News Releases

649 GRADUATES PREPARE FOR OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FALL COMMENCEMENT

Posted on December 7th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Dec. 7, 2015 – Six hundred forty-nine candidates for graduation, including 117 from the Findlay-area Campus, will receive their degrees during the 35th Owens Community College Fall Commencement on Friday, Dec. 18. Of those graduates, 129 will graduate with honors. The ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Health and Activities Center on the College’s Toledo-area Campus.

The following degrees will be conferred: 120 Associate of Applied Business; 268 Associate of Applied Science; 129 Associate of Arts; 116 Associate of Science and 16 Associate of Technical Studies.

Mackenzie Harder, Education Transfer Concentration major graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors with a 4.0 grade-point average, has been selected as the Owens class representative and will address the graduates during the ceremony.

The 20-year-old Martin native grew up on a 500-acre crop and livestock farm just outside Genoa with her parents, Neil and Tracy; older sister, Lindsay; younger brother, Noah; and grandparents, Allen and Beverly Harder.

A 2013 Toledo Christian High School graduate, Mackenzie originally started her higher education at Indiana Wesleyan University, majoring in exercise science. But she said she did not like the 4-year college’s size. At home during Thanksgiving break, while pondering her future, she saw an Owens commercial on TV, and decided Owens was the college for her. She enrolled in January 2014.

Of her Owens experience, she said, “I love it her. I feel right at home.”

She mentioned Elisa Huss-Hage, as one of the professors who was most helpful during her time at Owens.

“Mackenzie not only went above and beyond in her classroom studies, but took her experience past the classroom to volunteer for Special Olympics,” Elisa Huss-Hage, professor, Teacher Education and Human Services said. “Observing her interact with and support the Special Olympic athletes solidified my already strong feelings that Mackenzie is a caring, empathetic individual and one who emulates what I think all Owens graduates should espouse to be. I know that she will be an excellent teacher.”

In the summers, Harder works at SpringHill Camp in Evart, Michigan, where she started as a counselor and next summer will be a member of the resident staff overseeing and organizing operations. The camp offers faith-based activities and teachings for children in grades 1-12.

Before her next camp experience in 2016, Harder will spend three months in Cork, Ireland, working at a church teaching children and interning at a radio station.

In Fall 2016, Harder’s goal is to be employed by a school district as a teacher’s aide, supporting the teaching staff and making a difference in student lives.

“I want to give other people the opportunities I’ve had in life. I want to help others flourish and reach their goals,” she said.

Dr. David J. Livingston, president of Lourdes University, will serve as the keynote speaker.

A native of Dundee, a suburb of Chicago, IL, he received his B.A. in Chemistry from Augustana College; his M.A. in Theology from Loyola University, and his Ph.D. in Theology from Vanderbilt University. Past appointments have included teaching at Joliet Catholic Academy, and Loyola Academy in Joliet, and Wilmette, Illinois. Entering higher education in 1997, he accepted a tenure-track appointment in the Religious Studies Department at Mercyhurst College.

He and his wife Joan, a therapist, have seen their academic and professional careers take them to many cities throughout Illinois, and other locations including Europe, Mexico, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and now Ohio. The couple also enjoys spending time with their adult children Matt and Sara.

Owens’ commencement ceremony is free and open to the public. For more information regarding Owens’ commencement ceremony, please visit www.owens.edu/commencement.

BGSU, OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CREATE FALCON EXPRESS DUAL ADMISSION PROGRAM

Posted on December 5th, 2015

BOWLING GREEN, OH.—Incoming college students now have an express track to a four-year degree from Bowling Green State University, starting from Owens Community College. BGSU and Owens are partnering to create the Falcon Express Dual Admission Program, in which students apply once and then chart their course straight through to their bachelor’s degree.

“The new Falcon Express partnership is a great opportunity for students. It will provide guaranteed admission to BGSU and extra academic support while reducing costs and paperwork,” said BGSU President Mary Ellen Mazey. “Bowling Green State University and Owens Community College have been strong partners for many years, and we share a commitment both to the success of our students and to the economic vitality of our region.”

Mazey and Owens President Mike Bower signed the partnership agreement Dec. 5. The program begins in January 2016.

Depending on where they are in their coursework, some current Owens students might also find Falcon Express meets their needs.

BGSU has always welcomed numerous students from Owens. For those who already plan to make the transition, the process will be even smoother. Advisers at both schools will work with Falcon Express students to make sure all their coursework credits are transferrable and meet the requirements for their chosen four-year degree.

“We are very pleased to be partnering with Bowling Green State University to create a more seamless process that allows students to gain admission to both institutions simultaneously,” Bower said. “At Owens we are committed to student success, and this strengthened partnership will help to remove barriers and extend opportunities for students.”

To qualify for the Falcon Express program, students cannot have previously attended BGSU. They may not attend any other institution after graduating from Owens with their associate degree before moving on to Bowling Green, and must enroll within three years of beginning coursework at Owens.

To learn more about the Falcon Express Dual Admission Program, contact the BGSU Office of Admissions at 419-372-2478 or choosebgsu@bgsu.edu.

Or call the Owens Office of Admissions at 567-661-7777 (Toledo) or 567-429-3509 (Findlay), or email admission@owens.edu.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CLOSED THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

Posted on November 24th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Nov. 24, 2015 – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as the Owens Community College Learning Center Maumee and the Owens Community College Learning Center Downtown Toledo, will be closed Wednesday through Sunday, Nov. 25-29 for the Thanksgiving holiday. There will be no classes and the College offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and College offices will reopen Monday, Nov. 30.

OWENS PRESENTS YET-TO-BE WRITTEN, CAST AND REHEARSED PLAYS DURING 24-HOUR ‘THEATRE EXPRESS’ EVENT

Posted on November 18th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Nov. 18, 2015 – Owens Community College students and faculty as well as community members will write, cast, rehearse and perform multiple plays in a 24-hour time period as the Center for Fine and Performing Arts serves as host to the eighth annual fall “Theatre Express” production, Nov. 20-21. The 24-hour theatre event will conclude on Saturday, Nov. 21, with participants premiering multiple plays in the Main Stage Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

Area residents are invited to attend the Saturday evening performance, as the “Theatre Express” production is free and open to the public. Owens is located on 30335 Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Theatre goers are in for evening fun and enjoyment as they will have the opportunity to experience theatre of the unknown,” said Jeremy Meier, Owens associate professor of Fine and Performing Arts. “Each production will be written, cast, rehearsed and performed in the span of 24 hours, which is quite extraordinary.”

The 24-hour marathon begins Friday (Nov. 20) when Owens faculty members Eric Wallack, Shannon Smith, Joy Parker and Cindy Bosley, along with local artists Bianca Marcia and Erik Montgomery, and Owens alumnus Jordan Jarvis begin the arduous process of writing and staging multiple 10-minute plays based on photos of actors they are assigned. Owens Students and members of the community will act in these short plays, rehearsing them all day Nov. 21 and performing them that evening.

For additional information about the “Theatre Express” production, contact (567) 661-2798 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2798.

OWENS THEATRE PROGRAM AND THE VALENTINE THEATRE PARTNER FOR SCHOOLS HELPING SCHOOLS

Posted on November 17th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Nov. 17, 2015 – Community members are cordially invited to support the second annual, Schools Helping Schools, a partnership with the Valentine Theatre’s education outreach program, by purchasing a patron ticket that includes a private dessert reception following Owens Theatre performance, Theatre Express.

The patron ticket will cover the cost of 10 students from a Toledo Public School to attend a Valentine School Day performance throughout the 2015-16 school year. Schools located in underserved areas will be the recipients of these tickets.

The Valentine Theatre’s education outreach program, Valentine School Days, provides professional theatre productions for children from pre-school through high school. The national tours are top-quality and incorporate the arts together with the Ohio Core Standards and provides for a learning opportunity that ties literature with the spoken-word.

Patron tickets are $30 each and holders are encouraged to attend the Saturday, Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m. Owens Theatre Program performance, Theatre Express, a production of six different plays that have been written, cast, rehearsed and performed in a 24-hour period before the private dessert reception, featuring the Owens Jazz Express immediately following.

Toledo Express will take place at Owens Community College’s Toledo-area Campus, 30335 Oregon Road, Perrysburg.

To purchase patron tickets, please visit www.valentinetheatre.com or call 419-242-2787. Your total purchase is tax deductible.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE NAMED TO 2016 MILITARY FRIENDLY® SCHOOLS LIST

Posted on November 16th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Nov. 16, 2015 – For the sixth consecutive year, Owens Community College has been designated a 2016 Military Friendly® School by Victory Media, the leader in successfully connecting the military and civilian worlds.

Now in its seventh year, the original, premier Military Friendly® Schools designation provides service members and their families with transparent, data-driven ratings about post-military education and career opportunities.

Institutions competed for the elite Military Friendly® School title by completing a survey of more than 100 questions covering 10 categories, including military support on campus, graduation and employment outcomes, and military spouse policies. Survey responses were scored against benchmarks across these key indicators of success. In addition, data was independently tested by Ernst & Young based upon the weightings and methodology established by Victory Media with guidance from an independent Advisory Board of higher education and recruiting professionals. A full list of board members can be found at MilitaryFriendly.com/advisory-board.

The Military Friendly® Schools designation is awarded to the top colleges, universities, community colleges and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace military students, and to dedicate resources to ensure their success both in the classroom and after graduation. The methodology used for making the Military Friendly® Schools list has changed the student veteran landscape to one much more transparent, and has played a significant role over the past seven years in capturing and advancing best practices to support military students across the country.

“Owens Community College’s Office of Veterans Services is extremely honored to be among the best colleges and universities in the United States,” said Amy Giordano, assistant dean of student and veterans services. “Our commitment to meeting the needs of veterans is unwavering and will remain so through our dedicated Veterans Services staff and our college as a whole.”

Owens Community College’s growing veteran family of more than 400 includes veterans, military spouses and dependents of veterans. The Office of Veterans Services opened in 2011 and is staffed by former military personnel.

“Post-secondary institutions earning the 2016 Military Friendly® School award have exceptionally strong programs for transitioning service members and spouses,” said Daniel Nichols, Chief Product Officer of Victory Media and Navy Reserve veteran. “Our Military Friendly® Schools are truly aligning their military programs and services with employers to help students translate military experience, skills and training into successful careers after graduation.”

For more information about Owens Community College’s commitment to attracting and supporting military students, go to www.owens.edu/veterans or call (567) 661-8387.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES TWO NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Posted on November 4th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Nov. 4, 2015 – Owens Community College Foundation, whose sole mission is to develop and provide resources to advance the College’s mission of serving students and the community, recently announced the election of two new board members and the re-election of four board officers and seven board members.

Joining the Board of Directors are Charles R. Brown, vice president of sales, Rail Group, The Andersons Inc.; and Dr. Thomas Osinowo, chief clinical officer at Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital.

“We are delighted to welcome our newest board members and those continuing to serve. Each is a highly accomplished community leader, who brings a wide array of talents and experience,” said Jeff Keim, executive director, Owens Foundation. “Their knowledge, energy, and leadership will be invaluable in setting the future direction of the foundation.”

Re-elected board members include James F. Carter, retired Wood county commissioner; Andrea M. Gurcsik, manager, Human Resources, First Solar, Inc.; Jeannie Hylant, executive vice president of Hylant; Allan J. Libbe, co-founder, Rudolph/Libbe Companies Inc.; David J. McMacken, vice president, Wealth Management Group, PNC Bank; Matthew J. Mishler, national account manager, Buckeye TeleSystem; and David L. Whikehart, director, product supply & optimization, Marathon Petroleum Company LLC.

Four board officers were also re-elected and include Daniel E. Kimmet (chairman), retired from Aeroquip/Eaton Corporation; James H. Geers (vice chairman), retired, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company; Alan M. Sattler (treasurer), chief financial officer, ProMedica; and Dee Talmage (secretary), retired educator and Owens Board of Trustees member.

For more information on Owens Community College Foundation, please visit www.owens.edu/foundation.

OWENS WELCOMES NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR CELESTE NG

Posted on October 30th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Oct. 30, 2015 – New York Times Bestselling Author, Celeste Ng, will appear at Owens Community College’s Toledo-area Campus and Findlay-area Campus to discuss her novel, Everything I Never Told You, a profoundly moving story of family, secrets and longing.

