Monday, September 12, 2011

MHC News

Fitness Classes Now Available

Have you been working out all summer and dreading the onset of cooler weather? Keep your exercise momentum going with fun and lively fitness classes hosted by Be Fit For Life. With seven each week you're sure to find something you enjoy to keep you active.

From zumba to yoga and even qi gong - you may have to Google that one! - there's something for everyone. Click here to view the schedule.

All classes are free for staff and students and located in H131 beside the tennis courts. There is a different lunch-hour class daily from 12:10 to 12:50 and after-work classes Monday and Wednesday from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m.

For additional information, contact Sonya Soveran at 504-3546.



Announcing New Board Members

Don Bruce, Chair
On behalf of the Board of Governors of Medicine Hat College, Dr. Ralph Weeks is pleased to announce that Don Bruce has been appointed to the position of Chair of the college’s Board of Governors. Mr. Bruce has been a member of the Board of Governors for the past four years and is well prepared to take on the new leadership duties of the Chair. Don has been a resident of Brooks for the past 14 years. Don retired in 2003 from a 32 year career with a major energy company having spent the last 24 years of his career in a leadership position. Don is very involved in his community working with the Brooks Bandits Junior “A” Hockey Club and volunteering for such activities as the Leisure Centre and Multi-Use Arena Fundraising Campaign and he has served as the Chair of the Brooks Policing Committee.

Austin Curtin, Public Member
Dr. Weeks is further pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Austin Curtin as the newest public member of the Board of Governors of Medicine Hat College. Mr. Curtin is the owner/operator of Canadian Tire in Medicine Hat. Prior to his venture into retail entrepreneurship, Austin spent 14 years in management for Zellers which included stints in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary. Mr. Curtin has operated Canadian Tire stores in Ontario and Newfoundland before settling in Medicine Hat in 1980. He also operated stores in Brooks and Cold Lake, from headquarters in Medicine Hat, from 1985 to 2005. Mr. Curtin received the Dealer “Award of Excellence” in 1997 and he served on the Canadian Tire Corporation Board of Directors from 1998 to 2008.



Chrissie Mather Wins Project 50/50

Congratulations again to Chrissie Mather’s, Information Technologist, who won $305.00 in the August Project 50/50 draw. Chrissie said “Project 50/50 was an excellent way for me to contribute and feel like I’m helping MHC students!” We are so pleased that she has joined so many others on campus in competing to win the monthly pot.

This month our goal is to have 75 people signed up and we currently on our way to hitting our goal with 67 people registered for the September draw. Quit dragging your feet and march your way up to Human Resources to sign up for the monthly contributions - you could be the next winner!

Please note, donations to this project are not eligible for charitable tax receipts due to CRA regulations. For a complete list of rules, please visit this page.
 


We Were Supposed to Get a Pool?

Just in time for Homecoming weekend and the Alumni Cabaret event, the Alumni Relations office is unveiling its new display cases. The three displays feature memorabilia from years past, including pottery, artwork and college newspapers.

The displays also feature a conceptual drawing of 'Medicine Hat Junior College' Did you know the drawing had a pool in it? Come on upstairs outside College Advancement and Alumni Relations. Take a peek at the displays and if you have any funky college memorabilia to add to the collection, we would love to show it off!



Changes to MHC WiFi

Changes to the MHC WiFi network mean that employees accessing the VPN service wirelessly while on campus will need to use the following numeric address: https://10.0.240.1/portal. This link can also be obtained at http://www.mhc.ab.ca/Employees.aspx under “technology.”

For assistance, please contact the Call Centre.



Rattlers Volunteers Needed

The Rattlers will be hosting the 2011 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Golf Championships on October 2-3 at Desert Blume. This is a two day 36-hole event and the Rattlers are looking to put on a fantastic championship. In order to do this, volunteers are needed. The following volunteer positions are needed:
  • On course shuttle drivers. Players will be walking the course so we require a few shuttles between some of the holes.
  • Spotters. To ensure the pace of play is maintained, we require volunteers to spot errant tee shots on a several holes
  • Scorekeepers. Our goal is to have live results for this event. In order to do that we require volunteers to report player’s scores after each hole.
  • Practice Range. We require a few volunteers to manage the practice range for player prior to their start times.
All volunteers will receive a Rattlers Adidas shirt. If you’re able to help out, please contact Kelly Almer at 529-4823 or almer@mhc.ab.ca



You Innovate Tournament

On September 26, the Canadian Youth Business Foundation will announce an everyday household object. The challenge is for students to use that object to create as much value as they can.

