Monday, December 6, 2010
MCC Board of Trustees meeting time change
The Dec. 16 Board of Trustees meeting has been moved to 1 p.m., rather than 5:30 p.m. It will be held in the Board room at the Administrative Center.
Off to the races with MCC's Engineering 113
It was an early morning day at the race track for the students in instructor Nicole Pflum's Engineering 113 class.
The vehicles being used in this hilly experiment were made by the students and had to travel 15 feet, up and down a hilly track.
Here is what Pflum said about the classroom race/scientific experiment:
"Today 18 students in ENGR 113 demonstrated their semester design project. The project was to make a self-propelled vehicle that would make it at least 9 feet of a 15 foot curved track. The teams had alpha and beta test runs on the track that helped them redesign the vehicle for this last run.
In first place: "Lucky 7-3" made it 18 feet to the end of the track using tank-like treads instead of wheels. Their innovation and continual redesigns paid off.
In second place: “Scorporation” went 13.3 feet. This team had a great overall design, but the weight on the back gave them issues going up the last big hill.
In third place: “Convex Machinery” went 6.9 feet. This car was so fast it jumped off the track. It also had great attention to detail. One of their team members vacuum formed a model car and panted the body.
The other teams did a great job. They continually worked as cohesive groups this semester and made great designs. Their cars needed more torque to make it up the hills, but their designs were good.
It is great to see students learning hands-on the design process. The issues they face now make them better at problem solving and being real engineers in the future."
To see more photos from this morning's race, check out our photo gallery over on Flickr.
MCC-Longview bookstore announces its holiday hours
Whether you are retuning this semester's books or gearing up for the next, here is a list of the new times the bookstore will be open during the holidays.
Dec. 8 - Open 7:30 a.m. – Noon
Dec. 13 – 17 - Book Buyback
- Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. - Noon, 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Friday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Dec. 17 - Last day to return rental texts
Dec. 20 - Website opens for orders with free shipping until Jan.5
Jan. 3 - 5 - Bookstore closed to process book orders
For more information, contact the bookstore at 604.2188 or check out the bookstore's website.
Physical therapist assistant students teach exercise to City Union Mission residents
Physical therapist assistant students at the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute recently partnered with the City Union Mission Family Life Program to provide presentations on health living. Students led presentations and demonstrated proper exercise techniques to the residents. The program is planning to add an incentive program for the residents in the area of exercise as well as nutrition to be added to the other life skills training they provide.
The partnership is part of a program that the City Union Mission is planning on developing for residents that emphasizes wellness. Gwen Robertson is coordinator for the physical therapist assistant program.
The partnership is part of a program that the City Union Mission is planning on developing for residents that emphasizes wellness. Gwen Robertson is coordinator for the physical therapist assistant program.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Lady Scouts continue to soar!
MCC-Penn Valley Lady Scouts continue their winning streak. They beat Haskell Indian Nations 79 - 47 on Wednesday.
Several players also broke a few records in the process including:
Individual Record-Ejehi Ehovon, 13 offensive rebounds in a game (previous record held by: Hilary Walker, 11 offensive rebounds).
Team Records-Most rebounds in a game: 69. Previous record: 58 rebounds in a game, Year: 1995.
Tied with the 2005 defensive record for the most rebounds (37) in a game.
Check out the Lady Scouts tomorrow at 4 p.m. when they take on Cloud Community College. Also cheer them on at 6 p.m. on Monday when they play Ottawa University.
Farewell to Dennis DeLong
Pictured are BTC President Debbie Goodall, Retiree Dennis DeLong and Lab Tech Jennifer Dec.Dennis DeLong was recognized Monday for his 25 years of service as an MCC Public Safety officer. He retired at the end of November, and was honored at a reception at MCC-Business & Technology.
A special farewell "card" was designed and created by Jennifer Dec, using a laser engraver on a cork surface to reproduce farewell wishes from MCC-BTC co-workers.