Organized by the College’s Literacy Committee, the Tuesday, Nov. 3 event on the Toledo-area Campus will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts and Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 12:30 p.m. in the Community Education and Wellness Center on the Findlay-area Campus.

Ng’s novel has graced numerous “Best of 2014” lists and earned top honors on Amazon as its Best Book of the Year.

In this literary thriller, Ng tells the story of a Chinese American family living in small-town Ohio in the 1970s whose middle child, Lydia, mysteriously disappears. As the family’s lives are uprooted, they are forced to confront long-held secrets that have been slowly pulling the family apart.

In her lectures, Ng deftly explores issues of cultural identity, gender relations, and the struggles faced by multicultural families

Ng grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Shaker Heights, Ohio, in a family of scientists. She attended Harvard University and earned a master of fine arts from the University of Michigan (now the Helen Zell Writers’ Program at the University of Michigan), where she won the Hopwood Award. Her fiction and essays have appeared in One Story, TriQuarterly, Bellevue Literary Review, the Kenyon Review Online, and elsewhere, and she is a recipient of the Pushcart Prize.

For more information, please contact Diane Routson at 567-661-7055 or diane_routson@owens.edu.

OWENS DELIVERS BACKPACKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO AREA CHILDREN

Posted on September 21st, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Sept. 21, 2015 – Owens Community College’s Alumni Association in collaboration with Books-A-Million Inc., ten Directions Credit Union branches, two Great Lakes Credit Union branches and six Genoa Bank branches are brightening many children’s lives through a unique community service endeavor titled “Backpack to the Future.” Five hundred sixty-five backpacks and 9,900 school supply items collected throughout the summer months are being donated to 21 area elementary schools during the month of September.

Beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 3:30 p.m., Owens representatives will deliver backpacks and supplies to benefit kindergarten students in Bowling Green, North Baltimore, Rossford, Northwood, Genoa, Elmwood and Woodmore school districts at Rossford’s Glenwood Elementary School (8950 Avenue Rd.) Owens representatives will also donate backpacks and school supplies to ten Toledo Public Schools—Old West End Academy, Chase STEM Academy, Sherman Elementary, Walbridge Elementary, Ella Stewart Academy for Girls, Martin Luther King Academy for Boys, McKinley Elementary, Garfield Elementary, Spring Elementary and Longfellow Elementary – presented at Toledo Public Schools’ Old West End Elementary School (3131 Cambridge St.) at 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24. Owens representatives will make their final stop at Jacobs Primary (600 Jacobs Ave.) in Findlay on Monday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m.

“Every year, area residents and businesses have given an impressive response and made the ‘Backpack to the Future’ supply drive an outstanding success,” said Kaye Koevenig, Owens “Backpack to the Future” project chair and Alumni Association Board director. “It’s wonderful to assure that many more disadvantaged children will be able to begin their school year with new educational supplies.”

Over the past three months, “Backpack to the Future” accepted gently used or new backpacks and new school supplies from area residents to assist disadvantaged kindergarten school children throughout Northwest Ohio. In addition to backpacks, individuals donated crayons, markers, bottles of glue, glue sticks, colored pencils, pencils, pink erasers, school boxes, pocket folders, marbled covered composition books and Kleenex tissues.

The drive also collected over $5,375 from community members. The charitable donations will go toward the purchase of school supplies.

The Owens Alumni Association established “Backpack to the Future” supply drive in 2004 as a way to provide educational outreach to the surrounding communities. To date, the program has given 4,513 backpacks and 80,911 school supplies to benefit disadvantaged children throughout Northwest Ohio.

“Our focus as an organization is to provide value-added programs and services that strengthen the surrounding communities and ensures every students success,” said Laura Moore, Owens executive director, Alumni Association and director, Alumni Relations.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE WELCOMES AMERICORPS COLLEGE COMPLETION COACHES

Posted on September 17th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Sept. 17, 2015 – Owens Community College recently welcomed two AmeriCorps College Completion Coaches in an effort to assist first-time community college students to succeed in their academic and career aspirations.

The AmeriCorps College Completion Coaches Initiative is part of a collaborative effort between the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC), the Ohio College Access Network (OCAN) and ServeOhio (Ohio Commission on Service and Volunteerism).

Serving as AmeriCorps College Completion Coaches at Owens are Lindsey Minnig of Van Wert and Hilary Tore of Toledo. Minnig is a recent graduate of Owens Community College, and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Communications at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), while Tore is finishing up her bachelor’s degree in Individualized Studies, also at BGSU.

“One of my biggest passions in life is to help students because when I first came to Owens I struggled,” said Minnig. “Luckily, I had a mentor and without them I wouldn’t be where I am today, so in a way I am trying to pay it forward.”

The coaches will be responsible for helping students in completing their developmental courses and then helping them to enroll in college-level credit courses. Additionally, coaches will serve as a support system for the students and assist them in progressing through their completion plan.

“Our purpose is to increase student retention by providing students with a variety of resources both on and off campus,” said Tore. “The benefit of working with a completion coach is having one place to go for help with any personal or academic issues.

In 2012, the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) and the Ohio College Access Network (OCAN) entered into a strategic partnership to develop and implement the AmeriCorps College Completion Coaches initiative

Since the initiatives inceptions, coaches have served in the following community colleges: Clark State Community College, Columbus State Community College, Cuyahoga Community College, Lakeland Community College, Lorain County Community College, North Central State College, Northwest State Community College, Southern State Community College, Stark State Community College, Terra Community College, Zane State Community College, Owens Community College and Hocking College.

Students interested in speaking with an AmeriCorps College Completion Coach can email Lindsey Minnig at Lindsey_minnig@owens.edu or Hilary Tore at Hilary_tore@owens.edu.

OWENS EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS TO SPEND DAY GIVING BACK TO COMMUNITY GROUPS

Posted on August 19th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Aug. 19, 2015 – Owens Community College employees and students will spend a morning and afternoon giving back to others in the surrounding Northwest Ohio communities as part of the United Way of Greater Toledo’s “Day of Caring” Friday, Aug. 21.

Throughout the day, Owens volunteers will roll up their sleeves and participate in a variety of interactive projects within the Toledo Public School District that could include, but are not limited to: painting, cleaning, gardening, organizing, building, or visiting.

The community outreach activities in the Toledo area are taking place in conjunction with the United Way’s annual “Week of Caring” initiative. The Owens volunteer team is among a number of organizations, matched with area non-profit groups, who are working on various outreach projects designed to strengthen the surrounding communities through the efforts of the United Way of Greater Toledo.

OWENS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESENTS ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC

Posted on August 11th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Aug. 11, 2015 – Golf enthusiasts and amateurs alike are invited to support alumni programs and scholarships and participate in the Owens Community College Alumni Association’s 13^th Annual Golf Classic held Monday, Sept. 21 at Belmont Country Club, Perrysburg.

Considered one of the finest golf fundraisers held annually in Northwest Ohio, the Golf Classic will feature 18 holes of golf, lunch, grazing dinner and an awards program.

The generosity of sponsors and businesses have enable the Golf Classic to generate more than $343,000 in its first 12 years to support Owens students pursuing a college education and their career aspirations. The 2015 Golf Classic event sponsor is Hylant Family Foundation. Metzgers Printing and Mailing is the print sponsor.

“Owens Community College’s Alumni Association is proud to host a community-wide event, benefitting students in pursuit of a college education,” said Laura Moore, Owens Alumni Association executive director. “The Golf Classic is a unique opportunity for business and industry, as well as Owens alumni, to become involved in supporting higher education and ensuring our students with opportunities for transformational lifelong learning.”

The four-person scramble golf competition will begin with a shotgun start at 1:15 p.m. Lunch will precede golf from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. The day will conclude with participants reminiscing about their golf experience over a grazing dinner at 6 p.m A short program will occur at this time to recognize all prize winners.

Individuals, businesses and organizations are invited to support the Golf Classic by entering a team at the Eagle ($1,000) or Birdie ($800) level. Non-golfer support levels are available for $350 and $250.

The Belmont Country Club is located at Bates Road in Perrysburg. The tournament is limited to the first 30-foursome teams. For more information, or to register a team, contact Owens Alumni Relations Office at (567) 661-7876 or go online to www.owens.edu/alumni.

OWENS FINDLAY- AREA CAMPUS EARLY LEARNING CENTER RECEIVES 5-STAR QUALITY RATING

Posted on July 30th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, July 30, 2015 – Owens Community College is pleased to announce that the Findlay-area Campus Early Learning Center has received a 5-star Step Up to Quality rating from Ohio Job and Family Services. Less than 5 percent of full-time childcare centers serving toddlers through preschool have received this distinction.

Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) is a voluntary five–star quality rating system administered by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) that recognizes and promotes learning and development programs that meet quality benchmarks over and above minimum health and safety licensing standards. The steps are based on national research identifying the program standards that lead to improved outcomes for children. The maximum number of stars that can be earned is 5.

At the 5-star program level, students benefit from:

Lower teacher/child ratios
Administrators and teachers have higher education qualifications
Administrators and teachers complete more than 20 hours of specialized training every two years
Teachers develop lesson plans that support each child’s growth
Assessments are completed to evaluate and improve the learning experience
Collaboration with families and community to provide more opportunities for children

For more information, please visit www.owens.edu/childcarefindlay.

OWENS RECEIVES $220,000 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GRANT TO ENHANCE STUDENT SERVICES

Posted on July 22nd, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, July 22, 2015 – Owens Community College’s mission of providing an exceptional education and student success will be bolstered by a $220,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant will help serve 140 students in the first year.

“Owens is honored and excited to receive the means to enhance our student services,” said Denise Smith, associate vice president of academic affairs. “This grant will help provide students with the necessary and crucial educational resources they need to succeed in their academic pursuits.”

The five-year TriO Student Support Services grant will be used to increase persistence, good academic standing, and graduation and transfer rates of students through an integrated and comprehensive set of services. These services include first-year programs, proactive individualized academic advising, career guidance and goal setting, transfer planning, professional tutoring, financial planning, and assistance with financial aid and scholarships.

The Federal TriO Programs are federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TriO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students and individuals with disabilities to progress through their academic careers from middle school to post baccalaureate programs. TriO also includes a training program for directors and staff of TriO projects.

For more information about Owens Community College and services available, please visit www.owens.edu.

OWENS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS ASSIST AREA CHILDREN WITH SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE

Posted on July 20th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, July 20, 2015 – Owens Community College’s Alumni Association in collaboration with Books-A-Million Inc., nine Directions Credit Union branches, two Great Lakes Credit Union branches and six Genoa Bank branches are reaching out to area children in need of school supplies by holding a month-long “Backpack to the Future” school supply drive ending Tuesday, Aug. 18. Collected items will benefit low-income kindergarten-age school children throughout Northwest Ohio.

The “Backpack to the Future” school supply drive will occur at Books-A-Million bookstore (2105 Levis Commons Blvd.) in The Town Center at Levis Commons in Perrysburg; Directions Credit Union branches (5121 Whiteford Rd.) in Sylvania, (3000 Tremainsville Rd.) in Toledo, (3321 Briarfield Blvd.) in Maumee, (4150 Brockway Dr.) in Perrysburg, (3312 Dustin Rd.) in Oregon, (2533 S. Reynolds Rd.) in Toledo, (3450 Central Ave., Suite 128) in Toledo, (27427 Crossroads Pkwy.) in Rossford and (1 Owens Corning Pkwy.) in Toledo; Great Lakes Credit Union branches (5823 Monroe St.) in Sylvania and (580 Craig Dr.) in Perrysburg; and Genoa Bank branches (801 Main St.) in Genoa, (3201 Navarre Ave.) in Oregon, (703 Conant St.) in Maumee, (24950 W, State Route 51) in Millbury, (9920 Old U.S. 20) in Rossford and in (5501 Monroe St.) Sylvania.

The 18 community locations expand the College’s educational initiative for individuals to drop off their donations. Among the charitable items that will be accepted as part of the school supply drive are gently-used or new backpacks, crayons, markers, bottles of glue, glue sticks, colored pencils, pencils, pink erasers, school boxes, pocket folders, marbled covered composition books and Kleenex tissues.

According to Kaye Koevenig, community service chair, Owens Alumni Association, the Northwest Ohio community’s initial response toward the “Backpack to the Future” supply drive has been positive.

