SCC Momentum Spring 2016

Momentum ISSUE IX - SPRING 2016

LEAVING A L ASTING

LEGACY Gera King Interior Design Scholarship

L E TTE R FROM PRESIDENT GEH LER Scottsdale has many points of pride, and I hope you agree that Scottsdale Community College is right there at the top.

Recently, I wrote a commentary that was published in the Scottsdale Independent. I’d like to share parts of it here, in case you missed it, because I’m a proud Artichoke. Nationally and locally, SCC is being noticed for much more than having an unusual mascot.

For the third consecutive time, SCC is among only 150 community colleges to be eligible for the biennial $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, which will be awarded in 2017.

SCC also was named the sixth best community college in the country based on the quality of its educational offerings and its overall cost to attend. This recognition comes from SmartAsset, a personal-financial advice platform, that looked at 565 public two-year colleges and ranked them based on graduation and transfer rates, in-state tuition, student-teacher ratio and graduates' average starting salary compared with the overall cost of attending the institution.

In addition, we are proud to hold the distinction of being the first community college to be named a Veterans Supportive Campus by Arizona Veterans Affairs.

I and everyone at SCC are forever grateful to the steadfast leaders who saw the need for a strong community college in Scottsdale and didn’t stop until they made it happen.

We are celebrating our 45-year anniversary this academic year, and we look forward to continuing that legacy of support and working with our partners throughout Scottsdale to champion the quality education and economic impact of SCC. There are many ways you, our partners, can support SCC’s continued success: • Give to our general scholarship fund. Some 70 percent of our students attend school part time, because they simply can’t afford more courses and/or are working full or part time while attending school; • Attend our performing arts or athletic events. Our students work hard, and there’s nothing quite like performing or playing before a packed house; • Join one of our 30-plus Community Advisory Councils and bring your career expertise and knowledge to the table; • Enroll yourself or encourage family and friends to enroll. At $84 per credit hour, you can’t beat the value, and students who earn an associate degree do better when they transfer to a four-year institution; • Ask your representatives to keep community colleges in the state budget conversations. Currently, there is zero state funding to the Maricopa Community Colleges, and that is something we must change.

Thank you for your support.

Jan L. Gehler SCC President

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Momentum is published by the Office of Institutional Advancement and Community Engagement at Scottsdale Community College.

_________________ E D I TO R /W R IT E R Nancy Neff C O N T R I B U T IN G W R IT E R S Kristine Burnett Jonathan Higuera GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kim Herbst P H O TOGR A P H Y Provided in part by: Jonathan Higuera Nancy Neff Kim Herbst Mark Skainy Jen Sydow Sean Deckert ON THE COVER Gera King is retiring after 35 years of teaching and leaves a lasting legacy.

Story on page 4. _________________

C O N TA C T Nancy Neff Nancy.Neff@scottsdalecc.edu 480-423-6567 _________________

STAY CONNECTED WITH SCC

www.scottsdalecc.edu

SCOTTSDALE PUBLIC ART

SHOWCASES

Eddie Dibler at SCC's Iron Pour. ©Sean Deckert, CALNICEAN Image: Heavy Water by Eddie Dibler, Commissioned by Scottsdale Public Art for PlatFORM, 2015

E

ddie Dibler graduated from Scottsdale Community College with plans to accomplish big things, and he’s done exactly that, quite literally.

Dibler’s “Heavy Water” public art sculpture is impressive in size and structure. It weighs half a ton and reaches about 13-feet high, with welded steel cubes cascading, from smallest to largest, onto a concrete base. It’s hard to miss at its location on the busy corner of Scottsdale Road and Roosevelt Street in South Scottsdale.

“It’s supposed to look like pixelated water coming out of a faucet,” Dibler said. “The fabrication of the pour spout didn’t quite work out, so it became more of a sculpture than a literal narrative.

