Friday, September 25, 2015

Insider College News - Welcome Back, Sept. 25

Starting this fall, students will receive a “Welcome to LBCC” information packet in the mail, designed to welcome them and let them know they are officially “in college.” Within a few days of submitting their college application, students will get a personalized welcome letter that includes the next steps they need to take. They also get a cool LBCC Roadrunner window decal, coupons to the bookstore and campus eateries, and information on clubs and student life to help them immediately start building connections.

College Advancement has installed more than 60 new "Inspired" banners throughout the parking lots on the Albany campus, and will soon add banners to the centers and the ATTC. The new banners highlight our values, programs, instructors, students, and graduates - providing inspiration every time we pull into campus. A special thank you goes to the Facilities Department for removing the old brackets from the poles, installing new ones, and hanging all the banners before Welcome Day.

The Library and the Student Help Desk have added new evening and weekend hours to better accommodate students. New hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.  In addition, the Forum Computer Lab has been moved to the Library, which allows for increased computer and technical support for students.

The college has implemented a new pay-to-print system. Called “GoPrint,” the new system tracks printer usage based on the student's account. The move is part of a campus-wide effort to reduce paper waste and ultimately save money by reducing paper and toner costs and equipment maintenance while promoting a more sustainable green printing environment. Students manage and add funds to their GoPrint account on-line. The price is .10 cents per sheet for black and white, and .20 cents per sheet for color. The software determines the cost of a print job and makes that known to the student prior to printing. The student can then accept and print the job or cancel it. 

Javier Cervantes, right, receives
his NCCHC pin.
Javier Cervantes, director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at LBCC, has completed the National Community College Hispanic Council Leadership Fellows Program. Established more than 20 years ago through the University of San Diego, the 10-day NCCHC Fellows Program provides training, preparation and support of Hispanic leaders in America's community colleges. As LBCC works to become a "College of Choice" for Latinos, Javier's Fellows designation will provide access to a network of people that the college can call upon for best practices, providing access to people who have been tackling this work and getting results.

Art faculty member Analee Fuentes’ work is featured in the September/October issue of “1859 Oregon Magazine.” In the article, Analee shares how her past history and Latino-American heritage have influenced her art. The article also includes beautiful photos of Analees' work and of her studio in Coburg. Read the full story at: www.1859oregonmagazine.com/artist-in-residence-analee-fuentes-skeletons

LBCC Women’s Basketball team, along with head coach Deb Herrold, volunteered to help with the annual Linn County Alzhemier’s Walk held at Timber-Linn Park Sept. 20. The team helped with set-up, take down and cheering-on the walkers. Volunteering were team members Madi Baum, Rianne Tupper, Coach Deb Herrold, Kyia Duvall, Coach Stehanie Charves, Nicole Magnuson, Jordan Miller, Bailee Tally, Breanna Bronson, and Kaylee Buhrkuhl (left to right in photo). Go Roadrunners!



Thursday, June 11, 2015

College News - Week of June 12

Commencement is once again upon us, and this year LBCC will award 1,074 degrees and certificates to 828 students, and 32 students earned their General Educational Development certificate. Of the 32 GED grads, nine are already taking college credit classes, and nine more have taken their placement tests, finished their FAFSA's and are registered and ready to start this summer and fall term. In addition, 18 ESOL students were honored as English Language Acquisition achievers for either outstanding skills gained or exemplary persistence.

Open enrollment for OEBB insurance is August 15 to Sept. 7.  This is a mandatory enrollment year, which means all OEBB members must log on to their personal MyOEBB Benefit Management System to either re-enroll or choose a new medical, dental and vision plan. New rates and enrollment information will be sent via email or US mail over the next few weeks. You can update your contact preferences through your MyOEBB account. For more information, contact Diana Kronsteiner in Human Resources, ext. 4424.

Chris Nystrom, director of the Community Education Department, and Chelsea Nordby, coordinator
Chris Nystrom, left, & Chelsea Nordby
of Community Education for Benton County, have both received the designation of Certified Program Planner by the Learning Resources Network, an international association in lifelong learning. The CCP designation reflects demonstrated in-depth knowledge in ten key areas of lifelong learning. Chris and Chelsea will be recognized at LERN's Annual Conference next December in New Orleans. Founded in 1974, LERN has over 4,500 members, with 3,000 CPP's awarded throughout the world.

For the eighth year in a row, LBCC’s Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) Club has qualified to
2015 LBCC ROV Team
compete in the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) International Competition, to be held in Newfoundland, Canada (about 1,300 miles south of the Artic Circle) June 25-27. The competition, titled "Science and Industry in the Artic: ROV’s in Extreme Environments," challenges students to apply what they know about physics, math, electronics, and engineering to solve problems in a marine environment. Both polar researchers and offshore oil and gas companies use the facilities at Newfoundland’s Marine Institute, and both are in need of ROV’s that can conduct science under the ice, as well as sub-sea pipeline inspection and repair, and offshore oilfield production and maintenance. Not only is this a huge opportunity for our students to get real world engineering experience, said club advisor and physics faculty member Greg Mulder, but it could lead to numerous internship or job opportunities, making this an ideal place for students to learn and make connections.

Five students from the Culinary Arts program will have a first-time opportunity to manage food preparation over the summer for the Knights Baseball team at Goss Stadium in Corvallis, thanks to a recent partnership with Culinary Arts, the Knights Baseball franchise and OSU. The partnership started about five months ago, said culinary arts faculty member Todd Ketterman, when the Corvallis Knights approached him to have student interns run concessions at the TnT Builders Party Deck at Banners, an area down the left-field line. The Knights were looking to improve the quality of the concessions and bring in more local products and suppliers, said Todd. The student positions are paid, and several of the students will earn CWE. A second-year graduating culinary art student was chosen as food service manager, and will work closely with the Corvallis Knights vice president of operations to oversee and manage the various food service locations within the stadium. 