MCC-Blue River gives and gives
The next time you’re in the MCC-Blue River Campus Center, look for the colorful donation bins across from the campus security office. The bins are the work of the MCC-Blue River Student Activity Council (SAC). Soon, they will be distributed to needy Blue River students and local nonprofit agencies.
Here’s how it will work. Donated items will be given to Blue River students. After which, the group will forward the remaining items to a local nonprofit.
What is needed…
Here’s how it will work. Donated items will be given to Blue River students. After which, the group will forward the remaining items to a local nonprofit.
What is needed…
“We are accepting anything someone [in need] might be able to use." says MCC-Blue River student and SAC representative Elizabeth Short. Her counterparts Tina Livingston and Amber Delorme are also active in the charitable effort. Livingston says “some students don’t have the everyday items most people take for granted."
To meet this need, the SAC will collect items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss and the like.
The group makes a specific request for canned and non-perishable meats. According to Livingston, they have plenty of sides, but not very many meat items.
Compelled to Give…
Some students are motivated to give because they know what it’s like not to have what one needs. But others have a different motivation entirely.
“I give from a position of thanksgiving,” says Amber. “I’m grateful for everything I have; so I want to give to those who don’t have what I have."
Other Examples of MCC-Blue River’s Generosity
Recently, Instructional Services Coordinator, Rebecca Warner collected over 50 decorated shoe boxes containing everything from hygiene products. The items were shipped to children in world-wide by a national nonprofit.
Community Ed’s Carol Brown is currently leading the charge for the campus Angel Tree. The tree’s ornaments are wish list items for needy families and children. She and Amy Slater also organized donations for Thanksgiving dinners.
Blue River staff students, staff and faculty are helping build a Habitat home for a Blue River colleague.
One of the students said: “It doesn’t take much to change someone’s life." Blue River is certainly doing it’s part to try.
You can still help!
The group makes a specific request for canned and non-perishable meats. According to Livingston, they have plenty of sides, but not very many meat items.
Compelled to Give…
Some students are motivated to give because they know what it’s like not to have what one needs. But others have a different motivation entirely.
“I give from a position of thanksgiving,” says Amber. “I’m grateful for everything I have; so I want to give to those who don’t have what I have."
Other Examples of MCC-Blue River’s Generosity
Recently, Instructional Services Coordinator, Rebecca Warner collected over 50 decorated shoe boxes containing everything from hygiene products. The items were shipped to children in world-wide by a national nonprofit.
Community Ed’s Carol Brown is currently leading the charge for the campus Angel Tree. The tree’s ornaments are wish list items for needy families and children. She and Amy Slater also organized donations for Thanksgiving dinners.
Blue River staff students, staff and faculty are helping build a Habitat home for a Blue River colleague.
One of the students said: “It doesn’t take much to change someone’s life." Blue River is certainly doing it’s part to try.
You can still help!
Donations needed:
· Canned meats (tuna, chicken, Spam, salmon, sardines, etc.)
· Warm outer wear (hats, gloves, scarves, sweaters, thermal undergarments, jackets, coats, etc)
· Warm clothing items
· Sleeping bags and blankets
Donations (bins) will be accepted until around December 18. For more information, contact Amy Slater at 816.604.6635 or email her at Amy.Slater@mcckc.edu.
If you have questions about the Angel Tree, contact Carol.Brown@mcckc.edu or call her at 816.604.6518.
MCC-Blue River encourages staff and faculty to forego gifts for colleagues this year and adopt an ornament off our Angel Network trees. You can also make a small donation to our families that Blue River has adopted.
Don't miss the MCC-Longview student art show Dec. 8 and 9
Don't miss some of the great MCC-Longview artists as they display their semester's work in the Cultural Arts Center.
The Student Art Show will ran much of this past week and will be open on Dec. 8 and 9 from Noon to 4 p.m.
On Dec. 9, there will be an artists reception where you can meet some of the brilliant minds behind the work on display.
Final are just around the corner!
MCC-Blue River Superstars
The soccer program at MCC-Blue River held its annual soccer awards ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11. This annual event recognizes the athletic achievements of both the men’s and women’s soccer teams.
