Spring 2011
Volume 5, Number 1
INSIDE this issue
9 Gale Brow digs archeology ............ 6 Classroom construction starts ....... 2 Revitalized agriculture program offered .......................... 5 GED’s new enrollment plan ....... 10 Nursing adds students .................
Classroom construction underway; ready mid-August Classroom Wing remodel project includes: • a near complete remodel of the space, including five science labs, • re-roofing the facility and • asbestos abatement
Even the fish had to relocate for the summer.
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This summer is all about construction at Central Wyoming College. And with construction comes disruptions which affect students, staff and community users of college facilities. CWC condensed both the spring and fall semesters to accommodate an aggressive remodeling project in the college’s main classroom facility, which began May 2. The college is also conducting an energy retrofit of exterior lighting and preparing to build a Health and Science Center the following spring. The construction in the Classroom Wing is limiting community use of college facilities this summer because available space is being used for classes. “It’s a really busy summer on top of this major construction,” said Jay Nielson, executive vice president for Administrative Services. The college had previously agreed to host several major conferences and meetings, including the Governor’s Summit on Workforce Solutions, the Wyoming Distance Education Consortium and the usual athletic camps. “The support staff typically available for events and facility maintenance will be extremely busy because of this very aggressive schedule,” Nielson said. The Classroom Wing remodel project includes a near complete remodel of the space, including five (continued on page 3)
Construction (continued from page 2)
science labs, and re-roofing the facility. Asbestos was found under the carpet in the building as well as in sheetrock mud. The abatement of the asbestos has complicated the schedule, yet Nielson said the college is holding to the August 18 completion date so that furniture and equipment can be moved in time for the fall semester. It’s taken a Herculean effort by college staff to get these projects completed within a small window, he said. At the close of the spring semester, faculty, staff and student volunteers moved furniture, lab, instructional and technology equipment out of the building to give contractors, Sletten Construction of Wyoming, the window needed to complete the project. “It’s a real college and community effort to vacate the building and be prepared to move back in,” Nielson said.
The majority of the remodel funds, $1.65 million, comes from the funds awarded to the state through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The rest of the project is being funded by college resources. The federal money was limited to academic projects only, and by taking the award, CWC did not receive any major maintenance funds from the state for projects that can’t be directly tied to instruction. By accepting the federal stimulus funds, the college is required to do extensive reporting and compliance. The compliance regulations complicate the process as contractors and subcontractors must certify that every screw, nail, piece of sheetrock and tile is made in America. “They have shut down projects because caulking was made in Canada,” Nielson gave as an example. CWC also received stimulus funds from the Wyoming Business Council to replace exterior lighting with an energy efficient system. “This will provide more consistent lighting that will
enhance the look of the campus,” Nielson explained. This project also includes energy-saving interior lighting and HVAC improvements. On Sept. 16, the college intends to host a dedication ceremony for the public to see the completed remodel as well as to examine the college’s entryway and energy retrofit projects. While the construction projects are underway, college staff is doing the planning and programming for the Health and Science Center, the new facility that is expected to open in the fall of 2013. The location of the new building has yet to be established, and the community has been invited to give input to the architects. The site for the facility also sets the direction for the college’s master planning updates. “Our objective is a thorough review of the issues and complications surrounding each possible location,” Nielson explained.
CWC staff chipped in to strip the classroom building to get it ready for remodeling.
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Agri-Business Ben Rux leads his Range Management class during a field trip to the Sinks Canyon Center.
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Revitalized agriculture program grows at college Central Wyoming College is renewing an emphasis in agriculture education and Ben Rux is leading the charge. Rux, a Crowheart area farmer and rancher with a master’s degree in agriculture and range management, was hired in October to build on existing transfer programs in agri-business and agriculture/range management and to develop an applied program, as well as certificate and credential programs in Farm and Ranch Resource Management. He acknowledges that reviving a program is definitely a challenge and he’s relying on advice from other agriculture instructors and an educated and experienced advisory committee. “A lot of folks were stunned there wasn’t a program here because of the vast amounts of agriculture,” he said. “People are glad to see it coming back especially now that commodity prices are solid and there is some interest in pursuing agriculture careers.” Historically, agriculture has been an important part of Wyoming’s economy as well as an essential part of the state’s lifestyle and culture. Rux was anxious to utilize his skills in developing curriculum as well as passing on his knowledge to students. He estimates a majority of farmers and ranchers in the state are reaching retirement age and he wants to be part of educating the next crop. “The reality is there are going to be a
lot of farms and ranches changing hands,” Rux explained. “There needs to be another generation to step in and fill that void.” Part of his student recruitment plan is working with agriculture instructors at local high schools to develop dual and concurrent credit courses. Rux said he is seeing interest from younger people, noting that several of the state Future Farmers of America officers are from Fremont County.
