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03/12/2003 • Issue #81

News & Views

Liberal Arts Center Debuts Lecture Series
Fresh, fascinating, forthright – the BCC Forum aims to foster life-long learning and community dialog in the exchange of topical and diverse perspectives, expressions, discoveries and ideas. The inaugural lecture series at BCC’s Carlson Theater will feature a dynamic lineup of regional, national and international speakers.

Denis Hayes, founder of Earth Day and President of the Bullet Foundation will present “Fighting for Survival: The Environmental Movement and the Human Prospect,” on April 9.

Nawang Dorjee, Director of Education for Tibetan Children’s Villages and BCC’s 2002-03 international scholar-in-residence will present “The Survival of Tibetan Culture: An Insider’s Perspective,” April 23.

Dava Sobel is the author of Galileo’s Daughter and the BCC Reads selection for this year, Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time. On May 6, she will describe her books and career in “The Road from Longitude.”

At the Feet of Our Elders: A Discussion of Community Building includes panelists Vi Hilbert, Skagit elder and storyteller; Roberto Maestas, community activist and Executive Director, El Centro de la Raza, and Colleen Willoughby, Founding Director, Washington Women’s Foundation. Robert L. Jeffrey, Jr., Publisher/CEO of Colors NW magazine, will moderate the May 20 discussion, which examines the history and character of our community from their experiences.

BCC Forum is organized by BCC’s new Center for Liberal Arts. For tickets and information, please call (425) 564-2042 or visit http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/liberalarts/lectures.html. Tickets are also available through the BCC cashier at Student Services in the B Building. The cost is $10 general admission per event or $35 for the series. Preferred seating is available for patron subscribers at $50 for the series.

Honoring Excellence
Do you know a co-worker who always goes the extra mile to ensure excellence in your department? How about a faculty member who inspires a love of learning in his or her students? Then take a moment to nominate that dedicated employee for the 2003 Margin of Excellence Awards! Each year faculty and staff are honored for their outstanding contributions to the college and receive a $1,000 award check from the BCC Foundation. Award recipients will be announced in April and honored in a campus ceremony in the Carlson Theater on May 21st. Last year’s winners were Tess HelesHunt, Tim Longpre (classified staff), Art Goss, Alan Yabui (full-time faculty) and Iraj Paydar (part-time faculty). Margin of Excellence application forms are available online at http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/foundation/moe/ or in Institutional Advancement (A102). All nomination forms are due to Institutional Advancement by March 14. For more details, contact Brian Freeman at 564-5074 or via campus e-mail.

Have Lunch – and Change a Life!
Friends of the college will gather at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Bellevue on April 23 with one mission in mind - supporting BCC. The 4th annual Opening the Door fundraising luncheon, sponsored by the BCC Foundation, will raise money to fund scholarships and other programs to help students achieve their educational goals. Last year, the Foundation raised over $70,000 for scholarships and educational program enhancements. Staff members hope to exceed that goal this year. The funds will be awarded during fall quarter and as ongoing scholarships. King County Journal columnist Patti Payne, President Floten and students will speak at the luncheon. For more information, contact the Foundation office at 564-2386.

New Members Join BCC Foundation Board
The BCC Foundation welcomes new board members Roger Anderson, Chairman and CEO of GLY Construction, and Martin Bentrott, Vice President of Customer Support for Boeing Commercial Aviation Services. The board is composed of community and business volunteers who are committed to the Foundation’s mission: raising funds to support quality education and learning opportunities for all students.

NWCET Working Connections Program Expands to 400 Colleges
Pioneered by BCC’s National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies, the Working Connections IT Faculty Institute will grow to 10 states and 400 colleges this summer. An alliance between the American Association of Community Colleges, Microsoft and the NWCET, Working Connections regional training institutes will enable college instructors to keep pace with state-of-the art technology and learn new Microsoft software programs. Working Connections seeks to close the lag between the time new technology is introduced and when it is taught in the classroom. The program also supports faculty development at a time when many colleges are experiencing budget cuts. The expanded group represents one third of all community and technical colleges nationwide. Launched in 2002 when Microsoft committed $1.3 million, the Institute hopes to reach 90 percent of all IT faculty in community and technical colleges by 2007.

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates has nominated the Working Connections Program for the Computerworld Honors Archive, which is distributed to museums, libraries and research institutions worldwide. The collection is an initiative between the leaders of the information technology industry and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

L Building Roofing Project Lasts Through March
Roofing work continues on the L Building, but contractors plan to work around class and finals schedules to minimize disruptions. The estimated completion date is the end of March, depending on weather conditions. If you have any questions, please contact Interim Director of Campus Operations and Capital Projects Don Bloom at 564-2491 or Construction Supervisor Dennis Herman at 564-2849.

