $65,000 each year. “We are thankful for our donors who believe in the power of education and make our scholarship program possible,” said Betsy Schneider, development and foundation relations manager.
Readiness is the message to St. Charles County students through a new website, www.bereadyforthefuture.com, launched to help them successfully transition from K-12 to college and then a career. SCC created the community-wide site to fill a need, answering frequently asked questions from both students and the community. It connects students and parents to information about college and careers, regardless of a student’s choice of college or career and also allows employers to connect with students. “The ‘Be Ready’ site is another way for SCC to share expertise and its services to help students succeed,” said Kasey McKee, vice president for college advancement. Students will find resources to plan, prepare and succeed in college, with tips on choosing the right college, keeping college affordable, studying and note taking. They also will learn how to choose a career path and be job-ready. One section on the site encourages local businesses to sign up for a program to be piloted this fall that will include opportunities for mentoring, internships and job shadowing. The program is in partnership with Vision St. Charles County and the Education Committee of Partners for Progress St. Charles County. The development of the “Be Ready” site was a collaboration of SCC staff members: Alane Breitmeyer, Instructional Design; Tammie De Los Santos, Workforce Development; Jennifer Lansdowne, Enrollment Services; Kasey McKee, College Advancement; Aimee Sagaser, Marketing and Communications; and Martha Toebben, Career Services.
SATURDAY, APRIL 27 Runners and health enthusiasts will descend upon the SCC campus for the annual RUN. LIVE. LEARN. race and health event set for Saturday, April 27. The event is a morning of health, education and fun and features a new educational twist. RUN. LIVE. LEARN. includes a 10K Race, 5K Race and Fun Run as well as a Health and Wellness Expo. New this year, one runner will win a $1,000 scholarship to SCC. Registrants in the 5K and 10K races (ages 18+) will be automatically entered into a scholarship drawing. Race fees are $15-25 and include a dry-tec T-shirt, refreshments and entries into prize drawings. The 5K overall male and female winners will each earn a $50 cash prize, and top winners in the 10K will receive $100. The Expo is free and open from 8-11 a.m. in the Student Center, including some 50 exhibits with health/wellness information, screenings and samples. The 10K and 5K races begin at 7:30 a.m., and the 1-Mile Fun Run starts at 9:15 a.m. between the entrances to the Red and Green parking lots. To register, visit www.stchas.edu/run.
Grants at SCC helping fund educational programs Students, faculty and staff will benefit from a variety of grants recently funded that will support the college’s values of learning and stewardship. In partnership with MCCA, eight Missouri community colleges and Linn State will develop programs to support manufacturing and related careers. SCC was designated to receive more than $1.4 million of the MoManufacturingWINs grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor through the fiscal agent, St. Louis Community College. SCC received a $19,000 grant from the St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District to fund additional outdoor recycling containers, additional internal recycling containers and signage for the existing black cans in both the Plaza Bistro and Café-Bookstore. SCC received a Global Skills for College Completion grant for $6,012 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to provide professional development for faculty teaching developmental mathematics classes. Nurses in St. Charles County and throughout the U.S. who care for seniors will benefit from having access to the non-credit Gerontological Nursing class in a new online format, thanks to a $5,000 grant from the Foundation for Geriatric Education. Foundation board member and local entrepreneur, Richard Jensen, gave a $5,000 gift to the Chemistry Department to go toward the purchase of an autosampler for the High Performance Liquid Chromatography instrumentation. Ameren Charitable Trust gave another annual gift of $2,500 to the Pre-Engineering Department. Funds will be used to purchase a mobile computer lab where laptops will be equipped with special purpose software and rolled in and out of classrooms as needed. SCC was one of 843 libraries and humanities organizations awarded the Muslim Journeys Bookshelf on Muslim history and culture by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Thanks to support from the campus and community, the SCC Foundation was able to award $15,000 in mini-grants. A full list can be found at stchas.edu/news.
The
Campus SCCoop
New website helps K-12 students ‘Be Ready’ for college, career selection
is fulfilling the college Discover how the SCC family time: 3 minutes mission every day ... Reading 3
1
The first participants benefit from a new partnership between SCC’s Continuing Education Department and the St. Charles County Arts Council at the January Art and Wine Extravaganza event in WingHaven.
