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8/11/2008

Olympic College Shelton -- Welding Technology Information Sessions

Contact: Olympic College Shelton

Phone: 360.432.5400

Olympic College is expanding the Welding Technology program into Mason County. We are looking forward to seeing new students and extending our programs.

Welding classes for Fall Quarter are scheduled to begin September 22, 2008.

Welding Information & Orientation will be held Thursday, September 11 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at Olympic College Shelton, 937 W. Alpine Way, Shelton.

For additional program information, please contact Rose Ferri, Educational Advisor, 360.432.5423; Chris Hobson, Welding Faculty, 360.432.5469 or the Olympic College Shelton Campus at 360.432.5400.

Posted at 12:19 PM by Hundley, Christin | Category: OC Events | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

Olympic College hosts TRANSITION TIMES

Contact: Laurie Adamson

Phone: 360.475.7530

The Olympic College Women’s Programs and College Success and the Washington State Displaced Homemaker Program will sponsor a one-day workshop for homemakers in transition from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm on Thursday, September 4 in the Bremer Student Center’s North & South conference rooms at Olympic College Bremerton.

This is a free event for homemakers in transition and will help create awareness of services and programs at Olympic College that are designed for homemakers to achieve success. The workshop will feature presentations on goal-setting, community resources, educational resources, basic financial planning, how to access free legal resources, and Olympic College academic and professional/technical programs. Please feel free to bring your lunch.

Although this event is offered at no cost to participants, pre-registration is required by August 30. To register, call 360.475.7530.

Posted at 11:58 AM by Hundley, Christin | Category: OC Events | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

7/18/2008

OC Announces Survey Results and Gift Certificate Winner

Contact: Wendy Miles

Phone: 360.475.7786

As part of their continued effort to meet the needs of our military community, Olympic College Office of Military Education recently conducted an online survey. "We are always looking for ways to improve our programs and services to make higher education accessible to our service members and their families," stated Wendy Miles, Director of Military Education.

As an incentive for completing the survey, a drawing was held in which one of the participants was randomly chosen to receive a $100 gift certificate. Kurston Gerty, who is currently stationed at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, was announced the winner.

Most notable among the information obtained from this survey, was the enthusiastic response from military family members. Over 80 percent of the completed surveys were submitted by military spouses or dependents.

Nearly 77 percent of the participants stated they or someone in their household were likely to return to college within the next year. "We have seen the enrollment of military family members steadily increase over the past year - as much as 14 percent in the spring quarter - and it appears this trend is likely to continue," Wendy Miles said. New Career Advancement Account grants for military spouses, sponsored by the Department of Labor and Department of Defense, may be contributing to the increasing numbers. This program, which provides up to $3,000 per year for eligible students, has significantly reduced the costs of a college education for military spouses. According to the survey, costs are the number one reason (64.5 percent) respondents are unable to achieve their academic goals.

For information on Olympic College's programs and services for military members and their families, go to www.olympic.edu/Militaryed or contact them at militaryed@olympic.edu.

Posted at 11:20 AM by Hundley, Christin | Category: OC Programs | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

6/30/2008

Olympic College is pleased to announce the recipients of this year's Outstanding Faculty and Staff awards.

Contact: Athena Higgins

Phone: 360.475.7402

They are:

Bridge Builder Award: The Bridge Builder award was established in 1996 by the Olympic College Association of Administrative Employees to recognize a member of the Olympic College community who demonstrates a high commitment to college service; has strong leadership skills and continually goes the “extra mile.”

Bridge Builder Award Recipient: Athena Prado Higgins, Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Instruction

Community Partner Award: This award was established during the 2007-08 academic year to recognize partners within the Olympic College community who have made outstanding contributions towards the College's programs.

Community Partner Award Recipients: Bob Hungerford, Safe Boats, serves on the OC Welding and Electronics Advisory Boards and Dr. Sharon Fought, Associate Professor at the University of Washington-Tacoma, who was instrumental in forming the partnership with Olympic College for the Bachelor in Science Nursing Program.

Exceptional Bremer Award for Classified Staff: The Bremer Classified Staff Awards were created with contributions from the Bremer Trust. The awards are presented to staff members who put in extra effort, demonstrate strong leadership and interpersonal skills, commitment to student success or college service, commitment to diversity, hold high professional standards, are dedicated to and respected by the Olympic College community.

