BLUE STORM GOES GREEN WITH SUSTAINABLE NEW MASCOT

July 2011
DistrictwiDe FooD Drive
BLUE STORM GOES GREEN WITH
SUSTAINABLE NEW MASCOT
starting this Fall, the swic Blue
storm will retire the storm
clouD in Favor oF a Ferocious new
mascot – the enDangereD snow
leoparD. Joining the eco-driven movement at the
college, the Athletics department wanted to do its part by
adopting a new mascot that needs the help of Planet
Earth.
Help fight hunger! Donate to the taking care of america Food
Drive July 5-7 at all campuses. Please drop off nonperishable
food items at: the East St. Louis Community College Center -
Building A, Room 1007; the Red Bud Campus - Front Lobby;
the Sam Wolf Granite City Campus - Front Hall; and the Belleville
Campus - College Activities Office, Room 1246.
A variety of food is needed!
“By choosing the snow leopard, we hope to draw
attention and awareness to this endangered
species,” said Athletic Director Jay harrington.
“Beyond awareness, we plan to establish one or
more scholarships for student-athletes pursuing
careers in veterinary sciences or sustainable energy.”
The snow leopard, a beautiful Himalayan mountain cat born with striking blue eyes, was an easy match for the premier
Blue Storm Athletics program. A natural predator, the snow leopard is known for its ability to survive in a rugged landscape
and harsh climate. The cat also is the top predator in its ecosystem.
While college sports abound with predatory-feline mascots – lions and tigers and bearcats – “we think ours will be the first
snow leopard mascot in North American sports,” said Harrington, who has coached the Blue Storm for more than three
decades in his NJCAA Hall of Fame career.
Next up is selecting a name for the new Blue Storm mascot. SWIC sports fans are invited to submit names for the snow
leopard. To participate, visit SWIC.edu and look for the snow leopard and paw prints. Snow leopard names may be
submitted through July 15. SWIC student-athletes will help select finalists; then the winning nickname will be announced to
start the fall 2011 semester. The individual who submits the winning name will receive new Blue Storm snow leopard gear.

FROM THE DESk OF
THE PRESIDENT
This month marks my third anniversary as president
of the best community college in the state and one
of the best in the nation. As it was the day of my
appointment, and as reaffirmed in my performance
reviews since, the SWIC board has charged us
to keep academics at the forefront, starting with
student success.
That we have done – and then some – when you
consider the latest Community College Week rankings.
Of the nearly 3,000 accredited postsecondary institutions that confer two-year degrees
and one/two-year certificates, SWIC ranked in the top 100 in seven different academic
areas for the academic year 2009-10.
Summarizing:
• Representing a 20 percent increase over 2008-09, we awarded 1,338 associate
degrees, fourth highest in Illinois and 99th nationally.
• We issued 1,695 one-year certificates, good for 21st in the nation and second
in Illinois.
• We ranked 10th nationally and fourth in Illinois for “Multi/interdisciplinary Studies”
(252 associate degrees).
• We ranked 12th nationally in the category of “Non-Minority, One-Year Certificates.”
• We tied for 34th in “General Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations.”
• SWIC also ranked 63rd in the “African American/One-Year Certificates” category.
• We ranked 66th in the “All Disciplines, Non-minority” category.
At a time of increased federal and state interest in student outcomes and institutional
value, these results are most timely and reflect our long tradition of delivering
premium-quality education at a reasonable price. Thanks to the incredible support of
our faculty and administrative team, we continue to provide excellent instruction and
services to our students year after year.
Said another way: these results confirm that “SWIC” also means we are all
“still working in collaboration” to help students learn.
Pay It Forward,
Georgia Costello, Ph.D.
President
taKing Flight – Aviation
Maintenance Technology students
David ghidoni, left, and robert a.
rice look at a Westinghouse J-34 Jet
Engine on display at the Sam Wolf
Granite City Campus. The engine,
as well as a floor map of Charles
Lindbergh’s Guggenheim Tour and
numerous vintage photos of aircrafts
manufactured in St. Louis from the
1930s to 1940s, are part of the Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum display. The exhibit
is designed to raise awareness about SWIC aviation programs and promote the museum at the
Downtown Parks Airport.
