Northwest Community College Connections

NWCC Student Blogger - Christine Leclerc

HALLOWEEN. One of my three favourite holidays of the year. The other two of course being Christmas and Christinefest(my birthday week). The rest of the year I spend my time anticipating these great events. Halloween anticipation usually starts one-two months before Halloween, when the hunt for the ‘perfect costume’ begins. This year my genius idea was for my boyfriend and I to be Dr. Evil and mini me, to mock our excessive height difference. But I didn’t think the whole bald idea would go so well with my round cheeks so I made up all kinds of excuses why I wasn’t doing it. So I decided to play the role of cheap student and be the paper bag princess. But I changed my mind when I sat down and heard this awful ‘rrrip.’ Now, I know Halloween is supposed to be about full moons, but not this kind; my plans needed to change. In a last minute panic I wound up wearing my batgirl costume, for lack or originality.

On Thursday we celebrated Michelle’s birthday with a Wii Dance Party. Sounds like a blast right? Well it was a rocky start when my first dance was against a 4 year old who put me to shame. In my defense my cape was slowing me down. A few hours of trying to redeem myself and off we went to the Students Union Halloween party.

It was held at the Kiva and was decorated great. However, it was missing something.. oh right: people. I’m not saying you need a hundred people to have a good time, but the problem was there were 4 or 5 tables and everyone just sat with their class. You could've fooled me into thinking business students and welders werent allowed to talk. Or maybe everyone was scared the SSW students were to going to analyze their behaviour? What ever it was, there was very little mingling amongst the students and a whopping two people on the dance floor. The good news about the low numbers was I’m sure there was one bartender for every five people there. Not that my party needed any more! We still had a good time thanks Christina practicing her Zumba moves on the dance floor.  She was able to bee all that she could bee.

The Students’ Union plays a big behind-the-scenes role, both academically and socially.  Lots of time & money goes into planning events, so it’s important to get what you paid for and to come out and enjoy these events! Dont forget, as a student you have alreay paid money towards the students union. Nows the the time to get a bang for your buck.  Plus, who knows: you might even get a sneak peak at Christina’s Zumba dance floor moves the next time…

Any Terrace students who have any questions about the Student Union you can visit Mike. His office is the first room on the left, right before the Kiva.

 

Michelle, me & Christina @ the Kiva

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike the Trojan man and his princess Christina, the bee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me & Smartie pants Michelle :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

We decided to spice up Mondays class...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't forget to check next Monday for a new post!

Christine Leclerc is NWCC's first ever full-time student blogger! She's a second-year Business Administration student in Terrace who took part in a study exchange to China earlier this year. Over the fall and winter semesters, she'll be giving her take on student life at NWCC. We're excited to see and read her posts and encourage you - the college community - to follow along. She's looking forward to getting your feedback and maybe some inspiration, too, throughout her blogging experience. And in case you're wondering, that's her beloved English bulldog Maddox!

Happy Halloween from NWCC!

It's Halloween and there's all kinds of spookiness happening at NWCC! A witch with a talking broom has taken over the bookstore, a woman who's lost her puppy has been wandering around the registration desk, Ronald McDonald has been running amok on campus and there have been sightings of a ghostly geisha girl with tennis shoes on!

We've added an album to our FB page and we'll do our best to capture photos of the freakiness as it happens. 

Click here to view more photos...

NWCC instructor wins First Nations art award

Stan Bevan, a full-time instructor at NWCC’s Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art, is among five recipients of the 2011 BC Creative Achievement Award for First Nations' Art. Presented annually by the BC Creative Achievement Foundation, the award is based on a juried competition celebrating artistic excellence in traditional, contemporary or media art. The 2011 recipients will receive $5,000 and the seal of the British Columbia Creative Achievement Award for First Nations' Art in an award ceremony on November 25, 2011 in Vancouver.

Bevan is a graduate of the Kitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art and has been an instructor at NWCC’s Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art since it opened in the fall of 2006. For over thirty years, he has produced an impressive body of work which includes masks, poles, bowls and frontlets created in the Tsimshian and Tahltan-Tlingit style and has received significant provincial, national and international commissions.

