June 2013

Pomp
&
Circumstance
In May, several SWIC employees and their family members received diplomas
from SWIC and other colleges. View more photos from the SWIC pinning ceremony,
GED certification ceremony and commencement on Facebook.
Tiffany Ackerman, daughter of PSOP
Bookkeeper and Grant Assistant Theresa
Ackerman, graduated summa cum laude
from Southeast Missouri State University
with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary
Education. She graduated first of 2,735
in her class, earning a 4.0 grade point
average. From left are Tiffany’s father, Ken;
Tiffany; sister Victoria; and Theresa.
June 2013
Tyler Campbell, son of
Adult Basic Education
Specialist Jeff Campbell,
graduated from McKendree
University with a Bachelor
of Arts in Theater. From left
are Tyler’s mother, Lisa;
Tyler; and Jeff.
Bridgette Schwab,
daughter-in-law of IT
Specialist Natalie Huck,
graduated from SWIC with an
Associate in Applied Science
in Nursing Education. From
left are Bridgette; Bridgette’s
daughter, Hayley;
and Natalie.
Construction Management
Technology Program
Coordinator Jim Laing
graduated with a 4.0 grade
point average from McKendree
University with a Master
of Arts in Education in
Higher Education
Administrative Services.
COMPASS Placement
Testing Coordinator
LeKeisha C.
Norman graduated
from Webster
University with a
Master of Arts
in Marketing.
SWGCC Learning Resources
Support Specialist Cassandra
Johnson graduated with honors
from SWIC with an Associate in
Arts. She is the last graduate of
the SWGCC Honors Program. From
left are daughter Khadijah Johnson;
Cassandra; fiance Eddie Cohen;
and daughter Marcy Thomas.
ATS Administrative
Secretary Angela Liefer
graduated
from McKendree
University with a
bachelor’s degree
in Human Resource
Management.
Jessica Snyder, daughter
of Physical Therapist
Assistant Program
Coordinator Kim Snyder,
graduated from SWIC with
an Associate in Applied
Science, Physical Therapist
Assistant. She is an ACSM
certified Personal Trainer.
Brooke Baker, daughter of
Health Sciences and Homeland
Security Administrative
Secretary Donna Baker,
graduated in December
from Ouachita Baptist
University in Arkadelphia, Ark.,
with a bachelor’s degree in
Music Education.
Kristina Cook, daughter of
Jean and Charles Fulford,
graduated from SWIC with an
Associate in Applied Science
in Nursing Education.
Jean is the Technical
Education coordinators’
assistant, and Charles is an
electronics instructor.
Network Operations
Center Manager Kathy
Dannenberg graduated
cum laude from Southern
Illinois University
Carbondale with a
Bachelor of Applied
Science in Information
Systems Technology.
Institutional Research Associate
Nicholas Kolweier earned a Graduate
Certificate in Institutional Research from
the College of Education at the University
of Missouri—St. Louis. He completed
additional coursework through the
Association for Institutional Research’s
Data and Decisions Academy, for which
he received a Presidential Scholarship.
Cayley Malone, daughter of Library
Clerk Rena Malone, graduated with
a 4.0 grade point average from SWIC
with an Associate in Science. After the
summer session, she’ll receive her
Associate in Arts as well. From left
are Cayley’s father, Douglas; Cayley;
and Rena.
Dresden Whitehead,
daughter of SWGCC
Executive Director
Chuck Whitehead,
graduated from Missouri
State University with
a Bachelor of Arts in
Biology. She is pictured
with her brother, Nathan.
From the Desk of
the President
June Calendar
“… let us first be as simple and well as Nature
ourselves.” – Henry David Thoreau
So reads an inscription in the lobby of the newly expanded
Liberal Arts Complex, chosen to underscore our
commitment to sustainability, including this facility designed
to qualify for LEED gold certification later this year.
Additionally, SWIC recently received the U.S. Green Building
Council “Growing Green Award.” The college was honored in the education category
for: the sustainable construction of the new Liberal Arts Complex; our continued
commitment to the Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact; waste and energy reduction
efforts; green curriculum programs; green workforce training; sustainability literacy;
installation of new electric vehicle charge stations; and operating our Sustainability and
Green Economy Center as part of our Illinois Green Economy Network commitment.
