CWI Compass Connect - June 8, 2022
Spotlight
Dressed in their CWI best, a team gathered by the School of Social Sciences and Public Affairs spent the evening of May 31 volunteering at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival during the Festival’s performance of Much Ado About Nothing. The School’s fourth year of involvement, volunteers helped prepare the theater, host guests, and collect trash.
News Highlights
13th Commencement Celebrates 2022 Graduates
College of Western Idaho (CWI) celebrated its 2022 class of graduates, May 13, in a commencement ceremony held at ExtraMile Arena in Boise. Graduates, family, and friends were favored with remarks from President Gordon Jones, Board of Trustee Chair Molly Lenty, Cally Roach from the State Board of Education, and 2022 Graduate, Tanya Coles.
Recognizing graduates ranging in age from 15 to 75, highlights of the College’s 13th Commencement included:
- 1,201 Degree and Certificate Candidates
- 1,471 Degrees and Certificates Earned
- 494 Graduates with Honors
- 3.370 Average Graduate GPA
- 270 Graduates with Multiple Degrees
- 29 Associate Degrees Awarded to Dual Credit Students
- 141 Veteran Graduates
- 273 Apprenticeship Graduates
- 153 GED Graduates
Concluding the ceremony, President Jones left graduates with one request.
“I would like to underscore the significance of your achievement and the joy of seeing you all so proud with diploma in hand. CWI has empowered thousands and thousands of students in the Treasure Valley, I believe, forever reshaping the dynamics not only individuals, but their families, in some cases friends, and generations to come in our community… I would ask you all as you move forward with empowerment, confidence, learning, knowledge, and skills, to go out and tell your story… Congratulations, Class of 2022!”
CWI Summer Movie Series Is Here!
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is excited to announce the launch of our summer movie series! Students and their guest(s) are invited to join us at Majestic Cinemas all summer long for free movies and snacks. Tickets sell out quickly, so be sure to claim yours as soon as they become available.
SUMMER 2022 MOVIE LINEUP:
Jurassic World: Dominion
The future of mankind hangs in the balance as humans and dinosaurs coexist following the destruction of Isla Nublar.
Friday, June 10 @ 5:30 p.m.
Tickets on sale NOW!
- Each CWI student can claim a ticket themselves and up to one (1) guest.
- Attendees will receive a free medium popcorn and drink.
Claim Tickets for Jurassic World: Dominion
Lightyear
Buzz Lightyear embarks on an intergalactic adventure with a group of ambitious recruits and his robot companion.
Saturday, June 18 @ 1:30 p.m.
Tickets go on sale June 4!
- Each CWI student can claim a ticket for themselves and up to three (3) guests.
- The first 40 children will receive a free Snack pack.
- The first 20 adults will receive a free medium popcorn and drink.
Thor: Love and Thunder
Thor attempts to find inner peace. He must return to action and recruit Valkyrie, Korg, and Jane Foster, who has become the Mighty Thor, to stop Gorr the God Butcher from eliminating all gods.
Thursday, July 7 @ 6 p.m.
Tickets go on sale June 23!
- Each CWI student can claim a ticket for themselves and up to one (1) guest.
- Attendees will receive a free medium popcorn and drink.
Claim Tickets for Thor: Love and Thunder
Where the Crawdads Sing
A woman who raised herself in the marshes of the deep South becomes a suspect in the murder of a man she was once involved with.
Friday, July 22 @ 6:30 p.m.
Tickets go on sale July 9!
- Each CWI student can claim a ticket for themselves and up to one (1) guest.
- Attendees will receive a free medium popcorn and drink.
Claim Tickets for Where the Crawdads Sing
Contact Amber Eubanks, Assistant Director of Student Engagement, at ambereubanks@cwi.edu with questions or to learn more.
Rookie Fire School Returns to CWI
Forty wildland fire recruits spent the week of May 23 at College of Western Idaho (CWI) training and learning new skills to battle fires this summer. The Southwest Idaho Fire Training (SWIFT) program is a partnership between the National Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the Idaho Department of Lands.
Students spent the first two days in the classroom learning the fundamentals of fighting wildland blazes. The classes were held in lecture halls featuring new technology to optimize the learning experience.
