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From the President
 In Times of Uncertainty
The first day of our College's very first semester finds us with over 900 fewer students than last year at this time in our enrollment cycle. Although the full impact of this decline won't be known for a couple weeks, we can certainly already surmise that it will call on us to look for more ways in which we can cut costs and generate more revenue. If there is a silver lining to this cloudy forecast, it is that almost all of the 23 public colleges in Ohio are facing similar situations, and that those institutions going through semester conversion seem to be enduring the greater rates of decline.
Despite this fact, it is heartening to face an academic year that offers new benefits to our primary mission of teaching and learning. The thousands of sections that will convene by week's end will be granted the greatest benefit that semesters bring: More time. The longer term means more time for the relationships between teachers and learners to grow, more time for thoughtful classroom discussions, more time for new instructional strategies to be tested, and more time for learning to take root. As we begin to test-drive this new academic calendar, I remain hopeful that these and other benefits will begin to emerge.
It will be of little benefit to lament our sagging enrollment. Instead, I encourage all of us to celebrate and support the thousands of students who have made the decision to launch their college careers with us this fall. Indeed, it is the best antidote to our current shortage. Those who have chosen Hocking are now all the more valuable to our continued vitality, and every effort should be made to support the completion of their degrees. And I know we are up to that challenge. The outstanding dedication I witness every day from all of you assures me of that.
Have a great autumn semester!
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Faculty & Staff Receive Excellence Awards
Hocking College faculty and staff were recognized for excellence on Monday, August 20, a week before the start of autumn semester 2012.
Congratulations to the following faculty and staff who have earned these awards:
Excellence in Service Awards
Michelle Armas
Students describe Michelle as always willing to help and go the extra mile, a good listener, dependable, courteous and professional. She is the admissions office at Perry Campus and exceeds all expectations.
Kristi Kozma
Through her work with the Access Center, Kristi has one of the most challenging assignments in the college. She is described as unflappable, resourceful, serious minded, a tenacious student advocate and an artful liaison.
Jan Six
As part of the administrative computing team, Jan is dedicated, hard-working, is a role model and always there when needed. His supervisor commented, "I don't know of a single person, whether student, faculty or staff who does not like and respect this person."
Excellence in Instruction Awards
Kim Caudill
Kim's passion for teaching GeoEnvironmental Science is infectious. She is described as an amazing instructor, providing a tremendous amount of hands-on material and extending her office hours to make sure students get help and are successful.
Dr. Mike Caudill
Mike, also a GeoEnvironmental Science instructor, makes confusing subjects fascinating and easy to understand, according to his students. He is an exceptionally smart man who makes himself available to students at all times and is always willing to lend a hand.
Marty Hanlin
Marty is an instructor in the E-Commerce and Web Design program. He has a unique way of connecting with each and every student. He inspires confidence in his students to believe in their own abilities.
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Access Hocking College...on the go!
Through the combined efforts of the web team and the marketing department, we are excited to announce Hocking College is now mobile. Students, prospective students, faculty and staff, and members of the community can now easily access go-to information necessary from any smartphone. Visit http://www.hocking.edu on a smart phone with an iPhone or Android device, and view the mobile site. The mobile version will offer fast, easy to access areas of the website such as programs, events and videos. Look for ongoing functionality to be added soon to this new interface with the college.
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 | | Ariana Ulloa's children and grandchildren attend the dedication. |
Unity Gardens Dedicated to Ariana Ulloa
The new Student Center patio was dedicated as the "Unity Gardens," on August 20, 2012, memorializing the late Ariana R. Ulloa. Faculty and staff, present for Autumn Start Week, helped to celebrate the dedication.
Ulloa, a native of Mexico, moved to Athens in 1986 and began working for the college's Department of International Programs in 1990, eventually becoming the department's director. She died in 2002.
The Student Center patio, completed spring quarter 2012, was a combined effort of many Hocking programs. Last winter Landscape Management students began designing a scenic garden for student use. Different designs were combined to develop plans for a capstone project to create a beautiful oasis on campus.
Departments and staff across campus, facilitated by the Grounds Department, worked together to complete the project. Representatives from the Heavy Equipment program flattened the ground behind the patio to allow for expansion while Construction Management students built a storage shed for boats. The concrete class made a path behind the pool and added a concrete pad to link the patio and the Student Center's front path. Electrical students supplied power to the pad. The next year, the concrete class extended this pad. The patio was created and planted by the Landscape Management students.
