Northeastern Junior College News Releases

Northeastern to honor three retirees on Monday

Tue, 07 May 2013 14:01:00 -0600

Northeastern Junior College will honor its three 2013 retirees with a special reception to be held on Monday, May 13th from 3 to 5 p.m. Being honored will be Sandy Kester, Darrel Parker and Joleen Rinaldo. The event will be held in room 230 of Hays Student Center. The reception is free and open to the public.

Sandy Kester was an Administrative Assistant II in the Liberal Arts Department on campus. She began her employment at Northeastern in September 1976 and retired on September 30, 2012 with 36 years of continuous service in a permanent position. Very active in the classified staff organization on campus, Kester received the President’s Service Above Self Award in 2000-2001. She served on a number of committees over the years, but most notably was on the Academic Assessment Team in 2002

Darrel Parker joined NJC in October of 2006 and served as a physical education/math instructor and Head Women’s Basketball Coach, a position he will formally leave on June 30th. He proved five years of continuous service in a permanent position. He came to NJC from Sterling High School where he had been a math teacher and coach for many years. In 2007, Parker won the coveted Joel E. Mack Award at NJC, a faculty award given through popular vote by the students on campus.

Joleen Rinaldo joined NJC in August 1998 as a Secondary Med-Prep Instructor / HOSA Advisor and will also formally retired on June 30th of 2012 with 14 years of continuous service in a permanent position. Rinaldo produced HOSA students and HOSA Teams that competed well at the state and national levels. She was named to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 2002 and was named the Colorado HOSA Advisor of the Year for 2010.

Lake Reed signs with Northeastern

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:03:00 -0600

Sterling, CO - Coach Eddie Trenkle is excited to announce the signing of Poudre High School guard Lake Reed. Reed is a 6’4” combo guard that can play multiple positions and has a chance to develop into a nice student-athlete. This past spring Lake participated in the prestigious All Star game, “The Show,” which recognizes the premier high school player in the state of Colorado.

Lake averaged twenty three points, eleven rebounds and four assists for the Impalas this past year. “Lake’s overall skill level and basketball IQ really stuck out to me during the recruiting process,” explains Head Coach Eddie Trenkle, “Coach Hawes at Poudre has done an amazing job developing Lake into a complete player. Lake’s ability to shoot and handle the ball, get his teammates involved and guard any position, will make his transition to junior college basketball smooth.”

“They have a history of turning players out and pushing people to get to the next level,” Reed said, regarding signing with Northeaster. “I feel like NJC is a great place to start. The Number One thing to me is their focus on winning.” Reed said he is excited to join the Plainsmen and push himself to a whole new level.”

Spring Ensemble Concert on Saturday

Mon, 06 May 2013 14:42:00 -0600

Event to feature sale of pottery items and other art

Always a favorite end of year event for those who attend, the annual Northeastern Junior College (NJC) Spring Ensemble Concert will be held on Saturday, May 11th 7:00 p.m. It will be held in the Dorothy Corsberg Theatre in E. S. French Hall.

This event is a concert featuring the NJC Women’s Chamber Ensemble, the NJC Contemporary Choir, and the NJC Community Jazz Band. If you have a mother coming to town for Mother’s Day, this is a great outing for Saturday evening. It will be a show that all ages are sure to enjoy.

“The groups are sounding better than ever this year,” notes Celeste Delgado-Pelton, director of the college’s music program. “It should be a fabulous concert!”

A reception will follow the concert, to be held in the Peter L. Youngers Art Gallery, sponsored by Bank of Colorado. Bank of Colorado has been a wonderful supporter of the art and music programs at Northeastern for the past two years and the receptions have added a special touch to these performance events. During the reception, which will feature wonderful refreshments, there will be a pottery sale featuring one-of-a-kind, custom art pieces made by college students. If you haven’t purchased a Mother’s Day gift yet, this is a great opportunity to pick up a beautifully hand-crafted item, all reasonably priced. There will also be a silent auction on custom art pieces made by faculty in the department. Proceeds from this event and the sales will benefit the performing and visual arts programming at Northeastern.

The Saturday night concert and reception is free to NJC faculty, staff, and students with ID and $3 admission for community members.

“The stronger the reputation of the music program, the more enrollment we receive,” Delgado notes. Indicating that these shows are a wonderful way for Northeastern to showcase the talent of the students and the quality of the program. “I have invited a handful of prospective students to this concert. We are working hard to continue to build the reputation of the NJC music program throughout the region.”

As an added bonus, the annual art show featuring the work of NJC students is currently on display in the Peter L. Youngers Art Gallery. Those who attend the concert and reception will be able to also enjoy these wonderful art creations on display. This show runs through May 13th and can be seen Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. A closing reception for this last gallery show of the year will be held on May 13th at 5 p.m.

Northeastern steer wrestler David Hinman has great timing

Mon, 06 May 2013 11:14:00 -0600

By Jack Nowlin, Star Tribune Staff Writer

Laramie, WY--The bulldogger had a 4.8-second run Sunday to win the short go-round and the average at the Laramie River Rendezvous. Hinman also won the long go with a 5.3 to finish the weekend with 180 points, which was enough to push him into a tie for second place in the final Central Rocky Mountain Region standings.

With the top three individuals in each event qualifying for next month’s College National Finals Rodeo at the Casper Events Center, Hinman’s big weekend was enough to earn him an automatic berth to college rodeo’s showcase event.

“It was a team effort,” Hinman said. “We had been pushing each other in practice the last couple of weeks because we knew we all had a chance to qualify.”

Northeastern bulldoggers swept the top three places in the final CRMR standings, with Caleb Weddle finishing first with 330 points followed by Hinman and Tylor Bond with 325 points apiece. In the bunched regional standings, Bond entered the weekend tied for third place, while Weddle was tied for 14th and Hinman was outside the top 15.

“We were all pretty much in the same position,” Hinman said. “We knew if we had a good rodeo we could all qualify.”

Hinman wasn’t the only competitor who used a strong performance at the Laramie River Rendezvous to jump into the top three and earn a berth to the CNFR.

Lysite’s Coralee Spratt, a freshman at NJC, finished sixth in breakaway roping and scored enough points to vault from fifth to third in the standings. And Chadron State College’s Shelby Winchell won the goat tying event to move from fourth to third and earn her second CNFR qualification.

The team races weren’t as dramatic, with the Eastern Wyoming College (4,303.3 points) holding off Gillette College (4,070) for the regional men’s title and NJC (2,705) capturing the women’s title just ahead of Gillette College (2,675).

“This is a great feeling,” Eastern Wyoming coach Jake Clark said. “It’s a reward for how hard these guys worked all year.

“I had a special feeling about this team at the start of the year, and about the second or third rodeo I could see that we could win this if we just kept competing like I knew we could.”

EWC team ropers Derek Weinreis and Levi O’Keeffe won the region with the team of Troy Wilcox and Cotey Hanson finishing second. Wilcox also claimed the CRMR all-around title.

Gillette was led by a trio of repeat CNFR qualifiers, with Casey Breuer winning his second consecutive bareback bronc riding saddle, and tie-down roper Dane Kissack and saddle bronc rider Travis Nelson also qualifying.

Central Wyoming College’s Colton Miller won the saddle bronc title Sunday with a two-head score of 146 points and won the CRMR crown for the second year in a row.

“Winning it again was my goal since the season started,” Miller said. “I’m ready to get back to the [CNFR] because last year it was my first time there and I was a little nervous; this year I’m ready.”

Other regional winners were Sheridan College bull rider Taygen Schuelke and tie-down roper Mitch McAdow from Chadron State.

The Northeastern women’s team rode the performances of Spratt and CRMR all-around winner Hayden Segelke to win the regional title for the first time in years.

Segelke, who won the barrel racing title and will be making her second trip to the CNFR, expects this year’s trip to Casper to be even better than last year’s.

“Last year was fun,” she said, “but going with the team is great. After the first couple of rodeos we knew we had a chance, but this is above and beyond what I imagined.”

Wyoming's Kaycee Nelson won breakaway roping for the second time in three years and CWC’s Shaylee Hance finished atop the goat tying standings.

Contact sports reporter Jack Nowlin at 307-266-0528 or jack.nowlin@trib.com. Follow him on Twitter @CASJackN

Joseph Uke Signs with Northeastern

Thu, 02 May 2013 08:41:00 -0600

Sterling, CO - Northeastern and Coach Eddie Trenkle are excited to announce that Joseph Uke has signed to play on the 2013-2014 basketball team at NJC. Coach Trenkle says that Joe is an up tempo high flying guard that runs, jumps, dunks and shoots. He will be a great addition to the already deep NJC team that will be returning next year.

Joe comes to Northeastern from El Paso, Texas where he played for a premiere AAU team, The New Mexico Force. While playing for the New Mexico Force, Joe often made the crowds cheer with his explosive dunks and acrobatic plays. Joe has an uncanny ability to get to the basket and finish. He also has worked hard on his outside game and will be able to stretch defenses. Probably his strongest trait is being able to use his Supreme athleticism and guard on the ball. Coach Trenkle thinks that he has found a guy that can get Northeastern back to where they want to be in March and that is Hutchinson Kansas, playing in the National Junior College Tournament.

Coach Eddie Trenkle and the program are looking forward to Joe joining the Plainsmen.

Northeastern to offer free summer bridge program

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:11:00 -0600

Grant funded “Close the Gap” program will help students move on to degree level courses

NJC advisory board members Rich O’Connell and John Chapdelaine look over the Close the Gap brochures that were handed out at their April meeting during a question and answer session about the program. Close the Gap offers an exceptional opportunity for area students to get some college courses totally free this summer. (Courtesy Photo)

In Colorado, as is the case across much of the nation, studies show that 40 percent of the 2011 high school graduates required some level of remedial coursework to bring them up to the skill level required for college degree level studies in reading, math and English. Colorado, like many other states, has adopted testing standards through the ACT Test or the Accuplacer Test to determine what level students are at in these three key areas. Failure to score at a certain level mandates that the students take special preparatory classes to help prepare them for higher college level courses.

These classes are not only expensive, but they also consume financial aid dollars that would otherwise be spent actually doing classwork related to a major. To help some students close this gap, Northeastern is offering a special summer bridge program. Funded by a grant from the Colorado Community College System, the bridge program is completely free for those students who take advantage of it. The tuition, fees and books are entirely paid for through the grant. For qualifying commuting students from outlying areas beyond Sterling, housing may also be available free. Ask for details.

Students who are incoming juniors or seniors in high school, who have just graduated from high school and are college-bound in the fall, or current students at NJC who need the offered classes may enroll in the Close the Gap program which runs concurrent to the college’s summer semester. Classes will be held June 3 through July 18th. Some classes end as early as July 3rd. All junior and seniors at Sterling High School and surrounding high schools will have had the chance to take the ACT or Accuplacer test already and should know their scores in these areas of math, reading and English.

In preparatory classes, there are currently three levels, explains Vice President of Academics Stanton Gartin. “We have 30 level classes, 60 level classes and 90 level classes,” he notes. “This summer bridge program is for the students who have tested into the 90 level. These are the students who need just a little retooling to be able to move on into the 100 level college classes.” Gartin goes on to say that students testing into the 30 and 60 levels need more extensive remediation and they will find this in the fall during the regular semester. He also notes that the community college system is reclassifying all developmental courses with full implementation set for the Fall 2014 semester. Classes listed as 30 and 60 levels now may be combined with a 45 level listing.

During the summer bridge program, students may take up to two 90 level classes and earn up to 9 college credits. “That can add up to as much as $1,400 in tuition, fees and books,” Gartin said, noting that it even is more valuable if the student takes advantage of the free housing that is also available. The classes to be offered in this specific bridge program include Math 96-Combined Into-Intermediate Algebra; Reading 90-College Preparatory Reading; and English 90-Basic Composition. In addition, an Academic Achievement Advancement class, AAA101, is also offered as part of the bridge program. It is a mandatory class on many campuses for students requiring remedial courses. It will be required as part of this summer bridge program as a student’s schedule will allow. If a student is planning to attend NJC in the fall, and their schedule will not allow them to take the AAA101 class this summer, they may take it in the fall and the summer bridge program will still cover the cost of the class as if they had taken it during the summer.

Most of the Close the Gap summer bridge program classes will all be held in the mornings Monday through Thursday and will be held in air conditioned classrooms. The Math 96 class is also held on Fridays.

This summer bridge program is especially valuable to students who will be juniors and seniors in high school. Students at area high schools who have college level skills may enroll in college classes their last two years of high school through the concurrent enrollment program available to them. “It is not uncommon for concurrent enrollment students to complete 20 to 30 college credits before they even graduate from high school,” notes Gartin. “Students who are just below that threshold, based on scores, may take these summer bridge classes and be ready for concurrent enrollment college classes by this fall.” Mandated by legislation, it is the responsibility of the high school to pay for these concurrent enrollment classes provided the student performs at a certain level academically.

“Our toughest goal here is to convince students to take advantage of this great offer,” notes Misti Lauer, Director of Academic Support Services at NJC, who is helping run this summer program. “That’s the last thing many students want to do is go right back to class. We’re hoping parents will read about this program and connect with their students and their test scores and if they need 90 level classes, we hope they will persuade their child to take advantage of this opportunity.” Lauer makes a special point to say that a student doesn’t have to be coming to NJC to college in the fall. “This program is available to these students who need it regardless where they plan to go to college.” And she notes, it is also available to out-of-state students who meet the earlier mentioned requirements. To get in the program students will have to have either ACT or Accuplacer test scores available and they will need to complete an NJC application for admission online if they have not ever done this. The Accuplacer test may be taken at NJC for a small fee if a student missed taking it at the high school when it was offered there.

An information session will be held on this summer bridge program on Tuesday, May 7th at 7 p.m. in the AV Room inside Knowles Hall, first floor in the library complex. All interested students and parents are encouraged to attend. In the meantime, questions may be answered by calling Lauer at (970) 521-6619.

Northeastern students help low income tax payers receive 364K in refunds

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:23:00 -0600

During the 2013 tax season, Northeastern Junior College partnered with the Denver-based Piton Foundation to provide free tax preparation assistance to low- to moderate-income families through the Tax Help Colorado program. At Northeastern’s free tax site located on the college’s campus, IRS-trained students filed 215 returns, helping local tax payers claim $364,603.00 in refunds.

This year, 12 students from Northeastern spent 538 hours preparing and filing returns for individuals with household incomes of less than $50,000, helping to alleviate the burden of commercial tax preparation costs on low-wage earners. Ninety-six percent of tax returns prepared by Tax Help Colorado were e-filed.

Many of the tax payers who visit Northeastern’s free tax site are eligible for tax benefits for working families with children such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). One of the nation’s most successful anti-poverty programs, the EITC promotes employment while providing valuable refunds to low-wage earners who oftentimes struggle to make ends meet for their families. At Northeastern’s Tax Help site, working families claimed $111,158.00 in EITC refunds this year.

In 2013, 16 colleges participating in Tax Help Colorado operated 26 free tax sites at 16 college campuses statewide. Overall, more than 9,200 individuals received free tax preparation services. In addition, the sites processed 236 prior-year returns, bringing the total number of returns filed to 9,444, which is a 33 percent increase over last year. Tax Help Colorado helped families claim more than $18.5 million in tax refunds in 2013, including nearly $6.8 million from the EITC.

For more information on Tax Help Colorado, please visit www.piton.org/eitc.

The Piton Foundation sponsors the Tax Credits for Working Families Public Information Campaign and Tax Help Colorado as part of its efforts to help move Colorado families from poverty and dependence to self-sufficiency. Piton is a private foundation located in Denver, Colorado. It was established in 1976 by Denver energy entrepreneur Sam Gary.

