Contact:
Wendy Smith (307) 686-0254 ext. 2801/Email wsmith@sheridan.edu
Dennis Jacobs (307) 686-0254 ext. 2802/Email djacobs@sheridan.edu

Over 230 students will graduate from Gillette College Friday 

Gillette College’s 23^rd Annual Commencement Ceremony will begin at seven o’clock at the Cam-plex Spirit Hall on Friday, May 10.  Over 230 students will complete their degree requirements at Gillette College this year.  Other graduates being recognized at GC Commencement are those earning General Education Diplomas as well as Bachelor and Master degree candidates.

“Graduation represents a milestone in our students’ lives,” said Gillette College Vice President, Mark Englert.  “Congratulations to the class of 2013.”

The Commencement Ceremony will include performances by the Colorado Celtic Pipes and Drums, the presentation of the GC President’s Award, and a commencement address by former Wyoming Governor, Jim Geringer.

The event is free to the public.

For more information, contact Gillette College at 686-0254.

Gillette College Center for Workforce and COMMUNITY EDUCATION RECEIVES Wyoming Community Foundation Grant to Train Participants of Gillette Abuse Refuge Foundation

Gillette, WY March 26, 2013:  Gillette College Center for Workforce and Community Education was awarded $10,000 by the Wyoming Community Foundation to provide life and career oriented skills training to Gillette Abuse Refuge Foundation (GARF) participants.

Gillette College Center for Workforce and Community Education is partnering with GARF to provide foundational training that will help their participants gain skills, experience and confidence to leave behind the toxic life they have been a part of and work toward a new promising and safe life.

Gillette College Center for Workforce and Community Education and GARF recognize the great strife in the lives of those that have found themselves in an abusive relationship.  This Foundational Skills Training Program has been designed to assist these individuals as they pursue endeavors of seeking a college degree or to obtain solid foundational business skills to pursue employment.

This training program will cover everything from computers skills to  public speaking;  from customer service to stress and time management; from self-confidence to assertiveness skills; to resume writing and interview skills.

When asked how this training will help, Margie McWilliams, Executive Director of GARF commented, “This Foundational Skills Training will not only give the participants the confidence and self-assertiveness they need to move forward . . . this is a wonderful support program for individuals wishing to live a life free from violence.”

Karen St Clair, Director, Center for Workforce and Community Education with Gillette College states, “This training program is a collaborative partnership between Gillette College and GARF.  We are thrilled to also partner with the Wyoming Community Foundation to bring this foundational training to individuals in need; helping them in a positive, supportive manner to become dependent on themselves and not on the abusive figures in their lives.”

Gillette College Center for Workforce and Community Education offers career skills development and personal enrichment classes.   We partner with area businesses to create customized training, specific to their individual needs. If you are interested in learning more about classes offered by the Center for Workforce and Community Education, contact Karen St Clair, Director of Gillette College, Center for Workforce and Community Education at 307-686-0254 X4502 or email at kstclair@sheridan.edu.

Contact:
Jessi Maurer (307) 686-0254 ext. 1100 /Email jmaurer@sheridan.edu
Patty Myers (307) 687-0009 /Email patty@ccpls.org

Saturday University Comes to Gillette

GILLETTE, WY —Go back to college for a day – minus the tests, stress and homework – with three professors from the University of Wyoming who will enlighten and entertain with lectures during Saturday University, the free one-day college education, on Saturday, April 6.  Attend one, two or all three Saturday University lectures from 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., April 6, at the Gillette College Main Building Presentation Hall. There is no pre-registration necessary and the lectures are free and open to the public.  The day wraps up with a free lunch and conversation as the professors explore links among their topics.

Saturday University is a collaborative program connecting popular UW professors with Wyoming residents who have a desire to learn.  Saturday University is sponsored by the University of Wyoming, University of Wyoming Foundation and the Wyoming Humanities Council. The program is sponsored locally by Gillette College.  The food-themed Gillette program complements the Key Ingredients: America by Food exhibit tour from the Smithsonian Institution and the Wyoming Humanities Council on display at the Campbell County Public Library in March and April.

Saturday University, April 6, Spring Term Schedule:

8:30-8:50 a.m.   Free coffee and pastries

8:50-9:00 a.m.   Welcome and opening remarks

9:00-10:00 a.m.  What Is a Cuisine?

