Aug 29, 2013

gora A

THE

Aug. 26, Vol.58, 55,Issue Issue August 29,2010 2013 Vol. 1 1

www.mcccagora.com

MCCC Study Abroad visits Spain, Portugal

Enrollment for fall down 5 percent

Page 7

Page 2

MCCC greets new president, CTC

Quartey hopes to take MCCC to “next level”

Photo by Reggie Allen

President Kojo Quartey stands proudly in front of the new building. For more photos of the new building, see page 3

Board cuts ribbon on CTC building Katie Mullin Agora Staff

The red ribbon was cut. The time had come.

The Career Technology Center opened its doors.

In a special ribbon cutting ceremony, new MCCC President Kojo Quartey spoke to a crowd of around 250, announcing the grand opening of the 60,000 square foot building.

“The opening of this building is a watershed moment,” Quartey said.

From the podium, Quartey pointed to an electric car parked on the sidewalk.

“I drove that this morning, because that vehicle was created by our students,” he said.

Quartey honored the former college presidents, including MCCC’s most recent president, Dr. David Nixon.

“The legacy was built by the previous president. He’s a legend; I have big shoes to fill,” Quartey said about Nixon.

Nixon stepped forward and explained the importance of the CTC building, which was built during a period of economic stagnation.

“With every crisis comes opportunity,” he said. “We will move forward.”

The $17 million building will offer programs in the technology and engineering fields. The building features spacious labs in areas such as nuclear and renewable energy.

Bill Bacarella, chairman of the Board of Trustees, honored the MCCC College Supporter of the Year. This year the award went to Monroe County’s legislative delegation in Lansing.

He commended the state representatives and senator for their committed efforts to move

Photo by Reggie Allen

President Kojo Quartey shakes hands with U.S. Sen. Carl Levin at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

grant funding forward through the state Legislature.

As a result, MCCC was awarded half of the building’s cost — $8.5 million. The remaining balance is being raised through a capital campaign.

The winners of the annual College Supporter of the Year award included Sen. Randy Richardville, Rep. Dale Zorn, former Rep. Kathy Angerer, the late Kate Ebli and Rep. Rick Olson.

“As I look back, I look forward,” said Zorn, who represents District 56.

Zorn, a former MCCC student, took auto-

motive technology classes at the college.

“I came to hone in on these skills,” he saidafter the ceremony.

“Skilled labor is so important, and it’s a part of who we are.”

A representative for Rick Snyder, governor for Michigan, read a special tribute.

“Without question, CTC will be an asset to students,” he said.

Other speakers included U.S. Sen. Carl Levin and U.S. Reps. John Dingell and Tim Walberg.

After the commemoration speeches, the politicans, board members and other MCCC leaders gathered behind the red ribbon.

Bacarella and Board member Linda Lauer stood in front to help cut the ribbon with an oversized pair of scissors.

At first, the ribbon did not snip into two pieces.

“I’m trying,” Lauer said.

Finally, the ribbon parted and the building was officially open.

Guided tours were available for the public afterward.

On the same day, MCCC and DTE Energy unveiled an Enrico Fermi (Fermi 1) historical exhibit within the CTC. The exhibit covers the history and importance the nuclear plant, locarted just north of Monroe. An afternoon ribbon cutting ceremony was held outside the CTC building at a monument that formerly stood at the Fermi I plant.

As students return to school and classes in the new building, Rep. Zorn said they should remember one thing as they enter.

“Take every opportunity you can,” he said.

Julia Wells Agora Staff MCCC’s new president, Kojo Quartey, seeks to expand student horizons.

“The world is our marketplace!” he said. “Let’s grow globally.”

Bringing a more multicultural focus to MCCC is just one of the many goals of the new president, who was unanimously hired by the MCCC Board of Trustees in May. Dr. Quartey’s worldly ambitions may be attributed to his upbringing and travels in his time as a student and educator.

He was born in Ghana, West Africa, and lived there for 11 years.

His father was Ghana’s minister of foreign affairs; when Quartey was ten, the family moved to Washington D.C., where he spent most of his school years.

He finished high school in Ghana and returned to America at 19. He went on to earn his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Mississippi State University.

His most recent job was provost of the City Colleges of Chicago, where he was in charge of seven colleges.

This is not his first time in Michigan; he spent five years working as the dean of the business school at Davenport University in Grand Rapids.

Despite spending time in countries all over the world, he is no stranger to small town living. He spent 11 years working in Talladega, Alabama.

“I just love the small town atmosphere, where you get to know people,” he said. “The smaller a community is, the more of an impact one can make.”

“I thrive on community interaction,” he said.

This was something Quartey missed while in Chicago overseeing 120,000 students.

“There was no direct contact with students and faculty,” he

said.

Quartey said this semester he likely will be seen walking around campus, interacting with everyone he can. In his first few weeks on campus, he has made the effort to meet one-on-one with faculty members.

“What we want to do here is not only to change this institution, but to really impact the entire community and take this community to the next level,” he said.

Something Quartey hopes to accomplish in his time here is to get students to think globally in terms of success. He hopes that incorporating more multicultural studies and opportunities will give students an advantage.

“Your competition is going to be global,” he said. “If you really want to compete against the world, you want to expand your cultural horizons,” He also encourages students to learn a second language — he himself speaks four languages.

Quartey hopes to reach students internationally by partnering with global companies here in town. He hopes to bring more diversity to the school in order for the community to better reflect the world.

He also understands that students today face a plethora of challenges when it comes to their education. He advises them to keep an optimistic view of their future.

“You invest a little in your future for a greater return,” he said.

Times have certainly changed since Quartey was a college student — advances in technology are an obvious example. For the most part, technology is an advantage, he said. But in some instances, it’s hurting us.

“It’s helping because we have all the information at our fingertips. But there is a reliance on technology, that’s how

See PRESIDENT, Page 2

“This is a roadmap to prosperity; education can take you to a place called prosperity.”

Dr. Kojo Quartey New MCCC President,referring to the map in his education box

Child Care Center closes doors, future unclear

Katie Mullin Agora Staff

MCCC’s child-care center has been left in limbo.

Randy Daniels, vice president of student services, said in an email last week that the former director of the child care center, Diana Cramer, has decided not to operate the child care center this fall.

Daniels said he has been scrambling to try to have another plan for students who will be returning to classes this week.

“Given the timeframe for acquiring licensure from the State of Michigan, it will take 3-6 months for a new vendor to get licensed and operate on our campus. Therefore, we cannot offer child care services on campus this semester,” Daniels said.

Inside:

In a telephone interview, Daniels said it is not known yet whether childcare services will be provided next semester.

Located in the Health Building, the child-care facility has been under threat of closing its doors due to dwindling funds. However, the Board of Trustees voted in July to keep it open under a private employer, no longer operated by MCCC. At its June 24 meeting, the Board of Trustees decided to accept an offer by Cramer, who was the child care center’s director for 33 years. Requests for proposals to operate the center had been submitted to 20 vendors within the community.

“During her tenure, she has provided excellent service for the students requiring child care,” Daniels said at the June 24 meeting.

Cramer could not be reached for comment.

Daniels further elaborated in the email that all inquires should be referred to nearby locations

Photo by Katie Mullin

A sign in the Admission’s Office informs students that the MCCC child care center will be closed fall semester.

such as Meadow Montessori School or the Intermediate School District.

Check out The Agora online at

Campus News..................2,3,4 Feature............................5,6,7 Sports..............................8

www.mcccagora.com “Like” us on

“I talked to Kathy Calder (Principal) over at Montessori and let her know we will be referring students to her,” he said.

Arrangements are being made to have MCCC students drop off their children at the private school.

Crystal Willit, secretary of the early childhood program, said the Intermediate School District does not have a regular daycare program for non-special needs children, but has an Early Head Start program for those 0-3 years. The program provides education on parenting and child development through home visitations. It is currently accepting applications, but the program is waitlisted.

For more information please call: Meadow Montessori 734-241-9496 or Intermediate School District 242-5454.

Follow us on

Bookstore Hours:

Library Hours:

Mon - 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Tue - Fri: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Mon - Thur: 8 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

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

Sat: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

LAL/Writing Center:

Fitness Center Hours:

Mon - Thurs: 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

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

Sat: 9 a.m- 1:00 p.m

Serving Monroe County Community College since 1968

Mon - Thurs: 10 a.m. - 7:30 Fri - Sat: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

campus news

August 29, 2013

mcccagora.com • The Agora

|2

President praises role of education Continued from page 1

it’s hurting us.” he said. “The other way it’s hurting us is in my day you really needed to know how to spell and write. It’s dumbing our kids down.”

