2016-17 MCCF Annual Report

EXPLORE. ENGAGE. EMPOWER.

2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT

MCC FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2016-2017 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

BOARD MEMBERS

Stephen B. LeGrand

Mike Abramson

President

Scott Irwin

Vice President

Ellie Archer

Arun Agarwal Anthony (Tony) Aguilera Inglish Camero

Secretary

Jeff Christensen

Ashley Peters

Dr. Marsha Mamdani

Treasurer

Makayla McMorris

George E. Martin III

Terry McMullen

Immediate Past President

Diva Mejias Ross Pesek

EX-OFFICIO MCC BOARD OF GOVERNORS REPRESENTATIVE Roger Garcia

Mike Price Armando Salgado Zach Sangster Gerry Sullivan Mahmood (Mo) Tajvar Jim Walsh

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EXPLORE. ENGAGE. EMPOWER. Metropolitan Community College delivers relevant, student-centered education to a diverse community of learners. The MCC Foundation advances the Metropolitan Community College mission by creating community awareness, building and nurturing meaningful relationships, and connecting community partners with giving opportunities that fulfill their philanthropic objectives. The MCC Foundation staff stand ready to assist you with your philanthropic intentions.

Learn more at mccneb.edu/foundation

The New Metropolitan Community College Career and Academic Skills Center II

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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I

2016-2017 MCC FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS

II

FOUNDATION MISSION STATEMENT

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

4

LETTER TO FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS

5-6

REVENUES & EXPENSES

7 -14

MCCF SCHOLARS

15-18

2016 – 17 ANNUAL GIVING

19-20

EMPLOYEE & RETIREE ANNUAL GIVING

21

RECOGNIZING GIFTS IN KIND

22-25

IN HONOR AND IN MEMORY OF

25-26

CULINARY GRAD OPENS STEAKHOUSE IN DOWNTOWN OMAHA

27-28

JON QUEEN: DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD WINNER

29-30

PRECISION MACHINE TECHNOLOGY

31-32

AFRICAN ART COMES TO THE CAREER AND ACADEMIC SKILLS CENTER

33-34

CAREER AND ACADEMIC SKILLS CENTER

35-36

INSPIRING INNOVATION MINI-GRANT

37-38

MCC FREMONT CAMPUS DIESEL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

DEAR FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS:

We had another GREAT year here at Metropolitan Community College, reflecting our commitment to engage students, help them explore their potential, and empower them to succeed. All of us at MCC are grateful

to you, our partners, who work with us in the world of student preparation. With your help, we carry out the vision of making sure students are ready for their next steps, businesses are hiring our graduates, and the workforce is enhanced for overall community and economic development.

RANDY SCHMAILZL

Engage.

STEPHEN LEGRAND

Relevant, student centered-education is at the heart of engagement. After years of preparation, this fall brought big changes to the Fort Omaha Campus as the three centers of specialization, Construction Education Center, Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology, and Career and Academic Skill Center opened their doors to students and the community. Within the new buildings a new student experience emerged in the way MCC services its students. These centers are programmed to provide a customized student experience ranging from student services to programmatic pathways that simulate real-world workforce scenarios.

Explore.

Students explore careers with the help of academic advisors, counselors, career navigators and faculty working together to remove personal, academic, and financial barriers. Cross-disciplinary projects are encouraged, such as the one within this annual report, “The Experience of Portraiture in the Clinical Setting,” an artistic installation bridging art and healthcare that conveys to health and public service students the importance of compassion and empathy when helping patients. Our programmatic offerings prepare students with advanced skills and training for their career path.

Empower.

Education empowers individuals, generations, and communities. With your partnership, we are empowering today’s and tomorrow’s students to drive change, lead our community, and strengthen industry.

Your partnership helps MCC students engage, explore and empower themselves in preparation for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. This annual report is a reflection of the work you help to make possible, which is greatly appreciated by all of our students, staff and faculty.

Sincerely,

Randy Schmailzl College President

Stephen LeGrand MCC Foundation President

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REVENUES & EXPENSES

5

TOTAL REVENUES: $4,275,852*

$1,774,106 $2,018,084

Grants

Donations & Gifts

$292,653

Investment Income Net

$191,009

Donated Equipment & Supplies

*Does not include installments toward capital pledges.

TOTAL EXPENSES: $1,758,433* $216,640

Other Expenses

$462,866 $898,902

Grants Support

Student Grants, Organizations & Scholarships

$180,025

College Departments & Programs

**Expenses do not include installments for the Fort Omaha Campus Capital Campaign.

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“The demands of everyday living, my job, and my family, made it so going to school full-time was nearly impossible.

Your gracious gift made it possible for me to continue providing for my family, as well as pursuing my academic dreams to become a respiratory therapist. This degree will allow for a bigger and brighter future for myself and my family … we are forever grateful to you.”

-JESSICA LAWSON, PETER KIEWIT FOUNDATION VOCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP AND MCCF GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

The New Metropolitan Community College Center for Advanced and Emerging Technologies 7

MCCF SCHOLARS The following students received a privately-funded scholarship from the MCC Foundation during the 2016-2017 fiscal year.

AIM/FREMONT TRIBUNE SCHOLARSHIP Aaron Barbour James Leland

APPLIED TECHNOLOGY TEACHING SCHOLARSHIP Evan Horak

ARTHUR A. DURAND SCHOLARSHIP Alisia Cramer Jessica Morrissey

AUDREN AND EVELYN SWANSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Rebecca DeWitt Sarah Johnson Shannon Sayers

AUTO COLLISION ADVISORY BOARD SCHOLARSHIP Ryan Dufour

BETH NIMMO SOCIAL SCIENCES SCHOLARSHIP Zoran Demirovic Lacey Guidry Frances Jones Erin Krause Emily Lerdahl Joseph Pilmaier Jessica Sarratt Equasha Smith

BETTY HIGHTOWER MEMORIAL NURSING SCHOLARSHIP Cynthia Baker Karen Jaimes Cabrera Chelese Short Katie Vaca

BLACK HILLS ENERGY SCHOLARSHIP McKala Erdkamp Chase Zieball

BRANDON THOMAS CULINARY ARTS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Joseph Blair Andrew Novak Kelli Schroeder Jennifer Umbertone

BRASSCRAFT SCHOLARSHIP Devon Attanasio

David Barnes Jason Witmer

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DIVISION SCHOLARSHIP DeeNisha Berry Esther Carrillo Hope Dendinger Ly Dinh Rosa Franco Sarah Hudson Alyssa Lewis Jhosse Rivera Shiara Santos James Stutz

BUSINESS ALLIANCE FOR STUDENTS EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP Ryan Clarke Timothy Keen

CANDY LYNN KEGLEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Carlea Gall Nickolas Haller Nhi Le Tri Vang

CARL P. RIGATUSO MEMORIAL APPRENTICESHIP SCHOLARSHIP Kyle Hunter Jason Witmer

CATALAN-LATINO SCHOLARSHIP Sarai Gomez Lucera Rodriguez

CORNHUSKER INTERNATIONAL RICK CHILDERS SCHOLARSHIP Diego Juarez

COX COMMUNICATION PIONEER SCHOLARSHIP Brick Demique Theodore Gyhra Tiffaneigh Horton