“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important
than any one thing.” – Abraham Lincoln
This larger inscription adorns the two-story atrium of the new “LAC,”
and it turned out to be foretelling when you consider:
Military Matters … Partnering with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs,
SWIC hosted the Illinois Women Veterans Fair at the new LAC Conference Center in
April. The keynote address was given by Scott Air Force Base Maj. Gen. Barbara
Faulkenberry. A month later Gen. William Fraser III, commander of USTRANSCOM
at Scott, echoed President Lincoln’s sentiment at our May 16 commencement
ceremony. For establishing permanent Veterans Services offices at BC and SWGCC
and a complementary veteran-to-veteran tutoring program, SWIC also received the
Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education this spring. These efforts have helped
make SWIC a national finalist to host Vet Success on Campus. We resolved to make
SWIC a national model for veterans’ success, and we’re well on our way.
Legislators’ Choice … The LAC Conference Center was also the site for one of two
public forums Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon convened to discuss the long-term, sustainable
future of Scott. The first was held at SWGCC in January. Historically, SWIC and
PSOP have hosted several major media events per year at the request of our Illinois
legislators, including U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Gov. Pat Quinn and Lt. Gov. Simon, to
name just a few. We have long resolved to keep our legislators well informed and
directly involved, so when it comes to reaching community members in southwestern
Illinois, our leaders know to “Pick SWIC” as their first/best venue option.
1 Creative Kids Class, “3D Hand Drawing,”
noon, Schmidt Art Center
1 Bat Boy the Musical Auditions, 3 p.m.,
BC MC Theatre
2 Bat Boy the Musical Auditions, 3 p.m.,
BC MC Theatre
3 Campus Classes Begin
4 Concert in the Café; Four of a Kind Band,
7 p.m., BC MC Café
6 Exhibition Opening Reception: Laura Strand,
Mary C. Nasser and Jack Decoteau,
6-8 p.m., Schmidt Art Center
8 Creative Kids Class, “Day of Play/Father’s Day
Project,” noon, Schmidt Art Center
11 Concert in the Café; You Can’t Beat Experience
Band, 7 p.m., BC MC Café
18 Concert in the Café; Ed and Friends,
7 p.m., BC MC Café
25 Concert in the Café; Waterloo German Band,
7 p.m., BC MC Café
26 Summer BBQ, $2 lunch for non-students,
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., BC Quad
National Spotlight … Spring-semester issues of Community College Times and
Inside Higher Ed touted SWIC for being one of the first schools in the nation to use
direct tuition-comparison advertising to promote community college value. Our yearsold “SWIC-onomics” campaign has evidently led others to follow that lead. Another
recent article from Community College Times about green jobs featured SWIC and
quoted Technical Education Division Dean Brad Sparks. Beyond $600,000 worth
of regional publicity generated annually, we resolved to get our fair share of national
media coverage for our leading-edge programs and services, and it is happening.
Captain AQIP … This spring marked the 39th and final year of a stellar SWIC
career for H.O. Brownback, who retired May 31 with the title of Vice President
Emeritus (Planning, Research and Development). At that event I suggested the word
that best describes H.O. is “accountability,” one of our core SWIC values. For it
was H.O. Brownback who helped ensure our long-term institutional accountability –
which in higher-ed means accreditation – by suggesting SWIC should be among the
first colleges to participate in the Higher Learning Commission’s Academic Quality
Improvement Program. Within a decade of resolving to take that new and challenging
path, SWIC is today recognized nationally as a model AQIP institution. Thank you, H.O.
Brownback; you will be sorely missed.
Pay It Forward,
Georgia Costello, Ph.D.
President
why pay more? —The “SWIC-onomics” advertising
campaign has received national attention for promoting
community college value, as our college president mentions
in her column (at left). The campaign includes windscreens
at MetroLink stops in Illinois, such as the one pictured at the
Swansea station.
SWIC Graduation
President Georgia Costello, Ph.D.,
presents keynote speaker Gen. William
M. Fraser III with a SWIC pennant to
commemorate the event.
Associate Professor of Spanish
Adan Salinas, left, and Professor of
Philosophy Rick Spencer line up for
the processional.
President’s office student worker
Stephanie Martin earned her
Associate in Applied Science in
Legal Office Specialist.
