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Get the most recent news and event announcements from Olympic College and browse the news archive. |
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3/18/2010
Shelton, Wash. - March 18, 2010 - Continuing Education (CE) courses offered during Spring Quarter at Olympic College’s Shelton campus allows participants to have fun, learn something new, and develop marketable skills. The following are upcoming CE courses:
The Basics of Selling on eBay
Sell vintage jewelry, kitchenware, electronics, toys, anything on eBay! Take a step-by-step approach to effective selling while avoiding costly mistakes. Set pricing, use PayPal, and write product descriptions. Class meets 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 10, 2010. Cost is $59.
The Art of Wine Tasting
You will learn about the great vineyards of the world. Students will taste six different wines. You’ll taste and talk about what makes wine so special. Once the mysteries are revealed, you will no longer be intimidated, only charmed, by fine wine. Discussion will include classification, evaluation, tips on buying and storing. A wine seminar book included. Students must be at least 21 years of age. Class meets 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, April 10, 2010. Cost is $29.
Beginning Computers for Seniors
An introduction to personal computers designed specifically for seniors. Students will use Windows to learn basic computer and application skills. Within the course, students will learn to use Word Processing, the Internet, and e-mail. Class meets noon – 2 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from April 12 to 23, 2010. Cost is $119.
Courses are at Olympic College’s Shelton campus located at 937 W. Alpine Way, Shelton, WA 98584. Call (360) 432-5400 for more information and to register.
CONTACT: Lori Anderson
TEL: 360.432.5406
EMAIL: landerson@olympic.edu
- END - 3/17/2010
Bremerton, Wash. – March 17, 2010 - Olympic College is hosting a Running Start Information Night. Running Start is a state-legislated program for eligible high school juniors and seniors to attend college tuition-free. Susan Tollefson, Director, will present a program overview with a time to answer questions. Come hear about opportunities at Olympic College, eligibility requirements, and the benefits and challenges of Running Start.
The event is 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 2010 at Olympic College – Bremerton’s Bremer Student Center. The event is open to the public, free of charge. It is for all high school students, whether they are enrolled in a public or private school, or home-schooled. Their parents and the community are also welcome to attend.
The event is to inform the public of opportunities available at the college for high school juniors and seniors. Statewide figures show Running Start had 18,167 students who participated in 2008-2009, serving over 9% of Washington’s juniors and seniors. Students and their parents saved $40 million in college tuition costs in 2008-2009 alone. Local students attending Olympic College during 2008-2009 saved their families $1.5 million in tuition.
Students may benefit from Running Start in many ways. They have the opportunity to take a wide variety of classes that may not be offered at their high school. Students can earn up to two years of college credit during high school and can plan a program that will transfer to baccalaureate institutions or gain professional technical skills for the workforce. Running Start gives students a taste of college, an experience that can help them develop the independence and study skills needed to succeed in college. Academically qualified students have the opportunity to take advanced level courses. Highly motivated students may thrive in the college environment. A diverse college student population provides for a rich classroom-learning environment.
Applications and information packets will be available at the Running Start Information Night, high school counseling centers, and the Running Start Office at Olympic College. Applications for Fall Quarter 2010 are due May 1, 2010. To be eligible for Running Start, a student must be classified as a high school junior or senior by the public school, must demonstrate college-level academic skills on the writing, reading and math portion of the ACCUPLACER assessment at Olympic College, and must have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.5 or above. To access Running Start, home-schooled students must be enrolled through the school district; private school students must enroll through the public high school.
For more information, contact the Running Start Office by calling (360) 475-7646, toll-free 1.800.259.6718 ext. 7646, or email runningstart@olympic.edu.
CONTACT: Bonnie Ollos
TEL: (360) 475-7647 EMAIL: bollos@olympic.edu
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Bremerton, Wash. - March 17, 2010 - Olympic College - Bremerton will host the 2010 College Planning Day for area high school students. College and university representatives from 15 Washington State public and private colleges and universities will be attending. Students may attend four college presentation sessions in designated Olympic College classrooms, and have an opportunity to tour Olympic College. Financial Aid and scholarship information will be presented during two of the sessions.
The opening session is 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at the Bremer Student Center. This event is free. Students sign up at their high school counseling centers. Some high schools may provide buses to and from the event, but students must arrange transportation.
