SWIC HAS A BALL

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Are you a May graduate? Is your son or daughter graduating? If you or your child is graduating from SWIC or another college/university, email your name, the college/university, your earned degree and a photo, if you have one, to kathryn.dahlmann@swic.edu by Tuesday, May 26. Names submitted will be included in the June issue of Insider Chat.

LET IT GLOW – It was a packed house in the MC Varsity Gym during the high-energy bingo event where cash prizes were awarded each round.

DUNKED FOR DONATIONS – Public Safety Chief Mark Green gets dunked for a cause at the Spring Blast. The Public Safety dunk tank raised $140 for the Special Olympics.

PUTT(ING) IT TOGETHER – Though it felt cold enough to have hail on the ground, Physical Plant Director Ron Henderson actually logs a winning golf ball at the Foundation’s Spring 2015 Money Ball Golf Ball Drop held during College Activities’ Spring Blast. Foundation Accounting Specialist LuAnn Peek shares the names of prize winners: Community Education Coordinator Lois LaFleur; Head Baseball Coach Neil Fiala; Kim Peek and Public Information and Marketing Associate Director Kelly Turner and Jacob Maxwell. This semester’s drop included 870 balls. The event raised $500 for SWIC scholarships.

SCHOOL OF ROCK – Athletic Director Mike Juenger, left, and softball player Nicole McConnell show SWIC how to rock ‘n roll at the Taste of Blue Storm and Cosmic Bingo fundraiser. The event featured black light bingo, food tastings from local restaurants and a silent auction.

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

Pay It Forward,

Georgia Costello, Ph.D.

OATH OF OFFICE – The Board of Trustees commissioned Public Safety Officer Clayton Proffitt at the April meeting. Pictured with Proffitt, center, are Vice President for Administrative Services Bernie Ysursa, left, and Public Safety Chief Mark Green.

NEW STUDENT LEADER – Southwestern Illinois College students have chosen Savannah Stellhorn of Red Bud to become the student trustee for the 2015-16 academic year. She was sworn in at the April college Board of Trustees meeting. “I was looking for more ways to get involved at SWIC,” she said. “I’m glad to serve as the student body’s voice to the Board of Trustees.” Stellhorn, 19, is a full-time Red Bud Campus student pursuing an Associate in Arts degree. She works at the campus Success Center and with the College Activities Board. As student trustee, Stellhorn will be responsible for casting “advisory” votes on action items at the Board of Trustees meetings each month.

Stellhorn will be replacing Nicholas Raftopoulos, right, who served as the student trustee during the 2014-15 academic year. Raftopoulos received a plaque of appreciation from Board Chairman Nick Mance at the April Board of Trustees meeting.

Faculty Member of the YearSincerest congratulations to Medical Assistant Program Associate Professor Howard Gunning for earning 2015 Faculty Member of the Year honors. An exceptional instructor, an asset to the college and a leader within the community, Howard is well deserving of this honor. Dedicating his life to serving others, He has been guiding students at SWIC since his 1998 retirement from the Air Force.

Look for Howard in an upcoming SWIC-cess story ad.

Save the DateBefore summer break please “save the date” – Thursday, Aug. 6 – when Southwestern Illinois College will host its inaugural Presidential Gala at the Belleville Campus Liberal Arts Complex to:

• Celebratethecollege’supcoming70thyearofservice.

• ReunitesevengenerationsofSWICalumni,faculty,donorsandfriends.

• Kickoffatwo-yearSWICFoundationcapitalcampaign.

Tickets are $100 each ($65 tax deductible) for a business-casual, mix-and-mingle event from 6-8 p.m. that will feature donor-sponsored catering by Paulo’s Mansion; wine and craft-beer tastings; musical entertainment; a salute to first-graduating-class alumni; and a major capital campaign announcement. Contact the Foundation office or visit the website for more information.