The structure impressed the judges with PlatFORM, a multicity initiative offering opportunities for Arizona university student artists to propose sculptures for temporary placement in public places. Now a student at Arizona State University, Dibler and five of his classmates in an architectural sculpture class submitted their ideas to be commissioned. Dibler and a fellow student won.

“In class, we made small models of our designs and photographed them using forced perspective to make them look life size,” Dibler said. “At the end of the semester we applied for the public art commission, and I won. I found out on June 3 – my birthday – that my piece was selected and then had until October 23 to complete it.”

Eddie Dibler with his sculpture, "Heavy Water".

Adding to Dibler’s winning streak, he was selected for Northern Arizona University’s Artist Residency Program at Rogers Lake in Flagstaff, where he was able to spend the summer creating his sculpture.

“I bought the steel in Phoenix and hauled it up to Flagstaff,” he said. “It took about two-anda-half months to complete, because I was also juggling four studio classes and a regular class,” he said.

"

My mom passed away and I

definitely woke up and thought about where I should be,” Dibler said. “My dad said follow your passion and that’s what I’m doing.

"

Dibler’s success as a student and artist didn’t come easy or fast. His first attempt at sculpting was right out of high school at a college in Missouri. That wasn’t successful, and he then spent nine years bartending, before determining he didn’t like where he was in his life.

“My mom passed away and I definitely woke up and thought about where I should be,” Dibler said. “My dad said follow your passion and that’s what I’m doing.”

Dibler knew he wanted to live in Arizona, so he researched schools and said SCC was a good fit and had better ratings than other schools. He enrolled at SCC and was inspired by Fine Arts Division Chair Ted Uran.

In 2014, he graduated with an Associate in Fine Arts degree.

“I really enjoyed my time at SCC, with the small class sizes, personal attention – and free parking,” Dibler said. “I miss it. Almost all of my teachers were awesome and willing to help you. I keep in touch with Ted and participate in the Iron Pour each year.”

As for the future, Dibler wants to keep following his passion and has his sights set on getting more public commissions for his art.

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GERA KING

LEAVES LASTING LEGACY Upon Retirement Gera King has helped thousands of students in her 33 years of teaching. Now, as she plans for retirement, many of those students have returned the favor by helping to fund the “Gera King Interior Design Scholarship.”

King established the scholarship at the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation as a legacy she could leave to support students for years to come.

“I was thinking about retiring and then began thinking about the number of students I’ve had over the years,” King said. “It turns out it’s more than 2,000 students that have gone through my classes, and I’ve witnessed the struggles many of them have to pay for college, particularly the students age 30-plus, who are working and, often, supporting a family.

Gera King is interviewed by MCTV Reporter Andrea Zakrzewski for a segment highlighting INT150 Color & Design.

“Since I won’t be here to help students as a teacher and adviser, I wanted to still be able to help in some way, and it was my daughter who mentioned crowdfunding as a way to garner support from former students and industry partners for a scholarship,” King said.

The outpouring of support that she received was overwhelming. In less than one month of fundraising, the scholarship reached the required $10,000 threshold for an endowed fund. It continues to grow, surpassing $13,000 to date. There have been more than 62 donors, with gifts ranging from $10 – $2,000 coming from near and far, including Arizona, California, Oregon, Michigan, Kentucky and Maryland. King’s parents, siblings, kids, cousins, neighbors and friends gave, as well as several of her former students.

King reached out personally to the local design industry, including several studios and showrooms that hire SCC interns and grads, and asked each for $1,000 to get the fund started. She then reached out via email and social media to her former students, family and friends with a link to give online.

“It feels really good to see the full circle,” King said.

“Students go through our program, get an internship, graduate and go to work – and then they hire an intern and the cycle continues. It is so gratifying to watch and humbling that they, too, want to pay it forward. They understand, because they’ve been there.”

“Our pleasure, Gera.

[We are] always happy to support you and SCC any way we can.”

PRAISE POURS IN FROM DONORS Gera King's friends, family and colleagues sent her notes of praise and encouragement along with their donations to her scholarship fund.