In Brief

  • In connection with the new “BCC Reads!” program, the BCC Foundation is offering five scholarships covering one-quarter’s tuition to students who complete a class assignment based on Dava Sobel’s best-selling book Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time. Entries are due to academic division offices by March 17. Complete details about the Longitude scholarship contest are available at http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/liberalarts/bccreads/BCCReadsFinalscholarship.htm. Visit http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/liberalarts/bccreads to learn more about the “BCC Reads!” program.
  • Thanks to generous support from faculty, staff and friends of the college, the BCC Annual Fund exceeded its goal by 12 percent. Nearly 50 gifts were received, which will help fund essential scholarships, the Margin of Excellence Awards and other valuable programs. The Annual Fund campaign was co-chaired by Jim Ellinger, Life Sciences faculty, and Tess HelesHunt, Volunteer Tutor Coordinator.

Movers & Shakers

  • Lynette Brooks-Fletcher, program assistant in Worker Retraining, was named the “Employee of the Month” for February by the classified staff association. Her coworkers recognized her can-do attitude and her commitment to students and the college: “Lynette goes out of her way to meet the needs of our students,” and “We could not function without her…she is the glue that holds our department together.” One colleague asserted, “A living saint, Lynette amazes us all.”
  • The University of Washington honored two former BCC students with scholarships recently. Chandra Recchi received the Merit Award for her academic achievements and Donna Bailey earned the Honors Award for academic excellence.
  • Leslie Lum, instructor of business management, e-commerce and investing classes, published “Retirement planning: the earlier, the better” in the Northwest Asian Weekly, February 1. Read the article online at http://www.nwasianweekly.com.
  • BCC students in Delta Epsilon Chi, a national organization for college students studying marketing, management, merchandising and entrepreneurship, competed in 12 categories of the state competition. Twenty-two students placed high enough to qualify for the national competition in Orlando. BCC students won the most awards from a single school, and only University of Washington students earned more first and second awards. Special honors and recognition go to the following students: Trevor Jackson placed first in Hospitality and Jen Hutcheon and Jeff Cannon won first in Web Site Development. Second place finalists were Rob Agron in Restaurant and Food Service; Erin Vassar and Nicole Munson, Business Ethics and Jeff Schwindt, E Commerce Decision Making. Alex Hayden earned second place and Eddie Roberts third place in the Sales Representative category.

Coming Attractions
Mark your calendars!

  • Irish Gig—Join an informal gathering to celebrate Irish traditions and culture on March 17 in the Continental Rooms (south of the cafeteria), from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Employee Pluralism Committee will provide punch and dessert to complement the cafeteria’s corned beef and cabbage. “Home grown” singing, dancing and other talents of an Irish flavor are welcome! Please contact Susan Jamieson at 564-2440 to sign up for the entertainment schedule. Come and enjoy!
  • Gallery Exhibit: Post-Apocalyptic Urban Ware – This show features a series of glazed ceramic pieces by BCC ceramic instructor Lars Husby. This exhibition highlights architectural ceramic works that create a three-dimensional urban landscape with a heavy emphasis on surface textural effects. The exhibition runs through March 19 in the BCC Library Gallery.
  • Lecture: Raising Creative Kids in a Harried World – The BCC Parent Education Advisory Committee welcomes Nancy Blakely, author of Go Outside, for a lecture March 19 at 7 p.m. in the Carlson Theater. Blakely believes a well-stretched and limber imagination leads to positive risk-taking and fresh discoveries. She will discuss ways to foster creative climates at home and in the classroom. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Call (206) 979-1903 for tickets and information.
  • An Evening with Kitka! KBCS Presents the Kitka women’s vocal ensemble, which specializes in choral music from Eastern Europe, and special guest Pangéo, Saturday, March 29, at 7:30 p.m. in the Carlson Theater. Kitka has earned international renown for its versatility and mastery of Balkan and Slavic vocal styles. Tickets are $18 general and $16 for KCBS members, students and seniors. Order tickets online through http://www.ticketweb.com. For more information, call 564-2418 or visit http://kbcs.fm.
  • Beyond Diversity Workshop: Courageous Conversations – Sixty-five committed people are invited to discuss a strategy for de-institutionalizing racism and improving student retention, Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the North Campus. This workshop will build on pluralism efforts at BCC and address how privilege, power and difference affect the campus community. The Employee Pluralism Committee welcomes Glen Singleton of the Pacific Educational Group to facilitate the workshop. Participants will be released from regular work and paid $75 for attendance on Saturday. Please contact Akemi Matsumoto at 564 2202 or via campus e-mail for more information and registration.
  • The Unfashion Statement – Original fashions presented by BCC arts instructor Bob Purser and 13 other Northwest designers will be on display April 7 to May 9 at the Gallery Space. This statement coordinates with a fashion exhibit at the Bellevue Art Museum. Nationally known garment designer and exhibitor Anita Luvera Mayer will deliver an artist talk at 7 p.m. on April 22 in Room D125 of the Library.