If your summer is booked, your capital campaign commitment can be as easy as the status quo for many of you: like attending musical/theatrical/sporting events; backing scholarship-generating initiatives like Herstory or the Tamburitzans; playing in SWIC golf outings; or simply continuing to participate in our annual Employee Giving Campaign, which has increased by 67 percent since 2010. Due in large part to the generosity of SWIC employees, the college has seen a 19.2 percent increase in funds awarded (to $250,000) with the number of available scholarships increasing by 25 percent (to 200-plus) since 2008.

As the college enters its 70th year of service to students, let’s make even more fundraising history at SWIC. Best of all your contributions will continue to go toward the scholarships of your choice and/or support capital improvements to keep Southwestern Illinois College a state-of-the-art learning facility for generations to come.

Simply, we are hoping for 100 percent campaign participation in the coming year, keeping in mind no donation – financial or otherwise – is too small.

MAYCAMPUS BRIEFS

Don’t miss seeing the works of SWIC art students before the 2015 SWIC Student Art Show at the William and Florence Schmidt Art Center comes to a close. The last day to see the art is Thursday, May 14.

Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade can experience Creating Together Saturday, May 9 at The Schmidt. The cost of the Creative Kids series program for children in kindergarten through fifth grade is $5 per child. Register online at swic.edu/theschmidt.

Art intensive sessions are coming to The Schmidt this summer. For children in 6-8th grade and high school, the intensives focus on drawing and illustration, painting and drawing and 3D design. If you’d like to learn more or register, visit swic.edu/theschmidt/education or call ext. 5ART (5278).

Register now for the 2015 Chuck Whitehead Sam Wolf Granite City Campus Scholarship Golf Scramble. The annual event will be held Friday, May 22 at Legacy Golf Course, 3500 Cargill Road in Granite City. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The entry fee is $70 per person and covers registration costs, fees and lunch. To register, call ext. 7342 or download the registration form. Don’t miss your chance to win hole-in-one prizes including a 2015 car!

MAY CALENDAR

4-14 – Exhibition – SWIC Student Art Show, Schmidt Art Center

6 – HR Workshop: Supervisor’s Roundtable Discussion, noon; supervisor approval and registration required, ext. 5120

7 – SWIC Concert Band Performance, 7 p.m., BC MC Theatre

9 – Creative Kids: Creating Together,12:30 p.m., Schmidt Art Center; $5 per child (K-5)

10 – SWIC Spring Choral Concert, 3 p.m., Union United Methodist Church, Belleville

11 – SWIC Jazz Band Concert, 7 p.m., BC MC Theatre

12 – Student Honors Recital & Award Ceremony, 7 p.m., BC MC Theatre

13 – SWIC Guitar Ensemble Concert, 7 p.m., BC MC Theatre

18 – SWIC Jazz Improvisation Concert, 7 p.m., BC MC Theatre

14 – Mouse Races 4-7 p.m., PSOP

16 – Part-time Police Academy Session 24 Graduation, 1 p.m., BC MC Theatre

19 – Health Sciences Pinning, 7 p.m., St. Peter’s Cathedral, Belleville

20 – GED Ceremony, 7 p.m., BC Varsity Gym

21 – Commencement, 7 p.m., BC Varsity Gym

22 – Chuck Whitehead Sam Wolf Granite City Campus Scholarship Golf Scramble, 7:30 a.m., Legacy Golf Course, Granite City

May is Military Appreciation Month! Be sure to tell a veteran how much you appreciate their sacrifice!

FROM THE BOARD

OF TRUSTEES

At the April meeting, the SWIC Board of Trustees:

• Accepteda$2,000StookeyTownship grant renewal to benefit Alternative Transportation System.

• Approvedtheappointmentoffull-time Print Services Manager Robert Hall.

“Regular Board Meeting Minutes” and “Other Board Minutes” are posted on swic.edu.

Click on “About Us” and “Board of Trustees.”

Help support the SWIC Alumni Scholarship by donating $15 in 2015! For more information or to donate, contact the Foundation office at 618-235-2700, ext. 5215, or visit thankyou.swic.edu/pages/2015-alumni.

