30156 College_Layout 1 11/3/11 9:35 AM Page 1
AlumNews PU BLI SHE D FOR GRADUATES OF THE COLLEGE OF LAKE COUNTY
FA LL 2011
Teaching Excellence at CLC: Engaging Today’s Students CLC’s Illinois Faculty Member of the Year Alumni Professors Retired and Still Teaching
College of Lake County
30156 College_Layout 1 11/3/11 9:35 AM Page 2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Contents FE ATU RES 3
Professor Bob Remedi—Just One Amazing Teacher He’s modest about winning the 2011 Illinois Outstanding Community College Instructor award. But Bob Remedi brings a creativity and enthusiasm to the classroom that have inspired legions of CLC biology students.
5
From Student to Professor Angela Norwood, Bob Lossmann and Mary Ann Bretzlauf are three CLC graduates who found their career passion at CLC and returned to the college as full-time faculty.
6
Engaging Students in the Wi-Fi Age With portable digital devices always at hand, today’s students can be easily distracted. What are CLC professors doing to hold their attention?
8
To Our Readers: For many alumni, their best memories of the College of Lake County involve a favorite professor who nurtured curiosity, inspired self-confidence, tutored outside of class or even guided a career choice. For many graduates, CLC’s faculty are the College of Lake County. So it’s a given that great teaching is an essential part of the CLC experience. But what makes a great teacher? How does the college nurture faculty excellence? This issue of AlumNews attempts to provide some of the answers, focusing on current and past professors. We invite you to learn what’s going on in CLC’s classrooms today and to reminisce with us about great teachers of the past. Julie Shroka Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events
Retired? Not So Fast. Nancy Cook, Ted Schaefer and Brian Smith have retired from full-time teaching, but, as adjunct instructors, they continue to inspire a new generation of students. What keeps them coming back to campus?
10
Professors Teaching Each Other Over the last two years, about 60 CLC faculty have honed their teaching skills, learning from each other, at retreats funded in part by the CLC Foundation.
D E PARTME NTS 9
AlumNews AlumNews is published three times a year by the College of Lake County’s Office of Alumni Relations and Special Events.
Class Notes
11
News Roundup
12
Upcoming Events
Cover: Biology Professor Bob Remedi identifies plants while leading students on a hike through the restored prairie on the college’s Grayslake campus. Remedi was named the Illinois Outstanding Full-time Faculty Member of the Year for 2011 by the Illinois Community College Trustees Association. Green and Accountable: The revamped AlumNews is printed on recycled paper at the same cost as the previous newsletter format. 2 | COLLEGE OF LAKE COUNTY
Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events JULIE SHROKA Administrative Secretary DORAE BLOCK To submit story ideas, email Dave Fink, AlumNews editor, at dfink@clcillinois.edu or call him at (847) 543-2243. Do you have a favorite CLC professor? Share your memories. You can also share ideas and comments at the CLC alumni website, at www.clcroundtable.org.
30156 College_Layout 1 11/3/11 9:35 AM Page 3
COVER STORY
Professor Bob Remedi—Just One Amazing Teacher Named Illinois Outstanding Community College Instructor, Biology Professor Bob Remedi says he’s only one of many at CLC.
I
n a College of Lake County anatomy and physiology class, students stand blindfolded, giggling nervously as professor Bob Remedi, hands each student a small stack of yellow sticky notes. Three students have been assigned to wear comical, Dr. Suess-vintage hats. “OK, everybody quiet. Now…GO!” shouts Remedi, and the students begin to intermingle aimlessly, patting each other on the head in an attempt to identify the ones with hats. A few minutes later, the blindfolded students are able to identify the hat wearers, posting yellow sticky notes on each of the three. After removing their blindfolds, the students see each of the three hat-wearing “outsiders” covered in the yellow notes. “That’s similar to how white blood cells combat germs,” explained Remedi with his characteristic smile as the exercise ended. “Your white blood cells are like the blindfolded students, the germs are like the students wearing hats and the antibodies are like the sticky notes. When a white blood cell encounters a germ, it slaps a protein known as an antibody on the bad cell to identify it and combat it.” The students nod in understanding. Remedi has connected with them, using his own mix of creativity and infectious enthusiasm. It’s an approach that draws high marks, not just from CLC students, faculty peers and the college administration, but also from state and national education organizations. In 2011—his 10th year at the college, Remedi became the first CLC instructor to receive the prestigious Outstanding Full-Time
Bob Remedi and students use nets to collect specimens from Willow Lake.
