Bert's Alerts - May 9, 2014
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is calling all employees to join the 2014 Commencement conversation through the second-annual social media celebration. Join over 30 staff volunteers and 150 faculty participants who will be attending the ceremony by sharing congratulations and messages of support with the graduates. (I28) Simply include #cwigraduation on:
News Highlights
College of Western Idaho to Celebrate Graduation Milestones
On Saturday, May 17, the College of Western Idaho (CWI) will honor its 2014 graduating class in a comprehensive commencement ceremony hosted at Taco Bell Arena in Boise. The ceremony, which is scheduled for 7 p.m., will recognize degree and certificate graduates, as well as GED completers. CWI is celebrating two milestones this year with a record number of degree and certificate candidates as well as the most graduates with honors ever.
CWI is expecting nearly 600 students will participate in this year’s commencement ceremony. Some of the highlights of this year’s commencement include:
- 1112 Degree and Certificate Candidates
- 299 Graduates with Honors
- 2,070 GED Candidates
- 190 Veteran Graduates
- 144 Students Graduate with Multiple Degrees
- Average Graduate GPA 3.33
- Youngest Graduate 17 Years Old
- Oldest Graduate 68 Years Old
“We could not be more proud of this group of graduates,” says CWI President, Dr. Bert Glandon. “There are so many inspiring stories. This class of graduates has raised the bar of success at CWI and truly is redefining expectations at a community college. We are thrilled to celebrate them on Saturday.”
For more commencement details visit cwi.edu/graduation. For family and friends of graduates that cannot attend in person, CWI will be streaming the event live at cwi.edu. Community members are also encouraged to share messages with graduates using #cwigraduation on Twitter and Instagram. Messages will be streamed on screens for graduates to see while preparing for the ceremony.
College of Western Idaho BPA Students Capture 13 National Awards
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) is celebrating a remarkable showing at the Business Professionals of America (BPA) National Leadership Conference, April 30-May 4, as eight CWI students combined to earn 13 awards. CWI collected top-10 finishes across 11 different events. The conference, which was held in Indianapolis, Ind., hosted over 5,000 competitors and advisors.
CWI enjoyed a strong showing in Fundamentals of Web Design, as John Otto placed first while Chris Pendleton finished second. Otto and Pendleton also partnered with Eileen Chavez to take second overall in Web Site Design Team. Rounding out CWI’s top-three finishes was Jaci Seever who earned bronze in Integrated Office Applications.
Along with the competition, the national conference also provided a great learning opportunity for the students. All participants were given the opportunity to take Microsoft industry certifications and a number of the CWI students now boast Microsoft Office Specialist and Microsoft Technology Associate certifications. The students also attended seminars on topics such as Networking Skills for Job Seekers, Moral Issues in Business, and Fair Trade for All.
CWI Psychology Club Gains Unique Experience
Students from College of Western Idaho (CWI) Psychology Club enjoyed a valuable learning experience last weekend, attending the Idaho Psychological Association Sleep Conference, May 2-3. Students had the opportunity to interact with leading experts in sleep from around the country as well as mental health professionals from Idaho. The club members were the only student representatives at the conference.
CWI Students Present at Research Conference
Four College of Western Idaho (CWI) students participated in the ninth annual College of Idaho Student Research Conference, April 26, hosted at the College of Idaho Langroise Hall. Each CWI student presented the results of their year-long research project. This marks the fourth year CWI students have participated in the conference. In addition, approximately 20 fellow students and family members were in attendance to show their support.
The students that presented at the conference, including the title of their research, were:
- Fissiha Antalew – A Review of Biomphalaria Glabrata in North America with Implications for Disease Transmission in Human Populations
- Tony Berlin – A Review of Biomphalaria Havanensis in Idaho with Implications for Wildlife Management
- Taycia Grasmick – Advancing our Understanding of Idaho’s Freshwater Mollusks, The Idaho Freshwater Mollusk Project 2014
- Ty Styhl – Entrainment of Freshwater Mollusks in the Phyllis Canal, a Bioenergetic Sink for Primary Consumers
Leeder to Serve on National Library Association Board
The Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) announced this week that College of Western Idaho (CWI) Library Director, Kim Leeder, has been elected to serve on the national organization’s Board of Directors starting July 1. Leeder was nominated for the position and elected by her peers to serve a four-year term. She will be one of eight Directors-at-Large on the 14 member Board.
“ACRL is a force of innovation, inspiration, and energy to me in my role as CWI’s library director,” says Leeder. “I look to ACRL – and the network of colleagues I have developed through my participation – for best practices, guidance, and advice in my daily work. I’m honored to have been elected as a director-at-large and am looking forward to becoming involved at a higher level, both for my own ongoing professional development and to give back to the association.”
The Board is the governing body of ACRL and is responsible for overseeing activities, policy, financial affairs, and more. Leeder says she will play a major role in ensuring that ACRL achieves its goals and continues to serve as a vibrant professional association that supports and advances the field of academic librarianship.
ACRL is the premier national association for academic librarians, with over 12,000 members nationally. CWI has three professional librarians, who are all ACRL members. For more on ACRL visit www.ala.org/acrl.
Nominations for Faculty Recognition
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Faculty Recognition committee is accepting nominations for Faculty of Distinction. Faculty, staff, students, and administrators, are encouraged to nominate a faculty member that they feel is doing an outstanding job. Please submit nominations by emailing yourock@cwi.edu. Be sure to include the faculty member's first and last name, department in which they work, and the reason for the nomination.
