Northeastern Junior College News Releases

Monheiser and Anderson named Star Performers

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:26:00 -0700

Andi Monheiser (left) and Angie Anderson (right) were recently named the Star Performers in the student services division at Northeastern Junior College. The two are part of a much larger team of employees who work day in and day out to take care of student needs on campus. (Courtesy Photo)

Each year the student services division at Northeastern Junior College selects one or more star performers from its staff to recognize for exceptional service. The most recent recipients and the latest “stars” in Hays Student Center are Andi Monheiser and Angie Anderson. Monheiser is the assistant director of financial aid and Anderson is the director of records and admissions processes.

Both of these individuals work in key areas when it comes to providing student services. They put a very personal and friendly face on the daunting side of higher education—the confusion that often surrounds figuring out degree requirements , and paying the bill.

Anderson, who has been at NJC for eight years, is responsible for opening and closing the registration terms, oversees processes applications for graduation, and certifies graduates as well as oversees certification of eligibility for all athletic teams. She coordinate academic registration and payment verification processes as well as oversees all record changes for every student on campus. When a student needs to withdraw, to change his or her major or to verify if they are indeed on track to graduate, they often end up in the Records Office at Anderson’s desk. She deals with them on a very personal basis. “I love to help students process the final steps here at NJC,” says Anderson. “ They apply for graduation, meet the requirements, and I enjoy sending out their final transcripts and diplomas,” which she says means they’ve had success and NJC has also had success.

Monheiser came to NJC as a student the fall of 2001, attending here one year then transferring to the University of Colorado at Boulder where she received a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She returned to campus in 2008 as an employee. In her position in the financial aid office, she processes Free Applications for Federal Student Aid; certifies the Veteran’s Administration enrollment on campus, manages the work study program and handles all of the institutional and athletic scholarships. She has endless hours of interaction with students and parents and often this is happening at a time when families have a great deal of anxiety about how they are going to pay all the expenses of college. Monheiser says this is one of the most rewarding aspects of her job, to be able to help ease some of the fears and uncertainty when she is able to help families understand how the financial process works.

Anderson and Monheiser were honored during a luncheon held in the student center. Dean of Enrollment Services Andy Long, who oversees financial aid and records, commended each employee for work well done, giving specifics of how they often go above and beyond the call of duty in order to provide the best service possible to NJC students.

NJC Auto Show set for March 24 and 25

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0700

Students accepting entries now

In 2011, the Club’s Choice Award went to a 1961 Ford Thunderbird entered by Hank Binder of Golden, CO (Courtesy Photo)

The Northeastern Junior College Auto Techs Club is working diligently to get everything in place for its 2012 Auto Show set for the weekend of March 24-25th. The Club is currently accepting entries for the show in all categories including life-size and model cars.

Hot rods, new cars, vintage specialties, street rods, special function vehicles of all ages and makes are eligible for the show. Entries received prior to March 9 only pay $20 per entry fee and those entered after this date will pay $25.00. The show will be set up the afternoon and evening of March 23rd and early morning of March 24th. Contestants are vying for show trophies, special awards and bragging rights. Complete show rules and entry forms are available on NJC’s website at the following address: www.njc.edu/autoshow

As usual, a model car show and competition will also be held. The students would love to see more entries in this area. Classes for participation are age 6-12, ages 12-16 and ages 17 and up. Awards are given for the first and second place entry in each class. A Best Display and People’s Choice are also awarded to the model car participants. No metal or preassembled cars will be judged. There is no entry fee for the model car show.

The Diesel Power Club will hold its annual Toy Show in conjunction it the auto show on Saturday, March 24th from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The students are looking for exhibitors for the toy show now and want vendors to preregister before March 20th. To find out more about the toy show specifically, call (970) 521-6739. If you collect and trade toys or if you are a retail vendor, this is a great place to showcase your inventory.

All questions pertaining to entry qualifications specifically for the auto show or the model car show should contact Layton Peterman at (970) 521-6794.

NJC hosts jackpot rodeo this weekend

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:55:00 -0700

The Northeastern Junior College Rodeo Team is hosting its annual Jackpot Rodeo this Saturday, February 25th at the Logan County Fairgrounds. This is a Wyoming Rodeo Association co-sanctioned rodeo. The action begins at 9 a.m. and the public is invited to come and watch the competition. Area cowboys and cowgirls are encouraged to participate in the day as the arena athletes begin preparing for spring rodeos.

Events to be held include barrel racing, calf roping, breakaway roping, steer wrestling, goat tying, and team roping. Entry fees vary from $45 to $100 per run or team and contestants may enter events throughout the day.

The schedule is as follows: 9 a.m. Exhibition Barrels; 10 a.m. Open 4-H Barrel Race; 11 a.m. Open Calf Roping (high school students or over age 50 get 1.2 second off per calf); 12 noon Open Breakaway (women of all ages, men over age 50, boys 13 and under may enter this event); 1 p.m. Open Steer Wrestling (high school students or over age 40 get ½ second off per steer); 2 p.m., Open Goat Tying; 3 p.m. Open Team Roping ($50 per man (enter 4 times) and 3 p.m.. High School/Over 60 Team Roping (one member of team must be in high school or over age 60. Contestants may enter any event multiple times on different horses. There will be a one-third stock charge.

Times noted here are the earliest time that the event is predicted to start. To assure getting entered, contestants want to be on the grounds prior to this posted time to get entries in ahead of the start of the event. The events will be held in the heated indoor arena so if families are looking for a way to spent a few hours out of the house, stop at the fairgrounds and watch some of the rodeo action.

In the event of inclement weather or bad roads, call before you haul to confirm event is still occurring. Call Brian Cullen at 970-554-1444 or Taya McAdow at 720-839-5085

NJC Baseball Home Opener Preview

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:03:00 -0700

After a string of road games to open the season, the NJC Plainsmen baseball team is preparing for its 2012 Home Opener scheduled for this Saturday, February 25th.

The Plainsmen will kick off the home portion of their schedule by taking on Miles City Community College in a four-game series on Saturday and Sunday. Both days will be doubleheaders beginning at 12:00 pm.

NJC carries a 5-6 record into this weekend’s action, and are on the rise after a pair of convincing wins last time out in Kansas, against Garden City CC.

The Plainsmen started the season with five games in three days in Las Vegas at the beginning of February. They would finish the trip with a 3-2 record, including hard fought wins against The College of Southern Idaho, Southern Nevada, and Eastern Utah. They would then battle #14 Seward County CC in a pair of close games on February 14th, ultimately falling just short by scores of 5-2 and 4-2.

This past weekend saw the team head to Garden City CC for a 4-game series, which was ultimately split two games apiece. Left-hander Ryan Reno (Fresh./ Denver, CO) was the tough-luck loser in the first game of the series, throwing a complete game, 6 innings, in a 1-0 loss. Reno was tremendous, allowing just a run on 3 hits and a walk, striking out 5. The fortunes of the Plainsmen however, appeared to begin turning after a 3-1 loss in the back half of the Saturday.

Head Coach Bryan Shepherd inserted Danny Westerberg (Fresh./ Parker, CO) into the lineup for the third game of the series, and he appeared to be just the spark that the struggling offense needed.

Westerberg went 4 for 4 with an RBI, 2 runs scored, and 2 stolen bases in his collegiate debut, as the Plainsmen offense compiled 8 runs on 14 hits for the 8-4 win. But Westerberg and the Plainsmen weren’t done there. NJC would take the final game of the series with an emphatic 14-4 win. Westerberg was 2 for 3 with an RBI, and drew a walk. For the day, NJC scored 22 runs on 28 hits, while Westerberg was an impressive 6 for 7 with 2 RBI, a run, and 2 stolen bases. Eight Plainsmen had multiple hits on the day.

Some of the impressive performances turned in by Plainsmen early in the season include:

Nick Miller (Soph./ Loveland, CO) has started the season hot offensively, leading Plainsmen regulars in all major offensive categories. Through 11 games he is hitting .432 with a homerun, 10 RBI’s, and 8 runs scored. Miller has been just as dominant on the pitchers mound as he has a 1-0 record and a 1.62 ERA in 13 innings pitched, while striking out 16 batters, walking just 3.

Scott Hoyt (Soph./ Longmont, CO) places second on the team with his .350 batting average and 6 RBI’s in 11 games.

Ryan Reno has pitched very well in 2 starts, working to a 3.18 ERA in 11 innings, with a win and a complete game. He has allowed just 10 hits and 2 walks while striking out 9.

Derek Neeper (Soph./ Loveland, CO) has 2 wins in his 3 starts, working to a 3.89 ERA. In 18 innings, he has walked just 4 while recording an impressive 24 strikeouts.

In the bullpen, Tyler Sieg (Fresh./ Eaton, CO) has recorded 2 saves while pitching scoreless baseball.

The Plainsmen look to be rounding into form just in time for their home schedule to begin, so make sure to get out to the NJC’s Plainsmen Park this weekend to catch some Plainsmen baseball!

Opening Weekend Schedule:

Saturday, February 25th vs. Miles City CC- 12 PM (DH)
Sunday, February 26th vs. Miles City CC- 12 PM (DH)

Sterling students advance to state in automotive contest

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:38:00 -0700

Top Photo: Layton Peterman, (left) professor of automotive technical at NJC and coordinator of the USA Skills District III competition presents Collin Brungardt of Sterling (right) with the second place award. (Courtesy Photo)
Bottom Photo: William Richendifer (left) receives the third place award for the USA Skills District Three competition from Layton Peterman (right) of NJC’s automotive technology program. (Courtesy Photo).

Collin Brungardt and William Richendifer of Sterling High School placed second and third respectively in the USA Skills District III auto mechanics competition held at Northeastern Junior College this last week. Both are students enrolled in the college’s secondary automobile technology program which is a partnership between the college and area high schools to provide technical training to high school students. Nicholas Smith, a student from Morgan Community College won first place. The top three winners advance to the state competition which will be held in Denver in April. SkillsUSA was originally known as the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA).

For the competition, students in both the post-secondary program and the secondary program (collegiate program) are sent to different stations at which they have to complete an automotive task. They are timed and then the quality of their work is also evaluated and scored. The competition was held this year between NJC and MCC and included 19 students demonstrating various skill levels.

Sponsors of the event were NAPA Auto and Truck Parts, CarQuest and O'Reilly. NAPA also donated two tool boxes full of tools to the NJC program. The first place winners in each category received ratchet sets and other winners received wrenches, hats and gloves.

Northeastern seeking applicants for accelerated wind tech training program

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:26:00 -0700

Grant funded program available to select students

Students in the wind tower training programs at Northeastern Junior College get actual hands on instruction, including spending time on top of and in the wind towers. The college is currently seeking applicants for its accelerated 5-week institute set to begin this May. (Courtesy Photos)

Sterling, CO--Northeastern Junior College (NJC) located here is once again looking for candidates for its five week accelerated, Summer Wind Energy Institute. The Institute runs during the summer months and provides intensive wind tower technology training. The program will be having applicant screening dates on Friday, February 24th, Friday, March 9th and Friday, March 30th.

In 2010 NJC implemented a fast track program for those interested in becoming wind energy technicians. Funded by the Department of Labor (DOL), this five-week summer Intensive program is aimed specifically towards those who have a strong electronics or electro-mechanical background; who are unemployed workers without a job who want and are available to work; dislocated workers --individuals who were terminated or laid–off or have received a notice of termination or lay-off from employment or were self-employed but are now unemployed. Also qualifying for this grant-funded training are incumbent workers , meaning individuals who are employed but need training to secure full-time employment, advance in their careers, or retain their current occupations and those with military background, since military training in electronics is similar to what is used in wind technology. Individuals with this type of background are especially well suited for the Summer Wind Energy Institute. Last but not least, the program will look at applicants who have a strong electronics background, regardless where they received the former training in this area. The institute is open to men and women.

Qualifying candidates may receive full funding for the cost of the training through the DOL grant. The summer institute will train chosen candidates to transition their skills into the wind industry starting with basic refresher courses and then hands-on wind specific trainers. Graduates of this program will receive a Wind Technician Certificate. They may choose to enter the wind industry workforce, or continue into the full two- year Wind Energy Technician Program at NJC, and earn an associate’s of applied science degree.

Courses taught during the five-week period include job training and safety, industrial electronics, motors and controls and wind turbine climbing skills. Soft skills such as resume writing and interviewing are also covered. Some OSHA training is also provided.

Anyone interested in being considered for the Summer Wind Energy Institute should attend one of the screen dates. On these dates you will tour the program, visit a wind farm, and be tested to see if you qualify for the program. The summer program will begin in May 29th and run through June 29th. There is housing available for students on the campus during this training.

If you would like to reserve a space on a screening day or would like more information please call Neil Browne 970-521-6737, Derek Herbert 970-521-6714.

NJC Hoops Homecoming is Saturday

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:09:00 -0700

During last year’s Hoops Homecoming festivities, retired business teach Hal Perry was honored for his time at NJC by NJC Alumni Association board member and past business student Ken Kreutzer of Brighton. While talking about having Perry as his teacher and advisor, Kreutzer told about being at Perrys home for a social event and discovering that tomato juice went very well with a certain brewed substance. He and other students, who were of legal drinking age at the time of age 3.2 beer consumption, totally used up the supply of juice in Perrys’ pantry. Years later, and now able to can his own tomato juice, Kreutzer (right) gave Brenda and Hal (from left) at least one quart back. Kreutzer, who was a student leader while on campus and who went on to have a very long and good career and recently retired from a business teaching career in Brighton, plans to emcee the game during the Homecoming festivities. (Courtesy Photo)

The Northeastern Junior College Alumni Association will host its 18th Annual Hoops Homecoming event on campus on Saturday, February 18th. The Association’s board of directors invite all alumni to come back to the college to spend some time with current students on this afternoon and evening.

