Back to School Guide by The Montage

THE MONTAGE

2012

BACK TO SCHOOL

GUIDE

M THE MONTAGE

Kavahn Mansouri Kelly Glueck Kimberly Morice Hans Steinert Kurt Oberreither Alex Kendall Jesse Hofford Tomi Storey Spencer Gleason Kait Thomas Gretchen Daniels Justin Vilmer Shannon Philpott

Amber Davis Steven Duncan Brian Haenchen Sara Murillo Sam Wise

Editor in Chief Managing Editor Emeritus Asst. Photo Editor Emeritus Multimedia Editor News Editor Emeritus Managing Editor Opinions Editor In-Depth Editor Sports Editor Copy Editor Emeritus Copy Editor Copy Editor Faculty Adviser Senior Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer

Editorial views expressed or content contained in this publication are not necessarily the views of St. Louis Community College, the Board of Trustees or the administration. The Montage is a student publication produced seven times per semester at St. Louis Community College - Meramec, 11333 Big Bend Blvd., Kirkwood, Mo., 63122. (314) 984-7655. One copy of The Montage is free of charge. Up to 10 additional copies available, $1 each, at the office of The Montage, SC 220. Bulk purchases may be arranged with circulation manager. To place an advertisement, contact the advertising manager for rates, sample issues, etc., (314)984-7955.

Proud member of

Table of

CONTENTS Letter From the Editor | Page 3

Fasten Your Seatbelts

No Place Like Home

Goodnight and Good Luck

Here’s Looking at You Kid

Meramec Fight Under National Spotlight | Page 40 The Smoking Saga: Stubbed Out | Page 43 Freese | Pages 44-45 Saying Goodbye | Pages 46-47 Professors Achieving More | Page 49 FRONT AND BACK COVER PHOTOS BY ALEX KENDALL/ FRONT MODEL ERICA RUNGE/ BACK MODEL KIMBERLY ANN MEACHAM

Letter from the

Editor

KAVAHN MANSOURI EDITOR IN CHIEF Welcome to The Montage’s Back-To-School Guide, this guide’s aim is to educate students ranging from new to old. In this guide we will cover what you’ll need to know before you get to Meramec, when you’re here and when you leave. Our final section will cover the past academic year and all of the events incoming and leaving students may find helpful. The Montage aims to make this summer Back-ToSchool Guide another perfect companion for incoming freshmen as well as a souvenir

for departing students. Whoever you are, we hope that the guide gives you a perfect idea of what Meramec is, what Meramec offers and why Meramec is an amazing place to get an education. In my second year of service as The Montage’s Editor in Chief I promise our readers another year of consistency, news worthy stories and nonbias coverage of Meramec and STLCC as a whole. The past year The Montage achieved several feats and accomplished a number of our goals, for the 2012-2013 academic year we

plan on furthering ourselves through fair journalism and a common goal of informing the students and being the student voice of Meramec. This academic year I vow that our staff will provide our readers with stories that will embody the heart of Meramec. Whether it is personality profiles, event coverage, breaking news, sports coverage, etc. The Montage will cover all things Meramec to the full extent. We will leave no stone unturned and no character unexplored. We make this not

Editor in Chief Kavahn Mansouri. Mansouri has been Editor in Chief since the 2011-2012 academic year.

only our mission but our duty in the pursuit of covering our campus.

The Montage staff works on the summer “Back to School Guide. This “Back to School Guide” will be the Montage’s third annual magazine.

Students with disAbilities

have Access at STLCC.

St. Louis Community College makes every reasonable effort to accommodate individuals with disabilities. If you have accommodation needs, please contact the Access office at the campus where you are registered. While accommodations may be requested at any time, some accommodations may require many weeks to arrange. Florissant Valley Access Office 3400 Pershall Road St. Louis, MO 63135-1499 E-mail: fvaccess@stlcc.edu Phone: 314-513-4551 Fax: 314-513-4876 Relay Missouri: 711

Forest Park Access Office

Meramec Access Office

5600 Oakland Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110-1393 E-mail: fpaccess@stlcc.edu Phone: 314-644-9039 Fax: 314-951-9439 Relay Missouri: 711

11333 Big Bend Road Kirkwood, MO 63122-5799 E-mail: mcaccess@stlcc.edu Phone: 314-984-7673 Fax: 314-984-7123 Relay Missouri: 711

Wildwood Student Enrollment and Disability Support Services 2645 Generations Drive Wildwood, MO 63040-1168 E-mail: wwaccess@stlcc.edu Phone: 636-422-2000 Fax: 636-422-2050 Relay Missouri: 711

St. Louis Community College expands minds and changes lives every day. We create accessible, dynamic learning environments focused on the needs of our diverse communities. Florissant Valley

Forest Park

Meramec

www.stlcc.edu

Wildwood

All About Eve-1950 In “Fasten Your Seatbelts, it’s Going to be a Bumpy Night” we will smooth out all the potential questions students ask about registering at Meramec or balancing classes amongst busy lifestyles. Whether it is juggling classwork or tips for international students, this section will give you the directions to avoid the potholes or roadblocks along the way.

“Fasten Your Seatbelts, it’s Going to be a Bumpy Night” will also take a look in the rearview mirror at the 2011-2012 athletic world of STLCC. The inaugural season of the STLCC Archers was one for the history books, as the student-athletes picked up where the Magic, Highlanders and Fury left off. This section is guaranteed to bring you up to speed on the year that was.

To get you where you need to go, one organization offers you vast opportunities to help you develop and discover your personal, academic and professional potential.

Phi Theta Kappa International honor society of the two-year college Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society of the two-year college. Its mission is to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students, and to provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service, and fellowship programs. The mission, however, is just a small part of who we are. STLCC-Meramecâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, Xi Lambda, is currently accepting all applications from students whose GPA is at least 3.5 and are taking 12 or more credit hours at Meramec. If you are interested, up an please application If you arepick interested, contactin SC 220 and return it withJennifer a non-refundable fee of $85 to Jody E. Martin de Flores at jflores@my.stlcc.edu. Camilo in SS 216.

Complete an application. Non-traditional students, those who have not completed a traditional high school program, should first meet with an advisor in the second floor of Clark Hall before applying to STLCC-Meramec. See that official transcripts from your high school or previous college or institution are mailed to Meramec.

Complete the Compass test in Communications North. The Compass test is required for most new students. Depending on the scores, students may need to take specific pre-college-level classes. There are exceptions to taking the test, which come from minimum ACT or SAT scores or from receiving a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Câ&#x20AC;? or better on collegelevel courses.

Attend the New Student Registration Workshop. Then register for classes. This can be done either online or in the admissions office in Clark Hall. You can also access the Interactive Class Schedule on the http://stlcc.edu website.

Apply for financial aid (if applicable). Apply as early as possible to be considered for all forms of financial aid.

Pay for classes. At Meramec, this is done via the cashiers in Clark Hall or online at http://stlcc.edu.

Get an ID Card, parking permit and activate student e-mail at the Student Life Office (SC 221).

Buy books and supplies for classes at the bookstore. Students can also find other options online.

While offering baseball, softball and women’s soccer at Meramec; men’s and women’s basketball at STLCCForest Park; men’s soccer and women’s volleyball at STLCC-Florissant Valley, the Archers look to keep STLCC united as one. BRIAN HAENCHEN STAFF WRITER

BASEBALL

Archers’ valiant run at Region XVI title falls short Second-seeded Crowder College ended the Archers’ season with a 4-3 victory in the Region XVI semifinals. After dropping their first game of the tournament to third-seeded Maple Woods Community College, STLCC responded with three consecutive victories. Riding a wave of momentum, the Archers looked to upset Crowder College and advance to their first Region XVI finals. Unfortunately, the Archers were unable to keep their season alive, falling to second-seeded Roughriders 4-3. Freshmen Mike Ehrhard and Matt Weiss led the Archers offensively, finishing with averages of .369 and .341, respectively. The infield duo also combined for 77 RBI and 52 extra-base hits. While a pair of newcomers led the offense, it was a group of sophomores who accounted for more than three-quarters of the team’s innings pitched. Mike Krumm, Andrew Reidt, Eric Tiefenthaler, Brian Schwabe, Cody Kennedy, Tim Eason and Ian Miller logged 308 2/3 of the Archers’ 401 2/3 innings pitched. Krumm, who pitched 57 1/3 of those innings, led the team with 50 strikeouts. The Archers finished the season with a record of 30-31.

MEN’S BASKETBALL 2

Archers finish season ranked 15th in the nation Region XVI Player of the Year Ryun Davis led all scorers with a career-high 33 points, but it was not enough for the no. 15 Archers who fell to Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley 87-75 in the Region XVI Tournament championship game. In addition to his Region Player of the Year honors, Davis, who averaged 17 points and eight rebounds per game, was named first team NJCAA All-America, first team all-Midwest Community College Athletic Conference (MCCAC) and first team all-Region XVI. STLCC Coach Randy Albrecht was named 2011-12 MCCAC Coach of the Year after he led the Archers to a 22-7 finish.

Toraino Hellems (13.4 PPG, 3.5 RPG), Kyle Rice (8.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG) and Jordan Jones (7.3 PPG, 2.2 RPG) joined Davis on the allRegion XVI first team. Hellems, Jones and Davis, who played for Albrecht last year at Meramec, graduated with an overall record of 52-15 at STLCC.

MEN’S SOCCER

Archers look to rebound under new head coach The Archers’ season came to a conclusion with a 4-1 loss to Crowder College in the opening round of the Region XVI Tournament. STLCC finished the year 6-11. In addition to the team’s 13 graduating sophomores, the Archers lost Head Coach Mike Mayberry, who stepped down after three years. Mayberry’s replacement, Dan O’Keefe, played professionally for six different teams in 10 years and coached the women’s team at Florissant Valley following the conclusion of his playing career. O’Keefe has worked with the Scott Gallagher Soccer Club for the past 15 years.

SOFTBALL

Pitching staff nearly leads STLCC to Region XVI Title STLCC suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to East Central College in the Region XVI championship game. It was the fourth time in 2012 that the Archers had been shut out. They finished the season with a record of 27-23. Six Archers players earned first-team All-Region honors, including leading vote-getter Tory Ellis. Ellis, who is also up for NJCAA All-America honors, batted .345 and led her team with 43 RBI and 42 runs scored. The sophomore second baseman also accounted for 11 of the team’s 20 home runs. First team All-Region selections Samantha Deen and Dani Whitehead led the Archers on the mound, combining for nearly 300 innings pitched and 26 of the team’s victories. The sophomore duo racked up 144 strikeouts and posted a combined ERA of 4.23. Sophomore Jennifer Ridenhour (.342/15 RBI/33 R) and Kelley

Courtesy of http://stlcc.edu

2 1

ARCHIVED PHOTOS

Bridgmon (.345/32 RBI/37 R), as well as freshman Jessica Neider (.293/21 RBI/32 R) also garnered first team all-region honors.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 5

Archers reach NJCAA Tournament Led by a young core of players, the no. 20 Archers swept through the Region XVI Tournament, knocking off Cottey College in round one and Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley in the tournament finals. Their regional championship run gave the Archers a berth in the NJCAA Tournament. It was the second straight national tournament appearance for Region XVI Coach of the Year Shelly Ethridge. Archers freshman Shakaunna Futrell led all scorers with 18 points, but it was not enough for the Archers who were relegated to the consolation bracket with their 65-61 loss. STLCC was unable to bounce back from its opening round loss, falling to Chesapeake Community College 60-54 in its consolation game. The Archers finished the season at 20-10 and boasted four players on the all-Region XVI team. Freshmen Cierra Gaines (12.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG), Futrell (11.4 PPG, 2.9 RPG) and Datona Ball (12.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG) were named to first team all-Region XVI, while sophomore Shonnisha Davis garnered second team honors. Gaines and Futrell were also named to the all-MCCAC first team, with Davis earning an honorable mention. As a team, the Archers received the 2011-12 MCCAC Sportsmanship Award.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Archers end season above .500 The Archers outscored their opponents 27-4 through their first five

games en route to a 4-1 start to the season. However, a rash of injuries and struggles in goal quickly cooled off the Archers, who lost their next three games by a combined score of 13-4. Despite these early season struggles, STLCC managed to stay above the .500 mark and entered the Region XVI tournament as the fourth seed. Second-seeded Metropolitan Community College-Blue River overpowered the Archers in the championship game, netting three first-half goals en route to a 3-0 victory, effectively ending STLCC’s season. The Archers finished the year at 11-10. Sophomore forward, Erica Kaiping, who added seven assists to go along with her team-leading 14 goals scored, was one of three STLCC players named to the MCCAC All-Conference First team. Sophomore defenders Allison Ring (4 points) and Lauren Spina (1 assist) were both named to the first team, while freshman midfielders Katie Lanciault (3 G, 7 A, 13 points) and Katie Foytlin (5 G, 17 A, 27 points), as well as freshman forward Brittany Russell garnered second team honors.

VOLLEYBALL

Lady Archers end season on a roll After struggling to find the win column in their first 11 games, the Lady Archer volleyball team ended the season winning three of their final six games, giving them an overall record of 7-24. Entering the Region XVI Tournament as the No. 4 seed, the Archers battled the No. 5 seeded Cottey College Comets. The Comets, who ended STLCC-Florissant Valley Fury’s season in 2010, came into the tournament with a record of 5-20. The Archers kept their momentum rolling, defeating the Comets, three games to two, in the opening round of the Region XVI Tournament. Moving on to the semifinals, the Archers faced the top seeded East Central Falcons. However, they lost to the Falcons in three straight matches, 10-25, 17-25, 13-25, effectively ending their season. Sophomores Allie Walls-Lisi, Chelsea Higgins and Amanda Kearns were named to the All-Region and All-Conference teams.

A T

M E R A M E C

The Music Department at Meramec offers courses and ensembles for all students. You may take classes for general education credit or pursue the Associate of Arts in Music degree to prepare for transfer into a Bachelor of Music or Music Education program. ** SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE **

COURSES

MUS 101,102,201,202 MUS 103 MUS 113 MUS 114 MUS 115,116 MUS 121,122,221,222 MUS 128 MUS 130 MUS 138,139,216 MUS 141,142,241,242 MUS 143 MUS 211,212

Music Theory I,II,III,IV Basic Music The History of Jazz The Enjoyment of Music Class Voice I,II Class Piano I,II,III,IV Survey of Rock Music Beginning Guitar Jazz Improvisation I,II,III Applied Music (Lessons) I,II,III,IV Introduction to Desktop Publishing Music History I,II

Interested in performing in an ensemble? All Meramec students may participate. No audition is required!

ENSEMBLES

Music 132 – Orchestra Music 133 – Jazz Lab Band Music 134 – Symphonic Band Music 135 – Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Voices of Magic jazz choir All ensembles hold a seat/part assignment hearing during the first rehearsal. Members of the Concert Choir may audition for the Chamber Singers and/or the Voices of Magic jazz choir.