JULy CALENDAR
4 college closed
5-7 taking care of america Food Drive, districtwide
5 concert in the café, Four of a Kind Band,
7 p.m., BC MC Café
6 hr workshop - adjust your sails,
noon-1 p.m.; call ext. 5120 to register
12 concert in the café, the casuals,
7 p.m., BC MC Café
13 hr workshop - new employee orientation for the
not-so-new, noon-1 p.m.; call ext. 5120 to register
20 hr workshop - interviewing,
noon-1 p.m.; call ext. 5120 to register
27 hr workshop - sexual harassment prevention,
noon-1 p.m.; call ext. 5120 to register
30 Dog Day - Dog-themed art projects, ice cream social,
playground and more, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
BC Schmidt; $5 donation
vip meet anD greet – SWIC student mia michael,
right, speaks with Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin
McGuinness, left, as History Professor patrick mcgarrity looks on,
during a visit to Stormont, the home of Northern Ireland’s Parliament.
McGuinness, a member of Ireland’s Sinn Fein party, is the political
equivalent of the U.S. vice president. The visit with McGuinness was
part of an 11-day study tour of Ireland that took students to Galway,
Bundoran, Derry, Belfast, Dublin, Waterford, Kinsale, Killarney and
other coastal towns to learn about the culture and history of the
island.
irish eyes are smiling – A group of SWIC employees
enjoyed the scenic views Ireland had to offer on the recent study
trip. Front row, from left, are glenda young, lois laFleur, patrick
mcgarrity, lisa modglin and Kim snyder; back row, Katherine
witzig, Ken turner, Kelly turner and Julie muertz.

trust-worthy – Trustee richard e. roehrkasse was
recently recognized for 20 years of meritorious service to the
SWIC Board of Trustees. Pictured, from left, are Board Attorney
garrett hoerner, Trustee robert g. morton, Board Chair nick
J. mance, roehrkasse, Board Secretary Beverly Fiss, College
President georgia costello, ph.D., and Trustee eugene verdu.
wilD riDe
Kelly McClure, 10, daughter
of Assistant Director of
Success Programs sue
mcclure, takes a ride on the
mechanical bull at the College
Activities Summer BBQ. The
event, held at the Belleville
Campus, provided fun, food
and music for both students
and employees.
clean cars For Joplin – A group of Nursing
Education students and faculty members recently held a car wash
to help the tornado victims in Joplin, Mo. The car wash was held at
Splish-Splash in Belleville and the group raised $3,046, all of which
was donated to the American Red Cross for Joplin.
Nursing Education Assistant Professor Kim Keel, pictured in white, joins a
group of students for the Joplin car wash.
JULy CAMPUS BRIEFS
Belleville campus
Mark your calendar for the live play “completely hollywood (abridged).” This comedy
celebrates and skewers 186 classic Hollywood movies in two hours. Performances are
Aug. 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m.; and Aug. 14 and 21 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 in
advance, or $10 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, call College
Activities at ext. 5561.
Don’t miss July’s concerts in the café! This month features the Four of a Kind Band
Tuesday, July 5, and the casuals Tuesday, July 12. Both free concerts begin at 7 p.m.
east st. louis community college center
Help out community members in need! ESLCCC is holding a community care Drive
all month and will be collecting school supplies for local shelters and schools. Drop off
donations in Building A, Room 1007 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; and
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays.
reD BuD campus
Stop by the summer BBQ Wednesday, July 6 at 11:30 a.m. on the Front Lawn. Faculty
and staff can enjoy lunch for $2 or three canned goods per person. For more information,
call Amy Brockman at ext. 8104.
sam wolF granite city campus
College Activities is giving out Free popcorn July 6-7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
in the Front Hall.
Put on your thinking cap for summer trivia! Pick up questions around campus and submit
your answers July 11-12 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Room 513. For more information, call
College Activities at ext. 7378.
