Bert's Alerts - April 7, 2017
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) awarded the first Score Big Scholarship at the Idaho Steelheads game on Friday, March 31. Caleb G. was the lucky Centennial High School senior who received the scholarship. The Score Big Scholarship is 100 percent funded through CWI employee giving. The employees at CWI are excited to offer this opportunity to high school seniors who have aspirations to continue their education.
News Highlights
Registration Opens with a Party
College of Western Idaho (CWI) registration for Summer and Fall 2017 semesters begins on Monday, April 10 for all students.
CWI will kick off summer and fall registration for current students with its second annual Midnight Registration Party, hosted at the Nampa Campus Micron Center. Academic Advisors will be on hand beginning at 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 9, through 1:00 a.m. on Monday, April 10, to assist students with advising and registration. Attendees are encouraged to wear pajamas and enjoy games and snacks during the event.
Students are encouraged to register early for the best availability of classes and time to fit their schedule. For more information or help with registration for the upcoming summer and fall semesters, contact One Stop Student Services or visit cwi.edu/current-students/register-classes.
CWI Speech and Debate Wins National Championship
The 2016-17 College of Western Idaho (CWI) Speech and Debate team finished their competitive season with a community college national championship at the 50th Pi Kappa Delta (PKD) Biennial National Tournament.
The tournament, held at Boise State University from March 21-25, marked the 100 year anniversary of the Nation’s oldest speech and debate fraternity. Out of 72 schools competing from across the United States, CWI placed first among two-year schools. This championship is CWI’s fifth in the last seven seasons (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2017).
Twenty one students represented CWI, with fifteen participating in a national tournament for the first time. Over four days of competition rounds, the competitors secured a total of 22 individual awards across speech and debate events.
“My team/coaches gave me so much support in overcoming so many fears that when I finally performed it felt liberating to overcome all the anxiety of performing!” – Kerry Meredith
“The CWI speech and debate team has become like a second family to me. It has some of the most phenomenal, hard-working people I've ever met, and I'm proud to call them my teammates. Our success at nationals was well earned and I wouldn't want to share the victory with any other group of people.” - Remington Grunewald
“The only way to describe how I felt when CWI was named the national champions for division three schools is pure elation. Over the course of a year, I've seen a group of strangers come together as one and pull off an extremely difficult task. It has simply been an honor to be part of and witness to it.” - Christopher Tucci
CWI’s Speech and Debate team was supported by 28 volunteer judges, including CWI faculty and staff, alumni, and community supporters.
Pi Kappa Delta Nationals Results:
Team Results
In Community College Division
Overall Sweepstakes National Champions in Community College Division
Ranked against all schools (two-year and four-year)
Excellent (Top 20%) in Combined Individual Events
Excellent (Top 20%) in Combined Debate Events
Excellent (Top 20%) in Overall Sweepstakes
Bob Derryberry Cumulative Points Award - 3rd Place Entering Next Season
Speech Results
After Dinner Speaking
Silver- Asia Miller
Broadcast
Gold- Asia Miller
Silver- Andrew Castro
Bronze- Kerry Meredith
Bronze- Kevin Sievers
Dramatic Interpretation
Silver- Andrew Castro
Bronze- Katie Newcomer
Informative
Bronze- Asia Miller
Impromptu
Silver- Andrew Castro
Persuasion
Bronze- Madison Scott
Poetry
Bronze- Aleli Snively
Program Oral Interpretation
Bronze- Andrew Castro
Bronze- Asia Miller
Debate Results
Congress
Top Legislator National Champion- Andrew Castro
Presiding Officer Award- Malachi Raass
Gold- Andrew Castro
Silver- Garret Escobedo
Bronze- Kelly McAughey
Bronze- Malachi Raass
Novice IPDA
Semi-Finalist- Katie Newcomer
Silver- Katie Newcomer
Worlds (British Parliamentary)
Finalists- Kerry Meredith & Remington Grunewald
Psi Beta Adds New Members
We are excited to announce the following individuals were inducted into Psi Beta National Honor Society on March 21: Megan Berheim, Addie Callahan, Rebekah Haynes, Baily Hazzard, Heather Hunt, Madison Vuylsteke, Kiley Wilson, and Mandy Zent.
