Campus Communicator

AUGUST • 2012

West Virginia Northern Community College marked its 40th anniversary year Aug. 23 by honoring the past and celebrating the future during a luncheon in the Culinary Arts Din-ing Room of the Education Center on the Wheeling campus. Main speaker was the College’s founding president, Dr. Daniel B. Crowder. Invited guests, including several former colleagues of the first president, heard about the early days of the college along with being given a short update on expan-sion projects currently under way on the Wheeling campus.

The audience, which included many long-time supporters of the WVNCC

Foundation, also learned of a new initiative, the Crowder Legacy Society, which honors the founding president by giving donors in his name an ex-clusive way to remember WVNCC in their wills.

“West Virginia Northern is ex-tremely pleased that former President Crowder and his wife, Wreatha, were able to join us for our anniversary commemoration,” Dr. Martin J. Ol-shinsky, current president, said. “They shared memories with us and we were able to bring them up to date on what’s new at our three campuses. It has been a special week,” he added.At the luncheon, prepared and served

by Northern’s Culinary Arts stu-dents, Crowder was introduced by Dr. Mary Marockie, president of the West Virginia Northern Community College Foundation Board of Trust-ees. Crowder told Marockie that one of the earliest and fondest memories of his occurred “when the Marockies invited Wreatha and me to dinner at their home.”

Crowder cited early leaders of the col-lege, including two members of that first presidential search committee who attended the special luncheon. They are Bill Deibert, retired North-ern faculty member, and Jerry Halver-son, one of only two emeritus mem-bers of the Foundation with the other one being Crowder. Also attending the luncheon were Dr. David Perkins and Dr. Greg Adkins who served in academic capacities in Crowder’s presidency as well as current or former faculty and staff members Regina Jennette, Rita Yeager, Bonnie Ellis, Donna Smittle, Jack Cisney, Rita Malek, Ralph Lucki, Robert “Zac” Wycherley, Willa Knollinger and Re-becca Yesenczki.

As the first member of the Crowder Legacy Society, Crowder was given a Blenko Glass pitcher engraved with the college seal, a memento that will be given to all subsequent enrollees.

WVNCC Celebrates 40 Y ears!

From left are Dr. Crowder, Dr. Marockie and Dr. Olshinsky. According to Olshinsky, donors informing the college that they’ve made a charitable gift in their wills for WVNCC will be enrolled in the Crowder Legacy Society. A gift of $25,000 or more will enable the donor to name a fund. Crowder was presi-dent from 1972-85.

Home-Based Business ExtravaganzaSmall business owners and budding entrepreneurs took advantage of a unique opportunity to participate in an exclusive Home-Based Busi-ness Extravaganza on July 31 on the Wheeling campus. The one-day free event provided hundreds of attendees with information and resources about starting, owning, and managing their own business; earning additional in-come; business networking; business coaching and more. Event organizers included the Small Business Develop-ment Center and the College.

The Extravaganza was held at the Education Center and the event was an opportunity for home-based business vendors to network, build teams, and sell products. More than 60 vendors attended, including Ad-vocare, Angela Shaffer Photography, Angelgift Center, Answer Foods, At Home America, Avon, Biltmore In-spirations, Beijo Designer Handbags,

Blessings Unlimited, CAbi, Celadon Road, Celebrating Home, Cookie Lee, doTerra Essential Oils, Dove Choco-late Discoveries, Easy Networking Group (EZNG), Gold Canyon Candle Co., Initials Inc., Inner Fire, Jamberry Nails, Jewel Kade, Jillian Chase, Juice Plus, Kara Vita, Legal Shield, Lia Sophia, Little Passports, Longaberger, Mary Kay, Miche, Nerium, Ohio Valley Preparedness Depot, Olivia’s Bowtique, Origami Owl, Pampered Chef, Party Lite, Perfectly Posh, Pink Zebra, Premier Jewelry, Pretzel Crazy, Pure Romance, Sabika, Scentsy, Send Out Cards, Silpada, Simply Said, Stella & Dot, Tastefully Simple, Tina’s Sweet Celebrations, That’s the Spot! Massage Therapy, Tomboy Tools, Traveling Vineyard, Tupperware. Uppercase Living, Usborne Books, Velata, Visa-lus, Wild Tree Natural Foods.