The day will include a by-invitation only awards luncheon at the Plainsman Grill which recognizes the 2012 alumni award winners to include the recipients of the Pathfinders Award, the President’s Award and the Service Award. The Association’s annual meeting will be held following the luncheon. Receiving the prestigious Pathfinder Award this year will be Paul Rodarmer, class of 1972, and Irene Howard Stute, class of 1974. Receiving the Service Award will be Jim Read and receiving the President’s Award will be Dr. Curtis and Judy Kimball and Francis “Rock” Roche.

At 5 p.m., the Northeastern Plainswomen will take on the University of Northern Colorado All-Stars Team and the men will play the Laramie County Community College team out of Cheyenne, WY. During half-time of the men’s game the award winners will be introduced to the crowd and the Alumni Association will award some monetary gifts to various student groups and efforts taking place on campus.

Alumni attending the event are asked to wear NJC logo gear, register for a door prize drawing at the game, and enjoy a special food buffet up in the balcony area of the Jackson and Edwards Arena where many alumni will gather to visit and reminisce. Free T-shirts promoting the new Club 1941 campaign will be given away at the door to the first 250 alumni and current students coming into the game wearing black and gold colors.

Cost of the game will be $6 per adult, $5 for students and seniors, under 6 admitted free. Alumni who are card-carrying members are admitted to this game free.

On a side note, to help jump start the homecoming activities, on Friday from 4-5 p.m., retired NJC teacher Bud Christian, will be in the art gallery in E. S. French signing his most recent book, All Hail, America, a 48-page chapbook which is filled with a cross section of his views on American life. Christian came to NJC in 1967 and retired from full time teaching in 1993. He taught half time through 1997. He taught English composition, creative writing classes, humanities, every literature offering, poetry, speech communication, voice and diction, group discussion, public speaking, journalism, mass communication, and even taught a philosophy course in an outreach program one year. Christian was the faculty sponsor, with Larry Prestwich, for literature for the New Voices magazine for many years) and the advisor for Plainsman Pathways, the student newspaper on campus. Many alumni walked through the doors of his classroom and his office over the years.

Friday art gallery reception features book signing

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:59:00 -0700

Former NJC teacher debuts new chapbook during art show

Local author and retired NJC teacher Bud Christian (right) shares a peek of his new book with Dr. Scott Thompson, chair of the liberal arts department at NJC (left). Christian’s latest book will be showcased during a reception in one of the art galleries on NJC’s campus this Friday. The show also celebrates the artwork of Martin O. Linson, currently on display in the gallery. (Courtesy Photo)

ALL HAIL, AMERICA

Against oppression they stood bold,
Lest qualmish protest oft' be sold
Lugubrious, as days of old.

Had not those men of foresight seen
Ahead to days of self-esteem,
I doubt that we could know or mean
Luther King's, "Let freedom ring."

America, all hail to thee;
Mark well those patriots' decree,
Each man and woman shall not be
Restrained, constrained illicitly.
In other words, had liberty
Capitulated 'cross the sea,
Americans would not be free.

At a time in our country when patriotism seems to be a hot fashion, the words from this title poem in Bud Christian’s new 48-page chapbook should resonate with many of us. Christian will be showcasing his second book this Friday from 4-5 p.m. in the Peter L. Youngers Fine Art Gallery on the campus of Northeastern Junior College. The signing will coincide with the closing reception for an art show by Martin O. Linson from St. Charles, Missouri. The show has been on display for the last month. The reception is free. The public is encouraged to come and see this wonderful exhibit before it leaves town and to check out the written work of Christian.

“This book is filled with a cross section of my views on American life,” says Christian, who was a teacher at NJC from 1969 to 1997. “In particular, there are several which are rather critical of the nuclear arms race and proliferation of those weapons. There are also photos and illustrations which accompany many of the pieces There are a few light-hearted limericks and some poems which poke fun at everyday life and activities.” Christian notes that the illustrations and photos and paste-up of the book was done by his wife, Joyce. “This makes her not only my wife, but I publisher and my editor, I suppose,” Christian says, grinning. “She did a beautiful job selecting pictures that reflect the thoughts in many of the poems and John and his staff at Royal Printing put it together and did the printing.” He will be offering a limited number of the books for sale at the gallery for $10 each.

All Hail, America is Christian’s second poetry book. His first was published 10 years ago and was titled "Dusty Rivers.” In addition, Christian has published a speech textbook and also written and had published "Potpourrivia (A Digest of Curious Words, Phrases, and Trivial Information)," and "Nicknames in Sports: A Quiz Book." During his tenure on campus, he taught English composition, creative writing classes, humanities, every literature offering, poetry, speech communication, voice and diction, group discussion, public speaking, journalism, mass communication, and even taught a philosophy course in an outreach program one year. He was the faculty sponsor for literature for the New Voices magazine for many years (with Larry Prestwich) and the advisor for Plainsman Pathways for several years as well.

Martin O. Linson, an accomplished artist, is an adjunct professor in Lindenwood University in St. Charles. He was well acquainted with NJC’s former art professor and gallery curator, John Cross, who booked Linson’s show into the NJC gallery more than a year ago. His current show at the gallery includes sculpture and drawings, primarily centered around the human form. “The action of drawing the human body is more than an exercise in draftsmanship,” he says, “It has become an ongoing investigation into the human process. I have found that I enjoy movement and in choosing the human form to represent that movement I have a lifelong subject to be engrossed in.” A large wall in the gallery is lined with a progression of his human sketches, all done brilliantly in ink as opposed to pencil. Regarding the work, he says, “Most recently I have begun a series of sculptures that I have tried to “sketch”. I have been calling on my experience with hydrocal to show the hard calloused skin and strong mental virtues that are a must to be a migrant worker or a day laborer. I am trying to present the difficulties that the “simple” life has. I started the series with homage to my father who was brought up in the cotton fields of Arkansas. I have represented the millions of faces that had to struggle through the dust bowl. I have touched on the dock workers during the depression years. This subject matter I believe is being lost in our society. These are historical shoulder that the United States was built upon. I want to bring these stories to a new generation so the struggles of our ancestors do not go unrecognized.”

In addition to the sketches, there are some beautiful flower bronze sculptures, which he says were inspired by nature. “I have been sculpting a variety of wild flowers in large scale to create my person wild flower field. I have been selecting flowers to be representative of all 50 states and some exotics.”

Linson will be at the reception and will welcome questions and comments. The gallery is located inside the E.S. French Building, adjacent to the Dorothy Corsberg Theatre. Again, the reception is open to the public and admission is free.

NJC cosmetology switches Saturday dates

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:20:00 -0700

New date selected to make up for storm closure

The cosmetology center at Northeastern Junior College announced in late January that it would again be open this year on some select Saturdays during spring semester to offer its services to the public. In the original announcement, the students were going to offer hair, nail and skin services on Saturday, February 4th, but due to large storm last week, they decided to be closed on this date. Instead, they will now be open on the following Saturdays: March 3, March 24th and April 28th. Students are available for appointments from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Space is limited on these special Saturday dates, so make your appointments now by calling 521-6733.

The students in the cosmetology program must complete numerous hours demonstrating their learned skills by providing client services with various types of hair, nail, and skin-related skills. Among the services offered are haircuts, hair styles, perms, coloring, deep conditioning hair treatments, manicures, artificial nails, pedicures, eyebrow services and facials. Services are offered at a reduced cost as they are provided in a learning environment under the supervision of instructors. Sometimes the services take a bit longer than usual because the students are new at the tasks. Women, men and children are all welcome to come to the center.

Services are also provided on week days from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on a walk-in basis and by appointment. Any hair services requiring the use of chemicals (coloring, perms) must be scheduled in the morning. To make an appointment for a week day service, call this same number listed above. The center is located at the corner of Sydney Avenue and Landrum Lane on the northwest corner of the main campus.

NJC students planning cultural awareness event

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:15:00 -0700

February 22nd performance marks Black History Month

NJC student Terrill Hardimon of Stuttgart, Arkansas (left) rehearses a scene out of the 1961 play Blood Knot with NJC Theatre Director Aaron Crutchfield (right). The two brothers are debating whether or not the one will reveal to a white woman he has been corresponding with in writing during the South African Apartheid, that he is indeed black. This is just one of many live performances that will be included in a special presentation called Tapping the Tapestry of Culture, to be offered by NJC students on February 22nd to mark Black History Month this February. (Courtesy Photo)

The director of theatre at Northeastern Junior College, Aaron Crutchfield, spent time yesterday rehearsing a scene out of Blood Knot with college student Terrill Hardimon of Stuttgart, Arkansas. The two are part of a much larger group of students, faculty and staff on campus who are working to put together a special stage performance to honor Black History Month. The performance, called, Tapping the Tapestry of Culture, will be held on the evening of February 22nd in the Dorothy J. Corsberg Theatre in E. S. French Hall. It is free and open to the public.

Blood Knot is an early play by South African playwright, actor, and director Athol Fugard, performed first, but only one time, in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1961, with the playwright Fugard and Zakes Mokae playing the brothers Morris and Zachariah. Lucille Lortel produced The Blood Knot, starring J.D. Cannon as Morris and James Earl Jones as Zachariah at the Cricket Theatre, Off Broadway, in New York City, in 1964. It was the first South African play performed with an interracial cast.

There are only two characters in the play, a pair of brothers named Morris and Zachariah. Both were raised by the same black mother, but had different fathers, and Morris is much more fair-skinned than Zachariah. Morris can pass for white, and has done so in the past, but now he has returned to live with Zachariah in a small, miserable shack in the "colored" section of Port Elizabeth. Morris keeps the house, while Zachariah works to support them both. The scene takes place in South Africa. During the play, Zachariah (Crutchfield) finds out that Morris (Hardimon) has been corresponding as a pen pal with a white woman and she isn’t aware he is a man of color. The scenario presents a number of issues characteristic of the time and the location where the story takes place.

The short scene is just one of many great elements that are being worked on to be part of this performance which will also include dance, song, various powerful readings and character portrayals of such interesting American personalities as Mia Angelou and Martin Luther King. A scene from the 1961-based Raisin’ In the Sun movie and other dramatic skits are being explored. . Among those also scheduled to appear will be the NJC Step Team.

“What if we took the phrase that appears on the Statute of Liberty and we voiced that over the music of the Battle Hymn of the Republic?” asks Crutchfield to the group of students that have assembled to help plan the event. Terrill quickly engages his mobile device (aka cell phone) to Google the quote and see what it says. He recites it to his fellow students. The students chime in agreeing that if done right, this could be a neat expression of culture. The group continued dialogue about coming up with some short comic monologues to disperse among the other acts. The college’s Improv Comedy Group is also planning to participate.

This event, which involves a variety of students from NJC, of various ethnicity, age and nationality, will be a nice offering of entertainment created through student, staff and community engagement. It is designed to celebrate all cultures in this country and beyond.

The students hope for a lot of support from the community and the campus for this event. Mark your calendar now and plan to be at Northeastern Junior College on Ash Wednesday, Washington’s Birthday for just February 22nd, however you like to recognize it. Enjoy this free cultural offering which will be good for all ages.

NJC basketball teams to host winter camps

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:37:00 -0700

Sterling, CO – The Northeastern Junior College men’s and women’s basketball teams will be hosting one more basketball camp this month. The camp is scheduled for grades 4th thru 8th, to be held Friday, February 17th, 2012 at the Bank of Colorado Event Center on the campus of Northeastern Junior College. The camp will be open to both boys and girls. The half day camp will run from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM. The cost of the camps are $20 per participant and will include admission to the Northeastern Junior College men’s and women’s games the following day!
For more information, contact Steve Soza at 970-521-6769 or email steve.soza@njc.edu. Registration can be done at the door or mailed in.

NJC Basketball Camp

February 17, 2012
4th thru 8th Grade
Admission to February 18th game vs. LCCC

Camps will run from 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

$20 per Session
Camp is open to boys & girls
If you have any questions, comments or concerns please contact Steve Soza. (970) 521-6769 Steve.Soza@njc.edu

Make Check Payable to:
NJC Basketball Camp
100 College Blvd.
Sterling CO 80751

History essay contest deadline is March 1

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:45:00 -0700

In her always gracious style, Nell Propst, right front, a very accomplished educator and author from Merino, reflects on her writing career with students, teachers and parents following one of the earlier award luncheons for the essay contest named in her honor. Propst has been able to attend past luncheons to help with the awards ceremony. Now in its third year, the entry deadline for the 2012 contest is March 1 for public school students and Feb. 15th for home-schooled students. (Courtesy Photo)

Area high school students have opportunity to win $2,000 scholarship

It’s not too late to recruit your student writers, grades nine through twelve to prepare their entry for the third annual Nell Propst Northeastern Colorado Local History Essay Contest. The essay entry deadline for area schools is March 1st, 2012. The contest is open to all high school students, regardless whether they are public or home schooled, provided they live in the contest’s designated geographical area.

The entry deadline for home-schooled student entries is February 12th as these entries are judged separately with the top two being placed in the overall competition.

Each year the contest awards a $2,000 scholarship to the top essay winner and $1,000 scholarship to the first runner-up. These scholarships, funded by Frank and Gloria Walsh, can be used at the college of the writers’ choice. The Walshes helped create this contest as a means of encouraging an interest in both history and writing among area students.

High school students who are enrolled at or live within the geographical area served by the following school districts may write essays to compete in the contest: Sterling Valley RE-1, Caliche, Briggsdale RE-10, New Raymer Prairie RE-11J, Grover Pawnee RE-12, Peetz Plateau RE-5, Merino Buffalo RE-4, Fleming Frenchman RE-3, Ovid Platte Valley RE-3, Julesburg RE-1, Holyoke RE-1J, Haxtun R-2J, Arickaree R-3, Akron R-1, Woodlin R-104, Idalia RJ-5, Liberty J-4, Wray RD-2, Yuma 1, Lone Star 101, and Otis R-4.

