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Jun. 4 Summer Term begins EXCEL/SSS Open House 9 am to 1 pm A&S bldg., Rm. C7

Jun. 13 EXCEL Workshop Noon A&S bldg.,

Rm. C7 Jun. 20 EXCEL Workshop

Noon A&S bldg., Rm. C7

Jul. 4 Independence Day Campus Closed

Jul. 11 EXCEL Workshop

Noon A&S bldg., Rm. C7

Jul. 30 Finals Breather 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Rm. C7

Coming Events

Volume 10, Issue 5 Student Support Services at Mineral Area College May 2007

See Ceremony on page 4

By Matt Sopko

Mineral Area College Graduates Largest Class in School HistoryThe EXCEL/SSS program was well represented at Mineral Area College’s recent 83rd commencement held on May 5th at the Robert E. Sechrest, Sr. Field House. Although Finals Week was yet to be completed, MAC recognized the candidates for Associate of Arts, Associate of Applied Science, Associate of General Studies and Associate of Science degrees as well as candidates completing certificates. The three hundred seventy-seven candidates for degrees constituted the largest graduation class in school history. Congratulations are certainly in order; however, space here does not allow the listing of the names of the members of the EXCEL/SSS graduating contingent. Anticipated degrees to program participants include forty-four AA’s, thirteen AAS’s, five AS’s, nine AGS’s and nine certificates (some students are candidates for more than one degree).Way To Go EXCELLERS!!

By Elaine Belovich

EXCEL/SSS Annual Awards Ceremony

The 9th Annual EXCEL/SSS Awards Ceremony was held on May 1st in North College Center. This year’s keynote speaker was Dean of Students, Jean Merrill-Doss. After opening remarks by Elaine, Dean Merrill-Doss presented her very personal story of how she overcame obstacles in her Dean Jean

Merrill-Doss

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See Appointments on page 5

Fun Facts

When was Father’s Day first celebrated?

Source: http://www.fun-facts.com/item/71599

Where was the birthplace of Memorial Day and when was it first celebrated?

Source: http://www.fun-facts.com/item/71591

Answers on page 5

people who really might need tutoring are deprived of a chance to get in to see a tutor.

Even more frustrating than the ordinary type of no-show is the student who asks for special treatment and then stands us up. For example, someone might ask a tutor to come in at 8:00 in the morning because he or she has an assignment that morning and really needs help. Or a student might ask a tutor to make a special trip in for tutoring at 3:00 in the afternoon because the student really, really can’t make tutoring appointments during normal tutoring hours. In these kinds of cases, the student asking for the special appointment almost never shows up for his or her appointment. It doesn’t matter how fervently the student insists that he or she is different and will definitely be there at the scheduled time – this is almost never true. Once burned, twice shy – and we’ve been burned a lot more than once. That means that EXCEL tutors have become very, very reluctant to schedule special tutoring appointments for anybody for any reason – which hurts the students who might seriously need and keep a special tutoring appointment.

Though the problem of no-shows has always been with us, lately it seems to have become

Making and Keeping Tutoring

AppointmentsBy Rachel Neumeier

Well, now. Here I am, with my schedule full of tutoring appointments – but in five out of the six scheduled appointments, the scheduled student does not show up for tutoring! I don’t mean these students canceled their appointments – they just didn’t show up.

This scenario happens to all of EXCEL’s tutors. Most of the time the situation isn’t that extreme. But it really has happened – recently and more than once – that for a single tutor, five out of six students failed to show up on just one day.

When a student schedules an appointment, we have to assume he or she really will come in and keep that appointment. We can’t just guess ahead of time which students will decide not to show up. All the times that are “taken” become unavailable for other students. Any other students who might need tutoring and might try to make appointments can’t have those times – sometimes they can’t get in to see a tutor at all on the day they need tutoring.

Now, circumstances come up. We understand this. And if you’re in a car accident or something, you sure have plenty to worry about other than informing EXCEL about it. But when circumstances less extreme than a car accident come up for you, keep in mind that your failure to call and clear out your spot on the schedule means that somebody else is going to miss a chance to get in for tutoring. And if half a dozen other students also decide to let things slide and also don’t bother to call, then a whole lot of

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The Tutor’s CornerBy Bernie Ratliff

Hey Excellers! What an exciting semester it has been. Congratulations to EXCEL graduates. We wish the best for you. In addition, I want to say congratulations to all of you who diligently continued with tutoring throughout spring semester. For those of you who are enrolled in the summer session, we will have tutoring and DROP-IN tutoring will be available.

You have made it to the end of spring semester. Now, you will have time to relax and get some extra rest. After a few days of relaxation, I want to challenge you to read a book of your choice and tell me about it next fall. Also, I want to remind you to think about and review your study habits. You might want to think about getting extra help with reading or math this summer. If you want to pinpoint areas where you need help with study skills, we can surely set up tutoring sessions for you.