For more information, contact the Meramec Music Department Gary Gackstatter, Director of Instrumental Music, ggackstatter@stlcc.edu, (314) 984-7636 Dr. Jerry Myers, Director of Choral Activities & Music Theory, gmyers34@stlcc.edu, (314) 984-7638

Meramec welcomes SAM WISE STAFF WRITER Community colleges often give high school graduates a transitional period between high school and four-year colleges or universities. Those traditional students take classes full time and find a way to balance their course load. However, community colleges are just that—colleges for the community and it can be commonplace around campus to see students who are trying to balance school with a job or even a family. The non-traditional student is not directly out of high school. While juggling paying the bills or raising their own children, they find community colleges to continue their education. At STLCC-Meramec, the faculty is no stranger to nontraditional students. Many of them also have plenty of advice to give out to students actively trying to succeed in multiple facets of their lives. Doris Durgins-Johnson is a student advocate at the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) offices located upstairs in the Student Center. The TANF office is designed to assist students receiving government assistance but “we get involved in a little bit of everything,” DurginsJohnson said. She goes on to quote an old proverb, “A failure to plan, is a plan to fail. Make sure you have things organized. If you have children, you got to have your daycare set.”

ALL ages

PHOTO BY: KELLY GLUECK Lauren Craft holds her then three-month-old baby Naila in 2010, while preparing to study for a computer class. Craft, a wife and mother, was taking classes at Meramec, looking to major as an ultrasound technician.

Meramec no longer offers day care services, but DurginsJohnson refers people to the Child Day Care Association, which has a built-in search to find a day care close to home. Psychology Professor Sophia Pressman shared the nontraditional path as she went into college. While in school Pressman could not imagine not working because she had to support her family. Pressman went on to echo what Durgins-Johnson said, saying, “The faculty encourages students to use college to explore, but the most successful students have a plan and know how to do it and they keep going and doing it.” “If you’re balancing family with school, you need time management,” Pressman said. She also recommends that

students use a calendar and write down important dates of both school and family affairs and use this to stay organized. “Always have solid support. You need people in your life to support you,” Pressman said. From a psychology standpoint, she said it is important to feel successful, seeing positive results boosts self-esteem and alleviates stress. “Sometimes people just forget to take care of themselves. Just find every resource possible, including family to distract you and alleviate some of that stress. I cannot emphasize social support enough,” Pressman said. A resource for those students stuck in a power struggle to gain control over their situation is the Advising and Counseling Department, located on the

second floor of Clark Hall. The counseling department is designed to help students with many different aspects of life. Donna Zumwinkel, the chair of the counseling department, discussed some functions of the counseling department that would be of use to students balancing school with either jobs, families or both. Zumwinkel further echoes what Durgins-Johnson and Pressman said regarding organization. “Time management is the most important thing; usually people who take on school and family or work are highly motivated and have that skill but it’s very important.” However, she warns that students need to take care of themselves too. “Sometimes people get so caught up with trying to achieve their grades and get caught up in other things, they forget about their own health,” Zumwinkel said. Zumwinkel advised that it is important to set realistic goals. “You can have a B or a C and still be a successful student,” Zumwinkel said. She goes on to explain how important it is for students to utilize the resources on campus. There are tutoring labs around campus. As well as the Writing Center, whose tutors sit down and look at students’ writing and help them build stronger writing skills. “It’s the little things that can really help the way your semester flows,” DurginsJohnson said.

GRAPHIC BY: TOMI STOREY

The Montage is taking applications for:

Blackboard:

writers photographers graphic designers copy editors

• Check on assignments • Connect with classmates • Participate in class discussion boards • Connect with professor

Banner: • Check class schedule • Register for classes • Pay for classes through the e-cashier • Drop classes • Check your final and midterm grades

INTERNATIONAL

student information requirements for admission

INFORMATION GATHERED BY: SARA MURILLO

International students, unless admitted under a contract or agreement establishing alternative requirements, must fulfill the following requirements for admission:

expenses Estimated cost per academic year (9 months) in U.S. dollars: Fees ($189x32 credit hours/year) $6,048 Books, supplies (9 months) $800 Room/Meals (9 months) $9,998 Health Insurance (12 months) $779 Semester Total (9 Months) $17,625 Estimate of Summer Expenses Room/Meals $2,900 Grand Total (12 months) $20,525

Complete the requirements for admission as a regular student to the college.

Request the "International Student" packet from the Admissions/Registration office at the campus of choice and follow the procedures outlined.

finances and work

Submit a Test of English As A Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 500 or above on the paper-based TOEFL test or score of 61 or above on Internet base TOEFL test. The applicant must have taken the test within the last two years.

International students are not eligible for federal aid. A student must not plan on working to help defray the cost of attending college. According to immigration regulations, anyone who enters the United States on a student visa must not accept parttime off-campus employment for the first year of U.S. residence. ALL INFORMATION FROM HTTP://STLCC.EDU

The above is merely an estimate and does not take into account changes in the cost of living or unforeseen circumstances.

NO PLACE

HOME Wizard of Oz - 1939

In “No Place Like Home” we will showcase some of Meramec’s many different aspects of student life and campus atmosphere. Whether it be places to camp out and study or services offered by the school to further student’s hunger for

education, this section will give you the necessary information for settling in at Meramec and possibly finding it as a second home. This section is a must-read for any new students looking for opportunities to get involved in student life.

Staying busy at Meramec Sky Club Fencing Club

Students face off at a Fencing Club meeting in the gymnasium. The Fencing Club offers students a chance to hone their skills and duel fellow fencers.

Clubs, organizations offer students Student Activities Council opportunities

Sky Club advisor Joe Schneider prepares a powerpoint on meteorology. Sky Club was formed by Schneider and club president Arielle Byington.

Students and members of Student Activities Council (SAC) take part in a flash mob on Feb. 29. SAC hosted the flash mob to promote student life on campus.

Meramec offers a wide array of student activities through clubs and organizations. These groups give students a chance to get involved at Meramec through different genres of activities, services and similiar interest groups. Clubs such as the Photo Club, Bridge Club, Fencing Club, Sky Club and others offer students a unique opportunity to connect with their fellow students in activities and events. Bridge Club, for instance, meets every Wednesday to play Bridge and is also Meramecâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest club. Meramec also offers several different opportunities to join student organizations that plan events and manage clubs. Student Governance Council and Student Activities Council offer students a chance to involve themselves in the inner working of student life. One of Meramecâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s organizations is the Student Ambassadors. Ambassadors are here to offer advice to current and incoming students by giving tours and working at various on-campus charity events. ARCHIVED PHOTOS

International Academic ClubSupport Center St. Louis Community College/Meramec

South County Education and University Center (SCEUC) 4115 Meramec Bottom Road St. Louis, MO 63129

Math Tutor Monday - Thursday

Writing Tutor Monday & Thursday

8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday

8:30 a.m. -4:00 p.m.

Wednesday

8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Friday

8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Peer Tutor Please call 984-7200 for the peer tutoring schedule. Students tutor for A & P, Biology and Chemistry classes. ARCHIVED PHOTOS A mariachi band performs at International Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Day. International Club hosts International Day annualy.

Academic Support Center St. Louis Community College/Meramec

nte Ce r

South County Education and University Center (SCEUC) 4115 Meramec Bottom Road St. Louis, MO 63129

estment!

ary!

.m. - 3p.m.

alists more

aking aking Lab

9 a.m.-1 p.m. 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

College Writing Center Serving students since 1965

Math Tutor

ute

We are happy to help you with writing for any class, as well as transfer essays! Constructive feedback

Comfortable environment

Professional Writing Specialists to help you:

Find or narrow a topic Focus and support a thesis

Organize your thoughts on paper Correct grammar error patterns

Fine-tune scholarship and transfer essays or applications

One credit, self-directed courses:

ENG 003: Sentence Combining, ENG 004: Grammar Review ENG 006: Writing Effective Paragraphs, ENG 007: Business Writing Review

Meramec: Communications North 122

Fall/ Spring Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 8a.m. - 8p.m., Fri. 8a.m. - 3p.m. Summer Hours available. South County Education & University Center: please call (314) 984-7226

Math Tutoring at Meramec

Monday - Thursday

cce

9 a.m.-1 p.m. 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

Writing Tutor Monday & Thursday

8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday

8:30 a.m. -4:00 p.m.

Wednesday

8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Friday

8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Peer Tutor Please call 984-7200 for the peer tutoring schedule. Students tutor for A & P, Biology and Chemistry classes.

The City of Kirkwood Welcomes You! Art at the Station!

-Local artists’ work on display at the Kirkwood Train Station Year ‘Round FREE! -Art can be viewed when the station is open for passengers

Kirkwood Farmers’ Market -Located in historic downtown Kirkwood at the corner of Argonne and Taylor -Open April through October PLUS the Christmas Tree Lot in December -Locally grown produce, fresh baked goods, and live music on Saturdays!

Kirkwood Park: -Located a few blocks from downtown Kirkwood at the corner of Geyer and Adams -Tennis Courts, Playgrounds, Walking/Running Path, Fitness Trail, Picnic Sites, Pavilions, Softball Fields, and Fishing at Walker Lake! -Ice Rink is Open Year ‘Round

Get Connected!

Website, E-News, City Blog, Twitter and Facebook! Visit us at www.kirkwoodmo.org -Sign up for the Friday Happenings E-Newsletter (Email us: Info@kirkwoodmo.org) -Read the City Blog All Aboard and sign up to receive updates: www.allaboard.kirkwoodmo.org -Follow us on Twitter for road closings and other updates - @kirkwoodcity -Follow us on Facebook: Kirkwood, MO Parks & Recreation AND Kirkwood Greentree Festival

American Heart Association

CPR & AED Classes

Transfer to Missouri State University • We enrolled more than 2,000 transfer students last year • We accept an Associate of Arts degree or the Missouri 42-hour block as completing our general education requirements • We provide advisement from academic departments specifically for transfer students • We offer more than 150 undergraduate programs Contact the Office of Admissions at 800-492-7900 or go online to www.missouristate.edu/admissions/transfer

EO/AA ADM 055 11

National Depression Screening Day Thursday, October 4, 2012 Business Administration Building--Room 105 10am-2pm 4pm-6pm

This event is: Open to the public Confidential Free For more information, call Jason Duchinsky at:

(314) 984-7565

The Counseling Department at STLCC-Meramec will offer mental health screenings, resources and referrals. We are here to help you.

CHOOSE SERVICE LEARNING & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT make a difference in your own life by helping others through a Class service learning project or by participating in one of our many community engagement projects.

Contact Donna Halsband • 314-984-7893 • dhalsband@stlcc.edu Debbie Corson • 314-984-7234 • dcorson2@stlcc.edu See our website for more information: www.stlcc.edu/ServiceLearning

GET YOUR STUDY ON Find your best thought space Laptop in need of some juice?

yes

Park bench, concrete, your butt is happy anywhere

All humanity is unwelcome when you are off writing your next brilliant essay

no The perfect cushion with a table to match

yes

Cafeteria

yes

Located in the Student Center, the cafeteria provides many locations in which you have a comfortable spot, power for the laptop and delicious food for the munchers.Come early or later in the day, lunch time is very busy and often can be noisy with student activities.

Have the munchies while crunching numbers?

Humanities Bottom Floor

yes

Horticultural Waterfall

Tucked back behind Communications South, you cannot get more isolated than here. Whether you are journaling, writing a major essay or chipping away at tonights math homework, not a soul will disturb you here.

With fine seating options throughout, the bottom floor of the Humanities Building provides just enough noise and traffic to keep the silence fearers comfortable and the procrastinators focused.

Assistance, equipment; the school始s got you covered... Practice Rooms

One more note and your parents are going to throw your instrument out the door

Sound-proof and filled with music essentials such as a piano; you do not even have to bring your own stand! Parents and roommates complainno more, as your drumset has found a new home.

The Dewey Decimal System is looking something fierce when that research paper is due in two hours yes

yes

no no

The Library no

Your computer crashed and took every single bit of your digital painting with it

Located in the quad, this is the resource of all resources. With some nice people, books galore and plenty of writer-friendly computers, you cannot go wrong here when that essay knocks on your door a bit sooner than planned.

Did not find the study spot of your dreams?

Visit

www. meramec montage.com

yes

CVT Lab Dazed and confused by programs? Have no fear, the tutors are here. Filled with large-format printers, the best computer they can offer and a good dose of help, even the most lost art students find their way here. There are two labs, located in the downstairs and upstairs of the Humanities Building.

And discover more off campus

Study Abroad opportunities Sept. - Dec., 2012

Canterbury, England, with leader Linda Stephens. General focus semester abroad.

Jan. - April, 2012

Canterbury, England, with leader TBA. General focus semester abroad.

March 7-16, 2013

Italy with leader Chris Stephens-FV. Italian Culture and Language.

March 9-17, 2013

Italy with leader Mark Weber-WW. Art.

May 27 June 6, 2013

London with leader Katherine Gordon-FV. Literature and Culture.

May 26 June 9, 2013

London with leader David Hanlon-MC. Photography.

May 20 June 3, 2013

Brazil with leader Angela Cole-FP. Business Administration.

May 28 June 3, 2013

Russia with leader Yingxue Zuo-FP. Art.

June 3 - 12, 2013

Costa Rica with leader Gerald Meyer-MC. Music.

June12 July 3, 2013

Istanbul, Turkey with leader Angela Hamilton-MC. Creative Writing and Travel.