Students are asked to write an essay of approximately 2,000 to 2,500 words on the local history about an individual, groups of individuals or events affecting or occurring within the geographical area serviced by the above listed school districts within Northeastern Colorado. Each school may accept unlimited entries but will only be allowed to submit the top two entries as determined by the school for the final judging.

Each student who has an essay entered must have a sponsoring faculty member from their school. The sponsoring faculty, should his or her student win, will also receive $1,000 for the top essay and $500.00 for second place, respectively. In the case of home schooled students who might win the essay contest, the faculty award will be given to a library or museum, within the defined geographical area, selected by the scholarship winner.

All final entrants and their faculty sponsors will be invited to spend a day in Sterling in early May at which time they will have an opportunity to tour NJC, visit the Overland Trail Museum and attend an awards luncheon where all entries are recognized and top winners announced.

The winning writer’s school as determined by the judges will be awarded a 12 x 12 black granite trophy which will permanently reside in the school’s trophy case. In addition the scholarship winners will be invited to the NJC Foundation luncheon to be held later in the spring of 2012.

In 2010 the winner was Amy Sonnenberg of Sterling, who was sponsored by Nancy Kugler, teacher at Sterling High School. Amy completes her second year at NJC with an outstanding achievement record. Last year’s first place winner was Jessica Noble, Otis High School, who was co-sponsored by Peggy Allen and Ryan Collier of Otis High School. Since Jessica was just a junior, she is eligible to participate again this year and could possibly be the contest’s first two-time winner.

Perhaps the least mentioned benefit derived from participation in the Nell Propst Historical Essay Contest is the publication of contest entries in a bound book titled “A Short History Of Northeastern Colorado” (As seen through the eyes of our high school scholars) which is published annually, given to all of the submitted entrants, to each of their sponsoring faculty members, all the sponsoring museums for their reference libraries, and each of the registered high schools to place in their libraries.

For more information about the contest’s rules and where your entries should be submitted, visit the website nphec.com and click on the links.

College Goal Sunday is February 12th

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:40:00 -0700

Students at NJC site have chance at $1,000 scholarship

The annual College Goal Sunday event, a day when families can receive free professional guidance on how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Air (FAFSA) is scheduled for Sunday, February 12th at Northeastern Junior College. The service will be offered from 2 to 4 p.m. with representatives from the admissions and financial aid areas offering the complimentary service to area families. It does not matter which college you plan to attend, the NJC personnel will help you regardless. You’ll find the College Goal help in Phillips Whyman Hall on campus this Sunday afternoon.

This year, the Northeastern Junior College Foundation has generously donated a $1,000 scholarship to the NJC site. Students who access the College Goal Sunday services will have their name entered in a drawing for this scholarship to NJC. The scholarship must be used locally at NJC, and will be paid out $500 per semester for the 2012-2013 school year.

The FAFSA must be completed for a student to receive any type of financial aid, including grants, work study, student loans and even many scholarships. Students are encouraged to submit their FAFSA as close to the first of the year to receive as much financial aid as possible.

College Goal Sunday will take place at 16 other locations across the state. Spanish translation will be available to families, and more than $20,000 in scholarships will be given away during the day.

Families are encouraged to bring their 2011 federal tax records, to ensure they can work through the FAFSA during the time they have with financial aid experts. More information on College Goal Sunday can be found at www.collegegoalcolorado.org.

For local College Goal Sunday information, call 521-6800 or contact Alice Weingardt at alice.weingardt@njc.edu or Andria Monheiser at andria.monheiser@njc.edu

Tax Help Colorado Postponed

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:35:00 -0700

New Date is March 3rd

Because of the weather, we are postponing the Saturday, February 4 Tax Help Colorado until Saturday, March 3 from 9-2. This is a walk-in session. Please encourage people to visit us for tax preparation services. You can make an appointment with Sherrie at 6637 for Tuesday evening sessions.

Alerts regarding inclement weather

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:45:00 -0700

Alerts regarding School Closures & Inclement Weather

Attention all NJC Faculty, Staff & Students: Please take note of the following information regarding notification in the event of a school closing.

We are under a severe weather and blizzard warning from Thurs. Feb 2 through Fri. Feb 3.

ON FRIDAY MORNING BEFORE DRIVING TO THE NJC CAMPUS, ALL STAFF & STUDENTS ARE ADVISED TO CHECK THE NJC WEBSITE, TEXT MESSAGE NOTICES, AND LOCAL RADIO ANNOUNCEMENTS REGARDING POSSIBLE CAMPUS CLOSURES.

In the event of a total campus closure, notification will be sent via the emergency notification system through text messages, the NJC website, and announcements on local radio stations. Please do not venture out if the college has announced an official closure.

If the campus is NOT closed, then students are asked to check their student email accounts for messages from individual instructors as to whether or not specific classes are cancelled. We recognize that some instructors may not be able to make it to campus, depending on the road and weather conditions where they reside. Faculty—please send email notices to your students if you are not able to make it to campus.
Students—please check your emails before you drive to campus. And students, if conditions are not safe for you to drive to campus, please do not venture out. Your safety comes first!

To those students who reside on the NJC campus, food service will still be provided even if the campus is officially closed.

I encourage anyone to contact me with any questions. And stay tuned to the emergency notification methods that have been stated in this email.

Steve M. Smith
Dean of Students
Northeastern Junior College
100 College Avenue
Sterling, CO 80751
(970) 521-6657—office

Tax Help Colorado site open Saturday

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:23:00 -0700

Business students at NJC will once again be available to help area residents prepare their taxes as part of the Tax Help Colorado program. Last year the students prepared 195 tax returns for those who came to access the free service on campus. The center will be open on campus this Saturday from 9 to 2.

This has been rescheduled for March 3rd

NJC business students will complete tax returns free

With the holidays behind us, the focus of many turns to getting their taxes done. If you have a household income that is less than $49,000, you qualify for the Tax Help Colorado program which provides free tax preparation services.. The service is provided in Sterling through a partnership between Northeastern Junior College, the Piton Foundation and new corporate partner, Wells Fargo. This year, the NJC site is being overseen by Maxine Dennington with assistance from volunteer JoAnn Gilliland. NJC business students have taken appropriate accounting classes to be certified by the Internal Revenue Service to complete tax returns for others.

In Sterling, students will be offering free tax preparation services by appointment only on Tuesday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., beginning on January 31 thru April 3rd. Those wishing to access this service on a Tuesday evening must make an appointment by calling 521-6637 between 12 noon and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The location of the service is in Phillips Whyman Hall, Room 12.

In addition to the Tuesday night appointments, this free service will also be available only two Saturdays in February on a walk-in basis. One of these Saturdays is this weekend, February 4th , from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Qualifying clients should show up for the service in Phillips Whyman Hall and they will be served in the order that they arrive.

If you plan to access this free tax preparation service, you must bring the following documentation with you to the tax site: All W-2, 1099s and other income-related documents; proof of mortgage interest, property taxes, daycare payments, college education expenses, charitable contributions and all other tax deductible expenses; social security cards for all family members; a copy of last year’s tax return, if available; bank account number and routing number to direct deposit your refund. With direct deposits, refunds are received in 7–10 days. If a joint return is being filed, both parties must be present.

The Piton Foundation provides grant funding to the participating colleges to help cover the cost of training the students to provide the free tax preparation services. Last year alone, the NJC Tax Help Colorado site prepared 195 tax returns, returning over $345,000 in tax refunds to these families, stimulating the economy in northeastern Colorado. For more details, you may dial 2-1-1 which is a statewide number providing information on Tax Help Colorado. Flyers on the service are also available at the senior center and the social services office in Sterling.

NJC cosmetology announces Saturday dates

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:22:00 -0700

The cosmetology center at Northeastern Junior College will again be open on some select Saturdays during spring semester to offer its services to the public. The 2012 Saturday dates are this coming Saturday, February 4th, Saturday, March 3rd and Saturday, April 28th . Students are available for appointments from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Space is limited on these special Saturday dates, so make your appointments now by calling 521-6733.

The students in the cosmetology program much complete numerous hours demonstrating their learned skills by providing client services with various types of hair, nail, and skin-related skills. Among the services offered are haircuts, hair styles, perms, coloring, deep conditioning hair treatments, manicures, artificial nails, pedicures, eyebrow services and facials. Services are offered at a reduced cost as they are provided in a learning environment under the supervision of instructors. Sometimes the services take a bit longer than usual because the students are new at the tasks. Women, men and children are all welcome to come to the center.

NJC to Host Basketball Tournament

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:26:00 -0700

Sterling, CO – The Northeastern Junior College Men’s Basketball Program will be hosting an 8 team Men’s Double Elimination Basketball Tournament starting on February 28, 2012. This tournament will be limited to the first 8-teams that turn in their complete registration form by February 21, 2012. Seeds for the tournament will be drawn from a hat and the tournament is a two game guarantee. All games will be played in the Auxiliary Gym of the Bank of Colorado Event Center located on the campus of Northeastern Junior College, with the Championship played on the Main Court. The tournament will take place over a three week span, with games being held on Mondays and Tuesdays starting on Tuesday, February 28, 2012.

The entry fee for each team will be $125 and registration forms need to be turned in no later than Tuesday, February 21, 2012. Registration forms can be picked up at the Front Desk of the entrance of the Bank of Colorado Event Center or by contacting Steve Soza at Steve.Soza@njc.edu.

For more information contact Steve Soza at 970-521-6769 or Steve.Soza@njc.edu.

Jay Lee Appointed As President of NJC

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:03:00 -0700

DENVER - Jay Lee, currently vice-president for Instruction at North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, has been appointed president of Northeastern Junior College (NJC) in Sterling, Colorado by Dr. Nancy McCallin, president of the Colorado Community College System (CCCS).

Lee will assume the presidency on March 12, 2012. Scott Stump has been serving as the interim president while the search was conducted. He will return to his responsibilities of assistant provost for career and technical education at CCCS on March 12, 2012. Stump was appointed as interim president when Dr. Lance Bolton was appointed as president of Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“I am very pleased that Lee has accepted the presidency of Northeastern Junior College,” McCallin said. “Jay Lee’s background in community college leadership, the comments from the college and community, and my time with him make me confident that he will be a strong, effective leader for Northeastern Junior College. We are all looking forward to working with him and welcome him to the system and college.”

“I also want to thank Scott Stump for his leadership during the search process,” said McCallin. “Scott Stump’s familiarity with the system, the college, and NJC made him invaluable in his role as Interim President at NJC during the search. We have missed him at the system and are glad to have him returning to his position here.”

“I’m honored to have been chosen to be the next president at Northeastern Junior College,” said Lee. “I greatly appreciate the faith placed in me by the Colorado Community College System, Dr. McCallin, the employees of NJC and the citizens of Sterling. I look forward to joining a great team of faculty, staff and administrators who share my devotion to student service and success. My wife, Terri, and I are also anxious to join the Sterling community.”

Lee was one of four finalists sent to Dr. McCallin after numerous community forums, interviews, tours, and receptions in Sterling.

In his capacity as vice-president for Instruction at North Idaho College, he is responsible for managing a $20 million budget, overseeing all instructional activities, and is accreditation liaison for the college. Prior to this position, he was dean of career and technical education at Rochester Community and Technical College in Rochester, Minnesota. He is currently a member of the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce Education Committee and served in the United State Air Force.

Lee received his Juris Doctor at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and his bachelor of arts in Criminal Justice at Moorhead State University in Moorhead, Minnesota.

The Colorado Community College System comprises the state's largest system of higher education serving more than 162,000 students annually. It oversees career and academic programs in the 13 state community colleges and career and technical programs in more than 160 school districts and six other post-secondary institutions.

Winners of NJC B2C program announced

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:08:00 -0700

El Pomar Foundation awards $25,000 among four businesses

By Barbara Baker

Maggie Hanna of Colorado Springs, a Fellow with the El Pomar Foundation (left) and Cyndi Vandenbark of the NJC Small Business Management program (center), congratulate Stacey Poland (right) of Fort Morgan, co-owner of Just What Grows Gardens, for being the top winner in the B2C competition. Poland received a check for $10,000 for presenting the best business plan to a group of judges. (Courtesy Photo)

For the 10 presenters in the Business 2 College (B2C) program competition at Northeastern Junior College last week, it may have felt somewhat like appearing on The Shark Tank. For that television show, venture capitalists and investors listen to an entrepreneur lay out the goods on his or her invention, product or service. They then decide whether or not they want to invest money into the company, partnering up with the presenter on the potential for even greater success.

The ten businesses, each representing something totally new as a start-up enterprise, or a new and improved roadmap for a current operation, were presenting their business plans as they competed for $25,000 in prize money being awarded by the El Pomar Foundation who provided grant money to NJC to operate the incubator-type program and competition.

The judges, a group of regional business leaders and El Pomar Fellow Maggie Hanna of Colorado Springs, could award the prize money however they deemed best. One company could win it all, or they could divvy out the winnings to several.

Forty some businesses from a ten county area in northeastern Colorado had earlier applied to participate in the program and have a chance at the prize money. They had been carefully screened and only 10 were selected to participate.

The B2C program included courses and seminars customized to meet the needs of businesses in the 10 county area, delivered through distance learning via the internet. A combination of six courses and seminars, all designed to help the participants be more successful, was offered between August and December. Among the courses were a session on how to write a successful business plan, seminars on customer service, employee hiring practices, and other pertinent topics.

Maggie Hanna of Colorado Springs, a Fellow with the El Pomar Foundation (left) and Cyndi Vandenbark of the NJC Small Business Management program (center), congratulate Ben Blecha (right) of Sterling, owner of Big Time Small Town Media, for being selected one of three runners up B2C competition. Blecha received a check for $5,000. (Courtesy Photo)

The El Pomar Foundation grant covered all the cost of the tuition for the classes and covered the cost of internet access for each participant during the time they were in the program. The 10 businesses each received also received an iPad to use for the program, and then keep, courtesy of El Pomar.

