friday takeout
April 16, 2021
CUPPA JOE | straight up news.
Education and persistence lead Associate of Arts graduate, April White, to personal transformation ... feature
Partnership on Purpose program created by the College, the Fountain of Youth and Opportunity Dubuque is helping individuals learn skills and overcome barriers to gainful employment. Students in the program have experienced poverty and/or have a criminal history ... news
NICC students and graduates share their stories in legislative piece for state lawmakers ... link
FACULTY AND STAFF: Stay up-to-date on the College's Strategic Plan and Tracking document in NICC Shared Files!
WEEKLY FEATURE | good to know.
Student Crisis Fund Renamed in Honor of the late Kathryn J. Davis, Counselor
Student Crisis Fund organizers at the College have renamed our annual event in honor of Kathy Davis, Peosta campus counselor, who died on March 24, 2020. A new Crisis Fund Dedication page, linked to the Student Crisis Fund webpage, will go live on our website on April 20, her birthday.
Kathy proudly and actively spent 30 years as a counselor at NICC. She dedicated herself to assisting in any activity that enriched and encouraged students to reach their personal and educational goals.
Dubuque-Area Leadership Management Council Accepting Scholarship Applications
The Dubuque-Area Leadership Management Council (DALMC) board and scholarship committee has opened a second round of scholarship opportunities for students enrolled in education and skilled trade programs at the College. The board and committee is giving students another chance to apply for a 2021-2022 scholarship and will award up to $5,000 during this second round.
Faculty and staff, please spread the word to your students, friends and family. DALMC began accepting scholarship applications this week and will continue to review submissions until Friday, May 14. Education Application and Skilled Trade Application. Informational flyer.
APPETIZER | something for your appetite.
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Peosta Campus Chapter Honored, All-State Academic Team Students Recognized
The Peosta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society was awarded a travelling plaque for the College Project of the Year Award in Iowa Region! Phi Theta Kappa honored chapter members for their project, Holiday Caroling for Senior Housing Facilities. NICC will retain the travelling award for one year, unless the chapter wins again in 2022.
PTK members, families, Northeast Iowa Community College staff and faculty members did volunteer caroling at designated senior care facilities outside of the building, because of COVID-19, so senior residents could enjoy some holiday cheer.
PTK also recognized the following students as All-Iowa
Academic Team members this spring:
Peosta Chapter
Anna Ambrosy, Bellevue, Practical Nursing
Shira Hageman, Calmar, Radiologic Technology
April White, Dubuque, Associate of Arts
Calmar Chapter
Kasey Buchheit, Ossian, Nursing
Angela Schmidt, Monona, Medical Assisting
Even the Local Birds are Looking for Bookstore Sales!
Last Friday, the Peosta Bookstore had a surprise visitor. Jayne Curtis, Bookstore Assistant Manager, described her search and rescue mission to free a wild bird.
“It took about 20 minutes of chasing the sparrow because of the high ceilings, but I eventually caught him and set him free outside,” Jayne said.
Jayne lowered the shades to the Bookstore and chased the sparrow until he became exhausted, sitting on a window sill.
“He was a challenge, but I knew I had to help him out,” she noted.
Bookstore staff members reported that the sparrow was on his best behavior during the unannounced visit. Remember to visit the Bookstore for great Spring sales!
WELLNESS 360 | be well.
Self-Care Tips and Inspiration
by Flannery Cerbin-Bohach, Wellness and Life Stage Program Manager
Inspiration of the Week:
A group of us read Becoming Better Grownups this past winter. I’m still checking in with the author and joy rebel, Brad Montague for inspiration. Brad shared his latest creation, *a brief guide for navigating TOOMUCHERY.* This is a good reminder for those with a busy week to step back and listen to your breath.
Recipe of the Week:
We had Baked Fish with Lemon Garlic Butter. It paired well with a side of risotto and roasted carrots and parsnips!
BIG FISH | be amazed.
Mark Gerein
Dean of Advanced Manufacturing, Industrial Technology & Computer Science
Peosta Campus
When you were growing up, what game or activity did you absolutely dread playing, and why?
Gymnastics in high school PE. I'm a hockey, baseball, football, golf kinda guy; I am not built for gymnastics. I proved that when I destroyed the vaulting horse in class. The good news is I was commissioned to fix it in shop class; now woodworking is a hobby of mine.
When you retire, and assuming you have enough money to do so, what is one cause you would give to because you are passionate about its mission and purpose?
I'm generally very supportive of the United Way. Their sense of community and education and the inclusion of all is commendable.
What is your favorite movie of all time? (in a particular genre, if it’s easier to answer. e.g., comedy, drama, horror, sci fi.)
I watch a lot of movies and I have many favorites, but probably my favorite go-to is Dances with Wolves. I've been to the Black Hills in South Dakota many times where some of the movie was filmed.
If you could start all over again, what would be your career choice?
I'm not sure I would change too much. I have had a pretty diverse career and I think the changes have been good for me; this would include coming to the College. But if I had to do it all again, I think I would have tried to establish a woodworking/custom cabinet business.
If you could replace all the grass in the world with something else, what would it be?
Can't do that. You play golf on grass!
If you could be an Olympic athlete, in what sport would you compete?
Hockey. I live and breathe hockey. I played as a youngster and my kids all played, some at junior and collegiate level. We have billeted players for the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the past and have seen some of our billets go on to play in college and professionally.
If you could choose one cartoon character to be your best friend, what character would you choose?
Barney Rubble ... I'm very much Fred Flintstone!
If you have input on a upcoming feature, Big Fish, something to celebrate or a suggestion, email us at news@nicc.edu!