Sheridan CollegeCollege and Community Magazine

A magazine for the Sheridan area and friends of Sheridan College. Volume Five

2015

Come see what’s happening on campus today at Sheridan College!

Northern Wyoming Community College District prohibits discrimination in employment, educational programs, and activities on the basis of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preference. The District also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to its facilities. Inquiries concerning Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Section 504, and Americans with Disabilities Act may be referred to the Vice President for Administration, Cheryl Heath, NWCCD’s Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator, Human Rights Officer, (307) 674-6446. Inquiries also may be made to the Office of Civil Rights, U. S. Department of Education, Federal Building, Suite 310, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Denver, CO 80204-3582; 303-844-3417; or TDD 303-844-3417. This publication will be provided in an alternative format upon request.

It’s an exciting spring season at Sheridan College!

With the early spring weather we’re getting, thousands of bulbs planted last fall are beginning to bloom around our newly renovated and expanded Thorne-Rider Campus Center, the Whitney Mall and many other spots on campus.

Spring flowers aren’t the only things coming out of the ground these days at SC. Work is also beginning on the next phase of badly needed renovation and expansion to several campus facilities, including the new Whitney Center for the Arts. We have worked extensively with the faculty of the visual and performing arts departments, along with architects and acoustical engineers to design a truly state-of-the-art center that will house expanded classroom and faculty office space, separate choral, instrumental rehearsal and recital rooms, art galleries, and a concert hall with a stage large enough to host ballets, symphonies, operas and other musical performances. We are grateful to Whitney Benefits for their generosity in funding this and many other projects on our campus.

We are also about to break ground on our new Mars Agriculture Center. This cutting-edge learning center is being made possible by a lead gift from Forrest and Jacomien Mars and another gift from Whitney Benefits. With expanded classroom and office space, and an exciting commodities trading simulation lab, our Ag students will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the business side of Agriculture, as well as continue studying with the finest faculty in areas like Natural Resources and Ranch Land Management.

The Wyoming Legislature has approved $270,000 in planning funds to complete Level II design work on our Technical Education Center — a project we have been working hard to fund for a number of years. Here again, Whitney Benefits has helped by pledging $6 million toward the project and we will be asking the state for $6.5 million in the upcoming budget session to allow us to proceed with this long overdue project.

These upgrades to our campus are coming just in time. Our enrollment has increased nearly 75 percent in the past decade and we will soon begin to see the impact of increased numbers of students graduating from Wyoming high schools, a number that is projected to grow by 40 percent in the coming decade.

Thank you to the residents of Sheridan County for all you are doing to help us meet this demand! Please enjoy this issue of Sheridan College: College and Community Magazine, where you’ll learn about your college and your students!

Sincerely,

Paul R. Young, Ph.D.

Message from the President

A magazine for the Sheridan area and friends of Sheridan College.

Sheridan College President:Dr. Paul Young

Sheridan College Board of Trustees:Kati Sherwood, Chair

Norleen Healy, Vice ChairJerry Iekel, Secretary

Robert Leibrich, TreasurerBruce HoffmanR. Scott Ludwig

Walt Wragge

Editor: Wendy Smith

Contributors: Daniel Mediate & Kara Bacon

Photography & Design:Dennis Jacobs

Sheridan CollegeCollege and Community Magazine

Volume Five2015

The College and Community Magazine is an annual publication produced by the Sheridan College Marketing and Public Information Office. All rights reserved. Excerpts from this magazine may be reprinted with permission, provided appropriate credit is given to Sheridan College and copies of the reprinted material are given to Sheridan College.

Contact Sheridan College at: 307.674.6446 or visit SC online at: www.sheridan.edu

Cover photo: Sheridan College construction technology students Hayden Durch, left, and Reno Skinner prepare an opening to accent a new window in a house on Poplar Trail in December. SC students partner with Habitat for Humanity to build homes each year.