Faculty Member Award presented annually by the Illinois Community College Trustees Association. Nominated by students for the award, Remedi was selected from among 37 faculty nominees from throughout Illinois. Just one year earlier, Remedi also won the 2010 National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) Two-Year College Biology Teaching Award, sponsored by NABT’s Two-Year College Section and textbook publisher McGraw-Hill. The award recognizes an educator who employs new and creative teaching techniques. “Teaching is good storytelling,” he said. “It’s getting in front of a group of people and not just exciting them, but inspiring them to learn more.”
“Teaching is good storytelling. It’s getting in front of a group of people and not just exciting them, but inspiring them to learn more.” —Bob Remedi In this multimedia age, Remedi tells his stories using a variety of methods to suit different learning styles. At the beginning of his Anatomy and Physiology class, every student completes an online questionnaire indicating his or her continued on page 4
ALUMNEWS | 3
30156 College_Layout 1 11/3/11 9:35 AM Page 4
COVER STORY
Professor Bob Remedi—Just One Amazing Teacher continued from page 3
Bob Remedi shows how deep the roots of prairie plants can grow. preferred learning methods, whether visual, lecture, reading/writing or hands-on. “I also have the students write a short essay telling me how they learn best,” he said. Based on the feedback, he tailors his lesson plans accordingly, including a mix that ranges from videos embedded in PowerPoint presentations to hands-on activities such as the blindfold exercise. “You always have to try new things for the benefit of the students,” said Remedi, who also teaches courses in environmental biology, introductory evolution and natural history. “You have to meet the students halfway, and they have to put in the work, too.” Remedi’s enthusiasm stems from his own kid-like fascination with living things. “All the neat stories on how living things interact—that just gets my juices flowing,” he said. He pointed to his office wall containing an underwater photo of a sea turtle, a picture that he took during a snorkeling trip to Maui. “In 20 feet of water, I saw six or seven turtles waiting in line, taking turns having teeny fish clean parasites off them,” he said with the enthusiasm of a 9-year-old visiting a zoo for the first time. Also adorning his wall is a photo of a cedar waxwing sitting on a crabapple tree 4 | COLLEGE OF LAKE COUNTY
on the Grayslake campus. Sporting a black, bandit-like mask, the bird has a breast of brown, gray and lemon-yellow, and its gray wings are accented by scarlet droplets on the wing feathers. “Research is showing that in mating, females choose males with bigger patches of color,” he added. “All the different critters that are out there just fascinate me.” Though Remedi traces his fascination with living things back to his childhood, he points to a serendipitous encounter in college that inspired him to consider teaching. “I had no clue as to what I wanted to do for a career,” he said, recalling junior year at Western Illinois University. “One afternoon, when I was riding an elevator in my residence hall, an older gentleman with a shirt and a tie got in and we began to chit chat. I had never met him, and it turned out that he was a counselor on campus. When he asked me what my major was, I said I was undecided, but I told him that I liked biology. He said, ‘Did you ever think about being a biology teacher?’ “I thought, ‘No, I can’t do that.’ But I realized that you can make a decent living teaching. Just talking to this counselor for 30 seconds in the elevator planted a seed in my mind.”
The “seed” would germinate, nurtured by Remedi’s own curiosity and drive. Majoring in biology, he earned a B.S. in 1991 and an M.S. in 1993, his thesis focusing on wetland ecology. After teaching at Black Hawk College in Moline, Ill., and Chicago-area colleges including Joliet Junior College, Remedi arrived at CLC in 2001. At the college, his “classroom” is sometimes outdoors. On the Grayslake campus, he helps students examine frogs and other critters in Willow Lake. And each May, he joins biology instructor Shane Jones and English instructor Mike Latza in leading 15-20 students on a field study trip to the Appalachian Mountains, an expedition that includes, among other things, conducting a salamander inventory for Virginia state wildlife officials. Looking back at his awards and accolades over the past two years, the modest Remedi admits he’s a little “embarrassed” by the attention. “I like to help people,” he said. “But if you look down the hall, you can see that I work with many amazing teachers here at CLC.” For their part, many CLC alumni attest to Remedi’s ability to inspire. “I took his Anatomy and Physiology class in 2009, and loved every minute of it,” said Natalie Schurdak (’11). “Even at 8 o’clock in the morning, his positive attitude was infectious. He would come in singing ‘O What a Beautiful Morning’ or Mr. Rogers' ‘It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’ to get the class started with a smile. “On a more academic level, if I had a question that Bob couldn't answer, he would look it up after class so I wouldn't have to leave without a better understanding of the subject. He was so encouraging to every student, and he brought out the best in everyone. He changed my life by encouraging me, despite all my selfdoubt, to (pursue a career as) a dentist instead of stopping at the level of hygienist. And when I graduated this past May (from the dental hygiene program), it made my day to have him honored at the commencement ceremony.”