Representatives from the following higher-education institutions will be at this event:
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Art Institute of Seattle
Central Washington University
Cornish College of the Arts
Eastern Washington University
Northwest University
Olympic College
Pacific Lutheran University
Saint Martin’s University |
Seattle Pacific University
The Evergreen State College
University of Washington Bothell
University of Washington Seattle
University of Washington Tacoma
Washington State University
Western Washington University |
This event is sponsored by the Washington Council for High School - College Relations (WCHSCR). This event assists students in their transition from high school to college or between colleges. This is a great opportunity for students to meet with college representatives as they explore college admission requirements, academic programs, scholarship opportunities, and college life. College representatives encourage students to visit college campuses before making application for admission.
For more information call the Running Start/High School Outreach Office at (360) 475-7646 or toll free at 1-800-259-6718 ext. 7646, or e-mail RunningStart@olympic.edu.
Contacts:
Bonnie Ollos, Email: bollos@oc.ctc.edu, Ph:360-475-7647; or
Susan Tollefson, Email: sjtollefson@olympic.edu, Ph: 360-475-7648
- END - 3/5/2010
Bremerton, Wash. – March 5, 2010 - Olympic College was recently notified that it can now offer baccalaureate degrees. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the accrediting body for two-year and four-year institutions in the region, awarded baccalaureate accreditation status to OC in January. Olympic College will continue to operate as a community college, affording open access to residents in Kitsap and Mason counties. The new accreditation will mean OC can provide new four-year degrees in addition to two-year degrees. Olympic College currently has a bachelor’s of science in Nursing. The new accreditation status is retroactive to September 2008.
“This is very exciting news. Olympic College is geographically isolated, so residents must travel a long distance to take part in four-year programs. Now, residents can get specific bachelor’s degrees in their own backyard and meet the demands of employers at the same time,” said David Mitchell, president of Olympic College.
Olympic College can now explore offering new four-year programs that will meet local needs. The college will also continue working with universities on bachelor’s degree opportunities. Washington State University and Olympic College are currently developing a bachelor’s of science in Mechanical Engineering that would be available by fall 2010 if approved by the Higher Education Coordinating Board in March 2010.
“Creating multiple ways to get bachelor’s degrees is cost effective, gives residents more choices and serves them more quickly than forcing a one-size-fits-all model,” said Mitchell.
Two other colleges – Bellevue College (Bellevue) and South Seattle Community College (Seattle) – were also recently awarded baccalaureate accreditation status. Peninsula College in Port Angeles is nearing the end of the application and review process for baccalaureate accreditation with the Northwest Commission.
Applied baccalaureate degrees at community and technical colleges combine courses – which establish a broad understanding of the arts and sciences, provide a global viewpoint and promote critical thinking -- with specialized, in-depth technical training in the skills employers identify as the most urgently needed.
Baccalaureate accreditation means that Olympic College meets the standards for performance, integrity, and quality required of all bachelor’s degree-granting colleges and universities. The standards are set by the Northwest Commission, whose work is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.
The state legislature in 2005 developed a pilot program to allow community and technical colleges to start four-year degrees. Olympic College and the three other community colleges were selected in 2006 by the Higher Education Coordinating Board and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges to be the first two-year colleges in the state to participate in the pilot.
The colleges launched their baccalaureate programs in fall 2007: bachelors of Applied Science in Radiation and Imaging Sciences at Bellevue College, in Nursing at Olympic College, in Hospitality Management at South Seattle Community College, and in Applied Management at Peninsula College.
All four awarded their first bachelor degrees last spring – to a total of 57 graduates -- and continue to enroll new students in their programs.
“There is high demand from Washington students to have access to bachelor’s degrees that connect to growing industries,” said Mitchell. “The baccalaureate degrees offered by community and technical colleges are getting students ready for in-demand jobs. They also help employers secure employees within the state instead of having to import workers. Community and technical colleges are preparing state residents for current and future positions. It’s a win-win for employers, students and our citizens.”
Since the first four community college baccalaureate programs were approved in 2006, four more have been added. Bachelors of Applied design, Behavioral Science and Management are offered by Lake Washington Technical College, Seattle Central Community College and Columbia Basin College, respectively, and Bellevue College launched a baccalaureate program in Interior Design in January 2010.
ABOUT OLYMPIC COLLEGE: Founded in 1946, Olympic College is a community college with campuses in Bremerton, Poulsbo and Shelton. The college offers a bachelor’s of science in Nursing, associate degrees for transfer, and degree and certificates in many professional and technical programs. More than 13,000 students each year take college transfer courses, career training, pre-college courses, adult education, and continuing education classes. Olympic College has 1,393 full- and part-time employees and is one of the largest employers in Kitsap County. The college’s website is www.olympic.edu.
