Scholarships score grand slam at golf tournament
In a philanthropic drive to boost student scholarships, 76 golfers braved triple-digit degree weather at Camas Meadows Golf Club on July 27 at the 18th Annual Clark College Foundation Charity Golf Tournament.
The net proceeds will be approximately $33,000 as a result of corporate sponsorships; registration fees; games; collective bid; and a live auction for three separate multi-course dinners, each prepared and served Iranian style by Ara Serjoie, the foundation's vice president for development.
For the third year in a row, iQ Credit Union was the title sponsor. "There are a lot of people turning to Clark College these days for education and retraining. The golf tournament is so important for raising scholarships that will make a big difference to folks," said Danette LaChapelle, iQ Credit Union's senior vice president for marketing. "As a local business, helping people help themselves is very important to us."
Joining iQ Credit Union as major sponsors were LSW Architects, P.C., The Columbian, Union Bank, and Waste Connections, Inc. Supporting sponsors included Chips Palace Casinos, Davidson & Associates Agency, Inc., Hi-School Pharmacy/Hardware, BergerABAM, Keil Enterprises, Les Schwab Tires, Peterson & Associates, P.S., Moss Adams LLP, TEAM Construction, Umpqua Bank, and 40 Et 8.
Vancouver meteorologist Rod Hill led the lively luncheon program which included comments by scholarship recipient Mikah Bacon. A graduate of Washougal High School with a 3.94 GPA, Bacon will begin his studies at Clark this fall with plans to complete science courses before transferring to a university to study pre-med. A Running Start student, Bacon hopes to enter the field of ophthalmology.
For the upcoming 2009-2010 academic year, nearly $500,000 has been awarded in scholarship support to Clark College students through the thoughtful generosity of many individuals and corporations. "Camas Meadows is so beautiful that it's easy to have fun, even when it is 100 degrees," said Lisa Gibert, foundation president/CEO. "The bigger picture is how the tournament benefits Clark College students. Our sponsors and golfers know the need for scholarships is high, and their support is especially generous in this economy."
Stimulus funds provide summer jobs at Clark College
Southwest Washington area youth have gained job skills - and a paycheck - through the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), coordinated by the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council (SWWDC) and funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
As one of 126 organizations providing employment opportunities to low-income youth ages 14-24, Clark College employed students as computer lab assistants, grounds maintenance crews, and research/project assistants at the Clark College Foundation. "I've been able to apply my background in social sciences and human resources toward events and projects that help raise money for Clark student scholarships," said recent WSU Vancouver grad and SYEP participant Mallory Knutson, who is working at the Clark College Foundation. "I hope this real-world experience at the foundation, along with my degree, will give me an advantage landing a job in this challenging economy."
The benefits of the program extend to employers as well, as noted by Interim Athletic Director Denny Huston. "We are providing 18- to 24-year-olds an opportunity to grow in their working experience," he said. "Facilities Services staff were able to provide them the needed supervision...[and] we benefited because these individuals were able to help restore our baseball field. Without this help, our current staff would not have had the time to take on this added field."
"The Summer Youth Employment Program has been a golden opportunity for Clark College and the surrounding communities to help each other," said grounds manager Skip Jimerson. "The four young men that have been working with the Grounds Department have been helpful in recovering 'lost ground' on the athletic fields. In addition, this partnership has given the grounds crew an opportunity to grow as mentors. The experience of the program has been a win/win situation."
In addition to on-the-job skills and a paycheck, program participants receive work-readiness training sessions each week - another aspect of the program in which Clark participates. The college provides training space and equipment, and members of the Career & Employment Services staff are conducting training sessions on topics such as resume writing and career exploration. "Those 100-plus people are here at the college - becoming familiar with Clark, seeing Clark faces," said Career & Employment Services Director Edie Blakley. "They will see Clark as a viable option for their future."
A total of 690 youth in Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties were placed in summer jobs, which last from July 6 to August 21. According to SWWDC, participants will collectively earn more than $1.1 million through the program.
Long after the money they've earned has been spent, though, these youth will have a greater understanding of what it means to be an employee - from employer expectations to work ethic and personal responsibility. It is these skills which will serve them well in the future. "People who might not be able to get jobs are working and receiving training they can use for the rest of their lives," said Blakley.
Automotive professor named 2009 Educator of the Year
Clark College automotive professor Mike Godson was named Educator of the Year during the 2009 North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) conference. The annual award is presented for excellence in automotive repair instruction.
Godson is head of the automotive department at Clark College. He is also a Toyota Technical Education Network (T-TEN) instructor, a chairperson on the Toyota T-TEN National Advisory Council, a National Automotive Technician Education Foundation (NATEF) evaluation team leader and a Washington Department of Ecology authorized emission specialist. In addition, Godson is Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master and L1 (Advanced Engine Performance Specialist) certified.
Selection criteria for the annual Educator of the Year award requires that a master automotive technician excel on all ASE automotive tests including A1-A8 (engine repair, automatic transmission/transaxle, manual drive train and axles, suspension and steering, brakes, electrical/electronic systems, heating and air conditioning, engine performance) and the L1. This year, Godson received the highest score among all automotive teachers in North America.
Godson received the award during the NACAT conference, which was held July 20-24 at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC. The award was presented by officials of NACAT and corporate supporter Mitchell 1. Godson received a recognition certificate and a check for $500. In addition, to support student success, the college will receive a free one-year subscription to Mitchell 1's OnDemand5.com, a premier online automotive repair information, vehicle maintenance, automotive diagnostic data, and labor estimating website.
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Vice President of Instruction Dr. Rassoul Dastmozd said, "As head of our automotive program, Mike Godson demonstrates excellence every day. It's gratifying to see that expertise recognized and honored by Mike's peers from across the nation."
"I have always believed that strong industry experience is a requirement for any automotive instructor," said Godson, who had 17 years of automotive technician experience before joining Clark's automotive department full time in 1995. "Staying fully ASE certified and working in the industry during the summer months helps me remain current and proficient with existing automotive technology. The process of continuous learning and demonstration of technical skills lays the foundation for effective automotive training."