A classic LB keychain is now traveling around the world, thanks to Eric Bryant in Media. Eric
turned the keychain into a geocache “travel bug,” dropping it off in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic while on vacation there. After finding the geocache box location in Punta Cana, Eric signed the logbook, left the keychain in the box and returned the box its hidden location. The keychain has since traveled to Bayern, Germany, where it awaits its next destination. Eric says that when he dies, he wants to be a “travel bug!” Follow the LB Keychain journey at: www.geocaching.com/trac/details.aspx?tracker=TBJ2JC

Living Our Values:
LBCC Peace Studies Program Hosts the International Symposium on Peace, Justice and Human Rights - This week’s“Living Our Values” story, the last of the year, really encompasses all five values: Inclusiveness, Engagement, Opportunity, Learning and Excellence. 
For the second time in 15 years, the LBCC Peace Studies program will host the 17th Biennial
International Symposium on Peace, Justice and Human Rights, held June 28 through July 4 at the Benton Center. Students from around the world will converge in Corvallis to address issues affecting our world. Cultural exchange is a hallmark of these events, and students develop connections with people from around the world. Each year, the symposium focuses on a central discussion point that addresses social, ecological or human rights issues, and provides participants a better understanding of how people from different places view world issues. Students at this year’s symposium will be looking at climate change, with an emphasis on global impacts, human solutions, and the challenges faced by a global community education effort. The last symposium was held in 2013 in Hornsjø, Norway, and focused on sweatshops, Alaskan gold and copper mining, the impacts of a Belo Monte dam in Brazil and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. If you would like to help, the program is in need of a few more van drivers. If you are LBCC van certified and interested, contact Scott McAleer, ext. 4578.

College Values
Opportunity
Excellence
Inclusiveness
Learning
Engagement

College Core Themes
Economic Vitality
Cultural Richness
Educational Attainment



Insider published by: LBCC College Advancement Marketing Office
Writer/Editor: Lori Fluge-Brunker, Communications Specialist, College Advancement  

Friday, May 22, 2015

College News Week of May 22

Bond building project updates: The college has completed the programmatic design phase for the Health Occupations Center building project, and almost through the schematic design phase. As reference, the four phases of design include programmatic, schematic, design development, and construction drawing. The Benton Center and the Albany Campus projects will start the programmatic design phase at the end of May. Also for the Benton Center, the college is still in negotiations with Good Samaritan Hospital to purchase a portion of the hospital’s parking garage that they are planning to build. For the Advanced Transportation Technology Center project, the invitation to bid for the new Innovation Center has been canceled in response to the most recent independent estimate, which showed some redesign is required to bring the project back into budget. The college plans to restart the bidding in June. Keep on top of the latest building project updates at: www.linnbenton.edu/faculty-and-staff/administrative-information/building-projects

Achieving the Dream coaches visited the college in April, and showed strong support for LBCC’s application to become a Leader College. The coaches noted that the college has significantly shortened the time it takes students to complete developmental writing classes and complete WR121, the gatekeeper college-level writing class, but noted frustration in our ability to show we are “moving the needle” on measures of student progression through their programs to earning degrees. While we have made significant progress in writing, we are not seeing significant changes in developmental math and education completion, gateway math completion, term-to-term retention and fall-to-fall retention. The goal is to become more focused on these indicators to help move our students forward. In addition, project/initiative evaluation continues to be an issue, with project teams so focused on implementing activities that they lose sight of the college-wide metric the activities are designed to change. The college is considering dedicating a position to project/initiative evaluation, to help steer project teams to be immersed in a continuous improvement cycle. Compiled from Academic Affairs and Workforce Development board report, May 20. http://po.linnbenton.edu/boardmeeting/5_20_15BoardPacket/ 

Kudos to Brian Trice and the Advanced Transportation Technology Center team for bringing together more than 400 transportation industry representatives to attend the first LBCC Green Transportation Summit and Expo, held April 20-22 in Portland. Organized by Brian, manager of Alternative Fuels Transportation at the ATTC in Lebanon, the summit focused on local and regional issues and trends in alternative fuels, including education tracks presented by industry experts on bio-fuels, compressed natural gas, liquid natural gas, renewable natural gas, and electric vehicles. The summit also included a one-of-a-kind “Performance Ride and Drive” at the Portland International Raceway. In addition to making valuable industry connections for the college, the summit provided automotive students who attended a chance to connect with industry representatives in their field of study. Brian is in the process of organizing the next Green Transportation Summit and Expo, to be held in Denver, Colorado in August.
http://www.katu.com/news/local/Transportation-summit-spotlights-alternative-fuels-300856391.html

Dana Emerson, right, and Analee Fuentes.
Living Our Values: Dana Emerson & Analee Fuentes Combine Forces for the Greater Good
Opportunity, Excellence, and Inclusion
What happens when two people have two separate but good intentions of helping students, and find their good intentions have stalled for lack of money? When art faculty member Analee Fuentes and communications faculty member Dana Emerson found themselves in this very dilemma, they knew exactly what they needed to do, and a win-win solution was born. After establishing separate scholarship funds a few years back, with the goal of raising the $15,000 each that was needed to fully endow the funds, each found their accounts seemed to languish at around $6,000 and not really benefiting students. Combining resources made perfect sense, and the fully-endowed “Emerson/Fuentes Scholarship for Oregon Latinos” fund was born - the first of its kind at LBCC that specifically helps Latino students. Both Analee and Dana are dedicated to advancing the education of people of color, and hope the establishment of the endowment will benefit students for years to come. “Education is power,” said Analee. “That is what this scholarship hopes to promote.” The fund has a deeper meaning for both Analee and Dana, who view it as a way to pay it forward: “I was a single mother taking care of an aging parent and could not have worked enough to take care of my family and attend college,” said Analee. “I received the Underrepresented Minority Achievement Award scholarship, which allowed me to continue my education and attend the University of Oregon. Without this assistance, I could not have gone on to receive my master’s in art from the University of Arizona.” Analee and Dana are are continuing their efforts to build up the fund, with the goal to provide as many scholarships to Latino students as possible and help make our college a “Latino College of Choice.” The first applications for this new scholarship will be accepted starting fall term through the Financial Aid scholarship process, with funds to be awarded for winter term 2016. If you would like to help Aanlee and Dana build their fund for Latino students, you can make a contribution to the Emerson/Fuentes scholarship fund through the college Foundation office, ext. 4209.

