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April 2, 2013
From the President

Introducing "The Old Mill" at Hocking College

"I heard a rumor that..."
"I heard through the grapevine that..."
"The rumor mill has it that..."

Anyone reading this newsletter has likely heard statements similar to these at one point or another throughout their employment here at Hocking College.  Rumors are an unavoidable aspect in any organization as large and dispersed as Hocking College.  Unfortunately, such rumors often create fear or uncertainty among our employees, and can distract us from the important work we do every day for our students, and for each other.

Today, we will begin to address the rumors that we sometimes hear rumbling, by a periodic column called "The Old Mill at Hocking College."  The column will not be weekly, but will be published whenever our Communications office feels it can readily provide accurate facts to dispel or clarify misinformation that is being disseminated across campus.

We hope "The Old Mill" will help improve the lines of communication across our great college.  We welcome your reactions to this new feature.

Today's Old Mill Topic
The Old Rumor Mill has it that our sister institution to the south, Ohio University, is in the process of assuming administrative and operational responsibility over Hocking College.  Not so.

It is true that our relationship with this region's great university has never been stronger, and that a number of new, mutually beneficial projects are being launched or explored between Hocking and OU representatives.  However, none of these collaborative efforts include a merger of our two institutions and their distinctly different missions.  In fact, our inherent differences create a rich diversity of educational opportunities for the citizens of southeastern Ohio.
Hocking College STARS Receive Awards
The Student Team and Academic Recognition System (STARS) award ceremony, honoring outstanding student and group achievements from autumn 2012 term, was held Wednesday, March 27, 2013.  Presenters Giles Lee, Director of Co-Curricular Activities; Dr. Ron Erickson, Hocking College President; George Petrovay, Director of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Judicial Affairs; and Sonja Hill, Director of Retail Operations, honored the recipients.

Dr. Erickson presented the "President's Award" to the Hocking College Student Government for their work with the Hurricane Sandy Relief Trip to Staten Island New York.

The "Literacy for Africa" Book Drive team was presented with the "Most Outstanding Contribution to Campus and Community Award."  This award recognizes a project that made a positive impact on campus or community life.

Lee presented the Hocking Woods Nature Center with the "Green Award," for their outstanding environmental education programs.  This award recognizes outstanding efforts in the area of education of sustainable, renewable and environmental issues or the implementation thereof.

The Hocking College English as a Second Language (ESL) students received the "We Are One Hocking Award" from Sonja Hill for the "Travel the World with Hocking College International Students" program.  The award honors outstanding efforts in the area of cross-cultural education and community unification.

Students who made the Dean's List and Scholar's List were also honored at the ceremony for their achievement. 
Michael Whittemore
Two Student Affairs Coordinators Hired

Stacy Strauss and Michael Whittemore were recently hired as the new Student Affairs Coordinators (SAC) at Hocking College.  Strauss will serve as the SAC for the School of Nursing and Allied Health.  Whittemore will be the SAC for the School of Public Safety Services.

Strauss was the Head Soccer Coach at Ohio University from June 2000-December 2012 where she demonstrated her leadership capabilities by managing hiring,oversight and mentoring of assistant coaches, management and support staff. While in this position, she learned the importance of education and motivation and helped her students succeed not only in soccer, but in academics as well. Strauss received her Bachelor of Arts in History from Kenyon College in 1996 and went on to obtain her Master of Arts in Education from Ohio State University
Stacy Strauss
in 1997.

Whittemore has been an Adjunct Field Biology Lab Instructor at Hocking College from December 2012- March 2013. He is a College Completion Coach for AmeriCorps at Hocking College since August 2012. Part of his responsibilities include motivating college students by advising and mentoring them in their academic endeavors, coordinating the AmeriCorps tutoring program and organizing volunteer projects for community service involvement. Whittemore holds an Associate's Degree in Wildlife Science from Hocking College where he graduated in 2009. He went on to obtain his Bachelor of Science from the University of Rio Grande in 2012, where he graduated cum laude.

Some of the responsibilities of the SAC include assisting in the development of grant proposals and other funding opportunities, planning and implementing systematic delivery and evaluation of all programs and projects within student services and development, admissions and enrollment management and ensuring that student affairs policies and procedures are followed in accordance with local, state and federal regulations.

Congratulations to Stacy and Michael on your new position!
Sue Fletcher
Faculty to Lead Holocaust Education at Summer Seminar
Sue Fletcher has been selected by the Memorial Library and the Holocaust Educators Network to lead a 2013 Memorial Library Summer Satellite on Holocaust education at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY from June 10-June 15. Fletcher is one of 15 leaders from across the nation who was selected to participate in the summer seminars.

