Donation Given for Welding Expansion

Jim and Debbie Filipowicz of Steel Etc., local steel and recycling business, have donated $20,000 to Great Falls College Montana State University (GFC MSU) to support the expanding needs of the welding program. Their generous donation will be used to establish Montana's first American Welding Society (AWS) Accredited Test Facility. The Filipowicz's were made aware of this opportunity through Debbie's role in the GFC MSU Dean's Advisory Council. She was appointed to the Council by Governor Schweitzer in 2012.

"It is rewarding to witness the impact your donation makes," said Debbie Filipowicz. As local business owners and residents of Great Falls, Jim and Debbie feel it important to give locally. Although Steel Etc. employs very few welders, the company provides support services for welding and construction companies statewide.  "Investing in Great Falls College MSU's welding program is also an investment in Great Falls," Debbie stated.  The establishment of the AWS Test Facility will make Great Falls more attractive to businesses looking to expand or relocate in our community.

Great Falls College MSU began the application process to become an AWS Test Facility in early December 2012. Following a satisfactory review of the College's application, an on-site audit will be conducted. The College anticipates the process will be complete by May 2013. Once accredited, students and the public will be able take their AWS certification tests and receive their AWS certification locally, in Great Falls. Links to local news coverage:  KFBB and Great Falls Tribune

College in a Day 2013

Submitted by David Madison, Shelby High School Counselor

College in a Day participants from Shelby High School Front row (l-r) Savannah Sanchez, Haley Olsen, Kila Dumas, Hayley Fretheim.  Back row -  Cody Tasker, Kayla Leary, Clary Jergens, Alyssa Hershey, Jessica Mahr, John Kinyon, Kayla Hershey, Kristina Nelson.

On January 7, twelve Shelby High School students participated in the College in a Day program at Great Falls College - MSU (formerly known as MSU Great Falls College of Technology). The program provided an opportunity for the students to see the classrooms and labs, hear from the instructors of 25 college majors and participate in some hands-on experiences within each of these fields of study.  On the bus ride home students were asked to share what they learned.  Here is what they had to say: 
I learned that there are fields out there that I haven't explored yet, and if I want to go to college and succeed, I need to pick an occupation and choose a college accordingly.   - Hayley F.

  

I learned that the medical always has job openings.  I narrowed down the fields that I'm interested in pursuing in my future.  - Jess M.

 

I learned how carpentry involves many phases of construction but not metal working, not just carpet and masonry. - Cody T.
 

College in a Day 2013 by the Numbers

• 262- High school students registered
• 29 - Area high schools that participated
• 25 - Career exploration workshops
• 15 - Years College in a Day has been offered.

Links to the local news coverage:  KRTV and KFBB

  

Flag Raising

January 9th, 2013 was the first day of spring semester. To celebrate our students and our new logo the College held a flag raising ceremony. Student Government had the honor of raising our new flag.

Left to Right: Kat O'Brien (Vice President), Brandon Gould (Senator), Charlie Brown (President), Patrick Broadhurst, (Senator), James Ryan (Senator), Katie O'Neil (Student), Josh Archey (Treasurer), Gina Younts (Student), Mike Thom (Senator), Diana Olsen (Senator)

  

 Bringing the U to You     2013 Lecture Series

The fun of learning without the pain of homework!

 

The Bringing the U to You Lecture Series is a collaborative effort of the UM Alumni Association and MSU Alumni Foundation. All lectures are held on Thursdays from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in Heritage Hall at Great Falls College MSU.

 

The 2013 schedule is as follows:

January 24: Richard Bridges, UM

Biomedical Research and its Impact on Medical Advancements, Student Training and Economic Development

February 7:  Susan Cohen, MSU

God, Gods and Goddesses:  Archeology, Religion and the History of Divine Relationships

February 21:  Hunter Lloyd, MSU

How to Train your Robot

March 7:  Owen Sirrs, UM

Afghanistan: Where Do We Go from Here?

