Video: Celebrating 10 years at one MCC campus

MCC employees who have spent 10 or more years at MCC-Blue River talk about their favorite moments

Fulbright scholar credits MCC-Blue River experience for success

Tamera Jenkins, Fulbright scholar lands in Canada

You can get absolutely anywhere in the world from right here at Metropolitan Community College-Blue River. Tamera Jenkins took that message to heart, earning her way to a Fulbright scholarship and an exhilarating experience studying abroad. From the Blue River campus in Independence, Mo., Tamera made her way to a world of new experiences at Simon Fraser University's Graduate School of Criminology in Vancouver, British Columbia.

“I was thrilled when my son went to Blue River,” Tamera says. And when she brought him to campus to procure permission for him to attend at a younger than normal age, Jon Burke, MCC-Blue River's dean of student development, gave her the encouragement she says she needed to continue her own education as well.

Jon described their first meeting, saying, “She told me that she had thought about going back to college herself at some point in the future. I encouraged her to take one class at Blue River—begin as a part-time student and then decide if she’d like to be a full-time student for future semesters.” In light of her Fulbright scholarship and her track record of academic success, Jon added, “In hindsight, it certainly appears that

Smithsonian archaeologist Katherine Brooks, MCC-Blue River student success story

Katherine Brooks has taken a path from MCC-Blue River to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History as a working archaeologist. She is a sterling example of Blue River student success.

She was recently awarded a summer fellowship at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History where she will work in the Anthropology department. There Katherine is researching a Smithsonian collection of American Indian artifacts which she has already been studying. After this summer, she will apply for a post-doctoral research fellowship with the Smithsonian as well.

MCC-Blue River writing workshop on July 6

The next MCC-Blue River Creative Writing Workshop is scheduled for  Wednesday, July 6, from 2:30 until 3:30 p.m. in CC 137, also known as The Write Place.

This workshop is open to anyone who is interested, and always presents a wonderful opportunity to get advice and feedback from some truly talented writers. To be sure, some of the writers in attendance are published authors who will give your work the same reflective, analytic attention that they expect to get for their own workshop submissions. Just bring your poetry, your prose, your creative writing of any kind and be ready to enjoy sharing a love of literary creation.

This workshop will be the last one for the summer since the group will not meet in August.

Contact Sharon Hunter for further details at 816.604.6640.

Chancellor: Search for MCC-Blue River president officially begins

Chancellor Mark James visited the MCC-Blue River campus today to announce the beginning of the official national search for a new campus president. Primary qualities sought in this individual shall be that he or she is dynamic, experienced in the field of education administration, demonstrates an understanding of budgetary concerns and knowledge of how to achieve success on the financial side of the position, and a variety of other noteworthy skills and abilities.

Concerns about budgetary struggles came up near the end of the meeting, and the chancellor approached them with all due concern, stating that our pragmatic approach to increasing revenue would include creating more programs that bring the school additional income. The I.W.I. program which has already experienced great success in forming over fifty lucrative business contracts was used as a great example of new opportunities and revenue streams at MCC.

Other plans may include expanding our collegiate district’s footprint and finding ways to serve college-bound individuals in the St. Joseph area whom will no longer find A+ and associate’s degree programs at Missouri Western that were available in previous years. Missouri Western’s recent move to become a university has engendered a number of opportunities for MCC in the St. Joseph area.

Congratulations to Dave Owens, MCC-Blue River employee of the month

Congratulations to Dave Owens, fitness, recreation and athletics coordinator at MCC-Blue River. He is the employee of the month!

Dave was nominated because his efforts to begin an annual “Run thru the River” 5K exemplify our mission statement since it provides a healthy activity, money for the Staff Association to create scholarships and student opportunities, and involves Blue River in the community in a positive and motivational way.

Thanks, Dave, for a fun, successful, and motivational “Run thru the River!”