CRIMINAL JUSTICE FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP Erica Alecio Jacob Lien Alejandra Najera Veronica Villa Vanessa Young

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CULINARY ARTS MANAGEMENT SCHOLARSHIP Hannah Eadie Thomas Elam Latrail Green Julio Hinojosa Mac Madison Andrew Novak Kasey Rhea Thao Vo Brooke Williams

GALLUP ORGANIZATION EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOLARSHIP Ayssa Hopkins Jessica Sarratt Thao Vo

GENE HAAS FOUNDATION/NORTH OMAHA PRECISION MACHINING

Alisha Gomez Brittany Jackson

Maxwell Adams Garrett Clark Chase Corr Justin Deming Zacharie Domina Seth Lucio-Miles Andrew Nelson Alexander Olson Nicholas Rangel Troy Smith

DAWN WESSLUND MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

GILBERT C. SWANSON FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

DAVID B. AND BERNIE EPSTEIN SCHOLARSHIP Sheri Potter

DAVID M. RICE AND EPHRAIM L. MARKS SECOND CHANCE LGBT SCHOLARSHIP

Katherine Jetter

DONOVAN AND ANITA DONNER SCHOLARSHIP Marjorie Snyder Katie Vaca

DOUGLAS MCLEOD WEBER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Cody Adams Esther Carrillo Lucas Cotton Jodie Setterlund

DR. JERRY MOSKUS SCHOLARSHIP Aaron Barbour Korawit Sukkasem

DUAL ENROLLMENT OR ACADEMY STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP Maxwell Johansson

EDWARD AND LIDA ROBINSON SCHOLARSHIP Kris Hallman Clara Mahenzi Michael Watke Nathan Wood

FRAN ELSEMAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Lindsay Coppock Miller Lori Cottrell

FREMONT AREA SCHOOLS SCHOLARSHIP Erin Montgomery

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Amber Neufeld Tana Nelson

Sarah Blair Brenna Brynildson Jennifer Burrows Christopher Clark Laura Estes Boyd Fisher Colin Heskin Krizia Impelluso Kayla Johnson Jacob Lien

gLORIA MENARD OSBORN SCHOLARSHIP Jamie Alexander Jessica Parks

HAROLD NORMAN CULINARY ARTS AND HOSPITALITY SCHOLARSHIP Jennifer Bast Joseph Blair Destiney Carodine Redford Carter Mandi Drohman Thomas Elam Jessica Johnson Stacey Johnson Phillip Kristl Mac Madison Kareca Moore Sindise Ncube Tara Odegaard Kara Ruocco Craig Ryan Justin Stout Jennifer Umbertone

HITES FAMILY COMMUNITY COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP Nathan Moench Veronica Smith

IME BECAS SCHOLARSHIP

Alfredo Cruz Cano Nahely Karina Martinez Torres Margaret Mazariego Sanchez Maria Ortiz Erick Ozuna Juan Francisco Rodriguez Gamez Jesus Rosas

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP Yendonboame Kouatidja Hiroyuki Matsumura

JACK KAWA CULINARY ARTS AND HOSPITALITY SCHOLARSHIP Mac Madison Kareca Moore Craig Ryan

JAMES M. COX FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP John Bednarczyk Caleb Epps Lilian Mahfoodhaddad Angel Martinez Marisa Mort

JANELL SHAIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Caitlyn Hall

JEFF GOSSIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Sarah Blair Frank Gappa Sally Scott

JOHN VAUTRAVERS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Lisa Comeau Y’Shall Davis Melissa Frye Destiny Herod Stephanie Smith Kimberly Summers Bridgette Thompson-Brown

JOHNNY BAXTER CARRIAGE HOUSE FOUNDATION TOOL SCHOLARSHIP Eli James

JOHNNY RODGERS CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP

April McQueen Jamie Michaud

JONATHAN E. ZIMMERMAN MBA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Nguyen Pham Laura Rawson

JORDAN LEE WHITNEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Jessica Parks

JOSEPH W. HUGHES MEMORIAL ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIP Paul Gargarella

KAREN SCHNEPF MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Pamela Marsh Jonathon Montagne Greg Wolfe

LAMP RYNEARSON SCHOLARSHIP Misael Lozano

LETTIE JOHNSON DENTAL ASSISTING SCHOLARSHIP Karina Navarro

LUCILLE I. MIX MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Ashley Felton Paula Peak

M.L. “BUCK” BOHN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Adam Thiessen

MCC CUSTODIAL STAFF SCHOLARSHIP Anna Mock

MCC MATH DEPARTMENT SCHOLARSHIP Cody Bernhardt

MCC MILITARY STUDENT TEXTBOOK SCHOLARSHIP Michael Clark Shawn McLeod Terry Rice

MCCF GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP Long Bui Ramesh Danuwar Brett Gard Samantha Hoer John Miller Brandon Vander Vorst Kelly Woockman

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MCCF MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Erin Jessen Brittany Prado

Jessica McAfee Lexus McCluskey Raegan Winchester

MCCF NEW STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP

PARTNERSHIP 4 KIDS SCHOLARSHIP

Nawfal Alao Teresa Blankman Breanna Brown

MCCF NEW STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP Tia Griffin Tiffaneigh Horton Sommer Lisenby Deblue Moo James Root Mara Weekes

MCCF STUDENT TEXTBOOK SCHOLARSHIP Juan Ayon Nicole Berlett Michala Bernal Natalie Centamore Kimberly Gau Jenna Hager Jonathon Krutz Rebekah Schuhmacher

METROPOLITAN UTILITIES DISTRICT CULINARY ARTS SCHOLARSHIP Christiana Ficken Duy Phung

MIDWEST EARLY CORVETTE CLUB SCHOLARSHIP James Russell

MILTENBERGER FAMILY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Cavoni Johnson

NEBRASKA ADVANCED MANUFACTURING COALITION - DREAM IT. DO IT. SCHOLARSHIP Chrisopher Brent

NEBRASKA LOGISTICS COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIP Noah Meyer

NEBRASKA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION DIESEL TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP Matthew Clark

OMAHA DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY SCHOLARSHIP Marley Yates

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD SCHOLARSHIP Alyssa Espinoza

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Yesenia Cruz Ana Dominguez Jason Evenson Jenna Feregrino Maria Gonzalez-Reyes Veronica Grano Troy Graham Melanie Jimenez Keloni Jones Janette Martinez Margaret Mazariego Sanchez Christian Perez Hser Ra Edgar Recinos-Sandoval Maxine Rife Korrie’a Royal Abigail Schmailzl

PETER KIEWIT FOUNDATION VOCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP Erica Alecio Jamie Alexander Jeromey Barker Chris Barrows Claire Begley Clement Belemkoabgha Matthew Bennett Nicole Berlett Amber Bettis Christina Borromeo Edward Brison Anita Busse Jessica Carlson Ashlie Congdon Samantha Coonce Shaquille Davis Brick Demique McKenna Elsener Karen Franco Mariah Frost Carlea Gall Cynthia Geiszler Assa Haidara Cassie Hall Danessa Hemmer Jordan Hennessy Mary Houmard-Long Nathan Jacks Jonathon Krutz Jessica Lackore Rory Laughlin Amanda Lewin Jacob Lien

