30 July 2008 FVCC BOARD OF TRUSTEES JULY MEETING
The Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees met July 28 for its regularly scheduled monthly meeting. In action items, the Board approved the second reading of the Fiscal Year 2009 proposed general fund budget of $12,189,673. The Board approved the total Continuing Education budget of $330,800 for Flathead County Campus and $55,000 for the Lincoln County Campus. The Board also approved the purchase of an Eft NMR Spectrometer, a tool for infusing experimental investigation into FVCC’s chemistry curriculum. The spectrometer is being funded by a recently awarded National Science Foundation Grant, received by FVCC Chemistry Instructor Paul Martino.
FVCC President Jane Karas announced that the FVCC Foundation’s Bibler Home and Garden tours will run July 29 through August 1. President Karas recognized Continuing Education’s submission for new class ideas (Be Your Own Designer) which was published in LERN Magazine, a national publication for continuing education resources. The next regularly scheduled board meeting will take place September 22, 2008. For more information regarding specific items included in this report or regarding college activities, please contact Colleen Unterreiner at 756-3962. For more information on board meetings, please contact Monica Settles by calling 756-3801.
28 July 2008 FVCC STUDENT, CLAIRE NELSON, SUBMITS WINNING DESIGN IN THE 2008 NORTHWEST MONTANA FAIR ART CONTEST
Claire Nelson always had an interest in visual arts. She took private art lessons throughout high school and even took European art classes. Four years ago, she began dabbling in graphic design, and after she moved to the Flathead Valley from St. George, Utah, one year ago, she got a job at X-treme Graphics in Kalispell. When FVCC launched its Graphic Arts Certificate of Applied Science program last fall, she decided to enroll. But little did she know her fate would take a turn from art student to award-winning entrepreneur at the age of 19.
While enrolled in a digital portfolio class at FVCC this spring, her instructor Dawn Rauscher had assigned a project involving students entering their art work into various contests. Nelson submitted a design in the 2008 Northwest Montana Fair art contest, and her design was selected as the winning entry out of approximately 20 submissions from her fellow classmates, Flathead High School students, professional graphic artists and grade school children. Her design, composed of a pink pig and silhouettes of a cowboy, Ferris wheel and fair tents, represents the theme of this year’s fair, “A Squealin’ Good Time,” which reflects the fair’s newly added pig wrestling event.
Nelson’s award-winning design will be featured on ticket buyer brochures, six area billboards, 3,000 posters, the cover of 5,000 premium books as well as other promotional fair materials. It will also advance to a national competition, where it will compete with other award-winning fair poster designs from across the country for a national award. In addition, Nelson won a family fun pack of four season event passes to the fair, providing her entry to the grounds and all events including concerts, the PRCA Rodeo and the Demolition Derby, valuing over $400.
According to Nelson, she was “blown out of the water,” when she learned of her winning entry. “This has been a great experience for me,” she said. “Working with the fair officials, the printers and the sponsors has helped me to learn the business side of it.” Nelson attributes her experience with the fair to inspiring her to start her own freelance business that she named after herself, “Claire Elizabeth Nelson.” “I was definitely surprised by how fast this has been moving along,” she said. “It all started with the fair contest, and now all of these other doors have opened for me.” The doors she is referring to are her new business and the clients she has lined up, including fair concert sponsor Kalispell Toyota.
As for her future plans, Nelson hopes to expand her clientele this summer and continue working on her Web site, www.clairesgraphics.com. She is exploring transferring to Montana State University and enrolling in the graphic design program. In the long-term, she hopes to work as a graphic designer in the advertising industry, designing movie promotional posters and magazine advertisements. “This career choice is nice because even if I relocate out of the Valley, I can still work for my clients,” she said. “I know this is what I want to do. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”
For information on the Graphic Arts program at FVCC, contact advisor Dawn Rauscher at drausche@fvcc.edu or call 756-3846. Fall classes start August 28.
