Bert's Alerts - October 23, 2015
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will be home to family friendly Halloween fun next week with a number of events scheduled on campus. The activities will kick-off, Wednesday (Oct. 28), with a Family Movie Night featuring the film Hocus Pocus. The festivities will continue on Thursday, Oct. 29, with a Trunk or Treat event that includes costumes, prizes, and candy. CWI employees are invited to wrap up the holiday festivities by participating in the Culture and Employee Engagement Committee’s Halloween costume contest on Friday, Oct. 30.
News Highlights
Carrying on a Classmate’s Legacy
When Jacqueline Correnti started her studies at the College of Western Idaho (CWI), she never imagined she would be carrying on the legacy of someone she barely knew. Now—a little more than a year later—a man named Mike, who was once a fellow Horticulture Technology program student, means a whole lot more to her than he ever did. Jacqueline now honors his memory as the first-ever Mike Moro Memorial Scholarship recipient.
While taking classes on the Idaho Botanical Garden grounds in Boise, Jacqueline saw Mike on a near-daily basis. Back then, it was a quick nod or brief wave as she drove a loud tractor past the man who thrived on bringing neglected areas back to life. Four months away from completing his degree, the 38 year-old passed away unexpectedly following an unusual car accident. Jacqueline remembers the day he was suddenly not there.
“It’s a small program,” she said. “You can tell when someone is missing. It was odd he wasn’t there that day because he always was.”
Mike was a staple at the garden grounds. Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014, is the last time he was physically there. He passed away on Aug. 6. Shocked and saddened that he would no longer be seen working there, his friends and family came together to form a memorial scholarship in his honor. Long before applying for the scholarship even became a thought, Jacqueline always took the initiative to help keep his spirit alive.
“If we were at an event and we didn’t have something out there that said ‘Remembering Mike,’ I would always be the one who pulled it out from under the table and put it out,” she said. “Anyone can do that. It just happens that I am the one who noticed and did it, and I still do it.”
In addition to the scholarship—which is awarded through the CWI Foundation—donors made contributions through the Idaho Botanical Garden that went toward establishing a permanent memorial at the gardens. In the area where he once spent a lot of his time, a large rock sits with “Mike’s Garden” engraved in bold letters. It’s an area Jacqueline visits often.
“Mike touched my life after his death in a way that I don’t think is possible when one is still living,” she said. “His passing created a stronger presence on campus than passing him in the halls ever could have.”
Mike’s death was later determined to be an accident—with untreated high blood pressure and an enlarged heart as contributing factors.
“He died because his heart was too big,” Jacqueline said. “It’s really quite beautiful if you think about it. I am so honored to represent him in this very special way.”
Feasibility Period Extended for Property at Main Street and Whitewater Blvd. in Boise
The College of Western Idaho Board of Trustees has requested to extend the feasibility period for the property it’s considering to purchase at the corner of Main Street and Whitewater Blvd. in Boise. The feasibility period will be extended to December 11, 2015 to allow for additional due diligence on the property.
As part of today’s Board meeting, CWI’s Board of Trustees reviewed the feedback collected and presented by CTA Architects Engineers for the property. The presentation included information collected from community input and visioning sessions and three conceptual development designs. Each of the concepts illustrate potential building options that would accommodate long-term developed in a staged approach occurring over time. Although these concepts do not offer complete programmed details, the insight and feedback received from participants along with development considerations provides the Board a better understanding of the development opportunities and desires of the community for a permanent Ada County campus.
CWI’s enrollment has grown to more than 20,000 students a year being served through academic and workforce training. To keep up with the demand for an educated and career ready workforce, the College has assumed leased spaces in business complexes that cost more than $2 million a year. These locations are not ideal for long-term sustainability and program growth. To continue to help bridge the skills gaps of individuals and businesses of Ada and Canyon Counties, CWI is planning for the future by investing in permanent campus facilities in Boise and Nampa along with robust online tools. This development will ensure educational offerings are accessible to students throughout our community.
