February 2009 - Kenai Peninsula College

Kenai Peninsula College, University of Alaska Anchorage
February 2009 Volume III, Issue 4
College growth increasing at phenomenal rates
By Chelsea Asmus
KRC media student
The reports are in and enrollment at
KPC is headed up … a lot. According to a
registration statistics report, this semester
there are 1,884 students enrolled across
KPC’s four locations, an increase of 244
students over the same time last year.
Increasing even more than headcount,
the number of credit hours has risen to
10,833, an 11 percent increase (1,038
credits) over the 2008 spring semester. A
large contributor to the increase in
enrollment this spring is in distance education offerings. Distance delivered classes provide opportunity to students from
around the world (a student in Australia
is taking a KPC course) to take KPC
courses through online and other technology-enhanced classes. Distance
course credit hours have increased 115
percent (971 credits) compared to last
spring.
Distance courses aren’t the only
enrollment segment growing as KRC and
AES face-to-face classes are showing significant growth. KRC is experiencing a 7
percent increase in credit hours taken in
on campus classes, while AES credit
hours for on-campus courses offered at
the University Center in Anchorage have
increased 23 percent.
In addition, there’s the financial factor: “The economic downturn has likely
encouraged some folks to return to
school,” said Bill Howell, KPC student
services director.
“More students enable us to offer
more classes and generate more revenue
to improve KPC,” Howell said. “Our
growing distance offerings have made
KPC more visible around the state.”
Howell said he thinks another contributor to the recent growth may be the
increasing number of students enrolling
early via the Web, as it allows the college
to know which classes are in demand.
This ability allows faculty to offer needed
HeadcountͲ Spring
RBES AES
2% 7%
Credit HoursͲ Spring
RBES AES
1% 8%
KBC
21%
KBC
15%
KRC
76%
KRC
70%
KPC student headcount and credit hour distribution across the college’s four
locations.
Graphs provided by KRC student services.
courses, and to add sections of courses, if
necessary.
The college plans to use a portion of
the increase in revenue to meet the everrising operational costs (utilities, personnel benefits for faculty/staff, etc), Howell
said. “Tuition only pays about a third of
what it costs to operate KPC.”
While this growth is great for the university, Howell doubts that the pace can
last. “I find it hard to believe that it could
continue at this rate, as 10-15 percent
growth is pretty phenomenal. I would
expect/hope that we might see a slow
and steady growth in the 2-4 percent
range each semester; that’s our goal.”
According to KPC Director Gary J.
Turner, the spring semester is on track
to have the largest number of credit
hours of any semester in KPC’s 45-year
history. “Our largest fall semester ever
was the one we just completed with
10,434 credits,” Turner said.
KPC registration for summer semester opens Feb. 23, while registration for
fall semester starts April 6.
Need money for college? FAFSA is your first step and KPC will help
By James Fisher
KRC media student
If you have the slightest interest in or a burning
desire to finance your education at KPC, other UA
or Lower 48 college, you should bring your enthusiasm to the KRC or KBC financial help desks and ask
for assistance with the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid.
On Feb. 8, KPC sponsored “College Goal
Sunday,” part of a national effort to help incoming
freshmen prepare for the financial hurdles involved
in funding a college education. Throughout the
month, KPC is promoting “February FAFSA
Frenzy,” a UA-wide program designed to aid students already in the university system.
According to the KRC Financial Aid office, students can bring their 2008 tax information and
receive assistance from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m.
to 4 p.m. on any Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or
Friday throughout the month. At KBC, assistance is
available on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Advertisements on the internet may offer help
with FAFSA applications, but the businesses behind
those ads charge a fee for their services; there is no
charge at the KPC sessions.
Many students find filling out the FAFSA forms
a daunting procedure, but assistance from KPC’s
Financial Aid offices can ease the burden. A complete FAFSA form is required of anyone seeking federal financial aid, and FAFSA can open up a world
of funding options, including grants, low-costs federal loans, campus-based aid and scholarships.
For an appointment or information on the best
time to connect with FAFSA assistance, call the
KRC Financial Aid office at 262-0331 or the KBC
Financial Aid office at 235-1655. The earlier you
call, the more time you’ll have for planning once
you’ve completed your FAFSA application.
As an incentive at KPC, if you apply by Feb. 28,
you’ll automatically be in the drawing for one of 100
one-gigabyte jump drives.
If you would rather attempt to fill out the forms
on your own, you can go online to
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ and find everything you
need.
