Cedar Post. President s Message. Program Celebrates One Year By Adrienne Williams, TBOWD Project Director. Inside this issue: MAY 2008

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1 Volume 7, Number 5 May 2008 President s Message MAY 2008 Cedar Post In this edition of the Cedar Post, I would like to focus on various accomplishments for the year. As we bring our 30th Anniversary Celebration to a close, what better way to do that than to highlight student success, celebrations, and noteworthy strategic partnerships developed during the academic year. It has truly been a great celebration and year. As you think of other accomplishments that you are proud of, please take time to write them down and Reggie Lewis so that we have a record of your thoughts on this matter. This month, we are celebrating the success of Program Celebrates One Year By Adrienne Williams, TBOWD Project Director Fred Cham (center), owner of Goteck Enterprises, LLC recently received a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) maintenance contract for $140,000. Mr. Cham is one of thirteen small business contractors selected to participate our students through our graduation activities. This year, we are proud to announce that 52 students are scheduled to receive certificates and 152 students should receive the Associate degree. This year s ceremony was held at the Lancaster High School Coliseum., and we appreciate LHS officials for making our event was a huge success. Last year, we started the 30th Anniversary Celebration with an Employee Recognition that included the "best of our best" theatre productions. I will always remember the wonderful theatrical presentations, the outside gala featuring beautiful lights and scenery, our Commemorative Garden, not in the Texas Business Opportunity and Workforce Development Program (TBOWD). Mr. Cham is excited about the opportunity to work as a TxDOT contractor, and also having established a new client. After submitting bids for several months, Fred was awarded a contract in late April. He now says, I have one foot in the door and hope that this is the first of many contracts to come. Dr. Jennifer Wimbish President to mention the exciting time we had together with family and friends. Thanks to everyone that was involved. In September, we celebrated our Commemorative Garden, a place for us to remember the lives of those that are no longer with us, as we also made space for us to recognize those who are still with us. A special thanks to the facilities group for doing an outstanding job with the garden. Message continued on page 2. Inside this issue: CVC Alum Works for CeCe Winans Law Enforcement Graduation Tour the Money Factory 3 JAM Highlights 4 Academics in Athletics 5 2 3

2 President... Also, thanks to the team for moving this idea from conception to reality. Each time I pass the garden, I do so with pride in this accomplishment. We have moved forward with CVC Achievers by piloting a case management system for developmental students that is connected to our HD curriculum. The pilot included 422 potential students during our spring 2008 semester. Thanks to Vice-President Anna Mays and the Student Services team for your work that is providing leadership for our student success efforts. One of our strategic priorities focused on student success connected to our Males Initiative, as this is a population that is under-represented in higher education. Participants in the Male Initiative acquire skills to manage academic and life challenges. Additionally, more than 90 percent of the male students who enroll for HDEV 2315 (special topic: men's issues) complete the class and enroll for classes the next semester. In February our "Jazz at the Meyerson" team led us to a great party with a purpose. We have been successful in raising $76, for student scholarships. We have also heightened the awareness of the community of our outstanding Commercial Music Program and the standard of excellence evident at CVC. Also, we have developed a real life experience for our students. We are challenged to include all of our students in a variety of "real life experiences." Thanks to the Meyerson team and the Commercial Music students and faculty for a wonderful event that allowed us to celebrate our 30th anniversary while having a great time The Groundbreaking and the beginning of the construction for our new Industrial Technology facility occurred in September The work of our Industrial Technology team is an accomplishment that we will long remember for it will expand our facilities but more importantly it will allow us to serve more students in a state-ofthe art facility and a learning environment designed with student success in mind. Thank you Industrial Technology team for going over and beyond the call of duty to ensure that we provide learning experiences for students that are current, and relevant. The groundbreaking for our Science Facility followed in April. Again, our team has done an excellent job in designing a building that is focused on students, learning and a sustainable facility. More importantly, it has an outside learning lab, space for students to have conversation with one another and faculty, support staff and administrators. This facility brings Science, Health Professions and Vet. Tech into one facility. Thanks to Team members for a job well done. Our student clubs have had a great year. Our Phi Theta Kappa students once again had a great year winning many honors, including 13 awards at The International Phi Theta Kappa Conference in early April. Thanks for the work that you do that prepares our students to live in a dynamic world. Finally, thanks to our District Professional Development Day team who provided a great learning experience for us on our very own campus. Great teamwork was evident. Thanks so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you. We are a community of leaders developing leaders through student success. CVC Alum Works for CeCe Winans Ronshea Clark, CEO of Shea Studios, sent us an update about a recent internship with award-winning gospel singer CeCe Winans. Here is what Ms. Clark shared with us: Just wanted to take a minute to say I am really enjoying my internship with CW Entertainment! Recently, I was invited as a special guest with CeCe Winans at the Mercy Ministries Gala Banquet held at the Titan Stadium. I have been interning for her company for a little over a month now and I have learned so very much about the industry. Keep me in your prayers as I move on to another level in my life for Christ! Love you much!!!!! Ronshea Clark CEO/President Shea Studios Ms. Clark is one example of the outstanding students we see here at Cedar Valley College. We ll continue to highlight the accomplishments of students as they share their stories with us. MAY 2008 VOLUME 7, NUMBER 5 Dr. Jennifer Wimbish President Sonya Spencer Director of Marketing Reginald E. Lewis Editor & Designer Milan McGowan Editorial Assistant The Cedar Post is published monthly (Sept.-May) by: Cedar Valley College Marketing and Public Information Office 3030 North Dallas Ave. Lancaster, Texas Send story contributions and photos by the 20th of each month to: rlewis@dcccd.edu Page 2