New hires, separations, promotions/transfers, leaves of absence, and retirements from human resources: http://po.linnbenton.edu/boardmeeting/5_20_15BoardPacket/HR%20Board%20Memo%205-14-15.pdf


College Values
Opportunity
Excellence
Inclusiveness
Learning
Engagement

Core Themes
Economic Vitality
Cultural Richness
Educational Attainment




Insider published by: LBCC College Advancement Marketing Office
Writer/Editor: Lori Fluge-Brunker, Communications Specialist, College Advancement 






Thursday, May 14, 2015

College News - Week of May 15

James Reddan, center left, and the college a cappella groups.
James Reddan, music faculty member and director of choral activities, will be leaving the college at the end of the school year for a position as assistant professor and director of Choral Activities and Choral Music Education at Frostburg State University in Maryland. James is well known not only on campus but in our local communities through his work with high school and community music programs. Since starting in the fall of 2008, James has taken LBCC's music program from six declared music majors and two choirs with 38 students, to 40 students pursuing music degrees, four choirs with about 140 students participating each term, and approximately 300 students total participating in the music program in some form (classes, ensembles, or lessons) each term. In addition, the choirs, under James’ direction, have earned numerous awards and have traveled all over the world for competitions and performances including Seattle, New York City, San Diego, London and Latvia - where the students performed with some of the world's great choral directors and music performers. James will direct his final "farewell" concert, “Singing From the Heart,” on Thursday, June 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the Russell Tripp Performance Center, a show that's sure to be standing-room-only. Thank you, Dr. Reddan, and best of luck to you!

Javier Cervantes, director of the Department of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, was selected to participate in the National Community College Hispanic Council Leadership Fellows Program. Established more than 20 years ago through the University of San Diego, the 10-day NCCHC Fellows Program provides training, preparation and support of Hispanic leaders in America's community colleges, providing an opportunity to continue in their professional growth. Javier works to prepare students, staff, faculty and local communities to live in an increasingly diverse society and workforce, including working on issues of equity, cultural fluency, capacity and competency, as well as increasing access and retention of underrepresented and diverse populations at the college level. He currently serves as the co-chair of the Inclusion and Diversity Consortium of Oregon Community Colleges, and was recently appointed chair of the Albany Human Relations Commission. 


First came the clucking of chickens and now, the buzzing of bees, all of which are part of the Horticulture Program’s Profitable Small Farms course on campus. Students in the program, along with horticulture faculty member Stefan Seiter, moved the swarming bees last week from their starter hives, known as nucleus hives, to permanent beehive homes inside the fence by the facilities barn, not far from the egg-laying chickens. The four hives, complete with a queen bee and the hardware, were donated to the program by Queen Bee Honey Company of Corvallis. During winter term, students learned about bee biology and how to care for the bees. In addition to being used for education, the bees will provide pollination to the organic garden and fruit trees around the college farm. And don’t forget the bonus bees provide – honey!



Living Our Values: LBCC Nursing has largest team, raises most funds for CARDV
Opportunity, Excellence & Engagement
Nursing faculty member Sherrilyn Systma
LBCC nursing student.

For the second year in a row, LBCC nursing students, along team coordinator and nursing faculty member Sherrilyn Systma, had the largest team and raised the most funds for the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence at the CARDV Mother’s Day Walk/Run held Saturday, May 9, in Corvallis. The 48-member team, consisting of students, faculty, staff and friends, raised $1,126 for the center, with several students registering their whole family. Besides benefiting CARDV, the event connects our students with a local organization that provides support for community members who have been affected by sexual abuse and domestic violence – something that the students will most likely encounter in their nursing work. Over the years, the CARDV program has directly helped many of our own students and staff, said Sherrilyn, and she hopes to have more students from other disciplines join their team next year. As a side note: Seven LBCC nursing students, along with Sherrilyn, are heading to Camp Billings in Lake Fairlee, Vermont this summer to help with first aid for camp attendees, who range in age from 6 to 16. Besides having fun at camp, the students will learn about medications, first aid, assessment and pediatrics.




College Values
Opportunity
Excellence
Inclusiveness
Learning
Engagement

Core Themes
Economic Vitality
Cultural Richness
Educational Attainment





Insider published by: LBCC College Advancement Marketing Office
Writer/Editor: Lori Fluge-Brunker, Communications Specialist, College Advancement 







Friday, May 8, 2015

College News - Week of May 8

Ann Buchele
Dr. Ann Buchele has been named as the next vice president of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development, replacing Beth Hogeland, who is retiring June 30. Ann has been employed full-time at the college since 1991, and served 12 years as a faculty member before moving into various administration roles. Her most recent position is as dean of Workforce Development and Program Effectiveness. In addition, Ann has served as dean of Healthcare, E-Learning and Media from 2013-2014, and as dean of Business, Healthcare, and Workforce from 2008 to 2013. Ann’s education includes post-doctorate work through Breakthrough Model Academy in Massachusetts, a PhD in Community College Leadership from Oregon State University, and a master's degree and bachelor’s degree, both in Education, from the University of Toledo. She starts in her new position July 1.

LBCC library staff wrote, and were awarded, a $67,558 grant from the Oregon State Library agency to help expand the Linn Libraries Consortium, which included the LBCC Library, Albany Public Library, and Lebanon Public Library, with the goal of using technology to increase capacity and provide better access to Linn County residents, particularly to our rural residents. This grant allowed the consortium to add Sweet Home, Scio, and Harrisburg Public Libraries. The libraries migrated their holdings and patron databases to an open source, shared Integrated Library System (ILS).  The benefits of this migration include lowering maintenance costs, sharing technical assistance, and providing assistance for the smaller libraries to establish a new or improved web presence, including a union catalog. The second installment of the grant is $47,676 and is being administered by LBCC library staff. This portion of the grant will be used configure the ILS software to allow for resource sharing between Linn County libraries, and to pilot a courier service between the libraries.  This will allow our library users to place holds on materials at any participating library and the materials will arrive within a few days on the courier. Jane Sandberg, LBCC's new faculty Librarian, has been integral in working with the participating libraries to implement the new software and services, and in creating a website for all Linn County residents to access subscription database resources: linnlibraries.org.