Despite his qualms about technology, he is ultimately a fan and has big plans for the campus’s new Career Technology Center.

“I’m thinking about new academic programs we could have in there: wind energy and engineering, auto-tech, hybrids and electric cars — that’s the next level of technology,” he said.

“That’s where the world is going.”

Sitting on his desk among family pictures is his “education box” — a prop he uses when encouraging kids that education is the answer.

Its contents include a medicine bottle, a key, and a map, each symbolizing a way in which education is the answer.

“Education cures poverty; it has done it for me. The key to success is education; it can open so many doors for you,” he said.

“This is a roadmap to prosperity; education can take you to a place called prosperity.”

Agora photo by Reggie Allen

Dr. Kojo Quartey, new president of MCCC, addresses the crowd during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Career Technology Center.

College privatizes to balance budget

By Katie Mullin Agora staff

MCCC’s Board of Trustees turned to privatization to balance the 2013-2014 budget.

Privatization is when a public institution turns to outside employers to handle any of its operations.

One service privatized by the board is the college’s copy center. The Maumeebased Canon Solutions Co. has assumed all of its operations.

Mark Spenoso, who ran the copy center, retired at the end of the 2012-2013 school year.

Joe Verkennes, MCCC Director of Marketing, said that Canon has hired the student assistant who had been working at the center. (See story on this page).

The college’s child care center also was privatized. The college asked for bids from private companies to run the center (See story on Page 1).

Student assistant jobs were also highlighted at the meeting.

Instead of using money from the college’s general fund for student assistant jobs, the college increased its request to the federal government for work study money to finance the jobs. This fund transfer will save the college a total of $70,000-$85,000 according to Suzanne Wetzel, vice president for Administration.

“The way this works is we asked for

“As a trustee, I find the timing problematic.

A public session in May and finalization in June are much too fast for careful deliberation.”

James DeVries

Board of Trustees member more work-study money. There is money available from the government,” Verkennes said.

The college also saved money by deciding not to replace the director of the Whitman Center, a position that has been open for a year.

Despite the cuts, the board opened a door of opportunity by providing more money for training of faculty and staff.

“We have set aside almost $38,000 for professional development for faculty and staff,” Wetzel said.

In addition, support and administration staff will be receiving a 1 percent salary increase.

“Since 2008, we haven’t added anything for the salary schedule,” Wetzel said.

Pay raises for faculty are still up in the

air; the faculty contract is still being negotiated, she said.

In an e-mail to faculty sent last week, new college President Kojo Quartey said the next negotiating session will be Oct. 4.

Most of what is expensed through the college’s general fund — 83 percent — is for paying wages and benefits to faculty and staff. Main revenue sources come from tuition and fees, property taxes, and state appropriations.

The board approved the budget, but not until hearing a protest from Trustee James DeVries.

“As a trustee, I find the timing problematic: A public session in May and finalization in June are much too fast for careful deliberation. I was taken aback by the framing of the Whitman Campus question and the moves to privatize printing and the child care center,” he said.

DeVries said the college should not operate under a business model when balancing the budget, referring to the child care center and copy center.

“These decisions were complete surprises to me. Each has not only fiscal ramifications but also profound implications for our college community,” he said in the letter.

DeVries also advocated a “strategic collaboration” approach – allowing members of the MCCC community to provide input on the financial planning of the budget.

“If Trustee DeVries ever succeeds in his revisionism and the rejection of the sound and pricipled business model required by law, this college is clearly headed for financial disaster.”

William Braunlich

Board of Trustees Vice President

“Collaborative strategic planning would help illuminate our priorities and aid us in deciding what is essential to our mission, and what is not,” he said.

DeVries quoted from General Donald Rumsfeld at the end of his letter.

“If you expect people to be in on the landing, include them in the take off,” he wrote.

Vice-chairman William Braunlich read a letter of rebuttal to the board.

Braunlich attacked DeVries’ aregument against implementing a “business model” in the college budget.

“If Trustee DeVries ever succeeds in his revisionism and the rejection of the sound and principled business model required

by law, this college is clearly headed for financial disaster,” he said.

Braunlich elaborated further on why he advocates a business model (such as privatization) in the college’s budget.

“MCCC is a corporate entity under Michigan law,” he said.

Braunlich said that MCCC must have a detailed, accurate, verifiable, fiscally responsible and sustainable business model, and there is no alternative model available under Michigan law, federal law, or the Higher Learning Commission, which is responsible for accreditation.

“The Michigan Community College act and the matrix of organizations and governmental units I referred to earlier all require a business model,” he said in the letter.

“I reject Trustees Devries’ letter of June 24th in its entirety as factually inaccurate, politically motivated to satisfy his campaign platform, irresponsible and loaded with leadership/stakeholder/ inclusiveness/collaboration psycho-babble, all designed to obscure the fact that he has no new ideas whatsoever on cost-containment, nor does he have a single idea on generating any additional revenues,” he said.

“I vote yes on this budget,” Braunlich said, raising his voice.

“If it’s not approved by tonight, the college cannot spend any money,” Chairman Bill Bacarella said of the budget The budget was approved by a 6-1 vote.

Copy Center now operated by Canon Katie Gerweck For the Agora

MCCC privatized the Copy Center this summer, and the facility is now being run by Canon Business Solutions of America.

The Copy Center was privatized as a cost savings measure, and a way to increase efficiency, according to Joe Verkennes, the director of marketing for MCCC. The college looked at privatizing after the Copy Center Coordinator, Mark Spenoso, gave notice in late April that he would be retiring.

The budget was being prepared at the time, and privatization gave the college an opportunity to save money.

“Overall, the cost savings was about forty thousand dollars, which was a significant amount of money for the college,” Verkennes said.

MCCC did research before receiving three bids, and eventually chose Canon Solutions, Verkennes said.

Lezlee Downing, the new Copy Center coordinator, said the initial reaction to the privatization was mixed.

“People thought things were going to change,” she explained.

“But we’re doing everything we did before, if not better.”

The privatization with Canon meant the college had the opportunity to lease a new copier, Downing said. This copier is more efficient and environmentally friendly than the previous machine, and produces better quality images.

“It’s the best gray-scale copier available,” she said.

She is also looking to implement web submissions of print jobs in the next year. Instead of a

The Agora Editorial Policy The Agora is published by the students of Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe, MI, 48161. The editorial office is located in Room 202 of the Life Sciences Bldg., (734) 384-4186, agora@monroeccc.edu.

Editorial policy: Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of The Agora staff. Signed columns represent the opinion of the writer. All letters to the editor must include a signature, address and phone number for verification purposes. The Agora reserves the right to edit for clarity, accuracy, length and libel.

The Agora is a student-managed newspaper that supports a free student press and is a member of the Michigan Community College Press Association, the Michigan Collegiate Press Association, the Michigan Press Association, College Media Advisers, Associated Collegiate Press and the Student Press Law Center.

Story suggestions are welcome. Let us know what you’d like to see in The Agora - it’s your newspaper. E-mail submissions: agora@monroeccc.edu .

Editor Julia Wells

Adviser: Dan Shaw

Contributers Reggie Allen Ray Bell Katie Gerweck Tim Green

Morgan Hofbaur Melanie Jacobs William Miko Katie Mullins

required visit to the copy center to fill out a form, staff members will be able to upload PDF files and fill out the form online.

“People were wanting to do online submission,” Downing said.

Downing was formerly the student assistant in the Copy Center for two-and-a-half years, so she is familiar with both the copy center and the people at MCCC. She was hired by Canon to be the facility manager of the Monroe division after her graduation from Siena Heights in May, where she got a bachelor’s degree in professional communications and a minor in graphic design.

She had previously received two associate’s degrees from MCCC. “I love the people I work with.

This is a great environment,” she said.

Photo by Katie Gerweck

New Copy Center coordinator Lezlee Downing recently graduated from Siena Heights.

Faculty start semester without a contract

By Katie Mullin Agora staff

Unfinished.

This word could be used for MCCC’s contract negotiations with the faculty.