The ten businesses selected to participate in 2011 were:
Deb Tryboski, Bully’s Pub and Grub, Logan County (Fleming);
Chris Fiegel, Boondocks, Logan County (Sterling);
Shirley Legg, Legg Creation, Phillips County (Holyoke);
Tina Owens, Perfectly Polished Day Lounge, Logan County (Sterling);
James Stewart, Lock Doc, Logan County (Sterling);
Ben Blecha, Big Time, Small Town Media, Logan County (Sterling);
Patricia Kamery, Puzzle Weights, Phillips County (Haxtun);
Heather Zwirn, Hot Java, Logan County (Sterling);
Stacey Poland, Just What Grows Gardens, Morgan County (Fort Morgan);
Roger Hosea, NE Colorado Total Document Management, Logan County (Sterling).

In the end, it was Stacey Poland, who was the top winner. Poland’s business plan garnered her $10,000. Three other businesses were named runners-up and each received $5,000. Those three winners included Debra Tryboski, Ben Blecha and Tina Owens and their respective businesses.

Recognizing that consumers want fresh produce, Bret and Stacey Poland opened Just What Grows Gardens (JWGG) in June, 2011. Located between Brush and Ft. Morgan, four miles north of I-76, a large part of the business is a pick your own (PYO) fresh flower and herb component. Customers must meet with Stacey once to get oriented to the garden but after that, people can come pick their own flowers and herbs. Offering an ample selection of flower and herb varieties, customers pay by the pail as they leave.

Maggie Hanna of Colorado Springs, a Fellow with the El Pomar Foundation (left) and Cyndi Vandenbark of the NJC Small Business Management program (center), congratulate Debra Tryboski (right) of Fleming, co-owner of Bullys Pub and Grub in Fleming, for being selected one of three runners up B2C competition. Tryboski received a check for $5,000. (Courtesy Photo)

Just What Grows Gardens (JWGG) will start providing a “fresh salad mix” in early spring 2012 through late fall. The salad mix will include produce such as mixed salad greens, Swiss chard, radishes, green onions, herbs, and a few other items.

A passion of JWGG is drought tolerant plants. Plant plugs (seedlings) will be purchased yearly and grown until they are large enough to market to customers. Shrubs such as the Oakleaf Sumac and White Sage were planted this year. Perennials such as Penstemons and a few varieties of Buckwheat were also planted and have grown to a nice size as they become ready for this year’s sales.

All of these drought tolerant plants are grown in the native soils, out in the open environment. The Polands’ intention is to grow and sell plants that are native to the West, able to survive the high winds, dry winters, and alkaline soils.

Recently, JWGG purchased a hoop house to help grow some of their items. Once the business has a steady supply of customers, the owners would like to add more hoop houses, a large greenhouse, an outdoor classroom, and will look into wildflower turf production.

The owners hope to increase sales to local businesses with weekly delivered flower arrangements and hope to get a few contracts with local restaurants for weekly fresh herb delivery.

On being selected for the B2C program, Stacey Poland stated “The B2C program means everything to me. It is an honor to have been selected from the many applications. I am hoping the program will help my husband and I figure out a direction for Just What Grows Gardens. I am also excited to learn about new concepts of marketing and advertising for our business.”

Maggie Hanna of Colorado Springs, a Fellow with the El Pomar Foundation (left) and Cyndi Vandenbark of the NJC Small Business Management program (center), congratulate Tina Owens (right) of Sterling, owner of Perfectly Polished Day Lounge in Sterling, for being selected one of three runners up in the B2C competition. Owens received a check for $5,000. (Courtesy Photo)

Poland speculated about what she plans to do with the money. “If I happen to win some of the grant money, we will put it towards another hoop house, a small greenhouse, and continuing education in the landscaping field,” she concluded.

Cyndi Vandenbark, instructor of the Small Business Management program at NJC oversaw the 2011 B2C program, assisted by Laurie Jones of the Small Business Development Center.

The El Pomar Foundation, founded by Spencer and Julie Penrose, provides grant opportunities to Colorado nonprofit organizations and activities within the State of Colorado. The foundation has established regional councils throughout the state to identify funding needs at the local level. The Northeast Council represents ten counties in the northeast and east central part of the state. The Northeast Council has identified economic development as a key focus. Helping provide resources and funding to new and expanding businesses is an effective way to participate and encourage this effort.

Vandenbark said she believes El Pomar will fund the B2C program again next year.

SIFE weight loss program off to a good start

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:00:00 -0700

By Barbara Baker

Jenna Monheiser, a student at NJC, helps take body measurements on one of more than a 100 participants in the 2012 LBS Challenge being conducted by the NJC Students in Free Enterprise Team and the Bank of Colorado Event Center. Those signing up for the Challenge were measured and weighed on a special scale that calculates body composition. They will be reweighed and measured at the middle of the 12 week program and again at the end. Before photos were taken to be matched up with after photos at the end of the challenge. (Courtesy Photo)

Nervous energy filled the main gym in the Bank of Colorado Event Center as participants began gathering, all of them with the same goal in mind—weight loss. Some joked about eating their last supper before they arrived. Others poked fun at themselves saying they would probably break the scale. A few compared the experience to being a scaled back version of The Biggest Loser. One or two appeared too thin to spare even a tad of body fat. Most clearly saw this new program as one more way to try to lose the love handles.

More than 100 area residents showed up at Northeastern Junior College on January 9th to weigh in and be measured as they began participation in the Students in Free Enterprise Team’s (SIFE) Losing weight, Building confidence, Staying healthy (LBS) Challenge. The Bank of Colorado Event Center is co-sponsoring the program which is designed to help individuals lose weight and build healthy living habits that are sustainable.

LBS is a free, 12-week program including educational workshops being offered throughout a three month period. The individual who loses the largest percentage of weight during the challenge will win a $500 clothing shopping spree at any of our local retailers. The SIFE Team is currently working to find a local business who will match this same dollar amount in the form of a gift to Cooperating Ministries.

The next educational workshop will be on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 when Angie Myers, a dietitian at Sterling Regional MedCenter presents information on portion control. It will take place from 11:30 to 12:45 and includes a healthy luncheon. The cost is $15. This workshop is open to anyone in the community, regardless whether you are in the LBS Challenge or not. Even though it is too late to register for the LBS Challenge, you will need to register for the workshop by January 29th by calling Amanda Kerker at 521-6744. She will give you the location of the luncheon workshop when you register.

According to Myers, if you ask anyone who has achieved long-term weight loss how they did it, they are sure to mention portion control. In fact, it can make or break someone’s weight loss efforts. She will be helping members of the audience figure out if they are eating the right amount and types of food in order for their body to work most efficiently.

In addition to the workshops, participants in the LBS Challenge have access to some variety classes and workouts at the Bank of Colorado Event Center during their time in the program.

“The goal of our program is to see a difference in these individuals’ lifestyles,” said Amanda Kerker, business professor and faculty advisor to the SIFE Team. “Obviously it will be a physical change for those who dive in with full force to the challenge, but we are hoping they will see a long term impact in their stamina, overall health and their pocketbook by saving money on medication and doctor visits because of their lifestyle changes.”

SIFE takes on a number of community projects each year that are designed to help educate individuals about ways to improve their lot in life economically and socio-economically, especially as it relates to functioning in a free marketplace.
Anyone wanting to see the line-up of workshops taking place between now and April should visit the website which can be found at www.njc.edu\lbschallenge

Tax Help Colorado opens at NJC on January 31st

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:36:00 -0700

NJC business students certified by IRS to complete tax returns

Local Tax Help Colorado site supervisors at NJC were presented a check for $345,000 in 2011, symbolizing the amount of money that NJC students were able to return to northeastern Colorado residents in 2011 through tax refunds. Left to right are: Brenda Rhodes, Deb Walker, JoAnn Gilliland, Paul Hammeke and Diana DiGiacomo from the Piton Foundation. Students will offer the service again in 2012 beginning on Tuesday, January 31st. (Courtesy Photo)

If you have a household income that is less than $49,000, you qualify for the Tax Help Colorado program which provides free tax preparation services. The service is provided in Sterling through a partnership between Northeastern Junior College, the Piton Foundation and new corporate partner, Wells Fargo. This year, the NJC site is being overseen by Maxine Dennington with assistance from volunteer JoAnn Gilliland. NJC faculty involved with the program include business department chair Brenda Rhodes and business professor Deb Walker. Diane DiGiacomo, of the Piton Foundation, is the statewide coordinator of the program.

The Piton Foundation has partnered with colleges all over Colorado. Specifically, students in Northeastern’s business studies department have been trained through specific accounting classes and then certified by the Internal Revenue Service to do tax preparation for others.

In Sterling, students will be offering free tax preparation services by appointment only on Tuesday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., beginning on January 31 thru April 3rd. Those wishing to access this service on a Tuesday evening must make an appointment by calling 521-6637 between 12 noon and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You will be given a specific time to show up on campus to have your taxes done. The location of the service is in Phillips Whyman Hall, Room 12.

In addition to the Tuesday night appointments, this free service will also be available two Saturdays in February on a walk-in basis. On Saturday, February 4th and then again on Saturday, February 25th, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., qualifying clients may show up for the service at this same location. No appointments are being made for these Saturdays. Clients will be served in the order that they arrive.

The Piton Foundation, located in Denver, considers tax credits, especially the Earned Income Tax Credit, an important tool for increasing the economic self-sufficiency of lower-wage workers. In its 2012 statewide outreach campaign currently underway, Piton will distribute 1.5 million educational materials through health and human service agencies, social service programs, schools, churches and employers to increase the number of Colorado families benefitting from these tax credits.

For those families that earn less than $49,000 and have children at home, the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit can reduce the income tax paid, resulting in even bigger refunds. For families struggling financially, it is important that they know about these credits. Being able to e-file and get their refunds in a short time period can make a huge difference to many of them. The Piton Foundation tracks how many families use the free service and how this impacts the state’s economy.

Congress originally approved the tax credit legislation in 1975 in part to offset the burden of social security taxes and to provide an incentive to work. When the EITC exceeds the amount of taxes owned, it results in a tax refund to those who claim and qualify for the credit.

Northeastern receives beautification grant

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:22:00 -0700

Colorado Garden Show, Inc. selects college for major award

Current Landscaping

Staff Report

Sterling, CO—The Northeastern Junior College Foundation is pleased to announce that NJC is the recipient of the inaugural Andrew Pierce Memorial Grant. The Colorado Garden Show awarded NJC a major grant of $58,000. Grant funds were directed to the NJC Beautification Project, a joint venture between NJC and the NJC Foundation initiated in 2011. The project will create a more attractive, unified and welcoming campus environment through implementation of a campus-wide landscape plan. Landscape design will center on a wide variety of low-maintenance, drought-tolerant trees, plants and flowers to provide shade, seasonal color and visual appeal.

“Northeastern Junior College is delighted and honored to be the recipient of the Andrew Pierce Memorial Grant to fund the NJC Beautification Project,” said Cindy Johnson, Executive Director for the NJC Foundation. “We look forward to working with the Colorado Garden Show and local donors to create an exceptional campus environment for our students, staff and community.” She added that this project will also serve as a model for northeast Colorado to showcase landscape design and plant species well-suited to the region. In September 2012, June 2013 and September 2013, the NJC Foundation will present the NJC Botanical Walk. Residents from throughout the five-county region will be invited to tour newly landscaped areas to learn from area experts about landscape options for northeast Colorado. A detailed brochure will be made available for the Walk – and for individual self-guided walking tours in 2012 and 2013. Johnson concluded, “It is our hope that the northeast Colorado community will take advantage of this enjoyable educational opportunity to view a variety of plants and planting designs – and then apply information gleaned to home and business landscape projects.”

Proposed Landscaping Changes.

This is not the first time that NJC has benefitted from the generosity of the Colorado Garden Show. In 2009, NJC received a $12,000 grant to create the NJC Community Garden. Additionally, each year the Colorado Garden Show sponsors a full-ride scholarship to NJC for students majoring in Agriculture Production, Crop and Soil Science or Farm and Ranch Management. This scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic excellence, extracurricular activities and community involvement.

The Colorado Garden Show is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancement of the horticulture industry. It has awarded more than $4.5 million in scholarships and grants during the past 23 years using proceeds from the annual Colorado Garden and Home Show and the Colorado Fall Home Show. major grants have been given to Westminster High School, Clyfford Still Museum, Care and Share Food Bank Southern Colorado and Concert for Kids, to name a few. This year’s Colorado Garden and Home Show will take place Feb. 11-19 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. It is the largest consumer show held at the Convention Center, boasting an attendance of more than 60,000 people each year.

The NJC Foundation recognizes the significant role played by local community donors in the NJC Beautification Project, providing more than $50,000 in funds. In addition to the Colorado Garden Show, the project is supported by the Sterling Rotary Club, Johnson and Associates, CPAs, Jackson Insurance, Wells Fargo Bank, Sterling Monument, Tennant Funeral Home and Crematory, Pizza Hut, Country Gardens Nursery and the NJC Associated Student Government. Together they will transform seven key areas on campus. These include the Sidney Avenue entrance, the front of Phillips-Whyman Hall, the Bank of Colorado Event Center, GRB Residence Hall, the east side of the Hays Student Center, the east-west Bell Tower Promenade, and the perimeter of the Walker Hall Administration Building. Community businesses, civic organizations and individuals interested in adopting additional areas on campus are invited to contact Cindy Johnson at the NJC Foundation for further information (970.521.6603).

