EncountErsALUMNI MAGAZINE • VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 3 • NOVEMBER 2009

New Training and Operations CenterNew Training and Operations Center

Winter FunWinter Fun

Backpack to the Future is BackBackpack to the Future is Back

As Noted

President of the CollegeChrista Adams, Ph.D.

Board of TrusteesJohn Moore, ChairDee Talmage, Vice ChairJohn AultDavid HabeggerAllan LibbeRonald McMaster, Ph.D.R J MolterRichard RoweWilliam Takacs

Foundation BoardArthur Smith, Chairman Thomas Pounds, Vice ChairmanDee Talmage, SecretaryDaniel Kimmet, TreasurerAnn Savage, President/CEO

ContinuedChrista AdamsJames BaehrenCharles BillsJames CarterJohn ChristyTimothy ColemanJames GeersSharon GillespieAllan LibbePaul MeinerdingJohn MooreJames MurrayAlan SattlerJack SculfortDavid SeegerRasesh ShahDavid WhikehartJohn Zajac

Alumni Association BoardDavid Seeger, PresidentAndrea Gurcsik, Vice PresidentChristi Wagner, SecretarySteve Cotner, TreasurerJanet Meacham, Past PresidentLaura Moore, Executive DirectorLorena BairdMark CarrCarolyn ChapmanDebra GreenAllen GunnAngela Jackson Kaye KoevenigSusan LittenMichael RickardAnn SavageAllison Schroeder

ContinuedBill SteeleChris TaylorRegina Woodson

Alumni Relations and Special Events OfficeLaura Moore, DirectorMarna Cousino, Manager, Special EventsStacie Majewski, Secretary

Encounters MagazineLaura Moore, EditorStacie Majewski, ContributorSarah Metzger, ContributorBrad Meyer, ContributorMatthew Finkhousen, Designer Sarah Householder, Project Manager

and ContributorSarah Kurmin, Photographer

In past columns, I’ve often commented on the importance of serving others by giving back to our community. This is because service is one of the core values of Owens Community College, as well as an important part of the Alumni Association’s mission. We are always reaching out to alumni and students to “energize interest, build loyalty and strengthen support of Owens Community College.” One way we do that is through our signature community service initiative, the Backpack to the Future Campaign.

Since 2004, we have been gathering backpacks and school supplies to distribute to underprivileged Northwest Ohio kindergarten students each September. This is truly one of our most rewarding programs, and we are delighted to share with you the highlights of this year’s campaign, featured on page six of this issue.

Research has shown that kindergarten is a crucial time for students and for learning. For many of the students we serve through the Backpack program, this is their first year of formal education, and it is very important that as the year begins, they have the freedom to enjoy their introduction to school rather than worry about not having crayons, paper or other necessary supplies – not to mention a backpack.

Thanks to charitable donors across Northwest Ohio, we make a difference in these students’ lives, as well as their teachers, by providing materials that are critically important to the learning process.

We are fortunate to have so many energetic, engaged alumni who love learning and who are proud to be ambassadors for Owens even after they leave our College. We are equally fortunate to have community partners who generously support the Backpack program. Thank you for all that you do to support Owens Community College and the Owens Community College Alumni Association.

At the Annual Meeting in July, four Directors were elected – Debra Green, Susan Litten, Janet Meacham and Christi Wagner. Each Director will serve a three-year term. At the September Alumni Association Board meeting, the 2009-2010 Officers were elected – David Seeger, President; Andrea Gurcsik, Vice President; Steve Cotner, Treasurer; Christi Wagner, Secretary; Janet Meacham, Past President and Laura Moore, Executive Director. The Officers will serve a one-year term.

Additionally, during the Spring 2009 Semester, the Owens student body elected a new President of Student Government for the 2009-10 academic year. Chris Taylor will be serving as a Director on the Alumni Association Board and will bring the students’ voice and opinions to the Board.

Sincerely,

Dave Seeger President Owens Community College Alumni Association

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“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

– Mahatma Gandhi

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The Owens Community College Alumni Association enjoys having fun throughout the year, but especially during the summer and fall when events are best enjoyed in the beautiful outdoors.

Whitewater Rafting Trip From July 17-19, 2009, eighteen intrepid adventurers braved the rapids of the New River Gorge National River. The sixth annual Whitewater Rafting Trip featured many splashes and some swimming (intentional or otherwise), but all participants made it through safe and sound and had a wonderful time.