The gardens will be open daily for use by students, clubs, classes and campus events. They provide the Hocking College community with a beautiful, practical and versatile space for all to enjoy.
For more information about the dedication ceremony, visit the Athens Messenger article.
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Slots Available for Lunchtime Concert Series
The Hocking College School of Music is once again hosting their autumn Lunchtime Concert Series. Concerts will be held on the following dates for any faculty and staff who may be interested in performing:
- October 9
- October 16
- October 23
- November 6
- November 13
- November 20
- November 27
Musicians can play any type of music and perform just a few songs or a whole set. Contact Neal Schmitt at 740.753.9366 if you are interested in performing.
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 Contrisciani New Dean of Culinary and Hospitality
Congratulations to Chef Alfonso Contrisciani who was recently named Dean of the McClenaghan Center for Hospitality Training.
Contrisciani began teaching at Hocking College in January 2012 and is one of only 67 Certified Master Chefs in the United States. He earned his degree in culinary arts from Johnson and Wales University. Constrisciani boasts 32 years of culinary experience, including orchestrating presidential dinners and President Obama's Inaugural balls. He has been featured on the Food Network and competed as a member of Team USA in the International Culinary Olympics.
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Two Members Appointed to Hocking College Board of Trustees
Two trustee positions at Hocking College were filled by a caucus of local boards of education presidents from Athens, Hocking and Perry counties on Thursday, August 16. The caucus reappointed Darlene Wells of Perry County and appointed Dr. Larry Rentschler of Perry County.
Wells is a current Board member and the Deputy Chief Information Officer and Executive Program Manager for the Office of Information Technology for the State of Ohio. Rentschler is the retired Superintendent of New Lexington City School District and former Superintendent of Berkshire Local School District.
The Hocking College Board of Trustees consists of nine members, three appointed by the Governor of the State of Ohio, and six appointed by the caucus.
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 Your Invitation to the Hocking College Homecoming
Everyone is invited to join us for the first annual Hocking College Homecoming on October 6, from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Regardless of whether or not you are a Hocking College alum, please join us - and feel free to bring your family. We only ask that you register using the link below so we can plan the food and amenities.
Hocking College Homecoming Registration
We also need volunteers to help with set-up, day of the event, and clean up. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Libby Villavicencio at ext. 6088. We would greatly appreciate your help!
For additional information, visit the event page on the Hocking College website, or follow the Hocking College Alumni Association on Facebook for updates. |
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Academic Scheduling Personnel Update
Some personnel changes have occurred within the Academic Scheduling office. Mary Russell is now the new Executive Assistant to the new Provost, Dr. Carl Bridges . Julie Conrad has been relocated to our IT department to assist with the Help Desk and ID requests.
April Loudner-Maffin has filled Mary's position of Coordinator of Academic Scheduling. Effective immediately, please direct all curricular requests to her rather than Mary and/or Julie. April can be reached at 740.753.6299 / loudner-maffina@hocking.edu and is located in Oakley 210i.
Finally, any requests to alter academic offerings, such as curriculum alterations, room changes, instructor changes, day/time changes, must come from the dean or associate dean of that respective area.
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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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| Student Sings for Presidential Visit
During President Obama's recent visit at Capital University in Columbus, John McClain, son of Arts & Sciences faculty member Jane McClain, sang the National Anthem. John is a junior and part of Capital Choir at the University.
Great job and congratulations to John for landing this prestigious role!
For more information, see the Columbus Dispatch article.
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Alumni Promoted at Davey Tree
Congratulations to Brian Heath, a Hocking College Natural Resources graduate, who was recently promoted within The Davey Tree Expert Co. to Sales Representative in their East Columbus Territory.
Brian is a 2012 Davey Institute of Tree Sciences (DITS) graduate with nine years' experience within the industry, five of which were with the Franklin Park Conservatory. Prior to Franklin Park, Brian graduated from Hocking College. Brian's roles during his four years with Davey include Landscape Foreman, Plant Health Care, Lawn Care and Surgery.
Another successful Hocking grad!
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