Exceptional Bremer Award for Classified Staff - Recipients: Deanne Kupietz, Tami Pugh and Lorrie Hill, Cashier's Office; Cheryl Phillips, Program Coordinator for Mathematics, Engineering, Science & Health; Kris Yarnell, Credential Evaluator III in Records and Registration.

Exceptional Bremer Award for Faculty: The Bremer Exceptional Faculty Awards are available through the generous contributions from the Bremer Trust and the state of Washington. The Bremer Exceptional Faculty Awards are presented to faculty members who: demonstrate superior knowledge of a subject and share that knowledge with enthusiasm and creativity, and provide special assistance to students through advising, counseling and mentoring. They exhibit high scholarly standards and provide service to the college, the community, and through professional organizations.

Exceptional Bremer Award for Faculty Award Recipients: Dr. James Howell, Mathematics; Charles "Chip" Barker, Sociology and Psychology; Donald Robertson, Mathematics.

Exceptional Bremer Award for Adjunct Faculty Award Recipients: Sarah Adams, English; Kathy Bright, Business Management and Floyd Aranyosi, Anthropology.

The Jennie Mae Moyer Award for Administrative, Classified Staff and Faculty: The Jennie Mae Moyer Awards are made possible by a generous endowment from the estate of Jennie Mae Moyer. The awards are presented to classified staff, faculty, and administrative employees who demonstrate a commitment to student success or college service, a commitment to diversity, high standards, respected by the college community, innovative and dedicated, and demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and leadership.

The Jennie Mae Moyer Award for Administrative, Classified Staff and Faculty Award recipients: Administrative: Susan Tollefson, Director for Running Start; Faculty: Will Bandes, Mathematics Faculty. Classified staff: Jim Bustetter, Stockroom Lead Automotive; Sandy Gallear, Office Assistant Lead, Records & Registration, Olympic College, Poulsbo; Karen Zadworny, Program Coordinator, Business & Technology.

The Lawrence M. Noonan Award for Faculty: The Lawrence M. Noonan Faculty Award is supported by an endowment from the late Lawrence M. Noonan and contributions from faculty, administrators, and members of the community. The Lawrence M. Noonan Faculty Award recognizes a faculty member who serves as a model to students through scholarship and continued development in his/her discipline; who has a commitment to and serves special student populations; achieves high student ratings for teaching; actively pursues faculty development activities; is innovative with curriculum or teaching methods; demonstrates a commitment to diversity; demonstrates exemplary work in counseling and advising; extends learning and teaching beyond the classroom; is a mentor to students; and is extensively involved in professional societies or organizations.

The Lawrence M. Noonan Award for Faculty Award recipient: Christopher Plemmons, Culinary Arts Faculty.

Make a Difference Award was established during the 2007-08 academic year to recognize employees who demonstrate dedication to outstanding service as evidenced in a variety of ways such as: projecting a positive attitude; providing outstanding customer service; promoting a positive image of the College; finding innovative solutions to problems; volunteering to serve on College committees and finding ways to cut costs, eliminate waste and save time and/or money.

Make a Difference Award recipients: Naomi Saunders, Program Assistant-Business & Technology; Sue Tornay, Human Resource Services Consultant; Kathie Olmstead, Administrative Assistant.

OC Foundation Exceptional Faculty Award: These awards are provided by the OCF Exceptional Faculty Awards Endowment, funded by the Board of Directors of the Olympic College Foundation with a matching grant from the State of Washington. The OCF Exceptional Faculty Awards are presented to faculty members who demonstrate a drive for excellence during the academic year through: Exceptional classroom performance with significant positive student impact, (or) Exceptional professional contributions to the college and community, (or) Exceptional contribution in one’s discipline or the teaching & learning process (or) Exceptional contribution to the improvement of the overall effectiveness of the college.

OC Foundation Exceptional Faculty Award recipient: All full and part-time faculty at Olympic College as a whole received the award this year for their work towards the success towards Olympic College. The cash award will go to the Faculty Council.

The Faculty Emeritus Award: The Faculty Emeritus Award was recommended by Faculty Council and established in 2003 during negotiations by the AHE and the College Administration to recognize retired faculty who have demonstrated commitment and dedication to the College. This is awarded to faculty who taught at the College for ten years, had a positive impact on the lives of students and colleagues, made significant contributions toward strengthening and improving the College and whose services reflected the College’s mission. To be granted this status, one must be nominated by faculty and be retired from the College.