This year, there was a lot to celebrate. Both teams finished with the most wins ever in their four year history. The women finished as NJCAA Region XVI Semifinalist, posting an 11-3 record. The men’s team won their first NJCAA Region XVI Championship, posting a 12-8 record. The awards ceremony celebrated both the team and individual accomplishments of these student athletes.
Also honored at the program were Tony Wrisinger and Bill Althaus with an MCC-Blue River Soccer Spirit Award for supporting local student athletes through high quality sports coverage.
Both Wrisinger and Althaus co-host the Sonic Locker Room, a radio program featuring local athletes and sports programs in the Independence, Blue Springs and Lee’s Summit area. During the past year the Sonic Locker room has twice interviewed the Blue River coaches. The second interview can be found on the Trail Blazers website (www.mcckc.edu/blueriver/soccer).
Awards and Commendations - Men
Offensive MVP – Zane Christenson, Steven Long
Defensive MVP – Chad Middleton, Jeremy Herrman
Leadership Award – Jared Bailey
Player’s Choice Award – Sean Lindsey
Awards and Commendations - Women
Offensive MVP – Courtney Codilla, Kristi Blau
Defensive MVP – Abby Bailey, Jessica Brumble
Leadership Award – Monett Johnson
Most Improved Player – Brianna Loveall
Player’s Choice Award – Monett Johnson
Region XVI 1st Team – Ashley Killian, Jessica Brumble, Kristi Blau, Steven Long, Sean Lindsey
Region XVI 2nd Team – Monett Johnson, Cecilia Perez, Abby Bailey, Zane Christenson, Jared Bailey
Region XVI Men’s Coach of the Year
David Owens
2010 Trail Blazer Soccer Spirit Award
Went to the Sonic Locker Room
Tony Wrisinger and Bill Althaus
Tony Wrisinger and Bill Althaus
Kirstie Warren, Ashley Killian, Ceci Perez and Darren Kraft were also recognized for their contribution to team spirit and chemistry.
Final showing of KCAI 125th exhibit in Carter Art Center Gallery
Today is the final day of “In The Moment” exhibit commemorating the Kansas City Art Institute’s 125th anniversary. The grand finale showing will begin at 1 p.m. in the Carter Art Center Gallery at MCC-Penn Valley. An artist’s talk will begin at 6 p.m. Curator Heather Lustfeldt will share why she selected the pieces. Artists will also share their inspiration for creating the works.
Career opportunity
CO# 10-173 BR Academic Advisor - Upward Bound Program
* posted Dec. 3
* will be removed from the website on Dec. 19 for the initial screening.
* for more information or to apply:
www.mcckcjobs.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=51246
* posted Dec. 3
* will be removed from the website on Dec. 19 for the initial screening.
* for more information or to apply:
www.mcckcjobs.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=51246
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Poetry publication features works of Penn Valley English instructor
Mary Rogers-Grantham, poet and adjunct faculty at MCC-Penn Valley, has been invited by the Board of Directors of Whispering Prairie press to attend the launching event of Volume 8 of Kansas City Voices where she will autograph her poetry that appears in this issue.
The presentation and autograph event will be held 2-4 p.m. on December 4 at Johnson County Central Resource Library, 9875 W. 87th Street in Overland Park.
The presentation and autograph event will be held 2-4 p.m. on December 4 at Johnson County Central Resource Library, 9875 W. 87th Street in Overland Park.
MCC finds efficiency and cost savings in e-communication
Increased use of e-mail as a means of communicating with prospective students has led to both a higher response rate and lower cost over the last two years, according to a recent analysis by Vice Chancellor Tuesday Stanley.
Since 2008, MCC has been using a combination of e-mail and mailed collateral pieces to communicate with potential students. Previously, we only communicated by mail. The response rate for e-mail has proven to be at least as good as, and in some cases better than, mail. In addition, the district has saved over $34,000 in postage and printing.
Stanley, who initiated the change-over to using more electronic communication, credits staff across the district for the success and cost savings.
"The admissions coordinators and marketing coordinators worked hard to build the new plan a few years ago and have been working diligently since then to implement that plan," said Stanley. "This has been a great team effort."
