News Releases

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 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 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 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 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.

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.

FALL PINNING CEREMONY HONORS REGISTERED AND PRACTICAL NURSING STUDENTS AT OWENS

Posted on December 17th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Dec. 17, 2014 – More than 70 Owens Community College students were recently bestowed honorary pins by the Nursing Department for their academic achievements specific to registered nursing and practical nursing. The pinning ceremony is part of a traditional nursing practice, which honors students prior to beginning their careers within the health care community.

The nurse pinning ceremony originated in the 1860s at St. Thomas Hospital’s Nightingale School of Nursing in London, England. Having been recently awarded The Red Cross of St. George for her selfless service to the injured and dying in the Crimean War, Florence Nightingale chose to extend the honor she received to her most outstanding graduate nurses by awarding each of them a medal of excellence. The practice of awarding nurses a badge was adopted soon after, and the first pin was awarded to the Class of 1880 at the Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing in New York City.

Practical nursing pinning recipients are Shelby Elledge of Jenera, Katie Gayhart of Sylvania, Kelsie Gonyer of Findlay, Kati Graham of Cygnet, Dawn Hassan of Mount Cory, Stephanie Hook of Fostoria, Amber Huffman Findlay, Shannon McCann of Bowling Green, and Shannon Vanhoose of Fostoria.

Registered nurse pinning recipients are Amanda Alge of Forest, Paul Ang or Toledo, Jennifer Baxa of Tiffin, Jordan Best of Toledo, Robin Biery of Lima, Jennifer Biggs of Swanton, Brandi Bishop of Findlay, Bernadette Briones of Napoleon, Amber Brown of Fostoria, Heather Caligiuri of Findlay, Angela Castillo of Archbold, Barbara Charlton of Attica, Kristen Colter of Swanton, Kristine Combs of Findlay, Ashley Cooper of Findlay, Amanda Davis of Northwood, Tammi Diemer of Ottawa, Lonia Dodson of Holland, Christine Eckel of Haskins, Juanita Ellis of Toledo, Branden Engle of Toledo, Nikki Errett of Bowling Green, Brenda Ferreira of Toledo, Brittany Fisher of Helena, Brittany Fuhrmann of Bowling Green, Jaclyn Fuller of Findlay, Jessica Goerlich of Temperance, Michi., Mindy Hansen of Swanton, Adrian Hasenfratz of Toledo, Alaina Haubert of Genoa, Molly Hovest of Ottawa, Lindsey Iler of Weston, Candace Jewell of Toledo, Kamesha Jones of Toledo, April Kay of Findlay, Kelly Kibalchich of Toledo, Melanie Kocher of Findlay, Richard Legg of Toledo, Jennifer Lentz of Fostoria, Brian Lundy of Toledo, Jacquel McCadney of Toledo, Alexa McNamee of Walbridge, Kristy Polan of Weston, Heather Ramser of Rossford, Bobbi Ritter of Findlay, Meaghan Roberts of Ottawa Hills, Stacie Robinson of Toledo, Alyssa Rybka of Toledo, Cine Sanders of Toledo, Nicole Schmidt of Toledo, Julia Sherwood of Bloomville, Stephanie Simon of Maumee, Matthew Slee of Holland, Devon Smith of Toledo, Anthony Sopko of Genoa, Heather Stewart of Northwood, Angela Todd of Bowling Green, Tyler Trease of Toledo, Aubrey Ufford of Toledo, Mandy Valadez of Toledo, Stephanie Veselka of Bowling Green, Sarah Walkowiak of Sylvania, Erica Wallen of Findlay, Jewel Webster of Maumee, Jennifer WIlgus of Maumee, Jay Wilson of Findlay, and Stacie Wood of Lambertville, Mich.

Owens’ registered nursing program was established in 1969 as one of first associate degree programs of its kind in Northwest Ohio. The academic program was later expanded to the Findlay-area Campus in 1991.

The registered nursing program is designed to prepare graduates for nursing positions in a variety of health care settings. Among the various locations are acute care agencies, physician offices, long-term care agencies and outpatient ambulatory areas. The program combines studies at Owens with planned and guided clinical experience in client care for health care facilities and community agencies.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE NAMES NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Posted on December 15th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Dec. 15, 2014 – Owens Community College has named Steve Robinson, Ph.D., as vice president of academic affairs. This is a key academic position responsible for academic programming, teaching and learning, faculty and academic staff. He will also support the institution’s completion plan and strategic enrollment growth. He will also provide leadership, vision, and expertise in developing viable academic strategies that will continue to meet the needs of the community and align the College’s academic program offerings with high demand workforce opportunities. Robinson fills a critical role for Owens as the institution supports the needs of the community and transforms itself to regain fiscal health.

“Owens Community College is fortunate to welcome Steve Robinson, who has an extensive background in higher education and brings a high caliber skill set in academic affairs,” said Mike Bower, Ph.D., president of Owens Community College. “Steve brings with him a vision that aligns with Owens’ current needs that will be a tremendous asset.”

Robinson has spent the last 21 years working in higher education. Since 2008, Robinson has served as executive dean, Planning, Research and Quality Initiatives at Mott Community College in Flint, Mich. In this position, he served as the senior administrator in charge of strategic planning, institutional research, continuous quality improvement and institutional accreditation. His responsibilities also included college-wide data research initiatives and providing day-to-day management on student success initiatives such as Achieving the Dream, a national reform network dedicated to community college student success and completion.

“I’m very excited to be joining Owens Community College,” said Robinson. “During the selection process, I was especially impressed with the faculty and staff and their commitment to student learning. The passion for students at Owens is inspiring to me. I look forward to serving students and the community.”

He has also served as the interim dean of Health Sciences at Mott Community College where he supervised and provided support for faculty in the occupational programs of Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapy Assistant, Dental Hygiene, and Dental Assisting. He has also served as a full-time faculty member and continues to teach.

The Grand Blanc, Mich. resident earned a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature, a master’s degree in English, and a doctorate in critical studies in the teaching of English, all from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich.

646 GRADUATES PREPARE FOR OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FALL COMMENCEMENT

Posted on December 8th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Dec. 8, 2014 – Six hundred forty-six candidates for graduation, including 122 from the Findlay-area Campus, will receive their degrees during the 34th Owens Community College Fall Commencement on Friday, Dec. 12. Of those graduates, 130 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: 130 Associate of Applied Business; 273 Associate of Applied Science; 138 Associate of Arts; 99 Associate of Science and 6 Associate of Technical Studies.

Christina McCullough, Quality Assurance major graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors, has been selected as the Owens class representative and will address the graduates during the ceremony.

The 35-year-old Toledo native first enrolled at Owens after graduating from Toledo Whitmer in 1998, but left a year later when she encountered financial barriers. Not long after leaving Owens, she met her future husband, Mark. They now have been married for nine years and have two daughters, Maia, 7, and Alana, 5.

McCullough resumed Owens classes in August 2010, first wanting to go into the Physical Therapist Assistant program and then the Sonography program. She looked at other possibilities, discovered the Quality Assurance program, and “fell in love”.

While attending Owens, she cared for her mother, whose two-year battle with COPD ended in May 2013.

“I felt like if she could fight this hard, then so could I,” said McCullough. “It seemed like a balance; I motivated her by doing well in school and in life in general and she did the same for me.”

McCullough is the recipient of The Rich Harmon Memorial Scholarship and the 2014 George H. Barrows Master Scholarship by the Toledo Section of the American Society for Quality.

After graduation, she will pursue a job with her Quality Assurance degree, and will eventually seek a bachelor’s degree. In the coming years as her daughters grow older, she plans to share the importance of a higher education.

“I want to make it so my kids go to college and strive for these achievements,” she said.

Mrs. Chrys Peterson, former WTOL news anchor, will serve as the keynote speaker. After 20 years anchoring the 5, 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts, Peterson retired from television news and opened her own consulting firm.

Peterson has received many honors and awards for community service and is a two-time recipient of the distinguished Jefferson Award because of her extensive involvement in the Toledo community. She has also received two Emmy Awards for community service, an Emmy Award for reporting, three “Best Newscast” Emmy Awards, four coveted Edward R. Murrow awards for journalism and several Associated Press awards.

A native of Alexandria, Virginia, she attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. In 2012, she earned her Master of Organizational Leadership from Lourdes University.

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

OWENS DESIGNATED AS A 2015 STEM JOBS APPROVED COLLEGE

Posted on December 5th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Dec. 5, 2014 – Owens Community College has been designated a 2015 STEM Jobs^SM Approved College by Victory Media, the leader in successfully connecting individuals in transition with education and career opportunities, and creator of STEM Jobs^SM media, education and career resources for students interested in science, technology, engineering and math. The 2015 STEM Jobs^SM Approved Colleges inaugural list is the first of its kind to rate universities, colleges, community colleges and trade schools on their responsiveness and relevance to high-demand, high-growth STEM occupations.

Owens was among over 1,600 schools participating in the STEM Jobs^SM survey process. Schools submitting surveys were scored on publicly available data and responses to proprietary questions around three key indicators of success: STEM job alignment, STEM job placement, and diversity in a school’s STEM programs. The assessment and rights to the STEM Jobs Approved^SM Colleges designation were available to qualifying schools at no cost. Owens will be featured in the Winter 2015 issue of STEM Jobs^SM magazine, along with the entire 2015 list of STEM Jobs^SM Approved Colleges.

“We are excited and proud to prepare our students for a number of in-demand STEM careers,” said Glenn Rettig, interim dean of the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. “The workplace demand for skilled, creative, problem-solving technicians is greater than it has been in forty years, and the School of STEM can prepare students for a successful career in the field that interests them most. This recognition is a great acknowledgment of our efforts in providing valuable STEM programming.”

For more information about Owens’ commitment to students interested in STEM fields of study and careers, visit www.owens.edu.

For additional information about STEM Jobs^SM or to request a free survey assessment, please contact us at VictoryMedia.com/contact.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CLOSED THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

Posted on November 17th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Nov. 17, 2014 – 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. 26-30 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, Dec. 1.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CLOSED FOR VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE

Posted on November 10th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Nov. 10, 2014 – 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 Tuesday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day. There will be no classes and the College offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and College offices will reopen Wednesday, Nov. 12.

OWENS BEGINS RECOVERY PLAN IN RESPONSE TO STATE FISCAL WATCH

Posted on November 10th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Nov. 10, 2014 – Leaders of Owens Community College informed the campus community today that the College anticipates being placed onto Fiscal Watch sometime next year. At the same time, they announced the beginning of a recovery plan that will help the college stabilize its finances and continue to fulfill its vital role as a leading education provider and economic engine within our communities.

“We will be challenged to be more entrepreneurial, to share difficult sacrifices, and to move this college forward,” Mike Bower, Ph.D., and President of Owens College told the gathering. “We can and WILL transform this College.”

Based on Ohio law, a college can be placed onto Fiscal Watch for a number of reasons. In Owens’ case, the trigger is a set of composite ratios that measure fiscal health. Fiscal Watch would require Owens to report its finances to the State more frequently and to develop and implement a 3-year recovery plan. Based on the anticipated composite ratios for Owens, the State would not be required to appoint a conservator.

Fiscal Watch would not become official until the Ohio Board of Regents receives the College’s audit and calculates the official composite ratios and adopts a resolution to that effect. This would likely occur during the First Quarter of 2015 calendar year. However, Dr. Bower told the College audience that Owens is not waiting to begin the recovery plan.

When talking about the recovery plan, which includes initiatives on the revenue and the cost sides of the budget, Dr. Bower said that “The College understands that it cannot solely cut its way out of the fiscal challenges and still be true to its mission.”

The President announced a five-part recovery plan:

Revenue Enhancement through strategic enrollment growth, retention and completion.
Develop new long-term revenue sources, including but not limited to a tax levy proposal.
Analyze spending to ensure all spending is focused on recruiting and educating students and implementing a student completion plan.
Reduce employment costs through position elimination. The College’s leadership will consult with Deans and Department Heads in the coming weeks to align position eliminations with Owens’ needs moving forward. The College community will be informed on which positions will be included in the reduction in January 2015. At this time, it is not known how many positions will be impacted.
Implement across-the board salary and wage reductions among non-bargaining staff beginning January 1, 2015, while requesting all bargaining units to make a similar sacrifice. (Reductions will range from 2 to 5 percent with smaller reductions for those individuals in lower pay grades and higher reductions not to exceed 5% for those in higher pay grades. President Bower will take a 6% salary reduction.) In addition, the College will offer the opportunity for employees to take voluntary furloughs.

Owens has taken aggressive steps already to control costs and reduce prior shortfalls. Nearly $16 million was cut out of the Fiscal Year 2014 budget alone. However, enrollment continues to decline. Owens has seen a 38% reduction in enrollment over the past four years. The loss of revenue associated with this in terms of both tuition and state funding continues to put pressure on the College’s finances, resulting in the expected Fiscal Watch.

“We are proposing some very challenging measures while focusing on initiatives which will improve our revenue,” Dr. Bowers said, in conclusion. “We will write a story where Owens makes the tough decisions needed to regain fiscal health and builds on a legacy of high-quality education and continue to fulfill our vital role as a leading education provider and economic engine within our communities.”

OWENS NURSING STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN ‘GOING HOME TO STAY’ EVENT

Posted on October 28th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Oct. 28, 2014 – Owens Community College Registered Nursing Students will participate in the “Going Home to Stay” event, offered at no charge to participants by The Reentry Coalition of Northwest Ohio, Wednesday, Nov. 5 at the Government Center, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.. This is a resource program offered to ex-offenders, his or her family members and significant others to assist them with their reentry into the community.

“At Owens we believe in providing the tools to help students to succeed and this event will do the same for those trying to reenter the community,” said Kimberly Holman, MSN, RN, Owens clinical teaching faculty, Department of Nursing. “It’s also an amazing opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience working in the community.”

Owens Registered Nursing students are participating as part of their Community Health course requirements. The students will provide education information in the form of Service Learning on various health promotion and disease prevention topics. Educational material will include information on blood pressure measurements and the risks and prevention of Hypertension, as well as Diabetes, smoking and Hepatitis C.

The Reentry Coalition of Northwest Ohio and Ohio Adult Parole Authority developed the “Going Home to Stay” meetings for anyone with a criminal history or their family members who wants to learn about resources available in the community. Meetings take place on the first Wednesday of each month, 11 a.m. – 1p.m. at the First Floor Commissioners Chambers, One Government Center, Toledo. For more information, please contact Chris Stewart, MSW, reentry coordinator at 419-245-3046.

For more information on the Owens Community College Registered Nursing program, please visit www.owens.edu.

OWENS NURSING STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN ‘MORNING BLESSINGS’ OUTREACH

Posted on October 24th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Oct. 24, 2014 – Owens Community College Registered Nursing Students will be providing educational health information during a free community breakfast, “Morning Blessings” sponsored by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Thursday, Oct. 30, 7:30 – 10 a.m.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for students gain personal knowledge of the community environment and working with diverse populations while demonstrating responsibility and accountability,” said Kimberly Holman, MSN, RN, Owens clinical teaching faculty, Department of Nursing. “It’s also a way for Owens and students to give back to our community.”

Students will provide more than 150 displaced or low-income community members with educational information on various health promotion and disease prevention topics, as well as free blood pressure screenings. Educational material will include information on blood pressure measurements and the risks, proper nutrition and prevention of Hypertension, Diabetes, substance abuse and sexually transmitted diseases.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 428 N. Erie St, hosts the “Morning Blessings” community breakfast every Tuesday and Thursday, 7:30 – 10 a.m. For more information, please contact Pastor Peter Bowmer at 419-243-4214.

For more information on the Owens Community College Registered Nursing program, please visit www.owens.edu.

TOLEDO EDISON AND OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO OFFER TRAINING PROGRAM FOR FUTURE UTILITY WORKERS

Posted on October 17th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Oct. 17, 2014 – Toledo Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is partnering with Owens Community College to reinstate an award-winning program to train the next generation of utility line and substation workers.

The Power Systems Institute is a two-year program that combines hands-on utility skills at a Toledo Edison training facility with technical coursework in an Owens Community College classroom. Program graduates will earn an Associate of Technical Studies degree with a focus on electric utility technology. A high percentage of PSI graduates have been offered positions with Toledo Edison.

“The Power Systems Institute already has provided Toledo Edison with nearly 100 highly-qualified employees who are working in the field today, using the training they received from this unique program to keep the lights on for our customers,” said Linda Moss, regional vice president of Toledo Edison. “Whether it’s linemen who work above ground or substation personnel who operate on the ground, PSI provides great training for someone looking for a career in the utility industry.”

“Owens Community College is pleased to reactivate the Power Systems Institute,” said Mike Bower, Ph.D., president of Owens Community College. “This program fits perfectly into our mission to provide our future workforce with practical skills that are both useful and marketable.”

FirstEnergy originally introduced PSI in 2000 as a way to help replace retiring line workers. Programs were established with colleges throughout the company’s six-state service area, including Owens Community College. With the economic downturn, in 2011 most of the PSI programs were placed on hold because projected hiring needs did not support bringing in new students. As future manpower needs at FirstEnergy were re-evaluated, the decision was made to reinstate the PSI program, targeting a fall of 2015 enrollment class.

Program openings are limited, with 12 spots available for line workers and 12 spots available for substation workers. Applicants will be assessed through a competitive, multi-step process. FirstEnergy will pay for PSI students to go to school if they agree to stay with the company for at least five years. An orientation program for prospective candidates will take place Saturday, December 6, 2014, from 10 a.m. to noon at Owens Community College – Toledo Area Campus, 30335 Oregon Rd., Perrysburg, Ohio, 43551. For more information, please visit www.firstenergycorp.com/psi or call 800-829-6801.

Toledo Edison serves more than 300,000 customers in northwest Ohio. Follow Toledo Edison on Twitter @ToledoEdison.

FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York.

OWENS BOARD OF TRUSTEES PROCLAIMS MEDICAL ASSISTANTS RECOGNITION WEEK

Posted on October 17th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Oct. 17, 2014 – Owens president and the Board of Trustees have proclaimed Oct. 20-24, 2014 and the third full week of every October as Medical Assistants Recognition Week at Owens Community College in appreciation of the Medical Assisting program students, faculty, staff and alumni.

In celebration of Medical Assistants Recognition Week, Owens Medical Assisting students will be offering free blood pressure checks, pulse ox checks and glucose testing, Wednesday, October 22, 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. and 1 – 2:15 p.m. in the Health Technologies building, room 307 on the Toledo-area campus.

Medical assisting is an allied health profession whose practitioners function as members of the health care delivery team and perform administrative and clinical procedures. With their unique versatility, medical assistants are proving to be the allied health professional of choice for this decade and beyond. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assisting continues to be projected as one of the fastest growing occupations.

For more information regarding Owens’ Medical Assisting Program, please visit www.owens.edu.

OWENS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GOLF OUTING RAISES $28,707 IN SUPPORT OF SCHOLARSHIPS

Posted on October 3rd, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Oct. 3, 2014 – One hundred twelve area residents recently enjoyed a day of golf and entertainment in support of alumni scholarship programs as Owens Community College’s Alumni Association held its twelfth annual Golf Classic. The 28-team event netted $28,707 to benefit scholarship and outreach endeavors.

Since its inception, the Owens event has netted over $343,000 to support Owens students pursuing a college education and their career aspirations.

“Owens Alumni Association is again overwhelmed by the community support we received this year,” said Laura Moore, Owens Alumni Association executive director. “The success of this event helps ensure our students are able to take advantage of the opportunities offered for lifelong learning.”

Organized by the Owens Alumni Association’s steering committee, the golf outing was held at Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg. The event featured 18-holes of golf, lunch, grazing dinner and an awards program. The Golf Classic event sponsor was Hylant Family Foundation. In addition, Metzgers was the print sponsor.

Edward Jones sponsored the four-person scramble championship team. Team members included Rich Rowe and Puck Rowe of Findlay and Senator Randy Gardner and Brooks Gardner of Bowling Green.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO HOST COMMUNITY EVENTS IN OCTOBER

Posted on September 26th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay- area campuses will host the following community events in October:

Owens Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club Host Annual Fall Plant Sale
Area residents seeking to add some new life and color to their gardens and yards this fall are encouraged to attend the Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club’s annual Fall Plant Sale at Owens Community College, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will take place 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 trees, among other items. A majority of the shrubs will cost $15-20, while varieties of trees will cost between $15-75. 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 across the country. For more information about the Owens Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club plant sale, call (567) 661-7623 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7623. For a complete listing of the available plants with pricing, please visit www.owens.edu/plantsale.pdf.

GED See for Free Program
Now through Friday, Oct 3 students who visit an Owens Community College Testing Center, at either the Toledo or Findlay-area campuses, can take the GED practice test for free through the GED Testing Service’s “See for Free” program. The practice test will help adult learners see if they are ready for the real GED test, and gives them a free personalized study plan based on their results. The “See for Free” program is held in conjunction with National Adult Education & Family Literacy Week hosted by the National Coalition for Literacy. For more information, please contact 567-661-2253.

Owens Community College Free Band Concert
The Owens Community College band will present a free fall band concert featuring a variety of music including marches, Broadway show tunes, Irish Folk songs, 1940’s Swing music, a trumpet trio and much more. Special musical guests will be members of the Toledo School for the Arts concert band, who will join the members of the Owens band to perform the final four selections on the program. The combined bands will be conducted by guest conductor, Lt. Col. Robert Krichbaum, retired commander of the 555^th AF Band and Mr. Jay Welenc, director of the Toledo School for the Arts band and orchestra. The performance will take place at Owens’ Center for Find and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area campus, Sunday, Oct. 5 at 2:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served in the theatre lobby following the concert. For more information, please call 567-661-7081.

Tyler Brown: The Off Season – Exhibition of Photographs
Photographer Tyler Brown’s take on Ohio’s north coast reveals a landscape few visitors get to see: the off season. Brown’s photograph exhibition, on display in the Findlay-area campus library, explores the processes that take place in seasonal communities when autumn and winter take over. The exhibition will open for viewing Monday, Oct. 6 and will run until Friday, Dec. 12, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Monday-Thursday) and 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Friday). Community members are also invited to a reception in honor of the photographer Wednesday, Oct. 8, 5 – 7 p.m. in the Education Center Room 176 on the Findlay-area campus. For more information, please contact Gail McCain at 567-429-3076 or visit www.owens.edu/arts/gallery_findlay.

Born this Way Ball
Area residents 16-years and older are invited to enjoy an evening of dance, music and entertainment as the Owens Community College Gay Straight Alliance serves as host to a community outreach event titled the “Born this Way Ball.” The event will take place Saturday, Oct. 11, 7-11 p.m. in the Audio Visual Classroom Center, room 121-128. In addition to entertainment and free HIV testing, several community organizations will be on hand to provide information about community initiatives and local LGBT projects. Food and refreshments will be provided as part of the event. Tickets are $10 for community members and $5 for students, faculty, staff and alumni (with a valid student ID). A $2 discount will be given with a non-perishable donation for the Owens Harvest Food Pantry. Tickets are only available at the door. For more information, please contact Don Managhan at donald_managhan@student.owens.edu.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE VETERANS SERVICES RECEIVES NATIONAL HONOR

Posted on September 23rd, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Sept. 23, 2014– Owens Community College has earned the coveted Military Friendly® Schools designation for the fifth consecutive year from Victory Media, the premier media entity for military personnel transitioning to civilian life.

The 2015 Military Friendly® Schools listing honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the U.S. for exemplary efforts in embracing America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students and ensuring their success on campus.

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 six 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 Dr. Betsy Johnson, Owens vice president, Enrollment Management and Student 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.

The 2015 Military Friendly® Schools results were independently tested by Ernst & Young LLP based upon the weightings and methodology developed by Victory Media with input by its independent Academic Advisory Board.

Owens’ Office of Veterans Services is dedicated to assisting veterans, active service personnel, reservists and eligible dependents in their pursuit of a college education. A total of 438 veteran students representing the armed forces are enrolled at Owens Community College for Fall Semester 2014.

In recent years, the Office of Veterans Services has expanded its outreach, sponsoring Veterans Appreciation Night games at the Toledo Mud Hens and Toledo Walleye; collaborating with other college departments on Toys for Tots drives with the U.S. Marine Corps. and hosting luncheons to celebrate Veterans Day for the on-campus veterans population.

Victory Media is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that has been serving the military community since 2001. Our data-driven Military Friendly® lists are published in G.I. Jobs, Military Spouse, Vetrepreneur media channels, republished in periodicals like USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Bloomberg BW and are frequently cited on national TV by NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, CNBC, Fox News and others.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TERRACE VIEW CAFÉ ANNOUNCES FALL LUNCH MENU SELECTIONS

Posted on September 22nd, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Sept. 22, 2014 – Community members looking for new ideas for lunch may now consider the American regional and international cuisine offered by the Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts programs at Owens Community College’s Terrace View Café during the months of September and October.

The student-run Terrace View Café is open to the public throughout the year. Owens’ restaurant, which is coordinated by the Department of Food, Nutrition and Hospitality, is located in Heritage Hall Room 113 on the Toledo-area Campus. Lunch will be served Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. in the Terrace View Café. The cost for lunch is $9.50 and reservations must be made by 3 p.m. one week prior to the event.

The Terrace View Café will be available to guests starting Tuesday, Sept. 23 with a Cuisine of Hawaii themed entrée. Upcoming dates and entrée listings include Thursday, Sept. 25 (Cheese Tasting Meal, six small courses, each with a different cheese), Tuesday, Sept. 30 (Cuisine of South America), and Thursday, Oct.2 (Grazing Buffet).

There will also be a special Harvest Ohio event on Monday, Sept. 29. Guests will enjoy a six-course mean celebrating the fall season including a grilled eggplant crostini appetizer, a roasted pork tenderloin entree, a pumpkin cheesecake dessert, and more.

For additional information about Owens’ Terrace View Café menu selections, call (567) 661-7359 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7359. Individuals can also make a reservation by accessing the College’s website at www.owens.edu/terrace.

OWENS DELIVERS BACKPACKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO AREA CHILDREN

Posted on September 15th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Sept. 15, 2014– 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 five Genoa Bank branches are brightening many children’s lives through a unique community service endeavor titled “Backpack to the Future.” Five hundred forty-eight backpacks and 8,787 school supply items collected throughout the summer months are being donated to 17 area elementary schools during the month of September.

Beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 9:30 a.m., Owens representatives will donate backpacks and school supplies to seven Toledo Public Schools—Old West End Academy, Whittier, Arlington, Marshal, Pickett Academy, Riverside, and Rosa Parks Elementary Schools – presented at Toledo Public Schools’ Old West End Elementary School (3131 Cambridge St.). Owens will deliver backpacks and supplies to benefit kindergarten students in Bowling Green, North Baltimore, Rossford, Northwood, Genoa, and Woodmore school districts at Rossford’s Glenwood Elementary School (8950 Avenue Rd.) at 3:30 p.m. On Tuesday, Sept. 23. Owens representatives will make their final stop at Jacobs Primary (600 Jacobs Ave.) in Findlay on Thursday, Sept. 25, 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 $3,000 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 3,948 backpacks and 71,011 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 EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS TO SPEND DAY GIVING BACK TO COMMUNITY GROUPS

Posted on September 10th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Sept. 10, 2014 – More than 30 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, Sept. 12.