Olympic College Baccalaureate Degree
Fact Sheet
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Bachelor’s degree offered |
Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing
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Quarter and year degree started |
Fall 2007
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Why this degree was selected |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The Olympic Peninsula is geographically isolated, so residents must travel long distances to pursue a bachelor’s degree. A local Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree allows working RNs to pursue the degree closer to home and work, giving them more options for an advanced education and career advancement. In addition, a local regional hospital reported that its focus was to become a “Magnet” status hospital, which requires 70% of nurses to possess a BSN. Olympic College collaborated with the UW-Tacoma to “jump start” the program so the bachelor’s program would be ready by Fall 2007. |
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When the first students graduated |
Olympic College’s first bachelor’s degree graduates in Nursing were awarded their diplomas in Spring 2009.
The degree was designed for working registered nurses. The degree allows graduates to expand their scope of practice, opening the door to work in public health, administrative positions, research, and teaching. |
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Graduate profiles |
Megan Erickson (360-471-7561)
For Megan Erickson, it was too long of a distance to travel to get a bachelor’s degree and she wanted the benefits of being in a classroom, not online. She had family responsibilities and needed a closer location to pursue a degree and advance her career. In Fall 2007, Megan got her wish. Through OC’s new bachelor’s of science in nursing program, she was able to attend close to home and work part time at the local hospital as a registered nurse, until she graduated in Spring 2009. Now, Megan wants to get a masters degree and pursue a nurse practitioner license or become a certified nurse specialist, options she didn’t have before getting her bachelor’s degree from OC.
Jim Vaughan (360-286-9379)
Jim Vaughan worked for 10 years as a registered nurse and wanted a bachelor’s of science in nursing to start him on his educational path to a nurse practitioner. When OC launched the program in Fall 2007, Jim jumped at the chance. Since enrolling in the program, Jim was moved from an RN position to a House Supervisor at a hospital in Jefferson County. He will graduate in June 2010. When Jim has his bachelor’s degree, he can take the next step in his education to get a master’s degree. |
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CONTACTS:
Dr. David Mitchell, President, Olympic College
360.475.7101, dmitchell@olympic.edu
Dr. Rick MacLennan, Vice President of Student Services, and lead on Olympic College’s accreditation
360.475.7476, rmaclennan@olympic.edu
Peter Crane, Olympic College Board of Trustees member
360.692-3080, crane_pete@hotmail.com
Judi Brown, Dean of Math, Engineering, Science and Health, and source on bachelor’s of science in Nursing
360.475.7701, jbrown@olympic.edu
3/4/2010Shelton, Wash., March 4, 2010 - Continuing Education (CE) courses offered during Spring Quarter at Olympic College’s Shelton campus allows participants to have fun, learn something new, and develop marketable skills. The following are upcoming CE courses:
Introduction to Fly Fishing
A fun approach to fly fishing for first-timers. Learn equipment selection, casting, and fly tying as well as a bit of fish biology, all presented in a manner that is uncomplicated and non-threatening. Recovering bait & hardware fishers welcome. Come to the first class before purchasing fly rod, reel, and line. Class meets 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Wednesdays, March 31 to May 5, 2010. Cost is $160.
Anyone Can Write
Anyone can discover the pleasure of writing. Emphasis will be on having fun while learning an easy process that will stimulate natural creativity and involvement with creative writing. Class meets 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. or 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Thursdays, April 8 to May 20, 2010. Cost is $85.
Flagging Certification
Learn what it takes to become a flagger. Objectives include maximum protection for employees and the public with minimum interference from vehicle/pedestrian traffic, proper use of traffic control devices, and other flagger duties. Certification test administered upon completion of class. Students must be 18 years of age or older. Class meets 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 3, 2010. Cost is $65.
Olympic College-Shelton is located at 937 W. Alpine Way, Shelton, WA 98584. To register or for more information call (360) 432-5400.
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Bremerton, Wash. - March 4, 2010 – Olympic College will host a concert March 12, 2010 featuring its Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir and Chamber Choir, and Pierce Community College’s Concert Choir as special guests. The Wind Ensemble is under the direction of Rick White; Concert Choir and Chamber Choir are under the direction of Teresa Fraser; and Pierce Community College’s Concert Choir is under the direction of Evin Lambert. The student artists will perform Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, additional details to follow:
From the Foreword of the music: “Every summer the Cathedral of Chichester, in Sussex, England, joins choral forces with its neighbors, Winchester and Salisbury, to produce a music festival. (Chichester has a great musical tradition, going back to its famed organist-composer of the early 17th century, Thomas Weelkes.) For its 1965 Festival, Leonard Bernstein was commissioned to write these Psalms, which were completed on May 7, 1965...”
