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From the President
A Personal Invitation
I invite you to help us celebrate the best day of the entire academic year: Hocking College's Graduation. This is not just a celebration of the accomplishments of our students, but also a celebration of Hocking College and all that it represents to the people and communities of Appalachian Ohio.
For almost anyone who graduates from an Ivy League institution, graduating from college has always been a foregone conclusion. High academic achievement in high school, combined with a healthy socio-economic background, virtually guarantees degree attainment. But that is not the typical story of our graduates. Our graduates often come from economically depressed homes and communities. They come to us against the voices that suggest they are not fit for collegiate studies, that higher education may be for others, but not for them. They come to us despite the hardships of learning while working fulltime, or raising children as single parents, or caring for family members. And on graduation, they overcome all of those hardships. They achieve something that cannot ever be taken away, and never look at themselves in the same way again.
I hope everyone reading this will consider attending, because it is not just a celebration of our students. It is an annual celebration of your efforts as well, in making Hocking College the welcoming, supportive and hope-filled place that it is, and always will be.
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 | | Board Chairman Mike Brooks (left) presents the President's List Award to Tim Davis (right). |
President's List Award Recipients
Hocking College is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2012 President's List Award.
Students demonstrating leadership, service and superior scholastic performance are selected annually for the President's List. Requirements to be considered for a President's List Award include a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above; demonstrated and documented leadership at Hocking College; and specific service to the college, department, program, fellow students or the community.
An awards dinner was held at the Inn at Hocking College on Tuesday, May 22 for the selected students, where Hocking College President Dr. Ron Erickson and the Board of Trustees honored the recipients.
Recipients include Robert Alexander, Natasha Alfman, Kahtan Al Jewary, Khader Alshaar, Belinda Baldwin, Kenneth Bannister, Richard Bundock, Colton Barnhart, April Butterworth, Emily Carmack, Tabitha Craft, Dylan Crawford, Amanda Cresanto, John Deblo, Timothy Davis, Lisa Fulk, Cody Hill, Cheyney Johnson, Jason Jones, Justin Messinger, Samantha Russell, Jennifer Spellman, Ryan Swigart, Jennifer Tinkler and Luke Walters.
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 Commencement Updates and Announcements
Commencement will take place on Sunday, June 10, 2012. Graduates from the School of Natural Resources and Health and Nursing will be at the 10:30 a.m. ceremony. All other schools will graduate at the 2:30 p.m. ceremony.
In an effort to establish a new tradition at the Hocking College Commencement ceremony, Emily Carmack will speak at the morning ceremony, and is one of two students who has been selected to serve as an honorable commencement speaker. Emily is a recent President's List Award winner and is a natural leader who excels by encouraging others. She has become somewhat of an expert in guiding her fellow students through the rigors of the health and fitness demands of the Natural Resources Law Degree. Emily's work as a dispatcher for the Hocking College Police Department allows her to gain valuable experience. She serves as an example to all women who are considering a degree in law enforcement.
Emily will graduate this August and sees her future as one that has her employed with a city police department or the National Parks Service. Wherever Emily goes, she just wants to make sure that it's with a good attitude and her personal determination to never settle, growing each and every day, and providing service to her community and her profession.
Belinda Baldwin, the second honorable commencement speaker, will address the afternoon commencement. Belinda is also a President's List Award recipient, and graduates in June with a degree in Office Management.
Two years ago, Belinda was a dislocated from her job, after working for 30 years. Instead of searching for another job, Belinda decided to try college for the first time in her life. Belinda has served as an officer of Kappa Beta Delta, the business honor society, for two years and has been the top fundraiser in every service project. Belinda's faculty commend her for her incredible work ethic, passion for learning and exceptional organizational skills, meticulous nature and always striving to do her very best. After graduation, she hopes to combine her 30 years of experience and her associate's degree to be an incredible employee.
Other Important Graduation Information:- Deans will read the graduates' names for the entire school, and faculty and staff are invited to sit in a special VIP enclosure on the Oakley-end of the Multiplex to meet, greet and congratulate grads as soon as they have received their degrees.
- Please submit any good photos from the last two years to Giles Lee for a PowerPoint presentation he is creating for the commencement ceremony.
- Faculty and staff are invited to attend one of the graduation rehearsals, which will be June 4 and 6, 2012, at 12 or 5 p.m. in the Student Center Multiplex.
- All graduates who are members of the Armed Services are invited to wear their military uniform in lieu of the traditional cap and gown. As an institution that strives to honor those who serve our country, we look forward to doing so on this day of celebration.
For more information please contact Giles Lee at 740.753.6539 or visit the Hocking College Commencement webpage.
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Goodbye and Best of Luck!
We wish the best of luck to the following retirees as they start the next chapter in their lives: Sally Ball, Allied Health and Nursing Instructor; Ed Bucnis, Prison Program; Ed Geckler, Engineering Instructor; Katherine Kropf, Physical Therapist Assistant Instructor; Mar Magyary, Early Childhood Education Instructor; Rita Preston, Nursing Instructor; David Smith, Prison Program; Rebecca Wood, Natural Resources Instructor.
Carrie Ator-James, Library Director, is also retiring. All staff are invited for cake and punch in DVD 108 on June 5 from 2 - 4 p.m. to wish her a happy retirement.
Additionally, Larry Coon, Dean of Natural Resources, is also retiring. The campus community is invited to his retirement party on Wednesday, June 6 from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. at Robbins Crossing. In the case of rain, the party will be held at the Natural Resources building.
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WCMH Features Summer Experience Camp
 | | Hocking College Experience Camp |
A segment about the Hocking College Summer Experience Camp was recently featured on WCMH-4 Columbus. Thanks to everyone who helped provide Monica Day with the Hocking College hands-on experience, and created a positive news story for the college!