Negotiators for the college and the faculty association (MCCFA), have been meeting throughout the spring and summer to discuss a new faculty contract, which would cover issues such as healthcare benefits and salaries.

“We have been bargaining since March 27,” said Dr. Patrick Nedry, who is chief negotiator for MCCFA. Nedry said the college and the union reached accord on one issue — a health insurance plan to replace the plan that was expiring

this month.

“We did agree,” he said about the health insurance benefits.

Under the agreement, faculty members are paying a portion of their health insurance premiums for the first time.

Deductibles also are increasing, he said.

“A whole lot of other matters were not decided, including salary,” he said.

Nedry said the college and the union are working with a state mediator to close the differences between them.

“This costs faculty money, and the district saves money,” he said about the current situation.

The next negotiating session will be Oct 4, he said.

Enrollment down 5 percent, but new students increased William Miko Agora staff

Enrollment at MCCC is down for the third straight year.

As of Aug. 23, enrollment has decreased 5 percent from this time last year, according to Mark Hall, director of admissions.

Hall said MCCC is taking its biggest hit from returning students. Returning students are students who are enrolled with the college, take a semester off and then return, or not.

On the plus side, the number of new students enrolling has increased by 5 percent.

“We are really tickled to

death, by the amount of new students,” Hall said.

Hall said MCCC has expanded recruitment efforts, including pushing into downriver area high schools.

College recruiters also have been attending every education fair within a forty mile radius.

He said MCCC has allowed more retesting of the COMPASS admission test for students who fail the first time around.

Also, the enrollment letter that students receive now offers options for student to practice before taking the COMPASS test.

August 29, 2013

campus news

mcccagora.com • The Agora

|3

State congresional leaders, college board members and other supporters stand together after the ribbon is cut, marking the grand entrance into the new Career Technology Center.

Building for the future

Spectators gather in the new automotive lab during a tour of the buidling following the ceremony.

MCCC’s new Career Technology Center was officially opened Monday during a ribbon cutting ceremony that attracted state and federal dignitaries. Many of the speakers mentioned the role the new building will play in helping MCCC students capitilize on a quality technology education.

Event coordinator Joshua Myers calls people together for a tour of the new building

Mechanical Engineering Techology professor Martin Dubois explains the features of his new classroom.

A worker prepares the automotive lab for students who will begin arriving for the opening of Fall semester Thursday, Aug. 29.

A Mustang GT fills the bay In the automotive lab.

Dean Kerste, Associate Professor of Mechanical Design Technology, gathers supplies for his new classroom.

Photos by Reggie Allen

campus news

Aug. 29, 2013

mcccagora.com • The Agora

|4

Dean took winding road to Monroe

By Natasha Wickenheiser For the Agora

Before establishing himself at MCCC, Paul Hedeen’s professional career led him across the United States and across the Atlantic Ocean.

Having taught at colleges and universities in Ohio, Maine, Iowa and Ukraine, Hedeen has experienced the world of higher education and the humanities.

His current position as Monroe County Community College’s Dean of the Humanities and Social Sciences Division is the latest adventure in his professional career.

Before becoming involved in higher education, Hedeen was involved in business for about 5 years.

“It was a good experience,” he said. “It was the only time in my life when I’ve been in mainstream America.”

Although the world of business provided economic opportunities, Hedeen was drawn to the specialized world of higher education.

Hedeen’s journey toward higher education began in 1981 when he enrolled in a graduate program at University of Akron in Ohio.

During the three years he was there, he worked as a teaching assistant for composition classes.

After graduate school, Hedeen began a 6-year program at Northwestern University in Illinois to earn a doctorate in American literature.

While pursuing his Ph.D., he worked as a teaching assistant for literature classes at Northwestern, and taught at Clermont County Community College and Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, as an adjunct professor.

One of the best parts of teaching as an adjunct was the freedom and flexibility to develop coursework, Hedeen said.

After earning his Ph.D. in 1990, Hedeen moved to north-central Maine to teach at University of Maine at Fort Kent.

“It was an interesting place to live,” he said. “Had it been better for my family, I probably would have stayed.”

After about five years at Fort Kent, Hedeen moved to Iowa.

He was hired by Wartburg College, a Lutheran liberal arts college, and worked there for about 17 years as a professor.

Hedeen has also had the unique opportunity to lecture in Ukraine through Ful-

“I’ve always wanted to write.

“It can be a very vexing process, but it is also very rewarding.”

“There is no better pleasure than when the writing is really going well.”

Paul Hedeen

Dean, Division of Humanities/Social Sciences

Agora photo by Reggie Allen

Paul Hedeen has finished his first year as dean of the Humanities/Social Sciences Division.

bright, a scholar exchange program.

During the 2007-2008 academic year, he stayed in Ukraine for 6 months to teach American literature.

“It was a wonderful challenge,” he said.

“It was so different from what I had done up until that point.”

Hedeen enjoyed Ukrainian culture during his stay, and has returned 5 other times for poetry readings, lectures, and other academic events.

“They ask me to come back,” Hedeen said. “Ukrainian universities enjoy having native English speakers lecture because it helps students with their language skills.”

Hedeen plans to return to Ukraine twice more during 2013.

He hopes to teach a cinema program in December about America’s classic Christmas films.

Although Hedeen still teaches occasionally in Ukraine, his higher education career has shifted toward administration.

Last year, he was hired by MCCC to be the dean of the Humanities and Social

Sciences Division.

Former MCCC President David Nixon, who retired over the summer, said Hedeen was a great addition to the college.

“MCCC is proud to have a faculty administrator who is recognized as a Fulbright scholar,” he said.

“I’m thrilled MCCC has a man with his credentials involved in our academics,” Nixon added.

Hedeen’s administrative position has fortunately allowed him to work with the subjects he is familiar with.

“It’s great to work in the same neighborhood with things I love,” he said.

As a dean, Hedeen has had the opportunity to approach those familiar subjects from a different perspective.

His new administrative position provides an interesting and challenging opportunity to try something new, he said.

Mark Bergmooser, a professor in MCCC’s Humanities Division, believes Hedeen is a great fit for their academic department.

“He’s an academic at heart,” Bergmooser said. “It’s important to have a dean who can inspire us professionally.”

Bergmooser also appreciates Hedeen’s approachability and the flexibility he gives the Humanities and Social Sciences faculty.

“He gives us our space, and is there when we need him,” Bergmooser said.

“That’s ideal.”

It is no surprise that Hedeen works well with the faculty from his division, since the humanities are his primary interest.

“I’m a typical humanities guy,” he said.

Hedeen enjoys being surrounded by art and other forms of expression.

Visiting art museums with his wife is among Hedeen’s favorite hobbies.

“We already have our favorite place in the Toledo Art Museum picked out where we go to see our favorite paintings,” he said.

Another of his favorite pastimes is writing.

Hedeen has published one poetry collection, an edited collection of essays, and one novel. He also is currently finalizing his second fiction and poetry manuscripts.

“I’ve always wanted to write,” he said.

“It can be a very vexing process, but it is also very rewarding.”

“There is no better pleasure than when the writing is really going well.”

Although Hedeen’s writing has always been secondary to his professional career in higher education, it has played a significant role in his life experience.

He stresses the importance of staying focused on what is most important in life.

“It’s never our work,” Hedeen said.

Hedeen’s extensive experiences in higher education and the humanities have allowed him to understand one of life’s fundamental truths.

“Our family and our relationships with others will always be most important,” he said.

Biology professor focuses on teaching

By Sasa Gavric Agora staff

Agora photo by Sasa Gavric

Biology professor Phillip Wahr in his office in the Life Science building.

Briefly: Learning Bank closed, but may reopen soon The Monroe County Learning Bank officially closed doors on June 26 after holding its final graduation ceremony on June 18.

Vuncia Council, coordinator of the Learning Bank, announced in July that the program plans to reopen in September through a joint venture with Orchard High School.

The Learning Bank launched in 2009 with the hope of expanding opportunities for county residents to achieve basic skills needed for success in postsecondary education and training.

The state awarded MCCC a $300,000 grant for its initial funding. The Learning Bank has since stayed open on a month-by-month basis, receiving an emergency grant from the state and financial support from MCCC, Monroe Bank & Trust, various local organizations and the community at large.

The Learning Bank helped 83 students earn their GED, 75 percent of whom continued on to college.

Criminal Justice degree now available at MCCC MCCC students now have the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice

Biology professor Phillip Wahr comes from a family of teachers.