28 July 2008 FVCC TO HOST OPEN HOUSE FOR RUNNING START PROGRAM
Area high school students wanting to get an early start on their college education can learn about the Running Start program at Flathead Valley Community College at an open house August 11.
The Running Start program provides eligible high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to get an affordable “running start” on their college education at half the cost of tuition. FVCC has teamed up with high schools in Flathead and Lincoln Counties to offer students the option to earn high school and college credits simultaneously through dual credit courses. High school students also can choose to earn only college credit while enrolled in the Running Start program.
The open house will take place at 6 p.m. in the new Arts and Technology Building on the college’s Kalispell campus. Interested students of all ages and their parents are encouraged to attend. Homeschooled students and their parents also are welcome. Program information involving admission requirements, expectations of students and dual-credit information, along with a question and answer session, will be presented by FVCC counselors. In addition, there will be a drawing for FVCC Bookstore gift certificates.
For more information, contact FVCC Running Start Coordinator Beth Kelly at 756-3847.
25 July 2008 INAUGURAL BIBLER GARDENS TOUR OF ROSES SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 15 AND 16
Avid gardeners are invited to take advantage of a rare opportunity to gain behind-the-scenes insight on the roses of the Bibler Home and Gardens. The Flathead Valley Community College Foundation has teamed up with the Bibler Home and Gardens to present the inaugural Tour of Roses August 15 and 16. Proceeds from the tour benefit FVCC student scholarships and programs.
The exclusive learning tour will feature an intimate session on the Bibler Garden’s roses and knowledgeable insight from the Bibler gardening staff on the hardy rose varieties selected, their location within the gardens and the soil and watering preferences.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $3 for children and must be purchased in advance. Due to the limited number of tickets available, those interested in attending are strongly encouraged to reserve their tickets early.
To purchase tickets, call the FVCC Foundation Office at (406) 756-3963.
For more information, visit www.fvcc.edu or www.biblergardens.org.
17 July 2008 FVCC OFFERS CLASS ON GPS NAVIGATION IN REMOTE TERRAIN
Flathead Valley Community College will offer a class on GPS navigation in remote terrain beginning July 29. The class will cover how to use Geographic Positioning System (GPS) technology to establish travel routes to unknown and known locations in remote terrain.
The class will take place July 29 and 31 from 7-9 p.m. and August 2 from 8 a.m.-noon. The cost to enroll is $54. Students will need to provide their own GPS receiver and compass.
For more information or to register for the course, contact the FVCC Continuing Education Center at 756-3832.
17 July 2008 FLATHEAD VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE RECEIVES $119,318 GRANT FROM NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Flathead Valley Community College has been awarded a grant in the amount of $119,318 from the National Science Foundation. The grant will support the “NMR Spectroscopy: A Tool for Infusing Experimental Investigation into the Community College Chemistry Curriculum,” project.
NMR, which stands for nuclear magnetic resonance, involves measuring the structural features of molecule collections. Under the direction of FVCC Chemistry Instructors Dr. Paul Martino and Dr. Janice Alexander, Flathead High School Organic Chemistry Teacher Lynette Johnson and Glacier High School Chemistry Teacher Todd Morstein, the project will fund the purchase of an NMR instrument to be housed and utilized in the majority of the chemistry laboratory courses at FVCC, providing freshman and sophomore college students and high school chemistry students a rare opportunity to have access to equipment normally reserved for more advanced undergraduates and in many cases exclusively graduate students. Many four-year colleges and universities in the state do not have easy access to NMR labs.
According to Martino, the award will allow students to conduct hands-on chemistry experiments in a state-of-the-art instrumentation laboratory.
“This will open up many doors for our students who would not have this opportunity at a large university,” he said.
The award will facilitate early faculty-student mentoring, enhancing the undergraduate research program and helping recruit research students at earlier stages in their education. Project objectives include expanding the level of chemistry students learn by increasing the number and significance of NMR experiments; enhancing the learning experiences of as many chemistry students as possible through the conduction of NMR structural investigations; and expanding students’ learning potential through quality faculty-student and peer-student mentoring.