Ben Rux of Crowheart is rebuilding CWC’s agriculture programs.
“We have some outstanding FFA chapters in the county,” he said. “I want to be in that classroom and at least be available to them.” Rux has been attending conferences and offering scholarships to FFA students to generate additional interest in the expanded program. He recognizes that the farm/ranch life isn’t for everyone. “I think the people in agriculture are interested in it, not just for the money, but for the lifestyle and preserving family operations,” Rux said. Fortunately for those who are taking notice of an agriculture career, livestock and commodity prices are at record highs. The supply is tight and the demand is decent, especially from overseas for beef, lamb and wool. And with the expanded production of ethanol, corn is exceptionally high. The agriculture “lifestyle” isn’t sustainable, Rux said, if there isn’t a strong business plan and risks are not managed. There are multiple programs already in place at CWC that compliment an agriculture program, including the sciences, automotive and welding, business, equine studies, health and safety and the natural resource side of agricultural production. CWC’s Fire Science program corresponds, too. (continued on page 8)
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Gale Brow digs archeology Personal tragedy greatly changed the direction in the life of one recent Central Wyoming College graduate. When Gale Brow’s husband, Pat, died from pneumonia shortly after an oil rig accident at age 50, Gale realized she needed to make some changes or she would continue to dwell on ways she could have prevented his untimely death. “I decided I had to do something physical,” she recalled. “I needed to keep my mind from wandering off.” A medical transcriptionist in Evanston for 30 years, Gale said her work had become mundane and her mourning was intensified by her guilt. She decided to move home to Riverton and live with her aging mother, Peg Minick. Following a lifelong passion, she enrolled in archeology courses that were part of CWC’s fledgling Western American Studies program. Gale is a big fan of the History Channel’s Simcha Jacobovici, who strips away historical myths by probing some of the most controversial theories of Biblical archeology, as well as British archaeologist John Romer. She, too, wants to travel to distant lands, dig up history and get paid for work she loves. In May, Gale graduated with highest honors and was one of four valedictorians in CWC’s class of 2011. Instead of thinking about retirement, Gale is now
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looking to complete a bachelor’s and master’s degree at the University of Wyoming. “My father would be so proud of this college that he helped start,” she said of the late Elliott Minick, who was one of the founders of CWC. “It is just so pro-student. My dad would be so tickled.” She feels lucky that she was part of the program when the college opened the Intertribal Education and Community Center. “We got to set up the museum,” she announced with pride. Artifacts that CWC students unearthed during field study courses as well as the Stewart Collection of Indian artifacts were moved into the building. The students also played a role in the selection of the historical photos and other displays in the center. Gale enrolled at CWC at the same time Todd Guenther, former South Pass and Lander Pioneer Museum curator, was hired to develop the Western American Studies program. It didn’t take long for Guenther to get her totally fascinated by the subject. “How long does it take for Todd Guenther to talk before you’re totally sucked in?” she jokingly asked. “He has such a passion for what he teaches.” Participating in Guenther’s annual summer field studies program along the Oregon and Cali-
Gale Brow searches prairie for artifacts. fornia Trails continued to fuel her enthusiasm for the subject. The program had received a research grant from the National Park Service to study archaeological sites along the middle and upper Sweetwater River. During the 2010 field study the students discovered more than 50 previously undocumented sites and trail segments. While sitting around a camp fire at field school, Guenther read an article to the field school participants that had been published in a California/Oregon Trail Association newsletter detailing the story of two men who had reportedly (continued on page 7)
Gale Brow
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been killed by Indians along the Seminoe Cutoff in 1862. The article indicated the men, brothers-in-law originally from Illinois, had been buried by members of the Ohio Calvary above Alkali Creek which was just a few miles from the students’ camp. Diary entries included in the article indicated the cavalry men who came upon the grave discovered a loyal dog “almost starved to death” lying at the head of its master’s grave. “I tried to coax him to go with me, but all in vain,” the diary entry said. “I gave him provisions enough to last him several days and then left him still by the grave.”
