Oracles - Alamance Community College

Oracles
the
April 29, 2013
Alamance Community College Weekly Newsletter
Looking Ahead
April 30
Arts & Sciences Convocation, 11:30 a.m.,
Auditorium, details on P2
May 5
ACC Memorial Garden Dedication, 2 p.m.
May 7-10
Final Exams
May 11
Saturday Classes End
May 12
Mother’s Day
May 13
Monday Evening Classes Held;
No Day Classes
Payment Deadline for Early Summer
Registrations
Inside this issue
P2
Employee Service Awards
ACC Art Gallery Displaying Art/
Photography from Graphic
Design Competition
P5
It’s a Wrap for the Horticulture
Hydroponic Greenhouse
Memorial Garden Dedication
Set for May 5
FREE College Test Prep Courses
in Math and English
P6
Campus Life: Sigma Psi Silent
Walk; PTK Community Service;
Music & Dance Club Dance
Marathon; Sigma Delta Mu
Helps Students in Costa Rica
The Oracles is a publication of the
Public Information and Marketing
Office. Read it in full color each
week–visit www.alamancecc.
edu, then click Oracles under the
News heading.
P2
see P5
see
Continuing Education
Instructor of the Year
Exam Cram This Week;
NC Sci-Fi Author to
Speak
Instructors
see Adjunct
Honored; Scenes from
Insert Culture Day
Search for ACC’s Next President Narrows to Six Finalists
The number of candidates being considered for ACC’s next president has been narrowed to six by
members of a search committee, comprised of College trustees, business leaders, faculty and a student.
ACC began its search for a successor to President Martin Nadelman after he announced his retirement effective Oct. 1. The pool of 53 applicants from across the nation was narrowed to 29, then to 12,
and now six.
The names of the six are expected to be announced soon. After they are interviewed in late May, the list
will be narrowed to three. The three remaining candidates will have their backgrounds checked by the
N.C. State Board of Community Colleges. A new ACC president is likely be selected in late June.
ACC Initiative: Training School Teachers for Alamance County
Penny Rountree works hard as a teacher
assistant at South Graham Elementary
School where she helps in the EC (Exceptional Children) class which includes students diagnosed as autistic. This spring on
Mondays and Wednesdays, she finishes
her duties about half past three o’clock,
heads over to the main campus at Alamance Community College, and studies
for her six o’clock biology class in the Powell Building. After she graduates with her
associate’s degree this summer, her education is only just beginning as she transfers to study for her bachelor’s degree in
elementary education, and prepares for
her student teaching--all while continuing
Student teacher Penny Rountree (right) discusses learning materials
to work at South Graham Elementary.
with lead teacher Jay Cotton at South Graham Elementary School.
Penny is one of more than a dozen
services to teacher assistants who worked in one
teacher assistants working in the Alamance-Burof their partner school systems, including ABSS.
lington School System (ABSS) currently at a midCathy Johnson, Associate Dean of Arts and Scior late-stage level in their quest to become fully
ences at ACC, spearheaded the partnership with
certified elementary school teachers. Many are
Rhonda Schuller, who was at that time professionstudent teaching in Alamance County this spring
al development coordinator for ABSS. They wantwhile enrolled in their final semester at a Greensed to initiate a program to grow more teachers
boro-based four-year college or university. A few
who would remain in Alamance County to teach.
have completed their journey and are teaching
Johnson says the teacher assistants are less likely
full-time. Others, like Penny Rountree, are finishto leave the community because they began their
ing up their associate degree and planning to
careers at Alamance-Burlington Schools.
transfer to study for their bachelor’s degree.
In fall 2007, Johnson and representatives from
All of these women, most of them non-traditional students, have something else in common: area universities and from the Model Teacher
Consortium, met with about 50 teacher assistants
they started on this journey at Alamance Comat the school system central office to present the
munity College through a state-funded program
tenets of the program. More than half took them
called the Model Teacher Education Consortium.
up on their offer.