Donna Schramm of the Small Busi-ness Development Center located on the fourth floor of the B&O Building said the attendees also benefitted from “business-to-business” relationships with other home based business

owners. Businesses networked with each other and raised an awareness of the variety of home-based businesses and how they can work together to better support themselves and the lo-cal economy.

All College DayAs has been tradition at WVNCC for many years, an All College Day event was held on Aug. 13 on the Wheeling campus in the B&O Building audito-rium. Faculty members, administra-tors, and other staffers from North-

ern’s three campuses gathered for an-all day event which this year ended earlier than normal so that colleagues could enjoy musical entertainment and special treats marking the Col-lege’s 40th anniversary year.

The day began with the serving of breakfast and then Dr. Martin J. Ol-shinsky addressed the audience, pro-viding information on the College’s plans to meet the challenges of being a provider in the ever-changing world of higher education. Federal and state mandates were explained and shifts in the reaching of activities and goals were illuminated. The President was followed by the introduction of new employees by Peggy Carmichael, chief human resource officer, and a review of the academic priorities from Dr. Vicki Riley, vice president of academic affairs.

A highlight of the day was a presenta-tion by Jennifer Radt, a disability ser-

Wheeling Campus

Sheri Powell from Pretzel Crazy talks to an interested customer.

All College Day 2012

vices expert, who provided a detailed explanation of the Americans With Disabilities Act, particularly as it pertains to higher education. Her talk was punctuated by numerous questions from the audience. Nancy Albert, director of records/registrar, then provided a FERPA overview, giving much information on this much misunderstood law. Lunch followed.

After lunch, Dr. Olshinsky spoke on the College’s deci-sion to become a Tobacco-Free Campus, and expounded on a plan of action that will culminate with all College property becoming tobacco free as of Nov. 15, 2012.

Steve Lippiello, vice president of administrative service/chief financial officer, then related updates on the College’s ongoing building construction projects. He also dis-cussed the new Web portals for students, faculty, and staff along with plans related to WiFi access at the College.

Janet Fike, vice president of student services, presented updates involving financial aid, veterans, and internal student services activities. Dr. Olshinsky and Mike Koon, vice president of workforce development, then reminded their colleagues of mandat-ed activities surrounding the reaccreditation/assessment/institutional effectiveness processes. Dr. Riley, in the Extra Mile category, then saluted two faculty members who had been glowingly cited by students for their “above and beyond” help: Carol Cornforth and James Tully.

The day ended with a special concert to celebrate the College’s 40th anniversary. The Joseph Sis-ters, who hail from the Weirton area, performed numerous numbers on the front lawn of the B&O Building and had their audience up danc-ing. Anniversary cake, soft drinks and twin pops compliments of Ziegenfelder’s were served. Spe-cial drawings were held for giveaways of tickets to amusement parks, the zoo, and gift cards.

1. April Schrump and Shelly Reager are all smiles on this All College Day 2012.

2. Karri Mulhern, Mike Koon, Rana Spurlock, Becky Yesenczki and Janice Dailey chat during afternoon break

3. Janet Fike, Peggy Carmichael and Shannon Payton cut the 40th Anniversary cake.

4. Tracy Jenkins, Dick McCray, Pam Sharma, Linda Fletcher, Barb Coburn, Charles Rogerson, Stephanie Smith and Lisa Soly enjoy the outside festivities.