Reception and award ceremony to honor area artists

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:28:00 -0600

The work of area students from junior and senior high schools throughout the high plains has been on display at the Peter L. Youngers Art Gallery in E.S. French Hall on the campus of Northeastern Junior College as part of the High Plains Student Art Expo taking place this month. This show runs through Thursday, April 25th, and a closing reception and accompanying award ceremony will be held on that date, beginning at 4:30 p.m.
The High Plains Student Art Expo showcases the remarkable artistic talents of area high school students from Sterling, Caliche, Fleming, and Merino as well as junior high students from Caliche and Merino. The exhibition hosts an array of media including acrylic, scratchboard, ceramics and sketch art. Awards will be given for top entries and a number of categories and the artists will be available to interact with the public.
The reception will be your last opportunity to see this particular show. The reception is open to the public.
A new show will open on April 29th which will be the annual NJC Student Art Exhibition which is the last gallery show of the school year and showcases the work of college students from the past two semesters. It will run through May 13th.

“Old Dude”, a beautiful charcoal and pencil sketch done by Truitt Pacrish, a senior at Sterling High School is one of the fantastic entries in this year’s High Plains Student Art Expo. You have a last chance to see this wonderful art done by area students at a reception in their honor this Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at NJC. (Courtesy Photo)

Pickering wins auto tech award

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:26:00 -0600

Kody Pickering of Sterling was selected as the NAPA Student of the Month by the Northeastern Junior College automotive technology department. He is a freshman in the auto tech program, in his second semester of studies. Pickering was selected for this award based on his academic performance in both the classroom and the lab where the hands on work is being done as part of his training. Faculty in the automotive and diesel programs at the college select the recipients for this award.

NAPA Auto and Truck Parts in Sterling has been sponsoring this monthly award at the college for two decades now. Students are given a nice plaque and gift certificate to the store. The award is given monthly August through May and it is alternated among the students in the college’s auto tech program, the diesel technology program and the secondary auto tech program which consists of high school students on campus to get career and technical training as part of an area-wide program which is a partnership between NJC and BOCES. Pickering (left) is shown here receiving his award from Aaron Hettinger, outside sales manager for NAPA. (Courtesy Photo)

McDonald signs with Northeastern State

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:53:00 -0600

Sterling, CO - Northeastern Junior College Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Eddie Trenkle is pleased to announce 6’6” sophomore forward Jeremy McDonald has signed a National Letter of Intent with Northeastern State, a Division II powerhouse in Tahlequah, OK. Jeremy is the second of four sophomores who has chosen a school to continue his education and playing career. Jacob Lancaster signed with Division I Abilene Christian University during the early signing period in November.

Jeremy, a graduate from Millennium High School in Goodyear, AZ, made his way to Sterling, Colorado after helping Western Illinois Fighting Leathernecks to the College Basketball Invitation Tournament. Jeremy’s short time at Northeastern Junior College proved to be a productive one. “He was a constant,” explained Head Coach Eddie Trenkle, “The day Jeremy stepped on to campus he was a gym rat. He was either working on his shot, his dribble skills or just spending time in the training room trying to recuperate his body.”

McDonald averaged nine points and five rebounds and shot an amazing 89 percent from the free throw line this year for the Plainsmen. Upon returning from Christmas break Jeremy production nearly doubled with his biggest games coming against the conferences tough competition.

“Jeremy’s best basketball is ahead of him,” explains Coach Trenkle, “His work ethic and attitude will carry him a long way. We would have loved to have him for two years here, but we are also excited to see him move on. He has signed with a great program and will be working with an even better coaching staff that will maximize his potential.”

Northeastern releases results of Spring Fling run

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:05:00 -0600

Staff Report

Top: Francisco Rodriquez of Spain has been on a quest to run a race in every state in America while visiting this country. He chose the NJC Spring Fling 10K Run for his Colorado run, being named the top time in the 50 and over age division. (Courtesy Photo)
Middle: The Duggan Family were out in force during the first annual NJC Spring Fling Run. Dad Doug Duggan was second in his class and Luke Duggan and Josh Duggan were top placers in the 13-19 age division. Mom Debbie was their top supporter from the sideline. (Courtesy Photo)
Bottom: Peggy Swedlund, who has made huge milestones in her own fitness quest in recent years, finished her first 5K run ever during the Spring Fling. (Courtesy Photo)

The April 6th first annual Spring Fling Run sponsored by the Bank of Colorado Event Center at Northeastern Junior College drew 41 runners competing in five age categories for both the 5K and 10K classes.

Among those who were in Sterling to complete the run was Francisco Rodriquez of Spain who has been on a quest to run a race in every state in America while visiting this country. He completed the 10K, being named the top time in the 50 and over age division.

Following are first and second place listings by age. In the event only one name is listed, that is because they were the only completer in that particular age bracket. 5K placings were as follows: Age 12 and under: 1st place, Faith Trenkle (33.10); Age 13-19: 1st place Luke Duggan (24.14), 2nd place Josh Duggan(25.00); Age 20-34: 1st place, Mike McClaran 21.47); 2nd place Luis Colon (23.54); Age 35-49: 1st place Jodi Geis (26.42) and 2nd place Nicholas Miracle(29.53); Over age 50: 1st place John Jerman (22.14) and 2nd place Doug Duggan (25.02).

In the 10K run, in the 35-49 age bracket, Dale Walker was 1st place with a time of 42.20 followed by Jill Laybourn with a 47.55. In the 50 and over bracket, Francisco Rodriquez had the fastest time with 47.55 and Gene McKinley was second place running the race in 1:32:30.

“We had a really great time,” notes Kari Mueller, an assistant manager for the Bank of Colorado Event Center who also coordinates special events for the building. “It was fun to have the gentleman from Spain participate,” she said. “We were very excited to meet him. We had another runner who hit a fitness milestone and completed her first 5K, it was very inspirational watching her cross the finish line grinning from ear to ear.”

Northeastern will be involved with another race coming up in early May. The college’s Psychology Club and department will help sponsor the Centennial Mental Health 5K run/walk on Saturday, May 4th.

May is National Mental health Awareness month and this run is the kick-off to a number of events that Centennial will hold in May. The 5K will begin at or near Centennial ‘s headquarters on Main Street and end on the NJC campus. The proceeds of this event will be used to provide resources and potential scholarships for the students of the Post Crisis Team which serves Centennial’s service area.

Watch for more specific details to come in the media.

Northeastern rodeo team making good show

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 09:37:00 -0600

Cargill sponsorship huge help in hauling expenses

The 2013 College National Finals Rodeo All Around Cowgirl, Hayden Segelke of Snyder, CO (center) is flanked by representatives from Cargill and other members of the NJC Rodeo Team for pictures taken at the Winners Circle celebration held in March. Representing Cargill/Nutrena to present a check for $5,000 to help build the NJC Rodeo Team’s travel fund were (l to r): Ken Meis, Segelke, Steve Selleck and Cory Sorgenfrie. (Courtesy Photo)

With two national champions last year, the Northeastern Junior College Rodeo Team has a bit of an obligation to deliver the goods at this year’s spring rodeos being held in the Central Rocky Mountain Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA).

Team members have been braving the storms and making their way to the various rodeos across Colorado and Wyoming. Traveling has become a bit easier for the competitors as the local Cargill/Nutrena feed mill has stepped up and made a generous donation to help defray the cost of travel expenses.

“NJC provides great support to these student rodeo athletes at home, but on the road we need to do a better job of helping out with travel expenses,” says head rodeo coach Brian Cullen. “ With this donation from the local Cargill plant, we will be better apple to help these kids get down the rodeo trail.”

Cargill made the donation on March 9th when the NJC rodeo program held its first annual “Winners Circle” banquet at the Plainsman Grill. Over 100 team members, alumni, parents, community members, and boosters braved the wind and snow to gather and help the college m celebrate its two national championships won last June in Casper at the College National Finals. Current sophomore Hayden Segelke of Snyder, CO was named the National All Around Cowgirl last summer, as a freshman. Shay Carroll, a graduating sophomore from LaJunta, CO earned the National Champion Team Roping title and was named runner-up for the National All Around Cowboy title. What made these winnings especially sweet is that NJC was the only Colorado college to even have students qualify for the national finals in 2012. Carroll has since go on to Tarelton State University in the Fort Worth area. Tarelton is a member of the Texas A & M college system.

Entertained by the great live music of the Jessie Miller band and Eric Martin, guests at the Winners Circle event cut a rug and enjoyed these two musically gifted rodeo team members. In the weekends to follow, NJC rodeo team members have been on the road. NJC kicked off its spring season March 15th to 17th in Gillette where members won five separate go-rounds of completion and took home the event titles in the barrel racing and team roping. The women’s team moved into first place in the region.

On March 28-30, the team was closer to home at Colorado State University college rodeo in Ft. Collins. Here, David Hinman took third place in the tie down calf roping, Colby Anders (Bayard, NE) was fifth in team roping (header) and Jamie Wolf (Pierre, SD) was fourth in team roping (heeler), as calculated by the point system. Coralee Spratt (Shoshoni, WY)) was fifth in breakaway roping. Paxton Segelke (Snyder, CO) was second in barrel racing and sister Hayden took the sixth place slot in the same event.

At the rodeo held at Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington the first weekend in April, Cabel Weddle (Milaca, MN) took a top ten placing in tie down calf roping, Kelby Bond (Pueblo, CO) was in top ten for steer wrestling, Colby Anders, Kelby Bond and Tyler Bond (Pueblo, CO) all made it into the top ten in their respective end of the team roping. On the women’s side, Hayden Segelke took her lead again winning the barrels and tied for fifth in goat tying. As of April 6th, for regional standings, Northeastern’s women’s team holds on to first place and the men’s team is now sixth in the region. Hayden Segelke won the All Around Cowgirl buckle at Torrington and she now leads the pack as the only one in the running for the All Around Cowgirl title for the Central Rocky Mountain Region.

The donation from Cargill is a huge boost for the rodeo program, which is doing exceptionally well at representing NJC and Sterling, Colorado all over the region. If you are interested in helping the NJC rodeo program in any way, please contact Coach Cullen 970-521-6609.

Plainsmen take 3 out of 4 from Western Nebraska

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 09:33:00 -0600

By Trevor Varley: Sports Information Director

The NJC Plainsmen Baseball team had a rare opportunity this past weekend to pick up a little home field advantage. With 8+ inches of snow in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, the weekend conference four pack was moved to the friendly confines of Plainsmen Park. NJC took full advantage by winning the weekend series 3 games to 4, separating themselves from the Cougars in league standings.

Game 1 featured a classic pitchers dual between NJC hurler Brennan Henry and WNCC’s Challis Wright. Henry went a complete game scattering 6 hits while giving up one unearned run. NJC’s only offense came by way of the long ball, with freshman Brandon Baeckel (Loveland, CO) hitting his second home run of the year in the first inning. Western Nebraska answered with an unearned run in the 5th inning to tie the score at 1-1. After Henry pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the 7th inning, NJC decided to finish with some fireworks in the bottom of the last frame. Catcher Jordan Procyshen (Calgary, Alberta) came to the plate with one out and hammered his 9th homer of the year over the left centerfield wall to walk off with a 2-1 victory. Henry moves to 7-2 on the season with the complete game victory.

Game 2 saw the NJC offense explode for 11 runs on 14 hits in a game shortened due to the mercy rule. NJC starter Ryan Reno was back to his old ways going a complete game while facing 3 batters over the minimum faced in the contest. Reno gave up 2 hits and 1 unearned run, while walking 1 and striking out 7. Reno moves to 9-1 on the season with a stifling 1.12 ERA. NJC’s offense was powered once again by Brandon Baeckel. Baeckel was 3-4 on the game with a double and a home run while driving in 3 rbi’s. Sophomore David Head (Claremont, Ontario) also chipped in with a 2-4 performance while driving in 3 runs.

Sunday’s first game saw the two team’s battle back and forth in the first and second innings before NJC opened the game up with an 11 run third frame. Thanks to a couple of key WNCC errors and the NJC long ball, once again the contest was shortened by the mercy rule. Offensively, NJC was powered by several key members in their lineup. Sophomore Jerid Huggins (Woodland Park, CO) was part of two back to back homers on the day. Huggins was 2-3 with 2 home runs and 2 rbi’s. Freshman JJ Bissell (Fort Collins, CO) hit his national leading 12th home run of the year while teammate Jordan Procyshen kept pace with his #2 national ranking 10th home run of the season. NJC received a home run from Sophomore Edwin Bell (Cherry Creek, CO) as he went 2-3 in the contest. Sophomore Cody Artalejo (Denver, CO) moved his record to 5-4 after going a complete game winning his 4th game in a row. Artalejo scattered 6 hits and gave up 2 earned runs in the 18-6 victory. Artalejo struck out 8 and walked 4 in route to the win.

Sunday’s finale saw WNCC bounce back to take the final game of the weekend behind a strong pitching performance from starter Nick Vanthillo. NJC threatened the whole game, but couldn’t find the key hit to get their offense rolling. NJC was led offensively by Sophomore Ben Chamberlin (Denver, CO) with a 2-4 performance with 2 doubles and 1 rbi. Sophomore Jordan Procyshen was also 3-4, Brandon Baeckel and Taylor Vincent had 2 hits apiece in the contest. Freshman Jacob Dittman (Colorado Springs, CO) was tagged with the loss going 5 innings and giving up 7 earned runs. Dittman struck out 7 and walked 2 in the losing performance.

The Plainsmen move to 28-19 on the season and 16-7 in Region IX play. NJC travels to McCook this Thursday for a mid-week 9 inning contest with MCC before returning home this weekend to take on Otero Junior College. April 20th and 21st is scheduled for 1:00pm MST as the Plainsmen and Rattlers battle to host the first round of Region IX Tournament play. Get out and support your Plainsmen in their last regular season home games of the year.

Plainsmen offense among best in the nation

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:47:00 -0600

Several key players in the 2013 Plainsmen Baseball lineup have found themselves among the nation’s leaders in offensive stats. This has been a huge factor in the Plainsmen’s success this season, with the Plainsmen currently sitting in 2nd place in Empire Conference play.

JJ Bissel: Currently 1st in the country in home runs (11) and 25th in runs batted in (38).

Jordan Procyshen: Currently 6th in the country in home runs (8), 9th in runs batted in (45), 30th in batting average (.422), and 3rd in doubles (19).

Ben Chamberlin: Currently 27th in home runs (5) and 45th in runs batted in (34).

NJC returns to the diamond this weekend when they travel to Region IX opponent Western Nebraska Community College for a weekend four pack. Game times are slated for 1:00 CST in Scottsbluff, Nebraska April 13th and 14th. The boys return for their last home stand April 20th and 21st as they play host to Otero Junior College. Game times are set for 1:00pm MST for both double headers. Get out and support your Plainsmen as they gear up for Region IX post season play.

Lichtenwalner receives faculty award at Northeastern

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:48:00 -0600

Rising Star faculty award recognizes potential for future greatness

Jonathan Lichtenwalner was chosen to receive the Rising Star faculty award at Northeastern this year. It is presented to a teacher who has had less than five years in the classroom, but who shows potential to become a great professor in future years. He teaches firefighting in the classroom and in the life-like labs that are held as part of the fire fighter academy training. (Photo by Adrianne Eager)

By Barbara Baker

Passion for a subject matter is what helps make a big difference between being a great teacher and one that is just average. For Jonathan Lichtenwalner, passion about firefighting comes easy--learning to teach is a little bit harder.

