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March 4, 2014
Board of Trustees Approves Union Contract
The Hocking College Board of Trustees approved a new contract with the Hocking College Educational Association (HCEA) Professional Bargaining Unit (PBU) at a special trustee meeting on February 27, 2014.

"Although facing an unprecedented economic climate in the State of Ohio, where higher education institutions must operate with fewer financial resources and greater efficiencies, we are pleased that we have been able to work together to negotiate a compensation package through collaboration with the Professional Bargaining Unit," Dr. Carl Bridges, Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, said.

The new PBU contract implements the following changes with respect to salary:
  • Fiscal Year 2014 includes a change in the salary scale for bargaining unit members, in favor of those with master's degrees or higher.  However, PBU members with associate or bachelor's levels of education will also be advanced one step.  A 1.5 percent across the board increase will also take effect for this year.  The changes in salary will be retroactive to July 1, 2013.
  • Fiscal Year 2015 and 2016 will each include a 3.5 percent across the board increase, plus a one-step advancement.
"We worked very hard with the college this year to come up with a contract that was mutually beneficial.  We were very pleased to work with the college's team. Each side came to the table prepared to rationally discuss our bargaining items in an atmosphere that was refreshingly open and respectful," Mark Yanko, President, HCEA Professional Bargaining Unit and Computer Science faculty, said.
Non-Bargaining Unit Employee Compensation
While considering the new agreement with the professional bargaining unit employees, the administration also reviewed the compensation for all permanent non-teaching, non-bargaining unit (NBU) employees. 

We are pleased to announce that NBU employees, except for grant-funded positions, will receive a 2.0 percent salary increase for fiscal year 2014. This will be retroactive to the start of the fiscal year July 1, 2013. NBU employees must have been hired prior to April 1, 2013 to be eligible for this increase.

More details will be forthcoming, but we wanted to make you aware of this good news as soon as possible.
Double Roundabout Inspired by Native Hocking Beauty
Inspired by the one-of-a-kind beauty found in the Hocking region, several volunteers and organizations, including the Hocking College Landscape program, are working to enhance the newly functional double roundabout onto Route 664 from U.S. 33 in Logan.

The double roundabout made its official debut in 2013, making it the first double roundabout project in Ohio. The roundabout has provided safe and convenient access for both visitors and residents experiencing the Hocking Hills region. The project has achieved ODOT's goal of building a safe, unique and appealing structure for the area and its visitors.

In an attempt to incorporate the natural beauty of Hocking, volunteers and organizations plan to enhance the look of the roundabouts with native trees, shrubs and local artwork. The new look will feature swamp white oaks, kettleri juniper, winterberry holly, prairie blue ornamental grass, boulders and clay sculptures.

The project is a collaboration between ODOT, the City of Logan, the Hocking Hills Tourism Association, Logan Tree Commission, Hocking County Engineer, Hocking College Landscape program, Logan Clay Products and local artist Jean Magdich.

For more information on the project visit the Logan Daily News.

flatscreen-computer-room.jpg CoreSource Offers Employee Portal

Enjoy the convenient experience of managing employee benefits through the CoreSource member portal. CoreSource, our dental insurance provider, allows employees to complete tasks such as viewing family claims history, managing dependents' or personal information and viewing Explanation of Benefits (EOB) quickly and securely.  


For more information on the CoreSource member portal and steps to register click on the links below
CoreSource Employee Portal
Steps to Register

Please contact Loretta Whaley at 740.753.7041 for further questions.

Reminder: Looking for Great Graduation Speakers
Do you know of a graduating student with a fantastic story? Giles Lee is looking for student speakers for the upcoming graduation ceremonies.

 

One speaker is needed for each of the three ceremonies. If you know a student with a interesting or compelling story to share, please contact Giles Lee at 740.753.6539.
Hocking College Students Repair Wind Turbine

Hocking students involved in the Advanced Energy Program were given the opportunity to turn their classroom knowledge into real world experience repairing a wind turbine at the Logan Campus.  


Electricity from the wind turbine is generated and sent to the locations in need throughout campus. The wind turbine's safety mechanism had been triggered due to strong winds, preventing its blades from turning and functioning properly.

Advanced Energy program instructor, Darin Hadinger, guided his class and second-year student and project manager Jeremy McDonald, through the repair. The students were required to rely only on teamwork and critical thinking to accomplish their goal.   

