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January 3, 2012
Hocking College Closes Inn Operations
Effective immediately, Hocking College has closed operations at the Inn at Hocking College, including the Starbrick Bistro and Foxfire Lounge, along with banquet services.  Guest rooms at the Inn closed in June 2011.

The McClenaghan Center for Hospitality Training, home of the college's Culinary Arts, Baking and Hotel and Restaurant Management degree programs, and Rhapsody Restaurant, located on Nelsonville's historic square, will continue to operate as a student classroom and laboratory.

In October 2011, the college contracted with Panich and Noel Architects in Athens to conduct a study on the continued feasibility of the Inn.  The in-depth review includes a Lodging Market Study by Danter Company of Columbus, a site visit by national franchise operations, and a review of the plans and financial records of the existing facility.  
 
The results of the Feasibility Study, including a presentation of future options, will be completed the week of January 30, 2012.  Therefore, Hocking College decided to put all plans for public service on hold, and will await the final proposal to make additional decisions on the future of the Inn.
New Year, New Faces
Hocking College has recently filled several positions and some of the new hires are familiar faces.

Roger Buck, who previously served as interim director, was named the Director of Counseling Services. He began his new position on November 28, 2011.

Brad McGrath was named to the new position of Director of Retention Services on December 19, 2011.  Over the past 10 years, McGrath has served Hocking College first as Coordinator of Academic Advising for Residence Life, then Director of Campus Judiciaries/Ombuds, and then Academic Success Coordinator.

Jeffrey Daubenmire assumed the position of Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences on December 27, 2011.  Daubenmire has worked for Hocking in the College of Arts and Sciences as an adjunct instructor of various music classes since 2005.

Amy Shaner became the new Coordinator of High School Partnerships on January 3, 2012.  Shaner has been an Assistant Professor in the Office Management Program at Hocking since 2001.

Newcomer Sheena Fennell has been named the Dean of the School of Health and Nursing, effective January 3, 2012.  Fennell is currently owner and CEO of The Wellness Connection - A Home Care Agency, Inc. and taught at the Ohio State University before coming to Hocking. She takes the place of Lynne Peterson, who retired at the end of 2011.

Please welcome or congratulate these employees on their new positions!
Logan Campus Presents Green Seminar Series

This year, the Logan campus will feature a series of monthly seminars to provide information on going green and other topics in the area of energy efficiency.  


Seminars will be held in room 126 of the Hocking College Energy Institute at 6 p.m. and tickets will cost $10 each, unless otherwise noted.  So far, the following five lectures have been announced:


On January 25, AFV International President Bill McGlinchey will present "Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles - The Pressure to Convert."  This seminar will provide an overview of Compressed Natural Gas technology and its benefits.


On February 15, Ed Fickel of the Hocking County Beekeepers Association will present "The Buzz about Beekeeping."  This seminar will explain beekeeping and its benefits.


On March 21, Hocking College Auto Hybrids Coordinating Instructor James Baker will present "Hybrid and Electric Vehicles - A Greener Alternative."  Baker will give an overview of hybrid technology, and hybrid vehicles will be displayed for inspection and test rides.


On April 18, Jeff Persons of Geo Source One will present "The Hot and Cold of Geothermal Heating and Cooling."  This seminar will offer information on geothermal heating and cooling as well as demonstrations of the Hocking College Energy Institute's geothermal HVAC system.

 

McGlinchey will also present "Compressed Natural Gas Safety Basics" on May 16, 2012.  This session covers the basics of CNG safety with a comparison to gasoline and the benefits of using this reliable fuel source.

Seating is limited so reservations are recommended.  Contact Jestinah McDonald at 740.380.9315, ext. 6601. 

Last Chance for Weight Watchers
Is your New Year's resolution to lose weight? Hocking College is exploring the possibility of starting a Weight Watchers at Work program.  The sessions will be held over the lunch hour, on-site at the college. Also, our health insurance carrier Medical Mutual offers a program, so that up to $150 per year of the Weight Watchers fees may be reimbursable.  Interested?  We need 15 people to bring Weight Watchers at Work to campus. Contact Loretta Whaley at 740.753.7041 in Human Resources as soon as possible to advise her of your interest, so that we may start the group after the new year.
Grant Funds Used to Upgrade HVAC Systems
In June 2010, Hocking College first learned that it was a recipient of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block grant program. These American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant funds were distributed through the State of Ohio Department of Development to small towns, schools, colleges and universities in Ohio with the best proposals.

The funds awarded to Hocking, totaling in excess of $440,000, were used to pay for the material and labor costs of upgrading our HVAC systems, control systems, occupancy sensors and boilers throughout the main campus. This new and upgraded equipment is now much easier for our facilities staff to monitor, will yield more comfortable environments through the indoors of the main campus and operate much more efficiently by using less electricity.

The expected utility savings from this project will be in excess of $90,000 a year and in turn reduce our carbon footprint by over 600 metric tons a year. This project is now completed, and the grant is closed.    
Mission

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.

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Kudos Korner
 

Con
struction Management - Carpentry Students Complete Campus Improvement Projects

Kudos to Construction Management-Carpentry students who recently completed two concrete projects, one on campus and one close to campus.  
The first was a public canoe access ramp along the Hocking River next to the bridge at the North end of Hocking Parkway.  This particular project was challenging, due to a strong sloping sidewalk, which terminated in the river.  A concrete pumper truck was used to aid in the placement of the concrete, well beyond the reach of the chute of the concrete mixing truck.  Timing of the pour was critical to complete the project while the river was at a low point.  Just days after the date of the pour, the river had risen to flood stage, with no harm to the concrete.  

The second project was a 16 feet by 24 feet patio extension on the East side of the Student Center on campus.  This project was completed the week of Thanksgiving during a short window of dry weather.  The extended patio should provide a larger area for outdoor cookouts during special Student Center events.  

Construction Management-Carpentry students involved in both projects include:   R.L. Davis, Jimmy Deal, Nick Hilborn, Brad King, Sean Moore, Matt Waldron, Amber Well, Chadd Whitlatch, Zachary Wolfe, Brock Bergman, Joshua Hubble, John Jenkins, Tim Pietro, Joe Scott, Noah Strode,  Matthew Thompson, and Nathan Kunkler.  The Construction Management-Carpentry instructors are Todd Hoffman and Jim Batey.

Great job and thanks for your contributions to campus!

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3301 Hocking Parkway
Nelsonville, OH 45764
[email protected] / www.hocking.edu

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