SCC Vision Online

From the Archives

Rockin' the house!

Not your average pep band

If you ever caught a Blackhawk game in Clark Field House, you know these hep-cats  could really make some noise and bring the crowd to their feet.

Recognize anybody? Better yet, can you name this “far out” band.

Contact Becky Rump at 319-208-5065 or alumnotes@scciowa.edu.

Spring/Summer From the Archive winners

We received many responses to last edition’s From the Archives photo. Two alert alumni were not only there the day of the photo, one was in it!

Getting a jump on the semester.

“My husband and I had just started dating that summer, and I was there when he and several of his classmates posed for this picture.

All of the people pictured were 1965 graduates of Keokuk Senior High School.  From left to right, they are:  Lee Ralya, Susie Calhoun, Jim McKinstry, Steve Renard, and Kay Keating.

Thanks for bringing back some fun memories for us!"

Jan and Steve Renard (‘67), Hamilton, IL

 

 

 

From the Archives

One last fling before fall semester!

In 1969, the Keokuk street fair was the place to be. Rides, excitement, popcorn, sunshine and... trampolines!

Did you see any of these groovy cats strutting their stuff out on the KCC campus? Tell us!

Contact Becky Rump at 319-208-5065 or brump@scciowa.edu.

 

Canella, Chatfield Named Distinguished Alumni; Ft. Madison businessman, Montrose teacher honored

The Southeastern Community College Alumni Association recognized Mary Sue Megchelsen Chatfield, retired Central Lee Elementary School teacher, and retired Sheaffer Pen Company Vice President and Chairman of Fort Madison Community Hospital Board Richard P. Canella as distinguished alumni at graduation events in May.

Mary Sue Megchelson Chatfield Distinguished Alumnus, Keokuk.

The awards are given annually to alumni of SCC or one of its predecessor institutions, who have achieved substantial public recognition for their accomplishments or success.

Mary Sue graduated from Keokuk Community College in 1960. She spent 42 years as an elementary school teacher in Lee County.

Mary Sue coordinated numerous community beautification and development projects in her hometown of Montrose, IA.  She is coeditor of the monthly New Montrose Journal and is a correspondent for the Keokuk Daily Gate City and the Fort Madison Daily Democrat, writing weekly local news and historical articles. Mary Sue also helps write grant proposals and researches local history.

Mary Sue and her husband, Roger, reside in rural Montrose, IA. They are the parents of Joan Ealy and Alan Chatfield.

Richard Canella, Distinguished Alumnus, West Burlington.

Richard P. (Dick) Canella was born in Burlington, Iowa. He graduated from Burlington Junior College in 1940. For 39 years he was employed by the Sheaffer Pen Company, a world-wide manufacturer of writing instruments, based in Fort Madison, IA. He became Vice President of Operations and saw the company grow to become the city’s largest employer with over 1200 employees, and another 1200 overseas. His employees named him “Boss of the Year.”

Dick served as Chairman of the Board for Fort Madison Community Hospital, and was instrumental in building the current facility in 1986.

As member of the Iowa Gaming Commission, Mr. Canella participated in the development of State gaming regulations and oversight of gaming, as well as issuing gaming licenses.

To learn more about or to nominate a distinguished alumnus, visit www.scciowa.edu/alumni, or click here to nominate an alumnus.

To see more photos from SCC's 2011 Commencement Ceremonies, visit our flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/southeastern_community_college_iowa/

 

 

Determination to Inspiration: Remembering SCC's First Black Graduate

Rev. William Amos "Booker" Smith, Sr.

On March 25, SCC hosted a luncheon honoring SCC’s first black graduate, Rev. Dr. William Amos “Booker” Smith Sr. (BJC ’31). Guest speaker, Rev. Smith’s son, Rev. William (Bill) Smith II, shared stories of his father’s accomplishments and challenges.

Bill says that after his father’s family moved to Iowa from Kentucky, they lived in a boxcar near the train yards in West Burlington. “That’s what you call luxury accommodations,” he jokes.

Rev. Smith was an eager learner and excelled scholastically. He became the first black student to graduate from Burlington High School in 1929.