John Manzo III Jessica Metz Elizabeth Moench Kareca Moore Angel Mujica Alejandra Najera Tana Nelson Ninh Nguyen Brandy Nice Kristy Nice Abigail Nicholson Henry Nielsen Naomi Nyznyk Isabel Orellana Amber Prusha Megan Pursche Nicole Rager Logan Red Jhosse Rivera Rebecca Robledo Teega Sankima Paige Sawyer Sarah Sedlacek Marjorie Snyder Catharina Steenkamp Dusty Stevens Jamie Stewart Ashley Summers Katherine Swinarski Gopal Thapa Alex Uram Roland VanHoolandt Erica Vera Antonia Vinson Trang Vu Janetta Walker Michael Watke Laryn Wenko Maxwell Woida Dorcas Woody Spencer Wurm Steven Ybay Taylor Zeorian Andrei Zhuromski

R.E. WHITMYRE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Samantha Fitch Skyler Schreck

RAY AND BETTY BARR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Elhag Abbaker Sara Fox Marcy Habegger Sarah Hudson Joel Ochoa

REX STACY WELDING TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP Lester Kent

RON SAILORS CULINARY ARTS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Emma Brockhaus Juan Garcia Stacey Johnson Duy Phung Terry Rice Carlos Rodriguez Jamie Roth Kelli Schroeder Harriette Washington

RUTH BUCK KISSEL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Surirat Ingram

RUTH/CLARICE OBERNDORFER SCHOLARSHIP Stephanie Fuentes

SHARLENE HANSEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Ashley Felton Cayci Sorensen

SOUTH OMAHA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP Isaac Cruz-Vital

THE BUILDER FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP Jordan Bartlett Landon Chaffee Tyler Donnelly Bret Gleason Dalan Hardester Bryan Hutzell Nolan Koehler Kristopher Leutzinger Hayleigh Plummer Joshua Post Francisco Rodriguez Alan Rojas-Sanchez Haylee Wawrzykiewicz Reagan Weeks

THE GUINAN FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP Karina Alaniz Angelynn Albert Morgan Angelo Karen Atterson Michael Azalekor Savannah Baker Madison Barrett Marilyon Bell Brandi Blenkenfeld-Harris

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Daphine Blue Raul Castillo Nicole Chambers Cynthia Cisneros Lisbeth Delgado Taylor Fauble Rashad Gardner Tyler Gess Robert Graffius

TRAVELERS PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP

THE GUINAN FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

Alfredo Cruz Cano Martin Hernandez Nahely Karina Martinez Torres Margaret Mazariego Sanchez Maria Ortiz Erick Ozuna Juan Francisco Rodriguez Gamez

Caitlyn Hall Michael Hamer Terrance Harris Grace Harwood Amber Hawthorne Lindsey Higgins Princess Holmes Taylor Huntoon Janelle Jensen Zhi Luo Kelley Lutjen Jennifer Marquez-Rodriguez Nicholas McCauley Amber Neufeld Emma Novotny Reyna Olvera Christine Perkumas Clayton Pickrell Eduardo Quintana Kayla Ramirez Emmanuel Rodriguez T’Mara Rodriguez Shannon Sayers Jesse Short Sam Smith Lisa Stafford Justin Steimer Krea Taylor Mateo Tercero Lucas Kimberly Trecek Samantha Voss Laura West Jared Weyrauch Calvin Williams Nanette Zastera

TODD MCHENRY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Ashley Anderson Maria Ceballos Hernandez Codie Leiker Roxanne Lucero

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Adriana Carlos-Santos Johnetta Hudson Ricardo Melendez Deblue Moo Bae Paw Caitlyn Young

TRUE POTENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP

VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA CHAPTER 279 SCHOLARSHIP John Bednarczyk Jessica Corbett Reginald Dawson Vivian Seelbach Nathan Trout

WALT ALLEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Evynne Doue Susana Ruiz Morales Heena Sayal Nhung Vo

WARD NURSING SCHOLARSHIP Jolina Manzer Rebeca Rodriguez

WILLIAMS FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP Jessica Sarratt Equasha Smith

“Thank you MCC Foundation for awarding me the Lucille I. Mix Memorial Scholarship. I really appreciate this award being given to me because it will provide financial help that I need to continue my education.

Thanks again for this scholarship award.�

SINCERELY, PAULA G. PEAK

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2016 – 17 ANNUAL GIVING $450,000+

Sherwood Foundation William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation

$150,000+

Peter Kiewit Foundation

$75,000+

First National Bank Fremont Contract Carriers Kiewit Companies Foundation

$50,000+

Bruce Lauritzen Valmont Industries, Inc.

$40,000+

The Claire M. Hubbard Foundation Johnny Rodgers Youth Foundation Guinan Family

$25,000+

Adah and Leon Millard Foundation Fred and Eve Simon Charitable Foundation Holland Foundation Paul and Annette Smith Omaha Steaks Omaha Restaurant Association Truck Center Companies United Way of the Midlands

$20,000+

Follett Book Company Gene Haas Foundation The Hawks Foundation

$15,000+

Mid-America Arts Alliance US Bank Foundation

$10,000+

Douglas County Greater Fremont Development Council Lamp Rynearson & Associates The Estate of Dr. Peter T. Suzuki Metropolitan Utilities District Nebraska Arts Council Nebraska Humanities Council Nebraska Trucking Association Foundation Omaha Restaurant Association Foundation David and Natalie Weber Weitz Family Foundation

$5,000+

The Builder Foundation Consulado de Mexico en Omaha HDR Architecture & Engineering, Inc. Lincoln Financial Foundation

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Mustang Car Club of Omaha Mutual of Omaha Foundation Arlene Newell New England Foundation for the Arts Owen Industries Papillion Professional Firefighters Spartan Nash Tetrad Property Group Union Pacific Corporation

$2,500+

Clark Creative Group Jill Lustgarten Dempsey Edward & Lida Robinson Charitable Trust Cynthia A. Hill Julio’s Restaurant Michael Lustgarten Scott Lustgarten George E. Martin, III Metro Omaha Medical Society Morrissey Engineering, Inc. RSM US LLP State Farm Companies Foundation Whitmore Charitable Trust

$2,000+

Michael and Sherri Abramson Ray D. Barr Trust City of Omaha Cornhusker International Trucks, Inc. Ronald Erlbacher Fitzgerald, Schorr, Barmettler, & Brennan, P.C. L.L.O. Michael and Maggie McMeekin Raymond Kuehn Trust The David Scott Foundation Security National Bank Todd Wesslund

$1,000+

Ellen M. Archer Bob Benzel and Gerry Sullivan Bluestem Prairie Foundation Inglish Camero Cari Sommer Charitable Fund Centris Federal Credit Union Enterprise Holdings Foundation Cheryl Ford GEARS Greater Omaha - NARI Collin Leeder Terry and Lori McMullen Methodist Health System Midwest Early Corvette Club Omaha District Dental Society Pearson Education

