MCC-Blue River will host several four-year schools on campus to promote their institutions and talk to students who may be interested in transferring. The first transfer day with Park University will be Oct. 6. Please see below for more information.
What: Park University Transfer Day
When: Oct. 6 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Arts & Sciences Gym
Who: Park University will have representatives from the following areas on campus to speak with our students: modern languages, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, business, history, and the Student Assistance Center.
Why: To assist MCC Students who may be interested in transferring to Park University.
For more information call 816.604.6758 or visit http://www.mcckc.edu/.
Friday, September 17, 2010
MCC-Blue River to host blood drive
MCC-Blue River will host a blood drive, Monday, Sept. 27 in the Blue River Gymnasium (Arts & Sciences building) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Any interested faculty, staff or students can contact David Owens at david.owens@mcckc.edu or 816.604.6426 for more information. Walk-ins are welcome.
'Hey, MCC-Longview, you're covered in bees!'
With the semester in full swing it is not unusual for faculty and staff to talk about the buzz of activity they hear on campus.
But when Automotive Director Stan Abrahamson heard The Buzz earlier this week, he knew it was coming from something other than students. In fact, a swarm of bees had taken up residence on a tree limb just outside the automotive building on the west side of campus.
Lucky for MCC-Longview, psychology instructor Matthew Westra moonlights as a beekeeper and knew exactly how to safely relocate the swarm.
"I borrowed a plastic 5-gallon bucket from the automotive department, went out to the swarm, held the bucket under the cone shaped swarm and gave the branch a hearty shake," Westra said. "If the queen falls into the bucket...[the bees] eventually notice that her pheromone is not coming from the tree, but from the bucket on the ground. I left the bucket there and returned just before dark to find that the bees had settled into the bucket."
Bees, according to Westra, usually swarm like this in the early spring as they spend most of the summer building up a strong reserve of honey for the winter. It's odd, he said, to find bees swarming this late into the fall.
Now, with a bucket full of bees, Westra hopes to relocate the bees safely to one of his own bee boxes where they might have a chance to build their own hive and store enough honey before the first cold snap.
"This is very late for them to have much chance of developing comb, brood and storing enough honey reserves to get through the winter," Westra said "We’ll do what we can to facilitate their success."
(photos by Steve Greife)
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Students serving students - Continuing Professional Education, UMKC partnership
MCC’s CNA and phlebotomy students will have access to a new program that has been established by the Institute for Workforce Innovation’s Continuing Professional Education (CPE) division and UMKC’s School of Social Work. The UMKC Master’s of Social Work (MSW) program will offer paid internships for working with MCC healthcare students.
MCC students will be provided with a coach and advocate, and UMKC students will have the opportunity to gain field experience as well as earn credit towards their master’s degrees. The program was proposed by Barbara Friedmann, CPE workforce and development manager, and Elaine Spencer-Carver, director of field education at UMKC. It is being funded through a grant from Mary Kay McPhee and Bill Pfeiffer, philanthropists and long-time supporters of both MCC and UMKC.
Cynthia Cravens, class of ’12 MSW student, is the first UMKC student to participate in the program. As the semester begins, she is eager to meet her students. “It’s so new, everyone’s so excited,” said Cravens. “Everyone has such an upbeat attitude. It’s energizing.” Cravens and subsequent MSW students will be located at the Health Science Institute.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
MCC-Blue River Salutes National Hispanic Heritage Month
If you enter in the east entrance of the Education Building on the MCC-Blue River campus, your eyes will instantly be drawn to a vibrant, colorful display featuring National Hispanic Heritage Month.Amy Slater, the Campus Life and Leadership coordinator, is responsible for Blue River’s creative cultural display. Slater says “it is important for everyone to realize that so many different cultures, races, etc. have made the world what it is today.”
The month long celebration started yesterday and lasts through Oct. 15. According to the National Heritage Month website, it began in 1968 under Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration. In 1988, Ronald Reagan expanded the celebration to thirty days. This year’s national theme is “Heritage, Diversity, Integrity and Honor: The Renewed Hope of America”.