Bill says that in those days, opportunities for blacks were few and far between.
“He was black, he was poor, he had asthma and a stuttering impediment. That’s enough right there to say that you’ve got a formula for failure.”

Bill says in spite of his father’s situation, it wasn’t enough to stop him. “About the size of a pinhole – he had that much hope.”

He was offered a scholarship to attend then-Burlington Junior College (BJC). That one scholarship would open up an entire new world to him. Two years later, in 1931, he became the first black to graduate from BJC. He graduated at the top of his class.

Bill adds that Rev. Smith wasn’t driven by success or ego. “He wasn’t trying to be the first at anything or to be the best of anyone. He was simply trying to escape the bonds of poverty.”

Rev. Smith served as pastor for churches in six states.

In part due to his impressive academic achievements at BJC, he was offered a scholarship to attend Drake University in Des Moines where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history. His sports were football, track and shot put, and he served on the college debate team. He maintained an A- average.
After graduating from Drake, he returned to Burlington and became the first black ordained minister in 1934. He served as pastor of Union Baptist Church.

“He knew that’s where the source of his blessings were, so he answered the call to preach,” says Bill.

Over the course of his life, he would serve as pastor at six churches in five states.

He entered the Army during WWII, where he spent 15 years as an Army chaplain before retiring as a Major. In 1944, he was directed by General Eisenhower to study and make recommendations on negro troop morale.

“No matter where he was – all over Europe during the war, wherever he lived across the country, he never forgot Burlington. He kept this place in his mind and in his heart.”

As sponsor of the Ft. Valley State College debate team, 1957.

After retiring from the Army, he earned Divinity and Theology degrees from Crozer Seminary in Pennsylvania, and completed coursework for a Ph. D. at Temple University in Philadelphia.

He held a number of teaching and administrative positions at colleges and universities in South Dakota, Arkansas, Georgia and Florida.

Later he spent time as a minister at a church in Fort Valley, GA where he worked with college classmate Dr. Martin Luther King.

He moved to St. Petersburg, FL to become the pastor of First Baptist Institutional Church and serve as Professor of Social Studies at St. Petersburg Junior College. While there, he taught a new generation of students, giving them the same opportunities he had received so long ago.

Vivian (Dawson) Smith, Rev. Bill Smith, II, Charlotte Weldon hold Rev. Smith's Memorial Portrait.

His life had come full circle.

Rev. Smith passed away on October 2, 1973.

Bill adds, “you honor yourselves while you’re honoring him, because without that very first scholarship, who knows where he would have ended up.”

Rev. Smith’s plaque hangs in Building 400 near Loren Walker Arena.

Listen to Bill share a few stories of his father Rev. William Smith below.

 

For the Bill Smith's full speech, click here.

 

AlumNotes Summer 2011

AlumNotes features those alumni who contact us. Some tell us what they've been up to since graduation, some share their stories of their time here, others just want to say hi.

John Peterson (SCC ‘86), son of former SCC West  Burlington campus Anatomy & Physiology Instructor, Dr. Ellen Peterson and husband, Walter. Transferred to UNI in 1986. John serves as Comptroller for Wisconsin Energy and resides in Richfield, WI with his wife, Jill (daughter of former SCC Registrar, Phil Mackey) and four children.

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We received your Fall 2010/Winter 2011 VISION  and love it! I’ll stop by the next time we come “home.”
- Dr. Richard Diamond (KCC ‘61)
(In 1991, the Diamonds started an endowed Nursing scholarship for Keokuk students in memory of Dr. Dimond’s father, Andrew, and an Education scholarship in memory of his mother, Vera.  Dr. Dimond grew up in Keokuk and is a retired physician. He and his wife, Brenda, now live in Seattle, WA.)

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John Erbland (BJC ‘69) continued his education at the University of Iowa and graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry in January 1972. He worked at Midwest Manufacturing in Burlington and at GE. He is now retired.

