News Releases

International, National and Local Performers Scheduled at Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts in 2010-11

Posted on August 31st, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts will raise the curtain with an array of events scheduled throughout the 2010-11 presenting arts season. Music, dance and theatre artists from around the world, including several local, national and international standouts, will perform a variety of shows and concerts at Owens this upcoming year.

“Owens Community College is proud to once again celebrate the performing arts with an impressive array of talent ranging from music to theatre,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Director of the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “The 2010-11 season is designed to appeal to just about everyone as it offers entertainment for all ages and tastes. Owens is pleased to once again connect artists and audiences through performances that reach out to the campus and our surrounding communities.”

Internationally-recognized speaker Zohra Sarwari and her lecture presentation titled No, I Am Not a Terrorist! will serve as the kickoff event for the 2010-11 season on Monday, Sept. 13. An established author of nine books and a public speaker, Sarwari will provide attendees with an insightful talk about the stereotypes that Muslims face on daily basis.

Buffalo Rome will bring vinyl vibe of the 1970s western country rock scene to the digital age on Friday, Sept. 17 at Owens. Nationwide audiences have heralded the three-person group’s talents for blending acoustic roots with intricate harmonies to create a unique sound through the use of guitar, banjo, harmonica and mandolin.

The College presenting arts season will once again feature several family-oriented Sunday performances designed to provide fun and entertainment to individuals of all ages. National touring company The Magik Theatre will simultaneously bring rock and roll and the classic children’s book “Alice in Wonderland” to life in a high-energy song and dance performance titled “Alice and Wonderland, A Rock Opera” on Oct. 10. Following “Alice and Wonderland, A Rock Opera”, the classic tale of a young orphan girl whose dauntless spirit transforms her adoptive family will be showcased in ArtsPower National Touring Theatre’s production of “Anne of Green Gables” on March 20.

Owens will also offer community members the opportunity to witness one of William Shakespeare’s most revered comedies as the National Players, America’s longest running classical touring company, presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Oct. 15. Individuals will have the chance to experience a unique artistic performance developed by Core Ensemble that features a theatrical narrative to chamber music titled “Tres Vidas” on Oct. 28.

Additionally, “It’s A Wonderful Life: Live From WVL Radio” will take attendees to the 1940s for an authentic “live broadcast” of Frank Capra’s beloved film “It’s A Wonderful Life” as it would have been presented during the Golden Age of Radio on Dec. 10. On March 11, Celtic Blaze featuring Stephanie Cadman will bring their high energy talents to Owens for a performance that explores Canadian heritage through music and dance, with a creative contemporary edge.

The 2010-11 presenting arts season will also feature speaking engagements of two nationally prominent authors. On Jan. 25, Sister Helen Prejean, the author of the Pulitzer Prize-nominated book “Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States”, will provide a vivid account of her experiences as an activist related to the execution process in a lecture presentation titled Dead Man Walking: The Journey Continues. Insight into the PostSecret Project with author Frank Warren will follow Prejean’s performance on March 23 in the Student Health and Activities Center. Warren is the creator of the blog phenomenon titled the PostSecret Project, a collection of highly personal and artfully decorated postcards mailed anonymously from around the world, that display the soulful secrets people never voice to others.

Local community arts events will highlight the 2010-11 season as Owens collaborates with the Toledo School for the Arts to present the musicals “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Zombie Prom” Nov. 4-7, a Winter Musicfest Concert on Jan. 20 and Dance Showcase on Feb. 3. The Toledo Repertoire will also make two appearances at Owens and present the theatre staged reading “A Merry Regiment of Women” on Oct. 14 and an Edgy Rep Reading “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead” on March 5. Community performances also include the Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra presenting their annual Halloween Concert and Young Artists/Side-by-Side Spring Concert on Oct. 30 and May 7, respectively, and Pride of Toledo Chorus Sweet Adeline International presenting an array of harmonious selections as part of their Annual Performance Concert on Oct. 2.

In addition, Owens fine and performing arts students will also put their acting skills on display as part of the College’s annual student theatrical productions. John Cariani’s “Almost, Maine” will occur Nov. 18-21, while “Tartuffe” by Moliere will take place April 8-9 and 15-17. Owens students and faculty as well as community members will have the unique opportunity to write, cast, rehearse and perform seven different playwrights in a 24-hour period and present the finished theatre product to the public as part of the third annual fall “Theatre Express” production on Sept. 25.

All performing arts events will occur in Owens’ Mainstage Theatre on the Toledo-area Campus unless noted otherwise. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. For additional information about the College’s 2010-11 presenting arts season schedule, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2787 or (567) 661-2787.

One of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio, Owens Community College is a fully 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. 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 31st, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses will be closed Saturday through Monday, Sept. 4-6 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. 7.

Internationally-Recognized Tibetan Monks to Perform At Owens Findlay-area Campus, Sept. 2

Posted on August 31st, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents are invited to explore the ancient Tibetan traditions and culture as Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus’ Office of Student Activities welcomes the Tibetan Monks of the internationally-recognized Gaden Shartse Monastery on Thursday, Sept. 2.

Sponsored by the Gaden Shartse Cultural Foundation, the Tibetan Monks will provide music and a chanting presentation as part of the group’s Sacred Earth and Healing Arts of Tibet Tour from 9:30-11 a.m. in the College’s Conference Center Room 111 on the Findlay-area Campus. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay. Admission to the event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

The Sacred Earth and Healing Arts of Tibet Tour has been visiting the United States since 1989 with the overall mission of helping to spread peace, harmony, compassion and tolerance through cultural exchange, interfaith dialogue and Buddhist teachings. For more than two decades, the Southern Indian group has shared the culture of the Tibetan people through lectures, workshops and performances at various venues throughout the country, including Harvard University, The National Music Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Boston Museum of Fine Arts, among many others.

Ancient Tibetan multiphonic chanting is a rare and unique experience created by monks singing a chord containing two or three tones simultaneously. The unique sound is not only a song, but also a sacred offering. The deep, resonate, vibrant chords, representing the essence of the secret tantric teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, are known to fill the room and transform both the environment and audience attendees through the moving performance.

The presentation combines both the rich sounds of Tibetan chanting with their ancient temple instruments to create an offering of melodious sounds.

For more information about the music and chanting presentation, call (567) 429-3029 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3029.

Owens Express Women’s Soccer Club Team Opens First-Ever Season Against Lorain County CC, Sept. 1

Posted on August 30th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – The new Owens Community College women’s soccer club team will make its season and program debut as the Express hosts Lorain County Community College on Wednesday, Sept. 1. The season opener will start at 4 p.m.

All home matches are played at the College’s Soccer Field on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Admission to all home matches is free.

“This is a very exciting day for Owens Community College and collegiate women’s soccer in Northwest Ohio,” said Michael Rickard, Owens Director of Athletics. “Owens women’s soccer has received a lot of interest from students since the announcement was made to expand the College’s intercollegiate athletic programs. We have a very talented group of students comprising the new women’s soccer club team and I expect them to be very competitive during the inaugural fall season.”

First-year players to the Express women’s soccer club team are Sarah Weaver of Margaretta (Margaretta H.S.), Alexia Proch of Perrysburg (St. Ursula Academy), Marissa Szabo of Sylvania (Sylvania Southview H.S.), Erica Lankey of Toledo (Toledo Christian Schools), Amalia Diaz of Perrysburg (Perrysburg H.S.), Alyvia Lieber of Maumee (Maumee H.S.), Brittany Jarouche of Toledo (Start H.S.), Aleha Almester of Rossford (Rossford H.S.), Heather Majewski of Ida, Mich. (Ida H.S.), Jillian Whitlow of Toledo (Toledo Christian Schools), Alecia Zaper of Whitehouse (Anthony Wayne H.S.), Shara Williams of Holland (Springfield H.S.), Shelly Smith of Toledo (Start H.S.), Lauren McFellin of Holland (Springfield H.S.), Sara Ruiz of Swanton (Swanton H.S.), Amanda Roumaya of Toledo (Whitmer H.S.), Jessica Kuhn of Perrysburg (Perrysburg H.S.), Malaysia Wright of Toledo (Toledo Central Catholic H.S.) and Shelby Ramirez of Toledo (Whitmer H.S.).

Earlier this month, Owens announced the expansion of its intercollegiate athletic programs with the creation of a new women’s soccer team. The Express program will officially begin NJCAA competition during the 2011 fall season and serve as a club sport during the 2010 fall semester.

Owens new women’s soccer club team is currently under the leadership of Art Johnson, the veteran Head Coach of the intercollegiate men’s soccer team, and his Assistant Coaches Jeremiah McNutt and Keith Closson. During his tenure at Owens, Johnson-led teams have compiled a 128-100-15 overall record. Express men’s soccer finished with a 12-7-1 overall record during the 2009 fall campaign.

The Express women’s soccer program becomes the eighth intercollegiate athletic program offered at Owens. The seven other sports include men’s baseball, women’s softball, men’s golf, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s soccer and women’s volleyball.

21 Owens Students Begin Educational Journey Through National Project DEgree Student Success Program, Aug. 30

Posted on August 30th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Twenty-one Owens Community College students will begin their academic journey toward a college education, with the support of national student success program, as they have been selected to participate in the Project DEgree initiative.

Owens’ Project DEgree program begins on Monday, Aug. 30 with an orientation for the participating students in the College’s Audio/Visual Classroom Center Rooms 125-128. The orientation will begin with opening remarks and an icebreaker activity from 9-9:30 a.m. Attendees will also receive a Project DEgree program overview, as well as hear from Owens faculty and staff throughout the daylong activities. Math and reading assessment testing will take place from 9:30-10:25 a.m. and 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Teambuilding activities will commence from 10:35-11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. The orientation will conclude with a review of class schedules, a self-evaluation, the introduction of Owens staff and a campus tour from 2:10-3:30 p.m.

Earlier this year, Owens was selected by Gateway to College National Network to participate in a national pilot of Project DEgree to help students achieve success in their pursuit of a college education. Owens is receiving a $250,000 grant as part of the prestigious Project DEgree initiative. Over 100 students are expected to participate in the initial two-year pilot phase of the educational program.

Project DEgree is designed for 18-26 year olds who have earned a high school diploma or GED, but who still require further developmental education in order to be ready for college-level coursework. The program provides students with intensive individualized academic and social supports, offers an engaging project-based curriculum within a learning community, and helps students structure their lives so they can build and maintain the momentum necessary to complete their educational goals.

Once admitted to the program, Owens students become members of a learning community with 20 to 25 other Project DEgree participants. Together, they will take developmental coursework in reading and writing, a college survival and success course, and receive supplemental tutoring in math. After completing their initial courses, students will progress as a learning community. The group will participate in the next sequence of reading, writing and math classes, as well as a study skills course.

The second year of the Project DEgree initiative will see Owens students transition into college-level coursework and progress toward the certificate or degree of their choice. Students will be encouraged to take 12 credit hours of coursework each semester. Additionally, each individual will be supported by a completion advisor who works in collaboration with other advising staff, providing advising and connecting students to college resources and support services.

Gateway to College National Network is a national nonprofit organization that is tackling the dropout crisis and catalyzing change across developmental education in college. Organizational strategies include creating and replicating innovative programs, building partnerships, influencing systems, conducting research and sharing what they know, helping effect policy and regulatory changes, and providing customized consulting services. The National Network also offers training, technical assistance, and professional development opportunities to Gateway to College and Project DEgree programs across the country.

Owens Findlay-area Campus to Host Community Blood Drive, Sept. 9

Posted on August 27th, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents are encouraged to help in saving lives as the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus and the American Red Cross host a community Blood Drive on Thursday, Sept. 9.

The Blood Drive will occur from 12-5 p.m. in Conference Center Room 111 on the Findlay-area Campus. Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

Qualified donors must be at least 17 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and not have given blood within 56 days prior to their donation. In addition, individuals should feel well the day of the Blood Drive, be in general good health and have a picture ID (preferably a driver’s license). The Blood Drive is open to Owens employees and students, as well as area residents. Walk-ins are welcome.

The American Red Cross Western Lake Erie Region, which comprises Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, needs to collect approximately 85,000 pints of blood each day to serve patients in 23 area hospitals.

Donors will be provided snacks and drinks before and after their donation. For more information, call 1-800-828-1975. Interested parties are encouraged to make an appointment by registering on the website at www.redcrossblood.org and entering the sponsor code OWENSCCFINDLAY or calling the above number.

Owens Community College Express Soccer Opens Season at Delta College Invitational, Aug. 28-29

Posted on August 27th, 2010

.PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College men’s soccer will look to contend for its first-ever conference title by opening the 2010 schedule at the Delta College Invitational in University Center, Mich., Aug. 28-29. The Express will take on Delta College on Saturday (Aug. 28) and Ancilla College on Sunday (Aug. 29). The Delta College match will begin at 3 p.m., while the Ancilla College match will start at 1 p.m.

The Express will open its home season against Lorain County Community College on Wednesday, Sept. 8. The home opener will start at 4 p.m. All home matches are played at the College’s Soccer Field on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Admission to all home matches is free.

The Owens men’s soccer program is led by Head Coach Art Johnson. Johnson’s Assistant Coaches are Jeremiah McNutt and Keith Closson. The Express completed its twelfth season as an Owens athletic program in 2009. Owens finished with a 12-7-1 overall record and in second place in the final OCCAC (3-3 record) standings.

“We have an extremely talented team that is committed to working hard and getting better each and every day on the soccer field,” stated Johnson. “I am really counting on our veterans to provide strong leadership for the first-year players, which will be critical to our success. Several of the first-year players will also be expected to step in and play at a very high level. Our team certainly has the potential of competing for the program’s first conference title.”

The Express has eight players returning from last year’s team. Among the second-year players on Johnson’s squad are Michael Hamouda of Liverpool, United Kingdom (Rainhill H.S.) and Rodcliff Hall of Boston, Mass. (William Knibb Memorial H.S.). In 2009, Hamouda was named team MVP and was a NJCAA All-Region XII Second Team selection. The sophomore midfielder led the team with 13 assists and totaled six goals and 24 points. Hall is a sophomore forward and earned NJCAA All-Region XII First Team and OCCAC All-Conference First Team honors. He was the team leader with 24 goals and 52 points.

Also returning to the Express program are Cody Katschke of Martin (Genoa H.S.), Yadi Aliakbar of Perrysburg (St. Francis de Sales H.S.) and Pavle Udovicic of Belgrade, Serbia (Sportska Gimnazija Belgrade). Last year, Katschke, a sophomore defender, recorded two goals and four points. In 2009, Aliakbar earned OCCAC Academic All-Conference honors. The sophomore midfielder recorded two goals, three assists and seven points. Udovicic is a sophomore goalie and recorded 39 saves and posted six shutouts for men’s soccer during the 2009 season.

Other returning student-athletes include Dustin Lamon of Findlay (Liberty-Benton H.S.) and Mikhail Weatherly of Montego Bay, Jamaica (Cornwall College). In 2009, Lamon, a sophomore goalie, recorded 12 saves and posted three shutouts for the Express. Weatherly is a sophomore forward and totaled four goals, three assists and 11 points for Owens last season.

First-year players to the Express men’s soccer program are Sean McEneff of Baldoyle, Ireland, defender (St. Paul’s College); Kyle Whitmore of Toledo, midfielder (Start H.S.); Lamar Lemonius of Ilford, United Kingdom, defender (Barking Abby School); Travis Turner of Toledo, defender (Springfield H.S.); Matthew Spence of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., forward (Calabar H.S.); Ababacar Ndoye of Ann Arbor, Mich., midfielder (Ypsilanti H.S.); Glenroy Miller of Belleville, N.J., forward (St. James H.S.); Nikoy Wallace of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., defender (Anchovy H.S.); Sean Kaighin of Oregon, forward (Clay H.S.); Samuel Swen of Levittown, Pa., defender (Harry S. Truman H.S.); Idris Avci of Istanbul, Turkey, midfielder (Inonu Endustri Meslek Lisesi School), and Grantham Maclean of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, midfielder (Otto Du Plessis H.S.).

Owens Community College Foundation and AEP Ohio Announce New $25,000 Scholarship Program

Posted on August 26th, 2010

Owens and AEP Ohio officials pose for a photo following the announcement of the new workforce development scholarship initiative.

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College has been chosen as one of nine Ohio two-year community and technical colleges by AEP Ohio, a unit of American Electric Power, to participate in a new $225,000 workforce development scholarship initiative designed to help low income Ohioans compete for jobs in an evolving economy.

The Owens Community College Foundation has received a $25,000 scholarship grant from AEP Ohio for the new program. Other academic institutions participating in the scholarship initiative are Shawnee State University, Zane State College, Eastern Gateway Community College, Belmont Technical College, Washington State Community College, Columbus State Community College, Rio Grande Community College and Stark State College.

“In times like these, AEP Ohio along with other businesses and government must work together to help Ohio families compete for jobs,” said Joseph Hamrock, AEP Ohio President and Chief Operating Officer. “We are pleased to be able to offer these scholarships to Ohioans in need of help to upgrade their skills.”

“The Owens Community College Foundation is delighted to work with AEP Ohio in extending this new scholarship opportunity to our students,” said Ann Savage, Owens Executive Director of College Development and the Owens Foundation. “This timely scholarship program mirrors the College’s mission of serving our students and our communities, and will help students return to school to upgrade their skills, beginning in the 2010-11 academic year.”

Eligible recipients must be AEP Ohio customers at or below 200 percent of the 2009-10 Federal Poverty Guidelines. Scholarships will be awarded to individuals who are seeking to upgrade their skills, particularly in utility industry careers.

AEP Ohio’s Partnership with Ohio (PWO) Fund is a three-year $15 million shareholder-funded program that provides additional help to Ohio’s needy families. The programs are designed to include families with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, a segment of the population that often does not qualify for state and federal aid.

Since 2009, the company has provided through the PWO Fund $6.25 million to support regional food banks and United Way agencies, workforce development initiatives, direct bill payment assistance and weatherization efforts for low income customers. AEP Ohio also has used the funding to support the company’s Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program, a program designed to help low-income customers struggling to pay their electric bill. Other PWO contributions will be announced throughout the year.

The Owens Foundation was incorporated in April 2002 and has over $2.3 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.

AEP Ohio provides electricity to nearly 1.5 million customers of major AEP subsidiaries Columbus Southern Power Company and Ohio Power Company in Ohio, and Wheeling Power Company in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. AEP Ohio is based in Gahanna, Ohio, and is a unit of American Electric Power.

American Electric power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than five million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Presents Small Beauty and Potential Heartbreaker’ Exhibit, Aug. 30 – Sept. 17

Posted on August 25th, 2010

Owens' "Small Beauty and Potential Heartbreaker" exhibit will feature an array of photography by Marianna Hofer including an artistic expression titled "Birdcage".

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus opens the 2010-11 arts season with an artistic array of masterful black and white photography by Findlay resident Marianna Hofer as the Library Gallery presents “Small Beauty and Potential Heartbreaker” exhibit, Aug. 30 – Sept. 17.

In addition, the College will host a reception and gallery talk for Hofer on Thursday, Sept. 2 from 5-7 p.m. The reception, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the Findlay-area Campus Library. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens Findlay-area Library Gallery is pleased to showcase the work of such a talented artist as Marianna Hofer,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “Marianna looks at the edges of life through her photography, which certainly provides a unique perspective on things that are often overlooked in our society. Exhibit attendees will certainly enjoy the transient beauty of her artistic expressions.”

Hofer’s interest in photography dates back to her youth, however, her work as an acclaimed photographer did not begin until more recently. Her passion for artistic expression, as seen through a lens, has grown into a rather large portfolio of landscape photographs, which have been featured in juried shows throughout Northwest Ohio, including the Wassenburg Art Center in Van Wert, Art Space in Lima and the Findlay Art League in Findlay. Hofer’s photographs can also be viewed in Studio 13 in Findlay’s Jones Building and in various eateries around town.

In addition to her photography, Hofer has also led an accomplished career as a writer. She has published poems, stories, essays and reviews in many notable literary magazines, including “Barrelhouse”, “Epitome”, “Freshwater” and “Ohioana Quarterly”. In 2008, Hofer released a published book of poetry titled “A Memento Sent by the World: Poems”. She also was named the recipient of an Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist’s Grant in Poetry and held residency at the renowned Ragdale Artist Colony.

Hofer, an Associate Professor of English at the University of Findlay, holds master’s degrees from Miami University and Bowling Green State University and a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University.

Marianna Hofer's "Glass 2" is among the many works on display as part of the "Small Beauty and Potential Heartbreaker" exhibit at the Owens Findlay-area Campus.

Admission to the Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. For more information, contact the Library at (567) 429-3088 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3088.

One of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio, Owens Community College is a fully 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. 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. 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.

Northwood Woman, Findlay Man Win Tuition is Right’ Contest at Owens Community College

Posted on August 25th, 2010

Tuition Is Right Winner Kalen Marion with Pyke and Rick

Owens Toledo-area Campus "Tuition is Right" winner Kalen Marion of Northwood (center) poses with Pyke (left to right) and Rick at the event's conclusion.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Kalen Marion of Northwood and Andy Ward of Findlay each will attend Owens Community College for free in 2010-11 after winning the “Tuition is Right” free tuition contest hosted by Owens and Clear Channel Radio’s 92.5 Kiss FM, 104.7 WIOT, 101.5 The River and 103.7 CKY.

Olivia Welch of Perrysburg and Tiffany Snowden of Fostoria finished as runners-up in the contest and won a semester of free tuition each.

At the Toledo-area Campus finals, Marion, 20, won the reverse raffle from among 136 qualifiers in attendance. The 2008 Lake High School graduate plans to enroll in the physical therapist assistant program after attending Barry University in Miami, Fla., last year.

“I decided to come back home and attend Owens,” she said. “I worked at Cedar Point full time this summer to save money to go to school. I saved about $2,000 and had financial aid too. I’ve never won anything before. I’m speechless.”

Welch, 19, just completed her first year in the early childhood education program at Owens. She is a 2009 Eastwood graduate.

“I’m excited. A free semester is better than having to pay for it,” said Welch, who started her week by getting engaged.

Tuition Is Right winner Andy Ward with Johny D

Posing for a photo following the Findlay-area Campus "Tuition is Right" contest is winner Andy Ward of Findlay (right) and Johny D.

Marion and Welch were presented their checks from Pyke from 104.7 WIOT and Rick from101.5 The River.

At the Findlay-area Campus finals, Ward won the reverse raffle from 97 qualifiers in attendance. The 24-year-old previously attended Owens, but stopped attending college to take care of his grandparents after Spring Semester 2008.

“It’s a relief to win. I can go back to school again and finish my major,” said Ward, who studies networking and information systems. He works full time as a State Tested Nurse Assistant at St. Francis of Tiffin.

“I like Owens. Now I’m going to be able to go to school full time. I’m still going to work full time and I’ll finish my degree,” he said.

Snowden, 25, is a single mom who decided to enroll at Owens before winning the tuition prize. The lifelong Fostoria resident plans to major in business management.

“I was about half asleep” when her number was called, due to being up all night with her 19-month-old daughter. “My mom had to hit me and tell me I won.”

The Findlay winners received their oversized checks from emcee Johny D from 103.7 CKY.

Overall, 735 qualifiers were eligible to attend the finals. Since 2003, Owens Community College has partnered with Northwest Ohio media nine times, including eight with Clear Channel Radio, and offered a free tuition contest.

Owens Community College Express Volleyball Opens Season at Grand Rapids Invitational, Aug. 27-28

Posted on August 23rd, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – The Owens Community College women’s volleyball program will open its 2010 season with a tournament, Friday-Saturday, Aug. 27-28 at Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, Mich.

The Owens volleyball program is led by ten-year Head Coach Sonny Lewis. During his ninth season as the Head Volleyball Coach at Owens, Lewis led the Express to 32 wins. Lewis’ Assistant Coaches are Denny Caldwell and Alison Mugler.

The Express will open its home campaign by hosting the Owens Express Invitational, Friday-Sunday, Sept. 3-5. All home matches are played at the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Admission to all home matches is free.

Last season, the Express women’s volleyball program completed their season with a 32-20 overall record. Owens finished in second place in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (9-3 record). The team’s season concluded with a loss to St. Clair County Community College in the semifinals of the NJCAA Region XII Championships.

“I am really looking forward to the start of the upcoming season,” Lewis stated. “This year’s team has really worked hard and put forth the effort in the preseason. The potential is there for this group to be mentioned among the great teams in the program’s long and storied history. However, we have to get better each and every day to achieve our goals.”

The Express have six players returning from last season’s team, including OCCAC All-Conference Honorable Mention selection Shelby Schuster of Sylvania (Sylvania Southview H.S.). In 2009, the sophomore outside hitter and setter recorded 238 kills, 195 assists, 242 digs and 67 blocks for the Express. Her postseason accolades also included being named the team’s Most Improved Player and OCCAC Academic All-Conference.

Lewis’ squad also returns Jessica Knueve of Kalida (Kalida H.S.), Alyssa Wielfaert of Toledo (Start H.S.) and Amanda Schuster of Sylvania (Sylvania Southview H.S.). Knueve, a sophomore outside hitter and defensive specialist, played in 151 games and recorded 116 kills, 16 aces and 268 digs. Additionally, Knueve was named the recipient of the Coaches Award. Wielfaert is a sophomore defensive specialist and recorded 287 digs and 26 aces in 170 games last season for the Express. Schuster is a sophomore middle blocker and outside hitter. She played in 149 games and recorded 196 kills and 80 blocks. Schuster also earned OCCAC Academic All-Conference honors.

Additionally, Owens Express returners include Lauren Lind of Millbury (Lake H.S.) and Alyssa LaVoy of Pemberville (Eastwood H.S.). Lind is a sophomore outside hitter and recorded 135 kills, 44 digs and 16 blocks in 66 games last season for Owens. LaVoy, a sophomore defensive specialist, played in 21 games and recorded 19 digs. Additionally, she was an OCCAC Academic All-Conference selection.

First-year players to the women’s volleyball program are Erin Schatzle of Monroe, Mich., setter and outside hitter (Monroe H.S.); Alyssa Pelish of Toledo, defensive specialist (Toledo Central Catholic H.S.); Ellie Comes of Toledo, defensive specialist (Sylvania Southview H.S.); Ashley Horak of Bowling Green, outside hitter (Bowling Green H.S.); Julia Haupricht of Toledo, outside hitter and middle blocker (Toledo Central Catholic H.S.); Allie McAfee of Ypsilanti, Mich., middle blocker (Milan H.S.); Allison Seifker of Norwalk, outside hitter (Monroeville H.S.), and Brittany Egbert of Fostoria, middle blocker (Hopewell-Loudon H.S.).

Owens Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery Presents ‘Ohio Designer Craftsmen’ Opening Season Exhibit, Aug. 23 – Sept. 16

Posted on August 19th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will open the 2010-11 Arts Exhibition Season with an array of craft media created by established and emerging Ohio Designer Craftsmen artists as the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery presents the exhibit titled “Ohio Designer Craftsmen: Best of 2010”, Aug. 23 – Sept. 16. The Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is located in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township.

In addition to the exhibit, Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts will serve as host to a lecture by nationally-known metalsmith and Ohio Designer Craftsmen and Bowling Green State University faculty member Tom Muir on Thursday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 111.

“Owens Community College is proud to open the current exhibition season with such a unique exhibit that showcases some of the finest craft works of art in Ohio,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Coordinator of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “The ‘Ohio Designer Craftsmen: Best of 2010′ exhibit brings to life various artistic expressions ranging from ceramics to glass, which will certainly captivate attendees’ imagination. Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is honored to showcase the Ohio Designer Craftsmen artistic talents.”

Founded in 1963, Ohio Designer Craftsmen is a not-for-profit organization with over 2,100 members, which includes craft artists, educators, students and other individuals who appreciate fine art. The overall mission of the organization is to promote the fine crafts aesthetic by establishing a standard of excellence, encouraging creative growth, providing professional support to craft artists and building public awareness, appreciation and collection of fine art. Additionally, the Ohio Designer Craftsmen offers a wide range of exhibitions, publications, programs and artist services.

Exhibitions are presented at the Ohio Craft Museum, founded by Ohio Designer Craftsmen in 1993. Located in Columbus, the complex is the only museum in the Midwest exclusively devoted to exhibiting and collecting fine art. Five to six exhibitions of contemporary craft by artists from Ohio and across the United States are presented each year. Public programs include artist lectures, hands-on workshops for children and adults, and a summer craft day camp for children.

Over 60 works of art will be showcased as part of the “Ohio Designer Craftsmen: Best of 2010” exhibit at Owens, including an array of functional, sculptural or decorative and contemporary approaches in clay, fiber, wood, glass, enamel, leather, metal and jewelry. This marks the 27th year in which the Ohio Designer Craftsmen have presented their juried members’ competition.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays; from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturdays. For additional information about the exhibit, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721 or (567) 661-2721.

[nggallery id=8]

Owens Community College Students to Host Community Blood Drive, Aug. 24

Posted on August 18th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents can help in saving the lives of their neighbors as Owens Community College and the American Red Cross host a community Blood Drive on Tuesday, Aug. 24.

The Blood Drive will occur from 12-6 p.m. in the College’s Audio/Visual Classroom Center Rooms 125-128 on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. The Blood Drive will be staffed by Owens surgical technologist students.

“Owens Community College is extremely pleased to continue its involvement in such a beneficial endeavor with the American Red Cross and assist in their efforts of saving lives,” said Kris Flickinger, Owens Chair of Surgical Technologies.

Donors will be provided snacks and drinks before and after their donation. For more information, contact the College’s School of Health Sciences at (567) 661-7206 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7206. Interested parties are encouraged to make an appointment by registering on the website at www.redcrossblood.org and entering the sponsor code OWENSCCPERRYSBURG or calling the above number.

Owens Awarded $96,000 Renewable Energy Grant to Support Alternative and Renewable Energy Initiatives

Posted on August 18th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College has been selected to receive a $96,000 Renewable Energy Grant from the Ohio Department of Development for the purposes of advancing alternative and renewable energy initiatives on the Toledo-area Campus.

“Owens Community College is extremely appreciative to the Ohio Department of Development for their commitment and support to the continued development of alternative and renewable energy within the Northwest Ohio region,” said Ralph Semrock, Owens Associate Professor of Design Technologies.

The $96,000 Renewable Energy Grant will specifically be used to offset the installation costs of the College’s 120-foot EW50 wind turbine. In October 2009, Owens expanded its educational opportunities within the area of alternative and renewable energy by installing the academic institution’s second wind turbine. Located adjacent to the College’s Industrial and Engineering Technologies Building, the new EW50 wind turbine is a fully integrated, utility-connected wind generator designed specifically for large commercial businesses, farms, communities, schools, municipal facilities, electric cooperatives and remote locations.

Owens’ EW50 wind turbine is currently being used for educational training within Workforce and Community Services’ Wind Installation Program and will be incorporated into future academic curriculum programming in the School of Technology. The College also features a 33-foot Skystream 3.7 wind turbine, which is utilized for experiential learning purposes on the Toledo-area Campus.

In addition to its instructional utilization, the 50-kilowatt wind turbine generator is used to convert wind power into electricity for regular operational purposes within the Industrial and Engineering Technologies Building.

Pilot Construction Services LLC based in Kent oversaw the process of installing the wind turbine on the Toledo-area Campus.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Showcases New Renewable Energy Technology

Posted on August 17th, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents recently received a firsthand look at Owens Community College’s new renewable energy technology on the Findlay-area Campus as the academic institution officially unveiled a new solar array and wind turbine during a Community Dedication in partnership with GreaterFindlayInc.

“Owens Community College is committed to providing area residents leading-edge academic resources and programming within the growing field of alternative and renewable energy,” said Dr. Michael Bankey, Owens Vice President of Workforce and Community Services. “The new wind turbine and solar array on the Findlay-area Campus will play an important role in affording our students the chance to receive hands-on, experiential learning at the highest level. The use of renewable energy is growing nationwide as it is becoming a more viable option for commercial business and residential home consumption. Owens Community College is proud to promote the continued development of wind and solar power through community outreach advocacy and educational opportunities.”

Both the solar array and wind turbine, which are located adjacent to the Community Education and Wellness Center on the Findlay-area Campus, will be used for educational training within Workforce and Community Services’ Photovoltaic Installation Program and Wind Installation Program as well as for future academic curriculum programming in the School of Technology.

Additionally, Owens students received the unique opportunity to place themselves in the shoes of a professional photovoltaic installer as they assisted in the installation of the College’s new solar array. Sixteen students participating in the College’s Renewable Energy Program received experiential learning specific to the actual mounting and wiring of each panel to the structure’s framework.

For Owens student Doug Woolard of Toledo, the chance to make a lasting impact on the Findlay-area Campus’ future related to alternative energy was an experience of a lifetime.

“Alternative energy is the wave of the future worldwide,” he stated. “This new technology is a great addition to the Findlay-area Campus and I am honored to have assisted in the installation process.”

Owens student and Toledo resident George Cowdrey added, “I see alternative energy as an area for job growth and educational classes such as Owens’ Renewable Energy Program are preparing me for employment opportunities within the wind and solar industry.”

The 1.7-kilowat solar array features eight panels and will be used for hands-on learning as well as to convert sunlight into electricity for regular operational purposes within the Community Education and Wellness Center. Photovoltaic cells within each panel will absorb the sun’s rays and create a current of power which will be directed to an inverter. The inverter will then convert the DC voltage, produced by the panels, to AC voltage.

Owens’ new solar array on the Findlay-area Campus is different than the alternative energy technology located on the Toledo-area Campus in order to showcase different renewable energy equipment and installation techniques for students. The Findlay-area Campus solar array features a small inverter for each solar module, while the solar array design on Toledo-area Campus uses a single inverter for an entire group of solar panels.

Individuals attending Owens’ Photovoltaic Installation Program on the Findlay-area Campus will receive instruction within the areas of electricity and photovoltaic systems and theory. Course content includes system sizing and construction, codes and standards, interconnection safety, troubleshooting, and maintenance. Installation practices related to project management, adapting mechanical and electrical design, and system commissioning are also highlighted.

In addition, the hands-on course will include the design and installation of a grid-tied photovoltaic system and maintenance on the new solar array system at the College’s Findlay-area Campus. Various inverters, photovoltaic modules, batteries and data information systems will also be installed and operated as part of the class.

Students successfully completing the Photovoltaic Installation Program will qualify to test for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioner (NABCEP) PV Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge program. With additional work experience students will qualify to take the national certification test as a photovoltaic system installer.

The College’s 2.4-kilowatt wind turbine generator will be used to convert wind power into electricity for regular operational purposes within the Community Education and Wellness Center. The 33-foot Skystream 3.7 wind turbine is a fully integrated, utility-connected wind generator designed specifically for residential and small commercial businesses.

Individuals attending Owens’ Wind Installation Program will receive instruction within the areas of installation, operation and maintenance of wind turbines. Course content includes training in wind measurement, system terminology and connection to a power grid, among other areas. Installation practices related to installation safety, basics of electricity, interconnection with the utility, siting, battery metering, and load management and energy efficiency are also highlighted.

Additionally, the hands-on applications will include studying the design and installation of the College’s new 33-foot Skystream 3.7 wind turbine on the Findlay-area Campus.

Owens’ Workforce and Community Services is planning to offer its initial classes within the Photovoltaic Installation Program and the Wind Installation Program on Findlay-area Campus to area residents in the near future.

Superior Energy Solutions LLC in Ottawa oversaw the process of installing both the College’s solar array and wind turbine on the Findlay-area Campus.

[nggallery id=7]

Owens Community College Opens New $2.9 Million Renovated Heritage Hall for Fall Semester, Aug. 16

Posted on August 13th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will begin the 2010-11 academic year by unveiling a newly renovated $2.9 million Heritage Hall building featuring the latest in educational resources as the academic institution begins its Fall Semester on Monday, Aug. 16.

In addition to providing educational opportunities to thousands of students, Heritage Hall (formerly known as the Penta Career Center Skill Center) will serve as the new home to the College’s School of Business and Information Systems and the School of Nursing.

“Owens Community College’s newly refurbished Heritage Hall is a welcome addition to the Northwest Ohio region,” said Dr. Renay Scott, Interim Executive Vice President and Provost of Owens Community College. “This educational facility was designed with the goal of providing students with innovative academic resources at the highest level. Owens Community College is a leader within higher education and the opening of Heritage Hall represents this academic institution’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence.”

The College’s newly renovated 38,304 square-foot Heritage Hall building is situated at the south end of the Toledo-area Campus, which formerly served as home to the Penta Career Center. Owens’ signature red and black logo welcomes individuals upon entering the two-story educational center. Once through the north entrance to the educational building, individuals will also notice an expansive array of glass windows, which allows for a noticeable amount of sunlight into Heritage Hall, as well as a view of the College’s north campus. Located at the center of Heritage Hall near the north entrance is a commons area where students will have the opportunity to relax, study or access the Internet between classes.

In addition, Heritage Hall features six designated experiential learning classrooms for instruction and hands-on laboratory learning, all with state-of-the-art technology and academic resources to provide expanded educational choices and options that meet the current and future needs of students.

Three experiential learning classrooms will be utilized by the School of Business and Information Systems with an academic emphasis in office administration, information security and networking, among other academic areas. The office administration experiential learning classroom area is designed to simulate a modern office setting highlighted by state-of-the-art computers, adjustable keyboards, phone systems and scanners, while students within the information security and networking programs will have the opportunity to design, create and maintain a secure computer network by utilizing leading edge technology in their respective learning laboratories.

