Faces of Leadership page 2

Career Makeover page 6

Summer of STEM page 7

JOHN WOODCommunit y College uPDAte

SuMMEr 2013

2 JWCC UPDATE | jwcc.edu

James Hinkamper

James HinkamperJames Hinkamper’s life is a study in the valuable leadership skill of time management. At the age of 20, he held a full-time job, completed 24 credit hours in one semester (that’s double the amount considered to be a full-time student) and still managed to be involved in a number of student life activities.

JWCC’s Student government Association recognized his logistical prowess by naming him Student of the year.

Hinkamper earned an Associate in Science and will pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Southern illinois university edwardsville this fall.

rebecca McCollum tenacity seems to be the chosen leadership approach of Rebecca mcCollum. this navy veteran mother of two makes an impact in every class, student organization and committee in which she is involved. From sharing valuable insights of what it means to be a college student at the age of 38 to creating complex machines in physics class, mcCollum gives it her all and inspires others to do the same.

given her laser focus and practical approach, it is no

surprise mcCollum has her future mapped out. She will transfer to Western illinois university to double major in biology pre-med and psychology and will begin medical school in 2016.

Taylor Hubertaylor Huber’s brave personal essay was selected to represent

JWCC in the 2013 illinois Community College trustee Association Paul Simon Student essay Contest. Her account describes how her choice to enter JWCC changed the trajectory of her self image after a period of depression. today she is working toward a degree

in psychology to help others facing similar obstacles.

excerpts from her essay tell her story: “looking back on where i was a year ago, i shudder at the thought of where i might be today had i not chosen to go to college...i never felt as proud of myself as the day i decided that i wanted to go to college...this defining moment was only the beginning of a series of events that would boost my self-esteem significantly. From simple kind remarks to sincere praises, teachers and staff encouraged advancement in the best way possible: recognition. my sense of worth is finally beginning to bloom atop the rocky outcrop of my insecurities. i’m brighter, more confident and happy. my only regret is that i did not realize what i was capable of sooner. John Wood Community College has been my refuge and my saving grace. “

At John Wood Community College, leadership has many faces.

Veterans returning to school to become doctors, single mothers

determined to create a better life, budding entrepreneurs,

compassionate future educators and masters of time

management walk the halls each day. All have their stories to

tell, each one more inspiring than the next. They lead by example,

encouraging others to find their own dreams, then blaze a trail to

make them become reality.

be A leADeR At JWCC!leadership scholarships available! email us at: admissions@jwcc.edu

Faces oF

Leadership

3217.224.6500 | JWCC UPDATE

Stacey Wadethe infectious laugh and undeniable spirit of Stacey Wade inspires students, staff and faculty at JWCC. Wade came to JWCC through the yWCA program that supports single mothers. For a long time i felt like i wasn’t anybody,” Wade said. “i wanted to be somebody.” She struggled for years raising six children, sometimes without a place to call home. enrolling in JWCC gave her the confidence and skills needed to improve her earning power and self esteem. Wade graduated with a degree in office technology this spring, leading the way for other women to create a better life for themselves and their children.

Nathan Kurzit would be safe to call nathan Kurz a leadership junkie. this budding international businessman and part-time Starbucks barista took the opportunity of serving as the JWCC Student trustee and parlayed it into a statewide leadership role.

“i’ve been able to lead statewide student groups as chair of the illinois Community College board Student Activity Committee, lobbied for community college students and gained mentors who have taught me invaluable lessons about the real world of business, which all started when i became student trustee,” Kurz said.

Kurz and his leadership habit have already traveled north to DePaul university, where he is sure to brew up more opportunities to lead and serve others.

Tony Blackfordbreaking down barriers to help others heal is tony blackford’s leadership style. After receiving his Associate Degree in nursing, blackford will become a registered nurse in a female-dominated field. blackford decided to make a career change at age 50, to pursue his dream job of becoming a nurse. “it just makes me feel

good to help people and give back,” he said.

Kayla Schuckman and Danielle Woodyardthese 2013 JWCC graduates used their brainpower as

members of JWCC’s Phi theta Kappa Honor Society to help stomp out bullying. Schuckman and Woodyard created an interactive presentation for madison School in Quincy to educate youngsters about the impact of bullying and shared ways to stop the negative behavior before it starts. Schuckman and Woodyard are completing their bachelor degrees at Southern illinois university edwardsville and Culver-Stockton College respectively.