30156 College_Layout 1 11/3/11 9:35 AM Page 5
COLLEGE FOCUS
From Student to Professor A CLC degree will start you on the road to anywhere, including back to the college to teach.
C
LC alumni often credit the college with helping them find their way to a career they love. In the case of a growing number of alumni, however, the CLC experiences includes not just finding a professional calling but also returning to the college as full-time professors.
support, I would have never finished,” she said. Inspired by her mentors, Norwood earned an A.A.S. in phlebotomy from CLC and later earned a B.A. in biology from Barat College.
“The younger students are quick to help me when I encounter a computer glitch while presenting,” he said with a smile
Angela Norwood (’95), for example, now teaches phlebotomy after having worked at clinics and blood banks as well as Abbott Laboratories before being hired as a full-time instructor in 2008. Norwood came to CLC as a student after spending two stressful years at a large state university and dropping out. She immediately felt welcome in CLC’s smaller class sizes, and later found mentors in professors Anne Loeb (chemistry) and Leslie Hopkins (philosophy and humanities). “Anne encouraged me, as I was a woman entering the male-dominated field of science,” Norwood said. “Leslie told me not to think of myself as a college dropout. She let me know that there were others in my situation. If I didn’t have that
Bob Lossmann (‘71) enrolled at CLC as a recent high school graduate in the fall of 1969, when the college first opened. Thinking he wanted to be an architect, he took architectural drafting classes, but soon realized that the technical aspects of the field didn’t appeal to him. In high school he had taken an art class and liked it and decided to try art again at CLC. Thus was born a lifelong passion. After graduating from CLC, Lossmann transferred to Northern Illinois University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in art education and a M.F.A. After supporting himself as a working artist and through teaching stints as a CLC adjunct and at art centers around Lake County, Lossmann was hired as a full-time art instructor at the college in 1995. At nearly 60, he is now sharing his passion for studio arts with the grandsons and granddaughters of his former students.
As a traditional-aged freshman in 1972, Mary Ann Bretzlauf (‘94) followed the pragmatic advice of others and enrolled in business classes at CLC. But she later withdrew to work fulltime, get married and have a child. In 1992, Bretzlauf decided to return to CLC to nurture her literary passion. “Reading has defined my life,” she explained. “While growing up in Waukegan, I looked forward to weekly trips to the library with my parents. By the time I was in my late 30s, I realized that literature was something that I had loved all along.” Returning to CLC, she found the encouragement she needed to pursue a degree in English. “I was excited to publish an essay in ‘Prairie Voices,’” she said. After graduating from CLC, Bretzlauf earned a B.A. in English from Carthage College and an M.A. from Northwestern University. She began teaching fulltime at the college in 2000.
Professor Angela Norwood (’95)
Professor Bob Lossmann (’71)
Professor Mary Ann Bretzlauf (’94)
ALUMNEWS | 5
30156 College_Layout 1 11/3/11 9:35 AM Page 6
COLLEGE FOCUS
“Many students who are afraid to discuss homelessness and other subjects in the real world are willing to discuss the same subject in the fictitious world of Star Trek.” — John Tenuto, sociology professor
Popular Sociology Professor John Tenuto brings sociology principles alive through references to “Star Trek.”
Engaging Students in the Wi-Fi Age Though lectures are still a basic of college teaching, many faculty are taking new approaches.