"Run thru the River 5K" brings in smiles, prizes, and big bucks

The inaugural “Run thru the River” 5K at MCC-Blue River was a fabulous success. Eighty participants signed up for the event, several times the goal number that event organizers had originally aimed for. Laughs and smiles abounded at the finish line despite muddy conditions on portions of the course due to the previous night’s rain. 

The overall first through third place females to finish the race were Mindy Johnson, Emily Morgan and Karla Deathrage. The overall top three male finishers were Tom Ballew, Geordie McGonagle and Devyn Mapes.

Medals were awarded to the top male and female finishers in 7 age categories:

Jester Weston

Courtney Woodward

Devyn Mapes

Olivia Heacock

TJ Casper

Jessica Stacy

Mindy Johnson

Eric Sligar

Cheri Cain

Diane Bales

Geordie McGonagle

Tom Ballew

Sara Woodward

Steve Grubbs

Mary Ellen Jenison

Event organizer Dave Owens expects to have many more participants in Run thru the River next year. Runners came from all over the greater Kansas City, Mo. area and eastern Kansas. This kind of success in the first year of

Adult Car Control Clinic to be hosted by BMW Car Club at MCC-Blue River

The first ever Adult Car Control Clinic was a huge success last year, and the BMW Car Club of Kansas City aims to make it happen again this weekend, June 25th at MCC-Blue River.

The clinic allows participants to explore the limits of their own vehicle and their driving skills in an open, controlled, and extremely safe environment on the Precision Driving Course at MCC-Blue River. The clinic consists of both classroom and in-car training. In class, vehicle dynamics, tire management, vision and mirror awareness, and proper seating position will all be discussed.

Once in the car, we will run through a series of orange-cone parking lot and wet skid pad exercises, learning skills that you can apply to everyday driving. This will also give participants a chance to take on some of the driving maneuvers they have always wanted to attempt, without taking any safety risks or

MCC-Blue River alumnus Esther Francis receives Fulbright grant

Esther Francis, MCC-Blue River's newest Fulbright scholarship recipient

Each of the last two years, an MCC-Blue River alumnus has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright scholarship to study abroad. This year the Fulbright award went to Esther Francis, an MCC-Blue River graduate who spent a year living in Guanajuato, Mexico during her undergraduate studies. After her immersive, linguistic experience in Mexican culture, she knew that she had to find a way to go back.

The Fulbright Binational Business Grant allows Esther to spend another year living and studying Mexico. With the scholarship, she will attend graduate level courses at Mexico Autonomous Institute of Technology while gaining experience as an intern for a Mexico City based company.

The Fulbright scholarship is awarded to a very select group of applicants based on their academic performance, professional achievement, and the leadership qualities they demonstrate. The Fulbright program was designed by the United States congress and passed into law by President Harry S. Truman to increase

MCC-Blue River blood drive to aid Joplin, western Missouri

There is still no such thing as a "blood cell factory"

Joplin tornado survivors are still in the hearts and minds of the MCC-Blue River community, and a June 29 blood drive on campus will present an opportunity to send help to the ravaged western Missouri city. Community Blood Center is working hard to resupply western Missouri with blood since a great amount of their resources have been directed to the tornado disaster area.

Aside from the benefit donors will be providing to their community, they can also earn points from Community Blood Center toward rewards (see previous detailed article). You can make an appointment online at www.savealifenow.org and use the sponsor code “blueriver” to receive reward points for your donation.

Immediately following the tornado, Community Blood Center (CBC) shipped life-saving blood to the Ozarks to support the rescue and relief efforts. Seeking to continue their life-saving efforts, CBC Director Maureen O’Sullivan says:

Many people still want to help, so here is what we need: The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks has

MCC takes lead on cyber security for Missouri

Steven Calicutt (l) from St. Louis Community College
and Jawad Drissi (r) from Cameron University in Oklahoma
are instructors participating in the MOCSEC training.

