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April 28, 2014
Commencement Reminders
Commencement will take place on Friday, May 9 and Saturday May 10, 2014. The School of Allied Health and School of Nursing will graduate at the 7 p.m. ceremony on Friday. The School of Natural Resources and Public Safety Services will graduate at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. All other schools will graduate at the 2:30 p.m. Saturday ceremony. Each ceremony is expected to last about an hour. A "Sweet Success" reception will follow each ceremony, offering an assortment of cupcakes and cookies as well as iced tea, lemonade and punch. Also, Rhapsody Restaurant will serve a modified dinner and lunch menu for Friday night and Saturday afternoon and evening.

Important Commencement Information: 
  • Deans will read the graduates' names for the entire school, and faculty and staff are invited to sit in a special VIP enclosure on the Oakley-end of the Multiplex to meet, greet and congratulate grads as soon as they have received their degrees.
  • Please submit any good photos from the last two years to Giles Lee for a PowerPoint presentation that he is creating for the commencement ceremony.

For more information, please contact Giles Lee at 740.753.6539 or visit the Hocking College Commencement webpage

suvey Please Complete CCFSSE Survey
Reminder that we are participating in the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE). In conjunction with the CCSSE, we also have the opportunity to conduct the Community College Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (CCFSSE). CCFSSE was designed to mirror the student survey (CCSSE) in an effort to facilitate discussions about faculty perceptions of student engagement.

On April 7, a random sample of instructors (206) were selected to complete the Community College Faculty Survey of Student Engagement. Please remember to complete the survey at your earliest convenience.
 
CCSSE and CCFSSE results will be used to promote institutional improvement and it is vital that our faculty have a voice in these efforts. We feel that being able to view faculty expectations and perceptions of student engagement alongside student responses will not only help us identify areas of strength, but will also enable us to recognize challenges or gaps that may require further consideration. Your support is appreciated.
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eTextbook Pilot Continuing with Process Updates
Digital learning resources are becoming more common throughout K-12 and higher education. The days of purchasing large and expensive college textbooks that become quickly outdated are disappearing. Hocking College wants to be positioned strategically for this learning resource transformation.

Therefore, the college started a pilot program to explore the use of eTextbooks in select academic schools. The pilot started in summer 2013 with about three dozen courses from Arts and Sciences. It continued with essentially the same courses in autumn 2013. The pilot then expanded to include some Culinary and Allied Health courses in spring 2014. Summer 2014 will continue with a small group of Arts and Sciences, Culinary and Allied Health classes. We hope to expand the eTextbook initiative for autumn 2014 with more classes involved from all academic schools, but not all classes.

The selection process for which classes offer eLearning resources will remain at the academic school level. Faculty responsible for classes will make their recommendations to their respective dean who has final approval, as it has been for decades. The college will continue to offer training and development opportunities for faculty and staff to learn about the basics of the eTextbook process and the increased functionality eTextbooks can offer courses.  We also plan to offer "technology expos" for faculty to be exposed to new eTextbook technology.

The college will also address several challenges we have experienced in the pilot thus far. Most notable have been the purchasing method for students through course fees, refund procedures, access to the Coursemart eBookstore platform, eTextbook length of service, computer access challenges and lower prices.

The college is exploring a different purchasing procedure that will not include course fees but rather give students the option to purchase digital resources at the start of the term with financial aid or out-of-pocket funds. This approach would eliminate any need for refunds, as no student fees will be used. We plan to implement this approach in autumn term but are still working on the logistics. So far, it looks very plausible.

Hocking College and our partners at ED MAP have been working to embed the book selection process into the course shell of Moodle. This will simplify the student experience by giving them a single sign-on entry point.

Finally, we are in the last stages of negotiating with the college's largest publishing partners. The college has asked for a three to four year length of service with all eTextbooks, a cost reduction of 50-70 percent lower than the print cost for eTextbooks and an option for the student to purchase a color packet version of the eTextbook for $10-15 to address wireless and/or computer access challenges. So far we expect all these demands to be met or get very close to our target numbers for implementation in autumn 2014. We have also requested an extended duration of service of the eTextbooks with a minimum of three years.  Some publishers are able to offer four years, which could be helpful for our programs with waiting lists.