Kayla Schuckman Danielle Woodyard

They lead by example, encouraging others to find their own dreams, then blaze a trail to make them become reality.

4 JWCC UPDATE | jwcc.edu

big time Ag Connections Help JWCC Freshman

most students completing their first year of college might be working part-time or taking it easy this summer. not first-year JWCC agriculture student megan Rothe. She’s interning for the illinois Department of Agriculture and united States Department of Agriculture market news Service.

Rothe creates and broadcasts daily grain reports for the illinois Department of Agriculture website. Radio stations download her broadcasts for audiences to hear as part of farm reports.

“i didn’t think i could accomplish something this big, at least i think it’s big,” Rothe said. “not many students have this kind of opportunity so soon. interning at a local grain elevator might be what you would expect to do as a first internship experience.”

Rothe is amazed by how many connections she’s already made during the internship, which is part of the curriculum for students at JWCC’s Agricultural education Center near Perry. “i’ve really made some great contacts that i don’t think i would have if i’d chosen another college,” she said.

Rothe plans to transfer to the university of illinois to major in agriculture broadcasting as part of her ultimate goal to be a farm broadcaster on radio or television.

on may 21, 2013, John Wood Community College officially opened a new and expanded facility in the heart of uptown mt. Sterling.

“increasing services in brown County has been part of our strategic plan, and we are grateful for the support of the community and Dot Foods, “ Dr. John letts, JWCC president said. “Although we’ve been here for nearly three decades, we haven’t had our own facility until now.”

JWCC will provide lecture-based, open learning and online courses for brown County area residents at the center, in addition to an array of short-term business classes, personal enrichment offerings, geD preparatory classes and adult education courses in basic reading, writing and math.

the facility will also serve as headquarters for the brown County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

moving up in mt. Sterling

Pittsfield Family Values

Values have long been the bedrock of the Hammons family. Shortly after glen Hammons was named minister at the local Assembly of god Church in Pittsfield a year and a half ago, he and his wife Sarah found a new kind of value at JWCC.

their three children, Katelyn, lyndsey and isaac, enrolled at JWCC’s Pittsfield education Center simultaneously, saving the family thousands in tuition and transportation costs.

Katelyn graduated in may 2013 with a degree in art and will transfer to evangel university in Springfield, mo., to pursue

a bachelor’s degree in art education. lyndsey is studying communication and will graduate in 2014. isaac is taking courses to earn and english degree and is on track to graduate in 2015.

the Hammons clan tripled the value offered by JWCC by completing general education courses in their new hometown.

“it is awesome to have a college in Pike County,” Katelyn Hammons said. “it is so affordable, the instructors are great, plus we saved a lot of money that would have been spent traveling to Quincy.”

Ribbon Cutting: L/R: Philip Krupps, president, Brown County Economic Development Corporation; Kent Hawley, JWCC associate dean for dual enrollment and regional centers; Dr. John Letts, JWCC president; Matt Bradbury, Mt. Sterling mayor; Jeff Bottorff, Dot Foods vice president for quality and training; and Randy Sims, JWCC board chair.

Issac ‘15, Katelyn ‘13 and Lyndsey ‘14 Hammons

Megan Rothe ‘15

ExcEllEncE in Action Christina Farwell, a language and literature department instructor at JWCC, recently presented a co-authored paper at an international Research Conference in Chicago. “Relating through immediacy in the online Classroom: Comparing Student outcomes in the online and traditional Formats,” was based on a study that compared how online and classroom instructors’ behaviors impact student motivation and learning.

JWCC’s Joyce Miller-Boren, department chair and professor of developmental education, was one of 43 educators selected from across the united States to participate in the Kellogg institute and receive certification as a Developmental education Specialist.

the illinois Community College Faculty Association (iCCFA) honored David Palmer, JWCC professor of humanities and philosophy, at its annual teaching learning excellence conference. He served on the executive committee of the iCCFA for 12 years, and five years as the organization’s treasurer.