Students can work on their own or in class (it may take up a few lectures and the Canadian Youth Business Foundation will provide teaching notes and everything else you’ll need.)

On October 18, students will submit a three-minute video sharing their story and making the case for why they’ve created the most value.

The winner will be announced during Global Entrepreneurship Week (Nov. 14-20). There are BIG prizes for the top presenters.

Faculty can sign up here.  Plus… The EDC is hosting a brainstorming session on Monday, September 12, at noon in room B301. Bring your lunch and ideas. Send an email to Jon Sookocheff if you plan on coming.



Mystery Solved! Ask and You Shall Receive

In the latest edition of real, we ran an alumni photo with the caption Do You Know Who These People Are? Tell us! The response has been great. We found our mystery alumni!

From left to right, we have Roger Sept, Timothy Stonehouse and Clayton Tillotson. All three were classmates during the 1969/70 year. This photo was taken at the sod-turning ceremony in 1970 at the site where the campus sits now.

If you remember these alumni and want to share a story, join the conversation on our Facebook page.



Welcome to New Employees

Please join Human Resources in welcoming the following new employees:

Faculty
Adult Development
Ron Ball, English/Social Studies Instructor, Open Learning Centre – Brooks campus
Charlotte Jobb, Instructor, English as a Second Language

Arts
Patricia Auger-Iannattone, Instructor, UT Humanities
Brian Buckstead, Violin Instructor, Conservatory of Music & Dance
Claire Goodfellow, Instructor, Drama
Jenny Newsome, Dance Instructor, Conservatory of Music & Dance

Business
Carole Hillson, Instructor, Business Administration
Quentin Randall, Instructor, Global Tourism & Marketing

Health Studies
Kim Fregin, Clinical Instructor, Nursing
Samantha Hodder, Instructor, Nursing
Anthony Stretch, Clinical Instructor, Paramedic
Robyn Sykes, Instructor, Paramedic
John Torrance, Clinical Instructor, Paramedic
Megan Wisnowski, Instructor, Nursing
Michael Yutadco, Instructor, Therapist Assistant

Science
Gordon Aisman, Instructor, Power Engineering
Gerry Ehlert, Instructor, Environmental Reclamation Technician
Carla Froyman, Instructor, Environmental Reclamation Technician
Peter Kelly, Instructor, Computer Aided Drafting & Design

Management
January England, Executive Assistant, President’s Office
Devin Forbes, Programmer/Analyst, Information Technology Services
Jennifer Wittal, Student Recruiter, Advising & Recruiting

Support Staff
Amanda Delaurier, Lab Assistant, Division of Health Studies
Christopher Field, Library Services Specialist, Library
Garrett Flaig, Educational Assistant, Disability Services
Barbara Mitchell, Educational Technology Specialist, Educational Technology Services
Diane Rittinger, Educational Assistant II, Academic Resource Centre
Brandi Stuber, Graphic Designer, College Advancement



Call for Homecoming Volunteers

This is your last chance to volunteer for Homecoming! The headliner concert event on Saturday, September 17 requires dozens of volunteers. If you’d like to lend a hand, please email Jennifer Thompson at jthompson@mhc.ab.ca as soon as possible. Please include the times you are available and if you have any limitations.

We’ll need several volunteers at 2:30 p.m. to help run the ATB Family Fun Zone, and we’ll have shifts throughout the night to assist in general concert operations. In return, we’ll provide you with a volunteer t-shirt and a meal voucher. Earl’s will be on hand for the event so you’re sure to have something good! And yes, the more the merrier, so if your spouse wants a lend a hand, sign him/her up too.

If you’d like more information about Homecoming, click here.

If you can’t volunteer, we sure hope to see you there! There will be lots of fun for everyone.




Weight Room Open Again

After a summer-long relocation, the weight room is reopen in its newly renovated space. Now that it's back in its familiar surroundings, people with locks on the downstairs lockers can renew in person or by email.

Towel service is $5/month, $10/semester or $20/year. The weight room is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.



A New Edition of real is Here!

Can you believe how fast time flies? A new edition of real is here already! The September issue is full of familiar faces. Read about how Jody MacKenzie inspires her power engineering students with her own work ethic and love of learning. Read about five former Rattlers, the Gottselig siblings, and how their family raised them to love athletics and value their teammates. Mary Molloy shows us how she went from a stressed out, over-worked single mother to a successful alumna with her dream job. Be inspired by these real people, real stories, real life.

Click here to view real online. It will be on stands around campus soon and in Tuesday's Medicine Hat News and Brooks Bulletin.