I
n a famous 14th century painting, a medieval professor sits at a lectern elevated above his students. Some of them listen intently; others look down at their books, avoiding eye contact with him. Several others completely ignore the professor, chatting with their classmates or even nodding off. Today, seven centuries after Laurentius De Voltolina painted “Lecturing in a Medieval Uni-
6 | COLLEGE OF LAKE COUNTY
versity,” College of Lake County professors are still facing many of these same challenges in keeping students’ attention. Indeed, with the now constant distraction of portable electronic devices like smart phones and electronic tablets, the challenge may even be greater. “It’s not a bad thing to be disconnected from the world for a while,” history professor Dr. Phyllis Soybel tells students. “But some-
times I wonder if sitting and listening quietly, taking in information, is becoming a lost art.” If today’s students can be easily distracted, their professors are armed with an increasing arsenal of research about learning and what encourages it. “We now know that the traditional lecture format works fine for some students, but others are visual learners who need illustrations,” said
30156 College_Layout 1 11/3/11 9:35 AM Page 7
“But sometimes I wonder if sitting and listening quietly, taking in information, is becoming a lost art.” —Dr. Phyllis Soybel Dr. Eric Rogers, psychology professor. “And kinesthetic learners, who learn by doing, need in-class activities and field-based experiences.” Presenting course content in a way that can work for students with such different learning styles is the challenge CLC professors face.
New Approaches To spark a class discussion on daily life in the Roman Empire, professor Phyllis Soybel likes to show a video clip from Monty Python’s “The Life of Brian,” a satirical comedy film made in 1979. In one scene, a Roman subject asks sarcastically: “All right, but apart from the sanitation, medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh water system and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?” “I use videos in my lectures to help students understand not just what happened, but why things happened,” Soybel explained. “My ultimate goal is to encourage students to think critically.” Students appreciate Soybel’s multimedia approach. “Video clips make you pay attention more closely than just a straight lecture,” said Chris Anderson, a history major. “Dr. Soybel uses a combination of lectures, videos and reading. Everything’s related and connects with different learning styles.” Examining popular culture is one of the techniques used by Sociology Professor John Tenuto, who has developed themed courses drawing on the “Star Trek” television and movie series as well as American popular culture of the 1970s and 1980s. “Many students who are afraid to discuss homelessness and other subjects in the real world are willing to discuss
Laurentius De Voltolina “Lecturing in a Medieval University”
(The work of art depicted in this image and the reproduction thereof are in the public domain worldwide. The reproduction is part of a collection of reproductions compiled by The Yorck Project.)
the same subject in the fictitious world of ‘Star Trek,’” said Tenuto, who sometimes comes to class wearing his Captain Kirk outfit. Digital equipment like computers and calculators is being used to engage students in math courses. “Rather than demonstrate proofs using the traditional, double-columned “T” method on a chalkboard, whiteboard or pencil and paper, today’s students use a computer to manipulate geometric shapes and generate conclusions,” said mathematics professor Tracey Hoy. And every student taking a CLC math class is required to buy a graphing calculator. “For some returning adult students, using a calculator may seem like cheating,” Hoy said. “But a calculator relieves the drudgery of hand calculation and allows students to understand the concepts that we’re teaching.”
Creating Active Learners Regardless of the teaching approach— traditional lecture or bells-and-whistles new technologies—teaching and learning are a
two-way street. As much as professors can do to encourage learning, students also have to be full participants. “My job is not to stand up and do a dogand-pony show to keep students entertained,” said Rogers, whose 20 years of teaching includes a five-time teacher of the year award at the University of Kentucky. “Students need to come to class prepared and seek help from me or tutors if they don’t understand something.” “Lecture is my main mode of delivery, and I make no apologies for that,” said Dr. Soybel, who is known for holding students’ attention through her use of story and anecdote in her lectures. “In my History of Western Civilization class, I have to cover 4,500 years of recorded history in 15 weeks, so I have a lot to cover and lectures are the best way to do that. “Besides, lectures don’t have to be dull. If you’re excited about your subject and have an interesting story to tell, you can hold the attention of the digital generation,” she said. ALUMNEWS | 7
30156 College_Layout 1 11/3/11 9:35 AM Page 8
COLLEGE FOCUS
Retired? Not So Fast. For three professors, teaching at CLC remains a way of life.
T
hat’s the case for several retired College of Lake County instructors who have chosen to continue teaching part time at the college after decades of teaching full time. The retirees include Nancy Cook, Ted Schaefer and Brian Smith. Why stay close to the college instead of escaping to a life of, say, Sunbelt leisure? A continual fascination with the subject and a passion for teaching are the main reasons, they said. The retirees also treasure the engaging CLC atmosphere they have known for decades. Cook, a humanities instructor, taught art and architectural history full time from 1971 to 2001. She also led field-study trips to Europe. Since retiring, Cook has continued to teach at least two courses per semester.
