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December 3, 2013
From the Provost:
Adventures in Education

null Dishwasher
Aunt Eula is my Dad's older sister.  She was the oldest of the Bridges clan - almost 20 years older than my Dad.  He always felt that she was a second mother to him.

When Dad's life turned for the better, he vowed to do positive things for all his family and friends.  So he decided to get Aunt Eula a dishwasher; she always had the chore of washing the dishes when they were younger, so he thought that it would be functional and sentimental at the same time.

She was not having it.

"Dishwasher?!?  Honey, I am the dishwasher.  I don't need that fancy thing."  So for several weeks, Aunt Eula used the dishwasher as a drying rack -- a very expensive drying rack.  A few weeks later I was visiting and noticed that she was using the dishwasher, but she was not rinsing the dishes before she put them in.  "This dishwasher don't work, see -- it leaves all kinds-a mess on my plates."

After a few more weeks, she was washing the dishes completely and then running them through the dishwasher.  She liked the fact that the plates were warm after the machine was done.  She also would not leave the machine when it was running, she had to watch it.  I guess she thought that the dishwasher would run out the door with her good dishes.

After about three months, Aunt Eula had us all over for dinner.  After dinner she gave us detailed instructions on how to scrape, load, and run HER dishwasher (much emphasis on the HER).

"I see we like the dishwasher now," Dad said.

"I always liked the dishwasher, I just needed to figure out how to use this machine . . ."

As we continuously improve as educators, we will change to reflect the needs of our students, our regulators, and our school.  When change occurs, we need to do what we can to embrace it, no matter how difficult.  Some experts believe that it takes 10 times the effort to resist change as it does to embrace it.  So let's make the right effort.

We should not shove an old process into a new technology.  We now have automated several processes.  The time has come for us to let go of "the way we always did it" and move toward "the way it should be done."  That happens with knowledge, growth, and change.

So work to embrace change - we realize it will take some effort to get there, but let's get there together. 
nullOhio University Credit Union Offers Lunch & Learn
On Wednesday, December 11 from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. in Davidson Hall, room 108, Heidi Sochia, OUCU Marketing and Education Specialist, will discuss ways to make the most of a budget and save money.

All staff are invited to this event, and lunch will be provided. You do not need to be a member of the credit union to attend.

To RSVP, contact Linda Deeds no later than Thursday, December 5. Please be sure to mention any special dietary needs. 
T-shirt Design Contest Held for Neon Run 5K
The upcoming Neon Run 5K is holding a t-shirt design contest.  The Neon Run 5K, called "Coming Out of the Dark," was formed to help stamp out the stigma surrounding getting help with mental illness and addictions.

The t-shirt design contest winner will receive a $50 gift card. The deadline for entry is December 10, 2013. All t-shirts should include the quote "Coming out of the Dark" and have the date of April 26 on them.

Entrees can be turned into Chrissy Ward's mailbox in the Public Safety Building at Hocking College or sent via interoffice mail. Entrees can also simply post their t-shirt design to the "Hocking College Presents the Neon" Facebook site. All designs will be uploaded to Facebook, and followers will vote on the best design. Please remember to provide your name and contact information in case you win.

Please email Chrissy Ward with any questions about the Neon Run 5K or t-shirt contest.
Stained Glass Stars Sale to Raise Funds
On Friday, December 6, stained glass stars and small image frames will be available for purchase in Oakley 308 until 2:30 p.m., as is the tradition at this time of year.

The sale is first come, first served.  Please have cash or a check made out to Cindy Yeager.  Each piece will be individually priced. What is not sold will be going into local shops at the usual mark up, so this is your only chance to buy at 25 percent less than retail. Anyone bringing in a new or gently used woven (not chain, not retractable) leash, $5 will be deducted from your purchase.

