Cougar Bytes for April 25, 2014
April 25, 2014
Volume VII, Number 4
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The next issue of COUGAR BYTES will come out on Thursday, May 22, 2014.
IN THIS ISSUE:
- WOW! WHAT A TEAM!
- WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND CCCC
- PERSONNEL NOTES
- CCCC-BAY
WOW! WHAT A TEAM!
Spelling Bee Success!
The Central Carolina Community College Cougars spelling team, Brian Merritt, Amanda Carter, Paul Haspel and Becky Howington, won out over several community teams at the Fifteenth Annual Beginning Life with Books Spelling Bee. The spelling bee doubles as a pro-literacy fundraiser to buy books for every child born at Central Carolina Hospital. Last year Central Carolina Hospital gave out approximately eight hundred books either in English or Spanish.
Following the CCCC team, Pfizer came in second and First Calvary Baptist Church took third. Last year's winners, the charity Willing Hands, made it into the last few teams but ultimately couldn't repeat as winners. The perennial powerhouse of Trinity Lutheran Church faded down the stretch as well. Lisa Key Brown headed up the search for the CCCC team and Lisa Chapman served as a table judge. CCCC's Lee Early College also had a spelling team but lost out in the first half of the event. Several other CCCC employees and past employees participated either on teams or in attendance of the event. Go CCCC!
WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND CCCC
Outstanding Educator of the Year
Bobby Sharpe, an instructor at Harnett Correctional Institution, has been named Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Greater Crede et Vincent Jaycees Chapter of the North Carolina Junior Chamber of Commerce. HCI is the only correctional facility in the state that runs a Jaycee chapter for its inmates. Sharpe teaches Electrical/Electronics Technology in Central Carolina Community College's correctional education program at HCI. Each year, the HCI Jaycees chapter honors an instructor who has excelled. Sharpe was recognized at a March 24 banquet at the facility. His teacher assistant, who is an inmate, was inducted into the Jaycees during the meeting. Sharpe, a resident of Olivia, has been a CCCC instructor for six years.
The Annual Campus Fund Drive Is Here!
Mark your calendars for the week of April 28 - May 2 as CCCC Foundation kicks off its annual Campus Fund Drive! Your continued support and participation is extremely important to the overall fundraising successes for CCCC. Contact Abby Walker at awalker@cccc.edu or 919-718-7332, for questions.
Monday, April 28
7:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Lee Campus Breakfast served in the Culinary Cafe
(Breakfast platters will be delivered to the Lee off-site locations)
Tuesday, April 29
Lee Campus: Pamper yourself!
Free manicure, European or Back Facial!
Please call ext. 7418 to schedule an appointment!
Chatham Campus Afternoon of Sweet Treats!
1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Conference Room Building #1
(Treats will be delivered to the Siler City location)
Harnett Afternoon of Sweet Treats!
1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Multipurpose Room in Miriello Building
(Treats will be delivered to the Harnett off-site locations)
Friday, May 2
Employee Golf Tournament, Carolina Lakes Golf Course
8 a.m. Shotgun Start
$15 per Employee/Retiree, $25 per Non-Employee
Lunch and Prizes included!
Call Christa Mashburn ext. 7220 or Abby Walker ext. 7332 to sign up!
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and pinwheels spin in the breeze on Central Carolina Community College's Lee County Campus, symbolizing the beauty and joy of childhood innocence and the hope for a bright future for all children. Instructor David Leperi's Child Development and Child Guidance students set up the display across Kelly Drive from the campus' main entrance.
Among those taking part in the project are (pictured from left) Ben Brooks, of Sanford; instructor David Leperi, of Pittsboro; and students Jessica Smith, of Stedman; Rebecca Reyes, of Sanford; Tracy Latta, of Bunnlevel; Kristen Tully, of Sanford; and Emily Molina, of Sanford. It will be on view through May 5.
Surprise Retirement Party
Vivian Davis, Harnett County Bookstore Supervisor, retired March 31 and was given a surprise retirement party by co-workers on the Harnett Campus on March 26.
Vivian worked for CCCC for 22 years. She began working for CCCC part-time in 1983 on the Lee County campus half of the day at the bookstore and half a day at the switchboard. In May of 1999 she became the first full-time bookstore supervisor at the Harnett County Bookstore. Vivian states,
"I first began working in a part-time capacity at the switchboard on the Lee County campus and had mixed emotions about leaving to go to Harnett County, even though it was more convenient to my home and I had also made so many friends on the Lee Campus and didn't know anyone on the Harnett campus. The first day in Harnett, I met Barbara Wood and we became instant friends, and I will truly miss seeing her every day.
Things have changed so much with the bookstore over the years because when I began working there we did everything manually; every item purchased by a financial aid student had to be documented. When Follett took over in 2010 I had to reapply for my position and thankfully was hired. It was an adjustment but I believe it has been a positive change for the college and especially good for students. Students have so many options now to help them reduce costs for their books. They have the option to sell books most every day, and they can buy or rent their books at a reduced rate. Having data electronically is so much more efficient and less time consuming. It's been a great working experience, and I'd like to thank Alicia Thomas, and Joyce Harding for believing in me, and Dr. Joyner and John Dalrymple for giving me the opportunity to work at CCCC."