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Brooks Finalist for OACC Trustee Award
Hocking College Board of Trustees Chairman Mike Brooks was selected as one of six finalists for the Ohio Association of Community College (OACC) Maureen C. Grady Award for Special Achievement.
The award is presented to an Ohio board trustee who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and made outstanding contributions to their college and surrounding community.
Brooks, Chairman of Rocky Brands, Inc., has been a Hocking College Board member since early 2011 and Chairman since September 2011. In the award nomination letter, Dr. Ron Erickson, Hocking College President, commented, "As Chairman, Mike has brought about a new era of transparency to bear on Board governance...The relationship between the institution and its governing body has never been healthier or more open." He concluded, "I can think of no other individual trustee currently serving Ohio's community college system who would be more deserving, or more appreciative, of this great honor."
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 Hocking Staff Present at OU "Diversity Essentials"
The Ohio University Office for Diversity, Access and Equity, along with University Human Resources Leadership and Staff Development presented "Diversity Essentials."
The program consists of four sessions held each quarter. Participants include University Communications and Marketing, University Advancement Development and community members from Athens to round out the full cohort. The "Diversity Essentials" cohort members engage in an interactive environment that includes hands-on exercises, small group discussions and facilitated large group discussions to share and explore ideas and concepts regarding diversity, increased awareness and inclusion. Trained team members facilitate the four sessions.
Laura's presentation was designed to stimulate reflective discussion on existing perceptions of global demographics related to gender, nationality, spirituality, health status and educational level.
George's presentation raised awareness of levels and positions of privilege and marginalization as they relate to various cultural and social groups such as race, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political affiliation, and educational level. The presentation also served to stimulate reflexive discussions about individual responsibilities toward addressing privilege and marginalization.
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Hocking Grads Named to 2012 Cadet Class
Six Hocking College graduates are among the 11 cadets selected for the Ohio Wildlife Officer Training Academy for their 2012 class from a pool of more than 660 applicants. The cadets will complete six months of training before becoming state wildlife officers. The 2012 training program started on January 9.
The six Hocking grads include Aaron Brown, Jesse Janosik, Augustus Kiebel, Craig Porter II, Markus Schemmel II and Eric Vonalmen.
According to an article in Ohio Outdoors magazine, Schemmel, who graduated in 2011 with a degree in wildlife management commented, "I don't have anything but good to say about Hocking College and its natural resources school. Everything was hands-on, so to speak, so that was one of the big sellers for me."
Congratulations to our Hocking Grads as you embark on your new careers!
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 Kids Educational Program Features Water Cycle
Participants will travel the world as a water drop; listen to Drip as he shares some of the places he has been; and drink a bit of the past.
This free fun-filled educational program is designed for preschool to fifth grade kids. Two sessions will be held, starting at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. and each session will last about an hour. Space is limited to 15 seats per session so please pre-register by calling 740.753.0101. Weather permitting, the sessions will be outside so please dress appropriately.
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STARS Reminder
Just a reminder, the entire campus community is invited to the STARS (Student Team and Academic Recognition System) ceremony that will be held on May 30, 2012, at 7 p.m. in the Student Center Multiplex.
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 Wayne National Forest Seeks Volunteers for National Trails Day Project
Volunteers are asked to meet at the Wildcat Hollow Trailhead at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, 2012. To access this trailhead, take State Route 13 north from Athens. Turn at the sign past Tom Jenkins dam. There are two exits, CR 16 (Irish Ridge Road) then take a right onto Township Road 298. The road curves around to the left and should take you to the parking lot which should be marked. GPS Lat/Long coordinates for the trailhead is 39 deg 34' 22" / 82 deg 01' 58".
Volunteers will assist with brushing and clearing of trails from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please wear long pants and sturdy footwear (boots), and dress appropriately for the weather. Pack your own lunch and water. Gloves and safety gear will be provided.
Register today by calling Assistant District Ranger Dawn McCarthy at 740.753.0527.
For more Wayne National Forest information, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/wayne/ or contact a local Wayne National Forest office at 740.753.0101.
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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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GeoEnvironmental Alum Promoted at ODNR
Brandon Mitchell is a 2011 graduate of the GeoEnvironmental Science program. Shortly after graduation, Brandon began working for Envirocore, an environmental drilling company in Columbus, where he performed drilling, ground water monitoring well installation and environmental sampling at contaminated sites.
In November of 2011, Brandon was hired by ODNR as a Mineral Resources Inspector 1 within the Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management. Competing with a pool of over 600 applicants, Brandon successfully demonstrated his knowledge of geology, oil and gas extraction methods and ground water protection issues. Brandon was recently promoted to Mineral Resources Inspector 2 where he will oversee all oil and gas well siting, drilling, and production activities in Knox County. Knox County is currently experiencing rapid development of Utica shale-gas wells.
Brandon stated, "The training that I received in the GeoEnvironmental Science program was exceptional and provided me with the knowledge that I use every day as an oil and gas well inspector for ODNR."
Program Coordinator, Dr. Mike Caudill was pleased to hear the news and said, "As one of our first group of graduates, we are very proud of Brandon. He is a wonderful representative of Hocking College and the GeoEnvironmental Science program. Knox County is in good hands."
Congratulations to Brandon and best wishes for his continued success at ODNR!
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Alumni Named Fire Department Captain
Congratulations to Hocking College alumni Chad Christopher who was recently named Mount Vernon Fire Department Captain. Chad began his career with the Mount Vernon Fire Department in March 2001. He holds an Associate's Degree in Fish and Wildlife and is a graduate of the Ohio Fire Academy. He served as a firefighter/paramedic until September 2007 when he was promoted to lieutenant. He lives in Mount Vernon with his wife and two daughters.
Read more: MVFD swears in new firefighters
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