The Consortium, initiated in 2007, offered tuition
assistance, PRAXIS preparation courses and other See rountree on page 2
P2 News/events
Continuing Education Instructor of the Year
Hettie Moore, Stained Glass Instructor
Arts and Sciences
Convocation
April 30, 11:30 a.m.
auditorium
Everyone is invited.
� ACC Writers’ Contest
� Departmental Awards
� Graphic Design Competition
� Arts and Sciences Academic
Awards
�
Scholarships
Come to the ACC Art
Gallery
WHAT: The art on display represents student submissions for
the 27th Annual Juried Graphic
Arts Competition.
WHEN: Now through Thursday,
May 2
WHERE: Lobby, first floor of Gee
Building
Summer & Fall 2013
Registration Dates
Monday, April 29
Registration opens for new and
non-degree students (WebAdvisor registration opens at 8 a.m.)
May 8
CCP priority registration–Students
taking courses on ACC campus,
held in Academic Advising Center,
4 p.m.
Monday, May 13
Payment deadline for summer
term–5 p.m.
Tuesday, May 14
All unpaid summer registrations
purged (No registration, on
campus or WebAdvisor)
employee news
Two employees received service
pins at the April faculty/staff meeting for their years of service to the
College.
Barbara Williams–15 years
Secretary, Child Care Center
Deborah Todd–5 years
Telecommunications Specialist
Hettie Moore
„„ A stained glass student at ACC since 1989, she was asked by the
owner of Burlington’s The Glass Angel shop to teach a few classes
there as a substitute. In 2002, Hettie began substitute teaching for
ACC’s stained glass classes one night a week. Today she teaches four
classes per week.
„„ Hettie goes above and beyond to help students with their stained
glass projects, sometimes calling her for “glass emergencies”; she
often picks up students who need a ride to class
„„ Has served as project advisor for several high school students on
their graduation projects; helped organize several stained glass
quilts that were donated to Hospice
„„ Facilitated the completion of stained glass projects of students who
passed away as a gift to the families
roundtree from page 1
“Those who work as teacher
assistants have invaluable class- “I have come farther than I imagined.
room experience,” explained
This is my dream of becoming a
Johnson. “When they decide
licensed teacher so I can be an
to return to school to become
advocate for these children.”
licensed teachers, they have already made a commitment to education and
to our students. These teacher assistants are
fully involved in our community and our school
system in their current jobs. By committing the
time and resources it takes to return to school,
they endeavor to play a larger part in the education of children in [the Alamance-Burlington]
school system.”
Penny Rountree, Teacher Assistant at
South Graham Elementary
By the time she graduated from her Edenton high school in 1982, Penny’s memories of
Penny Rountree is finishing up her degree requirements
a childhood partly spent helping younger chilthis spring at ACC by taking biology two nights a week
dren with books had not diminished and she
after working at South Graham during the day.
was hired by a daycare center. But as the years
ing to work as a teacher assistant at South
went on, she realized she wanted more. On the
Graham. But now Penny can see the first of her
advice of friends, she interviewed for teacher
goals in reach as she finishes up her final ACC
assistant positions in Alamance County and
class, a biology course taught by Heather Newwound up with a job for 12 years with Excepman two nights a week. With associate’s degree
tional Children (EC), first at Hillcrest Elementary
and later at Pleasant Grove. Last year she arrived in hand later this summer, she next transfers to
a four-year school (she hasn’t yet decided on
at South Graham Elementary where she assists
Greensboro College or Guilford College) this fall
lead teacher Jay Cotton in a K-1 class populated
to study for her bachelor’s in elementary educaby a small group of boys with autism.
tion. It won’t be easy—continuing to work as
Says Penny: “I loved it. I wouldn’t have traded
teacher assistant at South Graham and driving
it for anything.”
to Greensboro in the afternoons—but she is
It is a class that, for many educators, might be
confident that two years from now she’ll be doa difficult one. But Penny will tell you she loves
ing her student teaching in Alamance County in
what she does there. And it’s one reason why
the final stage of becoming a licensed teacher
her interest was piqued at the Model Teacher
for EC students.
