March 27, 2015
COD Engineering Club Earns ‘Best Design’ for Robot
Weighing in at 138 lbs., the COD Engineering Club’s
robot “Shamrock” (above) earned Best Design at the 28th
Annual Jerry Sanders Creative Design Competition at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The robot has
a square base platform measuring 20 by 21 inches and
features a drive train and steering capabilities that enable
it to spin 360 degrees in place as well as reach speeds of
up to 25 miles per hour. Competing for the third year in a
row as the only two-year school ever granted permission
to participate, COD’s Robotics Team members were up
against universities throughout the Midwest, including
UIUC, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Northern Illinois
University and the Illinois Institute of Technology. “The
students did a tremendous job,” said Engineering Club
advisor and COD Engineering Instructor Scott Banjavcic.
Click here for photos at COD and click here for
Banjavcic’s photos taken at the competition. Read More
A New Life in Law
After spending the
majority of her life in
school in pursuit of a
Ph.D. in Sociology,
Sarmistha Banerjee
sought a different path
after the birth of her
two sons. Hoping to capitalize on her interests, the stayat-home mom enrolled in the Paralegal Studies program
at College of DuPage. The life-changing decision resulted
in the Aurora resident becoming the first COD Paralegal
Studies graduate to pass the Illinois Bar Exam. “The COD
program did a great job of supporting me and when I
finished, I had a general sense of the law that prepared
me for what was a major life decision,” she said. “I was 42
when I started law school (at NIU) and 90 percent of my
fellow students were all 20 years younger than me. It was
nerve wracking.” Read More
Forensics Team Takes Third at IIFA State Tournament
After placing second at the Harper Community College Litrenta
Triangle Invitational and coming home with six individual gold
medals, the College of DuPage Forensics team continued its
success at the 2015 Illinois Intercollegiate Forensics Association
State Tournament, hosted by Northern Illinois University. Winners
include (back row, left to right): Marco Garcia, Sabrina Thomas,
Thea Klinker, Zoya Khan, Julia Fermier and Rocky Roque;
(front row, left to right) Nick Honeysett, Shannon Linares,
Coach Lauren Morgan, Brigette Mora, Mahera Suhail, Daily
Esquivel and Daniela Garcia. Read More
Paint It Black 2015
COD Photography student Kylie Kropp shoots a spontaneous
personality portrait of model Lizzie Larkin during the 2015 “Paint
It Black" session in the MAC’s Lobby. Click here for more
photos. This bi-annual event is part of the College's
Photography 1101 class taught by Professor Terry Vitacco. This
year’s budding photographers also included a class of Advanced
Photo Students from Willowbrook High School as part of the
COD/WHS Dual Credit Agreement program. WHS and other
regional high school students will participate along with
Advanced COD Photo Students in the Photo Program's inaugural
“Exposed” Photography Showcase on Tuesday, May 5, from 6 to
9 p.m. in SRC 2000. Click here for more information.
Writers Read Welcomes Sam Weller
Acclaimed author and authorized Ray Bradbury
biographer Sam Weller recently read and discussed his
work as part of the “Writers Read” series sponsored by
the Creative Writing Committee, Sci-Fi/Fantasy Club
and the Liberal Arts division at College of DuPage. Click
to view more images and a video from the event.
Weller is the authorized biographer of Ray Bradbury.
His book “The Bradbury Chronicles: The Life of Ray
Bradbury” was a Los Angeles Times bestseller and
winner of the 2005 Society of Midland Authors Award for
Best Biography and a Bram stoker award finalist.
Former Hospitality Student Owner/Operator of C1 Revolution
Amanda Morris is using her hospitality training to build a
creative public relations agency and event planning-lifestyle
company. In 2008, Morris reconnected with Ximena Beltran, a
friend working in public relations. Beltran enjoys social media
and digital strategy, while Morris enjoys event planning. The two
joined forces and founded their own company, C1 Revolution.
“I knew I just needed to go for it. The scariest part is the
jumping out of the plane part, but I knew I had the drive for it,”
she said. “Our name stands for ‘crazy ones,’ which comes from
a Steve Jobs quote: ‘Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the
rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes,
the ones who see things differently.’ We want to think outside
the box and show people our talents.” Read More
COD First in State to Offer Surgical Asst. Certificate
College of DuPage is the first college or university in the
state of Illinois to offer the Surgical Assistant Certificate
that will provide students with the experience and
knowledge to advance within the surgical technologist
field. Recently approved by the Illinois Community
College Board, the Surgical Assistant Certificate is an
online program that allows students to continue working
while pursuing their coursework. Students must be a
Certified Surgical Technologist, Certified Nurse
Operating Room (CNOR), or be a nurse with two years
of operating room experience. The College is also
pursuing program accreditation through the
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education
Programs “This certificate makes an individual more
marketable, because the OR environment is looking for
employees with a multitude of credentials for potential
cross-training opportunities. Offering the Surgical
Assistant certificate is a win-win for everyone,” said
Kathy Cabai, coordinator and professor of Surgical
Technology. Please click here to view a video about the
College's Surgical Technology program. Read More
Naperville Center Welcomes Community to New Digs
Lead Instructional Assistant for the Naperville Learning
Commons, Judy Thommes (far right), shares information with
visitors to the recent Naperville Regional Center Grand
Re-Opening. The recent event attracted more than 100
community members, students and prospective students who
toured the revamped 20,460 square-foot facility. Recent
renovations include a new science lab, student lounge areas, a
multi-purpose conference room and faculty workroom. In
addition, all classrooms have been updated to reflect a state-ofthe-art learning environment. Click here for more photos.