There’s a kind of embracing friendliness to CLC,” she said. “I’ve loved the diverse mix of students. I can’t imagine a better career than teaching, and I’ve always said that a community college is a great place to spend a life.” Beyond CLC, Cook volunteers to lead bus and architecture tours for the Chicago Architecture Foundation. She also visits her children and grandchildren with her husband, retired art instructor Dan Ziembo. The college’s support for academic freedom has always impressed Schaefer, an English instructor who has taught two courses per semester since retiring in 2004. During his 34 full-time years, Schaefer taught journalism, composition and literature. He also launched a course in mythology and fairy tales.
L to R: Though retired as full-time faculty, Brian Smith, Ted Schaefer and Nancy Cook continue to inspire a new generation of students as adjuncts. 8 | COLLEGE OF LAKE COUNTY
Schaefer said he has found it rewarding to see former students achieve greatness, such as Deborah Nelson (’73) becoming a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist. Besides teaching part-time, Schaefer is busy compiling a collection of poems by the late Thomas McAfee, a poet and English professor who taught Schaefer at the University of Missouri-Columbia. A published poet, Schaefer lives in Lake Geneva, Wis., with wife, Tricia. Connecting with students and CLC alumni is what keeps Smith, a philosophy instructor, teaching in retirement. Smith, who began teaching in 1978, retired early in 2001 to become a stay-at-home dad when he and wife, Kathy, adopted a foster child. Smith has long treasured the chance to engage students in deep questions on philosophy, religion and ethics. He fondly recalled an annual public philosophy debate, a tradition that ran from the late ‘70s to the mid ‘90s, involving faculty dressing up as famous thinkers. “My favorite was when I played Plato and wore a toga to a forum held in the Atrium,” Smith recalled. “Like the other instructors, I stayed true to character. Instead of opening with an assigned, five-minute introductory speech, I spontaneously engaged people in questioning, known as Socratic dialogue, as Plato would have done. The students asked great questions, and we even had local news media show up.” Smith appreciates CLC’s small class sizes. “The students here are wonderful,” said the Third Lake resident. “There’s nothing greater than turning someone on to philosophy.” In addition to raising his son, Sean, Smith is a soccer fan who collects international jerseys and often wears one to class.
30156 College_Layout 1 11/3/11 9:35 AM Page 9
CLASS NOTES
How Well They Remember… Alumni share memories of former professors.
T
hough now retired, many CLC instructors continue to evoke fond memories among CLC graduates. In September, the department of Alumni Relations and Special Events queried alumni by email about their most memorable instructors. More than 100 of you responded. Here’s a sampling of comments On Jim Hodge (mathematics): “I have never in my life seen someone (else) who could truly ‘teach’ math and get through to everyone in the class at all their different skill levels within the 50minute allotted class time.” —Gail A. Van Oever (’90) On Nancy Cook (art): “I very much enjoyed her wonderful delivery and smart sense of humor.” —Linda Leraas Ray (’88) On Brian Smith (philosophy): “He showed me how rewarding learning could be.” —Glenn Herczeg (‘82) On Maureen Starshak (political science): “…I still remember a lot of her influence and how she reminded our class how important it is to be involved with the voting process. I appreciate that very much today with our current government seeming to be running ‘amok’…” —Nancy (Hassett) Flary (‘84 )
On John Lumber (history): “In one semester, I learned more about U.S. history than in the previous 12 years of school and enjoyed every minute of class.” —Dennis Thompson (’76) On Joan Enggaar (nursing): “She saw in me potential, and she geared me in the right direction to take charge of my learning and experiences. Joan has left an impact on me for life. I hope that I have done the same for nurses that I have trained through the years.” —Deanna Hosin (’88) On John Steinke (political science): “…he was the greatest. He made every class exciting and alive….I wish he was still teaching so my kids could have him for an instructor.” —Robert Merz (‘83) On Jerry Pinkham (journalism): “…helped launch me on a two-decade career as a newspaper man…” —David Schiefelbein (‘83 ) On Ted Schaefer (English): “His editing suggestions propelled me to submit numerous pieces to various literary magazines, and they were actually published!” —Beverly Beinlich-Pasquesi (‘10)
Alumni News Charles Stransky (’71) is currently performing in “Dartmoor Prison” at the Goodman Theatre. After CLC, he received a B.S. in theatre arts from Southern Illinois University and earned an M.F.A in acting from Brandeis University. He has acted on Broadway, off-Broadway, regional theatre, TV, film and audio books. He currently lives in Chicago. Mark Savage (’73) teaches online English classes for the University of Phoenix and Argosy University. He currently lives in Georgia, where he has been a technical writer. Sandhya Gupta (’89) is a chief perfusionist in Mount Vernon, Ill. (Her career involves operating the heart-lung machine during cardiac surgery and other surgeries that require cardiopulmonary bypass.) After CLC, she earned a bachelor’s degree in medical technology from the University of Illinois and in 1993 completed a two-year program in cardiac perfusion from The Johns Hopkins School of Perfusion Technology in Baltimore.