The School of Nursing will house three experiential learning classrooms all designed to simulate a hospital and/or health care setting. The registered nursing area features a centralized nurse’s station as well as rooms/wings that surround the station for instructional classroom and hands-on learning. Owens’ educational laboratory mirrors a hospital setting in that it features a 2 West, a 2 East, an ICU, a Peds/OB Unit and a Nurse’s Station. Other academic resources within the registered nursing experiential learning area include a state-of-the-art IV simulation computer program, a med room to prep medications, a classroom, two glass-enclosed skill testing rooms that simulate double occupancy rooms found in hospitals and two student/instructor conference rooms. Additionally, Owens’ School of Nursing will feature experiential learning classrooms for practical nursing and the College’s human patient simulator technology.

Experiential learning areas are also equipped with innovative multimedia capability for educational instruction highlighted by dedicated instructor stations in which Owens faculty can utilize an Extron Control Panel system. Serving as the classroom’s focal point from a technological standpoint, the Extron Control Panel system features a dedicated computer, a digital document camera, a Blu-ray DVD Player, and audio amplifier and speakers. Each academic area also houses ceiling mounted digital/analog and high definition capable projectors and screens for instructional purposes and features the latest in computing resources, including an array of software applications and programming languages as well as network and high-speed Internet access.

The educational center also features 65 offices, one conference room, an employee lounge, and men’s and women’s restroom facilities. In addition, Heritage Hall includes an expansive student lounge where individuals can meet one-on-one or in a small group setting with their fellow peers, tutors and/or instructors in a comfortable environment designed to enhance academic learning and success.

Designed with energy efficiency and conservation in mind, each room’s bank of lights automatically power down after a period of time without detected movement. Glass windows are abundant within the main atrium entrance to reduce the necessity for some electric lighting and to allow more natural light into the complex. The entire facility includes building automation heating and air conditioning as well as wireless Internet access. Infrastructure was also added to the existing building for future looping and sharing of district heating.

Designed by the firms The Collaborative Inc. of Toledo and MDA Engineering Inc. in Maumee, the exterior of the building features tan brick faÁade, while the color red is present at the building’s north entrance. Comte Construction Co. of Toledo served as the general contractor, while Warner Mechanical Corp. of Fremont, VM Systems Inc. of Toledo and Lake Erie Electric of Toledo oversaw the plumbing and fire protection, mechanical and electrical contracts, respectively.

In 2008, Owens marked a milestone in the academic institution’s history by purchasing the former Penta Career Center, which was adjacent to the College’s Toledo-area Campus, for $6 million. The purchase included 56.38 acres of land, as well as approximately 325,530 square feet of classrooms, offices, educational laboratories and parking lots.

In addition to the recently 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 new 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.

In September 1965, Owens opened its doors as Penta County Technical Institute, the first technical institute in Ohio, with over 200 students enrolled. Seven years later, the College officially adopted the name of The Michael J. Owens Technical College (now Owens Community College).

Owens Community College Welcomes Back Thousands of Students for Fall Semester, Aug. 16

Posted on August 13th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – 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 in the coming weeks.

On Monday, Aug. 16, Owens students will be locating their classrooms, talking with academic advisors, purchasing books and registering for classes on the College’s Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses to kick off the new fall term. The first day of classes for the Arrowhead Park Learning Center and the Learning Center at The Source is on Tuesday, Aug. 31.

Owens is once again expanding educational opportunities for area residents by announcing the creation of enhanced curriculum for the new academic year. For Fall Semester 2010, the College will offer a new associate’s degree within the area of systems security and information assurance through the School of Business and Information Systems, as well as an associate’s degree in commercial photography technology through the School of Arts and Sciences.

The College is also continuing to expand its extremely popular eOwens distance learning education by introducing additional academic courses online. To date, Owens offers more than 200 e-Learning courses in such academic areas as accounting, art, business, English, psychology and speech, among other course selections.

In addition to the many e-Learning opportunities, Owens continues to increase its academic and support services by making available an array of higher education choices through the Weekend College, 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 will also welcome hundreds of students participating in the College Foundation’s expanded Success Program, which now includes Lake High School and all graduating high school students from public schools in Hancock County, to the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses for Fall Semester classes. Other Success Program partnering high schools include Whitmer High School and all high schools within the Toledo Public Schools district. The Success Program is designed to assist students, who receive only partial state and federal financial aid, attend college and bridges the gap between the grant aid a student receives and the cost of an Owens education.

Additionally, area graduating high school students achieving academic excellence at the highest level now have the opportunity to pursue a free college education at Owens as the academic institution in March announced the establishment of a new Academic Achievement Scholarship Program. The new scholarship initiative is offered to qualifying students graduating from public and private high schools as well as career centers within the College’s legal district, which encompasses Lucas, Wood and Hancock counties and parts of Ottawa and Sandusky counties.

The College is also enhancing its student services and resources by unveiling a new Oserve location. Students will now have the opportunity to ask questions and receive information specific to records, registration and financial aid all within a designated area on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Learning Center at The Source and at the Arrowhead Park Learning Center. Previously, such services were handled by three separate offices which included the offices of Student Accounts, Registrar and Financial Aid.

Continuing to expand educational opportunities for students, Owens will begin the 2010-11 academic year by unveiling a newly renovated $2.9 million Heritage Hall building featuring the latest in academic resources. Heritage Hall (formerly known as the Penta Career Center Skill Center) will serve as the new home to the College’s School of Business and Information Systems and the School of Nursing. The College’s newly renovated 38,304 square-foot Heritage Hall building is situated at the south end of the Toledo-area Campus, which formerly served as home to the Penta Career Center.

In addition to the recently 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 new 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.

Also in the past 11 months, Owens broadened access to higher education opportunities for police, fire and emergency services personnel, as well as the military, by opening a new $3.2 million Emergency Preparedness Training and Operations Center. In January 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 new $4.2 million Findlay-area Campus Community Education and Wellness Center in 2007 to complement the new $17.7 million Findlay-area Campus, which opened in 2005.

To accommodate the needs of students, the College, within the last seven years, also opened an $11 million Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus. In 2007, Owens unveiled a new $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 Provides Lake High School Students Access to Higher Education Through New Success Program Partnership

Posted on August 12th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College and Lake Local Schools continue to expand their partnership to enhance student success as the two educational neighbors announce a new collaboration that will give all graduating Lake High School students in financial need the opportunity to pursue a free college education through the College’s Success Program initiative.

The 2010 Lake High School graduating class will serve as the initial recipients of the educational program, which is designed to assist students, who receive only partial federal financial aid in the form of a Pell Grant, attend college. The Success Program will bridge the gap between the federal grant aid a student receives and the cost of an Owens education.

“Owens Community College is proud to once again collaborate with Lake Local Schools and help their students realize their goals of a college education,” said Ann Savage, Owens Executive Director of College Development and the Owens Foundation. “The goal of the Success Program is to ensure that a college education is a viable and realistic option for all students throughout the region. Financial barriers should not be the reason that a student cannot attend college and Owens Community College is committed to providing such access to a higher education.”

Savage added, “Tornados may have destroyed the Lake High School, but it did not destroy the will and determination of its staff and students. Lake Local Schools is committed to a tradition of academic excellence that prepares, motivates and challenges all students to achieve their fullest potential and contribute to a diverse global society. Owens Community College is dedicated to helping Lake Local Schools achieve their educational mission.”

“The Lake Local School District is appreciative of yet another gesture of neighborly support from the Owens Community College family,” said Jim Witt, Superintendent of Lake Local Schools.

Last week, Owens, in partnership with the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, announced the expansion of the academic institution’s Success Program initiative to include all graduating high school students from public schools in Hancock County in financial need. Among the schools benefiting from the expanded Success Program in Hancock County are Arcadia High School, Arlington High School, Cory-Rawson High School, Liberty Benton High School, McComb High School, Van Buren High School and Vanlue High School. Findlay City Schools is already a partner in the Success Program initiative.

Twenty-three high schools are now involved in the Owens Success Program. In May 2009, the College expanded the Success Program to include the Washington Local School District. Prior to the May announcement, the Success Program was extended to all high schools within the Toledo Public Schools district in October 2008. Both Toledo Public Schools’ Woodward High School and Findlay City Schools became the first and second educational institutions in 2008 to partner with the College’s Foundation and extend this opportunity to its students.

Two hundred forty-seven graduates in 2009 from Whitmer High School, Findlay High School and all high schools within the Toledo Public Schools district in financial need are receiving a free college education to Owens as part of the College Foundation’s expanded Success Program on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. During the previous academic year, 87 Woodward and Findlay high school students chose to continue their education at Owens through the Success Program.

In the first year of the Success Program, fall enrollment from the College’s two pilot schools grew substantially as recent Woodward High School graduates increased 92 percent from the previous five-year average, and enrollment for recent Findlay High School graduates increased 43 percent.

The following year, the Success Program was expanded to include Findlay High School, Whitmer High School and all high schools within the Toledo Public Schools district. Average fall enrollment for recent graduates from these schools increased 30 percent over a five-year historical average.

In order to be eligible, students must graduate from high school, be enrolled in 12 or more credit hours each semester at Owens and complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid and receive some federal Pell grant funding. Recipients must enroll at Owens during the first Fall Semester or Spring Semester following graduation and will have three years to complete their associate’s degree through the Success Program initiative.

In June, Owens and Lake Local Schools entered into a new partnership that provides the school district with a temporary home for Lake High School staff and students as a result of their educational facilities being damaged or destroyed by tornados that devastated the Northwest Ohio region. Beginning in August, over 430 Lake High School students in grades 9-12 will receive their classroom instruction at the College’s Center for Development and Training building, which is located on Tracy Road in Northwood.

Lake High School students will receive their regular comprehensive academic curriculum at the College’s Center for Development and Training building to include such course offering as art, business, computer technology, family and consumer science, music, physical education and health, and science, among other opportunities.

Owens’ 53,500 square-foot Center for Development and Training building, which housed some Workforce and Community Services and Skilled Trades Technologies educational courses, among other areas, features 10 classrooms, three computer laboratories, 34 offices, two reception areas and 12 experiential learning laboratories, all with state-of-the-art technology and academic resources to meet the needs of the Lake High School’s staff and students. In an effort to accommodate Lake High School’s educational needs, Owens relocated academic courses housed within the Center for Development and Training building to other campus locations.

In addition to the temporary high school building location, Owens’ Student Health and Activities Center will serve as home court to the Lake Flyers boys and girls basketball teams.

Located in northern Wood County, Lake Local Schools encompasses the villages of Walbridge, Millbury and Lake Township. The main campus, which houses grades 2-12, is located near the middle of the district and easily accessible from all communities, while grades K-1 are located in nearby Walbridge. The school district enrolls approximately 1,700 students.

For more information about the Success Program, call (567) 661- 3515 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3515.

Owens and Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation Announce New Hancock County Success Program Expansion

Posted on August 6th, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – All graduating high school students from public schools in Hancock County in financial need, starting with the 2010 graduating classes, will now have the opportunity to pursue a free college education as Owens Community College and the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation announce the expansion of the academic institution’s Success Program initiative.

The expansion of the Success Program to all Hancock County students is being made possible as a result of a generous $15,000 challenge grant by the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation to establish a new Success Program Fund in February. The Owens Community College Foundation has since raised $15,000 to match the grant from the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, enabling the two organizations to make available the Success Program to all Hancock County students.

“Owens Community College and the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation are dedicated to eliminating financial barriers for students to pursue their educational and career goals,” said Ann Savage, Owens Executive Director of College Development and Owens Foundation President. “We deeply appreciate the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation’s commitment to higher education. This partnership not only strengthens the existing Success Program we have established with Findlay City Schools, but also allows Owens to expand the program to all residents throughout Hancock County.”

Savage added, “Students within the graduating class of 2010 are eligible for the Success Program and I encourage them to contact Owens Community College if there is an interest in pursuing a college education for the upcoming Fall Semester as classes begin on August 16.”

“Supporting access to post high school training and education opportunities is one of the Community Foundation’s focus areas. Statistics show that the better educated a community is, the more prosperous it becomes,” said Katherine Kreuchauf, President of the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation. “People who continue their education beyond high school have a better chance of getting and holding on to jobs during economic down turns. Not only are we helping the individual students, we are helping the entire community become more successful.”

Among the schools benefiting from the expanded Success Program in Hancock County are Arcadia High School, Arlington High School, Cory-Rawson High School, Liberty Benton High School, McComb High School, Van Buren High School and Vanlue High School. The 2010 graduating classes from the seven schools will serve as the initial recipients of this unique program, which is designed to assist students, who receive only partial federal financial aid in the form of a Pell Grant, attend college. The Success Program will bridge the gap between the federal grant aid a student receives and the cost of an Owens education. Findlay City Schools is already a partner in the Success Program initiative.

Twenty-two high schools are currently involved in the Owens Success Program. Most recently in May 2009, the College expanded the Success Program to include the Washington Local School District. Prior to the May announcement, the Success Program was extended to all high schools within the Toledo Public Schools district in October 2008. Both Toledo Public Schools’ Woodward High School and Findlay City Schools became the first and second educational institutions in 2008 to partner with the College’s Foundation and extend this opportunity to its students.

In order to be eligible, students must graduate from high school, be enrolled in 12 or more credit hours each semester at Owens and complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid and receive some federal grant funding. Recipients must enroll at Owens during the first Fall Semester or Spring Semester following graduation and will have three years to complete their associate’s degree through the Success Program initiative.

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Hancock County area through collaborative leadership, responsible grantmaking, and the development of philanthropic giving. Established in 1992 as an outgrowth of a one-time gift from L. Dale Dorney, the Community Foundation has granted more than $20 million to fund projects that support our community. Visit www.community-foundation.com or call 419-425-1100 to learn more about how the Community Foundation is helping our community.

For more information about the Success Program, call (567) 429-3141 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3141.

Owens Community College Introduces Northwest Ohio’s First Systems Security and Information Assurance Degree Program

Posted on August 6th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents interested in an information security career will now have the opportunity to pursue their higher educational degree at Owens Community College as the academic institution’s School of Business and Information Systems unveils a new systems security and information assurance associate degree program. Beginning Fall Semester 2010, the new academic program will be offered on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses.

The two-year associate degree program recently received formal approval by the Ohio Board of Regents and is the only systems security and information assurance academic program in Northwest Ohio.

“The need for highly skilled information security specialists is greater than ever before as more and more businesses are relying on information technology. Maintaining and securing these systems is vital to an organization to ensure that security threats ranging from damaging computer viruses to online credit card fraud and identity theft do not occur,” said Mazhar Anik, Owens Chair of Information Systems. “Owens Community College’s Department of Information Systems is proud to offer the region’s first systems security and information assurance degree program and help in preparing area residents for careers of today and tomorrow in the ever-changing global economy.”

Endorsed by the International Cyber Security in Education Coalition (IC-SEC) and the Center for System Security and Information Assurance (CSSIA), Owens’ associate degree in systems security and information assurance will require approximately 65 credit hours of coursework, which includes computer concepts and applications, networking technologies, cyber crime and information security, introduction to network security, internet security administration and introduction to criminal justice, among other academic curriculum.

The new program is designed to prepare students for various employment opportunities within the information security industry. Students will develop strong knowledge in securing and maintaining computer networks, as well as identifying and responding to various security threats and vulnerabilities. Upon program completion, individuals will be able to apply their knowledge and skills to work in entry-level or higher employment positions as network support analysts, entry or junior security analysts, network specialists, system security specialists and information security specialists, among other opportunities.

Owens’ new program has met the National Training Standard for Information Systems Security Professionals as set forth by the Committee on National Security Systems and The National Security Agency. In addition to the new systems security and information assurance associate degree, the Department of Information Systems offers a certificate in network and systems security.

For additional information about Owens’ systems security and information assurance program, call (567) 661-7280 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7280.

41 Students to Graduate From Owens Basic Peace Officer Training Academies, Aug. 9

Posted on August 4th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Forty-one students from the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses will be recognized as Ohio Basic Peace Officer Training Academy graduates at Owens Community College on Monday, Aug. 9.

The special ceremonies will occur at 7 p.m. in the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. The College’s Basic Peace Officer Training Academy graduation is open to the public.

“Owens Community College is proud to continue its collaboration with the Ohio Peace Officers Training Commission and provide an education for thousands of area residents pursuing a career in law enforcement,” said Robert Albright, Owens Coordinator of Public Service Training Program. “These graduates are outstanding young men and women and it is an honor to recognize them for their dedication and commitment to public service.”

Founded in 1970, the Basic Peace Officer Training Academy is offered on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses in cooperation with the Ohio Peace Officers Training Commission. As part of the seven-month program, Owens police academy students take courses in patrol operations, firearms, defensive tactics and criminal investigation using modern, high-tech police equipment. Participants receive expert instruction from local police officers, sheriff’s deputies and corrections officers, as well as state and federal agents.

Following successful completion of the College’s Basic Peace Officer Training Academy, Owens graduates become eligible for certification as an Ohio peace officer. In addition, coursework earned by police academy graduates will apply toward an associate degree at Owens in law enforcement.

Local law enforcement agencies where Owens graduates have been employed include the Findlay Police Department, Fostoria Police Department, Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, Henry County Sheriff’s Department, Lucas County Sheriff’s Department, Maumee Police Department, Northwood Police Department, Perrysburg City Police Department, Perrysburg Township Police Department, Sylvania City Police Department, Sylvania Township Police Department, Toledo Police Department and the Wood County Sheriff’s Department.

The following students have completed the required number of law enforcement contact hours set forth by the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Peace Officers Training Commission.

Toledo-area Campus Basic Peace Officer Day Academy:

Tyler J. Corbitt of Ottawa

Jacob A. Diebert of Perrysburg

Adam S. Eilerts of Toledo

Brandon A. Gardull of Oregon (sponsored by Lucas County Sheriff’s Office)

Travis P. Grime of Maumee

Dale R. Hardin-Wallace of Maumee

Mitchell A. Huner of Wauseon (sponsored by Wauseon Police Department)

Robert R. Kott of Holland

Douglas J. Krouse of Toledo

Kevin P. Osborne of Fostoria

Shane T. Parton of Monclova

Jason R. Rice of Rockwood, Mich.

David A. Sims of Millbury

Danielle L. Smigelski of Maumee

Daniel M. Stuber of Monclova

Jason P. Tate of Toledo

Bradley R. Tristan of Walbridge

Steve L. Wilhelm of Custar (sponsored by Wood County Sheriff’s Office)

Katrina S. Wilson of Toledo

Toledo-area Campus Basic Peace Officer Night Academy:

Shane R. Baumgartner of Northwood

Jonathan D. Bryant of Bowling Green

Peter J. D’Amore of Toledo

Charles E. Kessinger Jr. of Toledo

Kyle S. McClanahan of Waterville (sponsored by Wayne Police Department)

Nicholas O. Migliori of Woodville

Matthew D. Moreland of Toledo

Admir Muminovic of Oregon

Thomas R. Pitzen of Toledo

Jeremy E. Sheeks of Bowling Green (sponsored by Wood County Sheriff’s Office)

Findlay-area Campus Basic Peace Officer Academy:

Nicolas M. Barth of Upper Sandusky

Penny L. Colburn of Findlay

Brooks R. Deidrick of Findlay

Brandon A. Fant of Fostoria

Trey E. Farabee of Wayne

Justin S. Kottenbrock of Ottawa

Jared A. Lucas of Upper Sandusky

David C. Schultz of Findlay

Benjamin J. Stoner of Findlay

William L. Squire Jr. of Fostoria

Kimberly C. Torman of Cloverdale

Drew M. Zink of Upper Sandusky

Owens Community College Faculty Member Receives Distinguished Teaching Excellence Award

Posted on August 4th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College Professor of Information Systems Denise Pheils of Perrysburg has been chosen by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Region 4 to receive the distinguished Teaching Excellence Award for exemplary contributions and dedication to the teaching profession.

The ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award honors business faculty in higher education who are outstanding teachers as recognized by students, peers, administrators, alumni and business representatives. Pheils, honored as the Great Lakes Region recipient, was one of only nine individuals to receive the award. States within the Great Lakes Region include Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and the Canadian Province of Ontario.

“Denise is an exceptional teacher, both inside and outside the classroom,” said Mazhar Anik, Owens Chair of Information Systems. “She is committed to her students and certainly goes the extra mile to help them through such outreach efforts as advising and remediation, as well as by identifying ways to improve the curriculum and enhance the college experience for her students. Denise is very deserving of this recognition and honor.”

Selection criteria for the ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award is based upon an instructor’s teaching and learning methods within the classroom, curriculum development, professional development, institutional versatility and commitment to the community.

Founded in 1988, ACBSP is the premier accreditation association of business programs at the associate degree through graduate levels. Consisting of 729 membership academic institutions worldwide, ACBSP is the leading specialized accreditation association for business education, which supports, celebrates and rewards teaching excellence. ACBSP encourages faculty involvement within the contemporary business world to enhance the quality of classroom instruction and to contribute to student learning.

Pheils joined Owens’ full-time faculty in 2001 and is responsible for teaching academic courses in E-business, programming, web development, networking and information security.

An avid proponent for the continued advancement of information systems security within academic curriculum, Pheils played an integral role in the College securing three grants totaling over $50,000 from the Center for System Security and Information Assurance (CSSIA) for the development of Owens’ systems security and information assurance degree program.

Pheils also was a member of the Ohio Department of Education Steering Committee for the transferability of computer network courses between Ohio academic institutions. In addition, she is involved in the College’s annual “We Are IT” conference, which is designed to provide young women with a broad-based introduction to information technology applications and rapidly-growing career opportunities.

Her accomplishments include being chosen as an honorary inductee into the Phi Theta Kappa International and Kappa Beta Delta honor societies at Owens. Pheils’ campus, professional and community involvement includes membership with the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, the Information Systems Security Association, the Center for System Security and Information Assurance, the Wood County Committee on Aging and Owens’ Alternative Learning Committee. She currently serves as Director of the Northwest Ohio Chapter of InfraGard and a High School Program Reviewer for the Northwest Ohio Tech Prep Consortium.

Additionally, Pheils was instrumental in the founding of the Owens Community College Computer Club (OC4), which is designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn, share information and to help the surrounding communities through service learning projects.

Pheils earned an associate’s degree in business management from Davis College, a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in information system management from the University of Toledo. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in online training and teaching from Capella University. Additionally, Pheils is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional and a Project Management Professional.

Owens Community College Announces New Express Women’s Soccer Intercollegiate Athletic Program

Posted on August 3rd, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College is expanding its intercollegiate athletic programs by announcing the creation of a new women’s soccer team. The Express program will officially begin NJCAA competition during the 2011 fall season and serve as a club sport this upcoming 2010 fall semester.

The recommendation for the new women’s soccer program was officially approved during the regularly scheduled Owens Board of Trustees meeting.

“Owens Community College intercollegiate athletics and our student-athletes are committed to excellence both within the classroom and on the athletic playing field,” said Michael Rickard, Owens Director of Athletics. “The Northwest Ohio region is known statewide and beyond for its exceptional soccer programs both at the high school and college levels. Owens is proud to build upon that tradition with the establishment of a new intercollegiate women’s soccer program. Our ultimate goal for women’s soccer is to become one of the elite programs in the country.”

The Express women’s soccer program will become a Division II member of the NJCAA. Owens will primarily compete against other colleges and universities from Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania, including Cincinnati State Community College, Lorain County Community College, Jackson Community College, Schoolcraft College, Delta College and Ohio Northern University and Mercyhurst North East, among others. Owens’ Soccer Complex will serve as the home venue for the new intercollegiate program and matches will be scheduled from late August through October.

According to Rickard, Owens plans to begin a search for a permanent Head Coach to lead the new women’s soccer program in the near future.

Owens Community College Names New Chair of Nursing

Posted on August 3rd, 2010

Ruth Ankele

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College has named Ruth Ankele as the new Chair of Nursing. Her responsibilities will include providing administrative leadership and oversight specific to the College’s Department of Nursing academic programs in the School of Nursing on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses.

In addition, her new position will entail supervising the development and implementation of new academic curricula, directing on-going program review and evaluation of the department’s academic nursing coursework, providing leadership for program accreditation and collaborating with the School of Nursing Dean on budget planning and management as well as articulation and transfer agreements specific to the Department of Nursing. Ankele will also spearhead efforts related to the enhancement of educational opportunities and resources for current and future students by furthering collaboration among educational and health care partners.

Among the academic programs under Ankele’s leadership are registered nursing, licensed practical nursing, licensed practical nursing to registered nursing, international nursing certificate and paramedic to registered nursing bridge programs.

“Owens Community College has a long and proud history of academic excellence within the Department of Nursing, which is a credit to the outstanding faculty, students and alumni,” said Dr. Renay Scott, Interim Executive Vice President and Provost of Owens Community College. “It is imperative that the Department of Nursing continue forward in their pursuit of becoming the elite school for nursing in Ohio and beyond. Ruth Ankele brings to Owens an extensive and distinguishable career both in higher education and the nursing profession that will be invaluable in leading the Department of Nursing to new heights of academic excellence.”

Since August 1988, Ankele has served as the Coordinator of the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Program at The University of Toledo. While at The University of Toledo, she was responsible for the strategic direction and overall development and coordination of the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Program. Her responsibilities also included providing leadership for all activities associated with the program’s academic area of instruction, budgeting, hiring and communication with credentialing organizations that included the Ohio Board of Nursing and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Ankele also oversaw the program’s Systematic Plan of Evaluation and served as an Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing.

In addition, Ankele served in various nursing capacities for Mercy Health Care Partners in Toledo from 1981-88 and 1990-2004 and as an NCLEX RN Reviewer for Educational Resources Inc. from 2001-04.

Her professional and community involvement includes membership with the Ohio Council of Associate Degree Nursing Educator Administrators, The University of Toledo’s Executive Council of the Faculty Senate, The University of Toledo’s College Representative to the Ohio initiative Nursing 2015 and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Additionally, Ankele has been invited on many occasions to make presentations at state, regional and national conferences on various health-related topics and was honored as the 1995 Outstanding Full-time Faculty of the Year at The University of Toledo Community and Technical College.

The Oregon resident holds a master’s degree in medical surgical nursing from the Medical College of Ohio (now The University of Toledo Medical Center) and bachelor’s degrees in nursing and psychology from the University of Texas and Valparaiso University, respectively. In addition, Ankele holds licensure as a registered nurse in Ohio.

Owens Names New Findlay-area Campus Vice President

Posted on August 3rd, 2010

Dr. Melissa Green

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College has named Dr. Melissa Green as the new Vice President of the Findlay-area Campus. Her responsibilities will include overseeing all aspects related to the administrative leadership, coordination and development of initiatives related to enhancing educational opportunities and resources for current and future students on the Findlay-area Campus.

In addition, Green will serve as a liaison between various College departments and faculty and staff and assist them in the coordination of academic and student services. The position will also entail the creation and implementation of strategies to enhance enrollment and retention efforts on the Findlay-area Campus, as well as serve as an ambassador for the Owens Findlay-area Campus and look to further strengthen partnerships with community, business and educational leaders in the immediate Findlay area and throughout Hancock and surrounding counties.

“Owens Community College is proud to welcome Dr. Melissa Green as the new Vice President of the Findlay-area Campus,” said Dr. Larry McDougle, President of Owens Community College. “The Findlay-area Campus plays an integral role in meeting the education and training needs of Northwest Ohio’s citizens and preparing them for career opportunities within today’s competitive workforce. Dr. Green is well-known as an educational leader and visionary among community colleges statewide and within the University System of Ohio. Her passion and advocacy for student access and success mirrors Owens Community College’s mission and vision and will be invaluable as the Findlay-area Campus looks to open new doors to innovative learning opportunities and resources for our students.”

“I am very excited to be joining the team at Owens Community College,” said Dr. Melissa Green, Vice President of the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus. “There are many wonderful opportunities ahead. I look forward to connecting the mission and values of the institution with the needs of the students and the surrounding communities.”

Since 1995, Green has served as the Vice President for Student Affairs at Rhodes State College in Lima. In addition to having over 15 years as a senior administrator at the academic institution, she has dedicated her career as an education leader within the community college and university system. Her passion for student access and success also includes nearly 18 years of adjunct teaching in the business, communication and student development areas at Rhodes State College, Bluffton University and the University of Toledo. Previously, she served as Assistant to the President at Rhodes State for three years and as Assistant Director of The Ohio State University at Lima Campus for seven years.

Green’s collaborative efforts are visible on the Rhodes State campus, throughout the community as well as at the state and national levels. She has been instrumental in the creation of various student support areas, such as, advising, disability services, off-site services and a learning assistance program. Through her leadership, Rhodes State has experienced continuous increased enrollments and two successful major gift campaigns of more than five million. Her collaborative and marketing involvement has encompassed local projects including the Rhodes/UAW/Ford Training Center, the YMCA building campaign, the early college Lima Senior MI Ready Program and many educational initiatives through the Chamber Education Committee.

Additionally, Green has extended her involvement to include board and advisory participation as President of the National Council for Student Development, President of the Ohio Student Affairs Council, Co-Chair of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges Marketing Committee and the American Association of Community Colleges Council for Inclusion and Academic Student Success. Recently, she was appointed to the State and Local Action Advisory Group for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

The Lima resident earned her doctorate in educational leadership from Ohio University. Green also holds a master’s degree in executive management from Ashland University and a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from Ohio Northern University.

Owens Cross Country Club Program to Hold Information Meeting, Aug. 9

Posted on August 2nd, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Prospective Owens Community College students interested in participating in the men’s and women’s cross country club team are invited to an informational meeting on Monday, Aug. 9.

The informational meeting begins at 5 p.m. in the College’s Community Education and Wellness Center on the Findlay-area Campus. Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

The first official practice of the fall season will occur on Monday, Aug. 16. Owens’ Findlay-area Campus will serve as the home practice venue for the club program. Teams in which Owens will compete against in the upcoming season include Defiance College, Tiffin University, Bluffton University, Adrian College and Bowling Green State University, among others.

Established in 2007, the cross country club team is led by Owens Professor of Math Michael Senour. Senour is an avid runner and ran intercollegiate cross country and track at Tri-State University and Miami University. Additionally, he regularly competes in marathons and is an ultra runner.

For more information about the upcoming meeting, call (567) 429-3629 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3629.

Owens Express Soccer to Hold Open Tryouts, July 31

Posted on July 22nd, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Prospective high school graduates and area residents interested in playing intercollegiate men’s soccer at Owens Community College are invited to open tryouts on Saturday, July 31.

The open tryouts begin at 10 a.m. and will be held at the College’s Soccer Field on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

The men’s soccer program, led by Head Coach Art Johnson, this past year completed its twelfth season as an Owens athletic program. The Express finished with a 12-7-1 overall record. Johnson’s team finished in second place in the final OCCAC (3-3 record) standings.

Scholarships are still available and prospective Owens Express student-athletes must be high school graduates. For more information on the open tryouts, call (567) 661-7938 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7938.

Owens and Community Partners Assist Area Children With School Supply Drive, July 26 – Aug. 18

Posted on July 22nd, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s Alumni Association in collaboration with Books-A-Million Inc., two Walt Churchill’s Market locations, three 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 on Monday, July 26. 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 bookstore (2105 Levis Commons Blvd.) located in The Town Center at Levis Commons in Perrysburg; three Great Lakes Credit Union branches (5823 Monroe St.) in Sylvania, (580 Craig Dr.) in Perrysburg and (1890 N. Wilkenson Way) at the O-I Plaza in Perrysburg; two Walt Churchill’s Market locations (3320 Briarfield Blvd.) in Maumee and (26625 Dixie Hwy.) 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 10 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, Walt Churchill’s Market, 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 over 1,520 backpacks and over 25,710 school supplies to benefit disadvantaged children throughout Northwest Ohio.

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.

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

Owens Community College to Participate In National Project DEgree Student Success Program

Posted on July 21st, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College has been selected by Gateway to College National Network to participate in a national pilot of Project DEgree to help students achieve success in their pursuit of a college education.

Owens will receive a $250,000 grant as part of the prestigious Project DEgree initiative. Over 100 students are expected to participate in the initial two-year pilot phase of the educational program, which begins this upcoming Fall Semester.

“Owens Community College is honored to be chosen by Gateway to College National Network and serve as a nationwide leader in the Project DEgree educational initiative,” said Tamara Williams, Owens Interim Vice Provost. “A college education opens doors to endless possibilities and this grant will allow us to provide an innovative holistic approach to breaking down barriers for students who are need of enhanced academic and support resources. Our faculty and staff are committed to advancing learning and student success and Project DEgree will enable Owens to further its mission of providing a superior educational experience through excellence, innovation and collaboration.”

Once admitted to the program, Owens students will become members of a learning community with 20 to 25 other Project DEgree participants. Together, they will take developmental coursework in reading and writing, a college survival and success course, and receive supplemental tutoring in math. After completing their initial courses, students will progress as a learning community. The group will participate in the next sequence of reading, writing and math classes, as well as a study skills course.

Owens Community College to Host Northwest Ohio Green Industry Summer Session, Aug. 4

Posted on July 20th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – 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 2010 Northwest Ohio Green Industry Summer Session at Owens Community College on Wednesday, Aug. 4.

Presented by Owens Community College in conjunction with The Ohio State University Extension/ABE Center in Bowling Green, the workshop will occur from 11 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, the Toledo Botanical Garden, Lucas County Soil and Water Conservation District and Owens Community College.

Attendees will have the opportunity to receive details about “green” alternatives to managing landscape insect and wildlife species problems, the negative impact of invasive plants on landscapes, the benefits of native plants to the landscape setting, and choosing the best design and plants for a water-wise landscape.

Other workshop sessions will include the installation practices for an edible landscape, learning how to identify plant problems specific to common diseases and insects, the design and maintenance of water and storm water re-use practices for rain gardens, green roofs and rain barrels, the role soil types play in storm water management and local ecology, and watershed management.

In addition, The Ohio State University Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center representative Dr. Dan Herms will serve as the Northwest Ohio Green Industry Summer Session keynote speaker and provide attendees with a presentation on climate change and its impact on the surrounding region.

The pre-registration cost for the workshop is $15. Individuals can also register the day of the event for $25. For additional information or to register, call (419) 354-6916.

Owens Workforce and Community Services Announces New Big Green Machine Program, July 26-29

Posted on July 20th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area youth ages 10 through 14 will explore science, mathematics, nature and engineering in a unique academic setting as Owens Community College announces a new summer Big Green Machine Program, July 26-29.

The Big Green Machine Program will be offered through Owens’ Workforce and Community Services, which is located at the College’s Arrowhead Park Learning Center on Indian Wood Circle in Maumee. The class will take place Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

“Owens’ Workforce and Community Services is excited to expand its continuing education programming and offer a hands-on science workshop, which focuses on using and conserving the earth’s environmental resources,” said Rhonda Hogrefe, Owens Continuing Education and Community Service Account Representative.”The Big Green Machine Program allows attendees to think creatively and explore math, science, nature and engineering within a unique experiential learning environment.”

The College’s alternative science technology camp will feature four days of themed activities to include “Human Fingerprints Left on the Greenhouse”, “Life with a Little Solar Flare”, “A Big Gust of Wind” and “Let’s Get Un-Plugged”.

Big Green Machine Program attendees will learn about the causes of global warming, climate change and the greenhouse effect, as well as how the earth’s ionosphere depends on the rainforests, wetlands and seasonal changes to help regulate greenhouse gases. Students will also build their own biome and experiment with the effects of pollution and refrigeration.

Other activities will feature harnessing the sun’s energy through science projects that measure heat, solar power and electricity. Additionally, individuals will conduct experiments that collect, store and transport electrical energy from the sun and use those experiments to build and construct a solar hot water heater and a solar oven. Students will be able to test their inventions by cooking their own version of green eggs and ham (biscuits, bacon, fried eggs and green tea).

Finally, the alternative science technology camp will explore the energy provided by the ocean’s salt water and potential energy sources within fruits and vegetables. Students will have the opportunity to test their creative thinking skills by building a potato-powered clock and a LEGO automobile, which generates electricity through the use of a lemon-powered battery.

For more information about future classes, call (567) 661-7357 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7357.

Owens Community College Presents Express Golf Clinic, July 21

Posted on July 19th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will offer area high school golf players the opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of the sport as the men’s golf program hosts an Express Golf Clinic on Wednesday, July 21.

The Owens clinic will take place from 9-11 a.m. for boys and girls in grades 9-12 at Heather Downs Country Club in Toledo.

Clinic instructors will include the Owens Express men’s golf coaching staff and current and former collegiate players. Each clinic participant will receive individual instruction on golf skills that include full swing on woods and irons, chipping, putting, sand play, rules and etiquette. In addition, attendees will receive a swing evaluation to enhance their playing ability.

Led by Head Coach Gilbert Guerrero, the Express golf team captured one match and invitational title during the season, highlighted by a second-place finish in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) Championship Invitational. The program also finished second in the NJCAA Region XII Sub-Regional Championship after rounds of 333-307 (640) at Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg. Additionally, Owens placed seventh in the NJCAA Region XII Golf Championship.

The clinic fee is $20 per player. For more information, or to register, call (567) 661-2643 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2643.

Owens Community College Hosts Success Fest Week, July 26-31

Posted on July 19th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents, businesses and students interested in taking college classes or starting a new career this summer are invited to attend Success Fest Week at Owens Community College, July 26-31. Fall Semester classes begin Aug. 16.

For added convenience, the College’s Toledo-area Campus will be open extra hours for Success Fest Week from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday-Thursday, July 26-29. Additionally, students may register from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday, July 30, and from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 31. The Owens Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Additionally, the College will host Success Fest Week at the Learning Center at The Source, July 26-30. Owens’ Learning Center at The Source is located on Monroe Street in downtown Toledo. The Learning Center will be open for Success Fest Week from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday, July 26-29. Students may also register from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday, July 30.

Owens’ Arrowhead Park Learning Center will also serve as host to Success Fest Week, July 26-30. The Arrowhead Park Learning is on Indian Wood Circle in Maumee. Owens will be open extra hours for Success Fest Week from 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday-Thursday, July 26-29. In addition, individuals may register from 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday, July 30.

