HutchCC NOW! Magazine Fall 2018 - Celebrating 90 Years of True Blue Excellence

WELCOME

Ask the Administration....

If you could take a vacation to any location on the globe, where would it be and why?

“I would visit the Theatre of Delphi on Mount Parnassus in Greece. It dates back to the 4th century BC and, although it has gone through many restorations, has kept its basic structure from ancient Greek theatre.”

- Dr. Charlene Widener Fine Arts & Humanities Department Chairperson

“I think Australia would be an interesting and cool place to visit. They speak English, but have a different culture, flora and fauna.”

- Brooks Mantooth Director of Human Resources

“I would go to Europe! We would start with our family in Spain and Germany, and then just start hopping countries over there to see all of Europe.”

- Lisa Jolliff Coordinator of Accessibility Services and Leadership Scholarship Program

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Fall 2018 • Vol. 25, No. 2 HutchCC Now! is published twice yearly by the office of

Ask the Administration

2

Service Awards/Faculty Focus 3 Campus Updates Celebrating 90 Years

4-5, 8-9 6-7

Athletic News

10

Calendar of Events

11

Blue Dragon Notes

14

Memoriams 15

Marketing and Public Relations. In addition to alumni, and friends of the College, distribution is set to postal patrons in the HutchCC service areas .

Questions or Feedback, email: marketing@hutchcc.edu Hutchinson Community College is an equal opportunity provider.

A publication of Hutchinson Community College 1300 N. Plum Hutchinson, KS 67501 www.hutchcc.edu Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association, 30 North LaSalle, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602 www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org • 312-263-0456

HutchCC Now! Fall 2018 2

EMPLOYEE NEWS

Honors & Achievements

Service Awards Hutchinson Community College formally thanks these employees for their hard work and dedication and their years of service.

10 YEARS Erin Beavers Travis Booe Lisa (LJ) Davies Ann Gonzales Jaqui Cristal Greene Stephan Hays Lynnette Hilty Christopher Lau Beth Oliver Debra Pitzer Timothy Pyle Janice Yoder 15 YEARS Brian Bird Breanne Edwards Susan Evans Robert Kelly Patrick Reading Van Stewart

20 YEARS Michael Ables Annette Holland Sandy Pangburn David Powell Brenda Taylor

30 YEARS Neal Allsup Leah Chandler Brooks Mantooth Janice Turner Gary Walker

25 YEARS Rex Cheever Patricia Kolarik

35 YEARS Carolyn Parson

Greg Siepert, Welding Instructor, was named the Dragon Educator of the Year by the student body for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Lisa Dickson, Instructional Technologist in Online Education, was honored as the Spring 2018 Employee of the Semester.

Robin Woodworth, Administrative Assistant to the President, was named the Summer 2018 Employee of the Semester.

Carolyn Parson receiving a Certificate of Recognition from Dr. Carter File for her 35 years of service at the back-to-school inservice held in August.

Faculty Focus: Erin Beavers POSITION: Associate Professor of Chemistry EDUCATION: B.S. in Chemistry - Emporia State University

M.S. in Chemistry - Kansas State University

YEARS AT HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE: 10½ years

WHAT MAKES HUTCHCC SPECIAL TO YOU? HutchCC is special to me simply because of the people. We have wonderful administrators who are supportive of the faculty and are constantly and consistently striving to improve the learning environment at the college. I have wonderful colleagues that have become lifelong friends and most importantly, I enjoy the one-on-one relationships we are able to form with students because of our smaller class sizes.

HutchCC Now! Fall 2018 3

CAMPUS UPDATES The Public Health and Safety Department of Hutchinson Community College coordinates the Training Centers for American Heart Association (AHA) and American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI). CPR Instructors are required to affiliate with a training center to ensure high quality instruction and provide support for affiliated instructors. The HutchCC-AHA training center has five experienced training center faculty members, and supports more than 100 instructors across the region.

Additionally, the department offers instruction in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Basic Life Support (BLS) and Community-Workplace CPR, Basic First Aid and BLS Instructor Training. Instructors are available to provide scheduled and customized classes for each of the areas listed. To learn more, email LeAnn Bravi at bravil@hutchcc.edu.