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I have only the fondest memories of my time at SCC. The students today may not realize how little it was on Gear Avenue in 1973! The faculty and staff (then and now) at SCC are outstanding, and I continue to be amazed at how much the college has grown. SCC gave me an excellent and cost effective foundation on which I was able to build. The science and math courses were fantastic and the smaller class size made learning easier than had I taken the same courses in Iowa City. SCC helped make getting my Dental Degree possible. My only regret was not having taken some Auto Tech courses! I was delighted when not one, but three of my family members have continued to help the institution grow as either faculty or staff (Mick Ritter, and Becky & Charlie Rump). While serving in the Air Force I encouraged many young service men and women to take advantage of the opportunities at the community college level. Allow me to say that I am proud to have the “A.S.” after my name. Thank you, SCC!
- Andrew (Drew) R. Kious, A.S., B.S., D.D.S., M.A.G.D (SCC ‘75)
 Air Force Colonel, Retired
Assistant Professor, College of Dental Medicine
Georgia Health Sciences University

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Bob Jennings (SCC ’84) earned a B.A. in Mass Communications at WIU, then had an internship at WQAD. He became assistant news director/reporter at KAYL and KLGA in Storm Lake from 1993-2002 and is now Information Director at Algona Municipal Utilities. Bob has won Best Newscast - Small Market State of Iowa award from Iowa Broadcasting News Association for 6 years in a row. For the past year he’s been a Trustee with Iowa Lakes Community College. He remembers SCC’s West Burlington campus when the courtyard was full of portable buildings and only Building 100 & the Gym were here.

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Gary Graham (BJC ‘75) is SCC’s 2001 Distinguished Alumnus. He has been Mayor of O’Fallon, IL since 1997. He was named President of the Illinois Municipal League Officers in 2008-2009. His wife, Lucia (Scheu) is also an SCC alum.

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Going to SCC, Iowa Wesleyan and then on to Missouri State were important to me. My Dad, Paul Tonkinson (of Yarmouth Christmas lights fame), showed me how to work hard. My company, CMPI, and I have been fortunate to land stainless steel contracts at the Dallas Cowboys’ new stadium, the University of Iowa’s new recreation/swimming center and the new Missouri State rec center. It’s our attention to quality that gets us the business. It’s great to hear that you are continuing to expand at SCC. Keep up the good work!
- Joe Tonkinson (BJC ‘65), Project Manager, Custom Manufacturing & Polishing, Inc., Springfield, MO.  Joe is a member of the SCCF Legacy Society. Joe played on the Blackhawks basketball team that went to the National Tournament in 1965.

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My wife, Sarah, and I had been teaching in Sioux Falls, SD for the past two years. We recently moved to Tallahassee, FL to further our educations at Florida State University. I’m working on my Master’s degree in Choral Conducting and serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant where I get to be assistant conductor for the Men’s Chorus. It’s a great time, but we do have times where we’re missing the Midwest. Hope all is well at SCC!
- David Haas (SCC ‘04). David is also the son of SCC Business Professor/Former Financial Aid Officer/ SCC Alumni Association President/SCC Alumnus & All-Around Good Guy, Tom Haas.

 

Want to be featured in the next AlumNotes? Drop us a line!

AlumNotes c/o Becky Rump
1500 West Agency Road
West Burlington, IA 52655
or alumnotes@scciowa.edu

In Memoriam

Peggy Howells Peggy (Eversman) Howells (BJC ’47) passed away December 8, 2010. Peggy graduated from St. Paul High School in Burlington (now a part of Notre Dame) in 1945. She and her husband Don (Dixie) Howells met while attending BJC. Their first date was after a Blackhawk basketball game. The Howells were married for 61 ½ years.  Says Dixie, “you can safely say BJC is my favorite place in the world.”

Larry Daggs Larry Daggs, former member of SCC’s Board of Trustees, passed away on February 17, 2011. Larry married Jean Snyder in 1956 and worked as an agent for Penn Mutual Insurance from 1957 until his retirement in 2006. He was active in many organizations and served on SCC’s Board of Trustees when the Keokuk campus was developed on Messenger Road starting in 1974.

A Taste of Fine Wine Arts and Ale Returns April 1

Sampling sips for scholarships

Mark your calendar for the SCC Foundation's fifth annual Taste of Fine Wine, ARts and Ale. The event will take place on April 1, 2011 at the Pzazz! Event Center. It will feature a wine and beer tasting from an estimated 12 purveyors. silent and live auction items will include gifts and talents from SCC Employees, alumni and friends of SCC.