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

The 2014 Day’s of Caring projects include: Frederick Douglass Community Association Community Garden, Frederick Douglass Community Association Mural, Lucas Street Alleyway Revitalization, Pickett Academy Community Garden, Soul City Boxing Club, Survey Toledo, and more.

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

Posted on September 8th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Sept. 8, 2014 – Owens Community College students and faculty as well as community members will write, cast, rehearse and perform six different plays in a 24-hour time period as the Center for Fine and Performing Arts serves as host to the seventh annual fall “Theatre Express” production, Sept. 26-27. The 24-hour theatre event will conclude on Saturday, Sept. 27, with participants premiering their six masterful plays in the Studio 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. Attendees are encouraged to arrive around 7 p.m. due to limited seating in the Studio Theatre.

“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 (Sept. 26) when each actor and actress arrives at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts wearing a unique costume put together from their own wardrobe. Attendees will also bring an item that reflects their character’s personality. Each performer’s photo will then be taken for playwright selection purposes.

Beginning that same evening, six local playwrights will begin the arduous process of writing and staging a play based on a yet-to-be-determined theme and topic involving the assigned 3-5 actors and actresses. Caffeinated beverages will be the drink of choice as writer’s frantically craft 10-minute plays throughout the evening hours.

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

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Posted on August 27th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, August 27, 2014 – 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 Saturday, Aug. 30 through Monday, Sept. 1 for the Labor Day holiday. There will be no classes and the College offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and College offices will reopen Tuesday, Sept. 2.

OWENS FINDLAY-AREA CAMPUS TO HOST READY.SET.GO! 5K RUN AND WALK

Posted on August 19th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Aug. 19, 2014 – Area residents are invited to walk and run for a good cause as the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus serves as host to the Ready. Set. Go! 5K Run and Walk on Saturday, Sept. 6. Proceeds from the event will benefit a newly established Emergency Student Fund Program, which will support Findlay-area campus students who encounter an unexpected financial burden that threatens to impede their ability to continue their education.

The Ready. Set. Go! Run and Walk will start at 9 a.m., with a Fun Run at 8:30 a.m. on the College’s Findlay-area Campus, which is located at 3200 Bright Road in Findlay.

Running and walking participants are encouraged to register in advance as the cost is only $20 and includes a T-shirt, while race-day registrants will pay $25 and T-shirts are not guaranteed.

Registration and packet pick-up will begin at 8 a.m. on Sept. 6. Registration packets can also be picked up at Dave’s Running Shop, 1765 Tiffin Avenue, Findlay on Friday, Sept. 5, 5-7 p.m. To register online or download a paper registration go to www.davesraces.com.

OWENS STUDENT AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP

Posted on August 13th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Aug. 13, 2014 – The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Foundation has awarded Owens student and Toledo resident, Jennifer Chaput, the Jerman-Cahoon Student Scholarship for the 2014-2015 academic year.

The $2,500 scholarship will help Jennifer complete an Associates of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology educational program. This scholarship was created in honor of Edward Jerman and John Cahoon and is made possible by support from ASRT Foundation Patrons and a generous grant from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.

“We are happy to provide Jennifer with financial support to get the tools she needs to further her education and career,” said Phelosha Collaros, ASRT Foundation’s director. “The scholarship is a testament to the commitment and collaborative spirit of the radiologic technology community.”

To be eligible, applicants must be entry-level students enrolled in an accredited radiography, sonography, magnetic resonance or nuclear medicine program.

Scholarship recipients submitted applications and were selected based on evidence of commitment, leadership, achievement and financial need. The Foundation’s Scholarship Review Committee evaluated scholarship applications and provided recommendations to the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees then approved recipients.

To learn more about scholarship programs, including eligibility requirements and application information, and for more information about the ASRT Foundation, visit www.asrtfoundation.org.

OWENS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESENTS ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC

Posted on August 11th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Aug. 11, 2014 – Golf enthusiasts and amateurs alike are invited to support alumni programs and scholarships and participate in the Owens Community College Alumni Association’s 12^th Annual Golf Classic held Monday, Sept. 22 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 enable the Golf Classic to generate nearly $315,000 in its first 11 years to support Owens students pursuing a college education and their career aspirations. The 2014 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 STUDENT LEADERS INDUCTED INTO SPRING PHI THETA KAPPA INTERNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Posted on July 23rd, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, July 23, 2014 – Owens Community College students recently were honored for their excellence in higher education, earning membership into the Alpha Omega Pi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society for the Spring Semester. Owens’ chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society is one of the largest in Ohio.

Phi Theta Kappa was established in 1918 by the presidents of eight Missouri junior colleges for women. In 1924, the international organization was expanded to include all two-year colleges. To date, more than one million individuals have been inducted into the international honor society.

The overall mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize academic excellence among two-year college students, provide opportunities for leadership training and an intellectual climate for the exchange of ideas and ideals. In addition, the society continues to promote among its members the four standard hallmarks: scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship.

Selection criterion for students receiving the honor is based upon enrollment in a two-year college, completing a minimum number of course hours set forth by the individual chapter, achieving a minimum 3.5 grade point average and exemplifying academic excellence, as determined by faculty.

The Alpha Omega Pi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society student inductees for the 2014 Spring Semester are:

Rawan A. Abdelrahman of Toledo

Walaa E. Ahmed of Toledo

Ganda B. Alabbas of Perrysburg

Baqer J Aljabr of Saudi Arabia

Daniel J. Angel Of Woodville

Krista K. Balduf of Wharton

Emilee A. Ball of Toledo

Jacob B. Barnard of Perrysburg

Skyler L. Bell of Mingo Junction

Brandi J. Bishop of Findlay

Jodi L. Bixler of Bowling Green

Amber L. Blackburn of Whitehouse

Lilian A. Briggs of Toledo

Kyle T. Brown of Walbridge

Nicholas A. Calmes of Curtice

Shelley R. Carr of Toledo

Jessica L. Ciacelli of Lambertville

Alex J. Claussen of Northwood

Laura K. Condon of Milton Center

Jeffry W. Davidson of Tiffin

Helen L. Dilworth of Maumee

Lauren J. Downard of Bowling Green

Bailey A. Elgin of Cygnet

Christian T. Erdmann of Toledo

Nicholas Esterline of Defiance

Joan L. Ferola of Perrysburg

Jenna N. Filas of Toledo

Matthew A. Fitch of Woodville

Barbara J. Fritz of Arlington

Libby A. Fritz of Findlay

Marah Ghannam of Toledo

Allison K. Glanz of Grand Rapids

Melissa M. Goetz of Haskins

Kamisha S. Gutelius of Toledo

Dakota S. Harrell of Sylvania

Kimberly M. Harris of Dundee

Bobbie S. Harris of Toledo

Kimberly Henninger of Logansport

Hilda V. Heuring of Toledo

Annette M. Homan of Whitehouse

Joanne Y. Hosny of Toledo

Austin P. Ibarra of Oregon

Adam J. Inniger of Williamstown

James Jacobs of Toledo

Laura A. Jensen of Graytown

Jaclyn N. Jezak of Maumee

Mary L. Johnson of Waterville

Ayisha M. Jones of Toledo

Michelle L. Keip of Toledo

Aaron R. Konoff of Whitehouse

Zachary B. Kornowski of Oregon

Kenny T. Kruse of Woodville

Brianna L. Lazur of Oregon

Ashley N. Lowry of Toledo

Jamie L. Mallery of Toledo

Donald J. Managhan, Jr. of Toledo

Natasha M. Marchese of Maumee

Daniel K. Mathena of Napoleon

Desirae A. McDonald of Defiance

James W. Metcalf of Bryan

Lindsey M. Minnig of Van Wert

Ayanda C. Mkhize of Findlay

Emily E. Mysinger of Curtice

Dean C. Niederkohr of Ottawa Lake

Leandra L. Oman of Arlington

Derek C. Opdycke of Stryker

Gili Oren of Toledo

Steven E. Osborn of Sylvania

Samantha L. Pacynski of Toledo

Nick L. Papenfuse of Toledo

John M. Rathke of Pioneer

Lawrence M. Richardson III of Perrysburg

Jason L. Ridley, Sr. of Toledo

Jacquelyne R. Robinson of Toledo

Isaiah G. Rupp of Palmyra

Leila N. Rush of Toledo

Andrew M. Schultz of Maumee

Tyler D. Selz of Perrysburg

Kathleen E. Shaw of Tiffin

Charity L. Sizemore of Toledo

Christy S. Smith of Bowling Green

Christinia J. Snider of Genoa

Terry L. Spitnale of Toledo

Jenise M. Stanley of Toledo

Elsa P. St. John of Toledo

Michael A. Stroud of Toledo

Leigha J. Sugg of Toledo

Brittany R. Suwinski of Toledo

Byron S. Swartz of Milbury

Megan R. Szymanowski of Maumee

Joshua D. Thilmony of Findlay

Stephanie M. Tucker of Fremont

Zachary L. Vickers of Northwood

Kathy M. Wagner of Toledo

Kristen E. Walton of Maumee

Joel R. Washing of Toledo

Lisa Waterfield of Grand Rapids

Jennefer P. Williamson of Toledo

Stephanie L. Wonnell of Oregon

Michael G. Yaklin of Maumee

Daniel B. York of Toledo

Rana A. Zeyadah of Toledo

OWENS TO HOST NORTHWEST OHIO GREEN INDUSTRY SUMMER SESSION

Posted on July 23rd, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, July 23, 2014 – Area residents and business professionals within the landscape, garden center, tree care and turf industry interested in expanding their knowledge about horticulture are invited to attend the 2014 Northwest Ohio Green Industry Summer Session at Owens Community College on Wednesday, Aug. 6.

Presented by Owens Community College in conjunction with The Ohio State University Extension/ABE Center in Bowling Green, workshop will occur from 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in the College’s Audio/Visual Classroom Center. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. The event is open to the public.

The regional workshop will feature various presentations on insects and pesticides, tree and plant care, turf and landscape topics by industry professionals from The Ohio State Extension, Owens Community College and keynote speaker Matthew Ross, continuing education coordinator at Longwood Garden.

Attendees will have the opportunity to choose from three concurrent tracks of 12 different presentations on topics such as managing wildlife conflict in the landscape, integrating natives into your veggie garden, underutilized woody shrubs, and what’s new in herbaceious perennials.

Continuing education credits (CEU) will be available from OCNT, ISA and ODA for all sessions that qualify. All sessions count as CEU for Master Gardener Volunteers and Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists.

The workshop registration fee is $25 (onsite registration is $30). For additional information or to register, call (419) 354-6916 or (567) 661-7623.

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

Posted on July 18th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, July 18, 2014 – 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 five 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 Monday, 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 and (9920 Old U.S. 20) in Rossford.

The 17 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 3,410 backpacks and 62,370 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.

GENERAL MOTORS INVESTS IN OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Posted on July 18th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, July 18, 2014 –General Motors (GM), one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers, recently added a 2014 GMC Yukon to the 11 other vehicles donated since the fall of 2012 to Owens Community College for its automotive training program.

“We are proud to support training programs that prepare the next generation of automotive technicians,” said Rick Jackson, manager for GM ASEP. “Our commitment to our customers goes well beyond building a quality product. Our dedication to excellence starts at the training level by partnering with schools in communities around the globe to share our collective passion for the automotive industry and educate, inspire and motivate the technicians of tomorrow.

The donated vehicles will be used to train aspiring technicians enrolled in GM’s Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP). The two-year associate degree program is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge to diagnose, correct, and repair electrical, fuel, emissions, and mechanical problems found in today’s modern automobiles. Owens students are taught by General Motors certified instructors and all lab/lecture instruction is specific to General Motors products. As part of the academic curriculum, students rotate between working full- time at a General Motors dealership and taking Owens classes full-time in eight-week increments. Scholarships are also available for prospective students interested in the program.

The GM ASEP began at Owens in 1988 and has had several hundred vehicles donated by GM for instructional purposes since that time.

“Owens plays an important role in helping the auto industry fill a critical need: developing and retaining skilled automotive technicians,” said Tracy Campbell, chairman, Owens Community College Transportation Technologies. “This generous donation from GM enables us to deliver the highest quality education to our students.”

For more information on Owens Transportation Technologies programs, please call (567) 661-7136. For more information on GM ASEP, visit www.gmasep.org

About GM ASEP

Since 1979, GM’s continued commitment to identify and support the GM ASEP colleges and universities has produced over 16,000 service technicians. GM ASEP incorporates advanced automotive technical training with a strong academic foundation of math, reading, and electronics, and both analytical and technical skills. Students can earn an Associate’s Degree while working and learning on the job, resulting in a solid education combined with invaluable work experience. More information can be found at www.gmasep.org.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CLOSED FOR INDEPENDENCE HOLIDAY

Posted on July 3rd, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, July 3, 2014 – 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 4 for the Independence Day holiday. There will be no classes and the College offices will be closed for business.

OWENS’ TERRACE VIEW CAFÉ ANNOUNCES SUMMER LUNCH MENU SELECTIONS

Posted on July 2nd, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, July 2, 2014 – Area residents are invited to enjoy a delectable meal from Owens Community College as the Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts programs announce menu selections in the Terrace View Café during the month of July.

The Terrace View Café summer menu offers healthy cooking on Thursdays, beginning Thursday, July 10 with grilled chicken burritos with brown rice cilantro and guacamole as the entrée. Upcoming dates and entrée listings include July 17 (Barbados barbeque chicken with orange infused cracked wheat salad), and July 24 (smoked turkey breast with cranberry compote, pecan carrots and wild rice pilaf). A complete listing of dishes is available at www.owens.edu/terrace.

The student-run Terrace View Café is located in Heritage Hall 113 on the Toledo-area Campus and open to the public throughout the year. Luncheon cost is $9.50. All meals served this semester will be take-out only and can be picked up between 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

A beverage will accompany every meal.

For additional information about Owens’ Terrace View Café takeout menu selections or to make reservations visit the College’s website at www.owens.edu/terrace or call (567) 661-7359.

OWENS AND WALTERS FAMILY AWARDS RYAN, MARY AND HAYDEN WALTERS SCHOLARSHIP

Posted on June 17th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, June 17, 2014 – Owens Community College student Conner Edgar of Toledo has been chosen by the Walters Family to receive a $500 Ryan, Mary and Hayden Walters Scholarship for the upcoming 2014-15 academic year.

Established in 2011, the endowed scholarship honors the legacy of Ryan, Mary and Hayden Walters and their commitment to lifelong learning. The scholarship is given annually to an Owens student with aspirations of careers in early childhood education, information systems, computer programming and computer systems.

“On behalf of the Walters’ family, extended family, friends, and local community it is truly an honor to present the Ryan, Mary and Hayden Walters Scholarship to Conner Edgar,” said Robin Arquette, who is the sister of Ryan Walters. “It gives us great joy and pride to be able to assist in helping students in the community achieve their educational goals.”

Selection criteria for the scholarship is based upon recipients being enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours at Owens per semester and achieving a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Additionally, preference is given to a student who is majoring in early childhood education, information systems, computer programming and computer systems. Scholarship applicants also must state how they will utilize their college degree to give back to the community in which they live in the form of an essay.

Edgar is pursuing his associate’s degree in early childhood education and plans to continue on to obtain his bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo. He graduated in 2012 from Whitmer High School with a 4.0 GPA and will be the first person in his family to attend college. He ultimately envisions a career working with children with learning disabilities.

“Teaching and working with children is what I have always dreamed of doing,” explained Edgar. “Receiving this scholarship will help me to continue my service to the community and pay it forward. The experience of helping others has taught me that it is not the material things in life that make you happy but building relationships and sharing with other.”

In June 2010, Ryan, Mary and Hayden Walters lost their lives as a result of a tornado and damaging storms that devastated the Northwest Ohio region.

OWENS ANNOUNCES GATEWAY TO COLLEGE PROGRAM FALL 2014 APPLICATION PROCESS

Posted on June 10th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, June 10, 2014 – Area residents between the ages of 16 and 21 who are interested in receiving a second chance to receive a high school diploma are invited to apply for the upcoming 2014 Gateway to College program student class at Owens Community College as the academic institution is now accepting applications for the Fall Semester.

Interested applicants can also receive additional details about the program by attending one of several a formal Gateway to College Program Informational Sessions taking place Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m., and Wednesdays at 5 p.m. at the Owens Community College Downtown Toledo Learning Center at The Ohio Means Jobs Lucas County Bldg. (1301 Monroe Street, Toledo, OH). The Information Session will provide students and families with additional information about the program and the application process.

Gateway to College is designed for young adults ages 16 to 21 who have dropped out of high school or are significantly behind in credits and unlikely to graduate. The program enables them to complete their high school diploma requirements while simultaneously earning college credit toward an associate degree or certificate.

Students must meet specific criteria for entrance into the program and will be dually enrolled at Toledo Public Schools and Owens Community College until they complete their high school diploma. The program is free to students and covers tuition, fees and books, as well as lunch and transportation to the College’s Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo.

Owens is one of over 40 community and technical colleges in 23 states across the country currently offering the Gateway to College program.

Prospective students must reside in the Toledo Public Schools district. Applications are available and must be returned to the College’s Gateway to College Office at the Owens Downtown campus by August 1. Fall classes at the Owens Downtown campus begin, Monday, August 25.

For more information about the Gateway to College program or the informational sessions, call (567) 661-2850 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2850, or e-mail at gateway@owens.edu.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO HOST COMMUNITY EVENTS IN JUNE

Posted on May 27th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, May 27, 2014 – Owens Community College’s Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses will host the following community events in June:

Owens Community College Open House
Area residents are invited to learn about and explore the many educational programs, services and resources available at Owens Community College as the academic institution hosts an open house Monday, June 9, 12 – 6 p.m. The event will take place in the Audio Visual Classroom Center on the Toledo-area Campus, 30335 Oregon Road,
Perrysburg. For more information, please call (567) 661-7777. If you need special accommodations, please call Disability Services at (567) 661-7007.

Owens Community College Open House
Area residents are invited to learn about and explore the many educational programs, services and resources available at Owens Community College as the academic institution hosts an open house Wednesday, June 11, 4 – 6 p.m. The event will take place in the Education Center Atrium on the Findlay-area Campus, 3200 Bright Road, Findlay. For more information, please call (567) 429-3509. If you need special accommodations, please call Disability Services at (567) 661-7007.

Pullback Car FRENZY!
Jam-packed with science, the Pullback Car FRENZY! summer camp will allow students (grades 3-5) to become mini-engineers and will challenges them to design new vehicles utilizing pieces from BanBao Bricks (compatible with LEGO and Mega Bloks). The camp will be offered Monday, June 16 through Thursday, June 19, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., at the Owens Community College Learning Center Maumee, 1724 Indian Wood Circle. Cost is $139. For more information or to register, please call 567-661-7357.

Building Everyday Leadership Summer Kids Camp
Children in grades 3-5 are invited to the Building Everyday Leadership summer camp. Children will learn that anyone can be a leader through understanding leadership, communication, working with others, problem solving and making a difference. The camp will be offered Monday, June 23, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., at the Owens Community College Learning Center Maumee, 1724 Indian Wood Circle. Cost is $25. For more information or to register, please call 567-661-7357.

College Safety 101 Seminar
Owens Community College will host a two-hour workshop to help prepare incoming college freshman to be victors – not victims – at the Center for Emergency Preparedness, 30150 Tracy Road, Walbridge. Participants will receive information about staying safe on and near campus and how to handle peer pressure. The workshop includes an hour of hands-on, self-defense instruction and will be offered Tuesday, June 24, 6-8 p.m. Participants should wear comfortable clothing. For more information or to register, please call 567-661-7357.

Money Doesn’t Really Grow on Trees!
Kids, grades 3-5, will discover the three basic money choices: share, save and spend during the Money Doesn’t Really Grow on Trees! summer camp offered Tuesday, June 24, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., at the Owens Community College Learning Center Maumee, 1724 Indian Wood Circle. Cost is $125. For more information or to register, please call 567-661-7357.

Photography for Kids, it’s a SNAP!
Children in grades 3-5 are invited to learn the basic rules of photography, so they can better understand how to bend and yes, even break the rules at the Photography for the Kids, it’s a SNAP! summer camp. The camp will be offered Wednesday, June 25, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., at the Owens Community College Learning Center Maumee, 1724 Indian Wood Circle. Cost is $25. For more information or to register, please call 567-661-7357.

Digital Photo Editing for Kids
Kids, grades 3-5, with basic computer skills are invited to this Photoshop class where they’ll Photoshop themselves into a photo or their annoying sibling out of one during the Digital Photo Editing for Kids summer camp Thursday, June 26, at the Owens Community College Learning Center Maumee, 1724 Indian Wood Circle. Cost is $25. For more information or to register, please call 567-661-7357.

OWENS STUDENTS INDUCTED INTO SPRING CHI ALPHA EPSILON NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Posted on May 22nd, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, May 22, 2014 – Owens Community College students were recently recognized for their academic excellence and leadership within the community, earning membership into the Gamma Zeta Chapter of the Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society.

The Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society was founded at West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 1989 in response to the increasing need to acknowledge the continuing successes of students within the academic institution’s academic development program. Recognizing that students who share similar experiences could serve as models for others, founder Dr. Elbert Saddler proposed a Greek letter honor society. In 2001, Chi Alpha Epsilon received official endorsement from the National Association for Developmental Education. Today, there are over 200 chapters of the national honor society.

The honor society promotes continued high academic standards, fosters communication among its members and encourages community service and participation in academic support programs where individuals may serve as role models to entering students.

Selection criterion for acceptance into the honor society is based upon students achieving a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average for two consecutive full-time semesters or three-four part-time semesters. In addition, individuals must have taken at least one developmental education course at Owens. The College’s chapter was founded in April 2006.

The Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society student inductees for the 2014 Spring Semester are Ashley Altaffer of Montepelier (business administration), Lisa Arend of Toledo (medical office assistant), Julie Bitter of Oregon (education), Kristen Borcherding-Jacobs of Luckey (occupational therapy assistant), Jennifer Cavey of Oregon (criminal justice), Michael Chizmar II of Perrysburg (commercial art tech.), Barbara Fritz of Arlington (business administration), Margaret Fuller of Toledo (Landscape and Turfgrass Management), Kajara Furr-Ruffin of Toledo (accounting), Erica Gears of North Balitmore (pre-nursing), Heather Harris of Toledo (business), Richard Harrison, Jr. of Perrysburg (business management), Scott Histed of Maumee (criminal justice), Chelsea Hooks of Oregon (dental hygiene), Joan Hosny of Toledo (business administration), Jolene Jackson of Toledo (business administration), Courtney Knadler of Lambertville, Mich. (AS General Concentration/Dental Assisting), Heather Koziel of Findlay (social work), Haley Kreger of Temperance, Mich. (occupational therapy assistant), Michelle Link of Lima (diagnostic med. tech.) Lindsy Machado of Maumee (dental hygiene), Gregory McClusky of Toledo (computer programmer), Dustin Moosman of Waterville (John Deere tech.), Kristy Oates of Bowling Green (RN), Kyle Olszewski of Toledo (business management), Leticia Parish of Toledo (social work), Brianna Planz of Ottawa (business), Megan Rahm of Toledo (commercial art tech.), Aalea Robertson of Toledo (criminal justice), Scott Romaker of Fostoria (business tech.), Ricky Staler of Enoa (psychology), Taylor Smith of Wauseon (nursing), Sarah Soncrant of Northwood (accounting tech.), Jayme Wietrzykowski of Toledo (health information tech.), and Tonya Young of Elmore (accounting tech.).

DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY – VASCULAR PROGRAM EARNS NATIONAL ACCREDITATION

Posted on May 22nd, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, May 22, 2014 – The Owens Community College Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Vascular program has earned the distinction of receiving initial programmatic accreditation by the Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) as a result of its commitment to excellence, accountability and the highest accreditation standards.

“Owens is honored to receive initial accreditation for our Medical Sonography – Vascular program,” said Stacie Gessler, program director, Medical Sonography. “This accreditation recognizes our commitment to providing an excellent academic program that benefits both our students and the health care community.”

Owens’ program earned five-year initial accreditation by the CAAHEP after a recent peer review conducted by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Daignostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) and CAAHEP’s Board of Directors that recognized the program’s substantial compliance with the nationally established accreditation standards.

The accreditation standards are established by CAAHEP, JRC-DMS, American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF), American College of Radiology (ACR), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), American Society of Echocardiography (ASE), American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS), Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), and the society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU).

CAAHEP is recognized as the largest programmatic accrediting organization in the health sciences field. In collaboration with its Committees on Accreditation, CAAHEP, which is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, reviews and accredits over 2,000 educational programs in 20 health science occupations.

OWENS COMMMUNITY COLLEGE CLOSED MEMORIAL DAY

Posted on May 22nd, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, May 22, 2014 – 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 Monday, May 26 for the Memorial Day holiday. There will be no classes and the College offices will be closed for business.

Classes will resume and administrative offices will open again on Tuesday, May 27.

OWENS’ CENTER FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TO BEGIN FIRE SERVICE TRAINING CONSORTIUM

Posted on May 14th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, May 14, 2014 – Owens Community College’s Center for Emergency Preparedness is offering Northwest Ohio fire departments the opportunity to join a new regional fire service consortium beginning July 2014.

The intent and purpose of the training consortium is to provide valuable and required Fire Service based training at an economical price to member agencies. Membership is on a yearly basis and the total cost will be based on how many fire stations each department operates in their district.

Current members of the training consortium include Bradner, Helena, Lake Township, Linsdey, North Baltimore, Troy Township, and Wayne Fire Departments.

“There is a direct correlation between training and the success and survival of firefighters,” said Mark Briggs, fire training coordinator. “The training consortium will assist fire departments in Northwest Ohio in obtaining quality training while also being fiscally responsible to their communities.

The college in partnership with member agencies, and governmental and private agencies will provide training in courses such as live fire, mass casualty, search and rescue, tanker, car and kitchen fire training. Classes will begin in July and will be conducted in accordance with National Fire Protection Association standards. Owens’ Center for Emergency Preparedness is accredited through The Ohio Department of Public Safety Division of EMS for EMT and Firefighter training.

Owens has been at the forefront in providing educational training to public safety forces for over three decades. In 2009, the College invested in the future of emergency preparedness training within the region by officially opening the doors to a new $3.2 million Training and Operations Center at the Center for Emergency Preparedness. The facility provides first responders with expanded opportunities for real-world, scenario training highlighted by the only indoor emergency services virtual training system in the country.

