Alumni Newsletter - May 2013
In This Issue
Retirees Celebrated
Broadcast Student Award
International Alum Maintains Ties
HC Hosts Explosive Device Training
Franklin & Hocking Offer Bridge
Benefit Supports McKenzie Fund
Instructor Helps Girl Scouts
Faculty Featured in Risk Reporter
English PACE to English Flex
Music Students Attend SBSW
"Travel the World"
Do We know YOU?
 
Alumni Spotlight 
   

Dream Fulfilled Because of Hocking College 

 

David Crow's dream job as a child was to work for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR.) His father was a Wildlife Officer, and he aspired to chase his dreams of being an outdoorsman. Crow chose Hocking College to obtain his education because his father mentioned graduates from the school were being hired by ODNR due to their superior expertise.

Crow, a 1985 graduate of Hocking College, was named Deputy Chief at ODNR in 2012. The Deputy Chief's primary responsibilities include permission, inspection and enforcement of the statewide coal and industrial mineral mining programs. He also works on budgets and federal grants to make sure the programs are operating effectively, attends informal conferences, appeal hearings and public informational meetings, and answers inquiries from the media and public.

While at Hocking, Crow learned the importance of volunteering and the usefulness of plant and wildlife identification. "My experience at Hocking College gave me the opportunity to learn a wealth of knowledge and many practical skills to go along with it that I could immediately apply once I entered the work force," Crow said. "My professors, along with my classmates, also instilled in me a greater appreciation and respect for our natural resources."

Upon graduation, Crow worked as seasonal staff with the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves (Scenic Rivers.) Prior to his promotion at ODNR, he worked in other divisions as an industrial minerals surface mine inspector, a state oil and gas well inspector, a field supervisor and the statewide industrial minerals mining program administrator.

"Looking back, I believe the things that were taught to me at Hocking College are very much in line with ODNR's current day mission. 'To ensure a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all,' " Crow comments. 

Retirees Celebrated  
  
Hocking College celebrated the retirement of several faculty and staff at the end of the academic year.  Among them were Public Safety Services faculty Joel Bitters and Helen Newland and Campus Minister Reverend Bill Bales.

 

Each of the three were recently honored at retirement parties where faculty and staff celebrated their accomplishments and said farewells.

 

In regards to Bitters and Newland, Susie Hall, PSS faculty said, "Both have brought many years of wisdom to the students of Hocking College, and we would like to wish them well and thank them for their services these many years." 


Thanks to Reverend Bales, Joel, and Helen for their commitment to the college and congratulations on a long and happy retirement!

 

All of the college's retirees will be honored at a luncheon on June 19 at the Inn at Hocking College.  Old friends will be invited back and new retirement inductees will be welcomed to the ranks.  

 


Broadcast Student Awarded Technology Apprentice Scholarship 
  
Student Tyler Wend has been awarded the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation (NABEF) Technical Apprenticeship Scholarship, which includes an all-expense paid trip to the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Radio Ink Convergence Conferences in Silicon Valley, as well as a paid internship at a modern digital broadcasting facility. 

This marks the fifth year in a row that a Hocking College Broadcast Production and Engineering student has won this award.  Only 10 students are selected nationally each year through a competitive application process.

In March, Tyler began the Technology Apprenticeship Program with an informational webinar featuring experts from the National Association of Broadcasters and Society of Broadcast Engineers. This month, he will attend the NAB show and will interact with leaders in the broadcast industry.  In May, Tyler will participate in Radio Ink Convergence Conference held at the Silicon Valley.

This summer, the students will complete a two-month hands on apprenticeship at a radio or television station, and then will wrap up their experience with the apprentice program by spending one week at the NAB headquarters in Washington, D.C. developing a webcast that will be presented at the end of their visit.  

Great job to Tyler and to Broadcast Production Program Coordinator Harry Tompkins!

  
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.  

 

 

Hocking College Hosts Explosive Device Training

 

The Athens County Sheriff's Office and the National Ranger Training Institute recently hosted approximately 35 local law enforcement officers for a course on identifying precursors to home-made explosive devices.  

Bomb technicians and investigators from the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and the Ohio State Fire Marshall's Office conducted the training.  Attendees learned how to recognize common materials used to create improvised explosive devises, such as those used at the Boston Marathon and the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.  This training will enable law officers to make a more rapid and safe response to dangerous activities and devices. 

