Bert's Alerts—Dec. 4, 2020
In the Spotlight
Brighten the holiday season for children in the Treasure Valley by participating in College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) 12th annual Giving Tree. CWI’s Criminal Justice department, Psi Beta Honor Society, Psychology Club, and Veteran’s Association have partnered with 3rd District Guardian Ad Litem Program to gather gifts for children in foster care. Unwrapped gifts will be collected now through Dec. 11.
News Highlights
Finish Strong and Spring Into Next Semester Successfully
As College of Western Idaho (CWI) prepares to wrap up fall semester, we look forward to continuing to serve students this spring. With five course delivery styles and multiple campus locations to choose from, you can get the education you want, when and where you want it.
Important Dates
Fall 2020 Semester
- Dec. 14-19 – Finals Week
- Dec. 19 – Last Day, Fall 2020 Semester
- Dec. 24-25 – Winter Break (No Classes, Offices Closed)
- Dec. 25 – Fall 2020 Grades Available on myCWI
Spring 2021 Semester
- Dec. 19 – Financial Aid Priority Deadline
- Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day (Offices Closed)
- Jan. 9 – Admission Deadline
- Jan. 15 – Registration Deadline, Tuition and Fees Due
- Jan. 19 – Spring 2021 Classes Begin
Get Started Today!
Complete your application, register for classes, and apply for financial aid.
- Applications and necessary documentation must be received prior to the admission deadline in order to be accepted for spring semester.
- All new, degree-seeking students must complete New Student Orientation prior to registering for classes which is available online once a student has been accepted to CWI.
Contact One Stop Student Services with questions or to learn more.
Celebrate the Semester During Crunch Week
Next week is "Crunch Week”, otherwise known as the week before finals. College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Library Services, Tutoring Services, and Student Affairs have joined forces to organize a schedule of awesome, virtual events designed to help us all to relax, have some fun, and celebrate the end of a challenging and rewarding semester!
Students, staff, and faculty are welcome to drop in on any scheduled events throughout the week, Monday, Dec. 7, through Friday, Dec. 11, using the Crunch Week link below. From "Pet Chats" to workouts and group game sessions, join your colleagues and students to de-stress and build the #mightyCWI community.
Crunch Week Virtual Event Schedule
All sessions are hosted by CWI staff. For questions, contact the Library at library@cwi.edu or text 208.449.1010.
International Club Hosts 2nd-Annual Meet and Greet
On Oct. 30, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) International Club hosted its second-annual Cultural Meet and Greet. Held virtually via Zoom this year, the event gave club members an opportunity to share their different cultures and customs with attendees as well as give away gift certificates to local ethnic restaurants.
The event featured interviews and a Q&A session with two, foreign-born CWI students, Kaw Paw and Tawa Giwa. Kaw Paw, a second-year student studying Social Work, came to the United States with her family from a Thailand refugee camp when she was nine years old.
“I remember my first day of school not knowing how to speak English,” Paw recalled. “Things were difficult and challenging because of the language barrier. After the challenges and struggles I've been through, I am determined to make the most of all that is offered here in America. I know receiving an education is the key to my success. I came this far, and I am excited to earn a degree I’m passionate about so I can help my family, my community, and others.”
The second interviewee, Tawa Giwa, is an Engineering student and the International Club’s Vice President. Originally from Nigeria, she is attending CWI on an F1 Visa as an international student.
“I have had a unique experience at the College,” said Giwa. “It has been great because of the professors, friends, the International Club, and everything that makes it feel like a community I belong to. The International Club has helped me build a close community of people I can learn and share about myself while having fun.”
“Although the club has struggled to gain momentum from COVID last spring,” said International Club Co-Advisor, Erica Compton, “students are determined to show up each week and think of ways to engage with one another and others in a safe format. While we may be lacking human connection, connecting virtually last month at the Cultural Meet and Greet gave students and staff a chance to connect and celebrate our diversity.”
Learn more about CWI’s International Club, and get involved!
Hoynacki Wins 2020 Juried Art Show
Congratulations to Fii Hoynacki, winner of College of Western Idaho’s 2020 Juried Art Show. Hoynacki’s oil painting, Not Enough, was selected by juror and CWI Art instructor, Bryan Moore, from nearly 60 artist entries. Twenty-one of these entries, including Hoynacki's painting as Best in Show, were chosen for the 2020 Juried Art Exhibit.
Hoynacki originally came to CWI from Washington aspiring to be an American Sign Language interpreter, but her love for art lured her to the Studio Art program. Her winning piece was her final project in April VanDeGrift’s Painting I class. Hoynacki plans to transfer to Boise State University’s Art Department to continue her education after graduation in 2021.
