With the exception of Graduation Day, the first week of
autumn semester is my favorite time of an academic year. The blend of uncertainty and excitement among our new students is almost palpable, as they find their way to class, and their way through life. It is an honor for all of us to support their journey.

Our new and returning students are not the only ones on a journey, however. Our campus community has charted a course to its own future, as articulated in our current 2010-2015 Strategic Plan. Over the next several issues of Verbatim, I hope to address several initiatives that are currently underway to fulfill the plan and position us well for a new five-year planning effort.

I hope that every member of the campus community looks back on this academic year and remembers it as a year where greater engagement, open communication, shared decision-making, and opportunities for employee fellowship created a firm foundation from which to serve our students in more efficient and effective ways. As I said in my opening address, these principles are truly the heart of our campus community.

Have a great year!

The One Hocking Diversity Without Division Alliance offered Diversity and Inclusion Training for Hocking College faculty, staff and external K-12 and two-year college participants, from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. on August 29, 2013 at the Inn at Hocking College.

The training enabled attendees to explore their own views, ideas and personal perspectives about diversity while being given some activities to help them recognize and understand more about this subject. The emphasis was geared toward applying gained knowledge and understanding to their professional life.

Toni C. King, Ph.D. was the keynote speaker for the event. Dr. King is an Associate Provost at Denison University where she also holds a joint appointment in Black Studies and Women's Studies. She has also taught at the State University of New York at Binghamton, and at Norfolk State University.

"Because of the college's earlier experiences, we decided to champion the cause of diversity and inclusion and create a new culture here at Hocking College," George Petrovay, Co-Chair of the Diveristy Without Division Alliance, said.

Several local organizations sponsored the training, including The Armistead Group, Holzer, L'Heureux Properties, Nelsonville Home and Savings Bank, Ohio University Credit Union and Rocky Outdoor Gear Store.

The "We Are One Hocking" initiative is an ongoing campaign of the Hocking College Diversity Without Division Alliance. The "One Hocking" initiative reinforces the emphasis on celebrating differences and providing a campus where all students are afforded a safe learning environment.

Chef Katie McGushin is organizing a Children's Health Fair, scheduled for October 16th, 2013 - National Children's Nutrition Day. Chef Katie is planning to coordinate health screenings, healthy cooking demonstrations of kid-friendly snacks and easy meals along with other information to help local children learn to make healthier choices.

The event will be a collaboration of several college departments including Hospitality, Allied Health, Nursing, Public Safety and local community health organizations. Chef Katie is scheduling an initial planning meeting next week, and is looking for people who would like to help organize this event. If you are interested, please contact Chef Katie at mcgushink@hocking.edu.

Hocking College employees were recently selected as the Select Employee Group of the Month at the OU Credit Union. This month all Hocking College employees can get special deals on credit union products and services, see the attached coupon sheet for details.

The credit union will also be dropping by with cookies, fun giveaways and information about the benefits of membership. All Hocking College employees are eligible to join the credit union. Please call 740.597.2800 or email memberservices@oucu.org for more information.

Hocking College employees were recognized for excellence last Monday. Students and peers nominated faculty and staff for either the Excellence in Service or Excellence in Instruction Award.

The winners of the Excellence in Instruction Award were Cheryl Cesta, Dawn Shingler and Dave Swanson. Any Hocking College full-time or part-time staff who has been employed for one full year that has not won the award in the past five years was eligible for nomination. Shingler's nomination stated, "Dawn engages students and motivates them to participate. She is an excellent teacher."

The winners of the Excellence in Service Award were Debra Canter, Kevin Moore and Claudia Haning. This award is given to any Hocking College non-instructional staff, who has been employed for at least one year that has not won in the last five years. Haning's nomination said, "To say that Claudia 'goes the extra mile' is an understatement."

Jane McClain was honored with the Curtis Miles Service Award. This award recognizes Hocking College employees who have distinguished themselves by helping people in need. All Hocking employees who have provided service to the community are eligible for nomination. The nomination submitted stated that, "Jane McClain is quick to take home young people in the Logan area who have, for a variety of reasons, lost their homes."

Congratulations to all Excellence Award Winners!

The Hocking College Fire and Emergency Services program celebrated success after achieving outstanding pass rates on their recent certification exam.

Paramedic students achieved an 82 percent pass rate on their National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam, while EMT-Basic students also earned an 82 percent pass rate on their exam. Nationally, 72 percent passed the Paramedic exam, while 70 percent passed the EMT-Basic exam. Both exams were given on August 4, 2013.

"It was a true cooperation between the faculty and the students that enabled us to achieve this success rate," Curtis Martin, Hocking College EMS Coordinator, said.

The single most important goal of the NREMT is to offer assurance that EMS personnel providing treatment to patients at their highest moment of need are competent. Entry requirements for certification include completing a state-approved EMS education course, and passing the NREMT written and practical examinations. The exam consists of 13 separate stations testing the skills and knowledge of the student, ranging from cardiology, airway management and basic EMT skills.

Effective September 3, 2013, Cashier and Records functions have been split. The new Registrar's Office will handle:

• Add/Drops
• Withdrawals
• Change Status Forms (Address, Programs, Contacts, Name, etc.)
• Registration
• Graduation
• Grade Changes
• Late Drops
• Transcript Request
• Transcript Evaluations
• Release of Information
• Enrollment Verifications
• Student Files 

Any forms needed for these actions can be found in the Registrar's Office, located in JL 193 - the office formerly known as Admissions Processing. Please note there is no access to the Registrar's Office from the Student Concourse side. Entry is through the door near the north entrance to Light Hall.

As part of these changes, the Veteran's Office is now located off the Dining Hall on the second floor of Light Hall.