News Releases

Owens Findlay-area Campus Announces GED Regional Testing Center October Schedule

Posted on September 24th, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents interested in enhancing basic skills in English or math, or improving employment skills, are encouraged to attend free GED educational opportunities in October at the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus.

Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is one of only two Testing Centers in Hancock County to house the official GED examination and also provides educational testing services to the immediate area, including Allen, Hardin, Henry, Putnam, Seneca, Wood and Wyandot counties. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

The GED examination was created with the goal of providing individuals who do not finish high school with an opportunity to earn an Ohio High School Equivalence Diploma and advance their academic and career aspirations. Prior to taking the GED examinations, individuals are encouraged to attend free GED Preparation classes offered Tuesdays from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Classes are also available Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m. at Jobs Solutions in Findlay.

Owens’ GED Preparation classes are designed to help prepare students for success in passing the Ohio GED examination by building on a foundation of basic skills, including reading comprehension, science and mathematics. Owens’ GED Preparation classes are held in Room 150 on the Findlay-area Campus.

Additionally, all students must attend an orientation meeting before receiving GED Preparation classroom instruction. Orientation meetings will occur on Monday, Oct. 15 from 6-9 p.m. in Room 162, on Tuesday, Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Room 150, and on Monday, Oct. 29 from 6-9 p.m. in Room 162.

The College also makes available a free Ohio GED practice test for individuals prior to taking the official examination. Students who pass the GED practice test will receive a fee waiver to take the Ohio GED test for free, saving $55. The practice test is offered in the College’s Testing Center in Room 124 through a computer program.

The official Ohio GED examination is administered at Owens on one designated day per month. The College’s next official testing date is Saturday, Oct. 6. GED testing will begin at 7:15 a.m. on the Findlay-area Campus.

For more information on the many GED educational opportunities, call (567) 429-3547 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3547.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Toledo-area Campus Hosts Health Career Expo, Oct. 4

Posted on September 21st, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents and students with career aspirations in a health-related field are invited to learn about and explore various employment opportunities available throughout Northwest Ohio as the Owens Community College Toledo-area Campus hosts its Health Career Expo on Thursday, Oct. 4.

Sponsored by Owens’ J.O.B.S. (Job Opportunities Brought to Students) Office, the Owens Health Career Expo will run from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the College’s Audio/Visual Classroom Center Rooms 125-128 on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Admission to the event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

“The need for qualified health care professionals continues to grow at an alarming rate,” said Gentry Dixon, Owens Coordinator of Student and Alumni Placement. “Owens Community College is excited to once again host an event in which we can assist in connecting future nurses, dental hygienists and radiographers with the health care community and employment opportunities. Events such as the Health Career Expo are a great vehicle for individuals to not only learn about different employment opportunities but seek advice from longtime health care professionals.”

Dixon added, “The possibility exists that someone could walk away from the Owens Health Career Expo with a new job.”

Throughout the event, individuals can meet with local health care representatives and ask them questions about their professions or how to go about choosing a career path in the health field. In addition, attendees will be able to fill out applications for various employment opportunities.

Owens students and area residents attending the event are encouraged to bring several copies of their resume and to dress professionally in preparation for any impromptu interviews.

Area employers in attendance will include Mercy Health Partners, St. Luke’s Hospital, University Medical Center at the University of Toledo, ProMedica Health System and Wood Haven Health Care, among others.

In addition, Owens will have information available for those individuals interested in pursuing a college education. Owens offers a wide variety of academic programs through the College’s School of Health Sciences, and past graduates from these academic program have gone on to become dental hygienists, dietetic technicians, chefs, hotel and restaurant managers, occupational therapy assistants, health information technicians, radiographers and ultrasound technologists throughout Northwest Ohio.

For more information, contact the College’s J.O.B.S. Office at (567) 661-7556 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7556.

Owens Community College Unveils 2007-08 World Cultures Film Series

Posted on September 20th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College is inviting the public to immerse themselves into unique languages and cultures from around the world as the School of Arts and Sciences unveils its diverse selection of foreign films as part of the 2007-08 World Cultures Film Series. The films, each the product of a different world culture, will be shown in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage Theatre throughout the academic year.

Admission to the 2007-08 World Cultures Film Series is free and the public is encouraged to attend. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to provide the Northwest Ohio community with an opportunity to see an array of excellent foreign films free of charge,” said Kathleen Attwood, Owens Assistant Chair of Communications/Humanities. “The World Cultures Film Series will give those in attendance a chance to learn about and experience another country’s cultural heritage through the stories told in these masterful films.”

The series opens with the showing of the Yugoslavian film, “Time of the Gypsies” (1988), on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. Written by the internationally acclaimed filmmaker and Cannes Film Festival Golden Palm winner Emir Kusturica, “Time of the Gypsies” tells the story of Perhan, a young man with telekinetic powers.

Perhan lives with his grandmother Khaditza and his sister Danira, who needs an operation on her leg. Hoping to make enough money to pay for his sister’s operation, Perhan befriends Ahmed, the “money king”, who takes him to Milan, Italy. In Milan, Perhan gets caught up in the criminal underworld, and resorts to stealing from others. Although Perhan does become very wealthy, he is isolated from his family and friends and returns to Yugoslavia to find many surprises. The film is in Romany, Serbo-Croatian, Italian and English, with subtitles in English.

The World Cultures Film Series continues throughout the academic year with many more powerful films, each of which will illuminate the details of another world culture. Additional featured films are as follows:

Sunday, Nov. 18
“The Secret of Roan Inish” (Ireland, 1994)
In collaboration with the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Presenting Arts Season, a free screening of the film “The Secret of Roan Inish” will be offered as part of the Family Fun Sunday performances. The family film features 10-year-old Fiona who is sent to live with her grandparents in the small fishing village of Donegal, Ireland. Upon her arrival in Donegal, she discovers a fantasy world of intrigue and adventure highlighted by the folklore of Selkie, a seal who can turn into a human. The free event is sponsored in part by WGTE Public Broadcasting and WRVF-FM 101.5 The River. This film is in English and Irish.
(2 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre)

Friday, Jan. 18
“Promises” (United States, 2001)
In this alternative look at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, three filmmakers follow a group of seven local children for several years, documenting their unique story about growing up in Jerusalem. Through this portrait of the youthful generation, film attendees will see how deeply rooted and insoluble the problems of the Middle East have become. This documentary, which was nominated for the 2001 Academy Award for Best Documentary (Features), includes Arabic, Hebrew and English dialogue, which is subtitled in English.
(8 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre)

Tuesday, Feb. 26
(Christo and Jeanne-Claude Celebration)
“The Umbrellas” (United States, 1994)
Presented in conjunction with the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Exhibition in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery (Feb. 18 – April 3), “The Umbrellas” is documentary film that presents the masterful artistic expressions of world-renowned artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude. At sunrise on Oct. 9, 1991, Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s 1,880 workers began to open 3,100 umbrellas in Ibaraki, Japan, and in California with the intent of art reflecting the similarities and differences in the ways of life and the use of the land in two inland valleys, one 12 miles long in Japan, and the other 18 miles long in the United States. The umbrellas were on display for 18 days. The documentary film is in English.
(1 and 4 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre)

Saturday, March 29
“Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner” (Canada, 2001)
The first film ever to be written, directed and presented entirely in Inuktitut, the language of Canada’s Inuit nation, “Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner” tells the story of a rivalry between Atanarjuat and Oki, son of the leader of the tribe, both of whom desire marriage to Atuat. As one of the best hunters in the tribe, Atanarjuat wins Atuat’s hand, which angers Oki and makes for a dramatic and tense climax to the film. “Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner”, which was included in the Toronto International Film Festival’s list of Canada’s Top Ten Films of All Time, is subtitled in English.
(8 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre)

For more information about the World Cultures Film Series, call (567) 661-7523 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7523.

Owens Community College to Aid Area Flood Victims With Restoration Supply Drive, Sept. 22-23

Posted on September 19th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s Alumni Association and Student Government are reaching out to area residents recovering from the devastating storms and flooding in Hancock and Putnam counties by organizing a Restoration Supply Drive. The two Owens organizations will be accepting community donations this coming weekend, Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 22-23.

Items being collected included Kilz Primer (white), drop cloths, paint brushes and rollers, gloves, masks, Borax, sandpaper, bottled water, white indoor paint, tarps, masking tape, sand paper, paint pans, tools and paper towels.

Additionally, donations of gift cards to Home Depot, Lowe’s Home Improvement and Menards are being accepted to meet the repair needs of the flood victims. Individuals are also encouraged to make monetary donations to purchase additional gift cards. Checks should be made payable to the Owens Alumni Association.

Area residents can drop off their charitable donations in the College’s Library parking lot near Oregon Road. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. The supply drive will occur from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22 and from 12-4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23.

At the conclusion of the Restoration Supply Drive, all items will be donated to the national ISOH/Impact organization and distributed to flood victims in Hancock and Putnam counties.

Since opening its doors in 1965, Owens has provided higher education to more than 250,000 students. Owens’ Alumni Association is committed to the personal and professional success of alumni and students through the ongoing development of value-added initiatives.

The College’s Student Government is comprised of individuals who serve as the student body’s voice on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. Balancing their time between school and work, Student Government members are constantly initiating new projects and events that cater to the interests of Owens’ student body.

For more information about the College’s Restoration Supply Drive, call (567) 661-7410 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7410.

‘Mockingbird’ Author to Visit Owens Community College As Part of Northwest Ohio’s The Big Read Activities, Sept. 26

Posted on September 18th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Nationally-known author Charles Shields will visit Owens Community College to discuss his critically-acclaimed book “Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee”, as well as lead book discussion of Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” on Wednesday, Sept. 26. Shields’ appearance at Owens will highlight a series of events, sponsored by the College’s Literacy Committee and the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, to promote and encourage community-wide reading through Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”.

Owens literacy activities are part of The Big Read, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The NEA presents The Big Read in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest.

Shields’ appearance begins at 7 p.m. in the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Admission is free and the public is encouraged to attend. A book signing will occur at the conclusion of the program.

“Owens Community College is proud to partner with the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library and bring such a well-respected and accomplished author as Charles Shields to Northwest Ohio to promote the importance of reading,” said Lynda Hoffman, Owens Assistant Director of the Learning Centers and Co-Chair of the Literacy Committee. “Literary reading is an important part of America’s fabric and Owens’ Literacy Committee encourages area residents to celebrate literature and the excitement that comes with reading a good book.”

Shields’ book “Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee”, a “New York Times” bestseller, provides insight into the colorful life of Harper Lee, the author of “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Arguably the 20th century’s most widely read American novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird” has sold over 30 million copies since being published in 1960. Yet despite the book’s perennial popularity, its creator, Lee has become a somewhat mysterious figure. After years of research, Shields has brought to life the warmhearted, high-spirited, and occasionally hardheaded, masterful literary author. At the center of Shields’s lively book is the story of Lee’s struggle to create her famous novel.

A former English teacher who taught Lee’s novel for a number of years, Shields later became a writer of non-fiction books for young people including “The Great Plague and Fire of London”, “James Cook and the Exploration of the Pacific” and “George Lucas (Behind the Camera)”. For “Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee”, Shields interviewed over 600 of Harper Lee’s neighbors, childhood friends, law school classmates and Kansas residents. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in American history from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana where he was a James Scholar. Shields resides in central Virginia.

Other literacy activities occurring at Owens in September and October include “A Luncheon in the Deep South” featuring a “To Kill a Mockingbird” book discussion in the College Hall Terrace View CafÈ on Tuesday, Sept. 25. The themed luncheon will feature an array of traditional favorites from America’s southern region. “A Luncheon in the Deep South” will occur from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. and reservations must be made prior to the event.

Beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12, Owens’ Literacy Committee will air a free showing of the Academy Award-winning film “To Kill a Mockingbird” in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre. The 1962 film starring Gregory Peck will be moderated by Literacy Committee Co-Chair Lynda Hoffman.

The College will conclude The Big Read literacy activities with a book discussion and analysis of “To Kill a Mockingbird” on Tuesday, Oct. 23. The book discussion begins at 7 p.m. in the Owens Library and will be led by Owens Associate Professor of Communications/Humanities Dr. Russell Bodi.

In addition, Owens’ Library will display a variety of artifacts related to “To Kill a Mockingbird”, as well as feature a selection of books and audio/visual materials specific to the nationwide The Big Read initiative.

For more information about the College’s The Big Read activities, call (567) 661-7385 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7385.

Owens Community College Presents Fifth Annual Express Four-Person Golf Scramble, Oct. 7

Posted on September 18th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents are invited to enjoy a day of golf to benefit golf student-athletes and the intercollegiate program as Owens Community College presents its fifth annual Express Four-Person Golf Scramble. The event will occur on Sunday, Oct. 7.

Organized by Owens’ Student Enrichment and Athletics, the golf outing will be held at Heatherdowns Country Club in Toledo. The event will feature 18-holes of golf, lunch and an awards program.

The four-person golf scramble competition will begin with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. Registration will occur at 9:30 a.m. The day will conclude with participants recalling their golfing experience during a short awards program, which will recognize the top foursome in three divisions (open, mixed and senior), as well as the longest drive, closest to the pin, the most accurate drive and a putting contest.

Individuals, businesses and organizations are invited to support the Express Four-Person Golf Scramble by entering a team. The entry fee is only $55 for individuals who register in advance and $60 for those who register the day of the event.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the intercollegiate athletic golf program at Owens. Led by Head Coach Gilbert Guerrero, the Express golf team captured nine match and invitational titles this past season, highlighted by a first-place finish in the OCCAC Championship Invitational. The program won its first-ever conference title and second NJCAA Region XII Sub-Regional championship after rounds of 308-308 (616) at Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg.

The Express also set the record for the lowest round in OCCAC history, shooting a four-player score of 284 at the Pine Ridge Golf Course in Wickliffe. The previous record of 286 was held by Columbus State Community College. The Owens team finished third at the NJCAA Region XII Championships after rounds of 310-311-309 (930).

For more information, call (567) 661-7973 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7973.

Owens Community College Hosts DECA Fall Frenzy, Sept. 28

Posted on September 18th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Students from eight area high schools will showcase their knowledge and skills in marketing, merchandising, management and entrepreneurship as they compete in the DECA Fall Frenzy as part of a collaborative effort between Owens Community College and Penta Career Center. The event will take place at Owens on Friday, Sept. 28.

DECA Fall Frenzy will occur from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center, Fire Science and Law Enforcement Center, and the Audio/Visual Classroom Center on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is excited to once again partner with Penta Career Center and host an event dedicated to enhancing student skills related to careers within the business field,” said Jennifer Irelan, Owens Assistant Director of Enrollment Services. “I expect each participating student to display a high level of knowledge about marketing, merchandising, management and entrepreneurship as future business leaders, which will certainly make for a very exciting day of competition.”

DECA, which stands for “Distributive Education Clubs of America”, is a national organization dedicated to enhancing educational and career opportunities for high school and college students within the areas of marketing, management and entrepreneurship. Since its founding in 1946, DECA has remained on the cutting edge of educational innovation, working with the business community to integrate academic achievement with career and technical skills. Each year the organization’s scholarship program awards over $250,000 in scholarships to students, which are generated from more than 50 corporations.

Throughout the day, students will be faced with various real-world business scenarios in which they will have to provide explanations on how to effectively manage the situation. Such role-play scenarios will include apparel and accessories, business services, food marketing, marketing management, full-serve restaurant, quick-serve restaurant, retail merchandising, and vehicles and petroleum. In addition, participants will make presentations in the areas of hospitality, finance, sports, travel and e-commerce. Students will also take a written examination and participate in activities that will test their interview skills.

The event will conclude with an awards ceremony at 1 p.m. in the Student Health and Activities Center. The top five individuals will be honored based on judging of the team and series competitions.

Local high schools competing in the fall DECA competition include Anthony Wayne High School, Bowling Green High School, Springfield High School, Maumee High School, Penta Career Center, Oak Harbor High School, Perrysburg High School and Rossford High School.

Owens’ School of Business and Information Systems provides educational opportunities in a variety of associate degree and certificate programs, preparing students for careers in such areas as accounting, international business, marketing and sales, information systems, and office administration, among other career fields.

For more information about the DECA event, call (567) 661-7188 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7188.

Owens Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club Hosts Annual Fall Plant Sale, Oct. 2-3

Posted on September 17th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents seeking to add new life and color to their gardens and yards this fall are encouraged to attend the Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club’s annual Fall Plant Sale at Owens Community College, Oct. 2-3.

The plant sale will be held from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on both days in the outdoor area between College Hall and Administration Hall and will feature a wide selection of shrubs, perennials, and rare and unusual trees, among other items. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

According to Chris Foley, Owens Associate Professor of Math and Life Science and Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club Advisor, the Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club student organization is excited to once again offer individuals the exciting opportunity to purchase select trees and shrubs at a minimal cost for the upcoming fall planting season.

“What individuals might not realize is that the fall is actually a very good time to plant trees and shrubs,” stated Foley. “The ground is still warm from the summer months and the soil is very moist. These conditions promote great root growth for plants through December. Plants benefit greatly from the fall planting because by the time the next hot, dry weather comes around they will have already established a strong root system.”

All proceeds from the plant sale will help in supporting the organization’s participation in the PLANET (Professional Landcare Network) Student Career Days, which is a national horticultural and landscape competition involving colleges and universities across the country.

Shrubs on hand will include the purple beauty berry, dwarf burning bush, spirea, hydrangeas and a wide assortment of many others. Available trees will feature rare types of Japanese snowbell, redbud, ginkgo and varieties of maple. Additionally, several of the trees for sale are native to the United States. The Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club will also sell an array of perennials, including select hostas, lavender, purple asters and ornamental grasses.

The College’s Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club was founded in 2005 with the mission of fostering stronger bonds among students majoring in the Landscape and Turfgrass Management program. Among the organization’s main initiatives is creating a network between alumni and current students to help in assisting individuals pursue careers within the landscape, turfgrass and related horticulture industries. The group also hosts fundraisers to support club outreach activities in the surrounding communities.

For more information about the Owens Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club plant sale, call (567) 661-7623 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7623.

For further information on the plants that will be available please refer to https://www.owens.edu/plantsale.html.

Owens Findlay-area Campus to Host Community Blood Drive, Sept. 27

Posted on September 17th, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents are encouraged to help in saving lives as the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus and the American Red Cross host a community Blood Drive on Thursday, Sept. 27.

The Blood Drive will occur from 12-5 p.m. in Conference Center Room 111 on the Findlay-area Campus. Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

Qualified donors must be at least 17 years of age, weigh between 110 and 350 pounds and not have given blood within 56 days prior to their donation. In addition, individuals should feel well the day of the Blood Drive and be in general good health. The Blood Drive is open to Owens employees and students, as well as area residents. Walk-ins are welcome. Photo identification is required to donate.

The American Red Cross Western Lake Erie Region, which comprises Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, requires 290 units of donated blood to keep its 22 hospitals adequately supplied on a daily basis.

Donors will be provided snacks and drinks before and after their donation. For more information, call (567) 429-3509 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3509.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Presents New ‘Hancock Saves’ Workshop Series

Posted on September 13th, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents are invited to gain insight and advice on ways to become more financially responsible as Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus, in conjunction with the “Hancock Saves” program of Hancock County Ohio State University Extension, presents a new workshop series.

The free workshops will take place monthly on a designated Tuesday at 12 and 6:30 p.m. on the College’s Findlay-area Campus. The 12 p.m. workshop will occur in the Education Center Room 183, while the 6:30 p.m. discussion will take place in Community Education and Wellness Center Room 128. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“The ‘Hancock Saves’ workshop series is a great opportunity for area residents to receive free assistance in building a long-term financial plan that best suits their family and loved ones,” said Angie McGinnis, Owens Director of Enrollment Services for the Findlay-area Campus. “Owens Community College is proud to provide such a community outreach service and a resource for individuals seeking advice and guidance in making financially sound decisions.”

Owens’ first workshop is titled “Finding Money to Save” and will occur on Tuesday, Sept. 18. The discussion will focus on ideas about how to make small financial changes in your lifestyle that will put more money in your wallet. Future workshop topics will include “Developing a Spending Plan” (Oct. 16), “Dealing with Debt” (Nov. 13), “Preventing Identification Theft and Fraud” (Jan. 15), “Cleaning up Your Credit” (Feb. 19), “Investing for Beginners” (March 18) and “Long-term Savings and Retirement” (April 15).

The “Hancock Saves” program is funded as part of a grant from the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation. For more information, call (567) 429-3509 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3509, or (419) 422-3851.

Owens Community College Student Government Celebrates Constitution Day with Community Events, Sept. 17

Posted on September 12th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s Student Government is inviting their fellow students, as well as area residents, to join in celebrating Constitution Day with a series of community events on Monday, Sept. 17.

All Constitution Day activities are free and will occur on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township, while the Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens Community College’s Student Government is proud to celebrate the signing of our country’s U.S. Constitution and its importance to preserving American freedom and democracy,” said Lindsay Gregory, Owens Student Government President. “The events occurring on both campuses will focus on the importance of voting and how each person’s vote can make a difference in the democratic process.”

Beginning at 12 p.m. on Sept. 17, MTV’s “Rock the Vote!” nationwide tour will make an appearance at Owens’ Toledo-area Campus as celebrities Syrus and Brooke from “Real World” and “Road Rules” stress the importance of voting in today’s society during an engaging question and answer discussion. “Rock the Vote!” will occur in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre.

Additionally, retired Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences Gerry Bazer will provide a special presentation commemorating the U.S. Constitution and how it maintains relevance to American citizens with an open forum discussion on Sept. 17. The discussion will take place at 12 p.m. in Owens’ Conference Center on the Findlay-area Campus. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a U.S. Constitution trivia contest and receive a free U.S. Constitution informational booklet.

In addition, Owens student representatives will have voter registration forms available on both the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses from 12-2 p.m. during the Constitution Day events.

Established in 2004, Constitution Day celebrates the significant moment in U.S. history when 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document that defined and separated powers of the federal government on Sept. 17, 1787.

For more information about the various Constitution Day activities, call (567) 661-7583 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7583.

Owens Community College Students Awarded Alumni Association Scholarships

Posted on September 7th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Two Owens Community College students have been chosen by the Alumni Association to receive scholarships through the Owens Alumni Legacy Endowed Scholarship program. The College’s award recipients for the 2007-08 academic year are Judi DePeal of Walbridge and Lindsey Przeniczny of Lambertville, Mich.

The Owens Alumni Legacy Endowed Scholarship program was established as part of a collaborative effort between the Owens Foundation and the Alumni Association to enhance academic opportunities for their students.

“The Owens Community College Alumni Association is pleased to recognize Judi and Lindsey for their hard work and commitment to education and their communities,” said Laura Moore, Owens Executive Director of the Alumni Association. “Our Alumni Legacy Endowed Scholarship program plays a role in their success by providing access and opening new doors for these students to achieve their career aspirations.”

Since its establishment in 2004, funds for the Alumni Legacy Endowed Scholarship program have been generated from various Alumni Association contributions and fundraising endeavors, including the organization’s annual Golf Classic. The Alumni Association has also committed to contribute an additional 50 percent of net proceeds from 2007 organizational fundraisers to the endowment fund.

Selection criteria for the scholarship program is based upon applicants being a son or daughter of an Alumni Association member and achieving a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average as an Owens student or soon-to-be high school graduate. Scholarships are not based upon financial need.

DePeal is pursuing an associate’s degree in physical therapist assistant and aspires to work with accident victims, as well as patients with crippling diseases and disorders. She traces her interest to her early years, growing up on a farm, when she had opportunities to assist in the recovery process of sick and injured animals. As a teen, she worked as a patient riding assistant at Vail Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center. DePeal is a member of the College’s Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, the Owens Student Physical Therapist Assistant Associates Organization and the American Physical Therapy Association. In addition to her studies, DePeal is an Ohio Master Gardener and volunteers her time and gardening skills with the Simpson Garden Park in Bowling Green and the Wood County Park District. She is a previous recipient of the College’s Alumni Legacy and the Bookstore scholarships. The 2005 Christian Liberty Academy graduate was awarded a $1,400 scholarship.

Przeniczny is a 2007 graduate of Bedford High School. Inspired by her mother, Pam, a dental hygienist and an Owens graduate, Przeniczny is majoring in dental hygiene and intends to pursue a bachelor’s degree upon completion of the program. In high school, she was active in several athletic programs, including junior varsity basketball and golf, as well as varsity swimming. Przeniczny also was a member of the National Honor Society and several social and church groups. Her community involvement includes Relay for Life and outreach to the elderly. She participates in parish retreats, food collection for the needy and blood drives. Przeniczny was awarded a $1,400 scholarship.

The College’s Alumni Association is open to all graduates or students who have successfully completed any credit or non-credit course at Owens. New members have the opportunity to serve on the organization’s Board of Directors or committees, utilize the Toledo-area Campus Student Health and Activities Center and the Findlay-area Campus Community Education and Wellness Center, common computer labs and Library services, and attend a variety of social and networking events.

The Owens Foundation was incorporated in April 2002 and has over $2.1 million in assets. The Foundation Board of Directors currently is comprised of 21 community leaders from Lucas, Wood and Hancock counties.

The mission of the Owens Foundation and its Board of Directors is cultivating gift initiatives, targeting successful alumni, business and industry members who are committed to investing and supporting the educational needs of current and future Owens students.

Owens Delivers Backpacks and Supplies to Area Elementary School Children, Sept. 11-13

Posted on September 7th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s Alumni Association in collaboration with Books-A-Million and three Great Lakes Credit Union branches are brightening many children’s lives through a unique community service endeavor titled “Backpack to the Future”. Over 300 backpacks and nearly 4,320 school supply items collected throughout the summer months are being donated to 10 area elementary schools during the month of September.

Beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 11, Owens representatives will deliver backpacks and supplies to Toledo Public Schools’ Riverside Elementary School (500 Chicago St.) at 9:45 a.m. and Nathan Hale Elementary School (1710 Shenandoah Rd.) at 2:30 p.m. Owens representatives will make their final stops of the week on Thursday, Sept. 13 at Northview Primary School in Findlay (133 Lexington Ave.) at 10 a.m. and at Rossford’s Glenwood Elementary School (8950 Avenue Rd.) at 3 p.m. In the coming weeks, Owens will also donate backpacks and school supplies to Toledo Public Schools’ Ella P. Stewart Academy for Girls.

“The impressive response area residents and businesses continue to make to the ‘Backpack to the Future’ supply drive is outstanding,” said Kaye Koevenig, Owens Alumni Association Community Service Chair. “There are many families that can barely afford to pay their bills, and may not be able to provide their children with new supplies. Our goal is to ensure that such occurrences do not happen and that all children begin their school year with new educational resources.”

Koevenig added, “We look forward to continuing the ‘Backpack to the Future’ event in the coming years so that even more children may continue to benefit from such a worthy cause.”

Over the past four months, “Backpack to the Future” accepted gently-used or new backpacks and new school supplies from area residents to assist underprivileged school children throughout Northwest Ohio. In addition to backpacks, individuals donated crayons, markers, bottles of glue, glue sticks, colored pencils, pencils, pink erasers, school boxes, pocket folders, marbled covered composition books and Kleenex tissues.

The event also collected over $1,200 from community members. The charitable donations will go toward the purchase of school supplies.

The Owens Alumni Association established “Backpack to the Future” supply drive in 2004 as a way to provide educational outreach to the surrounding communities. To date, the program has given over 850 backpacks and more than 11,300 school supplies to benefit underprivileged children throughout Northwest Ohio.

Owens Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery Showcases ‘Allegory and Life’ Sculptures Exhibit, Sept. 21 – Oct. 27

Posted on September 7th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Unconventional materials often found in flea markets and scrap yards will serve as the focal point of Owens Community College’s latest art exhibit as the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery welcomes Al Honig and his array of thought-provoking sculptures. The internationally recognized artist’s exhibition titled “Allegory and Life” will appear, Sept. 21 – Oct. 27.

Honig will continue the College’s season-long “Not-So-Starving Artist” Lecture Series on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. The lecture highlighting his unique artwork in a slideshow retrospective will be given in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 111. Lectures in this series are free and open to the public.

In addition, Owens will be hosting an opening reception for the artist immediately following the lecture in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. The Gallery is located in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is pleased to host such a unique, profound and thought-provoking artist as Al Honig,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “His sculptures reflect his witty sense of humor, which creates both an entertaining and enjoyable experience for exhibit viewers.”

Honig has been displaying his sculptures for over 25 years and has exhibited his work extensively throughout California, as well as in numerous other states nationwide. Honig, who lives and works in San Francisco, Calif., has also showcased his masterful artistic work worldwide highlighted by appearances at the Museum of Art and Technology in Rheims, France and at the Museum of Modern Art in Thessaloniki, Greece.

In order to create his artwork, Honig selects materials often regarded as less than desirable due to age or condition. Items are chosen for his artistic expressions are chosen based on their design, condition and price, pursuing form over function to create the overall aesthetic of a completed structure. He often takes the things he discovers and uses them to create sculptures based on his interpretations of life situations or various objects or ideas. Honig has made collections of his work featuring things such as lanterns and robots, as well as forming more abstract collections such as “Allegory and Life”, which highlights ideals and moral principles based on his observations and suppositions of human behavior.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Thursdays and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For additional information about this exhibit, contact the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721 or (567) 661-2721.

Area Residents Invited to Free Writers’ Workshop at Owens Community College this Fall

Posted on September 6th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area writing enthusiasts of all levels are invited to expand their creative and literacy skills as Owens Community College hosts a Writers’ Workshop during the Fall Semester. The free weekly workshop will provide attendees an educational venue to receive feedback on their writings and review work by other participants.

Offered free of charge, the Writers’ Workshop meets every Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. in the Writing Center located in College Hall Room 156-D. The first writing session will be held on Sept. 12. The workshop will continue throughout the Fall and Spring semesters. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is excited to once again provide a forum in which community members and students can share in the writing experience,” said Lynda Hoffman, Owens Assistant Director of the Learning Centers. “The Writers’ Workshop affords writers the opportunity to share their work and develop their skills, as well as have their work published in a College-sponsored journal.”

The Writers’ Workshop is designed to provide educational assistance and guidance to writers of all genres and skill levels. Writers will have the chance to share their work with other members and receive feedback concerning their own writings. Additionally, members will have the chance to give feedback to fellow writers. Participants will also have the opportunity to develop their skills through the critiquing, reviewing and discussing of works submitted.

For more information, call (567) 661-7385 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7385.

20,425 Students Choose Owens to Pursue Educational Opportunities and Career Aspirations

Posted on September 4th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College continues to provide Northwest Ohio residents with greater access to higher education at an affordable cost with a record-breaking 20,425 students choosing to attend the academic institution for Fall Semester classes.

Since becoming a comprehensive community college in 1994, Owens has nearly doubled its Fall Semester student enrollment by an astounding 99 percent. The College enrolled 10,255 students for Fall Semester classes in 1994.

The combined Fall Semester enrollment of 20,425 students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses surpasses the previous record of 20,406 students enrolled during Fall Semester 2005. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus has 17,335 students attending classes during the Fall Semester, while on the Findlay-area Campus 3,090 students are enrolled for the fall term. On both campuses, Fall Semester enrollment has increased 6.9 percent from last fall.

“Owens Community College has a long and proud tradition of making a difference in students’ lives by providing access to a quality college education,” said Dr. Bill Ivoska, Owens Vice President of Student Services. “Our focus and commitment is on helping students become future leaders and obtain their academic and career goals.”

Ivoska added, “Owens students are Northwest Ohio’s future nurses, information systems professionals, accountants and survey technicians. These highly skilled and motivated individuals are tomorrow’s societal leaders and contributors and Owens is proud to play an important role in their success.”

For Ashely Cichocki of Rossford, a pre-business administration major, the decision to attend Owens instead of other area four-year colleges and universities was an easy one.

“Attending a college that was affordable and close to home was important,” explained Cichocki, a Rossford High School graduate. “The education I am receiving at Owens is everything I thought it would be and more. The instructors are more than willing to take the time to help answer your questions. They want you to succeed.”

Areas in which significant enrollment growth has occurred during the fall term include the School of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, School of Technology, and Workforce and Community Services, among others.

“Owens can make your educational and career dreams a reality,” said Cichocki, who plans to pursue both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and a career in pharmaceutical sales.

According to Ivoska, Owens also has made a fundamental point to build upon the educational needs of its students through the continued advancement of innovative programs, courses, teaching methods and academic resources.

Owens has increased its educational opportunities available to students this fall by expanding academic curriculum in such areas as music business technology, commercial photography, interior design and cancer information management, among others. The College also enhanced its student services and resources by showcasing a new Health Services and Wellness Center this fall, which is intended to provide access to the College’s first-ever health services on campus.

Additionally, the College is continuing to expand its extremely popular eOwens distance learning education by continuously introducing new academic courses online. For Fall Semester 9,198 students are pursuing e-Learning courses – up from 6,839 last fall (34.5 percent increase).

Additionally, Owens is offering its first-ever on-site academic and support service at The Source, Lucas County’s One-Stop Employment Center, in downtown Toledo and at several Toledo-Lucas County Public Library branches within the surrounding communities.

Continuing to expand educational opportunities for students in the Hancock County area, Owens unveiled a new $4.2 million Findlay-area Campus Community Education and Wellness Center earlier this year to complement the new $17.7 million Findlay-area Campus, which opened in 2005.

To accommodate the record number of students, the College, within the last five years, also opened an $11 million Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus. Earlier this year, Owens unveiled a new $20.5 million Center for Emergency Preparedness. The Center is the only state-of-the-art facility of this magnitude within the Midwest.

Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus Aids Flood Victims With Community Outreach Initiatives

Posted on September 4th, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus is reaching out to area residents and surrounding communities recovering from the devastating storms and flooding by making available resources and opportunities for individuals to aid in the relief efforts.

“The surrounding Northwest Ohio communities have experienced a tremendous loss that will be felt for years to come,” said Judy Ennis, Owens Executive Dean of the Findlay-area Campus. “During this difficult time, Owens Community College is committed to helping our students and the surrounding communities recover through the use of our various resources and outreach. Serving our students and the surrounding communities is Owens Community College’s mission and we want to help those in need.”

Starting Wednesday, Sept. 5, the Findlay-area Campus Students Involved organization will be accepting community donations to help the Findlay City Schools’ children in need of school supplies following the tragic flooding. Items being collected include backpacks, crayons, markers, bottles of glue, glue sticks, colored pencils, pencils, pink erasers, school boxes, pocket folders and calculators, among many other items.

Area residents can drop off their charitable donations in the Findlay-area Campus’ Commons area. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay. The school supply drive will conclude on Friday, Sept. 14.

In addition, the Findlay-area Campus is encouraging Owens students whose textbooks have been lost or damaged in the flood to stop by the College’s Bookstore where representatives will work with the students to replace the lost or damaged textbooks free of charge.

The Owens Findlay-area Campus is also inviting area displaced businesses and community organizations in need of available meeting space to visit the College for potential scheduling arrangements.

Additionally, flood victims needing American Red Cross assistance can visit the service center located in the Conference Center on the Findlay-area Campus. The service center is staffed with case workers who are available daily from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. American Red Cross representatives will help flood victims with their immediate emergency disaster caused needs.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. Individuals can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation. Individuals can call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter (Hancock County Chapter American Red Cross, 125 Fair St., Findlay, OH 45840) or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org <http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html.

For more information about the College's various flood community outreach initiatives, call (567) 429-3535 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3535.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor's degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens and Piping Industry Training UA Local 50 Students Receive International Apprentice Recognition

Posted on August 31st, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Two Owens Community College and Piping Industry Training Center UA Local 50 students recently earned international recognition for their exceptional knowledge and skills in the HVAC and pipefitting industry. Andy Kennedy of Swanton and John Johnson of Metamora have been crowned the United Association International Apprentice Contest champions among more than 39,000 contest eligible apprentices within the United Association of the United States and Canada.

The United Association International Apprentice Contest, which was held in Ann Arbor, Mich., featured six regional apprentice champions competing in a specified trade area for the right to be crowned international champion. The five trade areas in which participants showcased their apprentice skills and techniques included pipefitter, plumber, HVAC, welder and sprinklerfitter. Kennedy was named pipefitter international champion, while Johnson received HVAC international champion honors.

Each student completed a written examination and hands on practical skill events to determine their expertise within the designated trade area. As part of the practical skills competition, individuals were required to locate, identify and repair various malfunctions on specified state-of-the-art technology and complete installations on new products.

A panel of judges, comprising independent and factory representatives, graded each participant in the areas of workmanship, safety practices, problem-solving techniques and identification, and repair of malfunctions to determine the respective champions. Both Kennedy and Johnson advanced to the international competition after winning the State of Ohio Apprentice and United Association Region 2 Apprentice contests.

Located in Northwood, the Piping Industry Training Center Local 50 is committed to serving both the labor and management of the piping industry of Northwest Ohio. The organization is dedicated to providing quality apprentice and journeyman training in the practical and technical aspects of the trade; preparing graduates to succeed by meeting the needs of their employers and the industry they serve; promoting professionalism and a positive image of the piping industry not only within the trade, but to the public as well; and leaving a legacy of service and cooperation to the piping industry of Northwest Ohio that will set the standard for future generations.