Sustainability Round Up
All faculty please let us know how you are addressing sustainability in your classes on the following survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2014SustainIntegration.
We know many faculty integrate sustainability into their classes. Now we want a snapshot to inform both our strategic plan and the STARS program to document our sustainability efforts on classes. We were rated Silver three years ago, now we are going for the GOLD! Please do your part and complete the survey today.
The Chatham Cottage is cranking along now that the weather has calmed. Our new instructor Marshall Dunlap is doing a great job getting the house finished in time for the June auction. Stay tuned to the website for picture updates at: http://www.cccc.edu/thechathamcottage/
And finally, we are closing in on our GO Green Office Challenge. All teams are doing exciting and meaningful work to increase efficiency and make CCCC a healthier, more comfortable place to work.
Happy Spring to you all!
Office Space Spring Cleaning!
The Sustainability Committee and the Green Office teams would like to invite you to participate in our upcoming "Clean Out Your Office Day" event on May 7! Bring your excess office supplies to tables outside Business Services (Mail Room) to leave or exchange between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. We will be giving away non-toxic cleaning spray to those participating while supplies last. (All participating GO Challenge Teams will have a bottle reserved for them).
As part of "Clean Out Your Office Day" we will have the shredding service on the Lee Main Campus. The shredding is for college material only - no personal shredding. Please contact Cathy Giles at cgiles@cccc.edu with a box count to reserve your space. The deadline to sign up for shredding is April 29.
News From the Library
If you enjoyed our Staff Picks book display during National Library Week, then you will be pleased to know that the Lee Library will make this a permanent display. Staff picks for books and DVDs will be rotated regularly so that there are always staff recommendations for your reading and viewing pleasure. Also look for our Summer Reads guide coming in the May edition of Cougar Bytes, as well as information about our new summer reading contest!
Building Technology Driven Courses for the Non-Ideal Student
During the course of my education, in-class learning has evolved. In the beginning, teachers used chalkboards. Chalkboards became overhead projectors. From there, overhead projectors gave way to PowerPoint presentations using digital projectors and Smart boards. Within the past decade or so, a new method of presentation has come to light: online learning.
Using the option of online learning, we as educators can open a whole world of possibility for our students. Audio clips, digital video, and learning games all become available with the click of the mouse. But how do we continue to serve those students who cannot access the needed material?
When creating a course, teachers have the tendency to build the course for what is considered an "ideal student" (Varvel, 2001). Ideal students have been shown to express the following traits: time management skills, discipline and motivation, sense of community (people skills), communication skills, computer/online familiarity and comfort, and access to technology.
However, the ideal student is actually in the minority. Still, there are several things that a teacher can do when creating online courses in order to make them more accessible to students who don't fit the ideal.
Maffett (Maffett, 2007) describes a "digital divide" that faces some students. The digital divide questions whether or not students have access to the required hardware and software and whether or not the students are aware of how to use the equipment. According to a 2010 study (Smith, 2010), only 58.6 percent of North Carolina residents have Internet access at home. Of that group, 3.5 percent access the Internet via dial-up connection. Nationally, 40 percent of the country does not have high-speed Internet access at home.
One method to ease the digital divide is for teachers to create lessons that the students can take home with them (Varvel, 2001). In order to help students who do not have access to a computer or Internet at home, teachers should try to create web pages that are printer friendly. Students would be able to print the information while on campus or at a library.
If the material that you are providing your students is of a digital nature, such as audio or video clips, be prepared to offer it in ways other than a website or offer alternative viewing suggestions (Varvel, 2001). If a student doesn't have access to the Internet at home or the connection is slow (via dial-up), have a list of local resources, such as libraries that the student can visit to complete the task. Or, if possible, have the information available on a CD or USB drive. This would also give the teacher a back-up copy in case the Internet suddenly became unavailable at his/her school.
There is also the possibility that a technophobe, a person who is afraid of technology, could be in your class. To help these students, you can take several steps when designing the course (Varvel, 2001). First, create a list of support services that can answer a variety of technical questions. Next, the teacher should make him/herself available should the student need to contact them with any problems. Finally, the teacher should have patience when dealing with the technophobe.
Most of all, be patient and understanding with your students. Integration of any new technology into a course can be a challenge, both for the teacher and the student. Make yourself available to answer any questions or challenges that a student might have, either through email, telephone, discussion boards, or office hours. Additionally, consider offering online office hours, a specific time during the day or night to serve only distance learners.
By adapting our courses for both ideal and non-ideal students, we can help everyone be more successful and prepared for the technology of the future.
Works Cited
Maffett, S. (2007, October/November). Education at a Distance. Community College Journal, 34-39.
Smith, R. (2010, February 16). Many in N.C., S.C., Georgia don't use or want Internet at any speed. Retrieved from WRAL TechWire.