I N S I D EChris LeDoux’s legacy lives on at Sheridan College ..............................................5Art Club provides unique experience, friendly environment ..............................6Construction students build homes, bright futures ..............................................9Sarah Rawlings shines on the court, in the classroom ........................................ 10Sheridan College Foundation update .................................................................12-13In-depth Agriculture program growing, thriving ................................................. 15Community empowers Dental Hygiene program................................................. 16College supports veterans with credit for prior learning ................................... 18Alumnus Ken Thorpe supports college, community ........................................... 21Sheridan College recognizes excellence ................................................................. 22Sheridan College Fast Facts .......................................................................................23

Dr. Paul Young

Check out College and Community Magazine online at:

www.sheridan.edu/scmagazine

5www.sheridan.edu

Chris LeDoux’s legacy lives on at Sheridan College

Long before he became one of country music’s biggest stars, and before he rodeoed his way to a national championship buckle, Chris LeDoux was a student at Sheridan College.

LeDoux attended Sheridan College from 1968-69 and was a member of the rodeo team. He was named Sheridan College Student of the Month in May 1969, the same year he claimed the bareback title at the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association finals in Deadwood, South Dakota.

Over the next 30-plus years, LeDoux went on to record dozens of hit songs and touch countless lives with his genuine spirit and true cowboy way. In March 2005, LeDoux died at age 56, due to a rare form of cancer. LeDoux lived in Kaycee with his wife Peggy and their five children, Clay, Ned, Will, Cindi and Beau.

In October 2014, the Sheridan College Board of Trustees voted to name the road leading to the college’s new arena ‘Chris LeDoux Way,’ locally cementing the lasting impact the country music star and rodeo athlete had in Wyoming and across the nation.

‘Chris LeDoux Way’ leads through the Wrench Ranch to Sheridan College’s AgriPark, a large animal science facility and arena on the north end of Sheridan. Construction was completed in November. The AgriPark, resting on land donated to the college by philanthropist and artist Neltje, is now home to the Sheridan College men’s and women’s rodeo teams.

“We are thrilled to take the opportunity to honor and recognize Chris LeDoux — a truly talented man who made a difference across the country as well as right here at Sheridan College,” said Dr. Paul Young, SC president. “Mr. LeDoux’s family has given us their blessing and we are looking forward to ‘Chris LeDoux Way’ leading to our new rodeo arena.”

With members of the LeDoux family in attendance, Sheridan College officials dedicated the road during the AgriPark open house ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014. Hundreds of community members attended the event.

“I went to the Chris LeDoux website and I lost a couple hours reading all these comments by people all over Wyoming, all over America, all over Canada, all over the world, who were touched and affected by Chris LeDoux,” Dr. Young said during the ceremony. “I am so pleased and happy that the family is going to allow us to recover that legacy and make that spirit part of this college going forward. Because believe me, what I learned about what he stood for and what he represented, that’s what this college stands for and that’s what we represent.”

After college, LeDoux went on to compete professionally and claimed the bareback title at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City in 1976. While competing on the pro circuit, LeDoux launched his career as a musician, selling records out of the back of his truck.

LeDoux’s spirit lives on today in the Sheridan community and especially within the Sheridan College rodeo teams, as the men’s team finished fourth at the 2014 College National Finals Rodeo, under the direction of head coach Marc Gilkerson.

“Chris LeDoux’s spirit enlivens what we do here at Sheridan College,” Dr. Young said.

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Art Club provides unique experience, friendly environment

Sitting around one of the tables inside the Thorne-Rider Campus Center, four Sheridan College students explained their love of art, their past experiences and future goals.

As February’s afternoon sun peaked over the Bighorn Mountains, the students laughed and thought, smiled and expounded.

“Art has helped me think about my personal culture, being Native American, and man’s interaction with the world. I’ve noticed I make a lot of work based on nature’s interaction with man,” said sophomore Tyshon Bird. “Art has really changed my perspective on world subjects, world views, how I view films, literature. It’s really changed a lot for me.”

