Bert's Alerts—March 23, 2018
News Highlights
Six-Time National Champions
The 2017-18 College of Western Idaho (CWI) Speech and Debate team finished their competitive season with a community college national championship at the Pi Kappa Delta (PKD) National Comprehensive Tournament.
The tournament, held in Nashville at Tennessee State University March 14-17, featured 82 schools competing from across the United States. CWI’s championship win among two-year schools marks the team’s sixth in the last eight seasons (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2018).
Thirteen students represented the College, with eleven participating in a national tournament for the first time. Over four days of competition rounds, the competitors secured a total of two team and thirteen individual awards across speech and debate events. Among individual awards, Alex Watt won the tournament championship in Novice IPDA debate, a first for a CWI student.
Director of Forensics, Jim Gatfield, and team member, Sarah Darby, presented the national championship plaque to President Glandon during the CWI Board of Trustee meeting Tuesday, March 20.
“It’s truly an unreal experience. It’s days of stress and uncertainty on how well you’re doing, but when you hear College of Western Idaho called out over the intercom, it’s a sense of not only relief but overwhelming proudness for showing that a little community college in Idaho can make such an impact in the forensics community.” – Adrianna Davis
“The pride I feel in representing our school and the things taught to me not just by our coaches, but also other faculty, give me confidence in moving forward. Whether it’s economics, political theory, biology, or communications; each thing I learned from different faculty members allowed me to push and become a national champion.” – Kevin Trombly
"From a person that was so skeptical about joining the team in the first place, I'm so proud of everyone and what they accomplished. Not only did we grow as a team and competitors, but we grew as people. I think this title shows how hard this team has worked this season. I'm super grateful to be a part of it and to be able to grow from the experience!” – Delaney Hardin
“I got to see speeches crafted with soul and experience the art of debate and limited prep events. I feel pride and honor knowing this team contributes to the forensics world and is ranked so highly.” – Marley Dawson
Pi Kappa Delta National Comprehensive Tournament Results:
Team Results
In Community College Division
Overall Sweepstakes National Champions
Ranked against all schools (two- and four-year)
8th place in debate sweepstakes
Speech Awards
Editorial Impromptu
Gold – Kevin Trombly
Extemporaneous Speaking
Silver – Bryce Funkhauser
Impromptu Speaking
Silver – Robert Herold
Informative Speaking
Silver – Robert Herold
Interviewing
Silver – Kevin Trombly
Debate Awards
Junior IDPA
Octofinalist – Katie Newcomer
4th Overall Speaker – Katie Newcomer
Novice IPDA
Overall Tournament Champion – Alex Watt
Quarter Finalist – Izzy Stoddard
Quarter Finalist – Kevin Trombly
Silver Excellence Award – Sarah Darby
Top Overall Speaker – Izzy Stoddard
10th Overall Speaker – Alex Watt
Student Nurses Association Teaches Handwashing
The Student Nurses Association (SNA) at College of Western Idaho (CWI) is committed to serving nursing students and the community. SNA officer and soon-to-be CWI graduate, Arlee Tamietti, recently recognized an opportunity to teach children about the importance of thorough handwashing. Tamietti, along with Kellie Barnes, SNA President, Carolann Wilson, also graduating from CWI this May, MacKenzie Bassett, SNA President-elect, and SNA faculty advisor, Dr. Joan Weddington, spent their day Tuesday, March 21, at Meridian Center Head Start.
The group presented a class on handwashing and allowed students to test the effectiveness of their handwashing with the Glitterbug light. The Glitterbug, an ultraviolet lamp, shows areas that did not get washed well. The students and teachers enjoyed the SNA team so much they invited the team to stay for lunch!
To learn more about CWI’s Student Nurses Association, please contact Joan Weddington at 208.562.2004 or joanweddington@cwi.edu.
Chief Strategy Officer of Scentsy Speaks to Students
Kevin Kirkpatrick, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of Scentsy, Inc., was College of Western Idaho Business Department’s guest speaker for March. Joined by more than 80 students Tuesday, March 20, Kirkpatrick represented his employer with tact and enthusiasm. Throughout the presentation, he discussed how he acquired his position as CSO, where Scentsy came from, globalization and international trade, as well as distribution and employment.
Last Day to Withdraw for Spring 2018 Semester
IMPORTANT NOTICE: A date inconsistency was published regarding the last day to withdraw for Spring 2018 semester. Please share the clarification below with students:
The last day to withdraw for Spring 2018 semester is Friday, April 6.
- Students who are considering withdrawing from one or more of classes this semester are encouraged to discuss withdrawing with their instructor and Student Success Advisor.
- Students withdrawing from a class can do so online and must do so by 11:59 p.m. on April 6.
- Students wishing to withdraw from all of their class this semester must complete a Withdrawal Form. The completed form must be submitted to One Stop Student Services on or before April 6 and can be submitted in-person, by fax to 888.562.3216, or by email to onestop@cwi.edu.
CWI Night at the Steelheads Only a Week Away
CWI Night at the Idaho Steelheads is only a week away! Support students and join us Friday, Feb. 22, for a fun night of hockey as the Steelheads take on the Tulsa Oilers.