Living Our Values: Academic Foundations version of "Ted Talks" embodies Inclusiveness, Learning & Engagement

An idea that sprang up from Academic Foundations, while brainstorming communication strategies, was to start a Ted-talk like movement, called “I Am LBCC,” with the purpose of creating opportunities for the LBCC community to get to know each other on a different level. According to Jason Kovac, dean of Academic Foundations, the idea is to give people an informal venue to talk about what they know, or what they are passionate about, which often covers ground outside of their jobs, course loads, or otherwise typical LBCC experience. The first “I Am LBCC” talk took place in the fall of 2014, and the second was held in the DAC April 24. The April 24 talk featured developmental studies instructor Bond Martin, who shared her experience teaching in Pakistan over the course of five years, and student Joey Fishback, who shared his recent experience of becoming a viral video star. Both presentations were interesting, informative and inspiring. Jason hopes to offer another talk in the fall, and possibly more if there is enough interest and speakers. For more information on this project, contact Jason Kovak.

The Linn Benton Chapter of Medical Assistants, along with LBCC's Medical Assistant program faculty members Kathy Durling, Rick Durling and Jerry Coe, hosted the Oregon Society of Medical Assistants annual conference May 7, 8 and 9 at the new Samaritan Conference Center in Lebanon. OSMA conference goers were the first to use the center new and hotel, which are located across the street from Lebanon’s hospital and the Lebanon Center. The Oregon Society of Medical Assistants is a professional support entity for medical office and ancillary healthcare personnel, and is an affiliate of the American Association of Medical Assistants.

A Geologic Timeline is in the last stages of being installed on the south side of Madrone Hall and the Activities Center building. The 230-meter timeline represents 4.6 billion years of earth history, as we know it. The timeline will serve as an outdoor lab for science classes, as well as an educational display for students and the public. Signs have been installed along the path, noting the various geologic periods and their ages. The scale of the timeline is designed to give some perspective about the enormity of geologic time, the age of the Earth and significant events in Earth history. Present day is represented on the east end of the timeline, with the earth's history going back in time toward the west. Future plans include installing boulders from around Oregon and the Western US along the path at their appropriate ages, along with fossil specimens, both real and replicas, to note the evolution of life on earth. The project was made possible by a generous donation of former Albany Senator Frank Morse, the Science, Engineering and Math division, and Andrew Feldman, division dean.



College Values
Opportunity
Excellence
Inclusiveness
Learning
Engagement

Core Themes
Economic Vitality
Cultural Richness
Educational Attainment





Insider published by: LBCC College Advancement Marketing Office
Writer/Editor: Lori Fluge-Brunker, Communications Specialist, College Advancement 


Friday, April 24, 2015

College News - Week of April 24

Accommodations are being made for students who have been negatively impacted by the inclusion of the Visual Communications/Graphic Design major in the 2014-15 Catalog. The college is providing individualized support to students who have indicated their intent to earn the AAS in Visual Communication/Graphic Design, to ensure a pathway for them to earn the degree. This includes students who started this year under the mistakenly listed program. We are prepared to do whatever is necessary to enable all of these students to complete, including extending the availability of classes in the program beyond Spring 2016. College administration will continue to monitor our progress with regard to these commitments. The college will continue to offer graphic design classes.

Living Our Values: Dorthy Moran - Excellence, Engagement, Learning
IACE President Tammi Drury presents
Dorothy Moran (right) with the Outstanding Classified Award.

Dorothy Moran was selected as this year’s Independent Association of Classified Employees Outstanding Classified of the Year. An employee of the college for more than eight years, Dorothy continuously takes on added responsibility and duties in her job, and challenges herself to be the best employee she can be for our students, her division and the college. Dorothy is an active member of IACE and the college, having served on the IACE Bumping Sub-Committee and Social Committee, and on College Council and Merit teams. In addition, she has participated in the President's Leadership Retreat, LBCC Leadership, Navigating Differences, Foundations of Excellence and the Multicultural Fellowship. Dorothy is currently working on a degree through OSU, and continues to strive to do more, learn more, and achieve more. Congratulations, Dorothy!

President Hamann has been elected to serve on the American Association of Community Colleges National Board of Directors. Dr. Hamann will serve a three-year term, from July 1, 2015 through June 20, 2018.  Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., AACC is governed by 32-member board of directors elected by membership representing nearly 1,200 two-year associate degree-granting institutions in the US, as well as a growing number of international member institutions. AACC is the primary advocacy organization for community colleges at the national level, and works closely with directors of state offices to inform and affect state policy. The association collaborates with a wide range of entities within the higher education community to monitor and influence federal policy and to collaborate on issues of common interest, and is the leading proponent and the national "voice for community colleges.

Two new sections have been added
to the college web site: “About LBCC” and “Building Projects.” About LBCC is a new link that will provide information on the college mission, vision, goals and people. The site provides sections including “What Matters to Us,” “Our People,” and “Our Progress.” The link is located at the top of the navigation bar, which follows each web page. The “Building Projects” site will serve as a place to keep us informed on the progress of building projects, providing updates and information on the capital bond projects. The site will include descriptions of each bond project, periodic progress updates, and links to past updates. Once construction begins, images will be included showing the progress. You can find this link at https://www.linnbenton.edu/building-projects.