JWCC ALUMNIupdate your profile at: jwcc.edu/advancement

What is it like for you as a nurse in the Air Force?

no two days are ever alike as a nurse. every day definitely has it’s rewards, as well as challenges.

my recent deployment in Afghanistan was, by far, the most challenging, yet rewarding experience i will probably ever have. Providing trauma care for our wounded warriors, Afghan local nationals, terrorists, children innocently wounded by ieDs and other war-related injuries definitely proved to be an eye opening experience that, to this day, still shakes me to the core.

the wonderful thing about being a nurse, is that whether you are military or civilian, you are providing care to another human being as if they were your own family.

When you hear someone say JDub what does it mean to you?

“JDub” truly has nothing but great memories for me. When looking back at my time at JWCC, i met many true, lifelong friends. often times, i wish i was back at JWCC surrounded by my close friends, when i get homesick or life gets tough.

i feel very thankful for choosing to attend JWCC. Coming from a small town, Quincy/JWCC were

the perfect transition and i fell in love with both. the instructors were always willing to spend time making sure that everyone understood the material. i will always cherish all the positive experiences at “JDub.”

How did JWCC prepare you for your career on a professional and personal level?

Among many things, JWCC taught me responsibility. moving away from my parents, getting my own apartment, getting a new job in a different town, making new friends, participating in JWCC choir and softball while working hard to get good grades was definitely a balancing act.

Who is your favorite John Wood professor and why?

norman Rodriguez was my favorite instructor. He was always so passionate about the courses he taught, the students he taught, and Cardinals baseball! He was one of many instructors who genuinely cared about the success of their students.

What is your favorite JWCC memory?

my favorite memory of JWCC is my time spent playing softball. my teammates are some of my best friends and my coaches still support me in the current events of my life. Jim Schlager and his family are amazing, selfless, caring people. i could not have been luckier to have him, along with John Stutsman, as coaches. i am so grateful to have been part of such a wonderful program.

Know an Alumni Trail Blazer? Email us at: pr@jwcc.edu

5

Ashlee Winner ‘06 Deployed to Afghanistan nov 2011 - Jun 2012 1st lieutenant united States Air Force, nurse Corp

aLumni Trail Blazer

217.224.6500 | JWCC UPDATE

6 JWCC UPDATE | jwcc.edu

While troubleshooting computer issues for fellow employees at Knapheide manufacturing, mark Keller dreamed about becoming a master chef and owning his own restaurant.

His dreams seemed more like a fantasy until the John Wood Community College Foundation and Wgem announced a Career makeover Competition in December of 2012.

“i felt like it was my shot at making my dream become

a reality,” Keller said. Close to 80 area adults applied to win a two-year scholarship in the hopes of producing their own career makeover.

“We wanted to open the door for adults to consider another

career,” barb Holthaus, director of the JWCC Foundation said.

“many are already working full time and have families and feel like they don’t have the time or resources to make things happen on their own.

We wanted to provide an incentive to help them take that first step.”

“i was completely surprised when JWCC and Wgem showed up at work to tell me i won,” he remembers.

Keller didn’t waste any time getting started on the makeover process. Shortly after winning, he met with leah erke, JWCC’s hospitality program chair, to map out courses and internship experiences needed to earn a degree in restaurant management.

He’s taking summer courses and continues to work in information technology at Knaphiede, which has been

incredibly supportive of his dream. “it really can be done, even if you have a family and work full time. if you have always wanted to pursue a career, then go for it. “

Watch for the next Career Makeover event coming soon!

new Hospitality management Program JWCC now offers lodging management and restaurant management as options within an associate degree in hospitality management. the College also offers an 18-month certificate program in culinary arts/lodging operations.

Courses include office operations, lodging facilities management, professional cooking, nutrition, marketing, cost control, service presentation, purchasing, food safety, hospitality law, customer service and hospitality supervision. the program also provides extensive paid internship opportunities for students.

more information is available by contacting Leah Erke at 217.641.4573 or lerke@jwcc.edu.

jwcc.edu/academics/degrees/hospitality-management

“It really can be done... If you have always wanted to pursue a career, then go for it.”

JWCC Foundation Joins with WGEM to Help Adults reinvent Themselves

Career Makeover Winner Mark Keller to Trade Megabytes for Gourmet Fare Bites

Career Makeover

JWCC Foundation Director Barbara Holthaus (Left) and WGEM’s Natalie Will present Career Makeover winner Mark Keller with a check representing two years worth of tuition, books and fees.