“Art has really helped me find who I am,” freshman Jandey Shackelford said. “Through art, you can express yourself and you can do subjects that you may not want to talk about but you want to make art about.”

Bird, from Dayton, and Shackelford, from Gillette, are two of the many students excelling in Sheridan College’s dynamic Art program. Bird and Shackelford, as well as Peytin Brisch of Gillette and Alex Eisele of Big Horn are members of the SC Art Club, a 15-member student group on campus.

“The Art Club is open for all the art students to come together. If you need help on a project, you can come to anyone in the Art Club,” Eisele said. “The goal is to build a community. We do fun things, like watch art documentaries, have movie nights, work on homework, go on hikes.”

Students in the Art Club have ‘Slide Days’ each semester, setting up cameras and lighting to take pictures of their artwork. The students use the photos to build their portfolios to apply for scholarships. The Art Club also hosts student art shows.

“Art helps you go into yourself,” Eisele said. “It’s communication; it’s another way to talk to people.”

Each student values art for different reasons. Their favorite projects and classes contrast, from Digital Media to Painting. But they strive together in a common pursuit of expression.

“It’s really cool because you will make art and you will find something out about yourself that you didn’t realize that’s deep down,” Brisch explained.

Many SC art students will graduate with Fine Arts degrees and transfer to the University of Wyoming to pursue Bachelor’s degrees — their goals ultimately set on prestigious, nationwide graduate programs. Sheridan College’s innovative Art faculty, Rod Dugal, Tawni Shuler and Jason Lanka, are catalysts to students’ success.

“The teachers are great. They are really personable,” Bird said. “I’ve noticed that it’s really helped with my skills. I’ve heard from other art students at other universities with larger classes, it’s very hard to get that one-on-one time; it’s harder for their skills to develop. Whereas with the instructors here, they will help you out and work with you, that way you gain the experience.”

Students studying Fine and Performing Arts at Sheridan College will move into the new Whitney Center for the Arts in fall 2016. The 60,000 square-foot, cutting-edge facility will replace the north end of the Whitney Building on campus.

“The Whitney Center for the Arts,” Lanka said, “will give us the space and the expanded technologies needed to compete with every institution on a national level.” A

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Construction students build homes, bright futures

For the past 10 years, students enrolled in Sheridan College’s Construction Technology program have learned and practiced the necessary skills for carpentry and homebuilding.

The program presents students the opportunity to use a construction site as their classroom, building real homes in real time.

“I like how hands-on the program is,” said student Curtis Garn. “We learn so much and we get to practice the skills we learn.”

This year’s group of students have fine-tuned their skills while building a home on Poplar Trail in Sheridan, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

“It’s great to be using our time to build Habitat for Humanity homes for people. It helps them out a lot and it helps us because we get to work on the construction process and learn as we go,” said Garn, a sophomore from Mountain View.

Sheridan College has partnered with Habitat for Humanity for the past seven years.

“It’s a great partnership,” said SC faculty Josh Michelena. “Some of our students have a background in construction and really get to practice their skills. Some students who are newer to the field get the opportunity to learn and enhance their skills.”

Students in the program help build multiple houses each year, under the leadership of skilled instructors and industry professionals.

“With the help of SC Construction Tech students, Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Bighorns has built more homes annually than any other Habitat in the region,” said local Habitat executive director Matthew Davis.

Garn has aided in the construction of three houses during his two years at Sheridan College.

“It’s incredible to me to look at our first-year students working on their first house to the third house we are working on now and to see the difference in pace and skill-quality,” he said. “It’s great to see how much we have learned. I like to turn around at the end of the day and say, ‘Wow, I just built that.’ It’s really rewarding.”

Michelena, who has been part of the program since its inception a decade ago, guides students through the construction process, from start to finish. Courses in the Construction Technology program include carpentry, surveying, job estimation, building design and layout, and project scheduling.