He says he would rather concentrate on providing information, than just teaching.

Wahr, who finished his first year at MCCC last May, has a master’s degree from Michigan State and a doctorate from Ohio State.

He did not always plan on working for a school.

Wahr entered college as a premed student, but later changed his decision because there wasn’t enough research involved.

One thing Wahr has learned in his years as a professor is that he can teach.

“Teaching is much more than just preparing; teaching is dealing with people,” he said.

Wahr says he enjoys teaching, it is not always rewarding, One thing he dislikes about his job are students who come to school, and don’t achieve.

“They are paying money for it.

They should be putting in at least a little effort,” he said.

In his free time, Wahr plays the trombone in the University of Michigan band. He has been playing in the band since he went there for his undergraduate degree 20 years ago.

Besides music, he also likes acting. His brother is the president of the college theater.

without leaving the campus due to a new program with Sienna Heights University (SHU).

The demand for criminal justice graduates is increasing, which is exemplified by a 95 percent job placement rate for local graduates says SHU President Sister Peg Albert A criminal justice degree can lead to jobs such as crime scene investigator, probation or parole officer, deferral officer, private security officer, police officer, US Marshal, court clerk, corrections officer, bailiff, customs agent, paralegal and many more.

For more information, contact Julie Edwards, Assistant Director MCCC, at 734-3844133.

Professors Terry Telfer and Ted Vassar are the co-editors this year with assistance from Penny Dorcey-Naber, Sean McDonald, Christopher Butson, Gregory MacBeth, Kaitlin Moore and Natasha Wickenheiser.

‘The Distance Between Us’ named as 2014 One Book

Welcome Back Barbecue scheduled for Sept. 10 The annual Welcome Back BBQ sponsored

by MCCC’s Student Government is set for Tuesday, September 10 from 11:30 to 1 pm in the courtyard by the La-Z-Boy Center.

Retirement party held for retiring President Nixon MCCC’s retiring president Dr. David Nixon was honored at a community tribute event held at the La-Z-Boy Center Atrium on July 19.

About 200 guests gathered to thank Nixon for his 10 years serving as MCCC president.

The night also served as a fundraiser for the Dave and Judy Nixon Endowment, which was set up to assist students in non-credit programs or GED preparation. Each guest paid a $20 entrance fee to be donated to the endowment.

Wahr also likes to visit his niece’s softball games at the University of Michigan, where she is a third generation student. When he doesn’t have to go to a baseball game or do schoolwork, he enjoys sleeping in, or just relaxing on the couch in front of the TV. As a fan of literature, Wahr likes to read classics such as the Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mark Twain novels, and the Harry Potter novels. He also enjoys visiting museums.

Wahr quoted a line from the famous author Mark Twain. “ A lie well told is immortal,” he said.

The cover of Images, the MCCC Literary Magazine, features a photo by Tricia McCloskey.

College Literary Magazine now available online MCCC’s Literary Magazine, Images XVII, is now available online via the Humanities/ Social Sciences Division home page. Printed versions are also available.

Images highlights the creative efforts of students and staff, and is sponsored and published by the Humanities/Social Sciences Devision.

Reyna Grande’s immigrant experience memoir “The Distance Between Us” has been chosen by the One Book, One Community of Monroe County Committee as this year’s featured book selection.

The book chronicles Grande’s experiences as a young immigrant who was born in Mexico and raised by her grandparents while her parents left to find work in the U.S. Grande entered the U.S. to live with her violent, alcoholic father at 9-years-old as an undocumented immigrant and quickly realized that American life was far from perfect.

Grande went on to become the first person in her family to earn a college degree. She is now an award-winning author of two criticallyacclaimed novels, “Across a Hundred Mountains” and “Dancing with Butterflies.”

This year’s reading initiative runs from March 17 to April 11. Grande will visit the campus March 26 for student workshops and a public book signing..

Features

August 29, 2013

mcccagora.com • The Agora

|5

College Clubs offer variety of activities Katie Gerweck Agora staff

There are currently 25 clubs and organizations at MCCC. Many of the clubs will be present at the Welcome Back Barbeque on September 10 from 11:30 – 1:00.

Students interested in starting a new club should contact Student Activities Coordinator Tom Ryder by calling (734) 384-4201 or e-mailing tryder@monroeccc.edu. This information is taken from MCCC’s “Student Clubs and Organizations” page, the transcript from Honor’s Night 2013, and/or club advisors.

Archaeological Society of MCCC The purpose of the Archaeological Club is to increase awareness of local archaeology, to support archaeology projects in Monroe County, to educate members and the public on items of archaeological interest and to aid in networking between members and the larger archeological community.

The Archaeological Society of MCCC is a newer club. Last year its members held a bake sale and went on a tour of the Monroe County Historical Museum. It is open to anyone who wishes to join.

For more information, please contact Ken Mohney at kmohney@monroeccc. edu or by calling 734-384-4232.

Ballroom Dance Club The purpose of the Ballroom Dance Club is to form a social dance club with a fun and inviting atmosphere where students of any ability and age can confidently learn and practice a variety of ballroom steps and styles that promote physical fitness, musicality, cultural awareness, manners and proper etiquette.

The Ballroom Dance Club holds parties sessions that are open to anyone and where different styles of dance are studied. Participants are given a chance to practice and socialize.

Please contact Kellie Lajiness at klajiness@monroeccc.edu for more information.

The Black Student Advancement Association The purpose of the Black Student Advancement Association is to represent the particular need and concerns of the African American student body at Monroe County Community College, as well as raising awareness of African American culture through activities and social programs. For more information, please contact Anthony Quinn at aquinn@monroeccc.edu or by calling 734-384-4279.

this year should be no exception,” said advisor Mark Felder via e-mail.

For more information contact Mark Felder at (734) 289-5555.

Criminal Justice Club The purpose of the club is to promote and increase interest in criminal justice as it pertains to the interest of the club members. It will assist club members in career growth and job searches and will help expand knowledge of the criminal justice system. Members will participate in activities which promote justice and increase awareness and knowledge.

Last year the club hosted speakers from the criminal justice field and took a tour of the Monroe County Jail. Anyone is welcome to join, and members can keep in touch through the club’s chat boards.

Interested students should contact Penelope Dunn at padunn@monroeccc.edu.

Visit their Web site at http://www.monroeccc.edu/criminaljustice/.

Culinary Club The purpose of the Culinary Club is to raise funds to facilitate opportunities for field trips and networking opportunities for the second year members of the Culinary Skills and Management Program.

Members must be enrolled in the Culinary Skills and Management program to be legible to join this club.

Last year the club sold its 1300 spice to fundraise, and is planning on attending the National Food Show in Chicago this spring.

College/Community Agora Chorale The Agora Chorale is a mixed ensemble comprised of singers from the community and the college. The Chorale presents concerts, no less than two each semester, both on and off campus. Last year the Agora Chorale co-hosted Collage Concert with the College/Community Symphony Band, where they performed.

“We plan to do four concerts this year as well as taking part in the Dec program Sisters Evening Catechism. Our group is made up of about 20 students and 30 community members,” said advisor Catherine Brodie.

For more information contact Catherine Brodie at cbrodie@monroeccc.edu.

College/Community Symphony Band The College-Community Symphony Band is open to instrumentalists having previous music experience. Membership includes college students and citizens from the community. The band performs for college functions and concerts as well as for community programs. Admission is by application and audition to the director.

Their first practice will be Monday, Sept. 9 at 7:00 in the La-Z-Boy rehearsal room, and their first concert is Monday, October 21.

“I think we always try to wow our audiences with new challenges and

The purpose of the Gamer’s Association is to promote interaction and socialization for students at Monroe County Community College. This organization is committed to helping any student achieve a more enriching experience while attending classes at the College. All types of games will be played including on-line, video and board games.

“Right now, the main goal for the club is to continue holding weekly social events on campus. The point is to help give students some time to relax, enjoy games and social activities,” said advisor Ed LaClair via e-mail.

For more information, please contact Ed LaClair at elaclair@monroeccc.edu.

International Studies Club The MCCC International Studies Club promotes the study and awareness of other countries and cultural issues. Members hold fundraisers, social events, awareness events and go on field trips.

Last year members fundraised for a trip to New York, where they visited the United Nations and Ground Zero Memorial. They also sponsored the viewing of the movie “Crossing Borders” in the LaZ-Boy Center and held two international food nights, where students tried food from different cultures.

