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 Nature Center Partners with Athens Lowe's
Nine Athens Lowe's associates and four family members volunteered with the Lowe's Heroes Program at the Hocking College Nature Center on Thursday, August 2 to assist with the construction of a new outdoor turtle habitat.
The project aims to provide the community with more educational opportunities while giving the turtles increased UV exposure, making them healthier. Barry Unger, a Nature Center employee, contacted Lowe's for advice on building the turtle garden, hoping for some guidance and the donation of some materials. Instead, store manager Don Richards noticed that the Nature Center's project was a perfect fit for the Lowe's Heroes Program, an initiative that provides local Lowe's stores funds to assist their communities.
For the past seven years, Lowe's in Athens has sponsored two to three projects a year through the Heroes Program, donating materials and manpower to local groups.
"We look for projects that affect the most people," said Richards. "It's a great thing to be able to do for the community." Richards and a six-person committee chose the turtle garden out of a pool of 12 proposed projects because of its educational value and impact on the community.
Unger notes that, while living outdoors greatly benefits the turtles themselves, the turtle garden increases school field trip opportunities and improves outdoor study areas. He commented, "Kids can sit around the turtle garden and talk about what they are watching." Lowe's generous support of the Hocking College Nature Center will improve the facility for school field trips and other educational activities, Unger concluded.
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 Bowald Named Dean of School of Natural Resources
Ken was named 2012 National Project Learning Tree (PLT) Outstanding Educator. He is a member of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) as a certified interpretive trainer and life member. Ken was also the recipient of the NAI 2008 Special Interpretive Recognition and the 1995 Outstanding New Interpreter Award, as well as the PLT-Ohio Outstanding Educator Award in 2011. He was recognized in 2006 with the Hocking College Excellence in Teaching award. |
 Student Receives Forty and Eight Scholarship
Hocking College second-year Registered Nursing (RN) student Janie Cancila is the recipient of this year's Forty and Eight Scholarship.
Cancila completed the Practical Nursing (LPN) program at Hocking before immediately moving into the RN program. Upon her graduation, Cancila hopes to work at the VA hospital in Chillicothe while continuing her education.
La Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux (Forty and Eight) Scholarship provides full tuition to a full-time nursing student at Hocking College. The scholarship fund was initially created in 1955 to address a shortage of nurses and continues to financially assist nursing students.
"It's challenging to juggle classes, study time, family, and driving back and forth from Columbus," Cancila says. The Forty and Eight Scholarship will help Cancila reduce her student loans and relieve some financial worries.
Cancila graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology before working in the service industry for twelve years. She enrolled at Hocking College to expand her career opportunities.
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Parking and Transportation Update
Hocking College has recently entered into a partnership with the Logan Transit Authority to provide transportation to and from the Logan Campus for autumn term. Students who live on main campus or in the surrounding area will be able to utilize this free transportation option should they have classes located on our Logan Campus. The transportation schedule will be announced soon.
Also, beginning autumn semester 2012, all students, including those at the Perry and Logan Campuses, will be required to purchase a parking permit if they elect to park on any Hocking campus. Permits are now available for purchase at the Cashier and Records office at main campus, and at the Logan and Perry administrative offices.
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 School of Public Safety Offers CCW Pistol Course
Hocking College will offer the National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Course on Saturday, August 11 and Sunday, August 12. This course qualifies students to apply for their Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) license.
The class focuses on participants with little to no experience. It will be held on Saturday, August 11 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, August 12 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Public Safety Services building and Hocking College Firing Range. Handguns are available and ammunition will be provided.
For more information, contact Betty Dalton at 740.753.6451 or 740.753.643 or email martin_c@hocking.edu.
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Spring Quarter 2012 Dean's List Announced
Hocking College is pleased to announce the students named to the spring quarter 2012 Dean's List. Students on the Dean's List must have earned at least a 3.3 grade point average (GPA) and be taking at least 12 credit hours. Visit the Hocking College website for a complete list of students earning this honor.
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 Hocking College Foundation Welcomes New Board Members, Confirms Officers
The Hocking College Foundation welcomed new board members Jim Rogers, Dewey Thompson, Kevin Dotson and Tom Vorisek at a meeting on June 29, 2012. The board also confirmed the following officers for FY2013: Don Wood, Chair; Diana Spurgus, Vice-Chair; Gina Fetty, Treasurer; and Cathy Kerns, Secretary.
Jim Rogers, of Logan, earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from The Ohio State University, followed by a Master's Degree in Business Administration and Finance from Xavier University. He owns Southeast Ohio Insurance Agency and is a lifelong farmer. Rogers has been very active in his community, including time spent as President of the Logan-Hocking Chamber of Commerce and Director of ACEnet.
