The Ranken File Student Newsletter February 23, 2009 Remember to check InsideRanken every Monday. This newsletter can only be as successful as you make it! If you have news, comments, feedback or if you are interested in contributing a story, please contact Angie Riehn in the Marketing office at (314) 286-4849 or ariehn@ranken.edu.» Campus News & Updates PMT, INT Sponsor Local Robotics Competition The FIRST Competition (FRC) challenges teams of young people and their mentors to solve a common problem in a six-week time frame using a standard kit of parts and a common set of rules. Teams build robots from the parts and enter them in competitions. The mission is to introduce high school students to the world of engineering and research. During this competition, winning means much more than just scoring the most points. Contestants are rewarded for excellence in design, demonstrated team spirit, gracious professionalism and maturity and the ability to overcome obstacles. There are 28 St. Louis area teams for this event and Ranken sponsors the team at Gateway High School. Tom Ely s class helps to build all of the metal parts and John Baima does all of the welding. Ranken s name is displayed on the completed robot. The team from Gateway s first competition with their robot will be at the Greater Kansas City Regional competition next weekend in Kansas City, Mo. They will then compete at the St. Louis Regional competition on March 20 at Chaifetz Arena on Saint Louis University s campus. The St. Louis event usually attracts approximately 40 teams with 10-30 members (all high school students with technical interests). The event is open to the public. For more information, visit www.stlouisfirst.org. Photo: Part of the completed robot with members of the team from Gateway High School. Dates to Remember: February * American Heart Month * Black History Month 2/28 National TRiO Day 3/8 Spring Open House 3/11 Shadow-a-Tech 3/12 Spring Job Fair 3/23- Spring Break 3/27 (student holiday) 4/2 Placement Testing Breakfast 4/8 WIT Luncheon 4/10 Good Friday - All School Holiday 4/15 Shadow-a-Tech 4/19 Ranken Car Show
ommunity» Work Ethic Ranken Will Soon Announce Its New President C The College has been conducting a focused search for the next president for the past six months. Along with the three highly-qualified internal candidates, human resources received close to 100 resumes from external candidates. HR interviewed 15 of those candidates and Paul Drury, consultant, interviewed the top eight candidates. Three external candidates were referred for consideration Photo: Outgoing President, Ben Ernst, will retire at the end of June 2009. in addition to our internal candidates. The six candidates have been interviewed by several board members, Ben, Dr. Ann Beatty, President of Psychological Associates, Paul Drury, and a seven-member succession planning committee. Additionally, each candidate has gone through assessment by Psychological Associates and the internal candidates have each received 360-degree feedback. We have narrowed the external candidates to one top candidate and he is in final consideration with our three internal candidates for the president position. The Board of Trustees will hold its next meeting Thursday afternoon, 2/26. The Board will have a final review and discussion of the results of the interviews and assessments at their meeting and the expectation is that they will reach a decision by the end of their meeting. As soon as all candidates are notified of the final decision, an announcement will be made to all faculty and staff regarding the selected candidate. Candidates:» Pete Murtaugh, Vice President for Finance and Administration» Don Pohl, Dean of Academic Affairs» Stan Shoun, Vice President of Workforce Development and Continuing Education, Central Virginia Community College, Lynchburg, VA» John Wood, Vice President for Education Please let Janice know if you are planning to attend the reception. Thank You! The Missouri Department of Economic Development recently awarded the College community development neighborhood tax credits that totaled $26,590! The proceeds from the tax credits will help to lower the construction costs for the homes being built by RCDC on Cook Avenue and, in turn, help keep the cost of the homes affordable to home buyers. Do You Have A Favorite Teacher At Ranken? Remember to nominate your favorite teacher by emailing their name, department and brief explanation about why you are nominating them to ariehn@ranken.edu. You and your teacher will both be highlighted in the student and employee newsletters (and its a good way to get brownie points... :-))» 2
ommunity» Work Ethic» Scholarship» Leadership» Associate of Applied Science Degree Now Available in the Evening Ranken s new Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program now allows you to study toward your associate degree in the evening! You can transfer credit from other technical colleges, and in some cases you can also get credit for on- the- job experience. We ve also added online courses, so you can study when it s convenient for you! The AAS degree is available for the following programs: AMT ACR HPRT HVACR CST EAT ECDM INT IT PMT 30 technical credit hours are required for graduation, along with 32 general education credits (62 total hours). You can receive work experience credit or credit from other accredited technical training programs (subject to Ranken approval) to meet the 30 technical hour requirement. Classes are forming now! Contact the admissions office today to learn more about how you can experience success in Ranken s new AAS program. NEW SURVEY!! Since