3 Law Enforcement Academy Graduation The Continuing Education Division conducted graduation ceremonies for the Law Enforcement Academy on April 18. Thirteen part-time day students completed the ten months of required training and passed the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education certification exam to become police officers. The Performance Hall was filled with family, friends, community police departments and former academy graduates. Chief Deputy James Skidmore from the Tarrant County Sheriff s Department was the keynote speaker. Mr. Skidmore spoke to the cadets about the degree of integrity that is required for their career choice. Police officers are held to a higher standard than most positions, even judges. He imparted encouraging words about their future, and was also very complimentary of the academy. He commented specifically on the respect and positive relationship between the students and faculty. Congratulations to the CE Law Enforcement Academy! Join us in celebrating student success by attending the next graduation ceremonies on June 4 for eight cadets and June 12 for 27 cadets. Notes from Cedar Valley College Police Department Special thanks to Jarlene Decay, Timica Hamilton, Jeremy Adams, President of SGA Racheal Washington, and Mike Alford. Thank you for your civic duty while participating on the Tickets Appeals Committee for one year. Also, congratulations to two of our outstanding officers: Officer James Vanison Top Gun 1st Quarter Officer Stephanie Golightly Officer of the quarter 1st quarter TBOWD (cont d)... Do You Like Money? Did you know that on any given day, more than $1 million is printed and shipped from the North Texas area? The CVC Business Office recently took a half-day professional development retreat to tour the U.S. Department of the Treasury s Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) in Forth Worth, TX. The tour began with a short 15-minute film on the origins of both BEPs in Washington and Forth Worth. After the film, visitors toured the moneymaking plant. This tour lasts about 45 minutes and is about ¼ mile long. Visitors learn about what money is really made out of, the frequency of printing each bill, machinery used, and other interesting facts. More than $1 million printed and shipped by the Federal Reserve is for distribution and introduction into the U.S. economy. Due to the sophisticated counterfeiting technology being used by today s criminals, the U.S. Department of the Treasury is constantly upgrading security features for its bills. To learn more about this professional development opportunity and to get information on scheduling a tour, please visit or ask one of the CVC Business Office employees. CVC Faculty Member in High Demand Roger Dismore, Music Coordinator, was very active on the music scene in April, performing concerts with Bernadette Peters and the East Texas Symphony in Tyler, the Pointer Sisters & the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the Meyerson, and Gladys Knight & the Pips with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the Meyerson. April also marked the release of a new CD by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra featuring music by George Gershwin, that was recorded last summer with Roger on saxophone. For the last six months, Cedar Valley College has administered various training workshops to assist in the continued growth, development, and longevity of TBOWD s participants. The strategic training classes offered, will not only improve their business operations, but will also, increase their opportunities to do business in the heavy highway construction industry. TBOWD is proud of the commitment and dedication of our program participants, like Fred Cham. You will certainly be hearing more successes and accomplishments from many of our other business owners who are all on their way to success in the industry. Page 3

4 Highlights from Jazz at the Meyerson Cameron Smith (Smooth Jazz TV) and Gloria Campos (WFAA-TV) cohost the VIP reception. Sonya Spencer, Director of Marketing for CVC, presents award to outstanding alum Margarita Tarver. Wayman Tisdale plays some smooth rhythms during the Jazz at the Meyerson concert. Legendary saxophonist Kirk Whalum takes the crowd on a journey. Lueretha J. Slack of Comerica Bank and Dr. Jennifer Wimbish, CVC president, greet Kirk Whalum after the benefit concert. CVC Commercial Music students pose with Kirk Whalum after gracing the stage with the jazz great. Wayman Tisdale joins our Commercial Music students after the concert. VOLUME 7, NUMBER 5 Page 4

5 Academics in Athletics By Kezia Drake, Athletic Director Cedar Valley College Athletics is instrumental in assuring that studentathletes continue their education at four-year institutions. The Student- Athlete Success Program provides guidelines that help increase grade point averages and has been a direct result of the successful transfer of over 40 student-athletes in the past two years. With only five athletic programs, this number continues to increase due to the positive educational reputation that Cedar Valley College has made for itself. Athletic Director Kezia Drake states, Between the Student-Athlete Success Program and the extensive contacts at four-year institutions, our studentathletes are given the opportunity to be successful students. In turn, this sets them up for success in life. What s new in the library New books are arriving in support of various disciplines across the college. Titles such as The Freedom Writers Diary, The Basics: Blues, The Complete Guide to Artic Wildlife, Educating the Net Generation, Slipcasting, Common Diseases of Companion Animals authored by CVC Professor, Dr. Alleice Summers, and other books can be found on the new book shelf near the library entrance. New Databases are becoming available. The most recent is 360 Search, which offers users the option to search 50 databases for articles and books in one single query. This database is one among 147 others that can be accessed by students and staff in the library as well as remotely from any computer with Internet access. New furniture has arrived. The updated furniture was made possible with the support of Dr. Jennifer Wimbish, Dr. Lynn Nolte, David Browning and Lisa Nightingale. Additional support was provided by Jean Hill, our District Design Specialist, as well as the Library Remodel Committee: Roderick Crowder, Lisa Nightingale, Linda Noblin, Cindy Rogers, Dan Rogers, Kim Ross and Edna White. New online library tutorials, developed by a dedicated group of DCCCD librarians, can be found on the library page to help students learn how to search the library catalog, how to choose and search library online databases, how to evaluate and search web sites, how to learn APA or MLA style, and more. This decorative sign, was painted by Paul Vancil, CVC Carpenter, which directs students to a wide selection of art books about artists and their works, artistic periods and stylistic movements. Stop by the library to see What s New and ask about our library services. Page 5