Quick footed action at dodge ball tourney

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:52:00 -0700

There was plenty of fast footwork going on last Friday night in the Bank of Colorado Event Center when the Associated Student Government and res life at Northeastern Junior College hosted a dodge ball tournament on campus. Seven teams of 10 were on hand to compete for the championship. Games started at 6 p.m. and ran well past 9 p.m. In addition to 70 players, there were a whole slew of spectators watching the action. Balls were hurled back and forth across the auxiliary gym as if the players’ lives depended on it. And in some instances, the hits almost seemed life threatening. However, soft rubber balls and big smiles meant no one got hurt during the fun. The winning team, which consisted of a mix of honors students, ag students and local students, only walked away with bragging rights for the night, but they were pleased to be the last team standing.

(Courtesy photos)

Justin Covelli Scholarship to benefit ag students

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:50:00 -0700

Melissa Covelli holds son Aiden as she walks among the many items donated to the auction held by the Feeders and Friends at the New Raymer fairgrounds. The vent raised money in memory of her late husband Justin. The dollars raised have been put into a scholarship fund at NJC. (Courtesy Photo)

First award to be made this fall

By Barbara Baker

In the quiet of winter, as Mother Earth rests and rejuvenates, awaiting the renewal that will come with spring, the family of Justin Covelli has been at work establishing a scholarship program in his name. You may recall that the eighth annual Feeders and Friends event held this past August in New Raymer, CO was a benefit for the Justin Covelli Memorial Scholarship Fund to be managed by Northeastern Junior College to provide scholarships for future agriculture students. The event raised $37,500.

Just as each spring brings a sense of renewal, from now on, each fall the Covelli family will know that another young person is benefitting from the generosity of many who came together to honor the life of their loved one.

Covelli, 37, of Weldona, passed away in January 2011 from complications during surgery. He had been battling lung cancer. He left behind his wife of four years, Melissa and two young sons, Aiden and Mason. The son of Barry and Michelle Covelli of Weldona, Justin loved farming with his father, uncle and grandfather as he grew up. He loved playing basketball and watching basketball, especially the Duke Blue Devils. He graduated from Weldon Valley High School in 1991 and from the University of Northern Colorado in 1995 with a degree in business management. In 2007 he married Melissa. In the few years that followed, the coupled had two sons. “He was an outstanding husband and father and enjoyed every minute with his family,” says his mother Michelle. “He was a quiet and humble man and he was a great friend to many. He had a contagious laugh. He was always well-liked and respected by friends and coworkers.” At the time of his death he was working as the manager and an agronomist for CHS, Inc. at the cooperative’s Wiggins center.

The Justin Covelli Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to one student each fall semester, beginning in August 2012. The recipient will receive $1,000. While the scholarship is directed to incoming freshman students at Northeastern, priority will be given to students from Morgan County. However, if there are no eligible applicants from Morgan County, the scholarship may be awarded to students from Logan or Weld counties. Preference will be given to those majoring in agriculture business. Students receiving this scholarship must have at least a 3.0 or higher grade point average while in high school.

According to Cindy Johnson, executive director of the Northeastern Junior College Foundation, the scholarship will be awarded annually based on these parameters, utilizing the Foundation’s selection process. “This is a wonderful scholarship which honors the memory of a beloved son, father and husband,” Johnson said. “The Foundation will manage it with care and respect according to the wishes of Justin’s family.” Young agriculture students will benefit from this gift for years to come, she added.

Barry Covelli (RIGHT), father of Justin Covelli, took the microphone from event coordinator Verlyn Mayhan (left) and thanked all the auction donors and competitors during 2011 Feeders and Friends Event held last August in New Raymer. A dinner event was held in October at Dewey’s in Stoneham during which time the Covelli family was honored and presented a check from the event. (Courtesy Photo)

Held annually since 2003, the Feeders and Friends event, which is supported by many volunteers and donors, consists of a ranch rodeo, Calcutta, large auction, and dance. It is an event that brings those from the ranches where the cattle are raised and the livestock feeding industry, including various vendors such as the pharmaceutical companies, together with other supporters, to enjoy a day of fellowship, friendly competition and fundraising for a specific cause.

Proceeds from the Feeders and Friends event have been used to memorialize or benefit young people from the New Raymer community. Memorials have been established in honor of Lacy Miller (2003), Andi Whitlock (2004), Kasey Jo (Walker) Warner (2008), Jesse Samber (2009), and Justin Covelli (2011). The families of Andi Whitlock, Kasey Jo Walker Werner and Justin Covelli have chosen to direct their memorial funds to establish scholarships at NJC. Feeders and Friends have also supported community members facing catastrophic life circumstances – Shane Ellis (2005), Britt Trumbull (2006), Jed Michal (2007), and Austin Beckner (2010). All in all, the group has raised nearly $300,000 in the past eight years.

Spring is, indeed, a time of renewal, rebirth and regrowth. Through the generosity of Feeders and Friends, these gifts of spring have been extended to community members – to transform hardship and loss into caring support and hope. Such is the blessing of life in rural Colorado.

Local Families Receive Support to Apply for College Financial Aid

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:08:00 -0700

College Goal Sunday hits Sterling to help families pay for college

Sterling, CO – On Sunday, February 12, 2012, local families in Sterling will have the opportunity to attend College Goal Sunday to receive free assistance on how to pay for college.

College Goal Sunday will be held in Sterling at Northeastern Junior College on Sunday, February 12, from 2 – 4 p.m. Families will receive free professional guidance on ways to pay for college, specifically how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is a crucial step in the college planning process.

“In a time where college is no longer a luxury, but a necessity in the workplace, it is more vital than ever to provide families with the knowledge and resources to make higher education a reality,” said Dawn Taylor Owens, executive director of College In Colorado – an initiative of the Department of Higher Education. “For many families the greatest hurdle is how to pay for college. College Goal Sunday provides an incredible platform for families to receive free direction on ways to make college affordable.”

College Goal Sunday will take place at 16 other locations across the state. Spanish translation will be available to families, and more than $20,000 in scholarships will be given away during the day.

For local College Goal Sunday information, contact Alice Weingardt at alice.weingardt@njc.edu or Andria Monheiser at andria.monheiser@njc.edu.

The partners of College Goal Sunday include Colorado Association of Financial Aid Administrators (CAFAA), CAFAA – Past Presidents, College In Colorado, Colorado Department of Higher Education, LUMINA Foundation for Education, University of Denver, and Regis University.

Northeastern Junior College releases fall 2011 honor roll

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:33:00 -0700

Sterling, CO--Northeastern Junior College has released its honor roll list for the 2011 fall semester and reports that 253 students were given high academic achievement recognition, including 100 students who made the President’s List by earning a 4.0 grade point average.

Those making the President’s List included (by home location):
Akron – Jessica Quint;
Alamosa – Brandy Marrinan;
Anton – Rebekah Herron;
Arvada – Kayla Greenbaum;
Ault – Brooke Barker;
Aurora – Aibora Mwanri;
Avondale – Michelle Klein;
Brush – Brittany Riter, Amanda Stickley, Leah Tapia;
Castle Rock – Kathryn Snowberger;
Conifer – Gina Phillips, Katherine White;
Cortez – Aeron Acott;
Fleming – Alyx Daily, Jace Harris, Arika Muller, Jenna Vandenbark;
Fort Morgan – Cassandra Chapman;
Golden – Maegan Kelly;
Greeley – Kreg Kerr;
Haxtun – Kelsey Garretson, Mark Phillips, Jaiden Potter, Josh Turney;
Holly – Hannah Pollart;
Holyoke – Brittany Durbin, Connie Ferguson, Kaylee Groshans, Sherilyn Knight, Janna Smith;
Iliff – Julie Hernandez, Jessica Rivera, Braydon Zink;
Julesburg – Kara Lanckriet, Krista Ober, Jordan Stone;
LaJunta – Shay Carroll;
Lakewood – Kyle Story, Jessica Wright;
Loveland – Caleb Carlson;
Meeker – Stacey Fitzgibbons;
Montrose – Joshua Deines;
New Raymer – Jared Farnik, Lauren Mertens;
Orchard – Sara Bale;
Parker – Brooke Baker, Curtis Doubet;
Peetz – Paul Janes;
Seibert – Elizabeth Cooper;
Simla – McKenzi Digby;
Sterling – Tara Amen, Shawn Brandau, Emily Brower, Naomi Burkey, Samantha Cavagnetto, Miranda Carroll, Monte Deshayes, Melissa Dilullo, Chloe Dinsdale, Katie Facchinello, Amanda Fiegel, Tessa Gareis, Jessica Harder, Kelsey Hummel, Callie Johnson, Kimberly Jones, Nicholas Jones, Pamela Krehbiel, Ryan Kutchar, Rebecca Littlefield, Jana Locher, Amanda Lock, Adrian Meraz, Spencer Moore, Jenae Morrison, Martha Nash, Courtney Negley, Braden Piel, Jace Rhodes, Levon Salas, Rocio Sanchez, Zeyneb Seman, Melissa Sherman, Amy Sonnenberg, Kristi Squier, Shamra Stone, Amanda Unrein, Kristen Unrein, Andrea Vallejos, Nicole Vierow, Victoria Vorwald, Ashley Walraven, Nathalie Weis;
Vail – Taya Westerberg;
Vona – Geoffrey Mills;
Westcliffe – Sydney Camper;
Westminster – Gary Bonney, Josh Bonney; and
Wray – Brook Zuege.

Those students making the Vice President’s List with a grade point average between 3.75 – 3.99 include:
Akron – Wendy Adamson;
Amherst – Tiffany Maelzer;
Anton – Rebekka McCaleb;
Arvada – Erick Martinez;
Bailey – Katie Courkamp;
Canon City – Cassandra Shaw;
Centennial – Roy Ceci, Drew Eichenser, Alyssa Goldstein;
Central City – Ashley Mount-Williams;
Denver – Nathan Robinson, Lorena Zamora;
Elbert – Cameron Biondo;
Englewood – Ryan Reno;
Fort Collins – Alexus Lopez;
Genoa – Garson Thompson;
Gunnison – Adrianne Eager;
Haxtun – Derek Lundgren;
Hugo – Cole James;
Idalia – Andrew Blankenship;
Iliff – Lindsey Stumpf;
Johnstown – Lena Harper, Chandler Morison;
Lakewood – Elizabeth Mayhew;
Limon – Cole Westfall;
New Raymer – Kaleb Harms;
Parker – Selena Giers;
Ridgway – Kaitlin Hietala;
Sterling – James Armbruster, Rebecca Chadwick, Anna Cheramy, Gene Cucarola, Morgan Eurich, Jesse Gallagher, Charles Guernsey, Rebecca Japp, Silvia Kalb, Ty Lebsock, Katelynn Mack, Mollie Peck, Benjamin Suiter, Mitchell Troester, Pamela Unger, Sarah Van Vleet, Amanda Wesley, Sueann Wolf;
Thornton – Alexandra Fuller;
Yuma – Robert McCall
Nebraska – Jessica Klinginsmith.

Those students making the Dean’s List with a grade point average between 3.5 and 3.74 were:
Aspen – Timothy Ready;
Atwood – Kristen Moe;
Ault – Sarah Stoudt;
Berthoud – Morgan Woodruff;
Brush – Charlene Carrera;
Castle Rock – Amber Garcia, Jenna Wilson;
Colorado Springs – Edward Prentice.
Cortez – Toni White.
Crook – Jacquelyn Green, Jena Monheiser;
Del Norte – Kassie Norton;
Delta – Bonnie Wool;
Denver – Haimanot Belay, Celida Vazquez;
Divide – Joy Segovia;
Dolores – George Moore;
Eckley – Kelsey Eggers;
Fleming – Kimberly Burr, Amber Schlenz;
Greeley – Aster Degu;
Haxtun – Sydney Campbell, Natasha Helfer, Katelyn Kaus, Elizabeth Kurtzer;
Holyoke – Kracinda Wakefield;
Iliff – John Hanlon, Jeffrey Huss, Aaron Stieb;
Johnstown – Derek Neeper;
Kersey – Cameron Carlson;
Lafayette – Becca Moorhead;
LaJunta – Nathan Noe;
Littleton – Hannah Morton;
Longmont – Jennifer Cashion;
Merino – Michael Hart, Andrew Piel, Jonathan Tramp;
New Raymer – Tyler Krager;
Northglenn – Katherine Feldman;
Otis – Raylene Perry;
Ovid – Jessie Doleshall;
Peetz – Stephan Geu, Matthew Steffens;
Sheridan Lake – Shelby Harris;
Sterling – Nichole Albo, Theodore Albo, Tyson Armstrong, Heidi Ashlock, Abimbola Ayebusiwa, Tyler Barnhart, Matthew Baumann, Ceciala Bennett, Janaya Bloomfield, Donna Brooks, Ashley Browne, Brett Carroll, Kayla Claymon, Drew Donovan, Crystal Griess, Lyle Hanson, Anne Harnish, Matthew Hedlund, Meagan Hedlund, Brianna Hill, Corey Jimerson, Katie Johnson, Chrystal Jones, Madison Kiel, Kyle Klinzmann, Hillary Kloberdanz, Jason Melick, Brian Miller, Kayla Moon, Emily Naugle, Traci Nolan, Brandy Peek, Ashley Pippitt, Cody Roth, Meghan Sandridge, Adam Schrimpscher, Jessica Sullivan, Shawn Unrein, Felicia Vigil, Jason Vorderberg, Scott Wagner, Amanda Wilcox-Waller;
Strasburg – Kacie Arnold;
Thornton – McKayla Herman;
Wiggins – Derek Walker, Nichelle Williams;
Windsor – Damara Ankrum;
Woodland Park – Raquel Lara;
Wray – Briann Spelts, Erin Witte;
Yuma – Jessica Crossland, Katie Guinn, Tyler Jamison;
Nebraska – Kayllie Cox; and
Canada – Jordan Procyshen.

Northeastern Junior College is the largest residential two-year college in Colorado. It offers students more than 80 programs of study in both transfer and career and technical areas. The college serves approximately 3,800 full and part-time learners each year.