   

Carl Bridges, Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs, and Neil Hinton, Dean of the School of Engineering Technology, recognized the students for their accomplishment during a special presentation.

Read more about the wind turbine and what it took to repair it in the Logan Daily News.  

Health Fair Raffle

Walk away from the Annual Health Fair with not only wellness tips, but also amazing gifts after participating in this year's raffle.  

 

Raffle tickets will be available at the fair for $1 each or 6 for $5. The money collected from ticket sales will be put towards helping provide needed supplies. The raffle items have been donated by staff and include a wide variety of valuable items including a special scrapbook basket, a $25 gift certificate to Wild Horse Café, a large Yankee Candle, a gym bag complete with accessories and much more! 


Contact Stephanie Eggers at 740.753.6460 or Marlene Hook with any questions.

Reminder: Schools of Allied Health and Nursing Host Annual Community Health Fair Today
The Hocking College Schools of Allied Health and Nursing will promote wellness during their fourteenth annual Community Health Fair on March 4, 2014 in the Student Center Multiplex from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Health Fair is free and open to the public.

Attendees can visit a wide range of booths, each demonstrating simple adjustments in everyday habits that can lead to healthier lifestyles. The event is planned, researched and organized by students in the Nursing program and the Allied Health programs of Dietary and Culinary Management, Fitness Management, Health Information Management, Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Opticianry, Physical Therapist Assistant and Surgical Technology.

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 proceeds donated to funding the Community Health Fair.

For more information please contact Bev Kubachka at kubachkab@hocking.edu or 740.753.6373.  
Hocking College Foundation Welcomes New Board Members
The Hocking College Foundation recently welcomed new board members Seth Teicher, Wendy Jakmas, Karl Gebhardt and Paige Alost.

Seith Teicher, of New Marshfield, has held positions in a variety of fields including as a worker in a psychiatric unit at a VA medical center, a woodworking instructor at a New Mexico community college and a Deputy Medical Investigator. He became president of Epstein-Teicher Philanthropies after serving on the board for seven years. He has been instrumental in getting significant funds granted to Hocking College including the Karen Teicher Memorial Nursing Scholarship fund and emergency funds to help students stay in college.

Wendy Jakmas, of Athens, currently holds the position of President of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce that she assumed in January 2009. She also remains an active board member of the Athens Foundation, sits on the Customized Training Advisory Board for Tri-County Adult Career Center and is a member of the Chamber Executives of Ohio. As a graduate of Ohio University and resident of Athens since 1996, she is motivated and proud to work in the area.

Karl Gebhardt, of Westerville, is a 1972 Hocking College graduate where he received his associate's degree from the Natural Resources program. He currently continues his passion for the environment as Deputy Director for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and is a township trustee in Genoa Township.

Paige Alost, of Athens, joined the Athens County Convention & Visitors Bureau in 2006 after holding the position of Associate Director for Campus Visit Programs at Ohio University. Graduating from Louisiana State and originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Alost is honored to be an active part of the Athens community.

The Hocking College Foundation exists to advance the mission of Hocking College, by providing resources for key programs and initiatives tied to college strategies.   The Foundation engages in fundraising in order to provide support for students and to enhance programs and services. Its vision is for all Hocking College graduates to leave debt free and ready to launch an exciting and meaningful career.
Housing Autumn 2014 Priority Housing Deadline Extended
Please share with students that applications for priority housing for current students are due by March 14, 2014. The application for 2014-15 housing is available here.

Current students who want priority on their housing for next year must submit an application, the $50 application fee and the $400 deposit by the deadline. Applications will be accepted after March 14 but will be processed with new student applications.
Hocking College Career Fair Rescheduled
Because of the weather, the Hocking College Career Fair has been rescheduled and will now take place on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Student Center multiplex.

All students, especially those in their final term, and alumni are welcome to attend. Faculty should encourage student attendance and, if possible, consider utilizing class time to ensure the students' benefit.

All of the details can be found here. Job seekers do not need to pre-reigster. All candidates should dress professionally and bring plenty of resumes to distribute to employers. Contact Stacy Strauss with any questions.
Retirement Planning Lunch and Learn
On Wednesday, March 19, a "Planning for Retirement" free lunch and learn seminar will be presented by the Ohio University Credit Union. 

The seminar will help you get the details regarding your retirement options and considerations.  All staff are invited to attend, and a free lunch will be provided.  You do not need to be a member of the credit union to participate in the lunch and learn.  
Read more about the seminar here.  If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Linda Deeds by Friday, March 14, and be sure to let her know if you have any special dietary restrictions.
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Reminder: Upcoming Admissions Events
Prospective students will be visiting campus during upcoming Hocking Showcase admissions events.

