May 6, 2014

CHRONICLE Richland

Vol. XXXIX, Issue 14 May 6, 2014

Online classes

Pg. 7

Although in ever-increasing demand, one must be motivated and have good time-management skills.

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Richland welcomes student from Bangladesh Doris Brogan Staff Writer

Staff photo Doris Brogan

Ashik S. Ghani is majoring in finance and hopes to return home to serve his country.

“But trust me, people are more friendly over here. They welcome anything at any time. They’re ready for it. So yeah, that’s the good part … hopefully we’ll change in my country, too.”

Upcoming events Each week, the Division of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts at Richland College presents its Recital Series. All performances are on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. and are free to the general public. For more information about the series, contact Derrick Logozzo, coordinator of music, at 972-238-6254.

Tuesday, May 6: 7:30 p.m.

The works by students of music professor Jordan Kuspa will be presented in a Student Composer Concert.

Thursday, May 8: 7:30 p.m.

World Beat Concert – the Richland Percussion Group and Steel Bands will perform.

Saturday, May 10: 7:30 p.m.

Dr. Jerry Wallace Music Scholarship Concert. The Wind Symphony, String Orchestra and Chamber Singers will perform. There is a $10 admission fee.

May 12-15, Monday - Thursday Final Exams Summer Registration is ongoing for Continuing students/New, Transferring and Returning students.

Note: During inclement weather when school is in session, call 972-238-6196 to see if Richland will be open or watch any of the local TV stations by 6 a.m.

Ghani said he plans to get his undergraduate degree and his masters, probably from the University of Texas at Dallas. Then he will return to Bangladesh.

“That is the initial plan. I want to go back

SGA winners announced

The Student Government Association (SGA) has a new president, vice president, secretary, parliamentarian and ambassador.

Quynh Pham won the president race overwhelmingly with 160 votes over Joshua Bracken-Midla at 34 votes.

There was a difference of only two votes for vice president. Nariman Al-Matari won

with 110 votes over Reinaldo Turcios at 108.

Stephen Howsely is the incoming secretary, Aaron Janke for parliamentarian and Celso Arellano for ambassador. All three were unopposed.

The election was held April 23-24 and was only open to registered students.

Online registration for May and summer semesters begins The May and summer semester course schedules are available online at: http://www. richlandcollege.edu/schedules/summer.php.

Maymester courses begin on Friday, May 16.

Summer Session 1 begins June 4, and Summer Session 2 classes begin July 9.

Students wanting to register online for the

May and summer semester courses must do so prior to the first meeting and cannot register after the course begins.

Students are advised to check the course syllabus and the book for courses to avoid sticker shock.

Richlandchronicle.com May 6, 2014

This is the third in a series of articles featuring international students at Richland.

Ashik S. Ghani, 20, is a finance major from Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. He’s been in the U.S. since August 2012. He was first admitted to the University of Arkansas but transferred to Richland to be closer to his sister who lives in Irving.

Ghani has one advantage many international students do not.

“In Bangladesh our native language is Bangli,” he said, “but the official language is English. Any papers you have to write or any official documents have to be in English. Most of the time we use the British English,” he said, so he did have some trouble at first converting from British English to American English.

In describing the difference between life in the U.S. and Bangladesh, Ghani said there was “a huge difference from Bangladesh to here because Bangladesh is just a developing country … third-world country right now. The thing is, the U.S. is the No. 1 country in the whole world. Everyone knows this.

“And the culture, there is a big difference in the culture also. It’s like more freedom over here. It’s not like that in Bangladesh [where] people are more conservative in how they think. It’s … more open-minded over here.”

Because of this, Ghani has experienced some cultural problems.

“The thing is that I face some difficulties because some people are more conservative over there, so should I say this directly to you or not?

There is some confusion going on in my mind.

Should I be more open to the people over here or should I be a little bit conservative?

and serve my country because that’s my responsibility, I think, to serve my country.”