“Gera King has made an enormous contribution to the interior design community and I am proud to be her colleague.”

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“Wonderf l cause!

Good luck!”

Student selected for first Gera King Scholarship

"Education changes lives.

I’ve seen it and experienced it year after year." ~Gera King

“Education changes lives. I’ve seen it and experienced it year after year,” King said.

The Gera King Interior Design Scholarship will be awarded each Spring, based on financial need. Student applicants will write a short essay about how the scholarship will help them and a panel of reviewers from the Interior Design program will make the selection.

Teresa Karagas is the first recipient of the Gera King Interior Design Scholarship at Scottsdale Community College. She was selected from a pool of eight highly qualified applicants to receive $500 toward her Spring tuition.

“I’m honored to be selected for this scholarship and I want to make Gera proud,” said Karagas, who, at 43, is returning to college after relocating to Arizona from Utah last year.

“I was successful working in interior design in Salt Lake City, but found when we moved here that not having a degree in the field was really limiting me,” she said.

Karagas said she was terrified to go back to school, but, after meeting with King, her decision was made easier. “She was so sweet and gentle and really listened to me,” said Karagas.

“It’s been the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ve been reenergized and reinspired by design and being creative.”

The scholarship is awarded based on financial need, and will help Karagas with her goal of obtaining her degree without drowning in debt.

“It’s special for many reasons,” Karagas said. “I just hope I can live up to what this means to me and to Gera.”

Gera King with 2015 student rug design winner Joan Sleeth.

“My degree from SCC has meant the world to me.

I graduated over 25 years ago and have created my ‘Design Mark’ in the Great Northwest.”

“It is a pleasure to cont ibute to this f nd. In addition to benefi ing personally om my education at SCC, Ownby Desig has enjoyed working with many inter s that st dy at SCC.”

“I am pleased to be a part of your endowed scholarship.

You’ve done so much for so many, and you continue to do so. You are one amazing, remarkable, incredible woman.”

Gift of

TECHN

Helps Engineer

T

hanks to Michael and Solange Whitehead, Scottsdale residents and grateful parents of two former SCC students, the school’s suite of innovative technology now includes a state-of-the-art 3-D printer system complete with a 3-D scanner.

presentation. However, she was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict. When Lynelle tried to arrange another time to see the printer, she learned that SCC didn’t own the device. It was on loan for the presentation. Furthermore, a 3-D printer just wasn’t in the school’s budget.

The gift of technology was a fitting way for the two electrical engineers to blend their interest in new technology with their gratitude for the school that had such a positive impact on their kids, particularly their oldest child, Lynelle.

Then, the Whiteheads stepped in.

After a difficult year at a four-year university, Lynelle returned home feeling deflated and uncertain about her ability to get an engineering degree. She enrolled in English and engineering classes at SCC, something Solange says turned everything around.

The school’s small class sizes, engaged professors and excellent tutoring center were keys to Lynelle’s success. Having regained her energy and enthusiasm, Lynelle told her mom, “Studying at SCC makes me happy again.”

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“Dr. Rawlings and the other professors gave Lynelle a second chance to succeed and, ultimately, learn to love the field of engineering,” Solange said.

Intrigued by the technology, the Whiteheads decided that purchasing a 3-D printer for the school was a meaningful way to pay it forward with Solange saying, “This was our chance to give back to the school and also to future SCC students.”

“My background is engineering,” Solange said. “Though I’m now a realtor, I stay up on the latest cool new technologies and 3-D printing is game-changing technology.

Anyone can design and build a product with a bit of motivation and almost no capital investment. Technologies that empower everyday people are just exciting and I really like the idea of SCC students having access to the machine.”