New hires, separations, promotions and transfers:
http://po.linnbenton.edu/boardmeeting/4_15_15BoardPacket/HR%20Board%20Memo%204-8-15.pdf


College Values
Opportunity
Excellence
Inclusiveness
Learning
Engagement

Core Themes
Economic Vitality
Cultural Richness
Educational Attainment







Insider published by: LBCC College Advancement Marketing Office
Writer/Editor: Lori Fluge-Brunker, Communications Specialist, College Advancement 


Friday, April 17, 2015

College News - Spring Inservice - April 16

Spring Inservice: Awards, Recognitions, Inspiration and Some Fun

This year, there were a few new twists for Spring Inservice. Traditionally, employee recognition and awards have been presented throughout the year. This year, it was decided to try a different approach, presenting the awards all at once in a bigger and better way. Hence, the creation of the "Employee Award Show" designed to recognize all our great employees at one time, including outstanding part-time faculty (a first for Inservice), and the creation of a new award: the "Part-time Faculty Excellence Award."

The Inservice Committee brought us more than 20 workshops to help Inspire and inform us to continue to do the great work that we do each day. Faculty and staff gave their time and knowledge in workshops including several advisor training workshops, what's new in Microsoft Office, Turnitin Assignment training, new student pathways in Math, Collaborative Classroom introduction, Google course management training, Speak to a Geek computer advice, how to reduce textbook costs, and Digital Storytelling. We even got a sneak peak at the new online Smart Catalog!

Special "Thank You" to the Inservice Committee: Mark Weiss, Richard Gibbs, M'Liss Runyon, Paul Tannahill, Vickie Staffelbach, Shelly Ellingson, Bryan Miyagishima, Justin Smith and Beth Hogeland. Thank you for all your hard work and time spent to bring us this "Inspiring" day.

Our employee awards offer true examples of "Living Our Values." Nomination letters reinforce the fact that our faculty and staff exemplify opportunity, excellence, inclusiveness, learning and engagement for our students, each other, and the communities they serve, everyday. Although it's tough to choose each year from among the awesome nominees, the winners always inspire us to continue to do great work. For your reading and viewing pleasure, here are this year's award winners:

Jack Stone
Distinguished Staff Award: Business Management faculty member Jack Stone was named as this year's Distinguished Staff. Jack began work at the college in 1996 in the Business Division. Nominated by his peers for his dedication and commitment to LBCC, students and the community, Jack was recognized for his devotion to teaching, and his inspiring mentorship, friendship and leadership to fellow faculty, staff and students. Oh, and for his sense of humor and being the ultimate prankster at work. His photo will be forever hanging in the Distinguished Staff "Hall of Fame" in the Calapooia Center. Congratulations, Jack, and happy retirement in June!

Pastega Faculty Excellence Award: The Pastega Faculty Excellence award was presented to two of our most excellent and friendly Welding faculty members, Dean Dowless and Fred Stuewe. Dean began teaching at the college part-time in 1983, and has been a full-time instructor since 1993. Fred began teaching part-time in 2004, and became full-time in 2009. Dean and Fred were recognized for their dedication to their students and their strong work ethic, which they impart to their students. They were also recognized for helping to create customized career technical education classes that develop student’s soft skills, including technical writing in welding, math and measurements for welders, and customer service classes for welders. This awesome team is also known for connecting their students to the broader community through organizing welding projects for community members who could use the help, and through bringing in industry leaders each term to talk with the students about the type of work they may be doing and to answer their questions. Thank you and congratulations!
Fred Stuewe, left, and Dean Dowless
Victoria Fridley

Pastega Classified Excellence Award: The Pastega Classified Excellence award was presented to Writing Center Coordinator Victoria Fridley. Victoria has served as the writing center coordinator since 2008. Of the many ways Victoria has positively influenced staff and students at the college, a few that stood out in all her nomination letters were her efforts in providing equal access to writing help for students, no matter where they are in life, and in engaging students in the writing process. In addition, she was lauded for her ability to make students feel at ease with their writing abilities, and for her commitment to the LBCC community through her work bringing the arts to campus. Congratulations, Victoria!

Outstanding Part-time Faculty Awards: Presented for the very first time during Inservice, the Outstanding Part-time Faculty Awards recognizes the absolutely, positively we-couldn’t-do-it-without-you part of our LBCC team. Eight part-time faculty were nominated as outstanding in their field from their area of the college. They are:

Edie Sperling, Biology Faculty, Science, Engineering & Math
Mark Cantrell, Computer Systems Faculty, Business, Applied Technology & Industry
Kelli Wallner, ABE/GED Faculty, ABE/GED
Lou Donadio, Karate faculty, Health & Human Performance
Penny Steele, Math Faculty, ABE/GED
Bond Claire Martin, English & Reading faculty, Instructional Assistant, Benton Center
Mary Mayfield, Spanish GED, ABE/GED
Tamara VanRas, Reading & Writing faculty, Developmental Studies

Penny Steele
Part-time Faculty Excellence Award: Penny Steele was named as the first Part-time Faculty Excellence Award winner. New this year, the college established the award to recognize a part-faculty member, from the group of outstanding part-time nominees, who exemplifies excellence in their field. The winner is selected by the Academic Affairs Council. Through her student evaluations, Penny was recognized as a great teacher who always explains things in understandable ways and always works to find things each student needs to work on to reach their goals. Penny's name will be engraved in a paver stone, to be placed in the Foundation Paver Patio by the Calapooia Center. Congratulations!


Employee Service Awards: 2014-2015

5-Years
10-Years
15-Years
20-Years
25-Years
30-Years (just Angie - Dave's still a newbie)
35-Years (sorry you missed it, Ron! but, you're getting
your name on a paver stone, so you'll be here forever!)