“This work represents the difficulties in communicating while suffering from mental illness and how uncomfortable asking for help can be,” explained Hoynacki. “The story behind this painting is my close friend had a mental breakdown at work. He had been trying to ask management for help for months before the breaking point, and they offered him no resources. Instead of helping him, they labeled him as violent and trespassed him from the property. Even though he asked for help, it was like he had no voice. This painting is his distorted portrait; I tried to convey the sickness on the outside, and the discomfort of trying to communicate that illness.”
“In selecting the winner of this year’s show,” said Moore during an interview with CWI student, Olivia Boomhower, “I had great difficulty as there were several contenders. Technical skill was certainly a factor, but the final deciding factor was how the emotive quality of the work affected my personal feelings and appealed to my specific taste.”
Entries for College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) 2021 Juried Art Show are now open to currently registered CWI students. One artist’s work will receive a Connections Excellence Award in addition to a $150 cash prize. Artwork for the 2021 Juried Art Show must be submitted by Friday, April 2. For full submission details, please visit the Connections Project page in myCommons on Blackboard. Contact Karen Brown at karenbrown@cwi.edu with questions or to learn more.
2020 Emerging Scholars
The Emerging Scholars Committee is pleased to announce College of Western Idaho’s 2020 Emerging Scholars. Nominated by faculty, students were selected based on their commitment to learning, perseverance, innovative thinking, leadership, and professionalism in and outside of the classroom. Each Emerging Scholar was awarded a $1,000 scholarship to use toward furthering their excellence.
“More than anything, this scholarship stands as a testament to CWI of their dedication to continued student success especially during a time such as this,” said 2020 Emerging Scholar, Austin VanCamp. “Because of CWI, I am able to finally reach my educational and professional goals through affordable tuition and faculty and staff who truly invest in Idaho’s future.”
“Austin’s commitment and intellectual curiosity fits the mold of an Emerging Scholar,” said nominating faculty and Cybersecurity instructor, Troy Taylor. “His thirst for knowledge is impressive, and he always seems to have the answer to a question. His academic commitment and dedication deserve recognition. Not only is he studious, but he is eager to step up and aid struggling fellow students.”
2020 Emerging Scholars
- Lani-Lee Almich
- Yudelka Artiles
- Marina Cedeno
- Sarah Corral
- Jordan Essig
- DeAnna Granden
- Netanya Hitchcock
- Ursula Jacobs
- Katya Jankovic
- Leah Melby
- Jennifer Mowrey
- Rachel Nettles
- Ingabire Nurati
- Ujjwal Parajuli
- Belen Pauvif
- Ana Quinatoa
- Valerie Roberts
- Jennifer Robinson
- Tehani Schnupp
- Shelle Sharp
- Austin VanCamp
- Katherine Victory
- Monica Werner
- Brooklyn Whitton
Faculty are encouraged to begin nominating students for the 2021 Emerging Scholars awards. Nominations are open now through April 12, 2021. Visit Emerging Scholars online, or contact Brenda Fisher at brendafisher@cwi.edu to learn more.
Vote for Your Favorite Halloween Costumes!
College of Western Idaho’s Culture and Employee Engagement Committee (CEEC) was overwhelmed with frighteningly fantastic pictures of employees dressed up for Halloween!
Help us decide on this year’s winners by voting for your favorites! Voting closes Friday, Dec. 4.
CWI to Conduct Emergency Alert Test on Dec. 10
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will conduct a test of its alert notification system, CWI Alerts, to help ensure the CWI community is notified of any potential emergency situations. The test will occur on Thursday, Dec. 10, at approximately 3 p.m. CWI uses Rave Mobile Safety to inform students, employees, and the extended College community of critical situations.
Employees and students are automatically enrolled to receive alerts to their CWI email and any phone numbers provided when joining the College. To ensure the safety of the CWI community and provide timely emergency messages, it is important that current contact information is provided. Students and employees can update their contact information by visiting cwi.edu/alerts.
CWI partners and friends may also sign up to receive CWI Alerts. The service is free, but text messaging fees may be charged from cellular providers.
CWI Alerts are only used for critical circumstances including severe weather, snow closures, utility failure, hazardous material spills, violent incidents, and other situations with the potential to affect the health or safety of people on campus. Please email communications@cwi.edu with any questions.
2020 Holiday Coloring Contest
Showcase your coloring and creative skills by participating in College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Culture and Employee Engagement Committee’s (CEEC) employee holiday coloring contest.
- Choose a coloring page from the options available at the CEEC webpage or one you like from somewhere else.
- Color to your hearts content.
- Email a picture or scanned image of your finished coloring page to ceec@cwi.edu by Friday, Dec. 18, 2020.
Watch Bert’s Alerts for your chance to vote for a winner. Prizes will be awarded!