To learn more about the celebration and the contributions of valiant and famous Hispanics, visit the National Heritage Month website here.
More Information:
Famous Hispanics in History
Chancellor's Response to MCC-Penn Valley Assault
Dear MCC Students and Colleagues,
Yesterday, MCC was the victim of one random act of violence but was the benefactor of many random acts of courage and kindness. By now, I am sure you have seen the news accounts and heard the rumor mill concerning the assault that occurred on the Penn Valley Campus.
Let me first say that from all the information I have, Dean Dimmit is expected to make a full recovery and for that, I am most thankful. I will look forward to welcoming him back on campus soon. In the mean time, please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
Secondly, I want to say how proud I am of our employees and students who showed heroic courage and compassion during yesterday’s incident. From people who put their personal safety at risk to personnel who responded from other MCC campuses, please accept my sincere thanks for what you did.
While I am grateful that the measures we had in place minimized the consequences of the unfortunate incident, I am determined to learn what we can from this situation and take appropriate action to enhance our security and post-incident procedures. From my 30-years experience in law enforcement I have learned that real-life incidents will always test and reveal adjustments and adaptations that need to be added to operational plans and procedures. I have already spoken with the Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety, the Superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol who oversees the Governor’s Security Detail, as well as federal agents investigating the assailant, and we will exchange information and observations from this incident.
Along with other measures, we will review our timetable for converting the MCC Public Safety Department into a state certified campus police department. I think yesterday’s incident clearly shows that our campuses are no different than any other public venue where a random crime can occur so like any other public venue, our students and employees should have the benefit of police protection specifically trained to operate in the open atmosphere of an academic institution.
We will review MCC’s critical incident communication plan, classroom security issues, and post-incident response plans. We will also revisit the operations of our Behavioral Intervention Teams to determine if there is anything we can do to enhance their effectiveness. Yesterday, I attended one of two informational briefings for MCC employees conducted at the Penn Valley Campus and received good input, concerns, and suggestions.
Effective immediately, I am expanding the effort for gathering your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions relating to campus security. I am asking anyone who has input to please email that input to Denise Prather of the Chancellor’s Office at Denise.Prather@mcckc.edu. I will personally ensure all input will be examined as I work with the review team.I want to remind all of the MCC community, employees and students that we have counseling available at the Penn Valley Campus. Additional counselors are also available at Penn Valley through our new partnership with Truman Medical Center. Employees may also access counseling through the Employee Assistance Program. I encourage all students and employees to avail themselves of these services, if they are experiencing any distress from this incident. As someone who has been through a number of these incidences, distress, fear, and anxiety is a perfectly normal reaction that can be quickly mitigated with professional help.
Let me close by saying, this is a time for us all to pull together and ensure that we continue to carry out our important mission of preparing students, serving our communities, and creating opportunities. MCC will not be negatively defined by this event, but will be defined by our ability to come together as one MCC transcending this event. We will not become an armed encampment hiding behind metal detectors but will be a beacon of education and instruction secured by an ongoing commitment to the best processes in prevention, intervention, response, and mitigation. Our campuses are no less safe than any other public venue. Yesterday’s incident was the first of its kind in MCC’s 95-year history and we need to keep that in perspective as we emotionally process this event.
We are One MCC,
Mark
Yesterday, MCC was the victim of one random act of violence but was the benefactor of many random acts of courage and kindness. By now, I am sure you have seen the news accounts and heard the rumor mill concerning the assault that occurred on the Penn Valley Campus.
Let me first say that from all the information I have, Dean Dimmit is expected to make a full recovery and for that, I am most thankful. I will look forward to welcoming him back on campus soon. In the mean time, please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
Secondly, I want to say how proud I am of our employees and students who showed heroic courage and compassion during yesterday’s incident. From people who put their personal safety at risk to personnel who responded from other MCC campuses, please accept my sincere thanks for what you did.