5-YEAR AWARDS:
Miriam Edell
Pam Gordon
Greg Hamann
Todd Ketterman
Scott Krambuhl

10-YEAR AWARDS:
Fran Beck
Lynne Cox
Deana Culbertson
Rick Durling
Lori Fluge-Brunker
Bonnie Hamby-Lassen
Keith Hashagen
John Krueger
Connie Lenderman
Robert Lewis
John McArdle
Sheri McIntyre
Sally Moore
Shay Newman
Trista Ochoa
LeAnn Schamp
Bruce Thompson
Diana Wheat
Jim Wixson

15-YEAR AWARDS:
John Alvin
Bridgid Backus
Bruce Clemetsen
Karen Green
Robin Havenick
Patty McMenamin
Janeen Phillips
Gary Price
Dana Robinson
Amy Sadowsky

20-YEAR AWARDS:
Larry Carter
Jan Legris
Bryan Schiedler
Lori Skarda
Sue Stone

25-YEAR AWARDS:
Brad Carman
Annette Easdale
Jan Fraser-Hevlin
Rick Klampe
Kevin Lacey
Liz Pearce
Joe Sherlock
Vern Smith
Mark Weiss

30-YEAR AWARD:
Angie Klampe

35-YEAR AWARD:
Ron Sharman

HONORABLE MENTIONS-OVER 25 YEARS
(no awards presented)

26 Years:
Kathy Body
Jack Giles
Dori Litzer
Roger Maurer
John Sweet

27 Years:
Linda Dompier
Anne Green
Vern Jackson
Lorrie Peterson
Teresa Woods

28 Years:
Margi Dusek
Janet Jackson

29 Years:
Paul Hawkwood
Kathy Withrow

31 Years:
Patty Petzel

32 Years:
Mary Sue Reynolds

33 Years:
Polly Hainz
Russ Rinker

37 Years:
Teresa Patterson

And - a few extras, just for fun: 

Thanks puppeteers Dan Stone and
Leslie Hammond! You can rest your arms now.
World premier of the "Employee Awards Show" was awesome!
Great idea, Dale Stowell!
Large morning crowd. Can you find yourself?

A bit about our awards: The Distinguished Staff Award was established in 1980 to recognize employees for their contribution of both time and energy to the college. Nominees must have completed 10 years of continuous employment with LBCC. The Pastega awards, established in 2000 by the Mario Pastega Foundation, honor faculty members and classified staff for their outstanding contributions to the LBCC community. Winners receive a $1,000 honorarium. The Part-time Faculty Excellence Award was presented for the first time this year, with the winner receiving a paver stone to be placed in the Foundation Paver Patio by the Calapooia Center. Winner is selected by the Academic Affairs Council.




Insider published by: LBCC College Advancement Marketing Office
Writer/Editor: Lori Fluge-Brunker, Communications Specialist, College Advancement  



Friday, April 10, 2015

College News - Week of April 10

New for Spring Inservice is the “The Employee Awards Show,” where recipients of the Pastega Faculty Excellence and Pastega Classified Excellence awards, the Distinguished Staff award, part-time faculty awards and longevity awards will be announced. Awards will be announced after the lunch break, starting at 1:30 p.m. in the Russell Tripp theater. Be sure to come and show your support for your fellow co-workers at this awesome event!

Mark your calendar to attend the upcoming Honors and Distinguished Alumni Reception, held Wednesday, April 22 at 7 p.m. in the Commons. New for this year's program will be honoring our 2015 Distinguished Alumni Julie Huckestein and Brad Gohr, along with recognizing LBCC student scholarship recipients and scholarship donors. The Oregon Lottery has given $1,000 as an event sponsor, and will announce the establishment of two $1,000 scholarships for our students, which will be available for application through the Foundation starting fall term.

Karelia Stetz-Waters
Living Our Values: Excellence & Inclusiveness
English department chair and author
Karelia Stetz-Waters has been nominated for the Lambda Literary Award for her young adult novel Forgive Me If I’ve Told You This Before, which was published in October 2014 and has been nominated in the LGBT Children’s/Young Adult category. This is Karelia's first young adult novel. Her work also includes The Admirer, The Purveyor, Dysphoria and Something True. The Lambda Literary Awards is the pre-eminent award for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender books. Karelia has been nominated alongside writers published by Simon & Schuster, Candlewick Press, and Harlequin Enterprises. Winners will be announced at a ceremony June 1 in New York City.

Emily Jaderlinich
Emily Jederlinich has joined the Community Education department as the new Coordinator for Linn County.  Emily will be responsible for developing new classes for adults in the areas of art, computer training, health, fitness, writing, recreation, woodworking, home and garden, cooking and more. Emily has been a fitness instructor with LBCC's Community Education department for several years, and owns her own business providing training and consulting in health and fitness. Previous to LBCC, Emily developed new programs as a coordinator at the Corvallis Chintimini Senior Center, and several other organizations. She has a bachelor's degree in Exercise Sports Science Pre-Occupational Therapy from Oregon State University.

Ilex Karstens, left, and Rebekah Pennington
Students Ilex Karstens and Rebekah Pennington were chosen to represent LBCC as part of the Oregon Community College Association All Oregon Academic Team. Governor Kate Brown and the OCCA will honor them, along with academic team students chosen from Oregon's 16 other community colleges, at a luncheon held at the state capitol April 30.  Both students are Albany residents and honor roll students. Ilex is a pre-dental hygiene major who serves as an executive assistant for LBCC Student Government and is an active member of Phi Theta Kappa. Rebekah is a nursing major who serves as Phi Theta Kappa LBCC chapter president, and is a member of the LBCC Student Leadership Council Judiciary Board and a CASA volunteer. The students will receive a plaque from the OCCA and a $1,000 scholarship from the university they plan to transfer to. The OCCA, in partnership with Phi Theta Kappa, yearly recognizes outstanding students from Oregon’s 17 community colleges through the All Oregon Academic Team awards. Students selected become eligible for more than $350,000 in Coca-Cola Foundation and USA Today scholarships.


College Values
Opportunity
Excellence
Inclusiveness
Learning
Engagement

Core Themes:
Economic Vitality
Cultural Richness
Educational Attainment

NEW SERIES: Living Our Values
If you have a suggestion for a story that fits this new addition to staff news, send it to either Lori Fluge-Brunker or Dale Stowell. We would be happy to include!
This new addition to staff news will feature brief stories about students, programs faculty and staff, with a focus on how we are living our college values in the things we do here each day. 