ExcEllEncE in Action

JWCC’s paramedic program, offered in conjunction with blessing Hospital, earned national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health education Programs. only five other paramedic education programs in illinois and six each in missouri and iowa hold national accreditation at this time.

St. Dominic students of all ages took their seats in JWCC college classrooms this year. A partnership between the schools enhances the students’ art and science knowledge through interactive lessons taught by JWCC professors.

JWCC graduating sophomores who took the Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP) test outperformed their peers for three years in a row. JWCC graduates earned higher scores in reading, writing and critical thinking.

7217.224.6500 | JWCC UPDATE

the Summer of Stem

to help spark interest in manufacturing careers, students in first through 12th grades took part in several JWCC “Summer of Stem” programs, focused on developing science, technology, engineering and math skills through interactive and project-based experiences.

A dozen high school students participated in a free, two-week session at JWCC’s Workforce Development Center, and learned the components involved in manufacturing various products. expert instructors, including JWCC Physics instructor Dr. Randy Wolfmeyer, taught students the importance of parallel circuitry, renewable energy and use of robotics.

Dozens of students in kindergarten through sixth grades learned introductory robotics, physics and engineering concepts in courses with names including “Saintbots,” “Castles, Catapults and Coats of Arms” “Wacky Science” and “K’nex” as part of JWCC’s annual Children’s College.

mAnuFACtuRing Our FuTurEin the fall of 2012, private business, education and economic development leaders signed a charter to formalize the “Pathways to Results” process. the event signaled a commitment to clearly define a path for manufacturing careers while boosting resources, equipment and expertise to help students gain the skills needed in the rapidly evolving, high-tech industry.

Pathways to Results helps high schools align math and science classes with the pre-requisites needed to begin manufacturing related degrees at JWCC.

CHANGiNG PErCEPTiONS “manufacturing is a whole new world,” Roger leenerts, owner of H & b Quality tooling said. “For years it has not been suggested as an ideal career path. the reality is that it requires a highly skilled workforce to maintain high tech, automated machinery. We want high school students to see manufacturing as a career, not just a job.”

graduates with manufacturing degrees can earn upwards of $60,000 along with attractive benefit packages because they possess the knowledge and skills to manage all or portions of automated processes from design, logistics and production. those with specialized degrees related to electrical and computerized components of automated machines can earn between $35,000 and $50,000.

PrivATE SuPPOrT lauren Kiest, an owner in anH3, a company that supplies products for the agricultural industry, created a private manufacturing scholarship with the JWCC Foundation to help students access funds to receive the new skills needed for today’s industry.

Area companies interested in creating similar scholarships may contact Barbara Holthaus, JWCC director of advancement, at 217.641.4104 or bholthaus@jwcc.edu for more information.

President Dr. John Letts accepts a contribution from Lauren Kiest to provide a manufacturing scholarship.

nationally-ranked athletic

teams, six new student

organizations, multiple food

drives, leadership conferences,

awareness weeks, a flash mob

marriage proposal and a ski

trip highlighted the student life

scene at JWCC this year.

the trail blazer basketball team

was consistently ranked in the

national Junior College Athletic

Association and reached the

Region 24 championship game,

JWCC’s concert choir received

rave reviews during their spring

tour in tennessee and student

artists wowed patrons and

raised funds for the JWCC visual

arts fund during the annual

Show and Sell public exhibit.

1301 South 48th Street | Quincy, il 62305

postal resident

ECRWSSNonprofit Org.

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

Quincy, IL 62301Permit No. 971

BlAzEr UpdAtEs be sure to check out the official site of everything trail blazer! Read featured athlete profiles, catch up on summer camp offerings and check out schedules for basketball, baseball and softball at johnwoodblazers.com.

trAil BlAzEr AthlEtics By thE nUmBErs

18 Student Athletes received scholarships from four-year universities

20 Area student-athletes signed with JWCC for next season

13 mid West Athletic Conference All-Academic team members

8 nJCAA Academic All-Americans

WHAT’S UP AT JDUB? get the E-NEWSLETTER at jwcc.edu/update

student

LiFe

Brad Hamilton ‘13

Top left: Mental Health Awareness Week; right: Student Ski Trip bottom: Members of JWCC Concert Choir

217.224.6500 | jwcc.edu