Bert's Alerts—Jan. 17, 2019
News Highlights
CWI Mobile App
Put CWI in your pocket with our app! The CWI mobile app offers features to make navigating locations, courses, events, and all aspects of CWI convenient.
Once you download the app, follow the link, and enter to win an iPad Mini. The giveaway runs until Jan. 26, 2020.
Students Actively Engaged on myCommons
During the Fall 2018 semester, College of Western Idaho (CWI) released myCommons, a centralized location for students to engage in extended learning opportunities independently or as a requirement by their faculty. At the time, myCommons contained six badges and one, college-wide learning opportunity representing three different areas of the College. That was just the beginning…
As of Spring 2020, myCommons now contains 20 badges representing the expertise of eight departments at CWI. Additionally, it has become a central location for students to engage in contests and events. During Fall 2019, roughly 2,000 students were actively engaged within the site awarding nearly 7,500 badges. Another 83 students submitted work to participate in the Presidential Writing Awards and Connections Project Logo Contest.
“myCommons is a great tool for students to learn about resources on campus while earning fun badges along the way,” said Josee Ward, Manager of Student Advising and Success. “I have had the opportunity to work with several individuals to create badges within the myCommons space to provide students with additional educational support.”
The growth of myCommons in both learning opportunities and usage speaks to the collaborative and central nature of the space. Faculty are encouraged to add badges to course content, particularly in CWID (Connecting With Ideas) classes. Departments are encouraged to work with the Center for Teaching and Learning to build and release content within the site.
Contact Courtney Colby Bond, Director of Center for Teaching and Learning, at 208.562.3084 or courtneybond@cwi.edu with questions or to learn more.
Faculty of Distinction – January 2020
Congratulations to Goran Fazil, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for January 2020. Fazil is an Assistant Professor in the Visual and Performing Arts department where he teaches Drawing, Intro to 2d Art Foundation, CWID (Connecting with Ideas), and Introduction to Humanities, and the Studio Art Capstone course.
Fazil grew up in the former Yugoslavia in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Prior to coming to the United States in 1997, he also lived in Italy for a few years.
“My art education started in Italy where I went to Artistic Lyceum Foiso Fois in Cagliari. I earned my Studio Art degree from College of Idaho and Art History degree from Boise State University. I also have a Master of Fine Arts from University of Idaho.”
Over the past nine years of teaching at CWI, Fazil has witnessed the growth of the College firsthand, including development of the Studio Art program and implementation of the Visiting Artist Series. Among his most memorable moments as a professor are the field trips he has taken with his classes and the Art Club.
“We have gone to many important, cultural places in our community and in other cities. For the past three years, Art Club has traveled to Seattle, Portland, and Salt Lake City. We have explored different public art projects, art museums, and other art institutions. I remember going with students to Spiral Jetty in Utah. It was a great experience!”
Fazil thrives in the art studio where he can work with others and talk about art.
“It is this creative environment which inspires me. In our Studio Art program, we give students the foundations they need exposing them to traditional and contemporary practices in the arts empowering them to be successful in their chosen field of study.”
Outside of the classroom, Fazil enjoys drawing and working on drawn animations. He was recently selected as one of 23 artists in the state to showcase his artwork at The 2020 Idaho Triennial exhibit at the Boise Art Museum. He also enjoys playing music on the keyboard, guitar, and Saz.
Clovis Recognized During St. Luke's Ceremony
Kristin Clovis, a Senior Financial Reporting Analyst at College of Western Idaho, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 11. She had been with the College since 2011.
Clovis, who donated seven of her organs, was honored for her life-saving gift during a flag-raising ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center.
“She saved five lives that day and gave sight and mobility to at least two people and many others,” said Alex Chamberlain, Manager of Clinical Ethics at St. Luke’s, in a KTVB story. “This is just so incredible, not all of our hospitals have flag-raising protocols to honor donor families, St. Luke’s is maybe the fifth or sixth in our service area.”
Clovis will be greatly missed by the entire CWI community and her team.
KTVB: St. Luke's Boise and Meridian hospitals will now raise a special flag to honor organ donors
Babcock Retires After Nearly a Decade of Service
Rick Babcock, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Building Specialists Manager, is retiring after nearly a decade of service to the College.