“Lynelle’s physics professor [Dr. Kyle Rawlings] had a great impact on her,” Solange said. “He was very accessible, The Whiteheads worked with SCC’s provided students with plenty of guidance. Solange Whitehead learns how the 3-D development director, Charles Silver, on He really boosted Lynelle’s confidence, printer is being used in the classroom. the logistics of not only purchasing the which helped her to overcome her pre-test printer, but also ensuring the new technology aligned jitters. He also organized a field trip to the Quantum with the college’s curriculum. SCC’s IT Department and Energy and Sustainable Solar Technologies (QESST) Engineering faculty worked together on installation and Engineering Research Center at Arizona State University.” gaining the necessary training to get the most out of the printer when it comes to classroom instruction.

The field trip was later followed by an introduction between Lynelle and lab researchers at QESST that “They had to learn how to use the printer and then how resulted in a full-time summer internship. to teach other people to use it,” Solange said.

Through a math professor at SCC, Lynelle had the The Whiteheads no longer have children attending opportunity to learn about 3-D printing at an upcoming SCC. Lynelle moved on to study engineering at Arizona

PRINTER

NOLOGY

ring Students

EXCEL

State University after completing a year at SCC. Their son, Derek, took Spanish classes at SCC during high school and a non-credit chemistry course between semesters at Northern Arizona University to better prepare for a future in medicine.

However, with one more child, 16-year-old Bethany, coming up the ranks as a possible future Artichoke, the Whiteheads are happy to know that their contribution is having an impact on students and faculty at SCC. Above left: Engineering Professor Cody Anderson explains the 3-D printer's uses.

Below: Engineering student Shane Lannon tests the ping pong ball launcher he made using the 3-D printer.

BRINGS FUN TO THE ENGINEERING CLASS When SCC’s Engineering faculty learned that grateful parents, Michael and Solange Whitehead, were donating a 3-D Printer to the school, the excitement was palpable. But first, the teachers would have to become students.

Engineering Program Director Patricia Dueck and Adjunct Professor Cody Anderson applied for and were awarded a Maricopa Community Colleges educational development program (EDP) grant for training. The two worked together over the summer to become familiar with 3-D printing technology, write instructions for its use and design assignments around it.

“Nobody at SCC had ever used a 3-D printer, myself included,” Anderson said. “It was frustrating at first because our prints weren’t coming out right. Patricia and I did some troubleshooting and eventually we got it down. You can apply the technology to any design you dream up.”

SO HOW DOES 3-D PRINTING WORK? According to Anderson, 3-D printing heats plastic filament to produce and stack thin (0.2 mm) layers of melted plastic in a process known as additive manufacturing.

“The first step is to create a blueprint of the object using modeling software,” Dueck explained. “The software was entirely new for me. I spent about eight hours designing something for my Calculus 3 class, which is all about three-dimensional modeling. Imagining stuff in 3-D is difficult. Having my design come out as an actual 3-D object that I could hold in my hand was very satisfying.”

Anderson incorporated 3-D printing into his Intro to Engineering course, including the final project – designing and “printing” a ping pong ball launcher. When he presented the ping pong ball launcher as the final project, Anderson’s students got excited.

“A quiet student raised his hand and said this was the best final project he’d ever had,” Anderson shared. “That was pretty neat.”

Anderson said the technology brings built-in motivation – for him and his students.

“I’m learning a great deal from my students as they submit designs,” he said. “They’re making mistakes that I wouldn’t have, but they’re also coming up with ideas that I wouldn’t have.”

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Rick Sowers (left) and SCC football coach Doug Madoski.

Watch the Video 8

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Above left: Charros Chris Watts and Tim Cowdrey at the SCC Donor Wall. Above right: from left to right, Jan Gehler, Tim Cowdrey, Chris Watts, Ray Weinhold, Ryan Spiekerman, and Rick Carpinelli.

Inset: Chris Watts and Football Coach Doug Madoski.

SCOTTSDALE CHARROS SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS The Scottsdale Charros’ long-standing tradition of supporting higher education, particularly Scottsdale Community College, was bolstered with a recent commitment of $5,000 annually to fund two-year scholarships for Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) high school graduates attending SCC. The "Charro Foundation Scottsdale Community College Scholarship" will start in the 2016-17 school year. Recipients can be recent SUSD graduates or returning adult students, as long as their high school GPA is 3.0 or higher and there is financial need.