Student Government

Interested students should contact Lori Bean at (734) 384-4131. You can visit their web site at www.monroeccc.edu/ mass/

OASIS OASIS Christian Fellowship and Bible Study Group. Oasis Christian Fellowship is an approved student-run organization at Monroe County Community College.

Oasis is not affiliated with any church or denomination. The purpose of Oasis is to provide a means for students to study the Bible, to share their beliefs, and to share their ideas with others in the group.

According to its website, OASIS encourages community service, whether it be with other organization members or alone. OASIS’s website also has study guides similar to the study guides used in meetings.

Interested students can contact Brenda Kraus at (734) 242-7300, extension 5772.

Their website is www.monroeccc.edu/ oasis/

The MCCC Student Government provides an opportunity for students to have their voice heard around the campus. By supporting student organizations and planning exciting campus activities, MCCC Student Government works to create a fun atmosphere that fosters a community feeling among students. Participation in these types of organizations and activities can be a great way to develop leadership skills and enhance the college experience.

Last year Student Government pre-

Phi Theta Kappa - Tau Omichron Chapter

For more information, contact Chef Kevin Thomas at (734) 384-4150.

Drama Club The purpose of the Drama Club is to identify and unify students who enjoy theatre arts and provide outlets for further exploration and involvement into many creative and definitive branches from classical to modern, stimulating and fostering a greater understanding and zealous attitude towards arts advocacy and networking.

Last year the Drama Club performed numerous times and held its third Annual Theatre Workshop and second Annual Cabaret Showcase. The club’s activities are open to the public.

Bowling Club The Bowling club wishes to strengthen the link between the college and the community through sporting events and rallying the community behind the college’s efforts to enhance the students time at MCCC. The club would like to bridge the gap between those students who participated in high school sports and those students who wish to participate in university sports. The club also strives to provide the means for student bowler athletes to stay physically fit and active during their collegiate studies. Club meets weekly at Nortel Lanes. For more information contact the club advisor Tom Ryder at (734) 384-4201 or tryder@monroeccc.edu or contact Coach Kevin Greer at info@bowlnortel.com or by calling 419.360.0589

and more. Being a part of this program is a great opportunity for students to network professionally.

Last year the club entered a robotics challenge.

For more information please contact Bob Leonard at (734)384-4114 or BLEONARD@MONROECCC.EDU. Their Facebook page is SME Robotics.

MCCC Gamer’s Association

Please contact Kellie Lajiness at klajiness@monroeccc.edu for more information.

Gay/Straight Alliance The mission of the Gay/Straight Alliance of Monroe County Community College is to provide a strong, supportive community on campus to increase tolerance and to provide resources to LGBTQ students and those wishing to learn more about LGBTQ issues & culture. Their main goal is to break down the barriers of stereotypes and misconceptions of the LGBTQ community. The club is open to ALL open-minded students and community members, including straight allies.

The club participates in many campus events. Last year the group also took part in many days relevant to LGBTQ issues, such as National Coming Out Day, World AIDS day, Diversity Day, and the Transgender Day of Remembrance.

An informal meeting will be held for new members Tuesday, September 3 at 12:30 in room A-173d, and their first meeting is tentatively set for Tuesday, September 17 at 12:30 in room A-173d.

This year they will be working on the Diversity Mural project, which they hope to complete in early December. They will also be at the Welcome Back Barbeque.

For more information, please contact the advisor: Penny Bodell at pbodell@ monroeccc.edu. Check out their web site here http://www.monroeccc.edu/gsa/.

Their first meeting will be on Thursday, September 19 at 12:30. According to advisor Dr. Sabo, ideas for the year include “a possible Canadian-American student consortium-social gathering” and “assisting students who wish to study abroad.”

For further information contact Dr. Joanna Sabo at 734-384-4297 or jsabo@ monroeccc.edu.

Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society for two-year colleges.

Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is by invitation to all students who achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 and have earned at least 12 semester hours at MCCC. Designated scholarships for members, totaling $36 million, are offered by some 600 four-year colleges and universities.

For more information contact Cheryl Kehrer at (734) 384-4106.

International Students for Social Equality

The Psychology Interest Group

Members and Advisors of the International Students for Social Equality at Monroe County Community College promote the Socialist Equality Party as the political organization best representing the interests of students and workers, to further a scientific conception of human society, and to organize students in solidarity with the working class in common defense of education, jobs and social programs.

According to advisor Terry Telfer the club will have a table at the Welcome Back Barbeque. They are also planning to have a public meeting on Edward Snowden, which would include a speaker and discussion. They are hoping to have this meeting in September.

For more information contact Terry Telfer at (734) 384-4156 or via email at ttelfer@monroeccc.edu

The purpose Psychology Interest Group is to provide an empowering community in which students interested in psychology may enhance their leadership, educational, and/or career pursuits together; to expand member’s knowledge of the functions and workings of fields in psychology; to provide resources to any member who needs assistance in the area of psychology study or career growth; to provide experience that enriches the study outside the classroom; to provide nonacademic and/or community based opportunities to engage in the applications of psychology and to promote an increase interests in psychology on campus.

The Psychology Interest Club was formed in January 2013 and has held awareness events for eating disorders and suicide.

For more information, contact Patrick Wise at pwise@monroeccc.edu - phone at (734) 384-4298 or Melissa Grey at mgrey@monroeccc.edu - phone at (734) 384-4292.

Lambda Alpha Nu The Lambda Alpha Nu club is designed to promote leadership, social interaction, enhance career experience, developing networks and promote teamwork. Last year the club did volunteer work and held social events like bowling and field trips.

For more information contact William Hilliker at (734) 384-4148.

The Newman Club The mission of the Newman Club is to live in accordance with and promote the justice and charity of Jesus Christ on the Monroe County Community College campus and community. The source of this way is Christian revelation, sacred scripture and tradition, as authentically interpreted and taught by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, the Pope and those bishops who are in union with the Pope. The inspiration of the Catholic Newman Club comes from the lives of the saints, men and women outstanding in holiness who witnessed to God’s unchanging love.

Anyone interested in joining the Neman Club should contact Bill McCloskey at (734) 384-4336 or Mark Bergmooser at (734) 384-4281.

Math and Science Society (MASS) Open to students with interests in astronomy, biology, chemistry, ecology/enviromnemtal science, mathematics, physics and general science.

MASS sponsors two math competitions a year, which are open to all students. Last year MASS took numerous trips off campus trips and community service projects.

According to its website, MASS club meetings are held twice a month on Tuesdays.

Respiratory Therapy Students’ Organization Open to all students who have been accepted to the Respiratory Therapy Program. Their website has information on career information for respiratory therapists.

Contact Bonnie Boggs (734) 384-4268.

The website is www.monroeccc.edu/ health_sciences/rtclub/index.htm.

SME Robotics

SME is a program that will expose students to a hands-on, team-oriented engineering design project to design a robot for competition in an effort to stimulate interest in technology careers. An emphasis of the program is to encourage participation by all students, women included. Students who participate in the program will become members of the Student Chapter #198 of SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers). The group is seeking students who are interested in, but not limited to: overseeing projects, electronic hardwiring, welding, robotic software functions

pared events like Family Fun Night, Tunes at Noon, and the Sweetheart Ball.

The information meeting for Student Government will be held on Tuesday, September 17 at 12:30. They will also be at the Welcome Back Barbeque.

Check out their Web site at www.monroeccc.edu/stgovt/.

To find out more about Student Government call Tom Ryder at (734) 384-4201 or via email at tryder@monroeccc.edu

Student Nurse Association (SNA) Open to all students who have been accepted into the Nursing Program.

Last year SNA did volunteer work, held a baby shower for New Beginnings Mercy House, visited senior citizens, and revived the Pinning Ceremony for AND graduates. Training day with Monroe County Reserve Corp. Their first meeting should be sometime in September.

Contact Dawn Lymond at dlymond@ monroeccc.edu. Their website can be found at http://www.monroeccc.edu/sna/ index.htm.

The Upward Bound Alumni Club The club is comprised of former Upward Bound students. These students are committed to supporting the educational, professional and post-graduate pursuits of their fellow alumni. Our mission is to provide a safe environment for Upward Bound Alumni and to increase student involvement on the campus of Monroe County Community College.