Individuals attending Success Fest Week will have the opportunity to learn about Owens’ many academic program offerings, receive academic advising, complete electronic financial aid, learn about deferred payment plans, and select their classes in a convenient and timely manner from the College’s staff representatives.

Owens offers personal attention and small classes throughout the day, evening and online. For more registration information or to obtain a schedule of courses for the fall term, call (567) 661-7777 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7777, or access the College’s website at www.owens.edu.

Life and Times of People with Disabilities Featured During Historical Exhibit at Owens, July 27 – Aug. 22

Posted on July 15th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act by serving as host to an exhibit which brings to the forefront the life and times of people with disabilities titled “From Institutions to Independence: A History of People with Disabilities in Northwest Ohio”, July 27 – Aug. 22.

Presented by Owens Library Services and the Office of Disability Services, the exhibition, which is free and open to the public, will be on display in the Toledo-area Campus Library. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

The exhibit will feature an array of historical photographs that look at the lives of those with mental illness, vision and hearing impairment, physical disabilities and developmental disabilities. Other topics highlighted in the exhibit include the impact of the polio epidemics of the 1940s and 50s on Northwest Ohio, how the region sought to provide vocational rehabilitation and employment to the disabled. Additionally, the historical display will examine the impact of the eugenics movement on the disabled, as well as the disability rights movement and how organizations and services changed to provide more independence for the disabled.

A portion of the “From Institutions to Independence: A History of People with Disabilities in Northwest Ohio” has been graciously loaned to Owens by the Ward M. Canaday Center for Special Collections from the University of Toledo Libraries. The Ward M. Canaday Center for Special Projects, working with the university’s Disability Studies Program, spearheaded efforts several years ago to document the life and times of people with disabilities as part of the Regional Disability History Archive Project. The unique collection is one of a select few national archival repositories of disability history.

“Owens Community College is honored to collaborate with the University of Toledo and bring to the forefront disability awareness from a historical perspective,” said Sue Emerine, Owens Director of Disability Services. “‘From Institutions to Independence: A History of People with Disabilities in Northwest Ohio’ tells the story of those whose lives were overlooked and hidden from society years ago. Exhibit attendees will have the opportunity to place themselves in the shoes of these individuals through historical photographs.”

Owens’ Office of Disability Services is dedicated to supporting the College and its students by ensuring that each individual has access to the academic institution’s many programs and services. The office also assists students with disabilities by providing an array of support services, information and guidance. Active in the surrounding communities, the Office of Disability Services regularly makes presentations at high schools to students with disabilities and participates with local agencies in disability awareness events, transition activities and parent programs.

The Owens Toledo-area Campus Library is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For more information about the exhibit, contact the College’s Library Services at (567) 661-7221 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7221.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Hosts Success Fest Week, July 26-31

Posted on July 15th, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents, businesses and students interested in taking college classes or starting a new career this fall are invited to attend Success Fest Week at the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus, July 26-31. Fall Semester classes begin Aug. 16.

For added convenience, the College will be open extra hours for Success Fest Week from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday-Thursday, July 26-29. Additionally, students may register from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday, July 30, and from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 31. The Owens Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

Owens offers personal attention and small classes throughout the day, evening and online. For more registration information or to obtain a schedule of courses for the fall term, call (567) 429-3509 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3509, or access the College’s website at www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Unveils Northwest Ohio’s First Commercial Photography Technology Degree Program

Posted on July 14th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College is enhancing its educational opportunities within the School of Arts and Sciences by announcing the creation of a new commercial photography technology associate degree program. Beginning Fall Semester 2010, the new academic program will be offered on the Toledo-area Campus.

The two-year associate degree program recently received formal approval by the Ohio Board of Regents and is the only commercial photography technology academic program in Northwest Ohio.

“Owens Community College is extremely excited to expand our fine and performing arts educational opportunities and offer the region’s first commercial photography technology degree program to students and the surrounding communities,” said Doug Mead, Owens Chair of Fine and Performing Arts. “The Department of Fine and Performing Arts’ photography programs have experienced phenomenal enrollment growth and popularity among students during the past several years. In a one-year span, the enrollment in photography increased by nearly 60 percent and the department anticipates even greater growth with this new academic program. The creation of the commercial photography technology degree program will open new doors for students and help support the continued growth and development of the photography industry.”

Owens’ associate degree in commercial photography technology will require approximately 70 credit hours of coursework, which includes contemporary business, black and white photography, introduction to visual communication, color photography, digital photography, studio photography, introduction to small business, and history and theory of photography, among other academic curriculum.

The new program is designed to prepare students for employment in the photographic industry. Students will develop strong knowledge in both traditional and digital photographic techniques, as well as learn darkroom skills for black and white and color processing and printing. Additionally, Owens students will acquire skills specific to digital image manipulation, enhancement and color management, and technical and creative control of studio lighting and all camera formats.

Owens commercial photography technology students will also have the opportunity to utilize the latest in innovative academic resources as the Department of Fine and Performing Arts unveils a new digital photography computer laboratory and a new photography large portrait and commercial studio for experiential learning this upcoming fall term. The new laboratory and studio will feature the latest in state-of-art technology and resources for enhancing teaching and learning highlighted by large and medium format professional printers, Wacom interactive pen display tablets, PocketWizard transreceiver/relay radio slave units, Apple MacBook laptops, and film and flatbed professional scanners, among academic resources.

Upon program completion, individuals will be able to apply their knowledge and skills to work in entry-level or higher employment positions as photographers, photographer’s assistant or photo technician in areas that include wedding, portrait, advertising, corporate and editorial/stock photography. Commercial photography career opportunities also include working as employees of other photographers as studio/location personnel specializing in digital imagining applications or in their own business as freelance photographers.

In addition to the new commercial photography technology associate degree program, the Department of Fine and Performing Arts offers an associate’s degree in photography for those with an interest in photography who intend to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree in fine art photography, as well as a certificate in commercial photography technology.

For additional information about Owens’ commercial photography technology program, call (567) 661-7081 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext 7081.

Owens Community College Announces Spring Academic Honors

Posted on July 13th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – More than 3,000 students were named to the Academic Honors List at Owens Community College for Spring Semester 2010. Students must achieve at least a 3.5 grade point average to be eligible for academic honors. Owens uses a 4.0 scale in grading.

To view a listing of the students achieving academic excellence during 2010 Spring term click on the following link. 2010 Spring Academic Honors. Owens Community College is extremely proud of our students for their dedication and commitment to higher education.

Owens Express Student-Athletes Named OCCAC 2009-10 Academic All-Conference

Posted on July 12th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Twenty-four Owens Community College student-athletes have received Academic All-Conference honors by the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) in recognition of their scholarly achievements for the 2009-10 academic year.

“Owens Community College is extremely proud of these student-athletes who have demonstrated both hard work and exceptional commitment to academic achievement,” said Michael Rickard, Owens Director of Athletics. “Their success as scholars is a positive reflection on each athletic program and the dedication shown toward educational values.”

Selection criterion for the honored recipients is based upon achieving a minimum 3.30 grade point average.

Owens has been a member of the OCCAC since 1987. The other member schools comprising the OCCAC are Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, Columbus State Community College, Cuyahoga Community College, Edison State Community College, Lakeland Community College, Lorain County Community College and Sinclair Community College.

Student-athletes receiving OCCAC Academic All-Conference honors include:
ï Garrett Busch of Toledo (pre-business administration), a Start H.S. graduate (men’s baseball) with a 3.56 grade point average.
ï Michael Romano of Oregon (biomedical electronics), a Clay H.S. graduate (men’s baseball) with a 3.30 grade point average.
ï Brooks Gradner of Bowling Green (pre-business administration), a Bowling Green H.S. graduate (men’s golf) with a 3.67 grade point average.
ï Lee Schmidlin of Toledo (pre-physical therapist assistant), a Whitmer H.S. graduate (men’s golf) with a 3.82 grade point average.
ï Calvin Edwards of Delaware (business management), a Rutherford B. Hayes H.S. graduate (men’s basketball) with a 3.75 grade point average.
ï Derrick Sanderfer Jr. of Toledo (accounting), a Rogers H.S. graduate (men’s basketball) with a 3.51 grade point average.
ï Yadi Aliakbar of Perrysburg (psychology), a St. Francis de Sales H.S. graduate (men’s soccer) with a 3.35 grade point average.
ï Jahvan Russell of Montego Bay, Jamaica (accounting), a Cornwall College graduate (men’s soccer) with a 3.91 grade point average.
ï Jon Moore of Toledo (pre-business administration), a Toledo Christian Schools graduate (men’s soccer) with a 3.88 grade point average.
ï Lorenzo Carrion-Bistolfi of Montevideo, Uruguay (international business), a Centro Educacional Conquistadores graduate (men’s soccer) with a 3.74 grade point average.
ï Magan Gerding of Perrysburg (architectural engineering technology), a Northview H.S. graduate (women’s softball) with a 3.50 grade point average.
ï Keri Seel of Fostoria (pre-business administration), a Fostoria H.S. graduate (women’s softball) with a 4.0 grade point average.
ï Ashleigh Whitacre of Toledo (middle childhood education), a Central Catholic H.S. graduate (women’s softball) with a 3.84 grade point average.
ï Bridget Wolfe of Bellevue (pre-medical imaging technologies), a Bellevue H.S. graduate (women’s softball) with a 4.0 grade point average.
ï Amanda Drew of Maumee (biology), a Springfield H.S. graduate (women’s volleyball) with a 3.30 grade point average.
ï Maureen Kurtz of Tiffin (pre-business administration), a Mohawk H.S. graduate (women’s volleyball) with a 3.84 grade point average.
ï Alyssa LaVoy of Pemberville (biology), an Eastwood H.S. graduate (women’s volleyball) with a 4.0 grade point average.
ï Amanda Schuster of Sylvania (pre-occupational therapy assistant), a Southview H.S. graduate (women’s volleyball) with a 3.77 grade point average.
ï Shelby Schuster of Sylvania (pre-nursing), a Southview H.S. graduate (women’s volleyball) with a 3.36 grade point average.
ï Renee Bidlack of Payne (communication studies), a Wayne Trace H.S. graduate (women’s basketball) with a 3.31 grade point average.
ï Kaila Corrothers of Detroit, Mich. (pre-occupational therapy assistant), a Detroit Consortium H.S. graduate (women’s basketball) with a 3.30 grade point average.
ï Jordan Floyd of Waterville (undecided), an Anthony Wayne H.S. graduate (women’s basketball) with a 4.0 grade point average.
ï Saige Meyer of Deshler (journalism), a Patrick Henry H.S. graduate (women’s basketball) with a 4.0 grade point average.
ï Karrah Windau of Carey (pre-dental hygiene), a Carey H.S. graduate (women’s basketball) with a 3.63 grade point average.

Owens Community College to Host Mitchell-Jackson Youth Basketball Camp, July 19-22

Posted on July 12th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area youth will have the opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of basketball and life lessons as basketball stars Todd Mitchell and Jim Jackson host their annual basketball camp at Owens Community College, Monday-Thursday, July 19-22. This marks the fourth year that the annual basketball camp is being held at Owens Community College.

The four-day youth basketball camp runs from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College appreciates the opportunity to once again play an active role in supporting a longstanding community outreach program dedicated to enriching the lives of area youth through education and the sport of basketball,” said Michael Rickard, Owens Director of Athletics. “Todd Mitchell and Jim Jackson are both leaders on and off the basketball court and Owens is proud to collaborate on such a worthwhile initiative effecting area youth throughout Northwest Ohio.”

Camp instructors for the four-day event will include college and professional basketball standouts Mitchell and Jackson, as well as area high school coaches and current and former collegiate basketball players. Boys and girls entering grades 5-12 will receive instruction on various basketball skills, highlighted by ball handling, passing, shooting, defense and rebounding.

Additionally, participants will learn about teamwork, eating healthy and making the right decisions in life. Attendees will also be evaluated on their skill level and compete in games and a variety of contests.

The camp registration fee is $100 per participant and space is limited. Lunch is provided daily. For more information, call (419) 491-0704 or (419) 340-1303.

Owens Student Leaders Inducted Into Spring Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society

Posted on July 12th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – 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.

“Owens Community College is extremely proud of our inductees for their dedication and commitment to higher education,” said Dr. Chuck Bohleke, Owens Chair of Business Technologies and Co-Advisor. “Induction into the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society is considered one of the highest compliments an individual in higher education can receive. Their selection is a tremendous achievement.”

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 2010 Spring Semester are:

Anthony Ackerman of Toledo (wide-area networking technology)

Jeffrey Agan of Bowling Green (middle childhood education)

David Baker of Sylvania (business management)

Bodie Bankey of Bowling Green (technical studies)

Matthew Beaty of Findlay (associate of arts, general concentration)

Ollie Belcher of Toledo (pre-medical imaging technologies)

Nancy Black of Defiance (physical therapist assistant)

Allison Busdeker of Bradner (psychology)

McKenzie Carter of Bowling Green†(photography)

Sarah Clark of Genoa (dental hygiene)

Rhonda Clayton of Perrysburg†(pre-nursing)

Ashley Decker of Toledo (associate of arts, general concentration)

Sierra Degroff of Blissfield, Mich. (biology)

Heather Delaney of Toledo (pre-nursing)

Rachelle Dennis of McComb (business management)

Charlotte Deri of Perrysburg (office support)

Richard Dickson of Toledo (adolescence education)

Kathleen Dillon of Toledo (information systems)

Ethan Easterwood of Oak Harbor (journalism)

David Eoff of Elmore (pre-business administration)

Jessica Frymire of Bowling Green (registered nursing)

Laura Galliger of Bowling Green (biology)

Sarah Gedert of Perrysburg (pre-nursing)

Cynthia Gregg of Tiffin (dental hygiene)

Brandi Hampton of Toledo (pre-business administration)

Cheryl Harris of Toledo (international studies)

Miles Hinkle of Findlay (associate of arts, general concentration)

Sarah Holsinger of Wauseon (pre-nursing)

Danielle Holtgrieve of Sylvania (pre-medical imaging technologies)

Qiaolu Hou of Perrysburg (pre-business administration)

Karen Jackson of Toledo (pre-surgical)

Corey Jones of Toledo (pre-business administration)

Mark Jones of Toledo (electrical/electronics engineering technology)

Tana Junge of Napoleon (early childhood education)

Jon Kammeyer of Findlay (licensed practical nursing)

Chad Kelly of Findlay (history)

Alisha King of Toledo (corrections)

Joshua Kizer of Perrysburg (fine art)

Lauren Kleman of Fort Jennings (pre-medical imaging technologies)

Christopher Kopf of Toledo (business management)

Kati Kreais of Toledo (pre-radiography)

Lydiarose Kwapich of Waterville (associate of arts, general concentration)

Donald Laskey of Findlay (history)

Kevin Lemay of Toledo (accounting)

Christine Lemke of Toledo (business management)

Sara-Brittany Martin of Findlay (criminal justice technology)

Tiffany Mattys of Toledo (registered nursing)

Peggy McKnight of Toledo (environmental management technology)

Jeanene Melquist of Bowling Green (psychology)

Debra Mettie of Northwood (psychology)

Laura Mielcarek of Toledo (emergency medical management)

Sherry Miller of Toledo (accounting)

Alycia Nichols of McComb (medical office support)

Michelle Nofziger of Montpelier (radiography)

Bryan O’Neill of Toledo (registered nursing)

Sharron Pappas of Toledo (nursing)

Allyson Parker of Bowling Green (pre-medical imaging technologies)

Russell Patterson of Perrysburg†(computer programming)

Amanda Pauff of Weston (pre-business administration)

Christy Perry of Waterville (accounting)

Melissa Powell of Toledo (pre-nursing)

Emily Putnam of Perrysburg (dental hygiene)

Jessica Rainey of Bowling Green (small business management)

Toni Regutti of Carey (social work)

Charles Robinson of Toledo (radiography)

Ashley Rohen of Toledo (medical office support)

James Ross of Findlay (computer science)

Brooke Savory of Sylvania (adolescence education)

Chelsea Schimming of Martin (radiography)

Kristen Schmenk of Fostoria (pre-nursing)

Lee Schmidlin of Toledo (physical therapist assistant)

Benjamin Sewell of Toledo (hospitality management)

Brittany Silveira of Perrysburg (registered nursing)

Irina Simonds of Bowling Green (accounting software applications)

Kathleen Snodgrass of Walbridge (multi-age education)

Elizabeth Sopkovich of Perrysburg (pre-dental hygiene)

Barbara Stengle of Toledo (commercial art)

Amy Tammerine of Temperance, Mich. (registered nursing)

Justin Theisen of Bowling Green (associate of science, general concentration)

Donna Thiel of Findlay (undecided)

Kimberly Thompson of Toledo (business management)

Beth Tillman of Toledo (psychology)

Melissa Trombly of Perrysburg (radiography)

Casey Vaughn of Carey (marketing and sales)

Robert Vidra of Maumee (CAD technolog)

Rebekah Vogelpohl of Curtice (pre-nursing)

Laura Walbolt of Wauseon (pre-hospitality management)

Kaitlyn Wentz of Findlay (associate of arts, general concentration)

Mike West of Toledo (registered nursing)

Dawn Williamson of Benton Ridge (accounting)

Cassie Wolfe of Columbus Grove (associate of arts, general concentration)

Rosalie Zanardelli of Toledo (early childhood education)

Owens Community College to Host Free Japanese Anime Convention, July 17-18

Posted on July 8th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents are invited to experience one of the region’s largest Japanese animation and cultural gatherings around as Owens Community College serves as host to the second annual GarasuNoShiCon (Glass City Convention), July 17-18.

Presented by Owens’ Anime Convention and Gamers United clubs, GarasuNoShiCon will take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. in the College’s Audio/Visual Classroom Center, Student Health and Activities Center, Math/Science Center and Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township. The event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

The event will feature an array of activities highlighted anime screenings, video gaming, an electronic music dance, a cosplay competition, a fire show and entertainment panel discussions, as well as a number of vendors and featured artists.

Owens’ anime convention will commence with an opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m. in the College’s Audio/Visual Classroom Center. Following welcome remarks, convention attendees will have the opportunity to participate in several video, card-based and tabletop gaming activities to include a PokÈwalker Meet-Up, Living Forgotten Realm Adventure, Pathfinder Society Adventures and Dungeon Delve.

In addition, individuals will have the chance to experience life as a video game character by participating in an interactive game in the Cosplay Arena. A video game room will also be available for those interested in competing in array of unique Japanese and domestic games.

The convention will also provide three screening rooms in the Audio/Visual Classroom Center for attendees to view various anime feature presentations throughout the two-day event. Additionally, special screen presentations of “Slayers Revolution”, “Fist of the North Star TV” and “Slayers Evolution” will occur during GarasuNoShiCon.

Featured guests at the Owens convention will include voice actor Robert Axelrod, voice actress Cassandra Hodges, voice actress Julie Jensen, musical performer Gavin Goszka, independent comic artist Alex Heberling, the musical tribute group The Salad Time Soldiers, kimono specialist Kerry Porter, actress Cindy Chu and independent video game developer Galloping Ghost Productions.

Axelrod is best known as the voice of Lord Zedd and Finster from the “Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers” series. He has also lent his voice to a number of anime features such as “Digimon”, “Robotech” and “Akira”. Hodges performs in a number of different media, but anime enthusiasts may recognize her voice from several FUNimation productions including “School Rumble” and “Glass Fleet”. Ohio native Jensen has provided voicing for a number of Disney animations such as “Phineas and Ferb” and feature films.

Returning to GarasuNoShiCon for its second year is acoustic soloist Goszka. A fan of anime and Japanese music, Goszka’s latest project has him working on a CD with Vocaloid Megurine Luka. Also making a return for the convention’s second year is featured local artist Heberling who is known for crafting original web comics, including “Garanos”, and is responsible for most of GarasuNoShiCon’s original art and mascot designs. The musical group The Salad Time Soldiers will also make a return to Owens. While the Ohio-based musical group won’t perform on stage, band members will be showcasing their handmade cosplay outfits and hosting informational panel discussions during the event.

Porter, who was exposed to the kimono and Japanese culture as a child, will be offering a large collection of kimonos for viewing and attendees will be able to interact with select kimonos during workshops. Chu has worked as a wardrobe assistant and featured extra in “Whip It”. Her next big-screen appearances will be as an alternatively giggling and screaming Chinese clerk in the remake of “Red Dawn” and a graduate student who analyzes blood in “Salvation Boulevard”.

Galloping Ghost Studios is located in the Chicago area and will join the GarasuNoShiCon guest list as the video gaming guest of honor. Galloping Ghost is an independent video games developer currently in production of its first arcade release “Dark Presence”. The studio is also opening its first public arcade later this year and will be showcasing some of its video game production equipment for convention attendees.

In addition, over 25 regional and national venders and artists will be on hand for individuals to purchase DVDs, anime figures, jewelry, prints, bookmarks, posters, T-shirts, manga, kimonos and other merchandise and accessories.

For more information about the event, call (567) 661-2586 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2586, or access the website at www.glasscitycon.com ( http://www.glasscitycon.com/ ).

Life and Times of People with Disabilities Featured During Historical Exhibit at Owens Findlay-area Campus, July 12-22

Posted on July 7th, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act by serving as host to an exhibit which brings to the forefront the life and times of people with disabilities titled “From Institutions to Independence: A History of People with Disabilities in Northwest Ohio”, July 12-22.

Presented by Owens Library Services and the Office of Disability Services, the exhibition, which is free and open to the public, will be on display in the Findlay-area Campus Library Room 176. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

In addition to its appearance on the Findlay-area Campus, “From Institutions to Independence: A History of People with Disabilities in Northwest Ohio” will be exhibited in the Library on the Toledo-area Campus, July 27 – Aug. 23.

The Owens Findlay-area Campus Library is open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. For more information about the exhibit, contact the Office of Disability Services at (567) 429-3088 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3088.

Owens Community College Students Awarded Alumni Association Scholarships

Posted on July 7th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Three Owens Community College students have been chosen by the Alumni Association to receive scholarships through the Owens Alumni Legacy Endowed Scholarship program. The College’s award recipients for the 2010-11 academic year are Elizabeth Celley of Perrysburg, Miles Hinkle of Findlay and Angelia Huffman of Toledo.

The Owens Alumni Legacy Endowed Scholarship program was established as part of a collaborative effort between the Owens Foundation and the Alumni Association to enhance academic opportunities for their students.

“The Owens Community College Alumni Association is pleased to recognize Elizabeth, Miles and Angelia for their hard work and commitment to education and their communities,” said Laura Moore, Owens Executive Director of the Alumni Association. “Our Alumni Legacy Endowed Scholarship program plays a role in their success by providing access and opening new doors for these students to achieve their career aspirations.”

Since its establishment in 2004, funds for the Alumni Legacy Endowed Scholarship program have been generated from various Alumni Association contributions and fundraising endeavors, including the organization’s annual Golf Classic.

Selection criteria for the scholarship program is based upon applicants being a son or daughter of an Alumni Association member and achieving a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average as an Owens student or soon-to-be high school graduate. Scholarships are not based upon financial need.

Celley is pursuing her studies in middle childhood education at Owens. The 2002 Perrysburg High School graduate has worked in a variety of outdoor education programs, during which she came to realize how much she enjoys working with students. Upon completion of the degree program, Celley intends to continue her education in middle childhood education at Bowling Green State University and then earn her teaching license. She has been on the honor roll each semester since enrolling at Owens in Spring 2009. Celley is the co-leader of the youth group at First Presbyterian Church in Perrysburg and for the past two years has assisted in planning and executing the annual Harrison Rally Day parade in Perrysburg. She was awarded a $1,425 scholarship.

Hinkle, a 2008 graduate of Findlay High School, is pursuing an associate of arts degree at Owens. Upon program completion, he plans to pursue his bachelor’s degree and then enter the Winebrenner Theological Seminary majoring in theology. Hinkle was motivated to excel in his studies by his mother, who earned a degree in criminal justice technology from Owens as a non-traditional student. Active in his church, Hinkle teaches a college/career class and is leading the youth group on a mission trip during the current summer months.† He has participated in numerous community outreach programs, including Findlay flood relief, backpacks for school children and the Bottle Campaign for the Women’s Resource Center of Hancock County. Hinkle was awarded a $2,500 scholarship.

Huffman graduated from Otsego High School in 1995 and spent the following 10 years working in an automotive plant. After losing her job in 2007, she decided to return to school and pursue a new career path in the health care field. Huffman is a diagnostic medical sonography major at Owens and is a member of the College’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society as well as Tomorrow’s Imagers Club.† For her excellence in American Sign Language, she was inducted into Alpha Mu Gamma, the national honor society of foreign

languages. Huffman is active in several outreach activities through her church, and participates annually in the Race for the Cure cancer awareness initiative. Huffman was named the recipient of a $1,425 scholarship.

The College’s Alumni Association is open to all graduates or students who have successfully completed any credit or non-credit course at Owens. New members have the opportunity to serve on the organization’s Board of Directors or committees, utilize the Toledo-area Campus Student Health and Activities Center and the Findlay-area Campus Community Education and Wellness Center, common computer labs and Library services, and attend a variety of social and networking events.

[nggallery id=6]

Owens Community College Hosts Detroit Pistons Youth Basketball Training Camp, July 26-29

Posted on July 6th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will offer area basketball players the opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of the sport as part of the Detroit Pistons 2010 Youth Basketball Training Camp Tour, Monday-Thursday, July 26-29.

The youth basketball training camp runs from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to once again collaborate with the Detroit Pistons organization and host an exciting week of basketball for area youth throughout Northwest Ohio,” said Michael Rickard, Owens Director of Athletics.

Camp instructors for the four-day event will include Detroit Pistons officials and players, Michigan college and high school coaches, and current and former collegiate basketball superstars. Youth in grades 1-12 will receive instruction on various basketball skills, highlighted by ball handling, passing, shooting, defense and rebounding. Additionally, participants will be evaluated on their skill level and compete in games and a variety of contests.

The registration fee for the camp is $179 per participant and space is limited. In addition, each individual will receive a Detroit Pistons’ reversible training camp jersey, a basketball and one free ticket to a Pistons home game and courtside pass.

During the past 13 years more than 27,000 boys and girls have attended the Detroit Pistons Training Camp Tour occurring throughout Ohio and Michigan. For more information, call (567) 661-7973, 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7973 or (248) 377-8653.

Owens Community College Announces New Express Women’s Club Soccer Program

Posted on July 6th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College is expanding its athletic programs by announcing the creation of a new women’s soccer club team. The Express program will officially begin competition during the upcoming 2010 fall semester.

The new women’s soccer club team will hold its first information meeting for prospective area residents on Tuesday, July 13. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and occur in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“The new Owens Community College women’s soccer club program is a welcome addition to student life and athletics and will afford new opportunities for the College’s students to experience the benefits of teamwork, leadership, responsibility and achievement,” said Michael Rickard, Owens Director of Athletics.

Rickard added, “The goal is to eventually transition the club team to varsity status, compete at the NJCAA Division II level and award scholarships.”

Owens’ Soccer Complex will serve as the home venue for the new club program. Home and away soccer matches will be scheduled from late August through October and include colleges and universities primarily from Ohio and Michigan. Teams in which Owens will compete against in the upcoming season include Cincinnati State Community College, Lorain County Community College, Jackson Community College, Schoolcraft College, Delta College and Ohio Northern University, among others.

Owens new women’s soccer club team will be placed under the leadership of Art Johnson, the veteran Head Coach of the intercollegiate men’s soccer team, and his Assistant Coaches Jeremiah McNutt and Keith Closson. During his tenure at Owens, Johnson-led teams have compiled a 128-100-15 overall record. Express men’s soccer finished with a 12-7-1 overall record during the 2009 fall campaign.

For more information about the upcoming informational meeting, call (567) 661-7973 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7973.

Owens Findlay-area Campus to Unveil New Renewable Energy Technology During Community Event, July 8

Posted on July 6th, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents are invited to receive a firsthand look at Owens Community College’s new renewable energy technology on the Findlay-area Campus as the academic institution officially unveils a solar array and wind turbine during a Community Dedication in partnership with GreaterFindlayInc. on Thursday, July 8.

The Community Dedication Ceremony will occur from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the new renewable energy training area, which is located adjacent to the Community Education and Wellness Center on Findlay-area Campus. Individuals will have the opportunity to tour the renewable energy area, as well as learn about Owens’ new alternative energy resources.

In addition, Owens representatives will join community leaders and public officials in a formal ribbon cutting and ceremonial raising of the new wind turbine and showcasing the new solar array.

Both the solar array and wind turbine will be used for educational training within Workforce and Community Services’ Photovoltaic Installation Program and Wind Installation Program as well as for future academic curriculum programming in the School of Technology.

Additionally, the hands-on applications will include studying the design and installation of the College’s new 33-foot Skystream 3.7 wind turbine on the Findlay-area Campus.

Superior Energy Solutions LLC in Ottawa oversaw the process of installing both the College’s solar array and wind turbine on the Findlay-area Campus.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Announces LEGO Robotics Academy Program, July 19-22

Posted on June 30th, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Area youth ages 10 through 14 are invited to explore science, mathematics and creative thinking through the use of LEGO materials as Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus offers its summer LEGO Robotics Academy Program, July 19-22.

The LEGO Robotics Academy Program will be offered through Owens’ Workforce and Community Services and will take place in the Community Education and Wellness Center Room 124 on the Findlay-area Campus. Two separate classes will be available as part of the program and will take place Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.

“Owens’ Workforce and Community Services is excited to provide continuing education program that brings science, mathematics and creative thinking alive for children,” said Rhonda Hogrefe, Owens Continuing Education and Community Service Account Representative “The LEGO Robotics Academy Program promotes team building and allows attendees to think creatively and explore engineering processes in a fun, engaging environment.”

Using advanced LEGO parts and pieces, LEGO Robotics Academy Program attendees will learn to design, build and program their own remote controlled robot. The experiential learning activities will use principles related to simple and complex machines, as well as gearing and mechanical advantage techniques.

According to Hogrefe, once the design process is completed, students will learn how to program their robot through wireless software communication to control light, touch, rotational sensors and motors.

“Each robot will be able to move, react and make sounds, which will amaze camp attendees,” explained Hogrefe. “Robotic creations are limitless and will leave endless possibilities for the young inventors.”

In addition, the class will use LEGO Educational Division materials and LEGO Technic elements as part of the academic curriculum.

Owens’ Workforce and Community Services is dedicated to providing customer-driven workforce development, job training and continuing education for business, industry and area residents throughout Northwest Ohio. Workforce and Community Services’ learning-centered approach focuses on developing and enhancing professional skills to meet the needs of the community, customizing academic curriculum in the areas of professional development, computer and software applications, health and fitness, artful living, personal development, real estate, children’s programming, and apprenticeship-related training and skilled trades.

The registration fee for the LEGO Robotics Academy Program is $125. Class space is limited. For more information, or to register for the class, call (567) 661-7357 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7357.

Acclaimed Musician Doug Johns to Present Master Class and Electric Bass Clinic at Owens, July 10

Posted on June 30th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents are invited to gain insight into the musical career of acclaimed electric bassist, composer and clinician Doug Johns as Owens Community College presents a free Master Class and Electric Basic Clinic on Saturday, July 10.

Presented by the College’s School of Arts and Sciences on Findlay-area Campus and the Department of Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus, Johns’ appearance at Owens will occur from 1-3 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre on the Toledo-area Campus. In addition, the College will host a reception for Johns prior to his presentation on Saturday from 12:30-1 p.m. The reception will take place in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda. Admission to the event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

The Master Class and Electric Bass Clinic will feature discussion about Johns’ musical background as well as insight into forming a genuine connection with audiences as a musician. Highlighted topics will also include the importance of self promotion and marketing and the Internet as it relates to a professional career in the music industry. Additionally, Johns plans to share his musical talents with attendees during the clinic.

Johns began honing his skills at a very young by performing in various soul, funk, blues and jazz bands. From humble beginnings, the Cleveland-based musician has since entertained audiences worldwide with his electric jazz-funk/fusion sound. Johns has more than 25 years of bass experience and has worked with such musical talents as Victor Wooten, Buddy Miles and Dweezil Zappa.

The culmination of Johns’ musical experiences led him to release his first critically-acclaimed solo CD “Doug Johns” in 2006. Johns has followed up his solo debut with the release of “Pocket Fulla Nasty” in 2008. The internationally-recognized bassist is currently performing as part of a two-person project, the Doug Johns Duo, featuring drummer Chris Ceja.

For additional information about the upcoming Master Class and Electric Bass Clinic, call (567) 429-3648 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3648.

Owens Community College Assists School Children With ‘Backpack to the Future’ Summer Supply Drive

Posted on June 30th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – 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 to the Student Development Office on the Findlay-area Campus in Findlay.

Since establishing the program in 2004, the Owens Alumni Association has given over 1,520 backpacks and over 25,710 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 Express Women’s Volleyball Announces Signing of Nine Student-Athletes to Scholarships

Posted on June 29th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Nine first-year student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play NJCAA intercollegiate women’s volleyball for the Owens Community College Express during the upcoming 2010-11 academic year.

The Owens women’s volleyball program is led by Head Coach Sonny Lewis and competes at the NJCAA Division II level. Participating in intercollegiate athletics at the NJCAA Division II level allows the College to offer scholarships to pay for tuition for its student-athletes.

The Express women’s volleyball program completed their 2009 season with a 32-20 overall record. Owens finished in second place in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (9-3 record). The team’s season concluded with a loss to St. Clair County Community College in the semifinals of the NJCAA Region XII Championships.

“The incoming class may be the most talented group of student-athletes ever to play volleyball at Owens, which is saying a lot as the program has a long and storied history of academic and athletic excellence,” said Lewis, whose teams have captured 10 out of the last 12 conference titles. “Each individual brings a wide variety of skills and abilities to this year’s team, which complements an experienced group of returning veterans. I am really looking forward to the upcoming season and the potential of capturing another conference title.”

First-year student-athletes receiving women’s volleyball scholarships are Alexa Ansell of Oregon, rightside hitter (Genoa H.S. and Northern Kentucky University transfer); Elizabeth Comes of Sylvania, defensive specialist (Southview H.S.); Brittany Egbert of Fostoria, middle blocker and outside hitter (Hopewell-Loudon H.S.); Julia Haupricht of Toledo, middle blocker and outside hitter (Central Catholic H.S.); Ashley Horak of Bowling Green, outside hitter (Bowling Green H.S. and Eastern Kentucky University transfer); Alexandria McAfee of Ypsilanti, Mich., middle blocker and outside hitter (Milan H.S.); Erin Schatzle of Monroe, Mich., setter and outside hitter (Monroe H.S.); Alyssa Pelish of Toledo, defensive specialist (Central Catholic H.S.), and Allison Seifker of Norwalk, rightside hitter (Monroeville H.S.).

Owens Community College and Clear Channel Radio Partner to Provide Free College Education

Posted on June 28th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College and four Clear Channel radio stations are partnering in a contest to award a free college education to four area residents, with two winners receiving the grand prize of two semesters of free Owens tuition.

92.5 KISS-FM, 104.7 WIOT, 101.5 The River and 103.7 CKY will begin airing promotional announcements for the contest on Tuesday, July 6.

“Thanks to the generosity of Clear Channel Radio, four individuals will be able to experience a quality higher education for free at Owens Community College,” said Dr. Gary Corrigan, Owens Director of Marketing and Communications.

Individuals can enter the contest by logging onto any of five websites – www.owens.edu , www.925kissfm.com, www.wiot.com, www.1015theriver.com or www.1037wcky.com – clicking on the “Tuition is Right” and correctly answering the entry question. Applicants also can enter by completing a paper entry form available at the Student Development Office on the Owens Toledo-area Campus, Information Desk on the Findlay-area Campus or the Reception Desk at the Owens Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo and Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee. All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 1.

All qualifying entrants will be eligible to attend the first final on Wednesday, Aug. 4 at 3 p.m. at the Community Education and Wellness Center on the Owens Findlay-area Campus in Findlay. One grand prize of two semesters of free tuition and one runner-up prize of one semester of free tuition will be awarded by random draw.

All qualifying entrants who do not win a tuition prize Aug. 4 will be eligible to attend the second final on Thursday, Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. at the Student Health and Activities Center on the Owens Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township. The second grand prize of two semesters of free tuition and final runner-up prize of one semester of free tuition also will be awarded by random draw.

The finals also will feature other valuable prizes drawn at random as well as free food and games.

Andy Stuart, Vice President & Market Manager of Clear Channel Radio Toledo/Findlay, looks forward to an eighth tuition promotion with Owens Community College.

“Our stations entertain thousands of listeners daily, but it’s these types of partnerships that are really satisfying,” he said. “‘The Tuition is Right’ positively impacts the lives of the four winners and encourages all individuals to strive for a higher education and a better life.”

Open to residents 16 years of age or older, the contest marks the ninth time since 2003 that Owens has partnered with Northwest Ohio media and offered a tuition contest.

Owens Community College Hosts Express Volleyball Camp, July 12-14

Posted on June 28th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will offer area volleyball players the opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of the sport as the women’s volleyball program hosts a three-day Express Volleyball Camp, Monday-Wednesday, July 12-14.

The volleyball camp will offer two separate sessions daily from 1-4:30 p.m. for grades 8-12 and from 5:30-8 p.m. for grades 4-7 in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Camp instructors will include the Owens Express women’s volleyball coaching staff, area coaches, and current and former collegiate players. Each camp participant will receive individual instruction on volleyball skills in their designated area, including outsider hitter, middle blocker, setter and defensive specialist. In addition, attendees will learn about drills and exercises for volleyball and gain tips on improving their passing efficiency.

Led by Head Coach Sonny Lewis, Owens Express women’s volleyball completed their 2009 season with a 32-20 overall record. Owens finished in second place in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (9-3 record). The team’s season concluded with a loss to St. Clair County Community College in the semifinals of the NJCAA Region XII Championships.