Mud Hens Night On July 24, 2009, the Association held its Annual Meeting and Mud Hens Night at the beautiful Fifth Third Field. Three hundred and forty members and their families attended and enjoyed a double-header between the Toledo Mud Hens and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Despite the Mud Hens’ double loss, the evening of baseball and brats was enjoyed by fans of all ages.

Golf Classic And as summer turned to autumn, the Association hosted the seventh annual Golf Classic at Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg on September 29, 2009. The event raised more than $28,800 in support of alumni scholarship programs and outreach initiatives.

The 26-team event included more than 100 area residents and featured 18 holes of golf, lunch, grazing dinner and an awards ceremony. Three companies sponsored the event this year – MT Business Technologies, Hylant Group, and Travelers Insurance. Welcomed back as sponsors again this year

were Metzgers Printing + Mailing as Print Sponsor, the Toledo Free Press as Ad Sponsor and Ohio Logistics Findlay’s Tall Timbers Distribution Centers as Host Sponsor.

This year’s championship team of the four-person scramble was sponsored by Bowers Asphalt in Perrysburg, Ohio. Team members were Todd Sattler, Jim Claus, David Neely and Tom Sattler.

The Alumni Association is proud that since 2003 the Golf Classic has netted more than $200,000 to benefit student scholarships, including the Alumni Legacy Endowed Scholarship Fund and the Detective Keith Dressel Memorial Scholarship Fund. Thanks to the generous support provided by Northwest Ohio’s business and industry and Owens alumni, these scholarships provide students with opportunities to earn a college education and to transform their lives. •

Fun Events and Raising Funds

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Alumni Legacy ScholarshipThe Alumni Legacy Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in 2004 with $10,000. Through various Alumni Association fundraising endeavors, including the organization’s annual Golf Classic, Phonathon and annual Membership Drive, the endowment has grown to more than $121,000. Selection criteria are based upon applicants being a son or daughter of a current Alumni Association member and achieving a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Students must be enrolled a minimum of six credit hours each semester. Scholarships are not based on financial need.

AvAiLABLEDetective Keith Dressel Memorial ScholarshipDetective Keith Dressel was an alumnus of Owens Community College and a 14-year veteran of the Toledo Police Department. To honor Detective Dressel’s legacy, the Alumni Association established a $10,000 endowed scholarship fund in April 2007.

Selection criteria are based upon recipients being enrolled a minimum of six credit hours per semester, holding second-year student status, achieving at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and demonstrating the desire to be a police officer. Scholarships are not based on financial need.

2009-2010 ALUMNI LEGAcy ENdOwEd SchOLARShIp REcIpIENtS

Angelia HuffmanElizabeth Celley Miles Hinkle

Qualified students who wish to apply for either scholarship for the 2010-11 academic year must submit a scholarship application to the Office of Financial Aid by February 26, 2010. Applications are available on the Owens Web site at: https://www.owens.edu/foundation/scholarship.pdf. •

Scholarships

Congratulations

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Dr. Christa AdamsDebra AllenKenneth AltAngela ArvanitisBallenger & Moore Co. LPACorienia BestRobert & Becky BeyerCarrie BialoruckiRonald BixlerCarol BohananWilliam E. BowserMisty BradenLinda BrinkmanBrush Engineered MaterialsWilliam M. ButzinJohn ByersPatricia CairnsNeal CarterCarolyn ChapmanThomas ClarkMerl CrepsAndrea CropchoLisa Curfman-SeipleKwame M. DadzieThomas R. DanielsLeslie DarlingDeb DauerDeborah DawleyElizabeth DeatsKenneth J. Deck IIILaurie DeMossShirlie A. DeShetlerSusan DittesCarol DollKelly EdwardsJanet EppardLisa EvansDonna C. FerraraSusan FiebelkornBrenda FlinnJoanne FloydCatherine FordJanet Forney