$15 IN ‘15

JACKPOT! – East St. Louis Campus Success Center Coordinator Pat Luehmann, left, took home a check for $400 from the Adult Education raffle held at the Cosmic Bingo fundraiser. Luehmann received her winnings from Early School Leaver Coordinator Kerri Sierra-Scott.

YOUNG LEADERS – SWIC business students brought home a multiple awards from the Phi Beta Lambda State Leadership Conference held recently in Effingham. Pictured are, from left, PBL Faculty Adviser Tina Dierkes, students Valerie Stoner of Fairview Heights, Nicole Nance of O’Fallon and Angel Kirkwood of Lebanon. Stoner received a first place award in Public Speaking; Nance earned a first place award in Word Processing and second place awards in Business Communication and Computer Application; and Kirkwood took home a first place award in Business Presentation and a second place award in Word Processing. In addition to individual awards, the group won the third place overall Award for Excellence. The students are now eligible to attend the PBL National Leadership Conference in Chicago this June.

MARCHING FOR MOMS(AND BABIES)

SWGCC CAB members participated in the March of Dimes – March for Babies in Wilson Park in Granite City in April. The students raised $521.96 for the organization that provides support for mothers and babies in need. Pictured at the event are, left to right, Brittany Newsome of Madison; Lindsey Frazier and Ashley Beard, both of Granite City; Jonathan Walling of Troy; and Mackenzie Cox, Katlynn Stegall, Denise Peterson and Josephine Omohundro, all of Granite City.

The SWIC Guitar Ensemble led by Adjunct Music Instructor Travis Mattison, second from right, provided music during the cocktail reception.

HONORED FOR EXCELLENCE

SWIC was one of five higher education institutions honored at the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois Annual Awards Dinner. The college received the Salute to Southwestern Illinois Award for its contribution of educational excellence to the community. Receiving the award is President Georgia Costello, Ph.D. Pictured with President Costello are, from left, Public Safety Editor and Columnist at the St. Louis Post Dispatch and emcee Patrick Gauen; President of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois Mike Riley; and Executive Director of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illlinois Ellen Krohne.

Got something to talk about? Email kathryn.dahlmann@swic.edu.

SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT

SCOUT’S HONOR – Cisco Networking Academy and Network Design and Administration Professor Steve Bushong was recently recognized for exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience during the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois’ 6th Annual Meeting at Rend Lake Resort. Bushong is pictured with his Appreciation Pin and his 7-year-old daughter, Jacqueline Ann. He has volunteered at the Waterloo day camps since 2004 and other campouts and events; is a certified rappelling instructor; and an assistant scout master for Boy Scout Troop 323 in Waterloo and summer volunteer at Camp Ondessonk.

PROFESSOR OF PULP – Associate Professor of Political Science and History Van Plexico, center, with daughter, Mira, left, and stepdaughter, Maddie, right, won two of the five trophies handed out at the sixth annual Pulp Factory Awards in Chicago.

Plexico received the Pulp Novel of the Year Award for his Military Space Opera novel, “Legion III: Kings of Oblivion,” and the Pulp Anthology of the Year Award for “Pride of the Mohicans,” a collection of four novellas he edited and packaged for White Rocket Books.

LEBANON RIBBON CUTTING – Lebanon School Board President and SWIC Physical Plant Employee Mike Harter, far right, was on hand for the ribbon cutting for the new pre-kindergarten to fifth grade elementary school building in Lebanon. Two students and two honored guests cut the ceremonial ribbon.

SUCCESSFUL PRESENTATION – BC Success Center English Specialist Judy O’Heron, left, and SWGCC Success Center English/Liberal Arts Specialist Susan Bryant presented “Creating 21st Century Tutors: Outcomes Assessment in the Writing Center” at the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Writing Conference, Facing the Future: Roles for Writing Centers on 21st Century Campuses.

FIRST-TIME AUTHOR – Human Resources Director Sherry Favre unveiled her first children’s book, “Wherever Love Is,” during a book signing at the Belleville Campus Barnes & Noble bookstore. The book, the first in a series of books that help children explore what it means to love and be loved by God, sold out there and on Amazon.com.