J. Michael and Susan J. Price Reinhart Food Service Remedy Intelligent Staffing Sanford and Patricia Smith Sysco Lincoln, Inc. Valmont Foundation Zach Sangster

$500+

Arun Agarwal Mark and Brenda Ehrhart Frankel Zacharia Karen Gluck Fayrene Hamouz Hockenbergs Equipment & Supply Company Lee and Jean Johnson Macmillian Nebraska Beef Council Nebraska Pork Producers Assn, Inc. Ross and Karen Pesek Carol and Rick Russell Michael Shain Duane and Monty Thompson Sherry Thompson Victor Wilson and Pamela Gossin

$250+

Carolyn Anderson Barbara Braden Sandi and Bill Bruns Brian Duck William Forsee Kris Galas/Eddie’s Catering Julee Harter Cookie and Jerry Hoberman Scott and Jill Irwin Larry Kelberg Mary Kenny Patrick and Renee McGill The Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy Northwestern Mutual Foundation Sheila O’Connor Quality Brands of Omaha Michael Sands Vance and Susan Wagner Willie P. Young

$100+

American Communications Group, Inc. Linda Andersen Paul Anderson Terry, Kris, Jacob and Sam Atkins Jo Bartikoski Frank Bemis Brent Bloom The Boeing Company Gift Match/BPAC Program BF Bogdanoff

Linda and John Clouse Sylvia Cohn Frank and Linda Daley Andrew Decker Colleen Dempsey Linda DeMeulmeester John and Carol Dennison Jordan and Britt Dudzinski Mike Dyer Ron and Pamela Feldman Joe T. Flaxbeard Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 76 Thomas and Suzanne Friedman GivePlus Program Elizabeth Goodwin Charles Rex Gruber Hill Brothers Inc Margaret Kirkeby Steve and Diane Kohler Renee Kuehn-Peters Patricia Lamberty James Luyten J Terry MacNamara Marsha and Nizar Mamdani Wayne and Karen Markus Kyle Marler Sara McClure and Dave Steadman Doreen McConnell Makayla McMorris Michelle Morton Don and Andrea Nelson Michael Nolan Robert and Rebecca OHanlon Pella Products of Omaha - Omaha Jerry and Susan Prazan Andrew Privitera Anayeli Real B J and Chris Reed Beth Ryan and Don Moray Blane and Kathi Osterman Jeanne and Pat Salerno DiAnna and Herb Schimek William and Judy Startzer Michael and Sharon Tesar La Neita Thomas John and Mary Thomsen Bill and Carole Warrens Jim and Mary Winner Robert Yazowski Steve Zalkin Patty Zieg and Tim Higgins

UNDER $100

Bonnie Alexander Joyce Anderson

UNDER $100

Scott and Carrie Bagnell

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Megan and Andrew Bellamy Becky and Darald Berg Better World Books Jon and Joan Blecha Gregory and Kathy Boulay Matt Boshart Diana Bridges Frances Buchholz Tammy Budzinski Roshelle and Elsie Campbell Debra Carson Germaine Charleston Connie Chizek Cheryl Cooper David and Sue Crawford James and Cynthia Currie Harl and Kay Dalstrom Jim and Marty Davis Bob and Linda Decker Raenita Dobernecker Maureen Dorcey Karen and Patrick Drickey Don Eikmeier Elkhorn Aerie No. 3943 F.O.E., Inc. Lt Col Ret Robert Elsasser Mary Emmert Gail Endorf Donald and Wendy Fenster Jeff and Molly Ferris Lee and Gerry Goldsborough Andie Gordman and Dan Fitzgerald Cynthia Fontenello Lawrence Gendler Elly and Bob Gordman Gary and Lori Greckel Christine and Rodney Haferbier Frankie Hauptman Jolene Heibel Christina Hernandez Carmen and John Housley John Hruska Hurley Reporting, Inc Holly Hurt John and Pam Ivbuls Mike and Mina Jensen Ken Kanger Judy and Roger Keetle The Steve Keetle Family Marcia Kelly Kathleen Kennedy Nancy Sorensen-Kimmons Marilyn and Danny Kinsley The Klein Family Di Korenoski Dawn LaCasse Danny Lang Robert and Lori Lanouette

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Brian Leahy Terry and Karen Leahy Timothy and Jane Leahy Vivian and Terry Lee Dario Lenarduzzi Anthony and Jody Liakos Ryan Luetkenhaus Diane and Travis Lux Colleen and Robert MacDonald Gayle Malmquist Cindy McAtee William and Ann McPhillips Mark, Bernadette and Brendan Moore Gerald and Maria Moran Christine Nedved Loyd and Marie Neve Barbara Newell Roxanne Nolan Anne Norris Marilyn Parker Ron and Fern Paider Jan Pemberton and Henry Krusiewicz Carolyn Perry Clinton and Abbey Pickman Timothy Potter Carol Prokop Radcliffe and Associates Judy Rall Krystalyn Roberson Janet Robinson Dottie Rosenblum Rhonda Saferstein Marjean Sargent Carl and Denise Seaman Fred and Barbara Scarpello Andrea and Scott Shoemaker Alex and Marcella Slabosky Mary Ann Sturek Sally and Maynard Telpner Rudy and Judith Tesar Danette Thibault Christopher and Kristin Tyler Martha Turner Ann Borer-Weaver James and Jeanne Weaver Kent and Amy Weber James Weinstein and Fran Davis Keith Workman Theodore Wuebben Dennis and Debra Yeaman Lori Zahm We apologize for any unintentional errors or omissions. Please help us correct our records by calling (531) 622-2738

“I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for all your support and to Walt Allen Memorial Scholarship for Academic Excellence. I am really thankful for the opportunities this award will provide me. I always rely on my sponsor (my mother) to help with financing my education and living in the United States. Receiving this sponsorship will help me and my mother with part of the financial burden and give me opportunities to pursue my education.

Attending graphic design school as an international student has been a dream of my family. I came to the United States from India in 2014, Christmas. I am also a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and this is the third time I am on the Dean’s List.

As an international student, this makes a difference in my future goals and education. Once again, thank you for supporting me.”