And, one of the significant benefits of the community college setting is that your teachers are very often working professionals in the subject matter they are sharing in the classroom. They have in the past, or do currently, work in the trenches and have up-close, firsthand knowledge to share with students.

Lichtenwalner, still a relatively new teacher, came to Northeastern in December of 2009 when he was hired to coordinate the fire academy and teach coursework in the fire science technology and fire science wildland areas. He brought with him a solid background in volunteer firefighting and past employment in construction, substitute teaching, and county government work. He has been named the college’s Rising Star Award winner for 2012-2013. This award is presented to a faculty member who has less than five years of teaching experience and is showing potential to become a great instructor.

Lichtenwalner gives a great deal of credit to those who have mentored him over the years. First and foremost, he talks about former director and instructor of the criminal justice program at Northeastern, Jim Stewart. He also names a whole slew of fire chiefs who have and continue to run departments where he has been an active volunteer, namely the Skyline Fire and Rescue in Milton, Florida and the Bolivar Fire Department in Missouri. Fire chiefs for the Ferry Pass Fire Department (Florida) and the Central Polk County Fire and Rescue (Missouri), also gave Lichtenwalner great mentoring.

“I have also enjoyed working with the Sterling firefighters in developing and growing the fire academy which is a joint effort between NJC and the Sterling Fire Department,” says Lichtenwalner. “Their experience and knowledge make this academy the success it is today.”

When it comes to teaching, Lichtenwalner says that what he likes most is the people he has been able to work with, and observing student success. “The people I work with have really helped me develop as a professional,” he notes. “And I love watching students ‘digest’ information and apply it to their lives.”

Lichtenwalner and his wife, Sherrie, have two young sons and you often see the whole family at activities taking place at the college. He says he tries to spend his days living life to the fullest and he doesn’t sweat the small stuff. He enjoys working on cars as a hobby, loves music of all types but says he can’t carry a tune to save his soul. He says that watching how dramatically technology changes the world and how people are able to learn and communicate is nothing less than fascinating.

If a genie popped out of the flames during his next firefighting exercise and granted him one wish, he knows what it would be. “I’d ask to be a retired millionaire up in the mountains who is also a volunteer firefighter!”

In the meantime, Lichtenwalner plans to keep working hard to become an even better teacher. He wants to be a rising star that continues to shine.

Smith and Geu Named Rising Stars at Northeastern

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:04:00 -0600

Students from Holyoke and Peetz honored at state luncheon

Two Northeastern Junior College (NJC) students were in Denver on Tuesday being recognized as Rising Stars on the Sterling campus. Janna Smith of Holyoke and Stephen Geu of Peetz, both sophomores, were recognized along with 22 other honorees from the 13 colleges that make up the Colorado Community College System.

Janna Smith, an animal science major, has been very active for the last two years as part of the college community. She is treasurer for the NJC Aggies Club, vice president of Phi Theta Kappa, a Crossroads Club leadership team member, a member of the Ambassador Team, and a member of the rodeo team. Janna is, or has been actively involved with 4-H, National Future Farmers of America and is on the board of directors for Platte Valley Rodeo Bible Camp. In her free time, Smith loves to show livestock, make leather crafts and ceramics. After finishing her studies at NJC, she plans to attend Colorado State University.

Stephan Geu was born and raised in Peetz and is the youngest of five boys. He is currently working on his associate’s degree in general studies. Geu is the president of the NJC Aggies Club, treasurer for the Collegiate Farm Bureau and is currently 1st vice president of the Associated Student Government. Geu is also highly involved with Future Farmers of America, is a Sunday school teacher, and is managing the greenhouse on campus.

Geu Stephan plans to attend the University of Wyoming to study agronomy, continue on for a doctoral degree and then return home to his family farm.

Both Smith and Geu have been honor roll students while attending Northeastern. This is the second year that Smith has received this particular award. She was also named to the Colorado All-Academic Team through Phi Theta Kappa.

The awards luncheon and ceremony was held at the Westminster Campus of Arapahoe Community College and was sponsored by the State Student Advisory Council. Dr. Jay Lee, president of Northeastern had the honor of introducing these stand-out students during the event.

Star Party this Saturday

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:01:00 -0600

The cold weather should pass by Saturday, so it should be a good night for some star gazing. At least this is the hope of the Northeastern Junior College Math, Science and Outdoor Club as it makes final plans for the Spring Star Party to take place this Saturday night. Northeastern Colorado’s open spaces and big horizons make it a perfect place to explore the universe.

As always, the event will be held at the west end of the Chimney View Campground at North Sterling State Park. The organizers will have telescopes up and ready to start using at 7:45 p.m. There is a $7.00 per vehicle entrance fee to the park, however the party is free once you arrive.

Please look to the sky before you drive. If you see overcast so heavy that it appears a storm is apparent, the star party will not take place. If there is only moderate overcast and the weather seems decent otherwise, the telescopes provided will certainly help everyone see past any cloud cover.

According to David Coles, science professor at Northeastern who teaches the astronomy classes, the star party is a great outing for a family, and it is open to anyone who wants to attend. Be sure and bring a jacket or plan ways to otherwise bundle up as the night air out in this open area can quickly become cold. The telescopes are usually up and available for public use until about 9:30 p.m.

Northeastern theatre performs improv show this weekend

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:00:00 -0600

Curtains open at 7 p.m. all three nights

When Aaron Crutchfield arrived at Northeastern Junior College several years ago as the new theatre professor, he brought with him a love for improvisational theatre. He has shared this passion with students since that time and the result has been some hilarious entertainment for those who get to see it. On this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 11-13, at 7 p.m. nightly, the theatre department at Northeastern will present a totally improv show entitled “Who Ate My Homework Anyway?” The show will be held in Corsberg Theatre inside the E.S. French Hall on campus.

Improvisational Theater, sometimes called just improv, is a form of theater where most or all of what is performed is created at the moment it is performed, with little or no pre-planning. In its purest form, the dialogue, the action, the story and the characters are created collaboratively by the players as the improvisation unfolds. In some forms, one or more of those attributes might be decided on beforehand while the others are created in the moment.

Students performing in this spring’s production will include Dan Powell, Ashtin Hulse, Alex Mercier, Jasmine Smith Lenz, Hallie Doyle, Miriam Scharff, Elijah Adlesperger, Bryce Johnson, and a few other support cast members providing music, sound and lighting assistance.

According to Crutchfield, the show will be similar to the TV style shows you see occasionally that use improv to entertain. Whose Line Is It Anyway would be a great example. “I will be hosting and introducing many of the scenes,” Crutchfield says. “We do structures like an ABC skit, a rhyming song competition, and somewhere we answer the audience’s questions from the perspective of zany characters. All in all there is nearly an hour and a half of fun.” Structures, he says, is what improv actors call scenes.

“The training for our cast has focused primarily on the power of yes or agreement,” notes Crutchfield. “When two or more people begin a scene, it will only really gain momentum when they accept each other’s ideas,” the director explains. The actors have to play off of one another for the scene to go anywhere. Failure to do this results in a lull and the hilarity of it does or does not work. When the actors do play off of one another, the scenes can go any number of places in creativity and storyline, which is what makes improv so entertaining.

“ We have also been practicing making up stories and creating unusual machines with our bodies,” laughs Crutchfield. “But, you’ve got to see this to conceive it, and the only way to see it is to come to the show!”

The “Who Ate My Homework Anyway?” show is $5 admission at the door. Students, faculty and staff showing a current id will enter free.

Buckmaster named Classified Employee of the Year

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:51:00 -0600

By Barbara Baker

Jessica Buckmaster is the latest team player to earn the Classified Employee of the Year title at Northeastern Junior College. (Courtesy Photo)

At the drop of a hat, Jessica Buckmaster can say her ABCs… backwards. When her telephone rings, she picks it up and without even trying, she sends a smile across the line to someone on the other end. And while she thinks that being independently wealthy would be nice, she says she wouldn’t trade who she is to be anyone or anything else. Perhaps it is this self-satisfaction that makes her an awesome team player at Northeastern Junior College and garnered her the title of Classified Employee of the Year for 2012-2013.

Buckmaster became a full-time employee at Northeastern in 2008, but her relationship with the campus started a few years earlier. As a student on campus from 2006-2008, she spent much of her time roaming the halls of the E.S. French Building where she was a psychology major. She was a non-traditional student, meaning she was over age 23, but still she made it a point to get involved on campus. She served as the vice president of Phi Theta Kappa, and received that organization’s Rising Star Award in 2007. She even served as an adjunct part-time faculty member facilitating groups going through the Learning Through Adventure Ropes course which was offered by NJC at the time. She was a work study employee for NJC’s health and safety program and was also a student tutor in the college’s Comprehensive Learning Center.

“Attending NJC was a wonderful and rewarding experience,” she says. “I was apprehensive about returning to school after having a few years lapse after I graduated high school, but found that attending NJC was one of the best decisions I have ever made.” Following graduation from NJC in 2008, she continued her education by enrolling in Colorado Christian University’s local bridge program offered at NJC, and completed her bachelor’s of science degree in organizational management with an emphasis in human resources in 2010.

In October of 2008, Buckmaster applied and was hired to be an administrative assistant in the college’s Extended Studies Department. She has, for four years, enthusiastically handled the duty of registering hundreds of adults and students for various community education classes, including the popular Summer Kids College programming. While some adult learners in the community could register online or by phone, come make the trek up to the Extended Studies office on the third floor of Knowles Hall just to see Jessica Buckmaster. To see her contagious smile.

With the workload in Extended Studies being one of ebb and flow, Buckmaster was asked in August of 2012 to take on the additional title of Facility Use Coordinator for the campus. This means that individuals, both within and outside of the college, who want to use rooms or other facilities on the campus, must go through her to reserve these dates and locations. That same summer, as the college was in the process of hiring a new accounts receivable clerk, Buckmaster helped out in the business office temporarily. She has proven to be an exemplary team player.

“What I like most about working at NJC are the people,” says Buckmaster. “I have always worked in customer service and I really enjoy meeting new people. I get a chance to work with community members and organizations in many different aspects. I like it when it is someone’s first visit to campus and I get to play a role in welcoming them and making them feel comfortable while they’re here,” she says, like the seasoned pro she has become. “I am also very blessed with the wonderful people that I work with, not only within the Extended Studies Department but campus wide. NJC is a family and we take care of one another. Within my department, I work with a remarkable group of women. We complement one another and work as a team.”

As for a personal philosophy when it comes to work, Buckmaster says she follows her faith and practices the Golden Rule. “I don’t think you can go wrong if you treat everyone you encounter with the same respect you would like to receive. I also wear a smile. I believe that happiness spreads and a smile goes a long way.”

When she is not at work, Buckmaster likes to cook, garden and travel to the mountains for camping trips with her husband Brian. She enjoys art, specifically drawing and painting, and she is a diehard classic rock fan.

Buckmaster was honored on campus in January and was recognized at a state-wide luncheon at Denver in late March. That luncheon recognized the various winners from all of the 13 colleges within the Colorado Community College System.

Northeastern Volleyball to hold tryout in May

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:32:00 -0600

Update

The tryout has been moved to June 2nd.

Northeastern Volleyball recognizes that not all potential student-athletes can make a trip to campus during the week or some start their process for looking a school late. Because of this, NJC Volleyball will hold tryouts June 2nd. If you’re a student-athlete looking for a school please contact Head Coach Jessica Squier at Jessica.Squier@njc.edu if interested in attending tryouts. Tryouts are closed to the public only student-athletes trying out will be allowed in the gym. Decisions will be made 1-2 weeks after tryouts.

June 2nd Schedule

1:30pm Check-in
2:00pm School Tour
3:00pm Tryouts
4:30pm End

Sterling students do well at State HOSA Conference

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:46:00 -0600

LOVELAND (March 9, 2013) – Over 400 secondary and post-secondary students interested in health care careers attended the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) State Leadership Conference from March 7-9, 2013 at the Embassy Suites Loveland Hotel and Conference Center. Students attended general sessions, Educational Symposiums and competed in over 40 different Competitive Events.

Twenty students from Northeastern Junior College’s HOSA attended the State Leadership Conference. Including some that are in the high school secondary level of HOSA and some that are now in the collegiate post-secondary level. Those attending from NJC included: postsecondary student Kelsey Hummel and secondary students Amanda Rogers (State Officer-Vice President of Communication and Local Chapter President), Tarah Bennett, Krissa Baseggio, Alexis Blagg, Katie Buchleiter, Bianca DeMaria, Brittany Harris, Ashley Helvie, Kelsey Hodges, Zach Kellogg, Lauren Montoya, Jamecia Nygaard, Tabby Rangel, Amanda Ramirez, Ashley Reeves, Hannah Schreyer, Desiree Sharples, Jamie Sheldon, and Megan Zimmerman.

Amanda Rogers completed her year as a state officer. She was on the state officer team that organized this state conference and competition, doing to planning, organizing and managing of the various activities. She also was chosen as the recipient for the HOSA State Scholarship.

The remaining students participated in various competitive events and other conference activities in several categories including health science events, leadership events, and teamwork events.

Winners of competitive events are as follows: Health Science Events (which are Knowledge Tests): Dental Terminology-3rd place-Alexis Blagg; Amanda Ramirez a top 10 finalist; Nutrition Test-top 10 finalist-Katie Buchleiter; Growth and Development Test-3rd place-Ashley Reeves; Emergency Preparedness Events: Epidemiology-1st place-Kelsey Hummel- Health Profession Events (performance of skills): Sports Medicine-top 10 finalist-Katie Buchleiter; Veterinary Medicine-3rd place-Hannah Schreyer; Dental Science-3rd place-Alexis Blagg.

In the Leadership Events competitions, Sterling students did well including: Extemporaneous Writing- top 10 finalists-Lauren Montoya, Tabby Rangel, Desiree Sharples and Megan Zimmerman; Extemporaneous Poster-2nd place-Katie Buchleiter; Job Seeking Skills-1st place-Kelsey Hummel; 2nd place- Kelsey Hodges.

Teamwork Events winners included: Career Health Display-top 10 finalist team-Megan Zimmerman/Hannah Schreyer; Pace Setter Awards went to Kelsey Hummel, Ashley Helvie, Amanda Rogers, and Jamecia Nygaard for being exemplary HOSA chapter members. An Outstanding HOSA Chapter recognition award was presented to Bianca DeMaria for the scrapbook competition..

Those students placing first, second or third in their respective events are qualified to compete at the National HOSA Leadership Conference June 26-29, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Accompanying the students to the State Conference were chaperone Nicole Pollart and HOSA Advisor, Joleen Rinaldo. Rinaldo was also honored for her outstanding years of service and leadership to the students of Colorado HOSA. Rinaldo is retiring this year.

“These students are truly the face of future health care professionals. They competed in activities that showcased not only their health care knowledge, but their leadership skills,” said Jen Staley-Girvin, Colorado HOSA State Advisor. “Congratulations to the students and their teachers for their hard work and preparation.”

HOSA Future Health Professionals is a national, student-led organization whose mission is to promote career opportunities in health care for students in secondary and postsecondary institutions. HOSA is the pipeline for future health care professionals and members are proudly working toward alleviating the health care workforce shortage. There are over 150,000 active members in over 4,000 chapters in 48 states, including Puerto Rico.

Polynesian dancers coming to Northeastern April 4 and 5

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:36:00 -0600

The Utah Valley University Cultural Envoy Dancers from the Islands of Polynesian will perform next week at Northeastern Junior College. The tickets are very affordable and two performances will be offered, one on April 4th and another on April 5th. (Courtesy Photo)

Sterling, Colorado —The Utah Valley University Cultural Envoy Dancers from the Islands of Polynesian will perform two shows at Northeastern Jr. College this upcoming April 4-5, 2013 in the Dorothy Corsberg Theatre inside the E.S. French Hall. Shows will be held at 7 p.m. nightly and are expected to last about an hour and half.