Fletcher will help facilitate the "Kentucky-Ohio Regional Holocaust and Social Justice Seminar," along with two other Holocaust Educators Network colleagues, Casi Owens and Stephanie Smith. The seminar will familiarize educators with information about the Holocaust and relate it to recent genocides, focusing on those in African and Native American societies.

Its purpose is to introduce social justice issues, make connections between the past and present and to introduce educators to methods and materials to further their understanding and classroom learning.

Congratulations Sue Fletcher on your selection to participate in this extraordinary event!
Faculty Poets Participate in Benefit Reading
The second annual benefit reading for My Sister's Place, Women on the Line, will be April 7, 2013 with a reception from 6 - 7 p.m. and the reading from 7 - 9 p.m. at ARTS/West.  Hocking College faculty poets Jane Ann Devol-Fuller, Deni Naffziger and Cindy Yeager will read from their works, along with other area poets Wendy McVicker, Jill Allyn Rosser, Kate Hancock and Alison Stine. 

The reading is a celebration of National Poetry Month.  Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is held every April to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture. Thousands of organizations participate through readings, festivals, book displays, workshops, and other events. More information is available online at www.poets.org.

A $5 donation will be collected at the door. Proceeds will go to My Sister's Place to support victims of domestic violence in our region.  My Sister's Place provides free, safe emergency shelter to survivors of relationship abuse,a toll-free crisis line, individual counseling, support service referral, legal advocacy, and access to emergency food, clothing, and medical care. More information about My Sister's Place is available online at www.mspathens.org, or by calling 800.443.3402.
Alumni Spotlight

International Alum Maintains Ties with Hocking College
Michael Nkrumah graduated from the Hocking College Medical Assistant program in 1999.  A beneficiary of the International Service Scholarship, Nkrumah made the trip from Ghana to Nelsonville, Ohio in the winter of 1997 to pursue an Associate's Degree in Medical Assistant.

"Although it was much too cold for my liking, I fell in love with Nelsonville and Hocking College immediately," Nkrumah said. Meeting international students, and interacting with helpful friends and instructors allowed Nkrumah to feel at home at Hocking.

Upon graduation, Nkrumah found his degree helpful in achieving success in his career. He held previous positions including pathologist assistant, clinical research coordinator and forensic legal death investigator.

Recently, Nkrumah has prepared a group of nursing and allied health professionals to visit Hocking College to create an exchange program between accredited health institutions in Africa and Hocking College. This program would also offer current Hocking College students, faculty and alumni an opportunity to study abroad.

The Ghana team met with President Erickson recently to discuss details about an exchange program. The team is currently working to expand the program for various departments within Hocking College and the respective colleges in Africa.
Nursing Scholarship Established in Memory of Jennifer Reilly
Hocking College recently learned of the passing of Jennifer Reilly, a former faculty member in the School of Nursing.
 
Jennifer was a 26 year employee of the College from 1980 to 2006.  She was a great asset to the college and touched the lives of many students.  Because of her passion for and dedication to Hocking College and its students, a memorial scholarship fund has been established in her name through the Hocking College Foundation.  
 
Contributions to the Jennifer Reilly Nursing Scholarship can be made via check payable to Hocking College Foundation (with Jennifer's name in the memo line.)  The Foundation will work with Jennifer's family to make sure that the funds collected help students in need.
Veterans' Memorial Expansion Video
Notice all the activity in front of Light Hall? Check out this time lapsed video shot by the Broadcast students of the tree planting yesterday by the Landscape and Heavy Equipment Students, the first phase of the expansion of the SSG Curtis "Moose" Oakes Veterans' Memorial Garden.
School of Music Introduces 97.5 WLCI
Hocking College School of Music capstone students re-launched 97.5 WLCI The Fix on April 1, 2013. To celebrate the new station, students held a launch party at the Hocking College Student Center featuring live programming, photo opportunities and door prizes from contributing sponsors.

The School of Music Capstone students have created a student-driven broadcasting resource reaching the campus of Hocking College, the Nelsonville community, as well as the nearly 20,000 commuters that pass through the city each day. 97.5 WLCI The Fix will feature a new format geared towards a collegiate audience and will feature specialty shows that cover multiple musical genres including indie music, metal, soul and R&B, and hip hop.

"We know listeners in this area expect diversity in their choices of music," Neil Daniels, Capstone Promotions team member and music student, said. "That's why we're working with an exciting new musical format and partnering with local businesses to build a unique listening experience."