After a classroom presentation at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources office, the class concluded with controlled explosions of various types of materials at the college's range facility, where such training can be done with maximum safety and minimum disruption to the community.

Franklin and Hocking Offer "Bridge to a Bachelor's"

 

Through the "Bridge to a Bachelor's" program between Hocking College and Franklin University, Hocking students can save money, experience a seamless transfer process, and finish their bachelor's degree.

The program allows students to transfer their Hocking College associate degree-credits smoothly and earn a bachelor's degree in majors such as Accounting, Human Resources Management, Operations & Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Public Safety Management, Healthcare Management, Allied Healthcare Management, Nursing, and Information Technology. 

 
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Career Corner  
Hocking College offers great resources to our alumni to aid you in your job search.
  
Alumni Career Center: Check out our Featured Job Opening.
  
College Central Network: Members receive access to valuable career seach tools incuding resume builders, videos, podcasts, and informative arictles.  Register today to receive their regular e-newsletter.  Here's an article that appeared in their recent issue:

New Job Success Secret: Avoid New-Hire Stereotypes
One of the main reasons new employees have difficulty gaining acceptance and fitting in at their new jobs is they unwittingly play directly into negative stereotypes some coworkers hold about new hires.

Stereotypes, both positive and negative, are based on specific characteristics or attributes we assume all members of a group share. Some of the most common stereotypes are based on race, gender, and sexuality. However, they can also be based on other characteristics such as age, education, and professional ability.

As a newly hired employee, you represent a change to the status quo. Change in the workplace isn't always welcome, and some of your new coworkers cope with change better than others. Bad experiences with previous new hires may have caused a coworker to develop the attitude that new employees equal new problems.

Negative stereotypes not only effect how coworkers view you, but they can chip away at how you see yourself, eroding self-confidence and morale.

To avoid being stereotyped, make it impossible for coworkers to draw a connection between you and the stereotyped group. Your goal is to be different from the stereotype consistently. Monitor your behavior, language, and attitude and do your best not to play into the stereotypes coworkers have formed about other new employees.
Benefit Supports Beth McKenzie Memorial Fund  

     

Come to Stuart's Opera House on Thursday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m. for the "Frank and Dean...and then some!" comedy show to benefit the Dr. Beth A McKenzie Student Support Fund at Hocking College.

Hocking College Foundation and the family of Beth McKenzie are hosting the show to provide additional funding to the Student Support Fund, which is dedicated to assisting students who face financial hardships on their path toward graduation. The show incorporates the fun, jokes, and timeless music of The Rat Pack.  From "Fly Me to the Moon" to "That's Amore', " join us for an evening of entertainment you won't forget and all for a great cause.

A dedicated employee of Hocking College for 22 years, Beth rose to all challenges, even in the face of adversity and worked tirelessly to help students achieve their dreams. On June 12, 2012 Beth lost her courageous battle with cancer.  Because of Beth's passion for and dedication to Hocking College and its students, a memorial student support fund was established in her name. 

"Frank and Dean...and then some!" celebrates the music that makes you feel good and brings back wonderful memories.  Damion Fontaine as Frank Sinatra and Scott Brotherton as Dean Martin provide a comedic and enjoyable representation of the original stars.

Tickets are available on the Stuarts Opera House website, with special pricing available for the show with a Rhapsody dinner package.

Instructor Volunteers Time to Help Girl Scouts 

     

Police Science
instructor Larry Hatem recently volunteered to help Girl Scout Troop 2275 from Hocking County earn their Secret Agent Badge. During his time with the Girls Scouts, Hatem taught the girls about crime scene procedures, taking fingerprints and cast moldings.

Hatem also set up a "crime scene" for them to collect evidence using the proper procedures he taught them earlier in the day. After their investigation, they had the opportunity to watch the 36-Hour Fire class in the burn building. The girls ended the day saying, "This was the best day ever!" and "Mr. Hatem is really cool!"  
Risk Reporter Features Faculty Member 
 
The Church Mutual Insurance tri-annual newsletter, Risk Reporter, recently featured a question and answer article with Hocking College National Ranger Training Institute coordinating instructor, Bill DeWeese. The issue focused on aspects of safety in schools, weapons training and risks accompanying school security.

"The risk of a campus being attacked is statistically very rare, plus, you can't assume that having an armed officer on-site guarantees that bad things won't happen. But an armed officer is like a fire extinguisher - better to have it and not need it than vice versa," DeWeese said.