Business of Alcohol in Idaho Symposium
College of Western Idaho’s Business Department, in partnership with the Physical and Agricultural Sciences Department, are proud to present the Business of Alcohol in Idaho Symposium, Friday, April 6, 2018, from 1-5 p.m. at the Nampa Campus Academic Building. Industry experts will share their knowledge and unique experiences working with alcohol in Idaho.
The event will feature individual speakers and panel discussions each hour on topics including: Garage to Brewery, Science of Production, Big Retail vs. Small Business, Distribution, Marketing, Licensing and Regulation, and more.
Guest speakers:
- Powderhaus Brewing
- Fujishin Family Cellars
- Hayden Beverage
- Garden City
- TV Hops
- Mill 95
- Jackson Hop
- Idaho State Liquor Division
- Payette Brewing
- Sockeye Brewing
- Split Rail Winery
- Bardenay Restaurant and Distillery
- Barbarian
Business of Alcohol in Idaho Symposium Flyer
Contact Shelly Moore at 208.562.3089 or shellymoore@cwi.edu to learn more.
Shaving Heads for a Cause
College of Western Idaho students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate in this year’s, student-led St. Baldrick’s event to help raise money in the fight against childhood cancer.
Join the cause Thursday, April 26, 2018, from 1-5 p.m. at the Nampa Campus Academic Building. Form a team, be a sponsor or shavee, or volunteer. You can still help raise money even if you don’t want to shave your head! In 2017, the College raised $3,661, and hope to surpass this amount at this year’s event.
Contact Jerry Nabarrete-Stuart at jerrynabarretestuart@my.cwi.edu for more information.
2018 March Madness Champions
Congratulations to the school of Business, Communication, and Technology (BCT) for winning the Center for Teaching and Learning’s (CTL) annual March Madness competition! March Madness is friendly, collegial competition between instructional areas within the College. Schools and departments submit teaching and learning best practices for a bracketed competition played out over two weeks in which faculty vote for their favorite to determine the winner of each round.
In the final championship match, BCT won 58 percent of the vote with their best practice of “Fishbowl Mock Interviews” to beat Basic Skills Education and become the official 2018 March Madness winners! After beating three-time champions Science and Math in the first round, BCT continued a strong showing throughout the competition. Kelly Steely, Dean of BCT, is proud of her faculty and how much they came together.
In its fourth year, the email-based competition kept its foundation as a fun and easy way to get faculty thinking about new ideas to use in their classrooms. As one participant noted, “I really enjoy reading about what others are doing. It makes me consider new ways to get my students more engaged in their learning.” All of the best practices are wonderful examples of the great experiences faculty are providing students at CWI on a daily basis.
CTL would like to share our thanks with the Instructional Deans for collecting the best practices from their faculty and most importantly to those individuals who participated in the voting process. Faculty participation makes this a successful event where everyone is able to gather new techniques that enrich the teaching and learning environment for our students.
Faculty of Distinction—March 2018
McKenzie Wood has been selected as College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for March 2018. Wood, a Criminal Justice instructor at the College, is a graduate of Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, and completed a doctoral program at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota. She has be teaching Criminal Justice at CWI for the past three years.
Wood enjoys conducting research and has published articles related to crimes against women, female help-seeking behaviors, and law enforcement hiring requirements. She loves to travel, hike, swim, and spend time with her husband and daughter.
Instruction Donates Food for Thought
College of Western Idaho’s Instructional Deans hosted a competition March 12-16 to bring in donations for the College’s Food for Thought Pantry. Throughout the week, more than 2,400 food items were collected.
The School of Business, Communication, and Technology won the competition with more than 1,000 individual items collected! A lovely, handmade trophy was delivered to Communication Department Chair, Michelle Bennett’s, office to congratulate them on their donation domination.
How to Stay Informed
Thank you for reading Bert’s Alerts! Bert’s Alerts is the best way to stay in-the-know, and we want you to know how much we appreciate you for doing your part to be informed!
The first three people to answer the following questions correctly will win their very own pair of #mightyCWI socks!
- Does this month’s Faculty of Distinction like to swim with her son?
- One member of the Speech and Debate Team was skeptical about joining. What is this individual’s name?
- Did you wash your hands right? What device can help you figure this out?
- BONUS QUESTION: Do you know the names of the three individuals wearing #mightyCWI socks in the picture?
Email your responses to communication@cwi.edu. Winners will be announced in Bert’s Alerts on Friday, April 6. Best of luck!
Diaper Donation Drive a Success
Thank you to all who participated in the Diaper Donation Drive held by Staff Senate March 5-9! The Staff Connection Committee from Staff Senate, in partnership with Faculty Senate, gave the donations to the Women's and Children's Alliance (WCA), an organization that provides safety, healing, and freedom from domestic abuse and sexual assault.
Blanket Purchase Orders Discontinued for FY19
Blanket purchase orders will be discontinued for FY19 due to the implementation of the new financial management software, AXIOM. Regular purchase orders for FY19 will continue as always.
Please contact Renee Watson in the Business Office at 208.562.3275 or reneewatson@cwi.edu for more information.