"People really look forward to this event. We're able to showcase some great aspects of teh College as well as raise money for scholarships and programs," notes Foundation Executive Director Becky Rump.

Reserved tables for eight are $500 and will go quickly. Non-reserved tickets are $50 each. Contact Julie Glasgow at 319-208-5062 or jglasgow@scciowa.edu for more information.

Drab to fab! New Art Collectors Club adds color, prestige to campus buildings

Wander through the halls on campus and you’ll likely notice a change. Thanks to the work of a handful of dedicated volunteers, the long, nondescript, institutional hallways are slowly coming to life with personality and color. SCC’s new Art Collectors Club has begun gathering artwork from    artists and private collections and displaying the works throughout the College’s campuses and centers. Now the College is quickly becoming a repository for artworks.

The idea for the creation of a club dedicated to securing artwork came out of a brainstorming session in 2008 to identify college improvement projects. SCC President Beverly Simone and SCC Executive Director for Institutional Advancement Becky Rump decided to measure public interest in the creation of an Art Collectors Club. So Rump contacted a handful of local art aficionados.

Still Life with Pewter Plate
Len Gridley

Fragments from Nowhere
Ulfert Wilke

“I was ecstatic that once I shared our idea, most of the people I contacted agreed to join the club,” recounts Rump.

The group met formally for the first time in December of that year and have made steady progress ever since.

The very first member to officially join the club is long-time art collector and preservationist Bob McCannon of Burlington. McCannon’s accomplishments make him uniquely qualified to lead such a club. In addition to having been in antiques and fine furniture, his efforts to help establish the Historic Preservation Commission in Burlington and the University of Iowa Foundation Len Gridley Everett scholarship for talented UI art students will serve him well in this new endeavor.

McCannon says that it didn’t take much to persuade him to join the club.  “I’ve always been interested in SCC. As an institution dedicated to higher learning, it’s a very appropriate place to display artwork for students and visitors to see. If I can lend my time and experience to help make that a reality, I’m all for it.”

Other founding members include Joanne Dailey Bauer, Debbie Bessine, Mary Brockman, Barbara Grimmer, Barbara McRoberts, Robert Middaugh, Becky Rump, Mary Saxton, Beverly Simone, Angie Sodey, Lisa Walsh, retired SCC Art instructor John Weyl and current Art instructors, John Bybee, Cathleen Gordon and Suzanne Messer.

McCannon continues that SCC’s buildings and hallways are a gallery just waiting to happen. With long hallways and open spaces, there’s ample wall space to display artwork.

“I’d been to campus for different events over the years and the walls were- let’s just say they were very uninteresting,” McCannon jokes.

McCannon said that everyone benefits from being in creative environment, especially students.
“Art inspires. The colors, shape and designs inspire people to think differently, to explore, to create. Art encourages learning and development in all of us,” he notes.

Rump adds that SCC was not completely devoid of artwork over the years. “There were a few nice pieces scattered across the college but until recently we had no plan to actively develop an organized, cataloged collection.”

Birth of the American Farmer, Jams Walker Henry

The club is seeking donations of original or signed prints of paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, pottery, and other display pieces.

“Our goal now is to feature original or signed prints by artists who are SCC alumni, who are from our region, or who have ties to Iowa. That is a must, but we can be flexible in our definition,” explains Rump. Pieces submitted for consideration must meet certain criteria before being accepted.

To date, most of the pieces have come from area residents and artists. Some pieces are on permanent loan, while others have been gifted to SCC.

Rump adds that the club is also recruiting members and soliciting donations. Annual membership dues are a modest $100 and help fund future purchases as well as arts programming. Persons who join by June 30, 2011 will be recognized as Charter Members and invited to a special event.

McCannon says that as SCC’s collection grows in size and notoriety, it will be easier for the club to solicit pieces from artists and collectors. “Working artists want to sell their pieces. Being able to have their work featured in various public collections alongside other recognized artists adds to their name recognition. It’s a win-win.”