Retention Initiative Aims to Inspire Students
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Retention Task Force is excited to introduce, Invite Forward, an initiative that supports student retention through everyday interaction with CWI faculty and staff. Invite Forward calls employees to encourage students and help give them a sense of belonging at CWI.
The goal of the initiative is to instill confidence in students and show they have a place at CWI that goes beyond a seat in the classroom. The Retention Task Force is asking employees to identify a talent or an interest in a student and invite that student forward. The task force is kicking-off the initiative by challenging all employees who work with students to invite someone forward before Thanksgiving.
Invite Forward cards are available to write supportive notes to students. Cards are located in mail rooms at each CWI campus location. Faculty are asked to contact the nearest Administrative Assistant in their building for assistance.
Other examples of ways to invite students forward include:
- Write a personal message cheering a student to continue on
- Encourage participation in extracurricular activities
To learn more about the effect of inviting a student forward watch the Invite Forward video. The video was created by CWI alumni and current employee, Jessica Argyle, and shares how faculty and staff from around the College have been impacted by teachers and mentors inviting them forward.
For more information on the Invite Forward initiative, please contact Brett Reid at brettreid2@cwi.edu or 208.562.3153.
STEM Out! Event Registration Open
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is proud to host the annual STEM Out! Event, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at CWI’s Nampa Campus Micron Center for Professional Technical Education. The free event provides girls ages 10 to 15 an opportunity to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Participants will engage in hands-on workshops, meet other girls who are interested in STEM, make awesome projects, and have fun. All materials and lunch will be provided.
Art Contest to Showcase CWI Talent
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation is providing CWI students and alumni who are artistically inclined a chance to get recognized for their talent. The CWI Foundation is accepting entries for its annual art contest, which this year is themed: What does education give you?
Prizes will be awarded for first place ($125), second place ($100), and third place ($75). In addition to cash prizes, the Foundation may also turn the first place winner’s artwork into a holiday card that gets sent to friends of the College.
There is no fee to enter the contest. Official entry packets are available at all One Stop Student Services, Library, and Tutoring Services locations in Ada and Canyon counties, and at the Micron Center for Professional Technical Education One Stop and Tutoring. Packets are also available through the Art Department in the Nampa Campus Academic Building.
All entries—which must be 8 1/2 by 11 inch drawings—must be submitted to the Foundation office located in Suite 102 of the Nampa Campus Administration Building by 5 p.m. on Nov. 2.
Questions about the contest? Contact the CWI Foundation at foundation@cwi.edu or Brenda Fisher in the Art Department 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.
Guthrie Selected for October Staff of the Month
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is happy to recognize Kathy Guthrie as CWI’s Staff of the Month honoree for October.
Guthrie joined CWI in September 2009 as a student work study. She is a Lab Materials Specialist for the Physical Sciences Department. Guthrie is currently working on her Anthropology degree here at CWI and plans on graduating this coming spring. She is also very active with the Anthropology Club.
Guthrie exhibits the core values, Acting with Integrity and Serving all in an Atmosphere of Caring. Her nomination mentioned that she has been able to meet her goals and stay several weeks ahead on lab materials preparations. Guthrie played a key role in a surprise hazardous waste inspection last year conducted by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and officials from the Nampa Sewer Authority. Inspectors spent 45 minutes in the Chemistry Department and Guthrie was able to answer their questions to the extent that no violations were noted and CWI received a commendation letter from the DEQ.
She loves the ocean and plans to move closer by eventually transferring to Oregon State University. She has lived here in western Idaho since 1985. She has two children and four grandchildren. Guthrie says she loves spending her free time with her family and friends in the great outdoors. She also really enjoys grilling, everything from vegetables to pizzas.
Please join us in congratulating Kathie for this well-deserved honor!
Honorable Mentions:
Janet Gonzalez (Sr. Analyst, RFP/Contracts)
Morgan Baldwin (Human Resources)
Lindsay Zahller (Advisor, Admissions)
