CWI Compass Connect - October 27, 2015
In the Spotlight
A group of College of Western Idaho (CWI) students are becoming regular visitors at Deer Flat Wildlife Refuge this semester, conducting research as part of Dusty Perkins’ ecology class. The class has been traveling to Deer Flat to study a variety of topics including; vegetation, aquatics and invertebrates, forest habitat, and bird communities.
News Highlights
Field Work Concludes for Petroglyph Project
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Anthropology Club celebrated a milestone in its petroglyph project at Celebration Park near Melba, completing the field work phase of the multi-year preservation effort. This month, 23 students volunteered over three days to record more than 20 petroglyph panels. Since the start of the project, over 60 Anthropology Club members have participated in four trips to conduct field work.
CWI students have been recording, mapping, and photographing petroglyphs since March 2014 through a grant from the Canyon County Historic Preservation Commission.
“We are grateful to the Commissioners support as well as our partners, Idaho Department of Fish and Game and Canyon County Parks, Recreation, and Waterways and their Director Tom Bicak,” says CWI Anthropology Faculty, Nikki Gorrell.
Gorrell says CWI Geography faculty, Bryan Krouse, has also been providing invaluable assistance on the project by helping map the glyphs. The group is currently creating an ArcGIS Collector app with the data so that anyone with an interest in the project can learn more about it on their smartphone. The goal is to have the app available by the end of this year.
“The students that have participated are the reason this project has been successful,” Gorrell adds. “Their contributions serve as a legacy for prehistoric preservation of the cultural heritage of Canyon County.”
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.”
How CWI Prepped This Veteran for Career Success
It took a while, but Ken Silvers is finally on a career path that he says makes a difference. After delivering medical supplies to a number of Treasure Valley clinics and hospitals for nearly a decade, Ken decided it was time to do something else. After saving enough money to pay for the classes he needed to become a Registered Medical Assistant, he went back to school.
“I got tired of moving boxes and being out in the weather,” he said. “I had enough and decided I wanted an indoor job.”
Already in his 40’s, the U.S. Army veteran knew it would take more than money to get to where he wanted to be. With some financial help from the Veterans Administration and after boot-camp style student retraining from the Basic Skills Education department at the College of Western Idaho, Ken enrolled in the Medical Assistant training program through Workforce Development.
“I always wanted to be in the medical field,” he said. “I went into the Army after I graduated from high school specifically for the college benefits, but then life happened. When I finally decided to go back to school, I took advantage of everything I could to get readjusted to being a student.”
Eager to learn, Ken steadily worked his way through the MA program. He spent nine months learning how to take vital signs, assisting with x-rays, drawing up injections, documenting patient charts, prepping rooms and everything else associated with basic clinical care. When the time came for his externship, he went to a St. Alphonsus location in Nampa and was offered a job before he finished the program.
“It was great to get my foot in the door right away,” he said. “But I decided to go a different direction because I was more interested in working at a specialty practice as opposed to being in family practice.”
Ken completed the program in May 2014. Less than a year later, he started working at West Idaho Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Caldwell—where he uses his CWI-learned skills every single day.
“CWI definitely prepared me for my job,” he said. “I am finally in a career where I can go home at the end of the day and say I helped someone. I tell my friends that it’s never too late. Don’t let age be a factor that holds you back. Just find your passion and go for it!”
Ken recently returned to CWI to share some of his school and work experiences with students going through the MA program. He also gave a demonstration on how to apply and remove a cast—something he also does every single day.
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.
CWI and IDeal Promote College Savings Month
October is being recognized as College Savings Month and College of Western Idaho (CWI) is partnering to promote resources available to help Idahoans save for college. In April, CWI announced an exciting agreement with the IDeal—Idaho 529 College Savings Program to create an innovative scholarship program. The scholarship, called “CWIDeal Boost,” provides matching funds provided by CWI to qualifying students who make tuition and fee payments to CWI directly from an IDeal 529 College Savings Account—up to $500 per semester or $1,500 per year.
IDeal is leading a month-long initiative to raise awareness about its program and how financial planning can help make college more attainable. To learn more about the IDeal program visit www.idsaves.org.
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)