STLCC worldwide

SUBMITTED PHOTO

On a mission for ‘honor’

Students benefit from challenge of Honors Program KIMBERLY MORICE ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR The 2012 graduating class at STLCC-Meramec included the largest group of Honors Program graduates since the program began in 1985. Twenty-six students graduated with the Honors Scholar designation. “[The Honors Program] was designed and continues to be for students who want to be more than the standard academic track; it’s a place where students can push themselves. It’s not just for the overachiever or the students who did well in high school,” Eric Meyer, Honors Program Coordinator, said. Meyer graduated with honors in the 90‘s and has been the Honors Program coordinator at STLCC-Meramec since 2007. “I always like to say we’re in the business of creating honors students,” Meyer said. Meyer, alumni of Meramec, said that he was never an ideal high school student, but the Honors Program helped him find his place at Meramec. He hopes other students find similar value in their academic career through the program. “Meramec helps them get the confidence and creates them as college students,” Meyer said. “I was an example of that. I was a terrible high school student and I became a good student at Meramec. The honors program is a part of that; it’s

helping either the standard student or the students who are unsure of themselves not only become college students but become honors students.” Meyer meets with students who are considering the Honors Program during their time at Meramec. “My favorites are the ones who say, ‘I don’t know, honors doesn’t sound for me.’ And I look at their transcript and say ‘No, it’s for you,’” Meyer said with a laugh. Meyer said he has never had a student come back to him wishing they had never joined the honors program. “There’s the intrinsic value and then the resonating value; they’re essentially one in the same. But the intrinsic value is you get more out of your education at Meramec for the same money and it looks darn good on your transcript,” Meyer said. The Honors Program offers smaller classes with an average of 13-to-1 student-faculty ratio, which according to Meyer, allows for more one-on-one time with the instructors and fellow students, compared to if students found themselves in a class of 35 or 60 students. “My example, just because it’s dramatic, is at Mizzou general psychology might be 150 students in a lecture. A standard general psych course at Meramec might have

60 students or 80 students in a lecture. In the Honors Program, you’re more likely to have 13, 14 or 15 students in a class - never more than 20,” Meyer said. Meyer is confident that students who have experienced standard courses as well as honors courses throughout their time at Meramec will notice the difference in both learning and in the relationships created with the instructors. “It’s just a completely different experience. You’re gonna get more out of the instructor, the textbook and the students,” Meyer said. “[Universities] want to see students who are enthusiastic about learning. The Honors Program and honors coursework demonstrates that. It’s not just you saying it; it’s proving it.” In a typical year, 13 members of Meramec’s faculty teach honors courses in addition to their regular load of standard classes. Compared to the other STLCC campuses and most two-year institutions, Meramec has a much more developed Honors Program, offering nine to 12 honors sections each semester. “Your typical honors instructor is not someone who will just challenge the students and see what happens,” Meyer said. “Being an honors instructor is sometimes more

difficult because as hard as you challenge a student, you have to be willing to spend the time giving them that much support to meet that challenge.” Meyer also spends time with students whose course time at Meramec is coming to a close, giving them advice on which universities to transfer to and what scholarships they can persue. “The other benefit is that students get to spend time with me talking about their transfer plans, and that’s huge I think,” Meyer said. “The first thing I ask them is, ‘Where are you going to transfer, what are you going to study and how are you going to pay for it?’ Often the answer to all three questions is, ‘I have no idea.’ And then we narrow it down and I start telling them what I know and who I know and I start telling them how to prepare themselves here at Meramec.” Meyer said although the Honors Program is more work, the reward is high. “I think that there’s this impression out there that students coming in from high school think that honors equals a whole lot of more work,” Meyer said. “I don’t deny that the Honors Program will be some more work but I always tell students that if they’re getting the 3.5 GPA or above, they probably won’t even notice the extra work.”

PHOTOS BY: HANS STEINERT TOP: The campus library. TOP RIGHT: Advising center located on the second floor of Clark Hall. BOTTOM RIGHT: Financial Aid located in Communications North.

Helping hands on campus KAVAHN MANSOURI EDITOR IN CHIEF

Math Tutoring

Library

Writing Center

Assessment Center

Access Office

Financial Aid Advising

Something to write home about Campus writing center offers wide array of student support AMBER DAVIS SENIOR STAFF WRITER Wendy Wilkerson, an STLCC-Meramec student, swipes her student ID to check into the Writing Center, located in Communications North, Room 122. Wilkerson takes a seat next to the door and waits for her turn to meet with one of the writing specialists to work on her final portfolio for her English class. For the spring semester, Wilkerson has turned to the Writing Center for help on every paper she has written. “The [writing specialists] are very good because they can point out something in your writing that you may have not seen before. And their worksheets they give out are very helpful,” Wilkerson said. The Writing Center helps students who are in developmental classes to honor composition classes. They also help students with their transfer essays, peer edit resumes and help students with scholarship essays. Fran Hooker, the supervisor of the Writing Center, said she likes helping the students grow in their writing. “I love writing centers,” Hooker said. “I like working with the students; I like how a student comes in with a problem and they walk out feeling better about their paper.” The Writing Center has several desks around the room

occupied by students working by themselves or with a writing specialist. The staff desk located at the back corner has handouts to help students with grammar, source. The Writing Center they have their own computer lab where students can print out their papers. As more students come into the room swiping their student

The writing specialists at Meramec are professionals that have worked there for 10 to 15 years. “Our specialists have some tools in their tool belt to know how to deal with issues students may have with their writing,” Hooker said. Hooker worked at three different writing centers

“The [writing specialists] are very good because they can point out something in your writing that you may have not seen before.” Wendy Wilkerson, STLCC-Meramec Student

IDs, Hooker calls over the next student waiting. “Sorry for the wait; it has been a crazy day,” Hooker said to the student. The student takes a seat next to Hooker and explains what they are struggling with and what their professor wants out of the paper. Hooker then reads the paper with her pen and jots down notes in the margin. After Hooker has reviewed the student’s paper they discuss what was missed and what can be improved. “Every appointment is different and that is the fun part about this job,” Hooker said. “Different papers, different issues. When the student comes back they improve.”

before Meramec and she said it is the busiest writing center she has worked in. The busiest hours for the Writing Center are from 8 a.m. till noon on Mondays and Wednesdays, according to Hooker. “We do have slower and busier periods but we adjust our staffing accordingly,” Hooker said. “It’s impossible to predict how busy we will be on a given day but we use current statistics and the previous year’s statistics for the same week to predict as closely as we possibly can.” According to Hooker the most difficult part about working in the Writing Center is last-minute students. When a student comes in 20 minutes before their class for help, that student might have to

wait depending on how many writing specialists are staffed and how many other students need help too, Hooker said. “When students come in last minute they are not leaving enough time to meet with us, reflect on what we suggested and comprehend our recommendations into the paper,” Hooker said. “Students should at least come in a day or two before their paper is due.” Deborah Burns said the most important thing students can do before coming into the Writing Center is know their assignment sheet. “Don’t have your time with us be the first time you look at the assignment sheet; really look at the sheet and know what the requirements are,” Burns said. When Burns first started her job she wrote a model essay book because she felt like other books were too difficult for a student to understand. Burns said she collected essays from students, other publications, colleagues and she even wrote some for the book. After working in the Writing Center for 15 years, Burns said the most rewarding part of the job is the opportunity to help students one on one. “It’s a real gift,” Burns said. “We can size up their learning style, their needs and the best way to teach them. And I think it’s a real opportunity.”

THE EDUCATION+THE SKILLS

YOUR SUCCESS It only takes one year.

Under full approval by the Missouri State Board of Nursing, Applied Technology Services offers a one year Practical Nurse Program which prepares you for a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Also offered are part-time evening programs in health care, automotive, construction and manufacturing.

Call today! 314-989-7500. Or visit our website at www.appliedtech-stl.com. Health

Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Certified Medication Technician (CMT)

Automotive

Manufacturing

Construction

Auto Body Repair Technology Precision Machining Program Carpentry Program Auto Body Paint Technology Tool & Die Program General Building Maintenance Auto Body Repair & Welding Program Electrical Program Maintenance Technology HVAC-R

NORTH TECH 1700 Derhake Rd. Florissant, MO 63033

SOUTH TECH 12721 West Watson Rd. Sunset Hills, MO 63127

Not all classes are available at all locations.

MET CENTER 6347 Plymouth Ave. Wellston, MO 63133

GOODNIGHT

good

LUCK

Edward R. Murrow - 1953

If you are in the process of leaving Meramec, “Goodnight, and Good Luck” is the section for you. Whether you are transferring to a four-year university or getting ready to join the work force, “Goodnight, and Good Luck” offers insight for you entering various fields

and transfer programs. If you’ve spent your time at Meramec building your resume for your career or transferring to a university, this section will give you helpful hints and tips to get you ready to leave Meramec with the skills you need for the future.

Developing a career path Student Olivia Mosley receives full scholarship to Washington University in pursuit of a degree in photography KIMBERLY MORICE ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR EMERITUS

PHOTO BY ALEX KENDALL STLCC-Meramec student Olivia Mosley adjusts the lens on her Diana camera. Mosley was awarded the Danforth Scholarship from Washington University, where she will be attending in fall 2012.

The end of spring semester means saying goodbye to students and sending them off to their chosen universities in the fall. Some students only spent a semester; others have spent many years at STLCCMeramec. One student has spent her time at Meramec in the art department, capturing moments with her camera and working in the Center of Visual Technology on campus. After five years of hard work and dedication to the art of photography, Meramec student Olivia Mosley expands her educational opportunities at Washington University in fall 2012. “I got accepted to some other schools, but part of the reason I’ve been working here and waiting to transfer

is because I just could not get enough money,” Mosley said. “I applied to Webster University because they have a good photo program. I was looking at UMSL and a couple of other art institutes out of state, but it was all too expensive.” Mosley was the only STLCC student this year selected to receive the Danforth Scholarship, which ensures her a full ride to Washington University. Every student from the community college who submits an application to Washington University is considered for the Danforth Scholarship. “My brother is from Meramec as well; he transferred to Washington University and he was also a Danforth scholar – he didn’t get it but he was

a finalist,” Mosley said. “He seemed to really enjoy it and have a really good time there, so he told me to look into the art school. I looked into it and they have really awesome facilities and it looks really cool; it’s totally devoted to art and I thought it would be perfect for me.” Mosley graduated with an Associate in Fine Arts– Photography Option in 2010, but has remained as a part-time student, while working various campus jobs. “My jobs have mainly been in the art department but I’ve also done some peer leader work,” Mosley said. “I’ve really learned to contribute and become active. It’s a good way to meet people and friends and network. I think there’s definitely something special about Meramec.”

SUBMITTED PHOTO Olivia Mosley’s “The Bubble” was awarded the Dean’s Choice Award at the 2012 Student Art Show Exhibition.

Mosley hopes to continue her campus involvement when she begins taking classes at Washington University. “It’s such a big intimidating campus. I want to maybe start a club or do community service maybe; I definitely want to have a job on campus because I’ve

still got to pay the bills,” Mosley said. Throughout her time at Meramec, Mosley has created a close bond with many of her instructors and the administrators on campus. “All of my art teachers have been really amazing. I take a lot of classes in the Center of Visual Technology and all of the instructors there are just amazing and I really developed so many skills that would really be useful with getting a job,” Mosley said. In her first semester, Mosley took Photography I with Professor David Hanlon. She has kept in close contact with Hanlon as she continued in the photography program. “It’s certainly terrific that the work she’s put in over the last number of years is being recorded with the scholarship to another program that has quite a bit of a reputation,” Hanlon said. “She’s going to do really well in a continuing environment where students are really challenging themselves like she does. I’m really excited for her with what’s coming.” For the second summer in a row, Mosley will spend time teaching photography to children through the Continuing Education Program at Meramec. She hopes to one day take what she has learned into teaching early childhood education.

Continued on page 33

Steps to transferring GRETCHEN DANIELS INTERIM COPY EDITOR The stress of starting a student’s college career by sending in transcripts, taking placement tests, applying for financial aid and registering for classes can be overwhelming. Making time to explore the transferring process cannot only seem daunting but outright impossible. Despite the challenges students may face when juggling their school requirements, delaying the transfer process can lead to greater stress later. There are a number of variables for students to consider when starting the transfer process and four main questions to consider.

First, what are the benefits of continuing education beyond STLCC-Meramec? “Many people will state that a bachelor’s degree is needed to be competitive in the field you want to work in. But a BS/BA represents the course work that you have taken to earn the degree,” English Department Chairperson David Taylor said. “It’s these courses that you take that give you the knowledge and skills that are needed. They lay the foundation for being successful and marketable. Finding out what you want to do and taking the courses that will prepare you for that job are essential.” A common motivation for transferring is the earning potential that can come with a bachelor’s degree. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2009 the median income for graduates with an associate degree was $36,190 and $46,930 for those with a bachelor’s degree.

Second, what is the best way for a student to become an appealing transfer candidate? “As soon as a student gets to Meramec, that’s when a student should think about transferring. It takes a lot of research to figure out where you want to go, how you get in, how to apply, what kind of scholarships they might offer,” Eric Meyer, Meramec honors program coordinator, said. Becoming a strong transfer applicant involves more than researching schools to transfer to. “To make yourself more threedimensional you need to have clubs and activities,” Meyer said. Meramec offers more than 40 student clubs and additional community programs that focus on improving the campus and community.

Third, how is one to navigate the transfer process? “You have to plan. You have to go visit the schools, e-mail and call them and send them your unofficial transcript to make sure what you are doing here fits with their curriculum and their program,” said Meyer. One area that requires student attention is the application essay. “There are many ‘numbers’ that represent students (ACT, SAT, GPA), but the application essay allows an admissions office to understand who you are—the person behind the numbers. Because of this, the essay is extremely important. As well as presenting your personality, the essay helps show how dedicated you are as a student, your motivation for attending a particular college and how successful you will be if admitted,” said Taylor. Procrastination can be detrimental to students competing for a limited number of transfer spots, especially when a student is applying to more than one school. The transfer process can be a confusing course of sending in transcripts, checking transfer credits and dealing with financial aid.

Fourth, what resources are available to students for help and guidance? The Princeton Review (http://princetonreview.com) is a free online resource that has college rankings, financial aid and scholarship information and admission advice. Collegefish (http://collegefish.org) is a free website that assists students with the transfer process. Resources at Meramec include the advising department, writing center and faculty. “The College Writing Center is a great resource for essays. Also speak with instructors who you trust and are in the field you want to study. These professors would be able to guide you in their impressions of how your present yourself in the essays, what to expect in the types of programs and be able to provide insight into the field,” Taylor said. “[When transferring] there is more expected of you. It’s like, okay, you’ve had two years of college. The writing ought to be more evolved,” Meyer said. “The number one thing to do is to start early.”

Meramec Library What can I do in the library? Find a book, read a magazine, or check out a movie. The library collection includes more than 120,000 books, periodicals, films, music, and audio books. Get research help. The Reference Desk is staffed by friendly, professional librarians ready to consult on your research topic, help you navigate online resources, or show you how to locate and request books or journal articles. Use a computer. We have over 60 PCs! Laptops are also available at the Circulation/Reserve Desk for use in the building, or use our wireless network with your device. The Information Access Lab is an open computer lab as well as a service point for students with disabilities. Study alone or with a group. Find a quiet or silent zone, or use our social space (quiet conversation allowed), or a group study room. Please stop in, call or email if you have any questions. Library Circulation: 314.984.7797 Reference Help: 314.984.7613 Library resources, hours, and contact information at www.stlcc.edu/libraries. Ask a Librarian

Upgrade your research skills! Fall Credit Courses

LIB 030 - Introduction to College Research and Information Literacy This course is designed to develop college-level information literacy skills focusing on library and Internet resources. Corequisite: RDG:030. LIB 101 - Introduction to Library and Online Research This course offers students instruction in using library resources, including the Internet, online databases, and the library catalog. Prerequisite: Reading Proficiency. Can be taken for Honors credit.