Owens Community College and the Piping Industry Training Center Local 50 have a longstanding partnership of providing Northwest Ohio residents with access to educational opportunities. A highlighted initiative between the respective institutions includes Owens Community affording Piping Industry Training Center Local 50 students the opportunity to receive college credit through their apprenticeship. Additionally, the College is offering journeymen training to the Local 50.

Owens Community College Student Government Observes 9/11 Tragedy With Public Display

Posted on August 31st, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s Student Government is inviting their fellow students, as well as area residents, to join them on the Toledo-area Campus and pay tribute to those victims and heroes that lost their lives in the Sept. 11 tragedy six years ago.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 11-12, individuals can view a memorial display in the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda, commemorating the sixth anniversary of the terrorist attack.

“Owens’ Student Government is encouraging community members to honor, not forget, those people who lost their lives on that fateful Sept. 11 morning,” said Lindsay Gregory, Owens Student Government President. “Even six years later, so many people’s lives are still affected by the attack that day. We must do our part to respect, remember and honor our fellow American’s legacy and the fight for freedom.”

According to Gregory, the display is certain to evoke a somber mood and a flood of emotion.

“The display will include an elaborate floral arrangement, which will be generously donated by Ken’s Flower Shops, as well as newspaper clippings and photos from the tragic event,” she stated. “In an effort to fully honor and remember every victim of that day, a complete name listing of those that perished will also be on display.”

Human Resource Learning Systems Course Offered at Owens Findlay-area Campus, Sept. 22 – Dec. 1

Posted on August 27th, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Northwest Ohio professionals interested in expanding their proficiency in the area of human resources are invited to participate in the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) Learning Systems Course at the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus. The program begins Sept. 22 and will continue through Dec. 1.

The course will be offered through Owens’ Community and Corporate Education every other Saturday from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the College’s Community Education and Wellness Center. Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“The SHRM Learning Systems Course is an excellent tool for professionals new to the field of human resources or those looking to develop and enhance their skills in this area,” said Steve Hillard, Owens Director of Community and Corporate Education on the Findlay-area Campus. “This introductory course will offer a comprehensive overview of various aspects of human resource management through curriculum designed by leading experts and professionals.”

The SHRM Learning Systems Course will be segmented into six learning modules that cover human resource topics relevant to today’s human resource professional and are tested on the HRCI certification exams. Topics covered will include the roles and responsibilities of strategic management, workplace planning and employment, human resource development, total rewards, employee and labor relations, and risk management. Attendees will receive the latest content and methods based upon legislative changes, recent developments, and the “real world” experiences of leading professionals.

Course participants can earn up to 3.5 continuing education units upon successful completion. Individuals will also receive a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) preparation book specifically devoted to SPHR certification preparation.

The registration deadline is Sept. 14. For more information, or to enroll in the program, call (567) 429-3152 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3152.

World-Renowned Harpist Alfredo Rolando Ortiz to Perform at Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Sept. 9

Posted on August 27th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents will have the unique opportunity to experience the music of a world-renowned harpist as Alfredo Rolando Ortiz performs at Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Sunday, Sept. 9. The public is encouraged to attend the free concert, which is sponsored by the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Society, at 7 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre.

Ortiz’s musical presentation of Latino serenades will include many of fan favorites, including “You Belong to My Heart” and “BÈsame Mucho”, among others. In addition to the concert, Ortiz will be giving several instructional harp workshops and classes on Sunday afternoon from 1-5 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Alfredo Rolando Ortiz is an accomplished harpist who has received international recognition for his dexterity with the Paraguayan harp,” said Denise Grupp-Verbon, Owens Adjunct Faculty member and Board member of the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Society. “He has been the featured soloist at multiple distinguished musical performances worldwide, including the International Folk Harp Conference. The Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Society is proud to partner with Owens Community College and present the musical sounds of a masterful harpist.”

Ortiz began studying the Venezuelan folk harp shortly after his family moved to Venezuela from Cuba. Before long, he moved to Columbia to study medicine, however, continued to perform and record harp music while practicing medicine. After he started a family, Ortiz abandoned a career in health care to pursue his true passion – the harp.

Since that time, Ortiz has become an internationally known harpist whose area of expertise lies with the Paraguayan harp. He has performed all over the world, including in the Czech Republic, Austria, Scotland, Japan, South America and in nearly every region of the United States. Ortiz has not been content to merely perform and compose his masterful sounds, but also includes educational teaching in his profession. He presently gives private lessons and administers public workshops worldwide.

Ortiz has recorded over 40 albums, which feature a great deal of musical variety, during his distinguished career as a harpist. One of his albums, “De Colores” (2002), is a trio venture with his two daughters. Another of his albums, “South American Suite for Harp and Orchestra” (2000), is a recording of a suite that Ortiz began composing in 1993. This five movement suite, which some consider to be his masterpiece, has been performed with orchestras worldwide, including at the Word Harp Congress in Prague, Czech Republic. He also has many solo albums to his credit, including “Serenata” (1997) and “Forever Favorites” (1992). In addition to his albums, Ortiz has written several books containing harp music for all levels and he has made two instructional harp videos.

For more information about Ortiz’s free performance or the workshops, call (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Postpones Golden Dragon Acrobats Performance Originally Scheduled for Sept. 15

Posted on August 27th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – The internationally acclaimed Golden Dragon Acrobats performance originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. in the Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts has been postponed. The Golden Dragon Acrobats will appear at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts in February 2008. An exact date is yet to be determined.

For more information, contact the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2787.

Owens Basic Peace Officer Training Academy Graduates 36 Lucas County Sheriff’s Academy Students

Posted on August 24th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Thirty-six Lucas County Sheriff’s Academy students were recently recognized as Ohio Basic Peace Officer Training Academy graduates at Owens Community College.

Founded in 1970, the Basic Peace Officer Training Academy is offered on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses in cooperation with the Ohio Peace Officers Training Council. As part of the program, Owens police academy students take courses in patrol operations, firearms, defensive tactics and criminal investigation using modern, high-tech police equipment. Participants receive expert instruction from local police officers, sheriff’s deputies and corrections officers, as well as state and federal agents.

Following successful completion of the College’s Basic Peace Officer Training Academy, Owens graduates become eligible for certification as an Ohio peace officer. In addition, coursework earned by police academy graduates will apply toward an associate’s degree at Owens in criminal justice.

Local law enforcement agencies where Owens graduates have been employed include the Deshler Police Department, Findlay Police Department, Fostoria Police Department, Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, Henry County Sheriff’s Department, Lucas County Sheriff’s Department, Maumee Police Department, Northwood Police Department, Perrysburg City Police Department, Perrysburg Township Police Department, Sylvania City Police Department, Sylvania Township Police Department, Tiffin Police Department, Toledo Police Department, Wayne Police Department and the Wood County Sheriff’s Department.

The following students have completed the required number of law enforcement contact hours set forth by the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Peace Officers Training Commission.

Lucas County Sheriff’s Academy:
Shane C. Broshious of Toledo
Andrew C. Bernritter of Toledo
Lavelle D. Butler of Toledo
Willie E. Carpenter of Toledo
Siu L. Chan of Toledo
James R. Coleman of Toledo
Meredith R. Coleman of Toledo
Jennifer L. Domschot of Toledo
David L. Friddell of Toledo
Ebony N. Gregory of Toledo
Daniel G. Gutierrez of Toledo
James B. Hart of Toledo
Esmeralda Hill of Toledo
Lisa S. Hill of Toledo
Dana H. Holzemer of Toledo
David L. Kowalski II of Holland
Jonathan C. Leach of Holland
Jamie L. Lenhardt of Toledo
Kristin J. Matuszewski of Toledo
John E. McCallum of Toledo
Tony J. Meyers of Whitehouse
Donald L. Mulkey of Toledo
James R. Myrice Jr. of Oregon
David E. O’Neill of Oregon
Scott A. Rhodus of Toledo
Benito Rodriquez Jr. of Whitehouse
Joseph M. Rowland of Toledo
Edward S. Scrutchins Jr. of Toledo
Rachel K. Garrett of Toledo
Jason P. Stambaugh of Toledo
Richard C. Strong of Toledo
Brandon L. Stuard of Sylvania
Usevio Torres of Toledo
Eric C. Trobaugh of Waterville
Jason E. Wilbarger of Oregon
William H. Young of Toledo

Owens Findlay-area Campus Announces GED Regional Testing Center September Schedule

Posted on August 24th, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents interested in enhancing basic skills in English or math, or improving employment skills, are encouraged to attend free GED educational opportunities in September at the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus.

Additionally, all students must attend an orientation meeting before receiving GED Preparation classroom instruction. Orientation meetings will occur on Monday, Sept. 10, from 6-9 p.m. in Room 162; on Tuesday, Sept. 11, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Room 150; and on Monday, Sept. 24, from 6-9 p.m. in Room 162.

The official Ohio GED examination is administered at Owens on one designated day per month. The College’s next official testing date is Saturday, Sept. 8. GED testing will begin at 7:15 a.m. on the Findlay-area Campus.

For more information on the many GED educational opportunities, call (567) 429-3547 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3547.

Owens Community College Closed for Labor Day Weekend

Posted on August 24th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses will be closed Saturday through Monday, Sept. 1-3 for the Labor Day holiday. There will be no classes and the College offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and College offices will open again on Tuesday, Sept. 4.

Owens Community College Express Soccer Opens Season at College of DuPage, Aug. 25

Posted on August 23rd, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College men’s soccer will look to contend for its first-ever conference title by opening the 2007 schedule against the College of DuPage in South Bend, Ind., on Saturday, Aug. 25. The match will begin at 3 p.m.

The Express will open its home season against Schoolcraft College on Wednesday, Aug. 29. All home matches are played at the College’s Soccer Field on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Admission to all home matches is free.

The Owens men’s soccer program is led by Head Coach Art Johnson of Toledo. Johnson’s Assistant Coaches are Jeremiah McNutt of Toledo and Brian Walsh of Perrysburg.

The 2006 edition of Express men’s soccer completed its ninth season as an Owens athletic program this past year. The Express finished with a 4-14-1 overall record and a 2-6 mark (fifth place) in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC).

“I’m really looking forward to the upcoming season,” Johnson said. “We have an extremely talented group of players that are collectively working hard and putting forth the effort to become a championship-caliber team.”

Johnson added, “Our early season non-conference schedule is once again extremely difficult and will be a huge test. The success of our team will come down to continuous improvement on both the defensive and offensive side of the ball.”

The Express has seven players returning from last year’s team. Among the second-year players on Johnson’s squad is NJCAA Division I Second Team All-American Sean Bucknor of Springfield, Mass. (Cornwall College). In 2006, the sophomore forward broke several school records, including most goals and points for a season with 28 and 59, respectively. In addition to his All-American honors, Bucknor was named OCCAC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, and NJCAA All-Region XII First Team, among other accolades.

Also returning to the Express program are Nathan Stevely of Wapakoneta (Wapakoneta H.S.) and David Skoczyn of Celina (Celina H.S.). Stevely, a sophomore forward, was third on the team with 20 points. He totaled seven goals and six assists on 27 shots for the season. In 2006, Skoczyn, a sophomore goalie, was named the team’s Most Improved Player recipient and recorded 30 saves in nine games for the Express.

Other returning student-athletes include Housam Adoure-Zehaim of Maumee, midfielder (Springfield H.S.); Gilbert King of Norwalk, defender (Norwalk H.S.); Nathan Baer of Northwood, defender (Lake H.S.); and Zane Polack of Bowling Green, midfielder (Bowling Green H.S.).

First-year players to the Express men’s soccer program are Joshua McKinney of Sylvania, goalie (Southview H.S.); Tyler Lange of Norwalk, defender (Norwalk H.S.); Lovein Babona of Toledo, defender (Whitmer H.S.); Davon Jones of San Fernando, Trinidad & Tobago, defender (Presentation College); Evan ChatÈ of Vendays, France, midfielder (LycÈe Odilon Redon H.S.); Jonathon Kijowski of Norwalk, defender (Norwalk H.S.); Erik Bauerle of Waterville, midfielder (Anthony Wayne H.S.); Joe Cook of Swanton, midfielder (Anthony Wayne H.S.); Lewis Kwai of Buea, Cameroon, defender (Buea H.S.); Henry Quoikapor of Vineland, N.J., midfielder (Vineland H.S. South); Chris Duval of Milan, Mich., defender (Milan H.S.); Stephen Byer of Palmiste, Trinidad & Tobago, forward (Presentation College); and Brock Kennedy of Davisburg, Mich., goalie (Holly H.S.).

Owens Community College Express Volleyball Opens Season at Kellogg Invitational, Aug. 24-25

Posted on August 22nd, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – The seven-time OCCAC defending Owens Community College women’s volleyball program will open its 2007 season with a tournament, Friday-Saturday, Aug. 24-25 at Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Mich.

The Owens volleyball program is led by seventh-year Head Coach Sonny Lewis of Toledo. During his sixth season as the Head Volleyball Coach at Owens, Lewis led the Express to 33 wins. Lewis’ Assistant Coaches are Rachel Mohler of Maumee and Stephen Boston of Bowling Green.

The Express will open its home campaign by hosting the Owens Express Invitational, Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 1-2. All home matches are played at the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Admission to all home matches is free.

Last season, the Express women’s volleyball program ended their season with a 33-10 overall record. The program captured its seventh consecutive OCCAC championship, finishing with an overall 9-1 conference record. Owens has won eight out of the last nine conference titles.

The Express’ season concluded with a loss to Schoolcraft College in the semifinals of the NJCAA Region XII Championships.

“I am very excited about the 2007 season,” Lewis stated. “We are very young with 11 incoming freshmen. However, the first-year student-athletes are extremely talented and have achieved a considerable amount of success at the high school level. We have great veteran leadership and expectations remain extremely high with the goal of continuing the tradition of Express volleyball excellence both on and off the court.”

The Express have three players returning from last year’s championship team, including NJCAA Division II Honorable Mention All-American selection Stephanie Champine of Lambertville, Mich. (Bedford H.S.). In 2006, the sophomore outside hitter also was named OCCAC Player of the Year, OCCAC All-Conference First Team and NJCAA All-Region XII Team, and team MVP, among other accolades. She holds Owens’ volleyball records with 595 kills for a season, 35 kills for a match, 4.88 kills per game and a .360 hitting efficiency for a season.

Also returning to Lewis’ squad is Kim Zimmerman of Maumee (Maumee H.S.) and Lindsay Word of Edon (Edon H.S.). Zimmerman, a sophomore rightside hitter, played in 79 games and recorded 114 kills, 23 aces and 71 digs. In 2006, Word, a sophomore middle hitter and rightside hitter, recorded 133 kills, 24 assists, 12 aces and 51 digs in 80 games.

First-year players to the Express women’s volleyball program are Karie Marroquin of Fremont, setter (Fremont Ross H.S.); Kristen Gyori of Oregon, setter (Clay H.S.); Chelsey Malaczewski of Toledo, defensive specialist (Whitmer H.S.); Mallory Imbery of Curtice, rightside hitter (Genoa H.S.); Erin Wax of Green Springs, defensive specialist (Clyde H.S.); Kathryn Sabbagh of Fostoria, defensive specialist (Fostoria H.S.); Chelsea Stover of Wyandotte, Mich., outside hitter (Roosevelt H.S.); Katie Mullis of Clinton, Mich., middle blocker (Lenawee Christian H.S.); Amanda Mick of Defiance, middle blocker (Defiance H.S.); Stacia Fritz of Norwalk, defensive specialist (St. Paul H.S.); and Brittney Bradner of Toledo, middle blocker (Cardinal Stritch H.S.).

Owens Findlay-area Campus Features Photography Display, Aug. 23 – Sept. 27

Posted on August 22nd, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus welcomes its 2007-08 arts exhibition season with people and places taking center stage in the Library Gallery. The first show, open Aug. 23 – Sept. 27, features the photography of Findlay resident and Owens employee Dr. Jason Tetzloff.

In addition, the College will host a reception for Tetzloff in which he will discuss photography and his travels on Tuesday, Sept. 11 from 4:30-6 p.m. The reception, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Jason Tetzloff is an extremely talented and accomplished photographer,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “The Owens Findlay-area Campus is proud to introduce the 2007-08 arts exhibition season with these vivid, dramatic works of a local masterful photographer. Guests who visit the Library Gallery will certainly be captivated by the crisp focus, immediacy and real-life imagery.”

Tetzloff specifically enjoys photographing people and places. Traveling is his avocation and he has advantageously used his many travels around Europe, including the countries of Czech Republic, France and England, to capture the various locales he encounters with his camera. Tetzloff’s work has been described by others as down-to-earth as well as extremely artistic, resulting from his abundant use of color in certain photographs. He also mixes shadow and light in others, forming crisp, spacious, refreshing photographic expressions.

Tetzloff has served as the Chair of the School of Arts and Sciences on the Findlay-area Campus since 2005. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, he provides student instruction in the areas of photojournalism and photography at the College. Prior to serving as Arts and Sciences Chair at Owens, Tetzloff held higher education positions at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Defiance College and Purdue University. In addition to his broad career in higher education, he also served as an accomplished photojournalist for more than a decade at Eau Claire Press Company in Eau Claire, Wisc. His professional involvement includes membership with the American Historical Society and the National Press Photographer’s Association.

Not only does Tetzloff teach photography, but he also works as a freelance photographer for various community organizations. In addition to his current exhibition in the Library Gallery at the College’s Findlay-area Campus, his photography has been showcased at the University of Findlay’s The 1124 Gallery. He is also involved with the Findlay Art League and has served as a judge for one of the community organization’s photography shows.

Admission to the Library Gallery is free and open to the public. The Library hours are Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Fridays from 8 – 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. For more information, contact the Library at (567) 429-3088 or 1-800-GO-OWENS ext. 3088.

Owens Community College Named OCCAC All-Academic Conference Champion

Posted on August 21st, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College Express athletics is being honored for academic excellence by receiving the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) All-Academic Award for the 2006-07 academic year. This marks the sixth time in the College’s history that Express athletics has earned the award.

“Owens Community College is very proud of our student-athletes, not only for their outstanding performance during intercollegiate competition but also for their strong work ethic within the classroom,” said Michael Rickard, Owens Director of Athletics. “The academic success of our student-athletes would not be possible without the guidance of Owens’ excellent faculty and outstanding coaching and support staffs.”

Selection criteria for the All-Academic Award is based upon the highest number of student-athletes within the OCCAC achieving a 3.30 grade point average or higher. Owens’ athletic programs earned the highest honor with 21 student-athletes attaining a 3.30 grade point average or better.

During the 2006-07 academic year Owens had scholar-athletes on six of its teams. Among the athletic teams with scholar-athlete recipients were women’s volleyball (four), men’s soccer (seven), women’s basketball (three), men’s basketball (one), women’s softball (three) and men’s baseball (three). Five student-athletes also were named NJCAA Academic All-Americans.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Enhances Bookstore Operations With New Textbook Online Ordering Process

Posted on August 17th, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents pursuing a college education at Owens Community College can now order course textbooks from the convenience of their home computer. Beginning Fall Semester 2007, the College’s campus Bookstores on both the Findlay-area and Toledo-area campuses are affording students the opportunity to order textbooks and have them delivered directly to their home.

“Owens Community College is dedicated to meeting the needs of its students by providing an alternative process for them to purchase their semester textbooks,” said Jennifer Artressia, Owens Supervisor of Business Services on the Findlay-area Campus. “The online ordering process was implemented to allow students easier access in acquiring course material at their own convenience, anytime during the day or night.”

According to Artressia, individuals ordering their books online will need to access the College’s Bookstore website at www.owens.edu/bookstore and click on the area titled “Buy Books Online,” then select the appropriate campus Bookstore for either the Findlay-area Campus or Toledo-area Campus where their courses will occur.

“To use the program, students will select the semester they wish to browse from the drop-down list box,” Artressia stated. “Individuals can select the course desired from the listing, which will then show a grouping of textbook titles associated with specified department, course, section and semester. From there, students can choose the desired textbook and select checkout to place their order.”

Artressia added, “The entire application will only take a few minutes to complete.”

Individuals will be able to pay online using various payment methods, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and financial aid with their proper Owens identification.

“Whether an individual is a new or returning student to the College, our goal within the Bookstores on both the Findlay-area and Toledo-area campuses is to ensure that a student’s Owens experience is very positive,” Artressia concluded.

For more information about the College’s new online Bookstore textbook ordering process, call (567) 429-3546 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3546 on the Findlay-area Campus, or (567) 661-7306 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7306 on the Toledo-area Campus.

Owens Toledo-area Campus Enhances Bookstore Operations With New Textbook Online Ordering Process

Posted on August 16th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents pursuing a college education at Owens Community College can now order course textbooks from the convenience of their home computer. Beginning Fall Semester 2007, the College’s campus Bookstores on both the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses are affording students the opportunity to order textbooks and have them delivered directly to their home.

“Owens Community College is dedicated to meeting the needs of its students by providing an alternative process for them to purchase their semester textbooks,” said Rebecca Drayton, Owens Manager of the Bookstore on the Toledo-area Campus. “The online ordering process was implemented to allow students easier access in acquiring course material at their own convenience, anytime during the day or night.”

According to Drayton, individuals ordering their books online will need to access the College’s Bookstore website at www.owens.edu/bookstore and click on the area titled “Buy Books Online,” then select the appropriate campus Bookstore for either the Toledo-area Campus or Findlay-area Campus where their courses will occur.

“To use the program, students will select the semester they wish to browse from the drop-down list box,” Drayton stated. “Individuals can select the course desired from the listing, which will then show a grouping of textbook titles associated with specified department, course, section and semester. From there, students can choose the desired textbook and select checkout to place their order.”

Drayton added, “The entire application will only take a few minutes to complete.”

Individuals will be able to pay online using various payment methods, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and financial aid with their proper Owens identification.

“Whether an individual is a new or returning student to the College, our goal within the Bookstores on both the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses is to ensure that a student’s Owens experience is very positive,” Drayton concluded.

For more information about the College’s new online Bookstore textbook ordering process, call (567) 661-7306 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7306 on the Toledo-area Campus, or (567) 429-3546 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3546 on the Toledo-area Campus.

Owens Community College Announces Summer Academic Honors

Posted on August 16th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – More than 750 students were named to the Academic Honors List at Owens Community College for Summer Semester 2007. Students must achieve at least a 3.5 grade point average to be eligible for academic honors. Owens uses a 4.0 scale in grading.

Owens Basic Peace Officer Training Academy Graduates 26 Students During Ceremony, Aug. 21

Posted on August 15th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Twenty-six students from the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses will be recognized as Ohio Basic Peace Officer Training Academy graduates at Owens Community College on Tuesday, Aug. 21.

The ceremonies will occur at 7 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. The College’s Basic Peace Officer Training Academy graduation is open to the public.

The following students have completed the required number of law enforcement contact hours set forth by the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Peace Officers Training Commission.

Toledo-area Campus Basic Peace Officer Day Academy:
Jessica C. Brown of Swanton
Phillip B. Ezakovich of Maumee
Patrick R. Getzinger of Millbury (sponsored by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office)
Christopher D. Klewer of Perrysburg (sponsored by the Wood County Sheriff’s Office)
Thomas E. Quetschke of Toledo (sponsored by the Wood County Sheriff’s Office)
Steven W. Ryan of Sylvania
Ryan N. Schroeder of Columbus Grove (sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources)

Toledo-area Campus Basic Peace Officer Night Academy:
Charles D. Abbott II of Delta
Chad S. Filas of Toledo
Evan C. Hess of Maumee
Brian A. Hill of Toledo
Keith A. Hurst of Toledo (sponsored by the Walbridge Police Department)
Gregory T. Osuch of Perrysburg (sponsored by the Woodville Police Department)
Heather M. Reef of Toledo (sponsored by the McClure Police Department)
Matthew R. Starkey of Napolean
Shannon Q. Sturm of Toledo
Robert S. Szabo of Swanton
Joshua D. Wirick of Toledo (sponsored by the Woodville Police Department)

Findlay-area Campus Peace Officer Academy:
Lucas A. Benjamin of Arlington (sponsored by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)
Christopher T. Garvey of North Baltimore
Regina M. Hartman of Findlay
Mark R. Johnson of Deshler
Matthew E. Paugh of Findlay (sponsored by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)
Kristian L. Otto of Vanlue (sponsored by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)
James C. Saltzman of Vanlue (sponsored by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)
Kyle W. Stechschulte of Bowling Green (sponsored by the Pemberville Police Department)

Owens Community College, 92.5 KISS-FM and FM 104.7 WIOT Award Free Education to Northwest Ohio Residents

Posted on August 15th, 2007

“The Tuition is Right” winners for 2007 are (L to R) Jerrilyn Piezer, Jeremiah Frye and Gregory Staib II.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Three area residents will attend Owens Community College for free this fall after winning a unique contest, “The Tuition is Right,” presented by Owens Community College, 92.5 KISS-FM and FM 104.7 WIOT. The grand-prize winner Jeremiah Frye of Toledo will be awarded four semesters of free Owens tuition, while runners-up Gregory Staib II of Oak Harbor and Jerrilyn Piezer of Perrysburg will each receive one semester of free tuition at the College.

“Owens Community College is proud to collaborate with dedicated community partners 92.5 KISS-FM and FM 104.7 WIOT,” said Andy Woodard, Owens Marketing Manager. “The three contest winners will experience a quality Owens Community College education thanks to their support.”

“The Tuition is Right” had 2,466 individuals enter the contest. Of those individuals, 1,284 applicants answered three questions correctly to qualify for the finals. The names of all finalists were placed in a prize box and the winners were drawn at random.

Frye was the grand-prize winner of “The Tuition is Right”, receiving four semesters of free tuition to Owens. A Bowsher High School graduate, he is currently pursuing his associate’s degree in Building Maintenance and a certificate in HVACR.

“Winning this contest is a life-changing opportunity,” said a stunned Frye, who is married and the father of a 15-month-year-old daughter, Emily. “My family is thrilled and appreciative to Owens Community College, 92.5 KISS-FM and FM 104.7 WIOT. I never win anything.”

As a result of the family’s good fortunes, Frye’s wife, Jodi, is now considering enrolling at Owens and pursuing a certificate in medical transcription. “The free college education is opening new doors for our family and we plan to take full advantage of the opportunity presented before us and make a difference in our lives,” stated Frye’s wife, Jodi.

Frye is beginning his third semester this fall at Owens and anticipates graduating with his associate degree in December 2009.

The two runners-up in “The Tuition is Right” contest are current students at Owens. Piezer is pursuing her associate’s degree in accounting, while Staib II is a double major in the massage therapy and physical therapist assistant programs.

Owens Community College Welcomes Back Thousands of Students for Fall Semester, Monday, Aug. 20

Posted on August 14th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Opening its doors for the first day of Fall Semester classes, Owens Community College will once again welcome thousands of students to the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses.

On Monday, Aug. 20, Owens students will be locating their classrooms, talking with academic advisors and purchasing books, as well as registering for classes.

Owens is increasing its educational opportunities available to students this fall by expanding academic curriculum in such areas as music business technology, commercial photography, interior design and cancer information management, among others. Owens is continuing to expand its extremely popular eOwens distance learning education by introducing additional academic courses online. To date, the College offers more than 160 e-Learning courses in such academic areas as accounting, art, business, English, psychology and speech, among other course selections. In addition to the many e-Learning opportunities, Owens is expanding its weekend education by offering a new weekend associate degree program in business management this fall.

Owens is also enhancing its student services and resources by showcasing a new Health Services and Wellness Center this fall, which is intended to provide access to the College’s first-ever health services on campus. Additionally, Owens is offering its first-ever on-site academic and support service at The Source, Lucas County’s One-Stop Employment Center, in downtown Toledo and at several Toledo-Lucas County Public Library branches within the surrounding communities.

Owens Express Golf Holds Open Tryouts, Aug. 15

Posted on August 13th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Prospective high school graduates and area residents interested in playing intercollegiate golf at Owens Community College are invited to an open tryout on Wednesday, Aug. 15.

The open tryout begins at 7 a.m. and will be held at Heatherdown Country Club in Toledo. The green fee for the open tryout is $10.

Led by Head Coach Gilbert Guerrero, the Express golf team captured nine match and invitational titles this past season, highlighted by a first-place finish in the OCCAC Championship Invitational. The program won its first-ever conference title and second NJCAA Region XII Sub-Regional championship after rounds of 308-308 (616) at Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg.

Scholarships are available to both males and females. Prospective student-athletes must be full-time registered Owens students. For more information on the open tryout, call (567) 661-7973 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7973.

Owens Express Men’s Basketball Holds Open Tryouts, Aug. 16 and 23

Posted on August 9th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Prospective high school graduates and area residents interested in playing intercollegiate men’s basketball at Owens Community College are invited to open tryouts in August.

The first open tryout will occur on Thursday, Aug 16. from 4-6 p.m., while the second open tryout will take place on Thursday, Aug. 23 from 6-8 p.m. Both tryouts will be held at the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

The Express men’s basketball team finished the 2006-07 campaign with a 22-12 overall record and an 8-6 mark (third place) in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) regular season standings. Owens advanced to the finals of the NJCAA Region XII Championships before losing to Cincinnati State Community College. The program was ranked as high as No. 4 in the NJCAA Division II men’s basketball poll.

Scholarships are still available. Prospective student-athletes must be full-time registered Owens students. For more information on the open tryouts, call (567) 661-7973 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7973.

Owens Community College Establishes First-Ever Cross Country Sports Club on Findlay-area Campus

Posted on August 9th, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College is expanding its student activities programs by announcing the creation of a new cross country sports club for the upcoming Fall Semester. The new student activity will also mark a milestone as the first-ever sports club based on the Findlay-area Campus.

“Owens Community College is pleased to offer new opportunities for our students,” said John Byers, Owens Coordinator of Student Activities. “A cross country club is one of the more unique clubs and organizations currently available on the Findlay-area Campus. The new sports club is a welcome addition to campus life and will afford students the chance to experience the benefits of teamwork, leadership, responsibility and achievement from an athletic standpoint.”

The first official practice will occur on Monday, Aug. 13 at 3:30 p.m. on the Findlay-area Campus. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay. Interested Owens students should meet in the College’s Community Education and Wellness Center. Practices will take place on the Findlay-area Campus grounds.

Owens Associate Professor of Developmental Education Michael Senour will serve as the cross country club Advisor. Senour is an avid runner and ran intercollegiate cross country and track at Tri-State University and Miami University. Additionally, he regularly competes in marathons and is an ultra runner.

The College’s new cross country club will open its first-ever athletic schedule by competing in the Tiffin University-Heidelberg College Open in Tiffin on Saturday, Sept. 1. In addition, the Owens program will participate in the Defiance College Invitational in Defiance (Saturday, Sept. 8), the Bluffton University Invitational in Bluffton (Friday, Sept. 21) and the Tiffin University Open in Tiffin (Saturday, Oct. 20).

Owens is dedicated to meeting the needs of its students by providing an array of student club and organizational opportunities for student involvement and leadership development. The College currently offers over 50 student clubs and organizations on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses.

Interested cross country club participants must be registered Owens students. For more information, call (567) 429-3629 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3629.

Owens and Community Partners Assist Area Children with School Supply Drive, Aug. 9-24

Posted on August 8th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s Alumni Association in collaboration with Books-A-Million Inc. and three Great Lakes Credit Union branches are reaching out to area children in need of school supplies by holding a month-long “Backpack to the Future” School Supply Drive, Aug. 9-24. Collected items will benefit low-income kindergarten-age school children throughout Northwest Ohio.

The “Backpack to the Future” School Supply Drive will occur at the Books-A-Million bookstore (2105 Levis Commons Blvd.) located in The Town Center at Levis Commons in Perrysburg, as well as at three Great Lakes Credit Union branches (5823 Monroe St.) in Sylvania, (624 W. South Boundary) in Perrysburg and (1890 N. Wilkenson Way) at the O-I Plaza in Perrysburg. The four community locations expands the College’s educational initiative for individuals to drop off their donations. Among the charitable items that will be accepted as part of the school supply drive are gently-used or new backpacks, crayons, markers, bottles of glue, glue sticks, colored pencils, pencils, pink erasers, school boxes, pocket folders, marbled covered composition books and Kleenex tissues.

According to Kaye Koevenig, Owens Alumni Association community service chair, the Northwest Ohio community’s initial response toward the “Backpack to the Future” Supply Drive has been strong.

“Area residents truly recognize the value of education and want to make a difference in the lives of others,” she stated. “With a little less than a month left in the school supply drive and the expanded efforts and support of Books-A-Million and the three Great Lakes Credit Union branches, I expect the donations to easily surpass last year’s totals, which is a great feeling.”

Since establishing the program in 2004, the Owens Alumni Association has given over 550 backpacks and over 8,200 school supplies to benefit underprivileged children throughout Northwest Ohio.

In addition to the new community supply drive locations, area residents can bring their charitable donations to the College’s Office of Alumni Relations on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township. For more information about the school supply drive, or to make a donation, call (567) 661-7410 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7410.

Owens Community College and The University of Toledo to Offer Health Services Through New Joint Health Services and Wellness Center

Posted on August 8th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College (Owens) students and employees will now have access to quality health services as The University of Toledo (UT) and Owens enter into a new partnership designed to leverage resources and share expertise.

The two organizations are working together to create a joint Health Services and Wellness Center on the Owens Toledo-area Campus, where, beginning this Fall Semester, Owens campus community can receive health services from UT physicians, without having to leave campus.

“Owens Community College is pleased to partner with The University of Toledo and open new doors for our students and employees to receive health services on the Toledo-area Campus,” said Dr. Christa Adams, President of Owens Community College.

“This is a natural fit,” said Dr. Lloyd Jacobs, UT President. “We are thrilled to offer this service on the Owens campus. It symbolizes our commitment to using the existing expertise within the higher education community for the mutual benefit of the students, their families and the state.”

As part of the collaboration, The University of Toledo will oversee operation and offer an array of health services within the new 1,030 square-foot Health Services and Wellness Center. Beginning this Fall Semester, board-certified family practitioners will provide Owens Community College registered students and employees with access to health services on the Toledo-area Campus.

“Owens Community College is constantly making a concerted effort to meet the needs of our students and employees by continuing the advancement of academic programs and services through innovation and collaboration,” said Dr. Paul Unger, Executive Vice President and Provost of Owens Community College. “This new initiative demonstrates the commitment of both Owens Community College and The University of Toledo to fostering partnerships for the benefit of our students and employees.”

“This partnership not only allows the Owens Community College community access to ‘university quality care,’ it also helps students grow acquainted with The University of Toledo,” said Dr. Jeffery Gold, UT Health Science Campus Provost, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the College of Medicine. “We’re proud to be a part of it and look forward to making this partnership a success.”

In addition, the new facility will feature an array of health care equipment and resources to accommodate the various patient needs, including a nursing station, a reception area, a practitioner office, a locker room and two examination rooms.

The medical staff will be on hand for examinations and consultations from 1-5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Health Services and Wellness Center, located inside the Student Health and Activities Center. In addition, Owens students and employees can make appointments or obtain information from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Owens Express Names New Men’s Basketball Head Coach

Posted on August 8th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College has named Express Assistant Coach Kevin Skaggs to the position of Head Coach for the men’s basketball program. Coach Skaggs succeeds Jack Trainer, who recently accepted a teaching and basketball head coaching position at Portsmouth’s Clay High School near his hometown of Waverly.

“We are thrilled to announce Kevin Skaggs as the new Head Coach of the Owens men’s basketball program,” said Michael Rickard, Owens Director of Athletics. “Kevin is an exceptional leader who embraces the College’s mission and vision and will serve as an outstanding mentor and teacher for our student-athletes.”

Skaggs has served as an Express men’s basketball full-time Assistant Coach for two years and three years as a volunteer Assistant Coach. During that time, he helped lead the Express to an overall 129-36 record. His 17 years of college coaching experience also includes previously serving as Head Coach of the men’s basketball program at Alma College for six years and at Kalamazoo Valley Community College as a men’s basketball Assistant Coach for six years.

In addition to his basketball coaching experience, Skaggs served as the Assistant Coach for men’s and women’s cross country at Alma College from 1995-2000.

“I am very appreciative to have the opportunity to serve as Head Coach of the Express men’s basketball program and look forward to continuing Owens’ championship-level of success on the court and in the classroom,” Skaggs said.

Skaggs currently serves as Assistant Principal at Gesu School in Toledo. The Erie, Mich., resident earned an associate’s degree in physical education from Kellogg Community College, a bachelor’s degree in social work from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in sports administration from Western Michigan University.

Owens Community College Expands Academic Curriculum to Include Three New Certificate Programs

Posted on August 7th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College is expanding the number of educational opportunities offered to area residents by announcing the creation of three new fine and performing arts certificate programs. Beginning Fall Semester 2007, certificate programs within the areas of music business technology, commercial photography and interior design will be part of the College’s academic curriculum.

“Owens Community College is committed to providing new educational opportunities within fine and performing arts for students aspiring to become future musicians, producers, recording engineers, photographers and interior designers,” said Eric Wallack, Owens Chair of Fine and Performing Arts. “Music business technology, commercial photography and interior design are growing fields with very lucrative career paths. The creation of these three programs will open new educational doors for students and support economic growth in the fine and performing arts industry.”