Utah Valley University Cultural Envoy’s Legacy began in 2001 with three primary objectives: support education, promote cultural diversity and build partnerships with the community. Legacy, a Polynesian dance team, was formed because the Polynesian community was growing exponentially in Utah. Island natives who came to Utah for the educational opportunities and the excellent value-based community were struck by the vast difference between Utah Valley and the exotic islands. Legacy provides a bit of home for these students.

Members of the dance team represent all six of the main Polynesian Islands. Although predominantly Polynesian, people of many nationalities dance in Legacy, and the team invites all those interested to perform with them.

Legacy performed at various venues at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City and on a promotional tour in Las Vegas, Nev. The team members are looking forward to sharing their culture with all walks of life. It is a participatory performance. Children and others are invited to learn how to Hula, Slap dance, do fire knife dancing and much more.

Cost for the performance will be: $5.00 (General Admission), $20.00(Family Pass of 8 People) $3.00 (High School Students with I.D.). Feel free to email: Benjamin.Reichert@njc.edu with any questions you might have.

Vandenbark and Blumenshine selected for Colorado PTK team

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:36:00 -0600

Jenna Vandenbark of Fleming (center) is congratulated for being named to the All Colorado PTK Academic Team by (left), Jay Lee, President of Northeastern and (right) Rich Martinez, President and CEO, Young Americans Center for Financial Education and Young Americans Bank, Denver. Martinez is also on the board for the State Board of Community Colleges and Occupational Education. Courtesy Photo

Northeastern Junior College is proud to announce the names of two students who have been named to the 2012 Phi Theta Kappa All Colorado Academic Team are Jenna Vandenbark of Fleming and Chelsea Blumenshine of Fort Collins. The two students represent NJC as part of the Phi Theta Kappa All Colorado Academic Team and were recognized March 14th during a special ceremony and luncheon held in Denver. The event was sponsored by the Credit Union of Colorado.

Jenna Vandenbark is currently a sophomore attending NJC where she is majoring in Business. She is an active student, participating in the honors program, student senate, Americorps, and serves as her PTK chapter president. Jenna played varsity volleyball at Northeastern for the last two seasons and also played basketball this year. On top of her extracurricular activities, Jenna also is a full time student and carries a 4.0 grade point average.

After NJC Jenna plans on transferring to a four-year university to continue her education and later open her own marketing business, as well as work in the real estate industry.

Chelsea Blumenshine attends Northeastern Junior College where she is a sophomore member of the NJC honors program. Chelsea is the current president of college’s Associated Student Government and enjoys helping with residence life programs on campus. Her freshmen year, Chelsea was a pitcher for NJC’s women’s softball team and still enjoys playing softball. She also enjoys graphic design, interior design and anything crafty. Chelsea is originally from Fort Collins, CO and plans to attend ether the University of Northern Colorado or Colorado State University upon graduating from Northeastern Junior College.

Chelsea Blumenshine of Fort Collins (center) is shown here at the PTK state awards luncheon with Northeastern Junior College President Jay Lee (left) and Rich Martinez, Vice Chairman for the State Board of Community Colleges and Occupational Education (right).

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is a national organization that encourages and recognizes outstanding academic performance by students enrolled in two-year colleges nationwide.

Horton wins 2013 Whitlock Heart Award

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:34:00 -0600

Recipient credits NJC for making a huge difference in her life

By Barbara Baker

It was a unanimous decision that Camion Horton (center left) receive the 2013 Andi Whitlock Heart Award at Northeastern Junior College this year. Here, teammates and coaches gather around her as Amber Whitlock (center right) helps present the award in her twin sister’s honor. (Courtesy Photo)

In 2011, Camion Horton kissed her mother, Valerie Sellers, goodbye and boarded a bus bound for Colorado. This Albemarie, North Carolina student had found a little rural college located in Sterling and she was headed west to start a new life on a campus she’d never seen, in a town she’d never been. For Horton, it has been perhaps one of the greatest experiences of her life. At the 19th Annual Hoops Homecoming on the campus of Northeastern Junior College, she was named the 2013 recipient of the Andi Whitlock Heart Award.

This award is given to the female basketball team member who most resembles the persona of Whitlock, a former player from Stoneham, Colorado. Whitlock played at Northeastern in 2001-2003 and was on the team that went to nationals in 2003. One year later, she died from injuries suffered in an automobile wreck. Her family established this award in her honor. For the first time in the award’s history, this year’s winner is a team manager and statistician rather than an on-the court player.

Usually voted on by the entire team, this year the award was not decided by a team vote, but rather an overwhelming consensus. “Without taking a vote, we knew Camion was most like Andi and she was by far the person that represented the award with a positive attitude, work ethic, friendship, and dedication to the program,” said retiring head coach Darrel Parker. Assistant coach Dave Huss agrees, adding, “When we told the team that we wanted the award to go to Camion, they couldn’t have been in more agreement. They all knew she was the most deserving.” Horton has, without a doubt – been a huge example of competiveness, spirit, desire and toughness, just as Andi Whitlock was.

Coming to Northeastern was not easy for Camion. “I'm a city girl who wanted to experience a new walk of life, see a new culture and I stumbled across NJC one day while browsing the Internet,” she says. “I graduated from Albemarie High School in 2009 and I was just bumbling around, sometimes getting caught up in the wrong crowds because I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do with my life.” Despite her antics, she says her mom never turned her back on her, constantly encouraging her to be better, to do better.

After numerous phone calls back and forth to Northeastern and according to Horton, lots of prayer, she made the decision to come to Colorado. “I had this feeling that Colorado is where I needed to be. I prayed about it and the answer was always yes to come,“ she tells. With her mom’s blessing, they purchased a bus ticket. This was just the beginning of what has been a marvelous journey, yet a tough row to hoe.

Horton arrived in Sterling a little bit ahead of the start of the fall 2011 semester in hopes of finding a job before the other students all got here. “When I got here I didn't have a place to live on campus yet, so I made friends and stayed in different rooms every night until I could work and get up the money to pay my room deposit. I took out loans to pay for the rest of my classes and my room and board,” she explains. Her ‘can do’ attitude and obvious work ethic was noticed quickly and landed her several on campus options. She was invited to work at a resident assistant in Blue Spruce Hall and she was also invited to serve as a manager for the women’s basketball team. She took all offers. Later, she would discover that she had overcommitted herself and all the work was negatively affecting her academics. She had to give up something.

Although the resident assistant job would pay her room and board, she was by now in love with the athletic department, the players and the coaches and she chose to stay with them. The athletic program came up with a small scholarship for Camion, but not nearly enough to pay her out-of-state expenses. “I have faced many hardships in paying for my education here but I am disciplined enough to know that I have to work for what I want, I’ve had to work to stay. I wouldn't change any of this,” Horton says. “I've worked my butt off to pay nearly $8,000 out of pocket for my education here. I’ve learned however, that people truly do help those who are willing to help themselves. I came here for an education and I'm leaving with that plus a lot of love. Sterling has a special place in my heart. These low plains and small roads have been the avenue to some pretty significant personal growth for me.”

Horton faithfully showed up at team practices and made all of the games where she took her place at the announcers table as a statistician for both the men’s and women’s games. Coach Huss says that she is one of the most positive people he knows. “I like her toughness and her attitude,” he said. “She actually did some on-court coaching for us these last six months. She was our motivator. She would send out text quotes before a game and they were uplifting to all of us.” This is all pretty amazing considering that she loved and played volleyball in high school. She didn’t convert to a real basketball fan until she got to Northeastern.

Perhaps much of the irony in this whole scenario is that Horton has some very personal challenges of her own. She calls herself a cancer survivor. She has battled a war with a brain tumor since the seventh grade and has been winning. A significant scar down the back side of her neck is a constant reminder of where’s she been. It gives her a different perspective on life. And, as she has learned recently, her battle is not over. The tumor has returned. While she has to go through the medical motions to deal with this unwelcome guest again, she believes education can, will and should be her diversion.

“I proudly wear the brain tumor survivor tattoo on my arm as a reminder that worse is possible, but giving the greatest within oneself is expected,” Horton shares. “Because of those three years, ten months, and eleven days I learned that it’s not just about living a meaningful life, but living those days that are to come with a meaningful life towards others,” she says, referring to the long days she spent in a very elite hospital in Durham, North Carolina trying to get well the first time.

Horton truly considers her mother to be her hero. “I was raised by a single parent that didn't graduate from high school but serves as the most intelligent person I know.” Horton will move on after she graduates from NJC this spring. “My major is chemical engineering. I am currently choosing between Colorado State University and the University of Toledo at Ohio.” She is so thankful for what has happened to her while she has been at Northeastern. "North Carolina raised me, Colorado helped me, NJC shaped me, Coach Parker and Coach Huss challenged me, former and present players loved me. NJC is truly amazing!

“Each morning that I rise as a healthy young woman I stretch my arms to the heavens and thank God for the opportunity, for the additional time and for the warrior inside me. My approach toward my educational endeavors is forever positive and uplifting. NJC has given me the chance to showcase my intelligent abilities, share my story at times, make certain others’ happiness is kept up and to make sure that others are not taking life for granted. These textbooks and classrooms have been my stage and I feel endlessly indebted to them. I am here. I am living!”

Get tickets by Friday for NPAS event at NJC

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:33:00 -0600

By Barbara Baker

Northeastern Junior College has been providing some marvelous opportunities recently for those who enjoy the arts and culture. First it was the BYU dance troupe, then the Briar Cliff University Choir with world-famous pianist Richard Steinbach. Next week you have several opportunities once again. The Utah Valley University Cultural Envoy Dancers from the Islands of Polynesian will perform on Thursday and Friday Nights, April 4 and 5th at 7 p.m. each night. They take the stage to do some hula, slap dancing and even fire knife dancing for a very affordable price at the door of $5 per person, $20 for a family pass that incudes up to 8 people.

But an even more special event is on the horizon. Lovers and supporters of the arts are encouraged to purchase tickets to the upcoming Grand Evening for the Arts event to be held April 6th. The event, sponsored by the Northeastern Patrons of the Arts Society (NPAS) is sure to be a special event in a new format. Tickets are being sold through Friday for an evening that includes a special dinner, entertainment, a take home art souvenir, a live auction and an after party complete with dancing and libations.

The newly transformed annual fundraiser for the Northeastern Junior College performing and visual arts department puts a new face on the old “Chili Arts Festival” event. The organizers promise a much nicer event and you won’t have to wonder how hot the main course will be.

“After examining feedback from the past several years, A Grand Evening For the Arts promises to maintain the parts of the event that guests loved the most - while incorporating new and exciting features to create an incredible experience,” says Celeste Delgado-Pelton, one of the key people to run the event. “This year guests will enjoy a multi-course, Italian, fine dining meal. Among the items on the menu will be wild mushroom risotto, stuffed cannoli, and chicken valdestano.

This year the Grand Evening for the Arts will, as in the past, begin in the Hays Student Center Ballroom on the NJC campus. Guests will still be treated to live art demonstrations by a ceramicist creating pottery and draftsmen creating live sketches. There will once again be a concert featuring the best of the best from music, theater, and creative writing students. Each guest will also take home a souvenir of the evening with a piece of handmade pottery; choosing from a selection of bowls, plates, mugs, decorative works, and other treasures.

To go along with this fine dining atmosphere, guests are asked to wear formal or semi-formal attire.

In addition to the major change in the meal, this year there will be an After Party held at Northeastern 18 from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Each guest at the After Party will be given drink tickets to be used for your beverage of choice. There will be dancing all night to the sounds of a DJ playing hits from the past several decades as well as dancing to a set performed by the NJC Community Jazz Band.

A silent auction featuring artwork created by NJC faculty and students will also take place at the After Party. All the money raised at the event will go to the Northeastern Patrons of the Arts Society (NPAS). The goal and mission of NPAS is to support the Performing and Visual Arts at NJC as well as Northeastern Colorado.

In past years, funds raised from this annual fundraiser have been used to purchase a new ladder for the Peter L. Youngers Art Gallery, help fund the creation of the NJC New Voices Creative Arts Magazine, and to purchase recording equipment for the Digital Audio Workstation in the Music Program.

Tickets can be purchased through 4 p.m. this Friday from KC’s Music and Electronics in downtown Sterling or from the Liberal Arts office in ES French Hall on the NJC campus. Tickets for the Grand Evening for the Arts which includes food, entertainment, a take-home souvenir, dancing and drinks are priced as follows: $40.00 for the meal and entertainment/souvenir event only; $20 for the After Party only; or you may purchase tickets for both events for a special price of $50.00 per person. Because this event features a special meal, for pre-planning purposes, tickets must be purchased by this Friday, March 29th.

If you have questions, please contact Celeste Delgado-Pelton at 970-521-6754 or celeste.delgado@njc.edu.

Coles named 2013 Faculty of the Year

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:17:00 -0600

By Barbara Baker, Director of Marketing Services

Dave Coles is being honored as the 2013 Faculty of the Year Award winner at Northeastern Junior College. He’s been teaching science related classes since 1993. (Courtesy Photo)

Dave Coles has days when he longs for the solitude that comes with being a field geologist. He could, after all, be back in Maine somewhere working for various companies exploring for copper-lead-zinc massive sulfide deposits. Or, he could be hunting for gold deposits in the Western United States. He knows all about this stuff and these kinds of jobs pay pretty well. But instead, he chooses to teach. “I think I am being what I want to be right now,” Coles says, responding to the question of what would he be if he could be anything he wanted to be.

And, Coles is good at what he does. So good in fact that he has been named the Faculty of the Year for 2013 at Northeastern Junior College.

Coles and his wife, Dr. Shelby Nichols, arrived at Northeastern in 1993. Dr. Nichols had been hired full-time to teach chemistry on campus and Dave came along with her. Soon he found himself working as an adjunct faculty member teaching Western Civilization I and II and Geography 105.

“It wasn’t long until I asked if I could introduce the students here to astronomy and I started teaching the 101 and 102 classes,” Coles remembers, noting that astronomy is one of his greatest loves.

Three years later, Coles was named a full-time faculty member and was teaching a full load of classes including Astronomy, Chemistry 107, and Western Civilization. When Norm Berry retired, Coles took on the job of teaching Physical Geology and Historical Geology, but gave up Western Civilization. Over the years his course load has shifted some. He currently teaches astronomy, chemistry, environmental science and geology.

“My first experience with higher education was at Berkshire Community College at Pittsfield, Massachusetts where I earned an associate’s degree,” says Coles, proud of the fact that he is a product of a two-year school. “ I transferred from there to the University of Maine at Orono where I earned a bachelor’s of art degree in geology. I remained in Maine working for various companies exploring for copper-lead-zinc massive sulfide deposits until coming to Colorado to attend Colorado State University for graduate studies. “ He completed his master’s degree and actually worked in the field as a geologist until he moved to Sterling.

While Coles didn’t really set out planning to teach, he has found a true passion in helping students develop their skills. In addition to the classes he teaches, he also sponsors the Math and Science Club and coordinates the college’s annual star parties. He also leads some camping, hiking and caving adventures for the college students. He is very community oriented and helps run the annual food drive activities on campus every year at Halloween. His club has helped do highway clean-up and always helps each year with the regional science fair and contests that take place at Northeastern.

Cole’s wild salt and pepper hair and scraggly beard have some students thinking he’s just an old hippie. Fact is, he’s a brilliant teacher and a lover of the sciences. Under his un-kept hairdo is a wonderful sense of humor and the mind of a genius who loves to share what he knows with others.