In 2007, Owens marked a milestone in the academic institution’s history by opening a $20.5 million Center for Emergency Preparedness. The Center for Emergency Preparedness fulfills a need for a rather expansive complex within the region that can provide “real-world” training in a safe and controlled environment. Training scenarios that can be conducted within the new facility include those related to natural and manmade disasters involving hazardous materials, confined spaces, riots, entrapments and weapons of mass destruction, among others. Since opening the facility, police, fire and emergency services personnel, as well as the military, from Ohio and beyond, including the FBI, Ohio National Guard and Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, have utilized the facility for either specialized or concurrent emergency preparedness training.

For more information on the regional fire service consortium, please contact Mark Briggs at 564-667-2081.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO HOST GED GRADUATION CEREMONY

Posted on May 13th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, May 13, 2014 – More than 50 area residents will be honored for achieving their Ohio High School Equivalence Diploma, also known as the General Educational Development (GED) Diploma as Owens serves as host to its fifth annual GED Graduation Ceremony. The special ceremony will occur Sunday, May 18, 1-4 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre on the Toledo-area Campus.

The GED examination was created with the goal of providing individuals who do not finish high school with an opportunity to earn an Ohio High School Equivalence Diploma and advance their academic and career aspirations. In order to earn an Ohio GED Diploma, students must pass all sections of their official examination. The College’s Office of Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE) program is offered at no cost to students and provides individualized study plans for each student.

Owens ABLE, which is funded by the state of Ohio through the Ohio Board of Regents and the U.S. Department of Education, is committed to meeting the needs of the surrounding communities by providing an array of enriched learning opportunities and academic resources that include reading, writing, mathematics and computer skills. Specific programs available include preparing for post-secondary training and education, obtaining a GED Diploma, improving employability skills and learning English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

The College offers ABLE classes at multiple locations in Northwest Ohio, including the Owens Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township, the Owens Findlay-area Campus in Findlay, the Owens Learning Center in Maumee, the Owens Learning Center Downtown Toledo, Goodwill Industries in Toledo, The Providence Center in Toledo, Economic Opportunity Planning Association of Greater Toledo in Toledo, Pilgrim Church in Toledo, and at several Toledo-Lucas County Public Library locations.

Individuals who are interested in Owens’ ABLE classes can call (567) 661-ABLE or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ABLE.

OWENS BOARD OF TRUSTEES AWARDS 2014 ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIPS

Posted on May 7th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, May 7, 2014 – Owens Community College’s Board of Trustees honored area high school seniors recently for their outstanding achievements, receiving thousands of dollars in new scholarships through the Trustees’ Academic Excellence Scholarship Program.

The scholarship is provided over four consecutive semesters with applicants being enrolled full-time and pursuing an associate’s 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:

• William Lemle of Monclova, an Anthony Wayne High School graduate (General Studies)
• Hannah Ball of Findlay, an Arcadia High School graduate (Undecided)
• Chelsea Marquart of Arlington, an Arlington High School graduate (Nursing)
• Taylor Purcell of Temperance, a Bedford High School graduate (Nursing)
• Alicia Kikomoor of Bowling Green, a Bowling Green High School graduate (Fine Arts)
• Miranda Sauerwein of Toledo, a Bowsher High School graduate (Accounting Tech.)
• Rachel Green of Carey, a Carey High School graduate (Undecided)
• Timothy Marciniak of Toledo, a Central Catholic High School graduate (Welding)
• Anyssia Flores of Toledo, a Clay High School graduate (Nursing)
• Megan Albright of Clyde, a Clyde High School graduate (Occupational Therapy Assistant)
• Ryan Mang of Perrysburg, an Eastwood High School graduate (Nursing)
• Jordan Matthews of Montpelier, an Edon Northwest High School graduate (Dental Hygiene)
• Kyra Bloom of Bloomdale, an Elmwood High School graduate ( Physical Therapy Assistant and Massage Therapy)
• Rachael Smith of Ottawa Lake, an Emmanuel Christian School graduate (Undecided)
• Cristin Franks of Findlay, a Findlay Digital Academy graduate (Physical Therapy Assistant)
• Bayley Hill of Findlay, a Findlay High School graduate (Occupational Therapy)
• Troy Laird of Fremont, a Fremont Ross High School graduate (Culinary Arts)
• Keri Leskow of Perrysburg, a Lake High School graduate (Nursing)
• Kennedy Wood of Napoleon, a Liberty Center graduate (Dental Hygiene)
• Matthew Lawson of Maumee, a Maumee High School graduate (Information Technology Systems)
• Gretchen Bersinger of Holland, a Monclova Christian Academy graduate (Undecided)
• Adam Altaffer of Montpelier, a Montpelier High School graduate (John Deere Tech.)
• Ethan Nominee of North Baltimore, a North Baltimore High School graduate (Education)
• Shelby Tittle of Northwood, a Northwood High School graduate (Undecided)
• Alyssa Tori of Temperance, a Notre Dame Academy graduate (Undecided)
• Cassandra Brenneman of Oak Harbor, an Oak Harbor High School graduate (Undecided)
• Kyle Wright of Grand Rapids, an Otsego High School graduate (Criminal Justice)
• Logan Meyer of Ottawa, an Ottawa Glandorf High School graduate (Physical Therapy Assistant)
• Abigail Abke of Pemberville, a Penta Career Center graduate (Electrical)
• Nicole Hersch of Perrysburg, a Perrysburg High School graduate (General Studies)
• Nadia Coleman of Holland, a Phoenix Academy graduate (Undecided)
• Rocio Gonzalez of Toledo, a Polly Fox Academy graduate (Criminal Justice)
• Kristen Evans of Forest, a Riverdale High School graduate (Elementary Education)
• Qingquan Lin of Toledo, a Rogers High School graduate (Electrical Certificate)
• Wyatt Kinkade of Perrysburg, a Rossford High School graduate (Networking and Information Systems Support)
• Jordyn James of Holland, a Springfield High School graduate (Nursing)
• Katie Collins of Toledo, a St. Ursula Academy graduate (Diagnostic Medical Sonography)
• Lydia Yeager of Toledo, a Start High School graduate (Undecided)
• Allister Stange of Toledo, a Summit Academy graduate (Engineering)
• Emily Maier of Swanton, a Swanton High School graduate (Dental)
• Haley McKinch of Sylvania, a Sylvania Southview High School graduate (Dental Hygiene)
• Kyle Ciha of Toledo, a Toledo Technology Academy graduate (Electrical Engineering)
• Ivan Quezada of Findlay, a Van Buren High School graduate (Undecided)
• Rachel Wiseley of Findlay, a Vanlue High School graduate (Undecided)
• Amber Webb of Toledo, a Waite High School graduate (Business)
• Kaytlyn Wagner of Toledo, a Whitmer High School graduate (Undecided)
• Matthew Hartford of Elmore, a Woodmore High School graduate (Commercial Art)
• Giovanni Cuadra of Toledo, a Woodward High School graduate (Computer Science)

768 GRADUATES PREPARE FOR OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE SPRING COMMENCEMENT

Posted on May 5th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, May 5, 2014 –Seven hundred sixty-eight candidates for graduation, including 122 from the Findlay-area Campus, will receive their degrees during the 48^th annual Owens Community College Spring Commencement on Friday, May 9. The commencement will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Health and Activities Center on the College’s Toledo-area Campus.

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Judith French will serve as the keynote speaker. For the past two decades, Justice French has dedicated her career to public service. In that time, she has served the State of Ohio as a lawyer for a state agency, an assistant attorney general, counsel to the Governor, and, finally, as a judge. In December 2012, Governor John Kasich appointed Justice French to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court of Ohio. She became the 155th justice of the Ohio Supreme Court on January 1, 2013.

A native of Sebring, Ohio, a small town in Mahoning County, she received three degrees from The Ohio State University: a B.A. in political science, an M.A. in history (with a concentration in military history and strategic studies), and a J.D., with honors. Justice French currently resides in Grandview Heights, near Columbus, with her husband and two children.

Lisa Long, an Early Childhood Education Technology major graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors, has been selected as the Owens class representative and will address the graduates during the ceremony.

The 30-year-old Fostoria resident is the first person from her family to both attend college and earn a college degree, Long’s journey to the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus started in southern California, where she grew up in sunny San Diego. There, she met her future husband, Richard. They returned to Ohio in 2009 to be near Richard’s family and married in 2010. They now have two boys, ages 10 and 3.

In 2009, Long made the decision to pursue higher education at Owens and enrolled in Spring Semester 2010.

“I was working 3 minimum wage jobs and was a full-time mom. I was spending savings just to pay my own bills. I wasn’t making enough to live. I didn’t own a car,” she said of the life-changing moment when she decided to go to college. “I was riding on the bus with my son, singing the ABCs. I knew I couldn’t go on working these jobs and not being able to pay to live. I had to go to college. I figured out I wanted to be a teacher. The joy I had of being around my son, I wanted that all the time.”

“If you have to be away from your children, you want to do something that you love,” she said.

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

OWENS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ESTABLISHES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP IN HONOR OF FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS

Posted on May 2nd, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, May 2, 2014 – Owens Community College’s Alumni Association is honoring the legacy of Private Stephen Machcinski and Private James Dickman of the Toledo Fire Department for their bravery, courage and service to the community by establishing a new $10,000 scholarship endowment fund in their memory.

The Private Stephen Machcinski and Private James Dickman Memorial Scholarship Fund will be awarded annually to a recipient at the Outstanding Service Awards by the Owens Alumni Association. The first-ever scholarship will be awarded in the 2015 – 2016 academic year.

“Owens Community College’s Alumni Association is proud to honor the lives and heroism of Privates Machcinski and Dickman,” said Matt A. Feasel, president, Owens Alumni Association. “The creation of this endowed scholarship fund will serve as a lifetime tribute to their service, their lives and their memory.”

Selection criteria for the new scholarship initiative will be based upon recipients being enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours at Owens per semester, holding second-year student status in fire science technology and achieving at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average.

In January 2014, Private Machcinski and Private Dickman lost their lives in the line of duty while fighting a six-unit apartment building fire. Machcinski had been with the Department since 1998 and leaves behind his parents, a brother and a sister. Private Dickman had been with the Department since 2013 and leaves behind his wife, a 3-year-old daughter, a 1-month-old son as well as his parents and two sisters.

Since opening its doors in 1965, Owens has provided higher education to more than 250,000 students. Owens’ Alumni Association is committed to the personal and professional success of alumni and students through the ongoing development of value-added initiatives.

OWENS RENAMES ITS TWO LEARNING CENTER LOCATIONS

Posted on May 1st, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, May 1, 2014 – Owens Community College recently announced the renaming of its two learning center locations. The Learning Center at the Source will now be known as Owens Community College Learning Center Downtown Toledo and the Arrowhead Learning Center will be known as Owens Community College Learning Center Maumee.

The decision was made to rename the two learning center locations after the State of Ohio announced plans to rename all one-stop job center locations throughout Ohio to “Ohio Means Jobs.” Therefore “The Source” building name will no longer exist and will be renamed the Ohio Means Jobs Lucas County.

In addition, the former Arrowhead Learning Center was named after Arrowhead Business Park instead of a geographical city location. Therefore, the new names of both learning centers will assist students and visitors in using GPS for mapping and directions when finding the learning centers.

Owens Community College Learning Center Downtown Toledo (formally Learning Center at the Source) is located at 1301 Monroe St., Toledo and Owens Community College Learning Center Maumee (formally Arrowhead Learning Center) is located at 1724 Indian Wood Circle, Maumee.

OWENS ASSISTS SCHOOL CHILDREN WITH ‘BACKPACK TO THE FUTURE’ SUMMER SUPPLY DRIVE

Posted on May 1st, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, May 1, 2014 –As another school year comes to an end, many students are once again placing their backpacks in storage or are discarding them entirely in anticipation of buying next fall’s latest fashion trend. Owens Community College’s Alumni Association has taken the initiative of once again organizing a gently used backpack drive to provide new life for what many students consider their mobile lifeline to learning.

The College’s Alumni Association community service endeavor, titled “Backpack to the Future,” is currently accepting gently used or new backpacks and new school supplies from area residents during the summer months. Items collected, as part of the “Backpack to the Future” program, will be given to low-income elementary school children throughout Northwest Ohio.

“There are many low-income families that can barely afford to pay their bills, and may not be able to provide their children with new supplies. The Owens Community College Alumni Association’s goal is to ensure that such occurrences do not happen and that all children begin their school year with new educational resources,” said Kaye Koevenig, Owens Community Service Chair of the Alumni Association.

In addition to the gently-used backpacks and new backpacks, individuals can donate crayons, markers, bottles of glue, glue sticks, colored pencils, pencils, pink erasers, school boxes, pocket folders, marbled covered composition books and Kleenex tissues. Area residents can bring their charitable donations to the Office of Alumni Relations on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township and the Education Center Atrium on the Findlay-area Campus in Findlay.

Since establishing the program in 2004, the Owens Alumni Association has given 3,399 backpacks and 62,224 school supplies to benefit disadvantaged children throughout Northwest Ohio.

Since opening its doors in 1965, Owens has provided higher education to thousands of students. Owens’ Alumni Association is committed to the personal and professional success of alumni and students through the ongoing development of value-added initiatives.

For more information about the school supply drive, or to make a donation, contact the Owens Alumni Relations Office at (567) 661-7876, 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7876 or alumni@owens.edu.

OWENS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS DETECTIVE KEITH DRESSEL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Posted on April 29th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 29, 2014 – Owens Community College student Scott Histed of Maumee has been chosen by the Alumni Association to receive a $2,000 Detective Keith Dressel Memorial Scholarship for the upcoming 2014-15 academic year.

Established in 2007, the endowed scholarship honors the legacy of Detective Keith Dressel of the Toledo Police Department’s Vice/Narcotics Section Special Enforcement Division and his service to the community. The scholarship is given annually to an Owens student at the Outstanding Service Awards who has the courage to become a police officer and embodies the passion, conviction and perseverance demonstrated by Detective Dressel during his career.

According to Laura Moore, executive director of the Owens Alumni Association, the Detective Keith Dressel Memorial Scholarship was established to honor Detective Dressel and his dedication to public service, as well as support the next generation of law enforcement officers.

“Every year, the Alumni Association has the privilege of awarding the Detective Keith Dressel Memorial Scholarship to a very deserving recipient,” stated Moore. “This year we are pleased to honor Scott Histed with the award. He will certainly honor the legacy of Detective Dressel.”

Additional selection criteria for the scholarship is based upon recipients being enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours at Owens per semester, holding second-year student status and achieving at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average. Preference is given to students with aspirations of a law enforcement career.

Histed is a full-time Owens student, having enrolled as a criminal justice major in the fall of 2011 after graduating early from Maumee High School. Histed has maintained a 3.0 grade point average in addition to working. He is also an active member of his church.

Following graduation from Owens, Histed plans to enroll in the Owens Police Academy. After completing the Academy, he hopes to work at a local police department as a road patrol officer before getting a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

“I’ve wanted to become a police officer ever since I was a little kid,” stated Histed. “I want to become the best police officer I can be and have strong community relations within the community in which I work and live.”

During his senior year in high school, he participated in a ride-along program with the Maumee Police Department, recording and documenting more than 70 hours spent with dispatchers, detectives and road patrol officers.

In February 2007, Detective Dressel was fatally wounded in the line of duty. He provided public service to the Toledo Police Department and the citizens of Toledo for 14 years. Detective Dressel left behind his wife, Danielle, and two children, along with a very large extended family.

OWENS TOLEDO-AREA CAMPUS DEDICATES NEW CULINARY ARTS CENTER

Posted on April 24th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 24,2014 – Culinary arts students at Owens Community College recently began classes in the newly constructed Culinary Arts Center on the Toledo-area campus. The Center will be formally dedicated with a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday, April 29.

The facility spans 14,000-square-feet – an increase over the 3,700-square-foot kitchen lab where classes were taught in the past. The new facility includes three unique culinary labs: a baking lab, a culinary skills lab, and a restaurant skills lab. The Center also includes a classroom and a 75-person capacity dining area with a demonstration station overlooking a tree-lined patio. The Center’s large dining area will host lunches and special events, giving students real-world experience creating menus, preparing and plating food and serving.

“This new facility creates many new and exciting opportunities for our students that were not available in our old space,” said Joann Gruner, chair, Food, Nutrition and Hospitality. “Having a larger space will also allow us to eliminate student wait lists and better meet the needs of the community by providing non-credit courses and industry training in culinary arts.”

State appropriated capital renovation and equipment funds were used to finance the $3.1 million construction project, completed by Holland, Ohio based Midwest Contracting. Owens received major grants from The Honor Project Trust in the amount of $50,056 for audiovisual and information technology systems and from The Andersons Inc. Charitable Foundation in the amount of $25,000 for equipment. Libbey Glass also made an in kind donation of tableware and service ware.

The dedication ceremony will take place from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. with a ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m. as Owens representatives join community leaders and elected officials to officially open the facility’s doors. The ceremony will feature remarks by Mike Bower, Ph.D., president of Owens, as well as comments by area elected officials and a representative from the architectural and construction team.

The Culinary Arts Center is home to five academic programs and certificates: the Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts, the Associate of Applied Science degree in Dietetic Technology, Associate of Applied Business degree in Hospitality Management, a Culinary Arts certificate and a Baking and Pastry certificate. The American Culinary Federation Educatin Foundation recently recommended Owens Culinary program and certificates for full accreditation status.

For additional information on the Culinary Arts program, call (567) 661-7214 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7214.

OWENS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HONORS LOCAL RESIDENTS WITH OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARDS

Posted on April 23rd, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 23, 2014 – Owens Community College’s Alumni Association has chosen seven area residents to receive the 11th annual Outstanding Service Awards for their tremendous contributions to Northwest Ohio’s surrounding communities.

Award recipients are Sutton A. Flick, James Dickman, Stephen Machcinski, Mark Klempner, George Simko, Michael Fuelling, and Paul Heineman.

“Owens Community College’s Alumni Association is proud to once again recognize the selfless acts of Northwest Ohio’s safety forces that so often go unnoticed,” said Matt A. Feasel, president, Owens Alumni Association. “The Outstanding Service Awards were created to honor their efforts and thank them for their continued service to our region, state and country.We are extremely honored to be recognizing such an outstanding group of individuals this year.”

The recipient of the Outstanding Police Award is Sutton Flick of Findlay (Officer, Carey Police Department). Flick was nominated by Daniel Walter, chief of police, Carey Police Department for his professional bravery during his response to an “active shooter” situation.

On the evening of November 1, 2013, Officer Sutton Flick was on routine patrol in the Village of Carey when the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a shooting at the Carey Conservation Club where several victims had been shot in the Club House. The radio call went out for all available officers to respond to the Conservation Club for an “Active Shooter.”

Officer Flick was the first officer to arrive on scene. Upon arrival, several witnesses informed Officer Flick that at least two victims were dead and that the male suspect was barricaded inside the Club House. Officer Flick instinctively headed toward the threat, only to hear witnesses from inside the Club House yelling, “He is coming out!” There was no time to wait for his backup officers.

Officer Flick positioned himself to cover two exit doors with his weapon drawn. The suspect cautiously exited the Club House, still brandishing a pistol. Officer Flick confronted the suspect by ordering him to drop the weapon. The suspect hesitated then obeyed the commands by tossing his pistol to the ground. Officer Flick ordered the suspect to the ground and secured him with handcuffs. Thankfully, there were no other shooters and this entire apprehension occurred prior to the next officer arriving on scene.

James Dickman of Perrysburg (Posthumous Award) (Firefighter/EMT, Toledo Fire & Rescue Department), Stephen Machcinski of Toledo (Posthumous Award) (Firefighter/EMT, Toledo Fire & Rescue Department), Mark Klempner of Toledo (Firefighter/EMT, Toledo Fire & Rescue Department) and George Simko of Toledo (Lieutenant, Toledo Fire & Rescue Department) are named the Outstanding Firefighter Award recipients. Captain Michael Benadum, Toledo Fire & Rescue Department nominated them for their outstanding efforts and bravery during a two-story building fire.

On January 26, 2014, Toledo Fire & Rescue Department Engine 3, including Dickman, Klempner, Machcinski, Simko and other crews, were dispatched to an apartment fire with occupants reportedly still inside.

On arrival, crews found a two-story building with a working fire. After attempting to make entry through a door on the first floor that was found not to lead anywhere, the crew of Engine 3 used a ladder to enter through a second floor window. Firefighter Dickman climbed the ladder, broke out the window and entered with the hose line. Firefighter Machcinski and Lieutenant Simko quickly followed him. Firefighter Klempner was pump operator for the engine supplying water to the hose line.

The crew encountered heavy smoke conditions as they advanced, looking both for trapped occupants and the fire. Shortly after entry, conditions suddenly and rapidly changed. Extreme heat drove the crew to lay flat on the floor as fire rolled over their heads. Lieutenant Simko ordered Firefighter Dickman to put water on the fire, which he did. Moments later, conditions got even hotter. Lieutenant Simko ordered the crew to get out as conditions continued to deteriorate. Lieutenant Simko was forced to dive out a second floor door onto an outside deck-like area in order to survive. Lieutenant Simko immediately noticed Firefighters Dickman and Machcinski had not exited behind him and transmitted a mayday. After being rescued by the Rapid Intervention Team, Firefighters Dickman and Machcinski died as a result of their injuries.

Michael Fuelling of Toledo (Firefighter/EMT, Toledo Fire & Rescue Department) is the recipient of the Outstanding Emergency Medical Technician Award. Jamie Young, Lieutenant, Toledo Fire &Rescue Department nominated Fuelling for his life-saving efforts during a cardiac arrest on a busy Interstate.

On July 14, 2013, Toledo Fire & Rescue Department Engine 17 responded to a report of a person in cardiac arrest on the I-75 South overpass near Exit 204. Off-duty Fuelling witnessed the accident and stopped to help. He found the patient breathless and pulseless. After performing CPR for approximately two minutes, the patient raised his arm and started to breathe on his own. By the time additional assistance arrived on scene, the patient was talking and had good vital signs.

With only his truck as protection on the expressway, Fuelling put himself at great risk while performing CPR until the police and emergency personnel arrived to block traffic. Without his decisive and successful actions, the patient would have had little chance of survival. Fuelling’s courageousness and professionalism was exemplary and heroic.

Paul Heineman of Woodville, (retired Fire Chief, Woodville Township Fire Department) is named the Outstanding Service to Community Award recipient. Chief William Andrews, Woodville Township Fire Department nominated Heineman for his leadership and dedication.

For the past 22 years, Heineman has been fire chief of the Woodville Township Fire Department, dedicating himself to not only making the Woodville Township Fire Department a better fire department, but also to improving communications between the Sheriff’s Office and the individual fire departments within the county.

At 82 years young, Heineman only stepped down because he was elected township trustee.

Over the years, Heineman has fought for levies that allowed the Woodville Township Fire Department to afford the equipment and trucks that have made the department one of the best around, according to those who work there.

Heineman’s leadership has been outstanding over the past 22 years, according to his coworkers, who say he deserves to be recognized for his leadership and dedication, not only to the Woodville Township Fire Department, but to fire service as a whole.

OWENS LANDSCAPE AND TURFGRASS CREW CLUB TO HOST ANNUAL SPRING PLANT SALE

Posted on April 22nd, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 22, 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, Thursday, May 1.

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.

“Our students are excited to once again have the opportunity to showcase their talents to the community,” said Chris Foley, Owens Associate Professor of Science. “All of the hanging baskets and planters were grown by the students within the College’s greenhouse and will be available in assorted 4” pots, 10” hanging baskets, and 14” planters filled with beautiful blooming plants.”

Shrubs on hand will include assorted hydrangeas, hardy shrub roses, Fothergilla, and many others. Shrubs will range in price from $15.00 to $20.00. 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 $20.00 to $80.00 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 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 AND BGSU ANNOUNCE NEW COLLABORATIONS

Posted on April 15th, 2014

BOWLING GREEN, O.—Owens Community College (OCC) and Bowling Green State University (BGSU) have announced that they are pursuing a series of new partnerships that will expand opportunities for students.

The institutions signed a letter of agreement outlining the proposed collaborations, which include adding additional transfer agreements, identifying new opportunities for students by sharing enrollment information, and developing clear program and degree pathways for students transferring between the two schools.

The planned partnerships will culminate in a joint enrollment option – The Owens Pathway to BGSU – that will provide Owens students the opportunity to have a residential college experience. Students planning to transfer to BGSU would live on BGSU’s Bowling Green campus while taking OCC courses there.

According to the leaders of the institutions, the goals of the partnership are to increase degree completion rates and reduce costs for students.

“For our region and Ohio to prosper, it is absolutely essential that we increase the number of college graduates,” said BGSU President Mary Ellen Mazey. “To do that, we need to make higher education more accessible at a time of rising costs and dwindling public funding.”

According to OCC President Michael Bower, increased collaboration between colleges and universities in northwest Ohio is key. “Students already have the opportunity to substantially reduce the cost of their college education by completing an associate degree at Owens and moving on to BGSU to earn a bachelor’s degree,” he said. “This partnership will expand and improve those pathways for our students.”

One new “pathway” will be the option for OCC students who plan on transferring to BGSU to live on BGSU’s Bowling Green campus while they are still Owens students. “There are benefits to the residential college experience,” Bower said. “That’s not something we’ve been able to offer in the past. It’s something that I think a number of our students will find appealing.”

The partnership allowing OCC students the opportunity to have the residential experience on the BGSU campus while attending classes at OCC is anticipated to begin fall of 2015.

A more immediate goal of the collaboration is to make transferring between the two institutions even easier.

“We already have transfer agreements in place, but we can do a better job of making it more seamless,” Mazey said. “We want to give students a clearly-defined and smooth path to a BGSU bachelor’s degree on their first day at Owens.”

OWENS TO HOST FOURTH ANNUAL HONORS PROGRAM SYMPOSIUM AND MEDALLION CEREMONY

Posted on April 9th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 9, 2014 – Owens Community College honors students will have the opportunity to showcase their research and creative works in multiple disciplines during the fourth annual Honors Symposium and medallion Ceremony on Friday, April 11.

The Honors Program Symposium and Medallion Ceremony will occur from 9 a.m. – 2 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.

“Owens is extremely proud and excited to once again give our honors students the opportunity to share the result of their intellectual energy and effort,” said Dr. Russell Bodi, Owens Professor of English and Honors Program Director. “These students are leaders who have gone above and beyond the standard curriculum and The Honors Program is honored to recognize them for their hard work, dedication and accomplishments.”

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. Over 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 TO HOST PROM DRESS SALE FOR COMMUNITY

Posted on April 3rd, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 3, 2014 – Area high school students and their families searching for that hard-to-find prom dress and accompanying accessories are welcomed to visit Owens Community College as the Gay Straight Alliance Club host the 4th annual Prom Dress Sale on Saturday, April 12.