Jamie Shirling (’93) is an operations manager at Safe Abatement For Everyone Inc., a Kenosha, Wis.-based firm provides remediation and abatement services for hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead or mold. Hans Zigmund (‘97) is an assistant research director and senior economist for the Illinois Department of Revenue. He also was recently appointed as an adjunct lecturer in the Roosevelt University economics department, where he teaches public finance. Greg Nevil (’00) is a music specialist for Naval Station Great Lakes, where he coordinates weekly recruit graduation ceremonies and teaches recruit choirs.
What have you been doing lately? Let your fellow grads know! Post your submissions online at www.clcaa.com. Selected entries will also be published in the AlumNews.
ALUMNEWS | 9
30156 College_Layout 1 11/3/11 9:35 AM Page 10
COLLEGE FOUNDATION
Professors Teaching Each Other Foundation-supported retreat helps faculty share best teaching practices. How do professors learn to teach?
S
urprisingly, they often learn on their own, in the trenches of the classroom. That’s because graduate school programs focus on an academic discipline like English or philosophy, rather than teaching skills. And though many great teachers are selftaught, the process can be a lonely one. The College of Lake County thinks there’s a better way: providing opportunities for faculty to learn best teaching practices from each other.
The College of Lake County thinks there’s a better way: providing opportunities for faculty to learn best teaching practices from each other. The college has long offered a “New Faculty Institute,” which includes a weeklong orientation and a semester-long seminar for newly hired faculty, all focused on helping them develop into outstanding teachers. Over the last two years, the CLC Foundation has provided grant funding to allow seasoned faculty to recharge and take time out to “talk teaching” in a retreat format away from campus. About 60 faculty members have participated in two events held as part of the Great Teachers Movement, a program based on the premise that teachers learn best from each other. “The retreat takes place at a location away from campus so that faculty can clear their minds of any other work ‘stuff’ they need to 10 | COLLEGE OF LAKE COUNTY
CLC instructors have enjoyed retreats (and learned from each other) at Aurora University’s George Williams College, located on scenic Lake Geneva, Wis.
do, and also so they can relax and share ideas,” said Page Wolf, Ph.D., an instructional developer in CLC’s Professional Development Center who coordinated the Foundation grant. Those involved in the movement have found that many of the most insightful teaching and learning discussions have evolved from casual faculty conversations.” During the retreats, faculty shared successes and challenges in the classroom, tips on helping difficult students and practical ways to engage students in learning. One professor who found value in the seminar is Phyllis Soybel, Ph.D., chair of the college’s history department. “I found this seminar to be one of the most constructive I have been to for teaching,” she said. “I was reminded that for many of us, the desire to improve, to learn, to be innovative does
“The retreat takes place at a location away from campus so that faculty can clear their minds, relax and share ideas” —Dr. Page Wolf not stop with tenure. That’s just the beginning of our desire to be good, if not great, teachers,” she said. The Foundation funding for the two retreats served as “seed money” to begin CLC’s participation in the Great Teachers project. “By allowing us the chance to try it out, the Foundation made it possible for us to demonstrate the program’s success and positive benefits,” Wolf said.