Certifications open door to new job market STEVEN DUNCAN SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Nearly half of all job openings projected through 2014 will be those of middle-skill positions; jobs which require significant training and education beyond secondary school but less than a bachelor’s degree, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). STLCC-Meramec offers numerous career and vocational programs for students to learn the skills needed for today’s job market. Whether a student is just entering the job market, changing careers or learning new skills to advance in their current career, the college has three levels of programs for career and vocational study: the Associate in Applied Science (AAS), the Certificate of Proficiency (CP) and the Certificate of Specialization (CS), according to http://stlcc.edu. “Not a lot of people are aware that we have programs that prepare you to go right into a job,” Andrew Bates, Meramec career and technical education transition specialist, said. “Not all of them are jobs that pay $60,000 to $70,000 per year, but some of them can lead to six-figure jobs in a couple of years.” For example, freelance court reporters or captionists can make over $100,000 per year, depending on their skill and client base, according to Bates. Students can earn an AAS in Information Reporting or have the option of earning a CP in Information Reporting with proficiency in disciplines such as captioning, which prepares students to become Certified Broadcast Captioning certified or Judicial, which prepares students to become a Certified Court Reporter. “It takes work. It’s not an easy job, by any means,” Bates said. “Real-time typing is about 225 words per minute or more.” In addition to Information Reporting, Meramec offers AAS, CP and CS in disciplines such as Accounting, Architectural Technology, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Early Care and Education, Graphic Communication, Horticulture, Human Services, Information Systems, Interior Design, Legal Studies, Management, Mass Communications, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Paramedic Technology, Physical Therapy and Sales. Additional programs and course requirements for each program can be found at http://stlcc.edu/programs/degrees_ and_certificates/. The difference in the AAS, CP and CS programs are the number of credit hours and course requirements. An AAS is typically 64 to 72 credit hours and includes coursework in Humanities and Communication, Social Science, Natural Science, Mathematics and Physical Education. The AAS is designed to help students develop practical and theoretical skills needed to prepare them for careers, according to http://stlcc. edu. The AAS is a degree program designed for students entering a career path that requires either an associate degree or significant relevant work experience. A CP is typically 27 to 47 credits and

designed primarily for careers that require significant training but not necessarily an associate degree. And the CS, which is 18 to 25 credit hours, is designed for students developing skills in a certain area related to a current field for career advancement, according to http://stlcc.edu. “Certificates are usually for people who have some experience in the field or they had some other job and now they want to retrain for a different job,” Bates said. “It could be someone from the field who wants to specialize in another area or to be crosstrained in another area.” As technologies and the economy change, the needs of the job market are in constant flux. New career programs are added or updated by STLCC staff, while some are deactivated as they become obsolete. To keep up-to-date on the needs of regional employers, every career and technical program at STLCC has an advisory board made up of industry professionals, according to Bates. “We’ll meet with industry professionals in the region and we’ll talk about where our programs currently are and what are the things we need to do to change,” Bates said. For example, Bates said that in the design programs, such as the Interior Design AAS or Kitchen and Bath Design CP, the advisory boards keep up-to-date on the software currently being used in the industry. “Because of grants and other funding, our students are able to learn all of the current software that someone would need to know in order to walk into any office in the industry and be at home with that software and not have to learn new software,” Bates said. It is important to note that career development degrees and certificates are not necessarily designed to transfer to four-year institutions; though some, such as the Interior Design AAS, have articulation agreements with Maryville University and the University of Missouri Columbia, two of Missouri’s top schools of design, which allow the credits earned from the AAS to transfer. However, the CS is small enough, 18 to 25 credit hours, that a student may earn a CS while working towards an Associate in Arts (AA) degree. The credit hours earned from the CS may be used towards the 18-to-21 elective credits required for an AA in General Transfer Studies, according to Bates. Students interested in learning more about STLCC’s career and technical programs may contact Andrew Bates via email at abates33@stlcc.edu. Bates said he can be a key contact to help prospective career and technical students navigate the enrollment process, as well as offer advising for their first semester. “In a sense, I’m sort of like the concierge to help [students] navigate the resources that the college has,” Bates said.

Let’s major in communications. As a student, you can take advantage of instant savings on monthly service plans. To make it easy, we’ll even waive the activation fee.

off select plans for students of STLCC - Meramec. Discount applies to select regularly priced Sprint plans. Requires a new two-year Agreement.

For New Service, Upgrades or Questions Visit your local Sprint Store 10738 Sunset Hills Plaza To make an appointment, call (314) 909-8000

Activation fee waived for new activations.

Get your best deal online at sprint.com/stlouisccstudents

Up to $36 value. Requires a new two-year Agreement

Corporate ID: GEMCT_SLC_ZST Find a Sprint Store near you: sprint.com/storelocator

May require up to a $36 activation fee/line, credit approval and deposit. Up to $350/line early termination fee (ETF) for advanced devices and up to $200 ETF/line for other devices (no ETF for Agreements cancelled in compliance with Sprint’s Return Policy). Individual-Liable Discount: Available only to eligible students of the university participating in the discount program (requires ongoing verification). Discounts are subject to change according to the university’s agreement with Sprint and are available upon request for select plans (monthly service charges only). No discounts apply to secondary lines, Add-A-Phone lines or add-ons $29.99 or less. Other Terms: Coverage not available everywhere. Nationwide Sprint Network reaches over 281 million people. Offers not available in all markets/retail locations or for all phones/networks. Pricing, offer terms, fees and features may vary for existing customers not eligible for upgrade. Other restrictions apply. See store or sprint.com for details. ©2012 Sprint. All rights reserved. Sprint and the logo are trademarks of Sprint. Other marks are the property of their respective owners. N085774 MV1234567

Marketing yourself through social media Which outlet is best for you? ALEX KENDALL INTERIM MANAGING EDITOR

PROS

-Finding future employers, employees and business contacts -Professional environments -Groups allow users to learn and share information with each other

PROS -Instant updates to all of your followers -Retweeting allows users to pass information on quickly to their followers -Hashtags create a way for users to find your content instantly

CONS

-Does not allow for reaching a mass audience -Layout and design of the website can be confusing -Steep learning curve

CONS -140 character limit -Less about the user and more about the content they share -Tweets only pop up once and are lost down the list -No numbers on how many of your tweets are being read

PROS

-Create “Circles” of potential clients or employers -Google+ hangouts -Incorporates your Google account into one place

PROS -Largest of the social media sites -Access to millions of users, groups and businesses -Fan pages give you access to a mass audience for products and services

CONS

-Pages can become cluttered and information can be missed -New to the social network “game”

CONS -Not ideal for seeking employers -Oversharing information can cause you to lose the interview or lose your job -Fan pages only share to select audiences, most of which are friends

Continued from page 28 “I’d either like to do something with teaching and be able to do my own photographic projects on the side,” Mosley said. “If I could incorporate photography into education somehow – and I’m really interested in early education – then that’s something I would consider doing.” Mosley is looking forward to moving on to Washington University in the fall, saying she is going to take all that she has learned at Meramec with her to her new school. “I guess I’ve run my course here; I can’t really go further. There are still things I could learn but I can’t really go to the next step,” Mosley said. “I just want to see what the next level for photography is and for art in general. I just want to figure out

what more there is to learn.” Hanlon is supportive of Mosley’s journey and hopeful of her future at Washington University. “[Mosley’s] work here has been developing quite a bit since she started,” Hanlon said. “She’s always been interested in experimenting with ways images could be used and how to be more effective and finding ways to use photography as an expressive tool.” Like many students saying goodbye to Meramec, Mosley is worried about what Washington University will bring her. “I’m going to miss it; I love Meramec,” Mosley said. “It’s an amazing community. There’s such a good atmosphere and it’s so friendly; I feel like I know everybody because I’ve been

SUBMITTED PHOTO Olivia Mosley’s “Passageway” was awarded the Dean’s Choice Award at the 2012 Student Art Show Exhibition. Most recently, Mosley’s “Passageway” was purchased by STLCC-Meramec to be put into a permanent collection.

here for so long. I’m kind of scared of what the new school is going to be like; I don’t know

if it’s going to be as friendly and warm.”

JOURNALISM Finding the Right Internship Finding the Enjoys pursuasive writing,

An internship can be an important part toward landing that design gig or shaking the hand of your new CEO. reporting breaking news Internships open the doorand to being advancing a source in of the field of your choice with real world experience and business coninformation tacts you to say I like chicken fried rice Ideal internships: KSDK Riverfront Times St. Louis Post Dispatch

ALEX KENDALL MANAGING EDITOR

Photography

See also: MARKETING

Enjoys branding a product, finding a target audience and getting that product into a consumer’s hands Ideal internships: Nestle Purina SanDisk St. Louis Rams See also: BUSINESS

Right Internship CORY MONTERO STAFF ILLUSTRATOR

BIOLOGY Enjoys discovering how living creatures work, the habits and habitats of animals and the make-up of the human body Ideal internships: Butterfly House St. Louis Science Center St. Louis Zoo See also: HISTORY

SAINT LOUIS

DESIGN Enjoys the stroke of a brush, the beautiful curves of Helvetica and creating an image that will live on Ideal internships: Saint Louis Artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Guild Art Saint Louis Non-profit organizations See also: PHOTOGRAPHY

BROADCAST Enjoys being the face of radio programming, the occasional morning show and playing the latest hits on the air waves Ideal internships: 88.1 KDHX Z 107.7 590 KFNS See also: JOURNALISM

Enjoys local sports teams, the Hill, Forest Park, toasted ravs, provel cheese and thin crust pizza Ideal internships: S. Louis Cardinals St. Louis Magazine St. Louis Blues See also: EVERYTHING ELSE

HISTORY Enjoys learning from the past, applying that knowledgeto the present and preparing for the future Ideal internships: History Museum St. Louis Art Museum St. Louis Historical Society See also: BIOLOGY

Building a Resume KIMBERLY MORICE ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR EMERITUS

The two-year college is how many get their foot in the door of a major university; whether a student becomes a tutor or club officer, any campus involvement can build a resume. Though students must be careful when it comes to becoming too involved, according to Eric Meyer, English professor and Honors Program coordinator. “Nanette Tarbouni was the admissions director at Washington University for years and she said in a newspaper article that [the institution] is very good at seeing genuine engagement versus engagement that is merely done for a resume,” Meyer said. “This is not a direct quote, it’s a paraphrase. But she said that it is better to participate deeply in a few things rather than superficially in many things.” There are 12,000 students at STLCC-Meramec. The vast majority of students drive to class and drive home. Building a strong resume is often the last thing on a student’s mind. “Few even go to the library or student center and that’s a big mistake,” Meyer said. “The next person looking at your transcript, whether it’s an employer or a four-year college looking to admit you or more importantly, looking to give you money, they want people in their business or institution who are fully engaged.”

The

Ré

sumé

1962–2012

STLCC has turned 50!

It’s time you joined the celebration.

FRIDAY, AUG. 24, 2012 Todd Newton’s Hypnosis Live!

7 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m. Celebrity alumnus Todd Newton brings his hit Las Vegas act to the Meramec Theatre. Tickets: $5 for students, $10 for general public. All proceeds benefit the Five Decades of Excellence Scholarship Fund. Tickets and FYI: email mccommrel@stlcc.edu or call 314-984-7528 or 314-984-7529.

MONDAY, SEPT. 24, 2012

St. Louis Community College 50th Anniversary Golf Tournament Tapawingo National Golf Course $150.00 per person/$600.00 for foursome. Registration & Lunch: Noon • Tournament Start: 1:30 p.m. FYI: 314-984-7153

THURSDAY, SEPT. 27, 2012 Meramec Fall Festival Student Center and Quad A free event that features Meramec student clubs and performance ensembles. FYI: mccommrel@stlcc.edu or 314-984-7529

FRIDAY, OCT. 19, 2012 South County Education and University Center Trivia Night 7:15 p.m., doors open at 6:45 p.m. Andre’s Banquet, 4254 Telegraph Road $25 per person, Early Bird Special: table for 10/$200 (Oct. 1, 2012 deadline) 1st, 2nd & 3rd Cash Prizes • Italian Buffet included Tickets and FYI: email mccommrel@stlcc.edu or call 314-984-7200.

ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT St. Louis Community College is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. If you have accommodation needs, please call Chuck McPherson at 314-984-7529 within two working days of the scheduled event to request needs. Documentation of disability may be required.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT St. Louis Community College is committed to non-discrimination and equal opportunities in its admissions, educational programs, activities and employment regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran and shall take action necessary to ensure non-discrimination.

HERE’S looking at you

KID Casablanca - 1942

In the span of 2011-2012 we, as a school, have ended a 27-year dispute on a campus-wide smoking ban, became a YouTube sensation over a “massive brawl,” watched an alumni

hit the game-winning home run of the World Series and grieved over four very dear faculty and staff members. Through the ups and downs, we made it. So “Here’s looking at you, Kid.”

Meramec under national spotlight KAVAHN MANSOURI EDITOR IN CHIEF On Monday, April 9, an incident on Affairs Linden Crawford said it is important “Campuses face challenges. How do the STLCC-Meramec campus involving for the campus to work together as a we move forward? Do we try to sweep it five students took place between Business positive force and to not dwell on the past. under the rug? Do we try to focus on law Administration and Communications “What we’re most concerned about is and order issues? Or do we behave like North. As a fight ensued between four how to look to the future and how we all we are a college where we get into some females and one male, a bystander filmed a have to work together to be a positive force of the deeper ideas that are imbedded in video that went viral, peaking the attention for our campus, so at a time like this we all the discourse that is surrounding this series of Yahoo News, Patch and Inside Higher have to remain positive, remain calm and of events?” Gardetto said. “Which includes Education. continue to share with our community not just the quarrel, fight, brawl but the In the video five students – one holding members the positive things about our response to it.” a child – are seen attacking one another campus and not dwell on an incident that’s Student Government Council President while faculty, staff and campus police gone viral,” Crawford said. Mark Wilson said that the fight was an attempt to diffuse the altercation. isolated incident. Three of the five students were arrested and face charges in Kirkwood Municipal “What we’re most concerned about is how to look Court, according to Meramec Campus to the future and how we all have to work together Police Chief Paul Banta. The five people involved were later to be a postive force for our campus.” suspended from the school for a year, Linden Crawford, Meramec Vice President of Student Affairs according to a correction made to the April 12 press release issued by STLCC Director of Communications DeLancey Smith. Meramec President George Wasson CAMPUS IMAGE “I don’t think the image of the school said the campus made a “prompt and Student Activities Council President is permanently damaged. I think this is an appropriate” response. Wasson said Troy Rolen said the incident is an unfair isolated incident. Things happen in life and although he is never happy to see a video of example of what Meramec offers. sometimes people fight; it’s an unfortunate an altercation on campus, what is shown in “Stuff like that doesn’t happen at part of society but it’s something that the video is a correct response from campus Meramec; that’s the first time something happened,” Wilson said. police, faculty and staff. like that has happened in a very long time,” “What I saw were people acting Rolen said. “That wasn’t even a once-in-aCAMPUS SAFETY appropriately,” Wasson said. “I saw that blue-moon thing, it was a once-in-a-neverAt the April 17 Student Governance there were some faculty and staff who were ever.” Council meeting, Linden Crawford, vice keeping people back out of the incident, I Wasson said that with or without the president of student affairs, addressed saw the police arriving within 90 seconds; I attention from the web, administration students’ concerns about the incident. could see those things on the video and that would have reported the incident. “It was an unfortunate situation but was actually reassuring to see that we were “With so few incidents it becomes we have responsive and competent police acting promptly and appropriately.” something of interest to people. If it were officers on this campus and immediate Wasson added that in this technological a common occurrence it would have very attention from our Behavioral Intervention age, people should be aware that actions little interest,” Wasson said. “Even if it Team,” Crawford said. “We have strategies are public. “[If] you do something, you would not have been on a YouTube video in place that can help reassure all of us that may find yourself up on YouTube and we would still have reported this incident.” hopefully things of this nature don’t occur that’s whether it happens here on campus Chair of Behavioral Sciences Darlaine very often and if they do we have systems in or happens while a person is out for the Gardetto, Ph.D., said Meramec’s image could place to immediately intervene on behalf of weekend.” be affected depending on how the campus the campus community.” Meramec Vice President of Student handles the situation moving forward. Banta said patrols around campus

