College News - Week of Oct. 10

Christy Stevens (center) leads a discussion with
K-12, LBCC and OSU educators.

Educators from six local high schools, LBCC, and OSU held a joint meeting for the first time to identify learning outcomes for practicum classes. Students who want to become teachers take these classes as a pre-student teaching experience. The classes can be taken at the high school, community college or university level. The group initiated the process of identifying common learning outcomes for college practicum classes, called cadet teaching at the high school level. Christy Stevens, director of the Valley Coast Partnership for Student Success and LBCC faculty member, co-facilitated the meeting with Carol McKiel, director of LBCC High School Partnerships. Additionally, the team is identifying course content and course delivery with a specialized focus on math instruction - a goal of the Valley Coast Partnership. LBCC students may enroll in a special math practicum class spring term.

LBCC won a $10,000 student scholarship video contest held by College Scheduler, the software used to help students create their term schedules. Rob Priewe and the LBCC Advising Committee organized a video testimonial about how our students use College Scheduler, which was filmed and edited by LBCC student and aspiring videographer, Andrew Walpole. College Scheduler voted on the top three video submissions, and our college won in a random drawing of the top three. The Advising Committee and the college Foundation will work on how best to distribute the scholarship funds.
LBCC’s video submission: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93UKIRaGKoY 

Final drawing video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4cmUJsE3-I

Campus High School Programs has moved to the Career and Counseling Center. Program advisors are Larry Anderson and Tiffany Madriaga. Liliane Moynihan is support staff and Lynne Cox is managing. The High School Partnerships Program, under the direction of Carol McKiel, will remain upstairs in Takena Hall. Campus High School Programs is one way for high school students to take college classes. High School Partnerships includes College Now and Perkins, and focuses on partnerships with local schools to promote student development, college-readiness, pathways from high school to college, and student progression and completion.

LBCC’s baseball team will play its last non-conference scrimmage game Sunday, Oct. 12 against Everett Community College at 10 a.m. at OSU's Goss Stadium. Coach Ryan Gipson has a current team roaster of 33 players, with 40 percent of the players from the local area, per the initial contract agreement with the college. The team will begin its first conference season play in the spring.

LBCC Baseball Team 2014-2015

LBCC’s Foundation received a grant for $10,300 from the Oregon Cultural Trust to produce an original play, titled “Bridges,” which focuses on the lives, experiences and challenges of Latino families living in Independence, Oregon. Inspired by a request from Independence Mayor John McArdle, the play will be produced by LBCC theater instructor Tinamarie Ivey over the next year.

The college will host three information forums, open to the public, to explain the projects that will be funded by passage of Bond Measure 22-130. Below are conceptual drawings of the projects. The drawings will also be available at the forums. Forums will be held: Tuesday, Oct. 21, 5:30 p.m., Albany campus, Calapooia Center building, room CC-103; Wednesday, Oct. 22, 5:30 p.m., Benton Center, room BC-107; and Thursday, Oct. 23, 5:30 p.m., Lebanon Center Annex Building. The Samaritan campus drawing shows the LBCC Health Occupations Center building directly behind COMP-Northwest (the building is unmarked in the drawing). The ATTC drawing shows the Heavy Equipment/Diesel training building on the left.

Benton Center additions.

LBCC Health Occupations Center behind COMP-NW, in Lebanon.

ATTC in Lebanon, with Heavy Equip/Diesel building on left. 

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

Update, Oct. 3: Summer Staff Changes and Fall Updates

Welcome to fall term. Get caught-up in this first edition of staff news for the school year. 

Staff Changes: Several management and dean positions were filled over the summer to replace retirees and vacancies. Two new positions were also added. Michael Quiner was hired in June as chief information officer for Information Services, replacing Ann Adams who retired last year. Kim Carey was hired as manager of Applications and Systems Programming, replacing Sam Oubari, who took a position elsewhere.  Jason Kovac is the new dean of Academic Foundations, replacing Sally Moore, who was promoted to dean of Instruction, replacing Jonathan Paver, who took a position elsewhere. Sally’s office is now in the Calapooia Center Administration Office. Brian Trice joined the ATTC as manager of Alternate Fuel Transportation, a new position. And, Amy Sikora joined Admissions and Registration in the new position of assistant director of Enrollment Progression and Technology. 