“Owens’ ‘Backpack to the Future’ school supply drive initiative has expanded efforts thanks to the support of Books-A-Million, Directions Credit Union, Genoa Bank and Great Lakes Credit Union,” she said. “I encourage area residents to lend a helping hand to those children who are in need of school supplies.”

Since establishing the program in 2004, the Owens Alumni Association has given 3,947 backpacks and 71,011 school supplies to benefit disadvantaged children throughout Northwest Ohio.

Owen’s Alumni Association is committed to the personal and professional success of alumni and students through the ongoing development of value-added initiatives. Owens has provided higher education to more than 250,000 students in its nearly 50-year history.

In addition to the community supply drive locations; area residents can bring their charitable donations to the College’s Office of Alumni Relations on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township, the Education Center Atrium on the Findlay-area Campus in Findlay and the Learning Center in Maumee.

Or more information about the school supply drive, or to make a donation, contact the Alumni Relations Office at (567) 661-7876 or alumni@owens.edu.

OWENS SELECTS FOLLETT TO MANAGE CAMPUS BOOKSTORES BEGINNING JULY 23

Posted on July 8th, 2015

College to benefit with expanded access to new products, services and savings

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, July 8, 2015 – Owens Community College is proud to announce its newest partnership with Follett Higher Education Group. Follett is scheduled to begin managing the Owens Community College Bookstores on July 23. Follett was identified as the company with the best experience, product offerings and technology to support the Owens campuses and local community.

“We are very pleased to have entered into a multi-year partnership with Follett to better provide students with services and resources the College cannot do presently as an independent store operation,” said Michael McDonald, executive director, operations, Owens Community College. “The agreement provides a better and ensured business model for our bookstore, while improving services to our students and the entire college community.”

With this new partnership, Follett brings the largest inventory of course materials and a network of more than 6,000 publishers and providers to offer students the greatest selection of affordable options. This includes access to Follett’s textbook rental program, which saves students, on average, 50 percent or more off the price of a new textbook. The bookstores will provide a risk-free rental experience with the ability to highlight, take notes and easily convert rental to a purchase should the student decide to keep the text.

“We’re excited and ready to deliver a hassle-free store experience for Owens Community College students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff,” said Don Germano, president, Follett Higher Education Group. “We look forward to working with the institution in exploring the unique needs of the college community and identifying the right solutions to drive affordability, access and ultimately, student success.”

Follett also offers an extensive selection of digital learning technologies, such as its BryteWave digital reader. Digital materials allow students to study anytime, anywhere and often feature interactive learning tools, such as video, animation and models.

For more information regarding Owens, please visit www.owens.edu. Additional information regarding Follett’s services can be found at www.follett.com.

About Follett Corporation
For more than 140 years, Follett has been a trusted partner to pre-K and K-12 schools, districts, and college campuses, taking care of the critical details that make it easier for schools to run, teachers to teach and students to learn. Every day, Follett serves over half of the students in the United States, and works with 70,000 schools as a leading provider of education technology, services and print and digital content. Follett is higher education’s largest cam pus retailer and a hub for school spirit and community, operating more than 1,150 local campus stores and 1,600 virtual stores across the continent. Headquartered in Westchester, Illinois, Follett is a $2.6 billion privately held company

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CLOSED FOR INDEPENDENCE HOLIDAY

Posted on July 1st, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, July 1, 2015 – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as the Owens Community College Learning Center Maumee and the Owens Community College Learning Center Downtown, will be closed on Friday, July 3 for the Independence Day holiday. There will be no classes and the College offices will be closed for business.

OWENS NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FOUNDATION

Posted on June 29th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, June 29, 2015– Owens Community College has named Jeff Keim as executive director of the Owens Community College Foundation. This position is responsible for raising private and annual revenue for the Foundation to provide for the current and future needs of the College and its students.

Keim remarked, “Owens Community College is an undervalued asset and creates a vital economic impact in our region. I’m excited to join this team and share the life-changing stories resulting from the affordable education, world-class workforce training and athletic opportunities available on both our campuses. The Foundation provides the help and support for many to achieve the dreams that would otherwise be impossible.”

Since 2006, Keim has served as a financial advisor, most recently with MassMutual Ohio. In this position, he provided financial planning, including retirement analysis and programs, estate strategies, employee benefit and retention services, business continuation strategies, trust services, asset accumulation and distribution strategies, and financial products and services for high net worth families, businesses and institutions.

For more than 23 years, Keim’s role as auctioneer, master of ceremonies and development consultant has resulted in raising charitable contributions in excess of $8 million for various organizations in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, including Mercy Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Ohio, Rotary Club of Maumee, Boys & Girls Clubs, Toledo Opera Association, Toledo Christian Schools, St. John’s Jesuit, St. Francis de Sales, and Central Catholic high schools.

“We are eager to announce another addition to the Owens family,” said Mike Bower, Ph.D., president, Owens Community College. “Jeff brings with him a wealth of fundraising experience and a large network of contacts within the philanthropic community. His ability to raise revenue for the Foundation will be an integral part of moving Owens forward.”

Keim earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Toledo and is currently president of Rotary Club of Maumee.

OWENS APPOINTS DAVID CANNON VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Posted on June 24th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, June 24, 2015 – Owens Community College has appointed David Cannon as vice president/chief financial officer, pending Board of Trustee approval. This key administrative position is responsible for direct and strategic leadership in the areas of finance and accounting, budget, and facilities. The vice president/chief financial officer will ensure that business transactions and support services meet the College’s short- and long-term objectives and goals.

“I’m extremely excited about becoming a part of the Owens family,” said Cannon. “Over the past few years I have had the opportunity to work with Owens staff and have been impressed with their commitment to students and the community. I look forward to working together as a team to continue to make Owens a leader in higher education.”

Since 2011, Cannon has served as vice chancellor of finance and data management for the Ohio Board of Regents (OBR), which advises the chancellor on issues of statewide importance affecting higher education. In this position, he provided leadership, vision and accountability in the management and oversight for Finance and Data Management operations. Financial duties under his leadership included the State Share of Instruction (SSI) funding formula for higher education, budgeting, and Senate Bill 6 activities.

Prior to his work with the Ohio Board of Regents, Cannon served as chief financial officer for Union County, North Carolina; county administrator for Delaware County, Ohio; chief financial officer for the Auditor of State’s Office and administrator of fiscal services for Delaware County, Ohio. He was also a platoon leader in the Ohio Army National Guard.

“We are very excited for David Cannon to be joining Owens Community College,” said Mike Bower, Ph.D., president Owens Community College. “David has an extensive background in finance and with the OBR and will be a key asset in executing the College’s fiscal watch recovery plan moving Owens forward toward a more robust fiscal health.”

Cannon earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance from The Ohio State University, and a master’s degree in Finance from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, while serving in the United States Air Force.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO IMPLEMENT TUITION GUARANTEE PROGRAM

Posted on June 17th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, June 17, 2015 – Owens Community College today announced the implementation of a tuition guarantee program, pending Ohio Board of Regents approval, that will hold tuition rates for Fall 2015 and Spring 2016 for up to three years or until the completion of a degree, whichever comes first.

“Our mission is student success and for many students cost plays a big factor in their ability to continue their education, Mike Bower, Ph.D., president of Owens Community College. “While our tuition rate is still lower than other institutions in northwest Ohio, we want to do all we can to assist students in not only reducing cost, but also the time required to complete a degree.”

Existing full and part-time students and new (first-time) full-time students who elect to enroll in at least 15 credit hours in Fall semester 2015 or Spring semester 2016 will be eligible for the guarantee. Their tuition will be guaranteed at current rates during the time of their participation in the program.

Students will be required to sign a completion pledge that states they will: maintain continuous enrollment in fall and spring semesters with at least 15 credit hours per semester for three years or until degree completion, whichever comes first; and complete an academic plan by the end of their second semester.

“The tuition guarantee program is designed to help students and parents accurately predict tuition costs for their entire time here at Owens,” said Bower. “We want to see students succeed and this program is rewarding students for taking positive steps toward completion.”

The tuition guarantee is part of Owens’ “Take 15” initiative that assists students in graduating on time, saving tuition money, and starting their careers sooner.

For more information on Owens Community College, please visit www.owens.edu.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS RECEIVE BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXCELLENCE AWARD – FINDLAY

Posted on May 22nd, 2015

FINDLAY, Ohio, May 22, 2015 – Owens Community College Findlay- area Campus students Tara Osborne and Benjamin Book have been chosen by the Board of Trustees Student Life Committee to receive student excellence awards for their commitment to academics, community engagement, student leadership and involvement in student life.

Osborne and Book received Certificates of Recognition for Exceptional Student Leadership. Award recipients were recognized for their achievements at the College’s recent Board of Trustees meeting.

Timothy Rice, professor of English, nominated Osborne for her leadership efforts in creating the registered student organization, Student-Faculty Relations (StuFaR) and presiding as its inaugural president. The purpose of the organization is facilitating communication and interaction between students and faculty, which enhanced student and faculty relations through regular organized activities such as volleyball tournaments, board game days and popcorn days on the Findlay-area Campus.

Osborne, a adolescent education concentration major, had a 4.0 grade point average and was recognized as Summa Cum Laude at the May 8 Commencement Ceremony.

Heather Crozier, librarian, nominated Book for his leadership as president of the registered student organization, the Rotoract Club, which under Book’s leadership and organization, was active with monthly campus or community activities, including members volunteering for the Medical and Supplies Abroad warehouse, the City Mission and the Salvation Army.

Book has been a driving force in organizing the Conversation Club, a joint project with Read for LIFE, providing Rotoract members with the opportunity to assist students for whom English is a second language in developing their conversational English skills. He also showed effective leadership skills as an Owens student ambassador in the Findlay community.

The Board of Trustees Student Life Committee was chartered in 2011 to recognize and celebrate students who demonstrate the College’s core values of service, learning, innovation, collaboration and excellence through their achievements in academics, community engagement or involvement in student leadership and student life.

Any individual may nominate an Owens student or a group of students who demonstrate achievements specific to the award categories of Exemplary Academic Achievement, Extraordinary Community Engagement or Volunteerism and Exceptional Student Leadership or Student Life Involvement. The awards are presented regularly to student recipients during Board of Trustees meetings.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS RECEIVE BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXCELLENCE AWARD – TOLEDO

Posted on May 22nd, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, May 22, 2015 – Owens Community College’s Board of Trustees Student Life Committee has chosen students April Rose Brown, Brooke Wise, Grace Rader and members of the Culinary Knowledge Bowl team: Jeffry Davison, Kathryn McCain, Louisa Kerrigan, Margaret Kerrigan and Rachael Duda to receive student excellence awards for their commitment to academics, community engagement, student leadership and involvement in student life.

April Rose Brown and the Culinary Knowledge Bowl team received the Certificate of Recognition for exemplary academic achievement, while Brooke Wise and Grace Rader were honored with the Certificate of Recognition for Exceptional Student Leadership. Award recipients were recognized for their achievements at the College’s recent Board of Trustees meeting.

Russell Bodi, Owens professor of English, nominated Brown, an applied science major, for her dedication to academic study and her positive attitude. Brown had a 4.0 grade point average and was recognized Summa Cum Laude during the May 8 Commencement Ceremony. As an Honors Scholar she has gone above and beyond performing the honors option requirement. She currently holds the record for completing five additional independent study projects beyond the required three. This makes her eligible to be a Distinguished Honors Program Graduate.

Edward Gozdowsi, chef and adjunct instructor, Culinary Arts, nominated members of the Culinary Knowledge Bowl team for their high knowledge and dedication to learning the craft of culinary arts. Jeffry Davison, Kathryn McCain, Louisa Kerrigan, Margaret Kerrigan and Rachael Duda were selected for the inaugural Owens Culinary Knowledge Bowl team from a pool of 25 students. The team dedicated many hours for study and practice, taking first seed among the six teams of the northeast region and finishing with a silver medal in the Baron H. Galand Culinary Knowledge Bowl Competition of the Northeast Region for the American Culinary Federation.

Susan Wannemacher, professor of dental hygiene, nominated students Brooke Wise and Grace Rader for their leadership and dedication to the profession of dental hygiene and their fellow students seeking certification. Wise is the president and Rader is an active member of the College’s student chapter of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and in their respective leadership roles, they have coordinated a successful food drive for the Owens Harvest Pantry and a major fundraiser garnering $6,000, which will help to defer the individual student cost (up to $1,350 per student) of the national and regional dental hygiene board exams. They also competed amongst university and college peers and won first place in the research-based table clinic competition at the Ohio Dental Hygienists’ Association 91^st Annual Session in November 2014.