“With this award, students will be provided the very best chemistry education possible,” said Martino. “Combined with our newly remodeled chemistry facility, the instrumentation obtained from a prior NSF grant and strong institutional financial support, FVCC's chemistry facility is top of the line for a community college.”
FVCC was one of 150 higher education institutions from across the nation to receive the award out of a pool of 900 applicants.
The award became effective July 15 and will expire June 30, 2011.
For more information, contact Colleen Unterreiner at 756-3962 or at colleenu@fvcc.edu.
15 July 2008 FVCC AWARDED ENTREPRENEURSHIP GRANT
Flathead Valley Community College has been awarded a grant in the amount of $268,231 from the U.S. Department of Education. Effective June 15, the Congressionally-directed grant will fund the college’s “Program Development at the Center for Community Entrepreneurship Education” project.
“Many students who graduate in building trades, electrical technology, surveying, heavy equipment operator, culinary arts, graphic arts and other career and technical programs plan to start their own businesses,” said Vice President of Instruction Kathy Hughes. “This grant will allow us to develop an entrepreneurship curriculum to be integrated into these programs helping students not only learn vital skills but also what it takes to achieve their dreams of business ownership.”
The two-year project will develop a two-year transfer program in entrepreneurship at FVCC. Through the project, the college will articulate the transfer program with The University of Montana and other higher education institutions as well as work with high schools in Flathead and Lincoln Counties to develop entrepreneurship awareness programs and a curriculum pathway to provide students a seamless transition in entrepreneurship education from high school through college.
Other project objectives include developing an entrepreneurship curriculum to be imbedded in the college’s career and technical programs; developing an online delivery format for the college’s Entrepreneurship Certificate of Applied Science and entrepreneurship classes; and conducting a feasibility study to determine the viability of a campus-based business incubator.
For more information, contact Colleen Unterreiner at 756-3962 or at colleenu@fvcc.edu.
8 July 2008 FVCC SEEKING HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
Flathead Valley Community College is seeking help from community members who can provide housing to FVCC students. Persons should be willing to house students of any age, gender or ethnic group.
The college will publish and update a list containing housing availabilities weekly. Each housing opportunity will be published for one month unless rented before one month expires.
FVCC is not responsible for any liability with the listings. Property owners are responsible for contacting the college when the property has been rented.
FVCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or handicap in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its educational programs or activities.
If you are able to provide apartments, houses or rooms for rent to FVCC students or would like to obtain more information, contact the FVCC Financial Aid office at 756-3849.
7 July 2008 BIBLER HOME AND GARDENS SUMMER TOURS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 29-AUGUST 1
Tours to Launch with Special Reception July 28
Don’t miss your chance to experience a beautiful summer evening surrounded by acres of colorful annuals and perennials in full bloom highlighted by a spectacular view of the Flathead Valley. The Flathead Valley Community College Foundation will launch its summer tours of the Bibler Home and Gardens later this month.
New this year, the tours will be introduced with a special kick-off reception featuring a wine reception with light hors d’oeuvres. Guests will be given an exclusive tour of the Rug Room showcasing the Bibler’s collection of fine Persian rugs and will be the first to see the newly enhanced Inuit art exhibit and a re-landscaped pond providing even more breathtaking views. The event will take place July 28 from 6-8 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults and $60 per couple and must be purchased in advance. Guests must be at least 21 years of age to attend.
Tours of the gardens and the home’s exquisite collection of antiques, sculptures and heirloom Persian carpets will be one-and-a-half hours in length and will take place July 29-August 1. Tickets are $10 for adults and $3 for children and must be purchased in advance.
Proceeds from the kick-off reception and all tours will benefit student scholarships and programs at Flathead Valley Community College.
