CWI COMPASS CONNECT - JANUARY 4, 2023

Seventeen Fire Service Technology graduates walked across the Nampa Civic Center stage and took the Firefighter Code of Ethics oath to celebrate the completion of the program on Dec. 14.

The graduation ceremony honored 16 graduates from Class 4 and one graduate from Class 3, as well as three Fire Service Technology program students who earned their Associate of Arts (AA) degree.

The ceremony kicked off with Director of Fire Service Technology, Darrin Raskopf, welcoming the graduates’ family, friends, and special guests. Graduates and Fire Service Technology instructors marched into the ceremony holding flags and reciting the pledge of allegiance.

Raskopf then showed his appreciation to CWI faculty and staff members who have had an impact on this program throughout it’s time at the College, including Dean of Social Sciences and Public Affairs, Courtney Santillan, who will be departing CWI at the end of the Fall 2022 semester.

Raskopf also highlighted the success the class saw over the last four months and shared that three of the 17 graduates have jobs already lined up. Two recruits will be joining the Nampa Fire Department, and another is set to work with Caldwell Fire Department.

“I always look forward to the graduation ceremony each year as it is the culmination of all the hard work of the students and is a time to celebrate their accomplishments,” said Raskopf. “The bond that is formed between our instructors and the students extends far beyond the classroom, and it’s great to see some of the friendships and mentoring continue on after they leave. This group of students is a great class, and it was a pleasure to have them in this program. “

Valedictorian and Fall 2022 Top Academic Award recipient, Matthew Jones, also spoke during the ceremony, thanking friends, family, instructors, and the many active and retired members of the Treasure Valley fire community who helped train the class. He shared how proud he is of his graduating class and how close they became throughout the semester.

“We became a team over the last 16 weeks,” Jones said. “Whether it was 105 degrees outside, and we were sweating bullets, or if it was 30 degrees — we encouraged each other at every step of the way. That is what it meant to be a crew. These were the moments that built us.”

The ceremony also highlighted more student honors, including CWI Fire Service Technology graduate, Brandon Trask, receiving the Most Physically Improved Award.

Keynote speaker, Chief Richard Frawley of Caldwell Fire Department, shared with graduating recruits what lies ahead in this career — long days, time away from family, but also the lifelong friends and “second family” they will make along the way. He also told graduates to continue to learn and grow at every point in their career.

“These are my words of advice; remain humble, listen and learn, ask questions, always come to work knowing why you serve and why you’re needed, don’t be afraid to ask for help, have a servant’s heart, the team is greater together than individually, always be in pathway for learning, and never stop being a student of the craft,” said Frawley.

Watch the 2022 Fire Service Technology Graduation Ceremony 

In an effort to become one of the nation's "greenest" institutions, College of Western Idaho (CWI) held a tree-planting event Monday, Dec. 5. The event was part of CWI's process to earn the designation of a Tree Campus for Higher Education by the Arbor Day Foundation.

Thanks to efforts led by Assistant Professor of Agricultural Sciences, Dan Schults, and CWI Horticulture Technology students, faculty, and staff, community members in attendance at the planting event were able to learn about tree health and the benefits trees provide to people. Attendees were then assisted by CWI's Early Childhood Education Preschool class to plant a honey locust tree near the roundabout off E Terra Linda Way near the Nampa Campus Academic Building.

Special guests included an appearance from Dr. Suess' the Lorax, Tree City USA's Gerry Bates, City of Nampa Forester and Licensed Arborist, Adam Mancini, students, staff, and faculty from the Horticulture Technology program, and various staff and faculty from CWI's School of Math and Science.

The tree planting event puts the College one step closer to achieving the status of becoming a nationally recognized Tree Campus for Higher Education. This status includes a tree advisory committee, campus tree care plans, Arbor Day events, and service-learning projects.

Congratulations to Associate Professor of Chemistry, Rebecca Flock, for being named College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for November 2022.

Flock has been with the College for 12 years, where she has been part of the Physical Sciences department and has taught Chemistry, specifically the general, organic, and biochemistry sequence. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Master of Science in Environmental Chemistry.

Much of Flock’s interest and research includes examining harmful algal blooms and the impact of climate change on water resources.

Flock’s path to teaching and what ultimately brought her to CWI was her desire to be a member of a society composed of well-educated individuals. She believes being a teacher, or even a student, is a form of civic engagement contributing toward that goal.

“Community college is a good place for students to explore their interests in a low-risk environment,” Flock said. “This form of public education can provide anyone with the desire to begin studying virtually any topic. Students can gain access to expertise and specialized equipment with unprecedented ease.”

Throughout her years in the teaching profession, it has always been a highlight and joy for Flock to mentor undergraduate research students conducting environmental research at Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. One standout moment was being able to spend the summer wading into a wetland habitat at the edge of Lake Lowell to study water quality.

“It was great to feel a connection to nature when we turned our attention to our local resources,” Flock said.

Other faculty members, such as Department of Physical Sciences Chair, Paul Stahmann, have noticed extra time, and care Flock spends with her students, so they are able to be successful — especially when it comes to “difficult chemistry content.”

“Rebecca is very kind and helpful to her students,” said Stahmann. “She is respected by her colleagues because she does her part with a smile and wants the best for everyone involved. I have heard many students say that she is preparing them for their future as she teaches not only chemistry, but life and workforce skills.”

Outside of the classroom Flock enjoys listening to audiobooks. The latest book she is reading is Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey. Flock also serves on the board for Friends of Deer Flat Wildlife Refuge.