The first look at The Next Step

Chef Rick Browne baked an apple pie on a grill. Oswald did the Zumba. And more than 1,100 people got their first look at Clark College at Columbia Tech Center (CTC) when the college hosted a community open house on Saturday, August 29.

Visitors were able to meet faculty, learn about the programs and classes that will be offered at CTC, see celebrity chefs at work in CTC's demonstration kitchen, and even register for classes. Information about admissions, advising, financial aid, and career and employment services was also available.

Power utilities instructor Jim Malinowski reported strong interest in the program, which already has a large enrollment for fall. Data networks & telecommunications professor Dwight Hughes answered questions about data network classes.

CTC is also the home of Clark's new Cooking and Wine School, part of the college's Continuing Education program. To mark the occasion, instructor and celebrity chef Rick Browne, host of Barbeque America on PBS, offered cooking demonstrations in CTC's state-of-the-art fully-equipped kitchen classroom. Kurt Mezger from Emmi of Switzerland showcased a variety of cheeses and fondue while staff from Kitchen Kaboodle featured "Fun with Gadgets" and healthy snacks.

Radio Z-100 and Clark Public Utilities both had tents at the event and guests were welcomed by Clark's penguin mascot, Oswald. Other featured activities included demonstrations of painting, tai chi, Zumba (which blends fitness and dancing), and belly dancing. A "table fair" highlighted program information on the career development and personal enrichment programs - including Plus 50 and mature learning - which will be available at CTC.

More than 75 individuals spent months planning and preparing for the event. As President Bob Knight noted in a message to the college community, "The Bookstore, Business Services, Clark College Foundation, Communications and Marketing, Corporate and Continuing Education, Event Services, Human Resources, Information Technology, Instruction, Facilities, Operations and Auxiliary Services, Planning and Effectiveness, Security, and Student Affairs all worked together to support one another toward our shared goal of expanding access to high-quality higher education in Southwest Washington." Knight added, "It was an exciting sneak peek at the new academic year."

Many of the guests complimented the beauty and quality of the facilities and said that they have been eagerly anticipating CTC's opening for years. Trustee Rhona Sen Hoss said, "The open house was a wonderful opportunity for people to see this beautiful new building and learn about the programs and classes that will be offered there. It was also meaningful because the people who attended the open house now feel that the building belongs - not just to the college - but to them." She added, "It was true in our earliest days at the Hidden House and it's true at our new facility at CTC. Clark is truly the community's college."

Pilot program provides tuition assistance

In an effort to address scholarship needs, the Clark College Foundation has established a pilot program for part- and full-time students to apply for tuition assistance for winter and spring quarters 2010. The awards will range from $500 to $2,000. The 2009-2010 Clark College Foundation Scholarship Applications are available at clark.edu/scholarships and are due October 30 by 4:30 p.m. to the Clark College Financial Aid Office. 

Although the program is scheduled to run for two years, student needs will determine whether all the funds are allocated this year. "We are trying to reach the students who genuinely need financial assistance but do not qualify for grants or sponsored programs," said Shirley Schwartz, foundation scholarship program manager. "Students who are working to pay their way through school would fall into this category."

Three other scholarships for full-time students are being offered for automotive majors, business majors, and baking majors. "Students are definitely searching for financial help," said Lizette Drennan, Clark College scholarship coordinator. "I've been talking to students about their needs for several weeks, which is much earlier than normal."

Students of all income levels are enrolling at record levels for fall quarter. Those who need a moderate amount of help with tuition often find fewer resources. "When families are worried about putting food on the table, tuition becomes a luxury item," said Lisa Gibert, president and CEO of the foundation. "We're working with donors to help them understand how scholarships like these will ensure a bright future for our community overall."

Students are off to a Running Start at Clark

Over 1,600 high school students are registered in the Running Start program at Clark College. Many attended the fifth annual Clark College Bookstore Running Start Open House on August 25.

To help students start off on the right (penguin) foot, there were information booths about eLearning and the library, Running Start, the Associated Students of Clark College, Apple product demonstrations, and bookstore Web site services demonstrations.

"The bookstore staff does a wonderful job planning this event," said Running Start program manager Linda Calvert. "A new feature added this year was bookstore employees telling students about the book rental program. This provides another option to increase the overall affordability of attending Clark."

Clark's Student Ambassadors led more than 100 people on tours during the event; Registration, the Cashier's Office, and Security remained open throughout the event to provide support and service to attendees. And, of course, the Penguin Nation's most familiar face, Oswald, was on hand to greet everyone.

"Marti Earhart and her team provided excellent organization and customer service for the Running Start Open House," said Ted Broussard, interim associate vice president of Student Affairs and dean of Student Success & Retention. "I am consistently impressed with the innovative ideas, programs and events the bookstore takes on. [They are] a model of commitment to student service."