Bert's Alerts - May 23, 2014
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) has announced the first two winners of its 2014 What if Contest Giveaway. Students Michael Palmer and Lisette Baer were randomly drawn to win CWI prize packs. Drawings will continue on the first and fifteenth of each month leading up to the $1,000 Scholarship giveaway on July 28. Participants can visit www.collegeofwhatif.com/contest to vote on their favorite Debunking Community College Myths video and enter to win.
News Highlights
CWI Offices Closed Memorial Day
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. The College would like to thank all the courageous men and women of the United States Armed Forces that sacrificed their lives defending our freedom.
Blackboard Upgrade Coming May 24
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will be upgrading the Blackboard Learn system on May 24 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Blackboard will be unavailable during the entire eight hour maintenance window. Normal service for Blackboard will resume after 5 p.m. on May 24. The upgrade will include test access logging, improved discussion boards, and test/survey options.
Conference Room Scheduling Moving to 25Live
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Scheduling Department has announced that starting June 1 CWI employees will no longer be able to schedule a number of conference rooms using Microsoft Outlook. CWI currently uses scheduling software, 25Live, which centralizes management of space scheduling across all locations. As of June 1, the following conference rooms will only be available to schedule through 25Live:
- Nampa Campus Academic Building 107F and 312F
- Nampa Campus Administration Building 101
- Nampa Campus Micron Center for Professional Technical Education 1117
- Nampa Campus Multipurpose Building 210
Appointments will still be scheduled through Outlook but meeting organizers must first check space availability and reserve these conference rooms in 25Live. (N33) Employees are asked to wait until confirmation is received, which will typically occur within two hours, before finalizing appointments. It is important to remember that scheduled events take priority over nonscheduled events, in any space. Please contact Scheduling at scheduling@cwi.edu with any questions.
CWI Speech and Debate Celebrates Inaugural Honorees
College of Western Idaho (CWI) hosted the first-annual Department of Communication Celebration, May 9, which served as a spotlight for its nationally recognized Speech and Debate program. As part of the event the program introduced Teresa Fridrich and Cheryl Wright as recipients of two new annual recognitions intended to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to CWI Speech and Debate.
Fridrich’s introduction came as the first-ever inductee into the CWI Speech and Debate Alumni Hall of Fame. Fridrich was a captain on the Speech and Debate team in 2010-11. Along with earning several individual awards, Fridrich also helped capture CWI’s first of three Speech and Debate National Championships. She graduated from CWI in 2011 with an associate degree in Communication. She currently works for the College as an administrative assistant II in the President’s Office.
Wright, CWI’s Vice President of Finance and Administration, received her honor as the inaugural CWI Speech and Debate Support Award recipient. The award recognizes a person who plays a vital role in supporting CWI Speech and Debate, while demonstrating commitment to the value of forensics and this activity in building students as future community leaders.
Both awards are determined by current and former CWI Directors and Assistant Directors of forensics.
Johnson Receives Faculty Emeritus Status
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Board of Trustees has approved the awarding of Emeritus Faculty Status to Welding Program Chair, Randy Johnson, in recognition of his distinguished service to the College. In order to be eligible for Emeritus Faculty status, an individual must be a retiring full-time faculty member that meets one of several length-of-service requirements.
Johnson came to CWI as an instructor in the Welding and Metals Fabrication program in August 2009. In 2011 he assumed Program Chair duties and has been acting in that capacity since. In addition to his program responsibilities, Johnson also spent three years serving as SkillsUSA advisor. His contributions to CWI include helping grow the Welding program from 25 to 47 students, as well as assisting in creation of the annual SkillsUSA “Skills on Wheels” Car Show fundraiser. Johnson is retiring at the end of July.
Congratulations Randy on receiving this distinguished honor and thank you for all your valuable contributions to the College.
Chapman Honored by Idaho Accounting Association
College of Western Idaho (CWI) staff member Shannon Chapman is celebrating an esteemed individual recognition, being honored this month for her service to governmental related accounting in Idaho. On May 15, Chapman received the Chapter Service award at the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) Idaho Centennial Chapter’s monthly luncheon. Chapman, an accountant in the CWI Business Office, received the annual honor by nomination from her peers.
Chapman has been with CWI since July 2009. She has been a valuable member of the CWI Business Office with a focus on Professional Technical Education. Along with her professional responsibilities, she is also very active on campus as a member of CWI Staff Senate as well as the Fun and Culture Committee. Chapman began her career in higher education at Boise State University where she worked in the budget office, administrative accounting, and Selland College of Applied Technology.
Chapman has been married for 45 years. She is a mother of six and a grandmother of 11. She loves reading and traveling and is involved in the Boise Square Dance Center.
The AGA is the member organization for financial professionals in government. The association helps members build their skills and advance their careers through networking events, professional certification, publications, and ongoing education. Visit www.idahoaga.org for more information.
Final Bingo Numbers Revealed
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Fun and Culture Committee is concluding Bert’s Alerts bingo this week and has announced the final three numbers of the game: B1, B9, G56. So far, 12 winners have been awarded. Congratulations Erica Compton, Piper Skoglund, Colin Perry, Michelle Jordan, Lindsey Zahller, Cathy Hampton, Anita Tuttle, Kris Monroe, Daniel Lemus, Rachel Martinez, Nikki Houston, and James Gerena.
Any additional winners will be announced next week in Bert’s Alerts. To claim a prize, employees can email a copy of the winning card and their mailstop to fcc@cwi.edu.