To purchase tickets, or for times and availability, call the FVCC Foundation Office at (406) 756-3963. For more information on the Bibler Home and Gardens, visit www.biblergardens.org
7 July 2008 FVCC THEATRE OPENS “BIG LOVE” JULY 17
Flathead Valley Community College Theatre will open its second summer season with the thought provoking new play "Big Love." While it's not based on the HBO television drama series, it is, however, a bizarre dark comedy promising to take play goers on a wild journey to find true love.
After days of travel to escape an arranged marriage, Lydia and her 49 sisters find safety at beach side hotel, or so they think. Just when the girls think they have discovered refuge, a very angry 50 grooms arrive to take what is "rightfully" theirs. Promises are made. The play will reveal who lives through the night!
Director Taskar Duffner leads a fantastic cast and crew to examine such subjects as society, love and even murder. "Big Love" will have audience members asking themselves, "What would I do in that situation?" The production incorporates a little bit of everything from music, humor, dancing and even back breaking stunts.
"Big Love" will be performed in the FVCC Theatre inside the Arts and Technology Building on the college’s Kalispell campus July 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are available for purchase at the FVCC Bookstore Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. or by calling 756-3814. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 students and seniors.
Due to the adult nature of the play, the show is strongly recommended for mature audiences only.
For more information, call the FVCC Theatre Box Office at 756-3906.
7 July 2008 FVCC SUMMER SESSION B CLASSES START NEXT WEEK
Flathead Valley Community College will launch its Session B summer classes next Monday offering college students and community members the opportunity to earn college credit in five weeks.
Registration is open to new and returning students. Classes that will be offered include Principles of Management, Practical Botany: An Overview of Useful Plants, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, English Composition, Comparative Mythology, Commercial Truck Driver, U.S. History: 1860s to Present, American Sign Language on Stage, Fabrication Methods I, Introduction to Sociology, Public Speaking and Welding Certification. The course schedule of credit classes is available on the college Web site, www.fvcc.edu.
In order to register, degree-seeking students are required to have a completed admissions file which includes a completed application form with a $15 application payment, high school transcripts and college transcripts if applicable and proof of two MMR immunizations. Students also are required to complete the ASSET placement test prior to registering for classes. Non-degree seeking students are subject to different admissions requirements.
Classes fill on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call 756-3852, or visit www.fvcc.edu.
1 July 2008 FVCC STUDENTS PLACE AT BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS OF AMERICA NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Five Flathead Valley Community College students competed in the 2008 Business Professionals of America National Leadership Conference in Reno, Nev., May 7-11. The following students placed in the top 10 in their categories.
- Garrett Lommatsch: first place—Small Business Management Team event; third place—Human Resources Management event;
- Brendan Hardy: first place—Small Business Management Team event;
- Lindsey Heldstab: third place—Production Keyboarding event; top 10—Database Applications—Access event; and
- Jessica Szalay: top 10—Legal Office Procedures event.
Approximately 1,100 college students from across the nation participated in the conference.
For more information, contact FVCC Business Instructor and faculty advisor Brenda Rudolph by calling 756-3858.
1 July 2008 CHINESE FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE TO TEACH MANDARIN CHINESE AND CULTURAL CLASSES AT FVCC
In fall 2008 and spring 2009, Flathead Valley Community College will provide area high school, home school and college students and community members a rare opportunity to complete the first year of college-level Chinese while learning from a Fulbright Scholar from Shenyang, China.
Through a Fulbright Foundation grant FVCC has been awarded, the college will welcome Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Ruicheng Pei, associate professor at Liaoning University, to instruct Elementary Chinese I and II on its campus. Pei will bring excellent English skills and years of experience in teaching, interpreting and translating to the classes. He holds a master’s degree in English language and literature, and his research includes a study that contrasts the English and Chinese languages.
The classes will introduce the basics of the Chinese language, culture, geography, social humanity, cuisines and modern development of the country. The goal of the first year of study is to teach students how to develop beginning-level proficiency in speaking, understanding, reading and writing the Chinese language. By the end of the first semester, students should be able to converse on a variety of simple topics related to daily life and know how to read and write approximately 300 characters.