To stay authentic and innovative in their approach, WLCI FM is offering on air contests for listeners, as well as underwriting packages for local and regional businesses. WLCI hopes to increase awareness of local businesses, while building a station that provides valuable work experience to the students involved.

For more information about the launch, see The Athens Messenger article.
eTextbook Summer 2013 Pilot:  Lowering Costs and Improving Outcomes for Students
The cost of course materials is soaring, fewer students can afford to buy textbooks - and educational institutions have an obligation to help make education more affordable. This summer semester, Hocking College is working with the leading course materials management company, Nelsonville-based ED MAP, on a pilot that will provide transfer module students with 100 percent of their textbooks at significantly reduced costs, through a Digital First, Student Choice strategy.

If the pilot is successful, the college will continue rolling out the program over the next few semesters. The preferred format of the textbooks will be digital ("eTextbooks"). The benefits of a "going digital" strategy include: lowered costs for students (eTextbooks cost about half as much as their print counterparts); smaller footprint/environmentally friendly; all students will have course materials before the start of class; late registrants will be able to access materials immediately; and technologically forward-thinking to prepare students for a tech-savvy world.

The scope of the pilot includes only transfer module courses, for summer semester 2013. No other programs and courses will change.

The Student Experience
Hocking College students in the pilot will be invited to participate in a simple online process to acquire their eTextbooks about two weeks before the start of the summer semester. The cost of the eTextbooks will be covered by a modest course fee. Students will also be able to purchase print versions of the textbook out of pocket, paying only the difference between the costs of the eTextbook and the print textbook. If no eTextbook is available for a course, the print textbook will be provided at no additional cost to the student. Using a Digital First strategy allows Hocking College to focus seriously on cost reduction for students.

The following is the process from start to finish:
  1. About two weeks before the start of the term, students receive two emails. One email invites them to gain access to their course materials and the second email provides them a temporary password to log into the course materials portal.
  2. Students click a link in the email, visit the Hocking College online course materials portal, and go through a simple five-step process: log in; update password; provide accurate account and shipping information; review course materials that are preloaded based on the courses in which the student has registered; and complete order.
  3. If a student accepts the eTextbook versions, no payment is required and the student will have immediate access to the eTextbook(s) via a link in the portal; the link is also emailed to the student.
  4. Students who would prefer a print textbook will have the option to use a credit card to purchase the print version instead. Their cost will be the difference between the costs of the eTextbook and the print textbook plus shipping charges. This model retains the ability to choose print at lowered costs, but keep costs low for all students by including only the eTextbooks in the course fee.
  5. The eReader that will be used in the pilot for eTextbooks is CourseSmart. You can find more about the features and functionality of CourseSmart eTextbooks on the website.
  6. For the pilot, the CourseSmart eTextbooks will be available for standard rental periods, typically 180 days. If the pilot is successful, Hocking College may choose to leverage buying power and negotiate with publishers for even better pricing and access lengths for the whole college. The college will also pursue custom course materials that lower costs even more significantly, and target the materials more closely to course learning objectives.
As noted, this initial pilot is for transfer module courses during the summer semester only. The summer pilot will be followed by a fall pilot with the same transfer module courses. After the pilots, outcomes will be evaluated to determine if Hocking College will move forward with a College-wide digital course materials strategy.

Training and FAQ

Hocking College and ED MAP will collaborate to develop and share training materials for faculty and students. The features and benefits of eTextbooks are significant - lower costs, excellent searchability, note-taking, highlighting and more - and we want to make sure everyone can use the eTextbooks to the fullest.

Try one! CourseSmart has free trials available for most eTextbooks. We encourage everyone to visit www.coursesmart.com and try one out. Create an Instructor account using your faculty hocking.edu email address. Do not create a student account. If you use your faculty email to create a student account, you will not be able to access instructor/desk copies.
Campus Safety Requests Updated Parking Permit Forms
If you received your current parking permit prior to September 1, 2012, please take a moment to complete and submit an updated parking permit form. Please be sure to fill in all the requested information, most importantly your license plate number and current permit number.  You may submit this form in person to our office or via interoffice mail.

We understand that in the hustle of day-to-day life, simple things like updating your vehicle information can go forgotten.  In order to better serve our community, we are requesting your help to make sure our records are accurate.  By doing this, we hope to avoid any issues that may result from an inability to properly identify the vehicles of our faculty and staff.

In the future, when getting a new vehicle or license plate, please be sure to submit updates to our office using the attached form.
Logan Campus Offers Fire Alarm System Class 
The Hocking College Logan Campus will offer "CM 1112 - Fire Alarm Systems " for four credits over the summer.  This course provides an introduction to fire alarm systems, and is especially geared for electricians and maintenance technicians to learn updates in alarm technology.  