While I am grateful that the measures we had in place minimized the consequences of the unfortunate incident, I am determined to learn what we can from this situation and take appropriate action to enhance our security and post-incident procedures. From my 30-years experience in law enforcement I have learned that real-life incidents will always test and reveal adjustments and adaptations that need to be added to operational plans and procedures. I have already spoken with the Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety, the Superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol who oversees the Governor’s Security Detail, as well as federal agents investigating the assailant, and we will exchange information and observations from this incident.
Along with other measures, we will review our timetable for converting the MCC Public Safety Department into a state certified campus police department. I think yesterday’s incident clearly shows that our campuses are no different than any other public venue where a random crime can occur so like any other public venue, our students and employees should have the benefit of police protection specifically trained to operate in the open atmosphere of an academic institution.
We will review MCC’s critical incident communication plan, classroom security issues, and post-incident response plans. We will also revisit the operations of our Behavioral Intervention Teams to determine if there is anything we can do to enhance their effectiveness. Yesterday, I attended one of two informational briefings for MCC employees conducted at the Penn Valley Campus and received good input, concerns, and suggestions.
Effective immediately, I am expanding the effort for gathering your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions relating to campus security. I am asking anyone who has input to please email that input to Denise Prather of the Chancellor’s Office at Denise.Prather@mcckc.edu. I will personally ensure all input will be examined as I work with the review team.I want to remind all of the MCC community, employees and students that we have counseling available at the Penn Valley Campus. Additional counselors are also available at Penn Valley through our new partnership with Truman Medical Center. Employees may also access counseling through the Employee Assistance Program. I encourage all students and employees to avail themselves of these services, if they are experiencing any distress from this incident. As someone who has been through a number of these incidences, distress, fear, and anxiety is a perfectly normal reaction that can be quickly mitigated with professional help.
Let me close by saying, this is a time for us all to pull together and ensure that we continue to carry out our important mission of preparing students, serving our communities, and creating opportunities. MCC will not be negatively defined by this event, but will be defined by our ability to come together as one MCC transcending this event. We will not become an armed encampment hiding behind metal detectors but will be a beacon of education and instruction secured by an ongoing commitment to the best processes in prevention, intervention, response, and mitigation. Our campuses are no less safe than any other public venue. Yesterday’s incident was the first of its kind in MCC’s 95-year history and we need to keep that in perspective as we emotionally process this event.
We are One MCC,
Mark
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Update on public safety incident at MCC-Penn Valley
At approximately 9:30 Tuesday morning, a top-level administrator at Metropolitan Community College’s Penn Valley campus was attacked by a man with a knife.
The victim, Dr. Albert Dimmitt, Jr., MCC-Penn Valley dean of instruction, was stabbed once in the neck and was taken by ambulance to an area hospital. After undergoing surgery Tuesday morning, Dimmitt is listed in stable condition.
The assailant, described as a man in his 20s, was immediately restrained and then taken into custody by Kansas City, Missouri Police. The motive for the stabbing is unknown at this time.
Dimmitt, who has worked at MCC for over 20 years, has been a dean at the college since 2002. Previously, he was an instructor in the allied health department. He is a well-respected member of the college’s administration and an active civic leader, serving on the boards of Don Bosco Centers, Alta Vista Board of Education, and Guadalupe Centers, among others.
The incident occurred as the campus was preparing for a press conference where Missouri Governor Jay Nixon was scheduled to make an announcement. The governor was not on location when the stabbing occurred and the press conference was immediately canceled.
Safety of our employees and students is a top priority for Metropolitan Community College. With the immediate apprehension of the suspect, there is no known danger at any MCC facility at this time. Counseling services have been arranged for students and employees affected by the incident. Classes at the college have not been canceled and will go on as scheduled.