As we continue to expand the eTextbook pilot project, we appreciate the feedback of the campus community.  Because this is a pilot, we are still making ongoing changes to ensure when the program is finalized, we have a true asset to Hocking College and an advantage to our student experience.

Please contact Katie Skivers or Chuck Potts at extension 6188 with any bookstore process questions, whether print text or eTextbooks. They have both been integral in helping us navigate this project and can help with many common questions.

Finally, please contact Joe Wakeman or visit his office (x6098 or OAK 210) with ideas, questions or concerns about the initiative as a whole.  
jogging-ladies.jpg Hocking Health & Wellness Committee Formed
Interested in a walking club? Staff-only fitness room? Classes on healthy eating? To increase opportunities for employee health and wellness, a new Hocking Health and Wellness Committee has been formed.  The committee is interested in learning about what type of healthy activities you'd like to see on campus.  Please take a moment and complete the Wellness Survey so that the committee can determine your interest in programming and other opportunities for wellness.

Wellness Survey 
Female Self Defense and Prevention Training Offered
The Ohio University Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program is partnering with Cheryl's Trainings to sponsor self-defense training for female and female identified students, as well as Hocking College staff, on Tuesday, April 29 in the Hocking Student Center Conference Room B from 5 - 7 p.m.

This two-hour self-defense and prevention training led by Cheryl Cesta, Hocking College Public Safety Services instructor and owner of Cheryl's Trainings, will focus on empowering and assisting in learning techniques for defending oneself in an assaultive situation.

In addition to the program, the Athens, Meigs, and Perry County Clothesline Project will be displayed along the indoor track at the student center beginning Monday, April 28 through Wednesday, April 30. The Clothesline Project is a program dedicated to raising awareness of violence against women by inviting survivors, co-survivors and community members to express their emotions by decorating t-shirts and displaying them to the public.

If you have any questions or are interested in hosting a t-shirt decorating event, please contact Kat Wargo at [email protected] / 740.591.4266
English Department Sponsors College Readiness Forum
The Hocking College English Department sponsored the second annual College Readiness Forum at The Inn at Hocking College on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, inviting local high school English teachers to meet with college English faculty for discussions on college readiness with a special focus on developing critical thinking skills.
 
More than 50 participants, representing 16 regional high schools and colleges, came together to find solutions for incoming college students while enjoying a delicious buffet style lunch prepared by Hocking College Culinary Arts students. The program opened opportunities to explore current research, hear about college readiness efforts in various districts and participate in multiple small group sessions for teachers to share best practices for developing critical thinking in their English classrooms.

Presenters included Awni Mikhail, Hocking College English faculty; Tami Hartman, English teacher from Fairfield Career Center; Robert Dodd, Principal of New Lexington High School; David Hanning, Principal of Athens High School; Joe Wakeman, Associate Provost of Hocking College; and, Ruth Silon, Executive Director of the Ohio Association of Community College Student Success Center. The event concluded with special keynote speaker, Dr. Linda Rice, Associate Professor of English at Ohio University.

The event was organized under the direction of Hocking College Arts, Business and Information Technology Dean Jeff Daubenmire and English faculty member Sue Fletcher. It was also made possible through a mini-grant provided by the Ohio Association of Community College Student Success Center (OACC) and Perkins Grant, in addition to the support from the Ohio University Appalachian Writing Project.
School of Natural Resources Hosts "Semester Survival" Cookout
The School of Natural Resources is congratulating students and faculty for making it through another semester by hosting the "Semester Survival" Cookout on May 5, 2014 in the parking lot between the Natural Resources building and horse barns.

The event will include free food and drinks for all who attend, as well as the opportunity to see your favorite instructor or staff member in a dunk tank. The dunk tank will open at 10:30 a.m. followed by food served at 11 a.m. The cost of the dunk tank is $1 for three throws with all proceeds going toward the Grizzly Scholarship.

