CWI News—Aug. 6, 2021
President's Message
I hope this finds you all enjoying some summer fun as we head into the start of fall term and planning for the college address and in-service activities. The COVID-19 environment continues to evolve and change almost daily, causing us to review our response.
I would like to take a minute to reinforce and call attention to our updated Be Safe, Be Mighty protocols:
- Wearing a mask is strongly recommended while indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
- Safe distancing and hand washing is recommended.
- Individuals are asked to stay home when experiencing any symptoms.
- Employees can work with their managers regarding a work schedule inclusive of time in the office and remote.
- College travel is restricted.
- Indoor meetings and events must offer a virtual element and limit in-person capacity.
- Disinfectant supplies may be utilized to sanitize areas in use on campus.
Following these protocols and overall guidance will help protect our CWI community, family, friends, and those who are vulnerable. Calendar appointments for the 2021 College Address will be updated to reflect a virtual address.
In addition, keep in mind we have invested in a number of efforts in campus locations to ensure a safe and healthy environment:
- Disinfectant fogging equipment
- Complete building ionization
- Touchless faucets, towel dispensers, and toilets
Rapid Trace continues to be our partner to report a positive or probable case. Please call the self-reporting call center. This is a free service and is available to students, staff, and faculty to help with providing follow-up contact tracing services, available resources, and guidance. Reporting is available 24 hours/day; 813.699.3551.
These updated protocols are effective immediately and will continue to be in effect until further notice. Visit cwi.edu/BeSafe for updated guidance, resources, and more information.
For questions contact COVID19_Questions@cwi.edu.
Respectfully,
CWI in the News
News Highlights
CWI Night at the Hawks Hits a Home Run
Thank you to the students, alumni, donors, family, and friends of the College of Western Idaho (CWI) community who joined us at the ballpark for a night of baseball and fundraising during CWI Night at the Boise Hawks Thursday, July 29.
Kicking off the evening, CWI graduate, Ashton Syed, threw out a ceremonial pitch. Syed graduated with honors in 2021 with degrees in Computer Science and STEM.
“Throwing out the first pitch was a huge honor for me,” said Syed. “Being recognized for the level of effort I have put into my education means a lot to me. It was just the boost I needed to finish my summer course with an A+. I am so grateful for the community at CWI for all their support and encouragement.”
The CWI section along the third-base line was an incredible sight! Group ticket sales for the event raised more than $800, the most ever for this event! The funds, presented to the CWI Foundation by the Boise Hawks mascot, Humphrey the Hawk, and Director of Sales, Matt Osbon, will go directly back to the SCORE Big Scholarship fund.
“What better way to spend an evening in Boise than at CWI Night at the Hawks,” said CWI Director of User Services, Mark Westcott. “Talking with old friends and seeing new faces in 3D that I've only seen on Zoom topped the night. The Enrollment team was hawking (see what I did there) the goods on the way in and sharing our message. Thanks to the Foundation and Communications and Marketing team for the time and energy they put into an awesome evening!”
"I had a wonderful time during CWI night," said 2018 graduate, Marcos Serratos-Garcia. "I feel proud to be a part of an organization that is so united and gives back to the community. It was especially wonderful to have my daughter witness such camaraderie."
Congratulations to Yvone Kaluta and Tucker Marcus, winners of $1,000 SCORE Big Scholarships which were awarded on the field during the game. Both currently attending CWI, Kaluta is majoring in Health Science and Marcus in Welding and Metals Fabrication.
Plan to join us for the next CWI Night – stay tuned for more information!
CWI Releases New Mobile App
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is excited to announce the release of a new mobile app with updated features including optimized Blackboard performance.
Put CWI in your pocket – use the app to help you navigate campus locations, view your schedule, receive important notifications from the College, and learn about news and events on campus. A highlight of the new app is its ability to better serve students and faculty with improved functionality with Blackboard, creating a better mobile experience.
Additionally, the app includes a link to our Be Safe webpage for up-to-date information related to COVID-19 procedures and guidelines, campus safety measures, student services availability, and resources.
Already have the app? You still need to download the new version from the App Store or Google Play, and delete the outdated version from your mobile device.
To Change the World
"Because of College of Western Idaho (CWI), I was able to return to college as a non-traditional student having been out of high school for a decade, find my passion, make wonderful friends, gain influential mentors, and successfully graduate with honors and two science degrees," said 2021 graduate, Ashton Syed.