Hocking Showcase events are more targeted for students who know what field they would like to study. Each department will have a chance to showcase what they have to offer. Showcase events run 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 
  • Hospitality: Wednesday, March 19 
  • Allied Health and Nursing: Thursday, March 20 
  • Public Safety: Friday, March 21
  • Arts, Business and IT: Thursday, March 27
  • Engineering: Friday, March 28 (Logan Campus)
  • Natural Resources: Friday, April 25, 9 (Lake Snowden)     

Thank you for your assistance as we provide prospective students with a chance to experience a Hocking College education!  

falling-money.jpg Scholarship Deadline Extended
The deadline to complete the online Scholarship Application has been extended. All currently enrolled Hocking College students should complete the online Scholarship Application by March 14, 2014 to be considered for scholarships for the 2014-2015 academic year.

To apply, please direct students to use the Online Scholarship Application, which can be accessed through the "Pay For College" area of the Hocking College website.  Click on the Scholarships subheading to find additional information and a direct link to the 2014-2015 scholarship application.

If you need additional information regarding completion of the Online Scholarship Application, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid Services at 740.753.7061.
Reminder: Annual 5K and Pump & Run Registration Open
The Hocking College Fitness Management students will host the Second Annual Pump & Run and 5K/1 Mile Fun Walk at Hocking College on Saturday, April 5, 2014.

The 5K/1 Mile Fun Walk is a traditional 3.1-mile course through the Hocking College campus. The race begins at 8 a.m. with registration beginning at 7 a.m. The participants will be separated into age groups, and the top three male and female of each age group will receive a ribbon. The top three overall male and female winners will receive a medal.

The Pump & Run will begin with registration at 8 a.m. followed by the race at 9 a.m. This event requires participants to complete a 1.5-mile run after performing a maximum number of bench press repetitions. For each repetition completed, 10 seconds will be deducted from their run time. Pump & Run participants will be separated by age, gender and weight. Ribbons and medals will also be awarded to winners.

Registration cost for Hocking students, alumni and employees is $15, while the cost for all other participants is $20.  If registering for both events, the cost is $25. Register before March 14 and receive a free t-shirt! Registration forms are available here:
Pump & Run Registration
5K Registration

For any questions on either of these events, please contact Bill Finnearty at 740.753.6533 or finneartyw@hocking.edu.
Alumni Spotlight

Hocking Alum Promoted to Lieutenant of Meigs EMS
Paramedic Jennifer Cross, a 1994 Hocking graduate, was recently promoted to the rank of lieutenant of Meigs Emergency Medical Services.

Lt. Cross first received her medical training at Hocking College in January of 1994. Utilizing her experiences and knowledge gained at Hocking, she was able to join the Meigs EMS division as a volunteer. A few years later, she went on to receive her Paramedic training from Southeast Ohio EMS where she began working with Southeast Ohio Emergency Medical Services, while continuing her volunteer work with Meigs. In 2009, Lt. Cross completed the nursing program at the University of Rio Grande and became a nurse at the Southwest Regional Medical Center.

She became a paid member of the Meigs EMS paramedic staff last year in 2013, where she was quickly promoted to her current position as lieutenant. Her new position requires her to assist with day-to-day operations and contribute to the monitoring and licensing of narcotics for the division.
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



Wildlife Management Student Featured in Ohio Outdoor News

Kudos to wildlife management student Luke Costilow. Costilow and his wildfowl decoy carving were recently featured in Ohio Outdoor News. 

  

This year, Costilow is chairman of the Wildfowlers contest, a carving contest he won when he was just ten years old. This year's contest will be held in Strongsville on March 8-9.  


Kudos to Costilow for his carving skills and his leadership at this event! 

 

 ____________________

 

Employee Shares Thanks  

 

Administration, Faculty, Staff and Students of Hocking College,


There are simply no words to express my heartfelt thanks for the sympathy you've extended to me and my family during this time of loss of our mother, Jane G. Gompf.

Your phone calls, flowers, cards and remembrances of mom are a great comfort to us and we are deeply grateful to each of you for your kindness.

Thank you,

Adeana L. Meadows and family  


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3301 Hocking Parkway
Nelsonville, OH 45764
admissions@hocking.edu / www.hocking.edu

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