friday takeout

June 18, 2021

CUPPA JOE | straight up news.

  • John Deere TECH program earns its third Platinum College of Tomorrow ranking! ... news


  • What really is "Big Data" and how is it used in the business world? Check out BizTimes story featuring insights by our own Mike Gau and Jeremy Durelle ... link


  • Read the June 2021 edition of The Heroes Tribune, a newsletter and resource for military-affiliated students and their families ... link


  • FACULTY AND STAFF: Stay up-to-date on the College's Strategic Plan and Tracking document in NICC Shared Files!

Note: The Friday Takeout has started its every-other-week summer schedule. The next issue will be released on July 2.

WEEKLY FEATURE | good to know.

Possible United States Postal Service Rate Increases and Continued Supply Shortages this Summer

Printing companies in the Dubuque area have notified our Marketing office of ongoing shortages and price increases because of the pandemic and a recovering US economy. These increases may continue to have an adverse effect on the College’s print and mailing budgets and projects.


There is a proposal to increase postal prices by 5 - 9 percent effective Aug. 29, 2021. Although the rate increase must be approved by Congress, most experts believe it will pass. Included in the rate hike would be price increases for marketing mail (bulk mail) and a first class stamp would rise from $0.55 to $0.58.


If you’ve tried to buy items like TV’s, lumber or furniture, you probably realized the pandemic has impacted supply chains across all industries. Local printers who produce our College’s marketing and promotional materials also anticipate paper shortages due to supply chain delays and COVID-19 challenges. Inventories are low and mill costs have increased significantly, including pulp (36%+), freight (45%+) and fuel (40%+). Industry experts are expecting price increases to occur in the coming months, most likely in July.


For organizations purchasing promotional products, the story is the same: limited raw materials, longer supply chains and increased pricing.

Construction Update Photos!

GREEN CORNER

Kara and Nick, our Green Iowa AmeriCorps Sustainability Coordinators, will be bringing us regular facts and tips to green your life and make it more sustainable.

It's important to stay hydrated with the hot, dry weather we've been having, but instead of reaching for a plastic water bottle, try a reusable bottle. Americans use around 57 billion plastic water bottles each year and less than nine percent are recycled, with the rest ending up in landfills or the oceans. Americans also spent over $34 billion on bottled water in 2019. Give a reusable bottle or glass a try. The earth, and your wallet, will thank you!

APPETIZER | something for your appetite.

Winning Writers in the 2021 Larry Kruse Memorial Writing Contest!

2021 Larry Kruse Memorial Writing Contest winners include:



Poetry

Dealt Another Bad Hand, Jamee Dress 1st place

Lo Siento Mi Amore, Olivia Marti 2nd Place

Iowa, Olivia Merritt Honorable Mention

Poem for an Old Friend, Celia Neuzil Honorable Mention


Prose

A Little Evil Inside, Colson Cruciani 1st Place

Midja, Kathryn Doust 2nd Place

The River and the Sky, Madeline Harbaugh Honorable Mention

The Truth About Minimum Wage, Luke Tracey, Family Favorite


Read the winning entries in this year's contest booklet. The Driftless Journal in Decorah also published a story announcing the winners.

BIG FISH | be amazed.

Margie O'Neill

Nursing Faculty and Chair of Nursing | Calmar Campus


During your career at Northeast Iowa Community College, what is the nicest thing that ever happened to you, or someone did for you?


There have been many meaningful acts of kindness that I have experienced at NICC from faculty and staff. The nicest and most meaningful events are from students, when I receive letters of gratitude from them upon graduation from the nursing program and beyond. They often reach out to me and share their accomplishments. This gives me a great sense of gratitude to know that I have made a difference in a new nurse's life in reaching completion of their dream to be a nurse.



Name one country or region in the world you have never visited that you someday want to visit, serve or spend a vacation?


I would love to visit Hawaii, but I love the Gulf of Mexico coastline! In particular the Sarasota, Florida, coastal community. My husband and I plan to become snowbirds in Sarasota after our retirements.



Give your colleagues a suggestion: what are 1, 2, or 3 of your favorite smart phone apps?


The favorite apps on my cell phone are Amazon Smile, Books and Solitaire.



If you could choose one cartoon character to be your best friend, what character would you choose?


My favorite cartoon character would be Mickey Mouse or Minnie Mouse. Such simple genuine characters.



If you had one million dollars to build anything you wanted, what would you build and why?

I would build a very large aquatic center for my grandson, Kyler, who has special needs and simply adores water activities!

If you have input on a upcoming feature, Big Fish, something to celebrate or a suggestion, email us at news@nicc.edu!