30156 College_Layout 1 11/3/11 9:35 AM Page 11
NEWS ROUNDUP
Board approves $23.5 million science building on Grayslake campus CLC trustees on Aug. 23 gave the go ahead to begin the design of a new, $23.5 million science building on the Grayslake campus, committing $1.17 million to the project. Construction of the building has been approved by the state legislature and Gov. Pat Quinn, though no funds for the project were released at press time. Board Chairman Dr. William M. Griffin said that the college hopes the commitment of design funds will spur release of state funding to construct the building. “We believe that early completion of the design and bid phase should give CLC a competitive advantage in securing the funding,” he said. The science building project will include renovations to existing facilities in the C Wing on the Grayslake campus as well as construction of a new 42,568- square-foot building. When funds are released, the state of Illinois will pay three-quarters of the cost and CLC, one-quarter.
Alumni enjoy brunch on Aug. 14 Lake Geneva cruise More than 20 alumni, Foundation Board of Ambassadors and family members enjoyed a two-hour, Sunday champagne brunch cruise Aug. 14 on Lake Geneva, Wis. Amid blue skies and sunshine, the group enjoyed eggs Benedict, quiche, a free glass of champagne and more, as they cruised the storied lake aboard the Grand Belle of Geneva, a two-story excursion boat. Alumni and friends pause after a sunny Lake Geneva cruise.
Alumni discount program adds more than 100 new businesses More than 100 new local and national discounts, from tires to dental care, have been added to the Alumni Preferred Partners benefits program. The CLC Alumni Association has partnered with StudentRate, a service that provides discounts not only for students but also alumni. “This partnership gives CLC graduates the largest list of discounts to date,” according to Julie Shroka, director of alumni relations and special events. You must be a registered member of the CLC Alumni Association to qualify for the discounts. Membership levels include Silver ($20 per year), Sapphire ($200 for a lifetime membership) and Lancer (free membership). Benefits are commensurate with membership level. For details on the discounts and a link to the online membership application form, visit www.alumnipreferredpartners.org.
Online community offers 24/7 networking, idea-sharing Looking for a great way to network with fellow alumni and share your ideas for alumni events, programs, etc.? Visit the Alumni Association’s online community at www.clcaa.com.
ALUMNEWS | 11
30156 College_Layout 1 11/3/11 9:51 AM Page 12
AlumNews
Non-Profit Organization US Postage
College of Lake County 19351 West Washington Street Grayslake, IL 60030-1198
PAID Grayslake, IL Permit No. 53
return service requested
www.clcillinois.edu
U PCO U PCO MIMING NG EVENTS EVENTS
Holiday Light Tour and Dinner at Lawry’s Sunday, Dec. 4 Join your fellow alumni on a chartered bus
The Shadow Box March 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. and March 4 at 2 p.m. James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts – Studio Theatre
tour of spectacular lights, and experience the magic of the holidays in Chicago. Shop for crafts in the Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza and see the annual Christmas display at Navy Pier. Enjoy lunch at Lawry’s – The Prime Rib, a restaurant housed in the 1890s-vintage McCormick Mansion. After
In this 1977 Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Michael Cristofer, three terminally ill cancer patients spend their time in hospice care waiting for the inevitable. As the characters deal with their mortality, family and close friends visit them and each must come to terms with the inner struggles that arise.
dinner, enjoy a narrated, guided tour of the Magnificent Mile area all lit up for the holidays. Ticket price is $77 per person. Space is limited. To register, visit www.clcroundtable.org/lights, or call Dorae in the Alumni Office at
Photo provided by Greater North Michigan Avenue Association
(847) 543-2400.
Tickets: $10 for the general public; $8 for CLC staff/students/Seniors 65+/ JLC Subscribers To order tickets, call the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at (847) 543-2300 or visit www.clcillinois.edu/tickets.
Dailey & Vincent Bluegrass Concert Friday, March 30, 2012 at 8 p.m. James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts – Mainstage Theatre 7 p.m. alumni reception outside of the Frank Harnish Experimental Theatre The New York Times calls Dailey & Vincent “...the most celebrated new bluegrass act of the last few years.” In 2008 and 2009, they received 10 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards, including Entertainer of the Year for two years running and Album of the Year in 2008. Dailey & Vincent combine an uncanny harmony of their vocal trios and quartets, along with impeccable arrangements. Ticket price is $25 per person, including reception. Space is limited. To register, go to www.clcroundtable.org/bluegrass, or call Dorae in the Alumni Office at (847) 543-2400.