MOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE CONNECTION OCTOBER 2009 MCC FACULTY & STAFF NEWSLETTER WHAT’S INSIDE AROUND CAMPUS MAYOR AT MCC FOX 66 ANNOUNCES MCC AS MONTHLY GREEN BUSINESS WINNER BALLENGER LECTURE SERIES TO FOCUS ON NANOTECHNOLOGY OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH Q UOTE OF THE M ONTH "Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself, but talent instantly recognizes genius." --Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Donna Brazile brings message on health reform to MCC Democratic political strategist Donna Brazile spoke to a capacity crowd of more than 500 people at the MCC Women in Education luncheon program held on Sept. 22 in the Ballenger Field House, urging Americans to put aside political differences to focus on providing health care options for people from all walks of life. She encouraged audience members to become advocates, by embracing President Barack Obama's plan for health reform, which he has stated will "bring stability to Americans who already have health insurance, to guarantee affordable coverage for those who don't, and to rein in the cost of health care." "I'm really sick and tired of right vs. left and conservative vs. liberal, when we should be focused on right vs. wrong," Brazile said. "This is the richest country on the planet and we should have alternatives so we don't work and work till we die." After her address, Brazile greeted a group gathered at MCC's Presidential Conference Center and signed copies of her best-selling autobiography Cooking with Grease: Stirring the Pots in American Politics. Proceeds from the event benefit MCC's Women in Education Fund. MCC Partners with Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce on Intermodal Project With a new intermodal center at Bishop Airport and a major intermodal development planned for the old Buick City site, MCC is teaming up with the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce in an effort to inform area businesses about new technology for intermodal transportation and logistics. A free seminar will be held Thursday, Oct. 15 at MCC's Regional Technology Center (RTC). The program starts with a breakfast at 7 am followed by a presentation on the TDL/RFID Project at 7:30 am, an RFID lab demonstration at 8:30 am, with questions and answers at 8:45 am. This seminar will provide an opportunity for area businesses to learn the latest technology and opportunities for training in Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (TDL), including Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). "We are excited about this new program," said Clark Harris, MCC Dean of Technology. "I believe it will provide the necessary skills to workers in the transportation, warehousing, and logistics fields that will take Flint and its partnering communities to the next step of becoming a world-class intermodal hub." Anyone interested in attending should register by calling (810) 762-0585, or email margaret.peetwright@mcc.edu. The registration deadline is Oct. 7. This project was funded by a grant awarded under the Community Based Job Training Grants, implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. Outstanding Employee of the Month d Ca m pus MCC President Dick Shaink was among a group of area educators submitting testimony before a U.S. congressional panel during a hearing held Friday, Sept. 18 at UM-Flint. U.S. Rep. Dale E. Kildee, who chairs the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education of the Committee on Education and Labor, has introduced the "Fast Track to College Act of 2009" (HR 1578). The bill would support the creation of additional early colleges in the U.S. with a five-year appropriation of $150 million starting with FY 2010. The two early colleges in Congressman's Kildee's district are Mott Middle College on the MCC main campus and the Genesee Early College at UM-Flint. Congratulations are in order for Psychology Prof. Gail Knapp. During the spring, the American Psychological Association (APA) Committee of Psychology Teachers at Community Colleges (PT@CC) announced the seventh annual APA Electronic Project Contest to recognize innovative and high quality electronic presentations by community college psychology students. Gail served as the PT@CC sponsor for MCC student Aaron Griffin, whose presentation "Attention of the Lucky" won third place in the APA Electronic Contest. Nursing Profs. Gail Burleson and Kristel Ray are giving a presentation on simulation at The Trends in Occupational Studies conference in Grand Rapids October 8 and 9. The presentation is titled "Redefining Simulation in an Associate Degree Nursing Program: Lessons Learned from the Health Information Technology Scholars (HITS) Program." They will share how MCC is using simulation as a learning tool in the Health Sciences and how MCC's simulation program has evolved to incorporate patient safety initiatives, plus how we are using research and theory to guide simulation scenario development and future planning. Fine Arts Dean Mary Cusack lets us know that Music Prof. Mary