The Hutchinson Community College livestock judging team returned home from the prestigious AKSARBEN Stock Show in Grand Island, NE with several honors, including being named the Champion Overall Sophomore Team. Contributing to this accomplishment were a championship in Reasons, a championship in Cattle, a reserve championship in Sheep Judging and a fourth place finish in Swine Judging. In addition, seven students earned top 15 honors, including four sophomores and three freshmen. The HutchCC livestock judging team is coached by instructor of agriculture and livestock judging coach Ben Williams and assistant coach Pat Arkfeld.

Artists in Their Space, a web doc series created by the Media Communication and Production team at HutchCC, in collaboration with the Hutchinson Art Center is gaining attention in the film industry. The video series, co-produced with Blue Barn Productions, focuses on a specific artist and their creation process per episode. Different cuts are then shown at the Hutchinson Art Center, KPTS and submitted to film festivals. Each epidsode runs between 5-6 minutes. An episode featuring artist Josh Tripoli was selected to be a part of the Tallgrass Film Festival in Wichita.

Last year eighteen HutchCC Media Communication and Production students were given film credits on Internet Movie Database (IMDb) because of published work.

HutchCC Now! Fall 2018 4

PAGE SECTION CAMPUS UPDATES

Barcelona Hutchinson Community College Business Professor Dan Naccarato (better known as “Coach Nac”) has always been willing to take a non-traditional approach to teaching.

His Management and Leadership classes can be seen on campus lawns doing team-building exercises, or in the Waldo Auditorium engaging in lessons with ropes and blindfolds, or in classrooms completing projects with Lego blocks. He’s happy to do whatever it takes to help students learn.

As a homebody who for many years never left the cozy confines of Hutchinson, 2014 was the summer that he discovered the joys and lessons of traveling. “A lifelong friend of mine invited me to join him on a trip to various locations throughout China, Japan, and Singapore,” shared Coach Nac. “The experience was life-changing for me and it stoked in me the desire to explore even more. Travel is a tremendous teacher.”

When the opportunity presented itself for Coach Nac to coordinate and lead an educational group tour to Barcelona in May 2018, he jumped at the chance. Twenty-

one travelers, including HutchCC students, employees, and members of the community, spent a week exploring the culture of Spain’s second largest city. In addition to their investment in the trip, students could also enroll in a three credit hour class and earn college credit for their participation.

Coach Nac, along with HutchCC Director of Marketing and Public Relations Denny Stoecklein, is currently organizing a trip to Washington, DC to take place June 11-15, 2019. “To date, more than 30 travelers have signed up to join us. We are limiting the size of our group to 42 people, so just a few spots remain open.”

During the five-day tour, the group will explore famous sites in the nation’s capital and go on guided excursions to historic Gettysburg, Arlington, and Mount Vernon, the home and final resting place of George Washington.

For details about the trip to Washington, DC, or more information about HutchCC’s Business Management & Entrepreneurship program, contact Coach Nac at naccaratod@hutchcc.edu.

HutchCC Now! Fall 2018 5

HutchCC Now! Fall 2018 6

This year, Hutchinson Community College is proud to celebrate 90 Years of True Blue Excellence. In honor of the momentous event, a “birthday party” kicked off the school year with birthday cakes celebrating each decade. The College showcased the Blue Dragon logo evolution at the Kansas State Fair booth, as well as displaying an autograph tower for alumni to sign. In the Fall, a pancake breakfast was served to employees to celebrate 90 Flippin’ Years. During the Spring of 2019 other events are planned to continue to celebrate our fantastic history and plan for a strong future.

HutchCC Now! Fall 2018 7

CAMPUS UPDATES Melody Nisly, Adult Basic Education Instructor, was recognized for her work at the Reno County Correctional Facility for her outstanding educational services. Melody has been teaching at the RCCF for the last two years and has made a significant impact on the students that she encounters there.

A partnership with Hutchinson Community College Adult Education and the Reno County Correctional Facility was formed in 2016. The purpose was to provide students at the correctional facility an opportunity to earn their General Education Degree (GED). Melody Nisly’s work with GED completion rates has been extremely effective. Melody was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the Reno County Commission for her contributions in April of 2018. Success in the program has opened doors for students to get an education and a head start on their future.

