SCC Vision Online

Mozel Tov to SCC's Spring Production!

In March, SCC’s Music and Drama Department in West Burlington presented the classic musical, “Fiddler on the Roof.”

SCC Director of Applied Music Studies Leigh Pirtle said the production was the department’s most ambitious undertaking to date. And despite all the hard work, the students rose to the occasion.
Three performances were met with positive reviews and countless kudos from the community.

Pirtle graciously adds, “it is so inspiring that our supporters keep the faith in what these music students can accomplish.”

Bravo!

See more photos of the production on our flickr page: www.flickr.com/scciowa.

Tevya, played by Brandon Howard, dances with Nathan Swanson, Jarad Dettman, Alex Janssen, and Justin Jones for SCC’s production of Fiddler on the Roof.

Dan Ring Bike Ride Sept. 25

Don your helmet, and join us for the Second Annual Dan Ring Memorial Bike Ride on Saturday, September 25.

Riders start their trek across town for the first annual Dan Ring Memorial Bike Ride.

Riders of every skill level can choose from three different rides. A 2-mile kids’ ride will circle the Great River Medical Center pond and stop at Maid Rite for free ice cream. A 15-mile ride will follow the bike route that winds through Burlington and West Burlington. New this year is a 50-mile ride through that goes to Danville and Mediapolis. All rides depart from and return to the Agri-stock Arena on SCC’s West Burlington campus.

Event co-organizer Brian McAtee says that 100 riders participated last year, and even with a few sprinkles of rain at the start of the ride, everybody ended up having a great time.

“We’re building on last year’s success with the addition of the long ride. We hope that will attract more seasoned riders to go along with the casual riders.”

The 2009 event raised over $3000 for the Daniel Anders Ring Memorial Endowed Nursing Scholarship.

Dan Ring was a long-time SCC life sciences instructor and an avid bicyclist and proponent of healthy lifestyles. He passed away of a heart attack while riding his bike home from work in 2008.

Entry fee is $20 and includes a t-shirt and post-race refreshments. Registration forms are available Bickel’s Cycling and Fitness or online at www.scciowa.edu/about/alumni_found.

For more information, contact Pam Peterson at 319-208-5185 or ppeterson@scciowa.edu.

Drive to Succeed: Instructor Creates Automotive Scholarship

“I’d like to put my money where my mouth is.” That’s what SCC Automotive Technology instructor and alumnus Jayson (Jay) Bethurem, said one day last fall, right about the time he was asked to serve on the SCC Alumni Association Board of Directors. In addition to teaching at SCC, Jay owns Jay’s Automotive in Fort Madison. “I’ve benefitted a lot from my Automotive Technology degree here at SCC, so I really want to give something back, and a scholarship seems like the right idea.” A few phone calls to the Foundation office resulted in a $500 annual award that will go to a full-time second year student who achieves a minimum 3.0 GPA and who is not fully funded by other grant sources.

SCC Auto Technology instructor Jayson Bethurem examines hybrid car technology with a student.

Between teaching, his business and his family, Jay’s a busy guy—but not too busy. He recently joined the SCC Alumni Association Board. And, for the past several years, Jay has driven the SCC candle float in the Fort Madison lighted holiday parade. His plans are to build at least one more SCC float to enter in other area parades this year. Wave the next time you see him cruising by!

For questions about this or other Foundation scholarships, contact Becky Rump at 219.208.5065 or at brump@scciowa.edu.

Pulling Back the Curtain: “Behind the Scenes at the Miss America Pageant”

Great River Entertainment/Pzazz! sponsored a brunch on Sunday, May 16, 2010 featuring Olivia Myers Baker, Miss Iowa 2008 and the 2009 Miss America 2nd Runner Up. Ms. Myers Baker presented a PowerPoint slideshow, videos and photos to describe what really happens during the weeks leading up to and during the actual Miss America Pageant. All proceeds benefitted scholarships at Southeastern Community College.

In 2009, second runner-up honors and a $20,000 scholarship were awarded to Miss Iowa Olivia Myers at the Miss America pageant. Her talent was a tap dance to “Fever,” and her personal platform was “Teaching Tolerance: Fostering a Just and Caring Culture from the Classroom Out.” It’s believed that Myers’ finish is the highest for a Miss Iowa since Catherine Ann Lemkau of Muscatine was first runner-up in 1992.

Miss Iowa 2008 Olivia Myers Baker shares pageant advice with Little Miss Burlington 2009 Katie Conner.

