CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!In May, several SWIC employees and their family members received diplomas from SWIC and other institutions. View

more photos from the SWIC pinning ceremony, GED certification ceremony and Commencement on Facebook.

JUN

E 20

15 Coming in July!Insider Chat will move to InfoShare version 2.0.

Watch for an email with more details!

Sophie Laing, daughter of Construction Management Technology Coordinator Charles “Jim” Laing, graduated from O’Fallon High School. Sophie will be attending Truman State University in the fall on a golf scholarship.

Nick Raftopoulos, former student trustee and son of Associate Professor of Nursing Beth Raftopoulos, graduated from SWIC with his Associate in Arts degree. Nick will continue his education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, majoring in political science.

Public Information and Marketing Administrative Assistant Ady Haas graduated from SWIC with an Associate in Arts degree. Pictured from left are her daughter Genna; husband Scott; Ady; and daughters Ella and Alyssa.

Athletic Facility and Safety Coordinator Bobby Belleville earned a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University.

Financial Aid and Student Employment Student Services Coordinator Vania Bragg earned her Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University.

Meghan Hughes, daughter of Adult Education Out of School Youth Coordinator Deborah Bruyette, graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a bachelor’s degree in political science. Meghan will be attending Washington University School of Law in the fall.

Christina Calcaterra, daughter of Payroll Manager Lou and wife Patt Calcaterra, is graduating one year early from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities with a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology. She will be doing research next year at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., then pursuing her master’s degree. Christiana, right, attends a U-MN basketball game with her proud sister and SWIC student Alyssa, left, and U-MN mascot Goldie the Gopher.

Admissions Specialist Jennifer Selden earned her Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University. Pictured with Jennifer, right, are her father, Eric, and daughter, Jordyn.

PI&M Communications and Web Coordinator Laurie Almodovar earned a Master of Business Administration from Maryville University. Laurie is pictured with her son David, left, and daughter Kayleigh.

PI&M Communications Specialist Katy Dahlmann earned a Master of Arts in Media Communications from Webster University.

Help Desk Technician Curtis Matthews graduated from SWIC with his Associate in Applied Science degree in CIS Tech Support/Help Desk. He is pictured with his children, Nicholas and Chelsea.

PI&M Communications Specialist Melanie Reinhardt earned a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University.

Part-time Emergency Medical Technician faculty Angel Miller-Seger, left, and Julie Valerius earned Associate in Applied Science in Nursing Education degrees from SWIC.

#SWICGRAD – Plenty of graduates (and faculty) posted selfies using the hashtag swicgrad at the recent graduation ceremonies. These photos, along with highlight videos and photography from each ceremony, made sure the SWIC brand was well-represented on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The SWIC presence in Facebook newsfeeds alone was up 213 percent from the previous week. Check out all the videos at swic.edu.

GRADUATES CONTINUED:

President’s Office Administrative Assistant Teresa Valleroy had two nieces graduate with Associate in Arts degrees: Brittany Nicole Williams and Tiffany Renee Valleroy, who graduated with honors.

Cisco Networking Academy and Network Design and Administration Professor Steve Bushong’s daughter Bridget graduated from SWIC with her Associate in Arts degree.

Tyler Winfield, son of Associate Professor Cynthia Winfield graduated from SWIC with his Associate in Applied Science degree.

GRADUATION CELEBRATION – Student nurses celebrate their accomplishment at the Health Sciences Pinning Ceremony. More than 170 graduates received their pins at the annual ceremony held at St. Peter’s Cathedral in downtown Belleville.

GRADUATION GATHERING – From left, President Georgia Costello,Ph.D., Dr. Richard Lehman and graduate Jennifer Coverdell take a few minutes to chat before Commencement. Lehman is an orthopedic surgeon with the U.S. Center for Sports Medicine and served as the keynote speaker for the event. Coverdell was selected as the student speaker and graduated with honors and a 4.0 GPA.

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

Pay It Forward,

Georgia Costello, Ph.D.

Time for our school-year-end salute to all we’ve done well … and then some.

If You Build It … From LEED-Gold Certification for the expanded Liberal Arts Complex to grant funding for an $8.1 million early childhood education center that will break ground this summer, we’ve had another banner year construction-wise. Throw in the new Veterans & Career Services Center and continuing grant-funded Tech Ed equipment additions to the Industrial Technology Center at the Sam Wolf Granite City Campus and it’s easy to see why SWIC has the largest enrollment of military personnel and their dependents in the state and Tech Ed enrollment was way up last year. Additionally, renovations to the Financial Aid office provide a timesaving, streamlined approach to services as well as hands-on student center and eSTORM assistance.