On the topic of Richland, Ghani had plenty of complimentary things to say.

“When I transferred from a university to a community college, I thought, oh my … there’s gonna be a school like an elementary school. It was way different, like an actual university. It’s a small campus but a lot of events are going on. They have a lot of different clubs like Phi Theta Kappa and other clubs.”

Ghani gave a lot of credit for his success to the professors at Richland.

“They are really helpful. Whenever I have problems with any … classes, they are always there to help me. They’re the best … I can ask for (in) a campus.”

The campus itself got rave reviews from Ghani.

“You have a beautiful campus,” he said.

“Most of the time I study by the lake. I love the sound of the water. Yeah, I like this place.

I often come here late at night and just sit … to calm down my mind.”

Even a serious, focused young man needs to relax.

“Most of the time I’m busy with my studies,” he said. “I also work on campus in the computer lab. Whenever I get some leisure time, I like to play video games. I like to play soccer. Some of my friends, we gather every Saturday on campus to play soccer.”

Ghani had some final thoughts on Richland. “I love this campus. I’ve learned a lot from Richland.”

Ghani credited Richland with helping him learn to communicate well and adapt to our culture.

“I’d like to thank Richland for … those things,” he said. “Richland was really welcoming to me.”

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Campus

Staff photo Melanie Brandow

The Steel Sound Steel Band pounds out its version of “How Deep is Your Love” by the Bee Gees.

Drummers ‘steel’ the show Ashling han

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Staff Writer

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The steel drum has become popular very quickly in the U.S. At the annual Richland College Carnival of Steel Festival on April 26, nine bands and four guest artists drummed up an incredible showcase.

During the day performance, the bands played all styles of music, from Caribbean and Latin to classical and rock.

Three bands from Richland and six different schools, high school and college alike, from multiple cities around Texas, showed their passion for percussion.

Throughout the day the guest artists offered suggestions and coaching to studentparticipants.

At the evening concert, four guest artists appeared: Jeff Narell, an internationally known steel pianist, Afro-Caribbean percussionist, educator-clinician and recording artist, the internationally acclaimed steel pan designer and artist Shelly Irvine, drum set and world percussion guest artist Jose Aponte from the University of North Texas, as well as Dallas bassist James Driscoll from Richland.

Shelly led Richland tenor steel pan students through Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Helter Skelter” by the Beatles. Narell, with other guest artists, professor Derrick Logozzo and Richland students performed steel pan of Narell’s original songs “Magic

Midwestern State Univeristy’s Steel Drum Band performs their reggae styled set for the crowd.

Carpet Ride,” “La Plaza”and “Joyride.”

There was also a solo percussion performance by Aponte.

Although steel drums are very popular in concert, chamber, school, on YouTube and on the street, there are just a few colleges in Texas that offer steel drum courses.

Former Richland professor Joe Perea did his best to make that happen at Richland in 2003.

Logozzo said people are looking for something interesting, and steel drums are not incredibly difficult. “It just has an accessibility and also it has a novelty, because people think,

Staff photos Ashling Han

The Steel Sound Steel Band rocks with tenor steel pan player Shelly Irvine, center, during their rendition of Cheap Trick’s “Surrender.”

‘I’m going to play that instrument.’ It has a lot to do with sunny places.”

Logozzo said he is trying to combine approaches because this is college. “Where I’m coming from, I think students need to learn. It gives students an opportunity to learn how to read sheet music. To me, steel drum is an instrument to get students started with music.”

The aspects of study include reading music, technique, culture and style information.

Richland offers 15 kinds of steel drums for students.

The first festival was held in Richland in

2003. Every year more bands have become involved and more students have gotten more experience.

The festival is intended to give students an opportunity to improve as musicians and gain experience by communicating and playing together with well-known guest artists.

That promotes the college, the steel drum courses and encourages innovation.