“I like working with the students and helping them develop the skills that they will need to survive, and hopefully flourish, as they work to obtain their bachelor’s degree and beyond,” Coles says. In other words, he cares.

“Most rewarding is seeing my students achieve their associate’s degree. You have to care about your students and their success. Regardless of what training you have, or what instructional activities you may dream up, they are all for naught if you don’t care.”

Coles considers former NJC math guru Clay Prall to be his best mentor. Prall, who taught at NJC for more than three decades, is beloved by most everyone who had him as a math teacher. “He has been a wonderful mentor for me. As much as possible I try to follow his example,” Coles said.

Over the years, this ‘mad’ scientist has seen great changes in the learning environment. “What has changed is the availability of learning materials, “ he notes. “Students today have a tremendous number of learning resources, videos, practice quizzes providing feedback, presentation software, 24-7 access to class materials, even on-line experts who will answer questions, largely as a result of the internet. None of this was so easily available when I first started teaching. Even with all of these new resources, direct interaction between the teacher and student seems to still be one of the strongest learning tools.”

When asked what could be said about him that might surprise his co-workers, his community and his students, Coles offered this. “As a student at Berkshire Community College I enjoyed de-stressing by charging up and down the hills and through the ginormous mud puddles of the western Massachusetts’ forests on a 250 cc dirt bike.”

He puts himself into his projects, whether it be planning a star party, a test for his geology class, or spending time with his wife and two children. Coles has a great life philosophy. “I believe that once you find what you want to do, that you do it well.”

Coles was honored by the college during it’s Spring Semester in-service and has since been recognized with a group of his peers from the other 12 community college across the state during a special ceremony held in Denver.

Gareis chosen by peers for top staffer award

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:13:00 -0600

By Adrianne Eager

Martha Gareis accepted her top NJC staff award with the same comical, yet humble, approach that has made her a real favorite on campus. (Courtesy Photo)

If you’re looking for comedy relief on the campus of Northeastern Junior College, the Mail and Document Center in Walker Hall is one place to go for it. Amidst ringing phones, massive, whirring Xerox machines, several daily mail deliveries and endless publication processing, Martha Gareis has a smile on her face and a habit for making people laugh.

If you’re not there for the free stand-up, you might be there for the simple fact that this sunny corner suite in the administrative building is a hub of campus activity. “We process all the incoming and outgoing mail on a daily basis as well as logging in and sending out all campus freight for staff and students” said Martha. “Our department is also responsible for all copy work, print jobs, brochures, programs, and other publications across the campus.”

What that means in broad terms is that any time you see an athletic program at the Bank of Colorado Event Center on game night, any time an instructor needs 80 note packets made for an economics class, or any time a hall director needs 200 copies of a free movie night flyer to post across campus, it goes through Martha. Oh, and did we mention that it is her department, staffed by two, that is the first line of contact as campus operator answering incoming calls and acting as switchboard to direct callers to the right departments?

The job in itself is more than a little daunting, considering most people’s natural aversion to copy machines given their finicky nature and ability to always jam up in high-pressure situations. Despite this, since July of 2009, Martha Gareis has been making the document center machines hum, facilitating the publication of thousands of documents, and making sure the mail comes in, is accounted for, and leaves campus on time. The work she does touches virtually every part of campus in one way or another. Just a few weeks ago, she was recognized with the 2013 Northeastern Junior College Administrative Professional/Technical Employee of the Year Award for doing just that. The award, now in its third year, asks the professional and technical employees on the campus to nominate deserving peers for this award. All employees in this classification are then able to vote for a name on the nominee list and a winner is chosen. Other winners have included Barbara Baker, Director of Marketing Services and Andy Long, Dean of Enrollment and Recruitment.

Having been on and off the Northeastern campus since 2000, Martha has had a role in more than a few places. From being the administrative assistant for the nursing department to being the facilities use coordinator in Hays Student Center, to helping Barbara Baker in the marketing department or Ronda Monheiser with AmeriCorps; if she hasn’t done it all , she has come pretty close. This cross training she’s received over the years has made her invaluable.

When asked about her former assistant, Ronda Monheiser doesn’t hesitate to throw out the accolades. “You couldn’t ask for a better colleague, Martha is top notch!, “ Monheiser said. “ For quite a while we would work in the evenings on AmeriCorps paperwork after our regular 9-5 jobs. It was great working with Martha! You knew that if Martha had anything to do with it, the end result was going to be done to perfection and finished on time. If she had a personal work motto it would have to be, ‘Any job, big or small, do it right or not at all.’ Monheiser shares.

When nominating Gareis this year, it was Barbara Baker who wrote, “Martha Gareis is the ultimate team player. Having worked in several areas of campus over the years, she is extremely familiar with the campus and how it operates. As director of the college’s document/mail center, she is well versed with who works where on campus. Combine these two assets and you have someone who can and will help in all areas. Her professionalism is second to none. Her work ethic is an example for all of us. Martha comes in contact with people from all over the campus and the community on a daily basis, as well as interacting with hundreds of students each year. She treats everyone as a valued “customer” and takes care of them all with the utmost spirit of service to others. Martha puts many hours in above and beyond the 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule—doing whatever is required to make sure the needs of others are always met. Her work often goes unnoticed as her position is somewhat of a behind the scenes situation; however, what she does (mail and copying and overseeing main phone line) is critical to all areas and individuals on campus.”

Martha’s personal philosophy shows a definite reflection of that mindset, “My belief about work has always been you get out of it what you put into it,” she admits. “ If I spend my days helping others and going above and beyond, it usually comes back full circle.”

This month Martha was honored at a luncheon in Denver with fellow winners from the other 12 colleges across the state that are also members of the Colorado Community College System.

Adrianne Eager is a sophomore student from Gunnison, CO. She works part-time in the college’s marketing office. She is pursuing a business degree, but is passionate about communications, especially social media.

Plainsmen to host adult basketball tournament

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:10:00 -0600

Sterling, CO – The Northeastern Junior College Men’s Basketball Program will be hosting an 8 team Double Elimination Men’s Basketball Tournament starting on March 25, 2013. This tournament will be limited to the first 8-teams that turn in their complete registration form by March 22, 2013. Seeds for the tournament will be drawn from a hat and the tournament is a three 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 Monday, March 25, 2013, Wednesday March 27, 2013, Monday, April 1, 2013, Wednesday, April 3, 2013 and conclude on April 10, 2013.

The entry fee for each team will be $150 and registration forms need to be turned in no later than Friday, March 22, 2013. 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.

Steinbach returns to perform with Briar Cliff college choir

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:17:00 -0700

One performance only on Saturday, March 9th

Staff Report

On Saturday, March 9th, the Northeastern Junior College Music Department welcomes back to Sterling International Pianist Richard Steinbach who will be a featured soloist with the Briar Cliff University Singers for a concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Dorothy Corsberg Theater in ES French Hall on the campus. Tickets will be $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for students. Tickets are available at KC’s Music and Electronics and at the Liberal Arts office on the main floor of ES French Hall on the campus of Northeastern. Tickets will also be available at the door. Steinbach was here in December and did a phenomenal holiday concert before a packed house.

Bank of Colorado will once again host a post-concert reception which will give concert attendees the chance to meet Dr. Richard Steinbach along with Dr. Sean Burton and the Briar Cliff University Singers.

Currently, Sterling native Dr. Richard Steinbach, who is an alumni of Northeastern, teaches applied piano, class piano, and courses in music theory, piano pedagogy, and American music as Professor of Music at Briar Cliff University. He has performed extensively as both soloist and collaborative artist in concerts throughout the U.S., Canada, South America, France, Italy, Great Britain, New Zealand, Japan, and China.

As the grand prizewinner in the 1995 France Piano International Competition in Paris, Dr. Steinbach performed his solo debut recital at the Salle Cortot in Paris in January of 1996. Dr. Steinbach has joined forces with pianist/composer Howard Helvey to present Duo Piano concerts throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Dr. Steinbach has released two solo recordings on the Towerhill label, a Piano Duo recording with Howard Helvey and a CD of new American works for voice and piano with soprano Diana Guhin Wooley. Dr. Steinbach is represented by Truckenbrod Concert Artists -- www.concertartists.com

With an established choral tradition spanning eight decades, the Briar Cliff University Singers have been lauded at performances in local, regional, national, and international venues. Both the Cliff Singers and Chamber Choir perform a wide variety of choral literature from the finest traditions of Western historical music through ethnic and world music embracing all genres. In addition to a regular concert series through Briar Cliff University’s Department of Music, the Cliff Singers and Chamber Choir perform at university and civic events and collaborate frequently with the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra. In May of 2012, the Cliff Singers toured Italy, singing for Pentecost Sunday Mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and performing concerts throughout Rome, Venice, and Assisi, including a prestigious solo concert at the Basilica of Saint Francis. Briar Cliff University Choral Music is supported, in part, by a grant from The Gilchrist Foundation.

Annually, this group makes more than thirty public presentations and represents an accomplished artist faculty whose collective teaching experience exceeds 100 years. Briar Cliff’s Music Department exemplifies the unity of musicianship and educational practice needed for success in the real world.

"This concert promises to be an exceptional night of music,” assures Northeastern Professor of Music Celeste Delgado-Pelton, who runs the music program at the college. “Outstanding choral music from the Briar Cliff University Singers coupled with the phenomenal piano music of international pianist and hometown hero, Dr. Richard Steinbach, can’t get any better!”

For questions, please contact Celeste Delgado-Pelton at 970-521-6754 or celeste.delgado@njc.edu

Change agent Worcester to keynote Northeastern Business Day

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:50:00 -0700

Registration for event due by March 1st

By Barbara Baker

Following a two year hiatus, the popular “Business Day” coordinated by the Northeastern Business Department returns in 2013 on March 6th with an impressive line-up of workshops and speakers. The college encourages employers from throughout Northeastern Colorado to participate in this event by attending themselves, or sending employees to campus for the day.

This year’s theme is “Get All In” As business operators, manager and employees, every day you evaluate where you’re at business-wise. You determine what you’ll be doing next and with whom you’ll be doing it. “We also decide how we’ll go about doing it, “ says Amanda Kerker, a professor in the business department who sponsors the Business Club on campus which is helping oversee the event. “When we are engaging in business or employment activities, sometimes we only test the waters, perhaps put a toe in, maybe a whole foot, but leave one foot safely on the deck ready to jump back out if it doesn’t go well,” she says. “Then there are some people out there who just jump in—they are all in.” Kerker goes on to say that those who are all in are often way more committed to the work they do, believe there is purpose in the work they do and often see the greatest results. They make all the positive difference in a company’s operational success.

“At this year’s Business Day, we will explore the concept of pushing all our chips to the center of the table in the game of life – especially as it relates to leadership, our life choices, and our relationships,” explains Kerker. “How do we, and when should we, become the type of person who removes the caution and puts actual skin in the game. If you are the type of person who finds yourself indecisive or concerned about the consequences, programming at this event will help encourage you to find the courage to pursue your passions and discover the potential that comes with going ‘all in’,” Kerker says. This same philosophy will be conveyed to students on campus attending the event who are pursuing degrees. Until they realize that they have to get ‘all in’, they may be just half-heartedly challenging themselves academically.

The luncheon keynote speaker, Jake Worcester of Peak Solutions in Fort Collins, has a message that will coincide with the theme of the day entitled, “All In--Discovering Your Full Potential.” A natural leader and successful change agent, Worcester specializes in putting systems in place to provide a connection between theory and application. He travels the country working with organizations to develop lasting change and build sustainable training and development initiatives.

The event will open at 9 a.m. with a rotating workshop series featuring a number of current topics including: “Recession and the Mortgage Crisis” presented by Bob Hagerty, Wall Street Journal Reporter (via Skype), “Protect Yourself Online” presented by Bill Dolan, Sterling Police Department, “Social Networking in Marketing Your Business” presented by Amber Schliesser, Bank of Colorado, and “Careers in Finance” presented by Shanan Doherty, Pilkington Financial.

A group of workshops follow again at 10 a.m. including: “Positive Impact--How to be an Employee Everyone Fights to Keep” presented by Worcester; “Cool Tools- Productivity Apps” presented by Beth Kitts and Brenda Perea; “White Collar Crime-Accounting” presented by Kevin Hyland of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and a repeat of Dolan’s “Protect Yourself Online”

During Worcester’s Positive Impact workshop, he uses the example that if you have two employees, both technically competent, but you can only keep one, how do you decide who you keep and why? He will help answer this question by telling the employer what to be looking for. He will also tell the employee what to be offering if he or she wants to be the type of person that the company will fight to keep.

A third group of workshops will happen at 11 a.m. and includes a repeat of several of those offered earlier in the day with the addition of one on “Careers in Management” given by Nicki Swedlund of Maurices. This rotating schedule should give everyone attending an opportunity to gather as much information from workshops as possible.

All events will be held at Hays Student Center on campus. The cost to participate in the 2013 Business Day is only $20 and includes lunch on campus. To register, email Sherrie Lichtenwalner at sherrie.lichtenwalner@njc.edu or call her at 521-6637. There is also online registration at www.njc.edu/businessday or you may do it in person at the office located at 214 Philliips Whyman Hall on campus.

You must register by March 1st.

Northeastern art gallery reception rescheduled

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 09:16:00 -0700

Due to the inclement weather and illness, Northeastern Junior College is postponing the closing reception for the current gallery show featuring the artwork of artist Paul Oser of Denver. Oser’s beautiful collection of colorful work is currently on display in the Peter L. Youngers Fine Art Gallery in E. S. French Hall. The closing reception was scheduled for today at 4 p.m. It will be held, instead, next Thursday, February, 28, 2013, at the same time, 4-5 p.m. Admission to the reception will be free and refreshments will be offered. While this cancellation is unfortunate, it provides one more week for those who desire to get in and see his collection. It may be viewed Monday through Thursday of this next week between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on campus.

Hoops Homecoming this Saturday at Northeastern

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 09:32:00 -0700

Free admission for everyone to evening ballgames

The 2012-2013 Associated Student Government officer team invites you to be back on campus for the 19th Annual Hoops Homecoming festivities to be held this Saturday at Northeastern Junior College. Pictured here with the spirit towels that will be given out to the first 200 alumni to register are (l to r): Jessica Blohm, 2nd Vice President (Parker) , ASG President Chelsea Blumenshine (Fort Collins), and Stephen Geu, 1st Vice President (Peetz). Courtesy Photo

The 19th Annual Hoops Homecoming event will take place at Northeastern Junior College this Saturday, February 23. The college’s alumni association invites everyone to come back to campus and enjoy a day in Sterling.

While the evening ballgames—this year against Trinidad State Junior college--are the largest events to take place, there are several other offerings available. At 9 a.m., the college rodeo team hosts an open jackpot rodeo at the Logan County Fairgrounds. The day begins with exhibition barrel racing, followed by competitive barrel racing, calf roping, break away roping, goat tying and team roping, in this order, throughout the day. Activities will be held in the indoor arena and admission is free. At 12 noon, the Northeastern Plainsman baseball team takes on Miles Community College of Miles City Montana at Plainsman Park, located on Pioneer Road at the north campus site.

A special, by invitation only luncheon will honor the 2013 alumni award winners. It will be followed by a 2 p.m. annual meeting of the board of directors at the Plainsman Grill at Northeastern 18 golf course. This annual meeting is open to anyone who wants to attend, however it is usually a short session.

