Bert's Alerts - November 20, 2015
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) employees and students were out in full force last month as groups from around the College supported the annual Rake up Boise and Nampa community events. CWI’s Culture and Employee Engagement Committee rallied a team of volunteers to rake leaves at two houses in Nampa. Meanwhile, students with SkillsUSA came together to support the event in both cities. Finally, a team of students from CWI’s Veterans Association, Horticulture Club, and Entrepreneurs Club collaborated to rake the yard of a veteran, who is also a CWI graduate. Thank you to all of the volunteers who supported this tremendous outreach event and continue to be a shining example of the CWI community.
News Highlights
CWI Hours Update for Thanksgiving
College of Western Idaho (CWI) offices will be closed Thursday-Friday (Nov. 26-27) in observance of Thanksgiving. There will also be no classes for credit-programs and Basic Skills Education, Monday-Saturday (Nov. 23-28). Classes and regular hours of operation will resume on Monday, Nov. 30.
Fall 2015 Free Application Week Best Yet
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Fall 2015 Free Application Week concluded on Nov. 16, marking the end of the College’s most successful application initiative to date. With a total of 2,258 completed applications, CWI surpassed last year’s application submissions and this year’s goal of 1,400.
This success would not have been possible without everyone’s efforts at the College that shared information, processed forms, answered phone calls, visited community locations, met with future students, and answered questions.
Thank you to everyone that helped make the Fall 2015 Free Application Week a success.
CWI Speech and Debate Continues Title Run
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Speech and Debate continued its four-year title run at the Linfield College Mahaffey Memorial with a Division III victory, Nov. 13-15, in McMinnville, Oregon. The 85th Mahaffey Memorial featured 35 teams from two- and four-year schools.
“This year’s victory at the Mahaffey Memorial was not only our fourth consecutive win, but also marks our top performance ever at the tournament” stated Assistant Director of Forensics, Jim Gatfield. “I’m so proud of the team’s work going into this tournament and I expect big things going forward.”
Following this tournament victory, the CWI Speech and Debate team is preparing for the Scheller Forensics Invitational at Pacific University in January.
Join CWI's Holiday Video, Ugly Sweater Party
College of Western Idaho (CWI) would like to invite employees and students to an Ugly Sweater Party that will set the stage for recording a festive holiday video. Each year, CWI creates a video that is used to wish happy holidays to CWI students, employees, and supporters. This year’s holiday video will capture the CWI community preparing for the holidays; in a frenzy decorating a tree on the second floor of the Nampa Campus Academic Building. Join the festivities:
Thursday, Dec. 3
6-9 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building
Be sure to find that unbelievably ugly sweater and you could be the lucky winner of the CWI Ugly Sweater award. Pizza will be provided. Anyone interested in participating should RSVP online. Please email communications@cwi.edu with any questions.
CWI Supports Idaho Career Development Month
On Nov. 12, the Idaho Career Development Association joined Idaho’s First Lady, Lori Otter, in signing a proclamation recognizing November as Idaho Career Development Month. College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Career Service Manager Sam Galan, who also serves as the Idaho Career Development Association’s President Elect, attended the event.
In honor of the proclamation, the CWI Career Services Department is spreading awareness for career development opportunities through CWI. CWI's Career Services staff is encouraging students, employees, and the public to explore the Career Services web page and myCareerNetwork to learn more about career resources available at CWI.
CWI Foundation Announces Wishing Well Fund Recipients
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s Wishing Well Fund. On Monday, Nov. 16, the Foundation’s “wish granting team” personally delivered the good news to this year’s awardees. Out of the 11 applications submitted for consideration, the following six applicants were approved for funding by the Foundation’s Scholarships and Grants Committee.
3D Printer (submitted by Rob Green) – $1,000 to purchase parts and materials to build a 3D printer. Drafting Technology Program Chair, Rob Green says this printer is a huge step for Drafting Technology students because it will allow them to show off their work. Not only will they be able to build what they design, they will also be able to take their designs and put them online. Green also gave his students credit for helping him put together the proposal for this award.
Intuous Pen and Tablet (submitted by Hollie Leavitt) – $430.18 to purchase an Intuous Pen and Tablet. Assistant Professor of Biology, Hollie Leavitt, who teaches the majority of her classes online, will use this technology to create Kahn Academy-style videos that will help her teach flip class anatomy and physiology courses.
Choking Victim Manikins (submitted by Dana Hoyer) – $1,292 to purchase three manikins; two Choking Charlie, one child. Emergency Medical Program Coordinator, Dana Hoyer says, “Every time we get new equipment for our program, it’s a great thing. Having a variety of manikins gives our students priceless exposure in working on different sized people; which is something that would happen in the real world.”