According to Chancellor Mark James, “Cyber-attack is one of the biggest national security threats facing our nation.” MCC has responded to the cyber-security threat by forming a new Missouri counterpart of a national program called the Cyber Security Education Consortium, or CSEC. James says, “The information in these training components could save businesses millions of dollars and government systems from embarrassing intrusions.” This program will be an invaluable part of the High Risk Attack and Disaster (HRAD) Training Center currently being developed by MCC.

Heading up the MOCSEC training are MCC computer science instructors Ed McCarty (BTC) and Melissa Napper (Blue River). According to McCarty, the federal government wants to promote cyber-security awareness to every American, and MCC is on the cutting edge of that movement.

The goal for MOCSEC is to present eight specific courses which are integral to an Associate of Applied Sciences degree in cyber-security. Graduates of the program could transfer to a number of prestigious area universities like Missouri University and Oklahoma State to complete bachelor’s level degrees in cyber-security. The MOCSEC plan is well underway, having drawn a number of Missouri colleges into

MCC-Blue River Staff Association garage sale

The MCC-Blue River Staff Association will be having a garage sale on Friday, July 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday, July 9 from 8 a.m. to noon. This event will raise funds for projects like the Angel Tree during the holiday season, scholarships, to help students in need, or other projects that the MCC-Blue River Staff Association undertakes.

Similar events in the past have featured a wide array of donated garage sale items, including many kinds of furniture, all in good shape, and clothing for all ages among other diverse fare. Both new and used items are often donated, so there will be plenty to choose from.

The group is already accepting “good, sale-able items... The items can be clothes, kitchen utensils, linens, things that are sold at garage sales,” according to Renee Tolson. They have already collected a large volume of books, clothing, and

First Creative Writing Workshop of the summer at MCC-Blue River

Eve Brackenbury (ul) and Sharon Hunter (r) lead the
Creative Writing Workshops at MCC-Blue River

Don’t forget the next Creative Writing Workshop session at MCC-Blue River is scheduled for Monday, June 13, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in CC 137, The Write Place. Please bring any ideas, and if you have a work in progress, bring that along as well. Group leaders Eve Brackenbury, a published poet, and creative writing instructor Sharon Hunter look forward to seeing fellow writers on Monday.

Joplin lightning strike victim Jeff Taylor to be honored by Public Safety Institute

A lightning strike claimed the life of Riverside Police Officer Jeff Taylor, adding to the tragedies which befell Missourians in the wake of the EF5 twister which ravaged Joplin in late May of 2011. Taylor was on the scene responding to the disaster as a part of his duties.

Aside from serving as a police officer, Jeff Taylor also trained as a fire fighter, attending the Public Safety Institute at MCC-Blue River Fire Academy in 2007. He was part of the FA-12 class. The institute is currently organizing an effort to install a plaque dedicated to Jeff’s memory.

A visitation will be held today at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty, Mo. from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The funeral will immediately follow.

Transfer advisors on campus weekly this summer at MCC-Blue River

MCC-Blue River has been working to create more opportunities for students to transfer to universities; transfer advisors from the University of Central Missouri and Graceland University will be on campus each week this summer to help students create a path from MCC-Blue River to a four-year or graduate degree. Having transfer advisors on campus allows students to find help for planning their transfer early.

Below are the summer hours for each advisor:

Graceland University transfer advisor summer dates/hours

June 9

June 16

June 30

Office hours 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Call Seth Wilmes for appointments at 816.833.0524 ext. 4804

University of Central Mussouri transfer advisor summer dates/hours

July 12

July 19

Office hours 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Walk-in advising – No appointment Necessary

Students are encouraged to stop by the Welcome Center and visit with the advisors from UCM and Graceland if they are interested in transferring to either institution.

Donations already coming in for Spofford Home

Throughout June MCC is collecting donations for Spofford Home, an organization that cares for kids who have no homes and kids who suffer from mental illness. The month has just begun, and donations are already trickling in. Thus far, we have collected several boxes of crayons and $50 in gift cards to help buy school uniforms. MCC-Blue River is the destination campus for back-to-school supplies for these children.