District administrators are cooperating with the Kansas City Police Department in their investigation. Our sincere thoughts are with Dr. Dimmitt and his family and we are encouraged by the reports of his improving condition.
The victim, Dr. Albert Dimmitt, Jr., MCC-Penn Valley dean of instruction, was stabbed once in the neck and was taken by ambulance to an area hospital. After undergoing surgery Tuesday morning, Dimmitt is listed in stable condition.
The assailant, described as a man in his 20s, was immediately restrained and then taken into custody by Kansas City, Missouri Police. The motive for the stabbing is unknown at this time.
Dimmitt, who has worked at MCC for over 20 years, has been a dean at the college since 2002. Previously, he was an instructor in the allied health department. He is a well-respected member of the college’s administration and an active civic leader, serving on the boards of Don Bosco Centers, Alta Vista Board of Education, and Guadalupe Centers, among others.
The incident occurred as the campus was preparing for a press conference where Missouri Governor Jay Nixon was scheduled to make an announcement. The governor was not on location when the stabbing occurred and the press conference was immediately canceled.
Safety of our employees and students is a top priority for Metropolitan Community College. With the immediate apprehension of the suspect, there is no known danger at any MCC facility at this time. Counseling services have been arranged for students and employees affected by the incident. Classes at the college have not been canceled and will go on as scheduled.
District administrators are cooperating with the Kansas City Police Department in their investigation. Our sincere thoughts are with Dr. Dimmitt and his family and we are encouraged by the reports of his improving condition.
Meet the Student Leaders at MCC-Maple Woods!
Front Row: Brody McNellis, Anna Hyneman, Samantha Conly, MacKenzie Easley, Chelsea Dunwoodie, Lauren Bruckner
Back Row: Andrew Wilson, Chris Nauman, Duke Nguyen, Stephon Marshall, Mase Hakes, Candi Culley, Ashley Brimeyer, Autumn Daugherty
As Student Ambassadors at MCC-Maple Woods, these students promote events, give tours to prospecitive students, perform campus and community service and do whatever is necessary to make sure "the Woods" is a positive, peaceful campus for students and visitors. They undergo leadership training at the beginning of each semester so that they can work together with adminstrators, faculty, staff and other students to promote everything MCC-MW has to offer.
Front Row: Bernardo Leite, Jordan Fortner, Sebastian Smith, Kristin Carmack, Kevin Klughardt
Back Row: Colton Adams, Janet Duley, Zach Allen, Simone Harris, Moriah Leeds
Not Pictured: Tiffany Morris-Larson
If you've seen a fun or wacky event on campus, thank the Collegiate Activities Board, or CAB. These students host a series of events each semester to keep students motivated, active and engaged on campus. Everything from free hot dogs to movie marathons to stress-relief massages is courtesy of CAB.
Both groups of students are motivated by Misty Chandler, interim campus life and leadership coordinator.
Administrator attacked at MCC
The administrator who was attacked this morning at MCC-Penn Valley has undergone surgery and has been listed in stable condition. The police are still investigating the incident and the north end of the Humanities building is currently closed; it is expected to be reopened by this evening.
Vice Chancellor Paul Long and Chancellor Emeritus Jackie Snyder are currently overseeing operations and on-campus inquiries.
The safety of our students and employees is our top priority and there is no known danger at any MCC facility at this time. Again, the suspect was immediately apprehended and is in police custody.
Please direct any media inquiries to Mary Taylor at 816.604.1460. We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
Thank you,
Kathy Walter-Mack
Chief of Staff to the Chancellor
Vice Chancellor Paul Long and Chancellor Emeritus Jackie Snyder are currently overseeing operations and on-campus inquiries.
The safety of our students and employees is our top priority and there is no known danger at any MCC facility at this time. Again, the suspect was immediately apprehended and is in police custody.
Please direct any media inquiries to Mary Taylor at 816.604.1460. We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
Thank you,
Kathy Walter-Mack
Chief of Staff to the Chancellor
Calling all authors: The MCC-Longview Literary Festival wants you
This is your invitation to participate in the Third Annual MCC-Longview Literary Festival – Oct. 15 and 16.