would be increased in problem areas. “You can’t be everywhere at one time but we will certainly increase the patrol in the areas that students congregate,” Banta said. In order to regain a comfortable atmosphere on campus, Crawford said the presence of campus police has to be increased. “Students are concerned – they’re a little bit worried. In conjunction with our police chief, we agreed that a strong police presence is necessary during busy, peak times. There were some police in the vicinity when this incident occurred, which allowed them to respond within 90 seconds,” Crawford said. “I think we just have to make sure that we have that presence available so that students do feel comfortable.” Andrew Langrehr, dean of science and technology, said it is important for students to feel safe on campus and is surprised that safety is suddenly an issue. “I think that the students on our campus have a pretty good sense of the safety and the relationships that we have and that’s why I find it surprising to feel like there’s a lot of issues there,” Langrehr said. CAMPUS CLIMATE Chair of Behavioral Sciences Darlaine Gardetto, Ph.D., said it is important that the campus shifts the discussion of safety to focus on the racial climate experienced at Meramec. She said the campus fight was discussed during a recent department meeting. “The main tenor of the discussion was about campus security. I left the meeting actually feeling somewhat dissatisfied because I think that we are facing issues that are much more complicated than campus security,” Gardetto said. The video received a large amount of commentary on the internet, which included racist comments toward the African-Americans in the video. Gardetto said that before she had seen online comments on the video, she did not consider the incident a racial issue. She added that the comments online speak for themselves and shine a light on a problem on campus. “I actually hadn’t thought about it with regards to race until I saw the kind of commentary that was online,” Gardetto

said. “I had thought of it as a fight broke out on campus; we’ve been having trouble for the past couple of months with the area between Business Administration and Communications North. There’s been a lot of uncivil behavior on campus in general. I had not associated it with race until I saw the commentary.” Crawford said while there is no way of controlling the outside world, administration will be taking steps to quell any racism on campus. “The racist comments on the internet were very disturbing. We have some upcoming plans to strategize about training for our students as well as our faculty and staff regarding a number of issues,” Crawford said. “Certainly attitudes and issues of this nature are not condoned by our college at all; I think the outside world is something we can’t control, but on our campuses we will be providing some training to heighten our awareness of issues that need our attention.” The incident has revealed an issue that has not been discussed, Gardetto said. “We have to do something on this campus about the general incivility, but clearly from the commentary we have an issue… we have a big issue,” Gardetto said. “I think part of the problem is that we’re not discussing race explicitly.” Mark Wilson said that as a student, he does not think racism is a problem at Meramec and that the problem is mostly on the Internet. “There’s no place for racism in this world. It could have been any race of people – anyone can get in a fight. It’s absolutely outrageous, absolutely absurd to see things like that,” Wilson said. “There’s a lot of people who will sit behind their computer with their mask on and say things that are hurtful like that.” Based on the online commentary regarding the campus fight, Gardetto said she hopes the incident will spur dialogue between students and faculty. “These kind of events bring out the worst in people and that’s what we’ve seen,” Gardetto said. “I’m hoping that we move toward more faculty-to-student dialogue. It may be time for faculty to have teach-ins. This is a time for faculty and students to get together and try to come up with new ways to think about campus issues.”

UNITED WE STAND

AS ONE

MERAMEC

Preparing Students for Life Lindenwood University Offers • More than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs • Majors ranging from business to the arts • Small class size • Top notch professors who are committed to your success • A thriving athletic program with 26 NCAA teams and 20 student life teams • Beautiful residential campus in historic St.Charles • Great tuition rates and help with financial aid

Call 636-949-4949, visit www.lindenwood.edu or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LUDayAdmissions. Transfer and Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships Available

THE

SMOKING SAGA:

KURT OBERREITHER NEWS EDITOR EMERITUS Before spring 2009, students, faculty and staff could find smoking receptacles outside building entrances at STLCCMeramec. This semester, signs have been posted at doorways across the district: “No smoking. Violators will be subject to fines,” they read. On Jan. 26, the Board of Trustees voted to approve the revised board policy that allows violators of the district-wide tobacco ban to be subject to a $15 fine and other disciplinary action. The use of tobacco products is prohibited anywhere on campus grounds and campus police will issue citations to violators. This is the closest the district has come to concretely enforcing the ban in the “Tobacco-free for you and me” saga. “It certainly will enhance our ability to get compliance,” Campus Police Chief Paul Banta said. “Because if there’s something to back up the fact that we don’t want people smoking on campus, that’s going to compel the people who don’t cooperate just because it’s the right thing to do.” According to Meramec President George Wasson, faculty and staff who are caught will be given a verbal warning on their first offense and given a written warning on their second. College policy dictates that employees of the college can face disciplinary action up to termination. Wasson said they will be fined every time. “I think it will be difficult to transition to the new rule,” Banta said. “Once people get used to it, I think we’ll be fine. It’s just going to be an adjustment period like anything else that changes; it always takes some time.” In fall 2008, former Chair of the

STUBBED OUT?

Wellness Committee Margaret Hvatum conducted a survey of faculty, staff and students to gauge opinion on smoking on campus. After an “overwhelming” amount of participants voted that smoking should at least be restricted, the results were presented to the Student Government Association (SGA), the Meramec Academic Governance Council (MAGC) and the Meramec Institutional Affairs Council (MIAC). They reached a consensus and the Campus Leadership Team approved the tobacco-free initiative. The rule was enforced in fall 2009. However, the rule was not official college policy and therefore a fine could not be enforced. The ban and fine must be universal at all campuses – excluding Wildwood, which has maintained a green, smoke-free environment since its inception. “You can’t just tell people to do something without consequence,” said Addison Brown, vice president of Student Government Council. “If the people don’t govern themselves, then they have to be governed.” In the following fall of 2010, the “ban” was lifted but the tobacco ban was back the next semester after it became board policy. He said the main focus right now is informing students of the possibility of a fine and disciplinary action. There may be an increase to the police force after the board decision, according to Banta. “I know that smokers find it difficult not to smoke whenever they want,” Hvatum said. “I hope they realize that by not smoking they might be saving lives – not just theirs but other people’s lives.”

TOP: David Freese gets set for the next pitch, along with Felipe Lopez at shortstop, during a game against the New York Mets on April 17, 2010. The Mets won, 2-1, in 20 innings. LEFT: Freese takes a step toward the incoming pitch against the Mets starter, Johan Santana. Freese went 0-1 with one walk. CENTER: Freese and former Sports Information Director Bob Frischmann pose for a picture during Freeseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Magic Hall of Fame induction in April 2010. Right: Freese looks in to the batter with umpire Alphonso Marquez in the background. Marquez umpired the 2011 World Series.

FREESE MERAMEC ALUMNI SLIDES INTO THE WORLD SERIES

SPENCER GLEASON SPORTS EDITOR The assistant coach for the baseball Jaguars from the University of Southern Alabama leaned over to STLCC-Meramec Head Coach Tony Dattoli. Pleased with a young David Freese’s power to the left side, pulling the ball down the third base line, the recruiter’s main concern was if the junior college ballplayer could sit back and hit the ball to right field. Dattoli went up to Freese and offered words of advice before he took batting practice in front of the recruiter. “Hey, make sure you hit the ball to all fields,” Dattoli said. “He does not think you can hit the ball with power to right field.” Freese focused. Of the next eight pitches, the 20-year-old Freese hit six balls through the pine trees beyond the right field wall of Meramec’s baseball diamond. “That was his ability to hit the ball to all fields. To see somebody change it up like that and change his approach, that is probably my favorite story about him [as a Magic player],” Dattoli said about his former player and now friend. “It was an indication that he really had a grasp of what we were talking about.” Fast forward eight years later. After hitting a game-tying triple in the ninth inning and the game-winning home run in the 11th inning in game six of the 2011 World Series—the same kind of late-inning heroics that little kids dream up in their backyards—David Freese has become a household name in the sports world. He now finds himself recognized throughout sports and all of baseball. By the start of the 2012 season, an authentic St. Louis Cardinal David Freese jersey was within the top 20 sold nationwide, according to Fox Sports—the only Cardinal to crack the top 20 list. “It took what he did in the 2011 World Series to get his own jersey,” former Sports Information Director of Meramec athletics Bob Frischmann said. Frischmann, who has continued his friendship with Freese and his family over the years, spent the first two seasons of Freese’s Cardinal career looking for a jersey, along with Freese’s mom. “I mean kids everywhere, not just in St. Louis, but kids who love baseball all over the nation now know who David Freese is and idolize him,” Frischmann said. Freese, who has as many college graduating certificates as he does postseason MVPs, has continued to make trips to charities and help out in the St. Louis community, even if it was not within the public eye. “He has bent over backward the entire off-season to help people. He has made so many visits that people don’t know about to Children’s Hospital, to veteran’s hospitals. He would spend the whole day there with the people, posing for pictures, visiting with them, talking to them,” Frischmann said. “He basically donated his entire off-season to all of these charities. I think that makes it even a better story – what kind of person he is and has remained despite the stardom.” Aside from the World Series Championship, two MVPs, the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” appearances, Freese has remained the same person Dattoli spotted as a high schooler at Lafayette High School and the same youngster that sat in Frischmann’s History of Film class in spring 2004. “It’s just one of those crazy things that happen to a very select few in this world,” Frischmann said. “Fortunately in this case, it happened to the right person.” PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: BOB FRISCHMANN

Saying Goodbye Remembering those who have impacted the community

ULDIS ALKS, 77

MARY DAVIS, 88

November 28, 2011

November 30, 2011

KURT OBERREITHER NEWS EDITOR EMERITUS

KAVAHN MANSOURI EDITOR IN CHIEF

Artist and geography professor Uldis Alks, 77, died Monday, Nov. 28. His memorial service and burial were held on Dec. 3. “I was lucky enough to see him two days before [he died] at Thanksgiving,” his former wife Annabelle Alks said. “We were always close friends, best friends.” Alks and Annabelle divorced in 2004. Nine years earlier, Alks retired from the National Geospatialintelligence Agency (NGA) and in 1997, a coworker from the NGA, Roger Becker, contacted Alks. “Roger called him up one day and asked him if he wanted a job,” Annabelle Alks said. There was an open position in the geography department at STLCC-Meramec and he knew Alks was looking for something to do after retirement. Alks signed on as an adjunct geography instructor and shared an office with faculty members John Gribb, David Wamsley and Becker. Wamsley said Alks would share stories of his childhood in Latvia and Germany and discuss the Soviet Union and geography. As a token of appreciation, Wamsley gave Alks a map of Latvia which he used as a liaison for the U.S. military with Latvia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. “He always wanted to take me to Latvia and show me the place he [lived],” Wamsley said. In 2000, Alks began taking drawing and painting courses at Meramec. He took watercolor painting and oil painting with Margaret Keller. Keller said Alks liked to paint people and “European” images from his childhood like his Latvian relatives. When Alks was 10, he and his family were forced to leave their homeland for Germany, where they lived for five years before immigrating to the U.S. Alks spent his final three years as a participating artist at the Crestwood Art Coop. One member, Barbara Otterson, said Alks sold a number of paintings there. “He had his own style,” Otterson said. “He used to love to pick your brain and always wanted to improve himself.”

After a career at Southwestern Bell, STLCC-Meramec student Mary Davis decided to retire and take classes at Meramec, where she remained for 25 years. She, like many other students, found her place at the community college and became active in various clubs and student government. Davis was not only busy with extracurricular activities, but during her Meramec career accumulated more than 100 credit hours and worked as a part-time employee of Meramec’s art department. Professor of Art Margaret Keller described Davis as a student and a dedicated worker. “Mary was very friendly. The gallery door would always be open, people would walk by and she would call them into the gallery. She’d start telling them about the show and explain a lot to them. She was like the publicity person for the show,” Keller said. Davis lent a hand in student groups such as the Bacchus Club and the Photo Club. “She was very lively and full of life. Always really busy making things for other people – she loved making things for other people. She liked making quilts and Christmas ornaments, you name it. Busy all the time in the gallery,” Keller said. Meramec’s Student Governance Council (SGC) is in the process of creating a memorial for Davis. And the art department has created a Mary Davis scholarship. “She was a student for many years,” SGC member Abdul Kariem-Matteuzzi said. “She was very involved, cared about the image and voice of the students.”

From the arts to the sciences, Meramec is a place of employment, enjoyment, and most importantly, a place for learning. But the learning experience is only as influential as the people responsible for each lesson in and out of the classroom. All life must come to an end–learning does not. Each one of these lives has made a ripple in students’ and faculty’s time at Meramec, and for some of them, their futures. The Montage takes time to remember.

BILL VANN, 71

JANIS SAGO, 63

December 4, 2011

May 13, 2012

KELLY GLUECK MANAGING EDITOR EMERITUS

KURT OBERREITHER NEWS EDITOR EMERITUS

During his career, STLCC-Meramec graphic design instructor Bill Vann worked with corporations including Anheuser Busch and Pepsi. Among his coworkers, Vann even earned the title “Godfather of Illustration,” but according to Associate Professor of Graphic Design Chuck Groth, his commitment to his students came naturally. “I think that one of the greatest tributes that you can think of for Bill is the impact he has had on his students,” Groth said. “I was online and saw tributes to Bill from students who had graduated 10 or more years ago saying how this man had such an influence on their art careers and lives.” Groth called Vann a “quiet giant in the illustration community” with major corporations as clients, including Anheuser Busch, Miller, Pepsi, Coke, NFL and MLB. Vann was also an active figure with the St. Louis Artists’ Guild, serving as president until shortly before his death. “He is one of the big reasons why the guild still exists, probably because of his passion. He gave many hours every single day to be a part of it, to keep the dream alive,” Shay said. He has been recognized with more than 35 local and national illustration awards but according to Shay, he was not motivated by recognition. “We realized that awards don’t really mean anything. All the awards do is get you more attention to get more work,” Shay said. Vann will be sorely missed and will leave a hole in the community; not only at Meramec, but also in the illustration community as well, Shay said. Chris Powers is one of Vann’s former students. Powers graduated from Meramec in 2006 and currently owns his own design company. “Not only did he teach me the principals of how to approach a problem as a professional designer and to look outside the box, his lectures on the business was, and continues to be, an indispensable part of what drives me as a creative [person],” Powers said.