Reminder: The College's Spring Break is
March 29 to April 4. There are no classes;
however, the College will remain open. For
Regional Center hours, please click here.
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Calling All Peeps!
The CODFA Social
Committee invites all
staff to create some
G-rated art with
marshmallow "peeps."
Please drop off your
creations in HSC 2202
between 10:30 a.m.
Monday, April 6, and 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 7. You may
enter as an individual or group. Please include the title of
your peepspiece, your name(s) and contact information.
Winners will be announced no later than 5 p.m. on Monday,
April 13! Info: dilibert@cod.edu.
Kudos to…Assistant professor of Earth Science Joe
DalSanto who provided insight into black holes, worm
holes and time travel at the Geneva Public Library; and
associate MPTV Professor Tony Venezia, Green House
Supervisor Amy Hull and Horticulture Professor Judy
Burgholzer who introduced students to careers in film and
horticulture as part of the High Interest Day events at
Churchill School in Glen Ellyn.
More Kudos to…English professors Danica Hubbard
and Jason Snart who recently published “Using a Blog
Throughout a Research Writing Course,” an article in
Conference and Communication’s OWI Open Resource
Main Page through the National Council of Teachers of
English website.
More Kudos to…the Learning Commons team who
helped more than 150 students celebrate Pi Day early this
year with free pizza and lemonade, along with fun math
activities. Students worked on math-udoku puzzles, made
soccer balls and learned about Pi. Staff and tutors where
on hand to answer questions about support services
available in the Learning Commons. Please click here
for photos.
A Double Kudos to…High School Admissions Rep
Rio Almaria who recently received two letters praising her
ability to connect with students: “Rio was a delight for us to
have at Ombudsman. She really engaged the students and
actually got them to listen, which is a task that has been
proven difficult with previous college presenters. She did so
with ease, understanding and patience. We would love to
have her back! Students felt comfortable and like college
was attainable for them.” AND: “I wanted to take a moment
to let you know what a wonderful experience 30 Glenbard
West seniors had yesterday when they visited COD. Rio
and her crew welcomed them warmly. She has such
passion for her job and genuine caring for our students.
The students came in a little nervous but enjoyed their tour
and got to see what COD is all about and now are very
excited about attending. The student ambassadors were
great as well. We are so happy that Rio is our COD
representative.”
2015 Black History Month Highlights
Please take a moment to review highlights from this
year’s inaugural Black History Month events in a segment
produced by the College’s Multimedia Department.
Click here to view the video.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
Submit applications now through
April 30 for the Foundation’s 2015
Distinguished Alumni Awards. This
award recognizes former COD
students who have forged notable
careers and have attained
outstanding achievements.
Click here to read more about the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Winners
and click here to read more about this year’s application process.
Waterleaf Easter Brunch
Waterleaf invites guests to enjoy an Easter celebration brunch from
11 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Sunday, April 5. This 3-course prix fixe holiday
brunch will feature a choice of enticing starters, entrées and desserts.
For reservations, call ext. 6881. Read More
Green Cyclists Club
Spring is here! It's time to dust off that bike,
pump up the tires, and put some lube on the
chain. Got questions about cycling to COD?
Post in our group, we'll help you if we can. All
are welcome! For more info, please search
Facebook for COD Green Cyclists or try this
link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/codgreencyclists.
Archaeological Training in
Central Europe this Summer
College of DuPage is hosting an
archaeological field studies trip to
the Czech Republic this summer
from Sunday, June 21, to Friday,
July 24. Enrollments for this handson learning experience are still
being taken. The Archaeological and Bioarchaeological Field School,
hosted by the College of DuPage and Masaryk University-Brno since
2004, offers participants approximately five weeks of training and
hands-on experience at an excavation site dating back to the 9th
century. Read More
REMINDER: Summer and Fall Registration Just Around the Bend
Summer open registration begins Friday, March 27, and fall open
registration starts Friday, April 24. Summer session start dates are
May 26 (10-week and first 5-week), June 8 (8-week) and June 29
(second 5-week). Fall session start dates are Aug. 24 (16-week and
first 8-week), Sept. 15 (12-week) and Oct. 15 (second 8-week).
Purchasing Dates
For an item to be recommended for purchasing approval to the Board
of Trustees at the June 25, 2015, Board meeting, all specifications,
rationales, requisitions and IT equipment reviews must be in
Purchasing by Thursday, April 16, 2015. Please click here for a list of
all deadlines through the June 25, 2015, Board of Trustees meeting.
Job Opportunities
To view and apply for any posted internal job opportunity, go to:
https://cod.hiretouch.com. Job opportunities will be posted to the
external web page after they have been posted on the COD Portal for
seven days. For questions, please call ext. 2639.
Employment Information Lines?
(630) 942-2460 – For a listing of faculty, classified and
administrative positions. (630) 942-2639 – For detailed information and
to schedule skills testing for clerical positions. Apply at
www.cod.edu/hr.