The Longview Literary Festival will feature readings, panel discussions and autograph sessions from fellow authors. There will also be an area where you can sell your books.
We want community members, students as well as professional writers, publishers, editors and scholars to come participate and talk about their craft.
Like last year, we will have area literary groups (critiques, readings and writings) to showcase the variety of literary connections available in the larger metropolitan community.
We sincerely hope that you will be able to join us in making this year’s literary festival another success.
If you would like to attend, let us know if:
1. You want a table to promote your work
2. You would like to participate in panel discussions
3. You would like to do a reading
We are also open to hearing your great ideas for how to make this year’s literary festival a success.
Send you information and questions to:
816.524.4852
Be sure to include a short bio, so we can include your information as we develop our website. Don't forget to invite your students!
MCC-Maple Woods Vet Tech students reunite lost pet with owners
The MCC-Maple Woods Veterinary Technology program finds new homes for many animals from local shelters every semester, but in one very special circumstance, the students were able to reunite a lost pet and her owners.
The Liberty animal shelter frequently provides unclaimed animals to the vet tech program each semester - students care for them, socialize them, and perform basic vet services like vaccinations, teeth cleaning and sometimes necessary medical procedures before adopting the animals out for free. While scanning for a microchip on a new arrival, a cat named Cymone, the students actually found one and contacted the person registered on the tiny implant.
Cymone, whose real name is Mona, jumped off her family's balcony and dashed away before anyone could catch her. The family had been posting flyers and placing ads in local papers and even installing critter cams to try and find Mona, who had been missing since March. She was picked up by her very happy family at the vet tech facility earlier this week.
Lakers Volleyball continues to roll through the season - next home game tonight
The Lakers Volleyball team went 3-1 this past weekend at the Highland Community College regional tournament. The successful weekend pushes the Lakers to a 7-3 record as they now return home for two games.
Here is what assistant coach Marnie Winters had to say about the weekend tournament:
"Allen County Community College and Kansas City Kansas Community College were our only two losses of the season when going into the Highlands tourney. To beat them BOTH, and quite impressively, was a result we hadn't expected.
"We lost to Highlands, but it was due to our own unforced errors - so if we meet them again, it's certain to be a different level of play.
"We finished a very respectable 10-4 in sets for the weekend."
Kathryn Partridge lead in assists with 145 for the weekend. Andrea Lopez had 60 digs in the two days. Ali Cavanaugh was second with 58. Kalei Moppin was all-around impressive with 44 kills, 3 aces, 9 blocks and 50 digs. Emily Brand matched Kalei's lead with 3 aces and lead the team in blocks with 14.
The Lakers meet William Woods' JV again tonight, Sept. 14. The Lakers will then play Coffeyville Community College for the first time this season on Thursday, Sept. 16. Both games are at home and start at 6 p.m.
Monday, September 13, 2010
MCC Business & Technology: Did you know?
Did you know that MCC-Business & Technology offers various shows and exhibits throughout the year at the Exhibit Hall?
Check out the monthly schedule located on the MCC-BTC website.
Check out the monthly schedule located on the MCC-BTC website.
Donna Nelson selected as Penn Valley employee of month
Donna Nelson of the Francis Institute was recently selected as MCC-Penn Valley's employee of the month. Donna, who's served Penn Valley for 30 years, was cited for being thorough, professional and thoughtful."Donna held all of us accountable for doing our absolute best. She also took the time and initiative to solve many student issues. Donna's people skills are the best," her nomination form raves.
Congratulations Donna for exemplary service and 30 years of true commitment!
Ben Franklin visits MCC-Penn Valley
Folks on MCC-Penn Valley's campus Monday did a double-take as someone resembling Ben Franklin walked the halls.The gray-haired, bespectled gentleman was not the founding father and signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was instead Terry Lynch, historical portrayer and storyteller, who visited Penn Valley as part of his national tour to celebrate the 223rd anniversary of the signing of the Constitution.