John Dorst, Professor of American Studies

We seem to be a nation obsessed with food: the proliferation of competitive cooking shows, food-focused tourism, celebrity chefs, and a seemingly endless national discussion about our obesity crisis and what to do about it.  Eating as a deeply human experience has been lost in superficial entertainment or food as a social problem.  This collective agitation over food and eating seems to confirm the view of prominent food writer, Michael Pollan, that we have lost grounding in the stable “food cultures” that used to guide us through what he calls the “omnivore’s dilemma.”  Given the profusion of food choices presented to us every day, how can we make good, coherent decisions about what to eat?   Based on extensive experience teaching on the subject of food in American culture, John Dorst will discuss how the concept of “cuisine” can be understood as more meaningful than is suggested by its generic use as just “the food of a particular nation or region.”

10:15-11:15 a.m. The Science Behind Heritage Food

Rhoda Schantz, Associate Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition and Director, Didactic Program in Dietetics

Family recipes handed down from generation to generation are precious to families and ancestry.  Preserving the memories associated with these foods along with the original recipes strengthens us culturally. The ‘How to’ was shared, but the ‘Why we do it this way’ was not. Scientific principles have always existed around food, but were not usually considered when trying to feed hard- working family members. Rhoda Schantz proposes that each “Heritage” recipe includes science principles. An understanding of basic science principles improves the overall experience of keeping a recipe culturally accurate while having a superior quality “Heritage” food.
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.    Inseparable Ingredients:  Food and Music

David Romtvedt, Former Poet Laureate of Wyoming and Professor in the English Department

Looking at a number of New World musics including Cajun, Creole, Tejano, and Norteño, we’ll discuss the ways that cultures use food and music as respites, as rechargers, and as linked pleasures.  How did polka turn itself into cumbia and waltz into huapango?  Just as American musics are made from the crossings of Old World and New World musical practices, so do our American foods reflect a mixing of Old World and New World ingredients.  Don’t be surprised if we eat.  But don’t worry, we’ll do what people everywhere do to work off the calories—we’ll dance.

12:30-1:15 p.m. Free lunch and discussion
Join us for a free lunch, round-table discussion and audience question and answer session.

For more information, visit www.uwyo.edu/humanities.

Contact:
Wendy Smith (307) 674-6446 ext. 2801/Email wsmith@sheridan.edu                              Dennis Jacobs (307) 674-6446 ext. 2802/Email djacobs@sheridan.edu

Gillette College Welding Students Place at State Competition

Gillette College welding students Jeremy Blazek, George Harris, and Daniel Keiderling took first place at the Skills USA Welding Fabrication State Championship Contest held on March 22 at the Technical Education Center at Gillette College. Each year welding students from across the state gather to compete for the chance to represent Wyoming at the Skills USA National Championships.

The winning team used their knowledge of welding and cutting processes and common workshop tools to construct a piece from given materials. Each team was required to build a theme-based project to be judged. The Gillette College team placed 1st in the state and will be representing Wyoming at the National Skills USA contest in Kansas City this June.

“For the welding fabrication contest this year, the teams were given a project that on the surface appears simple.  However, completion of the task required work and creativity from all of the team members.  Their skills and knowledge were tested in many ways throughout the day.  I was very excited that one of our Gillette College teams earned the highest score overall and will represent our District nationally,” said NWCCD Dean of Career and Technical Programs, Jed Jensen.

For more information about the competition or welding at Gillette College please contact GC at 686-0254.

Contact:
Wendy Smith (307) 674-6446 ext. 2801/Email wsmith@sheridan.edu
Dennis Jacobs (307) 674-6446 ext. 2802/Email djacobs@sheridan.edu

NWCCD announces WACCT award nominees 

The Northern Wyoming Community College District (Sheridan College and Gillette College) is pleased to announce their nominees for this year’s Wyoming Association of Community College Trustee Leadership Awards.

Nominated by their peers, the colleges sent a combined six people to this year’s WACCT Conference, which was held in Cheyenne, Feb. 7. One winner in each category was chosen at the state level, and awards were presented during the conference.

Faculty and staff were asked to nominate who they thought had “gone the extra mile” in showing support for the goals and overall mission of the District in the following categories: Student, Classified Employee, Professional Employee, Faculty Member, Trustee Leadership, and Foundation Volunteer.