Dewey Thompson, of Coshocton, earned an Associate's Degree in Forestry from Hocking College before receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications and Finance from Ohio University. Thompson is the principal owner of H. Dewey Thompson Finance Service Ltd., a company providing financial planning and financial products to individuals and businesses. In 1996, Thompson received the Distinguished Service Award from the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
Kevin Dotson, of Nelsonville, currently serves as the President of the Nelsonville City Council and Mayor of Nelsonville. He is the retail manager at Rocky Outdoor Gear Store and the President of the Nelsonville Chamber of Commerce. Dotson is also a member of the Nelsonville Rotary and Ohio Commodores.
Tom Vorisek, of Gahanna, is a 1980 graduate of Hocking College's Forest Management Program and received a Bachelor's Degree from Ohio University. He serves as the founder and president of Vorisek Financial Corporation, through which he has provided financial services since 1985.
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Alum Begins Work in Licking County
Chris Rice, a 2004 graduate of Hocking College's Fish and Wildlife Management program, has been assigned to Licking County as a Wildlife Officer. Prior to his new assignment, Officer Rice served as the Union County Wildlife Officer. In 2010, he received the Ohio Bowhunters Association's Wildlife Officer of the Year Award.
Officer Rice said, "I look forward to working closely with the residents and local agencies of Licking County."
In his new position, Officer Rice is responsible for enforcing wildlife laws and providing support to other law enforcement agencies. He will also perform educational and wildlife management duties.
For more information, see the Buckeye Lake Beacon article.
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 Athens Native Coaches in 2012 Olympics
Holly Bonewit-Cron, daughter of adjunct professor Kathy West and retired faculty member Kim Bonewit, is serving as the head swim coach for the country of Grenada during the 2012 London Olympics.
Bonewit-Cron is currently the head women and men's swim coach at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She founded the program herself during the 2009-2010 school year. Before coaching at Nova Southeastern, Bonewit-Cron spent six years as the assistant men and women's swim coach at the University of Florida.
In 2000, Bonewit-Cron was an Olympic Trials Qualifier. She did not make the team, but she was ranked 42nd in the world after a 30th-place finish in the trials.
Of her trip to the Olympics, Bonewit-Cron stated in an Athens Messenger article, "I'm so excited. It's truly something I always wanted, but never expected to happen."
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Parade of the Hills Pie Contest and Auction
 On Thursday, August 16 at the Bell Tower Stage, check out the Parade of the Hills Pie Contest and Auction. Hocking College will be donating six pies for the auction and judges will be members of our Culinary Arts program.
You can take part by entering a pie in the contest, buying at the auction, or just attending this great Nelsonville community event. Pie drop-off begins at 1 p.m., judging commences at 4 pm., and the pie auction is scheduled for 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Support the community and enjoy delicious pie at the Parade of the Hills Pie Contest and Auction. For more information, visit the Parade of the Hills website. |
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Hocking Alum Plays Crucial Role in Zero Waste Initiative
Joe Steinbrecher, an EcoTourism and Adventure Travel graduate, worked as one of two AmeriCorps volunteers for Rural Action's Appalachia Ohio Zero Waste Initiative (AOZWI), a program designed to increase waste diversion and prevent local waste from becoming a liability.
Steinbrecher and his fellow volunteer not only spread the word about the Zero Waste Initiative, they also used a $2,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to clean up dumpsites in Athens, Hocking, Perry and Morgan counties. Additionally, they partnered with Trimble School District to create a recycling program within the schools.
"Working with the Zero Waste Initiative has opened my eyes. I can't look at anything the same anymore," said Steinbrecher, who plans to incorporate what he's learned into his career and life.
See the Rural Action article for more information.
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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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Archaeological Dig Receives Positive Response
From July 9-12, the Hocking College Archaeology program partnered with the Athens County Historical Society and Museum to conduct an archaeological dig teaching the public the basics of archaeology.
The dig took place at the home of Liz and Lynn Shaw, a historical site believed to have been part of the Underground Railroad. Hocking College faculty and Archaeology students guided 32 members of the public through the dig.
Ronald W. Luce, director of the Athens County Historical Society and Museum, sent a letter of gratitude in regards to the participating faculty, staff and students, stating, "Everyone involved considers this partnership a great success." Luce expressed his hope that the partnership will continue in the future.
Congratulations to Annette Ericksen, Dawn Walter Gagliano and the entire Natural Resources program on a successful project!
Check out the Archaeology program blog for info about the project.
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