Since starting at CWI in 2011, Babcock has been an integral part in the College’s growth, change, and day-to-day operations working behind the scenes to manage facility use, maintenance, and cleanliness.
“I take great pride in having been a part of the growth for CWI, the startup of new locations, as well as working with Building Specialist staff to provide positive learning and working environments for students and employees. I have always felt I was part of a team who listened to my input and made me feel my contributions were both appreciated and held value to the College.”
Among his accomplishments over the past nine years included moving several of CWI's Career and Technical Education programs off of the Boise State University campus to the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center in 2012.
“I remember thinking a few times during that process, ‘This move is a massive undertaking!’, but with everyone involved, we got it done. Building Specialist, Pete Martinez, and I had a little joke between us we should have had shirts made up that said, ‘CWI Moving and Storage’… haha!”
“Rick was always very supportive as my supervisor,” said Gary Brennan, a former Building Specialist. “He was a great mentor, always encouraging me to go for what I want. He cared about his employees and never shied away from getting down and working side-by-side with us. He truly was one of the greatest bosses I have ever had.”
“The Facilities Planning and Management Team recently hosted a retirement party for Rick. At the suggestion of one of our staff members, the entire group went around the room saying something each of us liked about Rick,” said Executive Director of Facilities and Planning Management, Jeff Flynn. “Some of the words boiling to the surface were: Leader, Hard Working, Thoughtful, Ethical, Kind, Smiles, Strong Character, Caring, Dedicated, Purposeful, Fair, and Service. What more can I add to that? Those words really symbolize who Rick is as person and how he approached his work here at the College on a daily basis. Because of that, this was much more than a job for Rick. I believe Rick tried to leave everything better than it was when he found it. I am grateful for your service Rick and for having the opportunity to work alongside you for the past nine years. I know I’m better because of it. Happy trails!”
Babcock’s last day at CWI was Wednesday, Jan. 15. His plans for the future are looking bright.
“We will see how I take to retirement. I might start up a small, home-project repair business.”
Common Read Series: Communicating Scientifically
Science is embedded into virtually every aspect of our modern life and certainly in our educational experiences. For this reason, scientific information must be integrated in our personal values and considered as we conduct research and make decisions related to medical care, climate change, and food safety.
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Common Read Series invites you to join them for an informative panel discussion, “Communicating Scientifically”, Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the Nampa Campus Academic Building from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The panel – featuring the expertise of CWI faculty, Ander Sundell, Assistant Professor of Geology; Andrea Schumaker, Department Chair of Physical and Agricultural Sciences; and Holly Paquette, Assistant Professor of Biology – will discuss how scientists communicate in a non-biased manner, how professors ensure students are able to view science objectively, and what happens if the scientific perspective differs from one’s own, long-held beliefs.
This Common Read event is made possible through support from CWI’s Office of the Provost, School of Math and Science, and Liberal Arts program. All are invited to attend. Contact Kim Scheffer at 208.562.2606 or kimscheffer@cwi.edu to learn more or with questions.
Food Drive to Benefit Food Pantry
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) One Stop Staff Morale Team invites you to participate in a food drive through the month of January. Donations acquired during the drive will directly benefit students helping to stock the College’s food pantries on campus.
Items can be dropped off at donation bins located at the following campus locations:
- Ada County Campus Lynx Building
- Nampa Campus Academic Building
- Nampa Campus Micron Education Center
- Canyon County Center
Not sure what to donate? Below are a few suggestions.
- Instant soups/meals
- Cans or pouches of prepared tuna or chicken
- Canned meats, vegetables, or fruit
- Individual containers of applesauce
- Granola bars and similar snack items
- Small jars of peanut butter
- Rice
- Canned or dry beans
- Individual bags of jerky, crackers, trail mix, or nuts
- Instant oatmeal
- Small juices
- Boxed milk
- Paper plates and bowls
- Plastic utensils
Thank you, in advance, for your generosity. Please contact Katie Gepford at 208.562.3093 or katiegepford@cwi.edu.