The Prom Dress Sale will take place from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. inside the Student Health and Activities Center located on the Toledo-area campus on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Admission to this event is free and open to the public.

During the event, high school students and their families will have the opportunity to choose from an assortment of over 400 prom dresses and accessories for minimal cost of $5 for dresses and .50 cents to $1 for accessories. Featured items available for purchase will be gently used dresses, shoes, purses, gloves and jewelry, among other prom accessories. A Mary Kay representative will also be available to talk to participants.

Additionally, shopping mentors will be available to assist individuals in their shopping experience.

The Prom Dress Sale was established to ensure that price is not an issue for high school students who want to have that spectacular prom experience. All proceeds raised from the prom dress initiative will be used to benefit future community outreach activities for the Gay Straight Alliance Club.

Owens’ Gay Straight Alliance Club was founded with the overall purpose of raising awareness about a variety of issues and causes relating to the LGBTQQIAAP (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Allied, Asexual, Pansexual) community. Comprised of Owens students, employees and alumni, the group is committed to advocating for the acceptance of cultural differences, global unity, disability awareness and various needs that impact the surrounding communities.

For more information about the event, call (567) 661-2569 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2569.

OWENS STUDENTS TO RAISE AWARENESS DURING SLEEP OUT FOR THE HOMELESS TENT CITY

Posted on March 31st, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, March 31, 3014 – Owens Community College students will spend a night under the stars to raise homeless awareness as part of the academic institution’s ninth annual Sleep Out for the Homeless Tent City on Friday, April 4

Beginning at 5 p.m., Owens students will spend 16 consecutive hours camping out on the College’s courtyard lawn outside the Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus. The goal of the sleep out is to make more people aware of homelessness occurring in the surrounding communities, and to collect non-perishable food and hygiene donations to benefit Family House of Toledo. The event will conclude at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 5.

“The Owens Community College Tent City Event is a very important advocacy moment for our students,” says Lilian Briggs, Student Government president. “It is an opportunity to incite compassion and future advocates to challenge stereotypes regarding homelessness. It is an avenue to raise awareness about how homelessness impacts education, families, and our larger community and potentially students on our own campuses.”

Owens students and employees and community members are encouraged to show their support by dropping off donations. Desired items include toilet paper, deodorant, razors, wash cloths, towels, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo and conditioner, non-perishable food items. Donations can be dropped off on the College’s courtyard lawn outside the Student Health and Activities Center during the Sleep Out for the Homeless Tent City event.

Located at 669 Indiana Avenue, Family House was established in 1985 by the African American ministers of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (IMA). Known as the Toledo Community Service Center in the early years of the organization, the ministers and their congregations were very actively involved in providing money for the annual budget, obtaining furnishings and remaining in the shelter overnight with individuals sleeping there. Over the years, much of that involvement shifted to staff, and churches now support the shelter through volunteer efforts, financial support and donations to families. Currently, one founding minister sits on Family House’s Board of Directors.

The Owens’ Office of Student Activities is coordinating the Sleep Out for the Homeless Tent City event. For more information about the event, including donation information, call (567) 661-2569 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2569.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO HOST COMMUNITY EVENTS IN APRIL

Posted on March 25th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, March 25, 2014 – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay- area campuses will host the following community events in April:

Registration Rocks – Toledo-area Campus
Area high school seniors are invited to learn about Owens Community College’s many academic program offerings and educational opportunities during a fun, music-themed event as the College hosts “Registration Rocks!” The event will run April 1-3 and 8-10, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and May 13 & 14 on the Toledo-area campus, College Hall 130. Students will be able to complete their placement test, attend New Student Orientation, register for their first semester of classes, and receive their student ID all in one day. A separate information session on financial aid and supporting your child in college will be offered to parents who attend “Registration Rocks!” For more information or to register, check out Owens’ Website at www.owens.edu and click on the “Registration Rocks!” link or contact the Office of Admissions at 567-661-2620 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, ext. 7632.

The Great American Trailer Park Musical
Owens Community College Fine and Performing Arts presents “The Great American Trailer Park Musical, the story of a new tenant at Armadillo Acres – and she’s wreaking havoc all over Florida’s most exclusive trailer park. When Pippi, the stripper on the run, comes between the Dr. Phil-loving, agoraphobic Jeannie and her tollbooth collector husband – the storms begin to brew. Performances will be April 4, 5, 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. and April 6 and 13 at 3 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre. Admission is $12 for general public and $8 for Owens faculty, staff, students and alumni. For more information, contact Jeremy Meier at 567-661-2798 or go to www.owens.edu/arts.

Registration Rocks – Findlay-area Campus
Area high school seniors are invited to learn about Owens Community College’s many academic program offerings and educational opportunities during a fun, music-themed event as the College hosts “Registration Rocks!” The event will run April 17 and 23, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on the Findlay-area campus, Education Center Atrium. Students will be able to complete their placement test, attend New Student Orientation, register for their first semester of classes, and receive their student ID all in one day. A separate information session on financial aid and supporting your child in college will be offered to parents who attend “Registration Rocks!” For more information or to register, check out Owens’ Website at www.owens.edu and click on the “Registration Rocks!” link or contact the Office of Admissions at 567-661-2620 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, ext. 7632.

11^th Annual Outstanding Service Awards Celebration
Owens Community College and Owens Alumni Association will recognize the tremendous contribution that police, fire and emergency medical professionals make to our communities. The Owens Alumni Association is proud to sponsor the 11^th annual Outstanding Service Award Celebration, Friday, April 25, 7:30 – 9 a.m., on the Toledo-area campus, Audio Visual Classroom Center, rooms 121-128. Award recipients will be acknowledge for their outstanding and heroic acts that went above and beyond the call of duty. For more information contact Stacie Feix at 567-661-7876 or stacie_feix@owens.edu.

Rejuvenate. Celebrate. Educate – Administrative Professionals Day
Owens Community College’s Workforce and Community Services, along with Trainco, Inc. and Zoup!, presents 5th Annual Administrative Professionals Day, Friday, April 25, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Arrowhead Park Learning Center, 1724 Indian Wood Circle, Maumee. Participants will enjoy breakout sessions including: Social Media, Real Money Talk for Women, and Self-Defense Tips and massages provided by Owens’ Massage Therapy students. Alicia Wagner, certified Life Coach and executive director of Women’s Entrepreneurial Network, will be the keynote speaker during a luncheon provided by Zoup!. Cost is $20. To register, please call 567-661-7357.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO OFFER FREE 50+ COURSE AT FINDLAY-AREA CAMPUS

Posted on March 18th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, March 18, 2014 – Handbags That Help (HTH) has Awarded Owens Community College a grant to cover the tuition of its 50+ Job Ready training for people living in Hancock County and those served by the Owens Community College Findlay-area campus. HTH is a women’s giving circle formed by local women committed to dramatically improving lives throughout the greater Hancock County community.

The ten week course begins Friday, April 4, 9 -12 p.m. and continues every Friday until June 13. Each class is three hours and is free to anyone in Hancock County over the age of 50.

“The 50+ Job Ready training course meets a valuable need to help advance the career and employment opportunities for anyone over 50 in Hancock County,” said Gary Corrigan, Ph.D., Workforce and Community Services at Owens. “Age shouldn’t be seen as a barrier to employment and advancement by those who find themselves out of work.”

The training will focus on four areas:

Technology in the Workplace – Learn to navigate Microsoft Windows, Internet basics and how to work with corporate-style email and communication tools.

Issues in Today’s Workplace – Brush up on business writing skills, learn time management skills and how to perform with confidence.

People in Today’s Workplace – Learn to build effective work relationships, deal with difficult people and meet the expectations of today’s customers.

Getting Hired – Learn to assess yourself, set goals, excel in an interview, and keeping the job once you’re hired.

For more information contact Gary Corrigan at gary_corrigan@owens.edu or 567-661-7357 to register.

CULINARY ARTS CENTER DEDICATION AT OWENS TOLEDO-AREA CAMPUS CANCELED

Posted on January 27th, 2014

Due to weather conditions, the Culinary Arts Center dedication scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 28 at Owens Toledo-area campus has been canceled. Additional information will be sent out once this event has been rescheduled. If you have any questions, please call 567-661-7421 or 567-213-1804.

Owens Community College has served Northwest Ohio since 1965 as an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education with an open-door admission policy. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens Community College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and has 54 programs that are accredited through their own discipline-specific accrediting bodies. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

OWENS TOLEDO-AREA CAMPUS DEDICATES NEW CULINARY ARTS CENTER

Posted on January 24th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Jan. 24, 2014 – Culinary arts students at Owens Community College recently began classes in the newly constructed Culinary Arts Center on the Toledo-area campus. The Center will be formally dedicated with a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday, Jan. 28.

The facility spans 14,000-square-feet – an increase over the 3,700-square-foot kitchen lab where classes were taught in the past. The new facility will include three unique culinary labs: a baking lab, a culinary skills lab, and a restaurant skills lab. The Center will also include a classroom and a 75-person capacity dining area with a demonstration station overlooking a tree-lined patio. The Center’s large dining area will host lunches and special events, giving students real-world experience creating menus, preparing and plating food and serving.

“This new facility creates many new and exciting opportunities for our students that were not available in our old space,” said Joann Gruner, chair, Food, Nutrition and Hospitality. “Having a larger space will also allow us to reduce student wait lists and more easily meet the needs of the community by providing non-credit courses and industry training in culinary arts.”

The dedication ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. as Owens representatives join community leaders and elected officials to officially open the facility’s doors. The ceremony will feature remarks by Mike Bower, Ph.D., president of Owens as well as comments by area elected officials and a representative from the architectural and construction team.

The Culinary Arts Center is home to five academic programs: the Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts, the Associate of Applied Science degree in Dietetic Technology, Associate of Applied Business degree in Hospitality Management, a Culinary Arts certificate and a Baking and Pastry certificate.

For additional information on the Culinary Arts program, call (567) 661-7214 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7214.

CHILDREN RECEIVE FREE DENTAL SERVICES DURING ‘GIVE KIDS A SMILE’ EVENT AT OWENS

Posted on January 15th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Jan. 15, 2014 – 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. 7, 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” 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” provides free oral health education, screening and treatment services to children from low-income families across the country.

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

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. Similar events will take place at The Dental Center of Northwest Ohio and The University of Toledo Medical Center. For more information on these locations, please contact the Toledo Dental Society at 419-474-8611.

OWENS STUDENT LEADERS INDUCTED INTO PHI THETA KAPPA INTERNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Posted on January 14th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Jan. 14, 2014 – Owens Community College recently honored 96 students for their excellence in higher education, with membership in the Alpha Omega Pi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society for the Fall Semester. Owens’ chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society is one of the largest in Ohio.

The overall mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize academic excellence among two-year college students, provide opportunities for leadership training and an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals. In addition, the society continues to promote among its members four standard hallmarks: scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship. To date, more than one million individuals have been inducted into the international society.

The Alpha Omega Pi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society student inductees for the 2013 Fall Semester are:

Angela M. Ames of Maumee, Ohio

Cynthia A. Ardner of Tiffin, Ohio

Nicole F. Barkhimer of Swanton, Ohio

Rachel M. Bellner of Whitehouse, Ohio

Bailey P. Bibler of Findlay, Ohio

Kayla N. Born of Waterville, Ohio

Natalie C. Brandt of Fostoria, Ohio

Kathryn E. Brinker of Gibsonburg, Ohio

Mackenzie C. Brown of Bowling Green, Ohio

Leisa N. Canales of Wauseon, Ohio

James W. Cathers of Toledo, Ohio

John E. Clemons of Northwood, Ohio

Colin C. Connors of Sylvania, Ohio

Jessica P. Cook of Toledo, Ohio

Jeremy P. Corbin of Marblehead, Ohio

Jamie N. Dixon of Toledo, Ohio

Alicia M. Dodd of Woodville, Ohio

Natalie S. Domitio of Toledo, Ohio

Kimberly I. Ferguson of Northwood, Ohio

Brooke A. Forster of Toledo, Ohio

Richard Frost of Sylvania, Ohio

Benjamin R. Fry of Toledo, Ohio

Sahara N. Gagne of Toledo, Ohio

Natalie M. Garcia of Maumee, Ohio

Regina C. Gilbert of Toledo, Ohio

Serapio Gonzales of Defiance, Ohio

Catina L. Gregory of Toledo, Ohio

Timothy L. Grindle of Toledo, Ohio

Laura J. Grna of Toledo, Ohio

Jesse L. Grumelot of Toledo, Ohio

Suzanne M. Hass of Holland, Ohio

Shirley T. Harris of Toledo, Ohio

Heather M. Harris of Toledo, Ohio

Kayley J. Hashbarger of Ottawa, Ohio

Jordan L. Haynes of Pemberville, Ohio

Samantha J. Heafey of Toledo, Ohio

Nicole Hoffman of Defiance, Ohio

Kearstin M. Horn of Toledo, Ohio

Lisa A. Howard of Toledo, Ohio

Synthia L Jahns of Toledo, Ohio

Aaron J. Jenkins of Ada, Ohio

Steven Jerzykowski of Lambertville, Mich.

Matthew P. Johnston of Maumee, Ohio

Retchie S. Joven of Northwood, Ohio

Deborah S. Kazmierczak of Sand Creek, Mich.

Erin E. Kelley of Maumee, Ohio

William A. Kersten of Toledo, Ohio

Dustin M. Kindle of Bradner, Ohio

Susan D. Korecki of Toledo, Ohio

Stephanie M. Kuras of Toledo, Ohio

Nicole A. Lamb of Oregon, Ohio

Aricka N. Lavoy of Pemberville, Ohio

Ann M. Leahy of Toledo, Ohio

Michelle A. Link of Lima, Ohio

Gene A. Madrzykowski of Perrysburg, Ohio

Matthew J. Majchrowski of Toledo, Ohio

Molly R. Mangett of Arlington, Ohio

Tim E. Martin of Toledo, Ohio

Anthony Martinez of Findlay, Ohio

Adrienne M. Massey of Toledo, Ohio

Marc C. Mohr of Wauseon, Ohio

Alexandria K. Morelock of Gisonburg, Ohio

Katlyn S. Moriarty of Toledo, Ohio

Katelyn M. Motsinger of Bowling Green, Ohio

Hope K. Myers of Toledo, Ohio

Michael P. Myers of Toledo, Ohio

Aric R. Neeld of Toledo, Ohio

Thuhanh T. Nguyen of Maumee, Ohio

Theresa S. Nickerson of Toledo, Ohio

Sara N. Nietz of Walbridge, Ohio

Jeffery A. Nissen of Toledo, Ohio

Valerie Novack of Toledo, Ohio

Nadine Omari of Holland, Ohio

Sarah O. O’Reilly of Findlay, Ohio

Andrew P. Osborn of Sylvania, Ohio

Donna F. Pace of Toledo, Ohio

Dyanni D. Price of Sylvania, Ohio

Janice E. Reardon of Toledo, Ohio

Haley Rosenthal of Maumee, Ohio

Shelby F. Rowe of Alger, Ohio

Sara J. Rybaczweski of Toledo, Ohio

Alexander L. Samson of Orrville, Ohio

Jennifer L. Schramm of Toledo, Ohio

Melissa S. Snyder of Genoa, Ohio

Joshua D. Soboleski of Prairie du Sac, Wis.

Jerardo Soto of Toledo, Ohio

Yawo H. Tchevi of Findlay, Ohio

Douglas B. Thayer of Bowling Green, Ohio

Ranee L. Urban of Toledo, Ohio

David B. Vollmar of Bloomdale, Ohio

Gregory D. Weiner of Sylvania, Ohio

Donna J. Welly of New Riegel, Ohio

Cassie M. Westrick of Toledo, Ohio

Samuel B. Wilburn of Genoa, Ohio

Lauren E. Wood of Findlay, Ohio

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CLOSED FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HOLIDAY

Posted on January 13th, 2014

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Jan. 13, 2014 – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo, will be closed Monday, January 20 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 21.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CLOSED DURING HOLIDAY SEASON

Posted on December 23rd, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Dec. 23, 2013 – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo, will be closed Tuesday through Wednesday, Dec. 24 – Jan. 1, for the holiday season. Administrative offices will open again on Thursday, Jan. 2.

Spring Semester classes begin on Monday, Jan. 13.

637 GRADUATES PREPARE FOR OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FALL COMMENCEMENT

Posted on December 11th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Dec. 11, 2013 –Six hundred thirty-seven candidates for graduation, including 139 from the Findlay-area Campus, will receive their degrees during the 33rd annual Owens Community College Fall Commencement on Friday, Dec. 13. The commencement will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Health and Activities Center on the College’s Toledo-area Campus.

Mr. Joseph Napoli, president and general manager, Toledo Mud Hens and Toledo Walleye will serve as the keynote speaker. Owens’ commencement ceremony is free and open to the public.

As president and general manager, Napoli manages day-to-day operations for the Toledo Mud Hens and Toledo Walleye and is responsible for long term planning and business development for Toledo’s professional sports teams. He proudly serves the community through his efforts as a board member with the Great Lakes Center for Autism, ProMedica, The Boys Scouts of America, Toledo Children’s Hospital and the Toledo Symphony.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, he holds a bachelor of science in management from St. John’s University in New York, NY. Napoli and his wife, Annette are the parents of five children.

Maja Valusek, an office administration technology major graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors, has been selected as the Owens class representative and will address the graduates during the ceremony.

The 28-year-old Toledo resident was born in Croatia and fled the war-torn eastern European country for neighboring Serbia with her family in 1991. Her journey to Owens Community College started at the University of Novi Sad in Novi Sad, Serbia, where she met her future husband, Boris. She never completed her degree in tourism management after Boris received a U.S. Green Card in 2008. They married immediately and moved to the Toledo upon entering the U.S. in March 2009.

She is the first person from her immediate family to earn a college degree.She plans to continue her education and earn a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources and perhaps complete a master’s degree in the future.

“It is a huge accomplishment to finally get this degree after four years of schooling in Serbia and two-and-a-half years here in Toledo,” explained Valusek. “I am happy that all the hard work and sleepless nights paid off, and in such an amazing way – by being given the opportunity to represent all student graduates this fall.”

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

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OWENS FINDLAY CAMPUS LIBRARY ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO HELP PROMOTE READING

Posted on December 4th, 2013

FINDLAY, Ohio, Dec. 4, 2013 – Last year, according to a survey by the National Endowment for the Arts, fewer than 47 percent of adults read a novel, play or poem, a significant decline since 2008. In an effort to promote reading in the community, Owens Findlay campus library is encouraging community members to take part in World Book Night U.S. by applying to be volunteer Book Givers, now through January 5.

“Nothing makes me happier than giving someone a book and telling them that they can keep it, said Heather Crozier, librarian, Owens Community College. “World Book Night gives us the opportunity to share our love of reading by personally connecting with light and nonreaders and simply giving them an amazing book, no strings attached. It is a small gesture, but reading for pleasure has a dramatic impact on literacy, which can have a life-changing effect. Owens is involved in literacy initiatives throughout the community, so this is a wonderful opportunity to participate in an event on a national scale. We want to encourage community members, as well as faculty, students, and staff, to be involved.”

World Book Night U.S. is part of an ambitious campaign to encourage reading and giving. Each year, an independent panel of librarians and booksellers chooses 30-35 books to be distributed on World Book Night. The authors of the books waive their royalties and the publishers agree to pay the costs of producing the specially printed World Book Night U.S. editions. Once the book titles are announced, members of the public can apply to personally hand out 20 copies of a particular title in their community to light or non-readers and to those without the means or access to them. A half million free paperbacks will be handed out across America all on one day — April 23, 2014.

The 35 World Book Night U.S. titles for 2014, alphabetical by author, are:

The Zookeeper’s Wife, Diane Ackerman (W.W. Norton)
Kitchen Confidential, Anthony Bourdain (Ecco)
The Weird Sisters, Eleanor Brown (Berkley)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky (Simon & Schuster)
After the Funeral, Agatha Christie (William Morrow Paperbacks)
The Ruins of Gorlan: Ranger’s Apprentice Book 1, John Flanagan (Puffin Books)
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Jamie Ford (Ballantine Books)
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet in Large Print (Thorndike/Gale; Cengage Learning)
The Lighthouse Road, Peter Geye (Unbridled Books)
The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell (Back Bay Books)
Wait Till Next Year, Doris Kearns Goodwin (Simon & Schuster)
Catch-22, Joseph Heller (Simon & Schuster)
The Dog Stars, Peter Heller (Vintage)
Hoot, Carl Hiaasen (Knopf)
Pontoon: A Novel of Lake Wobegon, Garrison Keillor (Penguin Books)
Same Difference, Derek Kirk Kim (First Second Books)
Enchanted, Alethea Kontis (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
Miss Darcy Falls in Love, Sharon Lathan (Sourcebooks)
Bobcat and Other Stories, Rebecca Lee (Algonquin Books)
Young Men and Fire, Norman Maclean (University of Chicago Press)
Tales of the City, Armistead Maupin (HarperPerennial)
Waiting to Exhale, Terry McMillan (New American Library)
Sunrise Over Fallujah, Walter Dean Myers (Scholastic)
Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Paterson (HarperTrophy)
The Botany of Desire, Michael Pollan (Random House)
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs (Quirk Books)
When I Was Puerto Rican, Esmeralda Santiago (Da Capo)
Cuando Era Puertorriqueña, Esmeralda Santiago (Vintage Español)
Where’d You Go, Bernadette, Maria Semple (Back Bay Books)
Where’d You Go, Bernadette in Large Print (Thorndike/Gale; Cengage Learning)
Wild, Cheryl Strayed (Vintage)
Presumed Innocent, Scott Turow (Grand Central Publishing)
Code Name Verity, Elizabeth Wein (Disney Hyperion)
This Boy’s Life, Tobias Wolff (Grove Atlantic)
100 Best-Loved Poems, edited by Philip Smith (Dover)

Givers who wish to pick up their books at Owens must select Owens Findlay library as their pick-up location during the application process. Books will be available for pick up Monday, April 14 – Thursday, April 17, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Friday, April 18, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Owens Findlay campus library. For book descriptions, guidelines and an application to be a Book Giver, please visit www.us.worldbooknight.org.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

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OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CLOSED THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

Posted on November 25th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Nov. 25, 2013 – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses will be closed Wednesday through Sunday, Nov. 27- Dec. 1, for the Thanksgiving holiday. There will be no classes and the College will be closed.

Classes will resume and administrative offices will open again on Monday, Dec. 2.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

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OWENS ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS

Posted on November 21st, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Nov. 21, 2013 – Owens Community College today announced a new test location partnership with local police departments. The new partnership will allow applicants to complete one test and have their score sent to multiple departments. Applicants will pay a fee of $45 to initially take the test and $7 for each additional department they choose to send their scores to.

As the testing location, Owens Community College will provide video-based applicant-testing sessions for the police departments in Oregon and Perrysburg beginning in Dec. 2013, with several other departments in northwest Ohio expressing an interest in joining the partnership in 2014. The testing will be conducted in conjunction with National Testing Network (NTN), the leader in outsourced applicant testing for police departments, to deliver law enforcement recruitment and applicant testing services.

“This new partnership is just one more way Owens can enhance our current partnerships and help ensure local agencies are provided with high quality candidates,” said President Mike Bower. “Owens has been working with local police departments for over 30 years to provide quality training programs.”

This service will enable police departments to greatly reduce their applicant screening costs and reallocate resources. By offering real-time applicant score reports, NTN clients will have current applicant information and the necessary test score data to make better-informed hiring decisions.

“It is disheartening to see local talent seek law enforcement positions in other states because no local police department is offering a test. I believe that increasing the frequency of testing and allowing the test scores to apply to multiple departments will encourage them to stay, said Michael Navarre, chief, Oregon Ohio Police Department. “This will result in a larger pool of quality candidates for local police chiefs to choose from and enable them to achieve their ultimate goal of hiring the right people. I commend Dr. Mike Bower, President of Owens Community College, for agreeing to allow the College to serve as a testing site. This will further enhance the wonderful partnership that currently exists between Owens and local police departments.”

NTN utilizes nationally validated applicant testing products designed by Ergometrics, a human resource management firm specializing in video-based personnel selection exams and training modules. All tests are job-simulated and designed to identify the applicants with the necessary decision making skills and critical thinking aptitude to perform well within public safety.

National Testing Network, Inc. (NTN), is Ergometrics’ outsourcing division, providing continuous professional testing services for public safety departments, including fire, law enforcement and communications departments. For more information, please visitwww.nationaltestingnetwork.com. or www.ergometrics.org.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit . .www.owens.edu..

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OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CLOSED FOR VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE

Posted on October 29th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Oct. 29, 2013 – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo, will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day. There will be no classes and the College offices will be closed for business.

Classes will resume and administrative offices will open again on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

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BOWER ELECTED PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL OF NORTH CENTRAL TWO-YEAR COLLEGES

Posted on October 17th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Oct. 16, 2013 – Mike Bower, Ph.D., president of Owens Community College, has been elected president of the Council of North Central Two-Year Colleges, a 19-state organization with over 349 institutional members. It is the second largest organization of two-year colleges in the United States.

“To be asked to serve in this position is a privilege,” said Mike Bower, Ph.D., president of Owens Community College. “Presiding over this council will help positions Owens as a leading institution, on a regional and national stage, in the collaboration with other two-year colleges to improve programs and services offered to students.”

The organization works with The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the largest accrediting body under the Department of Education, in the promotion of standards, practices, and policies for two-year colleges in the North Central Region, which encompasses Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The HLC accredits over 1000 institutions of higher education. Of that almost 200 institutions, of which Owens is one, are accepted into the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), an alternative evaluation process for organizations already accredited by the Commission.

Bower is the sixth President and Chief Executive Officer of Owens Community College, and he began his appointment on July 1, 2012. He is an experienced educator and dedicated to advancing higher education. He earned an Associate Degree of Applied Science in automotive technology from Vincennes University, Indiana, his Bachelor of Science in industrial technology from Indiana State University, his Master of Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University, and his Doctorate of Philosophy Degree in Education, Administration, Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Educational Leadership and Higher Education from the University of Nebraska.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

MEGHAN SCHMIDBAUER NAMED DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS

Posted on October 3rd, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Oct. 3, 2013 – Owens Community College is pleased to announce that Meghan Schmidbauer was recently named director of admissions. In this new position, Schmidbauer will be responsible for overseeing the recruitment efforts in the community with the direct from high school population, transfer students and non-traditional students.

Schmidbauer has been a part of the Owens Community College staff for the past three years. Prior to her current position she served as supervisor, testing services and interim director of admissions.

“I am very excited to move into this new role and be a part of the ever changing landscape of higher education,” Schmidbauer said. “Owens provides such a unique opportunity for students through relevant programs, transfer opportunities and flexibility. I feel very fortunate to have the chance to assist students in finding the path that makes the most sense for them.”