 

The U to You Committee is a group of University of Montana and Montana State University alumni committed to connecting the campuses to the Great Falls area through stimulating educational experiences. Seating is limited. To purchase tickets call 406.899.0277 or available at Kaufman's.

 

Ticket Prices:   Entire Series:  $25;  Individual Lecture:  $10/general and $5/students

 

  

 

Project Homeless: Winter Clothing Drive 

Submitted by Kim Woloszyn, Director of the Dental Hygiene Program

  

The Great Falls College MSU dental hygiene students have been working hard preparing for Project Homeless Connect (PHC) on January 26, 2013.  Now that the spring semester has begun and everyone is back from break, preparation for the event is in high gear. Kelli McDonald and Katie Zignego, 2^nd year dental hygiene students were busy last semester getting the word out about the event.   The Executive Team has initiated a warm clothing drive and Learning Center and Library are holding a Blanket and Book Drive.  If students, faculty, staff or community members would like to be involved in the event we would love to have you. 

 

For more information please call 268-3726 or contact Kim at 771-4365 or kwoloszyn@msugf.edu.

  

"The Dark Tetons"

Submitted by Lee Anne Gills, Developmental Education & Transfer Division

The Dark Tetons" is a travel mystery novel by Darlene K. Bos.  Darlene is an Adjunct Faculty member at Great Falls College-MSU. She is also a Naturalist Park Ranger with the National Park Service and an avid traveler. This debut novel takes place in Grand Teton National Park and the main characters are from Great Falls.The story line centers around a group of young hikers who set out on a three day backpacking adventure. When they get lost they are confronted with a strange reality.  They, like dozens of travelers before them, are trapped in strange and dark land. The castaways must fight for survival and find their way out of the dark Tetons."

Untame Your Intellectual Spirit

On January 2, Mayor Winters  proclaimed January 2013 Higher Education Month in Great Falls. On January 31, to celebrate Higher Education Month, Great Falls College MSU is hosting an event at the College to showcase all the face-to-face and online higher education options available in our community from 5-7 pm. Representatives from our partners in higher education will have booths set up in the Atrium for people to visit. Evening's festivities will include live music, a short program, food, and prize drawings. This event is free and open to the public thanks to the MSU Alumni Foundation and Great Falls Chamber of Commerce.  

Read for Peace - Volunteer Today!

Montana Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTAS of Great Falls are holding a Martin Luther King Jr. Day "Read for Peace" event. Volunteers are needed on January 22nd to read to Great Falls elementary and middle school classes. After the readings, the students will participate in activities to reflect on the readings. The inspiring words and drawings by the participating classes will be displayed at Great Falls College MSU, Great Falls Public Library, and the County Courthouse.

As a statewide Montana Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Project, Great Falls  Public Schools will be joining schools in Butte, Ronan, Havre, Browning, Bozeman, Helena, Livingston, Billings, Missoula and Kalispell in an effort to commemorate the impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on American History. For more information please contact Liz Higgins at 406-771-4324.

MSU Northern (Great Falls campus) Teaching Students Exit Celebration on 12/7/12. Back row, faculty: Kathy Dunn, Dr. Ingrid Graves, Lee Ruud, Bill Salonen, Dean Jardee   Front row, students: Christina Scavola, Marcy Gunnell, Kimberly Clark, Alexis Johnson, Alyssa Holland, Jennifer Molyneaux. .

GFC MSU Campus Reading Group

Each year the group selects one Montana selection, two fiction, one non-fiction, a cheesy mystery, a classic and an award winner. Discussions are informal, opinionated and fun. The group is open to all book lovers - faculty, staff, students and community members. If you plan to attend or want more information, please contact Jeri Pullum at 406-771-5120.

The remaining 2012-2013 selections are listed below:. 
January - Classics: O Pioneers! by Willa Cather 
February - Non-Fiction: 

Age of Wonder by Richard Holmes
March - Award Winner: A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
July 25 - Fiction: Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 

 Emergency on Campus