Bert's Alerts - November 6, 2015
In the Spotlight
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Patriot Range has returned for the third consecutive year, providing a moving visual exhibit at CWI’s Nampa Campus Academic Building. The Patriot Range is a display of 300 American flags that stand day and night through Nov. 12. The flags will also serve as a backdrop for CWI’s Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11. For more details on this year’s ceremony please view the complete announcement below.
News Highlights
CWI Hosting Veterans Day Ceremony
On Wednesday, Nov. 11, College of Western Idaho (CWI) will honor veterans, members of the United States armed forces, and their families with an observance ceremony at CWI’s Nampa Campus Academic Building. The event will start at 1 p.m.
The ceremony is open to the public and will feature a student speaker, student choir, guest speaker, and refreshments. This year’s guest speaker is Jeff Bacon, a retired Naval Officer with 26 years of service.
In addition, the event will feature the CWI Patriot Range as a ceremony backdrop. The Patriot Range, originated by the CWI Veterans Association, is a powerful patriotic display of more than 300 American flags. Thanks to generous collaboration between this student organization, CWI Student Enrichment, and the Eagle Field of Honor, the Patriot Range will be on display at the Nampa Campus through Nov. 12 as part of the tribute surrounding Veterans Day.
CWI Free Application Week is Nov. 9-16
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is continuing its efforts to help make higher education more accessible by waiving the College’s $25 application fee, Nov. 9-16. CWI has hosted its Free Application Week initiative since 2012 in an effort to encourage future students to take the first step in starting college.
In addition to waiving the application fee, CWI will also be hosting a FAFSA Completion Night event on Thursday, Nov. 12, to help future students complete their federal financial aid application. The event will be held at CWI’s Nampa Campus Micron Center for Professional Technical Education from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Directions
Anyone interested in applying to CWI can fill out the online application at cwi.edu/apply. For more information on becoming a student at CWI, visit cwi.edu/go.
Making the Transition from Corrections to the Classroom
Being a college student is a far cry from working in law enforcement. Yet after spending 13 years as a probation and parole officer with the Idaho Department of Corrections, Terry Black is finally on his way to becoming what he truly wants to be. While working a full-time job and financing his own education at the College of Western Idaho, the non-traditional student does his best to make ends meet. He recently received a boost from the CWI Foundation that will help ease his financial burden in his quest to become a teacher.
“I ultimately chose CWI because it perfectly aligns with everything I want to do,” Terry said. “The value is good and so is the transferability.”
Terry is a second-year student majoring in secondary education with an emphasis in chemistry. Active in the CWI Chemistry Club and a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, he has also been a community volunteer. Good grades and involvement helped him earn the Foundation’s General Education Scholarship.
“This scholarship has been such a blessing,” he said. “I pay for my education through my job at the Lighthouse Rescue Mission, so I appreciate any help I get.”
The Lighthouse Rescue Mission is a shelter in Nampa for homeless, addicted and struggling men. Terry left his job at the IDOC six years ago and went to work there as a case manager. He helps people who are going through drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs. Three years ago, he decided to go back to school and study social work. But his love for science eventually won.
“I originally went to college to study chemistry in 1986,” he said. “I really enjoy STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) programs. My boss at Lighthouse was a teacher and that’s when I decided to pursue my true passion.”
After Terry graduates, he intends to transfer his degree to Boise State University; where he will major in chemistry and continue his participation in the iDoTeach program. His ultimate goal is to become a high school teacher.
Bookstore Special of the Week: Under Armour Apparel
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Bookstore is offering a new Special of the Week promotion to help spotlight the great products available through the store. Next week (Nov. 9-13), take advantage of 25 percent off Under Armour Apparel. The offer is only valid in store. Visit cwi.edu/bookstore for location information, hours of operation, and more store details.
CWI Foundation Art Contest Winners Named
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation has announced the winners of its 2015 Holiday Art Contest. The contest was open to all CWI students and alumni. The theme this year: What Does Education Give You? Prizes were awarded for first ($125), second ($100), and third ($75) places.
Congratulations to the following participants:
- First place: The Best Education is one you Experience by Brittany Bishop
- Second place: No Limit by Bridget Pack
- Third place: Bridge by Pattie McKellip-Fowler
Bishop, who is a CWI alumni, was inspired to create her winning entry based on a month-long trip to Thailand.
“Education is like traveling because it allows you to explore new perspectives,” Bishop said. “On my trip, I realized that adventures are the best way to learn. It opens my eyes, gladdens my heart, sharpens my mind, and brightens my life.”
All of the entries will be displayed in the CWI Foundation Office.
LCSC Theatre Production Coming to CWI
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will host a free public theatre production in November as part of its Visiting Artist Series. The Lewis-Clark State College Silverthorne Theatre Program will host a pair of local performances of An Elaborate System of Ropes and Pulleys; a mind bending comic drama.
The curtain will raise on the show at CWI’s Nampa Campus Academic Building on Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. The group will host a second performance on Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m. on the campus of The College of Idaho. Both performances are free and open to the public. The production does contain adult material and is not suitable for young children.
An Elaborate System of Ropes and Pulleys is a new play by Jef Petersen. This original production is a collaborative effort between LCSC and the University of Idaho and features original live music and puppetry to create the world of the play. The story follows a jaded and emotionally aloof, string theory physicist, Tess, who finds herself mysteriously shifting through time and space as she grapples with the loss of a loved one. Tess discovers that her scientific world is not orderly, but is in fact controlled by a vague and elaborate system of ropes and pulleys, with which she must reconcile her beliefs and understanding of self.
For more information on the performance at CWI, please contact Brenda Fisher at brendafisher@cwi.edu.
SAPB Speaker Series Continues
The College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Student Activities Programming Board will welcome international speaker and philanthropist Dr. Vincent Muli Wa Kituku to campus in November for the second installment of its new guest speaker series. Dr. Kituku will visit the Nampa Campus Academic Building on Nov. 20 to present on "The Intangible Power of Your Education." The free event will run from 1-2 p.m. and is open to the public.
Dr. Kituku is focused on helping people increase their productivity while staying motivated. His start in life was challenging, with the death of five siblings due to chronic malaria and stomach illness, causing him to have to spend six years in three grades. Despite a rough beginning, his positive attitude and drive helped him reach truly admirable heights throughout his life.
CWI Seeking More Rake up Nampa Volunteers
The annual Rake up Nampa event is just around the corner. The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Culture and Employee Engagement Committee (CEEC) is organizing a team for the Nov. 14 event and is calling for more participants. Volunteer numbers are down city-wide and the CEEC is hoping to rally a larger group from the CWI community to help fill the void. Employees and their families are invited to sign-up to join the cause and hopefully help create additional CWI teams. Anyone interested in volunteering should email ceec@cwi.edu by Tuesday, Nov. 10.