Myers said she had always dreamed of being in the Miss America pageant. “I began dancing when I was 5 years old, and shortly after that, I watched my first Miss America pageant on TV and knew right away that was something I wanted to do,” she said. Myers — whose hometown, Sperry, is north of Burlington — won the title of Miss Burlington in 2007 and was later named Miss Iowa in 2008.

After that, she took to the sea with titleholders from other states, living on the Queen Mary as part of the “Countdown to the Crown” reality series on TLC. “The schedule was really grueling, with days ending at 12:30 a.m. and including lots of retakes. They call it ‘reality’ but it’s really contrived.” Still, she enjoyed the experience and the friends she made.

Myers said she couldn’t believe how far she made it in the competition. “I had prepared myself mentally, kind of tried to believe that I could become Miss America,” she said. “But when you get there and you’re going through the competition, it’s almost hard to fathom that even happening, and so to come so close was really exciting.”

In August 2009, Ms. Myers wed her long-time beau, Clay Baker, son of SCC Foundation Board member, Denise Baker. Clay and Olivia live in Iowa City. Olivia is student teaching history at Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids and graduated from the University of Iowa on May 14, giving the commencement speech to her Education Department classmates. She hopes to find a teaching job in the vicinity. Clay is currently working for the Belin-Blank Center for Talented and Gifted Education at the University. He will begin law school at the University of Iowa this fall.

Other area “royalty” also attended the May 16 brunch, including Little Miss Burlington Katie Conner, Junior Miss Burlington Alexa Jeager, Miss Outstanding Teen Paige Amenell, and Miss Burlington Randina Elsner. Both Ms. Conner and Ms. Jaeger performed dance routines.

Free Tenors Come to Keokuk

Mark your calendars for The Free Tenors’ next performance: Friday, November 19 at the Grand Theater in Keokuk! Performers include SCC Dean of Humanities & Social Sciences, Dr. Tim Ahern, retired Burlington school system instructor/Bel Canto director Roger Hatteberg, and retired Burlington school system counselor Terry Strother. All proceeds will benefit SCC Foundation scholarships.

For tickets contact Julie Glasgow at 319.208.5062 or jglasgow@scciowa.edu.

The Free Tenors  (left to right):
Terry Strother, Roger Hatteberg, Tim Ahern

Fine Wine Fete Nets $21K For Scholarships

Sampling sips for scholarships.

The 4th annual Taste of Fine Wine, Arts & Ale held on Saturday, March 6, raised a record $21,620 for SCC Foundation scholarships. The event featured a wine and beer tasting, student art show, and live and silent auctions with donations from employees, alumni, and friends of the College.

“We exceeded our $20,000 goal by over $1,600!” beams an ecstatic Becky Rump, event organizer.

Local wineries including Heartland Harvest, Wide River Winery and Baxter Winery, a number of area wine distributors, and HyVee showcased over nearly 100 different wines. A variety of beers and ales were provided by the Lost Duck Brewing Company, Millstream Microbrewry, Fleck Sales, and Golden Eagle Distributing.  Pzazz! Event Center chefs prepared a wide array of appetizers and desserts.

Proceeds from the annual event fund SCC scholarships and college projects.

“Even in this challenging economy, so many generous donors and patrons helped us achieve our goal,” said Foundation Board Chair, Terri Dowell.

The 5th annual event is scheduled for Friday, April 1, 2011 at the Pzazz! Event Center in Burlington. Individual tickets will remain $50. Sponsor table prices will again be $500 and include reserved seating for eight, party favors, hors d’oeuvres and desserts served at the table, close proximity to the auction stage, and a tax deductible charitable contribution.

To purchase tickets or make a donation, contact Julie Glasgow at 319.208.5062 or jglasgow@scciowa.edu.

Alumni Golf Outing Set For July 16

Teaming up to tee off.

Time to dust off those golf clubs and practice your swing! Join the SCC Alumni Association for its 15th Annual Golf Outing to be held on Friday, July 16 at Sheaffer Golf Course.

The day begins with a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start and features a number of on-course games of chance and contests. The day ends with an awards banquet.

The fee is $65 per person and includes dinner, on-course beverages, prizes and more. Team, hole, and flag sponsorships are also available. The tournament usually fills quickly, so early registration is recommended. Entry forms are available at all SCC campuses and centers, area golf courses, and from members of the SCC Alumni Association Board.

Proceeds from the golf outing fund SCC’s Distinguished Alumni Awards and scholarships.

To register, or donate auction items or prizes, contact Julie Glasgow at 319.208.5062 or jglasgow@scciowa.edu.

New Art Studio Honors Walsh, Fields

The Walsh family, Brandon Fields, and distinguished guests cut the ribbon for the new Art Studio A.

