May 7, 2012

Semester phone campaign needs volunteers for calling

A special task force working to inform students who have not yet registered for Autumn Semester is seeking volunteers to help with a phone campaign the week of Monday, May 21 through Thursday, May 24.  Volunteers will each be calling a short list of students who have been identified as possibly needing more information about the semester conversion.

The calling hours will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. A brief training session and a script will be provided for all volunteers.  

If you are interested in helping out with this very important project, contact Clayton Gibson by May 17 at cgibso10@cscc.edu or call ext. 3622.   

Kalna to receive award from testing association

Jim Kalna

Jim Kalna, supervisor of the Testing & Talent Assessment Center, will be presented with the National College Testing Association’s "Service Recognition Award" at the August NCTA National Conference for his work on the NCTA State and Regional Organizations Committee.

Kalna has also been asked to present a session titled "Growing Your Testing Center's Business and Revenue." He was recently elected president of the College Testing Association’s Ohio chapter.

The Testing & Talent Assessment Center has passed the NCTA Standards/Guidelines for NCTA Testing Center Certification.  Eighteen schools applied for certification in 2011, and only four met or surpassed the certification process.  The Testing & Talent Assessment Center is Ohio's first Post-Secondary Institution Testing Center to become NCTA Certified. 

The National College Testing Association is a nonprofit organization of testing professionals working in post-secondary institutions, in companies with test-related products and services, and in other professional testing venues. The organization maintains a comprehensive set of standards for testing centers administering paper and pencil and computer-based examinations, as well as a compilation of useful operational guidelines.

Writer's Conference Book Signing

Author and keynote speaker Naomi Wolf signs one of her books for Columbus State student Beau Foshee. About 100 students, faculty and community members attended the ninth annual Writers Conference last Saturday.

Auto class seeks cars needing electrical work

The Automotive Technology Lab is currently scheduling lab work for the Auto 165-Advanced Electrical and Electronics class. If your car is 10 years old or newer and is having issues with the starter, alternator, lights, power windows, power mirrors, power seats, power locks, or windshield wiper motor, contact Dave Hill by email only.  There are a very limited number of appointments available, and a $10 lab fee is required.

Students named to All-Ohio Academic Team

President Harrison congratulates Paul Saltz and Christine Drake at the 2012 All-Ohio Academic Team Luncheon.

The Ohio Association of Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa international honor society named two Columbus State students to the All-Ohio Academic Team at the annual luncheon held April 26 at the Ohio Statehouse.

Paul Saltz and Christine Drake were each presented with All-Ohio Team medallions, certificates and cash scholarships. More than 50 students from the 23 Ohio community colleges were selected to the team. 

Paul Saltz is studying philosophy and sociology with a 3.5 GPA, and he hopes to teach political science and sociology as a college professor when he graduates.  He lives in Columbus and wants to complete his bachelor’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania.   He is a regional and chapter officer for Phi Theta Kappa and a Safezone instructor for Columbus State.  He was given the Community Fellow of the Pearson Prize for Higher Education, and the Human Rights Campaign Generation Equality Scholarship.

Christine Drake is a single mother of three who lives in Whitehall.  She is studying for an Associate of Arts and has a 3.66 GPA.  She hopes to transfer to a four-year university and aspires to be a writer.  She is active in her church, is an officer in Phi Theta Kappa, and is involved in the Columbus State’s PONO Community.  She won a 2011 Woman Student Leadership Award, a Writing Partner Award and was inducted into the Order of the Golden Key (PTK).

Di Pietro’s orchestral work to premiere at Stanford University   

The Stanford Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Jindong Cai, conductor of the Shanghai Orchestra in China, will present the official premiere of Rocco Di Pietro’s orchestral work “Finale” for cello, drones (ambient electronic waves known for their soothing qualities) and orchestra. Di Pietro is an adjunct faculty member in the Humanities at Columbus State.

Di Pietro’s work was started when he was artist in residence at Stanford in 2009. The soloist is Chris Chafe, chairman of the Stanford Computer Music Department, performing on an electronic celletto, and the second soloist is Robin Baidya, a former Columbus State Electronic Music student who took all three classes and is now studying at Ohio State

The work “Finale” will be performed on Saturday, May 12, at Stanford University, in California.

More grants go to motorcycles, Early College, SBDC

In addition to the Library grant, the Grants Office reports that three additional grants were awarded in April, including a TechColumbus award of $50,000 for the marketing of TECHSTART through the Small Business Development Center at Columbus State. TECHSTART is a technology entrepreneurial assistance program.  It will be promoted to entrepreneurs in a nine-county area.

Columbus State also received $1,500 from the Ohio Department of Public Safety for the motorcycle rider safety and education program, implemented by Tracy LaMar-Nickoli.

And Columbus City Schools has awarded $76,328 for the Early College High School program with Africentric High School to continue at Columbus State. Director of Dual Enrollment Karen Gray will coordinate the project, which includes improving student learning, success for college-bound students, and professional development for the Africentric High School teachers.  The project uses federal funds through Ohio’s Race to the Top education reform initiative.

Appreciation Breakfast hosts 90 high school counselors

Admissions Director Tari Blaney laughs as Christy Sykes, a Delaware Campus student, answers a question from the audience at the annual High School Counselors Breakfast and Workshop April 27.

The Admissions Office hosted the annual High School Counselor Appreciation Breakfast and Workshop Friday, April 27, in the Conference Center. Close to 90 counselors from area high schools attended the event.  This year's session opened with a welcome by Dr. Jan Rogers, followed by college updates from Dr. David Harrison, and Student Affairs and Regional Learning Center updates by Dr. Marty Maliwesky.  A student panel consisting of students from the Preferred Pathway Scholars program, the Delaware Campus and the Future Scientists of Ohio program closed out the morning. 

Counselors then had the opportunity to go to breakout workshop sessions on topics such as the Preferred Pathway Program, College Readiness Initiatives, Career Services, PSEO and Dual Enrollment, Financial Aid and Scholarships, and Career and Technical Program Updates.