On Wednesday, May 25, the students completed five stations at the College’s Nampa Campus Academic Building to get hands-on experience with fire shelters, fire engines, and tools to quickly dig fire lines.
“I’ve been involved with fire training for 13 years, and it’s amazing watching people grow and learn and seeing them out on the fires during the summer. I love it,” said Chris Knight with the Forest Service, who helped run the training. “To this day I’ll see people who have moved up in the agency, and we still talk about fire school.”
The recruits trained in Idaho City on Thursday, May 26, and finished the week with more classroom instruction before joining their fire crews throughout the state for a busy summer.
Painting Her Dreams
Sophie Rusling, who hails from the Isle of Man in the United Kingdom (U.K.), came to Idaho in the summer of 2017. It was among the towering ponderosa pines and stunning views of Payette Lake working at Paradise Point Camp in McCall where she first heard about College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Collision Repair Technology program, highly recommended to her by a student.
Later, after returning to the U.K., Rusling recalled this conversation and knew CWI would be the perfect fit to satisfy her passion for car restoration and customization sparked from watching BBC television shows.
“When I realized I could actually do a job based on my favorite T.V. shows, I decided it was time to go back to college and pursue my dream of one day owning my own collision repair and restoration shop. I looked around at different places in the U.K., and nothing had what I was looking for. When I looked into CWI, I knew it was exactly what I wanted.”
Painting and restoration calls for a combination of art, science, and technique that requires an understanding of new products and technology to perform high-quality work. CWI's Collision Repair Technology program provides students, like Rusling, an opportunity to work with the newest paints and equipment in an up-to-date facility and learn the skills and traits necessary to succeed in the field.
Rusling had a chance to put the valuable skills she has learned at the College to good use this past spring when hired to work on Great Britain’s catamaran that races in the global sailing league.
She added, "overall it was a great experience, and although I thoroughly enjoyed working on the boat, I definitely prefer working on cars!"
Rusling is a dedicated student who brings positive energy to her work.
"No matter what day I came into the lab last year, I was always greeted by Sophie with a smile,” said Department Chair, Alex Beal. Sophie is the type of student with “sunshine in her soul each day. She uplifts everyone she is around.”
Following completion of the program next May, Rusling plans start working in the industry.
“I would like to work for a few years and save up to eventually open my own collision repair and restoration shop. I am undecided as to whether I want to be a body tech or a painter right now, but I am sure when the time comes I will know.”
Auction Items Needed for Annual Benefit Event
Do you own a business, have a service or hobby you can share, or know someone who does? We would love to connect with you!
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation is currently looking for auction items for this year’s Opening Doors Benefit Event, an annual event to raise money for student scholarships.
Past auction items have included gift baskets, vacation stays, gift certificates, art, sculptures, sporting event packages, adventure experiences, etc. Items created or donated by students, faculty, and staff are always a highlight and are a great way to show off the amazing talent and skills we have at the College.
Please spread the word about this exciting opportunity – we would love to see the entire CWI community involved! Donate today by contacting the CWI Foundation at foundation@cwi.edu or 208.562.3100. All donations must be received by Aug. 31, 2022.
Heavy Equipment Receives Donation from Cobalt Truck Equipment
Hands-on training opportunities for Heavy Equipment Technician students at College of Western Idaho (CWI) have been elevated thanks to a donation of two Ford F750 trucks donated to the College by Cobalt Truck Equipment this past February.
“Cobalt saw an opportunity to donate a few used vehicles to the College to promote learning and education through trouble-shooting of operational issues and innovation to resolve issues,” said Cobalt’s Director of Operations, Joe Matteucci. “We enjoyed meeting with the instructors and students at CWI, bring in a couple of our trucks to show what we build, and explain what our company has to offer in the way of career advancement throughout the industry as one of the leading truck upfitters in the country. We have been fortunate to hire one of the program’s top graduates who continues to excel in his career at Cobalt as one of our lead mechanics.”