OWENS BOARD OF TRUSTEES AWARD 2015 ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIPS

Posted on May 13th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, May 13, 2015 – Owens Community College’s Board of Trustees honored area high school seniors recently for their outstanding achievements, offering thousands of dollars in new scholarships through the Trustees’ Academic Excellence Scholarship Program.

“Owens Community College is honored to recognize the Trustees’ Academic Excellence scholarship recipients for their dedication to academic excellence and outstanding service to their respective schools and communities,” said Richard Rowe, Owens Chair of the Board of Trustees. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to commend them on their accomplishments and welcome them to Owens Community College.”

The Academic Excellence Scholarship Program was created in 1998 by Owens’ Board of Trustees to recognize the outstanding achievements of graduating high school seniors. Each recipient will receive a $2,000 scholarship.

The scholarship is provided over four consecutive semesters with applicants being enrolled full-time and pursuing an associates degree at the College, as well as maintaining a 3.0 grade point average each semester. Since its creation more than a decade ago, the Trustees’ Academic Excellence Scholarship Program has provided over $1.3 million in scholarships to over 700 students.

Students receiving a Trustees’ Academic Excellence Scholarship and their intended course of study at Owens include:

Samantha Gill, an Anthony Wayne High School graduate (Culinary Arts)
Ashton Johns, an Archbold High School graduate (Dental Hygiene)
Courtney Stoltz, an Arlington High School graduate (Pre-Nursing)
Arely Cardenas, a Bowling Green High School graduate (Early Childhood)
Maya Olive, a Calvin M. Woodward High School graduate (Social Work)
Tyler Kish, a Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School graduate (Marketing and Sales)
Alexis Zacharias, a Central Catholic High School graduate (Pre-Nursing)
Madeline Duwve, a Clay High School graduate (Entrepreneurship)
Mallory Bowen, a Crestview High School graduate (Diagnostic Medical Sonography)
Marissah Blunk, an E. L. Bowsher High School graduate (Undeclared)
Morgan Donaldson, an Eastwood High School graduate (Pre-Nursing)
Dylan Benschoter, an Elmwood High School graduate (Business Mgt.)
Cassidy Daniels, an Emmanuel Christian graduate (Pre-Nursing)
Stephen Markley, a Findlay Digital Academy graduate (Accounting)
Ashley Overacker, a Findlay High School graduate (Dental Hygiene)
Paige Wheeler, a Four County Career Center graduate (Photography)
Meghan Cook, a Fremont Ross High School graduate (Hospitality Mgt.)
Monique Nelson, a Horizon Science Academy of Toledo graduate (Pre-nursing)
Chris Serra, a Lake High School graduate (Business)
Nicholas Kurtz, a Maumee High School graduate (Criminal Justice)
Nakayla Shoemaker, a McComb High School graduate (Pre-Nursing)
Thomas Stennett, a Millstream Career Center graduate (Undeclared)
Lynzee Richardson, a Napoleon High School graduate (Criminal Justice)
Ashley Fisher, a North Baltimore High School graduate (Pre-Vet Science)
Stephen Sutton, a Northwood High School graduate (Pre-Nursing)
Molly Baker, a Notre Dame Academy graduate (Undeclared)
Ryan Pavlica, an Oak Harbor High School graduate (Pre-Nursing)
Micah Swanson, an Otsego High School graduate (Education)
Danielle Flory, a Penta Career Center graduate (Physical Therapy Asst.)
Cassandra Schorsch, a Perrysburg High School graduate (Early Childhood)
Victoria Williams, a Rogers High School graduate (Pre-Health Info.)
Hannah Gauthier, a Rossford High School graduate (Medical Imaging)
William Newland, a Roy C. Start High School graduate (Construction Trades)
Brianne Grup, a Springfield High School graduate (Medical Assisting)
Braxton Bowers, a St. John’s Jesuit High School graduate (Electrical)
Madison Collins, a St. Joseph Central Catholic High School graduate (Business)
Rachel Kashian, a St. Paul High School graduate (Medical Imaging)
Jayda Wertz, a St. Ursula Academy graduate (Undeclared)
Khalil Pettaway, a Summit Academy Secondary graduate (Mechanical Engineering)
Jillian Keil, a Swanton High School graduate (Radiology)
Shania Veteto, a Sylvania Southview High School graduate (Technical Study)
Aubrey Thompson, a Toledo School for the Arts graduate (Undeclared)
Nicholas Taylor, a Toledo Technology Academy graduate (Machining Certificate)
Timothy Griffin, an Upper Sandusky High School graduate (Criminal Justice)
Mackenzie Howard, a Van Buren High School graduate (Pre-Nursing)
Dalton Mason, a Vanlue High School graduate (Undeclared)
Mickenna Schweinhagen, a Wauseon High School graduate (Pre-Dental Hygiene)
Alissa Saddoris, a Whitmer High School graduate (Pre-Nursing)
Kiel Fritz, a Willard High School graduate (John Deere)
Kaila Grant, a Woodmore High School graduate (General Arts)

765 GRADUATES PREPARE FOR OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE SPRING COMMENCEMENT

Posted on May 4th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, May 4, 2015 – Seven hundred sixty-eight candidates for graduation, including 112 from the Findlay-area Campus, will receive their degrees during the 49^th annual Owens Community College Spring Commencement on Friday, May 8. The commencement will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Health and Activities Center on the College’s Toledo-area Campus.

Owens’ commencement ceremony is free and open to the public. For family and friends unable to attend, the ceremony will be streamed online and can be accessed at www.owens.edu/commencement. Owens is asking graduates to share their celebration photos and updates by including the hashtag #owensgrad in their social media posts.

Senator Randy Gardner will serve as the keynote speaker. Gardner is currently in his 30^th year of serving Northwest Ohio in the Ohio General Assembly. During this time, Senator Gardner has never missed one day of voting session in the House of Representatives or Senate, casting more than 9,600 consecutive roll call votes on bills, amendments and resolutions.

His leadership positions have included Senate Majority Leader and House Speaker Pro Tem. A former high school history and government teacher, Senator Gardner has been honored with the Pioneer in Education Award from the Ohio Department of Education, the Washington Center Award for his work in support of higher education and the Andrew Carnegie Award from the Ohio Library Association. He became a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa honor society in a ceremony at Owens Community College.

Senator Gardner received both his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Master’s Degree in Political Science from Bowling Green State University.

Today, he is a member of the Senate Education and Finance committees and chairman of the Senate Finance Higher Education Subcommittee.

Senator Gardner resides in Bowling Green with his wife, Sandy, an Owens Community College Alumna. They are the parents of three children; Brooks, who attended Owens Community College, Christina and Austin.

Ebony High, a Medical Office Support major graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors, has been selected as the Owens class representative and will address the graduates during the ceremony.

The 37-year-old Toledo resident is the first person from her family to both attend college and earn a college degree. High embarked on a lengthy life journey before starting her own Owens education.

Primarily a stay-at-home mom for nearly a decade, she and her family left Toledo in February 2009 after her husband, Greg, lost his skilled trades job due to the economic downturn. They also lost their house. With Mr. High in search of employment, they moved to Atlanta and then Dallas where family and friends lived. But the skilled trades positions did not work out in either location.

The High family returned to Toledo to start over in December 2010. Mr. High opened his own tile and flooring business and Mrs. High wanted to support her husband, so she pursued administrative assistant degree options at Owens that would complement his business, enrolling in Fall Semester 2011. “We wanted to support each other as best as we could,” she said.

Growing up, High lived with her mother who struggled financially as a single parent to provide for her five children. But she emphasized she did not have a bad childhood. After her mother married High’s stepfather, together they provided a stable home for the family.

The 1995 Scott High School graduate spent two years at a local 4-year university before meeting her future husband, getting married and focusing her energy and faith on raising their three children, Draivon, 17; Domonic, 15 and Daneah, 6.

High acknowledges she has risen from financial hardship to middle class. She said she is thankful for her increased self-worth due to her Owens experience.

“You don’t know that you are not educated until you are educated,” she said.

After Commencement, High will be looking for a job. She has applied for several office administrative positions. She also has considered returning to college and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work.

For more information regarding Owens’ commencement ceremony, please visit www.owens.edu/commencement.

OWENS LANDSCAPE AND TURFGRASS CREW CLUB TO HOST ANNUAL SPRING PLANT SALE APRIL 29 & 30

Posted on April 27th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 27, 2014 – Area residents seeking to add some new life and color to their gardens and yards are encouraged to attend the Landscape Turfgrass Crew Club’s annual Spring Plant Sale at Owens Community College, Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, April 30.

The plant sale will be held from 10 a.m. until 6p.m. next to the greenhouse, which is near the entrance to the Owens Math/Science Center on the Toledo-area Campus. The sale will feature a wide selection of shrubs and rare, unusual trees, as well as annuals, among other items. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

According to Chris Foley, Owens Associate Professor of Science, the student organization is excited to once again offer individuals the opportunity to purchase select trees, shrubs and annuals at competitive prices for the upcoming spring planting season.

“The annual spring plant sale also provides our students with the unique opportunity to showcase their talents to the general public and the campus community. Annual plants will be in the form of assorted 4” pots, 10” hanging baskets, and 14” planters filled with beautiful blooming plants,” added Foley. “The annuals were all grown by the students within the College’s greenhouse.” Prices for the annuals will vary, based on sizes, but will competitive.

Shrubs on hand will include assorted hydrangeas, hardy shrub roses, Fothergilla, and many others. Shrubs will range in price from $18 to $25. Several rare and unusual trees will also be available, including the Japanese stewartia, Carolina Silverbell, white fringe tree, and many grafted Japanese maples and dogwoods, as well as many others. Tree prices will range from $20 to $80. The Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club will also sell perennials, including select hostas and daylilies. A complete listing of the available plants with their prices is available online at https://www.owens.edu/direct/plantsale.pdf

All proceeds from the plant sale will help in supporting the organization’s participation in the annual PLANET (Professional Landcare Network) Student Career Days, which is a national horticultural and landscape competition involving over 65 colleges and universities from across the country.

The College’s Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club was founded in 2005 with the mission of fostering stronger bonds among students majoring in the Landscape and Turfgrass Management program. Among the organization’s main initiatives is creating a network between alumni and current students to help in assisting individuals pursue careers within the landscape, turfgrass and related horticulture industries. The group also hosts fundraisers to support club outreach activities in the surrounding communities.

For more information about the Owens Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club plant sale, call Chris Foley at (567) 661-7623 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7623.

OWENS’ ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS TWO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Posted on April 24th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 24, 2014 – Owens’ Alumni Association has chosen Aalea Robertson of Toledo to receive the 8^th Annual Detective Keith Dressel Memorial Scholarship and Kyler Omey to receive the inaugural Private Stephen Machcinski and Private James Dickman Memorial Scholarship.

In tribute to and appreciation for the memory, life and heroism of Detective Keith Dressel, the Owens Community College Alumni Association established the Detective Keith Dressel Memorial Endowment Scholarship in 2007.

The Scholarship is awarded annually to an Owens student who has the courage to become a police officer and embodies the passion, conviction and perseverance demonstrated by Detective Dressel during his career.

Robertson is currently a part-time student, with a projected May 2015 graduation with a criminal justice technology degree. She enrolled at Owens in Fall 2012 after graduating from the Toledo School for the Arts.

Robertson has always had the desire to work in law enforcement. She says, “The idea of placing society’s well-being before the well-being of oneself for a greater cause is what really intrigues me.”

She is a student worker for the Owens Department of Public Safety, conducting fingerprinting and background checks; an unarmed security guard for the Toledo Lucas County Public Library and part of the security team for the Stranahan Theater. Robertson has participated in several internships with the Lucas County Heroin Overdose Task Force and the Lucas County Domestic Violence Task Force. She has also volunteered with the Toledo Police Explorers 12 Kids of Christmas, shopping with youths, and Lucas County Sheriff’s Explorers at the Lucas County Fair. Robertson feels all of these experiences have provided valuable hands-on experiences in preparing her for a future in law enforcement.