Education Consortium meeting back in 2007.
“I have come farther than I imagined,” she says.
“I knew being a teacher assistant was limited,
“This is my dream of becoming a licensed teacher
but I was always unsure about whether I could
so I can be an advocate for these children.”
get through school at my age,” she says. “So I
Next week’s Oracles: Meet two ACC graduates
definitely had some apprehension.”
now doing their student teaching in Alamance
Penny took her time, enrolling at ACC in
County.
spring 2008, and taking classes while continu-
Culture Day 2013
Sponsored by ACC’s Diversity Committee, the annual Culture
Day was enjoyed by students and employees last week with
an outdoor food and entertainment festival celebrating
diversity and various cultures. The range of activities included
free international finger food from Culinary Arts and Thai and
Japanese restaurants; student club displays; and a culturally
diverse mix of music and dance.
P4 News/events
Adjunct Instructors Honored
for Years of Service
The Office of Educational Programs and Services, and Executive
Vice President Dr. Gene Couch, paid tribute to more than 100
part-time instructors for their many years of serving Alamance
Community College. These citizens teach in a variety of curricula,
including GED, Criminal Justice, Motorcycle Safety, Fire Service,
Adult Basic Education, Accounting, Acrylic Painting, and many
others. While not all adjunct instructors were able to attend a
luncheon in their honor, those who did were photographed
afterward per their years of service.
Craig Yarborough Jr. (fire service) G.H. Baldwin (woodworking) and
has taught the longest of any current Yvonne McPherson (oil & acrylic
adjunct instructor: 45 years.
painting) have both taught 41 years.
21-25 years of service
26-30 years of service
16-20 years of service
Congratulations!
5-10 years of service
11-15 years
of service
Student
Snapshot
Chris Seip
News/events
NC Sci-Fi Author to Speak
WHO: Science-fiction/fantasy author,
Dr. John Kessel. His fiction has twice
won the Nebula Award and many
other literary awards.
WHEN/WHERE: Wednesday, May 1,
Auditorium, 2 p.m.
BEST BET: Dr. Kessel will read from his
works, answer questions from the audience, and sign copies of his books,
available in the ACC bookstore. Sponsored by ACC’s Creative Writing Club.
Get the 411
P5
Exam Cram is May 2
Dr. John Kessel
WHAT: Exam Cram gives students
free tutoring by volunteer faculty in the following subjects:
Anatomy & Physiology, Biology,
Chemistry, English, Geology, History, Math, Physics, Psychology,
Spanish, and Sociology. Check the
schedule posted in the Student
Activities Center.
WHEN: Thursday, May 2, 9 a.m.-1
p.m. in Student Activities Center
ACC Memorial Garden
Dedicated May 5
Q.Your curriculum and why
you chose it?
A.University transfer, planning
to enroll at NC State to study
geology (after 2014 ACC
graduation).
Q.What you wish people knew
about you–but probably
don’t?
A.I’m in a metal band, Sethia.
Q.Your 15 minutes of fame
(a time when you received
recognition/won a contest/
performed, etc.)?
A.At a jazz festival, I played
3 trumpet solos in front of
1,000 people.
Q.Something you always wanted to do–but haven’t yet?
A.Visit family in Minnesota.
Q.Something you can’t live
without?
A.Oxygen and hockey.
Q.If you could visit any place in
the world for free, where?
A.Mykonos, Greece.
Q.TV program you never miss?
A.Breaking Bad.
Q.What person (living or dead)
would you most like to have
dinner with, and what would
you ask him/her?
A.Tomas Kalnoky of the band
Streetlight Manifesto. I’d
ask him where he gets his
inspiration.
The ACC Memorial Garden will be
officially dedicated this Sunday,
May 5, 2:00 p.m. to remember 18
employees who died between 19652012 while still in full-time service.