The Faculty Emeritus Award recipients: Jeff Dial, Chemistry Faculty

The Board of Trustees Leadership Award: The Trustees Leadership Award is given annually to an outstanding Olympic College employee who has made significant contributions to improving communication across programs and services on campus.

The Board of Trustees Leadership Award recipient: Imelda Moore, Fiscal Technician II, Accounts Payable.

President's Award: Eligibility for this award is open to Administrators, Exempt, Classified, Adjunct and Hourly employees. Those awarded have been nominated by their peers their dedication and outstanding service to the College. Awardees are also selected for other reasons which include, but are not limited to projecting a positive attitude; providing a positive image of the College; finding innovative solutions to problems; volunteering to serve on College committees and finding ways to cut costs, eliminate waste and save time and/or money.

President's Award Recipient: Kim McNamara, Director of Olympic College Shelton.

Trustees Association for Community and Technical Colleges: Jim Robinson, Olympic College Board Trustee, was recognized this year by his colleagues at the recent Trustees Association for Community and Technical Colleges leadership meeting. This is a regional meeting for all Trustees within the state of Washington. Mr. Jim Robinson was selected by his peers for this award and recognized at Olympic College for his outstanding service to both the College and to the Trustees Association.

Olympic College Employee of the Year Award: The Olympic College Employee of the Year Award is given annually as a way to recognize outstanding employees who demonstrate dedication, reliability and loyalty. Recipients are known for their excellence in job performance, continually provide assistance to others or in service to the College, maintain positive relations with the College staff and participate in a community activity either as a representative of their department or the College.

Olympic College Employee of the Year Award recipient: Susan Dillinger, Children's Program Specialist.

Service Awards acknowledge the number of years of service of Olympic College Employees. Two members of Olympic College's Board of Trustees were honored this year for their years of service as well: Mr. Pete Crane (5 years) and Mr. Douglas Sayan (10 years). This year's recipients are:

Five Years

Candace Alvarez

Judith Andersen

Jodie Collins

Suzanne Cook

Peter Crane

Mary Dalcerro

Daniel Dunlap

Kathleen Easton

Maril Elliot

Alisa Erhardt

Rose Ferri

Nancy Frank

Amy Frost

Joan Haten

Howard Hawkins

Lorrie Hill

Sharon James

Mary Ann Kelso

Alfred Kitchens

Judy Kizziar

Raisa Kovaleva

Clyde Langworthy

Holly Lanoue

Laureen Larson

Michelle Licari

Constance Lieseke

Anita Madea

Bethany Mauden

Larry Miller

Kelly O’Grady

Joyce Paxson

Patricia Peterson

Michael Phimister

Monroe Prentice

Steven Rehard

Sandra Reider

James Rich

Dean Roberts

Donald Robertson

Wendy Rohrbacher

Andrea Romano

Maria Stevens

Catherine Stinson

Myong Stinson

Jaclyn Van Warreby

Darrel Warner

Karen Zadworny

Ten Years

Robert Abel

Laurie Adamson

Lori Almacen

Joey Anderson

Kristy Anderson

Lisa Ballou

Sonia Begert

William Bustetter

Thomas Cameron

Harjit Dosanjh

Mark Hendrickson

Evelyn Hernandez

Nathaniel Hong

Yvonne Kuipers

Richard MacLennan

Wendy McFadden

Susan Parker

Tamara Pugh

Larry Rogers

Pamela Ryker

Douglas Sayan

Linda Segur

Doris Smith

Cathy Taylor

Gwendolyn Thompson

Rocky Wallace

Fifteen Years

David Hutsell

Cara Lunsford

Teresa McDermott

Dianne Moore

Bonita Ollos

Andrea Pollard

Sandra Strong

Jana Wainwright

Twenty Years

John Babbo

Andy Estribor

Regina Kirby

Randall Lawrence

Timothy Lewis

Carol Smith

Patricia Triggs

Twenty-Five Years

Charles Greely

Thirty Years

Susan Dillinger

Mary Garguile

Raymond Quick

Jill Rasband

Ruth Ross

Janell Whiteley

Thirty Five Years

Michael Szymkewicz

Posted at 12:01 PM by Hundley, Christin | Category: OC Events | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

6/27/2008

Olympic College Hires New Director for Olympic College Poulsbo

Contact: Athena Higgins

Phone: 360.475.7402

Olympic College is pleased to announce that Kristin Poppo, Ph.D. has been selected as the new Director of Olympic College Poulsbo. Dr. Poppo is an experienced educator who is committed to realizing educational equity for all students through excellent programming, teaching and student support. Her strengths include program design and management, faculty support as well as sensitivity to diverse constituencies. Her professional background includes both educational leadership and extensive teaching.

