The Communicator - 09/14/09
Posted on September 14, 2009
Filed under Communicator
Alternative Fuel Technician Class a Success at OCCC
As companies around the world convert to cheaper, cleaner and greener ways to run their truck fleets, OCCC is meeting the demand for those who can work on these vehicles. As the demand for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles grows, so does the need for certified technicians to convert, maintain and repair CNG vehicles. A week-long, Oklahoma State Certified Alternative Fuel Technician class at OCCC was held in the Transportation Technology Building on campus followed by an assessment and certification given by the Oklahoma State Department.
“There is a big drive for vehicle-fleets to be running at a level that is super-clean,” Richard Steere, OCCC Automotive Technology professor, said. “The only way to do this is by using CNG.” “It’s also more cost effective to use this type of alternative fuel, and it reduces our dependence on foreign oil,” Steere added.
The facts of CNG
CNG is a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline and diesel fuel. Although its combustion does produce greenhouse gases, it is a more environmentally clean alternative to those fuels, and it is much safer than other fuels in the event of a spill.
The benefits of CNG in transportation
Compared to gasoline, CNG is cleaner, less expensive, and generally comes from domestic reserves. However, CNG vehicles also require some compromises, including the use of a special refueling infrastructure that is not widely developed in the United States.
CNG vehicles
CNG vehicles have been introduced in a wide variety of commercial applications, from light-duty trucks and sedans - like taxi cabs, to medium-duty trucks - like UPS delivery vans and postal vehicles, to heavy-duty vehicles like transit buses, street sweepers and school buses.
Natural gas burns so cleanly that CNG vehicles rival hybrids in producing extremely low levels of smog-forming pollutants. In 2001, the EPA declared the engine in the Honda Civic GX “the cleanest internal combustion engine on Earth.” However, CNG vehicles tend to have higher greenhouse gas emissions than hybrids. The CNG version of the Civic, for example, emits nearly 30 percent more greenhouse gases than the Civic Hybrid during a typical year of driving.
“The safety record of CNG is impeccable, and the cost savings for a fleet is sky high,” said Steere. “Because alternative energy is such an important issue, and the demand for technicians continues to rise, this is OCCC’s chance to help in the efforts.”
Students in the class received training in Natural Gas Fuel Theory, Vehicle Conversion, System Trouble Shooting, and Federal and State laws and standards.
For more information on CNG please call Richard Steere in the Automotive Technology Department (405) 682-1611, Ext. 7351, or visit the OCCC web site at www.occc.edu.
More Art
If you didn’t get your fill of art last weekend at Arts Festival Oklahoma, then you must attend the Fine Art Auction of Estate Paintings to be held Sunday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. Set to take place in the Visual & Performing Arts Center, and in the Film & Video Studio on the OCCC campus, The OCCC Foundation and Women of the South will be hosting the event. Featuring over 200 different works of art, partial proceeds from the auction will go to the Best Seat in the House campaign for the OCCC Performing Arts Theater. Family and friends are welcome to attend. For additional information, please call the OCCC Foundation at 682-1611, ext 7591. See a preview of the paintings at www.colonialart.com.
Inaugural Life Saver 5 km/1 mile Fun Run
Runners to your mark, get set (for a good cause), and sign up now for the Inaugural Life Saver 5 km/1 mile Fun Run, Saturday, Oct. 3. Sponsored by the Oklahoma City Community College Nursing Student Association, the event will be held on the campus of OCCC. The gun will start the race at 9 a.m.
What is the value of a nurse? If you or a loved one has ever been sick or hospitalized, then you probably know the answer-invaluable. According to a 2008 Gallup poll, nursing remains the most trusted profession, yet the profession continues to struggle to provide nurses in numbers adequate to our population’s health care needs.
Support the nursing department at OCCC, get education on health matters, and participate in the activities planned for the day including:
• Health promotion displays on current health risks such as H1N1, depression and anxiety, community acquired MRSA, vaccinations, autism, exercise and more
• Live entertainment by Countdown to Reno
• Massage therapy
• Face painting
• Food and drinks
• Medals to top finishers Great door prizes
For more information or to register, visit www.occc.edu/lifesaver Please note that t-shirts and goody bags will be available to late registrants while supplies last.
Walktober Competition
This is a reminder-October is national walking month. To celebrate, Oklahoma City Community College is hosting a friendly walking competition for employees during the month of October. Walking is the gold standard of exercise. Since it uses nearly 200 muscles and is a safe, inexpensive and fun activity, almost anyone can do it. So, dig out those walking shoes and come walk with us.