Psi Beta is a national honor society for students interested in psychology at a two-year college, such as College of Western Idaho. To join Psi Beta, students must show strong academic potential as evidenced by a 3.5 or higher GPA, a B or higher in a psychology course, and 12 college credits completed. If you know any of these students, be sure to congratulate them!
CWI Connections Project Welcomes Law Enforcement Students
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) second annual Connections Project is fast approaching! The annual event, being held on April 27 at the Nampa Campus Academic Building, provides an opportunity for CWI and the surrounding community to make connections, educate others, and inspire innovation and creativity. Among the participants at this year’s event are current students of the CWI Law Enforcement program, Josh Argyle, Jason Guth, Austin Luchs, and Matt Lynard.
The Law Enforcement program at CWI, started in 2015, is designed to prepare students for a career in law enforcement utilizing highly experienced and certified instructors throughout the process. Students receive a strong mix of classroom instruction, hands-on training, and practicum experience. The program includes numerous courses with emphasis in criminal justice topics, law enforcement topics, and several practicums. This on-campus academy format provides students the opportunity to challenge the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and training tests without attending patrol or detention academies required by the state of Idaho. High emphasis is placed on proper use of firearms, emergency vehicle operation, defensive tactics and arrest techniques, investigations, and fitness.
The four students from Law Enforcement’s Class 2 are excited to contribute to the Connections Project this year. Argyle, Guth, Luchs, and Lynard hope to share some of what they have learned with event attendees as they take part in the myCWI student panel, judge various events, and demonstrate their handcuffing skills.
For more information about the CWI Law Enforcement program, visit cwi.edu/program/law-enforcement.
To learn more about this year’s Connections Project or to get involved, please visit cwi.edu/connections-project.
CWI Geography Program Hosts Guest Speaker
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Geography program presents, John Abatzoglou, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Geography at University of Idaho, on April 20 to discuss the topic of “How much has climate change influenced wildfire across Northwest forests?”
Dr. Abatzoglou joined the University of Idaho College of Science faculty in 2009. He earned his doctoral degree in earth systems science in 2006 from the University of California Irvine. His research interests span the weather-climate continuum and their collective influence on drought, wildfire and agriculture.
Students and the community are encouraged to attend this discussion on April 20 from 3-4 p.m. at the CWI Nampa Campus Academic Building, Room 309.
St. Baldrick's Event Returns to CWI
Shave away childhood cancer and participate in a meaningful event! Worldwide, 300,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year, and in the U.S. more children die of childhood cancer than any other disease. St. Baldrick’s events help raise money in the fight against children’s cancer. This year, College of Western Idaho (CWI) Student Life, with the help of ASCWI, is hosting a St Baldrick’s event with a goal to raise $1,500 for this great cause. Join the cause at the CWI Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) on April 27, 2-5 p.m. and help conquer childhood cancer. There's a role for everyone, give up your hair as a shavee, volunteer at the event, raise money for your favorite participant, or just cheer everyone on.
To participate, register online as a shavee or volunteer just click “Join Us”. To make a donation click "Donate" to support your favorite participant. Thank you and see you soon! www.stbaldricks.org/events/CWI
If you have questions, contact Jessica Hernandez at 208.562.3245 or jessicahernandez2@cwi.edu.
Employee Benefit Fair is April 20
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will host an Employee Benefit Fair on Thursday, April 20, at multiple locations. The event will run from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Nampa Campus Academic Building Atrium on the second floor and 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. at the Ada County Pintail building Common area. Representatives will be on hand to answer questions about insurance, retirement, and much more.