At 2:30 in the afternoon, the Heritage Center will be open for viewing in the Hays Student Center on the second floor. This is an on-campus museum which features an awesome collection of college history and memorabilia. The Alumni Association’s Heritage Center Committee has worked diligently to collect and display hundreds of items, photos, yearbooks, old clothing, and keepsakes from the past. Admission to this center is free.

The games will begin at 5:30 p.m. when the Plainswomen take on Trinidad State Junior College Lady Trojans. The men will follow with a game at 7:30 p.m. The 2013 alumni award winners will be introduced at center court during half time of the men’s game. Alumni may enter the door prize drawings and may participate in the nice reception that is always held during Hoops Homecoming up in the balcony area of the event center. The first 200 alumni to register at the start of the ballgames will receive a free spirit towel with Plainsman Pete on it. The Hoops Homecoming events are open to everyone, with the exception of the awards luncheon, and for these games only, admission is free to all who attend.

College magazine to feature alumni submissions

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 08:56:00 -0700

March 1 is the deadline to participate

If you are an alumni of Northeastern Junior College and if you had any interest in the arts at all during your time on campus, you will be familiar with the New Voices art and literature magazine that has been published by the humanities--now liberal arts-- department on campus. Year after year it has been released late in the spring, showcasing the work of current students—packed with their best creative submissions. For many NJC students, this magazine might be their first, and only time to be published. A copy of an old issue may be tucked away in your cedar chest or old metal locker for safe keeping.

In 2013, the liberal arts department has decided to publish an alumni issue of New Voices. Someone asked if it shouldn’t be called Old Voices—since alumni implies you’re older now. Actually, this 2013 issue will feature work from alumni, as well as some creations from current NJC students.

If you are a former or current NJC artist, poet, photographer or writer, the college would like you to participate.

Submissions will be accepted from alumni, faculty, and current NJC students including photography, artwork (photos of artwork as well) , poetry, short stories, lyrics, and essays through March 1, 2013. Digital submissions should be sent to Emily.Vines@njc.edu. For more information call Vines at (970)-521-6710.

Artwork by Paul Oser on display now at Northeastern

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:20:00 -0700

High school counselor from Denver is featured artist at NJC gallery show

This painting by Paul Oser entitled 14th and Grant uses light, shadow and strong color for a film noir feel of the city of Denver both pretty and gritty. (Courtesy Photo)

Closing reception will be held February 21

By Barbara Baker
NJC Marketing Director

If you are on the campus of Northeastern Junior College between now and February 21st, you’ll want to enjoy the artwork of Paul Oser, on display now in the Peter L. Youngers Fine Art Gallery located inside the E.S. French Hall. “The Art of a Journey” gallery show may be seen weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This display will also be showcased on the evening of February 12th during the reception following the Brigham Young University dance troupe show. The reception is being hosted by the Bank of Colorado.

Oser, who lives in northern Denver, is currently a school counselor at Pomona High School. Three years ago, he accompanied a group of juniors from Arvada High School to do a college visit here. Terry Ruch, a metro area admissions/alumni coordinator for the college, who was leading the group’s tour, realized through conversation that Oser was an accomplished artist and suggested he connect with the gallery curator and schedule to have a showing here in Northeastern Colorado.

Imagine astronomy, biology, and art rippling from the same geometric pools of circles, squares and triangles, from solid and fluid states and you have Oser at his best. “As I wrap shapes around my own worlds, order comes from chaos in finite terms in present tense,” Oser writes about his exhibit. He calls it an “unveiling of a debut retrospective of thirty years of such progressions.”

According to Oser, the 20 paintings in this show are such stones left from pathways he’s explored since his senior year in high school 30 years ago. “They represent a journey that helped me rise above the looseness of doodled hills, rigidity of drafted structures, and the splashing about in many pigmented pools,” he says. “On the whole, I search to fuse the duality of a world both geometric and organic.”

Oser says his paintings require building or breaking visual ideas until something of substance forms. He observes basic elements of shape, color, and proportion and then using exaggerate lighting effects, he applies mosaic, cubist, curvaceous, angular, or tubular shapes. He likes to explore undulating patterns of cool and warm colors as he tries to represent natural rhythms of day and night, parts and whole, land and sky.

“I paint from nature, photos, self-created clay models, and doodles,” Oser says. “Often I quickly work out on paper a feeling or idea I want to convey and then go back and forth between the bigger picture and the smaller matter to resolve a piece of art. Sometimes I tinker. Sometimes I don’t. I admire the work of Wassily Kadinsky, Chuck Close, Paul Cezanne, and Edward Hopper.”

This featured artist does indicate that as of late, he is loosening up. “The spontaneous overflow from a paint-laden palette knife or lightly held brush unearths emotional reservoirs,” he said. “Having primal, nonverbal, instinctual, painterly experiences opens me up to my hunches, passions, patterns and themes. So when I paint my colors come straight from the tube, my contours from unfettered angles and curves.” Oser indicates that prior to a Denver series after the 9-11 tragedy, his work was more tightly controlled. His later work reveals that he has relaxed, He’s left canvases unfinished, draft marks visible, and paint less evenly applied and says that this lack of perfection has its own reward.

Two paintings in the show are of special interest. The painting 14th and Grant uses light, shadow and strong color for a film noir feel of the city of Denver both pretty and gritty. “I was teaching in an inner city school in 2001 when a student told me that the Twin Towers fell,” explains Oser. “I had just visited New York City one month prior and had been living on the 10th floor of a condo downtown. A series of paintings emerged from those experiences celebrating life as a dweller downtown.” He said that Edward Hopper, some Cubists, and many others use bold and primary colors and structures and he likes this kind of art. The painting Dog Squared , according to Oser, “depicts my seven year-old best friend, Spencer. He is an Old English Sheepdog and he brightens my life with constant hopes for snacks and walks. The use of pigment both white and bright, with Chuck Close elements, and undertreated canvas deconstructs yet one more staring contest with me. The geometric over lay on natural objects intrigues me to look towards new worlds merging.”

Oser originally hails from Cincinnati, Ohio and studied pre-med at Xavier University before completing a bachelor’s of art in Literature and Humanities from Metropolitan State College of Denver. He holds an master’s degree in school counseling from the University of Phoenix. This year marks his 20th year as an educator in American high schools. He has taught English Literature in Belize, ESL Earth Science, theology, art, and Spanish in Colorado. He has enjoyed travels in the states, Europe and lots of places south of the border. To stay open-minded, he tries to learn more than his memory can handle, write a poem a year, paint a lot, and laugh and sweat daily. To Oser, art is like spirituality. It is both a personal journey and a collective leap of faith.

“I was a senior in high school when a physics teacher told our class that the human body measures up to be the midpoint between largest stellar distance and the smallest subatomic particle,” he recalls. “This led to thinking about my own brief walk on a spinning planet midst many spinning spheres which are somehow unified in an infinitely grand web. That’s both cool and humbling. Do I pluck the strands of it? Or leave no trace behind? Do I matter to timeless space? Or do the stones I overturn somehow ripple elsewhere?”

Oser is without doubt, an interesting artist and character. A closing reception for the show, which Oser will be attending, will take place on Thursday, February 21st from 4 to 5 p.m. at the gallery. The reception and refreshments are free to the public. For any questions or more information regarding this exhibit please contact NJC Gallery Director, Emily Vines, at 970-521-6710 or via email at Emily.Vines@njc.edu.

NJC basketball teams to host winter camp

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 12:46:00 -0700

Sterling CO – The Northeastern Junior College men’s and women’s basketball teams will be hosting a basketball camp for grades 4th -8th, and is scheduled to be held Monday, February 18th, 2013. The camp 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. This camp date is an In-Service day for the RE-1 School District and no classes will be held on these dates for these young athletes. 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.

Basketball Day Camp

February 18, 2013
4th thru 8th Grade
Admission to February 19th game vs. Otero

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.
(970) 521-6769

Steve.Soza@njc.edu

Make Check Payable to:

NJC Basketball Camp
100 College Blvd.
Sterling CO 80751

B2C winners take home $25K in prize money

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 12:36:00 -0700

Competition shows diverse entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in northeast Colorado

By Barbara Baker
NJC Director of Marketing

The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well, even thriving in northeastern Colorado. This was very evident as 15 fairly young, start-up or proposed businesses competed for $25,000 in prize winnings as part of the Northeastern Junior College’s Business To College (B2C) program. Now in its second year and funded by a grant from the El Pomar Foundation, the B2C program is open to businesses from throughout a 10 county area in this corner of the state. Businesses applied to be part of the 2012-2013 program last May. The final competition, following eleven months of training and six credits of college classroom work, was held in late January.

The 15 participating entrepreneurs used what they learned in the program to create and present a business plan to a panel of judges for either an existing, albeit young business, or a planned start-up business. It was the judges’ job award the prize money, however they saw fit. One outstanding business could win it all, or it could be split out among several. Cyndi Vandenbark, the Distance Learning Coordinator at Northeastern, who has also taught small business management classes for years, took the B2C participants through some intense training during 2012. The training she provided covered all facets of operating a business and represented all the same areas the businesses would eventually be judged on as they competed for the prize money.

It was a difficult competition to judge. The scoring of the written business plans and presentations was based on a grading rubric provided by the small business management program at Northeastern, used by Vandenbark. Laurie Jones, a well-known entrepreneur who is also an adjunct instructor at Northeastern, coordinated the judging portion of the competition, and made certain that all scoring criteria was followed consistently.

Vandenbark explained that the judges used the same criteria regardless whether it was an existing, new business or a start-up. Data from the judges scoring sheets was entered into a master spreadsheet to record the scores and include detailed feedback. It was important to have an independent check on the scoring to ensure fairness and completeness of scoring for each presenter. In the end, a final deliberation among the judges brought forth the top winners. According to Vandenbark and Jones, this year the deliberations took much longer due to the number of participants and the need to comprehensively discuss the summary scoring for each presenter.

It was Holy Kurtzer of Haxtun, who has a company called Blue Spruce Painting, who took home the top prize of $10,000. Barbara Lieurance of Wray, who has a new business venture called Colorado Caring Consultants won $6,500; Katie Stone of Fleming, who has been quite successful with a mobile pet grooming business, Pretty Paws Mobile Grooming, was awarded $3,500. Karrie Byam of Julesburg who has developed a booming business out of offering Western tack and other cowboy gear through an internet based consulting/sales platform, took home a $2,500 check and Krissandra Taylor, who opened Gidget’s, a salon in Fleming, also received $2,500. The judges had a total of $25,000 that they could award, however they felt was appropriate. The winning businesses must put the dollars received back into their business operation as a way to fund something new, or expand something existing.

The judges were provided a hard copy of the entrant’s business plan and then sat through an actual presentation. Among the attributes that the judges were looking for included the contents of an executive summary, business description and vision for business including a mission state, short term and long term goals, products and services to be offered/planned by the business, including pricing competition. They also wanted information on the organization of the business including such specifics as legal structure and an organization chart. Participants were asked to define their target market and their customer profile and to evaluate their own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threat factors and to even look at the product, price, promotion and place characteristics that would help them define their marketing mix and best strategies. Last but not least, the B2C participants were to discuss their financial management including projections and any existing or historical finance statements, complete with a cash flow projection.

The oral presentations were scored on the use of graphics, charts, creativity, and an ability for the presenter to provide a thorough, yet concise pitch asking for the grant money while giving enough detail for the judges to understand the business and add to the written business plan.

The competition coordinators noted that the criteria used by the judges to make the decisions on winners included all of this mentioned criteria plus El Pomar's requirement for community impact. “This information was all provided in advance to participants,” Jones points out. “El Pomar gave total discretion to the judges to determine the amount of winners and funding.”

In addition to the winners in this year’s competition, other participating entrepreneurs this year included: Ashley Severson, Divalicious Workout Studio, Sterling; Heather Cloward, Git R Done Glitters, Merino; James Vallejos, Sterling Digital Service, Sterling; Krystal Fabian, Sterling Pet Palace, Sterling; Sarah Matthews, M & M Custom RC Toys, Sterling; Janelle Lambrecht, Blue Note Music, Sterling; Monica Hunt, J & H Auto, Akron; Lynnsey Lambrecht, Blue Note Music, Sterling; Karrie Lambert, Simple Inspirations, Brush; and Sally Lahm, Red Barn Diesel, Siebert.

All the judges agreed that each presenter was truly unique and collectively, our area economy has great entrepreneurs dedicated to learning new tools and techniques to keep moving their business forward.
This El Pomar funded competition is expected to continue with a new group of entrepreneurs selected in May of 2013. Anyone wanting more information about applying to be in the B2C program this year may contact Vandenbark at 970-521-6763.

About the winners

Holly Kurtzer of Haxtun officially started Blue Spruce Painting in March of 2012. Providing an array of services including interior repainting, decorative murals, and modern wall stenciling, Kurtzer provides clients help in updating their homes with a fresh coat throughout or just simply painting an accent wall. Seeing the need for an exterior painter in her area, she plans to expand her company to also offer this service. Kurtzer plans on using her $10,000 winnings to help purchase a company van to better transport her equipment.

Barbara Lieurance’s Colorado Caring Consultants, LLC, headquartered in Wray, now in its first year, was born over a cup of coffee shared by three registered nurses with extensive experience working with the elderly and disabled. Having seen first -hand the gaps in healthcare coverage and services for this large and fast growing population, this company is providing registered nurse case management for medication management, chronic illness management, assist with physician appointments and implementing the new orders, preventive and other education and basic head to toe assessment and coordination with physicians. This start-up company also provides companions and certified nursing assistants to provide the personal care the clients need at an affordable cost. The service is available throughout Eastern Colorado and far Western Nebraska. Lieurance won $6,500.

Katie Stone of Fleming started Pretty Paws Mobile Grooming knowing that when the groomer comes to the pet it allows owners to go about their daily routine, saving time and alleviating stress. For a pet, a trip to an unfamiliar place and kenneling during the grooming process is stressful. A personal visit makes grooming more of a positive experience for the pet and owner. Stone has been a licensed groomer for the past seven years, but only opened her own business recently. Stone received $3,500.

Karrie Byam of Julesburg started a company, DallyUp.com in 2010, first as an Internet based business which brought the home town tack and Western store to your door—or computer screen. Offering a good array of inventory, she first started selling to friends and colleagues who are horse enthusiasts just like she is. Eventually friends started inquiring about also helping sell the products and she opened a “consultant” opportunity whereby these friends may also earn money, receiving a commission when they sell the Dally Up products, in person or online. The company has grown so rapidly, that Byam has now put in a bricks and mortar business that houses the popular inventory here in northeastern Colorado, making it possible to fill the orders sold by the “consultants”, many now located all over the country. Byam received $2,500 in prize money.

Krissandra Taylor, owner of Gidget’s Salon in Fleming, has been in business for a while now, but has recently revamps some of her business strategy and focus. She currently offers product lines from shampoos, hair sprays and make-up which are gluten and sulfate free, has an all organic baby line of products manufactured locally, as well as a line of products for cancer and thyroid patients. These are in addition to her styling, coloring, make-overs, waxing and tanning offered at her salon. She will be adding massage therapy to her salon soon and also recently partnered with Misara Photography in Fleming to offer styling make-overs and enhancements for photo- shoots specializing in family, wedding party and boudoir photos. Taylor received $2,500 in prize money.

About this year’s judges

While the business development training provided by the Business to College (B2C) program is delivered over an 11 month period by Northeastern’s seasoned small business instructor Cyndi Vandenbark, in the end it is ultimately a panel of qualified judges who decide the top winners. Judging this year’s B2C competition was a panel of six judges from this area, all bringing to the table some specific qualifications and general knowledge related to business start-up planning. The judging panel consisted of these individuals.

Justin Coughlin, a program associated with El Pomar Foundation, a native of Yuma and 2013 graduate of the University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in finance.