Ann Buchele received a promotion and a new job title of dean of Workforce Development and Program Effectiveness. Along with her continued work with the Healthcare, ELearning and Media department, and LB iLearn, Ann will guide work on program review, working with faculty on a review process for all CTE and transfer areas. She also will lead the work on college objective eight, "Expand our Career-Technical programs in response to (and anticipation of) local industry needs” with a focus on the "Middle 40" of the "40-40-20" initiative, in partnership with the soon-to-be-created Workforce and Economic Vitality Council.

Kudos to the Horticulture department for donating approximately 600 pounds of excess produce grown in their organic garden this summer to the local food bank. The department has sent about 130 pounds of produce each week to Food Share since last August. Harrisburg Gleaners pick up the harvest and deliver to Food Share for distribution to low income people in our community.

The Culinary Arts department has outdone themselves with a beautiful remodel of the Santiam Restaurant, thanks to the generous donation through the Foundation of community members Joanne and Wayne Chambers. In celebration of the remodel, there will be an Open House in the new dinning room Friday, Oct. 17 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. The event is open to everyone, and will include refreshments, wine and snacks. The restaurant reopens for fall term Tuesday, Oct. 14.

The College Advancement Marketing team won six awards at the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations District 7 conference Oct. 9. There were 180 submissions in 30 categories from colleges throughout Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Washington and Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Yukon Territory. LBCC won: Gold for radio ad; Gold for media success story; Silver for brochure; Silver for website; Bronze for schedule of classes; and Bronze for banners and outdoor advertising. Congrats marketing team: Dale Stowell, Joe Sherlock, M’Liss Runyon and Lori Fluge-Brunker.

As a thank you to faculty and staff for their efforts to engage students and boost enrollment, a Summer Success Celebration will be held in the DAC Thursday, Oct. 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. Stop by for cake, punch, & community. The results of these efforts are more new students, more full time students, more students awarded financial aid, more students in DG, advisers assigned at the beginning of the term and increased enrollment.

This year’s Pastega Award winners are automotive faculty member and chair Bryan Schiedler, Faculty Excellence award, and graphic designer in College Advancement office M’Liss Runyon, Classified Excellence award. Bryan began work at LBCC in 1996. He was nominated for contributions to making the Advanced Transportation Technology Center a reality. The center has been recognized both locally and nationally. M’Liss was hired in 2006, and was nominated for her positive and creative support of college marketing efforts and her participation in college leadership groups and the community. 

LBCC Foundation Development Director and Mayor of Independence John McArdle received the James C. Richards Memorial Award from the League of Oregon Cities’ during its annual conference in September. The award is given to elected city officials who serve the citizens of Oregon through an exceptional personal investment in intergovernmental affairs. John founded the Mid-Willamette Valley Mayors Coalition, serves on the board of the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments, chairs the regional economic development partnership board, and is a past president of the League of Oregon Cities and the Oregon Mayors Association.

The LBCC bond measure, Measure 22-130, will be put to voters on the Nov. 4 ballot. If approved, the bond will raise an amount not to exceed $34 million. The estimated bond would replace the 2000 LBCC Bond, scheduled for retirement in 2016. It’s designed to stay at or near the current taxpayer cost of about 18 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Funds raised will be used for expansion or improvement in the following areas: health care, automotive and diesel/heavy equipment mechanics, advanced manufacturing, machine tool, welding, college transfer and community education, and encompass facilities in Albany, Corvallis and Lebanon, and including facilities maintenance needs. For more details, go to: www.linnbenton.edu/faculty-and-staff/administrative-information/bond-information

Sneak peak of the newly-remodeled Santiam Restaurant.

Insider published by: College Advancement Marketing
Writer/Editor: Lori Fluge-Brunker

Summer Update, July 31

After a first place showing at the World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia, LBCC's Re-Choired Element Chamber Choir learned it has advanced to the finalist round of the American Prize in Choral Performance, the fifth year in a row it has done so. LBCC’s choir, under the direction of James Reddan, is the only community college choir on the American Prize finalist list, which includes 10 choral groups from around the country. LBCCs Concert Choir also advanced to the semi-finalist round in the competition for a third year. The Chamber Choir will compete for the American Prize against university choirs from California, Utah, North and South Dakota, Georgia, New Jersey, Texas Virginia, Illinois and Ohio. Winners will be announced in September. Read more about the choirs' World Games performance in the Democrat Herald article: http://democratherald.com/news/local/lbcc-choir-wins-gold-certificates-at-world-choir-games-in/article_0d223b44-110a-11e4-bec3-0019bb2963f4.html