The Charros and SCC will advertise the scholarship and encourage eligible students to apply. Then, a Charros committee will review applications and select the students to receive the scholarship funds. Applications are due in February each year. Recipients will be notified in March with funding occurring in July for the next academic year.

“We are pleased to support the educational pursuits of SUSD graduates through scholarships at SCC,” said Dan Postal, Charros Patron. “Our partnership with SUSD and SCC is one that continues to fulfill our mission to provide support and funding for youth, education and local charities.”

Dr. Jan Gehler, SCC President, said “The Scottsdale Charros have long been supporters of SCC and this is further evidence of the group's commitment to promote the greater Scottsdale community and enable students to achieve a higher education. The SCC and Scottsdale Charros partnership is one that will continue to have a significant positive impact for years to come."

In addition to this new annual scholarship established at SCC, the Charros long ago funded an endowed scholarship with the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation for SCC students. The group also has been involved in other projects, such as naming and rewarding an SCC Teacher of the Year at its annual spring banquet.

The Charros’ overriding priority is quality education, and the group has a history of generously providing guidance,

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volunteer and philanthropic support to SUSD and SCC. As a matter of fact, SCC’s very existence is due in large part to the efforts of Charros members.

In the late 1960s, the Scottsdale Town Enrichment Program (STEP) was established as a series of citizen-driven committees to define Scottsdale’s future. STEP committees studied and made recommendations on such ventures as building a civic center and municipal airport, turning the often flooded Indian Bend Wash into a series of parks, and establishing a community college.

Paul Messinger, a former Patron (President) of the Charros chaired the community college committee and he was assisted by fellow Charros David Hallstrom, then executive director of the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce, and Don Chambers, owner of Chambers Mayflower. They spoke in favor of establishing SCC at every meeting of the Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board until the proposed college was approved and established in 1970.

Examples of the Charros’ support of SCC’s mission throughout the years include: ◆ The Scottsdale Charros Scholarship Endowment Fund has enabled hundreds of bright but financially needy students to realize their educational dreams ◆ Contributions to a number of scholarship funds and support for student athletes at SCC, including $5,000 for pavers on the Walk of Honor at Two Waters Circle honoring 40 NJCAA Football All Americans from SCC’s history ◆ A $25,000 grant that enabled SCC and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) to establish a program for fifth through eighth grade students and their parents to collectively prepare for and aspire to a college education ◆ Committing to $5,000 annually to fund scholarships for graduates of the Scottsdale Unified School District who are academically motivated but need financial assistance

If you would like to support student success at SCC, call Development Director Charles Silver at 480-423-6424.

A

GIVING CULTURE at scottdale community college

P

overty and hunger don’t

typically come to mind when thinking of Scottsdale, but the need is there and SCC faculty, staff and students give generously in time, talent and treasure to make a positive difference in the community.

SCC's giving culture is demonstrated throughout the year, but is particularly active during the holiday season. The season kicks off in November, with a series of food drives and service learning projects as part of World Hunger Days, and continues with SCC hosting the annual "Alli Ortega Empty Bowls" fundraiser and the World Hunger Fair in December. In 2015, more than 150 bowls were purchased, raising more than $4,000 to help feed the hungry in our local community.

The Alli Ortega Empty Bowls event is presented through a partnership of Scottsdale Unified School District, City of Scottsdale agencies and SCC. The World Hunger Fair is held to raise awareness and funds to prevent hunger.

Each year during the holidays, several giving opportunities are available to SCC employees. The Dee Dugan Memorial Holiday Angel program also called “Dee's Trees,” offers employees a chance to provide gifts for needy children served by the Paiute Neighborhood Center and aid to refugee families. Trees are adorned with tags that specify a child by age and gift wish.