The course focuses on the theory, codes, design, and installation methods. Topics cover include: types of fire alarm systems; initiating devices; notification devices; fire safety functions; power supplies; signals and signaling; public fire alarm systems; fire alarm system wiring; communication methods for fire alarm systems; and fire alarm system testing, inspections and service. Course fees are $80.
 
For more information, please contact Neil Hinton.
Upcoming Admissions Events
Upcoming Admissions Events
Prospective students will be visiting campus for our admissions events:  Discover Hocking, Hocking Showcase and QuickStart. The dates are as follows:
  • Summer QuickStart Registration Event: April 11, 3 p.m.
  • Hocking Showcase Natural Resources: Friday, April 19, Lake Snowden, 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • Discover Hocking - Thursday, April 25, Main Campus, 1:15 p.m.
  • Autumn QuickStart Registration Events:
    • Check-In for all Autumn QuickStarts events begins at 9:30 a.m., with the program beginning at 10 a.m.
    • Tuesday, May 7 - Health & Nursing
    • Wednesday, May 8 - Public Safety Services and Arts, Business and Computer Information Technologies (ABIT)
    • Thursday, May 9 - Natural Resources and Hospitality
    • Wednesday, May 15  - Engineering Technology (at Logan Campus)
    • Friday, May 17 - All programs
Thank you for your assistance as we provide prospective students with a chance to experience a Hocking College education!
Nelsonville Food Pantry Soliciting Matching Donations

During April, any amount donated to the Nelsonville Food Pantry will be matched by the Feinstein Foundation. A dollar donated will be matched to two dollars donated. Please send your donation directly to the Nelsonville Food Cupboard, 83 West Washington Street, Nelsonville, 45764-9583.

Reminder: Employee Excellence Award Nominations Due Today
Nominations for employees exhibiting excellence in instruction, vocation and community service are now being accepted.  Applications should be submitted to the Awards Committee c/o Joe Wakeman by 5 p.m. on April 2, 2013 in Oakley 210, or by electronic submission at [email protected].

The Excellence in Instruction Award is given to the nominee that exemplifies the best practices of teaching performance and student advising/counseling. The Excellence in Service Award is given to a non-instructional employee who exhibits exceptional service in their job performance, professionalism and interpersonal skills. The Curtis Miles Service Award is given to the employee that has completed a service project that greatly benefits the community.

Previous recipients will select winners in late April. The awards will be announced at the all staff luncheon on the Monday of autumn Start Week. For more information, contact Joe Wakeman.

Curtis Miles Service Award Nomination
Excellence in Service Nomination
Excellence in Instruction Nomination
Reminder: Perez to Participate in "Dancing with the Athens Stars"
On April 13 at Stuart's Opera House, Student Center Office Coordinator Nate Perez, will participate in the fourth annual Dancing with the Athens Stars competition, a fundraiser for the American Red Cross of Southeastern Ohio. Perez will be dancing with professional partner Jane Tomkins in hopes of earning the Dancing with the Stars title. 

Hocking College Broadcast students will record the event and create dance videos for each contestant as a part of their class project. The winner of the competition will be the participant who raises the most money for the American Red Cross. Votes can be cast for each dancer at the cost of $10, and will count toward the total proceeds for the American Red Cross.

Tickets and votes can be purchased by calling the American Red Cross Southeastern Ohio chapter at 740.593.5273, or by contacting Joni Hodgson at 740.707.8004. Money raised from the event will fund disaster services provided in Athens, Gallia, Meigs and Vinton counties.

For more details, see the Athens Messenger article.
Reminder: ABIT Hosts Retirement Party
The department of Arts, Business and Information Technology is hosting a retirement party in the Student Center Multiplex on Monday, April 15th from 1 - 2:30 p.m. in honor of the following instructors: Linda Bitters, Suzanne Knauerhause, Ruth Reilly, Jeff Sawyer, Merilynne Smith, Barbara Sunderlin, Harry Tompkins and Jim Wallace.
 
Cake and light refreshments will be served. If interested in contributing to a gift, please contact Jeff Hanson 740.753.6440, or stop by his office in Oakley 312. Jeff will also have cards for faculty and staff to write personal notes of farewell to one or all of the retirees. Please direct any questions to Kris Williams at 740.753.6135 or Carla Ryan-Hirst 740.753.6127.
Culinary
Reminder: Collegiate Job Fair to be Held
Hocking College will host the 2013 Collegiate Job Fair Wednesday, April 17, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Center Multiplex.  The Job Fair is open to all students and alumni.