The certificate program within music business technology will focus on the essential elements of music business and the related technology with the intention of preparing aspiring musicians, producers and recording engineers for entry-level employment opportunities or further education within the career field. Offered on the Toledo-area Campus, the program will require approximately 21 credit hours of coursework and provide students with academic instruction in the fundamentals of recording, songwriting, MIDI technology and music business.

Owens’ commercial photography certificate will provide students with the necessary training to enter the ever-growing field of commercial photography. Requiring approximately 21 credit hours of coursework, the program will provide students with hands-on experience and practical application in various curriculum areas, including black and white photography, color photography, digital photography, studio photography, large format and digital photo. Commercial photography will be offered on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses.

The College’s new interior design certificate program requires approximately 21 credit hours and includes courses within foundations in 2D and 3D design, introduction to interior design, history of interiors, interior design studio and textiles. The program, which will be offered on the Toledo-area Campus, is designed to provide students with the necessary academic curriculum for a career as an interior designer.

Ken Thompson’s ‘Other Works’ Exhibit Opens Owens’ 2007-08 Arts Exhibition Season, Aug. 13 – Sept. 15

Posted on August 6th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s 2007-08 Arts Exhibition Season will begin with a presentation of stone and metal sculptures by acclaimed local artist Ken Thompson in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. The one-person exhibit titled “Other Works” will showcase an array of pieces, created by Thompson in his Blissfield, Mich., art studio, Aug. 13 – Sept. 15.

In addition, the College will host a closing reception for the artist from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14. The Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is located in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township.

Thompson will also provide a lecture highlighting details of his artistic process as Owens launches the new “Not-So-Starving Artist” Lecture Series on Thursday, Sept. 13. The lecture will begin at 7 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 111. Lectures in this series are free and open to the public.

“Owens Community College is proud to host such a dynamic artist and his work in what I would consider a very contemporary exhibit,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “Ken Thompson’s sculptures present the viewer with strong artistic forms where the positive and negative spaces are of equal importance. The presence of these powerful sculptures will certainly create a very unique experience for all Gallery visitors.”

Thompson has been making masterful sculptures for over 25 years out of his car dealership turned studio in Blissfield, Mich., where he currently operates Flatlanders Sculpture Supply and Art Galleries. Thompson is well versed in bronze casting, metal fabrication and stone cutting, and his sculptures using these various techniques have made appearances in a myriad of venues throughout the Midwest, including the Toledo Museum of Art, the South Bend (Ind.) Regional Museum of Art and the Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History in Jackson, Mich.

In addition to smaller works for galleries and museums, the major focus of Thompson’s work during the last 13 years has been on large-scale public sculpture with commissions such as the Viet Nam Peace Arch for the city of Toledo in honor of Vietnam War veterans, the Founders’ Arch for Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware and the Reclamation Archway for Blue Cross/Blue Shied in Detroit, among others.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Thursdays and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information about the 2007-08 Arts Exhibition Season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721.

Owens Community College Dean Pedals 300 Miles as Part of American Cancer Society’s Pan Ohio Hope Ride, Aug. 9-12

Posted on August 6th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Being able to combine two things you love – peanut butter and chocolate, for example – is a great thing. Owens Community College School of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Renay Scott of Sylvania recently found a way to combine two of her passions through the Pan Ohio Hope Ride, an event designed to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodges.

“This ride is a way for me to bring two important things in my life, cycling and cancer awareness, together. I really connected with that,” Scott said.

Seven of Scott’s family members have battled cancer. And while she was always fortunate to have family members to stay with when necessary, other families do not always have that option. Hope Lodges provide cancer patients and caregivers with supportive, comfortable, no-cost lodging during treatment. Together, Ohio’s two facilities have provided a home away from home for more than 3,000 cancer patients.

Scott will be riding 300 miles – from Cleveland to Cincinnati, the sites of Ohio’s Hope Lodges – in four days to raise money for this cause. The ride starts Aug. 9 and concludes Aug. 12.

An avid cyclist, Scott has toured the Netherlands and Belgium on her bike and looks forward to the trek through the Ohio countryside.

“The Pan Ohio Hope Ride is a wonderful cause and I am honored to participate in such a worthwhile endeavor,” Scott stated.

Scott will turn in donations, which can be given in flat amounts, per mile, in memory of a cancer victim or in honor of a cancer survivor, at the end of the ride. To date, she has raised over $2,500 thanks to the support of Owens’ employees and students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses and the surrounding Northwest Ohio communities.

For more information or to donate, call (567) 661-7179 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7179.

International, National and Local Community Performers Scheduled at Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts in 2007-08

Posted on July 23rd, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts will raise the curtain with an array of events scheduled throughout the 2007-08 Presenting Arts Season. Music, dance and theatre artists from around the globe, including several local and regional standouts, will perform a variety of shows and concerts.

Direct from Hebei, China, the Golden Dragon Acrobats will bring their death-defying drops and internationally acclaimed acrobatics showcase to Owens as the kickoff event for the 2007-08 season schedule on Sept. 15. Marking 29 consecutive years of entertaining audiences worldwide, the Golden Dragon Acrobats have performed in all 50 states and over 65 countries, and are regarded as one of the premier acrobatic acts around. Hot on the Acrobats’ heels is the Canadian jazz and boogie-woogie pianist Michael Kaeshammer, who will perform at Owens on Oct. 7.

“From China to New York City, Owens Community College’s 2007-08 presenting season features the sights and sounds of gifted and cutting edge performing artists who will entertain, enrich and uplift audiences,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “The Center for Fine and Performing Arts is pleased to once again connect artists and audiences through performances that reach out to the campus and our surrounding communities.”

The College presenting season will once again feature a Family Fun Sunday series of four performances designed to provide fun and entertainment to individuals of all ages, sponsored in part by WGTE Public Broadcasting and WRVF-FM 101.5 The River. The series will kick off with a screening of the fantasy family film “The Secret of Roan Inish” on Nov. 18. “Masked Marvels and Other Wondertales”, a one-man show by Michael Cooper that showcases several fanciful masks handcrafted by the performer, will serve as the second performance on Jan. 27. A musical retelling of the Snow White story titled “The Many Adventures of Snow White” will be presented as the third performance in the series on Feb. 3. Finally, children will be exposed to two languages simultaneously as the classic children’s book “James and the Giant Peach” by Roald Dahl is presented by Sign Stage on Tour in a performance that will feature American Sign Language onstage in addition to spoken dialogue in English. “James and the Giant Peach” will be presented on March 30.

In addition, the College will offer two additional performance packages this season. The Culture Club series features three multicultural performances: The Golden Dragon Acrobats (Sept. 15), the colorful review of the music, songs and dances of Eastern Europe by the Tamburitzans of Duquesne University (Nov. 11) and the Celtic comedy group the Tartan Terrors in a performance titled “Dressed To Kilt” (March 14). The Singular Sensations series showcases three rising stars on the national music scene: modern music ensemble Blue Dahlia will create ambient sounds to complement the silent horror film classic “Nosferatu” (Oct. 26), Grammy-award winning guitarist Al Petteway and Amy White will perform holiday classics, original and Celtic inspired melodies in “Winter Tidings” (Nov. 29) and John Gorka will make a return to Owens’ Mainstage Theatre and showcase his rich multi-faceted folk sounds (Feb. 15).

The 2007-08 Performing Arts season will also feature the smash off-Broadway comedy hit “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)”, where three actors take on the daunting task of performing 37 plays and 154 sonnets by William Shakespeare in less than 90 minutes, with hilarious results (Oct. 18). In addition, Klingon Klez will perform their unique style of traditional Jewish music called Klezmer mixed with funk and modern rock (Feb. 29).

Local community arts events will highlight the 2007-08 season as Owens collaborates with the Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra to co-present a holiday Halloween Scare-tacular Concert on Oct. 27 and a Young Artists/Side by Side Concert on May 3. The Toledo Repertoire will also make an appearance at Owens and present “Master Class” by Terrence McNally on Feb. 9.

In addition, Melodic Expressions will once again grace the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts theatres as Owens faculty and students showcase their musical talents, April 21-25. Owens fine and performing arts students will also put their acting skills on display as part of the College’s annual student theatrical production April 11-13 and 17-19.

All performing arts events will occur in Owens’ Mainstage Theatre on the Toledo-area Campus unless noted otherwise. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. For additional information about the College’s 2007-08 Presenting Arts Season schedule, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787) or (567) 661-2787.

Owens Toledo-area CampusHosts Rapid Registration Week, July 30 – Aug. 4

Posted on July 23rd, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents, businesses and students interested in taking college classes or starting a new career this fall are invited to attend Rapid Registration Week at Owens Community College, July 30 – Aug. 4. Fall Semester classes begin on Aug. 20.

For added convenience, the College will be open extra hours for Rapid Registration Week from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday-Thursday, July 30 – Aug. 2. Additionally, students may register from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, and from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4. The Owens Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Individuals attending Rapid Registration Week will have the opportunity to learn about Owens’ many academic program offerings, receive academic advising, complete electronic financial aid, learn about deferred payment plans, and select their classes in a convenient and timely manner from the College’s staff representatives.

Owens offers personal attention and small classes throughout the day, evening and weekends, and online. For more registration information or to obtain a schedule of courses for the fall term, contact Enrollment Services at (567) 661-7777 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7777, or access the College’s website at www.owens.edu.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Hosts Rapid Registration Week, July 30 – Aug. 4

Posted on July 23rd, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents, businesses and students interested in taking college classes or starting a new career this fall are invited to attend Rapid Registration Week at Owens Community College, July 30 – Aug. 4. Fall Semester classes begin on August 20.

For added convenience, the College will be open extra hours for Rapid Registration Week from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday-Thursday, July 30 – Aug. 2. Additionally, students may register from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, and from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4. The Owens Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

Owens offers personal attention and small classes throughout the day, evening and weekends, and online. For more registration information or to obtain a schedule of courses for fall term, contact Enrollment Services at (567) 429-3509 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3509, or access the College’s website at www.owens.edu.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Announces GED Regional Testing Center August Schedule

Posted on July 20th, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents interested in enhancing basic skills in English or math, or improving employment skills, are encouraged to attend free GED educational opportunities in August at the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus.

Additionally, all students must attend an orientation meeting before receiving GED Preparation classroom instruction. Orientation meetings will occur on Monday, Aug. 13 from 6-9 p.m. in Room 162; on Tuesday, Aug. 14 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Room 150; and on Monday, Aug. 27 from 6-9 p.m. The room number for the Aug. 27 orientation is yet to be determined.

The official Ohio GED examination is administered at Owens on one designated day per month. The College’s next official testing date is Wednesday, Aug. 1. GED testing will begin at 7:15 a.m. on the Findlay-area Campus.

For more information on the many GED educational opportunities, call (567) 429-3547 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3547.

Owens Community College Expands Weekend Offerings in Business and Information Systems

Posted on July 18th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will soon afford area residents with business career aspirations the opportunity to begin and end their college education entirely through weekend courses as the School of Business and Information Systems on the Toledo-area Campus expands its offerings to include a new weekend associate degree program. Starting Fall Semester 2007, students will be able to enroll in the first-ever School of Business and Information Systems associate degree program in business management that will offer all classes on the weekend.

“The Owens School of Business and Information Systems is very excited to complement our current weekend classes with the business management program and provide students with alternative ways to pursue a college education,” said Dr. Karen Reed, Owens Dean of the School of Business and Information Systems. “Previously, students could take some weekend classes as well as night and web-based classes, but this new initiative will allow students to complete their entire degree on the weekend. Expanding the School of Business Information Systems’ weekend education will open new doors for individuals to achieve their career aspirations through greater accessibility to academic options.”

Owens’ associate degree program in business management will require 67 credit hours of coursework, which includes classes in financial accounting, marketing, business professionalism, microeconomics, consumer finance and international business, among others. The academic curriculum is designed to provide students with a solid foundation and understanding of practices and procedures as a new or continuing mid-level supervisor, for entry into a corporate management-training program or operation of their own business.

According to Reed, the new business management associate degree program available on the weekend is just the first of many more School of Business and Information Systems academic programs under consideration. “There are several academic programs in the development stages with the idea of providing greater accessibility to higher education,” she stated. “I anticipate several more School of Business and Information Systems weekend-specific degrees to be offered in the near future.”

The School of Business and Information Systems currently offers more than 15 courses as part of its weekend academic curriculum. In addition to the School of Business and Information Systems weekend opportunities, the College has made available more than 190 classes to students in the areas of chemistry, marketing, English, welding, psychology and physics, among other academic curriculum selections. Owens also offers students the opportunity to begin and end their college education entirely through weekend academic programs in associate of arts and associate of science general concentration areas.

For additional information about the new weekend business management associate degree program, call (567) 661-7280 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7280. Fall Semester weekend classes begin on August 24.

National and Local Sculptors to Display Work During Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery 2007-08 Season

Posted on July 17th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will welcome several local and national sculptors working with a diverse array of media to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery as the Center for Fine and Performing Arts unveils its 2007-08 Arts Exhibition Season on the Toledo-area Campus. The arts exhibition season will include a wide range of student, faculty and professional artists, with this year’s focus being on three dimensions.

“Owens Community College is proud to provide a marvelous exhibition gallery where local and national artists can express their artistic talents to the community,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “The College looks forward to another enriching season at the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery where area residents will have the opportunity to experience an original and enlightening exposure to the arts.”

A one person show of stone and metal sculpture by highly accomplished area artist Ken Thompson will open the Gallery season from Aug. 13 – Sept. 15. In an exhibition titled “Other Work”, Thompson will display pieces created in his studio in Blissfield, Mich., where he also operates Flatlanders Sculpture Supply and Art Galleries. Known for his skills in large-scale sculpture, bronze casting, metal fabrication and stone carving, Thompson has been commissioned to create numerous public sculptures, including the Viet Nam Peace Arch for the city of Toledo in honor of Vietnam War veterans and the Reclamation Archway for Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Detroit, among others.

Several other exhibits are scheduled for the Gallery’s 2007-08 season. Beginning on Sept. 21, various discarded items such as strobe lights and beauty parlor equipment will be given new life within an exhibit featuring the artwork of Al Honig. A San Francisco artist who is nationally known for the unconventional materials used in his sculptures, Honig finds most of his materials at flea markets and scrap yards. Emphasizing form over function and creating pieces that present abstract ideas and moral principles, Honig’s sculptures are known for combining discarded materials into larger artistic expressions in ways that are arguably both witty and profound. Individuals can view his work as part of the exhibition titled “Allegory and Life”.

Starting on Nov. 5, Owens will present an innovative exhibit featuring artwork that thrives on the viewer’s participation titled “Make Art”. Whether gazing into New York artist Daniel Rozin’s interactive mirror, playing with butterflies created by Austin, Texas, artist Zach Booth Simpson or feeding worms to generate compost in Columbus artist Amy Young’s “Digestive Table”, this exhibit allows the viewer to impact the artwork featuring several acclaimed artists. In addition to the Owens Gallery appearance, “Make Art” will be on display at Ohio Northern University’s Elzay Gallery of Art from January 7-27 as part of a partnership with the College.

Another Owens exhibition season highlight will be the artwork of world-renowned artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, opening on Feb. 18. Made internationally famous through their works such as “Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin 1971-95”, “The Umbrellas, Japan-United States 1984-91” and, most recently, “The Gates, Central Park, New York City 1979-2005”, Christo and Jeanne-Claude have been worldwide leaders in innovative and unconventional artistic expressions since the 1950s. The Christo and Jeanne-Claude exhibit will feature signed posters by the artists of preliminary drawings, collages and photographs of the completed works by photographer Wolfgang Volz. These posters are generously donated by the artists for purchase as part of a fundraiser to benefit the College.

Additionally, Owens faculty, staff and students will have the opportunity to present their visual art at the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. The “Faculty Art Exhibition” will take place Jan. 11 – Feb. 9, while the “Juried Student Art Exhibition” is scheduled for April 11 – May 1. Community arts group Prizm will also showcase artwork at the Gallery from May 19 – June 7.

The 2007-08 Arts Exhibition Season will conclude with a summer invitational exhibit featuring a number of area sculptors beginning in June. The exhibit titled “Area Sculpture: Inside Out” will showcase sculptures composed in metals, stone, ceramics, glass and wood. From small biomorphic-inspired ceramics to large scale carved marbles and cast bronzes, the “Area Sculpture: Inside Out” exhibition highlights sculpture from both a realistic and abstract vantage point.

In addition, several lectures will be offered throughout the exhibition season by artists whose work will be on display in the Gallery. This series of lectures titled “The Not-So-Starving Artist Lecture Series” will include presentations by Ken Thompson (Sept. 13, 7 p.m.), Al Honig (Sept. 20, 7 p.m.) and Barbara Lee Furbush (Nov. 8, 7 p.m.). The free lectures will occur in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 111.

Owens’ art exhibition Gallery is named in honor of Walter E. Terhune, a successful businessman and philanthropist in the 1800s. In 2003, the KeyBank National Association donated $100,000 to the Owens Community College Foundation, on behalf of the Walter E. Terhune Memorial Fund, to ensure the continued advancement of academic offerings and activities in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Thursdays and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For additional information about the College’s 2007-08 Arts Exhibition Season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721 or (567) 661-2721.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Student Leaders Inducted into Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society

Posted on July 16th, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Forty-one Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus students were recently honored for their excellence in higher education, earning membership into the Beta Xi Chi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.

Phi Theta Kappa was established in 1918 by the presidents of eight Missouri junior colleges for women. In 1924, the international organization was expanded to include all two-year colleges. To date, more than one million individuals have been inducted into the international honor society.

“Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus is extremely proud of our inductees for their dedication and commitment to higher education,” said Matthew Gosses, Owens Instructor of Math and Life Science and Phi Theta Kappa Co-Advisor. “Induction into the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society is considered one of the highest compliments an individual in higher education can receive. Their selection is a tremendous achievement.”

Selection criteria for students receiving the honor is based upon enrollment in a two-year college, completing a minimum number of course hours set forth by the individual chapter, achieving a minimum 3.5 grade point average and exemplifying academic excellence, as determined by faculty.

The Beta Xi Chi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society student inductees are:

Denise Balbaugh of Ottawa (business management)
Anthony Berning of Jenera (mechanical engineering technology)
Paul Borer of New Riegel (mechanical engineering technology)
Margaret Brickner of Fostoria (business management)
Elizabeth Brossia of Findlay (information systems)
Natalie Chambers of Fostoria (pre-business administration)
Bonnie Crowe of Fostoria (radiography)
Melynda Daugherty of Carey (accounting)
Cassandra Davis of Maumee (pre-business administration)
Boyd Davis III of Findlay (associate of science, general concentration)
Joshua Eberle of Findlay (fire science technology)
Lisa Flickinger of Findlay (registered nursing)
Gina Ganni of Tiffin (business management)
Tara Goecke of Glandorf (biology)
Miriam Green of Fostoria (dental hygiene)
Beverly Greene of North Baltimore (office administration)
Rhonda Honse of Findlay (dietetic technician)
Margaret Kingery of Findlay (accounting)
Teresa Lewallen of Wharton (registered nursing)
Sarah Linhart of Van Buren (associate of science, general concentration)
Brittanie Ludwig of Tiffin (practical nursing)
Dawn Luzadder of Fostoria (registered nursing)
Rusty Muter of Columbus Grove (registered nursing)
Amy Niese of Ottawa (criminal justice technology)
Christina Noreiga of Deshler (accounting)
Toni Poling of Findlay (pre-surgical)
Lisa Ragland of Findlay (associate of arts, general concentration)
Kathleen Rayle of Findlay (middle childhood education)
Jacqueline Reyes of Findlay (pre-nursing)
Kelley Salsbury of Findlay (registered nursing)
Niki Sidle of Jenera (social work)
Kyra Smith of Upper Sandusky (information systems)
Stephony Soule of Forest (medical office support)
Cynthia Spencer of Upper Sandusky (operations management)
Christine Steffan of Leipsic (pre-nursing)
Crystal Van Atta of Findlay (social work)
Tammy Weinandy of Alavada (radiography)
Jessica Williams of Findlay (registered nursing)
David Young of Findlay (English)
Ma Zavala-Lenhart of Fostoria (pre-nursing)
Jessica Zwaldo of Findlay (adolescence education)

Owens Community College Students Inducted into Spring Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society

Posted on July 13th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Fifty-seven Owens Community College students recently were recognized for their academic excellence and leadership within the student community, earning membership into the Gamma Zeta Chapter of the Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society.

The Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society was founded at West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 1990 in response to the increasing need to acknowledge the continuing successes of students within the academic institution’s academic development program. Recognizing that students who share similar experiences could serve as models for others, founder Dr. Elbert Saddler proposed a Greek letter honor society. In 2001, Chi Alpha Epsilon received official endorsement from the National Association for Developmental Education. Today, there are over 150 chapters of the national honor society.

The honor society promotes continued high academic standards, fosters communication among its members, and encourages community service and participation in academic support programs where individuals may serve as role models to entering students.

“Owens Community College’s Gamma Zeta Chapter of Chi Alpha Epsilon is extremely proud to recognize the academic achievements of students who enter college through non-traditional criteria,” said Marge Bartelt, Owens Chair of Developmental Education and Co-Adviser of Chi Alpha Epsilon. “The inductees are outstanding young men and women, many of whom have defied the odds and overcome obstacles in pursuit of a college education. This honor society provides such a means to encourage, motivate and reward individuals for continuing to grow and develop into role models for fellow students.”

Selection criterion for acceptance into the honor society is based upon students achieving a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average for two consecutive full-time semesters or three-four part-time semesters. In addition, individuals must have taken at least one developmental education course at Owens.

The Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society student inductees for the 2007 Spring Semester are:

Elizabeth Ackerman of Oregon (registered nursing)
Latoya Alexander of Toledo (medical office support)
Gregory Alsbach of Toledo (electrical)
Nikki Alsip of Swanton (business management)
Paul Best of Toledo (commercial art)
Scott Blair of Carey (practical nursing)
Tina Boeck of Perrysburg (registered nursing)
Joseph Bogue of Waterville (fine art)
Robin Bolen of Gibsonburg (financial services sales)
Thomas Byers of Bowling Green (criminal justice technology)
Carmen Clarke of Maumee (health information technology)
Brian Cook of Sylvania (architectural engineering technology)
Katie Dock of Toledo (surgical)
Sophie Doray of Toledo (early childhood education)
Angela Estrada of Toledo (dietetic technician)
Stephanie Fairbanks of Rossford (practical nursing)
Justin Feher of Oregon (criminal justice technology)
Laurie Fitzner of Toledo (early childhood education)
Tiffany Forster of Findlay (radiography)
Monica Garza of Oak Harbor (dietetic technician)
Monica Gonzalez of Milton Center (business management)
Gwendolynn Gregory of Toledo (registered nursing)
Adam Grzybowski of Lima (criminal justice technology)
Betty Hardin of Bowling Green (surgical)
Robin Heinz of Oregon (registered nursing)
Amanda Hensley of Fremont (fine art)
Amber Irwin of Toledo (early childhood education)
Molly Jordan of Toledo (interior design)
Jason Karamol of Waterville (welding)
Jennifer Kidwell of Tiffin (practical nursing)
Brandy Lagasse of Tontogany (criminal justice technology)
Gregory Landes of Findlay (electrical/electronics engineering technology)
Fred Lewallen of Warton (practical nursing)
Alan Livesay of Findlay (industrial mechanic)
Fran Lorenzen of Swanton (early childhood education)
Chad Meredith of Perrysburg (adolescence education)
Tanessa Montgomery of Forest (information systems)
Deanah Moore of Maumee (health information technology)
Korri Nels of Toledo (business management)
Brandon Poplawski of Toledo (marketing and sales)
Susan Printke of Toledo (business management)
Nichole Queen of Grand Rapids (practical nursing)
Howard Quinn II of Toledo (pre-business administration)
Glen Ralston of Bowling Green (retailing management)
Holly Rodriguez of Toledo (registered nursing)
Janet Schlachter of Toledo (hospitality management)
Nichole Schroeder of Cloverdale (office administration)
David Shaffer of Continental (accounting)
Josette Snyder of Millbury (marketing and sales)
Ronnie Spence of Toledo (criminal justice technology)
Steven Stockdale of Toledo (business management)
Barbara Swan of Toledo (international business)
Tracie Taylor of Bowling Green (associate of arts, general concentration)
Cynthia Terrazas of Perrysburg (criminal justice technology)
Jessica Van Pelt of Toledo (surgical)
Julie Warnecke of Monclova (registered nursing)
Jodi Wheeler of Tiffin (practical nursing)

Free ESOL Courses Offered During Summer Months at Owens Findlay-area Campus

Posted on July 12th, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents wanting to expand their English skills are encouraged to sign up for the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course at Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus. The free course is offered throughout the summer months.

Classes are held on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the College’s Findlay-area Campus on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens Community College is proud to provide Northwest Ohio residents with educational opportunities to develop their English skills,” said Phil Paskvan, Owens Part-Time Adult Basic Literacy Education (ABLE) Instructional Coordinator. “The course will enable participants to further their educational and career aspirations, or simply improve their day-to-day conversational skills.”

Any person seeking to improve their command of English is welcome to attend an ESOL course. Owens’ classes are comprehensive and will cover listening, speaking, reading and writing. Participants will develop skills and vocabulary in such practical areas as shopping, school, work and social settings. Additionally, there will be opportunities to ask questions about American culture in a friendly and personal adult classroom atmosphere.

Enrollment in the course is free and available to individuals over the age of 18. For more information or to register for the class, call (567) 661-7160 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7160.

Free ESOL Courses Offered During Summer Months at Owens Toledo-area Campus

Posted on July 12th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents wanting to expand their English skills are encouraged to sign up for the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course at Owens Community College’s Toledo-area Campus. The free course is offered throughout the summer months.

Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. at the College’s Workforce and Community Services on Tracy Road in Northwood.

Enrollment in the course is free and available to individuals over the age of 18. For more information or to register for the class, call (567) 661-7160 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7160.

Owens Center for Emergency Preparedness Receives Donated Fire Truck From City of Perrysburg

Posted on July 3rd, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College has received a retired quint fire truck from the city of Perrysburg Fire Division to support the enhancement of academic programs and foster experiential learning in the new Center for Emergency Preparedness.

The donated fire engine, which features a pump, water tank, hose, ground ladders and an aerial ladder, will be used to provide comprehensive, repeatable safety training for first responders related to various fire fighting techniques. First responders will be able to conduct a variety of emergency response scenarios, including the controlling of a fire within a multi-story building, roof access, and fire fighting and rescue techniques from upper floors.

“Owens Community College is very appreciative to the city of Perrysburg Fire Division and their generous donation of a quint fire truck to the new Center for Emergency Preparedness,” said Tom Pack, Owens Director of the Center for Emergency Preparedness. “The donated fire truck will have an immediate impact on providing our region’s first responders with the highest level in real-world, scenario training.”

Before making its final trip to Owens’ Center for Emergency Preparedness, the apparatus provided over 29 years of emergency response service to citizens within the city of Perrysburg and mutual aid to surrounding communities. The fire truck will now be used as a hands-on educational training prop for the Center’s various scenario-based simulators.

“Training is an important and essential part of firefighting,” said Acting Chief Wade Johnson of the city of Perrysburg Fire Division. “Owens Community College’s vision and commitment to firefighter training is shown with their new Center for Emergency Preparedness.”

Johnson added, “I am pleased that Mayor Nelson Evans and the members of Perrysburg City Council share this commitment by donating this vehicle to Owens. Truck 1 has faithfully served the citizens of Perrysburg and now it can serve the citizens of many other communities by being a training tool for their firefighters.”

Owens has been at the forefront in providing educational training to local police and safety forces for over three decades. Earlier this year, the College officially opened its new $20.5 million Center for Emergency Preparedness.

Located at the convergence of Tracy and Walbridge roads, the 110-acre Center features full-size, state-of-the-art training props/simulators, including a mobile fire behavior lab, a five-story burn building, tank truck fire simulator, stationary fuel tank fire simulator, collapsed building rescue simulator, confined space rescue simulator, automobile fire simulator, skills/skid pad, dive and rescue pond, rail car rescue simulator, vehicle extrication field and an aircraft rescue simulator. The facility also includes a mock city replicating a community infrastructure such as a gas station, a bank, and residential and search and rescue structures.

Additional phases will consist of an emergency operations center, command and simulation center, and a variety of other simulation scenarios, including a fuel spill simulator, an aircraft fire simulator, a railroad tank car fire simulator, and rail and truck hazmat simulators.

The Center also includes Ohio’s Third Frontier Network – the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network for research, education and economic development. An initiative of the Ohio Board of Regents, the network at Owens will allow area fire and police departments to conduct exercises, via distance learning, on a variety of simulated terrorist incidents, emergency hazards and natural disasters.

Owens also has a longstanding partnership with both Toledo Police and Fire Departments, serving as the training site for the two organizational academies, and has partnerships with the Ohio Fire Academy, Ohio Police Officer Training Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard.

The city of Perrysburg Fire Division is dedicated to improving the quality of life within the city of Perrysburg and its more than 20,000 residents by providing protection of life and property threatened by fire, medical and all other natural or man-made emergencies. The Perrysburg Fire Division is a combination department that utilizes 19 volunteer and 22 full-time emergency responders to provide fire and EMS services.

Owens Community College Express Women’s Volleyball Announces Signing of 10 Student-Athletes

Posted on July 3rd, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Ten recent high school graduates have signed national letters of intent to play NJCAA intercollegiate women’s volleyball for the Owens Community College Express during the upcoming 2007-08 academic year.

Led by Head Coach Sonny Lewis, women’s volleyball will be beginning its fourteenth year as an Owens athletic program. Participating in intercollegiate athletics at the Division II level allows the College to offer scholarships to pay for tuition, fees and books for its student-athletes.

The Express completed its 2006 season with a 33-10 overall record. The program captured its seventh consecutive OCCAC regular season championship, finishing with an overall 9-1 conference record. Owens has won eight out of the last nine conference titles. The Express lost to Schoolcraft College in the semifinals of the NJCAA Region XII Championships.

“The incoming freshmen class of student-athletes are extremely talented and have achieved a considerable amount of success at the high school level,” said Lewis. “I expect each individual to have an immediate impact on the program and continue the athletic and academic excellence of Express women’s volleyball. We are very happy to welcome them to Owens Community College.”

First-year student-athletes receiving women’s volleyball scholarships are Brittney Bradner of Toledo, a Cardinal Stritch H.S. graduate (middle blocker); Stacia Fritz of Norwalk, a Norwalk St. Paul H.S. graduate (defensive specialist); Kristen Gyori of Oregon, a Clay H.S. graduate (setter); Mallory Imbery of Curtice, a Genoa H.S. graduate (outside hitter); Karie Marroquin of Fremont, a Fremont Ross H.S. graduate (setter); Amanda Mick of Defiance, a Defiance H.S. graduate (middle blocker); Kathleen Mullis of Adrian, Mich., a Lenawee Christian School graduate (middle blocker); Chelsea Stover of Wyandotte, Mich., a Roosevelt H.S. graduate (outside hitter); Erin Wax of Green Springs, a Clyde H.S. graduate (defensive specialist); and Kathryn Sabbagh of Fostoria, a Fostoria H.S. graduate (outside hitter and defensive specialist).

Owens Community College, 92.5 KISS-FM and FM 104.7 WIOT Provide Free College Education

Posted on June 29th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College, 92.5 KISS-FM and FM 104.7 WIOT are partnering to offer a unique contest, which will award free college education to three area residents. The contest will award a grand-prize winner four semesters of free tuition to Owens, while two runners-up will receive one semester of free tuition.

“Owens Community College is proud to partner with 92.5 KISS-FM and FM 104.7 WIOT and offer this life-changing opportunity for the Northwest Ohio community,” said Andy Woodard, Owens Marketing Manager. “Thanks to the support of 92.5 KISS-FM and FM 104.7 WIOT, three students will be able to experience a quality education at Owens Community College.”

Individuals can enter the contest by logging onto www.owens.edu, www.925kissfm.com or www.wiot.com, clicking on “The Tuition is Right” and correctly answering three questions. Applicants also can enter by filling out a paper entry form available at the Enrollment Services Office on the Owens Toledo-area Campus or the Commons Information Desk on the Owens Findlay-area Campus. All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 1.

The finals will be held at the College’s Toledo-area Campus on Thursday, Aug. 9 from 3-5 p.m. in the Student Health and Activities Center. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Winners for the grand prize and runner-up prizes, as well as various other prizes, will be drawn at random during the event.

Andy Stuart, Vice President & Market Manager of Clear Channel Radio Toledo, looks forward to a successful promotion on air through 92.5 KISS-FM and FM 104.7 WIOT that “will afford three individuals the opportunity to fulfill their educational dreams at Owens Community College. It is gratifying to encourage residents to strive for a higher education and a better life,” he said.

The contest is open to residents 16 years of age or older. This marks the fifth consecutive year that Owens has partnered with Northwest Ohio media and offered a tuition contest.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Announces GED Regional Testing Center July Schedule

Posted on June 29th, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents interested in enhancing basic skills in English or math, or improving employment skills, are encouraged to attend free GED educational opportunities in July at the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus.

Additionally, all students must attend an orientation meeting before receiving GED Preparation classroom instruction. Orientation meetings will occur on Monday, July 9 from 6-9 p.m. in Room 162 and on Tuesday, July 10 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Room 150.

The official Ohio GED examination is administered at Owens on one designated day per month. The College’s next official testing date is Friday, July 6. GED testing will begin at 7:15 a.m. on the Findlay-area Campus.

For more information on the many GED educational opportunities, call (567) 429-3547 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3547.

Owens Community College Students and Faculty Inducted Into Psi Beta National Honor Society

Posted on June 29th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Fifteen Owens Community College students and one faculty member were recently honored for their academic excellence, earning membership in the Psi Beta National Honor Society.

The Psi Beta Honor Society was established in 1981 as a national honor society for psychology within community and junior colleges. Today, there are over 175 chapters and more than 20,000 members of the national honor society. Affiliated with Psi Chi, the national psychology honor society for four-year colleges and universities, Psi Beta also is involved with the American Psychological Association, the Association for Psychological Science and the Association of College Honor Societies.

The overall mission of Psi Beta is to encourage, stimulate and promote interest and excellence in psychology, to advance the science of psychology and to nurture scholarship in all fields of study.

“The academic excellence and dedication that our students display in the area of psychology is commendable,” said Dr. Kerry Garretson, Owens Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Advisor of Psi Beta. “Owens’ School of Arts and Sciences is extremely proud of their selection to Psi Beta and their commitment to higher education and continuing interest within psychology.”

Selection criteria for students receiving the honor is based upon achieving a class ranking in the top 35 percent or an overall 3.3 grade point average, earning a minimum “B” average in psychology and completing at least two semesters of psychology coursework. Additionally, recipients must demonstrate a genuine interest in psychology and exhibit high standards of personal integrity.

The Psi Beta National Honor Society student inductees are:

Kelly Corisis of Oregon (associate of arts, general concentration)
Elizabeth Deats of Tiffin (physical therapist assistant)
Joshua Fruland of Perrysburg (psychology)
Carrie Kennedy of Perrysburg (early childhood education)
Jacqueline Kennedy of Maumee (pre-nursing)
Patricia Koehle of Sylvania (early childhood education)
Cathy Kronmann of Monclova (associate of arts, general concentration)
Angelique Lovell of Findlay (psychology)
Cathleen Michelsen of Toledo (undecided)
Cynthia Miller of Bloomdale (associate of arts, general concentration)
Patricia Presser of Toledo (registered nursing)
Tiffany Ripley of Oregon (associate of science, general concentration)
Sharon Spangler of Weston (surgical program)
Alysia Velez of Oregon (multi-age education)
Wendy Wilt of Wayne (registered nursing)

In addition to student inductions, Dr. Jennifer Lamping of Bowling Green, Owens Associate Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences, was selected as an honorary faculty inductee.

Owens Students Named to All-Ohio Academic Team

Posted on June 28th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Three Owens Community College students have been named to the 2007 All-Ohio Academic Team in recognition of their scholarly achievements and leadership accomplishments. The Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society have selected Renee Haas of Toledo, Deanna Hays of St. Mary’s and Joanne Reinhart of Fostoria for third team honors.

“Owens Community College is extremely proud of Renee, Deanna and Joanne and their selection to the All-Ohio Academic Team,” said Chuck Bohleke, Owens Chair of Business Technologies and Phi Theta Kappa Student Advisor. “All three have excelled both academically and through service to the community, which is reflected in their educational achievements and volunteerism. These inductees are deserving recipients and should be commended for their efforts.”

This past year only 50 students attending one of Ohio’s 23 public two-year colleges were chosen to receive the honor. Established in 1994 by Phi Theta Kappa, the All-State Academic Team program was created to honor students exemplifying excellence in higher education. The program has been in existence in Ohio since 1997.

The All-Ohio Academic Team is sponsored by the OACC, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, Honda of America Mfg., KnowledgeWorks Foundation and the Robert and Lynne Haehnlen Sprague Scholarship Fund in Honor of Joshua Haehnlen Sprague and Sean Haehnlen Sprague.

Selection criteria for the All-Ohio Academic Team is based upon recipients achieving a minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average, exhibiting outstanding leadership qualities and distinguishing themselves through service to their respective college and within the community. Additionally, individuals must be nominated by their respective college president. Members of the third team are awarded a $100 scholarship in addition to being recognized at an awards ceremony held at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.