Facilities Project Manager Tim LeDuc and his wife donated six bikes to the Angel program.

Many faculty and staff get involved, but special kudos goes to faculty John Avianantos and Darrell Copp, who coordinate the holiday giving trees and ensure gifts are delivered.

This year, the effort spilled into 2016, when, on Jan 2, SCC faculty delivered about $1,200 worth of necessities to furnish the homes of two refugee families who arrived in the U.S. in December – one from Sudan and one from Congo.

“Through the remarkable generosity of spirit of those who donated and those who took part in the deliveries (and some who did both), two families got a much brighter start on 2016 than they may have otherwise had,” said Copp. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me this experience and for sharing it with me.”

SCC’s giving spirit shines year-round, through service learning. In 2014/15, nearly 1,400 students participated in service learning projects that have community impact and academic significance. Service Learning is embedded across the curriculum at SCC, giving students opportunities to help others while gaining course credit and becoming better citizens.

SCC faculty and staff deliver furniture and supplies to families in need.

Top: Artie joins the giving spirit at Alli Ortega Empty Bowls. Above: Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane and Mr. David Ortega join Artie at the empty bowls fundraiser.

WIN

Artichokes win Valley of the Sun Bowl The Scottsdale Community College Fighting Artichokes won the 2015 Valley of the Sun Bowl over the Central Lakes (Minnesota) College Raiders by a final score of 42-34 on Dec. 5.

It was a back and forth thrilling contest all afternoon. SCC took an early 7-6 lead in the first quarter, and continued to lead the contest mid-way through the second quarter by a score of 21-13.

Central Lakes battled back and gained the lead heading into the half by a score of 27-21. SCC and Central Lakes then traded touchdowns in the third quarter, with the Raiders up by a score of 34-28. SCC scored on a run late in the fourth quarter to

go up 35-34 with 3:42 to go in the contest and kept the lead after an interception stalled Central Lakes’ drive.

A late game touchdown pass by Quarterback Tyler Bruggman sealed the game with a score of 42-34. This was the Artichokes third straight trip to the Valley of the Sun Bowl, where they have now won two out of the last three. Congratulations to Coach Doug Madoski, the entire football coaching staff, all of the players and football personnel this season for such a great way to finish the year.

I may want to go to medical school. I’m not sure what my best option is right now. I just like doing everything, learning everything.

~Tiana Passante.

Teen on track

for earning AAS degree

L

ike many college students, Tiana Passante is exploring her career options by taking classes in areas that sound appealing to her. Given the fact she’s only 15 and has been attending SCC since she was 12, she still has plenty of time to decide.

“I’m just keeping all my options open,” says Passante, who is currently on track to receive her Associate of

Applied Sciences in Interior Design in May. “I may want to go to medical school. I’m not sure what my best option is right now. I just like doing everything, learning everything.”

have treated her well, even if they are shocked to learn her age. “They are surprised when they find out how old I am, but they’ve been really nice and considerate.”

She currently takes six classes, plus a science lab, and works a few hours a week as an intern at a local architectural firm. Considering her age, her approach of wanting to explore many areas before settling on a career choice seems appropriate. Among the classes she’s enjoyed most at SCC are Forensics taught by Greg Ballard and Communications from Anneliese Harper.

She started taking one computer class at SCC, with the goal of getting up to speed on computers before going to a public school. Instead, she remained at SCC, taking mostly college level courses.

“She’s on the mark with her assignments,” said Dr. Harper. “She’s clearly one of the brighter students I’ve had.

You don’t see that every day and you definitely don’t see it at age 15.”

Homeschooled by her mother until she started attending SCC in 2013, Passante says her fellow students

“The computer class was easy so I decided to take an Interior Design course,” she said. “Then I took three classes and went full time.”

Her professors have urged her to take fewer classes so she can explore each one more thoroughly but she enjoys the challenge of taking a full load.

“I’m not ready to decide on that one thing I want to do with my life.”