Insider published by: LBCC College Advancement Marketing Office
Writer/Editor: Lori Fluge-Brunker, Communications Specialist, College Advancement   

Friday, April 3, 2015

College News - Week of April 3

Debbie Herrold
Women's basketball returns to LBCC with the hiring of Debbie Herrold as head women’s basketball coach. As many of you know, Debbie has been a part-time faculty teaching health and physical education at the college for the past 28 years. She also has served as head women's basketball coach once before, from 1987 to 1993, and as assistant coach for the basketball and cross-country track teams. In 1991, her basketball team placed fifth in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community College tournament, and in 1999, Coach Herrold was inducted into the NWAACC Hall of Fame. A reception welcoming Debbie will be held Friday, April 10 at 3 p.m. in the LBCC Activities Center gym. LBCC announced plans to re-establish its women’s basketball program last spring, with an emphasis on the “student” in student athlete. Player recruitment will begin in the coming months, with team play starting in the 2015-16 intercollegiate basketball season.

Campus Safety is encouraging employees with iPhone or Android smart phones to download the LBCC Public Safety app. The app will help you connect quickly to the college safety officer on duty, to emergency action plans, and other emergency and Public Safety resources. Knowing what to do in an emergency can help you in directing students and guests on campus in the event of evacuation. The app is available through Google Play Store or Apple App Store by searching for LBCC Public Safety, or by going to the LBCC landing page at http://LBCCPublicSafety.mobapp.at - and scan the QR code to go directly to the app for download.

Could your students use free money for college? Free scholarships workshops will be held Wednesday, April 8, and again Thursday, April 9, from Noon to 1 p.m. in the Calapooia Center, Cascade View A&B meeting rooms. Spring term is the college’s biggest scholarship award cycle, and many of our scholarships go unawarded. This free workshop will help your students learn how to get the most out of their scholarship application, and how to get letters of reference, look up scholarships on the LBCC scholarship database and other helpful tips. You can help your students by searching the scholarship database by the term that the applications are being accepted and encourage your students to apply. You can also search by keywords and majors. Many scholarships are not GPA exclusive, and not all require FASFA. Check out the scholarship page at www.linnbenton.edu/scholarships.


College Values
Opportunity
Excellence
Inclusiveness
Learning
Engagement

College Core Themes:
Economic Vitality
Cultural Richness
Educational Attainment




Insider published by: LBCC College Advancement Marketing Office
Writer/Editor: Lori Fluge-Brunker, Communications Specialist, College Advancement  

Thursday, March 19, 2015

College News - Week of March 27

Report on student textbook affordability, from Richenda Hawkins: In January, college librarians began working on improving textbook affordability for our students. In a little over two months, it's estimated that their efforts will potentially save students $16,435 to $22,977 per year by replacing required print textbooks with an ebook edition, which is freely accessible to students through the LBCC Library Catalog and ebook databases. In addition to promoting the adoption of library resources, library staff have been collaborating with college departments and people statewide to build the necessary framework for supporting the adoption of Open Educational Resources, or OERs, at LBCC. The project is headed up by Media department manager Steve Smith and Library Department Chair Richenda Hawkins. Campus librarians have met with approximately 35 faculty, three deans, all department chairs in two college divisions, as well as student leaders and College Advancement, to explore ways to develop OER’s on campus. Several faculty members have already created OER’s, and many more are looking to adopt them for their programs. They also met with OSU to explore ways to increase OER adoption across both colleges, and are exploring a joint OER project with OSU and Central Oregon Community College this summer.

LBCC’s Board of Education approved a recommended three percent increase ($2.91) per credit hour for in-state tuition, a five percent increase ($10.20) for out of state tuition, and five percent increase ($12) for international tuition at the board meeting March 18. An increase in fees was also approved by the board, which includes a technology fee increase from $2 to $3.50 per credit hour; a student activity program athletic fee increase from $0.85 to $1.33 per credit hour; and an Associated Student Government fee increase of $0.50 for students taking 1-5 credits, and $1 for students taking 6 or more credits. The decision to increase tuition was based on the college’s current knowledge of expected state funding levels and our current budget model for the 2015-16 fiscal year. The final college budget will be approved at the June board meeting.

This year’s Distinguished Alumni Awards will be presented to Brad Gohr and Julie Huckestein, with a posthumous Alumni Award dedicated to Mary D. “Dee” Deems, who passed away Feb. 16. Each will be recognized at an Honors Reception held April 22 at 7 p.m. at the college. Brad is 1992 graduate of the animal science program. After working his way up from stocking shelves and sweeping floors, he is now president and CEO of Veterinary Services, Inc., a $175 million employee-owned animal health product distribution company with branches throughout the Western United States. Julie graduated from LBCC's business program, and was recently appointed as president of Chemeketa Community College. Her previous employment included various work in LBCC’s business office, where she served in her last position as director of Budget and Finance until 2001. Mary “Dee” Deems earned general education credits at LBCC before transferring to Willamette University to earn her bachelor’s degree. She worked in various positions at LBCC, including at the Lebanon Center, and directing the then “Albany Center." She helped to build LBCC's community education program into one of the largest community ed programs in Oregon.
Distinguished Alumni recipients Julie Huckestein and Brad Gohr,
pose with Mary "Dee" Deems sons, who accepted the award on her behalf.

LBCC Distinguished Citizen Awards will be presented to community members Bob Lowry and Doris Johnston at college Commencement in June. Bob, who will be 92 in September, is a respected and honored businessman, philanthropist, veteran and family man who is committed to making the community better for all. Bob has given generously to the Foundation over the years, and has served as a member of the Foundation Board of Trustees since 2006. His participation in the community has helped open doors for both the Foundation and the college. Doris currently serves as Board President of LBCC's Foundation Board of Trustees, where she provides vision and leadership, building strong relationships that lead to financial support for the college. As chairperson for "LBCC for the Community," Doris was instrumental in running the campaign that led to passage of the college bond measure last fall. Doris’ office at Pacific Power, where she serves as the regional community manager, became the campaign strategy site, where she organized a group of volunteers to spread the word. In addition, her list of civic involvement is long and varied, and she helps to raise funds for students and programs by serving on the college Foundation board, supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Albany, The United Way and Rotary.