Presidential Finalists for NJC Selected

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:53:00 -0700

Sterling – The Northeastern Junior College presidential search committee has forwarded to Dr. Nancy McCallin, president of the Colorado Community College System (CCCS), four finalists for her consideration for the presidency. Dr. McCallin, in consultation with the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education, will make the final presidential selection. The search committee is comprised of student, faculty, administrative, and community members.

The Colorado Community College System has been conducting the search since September, 2011. Scott Stump, Dean of Career and Technical Education for the Colorado Community College System, has been serving as interim president.
The four finalists are:
Mr. Jay A. Lee, J.D., currently Vice President for Instruction at North Idaho College in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho;
Dr. Donald Pearl, formerly Vice President of Instruction/Chief Academic Officer at Central Arizona College in Coolidge, Arizona;
Dr. Randy L. Smith, currently President of Rural Community College Alliance in Olustee, Oklahoma;
Dr. Mark Van Den Hende, formerly Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty at Waycross College in Waycross, Georgia.

Full resumes for the finalists can be viewed on the Northeastern Junior College website at www.njc.edu. Five presidential semi-finalists visited the campus on December 12 and 13, where they had the opportunity to meet community members, students, and staff during public forums and at a reception. Feedback from the forums was fully reviewed by the search committee in determining the finalists. This information will be forwarded to Dr. Nancy McCallin for her review. Colorado law requires that a new president selected from the list of finalists cannot be named prior to 14 calendar days after the names are made public. A final decision regarding the presidency is expected to occur prior to the end of January.
The Colorado Community College System comprises the state's largest system of higher education serving more than 162,000 students annually. CCCS oversees career and academic programs in the 13 state community colleges and career and technical programs in more than 160 school districts and seven other post-secondary institutions.

NJC luncheon to showcase coffee roasting

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:59:00 -0700

There is an art to good coffee. From the elevation of where it is grown to the shape of the bean and how many times it cracks when it’s being roasted, all can make a huge difference in how it tastes. As he lets a few green, raw coffee beans drop through his fingers, Ryan Virgil loves to talk about what he thinks is the best coffee in the world. “Personally, I love African coffees,” Virgil says, “People often say that God put coffee in Ethiopia first and then it went to other places in the world from there.” He will be talking about coffee, from crop to cup, during the upcoming Ladies Lunch Out program to be held Thursday, January 12th at Northeastern Junior College.

Virgil, who is first and foremost a chef, is also a coffee barista who plans to provide some insightful information to those who join him for this educational dining event. Registration for this Ladies Lunch Out must be made by Tuesday, January 10th. The luncheon menu will include an entrée and dessert that are prepared with the incorporation of coffee. Roasting coffee transforms the chemical and physical properties of green coffee beans into roasted coffee products. The roasting process is what produces the characteristic flavor of coffee by causing the green coffee beans to expand and to change in color, taste, smell, and density.

Virgil plans to roast some coffees from East Africa, South America, Indonesia, Nicaragua, and Sumatra for the event. He shows off a few sacks of raw, green coffee beans, which incidentally smell nothing like coffee in their unroasted state—the aroma only comes when the heat is applied.

While he has a nice coffee roaster now, he says he started experimenting with a modified popcorn popper and did his coffee that way for many years. Well, let’s clarify that. He discovered coffee when he was 25 years old, just 9 years ago. “I bought a coffee maker for my parents. Until then, I hadn’t drank much coffee, but I discovered that I liked it,” Virgil says. “I began reading about it and researching coffee roasting and brewing. Many chefs will find some area of specialty that they like to focus on and I guess I chose coffee.”

A 1996 graduate of Sterling High School, Virgil attended the Johnson and Wales Culinary School for two years. He spent several years working at private clubs, preferred hotels and on yachts, primarily in the Bay Harbor in northern Michigan. He returned back to northeastern Colorado and for a couple of years he and a partner ran a local coffee house. He was happily pursuing his passion, but like many entrepreneurs find, running your own business is tough and doesn’t always last. He went to work for The Living Center here for several years. “I was just waiting for an opportunity like this chef job here at NJC to come open,” he said, indicating a delight in now cooking on such a large scale. Virgil is responsible for overseeing the preparation of an average of 8,000 meals per week for college students and managing a staff of 35.

While cooking is his focus, on January 12th, he’ll be up to his nose in coffee. He says there is a real process to getting a good cup of joe. You roast it, rest it, grind it, brew it and drink it. All coffee, he says, should be drank within a week of roasting. With the exception, he clarified, of some types of coffee that actually aged in warehouses, specifically with the goal of getting a certain flavor. Every coffee is different and some of it is best handled with a wet process and some with a dry process. When it is roasted, coffee pops. The produces a chaff as well. Sometimes you are hoping for a single crack when roasting, sometimes you want a second crack for the most perfect flavor. “Espresso is an extraction method,” Virgil explains, “contrary to what many think, there is not a specific espresso bean that grows. Various kinds of coffee make good espresso, depending upon how the extraction is done. “

All coffee is grown along what we call the bean belt, Virgil explains, “This is an area that is 20 degrees north of the Equator and 20 degrees south of the Equator. The higher it’s grown in elevation, the harder the bean becomes and the harder the bean, the better the coffee.”

Coffee beans are actually green and the fruit that they come out of is called “cherries” by those that grow them. In most coffee cherries, there are two beans growing and together they form one round bean. Picture the shape and look of a pecan with two halves meeting in the middle, except on a much smaller scale. In peaberry coffee, only one bean grows in the center of the berry and it becomes round on its own. Some coffee growers belief peaberry beans are the best because all the goodness is wrapped into one.

Virgil could talk all day about coffee. He also loves to talk about the work he is doing on campus every day. “I love to write menus and I’m getting to do quite a bit of that here now,” he explains. “I am very committed to giving some consistency of quality of product and food varieties, within budget, to the students here. I like to think I have a decent management philosophy and my hope is to really work well with the Sodexo staff to provide a good food experience to the students and others.”

Virgil has worked the high end of culinary arts and knows how to design and prepare food at its very best and he hopes to work with various groups in Sterling to help them with their special events when they are held on campus. “I look forward to showing clients how they can get something exceptional regardless what their budget might be.” Sodexo continues to offer food services for banquets, weddings, meetings and other gatherings held on campus.

The Ladies Lunch Out event is co-sponsored by the Extended Studies Department at NJC and the Logan County Chamber of Commerce. The cost of the luncheon, which includes a meal and coffee sampling is $15. Registrations must be made by January 10th. To save your spot for this coffee-focused event, call 521-6900. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. with registration and networking . The actual presentation will take place at 12 noon and ends by 12:45 p.m. in order for working individuals to be back to their offices by 1 p.m. The event is open to all coffee lovers—including those of the male species.

Ryan Virgil has brought raw coffee beans in from a variety of areas around the world to roast and brew for the Ladies Lunch Out event on January 12th. Make reservations now for this event by calling 521-6900. (Courtesy Photo)

Elisa Sagehorn wins national speaking award

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:52:00 -0700

Elisa Sagehorn was named the winner of the National Spokesperson for Agriculture Contest. She competed against other state winners as part of the National Ag Communications Contest. The Spokesperson program was part of the 45th National Young Farmer Educational Association Institute held December 7-10 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri.

She is the daughter or Keith and Diane Sagehorn from Holyoke, Colorado.

Elisa won the 2011 Colorado Spokesperson for Agriculture contest and received an expense paid trip to compete in the national contest to represent Colorado.

Elisa, is a 2008 graduate of Holyoke High School. She was very active in the Holyoke FFA Chapter. She has earned the chapter, state, and American Farmer degrees. She served as chapter president and the northeast district treasurer during her senior year. She earned a gold second place rating in job interview competition her senior year. She served on the Colorado FFA state officer team during the 2009-10 year as an executive committee member.

Elisa was a member of National Honor Society and served as secretary during the senior year. She was a representative on student council and Colorado FBLA District Vice President and a member of the Civic Conscious Committee. She won the American Legion Auxillary Citizenship Award in 2004 and 2008 and was recognized with the Colorado Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Humanitarian Award in 2008. She is also a National Society of High School Scholars member.

During high school, Elisa took college classes through Northeastern Junior College. Upon graduation from high school, she attended Dordt College in Iowa for one year. She then transferred to Colorado State University.

She has been a leader on the CSU campus. She is a member of the CSU Young Farmer/ ATA Chapter and won the Colorado Young Farmers Educational Association Spokesman for Agriculture award in 2011. Elisa is a National Collegiate Agriculture Ambassador, a CSU College of Agriculture Ambassador, a CSU Presidential Ambassador, and a member of Gamma Beta Phi.

Elisa worked part time as a calf operations assistant with TransOva Genetics, LLC in Sioux Center, Iowa. During the summer of 2010 she worked as a communications intern with Colorado Farm Bureau. The past summer she worked as a research assistant/ intern with Syngenta in Vero Beach, Florida.

She is a junior at Colorado State University majoring in agriculture education.

NJC basketball teams to host winter camps

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:39:00 -0700

Sterling CO – The Northeastern Junior College men’s and women’s basketball teams will be hosting two basketball camps over the next two months. The first camp, for grades K-3 is set for Friday, January 27, 2012. The second camp, for grades 4-8, is scheduled to be held Friday, February 17th, 2012. Both camps will be open to both boys and girls and will be held at the Bank of Colorado Event Center on the Northeastern Junior College campus. Both of the camp dates are In-Service days for the RE-1 School District and no classes will be held on these dates for these young athletes. The half day camps will run from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM. The cost of the camps are $20 per participant and will include admission to the Northeastern Junior College men’s and women’s games the following day!
For more information, contact Steve Soza at 970-521-6769 or email steve.soza@njc.edu. Registration can be done at the door or mailed in.

Northeastern Junior College Basketball Basketball Day Camp
January 27, 2012
Kindergarten thru 3rd Grade
Admission to January 28th game vs. Trinidad State College

February 17, 2012
4th thru 8th Grade
Admission to February 18th game vs. LCCC

Both Camps run from 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
$20 per Session
Camp is open to boys & girls
If you have any questions, comments or concerns please contact Steve Soza at 970) 521-6769 or email Steve.Soza@njc.edu

Make Check Payable to:
NJC Basketball Camp
100 College Blvd.
Sterling CO 80751

NJC to Host Youth Basketball Tournament

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:07:00 -0700

Sterling, CO – The Northeastern Junior College Athletic Program is now taking entries for the Annual Northeastern Junior College Youth Basketball Tournament. This year the tournament will be held January 28th -29, 2012 at the Bank of Colorado Event Center.

The tournament is open to the following age groups:
  Girls Division    Boys Division
  4th & 5th Girls   4th & 5th Boys
  6th Grade Girls    6th Grade Boys
  7th Grade Girls    7th Grade Boys
  8th Grade Girls    8th Grade Boys

The tournament will cost $180 per team with a 3 game guarantee. Along with a 3 game guarantee, the coaching staff and players of each team will be allowed free admission to the men’s and women’s game versus Trinidad State College, January 28, 2012. For more information contact Eddie Trenkle at Eddie.Trenkle@njc.edu or 970-521-6731. View more inforamtion and download registration forms at the NJC Athletics page.

Nursing student loses a whole person to gain back himself

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:31:00 -0700

A much happier Thad Didier shown here in a clinical setting at Sterling Regional Medical Center as he completes his Registered Nursing degree at NJC. He’s weighing about 210 at this time. (Courtesy Photo)

Didier takes off 167 pounds while pursuing a registered nurse degree

By Barbara Baker - NJC Marketing Director

STERLING, CO--When Thadius Didier sat down at the table during the Northeastern Junior College Foundation’s scholarship luncheon held back in October, confidence oozed out of him as he leaned across the way to greet Frank and Gloria Walsh. He was thanking them for the nursing scholarship he was awarded, in their name, this year. Being able to reach across a table, with confidence, was not always part of Didier’s acumen. It wasn’t that long ago that he was morbidly obese, suffering from Type 2 Diabetes, was depressed, constantly sporting around hypertension and chain smoker who had a self-esteem problem.

Many might give up if they were in the kind of shape Didier found himself in, but not him. Not only did he make a decision to reinvent himself, but he also decided to go back to school and expand his nursing training to become a registered nurse. This week he graduated from Northeastern Junior College’s associate’s degree registered nursing program and now makes his way into an advanced career he can’t wait to tackle.

Thad Didier, photographed here for his licensed practical nursing graduation in 2009 from Western Nebraska Community College. He was weighing 330 pounds and feeling encouraged about the possibility of losing more weight.(Courtesy Photo)

Didier, 30, is from Sidney, Nebraska. He proudly talks about his ability to drop 167 pounds and credits much of his success to education. Educating himself about how to live healthier. Educating himself to become a nurse. Didier chose a career that is primarily pursued by women, which is, in itself, an accomplishment.

“My decision to become a nurse had a lot to do with this transformation,” admits Didier, “I knew I would never be comfortable calling myself a professional being as overweight as I was. I needed to build my self-esteem and losing weight and becoming fit has done wonders for that. I knew that it would be hypocritical of me to be telling people to be healthy when I clearly was not.” In addition, Didier also knew that making his way up and down stairs to attend nursing classes and participate in clinicals would be almost impossible for him if he stayed the way he was.

At Didier’s heaviest point, he reached 377 pounds. “I was not in the habit of weighing on a regular basis as it was depressing,” he admits, “But I had went into the doctor for a checkup and he told me this was my weight. Not only this, but I weighed enough that I could not at that time get a personal scale that went that high,” he says smiling, knowing he can laugh about it now.

“This process of weight loss has had its ups and downs but most of my success has taken place in the last four years since I quit smoking,” Didier points out. “My four year anniversary for stopping smoking will be this coming January 1st which coincidently is the first and only New Year’s resolution that I have been entirely successful at maintaining.”