Sheri FriscoLinda GillDenis GoodingChad GrantRachelle GrayJanice GurtzweilerKristopher R. GutierrezMark HahnGuyve HallRon & Amy HansenThomas HarrisonLarry HatcherKathleen HatfieldTanya HaudenschieldSteve HaughTerri Gibbs HenningSharon HeuringKim HolzbergerAmi HolzscheiterAngelia HuffmanDan HuffmanJohn T. IliffAngela & Thomas JacksonDr. William JacobusMaureen JacobyJames JohnsonWalter JohnsonChristine JohnsonAngela JordanKaren KovacsDarlene KuhlJohn KurtzBarbara KuzmaAlan R. LaddSteve LatschBeth LenixCharlene LeVallyJerry LohmanGayle LohrbachCarlota LopezTodd LuciusSusan J. MachaterreRobert Marczak

Laurie MartenyRenee MathiesJudith McCarthyCynthia McClainRegina McClanahanRobin McJunkinWilliam MeaderEric MearseCynthia MelchorTimothy MeyerBarbara MillerSusan MoanTerri MohrLaura J. MooreDebra A. Morales-RichardsRebecca NealDenny NealandSusan NicholsMarcia ObarskiKenneth O’NeillRobert OsstifinRonald ParisBrian PaskvanMike & Jannell PatronikRobert PerlinskiPamela PetersKathleen PetroJanice PoggemeyerShelley PomersonJanice PothDavid RakayCosme RibeRichard RicciRussell RifeEric RiggsCarolyn RocheRichard A. RossAnn SavageCathy Schultz

Theresa ScottJoshua SeeDavid W. SeegerSeeger Consulting ServiceWayne SeelyStephen P. ShafferPatricia SillJessica SmithJoel & Debra SnyderJohn SolteszCharlene SpauldingWilliam SteeleJodi SticklerKristi StilwillLarry StuttsLarry TesnowTina ThorntonHarry TinneyJason & Deanna TruittDavid P. VermilyaDavid M. VogtSharon WaggonerChristi WagnerNancy Wagner-SieczkowskiHolly M. WaingrowSuzanne WardDonald WarneckeRose WarnerDennis WeaverKelly WegenerPaul WellingAmanda WellsJohn & Sharon WernerElla WerthRuth L. WhitakerKimberly WillfordJon ZabowskiHelen ZatkoBruce Zitkovic

We would like to thank the following donors for contributing to the Alumni Legacy Endowed Scholarship Fund:*

2008-2009Donors

*Please note: Donor list does not include donations made by alumni to other funds.

Kindergarten students need a wide array of school supplies in addition to backpacks. These include crayons, markers, pencils, paper, notebooks, glue sticks and glue bottles, Kleenex and so much more.

Rosemary Lugabihl-Rooker, principal of Northview Primary in Findlay, said “Without this program, teachers would have to chip in to purchase supplies themselves or the school would have to use funds that would normally go to purchase books for the students.”

Due to current economic conditions, the need is greater than ever.

Warren Fauver, Director of the Community Learning Centers of Wood County, said “Wood County has seen increased free lunch rates across the board this year; family needs are up nearly everywhere.”

The Backpack to the Future campaign was launched because of a desire to recycle gently used backpacks. As the need for all sorts of school supplies became more apparent, the campaign began asking

for donations, and the rest, as they say, is history. Each year for the past

six years, the campaign has taken backpacks and school supplies to

kindergarten schools in the Toledo Public Schools system, the Wood County Educational Services system, and Findlay City Schools. Since 2004, the Backpack to the Future Campaign has gathered 1,520 backpacks and more than 25,700 pieces of school supplies, which have been distributed to 99 kindergarten classes across

Northwest Ohio.

Backpack to the Future

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Above: Participants at the 2009 cheerleading competition. Below: Collection at Great Lakes Credit Union.

Students from Keyser Elementary School.

Left: Backpack collected at Books-A-Million.

“When the supplies are distributed to the schools, the looks on the children’s faces as they see all the materials that are being given to them makes the hard work worthwhile. While the children don’t make the connection yet between our gift of supplies and their learning process, their teachers and principals have told us over and over that we are making a difference,” said Kaye Koevenig, Chair of the Alumni Association’s Community Service Committee.

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Backpack to the FutureAt Walbridge Elementary this year, Mackenzie said “I like to use my scissors to cut out shapes” while her classmate Arthur likes learning “everything.”

Sophia at Northview Primary in Findlay said “I love to color rainbows.” Continued on page 8

Students from Walbridge Elementary School show off their new bookbags.

