Contact: Joe Verkennes, Director of Marketing, (734) 384-4207 February 15, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THE FOUNDATION AT MCCC ANNOUNCES WINTER 2010 ENHANCEMENT GRANT AWARDS MONROE, Mich. The Foundation at Monroe County Community College has announced the recipients of the 2010 Enhancement Grants Program Awards. The Enhancement Grants Program assists faculty, staff and students by providing funding for the development and implementation of innovative projects that support the MCCC mission and enrich or improve the quality of education for students. The Foundation Board of Directors allocated $20,000 for the 2010 Enhancement Grants Program. Grant applications were requested for amounts ranging from $250 to $3,000. The 11 funded grant projects and their recipients include: The Humanities Experience: Live Theater, applicants Cheryl Johnston, assistant professor of reading and English, and Dr. William McCloskey, professor of English, for an award of $2,200. This award will be used to defray the cost for students to attend two plays in Stratford, Ontario during a twoday field trip in the Fall 2010 Semester.
In the Winter Semester, students will attend Wayne State University s Hilberry Theatre or alternatively go on a theater outing at another venue. Funds may also be used to defray the cost of guest performers invited to MCCC during both Fall and Winter semesters. MASS Field Trip to Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral and Surrounding Area, applicant Kathy Shepherd, professor of mathematics, for an award of $2,000. This funding will allow students of the Math and Science Society to visit to visit the Kennedy Space Center and experience science and engineering firsthand as it relates to the space program. While in Florida, the students will also visit Walt Disney s Epcot Center. The trip will take place in May 2010. International Relations Class and Club Trip to Canadian Parliament Hill, applicant Dr. Joanna Sabo, professor of political science, for an award of $2,200. This grant will help offset student travel expenses for the International Relations Class and the International Studies Club to travel to Ottawa, Ontario in April 2010 to study the Canadian government and tour the Canadian Parliament. The student learning goals for the trip include understanding the cultural and political differences between the U.S. and Canada in the context of international relations, being able to explain how the Canadian Parliament operates as a system of government, learning how Canadians view the U.S. and our system of government, and to experience the different language and customs of French Canadians. Club Culinaire Boston Trip, applicants Chef Kevin Thomas and the Club Culinaire officers for an award of $2,000. This funding will allow students of MCCC s Club Culinaire to visit Boston to experience the area s rich history both of food and American culture. While in Boston, the members of Club Culinaire will have the opportunity to dine in nationally acclaimed restaurants, tour the historic sights and rich culinary background of the coastal region, meet with up and coming chefs and network within their field of study.
ECDV Students MIAEYC Annual Conference, applicant Tiffany Wright, instructor of early childhood development, for an award of $2,000. This funding will assist in enabling several early childhood development students to attend the annual Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children conference in Grand Rapids from March 25-27. This conference is the largest early childhood professional conference in the state and offers participants hundreds of opportunities to attend professional development workshops in various topics within the field of early childhood. National College Media Spring Convention, applicants Dan Shaw, assistant professor of humanities and journalism, and Jennifer Niswender, editor-in-chief for The Agora student newspaper, for an award of $2,000. This funding will allow the members of The Agora staff to attend the National College Media Spring Convention in New York City from March 14-16. The conference features nationally recognized speakers, more than 200 workshops and other learning opportunities targeted at college journalism students. Students will be exposed to cutting-edge techniques in journalism, including hot trends like narrative video story-telling and producing multimedia. Respiratory Therapy Student Teams to Compete in Michigan Society for Respiratory Care Sputum Bowl, applicant Bonnie Boggs, director of respiratory therapy, for an award of $2,000. This grant will be used to sponsor four MCCC teams consisting of four students each to compete in the annual Sputum Bowl Competition conducted by the Michigan Society for Respiratory Care. The competition this year will be in Kalamazoo March 22-24 in conjunction with the annual meeting. The Sputum Bowl is a trivia competition similar to a college quiz bowl.
SAE Electric Vehicle Project, applicants Don Kehrer, assistant professor of automotive engineering technology, and Tom Harrill, assistant professor of electronics and computer technology, for an award of $2,000. This funding will purchase 20 Advanced Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries to power the existing Formula SAE car. The car will be retrofitted with an electric motor, electronic controller and advanced Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries. Students will gain up close and personal experience with the design, construction and service of electric vehicles. Family Fun Night, applicant Tom Ryder, campus community events/student activities coordinator, for an award of $1,500. This funding will help offset the cost of the MCCC Student Government s Family Fun Night. This event is a carnival type event that offers games and activities for young children ages 3-10. It includes games, giant inflatable items, a magician, face painting and other family activities. It is open to the entire community and an estimated 1,000 people usually attend. Ambassadors Society, applicant Barry Kinsey, director of workforce development, for an award of $1,500. This funding will be used to create an Ambassadors Society at MCCC. The Ambassadors Society will be a group of students who will assist in the attraction and registration of non-traditional students. They will conduct regularly scheduled tours of campus for these potential students and provide support and encouragement. Lunch and Learn at the Whitman Center, applicant Sandy Kosmyna, director of the Whitman Center, for an award of $600. This funding will support a Lunch and Learn program at the Whitman Center from March 2010 through February 2011. Displays and guest speakers will be hosted at the Whitman Center to address issues selected to enlighten students on contemporary topics and diversity issues and to enhance their career development.
The Foundation Enhancement Grants Program Committee includes Dr. John Holladay, professor of English and philosophy; John Joy, dean of corporate and community services; Susan R.S. Miller, Foundation director; Chris Sims, administrative assistant to the manager of information systems; and Dr. Jean Guyor, Foundation director. To donate to The Foundation at MCCC Enhancement Grants Program, contact Suzanne Wetzel, director of institutional advancement and executive director of The Foundation, at (734) 384-4206. ###