Campus
Communicator
AUGUST • 2012
WVNCC Celebrates 40 Y ears!
by Northern’s Culinary Arts students, Crowder was introduced by
Dr. Mary Marockie, president of the
West Virginia Northern Community
College Foundation Board of Trustees. 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.”
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 president from 1972-85.
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 Dining 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 expansion 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 exclusive way to remember WVNCC in
their wills.
“West Virginia Northern is extremely pleased that former President
Crowder and his wife, Wreatha, were
able to join us for our anniversary
commemoration,” Dr. Martin J. Olshinsky, 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
Crowder cited early leaders of the college, including two members of that
first presidential search committee
who attended the special luncheon.
They are Bill Deibert, retired Northern faculty member, and Jerry Halverson, one of only two emeritus members 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 Rebecca 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.
Home-Based
Business
Extravaganza
Small business owners and budding
entrepreneurs took advantage of a
unique opportunity to participate
in an exclusive Home-Based Business 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 income; business networking; business
coaching and more. Event organizers
included the Small Business Development 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 Advocare, Angela Shaffer Photography,
Angelgift Center, Answer Foods, At
Home America, Avon, Biltmore Inspirations, Beijo Designer Handbags,
Blessings Unlimited, CAbi, Celadon
Road, Celebrating Home, Cookie Lee,
doTerra Essential Oils, Dove Chocolate 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, Visalus, Wild Tree Natural Foods.
Donna Schramm of the Small Business 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
Wheeling Ca mpus
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 local economy.
All College Day
As 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 auditorium. Faculty members, administrators, and other staffers from North-
All College Day 2012
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 College’s 40th anniversary year.
The day began with the serving of
breakfast and then Dr. Martin J. Olshinsky addressed the audience, providing 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.
Sheri Powell from Pretzel Crazy talks to an interested customer.
A highlight of the day was a presentation by Jennifer Radt, a disability ser-
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November 15, 2012
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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 decision 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 discussed the new Web portals for students, faculty, and staff along with plans related to
WiFi access at the College.
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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 mandated 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 Sisters, who hail from the Weirton area, performed
numerous numbers on the front lawn of the
B&O Building and had their audience up dancing. Anniversary cake, soft drinks and twin pops
compliments of Ziegenfelder’s were served. Special drawings were held for giveaways of tickets to
amusement parks, the zoo, and gift cards.
The Joseph Sisters
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.
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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.
WVNCC Given
Dominion Grant
West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin officiates at a check presentation
in Charleston during which he announced that West Virginia Northern
Wheeling Expansion
Work 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 building is nearly complete and the crews are
“very heavy” into the masonry/foundation phase of the reconstruction. He added that soon a wall will be constructed
for the lobby/elevator area of the building 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.
Community College is being granted
$50,000 from the Dominion Foundation for purchase of a hydraulics
simulator for its classes in Mechatronics 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 Dominion Power; Dr. Martin J. Olshinsky,
WVNCC president; Tomblin; and Jim
Skidmore, chancellor of the Community and Technical College System of
West Virginia.
Wetzel Chamber
Awards Dinner
The Wetzel County Chamber of
Commerce held its Annual Awards
Ceremony on April 26. This event
recognizes the outstanding members
and organizations of the community 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 community 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 Dinner
Thursday 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 firstyear students, it was their opportunity
to meet fellow classmates and instructors. 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 Wheeling campus.
New Martinsville Ca mpus
Say Hello to Rusty!
Thanks to Lynn Caseman, adjunct
instructor, the New Martinsville campus has a new piece of artwork. Mr.
Caseman saw this chicken in an artist’s
yard in Fly, OH, and originally considered 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 weathered a bit because of his life in the
outdoors. The artist and his wife graciously agreed to bring him to a location 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
Rusty & Lynn Caseman
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 Offered
The 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 administration 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, purchase 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.
WVNCC’s Own Named
Student of the Year
Debbie 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 Commencement 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 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.
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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.
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 featuring a number of services at the College which are available to support
students. Students also had the opportunity 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.
Weirton students try to keep their
balance in the Lagoon of Doom.
Electronics Recycling
The Weirton campus sponsored an
electronics recycling event with on
Aug. 14. The event was an opportunity
for the community to dispose of electronic devices. The event was part of a
sustainability initiative for the Weirton
campus this year.
Weirton Expansion
Weirton Ca mpus
After 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 number 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 addition, 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.
Opportunity in Mechatronics
Summertime is usually thought of as a time for vacations. For four students in
the Mechatronics program on the Weirton campus, this summer was altogether 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 experience, 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 surprises 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 assist the first level students.