Parents and coaches are invited to attend the camp to listen and observe at no additional charge.

The camp fee is $80 per player, which includes a camp T-shirt. For more information, or to register, call (567) 661-7939 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7939.

OwensCommunity College Closed for Independence Holiday, July 2-5

Posted on June 28th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses will be closed Friday-Monday, July 2-5 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 Tuesday, July 6.

Owens Community College Announces Findlay-area Campus Vice Presidential Open Forums

Posted on June 24th, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College will welcome three Findlay-area Campus vice presidential finalists to the Findlay-area and Toledo-area campuses as the academic institution announces open forums for the candidates to meet employees, students and members of the community, July 13, 14 and 20.

The open forums will take place each day from 10-11 a.m. in the College’s Community Education and Wellness Center Room 111 on the Findlay-area Campus and from 2-3 p.m. in Owens’ Audio/Visual Classroom Center Rooms 125-128 on the Toledo-area Campus. The Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay, while the Toledo-area Campus is on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. The forums are open to the public.

The three Findlay-area Campus vice presidential candidates will visit Owens’ Findlay-area and Toledo-area campuses on the following days: Judy Ennis, Project Director of the Ohio GROWs Grant with the Ohio Electrical Labor Management Cooperative Committee, on Tuesday, July 13, Dr. Melissa Green, Vice President of Student Affairs at Rhodes State College, on Wednesday, July 14, and Dr. Matthew Kinkley, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Instructional Services at Rhodes State College, on Tuesday, July 20.

“The Vice Presidential Search Committee is pleased to welcome three finalists to the Findlay-area and Toledo-area campuses and provide them with the opportunity to share their vision about the role Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus can play in providing higher education to the Northwest Ohio region,” said Tom, Perin, Owens Executive Director of Organizational Performance and Accountability and Chair of the Findlay-area Campus Vice Presidential Search Committee. “The Vice Presidential Search Committee looks forward to their upcoming visits to Owens Community College and encourages both the campus community and area residents to participate in the upcoming open forums.”

In May, Owens began the process of selecting a new leader for the Findlay-area Campus by announcing that a regional search for a new Vice President was underway. In addition to Chair Tom Perin, the Findlay-area Campus Vice Presidential Search Committee is comprised of 10 individuals representing both the campus community and the surrounding communities. The responsibilities of the Findlay-area Campus Vice Presidential Search Committee includes reviewing applications, selecting and interviewing finalist candidates and then forwarding recommendations to President Dr. Larry McDougle.

The new Vice President, which replaces the previous Executive Dean position, will report to the President and oversee all aspects related to the administrative leadership, coordination and development of initiatives related to enhancing educational opportunities and resources for current and future students on the Findlay-area Campus.

In addition, the Vice President will serve as a liaison between various College departments and faculty and staff and assist them in the coordination of academic and student services. The position will also entail the creation and implementation of strategies to enhance enrollment and retention efforts on the Findlay-area Campus, as well as serve as an ambassador for the Owens Findlay-area Campus and look to further strengthen partnerships with community, business and educational leaders in the immediate Findlay area and throughout Hancock and surrounding counties.

Owens’ Community Terrace View CafÈ Announces First-Ever Summer Semester Menu, June 29 – July 22

Posted on June 23rd, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents are invited to experience an array of delectable meals that emphasize healthy cooking at Owens Community College as the hospitality management and culinary arts programs expand their experiential learning opportunities to include menu selections in the community Terrace View CafÈ during the summer months.

The student-run Terrace View CafÈ is open to the public during the academic year. Owens’ restaurant, which is coordinated by the Food, Nutrition and Hospitality department, is located in College Hall Room 148 on the Toledo-area Campus. The Terrace View CafÈ will be open to area residents for lunch on Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Seating is limited and available until 12:15 p.m. The cost per lunch is only $7.50 and reservations are required.

The menu selections were planned by culinary arts students in the Techniques for Healthy Cooking classes led by Owens instructors Chef Bill Powell and Chef Andrea Lawrence.

“Owens Community College is proud to expand educational opportunities for our students by opening the community Terrace View CafÈ during the upcoming summer months,” said Chef Bill Powell, Owens Instructor of Food, Nutrition and Hospitality. “The Terrace View CafÈ has become an extremely popular restaurant destination for the campus community and the general public. Our students are extremely appreciative of their support as the Terrace View CafÈ provides a unique learning experience for students in the hospitality management and culinary arts programs.”

Powell added, “More and more individuals are placing an emphasis on healthier lifestyles and the recipes planned by the Techniques for Healthy Cooking classes take into account nutrition science, food preparation and menu strategies for healthy eating. The menu selections are very flavorful and wholesome and will certainly not disappoint Terrace View CafÈ patrons.”

The Terrace View CafÈ will be available to guests starting Tuesday, June 29 with a healthy cuisine that features an herb breaded chicken with a creamy mustard gravy as the entrÈe. Upcoming Summer Semester dates and entrÈe listings include July 1 (duck stir fry with hazelnut wild rice), July 13 (braised lamb), July 15 (seared scallops with beet vinaigrette), July 20 (seared cod with ginger scallion butter) and July 22 (Moroccan chicken pita sandwich). A complete listing of dishes is available at www.owens.edu/terrace. Also, meals are available for take out.

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.

Reservations must be made by 3 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the Tuesday luncheon. For additional information about Owens’ Terrace View CafÈ summer lunch menu, 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 Students to Receive Hands-on Training During Findlay-area Campus Solar Array Installation, June 24

Posted on June 22nd, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Sixteen Owens Community College students will have the opportunity to place themselves in the shoes of a professional photovoltaic installer as the academic institution announces installation plans for the new solar array on the Findlay-area Campus.

Starting at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 24, Superior Energy Solutions LLC in Ottawa will begin the process of installing the College’s new solar array adjacent to the Community Education and Wellness Center on the Findlay-area Campus. Assisting Superior Energy Solutions in their installation efforts will be 16 students participating in the College’s Renewable Energy Program. Owens students will receive experiential learning specific to the actual mounting and wiring of each panel to the structure’s framework. The hands-on portion of the project will conclude around 4 p.m.

Owens’ new solar array is the first of two alternative energy projects taking place on the Findlay-area Campus. In addition to harnessing the sun’s energy, the College will soon be generating wind power as the academic institution recently announced plans for a new wind turbine. Installation of the new wind turbine will take place in the next two weeks by Superior Energy Solutions.

The 1.7-kilowat solar array will feature eight panels and be used for hands-on learning as well as to convert sunlight into electricity for regular operational purposes within the Community Education and Wellness Center. Photovoltaic cells within each panel will absorb the sun’s rays and create a current of power which will be directed to an inverter. The inverter will then convert the DC voltage, produced by the panels, to AC voltage.

Owens’ new solar array on the Findlay-area Campus will be different than the alternative energy technology located on the Toledo-area Campus in order to showcase different renewable energy equipment and installation techniques for students. The Findlay-area Campus solar array will feature a small inverter for each solar module, while the solar array design on Toledo-area Campus uses a single inverter for an entire group of solar panels.

Owens Workforce and Community Services Announces LEGO Robotics Academy Program, July 12-15

Posted on June 21st, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area youth ages 10 through 14 are invited to explore science, mathematics and creative thinking through the use of LEGO materials as Owens Community College offers its annual summer LEGO Robotics Academy Program, July 12-15.

The LEGO Robotics Academy Program will be offered through Owens’ Workforce and Community Services, which is located at the College’s Arrowhead Park Learning Center on Indian Wood Circle in Maumee. Two separate classes will be available as part of the program and will take place Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.

“Owens’ Workforce and Community Services is excited to provide continuing education program that brings science, mathematics and creative thinking alive for children,” said Rhonda Hogrefe, Owens Continuing Education and Community Service Account Representative”The LEGO Robotics Academy Program promotes team building and allows attendees to think creatively and explore engineering processes in a fun, engaging environment.”

In addition, the class will use LEGO Educational Division materials and LEGO Technic elements as part of the academic curriculum.

The registration fee for the LEGO Robotics Academy Program is $125. Class space is limited. For more information, or to register for the class, call (567) 661-7357 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7357.

Owens Community College Foundation Awards First-Ever Officer William A. Miscannon Scholarship

Posted on June 21st, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College student Jakob Sigler of Findlay has been chosen by the Owens Community College Foundation to receive the first-ever $1,500 Officer William A. Miscannon Scholarship for the upcoming 2010-11 academic year.

Established in 2008 by the Toledo Police Department and the Oregon Fraternal Order of Police with a donation of $10,000, the endowed scholarship honors the legacies of Officer William A. Miscannon and Detective Keith Dressel of the Toledo Police Department. Officer Miscannon was a 33-year old police officer, husband and father of four who had served on the police force for nearly four years when he was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 18, 1970. Detective Dressel, 35, had served for 14 years when he was fatally wounded on Feb. 21, 2007, leaving behind a wife and two small children.

The scholarship, which is renewable, will be given annually to an Owens student, preferably one who is a criminal justice major and who plans to go into law enforcement. The scholarship recipient must be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours at Owens per semester, and must achieve and maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average.

The scholarship was awarded to Sigler at a reception attended by members of Officer Miscannon and Detective Dressel’s families, representatives from the Oregon Fraternal Order of Police, the City of Toledo Police Division and organizers of the Detective Keith Dressel Memorial Ride. Proceeds from the annual ride are being used to support the endowed scholarship fund, including an initial donation of $5,500 made in 2009. This year’s ride will take place on Saturday, July 10. For more information, visit www.rideforkeith.com.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the selection of Jakob as the first recipient of this scholarship,” said Toledo Police Detective Bonnie Weis, Co-Organizer of the Detective Keith Dressel Memorial Ride and a member of the scholarship selection committee. “Everyone thinks the world of Jakob. He exhibits the good qualities we want to see in recipients of this scholarship who will go on to become dedicated law enforcement officers like Officer Miscannon and Detective Dressel.”

Sigler, a 2010 graduate of Findlay High School, has already earned more than 30 college credits while working toward his associate’s degree in criminal justice technology at Owens. After graduation, he plans to pursue his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Ohio University with the ultimate goal of becoming a Trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Sigler has envisioned a career in law enforcement since a very young age. At age 14, Sigler joined the Hancock County Sheriff’s Explorers program, where he now serves as a Lieutenant, leading the group at community outreach events. In 2007, he earned the honor of attending the National Law Enforcement Explorer Academy at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. Sigler recently completed a Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout service project, which entailed the coordination of a Safety Day at Findlay High School including representatives from six first responder agencies.

[nggallery id=5]

Owens Community College to Host Community Blood Drive, June 22

Posted on June 21st, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents can help in saving the lives of their neighbors as Owens Community College and the American Red Cross host a community Blood Drive on Tuesday, June 22.

The Blood Drive will occur from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. in the College’s Audio/Visual Classroom Center Rooms 125-128 on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Donors will be provided snacks and drinks before and after their donation. For more information, contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. Interested parties are encouraged to make an appointment by registering on the website at www.redcrossblood.org and entering the sponsor code OWENSCCPERRYSBURG or calling the above number.

Lake Local Schools to Relocate High School to Owens’ Center for Development and Training Building

Posted on June 16th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Over 430 Lake High School students in grades 9-12 will have the opportunity to experience a taste of college life prior to pursuing a higher education as Owens Community College and Lake Local Schools enter into a new partnership that will provide the school district with a temporary home for Lake High School staff and students.

Beginning in August, Lake High School students will receive their classroom instruction at the College’s Center for Development and Training building, which is located on Tracy Road in Northwood.

“Owens Community College is committed to providing assistance to Lake Local Schools in its efforts to rebuild the educational facilities damaged and destroyed by the tornados that devastated the Northwest Ohio region,” said Dr. Larry G. McDougle, President of Owens Community College. “We are proud and honored to lend a helping hand to our educational neighbor and ensure that their students succeed and receive a high school education in one location.”

President McDougle added, “Our mission at Owens Community College is to serve our students and communities and this educational partnership represents institutional collaboration at its best. We look forward to welcoming Lake High School and their staff and students to the campus community this coming August.”

“Lake Local Schools is extremely appreciative to accept the offer of Owens Community College to use one of the College’s buildings as a temporary solution to house Lake High School students for the 2010-11 school year,” said Jim Witt, Superintendent of Lake Local Schools. “Our district is grateful for the generosity provided by the Board of Trustees, President McDougle and their outstanding staff.”

Lake High School students will receive their regular comprehensive academic curriculum at the College’s Center for Development and Training building to include such course offerings as art, business, computer technology, family and consumer science, music, physical education and health, and science, among other opportunities.

Owens’ 53,500 square-foot Center for Development and Training building, which houses some Workforce and Community Services and Skilled Trades Technologies educational courses, among other areas, features 10 classrooms, three computer laboratories, 34 offices, two reception areas and 12 experiential learning laboratories, all with state-of-the-art technology and academic resources to meet the needs of the Lake High School’s staff and students. In an effort to accommodate Lake High School’s educational needs, Owens will be relocating academic courses housed within the Center for Development and Training building to other campus locations.

Owens Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery Presents Toledo Emerges’ Art Exhibit, June 15 – July 29

Posted on June 15th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will conclude the 2009-10 Arts Exhibition Season with a new generation of emerging artists bringing a fresh perspective to the Northwest Ohio art scene as the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery presents the exhibit titled “Toledo Emerges”, June 15 – July 29.

To celebrate the opening of the ‘Toledo Emerges’ art exhibit, a free reception will take place on Thursday, June 17 from 6-8 p.m. in the College’s Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. Music will be provided by DJ Andy Zurecher. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to conclude the current exhibition season by showcasing some of the finest emerging artists around,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Coordinator of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “‘Toledo Emerges’ will provide area residents with the chance to view various artistic expressions as presented by our extremely talented arts community. These young artists bring a new and exciting perspective on a variety of contemporary styles, which will certainly not disappoint exhibit attendees.”

Individuals showcasing their artistic work as part of Owens’ season concluding art exhibit are Lena B. Ellis-Boatman of Berkley, Mich. (printmaking), Amy Beeler of Oregon (jewelry), Elizabeth Ann Cavalier of Bowling Green (fiber sculpture), Carley Dahl of Monroe, Mich. (mixed media), Dan Hernandez of Toledo (mixed media), Kristin Kowalski of Toledo (ceramic sculpture), Julia Cristina Rogers of Bowling Green (bronze and glass sculpture), Har Simrit Singh (Doug Curtis) of Toledo (graffiti and painting) and Joseph Van Kerhove of Toledo (ceramic and printmaking).

A wide range of visual media will be featured, including works of art in the areas of painting, printmaking, ceramics, jewelry, graffiti and sculpture, among many others.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Thursday. For additional information, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721 or (567) 661-2721.

[nggallery id=4]

Owens Express Golf to Hold Open Tryouts, June 21-24

Posted on June 14th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Prospective high school graduates and area residents interested in playing intercollegiate golf at Owens Community College are invited to four-day open qualifier Monday-Thursday, June 21-24.

Open tryouts begin at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, June 21 at Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg. The second round of the four-day qualifier will start at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 22 at Maumee Bay State Park Golf Course in Oregon. The final two rounds will begin at 7 a.m. Wednesday-Thursday, June 23-24 at Heather Downs Country Club in Toledo.

Registration is required prior to open tryouts and the green fee for the four-day tournament is $63. For more information on the open tryouts, call (567) 661-2643 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2643.

83 Recent High School Graduates Begin Educational Pursuits Through Participation in Owens’ Free Summer Bridge Program

Posted on June 14th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Eighty-three recent graduates from 15 Northwest Ohio high schools will have the opportunity to experience a taste of college life for free prior to the beginning of the Fall Semester as Owens Community College announces its 2010 Bridge to Success Program. The free program is designed to help first-year students, who are underrepresented, successfully transition from high school to college.

A majority of the 83 students are members of the College’s Success Program, which affords graduating students, from 15 area high schools, in financial need the opportunity to pursue a free college education at Owens. This marks the first year that Owens has expanded the free program to graduates from 15 area high schools that are not eligible for the Success Program.

“Owens Community College is proud to provide educational opportunities, which enable students to successfully transition from high school to college,” said Tamara Williams, Owens Interim Vice Provost. “The Bridge to Success Program was created with the overall mission of assisting students, who may never aspire to attend college, succeed by providing them with the ‘Owens Experience’ and the necessary resources to achieve their academic and career goals.”

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 student success mentor during the seven-week academic program and through the first year of their college experience. Students receive free academic textbooks and public transportation to and from Owens’ Toledo-area Campus. Upon the program’s completion, each student will also receive a miniature laptop computer, which will be used for interactive, experiential learning activities during their academic career at Owens.

Owens’ Bridge to Success Program begins on Monday, June 14 with an orientation for the participating students in the College’s Audio/Visual Classroom Center Room 125. The orientation will begin with opening remarks and a keynote address from 9:15-10:45 a.m. Attendees will also receive a Summer Bridge to Success Program overview, as well as hear from Owens representatives, students and Student Success mentors from 10:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The orientation will conclude with a Bridge to Success Program induction ceremony at 1:30 p.m. for participating students.

In 2008, Owens’ Foundation announced the creation of the new Success Program, which bridges the gap between the grant aid a student receives and the cost of an Owens education.

Fifteen high schools are currently involved in the Owens Success Program. Most recently in May 2009, the College expanded the Success Program to include the Washington Local School District. Prior to the May announcement, the Success Program was extended to all high schools within the Toledo Public Schools district in October 2008. Both Toledo Public Schools’ Woodward High School and Findlay City Schools became the first and second educational institutions in 2008 to partner with the College’s Foundation and extend this opportunity to its students.

Two hundred forty-seven graduates in 2009 from Whitmer High School, Findlay High School and all high schools within the Toledo Public Schools district in financial need received a free college education to Owens as part of the College Foundation’s expanded Success Program on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. During the previous academic year, 87 Woodward and Findlay high school students chose to continue their education at Owens through the Success Program.

In order to be eligible, students must graduate from high school, be enrolled in 12 or more credit hours each semester at Owens and complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid and receive some Pell grant funding. Recipients must enroll at Owens during the first Fall Semester or Spring Semester following graduation and will have three years to complete their associate’s degree through the Success Program initiative.

In addition to the Bridge to Success Program on the Toledo-area Campus, Owens is extending the same academic program to Findlay City Schools’ graduates on the Findlay-area Campus during the current summer term.

Owens Students Aid Tornado Victims with Disaster Relief Supply Drive, June 10-28

Posted on June 10th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College students are reaching out to the victims of the tornados that devastated the Northwest Ohio region by organizing a Disaster Relief Supply Drive on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, June 10-28.

Items being collected include bottled water, non-perishable food, antibacterial wipes, baby care supplies, cleaning supplies (dust masks, gloves and goggles), sun block, new socks, brooms and dust pans, large trash bags, laundry baskets, rope, and plastic utensils and cups, among other supplies.

“Northwest Ohio has experienced tremendous losses that will be felt for years to come,” said Molly Jordan, Owens Student Disaster Relief Supply Drive Co-Coordinator. “I encourage individuals to help those devastated by these terrible tornados by donating to Owens Community College’s Disaster Relief Supply Drive or another charitable cause specific to the relief efforts.”

Owens has set up a variety of collection points around the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. Area residents can drop off their charitable donations on the Toledo-area Campus at the Student Health and Activities Center, College Hall Bookstore, College Hall Fireside Grill, the Library, Administration Hall, Center for Fine and Performing Arts and the Transportation Technologies Center. On the Findlay-area Campus, collection points are in the College’s Commons area.

At the conclusion of the supply drive, all disaster relief items will be donated to the Mainstreet Church in Walbridge for distribution purposes.

In addition, 24 Owens students and employees will be assisting with the clean-up efforts of the surrounding areas affected by the tornados on Friday, June 11. Beginning at 10 a.m., Owens representatives will participate in various volunteer activities as determined by disaster officials at Walbridge’s Mainstreet Church. The group will conclude their volunteerism efforts at 5 p.m.

Monetary donations are being accepted through Mainstreet Church, which is helping directly in the caring for those affected by the tornado devestation. For more information, or to make a donation, call (567) 661-7583 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7583.

Owens Community College Announces Free Summer ‘QuickStart to College’ Program, June 14 – Aug. 5

Posted on June 10th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents are invited to explore career options and gain advice on making the first steps toward a college education as the Owens Community College presents a free “QuickStart to College” program, June 14 – Aug. 5.

The free eight-week program, which is designed for first generation college attendees, low wage workers, underemployed and undereducated adults in mind, will take place Tuesdays and Wednesdays (June 15 – Aug. 4) from 11 a.m. – 1:50 p.m. in College Room 159 on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township, Wednesdays and Thursdays (June 16 – Aug. 5) from 1-3:50 p.m. in Room 104 at the College’s Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo, and Mondays and Wednesdays (June 14 – Aug. 4) from 10 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. in Room 144 at Owens’ Learning Center at Arrowhead Park in Maumee.

Owens’ free “QuickStart to College” comprehensive program features an array of educational initiatives, including academic preparation, coaching and embracing the expectations of college-level studies. Additionally, students will participate in activities designed to promote enhanced learning and develop necessary study and life skills for college success. Individuals will also learn and obtain an in-depth understanding of the language, culture and resources of Owens through the program, as well as receive information specific to the financial aid process and academic placement testing. Free math, reading and writing tutorials are also offered to program participants.

In addition, each student will receive three college credit hours toward an Owens education upon course completion.

Funding for Owens’ academic initiative is being made possible through a three-year $522,200 grant from the Lumina Foundation for Education, which is an Indianapolis-based private foundation dedicated to expanding access to and success in education beyond high school. Owens is one of only three academic institutions statewide to receive funding in 2008 for the program. The other two colleges are Rhodes State College in Lima and Zane State College in Zanesville.

In order to be eligible for the free “QuickStart to College” program, individuals must have obtained their high school Diploma or GED. A mandatory orientation will take place in conjunction with the designated first day of class. For more information about the “QuickStart to College” program, call (567) 661-2990 (Toledo-area Campus class) or (567) 661-2732 (The Source and Arrowhead Park Learning Center classes).

Owens Names New School of Arts and Sciences Dean

Posted on June 9th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College has named Dr. Laurie Fathe as the new Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. 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.

“We are honored to have Dr. Laurie Fathe serving as the new Dean for Owens’ School of Arts and Sciences,” said Dr. Renay Scott, Interim Executive Vice President and Provost of Owens Community College. “The School of Arts and Sciences, which is recognized nationally for its innovation, provides hundreds of students with seamless opportunities to four-year institutions each year, as well as supports students from throughout the College in their educational endeavors. Dr. Fathe is a visionary leader who brings extensive knowledge and experience in higher education to Owens Community College, which will be invaluable in elevating the School of Arts and Sciences to a new level of academic excellence.”

Fathe’s higher educational career includes serving as Associate Provost for Educational Improvement and Innovation at George Mason University from 2001-07. While at George Mason, she was responsible for the support and education of the academic institution’s faculty in teaching, assessment, student learning and scholarship. As part of the Provost’s senior staff, Fathe oversaw educational efforts specific to instruction, faculty evaluation, program assessment, and promoting and rewarding faculty educational excellence. Additionally, she assisted George Mason’s research into educational effectiveness, provided organization and oversight of the university-funded undergraduate research program and coordinated the planning and implementation of the Program for Innovative Education. Fathe also served as a faculty member in the Higher Education Program at George Mason.

Since August 2007, Fathe has served as an Educational Consultant for colleges and universities throughout the country. Academic areas in which Fathe has provided consultative leadership and guidance include external evaluation for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) projects, professional development for faculty members and administrators, grant writing and STEM curriculum development. Fathe also served as the Principal Investigator/Director for the Los Angeles Collaborative for Teaching Excellence from 1996-2000.

Her professional and community involvement includes serving as the Organizer and Report Author for “A Meeting of the Minds” symposium consisting of 24 leaders in STEM teacher preparation at community colleges in 2008 and an Advisory Board member for “The Effort of STEM Faculty Engagement in MSP: A Longitudinal Perspective”, a five-year National Science Foundation-funded project to evaluate the impact of major nationally funded teacher preparation efforts from 2004-09. Fathe also was a Report Coordinator for the National Research Council proceedings for “Mathematics and Science Partnership Workshop on Challenging Courses and Curricula” and “Mathematics and Science Partnership Workshop on Focusing on the Role of Higher Education and Math/Science Partnerships” in 2006.

The North Olmsted resident earned both her doctorate and master’s degree in electrical engineering/quantum electronics from the University of Southern California. Fathe received a second master’s degree in solid state physics from the University of Illinois and a bachelor’s degree in physics from Miami University.

Owens Board of Trustees Names Dr. Larry G. McDougle President

Posted on June 8th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College Board of Trustees has ended its presidential search and selected Dr. Larry G. McDougle to serve as the academic institution’s new President. Dr. McDougle has been serving as the College’s Interim President since January of this year.

The Board of Trustees approved Dr. McDougle’s appointment as the fifth President in the 45-year history of Owens Community College during their regular June meeting. Both the Board of Trustees and Dr. McDougle have agreed to a one-year contract.

According to Owens Community College Board of Trustees Chair Dee Talmage, the Presidential Search Committee was planning to reconvene in June to review additional applications, however, after receiving overwhelming feedback from the College’s campus community as well as community members in support of Dr. McDougle and his leadership the decision was made to end the search.

“During the past six months, Dr. Larry McDougle’s leadership and experience has been integral in bringing the Owens Community College campus community together and moving the academic institution forward during challenging times,” stated Board of Trustees Chair Talmage.

She added, “The Northwest Ohio region as well as the state and country are currently experiencing economic hardship and instability that has not been seen in decades, which has thrust the role of higher education into the national spotlight. Colleges and universities must continue to adapt to the changing times in order to prepare a highly trained and highly skilled workforce. Dr. McDougle is well-respected among educational and community leaders nationwide and is committed to the College’s mission of serving our students. He is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others and the right person to lead Owens Community College.”

“I look forward to continuing to work with Dr. McDougle as Owens Community College works to meet the educational needs of students in Northwest Ohio,” said Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric D. Fingerhut. “His experience and commitment to education and to Owens Community College is invaluable to the University System of Ohio.”

Ohio Association of Community Colleges President Dr. Ronald Abrams, extended congratulations to both Dr. McDougle and Owens Community College. “Larry is a true friend and advocate of community colleges and has displayed an unwavering commitment to higher education throughout his years of service,” Dr. Abrams said. “His measured approach to leading a community college, along with his wealth of knowledge and experience, will continue to prove beneficial for Owens and the surrounding community.”

“Owens Community College has a long and proud tradition of providing a superior educational experience through excellence, innovation and collaboration and I embrace this opportunity to serve the students, faculty and staff as the academic institution’s new President,” said Dr. Larry McDougle, President of Owens Community College.

President McDougle added, “Higher education plays a vital role in our region’s economic development, vitality and productivity. In order for Northwest Ohio to be successful, businesses, industry and academic institutions alike must strengthen our partnerships to compete in today’s global economy. I foresee even more collaborations ahead as Owens Community College will remain ambitious in its pursuit of opening new doors to higher educational opportunities.”

Since becoming the College’s Interim President in January, McDougle has worked tirelessly to reach out and engage Owens faculty, staff and students, as well as community and educational partners, with the purpose of advancing higher education for area residents throughout Northwest Ohio and beyond. Under his leadership, the College has expanded educational opportunities to Arrowhead Park in Maumee and unveiled a new Learning Center, as well as opened the doors to a newly renovated Founders Hall. The College is currently in the midst of refurbishing Heritage Hall at the former Penta Career Center as part of Owens’ ongoing campus expansion initiative.

Other initiatives include the opening of a new Faculty Development Center on Toledo-area Campus, as well as announcing plans for a new wind turbine and solar array on the Findlay-area Campus. Additionally, Owens recently began the implementation of a new Energy Strategic Plan, which is projected to annually reduce energy by over 20 percent once the initiative is fully operational, and further enhanced educational services for students through the creation of an OServe area. In addition, a new Academic Achievement Scholarship Program was unveiled in March. The program is designed to provide graduating high school students achieving academic excellence at the highest level the opportunity to pursue a free college education.

Also under President McDougle’s leadership, a thorough analysis of the registered nursing program, as well as with all other academic programs, has and will continue to take place to ensure that a situation involving the loss of accreditation with an academic program does not happen again. A new review process is now in place for all academic programs. Additionally, the School of Nursing is currently working diligently on regaining NLNAC registered nursing program accreditation with the overall goal of becoming an elite school for nursing in Ohio and beyond.

President McDougle brings to Owens more than 40 years of experience in higher education as a faculty member and administrator in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and South Carolina. President McDougle was named the fourth President of Northwest State Community College in 1991 and retired as President Emeritus in 2003. During his tenure, Northwest State doubled in size, both in terms of enrollment and physical plant. Additionally, President McDougle served as Academic Dean of Instruction in the Community and Technical College of the University of Toledo from 1984-91.

Since his retirement, President McDougle has been a part-time faculty member in the University of Toledo Higher Education program, which is designed to prepare students for positions as college administrators. His professional background also includes serving as a tenured Professor at Indiana University, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and the University of Toledo.

President McDougle has received many honors to include an Honorary Doctor of Educational Leadership in 1998 and the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2009, both from the University of Findlay. In 1996, he received the Philip J. Rusche Distinguished Service Award from the University of Toledo College of Education and Allied Professions. Two years later, President McDougle was awarded the John C. Hoyt Outstanding Employment and Training Leadership Award from the Toledo Area Private Industry Council.

In addition, he is the author of more than 60 articles, which have been published in a variety of professional journals, and has been invited to make presentations at more than 150 state, regional and national conferences.

Nationally, President McDougle has held Board of Directors-level positions with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Membership Advisory Council of NFPA, the Midwest Society for Human Resources/Industrial Relations Chapter of the Midwest Business Administration Association and the Membership Committee of the American Technical Education Association (ATEA). In Ohio, he has served on the Ohio Board of Regents Advisory Committee on Service Achievement and has been a member of the Board of Trustees for Mercy College of Northwest Ohio, the Northwest Ohio Regional Economic Development (NORED), the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) and the Henry County Business Advisory Council.

President McDougle earned a doctorate in higher education from the University of Toledo. The Napoleon resident holds a master’s degree in physics from Kent State University and a bachelor’s degree in math-physics from the University of Findlay. President McDougle succeeds Dr. Christa Adams, who retired Jan. 1, after having served as President of Owens Community College since July 2001.

Owens Community College to Host Lake High School Commencement Ceremony, June 8

Posted on June 7th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – One hundred ten Lake High School graduating seniors will be honored for achieving academic excellence and receive their diplomas at Owens Community College as the academic institution will serve as host to Lake Local Schools commencement ceremony on Tuesday, June 8.

The graduation event will occur at 7 p.m. in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Owens Welcomes Home National Guardsmen from Active Duty, June 8

Posted on June 7th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents will have the opportunity to honor their local soldiers as Owens Community College hosts a special Homecoming Ceremony for the Ohio National Guard’s 1483rd Transportation Company, 371st Sustainment Brigade, on Tuesday, June 8.

The Homecoming Ceremony for the national guardsmen begins at 1 p.m. in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. The event is free and open to the public.

The College will join community leaders, politicians and area residents in recognizing and welcoming home the 1483rd Transportation Company from its deployment overseas.

Approximately 180 personnel assigned to the 1483rd Transportation Company, which is located in Walbridge, were mobilized to support Operation Iraqi Freedom efforts in the Middle East.

Since 2001, several thousand members of the Ohio National Guard have answered the nation’s call, serving in geographical regions ranging from Afghanistan to the Persian Gulf. Owens currently has over 300 students from the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses serving their country in the military.

Comparable to the National Guard of other states, the Ohio National Guard has a long history of service to its citizens and the United States. Its heritage is rooted in the militia system that has played a vital role in conflicts, wars, civil disturbances and natural disasters throughout our nation’s history. The overall mission of the Ohio National Guard is to provide trained units and equipment capable of protecting life and property, and preserving peace, order and public safety.

Owens Express Baseball and Softball to Host Open Tryouts, June 10

Posted on June 3rd, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Prospective high school graduates and area residents interested in playing intercollegiate men’s baseball or women’s softball at Owens Community College are invited to open tryouts on Thursday, June 10.

The open tryouts for men’s baseball begin at 4 p.m. at the College’s Baseball Complex, while the women’s softball open tryouts start at 4:30 p.m. at the Owens Softball Complex. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

The Owens men’s baseball program completed the 2010 season with a 35-20 overall record. Led by Head Coach Bob Schultz, the Express finished the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference regular season with a 4-8 (third place) mark. Owens lost to Kellogg Community College in the semifinals of the NJCAA Region XII Championships.

Express women’s softball finished the 2010 season with a 33-16 overall record and captured its eighth Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (8-0 record) title in the program’s history. Owens has won five out of the last six OCCAC regular season championships (2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010). Led by Head Coach Duane Lanham, the Express lost to Muskegon Community College in the championship game of the NJCAA Region XII Championships.

Scholarships are still available. Owens Express players must be high school graduates and should bring their own equipment. For more information on the open tryouts, call (567) 661-7936 (baseball), (567) 661-7937 (softball) or (567) 661-7974 (Athletics Department Office).

Owens Findlay-area Campus Announces Free Summer ‘QuickStart to College’ Program, June 15 – Aug. 5

Posted on June 3rd, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents are invited to explore career options and gain advice on making the first steps toward a college education as the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus presents a free “QuickStart to College” program, June 14 – Aug. 5.

The free eight-week program, which is designed for first generation college attendees, low wage workers, underemployed and undereducated adults in mind, will take place from 10 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. on Tuesdays in Room 151 and on Thursdays in Room 144 at Findlay-area Campus Community Education and Wellness Center, which is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

In addition, each student will receive three college credit hours toward an Owens education upon course completion.

In order to be eligible for the free “QuickStart to Success” program, individuals must have obtained their high school Diploma or GED. A mandatory orientation will take place in conjunction with the first day of class on June 15. For more information about the “QuickStart to College” program, call (567) 429-3509 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3509.

Owens Expands Renewable Energy Plans to Feature New Findlay-area Campus Solar Array

Posted on June 2nd, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College will soon be harnessing the sun’s energy in addition to generating wind power as the academic institution announces plans for the installation of the first solar array on the Findlay-area Campus. Both alternative energy resources will be installed concurrently in late June.

The solar array will be used for educational training within Workforce and Community Services’ Photovoltaic Installation Program as well as for future academic curriculum programming in the School of Technology. Both alternative energy resources will be located adjacent to the College’s Community Education and Wellness Center.

“The installation of a state-of-the-art solar array to complement the new wind turbine brings alternative energy education to the forefront in the Hancock County region,” said Dr. Michael Bankey, Owens Vice President of Workforce and Community Services. “Owens Community College is committed to providing students access to innovative learning opportunities and exposing the surrounding communities to the growing fields of solar and wind power.”

According Bankey, the new solar array on the Findlay-area Campus will be different than the alternative energy technology located on the Toledo-area Campus in order to showcase different renewable energy equipment and installation techniques for students.

“The solar array on the Findlay-area Campus will feature a small inverter for each solar module, which is an innovative installation technique. The other solar array design uses a single inverter for an entire group of solar panels,” explained Bankey. “Owens is planning to offer the new Findlay-area Campus Photovoltaic Installation Program to area residents in the coming months.”

Individuals attending Owens’ Photovoltaic Installation Program will receive instruction within the areas of electricity and photovoltaic systems and theory. Course content includes system sizing and construction, codes and standards, interconnection safety, troubleshooting, and maintenance. Installation practices related to project management, adapting mechanical and electrical design, and system commissioning are also highlighted.

Owens Honors Men’s and Women’s Basketball Programs

Posted on May 26th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College recently honored the Express basketball programs at its annual awards banquet for displaying excellence during intercollegiate competition. Student-athletes participating in men’s and women’s basketball were recognized for their athletic achievements.

Led by Head Coach Michael Llanas, the Express women’s basketball team finished the 2009-10 campaign with a 27-6 overall record and an 11-3 mark (second place) in the OCCAC regular season standings. Owens lost to Schoolcraft College in the finals of the NJCAA Region XII Championships. The Express was ranked No. 6 in the final NJCAA Division II Women’s Basketball poll.

Women’s Basketball awards presented were:
Co-Most Valuable Players – Brittany Darling of Curtice (Genoa H.S.) and Jasmine Blanton of Toledo (Notre Dame Academy)
Most Improved Player – Renee Bidlack of Payne (Wayne Trace H.S.)
Defensive Player of the Year – Saige Meyer of Deshler (Patrick Henry H.S.)
Coaches Award – Jordan Floyd of Waterville (Anthony Wayne H.S.)
Mark Henry Award – Sarah Clark of Delphos (Delphos St. John’s H.S.)
OCCAC Newcomer of the Year – Jasmine Blanton
OCCAC All-Conference First Team– Brittany Darling and Jasmine Blanton
OCCAC All-Conference Second Team – Sarah Clark
NJCAA All-Region XII Team – Jasmine Blanton
NJCAA All-Region XII Tournament Team – Brittany Darling
NJCAA Division II Pre-Season All-American Second Team – Sarah Clark

Express women’s basketball team members also included Rachelle Allen of Toledo (Whitmer H.S.), Ashley Hooker of Toledo (Whitmer H.S.), Kaila Corrothers of Detroit (Detroit Consortium H.S.), Kelsey Perry of Willard (Willard H.S.), Rashanna Johnson of Columbus (Whitehall-Yearling H.S.), Nasumbi Beard of Mansfield (Ontario H.S.), Demi Moschetti of Perrysburg (Perrysburg H.S.), Gabbie Cerovski of Hebron (Lakewood H.S.) and Karrah Windau of Carey (Carey H.S.).

Led by Head Coach Kevin Skaggs, the Express men’s basketball team finished the 2009-10 season with a 15-16 overall record and an 8-6 mark (fourth place) in the OCCAC regular season standings. Owens lost to Sinclair Community College in the NJCAA Region XII Championships.