Last year, the Natural Resource Department raised a total of $68 dollars for the Grizzly Scholarship and is encouraging this year's participants to raise even more.

There are still available times to sit in the dunk tank! If you are interested in being added to the line-up, please contact Amy Roe at [email protected] or 740.753.7163.
Honey for the Heart Invites Campus Community to Participate
Honey for the Heart, a collaborative community art project, is currently inviting all of the Hocking College campus community to turn "trash into treasure" and create giant puppets out of repurposed materials beginning today, April 28 until May 9, 2014.

For those interested, open studio times will be from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily in room 108 in the Visual Arts Center.

Local artists are collaboratively working with large groups of students and faculty to utilize materials such as paper, fabric, cardboard, plastic and perceived junk to construct giant living sculptures of whimsical creatures.

Artists will be transferring created works to the Nelsonville Square and settle within the Majestic Gallery to continue building puppets and inviting the community to join.  

The puppets will make their first appearance at the Nelsonville Music Festival on May 29.

For more information, go to the Honey for the Heart Facebook Page or visit www.CollaborativeARTInternational.com 
Perry Campus Open House
The Hocking College Perry Campus will hold an open house and program showcase on Wednesday, April 30 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. 

Prospective students can get information on admissions and financial aid, speak to instructors and take a tour of the equipment and facilities for the academic programs offered at Hocking College Perry Campus.  Those interested in attending should RSVP to 866-HC-PERRY, ext. 7548.
Alumni Spotlight

Hocking Grads Excel in the Pizza Industry
Emily and Shawn Dugan, two Hocking College graduates, will test the taste buds of Italy, competing in the World Pizza Championship in Milan.

Embracing their love for the food industry, couple Emily and Shawn decided to open their own award-winning family business, Shorty's Pizzeria in Parkersburg, West Virginia in 2012.  Shorty's is founded on the mission to be the very best by utilizing only experienced, educated and professional chefs who are dedicated to the culinary arts and all that they stand for.

The couple began their journey in the pizza industry after graduating from the School of Hospitality at Hocking College.  Emily earned her degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management while Shawn earned his degree in Culinary Arts.

Emily explained her appreciation for Hocking stating, "They have good programs at Hocking and you get out of it what you put into it."

Emily and Shawn competed in the North American Pizza and Ice Cream show in Columbus, where their specialty pizza, the Manzo Primo, earned the award of "The Best Pizza in the Midwest," along with a $6,000 cash prize.

Their award winning pizzas will move on to the international level at the World Pizza Championship where they will represent the USA team in the couple's division.

For additional information, visit the Logan Daily website article. 
presidents_day5.jpg Sale Continues at the Bookstore
The Inventory Reduction Sale at the Hocking College Bookstore continues through May 9. All clothing is 50 percent off. There are no guarantees on size or style; no additional discounts apply.

The Bookstore is located on the second floor of Davidson Hall and is open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Stop by soon for the best selection!
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

Faculty Publishes Poetry Book

Kudos to Deni Naffziger, Hocking College English Faculty, who recently published her first full-length collection of poetry, Desire to Stay, published by Stockport Flats Press. Her collection reveals the desire to live without regret and encourages readers to find their true self.

Prior to Desire to Stay, Naffzinger published three chapbooks titled Intervals, Close to Home and an untitled chapbook-length collection of poems for Crazy River. She also co-authored Revenants: A Story of Many Lives, with fellow Hocking College English faculty member Jane Ann Devol-Fuller, who served as editor for her most recent collection. Mark Hackworth, Hocking College Art, Design and Marketing Coordinating Instructor, also contributed to Naffziger's most recent collection by creating the cover art.

Desire to Stay is available at Little Professor bookstore in Athens, Ohio and through the Stockport Flats website. To learn more about Desire to Stay and Naffziger, visit the author's page at Stockport Flats.

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

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