Schmidbauer earned her Bachelor of Arts in communications from the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. A resident of Toledo, she also earned a Master of Business Administration from Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio and is currently pursuing her doctorate of education at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

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OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO HELP LOCAL BUSINESSES SECURE STATE FUNDING

Posted on September 18th, 2013

Perrysburg Township, Ohio, Sept. 10, 2013 – Local businesses can now take advantage of no-cost help from the Owens Community College Workforce and Community Services team in securing workforce training funds. Owens will assist business that have selected Owens as their training provider in applying for and managing grants that the State of Ohio made available this month.

Services available to businesses from the Owens Workforce team include training needs assessment, training project budgeting, and application tips.

“It is vital for businesses to have the tools required to maintain a talented workforce,” said Brian Paskvan, Ph.D., executive director, Workforce and Community Services. “Owens is proud to combine our expertise delivering great training with grant support services to make sure our region gets its share of funding.”

Businesses are invited to attend upcoming informational sessions to learn more about Owens workforce training and grant support services. Sessions will be held on Friday, Sept. 13 and Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Owens Tracy Road Center, 2249 Tracy Road, Northwood and on Friday, Sept. 13 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Owens Findlay-area campus, 3200 Bright Road, Findlay.

The Workforce team at Owens is the region’s leader in providing training to business and industry. The team’s specialty is development and delivery of custom-tailored short-term training. The team accomplishes this in ways that are affordable and allow companies to thrive. Training is available in almost any subject matter, including the trades, computer skills, process improvement, and certification preparation.

To learn more, visit www.owensworks.com or call (567) 661-7357.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

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OWENS DELIVERS BACKPACKS AND SUPPLIES TO AREA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN, SEPT. 18-19

Posted on September 18th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Sept. 16, 2013 – Owens Community College’s Alumni Association in collaboration with two Books-A-Million Inc. locations, nine Directions Credit Union branches, two Great Lakes Credit Union branches and five Genoa Bank branches are brightening many children’s lives through a unique community service endeavor titled “Backpack to the Future.” Five hundred twenty-nine backpacks and 8,130 school supply items collected throughout the summer months are being donated to 17 area elementary schools during the month of September.

Beginning on Wednesday, Sept.18, Owens representatives will deliver backpacks and supplies to benefit kindergarten students in Bowling Green, North Baltimore, Elmwood, Eastwood, Rossford, Northwood, Genoa and Woodmore school districts at Rossford’s Glenwood Elementary School (8950 Avenue Rd.) at 3:45 p.m. On Thursday, Sept. 19, Owens will donate backpacks and school supplies to five Toledo Public Schools—Old West End Academy, Samuel M. Jones at Gunckel Park, East Broadway, McTigue and Edgewater elementary schools—presented at Toledo Public Schools’ Old West End Elementary School (3131 Cambridge St.) at 10:00 a.m.

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 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 $3,433 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 over 3,410 backpacks and more than 62,370 school supplies to benefit disadvantaged children throughout Northwest Ohio.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

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OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE OFFERS FALL ACT PREPARATION CLASS

Posted on September 18th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Sept.18, 2013 – Area residents preparing to take the national ACT test are encouraged to bring a pencil, paper and a calculator to Owens Community College as the academic institution offers a program titled “Building Confidence with ACT Prep” in September. The class is coordinated through the College’s Workforce and Community Services.

The ACT preparation class will occur Monday evenings, Sept. 23 – Oct. 21 (except Monday, Oct. 7), from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the College’s Arrowhead Park Learning Center on Indian Wood Circle in Maumee. The four-week class cost is $125.

During each of the four sessions, students will be tutored in all five sections of the ACT test. The actual ACT is comprised of one test in each of the following areas: English, math, reading, science reasoning and writing. In addition to being tutored in these areas through one-on-one teaching, students will learn traditional testing strategies such as how to take a timed test and how to find the elusive answer to a difficult question.

Limited seating is available and early registration is recommended. For more information, or to register for the class, call (567) 661-7357 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7357.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

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OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Posted on August 30th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, August 28, 2013 – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo, will be closed Saturday, Aug. 31 through Monday, Sept. 2 for the Labor Day holiday. There will be no classes and the College offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and College offices will reopen Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

BETSY JOHNSON NAMED VICE PRESIDENT, ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT AND STUDENT SERVICES

Posted on August 26th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, August 23, 2013 – Owens Community College President Mike Bower, Ph.D. is pleased to announced that Betsy Johnson Ph.D. has been appointed vice president, enrollment management and student services. In this new position, Johnson will be responsible for overseeing all enrollment management and student affairs functions.

Prior to her appointment, Johnson spent the last 13 years in various student-centered roles at Owens where, among other accomplishments, she was instrumental in implementing Oserve, a one-stop service model for student to manage records, registration and financial aid.

“I am thrilled to take on this new role at Owens Community College and look forward to continuing to develop a strategic enrollment plan that focuses on recruitment, enrollment and retention,” Johnson said. “There are many things to celebrate about our students and I look forward to sharing those success stories.”

Johnson earned her Ph.D. in higher education administration from University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. She also holds a Master of Education from Ohio University and a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

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OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FACULTY MEMBER PUBLISHES VERMICOMPOSTING LESSON ON TED-ED

Posted on August 15th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, August 15, 2013 – Students from around the world, not just at Owens Community College, can learn about vermicomposting through an animated video and lesson plan published to TED-Ed by Owens faculty member Matt Ross.

Vermicomposting is the process in which worms convert organic waste materials into an excreted soil additive known as castings. Students in Owens’ LTM 102 Soil Science course will learn about vermicomposting through this and other online lessons this fall.

“Students have already expressed appreciation for this video and were inspired to take action in the world of worms,” Ross said. “Due to the immense popularity of YouTube, students appreciate the short, entertaining, yet informative, delivery of Ted-Ed.”

This four-minute video, which explains worms’ role in an emerging agricultural growth sector, is part of a series focused on quick lessons for educations and students from around the world. TED-Ed is an extension of TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) programming initiated by Richard Saul Wurman, which has included lectures from Bill Clinton to Bill Gates. TED-Ed has more than 350,000 subscribers on its YouTube channel and offers a wide range of entertaining and impactful lessons.

Ross, who has been an Owens faculty member for five years, was nominated for the opportunity to publish a video by Owens Landscape Turfgrass management alumna Jennifer Taynor. The opportunity was part of a competition sponsored by Kohl’s.

During the several-month process, Ross worked with a team of professional writers, voice actor Addison Anderson and animator Johan Sonestedt to complete the animated short directed by Veronica Wallenberg.

“I hope the video will inspire people from around the world to think about alternative approaches to reducing the current waste stream,” Ross said.

A series of lesson plans were created to go along with the video and act as a resource for educators looking to incorporate the world of worms into their classroom. The lesson plan has links to websites, journal articles and reference texts to assist educators from elementary to collegiate levels.

The video can be viewed at: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/vermicomposting-how-worms-can-reduce-our-waste-matthew-ross.

LTM 102 is in the curriculum for several Owens offerings, including the Urban Agriculture and Sustainability Certificate, the Landscape and Turfgrass Management Program and the Golf Course/Athletic Field Management Program. For additional information about any of these offerings, call (567) 661-7623 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7623.

TED-Ed’s commitment to creating lessons worth sharing is an extension of TED’s mission of spreading great ideas. Within the growing TED-Ed video library, you will find carefully curated educational videos, many of which represent collaborations between talented educators and animators nominated through the TED-Ed platform. This platform also allows users to take any useful educational video, not just TED’s, and easily create a customized lesson around the video. Users can distribute the lessons, publicly or privately, and track their impact on the world, a class, or an individual student.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE REGISTERED NURSING PROGRAM REGAINS ACCREDITATION

Posted on August 14th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, August 14, 2013 – Owens Community College recently received official notice from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly the National League Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), that the registered nursing program has regained initial accreditation through spring 2018.

“Owens has always maintained a quality nursing program and as a result, being granted accreditation status has been a priority,” said Dawn Wetmore, dean of the School of Nursing. “We have put in a tremendous amount of effort to make sure we have met all of the required standards while continuing to ensure that students are receiving the highest quality nursing education at Owens Community College.”

As part of its commitment to the ACEN guidelines, Owens has increased its nursing faculty from 25 to 35 full-time members – six clinical teaching faculty and four lab faculty – all of whom have master’s degrees in nursing. Owens has enhanced its data collection, analysis and action taken related to data results for the registered nursing program in the Systematic Plan of Evaluation (SPE) to track the program’s effectiveness. The College converted the former nursing department into a School of Nursing in an effort to increase accountability. The students in the School of Nursing receive advising services from a full-time advisor.

Owens registered nursing students who have taken the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX-RN) have traditionally had high passage rates. To exemplify this, during the first two quarters of 2013, 80 students passed the exam on the first attempt, resulting in a pass rate of 95.4%, pass rate which exceeds both the national and state passage rates.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Alumni Association Presents Annual Golf Classic, Sept. 23

Posted on August 2nd, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Golf enthusiasts and amateurs alike are invited to support alumni programs and scholarships and participate in the Owens Community College Alumni Association’s 11th annual Golf Classic held Monday, Sept. 23 at Belmont Country Club, Perrysburg.

Considered one of the finest golf fund-raisers 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 enabled the Golf Classic to generate nearly $290,000 in its first 10 years to support Owens students pursuing a college education and their career aspirations. The 2013 Golf Classic event sponsors are Hylant and Hylant Administrative Services. 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 golfing experience over a grazing dinner at 6 p.m. A short program will occur at this time to recognize all prize winners.

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

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Announces Basic Motorcycle Safety Training Classes For Upcoming Summer and Fall Months

Posted on July 31st, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Area motorcycle enthusiasts interested in enhancing their knowledge about safe driving are invited to enroll in upcoming Motorcycle Safety Training classes offered through Owens Community College’s Workforce and Community Services. The classes will occur through October.

The College’s Motorcycle Safety Training is the only basic motorcycle-rider course offered in Wood County and is one of only 21 permanent training locations in Ohio. Owens’ motorcycle safety training is a three-day course, which occurs on Thursday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays.

Motorcycle Ohio is regarded as the premier motorcycle safety and education program in the state, having enhanced the riding skills of over 115,000 motorcyclists since its founding in 1987. The organization has 21 permanent training locations throughout Ohio and one mobile program, as well as a fleet of 450 training motorcycles, helmets and over 250 instructors. Motorcycle Ohio’s Basic Rider Course or “Riding and Street Skills” was first made available to the public in 1988, while the Experienced Rider Course was added in 1992. An Instructor Preparation Course is available for experienced motorcyclists interested in becoming a Motorcycle Ohio instructor.

The Basic Rider Course requires 16 hours of educational learning. Four hours will occur within a classroom at the Center for Emergency Preparedness, Perrysburg Township. Classroom topics will include introduction to motorcycling, preparing to ride and street strategies. The final 12 hours will be held as part of practice riding sessions at Owens’ 250 feet by 500 feet defensive driving pad adjacent to the Fire Science and Law Enforcement Center in Perrysburg Township. The practice riding sessions will feature educational training within the areas of motorcycle familiarization, limited-space maneuvers, using the friction zone, negotiating curves, obstacles and lane changes, avoiding hazards and matching gears to speed, among other topics.

Attendees will be provided with motorcycles, helmets and a student workbook. Individuals must show proof of a Motorcycle Endorsement on their driver’s license or a valid Temporary Motorcycle permit in order to participate.

The cost to participate in the class is only $50. Space is limited to 12 riders per class. For additional information, contact the College’s Workforce and Community Services at (567) 661-7357 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7357. Individuals can register online at www.motorcycle.ohio.gov.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Alumni Association and Community Partners Assist Area Children with School Supply Drive through Aug. 18

Posted on July 29th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College’s Alumni Association in collaboration with two Books-A-Million Inc. stores, nine Directions Credit Union branches, two Great Lakes Credit Union branches and five 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 ending Sunday, Aug. 18. Collected items will benefit low-income kindergarten-age school children throughout Northwest Ohio.

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, Owens Alumni Association Community Service Chair, the Northwest Ohio community’s initial response toward the “Backpack to the Future” Supply Drive has been positive.

Since establishing the program in 2004, the Owens Alumni Association has given 2,881 backpacks and 54,243 school supplies to benefit disadvantaged children throughout Northwest Ohio.

Owens’ 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 Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee. For 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.

YMCA Of Greater Toledo To Offer Child Care Services In Partnership With Owens Community College

Posted on July 17th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College and the YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo entered into a partnership giving way to a Child Development Center on the College’s Perrysburg Township campus at 30335 Oregon Road.

The YMCA Child Development Center, under the management of the YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo, will offer child development program services to children infant through twelve years of age beginning Monday, August 12, 2013. The YMCA will lease the 13,317 square feet facility that formerly housed the Owens Community College child care center to operate the new Child Development Center. The agreement also includes the use of 11,098 square feet of outdoor playground space and equipment.

“The YMCA was especially drawn to this location and state-of-the-art facility originally purposed, designed, and built for child care services,” said Brad Toft, President and CEO of the YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo. He added, “We are excited to offer these vital services in a high-quality, child-centered environment.”

“We were very cognizant of the gap that resulted from the College’s recent closure of its child care center and worked to transition the center as quickly as possible. Our partnership with the YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo is critical and will allow us to meet the needs of our students, faculty, staff, and community members,” stated Owens President Dr. Mike Bower.

The YMCA Child Development Center will offer summer programming and longer hours of operation from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Center also will offer before- and after-school care and provide transportation for students enrolled at Lake Local and Rossford Schools. The YMCA has a long-standing reputation of quality programs and services and has been a provider of child care in the greater Toledo area for more than 31 years.

Owens alumna, Ms. Pam Sattler, has been chosen to manage the Center. She is a 2005 graduate of the Owens Community College Early Childhood Education program and has been working in this capacity at another YMCA Child Development Center location since 2003.

“The Owens Community College Teacher Education Department is pleased to collaborate with the YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo and we are very proud to have one of our alumni members [Pam Sattler] serve in this capacity on campus,” said Deborah Ciecka, Chair, Teacher Education and Human Services. Ciecka added, “The partnership could also provide future opportunities for Owens students to get real-world experience through observation, clinical lab or employment capacities.”

About Owens Community College

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

About the YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo

Youth Development is one of three areas of focus in which the YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo is committed to making a positive impact. Our Child Development program provides activities and classes for children, preschoolers through school-agers, designed to engage and help them develop the values, skills and confidence they’ll need to succeed as adults. For more information contact the YMCA Child Development office at 419.474.3995.

Owens Community College Closed for Independence Holiday, July 4

Posted on June 24th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo, will be closed on Thursday, July 4 for the Independence Day holiday. There will be no classes and the College offices will be closed.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens and Connect Ohio Announce Free Computer Classes in July

Posted on June 18th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Area residents interested in enhancing their knowledge and skills with computers and the Internet are invited to participate in free continuing education computer classes as Owens Community College and the non-profit Connect Ohio organization announce training opportunities during the month of July.

Individuals will be able to attend free computer classes at Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio (626 N. Huron St.) in Toledo, Wood County JOBsolutions (1928 E. Gypsy Lane Rd.) in Bowling Green, Hancock County JOBsolutions (7746 County Road 140 Suite B) in Findlay and the Owens Learning Center at Arrowhead Park in Maumee in July.

The educational initiative, titled Every Citizen Online, is led by Connect Ohio as part of a $6.9 million federal grant the organization has received to help expand access to broadband Internet to consumers across the state. Each class will highlight computer basics, an introduction to the Internet and discussion about how broadband can be helpful in daily life.

The upcoming six-hour computer classes will take place Tuesday and Thursday, July 9 and 11 from 1-4 p.m. at Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio and Fridays, July 12 and 19 from 1-4 p.m. at Wood County JOBsolutions. Classes will also occur Monday and Wednesday, July 15 and 17 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Hancock County JOBsolutions and Monday and Wednesday, July 22 and 24 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the College’s Arrowhead Park Learning Center. Classes will also take place in August and September.

Connect Ohio is a non-profit public-private partnership, whose mission is to see all Ohioans connected to the benefits of high-speed Internet service. The organization’s federal grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).

For more information, or to register for the free classes, individuals can call (567) 661-7357 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7357.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus Announces Fall Semester Registration

Posted on June 13th, 2013

FINDLAY, Ohio – Area residents interested in pursuing a college education this fall are invited to visit the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus as the academic institution is currently accepting admission applications for the upcoming Fall Semester. Classes for Fall Semester begin Aug. 19.

New and/or current students are encouraged to stop by the Student Services area upon arrival to the Findlay-area Campus. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

Individuals will have the opportunity to meet with representatives and pick up information about such educational services as new student orientation, placement testing, admissions and advising, as well as learn about the College’s academic programs and resources available with the areas of arts and sciences, business, health services, nursing, public safety and emergency preparedness, and technology.

For more information on how to register for classes, call (567) 429-3509 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3509. Or, check out the Owens website at www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Student Group Announces Auto First Aid Kit Fundraiser

Posted on June 5th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Area residents interested in enhancing their safety preparedness in an emergency situation are encouraged to visit the Owens Community College Toledo-area Campus as the Gay Straight Alliance student organization is making available Auto First Aid Kits for purchase as part of a fundraising initiative during the upcoming summer months.

Beginning Monday, June 10, community members can purchase an Auto First Aid Kit in the Office of Student Activities Room 165 at the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township. The cost of an Auto First Aid Kit is $10.

“You never know when an emergency situation will present itself,” stated Lillian Briggs, Owens student and President of the Gay Straight Alliance student organization. “It is important to be prepared and Owens Community College’s Gay Straight Alliance is proud to lend a helping hand by offering Auto First Aid Kits to the community.”

Items featured within the Auto First Aid Kit include an American Red Cross first aid guide, accident report guide, “call 911” flag, knuckle and fingertip bandages, elbow and knee bandages, spot bandages, butterfly bandages, triple antibiotic ointment, antiseptic towelettes, alcohol cleansing pads, sterile gauze pads, conforming gauze roll, trauma pad, safety pins and an instant cold compress, among other safety-specific material.

All proceeds raised from the Auto First Aid Kit initiative will be used to benefit future community outreach activities for the Gay Straight Alliance student organization.

For more information, or to purchase an Auto First Aid Kit, call (567) 661-2569 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2569.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Announces Gateway to College Program Fall Application Process

Posted on May 20th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Area residents between the ages of 16 and 21 who are interested in receiving a second chance to realize their fullest academic and career potential are invited to apply for the upcoming 2013 Gateway to College program student class at Owens Community College as the academic institution is now accepting applications for the Fall Semester.

Interested applicants can also receive additional details about the program by attending one of several informational sessions taking place Tuesdays at 5 p.m. and Wednesdays at 3 p.m. at the College’s Learning Center at The Source through June 28. The Learning Center is located on Monroe Street in downtown Toledo. Each one-hour session will provide additional information about the program and the application process.

In 2011, Owens, in partnership with Toledo Public Schools, was awarded a $325,000 start-up grant from Gateway to College National Network to implement Gateway to College, a nationally recognized dropout recovery program.

Up to 150 students from Toledo Public Schools will be served through the program over the three-year period. Students must meet specific criteria for entrance into the program and will be dually enrolled at Toledo Public Schools and Owens Community College until they complete their high school diploma. The program is free to students and covers tuition, fees and books, as well as lunch and transportation to the College’s Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo.

Students are placed into small learning communities during their first (Foundation) term, and together they take classes in reading, writing, math and college skills. After completing the Foundation term, students transition to the comprehensive campus, taking classes with the general student population. Throughout their enrollment in the program, students receive one-on-one advising and support from resource specialists who act as coaches, mentors and advisors. The wrap-around support of the resource specialist keeps students on the right track for success.

Students graduate from Gateway to College once they have completed their high school diploma requirements. Nationally, Gateway to College students accrue an average of 35 college credits by the time they graduate from the program, putting them well on their way to earning a college credential. Owens is one of over 30 community and technical colleges across the country currently offering the Gateway to College program.

Prospective students must reside in the Toledo Public Schools district. Applications are available at www.owens.edu/gateway or at the Learning Center at The Source and must be returned to the College’s Gateway to College Office by June 28. Fall classes begin Aug. 19.

For more information about the Gateway to College program or the informational sessions, call (567) 661-2850 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2850, or e-mail at gateway@owens.edu.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

High School Students Showcase Talents During Statewide Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Event at Owens

Posted on May 14th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Twenty high school students from across Ohio recently put their knowledge of automobiles to the test as they competed in the 64th annual Ford/AAA Auto Skills State Competition at Owens Community College.

Sponsored by the Ford Motor Co. and AAA, the state contest involved 10 high school teams, consisting of two students, completing various testing to determine their expertise of automobiles. As part of the practical skills competition, teams were required to locate, identify and repair malfunctions on new 2013 Ford Focus SE vehicles, which were donated by the Hertz Corp. Once the vehicle is properly diagnosed and repaired, each team drove across the finish line, where vehicles were inspected by judges, comprised of automotive industry professionals.

The top teams were awarded scholarships and prizes with the championship team also advancing to the National Finals at the Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn, Mich., June 9-12.

The state championship went to Coshocton County Career Center in Coshocton (Matthew Krasky of Coshocton and Kane Wilkie of Coshocton), while Penta Career Center in Perrysburg (Brad Teigland of Swanton and Trevor Felhaber of Oak Harbor) finished in second place.

Other high schools and students participating in the state competition and their order of finish were Trumbull Career and Technical Center in Warren (Dylan Merkel of Hubbard and Jake Hancock of Bristol), Fort Hayes Career Center in Columbus (Bryan Gearheart of Columbus and Anastasia Salyer of Columbus), Fairmont Career Technical Center in Kettering (Nathan Hall of Centerville and Brandon Boykin of Kettering), Valley Forge High School in Parma Heights (Fadi Abas of Parma and Matt Miller of Parma), Delaware Area Career Center in Delaware (Benjamin Applegate of Lewis Center and Joshua Cummins of Ashley), Tri-Rivers Career Center in Marion (Dustin Morgan of Marion and Jared Redman of Marion), West Shore Career-Technical District in Lakewood (Mark Gruber of Bay Village and Timothy Figueira of Bay Village) and Apollo Career Center in Lima (Christian Stoner of Lima and Chris Dienstberger of Lima).

Over 12,000 students from across the United States annually compete for the chance to represent their school and state in the National Finals. The Ford/AAA Auto Skills State Competitions will offer nearly $12 million in scholarships this year to students at both the state and national levels.

This marks the fourth time (2003, 2004 and 2012) that Owens has served as host site for the state competition.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

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Owens Faculty, Students and Recent Graduates to Help Chimbote Residents During Peru Study and Service Abroad Program, May 14-24

Posted on May 9th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – A group of Owens Community College faculty, students and recent graduates will have the opportunity to impact the lives of residents in Chimbote, Peru through volunteer efforts as they participate in the academic institution’s Peru Study and Service Abroad Program, May 14-24.

Owens students participating in the international service learning experience are Carey Fulk of Mansfield, Sarah Miles of Toledo, Kendra Shellhammer of Rossford and Christina Perry of Perrysburg, while recent graduates include Lindsay Bendele of Fort Jennings, Amanda Sheeks of Bowling Green and Stephanie Ramsey of Rossford. Owens faculty members accompanying the students and recent graduates to Peru are Associate Professor of Dental Hygiene Susan Wannemacher of Toledo and Adjunct Instructor of Massage Therapy Andrew Larsen of Toledo.

“I love working with people and helping others,” explained Owens world languages student Christina Perry, who also serves as a Civic Ambassador in the College’s Office of Student Learning. “People are in need, both in our country and abroad, and this is an opportunity to impact their lives.”

Coordinated by the College’s Office of International Programs and Services through a partnership with Community Colleges for International Development and the organization’s Troika Study Abroad Programs, the Owens group will arrive in Lima on Tuesday, May 14. During their days in the impoverished city of Chimbote, Owens participants will have the opportunity to learn about social, economic and other aspects of life in the city and its surrounding neighborhoods as well as engage in a variety of cultural and custom-specific activities with the local residents.

Owens representatives will also volunteer their time at several local shelters, clinics and agencies during their visit to Peru. Volunteer activities will include working in soup kitchens and daycare centers, providing educational outreach for Chimbote residents and engaging in a home-building project.

In addition, Owens representatives will have the opportunity to explore the culture and history specific to different regions of Peru during visits to Lima and Trujillo.

Owens representatives will share their service and educational learning experience in Chimbote with faculty and students from partnering American community colleges, including Davidson County Community College in Lexington, N.C. and Roane State Community College in Harriman, Tenn.

Group members are expected to return to Northwest Ohio and Owens Community College on Friday, May 24.

In addition to the study and service learning abroad initiative, Owens’ Office of International Programs and Services provides educational opportunities to international students. Over 100 students from 35 countries are pursuing a higher education at Owens. Countries represented in Owens’ international student enrollment are Kenya, Egypt, China, India, Venezuela, Brazil, Columbia, Serbia, Norway and Saudi Arabia, among others.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Student Receives Board of Trustees Excellence Award

Posted on May 2nd, 2013

Owens’ Board of Trustees honored student Benjamin Irvine with a Certificate of Recognition for Exceptional Student Leadership.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College student Benjamin Irvine of Maumee has been chosen by the Board of Trustees Student Life Committee to receive a student excellence award for his commitment to academics, community engagement, student leadership and involvement in student life.

Irvine received the Certificate of Recognition for Exceptional Student Leadership and was recognized for his achievement at the College’s recent Board of Trustees meeting.

Irvine was nominated by Kimberly Holman for his exceptional student leadership in supporting fellow nursing students in the development of their own academic and leadership skills and service in the community. The registered nursing major serves as President of the Pi Chapter of the Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society at Owens and led the efforts in organizing the chapter’s capstone project requirement while encouraging member involvement. Irvine is also a member of the Owens Student Nurses Association and voluntarily formed a biweekly pharmacology study group that has impacted student achievement within the classroom. Additionally, he provides service to the community through his involvement with Habitat for Humanity.

The College’s Board of Trustees is comprised of six community leaders who are appointed by the Governor of Ohio. Owens Board of Trustees members include Diana H. (Dee) Talmage of Ottawa Hills, H. Richard Rowe of Findlay, Dr. Ronald A. McMaster of Perrysburg, Edwin J. Nagle of Toledo, William E. Takacs of Toledo and Thomas R. Uhler of Rossford.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

740 Owens Community College Students to Graduate During Spring Commencement, May 3

Posted on April 23rd, 2013

Robert W. LaClair

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Seven hundred forty candidates for graduation, including 133 from the Findlay-area Campus, will receive their degrees during the 47th annual Owens Community College Spring Commencement on Friday, May 3. The commencement will begin at 7 p.m. in the Student Health and Activities Center on the College’s Toledo-area Campus.