SINCERELY, HEENA SAYAL

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2016-17 EMPLOYEE & RETIREE GIVING Patricia Addison Sheryl Agner Kirk and Lori Lynn Ahrends Stephanie Albers Jackie and Greer Almquist Sana Amoura-Patterson Barry Anderson Julie Ashley Gregory Babst Victoria Badura John Banark Kathy Barrett Nate Barry Stephen Bell Ingrid Berlin Edward Bohlman Carmen Boston Lynn Bradman Jamie Bridgham Earlene Brittingham Jeffrey L. Brown Curtis Bryant Connie and Steve Buller Anne Burton Cynthia and Michael Catherwood Laura Chambers Charles Chevalier Deb Clark Shanda Clark Melinda and Bruce Classen James and Christi Cloyd Charles Cogar Michael Combs Kyran Connor Nancy Conrad Marilyn Cotten Pat and Bob Crisler Margarette Dean Carol Dennison Thomas Dickerson Carri Dyer Connie Eichhorn Ronald Erlbacher Rita Eyerly Jennifer Fauchier Amy Forss Teresa Fox Jane Franklin David Friend

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Kay Friesen Larry Gawel and Dana Fritz Penny Gildea Gary Girard Cynthia Gooch-Grayson Diane Good-Collins Cheryl Goodman Dawn Goodsell Lisa Goodwin Carol Gottuso Ruthanne Grimsley Robert Gronstal James Grotrian Rich Hanneman and Deb Eppenbaugh Todd and Shannon Hansen Daryl Hansen Beth Heck Lyle Hendrickson Colleen Hernandez April Herrley Robin Hixson Wilma Hjellum Katherine Stover Holian Debra Holst Geoffrey Horejs Stan Horrell David Horst Carley Hunzeker Jeba Inbarasu William Jefferson Darin and Sara Jensen Kerry Johnson Susan Jowdy Barbara Kantor Margaret Katona Sheila Keller Julie Kellie Timothy Kelly Mary Kerl Diana Kerwin-Kubr David Kirchofer David Koebel Marian Kraft Sharon Kratky Kurt Krugerud Gary Krusemark Leslie Kwasnieski Debra La Hoda Amanda Landholm

Julie Langholdt Douglas Lassiter Larry Lindberg Lori Lothringer Robert Maass Theresa Magner Naomi Mardock Uman Luann Matthies Melvin Mays Janet McCarthy Thomas McDonnell Cornelius McGreevy Patrick and Misty McKibbin John and Eileen McKinstra Tracy McTavish-Mlady Robert Medrano John Miller Maureen Neary-Miller Linda Milton Lisa Mix Maureen Moeglin Marcia Molle Emily Moore Linda Moraine Fred Mytty Edward Napravnik Lindsay Neemann Richard Newcomer Angie Newcomer Ryan Newton Dave Noodell Brian O’Malley Candace Otterpohl Bill and Paula Owen Darin Owens Darryl Partner Jerome Patten Pamela Perry Ashley Peters Jeannie Plambeck Bobby Polk Susan Raftery Amy Recker Alan Reinarz Arthur Rich Peggy Ritschel Marianne Roarty Karen Rodgers Hans Rudin Michael Rush Andrew Sagartz Edith Sample

Rick and Ellie Sandvig Ruth Schindler Randy and Nancy Schmailzl Albertha Schmid Mark Schulman Bernard Sedlacek Gordon Sims, Sr. Nancy Smith Patricia Smith William Smith Jodie Snider Del Stallwood Lisa Stepanek Connie Stewart Jeffrey Strawn Sally Swanger Christine Tarr Stephen Tellatin Jim and Mary Thibodeau Amber Tjaden Gary Toth Daniel Trerice Joan Trimpey Susan Trinkle Kathy J. Trotter Mary Umberger George and Patricia Vana Connie and Bruce Vaneske Marcia Vergo Mary Vogt Neil and Erika Volker Mary Clare Walker Theresa Walker Peter Walsh Josephine Wandel Lavette Wider Fred and Paula Wigington Brock Williams Idalene Williams Terri Wilson Joy Wineinger James Wolf Joellen Zuk

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RECOGNIZING GIFTS IN KIND We would like to thank the following Donors for their gracious gifts to Metropolitan Community College during the 2016-17 fiscal year.

AccT-Style Tax Service

Nebraska Beef Council

Air Management

Nebraska Pork Producers Assn, Inc

Aksarben Cinema

Ron Newingham

Aspen’s Closet

Olive Garden Restaurant

Baxter Auto Group

Carol Olson

Beth Putnam Interiors

David Olson

Gary Bolstad

Omaha Popcorn

Ian Burke

Omaha Steaks

Terry Cash

Harriet Otis

Jane Chase

Marty and Doris Pavlakovich

Chef Works

Pearson Education

Cutchall Management Company

Joyce Pester

Elkhorn Dairy Queen

PMD Ministries

Embassy Suites

Reve Salon and Spa

Godfather’s Pizza Corporation

Molly Romero

Cynthia Gooch-Grayson

Runza Restaurants

Goodin Company

Richard Schicker

Hodges Enterprises, #14, LLC

State Farm Automobile Insurance Company

Ann Hoff Katherine Stover Holian Mary Jetton Johnstone Supply Katelman Steel Fabrication Lexus of Omaha Mercer Culinary Emily Moore

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Super Mercado Nuestra Familia Terry Sweeney Sysco Lincoln, Inc. Chloe Watson Mark Weichel Werner Enterprises Woodhouse Ford, Inc Wooly Mammoth Yarn Shop

IN HONOR AND IN MEMORY OF IN MEMORY OF DR. ANIL K. AGARWAL Greer and Jacqueline Almquist

IN MEMORY OF MARCIA ALIVERS Victoria Badura

IN HONOR OF BRANDON BEED Bob Benzel and Gerry Sullivan

IN HONOR OF ROBERT BENZEL Barbara Braden

IN HONOR OF MY FRIENDS, BOB BENZEL AND GERRY SULLIVAN Karen Gluck

IN HONOR OF BOB BENZEL AND GERRY SULLIVAN AND ALL THEY’VE DONE FOR ME, MY FAMILY, AND THE COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE Mary Kenny

IN HONOR OF BOB BENZEL AND GERRY SULLIVAN’S MARRIAGE Debra Holst

IN MEMORY OF INGRID BERLIN’S FATHER Greer and Jacqueline Almquist

IN HONOR OF PAT CRISLER Carol and Rick Russell

IN MEMORY OF TIMOTHY L. DEMPSEY Joyce Anderson Lisa Anderson Paul Anderson Megan and Andrew Bellamy Frank Bemis Jon and Joan Blecha Ann Borer-Weaver Gregory and Kathy Boulay Frances Buchholz Connie Chizek Linda and John Clouse James Currie Frank and Linda Daley Andrew Decker Bob and Linda Decker Colleen Dempsey Jill Lustgarten Dempsey Raenita Dobernecker Maureen Dorcey Jordan and Britt Dudzinski Mike Dyer Don Eikmeier Elkhorn Aerie No. 3943

F.O.E., Inc. Lt Col Ret Robert Elsasser Mary Emmert Cynthia Fontenello Lawrence Gendler Betty Goodwin Gary and Lori Greckel Charles Rex Gruber Frankie Hauptman John and Carmen Housley Hurley Reporting, Inc. Holly Hurt John and Pamela Ivbuls Mike and Mina Jensen Ken Kanger Shannon and Marcia Kelly Kathleen Kennedy Margaret Kirkeby Harry Klein, M.D. Steve and Diane Kohler Danny Lang Robert and Lori Lanouette Brian Leahy Terry and Karen Leahy Timothy and Jane Leahy Dario Lenarduzzi Anthony and Jodie Liakos Robert and Colleen MacDonald J. Terry MacNamara Wayne and Karen Markus Cindy McAtee Jude and Barbara McGargill William and Ann McPhillips Mark, Bernadette and Brendan Moore Gerald and Maria Moran Arlene Newell Roxanne Nolan Pella Products of Omaha Clinton and Abbey Pickman Carol Prokop BJ and Chris Reed Fred and Barbara Scarpello Randy Schmailzl Andrea and Scott Shoemaker