According to Pei, the world is now in a time of globalization, and China is a key player. Being educated in one or two additional languages can put people ahead of the curve.
“There is a huge market in China,” said Pei. “With more business opportunities than ever before, I am sure there will be more Americans living and working in China in near future.”
According to Asia Society’s Web site, Chinese is the most widely spoken first language in the world.
“The rise of China presents new economic, political and social realities that demand greater U.S. engagement at every level,” says the Society. “As the foundation of that engagement, we urgently need to raise the number of Americans who can demonstrate a functional proficiency in Chinese.”
The five college-credit classes are designed for students with no prior knowledge of the language and will not be open to individuals from Chinese-speaking countries. As Chinese is one of the more challenging languages to learn, the classes will require substantial commitment and dedication and strong consistent daily study habits and are not recommended for students with heavy course loads or other time-consuming commitments.
As for Pei, he is looking forward to fulfilling his curiosity and seeking adventure in a strange place he knows of from American Literature in addition to celebrating a “real Christmas Eve with snow.” He feels fortunate to have been given the opportunity to enrich American students’ studies with the Chinese language and the country’s ancient culture and modern development and is excited to take back his American experiences to his students in China.
“I treasure this opportunity I have been given,” said Pei. “I will bring Chinese culture to FVCC and, in turn, will bring your culture back to China.”
Area high school and home school students interested in enrolling must complete the FVCC Running Start program admissions process to be eligible and are responsible for the costs involved with the classes. For more information about the class schedules and enrollment costs, contact your high school counselor.
Scholarship opportunities for tuition and fees may be available for students with financial needs. For more information, contact FVCC Institutional Development Director Colleen Unterreiner by calling 756-3962 or by emailing colleenu@fvcc.edu.
1 July 2008 FVCC BOARD OF TRUSTEES JUNE MEETING
The Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees met June 30 for its regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
In action items, the Board approved the first reading of the Fiscal Year 2009 proposed general fund budget of $12,189,070 for FVCC. The Board approved the Continuing Education budget of $330,800 for the Flathead County Campus and budget of $55,000 for the Lincoln County Campus.
The Board approved changing the Associate of Applied Science in Substance Abuse Counseling to an Associate of Arts in Substance Abuse Counseling in order to permit graduates to apply for licensure. The Board also approved the second reading of the Facilities Usage Policy. In addition, the Board approved the Classified Employees Negotiations Agreement.
FVCC President Jane Karas announced that the FVCC Mountainette/Mountaineer reunion will take place on campus July 25 and 26. The FVCC Foundation will host summer tours of the Bibler Home and Gardens July 29 through August 1. The tours will kick off July 28 with a special reception featuring wine, light hors d’oeuvres and an exclusive tour of the Bibler’s antique Tribal Persian rug room. The Foundation also will host the inaugural Festival of Flavors gala September 28 through October 4 featuring Great Chefs in-home and restaurant dinners, a sushi and sake “Roll Your Own” event, microbrews, brats and blazing saddle barbeque and a Grand Wine tasting event.
President Karas reported on her community conversations she launched June 10. She has completed eight of the 11 sessions and has received numerous positive comments from community members about the college as well as great ideas about how the college can better serve the community. She will wrap up her tour tomorrow in Lincoln County with stops in Eureka, Libby and Troy.
President Karas also recognized FVCC metalsmithing students Bernie Tarnow, Vivian Goodnight, Sharlene Leonard, Signe Brust, Bruce Jacobs and Amber Ingraham. Their designs were selected for publication in the June and July 2008 issues of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine following a challenge issued by the national publication.
The next regularly scheduled board meeting will take place July 28 at 3:45 p.m. For more information regarding specific items included in this report or regarding college activities, please contact Tara Roth by calling 756-3912. For more information on board meetings, please contact Monica Settles by calling 756-3801.