On Friday, April 30, 2010, Southeastern Community College dedicated its newly-renovated art studio and darkroom at the West Burlington Campus in honor of two alumni, Jane Thode Walsh and Brandon Fields.

Jane Thode Walsh, who died in 2002, took art classes at SCC from 1974 to 2001. In 1992, SCC presented her with an honorary associate of arts degree. Mrs. Walsh also served on the SCC Alumni Association Board.

In honor of Mrs. Walsh’s passion for the arts and education, the Walsh family donated a property (420 N. 4th Street, Burlington) to the college with the intention that it be used in some manner to enhance SCC’s Art Program. In January of 2010, SCC sold the property and the proceeds were used to renovate the old West Burlington campus welding lab into an art studio.

The Jane Thode Walsh Art Studio A features floor space for painting and drawing easels, a ceramics work area, study tables, computer stations, and a darkroom.

At the dedication ceremony, C. E. Walsh, Jane’s son and member of the SCC Foundation Board of Directors, expressed his gratitude. 

“My mother would be thrilled to know that she had a part in all of the arts and education that will take place in this studio for years to come.”

The new darkroom features equipment donated by Brandon Fields. Brandon developed a passion for photography after attending several continuing education photography courses at SCC. Fields completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Photography at Columbia College in Chicago. His recent art showing in SCC’s West Burlington campus gallery, “Be Set Free,” was very well-received by staff and students.

Fields acquired eight complete darkroom stations from a K-12 school district where he taught photography. When the program was phased out and the equipment became available, Fields contacted SCC Art Instructor John Bybee who eagerly accepted the donation. The two worked together to transport and install the equipment in its new home inside Art Studio A.

“So many photographers are going 100% digital. However, there will always be a place for film photography. I’m happy to see that art form continue here at SCC,” said Fields.

Local Industry Veteran Named New Director of InTech! Program

InTech! Director Charles Rump.

Longtime Lee County resident Charles Rump took the helm of SCC’s InTech! program in April. As Program Director, Rump will focus on marketing the program to students and employers.

Rump comes to the position with 32 years experience in manufacturing. He worked at the Dial Corporation and Case New Holland in production supervision, maintenance analysis, industrial engineering, procurement, and material handling.

Rump plans to take full advantage of his industry experience and contacts. “This is a great opportunity for me to work directly with our local industry. I know what they need to stay competitive. InTech! will help fill a confirmed deficiency in the workforce.”

InTech! students can earn specialized certificates, a one-year diploma, and a two-year degree in Industrial Maintenance Technology. The College hopes to train approximately 200 participants by 2012.

“We’ve got slots for 50 first-year students and 30 second-year students for fall 2010 term. With the free tuition funding available again this year, I’m certain we’ll hit capacity,” Rump continues.

Rump says that early employer feedback has been positive. “Once more graduates are placed and demonstrate their knowledge, word will spread in industry circles about the quality of the program.”For more information about InTech!, contact Charles Rump at 319-313-1927 or crump@scciowa.edu.

See Charles discuss the InTech! program online at: www.youtube.com/secciowa.

New VP of Teaching & Learning Phil Thomas Starts July 1

New Vice President of Teaching and Learning Phil Thomas.

Earlier this spring, SCC hired Phil Thomas as its new Vice President of Teaching and Learning. Thomas was most recently the Dean of Industrial Technologies at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids.

As Dean of Industrial Technologies, Thomas worked with other colleges and K-12 schools, as well as with business and industry to maintain and develop successful programs at Kirkwood. He supervised 19 career and technical programs for Kirkwood and area high school students, and business training programs. He was most recently the Chair of the Career and Technical Education Deans and Directors for the State of Iowa and just completed a two-year stint as Chair of Certified Educational Centers for the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association.

The duties of SCC’s academic VP role are no short order. The position includes oversight of the arts and sciences departments, career and health programs, GED, adult basic education, and business and industry training.

Thomas says that he is excited by the diverse responsibilities of the position and the opportunities they bring. “I’m looking forward to being engaged in all aspects of teaching and learning at SCC.”

With over 30 years in the Iowa community college system, Thomas adds that he believes in the mission of the community college.

“I spent over 12 years at Iowa Lakes Community College and then 19 years at Kirkwood, so I don’t change positions unless I think I’ve successfully accomplished what I committed to doing. For me, building lasting relationships is important.”

With roots in the area, Thomas says he’s happy to return after so many years. “I’m originally from Southeast Iowa, so it’s nice to get back to this corner of the state."