Men’s Basketball awards presented were:
Most Valuable Player – Jonathan Dunn of Toledo (St. John’s Jesuit H.S.)
Most Improved Player – Derrick Sanderfer Jr. of Toledo (Rogers H.S.)
Defensive Player of the Year – Earl Hardison of Westland, Mich. (John Glenn H.S.)
Coaches Award – Tommy Kralovic of Rossford (Rossford H.S.)
OCCAC All-Conference First Team – Jonathan Dunn
OCCAC All-Conference Honorable Mention – Earl Hardison, Dalante Heard of Toledo (Rogers H.S.) and Joshua Robinson of Elkhart, Ind. (Elkhart Central H.S.)
NJCAA All-Region XII First Team – Jonathan Dunn

Members of the Owens Express men’s basketball team also were Michael Lee of Inkster, Mich. (Wayne Memorial H.S.), Virgil McGuire of Jackson (Jackson H.S.), Calvin Edwards of Delaware (Rutherford B. Hayes H.S.), Dylan Jablonski of Erie, Mich. (Mason H.S.) and Craig Short of Toledo (Rogers H.S.).

Acclaimed Musician Steve Lawson to Present Master Class and Electric Bass Clinic at Owens, June 12

Posted on May 26th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents are invited to gain insight into the musical career of acclaimed electric bassist and composer Steve Lawson as Owens Community College presents a free Master Class and Electric Basic Clinic on Saturday, June 12.

Presented by the College’s School of Arts and Sciences on Findlay-area Campus and the Department of Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus, Lawson’s appearance at Owens will occur from 1-3 p.m. in the Fire Science and Law Enforcement Center Room 145 on the Toledo-area Campus. In addition, the College will host a reception for Lawson prior to his presentation on Saturday from 12:30-1 p.m. The reception will take place in the Fire Science and Law Enforcement Center. Admission to the event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

The Master Class and Electric Bass Clinic will feature discussion about Lawson’s musical background as well as insight into forming a genuine connection with audiences as a musician. Highlighted topics will also include the importance of self promotion and marketing and the Internet as it relates to a professional career in the music industry. Additionally, Lawson plans to share his musical talents with attendees during the clinic.

Lawson is known worldwide for his unique sound that infuses a mixture of jazz, electronica, ambient, new age and “new” acoustic music into his masterful and often improvised performances. The professional bassist has entertained audiences throughout Europe and the United States, to include sold-out shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scottland, and opened for such musical groups as Level 42 and the 21st Century Schizoid Band.

Lawson has six released CDs to his credit through the Pillow Mountain Records label. His unique hi-tech sounds and six-string electric bass can be heard on “Behind Every Word”, “Live In Nebraska”, “Grace And Gratitude”, “Not Dancing For Chicken”, “For The Love Of Open Spaces” and “Numbers”.

For additional information about the upcoming Master Class and Electric Bass Clinic, call (567) 429-3648 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3648.

Owens Student Leaders Inducted Into Kappa Beta Delta International Honor Society

Posted on May 25th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College students were recently honored for their academic accomplishments in business, earning membership into the Kappa Beta Delta International Honor Society.

Kappa Beta Delta was established in 1997 as an international honor society exclusively for Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accredited two-year business programs.

Standing for excellence, trustworthiness and genuineness, the overall mission of Kappa Beta Delta is to encourage and recognize scholarship and accomplishment among students of business, management and administration at two-year academic institutions. Additionally, the international honor society promotes student aspirations toward personal and professional improvement and a life distinguished by honorable service to humankind.

“Owens Community College is extremely proud of our inductees for their excellence in higher education business programs,” said Barb DiNardo, Owens Professor of Business Technology and Kappa Beta Delta Advisor. “Induction to Kappa Beta Delta is considered a lifetime honor and quite an achievement within the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs.”

Selection criterion for students into Kappa Beta Delta is based upon completing a minimum of 15 semester hours of credit and achieving a minimum 3.5 grade point average, among other areas.

The Kappa Beta Delta International Honor Society student inductees for the 2009-10 academic year are Aaron Auzins of Napoleon (marketing and sales), Julie Barraclough of Oregon (office support), Cory Beck of Bowling Green (office administration), Mariellen Brown of Rossford, (office administration), Janette Gargac of Northwood (medical office support), Stevilyn Huffman of Toledo (accounting), Gary Kapp of Genoa (accounting), Rachel Kerlin of Sylvania (computer programming), JoAnn Kraft of Fort Jennings (accounting), April Lovern of Interlachen, Fla. (pre-business administration), Heather Martinez of Fostoria (marketing and sales), Melissa Massie of Northwood (medical office support), Marissa Montgomery of Toledo (business management) Amy Plassmann of Waterville (business management), Stephanie Reinhart of Alvada (accounting), Christen Souders of Toledo (accounting) and Bonnie Swan of Holland (office administration).

Owens Community College Closed Memorial Day Weekend, May 28-31

Posted on May 25th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses will be closed Friday-Monday, May 28-31 for the Memorial Day holiday. All administrative offices will be closed.

Administrative offices will open again on Tuesday, June 1.

Owens Student Group Donates Over 500 Sneakers to Nike ‘Reuse-A-Shoe’ Environmental Program, May 27

Posted on May 25th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s Environmental Club is raising environmental awareness by bringing new life to worn-out athletic shoes previously destined for overcrowded landfills. As a result of the student group’s recent collection drive efforts, over 500 donated sneakers will soon find their way to the Nike Recycling Center in Wilsonville, Ore., where they will be ground up and eventually transformed into an array of new sport surfaces such as basketball courts, tennis courts, athletic fields, running tracks and playgrounds.

Beginning at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 27, the Environmental Club will be sorting through the various donated worn-out athletic shoes in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus and preparing them for shipment to the Nike Recycling Center. Once at the recycling complex, the shoes will be separated into one of three Nike Grind materials, which include rubber from the outsole, foam from the midsole and fabric from the upper. The Nike Grind is then incorporated into playground and sport surfaces as part of partnerships with industry-leading surfacing companies.

Owens’ environmental sneaker collection drive initiative on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses is part of a collaborative effort with Nike and their “Reuse-A-Shoe” program, which has recycled over 25 million pairs of athletic shoes and created more than 300 sport surfaces around the globe. Since establishing the community outreach program two years ago, over 2,600 worn-out athletic shoes have been given new life through ‘Reuse-A-Shoe’ at Owens.

Local Residents Achieve Goals and Dreams During Northwest Ohio GED Graduation Ceremony at Owens

Posted on May 24th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Fifty area residents recently were honored for achieving academic excellence as Owens Community College served as host to the first-ever Northwest Ohio GED Graduation Ceremony.

Graduates received their Ohio High School Equivalence Diploma, also known as the General Educational Development (GED) Diploma, as part of the graduation ceremony. Vevia Allen, Franklin Blackwood and Cheryl Cullum were selected as the student class representatives and addressed the graduates as keynote speakers during the event.

“The Northwest Ohio ABLE Consortium is proud to recognize these students for their educational accomplishment,” said Joyce Winters, Owens Assistant Director of the Teaching and Learning Success Center and Northwest Ohio ABLE Consortium. “These graduates are outstanding men and women, many of whom have defied the odds and overcome many obstacles in pursuit of their GED Diploma. We are honored to celebrate the many successes of this graduating class and wish them the very best as they begin a new chapter in their life.”

Students receiving their GED Diploma as part of the graduation celebration were Vevia Allen of Toledo, Candis Bair of Toledo, Franklin Blackwood of Toledo, Mark Bollinger of Toledo, Katina Chatman of Toledo, Rebecca Coleman of Toledo, Cheryl Cullum of Toledo, Kyra Dunbar of Toledo, Raymond Dunson of Toledo, Dalton Emahiser of Toledo, Veronica Espinoza of Toledo, Jennifer Fackelman of Toledo, Keisha Fisher of Toledo, Cynthia Hardy of Toledo, Rebecca Hauman of Toledo, Brenda Heard of Toledo, Latisha Heffner of Toledo, Justin Henning of Rawson, Elizabeth Howard of Toledo, Colleen Johnson of Toledo, Derek Krueger of Toledo, Daniel Marlow of Toledo, Cory Miles of North Baltimore, Alexandria Miller of Rossford, Laura Miller of Toledo, Michael Monroe of Toledo, Trista Obee of Toledo, Glenn Pitzen of Toledo, Jennifer Ritchey of Toledo, Jennifer Roda of Toledo, Antonio Rodela of Toledo, Dewanna Roundtree of Toledo, Alex Schomaker of Toledo, Kelsey Schomaker of Toledo, Josh Shirey of Toledo, Dawn Short of Toledo, Brandon Siedlecki of Toledo, Amanda Smith of Toledo, Bonnie Sponsler of Dunkirk, Erin Swesey of Toledo, Michelle Taege of Toledo, Trene Tarrent of Toledo, Jessica Tingley of Toledo, Kyle Vajen of Findlay, Hannah Ware of Toledo, Jackson Wertz of Findlay, Kari Wiedman of Findlay, Danielle Winkelman of Toledo and Reannan Zakar of Toledo.

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 earn a minimum total score of 2250 points and minimum sub-test score of 410 points within five subject areas that include language arts-writing, language arts-reading, science, social studies and mathematics on their official examination.

Owens serves as home to the Northwest Ohio Area Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE) Consortium, which includes Oregon City Schools, Owens Community College, Sylvania Schools and Washington Local Schools. The consortium was founded with the overall mission of 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).

[nggallery id=2]

Owens Women’s Basketball Student-Athletes Continue Careers at Tennessee Tech University and The University of Toledo

Posted on May 24th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College women’s basketball student-athletes Brittany Darling of Curtice and Sarah Clark of Delphos recently signed national letters of intent to continue their intercollegiate careers at Tennessee Tech University and The University of Toledo.

“I am really proud of Brittany Darling and Sarah Clark and excited that they will have an opportunity to continue their college education and athletic careers at Tennessee Tech University and The University of Toledo,” said Owens Women’s Basketball Head Coach Michael Llanas. “Both Brittany and Sarah were leaders on and off basketball court and will certainly succeed at their respective four-year schools.”

During her career at Owens, Darling averaged 10.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.1 block shots per game for the Express. This past year, the sophomore center earned First Team OCCAC All-Conference honors and was named the team’s co-MVP. Additionally, Darling, a 2008 graduate of Genoa High School, holds the school records for most rebounds in a single game (21) and blocks in a season (127).

Clark averaged 11.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game for the Express during her career. In 2009-10, the sophomore guard/forward was a Second Team OCCAC All-Conference selection and was named the team’s Mark Henry Award recipient. The 2008 Delphos St. John’s High School graduate also earned NJCAA Division II Pre-Season All-American Second Team honors.

Led by Head Coach Llanas, the Express women’s basketball team finished the 2009-10 campaign with a 27-6 overall record and an 11-3 mark (second place) in the OCCAC regular season standings. Owens lost to Schoolcraft College in the finals of the NJCAA Region XII Championships. The Express was ranked No. 6 in the final NJCAA Division II Women’s Basketball poll.

The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles finished their 2009-10 season with a 14-16 overall record, while The University of Toledo Rockets completed their 2009-10 campaign with an overall record of 25-9.

Owens Express women's basketball teammates Sarah Clark (left) and Brittany Darling will continue their intercollegiate careers at NCAA Division I four-year academic institutions.

Ohio Association of Community Colleges Honors Owens Board of Trustees Member With State Award

Posted on May 24th, 2010

John C. Moore

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College Board of Trustees member John C. Moore of Holland has been chosen by the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) to receive the prestigious Richard N. Adams Educational Leadership Award for his outstanding commitment to trustee educational development, leadership and community service.

Moore was recently honored for his exemplary efforts to Ohio’s community colleges during the OACC’s annual Excellence Awards Gala in Columbus. The Excellence Awards were established by the OACC with the overall goal of providing an opportunity for the state’s 23 community colleges to honor individuals and organizations for their outstanding commitment and service to higher education.

“John Moore has proven himself time and time again as a tremendous, dedicated advocate for community colleges,” said OACC President Dr. Ronald Abrams. “This honor is both well-deserved and long overdo for John.”

The Richard N. Adams Educational Leadership Award is named in honor of Dr. Richard N. Adams, a model of trustee engagement. For 18 years, Adams served as a trustee of Edison State Community College, three of which were spent serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Additionally, from 1997-99 he served as the OACC’s fourth Chairperson. Adams was also the second Ohioan to Chair the Association of Community College Trustees, and also served as Board President of the American Association of Community Colleges.

Since April 2000, Moore has served as a Board of Trustees member for Owens Community College, and has held the position of Chair and Vice Chair for the past four years. He currently serves as Chair of the Owens Board of Trustees Presidential Search Ad Hoc Committee and also played an integral role in the creation of the Trustees Collaboration Committee, which consists of Owens Community College, Toledo Public Schools and The University of Toledo. He is also a member of the Owens Foundation Board of Directors.

In addition, Moore is a consultant, motivational speaker and an author of “A Positive Attitude is a Muscle: A Managed Stress Survivor’s Manual” and “Alvetta”, a personal tribute to his beloved wife and a resource to comfort families with terminally ill loved ones. Moore is well known throughout the Northwest Ohio region for his lifelong volunteerism and his current and past board-level memberships, including the Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Boys and Girls Club of Toledo, Urban League of Northwest Ohio and the American Red Cross.

Moore’s state-level affiliations include serving on the Efficiency and Effectiveness Committee for the Ohio Board of Regents and the Executive Board for the OACC. Previously, Moore spent 30 years in banking, retiring as the Corporate Vice President of the former Toledo Trust Corporation. His background also includes serving as the Vice President of University Development at Bowling Green State University.

The OACC is a voluntary association of Ohio’s 23 public community colleges. The association was founded in 1993 as a single forum for advocacy, communication, recognition, trustee education and trustee-president cooperation. The OACC is the recognized voice of the community college movement in Ohio.

Owens Community College Offers New Heroes Youth Camp Program, June 14-23

Posted on May 20th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area youth ages 8 through 17 will have the opportunity to place themselves in shoes of first responders and explore the areas of emergency medical service, law enforcement and fire service as Owens Community College’s Center for Emergency Preparedness offers a new Heroes Youth Camp Program, June 14-16 and 21-23.

The new Heroes Youth Camp Program will be offered through Owens’ Workforce and Community Services at the College’s Center for Emergency Preparedness. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is excited to provide a continuing education program that brings emergency medical service, law enforcement and fire service alive through fun, hands-on learning activities that are in a controlled, safe environment,” said Michael Cornell, Owens Director of the Center for Emergency Preparedness. “Attendees will have the opportunity of a lifetime to experience the first responders’ profession and how these individuals go about saving and protecting people’s lives on a daily basis.”

The College will offer two separate age-appropriate class sections as part of the new continuing education programming in June. The first class section will explore basic first aid/CPR, introduce attendees to an air ambulance and discuss helmet prevention safety. Campus instruction will also include K-9 demonstrations, firearm safety and crime prevention, as well as evacuation steps to take in a house fire emergency. Additionally, camp participants will be introduced to police cars, fire trucks and hose lines. The first class is for ages 8 through 12 and will occur June 14-16 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. A second class for the same age group will take place June 21-23 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

The second class section is for ages 13 through 17 and will occur June 14-16 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. A second class for ages 13 through 17 will take place June 21-23 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. The second class section will feature similar topics and activities as the younger age group as well as target practice using non-firearm soft trainers. In addition, attendees will experience a mock bank robbery where they will ride along with a SWAT team, attack a structure fire inside the College’s virtual fire training system, repel off an indoor training tower and use the Jaws of Life to rescue a simulated victim trapped inside a vehicle.

The Center for Emergency Preparedness is the premier all-hazards national training facility located at Owens Community College. As the world continues to change so will the critical training demands for the men and women who place themselves in harm’s way. The Center for Emergency Preparedness is dedicated to securing the homeland and assuring the safety of our citizens by building a well-trained community of first responders, first receivers and allied professionals who are ready to safely respond to and mitigate the effects of an all-hazards event.

All Heroes Youth Camp Program staff are state-certified Emergency Service Instructors who are active in the emergency services fields. For more information, or to register for any of the continuing education classes, call (567) 661-7357 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7357.

Owens Women’s Basketball Student-Athlete to Sign National Letter of Intent with University of Toledo, May 20

Posted on May 20th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College women’s basketball student-athlete Sarah Clark of Delphos will sign a national letter of intent to continue her collegiate career at the University of Toledo on Thursday, May 20. The official signing ceremony will take place in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center at 4:30 p.m.

During her career at Owens, Clark averaged 11.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game for the Express. This past year, the sophomore guard/forward earned Second Team OCCAC All-Conference honors and was named the team’s Mark Henry Award recipient. Additionally, Clark, a 2008 graduate of Delphos St. John’s High School, was a NJCAA Division II Pre-Season All-American Second Team selection.

The University of Toledo Rockets finished their 2009-10 season with a 25-9 overall record.

Owens Community College Announces Plans for New Findlay-area Campus Wind Turbine

Posted on May 20th, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College is once again expanding its educational opportunities within the area of renewable energy by announcing plans for the academic institution’s first wind turbine on the Findlay-area Campus.

The College’s new state-of-the-art technology, which will be located adjacent to the College’s Community Education and Wellness Center, will be used for experiential learning purposes within Workforce and Community Services’ Wind Installation Program as well as for future academic curriculum programming in the School of Technology.

“Owens Community College’s Workforce and Community Services is committed to providing area residents leading-edge academic resources and programming within the growing field of alternative and renewable energy,” said Dr. Michael Bankey, Owens Vice President of Workforce and Community Services. “The new wind turbine on the Findlay-area Campus will play an important role in affording our students the chance to receive hands-on, experiential learning at the highest level. The use of wind power is growing nationwide as it is becoming a more viable option for commercial business and residential home consumption. Owens Community College is proud to promote the continued development of wind power through community outreach advocacy and educational opportunities.”

In addition to its instructional utilization for the College’s Wind Installation Program, the 2.4-kilowatt wind turbine generator will be used to convert wind power into electricity for regular operational purposes within the Community Education and Wellness Center. The 33-foot Skystream 3.7 wind turbine is a fully integrated, utility-connected wind generator designed specifically for residential and small commercial businesses.

According Bankey, Owens’ Workforce and Community Services is planning to offer its initial academic course offerings within the Wind Installation Program on Findlay-area Campus to area residents in the near future.

Additionally, the hands-on applications will include studying the design and installation of the College’s new 33-foot Skystream 3.7 wind turbine on the Findlay-area Campus.

Superior Energy Solutions LLC in Ottawa will oversee the process of installing the College’s new wind turbine in late June.

In addition to Findlay-area Campus’ new wind turbine, Owens features an identical 33-foot Skystream 3.7 wind turbine and a 120-foot EW50 wind turbine on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township. Both wind turbines are used for experiential learning and to convert wind power into electricity for regular operational purposes within the College’s Industrial and Engineering Technologies Building.

Owens Child Care Center Students Showcase Talents During Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery Art Show

Posted on May 18th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Clay faces, drawings of bunnies, coil pots and self-portraits made of zany paper and glue popsicle sticks are just a few of the creative impressions and imaginative masterpieces adorning the walls and sitting atop pedestals in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery as children from Owens Community College’s Child Care Center are showcasing their artistic talents as part of the sixth annual Children’s Art Show.

The College recently served as host to an opening reception in which the young artists ages 4 months to 5 years old were able to share their masterful work their family and friends.

For Sophia Cashen of Curtice, the occasion allowed the five-year-old to point out to visitors her own accomplished artistic work.

“I drew this glass flower,” explained a beaming Cashen. “I love to paint and color pictures, especially pink unicorns and rainbow colored flowers.”

Emily Wilcheck of Toledo, whose 16-month-old son Aiden attends the Child Care Center, added, “The Children’s Art Show provides a nice way to celebrate the wonderful talents of these children, which are all truly amazing.”

Among the variety of artwork showcased in the exhibit are multiple paintings, drawings, clay imprints, collages, paper mache insects, wire creations, sculpted vases and other modern art pieces. The Children’s Art Show represents the culmination of a year of artistic learning at the College’s Child Care Center.

“The younger the child, the more simplistic the painting or piece will be,” explained Owens Student Art Teacher Michelle Elton. “As the child grows and develops, he or she begins to be able to work more in depth on projects, therefore the artwork will have more details and be more intricate. I encourage individuals visit the exhibit and view the hard work and talents of our children.”

The Children’s Art Show was inspired by the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy. The Owens Child Care instructors utilize the Reggio Emilia philosophy in their art curriculum, inviting the children’s interests to guide artistic creations. Books and other literature incorporated into the art education program influenced many of the masterpieces.

The mission of Owens’ Child Care Center is to provide quality child care for the children of employees, students and the surrounding communities. The program is devoted to enhancing the lives of children through developmentally appropriate curriculum, which is child centered.

Children enrolled in the Owens Child Care Center have the opportunity to interact with the College’s Early Childhood Education students, which provides opportunities for more individual attention. Owens students benefit through practical hands-on lab experiences that deepen their understanding about young children.

The Children’s Art Show will be on display in the College’s Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery through Thursday, May 27. Admission to the exhibit is free and open to the public, Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information about the Owens Child Care Center Children’s Art Show, call (567) 661-7404 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7404.

Family and friends were recently on hand at Owens' Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery to view artistic talents being displayed as part of the sixth annual Children's Art Show.	Three-year-old Isabella Karlovec of Bowling Green captures artwork with her very own camera at the recent exhibit opening reception.	A multi-colored Owens sign made of recycled paper, green clovers, brown tree bark, red macaroni and colored tissue paper served as a focal point in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery's Children's Art Show.
Five-year-old Valintino Becerra of Toledo points to his artistic drawing, which was recently created on the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery's interactive chalk board.	Sixteen-month-old Aiden Wilcheck of Toledo reaches for a flying bug made of newspaper to show his mother, Emily.	Three-year-old Lindsey Cashen of Curtice points to a rock stool while her mother, Heather, watches during the Children's Art Show reception.

Owens Community College Hosts Express Girls ‘Summer Slam’ Basketball Camp, June 21-24

Posted on May 17th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will offer area basketball players ages 8 through 15 the opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of the sport as the women’s basketball program hosts an Express Girls “Summer Slam” Individual Basketball Camp, June 21-24.

The basketball camp will occur each day from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Camp instructors will include the Owens Express women’s basketball coaching staff and current players. Each camp participant will receive individual instruction on basketball skills in their designated positions. In addition, attendees will learn about drills and exercises for basketball and gain tips on improving their offensive and defensive skills.

Parents and coaches are invited to attend the camp to listen and observe at no additional charge.

The camp fee is $75 per player, which includes a camp “gym sack” and awards. For more information, or to register, call (567) 661-7941 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7941.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Student Leaders Inducted Into Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society

Posted on May 17th, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Ten Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus students were recently honored for their excellence in higher education, earning membership into the Beta Xi Chi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.

“Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus is extremely proud of our inductees for their dedication and commitment to higher education,” said Matthew Gosses, Owens Assistant Professor of Science and Phi Theta Kappa Co-Advisor. “Induction into the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society is considered one of the highest compliments an individual in higher education can receive. Their selection is a tremendous achievement.”

Selection criteria 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 Beta Xi Chi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society student inductees are:

Jacqueline Carpenter of Findlay (pre-nursing)
Julia Chapman of Harrod (associate of arts, general concentration)
Tracy Siefker of Ottawa (sonography)
Travis Sizemore of Findlay (associate of arts, general concentration)
Brian Soucie of Bowling Green (psychology)
Eugenio Viadero of Findlay (business management)
Sarah Welch of Fostoria (office administration)
Joshua Hunker of Carey (business management)
Renee Imbrock of Hamler (pre-dental hygiene)
Steven Steffel of Ottawa (pre-nursing)

Owens Raising Awareness Club Presents Sweet Caroline Golf Outing in Bowling Green, June 5

Posted on May 17th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents are invited to enjoy a day of golf and entertainment to benefit an 18-month-old child with a rare form of liver cancer as Owens Community College’s Raising Awareness Club presents the Sweet Caroline Golf Outing on Saturday, June 5.

Organized by the newly formed Raising Awareness Club, the golf outing will be held at Bowling Green State University’s Forrest Creason Golf Course in Bowling Green. The event will feature 18-holes of golf, lunch, door prizes and an awards program.

All proceeds will benefit Caroline Johnson, who was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer in January. Recently, Johnson received surgery to remove her tumor, leaving the young child with only 15 percent of her liver. She is currently undergoing additional chemotherapy treatments.

“Owens Community College’s Raising Awareness Club is proud to host an event which raises awareness about childhood cancer,” said Nicole Lance, Owens Raising Awareness Club Advisor and student. “The Sweet Caroline Golf Outing allows the group to bring attention to this terrible disease, while at the same time helping Caroline and providing a fun day for community members.”

The four-person golf scramble competition will begin with a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. Lunch will proceed the golf from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Owens’ event will conclude with participants recalling their golfing experience during a short awards program, which will recognize the top three groups, as well as select door prizes.

Individuals, businesses and organizations are invited to support the Sweet Caroline Golf Outing by entering a team and/or becoming a sponsor. The entry fee is only $60 per player or $240 per team. Among the various sponsorship opportunities are t-shirt sponsor ($250), beverage cart sponsor ($200), hole sponsor ($100) and tee box sponsor ($50).

Owens’ Raising Awareness Club was recently founded with the overall purpose of raising awareness about an array of issues and causes. Comprised of Owens students, employees and alumni, the group is committed to advocating for animal rights, the acceptance of cultural differences and adoption, as well as against suicide, cancer and sexual slave trade, among many other issues.

Individuals must register by May 28 to participate in the Sweet Caroline Golf Outing. For more information, call (567) 661-2569 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2569.

Owens to Host First Northwest Ohio Area ABLE Consortium GED Graduation Ceremony, May 16

Posted on May 13th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Over 60 area residents will be honored for achieving academic excellence as Owens Community College will serve as host to the first Northwest Ohio Area ABLE Consortium GED Graduation Ceremony on Sunday, May 16.

Presented by the Northwest Ohio Area ABLE Consortium, the special ceremonies will occur at 2 p.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. The GED Graduation Ceremony is open to the public.

Graduates will be receiving their Ohio High School Equivalence Diploma, also known as the General Educational Development (GED) Diploma, as part of the graduation ceremony. Vevia Allen, Franklin Blackwood and Cheryl Cullum have been selected as the student class representatives and will address the graduates as keynote speakers during the event.

“The Northwest Ohio Area ABLE Consortium is proud to recognize these students for their educational accomplishment,” said Joyce Winters, Director of the Northwest Ohio Area ABLE Consortium and the Owens Assistant Director Teaching and Learning Success Center. “These graduates are outstanding men and women, many of whom have defied the odds and overcome many obstacles in pursuit of their GED Diploma. We are honored to celebrate the many successes of this graduating class and wish them the very best as they begin a new chapter in their life.”

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 earn a minimum total score of 2250 points within five subject areas that include language arts-writing, language arts-reading, science, social studies and mathematics on their official examination.

Owens serves as home to the Northwest Ohio Area Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE) Consortium, which includes Oregon City Schools, Owens Community College, Sylvania Schools and Washington Local Schools. The consortium was founded with the overall mission of 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).

Owens Community College Announces Regional Search for New Vice President of Findlay-area Campus

Posted on May 12th, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College is beginning the process of selecting a new leader for the Findlay-area Campus by announcing that a regional search for a new Vice President will occur in May and June 2010.

The vice presidential search process is being led by Owens Director of Organizational Performance and Accountability Tom Perin, who will serve as Chair of the Findlay-area Campus Vice Presidential Search Committee. Additionally, 10 individuals representing both the campus community and the surrounding communities have been chosen to serve on the Findlay-area Campus Vice Presidential Search Committee and assist in the selection of a new Vice President of the Owens Findlay-area Campus.

Findlay-area Campus Vice Presidential Search Committee members include Katherine Kreuchauf, President of The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation; David Whikehart, Director of Climate Change and Carbon Management at Marathon Petroleum Company and member of Owens Foundation Board of Directors; Betsy Johnson, Director of Financial Aid; Verne Walker, Director of Teaching Learning Success Center; Robert Connour, Professor of Science; Daniel Routzon, Instructor of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness; Pete Mendieta, Maintenance Specialist; John Routzon, Assistant Director of Security Division; Janet Tornow, Advocate, and Owens Findlay-area Campus student Misty Sorg.

“Owens Community College has assembled an outstanding group of individuals who are committed to the future of higher education in Findlay and the surrounding communities,” said Dr. Larry McDougle, Interim President of Owens Community College. “I look forward to a highly competitive search process as we identify a new leader for the Findlay-area Campus. Our goal is to have a new Vice President in place by the start of the 2010 Fall Semester.”

The responsibilities of the Findlay-area Campus Vice Presidential Search Committee will include reviewing applications, selecting and interviewing finalist candidates and then forwarding recommendations to Interim President Dr. McDougle.

The regional search is being conducted to replace Judy Ennis, who served as the Executive Dean of Findlay-area Campus from 2004-09. Brian Paskvan has served as the Interim Executive Dean of the Findlay-area Campus since 2009.

1,205 Owens Students Achieve Goals and Dreams During Spring Commencement Ceremonies

Posted on May 11th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Providing graduates with words of wisdom as they embark on their career endeavors, Andrea Gurcsik addressed the Owens Community College graduating class, as well as thousands of family and friends, as the academic institution recently held its 44th annual Spring Commencement

Gurcsik, an Owens alumna, served as the keynote speaker and shared with the 1,205 graduates, including 201 from the Findlay-area Campus, words of advice as they enter the working world. Among the five highlighted thoughts were don’t be afraid to make decisions, listen to your gut when making decisions, money isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, being willing to learn something new and never present a problem without also presenting one or two ideas as solutions.

“In your career, in your relationships and in your life, don’t come to the table empty-handed,” stated Gurcsik. “Come to the table grinning with enthusiasm, decisiveness and heart – and a few good ideas.”

Gurcsik concluded her comments by congratulating the graduates on their accomplishments and encouraging them to “have some fun, and do good work.”

Gurcsik serves as Manager of Human Resources for First Solar Inc., the largest manufacturer of solar modules in the world. In her position, she is responsible for managing First Solar’s human resource function for the company’s Perrysburg location.

Active in the field of human resources, the Maumee resident serves as the State Director for the Society for Human Resource Management State Council and was the Past Conference Chair for the Ohio Human Resource Conference and the Past President of the Toledo Area Human Resource Association Board of Directors.

Gurcsik is a 1999 graduate of Owens with a degree in business administration. She went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from The University of Toledo. The Cardinal Stritch High School graduate is currently a Director and serves as Vice President for the Owens Alumni Association. Her accomplishments include being named The University of Toledo College of Business Administration’s “Young Alumni of the Year” in 2005 and in 2006 was a recipient of the Toledo area’s “20 Under 40” Leadership Award.

Additionally, Bethany Steiner, a diagnostic medical sonography student, was selected as the Owens class representative and addressed the graduates during the Spring Commencement ceremony.

The Rawson resident always envisioned attending a four-year college and a future career as a social worker. However, within weeks of beginning her studies, Steiner knew she was heading down the wrong career path and a change was in order.

After a foot injury and a few X-rays, Steiner’s career direction became clearer and she began to research related careers in sonography. The shadowing of a professional sonographer reinforced her interest and passion in the field and led to pursuing her educational and career aspirations at Owens.

Steiner’s love for diagnostic medical sonography is evident in the classroom as she is graduating with a 4.0 grade point average. According to her professors, she has exceptional clinical skills and is an excellent example of the arduous work completed by all students at Owens.

Steiner, who is a member of Tomorrow’s Imagers student organization at Owens and a Cory-Rawson High School graduate, credits her educational success to her spiritual faith. She is extremely thankful for the support of her family, including parents, Rich and Patti and fiancÈ, Kris. She is also thankful for the quality teaching and extra effort demonstrated by the faculty at Owens, especially Susan Perry.

Steiner’s commencement speech addressed her motto that it is better to be an energy giver than an energy taker and the remarkable difference that one person can make in the world through small actions.

“When we engage in opportunities that let people know we care, we are bringing joy to a world that otherwise might seem rather bleak,” explained Steiner. “And the added bonus is that we get to feel that positive energy that only comes with knowing we have given from our heart.”

Steiner added, “We may not have the money, the resources, the time or even the skills to do a job that will change the whole world. However, we do have shoulders to cry on, we have arms to embrace, smiles to brighten someone’s day and words and actions that can positively change one life at a time. I challenge you now to go and impact lives, one person at a time.”

After graduation, she plans on obtaining a full-time position in health care and pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Steiner envisions one day returning to Owens and helping other students by becoming an open lab instructor.

Over 1,200 students, including 201 from the Findlay-area Campus, graduated during the College's annual spring commencement.	Owens diagnostic medical sonography student Bethany Steiner of Rawson addressed the College's graduates as class representative.
Owens alumna and First Solar Inc. Human Resources Manager Andrea Gurcsik of Maumee served as the spring commencement keynote speaker.	The College's concert band provided music during the ceremony.
An Owens student shows off a creative graduation cap.	Owens student Amanda Salmons of Berlin Heights showcases her future career as a dental hygienist through a decorative graduation cap.
Owens occupational therapy assistant graduates (L to R) Chelsea Henry of Bryan, Cristina Russo of Sylvania, Holly Sampsell of Sandusky and Jodie Steiner of Toledo pose for a photo for family and friends immediately after receiving their degrees.	Owens automotive technology student Natasha Spetz can hardly contain her excitement after receiving her degree during the College's spring commencement ceremony.
Owens Professor of Mathematics Douglas Cook of Perrysburg served as staff bearer for the ceremony.	Graduates (L to R) Shanice Larde of Toledo and Katrina Gregory of Toledo are all smiles at Owens' spring commencement celebration.
Owens business management student Chuck Harrison of Oregon shares the special graduation day with his five-year-old daughter Emma.

Owens Express Men’s Baseball Competes in NJCAA Region XII Tournament, May 14-16

Posted on May 11th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – The Owens Community College men’s baseball team will look to advance to its third World Series national tournament as the Express compete in the NJCAA Region XII Men’s Baseball Championships this coming weekend. The tournament will be held in Battle Creek, Mich., Friday-Sunday, May 14-16.

Coached by Bob Schultz, the Express will take a 34-18 overall record into the double elimination tournament where they will play Jackson Community College at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, May 14. If they would advance, the Express will play at 6 p.m. on Friday. The championship game will occur at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 16.

Other teams participating in the tournament include Jackson Community College (36-18), Vincennes University (26-19), Kalamazoo Valley Community College (35-18), Sinclair Community College (42-8), Muskegon Community College (42-14), Kellogg Community College (37-15) and Grand Rapids Community College (26-25).

Schultz’s team finished the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference regular season with a 4-8 (third place) overall record.

The NJCAA Division II World Series National Championships will be held May 29 – June 5 in Enid, Okla.

Owens Students and Faculty Member Inducted Into Spring Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society

Posted on May 7th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College students and a faculty member 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 150 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.

“Owens Community College’s Gamma Zeta Chapter of Chi Alpha Epsilon is extremely proud to recognize the academic achievements of students who enter college through non-traditional criteria,” said Sharon Badenhop, Owens Associate Professor of English and Co-Adviser of Chi Alpha Epsilon. “The inductees are outstanding young men and women, many of whom have defied the odds and overcome obstacles in pursuit of a college education. This honor society provides such a means to encourage, motivate and reward individuals for continuing to grow and develop into role models for fellow students.”

In addition to student recipients, Owens Associate Professor of English Lori Owens of Bradner was named an honorary inductee as a result of her longstanding commitment and support to developmental education at the College.

Also, three current Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society members received a diamond pin in recognition of their continued pursuit of academic excellence at the highest level. Owens students honored with diamond pins were Jennifer McLaughlin of Oregon, Brandy Ousley of Toledo and Michelle Tefft of Liberty Center.

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 2010 Spring Semester are:

Alisa Acors of Millbury (adolescence education)
Abdifatah Ali of Toledo (biomedical electronics)
Cory Beck of Bowling Green (office administration)
Katharine Bethel of Buzzards Bay, Mass. (history)
April Bowser of Oregon (physical therapist assistant)
Theresa Brown of Toledo (massage therapy)
John Darrington of Toledo (psychology)
Alfred DeLaCruz Jr. of Findlay (social work)
April Dotson of Toledo (music business technology)
Linda Elchert of Fostoria (occupational therapy assistant)
Paul Emerick of Northwood (criminal justice technology)
Nadia Farhat of Toledo (dietetic technician)
Anthony Fleming of Grand Rapids (criminal justice technology)
Nichole Gerschutz of Alvada (health information)
Jane Graybell of Toledo (early childhood education)
Louie Gries of Perrysburg (computer science)
April Hall of Toledo (medical office support)
Jeanne Harmon of Swanton (business management)
Samantha Heninger of Genoa (early childhood education)
Adam Hennessey of Rossford (small business management)
Lori Hug of Toledo (photography)
Kim Hurst of Toledo (business management)
Phaedra James of Findlay (social work)
Cathleen Kern of Northwood (occupational therapy assistant)
Aaron Langenderfer of Toledo (pre-nursing)
Michelle LaRoe of Toledo (radiography)
Sarah Laskey of Findlay (sociology)
Jeanne Levy of Findlay (social work)
Heather Martinez of Fostoria (business management)
Alyssandra Maturino of Toledo (medical office support)
Joan Merillat of Toledo (medical office support)
Amanda Merry of Fostoria (registered nursing)
Curtis Mezger of Carey (network and information systems support)
Christine Miller of Walbridge (registered nursing)
Tianna Miller of Findlay (nuclear medicine)
Tiffany Miller of Toledo (associate of arts, general concentration)
Heather Naegele of Sylvania (criminal justice technology)
Michaek Oehlers of Maumee (criminal justice technology)
Amanda Ollila of Toledo (physical therapist assistant)
Emilio Ortega of Toledo (criminal justice technology)
Janice Parkinson of Toledo (business management)
Carrie Peart of Swanton (middle childhood education)
William Phillips of Toledo (business management)
Nathan Rajner of Toledo (technical studies)
Dana Schmiesing of New Bremen (medical office support)
Andrew Stewart of Maumee (fine art)
Candas Switzer of Tiffin (registered nursing)
Erica Talley of Toledo (social work)
Patricia Tavernier of Perrysburg (physical therapist assistant)
Christopher Vargas of Toledo (corrections)
Abigail Wiser of Tiffin (American Sign Language)

Owens Community College Hosts Express Girls Team Shootout, June 25-26

Posted on May 7th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area high school girls basketball teams interested in competing against some of the best high schools from the Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio regions are invited to participate in a two-day Express Girls “Summer Slam” Team Shootout hosted by Owens Community College, Friday-Saturday, June 25-26.