MCC can look forward to even greater efficiencies in the coming year with the advent of the fulfillment center and prospect communications, which will further streamline production of mailed collateral pieces. Watch for more information soon about how the fulfillment center can help you work smarter, including document personalization for each recipient, expediting the production of some print jobs and much more!
Since 2008, MCC has been using a combination of e-mail and mailed collateral pieces to communicate with potential students. Previously, we only communicated by mail. The response rate for e-mail has proven to be at least as good as, and in some cases better than, mail. In addition, the district has saved over $34,000 in postage and printing.
Stanley, who initiated the change-over to using more electronic communication, credits staff across the district for the success and cost savings.
"The admissions coordinators and marketing coordinators worked hard to build the new plan a few years ago and have been working diligently since then to implement that plan," said Stanley. "This has been a great team effort."
MCC can look forward to even greater efficiencies in the coming year with the advent of the fulfillment center and prospect communications, which will further streamline production of mailed collateral pieces. Watch for more information soon about how the fulfillment center can help you work smarter, including document personalization for each recipient, expediting the production of some print jobs and much more!
The Forgotten Disease: MCC observes World AIDS Day
Students, faculty and staff around MCC observed World AIDS Day yesterday with commemorations of all who have lost their lives to or are living with HIV or AIDS. Ceremonies and displays told the story of the disease that has largely fallen out of the mainstream public eye despite staggering statistics that illustrate the disease's persistence.
Twenty million people around the world have died since HIV was identified in 1981.
Forty million people around the world are living with the disease today.
In their honor and memory, here are some of the ways MCC brought AIDS and HIV back into the spotlight on this solemn day of rememberance.
MCC-Maple Woods
Students from Maple Woods' Gay-Straight Alliance placed red boxes in all of the campus buildings earlier in the week to collect names of people that students, staff and faculty had lost to HIV/AIDS. The GSA students then collected and read the 69 submitted names at a memorial ceremony in the Student Center, where the usual hustle and bustle fell silent as the names were read, said campus life and leadership coordinator Misty Chandler, who supported the student-led effort.
Organizers also asked students to write messages to describe their reasons for fighting AIDS, and the 45 messages submitted were then hung on the wall of the Student Center.
To provide additional information about prevention measures, representatives from the Kansas City Free Health Clinic staffed a booth where they answered questions and handed out informational brochures and red ribbons, a well-recognized symbol of AIDS awareness. The GSA set out donation boxes at the table to raise money for the clinic and the Good Samaritan Project, another nonprofit organization the provides service to people living with HIV and AIDS.
MCC-Penn Valley
Biology instructor Nancy Harrington, with the help of student leaders, hosted a memorial ceremony in the Campus Center, where names of loved ones lost by members of the Penn Valley community were read alongside names of other Kansas Citians who have died from HIV/AIDS. A display table in the lobby provided students and employees with information and materials, like condoms, that stress the importance of individual responsibility in stopping the spread of HIV and AIDS. The PowerPoint below, created by Harrington, caused passers-by to stop in their tracks to read about the disease.
Harrington, who specializes in sexual-health education, has been coordinating AIDS awareness efforts at MCC for years, most notably as the primary organizer of an MCC team for the city-wide AIDS Walk held every spring. Through her AIDS Walk contributions, she has also become involved with the AIDS Service Foundation of Kansas City, a network of nonprofit organizations that serve people living with HIV and AIDS. As a kick-off to World AIDS Day, Harrington hosted a small group of MCC employees and students at a luncheon hosted by the ASF.
MCC-Blue River
Staff and students organized a display table that featured information about prevention of HIV/AIDS, as well as information about other sexually-transmitted diseases. The PowerPoint presentation developed by Penn Valley's Nancy Harrington played in a loop next to the display.
Twenty million people around the world have died since HIV was identified in 1981.
Forty million people around the world are living with the disease today.
In their honor and memory, here are some of the ways MCC brought AIDS and HIV back into the spotlight on this solemn day of rememberance.