Brow said the students and Guenther chatted for hours about what might have happened to the dog and the others in the wagon train. “In those diaries, there were numerous stories of others that had experienced one tragedy after another,” she said. “It became evident that death was simply a way of life along the trail.” The following morning, the students began their search for the graves.
te that , 1862.” ry ia D g n lu cC Caspar Collins wro , M 62 e h 18 T , “ 30 e un “J tachment in diary stated:
rst p de Entries from the fi mp with a 100 troo ca ft le s, and in ll Co William train, with horses on ag w n io is his father, Colonel ov pr a who had attacked pursuit of Indians . one teamster killed d an , en ol st o immigrants” es ul m g left after killing tw
dians havin In e th , others-in-law, te br la , o ff to or e d er n re O d n a - “got th w on were a McGra ti es u q in ts p with their wagon n u h ra tc ig ca em to g The in y tr e ois. The two wer agon broke originally from Illin nhill [east] side of Alkali Creek their w r bodies ow hei train, when on the d bushed and killed by hostile Indians. T ollins. am C down, and they were hio Cavalry detachment sent by Colonel O were found by the 11th the two on the hill west of Alkali Creek. ed The detachment buri
They decided it held significant historical value and the group ventured out to locate it. “What were the odds that we would be able to locate this particular site?” Brow asked. “We understood that it was possible, but not necessarily probable.” Ironically, she said they “walked right up” to the grave the next day. She recalls the group just stood and grinned at each other, recognizing that no one in modern times had located the emigrants’ final resting place. The investigation by the team of students resulted in a paper Gale presented recently to the Wyoming Association of Professional Archeologists (WAPA). She was awarded a scholarship for her efforts as well as funds for her to conduct in(continued on page 8)
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Agriculture
(continued from page 5)
“The courses that we already have here fit in quite well with our agriculture curriculum,” he said. “You really have to be a jack of all trades if you’re looking to start or continue an agricultural business. We have a lot of classes to help develop those skills.” At the same time, Rux is building a strong agricultural curriculum, including courses in agro-ecology, farm and ranch business records, livestock production, feeds and feeding, soil science, rangeland plant identification and soil science. He’s also looking into the possibility of developing some extracurricular activities for agriculture students in range competition and livestock judging, which Rux said is a “big draw for ag kids.” He has also revised existing courses to better align with programs at transfer colleges and universities. The CWC Curriculum Committee has approved the new and revised programs and complimented Rux on his “well-written” curriculum development. The new Associate of Applied Science degree goes to the Wyoming Community College Commission and to the CWC Board for approval as well.
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Gale Brow searches prairie for artifacts.
Gale Brow
(continued from page 7)
dependent research on CWC’s Sinks Canyon Center archaeology. Three other CWC students and a CWC graduate also presented papers to the WAPA. A similar group of students made presentations at the WAPA meeting the year before and Gale then shared her research on the history and archeology of the college’s Sinks Canyon Center. The presentations put the students in contact with professional and academic archeologists from around the region which opened doors to scholarships, work and additional hands-on experiences. Last summer, Gale and fellow student Rita Bolton, were hired by the Wyoming State Archeologist to conduct a study near Hoback Junction. She is hoping funds are available for them to continue the dig on what she calls a “multicultural paleo-Indian site” this summer. Gale credits her parents and her late husband for her love of history and archeology. As a child, she recalls her family spending weekends along the Sweetwater. “It was something I grew up with. It’s in my blood.”