The Richland staff is already planning next year’s Carnival of Steel Festival. For more information, contact Logozzo at 972-238-6254, or stop by Fanin Hall, Room F-148.

movies/Campus

New Spider-man movie amazes with shocking scenes, puns

Spider-man (Andrew Garfield) squares off against the movie’s main villain, Electro, who is portrayed well by Jamie Foxx.

RICKY MILLER Entertainment Editor

A shrug of the shoulders, a roll of the eyes ... Just ask yourself, “Why should I even care?”

Because it’s “Spider-Man,” that’s why.

Like Sam Raimi’s third chapter in the original trilogy, “Amazing Spider-Man 2” has the fault of too many antagonists in the cook’s kitchen. It does not spend time with just one villain, rather pieces the storyline into multiple sections, not sure which path to take.

Andrew Garfield returns as webslinger Peter Parker, who is on the verge of graduating from high school. He has a dilemma in significant other Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone,

“The Help,” “Easy A”), who might be going overseas on a scholarship.

Also, back in his life is Harry Osborn (Dane Dehan, “Chronicle,” “Lawless”), a friend from way back who brings back fond memories of the days past.

With “Amazing Spider-Man 2,” it wants to placate the general public as well as the fanboys, while still staying true to the lore.

Director Marc Webb knows his audience, so he manages to keep the film at a swift pace while still pausing for the plot developments to occur.

Garfield emulates the young Parker through and through. The same goes for Stone’s Stacy, the glowing valedictorian of their high school.

Returning for round two is Sally Field as

Aunt May, who wonders why Peter is so dirty all the time. She does not want to be considered useless, hence her aspirations to get a job at the local hospital.

In a major supporting role is Jamie Foxx (“Ray,” “The Kingdom”) as Max Dillon, who works for one of the villainous entities of the story, Oscorp. It’s a shady institution that passes itself off as a nice place to climb the corporate ladder.

Dillon’s smart persona gravitates toward being somewhat of a bewildered schlep who never seems to get it right. Before the start of Act 2, Dillon splashes into a tank of electric eels, thus creating Electro, one of the main enemies of the “Spider-Man” storyline.

Image courtesy 2espahlous.com

Also making all-too-brief cameos are Paul Giamatti’s Alex Sytesevitch aka, the Rhino.

He shows up in the first act for a couple of scenes but then disappears until the latter part of Act 3.

Osborn wants to talk to Parker about getting his spider bite DNA because he thinks it will help him get better.

Meanwhile, Electro essentially drains the power from the beloved city, putting SpiderMan in a little bit of a bind.

Like the first installment, this one moves the storyline forward for future chapters. Word to those fans of the Marvel universe: Don’t stick around for the end credits, because you get zilch, zero, nada, zero.

Grade: B-

Staff photo Ashling Han

Richland’s two nesting pairs of Canada geese have produced a new gaggle. The first pair welcomed seven goslings on Wednesday. The second pair welcomed three additional young “honkers” on Thursday, bringing the total to 10.

Interest around campus has been high, with nearly 4,300 views on the Richland Goose Cam, set up to appeal to the enormous campus-wide interest.

The geese are protective of their latest hatchlings, so students are advised not to get too close to these latest Richland celebrities.

Staff photo Blanca Reyes

Thunderducks crush Cedar Valley

Thunderduck Josh Smith smashes a drive Friday against Cedar Valley. Richland won 17-1. There are only a few games left before the end of the regular season, and the national tournament.

Staff photo Melanie Brandow

Richlandchronicle.com May 6, 2014

Taking a gander around campus

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Successful first semester for new RCHS administrators JOYCE LIU

ON THE COVER COVER AND FONTS Staff illustration by Lora Advincula Cover Certain fonts are provided by the following: http://www.nymfont.com - http://www.bvfonts.com Staff photos Blanca Reyes

Principal Herman Jackson, left, and vice principal Craig Hinkle complete their first semester.

“Providing opportunities for a career is very important,” Jackson said, since he, too, has gone through many career choices in his life.