5. Dianna and Dr. Olshinsky enjoy the Joseph Sisters’ performance.

6. Sarah Griffith shows us some dancing moves with one of her friends from the Joseph Sisters, Mary Beth.

GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUNovember 15, 2012

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The Joseph Sisters

Wheeling ExpansionWork continues at the site of the Applied Technology Center on Market Street near the B & O Building, Wheeling campus. According to Steve Lippiello, demolition work at the former Straub Honda build-ing is nearly complete and the crews are “very heavy” into the masonry/founda-tion phase of the reconstruction. He add-ed that soon a wall will be constructed for the lobby/elevator area of the build-ing which should take about two weeks. He said the project is about “a third of the way completed” and the College is pleased with the progress so far. The building is expected to be complete by March of next year. In addition, plans are being made for a mid-September groundbreaking for the Student Union/Barnes & Noble bookstore building across 16th Street from the ATC. Trushel Construction of Weirton was the low bidder for that job. Trushel was the contractor on the new addition recently opened on the Weirton campus.

WVNCC Given Dominion GrantWest Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomb-lin officiates at a check presentation in Charleston during which he an-nounced that West Virginia Northern

Community College is being granted $50,000 from the Dominion Foun-dation for purchase of a hydraulics simulator for its classes in Mechatron-ics which train students to become electrical and mechanical maintenance technicians. From left are Robert C.

Orndorff, managing director, West Virginia state and local affairs, for Do-minion Power; Dr. Martin J. Olshinsky, WVNCC president; Tomblin; and Jim Skidmore, chancellor of the Commu-nity and Technical College System of West Virginia.

New Martinsville CampusWetzel Chamber Awards DinnerThe Wetzel County Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Awards Ceremony on April 26. This event recognizes the outstanding members and organizations of the commu-nity in a variety of categories. Office Administrator Debbie Bennett of the New Martinsville campus accepted certificates of nomination on behalf of the Wetzel County Family Resource Network and the Wetzel County Relay for Life. Joining her at this commu-nity event were College colleagues Mark Goldstein, Christina Sullivan and Candace Stadler. The campus also decorated one of the tables (see photo) with assorted Northern logo items that were used as favors and door prizes.

Annual Nursing DinnerThursday evening, July 23, was a memorable one for nursing students of the New Martinsville campus. The annual dinner sponsored by the second-year students to welcome the first-year students was held at LaPasta Bella. For the second-year students, this was their opportunity to share some of their past year’s experiences with the newcomers; and for the first-year students, it was their opportunity to meet fellow classmates and instruc-tors. After a spaghetti dinner, 2012 graduate Todd Strickler reminded the group that although this path may be challenging, achieving his career as a nurse was the reward for all of those hours of lecture and clinicals. College colleagues Claire Blatt, Linda Shelek, Rita Berry and Debbie Bennett were honored to welcome the 2014 Nursing Class to the campus and wish the 2013 Nursing Class members well as they continue their journey on the Wheel-ing campus.

Say Hello to Rusty!Thanks to Lynn Caseman, adjunct instructor, the New Martinsville cam-pus has a new piece of artwork. Mr. Caseman saw this chicken in an artist’s yard in Fly, OH, and originally con-sidered purchasing it for his daughter in Kentucky; however, he also knew he would need to get a truck to deliver it, which wasn’t part of the plan. He then learned that the College mascot is The Thundering Chicken and knew it belonged at the campus. “Rusty,” as he was named by Lynn, is made from a variety of metal signs that have weath-ered a bit because of his life in the outdoors. The artist and his wife gra-ciously agreed to bring him to a loca-tion near the College where colleagues Jack Midcap and Fred Goddard were then able to bring Rusty to his new home. The staff and students are honored that Mr. Caseman thought

enough of this campus to bring Rusty to them. Because of Lynn’s generous donation, Rusty has a new “inside” home where he can be enjoyed and, hopefully, not continue to rust! Thanks are extended to Mr. Caseman!