“We try to hit on all the aspects of carpentry,” Michelena said. “The program is designed to prepare students for real-world positions in the construction field.”

Sheridan College students can earn both a Certificate of Completion and Associate of Applied Science in Construction Technology. Garn plans to graduate this year and continue working toward a journeyman’s license. He hopes to become a general contractor.

“I love the college here. My teacher in high school said, ‘Look at Sheridan College and see what you think.’ So I came here and checked it out. It was hands-down, this is where I’m going to college,” he said. “I would recommend it to anyone.”

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Sarah Rawlings shines on the court, in the classroom

Sarah Rawlings smiles when she notices the dozens who travel from the Ranchester area to watch her play basketball inside the iconic Bruce Hoffman Golden Dome.

She can hear the enthusiasm of her parents, their cheers forming a concert of support for the Sheridan College Generals freshman point guard.

“It’s great to be playing college basketball so close to where I grew up,” said Rawlings, from Parkman. “I have so many fans who come to the games and a lot of little kids come in and they all bring their friends. It’s like being at home, but in a whole new environment with a new team. It means a lot to me to have the support.”

Rawlings, a 2014 graduate of Tongue River High School, has been an integral part of head coach Frank McCarthy’s squad. As a ball-handler, she helped the Generals rank in the top 15 in the nation in assists per game this season, according to the NJCAA.

“Sarah is like a quarterback on the floor,” said McCarthy. “She understands the game so well. She understands the point guard position. She comes from a great program at Tongue River.

She’s used to winning, playing on the big stage.”

Rawlings has smoothly transitioned from playing for legendary Tongue River girls’ basketball coach Dianne Moser to a nationally recognized collegiate program.

“Being a part of the team is great. Whenever you are on the court, it’s a lot of fun knowing you

are playing that well, and if you’re on the sideline, it’s fun because you are cheering for your teammates,” Rawlings said. “We have great team chemistry.”

Rawlings is studying engineering at Sheridan College, propelling forward the national agenda for more women in STEM-related careers — Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Science and math come naturally to her.

“I figured I would use that to my advantage,” Rawlings said. “One of my substitute teachers in high school was an engineer. The way she knew numbers, I figured that’s what I wanted to be, too.”

Rawlings’ coursework includes Statics and Calculus II; she took college-level calculus in high school.

“School comes first,” she said. “I will try to continue playing after I’m done at Sheridan College; I would love to. But, I’m going to focus on school.”

Rawlings is motivated by excellence in athletics and in the classroom, by her supportive family and the wake of her late sister. Aspen Rawlings, a standout prep basketball player herself, died in a rock-climbing accident in 2011.

“She always played point guard. I think I took after her playing the position,” said Rawlings, who credited family as her driving force, providing her pillars to chase her blossoming future.

“My parents are my biggest fans,” she said. “They motivate me a lot.”

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“My parents are my biggest fans. They motivate me a lot.”

Community supports Sheridan College students… SC Foundation puts donors’ contributions to work

Leadership scholarship makes a difference

As a new student at Sheridan College, Bobbi Mitzel quickly emerged as the type of student who makes a difference. Her unique talents make her a deserving recipient of the C.R. Gibbs Leadership Scholarship. Bobbi is modest about her accomplishments; she would not self-identify as a great student (despite her 3.75 GPA as a Criminal Justice major with an emphasis in Victim Advocacy at Sheridan College) or a leader who inspires others to live up to their potential or even someone who volunteers her time in the community.

The C.R. Gibbs Leadership Scholarship was established by Frankie Gillen Gibbs in honor of her husband C.R. Gibbs, a 1961 Sheridan College graduate, in recognition of his leadership as Student Body

President in 1960-61. Mr. Gibbs left a legacy of helping others, respectfully asking the difficult questions and living an adventurous life. “He taught those around him to ask questions, to read between the lines, be ever observant, to take risks, but never take the little things for granted,” Frankie Gillen Gibbs said. This scholarship is awarded to a Sheridan College Foundation Student Partner who has been an active participant and demonstrates leadership.