we just celebrated President s Day (yes, that s why you were off school last Monday), and because Ranken will be selecting a new President in the next couple of weeks, our new survey is about Presidents! Take the survey and give us your input on what Ranken s new president should do once he takes office. Click here to take the survey Welcome! Dan Fitzsimmons joined Ranken in October of 2007. Dan began teaching electrical systems design technology and now teaches electrical technology. He had been operating his own electrical contracting company prior to joining Ranken where he supervised employees, served as the customer liaison, and performed daily field work. Dan also worked as an electrician for Gardner Electric, Kay Bee Electric, and Dickherber Electric. Dan holds a BA degree in general studies from UMSL and AA degrees in electronics and electrical from St. Louis Community College. He is a certified master electrician.» 3
ommunity» Work Ethic» Scholarship» Leadership» C» News from the Alumni Association Tidwell Gives His Top 10 List to Build Success Gary Tidwell a 1975 HVAC alumnus presented his Top 10 List to Build Success during his presentation on campus as part of the Alumni Entrepreneur Workshop series. Gary also gave these steps to success at a recent Plumbing and Pipefitter Council #562 graduation ceremony. Gary started as a technician and because of his energy and need for variety in his job, moved into contracting and construction management at AirMasters. He is currently serving as the President of MCA of Eastern MO, after doing a stint as Vice President and will complete his term of office as Past President in 2010. Below are Gary s Top 10 List to Build Success: 1. Work Safe -don t take risks take precautions 2. Be a Good Worker give a full day s work for full day s pay 3. Listen to your foreman these guys know what they are doing 4. Be Honest 5. Be Dependable your peers, family and employer are depending on you 6. Be Trustworthy if people can trust what you say and do it makes you valuable 7. Be Congenial be easy to work with no one likes working with a crab 8. Be Attentive listen to what is being said 9. Cross Train if you are a fitter, learn plumbing 10. Be a sponge for knowledge continue your education, read, teach others, get every certification and license that pertains to your career; don t ever think that you know it all. Not only will these steps work in plumbing or HVAC but can be used for any job in any field where success is desired. Gary has followed these tips for his success and believes that anyone who does will have a fulfilling career. Kathy Fern, Director of Alumni Relations, will be visiting classrooms beginning February 23 to introduce all seniors to the Alumni Association and the benefits of membership. Membership in the Alumni Association is free, lasts a lifetime, and is automatic upon graduation. In addition to describing the Alumni Association, Fern will be introducing the Student Helping Students 2009 Class Gift Program. Current seniors are able to make donations to the College, their department or to student scholarships. Seniors who donate will be recognized and receive a gift. Ranken Night at the Blues Game! Friday, April 10, 2009 Scottrade Center 7:30 p.m. St. Louis Blues vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Join Ranken alumni, students and faculty for Ranken night with the St. Louis Blues at the last home game of the season. Get these ticket discounts online or at the box office. Discounted Ticket prices: Club End $62.50 Plaza Corner $52.50 Blue Chip (R-KK) $30.50 Mezz End Low $24.50 To order your tickets: Go to ticketmaster.com Click Find tickets Enter RANKEN in the Special Offer Code box Enter your e-mail address under Create an Account to sign up Follow the instructions to purchase There is a reduced handling fee of $1.25 per ticket. Tickets can either be printed at home or left at will call.» 4
ommunity» Work Ethic» Scholarship» Leadership»» The Oscar Goes To...» Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire» Best Actor Sean Penn ( Milk )» Best Actress Kate Winslet ( The Reader )» Best Supporting Actor Heath Ledger ( The Dark Knight )» Best Supporting Actress Penelope Cruz ( Vicky Cristina Barcelona )» Best Director Danny Boyle ( Slumdog Millionaire ) Top Movie Winners: Slumdog Millionaire - 8 Oscars The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - 3 Oscars The Dark Knight - 2 Oscars» City Calendar 2/6- Soulard Mardi Gras in St. Louis 2/24 Historic Soulard Neighborhood Website: www.stlmardigras.org 2/24 St. Louis Blues vs. Phoenix Coyotes Scottrade Center, 7:30 p.m. 2/24 Derek Trucks Band The Pageant, 8:00 p.m. 2/4- Shrimp Boil at the Boathouse in Forest Park 4/30 Every Thursday evening, 5-9 p.m. 2/27 PBR: Professional Bull Riders Scottrade Center, 8:00 p.m. 2/28 Winter Wonderland Westport Plaza will turn into a Winter Wonderland 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Pujols Family Foundation. 2/28 Stone Spiral Coffeehouse Poetry and Music 7-9 p.m. Featuring the dynamic poetry of k.curtis lyle and the vibrant music of bob case 3/1 NE-YO Fox Theatre, 7:00 p.m. With Special Guests Musiq Soulchild & Jazmine Sullivan 3/3 St. Louis Blues vs. Detroit Red Wings Scottrade Center, 7:30 p.m. 3/5-2009 Missouri Valley Conference Men s 3/8 Basketball Tournament Scottrade Center Cost: $100.00 all session; $28.00 individual game Tickets: (314) 531-7887 or (314) 241-1888 Website: www.mvc-sports.com Ten teams compete for the league s tournament title and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament as the league celebrates its 19th straight tournament in the Gateway City.» 5