For those wondering why we have so many weeds growing around campus, LBCC grounds manager George Van Keulen would like to shed some light on the subject. Conventional ways of spraying chemicals to kill weeds and insects on our college campuses have not been used for a few years, says George. Instead, the college implemented a statewide Integrated Pest Management system, which incorporates using little or no spray and rather hand weeding, using ground cover techniques such as chip mulch, and working to keep the soil healthy to prevent plant diseases. To help build soil health, George is working with Soilsmith Services, a local company specializing in soil amendment and conditioning using different types of compost and compost teas to reduce disease and insect problems. Although great for the environment, no-spray techniques are more labor-intensive, and George and his limited staff have a lot of ground to cover. So maybe take a moment and pull a weed or two when you’re out and about. Your effort is sure to be appreciated, and will go a long way to help our college image.

George Van Keulen discuses soil treatments with
Shep Smith of Soilsmith Services.

Summer Update, July 17

Board of Education member Keith Frome, Corvallis zone 6-7, was elected as board chair for the coming year at the recent board meeting. Board member Shelly Garrett, Lebanon zone 4, was elected as vice chair. The board also recognized Dick Running, Albany zone2-3, for his service as chair last year. The board also approved a revised policy that provides tuition waivers to the dependents of service men and women killed in the line of duty. The board revised that policy to expand the number of credits covered by the waiver from 90 to 135, to ensure that any LBCC program could be completed using the waiver. They also approved a revision that ensured that, in addition to tuition, any student fees would also be waived. 

Triathlon Training instructor Angela Smith was featured in a Gazette Times article July 12, which highlights her triathlon experience and the new Triathlon Training clinics she’s teaching this summer for Community Education in Albany, Corvallis and Lebanon. Read all about it here: http://www.gazettetimes.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/local-triathlete-helps-others-excel-in-her-sport/article_d92e490a-097e-11e4-8390-001a4bcf887a.html

Weekly Update, June 19

The LBCC Board of Education approved a resolution at its board meeting June 18 to place a $34 million bond measure on the November ballot. The bond will pay for improvement projects that include construction of a health care occupation center in Lebanon, the second and third phases of the Advanced Transportation Technology Center in Lebanon, improvements to existing buildings on the Albany campus, and an expansion of the Benton Center in Corvallis.  If approved by voters, the general-obligation bond measure would replace a $19 million, 15-year bond measure that voters passed in 2000. The new bond measure would have the same cost of 18 cents per $1,000 of assessed value as the previous bond. Although college staff can answer questions about the measure, it is against state election law to advocate for or against the bond. As such, a political action committee (PAC), LBCC For The Community, has been formed to work in support of the bond measure, which will be co-chaired by LBCC Foundation board members Dan Bedore and Doris Johnston. You can get involved by using your personal email from a non-college computer on non-work time by emailing: LBCCforCommunity@hotmail.com

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, June 6

LBCC’s 46th annual Commencement Ceremony will be held Thursday, June 12.  1,140 degrees and certificates will be awarded to 875 candidates this year, and approximately 100 students will receive their General Educational Development certificates at the event.

Patty McMenamin, left, and
Carol Raymundo

The Office of Disability Services and the Student Assessment Office welcomed new coordinator and manager Carol Raymundo at a joint open house Thursday. Carol will manage both ODS and Student Assessment, working closely with Patty McMenamin, who is the Testing Coordinator. Carol previously worked with ODS as an Instructional Specialist with Assistive Technology. The two departments both support proctored testing for students with testing accommodations. Student Assessment also provides services such as the Computerized Placement Exam, GED exams, external college and agency exams, CLEP, and Pearson-Vue exams.

LBCC has trained its first Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT. Nine LBCC staff completed the 24-hour training last week, learning basic search and rescue techniques, medical triage and basic treatment. Marcene Olson led the team training, which included a simulation disaster on the last day. CERT teams are called to respond in the case of a major disaster until local emergency responders can arrive on the scene. Future training sessions will be offered. If you’re interested in becoming part of LBCC’s CERT, watch your email for future training dates or contact Marcene Olson. (photo, back row, left to right: John Rehley, LeAnn Schamp, Duane Jensen, and Jim Wixson. Front row, left to right: Lori Fluge-Brunker, Stella McCauley, Barb Horn, Angie Klampe and Marlene Fantus.

Two LBCC staffers, Rich Bergeman and Katherine Cellerini Moore, will have their artwork displayed in the Around Oregon Annual Juried Exhibition at the Corvallis Arts Center through July 5.  Juror Martha Lee of the Laura Russo Gallery in Portland chose their pieces, along with 42 others, from 475 pieces entered.