Maintaining a 3.57 grade point average, Robertson is a member of Owens’ honor societies, Phi Theta Kappa and Chi Alpha Epsilon. She plans to attend the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy at Owens in Fall 2015. Upon graduating from the Academy, she hopes to join the Toledo Police Department. Long term, her educational goal is to attend Tiffin University and earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

In honor of and gratitude for the remembrances, lives and heroism of Private Stephen Machcinski and Private James Dickman, the Owens Community College Alumni Association established the Private Stephen Machcinski and Private James Dickman Memorial Endowment Scholarship in 2014.

The Scholarship will be awarded annually to an Owens student who has the passion to become a firefighter and embodies the courage, beliefs and determination demonstrated by Private Stephen Machcinski and Private James Dickman during their careers.

Kyler Omey, the recipient of the inaugural Private Stephen Machcinski and Private James Dickman Memorial Scholarship, has that passion and determination. He is currently a part-time Owens student, completing 55 credit hours toward his fire science technology degree. The 2012 Sylvania Northview grad began studies at Owens in Fall 2012. Omey says, “Becoming a firefighter has not just been a goal, but a dream of mine.” He recognizes the impact firefighters make on the community, the uniqueness of the bond they develop with fellow firefighters and how they are positive role models.

His educational goal is to complete his degree with certifications in firefighting, emergency medical tech and paramedic. After graduation, he hopes to work at a local fire department as a full-time firefighter.

Omey has maintained a 3.38 grade point average while volunteering in the community. He has built houses for Habitat for Humanity and fed the homeless at the Cherry Street Mission. Additionally, he plays hockey for the Toledo Cherokee Hockey Club. All of these activities showed Omey the importance of teamwork and how you can impact other’s lives by doing the smallest things.

“Firefighting is not only my passion, aspiration or career choice, but a manner to impact those I encounter on a daily basis and be a productive member of the community,” said Omey.

OWENS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HONORS LOCAL RESIDENTS WITH OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARDS

Posted on April 23rd, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 23, 2015 – Owens Community College’s Alumni Association has chosen seven area residents to receive the 12th annual Outstanding Service Awards for their tremendous contributions to Northwest Ohio’s communities. The recipients will be honored as part of a community celebration Friday, April 24 in the Audio Visual Classrooms, rooms 125-128 on Owens Toledo-area Campus beginning at 8 a.m.

Award recipients are Sean LaPlante, Dan Garner, Frank Reidy, Chris Archer, Terry Goad, Brandon Loboschefski, and Mark Grove.

“The Outstanding Service Awards are Owens’ Alumni Association way to honor the efforts of Northwest Ohio’s safety forces,” said Matt A. Feasel, president, Owens Alumni Association. “This is our chance to thank them for their continued service to our region, state and country. This year we once again have the privilege of recognizing an outstanding group of individuals.”

The awards are presented within the categories of Outstanding Police, Firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician and Service to Community. Selection criterion is based upon a nomination process for candidates demonstrating exceptional service related to dedication, ingenuity, bravery, special skills and/or community service over a sustained period of time. The awards are not limited to a single recipient and can be a group honor where teamwork was a key element.

The recipients of the Outstanding Police Award are Sean LaPlante of Maumee (deputy, Lucas County Sheriff’s Office), Dan Garner of Maumee (deputy, Lucas County Sheriff’s Office), Frank Reidy of Toledo (deputy, Lucas County Sheriff’s Office), and Chris Archer of Temperance (deputy, Lucas County Sheriff’s Office).

LaPlante, Garner, Reidy and Archer were nominated by Dave Friddell, captain, Lucas County Sheriff’s Office for their compassion, desire and willingness to go above and beyond to make a positive impact.

On Oct. 5, 2014, Deputies LaPlante and Garner responded to a call regarding a mother who could not take care of her three children, ages 4 months to 11 years, anymore and wanted them to be placed where they would be cared for. After several phone calls, LaPlante and Garner found the children’s grandmother, who agreed to take in the children. Because the grandmother’s home was not prepared for the sudden arrival of three small children, LaPlante and Garner took it upon themselves to provide diapers, wipes, juice boxes, pizza and other amenities for the children. Deputy LaPlante even donated his X-Box gaming system to provide entertainment for the older children.

On July 12, 2014, at the end of a 12-hour patrol shift, Deputy Frank Reidy and Deputy Chris Archer decided to check on an illegally parked RV. Deputy Reidy knocked on the RV door to determine if anyone was inside. A small child answered the door. Inside the RV were five children, ages 3 to 14 years. The children’s father appeared unconscious and smelled of alcohol. The father, once awoken, could not stand without assistance. The father was booked into the Lucas County Corrections Center, charged with five counts of child endangerment.

When speaking with the oldest of the five children, Deputies Reidy and Archer learned the father had taken them to the Toledo Zoo earlier in the day and was to take them to the Toledo Mud Hens game that evening as part of an organized Cub Scout outing. When additional units arrived, Deputies Reidy and Archer loaded the children into cruisers and took them to the Mud Hens game. They escorted the children into the ball field and helped them find their group. They collected amongst themselves and two other deputies nearly $50 so the children could enjoy ballpark snacks. Deputies Reidy and Archer had made early contact with the children’s grandparents and waited with the children until they were reunited safely with their grandparents.

The recipient of the Outstanding Firefighter Award is Terry Goad of Toledo (assistant fire chief, Morin Point Fire Department). Richard Bosak, lieutenant, Toledo Fire & Rescue Department nominated Goad for his selflessness and bravery during a two-car accident that involved two very serious injuries and a vehicle fully engulfed in flames.

On the evening of June 27, 2014, a white Lincoln, driven by a 23-year-old man was traveling the wrong way on Benore Road and the I-75 overpass. Witnesses say cars swerved to barely escape collision. At an estimated speed of 60 miles per hour, the wrong-way driver ultimately crashed into a Grand Prix driven by a 22-year-old female. The Lincoln burst into flames with the driver trapped inside.

Assistant Fire Chief Terry Goad, while off-duty, came upon the horrific scene. The car was totally engulfed in flames. He was told that someone was trapped inside the burning vehicle, so he ran to the car and pried the door open. The driver’s foot was pinned, making removal a challenge. After a few attempts, the driver was pulled out at the last minute. Assistant Fire Chief Goad helped direct several civilians in the removal and relocation of the driver to a safe place away from the burning vehicle. He then turned his attention to the female driver who was trapped in her vehicle just feet from the burning automobile.

Brandon Loboschefski of Maumee (fire chief, City of Maumee Fire Division) is the recipient of the Outstanding Emergency Medical Technician Award. John Jezak, city administrator and safety director, and Tom King, fire inspector, Maumee Fire Division, City of Maumee, nominated Loboschefski for his life-saving efforts during the cardiac arrest of King.

On Saturday, May 17, 2014, Maumee Fire Inspector Tom King arrived home from an out-of-town vacation. Planning to spend Sunday unpacking and preparing to return to work on Monday, Inspector King instead awoke at 6 a.m. gasping for breath. Instinctively, his wife, Renee, realized something was very wrong and quickly dialed 911 for help.

As fate would have it, his next-door neighbor, Fire Chief Brandon Loboschefski, happened to have his scanner on and heard the emergency call. He immediately ran to the King residence where he removed Inspector King from the bed and began performing CPR. He also applied an AED that he brought with him and administered one shock prior to the arrival of paramedics. Inspector King was suffering a cardiac arrest and his condition, often referred to as a “widow maker,” was grave.

After extensive treatment, surgery and rehabilitation that lasted nearly three months, Inspector King was cleared to return to work, suffering no brain damage and only the slightest damage to his heart. Chief Brandon Loboschefski not only saved Inspector King’s life, he preserved its quality as well.

Mark Grove of Woodville (1^st assistant fire chief, Woodville Township Fire Department) is named the Outstanding Service to Community Award recipient. William Andrews, chief, Woodville Township Fire Department, nominated Grove for his leadership and dedication.

For the past 38 years, Mark Grove has been with the Woodville Township Fire Department, serving as assistant chief since 1996. Assistant Chief Grove takes fire prevention, fire safety and knowledge of fire service very seriously. He has taken classes on his own and brought back information to teach others, improving the department. He also performs annual pump tests on department pumpers to save money. Assistant Chief Grove’s knowledge of equipment, water movements and fire services expertise benefits the whole department, as well as neighboring departments that ask for his help.

Grove uses his personal time to teach fire prevention and fire safety to local elementary school children. He routinely secures donations of materials and labor to build the props he uses, many times building them himself. Examples of the educational props include multiple styles of windows to teach skills needed to exit a burning home and a hollow core door internally fitted with a heating pad so students can learn how to feel a door for heat. In addition to stop, drop and roll techniques, Grove teaches children the importance of parent-led fire drills complete with family meeting locations and regular smoke detector operational checks.

He has helped the police department teach bicycle safety and assisted with the distribution of donated bicycle helmets during Bicycle Safety Week. Grove is a local fire inspector and maintains his certification by attending continuing education courses on his own time.

He has been an asset to the department for many years and has given of himself to make the department and the community a safer, better place.

OWENS CONTINUES RECOVERY PLAN IN RESPONSE TO BEING OFFICIALLY PLACED ON FISCAL WATCH

Posted on April 22nd, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 22, 2015 – Leaders of Owens Community College informed the campus community today that the College has officially been placed on Fiscal Watch. In November 2014, the College had shared it would be facing the status of Fiscal Watch by the state in early 2015. Since that announcement, the College has been working veryclosely with the Ohio Board of Regents and has made significant strides toward gaining fiscal recovery.

“We are pleased to know that Owens Community College is working diligently to become more fiscally stable,” said Dave Cannon, Ohio Board of Regents Vice Chancellor 0f Finance and Data Management. “Owens is a vital part of Ohio’s higher education system, and fiscal stability will help the college continue to play an important role in the workforce development and economic success of the region.”

Owens continues to follow an aggressive recovery plan outlined in the November announcement to further stabilize finances and allow the College to focus on its vital role as a leading education provider and economic engine within the surrounding communities. The five-part recovery plan will include:

1. Financial Stability and Expenses

The College is stabilizing its net asset position and financial indicators through aligning projected revenue with operational expenses and implementing prudent financial oversight, controls and cost-saving measures.

2. Human Resources and Labor Relations

The College is evolving its organizational capacity through a systemic focus of meeting the needs of students, employers and employees, fostering communication and accountability.

3. Additional Long-term Revenue Stream

The College is seeking additional long-term revenue through cultivating partnerships, strengthening

relationships and leveraging resources to expand the mission of providing students and northwest Ohio employers with access to affordable quality education and technical training.

4. Enrollment and Marketing

The College is strengthening connections to prospective students through marketing, linking academic programs with careers and jobs, promoting opportunities for earning college cred it toward a degree and supporting key services that enhance student retention, transfer and completion.

5. Academic Programming

The College is adapting, developing and aligning quality academic programs and educational delivery with labor market needs and job opportunities while fostering student learning, assessment and completion through strategic planning, efficiencies, partnerships and pathways.

“Strong regions have strong community colleges preparing their workforce. These are challenging times, but more than ever we need to keep Owens innovative, responsive and accountable,” said Mike Bower, Ph.D., president of Owens Community College. “Owens has been a quality provider of higher education and workforce training in

northwest Ohio for 50 years and we will continue to do so for years to come.”

During this recovery phase, the College is taking steps to ensure that students are not impacted. The College remains accredited through the Higher Learning Commission and there is no change or impact to any program-specific accreditation. In addition, transfer agreements remain 100% in place and are in no way impacted; and there is no change with the transfer of credits taken at the College.

OWENS STUDENT WINS PEARSON WRITING CONTEST

Posted on April 21st, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 21, 2015 – According to a recent AACU survey, more than 75 percent of employers say they want to see competency in graduates in key areas that include written and oral communication skills, amongst other key 21^st century skill-areas. The Pearson Writing Rewards Contest was created to help increase awareness of the importance of writing; to encourage students to foster these skills, as they are a precursor for success in today’s knowledge-based economy; and to show students the rich rewards associated with developing their writing skills.

The 2013-2014 contest was open only to college students currently enrolled in a pre-composition, developmental, or non-credit courses. Five Pearson authors of various English, reading, and writing course materials, who hold 50+ years of experience in the classroom, judged essay submissions, identifying three final winners. The essays were graded on a 1-10 scale based on clarity of writing, organization of the essay, and writing correctness.