Pipefitting Classes OfferedThe New Martinsville campus was a flurry of activity in March as preparations were made to offer a new program to train people in entry-level and mid-level pipefitting for the Natrium fractionation facility that CB&I is constructing for Dominion Transmission. This collaborative project meant that Mike Koon and Janice Dailey of the Workforce Development office, along with the administra-tion of CB&I, had to work closely with New Martinsville Campus Dean Larry Tackett and his staff to identify and prepare a location for classroom use, pur-chase and set up instructional material, and prepare for about 50 students in a short, two-week timeframe. Many “behind-the-scenes” activities had to take place to assure that everything was ready for this group of new students, but, as Dean Tackett pointed out, thanks to everyone involved the campus was ready.

The men and women who completed the course were provided the opportunity to interview with CB&I and some have begun working on this project.

Rusty & Lynn Caseman

Welcome Back Week!The fall 2012 semester started with a week of classes, information, food, and entertainment. The Discovery Fair, sponsored by the Academic Student Support Services Office, gave students a chance to meet with representatives from areas such as Tutoring, Financial Aid, Information Technology, Smarthinking, and WV Wellness Council. During the day, students, staff, and faculty enjoyed a luau lunch, spinning the WVNCC prize wheel, and trying not to fall on the log roll!

1. Students Stephanie Minis and Steve Carroll try their luck on the Lagoon of Doom log roll.

2. Spinning the Prize Wheel are students Melanie Pettus and David Powers.

3. Dennis Bills, Christina Sullivan, and Lisa Slie help students learn more about the Academic Student Support Services Office.

4. Speaking on behalf of the Tutoring Center, Candace Cecil and John Hasselbach.

WVNCC’s Own Named Student of the YearDebbie Bennett, office administrator, completed her Master of Science in Strategic Leadership degree and was recognized as the Mountain State, Center Township, Student of the Year at the May 2012 Commence-ment Ceremony. Because of the cohort design of this program, Debbie says she has established a lifelong bond with her fellow classmates.

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Welcome Back Week!The semester on the Weirton campus got underway with a flurry of student activities. Monday of the first week featured a welcome back with pizza for the students. The Campus Activities Board sponsored a Luau on Thursday with lunch and games. A discovery fair also was held on Thursday featur-ing a number of services at the Col-lege which are available to support students. Students also had the op-portunity to participate in a scavenger hunt on campus during the first week, finding offices and services designed to help them succeed. Campus Dean Mike Koon said the events were well attended and provided a fun way to get the semester started.

Electronics RecyclingThe Weirton campus sponsored an electronics recycling event with on Aug. 14. The event was an opportunity for the community to dispose of elec-tronic devices. The event was part of a sustainability initiative for the Weirton campus this year.

Weirton ExpansionAfter completion of the technology wing on the Redline center last year, it would seem that there wouldn’t be any facility news on the Weirton campus this semester. However, Campus Dean Mike Koon reports there were a num-ber of changes during the summer. The open computer lab was relocated to room 241 and the space formerly used for the open lab, Room 209, was converted to two classrooms. In addi-tion, a math lab was established on the campus for developmental students. Thanks to the hard work of Alvin Works, John Mehaffey, Pete Kozdras, Mark Tracy and Jay Ellis, the facilities were ready for the students.

Weirton Campus

Opportunity in MechatronicsSummertime is usually thought of as a time for vacations. For four students in the Mechatronics program on the Weirton campus, this summer was altogeth-er different. In the photo, from left, Jessica Roberts, Pat Marshall, Evan Lamone and Jim Reardon were selected to participate in an internship at Arcelor Mittal in Weirton as part of the Steelworker for the Future program. The students had the opportunity to work on the maintenance crews and to put to practice some of what they had been learning in class. In addition to gaining valuable expe-rience, the students earned money that can help them complete their second year in the program. While the labs they had in the first year of the program prepared them for the internship, they reported that one of the biggest sur-prises was the size of the machinery and systems compared to what they had worked with in the labs. Fresh off of the summer experience, they’re eager to tackle the advanced courses in the second year of the program and also to as-sist the first level students.

Weirton students try to keep their balance in the Lagoon of Doom.