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From the President
The Best Day of the Year
 It's graduation week, and the excitement surrounding our annual celebration for our graduates can be seen and felt across campus.
Despite all the years I have participated in college graduation ceremonies, I continue to find myself looking forward to all the traditions and fanfare that surround this ancient ritual. We put on gowns and funny hats with tassels. We march slowly to music. We listen to speakers. We walk across stage and receive words of congratulations. It's all so familiar, and yet so important.
Of the more than 1,000 students who graduate from Hocking College this spring, many will go on to additional years of college coursework, while others will launch their careers, with the knowledge and skills they acquired here. Regardless of their path forward, we can all take pride in how we supported their journey while they were with us.
Please join us this Friday and Saturday at any one of the three ceremonies being held to welcome a new group of alumni to our ranks. It's the very best way to remember why what we do every day is so important.
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 President's List Award Recipients Announced
Hocking College is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2014 President's List Award. Recipients include Rachel Bruns, Autumn Congrove, Tabitha Cox, Katelynn Dearth, Tonya DeGraw, Xaveria Grimes, Kiara Ivory, Amelia Ludwig, Emily Main, Jake Myers, Greta Neilley, Daniel Parker, Aaron Pletcher, Steve Shatz, Katilin Spears and Molly Wales.
Students demonstrating leadership, service and superior scholastic performance are selected annually for the President's List. Requirements to be considered for a President's List Award include a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above, demonstrated and documented leadership at Hocking College and specific service to the college, department, program, fellow students or the community.
An awards dinner was held at the Inn at Hocking College on Wednesday, April 30 for the selected students, where Hocking College President Dr. Ron Erickson and the Board of Trustees honored the recipients.
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 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.
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 Reminder: Complete the Health & Wellness Survey
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
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 Foundation Board Chair Leads Retreat
The Foundation's Board recently participated in a board retreat, led by Jim Rogers, Hocking College Foundation Board Chair, Rogers grew up on a small dairy farm, and while he thought when he left home that he would not end up on a farm, now lives with his wife Paula on a farm in Hocking County. Farming is a passion for Rogers. He and his wife love to work outdoors in the presence of animals. They raise cattle, and have two dogs, two horses and many barn cats. Rogers spent years in the corporate environment, developing managerial, planning and communications skills and says without his corporate experience, his entrepreneurial success would not have been possible. The entrepreneurial environment demonstrated the importance of firmly rooted core values and showed Rogers that doing what is right is not always easy. Rogers said, "In all situations I strive to do what is right, not necessarily what I have the right to do. I am so grateful for the experiences, challenges and opportunities life has offered." Rogers and his wife, Paula own Reed & Baur Insurance Agency in Athens and Logan. At the board retreat, Rogers spoke about the importance of the work the Foundation does, especially in these times of funding challenges. "For just a few seconds, consider the impact, the reach and the hope that Hocking College offers to so many people. The young adult or first generation high school graduate raised in poverty or near poverty that dreams of becoming a nurse, a chef, a park ranger, a fire fighter, an EMS technician or a wildlife officer looks to Hocking College as a path to tomorrow's world. Hocking College can help that person realize their dream," Rogers said. Rogers also spoke about the challenges facing educational institutions today and what the board needs to consider as they move forward, helping the college and our students realize their dreams. Read a transcript of Rogers' comments here. In addition to acting as the board chair, Rogers and his wife Paula have made a generous pledge over five years to the Hocking College Foundation. |
 Farm to School Regional Workshop
Are you passionate about local foods? Plan to attend the Farm to School Regional Workshop 2014, taking place Tuesday, June 10, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Inn at Hocking College.
Join school teachers and staff, farmers and food producers in a day of learning and networking and bringing farms and schools together. Cost for the workshop is $25. Find more information and the link to register here.
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Contrisciani Column: Spring Brings Exciting Things
Chef Alfonso Contrisciani is now writing a regular column on food and farm happenings for the Perry County Tribune.
His second column covers some of the exciting things spring brings, including asparagus and morel mushrooms. Read the column here.
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 Dell Graduation Offer is Back
Dell's Graduation Offer is back! Students that buy a Dell laptop or desktop over $699 get a FREE Dell tablet.
Don't wait to take advantage of this great offer by visiting www.dell.com/dellu/hocking or calling 800-695-8133 with your Member ID: US126609902. Get full details here.
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 Alumni Spotlight
Hocking College Trustee's Passion for the Outdoors Continues
Mike Budzik graduated in 1975 leaving Hocking College with an Associate Degree in the Applied Science of Recreation and Wildlife, as well as a degree in Forestry.
He grew up with a strong passion for the outdoors and all wildlife that inhabit it. His interest motivated him through his education at Hocking and to his first career with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife after graduation. He later held a position as Area Manager of the Delaware Wildlife Area, District Private Lands Biologist in Southeast Ohio and Assistant Administrator of Wildlife Management and Research.
His career achievements include awards from the Ohio House of Representatives, Ohio Senate, the Woods and Water Conservation Association and the League of Ohio Sportsman. He also had the opportunity to visit the White House to meet the President and First Lady of the United States.
Budzik resides in Logan with his wife and two daughters. He now serves as a member of the Hocking College Board of Trustees and continues to fuel his passion by working in the environmental field. He is incredibly grateful for the experiences he received from his classes and the immense amount of support he was offered by his instructors while attending Hocking.
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 Last Chance: Bookstore Sale Ends Friday
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!
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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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Matthews, Hocking College Kick Ball Team Take Second Place
Kudos to Hocking College Police Chief Al Matthews and the Super Troopers kick ball team. The team, made up of Hocking College students and staff, was the runner-up in the 2014 Shed Light on Domestic Violence Kick Ball Tournament.
This event was a fundraiser for the Light House, a domestic violence shelter in Lancaster, Ohio. The event was coordinated by students from an Ohio University class, including Matthews.
The event raised more than $1,000 and nearly another $500 in items and supplies for Light House.
The Super Troopers won their first game 7-4 and then played valiantly in the Championship Game but lost 7-5 to the Rockerfellers.
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