In DeWeese's opinion, qualifications for a school safety officer need to include professional law enforcement training, with 400-800 hours at the academy, field experience and refresher training. Officers are trained to make decisions quickly and decisively. For more information, see the Risk Reporter.  

English PACE Lab to become English Flex Lab 

  

After 30 years, the English PACE lab closed its doors on May 1, 2013.  Over the summer, Oakley 207 will be refurbished and will re-open as the new English Flex lab (EFL), combining the best of traditional and online education in order to give students a whole new way to experience their writing classes! Students can now register for EFL classes for autumn semester.

During the first week of autumn semester, students will attend an orientation session in the lab.  Orientations will be held every hour, on the hour; from then on, students will be required to attend at least one hour per week to meet with their instructor, discuss their progress, get help with assignments or simply work on-site. Students who do not have Internet at home should plan to attend more often.  All course work will be available on, and can be submitted through, Moodle.  

Two added bonuses: unlike online classes, no additional course fees are required when registering to take a class in the English Flex Lab, and extra tutoring support is always available. Students who register for EFL classes will be welcome anytime the lab is open.  They can use college computers or bring their own laptops, since the new EFL is a wireless hot spot.  The lab will offer both a traditional classroom environment and a coffee shop atmosphere in the back room, furnished with comfortable chairs, couches and coffee.

Whether students register for traditional, online or EFL classes, they must complete in a single semester.  Students who do not begin their EFL classes by the end of the second week will be dropped from the class. Anyone who would like to learn more about the English Flex Lab is encouraged to stop by Oakley 312.  Pamphlets are available or they can talk to Renee Williams, Jane Ann Fuller, Deni Naffziger, Tracey Conrad or Sarah Parker-Clever.

Music Students Attend South by Southwest 

  

Twenty music students, led by instructor Josh Antonuccio, attended South by Southwest, the largest music industry conference in the US, in Austin, Texas. This year Hocking College students experienced a keynote address by a legend in the music industry, Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and Nirvana fame, who offered a poignant and personal testimony of the road to artistic and commercial success.  

During the conference, student attendees gained exclusive access to panel discussions, industry surveys, one-on-one mentoring sessions with music industry professionals, as well as interviews with industry notables including Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac, famed record label mogul Clive Davis, My Morning Jacket's Jim James, Hip Hop sensation 50 Cent and international superstar Depeche Mode.   

South by Southwest showcased thousands of musical acts, from newly formed bands to megastars, including Prince, Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, Justin Timberlake and Green Day. In many cases Hocking students spent time with the artists before or after the shows, getting a chance to meet and converse with them in the conference center.

"Thank you so much for this opportunity," Gianni Macioci, Hocking College music student, said. "For anyone who is a music student, be prepared to experience a life-changing event that will motivate you to pursue a career in the music industry."

For more information on the 2013 South by Southwest music conference, please visit Josh Antonuccio's coverage for WOUB
 
International Students "Travel the World" with Primrose Residential Care 

 

Hocking College English as a Second Language (ESL) international students gave presentations about their countries and cultures to elderly residents of Primrose Residential Care in Lancaster.

 

The student presentations are a part of the "Travel the World" Hocking College service-learning program developed and launched in 2011 by Dominika Adamova, Hocking College's ESL coordinator. Every semester, ESL students visit and present in a local school as a way to educate about diversity and to give back to community. This semester, Adamova cooperated with Lisa Sells, Arts Business and Information Technology department administrative assistant, who suggested doing the presentations for the Primrose community.

"The program is based on the premise that becoming familiar with other cultures opens up horizons. As such, it promotes diversity, and it has a potential to support intercultural communication," Adamova said.

The ESL students from China, Venezuela, Korea and Mexico each prepared a short factual presentation about their country accompanied by a fun, interactive activity representing their culture. The Primrose residents played Bingo with the Venezuelans, wrote a word in Chinese, watched Mexican traditional dances while eating a traditional Venezuelan meal called "arepa," and took a quiz about South Korea to win international prizes. The presentations serve as the final project to evaluate the ESL students' vocabulary, speaking and listening skills.

The event was a huge success, not only with the Primrose residents, but also with the ESL students themselves. Some of them are planning on returning to Primrose to spend their free time with the residents by talking and playing games, as they remind the students of their families and grandparents back home.  
Do WE know about YOU?

 

We are always interesting in hearing where our alumni are and what they are doing.  We want to know your story.  If you're interested in being a featured alumni, contact us today!