HIGH HONORS – Vice President for Student Development Staci Clayborne was recently honored at the Metro Area Professional Organization (M.A.P.O.) 5th annual Honors Dinner. Clayborne was selected for making exceptional contributions to education and community services. Other honorees included government officials, lawyers, news media, pastors and the medical professionals.

Southwestern Illinois College has signed an agreement with Pearson VUE, the computer-based testing (CBT) business of Pearson, to test candidates pursuing key industry certifications from leading IT programs, such as Cisco, CompTIA, EMC, HP, LPI, Oracle and VMware.

Pearson VUE believes testing and certification is at the heart of the learning experience, and SWIC will play its part by offering accessible and secure testing to candidates.

Pearson VUE’s advanced system administers exams on behalf of hundreds of businesses, boards and organizations around the globe through the world’s largest most secure test center network. The system enables candidates to register and reschedule their tests online or through a Pearson VUE call center.

“We’re very excited about our new partnership with Pearson VUE,” said SWIC Adult Basic Education Director Lea Maue, Ph.D. “The Pearson VUE Testing System is the most powerful available and gives us unparalleled control and flexibility over our ability to manage our business our way. We’re pleased to partner with a company whose industry status, technology and passion for excellence will allow us to provide even greater service for our customers.”

The Pearson VUE lab is located at the Belleville Campus – MC 0603. Tests are administered Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Thursday from 2-9 p.m.; and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, contact Certified Pearson VUE Test Proctor Richard Spiker at ext. 4989.

HOPPY TO BE HERE! – PSOP Executive Director Cheryl Brunsmann adds another job to her list of duties as the new executive director. Brunsmann dressed up as the Easter Bunny for the Bunny Hop dance at PSOP. Joining her were Senior Companion Program Administrative Assistant Lynette Calamease’s grandchildren, Jonathan and Amelia.

CALLING ALL ADMINISTRATORSMandated Title IX and Violence Against Women Act Training

Mark Green and Sherry Favre, presenters

6/17 BC LA 2311/13, 9-10:30 a.m. (up to 70)

6/18 BC LA 2311/13, 2:30-4 p.m. (up to 70)

7/8 SWGCC History Room (open first to administrators, then to other employees, up to 60); 2-3:30 p.m.

7/9 RBC Room 123 (open first to administrators, then to other employees, up to 30); 2-3:30 p.m.

Please obtain your supervisor’s approval prior to calling Shaletta Lewis at ext. 5120 to reserve your seat.

FIRST IN SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS – Business Division Dean Janet Fontenot, right, presented awards to the winners at the 23rd Annual High School Computer Contest recently at the Belleville Campus. O’Fallon High School Team 1 students claimed first place honors in Software Applications. Pictured, from left, are team coach Julie Knutson, students Caleb Wegner, Kayla Miller and Alex Schaefer, and Fontenot. Twenty-five teams from nine area high schools participated in the Software Applications, Computer Programming and Web Design categories.

Graduations:Part-time Police Academy Session 24 Graduation Saturday, May 16 1p.m.•BCMCTheatre

Health Sciences Pinning Tuesday, May 19 7p.m.•St.Peter’sCathedral,Belleville

GED Ceremony Wednesday, May 20 7p.m.•BCVarsityGym

Commencement Thursday, May 21 7p.m.•BCVarsityGym

Dr. Richard Lehman of the U.S. Center for Sports Medicine will serve as the commencement speaker.

A nearly $5,000 grant from Legacy, the national public health organization responsible for the national truth® smoking prevention campaign, will help SWIC spread the word to students, faculty and staff about the college’s new 100 percent smoke-free/tobacco-free/vapor-free policy.

The college received the funding to produce tobacco-free promotional items such as banners, signs and buttons. SWIC is one of 38 community colleges around the country

that are receiving funds, technical support and training from Legacy as part of this national campaign.