Loretta K. Davidson, an experienced banking and finance professional, currently the market president and commercial lender for a major finance institution here in northeastern Colorado. She holds a master’s degree in information system and a bachelor’s in business administration from regis University. She also attended the Colorado Graduate School of Banking.

Maggie Hanna, also a program associate with the El Pomar Foundation, attended Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas and graduated in May with a bachelor of art degree in history and urban studies: urban environment. She studied abroad in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Jessica McArthur of Sterling had a depth and breadth of financial expertise to offer this area of Colorado. A native Coloradan she was an honors graduate from the University of Denver, majoring in finance with additional focus on marketing. Her career opened with a pair of firms that specialized in consulting with institutional money managers handling the sales and marketing strategies utilized in their financial management operations. Following marriage to an executive at a local farm implement company, she added agricultural tax accounting experience to her portfolio while living in nearby Burlington. McArthur currently oversees accounting management for two, large family farm businesses.

Erin Waitley is a lifelong resident of Northeast Colorado and is the manager of the CSU Northeast Regional Engagement Center. Prior to working at the Center, she taught GED, computer information systems and developed the Small Business Management program that is offered to inmates at the Sterling Correctional Facility. She also worked as a financial aid advisor at Northeastern Junior College as well as being a multi-line insurance agent for American National Insurance specializing in commercial and agricultural insurance.

Denise Schaefer is the co-owner of Schaefer’s Precision Body & Frame, Inc. in Sterling. She has experience in business planning, marketing, management, and finance. Day to day operations involve accounting practices and procedures, insurance and customer relations, and the handling of personnel issues. She holds a bachelor’s of art in psychology, an master’s of science in human services with a specialization in professional counseling, and is a private registered psychotherapist in the state of Colorado. Denise is able to successfully merge work experience with education to serve in numerous roles within Fleming, Haxtun, and Sterling communities, schools, and organizations.

Northeastern to host Rodeo Jackpot in February

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:56:00 -0700

The Northeastern Junior College Rodeo Team will host its annual rodeo jackpot on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013 at the Logan County Fairgrounds in Sterling. This event is co-sanctioned by the Wyoming Rodeo Association and the Colorado Calf Ropers Association.

Action begins at 9 a.m. with an exhibition barrel race, followed at 10 a.m. by an Open 4-D Barrel Race with an entry fee of $45 per entry.

Open calf-roping will begin at 11 a.m. with a two and a short go run for $100. High school students or over age 50 will get one half second off per calf.

Women, men over age 50, and boys age 12 and under can compete in open Breakaway – 2 and a short for $100 entry fee. Breakaway will be the first event to get underway after noon.

Open Goat Tying – 2 and a short for $60, will run sometime after 1 p.m. and open team roping, 2 and a short for $50 per man (enter 4 times) will start at approximately 2 p.m. In the open team roping, expected to start at 3 p.m., there will be a 12 Handicapped—(12 Straight time), 4 head-progressive,1 second off per number, $40/man (enter 5 times).

All entries must be paid in cash only. In the event of inclement weather or bad roads, contestants traveling here should call before they haul. Contact the NJC rodeo coaches at these numbers, Brian Cullen 970-554-1444 or Taya McAdow 720-839-5085

February 23 is also Hoops Homecoming for Northeastern Junior College. Alumni are encouraged to be in town and watch the jackpot and then stay around to watch the ballgames at the Bank of Colorado Event Center. The women will play at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men at 7:30 p.m. The opponent will be Trinidad State Junior College.

College Goal Sunday this weekend at Northeastern

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:54:00 -0700

Students at Sterling site have chance at $1,000 NJC 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 10th at Northeastern College of Sterling. The service will be offered from 1 to 3 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, Room 14, on campus this Sunday afternoon.

This year, an IRS data-retrieval tool is part of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid - also known as FAFSA. When applying for aid for the upcoming fall semester, students must have their 2012 taxes completed and filed to use this tool. Misti Ruthven, with the Colorado Department of Education, says a copy of a tax return can no longer be given to colleges and universities as part of the FAFSA application.

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.

To complete the FAFSA, families are encouraged to bring social security numbers, driver's license number (if any), 2012 W-2 Forms and other records of money earned; 2012 untaxed income records - Social Security, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, welfare, or veterans benefits records; your 2012 bank statements; 2012 business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond, and other investment records; and your alien registration card (if you are not a U.S. citizen). You will be directed as to how you use the IRS data-retrieval tool. If possible, those planning to utilize the Sunday service are asked to go online and register for a Personal Identification Number or PIN at www.pin.ed.gov . This will allow you to electronically sign your FAFSA for faster processing.

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.

Northeastern releases honor roll for fall semester

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 09:04:00 -0700

Sterling, CO--Northeastern Junior College has released its honor roll list for the 2012 fall semester and reports that 198 full-time students were given high academic achievement recognition, including 85 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 as designated by the student):
Akron – Kody Anderson, Jessica Quint;
Anton – Rebekah Herron;
Arvada – Mikaela Hathorne;
Atwood – Anna Kindvall;
Aurora – Momona Girmay;
Briggsdale – Mason Seeley;
Brush – Mariana Ortiz, Leah Tapia;
Castle Rock – Kathryn Snowberger;
Central City – Ashley Mount-Williams;
Cortez – Toni White;
Crook – Jacob Karg, Jena Monheiser, James Vanderford;
Denver – Selamawit Gebru, Jordan Langland;
Dolores – George Moore;
Fleming – Jessie Cochran, Jace Harris, Arika Muller, Jenna Vandenbark;
Fort Collins – Evan Carlton;
Fort Morgan – Elizabeth Dill, Barbara Rodriguez;
Gilcrest – Mackenzie Southards;
Grover – Kevin Shoemaker;
Haxtun – Jonetta Anderson, Natashia Barker, Natasha Helfer;
Holyoke – Kaylee Groshans, Janna Smith, Loraine Speicher;
Hotchkiss – Samantha Henderson;
Iliff – Craig Debus, Lindsey Stumpf, Kelsey Walker;
La Junta – Nathan Noe;
Lakewood – Tabbitha Pedersen;
Lone Tree – Kira Kopchik;
Merino – Andie LaCombe, Joel Norell, Andrew Piel;
Nathrop – Corey Jimerson;
Orchard – Nichelle Williams;
Otis – Rylee From, Kati Kuntz, Jaci Palser;
Parker – Spencer Moore, Madeline Voiles;
Saguache – Kaitlyn Hazard;
Snyder – Sandra Capraro;
Sterling – Tara Amen, Marie Ann Antivo, Heidi Ashlock, Laura Bacon, Emily Brower, Anna Cheramy, Sean Dailey, Brett Dowis, Brittany Dowis, Michael Evans, Rosa Fetty, Karryn Gabel, Lynlee Gerk, Sianna Gomez, Kenneth Hicks, Paul Horvath, Kelsey Hummel, Silvia Kalb, Sarah Keil, Jason Melick, Anthony Miller, Robyn Miller, Spencer Nash, Kaylee Pier, Jace Rhodes, Nicole Thieman, Pamela Unger, Derek Weingardt, Haley Zink;
Stoneham – Rebecca Littlefield;
Wiggins – Morgen Ritchey;
Yuma – Josh Gordon;
Out of State/Country--Nebraska – David Romick

Students making the Vice President’s List with a 3.75 – 3.99 grade point average include (by home location as designated by the student):

Amherst – Karol Gaskill;
Avondale – Kelby Bond;
Broomfield – Matthew Artalejo, Christian Naylor;
Brush – Rico Portuese;
Calhan – Justin Frank;
Canon City – Margo Beaumont;
Fort Collins – Chelsea Blumenshine;
Golden – Stephen Harris;
Haxtun – Brant Davis;
Holyoke – Christa Durbin;
Iliff – Jeffrey Huss;
Johnstown – Chandler Morison;
Lamar – Braxton Warn;
Littleton – Dallas Dear;
Loveland – Ryan Larkin;
Merino – Evan Albrandt;
Otis – Zachary Wagner;
Pagosa Springs – Jerica Caler;
Parker – Daniel Westerberg;
Simla – Jaci Digby;
Snyder – Hayden Segelke, Paxton Segelke;
Sterling – Curran Barnes, Matthew Baumann, Michelle Bellender, Darcelle Chrisp, Lori Erickson, Jesse Gallagher, Paul Graff, Crystal Griess, Charles Guernsey, Shay Hansen, Mindy Harms, Ty Lebsock, Morgan Lee, Brian Miller, Taylor Moore, Benjamin Suiter, Tyson Weingardt;
Out of State/Country--Florida – Matthew Funk;
Nebraska – Krista Adden, Lindsey Soule, Bryson Wagner;
New Hampshire – Zachary Cromwell;
Utah – Austin Gamblin

Dean’s List honorees, which represented student with a 3.5 – 3.74 grade point average include (by home location as designated by the student):

Amherst – Alyssa Roll;
Atwood – McKenzi Carlson;
Aurora – Stacey Crossland, Abraham Diarra;
Avondale – Michelle Klein;
Castle Rock – Heather Thompson;
Centennial – Stephanie Berghorn;
Colorado Springs – Brandon Begier;
Denver – Nathan Robinson, Janeth Tiscareno;
Dove Creek – Kendell Knuckles;
Elizabeth – Vincent Pratt;
Fort Morgan – Lacey Kerbs;
Frederick – Kenyon Lussier;
Frisco – Jenna Cobb;
Grand Junction – Cody Thorpe;
Greeley – Aster Degu; Gunnison – Adrianne Eager;
Haxtun – Andrea Crowder, Sara Kurtzer, Jordan Mahnke;
Hotchkiss – Cortney Struble;
Iliff – Braydon Zink;
Johnstown – Mackenzie Krause, Samantha Steele;
Julesburg – Derek Farmer;
La Junta – Ethan Berg;
Lakewood – Ryan Reno;
Limon – Janice Nienhuser;
Longmont – Samantha Davison;
Loveland – Caleb Carlson, Benjamin Johnson;
Peetz – Aaron Browne, Stephan Geu;
Pleasant View – Jessica Daves;
Ramah – Jessica Coleman;
Ridgway – Lexi Kiniston;
Seibert – Bryce Burris;
Sterling – Nicolas Anderson, Alexandra Bornhoft, Ashley Browne, Kendra Dickinson, Jana Evans, Jeffery Gutierrez, Christina Helvie, Kelli Herzog, Christian Holloway, Kathryn Petzoldt, Shannon Robson, Melissa Sauter, Miriam Scharff, Malisa Severson, Trevor Weisgerber, Ashley Wilson;
Walden – Caleb Weddle;
Weldona – Travis Covelli;
Wray – Jori Archer;
Yuma – Samuel Baucke, Tyler Miller;

Out of State/Country--Iowa – Darrin Lambert;
Nebraska – Susan Albee, Christine Dunton, Whitney Miller, Jessica Pease;
New Jersey – Parker Worth;
Wyoming – Coralee Spratt;
Canada – Jordan Procyshen

Contemporary dance theatre to perform Feb 12th

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:15:00 -0700

Reception provides chance to meet dancers in person

Sharlee Eby and Cayel Tregeagle of BYU’s Contemporary Dance Theatre perform to Benny Goodman’s upbeat song, “Sing, Sing, Sing”. These two will be among the dancers who will perform at NJC on February 12th as they bring the show, A Thing About Love, to this part of Colorado. Tickets are available now and include a reception following the event where those in attendance may meet the dancers. (Courtesy Photo)

The Northeastern Junior College Music Department in conjunction with the Sterling Arts Council are thrilled to be bringing back the Brigham Young University (BYU) Dance Department for a fabulous February performance in Northeast Colorado. The Contemporary Dance Theatre from BYU is unveiling their new show The Thing About Love. Through dance and music, The Thing About Love explores the different forms of love that shape our lives including first love, motherly love, mature love, and God’s love. Sometimes love is a mystery and The Thing About Love works to explore and discover the depth with which love hurts us, heals us, and moves us.

You won’t want to miss The Thing About Love, which will be performed at the Dorothy Corsberg Theater on the NJC campus on Tuesday, February 12th at 7:00 p.m..

With the perfect balance of light hearted performances and moving choreography, this show is one that will touch audience members of all ages. By combining technology with traditional dance the duets and group numbers come to life in a way never before seen. Contemporary Dance Theatre’s delightful and diverse repertoire covers a broad spectrum of innovative styles that will touch your head, your heart, and your funny bone!

Working with the renowned contemporary dance company, Diavolo, and celebrated choreographer Joni Tuttle, who is currently touring with the live show of the hit television series So You Think You Can Dance, the Contemporary Dance Theatre creates a show that is remembered and talked about long after the last number is danced.

Company director Michelle Nielsen works with the dancers directing, choreographing, teaching and mentoring them to be the dance artists of the future. She prepares her students to not only perform, but also to conduct workshops, choreograph and teach. In this way she carries out his vision of blending art and entertainment that can lift and bring hope to the world.

Company members are not only known for their sparkling and dramatic performances, but also for their teaching abilities in their work with schools and community centers. While in Sterling, the company members will present two workshops for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in RE-1 Valley Schools.

The reputation of Contemporary Dance Theatre is known worldwide. Since its creation in 1974, the company has performed in Argentina, Chile, Japan, the Philippines, Korea, Turkey, Israel, South Africa, and Australia. Contemporary Dance Theatre has toured in the Eastern United States and was selected twice by the American College Dance Festival to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C

Tickets for The Thing About Love are available from KC’s Music and Electronics, Dales Jewelry, and the Liberal Arts office on the NJC campus. Tickets will also be available at the door. Prices are $12 for adults and $8 for children ages 12 and under.

A reception will be sponsored by Bank of Colorado immediately following the performance where ticket holders will have the opportunity to meet the dancers from the show. Questions can be directed to Celeste Delgado-Pelton at 970-521-6754.

Northeastern wins new auto training device

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:03:00 -0700

Greeley firm awards teaching tool to college

Dan Ramsier (left) presents the new training device to Richard Moon (right) at NJC. The college won the $9,000 prize during a drawing held last fall during the Colorado Automotive Teachers Association state meeting which included teachers from all over the state. (Courtesy Photo)

Students in Northeastern Junior College’s automotive technology programs have a new training tool available this new year. It’s an Atech Powertrain Systems Trainer with a GM Electronic Ignition System included. Valued at nearly $9,000, this training unit was given away during a drawing that was held during the Colorado Automotive Teachers Association (CATA) conference held here in Sterling last fall. NJC’s secondary automotive technology teacher Richard Moon was the lucky winner. The drawing was held by High Country Technology Consultants who was at the conference displaying their units to automotive technology teachers from all over the state.

This new training device is used as an instructional aid in teaching one of the four certification areas for National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) task coverage. It is manufactured using original GM components, the kind that would be found in the model year vehicle it was developed for. These trainers are used by automotive instructors when they are teaching Advanced Engine Performance and Advanced Ignition Systems courses. Prior to its arrival, NJC used live car diagnostics, but this sophisticated tool will enhance the curriculum in this area.

High Country Technology Consultants (HCTC), headquartered in Greeley, was founded in 2002 and represents several manufacturers of training equipment used in community colleges, junior colleges, universities, private trade schools and secondary educational facilities. The company provides installation, on-site training, technical support and instructor workshops for the majority of the products it sells. “We serve on several CTE advisory committees in support of the various career and technical education programs in the states of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Montana,” explains Dan Ramsier, LLP, upon making the presentation to NJC.

