Bert's Alerts - August 8, 2014
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will be showing off its creative side this weekend as the College takes in the 28th annual Nampa Festival of the Arts at Lakeview Park, Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 9-10). CWI’s student-led Street Teams will be on hand sharing information about the College, while members of the CWI Art Department lead judging of the event’s art show. Along with the art show, the Nampa Festival of the Arts will also feature handmade arts and crafts, concessions, entertainment, and more. Information on the festival can be found at www.nampaparks.org.
News Highlights
CWI to Host Fall College Address
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is kicking off the 2014-15 academic year this month, which means its time for CWI’s annual Fall State of the College Address. President Bert Glandon will deliver the address to members of CWI’s faculty, staff, students, and the public in Boise:
Wednesday, August 20
Breakfast - 7:30 a.m.
Address - 8:30 a.m.
The Riverside Hotel
Dr. Glandon will share highlights and accomplishments of the College from 2013-14, while providing insight into the goals and initiatives CWI will be aspiring to for the upcoming academic year. Following the President’s Address, CWI will celebrate its employees with faculty and staff recognition.
For anyone who cannot attend, a recorded version will be available from the CWI YouTube channel for later viewing.
In-Service Schedule on myCWI
A complete schedule of College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Fall 2014 Faculty In-Service is available to view on myCWI. In-service will run Aug. 18-22 and activities are set to be hosted in both Boise and Nampa.
CWI Assessment Launches Online Registration
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Assessment and Testing is happy to announce it has implemented a new registration system that allows students to schedule exams and make-up tests online. The new RegisterBlast system can be used by students to schedule classroom make-up and online exams, Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), outside proctor tests, College Level Examination Program (CLEP) testing, and exams for College of Southern Idaho. Faculty need to continue submitting Test Proctor Request Forms manually and the Assessment staff will enter requests into the database so students can register for their exams.
The online registration system can be accessed by visiting cwi.edu/exam. Please contact Testing and Assessment with any questions.
CWI Foundation Accepting Mini Grant Applications
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation is accepting applications for its 2014 Mini Grant Program, marking the fourth year the Foundation will help fund projects around the College. Applications will be accepted through Friday, Sept. 12.
Mini Grants are a great opportunity for faculty and staff to help fund projects that impact CWI students. Previous Mini Grant awards have helped fund field trips, new equipment, and more. In 2013, the CWI Anthropology Department was one of several groups benefitting from a mini grant, which helped in purchasing new skull casts.
“The CWI Foundation Mini Grant provided a tremendous opportunity for our department,” says Anthropology Faculty, Nikki Gorrell. “Students commented over the course of the semester how much they enjoyed learning and connecting to concepts with the skull casts. The ultimate benefit of purchasing the skull casts is that they form part of a permanent collection of educational materials for CWI Anthropology students.”
More information on Mini Grants can be found on myCWI under College Resources > Foundation & Alumni Resources > CWI Mini-Grant Application. Please contact the CWI Foundation at foundation@cwi.edu or 208.562.3100 with any questions.
Staff Senate Suggestion Reminder
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff Senate is happy to share that thanks to faculty and staff utilizing campus suggestion boxes, there is now a water cooler in Room 107 at the Nampa Campus Academic Building. Staff Senate was able to forward the request to the building administrator who authorized the installation of the new water cooler. This is a great reminder for employees that no suggestion or idea is too small.
Employees with suggestions are encouraged to contact any Staff Senator, email staffsenate@cwi.edu, or leave an anonymous question or concern in the suggestion boxes at any of the following five locations:
- Ada County Center (Pintail)
- Canyon County Center
- Nampa Campus Academic Building
- Nampa Campus Administration Building
- Nampa Campus Micron Center for Professional Technical Education
Staff members are also encouraged to attend a Staff Senate meeting, which are scheduled for the second Thursday of every month at various locations. The next meeting is Aug. 14, 8:30 – 10:00 a.m., at the Nampa Campus Administration Building in conference room 101.
August Faculty of Distinction Goes to Collett
Ken Collett has been named College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for August in recognition of his overall performance and service to the College and its community.
Collett is part of the CWI Math Department and teaches developmental math classes. He is known as someone who has as a great deal of heart and dedication when it comes to teaching. Collett is truly made for teaching these math classes and many of his students would agree. Students in his classes have learned and appreciated Collett’s patience. During the fall and spring semesters, Collett is typically seen staying after class working with his students, going to the computer labs to give extra help, and taking extra time to teach his students how to do math.
Congratulations Ken. Thank you for being an incredible example of excellence in education.
Stott Receives August Staff of the Month
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) would like to congratulate Peter Stott for being named CWI’s Staff of the Month for August.
Stott is currently the Building Facilitator/Security at CWI’s Canyon County Center. He began working at the Canyon County Center in 2006, when it was still part of Boise State University. He transitioned to CWI staff five years ago as a Building Specialist and was later promoted to a Lead Building Specialist. Stott is well known around the campus and has a reputation as being a great person. He is a hard worker who is willing to assist anyone in need.
Stott is originally from England and moved to the United States 14 years ago. He previously ran his own construction business for 25 years. Stott says one fun fact about him is, while living at a vacation resort in northwest England in the 1960s, he saw the Beatles perform six live concerts. All of the performances were before the Beatles visited the U.S. to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Please join in congratulating Peter for this well-deserved recognition. Thank you for your commitment and continued dedication to helping CWI’s faculty, staff, and students.