Varvel, V. (2001, March/April). The Connecticut Distance. Retrieved from Facilitating Every Student in an Online Course.
Cougar Pets News
The Veterinary Medical program has adopted out two cats and a dog in the last month.
Anyone interested in animals for adoption should visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CougarPets for more information and pictures of all the animals that need homes.
You can reach Jonathan at 919-718-7465 or by email at jloftis@cccc.edu if you are interested in adopting.
PERSONNEL NOTES
Cougar Profile
Bob Immormino
NCVetsCorps Member
- Q. How long have you worked for CCCC?
- A. I started just after the New Year, so I've been working at Central Carolina Community College for almost three months.
- Q. What brought you to CCCC?
- A. I came to CCCC as a member of NC VetsCorps, an AmeriCorps program. The NC VetsCorps program has placed 14 members at 11 host sites across eight North Carolina counties in a hope to reach as broad of a veteran population as possible.
- Q. Describe what you do for the College.
- A. As an NC VetsCorps member, my role at Central Carolina Community College is to increase the economic and food security of veterans, active duty military members, and their families by connecting them with available benefits, services, and educational or training opportunities.
- Q. Where were you born?
- A. Cleveland, Ohio.
- Q. Where did you grow up?
- A. Cleveland, Ohio.
- Q. Educational credentials?
- A. B.S. in Biochemistry from Case Western Reserve University and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Duke University.
- Q. Where do you live now?
- A. I'm currently living in Chapel Hill.
- Q. Marital status?
- A. I've been married for two, going on three years.
- Q. Do you have children/grandchildren?
- A. I don't have any children.
- Q. What are some of your hobbies or other interest outside of CCCC?
- A. I enjoy science outreach, and when possible I try to get involved with local science fairs or science outreach projects like NC DNA Day. When time permits, I enjoy running. I'm also a fan of the Carolina Roller Girls (CRG); my wife is member of CRG and belongs to the Chapel Thrillers home team.
- Q. Anything else you'd like to share with the CCCC family?
- A. I'm currently enrolled in NC Teach, a program run by North Carolina State University, in the hopes of earning a teaching license. I would like to be a high school chemistry teacher.
News From The CCCC Family
Bereavements
We regretfully announce death of Daisha Gaines' father-in-law, Ricky Gaines, April 1. The funeral service was April 4 at Red Hill Church in Goldston. Burial followed in the Gaines Grove Cemetery in Goldston.
CCCC retiree, Mrs. Frances Allen, 90, passed away on Friday, April 11, at home. She is survived by one brother, two sisters-in-law, nine children, 26 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Her funeral was held on Monday, April 14 in Sanford. Condolences may be sent to the family at 1023 Vance Street, Sanford, NC 27330.
Wanda Bray, a former employee, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2014. Visitation was Monday, April 14, at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home. The funeral was Tuesday, April 14, at Tyson's Creek Baptist Church in Bear Creek.
Birthdays
| Apr 25 | Wendy Cotten |
| Apr 26 | MontE Christman |
| Apr 28 | Charlotte Baggett |
| Apr 29 | Abby Hileman |
| Apr 30 | Pam Byrd |
| Apr 30 | Chelsea Long |
| May 3 | Lori Rainforth |
| May 3 | Barbara Wood |
| May 4 | Alyce Gaines |
| May 5 | Barrett McGehee |
| May 6 | Cathy Woelfle |
| May 10 | Kimcuc Michael |
| May 11 | Patrick Kelly |
| May 13 | Karen Allen |
| May 13 | Christopher Beal |
| May 13 | Donna Boykin |
| May 13 | Phyllis Huff |
| May 14 | Mitchell Carr |
| May 14 | James Flannery |
| May 14 | Kevin Luck |
| May 15 | Douglas Arevalo |
| May 16 | Martha Wolfenbarger |
| May 18 | Amanda Matthews |
| May 18 | Melanie Yarborough |
| May 19 | Cynthia Page |
| May 20 | Trinnette Nichols-Jones |
| May 21 | Rosalind Cross |
| May 22 | Michelle Coore |
| May 22 | Robert Powell |
| May 23 | Thad McElreath |
| May 24 | Gary Blankenship |
| May 24 | Hillary Heckler |
| May 24 | Phillip Price |
| May 25 | Jolene Chaney |
| May 25 | Clint Matthews |
| May 26 | Joey Shue |
| May 27 | Melissa Fogarty |
| May 27 | Drew Goodson |
| May 27 | Christa Mashburn |
| May 27 | Hazel Tysor |
| May 27 | Lauren Weaver |
| May 30 | Dwight Dixon |
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Dates to Remember
April 28 Campus Fund Drive - Lee Campus Breakfast at Culinary Café
April 29 Campus Fund Drive - Chatham/Harnett Locations - Sweet Treats
May 2 Campus Fund Drive - Golf Tournament/Carolina Lakes - 8 a.m. Shotgun Start
May 7 Clean Out Your Office Day - contact Cathy Giles at cgiles@cccc.edu