For more information, please contact Dannielle Lambert at lambertd@monroe. k12.mi.us or via phone at (734) 265-3446

Volleyball Club The purpose of the volleyball club is to organize tournaments and play with the ALCC Leagues. Anyone interested in joining should contact Mary Lyons, (734) 384-4242. Check out their Web site at www.monroeccc.edu/volleyball/.

Last year the club played in the ALCC

League and some tournaments. They also hosted their own tournament and fundraised.

The Volleyball Club will be present at the Welcome Back Barbeque and will have a table where students can sign up.

They plan on hosting two tournaments this year. “Some of the girls are already looking at teams to play scrimmages starting very soon,” said advisor Mary Lyons over e-mail.

Features

August 29, 2013

mcccagora.com • The Agora

|7

Photos provided by MCCC Study Abroad

The 28 members of the 2013 MCCC Study Abroad tour of Spain and Portugal pose in a 16th Century cathedral in Lisbon, Portugal — the Jeronimos Monastery.

MCCC students visit Portugal, Spain

Katie Mullin Agora staff

Spain and Portugal are home to picturesque beaches, religious clashes and many cultural delights.

This year’s MCCC Study Abroad trip offered students the opportunity to experience the sights of these two countries.

The 28-member group included MCCC students, faculty and community members.

“It was wonderful,” said Brooke Sweeney, an MCCC alumnus who was also a student on MCCC’s study abroad to Central Europe in 2011.

“It was kind of nice to see the different comparisons of Europe,” the University of Michigan student said. “I could never say that one was better than the other.”

The biennial Study Abroad trip offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in another culture through studying abroad. In all of MCCC’s tours, the college has partnered with Education First, an international travel organization that offers learning experiences for college students.

After MCCC’s study abroad to Central Europe in 2011, a survey was given to students asking where they should go next. The far western European countries — Spain and Portugal — were the winners.

“We chose Spain because of the language and because of its unique place in history,” said Dan Shaw, assistant professor of journalism and the group leader for the trip.

Students could earn a total of nine credit hours while traveling abroad. Three courses were offered, aimed at providing outside-the-classroom experiences within the fields of journalism, art and political science. Professors who taught courses included political science professor Dr. Joanna Sabo, art professor Gary Wilson, and Shaw.

Dr. Sabo offered a course in comparative politics, which involves comparing governments around the world.

In one of their classes, the tour guide became the teacher. Guide Pilar Arizaga taught the students about her native country, Chile, in a lunchtime lecture.

“Here they are visiting two countries and learning about another,” Dr. Sabo said. “That was a really good teaching moment.”

The cities visited by the MCCC group were Lisbon, Portugal, and Madrid, Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Toledo and Barcelona, Spain. They also took side trips to Evora, Portugal, to see Roman ruins and Montserrat, Spain, the site of a famous monastery.

“Each town had its specialty to show us,” said Annetta Pawlak, a community member who joined the trip.

The trip’s first stop was Lisbon.

Students McKenzie Bergmoser, left, and Mary Hawes, shop in a Cordoba market.

“Americans don’t think about Portugal much,” Shaw said. “Lisbon was an amazing city with incredible history and culture. One of the buildings the group visited there was an 11th century cathedral. “ You get a really powerful sense of history.”

Much of Spain’s culture was formed by the centuries of conflict between Muslim Moors and their Christian conquerors. Shaw said that Spain is one of the best places in the world to see examples of the contact between Christians and Muslims.

One such example is the Mezquita de Cordoba.

Once a mosque and now a cathedral, it was the capital of the Moorish empire in the 10th century. Row after row of granite and alabaster columns adorned the interior of this Muslim bastion.

“They give you a feeling of endless space,” Shaw said.

The Mezquita did not remain a Muslim palace, however. Christians conquered the region and built

over the existing structure. Shaw described a walk through the building as stepping from a Muslim palace into a 15th century Christian cathedral.

An MCCC student recounted her experience at the Plaza de Espana in Seville.

“It was so colorful. It was just incredible,” Katie Gerweck said about the Spanish square.

Another destination the group toured was Toledo, Ohio’s sister city: Toledo, Spain.

“That city was just stunning,” Wilson said.

Dr. Sabo recounted an unexpected discovery while visiting Toledo. She said group members were walking through a cathedral when they saw a case of saint relics — objects considered to be blessed. To her surprise, a glass prism from Toledo, Ohio, was buried along with the artifacts.

Also, while the group was in Toledo, a protest demonstration occupied the city’s central square.

Due to the country’s struggling economy, protests have become common. The square was filled with angry bank employees infuriated over pay cuts.

One treasure in Spain’s art history is El Greco’s painting of “ The Burial of the Count of Orgaz,” which also is located in Toledo.

While on the trip, Mr. Wilson taught an art appreciation class.

“That was certainly one of his most significant paintings,” he said of the El Greco piece.

Students not only walked through the country’s cities and sights, but also its cuisine.

Dinnertime in Spain is during the daytime. Unlike the grab-and-go nature of America’s mealtimes, this occasion also is seen as a time to relax and socialize with others.

“We really enjoyed that. The pace of life is a little slower,” Shaw said. “ You get the feeling they got it right and we can benefit by learning from them.”

Regina Torti, an adjunct professor at MCCC, also joined the tour. A coffee lover, she was surprised to find that coffee is not served in a to-go cup. Spaniards tend to pour their coffee into a ceramic cup and take time to sip it while sitting down with friends in a relaxed environment.

From open-air meat markets to street musicians, much of the cultural activity is outside.

“It was so nice to go to different towns and walk around neighborhoods,” Torti said.

“People enjoyed being outside more,” said Richard Pawlak, Annetta’s husband. “ We walked an average of six to eight miles a day.”

Near Barcelona, the couple witnessed a special scene in Spanish culture.

They shared their account through an e-mail: “He rode along the narrow street on a small Vespa (motorbike). He blew a sharp whistle. We saw a lady come out and approach him with a knife and scissors.

Website helps students build resume Barry Kinsey For the Agora

With fall semester starting, we all have a list of things that we need/want to accomplish this fall.

I know that no one needs help creating that list, but consider adding one more thing to it. A RESUME. Now I know what you are thinking: I am just starting the fall semester, why should I create A RESUME? For the same reason that you need to begin researching that paper that is due the first week of December.

If you don’t do it two things will happen. One, the paper won’t get done and you will earn a well deserved “F.” Two, you won’t get that job that you were perfect for.

Now that you are convinced you need to begin A RESUME — well, maybe not quite convinced, but you know that it is the right thing to do — you need to have a good definition of A RESUME. Here is the one that I like best.

“A RESUME is a marketing document that communicates your ability to produce significant results better than other qualified candidates.” It sums up your working life and educational history. It highlights your credentials for a job and helps an employer

determine your ability and potential fit. It gets your foot in the door for the all-important interview.

Now, beginning this daunting task of creating a premier marketing tool that will assist you in securing employment in your desired career path can cause the most motivated job seeker to tremble, but it does not have to be that way.

At Monroe County Community College we subscribe to College Central Network to assist our students, alumni and members of our community with their employment campaigns. Yes, campaign.

It is not a search. You will not find a job under a rock or in a corner; you need to work/campaign for it.

The link to College Central Network at MCCC is http://www. collegecentral.com/monroeccc/.

If you are a first time user, you will need to register and receive approval for use. Once registered, you will have access to College Central Network’s Resume Builder. It can help you create this vital document easily, quickly, and effectively. It 1) provides a step-by-step guide to crafting your first resume; 2) creates a PDF for the completed resume; and 3) automatically inserts into your CCN student or alumni account for easy

submittal to companies looking for employees. You may also choose to create a completely custom resume in Word or PDF format and upload it into your User account.

OK, now that you are a registered user lets begin. Simply login into http://www.collegecentral. com/monroeccc/ and go to “Manage My Resume” and choose “Build a Resume.” Select Chronological or Functional format; complete the fields; preview and save to PDF. That’s it! Your newly completed resume is now saved directly in your user account for future updating, printing and forwarding. This is a great basic resume that you will now be able to edit as your education and experiences expand.

In addition to Resume Builder, the Office of Workforce Development, Room Z-286 in the La-ZBoy Center, has examples of different types of resumes, common phrases to use and not to use, how to create a powerful objective or summary statement, and how to convey your past educational and work experiences.

You may want to access these prior to creating your resume.