In accordance with the Smoke Free Illinois Act and the Illinois Smoke Free Campus Act, starting July 1, smoking and use of tobacco products, including smokeless, e-cigarettes or other devices that simulate smoking will be prohibited in all college-owned or leased property, buildings and vehicles. For more information, visit swic.edu/tobacco-free.

SWIC RECEIVES GRANT TO ADDRESS TOBACCO USE ON CAMPUS

PRESIDENT’S PURCHASE AWARD WINNERS – President Georgia Costello, Ph.D., selected two President’s Purchase Award winners to be recognized at the 2015 SWIC Student Art Show. Awards went to Caleb Berg, left, for his piece, titled “Kevin,” and Ryan Kemp, right, for his artwork, titled “The Last Time I Ask What’s For Supper.” The show, which runs through May 14, features 87 works.

PRESIDENTIAL RECOGNITION – Rita Briguglio of Mascoutah was awarded the SWIC President’s Award for her piece, “Springtime.” Several artists were honored at the awards ceremony for Life Experienced – A Senior Art Competition in the Liberal Arts Complex. Briguglio, left, is pictured with President Georgia Costello, Ph.D.

SELSIUS™ SOLUTIONSFundamentals of Effective PresentationsMay 12 & 19, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $225, Deadline: May 5

Structured Interviewing – Make the Right HireMay 14, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $145, Deadline: May 7

Coaching for Peak PerformanceMay 19, 1-5 p.m., Sam Wolf Granite City Campus, $175, Deadline: May 12

May 28, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $175 Deadline: May 21

EMPLOYEES RECEIVE 10 PERCENT OFF THESE CLASSES.

Navigating Beyond ConflictMay 20, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $175, Deadline: May 13

Excel 2010 – Multiple Worksheets & TemplatesMay 26, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $155, Deadline: May 19

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A CLASS, CALL SELSIUS™ AT EXT. 5688.

Jared Piel of Red Bud High School, Tim Schnoeker of Coulterville High School, and Clint Peck of Sparta High School. Educators also recognized high school students in the SWIC dual credit and Monroe-Randolph CEO programs. The breakfast, which is held at differing locations in southern Illinois, brings together the region’s leaders in various fields to discuss topics important to the region.

EDUCATIONAL LEADERS – Education was the theme of the bi-annual Regional Leaders Breakfast held recently at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta. Dean of Technical Education Brad Sparks delivered the keynote address on the importance of technical education. Sparks, center, posed with SWIC dual credit instructors, from left, Bruce Harmsen of the Career Center of Southern Illinois,

PROCLAMATION FOR PSOP – Belleville Mayor Mark Eckert signs a proclamation that declared April 7 as National Service Recognition Day in the city of Belleville. The proclamation recognized the importance of volunteer work throughout the community and thanked all those who have volunteered. PSOP hosts a number of volunteer groups, including Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions and RSVP. Joining Mayor Eckert, sitting, are from left, Senior Companion Program Director Carla Boswell, PSOP Executive Director Cheryl Brunsmann and Foster Grandparent Program Secretary Kathy Anderson.

Make Your Job Easier! Attend an Infoshare Workshop! Many of you have told us your frustrations in finding and receiving timely information at SWIC. We know how hectic your work day can be and making the time to find everything you need often seems nearly impossible.

The Division of Information Technology is happy to announce a solution —InfoShare version 2.0. The new InfoShare will enable SWIC to match knowledge resources with organizational structures and allows users to track and directly access information from multiple sources — something we have not been able to do until now with our current systems.

What will new InfoShare capability mean in your day-to-day operations? We think you’ll see at least five significant improvements in managing your day-to-work at SWIC.

• ImprovedKnowledgeManagementCapability• Improvedtoolsforcommunication• InsiderChatinitsnew,dynamicformat• Newandimprovedemployeeandmanagerself-service• DirectlinkstoHRbenefitsandpayrollinformation• CollegeCalendar• Mysites

Informational workshops will be held between May 11 and May 21.

We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity.

The Division of Information Technology is happy to make your day a little less hectic.