As the father of two small boys, Didier also endured going through a divorce in recent years and he blames much of what brought about the failure of his marriage on the depression he buried himself in back when he was so overweight. As he’s transformed his life, he’s become much more active and is able to do a number of things with his sons, Corbin (10) and Gabriel (6). “I have primary custody but I have a very good relationship with my ex-wife and we share the boys,” Didier notes. “The boys rarely go more than a day without seeing their mother and spend on average two nights a week with her. The boys have always been our primary concern even though we could not make our relationship work, and as a result the boys are very happy.”

So how did he do it? How did he lose the weight? No, he didn’t choose to have the surgery. He just began applying what he was learning in the classroom to his own life. “Part of my journey back to health began when I started back to Western Nebraska Community College in 2008 to train in the licensed practical nursing program there,” he explains. Along with enrollment in WNCC, he got a free student membership to the local community center. “My first semester back I quit smoking on January 1, 2008 and shortly after, began working out with free weights on a regular basis at the center. That semester back to school I only weighed 355, so I had lost some weight.”

Nursing studies are treacherous. Most students who complete the program tell stories of staying up all night to study and eating their way through the midnight hour. The fact that Didier has managed to take on a life change like he has while completing this rigorous curriculum is somewhat miraculous in itself.

In the beginning, all Didier could really do for exercise was walk, which at that weight was difficult and often painful but, he says, very rewarding. “I had to be willing to change the way I looked at food. I had to stop thinking of it as an entertainment and a way to make myself feel better when I was feeling down, or something to do when I was bored. Food was an addiction for me. I had no concept of stopping eating when I was full. I didn’t know what full was. I ate as much as I put in front of myself, which was always more than I could ever need. This is a problem that I will always deal with,” he explains, adding “I have battled my weight all of my life and had always wanted to lose weight but for most of my life was unsuccessful at making any real losses. This primarily was because I refused to believe that I couldn’t eat what I wanted and still lose weight. I was completely wrong. There are foods that serve no purpose other than to just please yourself, and those were the only foods I was interested in,” he muses.

Didier currently weighs 210 and intends to make it through the holidays being disciplined in order to reach his goal of 200 pounds. “I think what people need to understand most about weight loss is that it takes a long time to become very overweight and it takes even longer to lose that weight and keep it off,” he said. Also noting that there is no one thing that will make it happen for you.

Once again, education comes into play. “I had to learn how to properly do various types of physical activity like lifting. I had to learn about nutrition. I started doing Crossfit at my local gym with a trainer named Lee Jacobsen. He helped me not only with my workouts but with nutrition,” Didier says, referring to a popular core strength and conditioning program.

“The advice he gave me was very simple. In the beginning he just educated me about the foods I should no longer eat, which basically were anything fried or breaded, and no potatoes,” Didier said. Following Jacobsen’s advice, combined with the workout, Didier began to lose weight faster than he ever thought possible. “I had already stopped drinking soda and sugary drinks which serve no practical purpose in any person’s diet in my opinion. I now follow a diet consisting of good lean proteins, fruits and vegetables. I am never hungry and I rarely suffer from cravings other than the desire for ice cream on occasion.” What he has been learning in the nursing classes at Northeastern Junior College has provided great reinforcement to what he’s learning in the gym. Eat well. Exercise often.

“I ran the Oktoberfest 5K this year with a time of 27:22, so I was the middle of the pack of that group of people,” he proudly tells. “The furthest I have run without stopping is 6.77 miles in one hour. This is very significant considering where I came from. My current weight is 210. I intend to reach my goal of 200 pounds. I think what people need to understand most about weight loss is that it takes a long time to become very overweight and it takes even longer to lose that weight and keep it off.”

Didier’s primary interests in nursing are to work in the emergency room and in intensive care. He also enjoys working on the acute care floor which is where he expects to begin his career. No doubt, in the fast paced world of emergency medicine, it will serve him well to be thinner and more physically fit.

“Everything that I have learned on this journey to health as well as my education in nursing will help me in the future,” Didier says. “I would like to use my experience with the struggle of being very overweight to help others going through the same things in their lives. I would like to at some point help overweight teens and children to become more active, as this was the time in my life that I began to be overweight.”

Didier says that the biggest thing he has taken from this experience is that for him, diet and exercise were not by themselves enough. His success has required that he educate himself about food and find options that allow him to eat to live, not live to eat. “I have no doubt that what I am doing now is more than sustainable,” he said.

Didier claims the hardest thing for him in this journey was getting started, choosing to see his blind spots when it came to nutrition and then overcome them. Now that he is where he’s ad, he refuses to ever go back. “I know now that it is possible to overcome being overweight but will never say it is easy. I can’t imagine what might be harder, but the only things in this life that are truly worth having don’t come easy,” he advises.

“The greatest reward for me has been being able to play with my kids without having to rest, being able to run until they want to stop and not the other way around. I feel like I am an example of what to be for my sons and that means everything to me.”

You can bet his sons were in the audience cheering him on during the pinning ceremony at NJC last Thursday night. This Christmas, this family looks forward to celebrating a healthier dad with a new, albeit non-traditional career.

Thursday reception to introduce new warden to community

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:20:00 -0700

Northeastern Junior College will join with the Colorado Department of Corrections to host a reception this Thursday, December 22nd from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in honor of James Falk, the new warden assigned to the Sterling Correctional Facility.

The reception will be held in the Tennant Art Gallery located in the Hays Student Center. It is a come and go reception, open to the public. Refreshments will be served. It is an opportunity for individuals to meet the new warden in person during a public event.

Falk was formerly the assistant warden at the Limon Correctional Facility and is now overseeing the Sterling prison. He replaces Kevin Milyard.

College carolers brighten up finals week

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:06:00 -0700

Carolers brighten up the office of the interim president during a meeting.

Let the Holiday Break Begin

Referring to themselves as “associated strange people” at Northeastern Junior College, a small group of faculty and students, most of them math and chemistry enthusiasts, were making their way across campus on Thursday singing carols for others to enjoy. These were, however, no ordinary carols!

“Jingle Bells” became “Photo Cells” and lines like “jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way” was replaced with “grads of dels, colored gels, diffraction grating blaze…” yes, the kind of lyric lingo only the science-minded can really relate to. While caroling, they stopped by the office of interim president Scott Stump and interrupted his meeting long enough to do a sing-along with Stump (far right), Maret Felzien (foreground middle) and Kevin Stump (no relation to Scott).

Robinson recognized by NJC diesel program

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:03:00 -0700

Presenting Robinson with the award is Aaron Hettinger (right), outside sales manager for NAPA.

Nathan Robinson of Denver (left), was selected as the NAPA Student of the Month for October. Robinson is a freshman enrolled in the Diesel Technology program at Northeastern Junior College. He was selected for the NAPA award based on his outstanding academic performance in the classroom and his work ethic demonstrated in completing objectives in the shop. Presenting Robinson with the award is Aaron Hettinger (right), outside sales manager for NAPA. For his achievement, Robinson received a $25 gift certificate and an engraved plaque. NJC and NAPA have partnered on this award for many years. The monthly recognition is rotated through the diesel tech, collegiate automotive tech and the secondary high school automotive programs, recognizing students from all three programs each school year. (Courtesy Photo)

Koch wins monthly auto tech award

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:02:00 -0700

Presenting Koch with the award is Aaron Hettinger (left), outside sales manager for NAPA.

Lyle Koch(right), a junior at Sterling High School, a student in the secondary automotive program at Northeastern Junior College was named the NAPA Student of the Month for November. Koch was selected for the award based on his academic performance in the classroom and his participation in lab activities in the service area of the program. Students from several area high schools participate in the secondary automotive program at NJC. They spend time on the college’s north campus working on auto-related projects during the school year. Students in the program also do the upkeep on a race car that is run on area tracks during the summer and fall. For being selected, Koch received an engraved plaque and a $25 gift certificate for the NAPA Auto and Truck Parts Store in Sterling. NAPA has sponsored these monthly awards for many years in an ongoing partnership with the college. Presenting Koch with the award is Aaron Hettinger (left), outside sales manager for NAPA. (Courtesy Photo)

Bartling selected for auto tech award

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:00:00 -0700

Presenting the award to Jason is Aaron Hettinger (right), outside sales representative for the NAPA Auto and Truck Parts store located in Sterling.

Jason Bartling (right) of Lodge Pole, NE was selected as the NAPA Student of the Month for September by the Northeastern Junior College Automotive Technology program. He was chosen for the award based on outstanding performance in both the classroom and the service lab. Students are selected for the award by the instructors in the program based on academic performance and overall participation in the program. Jason is a sophomore at NJC and is working to complete his associate’s degree in automotive technology. Presenting the award to Jason is Aaron Hettinger (right), outside sales representative for the NAPA Auto and Truck Parts store located in Sterling. NAPA has presented these monthly awards for well over 10 years now. Each winning student receives an engraved plaque and a $25 gift certificate. (Courtesy Photo)

Girdler Steps Down as Volleyball Coach

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:16:00 -0700

Sterling, CO - After two years of extreme success, Head Coach Amber Girdler has decided to step down as the Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at Northeastern Junior College. Her announcement came shortly after the Plainswomen were eliminated from the Region IX Tournament.

“This was an extremely tough decision for my family and me,” explains Girdler. “My passion for this sport, this program and the entire NJC family is unquestionable. The relationships I have built with past and current players are what has driven me to coach. This past year has been quite a challenge for me personally; getting married and giving birth to my daughter in July has opened up the doors to the next phase in my life and I feel that it is now time to shift my priorities and focus on my family. I am beyond grateful to everyone at Northeastern Junior College and this past year's team for their commitment and hard work to carrying on the Plainswomen volleyball tradition. I look forward to following them next year. I really believe that this year's freshmen class has a chance to leave their own mark in already strong legacy. Thank you!”

Amber amassed a record of 52-15 in her two year stint at the helm of Northeastern Junior College and led her team to being ranked as high as #10 in the nation. Amber will be extremely missed not only as a coach but as a member of the tightly knit coaching staff at Northeastern Junior College. Northeastern Junior College will begin a nationwide search for Amber’s replacement immediately.

Semi Finalists for NJC President Named

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:57:00 -0700

STERLING – The national search for a president for Northeastern Junior College (NJC) began in September and a search committee comprised of college employees, local business leaders and other educational leaders from across the state has been working to screen and conduct preliminary interviews of applicants in order to identify those most suited to be considered for the role of president.

The search is necessary to replace the former president, Dr. Lance Bolton, who was selected to fill the presidency at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs earlier this summer, after having served at NJC since 2006. Scott Stump, Colorado Community College System (CCCS) Assistant Provost for Career and Technical Education and a local resident of Stoneham, has been serving as the NJC interim president during the search process.

The Colorado Community College System today announced that the search committee has named five semi-finalists for consideration to become the permanent president for NJC.

The five semi-finalists include:

Dr. Gregory Benson, currently the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs & Student Services at Utah State University-College of Eastern Utah, in Price, Utah;
Mr. Jay A. Lee, J.D., currently the Vice President for Instruction at North Idaho College in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho;
Dr. Donald Pearl, currently the Vice President of Instruction/Chief Academic Officer at Central Arizona College in Coolidge, Arizona;
Dr. Randy L. Smith, currently President of Rural Community College Alliance in Olustee, Oklahoma;
Dr. Mark Van Den Hende, formerly Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty at Waycross College in Waycross, Georgia.

The presidential candidates will visit NJC’s campus Monday, December 12 and Tuesday, December 13 to participate in public forums. All sessions will help the college’s constituents learn about the candidates, their backgrounds and experiences, leadership style, and philosophy on a variety of issues.

The public forums are scheduled as follows and will all be held in the Tennant Art Gallery in the Hays Student Center on the NJC campus.

Candidate	Date & Time
Randy Smith	Monday, December 12 at 1 p.m.
Jay Lee	Monday, December 12 at 2 p.m.
Greg Benson	Tuesday, December 13 at 1 p.m.
Don Pearl	Tuesday, December 13 at 2 p.m.
Mark Van Den Hende	Tuesday, December 13 at 3 p.m.

If you are unable to attend the public forums on Monday and Tuesday, there will also be a public reception held at the Hays Student Center, Tennant Art Gallery on Monday, December 12, 2011 from 6 – 7 p.m. All candidates will be present and guests will have an opportunity to visit with them on a one-on-one basis. Refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

All of those who attend the forums and the reception will be asked to complete a feedback form providing their thoughts and input regarding the candidates. Every feedback form submitted will be read by the members of the search committee and Dr. Nancy McCallin, CCCS President, prior to the final selection of a new president. The feedback from the college constituents is highly encouraged and regarded in the decision making process.

The Colorado Community College System comprises the state's largest system of higher education, serving more than 162,000 students annually. CCCS oversees career and academic programs in the 13 state community colleges and career and technical programs in more than 160 school districts and seven other post-secondary institutions.

NJC vocal recital December 1st

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:27:00 -0700

The Northeastern Junior College music department will treat the community to a vocal recital this Thursday evening at 7 p.m. in the Tennant Art Gallery in Hays Student Center. The event follows the Parade of Lights and families are encouraged to stop at the campus to warm up with cider and chocolate and sounds of the season. There is a $2 admission fee to the event.

This vocal recital will be a final performance for voice students that have been studying for the last 13 weeks during the Fall Semester. According to program director Celeste Delgado-Pelton, the college has some phenomenal vocalists this semester. Performances will be made by the students as well as the teachers, Kristina Abernathy and Christienne Bloom, two vocal superstars that drive to Sterling two days a week from the University of Northern Colorado to teach voice lessons here.

Another musical performance will follow on Saturday, December 10th and 7 p.m. in the Corsberg Theater in E. S. French Hall when the NJC Winter Ensemble Concert takes place. This event will also have a $2.00 cover charge.