IN MEMORY OF JERRY ERXLEBEN Elly and Bob Gordman Andie Gordman and Dan Fitzgerald Lindsey Thomas

IN MEMORY OF FRANCIS “FRITZ” FOLTZ Sheila O’Connor

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IN MEMORY OF SAM FOLTZ

James Weinstein and Fran Davis

Marilyn Parker Carolyn Perry Janet Robinson Carl and Denise Seaman Martha Turner Bill and Carole Warrens

IN MEMORY OF RICHARD FOX

IN MEMORY OF JERZY MARTIN

Sheila O’Connor

IN HONOR OF DORIS FOX’S 85TH BIRTHDAY

Cheryl Cooper Dottie Rosenblum

IN MEMORY OF DICK GRIFFIN Hockenbergs Equipment and Supply Company

IN HONOR OF LEONARD AND ALICE GRIMSLEY Ruthanne Grimsley

IN HONOR OF DAVID HO’S SERVICE TO MCC Vance and Susan Wagner

AS A THANK YOU TO DAVID K. HO Willie P. Young

IN HONOR OF DICK HOLLAND Bob Benzel and Gerry Sullivan

IN HONOR OF EILEEN HAGERTY IRVINE Cynthia Catherwood

IN HONOR OF REV. SCOTT JONES 20TH ANNIVERSARY TO THE MINISTRY Bob Benzel and Gerry Sullivan

IN HONOR OF JILL KLICH Michael Shain

IN MEMORY OF HOWARD KRANTZ Bob Benzel and Gerry Sullivan

IN MEMORY OF BOB KUEHN Bob Benzel and Gerry Sullivan

IN MEMORY OF DEANNE LACASSE Humanities Staff of MCC Bonnie Alexander Scott and Carrie Bagnell Darald and Nancy Berg Germaine Charleston David and Sue Crawford James and Martha Davis Donald and Wendy Fenster Jolene Heibel Danny and Marilyn Kinsley Di Korenoski Dawn LaCasse Terry and Vivian Lee Christine Nedved Robert and Rebecca OHanlon

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Greer and Jacqueline Almquist Ashley Peters

IN MEMORY OF TODD MCHENRY Cheryl Ford

IN HONOR OF TOM MOLLOY Brian Duck

IN MEMORY OF DAVID NEWELL

American Communications Group, Inc. Diana Bridges Frances Buchholz Roshelle and Elsie Campbell Harl and Kay Dalstrom Anne Fargen William Forsee Lee and Gerry Goldsborough Christine and Rodney Haferbier John Hruska Roger and Judy Keetle The Steve Keetle Family Patricia Lamberty Diane Lux Gayle Malmquist Wayne and Karen Markus Beth Ryan and Don Moray The Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy Don and Andrea Nelson Loyd and Marie Neve Arlene Newell Barbara Newell Michael Nolan Blane and Kathi Osterman Ron and Fern Paider Timothy Potter Jerry and Susan Prazan Radcliffe and Associates Marjean Sargent DiAnna and Herb Schimek Nancy Sorensen-Kimmons Mary Ann Sturek Kent and Amy Weber

IN HONOR OF RICK SANDVIG AND IN MEMORY OF JAMES POCHOP Greer and Jacqueline Almquist

IN MEMORY OF ROBERT SCHROEDER Bob Benzel and Gerry Sullivan

IN HONOR OF GERRY SULLIVAN’S BIRTHDAY Sylvia Cohn

IN MEMORY OF BUZ SUTTON Ron Newingham

IN MEMORY OF BRANDON THOMAS Andrea Gordman and Daniel Fitzgerald Brian O’Malley

IN MEMORY OF HELEN THOMAS Bob Benzel and Gerry Sullivan

IN HONOR OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF MONTE AND DUANE THOMPSON Bob Benzel and Gerry Sullivan Sylvia Cohn

IN MEMORY OF AUNT FRAN WEATHERLY Lisa Stepanek

IN HONOR OF DR. MARY WISE Greer and Jacqueline Almquist Bill and Paula Owen

IN MEMORY OF THE PASSING OF ZACH, MARCIA ANDERSON’S DOG Bob Benzel and Gerry Sullivan

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“It was a pretty cool experience going to school at the Institute for Culinary Arts.

You get a community of people who are in love with food. I took every class possible.

The faculty was great. It was a great structure of people pushing you to be great.

I wanted to be like them.”

-EXECUTIVE CHEF PATRICK MICHEELS, MONARCH PRIME & BAR

Patrick Micheels, Executive Chef of Monarch Prime & Bar

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CULINARY GRAD OPENS STEAKHOUSE IN DOWNTOWN OMAHA For many people, food is something they enjoy. For others, food is a lifestyle.

Patrick Micheels, a graduate of Metropolitan Community College’s Culinary Arts program, falls into that category. He recently opened Monarch Prime and Bar, a steakhouse in what was previously the Zen Room inside the Hotel Deco in downtown Omaha.

As a child, Micheels started watching cooking shows and fell in love. “They really inspired me,” he says. “They were all so organized in the kitchen and I wanted to be that organized.”

Originally from Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Micheels heard about the culinary program at MCC and moved to Omaha to enroll. “It was a great structure of faculty pushing you to be great.

I wanted to be like them,” he says.

Brian O’Malley, the Interim Associate Dean of Culinary and Horticulture, was Micheels’ mentor while at the College. “I remember his level of inquisitiveness,” O’Malley says. “He always wanted to pick his head up and see what others were doing.”

Micheel majored in Food Science and worked at both the previous student bistro, Metropol Café, and Dario’s Brasserie in Dundee. After graduation, he launched a few pop-up restaurants—a concept where chefs go into existing restaurants and do a takeover for a day or two. They change the name, menu and theme, and then return it back to normal after a limited menu run.

For four years, he combined pop-ups with his work at Dario’s, and then left to start Monarch Prime and Bar — a sleek, upscale restaurant filled with dark wood, vintageinspired furnishings and large chandeliers that gives one the feeling of stepping onto the set of the Great Gatsby.

Micheels says he wanted to open a modern steakhouse with dry-aged meats on the menu.

“You need time, temperature, humidity and airflow to do it,” says.

In addition to dry-aged cuts of steak, duck and bison, Monarch’s menu has many classic dishes that have been updated or given a modern twist. Everything is made in-house.

“I don’t have a mayonnaise jar in that kitchen,” Micheels says. “Everything is from scratch.

There is also never anything on the menu that’s not from or surrounding Nebraska.”

The restaurant opened in October, and MCC runs through the kitchen, with many of the chefs and cooks having attended the College’s culinary program. “I know they have that good foundation, Micheels says. “We have so much talent in the kitchen, it’s crazy.”