Below: Banner created by Keyser kindergartners.

Collection at KinderCare in Sylvania.

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Shop ’Til You DropThis holiday season get a head start on your shopping with the Alumni Association. Join us on December 5, 2009, and skip the stress of fighting the traffic. Ride on a luxury bus and enjoy fabulous shopping opportunities once we arrive. Enjoy lunch and dinner at your leisure and then grab your wares and head back home on the bus, where you can rest your tired feet. The bus has plenty of storage for even the biggest shop-a-holic’s purchases.

The trip is limited to 90 participants, so sign up soon.

FunWinterAlumni Association Winter Ski TripOn Saturday, January 30, 2010, Alumni Association members will depart the Owens Toledo-area campus for the fourth annual winter ski trip.

Relax in the luxury bus with reclining seats and watch a movie as the Association takes you to Alpine Valley in Michigan. Once you arrive in style, you can enjoy the parks 25 slopes. The trip will be filled with skiing, snowboarding, dinner and more.

Alumni Night at the CFPAJoin the Alumni Association March 19, 2010, at Center for Fine and Performing Arts to catch the performance of the Grammy-winning band The Grascals. At 6:30 p.m. join your fellow alumni for mingling, appetizers and a cash bar before the music and show begins.

At 8 p.m. the acclaimed contemporary group will take to the stage and perform their trademark music, which has been called both timely and timeless by reviewers. The Grascals were the 2007 International Bluegrass Music Association’s entertainers of the year. They have earned that top honor twice and were named the association’s emerging artist of the year in 2005. Now you can hear that special talent live and in person. •

Find out more information and register online for any of these events at www.owens.edu/alumni or call (567) 661-7876.

And Mehki at Keyser Elementary said he likes to write. These students don’t have to worry about whether or not they will have crayons to color, pencils to write or scissors to cut. They can enjoy getting to know their classmates, their teachers and focus on learning.

The Alumni Association has been fortunate to find wonderful partners in the community who have enthusiastically supported the Backpack to the Future Campaign. Books-A-Million joined the campaign in 2005 and Great Lakes Credit Union joined in 2007.

Others have supported the campaign without ever having being asked. One year, Books-A-Million received supplies from a little girl who requested that guests at her birthday party bring donations in lieu of presents. Blessed John XXIII Parish in Perrysburg has

conducted drives for the last three years from their parishioners. New this year, KinderCare’s five area locations held drives to support the campaign.

At Owens, a Backpack Challenge was issued by the Math and Science Department and each year since, College offices and departments have engaged in a friendly competition to see who can donate the most supplies. The Medical Imaging Students have collected supplies as part of their service learning requirements. And at the 2009 Cheerleading Competition, the Owens Cheerleaders challenged teams to bring in their donations and gave a spirit plaque to the winning team from Lima – Central Catholic.

“Thank you for your generous donation of backpacks and supplies. It’s a great feeling to know that there are people out there who care about kids,” said Principal Teri Sherwood of Walbridge Elementary.

Continued from page 9

On March 26, 2010, the Owens Community College Foundation will hold its Uncommon Evening Gala at the Hilton Garden Inn in Perrysburg. The Gala offers individuals and companies a chance to assist more students with financial need and to expand the Foundation’s Success Scholarship Program to additional school districts.

The event will feature an uncommon silent auction in addition to a loud auction, an uncommon dinner and entertainment. Tickets are $100 and proceeds will directly benefit students through scholarships. For more information, call (567) 661-7603. •

UncommonEveningIt’s Time for Another

The projection program will allow first responders to conduct a variety of structure burn scenarios, such as residential, commercial, processing or electrical equipment fires using actual water within a controlled virtual fire and smoke environment.

In addition, the inner building includes a façade of the building complete with television screens as windows, so that firefighters can see the flames from outside the simulator.

The building is also designed for high-angle rescue, ground and aerial ladder drills, high-rise hose evolution, rappel entry and exit training, as well as roof ventilation training exercises with a replaceable roof. •

New Training and Operations Center Opens

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Owens Community College hosted a grand opening ceremony in October for the $3.2 million Center for Emergency Preparedness Training and Operations Center.

The 28,000-square-foot building houses the only indoor simulated burn building in the country and is dedicated to training and educating emergency services professionals, the military and allied agencies.