Here’s what the kids at Spofford Home need:

Markers

Glue sticks and Elmer’s glue bottles

Composition journals

Back packs

Wal-mart gift cards ($5 and up, for school uniforms)

School uniforms (Navy/Khaki bottoms, White/Navy tops)

For further information on this MCC donation, see the more detailed May 19, 2011 MCC Insider article.

Please send donations to Amy Slater at MCC-Blue River, 20301 E 78 Highway, Independence, MO 64057

Outstanding Employee awards: Becky Schuering, Amy Slater

Two MCC-Blue River employees were honored alongside the high-achieving students at the awards ceremony this spring. Student Life and Leadership Coordinator Amy Slater and mathematics instructor Becky Schuering both received the “Outstanding Employee 2010-2011” award, an honor bestowed by student vote. Campus President Joe Seabrooks presented the awards on May 13.

Amy Slater, Student
Life and Leadership
coordinator

Amy Slater said that she was humbled by the award: “When I come to work each day, I bring a positive attitude and the ability to try and find a solution to every problem. It is my job is to help students during their college experience. I am honored and proud that students feel I go above and beyond the typical duties of my position.”

Amy always goes to great lengths for everyone on campus, so this is an award that she truly earns every day. She concluded her reaction to the award by saying, “I only hope to continue to live up to the award and what it stands for!”

Becky Schuering,
mathematics instructor

Becky Schuering reacted to the award, saying, “I was elated at receiving the Outstanding Employee award! To have my students take the time not only to vote, but also to write the wonderful things they did was very moving. I truly love to teach, and I am thrilled to have such fantastic students, faculty, and staff to work with.”

Both recipients are truly appreciated by the people who work with them.

ATF sets off IEDs at MCC-Blue River bomb training

An explosive finale capped off a month of ATF training sessions held at MCC-Blue River in May. Most recently, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) offered instruction on improvised explosive devices to area law enforcement officers. ATF took advantage of the Public Safety Institute at MCC-Blue River’s facilities for the training.

Bomb experts from more than twenty local agencies attended the ATF sponsored knowledge sharing sessions. At the end of several days of instruction, ATF chemists concocted six explosive mixtures based on recipes that may be encountered in the field. These six improvised bombs were set off at the Kansas City Police Department’s explosive range

Employee Survey: MCC's Fitness and Recreation Centers

As part of MCC’s continued commitment to review programs and services, Vice Chancellor Tuesday Stanley has charged a committee, composed of staff, faculty, and administrators, to review MCC’s fitness and recreation centers.

A survey was recently distributed to students in order to obtain their input. At this time we would like to hear from MCC employees. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey that can be accessed from the link below. No personal information will be shared with anyone.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2GVWYF3

Thank you in advance for your participation and taking time to complete the survey.

- Mary Truex, Co-Chair

- Brian Bechtel, Co-Chair

MCC-Blue River instructors contribute at 53rd Annual Missouri Conference on History

Instructors Antonio Holland (l), Sharon Hunter (cntr), and Joseph Volpe (r)

This April Kansas City's Country Club Plaza provided the backdrop for the 53^rd Annual Missouri Conference on History, a statewide meeting hosted by The State Historical Society of Missouri and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Department of History. Outside of the lecture chambers, local university publishers touted their wares to prospective history writers, and colorful enthusiasts, such as a group of Civil War re-enactors who will recreate the Battle of Lexington this summer, represented their upcoming celebrations of history. Three of MCC-Blue River’s instructors joined other well-known experts from throughout the Midwest to discuss Missouri's history, culture and politics.

Instructors Antonio Holland (instructor of history), Sharon Hunter (English), and Joseph Volpe (political science) participated in the conference over a span of two days, attending a large number of panel discussions, listening to