After dropping out multiple times due to an abusive home life and homeless his entire senior year, Ashton graduated from high school in 2009. Despite excelling in several careers over the years that followed, he lacked fulfillment. This lack of fulfillment brought him to CWI in 2018.
"Primarily my discontent stemmed from a lack of intellectual challenge," he said. "In the positions I held, I rapidly excelled and exceeded the established expectations by such a degree much of the work became boring, and I was not encouraged to pursue further growth. The environments, in general, were quite negative and destructive which made it even more difficult to be happy and find fulfillment, given my past."
While at CWI, Ashton rediscovered his passion for Computer Science.
"My Computer Science instructor, Lawrence Sevigny, was exceptional. The course material came so, surprisingly, natural to me. As he and I reminisced about an old computer game I played as a child, a real connection was occurring, not only with my instructor but also with my long-deceased father who was a computer systems analyst and passed away in 1997. My father gave me a foundation in computer networking and a strong interest in computers which I kept through much of my childhood."
Seeking to influence change and enhance learning for students and the success of CWI, Ashton kept himself engaged and involved which included serving as leadership of ASCWI. Despite a number of challenges in his personal life, he was able to keep his grades up and was recognized for several awards and achievements. Among the most memorable was being nominated as an Emerging Scholar.
"This nomination was particularly memorable for me because when Karl Von Der Ehe, my Technical Writing instructor, nominated me I was sleeping at St. Luke's with my then two-year-old daughter during her battle against cancer. Even though I was going through a tough time personally, I was producing exceptional results in class which later earned me two, first-place Presidential Writing Awards."
As a husband and father, Ashton valued the opportunity to take classes online.
"My wife and kids have been a huge part of my journey and are my number one priority. For them, I needed flexibility in my education. Without the flexibility CWI provided through online classes, it would have been much more difficult to push through and succeed - especially during that trying time with my daughter. I am happy to report she is now in full remission and a happy, energetic four-year-old."
Ashton has already embarked on classes at Boise State University where he continues his studies in Computer Science.
"My ultimate goal? To change the world!"
New Merchandise Hits CWI Bookstore
As College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Bookstore is busy loading in books and supplies for students ahead of the start of Fall 2021 semester, the bold look of CWI’s new brand is here with updated signage, apparel, and a variety of cool merchandise. CWI's new brand colors of river and moss can be seen throughout the store in program signs, sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, mugs, tumblers and much more!
"We are excited for the new brand and to be able to offer the CWI community some new options in college gear,” said Bookstore Manager, Jason Stokes. “We are looking forward to more inventory arriving soon, this is just the first round of items."
Employees are eligible for a 10% discount on purchases of gifts and apparel at the Bookstore with their employee ID. Visit the CWI Bookstore online for hours and location.
Eichten Named Staff of the Month for June
Congratulations to Adam Eichten, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff of the Month for June 2021. Eichten is a Multimedia Tech for Information Technology User Services and has been with the College just under a year.
Eichten has a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry from Minnesota State University Mankato and an Associate of Applied Science in Audio Production from Hennepin Technical College. His work experience prior to CWI included working events as an audio engineer, project management, and programming.
“Because of CWI, I have a stable job which allows me to live the lifestyle I want,” Eichten said. “Due to being in the event industry, I was laid off in March 2020 as the company I was working for lost all its revenue. It was a hard year. When a position opened up in my field at CWI to work alongside my good friend, Judd, I jumped right in. This position has not only given me financial stability and freedom but gives me day-to-day fulfillment.”
As a Multimedia Tech, Eichten’s days are rarely the same. His wide array of duties include installation of new equipment, design, and configuration of classrooms and meeting spaces on campus, as well as assisting with audio visual needs and requests.
“Adam recently helped me prepare for a very important meeting,” said Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Director, Mel Henderson. “Not only did he make sure the room was equipped way ahead of schedule, he took the time to train me how to use the technology, twice – which, let me tell you, is an extreme practice in patience. He then showed up for the meeting to ensure it went off without a hitch. Had he not helped, this meeting would have been a disaster. He provided flawless customer service demonstrating unparalleled excellence, creative innovation, integrity, care, and respect as he went above and beyond his job responsibilities and expectations.”
Eichten grew up in South Dakota and Minnesota. Outside of work, he enjoys playing music, going to shows, playing video games, participating in trivia nights, and hanging out with his Boston Terrier, Ruby. Additionally, he is part of Boise’s annual Treefort Music Festival’s staff.
