The Communicator - 05/18/09
The Future of Energy is Now
Renew, reuse, recycle. People all over the world are working to conserve the world in which we live. Oklahoma City Community College is doing its part to teach the importance of renewable and wind energy again this summer. Do your part and enroll in the upcoming seminar and eight-week class designed to give easy and important “how to” tips behind energy conservation.
First, on the evening of May 20, hear featured presenter Bob Willis of Sunrise Alternative Energy Company as he leads the Introduction to Renewable Energy for the Average Consumer seminar. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., learn and discuss the importance behind residential use of solar power, wind, geo-thermal energy and more. Also, discover how you, as the average consumer, can use sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat in your everyday life to generate clean energy.
The seminar will be held at Oklahoma City Community College’s John Massey Center, 11919 S. I-44 Service Road in Oklahoma City. For more information, or to register, please contact Rose Beam at (405) 682-7562, by email at rbeam@occc.edu, or log on to www.occc.edu/corporatelearning. The fee to attend is $25.
To expand your knowledge a bit further, take in the eight-week Introduction to Wind Energy Industry class, beginning June 18 through August 6, also to be held at the OCCC John Massey Center.
Learn more about the nearly 400 foot high wind turbines along Interstate 40 in western Oklahoma and in the southwestern part of the state, near Lawton. The giant-sized wind turbines that catch our eye and our imagination have been deemed as one of the best ways to convert wind energy into electricity.
From 6 to 9 p.m. each Thursday, the class will highlight wind turbine fundamentals, environmental issues, and safety concerns related to the industry. A pre-requisite to the Wind Turbine Technician program, the class can count toward the certification.
For information, and to reserve your seat, please contact Rhonda Cantrell in Corporate Learning at (405) 682-7853, by email at rcantrell@occc.edu, or log on to www.occc.edu/corporatelearning.
Tweets about OCCC
Follow the college on Twitter! Our ID is OTripleC. Announcements and news releases will be posted on a regular basis.
If you don’t have a Twitter account, it is very simple to set one up; go to http://www.twitter.com and click on the big green button.
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Employee Benefits
Employees who need to attend benefits sessions and make their choices for 2009 - 2010 have only a few more chances to do so. Sessions are being held May 18 and 19 at the John Massey Center.
May 18
9:00 to 10:00 Open Session
10:00 to 11:30 Detailed Benefits Review
1:00 to 4:30 Open Session
May 19
9:00 to 11:00 Open Session
2:00 to 4:00 Medicare Advantage Session (Jackie Fenton & Alan Scott with Aetna)
Representatives from Aflac will also be available if you are interested in their offerings on an individual basis.
There are three forms every employee will need to complete:
1. Declaration of Health and Dental Option
2. Transfer Personal Leave to Sick Leave
3. Flex Spending Account
Faculty members also need to fill out a pay option which gives you the opportunity to indicate nine to twelve payments for your nine-month base contract. Forms are also available to update your beneficiaries on OTRS, life and your annuity.
For more information, contact Carolyn Rouillard at crouillard@occc.edu.
Summer Reading
The Keith Leftwich Memorial Library has new browsing shelves on the first floor near the circulation desk full of suggested titles for your summer reading list. Library staff has selected fiction and non-fiction titles, including best sellers, mysteries, classics, home improvement and self-help.
They will be adding new titles weekly, so check back often.
If you have any suggestions for new additions please contact one of the librarians or go the Library website, www.occc.edu/library, and click on “Library Request Forms”.
This Week’s WOW! Sessions
Take advantage of professional development opportunities provided through the college’s WOW! Program. Please be aware of the following WOW sessions scheduled for May 18-22, 2009.
What’s New in Angel 7.4
Course Number: TEC-1053-003
Date: Wednesday, May 20
Times: 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
Location: MB - 2G1A
Presenter: Smith, Monique E
What’s New in Angel 7.4
Course Number: TEC-1053-004
Date: Thursday, May 21
Times: 1:00 PM-2:00 PM
Location: MB - 2G1A
Presenter: Smith, Monique E
What’s New in Angel 7.4
Course Number: TEC-1053-005
Date: Friday, May 22
Times: 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
Location: MB - 2G1A
Presenter: Smith, Monique E
Using Architecture Desktop
Course Number: TEC-1008-001
Date: Friday, May 22
Times: 2:00 PM-4:00 PM
Location: LB - 201
Presenter: Helton, John F
A comprehensive catalog of WOW! sessions can be found on http://www.occc.edu/wow.
GET TO KNOW…
Sarah Brown
Position:
Professor of Nursing Assistant
Department:
Nursing
How long have you worked for OCCC:
1 year
Family:
Matt
Tyler - 14, Nicholas - 8 and Emily - 2
Hobbies:
Reading, running and scrapbooking
Community Involvement:
Active member of my church and elementary school volunteer
New Employees/Promotions
Anthony Tyrrell
ALC Teacher
Community Outreach and Education
Previous Position: Del Crest Middle School
Susan Bernard
Adult Basic Education Teacher
Community Outreach and Education
Previous Position: Shawnee Adult Learning Center
Heather Erwin
Division Assistant
Information Technology Division
Previous Position: Cintas Corporation
The Communicator - 05/11/09
Spring 2009 Commencement
Hundreds of OCCC’s graduates of 2009 were honored during the 36th Spring Commencement Ceremony at the Cox Convention Center on Friday, May 8.