Criteria for the awards are different for each category, but all the criteria involve excellence in their chosen area, contributions to their community college, service in the community, innovative change and improvement of the college.

The nominee for Student of the Year is Luke Cloud. A veteran who served in the Marines from 2001 thru 2008, Cloud is finishing his General Education requirements at Sheridan College and intends to transfer to the University of Wyoming where he will major in both Electrical Engineering and Pre-Law.

“Luke is a conscientious and dedicated student, as evidenced by his 4.0 GPA.  He is personable, helpful, and enjoys organizing and participating in community service events. He has a razor sharp focus on completing his education, and becoming both an engineer and an attorney,” said Carol Garcia, NWCCD Dean of Students.

NWCCD’s Classified Employee of the Year award nominee is Jessi Maurer, GC Administrative Assistant. According to Scott Engel, Interim Assistant Dean of Instructional Support, “Jessi has jumped into various roles in the absence of others, due to medical and staffing issues. She has improved Gillette College by thinking of details no one else does, and often solves problems before they emerge. Within the scope of her position she makes decisions and is a leader rather than a follower. She has wisdom and grace, poise and finesse.”

Brett Burtis, Director of Veteran Services, is NWCCD’s 2013 Professional Employee nominee. According to the nomination packet, Burtis’ primary focus is serving our veteran students, helping them navigate the complexities of the Veterans Administration so they can receive their GI Bill benefits.

“Brett is more than just administrative help to our students,” said NWCCD President Paul Young. “As a former officer in the US Marine Corps, he is a mentor and career coach. He has created thriving student veteran clubs at both our campuses and as a result we are seeing dramatic successes as these students work towards their educational goals.”

The Faculty Member of the year award nominee for NWCCD is Patricia Dray, Sheridan College Dental Hygiene Instructor. Dray is a member of the Wyoming Dental Hygiene Association and served in the capacity of Treasurer. She is also the Secretary for the Delta Delta Kappa Chapter of the Sigma Phi Alpha Honor Society for the Dental Hygiene program.

“Patricia exemplifies the core values of the District; her integrity, respect, and commitment to excellence in teaching are evident on a daily basis,” said NWCCD President, Paul Young. “Patricia’s dedication to community college students, the community college mission, as well as to the communities of Sheridan and Gillette make her an ideal candidate for this distinction.”

The nominee for the WACCT Trustee Leadership Award is Rolf Distad. Distad served as a Criminal Justice Instructor and was Chief of Campus Security for a combined 24 years prior to his retirement in 2003. He served on the Board of Trustees from 2008 through 2012, serving as an officer for two of those years.

“As a Trustee, Rolf Distad has distinguished himself by his constant concern for students in general and for veteran students in particular. He has been a tireless advocate for the needs of our veterans and his efforts have resulted in many innovative services and programs designed to better serve these students across our three-county service district,” said NWCCD President, Paul Young.

Nick Kasperik, Gillette College Foundation Board President, is NWCCD’s Foundation Volunteer of the Year nominee. According to Gillette College Vice President and CEO, Mark Englert, Kasperik’s skills in providing leadership, furthering community initiatives and engaging citizens has made Gillette College and the Gillette community a better place to live.

“Nick is an exemplary volunteer who is organized, passionate about the college, fervent about student access and their ultimate success, and energetic enough to take on important initiatives, seeing them through to fruition,” said Englert.

Contact:
Wendy Smith (307) 674-6446 ext. 2801/Email wsmith@sheridan.edu
Dennis Jacobs (307) 674-6446 ext. 2802/Email djacobs@sheridan.edu

Three NWCCD instructors honored by NISOD 

Three Northern Wyoming Community College District instructors were selected to receive the Teaching Excellence award at the annual meeting of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) this summer.

Gillette College Math Instructor, Beau Corkins, Sheridan College Ag Instructor, Chuck Holloway, and Gillette College Adjunct Theater Instructor, Tim Bessette, were nominated for the award by the Sheridan and Gillette Colleges united Faculty Senate.

Corkins is in his fifth year with Gillette College. Dr. Connolly, Vice President of Academic Affairs said, “No one at NWCCD works harder than Beau Corkins. Every single day Beau shows his complete commitment to the students, the college, the discipline, and the craft of teaching.”

Holloway is in his 20th year with Sheridan College.