Haas is an architectural engineering major at Owens and currently holds a 3.92 grade point average. A National Association of Women in Construction Scholarship recipient, Haas participates in a number of student activities at Owens, including leadership roles as a student representative for the Architectural Engineering Advisory Council and as public relations officer of Tau Alpha Phi Honor Society. She also is active in her community, volunteering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Parents Association of Blessed Sacrament School. A mother of two, Haas plans to pursue a master’s degree upon graduation from Owens and aspires to become an architect or project manager.

Hays is majoring in registered nursing at Owens and currently holds a 3.26 grade point average. She attends the College’s Findlay-area Campus and is active in several organizations, which includes serving as secretary of the Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society, vice president of the Student Nursing Association and a member of Student Government. An Owens Foundation Scholarship recipient, Hays also is active in the local community, volunteering with organizations such as the Arts Partnership of Greater Hancock County. Upon graduation from Owens, she plans to transfer to The Ohio State University to pursue a master’s degree and pursue a career as an oncology or pediatric nurse practitioner.

Reinhart graduated from Owens in May with a 3.46 grade point average and an associate’s degree in small business management. Her community involvement includes participating in the Meals on Wheels program and serving as a voter registration volunteer. In addition, Reinhart is an active member of St. Wendelin Catholic Church in Fostoria, where she is a core member of the Social Justice Team. She is also a member of the Kappa Beta Delta International Honor Society and serves on the Millstream Cosmetology Advisory Committee. In the future, Reinhart plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree and anticipates working for a company whose mission is related to community outreach.

Owens Express Student-Athletes Named OCCAC 2006-07 Academic All-Conference

Posted on June 27th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Twenty-one Owens Community College student-athletes have received Academic All-Conference honors by the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) in recognition of their scholarly achievements for the 2006-07 academic year.

“Owens Community College is extremely proud of these student-athletes who have demonstrated both hard work and exceptional commitment to academic achievement,” said Michael Rickard, Owens Interim Director of Athletics. “Their success as scholars is a positive reflection on each athletic program and the dedication shown toward educational values.”

Selection criterion for the honored recipients is based upon achieving a minimum 3.30 grade point average.

Owens has been a member of the OCCAC since 1987. The eight other member schools comprising the OCCAC are Clark State Community College, Cincinnati State Community College, Columbus State Community College, Cuyahoga Community College, Edison State Community College, Lakeland Community College, Sinclair Community College and Lorain County Community College.

Student-athletes receiving OCCAC Academic All-Conference honors include:

Laura Gerkensmeyer of Genoa (health information technology), a Genoa H.S. graduate (women’s volleyball) with a 3.87 grade point average.
Sarah Gerkensmeyer of Genoa (health information technology), a Genoa H.S. graduate (women’s volleyball) with a 4.0 grade point average.
Amanda Hensley of Fremont (fine art), a Fremont St. Joe H.S. graduate (women’s volleyball) with a 3.39 grade point average.
Andria Niese of Ottawa (pre-radiography), an Ottawa-Glandorf H.S. graduate (women’s volleyball) with a 3.31 grade point average.
Nathan Baer of Northwood (criminal justice technology), a Lake H.S. graduate (men’s soccer) with a 3.40 grade point average.
Ryan Davis of Tucson, Ariz. (associate of arts, general concentration), a Mountain View H.S. graduate (men’s soccer) with a 3.76 grade point average.
Matheus DeSouza of Livingston, Texas (business management), a Livingston H.S. graduate (men’s soccer) with a 4.0 grade point average.
Adam Grzybowski of Lima (criminal justice technology), a Findlay H.S. graduate (men’s soccer) with a 3.35 grade point average.
Jeff Kuehne of Maumee (pre-professional engineering), a Maumee H.S. graduate (men’s soccer) with a 3.40 grade point average.
Justin McIntyre of Monroe, Mich. (associate of science, general concentration), a Monroe H.S. graduate (men’s soccer) with a 3.67 grade point average.
Justin Williams of Lima (business management), a Lima Senior H.S. graduate (men’s soccer) with a 3.38 grade point average.
Joan Anderson of Maumee (associate of arts, general concentration), a St. Ursula Academy graduate (women’s basketball) with a 3.54 grade point average.
Laura Gerhardt of South Milwaukee, Wis. (associate of arts, general concentration), a South Milwaukee H.S. graduate (women’s basketball) with a 3.52 grade point average.
Melanie Schroeder of Leipsic (associate of science, general concentration), a Miller City H.S. graduate (women’s basketball) with a 3.69 grade point average.
David Davis of Detroit, Mich. (associate of arts, general concentration), a Melvindale H.S. graduate (men’s basketball) with a 3.73 grade point average.
Kevin Neilly of Toledo (criminal justice technology), a Start H.S. graduate (men’s baseball) with a 3.42 grade point average.
Joshua Pheils of Rossford (pre-business administration), a Rossford H.S. graduate (men’s baseball) with a 3.52 grade point average.
Jeremy Sheeks of Bowling Green (criminal justice technology), an Otsego H.S. graduate (men’s baseball) with a 3.90 grade point average.
Ashley Henney of Oregon (small business management), a Clay H.S. graduate (women’s softball) with a 3.40 grade point average.
Stephanie Matthews of Delta (pre-nursing), a Delta H.S. graduate (women’s softball) with a 3.59 grade point average.
Megan Stump of Bettsville (pre-dental hygiene), a Bettsville H.S. graduate (women’s softball) with a 3.52 grade point average.

Owens’ Graduate Lives by Her Motto: ‘You are Never too Old to Learn Something New’

Posted on June 25th, 2007

Lorena Baird recently graduated from the Owens Findlay-area Campus with an associate’s degree in liberal arts.

FINDLAY, OH – Lorena Baird of Findlay wasn’t deterred by starting college later in life. She loves learning new things and thinks the life lessons that accompany being an older student support student success.

But while studying for a history class at Owens Community College, she realized her age in an interesting way.

“As I was reading the textbook, I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I have lived through a lot of this history!,'” Baird, who is 64 years of age, recalled. “It gave me a good laugh and I thought if anyone wants some first-hand information about of our history, I am the person they need to talk to.”

Baird, both a grandmother and great-grandmother, started taking classes at Owens after losing her job through company downsizing. She received a certificate in accounting and graduated in May with an associate’s degree in liberal arts.

“I felt I needed to become ‘more employable’ so that meant going back to school,” Baird said. “Since graduating, I’ve felt a sense of accomplishment Ö and relief. I haven’t decided if I am going to pursue a bachelor’s degree or not, but I am being encouraged to do it.”

Baird, who already holds two associate’s degrees in small business management and marketing from Aims Community College in Colorado, also encourages other older adults to go back to school or take a class for the first time if they are thinking about it.

“My motto is, ‘You are never too old to learn something new,’ and I really believe that,” she said. “Keeping your mind busy helps keep you active, healthier and more productive. I hear people say that they are bored or that they don’t have anything to keep them motivated, pursuing a degree or just taking personal enrichment classes is an option.”

Baird would have a hard time saying she is bored. Between her job as Student Outreach Specialist and Enrollment Management Specialist the past three years on the Findlay-area Campus, writing (she recently published a collection of inspiration poetry), taking care of two of her grandsons and spending time with her family, she has become a master at juggling schedules. She also volunteers her time and talents at College First Church of God in Findlay and constantly attends numerous school functions involving her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“It’s a challenge, but if you have the desire to do something, you can always figure out a way to accomplish it,” she said. “I believe that every situation or experience you have can be used in a positive way if you are willing to learn something from it.”

According to one her Owens colleagues Stefanie Orians, Lorena’s (Baird) energy and enthusiasm for learning is inspirational for both Findlay-area Campus employees and students.

“Lorena goes out of her way to lend a helping hand to others,” stated Orians. “Her always cheerful demeanor is contagious. She certainly brightens my day and those individuals she comes in contact with.”

Owens Community College Hosts Express Volleyball Team Tournament, July 21-22

Posted on June 22nd, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area high school varsity girls volleyball teams interested in competing against some of the best high schools from the Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio regions are invited to participate in a two-day Express Volleyball Team Tournament hosted by Owens Community College, Saturday-Sunday, July 21-22.

The volleyball team tournament competition will begin each day at 10 a.m. in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Each high school varsity team will be guaranteed five matches per day and volleyball programs will have the opportunity to compete on either Saturday or Sunday, or both days. The camp fee is $100 per team for one day and $200 per team for two days. Tournament championship teams will receive T-shirts.

The number of participating teams is limited. For more information, or to register, call (567) 661-7939 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7939.

Owens Community College Express Baseball Holds Second Open Tryouts for Pitchers, July 7

Posted on June 22nd, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Prospective high school graduates and area residents interested in playing intercollegiate men’s baseball at Owens Community College are invited to a second open tryout on Saturday, July 7. The open tryout is only for pitchers.

The open tryout begins at 10 a.m. and will be held at the College’s Baseball Complex on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

The Owens men’s baseball program finished the 2007 season with a 35-9 overall record and captured its sixth Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (16-4 record) title – third in the last four years – in the program’s history. Coached by Bob Schultz, Owens advanced to the finals of the NJCAA Region XII Championships before losing to Kellogg Community College. Additionally, the 16 victories in conference is a school record for most wins in a season, surpassing the previous mark of 15 in 2001.

Scholarships are still available. Owens Express players must be high school graduates and should bring their own equipment. For more information on the open tryout, call (567) 661-7973 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7973.

Owens Community College Closed for Independence Holiday, July 4

Posted on June 21st, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses will be closed on Wednesday, July 4 for the Independence Day holiday. There will be no classes and the College offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and College offices will open again on Thursday, July 5.

Owens Findlay-area Campus to Host Community Blood Drive, July 12

Posted on June 20th, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents are encouraged to help in saving lives as the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus and the American Red Cross host a community Blood Drive on Thursday, July 12.

The Blood Drive will occur from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. in Conference Center Room 111 on the Findlay-area Campus. Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

Donors will be provided snacks and drinks before and after their donation. For more information, call (567) 429-3509 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3509.

Owens Community College Express Honors Golf, Baseball and Softball Programs

Posted on June 20th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College recently honored its spring athletic programs for displaying excellence during intercollegiate competition. Student-athletes participating in golf, baseball and softball were recognized for their athletic achievements, highlighted by Joey Bussdieker of Monroe, Mich. being named NJCAA Division II Honorable Mention All-American in men’s golf.

Bussdieker, a freshman from Monroe High School, is the first men’s golf student-athlete to earn All-American recognition. During the 2007 season, Bussdieker tied for 13th place at the NJCAA Division II National Championships after a total score of 289 plus one (72-72-72-73) during four rounds of competition. His 13th place finish is the best in the program’s brief two-year history. He advanced to the national championship tournament after shooting a total score of 225 (75-75-75) and finishing tied for first at the NJCAA Region XII Men’s Golf Championships.

In addition to his All-American honors, Bussdieker was named Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) Player of the Year and Top Medalist with a 76.5 scoring average. He also was selected to the NJCAA All-Region XII First Team, among other accolades.

Led by Head Coach Gilbert Guerrero, the Express golf team captured nine match and invitational titles this past season, highlighted by a first-place finish in the OCCAC Championship Invitational. The program won its first-ever conference title and second NJCAA Region XII Sub-Regional Championship after rounds of 308-308 (616) at Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg.

Earlier this year, the Express set the record for the lowest round in OCCAC history, shooting a four-player score of 284 at the Pine Ridge Golf Course in Wickliffe. The previous record of 286 was held by Columbus State Community College. The Owens team also finished third at the NJCAA Region XII Championships after rounds of 310-311-309 (930).

The Owens men’s baseball program finished the 2007 season with a 35-9 overall record and captured its sixth OCCAC (16-4 record) title – third in the last four years – in the program’s history. Led by Head Coach Bob Schultz, Owens advanced to the finals of the NJCAA Region XII Championships before losing to Kellogg Community College. Additionally, the 16 victories in conference is a school record for most wins in a season, surpassing the previous mark of 15 in 2001.

Express women’s softball completed the 2007 season with a 16-31 overall record and a 5-7 mark (third place) in the OCCAC regular season standings. Led by Head Coach Duane Lanham, the Express captured back-to-back OCCAC regular season championships in 2005 and 2006.

Golf awards presented were:

Most Valuable Player – Joey Bussdieker
Most Improved Player – Brian Bowker of Van Buren (Van Buren H.S.)
Coaches Award – Josh Williams of Fostoria (Arcadia H.S.) and Robert Jackson of Maumee (Toledo Christian H.S.)
OCCAC Player of the Year – Joey Bussdieker
OCCAC Coach of the Year – Gilbert Guerrero
OCCAC All-Conference First Team – Joey Bussdieker, Robert Jackson, Jason Smith of Toledo (Anthony Wayne H.S.) and Ryan Brown of Temperance, Mich. (Bedford H.S.)
NJCAA All-Region XII Team – Joey Bussdieker
NJCAA Division II National Championship All-Tournament Team – Joey Bussdieker
NJCAA Division II All-American Honorable Mention – Joey Bussdieker

Express golf team members also included Vanessa Herbert of Oregon (Clay H.S.) and Chris Hummer of Toledo (Start H.S.).

Men’s baseball awards presented were:

Most Valuable Player – Steve Weigle of Naples, Fla. (Naples H.S.)
Coaches Award – Joshua Pheils of Rossford (Rossford H.S.)
Offensive Player Award – Aaron Stewart of Toledo (Start H.S.)
Defensive Player Award – Jason Cress of Bowling Green (Bowling Green H.S.)
OCCAC All-Conference First Team – Steve Weigle, Aaron Stewart, Albert Ayala of Hialeah, Fla. (Barbara Goleman Senior H.S), Jeremy Sheeks of Bowling Green (Otsego H.S.) and Michael Nyitrai of Toledo (Start H.S.)
NJCAA All-Region XII Team – Aaron Stewart and Steve Weigle
NJCAA Region XII All-Tournament Team – Albert Ayala, Steve Weigle and Austin Ritson of Toledo (Whitmer H.S.)

Owens Express men’s baseball team members also were Brandon Best of Sylvania (Sylvania Southview H.S.), Scott Conley of Millbury (Lake H.S.), Dominick Coduti of Northwood (Northwood H.S.), Brent Graham of Oregon (Clay H.S.), Adam McNalley of Clay Center (Genoa H.S.), Manoli Pahoulis of Warren (Howland H.S.), Kevin Neilly of Toledo (Start H.S.), Bryan Conley of Millbury (Lake H.S.), Gabriel Espineira of Miami, Fla. (Hialeah H.S.), Andrew Jay Meyer of Hamler (Patrick Henry H.S.), Alex Majewski of Toledo (St. Francis de Sales H.S.), John Paul Akers of Naples, Fla. (Naples H.S.), Tony Pozega of Warren (Howland H.S.) and Martin Suarez of Miami, Fla. (Barbara Goleman Senior H.S.).

Women’s softball awards presented were:

Most Valuable Player – Jessica Snyder of Sylvania (Sylvania Southview H.S.)
Most Improved Player – Stephanie Matthews of Delta (Delta H.S.)
Offensive Player of the Year – Ashley Henney of Oregon (Clay H.S.)
Defensive Player of the Year – Lisa Pfaender of Rossford (Rossford H.S.)
Coaches Award – Brittany Staccone of Toledo (Bowsher H.S.)
Heart of a Champion Award – Amanda Coressel of Malinta (Patrick Henry H.S.)
OCCAC All-Conference First Team – Corrine D’Emilio of Oregon (Cardinal Stritch H.S.), Ashley Henney, Brittany Staccone, Jessica Snyder and Lisa Pfaender
NJCAA All-Region XII Team – Jessica Snyder

Members of the Express women’s softball program also were Janie Reichert of Perrysburg (Toledo Central Catholic H.S.), Tristan Donaghy of Findlay (Vanlue H.S.), Amanda Cogley of Lima (Lima Bath H.S.), Allison Barry of Toledo (Toledo Central Catholic H.S.), Megan Stump of Bettsville (Bettsville H.S.), Jill Schumm of Tiffin (Hopewell-Loudon H.S.), Lauren Proy of Sandusky (Sandusky H.S.), Lindsey McDonald of Toledo (Rogers H.S.) and Tiffany Harding of Toledo (Bowsher H.S.).

Owens Community College Hosts Detroit Pistons Youth Training Camp, July 23-26

Posted on June 19th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will offer area basketball players the opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of the sport as part of the Detroit Pistons 2007 Youth Basketball Training Camp, Monday-Thursday, July 23-26.

The youth basketball training camp runs from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to once again collaborate with the Detroit Pistons organization and host an exciting week of basketball for area youth throughout Northwest Ohio,” said Michael Rickard, Owens Interim Director of Athletics.

Camp instructors for the four-day event will include Detroit Pistons officials and players, Michigan college and high school coaches, and current and former collegiate basketball superstars. Youth in grades 1-11 will receive instruction on various basketball skills, highlighted by ball handling, passing, shooting, defense and rebounding. Additionally, participants will be evaluated on their skill level and compete in games and a variety of contests.

The registration fee for the camp is $175 per participant and space is limited.

During the past 10 years more than 20,000 boys and girls have attended the Detroit Pistons Training Camp Tour occurring throughout Ohio and Michigan. For more information, call (567) 661-7973, 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7973 or (248) 377-8653.

Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts Hosts American Harp Society Day Ensemble Concert, June 29

Posted on June 19th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents are encouraged to witness a unique ensemble performance featuring 23 harpists as Owens Community College hosts the tenth annual American Harp Society Day Ensemble Concert in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre on Friday, June 29. The concert is free and begins at 7 p.m.

The event is the culmination of Harp Week, a weeklong series of ensemble rehearsals and practical application workshops sponsored in part by the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Society and the Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts. Harp Week is open to any harpist who has played for at least one year.

“The Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Society is very excited to bring this fun and dazzling performance to Owens for a third consecutive year,” said Denise Grupp-Verbon, Owens Adjunct Faculty member and co-founder of Harp Week. “This year’s concert will feature 23 harpists of various ages and diverse backgrounds. Attendees will not be disappointed with the musical variety and stylistic flourishes of this year’s presentation.”

Harpists ranging from beginners to professionals will be strumming both familiar and original tunes throughout the evening. Highlights will include “The Sound of Music”, “Danny Boy” and “The Swan”.

The American Harp Society was founded in 1962 in response to the growing needs of harpists as performers, teachers and students. Its mission is to encourage and cultivate the enjoyment of the harp as a musical instrument, to support the composition of the music and to advance the quality of ability for performing harpists. The society has flourished since its founding and now consists of more than 3,000 members with chapters throughout North America and South America.

The Northwest Ohio Chapter was established in the mid 1970s with the mission of preserving, promoting and presenting the harp and its music in the community. The chapter’s initiatives include promoting the study of the harp by providing scholarship opportunities and instruments and serving as a co-sponsor of Harp Week since its inception in 1998.

Individuals participating in Harp Week include Linda Ashton of Lawton, Okla., Denise Buenger of Holland, Maribeth Burns of Maumee, Emily Corey of Sylvania, Sande Corfman of Fremont, Elaine Covert of Northwood, Andrea Jeanette Darmahkasih of Sylvania, Denise Grupp-Verbon of Toledo (co-director), Gloria Heacock of Rossford, Alexandra Hogan of Defiance, Brianne Hogan of Defiance, Margeaux Leighton of Lambertville, Mich., Hannah Ludwig of Maumee, Nancy Lendrim of Sylvania (co-director), Jennifer Meehan of Toledo, Jo Lynn Messer of Tiffin, Sarah Modene of Perrysburg, Brigid Parent of Toledo, Coleen Powell of Defiance, Laura Smaling of The Woodlands, Texas, Ashley Smith of Maumee, Karen Svanoe Westgate of Fremont and Matt Wurzel of Northwood.

The American Harp Society Ensemble Day Concert is free and the public is encouraged to attend. For more information, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

$695,000 NSF Grant to Fund Ohio Computational Science Project; Ralph Regula School, Community Colleges to Develop Associate Degree Program

Posted on June 14th, 2007

COLUMBUS, OH – The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a three-year, $695,000 grant to develop an associate degree program in computational science to a statewide coalition involving an educational initiative of the Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC) and three Ohio community colleges.

OSC’s Ralph Regula School of Computational Science will lead a partnership that includes Owens Community College near Toledo, Sinclair Community College in Dayton and Stark State College in Canton. The Ralph Regula School is a virtual statewide school focused on teaching computer modeling and simulation to solve real-world problems in a wide range of fields including medicine, manufacturing, finance and earth science.

“Computational science and the use of modeling and simulation have been cited by prominent federal committees and panels as keys to continued United States competitiveness in science and engineering,” said Steve Gordon, Director of the Ralph Regula School. “This project will create shared multi-institutional educational modules and an associate degree program that will interest a broader range of students in science careers.”

The collaborative project is titled, “Computational Science Program for Ohio Community and Technical Colleges.” The NSF grant was awarded through the foundation’s Advanced Technological Education program.

The goal of the project is to complete a statewide computational science curriculum already being implemented by developing associate degree programs that constitute the middle two years of an articulation from the high schools to the community colleges and four-year colleges and universities. The grant will fund the development of courses and materials, a model articulation agreement from high school through baccalaureate programs, professional development for high school and community college faculty and a model for a shared program that can be replicated nationally.

Computational science describes the application of computing, especially high-performance computing, to the solution of scientific and engineering problems. Computational scientists use computers to create mathematical models that help them simulate and understand natural and mechanical processes, as well as to visualize these models.

One well-known example of computational science is weather forecasting, where vast amounts of data are combined with sets of mathematical formulas in a computer program called a weather model to develop forecasts. These forecasts are far more accurate and timely than were possible before computer modeling was available.

Another important example is the use of computer models to simulate and test new products prior to manufacturing. The use of “virtual prototypes” sharply reduces or even eliminates the slow and expensive process of building physical prototypes.

The use of computational science also allows researchers to study phenomena that would be difficult to study through any other means. For example, computational models allow researchers in the life sciences to simulate what happens when drug molecules interact with viruses and then visualize the result. It also allows car manufacturers to simulate repeated computer models of car crashes and then see what happens within the parts damaged in the crash.

Project Lead the Way (PLTW), another key partner in the project, has developed a sequence of courses which, when combined with college preparatory mathematics and science courses in high school, introduces students to the scope, rigor and discipline of engineering and engineering technology prior to entering college. The Ralph Regula School staff will be working with the Ohio PLTW program to develop a new course in computational science to prepare students for the associate degree program.

Owens Community College Hosts Express Volleyball Camp, July 16-19

Posted on June 13th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will offer area volleyball players the opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of the sport as the women’s volleyball program hosts a four-day Express Volleyball Camp, Monday-Thursday, July 16-19.

The volleyball camp will offer two separate sessions daily from 9-11:30 a.m. for grades 4-7 and from 1-4:30 p.m. for grades 8-12 in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Camp instructors will include the Owens Express women’s volleyball coaching staff, area coaches and current and former collegiate players. Each camp participant will receive individual instruction on volleyball skills in their designated area, including outsider hitter, middle blocker, setter and defensive specialist. In addition, attendees will learn about drills and exercises for volleyball and gain tips on improving their passing efficiency.

Parents and coaches are invited to attend the camp to listen and observe at no additional charge.

The camp fee is $80 per player, which includes a camp T-shirt. For more information, or to register, call (567) 661-7939 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7939.

Owens Community College to Host Mitchell-Jackson Youth Basketball Camp, July 9-12

Posted on June 13th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area youth will have the opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of basketball and life lessons as basketball stars Todd Mitchell and Jim Jackson host their annual basketball camp at Owens Community College, Monday-Thursday, July 9-12. This marks the first year that the annual basketball camp is being held at Owens Community College.

The four-day youth basketball camp runs from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College appreciates the opportunity to play an active role in supporting a longstanding community outreach program dedicated to enriching the lives of area youth through education and the sport of basketball,” said Edward Willis, Owens Special Assistant for Community Outreach and Engagement. “Todd Mitchell and Jim Jackson are both leaders on and off the basketball court and Owens is proud to collaborate on such a worthwhile initiative effecting area youth throughout Northwest Ohio.”

Camp instructors for the four-day event will include college and professional basketball standouts Mitchell and Jackson, as well as area high school coaches and current and former collegiate basketball players. Boys and girls entering grades 5-12 will receive instruction on various basketball skills, highlighted by ball handling, passing, shooting, defense and rebounding.

Additionally, participants will learn about teamwork, eating healthy and making the right decisions in life. Attendees will also be evaluated on their skill level and compete in games and a variety of contests.

Sponsored by Owens Community College, ProMedica Health System Sports Care and Marco’s Pizza, the camp registration fee is $75 per participant and space is limited. Lunch is provided each day and each attendee will receive a basketball camp jersey. For more information, call (419) 720-5252.

‘The Art of Industry’ Exhibit Featured at Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery, June 18 – Aug. 2

Posted on June 11th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – The innate beauty of modern industrial equipment and products will serve as the focal point of Owens Community College’s latest art exhibit in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. The exhibit titled “The Art of Industry” will look at both form and function in the manufacturing process while paying tribute to the unusual beauty of Ohio’s industrial design, June 18 – Aug. 2.

In addition, the College will host a reception from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, June 22. The Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is located in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus.

“Owens Community College is excited to host this unconventional, modern and innovative exhibit that looks at both form and function in the development of the manufacturing process,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “As a highly developed industrial state, Ohio is the home to much of the country’s industrial design. I encourage individuals to observe the many ways that art and industry intertwine.”

Several area manufacturing companies will showcase diagrams, blueprints, CAD drawings and other archival materials as part of this exhibit, highlighted by a mechanical robot from DaimlerChrysler Toledo Machining Plant in Perrysburg, a washing machine from Whirlpool Corp. in Clyde, a cutaway engine from National Machinery LLC in Tiffin and circuit boards from Imaging Systems Technology in Toledo.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday during the summer. For more information, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721.

Owens Community College Assists School Children with ‘Backpack to the Future’ Summer Supply Drive

Posted on June 11th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – As another school year comes to an end, many students are once again placing their backpacks in storage or are discarding them entirely in anticipation of buying next fall’s latest fashion trend. Owens Community College’s Alumni Association has taken the initiative of once again organizing a gently-used backpack drive to provide new life for what many students consider their mobile lifeline to learning.

The College’s Alumni Association community service endeavor, titled “Backpack to the Future,” is currently accepting gently-used backpacks and new school supplies from area residents during the summer months. Items collected, as part of the “Backpack to the Future” event, will be given to low-income elementary school children throughout Northwest Ohio.

“Owens Community College’s Alumni Association is proud to once again coordinate a program benefiting such a worthy cause,” said Kaye Koevenig, Owens community service chair of the Alumni Association. “There are many low-income families that can barely afford to pay their bills, and may not be able to provide their children with new supplies. Our goal is to ensure that such occurrences do not happen and that all children begin their school year with new educational resources.”

Koevenig added, “The various donations collected throughout the summer will be delivered to underprivileged children as the new school year begins in August and September.”

In addition to the gently-used backpacks and new backpacks, individuals can donate crayons, markers, bottles of glue, glue sticks, colored pencils, pencils, pink erasers, school boxes, pocket folders, marbled covered composition books and Kleenex tissues. Area residents can bring their charitable donations to the College’s Office of Alumni Relations on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Since establishing the program in 2004, the Owens Alumni Association has given over 550 backpacks and over 8,200 school supplies to benefit underprivileged children throughout Northwest Ohio.

For more information about the school supply drive, or to make a donation, contact the Owens Alumni Relations Office at (567) 661-7410, 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7410 or alumni@owens.edu.

Owens Community College Names New Student Government Officers for 2007-08 Academic Year

Posted on June 8th, 2007

Lindsay Gregory (left) will serve as Student Government President, while Dusty Bastian will hold the position of Vice President.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Twelve Owens Community College students were named to new Student Government leadership positions for the 2007-08 academic year. Each individual will serve a one-year term and represent the Owens student body as Student Government officers.

Owens marketing and sales major Lindsay Gregory of Toledo and associate of science, general concentration major Dusty Bastian of Swanton received the majority vote for President and Vice President, respectively.

“We are very excited about beginning a fresh, new academic year and the many possibilities that exist for Student Government to make a difference in Owens student life,” said Student Government President Gregory. “Our number one goal is to make students more aware of and involved in Student Government and student activities, in addition to providing our students with more avenues in which to present their concerns and ideas.”

Other individuals elected to the College’s Student Government include Marie Salazar of Toledo (Secretary), business management; Nighat Khan of Toledo (Treasurer), nuclear medicine; Aurelius Taylor of Toledo (Toledo At-Large Representative), machining; Amanda Keck of Toledo (Toledo At-large Representative), pre-nursing; Debra Ann Morales of Oak Harbor (Toledo At-Large Representative), criminal justice technology; Manda Gunter of Bowling Green (Toledo At-Large Representative), psychology; Ranetta Hitt of Toledo (Toledo At-Large Representative), associate of arts, general concentration; Jean Martin of Oregon (Toledo At-Large Representative), criminal justice technology; Courtney Boose of Toledo (Toledo At-Large Representative), pre-physical therapist assistant, and Paul Sobb of Toledo (Toledo At-Large Representative), computer science.

The purpose of Owens’ Student Government is to represent the student population on both the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses and engage in various social, political, academic and administrative initiatives that are in the best interests of the College’s growing and diverse student body.

In addition, Student Government acts as a liaison between the student body and the College administration, the overall Owens community, governmental representatives and organizations, and other individuals and organizations. The ultimate responsibility of Student Government is to address the needs, problems and concerns of the student body and to carefully listen to their suggestions.

Owens Community College Receives $270,500 Grant to Establish Motorcycle Safety Training Program

Posted on June 7th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College Workforce and Community Services has been selected by Motorcycle Ohio to receive a $270,500 statewide grant for the purpose of establishing a new Motorcycle Safety Training program in Northwest Ohio. The College’s new Motorcycle Safety Training program represents the only basic motorcycle-rider course offered in Wood County and is one of only 15 permanent training locations in Ohio.

“Owens Community College’s selection as lead organization for motorcycle safety training demonstrates the College’s responsiveness to continuing to meet Northwest Ohio’s educational needs,” said Dr. Michael Bankey, Owens Vice President of Workforce and Community Services. “In a collision, motorcyclists are at a much higher risk of being severely injured or killed. Proper motorcycle training can play a significant role in saving lives. Owens is proud to partner with Motorcycle Ohio and provide a valuable service for area residents.”

Motorcycle Ohio is regarded as the premier motorcycle safety and education program in the state, having enhanced the riding skills of over 95,000 motorcyclists since its founding in 1987. The organization has 15 permanent training locations throughout Ohio and one mobile program, as well as a fleet of 450 training motorcycles, helmets and over 250 instructors. Motorcycle Ohio’s Basic Rider Course or “Riding and Street Skills” was first made available to the public in 1988, while the Experienced Rider Course was added in 1992. An Instructor Preparation Course is available for experienced motorcyclists interested in becoming a Motorcycle Ohio instructor.

The new Motorcycle Safety Training program requires 16 hours of coursework. Four hours will occur within a classroom at the College’s Workforce and Community Services building in Northwood. Classroom topics will include introduction to motorcycling, preparing to ride and street strategies. The final 12 hours will be held as part of practice riding sessions at Owens’ 250 feet by 500 feet defensive driving pad adjacent to the Fire Science and Law Enforcement Center in Perrysburg Township. The practice riding sessions will feature educational training within the areas of motorcycle familiarization, limited-space maneuvers, using the friction zone, negotiating curves, obstacles and lane changes, avoiding hazards and matching gears to speed, among other topics.

Attendees will be provided with motorcycles, helmets and a student workbook. Individuals must show proof of a Motorcycle Endorsement on their driver’s license or a valid Temporary Motorcycle permit in order to participate in the course.

Owens’ safety training course will be offered weekly beginning in July. The Motorcycle Safety Training program is a three-day course, which will occur on Thursday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays.

According to Rhonda Hogrefe, Owens Continuing Education and Community Service Account Representative and Motorcycle Safety Training program Coordinator, Owens is one of only three organizations to offer the program in Northwest Ohio and is expected to train over 2,000 riders within the next three years.

“I encourage area motorcycle drivers, whether a new or experienced rider, to take advantage of the invaluable training services,” Hogrefe stated. “Motorcycle rider training experience reduces accident involvement. We do not want individuals to become a motorcycle fatality statistic.”

The cost to participate in the program is only $25, while individuals under 18 years of age can enroll for free. Space is limited to 12 riders per class. For additional information about the new program, or to register, contact the College’s Workforce and Community Services at (567) 661-7357 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7357.

Owens Community College Express Baseball Holds Open Tryouts for Pitchers, June 14

Posted on June 5th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Prospective high school graduates and area residents interested in playing intercollegiate men’s baseball at Owens Community College are invited to an open tryout on Thursday, June 14. The open tryout is only for pitchers.

The open tryout begins at 4 p.m. and will be held at the College’s Baseball Complex on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Owens Alumni Association Golf Outing Raises Over $32,000 in Support of Scholarships

Posted on June 5th, 2007

Members of the Bowers Asphalt and Paving Inc. team (L to R) Todd Sattler, David Neely, Tom Skees and Dan Connelly pose for a photo with Owens Express mascot JJ the Jaguar after winning the College’s Golf Classic.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – More than 100 area residents enjoyed a day of golf and entertainment in support of alumni scholarship programs as Owens Community College’s Alumni Association held its fifth annual Golf Classic presented by Sky Bank. The 28-team event netted over $32,000 to benefit scholarship endeavors.

Since its inception, the Owens event has netted over $150,000 to support Owens students pursuing a college education and their career aspirations.

“Owens Community College’s Alumni Association is proud to once again host a community-wide event in which the proceeds benefit students pursuing a college education,” said Laura Moore, Owens Alumni Association Executive Director and Event Chair. “The Golf Classic was a huge success and would not have been possible without the overwhelming support of Northwest Ohio’s business and industry, as well as Owens alumni. Their generous contributions will go along way in ensuring our students with opportunities for lifelong learning.”

Organized by the Owens Alumni Association’s steering committee, the golf outing was held at the historic Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg. The event featured 18-holes of golf, lunch, cocktails, grazing dinner and an awards program. The Golf Classic event sponsor was Sky Bank. In addition, Metzgers Printing + Mailing served as the print sponsor, while Marathon Petroleum Company was the hospitality sponsor and the “Toledo Free Press” was the ad sponsor.

The championship team of the four-person scramble was sponsored by Bowers Asphalt and Paving Inc. in Walbridge. Team members included Dan Connelly, David Neely, Todd Sattler and Tom Skees.

Owens Community College Express Named All-Sports Conference Champion

Posted on June 4th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College Express athletics has captured the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) All-Sports Award. The honor marks the sixth conference title in the last decade for the College.

Owens has garnered nine all-sports championships in the College’s history. Academic years in which the Express has been named all-sports conference champions are 1994-95, 1995-96, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2004-05 and 2006-07.

“Owens Community College is very proud of our student-athletes for their hard work both in the classroom and during intercollegiate competition,” said Michael Rickard, Owens Interim Director of Athletics. “Owens has enjoyed a long-standing tradition of producing championship caliber teams. The success that our athletic program has achieved would not have been possible without exceptional student-athletes and coaching staffs.”

During this past year Express teams were conference champions in men’s baseball, women’s volleyball, men’s golf and women’s basketball. Both the men’s basketball and women’s softball teams finished in third place, while men’s soccer was fifth place in the conference standings.

Lakeland Community College finished runner-up to Owens.

Owens Community College to Host Free Summer Writers Forum, June 13 – July 25

Posted on June 4th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Members of the community interested in developing their creative writing skills are invited to attend a free writers forum offered this summer at Owens Community College, June 13 – July 25. The forum, which is open to community members and writers of all ages and genres, will meet weekly to discuss and critique creative writing with college faculty, peers and several published authors.

The summer writers forum will take place every Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. in the Writing Center, which is located in College Hall Room 156-D. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“The summer writers forum is a cost-free opportunity for area residents of all writing levels to put their creativity to work and build their literary skills in a relaxed educational environment,” said Lynda Hoffman, Owens Manager of the Writing Center. “Participants will be able to take away some great insight into creating, refining and recasting their work in the areas of poetry, fiction and nonfiction.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to work on their own writing projects while receiving input from several notable published authors, including Owens Adjunct Faculty members and published poets Nick Strickland, Stephanie King and Holly Burnside. Several additional writers will appear as guest speakers throughout the program, including performance poet Abigail Cloud, poet Anthony Frame and creative nonfiction writer Scott Swinney.

Each week’s forum will focus on a particular genre or style of writing. The diverse selection of topic areas are as follows: June 13, creative nonfiction; June 20, fiction and flash-fiction; June 27, narrative poetry; July 11, image and language poetry; July 18, performance poetry; and July 25, publication. Writers are not required to attend all sessions. The forum will not meet on July 4.

For more information, call (567) 661-7385 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7385.

Owens Vice President Receives State Award for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Efforts

Posted on June 4th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College Vice President of Student Services Dr. Bill Ivoska has been chosen by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Association of Ohio (ADAPAO) to receive the 2007 Champion Award for his exemplary contributions and dedication toward promoting drug awareness and substance abuse education.