Any employee can participate in the competition. Employees will be asked to set individual goals with the ultimate goal being to increase daily activity through walking. In addition, Walktober is designed to challenge individuals to set and reach new fitness goals.
A drawing for incentive prizes will be held each week for those who reach their goal during that particular week. At the end of October, all employees who meet their ultimate goal will have their names entered into a drawing for the grand prizes including a one-hour massage from Massage Envy for the runner up, and a two-day, one-night stay at the Oklahoma state park of your choice for the first place winner.
Walktober sign-up begins today, Monday, Sept. 14 and continues through Wednesday, Sept. 30. Late registration will be taken through Friday, Oct. 9.
Sign up by emailing your name and first target goal to walktober@occc.edu. Upon registering, employees will receive a “Walk Your Way to Fitness” guide, a daily log and a pedometer, if needed.
The grand prize and runner up winners will be announced Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009.
For more information or for questions, please contact Lisa Vaughan at lvaughan@occc.edu or 405-682-1611 ext. 7148.
ANGEL Training Now Online for Full-time and Adjunct Faculty
With a new semester brings an upgraded version of the college’s learning management software, ANGEL 7.4. For the first time, ANGEL sections will also be available for all classes, online and on campus.
To meet the increased need for training, OCCC has subscribed to Evergreen Training. The online format provides access to both full-time and adjunct faculty on an as-needed basis. ANGEL’s website indicates that each Evergreen Training module features a variety of teaching methods in order to meet the needs of different types of learners, including:
• Read This: step-by-step instructions
• View This: video demonstrations with voiceovers
• Do This: activities
• Try This: challenges
• Know This: expert tips and best practices
• Take Test: assessments on module lessons
• Print This: quick reference documents
Some of the topics which are new, changed, or may be of special interest include:
• Discussion Forums
• Rubric Manager
• Syndication Folders
• Automating Communication
• Blogs, Wikis, and Games
• Tips for Each of the Topic
Evergreen can be accessed by logging into ANGEL. Look in the “Repositories Component” located in Course Guide on the left of the screen. This new training complements the existing staff training: Angel Learning and the Quickstart Guide which are also inside ANGEL and accessible to all faculty.
If you need assistance locating or using the online training, contact Bill Hill in the Center for Learning and Teaching at ext. 7459.
This Week’s Training Sessions
Take advantage of professional development opportunities provided through the college’s training program. Please be aware of the following training sessions scheduled for September 15-18, 2009.
Bloodborne Pathogens Basics
Course Number: ENHS-1000-001
Date: Tuesday, September 15
Times: 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
Location: Library - 407A
Presenter: Vaughan, Lisa S
Bloodborne Pathogens Basics
Course Number: ENHS-1000-002
Date: Thursday, September 17
Times: 3:00 PM-4:00 PM
Location: SEM - 200
Presenter: Vaughan, Lisa S
Bloodborne Pathogens Basics
Course Number: ENHS-1000-003
Date: Thursday, September 24
Times: 12:00 PM-1:00 PM
Location: SEM - 200
Presenter: Vaughan, Lisa S
A comprehensive catalog of the training sessions can be found on http://www.occc.edu/wow.
GET TO KNOW…
Pat Stowe
Position:
Director
Department:
Student Support Services
How long have you worked for OCCC:
15 Years
Previous Jobs:
Sign language interpreter & instructor, public school teacher, community liaison for Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Family:
Jim, spouse; Sheryl, daughter; Melany, daughter; Madison, granddaughter; Brady, grandson; Punkin, miniature schnauzer
Community Involvement:
church and outreach ministries; organization for interpreters for the deaf; sign language mentor
Famous Favorite Saying/Quote:
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.”
- Author Unknown
Happy Birthday
Alta Jesters - 9/14
Carmela Pyle - 9/14
Pam Stout - 9/14
Jennifer Dodson - 9/15
Leaugeay Barnes - 9/15
Martin Ramirez - 9/15
Robert Kramer - 9/15
Bob Carter - 9/16
Ken Harrelson - 9/18
Kim Velleca - 9/18
Tonya Kymes - 9/18
Debra Vaughn - 9/19
John Boyd - 9/19
Tonja Nelson - 9/19
Nora Pugh-Seemster - 9/20
Paula Whitehead - 9/20