Students in the Automation Engineering Technology program put on a display & show in the Parker Student Union on Halloween. Three different projects were showcased to give passersby a fun startle or scare.

The “Candy” box was a motion-activated crate in which the top popped open to reveal a scary mask. An electrical box was designed to appear unconnected, but when the switch was flipped, it jumped and lit up. The final project was a nightstand with motion-activated drawers that moved in and out while lights flashed from within. The projects were student driven and designed, created on their own time.

In conjunction with the College’s 90th year, employees and students assembled 90 back-to-school backpacks that were donated to First Call for Help in Hutchinson. Dr. File and some students from the HutchCC Honors Program delivered the backpacks in August.

The Blue Dragon Football team also helped pack and distribute backpacks with First Call for Help on August 1 during Operation Back to School held at the Hutchinson Mall. The HutchCC Cosmetology program also participated by giving free haircuts to students.

HutchCC Now! Fall 2018 8

CAMPUS UPDATES

Scholarship Announcements The Hutchinson Community College Endowment Association (HCCEA) is pleased to announce new scholarship opportunities established for Hutchinson Community College students. Thank you to the following donors for their generosity to our scholarship program.

AMERICAN AGCREDIT is partnering with HCCEA to provide one $1,250 scholarship to a sophomore student pursuing a degree in Agriculture or Agribusiness including areas of Accounting and Finance, Natural Resources or any other agriculturally-related field. Recipient shall have a desire to pursue a career in production agriculture or agribusiness.

The HARLEY AND SANDRA MACKLIN SCHOLARSHIP has been established to assist students seeking a career in the field of engineering. Preference will be given to a female student who is enrolled as a full-time student.

The PIKEN FAMILY WOMENS BASKETBALL SCHOLARSHIP will provide scholarship assistance to a

student athlete who will be or is a member of the women’s basketball team.

THE ESTATE OF ROBERT WERNER has provided the HCCEA with a gift for` scholarships for students who have a desire to continue their education in the area of Art. T H E RO B E RT V. A N D B E T T Y A . S T E E L E SCHOLARSHIP has been established for the purpose of granting scholarships to students who are graduates of a Reno County high school and will be majoring in the area of Business.

The LES & DONNA ZIMMERMAN SCHOLARSHIP will be awarded to a full-time student who is a public Kansas high school graduate and shows desire and commitment to continue their education. Preference will be given to students from western Kansas enrolled in any field of study.

For more information on scholarships at Hutchinson Community College, contact Cindy Keast, HCCEA Director, at keastc@hutchcc.edu or 620-665-3565.

Congratulations!

Andrew Kibet 2018 National Champion 2018 Region VI Individual Champion First Dragon to win Region VI title since 1982 2018 Jayhawk West Champion Tied school record for best 8K time in Blue Dragon History (24:01.80)

HutchCC Now! Fall 2018 9

ATHLETIC UPDATES

For the second time in four years, the Hutchinson Community College men’s and women’s track and field teams swept team academic honors with the best aggregate grade-point averages in the nation, according to the NJCAA Track and Field Coaches Association All-Scholar Teams. The Blue Dragon men posted the best team GPA in the NJCAA for the fourth time in the last five seasons with a 3.906 aggregate GPA. The Blue Dragon women won the team GPA award with a GPA of 3.961. The NJCAA Track and Field Coaches Association takes the Top 10 GPA’s from each team for the spring semester to compute Team GPA for the team scholar award.

The Blue Dragon Spirit Squad had “fun, fun, fun” at the Kansas State Fair as they were asked to perform on stage with the legendary Beach Boys.

The squad joined the rock and roll Hall of Famers for their hit “Be True to Your School” as well as other classics during their concert on Saturday, September 15.

Not only did the squad get to spend time on stage with the band, they were able to enjoy refreshments backstage while visiting with the group.

2018 was a banner year for the Blue Dragon cross country teams. Both the men’s and women’s teams were the Jayhawk West champions and the men also claimed the Region VI championship. Freshman Andrew Kibet was the Region VI and Jayhawk West individual champion in addition to being National Runner of the Week award from the United States Track and Field/ Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) three times during the season. Also, Blue Dragon cross country coach Justin Riggs was named 2018 Region VI Cross Country Coach of the Year.