Associate Professor (Electronic
Publishing, Graphic Communications,
Web Development/Administration and
Web Designer) Diane DiTucci gets a
hug and a kiss from student speaker
Glenda Eaton, who earned dual
AAS degrees in Web Development/
Administration and Web Designer.
sheriff JUSTUS REMEMBERED AT
GED CEREMONY
President Georgia Costello, Ph.D., left, and keynote speaker
Bruce N. Cook, LLB, right, present Audrey Justus, widow of
the late Sheriff Mearl J. Justus, an engraved, framed copy
of Justus’ SWIC-cess ad during this year’s GED Certification
Ceremony. Costello also announced the creation of a plaque
in Justus’ honor for placement at either Adult Basic Education
at the Belleville Campus or Programs and Services for Older
Persons. Justus earned associate degrees in Criminal Justice
and Security Administration at SWIC. He also taught future
generations of law enforcement professionals through the
SWIC Police Academy.
HEALTH SCIENCES PINNING CEREMONY
Graduates of SWIC Health Sciences programs gathered at St. Peter’s Cathedral
in Belleville before the 2013 Pinning Ceremony. This year, 220 students
graduated from SWIC Health Sciences programs.
FINISHING TOUCH
Adult Basic Education Instructor Catherine Shurtleff
adjusts the tassel on the hat of GED recipient Katherine
Shrum-Oehlecker of Granite City. Shrum-Oehlecker was
one of 585 students who earned their GED certificates
during the ceremony.
Radiologic Technology Program
Coordinator Rhonda Kern, left,
places the professional “pin” on
Jennifer Harshbarger of Hamel.
Vice President for Planning, Research
and Development H.O. Brownback,
left, congratulates a Respiratory
Therapy graduate.
June Campus Briefs
Belleville Campus
College Activities’ popular Concert in the Café series will heat things up again
this summer! Don’t miss these performances Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the BC MC
Café: Four of a Kind Band, June 4; You Can’t Beat Experience Band, June 11;
Ed and Friends, June 18; and Waterloo German Band, June 25.
The Schmidt Art Center will host a Creative Kids series this summer!
Five sessions are planned between June 1 and Aug. 3. The classes begin at
12:30 p.m. and last one hour. Participation is $5 per person and the sessions
are open to children ages 5 and older. Register by the Wednesday before the
session you wish to attend to ensure available supplies. Visit swic.edu/sac
for details.
Mark your calendar now for next month’s performances of Bat Boy the
Musical! Shows will be held in the BC MC Theatre July 19-20 and 26-27 at
7 p.m., and July 21 and 28 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in
the College Activities office, Room 1246.
End of an Era
SWIC Remembers
Renowned Educator
Chef Oliver Sommer
SWIC mourns the loss of beloved
Executive Chef Oliver Sommer,
cornerstone of its Culinary Arts
and Food Management program
for more than 21 years.
Thanks for your service,
Mr. Brownback
Vice President for
Planning, Research
and Development H.O.
Brownback retired
from SWIC at the
end of May after 39
years of service at the
college. Brownback
began his tenure here
as a faculty member,
teaching history, English
and literature. He held
several administrative
roles before becoming
vice president.
Brownback remembers how helpful Lloyd Gentry and
Dennis McKay of Learning Resources were in his early days
at the college. “They formed my opinion of SWIC as a group
of people who wanted me to be successful,” he said.
Administrative Assistant Karen Sitzes has worked with
Brownback since 2003 and appreciates the insight his office
provides. “If you want to know something, ask my guys,” she said.
One of Brownback’s successes was leading the college
into the Higher Learning Commission’s Academic Quality
Improvement Program (AQIP) and an uninterrupted
accreditation streak.
Chef Ollie, as he was affectionately
know to students and colleagues,
passed away May 21 at the age of
87 at his home in St. Charles, Mo.
In retirement, Brownback will continue his work with the
HLC as a senior peer reviewer, going on a site visit just
three days after his last day here.
“It was truly our honor to
have a chef of his caliber
teaching at SWIC,” said President
Georgia Costello, Ph.D. “Chef
Ollie could have easily had his
own five-star restaurant anywhere
in the world, but chose to share
his knowledge and expertise with
future generations of chefs.”
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
DURBIN ADDRESSES
CHAMBER
Vice President for Community
Services and Campus Operations
Mark Eichenlaub, Ed.D., recently
attended a St. Louis Regional
Chamber event in which Assistant
Majority Leader Sen. Dick Durbin
discussed issues including
sequestration, immigration reform
and the Affordable Care Act. Pictured, from left, are Durbin, Eichenlaub, Executive
Director of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois Ellen Krohne and Senior
Advisor on Regional Development for the Regional Chamber Rich Conner.