The event will allow students to talk to businesses about potential employment opportunities.  Students are encouraged to bring an updated resume and be prepared to speak with representatives about their qualifications and interests.

For more information, contact Giles Lee at 740.753.6539.  Students can also visit www.collegecentral.com/hockingcollege/ for more employment information and tips for landing a job.
Reminder: Health and Nursing Programs Hold Annual Community Health Fair
The Hocking College School of Health and Nursing is hosting the thirteenth annual free Community Health Fair on April 16, 2013 in the Student Center Multiplex from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The event is planned, researched and organized by students in the Nursing, Physical Therapy Assistant, Medical Assistant, Fitness Management and Dietary Management programs. All services are free. Students will measure blood sugar and blood pressure, target heart rate/flexibility, body fat ratios and stress levels.  

Information supporting the relationship of cold prevention and hand washing, smokeless tobacco and smoking cessation, drug and alcohol abuse, energy drinks, emotional care, depression and suicide, sexually transmitted diseases, rape, healthy diets, and cancer screening and prevention will also be presented.

A used book sale and raffles will be held throughout the day, with both proceeds donated to funding the Community Health Fair.  Door prizes will be awarded throughout the day. Limited free parking will be offered to visitors in front of the Hocking College Student Center.
Stop Child Abuse: Wear Blue to Spread Awareness
Athens County Children's Services is spreading awareness about Child Abuse Prevention. On Wednesday, April 10, 2013, residents of Athens County and the Hocking College community are encouraged to wear blue to demonstrate their support of child safety and protection.

In 2012, 1,495 child abuse and neglect reports were received in Athens County alone. The best way to prevent abuse and neglect is to spread awareness and an attitude of non-tolerance. Over 2,000 professionals took a stand and chose to wear blue in 2011. Join the effort this April by wearing blue and standing against child abuse. For more information, please call Athens County Children Services at 740.592.3061.
Reminder: Ohio Benefit Bank Training to be Held
Hocking College has partnered with the Ohio Benefit Bank to support students outside of their academic lives. The Ohio Benefit Bank is a program of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, Ohio's largest charitable response to hunger.

The Ohio Benefit Bank provides programs and resources that help hundreds of thousands of Ohioans fight hunger and poverty. Through the Ohio Benefit Bank, students will be able to access applications for 26 different work supports and tax credits including: food assistance, cash assistance, utility assistance, childcare assistance, veterans' education benefits and free tax filing. 

The possibilities with this new partnership are broad and include: increasing enrollment, increasing retention rates and strengthening relationships with our students and community.   Many students may qualify for assistance but are not taking advantage of the benefits available.

Training for this program was over spring break, and included many people from academic units and student affairs throughout the college. If you have a student in need of any assistance in this area, please direct them to contact their student affairs coordinator.   Another training will be held April 5 from 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. with a break for lunch.  Please contact Dr. Carl Bridges, Provost, if you are interested in attending.
Reminder: Fitness Management Hosts First Annual Pump & Run and 5 K
Hocking College Fitness Management Program is inviting everyone to participate in the first ever Pump & Run event on Saturday, April 6, 2013. The cost for Hocking College students, alumni and employees is $10 per participant. The cost is $15 for the non-Hocking community. Registration must be completed by March 27 to participate.

Participants will perform a maximum number of bench press repetitions according to their percent body weight based on age, and compete in a 1.5-mile run. Each repetition will result in a 10 second reduction from the overall 1.5-mile run time. Pump & Run groups will be separated by age, gender and weight.

The Fitness Management program will also host their first annual 5K race an April 6. The 5K is a traditional 3.1 mile course. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the race starts at 9 a.m. Participants are categorized by age groups, with awards presented to the top three male and female participants in each group. The top three runners will receive a trophy or plaque, and all participants receive a commemorative t-shirt upon registration.

For more information, please contact Bill Finnearty.
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
IPEDS Report Submitted

Congratulations to Kensey Love and the Institutional Research department for their on-time completion of the IPEDS report!  Kensey sends her thanks out to Jan Six, Sheree Cunningham, Tammy Eing, Bill Hill and John Chappealear for their assistance in completing this years IPEDS-Federal Reporting requirement.

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Down the Aisle

Congratulations to Student Center Employee Brady Trace for his recent engagement to his fiance' Madison!

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SSCCJ Students Excel

Great job to students from the Social Services, Corrections and Criminal Justice program who work with the Perry County Common Pleas Court Probation Department to assist with various duties at the Court.  The program has provided Hocking College interns with valuable real world experience in their course of study!  

These students were recently mentioned in a Perry County Tribune article.

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

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