Bevan is currently in China to raise a pole carved to commemorate the victims of the May 12, 2008 earthquake. Bevan and Freda Diesing School instructor Ken McNeil worked with Freda Diesing graduates on the 16-foot tall red cedar pole that bears the crests of the grizzly bear and eagle and will be placed at a new school built with emergency relief funds in China’s Sichuan province.

“Stan is an amazing artist and a fantastic instructor,” said NWCC President Denise Henning. “I am so proud of the work he has accomplished and that he is sharing his passion and knowledge of Northwest Coast art with our students.”

NWCC Student Blogger - Christine Leclerc

Midterm Mayhem

I KNOW this blog is still new, and maybe I’m moving things too fast since we are still getting to know one another. But I wanted to talk about the dreaded M word. I felt it was a softer blow than the F word; either way, no one likes midterms or finals. Teachers put you through these excruciatingly painful exercises because they are in cahoots with the recipe card, highlighter and energy drink companies. I’m sure of it!

I’m still new to the whole concept of Midterms. I didn’t study a lot for tests in high school; not because I was some genius kid but because I crossed my fingers hoping that I would get at least a 50% pass just for showing up. They had to give me some credit for spelling my name right! Sadly, I am proof that this in fact does not work. After not graduating with my fellow classmates I quickly learned that you actually have to take the textbook out of the plastic wrap, attend classes and try to listen to what the teacher has to say.

As a first year student, I was lost trying to study for midterms. I had my textbook out of the plastic wrap and had even highlighted a few words the textbook already made bold for me. I was in the routine of going to almost all of my classes and even tuned in the teacher for half the class.

Sadly though, I have to admit my study habits were still in the premature stages. I would spend the week before the exam stressing out about it. I would open my textbook to read it, but then I would decide to check the weather forecast quickly before I started. Oh that was depressing, bad idea. Back to the textbook, read one more paragraph. Did they just quote that from a guy named cookie? Mmmm, I haven’t make cookies for a while. Maybe I'll just make cookies before I get into this too far. A few tanned cookies and one fire alarm later, back to the textbook.

Somehow, this painful routine would happen until 9pm the night before the exam. Then I realized I haven’t read anything and I had exactly 12 hours to learn 5 chapters. Who needs sleep when you have a stash of four Rockstars! Three cans of Rockstar and three hours of sleep later and I would show up for my test. I am proud to say this silly routine stayed in first year. Now in second year, I am older and wiser. The craziest thing happened; I have learned where the library is. Apparently tons of people hang out here, it’s like a secret society I never knew about. Proud to say I am a member, even a part of a study group (thanks Michelle!!). I now have a study habit that includes studying days in advance, library hangouts, and learning to read what’s important.

I haven’t given up highlighting bold words or getting drunk off Rockstars, but I feel more confident going into my exams.

I'm sure my battle with midterms and finals will never be over, but at least I'm making positive progress. In an attempt to continually change things for the better, I would love to hear what your routine is. Any little advice you can share I'm sure will help me and others immensely.

 

The following images came on an email I received called 'why teachers drink.' In the end I guess we're not the only ones stressed out by midterms...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't forget to check next Monday for a new post!

Christine Leclerc is NWCC's first ever full-time student blogger! She's a second-year Business Administration student in Terrace who took part in a study exchange to China earlier this year. Over the fall and winter semesters, she'll be giving her take on student life at NWCC. We're excited to see and read her posts and encourage you - the college community - to follow along. She's looking forward to getting your feedback and maybe some inspiration, too, throughout her blogging experience. And in case you're wondering, that's her beloved English bulldog Maddox!

Seth Downs hired to oversee events at NWCC

TERRACE – Northwest Community College (NWCC) has hired Seth Downs to oversee its events and conference planning and to ensure it aligns with the overall strategic goals and directions of the College.
 
Downs, who has been with NWCC since 2010 and served most recently as a Marketing Communications Officer, began his new role as Manager of Events & Conference Planning on Oct. 17. Downs has also taught, coordinated and developed a variety of BCGEU Instructional programs and courses and developed the curriculum for a Sustainable Tourism program.
 
Downs will be responsible for the management, planning, coordination, execution and evaluation of College-wide and campus-specific events. His attention will immediately focus on planning for next year’s Challenging the Paradigm Gathering, NWCC’s yearly conference that focuses on integrating inclusive practices in post-secondary education.
 