SCC partners with St. Charles County Arts Council to offer non-credit classes 1 Employees and students alike entered a Student
Senate fundraiser raffle to spend a day with Dr. Ron Chesbrough, SCC president. The winner, Kelly Heuermann, assessment technician, spent her workday by Chesbrough’s side. “I was glad to get to know the president in an informal and more casual environment,” said Heuermann. Heuermann and Chesbrough spent some time sharing personal stories. They then reviewed Chesbrough’s report that he later presented at the SCC Board of Trustees meeting, where Heuermann was introduced to the Board and guests. “I look forward to hanging out with the president again,” said Heuermann. “He is personable and funny, and I’m lucky I got to spend the day with him.” 2 On Jan. 30, SCC kicked off the Between the Covers
Book Club for faculty, staff and students. The book club has four scheduled meetings that will conclude in May. “We’re excited to host an SCC-wide book club to promote reading and camaraderie,” said Julia Wilbers, SCC reference librarian. The list of books includes “Salvage the Bones” by Jesmyn Ward, “Half the Sky” by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky. All book club attendees are entered into a drawing for a Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight. The drawing will take place at the last meeting on May 1.
Be the first to view event photos! stchas.edu/facebook | @stcharlescc on Instagram
3 SCC hosted a series of events in honor of
Black History Month. Highlights included film and and documentary showings, a panel discussion, a lecture lunchtime trivia. The “Human Race Experience” documentary series was shown to help students consider race and identity in a new light. An interactive kiosk in the SSB lounge allowed students to see computer-generated renditions res. of themselves with various skin tones and facial featu Like Lot “A Eli Kimaro, director and writer of the film c You” spoke about her experiences after the film’s publi time. re lectu ate separ showing on campus and during a The documentary “More Than a Month” was also featured. It offered perspective on heritage months such as Black History Month. 4 SCC will celebrate Women’s History Month
s throughout the month of March with a series of event l pane including film showings, guest speakers and en, discussions. “We have such an amazing group of wom with s storie their g both local and international, sharin nt us,” said Kelley Pfeiffer, coordinating counselor of stude .” activities. “Events such as these enhance our community to rd forwa look to s SCC also has several production in the theater of the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building. Center Stage Theatre will present “Deathtrap” by Ira Levin, March 6-10. Young People’s Theatre will present “The Scarlet Pimpernel” March 15-24. For tickets, visit stchastickets.com.
See what events are coming to SCC: stchas.edu/calendar
SCC’s Continuing Education Department has partnered with the St. Charles County Arts Council to offer a variety of non-credit continuing education classes for the community at the Lillian Yahn Gallery in the Arts Council headquarters located in WingHaven in O’Fallon. “This partnership is mutually beneficial and will enhance the ability of both organizations to meet their goal of providing the community with high-quality arts and cultural classes and experiences,” said Tina Sieker, SCC associate dean for continuing education. The classes kicked off in January with the first Art and Wine Extravaganza – a step-by-step, learn-to-paint event. Upcoming classes at the gallery will feature topics from “Zentangle” abstract art, to civil war stories told by authors in the “Boomers on the Boardwalk” speaker series. “We’re excited to work with SCC and hope the partnership will bring more awareness to the arts in the St. Charles community,” said Bruce Howard, president of the St. Charles County Arts Council Board. The Arts Council is an umbrella organization that advocates for all arts and artists in St. Charles County. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu/learnforlife.
Efforts grow to help students financially SCC is better serving its students by working to provide different outlets for scholarship opportunities. SCC hosted FAFSA Frenzy on Feb. 17, an event that assisted students and parents with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process. Students also had the opportunity to apply for Foundation and Board of Trustees scholarships by March 1. The SCC Foundation awards more than $65,000 each year. “We are thankful for our donors who believe in the power of education and make our scholarship program possible,” said Betsy Schneider, development and foundation relations manager.
