Five programs and one program major were formally deactivated during the Board of Trustees meeting last Tuesday.  We want to assure the campus that the decisions were very difficult to make and were certainly not a reflection on the value of the programs, or the fine faculty teaching the courses within these programs.  In light of the budget cuts that the College is facing, it has been all the more important to ensure that we are aligning our scarce resources in a way that best serves the students. 

Through this evaluation, we came to the difficult decision that five programs and one major should be deactivated.  These include: Biotechnology; Computer and Information Support Services; Ceramics major of American Art, Design and Marketing; International Hospitality; Parks and Recreation; and Spa Management.

It is critical that we help to assure our enrolled students that we are committed to their program completion and success.  It will also be important to help our students and potential students differentiate between the programs being closed and those with like names.  If students have questions or concerns, please refer them to their program coordinator or dean to help them.

Landscape Management Students Complete John Light Hall Landscaping Project  

In an effort to make the entry more aesthetically appealing to prospective and current students, the Landscape Project Management capstone class collaborated with the Hocking College professional grounds crew to revamp the area outside of John Light Hall and Oakley Hall.

The landscaping used materials originally purchased for phase one of the project. Additionally, the students were trained and used new pieces of equipment as part of the educational process.

President Erickson will host his First Friday Forum this Friday, June 3, 2011 at 2 p.m. on the new terrace entrance of John Light Hall. Dr. Erickson will be honoring Instructor Andy Freeman and his landscaping students, who designed, constructed, and provided the sweat-equity for the newly completed landscape project. 

All staff and faculty are invited to STARS tonight at 7 p.m. in the Student Center Multiplex.  Keynote speaker Shawn Yates will share the story of his rise from unemployed construction worker to New Century Scholar.  Outstanding Graduate medals, Dean's List certificates and plaques for campus and community improvement will be awarded.

Invitation to Graduation Rehearsal and Commencement Ceremonies

Faculty and staff are invited to attend one of the graduation rehearsals, which will be June 6, 7 and 8, 2011, at 12 or 5 p.m. in the Student Center Multiplex.

A VIP enclosure next to the stage at graduation will be provided for faculty and staff to meet, greet and congratulate grads as soon as they have received their degrees.

For more information please contact Giles Lee at 740.753.6539 or visit the Hocking College Commencement webpage.

China Study Abroad Opportunity

Baby Bobo Has Arrived!

Chief Information Officer Derek Bobo and wife Kristy welcomed Gibson Bradley Bobo on May 28 at 6:57 p.m. He weighs 6 pounds 4 ounces and is 19.5 inches long. Mom and baby are both doing well. 

Congratulations to the Bobo family!

Would you all be interested in participating in a little friendly competition with the real winner being a charity organization?  Tony Camechis, Police program instructor, challenges Hocking College programs to a co-ed 1 ½ mile run with each program providing a team of three runners.  The only team requirements are that the runners must be full-time students in your program, and your team must be co-ed.  The winning team will be the team with the lowest accumulative time for the run.

The money will come from donations provided by the instructors in support of the team.  The winning team will designate the charity the money will be donated to on behalf of the School of Public Safety.  A plaque will also be hung on the wall identifying the winning program and charity. 

The race will take place on the bike path in the evening during the last week of classes, with the possibility of a cookout during and after the race.

I f you are interested, please select a representative from your program to contact Tony Camechis at 740.753.6485.

Hocking College provides a unique, innovative, and quality education in a supportive experience- based learning environment, preparing students for employment and transfer education opportunities, while teaching the value of lifelong learning, promoting diversity and developing citizens who are engaged in their local and global communities.