She earned her Ph.D. at the University of North Caroline-Greensboro with an emphasis in Curriculum and Teaching with a focus in Cultural Studies within the Department of Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations. She also holds two Masters' degrees, one from Harvard (Master of Divinity) and one from Antioch-New England Graduate School (Master of Science in Teaching). Dr. Poppo is currently finishing up her tenure as Head of Graduate and Professional Studies at IslandWood where she leads their graduate program in partnership with the University of Washington. Dr. Poppo has had extensive teaching as well as pastoral experience and comes to Olympic College with a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience to share.

“Kristin Poppo's professional experience, leadership and communication skills make her an excellent choice for Olympic. She has a strong commitment to higher education and sees the important role that a branch campus plays in the community. She will be a great asset to our Instructional Administrators team at Olympic College and for North Kitsap County,” said Randy Lawrence, Vice President for Instruction.

Dr. Poppo will join the Olympic College community in late August 2008.

Posted at 3:42 PM by Hundley, Christin | Category: New Hire | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

6/26/2008

Olympic College Starts 3rd Year of Sustainable Building Advisor Program

Contact: Olympic College Poulsbo

TEL: 360.394.2702

In its third year at Olympic College, the Sustainable Building Advisor Certificate Course offers a “beacon” of light to those who want to be leaders in the field of green building. The course, offered in nine two-day sessions over the course of nine months, is specifically designed for design and construction professionals, tenant and developer representatives, project managers, resource conservation specialists and other building professionals. It prepares professionals to take the CSBA exam, which provides the nationally recognized Certified Sustainable Building Advisor designation.

With the SBA course, professionals get the latest and best from expert instructors who are in the field proving green ideas on a day to day basis. In addition, students learn how to:

“Futureproof” their building projects’ operational costs and liability in a volatile economy.
Become a leader in creating the green built environment the market is demanding.
Identify cost-effective solutions to energy costs, climate change, water quality issues, and other regional environmental concerns.
Protect themselves in a regulatory environment that is fast including sustainable building mandates.
Know how to take advantage of incentives and programs that can help them innovate cost-effectively.

In an economic downturn, green building can provide a solution. The National Association of Home Builders reported recently that contractors who build green homes expect to do better in a contracted market. Commercial project developers are hoping to use green features to protect themselves as well.

NaSBAP, the national provider of the SBA Program, works with Olympic College to offer the course at the Poulsbo campus. NaSBAP has recently been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council as an Educational Provider at the Mastery 400 level. Kathleen O’Brien, Director of the Sustainable Development Training Institute, a division of O’Brien & Company, and a nationally recognized green building consultant and educator, will be acting as the Lead Instructor for the course. Expert guest instructors come from throughout the region.

Please attend our free information session on July 19, 2008 from 9:30 – 11 a.m. at the Olympic College Poulsbo.

For more information or to RSVP for an information session, please contact the Olympic College Poulsbo Continuing Education office at 360.394.2702 or e-mail continuinged@olympic.edu.

Posted at 9:58 AM by Hundley, Christin | Category: OC Classes | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

6/23/2008

Olympic College Expands Welding, Electronics Programs in Shelton

Contact: Dr. Richard N. Strand, Dean for Business and Technology

TEL: 360-475-7360

FAX: 360-475-7365

Olympic College is expanding its welding and electronics program in Shelton. The college worked with Taylor Shellfish Farms to lease the Bronze Works off Highway 101. With the lease in place, the facility will undergo an extensive remodeling effort this summer and state-of-the art welding and metal cutting equipment will be installed. Classes are expected to begin for the Fall 2008 quarter.

Olympic College has sought ways to expand its programs and recently offered welding at Shelton High School to assess interest. The Bronze Works will provide 2,600 square feet of lab space to provide a home for welding as well as the electronics program. Mason County residents will now have an opportunity to pursue welding and electronics certificates and degrees within their community.

"The key to making this happen was the availability of a facility close enough in proximity to our Shelton campus to support program expansion. OC is very excited about the opportunity to grow along with the community it is here to serve," said Dr. Richard Strand, dean for Business and Technology at Olympic College.