“Seeing a former student go onto open a restaurant is always exciting,” O’Malley says, “but it’s not something he ever doubted Micheels would do.” “After meeting Patrick, it was obvious that this day would come,” O’Malley explains.

It took nearly five years from fruition to the opening of Monarch. “I’m so proud of it,” Micheels says. “It was a lot of hard work.”

For more information about MCC’s Culinary Arts program, visit mccneb.edu/culinary.

For more information about Monarch Prime and Bar, visit monarchprimeandbar.com.

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JON QUEEN: DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD WINNER Throughout much of his adult life, Jon Queen slogged through temporary jobs in fast food and retail. He may have always dreamed of going to college, but it wasn’t until his pastor inspired him to go that he took the plunge. After enrolling at Metropolitan Community College, a little encouragement from instructor Steve Little led Queen to believe that he really could obtain the college degree he always dreamed of.

After graduating from MCC in 2012 with an associate degree in Business Administration, he now finds himself the recipient of MCC’s 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award. The award is given annually to a graduate whose achievement, services, and commitment to MCC and the community is exemplary. Queen was presented with the award at the seventh annual MCC Foundation Scholars Reception, an event that recognizes scholarships given to area students while highlighting alumni such as Queen. Even he can’t believe how far he’s come.

“School was difficult initially. You could even say I was scared,” remembers Queen.

“However, Steve Little instilled confidence in me after he complimented my writing. That was a small part that helped me focus on school and earning my associate degree.”

As a former TRIO/SSS student, Queen never forgot his experience. He became a part-time TRIO/SSS staff member after graduation, a job he loved while working towards his fouryear degree at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Marty Martinez, a TRIO/SSS advisor who nominated Queen to receive the 2017 alumni award, remembers his work ethic.

“Two things that stand out to me regarding Jon are his tireless work ethic and his care about his fellow man,” says Martinez. “I knew he had it in him to succeed because he has great dedication and organizational skills.”

The MCC TRIO/SSS program is an educational opportunity for low-income and first generation college students. The program offers student support services, single parent/ homemaker services and nontraditional career information. Each service helps students with academic development, guidance, personal development and career development.

“Anyone who needed help in school, I helped them. I could definitely relate to them,” says Queen. He spent more than two years working in the MCC TRIO/SSS program before graduating with his bachelor degree from UNO in 2015.

Queen is currently a property underwriter at Berkshire Hathaway, a job he never envisioned himself doing, but loves. He also volunteers at his local church, leading community initiatives such as food and clothing drives for those less fortunate, human trafficking awareness campaigns and backpack donation events.

Recalling his academic journey, Queen now highly values education and its power to change lives. He went from feeling unfulfilled in temporary positions to working a position that gives him great satisfaction—thanks to taking the first step of registering for classes at MCC. He plans on encouraging his daughter to pursue higher education and to avoid the same path he took prior to college. “No way that my daughter is not going to college,” says Queen, smiling.

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Recalling his academic journey, Queen now highly values education and its power to change lives. He went from feeling unfulfilled in temporary positions to working a position that gives him great satisfaction—thanks to taking the first step of registering for classes at MCC. He plans on encouraging his daughter to pursue higher education and to avoid the same path he took prior to college.

JON QUEEN, 2012 MCC ALUMNI |

PROPERTY UNDERWRITER, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY

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The New Metropolitan Community College Center for Advanced and Emerging Technologies 29

PRECISION MACHINE TECHNOLOGY

Eliminating the financial burden for students to pursue their education is one of the many ways the MCC Foundation can help our generous donors make a meaningful impact. As a result, students can concentrate on excelling in the classroom and spend less time worrying about how to pay for tuition. Ask any MCC Foundation scholarship recipient and they’ll tell you—an investment in their future, made by a complete stranger, also boosts their confidence and determination to achieve their goals.

Grant funding from the Gene Haas Foundation over the last few years has had such an impact in the lives of students in MCC’s dual enrollment Precision Machine Technology Program.

Precision Machine Technology (PMT) prepares students for a career in an important hightech area of today’s manufacturing industry. Students learn to program, operate, and set up machines used to manufacture machine components and parts. Using computer numerical control mills, lathes, grinders and drill presses, students learn to manufacture everything from motorcycle parts to aviation gears.

With classes taught at North High School, a magnet school for STEM education, students in the dual enrollment PMT Program can earn up to 54 college credits before even stepping foot on a college campus, at no cost to them and their families.

Additionally, when students choose to continue their education at MCC, the Gene Haas Foundation scholarship follows them to help them complete their associate degree requirements at the South Omaha Campus and enter the workforce. The scholarship also allows students to earn nationally-recognized certifications in the machine trades through the National Institute of Metal Working Skills.

“The generosity of the Gene Haas Foundation translates to tangible outcomes for our students while creating a pipeline of talent for the precision machine workforce,” said John Banark, program faculty. “They exit the program with skills and credentials that will ultimately make them attractive candidates for good jobs in a field in need of good workers.”

A total of 32 students enroll each year, which is high for dual enrollment programs.

Program faculty continue to add available classes and secure funding for more equipment to keep up with demand and industry standards. Furthermore, with several programs moving from the South Omaha Campus to the Construction Education Center at the Fort Omaha Campus, the Precision Machine Technology program will get to grow by 1600 square feet – a much needed expansion.

“We know that without the scholarship, many students would not be able to take advantage of the dual enrollment PMT Program,” said Banark. “We’re grateful for the Gene Haas Foundation for connecting our students to high-quality, career-focused STEM education.”

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There are more than 50 pieces of art from Africa in the Career and Academic Skills Center.

The New Metropolitan Community College Career and Academic Skills Center 31

AFRICAN ART COMES TO THE CAREER AND ACADEMIC SKILLS CENTER The Career and Academic Skills Center is the new home for dozens of African art pieces thanks to a generous donation from Nebraska native, Dr. Natalie Hahn. Hahn, who has spent time traversing the globe while working with the United Nations, collected the art during her travels in parts of Africa. The generosity behind the donation is displayed in the mission of the nonprofit she started. The Malaika Foundation was founded by Hahn in 1997 and has the goal of enhancing global education in Nebraska schools and communities, giving residents a greater understanding of cultures from around the world.

“It is an honor to contribute African art to Metropolitan Community College. The decision was made on my impressions of superb staff and faculty—a combination of fine intellect, determination and commitment in designing great careers for the students,” says Dr. Hahn.

“I am thrilled the art collected for many years while working with the United Nations in Africa has found the ‘perfect home’.”

MCC students now have the opportunity to see these unique pieces throughout CASC’s three floors. Students can gain insight into African culture by browsing the many works of art.

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CAREER AND ACADEMIC SKILLS CENTER

After years of planning and preparation, this fall brought big changes to MCC’s Fort Omaha Campus. The Career and Academic Skills Center was one of three new buildings opening its doors to students, representing an unprecedented $90 million investment shared by MCC and generous community donors. The new facilities, though each unique, share a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and learning re-imagined.

This vision was brought to life in the Career and Academic Skills Center (CASC), where staff and faculty were tasked with creating a new student experience. “The center is the first, welcoming, productive stop on students’ successful path to higher education.” said Lisa Goodwin, executive director of the CASC. “The three floors have been programmed to provide customized student services and foundational education to meet students where they are and take them as far as they want to go.”