Page 2 KPC Connection
Programs turning
KRC campus green
KRC has placed mixed recycling containers in classrooms
and in common areas across the
campus. The goal of the campus
recycling effort, according to
KRC Maintenance Supervisor
Phillip Miller, is “to be a contributing community member,
not using any more community
resources than necessary for our
operation.” In a related attempt
to save resources, the facilities
department recently placed
postcard-sized reminders at
most of the campus light switches to encourage reduced energy
use by turning off lights and
computers when rooms are not
in use.
Library expands
hours for students
The KRC library is now
open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on
Saturdays. KRC librarian Jane
Fuerstenau said that opening on
Saturdays was started to allow
extra time for students, particularly those with full-time jobs,
to view course recordings available only at the library. Plans
call for the library to remain
open on most Saturdays
throughout the spring semester.
see BRIEFS, page 3
Correction:
In the February
issue, the Travelogue
photo credit should
have read:
Photos
by
Dr.
Christine Gehrett, KRC
associate professor of
philosophy.
February 2009
KPC Economics Equation:
Affording college in today’s economy
By Gary J. Turner
College director
The economy is the worst
it’s been in more than 80
years, our 401(k) plans may
allow us to retire when we
turn 96 and your college fund
may now pay for one year of
tuition rather than four. I
can’t do anything about the
economy, but I can help with
the last two items if you fit in
one of these categories:
1. Do you have a son or
daughter who is attending or
plans to go to college in the
next year or so?
2. Do you want to change
careers or get a promotion so
you don’t have to wait another
40 years to retire?
3. Are you attending college
now in the Lower 48 and find
it difficult to pay the costs?
If you answered “yes” to
any or all of these questions,
keep reading. If you answered
“no” to all three, keep reading
so you can tell your neighbors
who may buy you dinner for
all the money you’ll save them.
The answer to all three
questions is: apply the KPC
Economics Equation:
KPC=Quality Education
at Reasonable Cost
KPC Costs [$6,000] < (less
than) Lower 48 College Costs
[$27,000]
Average annual non-resident college costs—out-ofstate tuition, fees, books and
flights to the Lower 48—run
about $27,000 a year at public
colleges. The cost to attend
KPC is about $6,000, which
includes in-state tuition, fees,
books, commuting costs, but
no flights to the Lower 48.
Attend KPC and you save
about $21,000 in one year.
Just think how this will help
your retirement, pay for that
new snowmachine or more
importantly, put groceries on
the table and boots on your
kids’ feet.
Want to increase your savings even more? If you have a
son or daughter who is a high
school senior, one credit of
tuition costs them $43
through
the
JumpStart
Program as compared to the
regular University of Alaska
cost of $134 (savings of
$91/credit). Contrast that to
$467/credit (or more) at a
Lower 48 university and the
savings is $424 per credit.
Even if you or your family
member wants to get a 4-year
degree that KPC doesn’t offer
(we do have bachelor degrees
in
Art,
Elementary
Education, Liberal Studies
and Psychology), remember
that the general education
requirements that all students
must take in their first two
years are basically the same
regardless of the school. KPC
courses transfer virtually anywhere. So, get your first two
years at KPC, save about
$42,000 and transfer to
another
university.
Alternatively, get your 2-year
degree and get a job. Or, keep
working and upgrade your
skills without having to move.
To
apply
the
KPC
Economics Equation, enroll at
one of KPC’s four locations
Gary J. Turner, KPC director
Photo courtesy of KPC advancement
(Soldotna, Homer, Seward or
Anchorage) and start saving
money. Remember, if you
want to enroll for fall semester classes, Web registration
opens at 12:01 a.m., April 6.
Some may wonder why I
mention the time; well, long
gone are the days of being able
to register for KPC classes
right up until the first day.
Our courses are in high
demand and many of our students will be registering in the
wee hours of April 6 so they
get the classes they want.
During this spring’s registration, some classes filled in
hours and by the first day of
classes, 75 were full. We will
add additional sections for the
fall and hope we can meet the
ever-increasing demand.
KPC is increasingly becoming a college of choice because
of its quality, personal touch
and reasonable cost. I can’t
think of an easier way to keep
$20,000 in your pocket in one
year and get a great education
at the same time. Put the KPC
Economics Equation to work
so you can better weather this
economic storm.
This KPC Connection is produced by Kenai Peninsula College
students, faculty and staff, and is
intended to serve as both an
internal communication tool as
well as a means to inform
Peninsula residents about what is
happening at the college. The
opinions expressed herein do not
necessarily reflect the official
opinions or policy of KPC, the
University of Alaska Anchorage
or University of Alaska, nor of
KPC employees or students. If
our readers believe there has
been an error in a story, they
should contact Gary Turner at
262-0315. We will make every
effort to publish corrections as
necessary in the next edition.