Living Our Values: Occupational Therapy Assistant students invaded the state capitol for a day of learning and engagement Feb. 26. The students, with faculty members Ann Custer, Mashelle Painter and Jo Shear, attended Occupational Therapy Legislative Day, where they partnered with students and faculty from Pacific University's doctoral Occupational Therapy program, lobbyists with the Occupational Therapy Association of Oregon, and board members from Oregon's OT Licensing Board to meet with legislators about their profession. Students attended legislative sessions, toured the capitol and participated in a "Blue Sticky Wall" activity with Pacific U’s doctoral students, where they discussed individual roles and responsibilities in the OT field. LBCC students also prepared handouts for legislators on the Occupational Therapy Assistant field.

An OTA student posts to the "Blue Sticky Wall" during an activity at the state capitol,
led by OTA faculty member Ann Custer (in photo at right, standing at back).
  

College Values
Opportunity
Excellence
Inclusiveness
Learning
Engagement

College Core Themes:
Economic Vitality
Cultural Richness
Educational Attainment




Insider published by: LBCC College Advancement Marketing Office
Writer/Editor: Lori Fluge-Brunker, Communications Specialist, College Advancement 

Friday, March 13, 2015

College News - Week of March 13

NEW SERIES: Living Our Values
This new addition to staff news will feature brief stories about students, programs, and faculty and staff, with a focus on how we are living our college values in the things we do here each day. We look forward to sharing your stories, so please - send them our way!

Can our values make a demonstrable difference in the lives of our students? Consider this story: A health occupations student was finding it impossible to secure a clinical training site because of a long-past drug-related conviction. Without a clinical site, the student could not complete the program. The student’s faculty member came to a member of the Personifying Values Committee for advice on how to proceed. Together they turned to the values in search of an answer. The faculty member would cite our values specifically as part of her advocacy case for the student with potential clinical sites -- in particular, the value of inclusiveness, which doesn't mean just mixing with those who make us comfortable. Sometimes those with backgrounds that make us uncomfortable are the most important people to mix with.  The clinical site might consider that this student's background might bring perspective that would help them and other students. With the help of faculty advocacy citing the values, the student was able to secure a clinical site.  And the faculty member reported that inclusiveness specifically was a reference point that helped her case.  Now this student has a chance to complete, and to engage with a potential future employer, at least in part due to the power of our values. And the whole process to help this student shows strong measures of excellence, opportunity, learning, inclusiveness, and engagement. A great example of how we live the LBCC values.

ATD update, from Pam Gordon: A delegation from the college attended the annual Achieving the Dream Conference, held in Baltimore, MD February 17–20. Attendees included Greg Hamann, Bruce Clemetson, Jason Kovac, Katie Winder, Justin Smith, Justene Malosh, Kathy Chafin and Pam Gordon. Besides having their tootsies frozen from the east coast arctic-like weather, the group spent time attending workshops that helped us verify that we are on the right track. It was interesting to hear from colleges that have been involved with ATD since 2006, to hear how they have changed and continue to change using ATD principles of evidence-based, student centered programs and policies based on equity and excellence. In addition to going to workshops, our own dynamite Institutional Research team of Justin Smith and Justene Malosh presented a workshop on how to make data accessible to all. They received rave reviews from all present.

Admissions News, from Danny Aynes: There are great efforts underway around Entry and communication as we try to increase our yield of new students that apply. Barriers are being removed and efforts are underway to make the process more seamless. Admissions has seen an increase of applicants for the current Winter term, and increases for Spring, Summer and Fall terms. There is still a lot of work to be done to get students admitted and enrolled, but there are many exciting things underway to improve our ability to get students through the process and communicate with them at each step along the way. Stay tuned!

Fall term 2014:
Flat in applicants

Winter term 2015:
12% increase in applications

Spring term 2015:
Last year 883
This year 1217
37% increase in applicants

Summer Term 2015:
Last year 233
This year 219
Very small increase

Fall term 2015:
Last year 664
This year 797
19% increase in applicants

Speaking of terms, we are at the end of another, and that means it's time for the End-of-Term Reception! Head to the Fireside Room Thursday, March 19 from 9:30-11 a.m. for some wonderfully delicious treats from our Conference Services people, along with great conversation and a well-deserved break. See you there.

LBCC in the News: Ever wonder how much news coverage LBCC gets? You can sign up for Google news alerts, which will send you an email with stories linked to LBCC. Or, if you want more control, just Google Linn-Benton Community College, then click on “News” at the very top of the results page, which gives you a page featuring LBCC news items only. You can also check our college News Blog to see what College Advancement sends each month to the local media. Below are examples of some recent stories in the news: 

http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/lbcc-livestock-students-hatch-poultry-project/article_7bda6bab-d96a-581c-92bd-3e536dcb28bd.html

http://democratherald.com/news/local/initiative-seeks-to-lower-lbcc-student-costs/article_5e6670c7-f81b-5728-8f2a-9dedaf46557d.html

http://democratherald.com/news/local/lbcc-honors-diversity-inclusion-and-social-justice-at-unity-celebration/article_099d68de-3b97-5e0e-96d0-cfb19a7e7a22.html

http://democratherald.com/news/local/women-speak-on-working-in-the-criminal-justice-system/article_501e7dbe-becc-54b5-afa6-5b249195843b.html

http://www.kgw.com/story/features/2015/03/02/wounded-warrior-marine-shane-kohfield/24284955/

http://www.opb.org/news/article/oregons-opportunity-grant-has-limited-reach/

http://democratherald.com/news/local/lbcc-choirs-host-wander-in-song-event/article_b0aa5c0d-f4a3-5317-a65d-f730d8f60308.html

http://democratherald.com/news/local/ruby-boots-on-display-at-lbcc/article_7eaee978-25b3-5fc1-bd5c-c069bc1f899a.html


Our College Values: 
Opportunity
Excellence
Inclusiveness
Learning
Engagement

Our College Core Themes:
Economic Vitality
Cultural Richness
Educational Attainment



Insider published by: LBCC College Advancement Marketing Office
Writer/Editor: Lori Fluge-Brunker, Communications Specialist, College Advancement