The four-story burn building includes three screens where a simulated fire can be projected. The screens will be protected by a see-through plexiglass wall so that firefighters can spray water at the screen. A high-tech computer will sense the water spray and react by changing the fire simulation based on the way the firefighters are fighting the fire.

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ClassNotes

Patricia (Conley) Dunn (Accounting ’81) received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Illinois, Sangamon-campus. Patricia is working for the Notre Dame Academy and is the Director of Finance and Operations. She resides in Toledo.

Cheryl (Hart) Wells (Dental Hygiene ’86) has three sons, ages 15, 16 and 18. She would love to do a class reunion! Cheryl resides in West Chester, Pa.

00sTHE AUGHTS

Kelly Jones (Business Management ’03) recently bought a new house in Rossford, Ohio. She is excited to share that her 4-year old twins just started school!

Gaven Smith (Pre-Business Administration ’07) married his wife, Erin (Steinman) Smith (Occupational Therapy Assistant ’07) on July 12, 2008, at the Holiday Inn French Quarters in Perrysburg, Ohio. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Financial Planning Concentration, from Bowling Green State University and is currently enrolled part-time in the MBA program at Xavier University. Gaven was hired by Fidelity Investments as a Broker in Covington, Ky. His wife, Erin, now works as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) at a local nursing facility. Gaven and his wife reside in Anderson Township, Ohio.

80sTHE EIGHTIES

Looking for event photos?owens is now on Shutterfly. Check out photos from our recent events, including the David Cook Concert and more at owenscommunitycollege.shutterfly.com.

Membership ApplicationName ______________________________

Address _____________________________

___________________________________

City _______________________________

State ____________ Zip _______________

phone ______________________________

E-mail ______________________________

Graduation Date/Major:___________________________________

Please complete and mail to:Owens community college Alumni Association p.O. Box 10,000 toledo, Oh 43699-1947

or complete online at: www.owens.edu

Annual dues only $20 per year. Join Now!

Membership year January 1 - december 31

come join the

fun

Association Gears Up For

Annual Membership DriveJoin the Alumni Association Today!

Services Available for Alumni Members:•Encounters Magazine• Membership to the Toledo-area Campus Student Health

and Activities Center (SHAC) and Findlay-area Campus Wellness Center

•UseofComputerLabsandCollegeLibrary• InvitationanddiscountstoallAlumnievents•ReducedrentalfeesforuseofCollegefacilities•DiscountsonperformancesattheCenterforFineand

Performing Arts•Fingerprintingandbackgroundcheckfeediscounts•AlumniLegacyEndowedScholarshipsforyourchildren•Omaile-mailaccountandJobSearchServices•DiscountsonOwensExpressspiritwear•Campusparkingpermit•DiscountsonChildCareTechnologyLabfees•OpportunitiesforSpousemembershipandbenefits

Join the Alumni Association today by completing the membership form mailed to your home, completing the online application or returning the form included in this magazine.

If you have any questions, please call us at (567) 661-7876, e-mail alumni@owens.edu or visit www.owens.edu and click on the Alumni & Donors link.

We are planning fun activities and events for 2010. With an Association membership, you will receive event invitations and enjoy discounts on the associated fees and your children could be eligible for scholarship opportunities. But wait, there’s more! As an Association member, you’ll enjoy:

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Mark Your CalendarsUpcOMING ALUMNI ASSOcIAtION EVENtS

For more information about any of these events, contact the Owens Alumni Relations office at (567) 661–7876 or at alumni@owens.edu.

Not a member? Join online at www.owens.edu, e-mail at alumni@owens.edu or call the Alumni Association.

P.o. Box 10,000toledo, oH 43699-1947

2009December 5 Shop ’til you drop

2010January 30 winter Ski trip

February 9 – 11 Annual phonathon

Don’t miss Garrison Keilor, April 15, 2010 and Mitch Albom, May 11, 2010 at the Center For

Fine and Performing Arts at Owens. Call (567) 661-2787 or visit www.owens.edu/arts for

more information.

2009 -2010 Calendar of EventsMarch 19 Alumni Night at the Center for Fine and performing Arts with the Grascals

April 23 Outstanding Service Awards celebration

July 16 – 18 whitewater Rafting trip

August 20 Annual Meeting and Mud hens Night