The KPC Connection
editorial team consists of:
- Gary J. Turner, KPC director
- Janice Maloney High, KRC
assistant professor of English
- Suzie Kendrick, KPC advancement programs manager
-Naomi Hagelund, KRC communications specialist
-Clark Fair, KRC adjunct journalism instructor
Questions about the KPC
Connection or how to submit
articles for this newspaper can
be directed to Naomi Hagelund
at [email protected] or by
calling 262-0320.
Produced in cooperation with the
Peninsula Clarion, Kenai, Alaska.
www.peninsulaclarion.com
Campus
KPC
KRC
KBC
RBES
AES
UAA
Abbreviations
Kenai Peninsula College
Kenai River Campus
Kachemak bay Campus
Resurrection Bay
Extension Site
Anchorage Extension Site
University of Alaska
Anchorage
KPC Connection
February 2009 Page 3
. . . BRIEFS
Continued from page 2
Writers conference
features noted poet
The annual Kachemak Bay
Writers Conference in Homer in
June will feature widely
acclaimed poet, Li-Young Lee, as
its keynote speaker. The conference, sponsored by KBC,
includes workshops, readings,
and panel presentations in fiction, poetry, nonfiction and the
business of writing. Held at
Land’s End Resort from June 12
to June 16, the conference is
open to only 150 participants.
Registration information and
forms are available at
http://writersconference.homer.
alaska.edu.
New commons
named, artwork
proposals requested
A KRC Student Union resolution, approved by the KPC
Leadership Team, has resulted
in an official name for the new
upstairs student commons completed last fall: Riverview
Commons. To improve the
ambience of the commons, KRC
has budgeted $30,000 to purchase and install artwork there,
and through March 13 the college will accept proposals from
artists interested in creating
works for the new addition.
Artists interested in having
their proposals considered
should use the link on the front
page of the KPC website. The
obelisk currently in the new
commons is on loan from the
Kenai Potters Guild.
KRC’s Judy
McDonald named
scholarship winner
The KPC College Council
see BRIEFS, page 4
W
A
R
N
I
N
G
KRC professor’s expertise recognized
internationally, statewide, locally
By Samantha Van Vleet
KRC media student
Dr. Alan Boraas, KRC anthropology
professor, well-known for his extensive
work with the Kenaitze Indian Tribe and
their language preservation program, has
been invited to a conference in
Copenhagen, Denmark in July to present a
paper titled “Cognitive Cartography and the
Moral Landscape of the Dena’ina
Athabascans of Alaska, U.S.A.”
Dr. Boraas hopes that by presenting his
paper at the International Conference on
the History of Cartography, he is able to
“expose to a broader audience the Dena’ina
concept of a landscape as a place of good
and bad events that functioned as a kind of
moral code to instruct and reinforce correct
behavior.”
In addition to such international exposure, Dr. Boraas has received recognition at
the state level for his expertise. He has been
appointed to a subcommittee on
Archaeology and Gravesites of the
Governor’s Subcabinet on Climate Change.
The committee focuses on identifying
threats to cultural sites due to climate
change.
“The overall purpose is to assess potential
impacts due to global warming and propose
mitigation measures where possible,” Boraas
said. He notes he is still relatively new to the
committee, but hopes to address issues dealing with coastal erosion as sea levels rise, that
affect cemeteries and other archaeological
sites. In the short term, Boraas expects the
subcommittee to address some specific
issues. “Some possible actions are to assess
the location of cemeteries, active or not, and
for the state to provide assistance in cemetery relocation,” he said. “Second, to document archaeological sites where the record is
incomplete and excavate or at least sample
sites before they are washed to the sea.”
The local community is also well aware of
Boraas’ contributions to the field of archaeology. The Kenai Chamber of Commerce
recently presented him its prestigious Log
Dr. Alan Boraas, KRC anthropology professor, stands with Janice High, KRC
assistant professor of English, at past
KRC graduation.
Photo provided by KPC advancement office
Cabin Award, in recognition of his work
with the Kenaitze Indian Tribe and its language preservation program.
Boraas, with 35 years of service, is KPC’s
longest serving faculty member. This academic year he is taking a break from his
teaching duties, working full-time with the
Kenaitze Tribe.