The evening began with a procession of graduates and a welcome from Dr. Sechrist. “This is a very special event celebrating a significant milestone in our graduates’ lives. For some, they will be the first in their families to receive a collegiate degree. For others, this marks the first major step in their college career as they prepare for more advanced degrees,” Sechrist said.
Oklahoma Lt. Governor Jari Askins delivered the keynote speech at the ceremony, first recognizing the friends and family of the graduates for their sacrifices in reaching the milestone. “I know for the graduates, you want a speech that lasts about five minutes and then you are on your way, but for your parents and spouses, they want something more meaningful because this has been a great sacrifice for them as well.” Askins said.
Askins concluded her speech with words from John F. Kennedy when he said there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into “benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation.”
Close to 1,200 students will receive degrees or certificates this semester, most in the areas of business and nursing.
Jimenez-Brooks Receives President’s Award
The 2009 Award for Excellence in Teaching was presented to Patricia Jimenez-Brooks, an instructor who pioneered travel-enhanced courses at OCCC and has taught Spanish Conversation courses in Mexico, Ecuador and Spain.
As well, she has demonstrated her talent, creativity and teaching expertise through the creation of the Spanish Immersion program for students who have needed an experience closer to home. Without leaving Oklahoma City, students have been able to spend a weekend retreat speaking and listening to Spanish while also experiencing the culture through food, art and dress.
Since 1991, the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching has been presented to a full-time faculty member who exemplifies teaching excellence. Criteria for selection include:
• a high degree of professional competence exhibited by knowledge and expertise that is extensive and current;
• effective teaching methods that demonstrate quality, creativity, and resourcefulness, as well as clear, accurate and effective communication;
• enthusiasm and strong commitment to teaching in general, and a genuine concern, commitment and fairness to students;
• contribution to the teaching profession at the institutional, state or national level.
• Although we use the title of ‘President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching,’ this recognition comes from colleagues and students of a person who models the very best among the exceptional faculty,” said Dr. Sechrist.
Beyond the classroom, Jimenez-Brooks has served as a sponsor to the student organization, H.O.P.E., (Hispanic Organization to Promote Education).
Holding a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Spanish, from the University of Oklahoma and a Masters of Education Degree, Spanish Emphasis, from the University of Central Oklahoma, Jimenez-Brooks has served 14 years as an adjunct faculty member at OCCC and 15 years as a professor of modern Languages/ESL. Retiring after this academic year, Jimenez-Brooks and her passion for teaching students will be greatly missed.
OCCC Open Late for Summer Enrollment
Summer enrollment is underway and extended hours have been added for student convenience.
Now is the time to remind students to jump-start their college education and future career with classes at OCCC.
On May 26, 27 and 28, and June 1 and 2, OCCC will extend enrollment hours, staying open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Incoming students with general studies first on their course list can take English Composition I, College Algebra, and Intro to Psychology and Sociology prior to the fall semester.
From accounting to art, business ethics to thermodynamics, nursing transition to public speaking, the OCCC schedule is packed with classes to meet each individual need.
Students enrolling for the first time must complete an application for admission, found in the Recruitment and Admissions Office, first floor of the Main Building, or online at www.occc.edu/ApplyNow. Returning students may enroll in person or online.
OCCC offers well-situated class times, financial aid packages, as well as concurrent classes available to high school juniors and seniors looking to obtain college credit prior to high school graduation.
Renewable Energy Seminar to be Held
Be among the many guests at the Introduction to Renewable Energy for the Average Consumer seminar, May 20 at Oklahoma City Community College’s John Massey Center, 11919 S. I-44 Service Road in Oklahoma City.
The seminar will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and will feature Bob Willis of Sunrise Alternative Energy Company. Hot topics will include residential use of solar power, wind, geo-thermal energy and more. Learn how you, as the average consumer, can use sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat in your everyday life to generate clean energy.
For more information, or to register, please contact Rose Beam at (405) 682-7562, by email at rbeam@occc.edu, or log on to www.occc.edu/corporatelearning. The fee to attend is $25.
This Week’s WOW! Sessions
Take advantage of professional development opportunities provided through the college’s WOW! Program. Please be aware of the following WOW sessions scheduled for May 11-15, 2009.
There are no WOW sessions scheduled this week.
A comprehensive catalog of WOW! sessions can be found on http://www.occc.edu/wow.
GET TO KNOW…
Lori Johnson
Position:
Payroll Specialist
Department:
Finance
How long have you worked for OCCC:
6 months
Previous Jobs:
Knol & Minney, PLLC bookkeeper and Mark Stewart Insurance Agency
Family:
Robert
Cody - 16, Cale - 10
Hobbies:
Spending time with family, watching Cody play baseball and Cale wrestle, riding 4-wheelers
Famous Favorite Saying/Quote:
Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means.
- Albert Einstein