According to nominator Nancy Rice, Director of the Prevention Services of Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Lucas County, Dr. Bill Ivoska has changed the culture of prevention in Northwest Ohio through his work over the last 18 years.

“Dr. Ivoska has created a long-term body of statistical data that is unmatched by other major metropolitan areas with trend data spanning two decades,” Rice said. “The project has moved from the reporting and collection of data, to the public discussion and eventually to the point of where results are today – driving the design of appropriate direct and environment intervention strategies. His involvement has been a blessing and a gift to this community.”

Deacon Dzierzawski, Chief Executive Officer of The Community Partnership attributes much of the success of prevention efforts in Lucas County to Dr. Ivoska’s dedicated work.

“Through his continued work, Lucas County has been able to track trends in ATOD use as well as identify emerging issues such as prescription drug use and ‘club drugs’ enabling the community to address these serious issues,” Dzierzawski said. “Dr. Ivoska is willing to lend his expertise and voice to the prevention field. I am of the opinion that without the work of Dr. Ivoska, the prevention system in Lucas County would not be the model that it is and the success of the prevention agencies in obtaining the necessary resources would not be possible.”

ADAPAO was created with the overall mission of employing the power of dialogue, networking and advocacy to amplify a unified voice for alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention in Ohio. Since 1988, the organization has presented annual awards to honor excellence in and commitment to prevention. Five different awards are presented to individuals in recognition of superb dedication to advancing alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention. The ADAPAO Champion Award is annually presented to an individual for going above and beyond normal expectations to advance prevention in his or her community.

A longtime advocate for promoting drug and substance abuse awareness, Ivoska has been instrumental and responsible for developing countywide surveys that measure adolescent substance use and mental health among youth in Wood and Lucas counties. In addition, he has served as a researcher for the Toledo/Lucas Alcohol and Drug Addictions Services Board (ADAS) since 1990 and is a frequent presenter at the local, state and national level on reducing adolescent alcohol consumption.

Ivoska joined the College in 1976 as an Associate Professor in Behavioral Sciences. He later served as Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions and the Executive Director of Student Development. Serving as the Director of Admissions from 1996-2002, Ivoska was instrumental in Owens increasing its enrollment to more than 19,000 students each term.

He currently serves as Vice President of Student Services and is responsible for developing, implementing and supervising activities and staff within Student Services.

Active in the community, Ivoska is a board member with the Lucas County Chance for Change Foundation. His professional involvement includes membership with the Ohio Council of Student Development, the American Association of Counseling and Development, and the American Student Personnel Association. Additionally, he serves on several committees associated with the Ohio Board of Regents. In 2004, he was chosen by Wood County’s Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board (ADAMHS) to receive the Advocate of the Year Award for his extraordinary drug awareness and substance abuse education efforts.

Ivoska holds a doctoral degree in counseling and research methods from the University of Toledo. A licensed professional counselor, he earned his master’s degree in social psychology and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Bowling Green State University. Ivoska resides in Perrysburg.

Owens Express Softball Holds Open Tryouts, June 12

Posted on May 31st, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Prospective high school graduates and area residents interested in playing intercollegiate women’s softball at Owens Community College are invited to an open tryout on Tuesday, June 12.

The open tryout begins at 5 p.m. and will be held at the College’s Softball Complex on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

The Owens women’s softball program finished the 2007 season with a 16-31 overall record and a 5-7 mark (third place) in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) regular season standings. Led by head coach Duane Lanham, the Express captured back-to-back OCCAC regular season championships in 2005 and 2006.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Early Learning Center Offers New Summer School Program to Area Children

Posted on May 31st, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents interested in receiving exceptional child care through innovative teaching and learning methods are invited to enroll their children in the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus Early Learning Center’s new summer school program, occurring June 11 – August 31. The College’s Early Learning Center is currently accepting new students finishing kindergarten through fifth grade.

Owens’ Early Learning Center, which is located on Bright Road in Findlay, is focused on providing quality and affordable child care for the children of employees, students and the community. The Findlay-area Campus Early Learning Center summer school program will be offered Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

“Owens Community College’s summer school program is devoted to enhancing the lives of children through developmentally appropriate curriculum, which emphasizes learning through play,” said Deanna Haan, Owens Manager of the Early Learning Center.

Haan added, “Creating an environment which places the highest level of focus on the child’s development is possible because of our low ratio of children to adults and extremely caring staff.”

Youth enrolled in the program will spend their summer participating in an array of fun and educational activities. The program will utilize the College’s many facilities and will offer opportunities for reading, science experiments and physical activities. Additionally, the children will have the opportunity to visit and swim at many of the area parks and pools.

Owens’ Early Learning Center has been providing quality child care to the Hancock County region since 1993 and was created with the overall mission of offering excellence in child care services by providing the latest in innovative teaching and learning methods. The Center also affords Owens students enrolled within the early childhood education program the opportunity to apply knowledge obtained within the classroom in a real-world setting. Many child care teachers and directors throughout the surrounding communities have begun their instructional careers at the Owens Early Learning Center.

For more information about Owens’ Early Learning Center summer school program, call (567) 429-3596 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3596.

Owens Community College Toledo-area Campus Offers New ‘Parent College 101’ Educational Program

Posted on May 30th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – First generation college families are invited to learn about how students can make a successful transition from high school to college by attending Owens Community College’s new program titled “Parent College 101: Success Strategies for First Generation College Families”.

Designed to provide resources and encouragement to families unfamiliar with college preparation and admissions procedures, the free, two-hour program begins on Monday, June 11 and is offered Mondays and Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m. on the College’s Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Attendees are required to RSVP prior to each event. The classes will not be offered in January, August and on holidays.

“Owens’ ‘Parent College 101’ program is a great opportunity for first generation college parents to learn how they can play an important role in their child’s educational future,” said Jennifer Irelan, Owens Assistant Director of Enrollment Services. “The College is pleased to offer these educational resources and help and support families through the college preparatory process.”

Throughout the event, parents will have the opportunity to experience a taste of college by attending informational sessions on financing college, post-secondary enrollment options, preparing academically for college, learning how to apply for college, understanding college language, helping children explore their academic interests, student support services and academic services.

In addition, attendees will be able to meet with college representatives and pick up information on preparing for a successful college experience.

For more information, or to register, contact the College’s Enrollment Services Office at (567) 661-7253 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7253.

Owens Community College Hosts Express Girls Basketball Camp, June 18-21

Posted on May 29th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will offer area basketball players ages 8 through 16 the opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of the sport as the women’s basketball program hosts an Express Girls Basketball Camp, June 18-21.

The basketball camp will occur each day from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Camp instructors will include the Owens Express women’s basketball coaching staff and current players. Each camp participant will receive individual instruction on basketball skills in their designated positions. In addition, attendees will learn about drills and exercises for basketball and gain tips on improving their offensive and defensive skills.

The Express women’s basketball program is led by head coach Mike Llanas and completed the 2006-07 season with a 21-11 overall record and captured its first OCCAC (12-2 record) title, sixth overall, since the 1998-99 basketball season. Llanas’ squad, which was ranked No. 28 in the final NJCAA Division II poll, lost to Lakeland Community College in the semifinals of the NJCAA Region XII Championships.

Parents and coaches are invited to attend the camp to listen and observe at no additional charge.

The camp fee is $70 per player, which includes a camp basketball and T-shirt. For more information, or to register, call (567) 661-7973 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7973.

Over 50 Students Graduate From Owens Basic Peace Officer Training Academies

Posted on May 25th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Over 50 students from the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses were recently recognized as Ohio Basic Peace Officer Training Academy graduates at Owens Community College.

Founded in 1970, the Basic Peace Officer Training Academy is offered on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses in cooperation with the Ohio Peace Officers Training Council. As part of the seven-month program, Owens police academy students take courses in patrol operations, firearms, defensive tactics and criminal investigation using modern, high-tech police equipment. Participants receive expert instruction from local police officers, sheriff’s deputies and corrections officers, as well as state and federal agents.

Local law enforcement agencies where Owens graduates are employed include the Deshler Police Department, Findlay Police Department, Fostoria Police Department, Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, Henry County Sheriff’s Department, Lucas County Sheriff’s Department, Maumee Police Department, Northwood Police Department, Perrysburg City Police Department, Perrysburg Township Police Department, Sylvania City Police Department, Sylvania Township Police Department, Tiffin Police Department, Toledo Police Department, Wayne Police Department and the Wood County Sheriff’s Department.

The following students have completed the required number of law enforcement contact hours set forth by the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Peace Officers Training Commission.

Toledo-area Campus Basic Peace Officer Day Academy:
Megan M. Anello of Toledo
Joshua M. Aultman of Toledo
Emily S. Barnes of Wauseon
Jacob M. Beck of Maumee
Brandon T. Brown of Temperance, Mich.
Milosz Brucki of Oregon
George C. Byington of Oak Harbor (sponsored by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office)
John M. Cullum of Temperance, Mich.
Jon R. Dupont of Perrysburg
Heather A. Dye of Holland
Gregory E. Giddens of Maumee
Rachel L. Goetz of Maumee (sponsored by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office)
Daniel N. Gonzalez of Rocky Ridge
Jose A. Gonzales III of Perrysburg
Nolan T. Greenawalt of Huron (sponsored by Cedar Point/Sandusky)
James E. Keen of Toledo
Wesley R. Lewis of Pemberville (sponsored by the Wood County Sheriff’s Office)
Ryan A. McGiffin of Bowling Green (sponsored by the Wood County Sheriff’s Office)
Steven C. McClellan of Toledo
Christopher M.-V. Mulinix of Maumee
Joanae K. Smilax of Oak Harbor
Amber L. Zenor of Perrysburg

Toledo-area Campus Basic Peace Officer Night Academy:
Cara E. Addy of Toledo
Jim G. Baldwin of Grand Rapids
Mark G. Barker of Toledo
Jonathan D. Burkett of Maumee
John N. Carpenter of Port Clinton (sponsored by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office)
John M. Castellanos II of Millbury
Angela D. Cochran of Delta
Devin T. Howard of Perrysburg (sponsored by the Pemberville Police Department)
Tiffany L. Karam-Voulgaris of Sylvania (sponsored by the Woodville Police Department)
Aaron W. Leist of Graytown
Brian Lomeli of Maumee
Thomas J. Roberts of Perrysburg (sponsored by the Wood County Sheriff’s Office)
Shawn D. Ruemmele of Toledo
James C. Schroeder of Maumee
William J. Scroggs of Toledo
Robert K. Smith of Perrysburg (sponsored by the Woodville Police Department)
Michelle L. Vollmar of Toledo

Findlay-area Campus Basic Peace Officer Academy:
Jerry D. Barnt of Findlay (sponsored by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)
Sara L. Bena of Findlay
Mark A. Brunnert of Findlay
Matthew P. Brunswick of Forest
Clayton J. Capell of Fostoria
Randall A. Crow of Rawson
Lucas M. Elchert of Tiffin
Bryan M. Elling of Rawson
Nathan S. Fawcett of Findlay
Justin L. Gallagher of Hoytville
Johnathon G. Jenkins of Findlay
Justin W. Kiser of Fostoria
Shea R. Newfer of Kenton
Derek J. Welch of Jenera

Owens Community College Announces Spring Academic Honors

Posted on May 24th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – More than 2,400 students were named to the Academic Honors List at Owens Community College for the Spring Semester 2007. Students must achieve at least a 3.5 grade point average to be eligible for academic honors. Owens Community College uses a 4.0 scale in grading.

Owens Community College Hosts Express Boys Basketball Camp, June 11-14

Posted on May 24th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will offer area basketball players ages 8 through 16 the opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of the sport as the men’s basketball program hosts an Express Boys Basketball Camp, June 11-14.

Camp instructors will include the Owens Express men’s basketball coaching staff and current players. Each camp participant will receive individual instruction on basketball skills in their designated positions. In addition, attendees will learn about drills and exercises for basketball and gain tips on improving their offensive and defensive skills.

The Express men’s basketball team finished the 2006-07 campaign with a 22-12 overall record and an 8-6 mark (third place) in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) regular season standings. Owens advanced to the finals of the NJCAA Region XII Championships before losing to Cincinnati State Community College. The team was ranked as high as No. 4 in the NJCAA Division II men’s basketball poll.

Parents and coaches are invited to attend the camp to listen and observe at no additional charge.

The camp fee is $70 per player, which includes a camp basketball and T-shirt. For more information, or to register, call (567) 661-7973 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7973.

Area Students Display Tractor Knowledge and Skills During FFA District I Tractor Troubleshooting Contest at Owens

Posted on May 23rd, 2007

Ayersville High School students’ (L to R) Stewart Zachrich and Scott Hoshock test their problem solving techniques during Owens’ Tractor Troubleshooting Contest.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Eleven area high schools recently put their knowledge of tractors to the test during the 14th annual FFA District I Tractor Troubleshooting Contest hosted by Owens Community College.

Sponsored by the College’s Transportation Technologies, the contest involved high school teams, consisting of two students, completing a written examination and five practical skill events to determine their expertise of tractors. As part of the practical skills competition, teams were required to locate, identify and repair a malfunction on a specified tractor donated for the event.

A panel of 10 judges, comprising Owens students from the John Deere Agricultural Technician and Diesel Technician programs, graded each high school in the areas of workmanship as a team, safety practices, problem-solving techniques and identification, and repair of malfunctions to determine a district champion. The top team advanced to the state championship competition.

“Owens Community College is pleased to have once again served as host for the Tractor Troubleshooting district competition,” said Tracy Campbell, Owens Chair of Transportation Technologies. “Each participating team displayed an extremely high level of knowledge about the agricultural industry, which made for a very exciting day. The respective high schools should be very proud of their students’ efforts.”

The district championship went to Matt Casey and Bill Casey of Elmwood High School, while Willem Van Rooijen and Jay Parks of Penta Career Center finished in second place.

Other students and high schools involved in the competition and their order of finish were Stewart Zachrich and Scott Hoshock (Ayersville H.S.), John Bruner and Tim Spiess (Pettisville H.S.), Eric Enright and Nick Griffith (Eastwood H.S.), Jared Dick and Travis Hake (Edon H.S.), Scott Stribrny and John Shultz (Genoa H.S.), Lucas Durham and Trevor Ely (Four County Career Center), Blake Dauer and Cody Bame (Bowling Green H.S.), Zach Moore and Rudy Hanzel (Oak Harbor H.S.), and Brian Pike and Justin Fager (Wauseon H.S.).

Local businesses donating tractors for the competition were Streacker Tractor Sales, Crosby Equipment, Eagle Machinery Inc., Caterpillar Inc. and Owens Community College.

Owens’ Diesel Technology program offers students the opportunity to pursue either an associate degree or a certificate while preparing them for careers in operations, maintenance, service, testing, diagnosis and development of truck and heavy equipment. Students interested in a career as a professional agricultural equipment service technician can pursue an associate degree through the College’s John Deere Agricultural Technician program. Owens is one of 22 academic institutions in the United States and Canada, and the only school in Ohio, to offer the John Deere Agricultural Technician program.

Owens Community College Student Government Dedicates Courtyard Memorial Tree to Virginia Tech Tragedy Victims

Posted on May 23rd, 2007

An Owens student presents flowers in front of the new tree memorial, honoring the Virginia Tech victims.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s Student Government recently joined their fellow students, as well as area residents and employees, in paying tribute to those victims that lost their lives in the Virginia Tech tragedy through the dedication of a courtyard memorial tree.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies go out to the Virginia Tech students, friends and families of the victims and their unimaginable loss,” said Sam Harden, Owens Student Government President. “Owens’ Student Government encourages individuals to never forget those people who lost their lives in the Virginia Tech tragedy and hopes the recently dedicated courtyard memorial tree serves as a lasting tribute in their honor.”

The memorial dedication service commenced with comments by Student Government President Harden and Owens officials. Local clergy also provided remarks during the student-led event. A dogwood tree, the state tree of Virginia, was then dedicated and planted in the courtyard lawn in memory of the victims. The tree, which was donated by the city of Toledo, is accompanied by a plaque.

Students also read names of the deceased members of the Virginia Tech family, while fellow students placed flowers in front of the new tree memorial, honoring each victim.

In addition, individuals had the opportunity to share their condolences with the Virginia Tech community by writing a message on a memorial banner that was later sent to the university.

Owens students and employees hold a banner that reads “Our thoughts and prayers are with you” during the memorial service.

Individuals had the opportunity to share their condolences with the Virginia Tech community by writing a message on a memorial banner that was later sent to the university.

Owens Express Golf Holds Open Tryouts, June 13-14

Posted on May 22nd, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Prospective high school graduates and area residents interested in playing intercollegiate golf at Owens Community College are invited to a two-day open tryout Wednesday-Thursday, June 13-14.

The open tryout begins at 7 a.m. each day and will be held at Heatherdown Country Club in Toledo. The green fee for both days is $20. Participants in the top 10 will advance to second round competition yet to be determined.

Scholarships are available to both males and females. Owens Express players must be high school graduates. For more information on the open tryout, call (567) 661-7973 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7973.

Owens Community College Pinning Ceremony Honors Spring Registered Nursing Program Graduates

Posted on May 22nd, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – One hundred twenty-six Owens Community College students were recently bestowed honorary pins by the School of Health Sciences signifying their graduation from the registered nursing program. The pinning ceremony is part of a traditional nursing practice, which honors students prior to beginning their careers within the health care community.

“Owens’ registered nursing program is proud to acknowledge our graduates’ impressive accomplishments and commend them for their academic excellence,” said Cynthia Hall, Owens Chair of Nursing. “The pin, through its symbolism, reminds nursing professionals of what it truly means to care for others. It is only fitting that the College recognize the rite-of-passage for these future caregivers.”

The nurse pinning ceremony originated in the 1860s at St. Thomas Hospital’s Nightingale School of Nursing in London, England. Having been recently awarded The Red Cross of St. George for her selfless service to the injured and dying in the Crimean War, Florence Nightingale chose to extend the honor she received to her most outstanding graduate nurses by awarding each of them a medal of excellence. The practice of awarding nurses a badge was soon after adopted, and the first pin was awarded to the Class of 1880 at the Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing in New York City.

This year’s pinning ceremony also marked the first time a Spirit of Nursing Award was presented to a graduating Owens registered nursing student. The Spirit of Nursing Award is a national honor presented by the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and the National Student Nurses Association. The first-ever recipient of the national honor is Tangee Krochmalny of Findlay. Selection criteria includes the recipient achieving a minimum 3.5 grade point average and exhibiting outstanding academic achievement, community service and professional behaviors.

Graduating nurses include Heather Ard of Toledo, Sarah Arp of Toledo, Kathy Baird of Leipsic, Lindsay Baker of Upper Sandusky, Michelle Ballard of Toledo, James Beidelschies of McCutchenville, Kimberly Bernal of Toledo, Michele Blair of Alger, Tammy Bosler of Tiffin, Donna Bowers of Rossford, Stephanie Brecheisen of Findlay, Jessica Cahill of Tiffin, Adrianne Cappama of Findlay, Hyunjin Chung of Sylvania, Amy Clink of Perrysburg, Megan Clouse of New Riegel, Lorali Cole of Delta, Leah Collins of Maumee, Kerri Corbitt of Perrysburg, Rachel Cousino of Perrysburg, Whittney Dennis of Cygnet, Jennifer Dewey of Toledo, Amelia Doering of Northwood, Liza Doherty of Youngtown, Ariz., Lisa Ferguson of Sylvania, Rae Ferguson of Fostoria, April Foster of Toledo, Danielle Freed of Findlay, Kenneth Georgia of Toledo, Nathaniel Gray of Toledo, Christy Greco of North Baltimore, Betty Greer of Northwood, Ceressia Gresham of Toledo, Elizabeth Guzman-Gonzalez of Cygnet, Lisa Haas of Whitehouse, Amber Hampton of Maumee, Jennifer Hartson of Sycamore, Julie Heimsath of Findlay, Laura Hemrick of New Riegel, Gary Hoffman of Toledo, Lindsay Hohlbein of Holland, Ronda Huber-Zimmer of Deshler, Lindsay Jarzynski of Toledo, Jamie Jiannuzzi of Toledo, Linda Judy of Toledo, Janice Karhoff of Ottawa, Nicole Keuneke of Van Wert, Joseph Kizer of Bettsville and Laura Klein of Maumee.

Registered nursing program graduates also include Tangee Krochmalny of Findlay, Melissa Kroske of Jenera, Darcy Kubat of Fremont, Brett Lammie of Toledo, Angela Leach of Toledo, Kelli Lenhart of Arlington, Vernita Love of Toledo, Jennifer Martin of Whitehouse, Michelle Mason of Waterville, Jennifer McGue of Lima, Meredith Mendoza of Toledo, Emily Mikolajczak of Toledo, Courtney Miller of Toledo, Dana Miller of Bascom, Freda Miller of Northwood, Lisa Miller of Fostoria, Melissa Morgan of Curtice, Mary Moszkowicz of Toledo, Rusty Muter of Columbus Grove, William Novinsky of Toledo, Crystal Opdycke of Stryker, Leah Pawlowicz of Toledo, Michael Pratt of Maumee, Kristie Przyszlak of Monroe, Mich., Michelle Pyle of Toledo, Candace Ramirez of Tiffin, Tina Rhodes of Fostoria, Tracy Richardville-Healy of Genoa, Susan Rios of Oregon, Julie Robinson of Findlay, Melissa Roby of Marysville, Holly Rodriguez of Toledo, Dean Romaker of Van Buren, Rod Rose of Maumee, Amy Ruiz of Toledo, Leslie Rygalski of Northwood, Shannon Sass of Toledo, April Saunders of Rising Sun, Gina Schmersal of Kalida, Amy Schroeder of Leipsic, Jillian Settlemire of Hamler, Emily Shane of Forest, Natalie Shenk of Findlay, Melissa Sherer of Findlay, Kelly Slavik-Bosworth of Rossford, Layla Smidi of Maumee, Craig Smith of Toledo, Melissa Smith of Toledo, Karen Soto of Bowling Green, Amanda Spitler of Findlay, Ann Stateczny of Whitehouse, Kristin Stechschulte of Findlay, Pamela Stewart of Sycamore, Rebecca Steyer of Tiffin, Tami Stoudinger of Bradner, Christine Straley of Custar, Marielle Strobehn of Waterford, Mich., Kelly Szumigala of Toledo, Amanda Tillison of Wayne, Craig Tobias of Findlay, Juan Villarreal of Bowling Green, Michelle Voigt of Maumee, Kathryn Vykopal of Bradner, Andrea Walker of Rossford, Rachel Watruba of Toledo, Tammy Whaley of Lima, Arlene White-Baker of Sylvania, Angela Wick of Walbridge, Meegan Wilson of Waterville, Stacey Winger of Tiffin, Shawn Wittkop of Toledo, Christopher-Wol Wolff of Toledo, Keryn Work of Findlay, Christine Wysong of Oregon, Beth Zamora of Fremont, Samantha Zawodni of Toledo and Bernadine Zirker of Sylvania.

Established in 1969 as the first associate degree program of its kind in Northwest Ohio, the School of Health Sciences’ registered nursing program has graduated more than 3,800 nurses. The program was implemented on the Findlay-area Campus in 1991.

Owens’ registered nursing program requires 73 credit hours of coursework, which includes nutrition, nursing concepts, pharmacology, life span psychology, nursing skills, adult health issues, and anatomy and physiology. Following graduation, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination to become a registered nurse.

The registered nursing program is designed to prepare graduates for nursing positions in a variety of health care settings. Among the various locations are acute care agencies, physician offices, long-term care agencies and outpatient ambulatory areas. The program combines studies at Owens with planned and guided clinical experience in client care for health care facilities and community agencies.

Owens Express Golf Student-Athlete Competes in NJCAA National Championship Tournament, May 22-25

Posted on May 21st, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College student-athlete Joey Bussdieker of Monroe, Mich., will have the opportunity to compete against some of the country’s best intercollegiate golfers for a national championship title as the Express freshman participates in the NJCAA Division II National Championships, May 22-25.

The 2005 Monroe High School graduate advanced to the national championship tournament after shooting a total score of 225 (75-75-75) and finishing tied for first at the NJCAA Region XII Men’s Golf Championships. The Owens six-member team finished third at the regional championships, which was held at Bedford Valley Golf Club in Battle Creek, Mich., after rounds of 310-311-309 (930).

Bussdieker (Associate of Arts, General Concentration) will take a 75.7 season scoring average into the NJCAA Division II National Championship tournament, which will be held at Goose Pond Colony Golf Course in Scottsboro, Ala. The four-day 72-hole NJCAA tournament will consist of four rounds beginning at 7 a.m. each day. Tee times for the no-cut event will be set prior to the tournament in accordance with NJCAA rules. One hundred sixty individuals will compete for the individual national title.

“I am extremely proud of Joey Bussdieker and his efforts on the golf course,” said Gilbert Guerrero, Owens Head Coach of the golf program. “Joey has worked very hard and has served as a team leader from day one of the season. He has earned the right to compete for a national championship title and will represent Owens Community College and the golf program well at the NJCAA tournament.”

Bussdieker’s postseason honors include selection as the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) Player of the Year and Top Medalist with a 76.5 scoring average. He also was named to the NJCAA All-Region XII Team.

The Express golf team captured nine match and invitational titles this past season, highlighted by a first-place finish in the OCCAC Championship Invitational. The program won its first-ever conference title and second NJCAA Region XII Sub-Regional championship after rounds of 308-308 (616) at Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg.

Earlier this year, the Express set the record for the lowest round in OCCAC history, shooting a four-player score of 284 at the Pine Ridge Golf Course in Wickliffe. The previous record of 286 was held by Columbus State Community College. Owens made its first trip to the NJCAA Division II National Championships in 2006, finishing 14th in the tournament.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Hosts Rapid Registration Week, May 29 – June 2

Posted on May 18th, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Area residents, businesses and students interested in taking college classes or starting a new career this summer or fall are invited to attend Rapid Registration Week at Owens Community College, May 29 – June 2. Summer Semester classes begin on May 29 and June 4, while Fall Semester will start on August 20.

For added convenience, the College will be open extra hours for Rapid Registration Week from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, May 29-31. Additionally, students may register from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday, June 1, and from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 2. The Owens Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

Owens offers personal attention and small classes throughout the day, evening and weekends, and online. For more registration information or to obtain a schedule of courses for the summer or fall terms, contact Enrollment Services at (567) 429-3509 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3509, or access the College’s website at www.owens.edu.

Owens Toledo-area Campus Hosts Rapid Registration Week, May 29 – June 2

Posted on May 18th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents, businesses and students interested in taking college classes or starting a new career this summer or fall are invited to attend Rapid Registration Week at Owens Community College, May 29 – June 2. Summer Semester classes begin on May 29 and June 4, while Fall Semester will start on August 20.

For added convenience, the College will be open extra hours for Rapid Registration Week from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, May 29-31. Additionally, students may register from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday, June 1, and from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 2. The Owens Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Owens offers personal attention and small classes throughout the day, evening and weekends, and online. For more registration information or to obtain a schedule of courses for the summer or fall terms, contact Enrollment Services at (567) 661-7777 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7777, or access the College’s website at www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Closed Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-28

Posted on May 18th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses will be closed Saturday-Monday, May 26-28 for the Memorial Day holiday. All administrative offices will be closed.

Administrative offices will open again on Tuesday, May 29.

Owens Honors Men’s and Women’s Basketball Programs

Posted on May 16th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College recently honored the Express basketball programs at its annual awards banquet for displaying excellence during intercollegiate competition. Twenty-eight student-athletes participating in men’s and women’s basketball were recognized for their athletic achievements.

Led by head coach Jack Trainer, the Express men’s basketball team finished the 2006-07 campaign with a 22-12 overall record and an 8-6 mark (third place) in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) regular season standings. Owens advanced to the finals of the NJCAA Region XII Championships before losing to Cincinnati State Community College. Trainer’s team was ranked as high as No. 4 in the NJCAA Division II men’s basketball poll.

Men’s Basketball awards presented were:

Most Valuable Player – Julian Logan of Kalamazoo, Mich. (Loy Norrix H.S.)
Most Improved Player – DeAndre Hall of Pontiac, Mich. (Pontiac Northern H.S.)
Coaches Award – Brandon Dawson of Inkster, Mich. (Inkster H.S.) and David Davis of Detroit (Melvindale H.S.)
OCCAC All-Conference First Team – Julian Logan
OCCAC All-Conference Second Team – DeAndre Hall
NJCAA All-Region XII Team – Julian Logan
NJCAA All-Region XII Tournament Team – DeAndre Hall

Members of the Owens Express men’s basketball team also were Chris Trobaugh of Elkhart, Ind. (Jimtown H.S.), Noah Williams of Cleveland (Shaker Heights H.S.), Kyle Lightner of Toledo (Scott H.S.), Sedelle Broyles of Canton (Canton McKinley H.S.), C.J. Simmons of Inkster, Mich. (Ypsilanti H.S.), T.R. Ellis of Inkster, Mich. (Melvindale H.S.), Gabe Gibbs of Eastpointe, Mich. (Detroit Community H.S.), Wes Taylor of Oregon (Clay H.S.), Blayne Welling of Hicksville (Hicksville H.S.) and Michael Gibson of Inkster, Mich. (Belleville H.S.).

The Express women’s basketball program is led by head coach Mike Llanas and completed their season with a 21-11 overall record and captured its first OCCAC (12-2 record) title, sixth overall, since the 1998-99 basketball season. Llanas’ squad, which was ranked No. 28 in the final NJCAA Division II poll, lost to Lakeland Community College in the semifinals of the NJCAA Region XII Championships.

Women’s Basketball awards presented were:

Most Valuable Player – Tia Simms of Fremont (Fremont Ross H.S.)
Most Improved Player – Joan Anderson of Maumee (St. Ursula Academy)
Defensive Player of the Year – Tashe Jacobs of Findlay (Findlay H.S.) and Melanie Schroeder of Leipsic (Miller City H.S.)
Coaches Award – Candace Black of Detroit, Mich. (Communication and Media Arts H.S.) and Nikki Coates of Bolingbrook, Ill. (Bolingbrook H.S.)
Mark Henry Award – Amanda Cogley of Lima (Lima Bath H.S.)
OCCAC Coach of the Year – Mike Llanas
OCCAC All-Conference First Team – Tia Simms
OCCAC All-Conference Second Team – Nikki Van Dine of Columbus (Westland H.S.)
NJCAA All-Region XII Team – Tia Simms
NJCAA All-Region XII Tournament Team – Tia Simms

Express women’s basketball team members also included Amanda Coressel of Malinta (Patrick Henry H.S.), Melissa Moore of Urbancrest (Central Crossing H.S.), Laura Gerhardt of South Milwaukee, Wis. (South Milwaukee H.S.), Kendra Johnson of Kalamazoo, Mich. (Loy Norrix H.S.), Stacie Coressel of Hamler (Patrick Henry H.S.) and Kristine Roberts of Findlay (Findlay H.S.).

Owens Community College Dean Named President of National Health Board

Posted on May 15th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s Dean of the School of Health Sciences Janell Lang has been chosen by her peers to serve as President of the National Network of Health Care Programs in Two-Year Colleges’ Executive Board of Directors.

The National Network of Health Care Programs in Two-Year Colleges was created with an overall mission of promoting and encouraging innovation, collaboration and communication within two-year institutions sponsoring health career programs. The organization is comprised of over 160 leaders within higher education who are dedicated to expressing and advocating the interests of health career programs at two-year colleges.

Serving a two-year term, Lang’s responsibilities as President include a variety of leadership positions, including serving as the organization’s representative on the Affiliated Council Membership of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Additionally, Lang has been appointed to the AACC’s Commission on Economic and Workforce Development.

Lang joined the College as a faculty member in 1971, serving the School of Arts and Sciences in a variety of roles until being appointed as Dean of the School of Health Sciences in 1985. During her tenure as Dean, Lang has been responsible for implementing many of the School’s highly successful academic programs, including the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, Health Information Technology and the Paramedic to RN Bridge Program, among many others.

Her professional involvement includes membership with the American Society for Allied Health Professions, the American College Health Association and the American Dental Education Association. Additionally, Lang serves on the Board of Directors for the Health Professions Network.

Lang earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Mundelein College. A resident of Toledo, she holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and an education specialist degree in educational administration from the University of Toledo.

Over 700 Owens Community College Students Graduate During Spring Commencement Ceremonies

Posted on May 14th, 2007

Over 700 Owens students graduated during Spring Commencement ceremonies.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Challenging graduates to strive for excellence in their career aspirations, Michael P. Bell, State of Ohio Fire Marshal and former Chief of the Toledo Department of Fire and Rescue Operations, addressed the Owens Community College graduating class as the academic institution held its 41st annual Spring Commencement on May 11.

Serving as keynote speaker, Bell shared with the 702 graduates, including 106 from the Findlay-area Campus, and the more than 4,000 family, friends and relatives in attendance about the importance of becoming leaders and making a difference in today’s society.

“I encourage and challenge each of you to set personal goals and look to accomplish those goals,” stated Bell in his speech. “Each of you leaves Owens Community College with the knowledge and skills to pursue and obtain the careers that you desire. You are leaders and I congratulate you on your accomplishment.”

Bell was recently appointed State Fire Marshal, where he oversees eight bureaus including: Administration, Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations (BUSTR), Fire Prevention, Arson Investigation, Forensic Lab, Code Enforcement, Fire Academy, and the Testing and Registration Bureau.

He proudly served the city of Toledo for 27 years and was Chief of the Department of Fire and Rescue Operations for over 16 years. During his tenure in fire and rescue operations, he was a Water Rescue Diver, Fire Recruiter, Paramedic, Paramedic Shift Supervisor and Training Officer for the city of Toledo. He also was an Adjunct Instructor for the National Fire Academy. Prior to his promotion in 1990, he served as the Captain of the Training Bureau. Since 2001, Bell served as the Chairman of the Joint Regional Terrorism Task Force for Lucas County.

Bell is a community leader and has been active on several charitable boards including Boys and Girls Clubs of Toledo, Easter Seals Society of Northwest Ohio, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts of America, Red Cross, Mobile Meals and The Bethany House. He has been inducted into the halls of fame for Woodward High School and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Toledo. He also has received the International Association of Fire Chiefs President’s Recognition Award for his dedication to diversity awareness in the fire safety profession.

Bell earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Toledo. He serves on the Owens Community College advisory committee for fire science technology.

Leslie Black, a Business Management major, was selected as the Owens class representative and addressed the graduates during the Spring Commencement ceremony.

Black, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Consumer Economics from Bob Jones University, also earned a certificate in Supervision from Owens in 2006. Prior to pursuing her associate’s degree, she worked as a health educator teaching nutrition for Women, Infant and Children (WIC) and Head Start programs.

An honors student, Black describes herself as a caring, dependable and hardworking individual. She enjoys spending time with her family, scrapbooking and cooking. Black also is an active member of her church and is involved in the College’s Kappa Beta Delta and Phi Theta Kappa honor societies.

Black credits the educational success she has achieved to her spiritual faith and her husband, Neil, and her two children, Zachary and Carleigh, and their unconditional love and support. She is also grateful to her in-laws, Jim and Gerry Black.

“Without their support, this endeavor would not have been possible,” she explained. “My mind has been stretched and my spirit refreshed here at Owens. My children have seen me take on a challenge and complete it with a measure of success.”

Black’s commencement speech addressed her personal journey and touched upon the importance of lifelong learning.

“I appreciate the environment at Owens, an environment that realizes that learning is a lifelong endeavor in a constant state of change,” she stated in her speech. “I would encourage all the 2007 graduates of Owens Community College to tell your story, reflect on the accomplishments you have attained and continue to work toward your goals.”

In the future, Black envisions working with people in training through human resources or in education. She currently resides in Delta.

Of the 702 graduates, 195 graduated with honors and 21 of those earned perfect 4.0 grade point averages.

Michael P. Bell, State of Ohio Fire Marshal, served as the Spring Commencement keynote speaker.

Leslie Black addresses the College’s graduates as class representative.

Benjamin Thomas of New Bavaria and Jacob Simon of Metamora both graduated with associate’s degrees in Technical Studies and chose to wear hard hats associated with their new career field as FirstEnergy power lineman.

Five Owens Early Childhood Education graduates take time to pose for a photo prior to Spring Commencement.

A youngster decides to join in the Spring Commencement festivities by sitting next to his father and trying on his graduation cap during the ceremony.

Owens graduates change their tassels from the right side of the mortarboard to the left side, conferring their graduation status.

Owens Child Care Center Children Celebrate Mother’s Day During ‘Muffins with Moms’ Event

Posted on May 11th, 2007

Five-year Morganne Hull of Toledo and her mother, Heather, pose for a photo during the Child Care Center’s “Muffins with Moms” event.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s Child Care Center in conjunction with Teacher Education, Fine and Performing Arts, and Math and Life/Natural Sciences recently celebrated Mother’s Day with an array of learning activities for the Child Care Center children and their mothers titled “Muffins with Moms”. The morning celebration culminated with the preschool children surprising their mothers with decorative, painted pots holding colorful red Geraniums.

In preparation for the Mother’s Day event, the 20 Child Care Center children, ages 4 to 5 years old, were provided with the opportunity to paint their pots utilizing a variety of colors. The young artists were then given the chance to practice their “green thumb” skills, planting their very own red Geranium within the recently painted pot.

The children also participated in a variety of experiential learning activities, highlighted by instruction related to the importance of watering and fertilizing plants.

