Bert's Alerts - October 2, 2015
In the Spotlight
Members of the College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Nursing program helped shed light on an impactful initiative this week, volunteering at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk. The event, which serves as a fundraiser to help find a cure for blood cancer, took place at Ann Morrison Park in Boise on Thursday (Oct. 1). Over 20 students, faculty, and staff helped with the first aid station, as well as directing supporters and participants on the walk.
News Highlights
CWI Speech and Debate Top Community College at Fran Tanner Invitational
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Speech and Debate started the 2015-16 competition season with a strong showing at the Fran Tanner Invitational hosted by the College of Southern Idaho, Sept. 25-26. CWI brought home the top community college honors at the event, as well as a second place finish among all schools. In addition to the team awards, CWI’s 11 competitors received nine individual awards across both speech and debate events.
CWI Speech and Debate will look to build up its success at the Fran Tanner Invite as it now focuses on the Mahaffey Memorial held Nov. 13-15 at Linfield College in Oregon.
Visioning Concepts for Potential CWI Boise Campus Online
There is still time to participate in the conceptual design process for College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) proposed Ada County Campus. CTA Architects Engineers has made its three Visioning concepts available online to view and provide feedback. Each concept was designed based on community input collected in-person and online in early September.
EmpowerMe Brings Student Leaders Together at CWI
Every school year brings with it new educational aspirations, both inside and outside the classroom. This year brought something new for student leaders at College of Western Idaho (CWI); the EmpowerMe Student Leadership Workshop. The workshop provided an opportunity for leadership discovery and discussion with peers and College administrators. Facilitated through the CWI Student Life office, over seventy-five students took the opportunity to discover and develop their leadership abilities while learning how they can apply it to their CWI student experience.
The workshop featured a presentation on student success and a special presentation by CWI Trustee, Emily Walton. Students participated in activities and discussions that explored their purpose, helped them to realize their potential, and to ultimately disrupt for good. The leadership workshop touched on ideas behind inspiring and connecting a group through a common passion. Students discussed how leadership can be an everyday experience through simple yet often overlooked acts that may have a profound impact on another person or even a community.
“This isn’t a workshop designed to be a ‘teach-all-do-all’ in one day,” says CWI Student Life Coordinator, Hing Potter. “My hope is that students will either begin or even progress forward in their leadership abilities by learning, re-learning, being inspired, or re-inspired from within or through others.”
Guest speakers included CWI staff from various departments who presented how their areas support students in their leadership journey through the resources they offer. Assistant Dean of Enrollment and Student Services, Dr. Eric Studebaker, highlighted what “T.R.U.E.” leadership looks like and how it can be applied across CWI. EmpowerMe was capped with heartfelt presentation by Trustee Walton, who spoke of her experience as a non-traditional student at Boise State University that got involved as a student government officer, joined clubs, and explored student life. She shared how her involvement connected her with a broad range of people and opportunities that have led to her personal success.
Following the workshop students expressed feeling an increased connection with each other as well as with the CWI campus community. “Today’s workshop was awesome,” said Jacqueline Correnti. Mokoma Musa also shared “[it was] one of the most engaging leadership meetings that I've ever been at.”
“The event was awesome," Potter adds. "I truly appreciated the students coming out to EmpowerMe for their own success.”
Visiting Artist Series Welcomes Marimba Boise
The College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Visiting Artist Series returns this October with an exciting presentation that is sure to provide a fun and entertaining learning experience. CWI will welcome Marimba Boise to the Nampa Campus Academic Building, Oct. 9-10, for workshops and a concert. All events are free and open to the public.
Marimba Boise, a group that specializes in Zimbabwean-style marimba music, will host a workshop from 7-9 p.m. on Oct. 9 and 9-11 a.m. on Oct. 10. The group will also present a concert on Oct. 10 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., with a reception to follow.
Marimba Boise plays on a family of xylophones, where each instrument adds an essential voice to an intricate and joyful sound. Drawing on music from southern Africa, their music celebrates the region’s infectious dance rhythms, traditions, and ever-unfolding beauty.
Space for the workshops is limited. Contact Jeff Davis at 208.562.3255 or jeffreydavis@cwi.edu to reserve a spot.
CWI Career Fair Set for Oct. 6-8
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will host its annual fall Career Fair next week with the event being held at three different locations over three days. The Career Fair will welcome over 25 employers and organizations to campus:
- Oct. 6 at Ada County Campus Pintail Center
- Oct. 7 at Micron Center for Professional Technical Education
- Oct. 8 at Nampa Campus Academic Building
The fair will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day and is intended for current CWI students and alumni. The events will feature job, internship, and volunteer opportunities.
Math Solutions Center to Host Open House
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Math Solutions Center (MSC) is inviting CWI employees and students, and the community to an open house event next week to learn more about the College’s new College Prep Math program. Events will be hosted from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday (Oct. 6) at the Nampa Campus Academic Building and Wednesday (Oct. 7) at the Ada County Campus Pintail Center. The open house will provide a great opportunity to learn more about CWI’s Math 095 model. Light refreshments will be provided.
New Student Activities Group Hosts First Event
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) new Student Activities Programming Board is proud to present its first Speaker Series event this fall. The theme of the first presentation will focus on Hispanic Heritage Month. The event is set for:
Friday, Oct. 9
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building RM102E
The event will include the premiere of Chicanos! The Struggle in the Fields - a documentary of the Mexican-American Civil Rights Movement. The presentation will also feature a special guest speaker; the honorable Judge Sergio A. Gutierrez. Judge Gutierrez is currently the Chief Judge on the Idaho Court of Appeals and is the only Hispanic judge in Idaho. He will discuss bringing diversity into leadership.
Settlers of Catan Tournament Returns Oct. 17
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Entrepreneurs Club is happy to present a Settlers of Catan tournament again this fall. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m. at the Nampa Campus Academic Building second floor common area. Admission is $10 for pre-registration and $12 at the door. Entry fees can be paid by cash or check on-site.
The tournament is open to the public, ages 14 and older. It will feature three rounds of play for all participants and light refreshments. The grand prize winner will receive a full Settlers of Catan, Cities and Knights and Seafarers game set, including extensions.
Visit http://cwistudentlife.signupsheet.com to pre-register for the event.
October Events Bring Halloween Fun to CWI
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will be home to some family friendly Halloween fun in October thanks to a pair of holiday themed events. The CWI Student Activities Programming Board is partnering with the Associated Students of the College of Western Idaho and United Registered Organizations and Clubs to present a movie night and trunk or treat. Both events will be held at the Nampa Campus Academic Building and are open to CWI students, employees, and their friends and families.
The fun will kick-off, Wednesday (Oct. 28), with a Family Movie Night featuring the film Hocus Pocus. The movie is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. in room 102E.
On Thursday, Oct. 29, the Halloween fun will continue with a Trunk or Treat event that includes costumes, prizes, and candy. The event will run from 6-9 p.m.
