CWI Compass Connect - May 27, 2014
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) has announced the first two winners of its 2014 What if Contest Giveaway. Students Michael Palmer and Lisette Baer were randomly drawn to win CWI prize packs. Drawings will continue on the first and fifteenth of each month leading up to the $1,000 Scholarship giveaway on July 28. Participants can visit www.collegeofwhatif.com/contest to vote on their favorite Debunking Community College Myths video and enter to win.
News Highlights
CWI Honor Society Leads Regional Recognitions
College of Western Idaho (CWI) enjoyed the spotlight at the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society Regional Conference in Hood River, Ore. last weekend (May 9-10), as CWI Beta Sigma Pi took home the most awards of any chapter in the region. CWI received six Most Distinguished (first-place) awards, including top Officer and Advisor honors. The region includes thousands of members from 26 chapters in Oregon, Idaho, and Utah.
College Project
Most Distinguished
Distinguished Chapter Officer Team
Most Distinguished
Distinguished Chapter Officer Awards
Most Distinguished - Alycia Dickman
First Runner-up - Jessica Bain
Distinguished Advisor Awards
Most Distinguished - Matthew R. K. Haynes
Competitive Edge
Most Distinguished
Honors in Action
Most Distinguished Theme - Theme 10 - Wait Until Next Year: History/Future of Competition
CWI Volunteer Tax Program Provides Nearly $40,000 in Assistance
College of Western Idaho (CWI) hosted its fourth-annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program this spring as CWI students and alumni joined forces to give back to the community. Incredibly, the group helped complete just over 150 tax returns that equated to nearly $40,000 worth of savings, based on average return rate calculated by the Internal Revenue Service. This year also included an opportunity to provide tax assistance to a women’s shelter in Caldwell. The group was led by Online Chair for Business, Education and Exercise and Health Sciences, Joe Welker, and included students from CWI Academic Transfer and Professional Technical Education programs as well as Boise State University.
“Every year the students enjoy a great take away in a couple of aspects,” says Welker. “Not only do they get to apply the knowledge they gained in class, but they also get to provide a professional service for students and community members. It is really great to see them assist so many individuals.”
Thank you to everyone that participated in this great project and thanks to Joe for helping coordinate this valuable learning experience and community resource once again.
2014 Mike Rowe Scholarship Recipients Named
On May 6, the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Diesel Technology programs recognized two students who have been selected as recipients of $1,000 tools scholarships from the mikeroweWORKS Foundation. Each year the Foundation awards a pair of scholarships to Diesel Technology programs affiliated and accredited by the Associated Equipment Distributors. The 2014 honor went to second-year Heavy-Duty Truck Technician students Jeff Waters and Jake Arkoosh.
Waters, of Nampa, completed the program this spring and is currently employed with Thermo King Intermountain. Arkoosh, a Gooding, Idaho native, is also graduating this spring and plans to utilize his training at his family’s farming operation.
The mikeroweWORKS Foundation is named for TV personality, creator and host of Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs”, Mike Rowe. For more information on the Foundation visit www.profoundlydisconnected.com.
College of Western Idaho Outstanding Business Students Announced
College of Western Idaho (CWI) has announced the winners of the third-annual CWI Pearson Business Student (s) of the Year Award: Katreece Hattaway, Shane Turner, and Herman Anthony Berlin. The students are being recognized for their accomplishments in and out of the classroom.
STUDENT BIOS
Katreece Hattaway
Hattaway is a 24-year old Kuna native. She has a strong interest in logistics and is currently working toward a degree in operations management. Hattaway says she is also striving to speak fluent Spanish and Mandarin by the time she is 30. She is the youngest of 10 children in her family. In her free time, Hattaway enjoys hiking, outdoor adventures, watching Netflix, and learning and reading about the universe and human optimization. Her goals are to be successful, happy, and hopefully make change in the world.
Shane Turner
Turner is a fourth generation Nampa High School graduate. This spring he completed his first year at CWI with a 4.0 cumulative grade point average. He is pursuing a Business degree and plans to transfer to Boise State University to complete a bachelor’s in both Business Management and Entrepreneurial Business, with a minor in Theater. Turner has experienced numerous career paths from teacher/coach, to traveling POS specialist, thespian, stockbroker, director, sportswriter, color radio announcer, photojournalist, among others. He is currently president of the CWI Golf Club and treasure of the College’s United Registered Clubs and Organizations group. Turner has also participated in the Entrepreneur's Club and the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society.