Unified voices? Not this year
Student unions head to Juneau: some will not support Regents’, governor’s budget
By Andrew Adams
KRC media student
Usually, the student government leaders from KRC,
KBC and other University of
Alaska campuses meet in
Juneau each year and, with a
unified voice, encourage the
members of the state legislature to support the governor’s UA budget. This year,
however, the voices may not
be so unified.
The problem stems from a
UA statewide administration budget submitted in
October to the Board of
Regents that cut all capital
projects on community campuses for fiscal year 2010.
The
proposed
budget
replaced capital expenditures with a single $4 million feasibility study to
determine the need and prioritize these projects.
The board approved the
administration’s recommendation for the feasibility
study and submitted it,
along with a request for
funding of the state’s three
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PLEASE TAKE IT OUTSIDE.
largest campuses, to the governor.
The board requested
$151.3 million in capital
construction projects: a Life
Sciences building for UAF,
improvements to the Auke
Lake Way campus entry for
UAS and a sports arena for
UAA.
Gov. Sarah Palin, however, included no UA capital
projects in the budget she
presented in January to the
Legislature.
Palin’s budget did include
$10 million of UA’s $50 million annual need for
statewide renewal and renovation projects, $2.2 million
for the Graduate Medical
Education Family Practice
Residency Program and $1.1
million for machine simulators related to workforce
development.
Student leaders head to
Juneau this month to make
an attempt to change some
minds and have community
campus projects reinserted
see VOICES, page 4
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Page 4 KPC Connection
. . . BRIEFS
Continued from page 3
has selected Judy McDonald to
receive its community scholarship. The purpose of the scholarship is to financially enable
students to complete a college
education by awarding them
$500 per semester to be used for
tuition. McDonald, who is
working toward radiological
technologist certification, said,
“Every bit of financial aid I get
is greatly appreciated.”
In case of emergency
MIR3 alerts you
The MIR3 alert system,
designed to warn participating
students and staff at KPC in
case of an emergency, could
benefit even more individuals if
they would sign up for the free
service. According to Bill
Howell, KRC’s director of student services, less than onethird of the 1,800 students at
KRC and KBC have signed up.
A few, he said, have begun their
registration process by creating
a MIR3 account using their
email address, but have never
logged in to finish the process
by entering their names and
phone numbers. Anyone interested in signing up should use
the link on the front page of the
KPC website.
Hybrid learning
webinar offered
Hybrid learning is considered one of the fastest-growing
delivery modes in higher education, and instructors interested
or already participating in
hybrid learning at KPC will
have an opportunity to learn
more about it at a webinar on
Feb. 27 at both KRC and KBC
campuses. For more information, e-mail Karen Hakala at
[email protected].
February 2009
KRC instrumentation student solves oil skimmer
challenge, awarded $15k scholarship
By Hannah Heath
KRC advancement office assistant
KRC student Brian Reith recently
received a $15,000 scholarship from
InnoCentive, an online community that
offers companies a chance to seek new
ideas and practical solutions to problems
they are currently facing.
Reith took on a challenge created by
the Oil Spill Recovery Institute that asked
how to effectively de-ice oil skimmers at
sub-freezing conditions. After working
all summer on a 50-page report that
detailed his solution, Reith submitted it
to InnoCentive and waited for a reply. On
Dec. 28, 2008, Reith received word he
had won the challenge and would receive
$15,000 from OSRI.
Reith’s winning solution addressed
multiple issues related to the challenge,
including the operation and construction
of the skimmers, the various aspects of
liquid de-icers and the possibility of
adding heat to the equation. Reith
believes his vast experience with oil
skimmers set him apart from his competitors. He interned at both the Cook Inlet
Oil Spill Recovery Institute in Nikiski
and the Alaska Clean Seas program on
the North Slope. Both of these internships dealt closely with oil skimmers.
Once Reith was awarded the scholarship,
he signed over the rights to his solution.
He is scheduled to thoroughly discuss his
idea with the OSRI board on Feb. 6 in
Anchorage.
Reith plans to pay off his student loans
...VOICES
continued from page 3
into the budget.
Last semester the KRC
Student Union passed a resolution approving the UAA
budget
recommendation,
which included capital proj-
Begin the career
of your life right
here at home!
KRC student Brian Reith is pictured with a fox-tail oil skimmer during a summer
internship.
Photo provided by KRC student Brian Reith
with the multiple scholarships he has
received and possibly treat himself to a
little something. He is graduating from
ects for KRC and KBC, but
the statewide administration
opted for the feasibility
study over the projects.