Plant Identification Signs (submitted by Dusty Perkins) – $1,116 to purchase plant identification signs for the Native Plant Garden located at the Nampa Campus Academic Building. Assistant Professor of Biology, Dusty Perkins says the garden, which is a hands-on learning lab for students, is important because it helps students with visual plant identification. They are also using it to study cellular biology by mapping native plant genetics through their DNA.
Projection System (submitted by Mike Scuka) – $1,400 to purchase equipment to project circuit schematics and electronic equipment hookups. Assistant Professor of Electronics Technology, Mike Scuka says the up-close display will take the guesswork out of what students are able to see in class. “The way it is now, they are left to wonder what I am working on. This will show them exactly what I am working on,” he said.
International Day Support (submitted by Goran Fazil) – $300 to help pay for musical performers and food vendors at CWI’s International Day on Dec. 10. “This means we will have a great festival,” said Art Instructor Goran Fazil. “We have already had some expenses and we were going to pay for them on our own. Thank you so much.”
The Wishing Well Fund is supported by generous contributions from CWI employees, community supporters, and businesses. For more information or to sign up for employee payroll deduction, please contact the CWI Foundation office at 208.562.3100 or foundation@cwi.edu.
November Staff Award Goes to Mackenzie
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is happy to recognize Heidi Mackenzie as CWI’s Staff of the Month recipient for November.
Mackenzie is an administrative assistant for CWI’s School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. She has been with CWI since January of 2010. She has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Math and Management Information Systems from Montana State University – Billings.
Her nomination notes, “She is personable, efficient, caring, super-organized, and manages to work with an enormous group of people making each one feel they have her attention. Heidi’s expertise with spreadsheets is top-notch and she is always willing to help others learn more about what can be done with them.”
She is known for considering multiple angles when tackling any project. She understands the larger system and tracks data while maintaining a historical perspective. She is truly an asset to CWI and exhibits the core values: Leaving a Legacy of Learning and Serving All in an Atmosphere of Caring.
Mackenzie says “It’s so easy and fun to work in a group where everyone gets each other. I feel really blessed to be included and valued in their ranks.”
She moved to Idaho in 2003 to be close to her immediate family and now enjoys helping with her nieces, Sara and Elise, and nephew, Jay. Elise and Jay are two year old twins.
Please join us in congratulating Heidi for this well-deserved honor.
Wachter Honored with September Faculty Award
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of the Month for September has been given to Angie Wachter.
Wachter is a full-time faculty member with CWI’s Surgical Technology program. She has been part of the program for five years, serving in her current capacity for the past three. She started at CWI as a clinical adjunct faculty. Wachter’s current duties include serving as the program’s clinical coordinator.
She is extremely dedicated to the success of CWI's students, both in the classroom and the clinical sites. Wachter also has an excellent rapport with the program’s industry partners.
Congratulations Angie on receiving this award. Thank you for all your contributions to the College.
Isom is October Faculty of the Month
Teresa Isom has been named College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of the Month for October.
Isom is an adjunct math faculty at CWI. In her time at the College, she has proven to be a tremendous asset. Isom has stepped up this semester particularly, teaching multiple classes on short notice. In addition to her duties at CWI, Isom is a full-time math teacher at a public school and is also working in the College’s Math Solutions Center this semester for the first time.
Please join in congratulating Teresa. Thank you for all your hard work and support of CWI students.
New Cards Promote Gratitude
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Culture and Employee Engagement Committee (CEEC) is happy to announce thank you cards are available to help promote an atmosphere of gratitude at CWI. Whether it is a peer, supervisor, or employee; acts of appreciation make people feel good and reinforce how much they are valued. With that thought in mind, each building at CWI has been stocked with “I’m thankful for you because…” note cards that employees can use to fill out and share with anyone seen going the extra mile.
Thank you cards can be found at each break room, common area, and administrative assistant’s desk. For convenience, there is also an electronic version that can be sent via email. The electronic copy can be found on myCWI on the Culture and Employee Engagement committee’s site.
The CEEC is asking employees to spread the word about this initiative and help give thanks for all the hard working people at CWI.
Football Party Coming to Micron Center
The College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Culture and Employee Engagement Committee would like to invite CWI employees and their families to attend a tailgating and watch party for the Boise State football game versus Air Force on Friday, Nov. 20. The event will be held at CWI’s Micron Center for Professional Technical Education. Tailgating starts at 6:30 p.m. with kick-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on both projector screens in room 1701 A/B. Food and games will be set up in one of the Micron Center industry labs.
This is a family friendly event with games set up for both adults and kids. Please bring your favorite tailgating food. Drinks will be provided. Email ceec@cwi.edu with questions.