“This position was created not only to increase revenue for the College but to support the economic development of existing hospitality and infrastructure in the region,” said Dave O’Leary, NWCC’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “Seth has proven he can take on a number of different challenges at the College and we’re confident his experience and enthusiasm will meet the needs of this position.”   

NWCC celebrates International Chefs Day all week!

All week at Northwest Community College (NWCC), the first-year Culinary Arts department has been celebrating what is official today, Oct. 20: International Chefs Day.

Throughout the week, a different international region's cooking classics have been prepared to celebrate what was started in 2005 by the World Association of Chefs Societies. It is a day given to chefs all over the world to celebrate the profession as well as honour their dedication in bringing good food to the table. Remember that last great restaurant meal you enjoyed? Well, there was a chef behind the scenes involved in bringing you that memorable taste.

NWCC's School of Northwest Culinary Arts is training a future generation of hopeful chefs. NWCC culinary arts students can earn the industry recognized Professional Cook Certificate or Diploma and continue on in the Professional Cook Apprentice – Level 3. The latter program prepares students to write the Inter-Provincial (Red Seal) exam, with Chef status on the line.

Today, NWCC culinary arts students took a short breather to pose with three NWCC Chefs.

At centre is Chef Darlene Godfrey, culinary arts instructor. She is flanked by NWCC Chefs Erbert Operana, left, and Rob Stach, right.

Don't forget, Friday is your last chance to try the tastes of the world. The first-year students tackle the tastes of Europe, with prime rib of beef, Yorkshire pudding and more. Starts at 11:30 a.m.

 

NWCC Student Blogger – Christine Leclerc

Video conferencing

I WAS actually quite excited when I showed up for class in the beginning of September to find 2 big screen TVs in my classroom and a microphone. I thought it was about time we got karaoke in the classroom! I was a little disheartened to find out this wasn’t the case. Its part of the video conference system the college has set up to have class with Prince Rupert. This is one of NWCCs ways of keeping up with technology, and being able to expand its class size without having to find another professor.

After having a few classes with this video conferencing system, it was all the excuse I needed to hop in a car and go to Rupert to check things out. My friend Christina and I loved the idea of being able to go to another city and still take our same classes, but from the other side. This campus is great. It’s only a few years old and couldn’t be located any better. It's placed just off of main street, which means there are three clothing stores, a coffee shop, bakery and gym less than a block away! Errr, I mean it’s easy to get to, with great scenery. When we arrived, we got the classroom number from my friend and decided to go find class. We went on our merry way to find classroom 187, and there it was tucked away right beside the stairs with a sign that said 'student lounge'. We looked around, found some vending machines, and circle tables that looked nothing like what we had seen in our video conference. We may not be detectives, but we saw enough pieces of the puzzle to figure out this was not our classroom. I went to text Krystal back asking if she pulled a fast one on us, just to discover she actually said 186. This was more like it! The classroom was set up very similar to ours, with the microphone over top, projection screen in front and a big screen TV. However all we could see on this TV was our teacher, there was no monitor showing our sister class. We made it through our first class without being to distracted by our new classroom and found we had a few hours to go to explore Rupert before next class. We went for lunch and had to make the mandatory stop at Homeworks. Shopper beware: this store is never safe for a poor student on a budget! But I’m sure if I just eat rice and beans for a week I can rationalize the sweet new necklace I got.

We went back to class a few minutes early, with just enough time for Al Sande to notice that his Terrace classroom was a little too quiet, and his Rupert classroom seemed a little louder. Yes, we were busted. Being a little giddy from our shopping trip, we just snuck in and were trying to settle down for class when we were faced with one of the problems with video conferencing. The power went out in Prince Rupert! This meant the teacher in Terrace was unable to finish the class because if he continued, the Rupert students would be left a class behind the Terrace students. This led me to think about it on the way home. Is the technology we are using to try and better ourselves actually slowing us down? Or should we just accept the little bloopers along the way and accept this as a great opportunity for NWCC to offer more classes to more students in the Northwest? Would you mind looking at a teacher on a screen all day if it meant you could save thousands of dollars and take classes at home?

As a student is there more the college can be doing to be keeping up with this technological era?