“Unsolicited, Chuck has said to me, more than once, how he loves teaching students,” said Connolly. “He loves the preparation for class, the interaction with the students and the privilege of watching them grow in their learning.”

Bessette is a part-time instructor for Gillette College.

Gillette College Assistant Vice President for Instruction, Teri Andersen, said, “Tim uses innovative techniques in teaching theater and has demonstrated leadership in his discipline by suggesting additional class offerings.  Many students at Gillette College are kinesthetic learners and his style appeals to these students’ preferred method of learning.”

All three recipients plan to attend the annual the national NISOD conference in July, where the organization distributes medallions acknowledging the winners’ contributions to educational excellence. Their names appear in the Excellence Awards Booklet and selected recipients are featured in the annual Excellence Awards DVD.

Contact:
Jessi Maurer (307) 686-0254 ext. 1100 /Email jmaurer@sheridan.edu
Patty Myers (307) 687-0009 /Email patty@ccpls.org

Saturday University Comes to Gillette

GILLETTE, WY —Go back to college for a day – minus the tests, stress and homework – with three professors from the University of Wyoming who will enlighten and entertain with lectures during Saturday University, the free one-day college education, on Saturday, April 6.  Attend one, two or all three Saturday University lectures from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., April 6, at the Gillette College Main Building Presentation Hall. There is no pre-registration necessary and the lectures are free and open to the public.  The day wraps up with a free lunch and conversation as the professors explore links among their topics.

Saturday University is a collaborative program connecting popular UW professors with Wyoming residents who have a desire to learn.  Saturday University is sponsored by the University of Wyoming, University of Wyoming Foundation and the Wyoming Humanities Council. The program is sponsored locally by Gillette College.  The food-themed Gillette program complements the Key Ingredients: America by Food exhibit tour from the Smithsonian Institution and the Wyoming Humanities Council on display at the Campbell County Public Library in March and April.
Saturday University, April 6, Spring Term Schedule:

8:30-8:50 a.m.   Free coffee and pastries

8:50-9:00 a.m.   Welcome and opening remarks

9:00-10:00 a.m.  What Is a Cuisine?

John Dorst, Professor of American Studies

We seem to be a nation obsessed with food: the proliferation of competitive cooking shows, food-focused tourism, celebrity chefs, and a seemingly endless national discussion about our obesity crisis and what to do about it.  Eating as a deeply human experience has been lost in superficial entertainment or food as a social problem.  This collective agitation over food and eating seems to confirm the view of prominent food writer, Michael Pollan, that we have lost grounding in the stable “food cultures” that used to guide us through what he calls the “omnivore’s dilemma.”  Given the profusion of food choices presented to us every day, how can we make good, coherent decisions about what to eat?   Based on extensive experience teaching on the subject of food in American culture, John Dorst will discuss how the concept of “cuisine” can be understood as more meaningful than is suggested by its generic use as just “the food of a particular nation or region.”

10:15-11:15 a.m. The Science Behind Heritage Food

Rhoda Schantz, Associate Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition and Director, Didactic Program in Dietetics

Family recipes handed down from generation to generation are precious to families and ancestry.  Preserving the memories associated with these foods along with the original recipes strengthens us culturally. The ‘How to’ was shared, but the ‘Why we do it this way’ was not. Scientific principles have always existed around food, but were not usually considered when trying to feed hard- working family members. Rhoda Schantz proposes that each “Heritage” recipe includes science principles. An understanding of basic science principles improves the overall experience of keeping a recipe culturally accurate while having a superior quality “Heritage” food.
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.    Inseparable Ingredients:  Food and Music

David Romtvedt, Former Poet Laureate of Wyoming and Professor in the English Department

Looking at a number of New World musics including Cajun, Creole, Tejano, and Norteño, we’ll discuss the ways that cultures use food and music as respites, as rechargers, and as linked pleasures.  How did polka turn itself into cumbia and waltz into huapango?  Just as American musics are made from the crossings of Old World and New World musical practices, so do our American foods reflect a mixing of Old World and New World ingredients.  Don’t be surprised if we eat.  But don’t worry, we’ll do what people everywhere do to work off the calories—we’ll dance.

12:30-1:30 p.m. Free lunch and discussion
Join us for a free lunch, round-table discussion and audience question and answer session.

For more information, visit www.uwyo.edu/humanities.