Nursing program takes eight more students The Central Wyoming College nursing department is working toward fulfilling a campaign promise of increasing enrollment by adding eight more students to next fall’s first-year nursing class. Though the Health and Science Center that voters approved last fall is not yet under construction, nursing program director Kathy Wells said her faculty will teach in cramped instructional space until the facility is completed in fall of 2013. During the bond election campaign for the Health and Science Center, CWC pledged it would eventually double the enrollment of the nursing program. The 2011 freshman class increases from 32 to 40 students on the main CWC campus. Eight students are also admitted to the CWC nursing program in Jackson. The Health and Science Center project also addresses the college’s desperate need for larger, up-to-date science labs. To deal with the science lab overcrowding issues, the nursing admissions prerequisites required applicants to have already completed lab-based anatomy and physiology courses. “We are keeping our word of increasing our enrollment,” Wells said, explaining the “main push” for beginning the process early was to limit the impact on her department’s seasoned faculty.
“New faculty requires a lot of mentoring and support, especially in the first year,” she explained. “We couldn’t effectively train a lot of faculty at the same time.” The Wyoming State Board of Nursing requires that there is one faculty member for every eight students. “We wanted to avoid bringing on a number of brand new faculty at the same time we were transitioning into the new building,” she said. The Wyoming Investment in Nursing program, established by the Wyoming Legislature to alleviate a severe nursing shortage in Wyoming, pays the new faculty salaries to a nursing program that can admit additional students. Acceptance into the CWC nursing program is highly competitive, and CWC has had as many as 300 declared pre-nursing majors at one time. During the most recent admissions cycle for the nursing program, CWC initiated a requirement for applicants to take the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills). “The quality of our applicant pool was much better with the academic pre-application testing requirements that we added,” Wells said. She also sees the pre-application testing improving the retention of nursing students. The pre-test also weeded out applicants who are not serious about enrolling at CWC yet they (continued on page 11)
Nurse Roberta Cassity pinned her daughter Brittnea Cassity during the 2011 nurses pinning at CWC on the anniversary of her pinning when she was pregnant with Brittnea.
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GED’s new enrollment program shows results The restructuring of Central Wyoming Colsaid. After completing his GED, the man has work independently in the open lab on alternating lege’s Adult Basic Education (ABE) program has enrolled in a CWC Workforce and Community days. had some encouraging results. Education grant-funded program that is paying his Some of the students are able to breeze right Last January, CWC initiated a pilot enrollment tuition for college classes at CWC. through, while others may return for additional program for students needing preparation to Kellner said the structured lessons force sessions to obtain the skills they need to pass the complete the high school equivalency exam, or students to “buckle down,” eliminating the excuse exam, Vincent said. The participants are required GED. Rather than allow students to work at their for walking away. Several of the students who to take a practice test for each subject area, giving own pace, they now must participate in strucreturned in January for the three-hour, twice-athem an idea of the testing format. “It gives them tured class sessions that run for seven weeks. week sessions, only needed to take two of the some confidence because it’s like the real GED “It’s the complete opposite of the way we five exams. In addition to the structured classes, it test,” she added. “We don’t usually send a GED used to run the program,” Director Kathy Vincent is suggested the participants come to campus to student in to test unless we think they are ready. said, explaining that students in the past could We want them to have a positive experience.” come in when they wanted. “Anymore, In addition to brushing up on it’s not just about getting your GED. It’s their academic skills, the instructors to prepare students for college or the are imparting life management and workforce.” survival skills that will help students The problem with open entry-style be successful in the workplace or to of delivering ABE programs is that stusucceed in college. “The instructors dents would come in for a few weeks are good with the students in preparand then drop out before passing the ing them as completely as possible,” battery of five exams required for Vincent said. completion of the GED. A positive outcome of the attenInstructors Jennifer Kellner and Stadance requirements is that students cey Nelson said they had one student are completing sooner. “It forces them who would come in for a week and to spend more time on it,” Vincent then “disappear” for a few years. This said. gentleman came back for the new ses“Some people really like it besions and flourished. cause it makes them accountable,” “In a matter of a month, he made a (continued on page 11) GED instructor Stacey Nelson works with students. 360 degree change in his life,” Nelson
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Nursing program grows apply because the college does not charge an application fee. The change in admission requirements also increased the percentage of applicants from within Fremont County and the state, Wells said. In the past, finding qualified faculty to teach in the nursing program has always been a challenge, yet CWC’s reputation for innovative instruction has increased inquiries, she said. “The faculty is much more engaged,” Wells explained. “I also think that we are better at supporting and mentoring new faculty and CWC has become a very attractive place for experienced nurses to teach.” A federal grant has allowed the college to develop a Virtual Medical Skills lab, which coupled with the nursing faculty’s innovative approaches to instruction has piqued interest by potential nursing faculty. The grant also provided for additional computers for nursing students to take their exams. With the additional students the lab will be at over capacity, but Wells believes “we’ll be able to cover that. We are going to have to be very creative for skills practice and student check off for procedures,” she added. Wells left the final decision of admitting additional students into the program before the Health and Science Center was completed up to her instructors. She said the faculty is looking at creative ways to handle the extra students in
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GED program (continued from page 10)
Nursing graduate Troy Hill and wife Shantell of Lander with new daughter, Ashlynn, who was born just before finals week.