NJC art faculty shine bright in year-end show

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:39:00 -0700

Beautiful examples of work created by NJC art instructors is currently on display on campus in the Peter L. Youngers Fine Arts Gallery in E. S. French Hall. A reception for the faculty-artists will be held on Friday, December 9th at 4 p.m. at the gallery. (Courtesy Photo)

Public reception for artists on Friday, Dec. 9th

Northeastern Junior College’s final gallery exhibition of the Fall 2011 semester will feature the work of its own artistically talented faculty. Rich with a variety of media from ceramics to painting to photography, the show reflects the diverse range of abilities found among the gifted faculty at Northeastern (NJC). The show is on display now in the Peter L. Youngers Find Arts Gallery located inside the main floor of E. S. French Hall, adjacent to Corsberg Theatre.

Among the artists exhibiting this year will be long-time NJC art faculty members Larry Prestwich, Pete Youngers, Joyce May, Tim Boothby, and new instructor Emily Vines. The collection truly represents the vibrant legacy that the visual arts have had at NJC over the years.

The NJC Faculty Show will be on display from November 21st to December 16th 2011, with a reception for guests and artists held on Friday, December 9th at 4 p.m. in the gallery. Guests attending the reception will enjoy refreshments and the musical offerings of NJC guitar students as they perform during the course of the reception.

Handmade stained glass ornaments and student portrait sketches will also be available for sale as perfect Christmas gifts. The reception is free and open to the public.

If you’re unable to make the reception, but would like to see the work on display, you may visit E. S. French Hall during the day, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the gallery is usually open, or can be opened by request if you stop by the Liberal Arts Department office on the main floor.

NJC Basketball Teams to Host Food Drive

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:11:00 -0700

Sterling, CO – The men’s and women’s basketball teams return home this weekend after nearly three weeks on the road. Both teams are improving immensely and have competed against some of the nation’s best teams. Coach Parker and Coach Trenkle know there is room for improvement and understand that this season is a marathon and not a sprint.

“We need to give a lot of credit to our kids,” explains Coach Eddie Trenkle. “We have suffered some heart breaking losses on the road; however our kids come every single day to practice with the goal to get better. Coach Soza and I really believe we are on the verge of something special. Every day at practice we preach the importance of togetherness, selflessness and teamwork, and these kids are starting to buy in.”

This weekend both the Northeastern Junior College teams will be hosting talent from across the Midwest at the Bank of Colorado Shoot-Out. The men’s team will host nationally ranked, Casper College, Air Force Prep and North Platte Community College. While the women are set to play Fort Carson Air Force Base and the Northeastern All Stars. Games will begin Friday at 1:30 PM. The Northeastern women tip off at 5:30 PM followed by the men at 7:30 PM on Friday and Saturday respectively.

Admission will be free for each individual person when they bring two (2) nonperishable cans of food to the gate on Friday and Saturday. All donations will be donated to Cooperative Ministry here in Sterling, CO.

Schell wins campus contest

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:34:00 -0700

Kendra Schell (left) of Buena Vista was named the winner of the 2011 Plainsman Grill Dinner for Two Giveaway. Helping make the presentation are left to right: Sue Van Pelt, administrative assistant in the document /mail center on campus, Martha Gareis, director of the center, and Jennifer Burmester, food and beverage manager at the Plainsman Grill.

Northeastern Junior College sophomore Kendra Schell from Buena Vista was the lucky winner of the Fall 2011 contest on campus to win a free dinner for two at the Plainsman Grill.

Her name was among 100 students who entered a contest being held by the mail and document center on campus. Through the Campus Cash promotion which is kicked off each Fall semester, among helping students get familiar with various local businesses who want to offer coupon deals to the new “customers” arriving in town, students are also encouraged to visit the mail and document center on campus and become familiar with its whereabouts. It is this center where they have to come to pick up any packages that come to them during the school year. From textbooks ordered online and goodie boxes from family to flower arrangements sent on Valentine’s Day and a place to buy a few stamps to mail correspondence, it is the mail center on campus that receives these kinds of items and requests. The staff gives such items special handling and then notifies students to come and get them in Walker Hall. There is also a print center located in this same building where students can get copies made for various purposes related to their academics.
Students are told that they get a free candy bar just for visiting the center and entering the drawing. The contest is also a way to make students aware of the Plainsman Grill and to help identify it as one of many great places to choose from when deciding to dine off campus.

Ironically, Schell’s roommate is the one that entered her in the contest. You can bet the roommate will be hitting her up to be her guest for the dinner out. Schell completed the NJC cosmetology program last year and has returned to campus this year to work on a business degree. She is the granddaughter of Irma Schell of Sterling.

Spring registration happening now at NJC

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:29:00 -0700

Pictured here is Professor Mike Anderson, head of the college’s agriculture program consulting with his advisees during a break out session in Beede-Hamil Hall on Wednesday. One of the things that still makes NJC stand out from other colleges is that much of the student advising is still done by faculty members, in addition to the counseling center on campus. At many schools, students take a number and wait in line to see a random counselor during registration sessions.

Wednesday was an “all advising” day on campus. Classes were not held so that current students could have time to meet with academic advisors and select classes for Spring Semester 2012 which begins January 17, 2012. Class registration is now open to all spring students, including those enrolling for the first time. To get the process going to enroll at NJC for spring, students should make sure they have applied for admission in person at the admissions office or online at www.njc.edu and then schedule an appointment through the counseling office. Both the admissions office and the counseling office are located in Hays Student Center and are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

NJC Cagers Return Home

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:01:00 -0700

Sterling, CO – The 2011-2012 Northeastern Junior College Men’s and Women’s basketball team open up their home portion of their schedule this week. After traveling over 1500 miles each over the past week, both teams are anxious to return home and compete in front of their local fans, and their student body.

“We are excited to play on our own court, sleep in our own beds and use our own locker rooms,’ explains women’s coach Darrell Parker. “One thing about myself and Coach Trenkle is we like challenges. To start the season up with three consecutive road games is uncommon, however our girls responded quite well.”

The women’s team is 3-0 with wins over Air Force Prep, Gillette and Dawson, all quality opponents. The Plainswomen are led by solid sophomore play and are expected to make a push for the Region IX title. They return an experience group of sophomores that are starting to receive attention by multiple four year schools. The women will host the Ramada Inn Classic this upcoming weekend and play host to defending Region IX Champion, Casper College as well as Fort Carson Air Force Base. Both games start at 5:30 pm respectively on Friday and Saturday.

The Plainsmen have traveled over 2200 miles over the past two weeks and return home with a 0-3 record. Coach Trenkle has not even come close to hitting the panic button; he remains extremely opportunistic about his team’s development over the upcoming weeks.

“When we set up this schedule, we knew this would be a challenge,” explains Head Coach Eddie Trenkle. “We wanted to test our kids’ character and unity; they have responded quite well. Coach Soza and I are committed to producing a winning product that Northeastern Junior College can be proud of. We are excited to play at home for the first time, and I know our kids are extremely excited to defend our home court. We have a chance to have a special year, we know it and our kids know it.”

The Plainsmen open their home portion of the schedule on Wednesday night against McCook Community College at 6 PM. They also host a couple of teams at the Ramada Inn Classic NW Wyoming College and Lamar College JV. Both games will begin 7:30 pm respectively on Friday and Saturday.

The Beef Booster will be hosting a “Hamburger Feed” on Friday prior to the start of the women’s game, starting at 5:00 pm. Come out and support both the Plainsmen and Plainswomen as they make a push for the Region IX title.

NJC Theatre presents Cheaters this weekend

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:07:00 -0700

Photo cutline: Allen, played by Ethan Merrill (far right), tries to get advice about love from his parents Sam (center) played by Brant Davis and Monica (left) played by MaryEllen Lyons during the stage play, The Cheaters, happening this weekend at NJC. Curtains open at 7 p.m. tonight, Friday and Saturday in the Dorothy Corsberg Theatre in E.S. French Hall.

The theatre program at Northeastern Junior College, under the direction of Aaron Crutchfield, will present “Cheaters” this weekend. The curtain will open nightly at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening in the Dorothy Corsberg Theatre on campus in the E. S. French Building.

Cheaters is a progressive new play written by Dennis L. Reed and produced by Dennis L. Reed Productions as a follow-up to the hit He Said She Said production that swept the country several years ago. Cheaters first run was in February of this year in the historical Charles H. Wright Museum of Africa American History in Detroit. It had three shows run that were sold out every time, attracting over 1,000 people in two days. The play has moved around the country since that time by popular demand. The NJC theatre program, which includes only actors who are enrolled as students on campus, takes a bold step in bringing this brand new play to northeastern Colorado.
Cheaters is centered around the idea that one man’s pleasure is another man’s treasure. The play is about how people make choices in love and then thrive or merely survive.

Allen and Michelle struggle to commit to each other. They turn to their parents (Sam & Monica and Howard & Grace) for help, but sometimes the family member you ask for guidance , is struggling with their own needs and questions! In this play by strange circumstance, the parents of Allen and Michelle, end up finding comfort and redirecting their passion toward the corresponding spouse of their partner’s affair. Both their parents are cheating, but what they don’t know is that they have switched partners.

Some have called this play the funny side of the unfunny subject of adultery. Others have called it the philosophy of philandering. Either way it is a chance to think about love, personal needs, commitment and what it all really means to you. You get the boy’s point of view and the girl’s point of view too! In the play there are some scenes with a bit of kissing, but no hard language or nudity.

A lively cast has been working through rehearsals, costuming and memorizing of lines for several months now in order to bring this play to the stage. Ethan Merrill plays the role of Allen and MaryEllen Lyons is Monica. Merrill is from Sterling and has starred in former production of Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest. He is on the improv comedy troupe as well. Lyons is from Hartsel, CO, deep in the Colorado Rockies. She has studied some acting and modeling, even competing in New York at the 2009 Model and Talent Association competition. She has acted in school productions, church plays, community theatre programs, and homeschooling programs. This is her first collegiate production. Sam is placed by Brant David, a freshman from Haxtun, who enjoyed high school theatre performances there. Grace is being played by Brook Zuege, a sophomore education major who enjoyed having earlier roles her freshman year in The God Committee and I, Oedipus. Michelle is played by local talent Mindy Harms and Howard’s role is taken on by Mitchell Dow, a sophomore acting in his first NJC production. .

Tickets for the production are $5 at the box office located just outside the theatre’s entrance. NJC students, faculty and staff are admitted free.

College fair tonight at NJC still a go

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:14:00 -0600

Despite the nice blanket of snow that greeted Northeastern Colorado this morning, the large college fair set to take place tonight at Northeastern Junior College is still a go. A similar fair was scheduled for Holyoke today and it has been cancelled due to the storm, but the fair at NJC will be held at planned. The Colorado Council on High School and College Relations (CCHSCR) organization, which holds college fairs for both in-state and out of state colleges all across Colorado will hold a fair tonight on NJC’s campus from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. An estimated 50 colleges are expected to converge in the Bank of Colorado Event Center. It is a great opportunity for students and parents to come and visit with college representatives. NJC students often attend the event to pick up information for transferring on to the next level once they complete their studies in Sterling. The CCHSCR holds a fair every year in Sterling. The location of the fair alternates from year to year between Sterling High School and the college. This is the college’s year to be the host site. A financial aid presentation will take place at 5 p.m. prior to the start of the college fair.

NJC hosts large college fair Wednesday night

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:30:00 -0600

Each year a major college fair is held in northeastern Colorado to allow high school students from throughout this area to visit with representatives from nearly 50 colleges. The event’s location is alternated each year between Sterling High School and Northeastern Junior College. This year’s fair, which will include an estimated 22 in-state colleges and 25 out-of-state colleges will be held at NJC on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2011 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. A special session on financial aid for the college bound student and parents will be held at 5 p.m. prior to the college fair.

The college fair, which is sponsored by the Colorado Council on High School and College Relations as part of its state-wide day/night circuit, will be held in the Bank of Colorado Event Center. This fair really is the only opportunity each year for high school students and their parents to be able to talk to so many colleges in one location. In past years, as many as 300 students plus their parents have been at the event.

The event is free and open to the public. High school students from this area of Colorado especially, are encouraged to attend these fairs.

4 Year 4 You Campaign Seeks to Increase College Transfers

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:09:00 -0600

Regent Steve Ludwig Tours State To Showcase New Opportunities For Community College Students

Denver, CO – In an effort to increase the number of community college students who transfer from a two-year to a four-year college or university, the “4 Year 4” You tour will visit all of Colorado’s public community colleges October 31 through November 4, 2011 to raise awareness about the resources available to Colorado students to ease this transition.

The goal of the “4 Year 4 You” campaign is to reach over 1,000 students across Colorado and to provide information about the programs that are available for students to transfer from a two-year public community college to a four-year public college or university. At each campus, volunteers will talk with students about guaranteed admissions to four-year schools, dual enrollment, and other transfer programs.

Stephen Ludwig, a former community college student and current University of Colorado Regent, has organized the initiative and tour with the help of donors and volunteers in the education arena. The campaign’s partners include College In Colorado, an initiative of the Colorado Department of Higher Education; the Colorado Community College System, including the presidents at each campus; and the Public Education Business Coalition, a non-profit partnership of Colorado education and business leaders.

The mission of the “4 Year 4 You” tour is to provide students with the information and resource to pursue their higher education plans beyond a two-year college, while also providing awareness about the important role the community colleges play within Colorado and the value to students who begin their college career on these campuses across Colorado.

“On any given year, less than five percent of public community college students transfer to a public four year school. Many students are unaware of the resources available to assist them in this transition, and I believe Colorado can do better,” said Regent Ludwig. “One of the best ways to increase our percentage of students continuing on this path is to provide them with knowledge about programs like the University of Colorado’s. We are essentially touring the state to offer students the tools to successfully complete a bachelor’s degree and resources that I wish I had when I was attending community college.”

For more information, or to schedule an interview, contact Stephen Ludwig, at 303.668.6084 or Steve.Ludwig@CU.edu.

Scheduled Visits

Friday, Nov. 4
Northeastern Junior College
8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.