The 800 Club … This year we had not just one, but TWO coaches reach the 800-win milestone. Head Basketball Coach Jay Harrington recorded his 800th junior college win at the end of the Blue Storm season. Harrington, a member of the NJCAA Hall of Fame, recently wrapped up his 36th season as head coach. Head Baseball Coach Neil Fiala recorded his 800th win at SWIC during a very successful season, where the team finished with a 30-18 record and advanced to the Region 24 finals. Congratulations to both of you for your dedication, time and support of our SWIC student-athletes. You are amazing coaches who take a great deal of pride in helping your athletes excel – both in the classroom and on the court/field.

Performing Arts … Not only are we known throughout the region for our top-notch education and training opportunities, but we also have quite the following in the performing arts world. This spring the Liberal Arts department hosted another successful Fine Arts Festival, complete with music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art shows. SWIC was also home to a unique arts experience. During “Art for the Ages,” guests were able to enjoy both the Senior Art Competition and High School Student Art Show on the Belleville Campus. Both shows were incredibly successful, and it was exciting for the college to be a part of something so special.

InfoShare 2.0 … Spring also saw the delivery of IT’s new InfoShare program for internal communication, offering improved knowledge management capabilities, new tools for collaborating, direct links to HR benefits and payroll information and the college calendar. Check it out at infoshare.swic.edu—Next month, you’ll find this column and all of Insider Chat right there.

Faculty Support … Every year, graduation week puts the dedication of our faculty on display. From the hugs and handshakes at the Health Sciences Pinning, to the emotional sense of gratitude at the GED Certification, to the high fives at Commencement ... anyone can see how much our faculty members mean to our students.

Thanks to all of you who were able to attend a ceremony or nominated a student to speak. Our chosen speaker, Jennifer Coverdell, received a nomination from two faculty members.

As she pointed out in her address, “With hard work, determination, and maybe a little stubbornness, we can do anything.”

I couldn’t agree more.

JUNE CALENDAR

4 – Exhibition Opening Reception Brian D. Smith: Passage and Occurrence, Leandra Spangler: Voyage and Adam West: Fauxtographs, 6-8 p.m., Schmidt Art Center, free admission

8 – Summer Classes begin

22-26 – SkillsUSA National Championships Louisville, Ky.

FROM THE BOARD

OF TRUSTEESAt the May meeting, the SWIC Board of Trustees:

• Accepteda$40,000grantrenewal from the City of Belleville and a $7,750 grant renewal from St. Clair Township to benefit ATS vehicle maintenance and operational costs.

• Accepteda$91,060RetiredSenior Volunteer Program grant renewal to benefit PSOP.

• Accepteda$14,029Illinois Cooperative Work Study grant renewal to benefit College Activities.

• Approvedthefull-time appointments of Dean of Math and Sciences Division Steve Holman; Belleville Campus Public Safety Supervisor John B. Runyon; Custodian Gregory Collier; and academic advisors Leon Fields, Katelyn Doughty, Amber Akins and Sara Fox.

“Regular Board Meeting Minutes” and “Other Board Minutes” are posted on swic.edu.

Click on “About Us” and “Board of Trustees.”

JUNECAMPUS BRIEFS

ALL CAMPUSESCalling All Administrators

Mandated Title IX and Violence Against Women Act Training

Mark Green and Sherry Favre, presenters

6/17–BCLA2311/13,9-10:30a.m.(Up to 70)

6/18 – BC LA 2311/13, 2:30-4 p.m. (Up to 70)

7/8 – SWGCC History Room, 2-3:30 p.m. (open first to administrators, then to other employees, up to 60)

7/9 – RBC Room 123, 2-3:30 p.m. (open first to administrators, then to other employees, up to 60)

Please obtain your supervisor’s approval prior to calling Shaletta Lewis at ext. 5120 to reserve your seat.

BELLEVILLE CAMPUSSummer may mean fun in the sun, but kids K-8 can still have a blast continuing their learning with College for Kids! From Kids Comedy to Chinese Cooking, exciting classes are being offered June 8-11, June 15-18, June22-15andJuly6-9.Visit swic.edu/community for a list of classes and to sign up. SWIC employees get a discount!

The William and Florence Schmidt Art Center brings you the works of Brian D. Smith, Leandra Spangler and Adam West in an exhibition that runs June 4 to July 30. Paintings, paper sculptures and photographs will be showcased. For full exhibition details and hours, check swic.edu/theschmidt.

If you are looking for a summer activity for your 6-8th grade or high school-aged student interested in art, check out the Summer Art Intensives available through The Schmidt. Intensives focus on drawing and illustration, painting and drawing, and 3D design. Learn more at swic.edu/theschmidt/education. To register for a session, visit schmidt.swic.edu/sac/classregistration.

Southwestern Illinois College’s mascot, Kashmir the Snow Leopard, will be featured in “Kashmir’s Call to the Bullpen” during the Gateway Grizzlies 2015 season.