“These trucks give CWI’s Heavy Equipment Technician program a huge advantage providing additional equipment for our students to inspect, repair, test, etc.,” explained Department Chair, Alex Beal. “Additionally, instructors are able to place ‘bugs’ or fabricated problems in the systems for students to troubleshoot and diagnose. Hands-on training opportunities, far superior to that of a trainer or simulator, are what make our program unique and offer students a superior sense of all that is involved in a repair procedure.”
Give the gift of education! Contact the CWI Foundation at foundation@cwi.edu or 208.562.3100 to learn more.
Ceremony Honors 2022 Law Enforcement Graduates
Class 11 of College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Law Enforcement program were honored during a ceremony, May 11, 2022, at the Nampa Civic Center. Program Director, LeRoy Forsman, began the evening expressing appreciation to program leadership, staff, and instructors, past and present, for making the program such a success. He then offered words of advice and encouragement to students.
Keynote speaker, Lieutenant Jamie Burns, a 21-year veteran of the Nampa Police Department and one of the many instructors from the law enforcement community teaching at CWI, advised the graduates to remember those who have and will continue to support their journey as they prepare to embark on careers. Speaking to family members in the audience and quoting his wife, he said, “You will be proud of them in a way that you’ve never been proud of them before. You will watch them grow before your eyes, and it will all be worth it. This will be an immensely fulfilling journey for you and your family. Enjoy the ride, and congratulations.”
Graduates were presented with completion certificates, challenge coins, and awards for top achievements:
- Top Shooter – Hunter Chambers
- Top Driver – Carly Karcher
- Top Academic – Aaron Izaguirre
“You will be the agents of change,” said Forsman in closing. “You will be the reason we get better, we continue to improve, and our ethical standards continue to rise and not be diminished.”
“Think back to day one all the way to today,” he continued. “You have earned something. It wasn’t given to you. When you earn something, it means more. Now keep it close to your heart. Go out, do a good job, and welcome to the family.”
Watch the 2022 Law Enforcement Ceremony
2022 Nurse Pinning Ceremony
College of Western Idaho’s Professional Nursing program recognized its 2022 graduating class during a pinning ceremony Wednesday, May 12, at the Nampa Civic Center.
Welcoming graduates to the ceremony, Department Chair, Allison Baker, congratulated graduates on their accomplishments during a particularly challenging past few years.
“Your faculty and I are extremely proud of you for forging ahead in this unpredictable time and completing your degrees,” said Department Chair, Allison Baker. “The fortitude and flexibility that you have demonstrated during this time will serve you well in your careers.”
Following Baker’s remarks, Provost Denise Aberle-Cannata recognized former Dean of Health, Cathleen Currie, retiring after dedicating 14 years of service to the College. Graduates and guests were fortunate to then hear from Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling; Nursing Program Lead, Amanda Tillemans; and graduating Nursing student, Suzannah Barnard.
“We have had some truly wonderful memories as a group taking on the challenge of nursing school during a pandemic,” Barnard said. “We banded together as a group, and we didn’t let all the changes or trials of a pandemic slow us down, kick us out, or cause us to give up. Like Nightingale, we rose to the challenge, and we succeeded. I know each of us are ready to become nurses and that we will each be a valuable asset wherever we go because we have all become a little more tenacious, a little more knowledgeable, and a lot more caring. To the class of 2022, we did it!”
Congratulations to Jordan Schwartz, winner of the Nightingale Award, nominated by classmates for depicting the best of the nursing profession in knowledge, caring, compassion, and dedication.
To conclude the ceremony, Nursing faculty, Joslyn Dresser, emphasized the important role nurses play in the lives of others.
“Being a nurse is a great privilege. Please don’t take it lightly. As Maya Angelou once said, ‘As a nurse, we have the opportunity to heal the mind, soul, heart, and body of our patients. They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel.’ I know each and every one of you will make a difference in the lives of your patients, and we, the faculty of CWI, will be cheering you along the way.”
Mental Health First Aid Training Continues Through the Summer
Nearly 90 College of Western Idaho (CWI) faculty and staff were trained in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) this spring thanks to the expertise of fifteen CWI employees, certified as MHFA Instructors. Trainings, available to all College employees, will continue through the summer and on an ongoing basis.