The basketball team shootout competition will begin each day at 8 a.m. in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Each high school team will be guaranteed four games per day and basketball programs will have the opportunity to compete on either Friday or Saturday, or both days. The camp fee is $200 per team for one day or $250 per team for both days.

The number of participating teams is limited and reservations are required. For more information, or to register, call (567) 661-7941 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7941.

Owens Community College Showcase Culinary Talents During National Student Venison Culinary Competition

Posted on May 6th, 2010

Judges evaluated plates for presentation, flavor, portion size and demonstration of knife and cooking skills.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College culinary arts students recently put their masterful cooking skills to the test during a competition comparable to the Food Network’s extremely popular “Iron Chef America” television show as the Department of Food, Nutrition and Hospitality served as host to the national Susan Thurston Venison Culinary Competition.

Sponsored by the Cervid Livestock Foundation in conjunction with the North American Deer Farmers Association (NADeFA), the contest involved six teams, each consisting of two Owens students, planning and preparing two courses within a three hour time limit for the right to be crowned champion. The two courses featured both an appetizer and entrÈe, which are required to incorporate venison as the primary protein source. Similar to “Iron Chef America”, teams were provided an array of pantry items, as well as a pre-selected cut of venison meat, to create their masterful delectable delights.

A panel of five judges oversaw the venison culinary competition. Two floor judges monitored team activity and timing from start to finish, while three tasting judges evaluated plates for presentation, flavor, portion size and demonstration of knife and cooking skills.

The winners of the national Susan Thurston Venison Culinary Competition were Kurt Carnicom of Fremont and Matt Campbell of Toledo with a featured venison ravioli appetizer and an entrÈe of a smoked bacon wrapped venison backstrap. Cash awards were presented to all teams at the NADeFA National Conference.

Other Owens culinary arts students involved in the competition and their order of finish were Ron Hipsher of Arcadia and Nicole Compton of Toledo (venison wellington entrÈe), Charlene Black of Pemberville and Jennifer Cargle of Toledo (braised venison entrÈe), Rebecca Velandra of Ottawa Lake, Mich. and Christine Hopkins of Toledo (venison osso buco entrÈe), April Holdridge of Toledo and Martha Everhart of Toledo (venison curry with basmati rice entrÈe) and Ronni Harteis of Swanton and Rachel Gelacek of Toledo (sweet and spicy hoisin sesame glazed venison chops entrÈe).

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.

Owens culinary arts students' Matt Campbell of Toledo (L to R) and Kurt Carnicom of Fremont pose for photo after winning the national Susan Thurston Venison Culinary Competition.	Twelve Owens students put their masterful cooking skills to the test during the event.
Owens' Rebecca Velandra of Ottawa Lake, Mich. puts the finishing touches on her entree.	Matt Campbell of Toledo prepares his venison ravioli in the College's kitchen area.

Owens Express Women’s Softball Competes in NJCAA Region XII Tournament, May 13-14

Posted on May 6th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – The Owens Community College women’s softball team will look to advance to the national championship tournament as the Express compete in the NJCAA Region XII Women’s Softball Championship next week. The tournament will be held in Battle Creek, Mich., Thursday-Friday, May 13-14.

Coached by Duane Lanham, the Express will take a 29-13 overall record into the double elimination tournament where they will play the winner of the Lake Michigan College/Kalamazoo Valley CC game at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 13. If they would advance, the Express will play at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 14. The championship game will occur at 12 p.m. on Friday.

Other teams participating in the tournament include Kalamazoo Valley Community College (32-8), Jackson Community College (26-24), Muskegon Community College (48-6), Lansing Community College (29-12) and Lake Michigan College (17-23).

Earlier this year, Lanham’s team won its eighth regular season Ohio Community College Athletic Conference title (8-0 record) in the program’s history. The conference championship is the fifth in the last six years.

The NJCAA Division II Softball National Championship will be held May 20-22 in Normal, Ill.

Owens Express softball student-athletes include Allison Braun of Celina (Celina H.S.), Chelsea Lingenfelter of Lima (Lima Shawnee H.S.), Christine Zappone of Holland (Springfield H.S.), Aerica Susor of Curtice (Genoa H.S.), Lydia Eckel of Genoa (Genoa H.S.), Haley Whitcomb of Sandusky (Perkins H.S.), Jolynn Brossia of Curtice (Genoa H.S.), Magan Gerding of Perrysburg (Northview H.S.), Heather Whitcomb of Sandusky (Perkins H.S.), Kelley Molloy of Toledo (Whitmer H.S.), Ashleigh Whitacre of Toledo (Central Catholic H.S.), Lindsey Bandeen of Holland (Springfield H.S.), Matea Rice of Oregon (Clay H.S.), Bridget Wolfe of Bellevue (Bellevue H.S.), Brittney Guerrero of Toledo (Bowsher H.S.), Kaela Alexander of Holland (Springfield H.S.), Keri Seel of Fostoria (Fostoria H.S.), Shelby Schuster of Sylvania (Southview H.S.), Courtney Parr of Castalia (Margaretta H.S.), Elizabeth Weber of Elmore (Oak Harbor H.S.), Morgan Gray of Clyde (Clyde H.S.), Annie DeTray of Oak Harbor (Oak Harbor H.S.) and Courtney Mowery of Genoa (Genoa H.S.).

Owens Community College Board of Trustees Awards 2010 Academic Excellence Scholarships

Posted on May 5th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area high school seniors recently were honored by Owens Community College’s Board of Trustees for their outstanding achievements, receiving 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 Dee Talmage, 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 two-year scholarship.

The scholarship is available for 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 $1.2 million in scholarships to 635 students.

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

ï Daniel Jones of Whitehouse, an Anthony Wayne High School graduate (business management)
ï Jacob Spaun of Findlay, a Liberty-Benton High School graduate (electrical/electronics engineering technology)
ï Mallie Grim of Arcadia, an Arcadia High School graduate (adolescence education)
ï Mary Jo Ackerman of Rudolph, a Bowling Green High School graduate (physical therapist assistant)
ï Alyssa Pelish of Toledo, a Central Catholic High School graduate (dental hygiene)
ï Hallie Thompson of Oregon, a Clay High School graduate (business management)
ï Ashley Achten of Rawson, a Cory-Rawson High School graduate (journalism)
ï Amanda Vogel of Perrysburg, an Eastwood High School graduate (pre-pharmacy)
ï Zachary Steinman of Jerry City, an Elmwood High School graduate (commercial art technology)
ï Michael Fagan of Findlay, a Findlay Digital Academy graduate (undecided)
ï Amanda Gray of Findlay, a Findlay High School graduate (associate of arts, general concentration)
ï Jeffrey Giesige of Holgate, a Four County Career Center graduate (John Deere consumer and commercial equipment)
ï Tyrone Hall Jr. of Toledo, a Glass City Academy graduate (undecided)
ï Ashley Miller of Fostoria, a Hopewell-Loudon High School graduate (biology)
ï Jessica Knallay of Bradner, a Lakota High School graduate (physical therapist assistant)
ï Calvin Haselman of Leipsic, a Leipsic High School graduate (accounting)
ï Kylee Pierce of Maumee, a Maumee High School graduate (physical therapist assistant)
ï Erin Amstutz of Findlay, a Millstream Career and Technology Center graduate (early childhood education)
ï Caitlyn Cook of Haskins, a Monclova Christian Academy graduate (music performance/education)
ï Jacob Flores of North Baltimore, a North Baltimore High School graduate (information systems)
ï Kara McCloskey of Oak Harbor, an Oak Harbor High School graduate (social work)
ï Courtney Selders of Grand Rapids, an Otsego High School graduate (middle childhood education)
ï Sammy Schwandner of Elmore, a Woodmore High School graduate (criminal justice technology)
ï Michelle Lewis of Perrysburg, a Perrysburg High School graduate (undecided)
ï Queen Davis of Toledo, a Phoenix Academy graduate (pre-nursing)
ï Iesha Watkins of Toledo, a Polly Fox Academy graduate (criminal justice technology)
ï Brittney Harris of Toledo, a Rogers High School graduate (multi-age education)
ï Meghan Brewer of Rossford, a Rossford High School graduate (biology)
ï Kate Hubbard of Holland, a Springfield High School graduate (dental hygiene)
ï Jayme Wietrzykowski of Toledo, a Start High School graduate (occupational therapy assistant)
ï Alan Kluczynski of Sylvania, a Southview High School graduate (architectural engineering technology)
ï Kelsi Reinhard of Tiffin, a Columbian High School graduate (occupational therapy assistant)
ï Rachel Dunn of Toledo, a Toledo Christian School graduate (dental hygiene)
ï Velani Tucker of Toledo, a Toledo School for the Arts graduate (surgical)
ï Kaylee Ruckstuhl of Vanlue, a Vanlue High School graduate (radiography)
ï Hallandra Johnson of Toledo, a Waite High School graduate (information systems)
ï Allison Hessey of Toledo, a Whitmer High School graduate (pre-physical therapist assistant)

Owens Community College Express Golf Competes in NJCAA Regional Championships, May 10-11

Posted on May 5th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College Express golf begins its postseason run toward a national title as the program competes in the NJCAA Region XII Men’s Golf Championships next week. The tournament will be held at Bedford Valley Golf Club in Battle Creek, Mich., Monday-Tuesday, May 10-11.

The Express golf team captured one match and invitational title during the season, highlighted by a second-place finish in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) Championship Invitational. The program also finished second in the NJCAA Region XII Sub-Regional championship after rounds of 333-307 (640) at Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg.

Now in its fifth year as an intercollegiate athletic program, Owens will compete against 10 intercollegiate golf programs and over 60 individuals in the two-day 54-hole NJCAA Region XII tournament. The program must finish as one of the top two teams to advance to the NJCAA Division II National Championship, May 18-21. Individuals can also advance to the national championship tournament. Owens made two trips (2006 and 2008) to the NJCAA Division II National Championship.

Owens Express golf student-athletes include Tyler Bice of Elida, 79.7 scoring average (Lima Bath H.S.); Torey Brummett of Oregon, 76.5 scoring average (Cardinal Stritch H.S.); Brooks Gardner of Bowling Green, 81.9 scoring average (Bowling Green H.S.); Kyle Laberdee of Bowling Green, 77.2 scoring average (Bowling Green H.S.); Ryan Medeiros of Pickering, Canada, 80.5 scoring average (Notre Dame Catholic H.S.); Lee Schmidlin of Toledo, 86.6 scoring average (Whitmer H.S.); Nick Speck of Perrysburg, 84.6 scoring average (Eastwood H.S.), and Patrick Stacy of Findlay, 83.0 scoring average (Van Buren H.S.).

Owens Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery to Showcase Child Care Center Artwork, May 13-27

Posted on May 4th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Children attending Owens Community College’s Child Care Center will display their artistic qualities, creative impressions and imaginative masterpieces as part of the sixth annual Children’s Art Show, May 13-27. This year’s show will be held for the third time in Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery.

In addition, the College will host an opening reception for the artists on Thursday, May 13 from 4:30-6 p.m. in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. Both the reception and exhibit are free and the public is encouraged to attend. The Owens Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Young artists ages 4 months to 5 years old will showcase a variety of works, including multiple paintings, drawings, clay imprints, collages, paper mache insects, wire creations, sculpted vases and other modern art pieces. The art exhibit is the culmination of a year of artistic learning at the College’s Child Care Center.

Elton added, “The annual Child Care Center art show began because we wanted to display the hard work and talents of our children. With much excitement, this will be the second consecutive year that the art show will take place in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery.”

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public, Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information about the Owens Child Care Center Children’s Art Show, call (567) 661-7404 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7404.

45 Students to Graduate From Owens Basic Peace Officer Training Academies, May 5

Posted on May 3rd, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Forty-five students from the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses will be recognized as Ohio Basic Peace Officer Training Academy graduates at Owens Community College on Wednesday, May 5.

“Owens Community College is proud to continue its collaboration with the Ohio Peace Officers Training Commission and recognize these 45 individuals for their educational accomplishment,” said Robert Albright, Owens Coordinator of Public Service Training Program. “Our nation would not experience freedom and safety as we know it without each graduate’s decision to pursue a career in public service.”

The following students have completed the required number of law enforcement contact hours set forth by the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Peace Officers Training Commission.

Toledo-area Campus Basic Peace Officer Day Academy:
Deondra Banks of Toledo
Teresa Boraggina of Maumee
Steven Dudley of Walbridge
Joshua Hannum of Holland
Habib Howard III of Ottawa Hills
Aaron Lundy of Bowling Green
Wesley Machaterre of Toledo
Matthew Momenee of Toledo
Michael Moore of Maumee
James Murray of Curtice
Caleb Mylek of Waterville
Dustin Nowak of Fremont
Natasha Perlewitz of Perrysburg
Jessica Russell of Toledo
Joshua Segura of Northwood
Jada Smith of Toledo
Mark Tracy of Whitehouse
Angel Tucker of Toledo
Austin Turnbell of Bowling Green
Eric Wilk of Perrysburg

Toledo-area Campus Basic Peace Officer Night Academy:
Joseph Al-Sorghali of Oregon
Daniel Bostelman of Defiance
Dan Campbell of Walbridge
Jose Chavez of Woodville (sponsored by the Woodville Police Department)
Jonathan Curtis of Sylvania
Ernesto Hernandez of Toledo
Duane Isabell of Toledo
Christopher King of Toledo
Jared Okoneski of Perrysburg
Brett Smith of Toledo
Erik Thompson of Oak Harbor
Andrew Thornton of Perrysburg
Andrew Wojcinski of Northwood
Michael Wright of Toledo

Findlay-area Campus Basic Peace Officer Academy:
Jonathan Blakely of Leipsic
Robert Briggs-Snodgrass of Findlay
Carl Daniel of Tiffin
Byron Ferguson of Fostoria
Ryne Feucht of Fostoria
Brian Lomeli of Findlay
Skyler Newfer of Kenton
Brian Reynolds of Leipsic
Dane Schroeder of Columbus Grove
Brandon Smith of Upper Sandusky
Adam Steele of Fostoria

Owens Recognizes Honors Program Students for Excellence During Honors Medallion Ceremony, May 6

Posted on May 3rd, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Two Owens Community College students pursuing academic studies at the highest level will be honored for their educational success and leadership as the Honors Program hosts its annual Honors Medallion Ceremony on Thursday, May 6.

The special ceremonies will culminate each student’s academic attainment with the bestowing of an Owens Honors Program medallion at 7 p.m. in the College’s Founders Hall Room 1072 on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. The Honors Medallion Ceremony is open to the public.

Honors Program students being recognized for the 2010 Spring Semester are Jenny Wiley of Maumee (sociology) and Karen Kauffman of Fremont (emergency medical management).

“Owens Community College is extremely proud to recognize Jenny Wiley and Karen Kauffman for their academic achievements,” said Kathleen Attwood, Owens Chair of Communications, Humanities and Languages and Honors Program Committee Co-Chair. “The Honors Program was created with the overall mission of fostering an educational environment in which students can excel to their fullest potential. Both Jenny and Karen are outstanding leaders who have challenged their intellectual growth at the highest level and I commend them on their accomplishment.”

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 3.7 grade point average with 12 credits completed at Owens, among other requirements. A new student must have a high school 3.7 grade point average or equivalent and, in addition, meet additional criteria which includes a minimum ACT composite score of 27, SAT total verbal and math score of 1100 or Compass scores meeting or exceeding 94 on writing skills and 69 on college algebra. A full- or part-time student from any academic program who meets the admission criteria may participate.

Honors Program students must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of honors courses, 12 of which are Honors Introduction to Critical Thinking, Honors Great Readings: Ancient World through the Middle Ages and Honors Principles of Ethics. Additionally, individuals participate in an Honors Capstone Seminar course in which 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. Students can also identify honors sections of existing courses, non-honors sections of existing courses in which the person proposes to perform honors-level work and honors independent study courses.

Upon program completion, each student receives Honors Program designation on their degree and transcript and is bestowed an Honors medallion to recognize their academic excellence. In addition, Owens Honors Program graduates are able to continue their educational pursuits at Bowling Green State University or the University of Toledo as the academic institutions have in place seamless transfer agreements between the respective Honors Programs.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Announces GED Regional Testing Center May Schedule

Posted on May 3rd, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents interested in enhancing basic skills in English or math, or improving employment skills, are encouraged to attend free GED educational opportunities in May at the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus.

Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is one of only two Testing Centers in Hancock County to house the official GED examination and also provides educational testing services to the immediate area, including Allen, Hardin, Henry, Putnam, Seneca, Wood and Wyandot counties. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

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. Prior to taking the GED examinations, individuals are encouraged to attend free GED Preparation classes offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 6-8 p.m.

Owens’ GED Preparation classes are designed to help prepare students for success in passing the Ohio GED examination by building on a foundation of basic skills, including reading comprehension, science and mathematics. Owens’ GED Preparation classes are held in Room 150 on the Findlay-area Campus.

Additionally, all students must attend an orientation meeting before receiving GED Preparation classroom instruction. Students need to attend both orientation dates. Orientations are offered on Monday, May 10 from 6-8 p.m. and on Tuesday, May 11 from 6-8 p.m. in Room 162. Registration for orientations is not necessary.

The College also makes available a free Ohio GED practice test for individuals prior to taking the official examination. The practice test is offered in the College’s Testing Center in Room 124 through a computer program. The official Ohio GED examination cost $40.

For more information on the many GED educational opportunities, call (567) 429-3547 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3547.

1,205 Owens Community College Students to Graduate During Spring Commencement, May 7

Posted on April 30th, 2010

Andrea Gurcsik

Bethany Steiner

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – One thousand two hundred five candidates for graduation, including 201 from the Findlay-area Campus, will receive their degrees during the 44th annual Owens Community College Spring Commencement on Friday, May 7. The commencement will begin at 7 p.m. at The University of Toledo’s Savage Arena.

Andrea Gurcsik, Manager of Human Resources for First Solar Inc., the largest manufacturer of solar modules in the world, and Owens Community College alumna, will serve as the keynote speaker for the College’s Spring Commencement. Owens’ commencement ceremony is free and open to the public.

In her capacity as Human Resources Manager, Gurcsik is responsible for managing First Solar’s human resource function for the company’s Perrysburg location. She was previously employed at the TolTest, The University of Toledo and S.E. Johnson Companies Inc.

Active in the field of human resources, Gurcsik serves as the State Director for the Society for Human Resource Management State Council and was the Past Conference Chair for the Ohio Human Resource Conference and the Past President of the Toledo Area Human Resource Association Board of Directors.

Gurcsik is a 1999 graduate of Owens with a degree in business administration. She went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from The University of Toledo. She is currently a Director and serves as Vice President for the Owens Alumni Association. Her accomplishments include being named The University of Toledo College of Business Administration’s “Young Alumni of the Year” in 2005 and in 2006 was a recipient of the Toledo area’s “20 Under 40” Leadership Award.

A resident of Maumee and a graduate of Cardinal Stritch High School, Gurcsik enjoys spending time with her husband, Gary, and their dog, Muddy, who is named after the Toledo Mud Hens mascot.

Bethany Steiner, a diagnostic medical sonography student, has been selected as the Owens class representative and will address the graduates during the Spring Commencement ceremony.

“Attending Owens is the best decision I ever made,” stated Steiner, a 2007 Cory-Rawson High School graduate. “It has been nothing but a great experience and I love what I am doing.”

Steiner, who is a member of Tomorrow’s Imagers student organization at Owens, credits her educational success to her spiritual faith. She is extremely thankful for the support of her family, including parents, Rich and Patti and fiancÈ, Kris. She is also thankful for the quality teaching and extra effort demonstrated by the faculty at Owens, especially Susan Perry.

Steiner’s commencement speech will address her motto that it is better to be an energy giver than an energy taker and the remarkable difference that one person can make in the world through small actions.

“We have shoulders to cry on, arms to embrace, smiles to brighten someone’s day and words and actions that can positively change one life at a time,” explained Steiner.

Owens Community College Express Baseball Competes in OCCAC Postseason Tournament, April 30 – May 1

Posted on April 30th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – The Owens Community College men’s baseball team begins its postseason run toward a national title as the Express compete in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) Men’s Baseball Postseason Tournament Championship, Friday-Saturday, April 30 – May 1.

Sinclair Community College will serve as host to the OCCAC Postseason Tournament, which will take place in Xenia, Ohio. The winner and runner-up of the OCCAC Postseason Tournament advance to the NJCAA Region XII Men’s Baseball Championship, which will be held May 14-16 in Battle Creek, Mich.

Teams participating in the tournament will include Owens Community College, Sinclair Community College, Cuyahoga Community College and Lakeland Community College.

Coached by Bob Schultz, the Express will take a 30-16 overall record (4-8 third place finish in OCCAC) into the double elimination tournament where they will play Lakeland (13-18) at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, April 30 in semifinal action. The other semifinal game on Friday will feature Sinclair (39-8) versus Cuyahoga (3-16) at 1 p.m.

The losers of the Owens/Lakeland and Sinclair/Cuyahoga games will play at 6 p.m. on Friday. The other game on Friday will feature the winners of the Owens/Lakeland and Sinclair/Cuyahoga games at 8:30 p.m. A consolation bracket game will take place at 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 1. The OCCAC championship game will occur at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information about the tournament, call (567) 661-7973 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7973.

Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts Welcomes Nationally-Known Author and Sports Writer Mitch Albom, May 11

Posted on April 30th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Nationally-known author and sports writer Mitch Albom will make an appearance in Northwest Ohio to discuss his personal and professional journey through life as Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts presents “An Evening with Mitch Albom” on Tuesday, May 11.

Albom’s performance will take place in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center at 7 p.m. The Owens Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to welcome the highly acclaimed Mitch Albom to Northwest Ohio,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Mr. Albom is an extremely talented individual and is known nationwide for his literary and journalistic work as well as community outreach efforts. Attendees will certainly enjoy the simplicity of his message about life.”

Albom is recognized as a best-selling author, journalist, screenwriter, playwright, radio and television broadcaster and musician. His books collectively have sold over 28 million copies worldwide and have been made into Emmy Award-winning and critically-acclaimed television movies. Since 1985, Albom has served as a nationally-recognized sports journalist for the “Detroit Free Press” and has become one of the best-known media figures in the city’s history, working in newspapers, radio and television. He currently hosts a daily talk show on WJR radio and appears regularly on ESPN’s “Sports Reporters” and “SportsCenter”.

In addition to his journalism career, Albom has authored three highly successful best-selling books, titled “Tuesdays with Morrie”, “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” and “For One More Day”, that have all been turned into television movies. His recently released fourth book titled “Have a Little Faith” has already garnered national acclaim. Albom also wrote the screenplay for both “For One More Day” and “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” and is an established playwright, having authored numerous pieces for theatre, including the off-Broadway version of “Tuesdays with Morrie”.

He has also founded three charities in the metropolitan Detroit area. The Dream Fund, which was established in 1989, allows disadvantaged children to become involved with the arts. A Time To Help, founded in 1998, brings volunteers together once a month to tackle various projects in Detroit, including staff shelters, building homes with Habitat for Humanity and operating meals on wheels programs for the elderly. S.A.Y. Detroit, Albom’s most recent effort, is an umbrella program to fund shelters and care for the homeless in his city.

Copies of Albom’s book “Have a Little Faith” will be available for purchase during the event. He was also sign copies of his latest book in the College’s Library at the event’s conclusion. Tickets for the performance are $60 for premier seating, $40 for select seating and $20 for general seating. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2787.

Owens Community College Offers Spring ACT Preparation Class, May 10 – June 7

Posted on April 28th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – 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 May and June. The class is coordinated through the College’s Workforce and Community Services.

The ACT preparation class will occur Monday evenings, May 10 – June 7, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the College’s Arrowhead Park Learning Center on Indian Wood Circle in Maumee.

In addition, Owens is offering the ACT preparation class on the Findlay-area Campus. The class will take place Wednesday evenings, May 12 – June 2, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Community Education and Wellness Center. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

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.

In addition to offering the ACT preparation class, Owens serves as a host site for the national ACT test. The next testing date after the ACT preparation class is in June. Prior registration through the ACT organization is required.

Limited seating is available and early registration is recommended. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, May 5. For more information, or to register for the class, call (567) 661-7357 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7357.

Owens Community College Hosts Success Fest Week, April 27-30

Posted on April 26th, 2010

For added convenience, the College’s Toledo-area Campus and Arrowhead Park Learning Center will be open extra hours for Success Fest Week from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, April 27-29. Additionally, students may register from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday, April 30. The Owens Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township, while the Arrowhead Park Learning Center is on Indian Wood Circle in Maumee.

Additionally, the College will host Success Fest Week at the Learning Center at The Source, April 27-30. Owens’ Learning Center at The Source is located on Monroe Street in downtown Toledo. The Learning Center will be open extra hours for Success Fest Week from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, April 27-29. Students may also register from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday, April 30.

Owens offers personal attention and small classes throughout the day, evening and online. For more registration information or to obtain a schedule of courses for the summer term, call (567) 661-7777 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7777, or access the College’s website at www.owens.edu.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Hosts Success Fest Week, April 26-30

Posted on April 23rd, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents, businesses and students interested in taking college classes or starting a new career this summer are invited to attend Success Fest Week at the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus, April 26-30. Summer Semester classes begin May 24 and June 1.

For added convenience, the College will be open extra hours for Success Fest Week from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday-Thursday, April 26-29. Additionally, students may register from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday, April 30. The Owens Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

Owens offers personal attention and small classes throughout the day, evening and online. For more registration information or to obtain a schedule of courses for the summer term, call (567) 429-3509 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3509, or access the College’s website at www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Alumni Association Awards Detective Keith Dressel Memorial Scholarship

Posted on April 23rd, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College student Jakob Sigler of Findlay has been chosen by the Alumni Association to receive a $500 Detective Keith Dressel Memorial Scholarship for the upcoming 2010-11 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.

“The Owens Community College Alumni Association is proud to honor Detective Keith Dressel and his dedication to public service by supporting the next generation of law enforcement officers,” said Laura Moore, Executive Director of the Owens Alumni Association. “Both Detective Dressel and his wife, Danielle, attended Owens Community College and are part of the alumni family. Jakob Sigler is a very deserving recipient of this scholarship and the Alumni Association is pleased to recognize his passion and commitment to the law enforcement profession.”

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 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Preference is given to students with aspirations of a law enforcement career.

Sigler, currently a senior at Findlay High School, has already earned more than 30 college credits while working toward his associate’s degree in criminal justice technology at Owens. After graduation, he plans to pursue his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Ohio University with the ultimate goal of becoming a Trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Sigler has envisioned a career in law enforcement since a very young age. At age 14, Sigler joined the Hancock County Sheriff’s Explorers program, where he now serves as a Lieutenant, leading the group at community outreach events. In 2007, he earned the honor of attending the National Law Enforcement Explorer Academy at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. Sigler recently completed a Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout service project, which entailed the coordination of a Safety Day at Findlay High School. The event included representatives from six first responder agencies.

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, Sydney and Noah, along with a very large extended family.

Owens Community College Alumni Association Honors Local Safety Forces and Citizens With Outstanding Service Awards

Posted on April 23rd, 2010

Fifteen area public safety professionals and one civilian were honored with Outstanding Service Awards at Owens.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Fifteen area public safety professionals and one civilian have been chosen to receive the seventh annual Outstanding Service Awards by Owens Community College’s Alumni Association for tremendous contributions to Northwest Ohio’s surrounding communities. The recipients are honored as part of a community celebration.

Award winners are Cherie Bryce, Keith Miller, Tom Bartley, Matt Brixey, Eric Ellis, Gil Ruiz, Greg Yingling, Michael Fox, David Gillispie, Jake Hardie, Jennifer Meyers, David Pauly, Alessandra Norden, Pete Swartz, John Helm and Jim Woodward.

“Owens Community College’s Alumni Association is proud to honor our brave police, fire and emergency medical professionals, as well as private citizens, for their dedication to making our lives safer,” said David Seeger, Owens President of the Alumni Association. “Our nation would not experience freedom and safety as we know it without their selfless acts of public service.”

The awards are presented within the categories of outstanding Police Officer, Firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician, Service to Community and Community Spirit. 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 Officer Award are Cherie Bryce of Monclova (Officer, Toledo Police Department) and Keith Miller of Toledo (Sergeant, Toledo Police Department). Bryce and Miller were nominated by Lieutenant Jerry Matwiejczyk and Sergeant Karen Martensen from the Toledo Police Department for putting their own lives at risk to save the life of a victim and prevent injury to other officers.

On the morning of May 24, 2009, Miller and Bryce responded to a report of several persons shot. They arrived on the scene, entered the residence through an open door and found the suspect was holding a wounded victim as hostage with neither of them able to render aid to the victim who was bleeding profusely. The suspect fired shots at Miller and Bryce and the situation resulted in a standoff. Bryce used her training as a negotiator and counselor to convince the suspect to put his gun down, all while Miller called for the S.W.A.T. unit to assist the situation.

In the meantime, Miller positioned himself so that he could shoot at the suspect if necessary and Bryce continued her efforts to keep the suspect’s attention diverted. When the subject again refused to put his gun down and instead raised it toward the two of them, Miller shot the suspect. They were then able to get medical aid to the victim, saving his life. Miller and Bryce’s courage, knowledge and skill were critical to the successful resolution of an extremely dangerous incident.

Tom Bartley of Toledo (Private, Toledo Fire and Rescue Department), Matt Brixey of Toledo (Lieutenant, Toledo Fire and Rescue Department), Eric Ellis of Toledo (Private, Toledo Fire and Rescue Department), Gil Ruiz of Toledo (Private, Toledo Fire and Rescue Department) and Greg Yingling of Toledo (Lieutenant, Toledo Fire and Rescue Department) are named the Outstanding Firefighter Award recipients. They were nominated by Lieutenant Leonard Baker and Captain Karen Marquardt from the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department for their quick and competent actions that resulted in saving a man’s life in a situation where just a few minutes delay could have changed the outcome.

Shortly after midnight on June 27, 2009, Engine 5 Company responded to a regular alarm at an apartment complex fire. Upon arrival, the crew searched the complex and discovered smoke coming from under the apartment door. The door was forced open revealing an apartment filled with dense smoke. Two members of the response team searched and found a victim face down unconscious in the living room and a stove fire in the kitchen. One member extinguished the stove fire and opened a sliding glass door for ventilation, while two other members carried the victim to the door and eventually outside. By the time a life squad arrived, the victim was fully conscious and alert enough to refuse transportation to the hospital.

The Outstanding Emergency Medical Technician Award honor is presented to Michael Fox of Stryker (Paramedic, Williams County Emergency Medical Services). Fox was nominated by Williams County EMS Explorer Post 2122 President Benjamin Murray for his unselfish dedication to the community.

In addition to his full-time Paramedic position, Fox serves as an EMS Instructor for Williams County, where he teaches a variety of classes from basic life support to paramedic refresher courses. He is also the head Advisor and a mentor to the young adults and children who are part of the EMS Explorer Post 2122 in Williams County. EMS Explorers give members the opportunity to work and learn alongside EMTs, paramedics and emergency dispatchers and earn the privilege to ride along on actual 911 calls.

Fox was a particularly notable mentor and friend for more than eight years to EMS Explorer member Benjamin Murray. Murray has vision issues and Asperger’s Syndrome, but thanks to Fox’s support, he was accepted into the program despite his disabilities.

David Gillispie of Lima (Detective, Lima Police Department), Jake Hardie of Perrysburg (Special Agent, FBI), Jennifer Meyers of Cleveland (Victim/Witness Specialist, FBI), David Pauly of Tiffin (Special Agent, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation), Alessandra Norden of Napoleon (Detective, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office) and Pete Swartz of Toledo (Detective, Toledo Police Department) from the Northwest Ohio Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force are the recipients of the Outstanding Service to the Community Award. The individuals were nominated by Squad Supervisor David Dustin from the Toledo FBI for their tireless efforts in bringing human trafficking to the attention of both law enforcement and social service agencies throughout Northwest Ohio. The group has also made significant positive impact on the lives of those victimized by these brutal crimes.

In 2004, the FBI initiated an investigation to address the juvenile prostitution occurring in Harrisburg, Pa. The investigation revealed that a significant amount of recruitment activity of women and children was taking place in Northwest Ohio with many of the victims enduring brutal acts of violence and being force to engage in prostitution. As a result of the findings, the Northwest Ohio Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force was formed. In 2009, a nationwide sting was conducted to arrest pimps and recover child victims. The latest sting identified and recovered seven juvenile victims. To date, 60 juvenile victims of prostitution have been identified or recovered because of the task force’s efforts.

A second Outstanding Service to the Community Award is presented to John Helm of Bowling Green (Investigator, Wood County Prosecutor’s Office). Helm was nominated by Wood County Prosecuting Attorney Paul A. Dobson for exceptional service and dedication to the protection of Wood County residents.

Helm has served the crime victims of Wood County and Ohio since 1977. His career as an Investigator for the Wood County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spans nearly 33 years and the terms of six elected prosecutors. During that time, he has maintained a reputation of professionalism, integrity and knowledge that has made him uniformly respected among the more than 20 law enforcement agencies that serve Wood County.

His leadership and cooperation with local law enforcement has led to the successful conclusion of multiple homicide investigations, including cold case homicides, two of which concluded in 2009. Through his tireless efforts, Helm has obtained confessions for murders, sexual assaults, elder abuse and many other serious offenses in Wood County.

Jim Woodward of Findlay (Facility Barber, Hancock County Justice Center) is named the Community Spirit Award recipient. Woodward was nominated by Hancock County Sheriff Michael Heldman for his positive impact on the Findlay-Hancock County community and those incarcerated in the Hancock County Justice Center.

While serving as the Facility Barber at the Hancock County Justice Center, Woodward has embraced a desire to make a difference in the lives of those persons incarcerated at the complex. He regularly puts his talents to work by verbally sharing positive, uplifting messages, hoping to focus those incarcerated into thinking about changes in lifestyle and behavior. His tireless efforts also include the establishing of a monthly motivational program for inmates in an indoor recreational area of the Hancock County Justice Center. Woodward’s passion focuses his speakers on making those incarcerated feel as though they are an important part of the community, while guiding them to a positive change in life.

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.

Owens Students to Host ‘Owens Has Heart’ Benefit Concert, April 30

Posted on April 23rd, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents with a passion and an enjoyment of varied musical styles and genres are encouraged to join Owens Community College students in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts as the group presents an “Owens Has Heart” benefit concert on Friday, April 30. All proceeds from the concert will benefit Missions International of America and Family Promise of Greater Toledo.

The “Owens Has Heart” benefit concert will take place in the College’s Mainstage Theatre from 5-8 p.m. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. The event is open to the public.

Coordinated by Owens students as part of a community activism project through the Multicultural Diversity in the United States class, the “Owens Has Heart” event will showcase the musical talents of both Owens students and members of the community in a number of performances ranging from hip hop to bluegrass.

The concert will feature five musical acts, which include the groups Winfree (hip hop), Crucial (reggae) and Minus Elliot (rock/alternative), as well as performances by Grant Perry (acoustic) and Matt Thacker (bluegrass).

Concert attendees can purchase tickets at the event for $10. For more information about the “Owens Has Heart” benefit concert, call (567) 661-7180 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7180.

Owens Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club Hosts Annual Spring Plant Sale, April 28

Posted on April 22nd, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents seeking to add some new life and color to their gardens and yards this spring are encouraged to attend the Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club’s annual Spring Plant Sale at Owens Community College on Wednesday, April 28.

The plant sale will be held from 10 a.m. – 5 p.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 and unusual trees, among other items. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

According to Chris Foley, Owens Associate Professor of Science and Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club Advisor, the Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club student organization is excited to once again offer individuals the rare opportunity to purchase select trees and shrubs at a very minimal cost for the upcoming spring planting season.

A majority of the shrubs will cost $15, while varieties of trees will cost between $18-50. 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 50 colleges and universities across the country.

Shrubs on hand will include assorted hydrangeas and flowering shrubs, as well as the Dwarf Burning Bush, Emerald Green Arborvitae, Golden Pillar Barberry and Virginia Sweetspire, among many others. Several rare and unusual trees will also be available, including the Japanese Stripped-bark Maple, Chinese Dogwood, Redbud, Carolina Silverbell and White Oak. The Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club will also sell perennials, including select hostas and daylilies. In addition, an assortment of planters and hanging baskets with flowering annuals will be available this year. A complete listing of the available plants with their prices is available online at www.owens.edu/direct/plantsale10.pdf.

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 (567) 661-7623 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7623.

Owens Environmental Club to Host Denim Collection Drive, April 22 – May 1

Posted on April 21st, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s Environmental Club is encouraging area residents to bring their used denim jeans, jackets and purses of any particular color to the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses in support of environmental awareness as the student group hosts its first-ever “Recycle Your Denim” Collection Drive, April 22 – May 1.