 

Off the Vine

Institutional Advancement has experienced a mini baby boom. Institutional Advancement Vice President Gaynor Hills is the proud mother of Alexander Hunter Fleming, born February 23. Kara Witsoe, Communications Specialist and Patrick Keating, Program Chair for Digital Gaming and Internet Development, welcomed Ella Witsoe Keating on February 17.

BCC staff and faculty remember former reference librarian Margaret Johnston who passed away recently. She worked at BCC from 1973 to 1985 and was known for her gracious manner and wry humor. To share memories and comments with Margaret Johnston’s family, please contact BCC librarian Kate Bradley at 564-2262 or via campus e-mail.

 

Welcome & Farewell

Welcome to new BCC staff and faculty:
Lauren McLees-Millard, Maintenance Custodian I, Campus Operations
Ignacio Laguana, Maintenance Custodian I, Campus Operations
Lisa Sisson, Cashier II, Finance/ Cashiering

Congratulations on recent promotions or changes:
Kristen Connely, Director, Bookstore
Jeannette Higgs, Program Coordinator, Counseling and Advising Center
Todd Lee, Maintenance Custodian Lead, Campus Operations

A fond farewell to departing BCC employees:
Michael Thomas, Food Service Worker I, Food Services
Haakon Sorensen, Full-time Faculty, Business Division
Steven Staats, Maintenance Custodian I, Campus Operations
Angela Dial, Early Childhood Teacher, Child Care Center
Heather Sipple, Secretary Senior, National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies

Campus Calendar

Through March 19      Gallery Exhibit: Post-Apocalyptic Urban Ware

March 13-15                 Shakespeare’s Lovers, 8 p.m., StopGap Theater

March 15                      Symphonic Masterworks Choral Concert, 7:30 p.m.,
                                        First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue

March 17                       Employee Pluralism Committee Irish Gig, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.,
                                       Continental Rooms (south of the Cafeteria)

March 21                       Winter Quarter Ends

March 24                       CEABCC Luncheon, General Meeting, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Cafeteria

March 24-28                Spring Break, No Credit Classes

March 29                      An Evening with Kitka and Pangéo, 7:30 p.m., Carlson Theater

March 31                     Spring Quarter Begins

April 3-5                      No Exit by Jean Paul Sartre, 8 p.m., StopGap Theater

April 6                        No Exit by Jean Paul Sartre, 2 p.m., StopGap Theater

April 11-12                Beyond Diversity Workshop: Courageous Conversations,
                                    8 a.m. – 4 p.m., North Campus

April 13                     An Evening with John McCutcheon, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall, Seattle

April 25                   No Class – Professional Development Day

College Relations Corner

In the News

The Working Connections IT Faculty Institute, which is being run by the National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies, will expand to 400 colleges in 10 states this summer, the King County Journal reported March 6. The national program allows college instructors to keep pace with state-of-the art technology and learn new Microsoft software programs. To learn more, visit http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/123570.

Bellevue Community College leads nationwide technology teacher-training initiatives reports Certiport, the exclusive administrator of the Microsoft Office Specialist program worldwide. The BCC success story features interviews with Duncan Burgess, Director of the National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies’ Educator-to-Educator Institute, and Maureen Majury, Program Manager for E2E’s Microsoft Office Specialist program. Jeff Johnson, Associate Dean of Computer Training in Continuing Education, Suzanne Marks, Program Chair for Administrative Office Systems and Beth Bailey, Associate Director of WorkFirst are also quoted. Read more at http://www.certiport.com/forOrganizations/successStories/bellevue.asp.

The Seattle Times announced BCC’s new lecture series, organized by the college’s Center for Liberal Arts, on March 12. For the story, go to http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=glance12e&date=20030312&query=Bellevue+Community+College.

The Issaquah Press published a four-page article about BCC’s educational opportunities in its “Issaquah Living“ supplement, February 14. To request a paper copy, please contact Bob Adams at 564-2386 or via campus e-mail.

BCC Scholar-in-Residence Nawang Dorjee was the focus of a Puget Sound Journal column in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, February 5 – http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/107297_cwong05.shtml

United States Representative Jim McDermott shared his views about a possible war with Iraq during a visit to BCC last month. Read the February 2 article in the King County Journal at http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/122600.

Hal Sherman, Jazz Band leader at BCC, had a solo appearance in The Seattle Times Snapshot: Eastside People and Places column. Read more at http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=jazzsnap04e&date=20030204&query=hal+sherman+jazz .

BCC athlete Ardess Ballard shines when he plays pickup basketball. Read more in the King County Journal at http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/123977.

On the Web

The BCC splash page now provides a better focus on upcoming campus events at http://www.bcc.ctc.edu. Browse through the BCC Events Calendar to see some recent changes in the Events Calendar look.

Advertise Your Event on the BCC Website
It’s easy to add upcoming events to the Events Calendar by filling out a publicity request online.

Visit These New Sites

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