The students who communicated in written form most effectively and efficiently were rewarded with a cash prize. The winners and their sponsoring professors are:

1^st place: Awarded to Laura Wilson, Owens Community College, Professor: Dr. Kay Blue

2^nd place: Awarded to Morgan Faulkner, North Carolina Central University, Professor: Anne McCarthy

3^rd place: Awarded to Rachel Shrock-Russell, Chemeketa Community College, Professor: Samuel Snoek-Brown

“I always liked to write but I never thought that I would be a writing contest winner. As a result of this experience, I have more confidence in myself. I’m excited to see where my writing will take me,” said Laura Wilson, student at Owens Community College.

Winners, their teachers, and their writing program administrators will be featured on respective Pearson websites. Winning submissions are eligible for publication in Pearson educational content and throughout Pearson’s online writing courses or MyLabs.

According to Jilani Warsi, Pearson author and judge of the contest, “Judging student essays is not simply about rewarding the strongest writers. It’s about seeing talent and potential and recognizing it, so that you can inspire students to become their most successful selves.”

Due to the success of the pre-composition contest, the 2014-2015 contest will be opened to composition students, or students who are taking for-credit classes. Applications for this year’s award are due by May 31, 2015. To apply, visit this link.

About Pearson

Pearson is the world’s leading learning company, with 40,000 employees in more than 80 countries working to help people of all ages to make measurable progress in their lives through learning. For more information about Pearson, visit http://www.pearson.com.

OWENS TO HOST STUDENT LEAD DEBATE AND FORUM ON ETHICS OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE

Posted on April 14th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 14, 2015 – The controversial argument surrounding assisted suicide is a powerful one that on one side speaks to the capacity for compassion and individual choice and the other to the reverence for life. Area residents interested in learning more about both sides of the issue are encouraged to attend a free debate and forum at Owens Community College Tuesday, April 21.

“Events like this challenge students to look at contemporary concerns in a critical light, and gives them the tools to help other do the same,” said Michael Greene, adjunct faculty member, Owens Community College.

Hosted by Owens philosophy students, the debate and forum will begin at 9 a.m. in College Hall Room 100 on the Toledo-area Campus, 30335 Oregon Road, Perrysburg. The event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

Greene will serve as the moderator for the open discussion.

For additional information about the event, call (567) 661-7454 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7454.

OWENS CELEBRATES COMMUNITY COLLEGE MONTH

Posted on April 8th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 8, 2015 – Owens Community College will celebrate its role in providing higher education to the surrounding Northwest Ohio region with a series of events and activities during Community College Month, which is held nationally in April.

“Owens Community College plays a prominent role in providing area residents with innovative learning and training opportunities on which to build future success,” said Mike Bower, Ph.D., president of Owens Community College. “As community colleges across the country celebrate April as Community College Month, I encourage those individuals who are or have attended a community college to share their story of success with someone who may have never considered higher education as an option. Together, we can positively impact the lives of others through lifelong learning.”

The celebration will include a variety of weekly events to help recognize the important role that community colleges play in educating students and to express appreciation to faculty, staff, students and community partners for their hard work and dedication to Owens and our communities.

Community College Month is celebrated around the country in April to commemorate the contributions community colleges make in educating and training students for the future. Community colleges provide enhanced educational opportunities, create greater access to higher education and strengthen economic development initiatives in the communities they support.

There are more than 1,100 community colleges in the United States, with a combined enrollment of more than 12 million students. The average age of a community college student nationwide is 28. More than 750,000 associate degrees are awarded annually and 46 percent of all U.S. undergraduates attend a community college. Owens’ Community College Month activities are collaboration between several College departments. For additional information and a list of events, visit www.owens.edu.

OWENS’ MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING PROGRAM FIRST IN NATION TO RECEIVE ACCREDITATION

Posted on April 7th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 7, 2015 – The Owens Community College Magnetic Resonance Imaging Program has become the first community college in the nation to earn the distinction of receiving initial program accreditation by The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).

“Owens is very proud to be the first community college to receive accreditation for its Magnetic Resonance program,” said Catherine Ford, M.Ed., R.T. (R), program director. “This achievement recognizes Owens’ commitment to providing an excellent academic program that gives students a foundation for future success.”

Owens’ program earned the maximum accreditation award for a new program of three years from the JRCERT after a recent peer review and site visit that recognized the programs substantial compliance with the nationally established accreditation standards.

“Earning this accreditation is a credit to the hard work of the Magnetic Resonance program faculty,” said Doug Mead, DMA, associate dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions. “Each of them is dedicated to serving our students and community through excellence and innovation.”

The JRCERT is the only agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) for the accreditation of traditional and distance delivered educational programs in radiography, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance, and medical dosimetry. Specialized accreditation awarded by the JRCERT offers institutions significant value by providing peer evaluation and by assuring the public of quality professional education in the radiologic sciences.

Magnetic resonance technologists are medical professionals who perform magnetic resonance imaging procedures. They are educated in patient care, human anatomy, physiology, pathology, radiopharmacology, imaging procedures, MR physics, ethics and medical terminology. Magnetic resonance technologists must possess, utilize and maintain knowledge about magnetic protection and safety. They must recognize conditions essential for successful completion of the procedure and exercise independent professional and ethical judgment.

Offered on the Toledo-area Campus, the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Program offers students a combination of didactic instruction with practical application in clinical education affiliates.

Graduates must take and pass a national certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

For more information on the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Program or other programs, please visit www.owens.edu.

OWENS TO HOST FIFTH ANNUAL HONORS PROGRAM SYMPOSIUM AND MEDALLION CEREMONY

Posted on March 31st, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, March 31, 2015 – Owens Community College honors students will have the opportunity to showcase their research and creative works in multiple disciplines during the fifth annual Honors Symposium and medallion Ceremony on Friday, April 10.

The Honors Program Symposium and Medallion Ceremony will occur from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Audio Visual Class Rooms 121-128 on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. The event is free and open to the public.

The Owens’ Honors Program Symposium and Medallion Ceremony will feature oral presentations and panel discussions by students on several topic areas, including history, politics, culture, ethics, morality, critical thinking, anthropology, religion, literature, international affairs and Shakespeare, among others. Each presentation and panel discussion is a collaborative effort between Honors Program students and Owens faculty members.

In addition, the Owens Honors Program will recognize students for their educational success and leadership with the bestowing of an Owens Honors Program medallion.

The Honors Program at Owens provides a challenging educational opportunity, above and beyond the standard curriculum, for exceptional students who strive for academic excellence. More than 100 students are members of the current Owens Honors Program on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses.

To be considered for admission into the selective program, a currently enrolled student must have a minimum 3.2 grade point average (GPA) with 12 credits completed at Owens. A new student must have achieved a high school GPA of 3.2 or be enrolled as a post secondary enrollment option student.

Honors Program students must complete a total of 15 credit hours of honors courses, which includes nine credit hours of elective honors courses and two core courses titled Introduction to Critical Thinking and Honors Great Readings: Ancient World through the Middle Ages. To graduate as an Honors Scholar and receive the Honors Program medallion, a student must earn a cumulative 3.5 grade point average and complete an honors portfolio where they engage in directed research or service learning around essential questions or themes appropriate to their program of study as part of a capstone project, among other criteria.

In addition, Owens Honors Program graduates are able to continue their educational pursuits at Bowling Green State University, Eastern Michigan University or the University of Toledo as the academic institutions have in place seamless transfer agreements between the respective Honors Programs.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION RECOGNIZES STUDENTS FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Posted on February 26th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Feb. 25, 2015 – Owens Community College Foundation has awarded more than $153,400 in scholarships for the 2014-15 academic year to students for their outstanding achievements.

“Owens Community College’s Foundation is honored to recognize these outstanding scholarship recipients for their exemplary efforts while pursuing their dream of a college education,” said Laura Moore, Owens Interim Executive Director of College Development and the Foundation. “It is the generous support of our donors that allows us to recognize and honor these students’ achievements. Every donor who supports Foundation scholarships helps in providing enhanced opportunities for students to achieve success.

The Owens Foundation was incorporated in April 2002 and has over $3.5 million in assets. The Foundation Board of Directors currently is comprised of 25 community leaders from Lucas, Wood and Hancock counties. The mission of the Owens Foundation and its Board of Directors is developing and providing resources to advance the College’s overall mission of serving students and the surrounding communities. The Foundation is also dedicated to removing barriers to education by providing student scholarships and supporting growth and innovation at Owens.

Allan & Suzanne Libbe Scholarship: Katlyn Moriarty of Toledo received a $500 scholarship and Bayley Hill of Findlay and Samantha Hill of Findlay each received a $250 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled a minimum of six credit hours each semester and have achieved a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to incoming freshmen that are graduates of Findlay High School or Maumee High School.

Alumni Legacy Scholarship: Dane Fountain of Holland and Aricka Lavoy of Pemberville each received a $3,500 scholarship and Paul Cieply of Rossford and Cassidy Hopkins of Perrysburg each received a $1,000 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester, have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and have a parent or legal guardian who is a current, paid voting member of the Owens Alumni Association.

American Society for Industrial Security International, Toledo Chapter, Fred C. Heck and Charles W. North Scholarships: Amber Harris of Walbridge and Mary Johnson of Waterville each received a $500 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester, have achieved a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and be a second-year student. Preference is given to criminal justice technology majors.

Art and Connie Smith Honors Scholarship: Ann Leahy of Toledo, Lucy Hutchins of Findlay and Kathleen Shaw of Tiffin each received a $512 scholarship. Recipients must have been accepted into the Owens Community College Honors Program.

Bill Buck Memorial Scholarship: Katilin Glover of Maumee received a $385 scholarship and Gili Oren of Toledo received a $154 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours each semester, have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, be working toward an associate’s degree, have a disability and be registered with the College’s Disability Services Office.

Bud Weaver Memorial Scholarship: Elizabeth Reynolds of Wauseon received a $493 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours each semester and have achieved a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to a student who is a criminal justice technology major.

Central West Area Council Scholarship: Steven Ambrose of Toledo received a $1,146 scholarship. Recipients must reside in the Central West area of Toledo, be pursuing an associate’s degree and have achieved a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to part-time students.

Chuck Holsclaw Memorial Scholarship: Kira Robertson of Oregon and Cynthia Trutt of Findlay each received a $1,000 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester and have achieved a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to students who are 22 years of age or older.

Cloyd Payne Memorial Math Scholarship: Christopher Anukwu of Toledo received a $500 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester, have a 3.0 cumulative GPA and have successfully completed MTH 232.

Cristoforo Colombo Lodge #772 Scholarship: Breana McPherson of North Baltimore and Katlyn Moriarty of Toledo each received a $452 scholarship. Recipients must be a graduate of a Northwest Ohio high school, be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours each semester, have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Preference will be given to a student of Italian descent.

Delta Dental Foundation Dental Hygiene Scholarship: Rebecca Acosta of Pemberville and Lainey Foster of Columbus each received a $1,250 scholarship and Haley Hermiller of Ottawa and Cynthia Trutt of Findlay each received a $625 scholarship. Recipients must have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and be enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.

Detective Keith Dressel Memorial Scholarship: Scott Histed of Maumee received a $2,000 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours each semester, have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and have completed at least 12 credit hours at Owens. Preference is given to criminal justice technology majors.

Donald Leonhardt Welding Scholarship: Paul Cieply of Rossford received a $1,034 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester and have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to a student majoring in welding.

Dr. Bettie Gehring Scholarship: Sherell Osbin of Fremont received a $500 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled a minimum of six credit hours and have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Preference will be given to single parents enrolled in Early Childhood Education Technology.

Edward and Linda Reiter Scholarship: Kole Peterson of Pioneer received a $647 scholarship and Lizzie Heyman of Monroeville received a $323.50 scholarship. Recipients must have completed 12 credit hours at Owens, be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours each semester, have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and be enrolled in a technology-specific associate degree program.

Edwin H. Simmons Memorial Scholarship: Alexander Bohland of Oregon, Alexander Korecki of Toledo, Tim Martin of Toledo and Luke Sines of Bryan each received a $2,500 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours each semester, have achieved a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA and be enrolled in a degree or certificate program offered through the School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics.

Findlay Accounting Scholarship: Lucy Hutchins of Findlay received a $400 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours each semester and have achieved a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to a Findlay-area Campus student who is an Accounting major.