Students elected fellow
student Clifford Davis of
East St. Louis as their
representative to the
Board of Trustees for
the 2013-14 academic
year. As student trustee,
Davis will be responsible
for casting “advisory”
votes on action items at
the Board of Trustees
meetings each month.
He is pursuing an
Associate in Arts degree in psychology and takes classes at
the Belleville Campus, where he is active in many
student groups.
“I am excited to be in a position where I can provide a service
to my fellow students,” he said. “I want to make a difference
for the students on each campus. I am also looking forward
to the opportunity to gain a better understanding of how the
Board of Trustees operates.”
iFUN —Computer
Support Technician
Paul Rousselot, left,
shows Richard Frizzell
of Collinsville how to
operate his iPhone during
a recent iPhone and iPad
Fundamentals class. This
Community Education
noncredit course helps
individuals learn tips and tricks for the iPhone and iPad, as
well as iTunes. Be on the lookout for the fall 2013 course
schedule, available online soon.
SWING
FOR SWIC
Several SWIC employees
took advantage of the
good weather at the
annual Sam Wolf Granite
City Campus Golf
Scramble. Pictured, from
left, are Campus Resource Officer Ted Beatty, Public Safety
Officer Brandon Smiley, Barb Hohlt with the St. Clair County
Health Department and Public Safety Director Mark Green.
All funds raised will benefit scholarships for SWGCC students.
From the Board of Trustees
At the May meeting, the SWIC Board of Trustees:
•
Accepted a $10,000 Curriculum Alignment Grant from the Illinois
Community College Board to support the implementation of Common Core
State Standards for Mathematics and Language Arts; and a $2,587.88
grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to benefit SWIC
Learning Resources.
•
Approved the following appointments: SWGCC Success Center Coordinator
Alicia M. Kuhl; Systems Service Specialist Jennifer R. Parks; Math &
Sciences Division Secretary Theresa Kirkwood; and SWGCC Instructional
Support Assistant Kristen Woods-Hahn.
“Regular Board Meeting Minutes” and “Other Board Minutes” are posted on swic.edu.
Click “About Us” and “Board of Trustees.”
Honoring Illinois’ Fallen
In May, the United States flag and the state flag were flown at half-staff in honor of:
• Memorial Day
• Peace Officers Memorial Day
• Captain Brandon L. Cyr, United States Air Force, of Oswego
In accordance with the Illinois Flag Display Act, the flags are flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on the
day of the funeral of every fallen Illinois service member and the two days preceding that day.
FIESTA FRIENDS
LEARNING
WORK THROUGH
TECHNOLOGY
From left, students
Paul Koopman of Troy,
Donnie Rogers of Granite
City, Welding Instructor
Larry Strader and Robert Smith of Troy use an automated
welder recently delivered to the college as part of the $1.4
million Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and
Career Training grant from the federal government. The new
equipment allows SWIC to offer advanced welding certificates
in addition to the regular degree path.
DISCOUNT AT THE DRIVE-IN
A good deal at Belleville’s Skyview Drive-In just got even
better – for SWIC students and employees, that is.
Mondays through
Thursdays, anyone
with a valid SWIC
student or employee
parking sticker on
their car, or a SWIC
ID, will receive a $2
discount on their
Skyview Drive-In
movie ticket.
PSOP recently held its annual
Senior Celebration filled with food,
fun, games and dancing. Enjoying
the Señior de Mayo festivities are
Volunteer Coordinator Pat Etling
left, and Senior Citizen Advocate
Sister Leona Luechtefeld.
LEARNING ABOUT THE WORLD
Faculty from the SWGCC Library display the Muslim
Journeys books given to the college from the National
Endowment for the Humanities. The books provide
insights into the Islamic faith and Muslim culture.
Pictured with the books, from left, are Adjunct Art
Professor Nancy Friederich, English Professor
Cynthia Hussain, Ed.D., Adjunct History Professor
Brian Russell and Librarian Jan Zuke, Ph.D.
PUPPY LOVE —Adjunct Faculty Member and Eye of
the Storm Adviser Deb Sauerhage shares a smile with
Murphy at the annual Walk This Way, Make a Dog’s Day
event at the Dr. Tom Amlung Nature Trail. Volunteers from
the Belleville Animal Clinic brought adoptable pets from
the St. Clair County Dr. Tom Amlung Adoption Center to
the Belleville Campus with the hopes of finding them good
homes. Sauerhage was so smitten with the pup that she
made him the newest addition to her family.