Every time a relief pitcher is called into a Grizzlies game, one of two 30-second video spots featuring the SWIC mascot will play on GCS Ballpark’s 15-foot-by-30-foot video

board. The video board is also used to display instant replays, stats and more.

The SWIC promotional spots, produced by Fat Chimp Studios of St. Louis, will have live video of the incoming relief pitcher added each time it plays.

Check out one of the spots!

KASHMIR HITS THE BIG SCREEN

IN FLIGHT – The Schmidt Art Center welcomed Art on the Square in May for a reception in honor of Flight, a temporary outdoor sculpture installation by artist Dale Rogers, on exhibition at the Belleville Campus in conjunction with Belleville’s award-winning annual art show. The Flight exhibition, supported by a $20,000 PNC Arts Alive grant to Art on the Square, honored local military men and women. In attendance at the event were, front row, from left, Veterans Services Director David Paeth, Veterans Services Coordinator Bonnie Heuer, student veterans David McClintock and Anthony Bloodworth; and Belleville AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator Peter Dodge.

SWIC Mascot Teams Up with Gateway Grizzlies

CLEAN UP CREW – Faculty, staff and students volunteered to help clean up litter from the stream along the Dr. Tom Amlung Nature Trail at the Belleville Campus on Earth Day. Pictured are, from left, student Bryan Reed, Associate Professor of Biology Mike Marlen, student Bridget Talbot, Biology Professors Bob Weck, Cinnamon VanPutte and Randi Papke, volunteer Elisa Thomas, Biology Professors Corinne Carey and Mike Dyer, and Sustainability Center Administrative Assistant Brittany Merriman. The volunteers removed 18 bags of garbage from the stream.

OZONE GARDEN – SWIC Horticulture students and faculty planted the Ozone Garden recently at the Belleville Campus to help monitor changes in the ozone layer. Pictured are, from left, Horticulture student David Andrew, observer Elisa Thomas, Horticulture Program Coordinator Kurt Range, and Horticulture interns Steve Puckett and Sarah Farrenbach. Kelley Belina of Saint Louis University, not pictured, coordinates the installation of three area gardens and the collection of data from each. The plants growing in the Ozone Garden are sensitive to ozone air pollution and show damage when ozone levels are high. SWIC Horticulture students and interns collect data on the amounts of ozone leaf injury on the plants throughout the growing season and report the information to Belina. Get more information about the Ozone Garden.

FORE! – SWIC employees, family members and friends took advantage of the good weather at the annual Sam Wolf Granite City Campus Golf Scramble. Pictured are, from left, Rita Sax, Police Academy Deputy Director Bill Sax, Grant Wuller and Michelle Wuller. The scramble raised funds to support the SWIC Foundation Chuck Whitehead Sam Wolf Granite City Campus Scholarship.

FUTURE CEO – A dozen members of the Granite City High School Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities program showed off their products and services recently during the CEO Trade Show held at the SWGCC. Jamesha McClain, left, founder of Stuffed, sells one of her bears filled with candy to Pat Pou, SWGCC associate dean of Instructional Services. The goal of the CEO program is to transform the way high school students look at business and their future. Students tour local businesses, meet and learn from entrepreneurs, write business plans and ultimately develop their own small business in the program. The CEO Trade Show offered the students a chance to showcase their work.

SPECIAL VOLUNTEER

RECOGNITION

At the recent Foster Grandparent Program recognition luncheon, Board Trustee Eugene Verdu was surprised with a new volunteer award in his name. Shirley Henderson was honored to receive the first Eugene Verdu Volunteer Service Award. Pictured at the luncheon, from left, are Henderson, Verdu and Vice President for Community Services and Campus Operations Mark Eichenlaub, Ed.D.

PIE-A-COP – Students and employees donated money to see their three favorite Belleville Campus Public Safety Officers get a pie in the face. First place winner was Officer Marcy Barrows, pied by Barnes & Noble Store Manager Damon Mitchell’s son and guided by Officer Marc Ellington. Sgt. Christie Rasmussen and Chief Mark Green were the second and third place winners, respectively. Between the Dunk-a-Public-Safety-Officer and Pie-a-Cop events, the college community raised more than $350 for Special Olympics.

HELPING THE FIGHT– SWGCC College Activities Board members once again raised money for cancer research by selling pinwheels they displayed on World Cancer Day. The students visited the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis to present the donation. Pictured are, front row, from left, Josephine Omohundro of Granite City and Brittany Newsome of Madison; back row, from left, Interim Executive Director of Development Todd Amrein; Development Coordinator Marcy Knibb; Lindsey Frazier of Granite City; Director of Community Relations & Events Mueriel Carp; Assistant Director of Development Lauryn Gibbs; and Allison Dixon of Cahokia.