Ruth Griess, KRC Student
Union president, said she
expressed concern to the
Coalition
of
Student
Leaders. “If they’re not
KPC this spring with an instrumentation
degree and may pursue a degree in electrical engineering.
going to be supportive of the
community campuses, then
our student union feels that
we can’t be supportive of the
statewide budget.”
When Griess goes to
Juneau, she hopes to speak
with Peninsula legislators
about KPC needs, and ask
legislators to “please support
something that supports the
university as a whole.”
Another goal, according
to Griess, will be to focus on
the creation of state-funded
financial
aid
packages.
Alaska is one of only two
states without such aid.
With more than 500 dedicated and skilled
employees, Central Peninsula Hospital and
Heritage Place combine the best of medical
technology and the human touch. We care
for our community around the clock,
responding to medical needs - from
newborns to the critically ill.
Please visit www.cpgh.org or contact Human Resources Director Debi Honer at (907) 714-4770, or email [email protected].
KPC Connection
February 2009 Page 5
Word on Campus:
Cabin Fever: Is it real? How do you handle it?
Second Life opens new ways
of learning to students
By Naomi Hagelund
KPC communications specialist
By Shauna Thornton & Mercedies Piersee
KPC Media Group
Jeff Newell: KRC student, advanced welding
“Yes it is real. By keeping in touch with family and staying busy
with classes. Taking refreshing walks through the woods to
unwind.”
Larry Davis: KRC student, small business management
“It’s definitely real! We go cross-country skiing. It has been rough.
First there was not enough snow. Next it was too cold and then
sheets of ice. We’re getting ready to go and now the volcano is
about to erupt.”
Teresa Cross: KRC student, human services
“Yes, I do try to keep myself as active as possible doing household
activities like crocheting, sewing, talking to friends and family on
the phone. Communication is important; don’t stay cooped up.”
Kathy Cox: KRC student, accounting and digital arts
“It’s real. We use the full spectrum light bulbs, not the S.A.D.
lights. We open the curtains in the morning.”
Jane Fuerstenau: KRC librarian
“Yes, we handle it by going outdoors and doing activities like dog
mushing, skiing and shoveling snow.”
Cybrarian Cyberstar teleported to the
American Library Association’s island and
stumbled upon an invitation to join a
magic table full of other librarians.
Cyberstar found herself seated right next
to a woman with a cat head and tail, and
joined the discussion.
Cybrarian Cyberstar, KRC
That may sound out-of-this-world, and Librarian Jane Fuerstenau’s
it is. Second Life is a virtual world where Second Life avatar, stands in
anything is possible, from dating a vampire front of a library card adverto meeting with professionals from all over tisement in Second Life.
Snapshot taken by Jane Fuerstenau, KRC librarian.
the world in virtual conferences.
KRC’s librarian Jane Fuerstenau’s avatar, Cybrarian Cyberstar, wanders
Second Life in a business suit with a lab rat on her shoulder and a husky
tucked under her arm. After visiting one of her regular SL spots, the
American Library Association island, Fuerstenau was invited to a virtual
magic table for a discussion on library education possibilities in the virtual
world. The conference was based in Denver and had participants from all
over the world.
According to Linden Labs, the creators of Second Life, more than 300
universities are using Second Life as a distance teaching school.
Universities and other academic institutions pay a reduced rate to buy land
to build structures and develop the environment. The first-time cost for a
16-acre private university island is $700, and monthly land fees are
$147.50.
Kenai Peninsula College is researching the possibility of developing an
island to use as a teaching and recruiting tool. A two-day webinar was held on
campus during the third week in January to promote Second Life as a teaching tool, which was received with enthusiasm by KPC staff and faculty, according to Heather Nash, KPC’s Title III activities director. Prince William Sound
Community College has already bought and developed an island, which they
hope to use for distance education purposes. The island can be viewed at
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Prince%20William%20Sound/171/81/23.
Billie Hardy: KRC instructor, adult basic education
“I’m sure it is real. I’m too busy to get cabin fever. Not enough
time. You just need to get out more. Do things like cross country
skiing and volunteering.”
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Page 6 KPC Connection
February 2009
Hungry for a change?
Upcoming KRC event to engage community
By Crystal Olender
KRC ethics student
Come hungry; leave filled with a greater understanding of local and global hunger issues. The students of Dr. Christine Gehrett’s ethics class will
facilitate a “Hunger Banquet” at 5:30 p.m., March
7, in room 109 at KRC.