Hillside Barn with Clouds, Gordon Kellenberger

He adds that soliciting pieces from private collectors becomes easier as prospective donors see the quality of existing works and catalog of featured artists. “It just takes a few nice pieces to get the ball rolling, and we’ve definitely got the ball rolling.”

Recent grants from the Burlington Fine Arts League and the Cullen Family Foundation through US Bank will enable the club to purchase art and acquire special cataloguing software.

The club has secured some impressive pieces from recognized artists in its short life. The current collection features pieces by Shirley Bliven, Robert Burrus, Len Gridley Everett, David Garrison, Jerry Granaman, James Walker Henry, May Hohlen, Martha Johnstone, Gordon Kellenberger, Kent Kelly, Julian Menke, Neil Peterie, Lillian Rubin, James T. Russell, Edna Schmidt, Bonny Thayer, Timothy Van Ginkel, Jane Thode Walsh, Joan Walsh, and Ulfert Wilke, and by talented student artists as well.

Nerium, Tim Van Ginkel; Late Summer Hay Bales, Barbara Grimmer

McCannon is impressed how SCC’s current art instructors are able to stand on the shoulders of instructors from the past who paved the way. “It’s great to see how active they are in the community and how they’re involved with their students’ development as artists.”

The club plans to host fundraising receptions on SCC’s campuses in 2011 that will also incorporate art tours.

Persons interested in joining the Art Collectors’ Club or donating pieces are encouraged to contact Becky Rump at 319-208-5065 or brump@scciowa.edu.

To view the rest of SCC's art collection, visit our flickr page

Rock on, Dr. Stone!

Ed Stone, 1956, today

SCC alumnus Dr. Edward Stone (Burlington Junior College, ’56) likes big mirrors. Really, really big mirrors. And when he looks in those mirrors, he doesn’t see his reflection; he sees giant space rocks and stars. Actually, Dr. Stone is a rock star of sorts. In the field of space exploration, he’s somebody.
We recently checked in with one of SCC’s first-ever Distinguished Alumni Dr. Stone about some of his accomplishments, challenges, and thoughts on the next generation of scientists.

You were the Principal Investigator for the Voyager space probes, one of the most successful missions NASA ever conducted. What are some of its lasting lessons?
Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 revealed so much diversity in our solar system. They toured Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune as well as many of their moons. Everywhere they visited revealed something new. The weather, the moons, the rings, the magnetic fields were all different and distinct. We didn’t expect that.

Dr. Stone poses in front of a replica of the Voyager spacecraft (JPL/NASA photo)

Reviewing Saturn images returned from Voyager 2. (JPL/NASA photo)

And they’re still in operation?
Yes. Once they finished their initial mission to survey Saturn, we were able to reprogram them to visit Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune. Even though each craft was only designed to last five years, they’ve sent data back daily since 1977. They should be able to send us data for easily another ten years. Now both spacecrafts are the most distant objects man has ever sent into space. They are further away from the sun than all of the planets. Voyager 1 is over 115 times further away from the sun than the Earth, and Voyager 2 is 94 times further away. In five years, Voyager 1 will leave our solar system completely. I’m anxious to see what happens when it does.

You served as head of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) from 1991 to 2001. What was that like?
I was fortunate to serve as leader during an incredible era of discovery. It was very rewarding to be plugged in to the whole process and learn so much from a group of very talented experts. I was able to lead teams that conducted some of the most successful projects in JPL history: the Hubble space telescope, a number of exploratory missions to Mars, missions to study Saturn, Jupiter, the sun and comets. 

You were also instrumental in developing the largest, most sensitive visible and infrared light telescope in the world, the Keck Observatory. How is it different from other large telescopes?
Two things make it unique: its mirrors and its optics. Telescopes use mirrors to capture and focus light, so bigger mirrors mean more light. Most mirrors are made out of a single piece of glass; however there comes a point when you can’t make a mirror any larger. Keck uses an array of 36 hexagonal mirror segments that work in unison. Each segment is individually controlled to focus the light to within a millionth of an inch. That allowed us create a mirror that is 33 feet wide.
The other is adaptive optics. The atmosphere makes starlight twinkle much the same way that the water in a swimming pool makes shadows dance along the bottom. Keck utilizes adaptive optics to compensate for all of that by making precise adjustments a thousand times per second to give us a clear picture.