Benson wows at George Benson wowed the capacity crowd at the 2016 Music Showcase and presentation of the George Benson Honorary Scholarship on Feb. 11. Benson sat in on guitar with jazz vocalist Dennis Rowland, who performed his trademark scat singing to the delight of the audience.

Benson wasn’t done, as he returned to the stage for a solo guitar performance that brought the audience to its feet.

In keeping with tradition, Benson presented the George Benson Honorary Scholarship, which this year was awarded to Ryan “Bad Lil King” Williams, who is in the electronic music program. The honor earns Williams a $1,500 scholarship. He also received a $500 scholarship in the Music Theory category.

“I wasn’t expecting either of them (scholarships),” he said.

“But when you are paying your own way through school and an opportunity exists, you should go for it. Every little bit helps lighten the load.”

Ryan Williams

Williams, 26, plans to get his Music Business degree in May 2017, and aspires to make electronic music his vocation.

In presenting the scholarship to Williams, Benson said, “We are fortunate to have this prestigious school to help talented students achieve their dreams of pursuing music.”

The annual Music Showcase features the best performances from faculty and staff in the Music program. It also is a fundraiser, raising money through sponsorships and donations to support the annual scholarship.

This year’s sponsors were: Sonata Category ($500-$999) Moses, Inc., Legacy Financial Group, Discount Tire, Harkins Theatres, Casino Arizona/Talking Stick Resort and Wayne and Liza Marcus. Overture Category ($50-$499) Jeremy and Julia Hall, Jessica Moore Aikin, AE Media and Sam Ask Music Stores. To be a 2017 sponsor, contact Christina Novak at 480-423-6327.

NEWSBRIEFS NEWSB R I E F S

SCC NOMINATED FOR ASPEN PRIZE

Scottsdale Community College joins seven other Maricopa Community Colleges named to the Aspen Institute’s top 150 U.S. community colleges, the institute announced in February.

SCC is now eligible to compete for $1 million in prize funds awarded as part of the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATED IN FEBRUARY The Black Student Union (BSU) at Scottsdale Community College presented several events in February as part of Black History Month.

Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr., Senior Pastor of First Institutional Baptist Church in Phoenix, shared details about his role in the movement to get Arizona to recognize the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Those efforts are chronicled in his book, “Victory Together for Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Story of Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr., Governor Evan Mecham and the Historic Battle for a Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday in Arizona.”

A Student Showcase of Rappers also was featured. The rappers, mentored

by John “Candyman” Shaffer III, a renowned rapper from the 1980s and current adjunct faculty member with SCC’s DJ program, performed with students. Performances included Hip Hop Dancing and the well-known Kawambe-Omowale African Drum & Dance Theater Troupe.

The month-long series was capped off with a presentation by Professor Bruce Thomas on “My Life as a Crow.” A residential faculty member at South Mountain Community College, he discussed being raised during “Jim Crow” and shared his perspective on living in a racially bifurcated country.

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The Aspen Prize, awarded every two years, recognizes and honors high achievement and performance among community colleges based on exceptional student outcomes in four areas: student learning, certificate and degree completion, employment and earnings, and access and success for minority and low-income students.

DJ PROGRAM GETS NEW DIRECTOR

The DJ and Electronic Music Program at Scottsdale Community College has a new director. Elaine Walker now leads the program, replacing longtime director Rob Wegner, who stepped down.

Walker has been serving as an adjunct faculty member in the program since 2007. She brings a rich background in electronic music to the position. She received her bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston and has a master’s degree in Music Technology from New York University.

She spent time as a freelance audio editor in Boston and New York before coming to Arizona.

Coordinated by SCC’s Math and Science division, the event brings together students to celebrate math and science knowledge and provides opportunities to earn modest scholarships and gift prizes by participating in math and science competitions.

“Throughout the history of this event we’ve been able to show students how much fun science and math can be,” said Patricia Dueck, a coordinator of the event. “It’s really an opportunity for them to be around other students who love math and science and learn how advanced math and science skills can lead to rewarding careers.”

