2007 News Archives
21 December 2007 - FVCC ANNOUNCES LARGEST SCHOLARSHIP FUND IN COLLEGE HISTORY
The Broussard family is leading the way for students throughout northwest Montana to achieve their dreams of attending college at Flathead Valley Community College. The college has received a second gift of $500,000 to support the Jerome and Rebecca Broussard Family Endowed Scholarship Fund. With this second contribution, the scholarship fund totals $1 million, the largest scholarship fund received by the college’s Foundation. The FVCC Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, assists the college with fundraising, and its board of directors promotes community awareness of campus needs. The Foundation is engaged in providing funding for equipping and enhancing the college’s new facilities along with raising scholarship funds. Over 62 percent of degree and certificate-seeking students at FVCC received some type of financial aid during the 2006-2007 academic year. FVCC Director of College Relations Ruth Ackroyd praised the Broussard’s for their vision and their investment in extraordinary students who will now be able to attain their educational goals and go on to do amazing things for the Flathead Valley. Strong supporters of higher education and philanthropically committed to their community, the Broussard’s established the Jerome and Rebecca Broussard Family Endowed Scholarship at FVCC with a gift of $500,000 in 2003. In 2006-2007, 49 students received Broussard scholarships ranging between $500 and $2,300. “We are very satisfied with how the scholarship is being administered. It is personally rewarding to help someone increase their knowledge and ability so that he or she can be a greater contribution to society,” said Jerome Broussard. He went on to add that in giving to the college, his family knows the gift will be put to good use. College President Jane Karas called the generous gift a way to overcome the financial barrier to enroll in college and noted, “We are sincerely grateful to Jerome and Rebecca and their family for their commitment to furthering higher education in our community.” The Broussard family owns Rebecca Farm, a world-class English equestrian facility. Rebecca, a lifelong horse lover along with daughter Sarah, a competitive rider specializing in the equestrian sport of eventing, have been instrumental in The Event at Rebecca Farm featuring a course designed by Captain Mark Phillips that adds to the community’s economy. For more information about the Broussard Family Scholarship, contact Danelle Whitten in the financial aid office at 756-3842. Those interested in the FVCC Foundation or in establishing a scholarship at FVCC should contact Ruth Ackroyd at 756-3962.
20 December 2007 - FVCC HIRES NEW VICE PRESIDENT, ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Flathead Valley Community College is pleased to announce the hiring of Chuck Jensen as vice president, administration and finance. Jensen comes from Montana State University—Northern in Havre where he has served as vice chancellor for fiscal and student affairs since 2001. Jensen brings 19 years of professional accounting experience and 13 years of education experience working in the Montana University System to this position. Prior to his current position at MSU—Northern, Jensen served as assistant dean/fiscal affairs at Helena College of Technology of The University of Montana. Other positions he held include controller and acting assistant dean for business and finance at Montana State University College of Technology—Great Falls; director of university internal audit at Montana State University; director of financial aid and student placement at Helena College of Technology of The University of Montana; and financial compliance senior auditor for the State of Montana Legislative Audit Division. In his position, Jensen will be responsible for the management of college funds and maintenance of fiscal records and will serve as the chief business officer of the college. Primary duties will include planning, managing, analyzing and executing all fiscal affairs of the college. He will report to the college president. “We are very excited that Chuck will be joining our college administration,” said FVCC President Jane Karas. “His strong accounting background and his extensive knowledge of higher education in Montana make him a perfect fit for this position.” Jensen is a member of the Western Association of College and University Business Officers, the National Association of College and University Business Officers and Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. He is actively involved in professional organizations including serving on the Board of Directors for the Havre Chamber of Commerce and serving on the statewide advisory board for Montana State University Shakespeare in the Parks. He is a 2007 graduate of Leadership Montana. “I am delighted to join such a progressive institution that is well respected throughout the state of Montana,” said Jensen. “I am looking forward to being part of the team.” Jensen earned a Master of Business Administration from The University of Montana, Missoula and a Bachelor of Science in Business, Accounting Option, from Montana State University, Bozeman. He is a Certified Public Accountant through the State of Montana. For more information, please contact Tara Roth by calling 756-3912.05 November 2007 - FVCC APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR FALL 2008 SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM MOVED TO APRIL 18, 2008
Flathead Valley Community College has announced the deadline for application into the fall 2008 surgical technology program has moved from the end of November to April 18, 2008. The four-semester, two-year program, includes both classroom and hands-on training and prepares students to assist in surgical operations. Students will become skilled in serving as integral members of surgical teams, working closely with anesthesiologists, registered nurses and other surgical personnel in delivering patient care before, during and following surgical procedures. The program also provides students with opportunities to further their careers in a variety of areas including surgical specialists in various fields, traveling surgical technologists, surgical assistants, research and product development, material or supply management, supervisory positions, surgical technology instructors, product representatives or veterinary surgical or animal care assistants. For more information about the program, call Erin Howardson at 751-6994. For application information, call 756-3852.30 October 2007 - FVCC TO OFFER CULTURAL IMMERSION PROGRAM IN NEPAL IN SPRING 2008
Flathead Valley Community College students have an opportunity to earn college credits in spring 2008 while studying in the mystical and ancient country of Nepal. This cultural immersion program follows a successful premiere program in Peru involving 12 students who earned up to 12 credits in while living and studying in country over the summer. From February 12 to March 28, 2008, FVCC will offer up to 13 college credits in the “Himalayan Country” of Nepal. Classes that will be offered with the program include Cultural Immersion – Nepal, Interpersonal Relations/Communications, Digital Photography, Anthropology of Comparative Religion and Multi-Cultural Issues. Several of the classes will initially be held on the FVCC campus beginning January 2008. In addition to the course work, students will experience cultural exchanges, participate in community service work, explore religious temple sites and ruins, trek to the Everest region, visit a rural agricultural-based community, tour Katmandu and experience the spiritual culture of Hinduism and Buddhism. The students will live and work out of a local family hostel in a resident area of Katmandu, called Lazimpath. Mick Stemborski, an FVCC adjunct instructor who organized and taught classes in the Peru summer session, will serve as the lead instructor. Lead tour guide will be Whitefish resident Don Nelson who has been introducing people to the wonders of Nepal since 1999. Nelson owns and operates a Nepal-based trekking business—Going to the Sun Excursions. The six-week program will cost $3,400 per student and includes a roundtrip airline ticket, room accommodations, bedding, all ground transportation, local flight from Lukla to Katmandu, breakfast and lunch, 12-day Khumba trek to Everest region, archeology pass, ruin and temple entrance fees, travel insurance through FVCC, community service project and licensed tour guides. Early registration for the Nepal spring session and a deposit of $1,500 is required by December 1, 2007. Deposits can be made at the FVCC Business Services Office or by calling 756-3831. Two informational meetings have been scheduled at 4 p.m. November 1 and November 15. Both meetings will be held in the Board Room in Blake Hall on the FVCC Kalispell campus. For more information visit the FVCC website at www.fvcc.edu, contact Stemborski at 892-8830 or call the college at 756-3362.