Robert W. LaClair, President and CEO of Fifth Third Bank (Northwestern Ohio), will serve as the keynote speaker for the College’s Spring Commencement. Owens’ commencement ceremony is free and open to the public.

In his current role at Fifth Third Bank (Northwestern Ohio), LaClair is responsible for the growth and strategic direction of the four lines of business including: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending and Investment Advisors for the affiliate.

LaClair joined Fifth Third Bank in 1999 as Vice President of Mortgage Lending. He was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2001 and was named Senior Vice President of Consumer Lending in 2002. LaClair served as Senior Vice President of Retail Banking from 2003 until being named President and CEO in April 2005.

He began his banking career at First National Bank of Toledo in 1982 and held various positions, including manager of the Consumer Credit, Bankcard and Business Development areas. He moved to Mid American National Bank in 1990 and served in several managerial positions in Consumer Lending, Mortgage Lending, Retail Banking and Health Care Finance.

LaClair attended the University of Toledo and Heidelberg College.

LaClair is a member of the Board of Directors of Fifth Third Bank (Northwestern Ohio). He also serves on the boards of ProMedica Health System, Wildwood Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital, Regional Growth Partnership, Lourdes University and the Toledo Symphony. He currently is the campaign chair for the Ohio Theatre renovation, was the 2011 capital campaign chair for the Boys and Girls Club of Toledo, the honorary chair of the Salvation Army’s 2010 and 2011 Red Kettle Campaigns and chair of the 2011 March of Dimes March for Babies. He also served as the 2011 corporate chair of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk to Cure Diabetes, the 2008 board chair and the 2007 campaign chair for United Way of Greater Toledo.

Bradley W. Higgs

Bradley W. Higgs has been selected as the Owens class representative and will address the graduates during the Spring Commencement ceremony. The Toledo resident is earning his associate’s degree in criminal justice.

Higgs grew up in Toledo and was kicked out of his house at the age of 10 along with his three younger siblings. They were homeless and made money washing cars and pumping gas. Eventually, the four children were picked up by the police and placed in foster homes.

At the age of 15, Higgs was adopted along with his 14-year-old sister by their oldest sister, who was 21 at the time. By the time he was 16, he started to get into trouble and by 19 he had been arrested and was serving time in prison.

After serving his sentence, he became reacquainted with religion and changed his life in a Volunteers of America halfway house. Soon after, he enrolled at Owens Community College.

Higgs, who holds a GED Diploma, never forgot his experience at the halfway house and went back to volunteer at Volunteers of America. Eventually, he was hired and promoted by the outreach organization. He is now the Front Desk Security Supervisor at the Chestnut Hill Apartments in Toledo.

“I want to be a light of inspiration to my children and to anyone else who had a past similar to my own. There is light at the end of the tunnel, if you just don’t give up,” Higgs said.

The 35-year-old has a 3.8 grade point average and is graduating Magna Cum Laude from Owens.

“Bradley is a fine young man who has touched me as an instructor. He is truly one of the future leaders in our profession,” said Wayne Seely, Associate Professor at Owens and retired police chief.

Higgs credits his success to the support and encouragement of the faculty at Owens, especially Seely and Angela Ondrus. The support of his family was also a critical part of his success, including his daughter, Alasha, who is also an honors student in middle school.

Higgs plans on continuing his education and transferring to a four-year college or university this fall with the goal of obtaining a bachelor’s degree in social work. Ultimately, his goal is to work with juvenile offenders.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Students to Assist Fellow College Students Through a Cap and Gown Collection Drive Program

Posted on April 22nd, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – As the Spring Semester nears an end, many students are about to reach the pinnacle of their academic careers by receiving a college diploma. However, the parties and celebrations that follow the pomp and circumstance quickly subside after a few days and in many instances the graduate’s cap and gown are placed in storage or discarded entirely. Owens Community College’s Student Government is encouraging past college and university graduates to help future graduating classes by donating their garb to those less fortunate as part of a Graduation Donation Program.

Beginning Monday, April 22, Owens’ Student Government will accept a variety of new and gently used caps and gowns. The Graduation Donation Program drive will run through May 10. Collected caps and gowns will be available for Owens graduating students to use during Spring Commencement for a $10 deposit, while supplies last, as part of the Student Government outreach program. Interested graduates can pick up their cap and gown in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center Room 165 on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township starting April 24.

“Owens Community College’s Student Government sees the cap and gown collection program as a great opportunity for college and university graduates to give back by donating their cap and gown to those less fortunate students,” said Marlissa Nordhaus, Owens Student Government Vice President. “We want to make sure that the last thing students need to worry about on their special day is having enough money for a cap and gown.”

According Nordhaus, the Owens Student Government is accepting donated caps and gowns of all colors from other colleges and universities as they do not have to be Owens’ traditional cap and gown commencement color of black.

“We intend to work with area colleges and universities and provide them with the donated caps and gowns to assist their own students,” she stated.

Owens has set up a collection points on both the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. Area residents can drop off their caps and gowns on the Toledo-area Campus at the Student Health and Activities Center Room 165. On the Findlay-area Campus, the collection point is in the College’s Student Services Center.

The College’s Student Government is comprised of individuals who serve as the student body voice on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. Balancing their time between school and work, Student Government members are constantly initiating new projects and events that cater to the interests of Owens’ student body.

For more information about the collection drive, or to donate, call (567) 661-2569 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2569.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Event Celebrates and Promotes Literacy

Posted on April 1st, 2013

FINDLAY, Ohio – Owens Community College recently celebrated and promoted the importance of literacy as hundreds of area residents engaged in a variety of free activities during the second annual Literacy Fair on the Findlay-area Campus.

Area children participated in several interactive events throughout the Literacy Fair, highlighted by creating their very own bookmarks, participating in coloring activities and attending “Read Aloud” sessions. The “Read Aloud” sessions were coordinated by Owens teacher education students in the family, communities and schools class and featured stories involving the theme Under-the-Sea Adventure.

Additionally, attendees had the chance to meet with several local community representatives and ask them questions about literacy outreach opportunities available through their organizations. A Scholastic Book Sale also took place in conjunction with the Literacy Fair. All proceeds from the book sale benefited the Hope House and Open Arms organizations.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

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Owens Announces Basic Motorcycle Safety Training Classes For Upcoming Spring, Summer and Fall Months

Posted on March 28th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Area motorcycle enthusiasts interested in enhancing their knowledge about safe driving are invited to enroll in upcoming Motorcycle Safety Training classes offered through Owens Community College Adult and Continuing Education. The classes will occur during the months April through October.

The College’s Motorcycle Safety Training is the only basic motorcycle-rider course offered in Wood County and is one of only 24 training locations in Ohio. Owens’ motorcycle safety training is a three-day course, which occurs on Thursday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays.

Motorcycle Ohio is regarded as the premier motorcycle safety and education program in the state, having enhanced the riding skills of thousands of motorcyclists since its founding in 1987. The organization has 24 training locations throughout Ohio, as well as a fleet of 450 training motorcycles, helmets and over 250 instructors. Motorcycle Ohio’s Basic Rider Course or “Riding and Street Skills” was first made available to the public in 1988, while the Experienced Rider Course was added in 1992. An Instructor Preparation Course is available for experienced motorcyclists interested in becoming a Motorcycle Ohio instructor.

The Basic Rider Course requires 16 hours of educational learning. Four hours will occur within a classroom at the College’s Center for Emergency Preparedness on the Toledo-area Campus. Classroom topics will include introduction to motorcycling, preparing to ride and street strategies. The final 12 hours will be held as part of practice riding sessions at Owens’ 250 feet by 500 feet defensive driving pad adjacent to the Fire Science and Law Enforcement Center in Perrysburg Township. The practice riding sessions will feature educational training within the areas of motorcycle familiarization, limited-space maneuvers, using the friction zone, negotiating curves, obstacles and lane changes, avoiding hazards and matching gears to speed, among other topics.

In its first six years at Owens, the basic motorcycle-rider class has trained over 2,750 individuals during the spring, summer and fall months.

The cost to participate in the class is only $50. Space is limited to 12 riders per class. For additional information, call (567) 429-3046 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3046. Individuals can register online at www.motorcycle.ohio.gov.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Maumee Valley Chefs’ Association Presents Annual Scholarship and Awards Dinner, April 14

Posted on March 21st, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Area residents are invited to enjoy a unique dining experience featuring an array of culinary dishes by some of the finest chefs and culinary students around the region as the Maumee Valley Chefs’ Association local chapter of the American Culinary Federation presents the 35th Annual Scholarship and Awards Dinner on Sunday, April 14.

The event, which begins at 5 p.m. and takes place at the Toledo Club, is being coordinated by professionals and aspiring culinary professionals, including Owens, Penta Career Center, Whitmer Career and Technology Center, and Clay High School Career Technical representatives, within the Maumee Valley Chefs’ Association. All proceeds from the event will benefit scholarships presented to students by the Maumee Valley Chefs’ Association.

The evening will commence with several hors d’oeuvres prepared by the Toledo Club and the Maumee Valley Chefs’ Association student chapter. Dinner will follow and feature one of three pre-ordered entrees for attendees. Entrée selections will include orange and chili scented breast of duck, maple glazed bacon steak and poached lobster, and fava bean puree with a winter vegetable tempura. All entrees will include a seasonal contemporary salad and an assortment of delectable desserts.

In addition, the chefs preparing the various hors d’oeuvres, entrees, salads and desserts will share insight into their masterful selections as part of a presentation during the evening event.

The Maumee Valley Chefs’ Association will also present multiple student scholarships to deserving and aspiring culinary professionals. Other honors being awarded to culinary professionals during the event include Aspiring Culinarian, Chef Professionalism, Friend of the Maumee Valley Chefs’ Association, Culinary Educator of the Year and Chef of the Year.

The Maumee Valley Chefs’ Association is comprised of chefs, cooks and aspiring culinarians from Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan who are committed to providing a variety of professional development opportunities and scholarship assistance to food service professionals and culinary students living in the region. Established in 1976 as a charter of the American Culinary Federation, the Maumee Valley Chefs’ Association is engaged in a variety of charitable causes, including food preparation projects, education, certifications and scholarships.

The ticket cost is $55 per person or $400 for a table of eight individuals. Reservations are required and must be made by April 8. For additional information, call (567) 661-7317 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7317. Individuals can make a reservation by accessing the Maumee Valley Chefs’ Association website at www.maumeevalleychefs.com.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Alumni Association Accepting Nominations for Outstanding Service Award Celebration Through March 8

Posted on February 27th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – 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 10th annual Outstanding Service Awards. The recipients will be honored as part of a community celebration on Friday, April 26.

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 Friday, March 8. 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 10th annual Outstanding Service Awards Celebration will begin at 8 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.

Since opening its doors in 1965, Owens Community College has provided higher education to more than 250,000 students. Owens’ Alumni Association is committed to the personal and professional success of alumni and students through the ongoing development of value-added initiatives.

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.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Local Schools Showcase Talents at Owens Tractor Troubleshooting Contest

Posted on February 25th, 2013

Penta Career Center students (L to R) Marshall Kohl of Perrysburg (Rossford H.S.) and Tanner Engle of Bowling Green (Bowling Green H.S.) put their knowledge of tractors to the test during the FFA District I Agricultural and Industrial Diagnostics Contest at Owens.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Seven area high schools recently put their knowledge of tractors to the test during competition in the 20th annual FFA District I Agricultural and Industrial Diagnostics Contest at Owens Community College.

Presented by the College’s Transportation Technologies, the contest involved high school teams, consisting of two students, completing various testing to determine their expertise of tractors. As part of the practical skills competition, teams were required to locate, identify and repair a malfunction on a specified tractor donated for the event.

A panel of 10 judges, comprising industry representatives and Owens Transportation Technologies faculty, graded each high school in the areas of workmanship as a team, safety practices, problem-solving techniques and identification, and repair of malfunctions to determine a district champion. Additionally, students within the College’s Transportation Technologies assisted with the competition.

“The participating high schools should be very proud of their students’ efforts as they competed at an extremely high level,” said Jim Gilmore, Owens Chair of Diesel and Welding Technologies. “This year’s competition was difficult. However, the students once again rose to the challenge and certainly showcased their knowledge and skills specific to the agricultural industry. Owens Community College is honored to collaborate with high schools throughout the region and provide a venue for such an exciting day of competition.”

The district championship went to Casey Heller of Bloomdale and Jon Shinew of Rudolph (Elmwood H.S.) accompanied by their teacher Ed Feasel.

Other students and high schools involved in the competition and their order of finish were: Hunter Haar of Elmore and Jacob Rothert of Elmore (Woodmore H.S.) accompanied by their teacher Adam Downs, Marshall Kohl of Perrysburg and Tanner Engle of Bowling Green (Penta Career Center) accompanied by their teacher Steve Schumm, Austin Arps of Wauseon and Austin Wagner of Wauseon (Wauseon H.S.) accompanied by their teacher Mick Weber, Bill Potter of Grand Rapids and Ben Thomas of Grand Rapids (Otsego H.S.) accompanied by their teacher Debbie Ayers, Pete Thieroff of Ayersville and Brian Vogel of Ayersville (Ayersville H.S.) accompanied by their teacher Don Hammersmith, and Henry Apple of Bowling Green and Thomas Foos of Bowling Green (Bowling Green H.S.) accompanied by their teacher Stephanie Conway.

Local businesses donating tractors for the competition were Streacker Tractor Sales, Crosby Equipment, Eagle Machinery Inc., Caterpillar Inc., John Deere and Owens Community College.

Owens’ Diesel Technology program offers students the opportunity to pursue either an associate degree or a certificate while preparing them for careers in operations, maintenance, service, testing, diagnosis and development of truck and heavy equipment. Students interested in a career as a professional agricultural equipment service technician can pursue an associate degree through the College’s John Deere Agricultural Technician program. Owens is one of 21 academic institutions in North America, and the only school in Ohio, to offer the John Deere Agricultural Technician program.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Students Showcase Catering Talents Through Snack-Themed Food Selections

Posted on February 21st, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Area residents recently were invited to experience an array of delectable delights ranging from handmade pretzel bites to Doritos encrusted chicken nuggets at the Owens Community College Terrace View Café as students within the Culinary Arts Program’s Catering and Banquet Operations class paid homage to some of America’s favorite snack foods in honor of National Snack Food Month.

The Catering and Banquet Operations class opened the College’s student-run Terrace View Café to the public as attendees enjoyed the opportunity to partake in handmade pretzel bites, Doritos encrusted chicken nuggets, turkey burger sliders on handmade sesame buns, puppy chow, candied pecans, made-to-order chocolate crepes, grapefruit sorbet, a Twinkies-inspired loaf and batter fried mushrooms, green beans, onions, cheddar cheese and pepper jack cheese. Owens’ restaurant is coordinated by the Food, Nutrition and Hospitality Department.

Owens students showcasing their talents were Jeremy England of Bowling Green, Jerilyn St. Clair of Swanton, Maria Lay of Toledo, Aaron Kato of Oak Harbor, Alex Smith of Wauseon, Julie Valentine of Toledo, Jordyn Rife of Toledo and Amber Simmet of Delphos. The Catering and Banquet Operations class is taught by Owens Food, Nutrition and Hospitality Assistant Professor Gretchen Fayerweather.

The Catering and Banquet Operations class is designed to provide students with experiential learning related to the planning, preparation, serving and evaluation of catered events, which meet the needs of clients and guests. Classroom instruction includes menu design and pricing, catering equipment, marketing and staffing for such catered events as themed parties, weddings, private clubs, hotels and other special meeting events. Students also explore techniques that incorporate banquet and catering operations into existing food service establishments.

Owens Culinary Arts Program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a career in the rapidly growing culinary arts industry. Both the associate’s degree and certificate prepares students for food preparation positions in restaurants, hotels, health care facilities, resorts and country clubs.

In addition to Culinary Arts, the College offers an associate’s degree in Hospitality Management. As part of the program, students are provided with the skills and educational curriculum for a successful career in the diverse areas of hospitality management. Owens’ Hospitality Management Program prepares students for management and supervisory positions in hotels, restaurants, resorts and institutions.

Owens’ Department of Food, Nutrition and Hospitality also offers a three-semester Baking and Pastry Certificate Program for those individuals interested in becoming a professional baker or pastry chef.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.
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Owens Community College Board of Trustees Named to Leadership Positions

Posted on February 6th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College has named H. Richard Rowe and Diana H. (Dee) Talmage to serve as the Chair and Vice Chair for the College’s Board of Trustees. Talmage and Rowe were elected to their positions by their fellow colleagues during the recent Owens Board of Trustees meeting and will serve one-year terms.

Rowe serves as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones Investments in Findlay. He attended Bowling Green State University and holds a Series 7 Securities License as well as a Life and Health Insurance License. The Findlay resident served on the College’s Board of Trustees from 2004-10. His professional and community involvement includes the Kiwanis Club of Findlay and the United Way of Hancock County and he served as a City Councilman for 10 years in Findlay. Rowe was reappointed to the College’s Board of Trustees in September 2011.

Initially appointed in November 2002, Talmage, a retired educator and former school board member, has held several leadership positions at the K-12 and higher education levels. Her professional and community involvement includes membership with the American Red Cross, the Flower Hospital Foundation and TARTA. An Ottawa Hills resident, Talmage received her master’s degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Toledo and a bachelor’s degree in education from The Ohio State University. Additionally, Talmage serves as a board member on the Owens Community College Foundation.

The College’s Board of Trustees is comprised of six community leaders from Lucas, Wood, Hancock and Sandusky counties who are appointed by the Governor of Ohio for six-year terms.

In addition to Rowe and Talmage, Owens Board of Trustees members include Dr. Ronald A. McMaster of Perrysburg, Edwin J. Nagle of Toledo, William E. Takacs of Toledo and Thomas R. Uhler of Rossford.
Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Free Dental Service Brightens Smiles During Nationwide Give Kids A Smile Day at Owens

Posted on February 5th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Over 110 area children recently left Owens Community College with pearly white teeth and bright smiling faces courtesy of the Dental Hygiene program as the academic institution participated in the nationwide Give Kids A Smile Day.

Owens’ Dental Hygiene program, in collaboration with the Toledo Dental Society, was among thousands of organizations that provided free dental services and educational outreach for children with limited or no access to care across the country.

“It’s a lot of fun to help children who are in need of help,” stated Owens dental hygiene student Nicole Buchanan of Genoa, who intends on pursuing a career as a dental hygienist after graduating from Owens and obtaining her bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. “Give Kids A Smile Day provides a great opportunity for Owens students like myself share what we have learned and to give back.”

Give Kids A Smile Day is a national initiative by the American Dental Association, which is 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.

“I really appreciate all the volunteers who take the time to help others on this day,” said Trisha Truman of Curtice, whose three children attended Give Kids A Smile Day. “My family has attended Give Kids A Smile Day for the past several years. We are extremely thankful to everyone who make this such a great event.”

For five-year-old Lea Wauford of Northwood, the dental experience at Owens resulted in somewhat expected and unexpected gifts.

“I lost my first tooth today,” explained an excited Wauford. “I’m going to put it under my pillow for the tooth fairy. They gave me a pink princess toothbrush. Pink is my favorite color.”

Dental services available for free throughout the event included dental education and screening, X-rays, oral prophylaxis (cleanings), limited restorations and dental sealants. In addition, Owens students from the health program provided educational presentations for parents and children. Also assisting with the event were School of Health Sciences students within the academic areas of dental assisting, massage therapy technology and medical imaging technology.

The College’s Dental Hygiene program provides more than 40 students with a fully accredited, scientifically current and competency-based curriculum annually. Students receive classroom instruction as well as hands-on experience in the Dental Hygiene Clinic, while preparing to sit for the national, state or regional exam in dental hygiene. 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.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu

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Higher Learning Commission Reaffirms Owens Community College Accreditation Through 2020

Posted on January 18th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College has received notification from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association that the academic institution’s accreditation has been reaffirmed through 2020. Owens has been accredited continuously through the Higher Learning Commission since 1976.

“I am extremely proud of our campus community for their hard work and dedication in achieving continued accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission,” said Dr. Mike Bower, President of Owens Community College. “This honor acknowledges and affirms our longstanding educational commitment to serving our students and the surrounding communities through excellence, innovation and collaboration.”

Owens Community College maintains its accreditation status through the Academic Quality Improvement Program, which infuses the principles and benefits of continuous improvement into the culture of colleges and universities by providing an alternative process through which an already-accredited institution can maintain its accreditation. An institution in the Academic Quality Improvement Program demonstrates how it meets accreditation standards and expectations through a sequence of events which align with the ongoing activities of an institution striving for continuous quality improvement to enhance student success.

During the seven-year period, Owens engaged in a variety of Academic Quality Improvement Program processes, which included Strategy Forums, Annual Updates, Systems Portfolio Appraisals and visits to review U.S. Department of Education compliance issues. Additionally, an Academic Quality Improvement Program Review Panel examines the collective history of the institution’s interaction with the Higher Learning Commission to determine whether this evidence demonstrates compliance with the Criteria for Accreditation and Core Components. The Institutional Actions Council then takes action on the Review Panel’s recommendation regarding reaffirmation and continuing Academic Quality Improvement Program participation, which is followed by validation by the Higher Learning Commission Board of Trustees.

According to Thomas Perin, Owens Associate Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation Liaison Officer, the Higher Learning Commission reviewers noted several times about how Owens Community College is a national leader in continuous quality improvement and the Academic Quality Improvement Program process.

“The campus community’s commitment, dedication, enthusiasm and innovation are the reasons that Owens Community College is able to achieve a status of excellence, not only through the reaffirmation of accreditation, but also with the Higher Learning Commission.”

Among the Academic Quality Improvement Program action projects Owens has engaged in during the last few years includes initiating a shared leadership model, student retention and assessment of student learning, among others.

The Higher Learning Commission is an independent corporation and one of two commission members of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, which was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The Higher Learning Commission accredits, and thereby grants membership in the Commission and in the North Central Association, degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region. The Higher Learning Commission is the largest of six regional accreditors covering more than 19 states and over 1,000 academic institutions.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

OwensCommunity College Closed for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, Jan. 21

Posted on January 15th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo, will be closed on Monday, Jan. 21 in honor of Dr. 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, Jan. 22.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Foundation Announces 2013-14 Scholarship Program Opportunities

Posted on January 4th, 2013

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – The Owens Community College Foundation is investing in Northwest Ohio’s educational future by making available thousands of dollars in scholarship opportunities as part of the academic institution’s 2013-14 Scholarship Program.

Through the generosity of businesses and individuals within the surrounding communities, the Owens Foundation will offer current and future students the opportunity to apply for over 60 available scholarships for the upcoming 2013-14 academic year. Scholarship applicants must complete and return the application to the Oserve Office at any one of the College’s four locations by Feb. 15. Scholarship award notification will begin in May and will continue until all awards have been made.

For scholarships based on financial need, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application for the 2013-14 academic year must be on file in the College’s Oserve Office by Feb. 28. FAFSA and Foundation Scholarship Program forms are available in the College’s Oserve Office or can be downloaded by accessing the Owens website at www.owens.edu ( http://www.owens.edu/ ).

In addition, Owens currently participates in several need-based federal and state funded grant programs, work study opportunities, and loans, which all require applicants to file a FAFSA form to determine financial need. Specific programs accessible to students include the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, the Owens Community College Grant, the Federal Direct Stafford Loan, the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan and Federal Work Study, among others.

The Owens Foundation was incorporated in April 2002 and has over $2.7 million in assets. The Foundation Board of Directors currently is comprised of 29 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.

This past academic year, Owens provided more than $96 million in grants, scholarships, loans and federal work study to support the educational needs of students. For more information on Owens Foundation scholarship opportunities, call (567) 661-7603 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7603.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Nursing Students Deliver Over 200 Toys to Area Hospital Children

Posted on December 18th, 2012

FINDLAY, Ohio – Plenty of smiles could be seen within several area hospitals recently thanks to the humanitarian efforts of Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus’ Student Nursing Association. More than 200 toys ranging from dolls and handmade wooden cars to coloring books and board games, collected as part of a community-wide drive, were given to children forced to spend the holiday season in local hospitals.

“Giving a child a toy can make a world of difference while they are staying in the hospital,” said Claire Vroman of Findlay, an Owens licensed practical nursing student and Findlay-area Campus Student Nursing Association Treasurer. “No child wants to spend the holidays in the hospital. If we can take their mind off their illness and brighten their day than we have accomplished our goal.”

Among the hospitals where Owens students and faculty personally hand-delivered the charitable gifts included Blanchard Valley Health System in Findlay, Wood County Hospital in Bowling Green, Lima Memorial Health System in Lima, Mercy Hospital of Tiffin in Tiffin, Fremont Memorial Hospital in Fremont and Fostoria Community Hospital in Fostoria. Over 815 toys have been donated to area hospital children in the last eight years.

The Owens Student Nursing Association has a rich and storied history, serving as one of the longest active student organizations at the College. In 2005, Owens expanded its student activities opportunities to include a new Findlay-area Campus chapter of the Student Nursing Association. The organization was created for Findlay-area Campus nursing and pre-nursing students with the overall mission of providing avenues for individuals to engage in community service activities, as well as to serve as a support network for nursing students.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

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Owens Community College Closed During Holiday Season

Posted on December 17th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo, will be closed Saturday through Tuesday, Dec. 22 – Jan. 1, for the holiday season. Administrative offices will open again on Wednesday, Jan. 2.

Spring Semester classes begin on Monday, Jan. 7.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Ohio Governor Reappoints Community Leader to Owens Board of Trustees Position

Posted on December 11th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Ohio Gov. John R. Kasich has reappointed Dr. Ronald A. McMaster of Perrysburg to the Owens Community College Board of Trustees. McMaster will serve a six-year term on the College’s Board of Trustees ending in 2018.

“We are honored that Dr. Ronald McMaster will continue to provide leadership to Owens Community College’s Board of Trustees,” said Dee Talmage, Chair of the Owens Community College Board of Trustees. “Ron’s unwavering commitment to higher education has had a profound impact on Owens Community College and we look forward to his continued dedication and support toward advancing the academic institution’s mission through excellence, innovation and collaboration.”

McMaster was initially appointed to the College’s Board of Trustees in March 1993. During his Board of Trustees tenure, McMaster has served as Chair from 2006-07 and Vice Chair from 2003-05. His involvement also includes serving on several Board of Trustees ad hoc and standing committees, including the Finance Committee, Trustees Collaboration Committee and for Owens Community College Presidential Searches.

Additionally, McMaster has made significant contributions to the mission of Owens Community College and the Owens Community College Foundation through fostering relationships, most notably with the Gateway to College National Network and the McMaster Foundation, in the support of students attaining, persisting and completing degrees in high school and in college.

McMaster is retired from GlassTech Inc. as Vice President of Corporate Development. He earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Ohio State University and a doctoral degree from the University of Michigan, all within the concentration of mechanical engineering.