Enjoy a dinner that is educational as well as
engaging. Along with a surprise format, the event
will feature speakers that will discuss issues of
poverty and hunger that relate to the Central
Peninsula area, as well as the rest of the world.
In today’s world there is enough food for everyone, yet many still go hungry. In fact, more than
800 million people across the globe go to bed hungry each day, according to Oxfam, a non-government organization that distributes food to the hungry throughout the world.
The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank can attest to the
growing problem of hunger in our own community
as the number of those applying for an emergency
food box has increased in the last few months.
What are our obligations as a community? KRC
students are striving to create an awareness of
these issues through surprising statistics and interesting discussions. Attend this dinner and learn
ways to get involved and move toward positive
change.
“As we engage with the community, learning
about the needs of those less fortunate, we begin to
understand the relevance of moral theory in real
world situations,” said Gehrett, KRC associate professor of philosophy.
The Hunger Banquet is best-suited for adults
and for children 12 and older. A limited number of
tickets are available for this event at $15 per person
and the price of the ticket includes dinner. All proceeds from this event go to the Kenai Peninsula
Food Bank. Watch for posters and announcements
that will provide more details. For more information or to make a donation, please contact Gehrett
at 262-0367 or via e-mail at [email protected].
KRC commons showcases Alaska Native heritage
By Amy McDonnell
KRC media student
An important Alaskan artifact is
now on display in the KRC McLane
commons, and there’s quite a story
as to how it got here.
Around twenty years ago, Doris
and Russ Riemann, parents of KPC
bookstore manager Gwen Gere,
purchased an old and rare Eskimo
parka made of bird skin. They
acquired it in Nome, but no one is
sure where it had been made. They
felt, Gere said, it was important to
keep the parka in Alaska, and
aspired for it to be displayed.
When they passed away, Gere
received the parka (atkuk is the
central and Siberian Yup’ik word
for parka; while atigi is the
Inupiaq Eskimo word) from their
estate. Wanting to see her parents’
wishes come to light, she donated
the parka to KPC. Other museums
had been contacted, but Gere
thought KPC would give the parka
the respect it deserved. “The
Anchorage museum said they
would take it, but it would most
likely end up in a drawer, not on
display,” Gere said.
It was at that point, about three
years ago, that Dr. Holly CusackMcVeigh, teaching for KPC, agreed
to research the origin of the parka,
make recommendations for longterm conservation and create an
exhibit for its permanent display.
“The timing was perfect because
my students and I had been studying the Yup’ik Eskimo, Siberian
Eskimo and Inupiaq Eskimo cultures of the Bering Sea. My students (in the “Native Cultures of
Alaska” course) were able to learn
first-hand about this kind of
research throughout the semester,
“Cusack-McVeigh said.
The project took nearly three
years to complete, and included
input from other scholars and
design experts, as well as the study
of historical documents and photos. The net result: the opportuni-
Natural Health Options
35743 Kenai Spur Hwy., Suite C
Soldotna, AK 99669
Photo from the Parka display.
Photo by Suzie Kendrick, KPC advancement
ty to observe an important historical artifact.
“There is great significance for
all KRC students and staff in that
this kind of legacy piece truly
inspires a sense of awe and appreciation for other cultures. For
262-9979
Monday-Thursday
9am to 5pm
Next 7 week Yoga course starts March 3rd
Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30 - 7pm
Visit Dr. Lamb at the Community Health Fair Feb. 18th
Dr. Holly Cusack-McVeigh, KPC
adjunct lectures about the parka.
Photo by Amy McDonnell, KRC media student
*Most Insurances Accepted
Alaska Native students coming
from these cultural traditions, I
hope there is a sense of great pride
in the skills and cultural knowledge that it takes to create a parka
such as the one exhibited at KRC,”
Cusack-McVeigh said.
Thought comes
before form
Change your mind–
your direction will follow
KPC Connection
February 2009 Page 7
Book Review: “Bear Wrangler” author tells tales
and sometimes bares all to do so
By Clark Fair
KRC adjunct journalism instructor
As Cooper Landing’s Will Troyer relates in his
latest book, “Bear Wrangler: Memoirs of Alaska
Pioneer Biologist,” the mystery of the naked
boater-guy began with his desire to capture some
images of Alaska wildlife.
It was the early 1950s, and Troyer, fresh from
earning a wildlife management degree, had recently been hired as a territorial enforcement agent in
Wrangell. One sunny morning, he motored up the
Stikine River to Andrews Slough, where he tied off
his boat, slipped into his daypack and began climbing a snow-filled draw. He spent hours searching
for goats but found none, so he headed downhill.