They will assist in getting your

creative juices flowing. We also offer individual appointments to sit down and discuss your resume and career plans.

When you upload your resume into your User account, it will either be approved or not approved by myself and/or Ms. Tammy Suzor. This approval process is another valuable tool available to you as a student at MCCC. We have been trained to assist in the development of resumes and have reviewed 1,000-plus resumes since beginning this service in 2010.

We provide free Resume and Interviewing workshops. This semester we will be offering several workshops each month. All you need to do is call our office, 3844127, and register.

The Office of Workforce Development is looking forward to working with you throughout the 2013-14 school year, so that upon the completion of your academic studies you not only have the education to perform in your chosen field, you have the tools to secure that dream career.

Barry Kinsey is the MCCC Director of Workforce Development.

He can be reached at: bkinsey@ monroeccc.edu

He sharpened them on the grinding wheel attached to the backside of the motor bike, which also ran the sharpening.”

One student acquired a taste for a particular food: “Before I left for the trip, I did not like olives,” Brooke Sweeney said.

However, that taste changed over the course of nearly three weeks in Spain, where olives are everywhere.

“I fell in love with green olives,” she said.

For one faculty member, a broken dream became a restored reality. When Dr. Sabo was in college, she was awarded a scholarship to study in Spain, but she wasn’t able to travel there because of health reasons.

Thirty years later, she finally had the chance to go.

“I had no idea I was going to love those two countries as much as I did,” she said.

Former MCCC student Kristie Wilson studies on a centuries-old wall in a fort guarding the Lisbon, Portugal harbor.

Students seek advice; reporter provides help Ray Bell

Agora Staff

This year, MCCC’s campus newspaper, The Agora, will bring back an advice column.

Headed by Randall Bell, The Agora will print the column to answer questions from students, staff and faculty regarding college life, on and around campus. The advice column is a way for members of the campus community to ask for help.

The Agora is currently seeking questions from students, staff and faculty.

Questions can be sent to TheAgoraAdviceColumn@gmail.com or to rbell@my.monroeccc. edu.

Questions can be about anything dealing with college life, not just things going on here at MCCC. Randall Bell Students, staff and faculty can also email video questions as well, as the advice column will also have its own YouTube channel. The channel will have a video blog, which will answer any questions unanswered in the Agora’s printed newspaper.

A link to the YouTube channel will be posted on The Agora website, along with links to the emails for students and faculty to submit their questions.

Features

August 29, 2013

mcccagora.com • The Agora

|6

The mysterious world of

m s a e r D An MCCC professor talks about dreams and their hidden meanings

By Katie Mullin Agora staff

Floating in dreamland, nightmares and daydreams all have something in common: Dreaming.

Getting decent sleep is only the surface.

Dreams introduce another world into the science of slumber.

Gary Wilson, professor of Art at MCCC, has been studying the connection between creativity and dreams for years. He teaches a class called Exploring Creativity and shares his research on the complex canvas of dreaming.

There are many theories surrounding dreams but there is one figure, according to Wilson, that seems plausible.

“I tend to take a Jungian view on dreams,” he said.

“I really think Carl is on to something.”

A Psychology Today article entitled “Hide and Seek” gives a background on this 19t century psychotherapist who studied the science and symbolism of dreams.

Jung wrote a book called Man and His Symbols that describes the unconscious mind.

Wilson noted that other psychologists, such as Sigmund Freud and Burrhus ‘Fred’ Skinner, possessed different views.

For example Skinner viewed the body as

a mechanism where dreams were random firings of the brain. Freud viewed dreams as often having a sexual orientation.

In contrast, Jung saw dreams as universal, but highly personal. He believed that a dream is a “mirror to the soul.”

These reflections are full of symbols.

Some are universal, but many are personal to the dreamer.

“Most dreams are private symbols,” Wilson said.

Professor Wilson mentioned a few of Jung’s universal representations on dreams.

Wilson added that dreams of broken or rotting teeth can indicate a relationship that’s going bad, as teeth are in relationship to one another.

But what if people come to you in your slumber?

Wilson said that when a specific person comes to you in a dream, that person often represents the personality in you, not him/her.

Wilson said you can ask yourself: What is the primary characteristic I think of that person?

Let’s say you have a mother that is kind

“The purpose of a dream is to bring us into wholeness.

I really think that’s the heart and the soul of dreams.”

Gary Wilson

MCCC Art professor

“Animals almost always represent emotions,” he said. “ Large bodies of water is a fairly common symbol of the unconscious,” he said.

For example, if you are breathing underwater in a dream, it can mean you have a peaceful relationship with your unconscious mind.

and have a dream that your mother is dying. Most often, the dream has nothing to do about your dying mother but what is dying in you — your kindness toward her.

As we awake, we may ask ourselves why it is sometimes so difficult to remember our dreams.

Wilson said the recollection of dreams

involves a memory chemical which is released by the brain upon waking up.

There are known factors that will leave with you a faint recollection when you want to remember your dreams.

“The alarm clock is a memory destroyer. The body is jarred awake. The dream comes when you’re quiet,” Wilson said.

He also mentioned that people who are left-brain oriented tend to forget dreams more readily than their right brain counterparts.

Moreover, our society tends to devalue dreams because they are rendered meaningless. In Non-western cultures, however, they are firmly embraced.

“If you don’t value the dream you won’t remember it,” he said.

“A dream is like a friend. If you pay attention to it, that friendship will grow. If you ignore it, it will eventually disappear and won’t grow,” he said.

There is also another reason why many people forget dreams.

“A dream often reveals blind spots,” he said.

These blind spots, Wilson described, reveal an area that a person does not want to see about themselves. It is something that others see, but they do not.

Blind-spot dreams may not get our attention, but a nightmare often does.

“A lot of nightmares are caused by inner conflict,” he said.

Wilson added that bad dreams are often the result of unresolved issues in a person’s life.

Wilson said that if you have ever had a repeating dream, it’s important. Such

dreams can turn into a nightmare.

“The more you ignore your dream, the more it turns into a nightmare,” Wilson said.

Wilson warned students who watch films with a dark supernatural nature, like slasher and exorcist films, which will conjure up nightmares.

In addition to alarm clocks and horror movies, alcohol can also be a stumbling block to your dream life.

“Alcohol inhibits sleeping. It dulls the right brain,” Wilson said.

And because dreaming occurs solely in the brain’s right hemisphere, that area must make up for the lost dream time. A person who is under the influence, may experience waking dreams called Delirium Tremens.

When a person is in Delirium Tremens, the individual may see a dream unfold while they are wide awake.

“They’re making up for that dream time.” Wilson said.

Dreams not only occur by night but during the day — when we daydream.

“Approximately 90 minutes, you go through a dream cycle,” he said.

Wilson has observed that on several occasions, he may find a student stare off into space during his classes. He joked that while you may lose someone for about 20 minutes, he/she will eventually return to earth.

Overall, dreams weave a tapestry of purposes higher than ourselves.

“The purpose of a dream is to bring us into wholeness. I really think that’s the heart and soul of dreams,” he said.

Getting smart on smartphones By: Katie Mullin Agora Staff

It can fit into the palm of your hand.

You can travel to the wonders of the world, chat with multiple friends, or Google a recipe with the swipe of a finger.

The smartphone is revolutionizing the way we communicate with the outside world. MCCC students voiced strong opinions about its successes and shortcomings.

“They do pretty much what a laptop does,” returning student Elizabeth Riley said.

“It’s replaced my laptop,” said Fine Arts-major Jesiqua Hutchison, who is the satisfied owner of an iphone.

“It’s pretty good. It’s better than the Androids.”

“It’s got a decent game selection,” she said about the iphone’s far-ranging features.

Hutchison said she also types papers through Google docs on her phone.

Riley, an accounting/nursing student, says her smartphone is “my little lifeline;” she has owned hers for five months.

Middle College student Michelle Baumgartner said she uses her phone to surf the internet, log onto social networking sites like Facebook and Tumblr as well as the video sharing site, YouTube.

Tiffany Hulett, another Middle College student, owns an iphone 4.

“I have everything here. It takes good pictures.

Whenever I’m waiting I can listen to music,” she said.

Robin Lawson, a respitory therapy student, enjoys streaming music on her LG Android phone.

“You can tune out everybody else,” she said when she listens to music on the Pandora software.

Smartphones are not only useful for social interaction, but for academic purposes as well.