The College’s Board of Trustees is comprised of six community leaders from Lucas, Wood, Hancock and Sandusky counties who are appointed by the Governor of Ohio.

Owens Board of Trustees members include Diana H. (Dee) Talmage of Ottawa Hills, H. Richard Rowe of Findlay, Dr. Ronald A. McMaster of Perrysburg, Edwin J. Nagle of Toledo, William E. Takacs of Toledo and Thomas R. Uhler of Rossford.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Nursing Students Deliver Toys to Area Hospital Children, Dec. 17

Posted on December 11th, 2012

FINDLAY, Ohio – The Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus Student Nursing Association is working to spread happiness and cheer throughout the surrounding communities by brightening the lives of children forced to spend the holiday season in local hospitals. Toys ranging from dolls to miniature trucks, collected within the last few weeks, will soon find their way to a smiling child’s arms as the Student Nursing Association presents the donated gifts to area hospitals on Monday, Dec. 17.

Beginning at 10 a.m., the Owens Student Nursing Association will wrap the various toys in an array of colorful paper in the Findlay-area Campus’ Nursing Lab. At 11 a.m., the members will divide up into groups and depart for six area hospitals to personally hand deliver the charitable gifts. Among the hospitals where Owens students will make visits are Blanchard Valley Health System at 11:15 a.m. (145 W. Wallace St.) in Findlay, Fostoria Community Hospital at 11:30 a.m. (501 Van Buren St.) in Fostoria, Lima Memorial Health System at 11:45 p.m. (1001 Bellefontaine Ave.) in Lima, Fremont Memorial Hospital at 12:30 a.m. (715 S. Taft Ave.) in Fremont, Mercy Hospital of Tiffin at 1:30 p.m. (485 W. Market St.) in Tiffin and Wood County Hospital at 12:45 p.m. (950 W. Wooster St.) in Bowling Green. Over 615 toys were donated to area hospital children the last seven years.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Alumni Association Appoints Board of Directors to Leadership Positions

Posted on December 11th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – The Owens Community College Alumni Association has named Matt Feasel of Perrysburg, Treasurer for Perrysburg Schools, as the new President of the Alumni Association. Feasel replaces Andrea Gurcsik of Maumee, Manager of Human Resources for First Solar, who served as Alumni Association President for the previous two years.

In addition, the Alumni Association named Walter Celley of Perrysburg,Attorney at Celley & Sanderson LLP, as Vice President; Amy Hansen of Curtice, Owner/Photographer of Imagine That Photo, as Treasurer; and Kaye Koevenig of Toledo, Owens Community College Senior Accountant as Secretary. Each officer will serve a two-year term.
Three Directors were re-elected to their positions and will serve three-year terms. Re-elected Directors include Susan Litten of Maumee, Owens Community College Adjunct Instructor of Medical Imaging Technologies; Janet M. Meacham of Rossford, Vice President Senior Merchant Account Executive for Fifth Third Processing Solutions LLC, and Christi Wagner of Deshler, Manager of Global Security for Owens Corning.
In addition, Audrey Wright of Toledo, Judicial Office Manager for Lucas County Juvenile Court, was appointed to a one-year term. She is a 2003 graduate of Owens Community College with a degree in African-American studies and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in management and organizational development from Spring Arbor University. Wright is active in serving her community as a board member and volunteer.

“Owens Community College’s Alumni Association Directors are extremely talented and dedicated individuals who are proud alumni,” said Laura Moore, Owens Director of Alumni Relations and Executive Director of the Alumni Association. “They are passionate about education and are actively engaged in supporting Owens Community College.”

The Owens Community College Alumni Association is focused on engaging alumni and students in programs, events and services that energize interest, build loyalty and strengthen support of Owens Community College.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

538 Owens Community College Students to Graduate During Fall Commencement, Dec. 14

Posted on December 3rd, 2012

Dr. Katherine Fell

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Five hundred thirty-eight candidates for graduation, including 118 from the Findlay-area Campus, will receive their degrees during the 32nd annual Owens Community College Fall Commencement on Friday, Dec. 14. The commencement will begin at 7 p.m. in the Student Health and Activities Center on the College’s Toledo-area Campus.

President of The University of Findlay Dr. Katherine Fell will serve as the keynote speaker for the College’s Fall Commencement. Owens’ commencement ceremony is free and open to the public.

Fell became the 17th President of The University of Findlay on July 1, 2010. She has led the University community through an update of the 2005-15 Strategic Plan, adding emphases on international travel and service learning as shared experiences for the University’s students and sparking a re-examination of the core curriculum.

Fell is a member of the American Association of University Women and of Handbags That Help, a women’s philanthropic organization serving Hancock County. She served as keynote speaker for the American Association of University Women’s 2011 State Conference and was recognized as one of Ohio’s Most Powerful and Influential Women during the 2011 Ohio Diversity and Leadership Conference.

She previously served as Vice President for Advancement at Centenary College, Shreveport, La., where she had been the Chief Development Officer since 2000. Fell began her tenure at Centenary in 1986 as an Associate Professor of English. During her 14 years as a Professor, she developed an interdisciplinary major in communication, which grew to become one of the college’s strongest majors, and taught a variety of English courses.

A native of Stamps, Ark., she holds a bachelor of science in education in English, with a minor in speech, from Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia, and a master of arts in English from Louisiana Technical University in Ruston, La. She completed a doctorate in English from Texas A&M University at College Station. Fell and her husband, Roger, are the parents of six children.

Chelsey McMillan

Chelsey McMillan, a registered nursing student, has been selected as the Owens class representative and will address the graduates during Fall Commencement ceremony.

The Monroe, Mich., resident began her educational journey at Owens in January 2011 after working toward a nursing degree at another college.

“Right away at Owens, I noticed a supportive environment. I felt like the faculty wanted to see you succeed,” explained the 22-year-old McMillan.

In addition to the honor of being selected to represent her class, McMillan holds a 4.0 grade-point average at Owens and enjoys running marathons in her personal time.

According to her instructors, she is a student who always goes above and beyond in her studies, has a positive attitude and is outstanding in patient care.

“If it wasn’t for Owens, I wouldn’t have the chance at becoming a registered nurse. Owens did so much more than give me a degree, they gave me a chance to do what I love,” said McMillan.

She credits her success to the support and love of her family, as well as her boyfriend, Drew, and his family. She would like to thank the nursing faculty for its support, especially Julie Lohse, who McMillan described as her constant cheerleader.

One of McMillan’s favorite quotes is “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Her speech will address the challenges she and the other graduates encountered on their own personal journeys.

After graduation, McMillan, a 2008 Jefferson High School graduate, envisions working as an Obstetrics Nurse and plans on pursuing her bachelor’s degree and eventually becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife or a Nurse Practitioner.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Diagnostic Medical Sonography Faculty and Students Deliver Winter Clothing to Those Less Fortunate, Dec. 1 and 8

Posted on November 29th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography faculty and students are reaching out those in need of coats and apparel during the winter months by distributing several hundred items ranging from coats to mittens Saturday mornings, Dec. 1 and 8.

The community outreach initiative is titled “Susie’s Coats” and named in honor of Owens Diagnostic Medical Sonograpy Chair Susan Perry of Woodville. Now in its sixth year, “Susie’s Coats” has provided over 2,200 winter clothing items to those less fortunate in the Toledo area.

According to Perry, who was once homeless as a child, the initiative began when she celebrated her 50th birthday six years ago. Her family asked what she wanted for her birthday, which is Dec. 1, and she told them that she is blessed to have everything that she could ever want or need in her life. For that reason, Perry told her family that she wanted to help others and “Susie’s Coats” became a reality.

In addition to becoming a family affair, the “Susie’s Coats” initiative has spread to the College’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program in the last few years and involves Owens faculty and students.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday (Dec. 1 and 8), Owens faculty and students will distribute winter clothing to those less fortunate at the corner of North Michigan and Adams streets in downtown Toledo from a trailer donated by Toledo Harley-Davidson in Toledo. Owens representatives will be distributing items until 11:30 a.m. both days.

For more information, or to donate, call (567) 661-7560 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7560.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Foundation Appoints Board of Directors to Leadership Positions

Posted on November 28th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – The Owens Community College Foundation has named Daniel E. Kimmet of Toledo, retired Chief Operating Officer for Dillin Corp., to serve as the new Chairman for the Owens Foundation. Kimmet replaces Thomas F. Pounds of Toledo, President and Publisher of the “Toledo Free Press”, who served as Foundation Chairman for the previous two years.

In addition, the College’s Foundation Board of Directors elected James H. Geers of Findlay, retired Vice President of Global Human Resources at Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, as Vice Chairman and Alan M. Sattler of Rossford, President of the Acute Care Division of ProMedica Flower Hospital, as Treasurer. Each officer will serve a one-year term.

Five Directors were re-elected to their positions and will serve three-year terms. Re-elected Directors include James F. Carter of Grand Rapids, Wood County Commissioner; James H. Geers of Findlay; Jeannie Hylant of Sylvania, Executive Vice President of The Hylant Group, and Matthew J. Mishler of Lambertville, Mich., National Account Manager of Buckeye TeleSystem. In addition, Andrea M. Gurcsik of Maumee, Manager of Human Resources for First Solar Inc., and Allan J. Libbe of Perrysburg, Co-Founder (retired) of Rudolph/Libbe Companies Inc., were elected for three-year terms.

“The Owens Community College Foundation Board of Directors is comprised of talented and dedicated community leaders who understand the importance of a quality college education and value the many benefits of lifelong learning,” said Ann Savage, Owens Executive Director of College Development and the Foundation. “Moreover, thanks to their professional and life experiences, each officer brings a wealth of knowledge to their position and each will play a significant role in assisting the Foundation to enhance programs and services for current and future students.”

The Owens Foundation was incorporated in April 2002 and has over $2.6 million in assets. The Foundation Board of Directors currently is comprised of 29 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.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Closed Thanksgiving Weekend

Posted on November 14th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo, will be closed Wednesday through Sunday, Nov. 21-25 for the Thanksgiving holiday. There will be no classes and the College will be closed.

Classes will resume and administrative offices will open again on Monday, Nov. 26.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Closed for Veterans Day Observance, Nov. 12

Posted on October 31st, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo, will be closed on Monday, Nov. 12 in observance of Veterans Day. There will be no classes and the College offices will be closed for business.

Classes will resume and administrative offices will open again on Tuesday, Nov. 13.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Joins State Program to Enhance First Time Community College Student Success

Posted on October 17th, 2012

Tiffany Steele and Adam Masters will serve as the new AmeriCorps College Completion Coaches at Owens.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College has been chosen along with nine other academic institutions in Ohio to help first-time community college students succeed in their academic and career aspirations as part of the new AmeriCorps College Completion Coaches Initiative.

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 Commision on Service and Volunteerism).

“In this exciting initiative, we are using the leadership skills of recent community college graduates to provide mentoring and coaching to community college students, many of whom are first-generation college students,” said Dr. Ronald Abrams, President of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges, which represents the 23 community colleges in Ohio. “These ‘coaches’ will provide their students with the support needed to create their educational completion plan, and then mentor them through challenges they may encounter as they move ahead through their plan.”

More than 20 recent community college graduates will serve as coaches at 10 Ohio community colleges. Each coach will provide assistance to a cohort of 100 students who are first-time community college students, enrolled in developmental education courses and Pell-eligible. The coaches will be responsible for helping their student cohort 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.

Serving as AmeriCorps College Completion Coaches at Owens are Adam Masters of Bowling Green and Tiffany Steele of Bowling Green. Masters recently earned his associate’s degree from Owens, while Steele obtained both her associate’s and bachelor’s degrees from Bowling Green State University. Masters is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in business management at Bowling Green and Steele is enrolled in the University of Toledo’s master’s degree program in recreational administration.

“Owens Community College is honored to be chosen to participate in the new AmeriCorps College Completion Coaches Initiative,” said Karen Shultz, Owens Manager of Testing Services, who will oversee the College’s AmeriCorps College Completion Coaches Initiative. “This program will provide additional student support service to complement advising, career services, tutoring, classroom instruction and other services on campus.”

She added, “Adam and Tiffany will be working with students individually and through workshops on both the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Learning Center at The Source, to help connect them to services on campus to enhance student success. Often new students can find it difficult to navigate different resources to be successful. The coaches will enable students to navigate for success.”

Ohio community colleges participating in the program include Owens Community College, Columbus State Community College, Cuyahoga Community College, Hocking College, Lakeland Community College, North Central State College, Northwest State Community College, Southern State Community College, Terra Community College and Zane State Community College.

The Ohio Association of Community Colleges and the Ohio College Access Network recently entered into a partnership to develop and implement the AmeriCorps College Completion initiative, combining the expertise and mutual goals of both organizations to make an impact on college success in Ohio. The collaboration received a $287,842 grant for the first year of a three-year grant cycle from ServeOhio, Ohio’s Governor-appointed Commission on Service and Volunteerism, which is focused on addressing Ohio’s critical economic challenges by administering AmeriCorps funding in target areas of education, opportunity, healthy futures, veterans, environmental stewardship and disaster services.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College and Penta Career Center Announce New Dual Enrollment Partnership

Posted on October 4th, 2012

Owens and Penta representatives pose for a photo during the Dual Enrollment announcement event. Individuals include (L to R) Penta student Zach Reecer, Owens President Dr. Mike Bower, Penta Superintendent Ronald Matter, Penta student Kayleigh Artiaga and Penta student Mike Jablonowski.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College and Penta Career Center have entered into an agreement that enables junior and senior students at Penta to earn transcripted college credit from Owens. As a result of this initiative, more than 80 percent of Penta’s programs will offer transcripted college credit opportunities through Owens. Currently 445 Penta students have submitted applications for dual enrollment with Owens.

“We are very proud to have established this agreement with Owens Community College because it provides our students with a valuable opportunity to get a head start on college while still in high school,” said Ronald Matter, Superintendent of Penta Career Center. “By offering transcripted credits through Owens, students will be meeting state approved high school and college curriculum requirements simultaneously by successfully completing their career-technical coursework at Penta.”

“Owens Community College is proud to further strengthen our longstanding partnership with Penta Career Center and announce the establishment of a new dual enrollment agreement which enhances learning opportunities for students,” said Dr. Mike Bower, President of Owens Community College. “Penta Career Center is known throughout the Northwest Ohio region for its commitment to academic excellence and Owens Community College looks forward to working with them on the new dual enrollment initiative and many future programs that can open doors to educational opportunities.”

The dual enrollment initiative between Penta and Owens is unique because it provides transcripted college credits to Penta students. This means the credits are documented on a student’s official school transcript which they can use at Owens and other colleges and universities (at the discretion of the other institutions). Transcripted credits reduce time to degree completion, and are a financial benefit for students. There are no costs for students to participate in dual enrollment.

For more information, about the dual enrollment agreement between Penta Career Center and Owens Community College, contact Susan Short, Supervisor of Curriculum, Testing and Teaching Professions at Penta Career Center at (419) 661-6496 or Joe Carone, Manager of Dual Enrollment Partnerships at Owens Community College at (567) 661-7190.

Penta Career Center serves high school students from the following school districts: Anthony Wayne, Benton-Carroll-Salem, Bowling Green, Eastwood, Elmwood, Genoa, Lake, Maumee, North Baltimore, Northwood, Otsego, Perrysburg, Rossford, Springfield, Swanton and Woodmore. Penta offers more than 30 different career-training programs that prepare students for entry-level positions in hundreds of occupational fields or for post-secondary education. Penta also serves the training needs of adults in the surrounding communities through its Adult & Continuing Education Division. For more information, visit www.pentacareercenter.org.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens to Provide Free Home Energy Efficiency Workshops Through Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Grant in October

Posted on September 28th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College has been selected by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to receive a $4,314 environmental education grant to enhance the energy efficiency of homes through free educational workshops within Northwest Ohio. The College in collaboration with United North and the East Toledo Family Center will offer four environmental sustainability workshops to area residents in October.

“Owens Community College is very appreciative to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for selecting the academic institution as a grant recipient,” said Dr. Michael Bankey, Owens Associate Vice President of Workforce and Community Services. “We look forward to partnering with United North and the East Toledo Family Center and provide educational workshops in which attendees can learn about ways to make their homes more energy efficient through environmental conscious techniques, which will result in energy-cost savings for homeowners.”

The free educational seminar, titled “Upgrading Your Home’s Energy Efficiency”, is designed to provide attendees with techniques to lower home energy costs through environmentally conscience activities. The four-hour, hands-on workshops, taught by Owens instructors, will provide insight into such topics as energy audits, prioritization of energy loses, insulation, sealing air leaks, heating and cooling systems, duct sealing, windows and lighting from an energy efficiency perspective.

Additionally, class participants will have the opportunity to participate in caulking and sealing and heat shrink window installation exercises, among many other hands-on activities. Attendees will also receive a home energy savings kit for use in their own home.

The first two workshops will take place Tuesday, Oct. 16 and Thursday, Oct. 18 at the Chester J. Zablocki Senior Center on Lagrange Street in Toledo. Both classes will occur from 5-9 p.m. Owens’ free educational seminars will also be held Tuesday, Oct. 23 and Thursday, Oct. 25 at the East Toledo Family Center on Varland Avenue in Toledo. The two workshops will take place from 5-9 p.m. Attendees must register prior to the workshops and space is limited.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Office of Environmental Education administers the Ohio Environmental Education Fund, awarding approximately $1 million in grants for projects targeting kindergarten- through college-age students, the general public and the regulated community. The office also administers the Ohio Clean Diesel School Bus Fund, the Diesel Emission Reduction Grant program, a scholarship program for university students in environmental science and engineering, and a series of recycling grants for the Division of Materials and Waste Management.

For more information, or to register for a seminar, call (567) 661-7357 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7357.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Alumni Association Golf Outing Raises Over $27,700 in Support of Scholarships

Posted on September 26th, 2012

The championship team of the four-person scramble was sponsored by Owens Athletics. Team members included (L to R) Chris Lieber, Charlie Upchurch, Josh Williams and Jon Moyer.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – One hundred sixteen area residents recently enjoyed a day of golf and entertainment in support of alumni scholarship programs as Owens Community College’s Alumni Association held its tenth annual Golf Classic. The 29-team event netted over $27,700 to benefit scholarship endeavors.

Since its inception, the Owens event has netted over $288,800 to support Owens students pursuing a college education and their career aspirations.

“Owens Community College’s Alumni Association is proud to once again host a community-wide event in which the proceeds benefit students pursuing a college education,” said Laura Moore, Owens Alumni Association Executive Director.“The Golf Classic was a huge success and would not have been possible without the overwhelming support of Northwest Ohio’s business and industry, as well as Owens alumni. Their generous contributions will go along way in ensuring our students with opportunities for lifelong learning.”

Organized by the Owens Alumni Association’s steering committee, the golf outing was held at Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg. The event featured 18-holes of golf, lunch, grazing dinner and an awards program. The Golf Classic event sponsors were Hylant Group and Hylant Administrative Services. In addition, Metzgers Printing + Mailing was the print sponsor.

The championship team of the four-person scramble was sponsored by Owens Athletics. Team members included Chris Lieber of Toledo, Charlie Upchurch of Maumee, Josh Williams of Perrysburg and Jon Moyer of Arcadia.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Employees and Students to Spend Day Giving Back to Community Groups, Sept. 14

Posted on September 13th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Over 60 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 academic institution’s “Owens Day of Caring” on Friday, Sept. 14

Beginning at 9 a.m., Owens volunteers will roll up their sleeves and participate in a variety of interactive projects at both the Family House Toledo (669 Indiana Ave.) in Toledo and Otterbein Skilled Nursing and Rehab Neighborhood (3529 Rivers Edge Dr.) in Perrysburg including painting, sorting donations, moving mulch, cleaning a storage area, holiday decorating and engaging with community members. Owens representatives will conclude their volunteer efforts around 4 p.m. that same day.

Additionally, Owens representatives will their day with area residents and engage in a variety of activities ranging from fishing to arts and crafts as part of Camp Berry’s (1176 County Rd. 40) annual Special Needs Day in Findlay. Owens volunteers will be on hand from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Owens’ community involvement in the Special Needs Day is occurring through a partnership with the United Way of Hancock County and their volunteer outreach program.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Delivers Backpacks and Supplies to Area Elementary School Children, Sept. 5-13

Posted on September 4th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – 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 five Genoa Bank branches are brightening many children’s lives through a unique community service endeavor titled “Backpack to the Future”. Five hundred twenty-five backpacks and 11,582 school supply items collected throughout the summer months are being donated to 15 area elementary schools during the month of September.

Beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 5, Owens representatives will deliver backpacks and supplies to Jacobs Primary School in Findlay (1601 Jacobs Ave.) at 10:45 a.m. and to Rossford’s Glenwood Elementary School (8950 Avenue Rd.) at 3:45 p.m. On Friday, Sept. 7, Owens will donate backpacks and school supplies to Toledo Public Schools’ Old Orchard Elementary School (2402 Cheltenham Rd.) at 10:30 a.m. The following week, Owens representatives will make backpack and school supply donations on Monday, Sept. 10, to Toledo Public Schools’ Oakdale Elementary School (1620 E. Broadway St.) at 9:15 a.m.; on Tuesday, Sept. 11, to Toledo Public Schools’ Robinson Elementary School (1075 Horace) at 9:15 a.m.; on Wednesday, Sept. 12, to Toledo Public Schools’ Leverette Elementary School (445 E. Manhattan Blvd.) at 10:15 a.m., and on Thursday, Sept. 13, to Toledo Public Schools’ Rosa Parks Elementary School (3350 Cherry St.) at 10 a.m.

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 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 $3,203 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 over 2,881 backpacks and more than 54,243 school supplies to benefit disadvantaged children throughout Northwest Ohio.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Closed for Labor Day Weekend

Posted on August 22nd, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo, will be closed Saturday through Monday, Sept. 1-3 for the Labor Day holiday. There will be no classes and the College offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and College offices will open again on Tuesday, Sept. 4.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Second Chance at Education Begins for 50 Local Residents Through New Gateway to College Program at Owens

Posted on August 21st, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Fifty local residents are taking advantage of a second chance to realize their fullest academic and career potential as Owens Community College recently welcomed its first Gateway to College student class with the start of the Fall Semester. Owens is the only academic institution in Ohio to offer the program, which serves students who have dropped out of high school or are at risk of dropping out.

For Gateway to College students Larisa Burton and Theresa Brazzel, the new educational program represents hope for a brighter future for themselves and their families.

“My goal is to be successful,” explained Burton, who resides in Toledo and has ambitions of a career in theatre. “I have had many struggles in my life. This program offers a big chance at getting both my high school diploma and a college education.”

“I really had a problem concentrating in high school,” stated Brazzel of Toledo. “I am excited that Gateway to College will provide me with the support that I need both academically and emotionally. My ultimate goal is to become a registered nurse. I know I can reach my goal.”

Owens’ first Gateway to College student class recently participated in a Gateway to College Kick-Off Ceremony at the College’s Learning Center at The Source in Toledo of which both Burton and Brazzel along with fellow Gateway to College classmates were in attendance.

In 2011, Owens was awarded a $325,000 start-up grant from Gateway to College National Network to implement Gateway to College, a nationally recognized dropout recovery program.

Up to 150 students from Toledo Public Schools will be served through the program over the next three years. Students must meet specific criteria for entrance into the program and will be dually enrolled at Toledo Public Schools and Owens Community College until they complete their high school diploma. The program is free to students and covers tuition, fees and books, as well as lunch and transportation to the College’s Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo.

Owens is one of over 30 community and technical colleges across the country currently offering the Gateway to College program.

For more information about the Gateway to College program, call (567) 661-2850 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2850, or e-mail at gateway@owens.edu.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

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49 Local Residents Begin Second Chance at Education Through New Gateway to College Program at Owens, Aug. 20

Posted on August 17th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Forty-nine local residents will have the opportunity at a second chance to realize their fullest academic and career potential as Owens Community College welcomes its first Gateway to College student class on Monday, Aug. 20. Owens is the only academic institution in Ohio to offer the program, which serves students who have dropped out of high school or are at risk of dropping out.

Owens’ first Gateway to College student class will participate in a Gateway to College Kick-Off Ceremony from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the College’s Learning Center at The Source, which is located on Monroe Street in downtown Toledo. The opening ceremony coincides with the first day of classes for the Fall Semester at Owens.

The kick-off event will begin with opening remarks, introductions and a presentation about the difference between high school and college. Attendees will also engage in a variety of hands-on activities, as well as hear from Gateway to College staff.

In 2011, Owens was awarded a $325,000 start-up grant from Gateway to College National Network to implement Gateway to College, a nationally recognized dropout recovery program.

Owens is one of over 30 community and technical colleges across the country currently offering the Gateway to College program.

For more information about the Gateway to College program, call (567) 661-2850 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2850, or e-mail at gateway@owens.edu.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Joins National Program to Train 10,000 Older Workers for New Job Opportunities

Posted on August 17th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College has been chosen along with 10 other academic institutions throughout the county to participate in a national program designed to train 10,000 baby boomers over the next three years for new jobs in healthcare, education and social service.

The program is offered by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) in cooperation with its member colleges and will ultimately comprise 100 colleges with special training programs for 50+ students. The Plus 50 Encore Completion Program is funded with a $3.2 million grant to AACC provided by Deerbrook Charitable Trust.

“Owens Community College is honored to be chosen as one of the few community colleges in the county to participate in the American Association of Community Colleges’ Plus 50 Encore Completion Program,” said Dr. Michael Bankey, Owens Associate Vice President of Workforce and Community Services. “Education opens doors to endless career possibilities. The College looks forward to working with the American Association of Community Colleges and local community organizations in developing an educational program that meets the needs of baby boomers throughout the Northwest Ohio region.”

The selected colleges are Arapahoe Community College (Littleton, Colo.), Black River Technical College (Pocahontas, Ark.), Broome Community College (Binghamton, N.Y.), John Wood Community College (Quincy, Ill.), Lansing Community College (Lansing, Mich.), Pitt Community College (Winterville, N.C.), San Jacinto Community College District (Pasadena, Texas), Southside Virginia Community College (Alberta, Va.), Waubonsee Community College (Aurora, Ill.), West Virginia University at Parkersburg (Parkersburg, W.Va.) and Owens Community College.

In addition to grant funds, the participating colleges gain access to thousands of dollars in marketing materials such as toolkits and training webinars that will make the work of reaching out to students age 50 and over easier. They’ll also benefit from the advice and support of staff at other community colleges that have successfully implemented programs for older learners and understand their unique needs.

“Baby boomers are not like traditional college students. We find that colleges need to adapt how they operate to support their job training needs and educational success,” said Mary Sue Vickers, director for the Plus 50 Initiative at AACC.

Baby boomers have increasingly turned to community colleges for help training for new careers. Since 2007, adults age 50 and over have struggled in a job market plagued by record unemployment. Many find they must re-invent their careers and update their skills if they are going to get hired. Careers in healthcare, education and social service also appeal to baby boomers who often have an interest in civic engagement.