A R TI E LO V E S A PARADE

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS COMPETE AT MATH/SCIENCE FIELD DAY

More than 300 students from 16 Valley high schools visited Scottsdale Community College in January, for the 20th annual Math/Science Field Day.

SCC was well repres ented at Parada del Sol, with Artie lea ding the way and drawing hugs from litt le cowgirls.

S

By the Numbers

SPRING

2016

LEARN. GROW. ACHIEVE.

TOTAL STUDENT ENROLLMENT:

27.2% Full-time

AWARDED CERTIFICATES & DEGREES (2014-2015):

10,083

46.5% Male

79.1% of SCC students come from Scottsdale, Phoenix, Mesa, and Tempe.

91 international students from 35 countries

AVERAGE CLASS SIZE:

• Culinary Arts • Film Production • Nurse Assisting • Law Enforcement

Top Occupational Degrees: • Nursing • Motion Picture/Television Production • Interior Design • Hospitality and Tourism/Hotel Management • Administration of Justice Studies • Culinary Arts

21 STUDENTS

13.8% online classes 70.6% day classes 15.7% evening classes

(EST.)

Top Occupational Certificates:

53.5% Female

72.8% Part-time

2,056

FACULTY * Students may take more than one type of class

Residential Faculty 67% Faculty have master’s degrees 26% Faculty have doctorate degrees

(This is % of enrollment, not % of classes)

Adjunct Faculty 49% Faculty have master’s degrees 10% Faculty have doctorate degrees

EDUCATIONAL

PLANS Unknown 0.9%

Meet University Requirements 2.9%

Transfer Without Degree 8.8%

Learn or Improve Career Skills without Degree or Certificate 5.4% Enter or Advance in Job Market 17.6%

High School Dual Enrollment/Concurrent HS 17.3%

Transfer to Four-Year College 34.2%

Personal Interest 12.9%

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SCOTTSDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE 9000 E. Chaparral Road Scottsdale, AZ 85256

The Maricopa Community Colleges are EEO/AA Institutions.

Support student success at SCC. Call Development Director Charles Silver at 480-423-6424.

Save the date for these

GENO C DE

AWARENESS WEEK APRIL 11-16, 2016

EVENT

LOCATION

Feb. 26-April 7 March 26 4:00-7:00 p.m.

Spring Painting Exhibition Reception

Art Building Lobby

8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Honor Band Festival 7:00 p.m.

Concert

PAC

11th Annual Best of Artists Competition And Exhibition

Art Building Lobby

April 15 & 16 7:30 p.m.

9th Annual Musical Revue I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change

ENTIRE SCHEDULE AT: WWW.SCOTTSDALECC.EDU/GENOCIDE

WAT C H

For information contact John Liffiton at: john.liffiton@scottsdalecc.edu

DATE TIME

April 11-May 5 April 28 5:00-7:00 p.m.

9000 E. CHAPARRAL ROAD SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85256 TURQUOISE ROOM

480-423-6447 or

events:

March 31

OPENING NIGHT MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2016 AT 6:30 PM

NOT ON OUR

upcoming

Watch Our Video

April 22 & 23 April 23

7:30 p.m.

2:00 p.m.

The 4th Annual WriterzBox

April 29 & 30

8:00 p.m.

Kinetic Connections Dance Concert

PAC

PAC Black Box Theatre PAC

May 2 7:30 p.m.

Combined Performance: SCC Concert & Community Choirs, Desert Mountain School Advanced Choir

May 2

7:30 p.m.

Guitar Ensemble / Trombone Choir

PAC

May 3

7:30 p.m.

Jazz Showcase

PAC

May 4

7:30 p.m.

Spring Choral Concert

PAC

May 6

7:30 p.m.

Orchestra

PAC

May 8

3:30 p.m.

Scottsdale Concert Band

For all events at SCC visit: www.scottsdalecc.edu

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church Scottsdale

Saguaro HS