MHFA Instructors have had a great experience engaging with staff and faculty on the topic of mental health, and feedback from participants has been positive.
“Bringing MHFA training to CWI employees is about creating a culture of caring on our campuses,” said Jodi Hickenlooper, Assistant Director of Counseling and Wellness Services. “We hope to see staff from every campus department get trained because a culture of caring is about everyone.”
MHFA training consists of online modules completed in advance of the training date and either a Zoom or in-person meeting to practice the action plan. Gaining skills in non-judgmental listening, empowering people to promote help-seeking skills, and reducing stigma around mental health challenges, participants will enter a community of helpers at the College upon completion.
“I am so grateful to know more people at CWI will have this basic, but crucial, training to know how to intervene,” said a participant.
All CWI employees are encouraged to participate in this important and beneficial training, and summer is a great time to do so!
Runion and Dale Named Best in Show
Congratulations to Christy Runion and Ashley Dale, winners of College of Western Idaho’s 2022 Juried Art Exhibition. Runion’s submission, a photograph titled “I Couldn’t Save Me from Myself”, and Dale’s submission, a drawing titled “Growing Up Artist”, were selected by juror, Randy Van Dyck, a Boise-based artist and owner of Capitol Contemporary Gallery.
“It doesn’t seem like that long ago that I was in your position having my work judged at a student art show,” shared Van Dyck when announcing the winners. “As artists, you will spend a lifetime having your work judged by others. It requires that you develop very thick skin, courage, and perseverance to follow your artistic vision, whatever it may be and regardless of the obstacles.”
Van Dyke scored submissions based on initial impression, artist statements, technical aspects, and skillful handling of the chosen medium, leading to the selection of Runion and Dales standout pieces.
“I was very pleased with the and quality and variety of the art submitted,” he said. “Thank you for letting me be a part of this journey.”
I Couldn’t Save Me from Myself
Christy Runion
“As she gazed at herself in the mirror, she longed to wrap herself in her arms as a blanket of comfort. Through the years, the world had damaged her both physically and mentally, and repeatedly. She cared so much for others, lending a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on any chance she got, but more than anything, she longed to save herself.”
Growing Up Artist
Ashley Dale
“During my studies of art, like many other artists, I practiced using still-life models. I was captured by the depth of meaning simple objects could hold. In this piece, I wanted to commemorate my journey as an artist and hopefully any artist that dreamed from a young age of creating artwork as a career starting with the most simple tool many start with at a young age, colorful crayons. I can remember at a young age sitting in the pews at church with my family. My grandmother would always bring big fun coloring books and a whole box of coloring crayons. I would then spend the next hour coloring fairies or princesses while the sermons went on in the background. The colors I chose for the crayons are also symbolic of aspects that were a part of my childhood. Pink is symbolism for peace and calm, which, thinking back on childhood, the peace and calm came from the naive outlook on life we had as children. I also positioned this color seeming like it’s about to fall out as that my childhood was somewhat peaceful. Peaceful in the way I didn’t have to worry about bigger problems such as paying the bills or having a job. I did, however, have to deal with the divorce of my parents and having to move away from friends and family. Purple is symbolic of the endless imagination. As a young girl, I loved to play make believe. From imaginary friends to crazy make believe stories. Yellow and orange symbolize the happiness and curiosity of childhood. The light candle symbolizes learning, growth, light, and warmth. It's the spark of learning the love for art and the growth of learning a new skill. The Ball glass jar represents the new tools used to explore the world of art. I put an unfinished drawing I made from inspiration from a quote from the Disney movie Mulan. Mulan’s father said, “Oh look, that blossom is late, but I’ll bet that when it blooms it will be the most beautiful of them all.” This quote gave me great comfort at a time when I was struggling with my self-worth, not only in my art but my self-worth in general. I also look at it in a way that shows I am still growing as an artist as well as a person. We all have our own time to blossom, and, when we do, it’s the most beautiful thing that happens to us.”
Both artists received a $150 cash prize for their winning entries.
Watch Juror, Randy Van Dyke, Announce the Winners of CWI’s 2022 Juried Art Exhibition