Friends and family are invited to
attend the ceremony. Guests must
RSVP Natalie Miles (336-506-4102).
Apply Now for Summer
Financial Aid
ACC
Advertises
‘Green’
Initiatives.
Matt Gordon, second year graphic
design student,
holds his original
design for a building “wrap” of Horticulture Technology’s hydroponic
greenhouse that
faces the interstate.
On the ladder is
Tim Cecil of TDSThe Decal Source,
the company that specializes in this innovative work. Matt Gordon’s design was selected by Horticulture Dept. Head Justin
Snyder and ACC President Dr. Martin Nadelman, in a competition
with other graphic design students to promote the efforts of Horticulture Technology’s move toward sustainability. Gordon’s design
needed to work with the greenhouse windows open and closed
to accommodate the controlled temperature in the greenhouse.
Supervising the promotional efforts were Advertising and Graphic
Design instructors David Davenport, art direction, and Denise
Archuleta, production management.
The ACC Foundation has funding
available for students to attend classes this summer.
„„ Students who are Pell-eligible
or already have their FAFSA on
file must complete the 2-page
ACC Foundation scholarship aid
application.
„„ Applications are available at
the Financial Aid office (G116) or
online at www.alamancecc.edu/
financial-aid-site/files/2012/10/
Scholarship_Application.pdf.
„„ Students should have their application forms submitted by May 1.
Brush-up Classes in Math
and English
BSP 2000 classes are free Placement Test Prep classes in math and
English for students preparing to take
the college placement tests.
Here’s the upcoming schedule: May 6-30, 1-4 p.m. & 6-9 p.m.
(math)
June 3-27, 1-4 p.m. & 6-9 p.m.
(English)
„„ Call 506-4376 or email
Assessment.Center@alamancecc.
edu to register. Indicate name,
phone number, session time and
subject(s) needed.
„„ Deadline to sign up for any
Placement Test Prep class is
Wednesday, one week before the
scheduled class time.
P6 campus highlights
Campus Life
Helping Hands Across the Americas. ACC’s Spanish Honor
Walkabout. Sigma Psi and other concerned students and
employees took part in a Silent Walk on the main campus to
support victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence on April
25. Afterward, a representative from Crossroads, a local sexual
assault response and resource center, spoke in the auditorium.
Society, Sigma Delta Mu, conducted a raffle earlier this semester with
all proceeds going to help four disadvantaged high school students
in Costa Rica with much needed supplies. Spanish Instructor Cristy
Waugh, honor society advisor, spent the last three summers working
in the Central American country and discovered the need via a college
pal who works in the Peace Corps. The $275 raised by Sigma Delta Mu
members at ACC paid for four scholarships, providing students with
school uniforms required to attend school and class supplies. Pictured
are the four student recipients who attend Colegio Tecnico San Pablo,
in Leon Cortes, Costa Rica. (Photo submitted)
Dancing for a Cause.
PTK Members in Community Service. Phi Theta
Kappa members recently participated in two community
service efforts. Above, PTK members who participated
in the Haw River Cleanup on April 13 were (l-r) Clinton
Sorrow, Ngozika Nwoko, Dustin Gantos, Jennifer
Helms, Dillon Gantos, Graham Dickey, Hannah
Brewer-Jensen, Andrew Sloggy, and Chelsea
Greenhaw. For an Alamance County Relay for Life run,
student members sold quesadillas during the relay to
raise money for The American Cancer Society. At right, are
members (l-r) Mattie Thompson, Cindy Palomo, Dustin
Gantos and Dillon Gantos; (Photos submitted)
Members of ACC’s Music and
Dance Club conducted a fourhour dance marathon in the
student activities center on April
19, raising more than $230 for
the ACC Foundation’s emergency
distress fund. Participating in the
dancing were (l-r) Juan Dark
(VP-elect), Abigail Helms (SGA
representative-elect), faculty
advisor Lori Heiger, and Pedro
Alejo (VP and President-elect) .