BlueDragonSports.com

YOUR SOURCE FOR BLUE DRAGON SCORES, SCHEDULES & NEWS HutchCC Now! Fall 2018 10

SAVE THE DATE

ACADEMIC DATES OF IMPORTANCE Jan. 1

College Closed Winter Break

Jan. 14

Spring Classes Begin

Jan. 21

College Closed - MLK Day

Mar. 25-29 Spring Break

April 12

No Day Classes

April 27

Enrollment Day

May 6-9

Final Exams

May 10

Commencement

Community Events & Services Jan. 21 Feb. 18-22 Feb. 19

Mar. 5

Apr. 4

Jan. 31 Feb. 9 Feb. 15 Mar. 11 Apr. 11-13 Apr. 22 May 3

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration 3:00 PM Stringer Fine Arts Center Winter Homecoming Week Dillon Lecture Series 10:30 AM Sports Arena Dr. Rick Rigsby, Lessons of a Third Grade Dropout Dillon Lecture Series 10:30 AM Sports Arena Denise Kiernan, Author of “The Girls of Atomic City” Management Forum 7:00 PM Shears - Justice Theater Kevin Hess, CFO of TECH, past President of Kwik Shop

Fine Arts Events - Stringer Fine Arts Center

Instrumental Jazz Ensembles: Bryce Luty Jazz Festival Theatre: 24 Hour Plays Vocal Jazz Ensembles: Love Makes the World Go Round Concert Chorale & Dr. Matthew Cash, Pianist: Sounds of Spring HutchCC Theatre: Peter and the Starcatcher Instrumental & Vocal Jazz Ensembles: Jazz Showcase Symphonic Band & Concert Chorale: Season Finale Concert

7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM

Women’s and Men’s Basketball Home Conference Games - Sports Arena Jan. 12 Jan. 16 Jan. 19 Jan. 26

Cowley Garden City Pratt Colby

5:30 PM / 7:30 PM 5:30 PM / 7:30 PM 5:30 PM / 7:30 PM 5:30 PM / 7:30 PM

Feb. 2 Feb. 6 Feb. 13 Feb. 20

Seward 5:30 PM / 7:30 PM Northwest Tech 5:30 PM / 7:30 PM Dodge City 5:30 PM / 7:30 PM Barton 5:30 PM / 7:30 PM

For Baseball, Softball, Golf & Track Schedules, Please Visit:

www.bluedragonsports.com HutchCC Now! Fall 2018 11

CAMPUS UPDATES

Jack Parker, a long-time Hutchinson Community College supporter and member of the class of 1948, passed away October 11 at the age of 93 in Haven, KS. Parker, along with his brother Richard, came to Hutchinson on a train from Pampa, Texas in 1936.

The pair, who had lost their parents, decided to run away from the home where they were living.

Hutchinson teacher Maddie Kent, along with her family, took the boys in and gave them a home.

Jack and Richard both went on to attend Hutchinson Community College and become successful businessmen. Jack had several different business interests through the years, but returned to HutchCC in the 1960’s to take some metalworking classes that led him down his final career path.

Parker founded Haven Steel in 1966 and it went on to become a multi-national company.

The Richard and Jack Parker Student Union was named in honor of the brothers’ many contributions to Hutchinson Community College.

February 19, 2019

Dr. Rick Rigsby

March 5, 2019

Denise Kiernan

“Lessons From a Third Grade Dropout”

Author of “The Girls of Atomic City”

October 1, 2019

November 5, 2019

Patron Memberships are available now

John O’Leary

Author of “On Fire”

Lajvardi HutchCC Now!Fredi Fall 2018 13

STEM Educator, “Improbable to Unstoppable”

For more information about the series, call 620-665-3505 or visit www.hutchcc.edu/dls

BLUE DRAGON NOTES KRISTEN ARMSTRONG was named the 2018 new member of the year by the Young Professionals of Reno County.

SARAH HOOVER was promoted to Officer and Branch Manager of the Haven location for the First National Bank of Hutchinson.