The 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 270,617 pieces of denim and provided enough UltraTouch National Cotton Fiber Insulation for 540 houses in areas of the country affected by natural disasters, and more notably, preventing 200 tons of denim from being sent to landfills.

On Saturday (May 1), all denim materials will be presented to Jerusalem Elementary fourth grader Erek Hansen around 4 p.m. to assist in his personal goal of collecting over 6,000 items for the “Cotton. From Blue to Green.” program. Last year, the nine-year-old collected 1,684 denim items.

Owens has set up a variety of collection points around the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. Area residents can drop off their denim items on the Toledo-area Campus at the Student Health and Activities Center, Health Technologies Hall, College Hall and the Audio/Visual Classroom Center. On the Findlay-area Campus, collection points are in the College’s Commons area.

For more information about the denim collection drive, or to donate, call (567) 661-7583 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7583.

‘Green’ Community Organizations Celebrate Earth Day 2010 with Lucas County Court House Spring Beautification, April 22

Posted on April 21st, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club, the Toledo Botanical Garden, The Ohio State University Extension-Lucas County master gardeners, Maumee Valley Growers and Earthworks representatives will spend a morning at the Lucas County Court House volunteering their time beautifying the grounds as the organizations join millions of individuals nationwide in celebration of Earth Day 2010 on Thursday, April 22.

Beginning at 9 a.m., volunteers will roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty by participating in a variety of general spring clean-up projects as well as helping with the maintenance of landscape beds and plantings to include pruning, weeding and mulching. Representatives will conclude their volunteer beautification efforts around 12 p.m. that same day.

The group of volunteers plans to return to the Lucas County Court House in mid May to plant flowers and annuals as part of the beautification efforts.

Additionally, the volunteer service project is occurring in conjunction with the nationwide PLANET (Professional Landcare Network) Day of Service. The program is designed to unite PLANET members around the country for a day of giving back to their communities. PLANET is an international association serving lawn care professionals, landscape management contractors, design/build/installation professionals and interior plantscapers. The organization provides its members with a good business foundation to help them evaluate, plan and better manage their companies.

The Earth Day Network was founded on the premise that all people, regardless of race, gender, income or geography, have a moral right to a healthy, sustainable environment. The organization mission is to broaden and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable environment. The Earth Day Network has a global reach with more than 20,000 partners and organizations in 190 countries. More than one billion people participate in Earth Day activities, making it the largest secular civic event in the world.

Owens Presents ‘Melodic Expressions’ Fifth Annual Spring Concert Series, April 23 – May 2

Posted on April 21st, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents with a passion and an enjoyment of music are encouraged to join in celebrating the culmination of an academic year’s worth of Fine and Performing Arts education as Owens Community College presents its fifth annual “Melodic Expressions” Spring Concert Series, April 23 – May 2. The Spring Concert Series will showcase the accomplishments of Owens students and faculty in a number of performances ranging from vocal to instrumental.

“‘Melodic Expressions’ is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the tremendous accomplishments of our Owens Community College Fine and Performing Arts students,” said Doug Mead, Owens Chair of Fine and Performing Arts. “The upcoming recitals and ensembles have been mastered through academic learning within the classroom this past year. Events such as ‘Melodic Expressions’ provide our students with a great venue to display such musical talents in a real world setting.”

All events will occur in the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township. The schedule of events is as follows:

Friday, April 23
Owens Dance Showcase
Owens students will showcase their dancing talents and choreography skills to accompanied music in various genres, including jazz, hip hop, ballet and modern dance, among others.
(8 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre)

Sunday, April 25
Owens Spring Choir Concert – “The Requiem” and Owens String Ensemble
Owens student performers will showcase their vocal talents as they present Gabriel FaurÈ’s “The Requiem”, which is a traditional solemn Catholic liturgy. The Owens string ensemble class will follow the choir concert with an array of string instruments, including the violin, viola and cello. Various classical music favorites will be featured during the live performance.
(7 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre)

Tuesday, April 27
Piano Duet Performance by Owens Adjunct Faculty Members Lynda Dunn and Cheryl Magrum
Owens Adjunct Faculty members Lynda Dunn and Cheryl Magrum will provide attendees with an afternoon of musical entertainment as the two artists perform piano duets to one of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello” and to Georges Bizet’s “Jeux d’enfants (Children’s Games)”.
(12:15 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda)

Owens Percussion Ensemble
Owens student performers within the College’s percussion ensemble class will showcase their creative percussion skills during a performance that will highlight an array of unique rhythmic sounds.
(2 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Studio Theatre)

Wednesday, April 28
10th Annual Harp Performance by Owens Adjunct Faculty Member Denise Grupp-Verbon and Friends
Denise Grupp-Verbon, Owens Adjunct Faculty member, will feature a sundry of selections and styles as part of her annual harp performance. Several guest artists will also showcase their musical talents during the event.
(6 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Studio Theatre)

Thursday, April 29
Owens Faculty Trio Performance
Attendees will have the opportunity to be amazed by the musical talents of Owens’ Bryan Stanbridge (steel drum), Michael Mason (guitar) and Michael Sander (percussion) as the faculty trio performs an array of genres during the live event.
(12 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda)

Owens Jazz Express
Owens student performers will showcase their many talents through numerous crowd-pleasing musical favorites that highlight many diverse styles of jazz.
(2 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda)

Sunday, May 2
Owens Concert Band
Attendees are in for an afternoon of masterful sounds courtesy of Owens’ concert band class. The concert will feature a wide range of musical selections to include patriotic music, Broadway show tunes and marches.
(2:30 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre)

All the performances are open to the public. For more information about the “Melodic Expressions” Spring Concert Series, contact the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-7081 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7081.

Owens’ Findlay-area Campus Showcases Student Artwork, April 26 – May 7

Posted on April 19th, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College students will have the opportunity to showcase their many artistic talents as the Findlay-area Campus hosts its annual Spring Student Art Exhibition in the Library Gallery, April 26 – May 7.

Additionally, the College will host a reception for the artists on Tuesday, April 27. The reception will occur from 5-7 p.m. in the Findlay-area Campus Library. Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is delighted to once again feature the finest works of art produced by our students during the Spring Semester,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “The artistic expressions are extremely individualized and reflect the unique creative abilities and inspirations of each student artist.”

The Spring Student Art Exhibition features numerous pieces of artwork from paintings to drawings created by student artists enrolled in the College’s “Fundamentals of Drawing” course, which is instructed by Erika Clark, Owens Adjunct Faculty member for Fine and Performing Arts. In this course, students obtain experiential learning within various areas, including the study of object drawing, form organization, proportion and texture.

In addition, student artists enrolled in the College’s “Foundations in 2D Design” course, also instructed by Clark, will present their artistic expressions within the Library Gallery. In this course, students develop an understanding of basic studio art principles, critical skills and media manipulation, covering the topics of color theory and the use of two-dimensional space.

Students from the College’s “Black and White Photography I and II” courses instructed by Melissa Harding, Owens Adjunct Faculty member for Fine and Performing Arts, will also showcase their artistic work as part of the exhibit. The classes focus on photography both as a fine art and for commercial means. Students learn about the development of skills related to visual literacy, film exposure, making prints and preparing prints for exhibition, among many other areas.

Finally, student artists enrolled in the College’s “Foundations in 3D Design” course, instructed by Owens Adjunct Faculty member for Fine and Performing Arts Rhonda Grubbs, will present their artistic expressions within the Library Gallery. In this course, students develop the ability to analyze form and space relationships while being introduced to basic three-dimensional processes and materials, including cardboard and clay.

Students whose work will be displayed are Michael Hampshire of Findlay, Jon McCullough of Gilboa, DeAnna Kern of Owasso, Okla., Vicky Feehan of Fostoria, Alex Kloeppel of Findlay, John Bargiel of Bowling Green, Danny Gantchev of Findlay, Jill Stephens of McClure, Jose Degollado of Fostoria, Scott Heitmeyer of Carey, Erin Miller of Marysville, Trisha Orians of Upper Sandusky, Abigale Price of Arlington, Amanda Sawyer of Findlay, Stephanie Ache of Cygnet, Amanda Arend of Findlay, Katie Bernot of Findlay, Chandra Burkett of Findlay, Jennifer McCoy of Findlay, Mackensie Phillips of Findlay, Brittany Waldman of Findlay, Brandt Barton of Findlay, Carissa Bonham of Ottawa, Kyle Challen of Findlay, George Charlton of Forest, David Dishong of McComb, Tamala Dyar of Wayne, Katrina Feick of Fremont, Nicholas Fondessy of Fostoria, Morganne Gabriel of Fostoria, Magen Hughes of Findlay, Nicole Johnson of Cloverdale, Hillary Moore of Findlay, Corine Stewart of Findlay, Jamie Vogts of Jenera, Jessica Grine of Fostoria, Cynthia Hesson of Mount Blanchard, Ken Lehman of Portage, Heather Murphy of Findlay, Sherry Musgrave of Bloomdale, Alesha Richards of Bloomdale, Jessica Wiler of Findlay and Cole Worden of Findlay.

Gaudete Brass Quintet to Perform at Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, April 30

Posted on April 19th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Rich, multi-faceted songs and musical styles from differing historical periods will reverberate throughout the Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts as the academic institution welcomes back the Gaudete Brass Quintet in concert on Friday, April 30.

Presented by the College’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts, the Gaudete Brass Quintet will perform in the College’s Mainstage Theatre at 2 p.m. The Owens Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

The Gaudete Brass Quintet, which made its first appearance at Owens in 2009, has quickly established itself as one of the finest brass chamber ensembles in the country today. Founded in 2004, the quintet is committed to sharing the great brass quintet literature with audiences nationwide. The group has served as Artists-in-Residence at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., and has been featured on a number of prominent concert series, including the Fourth Presbyterian Noon Center Series in Chicago, the Noon Concert Series at the University of Chicago, Fine Arts at First at the First Methodist Church in Kenosha, Wis., and Musical Mondays in Milwaukee.

Comprised of Ryan Berndt (trumpet), Jean McCullough (horn), Paul Von Hoff (trombone), Scott Tegge (tuba) and Bill Baxtresser (trumpet), the quintet has also performed on live radio broadcasts on the “Live in Studio C” program on Nashville Public Radio, the 21st Century Classical program on WSME in Milwaukee and Kenosha Public Radio. The group is committed to expanding the brass quintet repertoire, commissioning works by James Woodward (premiered in 2008) and John Cheetham. In 2007, the group celebrated the centenary of Alec Wilder with the playing of his Suite No. 1 for Brass Quintet.

Their accomplishments include performances in the semi-finals of the 2007 and 2008 Plowman Chamber Music Competition and the semi-finals of the 2007 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Sought after as teachers as well as performers, the group has presented clinics at several colleges and universities, including Vanderbilt University, Western Illinois University, the University of Georgia, the University of Alabama and the University of Notre Dame, among others. In 2006, the Gaudete Brass Quintet released its first CD, “Brass Outings”, featuring Andre Previn’s Four Outings for Brass.

For more information about this event, call (567) 661-7081 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7081.

Owens Learning Center at The Source Announces Free Career Planning Workshop, April 26

Posted on April 19th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents are invited to explore career options and gain advice on making the first steps toward a new career as the Owens Community College Learning Center at The Source presents a free “Discovering Career Choices” Career Exploration Workshop on Monday, April 26.

Presented by Owens’ Career Services Office, the one-hour seminar will occur from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Room 105 at the College’s Learning Center at The Source on Monroe Street in downtown Toledo. The workshop is free and open to the public, however, registration is required due to space limitations.

During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to explore various career paths by participating in a personal interest inventory program. This inventory will match identified interests with occupations and what possible educational majors they could pursue at an academic institution. Additionally, attendees will receive career-specific literature and website information from Career Services representatives to further research potential occupations.

For more information, or to register, contact the College’s Career Services Office at (567) 661-7501 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7501.

Owens Community College Announces Presidential Finalists Open Forums, April 26-28

Posted on April 19th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will welcome the three presidential finalists to the Findlay-area and Toledo-area campuses as the academic institution announces open forums for the candidates to meet employees, students and members of the community, April 26-28.

The open forums will take place each day (April 26-28) from 9-10 a.m. in the College’s Conference Center on the Findlay-area Campus and from 1-2 p.m. in Owens’ Audio/Visual Classroom Center Rooms 125-128 on the Toledo-area Campus. The Findlay-area Campus is located Bright Road in Findlay, while the Toledo-area Campus is on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. The forums are open to the public.

The three presidential finalists will visit Northwest Ohio on the following days: Dr. James Richardson, President of Wenatchee Valley College in Wenatchee, Wash. on Monday, April 26, Dr. Danette Toone, Vice President of Academic and Community Initiatives of Temple College in Temple, Texas on Tuesday, April 27, and Dr. Para Jones, President of Spartanburg Community College in Spartanburg, S.C. on Wednesday, April 28.

“I am extremely pleased to welcome the three presidential finalists to Owens Community College and the Northwest Ohio region and encourage campus employees and students as well as area residents to attend the upcoming forums,” said John C. Moore, Owens Presidential Search Committee Chair and Board of Trustees member. “I would also like to extend my appreciation to the Presidential Search Committee for devoting their time and providing their diverse views and perspectives to the presidential search process.”

Moore added, “Owens Community College is committed to meeting the needs of the surrounding communities by providing a superior educational experience through excellence, innovation and collaboration. The Board of Trustees looks forward to the next phase of the search process with the ultimate goal of having a new Owens President in place by the start of the 2010 Fall Semester.”

Earlier this year, the Board of Trustees announced that a national search for the new President of Owens Community College was underway to succeed Dr. Christa Adams, who retired in January, after having served as President of Owens since July 2001. Dr. Larry McDougle has served as the College’s Interim President since the beginning of January. The presidential search process is being led by Owens Board of Trustees member John C. Moore, who is serving as Chair of the Presidential Search Committee.

The Board of Trustees has enlisted the services of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) to assist in conducting the presidential search. Founded in 1972, the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) is a nonprofit educational organization of Board of Trustees of community, technical and junior colleges. ACCT’s purpose is to strengthen the capacity of community, technical and junior colleges to realize their missions through effective Board of Trustee leadership, education and advocacy at local, state and national levels.

ACCT has a long and distinguished history of working with governing boards and providing executive search assistance to more than 300 community colleges. Based in Washington, D.C., ACCT is recognized nationally for its unique ability to provide comprehensive search assistance, recruitment on a diverse and quality pool of candidates, suggestions on process, and preparation of search materials and guidance to the Board of Trustees.

Owens Arrowhead Park Learning Center to Host Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon, April 21

Posted on April 15th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College Workforce and Community Services will celebrate Administrative Professionals Day by honoring area administrative professionals with a special luncheon featuring WTOL TV News Anchor Chrys Peterson and Filmmaker Tom Hofbauer as the special guest speakers on Wednesday, April 21. The presentations will focus on “Transforming Yourself Personally and Professionally” during the luncheon event.

The Administrative Professionals Day luncheon will occur from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the College’s Arrowhead Park Learning Center on Indian Wood Circle in Maumee. Area administrative professionals and community members are encouraged to attend the event.

Peterson has served as a News Anchor at WTOL TV for over 16 years. She is active in several breast cancer awareness projects, which includes serving as Honorary Chairperson for the Northwest Ohio/Komen Race for the Cure for Breast Cancer. Also, Peterson has worked to produce a weekly television segment called “Home For Keeps” on adoption, which has helped to find adoptive families for hundreds of foster children in Lucas County and has raised awareness about the need for adoptive and foster parents.

In addition, Peterson has won numerous awards for her work in the community, including an Emmy Award for community service for her breast cancer awareness campaign, the Toledo Area Jaycees’ “20 Under 40” Award, the “Milestones” Award and “Women of Toledo” Award, among others.

Hofbauer has been working in the entertainment world for more than two decades. He started out as a comedian and spent portions of the next eight years traveling around the eastern half of the United States. His professional writing career includes completing several feature film screenplays, a pilot and episodes for a sit-com.

His film “In the Company of Strangers” garnered several honors to include Best Dramatic Feature Film at the Telluride IndieFest in 2002 and the Key West IndieFest in 2003. It was also honored with the Best Director – Gold Medal for Excellence at the Park City Film Music Festival in 2005 and a Best Dramatic Feature Film award at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival. In 2004, Hofbauer oversaw camera operator duties and location production for the Oscar-nominated documentary “Twist of Faith”.

The cost of the luncheon is $20 and reservations are required. For more information, call (567) 661-7357 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7357.

Owens Student Group Raises Environmental Awareness During Fourth Annual Environmental Fair, April 22

Posted on April 14th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will bring environmental awareness to the forefront as the Owens Environmental Club hosts its fourth annual Environmental Fair on Thursday, April 22. The public is encouraged to join the campus community in celebrating the importance of the environment through daylong activities.

More than a dozen environmental organizations are scheduled to participate in the fair, which will be held from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Environmental Fair participants include the Ohio EPA Northwest District Office, Lucas County Soil and Water Conservation, Ohio EPA Division of Solid and Infectious Waste Management, Metroparks of the Toledo Area, Wood County Park District, Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, Nature’s Nursery, Share-A-Ride, Toledo Botanical Garden, Bowling Green State University Environmental Service Club and Energy Systems Group, among others. In addition, several campus groups and organizations, including the Owens Environmental Club and the College’s Geography Department, will host informational tables. Individuals will also be on hand to discuss Owens’ campuswide energy conservation program.

Various alternative energy vehicles will also be on display as part of the Environmental Fair, including Guinness World Records “Smallest Car” the Peel P50 automobile, a Trimuter electric automobile, a HMV Freeway automobile, a GEM automobile and a commuter automobile, as well as several hybrid and electric vehicles. A Rider Ericsson hot air engine and other Stirling and steam engines will be showcased during the event.

In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to view the film “Food, Inc.” The free 93-minute film, which will air continuously in the Student Health and Activities Center, will provide insight into the nation’s food industry.

The College’s Environmental Club is also encouraging area residents to bring their worn-out athletic shoes and denim jeans and jackets to the Environmental Fair as the College hosts two separate collection drives.

The Owens Environmental Club is comprised of active students who are dedicated to addressing a multitude of environmental issues on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. The student organization has successfully implemented numerous recycling programs, while bringing more awareness to environmental concerns. Within the community, the Owens Environmental Club regularly helps in community clean-ups and preserve restorations, participates in charity events, and supports various environmental causes with a yearly Human-I-Tees fundraiser.

For additional information about Owens’ Environmental Fair activities, call (567) 661-7583 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7583.

Owens Students and Nike Promote Environmental Awareness through ‘Reuse-A-Shoe’ Sneaker Collection Drive, April 15-22

Posted on April 14th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College and Nike are encouraging area residents to bring their worn-out athletic shoes, previously destined for overcrowded landfills, to the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses in support of environmental awareness as the Environmental Club hosts the third annual “Reuse-A-Shoe” Sneaker Collection Drive, April 15-22.

The sneaker collection drive initiative is once again part of a collaborative effort with Nike’s worldwide “Reuse-A-Shoe” environmental program, where worn-out athletic shoes of any brand are collected, processed and recycled into material used in sport surfaces such as basketball courts, tennis courts, athletic fields, running tracks and playgrounds. Since its founding, Nike’s “Reuse-A-Shoe” program has recycled over 25 million pairs of athletic shoes and created more than 300 sport surfaces around the globe.

Since establishing the community outreach program two years ago, over 2,100 worn-out athletic shoes have been given new life through ‘Reuse-A-Shoe” at Owens.

All worn-out athletic shoes will be shipped to the Nike Recycling Center in Wilsonville, Ore., where they will be ground up and separated into one of three Nike Grind materials, which include rubber from the outsole, foam from the midsole and fabric from the upper. The Nike Grind is then incorporated into playground and sport surfaces as part of partnerships with industry-leading surfacing companies.

Owens has set up a variety of collection points around the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. Area residents can drop off their worn-out athletic shoes on the Toledo-area Campus at the Student Health and Activities Center and the Audio/Visual Classroom Center. On the Findlay-area Campus, collection points are in the College’s Commons area.

Worn-out athletic shoes of any brand are being accepted as part of the Owens “Reuse-A-Shoe” Sneaker Collection Drive. Nike does not accept sneakers containing metal or cleats, or dress shoes.

For more information about the shoe collection drive, or to donate, call (567) 661-7583 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7583.

Owens Express Women’s Basketball Student-Athlete to Sign National Letter of Intent with Tennessee Tech, April 14

Posted on April 14th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College women’s basketball student-athlete Brittany Darling of Curtice will sign a national letter of intent to continue her collegiate career at Tennessee Tech University on Wednesday, April 14. The official signing ceremony will take place in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center at 3:30 p.m.

During her career at Owens, Darling (small business management) averaged 10.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.1 block shots per game for the Express. This past year, the sophomore center earned First Team OCCAC All-Conference honors and was named the team’s co-MVP. Additionally, Darling, a 2008 graduate of Genoa High School, holds the school records for most rebounds in a single game (21) and blocks in a season (127).

The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles finished their 2009-10 season with a 14-16 overall record.

Owens Community College Celebrates Community College Month

Posted on April 13th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – 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 to give them a competitive edge in today’s global economy,” said Dr. Larry McDougle, Interim President of Owens Community College. “As community colleges across the country celebrate April as Community College Month, I encourage those individuals who have attained a college education to share their story about what an educational experience has meant to their life with someone who may have never considered higher education as an option. Together, we can positively impact the lives of others through lifelong learning. To Owens graduates, I encourage you to send your story to me.”

Community College Month activities commence the week of April 12 when students and employees will be invited to paint murals on designated days from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Arrowhead Park Leaning Center (April 14), the Findlay-area Campus (April 15), the Learning Center at The Source (April 19) and on the Toledo-area Campus (April 20). The topic of each mural will be location-specific. For example, the Toledo-area Campus mural will feature one of the two bridges that crosses Oregon Road, connecting the east and west sides of campus. The murals will be unveiled at Spring Fling, which takes place April 27 on the Findlay-area Campus and April 29 on the Toledo-area Campus. After this, the murals will be displayed on each campus and learning center.

The celebration will continue with a variety weekly events, including a bookstore sale as well as the presentation of free “red” candy and carnations in honor of Community College Month. Free carnations will be available for students and employees to pick up and give to another student or employee to show their appreciation to those who have significantly impacted their lives.

Ongoing activities will include a loose change collection to benefit Owens scholarships and an ‘I Love Owens Because Ö’ contest in which students and employees are encouraged to share what they love about Owens via e-mail, photo or video to be considered for a various prize opportunities.

Community College Month festivities will conclude April 30 with campus clean-up events, supported by the College’s Environmental Club.

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 11 million students. The average age of a community college student nationwide is 29. More than 612,000 associate degrees are awarded annually. Owens’ Community College Month activities are a collaboration between several College departments. For additional information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Faculty Member Named to Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society Leadership Position

Posted on April 13th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College Assistant Professor of Mathematics Dr. James R. Perry of Perrysburg has been chosen by the Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society to serve as Deputy National Executive Director for the Ohio/Midwest Region.

Perry’s responsibilities, along with that of fellow Board of Deputies members, is to provide leadership and guidance to the Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society and its chapters with the overall goal being the continued advancement of the organization at the highest level of academic excellence.

“We are pleased that Dr. Perry will be bringing his enthusiasm for Chi Alpha Epsilon to the two-year institutions,” said Dr. Elbert Saddler, Founder and National Executive Director of Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society. “The society extends its gratitude and looks forward to his contributions of energy, wisdom and insight in enabling Chi Alpha Epsilon to recognize deserving students and equipping them to serve as leaders at their institutions and for the nation.”

Perry began his career at Owens as a faculty member in 1996. Since then, he has held several positions, which includes serving as Assistant Chair and Chair of the Math, Life and Natural Sciences from 2000-08. Perry currently serves as Assistant Professor of Mathematics where he is responsible for teaching academic courses in statistics, developmental mathematics and accounting.

He has served on a number of committees and organizations at Owens, including Planning Council, the North Central Association Focus Group and the Chair Load Task Force. He currently serves as Chair of the Academic Standards Committee and the Mathematics Department Operations and Technology Committee. Additionally, Perry, an Owens Leadership Academy graduate, is a Co-Advisor for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and one of several Advisors for Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society.

His community and professional involvement includes serving as past President of the Ohio Association of Two-Year Colleges, a Principle Investigator for the National Science Foundation Grant for Computational Sciences and a Higher Learning Commission AQIP Peer Reviewer.

Perry earned his doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Toledo. Additionally, he holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in educational administration and accounting, respectively, from Indiana State University.

Rotary Club of Perrysburg Adds $20,000 to Endowed Scholarship Program at Owens

Posted on April 7th, 2010

Rotary Club of Perrysburg President Ken Robinson (L to R), Owens Executive Director of College Development and Foundation President Ann Savage, Rotary Club of Perrysburg STRIVE Chair Walter Celley, Penta Career Center Superintendent Ron Matter and Penta Career Center Assistant Superintendent Randy Richardson pose for photo following the donation presentation.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – The Rotary Club of Perrysburg and its Foundation continues to invest in the future of higher education within Northwest Ohio by presenting the Owens Community College Foundation with a $20,000 donation to provide Penta Career Center graduates the opportunity to pursue their academic and career aspirations. The $20,000 donation will be used to grow the recently-established scholarship program to $40,000 of endowed funds.

“Owens Community College appreciates the Rotary Club of Perrysburg’s continued support and commitment to helping future Penta Career Center graduates in their pursuit of a college education,” said Ann Savage, Owens Executive Director of College Development and Foundation President. “A college education can open doors to endless possibilities and Owens Community College is proud to collaborate with the Rotary Club of Perrysburg to make such academic opportunities for area residents a reality.”

In November 2009, Owens and the Rotary of Club Perrysburg announced the establishment of the new endowed scholarship program with an initial $20,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Perrysburg’s Foundation to fund the endowment.

The new scholarship will be awarded to a Penta Career Center high school graduate who has completed at least a two-year program at the school. Selection criteria for the new scholarship program will also include that the recipient attend Perrysburg, Lake or Rossford high school and achieve a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Additionally, the recipient must be able to demonstrate significant participation in community service activities during high school and financial need. Recipients, who will be selected through a process of screenings and interviews, will be assigned a Rotary mentor and must remain in contact during the term of the scholarship.

Scholarships will not have a stated amount, but are intended to provide a fully paid college education through the attainment of an associate’s degree from Owens. The Rotary Club of Perrysburg’s overall goal is to grow the scholarship program into a $100,000 endowment.

The new endowed scholarship initiative is a continuation of a longstanding partnership among the Rotary Club of Perrysburg, Penta Career Center and Owens which was forged in 2001 with the establishment of the Students Taking a Renewed Interest in the Value of Education (STRIVE) Program. The overall mission of the STRIVE Program, which is a program of Rotary International and may be adopted by a local Rotary Club, is to provide educational assistance and encouragement to high school students with the goal of improving their grades, attitudes and attendance during their senior year.

Now in its ninth year of existence, the STRIVE partnership between the Rotary Club of Perrysburg and Penta Career Center has resulted in 172 students graduating from the program. Overall, the Rotary Club of Perrysburg has provided nearly $50,000 of funding for the local STRIVE initiative. Since 2003, the Owens Community College Foundation has provided matching scholarship funds in the amount of $2,500 per year for STRIVE students to attend Owens. The collaboration among the Rotary Club of Perrysburg, Penta Career Center and Owens has grown into the Perrysburg Rotary Service Foundation Scholarship Endowment Fund. STRIVE graduates from any Penta Career Center member school district are eligible for the Rotary Scholarship.

The Owens Community College Foundation was incorporated in April 2002 and has over $2.2 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 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.

The Rotary Club of Perrysburg has more than 120 business, professional and community leaders, primarily from the Perrysburg area, as its membership. The current Club President is Ken Robinson and the Foundation Chair is John Welch. The Club was chartered in 1979. The Perrysburg Rotary Service Foundation was formed in 1985 and has funded over $600,000 for charitable projects in the Perrysburg community and internationally.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Hosts Spring 2010 Job Fair, April 15

Posted on April 6th, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents and students are invited to learn about and explore various employment opportunities available throughout the region as the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus hosts Spring 2010 Job Fair on Thursday, April 15.

Sponsored by Owens’ Career Services Office, the Spring 2010 Job Fair will run from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the College’s Conference Center on the Findlay-area Campus. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay. Admission to the event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

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

Area employers in attendance will include Western and Southern Financial Group, Med1Care, The Findlay Publishing Company, TRAINCO Inc. Truck Driving Schools, P.T. Services Rehabilitation Inc., Wood Lane – Wood County Board of DD, MJ Recruiters LLC, Community Hospice Care, Mercy Tiffin Hospital, Open Arms Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services, Job1USA, Smart Sites Imaging and the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio, among others.

In addition, Owens will have information available for those individuals interested in pursuing a college education.

For more information, contact the College’s Career Services Office at (567) 661-7501 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7501.

Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery Presents Juried Student Art Exhibition, April 10 – May 1

Posted on April 6th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College students will have the unique opportunity to showcase their artistic talents as the Center for Fine and Performing Arts hosts the Seventh Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition, April 10 – May 1.

In addition, the College will host a free opening reception and award ceremony for the exhibit on Saturday, April 10 from 4-6 p.m. in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. Also, Owens alumna Rachel Ackerman will be showcasing illustrations from her first illustrated book “The Bubble Gum Fairy” in conjunction with the opening of the exhibit. Both Ackerman and author Diane Terry will be on hand to sign copies of their children’s book. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to once again feature the finest works of art produced by our students,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Coordinator of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “The artistic expressions are extremely individualized and reflect the unique creative ability of each student artist, which will certainly delight exhibit attendees.”

Owens students displaying artwork include Timothy Artessia of Woodville, Ashlee Beach of Fostoria, Jason Cripps of Toledo, Jessica Gallon of Toledo, Taylor Hitch of Oregon, Jerry Isomb of Toledo, Justin Laureano of Bowling Green, Julie Martin of Waterville, Kenneth Perry of Toledo, Aleona Pollauf of Toledo, Kathy Punches of Bowling Green, Joanne Rawson of Toledo, Emily Siravo of Toledo, James Smolenski of Toledo, Keiara Wilcox of Toledo, Samantha Wood of Toledo, John Blake of Upper Sandusky, Cynthia Butler of Toledo, Brandon Freeman of Toledo, Debra Helwig of Delta, Amanda Hertzfeld of Waterville, Alexandra Hill of Pemberville, Matt Johnson of Toledo, Amanda Kerwin of Napoleon, Johnathon Lightle of Swanton, Zachariah Lyons of Toledo, Nick Orlowski of Toledo, Michael Osborne of Toledo, Michael Pettengill of Oregon, David Short of Oregon, Joshua Smith of Toledo, Andrew Stewart of Maumee, Lydia Watson of Oak Harbor, Tabitha Adams of Bowling Green, George Asay of Toledo, Matt Bowley of Jerry City, Aaron Brossia of Rossford, Lois Anne Bowlus of Pemberville, Jessica Checkal of Toledo, Jasmine Cupp of Oak Harbor, Katherine Cedoz of Northwood, Sandy Hagerman of Toledo, Susan Haugh of Findlay, Jamie Lynn Haks of Liberty Center, Shailyn Hill of Pemberville, Linda Lacourse of Toledo, Jennifer Mixon of Grand Rapids, Christie Materi of Oregon, Darcy Lynn Pylant of Walbridge, Amy Radecki of Toledo, Katrina Roberts of Toledo, Katy Reichert of Bowling Green, Laura Traxler of Toledo and Kathie VanNess of Bowling Green.

Owens’ Juried Student Art Exhibition features 93 pieces of artwork in the categories of fine art, which includes sculpture, ceramics, painting, drawing, photography and commercial art. Fifty-five students enrolled within Fine and Performing Arts courses at Owens have had their artwork accepted for the show. Students presenting art for the Juried Student Art Exhibition are allowed to enter a total of four pieces in each of the three categories. Area artists and professionals served as the jury for the exhibit.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays; from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturdays. For additional information about the College’s exhibition season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721 or (567) 661-2721.

Owens Announces Motorcycle Safety Training Program for Upcoming Spring, Summer and Fall Months

Posted on April 6th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – 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 during the months April through October.

The College’s Motorcycle Safety Training program is the only basic motorcycle-rider course offered in Wood County and is one of only 20 permanent training locations in Ohio. Owens’ motorcycle safety training is a three-day course, which occurs on Thursday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. Initial classes will take place Thursday-Sunday, April 15-18.

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 20 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 Motorcycle Safety Training program requires 16 hours of coursework. Four hours will occur within a classroom at the College’s Arrowhead Park Learning Center on Indian Wood Circle in Maumee. 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 in the course.

In its first three years at Owens, the Motorcycle Safety Training program trained over 1,200 individuals during the spring, summer and fall months.

The cost to participate in the program is only $25, while individuals under 18 years of age can enroll for free. Space is limited to 12 riders per class. For additional information about the program, 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 by clicking on the Wood County icon.

Jazz Flutist Galen Abdur-Razzaq to Perform Free Concert and Clinic at Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, April 14

Posted on April 6th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Jazz recording artist Galen Abdur-Razzaq will bring his masterful talents to Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts as the academic institution welcomes the internationally-regarded flutist in concert on Wednesday, April 14.

Presented by the College’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts and the Office of Student Activities, Abdur-Razzaq’s performance will take place in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda at 12 p.m. The Owens Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. The performance is free and open to the public.

In addition to the performance on Wednesday, Abdur-Razzaq will be sharing insightful details about his musical background as part of a free workshop at 9:45 a.m. in the Studio Theatre Room 111 for interested individuals. The public is welcome to attend.

An internationally-recognized jazz flutist, Abdur-Razzaq has performed and presented clinics at various venues, including college and university campuses, worldwide for over 30 years. He is a former student at Berklee College of Music in Boston and is a graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. An arranger, composer, music director and writer, Abdur-Razzaq has performed with such renowned artists as Billy Taylor, Sonny Phillips, Gwen Guthrie, Eddie Gladden and Clifford Adams, among many others. Abdur-Razzaq is also a regular speaker on jazz and its historical significance.

For more information about the concert or workshop, call (567) 661-7583 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7583.

Owens Arrowhead Park Learning Center Announces Free Career Planning Workshop, April 20

Posted on April 6th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents are invited to explore career options and gain advice on making the first steps toward a new career as the Owens Community College Arrowhead Park Learning Center presents a free “Discovering Career Choices” Career Exploration Workshop on Tuesday, April 20.

Presented by Owens’ Career Services Office, the one-hour seminar will occur from 4-5 p.m. in Room 144 at the College’s Arrowhead Park Learning Center on Indian Wood Circle in Maumee. The workshop is free and open to the public, however, registration is required due to space limitations.

For more information, or to register, contact the College’s Career Services Office at (567) 661-7501 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7501.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery Welcomes ‘Storybook Stars’ Exhibit, April 8-22

Posted on April 2nd, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College welcomes the return of the University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum to the Findlay-area Campus with original illustrations from artists who have won major awards for their work in children’s books as the Library Gallery presents “Storybook Stars”, April 8-22.

The Owens Findlay-area Campus Library is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus is delighted to have the University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum return to the Library Gallery,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “The Mazza Museum is committed to helping children develop an interest in reading and literacy, as well as in preserving original artwork from children’s literature. This exhibit showcases the work of some of the most well-known children’s illustrators of our time, which is sure to delight Gallery visitors of all ages.”

The University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum was founded in 1982 and is the world’s first and largest museum devoted to the art of children’s picture books. Since its inception, the museum has collected over 3,000 original pieces from children’s literature. The goal of the Mazza Museum is to promote literacy among children, as well as to collect, exhibit and preserve original artwork from children’s picture books.

Twenty children’s book illustrations from award-winning illustrators are featured in the “Storybook Stars” exhibit to include “Going to the Ball” by Marcia Brown from the book “Cinderella”, “Bleriot Hops Over the Ground Like a Rabbit” by Alice and Martin Provensen from the book “The Glorious Flight”, “Willie Was Catching Single Snowflakes” by Mary Azarian from the book “Snowflake Bentley” and “Cover” by Arnold Lobel from the book “Frog and Toad Together”.

The Findlay-area Campus “Storybook Stars” exhibit is being presented in conjunction with the celebration of April as Month of the Young Child. In addition, the exhibit is designed to encourage children to take interest in literacy and libraries as the College recognizes National Library Week, April 11-17.

Marcia Brown’s illustration titled “Going to the Ball” from the book “Cinderella” are among the many artistic expressions on display as part of the “Storybook Stars” Gallery Library exhibition.

Owens Express Golf Opens Season at Jets Spring Invite, April 2

Posted on April 2nd, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College golf will make its 2010 season debut at the Jets Spring Invitational on Friday, April 2. The non-conference invitational is being hosted by Jackson Community College.

The match will begin at 10 a.m. and take place at the Grande Golf Club in Jackson, Mich. Owens’ home intercollegiate golf events will occur at Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg. Admission to all Express golf events is free and open to the public.

Owens’ golf program is guided by fourth-year Head Coach Gil Guerrero. The Express golf team captured five match and invitational titles during the 2009 spring season, highlighted by its third consecutive first-place finish in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) Championship Invitational. The program also captured its fourth NJCAA Region XII Sub-Regional championship after rounds of 317-314 (631) at Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg.

“Our golf team is extremely young as we are without any returning student-athletes from last year’s conference championship squad,” stated Guerrero. “Even though we are young and inexperienced at the collegiate level, our goal remains the same as previous years, which is to compete at the highest level and contend for another conference title.”

First-year players to the Express golf program are Tyler Bice of Elida (Lima Bath H.S.), Torey Brummett of Oregon (Cardinal Stritch H.S.), Brooks Gardner of Bowling Green (Bowling Green H.S.), Kyle Laberdee of Bowling Green (Bowling Green H.S.), Ryan Medeiros of Pickering, Canada (Notre Dame Catholic H.S.), Lee Schmidlin of Toledo (Whitmer H.S.), Nick Speck of Perrysburg (Eastwood H.S.) and Patrick Stacy of Findlay (Van Buren H.S.).

Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts and Students Present ‘And The Winner Is,’ April 8-11

Posted on April 2nd, 2010

Kelly Fandrey as Sheri (L to R), Corey DiNardo as Tyler Johnes and Jordan Jarvis as Teddy LaPetite perform a wedding scene in Owens’ student production of “And The Winner Is”.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH -The subject of life and the lessons it teaches with a humorous twist will serve as the theatrical theme in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage Theatre as Owens Community College presents the student production of “And The Winner Is,” April 8-11.

The first of several performances will occur at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 8 in the College’s Mainstage Theatre. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts is excited to showcase the talents of our Owens students in a theatrical setting that takes a comedic look at Hollywood, while at the same time brings to the forefront life and death,” said Doug Mead, Owens Chair of Fine and Performing Arts. “Attendees are in for an evening of entertaining theatre.”

Written by Mitch Albom, “And The Winner Is” tells the comic story of Tyler Johnes, a self-obsessed movie star, who is finally nominated for an Oscar, then dies the night before the awards. Outraged at his bad luck and determined to know if he wins (even though he’s dead), he bargains with a heavenly gatekeeper to return to earth for the big night. Along the way, he drags his agent, his acting rival, his bombshell girlfriend and his ex-wife into the journey, in a wildly twisting tale of Hollywood, the afterlife and how we are judged. The performance is an Owens student production.

The cast of “And The Winner Is” is comprised of students from Owens and the theatrical production is directed by Owens Instructor of Fine and Performing Arts Jeremy Meier. Owens student Matthew Cooper of Defiance, who serves as assistant director, oversaw the movie shorts featured in the theatrical production. Additionally, Cooper wrote and directed the “mock-umentary”, which will appear prior to the performance.

Students involved in the production as featured cast members include Corey DiNardo of Northwood, Jon Masters of Toledo, Kelly Fandrey of Swanton, Jordan Jarvis of Perrysburg, Anthony Hunter of Sylvania and Megan Wasserman of Clyde. Owens’ Kari Duffy-Shrader of Toledo and Evan Koontz of Toledo will serve as the stage manager and assistant stage manager, respectively.

“And The Winner Is” will be performed April 8-10 at 7:30 p.m. A matinee performance will also occur on Sunday, April 11 at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $12 for the general public and $8 for Owens students and employees. All seats are general admission. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information, call the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Foundation ‘UnCommon Evening’ Raises Over $50,000 for Success Program Scholarships

Posted on March 31st, 2010

Over 230 individuals recently enjoyed “An UnCommon Evening” of dinner and entertainment in support of the Owens Success Scholarship Program.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – More than 230 area residents recently enjoyed “An UnCommon Evening” of dinner and entertainment in support of the Success Scholarship Program as Owens Community College’s Foundation held its fundraising gala at the Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Commons. The event’s success resulted in the Owens Foundation raising over $50,000 in support of scholarships for future Owens Success Program students.

“The Owens Community College Foundation’s ‘An UnCommon Evening’ was a huge success and would not have been possible without the overwhelming support of Northwest Ohio’s companies, as well as area residents,” said Ann Savage, Owens Executive Director of College Development and Foundation President. “Their generous contributions will go along way in expanding the Success Scholarship Program to additional schools and assisting even more students with financial need achieve their educational and career aspirations.”

All “An UnCommon Evening” proceeds will benefit Owens scholarships through the Success Program. In February 2008, Owens and the College’s Foundation announced the first stage of its Success Scholarship Program designed to make college affordable for high school graduates with financial need. Piloted at Woodward and Findlay high schools, the scholarship bridges the gap between a student’s financial grant aid and the cost of tuition and fees at Owens. For the 2009-10 academic year, the Success Program has been expanded to include the entire Toledo Public School District as well as Whitmer High School.

The Owens Foundation was incorporated in April 2002 and has over $2.2 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.

Owens Interim President Dr. Larry McDougle provided welcoming remarks to “An UnCommon Evening” attendees.	Attendees were welcomed to the scholarship gala with entertainment by TAPESTRY, which featured Owens Fine and Performing Arts Adjunct Faculty member Denise Grupp-Verbon on folk harp and Michael Grupp-Verbon on acoustic guitar.
Owens Fine and Performing Arts Instructor Jeremy Meier (right) served as the evening’s master of ceremonies with Owens students Megan Wasserman and Anthony Hunter providing “uncommon” comic relief as assistant emcees.	The Owens Jazz Express provided musical entertainment as well as the Owens Dance Company, the Owens Guitar Ensemble and The Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps.

Owens Community College Announces New Academic Achievement Scholarship Program

Posted on March 30th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area graduating high school students achieving academic excellence at the highest level will now have the opportunity to pursue a free college education at Owens Community College as the academic institution announces the establishment of a new Academic Achievement Scholarship Program.

The 2010 high school graduating class will serve as the first individuals to qualify for this unique program. Eligible students for the new Academic Achievement Scholarship Program include those who are ranked within the top 10 percent of their graduating classes or who have achieved at least a 3.5 grade point average at their career center school, among other criteria.

“Every student graduating from high school should have the opportunity to pursue a college education,” said Ann Savage, Owens Executive Director of College Development. “Owens Community College’s new Academic Achievement Scholarship Program was created with the goal that financial barriers should not deter students from their educational pursuits and career aspirations. This academic initiative is an investment in the future of higher education within the Northwest Ohio region.”

The new Academic Achievement Scholarship Program will be offered to qualifying students graduating from public and private high schools as well as career centers within the College’s legal district, which encompasses Lucas, Wood and Hancock counties and parts of Ottawa and Sandusky counties.

Public and private high school graduates who are ranked within the top five percent of their graduating class will have the opportunity to receive an Academic Achievement Scholarship for 100 percent of their tuition. Eligibility requirements will also include that students must achieve a composite score of at least 27 on their ACT and/or COMPASS scores meeting or exceeding 94 on writing skills and 69 on college algebra. In addition, students who are ranked within the top six to 10 percent of their graduating class will be eligible to receive an Academic Achievement Scholarship for 50 percent of their tuition. In order to be eligible, students must obtain an ACT and/or COMPASS score, which would ensure their place into college level courses prior to enrolling at Owens.

The new Academic Achievement Scholarship Program will also be awarded to graduating high school students attending career centers within the College’s legal district. Graduating students achieving a 3.7 grade point average from their career center and at least a 27 on their ACT and/or COMPASS scores meeting or exceeding 94 on writing skills and 69 on college algebra will be eligible to receive an Academic Achievement Scholarship for 100 percent of their tuition. Individuals achieving a 3.5 grade point average and an ACT and/or COMPASS score placing them into college level courses prior to enrolling at Owens will be eligible for an Academic Achievement Scholarship for 50 percent of their tuition.

Academic Achievement Scholarship Program recipients will be required to enroll fulltime at Owens for the Fall Semester following their high school graduation and maintain a 3.0 grade point average. Additionally, scholarship students must submit a graduation plan and will be required to meet with an Owens advisor each semester to demonstrate progress toward their plan. Eligibility requirements will also include involvement in either the College’s Honors Program or a leadership symposium each semester as part of their graduation plan.

In addition, students must complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive the scholarship. If the student receives aid, the Academic Achievement Scholarship Program will bridge the gap between any federal or state grant aid a student receives and the cost of an Owens education. Students who are not eligible for federal and state grant aid and meet the academic requirements will still be eligible for the Academic Achievement Scholarship Program.

Owens Students Raise Organ Donation Awareness with Registration Event and Public Display, April 2

Posted on March 30th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College students are raising society’s awareness about the benefits of organ and tissue donation by serving as host to an Organ and Tissue Donation Registration and Public Display on Friday, April 2. The public is encouraged to join the campus community and participate in the educational awareness program.

Owens’ Organ and Tissue Donation Registration and Public Display will be available from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. in the College Hall Atrium on the Toledo-area Campus. The College is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

The organ and tissue donation awareness program is being presented in collaboration with Life Connection of Ohio, which serves as the Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) for Northwest and West Central Ohio. The overall educational awareness program is coordinated by Owens student Jean Clark of Perrysburg as part of a community activism project in her Multicultural Diversity in the United States class.

Attendees will have the opportunity to become an organ and tissue donor by joining the Ohio Donor Registry through the registration process with Life Connection of Ohio. In addition to organ and tissue registration, individuals can pickup literature specific to the benefits of organ and tissue donation.

Owens’ community awareness program is taking place in conjunction with April serving as National Donation Life Month, which was established in 2003 to celebrate the tremendous generosity of those who have saved lives by becoming organ, tissue, marrow and blood donors.

Life Connection of Ohio was founded with the overall mission of serving humanity by ending the wait for organ and tissue transplants in a manner that is beneficial to patients, donor families, health care professionals and the public.

Owens Community College Showcases Newly Upgraded ‘Green’ Auto Body Refinishing Lab

Posted on March 30th, 2010

Owens, BASF and I-CAR Education Foundation officials as well as community and industry leaders pose for a photo following the unveiling of a newly upgraded “Green” Auto Body Refinishing Laboratory.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College representatives recently joined I-CAR Education Foundation and BASF leaders to officially showcase the latest innovative academic resources on the Toledo-area Campus as the academic institution unveiled a newly upgraded ‘Green’ Auto Body Refinishing Laboratory. With this new equipment, Owens becomes one of the first academic institutions in the Midwest to feature BASF environmental-friendly waterborne refinish technology.

The newly upgraded educational area will support and promote experiential learning at the highest level through an array of state-of-art educational resources to include a new ONYX HD Waterborne Basecoat System and other equipment, which are generously donated by BASF through the I-CAR Education Foundation.

“Owens Community College appreciates the commitment I-CAR Education Foundation and BASF are making to furthering access to higher education through innovative academic resources,” said Tracy Campbell, Owens Chair of Transportation Technologies. “The new waterborne basecoat technology is becoming the standard leader within the automotive industry as more and more organizations are moving toward the more cost-efficient, environmentally-friendly low-VOC coating. This donation will enable the College’s Auto Body Refinish Technician program to provide leading edge educational training, utilizing the latest industry resources and equipment to complement the automotive industry.”

Owens Assistant Professor of Transportation Technologies Jeff Howard added, “This donation will provide our students the opportunity to be trained with products and equipment that are the way of the future. They will understand firsthand the benefits that this new technology will provide to the refinish technician, the repair facility and the environment.”

In addition to becoming one of the first academic institutions in the Midwest to feature BASF waterborne refinish technology, Owens will be placing an emphasis on educating students about the importance of reducing basecoat solvent emissions from an environmental standpoint through its experiential learning curriculum.

BASF OEM and Industry Relations Manager Joseph Skurka stated, “BASF believes in the I-CAR Education Foundation’s goal of supporting the future of the industry. We are delighted to assist Owens Community College with its conversion to waterborne refinish technology.”

“We are hearing reports across the country how schools are closing or programs are being cut due to budgetary concerns,” stated Scott Kruger, I-CAR Education Foundation Executive Director. “BASF stepping up with this donation not only assists Owens Community College with costs for their collision program but is also providing the school the opportunity to teach with the latest in waterborne equipment and tools. The Foundation was able to match Owens Community College’s request for waterborne equipment through its 2009 “Ultimate Collision Education Makeover” grant application. We thank BASF for their continued support of the Education Foundation and for helping Owens with this equipment up-grade.”

Owens is the only public academic institution in Ohio to offer an Auto Body Refinish Technician program. Students have the opportunity to pursue a certificate while preparing them for careers in automotive painting and refinishing at dealerships or independently-owned auto body collision repair centers nationwide. Certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and a member of the I-CAR Training Alliance, Owens’ program requires 21-credit hours of academic coursework which includes panel and hardware replacement, sheet metal repair, plastic metal repair, refinishing and collision repair estimating. All refinish courses feature BASF products, which enables students to learn color matching using COLOR-MAX2, paint formula retrieval using SmartTRAKIII, as well as exploring operations using VisionPlus Business Solutions.

The I-CAR Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to securing donations that support philanthropic and collision repair activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry. For more information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation visit www.ed-foundation.org.

<td

Owens Auto Body Program student John-Paul Huntoon of Findlay mixes and matches a finish in preparation for spraying in the newly upgraded ‘Green’ Auto Body Refinishing Laboratory.

Owens Auto Body Program student Andrew Billmyer of Temperance, Mich., applies waterborne refinishing paint to an automotive fender.
Owens is one of the first academic institutions in the Midwest to feature BASF environmental-friendly waterborne refinish technology.	Owens Assistant Professor of Transportation Technologies Jeff Howard discusses the new environmental-friendly waterborne refinish technology during the unveiling ceremony.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Students in Free Enterprise to Host Food Drive to Support City Mission of Findlay, March 30 – April 5

Posted on March 29th, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – The Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) organization is assisting in the fight against hunger by partnering with the City Mission of Findlay and hosting a food drive, March 30 – April 5.

Beginning Tuesday (March 30), the Findlay-area Campus will accept an assortment of non-perishable food items to include canned goods (soup and vegetables), pasta, rice and cereal. The donation drive will run through April 5. All collected donations will then be delivered to the City Mission of Findlay and utilized as part of the organization’s outreach efforts.

“There many people throughout the surrounding region who are without food on a daily basis,” said Renae Faering, Owens Findlay-area Campus SIFE President. “The Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus SIFE organization is proud to help City Mission of Findlay in their efforts to fight hunger and make a difference in the lives of those in need.”

Donations can be dropped off on the College’s Findlay-area Campus, which is located on Bright Road in Findlay, at collection points in the Library, the Community Education and Wellness Center, and the Commons area, among other locations with “Let’s Can Hunger” boxes.

The Findlay-area Campus SIFE organization’s food drive initiative is part of the worldwide “Let’s Can Hunger” partnership program between SIFE and the Campbell Soup Company. The program is designed to challenge SIFE teams to create projects that tackle the hunger problem with three goals: raising awareness about hunger relief, satisfying immediate hunger needs in local communities and implementing long-term solutions that help hunger victims address the cause behind their needs.

The City Mission of Findlay was founded in 1934 and is dedicated to meeting the needs of area residents by providing compassionate care in the form of an emergency shelter, through nourishing meals, social service networking and the new life directions program.

SIFE was founded in 1975 to provide college students with educational opportunities designed to enhance their leadership, teamwork and communication skills. Such educational opportunities are initiated by practicing the principles of market economics, business ethics, entrepreneurship and personal financial success through the implementation of various projects and SIFE-sponsored events. Currently, there are more than 1,300 SIFE organizations on college and university campuses in 41 countries. Throughout the academic year, Owens’ Findlay-area Campus SIFE team participates in a variety of free enterprise educational projects and events benefiting the local community.

For more information about the food drive initiative, call (567) 429-3029 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3029.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Announces GED Regional Testing Center April Schedule

Posted on March 29th, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents interested in enhancing basic skills in English or math, or improving employment skills, are encouraged to attend free GED educational opportunities in April at the Owens Community College Findlay-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. Prior to taking the GED examinations, individuals are encouraged to attend free GED Preparation classes offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 6-8 p.m.

Additionally, all students must attend an orientation meeting before receiving GED Preparation classroom instruction. Students need to attend both orientation dates. Orientations are offered on Thursday, April 8 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and on Friday, April 9 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Room 162, and on Monday, April 12 from 6-8 p.m. and on Tuesday, April 13 from 6-8 p.m. in Room 162. Registration for orientations is not necessary.

The official Ohio GED examination is administered at Owens on one designated day per month. The College’s next official testing date is on Saturday, April 10. GED testing will begin at 7:15 a.m. on the Findlay-area Campus.

For more information on the many GED educational opportunities, call (567) 429-3547 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3547.

Owens Community College Presents Hip Hop Explosion, April 2-3

Posted on March 26th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents interested in expanding their knowledge about the art of hip-hop dance and showcasing their dancing skills are invited to participate in Owens Community College’s third annual Hip Hop Explosion event, April 2-3. The two-day event will feature hip-hop dance instruction from nationally-recognized professional choreographers, as well as a dancing skills talent competition.

Presented by the College’s Dance Express Team student organization, the Hip Hop Dance Explosion event will occur from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day in the Student Health and Activities Center and the Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township.

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday, April 2, attendees ages six and up will have the opportunity to master their dancing skills as part of an instructional program featuring nationally-acclaimed choreographers JaQuel Knight, B-boy Wicket, Lisette Bustamante and B-boy Finesse. Knight is quickly becoming one of the top requested choreographers in the business today and is recognized as one of two choreographers behind BeyoncÈ’s single “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”, which won the 2009 BET Video of the Year. He also choreographed BeyoncÈ’s single “Diva” and played a role in her 2009 “I amÖ” world tour. In addition, Knight provided instruction to the top 10 contestants for the 2009 American Idol tour. B-boy Wicket is regarded as one of the most influential B-boy professionals in the world for his popular style of B-boying. His professional background includes performing with the famous Renegade Rockers and the Rock Steady Crew. B-boy Wicket recently added hip-hop choreography to his repertoire and has worked with such entertainers as Will Smith, Miley Cyrus and LL Cool J.

Additionally, Bustamante has collaborated with such renowned artists as Aaliyah, Missy Elliot, Gwen Stefani and Madonna as a choreographer and dancer. Her background also includes appearances in several television and film projects and she has been featured in commercials for Gap and Pepsi. Additionally, Bustamante served as the Creative Director for the 2005 Latin Grammy Awards. B-boy Finesse is recognized as a specialist in the art of breakdancing. B-boy Finesse has displayed his talents globally to include winning the 2003 Euro Pro Am while a member of the Renegade Rockers. He also appeared in the documentary film “Planet B-boy”. In addition, local choreographers Matthew and William Hanson will provide expert instruction in hip-hop dancing as part of the program.

Individuals will be able to participate in one of three dance classes, which include junior (ages 6-10), intermediate (ages 11-15) and advanced (ages 16 and up). Participants will learn about an array of styles as part of the instruction ranging from locking to breakdancing. The fee for the two-day instructional portion of Hip Hop Explosion is $75 for the general public, while non-participants can observe the dance program for $20. Attendees can also purchase one-day instructional workshop pass for $45.

In addition to the hip-hop instruction, area residents will have the opportunity to watch some of the best groups in the region showcase their dancing skills as the College hosts the Original Toledo Citiwide Dance Competition on Friday, April 2. The competition will take place from 6-9 p.m. in the Student Health and Activities Center.

Seven teams are expected to compete in the event, including the Libbey High School, Woodward High School, Waite High School, House of Adonis, Scott High School and Toledo School for the Arts, among others. Routines performed by each team cannot exceed four minutes in length. A panel of judges will critique the participants with the top three teams receiving awards. Tickets for the dance competition are $7 per person.

For more information about Owens’ Hip Hop Explosion event, call (567) 661-7583 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7583.

Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts Welcomes Nationally-Known Radio Personality Garrison Keillor, April 15

Posted on March 26th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Nationally-known writer and radio personality Garrison Keillor will once again bring his satire and humorous anecdotes to Northwest Ohio as Owens Community’s College Center for Fine and Performing Arts presents “An Evening of Storytelling” on Thursday, April 15.

Keillor’s performance will take place in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center at 7 p.m. The Owens Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to welcome the return of Garrison Keillor to Northwest Ohio,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Mr. Keillor is the living embodiment of the Midwestern spirit as he shares his steady thoughtfulness, old-fashioned values, traditional songs and dry humor through the legendary radio show “A Prairie Home Companion”. Attendees are in for an unforgettable evening of intellect and laughter that will certainly not disappoint.”

Keillor began his radio career while attending college at the University of Minnesota. Following graduation, he went to work for Minnesota Public Radio in 1969. Five years later, Keillor hosted his first broadcast of the now famous radio show “A Prairie Home Companion”. Since its inception, the program’s popularity has grown immensely and now is heard by more than four million listeners on some 590 radio stations.

Additionally, Keillor is the author of more than 20 books and writes a syndicated weekly column. Keillor is also the recipient of a Peabody Award and a member of the National Radio Hall of Fame by the Museum of the Broadcast Communications. This will mark Keillor’s second appearance at Owens. His first speaking engagement at the College took place in 2003.

Tickets for Garrison Keillor’s performance are $65 for premier seating, $45 for select seating and $25 for general seating. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2787.

Owens Community College Hosts Annual Lincoln Motorsports Welding Night, April 1

Posted on March 25th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s School of Technology, the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Welding Society and Lincoln Electric Motorsports are inviting area racing car and truck enthusiasts to the Toledo-area Campus to view an array of competition vehicles and learn more about careers within the welding and automotive industry at the fourteenth annual Lincoln Motorsports Welding Night on Thursday, April 1.

Lincoln Motorsports Welding Night will occur from 6-9 p.m. in the College’s Transportation Technologies Center. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Admission to the event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

“Lincoln Motorsports Welding Night is a great opportunity for area residents to check out some of the latest advancements in competition racing as more than 30 owners from around the region showcase their vehicles,” said Jim Gilmore, Owens Chair of Manufacturing and Industrial Operations. “Attendees can also meet individuals from local businesses and ask advice in choosing a career within the welding or automotive industry.”

Vehicles featured at the event will include trucks, stock racing cars, drag racing cars, tractors and drag bikes, among others. In addition, a NHRA/IHRA modified drag car, an ARCA truck and a 305 Sprint car will be on display.

Karl Hoes of the Lincoln Electric Co. will serve as the guest speaker for this year’s event. In addition to his position as an Instructor for Lincoln Electric, Hoes is an accomplished Lincoln Motorsports Welder and performs welding on NASCAR, Nationwide, ARCA and IRL vehicles. Additionally, he is a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association in Wisconsin and involved heavily with the IRL and ARCA Truck series. Hoes will speak at 7 p.m. about various aspects of welding on competition vehicles.

Representatives from local businesses including Toledo Speedway, Norwalk Raceway Park and Attica Raceway Park will be in attendance to offer information. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to experience one of Lincoln Electric’s virtual welders and view welding demonstrations during the event.

Lincoln Motorsports Welding Night is co-sponsored by the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Welding Society and Lincoln Electric Motorsports. For additional information on the event, call (567) 661-7729 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7729.

Owens Toledo-area Campus Hosts Registration Rocks in March, April, May and June

Posted on March 25th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area high school seniors are invited to learn about Owens Community College’s many educational opportunities during a fun, music-themed event as the College hosts Registration Rocks in March, April, May and June.

High school seniors can sign up for any day of Registration Rocks which runs from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 12-6 p.m. on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Attendees are required to RSVP prior to the event. Registration Rocks dates include March 31; April 1, 7 and 14; May 5, 12, 19 and 26; and June 2, 9, 16 and 23.

“Registration Rocks is a great opportunity for prospective students to receive academic advising, as well as register for summer and fall classes all in one fun-filled day,” said Jennifer Irelan, Owens Director of Enrollment Services. “Owens Community College is excited to once again host an event where students can take the first step toward their career aspirations by pursuing a quality college education.”

Throughout each day, students will be able to meet with staff members, take the Owens placement test and pick up important information about financial aid, clubs and student activities, local housing and academic program offerings. In addition, a separate program on learning to support your children in college will be offered to parents who attend Registration Rocks.

Seniors will have the opportunity to win various raffle prizes during each day, including Owens baseball caps, T-shirts, sweatshirts and more. Additionally, attendees will be provided with a free lunch during their visit.

For more information, or to register, call (567) 661-7253 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7253. Or, check out the website at www.owens.edu and click on the Registration Rocks icon.

Owens Students to Raise Homeless Awareness During Sleep Out for the Homeless Tent City, April 1-2

Posted on March 24th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College students will spend a night under the stars to raise homeless awareness as part of the academic institution’s fifth annual Sleep Out for the Homeless Tent City on Thursday, April 1.

Beginning at 4 p.m., Owens students will spend 20 consecutive hours camping out on the College’s courtyard lawn between Health Technologies Hall and College Hall 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 raise funds and collect basic hygienic, cleaning and clothing materials, as well as non-perishable food items to benefit the Sparrow’s Nest in Toledo. The event will conclude at 12 p.m. on Friday, April 2.

“There are many individuals throughout Northwest Ohio who are without the basic necessities to include housing,” said Barb Brotzki, Owens Student Government member and event coordinator. “Owens’ Sleep Out for the Homeless Tent City project allows individuals to place themselves in the shoes of those less fortunate for a day and try to better understand what it is actually like to be homeless. These individuals are in need of help and I encourage the community to give back and make a donation to benefit Sparrow’s Nest.”

Owens students and employees and community members are encouraged to show their support by making a monetary donation or dropping off basic hygienic, cleaning, clothing and non-perishable food items. Desired items include deodorant, garbage bags, sandwich bags, toilet paper, powder laundry detergent, printer paper, pens, perfume, hair products, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bleach, towels, dish detergent, scarves, gloves and socks, among others. Donations can be made or dropped off on the College’s courtyard lawn between Health Technologies Hall and College Hall during the Sleep Out for the Homeless Tent City event.

The Sparrow’s Nest, which is located in Toledo, is a division of the Cherry Street Mission Ministries. The organization provides emergency relief such as shelter and food for homeless women, as well as helps them build their confidence through the Ready for Life program.

For more information about the Sleep Out for the Homeless Tent City event, including donation information, call (567) 661-7583 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7583.

Owens Alumni Association Accepting Nominations for Outstanding Service Award Celebration Through April 1

Posted on March 24th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s Alumni Association is recognizing the tremendous contribution that area police, fire and emergency medical professionals make to Northwest Ohio’s surrounding communities by hosting the seventh annual Outstanding Service Awards. The recipients will be honored as part of a community celebration on Friday, April 23.

The College’s Alumni Association is presently 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 and Special Events by Thursday, April 1. 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 seventh annual Outstanding Service Awards Celebration will begin at 8 a.m. in the College’s Audio/Visual Classroom Center Rooms 125-128 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 and Special Events Office at (567) 661-7410 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7410. Nomination forms can accessed on Owens’ website at www.owens.edu.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Hosts Registration Rocks in March and April

Posted on March 24th, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Area high school seniors are invited to learn about Owens Community College’s many educational opportunities during a fun, interactive event as the College hosts Registration Rocks in March and April.

High school seniors can sign up for any day of Registration Rocks which runs from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. on the College’s Findlay-area Campus. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay. Attendees are required to RSVP prior to the event. Registration Rocks dates include March 30 and April 1, 6, 8, 13, 20, 22 and 29.

“Registration Rocks is a great opportunity for prospective students to receive academic advising, as well as register for summer and fall classes all in one fun-filled day,” said Angie McGinnis, Owens Director of Advising on the Findlay-area Campus. “Owens Community College is excited to once again host an event where students can take the first step toward their career aspirations by pursuing a quality college education.”

For more information, or to register, call (567) 429-3141 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3141. Or, check out the website at www.owens.edu and click on the Registration Rocks icon.

Owens Community College Hosts Health Career Expo, March 30

Posted on March 23rd, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents and students with career aspirations in a health-related field are invited to learn about and explore various employment opportunities available throughout the region as Owens Community College hosts its annual spring Health Career Expo on Tuesday, March 30.

Sponsored by Owens’ Career Services Office, the Owens Health Career Expo will run from 2-4:30 p.m. in the College’s Audio/Visual Classroom Center Rooms 125-128 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 health care representatives and ask them questions about their professions or how to go about choosing a career path in the health field. In addition, attendees will be able to fill out applications for various 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.

Area employers in attendance will include Mercy Health Partners, ProMedica Health System, Lima Memorial Health System, Bittersweet Inc., HCR ManorCare, Blue Sky Therapy, Lutheran Homes Society, Absolute Rehabilitation and Consulting Services Inc., Luther Home of Mercy, The University of Toledo Medical Center and Wood Haven Health Care, among others.

In addition, Owens will have information available for those individuals interested in pursuing a college education. Owens offers a wide variety of academic programs through the College’s School of Health Sciences, and past graduates from these academic program have gone on to become dental hygienists, dietetic technicians, chefs, hotel and restaurant managers, occupational therapy assistants, health information technicians, radiographers and ultrasound technologists throughout Northwest Ohio.

For more information, contact the College’s Career Services Office at (567) 661-7501 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7501.

Owens Express Baseball Home Weekend Schedule Features Grand Rapids CC, Mott CC and Jackson CC, March 19-21

Posted on March 19th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Three Michigan community college baseball teams will make their way to Northwest Ohio this weekend as the Owens Community College men’s baseball program entertains Grand Rapids Community College, Mott Community College and Jackson Community College, Friday-Sunday, March 19-21.

The Express will play Grand Rapids CC at 3 p.m. on Friday (March 19), Mott CC at 1 p.m. on Saturday (March 20) and Jackson CC at 1 p.m. on Sunday (March 21). All home games are played at the College’s Baseball Complex on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Admission to all home games is free.

Bob Schultz begins his eighth year as Head Coach of the Owens men’s baseball program. In the past seven years, he has guided the Express to many notable achievements, including five conference championships in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Prior to his position as Head Coach, Schultz served as an Express Assistant Coach for five years. His Assistant Coaches are Gabe Medina and Tom DeMarco.

The Owens men’s baseball program finished the 2009 season with a 34-10 overall record and captured its eighth Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (11-4 record) title in the program’s history. The conference championship is the fifth in the last six years. Owens Express men’s baseball, which was ranked No. 10 in the final NJCAA Division II poll, lost to Lakeland Community College in the NJCAA Sub-Region XII Championships.

Early in the 2010 season, Owens has a compiled a 9-3 overall record following games played in South Carolina and a pair of victories against Glen Oaks Community College.

“I am very optimistic about this year’s team,” stated Schultz. “We have 13 veteran returners from last year’s championship ballclub and some extremely talented first-year student-athletes. In order to be successful and compete for another conference title, we are going to need a total team effort. Our expectations remain very high and we anticipate playing a significant role in who wins the conference championship.”

The Express has 13 players returning from last year’s championship team, including Joe Engle of Sidney (Sidney H.S.) and Jared Gibbons of West Carrollton (West Carrollton H.S.). In 2009, Engle, a sophomore infielder, was a First Team OCCAC All-Conference and NJCAA All-Region XII selection. His accomplishments also included being named OCCAC Player of the Year and the team’s Most Valuable Player, among other honors. Engle led the team with 62 hits, 53 RBIs and a .477 batting average. Gibbons, a sophomore infielder, earned First Team OCCAC All-Conference and OCCAC Academic All-Conference honors and was named the recipient of the team’s Most Improved Player award. He collected 49 hits, 31 RBIs and 11 stolen bases and compiled a .445 batting average.

Schultz’s squad also returns Eric Vaughan of Delta (Delta H.S.) and Tim DeCant of Toledo (Lake H.S.). Vaughan, a sophomore pitcher, was a First Team OCCAC All-Conference selection and earned the team’s Outstanding Pitching Award. He compiled a 5-1 record and a 1.83 earned run average and registered 40 strikeouts. DeCant is a sophomore outfielder. In 2009, he was named the recipient of the team’s Coaches Award. Additionally, DeCant was the team leader with 11 doubles, five triples and 31 stolen bases and compiled a .379 batting average.

Returning sophomore student-athletes to the Owens team also include Kevin Dorsten of Huber Heights, pitcher (Wayne H.S.); Neal Linthicum of Perrysburg, pitcher (Perrysburg H.S.); Joe Maurer of Toledo, catcher (Start H.S.); Ben Fox of Huber Heights, infield (Wayne H.S.); Bryan Daniel of Englewood, outfield (Northmont H.S.); Michael Romano of Oregon, outfield (Clay H.S.); Ross Joost of Sherwood, pitcher (Fairview H.S.); Josh Newman of Dayton, infield (Northmont H.S.); and Joel Gattoni of Thornhill, Canada, pitcher (Langstaff Secondary School).

First-year players to the Express men’s baseball program are Blake Schmenk of Perrysburg, outfield (Perrysburg H.S.); Nate Davis of Temperance, Mich., outfield (Bedford H.S.); Jesse Solomon of Huber Heights, infield (Wayne H.S.); Eric Stuart of Mantua, pitcher (Crestwood H.S.); Derrick Garcia of Perrysburg, pitcher (Perrysburg H.S.); Matt Hayes of Pickerington, infield (Pickerington H.S. North); Garrett Busch of Toledo, catcher and pitcher (Start H.S.); Austin Gunn of Delta, infield (Delta H.S.); Ryan West of Englewood, pitcher (Northmont H.S.); Devin East of Neapolis, infield (Anthony Wayne H.S.); Chris Rice of Taylor, Mich., pitcher (Gabriel Richard Catholic H.S.); and Matt Joseph of Sylvania, catcher (Southview H.S.).

Owens Express Softball Opens Home Season Against Muskegon Community College, March 19

Posted on March 19th, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College women’s softball will open its 2010 home season against Muskegon Community College on Friday, March 19. The game will begin at 3 p.m.

All home games will be played at the College’s Softball Complex on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Admission to all home games is free.

The Owens softball program is guided by seventh-year Head Coach Duane Lanham. His Assistant Coaches are Michael Murphy and Kevin Snyder.

Express women’s softball completed the 2009 season with a 34-10 overall record and captured its seventh Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (11-4 record) title in the program’s history. Owens has won four out of the last five OCCAC regular season championships (2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009). The Express lost to Lansing Community College in the NJCAA Region XII Championships.

Owens began its season on the road with games in Florida as part of the program’s annual spring break trip. The Express’ current overall record is 1-5.

“I am extremely optimistic about the upcoming season,” said Lanham. “We have great veteran leadership and a very talented group of first-year players. I expect our depth in pitching, strong defense and continued improvement in our hitting to play key roles in a successful season. This team has the ability and talent to defend our OCCAC conference title and advance beyond the regional tournament.”

Owens has nine players returning from last year’s championship team, including Allison Braun of Celina (Celina H.S.) and Chelsea Lingenfelter of Lima (Lima Shawnee H.S.).

In 2009, Braun, a sophomore infielder, was named First Team OCCAC All-Conference and the team’s Offensive Player of the Year. She led the team with 13 homeruns, which is a new school record. Braun also collected 34 hits, scored 28 runs, had 38 RBIs and compiled a .315 batting average. Lingenfelter is a sophomore pitcher. She compiled an 8-3 record and a 1.48 earned run average.

Lanham’s squad also returns Christine Zappone of Holland (Springfield H.S.), Aerica Susor of Curtice (Genoa H.S.) and Lydia Eckel of Genoa (Genoa H.S.). Zappone, a sophomore infielder, scored 16 runs, had 15 RBIs and compiled a .286 batting average. Susor is a sophomore pitcher. She compiled a 6-3 record and a 2.57 earned run average last year. Eckel, a sophomore infielder, collected 25 hits, 10 doubles and 27 RBIs for the Express last year.

Returning sophomore student-athletes to the Owens team also include Haley Whitcomb of Sandusky, catcher (Perkins H.S.); Jolynn Brossia of Curtice, infielder (Genoa H.S.); Magan Gerding of Perrysburg, catcher (Northview H.S.); and Heather Whitcomb of Sandusky, outfielder (Perkins H.S.).

First-year players to the Express women’s softball program are Kelley Molloy of Toledo, outfielder (Whitmer H.S.); Ashleigh Whitacre of Toledo, outfielder (Central Catholic H.S.); Lindsey Bandeen of Holland, infielder (Springfield H.S.); Matea Rice of Oregon, infielder (Clay H.S.); Bridget Wolfe of Bellevue, catcher (Bellevue H.S.); Brittney Guerrero of Toledo, outfielder (Bowsher H.S.); and Kaela Alexander of Holland, infielder (Springfield H.S.).

Express first-year players also include Keri Seel of Fostoria, pitcher (Fostoria H.S.); Shelby Schuster of Sylvania, catcher (Southview H.S.); Courtney Parr of Castalia, pitcher (Margaretta H.S.); Elizabeth Weber of Elmore, pitcher (Oak Harbor H.S.); Morgan Gray of Clyde, outfielder (Clyde H.S.); Annie DeTray of Oak Harbor, infielder (Oak Harbor H.S.); and Courtney Mowery of Genoa, outfielder (Genoa H.S.).

Owens Findlay-area Campus to Host Clothesline Project Display and Lecture Program, March 18-26

Posted on March 16th, 2010

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents are invited to join Owens Community College in several educational programs designed to raise awareness about violent crimes against women as the Findlay-area Campus serves as host to a Clothesline Project display and lecture presentation, March 18-26.

All activities are free and open to the public and will occur on the College’s Findlay-area Campus, which is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

Activities will commence on Thursday, March 18, with Findlay’s Open Arms Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services representative Erin Beard providing attendees with a lecture presentation titled “What You Need to Know: The Truth about Domestic Violence, Date Rape and Sexual Assault”. The discussion will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the College’s Conference Center Room 111.

In addition, the Clothesline Project will be available for public display Monday-Friday, March 22-26, in the Commons Area on the Findlay-area Campus. The Clothesline Project at Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is being presented in collaboration with Opens Arms Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services in Findlay.

The Clothesline Project is a visual display that bears witness to violence against women. As part of the public display, a clothesline is hung with shirts of different colors, each representing individuals victimized by a violent crime. Survivors, family members and friends of women victims of violence design shirts to represent a particular woman’s experience or as a tribute to the women they loved who died as a result of an act of violence. Crimes of homicide, rape/sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, incest/child sexual abuse, sexual harassment, battering/assault and attack due to an individual’s sexual orientation are represented within the Clothesline Project.

Designed to educate and raise society’s awareness of the extent of violent crime, the national Clothesline Project display was founded in Hyannis, Mass., in 1990. Locally, the Clothesline Project in Wood County began in 1995 and is committed to helping survivors of a violent act with the healing process, educating the public on violence against women and providing concrete suggestions of how individuals can work to prevent violence.

For more information about the public display or lecture presentation, call (567) 429-3029 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3029.