MCC-Maple Woods
Students from Maple Woods' Gay-Straight Alliance placed red boxes in all of the campus buildings earlier in the week to collect names of people that students, staff and faculty had lost to HIV/AIDS. The GSA students then collected and read the 69 submitted names at a memorial ceremony in the Student Center, where the usual hustle and bustle fell silent as the names were read, said campus life and leadership coordinator Misty Chandler, who supported the student-led effort.
Organizers also asked students to write messages to describe their reasons for fighting AIDS, and the 45 messages submitted were then hung on the wall of the Student Center.
To provide additional information about prevention measures, representatives from the Kansas City Free Health Clinic staffed a booth where they answered questions and handed out informational brochures and red ribbons, a well-recognized symbol of AIDS awareness. The GSA set out donation boxes at the table to raise money for the clinic and the Good Samaritan Project, another nonprofit organization the provides service to people living with HIV and AIDS.
MCC-Penn Valley
Biology instructor Nancy Harrington, with the help of student leaders, hosted a memorial ceremony in the Campus Center, where names of loved ones lost by members of the Penn Valley community were read alongside names of other Kansas Citians who have died from HIV/AIDS. A display table in the lobby provided students and employees with information and materials, like condoms, that stress the importance of individual responsibility in stopping the spread of HIV and AIDS. The PowerPoint below, created by Harrington, caused passers-by to stop in their tracks to read about the disease.
Harrington, who specializes in sexual-health education, has been coordinating AIDS awareness efforts at MCC for years, most notably as the primary organizer of an MCC team for the city-wide AIDS Walk held every spring. Through her AIDS Walk contributions, she has also become involved with the AIDS Service Foundation of Kansas City, a network of nonprofit organizations that serve people living with HIV and AIDS. As a kick-off to World AIDS Day, Harrington hosted a small group of MCC employees and students at a luncheon hosted by the ASF.
MCC-Blue River
Staff and students organized a display table that featured information about prevention of HIV/AIDS, as well as information about other sexually-transmitted diseases. The PowerPoint presentation developed by Penn Valley's Nancy Harrington played in a loop next to the display.
Minute to Win it with the MCC-Longview Engineering Club
Members of the MCC-Longview Engineering Club participated in a Minute-to-Win-It style competition during their December meeting on Wednesday.
In less than a minutes members had to complete specific puzzles or tasks (which were hard even for our engineers) to advance to the next round.
In the competition above, teams of two sat back to back as one person had to describe how to construct a small Lego-like set to another person who could not see it. Sometimes, the finished product did not quite match the original design.
For more information about the MCC-Longview Engineering Club, contact club advisor John Church at 816.604.2542.
To see more photos from the evening, click on over to our Flickr Photo Blog
Practical Nursing program to host completion and pinning ceremony
After months of hard work, 69 students in the practical nursing program at MCC-Penn Valley will be rewarded. The completion and pinning ceremony will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. in the gym.
Penn Valley student group to host voter registration training
The Advocates for Better Government (soon to be known as Advocates for Civic Engagement) at MCC-Penn Valley will host training for those interested in being certified as a Deputy Registrar for voter registration.
The Kansas City Missouri Election Board staff will conduct the training on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. in CC002. Participants must bring identification and be a registered voter in Kansas City, Missouri to participate. To RSVP, contact Deborah Scott via e-mail or at 816.604.4056 by Monday, Dec. 6.
The advocates may sponsor similar training for those living in other Election Board jurisdictions as Jackson County, so stay tuned.
The Kansas City Missouri Election Board staff will conduct the training on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. in CC002. Participants must bring identification and be a registered voter in Kansas City, Missouri to participate. To RSVP, contact Deborah Scott via e-mail or at 816.604.4056 by Monday, Dec. 6.
The advocates may sponsor similar training for those living in other Election Board jurisdictions as Jackson County, so stay tuned.
MCC in the news: helping people get back to work fast
MCC was featured in a Fox 4 news story yesterday about short-term healthcare career training delivered at the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute in partnership with the Full Employment Council.
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