Findlay Leadership Scholarship: Clinton Berry of Findlay received a $400 scholarship. Recipients must have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours each semester. Preference is given to Findlay-area Campus students.

Ford Scholarship: Cristin Franks of Findlay, Harold Kuhbander of Columbus Grove and Shelby Rowe of Alger each received a $764 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester. This award is designated for women and minorities and preference is given to Ford employees and their spouses and children.

George D. Allesee Memorial Scholarship: Christina Brown of Fostoria and Barbara Fritz of Arlington each received a $500 scholarship and Helen Dilworth of Maumee received a $1,000 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester and have achieved a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to business majors and students who are 22 years of age or older.

Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative Scholarship: Barbara Fritz of Arlington, Toni Walk of Risingsun and Sally Young of Findlay each received a $200 scholarship. Recipients must be a member of the Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative or live on the Hancock-Wood Cooperative lines. In addition, individuals must have achieved a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA.

Helen Steinke IAAP Scholarship: Lynne Gramling of Toledo received a $1,000 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester, have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and be a Toledo-area campus student enrolled in the Office Administration major.

James A. Adams Memorial Scholarship: Sarah Sandoval of Montpelier, Catherine Studer of Bellevue and Phillip Wells of Fostoria each received a $586 scholarship. Recipients of this award must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester and have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.

James H. Baehren Scholarship: Heather Haynes of Pemberville and Nathan Lueders of Vanlue each received a $614 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester and have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.

Janet and Ralph Patchin LegUP Scholarship: Jonathan Thomas of Walbridge received a $2,500 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester, have achieved a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, have emancipated from the foster care system and be deemed financially independent. Preference will be given to Wood County residents with second preference to Hancock, Lucas, Ottawa and Sandusky county residents.

John and Margaret Kurfess Scholarship: Kelsey Kalisik of Liberty Center and Geneva Scott of Walbridge each received a $335.50 scholarship. Recipients must have completed at least 16 credit hours at Owens, be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours each semester, have achieved a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and be enrolled in a health sciences major.

John Deere Scholarship: Daniel Bittner of Decatur, IN, Nathan Buehrer of Montpelier, Kody Degler of Portland, IN, Robert Fisher of New Vienna, Joel Foister of Home, PA, David Geiger of Harbor Beach, MI, Braden Kehres of Crestline, Joshua Kellar of Rayland, Jonathon Lewellen of Mount Vernon, Nathan McClain of Payne, Jarred Melcher of Bowling Green, Nathan Patton of Walbridge, Luke Sines of Bryan and Benjamin Thomas of Grand Rapids each received a $500 scholarship. Recipients must be a John Deere major.

Jones-Hamilton Company Scholarship: Alexander Shelhart of Oregon and Anthony Smoktonowicz of Perrysburg each received a $900 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours each semester and have and maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to residents of Lake Township, Perrysburg Township, Rossford or Northwood

Margaret (Margy) Matthews Scholarship: Bailey Ridge received a $728 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester and have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to a student who is an Early Childhood Education major.

Mary’s Scholarship: Cathryn Alexander of Toledo, Kaitlin Fall of Toledo, Julie Feltman of Perrysburg, Jennifer Marlowe of Perrysburg, Toni Walk of Risingsun and Sally Young of Findlay each received a $932 scholarship; Kristine Combs of Findlay, Tammi Diemer of Ottawa, Elizabeth Fajkos of Oregon, Amber Miller of Risingsun, Kristy Polan of Weston and Megan Tanner of Toledo each received a $466 scholarship; Janet Torres of Oregon received a $560.25 scholarship and Robert Mullens of Oregon received a $126.10 scholarship. Recipients must have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to employees of Little Sisters of the Poor or the College’s nursing majors.

Maumee Rotary STRIVE Scholarship: Kathlyn LaChapelle of Maumee received a $1,500 scholarship. Recipients must be graduating seniors of Penta Career Center who are participating in the Students Taking a Renewed Interest in the Value of Education (STRIVE) program.

Michael W. Rickard Memorial Scholarship: Cynthia Trutt of Findlay received a $708 scholarship. Recipients should display sustained Owens school spirit, devotion to the College or other forms of enhancing the student experience and demonstrate high levels of participation and engagement in campus life within student clubs, organizations or athletics. Preference is given to a student who is enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours each semester and has achieved a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Mike and Carol Bower Honors Scholarship: April Brown of Lambertville, MI and Kimberly Ferguson of Northwood each received a $1,250 scholarship. Recipients must have been accepted into the Owens Community College Honors Program.

Mosser Construction Scholarship: Thomas Russell of Toledo received a $1,836 scholarship. Recipients must be a second-year student enrolled in a construction-related program and must have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.

Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce Scholarship: Megan Dunn of Graytown was awarded a $500 scholarship. Recipients must be a graduate of Oak Harbor High School.

Officer William A. Miscannon Memorial Scholarship: Taylor Beck of Genoa received a $1,800 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours per semester and maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to students majoring in criminal justice who plan to pursue a career in law enforcement.

Owens Community College Foundation Scholarship: Edward Coker of Toledo, Rachel Isenhart of Toledo and Kimberly Stevens of Wauseon each received a $1,000 scholarship; Lainey Foster of Columbus, Viktoriya Gudnyy of Toledo, Haley Hermiller of Ottawa, Addison Lane of Whitehouse, William Lemle of Monclova, Cassandra Passalacqua of Maumee, Bailey Ridge of McComb, Pam Talmadge of Findlay, Makenzie Watkins of Fostoria, Tammy Williams of Genoa and Lydia Yeager of Toledo each received a $500 scholarship and Kyle Olszewski of Maumee received a $250 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours each semester and have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.

Owens Community College Foundation Diamante Latino Scholarship: Tabitha Mixon of Toledo received a $1,500 scholarship and Laura Aranda of Toledo and Robert Santillan of Toledo each received a $500 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester, have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and be of Latino heritage.

Owens Corning Diamante Latino Scholarship: Laura Aranda of Toledo and Robert Santillan of Toledo each received a $289.50 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours each semester, have achieved a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and be of Latino heritage.

Owens Faculty Association Scholarship: Allison Glanz of Grand Rapids received a $300 scholarship and Haley Hermiller of Ottawa and Isaiah Rupp of Palmyra, MI each received a $150 scholarship. Recipients must be the child of a current Owens Faculty Association member and be enrolled a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester. Current students must have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, while new students must have achieved a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Owens Honors Scholarship: Ayanda Mkhize of Findlay and Terry Spitnale of Toledo each received a $460 scholarship and Karen Medina of Toledo and Catherine Studer of Bellevue each received a $230 scholarship. Recipients must have been accepted into the Owens Community College Honors Program.

Pauline Schmidt Memorial Scholarship: Rebecca Acosta of Pemberville received a $326 scholarship. Recipients must have completed 12 credit hours at Owens, be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours, have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and be enrolled in the dental hygiene program.

Perrysburg Rotary STRIVE Scholarship: Maegen Anders of Maumee and Alison Kopp of Perrysburg each received a $1,000 scholarship. Recipients must be graduating seniors of Penta Career Center who are participating in the Students Taking a Renewed Interest in the Value of Education (STRIVE) program.

PNC Diamante Latino Scholarship: Laura Aranda of Toledo received a $640 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester, have achieved a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and be of Latino heritage.

Post-Secondary Option Book Scholarship: Hannah Ball of Findlay, Cassidy Hopkins of Perrysburg, Rachel Law of Jenera, Jacob Mattoni of Waterville, Emily Mysinger of Curtice, Macy Smith of Findlay, Taylor Smith of Fostoria, Amalya Stevenson of Northwood and Rachel Wiseley of Findlay each received an $800 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours each semester and have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Individuals must be former Post-Secondary Option students who are continuing their education at Owens following their high school graduation.

President Daniel H. Brown Scholarship: Taylor Broadwater of Holland, Stephanie Endicott of Fostoria and Nichole Miller of Toledo each received an $811 scholarship and Megan Albright of Clyde, Juanita Ellis of Toledo, Brandon Geiser of Pioneer and Brittany Grady of Whitehouse each received a $405.50 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester and have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to health science students.

Private Industry Collaborative Scholarship: Stephanie East-Ginting of Perrysburg and Melinda Tulak of Toledo each received a $607 scholarship and Teresa Boice of Milton Center and Julie Feltman of Perrysburg each received a $303.50 scholarship. Recipients must be a non-traditional student who is a dislocated or soon-to-be dislocated worker.

Ray Windecker Memorial Scholarship: Debra Secord of Carey and Bryan Post of Toledo each received a $250 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester and have a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to students majoring in an Automotive Technology or Auto Body Repair program. This scholarship is funded by the Western Lake Erie Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club.

Regina and Harry Silletti Scholarship: Ayanda Mkhize of Findlay received a $4,284 scholarship and Katelyn Motsinger and Anthony Smoktonowicz each received a $2,142 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least 15 credit hours each semester and have achieved a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Preference will be given to a non-traditional student who has been accepted in the Owens Community College Honors Program.

Rich Harmon Memorial Scholarship: Christina McCullough of Liberty Center received a $581 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours, have achieved a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA and exhibit a strong desire to pursue a quality assurance career in manufacturing.

Rudy Aschenbrener Memorial Scholarship: Jerome Johnson of Toledo received a $500 scholarship. Recipients must have completed at least six credit hours at Owens, have achieved a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and be majoring in the automotive body repair program.

Ryan, Mary and Hayden Walters Scholarship: Conner Edgar of Toledo received a $500 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours and have achieved a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to Early Childhood Education, Information Systems, Computer Programming or Computer Systems majors.

Scott Simpson Memorial Scholarship: Emilee Ball of Toledo, Michael Kirkham of Toledo, Ryan Mathena of Toledo and Elizabeth Reynolds of Wauseon each received a $207.50 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled a minimum of 12 credit hours and have achieved a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to students majoring in criminal justice or who are members of the Owens Community College basketball team.

Shirley S. Dick Scholarship: Tiffany Eschedor of Bradner and Melissa Richardson of Haskins each received a $1,000 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours each semester and have achieved a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to a female student. This scholarship is awarded in honor of Shirley S. Dick and presented through the Toledo Woman’s Club.

Slade Wielinski Memorial Scholarship: Tim Martin of Toledo received a $ 500 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled a minimum of six credit hours and have achieved a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to a non-traditional student majoring in Biomedical Electronics, Chemistry or other engineering major.

Spanish American Organization Scholarship: Robert Santillan of Toledo received a $717 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours each semester, have achieved a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, be of Latino heritage and reside in Lucas or Wood counties.

Steven G. Guerrero Memorial Scholarship: Kelsey Kalisik of Liberty Center received a $500 scholarship. Recipients must have achieved a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Preference will be given to students entering their second year at Owens who are enrolled in at least 12 credit hours each semester.

Tall Timbers Foundation Scholarship: Bayley Hill of Findlay received a $1,000 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester, have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and be a Findlay-area Campus student who is an employee or child of an employee at the Tall Timbers Industrial Center of Findlay.

The Andersons Scholarship: Jordin Baker of Oregon, Weiwei Jones of Holland and Randall Reynolds of Grand Rapids each received a $588 scholarship. Recipients must have completed at least 12 credit hours at Owens, be enrolled in six credit hours each semester and have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to students majoring in the School of Business, Information & Public Services, the School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics and the natural sciences area.

Toledo Automobile Dealers Association Scholarship: Alexx Myers of Rossford and Tori Schramm of Maumee each received a $1,842.50 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours each semester, have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and be an employee or relative of an employee of member dealerships of the Toledo Automobile Dealers Association.

Toledo Community Foundation – Marsh Family Fund Scholarship: Danielle DiNardo of Toledo, Brandon Geiser of Pioneer, Allison Glanz of Grand Rapids, Brittany Grady of Whitehouse and Erin Weaver of Findlay each received a $400 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester and have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.