Readiness is the message to St. Charles County students through a new website, www.bereadyforthefuture.com, launched to help them successfully transition from K-12 to college and then a career. SCC created the community-wide site to fill a need, answering frequently asked questions from both students and the community. It connects students and parents to information about college and careers, regardless of a student’s choice of college or career and also allows employers to connect with students. “The ‘Be Ready’ site is another way for SCC to share expertise and its services to help students succeed,” said Kasey McKee, vice president for college advancement. Students will find resources to plan, prepare and succeed in college, with tips on choosing the right college, keeping college affordable, studying and note taking. They also will learn how to choose a career path and be job-ready. One section on the site encourages local businesses to sign up for a program to be piloted this fall that will include opportunities for mentoring, internships and job shadowing. The program is in partnership with Vision St. Charles County and the Education Committee of Partners for Progress St. Charles County. The development of the “Be Ready” site was a collaboration of SCC staff members: Alane Breitmeyer, Instructional Design; Tammie De Los Santos, Workforce Development; Jennifer Lansdowne, Enrollment Services; Kasey McKee, College Advancement; Aimee Sagaser, Marketing and Communications; and Martha Toebben, Career Services.
SATURDAY, APRIL 27 Runners and health enthusiasts will descend upon the SCC campus for the annual RUN. LIVE. LEARN. race and health event set for Saturday, April 27. The event is a morning of health, education and fun and features a new educational twist. RUN. LIVE. LEARN. includes a 10K Race, 5K Race and Fun Run as well as a Health and Wellness Expo. New this year, one runner will win a $1,000 scholarship to SCC. Registrants in the 5K and 10K races (ages 18+) will be automatically entered into a scholarship drawing. Race fees are $15-25 and include a dry-tec T-shirt, refreshments and entries into prize drawings. The 5K overall male and female winners will each earn a $50 cash prize, and top winners in the 10K will receive $100. The Expo is free and open from 8-11 a.m. in the Student Center, including some 50 exhibits with health/wellness information, screenings and samples. The 10K and 5K races begin at 7:30 a.m., and the 1-Mile Fun Run starts at 9:15 a.m. between the entrances to the Red and Green parking lots. To register, visit www.stchas.edu/run.
Attending a Cougars baseball game this season with a camera? Tag us on Instagram: @stcharlescc
Do you have a fun campus photo to share? Post it on the SCC Facebook wall: stchas.edu/facebook
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF ST. CHARLES COMMUNITY COLLEGE Vol. 25, No. 1 | 2013
College offers voluntary early retirement incentive plan SCC sophomores (from left) Brannon Callaway, Aaron Bedsworth and Dan Droege will lead the Cougar charge from the mound this spring on the baseball field.
Baseball season has arrived, and the Cougars are looking forward to a great 2013 campaign. With seven returning players and a team full of fresh faces, the outlook appears promising. Leading this year’s squad are three returning pitchers, Aaron Bedsworth, Dan Droege and Brannon Callaway. “Our goal is to have a winning season. It’s possible with the team we’ve got,” said Bedsworth. “We’re working together more as a team this year. We’ve got a lot of leaders, and it is helping us stay focused.” For the Cougars, teamwork will play a big role in the success of this season. “It’s not necessarily that our skill level has improved this season, but we are working together and it’s making a huge difference in our performance,” said Callaway. “We’ve already had some pretty solid practices and put in the hours at the gym. We are
“We’ve got a lot of leaders, and it is helping us stay focused.” Aaron Bedsworth, SCC Cougars pitcher
getting our work done, and I know it will pay off this season.” All three returning pitchers agree that the highlight of the season will be regionals. “We can’t wait to compete,” said Droege. “We all know how well we want to perform at the end of the season.” “Playing baseball in college is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Droege. The best part about playing baseball at SCC, the three say, is getting to do what they love. “We get to be around baseball all day. I couldn’t ask for more.” The Cougars encourage the campus community to come out and support the team as they strive for success. SCC’s first home game is March 7. Learn more: stchas.edu/athletics
In Memoriam The college was saddened by the loss of SCC student Andrea Marie Wills of Moscow Mills, Mo., who died in an auto accident on Jan. 25. Andrea had attended SCC off and on as a part-time student since 2000.
Cougar sophomore catcher/infielder Shea Dean is featured on the 2013 SCC Softball schedule and player guide.