STLCC-Meramec photography instructor Janis Sago, 63, died Sunday, May 13. Sago was an adjunct faculty member for 20 years. In a message to staff and faculty, Photography Coordinator David Hanlon addressed Sago’s death: “All of us know of the amazing and courageous manner in which Jan has endured her health battles over the past several years, while she also continued to place the needs of her students and colleagues first.” Sago’s family asked that her friends submit an 8 inch by 10 inch print of one of their own images to be placed on her casket. Hanlon extended the request to her colleagues and students at Meramec. The Art Department office has a receiving box for submissions. Hanlon said the request has had a strong response. He said Sago drew inspiration for her photography from nature and landscapes. “She was a really terrific person both professionally and personally,” Hanlon said. “She was engaged with her students and would always help them with their work and with artistic outlook and approach.” Sago coordinated the photography department from 2005 to 2010, and in 2009 she earned the Outstanding Adjunct Instructor Award for Humanities and Art. Sago was Photography Club sponsor from 2007-2011. One of her former students and club member, Courtney Stark, remembers her as the kind of person that you could go to with any problem. “She was more then just a teacher to her students, she became a friend and mentor to many of the students who passed through her class,” Stark said.

All The Pasta* You Can Eat! Can you handle it?

• Every Monday Night! • Includes Salad and Garlic Bread *Dine in only and not available during holidays

Family Italian Restaurant & More Italian Cuisine • Pizza • Appetizers • Steaks Sandwiches • Burgers • Banquet Room Available

Crestwood - 9942 Watson Road Crestwood, MO 63126 • 314.822.4909 South County - 4487 Lemay Ferry Road St. Louis, MO 63129 • 314.894.1600

www.richandcharlies.com

PROFESSORS ACHIEVING MORE Meramec professors are staying relevant

SAM WISE STAFF WRITER Professors at STLCC-Meramec are here to make sure you succeed and grow as a student and as a person. However, as they are doing so, they are accomplishing more in their own lives as well. Photography instructor David Hanlon works with ceramics instructor Jim Ibur PHOTOGRAPHY COORDINATOR to give students the opportunity to show their artwork outside of Meramec. These professors collaborated to display an art show at the PHD Gallery in South St. Louis entitled, “Macedonia Inspirations: Modern Artifacts.” The gallery was inspired by the Meramec study abroad program over the past two summers to Macedonia, designed to explore ancient ruins and the open country. While on these trips,

DAVID

HANLON

Professor Donna Werner has been teaching at Meramec since 2002 and is currently the Humanities Chair, a department that covers humanities, foreign language, philosophy and music. Werner currently teaches Biomedical Ethics and Intro to Philosophy courses. She has co-authored a book on ethics while assistant director of ethics at Saint Louis University. This past semester, the school board approved her request for sabbatical. In September 2012, Werner will travel to

Washington, D.C., and become a visiting researcher at Georgetown University at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics to study a medical ethics case she has been interested in for many years now. “Part of the reason I want to be there is they have the largest medical ethics library in the country,” Werner said. At the conclusion of her research at Georgetown, Werner will present her findings to the faculty of the university. Werner said she is hoping to publish her findings as a paper or possibly as a book.

Angela Hamilton is currently on sabbatical in Istanbul, Turkey. Hamilton ASST. PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH is a published writer and taught at Faith University in Istanbul from 2007-2009. She returned to America and began teaching English at Meramec and did so from 2009 to 2011, before returning to Istanbul for her sabbatical this past school year. She is currently a co-facilitator for the Soliya Project, “an online cross-cultural education program integrated into curriculum that provides students with a unique opportunity to establish a deeper understanding for the perspectives of others around the world on important sociopolitical issues,” according to,

A N G E L A H A M I LT O N

Hanlon photographed everything from the ruins to scenes along the city streets. According to the PHD Gallery, “The pieces on view meld images of spirals, labyrinths and other bridges with vessel imagery inspired from Mediterranean amphoras, Middle Eastern minarets and elements of African Architecture.” “Both of us were really interested in exploring ancient cultures. This gallery was especially fruitful because it combined two and three-dimensional artwork,” Hanlon said.

DONNA WERNER

HUMANITIES CHAIR

http://Soliya.net, the organization’s website. “I find it to be inspiring,” Hamilton said. “If I were the type of person who chose never to travel to foreign lands and watched a bit too much American news, I might be concerned about living in Istanbul. But I’m not that person.” She will continue to participate in this program if the grant is approved. The program is slated to continue, pending funding, according to Hamilton. “STLCC students can only benefit from having intercultural connections and experiences, particularly in today’s world where the economy is globalized and fear is localized,” Hamilton said.

Reach

at Fontbonne University

Your college experience is about making connections, getting involved and reaching your potential. At Fontbonne University, you’ll find faculty who will challenge — and support — you. You’ll find academic programs that will prepare you for a variety of career paths and give you a foundation in critical thinking. And you’ll find a campus community where it’s easy to get involved and be engaged. » Transfer Agreement in place with Meramec to make the transfer process as smooth as possible » Explore more than 40 majors, such as business, education, fashion merchandising, performing arts, accounting or social work » Participate in a variety of leadership programs, student organizations or Division III athletics » Evening and online degrees are also available

YOU CAN STILL BE IN SCHOOL THIS FALL. Find out more today!

www.fontbonne.edu/transfer

Call 314.889.1400 to speak with one of our transfer counselors, or email them at fbyou@ fontbonne.edu.

Proudly sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet

2011-2012

M THE MONTAGE

September 29, 2011

Volume 47 Issue 3

Student Activities Council hosts annual Fall Festival

PAGE

Buildings and Grounds Manager Willie Wright stays in tune with Meramec

PAGE 13

Womens basketball player Lauren Fischer attends Meramec, plays at Forest Park. PAGES 16

October 13, 2011

Achieving the Dream aims to improve students academic success

Volume 47 Issue 4

Meramec students spend free time in quad playing football

Student aids city in Mexico

PAGE 15

PAGES 10

KURT OBBEREITHER NEWS EDITOR

Gloyd’s family had been involved with humanitarian aid. Living in Neuvo Necaxa, a village in the mountains south of Mexico City, was one more thing to add to her list.

Kays said there are many factors to consider when looking at return rates including socioeconomics, demographics but most of all high school preparation. “In general, the more underprepared a student is, the less likely they are to continue to be successful,” Kays said. After his senior year at Kirkwood High School, Dewes took the Accuplacer placement test, ranked into intermediate algebra and passed the course at Missouri State University. He moved on to college algebra and failed the course twice. Dewes then came to Meramec a

“In general, the more underprepared a student is, the less likely they are to continue to be successful.” - Vernon Kays Ed.D., Vice President of Academic Affairs

Students are given a schedule that says if you want to finish this semester, this is when you will take this test. But if students do not take it on that day there is no penalty.

“I didn’t have electricity. I didn’t have [running] water. We had to wash our clothes on a washboard. We had to boil water to heat it up for warm showers,” Gloyd said.

Some courses require students to spend a set number of hours in the math lab located in Communications South and next to the math department offices in Science West.

Gloyd said that electricity was available, for only an hour or two a day and flashlights were hard to come by.

Faculty member travels abroad to spark creativity AMBER DAVIS ASST. ART & LIFE EDITOR Summer vacation is a time to kick off the shoes and waste several days until fall. But that was not the case for Michael Swoboda, graphic communications professor at STLCC-Meramec. Swoboda packed his bags and flew to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to explore potential projects with his colleague, Fernando Carvalho. “Our idea was for me to go there – since Fernando lives and teaches at the local University in Rio and to identify some little or large possible projects. So we can use our design expertise to help them out,” Swoboda said. Spontaneous ideas and reconnecting with an old friend is how this plan all started to go to Rio.

PHOTO BY: Hans Steinert Mike Swoboda, graphic communications professor, reflects on his journey to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this summer. Swoboda presented a lecture on graphic design at Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro.

“[Carvalho and I met at] University of Notre Dame and we loved collaborating ideas. He is more of a product designer or an industrial designer and I’m more of a graphic designer. So, we can blend our skills together. Earlier this summer I knew I was going to have a couple of weeks between the summer semester and fall semester. So I gave him a call over Skype, and we just reconnected. It was just an idea that came out of thin air,” Swoboda said.

October 27, 2011

Volume 47 Issue 5

Students and faculty lend a hand around Kirkwood.

Meramec student volunteers in Africa.

Looking into the historic St. Louis mansion.

See story on page 16 PHOTO BY: Mike Ziegler STLCC—Meramec Archer baseball players stand ready at the plate and Cardinal’s on-deck circle during their game against the Lewis & Clark Trailblazers on Sept. 4 in Busch Stadium. The Archers went on to win the game 7-2 in eight innings after reaching the two-hour thirty-minute time limit. This was the second consecutive year beating the Trailblazers at Busch after a 8-7 walk-off hit in the bottom of the 9th in the 2010 game. The win brought head coach Tony Dattoli’s record to 7-1 while coaching at Busch.

Campus security increases surveillance

Cameras installed around Meramec in an effort to further protect students ALEX KENDALL STAFF WRITER Campus Security increased surveillance on the STLCC-Meramec campus this semester with the addition of six video cameras. These cameras have been installed in an effort to protect the students and faculty against any crimes that may be committed against them and their property. “We’re not trying to invade anyone’s privacy,” Campus Police Chief Paul Banta said. “We’re doing this in an open public setting. It’s for the students’ protection.” Each camera can be individually controlled by the operator with zoom capabilities to track a license plate from across the parking lot. The cameras allow

PAGES 8-9

PAGE 10

STLCC-Meramec Campus Police responded to a call near Communications South after a student was struck by another student on campus between 10:30 a.m. and 11:50 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12. The suspect was suspended, according to Campus President George Wasson.

Banta said the students congregate under the shelter of the communications south building to smoke.

“If we have to suspend somebody to serve the greater good at Meramec, that’s what we have to do,” Wasson said. “Anyone should be able to traverse the campus without intimidation – without fear of being accosted by anyone, any place.”

All campuses were designated as tobaccofree, effective January 2011. A fine of $15 for violation of the tobacco ban has been proposed and submitted to the Meramec campus councils for approval. The Board of Trustees could approve the fine as soon as January 2012, according to Wasson’s recent memorandum.

Banta said complaints are most frequent between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Banta said the fine could remedy some of the congregating and in effect the disruptive behavior.

Student Melina Lindscog said one of her professors was asked to escort another faculty member through the area outside communications south.

“I think smoking is secondary to disruptive behavior,” Banta said.

On Oct. 21, a memorandum from Wasson, Vice President of Student Affairs Lin Crawford and Banta was sent to Meramec faculty and staff addressing disruptive behavior: “The Meramec campus leadership is aware of recent problems involving smoking violations, disruptive and disrespectful behavior, the use of offensive and profane language and possible sexual harassment by students congregating between communications south and the business administration building and between communications south and communications north.”

With a jump to the left and a step to the right, STLCC-Meramec’s theater department pelvic thrust their way to the stage for the Fall 2011 production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The show ran five shows on four nights through Oct. 5-7 with a midnight show on Oct. 8. Three of the five shows sold out.

“Realistically, our campus is a pretty safe place,” Banta said. “We’ve got an honest community here.” In the wake of the shooting that occurred at Virginia Tech in 2007, Banta said these cameras are one of the steps toward making the campus a safer place. “We’re trying to avoid the situation at Virginia Tech,” Banta said.

Continued on page 16

PHOTO BY: Alex Kendall STLCC-Meramec police dispatcher Vicki Lungwitz demonstrates one of the new security cameras on campus in the Meramec police station. Six exterior cameras were recently installed around campus.

M T H E M O N TA G E

“It’s a sad state of affairs that people don’t do the right thing,” Banta said. “It’s the kind of thing you might see in a sophomore setting.”

“I try to avoid that area,” Lindscog said. “It’s annoying because you’re a college student, and you’re paying to go to school here.” Students, faculty and staff are urged to notify campus police of any disturbances throughout the campus. “We’re all here together. We’re all here for the same purpose. We’re all here for the same end,” Wasson said. “Most students want to protect our campus [and] we need help.”

Hands on Kirkwood KURT OBERREITHER NEWS EDITOR Hundreds of people, including Meramec students and faculty, took to the streets of Kirkwood Saturday, Oct. 22 for the fifth annual Hands on Kirkwood day of service.

“For me, the most important thing about this is I have a student choreographer and a student stage manager. We’ve had thirty volunteers working on the set. This is so much about the students. Both people involved with the makeup are students and the design of [the set]. That is what’s impressed me more than

More than 550 people from local churches, hockey teams and students from Meramec’s Service Learning Department participated in projects ranging from Service Learning has participated in Make a Difference Day, a national day of community service held in October, for more than 10 years.

Each show opened with a performance by the live band, made up of some of Meramec’s music teachers such as Garry Gackstatter, Jerry Myers, Ph.D. and Lemar Fitzgerald.

Yellow t-shirts sporting the words “A missionALL community project. Making a difference,” could be seen behind steering wheels, on the sidewalks and outside Kirkwood’s churches and businesses throughout the morning and early afternoon.

“There’s something about having a live band up there, with the beat and the music; I think people are going to discover it’s really fresh,” Oliver said.

“It was always the goal to make it a citywide day,” Hands on Kirkwood co-chair Jason Norton said.

Continued on page 12

PHOTO BY: Mike Ziegler A member of the International Club team attempts to dodge the ball during the fall 2011 Dodgeball tournament in the Meramec Gym on Oct. 20. Money raised from team dues and consession sales went toward supporting breast cancer research.

Continued on page 10

Story on page 12

This year was Service Learning’s first time working with Kirkwood’s day of service. Service Learning Office Manager Debbie Corson said Service Learning joined Hands on Kirkwood to broaden the “scope of projects” and allow students to get involved by giving back to the community.

An athletic dilemma: Cost versus accountability See story on page 8.

Continued on page 3 @themontage

T H E M O N TA G E

Campus security has already assisted in the identification of hit and run drivers in the parking lot by reviewing the video and capturing the license plates, according to Banta.

Furthermore, the memorandum disclosed that uniformed police personnel and plain-clothed personnel will be designated to the areas during the targeted days and times, and “disciplinary action will be taken by the vice president of student affairs.”

anything,” Keith Oliver, Rocky Horror Show director, said. “As I’ve watched them rehearse this play. It’s amazing to me to see students step up. I’m very proud of them. That, to me, is the most important thing.”

Continued on page 5

the dispatchers to watch over the parking lots and inform the patrol officers of any suspicious or incriminating activities.