Toledo Community Foundation – George and Luella Shoemaker Fund: Orr Buchris of Toledo, Joshua Callaghan of Toledo, Lori DeShetler of Perrysburg, Indigo East of Perrysburg, Matthew Grogan of Toledo, Meirav Pierce of Northwood, Reginald Reese of Toledo, Megan Tanner of Toledo and Dareisha Taylor of Toledo each received a $500 scholarship and Lucille Carter of Toledo, William Frye of Toledo, Nakeia Hamilton-Barber of Toledo, Amy Smith of Toledo and Jerardo Soto of Toledo each received a $250 scholarship. Recipients must reside in the greater Toledo area of Lucas County and contiguous communities, have completed 12 credit hours at Owens, be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester, have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and be enrolled in a technology-specific program.

Toledo Mobile Radio Association Scholarship: Tim Martin of Toledo received a $500 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester, have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, and be an Electrical/Electronics Engineering Technology or Skilled Trades Technologies Electrical major

Will Webb Scholarship: Erin Danielson of Tiffin received a $500 scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester and have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to a Findlay-area Campus student in the School of Nursing.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO HOST GREEN INDUSTRY CAREER AND JOB FAIR

Posted on February 20th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Feb. 20, 2015 – Area residents and students with career aspirations in a green industry-related field are invited to learn about and explore various seasonal employment opportunities available throughout the region as Owens Community College hosts a Green Industry Career and Job Fair on Wednesday, March 4.

The Green Industry Career and Job Fair will take place from 3-4:30 p.m. in the College’s Audio/Visual Classroom Center Rooms 125-127 on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Admission to the event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

Throughout the event, individuals can meet with local green industry representatives and ask them questions about their professions or how to go about choosing a career path in the green industry field. In addition, attendees will be able to fill out applications for various seasonal employment opportunities.

Owens students and area residents attending the event are encouraged to bring several copies of their resume and to dress professionally in preparation for any impromptu interviews.

Approximately 20 area employers within such areas as landscape, golf course, small-scale farm, gardens/arboretums and garden centers will be in attendance. Employers will be looking to hire employees for the up coming 2015 season.

In addition, Owens will have information available for individuals interested in pursuing a college education. Owens offers a wide variety of academic programs through the College’s Department of Science specific to the natural sciences areas of Landscape and Turfgrass Management.

For more information about the Green Industry Career and Job Fair, call (567) 661-7623 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7623.

OWENS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD

Posted on February 13th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Feb. 13, 2015 – Owens Community College’s Alumni Association is recognizing the tremendous contribution that area police, fire and emergency medical professionals and community leaders make to Northwest Ohio’s surrounding communities by hosting the 12th annual Outstanding Service Awards. The recipients will be honored as part of a community celebration on Friday, April 24.

The College’s Alumni Association is currently accepting nominations for the Outstanding Service Awards. Area residents are invited to nominate an individual or individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service above and beyond the call of duty. Nominations need to be returned to the College’s Office of Alumni Relations by Feb. 27. The award is not limited to a single recipient, and the College’s Alumni Association encourages the nomination of more than one person when teamwork was the key element in their success.

The five awards, which will be presented at the community celebration, are within the categories of Outstanding Police Officer, Firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician, Service to Community and Community Spirit. Selection criteria will be based upon a nomination process with candidates demonstrating exceptional service related to dedication, ingenuity, bravery, special skills and/or to the community over a sustained period of time. The awards are not limited to a single recipient.

The 12th annual Outstanding Service Awards Celebration will begin at 8 a.m. with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. in the College’s Audio/Visual Classroom Center Rooms 121-128 on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Admission is free and the public is encouraged to attend, however, reservations are required.

For more information about the Outstanding Service Award Celebration, or the nomination process, contact the College’s Alumni Relations Office at (567) 661-7410 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7410.

STATE OF THE STATE CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Posted on February 12th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Feb. 12, 2015 – Owens Community College will host the 19^th Annual State of the State (SOS) Conference “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Connecting Communities on March 19, 2015, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. This timely and topical discussion on will focus on racial profiling, the Americans with Disabilities Act, diversity in education, compliance, and much more.

“The State of the State Conference is designed to be a truly broad and diverse conversation on topics of equity and opportunity,” said Lisa Dubose, M.Ed. SPHR, director of Organizational Development and chief diversity officer. “Representatives from institutions and organizations across the State of Ohio will come together to exchange information and strategies that will be valuable both personally and professionally.”

Keynote speakers are Jelani Jefferson-Exum, JD and Dr. Richard Pimentel.

Jefferson-Exum is a professor of Law at the University of Toledo. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College. Prior to joining the UT Law faculty, she was an associate professor at the University of Kansas School of Law and a visiting associate professor at the University of Michigan Law School. Before joining academia, she served as a law clerk for the Honorable James L. Dennis, United States Circuit Judge for the for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Honorable Eldon E. Fallon, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Dr. Pimentel is a nationally renowned expert on Disability Management, Job Recruitment, Job Retention, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Attitude Change. He was the Chairperson of VACOR, the Department of Veterans Affairs Civilian Advisory Committee for Rehabilitation. His training has not only successfully enabled managers and supervisors to participate in cost reduction initiatives and implementation of policies and procedures to reduce work site accidents and re-injuries, but has also helped employers dispel stereotypes and embrace diversity.

This year marks the 25^th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act.

Registration and continental breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. Opening plenary begins at 8 a.m., lunch plenary begins at noon and closing plenary begins at 3 p.m. Conference fee is $125 per person and $75 for retirees. Lunch session only is $50. The registration fee includes a continental breakfast, luncheon, two plenaries, 18 workshops and a certificate of completion.

For more information or to register, please visit online at www.owens.edu/sosconference.

OWENS WELCOMES MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER AND GENOCIDE SURVIVOR JOHN DAU

Posted on January 29th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Jan. 29, 2015 – Owens Community College is excited to welcome author, philanthropist and genocide survivor John Dau to the Toledo- and Findlay-area campuses Tuesday, Feb. 24. During his presentation, Dau will share his story of survival after being driven from his village in war-torn Sudan and his eventual immigration to the United States.

Dau is one of 27,000 “Lost Boys of Sudan,” who were driven from their villages when the northern Arab government attacked the ethnic minority population of South Sudan in 1987. For five years, he led groups of displaced boys across Sudan to neighboring Ethiopia and later to a refugee camp in Kenya, but by that time – due to starvation, violence and disease – only 12,000 remained.

“Owens is honored to not only host John Dau, but to give students and the community the opportunity to hear his story first-hand,” said L. Scott Deaner, assistant professor of Geography and co-chair of Social and Behavioral Sciences. “This is a great opportunity for the plight of those living in South Sudan to become more real than just something we hear or read about in the news.”

From 1992-2001, Dau lived in the Kenyan refugee camp, when he was one of 3,800 “Lost Boys” selected to immigrate to the United States. He settled in Syracuse, N.Y., where he still lives today. Following his initial culture shock, Dau worked multiple jobs, earned an associate degree from Onondaga Community College and later a Bachelor’s Degree from Syracuse University.

Currently, Dau is the president of the John Dau Foundation and the South Sudan Institute. He also regularly speaks throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

Dau will visit the Findlay-area Campus at 9:30 a.m. in room FCE 111 and the Toledo-area Campus at 2 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Theatre.

For more information, please contact L. Scott Deaner at (567) 661-7521 or l_deaner@owens.edu.

CHILDREN RECEIVE FREE DENTAL SERVICES DURING ANNUAL GIVE KIDS A SMILE DAY AT OWENS

Posted on January 26th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Jan. 26, 2015 – Owens’ Dental Hygiene program, in collaboration with the Toledo Dental Society, will be offering a day of free dental services for children ages six months to 18 years with limited or no access to care. The event will take place Friday, Feb. 6, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the College’s Dental Hygiene Clinic located on the second floor of the Health Technologies Hall on the Toledo-area Campus.

Give Kids A Smile Day is a national initiative by the American Dental Association, dedicated to focusing attention on the epidemic of untreated oral disease among disadvantaged children. Held each February in conjunction with National Children’s Dental Health Month, Give Kids A Smile Day provides free oral health education, screening and treatment services to children from low-income families across the country.

“This is an opportunity for Owens Community College’s Dental Hygiene students to raise awareness of the importance of preventive dental care,” said Beth Tronolone, Owens Chair of Dental Hygiene. “We are honored to take part in this great community service event and provide that care to those who may not receive it otherwise.”

Owens Dental Hygiene second-year students, faculty and alumni, and area dentists will be conducting dental services, which will include dental education and screening, X-rays, oral prophylaxis (cleanings), limited restorations and dental sealants. In addition, first-year students from the health program will provide educational presentations for parents and children.

Owens’ program also offers dental services to area residents through its Dental Hygiene Clinic. The 20-chair clinic is staffed by dental hygiene students and supervised by licensed dental professionals at Owens, and appointments are available during the Fall and Spring semesters for a $30 fee.

Individuals interested in receiving free dental service are encouraged to contact the College’s Dental Hygiene Clinic at (567) 661-7294 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7294. Appointment reservations must be made prior to the event.

TRAVELING EXHIBITION TELLS OF LINCOLN’S STRUGGLE TO MEET THE CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES OF THE CIVIL WAR

Posted on January 20th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Jan. 20, 2015 – “Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War,” a traveling exhibition opening at the Owens Community College Toledo-area Terhune Art Gallery on January 29 examines how President Lincoln used the Constitution to confront three intertwined crises of the Civil War—the secession of Southern states, slavery and wartime civil liberties.

Lincoln is widely acknowledged as one of America’s greatest presidents, but his historical reputation is contested. Was he a calculating politician willing to accommodate slavery, or a principled leader justly celebrated as the Great Emancipator? This exhibition provides no easy answers. Rather, it encourages visitors to form a nuanced view of Lincoln by engaging them with Lincoln’s struggle to reconcile his policy preferences with basic American ideals of liberty and equality. This exhibition develops a more complete understanding of Abraham Lincoln as president and the Civil War as the nation’s gravest constitutional crisis.

“We are delighted to have been selected as a site for this exhibition,” said Steven Culbertson, Ph.D., professor of Communications, Humanities and Languages. “Each section of the exhibit features information about a different aspect of Lincoln’s presidency and helps visitors understand why Lincoln’s struggle with the Constitution still matters today.”

The National Constitution Center and the American Library Association Public Programs Office organized the traveling exhibition, which was made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH): great ideas brought to life. The traveling exhibition is based on an exhibition of the same name developed by the National Constitution Center.

The traveling exhibition is composed of informative panels featuring photographic reproductions of original documents, including a draft of Lincoln’s first inaugural speech, the Emancipation Proclamation and the Thirteenth Amendment.

For more information, please contact the Terhune Gallery at (567) 661-7081. “Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War” will be on display until March 4.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CLOSED FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HOLIDAY

Posted on January 13th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Jan. 13, 2015 – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as the Owens Community College Learning Center Maumee and the Owens Community College Learning Center Downtown Toledo, , will be closed Monday, January 19 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. There will be no classes and the College offices will be closed for business.

Classes will resume and administrative offices will be open again on Tuesday, January 20.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Posted on January 9th, 2015

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Jan. 9, 2014 – The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has selected Owens Community College for its 2015 Community Engagement Classification.

“Community engagement is a major component to the success of students, as well as Owens as an institution, and we are extremely pleased those efforts have been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation,” said Mike Bower, Ph.D., president of Owens Community College. “This national designation highlights the hard work and level of commitment to community engagement shared by our faculty, students and staff.”

Owens joins 240 colleges and universities across the nation being recognized for their campus-wide commitment to civic engagement. In order to receive the classification, the college had to demonstrate a commitment to curricular engagement, outreach and partnerships.

“Through service learning, community engagement and other partnership opportunities, students get a true sense of the impact they can make on our communities,” said Krista Kiessling, director of service learning, civic engagement and leadership. “The type of leadership skills students need to succeed after college can only be learned through hands-on involvement with the community. This recognition shows Owens’ commitment to giving students the tools to thrive.”

This year, 133 institutions submitted applications for recognition for the first-time and 83 were successfully classified as community engaged institutions. Similarly, 188 institutions were eligible for re-classification and 157 were successfully re-classified.

In the notification letter regarding the classification designation, Carnegie President Anthony Bryk wrote:

Your application documented excellent alignment among campus mission, culture, leadership, resources, and practices that support dynamic and noteworthy community engagement, and it responded to the classification framework with both descriptions and examples of exemplary institutionalized practices of community engagement. The application also documented evidence of community engagement in a coherent and compelling response to the framework’s inquiry.

For more information about Owens Community College, please visit www.owens.edu.