JUSTIN RIGGS, Blue Dragon cross country coach, was named the 2018 Region VI Cross Country Coach of the Year.

BRETT BALLARD, head men’s basketball coach at Washburn University, was named the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association fouryear men’s college Coach of the Year.

AMY HONER was named executive director of the Council Grove Area Foundation.

FRANK SHOFFNER was named President of Credit Union of America.

FRANK CRAIG was named Vice President Commercial Loan Officer at Central Bank and Trust Co. CRAIG FLETCHALL, head men’s basketball coach at Barton Community College, was named the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association twoyear men’s college Coach of the Year.

JENNIFER HAMM, director of imaging at Newton Medical Center, has assumed the added role of director of business development.

DICK HEITSCHMIDT, retired Chief of Police for the City of Hutchinson, was selected to the Hutchinson High School Wall of Honor.

BILL KELLEY was named girls basketball coach at Kingman High School.

RUTH (SPRINKLE) METTLER celebrated her 100th birthday on August 18.

REGGIE MORTON was selected to the Derby High School Hall of Fame.

DELVINE KEITH NALLY retired July 17 after 71 years in the business world, including the past nearly 56 years at Jarboe Sales Co., Tulsa, OK ADAM OTTO was promoted to Vice President and Manager of Deposit Operations at the First National Bank of Hutchinson.

SAMANTHA SMITH was named assistant vice president/loan officer of Central Bank and Trust Co. WAYNE AND ANN (WHITE) SMITH celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on July 20.

GARY WELLS was selected as the recipient of the Association for Psychological Science’s 2017 James McKeen Cattell Fellow Award for a lifetime of outstanding contributions to applied psychological research.

SKIP WILSON, chief professional officer for the Boys & Girls Club of Hutchinson, was selected to the Hutchinson High School Wall of Honor.

What’s New with You? We’d like to share your career news, weddings & engagements, educational news and in memoriam updates.

Contact the Alumni & Friends at 620-665-3348 or by emailing: alumni@hutchcc.edu WEDDINGS & ENGAGEMENTS

Laura Mae Thompson—Andrew Goering

Krystal Jordan – Justin Weve

Alicia Oard – Chris Cox

June 24, 2017 September 8, 2018 September 29, 2018

ALUMNI, FORMER STUDENTS, CURRENT STUDENTS AND STAFF ARE INDICATED BY ITALICS.

HutchCC Now! Fall 2018 14

IN MEMORIAM

RICHARD A. ‘DAD’ DOUGLASS H. KEENER, 86, DADISMAN, 94, Wichita, KS, June 12, 2018 San Jose, CA, January 6, 2018 GENEVA E. MORGAN, 89, DONALD E. WILLIAMS, 72, Hutchinson, KS, Vernon Hills, IL, June 14, 2018 February 20, 2018 ERIC HOLTHAUS, 42, HILLARY SUZANNE HANEY, Seneca, KS, June 16, 2018 33, Emporia, KS, GARY AUSTEN PLUMB, 33, March 23, 2018 McPherson, KS, June 28, 2018 RONALD E. TURNER, SUE ANNE WEIMASTER, 66, Tucson, AZ, April 1, 2018 Coldwater, KS, July 2, 2018 KELLY ANN YOUNG-REEVES, ELIZABETH A. ‘BETTY’ 54, Omaha, NE, April 1, 2018 MCCAMANT, 84, LEE GRAHAM, 74, Hutchinson, KS, July 6, 2018 Hutchinson, KS, JANE LOUISE GLENN, 98, April 22, 2018 Sterling, KS, July 7, 2018 ALICE ‘BEBE’ ARBUCKLE, 87, FOREST ‘DICK’ FOSTER, 78, Grimes, IO, April 22, 2018 Hutchinson, KS, July 10, 2018 ROBERT ‘BOB’ STENFORS, Minneapolis, KS, May 2, 2018 BONNIE JEAN DENT, 64, McPherson, KS, July 15, 2018 LESLIE WILMORE, 58, Whitewater, KS, May 7, 2018 MARY ELLEN FULLMER, 103, Hutchinson, KS, July 19, 2018 JEFFREY K. ‘JEFF’ GIFFIN, 54, Hutchinson, KS, May 11, 2018 CHARLES DUANE HALPAIN, 83, Hutchinson, KS, MICHAEL HENRY, 77, July 20, 2018 Tucson, AZ, May 13, 2018 MARGARET F. ‘MAGGIE’ DONALD M. MUNDS, 75, WARD, 87, Hutchinson, KS, Cookson, OK, May 19, 2018 July 27, 2018