ELVIS IS IN THE BUILDING! – PSOP Activities Coordinator Melissa Winkeler, right, and Mary Crook get ready to greet Elvis at the annual Senior Celebration. The event theme was “PSOP is Legendary!” and included special guests Elvis, Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash.

HONORING OUR FALLEN Corporal Sara Medina of Aurora, United States

Marine Corps

Memorial Day

In May, the United States flag and the state flag

were flown at half-staff in honor and remembrance of:

FACULTY MEMBER OF THE YEAR – Associate Professor of the Medical Assistant Program Howard Gunning, center, received the award for 2014-15 Faculty Member of the Year at theMayboardoftrustee’smeeting.Gunning,whohasservedatthecollegesince1998,is pictured with, from left, Medical Assistant Program Coordinator Dana Woods, Dean of Health Sciences and Homeland Security Programs Julie Muertz, Gunning’s wife, Pat, Radiologic Technology Coordinator Rhonda Kern and Radiologic Technology Associate Professor Larry Wheeler.

PHENOMENAL PARTNERSHIP – Illinois Department of Employment Securities Director Jeff Mays, center, and Business Services Manager John Otey, second from right, recently stopped by the Veterans and Career Services center to check out the facility and meet with Veterans Services Coordinator Bonnie Heuer, left, and Director David Paeth. Mays called the IDES-SWIC Veterans Services connection a phenomenal partnership.

DEMONSTRATING SWIC-CESS – Industrial Technology Coordinator Mark Bosworth speaks about college technical training facilities and the success of the 2014 SWIC Manufacturing Day Celebration during the National Tooling and Machining Association meeting held recently at the SWGCC Industrial Technology Center. NTMA members and regional manufacturers visited the campus, toured the PMT labs, learned about Industrial Technology programs and enjoyed a dinner provided by Culinary Arts.

SKILLS USA SUCCESS – Three technical education students won medals in the recent Illinois SkillsUSA competition. Pictured are, from left, Chuck Byer of Red Bud, Ashley Robinson of Wood River and Matt Drost of Maryville. Byer placed first in CNC Milling and second in CNC Turning; Robinson placed first in CNC Turning, first in CNC Technician and third in CNC Milling; and Drost placed second in CNC Milling and third in CNC Turning. All three will go on to compete at the national SkillsUSA competition this June in Louisville.

Got something to talk about? Email kathryn.dahlmann@swic.edu.

SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT

AU REVOIR – Adult Education Instructor Mary Olsen, left, is one of three ABE instructors who are retiring. Vice President for Community Services Mark Eichenlaub recognized Olsen and colleagues Carol Gaa, Kathy McElroy and Deb Ross at the 2015 GED Certification Ceremony for their commitment to the students and the program.

IN AN ABE DECADE – Adult Education Instructor Marla Smith received special recognition for 10 years of service as an ABE instructor during the 2015 GED Certification Ceremony. Instructor Susan Tyler also reached that milestone, though she was unable to attend the ceremony.

ACADEMIC HONORS

Board of Trustees Chairman Nick Mance, left, and Coordinator of College Activities and Theatre Operations Jeff Blue, right, present the 2015 PTK All-Illinois Academic Team certificates to students and Phi Theta Kappa – Theta Epsilon Chapter members Denae Cherry of O’Fallon, second from left, and Janeece Woodson of Shiloh. The students were honored for their academic achievements at a ceremony in Springfield. Students eligible for this accolade must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and be graduates from the 2014-15 academic year.

FIRST-TIME AUTHOR – Professor of Psychology Catina Williams, Ph.D., published her first book “Foolish Wishes” under the pseudonym Treese Campbell. Pick up a copy on Amazon!

PASSING THE TORCH – The leadership torch in Print Services was passed this summer from former director Tom Campbell, left, to new manager Robert Hall. The two are pictured at Campbell’s retirement reception. Campbell had worked at SWIC 14 years, five of those as Print Services Manager.

NEW JOB TITLE: RETIREE

ADIEU – IT Security Analyst Jane Graham said goodbye to SWIC May29aftermorethan32yearsofservice.Graham,whoplansto travel, is pictured with IT co-workers Per Hagstrom, Austin Winkleman, Ron Durrer and Lon Feuerhelm.

FOND FAREWELL – After 17 years of service, Physical Plant Administrative Services Assistant Beckie Stimpson bid a fond farewell to co-workers and college friends. Surrounding Stimpson, center, are, front row, Physical Plant staff Darnell Dixon and, back row, Jeff McCoy, Dewey Houston, Bob Ott and James Gunter.

BEGINS A NEW CHAPTER – For this former student worker and alumna,a29-yearcareerflewbyintheblinkofaneye.RetiringHuman Resources HRIS Specialist Dana Schneebeli says goodbye to Functional Analyst Jim Braden.