The mission of Owens’ Child Care Center is to provide quality child care for the children of employees, students and the surrounding communities. The program is devoted to enhancing the lives of children through developmentally appropriate curriculum, which is child centered.

Four-year-old Kaleb Serrato of Waterville surprises his mother, Holly, with a hand-crafted card and a red Geranium.

Red Geraniums and decorative cards await presentation during the Child Care Center’s Mother’s Day celebration.

Owens Community College Recognizes Students for Creative Excellence in Artistic Expression

Posted on May 11th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Nine Owens Community College students were recently honored for their creative excellence in art as the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery held its annual Juried Student Art Exhibition.

“Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to have featured some of the finest works of art produced by our students,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “The creative works submitted by Owens students were truly outstanding and epitomized the meaning of artistic expression. Events such as the Juried Student Art Exhibition provide great opportunities for students to apply the knowledge obtained within the classroom into a real world setting.”

A jury composed of area artists and professionals selected the winning entries based on creative excellence. The Juried Student Art Exhibition was open to all students enrolled within fine and performing arts courses.

The show featured over 100 pieces of artwork in the categories of fine art, which included sculpture, ceramics, painting and drawing, photography and commercial art. More than 60 students enrolled within fine and performing Arts courses at Owens had artwork accepted for the show.

In the category of fine art, Melissa Dutridge of Toledo (undecided) was awarded first place for her mixed media piece titled “My Landscape”. Stephanie Buck of Toledo (undecided) took second place for her graphite drawing “Aleisha” and Mandy Hensley of Fremont (fine art) took third place for her oil painting “Colorful Fruit”.

Jennifer Rufenacht of Genoa (commercial art technology) was awarded first place in the category of commercial art for her vector design titled “Adolphe Mouron Cassandre Trading Cards”, while Pete Genson of Haskins (associate of arts, general concentration) took second place for his vector design “Eurostile Font”. Christa Clark of Monclova (commercial art technology) took third place for her vector design “Charge the Highway”.

In the category of photography, Hope Renee Eber of Oregon (photography) was awarded first place for her black and white fiber photograph titled “Birch Trees if Fall”. Jennifer Fogle of Toledo (photography) took second place for her black and white photograph “Katie in the Light” and Paula Swan of Holland (world language studies) took third place for her black and white fiber photograph “Billboard”.

Owens Community College Board of Trustees Awards 2007 Academic Excellence Scholarships

Posted on May 10th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area high school seniors recently were honored by Owens Community College’s Board of Trustees for their outstanding achievements, receiving thousands of dollars in new scholarships through the Trustees’ Academic Excellence Scholarship Program.

“Owens Community College is pleased to reward these incoming students for their superior academic efforts and exemplary contributions within their high schools and communities,” said Dr. Ronald McMaster, Owens Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Each recipient’s outstanding leadership qualities and intellectual skills will be a strong asset to Owens, and we look forward to welcoming them during the new academic year.”

The Academic Excellence Scholarship Program was created in 1998 by Owens’ Board of Trustees to recognize the outstanding achievements of graduating high school seniors. Each recipient will receive a $2,000 two-year scholarship.

The scholarship is available for four consecutive semesters with applicants being enrolled full-time and pursuing an associate’s degree at the College, as well as maintaining a 3.0 grade point average each semester.

Students receiving a Trustees’ Academic Excellence Scholarship and their intended course of study at Owens include:

ï Brent Miller of Toledo, an Alliance Academy of Toledo graduate (undecided)
ï Chelsea Holman of Arcadia, an Arcadia High School graduate (early childhood education)
ï Nicole Murphy of Arlington, an Arlington High School graduate (undecided)
ï Alyssa Lee of Bowling Green, a Bowling Green High School graduate (registered nursing)
ï Ashley Speelman of Toledo, a Bowsher High School graduate (radiography)
ï Carrie Jakubowski of Toledo, a Central Catholic High School graduate (accounting)
ï Ashlie Mondragon of Oregon, a Clay High School graduate (dental hygiene)
ï Kayla Verhoff of Mt. Cory, a Cory-Rawson High School graduate (psychology)
ï Amanda Haws of Bradner, an Eastwood High School graduate (registered nursing)
ï Sasha Magrum of Bowling Green, an Elmwood High School graduate (marketing and sales)
ï Susan Kau of Findlay, a Findlay High School graduate (registered nursing)
ï Alex Small of Napoleon, a Four County Career Center graduate (diesel technology)
ï Ashleigh Teet of Williston, a Genoa High School graduate (commercial art technology)
ï Jason McCollum of Kalida, a Kalida High School graduate (computer science)
ï Elizabeth Stuetz of Walbridge, a Lake High School graduate (fire science technology)
ï Jonathon Blakely of Leipsic, a Leipsic High School graduate (criminal justice technology)
ï Christopher Magee of Findlay, a Liberty-Benton High School graduate (information systems)
ï Careigh Hand of Maumee, a Maumee High School graduate (registered nursing)
ï Brittany Kendrick of McComb, a McComb High School graduate (registered nursing)
ï Ashley Maxwell of Findlay, a Millstream Career and Technology Center graduate (marketing and sales)
ï Nick Benedict of North Baltimore, a North Baltimore High School graduate (marketing and sales)
ï Stacy St. John of Northwood, a Northwood High School graduate (associate of science, general concentration)
ï Lauren Shaw of Oak Harbor, an Oak Harbor High School graduate (registered nursing)
ï Amanda Pauff of Weston, an Otsego High School graduate (business management)
ï Ryan MacRitchie of Bowling Green, a Penta Career Center graduate (undecided)
ï Emily Davis of Bowling Green, a Perrysburg High School graduate (dental hygiene)
ï Ashley Koss of Toledo, a Phoenix Academy graduate (architectural engineering technology)
ï Krista Urbanyi of Rossford, a Rossford High School graduate (early childhood education)
ï Takeia Triplett of Toledo, a Scott High School graduate (registered nursing)
ï Brittany Sawdey of Holland, a Springfield High School graduate (dental hygiene)
ï Rikki Glover of Toledo, a Start High School graduate (registered nursing)
ï Ryan Centers of Norwalk, a St. Paul High School graduate (physical therapist assistant)
ï Ian Kelsey of Sylvania, a Sylvania Northview High School graduate (fire science technology)
ï Yvonne Nuwagaba of Toledo, a Rogers High School graduate (dental hygiene)
ï Malissa Northrop of Toledo, a Toledo Christian School graduate (dental hygiene)
ï John Toth of Toledo, a Toledo School for the Arts graduate (adolescence education)
ï Kassandra Collins of Findlay, a Van Buren High School graduate (early childhood education)
ï Courtney Smith of Toledo, a Waite High School graduate (radiography)
ï Alaina Ross of Cloverdale, a Wayne Trace High School graduate (radiography)
ï Ainsley Kretz of Toledo, a Whitmer High School graduate (adolescence education)
ï Brittany Perkins of Elmore, a Woodmore High School graduate (radiography)
ï Jacob Kiefer of Toledo, a Woodward High School graduate (undecided)

Ohio Association of Community Colleges Appoints Owens Board of Trustee to Leadership Position

Posted on May 9th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College Board of Trustee member John C. Moore has been elected by Ohio’s two-year academic institution trustees and presidents to serve as At-Large Trustee of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee is comprised of eight leaders within higher education who are dedicated to expressing and advocating the interests of 23 member two-year colleges in Ohio.

The Ohio Association of Community Colleges was created with an overall mission of promoting the continued quality, strength, vitality and effectiveness within 23 independent public two-year academic institutions in Ohio. The Ohio Association of Community Colleges focuses on issues impacting Ohio community and technical colleges, and through dialogue with trustees and presidents, adapts solutions to fit the social, educational and political landscape in the state.

Additionally, the association regularly presents educational programs on matters of common interest and supports community college priorities on behalf of its member colleges in conjunction with related organizations.

“It is a privilege and honor to serve as the At-Large Trustee of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges Executive Committee,” Moore said. “I look forward to working with my fellow colleagues as we continue to raise the level of excellence within two-year academic institutions.”

Serving a two-year term, Moore’s responsibilities, along with that of fellow Executive Committee members, is to provide leadership and guidance to the 23 two-year academic institutions with the overall goal being the continued advancement and development of academic programs and services, which meet the needs of current and future Ohio students.

Since April 2000, Moore has served as a Board of Trustee member for Owens Community College, and has held the position of Vice Chair for the past two years. He currently serves as a consultant and motivational speaker. Previously, Moore spent 30 years in banking, retiring as the Corporate Vice President of the former Toledo Trust Corporation. His background also includes serving as the Vice President of University Development at Bowling Green State University.

Active in the community, Moore holds board-level membership with the Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Boys and Girls Club of Toledo, Urban League of Northwest Ohio and the American Red Cross. The Holland resident has also authored a book on surviving stress titled “A Positive Attitude is a Muscle: A Managed Stress Survivor’s Manual”.

Owens Express Men’s Baseball Competes in NJCAA Region XII Tournament, May 11-13

Posted on May 9th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – The Owens Community College men’s baseball team will look to advance to its third World Series national tournament as the Express compete in the NJCAA Region XII Men’s Baseball Championships this weekend. The tournament will be held at Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Mich., Friday-Sunday, May 11-13.

Coached by Bob Schultz, the Express will take a 32-7 overall record into the double elimination tournament where they will play Jackson Community College at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 11. If they would advance, the Express will play the Grand Rapids CC/Kalamazoo Valley CC winner at 6 p.m. on Friday. The championship game will occur at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 13.

Other teams participating in the tournament include Grand Rapids Community College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Jackson Community College, Sinclair Community College, Macomb Community College, Kellogg Community College and Mott Community College.

Schultz’s team captured its sixth Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (16-4 record) title – third in the last four years – in the program’s history. Owens Express men’s baseball is ranked No. 18 in the final NJCAA Division II poll.

The NJCAA Division II World Series National Championships will be held Saturday-Friday, May 26 – June 1 in Millington, Tenn.

Owens Community College Expands Access to Educational Opportunities in Lucas County

Posted on May 9th, 2007

Owens and Lucas County officials pose for a group photo following the announcement of the College expanding access to higher education at The Source in downtown Toledo.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College is expanding access to higher education opportunities within Northwest Ohio through the creation of new on-site academic and support services at The Source, Lucas County’s One-Stop Employment Center. The new on-site educational services at The Source will provide convenient access to higher education, including opportunities for citizens to connect education and training to employment.

“Owens Community College is committed to providing students with access to enriched learning opportunities,” said Christa Adams, Ph.D., President of Owens Community College. “The Source mirrors Owens Community College’s educational mission of serving and strengthening the surrounding communities through quality academic programs and services. This new initiative is an investment in meeting the education and training needs of Northwest Ohio’s citizens and preparing them for career opportunities within today’s competitive workforce.”

Owens’ new on-site academic offerings will be supported in multiple classrooms and computer laboratories at The Source. Situated in downtown Toledo, The Source, Lucas County’s One-Stop Employment Center, is located at 1301 Monroe St. The education and training service center was created with the overall mission of providing quality-driven workforce services that assist individuals in developing and enhancing a multitude of work skill sets to meet the current and future needs of local businesses, while embracing local economic growth and individual prosperity.

“Lucas County is excited to partner with Owens Community College to bring more educational opportunities to downtown Toledo at The Source,” said Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak.

“One part of our mission at The Source is to ready employees with marketable skills and educational opportunities. By locating Owens Community College at The Source, job seekers will have the additional resources they need to succeed,” said Commissioner Pete Gerken.

“Our downtown is undergoing a true revitalization right now and the announcement that Owens will be locating classes and services at The Source will bring even more people downtown and showcase our progress,” said Commissioner Ben Konop.

The Source is committed to quality-driven services, meeting business needs, meeting job seeker needs, reaching out to diverse population groups, offering accessibility of facilities and programs, collaboration of community resources, economic development, innovative leadership, and lifelong and continuous learning, among many other community outreach services. The organization also offers an array of resources and services to aid a prospective job seeker in their search or with retaining their current job, highlighted by career assessment services, career exploration services and career exploration workshops, as well as knowledge related to resume and cover letter writing.

In addition to offering higher education on its Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens recently expanded its educational opportunities by partnering with Toledo Pubic Schools and offering its first-ever courses at the new Rogers High School in Toledo this past Spring Semester. The College also has within the past year collaborated with the Putnam County Educational Service Center and made available its first-ever academic courses in Putnam County in October 2006. The College also has longstanding off-campus educational partnerships with Arcadia High School in Arcadia, Liberty Benton High School in Findlay, Riverdale High School in Mt. Blanchard, Springfield High School in Holland and Swanton High School in Swanton.

Owens Child Care Center Artwork Showcased at Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery, May 18-24

Posted on May 8th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Children attending Owens Community College’s Child Care Center will display their artistic qualities, creative impressions and imaginative masterpieces as part of the third annual Children’s Art Show, May 18-24. This year’s show will be held for the first time in Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery.

In addition, the College will host an opening reception for the artists on Friday, May 18 from 6-8 p.m. in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. Both the reception and exhibit are free and the public is encouraged to attend. The Owens Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Young artists ages 4 months to 5 years old will showcase a variety of works, including multiple 3-D sculptures, paintings, drawings and self-portraits. The art exhibit is the culmination of a year of artistic training at the College’s Child Care Center.

“The Owens Child Care Center Children’s Art Show is an exciting and rewarding time to display the hard work and talents of our children,” said Maribeth Tercha, Owens Manager of the Child Care Center. “These young artists have been anxiously looking forward to showcasing their works of art to family, friends, teachers and the community.”

Tercha added, “Creating an artistic environment where children can express their interests and emotions is an excellent method to broaden a child’s insight and heighten cognitive development.”

The Children’s Art Show was inspired by the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy. The Owens Child Care instructors utilize the Reggio Emilia philosophy in their art curriculum, inviting the children’s interests to guide artistic creations. Books and other literature incorporated into the art education program influenced many of the masterpieces.

Children enrolled in the Owens Child Care Center have the opportunity to interact with the College’s Early Childhood Education students, which provides opportunities for more individual attention. Owens students benefit through practical hands-on lab experiences that deepen their understanding about young children.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public, Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.. For more information about the Owens Child Care Center Children’s Art Show, call (567) 661-7404 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7404.

Owens Community College to Host Weapons of Mass Destruction Seminars, May 14 and 22

Posted on May 7th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Northwest Ohio first responders, campus law enforcement and public safety officials interested in acquiring information about weapons of mass destruction are invited to attend free one-day seminars presented by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) at Owens Community College. The seminars will occur on May 14 and 22.

The weapons of mass destruction seminars will be held from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the College’s Fire Science and Law Enforcement Center Rooms 145-147.

“Owens Community College is proud to once again partner with the IACLEA and host an event focused on furthering first responder training,” said Julee Cope, Owens Chief of Safety and Security. “This seminar is a great opportunity to provide vital information concerning public safety that will inevitably better prepare first responders, such as police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel, and campus law enforcement officials for potential crisis situations involving weapons of mass destruction.”

Topics discussed will include a general understanding and recognition of terrorist weapons of mass destruction involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives, and the defensive considerations and control issues associated with these types of incidents. Participants will be trained to implement self-protection measures, to properly and safely contain and secure the scene, to initiate and maintain appropriate control measures, and to assist with mitigation, preparedness, response or recovery operations.

Funding for such training initiatives is through a grant awarded to the IACLEA by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Domestic Preparedness. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion and eight hours of Continuing Education Units from Louisiana State University.

The IACLEA is focused on advancing public safety for educational institutions by providing educational resources, advocacy and professional development to law enforcement and security officers. The organization provides a forum for member organizations to discuss issues, keep abreast of new ideas and find solutions to the various law enforcement and security problems on their campuses.

Space is limited to the first 50 applicants. For more information, or to pre-register for the event, call (567) 661-7575 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7575. Area first responders must show a valid identification in order to be admitted.

Owens Alumni Association Presents Annual Golf Classic, May 21

Posted on May 4th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents are invited to enjoy a day of golf and entertainment in support of alumni programs and scholarships as Owens Community College’s Alumni Association holds its fifth annual Golf Classic presented by Sky Bank. The event will occur on Monday, May 21.

Organized by the Owens Alumni Association’s steering committee, the golf outing will be held at the historic Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg. The event will feature 18-holes of golf, lunch, cocktails/hors d’oeuvres and an awards program. The Golf Classic event sponsor is Sky Bank. In addition, Metzgers Printing & Mailing is the print sponsor and Marathon Petroleum Company is the host sponsor.

“Owens Community College’s Alumni Association is proud to host a community-wide event, benefiting students in pursuit of a college education,” said Laura Moore, Owens Alumni Association Executive Director and Event Chair. “The Golf Classic is a unique opportunity for business and industry, as well as Owens alumni, to provide continued support for higher education, ensuring our students with opportunities for lifelong learning.”

Moore added, “The Northwest Ohio community’s initial response toward this year’s event has again been overwhelming and spots for participating teams are filling up fast. I expect the Golf Classic to once again be a first class, sold-out event and a fun-filled day of golf, benefiting a worthy cause.”

The four-person scramble golf competition will begin with a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. Lunch will precede the golf from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., followed by a short golf demonstration at 1 p.m. The day will conclude with participants reminiscing about their golfing experience over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 6 p.m. A short program will occur at this time to recognize all prize winners.

Individuals, businesses and organizations are invited to support the Golf Classic by entering a team and/or becoming a sponsor. Among the various levels of support include the Eagle Sponsor ($1,000), Birdie Sponsor ($800), Mulligan Sponsor ($350) and Bogey Sponsor ($250).

The Belmont Country Club is located on Bates Road in Perrysburg. The tournament is limited to the first 30 foursome teams. For more information, or to register a team, contact the Owens Alumni Relations Office at (567) 661-7410 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7410.

699 Owens Community College Students to Graduate During Spring Commencement, May 11

Posted on May 3rd, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Six hundred ninety-nine candidates for graduation, including 106 from the Findlay-area Campus, will receive their degrees and certificates during the 41st annual Spring Commencement at Owens Community College on Friday, May 11. The commencement will begin at 7 p.m. in the Student Health and Activities Center on the College’s Toledo-area Campus.

Michael P. Bell, State of Ohio Fire Marshal and former Chief of the Toledo Department of Fire and Rescue Operations, will serve as the keynote speaker for the College’s Spring Commencement.

“Owens Community College is extremely honored to have State Fire Marshal Michael Bell with us to celebrate the academic achievements of our graduates,” said Christa Adams, Ph.D., President of Owens Community College. “State Fire Marshal Bell is an accomplished leader, both within the community and the emergency preparedness profession. His insightful message will serve as an inspiration to the College’s graduating class as they become the first responders, educators, scientists, health care professionals, technologists, musicians, skilled laborers and business leaders of tomorrow.”

Bell earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Toledo. He serves on the Owens Community College advisory committee for fire science technology.

Leslie Black, a Business Management major, has been selected as the Owens class representative and will address the graduates during the Spring Commencement ceremony.

Black’s commencement speech will address her personal journey and will touch upon the importance of life-long learning.

“I appreciate the environment at Owens, an environment that realizes that learning is a life-long endeavor in a constant state of change,” she states in her speech.

In the future, Black envisions working with people in training through human resources or in education. She currently resides in Delta.

More than 6,000 family, friends and relatives are expected to attend the Spring Commencement, which is open to the public.

Owens Community College Express Golf Competes in NJCAA Regional Championships, May 7-8

Posted on May 3rd, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College Express golf begins its postseason run toward a national title as the program competes in the NJCAA Region XII Men’s Golf Championships next week. The tournament will be held at Bedford Valley Golf Club in Battle Creek, Mich., Monday-Tuesday, May 7-8.

Coached by Gilbert Guerrero, the Express golf team captured nine match and invitational titles during the season, highlighted by a first-place finish in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) Championship Invitational. The program captured its first-ever conference title and second NJCAA Region XII Sub-Regional championship after rounds of 308-308 (616) at Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg. Owens is ranked No. 35 in the most recent NJCAA Division II poll.

Now in its second year as an intercollegiate athletic program, Owens will compete against eight intercollegiate golf programs and 64 individuals in the two-day 54-hole NJCAA Region XII tournament. The program must finish as one of the top two teams to advance to the NJCAA Division II National Championships, May 22-25. The top 16 student-athletes will also advance to the national tournament. Owens made its first trip to the NJCAA Division II National Championships last year, finishing 14th in the tournament.

Owens Express golf student-athletes include Ryan Brown of Temperance, Mich., 76.8 scoring average (Bedford H.S.); Brian Bowker of Van Buren, 80.5 scoring average (Van Buren H.S.); Josh Williams of Fostoria, 80.5 scoring average (Arcadia H.S.); Joey Bussdieker of Monroe, Mich., 76.5 scoring average (Monroe H.S.); Vanessa Herbert of Oregon, 101.1 scoring average (Clay H.S.); Chris Hummer of Toledo, 80.6 scoring average (Start H.S.); Robert Jackson of Maumee, 77.5 scoring average (Toledo Christian H.S.), and Jason Smith of Toledo, 78.5 scoring average (Anthony Wayne H.S.).

Owens Findlay-area Campus Hosts First-Ever ‘Getting a Jumpstart on College’ Day, May 17

Posted on May 2nd, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Area eighth grade students and their parents are invited to learn how students can make a successful transition from high school to college by attending Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus’ first-ever campus exploration day titled “Getting a Jumpstart on College” on Thursday, May 17.

The “Getting a Jumpstart on College” event is free and will occur from 5:30-8 p.m. on the College’s Findlay-area Campus. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay. Attendees are required to RSVP prior to the event.

“Owens’ ‘Getting a Jumpstart on College’ event is a great opportunity for prospective students to experience what college life is like in one fun-filled day,” said Angie McGinnis, Owens Director of Enrollment Services on the Findlay-area Campus.

Throughout event, students will have the opportunity to experience a taste of college by attending various hands-on educational sessions highlighted by a computer scavenger hunt, photography composition and Rapid Prototype machine demonstrations.

Informational sessions for parents will also occur throughout the evening. Attendees can hear presentations on financing college, post-secondary enrollment options and preparing for college. The sessions will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Room 111.

In addition, students and their parents will be able to meet with faculty and staff members and pick up important information about financial aid, student activities and academic program offerings. Tours of the College’s Findlay-area Campus will also be given from 5:45-6:30 p.m. Attendees will also have the opportunity to attend a free cookout during their visit.

For more information, or to register, contact the College’s Enrollment Services Office at (567) 429-3515 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3515. The registration deadline is Wednesday, May 9.

Ohio Cyberinfrastructure Projects Recognized for Achievements; Showcased at 2007 Advanced Technology Summit

Posted on May 2nd, 2007

COLUMBUS, OH – Firefighters near Toledo brace for the heat of a flashover in a simulator while firefighting students at a university campus many miles distant study the live-action video over a fiber-optic network.

Middle school students in Appalachian Ohio immerse themselves into a society on a virtual island they visit over the state-of-the-art network, moving about, walking, running and even flying through highly developed landscapes, park-like settings and buildings.

More than 2,000 researchers from 50 different countries access a server at a university in Cincinnati to analyze the function and structure of proteins, aiding in their studies of various health issues such as breast cancer.

These and other innovative examples of leadership, collaboration and research using Ohio’s cyberinfra¨structure were showcased at the 2007 Advanced Technology Summit awards presentation, sponsored by the Ohio Supercomputer Center.

Adding to the event’s theme of innovation, the Cleveland Institute of Music performed the first live, bi-location concert in Ohio. Two musicians in Columbus and three in Cleveland performed together via a high definition video-stream, traveling at high speed (10 to 30 megabits per second) through the OSCnet fiber-optic network. OSCnet engineers and researchers worked with an array of emerging network technologies to ensure the audio and video components of the concert met the demands of the accomplished musicians.

“The Advanced Technology Summit was established to link industry, academic and government professionals to forge a vision for the use of emerging technologies to benefit Ohio and its citizens,” said Stanley C. Ahalt, executive director of OSC. “The awards program recognizes the wonderful technology-related achievements of Ohio’s brilliant scientists and educators, and, we hope, helps to accelerate the development and use of the state’s cyberinfrastructure.”

The Ohio Supercomputer Center provides the state with a sophisticated public cyberinfrastructure: high-performance computers, data storage systems, research support and advanced networking. The center also provides the expertise to integrate these elements to promote collaboration, improve productivity and support learning and discovery.

The evening’s top honor, the Lightspeed Award, was presented to Director Steve Gruetter for the work of Platform Lab, the nation’s only non-profit information technology test and training facility. The Columbus laboratory has expanded its operations over OSCnet to provide disaster recovery plan evaluation, scalability load/stress evaluation, proof-of-concept evaluation and IT training services to more than 100 clients at several locations around the state and the country. The Lightspeed Award is presented for exceptional achievement in all three major cyberinfrastructure award categories – leadership, collaboration and research.

“The work of the Platform Lab is a very creative application of both grid computing and advanced networking in support of pragmatic solutions to information technology and high-performance computing challenges facing the private sector,” said one of the judges for the Lightspeed Award.

The Achievement Award was presented to E. Garrison Walters, senior vice chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, for his leadership and support of OSCnet, the nation’s leading fiber-optic research and education communications network. OSCnet, formerly the Third Frontier Network, was launched in November 2004 and provides broadband access to Ohio’s colleges and universities, federal labs, research hospitals, K-12 schools, non-profit organizations, government agencies and industrial research partners.

Additional award recipients were honored in six categories: leadership, collaborations (national), collaborations (statewide), collaborations (community), experimental and applications research (modeling simulation and visualization), and experimental and applications research (measurements and instrumentation).

ï Ohio University Assistant Professor Chang Liu received an AT Summit award for leadership for development of the Science and Technology Enrichment for Appalachian Middle-schoolers (STEAM) project, which teams graduate teaching fellows with Appalachian-Ohio schoolteachers to create and deliver engaging digital curricular content for grades six through eight.
– Ohio University (Athens, Ohio).

ï Platform Lab Director Steve Gruetter received an AT Summit award for collaborations (national).
– Platform Lab (Columbus, Ohio).

ï Ohio State University Senior Director for Information Technology John Ellinger received an AT Summit award for collaborations (statewide) for the Shared Services for Disaster Preparedness project, which provides groundbreaking methods for providing effective and low-cost backup computing system support over OSCnet. The project now involves seven Ohio public universities, in addition to the two original members.
– The Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio) and University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, Ohio).

ï Owens Community College President Christa Adams and Executive Vice President and Provost Paul Unger received an AT Summit award for collaborations (community) for a project providing educational training to first responders, using OSCnet to provide terrorist, hazard and disaster response exercises via distance learning and for collaborating over OSCnet with Ohio University’s Game Research and Immersive Design lab on a simulation game to train first responders in various fire scenarios.
– Center for Emergency Preparedness at Owens Community College (Perrysburg, Ohio).

ï University of Cincinnati Associate Professor Jarek Meller received an AT Summit award for experimental and applications research (modeling simulation and visualization) for the development of the SABLE project and related initiatives, through which learning-based methods for genome recognition, analysis and prediction have been devised and made available through OSCnet to researchers from around the world.
– University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Research Foundation (both Cincinnati, Ohio).

ï Ohio Regents Eminent Scholar and Ohio State University Professor Hamish Fraser received an AT Summit award for experimental and applications research (measurements and instrumentation) for developing hardware, software and techniques for sharing sophisticated laboratory instruments and facilities around the state with other researchers in academia, industry or national laboratories.
– The Center for Advanced Maturation of Materials at The Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio).

Sponsors of the event include: Advanced Micro Devices Inc., IBM, Qwest Communications International Inc., James River Technical Inc., SGI, BlueArc Corporation, Whiteboard Broadband Solutions and the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Art Exhibition Highlights Student Work at Owens’ Findlay-area Campus, May 3-14

Posted on May 1st, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College students will have the opportunity to showcase their many artistic talents as the Findlay-area Campus hosts its annual Spring Student Art Exhibition in the Library, May 3-14.

The exhibit is free and the public is encouraged to attend. Owens’ Findlay-area Campus Library is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is delighted to feature the finest works of art produced by our students during the Spring Semester,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager of the Findlay-area Campus. “The Library is very fortunate to draw on a multitude of talented Fine and Performing Arts student artists whose knowledge and skill is at a very high artistic level.”

McCain added, “These artistic expressions are extremely individualized and reflect the unique creative abilities of each student artist, making for a truly unique exhibit.”

The Spring Student Art Exhibition features artwork created by 10 student artists enrolled in the College’s “Fundamentals of Drawing” course, which is instructed by Louise Wineland, Owens Adjunct Faculty member for Fine and Performing Arts. In this course, students obtain experiential learning within various areas, including the study of object drawing, form organization, value, perspective, proportion and texture.

In addition, five student artists enrolled in the College’s “Foundations in 2D Design” course, instructed by Erika Clark, Owens Adjunct Faculty member for Fine and Performing Arts, will present their artistic expressions within the Library. In this course, students develop an understanding of basic studio art principles, critical skills and media manipulation, covering the topics of color theory and the use of two-dimensional space.

Students whose work will be displayed are Brody Cavitt of Findlay (undecided), Drew Dunnam of Findlay (commercial art technology), Korry Ewing of Carroll (physical therapist assistant), Nathan Foley of Findlay (fine art), Alexa Hess of Kenton (massage therapy), Edith Jones of Carey (commercial art technology), Danielle Kaple of Findlay (undecided), Dawn Otte of Bloomdale (accounting), Leah Passet of Wharton (dental hygiene), Christine Peiffer of Findlay (undecided), Mark Putnam of Mount Blanchard (undecided), Sarah Reese of Findlay (photography), Cynthia Schnipke of Ottawa (associate of arts, general concentration) and Suzanne Wilch of Findlay (photography).

For additional information, contact the College’s Library at (567) 429-3088 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3088.

New $20.5 Million Center for Emergency Preparedness to Train Thousands of First Responders Nationwide at Owens Community College

Posted on May 1st, 2007

An area firefighter douses a car fire during the Center for Emergency Preparedness’ grand opening.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH. – Thousands of first responders will now have the opportunity to heighten their emergency preparedness skills in one of the country’s most innovative scenario-based training centers as Owens Community College officially opens its new $20.5 million Center for Emergency Preparedness on the Toledo-area Campus.

The new Center for Emergency Preparedness will serve as a leading facility nationwide – one of the only emergency response facilities of its kind for multi-agency concurrent training – in providing diverse, scenario-based training.

First responders showcase rope rescue techniques while repelling off the College’s five-story burning building.

“Heightened first responder training reduces risks and increases the level of experience, which is a key factor in safety-related decisions,” said Tom Pack, Owens Director of the Center for Emergency Preparedness. “Owens Community College’s new Center for Emergency Preparedness scenario-based training and educational resources are unlike any other facility in the country from the standpoint of accommodating multiple disciplines. Police, fire and emergency services personnel, as well as the military, from Ohio and beyond can utilize the facility for either specialized or concurrent emergency preparedness training, which is unprecedented.”

Pack added, “Owens Community College is already recognized as a nationwide leader in emergency response training and the opening of this experiential training center continues our commitment to providing first responders with the highest level of realistic training to better prepare them for the many challenges they face related to actual emergency situations.”

The College recently showcased the Center’s many capabilities with an array of first responder training scenarios utilizing various educational resources, including a tank truck fire, a S.W.A.T. raid, a drug search, a car fire, a confined space rescue and a traffic stop. Demonstrations also featured a rope rescue, vehicle extrication, victim treatment and a multi-agency response to a two-car accident involving multiple victims.

Local first responders apprehend a suspect and secure the immediate area during a S.W.A.T. raid demonstration.

Owens has been at the forefront in providing educational training to local police and safety forces for over three decades. In 2004, the College broke ground for the Center for Emergency Preparedness.

Phase one of Owens’ initial project, which was completed in 2005, included the installation of an infrastructure of water lines, gas lines, roads and parking lots, a driving pad, security fencing and fiber-optic cable.

Earlier this year, second phase construction was completed on the 110-acre Center for Emergency Preparedness and features full-size, state-of-the-art training props/simulators, including a mobile fire behavior lab, a five-story burn building, tank truck fire simulator, stationary fuel tank fire simulator, collapsed building rescue simulator, confined space rescue simulator, automobile fire simulator, skills/skid pad, dive and rescue pond, rail car rescue simulator, vehicle extrication field and an aircraft rescue simulator. The facility also includes a mock city replicating a community infrastructure such as a gas station, a bank, and residential and search and rescue structures.

Firefighters control a tank truck fire on Owens’ new tank truck fire simulator.

The Center, located at the convergence of Tracy and Walbridge roads, also includes Ohio’s Third Frontier Network – the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network for research, education and economic development. An initiative of the Ohio Board of Regents, the network at Owens will allow area fire and police departments to conduct exercises, via distance learning, on a variety of simulated terrorist incidents, emergency hazards and natural disasters.

The College currently offers associate degrees and certificate programs in Fire Science Technology, Criminal Justice Technology, Corrections, Military Science, Emergency Medical Management, Emergency Management and Planning, and Public Safety Communications. Courses offered within the public safety and emergency preparedness curricula include: criminal law and procedure, patrol operations, crime scene processing, fire fighting tactics and command, hazardous materials, fire inspection principles, and first responder. Owens also has a longstanding partnership with both Toledo Police and Fire Departments, serving as the training site for the two organizational academies, and has partnerships with the Ohio Fire Academy, Ohio Police Officer Training Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Owens Community College Alumni Association Honors Local Safety Forces With Outstanding Service Awards

Posted on April 26th, 2007

Twenty-six area police, fire and emergency medical professionals have been chosen to receive the fourth annual Outstanding Service Awards by Owens Community College’s Alumni Association for tremendous contributions to Northwest Ohio’s surrounding communities. The recipients are honored as part of a community celebration.

Award winners are Matthew Keilman, Ryan Tackett, Rodney Griffin, Lyle Harvitt, Bill Laveglia, Amanda Miller, Rick Ruppright, David Spridgeon, Cheryl Babione, Denise Duerk, Chuck Grizzard, Al Leitenberger, Brian Snyder-Hernandez, Paulette Badgett, Bob Hathaway, Nancy Hurst, Terry James, Rodney Konrad, Greg Panning, Chris Ruble, Jim Shank, Bob Schumann, Robert Baumgartner, William Bragg, Keith Dressel and Todd Miller.

“Owens Community College’s Alumni Association is proud to honor our brave police, fire and emergency medical professionals for their dedication to making our lives safer,” said David Seeger, Owens President of the Alumni Association. “Our nation would not be experiencing freedom and safety as we know it without their selfless acts of public service.”

The awards are presented within the categories of outstanding Police Officer, Firefighter, Emergency Management Services and Service to Community. Selection criterion is based upon a nomination process for candidates demonstrating exceptional service related to dedication, ingenuity, bravery, special skills and/or to the community over a sustained period of time. The awards are not limited to a single recipient, but can be a group where teamwork was a key element.

The recipients of the Outstanding Police Officer Award are Matthew Keilman of Perrysburg (Patrolman, Bowling Green Police Department), Ryan Tackett of Bowling Green (Patrolman, Bowling Green Police Department), Rodney Griffin of Findlay (Deputy, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office), Lyle Harvitt of Findlay (Deputy, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office), Bill Laveglia of Arcadia (Deputy, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office), Amanda Miller of Mount Blanchard (Dispatcher, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office), Rick Ruppright of Bluffton (Dispatcher, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office) and David Spridgeon of West Independence (Deputy, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office).

Honored recipients also include Cheryl Babione of Fremont (Dispatcher, Ohio State Highway Patrol), Denise Duerk of Findlay (Dispatcher, Ohio State Highway Patrol), Chuck Grizzard of Bowling Green (Trooper, Ohio State Highway Patrol), Al Leitenberger of Willisburg, Ky. (Trooper, Ohio State Highway Patrol), Brian Snyder-Hernandez of Perrysburg (Trooper, Ohio State Highway Patrol), Paulette Badgett of Bloomdale (Dispatcher, Wood County Sheriff’s Office), Bob Hathaway of Jerry City (Deputy, Wood County Sheriff’s Office), Nancy Hurst of North Baltimore (Dispatcher, Wood County Sheriff’s Office), Terry James of Bradner (Deputy, Wood County Sheriff’s Office), Rodney Konrad of Bowling Green (Deputy, Wood County Sheriff’s Office), Greg Panning of North Baltimore (Deputy, Wood County Sheriff’s Office), Chris Ruble of Bradner (Deputy, Wood County Sheriff’s Office) and Jim Shank of Bowling Green (Sergeant, Wood County Sheriff’s Office).

The individuals were nominated by Hancock County Sheriff Michael Heldman for their outstanding leadership and teamwork and putting their lives in harm’s way for the purpose of protecting the public and each other during an incident that began with a subject firing shots into Bowling Green’s Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, continued with a high-speed pursuit southbound on Interstate-75 and concluded with gunfire at a Bluffton gas station in March 2006. The four separate agencies were able to successfully stop the individual and their uncertain violent mission.

Bob Schumann of Rossford (Firefighter/EMT, Rossford Fire Department) is named the Outstanding Emergency Medical Technician recipient. He was nominated by Assistant Fire Chief Joshua Drouard from the Rossford Fire Department for demonstrating exceptional service and quick response involving a brutal attack on a member of the Owens golf team in October 2006.