High Country Technology Consultants, LLP is staffed by the founder, Dan Ramseier, LLP Partner/Founder, Andy Ramseier, LLP Partner/Technical Support and Training and Jana Ramseier, Sales Support/Office Manager. Dan started working in Educational Sales with Lab Technologies in 1990 and attended his first CATS meeting that year. This support of the CATS organization has continued for over 20 years and resulted in many friendships with the dedicated instructors in the Automotive Technology and Diesel Technology programs around the state.

Richard Moon was excited to accept the trainer on behalf of NJC and helped oversee getting it set up on the college’s north campus so it can be used by not only his secondary automotive technology students, but also by the collegiate-auto tech students and the diesel technology students who are taking classes in the automotive area as part of the auto-diesel master technician training.

Essay writing contest now includes cover art design competition

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 11:17:00 -0700

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

The 2013 essay contest winners are shown here with contest dignitaries (l to r), Dan Conn, history teacher at Holyoke High School, Nel Propst, noted area author and namesake for the contest, Jeremy Loutensock, first place winner from Holyoke, contest coordinator Ken Horner, Katelyn Kaus, second place winner from Haxtun, and Amy Schadegg, counselor at Haxtun High School. Deadline for this year’s contest is March 1st.

Now is the time for area high schools students, grades 9-12 to get their essay entries written for the annual Nel Propst Northeastern Colorado Historical Essay Contest. The deadline for the competition is March 1st. Students have an opportunity to win up to $2,000 in scholarship money to the college of their choice. This contest has been expanded this year and now includes high schools in Morgan County. And, a cover design competition has been added to allow art students to also compete for scholarship dollars. In past years, the number of contestants entering has ranged from 12 to 15 so the odds of winning are quite good.

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 which includes the following area. All high schools in Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma Counties plus the Briggsdale, New Raymer, Pawnee and Grover school districts in northeastern Weld County.

The entry deadline for home-schooled student entries is February 15th 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. Added this year will be a prize to an art student from one of these designated high schools (or home school) who submits the winning cover design for the 2013 book. This winner will receive a $1,000 award.

Students entering the essay portion of the contest are asked to write an thesis 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. Cover design entries must follow some specific guidelines which are posted on the website listed below.

Each student who has an essay or cover design entered must have a sponsoring faculty, counselor of administrative member from their school. This sponsor, should his or her student win either of the contests, will also receive a $500 grant respectively. These grants may be used to fund class field trips or purchase classroom equipment and or supplies.

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.

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 area 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. You may also call contest coordinator Ken Horner at 970-522-2440 or email him at khorner@nphec.com

The funds used in this contest are managed and dispersed by the Northeastern Junior College Foundation, however, students winning scholarships may use their award at any college of their choosing.

Last year’s top essay entry was submitted by Jeremy Loutensock of Holyoke High School for his essay entitled “Unseen Glory.” Dan Conn, a history teacher, was his sponsor. Second place entry was submitted by Katelyn Kaus of Haxtun High School who was sponsored by Amy Schadegg and Vickie Fuesz.

Snowball Challenge being offering by Northeastern

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:53:00 -0700

Fitness promotion helps you develop life changes
The unseasonably warm day this past Saturday had all kinds of people out doing all kinds of physical activities. Remember, it is winter in Colorado and the snow will once again fly. The fitness promotions department at the Bank of Colorado Event Center at Northeastern Junior College invites everyone to participate in this spring’s Snowball Challenge. Like a snowball that gets bigger and bigger the more it rolls across the white surface, this fitness challenge encourages you to begin with individual short-term goals and eventually obtain a larger long-term goal. The Snowball Challenge runs January 28th through April 28th, 2013.

Every two weeks, participants will pick one healthier or more active change to make to their life and they will add it to their previous goal. You’ll be asked to focus on things you want or need to make different in order to approve your overall health. Among these changes could be life-style alterations in nutrition and specific fitness goals as well as emotional and psychological changes. By adding these small changes one at a time over an eight week period, it is more likely that some of them will stick long-term.

You’ll be asked to turn in your goals, and then track your own progress, turning in a log every two weeks to document that you have continued to keep up with your commitment. In order to move on through the challenge, each participant will be required to show on paper that he or she has kept up with the goals by completing the activity 6 out of the 7 days per week.

All participants who complete their goals and turn in logs every other week will be able to have their name in a drawing for a prize at the end of each small-term goal cycle. Prizes will include gift cards to the college’s bookstore and Northeastern 18 and Plainsman Grill, athletic apparel, or free access to one week of workout classes. Each participant who successfully completed the challenge will receive one month free access to the event center. A grand prize will be awarded to the overall challenge winner which will be selected from whomever has completed all the short term goals and in doing so, has achieved their long-term goal.

To participate in the Snowball Challenge, all participants are required to enroll in the PED 110 Fitness activity class ($134.72) and pay a one-time fee of $5 to contribute to purchasing weekly prizes.

According to NJC’s Bank of Colorado assistant manager and health and fitness promotions coordinator Kari Mueller, “I will provide weekly challenging exercises for you to incorporate and ideas and motivation to help you push through those difficult weeks in order to obtain your goals,” she said. “You can expect research-based nutritional information that is on the rise and proven to help in creating a healthy lifestyle.” Mueller sites a few examples of how the goal setting in the Snowball Challenge might work, “Let’s say the first week you set the goal of drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. On week three, you then set the goal of adding 10 minutes of vertical core exercises to your previous goal, so now you are drinking the right amount of water and doing some vertical core exercises,” she explains. “On your fifth week, you add the goal of adding lean protein to your breakfast every day, so now you are doing three good things for yourself. Every two weeks you are adding something else to make you better!”

Mueller notes that over a period of eight weeks, you will have adopted some great life-style changes that are going to improve your physical well-being. Mueller also said that while you are doing the Snowball Challenge, you will also have access to the use of the fitness center on campus and can work-out in the facility as much as you want during this time.

For more information, contact Mueller at 521-6614 or email her at kari.mueller@njc.edu Participants must sign up for this challenge by Monday, January 28th. You can do this at the Bank of Colorado Event Center on NJC’s campus.

Northeastern students tour Denver stadium

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:46:00 -0700

Stepping outside of the classroom enhances learning experience

Fourteen students from a sports management class at Northeastern Junior College were recently able to tour Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver as part of their learning outside of the classroom experience. The students were taken throughout the facility and able to see every aspect of how the facility operates. While the stadium is best known for the Broncos, it also has hosted concerts and other sporting events and was the venue chosen by President Barack Obama when he gave his acceptance speech during the Democratic National Convention in Denver in 2008.

The stadium cost more than $400 million to build. The cost included $2.6 million for video boards and $7 million for stairways and handrails. It is 1.8 million square feet in size and is made of 12,000 tons of structural steel, 200,000 pounds of aluminum, 130,000 bricks, 1.6 million masonry blocks, 1,500 plumbing fixtures and 25,000 light fixtures. An estimated 300 events are held here per year. Among the interesting trivia about the facility is that it has more than 550 concession stands on site. The seating capacity of the stadium is 76,125 which includes 132 luxury suites on two levels and 8,800 club level seats.

The sports management class at NJC is designed to provide students with knowledge of management in the areas of facilities, professional organizations, education institutions, sports promotions as well as the different managerial styles that can be applied. Students also take a look at quality control, leadership, strategic planning, information systems and sports research.
Bryan Shepherd is the instructor at NJC. (Courtesy Photo)

Spring semester begins at Northeastern this week

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 09:54:00 -0700

The Associated Student Government officers at Northeastern Junior College have a number of great activities planned to help kick off the new spring semester. Pictured here holding one of many banners that went up on campus to promote the opening week’s activities are (l to r): Stephan Geu, a sophomore from Peetz who is the first vice president, Chelsea Blumenshine, a sophomore from Fort Collins, who is president, and Jessica Blohm, a sophomore from Parker who is the second vice president. (Courtesy Photo)

Slew of activities planned for returning students

The spring 2013 semester begins this week at Northeastern Junior College. Students are converging back on campus for another round of classes as they work their way to earning the degrees and certificates of their choice. The Associated Student Government (ASG) has planned an array of activities to help jump-start a new semester.

Tuesday was a day set aside for new student orientation and for returning students to make sure their house is in order on the administrative side of things, confirming class schedules and doing payment verification. Both day and evening classes begin on Wednesday, January 23rd.

Social events kicked off on Tuesday evening with the offering of cinnamon rolls and hot cocoa in Pete’s Retreat located inside Hays Student Center from 8 to 10 p.m. Students will be treated to laser tag in the ballroom on Wednesday night from 7 to 10 p.m. An outside vendor will be bringing this highly interactive game to the campus, paid for with student dues. On Thursday, January 24th students are invited to the Fox 5 Theatre in downtown Sterling to view the offered movie of their choice at 9 p.m. for a special $2.00 admission. This price is only good for NJC students who are able to show a current identification card, checked at the door. This student benefit continues throughout the entire semester, subsidized through student fees.

On Friday evening, faculty and staff will show up to be dealers for an

Aggies sponsored Casino Night in Pete’s Retreat from 6 to 9 p.m. Students will play for fake money winnings which can be turned into great prizes. On Saturday, January 26th, a dodge ball tournament will be held in the Bank of Colorado Event Center’s auxiliary gym starting at 6 p.m. Teams across campus are being formed during the week and they show up to see who has the most gusto when it comes to dodging fast balls. These tournaments have been a very popular draw in past years and are quite comical to watch. Students who aren’t playing often show up to watch and cheer on their favorite group.

Monday, January 28th is the last day to add new classes for spring semester. Wednesday, February 6th is the last day to drop classes.

NJC is expecting a small influx of new students for spring semester, including nine who were selected to receive the Spring Beginnings Scholarship which was offered to new, full-time, students who plan to live on campus while studying here.

Tax Help Colorado program returns in 2013

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 16:47:00 -0700

Services open on Tuesday, January 29th

Sterling, Colo. – This tax season, Northeastern Junior College is once again partnering with the Denver-based Piton Foundation to provide free tax preparation assistance to low- to moderate-income families through the Tax Help Colorado program. Beginning Tuesday, January 29th, IRS-trained Northeastern students will prepare and e-file tax returns free of charge for individuals with household incomes of less than $50,000 a year.

Tax Help Colorado has a presence on 16 college campuses and operates 27 free tax sites statewide. More than 30% of Colorado families are eligible to participate in the program, which was created to help alleviate the financial burden of tax preparation on lower-income households.

Many of these families are also eligible for tax benefits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, and the preparers at Northeastern’s site specialize in ensuring that taxpayers receive the refunds they deserve. In 2012, Tax Help Colorado helped nearly 7,000 taxpayers receive $13.2 million in refunds.

The service, which is quick and confidential, will be offered at Northeastern from January 29th to April 2nd on Tuesday nights at Phillips Whyman Building, Room 12 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The students will also be helping prepare taxes on Saturdays, February 9th and February 23rd from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those who want to access this kind of help need to call (970) 521-6637 between 12 noon and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome and will be served on a first-come first -served basis. There are several trained students in this year’s program that speak Spanish and will be happy to take care of those who need this service. Overseeing the Northeastern tax site is NJC business professor Deb Walker and long-time accountant Maxine Dennington.

People who are getting their taxes prepared at Northeastern, should bring the following documents:

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 and a photo I.D.
A copy of last year’s tax returns, if available.
Bank account number and routing number to direct deposit the refund. With direct deposit, refunds are received in 7 to 10 days.

A list of all the Tax Help Colorado sites, as well as locations of other free tax assistance sites in Colorado, is available by dialing 2-1-1 (it’s a free call), visiting www.piton.org/eitc, or finding Tax Help Colorado on Facebook at www.facebook.com/taxhelpcolorado.

The Piton Foundation sponsors Tax Help Colorado as part of its efforts to help move families from poverty and dependence to self-sufficiency. Piton is a private foundation located in Denver, Colorado. It was established in 1976 by Denver oilman Sam Gary. The Foundation teamed up with the Colorado Community College accounting classes to establish this program, giving students an opportunity to learn tax law and the value of community service.

Thompson earns Northeastern auto tech award

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 15:42:00 -0700

Jerrod Thompson (left), a student at Caliche High School who is enrolled in the secondary automotive technology program at Northeastern Junior College has been recognized at the NAPA Auto and Truck Parts Student of the Month. Thompson was recognized as the recipient for the month of November as winners are selected post facto. He received the recognition in mid-December once it was determined that he had the best attendance and the best grade in the class during this time frame. He competed with 26 other students to win the award.

NAPA provides a monthly award during the school year which is alternated between the college’s secondary program, it’s collegiate auto tech program and it’s collegiate diesel technology program. Aaron Hettinger (right), the outside sales representative from NAPA presented the award to Thompson along with a $25 gift certificate and an engraved plaque.

Basketball teams to host winter camps

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 11:09:00 -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 Monday, January 21, 2013. The second camp, for grades 4-8, is scheduled to be held Monday, February 18th, 2013. 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 week!

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.

Basketball Day Camp
January 21, 2013
Kindergarten thru 3rd Grade
Admission to January 29th game vs. Western Nebraska

February 18, 2013
4th thru 8th Grade
Admission to February 19th game vs. Otero

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.
(970) 521-6769

Steve.Soza@njc.edu

Make Check Payable to:

NJC Basketball Camp
100 College Blvd.
Sterling CO 80751

Gareis wins traveling award at Northeastern

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 09:08:00 -0700

Martha Gareis, coordinator of the Northeastern Junior College mail and document center, has been selected as the most recent recipient of the traveling Atta Girl Award. Gareis was recognized for her ongoing excellent customer service to her colleagues and all of the students on campus. She is a tireless team player who continually puts in whatever time and effort it takes to make sure things are done on time and to the standards required. Gareis has worked in several areas of the campus so she is very familiar with the personnel and the ongoing academic and general operations of the college.

The Atta Girl Award was established in 2003 by Pat Fox who was the former executive director of the NJC Foundation. It is a gender specific traveling award that moves around campus. The trophy was purchased with private funds and any costs involved to engrave the recipients’ names on it is covered through donated services. The internal award is designed to give recognition to those who take on extra work, or do an exceptional job, usually above and beyond their regular workload. Each recipient is responsible for choosing the next “Atta Girl.” The award may be passed on as often as deemed appropriate by the current title holder.

Gareis received the award from Deb County, formerly the controller at NJC, who was the last recipient of the award. County has since moved back to RE-1 Valley School District where she is their chief accountant. Pat Fox, who now lives in Loveland, just happened to be in town last Thursday when Gareis was awarded and she helped with the presentation. Fifteen women at NJC have been dubbed Atta Girls in the past ten years.

Some of the former Atta Girl Award recipients at NJC, gathered for the most recent presentation including (l to r back row) Barbara Baker, Shawn Rose, Elaine Jones, Pat Fox, and Cherie Brungardt and (front row, l to r) Deb County and Martha Gareis (Courtesy Photo)

Northeastern sees increase in January term enrollment

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 09:05:00 -0700

For the fifth year in a row, Northeastern Junior College has seen an increase in enrollment for its January (J) Term. There are currently 269 unduplicated students on campus now who have been taking classes between January 7 and 18th, up 20.6 percent over last year’s J-Term enrollment. The J-Term option offers students an accelerated format where they can earn up to three credits in two weeks. Students are in the classroom for 4 hours per day during this term. Many students use J-Term as a springboard to jump ahead on some college credit, or to pick up a class that they might not otherwise be able to fit into their schedules.

Northeastern has made it a point to offer degree level classes during this term and most of them are guaranteed transfer courses so that a student attending a university elsewhere may earn the credits here and have them transferred to the college or university where they attend full-time. The college offers a housing and meal package to students who opt to return early from Christmas break and enroll in a J-Term class.