ROGER ‘HUGGIE BEAR’ FRISCHENMEYER, 52, Hutchinson, KS, August 11, 2018

CHASE LOUDENBACK, 28, Hutchinson, KS, September 28, 2018

CHRISTINE E. VAUGHN, 71, Haven, KS, August 21, 2018

HELENE BOELLING, 76, Herington, KS, September 30, 2018

MARCINE D. ROBERT ‘BOB’ LEE VINCENT, SCHARNHORST, 86, 76, Hutchinson, KS, Leawood, KS, August 12, 2018 September 29, 2018

JAMES T. ‘JIM’ TERRILL, 72, Hutchinson, KS, August 24, 2018

ANNE BURKHOLDER, 87, McPherson, KS, October 4, 2018

CARMEN LEE BAYLES, 82, Omaha, NE, August 26, 2018 RICHARD ALLEN BIGGS, 57, Hutchinson, KS, TERRILL ‘TERRY’ STENZEL, October 4, 2018 66, Salina, KS, August 26, 2018 JOHN BOYLAN, 86, Newton, KS, October 5, 2018 ROBERT ROY FEGAN, 73, Paola, KS, August 31, 2018 JACK V. PARKER, 93, Haven, KS, October 11, 2018 KENNETH D. ‘KEN’ GOULD, 81, Hutchinson, KS, MARTHA JEAN “MARTY” September 1, 2018 SCHNEIDER CHARLES, 82, Moundridge, KS, GERALD DAYTON RAINES, October 11, 2018 93, Missouri, KS, September 6, 2018 JAMES E. “JIMMY” PACE, 59, Hutchinson, KS, DOUGLAS D. ‘BUD’ October 13, 2018 KRETZER, 84, Hutchinson, KS, LAWRENCE CONRADY, 58, September 8, 2017 Sedgwick, KS, LLOYD DEAN KELSEY, 81, October 29, 2018 CHRISTINA RENAE MILLER, STEPHEN A. STOFER, 71, Hutchinson, KS, 45, Canton, KS, May 22, 2018 Burlington, KS, TERRY LEANN WILLOUGHBY, September 8, 2017 57, Overland Park, KS, August 4, 2018 KENNETH E. KAHRS, 67, ALICIA KAY SPANGENBERG- October 29, 2018 McPherson, KS, May 27, 2018 BRADLEY ‘BUBBA’ TALBOTT, HUNTER, 53, McPherson, KS, CHARLES R. BUCKALOO, 66, 56, Wichita, KS, September 8, 2018 HELENA M. ‘HELEN” Inman, KS, November 3, 2018 August 4, 2018 WALLER, 84, EILEEN FOLEY, Parsons, KS, May 31, 2018 LARRY L. PETER, 85, JIMMIE E. ‘JIM’ SORENSEN, Havertown, PA, Finger, TN, November 5, 2018 57, Abbyville, KS, September 11, 2018 BEVERLEY ANN RAYL, 77, August 4, 2018 Hutchinson, KS, June 1, 2018 JUAN GONZALES, 69, CHARLEEN MAE DUGGAN, Hutchinson, KS, KENNETH D. ‘KEN’ 85, Wichita, KS, MIKE STEINBACH, 66, November 14, 2018 MENDENHALL, 92, September 14, 2018 Dexter, KS, June 2, 2018 Hutchinson, KS, REV. GEORGIA DECKER, 82, SUSAN ‘SUSIE’ R. BLANK, August 5, 2018 Hutchinson, KS, 60, Newton, KS, June 8, 2018 LARRY D. GARDNER, 68, September 21, 2018 Plevna, KS, August 6, 2018

HutchCC Now! Fall 2018 15

NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID

HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

1300 NORTH PLUM HUTCHINSON, KS 67501-5894

Hutchinson Community College

POSTAL CUSTOMER