Hinkle taught for 15 years from middle school to high school. Having taught 12 years in high school as an English teacher, Hinkle was head of the English Department for Sachse High School.

Covering 31 teachers in different areas like journalism, debate, English 1, 2 and 3 and also working for the administration office, Hinkle’s experience has prepared him well for the different setting of RCHS. Since joining RCHS as vice principal, Hinkle has taken on quite a handful of responsibilities and opportunities. One would think that having so many duties is overwhelming, but Hinkle sees this as “refreshing” because

this job provides a great number of opportunities.

Both administrators acknowledge that the transition from a regular high school setting to a high school plus college setting is very different and recognize it as a fantastic program.

Even though the setting is on a college campus, the working relationships are different. RCHS currently employs 25 staff members, not including the college staff. But that doesn’t stop Jackson and Hinkle, for they are still working hard to better the program.

Although RCHS is doing well, Jackson and Hinkle are looking for ways to enhance and continue the growth of the program.

RCHS has been an active part of the college since 2005. It began with only 200 upcoming juniors.

Thunderducks clean up, are recycle champs among two-year schools

Doris Brogan Richlandchronicle.com May 6, 2014

Staff Writer

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Kisten S. Chetty Jonathan Lee Lora Advincula Melanie Brandow Blanca Reyes Ricky Miller Carla Davis Joyce Jackson

With online classes, students must juggle between time spent studying and time spent relaxing.

Richland places third in RecycleMania competition

If the national RecycleMania competition were an Olympic sport, Richland would have been proudly standing on the podium to receive the bronze medal when the winners were announced April 11.

When the final results were tallied, Richland took third place nationally and first place locally with a 75.107 percent recycling rate.

The first-place winner was Antioch University Seattle with a 93.133 percent recycling rate.

The second-place winner was the University of Missouri-Kansas City with an 81.052 percent recycling rate. Both are four-year schools.

Richland was ranked first among two-year schools both nationally and locally.

The closest local two-year school was North Lake, which was ranked 54th nationally and fifth in Texas with a 39.614 percent recycling rate.

Ken Dunson, director of facility services, was understandably proud of Richland’s results. “It’s a big honor for us in facilities to just

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Staff Writer

In a matter of weeks, the new administrators of Richland Collegiate High School (RCHS) will have a sucessful first semester under their belts.

In December, Herman Jackson and Craig Hinkle took on the roles of principal and vice principal respectively.

Dr. Kristyn Edney, co-founder and former principal/president of the program, spent roughly seven years contributing to its progress. Edney left the program during the fall semester to become a dual-credit coordinator for the Garland Independent School District.

According to Jackson and Hinkle, they both applied for the job in August, going through a series of interviews and on Dec. 16 the final decision was made.

Jackson has taught for 16 years as a science teacher and a coach. He has had five years of experience as a vice principal for Duncanville High School. He said that becoming a principal for a charter school was no big leap for him.

Jackson believes that the RCHS program is the “future of high school education” and through his ABCs (accountability, building relationships, and conversations) of education and vision “to develop a high school that provides the best education possible in which our students leave us with the skills necessary to flourish in a constantly evolving global society,” he expects to extend that.

Jackson hopes to continue with the service learning program for RCHS students by refining the concept toward their future career goals.

Richland Chronicle

Staff illustration

participate. And to also do as well as we have is just the icing on the cake,” he said.

Dunson praised both the facilities staff and the custodial staff for their efforts in helping Richland achieve such outstanding success in the competition.

“Even though RecycleMania is an eight-

week program, our staff and the custodial staff believes in a recycling way of life on a daily basis year around. I can’t say enough about our custodial staff. They’re contracted labor, but we treat them as part of the family because they are the nucleus of what we are able to accomplish in RecycleMania. They sort 100 percent of every single bag of trash they collect,” Dunson said.

Glenn Dillon, a dedicated Richland recycler who works part time in the computer lab, summed it up with the slogan the computer lab adopted for this year’s RecycleMania effort, “It All Adds Up.” Dillon said, “I believe this sums up the drive we all gave to reach the goal of third place.