GATEWAy GRIzzLIES
SWIC ALUMNI NIGHT
taKe me out to
the Ballgame
Foundation Board Chair
carol Bartle, center,
enjoys a moment with some
Gateway Grizzlies after
throwing out a ceremonial
first pitch. Bartle, pictured
with Izzy the Grizzlie, left, and
player Corey Davisson, right,
was attending the Gateway
Grizzlies SWIC Alumni Night.
BaseBall BuDs
Chicago Cubs pitcher and
former SWIC baseball player
randy wells, center, took a
moment to chat with family
friend Public Safety Director
mark green, right, and Mark’s
wife, Ellen, at a Gateway
Grizzlies game. Wells was at the
game as part of SWIC Alumni
Night, where the first 1,000
fans received a Randy Wells
bobblehead.

FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
at the June meeting, the swic BoarD oF trustees:
• Accepted a $225,000 state grant to help fund employee training programs for area
companies as administered by Selsius Corporate and Career Training.
• Approved the following full-time tenure track faculty positions: Assistant Professor
of Music andrew Jensen, D.M.A. (BC); Assistant Professor of Nursing Education
elizabeth alvarez (BC); Assistant Professor - Librarian samantha rogers (BC); and
Construction Technology Coordinator/Instructor charles James laing (SWGCC).
• Approved the following appointments: Controller Deborah massena; General Ledger
Accounting Technician adela mccolpin; Student Accounts Receivable Clerk gail
metzler; and Instructional Support Technician harold c. Johnson.
“Regular Board Meeting Minutes” and “Other Board Minutes” are posted on SWIC.edu.
Click “About Us” and “Board of Trustees.”
Jet power — The Aviation Maintenance Technology faculty and advisory committee
members recently gathered in the newly renovated Engine Run Facility at the Sam Wolf Granite
City Campus to see how the facility is used to test aircraft engines after repair. Here they check
out the TFE731 Turbofan engine, donated by Honeywell, as it sits in its test cradle.
From left, are AVMT Professor Emeritus paul greenwood, ph.D.; committee members mark Berg of Dallas
Airmotive, gary schandl of Jet Aviation and andy thurmond of AVMATS; AVMT Program Coordinator Bob
Beckett; and AVMT Professor gregg sweeten.
cop on top – Several Public Safety officers were able to raise money and awareness for
the Special Olympics of Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run at the “Cop on Top” event. Officers
collected more than $1,500 by staking out the rooftop and collecting donations at the Belleville
Shop ‘n Save. Public Safety will continue
to sell Torch Run T-shirts, hats, lapel
pins and raffle tickets for a 2011 Harley
Davidson. Stop by any Public Safety office
to purchase any of this merchandise.
Far Left:
Cpl. Bryan W.
Whitaker raises
his donation
bucket to his
rooftop location.
Left:
Sgt. Christie
Rasmussen gets
some help from
her daughter,
Paige.
Quite the commute — Professor of Network Design
and Administration steve Bushong made the 11-mile trek from his
house to the Red Bud Campus during National Bike to Work Week.
From swic
to KnicKs
In the second round of
the NBA Draft, the New
York Knicks selected
former SWIC player Josh
harrellson. Harrellson,
who most recently played
for the University of
Kentucky and played in
the Final Four, is the first
SWIC player to be drafted
into the NBA.
some (Dog)gone gooD art — The Dog Days of
Summer art exhibit is going on now until July 29 at the Schmidt
Art Center. Check out these unique art pieces from the American
Kennel Club Museum of the Dog. And don’t miss the fun Dog Day
event! Stop by with your pup on Saturday, July 30 from 11 a.m. to
2 p.m. at the Schmidt. Dog-themed activities include art projects, a
playground and a doggie ice cream social, all for just a $5 donation.
technically sounD
Technical Education student Jerry Bonifeld
placed third in the nation in his category at
the recent Skills USA National Championship
held in Kansas City, Mo. Bonifeld ranked
third in the Precision Machining Technology
competition. In addition, Alex Detherage
placed fifth in the Computerized Numerical
Control milling category. SWIC is the only
college with a technical school in the St. Louis region that brought
representatives to the national competition.