To avoid the alders and devil’s club covering
most of the mountain, he opted again for the
snowy ravine, but he had difficulty controlling his
slide. So he abandoned the draw and beat his way
through the brush. Before he reached his skiff,
however, he was nearly driven crazy by swarms of
mosquitoes, active and hungry
now in the warming summer air.
“In desperation I ripped off all
my sweaty clothes, threw them
and my pack into the skiff, and
dove underwater,” Troyer said.
The cool water was soothing,
but the mosquitoes were waiting,
so he hoisted himself over the
side of the skiff, untied the rope,
started the engine, and roared
away in triumph, “naked as a jaybird.”
He then spotted another boat,
full of passengers, approaching.
Troyer thought fast. “I saw a narrow fork in the river that allowed me to veer to the
right and disappear behind an island. I slowed
down, quickly got dressed, and headed back to
town.
“Several days later, rumors spread around
Wrangell that a crazy naked guy was
seen boating on the Stikine River. I
smiled to myself but kept my mouth
shut, and my secret was never
revealed.”
This is just a single short tale in
one of 26 chapters in Troyer’s third
memoir; a 250-page follow-up to
2005’s “Into Brown Bear Country”
and 2003’s “From Dawn to Dusk”.
Other tales concern the hazards and
joys of working with wildlife, learning
how to be an enforcement officer and
a biologist, and Aldo Leopold-like
reminiscences of the beauty and intricacies of nature.
Troyer worked for 30 years for the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service and the National Park Service
before retiring in 1981. His book will take readers
all over the state for an intimate journey across the
Last Frontier.
KPC’s Fall 2008 Chancellor’s List
KPC’s Fall 2008 Dean’s List
4.0 GPA
3.5 GPA or higher
Elaine Adkison
Travis Barnes
Michael Beer
Jeffrey Biermann
Dominique Bonaventure
Ryan Bowlin
Devin Boyle
Ashley Brandon
Justin Broyles
Eric Burton
Melody Cardwell
Robert Case
Elizabeth Chatham
Joireen Cohen
Tommy Collinson
Christine Conner
Curtis Conner
Devon Copple
Nathan Corr
Greta Danielson
Jessica Davis
Jeannie Devon
Catherine Dick
Terry Edmundson
Katherine Evans
David Evans IV
Richard Galley
Joshua Geibe
Christopher Goodrich
Ruth Greiss
Hannah Heath
Brandi Henry
Jason Herrmann
Richard Hubby
Allison Hulst
Angela Humphrey
Jordan Ikerd
Devin Johnson
Ruth Johnson
Craig Kantrud
Derek Kaufman
Mario Latona
Torrina Logan
Rachel Lowe
Jonathan Mann
Christa Martin
Judy McDonald
Laurence McKenna
Desiree Merculief
Jeff Newell
Charlotte Nicolet
Jesse Nims
Katarzyna Pacyna
Joseph Pazar Po
Danielle Pettijohn
Wesley Phelps
Jacob Pokryfki
Porter Pollard
Trent Semmens
Jessica Shields
Alison Simpson
William Skinner
Nicole Smith
Remy Spring
Elliott Tuttle
Catherine Umstead
Brett Weimer
Lucas Wilcox
Travis Wingster
Amy Alford
Olempiada Anfilofieff
Brandon Biddle
Krissel Calibo
Janine Carlough
Sara Conyers
Tyler Cooper-Brown
Katherine Cox
Amber Davis
David Derleth
Ashley Doremire
Randell Dudley
Karen Duffy
Kelsey Effenbeck
Ashley Engebretsen
Erika Fandel
Rachael Gaedeke
Misty Garner
Robin George
Bailey Glover
Jenna Grady
Krystin Habighorst
Ondrej Hess
Ryan Hobbs
Rodney Hobby
Eli Holt
Laramie Horn
Katrina Kearney
Tyler Kobelnyk
Nicoles Koerber
Brent Lee
Macie Manire
William Manuel
Callie Martin
Russell McDonald
Aimee McGahan
Taylor Moore
Crystal Olender
Melanie Parrett
Kelci Patton
Christian Pepper
Aleksandr Pfaffe
Vivian Ramsey
Brian Reith
Susan Richardson
Kelly Salisbury
Amber Sawyers
Iris Shangin
Julie Shockro
Mikala Smith
Tyler Smith
Robert Swan
Jennifer Tefft
Shauna Thornton
Trisha Whisman
Bonnie Whitefeather
Keven Windel
Melissa Windel
Ye Xie
Alexander Zarr
Caitlin Zipperer
already • read
Used Books
506 Attla Way, Kenai • 335-BOOK • Open Monday-Saturday 12-6, Sunday 12-3
Page 8 KPC Connection
February 2009
Travelogue
Kenai
Washington, D.C. on election day: a trip to remember Peninsula
conversation asking where I was from.