Arriving ahead of the dispatched squad, Schumann was able to assess the victim’s level of consciousness, control bleeding and begin to organize a treatment plan for the medical unit upon arrival. By arriving first and assessing the situation, he helped the patient to maintain an open airway, control blood loss and provide early notification to the other responders of the individual’s changing condition, which helped expedite care. Due to Schumann’s quick response, the brutal attack resulted in a positive outcome under very dire circumstances.

The Outstanding Service to the Community Award is presented to Robert Baumgartner of Toledo (Sergeant, Toledo Police Department). He was nominated by Captain Ray Carroll from the Toledo Police Department for his contributions to the safety of citizens of Toledo. Baumgartner has been involved in public service with the Toledo Police Department for 42 years. During that time, Baumgartner has served in several areas of the police department, highlighted by his longstanding work within the field of investigations, most notably crimes against property section.

Under his guidance, countless detectives have learned the craft and art of investigating crimes, interrogating suspects, getting confessions for numerous offenses from one suspect and returning thousands of dollars in stolen property to owners.

William Bragg of Toledo (Detective – Vice/Narcotics, Toledo Police Department), Keith Dressel of Toledo (Posthumous Award) (Detective – Vice/Narcotics, Toledo Police Department) and Todd Miller of Toledo (Detective – Vice/Narcotics, Toledo Police Department) are the recipients of a special Outstanding Police Officer Award. The three individuals were nominated by Lieutenant Michael Daly from the Toledo Police Department Vice/Narcotics for their heroic efforts and dedication to their profession under adverse circumstances.

In February 2007, the three detectives observed and attempted to question two individuals, who then in turn fled on foot in opposite directions. While attempting to apprehend one of the individuals, Dressel was fatally wounded. Bragg pursued and apprehended one of the individuals, while Miller proceeded to Dressel’s location.

Moments later, Bragg and Miller found Dressel suffering from a gunshot wound and rendered first-aid and comforted their fallen brother, while also calling for assistance and maintaining the crime scene. Bragg and Miller demonstrated courage and professionalism during the tragic incident, which resulted in one individual being apprehended that evening and the second person being apprehended the following day.

Since opening its doors in 1965, Owens Community College has provided higher education to more than 250,000 students. Owens’ Alumni Association is committed to the personal and professional success of alumni and students through the ongoing development of value-added initiatives.

Owens Community College Alumni Association Establishes New Detective Keith Dressel Memorial Scholarship Fund

Posted on April 26th, 2007

Owens Community College’s Alumni Association is honoring the legacy of Detective Keith Dressel of the Toledo Police Department’s Vice/Narcotics Section Special Enforcement Division and his service to the community by establishing a new $10,000 scholarship endowment fund in his memory. Proceeds generated from the scholarship fund will be used to assist Owens students with aspirations of careers in law enforcement.

The Detective Keith Dressel Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund will be awarded annually to a recipient at the Outstanding Service Awards by the Owens Alumni Association. The first-ever scholarship will be awarded in April 2008.

“The Owens Community College Alumni Association is proud to honor Detective Keith Dressel and his dedication to public service by supporting the next generation of law enforcement officers,” said Laura Moore, Executive Director of the Owens Alumni Association. “Both Detective Dressel and his wife, Danielle, attended Owens Community College and are part of the alumni family. The creation of this endowed scholarship fund will serve as a lifetime tribute to his service, his life and his memory.”

Selection criteria for the new scholarship initiative will be based upon recipients being enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours at Owens per semester, holding second-year student status and achieving at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Preference will be given to students with aspirations of a law enforcement career.

In February 2007, Detective Dressel was fatally wounded in the line of duty. He provided public service to the Toledo Police Department and the citizens of Toledo for 14 years. Detective Dressel left behind his wife, Danielle, and two young children, Sydney and Noah, along with a very large extended family.

‘The Human Ketchup Drinking Machine’ Seeks World Record During Cancer Research Benefit at Owens, April 30

Posted on April 24th, 2007

Area residents interested in witnessing history in the making are invited to watch Owens Community College student Nicholas Huenefeld – otherwise known as “The Human Ketchup Drinking Machine” – seek enshrinement into the “Guinness Book of World Records” as the world’s fastest ketchup drinker on Monday, April 30. The event will feature live music, stand-up comedy and condiment-drinking entertainment with all proceeds raised benefiting The V Foundation and cancer research.

The cancer research benefit will occur from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre. Owens Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. The Owens Student Government is sponsoring the event and admission is $1.

To break the record, Huenefeld will attempt to consume 13 ounces of ketchup in 33 seconds through a quarter-inch straw. The current record is held by Dustin Phillips. In 1999, Phillips consumed 12 æ ounces of ketchup in 33 seconds.

Prior to Huenefeld’s record-breaking attempt, musical performances will occur by bluegrass/country artist Elena Moore and rhythm and blues artist Angel Tucker. Comedian Mark “The Mustard Man” Kikel will follow the two musical performances with a 45-minute stand-up routine. Kikel, nationally-known for his mustard-drinking antics, will then attempt to consume an entire 10-ounce bottle of mustard through a quarter-inch straw. Huenefeld will conclude the event with his ketchup-drinking record attempt at 12:30 p.m.

Huenefeld, a Northwood resident, is majoring in Liberal Arts at Owens. Active on campus, the Lake High School graduate serves as an at-large representative for Student Government, sports editor for the “Owens Outlook” student newspaper and a student-worker in the College’s Student Enrichment and Athletics office. Huenefeld’s ketchup-drinking escapades have already received world attention, appearing in Ripley’s Believe It or Not “Planet Eccentric” publication for drinking a 24-ounce bottle of ketchup in one sitting. Additionally, Huenefeld made a guest appearance on NBC’s television late night show “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” in 2006.

The V Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to saving lives by helping to fund a cure for cancer. The Foundation seeks to make a difference by generating broad-based support for cancer research and by creating urgent awareness among all Americans of the importance of the war against cancer. The Foundation performs these dual roles through advocacy, education, fundraising and philanthropy.

The College’s Student Government is comprised of individuals who serve as the student body voice on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. Balancing their time between school and work, Student Government members are constantly initiating new projects and events that cater to the interests of Owens’ student body.

For more information about the event, call (567) 661-7583 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7583.

Owens Student Groups Raise Environmental Awareness During First-Ever Environmental Fair, April 26

Posted on April 24th, 2007

Owens Community College will bring environmental awareness to the forefront as the Owens Environmental Club hosts its first-ever Environmental Fair on Thursday, April 26. The public is encouraged to join the campus community in celebrating the importance of the environment through daylong activities featuring guest speakers and awareness programs.

More than a dozen environmental organizations are scheduled to participate in the fair, which will be held from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Environmental Fair participants include: 577 Foundation, BG Wind Power, Duck and Otter Creeks Partnership Inc., Keep America Beautiful (Lucas County Division), Keep Perrysburg Beautiful, Lake Erie Center, Maumee RAP, Naturally Native Nursery, Ohio Consumer Council, Ohio Department of Natural Resources – Stream Quality Monitoring, Share A Ride – Toledo Consumer Council, University of Toledo Department of Environmental Studies and Wood County Solid Waste Management District. In addition, several campus organizations, including the Owens Environmental Club, will host informational tables.

COSI Toledo will also be bringing six interactive displays specifically designed for this year’s fair. Of the displays, two will focus on the earth’s atmospheric greenhouse effect, while two others will concentrate on the use of alternative energy. The final two displays will center on the ramifications of a lost habitat.

In addition, Owens’ Literacy Committee will be showing “An Inconvenient Truth”, a documentary film that follows former Vice President Al Gore’s crusade to halt global warming’s deadly progress by exposing the myths and misconceptions that surround the phenomena, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Student Health and Activities Center Atrium.

The College’s Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club will also be hosting its annual Spring Plant Sale on Thursday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. An assortment of unusual trees and shrubs, ornamental grasses and perennials, such as hostas and daylilies, will be available at the Student Health and Activities Center’s outside patio.

Beginning at 5 p.m., Alex Wrege, a doctoral student in Philosophy of Education and Peace Education at the University of Toledo, will speak about Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” and global warming. Wrege received training from Gore to give his award-winning presentation on which the documentary and book “An Inconvenient Truth” are based. The lecture will occur in the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 136.

Owens’ Toledo-area Campus will also display a variety of environmental artifacts, as well as feature a selection of books and audio/visual materials related to environmental issues in April.

The Owens Environmental Club is comprised of active students who are dedicated to addressing a multitude of environmental issues on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. The student organization has successfully implemented numerous recycling programs, while bringing more awareness to environmental concerns. Within the community, the Owens Environmental Club regularly helps in community clean-ups and preserve restorations, participates in charity events, and supports various environmental causes with a yearly Human-I-Tees fundraiser.

For additional information about Owens’ Environmental Fair activities, call (567) 661-7583 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7583.

Owens Community College Student Government Observes Virginia Tech Tragedy With Memorial Service, Apr. 23

Posted on April 20th, 2007

Owens Community College’s Student Government is inviting their fellow students, as well as area residents and employees, to join them on the Toledo-area Campus and pay tribute to those victims that lost their lives in the Virginia Tech tragedy through a memorial service on Monday, April 23.

Individuals are invited to gather at 12 p.m. outside College Hall in the courtyard lawn adjacent College’s Health Technologies Hall. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens’ Student Government is encouraging community members to take a moment to remember those people who lost their lives in the Virginia Tech tragedy,” said Sam Harden, Owens Student Government President. “Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies go out to the Virginia Tech students, friends and families of the victims and their unimaginable loss.”

The memorial service will commence with comments by Student Government President Harden and Owens officials. Local clergy will also provide remarks during the student-led event. A dogwood tree, the state tree of Virginia, will be dedicated and planted in the courtyard lawn in memory of the victims. The tree, which was donated by the city of Toledo, will be accompanied by a plaque.

Students will also read names of the deceased members of the Virginia Tech family, while fellow students place a single flower in front of the new tree memorial, honoring each victim.

In addition, individuals will have the opportunity to share their condolences with the Virginia Tech community by writing a message on an oversized card that will be sent to the university.

Owens Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club Hosts Annual Spring Plant Sale, April 26

Posted on April 20th, 2007

Area residents seeking to add some new life and color to their gardens and yards this spring are encouraged to attend the Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club’s annual Spring Plant Sale at Owens Community College on Thursday, April 26.

The plant sale will be held from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Student Health and Activities Center’s outside patio and will feature a wide selection of shrubs and rare and unusual trees, among other items. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

According to Chris Foley, Owens Associate Professor of Math and Life Science and Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club Advisor, the Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club student organization is excited to once again offer individuals the rare opportunity to purchase select trees and shrubs at a very minimal cost for the upcoming spring planting season.

“Owens Community College’s Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club student organization is proud offer members of the community the opportunity to purchase some rare and hard-to-find plants at a very low cost,” Foley stated.

A majority of the shrubs will cost $15, while varieties of trees will cost between $15-35. Individuals can anticipate paying between $4-6 for perennials. All proceeds from the plant sale will help in supporting the organization’s participation in the annual PLANET (Professional Landcare Network) Student Career Days, which is a national horticultural and landscape competition involving over 50 colleges and universities across the country.

Shrubs on hand will include the Crimson Pygmy Barberry, Dwarf Korean Lilac, Northern Bayberry and Magic Carpet Spirea, among many others. Several rare and unusual trees will also be available, including the Japanese Stripped-bark Maple, Sugar Maple, Weeping Alaskan Cedar, Kentucky Coffeetree and Japanese Larch. The Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club will also sell perennials, including select hostas and daylilies. A complete listing of the available plants with their prices is available online at www.owens.edu/plantsale.

The College’s Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club was founded in 2005 with the mission of fostering stronger bonds among students majoring in the Landscape and Turfgrass Management Program. Among the organization’s main initiatives is creating a network between alumni and current students to help in assisting individuals pursue careers within the landscape, turfgrass and related horticulture industries. The group also hosts fundraisers to support club outreach activities in the surrounding communities.

For more information about the Owens Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club plant sale, call (567) 661-7623 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7623.

Owens Community College Dedicates New $20.5 Million Center for Emergency Preparedness With Community Celebration, Apr. 29

Posted on April 19th, 2007

Owens’ automobile fire simulator showcases its burn capabilities while a five-story burn building sits in the background. The burn building can simulate various fire scenarios.

Owens Community College will mark a milestone in the academic institution’s history by formally dedicating the new $20.5 million Center for Emergency Preparedness as part of a free family-themed community celebration on Sunday, April 29. The community celebration will occur at the new Center for Emergency Preparedness, which is located at the intersection of Tracy and Walbridge roads on the Toledo-area Campus.

The new Center for Emergency Preparedness is expected to train thousands of first responders and will serve as a leading facility nationwide – one of the only emergency response facilities of its kind for multi-agency concurrent training – in providing diverse, scenario-based training.

“Owens Community College is recognized as a nationwide leader in emergency response training,” said Christa Adams, Ph.D., President of Owens Community College. “The new Center for Emergency Preparedness is a welcome addition to the region and will provide first responders with real-world, scenario training that is unmatched.”

President Adams added, “First responders throughout the country place their lives in harm’s way to ensure our safety and protection. Owens Community College is deeply committed to enhancing their training at the highest level so that they may perform their jobs safely and effectively within their local communities.”

The grand opening community celebration will begin at 1 p.m. as Owens representatives join community leaders and elected officials for a dedication ceremony featuring remarks by President Adams, Executive Vice President and Provost Paul Unger, Ph.D., and Center for Emergency Preparedness Director Tom Pack, as well as comments by area elected officials.

Area firefighters practice their training techniques on the College’s stationary fuel tank fire simulator.

Following the ceremony, daylong activities will commence at 1:30 p.m. with an array of first responder training scenarios utilizing many of the Center’s educational resources, including a tank truck fire, a S.W.A.T. raid, a drug search, a car fire, a confined space rescue and a traffic stop. Demonstrations will also feature a rope rescue, vehicle extrication, victim treatment and a multi-agency response to a two-car accident involving multiple victims.

From 1:30-4:30 p.m., individuals will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours of the Center and check out an array of emergency response vehicles. Attendees will also be able to visit informational booths focusing on family safety, including D.A.R.E., the American Red Cross’ Disaster Relief Truck and the Safe Kids Coalition’s Kids Safety House. Additionally, Owens Registered Nursing students will be providing free blood pressure screenings and two air ambulances, a hovercraft, dive rescue team equipment and an emergency response trailer will be on display.

A community lunch will be provided free of charge from 1-4:30 p.m. at the Center and feature many of the traditional picnic favorites, including hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad and refreshments.

Event parking/shuttle bus pickup will be available at Owens’ Center for Emergency Preparedness on Tracy Road. Additionally, the College will be streaming live video of the grand opening at www.owens.edu. All activities and events occurring throughout the day are free and the public is encouraged to attend. For additional information about Owens’ Center for Emergency Preparedness grand opening community celebration, call (567) 661-2689 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2689.

FedEx Donates Boeing 727 Aircraft to Owens Community College

Posted on April 19th, 2007

Owens President Christa Adams, Ph.D., holds a miniature FedEx Express model airplane presented to the College by David Sutton, FedEx Express Managing Director of Aircraft Acquisitions and Sales.

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, has donated a Boeing 727-100 freighter to Owens Community College, where it will be used to provide hands-on educational experiences for first responders at The Owens Center for Emergency Preparedness.

Using the aircraft, these dedicated first responders will have an opportunity to train with the 727’s complex systems and perform emergency rescue scenarios.

“Owens Community College appreciates the commitment that FedEx has made to higher education and the future of emergency preparedness training,” said Christa Adams, Ph.D., president of Owens Community College. “Providing our region’s first responders with the highest level in real-world, scenario training plays a critical role in ensuring the country’s safety and protection. The generous donation of a Boeing 727-100 freighter aircraft by FedEx will have an immediate impact on airplane emergency response training within the new Center for Emergency Preparedness.”

Before its final flight, aircraft 727-100C N186FE provided FedEx with more than 18 years of service, transporting packages to destinations throughout the United States.

“FedEx has a long tradition of responding to emergencies and natural disasters, donating its facilities, expertise, aircraft and vehicles to transport aid shipments around the world,” said David Sutton, managing director of Aircraft Acquisitions and Sales at FedEx Express. “This FedEx 727 donation to The Owens Center for Emergency Preparedness further demonstrates our commitment to the communities in which we serve.”

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $35 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 275,000 employees and contractors to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit www.fedex.com.

FedEx Express’ donated Boeing 727 aircraft touches down at Metcalf Field Airport in Millbury.

Owens and FedEx Express officials pose for a photo in front of the donated aircraft.

The College’s Center for Emergency Preparedness will use the new aircraft rescue simulator to conduct various ground emergency and disaster training scenarios for first responders nationwide.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Hosts Administrative Professionals Week Luncheon, April 24

Posted on April 16th, 2007

FINDLAY – Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus will celebrate Administrative Professionals Week by honoring area administrative professionals with a special luncheon featuring motivational speaker Judy O’Dwyer on Tuesday, April 24. Area administrative professionals and community members are encouraged to attend the event.

The Administrative Professionals Week luncheon will occur from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Findlay-area Campus Community Education and Wellness Center. The Owens Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens Community College is excited to host an event which recognizes and honors the accomplishments of administrative professionals,” said Marsha Kujawa, Owens Coordinator of the EnterpriseOhio Network Marketing Resource Center. “The luncheon will serve as a great backdrop for area professionals to draw on one another’s expertise, as well as enrich their understanding of customer service and professionalism from an exceptional motivational speaker.”

O’Dwyer, a motivational speaker with the EnterpriseOhio Network, will provide attendees with an insightful presentation on the importance of customer service titled “Give ’em the Pickle”. Based upon Bob Farrell’s popular customer service training program, O’Dwyer’s “Give ’em the Pickle” presentation highlights topics of service, attitude, consistency and teamwork as the essential pillars of a successful business. Full of humorous anecdotes from real-life customer service situations, the speaking engagement will also identify ways that strong customer service can both create and maintain a loyal customer base.

The EnterpriseOhio Network is a statewide quality and productivity improvement resource serving Ohio companies and workers through the public two-year community and technical colleges and university branch campuses in Ohio.

O’Dwyer serves as a Senior Account Executive for Lakeland Community College and Special Projects Coordinator for the EnterpriseOhio Network’s Professional Development Resource Center. Additionally, she has taught at various educational levels ranging from pre-school to job development for the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation and provides sales training, consulting and coaching to EnterpriseOhio Network members throughout the state.

The cost of the luncheon is only $12 and reservations are required. The deadline for reservations is Thursday, April 19. For more information, call (567) 429-3069 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3069.

Owens Toledo-area Campus Hosts Community Passport Processing Day, April 18

Posted on April 13th, 2007

Area community members in need of a new passport are invited to Owens Community College as the academic institution partners with the Lucas County Clerk of Courts and host a one-stop Passport Processing Day on Wednesday, April 18.

Individuals can apply for passports from noon – 4 p.m. in the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Owens employees and students, as well as community members, can get their passport photos taken and complete the application in one central location. The entire process is expected last approximately 15 minutes and can be accelerated by having the passport application, which is available online at www.state.gov, completed prior to visiting the Owens Toledo-area Campus. Those interested need to bring a valid driver’s license (or state ID) and their original birth certificate with the raised seal. Lucas County Clerk of Courts will process the paper work, take photographs and collect the necessary fees.

The total cost of a passport is $107, which includes tax, and can be paid by cash, check or credit card. For more information, call (419) 213-8843.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Community College Family Fun Sundays Conclude With ‘The Rainbow Fish’, April 22

Posted on April 12th, 2007

Community members of all ages will have their imaginations captivated by one of the most beloved stories in children’s literature as Owens Community College concludes its series of Family Fun Sunday performances with “The Rainbow Fish” on Sunday, April 22. The College will host two performances of the family-based musical in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage Theatre at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

This musical by ArtsPower, one of America’s largest nonprofit producers of professional children’s theatre, is based on the best-selling children’s book by Marcus Pfister.

“Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to provide an exciting and family-oriented afternoon of fun and entertainment featuring the performance of ‘The Rainbow Fish’,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “The shimmering visuals, compelling storyline and catchy musical numbers will make for an unforgettable family event, complete with a meet and greet of the cast at the musical’s conclusion.”

Barkan added, “‘The Rainbow Fish’s’ tale will entertain children of all ages, as well as teach them about generosity and selflessness. Adults will certainly enjoy the whimsical humor within the adventurous story.”

“The Rainbow Fish” musical tells the story of the Rainbow Fish, whose lovely coloring and special shimmering scales make her one of the most beautiful fish in the ocean. However, when other fish ask her to share her scales with them, she refuses. Wondering why none of the other fish in the ocean will be her friend, the Rainbow Fish asks the wise old octopus for advice. The octopus tells her that she should share her scales, and though she is resistant at first, the Rainbow Fish ultimately finds that sharing her gift with others feels good, and that making others happy is often the best path to happiness.

ArtsPower was founded in 1985 with the goal of empowering children by encouraging them to think more critically, communicate more effectively and achieve new dimensions of creativity. The touring company, which regularly performs at venues nationwide, prides itself in the positive themes contained in its work, which include the importance of family values, freedom and tolerance.

Tickets for “The Rainbow Fish” are $10 and all seats are general admission. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787). The performance is sponsored in part by WGTE Public Broadcasting.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Presents ‘Discovering Career Choices’ Seminar, April 17

Posted on April 10th, 2007

FINDLAY – Area residents are invited to explore career options and gain advice on making the first steps toward a new career as Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus presents a free seminar titled “Discovering Career Choices” on Tuesday, April 17.

The seminar, which takes places from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, is free and open to the public. The library main branch is located on Broadway Street in Findlay.

“The ‘Discovering Career Choices’ seminar is a great opportunity for area residents to receive assistance in matching their career-relevant interests and abilities with potential career fields that maximize their talents,” said Verne Walker, Owens Assistant Dean of Students for the Findlay-area Campus. “Owens Community College is proud to provide such a community outreach service and a resource for individuals seeking advice and guidance in both the selection and pursuit of a career path.”

During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about a free computer program that will help them to explore various career options. Created by ACT, the computer program is titled DISCOVER and assesses an individual’s career options by asking them a variety of questions in many areas and, using a comprehensive database of occupations, college majors, academic institutions, training institutions, financial aid, scholarships and military options, matches the individual with career options where others with similar likes and dislikes have achieved significant success.

Owens is licensed by ACT to use the DISCOVER program. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to obtain a pass-code at the “Discovering Career Choices” seminar to use the web-based DISCOVER program at their own convenience.

For more information, contact the College’s Findlay-area Campus at (567) 429-3547 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3547.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Presents ‘Melodic Expressions’ Second Annual Spring Concert Series, April 23-26

Posted on April 10th, 2007

Area residents with a passion and an enjoyment of music are encouraged to join in celebrating the culmination of an academic year’s worth of Fine and Performing Arts education as Owens Community College presents its second annual “Melodic Expressions” Spring Concert Series, April 23-26. The Spring Concert Series will showcase the accomplishments of Owens students and faculty in a number of performances ranging from vocal to instrumental.

“‘Melodic Expressions’ is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the tremendous accomplishments of our Owens Community College’s Fine and Performing Arts students,” said Eric Wallack, Owens Chair of Fine and Performing Arts. “The upcoming recitals and ensembles have been mastered through academic learning within the classroom this past year. Events such as ‘Melodic Expressions’ provide our students with a great venue to display such musical talents in a real world setting.”

Wallack added, “I am very proud of our Fine and Performing Arts students and the quality of work they and our faculty will present as part of the week-long musical extravaganza.”

All events will occur in the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus. The schedule of events is as follows:

Monday, April 23
Owens Jazz Express
The Owens Jazz Express student performers will showcase their many talents through numerous crowd-pleasing musical favorites. Highlighted genres will include swing, bop and jazz waltz.
(7:30 p.m.) (Mainstage Theatre)

Tuesday, April 24
“Music in the Lobby” – Owens Student Recital
Owens student performers will display their many vocal talents, ranging from lively Hip-Hop to elegant fiddle/piano duets in an informal setting.
(2 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda)

Owens Guitar Ensemble
Students from Owens beginning and intermediate guitar classes will perform some of their favorite songs in various genres.
(7:30 p.m.) (Studio Theatre)

Wednesday, April 25
Harp Performance by Owens Adjunct Faculty Member Denise Grupp-Verbon and Friends
Denise Grupp-Verbon, Owens Adjunct Faculty member, will feature a sundry of selections and styles as part of her annual harp performance. Several guest artists will also showcase their musical talents during the musical event.
(5:30 p.m.) (Mainstage Theatre)

Owens Faculty Recital
Members of Owens Fine and Performing Arts faculty will perform a variety of musical selections related to their areas of expertise
(7:30 p.m.) (Mainstage Theatre)

Thursday, April 26
“Music in the Lobby” – Owens Improvisation and Repertoire Class
Members of the community are invited to “join in the jam” as Owens students showcase spontaneous musical creations.
(2 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda)

Owens Voice Class Recital
Attendees are in for an evening of masterful sounds courtesy of the College’s voice classes. The concert will feature a wide range of music from Broadway hits to many of today’s popular chart-topping songs.
(7:30 p.m.) (Mainstage Theatre)

All the performances are free and the public is encouraged to attend. For more information about the “Melodic Expressions” Spring Concert Series, call the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Community College Student Campaigns for Prestigious International Presidential Office

Posted on April 9th, 2007

Rick Clever

Owens Community College student Rick Clever is confident in his leadership skills, and he wants to put them to good use globally. After nearly two years serving as President of the College’s Alpha Omega Pi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, an honor society for two-year colleges that boasts over one million members, the Toledo resident will take his leadership to an international stage later this week (April 12-14) and campaign for the position of International President at the 89th annual Phi Theta Kappa International Convention in Nashville, Tenn.

Clever, a Network and Information Systems Support major, is one of only 13 candidates worldwide to be chosen for the prestigious presidential candidacy honor within the Phi Theta Kappa student organization. The three-day convention will welcome Phi Theta Kappa members, faculty advisors, alumni and administrators from across the globe for the world’s largest gathering of community college honor students.

Phi Theta Kappa’s multinational gathering will feature a variety of events, including officer elections, educational forums and presentations from such prominent figures as former Vice President Al Gore, former First Lady of Egypt and Middle Eastern activist Jehan Sadat, and popular country singer and cancer survivor Kevin Sharp.

“The opportunity to campaign for Phi Theta Kappa’s highest position is exciting and a little nerve-racking at the same time,” said Clever. “Being chosen to serve as International President would be an unbelievable honor. I have benefited greatly from the programs that Phi Theta Kappa offers and view this opportunity as the ultimate way to repay the organization. I want to serve my fellow students and provide the highest level leadership for Phi Theta Kappa.”

Clever’s candidacy for International President will begin in earnest later this week as he departs for the Phi Theta Kappa International Convention on Tuesday, April 10. Once at the convention, Clever will hit the campaign trail running with a host of meetings and videotaped interviews, highlighting each candidate’s vision for the future of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.

According to Clever, the videotaped interviews will be broadcast on closed-circuit television in the hotel where the convention is being held in addition to large screens on the convention floor. “The atmosphere at the convention is going to be crazy, but I’m sure I can stay calm and campaign successfully.”

Clever added, “What’s really exciting is that I will have the opportunity to converse with a very diverse group of traditional and non-traditional students from around the world on the convention floor and hear what issues are most important them. Hopefully, my two terms as the College’s Phi Theta Kappa Chapter President will give me some extra confidence and boost my campaign.”

A non-traditional student, Clever worked in radio for several years after attending college at Bowling Green State University. He also spent 10 years in automotive supply and currently serves as the Technical Director for Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

The Covington native decided to return to higher education after 20 years away at the age of 36 when he enrolled at Owens in 2004. A graduate of Covington High School, Clever, now 40, holds a 4.0 grade point average and is active in several student organizations and activities at Owens, including Phi Theta Kappa, the Colleges Against Cancer Relay for Life and the Owens Environmental Club. After graduating from Owens in spring 2008, Clever intends on transferring to a four-year academic institution and pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Theatre.

On Thursday, April 12, Clever will conclude his run for presidency by passing out literature and attracting attention to his campaign booth at the convention. From that point, the decision of who will serve as the honor society’s next president will be in the hands of the students as each Phi Theta Kappa chapter designates a voting delegate. The primary vote will take place on the morning of Friday, April 13. If Clever is among the top two candidates, he will then deliver a speech to the entire convention Saturday morning. Each voting delegate will then vote for Phi Theta Kappa’s next International President.

“Rick Clever’s is an exceptional individual and his leadership skills and academic success warrant this honor,” said Chuck Bohleke, Owens Chair of Business Technologies and Phi Theta Kappa Advisor. “Owens Community College is proud to support his candidacy for International President of Phi Theta Kappa. I really can’t think of a more deserving person than Rick.”

Bohleke, who will be one of several supporters making the trip to Nashville, added, “It is certainly a possibility that Rick could find himself delivering a speech on Saturday from the very same platform and to the same crowd that Al Gore will speak to just one day prior. If elected Phi Theta Kappa International President, I’m confident that Rick will do an outstanding job.”

The overall mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize academic excellence among two-year college students, provide opportunities for leadership training and an intellectual climate for the exchange of ideas and ideals. In addition, the society continues to promote among its members the four standard hallmarks: scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship. Selection criterion for students is based upon enrollment in a two-year college, completion of a minimum number of course hours set forth by the individual chapter and the achievement of a minimum 3.5 grade point average. Owens’ chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, which includes more than 350 members, is one of the largest honor societies in Ohio.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts Presents ‘Earl the Vampire’ Student Production, April 13-21

Posted on April 5th, 2007

Biting satire and rollicking comedy will engulf the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage Theatre as Owens Community College presents the student production of “Earl the Vampire”, April 13-21.

The first of several shows will occur at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 13 in the College’s Mainstage Theatre. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts is excited to present such a unique theatrical production, featuring the talents of so many Owens students,” said Eric Wallack, Owens Chair of Fine and Performing Arts. “‘Earl the Vampire’ is a funny, lighthearted show, and the talented student actors are sure to entertain community members of all ages.”

“Earl the Vampire” tells the story of Hampton a modern-day vampire who is tired of keeping his lifestyle secret. Against the wishes of his family, Hampton appears on television, contracts to write a book and heads up a movement to establish vampires as a recognized minority group in America. Lurking in the background is Lord Evido, a.k.a. Earl, an old fashioned vampire who knows the danger of destroying an age old myth. Written by Sean Michael Welch, “Earl the Vampire” has earned national acclaim as a play, highlighted by the John Cauble Short Play Award at the 1999 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

The cast of “Earl the Vampire” is comprised of students from Owens, the University of Toledo and the Toledo School for the Arts, as well as community members and Owens alumni. The College’s theatrical production is being directed by Owens Adjunct Faculty member Cynthia Stroud of Perrysburg.

Students and community members involved in the production are Turner Ferrara of Rossford as Earl (Owens student), Joshua Fruland of Perrysburg as Ethan (Owens student), Kari Duffy of Millbury as Shana (Owens student), Mary Wagner of Maumee as Christy Banks (community member), Chad Paben of Maumee as Hampton (Owens alumnus), Joshua Jastal of Toledo as Daniel (University of Toledo student), John Sweney of Perrysburg as Agent Vanruegen (Owens alumnus), Rebecca Doran of Toledo as Gretchen (Toledo School for the Arts student), Kyle Lewis of Toledo as Detective Bills (Owens student), William Toth of Toledo as Detective Sharp (Owens student), Bronwyn Rose Hazard of Toledo as Lucina (University of Toledo student), Christina Marie of Northwood as Tresa (Owens student), Bradley Ray of Delta as The Hunter (Owens student) and Tim Durbin of Toledo as Brady Lennox (Owens student). Henry Walling of Sylvania (Owens student) serves as the Stage Manager for “Earl the Vampire”, while Donald Rawlins of Toledo (Owens student) and Albertha Cockrell of Toledo (Owens student) are involved in set design and construction.

“Earl the Vampire” will be performed April 13-14 and 20-21 at 8 p.m. A matinee performance will also occur on Sunday, April 15 at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for the general public and $8 for Owens students, employees and senior citizens. All seats are general admission. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information, call the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Community College’s Annual Relay for Life Raises Over $11,000 in Support of Cancer Research

Posted on April 4th, 2007

Twenty-five cancer survivors along with family and friends took part in the first few Relay for Life laps to kick-off the walking event.

Over 200 individuals recently walked the night and morning away in support of cancer awareness at Owens.

More than 200 Owens Community College students and employees and area residents recently walked the night and morning away in support of cancer awareness as the College hosted its fifth annual Relay for Life on the Toledo-area Campus. The 11-hour walking-journey for participating teams resulted in the College raising over $11,000 for cancer research.

Owens’ Relay for Life theme this year was music through the decades as evident by the team “Flashdancers”. The team itself raised over $3,000 for Relay for Life.

Sponsored by the American Cancer Society and presented by the Colleges Against Cancer student organization, Owens’ Relay for Life is one of more than 300 similar cancer fundraising initiatives occurring throughout Ohio. Since its inception five years ago, the Owens event has raised nearly $100,000 to support cancer research.

The 2007 Relay for Life event at Owens was coordinated for the first time by the Colleges Against Cancer student organization.

“Owens’ Colleges Against Cancer student organization is proud to work with the American Cancer Society and help raise money for cancer research through events such as Relay for Life,” said Maggie Rowe, Owens President of the Colleges Against Cancer student organization. “Our goal is to inspire people to keep believing that a cure for cancer will soon be found. Relay for Life is a unique opportunity to celebrate the courageous spirit of those individuals battling cancer and let them know that we are fighting with them.”

Rowe added, “I also want thank all those individuals who made this year’s Relay for Life event a huge success, and I encourage people to continue to promote cancer awareness.”

Established in 1985, Relay for Life was created to offer communities a unique, empowering and fun way to assist in the fight against cancer. Today, as the American Cancer Society’s signature event, approximately 4,800 communities and 23 countries participate in the cancer awareness fundraiser.

Over 200 individuals recently walked the night and morning away in support of cancer awareness at Owens.

Among the many highlights of the event were tributes to those individuals in attendance who have survived cancer. Twenty-five survivors together took part in a ceremonial first lap while cheered on by family, friends and Relay for Life participants. Special events included live bands, massages, dance lessons, silent auctions, relay contests, games, karaoke, putt-putt golf and indoor drive-in movies.

The American Cancer Society is the nation’s leading community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by prevention, saving lives and diminishing suffering through research, education, advocacy and service.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Children’s Book Illustrations Showcased at Owens Findlay-area Campus Library, April 9-26

Posted on April 3rd, 2007

FINDLAY – Members of the community both young and old will have the opportunity to view an array of original illustrations of dogs from over 30 nationally recognized children’s book artists as Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus unveils a new exhibit featuring the artwork from “Speak! Children’s Book Illustrators Brag about their Dogs”. This series of whimsical portraits of the artists’ canine companions will be on display in the Library, April 9-26.

The Owens Findlay-area Campus Library is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens Community College is pleased to showcase these illustrations of dogs lovingly created by so many talented children’s book illustrators,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “These poignant, funny and often emotion-provoking images depict the relationship between human and canine, creating a unique and interesting art exhibit that will certainly tug at the hearts of attendees.”

Inspired by the success of the book, which was notably well-received with over 30,000 copies in print, the “Speak!” exhibit was originally created for the University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum, the world’s first and largest museum devoted to the art of children’s picture books. Since being founded in 1982, the Mazza Museum has collected over 3,000 original pieces from children’s literature.

Each children’s book illustrator involved in the “Speak! Children’s Book Illustrators Brag about their Dogs” project contributed one page, which includes an image of their favorite dog accompanied by a short story or poem. The illustrations range from realistic to fanciful and cartoon-like to cubist. The book also features popular children’s characters such as Pinkerton, the Great Dane from Steven Kellogg’s popular books, as well as dogs famous only within the illustrators’ families.

The Findlay-area Campus “Speak!” exhibit is being presented in conjunction with the celebration of April as Month of the Young Child. In addition, the exhibit is designed to encourage children to take interest in literacy and libraries as the College recognizes National Library Week, April 15-21.

Admission to the art exhibit and the Owens Findlay-area Campus Library is free and open to the public. The Library is open from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday. For additional information, contact the College’s Library at (567) 429-3088 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3088.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Juried Student Art Exhibition Showcased At Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery, April 13 – May 2

Posted on April 2nd, 2007

Owens Community College students will have the unique opportunity to showcase their artistic talents as the Center for Fine and Performing Arts hosts the annual Juried Student Art Exhibition, April 13 – May 2.

In addition, the College will host an opening reception for the exhibit on Friday, April 13, from 6-8 p.m. in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. The free reception, which the public is encouraged to attend, will be held in conjunction with the opening performance of the student theatrical production, “Earl the Vampire”. In addition, the Owens Jazz Express student group will perform in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda to celebrate the opening of both events.

“Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to feature the finest works of art produced by our students,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “This exhibit is a great venue for Owens students to display their accomplished artistic pieces, enabling them to showcase the knowledge obtained within the classroom into a real world setting.”

Perry added, “The artistic expressions are extremely individualized and reflect the unique creative ability of each student artist.”