Funds from the sale will be used to support Hocking College's 12-year long partnership with Noble Correctional Institution. The inmates participate in a program designed to rescue dogs that have been left at the local animal shelters and have not been adopted. The inmates train the dogs for basic obedience to make them more desirable to be adopted. The sales contribute to the program's basic needs, such as leashes, collars, bedding, treats, toys, and recently a portable agility course. Inmates in this project typically correspond with the students in the Ethics class, although no classes are currently running.

Thanks for your help in supporting this worthy endeavor. Please contact Cindy Yeager with any questions.
International Students Tour Chocolate Factory
Mid-November, international students in the English as a Second Language (ESL) classes went on a tour of the Columbus chocolate factory and then to lunch at a restaurant together. Carla Ryan-Hirst, ESL instructor, reported that they all had a blast and came home with lots of chocolate.
Music Program to Raise Funds During "Benefest"
This Thursday, December 5, eight local bands will come together for the third annual Benefest, a two-night event consisting of back-to-back performances at The Union and Casa Cantina in Athens, the proceeds of which will go towards The Gathering Place and ARTS/West. Benefest is hosted by students in the Hocking College music program.

Although both nights are technically "free" shows, attendees are encouraged to donate whatever they feel they can. Besides encouraging donations of any amount, raffle tickets for various prizes donated by local businesses will be sold both evenings to help boost the amount of money raised.

ARTS/West is dedicated to providing a local venue where local artists of all types are encouraged to further the development of the arts in southeast Ohio. The facility is used year-round by two art-enrichment summer camps, six theater companies, an independent musician's network, a homeschool choir and countless other artists.

The Gathering Place allows a space for people struggling with mental illness to work on their recovery in a healthy, wholesome environment.

"Last year's benefit was very successful, and everyone had fun," Grant Engstrom of Small Steps, who performed during Benefest 2012, said.

To read more about this event, visit the article on WOUB.

For more information, please contact Michelle Herris at 440.478.2812 or email [email protected], or visit the Benefest Facebook page.
Hocking College Partners with Atco for Riding Lessons
Hocking College and a local horse farm owner are providing therapeutic horseback riding lessons for area adults with developmental disabilities and creating educational experiences for college students.

Tami Harter, who spearheaded the program, is a certified riding instructor through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International and a workshop specialist at Atco. Heath Harter, Tami's husband, accompanies her on this journey to campus to provide these lessons.

"They feel a sense of happiness when working with an animal," Tami Harter said, describing the feedback she's received from the adults at Atco. "A horse doesn't judge them because they may have a disability. It can appreciate getting attention while the individual is learning a new skill."

Sarah Baker, the owner and manager of EMBE Acres Horse Farm, donates the use of her facility for the program.

Both Tami and Heath say they hope to see the program expand. Tami said she'd like to see weekly riding opportunities for the adults enrolled with Atco. Heath would like to see a Hocking College class dedicated to therapeutic riding. The next weekend workshop is being scheduled for sometime in the fall of 2014.

Read more about this program on The Athens Messenger.
null Reminder: Holiday Student Art Sale
The Holiday Student Art Sale is currently taking place at the Hocking College Art Gallery, 30 Public Square in Nelsonville.

The sale features a wide selection of ceramics, glass artwork, photography and jewelry created by Hocking College Art, Design and Marketing students. Don't miss the opportunity to purchase a special, one-of-a-kind gift, while supporting Hocking College students.

The Holiday Student Art Sale is open 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday through December 20.
More Winter Safety Tips
This week's winter safety tips can help keep you safe as cold temperatures settle in.

Winter Safety: Frostbite explains a little bit about frostbite - did you know children are more susceptible to frostbite? - plus prevention, symptoms and how to treat frostbite.
Reminder: Upcoming Epicurean Club Fun
On Wednesday, December 4, bring three canned or non-perishable items to donate to the Hocking Student Food Pantry and receive two lunches for the price of one at the Starbrick Bistro. Free dessert will be offered at the Bistro during lunch on Friday, December 6, when you bring in two canned or non-perishable items to donate to the pantry.
 
