College News - Week of Jan. 30

The Albany City Council voted to fund a proposal that would provide $2,901,222 in economic development funds to LBCC to develop and enhance training programs to support Albany area businesses. The proposal came from the leaders of several major industries, and was driven in part by Jim Merryman, LBCC Board of Education member and president of Oregon Freeze Dry. The funds will help LBCC develop a skilled workforce that would directly benefit the local industry and business community through expansion of existing Mechatronics, Machine Tool and Welding programs, and development of a new non-destructive testing program.

The LBCC Athletics Advisory Board, comprised of Athletics Director Randy Falk, community supporters, and alumni, recommended to the college that it bring back Women's Basketball as a second women’s sport, citing a good recruiting pool, educational opportunity for young women in our district, a good alumni base, and reasonable start-up costs for the team. The search for a head coach will begin in the coming weeks, with player recruitment to begin this spring and official play to being in the 2015-16 basketball season.

Karin Magnuson, training specialist in the Business and Employer Services department,
recently received the Carolyn DesJardins Leadership Award from the Oregon Chapter of the American Association of Women in Community Colleges. Karin was recognized for her insight and dedication to her college, community and profession, and for her strong but gentle guidance and leadership skills, which she delivers with kindness and humor.

Karin Magnuson, right.

Former art instructor Gary Westford donated six African masks to LBCC’s permanent art collection. The masks will be on display in the glass case in the North Santiam Hall Gallery, east side, first floor.

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

College News - Week of Jan. 23

President Hamann updated the college on the status of the bond initiative at his winter forum held Jan. 15. Due to state grant money tied to the project, the first initiative will be the expansion of the Advanced Transportation Technology Center in Lebanon to include the Heavy Equipment/Diesel Technology program. Plans are to break ground in June to start the first phase of the construction, with construction to be finished by the end of the 2015. The next project in line will be the new Health Occupations Center, to be built on the Samaritan Health campus in Lebanon, with construction to begin in the spring of 2016. This project also includes an $8 million state grant. The Benton Center project will begin with construction of the new parking garage, to be built in partnership with Samaritan Health. Once the parking structure is finished, work will begin on the new addition for instructional space at the center. On the Albany campus, Industrial buildings IA, IB and IC, along with Takena Hall, will be the final projects. After the Heavy Equipment/Diesel program moves to the ATTC, the IB building, along with the vacancy created by the Automotive program move from IA, will provide room to expand Machine Tool, Mechatronics and Welding programs on the Albany campus. Takena Hall renovations will include re-purposing space now occupied by the Nursing program, which will be moving to the new Health Occupations facility in Lebanon. The college also received a $1.5 million grant to use for seismic upgrade to Takena Hall.

Governor John Kitzhaber toured the Advanced Transportation Technology Center Wednesday, Jan. 21, getting a firsthand view of the new training facility for automotive students. Second-year students Jeff Pendleton and Nicholas Garber showcased a Benton County Sheriff’s vehicle, which the students helped to convert to run on propane, and various other alternative fuel vehicles that are used for training. “It’s a great example of taking the increased demand for jobs in a changing workplace and creating opportunities for students on career paths,” said Kitzhaber in a recent Democrat Herald news story.

Governor John Kitzhaber tours the ATTC in Lebanon Wednesday, Jan. 21.

At Wednesdays Board of Education meeting, board member Jim Merryman outlined an industry led request to the Albany City Council on Monday that would bring more than $2.9 million from Albany Economic Development Funds to LBCC to use for manufacturing training, education and equipment. The proposal grew out of a joint effort of Albany area businesses, Greater Albany Public Schools, Albany and Lebanon Chambers of Commerce and LBCC to provide a workforce of high-level technically skilled individuals to benefit local industry.

Renee McKitterick recently joined the Benton Center as lead ceramics faculty, replacing Jay Widmer who retired last summer. Originally from Ohio, Renee moved to Oregon from Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she earned a Master’s of Fine Art in Studio Arts at the University of New Mexico. Renee has taught a variety of studio art classes at both the university and at Central New Mexico Community College. Welcome aboard, Renee!





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

College News - Week of Jan. 16

The Accelerated Learning Program in Writing, or ALP, recently posted data showing its progress through the program's second year. Previous to offering ALP, students moving through the traditional sequence of WR95, WR115, and WR121 showed a 27 percent pass rate through WR121. In its first year, ALP helped raised the pass rate for that population through WR121 to 72 percent. This year, after doubling the size of ALP and teaching a population that included both WR95 and WR115 students, the data shows that 80 percent of ALP students passed WR121 with a C or better. The numbers also indicate that ALP students persisted from fall to winter term at a three percent higher retention rate than regular WR121 students. Information from Chris Riseley, ALP/English/Writing faculty member.