The concert begins 7:30 p.m., March 12, 2010 at Sylvan Way Baptist Church located at 900 Sylvan Way, Bremerton, Wash. Admission to this event is free. Donations will be accepted at the door. Proceeds will help support the music program and its students for future performances. For more information about this event, call Julie Hill at (360) 475-7197 or email her at jhill@olympic.edu.
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2/25/2010CONTACT: Julie Hill
TEL: (360) 475-7197 EMAIL:jhill@olympic.edu
Bremerton, Wash. - Feb. 25, 2010 – Olympic College’s Jazzline and Jazzband will perform at 7:30 p.m. March 2, 2010 at the Roxy Theater. Jazzline is lead by Teresa Fraser and Jazzband is lead by Rick White. Admission to this event is free but donations are kindly accepted to help support the music program and its students on future performances. The Roxy Theater is located at 270 4th Street, Bremerton, WA 98337. For more information, call Julie Hill at (360) 475-7197.
Both groups are preparing to travel out of state to attend competitions. Jazzband leaves March 4, 2010 to New Orleans, La. where they will compete in Jamfest at Loyola University for the second year. Jazzline will be at the Oceanside Jazz Festival April 15 to 18, 2010 in Oceanside, Calif.
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Shelton, Wash.- Feb. 25, 2010 – Olympic College invites business and nonprofit leaders to explore the possibility of bringing programs in Organizational Leadership & Resource Management to Mason County. Please join us if you think this would benefit your employees who need supervisory skills training for leadership r oles. This meeting is free to attend. It is from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, March 12, 2010 at Olympic College – Shelton.
The campus is at 937 W. Alpine Way, Shelton, WA 98584. For more information, call Lori Anderson at (360) 432-5406 or Kelly Copp at (360) 432-5431.
- END -
2/18/2010
Bremerton, Wash., Feb. 18, 2010 - The Culinary Arts Institute of Olympic College is interviewing students interested in a career in culinary arts and hospitality management for the upcoming 2010 Spring Quarter. Some of the courses offered at this nationally accredited program include Baking for Restaurants and Institutions, Catering and Banquets, International Cuisine, Fine Dining, and ServSafe. Classes are held 7:30 a.m. – 1:50 p.m. Monday through Friday beginning Monday, March 29, 2010.
Advising is ongoing. Interested students are encouraged to see this program in action by touring the facility in-person. Email Steve Lammers, instructor and chef at slammers@olympic.edu or call him at (360) 475-7571 to schedule advising and a tour. Financial aid, Worker Retraining assistance, and scholarships may be available to eligible students; contact the Financial Aid office for more information. Additional information about the Culinary Arts Institute is available online at www.olympic.edu/students/acaddivdept/businessandtechnology/culinaryartsinstitute .
# # # 2/17/2010
Shelton, Wash., Feb. 17, 2010 - Continuing Education (CE) courses offered during winter quarter at Olympic College’s Shelton campus allows participants to have fun, learn something new, and develop marketable skills. The following are upcoming CE courses:
Boating Safety
Be prepared for the new regulations on mandatory boater safety education with this state approved course. Learn about boating equipment, trip planning and preparation, marine environments, boat operations, and emergency preparedness. The class meets 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010. The cost is $69.
Buying & Selling on Craig’s List
Are you looking for great bargains or are you trying to sell all those bargains you bought last year? Craig’s List might be your answer. Come learn how to buy and sell effectively and safely on this easy to use, online-classified site. The class meets 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010. The cost is $40
Coastal Navigation for Boaters
Navigation in the Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, Canadian Gulf Islands, and Washington coastal areas. Learn dead reckoning, position fixing, nautical charts, compass use, tides, currents, and trip planning for sailboats and powerboats. The class meets 8:30 a.m. -2 p.m. each Saturday from March 6 - 13, 2010. The cost is $119.
The Basics of Selling on eBay
Sell vintage jewelry, kitchenware, electronics, toys, anything on eBay! Take a step-by-step approach to effective selling while avoiding costly mistakes. Set pricing, use PayPal, and write product descriptions. Basic Internet skills are necessary. The class meets 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27. The cost is $59.
Flagging Certification
Learn what it takes to become a flagger. Objectives include maximum protection for employees and the public with minimum interference from vehicle/pedestrian traffic, proper use of traffic control devices, and other flagger duties. Certification test administered upon completion of class. Student must be 18 years of age or older. This one-day course is available on the following dates and times: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010; and 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 13, 2010. The cost is $65.
Courses are at Olympic College’s Shelton campus located at 937 W. Alpine Way, Shelton, WA 98584. Call (360) 432-5400 to register and for more information.
CONTACT: Lori Anderson
TEL: 360.432.5406
EMAIL: landerson@olympic.edu
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