Vickers says the program expects to add an additional 89 colleges in 2012 and early 2013 that will help it reach 10,000 baby boomer students by 2015. Grant funding applications for AACC member colleges are available now at www.aacc.nche.edu/plus50rfp.

The 100 colleges involved with the Plus 50 Encore Completion Program will build on the success of AACC’s Plus 50 Initiative. Since 2008, the initiative has focused its efforts on training programs to get unemployed older adults back on the job.

An independent evaluation of AACC’s Plus 50 Initiative found that 89 percent of students agreed that college work force training helped them acquire new job skills, and 72 percent attributed landing a job to such training.

The Plus 50 Encore Completion program supports AACC’s work to increase the number of students who finish degrees, certificates and other credentials. In April 2010, AACC committed alongside other higher education organizations, to promote the development and implementation of policies, practices and institutional cultures that will produce 50 percent more students with high quality degrees and certificates by 2020.

For more information about the Plus 50 Initiative at AACC, visit http://plus50.aacc.nche.edu ( http://plus50.aacc.nche.edu/ ).

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is a national organization representing close to 1,200 community, junior and technical colleges nationwide. Community colleges are the largest and fastest growing sector of higher education, enrolling more than 13 million credit and non-credit students annually. More information is available at http://aacc.nche.edu ( http://aacc.nche.edu/ ).

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College to Welcome Thousands of Students for Fall Semester, Aug. 20

Posted on August 10th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Opening its doors for the first day of Fall Semester classes, Owens Community College will once again welcome thousands of students to the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as to the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo.

On Monday, Aug. 20, Owens students will be locating their classrooms, purchasing books, experiencing college life and receiving helpful assistance from College officials to kick off the new fall term.

The Fall Semester will mark the first for new Owens Community College President Dr. Mike Bower. President Bower is the sixth President and Chief Executive Officer in the 47-year history of Owens.

Additionally, Owens is once again expanding educational opportunities for area residents by announcing new innovative academic curriculum and experiential learning resources. During Fall Semester 2012, the College will offer a new associate’s degree in vascular sonography and unveil new state-of-the-art occupational therapy assistant, dental assisting and math emporium laboratories, as well as a new virtual welding training system. A newly refurbished Alumni Hall featuring a comprehensive fitness center is also awaiting students pursuing careers in exercise science.

The College is also continuing to expand academic options for students with aspirations of completing a bachelor’s degree by introducing a new Honors Program partnership with Eastern Michigan University, which enables students to pursue academic success at the highest level from both institutions.

In addition to the many new transfer opportunities, Owens continues to increase its academic and support services by making available an array of higher education choices through cohort programs in select academic disciplines and eOwens distance learning, as well as at The Source, Lucas County’s One-Stop Employment Center, in downtown Toledo and at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee.

Owens, in partnership with Toledo Public Schools, will also welcome over 40 students participating in the new Gateway to College program. Gateway to College is designed for young adults ages 16 to 20 who have dropped out of high school or are significantly behind in credits and unlikely to graduate. The program enables them to complete their high school diploma requirements while simultaneously earning college credit toward an associate degree or certificate. Owens is the only academic institution in Ohio to offer the program.

Continuing to expand educational opportunities for students, Owens, in 2011, unveiled a newly expanded and renovated Owens Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. The renovated educational facility now feature two new instructional classrooms and one open computer laboratory all with state-of-the-art technology and academic resources to enhance learning through hands-on instruction and exercises. Owens also in 2011 opened the doors to a newly refurbished $1.1 million Welding Design Center, which features the latest in technological and academic resources specific to welding for several degree and certificate programs.

In 2010, Owens began the academic year by unveiling a newly renovated $2.9 million Heritage Hall building, which features the latest in academic resources. Heritage Hall (formerly known as the Penta Career Center Skill Center) serves as home to the College’s School of Business and the School of Nursing.

In addition to the completed Heritage Hall renovation project, the College unveiled a refurbished 29,045 square-foot Founders Hall at the former Penta Career Center in January 2010 as part of Owens’ ongoing campus expansion initiative. The $2.6 million Founders Hall building serves as the home to the College’s departments of English, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Communications, Humanities and Languages, as well as the Dean for the School of Arts and Sciences.

Within the past three years, Owens broadened access to higher education opportunities for police, fire and emergency services personnel, as well as the military, by opening a $3.2 million Emergency Preparedness Training and Operations Center. In 2010, Owens unveiled a new Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee to open new doors to a college education in Western Lucas County.

In the Hancock County area, Owens opened a $4.2 million Findlay-area Campus Community Education and Wellness Center in 2007 to complement the $17.7 million Findlay-area Campus, which opened in 2005.

To accommodate the needs of students, the College, within the last nine years, also opened an $11 million Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus. In 2007, Owens unveiled a $20.5 million Center for Emergency Preparedness. The Center is the only state-of-the-art facility of this magnitude within the Midwest.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Ohio Governor Appoints Community Leaders to Owens Community College Board of Trustees Positions

Posted on August 7th, 2012

Edwin J. Nagle

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Ohio Gov. John R. Kasich has appointed Edwin J. Nagle of Toledo and Thomas R. Uhler of Rossford to the Owens Community College Board of Trustees. Nagle and Uhler will serve four-year terms on the College’s Board of Trustees ending in 2016.

Both community leaders recently attended their first meeting as members of the Owens Community College Board of Trustees.

“We are proud to welcome Edwin Nagle and Thomas Uhler to Owens Community College and are very fortunate to have their dedication and leadership on our Board of Trustees,” said Dee Talmage, Chair of the Owens Community College Board of Trustees.

A graduate of the University of Toledo with a bachelors’ degree in finance, Nagle serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Nagle Companies in Walbridge. His professional and community involvement includes serving on the boards for the Mercy St. Charles Hospital Foundation, the Ohio Trucking Association and the University of Toledo Intermodal Transportation Institute.

Uhler serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of TTL Associates Inc. in Toledo. A retired U.S. Army Lt. Col., Uhler holds the position of Outreach Coordinator for Ohio Employers Support of the Guard and Reserve and is a member of the oversight committee of the Toledo Minority Business Assistance Center. He is a founding member of the Wood County Port Authority and a member of the Lucas County Improvement Corporation. Uhler earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Toledo.

Thomas R. Uhler

The College’s Board of Trustees is comprised of nine community leaders from Lucas, Wood, Hancock and Sandusky counties who are appointed by the Governor of Ohio.

In addition to Nagle and Uhler, Owens Board of Trustees members include Diana H. (Dee) Talmage of Ottawa Hills, H. Richard Rowe of Findlay, David Habegger of Oregon, Allan J. Libbe of Perrysburg, Dr. Ronald A. McMaster of Perrysburg, R J Molter of Woodville and William E. Takacs of Toledo.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Names New School of Business Dean

Posted on August 7th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College has named Ann Theis as the new Dean of the School of Business. Her responsibilities will include overseeing all academic programs, as well as various activities and instructional initiatives within the School.

In addition, her new position will entail supervising the development and implementation of new academic curricula, directing the on-going evaluation of the School’s courses and overseeing the assessment of student learning, articulation and transfer agreements, and the development of community partnerships to enhance educational opportunities and resources for current and future students.

“Owens Community College is pleased to welcome Ann Theis as the new Dean of the School of Business,” said Dr. Renay Scott, Owens Vice President and Provost. “Ann brings a visionary approach and a wealth of experience both from private business and higher education to the College. The School of Business is recognized nationally for its commitment to academic excellence. Her leadership will be invaluable in furthering the reputation of the College’s School of Business and opening new doors to higher education opportunities that benefit both our students and the region.”

Since September 1989, Theis has served as a faculty member in several different leadership positions within the Department of Business and Accountancy at Adrian College. During her tenure as a Professor, Associate Professor and Assistant Professor, she has provided oversight in the development and implementation of academic course curriculum, including business applications for computers, management principles, production/operations management, information systems and project management, and supply chain management. Theis also supervises professional student internship opportunities and serves as an academic advisor for business students.

In addition to her teaching and advising roles, Theis has provided administrative leadership and guidance as Department Chair from 1997-2000, as President of the Faculty and President of the Adrian College Association of Professors. She also twice served as Associate Trustee to the Adrian College Board of Trustees and Chaired the Academic Policy and Assessment Committee. In 1999, Theis authored the Adrian College’s Self Study for the Higher Learning Commission resulting in a 10-year accreditation renewal for the academic institution.

Prior to her positions at Adrian College, Theis served as Director of Systems for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ohio from 1981-89 where she was responsible for providing leadership in the design, development and implementation of business computer systems for the organization.

Her accomplishments include being named to the Beta Gamma Sigma National Honor Society for Business and Management and honored by the Mortar Board as an outstanding faculty member. In addition, Theis collaborated with fellow faculty members in authoring “Habits of Mind for College Students”.

The Toledo resident earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Denison University and an MBA from the University of Michigan.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College and Eastern Michigan University Announce New Honors Program Partnership

Posted on August 6th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College Honors Program students pursuing their academic studies at the highest level will now be able to continue their educational pursuits at Eastern Michigan University as the two academic institutions have finalized a seamless transition agreement between their respective Honors Programs.

“Owens Community College is proud to collaborate with Eastern Michigan University and provide our students with the unique opportunity to enhance and challenge their intellectual growth at the highest level,” said Dr. Russell Bodi, Owens Professor of English and Honors Program Director. “The new Honors Program partnership opens new doors to learning opportunities for Owens students by creating a seamless pathway of Honors Program academic courses from the associate level to the baccalaureate level.”

As part of the new educational collaboration, students must achieve and maintain a 3.5 grade point average while attending Owens, as well as complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of designated Honors Program coursework. Owens students must also complete an Eastern Michigan Honors application for acceptance into the Honors College. Students will have the opportunity to participate in all Eastern Michigan Honors activities, events and services and receive the Honors Medallion and honors designation upon graduation from the program.

The Honors Program at Owens was founded with the overall mission of providing a challenging educational opportunity, above and beyond the standard curriculum, for exceptional students who strive for academic excellence. Over 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 with 12 credits completed at Owens. A new student must have achieved a high school 3.2 grade point average or be enrolled as a post secondary enrollment option student.

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

For more information about the Owens Honors Program, call (567) 661-7524 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7524.

Eastern Michigan University is committed to providing a student-focused learning environment that enhances the lives of students and positively impacts the community. Founded in 1849, the academic institution serves 23,000 students who are pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 200 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the college’s of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Health and Human Services, Technology and its graduate school.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens and Community Partners Assist Area Children With School Supply Drive, July 17 – Aug. 17

Posted on July 12th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – 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 five 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 beginning Tuesday, July 17. Collected items will benefit low-income kindergarten-age school children throughout Northwest Ohio.

The “Backpack to the Future” School Supply Drive will occur at the Books-A-Million bookstores (2105 Levis Commons Blvd.) in The Town Center at Levis Commons in Perrysburg and (1800 Tiffin Ave.) in the Findlay Village Mall in Findlay; nine 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; two Great Lakes Credit Union branches (5823 Monroe St.) in Sylvania and (580 Craig Dr.) in Perrysburg; and five 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 and (9920 Old U.S. 20) in Rossford. 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, Owens Alumni Association Community Service Chair, the Northwest Ohio community’s initial response toward the “Backpack to the Future” Supply Drive has been very 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 stated. “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 2,356 backpacks and 42,661 school supplies to benefit disadvantaged children throughout Northwest Ohio.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Over 500 Denim Items Given New Life through Owens and Local Child’s National Collection Drive Initiative

Posted on July 3rd, 2012

Owens Environmental Club student representative Hannah Jacobs of Luckey (left) assists Amy Hansen and Erek Hansen, both Curtice residents, in sorting the donated denim materials.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College’s Environmental Club is raising environmental awareness by bringing new life to worn-out jeans, jackets and purses previously destined for overcrowded landfills. As a result of the student group’s recent collection drive efforts, over 500 denim items will soon find their way to “COTTON. FROM BLUE TO GREEN. ®” and given “new life” as part of the environmental program’s UltraTouch National Cotton Fiber Insulation.

The Environmental Club recently presented the denim materials to Eisenhower Middle School sixth grader Erek Hansen of Curtice to assist in his personal goal of collecting over 5,000 items for the “COTTON. FROM BLUE TO GREEN. ®” program. Last year, the 11-year-old collected 3,920 denim items.

“I like to keep the jeans out of the landfill,” explained Hansen. “We have become wasteful and I want to conserve our resources.”

He added, “I want thank Owens Community College for their donation. It really means a lot to me. It is neat to see that people really care about our environment and recycling.”

Owens’ recent denim collection drive initiative is part of a nationwide effort with the “®COTTON. FROM BLUE TO GREEN.” environmental program. Founded in 2006, the denim program gives “new life” to used items by converting them to UltraTouch National Cotton Fiber Insulation. The insulation is then provided to communities in need to assist with building efforts. UltraTouch is composed of 85 percent recycled cotton fibers and is an environmentally safe, non-itch insulation without carcinogenic warnings, formaldehyde or chemical irritants.

Since the start of the “®COTTON. FROM BLUE TO GREEN.” denim drive in 2006, the program has received a total of over 500,000 pieces of denim and provided enough UltraTouch National Cotton Fiber Insulation for approximately 1.5 million square feet of insulation to assist with building efforts for communities in need.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Closed for Independence Holiday, July 4

Posted on June 25th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo, will be closed on Wednesday, July 4 for the Independence Day holiday. There will be no classes and the College offices will be closed.

Administrative offices will open again and classes will resume on Thursday, July 5.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College and Connect Ohio Announce New Findlay Educational Location and Free Computer Classes in July

Posted on June 21st, 2012

FINDLAY, Ohio – Area residents interested in enhancing their knowledge and skills with computers and the Internet are invited to participate in free continuing education computer classes as Owens Community College and the non-profit Connect Ohio organization announce training opportunities during the month of July.

Additionally, Owens and Connect Ohio are expanding the free offerings by unveiling a new educational site location in Findlay. Beginning Tuesday, July 10, individuals will be able to attend free computer classes at Hancock County JOBsolutions (7746 County Road 140) in Findlay. The College and Connect Ohio also offers classes at the Owens Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo, the Owens Learning Center at Arrowhead Park in Maumee, the Owens Findlay-area Campus in Findlay and JobSolutions of Wood County in Bowling Green.

The upcoming six-hour computer classes will take place July 10 and 12 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Hancock County JOBsolutions in Findlay. Classes will also occur July 17 and 24 from 1-4 p.m. at the Owens Learning Center at The Source and July 18-19 from 1-4 p.m. at the College’s Arrowhead Park Learning Center. The final computer class session will be held at JobSolutions of Wood County in Bowling Green July 20 and 27 from 1-4 p.m.

Advance registration is required for all classes. For more information, or to register for the free classes, individuals can contact the College’s Workforce and Community Services at (567) 661-7357 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7357.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Names New Director of Learning Communities/Gateway to College

Posted on June 12th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College has named Dr. Mary Rizza as the new Director of Learning Communities/Gateway to College. Her responsibilities will include overseeing all administrative aspects related to the planning, leadership and management of the College’s learning communities and the Gateway to College initiatives at the academic institution.

In addition, her new position will entail supervising the implementation of program curriculum, serving the educational needs of non-traditional students through innovative services and the development of community partnerships to enhance educational opportunities and resources for current and future students. Rizza will also provide oversight for Gateway to College student outreach, recruitment, orientation and selection processes.

“Student recruitment and retention are pressing issues across the nation and Owens Community College is at the forefront of making a difference for students who might not otherwise see higher education as an option,” said Rizza. “I am proud to be joining such a dedicated group of professionals and look forward to working collaboratively across campus to increase opportunities for all students.”

Prior to her new position at Owens, Rizza served as a School Psychologist for Partners for Success and Innovation in Twinsburg since 2011. While with Partners for Success and Innovation, she was responsible for providing psychological services to kindergarten through 12th grade schools in the Toledo area. She also served as an Adjunct Instructor in Social and Behavioral Sciences and in Teacher Education and Human Services and has taught various academic courses in such areas as psychology and educational psychology for the past two years.

Previously, Rizza served as an Educational Consultant for Gifted Services in the Office for Exceptional Children at the Ohio Department of Education from 2008-09 where she provided educational support and guidance to organizations throughout Ohio in the areas of testing, identification and education of exceptional students. She has been living in Northwest Ohio since 2002 when she joined the faculty at Bowling Green State University as an Associate Professor and Director of Gifted Programs.

Her professional involvement includes membership with the Ohio Association for Gifted Children Board of Governors and Governing Authority President for Bridges Community Academy, as well as Editor of “The OAGC Review” and a Reviewer for “Gifted Child Quarterly”. She previously served on the Board of Directors for the Council for Exceptional Children – TAG Division and the Association for the Education of Gifted Underachieving Students.

The Bowling Green resident holds a doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Connecticut, master’s degrees in school psychology and gifted education from College of New Rochelle and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Queens College.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Names New School of Health Sciences Dean

Posted on June 12th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College has named Dr. Douglas Mead as the new Dean of the School of Health Sciences. His responsibilities will include overseeing all academic programs, as well as various activities and instructional initiatives within the School.

In addition, his new position will entail supervising the development and implementation of new academic curricula, directing the on-going evaluation of the School’s courses and overseeing the assessment of student learning, articulation and transfer agreements, and the development of community partnerships to enhance educational opportunities and resources for current and future students.

“It is an incredible honor to be selected for this position,” said Mead. “The exceptional faculty, staff and administration that make up the School of Health Sciences have truly established elite programs of study and services for the Northwest Ohio community. I look forward to continuing the tradition of academic excellence.”

Mead added, “Serving as Fine and Performing Arts Chair has been a significant highlight for me both personally and professionally. I have no doubt that the department will continue to perform at a superior level.”

Since August 2008, Mead has served as the College’s Chair of Fine and Performing Arts where he has been responsible for the overall leadership of the department and its academic programs, including the establishment of Interior Design, Music Business Technology and Commercial Photography degree programs in the last two years. Additionally, he provided oversight and guidance in the development, revision and enhancement of academic curricula, oversaw departmental advisory committees and is continuously furthering collaborative efforts with area businesses and industry for the betterment of advancing higher education opportunities for students in Department of Fine and Performing Arts. His campus involvement includes serving on the College’s AQIP Planning Council, Student Activities Quality Team, Faculty Development Committee and Student Learning Assessment Committee.

Mead also has provided leadership in coordinating the integration of Taskstream for all academic programs at the College and assisted in the planning and implementation for the U.S. Department of Labor Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training grant.

In addition to his current responsibilities as Fine and Performing Arts Chair, Mead has served as the Co-Interim Dean of the School of Health Sciences since July 2011 where he has provided administrative oversight for the School.

Prior to his positions at Owens, he was Chair of Humanities and Fine Arts at Lincoln Memorial University from 2006-08. His responsibilities included providing leadership, assessment and guidance of academic programs within the department. He also served as Assistant Professor of Music and Program Director at Lincoln Memorial from 2005-08.

He currently serves as the Northwest Region Chair for the Ohio Music Educators Association and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Toledo Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corp. His professional and community involvement includes membership with the International Double Reed Society and the College Music Society.

The Perrysburg resident earned a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Miami, a master’s degree in music from Yale University and a doctorate in music from the University of Miami.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Receives $1.2 Million Federal Upward Bound Grant to Enhance Student Success

Posted on June 12th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College has been selected among academic institutions nationwide by the U.S. Department of Education to receive a $1,250,000 Upward Bound grant through the Federal TRIO Programs to help students achieve success in their pursuit of a high school and college education.

Owens will partner with Woodward High School, Rogers High School and Toledo Preparatory Academy and provide educational outreach to 60 students as part of the five-year grant initiative, which begins in September 2012.

“Owens Community College is honored to be named the recipient of an Upward Bound grant by the U.S. Department of Education,” said Tamara Williams, Owens Associate Vice Provost of Academic Services and Retention. “Providing students with the necessary educational resources to succeed in their academic pursuits is crucial to the learning process. This grant will enable our academic institution to work with students and their parents in a variety of ways that will strengthen academic performance in high school and college.”

Once admitted to Owens’ Upward Bound Program, students will engage in a variety of activities and services during the academic year and in the summer throughout their high school and college careers. Students will participate in college visits, educational field trips and career exploration opportunities, as well as attend weekly tutoring, advising and test preparation sessions. Educational services will also include monthly workshops on financial aid, admissions and the registration process, post secondary enrollment and scholarship assistance, among other outreach opportunities. Additionally, parent workshops will be offered to help acclimate them to being a parent of a college-bound student.

During the summer and academic year, students will attend several classes including Preparing to Succeed in College, Career and Life Decisions, and College Study Skills as part of their educational experience. Coursework will feature such academic learning areas as test preparation, job shadowing and resume building, reading strategies, time management and managing academic content.

As part of the federal grant, Owens will also implement a new Upward Bound Summer Bridge Program for Upward Bound recent graduates to help them successfully transition from high school to college. Owens currently offers a Summer Bridge to Success Program to any high school graduate from public and private high schools, as well as career centers, within the College’s legal district.

The Federal TRIO Programs are federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide service 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.

The Upward Bound grant is designed to provide fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their pre-college performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. The overall goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate institutions of postsecondary education.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens and Ohio Tactical Officers Association Announce New SWAT School Training Site Partnership

Posted on June 11th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College’s Center for Emergency Preparedness has earned the distinction of being named the new statewide SWAT School for the Ohio Tactical Officers Association (OTOA).

The College will serve as the new home for basic and advanced SWAT training, sniper training and various other tactical operations involving law enforcement tactical operators, tactical teams and first responders throughout Ohio as part of the new partnership with OTOA.

“Owens Community College is proud to partner with the Ohio Tactical Officers Association and provide new innovative educational training opportunities for public safety personnel throughout Ohio,” said Michael Cornell, Owens Director of the Center for Emergency Preparedness. “We look forward to assisting the Ohio Tactical Officers Association advance their mission of providing educational resources, tactical information and tactical training to enhance overall situational awareness and preparedness.”

Beginning Monday, June 11, Owens, in collaboration with OTOA, will provide the first basic SWAT School training session to 20 students. The 40-hour training course offers insight into such areas as SWAT organization and equipment, covert movement in a chemical agent environment, and individual and team movement techniques, as well as chemical agents and less-lethal familiarization, and high risk warrant service. Owens’ course also provides hands-on learning through field training exercises. The curriculum is based on the National Standard set forth through the National Tactical Officers Association and is taught by OTOA and area SWAT instructors. The first basic SWAT School class will conclude educational training on Friday, June 15.

City and township police departments participating in the first training school are Perrysburg Township Police Department, Perrysburg City Police Department, Lake Township Police Department, Northwood Police Department, Oregon Police Department, Walbridge Police Department, Pemberville Police Department, Waterville Police Department and Owens, among several other agencies. CSX Corp. is also attending the College’s first basic SWAT School.

In addition to serving as the new SWAT School training site for OTOA, Owens’ Center for Emergency Preparedness will host the state organization’s annual training conference May 20-24, 2013. Over 900 law enforcement officers and tactical operators from across Ohio are expected to attend the five-day event.

The Ohio Tactical Officers Association is a professional non-profit police association dedicated to providing networking opportunities and communication links to law enforcement tactical operators, tactical teams and first responders in order to provide educational resources, tactical information and tactical training to enhance overall situational awareness and preparedness on all levels.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

61 High School Graduates Begin Educational Journey Through Owens’ Free Summer Bridge Program, June 11-12

Posted on June 7th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Sixty-one area high school graduates from public and private high schools, as well as career centers, within the College’s legal district will have the opportunity to experience a taste of college life for free prior to the beginning of their first Fall Semester at Owens Community College as the academic institution announces the 2012 Bridge to Success Program student class on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. The free program is designed to help first-year students successfully transition from high school to college.

Owens’ summer program begins with Bridge to Success Kick-Off Celebrations from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. June 11 and 12 on the College’s Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. The kick-off event will take place on Monday, June 11 in the Audio/Visual Classroom Center Rooms 123 and 125 on the Toledo-area Campus, while kick-off festivities will occur on Tuesday, June 12 in the Conference Center Room 111 on the Findlay-area Campus.

Both events will begin with opening remarks, introductions and a keynote address from 9-9:50 a.m. Attendees will also engage in a variety of activities, as well as hear from Owens representatives and Bridge to Success Program staff and peer advocates from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The event will conclude with a Bridge to Success Program induction ceremony at 1:30 p.m. for participating students. Forty-four students are participating in the Bridge to Success Program on the Toledo-area Campus, while 17 students are engaged in the free educational outreach initiative on the Findlay-area Campus.

This marks the first year that the program has been made available to all students within the College’s legal district, which encompasses Lucas, Wood and Hancock counties and parts of Ottawa and Sandusky counties. Previously, the program was offered to only high schools associated with the College’s Success Program initiative.

Owens’ seven-week comprehensive summer program features an array of academic initiatives, including academic preparation, exposure to campus life, mentoring, coaching and embracing the expectations of college-level studies. Additionally, Bridge to Success Program participants have the opportunity to participate in several academic workshops designed to promote enhanced learning and develop necessary study and life skills for college success. Students also learn and obtain an in-depth understanding of the language, culture and resources of Owens through participation in the College’s First Year Experience “Bootcamp” class and in mathematics, reading, writing and computer seminars and workshops.

In addition, each attendee is provided with a faculty, staff or Bridge peer mentor during the seven-week academic program and through the first year of their college experience. Students receive free academic textbooks and become part of a learning community with block scheduling for the first year of college with a focus on math and English courses.

In order to be eligible for the Bridge to Success Program, prospective students must be high school graduates within the last academic year and have passed all parts of the Ohio Graduation Test unless there was an exemption. Students do not need to be federal Pell grant funding eligible for participation in the Bridge to Success Program. Over 200 students have participated in Bridge to Success since the program was established in 2008.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Assists School ChildrenWith ‘Backpack to the Future’ Summer Supply Drive

Posted on May 24th, 2012

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – As another school year comes to an end, many students are once again placing their backpacks in storage or are discarding them entirely in anticipation of buying next fall’s latest fashion trend. Owens Community College’s Alumni Association has taken the initiative of once again organizing a gently-used backpack drive to provide new life for what many students consider their mobile lifeline to learning.

The College’s Alumni Association community service endeavor, titled “Backpack to the Future,” is currently accepting gently-used or new backpacks and new school supplies from area residents during the summer months. Items collected, as part of the “Backpack to the Future” program, will be given to low-income elementary school children throughout Northwest Ohio.

Since establishing the program in 2004, the Owens Alumni Association has given 2,356 backpacks and 42,661 school supplies to benefit disadvantaged children throughout Northwest Ohio.

For more information about the school supply drive, or to make a donation, contact the Owens Alumni Relations Office at (567) 661-7876, 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7876 or alumni@owens.edu.

Owens Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.