Procopio performed with the Friends of Haiti Orchestra in a benefit concert in Peoria, Ill. on Sept. 26. She was also one of several featured chamber musicians on that concert. The performance raised scholarship funds for students attending the St. Trinity Music School and Camp in Port-au-Prince and Leogane, Haiti. Several of the instructors from the St. Trinity Music School will be in residency here at MCC during the winter semester. Wendy Byard, adjunct English professor and author of Teach and Reach for Classroom Miracles! Lessons on Teaching With Love will participate in "Teachers As Writers" Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 4:30 pm at the Genessee Intermediate School District. Rebecca Gale-Gonzalez invites you to join the Flint River Wild Ones at their annual potluck and seed collection at the I75/Clio southbound Rest Stop on Oct. 12 at 6 pm. RSVP 762-0455. The Public Safety Department is collecting old cell phones to benefit the YWCA of Greater Flint. Drop them by the office at CM1150 or call for 762-0554 more information. Counselor/Adj. Prof Kim Hart's Dad will be turning 103 years of age on Oct. 8. "We will celebrate with a small family gathering, unlike the 200 plus people we had when he turned 100," Kim adds. MCC welcomes the following new employees: Reading Instructor Parmis Johnson, start date: Aug. 31; Beverly Lloyd, Administrative Assistant I, Public Safety, Sept. 9; and Rose Beane, Ph.D. Director of the Learning Center and DisAbility Services, Sept. 14. Welcome, all, to the MCC family! Arou n Lorraine (Lori) Wcisel, Staff Assistant II - Counseling & Student Development, was selected as the Outstanding Employee of the Month for July 2009. Lori, who has been at Mott for over 25 years, was described as being the “hub” of several divisions, departments and committees working (separately and together) to improve curriculum for our students. It was noted that Lori has been revising the curriculum guides with patience and painstaking detail for many months due to changes to the General Education requirements and that she “exudes a professional approach each day, has a can-do attitude and epitomizes personal accountability by her attention to detail.” Lori was presented with a framed certificate of appreciation, a balloon bouquet and a $50 Target gift card. Mayor at MCC New Flint Mayor Dayne Walling spoke about his vision and plans for Flint to an audience gathered in the RTC auditorium on Friday, Sept. 11 for the kickoff of MCC's 2009-10 Fridays at Applewood Lecture Series. Accompanied by his newly appointed Communications Director Dawn Jones, (former reporter with ABC12 news), he recognized observance of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S. "We have firefighters and police officers who literally put their lives on the line everyday," said Mayor Walling."I want us to remember the tragedy of 9/11, but also the spirit of unity. Please join me in working for change everyday on our jobs, and our neighborhoods will be visible units of positive change." Ballenger Lecture to Focus on Nanotechnology Please mark your calendars for the Fall 2009 Ballenger Eminent Persons Fall Lecture, featuring a panel discussion on nanotechnology on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7 pm in the Ballenger Field House. This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required. Doors will open at 6 pm. The program will be preceded by a VIP Reception with the guest speakers. Reservations will be required for the reception. Call The Foundation for Mott Community College at 762-0425 for the cost of the reception and more information. Additional details will be forthcoming. FOX 66 Announces MCC as Monthly Green Business Award Winner October Events MCC faculty, staff and students will be hosting or participating in a number of activities throughout the month of October. Following is a list of events scheduled for the month. Oct. 8 The Friends of Mott Library Annual Art Auction in the Event Center. This year's event will feature Artist Jim Buckels as a special guest, with the theme: "Buckel Up." A preview and an opportunity to meet the artist will be at 5 pm, with the auction to follow at 6:30 pm. Door prizes will be awarded again this year. Special this year will be two pieces of art given away as door prizes. (One of the pieces is worth $4,000!) Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets can be purchased from any member of Friends of the Mott Library or by calling 762-0408. The Last Chance Sale offers another opportunity to purchase art, scheduled from 9 am to 1 pm on Oct. 9. All proceeds go to support the Mott Library. MCC was named the September recipient of the FOX 66 (WSMHTV) Green Business Award, presented to a local business each month for efforts toward making the workplace more eco-friendly. MCC was highlighted for its efforts during the Green Report, which airs on Thursdays during FOX 66 News at 10 pm. MCC was also recognized throughout September on FOX 66 online at www.wsmh.com/greenteam. MCC is actively pursuing a variety of green initiatives to ensure that these measures result in both cost savings and environmental benefits. MCC has established the Green Initiatives Team (GRiT), a group of MCC employees working hard to expand recycling efforts and educational outreach, on and off campus. MCC utilizes recycling, energy and paper reduction, all in an effort to keep our planet green. Fulbright Scholar Visit A host of MCC administrators, faculty, staff, students and community leaders were on hand to welcome Fulbright Visiting Specialist Dr. Hadeer Abo El Nagah at a reception held at Applewood Café on Thursday, Sept. 24. Dr. Abo El Nagah will lead a panel discussion titled "Islam and the West: Bridging the Cultural Divide" at the Flint Public Library from 11 am to 2 pm, Oct. 10, 2009. This event is free and open to the public. Dr. Abo El Nagah is scheduled to deliver the sermon at Woodside Church, at 10 am Sunday, Oct. 11. A reception with a question and answer session will follow her address. Dr. Abo El Nagah's presentations are part of the Fulbright Visiting Specialists: Direct Access to the Muslim World Program, administered by the Council for International Exchange Scholars. For details about events scheduled with Dr. Abo El Nagah, call MCC's Center for Teaching and Learning at 232-7883. The American Red Cross blood drive was held on Sept. 17, producing 42 successful donations. Thanks to everyone who helped make it possible, including the Events Office, Bear Bistro, Student Life, MCC Gardening Association, Prof. Paul Rozycki and to all the students, faculty and staff members who donated. Oct. 10 October is breast cancer awareness month. MCC's team will be participating in the annual American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event again this year, to be held downtown Flint at Saginaw Street. Registration is at 7:30 am with the walk scheduled to start at 9 am. Call 762-0455 to walk with the team, to make a donation or for details. Oct. 12 Annual Peace and Dignity program, an event designed to promote cross-cultural understanding, featuring The People of the Four Colors ceremony, 10 am – 2 pm on the lawn outside CurticeMott Complex. Directly descended from Native American rituals, the program features the People of the Four Colors ceremony and rededication of the Peace and Dignity Tree. The celebration also includes the beating of drums and ceremonial dancing. Through Oct. 13 Fine Arts Gallery Exhibit at Visual Arts & Design Center, Designs + Dimensions featuring works of Lansing area artist and graphic designer Kelly Salchow MacArthur. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Exhibit made possible in part by the Ballenger Trust. For information, call 762-0443. Oct. 16-17 MCC will host the 6th Annual Flint Film Festival at the RTC auditorium. For a listing of films scheduled for showing, please visit the website at www.theflintfilmfestival.com. The site will be continuously updated with photos and links to films posted. Admission prices will vary from $5.00 to weekend pass for $20. Students will receive a discount. Oct. 22 MCC 25th Annual Regional College Fair featuring dozens of representatives from a variety of higher educational institutions at Ballenger Field House, 6-8 pm. The MCC Regional College Fair provides prospective, current students and parents with an excellent opportunity to obtain information about college life, directly from officials representing a wide range of postsecondary institutions, in Michigan and out-of-state. For more information, call 762-0358. Oct. 30 Annual Halloween Party, coordinated by MCC Department of Public Safety, 5 - 8 pm at Ballenger Field House. Features include haunted house, bounce houses, face painting, candy bags and refreshments, and costume contest. Volunteers and donations are always welcome. Call Public Safety at 762-0222 for more information. OCTOBER 2009 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 6 GSA Club Meeting 2:30 pm Genesee Room 13 12 Flint River Wild Ones Meeting 6:00-9:00 pm Genesee Room Bruin Club Meeting 12:00 pm Genesee Room 19 20 Genesee Area Parliamentarians Meeting 4:30-8:00 pm PCC 101 Air Force Recruiting 10:00 am-12:00 am Curtice Mott Fishbowl 26 27 GSA Club Meeting 2:30 pm Genesee Room 7 Sierra Club Meeting 6-9:00 pm Genesee Room 14 MSU-Flint Field Advisory Board 2:30-5:30 pm RTC 2301 Sunday 2 3 4 8 9 10 11 Art Auction 5:00 pm Preview Event Center 15 City of Madison Police Testing 5:00-7:00 pm RTC 1301 21 22 College Night 6:00-8:00 pm Ballenger Field House Regional Career Pathway 7:30 am-3:00 pm RTC 1007 28 Saturday 1 For more calendar items visit www.events.mcc.edu 5 Friday 29 Last Chance Sale Art Auction Event 9:00 am Event Center 16 Flint River Watershed Coalition Board Meeting 8:00-11:30 am Genesee Room Flint Film Festival Noon-10:00 pm • RTC 23 Breast Cancer Walk 9:00 am Kearsley Street 17 18 Flint Film Festival 12:00 pm-9:00 pm RTC 1003 24 25 Band/Choir/Chamber Singers Concert 3:00-5:00 pm MMB 1130 30 31 EMU Student Teaching Seminar 4:30-7:00 pm MMB 1005 PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID Flint, MI Permit NO 51 1401 East Court Street Flint, Michigan 48503-2089