Did you reach your goals for this semester? Goals provide direction and in this respect they are like road maps. They help to get us where we want to go. By setting goals,

Birthdays

Jennifer Hitchcock, Angelique Tomazi, Laura Williams, Danyell Sweatt,

Corella Landrigan, Jacob Henson, Serena Kinney, Amber Whaley, Jacqueline Cook, Patsy Gilbo, Rebecca Politte, Luke Lance, Crystal Rector, Karen Davis,

Georgia Alcorn, Cody Dickinson, Michelle Gremminger, Hanna Jenkins,

Randall Turnbough, Tina Reed, Shannon AuBuchon, Lisa McMahan,

Sabrina Hutchinson

Mary Willoughby, Crystal Fleming, Christopher Nelson, Maranda Pfaff,

Stacey Stahl, David Null, Nicole Richardet, Tanya Maguire, April Brewer, Danny Griffon, Sr., Amanda Porterfield, Betty White,

Sarah Niehaus, Casey Oneal

EXCEL/SSS MISSION To provide the support necessary for each EXCEL/SSS student to

pursue his/her own level of “academic excellence” and be

successful in achieving a postsecondary education.

we focus our attention on what has to be mastered. These goals provide motivation and help us measure our progress. What happens when we fall short of our goals?

Strengthen your self-discipline by reviewing your educational goals and priorities during the summer when your schedule is not as hectic. Hopefully, you can begin your fall semester with more confidence and a renewed vigor for learning. Have a wonderful summer!

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CeremonyContinued from 1

Lisa Sparks and Tom Wopat at the Fox Theatre

educational and professional careers and how she persevered to get to where she is today.

Next on the agenda was the presentation of certificates of achievement to the EXCEL/SSS graduates and

the TRiO Spirit Awards. The TRiO Spirit Awards were presented to ten students who were chosen by the

EXCEL/SSS staff for exemplifying the TRiO Spirit in their pursuit of academic excellence. These students have

exhibited determination in overcoming obstacles as well as commitment to achieving a college degree.

Special thanks to EXCEL’s own Rachel Neumeier for preparing and serving the incredibly exquisite

Justin Smallen and Elaine

Sozonte Castro, Bernie, and Rachel

Kelley Tillman, Bernie, and Rachel

fruit compositions and to Jeannie Holmes of MAC’s Horticulture Department for helping create a festive mood with a beautiful floral

centerpiece and bud vases for each table. Also special thanks to Matt Sopko who provided the music, and to Robbin Stegall who was unflappable as usual.

Mike McElwain and Donald Halsted

Wanda Letterman

We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance.

Harrison FordSource: http://brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/harrisonfo104514.html

In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.

Bill CosbySource: http://brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/billcosby132430.html

Food For Thought

Patsy Gilbo and Matt

Matt and Elaine

5

EXCELMISSION

To provide the support necessary for each EXCEL student to pursue his/her own level of

“academic excellence” and be successful in achieving a postsecondary education.

Answers to Fun Facts:

1. Father’s Day was first celebrated June 19, 1910.

2. The U.S. government declared that Waterloo, New York was the birthplace of Memorial Day. The first Memorial Day was observed May 5, 1966. According to the source below, nationwide there are 24 communites that claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day.

Source: http://www.rootsweb.com/~pacentre/memory.htm

With the price of gas soaring, frustrated drivers have turned to desperate measures; for example, boycotting gas on a specified day in order to lower the price at the pump. However, this just increases demand slightly the day before or the day after causing no reduction in the total demand and no decrease in gas prices.

If we really want to lower gas prices, there are two ways to do this that won’t cost us anything except changing our behavior. The first change is to stop mashing down on the accelerator when we leave the stoplight and to slow down early when we need to stop.

The second is to drive the speed limit instead of racing everywhere we go.

According to Tom Kloza, President of Oil Price Information Service, a drop in the total demand as low as 1% would make a difference. If we car pool, combine errands as much as possible, and drive the speed limit, we will use less gas overall. This will reduce the overall demand and gas prices should go down.

Source: Schoen, John. “Here’s How You Can Lower Gas Prices.” MSNBC 16 May 2007. 17 May 07 <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18615572>

Tested driving tips that save gas

• Drive the speed limit.• If you have cruise control, use it.• If you have air conditioning, use it. • Maintain correct tire pressure.• If stopping longer than a minute, turn the

engine off.Complete test results are at the following source: http://www.edmunds.com/advice/fueleconomy/articles/106842/article.html

Tips for Saving Money on GasBy Robbin Stegall

AppointmentsContinued from 2

quite a bit worse. EXCEL is not sure what to do about this: we are reluctant to refuse to schedule future appointments for students who have been no-shows, but that option is one we are forced to consider. Instead, we hope you’ll help us help you by keeping (if you can) or canceling ahead of time (if you must) every single tutoring appointment you make and never ever simply deciding not to show up without notice.

Published By: EXCEL/SSS Mineral Area College PO Box 1000 Park Hills, MO 63601

Editor: Matt Sopko

Managing Editor: Elaine Belovich

Layout and Design: Robbin Stegall

Contributors: Elaine Belovich Matt Sopko Bernie Ratliff Rachel Neumeier Robbin Stegall

EXCEL/SSSMineral Area CollegePO Box 1000Park Hills, MO 63601

EXCEL/Student Support Services at Mineral Area College, is a feder-ally funded TRiO program. It is funded at $1,071,944 for four years. Mineral Area College’s total contribution is approximately 6.5% of the total budget. EXCEL/SSS serves 200 students.

Mineral Area College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, age, religion, creed or marital or parental status. For more information, call the Title VI, Title IX, Sec-tion 504 and ADA Coordinator at (573) 431-4593 or U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights.

If you have special needs as addressed by the Americans with Dis-abilities Act and need this publication in an alternative format, notify us at the address or telephone number below. Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate your special needs.

EXCEL/SSSMineral Area CollegePO Box 1000Park Hills, MO 63601