The first floor of the CASC serves as the Welcome Center for students. Greeted by the helpful, all-knowing Concierge kiosks, students can get quick access to services like financial aid or schedule an appointment to meet with an Enrollment Navigator. A new position being piloted only at the CASC, Enrollment Navigators serve as the single point of contact for new students during the first few academic quarters.

“Enrollment Navigators are critical to the short- and long-term success of our new students,” said Goodwin. “They get to know our students on a personal level and can help them address both personal and academic barriers to success—employing methods that we know can make a difference on whether a student stays in school.”

On the second floor, students can find a series of spaces that offer a range of academic supports: the Learning Commons, Math Center, Writing Center, Reading Center, group study rooms, and academic coaching in the Success Center. More classrooms, study spaces, and the Testing Center are on the third floor of the facility. With all of the resources readily available, the CASC is positioned to be students’ home base for connecting to the academic and support services they need during their time at MCC. “We know that students often struggle through developmental and general education classes, especially during their first year,” said Goodwin. “There is something for everyone here at the CASC.”

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The New Metropolitan Community College Career and Academic Skills Center 34

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INSPIRING INNOVATION MINI-GRANT

In April 2017, the MCC Foundation awarded an MCCF Inspiring Innovation Mini-Grant to MCC’s health and public services department for a unique project seeking to infuse nursing and health education with humanities and the social sciences. This crossdisciplinary project aimed to teach what is difficult to convey in textbooks and clinical settings: the power of compassion and empathy when helping patients battle illness, begin healing, or face their own mortality.

Led by Dr. Stacey Ocander, dean of the health and public services department, and Lori Saville, nursing faculty, the proposed project centered on the 2013 doctoral work of Scottish artist Mark Gilbert titled “The Experience in Portraiture in the Clinical Setting” (EPICS). The study explored the holistic relationship developed between artist and subject with selected patients attending the Head and Neck Cancer Clinic at UNMC. Over the course of five months, Gilbert co-created journals, transcripts, and semi-structured interviews which evolved into 24 artworks that allowed both patients and the artist to “collaborate around stories of illness, suffering, and recovery.”

According to Gilbert, through EPICS, “both artist/researcher and sitters/participants were able to embrace what was threatening with what was reassuring, what was painful with what was pleasant, what was isolating with what was social, what was destructive with what was constructive, what was damaging with what was healing”.

The project brought Gilbert to MCC, along with several of the featured patients and their surgeons, for an event to share the original works, their shared experience, and the role of art in improving the overall quality of healthcare. Students had the opportunity to ask questions and learn about the five themes explored in Gilbert’s study: embracing uncertainties; developing trusting relationships; engaging in reflective practices; creating shared stories; and empowerment.

To maximize the impact of the project across disciplines, Gilbert graciously allowed MCC to display the artwork on the walls of the South Omaha Campus.

“Art in public spaces enhances the overall student experience at MCC in so many meaningful ways, especially when the work connects to both the College mission and our academic programs,” said Dr. Tom McDonnell, Vice President of academic affairs.

“Mark Gilbert’s work will do that for nursing and all of our health career areas, providing countless teaching and learning opportunities.”

The artwork will be on display for a minimum of one year and can be found in the Mahoney Building of MCC’s South Omaha Campus.

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MCC FREMONT CAMPUS DIESEL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM When community and industry leaders speak, we listen—and respond. That’s why MCC is known across the communities we serve as the go-to partner for developing programming that addresses new and emerging workforce demands.

So When Barb Pierce with the Greater Fremont Development Council vocalized a need for more technicians in Fremont to MCC’s Diesel Technology Program’s Advisory Board, the staff, faculty, and community partners rolled up their sleeves and got to work developing a Diesel Technology Career Academy for area high school students.

And data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics confirmed what we were hearing from area employers; between 2014-2024, employment for Diesel Engine Specialists in Nebraska is expected to grow 18%, with 100 job openings annually—jobs that pay an average of $45,000.

As part of a Career Academy, students spend the first half of the day at their high school and the second half off site taking career-focused college classes. Starting the program as juniors in high school, students graduate high school with almost half the credits needed to earn an associate’s degree.

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“Career Academies establish a pipeline of talent that starts with engaging students at the high school level, awarding them with industry-recognized credentials, and connecting them to local jobs that pay a livable wage,” said Deb Eppenbaugh, executive director of the applied technology center. “If we can attract and train students to excel in diesel technician positions, we can make a long-term impact for students, their families, and the local businesses that will ultimately employ them.”

Donors came forward to help MCC pay for the faculty position, split 50-50% with MCC’s annual budget. Butler Ag Equipment, a local employer of diesel technicians, donated start-up classroom and lab space where students can get hands-on experience learning important technical skills in areas like preventative maintenance and engine fundamentals. Finally, a community donation totaling $5,351 to the Greater Fremont Development Council in the Fremont Area Big Give and a $25,000 grant from the Fremont Area Community Foundation provided the program with the funding needed to purchase classroom tools for students to use while in the Academy.

The Fremont Diesel Technology Career Academy began in fall 2017 with four high school juniors. When they complete the two year academy, they will have earned 28 college credit hours and will only need one more year of courses at MCC to earn their associate’s degree.

“This Career Academy has been a true collaborative effort,” said Eppenbaugh. “Our industry partners, community leaders, and generous donors all stepped up to help us get this program off the ground. They know that investing in MCC is an investment in our students’ futures.”

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Metropolitan Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, genetic information, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, marital status, age, pregnancy, disability, current or prior military service, protected veteran status or membership in any other class that is protected under local, state or federal law or regulation in admission or access to its programs and activities or in its treatment or hiring of employees. The College complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1990, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of l975 and related Executive Orders 11246 and 11375, and all amendments to the above.

Contacts: Concerning Title VI (race), Title IX (gender equity), Section 504 (disability), Americans with Disabilities Act/Program and Services Accessibility and age, contact: Julie Langholdt – Dean of Student Advocacy and Accountability: 531-622-2202, jlangholdt@mccneb.edu (students); Maureen Moeglin – Associate Vice President of Human Resources: 531-622-2236, mmoeglin@mccneb.edu (employees); Bernie Sedlacek – Director of Facilities Management, Planning and Construction: 531-622-2529, bsedlacek@mccneb.edu (accessibility); or United States Department of Education Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights – Office for Civil Rights (OCR): 1-800-421-3481, ocr@ed.gov. Concerning hiring and employment-related complaints of discrimination or harassment based on race, color, national origin, genetic information, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, marital status, age, pregnancy, disability, current or prior military service, protected veteran status or membership in any other class that is protected under local, state or federal law or regulation, or affirmative action or diversity issues, contact: Associate Vice President for Equity and Diversity: 531-622-2649, cgooch@mccneb.edu. The address for all of the above individuals is as follows: Metropolitan Community College, 30th and Fort streets, P.O. Box 3777, Omaha, NE 68103-0777.

mccneb.edu/foundation