Continued on page 10

Dodgeball tournament raises money for breast cancer research

“Once in a while, they would have lights on at night,” Gloyd said. “Do you know how scary that is? I had to walk down a mountain to use [the outhouse] at night.”

“If you struggle with [math], it’s not necessarily your fault. You just need someone to explain it to you in a different way to try to foster the ability you have to think critically,” Mike Roman, math tutor, said.

Continued on page 11

Reconnecting and Recharging

KIMBERLY MORICE STAFF WRITER

“Even with not being able to completely communicate, I still have a love for those people,” Gloyd said. “Language is a big thing, but it’s not necessary.” Gloyd said that emotions speak louder than words, but that it was the hardest part of her journey.

The Archers will take all 47 players to experience a day at the ballpark. Carrying Despite benefit cost increases, Chance said the 18 pitchers and three defensive groups, Dattoli will pull all the strings to make sure district’s salaries remain competitive. everyone has a chance to play on the same “I don’t think there is a singular response,” Chance field as Albert Pujols Chris Carpenter and said. “I think there is a good understanding in the even Meramec’s own David Freese.

Student ambassadors host tourney

Despite this, she approached the trip to Mexico optimistically. Gloyd said not being able to understand the language had a big effect on her.

Now students must attain a 80 percent mastery of the course.

“The pitching has been very good. We’ve gone through stretches where we’ve hit the ball extremely well, but that’s been very inconsistant. The two things that matter most, though, are that our defense has played well and our pitching has been good. We’ll be able to manufacture runs, hopefully, on Sunday.”

Continued on page 2

“We haven’t had that problem where we have repeat complaints,” Banta said. “And I’ve been here for four years.”

Gloyd found the dialect and speed of speech difficult to adjust to with intermittent recollections from high school Spanish class.

“Say the third week of class they’d have to take a test whether they were ready or not,” Frost said. “They had to take it. They took it and had whatever grade they got. So there was a frustration in that whole process of getting a bad grade for the students. So what we have done is we’re demanding mastery.”

“I think talent-wise, we’re looking very good,” Tony Dattoli, head coach, said after Tuesday’s practice. different negotiations during his tenure at STLCC-Meramec. When determining benefits, Carla Chance, vice chancellor of finance, said administration looked at Midwest average costs as well as national costs. According to the STLCC expenditure assumptions presented to the Board of Trustees in May 2011, $0.2 million more will be spent on salaries and $1.4 million on benefits this year.

district that the salaries are at market rate.” A change in health benefits, though, affects “We think we’ve kind of come up with a fail-proof plan where we’re three deep at the bottom line of faculty income. every defensive position,” Dattoli said.

According to Banta, 130 complaints have been documented regarding disruptive behavior this semester. He said the complaints include violations of the campus tobacco ban.

“I learned a little the first time I went down there, but the language barrier was a big thing,” Gloyd said.

Math department chair and developmental education committee member Jim Frost said the department demands mastery.

Hurst, the co-chair of the National Educators Association (NEA) and the STLCCMeramec faculty committee, has been involved in three

“We’re not going to stand for that kind of behavior,” Banta said.

Gloyd spent a total of three months in Mexico on two different occasions. Gloyd said the culture shock was something she did not expect.

For example, tests in the programs are no longer required to be completed on a deadline.

After last year’s walk-off winner at Busch Stadium against the Trailblazers, 8-7, in the bottom of the ninth, the Archers look to continue their magical run on their field of dreams.

Salaries were approved at the July 2011 Board of Trustees meeting so modifications could be made to the 2010-2013 contract.

“If you were just to look at the bottom line, that 1.5 percent is not going to cover the increase. We know we lost a half with the teacher increase in the retirement system so we’re down to 1 percent. Is that 1 percent offset by the increase in medical and costs through the college? I would say that 1 percent is probably wiped out,” said Doug Hurst, communications professor.

12-13

Moments after the final out is made during the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds, on Sunday, Sept. 4, the STLCC Archers and Lewis and Clark Community College Trailblazers will take the field. It will be the second meeting between the two teams at Busch Stadium.

KURT OBERREITHER NEWS EDITOR

Among other agreements, the college and faculty agreed to a step increase for the fiscal year. Changes in coverage under healthcare benefits as well as retirement costs, however, placed an increased burden on faculty members.

WWW.MERAMECMONTAGE.COM

SPENCER GLEASON SPORTS EDITOR

Benefit increase overshadows faculty raises

PAGE

Alumnus documentary give a damn accepted PAGES into film festival.

Archers in the outfield

Baseball at Busch

Faculty contracts were settled in June after more than a year and a half of negotiations, during which salary and working conditions were modified from the 2007 contract. Faculty worked without a contract or pay increase during the 2010-2011 academic year.

At press time, a police report was not immediately available and the case is still under investigation, Police Chief Paul Banta said. The victim positively identified the suspect with a photo, Banta said, and the suspect was detained and released by Kirkwood Police.

“My parents are music directors for churches,” Gloyd said. “So we moved to Texas because they got a job offer.”

Prior to the adoption of Achieving the Dream (ATD), a program dedicated to helping more students succeed at Meramec, the math department made changes to the organization.

PAGE 3

KURT OBERREITHER NEWS EDITOR

A native of St. Charles, Mo, Gloyd lived in Texas for a few months where she enjoyed the Hispanic culture and then moved home to St. Louis where she graduated from Parkway North High School.

“We are within the national conversation,” Former Dean of Math and Communications and current Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Vernon Kays, Ed.D., said. “The issue of success in mathematics is a national conversation.”

PAGE 9

WWW.MERAMECMONTAGE.COM

CHRIS CAMPBELL STAFF WRITER

year ago and enrolled in college algebra. In his third round of college algebra at Meramec, he is studying to earn a general transfer degree.

PAGE 12 WWW.MERAMECMONTAGE.COM

Disruptive behavior continues; student suspended

“[My parents] would say something about sending me to Mexico to live with the Mexican Indians every time I’d get in trouble so I would behave,” Gloyd said. “And then it ended up being me volunteering to go down by myself.”

Like other students at STLCC-Meramec, Jody Dewes has come back to the same math course from semester to semester. Dewes has taken college algebra five times.

Volume 47 Issue 2

Meramec harvests fruits and vegetables for PAGE donation.

Campus documents 130 complaints regarding student behavior this semester

After living a life in suburbia, STLCC-Meramec student Rachael Gloyd found out firsthand just how much she had been taking for granted.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY: Kelly Glueck

September 15, 2011

Meramec student ventures into the art of wicca.

Checks and Balances

PAGE 6-7

WWW.MERAMECMONTAGE.COM

Made in Mexico

Volume 47 Issue 1

Local musicians rock out in the STL

Meramec student entertains campus through music

PAGE 4

WWW.MERAMECMONTAGE.COM

Math success; a national issue Meramec students retaking courses frustrated by difficulty

September 1, 2011

Meramec celebrates 50 years KELLY GLUECK MANAGING EDITOR

Fifty years ago, The Missouri Junior College District laid out plans to offer over one million students the opportunity to acquire affordable higher education. Coincidentally, “The Jetsons” aired its first futuristic episode on CBS that same year. Although students have yet to fly their cars to school or jetpack to the Phillips 66 on Big Bend, the Jetsons’ housemaid robot could be comparable to modern-day Siri; or perhaps she would qualify more of a Roomba. Either way, technology has helped fulfill the futuristic dreams of gadget lovers everywhere, just as the STLCC district has helped aid more than a million students achieve their academic goals. In the next seven issues, the Montage will flashback to events within the last half See inside for stories century to show the contrast between Meramec then and Meramec now.

T H E M O N TA G E

Smoking ban more than line in the sand

Voume 47 Issue 6

www.meramecmontage.com

November 17, 2011

fb.me/meramecmontage

T H E M O N TA G E

T HE MONTAGE

Board of Trustees to vote on smoking ban KURT OBERREITHER NEWS EDITOR

William Van Hoogstraat, known by his students and friends as Bill Vann, was always ahead of schedule, but when students arrived for his 9 a.m. class Monday, Dec. 5, the door was shut and the room was dark and empty. That same morning, STLCCMeramec students and faculty were told that instructor Vann, 71, died in his sleep. He is survived by his wife, sons, daughter and grandchildren. Design instructor Chuck Groth worked with Vann at the PostDispatch in the early 90s. The two also worked closely in and outside of the classroom. Groth said Vann’s commitment to his students came naturally. “I think that’s one of the greatest tributes that you can think of for Bill is the impact he has had on his students,” Groth said. “I was online yesterday and saw tributes to Bill from students who had graduated 10 or more years ago saying how this man had such an influence on their art careers and lives.” One of these former students included Chris Powers. Powers graduated from Meramec in 2006 and currently owns his own design company. “Not only did he teach me the principals of how to approach a problem as a professional designer and to look outside the box–his lectures on the business was, and continues to be, an indispensable part of what drives me as a creative,” Powers said. Powers still references his notes and recorded lectures from Vann’s courses. “When I have a problem, or even an ethical question, I think WWBD (What Would Bill Do),” Powers said.

A larger-than-life painting with shades of pink and orange set on an easel at the far west wing of the BOPP Chapel Funeral Home. The waist-up of an elderly man with thick-rimmed glasses is depicted. More colors – yellow, blue and red – drape from a pedestal to the left of the canvas. Uldis Alks’s self-portrait carries his legacy. Yellow, blue and red are the colors of the subject of the painting’s division of the Latvian Student Fraternity and are only a few of the colors Alks wore close to his heart. Alks, 77, died Monday, Nov. 28 after a heart attack. His memorial service and burial were held on Dec. 3. “I was lucky enough to see him two days before [he died] at Thanksgiving,” his former wife Annabelle Alks said. “We were always close friends, best friends.” Alks and Annabelle divorced in 2004. Nine years earlier, Alks retired from the National Geospatialintelligence Agency (NGA) and in 1997, a coworker from the NGA, Roger Becker, contacted Alks. “Roger called him up one day and asked him if he wanted a job,” Annabelle said. “He didn’t want to do nothing [after he retired].”

STLCC-student Mary Davis sat in the first floor of Humanities East in the art gallery room where she served as a part-time attendant and an unofficial publicist. She was known to call students in to explain exhibits and chat about art. Davis, 88, a student of STLCC for 25 years, died Wednesday after a short illness. A memorial is currently being planned in her honor. Professor of Art Margaret Keller described Davis as a student and a dedicated worker. “She was always here, this was her life. She took classes all the time, art classes, she worked in the gallery as the gallery attendant, she was always in there,” Keller said. After a career at Southwestern Bell, now AT&T, Davis decided to retire and take classes at Meramec. Davis, who was a part of Meramec’s Photo Club, Bacchus Club, International and Student Government for a time, was widely known around campus. Racking up over 100 credit hours, having been a STLCC student since 1986 and working as a part-time employee of Meramec’s art department, Davis kept busy. Campus Life Manager Steve Brady said that Davis lent a hand in different clubs. “Mary started out being in the Photo Club, she also got involved in the Bacchus Club and student government. It was cool with student government, she would always help us read scholarships when we had the student to student book scholarship,” Brady said.

There was an open position in the geography department at STLCC-Meramec and he knew Alks was looking for something to do after retirement. Alks signed on as an adjunct geography instructor and shared an office in what is now a classroom in Science West 105 with faculty members John Gribb, David Wamsley and Becker. “He always told me I saved his life,” Becker said.

Stories continued on page 5. @themontage

Voume 47 Issue 6

www.meramecmontage.com

(MIAC). They reached a consensus and the Campus Leadership Team approved the tobacco-free initiative. The rule was enforced in the fall of 2009. However, the rule was not official college policy and therefore a fine could not be enforced. The ban and fine must be universal at all campuses – excluding Wildwood, which has maintained a green, smoke-free environment since its inception. The ban was lifted. “You can’t just tell people to do something without consequence,” said Addison Brown, vice president of Student Governance Council. “If the people don’t govern themselves, then they have to be governed.”

Before spring 2009, students, faculty and staff could find smoking receptacles outside building entrances at STLCCMeramec. This semester, signs have been posted at doorways across the district: “No smoking. Violators will be subject to fines,” they read. On Jan. 26, the Board of Trustees will vote on the recommended approval of a revised board policy that will allow violators of the district-wide tobacco ban to be subject to a $15 fine and other disciplinary action. The use of tobacco products is prohibited anywhere on campus grounds, and campus police will issue citations to violators. This is the closest the campus has come to concretely enforcing the ban in the “Tobacco-free for you and me” saga. “It certainly will enhance our ability to get compliance,” Campus Police Chief Paul Banta said. “Because if there’s something to back up the fact that we don’t want people smoking on campus, that’s going to compel the people who don’t cooperate just because it’s the right thing to do.” According to Meramec President George Wasson, faculty and staff who are caught will be given a verbal warning on their first offense and given a written warning on their second. College policy dictates that employees of the college can face disciplinary action up to termination.

STLCC enforces the smoknginkdjaksjdkasjdkjsalkdjaskldjklasjdlkjakldjaslkjdlkasjlkdjaskljkl according to Me

Wasson said they will be fined every time. “I think it will be difficult to transition to the new rule,” Banta said. “Once people get used to it, I think we’ll be fine. It’s just going to be an adjustment period like anything else that changes; it always takes some time.” In the fall of 2008, former chair of the Wellness Committee Margaret Hvatum

Albrecht reaches fo

conducted a survey of faculty, staff and students to gauge opinion on smoking on campus. After an “overwhelming” amount of participants voted that smoking should at least be restricted, the results were presented to the Student Government Association (SGA), the Meramec Academic Governance Council (MAGC) and the Meramec Institutional Affairs Council

So in the following fall of 2010, the “ban” was lifted, but the tobacco ban was back the next semester after it became board policy. He said the main focus right now is informing students of the possibility of a fine and disciplinary action. Banta said he may increase the police force after the board decision. “I know that smokers find it difficult not to smoke whenever they want,” Hvatum said. “I hope they realize that by not smoking they might be saving lives – not just theirs but other people’s lives.” Meramec is hosting free smoking cessation sessions in February. A quit smoking

700 win landmark for SPENCER GLEASON SPORTS EDITOR As the buzzer sounded at the end of the St. Louis Community College Archers 87-77 victory over the Tohono O’odham Community College Jegos, on Jan. 4, in Yuma, Ariz., Archer head coach Randy Albrecht had just reached another milestone—win number 700— again. A year after winning his career 700th game, Albrecht had now won his 700th game at the helm of junior college basketball in St. Louis. Albrecht, who had coached for three seasons at St. Louis University in the mid 1970s and compiled a record of 32-47 while coaching the Billikens, is one of only nine active coaches to have hit the landmark and one of only seven to do it while coaching the same team. “There are too many celebrations of 700 to keep track of,” Albrecht said. “It’s very confusing for the average person. It’s like— ‘this guy, he can’t remember that he won 700 last year. He’s getting old @themontage

so they have to do it every year to remind him.’” Since taking the men’s head coaching position 35 years ago at STLCC-Meramec in 1977, and continue as the STLCC Archer men’s basketball coach at STLCCForest Park, Albrecht has coached over 400 student athletes within the span of five decades. “I’ve coached on this court in the 70s, the 80s, the 90s, the 2000s and now the 2010s,” Albrecht said. “That’s five different decades I’ve coached on this court, so it’s been a long time.” Being married to his wife Linda, for about 45 years, she has sat through over 1,000 junior college basketball games cheering on her husband’s team. “He does leave [high anxiety moments] out on the court,” Linda Albrecht said. “Mentally he may be thinking about it but he handles it very well.” In 1985, the National Junior

College Athletic Association (NJCAA) instituted divisions and STLCC basketball was placed in Division II. Since then, Albrecht has led his teams to 27 consecutive winning seasons. “The thing that I’m most proud of is the consistency of the winning seasons,” Albrecht said. “We haven’t won a national championship, but we’ve gone to the tournament. We’re averaging 20 wins a year. That’s about a normal year—[finishing] 20-11. To do that for 27 straight years of that kind of average is a testament that we [as a staff] do have some kind of plan. We have an idea of what kind of kids we need and how to coach them when they come.” While never picturing himself still on the sidelines in the year 2012, Albrecht still has a love for the game. “Years ago I used to think—the year 2000 will be a huge celebration and that’s the year I ought to re-

www.meramecmontage.com

Voume 47 Issue 8

tire… I would have never believed I would still be coaching… It’s still been a lot of fun and it beats work.”