Lawson says one of the best advantages of her LG Android is the ability to take pictures of content discussed in her Anatomy class and ‘blow it up’ to use as a study aid for later.

Smartphone technology may have endless possibilities, but they are not free from their glitches and snafus.

“It’s nice. When you use the internet, the battery

Smartphone ownership in four countries 66% China

58% United Kindom

56% USA

drains,” Baumgartner said about her Virgin mobile smartphone.

“If you download too many apps the memory fills up,” the freshman added.

‘Apps’ are applications used to navigate to a certain website or task.

“They always seem to have memory and storage problems,” Lawson said.

Hutchison said before she purchased the iphone, she had an Android phone. Not long after purchasing, she dealt with the consequences of a broken charge port and apps crashing on a consistent basis.

“I must’ve gotten a fluke,” she said.

Despite the cons to her Androids, she admitted that there was a pro over its competitor.

“The Androids had a far better camera. I had one that had an 8.60 megapixel,” she said.

Christopher Perria, a support staff member and science lab coordinator, has had his Droid X2 for almost a year.

“I like it. It’s pretty awesome. It saved my butt a few times,” he said.

A couple of those times happened to be when he lost power at his house and was able to stay connected to the internet during that time. When there

10% India

was a car accident in the area, his smartphone gave alternate routes to take on his commute.

However, his Droid X2 is bought — for a price.

“I don’t like how much you have to pay for it,” he said.

Another annoyance was its short battery life, but he still remains satisfied with what he has.

“I’m trying to keep this as long as I can. I don’t need the most up-to-date thing,” he said.

Smartphones can become a safety and social net, but they can also be a trap for angst and addiction.

According to a medical community website called anxiety.org, smartphones may create an uptick in anxiety, as researched by a British psychologist, Richard Balding of the University of Worcester England.

One surprising fact about the study was that smartphone technologies did not solely induce stress when used in “professional settings” but when used in a social context.

Smartphones themselves may stir up stress, but when a smartphone is taken away for a 24 hour period in a group of young people, signs of anxiety began to appear, according to a 2011 study.

This worldwide study, reported by cbc.ca, cited that the International Center for Media at the Univer-

sity of Maryland in College Park, Md conducted the study.“A clear majority” of almost 1,000 university students in 10 countries, including China, Chile, the U.K. and Uganda, were unable to voluntarily stay away from computers, televisions, cell phones and MP3 players for 24 hours.”

Susan Moeller, a professor of media noted that psychological distress took place amongst the students during the 24 hours.

“They expected the frustration. But they didn’t expect to have the psychological effects, to be lonely, to be panicked, the anxiety, literally heart palpitations,” she said in the news article.

One student from the University of Maryland in the article compared his technology fast to “missing a limb.”

Despite the fact that over 50 percent could not go without their phones for one day, hard statistics were difficult for certain countries because each one submitted data in different ways.

MCCC students and staff had mixed feelings about the smartphone’s possible ability to conjure tenseness and compulsive behaviors.

“I think it’s possible. It gives you a sense of dopamine rush and constant stimulation,” Perria said about people who check their phones constantly.

“If you’re constantly looking at everything, you can’t relax.”

He added that the best people cannot multitask, but it is best is to focus and increase productivity.

“I’m not super concerned with the health risks. It’s caused me to be less stressed out,” Hutchison said about using her iphone.

“It depends on how you’re addicted to it,” Lawson said.

Hulett, says she checks her iphone all the time.

“It’s always by me,” she said.

She added that a smartphone addiction shouldn’t be blamed on the device.

“I think it really depends on the person,” she said.

Dr. William McCloskey, Professor of English, may not have a smartphone, but he has observed its users from afar.

“I’m always surprised with people who have to talk so much. The more you connect with technology, the less you connect with the human side,” he said.

Sports

August 29, 2013

The Agora

8

NFL Pre-Season grabs attention William Miko Agora Staff

Back to school means back to tests, papers, and no social life. Back to school also means back to the NFL! Every Sunday we have our weekly reprieve, filled with hard hits, big plays, and tons of drama.

There have been plenty of big transactions and developing story lines during the off season this year.

These storylines, trades, and transactions, have led to a lot of questions that won’t be answered until the season starts.

The top story covered by the media this off season was the Aaron Hernandez situation. A rising star for the New England Patriots, who are known for their all American, squeaky clean image, was charged with murder and immediately released from the team.

The Patriots who are notorious for staying out of the media’s crosshairs will be unable to avoid the press. With the Hernandez situation, and the signing of Tim Tebow, it will be interesting to see how the team deals with all the media publicity.

Another story worth following is the four rookie quarterbacks of last season, who all made the playoffs.

Never in NFL history, have there been four ‘rookie’ quarterbacks who led their teams to the playoffs in their first seasons. Colin Kaepernick, Russell Wilson, Robert Griffin, and Andrew Luck have all done this.

All eyes will be on these young quarterbacks, to see if last season was a fluke, or if these guys are

actually the real deal.

The Detroit Lions kept their name relevant as a potential Super Bowl contender as well.

The Lions signed quarterback Matt Stafford to a three year contract extension, which solidifies Stafford as their quarterback for years to come.

The Lions also received much needed help in the running game by signing free agent running back Reggie Bush.

Bush is a 1,000 yard running back who can also catch the ball, make big plays, and open up more of the field for Calvin Johnson.

The Defending Super Bowl champions cleaned house after winning their Super Bowl. It is hard to pull of back to back super bowl championships, and the Baltimore Ravens made it even harder on themselves.

Baltimore lost the heart and soul of their team, and Ray Lewis, to retirement. The Ravens also lost Lewis’s side- kick, Ed Reed.

Both Reed and Lewis were the backbone of the Baltimore Defense for over a decade. The two of them alone built an identity in Baltimore as a tough defensive team.

New bloods in Baltimore have learned so much from Reed and Lewis and they may or may not be able to keep that hard-nosed defensive philosophy alive.

There are plenty of other smaller moves that could help teams get over the hump and possibly into the playoffs.

With week one closely approaching, make sure you find your healthy balance of football and studying on those lazy Sundays.

The Baltimore Ravens lost their star player Ray Lewis

Photo by Tyler Rogoff

The volleyball club welcomed a new coach early in 2013 and continues to play in the community

Volleyball club fights for money from college Katie Mullin Agora Staff

Funding for sports programs on campus is being tossed around like a ping-pong ball.

The subject of sports was raised at the May meeting of the MCCC Board of Trustees.

“I like to think of sports as part of a millage campaign,” Trustee Dr. Jim DeVries said.

If a sports program at MCCC was to become a reality, calling a vote and charging a small fee in the community would be a possible idea.

Board Chairman Bill Bacarella said Monroe County is a large sports community and would benefit from such programs.

After discussing what may be on the budget for next year, the next meeting commenced.

Three students from MCCC Club Volleyball, a student sports group at the college, stood to speak before the board.

According to the club’s website, the group meets two times a week and has played with a local women’s league here in Monroe. They have also participated in regional community college and university matches.

Club Volleyball President and Captain Tia Keeler thanked the board for its support.

“We’re asking for a little more support. We just don’t have as much as we need,” the second year student said.

“We really feel sports itself are for students. There

“We really feel sports itself are for students. There are more than just academics.”

Taylor Cole Club member are more than just academics,” said Taylor Cole, club and first year student member.

Taylor said that the club not only manages volleyball, but teaches how to manage their lives in college.

Club Volleyball Head Coach Elizabeth Terrasi explained why the club is seeking more funding.

When students come to practice, the club is not as serious as they thought it would be. As the coach, it’s very discouraging, she said.

“How can we be legitimate when we don’t have the finances?” she said after the meeting.

“I feel the school and players feed off of each other so much.”

Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Bill Bacarella, mentioned to the group that seeking funding at The Foundation of MCCC may be helpful. The Foundation is a philanthropic organization established at MCCC. Each year, the organization offers grants to student and faculty projects.

Did you know…

You can finish your bachelor’s degree on the MCCC Campus!

Siena Heights University has a degree completion center right here on campus! Undergraduate classes available in:

• Accounting

• Bachelor of Applied Science

• Business Administration

• Multidisciplinary Studies

• Professional Communications

• Psychology

a n e i S Graduate classes available in Leadership. Contact Siena today at (734) 384-4133 or stop by our office in L-221.