Lynch has spent more than 10 years researching some of our country's greatest leaders. His presentation was based on his book, Mistakes Happen: A Historical Guide to Overcoming Adversity. The performance/lecture showed students how to discover their own greatness, learn effective leadership strategies, develop important everyday decision making skills and realize even the greatest leaders can and have made mistakes.
MCC Board meeting date change
The September MCC Board of Trustees meeting that was originally scheduled for this week, Sept. 16, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Sept.28 at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting will be held in the Administrative Center Board Room.
The meeting will be held in the Administrative Center Board Room.
Students kick off welcome week!
MCC-Penn Valley students kicked off the school year with a bang with a flurry of Welcome Week activities. Students met their fellow students as well as faculty staff members at several fun-filled events including: block party picnic, bingo, Know Your Community Day and a healthcare event.
Welcome Week was coordinated by the Office of Campus Life and Leadership.
MCC-Maple Woods employees and students play for softball supremecy
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MCC-Maple Woods hosted it's first employee/student softball game, braving the slippery, wet conditions to battle for softball bragging rights. Great hits, overthrown balls, "slides" into second base (we're looking at you, Terrell), frizzy hair and barefoot thirdbasemen were all a part of the fun but soggy afternoon.
The employees won the game 6-4.
MCC-Longview: Did you know?
In the September issue of Kansas City Spaces, writer Maureen Sullivan writes about Kansas City artist and entrepreneur Stretch.
Stretch is know around metro for his Crossroads restaurants, Grinders and Grinders West, and the Crossroads outdoor music venue. But Stretch started as (and still this day is) a nationally recognized artist and sculptor.
But did you know one of Stretch's earlier works is located on the MCC-Longview campus? Between the Campus Center and the Liberal Arts building stands one of Stretch's works, "Passage of Knowledge." A photo of the sculpture was included in the magazine.
Check out the profile in this months Kansas City Spaces and stop by campus to see a one-of-a-kind piece of art.
MCC-Longview selected to host National Alternative Fuel symposium
Building on its reputation as a leader in automotive technology and education, Metropolitan Community College-Longview is partnering with the Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Coalition to host the 2010 National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey on Oct. 15, 2010.
The event, which will be held in the High Technology Automotive Building at MCC-Longview, is a nationwide event aimed at educating the public on the importance of alternative fuel vehicles and advanced technology vehicles.
“We are extremely pleased to have been selected by the National Alternative Fuel Training Consortium as the site for their National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey event. It demonstrates our Automotive Program’s growing expertise in alternative fuels, as well as the college’s commitment to work with community agencies to further the educational and economic interests of our area,”MCC-Longview President Fred Grogan said.
“We are extremely pleased to have been selected by the National Alternative Fuel Training Consortium as the site for their National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey event. It demonstrates our Automotive Program’s growing expertise in alternative fuels, as well as the college’s commitment to work with community agencies to further the educational and economic interests of our area,”MCC-Longview President Fred Grogan said.
Along with MCC-Longview, events will be held across the country on the same day advocating for more education and understanding when it comes to alternative fuels.
“MCC-Longview’s automotive department is honored to participate and host this event. With similar events happening across the county, this is the perfect opportunity to bring education and awareness about alternative fuels and their positive environmental impact to the public, vehicle fleet operators and the transportation industry,” said Stan Abrahamson, automotive director at MCC-Longview.
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day is sponsored by the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) at West Virgina University. The consortium works to educate the nation about alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. Since 2002, the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day program has shown millions of individuals the difference alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles can make in our nation's energy security and quest for cleaner air.
Other partners for this year’s event are U.S. Department of Energy, West Virginia University’s Advanced Electric Drive Vehicle Education Program and Toyota.
For more information about the event, go to:
www.kcenergy.org
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