The battle for legalization

T HE MONTAGE

Archers fall short at Nationals Page 12

January 26, 2012

fb.me/meramecmontage

The Show Me Cannabis Regulation (SMCR) group and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) recently took to Missourians in an effort to be recognized on the November 2012 ballot. The group lobbies for a legal medical marijuana program in the state of Missouri. Last fall, Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan allowed SMCR to start a petition for inclusion on the ballot. The group has until May 6, 2012 to submit at

Meramec’s first club Page 10

by 26 metric tons – that is 14 cars off of the road or the energy consumption of seven households. On Wednesday, March 21, members of 4.17 33,1 7.5 44 the sustainability committee and volunteers 58 4 1.88 14,9 4.35 2.50 19,900 removed all of the waste from the Business 5 2 786 3.6 6.6 28, and Administration building and brought it to the Student Center Quad. The Waste Recycled Per Capita Minimization recyclables and trash were counted in front Materials of students. 0.4 3.76 0.0 0 Meramec Sustainability Coordinator 8 1.73 0.23 0.05 1.96 1.96 2.27 Emily Neal said the focus is to get people 1.96 8 3.28 0.0 to reuse. “We’re trying to reduce all of our waste,” Food Service Organics Bottes & Cans Paper Neal said. “We want to see less recycling and waste. We want people to reuse. Saturday, March 31 from 8:30-2.p.m. Information from http://www.recyclemaniacs.org in Parking Lot A, Meramec and Midwest Recycling Centre are hosting a free electronics recycling drive. 2012

1.96 3.0 6

March 29, 2012

lbs/person

0.71 to 3.43

1.32 to 3.62

SEDATIVES

As a former sorority girl and St. Louis University graduate, she had “a lot to lose.” Soon after graduation, she went through a divorce and her physician cut her off from her two-year prescription of opiate-based pain medications Vicodin and Percocet. She said within two months, her life had ended. She said going cold turkey from 180 pills twice a month was unrealistic and she went to the streets to fix her addiction. She said that pills were expensive and hard to find. After trying heroin at a party, she started snorting heroin, which led to shooting up $100 worth of heroin every day. “Everybody was like, ‘Oh, you get so much higher and you use so much less,’” she said. “I’m the type of girl who would cry when they took blood from me, but one

day it just sounded like a good idea.” “She” is a reformed addict and informant for a local Missouri police department. From prescription pills to street drugs to heroin, her journey with drug use is not uncommon. “The fastest-growing drug trend at the current time is the abuse of prescription drugs. That abuse rate is about 7.1 million Americans. 5.4 million of those are abusing opiate pain relievers and that is what has led to our problem with heroin,” Detective Sgt. Jason Grellner, Narcotics Unit Commander, said. “What people don’t understand is that those 5.4 million Americans who are abusing opiate pain relievers, all of those opiate pain relievers are semi-synthetics of heroin.” STLCC-Meramec has joined efforts

AG E S 12-17

to raise awareness about substance abuse. On March 28, the counseling department will host Substance Abuse Awareness Day. There will be free literature, discussion and resources for those immediately involved with addiction and those affected by someone else’s addiction. “If I had had counseling from the beginning, right at the time of my divorce and being cut off from my prescriptions, that probably would have been the opportunity to avoid letting everything go downhill,” the informant said, pushing her thinned blonde hair behind her ear. She said she tried to get help but she did not have insurance coverage or a referral to get help. She said the heroin took away the pain quickly. Within a minute or two, she was in another world where nothing could

2002

T H AT R AT E INCREASED TO O N E IN SEVEN.

4.0% 3.0%

bother her and she was just happy to sit and stare at nothing. “You logically know things are wrong, but you don’t care,” she said. “You’re numb to everything.” Meramec Counseling Department Chair Donna Zumwinkel said when people start using substances, they are usually trying to fill some other need in life, whether it is a need to belong, a need to feel better, a need to be happy or a need to escape. “They think this might help without realizing the potential for the long-term consequences of their actions,” Zumwinkel said. “Heroin addicts aren’t your violent addicts, but they need money. Heroin is pretty cheap at first, but they need money and they’ll resort to whatever they have to in order to get their next fix.”

pages 8-9 Voume 47 Issue 11

www.meramecmontage.com

in March 8, 2012

St. Louis

www.meramecmontage.com

April 19, 2012

February 23, 2012

fb.me/meramecmontage

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all? How much time and money do you think the average student puts into his or her appearance? See related story on pages 8-9

See related stories on pages 3 and 7 Volume 47 Issue 13

Story continued on page 4

www.meramecmontage.com

THE MONTAGE

@themontage

fb.me/meramecmontage

@themontage

colleges and businesses to aid the training and placement of 2 million workers in jobs in high growth and demand industries that will help power America’s economic recovery, according to Munoz. The Department of Labor and the Department of Education plan to allocate a portion of the funds to states as well as reward the schools focused on workforce innovation. Duncan said, potentially, $500 million to $1 billion could be rewarded to exemplary schools.

THE MONTAGE STAFF

Story continued on page 4

@themontage

Voume 47 Issue 10

We, the editorial staff of The Montage, the voice of Meramec students, solemnly pledge to uphold and continue to strengthen Meramec’s 50-year-old reputation, despite a “massive brawl” which has captured the attention of national media outlets. We ask you, the students, to stand with us, united as one diverse community of scholars. WE ARE a dynamic group of students, educators and individuals. We are provided, a safe, affordable and accessible learning environment for all walks of life. Whether you hail from the library, the quad, the cafeteria or the newsroom, any student can find a home at Meramec. We are not just a college, but a community committed to quality education and educators. WE HAVE nationally-recognized programs artfully designed by a group of passionate educators. Our success as students and community members is a top priority for our faculty and administration. Their dedication is incomparable to other colleges and universities. At Meramec, professors actually know your name. Meramec students have a choice of tutoring, whether it is supplemental instruction, peer tutoring, academic center help, writing center assistance or math tutoring. Meramec students can get involved with an activities board that allows anyone with 10 people, a sponsor and an application to start a club. Students are offered the rare opportunity for hands-on learning, as well as limitless opportunities to plan, train and prepare for working in the real world. Meramec students get the opportunity to develop networks and connections with working clients. Interior design students can walk into a Kirkwood business only to see the design they create executed. Journalism students can write, report and publish a newspaper solely run by students, for students. The one-on-one training teaches art students to compile portfolios comparable to graduate level work. Horticulture students do not just learn about plants, they build gardens. Archaeology students dig around the world, not just in the classroom. Theater students attend national acting workshops and student government officers represent the college in Washington, D.C., each year. Phi Theta Kappa prepares students for community involvement and builds leadership skills at bi-monthly meetings. Students engage in service learning in classes spanning all disciplines and the honors program sends off many of students to Washington University with full scholarships. WE STAND FOR equality and opportunity for all students regardless of race, gender, age or financial status. We believe all students deserve opportunity and Meramec is an esteemed path to success. WE DEMAND that all students be respected and treated as part of the community. We will not let a “massive brawl” define us. We will not let racial slurs about a disturbance on campus fill online comment boards and destroy our campus climate. We will not let our education suffer because five students could not resolve a dispute civilly. Meramec students define success through their values, not the values depicted in a YouTube video. Meramec has a name. A name that has been fostered and developed for 50 years. We care about that name. So should you.

GRAPHIC BY: ANABEL GONZALEZ

fb.me/meramecmontage

@themontage

MERAMEC

Wildwood

Forest Park

2.89 to 13.89

0.70 to 3.44

Meramec

1.24

lbs/person

Cosand

0.08 0.15

0.02 0.0 3

0.3 4

lbs/person

2.76

www.meramecmontage.com

0.30

0.0

lbs/person

Weeks 1-5

Flo Valley

lbs/person

lbs

Weeks 1-5

3.70 to 31.13

Weeks 1-5

5.45

3.06

lbs/person

Per Capita

1.32

10,472

Weeks 1-5

72 24,3

Volume 47 Issue 12

Recycle Mania Fever

STIMULANTS

fb.me/meramecmontage

WE STAND

USE OF NON-MEDICAL PRESCRIPTION TYPE DRUGS D E C L I N E D.

2010

MIL.

and inform students and faculty about various aspects of violence and abuse in the community. “Most important is awareness, just that students become more aware that violence is an issue,” Sperruzza said. “We’ve encouraged faculty members to bring their class and maybe incorporate it into classroom discussions.” Story continued on page 3

5.1 MIL.

February 9, 2012

UNITED

2010

ONE IN TEN H I G H SCH OOL SE N I OR S H AV E U SE D V I COD I N W I T H OU T A P R E SCR I P T I O N .

PAIN RELIEVERS TRANQUILIZERS

2.2 MIL.

2011

2010

1.1

0.4 MIL.

The Clothesline Project hangs on display in the campus quad. The project aims to raise awareness on domestic violence through sharing student and staff stories of personal accounts.

2008

www.meramecmontage.com

AS ONE

Flash mob appears at Meramec Page 13

N O N - M E D I C I N A L S U B S TA N C E A B U S E S TAT I S T I C S

A P P R OX I M AT E LY 7.0 MILLION PEOPLE WERE USERS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

PHOTO BY: JESSE HOFFORD

KURT OBERREITHER NEWS EDITOR

@themontage

VPAA candidates Page 5

Drug abuse leaves lasting mark

Voume 47 Issue 8

THE MONTAGE Profile of an Audiophile Page 13

KELLY GLEUCK MANAGING EDITOR

RecycleMania spreads across Meramec, STLCC RecycleMania has STLCC-Meramec’s sustainability committee calculating the amount of trash the school and STLCC as a whole generates each week. RecycleMania is a national challenge to increase awareness and decrease waste at colleges and universities. STLCC has been participating in the eight-week-long challenge to reduce the amount, in weight, of trash. Meramec is in the benchmark division, which means the campus is not competing with other colleges and universities, but challenging itself to be more sustainable. Each week the trash service haulers at each campus weigh paper, bottles, cans and compost. Compost is only collected in the food service areas. So far, the campus has collected 33,158 pounds of recyclable materials. In six weeks, Meramec has reduced its green house gases

Illicit drug use affected 22 million Americans in 2011

ALEX KENDALL ART & LIFE EDITOR

Lampkins said. “And so they can draw or write on a t-shirt depending on which kind of violence they’ve experienced and then we hang it on the line. It’s kind of a visual representation of what women are experiencing.” The Clothesline Project is part of Voices Against Violence, a weeklong event that intends to raise awareness

Story continued on page 2

for performance strategy to provide incentive and assure trainees find permanent jobs. “Growing industries in science and technology have twice as many openings as we have workers that can do the job,” said Cecelia Munoz, White House domestic policy council director. “Think about that – openings at a time when millions of Americans are looking for work. It doesn’t make any sense.” Once passed through Congress, this competitive program will create new partnerships between community

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY: KELLY GLUECK AND MIKE ZIEGLER

T HE MONTAGE

Students play the city Page 11

Students and staff shares stories to raise awareness

allows students both women and men to create a t-shirt for those who have been victims of violence and abuse, themselves or someone they know. “It’s a visual display and the t-shirts are created by women or men who are victims of violence or abuse. The different colored shirts represent a different kind of abuse or violence,”

On Feb 13, President Barack Obama announced his proposal to provide more Americans with 21st century skills through a new $8 billion Community College Career Fund which will be co-administered by the Department of Labor and the Department of Education. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said on a conference call with the media that this fund will provide with the latest certification and training, invest in registered apprenticeships, support paid internships for lowincome students and support new paid-

least 150,000 signatures out of nine districts in Missouri in order to be included on the election ballot. STLCC-Meramec student Thomas Holloran showed his support by manning a booth in the student center where he collected signatures for the petition and offered information to fellow students.

fb.me/meramecmontage

December 8, 2011

Meramec unites against violence A bell chimes. A woman screams. “Dear stranger, I screamed and you did not listen. You hurt me and you like it. Your face haunts my dreams,” one shirt hung from a clothesline in the STLCCMeramec Quad reads. Shirts are adorned with the stories of violence and abuse. “I was only four years old,” another says. These shirts are part of the Clothesline Project, an organization established to promote the awareness and support of women who have been raped, beaten, killed and abused. “[The Clothesline Project] is here to raise awareness of violence against women and to give them a voice or allow them to express their emotion, let out some anger, just witness what’s happened to them,” said Tracy Lampkins Meramec academic advisor and Women’s History Committee member. Originally started in October of 1990 in Hyannis, Massachusetts, the Clothesline Project, now in 41 states and 5 countries, was held at Meramec for the first time three years ago. “It is a national project and we just found out about it a few years ago and brought it here,” associate professor of communications Denise Speruzza associate professor of communications and chair of the Meramec Women’s History Committee said. “We get so much feedback from people-some who decorated shirts-who are just so thankful that they have the opportunity.” Sponsored by the Women’s History Committee, The Clothesline Project

KELLY GLEUCK MANAGING EDITOR

NICK HERRIN STAFF WRITER

@themontage

Community Colleges: The cure to unemployment?

KAVAHN MANSOURI EDITOR IN CHIEF

fb.me/meramecmontage

Volume 47 Issue 14

www.meramecmontage.com

May 3, 2012

fb.me/meramecmontage

The

Montage

Wants you! Pick Up An Application Today! Room SC-220

mermamecmontage.com 314-984-7655