Herman Anthony Berlin
Berlin, who was born in Monrovia, Calif. and raised in Virginia, moved to Boise in 2001. After working in construction for nine years, he began taking classes at CWI in August 2011. Berlin graduated from CWI in December 2013 with a 3.74 cumulative GPA and an Associate of Arts degree in Business. He transferred to the University of Idaho in January and is currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
Students were nominated for the award by Business faculty and internship supervisors. Applications were reviewed by a faculty committee and winners were selected based on eligibility requirements, grade point average, and other honors, contributions, and achievements. For their selection, Hattaway, Turner, and Berlin each receive a personalized certificate and medal, their name added to an annual plaque, and a one-time scholarship contribution.
For more information regarding the CWI Business Student (s) of the Year Award please contact Joe Welker at joewelker@cwi.edu.
CWI Voice Class Performs at Spring Creek Manor
A group of students from College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) voice class performed at Spring Creek Manor on Overland Road in Boise on May 7, providing entertainment for residents. The program included both solos and group songs of a variety of styles: classical, music theater, and folk. Adjunct Faculty Bonnie Salewski says the residents of Spring Creek shared that they enjoyed the performance very much and asked the students to return and sing again.
CWI Speech and Debate Celebrates Inaugural Honorees
College of Western Idaho (CWI) hosted the first-annual Department of Communication Celebration, May 9, which served as a spotlight for its nationally recognized Speech and Debate program. As part of the event the program introduced Teresa Fridrich and Cheryl Wright as recipients of two new annual recognitions intended to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to CWI Speech and Debate.
Fridrich’s introduction came as the first-ever inductee into the CWI Speech and Debate Alumni Hall of Fame. Fridrich was a captain on the Speech and Debate team in 2010-11. Along with earning several individual awards, Fridrich also helped capture CWI’s first of three Speech and Debate National Championships. She graduated from CWI in 2011 with an associate degree in Communication. She currently works for the College as an administrative assistant II in the President’s Office.
Wright, CWI’s Vice President of Finance and Administration, received her honor as the inaugural CWI Speech and Debate Support Award recipient. The award recognizes a person who plays a vital role in supporting CWI Speech and Debate, while demonstrating commitment to the value of forensics and this activity in building students as future community leaders.
Both awards are determined by current and former CWI Directors and Assistant Directors of forensics.
Johnson Receives Faculty Emeritus Status
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Board of Trustees has approved the awarding of Emeritus Faculty Status to Welding Program Chair, Randy Johnson, in recognition of his distinguished service to the College. In order to be eligible for Emeritus Faculty status, an individual must be a retiring full-time faculty member that meets one of several length-of-service requirements.
Johnson came to CWI as an instructor in the Welding and Metals Fabrication program in August 2009. In 2011 he assumed Program Chair duties and has been acting in that capacity since. In addition to his program responsibilities, Johnson also spent three years serving as SkillsUSA advisor. His contributions to CWI include helping grow the Welding program from 25 to 47 students, as well as assisting in creation of the annual SkillsUSA “Skills on Wheels” Car Show fundraiser. Johnson is retiring at the end of July.
Congratulations Randy on receiving this distinguished honor and thank you for all your valuable contributions to the College.
Chapman Honored by Idaho Accounting Association
College of Western Idaho (CWI) staff member Shannon Chapman is celebrating an esteemed individual recognition, being honored this month for her service to governmental related accounting in Idaho. On May 15, Chapman received the Chapter Service award at the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) Idaho Centennial Chapter’s monthly luncheon. Chapman, an accountant in the CWI Business Office, received the annual honor by nomination from her peers.
Chapman has been with CWI since July 2009. She has been a valuable member of the CWI Business Office with a focus on Professional Technical Education. Along with her professional responsibilities, she is also very active on campus as a member of CWI Staff Senate as well as the Fun and Culture Committee. Chapman began her career in higher education at Boise State University where she worked in the budget office, administrative accounting, and Selland College of Applied Technology.
Chapman has been married for 45 years. She is a mother of six and a grandmother of 11. She loves reading and traveling and is involved in the Boise Square Dance Center.
The AGA is the member organization for financial professionals in government. The association helps members build their skills and advance their careers through networking events, professional certification, publications, and ongoing education. Visit www.idahoaga.org for more information.