champions oF service – At the National Conference
on Volunteering and Service in New Orleans, the Programs and
Services for Older Persons RSVP program and VFW Post #1739
of Belleville were the recipients of the Corporation for National and
Community Service 2011 Service Impact Award for Environmental
Sustainability/Veterans and Military Families. These RSVP members
have dedicated their retirement years to helping less fortunate
veterans and active service members.
Pictured at the conference, from left, are Director of Senior Corps Erwin
Tan, M.D.; Corporation for National and Community Service Board Chairman
Mark Gearan; VFW Post 1739 Commander Daniel Joergensen; PSOP RSVP
Volunteer Coordinator Pat Etling; Corporation for National and Community
Service CEO Robert Velasco II; and Volunteer Management Trainer
Betty Stallings.
SOMETHING TO
TALk ABOUT
miDDle oF
the worlD
Nursing Education Director
carol eckert stands at the
Equatorial Line Monument at
the Earth’s equator during
the recent SWIC travel study
trip to the Galapagos Islands
and Ecuador. Eckert was
one of several employees
and students that enjoyed
this 11-day trip that included
Otavalo, the Andes Mountain
Train, Quito and a five-day
Galapagos cruise.
The Theta Epsilon Chapter of phi theta Kappa honor society
at SWIC received special commendation during the Illinois Regional
Convention for fulfilling all requirements to be named a 3 Star
Chapter. The chapter was also recognized at the society’s
recent annual convention and will be cited on the society
website at ptk.org.
Got something to talk about?
Email
melanie.reinhardt@swic.edu
with your individual or
your department’s
accomplishments.
HUMAN RESOURCES
SUMMER TRAINING SERIES
wednesday workshops, noon-1 p.m.
Bring a lunch and join us!
July 6 – aDJust your sails
This workshop discusses our natural resistance to change and how we can
help ourselves and those around us adapt to what’s new.
Presenter Sherry Johnson • BC IS 2014
July 13 – new employee orientation For the not-so-new
Come take a look at the New Employee Orientation in a condensed format!
Presenters Sherry Johnson and Candy Buechler • BC Marsh Room
(videoconference to RBC and SWGCC)
July 20 – interviewing
This workshop discusses the hiring process, appropriate interview techniques
and prepares people to serve on a hiring committee.
Presenter Sherry Johnson • BC IS 2014
July 27 – sexual harassment prevention
Protect yourself from being accused or victimized and know what to do if you observe
sexual harassment or have it reported to you.
Presenter Sherry Johnson • BC Marsh Room (videoconference to RBC and SWGCC)
aug. 3 – toDay’s multigenerational worKForce
Learn about the life experiences that may impact co-workers of all ages in your
world of work – and you!
Presenter Sherry Johnson • BC IS 2014
Space is limited, so get your supervisor’s approval and call Shaletta Lewis at ext. 5120 to reserve your seat.
college reaDiness — In the fourth year of the Illinois Community College Board
College & Career Readiness grant, designed to help ease the transition for students from high
school to college, SWIC is tackling math readiness.
From left, SWIC Math Instructor Bob wachtel works with high school seniors Courtney
Hasenstab of Belleville West High School, Samantha Ruch of Mascoutah High School and CeCe
Winfrey of O’Fallon High School in an evening dual enrollment class to help strengthen their math
skills. The focus of this initiative is to work with faculty and staff to align high school and college
curricula and improve communication regarding assessment and best practices. SWIC is offering
dual enrollment classes, workshops and presentations to help students understand college
expectations and lessen the need for remediation when they enter college.

Faculty opening weeK worKshop co-hosteD By title iii
In cooperation with the SWIC Faculty Development division, Title III will co-sponsor faculty
development sessions lead by Christy Price, Ph.D., on Tuesday, Aug. 16.
SUSTAINABILITy CORNER
By kAREN STALLMAN
I frequently get questions about where to recycle items. Susan Odum with the University
of Illinois Extension suggests that in addition to recycling newspapers, aluminum cans and
plastic bottles, why not recycle your income by buying local whenever possible? Locally
owned businesses typically recycle a much larger share of their revenue back into the local
economy; therefore, the more money you spend locally, the more those dollars stay in our
community.