Owens’ Juried Student Art Exhibition features over 100 pieces of artwork in the categories of fine art, which includes sculpture, ceramics, painting and drawing, photography and commercial art. More than 60 students enrolled within Fine and Performing Arts courses at Owens have had artwork accepted for the show. Students presenting art for the Juried Student Art Exhibition are allowed to enter a total of four pieces in each of the three categories.

Area artists and professionals will serve as the jury for the exhibit.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public, Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. For additional information, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Traffic Delays Possible Starting Monday on Oregon Road Near the Owens Community College Toledo-area Campus

Posted on April 2nd, 2007

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has advised Owens Community College that Oregon Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction, beginning on Monday, April 2, until the completion of the Railroad Grade Separation (Overpass) Project in mid-October 2007. This will affect traffic on Oregon Road, starting at Wales Road adjacent to the construction site, and continuing to First Street/Biniker Drive and through the College’s Toledo-area Campus.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Express Golf Opens Home Season Against Oakland and St. Clair County Community Colleges, April 1

Posted on March 30th, 2007

Owens Community College golf will make its 2007 home debut by hosting St. Clair County Community College and Oakland Community College in a tri match on Sunday, April 1.

The match will begin at 10 a.m. and be held at Heatherdown Country Club in Toledo. All other home intercollegiate golf events will occur at Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg. Admission to all Express golf events is free and open to the public.

In 2006, Express golf completed its first season as an Owens intercollegiate athletic program. The golf program made its first trip to the NJCAA Division II National Championships, finishing 14th in the tournament. Owens captured six match and invitational titles during the season, highlighted by a first place finish in the NJCAA Sub-Regional. The program earned its trip to the nationals by defeating Oakland Community College 16-17 in a sudden-victory playoff in the NJCAA Region XII Championships. Owens is led by first-year Head Coach Gilbert Guerrero.

Early in 2007, the Owens Express golf program finished 17th at the 22-team Goose Pond Colonial Invitational in Scottsboro, Ala., and third out of eight teams at the Shawnee State Invitational in Portsmouth, Ohio. In addition, the College will, for the first time, have the opportunity to compete in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC). Last year, the program received provisional membership.

“We have an extremely talented group of student-athletes who have achieved a considerable amount of success in golf,” stated Guerrero. “The opportunity to compete in last year’s NJCAA national championship tournament was a great learning experience for our team. I expect our veterans to build upon that experience and provide the necessary leadership to elevate this program to a new level of excellence, resulting in a return trip to nationals.”

Guerrero added, “This is the first year that our program can compete for an OCCAC title and I expect our team to be in the middle of the championship race.”

The Express have three players returning from last year’s team, including Ryan Brown of Temperance, Mich. (Bedford H.S.). In 2006, Brown was an NJCAA All-Region XII Team selection and the recipient of the program’s Most Improved Player award. The sophomore also compiled a 79.72 scoring average and finished 71st at the NJCAA Division II National Championships after rounds of 77-78-74-76 (305).

Guerrero’s squad also returns Brian Bowker of Van Buren (Van Buren H.S.) and Josh Williams of Fostoria (Arcadia H.S.). In 2006, Bowker, a sophomore, compiled a 79.74 scoring average and shot a national championship tournament total of 300 (73-76-75-76) and tied for 52nd, while Williams, a sophomore, completed his season with a 81.64 scoring average and shot rounds of 84-79-80-82 and tied for 114th place at the NJCAA nationals.

First-year players to the Express golf program are Joey Bussdieker of Monroe, Mich. (Monroe H.S.), Vanessa Herbert of Oregon (Clay H.S.), Chris Hummer of Toledo (Start H.S.), Robert Jackson of Maumee (Toledo Christian H.S.) and Jason Smith of Toledo (Anthony Wayne H.S.).

The College’s golf program is a Division II member of the NJCAA and participates in the OCCAC. Owens primarily competes against other community colleges from Ohio and Michigan. Academic institutions from the OCCAC competing in intercollegiate golf include Lakeland Community College, Columbus State Community College, Sinclair Community College, Lorain County Community College and Cincinnati State Community College.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Community College Closed for Easter Weekend, April 6-8

Posted on March 28th, 2007

Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses will be closed Friday-Sunday, April 6-8, for the Easter holiday. There will be no classes and the College offices will be closed for business.

Classes will resume and administrative offices will open again on Monday, April 9.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Community College Hosts Lincoln Motorsports Welding Night, April 5

Posted on March 28th, 2007

Owens Community College’s School of Technology, the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Welding Society and Lincoln Electric Motorsports are inviting area racing car and truck enthusiasts to the Toledo-area Campus to view an array of competition vehicles and learn more about careers within the welding and automotive industry at the eleventh annual Lincoln Motorsports Welding Night on Thursday, April 5.

Lincoln Motorsports Welding Night will occur from 6-9 p.m. in the College’s Transportation Technologies Center. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Admission to the event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

“Lincoln Motorsports Welding Night is a great opportunity for area residents to check out some of the latest advancements in competition racing as more than 30 owners from Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan showcase their vehicles,” said Jim Gilmore, Owens Chair of Manufacturing and Industrial Operations. “Attendees can also meet individuals from local businesses and ask advice in choosing a career within the welding or automotive industry.”

Vehicles featured at the event will include trucks, stock racing cars, drag racing cars, tractors and drag bikes, among others. In addition, a NASCAR Craftsman truck, a NHRA/IHRA modified drag car, a NTPA Super Stock tractor, an ARCA truck and a four-time National Champion 4×4 modified truck will be on display.

Dennis Klingman of the Lincoln Electric Co. will serve as the guest speaker for this year’s event. In addition to serving as Director of Technical Training at the Welding and Cutting Technology Center in Cleveland, Klingman oversees the Lincoln Welding Garage, which repairs the cars and equipment at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Klingman will speak at 7 p.m.

Representatives from local businesses including Toledo Speedway, Norwalk Raceway Park and Attica Raceway Park will be in attendance to offer additional information. Welding demonstrations will also occur during the event.

Lincoln Motorsports Welding Night is co-sponsored by the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Welding Society and Lincoln Electric Motorsports. For additional information on the event, call (567) 661-7729 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7729.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Community College Sailing Club Opens Home Season With Team Race Regatta Invitational, March 24-25

Posted on March 23rd, 2007

Owens Community College’s Sailing Club will “set sail” on its second season as a club sport by welcoming intercollegiate sailing programs throughout the Midwest to Northwest Ohio and hosting the first-ever Owens Invitational Team Race Regatta, Saturday-Sunday, March 24-25.

The regatta will take place at the Jolly Roger Sailing Club in Toledo. Racing will occur from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sunday. Competing sailing programs will include Owens, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Ohio University, Penn State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Toledo. The event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

“We’re really excited to begin the spring season by hosting the Owens Invitational Team Race Regatta,” said Ryan Lashaway of Toledo, who was instrumental in bringing sailing to Owens last year. “Our team was extremely competitive in the program’s first year as an intercollegiate sailing club. I really think we snuck up on much of our competition last year.”

Lashaway added, “Owens is building a reputation within the Midwest as a sailing college. Our goal is to learn from last year’s experience and compete at even a higher level against the four-year schools with prestigious sailing programs.”

Owens’ sailing became the latest addition to the College’s student involvement activities in spring 2006 and was one of the first community colleges in the country to introduce sailing as an intercollegiate club sport. The College is the only two-year academic institution affiliated with the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association of North America (ICSA).

Last spring, Owens’ program participated in five regattas and boat races throughout the Midwest. In its first-ever regatta at the University of Notre Dame and to most competing school’s surprise, Owens finished second out of 13 other four-year colleges and universities, including Notre Dame, Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin.

Owens continued to build upon its impressive finish at Notre Dame by placing fourth and fifth at Miami University’s April Fools Regatta and Ohio State University’s Buckeye Intersectional, respectively. The Sailing Club also placed third at Northwestern University’s Invitational Regatta. Additionally, Owens was victorious in its own Lake Erie Collegiate Championship against Bowling Green State University, the University of Toledo and John Carroll University.

The program competed in four regattas this past fall, garnering first place honors at Purdue University’s Boiler Cup, Miami University’s Action Up Regatta and Michigan State University’s Cedarfest.

In addition to hosting the Owens Invitational Team Race Regatta, Owens’ Sailing Club is scheduled to participate in six regattas during the upcoming spring season. Owens will compete at Miami University’s April Fools Regatta (March 31 – April 1), Ohio University’s Bring Your Own Boat Regatta (April 7-8), Ohio State University’s Buckeye Intersectional and Buckeye Invitational (April 14-15), University of Wisconsin’s Dinghy Championships (April 28-29) and the University of Michigan’s Team Race Championships (May 5-6).

Owens is also planning to defend its Lake Erie Collegiate Championship title by hosting the second annual regatta in May.

According to Sailing Club President Ben Mercer of Monroe, Mich., Owens is now the owner of five boats and 20 sails, enabling the team to practice and compete with the latest in innovative sailing equipment.

Owens also received provisional status with the ICSA. Last year, the College was an ICSA associate member.

“ICSA provisional status allows the program to compete against some of the best four-year programs in national championship regattas across the country,” stated Mercer.

He added, “We are also planning to participate in both three- and one-person races, which is very exciting.”

In addition to membership with the ICSA, the Sailing Club participates in the Midwest College Sailing Association (MCSA), which includes 31 academic institutions throughout the Midwest. More than 3,000 individuals participate at the association’s member colleges and universities. The MCSA hosts more than 30 regattas annually, occurring both in the spring and fall seasons.

Owens students participating in the Sailing Club include Lindsay Gregory of Toledo, Lily Ingraham of Bowling Green, Jessica Schwind of Rossford, Bryan Bradley of Perrysburg, Dusty Bastian of Toledo, Sam Harden of Toledo, Devin Howard of Perrysburg, Jean Martin of Oregon, Kevin Bradley of Toledo, Mandy Sundling of Perrysburg and Ani Agajanyan of Toledo.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

BGSU Afro-Caribbean Dance and Music Group Performs At Owens Community College During Black History Month

Posted on March 22nd, 2007

Over 50 individuals recently experienced a taste of Afro-Caribbean dance and music as the Bowling Green State University Afro-Caribbean Music and Dance Ensemble showcased an array artistic talents at Owens Community College. The music and dance group performed in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus.

Presented by the Student Activities Office in conjunction with Owens’ celebration of Black History Month, the BGSU Afro-Caribbean Music and Dance Ensemble showcased the vibrant world of traditional Afro-Caribbean music and dance, originating from Ghana. Several dancing and folkloric styles from around the world were featured as part of the performance.

BGSU Afro-Caribbean Dance and Music Group

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Community College Hosts Relay for Life, March 30-31

Posted on March 21st, 2007

Area residents are invited to walk the night and morning away in support of cancer awareness as Owens Community College hosts its annual Relay for Life on the Toledo-area Campus, Friday-Saturday, March 30-31. Admission to Relay for Life is free and the public is encouraged to be a part of the many activities.

Sponsored by the American Cancer Society and presented by the Colleges Against Cancer student organization, Owens’ fifth annual Relay for Life is one of more than 300 similar cancer fundraising initiatives occurring throughout Ohio. Last year’s event raised over $18,000 to support cancer research.

“Owens’ Colleges Against Cancer student organization is extremely proud to collaborate with the American Cancer Society and assist in the organization’s on-going efforts to make a difference in the fight against cancer,” said Maggie Rowe, Owens President of the Colleges Against Cancer student organization. “Relay for Life is a unique opportunity to not only honor the courageous spirit of those individuals battling cancer, but also to raise money for continued research in hopes that some day this disease will be eliminated.”

The event begins with an opening ceremony at 6 p.m. in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center. Among the highlights of the opening ceremony will be a tribute to those in attendance who have survived cancer. The survivors will take a ceremonial first lap together while cheered on by family, friends and Relay for Life participants. A benefit dinner will occur in the Student Health and Activities Center prior to the opening ceremony at 5 p.m. The cost is $12 with proceeds supporting cancer research.

Following the cancer survivor lap, participating teams will begin their 11-hour journey around the College’s indoor track. Numerous activities and entertainment will occur throughout the evening, while a representative from each team will be walking laps around the track at all times. Among the special events will include live bands, massages, dance lessons, silent auctions, relay contests, games, karaoke, putt-putt golf and indoor drive-in movies.

Beginning at 8:30 p.m., a luminary ceremony will occur in the Student Health and Activities Center where a special tribute will remember, honor and celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer. Special music will be performed, while luminaries around the College’s indoor track are lit. Each luminary will include the names of cancer survivors and those lost to cancer.

Owens’ event will conclude at 5 a.m. on Saturday (March 31) with a special closing ceremony.

For more information about joining in the Relay for Life celebration, call (567) 661-7175 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7175. Individuals still have the opportunity to register or join a team, or purchase a luminary to honor a loved one that has battled cancer. All proceeds raised from the College’s Relay for Life will go toward the American Cancer Society’s research, education, advocacy and quality of life programs.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area Campuses Host Registration Rocks in April

Posted on March 20th, 2007

Area high school seniors are invited to learn about Owens Community College’s many educational opportunities during a fun, music-themed event as the College hosts Registration Rocks. The event will occur April 2-5 and 9-12.

High school seniors can sign up for any day of Registration Rocks which runs from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. Owens Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township, while the College’s Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay. Attendees are required to RSVP prior to the event.

Throughout each day, students will be able to meet with faculty and staff members, take the Owens placement test and pick up important information about financial aid, clubs and student activities, local housing and academic program offerings. In addition, a separate program on learning to support your children in college will be offered to parents who attend Registration Rocks.

Seniors will have the opportunity to win various raffle prizes during each day, including Owens baseball caps, T-shirts, sweatshirts and more. Additionally, attendees will be provided with a free lunch during their visit.

For more information, or to register, contact the College’s Enrollment Services Office at (567) 661-7253 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7253. Or, check out the website at www.owens.edu and click on the Registration Rocks icon.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Express Softball Opens Home Season Against Lorain County Community College, March 31

Posted on March 20th, 2007

Owens Community College women’s softball will open its 2007 home season against Lorain County Community College on Saturday, March 31. The game will begin at 1 p.m.

All home games will be played at the College’s Softball Complex on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Admission to all home games is free.

The Owens softball program is guided by fourth-year Head Coach Duane Lanham. His Assistant Coaches are Michael Murphy and Stephanie Taylor.

The Express women’s softball program this past year finished with a 39-11 overall record and captured its second consecutive Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) regular season championship with a 16-0 mark. Owens advanced to the NJCAA Region XII Championships before losing to Lansing Community College. The women’s softball team was ranked as high as No. 13 in the NJCAA Division II women’s softball poll.

Owens currently has a compiled a 0-11 overall record this season following games in Florida.

“We have very young and inexperienced team entering the 2007 season,” said Lanham. “However, our potential is enormous. Our first-year players are extremely talented and we are expecting a lot out of them.”

Lanham added, “I really believe that our team will continue to improve as the season progresses. The goal certainly has not changed from previous seasons. We want to win another OCCAC championship. We have great veteran leadership from our returning players who know how to win. I think we should be right in the mix if we continue to mature and grow as a team.”

The two Express players returning from last year’s conference championship team include OCCAC All-Conference selection Jessica Snyder of Sylvania (Sylvania Southview H.S.). In 2006, the sophomore third baseman was second on the team with 66 hits, 49 runs and a .431 batting average. Snyder also collected 39 RBIs.

Lanham’s squad also returns Ashley Henney of Oregon (Clay H.S.). Henney, a sophomore second baseman, collected 36 hits, had 28 RBIs and compiled a .353 batting average. Her postseason honors included being named OCCAC Academic All-Conference.

First-year players to the Express women’s softball program are Corrine D’Emilio of Oregon, outfield (Cardinal Stritch H.S.); Janie Reichert of Perrysburg, outfield (Toledo Central Catholic H.S.); Lisa Pfaender of Rossford, outfield (Rossford H.S.); Stephanie Matthews of Delta, catcher (Delta H.S.); Tristan Donaghy of Findlay, outfield (Vanlue H.S.); Amanda Cogley of Lima, first base (Lima Bath H.S.); Allison Barry of Toledo, pitcher (Toledo Central Catholic H.S.), and Brittany Staccone of Toledo, outfield (Bowsher H.S.).

Express first-year players also include Megan Stump of Bettsville, catcher (Bettsville H.S.); Amanda Coressel of Malinta, shortstop (Patrick Henry H.S.); Jill Schumm of Tiffin, catcher (Hopewell-Loudon H.S.); Lauren Proy of Sandusky, pitcher (Sandusky H.S.); Janea Castiglione of Monroe, Mich., pitcher (Monroe Jefferson H.S.); Lindsey McDonald of Toledo, first base (Rogers H.S.), and Tiffany Harding of Toledo, third base (Bowsher H.S.).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Alumni Association Accepting Nominations for Outstanding Service Award Celebration, March 19-30

Posted on March 19th, 2007

Owens Community College’s Alumni Association is recognizing the tremendous contribution that area police, fire and emergency medical professionals make to Northwest Ohio’s surrounding communities by hosting the fourth annual Outstanding Service Awards. The recipients will be honored as part of a community celebration on Friday, April 27.

The College’s Alumni Association is presently accepting nominations for the Outstanding Service Awards. Area residents are invited to nominate an individual or individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service above and beyond the call of duty. Nominations need to be returned to the College’s Office of Alumni Relations by Friday, March 30. The award is not limited to a single recipient, and the College’s Alumni Association encourages the nomination of more than one person when teamwork was the key element in their success.

“Owens Community College’s Alumni Association is proud to again honor our brave police, fire and emergency medical professionals for their dedication to our community,” said David Seeger, President of the Owens Alumni Association. “These outstanding citizens and their selfless acts of public service are essential to the safety and freedom within the community where we live.”

The four awards, which will be presented at the community celebration, are within the categories of Outstanding Police Officer, Firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician and Service to Community. Selection criteria will be based upon a nomination process with candidates demonstrating exceptional service related to dedication, ingenuity, bravery, special skills and/or to the community over a sustained period of time. The awards are not limited to a single recipient.

The fourth annual Outstanding Service Award Celebration will begin at 8 a.m. in the College’s Audio/Visual Classroom Center Rooms 125-128 on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Admission is free and the public is encouraged to attend, however, reservations are required.

For more information about the Outstanding Service Award Celebration, or the nomination process, contact the College’s Alumni Relations Office at (567) 661-7410 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7410. Nomination forms can accessed on Owens’ website at www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Express Baseball Opens Home Schedule Against Lorain County Community College, March 24

Posted on March 19th, 2007

The Owens Community College men’s baseball program will open the 2007 home portion of its schedule against Lorain County Community College on Saturday, March 24. The game will begin at 1 p.m.

All home games are played at the College’s Baseball Complex on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Admission to all home games is free.

Bob Schultz begins his fifth year as Head Coach of the Owens men’s baseball program. In the past four years, he has guided the Express to many notable achievements, including two conference championships in 2004 and 2005. Prior to his position as Head Coach, Schultz served as an Express Assistant Coach for five years. His Assistant Coaches are Gabe Medina and Jason Halka.

The men’s baseball program finished the 2005-06 campaign with a 32-21 overall record and an 11-9 mark (third place) in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) regular season standings.

The Express completed the recent fall season with an 8-3 overall record and are tied with Lakeland Community College for first place in the OCCAC with a 7-3 record. Early in 2007, Owens has a compiled a 6-2 overall record following games played in South Carolina.

“Our coaching staff is very optimistic about this year’s team,” stated Schultz. “We have a great group of student-athletes who are extremely hard workers. They are also very unselfish and willing to do whatever it takes for the team to succeed.”

He added, “Overall, our club is relatively young with only five returning players. However, we are going to lean heavily on their veteran leadership and experience. From top to bottom, the OCCAC should be extremely competitive this year, and I expect the men’s baseball program to once again play a significant part in who wins the championship.”

The Express have five players returning from last year’s team, including Joshua Pheils of Rossford (Rossford H.S.) and Brandon Best of Sylvania (Sylvania Southview H.S.). In 2005-06, Pheils, a sophomore pitcher, compiled a 6-3 record and registered 31 strikeouts, while Best, a sophomore pitcher and outfielder, collected 40 hits and 26 runs and had 18 RBIs. Best also pitched in four games and posted a 1-0 record and a 3.52 earned run average.

Schultz’s squad also returns Jeremy Sheeks of Bowling Green (Otsego H.S.), Steve Weigle of Naples, Fla. (Naples H.S.) and Scott Conley of Millbury (Lake H.S.). Sheeks, a sophomore pitcher, compiled a 1-1 record and recorded one save in eight games. His postseason honors included being named to the OCCAC All-Academic team. Weigle is a sophomore outfielder. In 2005-06, he recorded 13 stolen bases and 26 runs. Weigle also compiled a .337 batting average. Conley is a sophomore pitcher and compiled a 2-3 record and registered two saves in 10 games.

First-year players to the Express men’s baseball program are Dominick Coduti of Northwood, infield (Northwood H.S.); Albert Ayala of Hialeah, Fla., pitcher (Barbara Goleman Senior H.S.); Brent Graham of Oregon, pitcher (Clay H.S.); Adam McNalley of Clay Center, third base (Genoa H.S.); Jason Cress of Bowling Green, shortstop (Bowling Green H.S.); Manoli Pahoulis of Warren, outfield (Howland H.S.); Kevin Neilly of Toledo, outfield (Start H.S.); Bryan Conley of Millbury, pitcher (Lake H.S.); Austin Ritson of Toledo, infield (Whitmer H.S.); Michael Nyitrai of Toledo, catcher (Start H.S.); Aaron Stewart of Toledo, first base and pitcher (Start H.S.); Gabriel Espineira of Miami, Fla., pitcher (Hialeah H.S.); Andrew Jay Meyer of Hamler, pitcher (Patrick Henry H.S.); Alex Majewski of Toledo, pitcher (St. Francis de Sales H.S.); John Paul Akers of Naples, Fla., pitcher (Naples H.S.); Tony Pozega of Warren, outfield (Howland H.S.), and Martin Suarez of Miami, Fla., pitcher (Barbara Goleman Senior H.S.).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts to Feature Attack Theatre’s ‘Games of Steel’, March 23

Posted on March 14th, 2007

Area residents will have the opportunity to be captivated by the critically acclaimed dance-theatre group Attack Theatre as they bring their thrilling and innovative production of “Games of Steel” to Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Friday, March 23. “Games of Steel” will take place in the College’s Mainstage Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

“Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to provide an exciting evening of high-energy entertainment featuring one of the most acclaimed dance-theatre groups in the world,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Attack Theatre’s production ‘Games of Steel’ is a definite stunner of a piece. The dynamic performance is full of intrigue that will leave attendees in constant suspense, making for a theatrical experience that they will never forget. Attack Theatre seamlessly brings dance, theatre, music and visual art to an inspiring level of excellence.”

Attack Theatre, founded by Michele de la Reza and Peter Kope, has been making critically acclaimed dance-theatre for more than a decade by combining classically based modern dance, original live music, multimedia and interdisciplinary art forms. To date, the group has presented over 100 original works in theatrical and site-specific settings worldwide. Attack Theatre has toured regionally in states such as Ohio, Maryland, South Carolina, Texas and Washington, and internationally throughout France, Monaco, Germany, Switzerland, Turkey and Japan. Additionally, the group has collaborated with many notable theatres, museums, symphonies and international dance companies, including Quantum Theatre in Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburg, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Japan’s Nibroll Collective.

Attack Theatre’s intriguing new production “Games of Steel” features a corrupt game show host, three relentless contestants and a musical odds-maker facing off in a series of games that combines athletic dance capabilities, steel sculptures, original live music and masterful sets with importance placed on not who wins, but who loses the least. The set design and steel sculptures for “Games of Steel” were created by Red Star Ironworks in Millvale, Pa.

Music for “Games of Steel” is provided by Dave Eggar, Music Director for Attack Theatre. A Grammy-nominated artist, Eggar has performed throughout the world as a cellist, pianist and composer, and has collaborated with popular artists such as The Who, Michael Brecker, Josh Groban and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

The Attack Theatre’s performance is funded in part by the National Dance Project of the New England Foundation for the Arts, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Additional funding has been provided by The Ford Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Tickets for Attack Theatre’s “Games of Steel” are $25 for the public, $23 for senior citizens and Owens employees, and $15 for students. To purchase tickets visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

National Disabilities Advocate Dan Wilkins to Discuss Disability Awareness Issues at Owens, March 20

Posted on March 13th, 2007

Area residents are invited to learn about ways of advancing disability awareness in today’s society as Owens Community College presents Dan Willkins, a national advocate and visionary for people living with disabilities, as a guest lecturer on Tuesday, March 20.

Presented by the Office of Disability Services, the disability awareness lecture will occur from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre on the Toledo-area Campus. Admission to the event is free and the public is encouraged to attend. A reception with Wilkins will occur prior to his lecture at 9 a.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda.

Discussion will focus on topics ranging from disability and diversity awareness, advocacy and self-advocacy to the importance of humor, inclusion, community and seeing the big picture, among other areas.

“Owens Community College is honored to serve as a forum and bring to the forefront dialogue on disability awareness,” said Beth Scheffert, Owens Director of Disability Services. “Dan Wilkins has played an integral role in elevating nationwide discussion on disability issues and I anticipate a very engaging presentation for attendees.”

A wheelchair user, Wilkins has toured nationally and internationally as an advocate for disability awareness for nearly 20 years. The disability activist has provided his insight as a professional speaker to hospitals, independent living centers, nursing homes, private allied health professional organizations, rehabilitation centers, and colleges and universities in the United States, as well as in Canada, Lithuania and Iceland. Additionally, he serves as President of The Nth Degree in Luckey, a national graphic design and silk screen company specializing in products and designs related to the independent living, inclusion, diversity and disability rights movements.

Wilkins, a resident of Luckey, is also Co-Founder and past President of the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association and a founding member of The American-Lithuanian Disability and Rehabilitation Exchange Program.

Owens’ Office of Disability Services is dedicated to supporting the College and its students by ensuring that each individual has access to the academic institution’s many programs and services. The office also assists students with disabilities by providing an array of support services, information and guidance.

Active in the surrounding communities, the Office of Disability Services regularly makes presentations at high schools to students with disabilities and participates with local agencies in disability awareness events, transition activities and parent programs.

For additional information about the event, call (567) 661-7007 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7007.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Community College Express Men’s Soccer Announces Signing of Five Student-Athletes

Posted on March 12th, 2007

Four high school seniors and one high school graduate have signed national letters of intent to play NJCAA intercollegiate men’s soccer for the Owens Community College Express during the upcoming 2007-08 academic year.

Led by Head Coach Art Johnson, men’s soccer will be beginning its tenth year as an Owens athletic program. Participating in intercollegiate athletics at the Division II level allows the College to offer scholarships to pay for tuition, fees and books for its student-athletes.

The men’s soccer program finished the 2006 campaign with a 6-12-1 overall record and a 2-6 mark (fifth place) in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) regular season standings.

“Erik, Evan, Brock, Jonathon and Tyler are extremely talented student-athletes and have achieved a considerable amount of success at the high school level,” said Johnson. “I expect each individual to have an immediate impact on the program. This recruiting class is a cornerstone for the future of Express men’s soccer and we are happy to welcome them to Owens Community College.”

First-year student-athletes receiving men’s soccer scholarships are Erik Bauerle of Waterville, an Anthony Wayne H.S. senior (midfielder); Evan Chate of Vendays, France, a Lycee Odilon Redon H.S. graduate (midfielder); Brock Kennedy of Davisburg, Mich., a Holly H.S. senior (goalkeeper); Jonathon Kijowski of Norwalk, a Norwalk H.S. senior (midfielder), and Tyler Lange of Norwalk, a Norwalk H.S. senior (forward).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Toledo-area Campus Hosts Health Career Expo, March 22

Posted on March 12th, 2007

Area residents and students with career aspirations in a health-related field are invited to learn about and explore various employment opportunities available throughout Northwest Ohio as the Owens Community College Toledo-area Campus hosts its Spring Health Career Expo on Thursday, March 22.

Sponsored by Owens’ J.O.B.S. (Job Opportunities Brought to Students) Office, the Owens Health Career Expo will run from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center on the Toledo-area Campus. Admission to the event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

“The need for qualified health care professionals continues to grow at an alarming rate,” said Gentry Dixon, Owens Coordinator of Student and Alumni Placement. “Owens Community College is excited to host an event in which we can assist in connecting future nurses, dental hygienists and radiographers with the health care community and employment opportunities. Events such as the Health Career Expo are a great vehicle for individuals to not only learn about different employment opportunities but seek advice from longtime health care professionals.”

Dixon added, “The possibility exists that someone could walk away from the Owens Health Career Expo with a new job.”

Owens students and area residents attending the event are encouraged to bring several copies of their resume and to dress professionally in preparation for any impromptu interviews.

Area employers in attendance will include Mercy Health Partners, ProMedica Health Care System, the Cleveland Clinic, The Toledo Hospital, Wood County Hospital, St. Rita’s Medical Center, Mercy Hospital of Tiffin, Med1Care of Toledo, Luther Home of Mercy and Concept Rehab Inc., as well as more than a dozen others.

For more information, contact the College’s J.O.B.S. Office at (567) 661-7501 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7501.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Celtic Harpist Kim Robertson to Perform at Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, March 19

Posted on March 9th, 2007

Area residents will have the opportunity to experience the music of one of America’s top Celtic harpists as Kim Robertson performs at Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Monday, March 19. Robertson will perform a free concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre.

Sponsored by the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Society and the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, admission to the evening of music is free and the public is encouraged to attend. Additionally, Robertson will offer a free informational workshop on March 19 titled “Improvisation Kindergarten” at 4:30 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre.

“The Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Society is proud to partner with Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts and present such a renowned and critically acclaimed Celtic harpist as Kim Robertson,” said Denise Grupp-Verbon, Owens Adjunct Faculty member and President of the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Society. “Kim’s name has become synonymous with the gentle but powerfully evocative Celtic harp. She is arguably one of the most popular harpists performing today and will certainly not disappoint attendees with her masterful harpist talents.”

Robertson first found interest in the Celtic harp in the mid 1970s and has since been involved in over 20 album projects, including her most recent solo effort, “Highland Heart”, which was released in 2006 to critical acclaim. Her additional solo albums, “Christmas Lullaby” (2004), “Searching for Lambs” (2003), “Dance to Your Shadow” (2001), “The Spiral Gate” (1999) and “Tender Shepherd” (1992) have garnered much respect in the harp community, and have earned Robertson status as one of the pioneers of the American folk harp movement.

A Wisconsin native, Robertson has performed at many notable international venues and festivals, including the Southern Germany Harp Festival in Germany, the Festival de Harpe in France and the Edinburgh Harpfest in Scotland. In addition, Robertson’s talents on the Celtic harp have been showcased at many renowned American festivals, such as the Santa Barbara Harp Festival in California, Harpfest in Arizona and the Milwaukee Irishfest in Wisconsin. She has also appeared on the nationally syndicated radio show, “West Coast Live”.

Since studying at the University of Wisconsin and the Conservatoire de Musique in Reims, France, Robertson has published over 11 volumes of harp arrangements as well as three instructional videos, titled “Arranging for Folk Harp”, “Beginning Folk Harp” and “Treasures of the Celtic Harp”.

For more information about Robertson’s free performance, call (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Students, Faculty and Staff Choose to Spend Spring Break Rebuilding Hurricane and Tornado Damaged Houses

Posted on March 9th, 2007

Spring Break is usually a time when college students head south for a bit of relaxation, rejuvenation and good old-fashioned fun in the warm tropical sun. However, for a group of Owens Community College students, faculty and staff, heading south for Spring Break means a week of hard, manual labor to help out Gulf Coast residents in need.

Replacing old drywall is one of the many tasks awaiting 14 students, two faculty and one staff member as they depart Northwest Ohio at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 10 from Owens’ College Hall parking lot and head south to Lake Charles, La. The focus of the trip is to assist area residents rebuild their homes in the aftermath of two years of hurricanes and tornadoes.

The group of volunteers will spend one week working with Louisiana United Methodist Disaster Recovery Ministry, which is centrally located in Baton Rouge, La., dry-walling, painting and working on plumbing, as well as many other desired tasks, in two existing homes in the Lake Charles area.

“It is really hard to imagine what individuals in the Gulf Coast region are going through,” stated Tom Vollmer of Toledo, Owens Adjunct Faculty member and event coordinator. “Two years have gone by and devastation is still evident. From what I was told, our group will be traveling to neighborhoods lined with concrete slabs where houses once stood.”

Vollmer added, “This trip is about helping people. Living in Northwest Ohio, we are very fortunate to be spared such destruction and wanted to find a way to help.”

For Owens student Lily Ingraham of Bowling Green, making the choice to spend her spring break week helping others was an easy decision.

“What could be better than helping those in need,” explained Ingraham. “The situation in the Gulf Coast is far from normal. Our motivation is to assist Gulf Coast residents in returning their life and region to some semblance of normalcy.”

Owens students volunteering their time to participate in the humanitarian efforts are Amanda Keck of Toledo, Cory Panning of Pemberville, Hannah Shrayda of Toledo, Jamie Lewinski of Toledo, Jodi Douglas of Toledo, Leonard Bragg of Toledo, Eric Matthews of Bowling Green, Lindsay Gregory of Toledo, Lisa Hainen of Bowling Green, Matthew Brusoe of Holland, Nancy Jones of Toledo, Shannon McDonald of Toledo and Selena Hylton of Custar. In addition to Vollmer, faculty and staff members expected to accompany the students to the Gulf Coast region include Michael Sprowls of Findlay, Associate Professor of Math and Life Science, and Dwight Franklin of Swanton, Maintenance Specialist II.

Group members are expected to return to Northwest Ohio and Owens Community College in the late afternoon of Sunday, March 18.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus Dedicates New Community Education and Wellness Center

Posted on March 8th, 2007

The exterior of the new facility showcases full-length windows in the Activities Center.

FINDLAY – With the dust hardly settled from construction of a new Findlay-area Campus, Owens Community College is continuing to invest in the future of higher education within the Northwest Ohio region by formerly dedicating a new $4.2 million Community Education and Wellness Center.

“Owens Community College has a longstanding commitment to providing the surrounding communities with access to enriched learning opportunities,” said Judy Ennis, Owens Executive Dean of the Findlay-area Campus. “The Community Education and Wellness Center will enable the College to open new doors to workforce training needs and expand its Community and Corporate Education offerings for the business and industry community as a result of the state-of-the-art academic and training resources.”

Ennis added, “This new facility also fulfills a need for a rather expansive building to house a wide array of Owens and community-oriented activities and events, including receptions, conferences, fine and performing arts, and athletic-specific competitions within the immediate area. The Community Education and Wellness Center is the College’s gift to our students and the surrounding communities and continues to fulfill our mission of serving students and the surrounding communities.”

Owens President Christa Adams, Ph.D., ceremoniously opens the new Findlay-area Campus Community Education and Wellness Center.

Owens President Christa Adams, Ph.D., Findlay-area Campus Executive Dean Judy Ennis and Board of Trustee members joined community leaders and Owens employees in recently celebrating the new state-of-the-art facility’s unveiling with an official ribbon cutting ceremony and an open house.

Owens’ new 24,772 square-foot Community Education and Wellness Center was built adjacent to the Findlay-area Campus Education Center and is intended to provide the region and surrounding communities with expanded choices in educational training opportunities, highlighted by a five-tiered academic classroom that seats over 150 individuals, two academic multipurpose laboratories/shop bays and two computer laboratories.

The College’s Activities Center will serve as venue to a wide array of Owens and community-oriented activities and events.

Located at the center of the new Community Education and Wellness Center is the 6,522 square-foot Activities Center, which offers on-site catering services and can accommodate more than 1,300 individuals (approximately 375 banquet seating and 500 theatre seating). The facility will serve as venue to a wide array of Owens and community-oriented activities and events. Another feature is the 1,235 square-foot Wellness Center, which will provide cardiovascular and fitness exercise opportunities for Owens students, employees and alumni, as well as community members for a minimal cost. Additionally, the Community Education and Wellness Center features wireless Internet access throughout the academic complex.

Designed by the firm RCM Architects of Findlay, the exterior of the building matches the existing facility’s architecture with Belden brick, colored concrete block, reflective glass plate and curved metal canopies over the entrance doors. Charles Construction Services of Findlay served as the general contractor, while Warner Mechanical Corp. of Fremont and Westfield Electric Inc. of Gibsonburg oversaw combined plumbing/fire protection/mechanical and electrical contracts, respectively.

Owens’ five-tiered classroom seats over 150 individuals and features the latest in state-of-the-art technological and academic resources.

Two years ago, Owens marked a milestone in the academic institution’s history by opening a new $17.7 million Findlay-area Campus. Owens’ Education Center provides an array of academic resources, highlighted by 38 advanced technology classrooms, 27 technical and computer laboratories, and student services areas. Included in the new student services areas are a Bursar’s Office, Records Office, Financial Aid Office and Enrollment Services Office.

Additional features include a Bookstore, Commons area, Library, Jaguar Grill, Conference Room, and the Voorhees Conference Center. Encompassing 119,407 square feet, the 60-acre campus is located at 3200 Bright Road on Findlay’s northeast side.

Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is home to more than 100 degree and certificate program areas. Among the academic program offerings available to students are arts and sciences, business and information technology, health sciences, technology, public safety and emergency preparedness, and skilled trades.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.