Contributions encourage innovation

Donors’ unrestricted contributions funded more than $111,000 to Faculty Staff and Opportunity Grants at Sheridan College. Established in 2007, Faculty Staff Grants have been awarded to 48 applicants on a competitive basis to support and encourage innovation and opportunity, and address budget shortfalls.

The great response from Sheridan College employees inspired a second round of spring granting in 2011 called the Opportunity Grants. Since then, 26 projects have been awarded funds.

Projects funded by the grants include a paperless grading system for Dental Hygiene; CPR equipment to provide Career and Technical Education students with First Aid and CPR training; research opportunities for students; the Side-Car Project to help students excel in the Writing Center; visiting artists and performers in the Fine Arts; laptop computers for checkout in the Kooi Library; an anatomy and physiology model in the science programs; pharmacology curriculum development in nursing; equipment purchases in the technical programs and music technology; and travel opportunities for students to industry conferences.

Gifts from our donors provided:

$540,000 in scholarships

for 424 students,

$2.4 million in purchased items and $1.2 million in program services

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Employees collaborate using technology funded through a SC Foundation staff grant.

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Foundation supports student activitiesWith the help of SC Foundation grants, the Innominate

House at Sheridan College opened its doors to the SC Outdoor Gear Rental program, managed by students. The building also provides classroom space, as well as office and meeting space for the Outdoor Adventure Club, which hosts clinics, lectures, presentations and more. The facility is frequently used by student groups for meetings and studying. Extensive upgrades to the building were required and a collaborative campus effort involving Construction Technology and Welding students got the job done with help from donor contributions to purchase the materials.

Students chose the name of the Innominate House because it draws from local outdoor grandeur and is the name of the fifth highest peak in the Bighorn Mountains. The Innominate, which means “no name,” was first climbed by Walter and A. Willcox in 1933.

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Support Higher Education

Ways to Give:Sheridan College Foundation3059 Coffeen Avenue Sheridan, WY 82801 307.674.6446, ext. 4301800.913.9139, ext. 4301www.sheridancollegefoundation.org

There are many different giving opportunities available at Sheridan College. Our Foundation staff will work together with you and your advisers to formulate a plan for your gift to the College. Your gift makes a difference to Sheridan College

students, providing opportunities to pursue their educational goals. Thanks to you, our generous donors, Sheridan College Foundation is providing scholarships, cutting edge technology and resources — all to ensure our students’ success.

• Annual Gifts• Endowment Gifts• Planned Giving• Matching Gifts

• Gifts of Tangible Property• Bequests• Life Insurance• Memorial & Honor Gifts

The Sheridan College Outdoor Adventure Club enjoys a ski trip to Red Lodge, Montana.

Students check out ski equipment at the Innominate House.

In-depth Agriculture program growing, thriving

As a high school student in Worland, Karyn Rieger joined the Range Judging team, part of Future Farmers of America. She traveled the region, competing across Wyoming, Utah, Oklahoma and Montana.

Rieger knew she wanted to study agriculture in college.

“I asked my Ag teacher in high school where is a good school and she said Sheridan College. I’m glad I came here,” Rieger said. “I like the Ag program here. Out of all the community colleges in the state, I think Sheridan College offers the most.”

Rieger, a sophomore studying Ag Business, as well as Natural Resources and Ranch Land Management, plans to graduate in May with two Associate degrees and head to the University of Wyoming with the goal of becoming a high school teacher.

“The Ag instructors at Sheridan College really help you out,” Rieger said. “They’re great. As a student, you’re not just a number. You get to know your instructors.”