With new cast of teammates, coach, sophomore catcher pepped for 2013 The Cougar softball players are gearing up for another season, working as a team and spending time getting to know one another. With a positive atmosphere and all the tools in place to be successful, Shea Dean, sophomore catcher and infielder, is looking forward to getting on the field. “We are excited,” said Dean. “We got together as a team before the season started to set goals, which is really helpful because now we’re all working together to achieve something as a team.” With the core group of leaders from last year’s squad leaving, the team is going through a transition. “It’s hard to say where the team is at now,” said Dean. “Last year there were some sophomore girls who really pushed us, and this year we’re working together to push each other equally. We won’t really know where we are until we hit the field.” “We’re also adapting to a new head coach this season, so we’re going through an adjustment period,” said Dean. Michelle Patrico recently became the Cougars’ new head coach. Shea says the Cougars’ determination sets them apart from the competition. “We never give up, no matter what score is on the board,” said Dean. “It’s not over until it’s over for us.” Dean and her teammates encourage students, faculty, staff and community members to support the Cougars by coming out to watch a game. “Cougar softball is really fun to watch, especially this year, because we’ve got a fun group of girls. Our fans will find themselves enjoying our games more than they expected.” SCC’s first home game is March 21. View their whole schedule: stchas.edu/athletics
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 • Peggy Schreiner and Brynne Buell, writers
2/2013
Baseball Cougars aim for a winning season
The former Barat Academy building located in Dardenne Prairie will become the LU/SCC Center for Nursing and Allied Health Sciences later this year. (Photo courtesy of Lindenwood University.)
SCC, Lindenwood announce nursing partnership SCC and Lindenwood University have agreed in principle on a collaborative initiative that will help launch the new LU/SCC Center for Nursing and Allied Health Sciences. The Center will be located at #1 Academy Place in Dardenne Prairie, former site of Barat Academy, a 69,000-square-foot building purchased by Lindenwood. The boards of both institutions approved terms of the agreement. SCC will move its Associate Degree Nursing program to the site, as well as its Practical Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Health Information Technology and health occupation programs. SCC will lease some 26,000 square feet of building space. LU will offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree completion program for students with a two-year nursing degree. “We are excited to add Lindenwood University to our list of four-year partners in the nursing and allied health fields in this very
unique and enterprising collaboration,” said SCC President Ron Chesbrough, Ph.D. SCC will move its state-of-the-art simulation lab to the new location and expand the space to create a “virtual hospital” that can offer concurrent simulations. “It will provide opportunities for multidisciplinary simulations and afford both programs a way to reduce some constraints related to securing clinical sites and to increase program capacity,” said Patti Williams, SCC dean of nursing and allied health. “This partnership between two indispensable institutions will not only change the lives of the students and patients, it will help to transform our local economy,” said Greg Prestemon, president and CEO of St. Charles County Economic Development Center. “I believe that 10 years from now, people will mark this partnership as a pivotal event in the growth and development of St. Charles County.”
For only the second time in college history, a voluntary retirement incentive was made available to eligible SCC employees, the college announced in December. Some 15 faculty and staff took advantage of the program by the Jan. 25 deadline. The plan was offered to employees who, as of June 30, 2013, will have completed 10 or more years of full-time continuous service at SCC. Participants were to have met the normal eligibility or early retirement eligibility requirements for retirement as defined by the Public School Retirement System (PSRS) or Public Education Employee Retirement System (PEERS) as of June 30, 2013. Under the agreement, the incentive offered $7,500 plus $750 per year of full-time continuous service (as of June 30, 2013). Eligible employees were required to complete an application packet. “Offering the voluntary retirement incentive provides the opportunity for the college to realize payroll savings in the future and offers a monetary payment to help participating employees transition to retirement,” said Donna Davis, vice president for human resources. On Jan. 28, the SCC Board of Trustees approved the early retirements of: Hal Berry, professor of history and cinema; Terri Borger, payroll and administrative services compliance director; Tana Burton, division office coordinator; Linda Cole, professor of nursing; Candace Cundiff, training specialist; Dennis Fleming, maintenance assistant; Floretha Johnson, director of administrative computing; Bernadette Moody, professor of nursing; Wanda Newmyer, division office coordinator; Kevin Patton, professor of life science; Linda SandersBalcer, GM project support specialist; Christine Scherer, website coordinator; Ann Vernon, professor of science; Karen Vossenkemper, financial aid manager; and Janice Williams, DPS office assistant/ dispatcher.