Weekly Update, June 13

Find out how many students are currently enrolled for fall term, the stats on cats vs dogs or cake vs pie, the percentage of LBCC students who say they are academically prepared to succeed in college, and more in the final season episode of Better Know Your Data at: https://infogr.am/better-know-your-data-season-one-finale?src=web (From the Institutional Research team of Justin Smith and Justene Malosh).

Faculty voted last week to adopt a one-year compensation plan for the LB iLearn Campus. The plan is based on a per student, per week model, and will allow the LB iLearn Campus to launch sometime this summer. The iLearn team hopes to learn what works and what does not using this model, and will use that data as they move forward in creating a more permanent compensation plan.

LBCC’s choir is the only community college choir in the US to qualify for the 8th World Choir Games to be held in Riga, Latvia in July. The choir, under the direction of James Reddan, will represent the US in three categories: Mixed Chamber Choirs, Musica Sacra a cappella, and Musica Contemporanea, adjudicated by an international jury. While there, the choir also will attend workshops with composer Morten Lauridsen and the King Singers. Choir departs July 10 for a performance tour through Helsinki, Finland and Tallinn, Estonia prior to arriving in Riga, Latvia. They also will participate in the parade of nations, which is televised on national television in Latvia on July 15. The choir is still in need of funding for the up-coming competition. To donate, contact James Reddan, 541-917-4550, or reddanj@linnbenton.edu.

Several retiring faculty and staff members were honored at a group reception Wednesday. Retiring in April-June are: Barbara Schafer, Mo Ableman, Karla Swiger, Audrey Perkins, Mike McKinney, Greg Jones,Virginia Brittsan, Jay Widmer, Debby Wood and Steve Pearson. Happy retirement!

Weekly Update, April 4

LBCC Phi Theta Kappa students honored business and accounting faculty member Jack Stone at their annual Induction Ceremony held Feb. 21. The students honor one LBCC staff each year at the ceremony.

Rich Bergeman, former journalism instructor and current LBCC Art Gallery coordinator, has published the book “Exphrasis II: A collaboration of poets and artists from LBCC." Images and poetry from the book are on display as part of an exhibit in the South Santiam Hall Gallery through May 2. LBCC's Poetry Club will sell copies of the book for $20 during the exhibit reception Tuesday, April 15 from 3-4 p.m. in the gallery, or purchase online for $19.79, plus approximately $8 shipping, at: www.blurb.com/b/5158933-exphrasis-ii

"Better Know Your Data" statistics show that 61 percent of LBCC students who started fall term 2013 are currently re-enrolled for spring term, with an average of 11 credits apiece. Stats from “Better Know Your Data” and the Institutional Research team.

Plan to attend the president's forum Thursday, April 10 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Forum, room F-104. Hear from President Hamann on LBCC directions, opportunities and challenges. Come prepared to ask questions.

LBCC’s landscape is a bit “greener,” thanks to grounds manager George VanKeulen and his team. The college has not used any pesticides or herbicides to combat weeds and bugs for more than a year. Instead, George's team focuses on keeping the grass cut and laying down copious amounts of wood chips to suppress weed seeds. But, you may see a few more dandelions in the grass, says George, which, by the way, are edible and quite good for you. His team also is working to remove a large number of plants around campus and at the Benton Center that died over the winter due to freezing temperatures. Those plants will be chipped and used around campus to help suppress weeds.