Contact:
Wendy Smith (307) 674-6446, ext. 2801/Email wsmith@sheridan.edu
Karen St.Clair (307) 674-6446, ext. 4501/Email kstclair@sheridan.edu

NWCCD receives American Association of Community Colleges grant

The Northern Wyoming Community College District received word this week that they are the recipients of a Plus 50 Encore Completion Program Grant from the American Association of Community Colleges.  The grant provides $15,000 over the course of three years and will be used to develop new programming and promote the training and retraining of citizens in the Sheridan area that are over the age of 50, in primarily healthcare related fields.

“We continue to build program offerings specific to the needs of our Plus 50 learners within our Center for Workforce and Community Education,” said NWCCD President Paul Young.  “We recognize the business owners’ and employees’ need for support to develop and enhance their skills of working with multi-generational staffs within the fast-paced ever growing field of healthcare.”

The components of the grant include training Plus 50 learners in Certified Nursing Assistant programs and other related healthcare programs, increasing Plus 50 adults’ readiness to work, and helping employers improve their readiness to employ Plus 50 adults.

“We are already doing a great deal of this now,” said NWCCD Center for Workforce and Community Education Director, Karen St.Clair.  “This grant will help to develop new programming as well as help us overcome a couple of barriers including the cost of tuition for participants as well as the commitment of employers to hire and invest in these students.”

The new Plus 50 Training Program will include program design and development of the new Universal Care Aid program. This training will begin with Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and then be enhanced with additional training including Serve Safe, culinary, generational differences, customer service and conflict resolution training and more to develop well-rounded all-encompassing care aides. Scholarship funds will be made available to cover part to all of the tuition and fees to reduce the stress and anxiety that comes from the costs of going back to school.

We will also work with employers through workshops highlighting the needs and values of the Plus 50 employees. The goal of the workshops will be to reach employers within the Sheridan County area educating them on the benefits of hiring the plus 50 employees.

For more information on the new Plus 50 Training Program, please contact Karen St.Clair at (307) 674-6446, ext. 4501.

Contact:
Wendy Smith (307) 674-6446 ext. 2801/Email wsmith@sheridan.edu
Dennis Jacobs (307) 674-6446 ext. 2802/Email djacobs@sheridan.edu

Gillette College VP on Governor’s Complete College America team

Gillette, WY – Gillette College Vice President Dr. Mark Englert will represent Wyoming Community Colleges in a two-person team  to serve on Gov. Matt Mead’s Complete College America initiative.

“I am proud of the State of Wyoming for joining the national effort to increase the number of adults in the US that earn a college credential,” said Englert.  “It is absolutely imperative that we make the right choices regarding higher education now as a state and nation in order to positively affect the future of our country.”

Englert and Central Wyoming College Executive Vice President for Student and Academic Services, Jason Wood will represent Wyoming Community Colleges in Mead’s team. They join with University of Wyoming and executive branch officials to represent Wyoming in the Complete College America Alliance of States.

The Wyoming representatives will  add to a national goal of increasing the number of students successfully completing college. The Governor’s team will also make plans for student success on a state and a campus level.

Mead’s team has been invited to attend the Third Annual Convening of the Alliance of the States in New Orleans Dec. 13-14.

Contact:
Wendy Smith (307) 674-6446 ext. 2801/Email wsmith@sheridan.edu
Dennis Jacobs (307) 674-6446 ext. 2802/Email djacobs@sheridan.edu

Veterans presentation held at Gillette College Monday after Veterans Day

To recognize Veterans Day, on Monday, November 12, Gillette College will host a presentation on Citizen Soldiers and Iraq Deployments in the Presentation Hall at 4:30 p.m. The public and all veterans are invited to attend.

Col. Brian Nesvik, Commander of the 115^th Fires Brigade, Wyoming Army National Guard, is the keynote speaker for the College’s Veterans Day events. Nesvik will discuss the important role the National Guard plays in defending the United States and what it is like going to war.

Nesvik commanded the 2nd Battalion, 300th Field Artillery Forward in Iraq from February 2004 to April 2005. He also lead the 2nd 300th Field Artillery from Kuwait April 2009 to March 2010. Nesvik also acts as the president of the Cowboy Canonneer Chapter of the U.S. Field Artillery Association, the Wyoming National Guard Association and the U.S. Field Artillery Association.

For more information regarding the presentation please contact Veterans Services Director Brett Burtis at (307)674-6446 ext. 2720.