The Lebanon Center showed the highest increase in reimbursable FTE for winter term. At 101.00, that's an increase of 93.9 percent, up from 52.08 from the same time last year. Most of the gain is due to higher enrollment in various Diagnostic Imaging and Occupational Therapy Assistant courses, and the redesigned Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) program, the new Coding/Reimbursement Specialist program, and the new two-credit medical terminology class, Allied Health 111 (AH111). The data may be a bit skewed, however, with the first two programs not actually seeing an increase, but rather due to Banner now crediting the programs to the Lebanon Center instead of the Albany campus. However, AH111 does show very high enrollment, around 98 students total over four sections, and the new CMA program is offering more courses in Lebanon this term. Data courtesy of the “Better Know Your Data” team - Justin Smith and Justene Malosh.

The Business Office is now offering a Job Shadow program designed to help students grow professionally while experiencing a day on the job in a professional office environment. The one-day program is open to all students. While observing a typical day on the job of an office professional, the idea is that students will be able to hone-in on their career focus while learning the skills and attributes needed to succeed in an office environment. For more information, contact Son Le Hughes, Business Office Director, ext. 4320. Interested students should contact Karen Green in the Business Office, ext. 4307.

Andrew Wynings

Andrew Wynings has joined the college Foundation Office as the new development officer effective Jan. 12. Andrew comes to LBCC with 15 years of professional development and fundraising experience with Western Oregon University, Family Building Blocks in Salem, and the Willamette Cancer Foundation in McMinnville. Andrew will work under the supervision of John McArdle, Foundation director of Development and Government Relations, and will specifically focus on expanding relationships with existing donors and establishing new relationships with alumni and friends.

Two new propane-powered shuttle buses have been added to the Linn County Shuttle fleet, in partnership with LBCC and AmeriGas, with one bus sporting a vinyl wrap-around showcasing photos of LBCC students working on vehicles at LBCC’s Advanced Transportation Technology Center in Lebanon. The new buses will primarily be used on the Linn Shuttle, which stops at LBCC campuses in Sweet Home, Lebanon and Albany.

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

College News - Week of Jan. 9

LBCC's new online campus, LB iLearn, is set to launch Wednesday, Jan. 14. LB iLearn is a completely online campus with a flexible schedule that students can start on any Wednesday during the year. Currently, iLearn campus programs include Business Administration, Medical Coding and Reimbursement Specialist, and Social Media Specialist. Additional programs will be added soon, including Accounting Clerk and Veterinary Technician. Students can enroll by calling 541-917-4887. Learn more at: http://lbilearn.linnbenton.edu.

The President’s Winter Forum will be held Thursday, January 15, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Forum. Topics of discussion will include budget, performance packages, and an update on the bond measure and capital projects, among others. Bring your questions, join in the discussion.

Get your nominations in early! Nominations are now open for the Distinguished Staff Award and the Pastega Classified Excellence and Pastega Faculty Excellence awards. Nomination forms and guidelines are available online in the Staff Paperless Office under Forms at: www.linnbenton.edu/nomination, or by contacting Dale Stowell in the Advancement Foundation Office, CC-105. Nomination deadline is Friday, Feb. 27. Awardees will be recognized at Spring Inservice April 17.

Nominations are also being accepted for LBCC's Distinguished Alumnus Award. The award is open to former LBCC students who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in their profession or through service to their community, and who have completed at least 36 credits at LBCC. Deadline for submission is Friday, Feb. 27. Nomination forms are available online at www.linnbenton.edu/distinguished-alumni, or by contacting Dale Stowell in the Advancement Foundation Office, CC-105. Nomination deadline is Friday, Feb. 27. Nominees will be honored at a reception held April 22 at the college.

The roof on White Oak Hall is leaking, which means the college’s green roof will be temporarily displaced so the problem underneath it can be repaired. Athletes from the Roadrunner baseball team will be helping to remove the roof over the next two Saturdays, so roofing experts can determine how to fix the leaks. The bins containing the plants on the roof will be saved and the plant material and soil reused by the agricultural program. Once roof repairs are made, the college plans to design and install an improved version of the green roof that can be better utilized for teaching. Due to the weight of the current green roof, there are strict limits on the number of people who can be on it at one time, which significantly hinders its use for group learning.

Gwen Cox

Congratulations to Gwen Cox, Benton Center registration and enrollment coordinator, who was recently honored with the 2013-14 Excellence Award from the American Association for Women in Community Colleges. Gwen was praised for her positive and uplifting approach to her work and her patience and thoughtful interactions with students and staff. 

Joyce Thompson Graham has been hired as the new ESOL Faculty/ABS Coordinator. Joyce comes to us from Lincoln County Schools, where she served as a Program Director in Newport. She brings 25-plus years of ESOL/ Adult Basic Education teaching and coordination experience from community colleges, public schools, and nonprofits in Oregon, Minnesota, and Kentucky. Joyce's official start date is January 21. Stop by the Luckiamute Center to wish her well.




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