 

Christine Leclerc is NWCC's first ever full-time student blogger! She's a second-year Business Administration student in Terrace who took part in a study exchange to China earlier this year. Over the fall and winter semesters, she'll be giving her take on student life at NWCC. We're excited to see and read her posts and encourage you - the college community - to follow along. She's looking forward to getting your feedback and maybe some inspiration, too, throughout her blogging experience. And in case you're wondering, that's her beloved English bulldog Maddox!

Author Vivien Lougheed presented excerpts from Sidetracked: The Struggle for BC's Fossils

Prince George author Vivien Lougheed presented from her book Sidetracked : The Struggle for BC's Fossils over lunch in the Terrace Campus Library on October 13.  Thirty students and faculty listened as she discussed the ethics of fossil hunting and the debate on the use of amateur versus professional fossil hunters.  If anyone is interested in further reading, her book is available at the NWCC Library.

NWCC employees recognized for loyalty, long service

TERRACE – You may not find the adjective sticktoitiveness in a conventional dictionary, but you get the point. Persistence, dedication and determination are other ways to describe Northwest Community College (NWCC) employees who were rewarded last night for their long years of service.

In all, 17 employees were recognized for service of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and – a new standard of 35 – years at the yearly event that takes place at NWCC's Terrace Campus.

10 years: Marni Larocque, Alice Maitland and Rick Slavic
15 years: Hondo Arendt, Diane Brown, Lillian Garcia, Kaarlene Lindsay, John Ross and Simon Thompson
20 years: Leanne Boschman and Margo Fleming
25 years: Laura Biagioni, Dale Creek and Mona Izumi
30 years: Ingo Soltau
35 years: Marie Grindstrand and Rhonda Ross

Check out some of those honoured below:

Simon Thompson, right, UC English professor (15 years), with NWCC Dean of Instruction, Health Services, Information and Communication Systems Gerry Gauthier.

Mona Izumi, left, UC mathematics professor (25 years) in Prince Rupert, with Gerry Gauthier.

Laura Biagoni, left, Student Records support staff (25 years), with Deb Stava, NWCC's Director of Institutional Research & Registrar.

Social Service Worker grad comes back full circle to NWCC

TERRACE – The Student Services Team at Northwest Community College’s (NWCC) Terrace Campus has a new, albeit temporary, member who knows exactly the kinds of support students need most.

That’s because Mike Davis is an accomplished NWCC graduate from the Social Service Worker (SSW) program. The 2010 grad is now a fourth year Bachelor of Social Work student at UNBC in Terrace and is back at NWCC as part of his practicum requirements.

Davis, a multi-scholarship winner at NWCC, will be working under the umbrella of the Student Services Team throughout the fall semester for the equivalent of three days or 21 hours per week.

“I chose to do my practicum at NWCC because I had a great experience here as a student and I wanted to be placed in a position where I could help students succeed,” said Davis, who plans to eventually earn a Masters Degree in Social Work and work as an addictions and grief and loss counsellor. “I thought it was important to try my hand at different things before getting to my end goal.”

So far, adds Davis, he’s got a good range of experience in his practicum role – exceeding his expectations.

“The first week I was job shadowing and learning about the roles and responsibilities of the NWCC staff. I have been involved in orientations in various classrooms and programs and I have joined in some outreach work in New Aiyansh and Kitsumkalum,” said Davis. “I’ve also participated in Learning Pathways courses, where I have sat in on discussions and offered my perspectives as a former student.”

Leona Wells, the First Nations Access Coordinator with the Student Services Team, says Davis being a former student is a huge benefit for his ability to understand the challenges students face.

“He can relate to student problems. Their needs are still so fresh with Mike, he was able to waltz into this position,” said Wells, adding Davis is extremely approachable.

Despite an obvious familiarity with student life and challenges, his experience here has still opened Davis’s eyes.

“I'm seeing a different side of campus life in my placement here. I’m seeing the needs of students, something I didn’t see as a student,” said Davis. “I’m reaching out to students to let them know there are people here to help solve their problems. Students need to know that asking for help is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness.”

The practicum here is the first of two for Davis, who’ll earn six credits for his work at NWCC. He has yet to decide where his second practicum – a 15-credit, full semester assignment – will take place.