Thursday, May 04, 2006

Skagit Valley College Transfer Students Visit WSU



WSU recruiters often say “If we can get people to campus, they will become a student!” Our recent experience holds great promise of proving that statement correct. The WSU Learning Center – Skagit, Island & San Juan applied for and received a combined Diversity/Recruitment grant to fund a three-day trip to Pullman by several Skagit Valley College transfer students of color. Four members of the SVC “Calling All Colors” club were invited on the trip; Xochil Hernandez, Daniel Andrade, Maria Barragan, and Sam Rivera.

The four ate at several campus dining halls, exercised at the Rec Center, visited and talked with faculty in the degrees of choice of the students - Criminal Justice, Business, and Communications. Tours of campus – of course including ice cream at Ferdinand’s - and long talks with WSU students and staff in the Chicano Latino students organization rounded out the visit. Senior Advisor Kristopher Baier arranged the trip and was their host.

The effect on the students? Each of them wrote a letter of thanks and noted the impact of the trip. Xochil Hernandez wrote: “Before this visit, I thought that I would never think about going to WSU because it is so far away and I thought it would be kind of ugly – hot and without any trees. But after this visit to WSU my mind changed – it is beautiful! I was glad to see Latinos at the college too.” Mary Barragan noted “When I got back, I could not stop talking about Washington State University. Everyone on campus is there to help you and is passionate about WSU. I am convinced WSU is my number one choice!”

Daniel Anrade explained: “This trip definitely was an extraordinary method to answer my questions regarding my education. Thanks to Kristopher Baier and all the great people that I met at the campus, now I certainly have a plan. I now know I will go to WSU after Skagit Valley College.”

In addition to his letter, Daniel, a DJ on the SVC Spanish-language radio station, raved about his experience at WSU on the air, mentioning the support services for Latino students and the passion that faculty and staff have for the university.

The world-class faculty and the passion of the students and staff made a big impact on these high-achieving students. Three days and personal attention helped these west-side students realize the value of Washington State University!

WSU –CTEP HOLDS COMMENCEMENT FOR 25 LOCAL GRADUATES


On April 29, 2006, Washington State University’s Collaborative Teacher Education Program (CTEP) held commencement exercises for 25 future teachers. CTEP is a cohort based 2+2 program in partnership with Grays Harbor College that enables local residents of Grays Harbor and Pacific counties to earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with K-8 certification.

The class would like to thank those who helped make it a special day: Dr. Ed Brewster, Grays Harbor College, Susan Ball, Christine Sodorff, Gloria Tinder, Washington State University faculty and staff.

Back Row, left to right: Melanie Garrett, Leah Moore, Amber Melville, Christopher Cady, Timothy Webb, Teresa Holt, Derek Rask, James Chase, Tifanie Kelly.

Middle Row, left to right: Pamela Beeler, Stacy Hunt, Shawnie Graham, Drew Homchick, Alicia Blundred, Marci Martin, Danielle Hyde, Rita McManus.

Front Row, left to right: Larena Lake, Mary Heyting, Lyssa Hogarty, Shari Girts, Heather McCleary, Tove Reibel.

Not pictured: Dee Busse, Adria Hay and Elizabeth Barton.

Elizabeth Barton was a member of this class when she passed away on September 21, 2005. She was remembered by her fellow classmates, faculty and staff, by awarding her honorary degree to her son, Drew Homchick, who is also a 2006 graduate.

The Washington State University Learning Center for Grays Harbor and Pacific counties, located on the Grays Harbor College campus, increases opportunities for life-long learning through credit, non-credit, certificate and professional development programs. The Distance Degree Programs are degree completion programs designed primarily for students who have completed the equivalent of the first two years of college. Degrees include: Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences, Humanities, Criminal Justice, Business Administration – Management and Operations or Management Information Systems, Human Development, Elementary Education and Bachelor of Science in Nursing for Registered Nurses. For more information please contact the WSU Learning Center at 360.538.4242.

This May four local residents of the Twin Counties will graduate from Washington State University Distance Degree Programs. Graduates are: Chanda Robertson, Bachelor of Arts in Human Development, Tracy Shawa, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Jodi Hodges Bachelor of Arts in Human Development, and Karen Jackson-Wise Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Traditional Chilean Rawhide Making and Braiding Class Comes to WSU



If you are looking for diversity and culture the WSU Learning Center, Klickitat Co. is your answer. Early this spring we offered a free introduction to “Traditional Chilean Rawhide Making and Braiding.” Centerville, Washington rancher Max Fernandez invited the Learning Center to offer this one of a kind, hands-on class. Spanish-speaking sheepherders and master craftsmen Rolando and David Barrientos taught the class to English-speaking participants using slow and demonstrative hand movements, very few words and a little translating help from Mr. Fernandez.
The first morning started with a fresh hide taken from one of Max’s favorite oxen that had been diagnosed with cancer of the jaw. The huge hide was laid over an 8 foot round watering trough and cut to match the diameter. Mr. Fernandez stated, referring to the holistic use of the ranch animals, “on our ranch the only thing we waste is the bad breath.” David and Rolando carefully cut the entire hide into 3 two-inch circular (spiral) strips measuring approximately 75 feet long, using only a large knife and a keen eye. The strips were then stretched and left to dry. Max then took the students on a tour of his tack room and office. Both rooms were filled with handmade Chilean rawhide items, some of which were made by David and Rolando using rawhide from animals raised on the ranch. Other items were museum quality family heirlooms.
The second day, students had a real chance to try their hand at the art of rawhide. The strips were dehaired using the same razor sharp knife. While taking a rest from the dehairing process David showed the participants several different braids and decorative knots using a piece of rawhide cut into six strands. By the end of the second day students had seen the fresh skin of an ox transformed into useable rawhide.

Day three started with the re-stretching of the rawhide. Students watched earnestly as the strips of rawhide were transformed into a reata (lasso), which would be used by the sheepherders in their daily chores.
Participants left the series of classes with their eyes opened to another world, a world alive, rich in tradition, culture and meaning. The WSU Learning Center – Klickitat Co. and Max Fernandez plan to continue offering classes like this to all who are interested.

Monday, May 01, 2006

Student Soldier Tackles Tough Graduation


Steve Beecroft is a 29 year old WSU Business student who is also a valued employee at Lower Columbia College Information Services as a network administer. He is married with a 2 year old daughter and a 9 month old son. Steve is also a member of the Washington National Guard and is currently serving in Kuwait as a network specialist. He has been deployed since last winter and will possibly return this spring. Steve’s deployment was going to prohibit him from being able to complete the last two classes required for his bachelor’s degree. Steve had been going to school (both at Lower Columbia College and WSU) for seven consecutive years, earning three associates degrees in his studies. He has six technical certifications dealing directly with networking and is working toward a BA in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management Information Systems (MIS). He has maintained a GPA of 3.6 while juggling work, school, his National Guard duties and his family. The two courses that Steve was missing would have set his graduation date back two years after his return, as they were courses only offered from WSU Vancouver on a set schedule. But thanks to the efforts of Steve, WSU Vancouver, the WSU Distance Degree Programs and the WSU Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Learning Center, Steve was able to complete both courses while serving in Kuwait. He is currently planning on graduating in May of 2005, shortly before he finishes Officer Candidate School and is released in June.