Local businesses reinvest in their communities. They tend to bank locally, dine locally, hire
local service providers and advertise in our local media. In addition, they are the major
supporters of local charities, athletic programs, fundraisers and school activities. Local
businesses are typically owned or managed by people who live in our community, and they
employ individuals who live within the community.
Because they live here, they have a vested interest in our community’s future and are less
likely to leave. Their kids and grandkids go to local schools. They attend local churches,
school programs and community events. They get to know their neighbors and their
customers and are more attuned to what they need and want.
Traditionally, local businesses offer superior customer service. They take the time to build
personal and lasting relationships with their customers. They know a lot about their business
and their product lines and are able to help you find
what you want.
Local businesses are an integral part of what
makes our community a great place to live. When
local businesses succeed, competition thrives. A
thriving business community supports new business
growth and leads to positive change that will make
our community strong and sustainable. Let’s start
recycling today!
The first session, why Don’t my students think i’m groovy?
the new r’s for engaging millennial learners, discusses
what factors influence student motivation and students’ desire to
learn. Price and faculty members will discuss the characteristics of
Millennials’ ideal learning environments, their preferences regarding
assessments and their perceptions regarding the characteristics of
the ideal professor and institutional practices. Faculty will have the
opportunity to reflect on how they might transform their teaching
methods as they apply the findings of this research.
The second session, incivility, inattention, and multitasking! oh my! creating effective
learning environments for the millennial student, will review research in cognitive
psychology concerning the myth of multitasking and discuss strategies for creating more
positive student involvement.
A professor of psychology at Dalton State, Price won the Excellence in Teaching Award at
Dalton State in 2007 and the University System of Georgia Teaching Excellence Award in
the Two & Four-Year College sector for 2008-2009. She was also honored by the National
Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition as an Outstanding
First-Year Student Advocate for 2009. Most recently, Price won the 2010 Carnegie
Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching U.S. Professor Award for the state of Georgia.
For more information, contact Donna Holesinger at ext. 5615 or donna.holesinger@swic.edu.
meeting oF the green minDs – Director of
Sustainability Karen stallman, left, talks with Greg Stine of
SustainEdge at the St. Louis Green Business Challenge Products
and Services Expo. The St. Louis Green Business Challenge is a
program that helps St. Louis area companies take the first steps
toward sustainable business practices. SWIC is participating in the
challenge for the second year.
aQip - DeDicateD to success
By Joyce ray
I participated in the development and implementation of
the AQIP Action Project #2, “Strengthening Assessment
Planning and Implementation.” At that time, we needed a
collegewide assessment plan to verify our students were able
to meet certain learning standards. A committee with faculty
and administrators was charged with the responsibility to
investigate what resources would be needed to maintain a
student learning outcomes assessment plan.
As a result of the work of this AQIP committee, SWIC now has
a full-time assessment coordinator and a functional student
learning assessment plan. AQIP Action Project #2 had a major
impact on the SWIC assessment process that we know today.
The AQIP process has demonstrated to me that major
changes can take place in the academic world if faculty,
administrators and staff work together.
aQip - Q&a
Q: who is responsible for the swic aQip efforts?
A: The employees themselves! The college has a
14-person AQIP Steering Committee that is composed
of employees from throughout the institution. Fulltime,
part-time, adjunct faculty, administrators, staff
and others are all part of the group. Each college
division has representation. The Steering Committee
is responsible for the upcoming College Discussion
Day on Sept. 20 and will guide the college as it analyzes
the results from that day and begins to determine which
high-priority ideas and issues can be translated into
action. After the College Discussion Day the Steering
Committee will be looking for volunteers to help move
the new initiatives forward.
The AQIP Steering Committee invites questions about AQIP from all
faculty and staff. Just email your question the AQIP Administrative
Assistant Karen Sitzes, and she will forward it to a committee member.
The most interesting Q&A will published in each month’s Insider Chat.
So what’s your question? Email it to karen.sitzes@swic.edu.