Keck telescope 1 uses a sodium laser to calibrate its adaptive optics before beginning observations. (Joey Stein)

Now you’ve moved on to building what will be the next big telescope. How is this one different?
Size. The new telescope is called the Thirty Meter Telescope, or TMT. Once completed, its mirror will consist of 492 mirror segments and be almost 100 feet in diameter, making it nine times more sensitive than Keck’s mirror. Its adaptive optics will be nine times more sensitive on top of that. In other words, it’ll be 81 times more sensitive than Keck.

Artist image of the TMT mirror array. (Todd Mason)

What do you hope to do with it?
The TMT will allow us to look back at the very first stars. The light we see today left those stars long ago. So when we look at the most distant, faintest stars, we’re actually seeing them as they were billions of years ago. To capture that light, you need a very, very big telescope.

What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Learning. I’m always learning something new. I still love looking at Voyager data and marvel at what we’ve learned.
I also love leading teams. Surrounding yourself with teams of experts who are discovering new things is exciting. It keeps me plugged into the whole process. I learn from them.

You’re still in the classroom teaching physics, what’s that like? Have students changed over the years?
I love teaching. I think that by teaching something, you truly come to learn it for the first time. Today’s students arrive at college knowing much more than students before. Technology has greatly advanced what they already know. The space race didn’t even start until Sputnik launched in 1957-when I was in graduate school. We’ve learned a lot since then.

Today there are fewer US students entering into Science, Technology, Engineering and Math careers. Why do you think that’s the case?
I think part of that is because there are so many options in other areas than ever before – so many more career choices.

What do you think would help boost numbers?
It’s very important to engage students while they’re still in middle school. They need to know that they can earn a good living, and learn and do a lot in those careers. Teachers should inspire students’ curiosity. Kids need to be encouraged to continue on this track versus other options. It starts at an early age.

Stone with BJC Science Club (second right back row)

Was that your experience?
Yes. I benefited a lot from various teachers who got me involved above and beyond regular class work.  Wilfred White was a key mentor for me while I was at Burlington High School and Burlington Junior College. He would let me work in the lab to build and learn. My math teacher Vivian Strand also challenged my math skills. I loved it. Those people really made a difference.

Any advice for today’s college students?
When I graduated from Burlington Junior College, I couldn’t plan for my career as an astrophysicist. It didn’t even exist. Students should work to build a base of learning for when opportunities present themselves. Take courses that prepare you for what lies ahead. You don’t know where life will take you.

Related Links

Voyager Interstellar Mission

Keck Observatory - interactive tour

Thirty Meter Telescope

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

NASA

 

 

President's Circle Grows

President Beverly Simone hosted the first annual President’s Circle/President’s Pathway event at her home on October 13. The festive event served as a celebration of individuals and businesses who are providing annual undesignated gifts of $2,500+ (President’s Circle) or $1,000 - $2,499 (President’s Pathway) to SCC. Participants also were asked to vote on three options for a proposed recognition plaque. President Simone ended the evening with an overview of the College’s current strategic planning initiative, requesting and receiving thoughtful feedback from Circle and Pathway members.

President Circle donors now include: Marianna & Ben Brinck, Jerry Courtney, Paul & Joyce Dennison/KILJ Radio, F&M Bank & Trust, Frank Millard & Company, Bob & Margaret Matsch, David & Gretchen Miller, Moudy Nabulsi & Sharon Scholl Nabulsi, Dr. Beverly Simone, Two Rivers Bank & Trust and the Winegard Family Foundation.

Members of the President’s Pathway include Mary Ann Baker, Michael & Teresa Colgan, Brueck Construction, and Mary Moore and John Schuldt.

For information about joining the President’s Circle & President’s Pathway, contact Becky Rump at 319-208-5060 or brump@scciowa.edu.

 

Some members of the President's Circle: (top) Mac Coffin (Frank Millard & Co), Jerry Courtney, Frank Delaney, Mary Moore, (bottom) Moudy Nabulsi, Dr. Beverly Simone, Charles Walsh.