The involvement of each person is the way success is achieved.”

Richland first participated in the RecycleMania competition in 2009 and finished with a debut ranking of 43. By 2011 the college rose to 15th place.

Last year, we placed eighth. This amazing rise through the ranks to place third in five short years proves that Richland can play with the big boys.

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CONTACT INFORMATION El Paso Hall, Room E-020, 12800 Abrams Rd. Dallas, 75243 Newsroom: 972-238-6079 E-mail: chronicle@dcccd.edu Advertising: 972-238-6068 E-mail: advertise@dcccd.edu Fax: 972-238-6037

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CAmpus

Online enrollment continues to increase Joyce Jackson Copy Editor

According to the latest figures, distance learning is increasing because of higher demand.

Mary Darin, executive dean of the School of Learning Enrichment and Academic Development, said 19,800 students were enrolled at Richland this semester. That includes all students taking for credit classes.

“It (enrollment) was more than any other school in the Dallas County Community College District,” she said. “The next largest was Eastfield (in Mesquite) with 15,000 and Brookhaven (Farmers Branch) with 14,000.”

Last semester, Darin said, there were 20,000 students enrolled at Richland, which reflects a slight decrease semester to semester, and 5,327 were enrolled in online classes.

“That’s about one-fourth who are online learners,” Darin said.

Darin added that the college tries to discourage students who are not good time managers and who are not highly motivated for online classes.

“If you sign up for an online class, you better be pretty motivated, a good time manager and really have good skills and self regulation,” she said. “Some students procrastinate with online classes. It’s more for mature learners.”

Today more faculty members are trained to teach courses online, she said, and they’re interested in doing so.

“In the beginning, about 10 years ago, there was probably reluctance because our faculty members liked to interact with students,” Darin said. “It’s a very different environment to interact with students

Photo illustration W. Ben Roach and Oghenetega Okparavero

While online classes are more convenient for some, they come with added distractions at home like television and the Internet.

online. You don’t get to see them.”

Darin said, at that time, there was really light enrollment in online classes and just a few “pioneers” (faculty members) who wanted to try it.

“Now, just about everybody is able to teach a course online,” she said.

Darin said that it’s not a requirement that faculty teach online courses, although that seems to be what students want, especially in

some disciplines.

“It’s not as popular in lab science courses,” she said, “but in courses like government, English and history, the online courses are very popular. We offer them in different time formats -- four-week, six-week, nine-week and 16-week courses -- a great variety of offerings for students to do the courses.”

Darin said publishers have come on board, too. They have developed supplemental

materials for courses that make it easier for a faculty member to teach an online course. One example is the online version for psychology instructors who use “My Virtual Child,” where the student raises a child.

“These are supplemental materials, videos and PowerPoints that never used to be available,” she said.

Darin said that the average age of a Richland student last semester was 26.

Sidney Cruz, 19 Biology major “I’ve taken three online courses. There are some I prefer online because it’s more convenient and I learn just as much. There are some where I do prefer regular classes because the teacher explains so much better.”

Staff photos Joyce Jackson

Ishmael Donzo, 19 Business management major

Erin Dunlap, 30 Biology major

“I prefer online courses because you have more time to do it and also you can do it wherever you want to, wherever you’re comfortable. I’ve just taken one.”

“I prefer regular classes. I just feel like I do better in a classroom setting with my peers.

It’s more fun that way and it’s hands on, but it depends on the subject.”

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Students share their online experiences

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Take the reins to your future.

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Unbridled achievement.

There’s plenty to do inside and outside the classroom at A&M-Commerce.

At our Equine Center, you can saddle up for a ride, train horses for competition, or board your own animals. The new covered riding facility, 110’ x 180’ riding arena, show barn and smaller arena for obstacles and ground work offer opportunities to improve students’ knowledge and skills.

Learn about horse care and health, handling and business-related matters.

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