News from Environmental Health Services
New Distracted Driving Law
Alberta’s newest legislation took effect September 1. As of now any of the following activities could rate a $172 fine. Talking on your cell phone, texting, programming your GPS, shaving, applying make-up, eating…  How do you avoid this ticket? Pull over and take the call (or have your breakfast)!

Congratulations to Peggy Sullivan and Denise Paul for their winning submissions on: What else would count as distracted driving? Yes playing backgammon, and fighting a wasp could be considered distracted driving! I think the police might give you a break with the wasp though!


Parking tickets
Yes its that time of year again. Security is monitoring all lots for parking infractions. There is no free parking on campus. If you get a ticket, you are highly encouraged to come down to the security office and discuss it with us (nicely of course). All ticket revenue goes to the city and once tickets reach the city they cannot be voided.

College Garage Sale
This event was a huge success; a large amount of surplus furniture was diverted from the landfill, several non-profit groups were able to take advantage of some free furniture and our long-term storage building was emptied out. Thanks to all those who participated. If you know a non-profit group that is looking for student desks and chairs please contact Rodger Sloan.





College Day Highlights

With College Day done for another year, our attention naturally shifts to the new semester and the continuing challenge of serving students. But, please take a moment to reflect on College Day before you’re totally immersed in your work.

Project 50/50

You heard the President mention the impact of this project. When you sign up for Project 50/50, you’ll support a great cause, and have a chance to win each month.

Project 50/50 is a fundraising initiative where half of the proceeds go to one lucky draw winner each month, and half go to the Students’ Greatest Needs Scholarship which addresses needs identified on an annual basis.

Visit Human Resources to arrange for Payroll deductions, at just $10 per month, or stop by College Advancement and register to win!

Comprehensive Community Plan (CIP)

The CIP, together with other plans and reports, can be found on the college web site here. The environmental scan includes much of the data highlighted in the president’s address.

Even more information is offered by Institutional Research and Analysis on SharePoint.

Why we like MHC

This video was fun, offered a few chuckles and showed the incredible student focus of college employees. View Your Favorite Thing About MHC.



Welcome Back from Marquise


Cathy Demkiw, Manger and Marquise staff are happy and proud to serve MHC. Noteworthy news, in our team several staff members have reached their 5th year Anniversary, not only with Marquise, but serving MHC, Congratulations to them all. We are all looking forward to another wonderful year.

Welcome Back!



 Automotive Repair Form Available

The automotive service technician program is looking for vehicles in need of labour. If your vehicle needs work done on its brakes, steering suspension, or driveline, please fill out the form below and send it to Ray Shannon. Ray can be contacted at rshannon@mhc.ab.ca or 3573. He will review your form and contact you when an opening is available. 

All labour is free. Only the parts are charged to the customer. This is open to all staff and their families. Click here for a form.



Notes from Environmental Health Services

New Trash Compactor - In our efforts to reduce waste and protect our employees' health, we now have our own trash compactor on the loading dock. This will primarily be used by custodial staff.

Please refrain from throwing any aerosol cans into your regular garbage can; use the recycling bins for these items.

Waste Reduction Week - As one of the college's environmental initiatives, we are always seeking ways to reduce our sold waste volume. Please send Rodger Sloan an email if you are interested in helping with this event.



Teachers Curling League

Looking for a fun, social, inexpensive hobby this winter season? Instructor Ben Moffat is hoping to form at least one MHC curling league team. Anyone from beginners to seasoned professionals are encouraged to sign up and have fun. Teams are mixed and consist of four to five players.

The league is every Thursday at 4:30 p.m. from mid-October to March. The cost for the season is to be determined but described as reasonable. Contact Ben at 3902 for more details.



NISOD Innovation Abstract: Traditional Note-Taking Meets Innovative Note-Creating
In "Traditional Note-Taking Meets Innovative Note-Creating," Todd Anderson, Instructor, Liberal Arts, at Iowa Central Community College, describes a successful strategy for engaging students in active note-creating. Results include improved retention in courses from remedial to accelerated.

Community Colleges: Ready for Prime Time?
At the May 2011 NISOD International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, Rod Risley, Executive Director, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, delivered an extraordinary keynote address: “Community Colleges: Ready for Prime Time?”

This address was well received, and we elected to publish his remarks as a Celebrations for the benefit of all NISOD readers.

Upcoming Webinar
Sign up today to participate in "Adjunct and Engaged: Effective Strategies for Part-Time Faculty Success" on Wednesday, September 28. Click here for more information.
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