The Epicurean Club is selling "Gift Jars" with baking mixes from now until Friday, December 6. Jars will be available to pick up on Friday, December 13 from 12 - 4 p.m. at the Inn. Jars are six dollars and will contain mixes for peppermint hot cocoa, brownies, and M&M rice crispy cookies. All mixes are presented in a mason jar with decorative fabric and a tag with instructions.

Please contact Chef McGushin with any questions or orders. Epicurean Club students will have order forms available for faculty and staff, as well.
Reminder: Holidays Around the World This Week
"Holidays Around the World" will be celebrated this Wednesday, December 4, from 5 - 7 p.m. in the Light Dining Hall. 

Come learn about about how holidays are celebrated in different cultures, including Christmas, Kwanzaa, Diwali and Hanukkah. A traditional turkey dinner and festive desserts will be provided, and Santa will make an appearance. This event is sponsored by the Student Center and Dining Services.
eTextbooks Offer Convenience
ETextbooks have many exciting functionalities. Students can now take the text anywhere, rather than haul around a heavy book. They can read these texts online or offline, which makes it easier to keep up with classes. Students also will not have to wait for physical books that are commonly backordered; not to mention, there will be no more lost textbooks.

Almost everything is online, so eTextbooks interactive nature prepare students for after-college experience with online applications at the workplace.

ETextbooks are perfect for the classroom because students can share notes and highlight sections with their peers and faculty members. They can easily highlight what section needs clarification so they can bring it up during class discussion.
Alumni Spotlight

Alum Helps Louisiana Oil Spill
Martin "Marty" Floyd graduated from Hocking College in 1973 in Recreation and Wildlife Management. He began his career working for Arkansas State Parks, the Little Rock Natural History Museum and the Little Rock Zoo. In 1981, Floyd began working for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Louisiana and then became the biologist on the Water Resources staff at the state office in Alexandria, Louisiana. After 34 years with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Floyd retired.

Two years later, Louisiana experienced the BP Deepwater Horizon (MC-252) oil spill. He was contracted by Ducks Unlimited to serve as a liaison, getting landowners enrolled in the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) Migratory Bird Habitat Improvement program under the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) to provide alternative habitats for avian species whose habitats may be negatively impacted because of the oil spill.

His work with wildlife management continued into 2010, when the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries asked him to manage a program that addresses the impacted wildlife habitat as a result of the spill.

Aside from his degree at Hocking, Floyd holds a Bachelor of Science degree, specializing in biology with a minor in geology, from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He also obtained a Master of Science degree from Mississippi State University in Wildlife Ecology.
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
The Anatomy of Resilience

Earlier in 2013, Hocking College AIS student Grace Wyatt gave a moving speech during the STARS ceremony about her addiction to alcohol. She recently wrote an essay on The Anatomy of Resilience that reminds faculty and staff why they are important in students lives.

On St. Patrick's Day of 2012, Wyatt almost lost her life in a bicycle accident. She had a traumatic brain injury and was in a subsequent coma. After recovery, she returned to Hocking College with the specific intention of being as involved as possible both in and out of the classroom.

"In the classroom, I learned the value of teamwork from group projects, the art of communication from the best instructors, problem solving from my most challenging coursework and leadership skills by presenting in class and tutoring students in need."

She quickly gained traction and became a leader in the freshmen orientation program, joined student government and became a STARS student, where her communication skills were put to the test when she had to speak on her alcohol addiction that led to her near-death accident.

"In the Hocking College classroom, we are constantly reminded of the importance and benefits of creating a positive environment to assist our patients in recovery."

Wyatt still wrestles with her addiction to alcohol, but is able to fight back with the support of her community and college.

"By taking advantage of every resource on campus, I provide my injured, recovering and addicted brain with all that it needs to take me to my career goal of becoming a dedicated health care professional and providing the same level of excellent care that was given to me."

Thank you, Grace! We couldn't have said it better.




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

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