cramped instructional space. Wells said her teachers also feel that they are in the position now to begin supporting an additional faculty member. The nursing instructors will also play an important role in the programming as well as in the design of the new Health and Science Center. The instructional and lab space design will depend heavily on the input from science and nursing faculty. Wells was on the committee which recommended the hiring of architectural and engineering firms on the project.
Kellner added. “The consistency makes them succeed.” With the managed enrollment model, students are prepared for the demands of employers as well as getting used to the rigors of college by reinforcing that they are required to be in class at certain times each week. “A GED opens the door,” Vincent explained. “What the student does with it afterwards is up to them.” Next fall, ABE students will be asked to pay a $25 fee to participate, which gives them access to student services, such as the library or counseling, as well as student activities. Students will not be denied entrance to the program because of their inability to pay, Vincent emphasized. CWC has also set aside money in its scholarship program specifically for GED students who wish to transition on to college. “We’ve had great support from the college,” Nelson said, explaining that recruiters, financial aid and student support services staff visit with the ABE students. Three weeks prior to the beginning of the fall semester, CWC is providing a “boot camp” for adult students who desire to begin a college degree. Students can select two courses from reading, English composition and math disciplines to brush up on their skills. Grant funds pay for the (continued on back cover)
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GED program (continued from page 11)
tuition, fees, and other incidentals during the August 8-26 sessions. “It will take some dedication and commitment from our students,” said Vice President for Student Services Mohammed Waheed, who wrote the Boot Camp grant. “They will have to come up with the time commitment; everything else is paid for.” The trial run for managed enrollment was only employed at CWC’s main campus this spring semester though Vincent is anticipating changing the ABE delivery method at CWC’s Lander Center by next spring. The managed enrollment method requires more staff so she isn’t sure the program can afford to do the same at centers at Fort Washakie, Thermopolis, Dubois and Jackson. “One problem is staffing,” Vincent explained. “With these structured classes we need more staff.”
GED instructor Jennifer Kellner focuses on mathematics, one of five areas on which students are tested to earn a GED.
Schedule of Upcoming Events May 23 ............................................First Summer Session Begins
July 15-16 .....................................Rustler Team Basketball Camp
May 23-25 ......................................................WyDEC Conference
August 30-Sept. 2 ................................ In-Service - Campus Open
May 27 ........................................ Summer Academy Kick Off BBQ
August 31 ................................................................Convocation
May 28-30 ........................ Memorial Day Holiday - College Closed
September 5 ......................................Labor Day - College Closed
June 6-8 .................................. Women’s Rustler Basketball Camp
September 6 ......................................................... Classes Begin
June 7-12 ............... Wyoming State Search and Rescue Conference June 9-10 ....................Governor’s Summit on Workforce Solutions June 13-16 .............................................. Men’s Basketball Camp June 20-21 ................. Wyoming Dept. of Education State Training June 20-22 ............................................. Rustler Volleyball Camp
cover photo by Jackie Meeker Connect is a publication of the CWC Public Information Office and is scheduled to be published quarterly.
June 27 ....................................... Second Summer Session Begins July 2-4............................Fourth of July Holiday - College Closed
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