The Bronze Works was formerly the home of Kimberly T. Gallery & Sculpture Garden, a foundry for fine art bronze casting that closed in 2001. Rubino Glass still occupies a portion of the property.

Posted at 2:00 PM by Hundley, Christin | Category: OC Programs | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

6/9/2008

Olympic College President Appointed to Accrediting Commission Leadership.

Contact: Jennifer Hayes

Telephone: 360.475.7106

Olympic College President, Dr. David Mitchell, has served as a member of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and was recently appointed to the executive committee. As a member of the executive committee, Mitchell will participate in policy setting discussions that will impact higher education. “My participation on the Commission has been one of the best experiences that I have had in my career and it has definitely helped with my duties as President of Olympic College. Learning firsthand about some best practices at other institutions has been invaluable,” said Mitchell.

The NWCCU is one of six regional organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit postsecondary institutions within the United States. It is a legally established, private non-profit corporation which accredits higher education institutions in the seven-state Northwest region and includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

The NWCCU and its predecessors have been listed since 1952 by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency for institutions offering programs of at least one academic year in length at the postsecondary level. The Commission's recognition was most recently reaffirmed by the Department in December 2002.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Hayes in the Communications Department at 360.475.7106.

Posted at 2:50 PM by Hundley, Christin | Category: People | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

Olympic College Honors Bremer Trust for $2 Million Gift

Contact: Barbara Martin

Phone: 360.475.7501

BREMERTON – Olympic College will honor the Bremer Trust for its contribution to the college and for its effort to help fund a new childcare center at the Bremerton campus. The event will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18 at the building site for the childcare center.

The Bremer Trust has provided $1 million to help build the Sophia Bremer Child Development Center, which will memorialize William and Sophia Bremer, parents of John and Edward Bremer. The Bremer Trust has pledged another $1 million for the project by 2009. In total, the $2 million sum from the Trust will pay half the cost to construct the 10,000-square-foot childcare center. The Bremer Trust gift was crucial to helping the college receive a state match of another $2 million to build the center. At the event on June 18, the Trust will distribute $500,000 toward the total.

“Olympic College is extremely thankful to the Bremer Trust for its investment in the college over the years. This latest gift will increase the number of children that can access childcare by nearly 30 percent and is a testament to the Trust’s commitment to providing funds that support students and expand programs at the college,” said Dr. David Mitchell, president of Olympic College.

With the help of funding from the Bremer Trust, the new child care center will accommodate 93 children – an increase of 27 spots for needy parents – and will bring the other childcare programs located across the campus under the same roof.

The public is invited to attend the event and refreshments will be provided.

About the Bremer Trust: The Bremer Trust makes a difference in the community by supporting Olympic College programs and services. The Bremer Trust was formed from the estates of John Bremer and Edward Bremer and has given nearly $6 million to Olympic College since the Trust’s inception in 1987. Gifts to the college from the Trust have funded student scholarships, building projects, and supported advancement of faculty skills and expertise.

About Olympic College: Olympic College is a community college with campuses in Bremerton, Poulsbo and Shelton and offices at Naval Base Kitsap – Bremerton and Bangor. The college offers associate degrees for transfer and degree and certificates in several professional and technical programs. More than 12,000 students each year take college transfer courses, career training, basic skills, adult education, and continuing education classes. Olympic College employs 1,409 full- and part-time faculty and staff at its campuses and contributes more than $23 million in payroll to local communities.

Posted at 9:56 AM by Hundley, Christin | Category: OC Events | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

Rand Riedrich Awarded 2007 Million Dollar Club Award.

Contact: Wendy Miles

Phone: 360.475.7786

Rand Riedrich, Certified Business Advisor for the Olympic College Small Business Development Center, was awarded the 2007 Million Dollar Club award for delivering $4,070,082 million in monetary impacts to our community. He was presented with the award at the Spring 2008 Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network Professional Development conference.

During 2007 additional funding acquired for local businesses through the direct work of SBDC advising was over $107 million. The SBDC Lead Office awards a $1 Million Dollar Club award, a $5 Million Dollar Club award, and a $10 Million Dollar Club award to individuals whose advising impacts to the Network exceeded $1 million, $5 million, and $10 million dollars in the community they serve.

For more information, please contact Wendy Miles, who oversees the OC-SBDC program at 360.475.7786.

Posted at 9:40 AM by Hundley, Christin | Category: People | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

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