College
As many of us found when traveling in
After working at the Kenai River the lower 48 during the months prior to
System
Campus since 2001 as the community the election, the next question was,
By Suzie Kendrick
KPC advancement program manager
relations coordinator, my position
recently expanded to include resource
development, i.e. fundraising. Taking on
this new challenge without much formal
training, I was encouraged by colleagues
to attend a professional development
conference. As fate would have it, the
Council for Resource Development,
whose membership is primarily professionals from 2-year colleges, holds its
annual
national
conference
in
Washington, D.C. the first week of
November. Translation: I would find
myself traveling to D.C. on November 4,
2008.
I, like most Americans, had been anxiously anticipating this past election
more than any other in my life. It was
almost surreal for me to know that I
would find myself in our nation’s Capital
on the night that we would find out who
our next president, vice-president, senators and representatives would be.
Throughout my trip, the tension surrounding the election was palpable in
each airport at which I landed. There
were groups of travelers huddled around
television monitors at the gates, in the
lounges and restaurants. It was really
interesting to see strangers looking for
common ground with other strangers. I
sensed that no matter what side of the
aisle a person was on, the outcome of the
election was on everyone’s mind.
On each leg of my flight, I found that
even though I did not seek out a political
discussion, I ended up having one. Oddly,
I had just one seat mate sharing my row
on the two segments of my trip to D.C.
The first person was a young Caucasian
solider from the Midwest, stationed at
Elmendorf, headed back to Iraq after a
short leave home. He was very open that
he was hopeful that the Republicans
would be retired from the White House
and Congress. He told me that he was
clear that his duty was to serve the country but that he felt that the people in
power had lost sight of what the mission
in Iraq was or should be. He had his fingers crossed for Obama. I gave him a hug.
My second seat mate, an African
American engineer from Spokane headed to D.C. on business, kicked off our
“What do you think about your governor?”
I explained my opinion of
Governor Palin and answered all his
questions. We became fast friends and
enjoyed discussing our hopes for the outcome of the election. I gave him a hug.
Upon arriving in D.C. after a long, tiring trip, I arrived at the Capital Hyatt
where the conference was held. The
hotel is three blocks from the Capitol.
You could sense electricity in the air as
you entered the building. The lobby was
packed with well-dressed, young professionals. I immediately saw that there was
a distinctly pro-Democrat slant in the
whoops of joy that were expressed as
election results were shown on the television monitors in the area. People were
literally jumping for joy, embracing one
another and many people could be seen
dabbing tears from their eyes.
Although I wanted nothing more than
to stay with the crowd and watch the
election results roll in, after I had dinner
I could barely hold my eyes open after
traveling all night. I watched television
from my room long enough to confirm
that Obama reached the electoral vote
threshold that secured his place in history.
By midnight, the street in front of the
hotel filled with people celebrating the
shift of power in our country. The last
thing I remember on the election night I
will never forget were the shouts from
the crowd repeating, “Obama, Obama,
Obama…”
Construction site of the inauguration
platform.
People find it difficult to find space to
sign the jumbo congratulations card for
President-elect Obama.
The Washington Monument and reflecting pool on a clear fall day.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was
constructed to recognize the service and
sacrifice of all who served in Vietnam.
There are 58,260 names listed on the
Memorial that represent casualties and
those missing in action.
It was only a cardboard cut-out, but
there was a line to get your picture
taken with Obama.
Photos by Suzie Kendrick, KPC advancement programs manager
Kenai River Campus (KRC)
156 College Road
Soldotna, Alaska 99669
(907) 262-0300
toll free (1-877) 262-0330
www.kpc.alaska.edu
Kachemak Bay Campus (KBC)
533 E. Pioneer Ave.
Homer, Alaska 99603
(907) 235-7743
www.homer.alaska.edu
Resurrection Bay
Extension Site (RBES)
P.O. Box 1049
Seward, Alaska 99664
(907) 224-2285
www.kpc.alaska.edu
photo by Carol Griswold
Anchorage Extension Site (AES)
3211 Providence Dr., UC118
Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 786-6421
www.kpc.alaska.edu