The Natural Resources and Ranch Land Management program includes a practicum, where students work 40 hours throughout the semester with a natural resources agency of their choice. The practicum was a highlight for Rieger, who worked with the Sheridan County Conservation District and presented on water quality at the Wyoming Association for Conservation Districts’ meeting in Sheridan.

“Through this practicum, Karyn gained valuable field time with professionals who provided her with a real-life learning experience,” said Keith Klement, SC director of agriculture. “She has been a great student to have here at Sheridan College.”

Rieger and then-sophomore Julia Collins took top honors in the Rangeland Cup poster competition at the Wyoming Society of Range Management, held at Sheridan College in November 2013. The duo presented on the impact of removing Russian olive from rangelands and the effects on adjacent land users.

Rieger was also one of five SC students to attend the Society of Range Management’s national conference in Florida in 2014. Rieger participated in the Undergraduate Range Management and Range Plant Identification exams, as well as the Rangeland Cup poster competition, in which Rieger and Collins placed fourth.

“It was a really great experience because you get to interact with professionals and see the broad spectrum of jobs you can go into, as well as see different parts of the country and how their rangelands differ,” Rieger said.

Klement took three students to this year’s national conference in Sacramento, California. Sheridan College was the only two-year institution competing in the exams and presentations.

For the past five years, Klement has helped guide the Agriculture program at Sheridan College into nationally recognized waters. The program has grown significantly over the past decade and will soon find a new home, the Mars Agriculture Center, slated to open in fall 2016.

“The new building will be great for students,” Rieger said. “It will also encourage students to look more into the Ag programs at Sheridan College.”

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Community empowers Dental Hygiene program

The responsibility to serve the public drives many of the professions within the health care industry. It is also a vital component of Sheridan College’s Dental Hygiene program.

Students, under the guidance of the program’s faculty, staff and area dentists, support and give back to the community through the college’s Dental Hygiene Clinic. Students use their skills to provide a variety of oral health services to community members, fellow college students, veterans and so many more, at little or no cost.

“The clinic and community service dynamics of the program are very valuable to our students,” said Janine Sasse-Englert, Sheridan College’s director of dental hygiene. “It is part of what we are expected to do as a health profession — to give back to the community. It is what sets a profession apart from a job.”

The clinic hosts several community-focused events throughout the academic year, including Give Kids a Smile Day and Kindergarten Day, where youngsters from across Sheridan County visit

the clinic as a friendly introduction to dentistry.

“The clinical experience is my favorite part of the program. I think it’s the most important part because you get to use all the skills you’re going to use every day for work,” said student Jamie Barnett, who will graduate this year. “The faculty and staff are really helpful and get you on the right track of what you need to do.”

Sheridan College established its Dental Hygiene program in the late 1960s. The program partnered with the University of Wyoming in the 1980s to provide an on-campus path to a Bachelor of Science, in addition to the Associate of Applied Science.

Barnett, from Gillette, is one of the many students who will attain a Bachelor’s degree. She hopes to stay in Wyoming for work, and ultimately pursue a Master’s in Public Health.

“When students graduate, they will find the work schedule for dental hygienists is flexible and the salary is very attractive. They can support themselves as dental hygienists,” Sasse-Englert said. “For Sheridan College, the Bachelor’s degree option is a feather in our cap because it gives our graduates a wide variety of job opportunities.”

Each year, students from Wyoming, Montana and the Dakotas fill the 24-seat program, ready to embrace the rigorous course of study after completing a list of prerequisites. The graduation rate consistently tops 90 percent, said Sasse-Englert, who is both an administrator and instructor.

“When students are in the program, we see them day in and day out and develop very good mentoring relationships with them,” Sasse-Englert said. “That’s my favorite part about being an instructor.”

Sasse-Englert has been an integral part of the program for two decades and took over as director in 2014.

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Morgan Peterson works with a patient and instructor June Biss at Sheridan College.

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College supports veterans with credit for prior learning

Each year, more than 75 U.S. military veterans transition into student life at Sheridan College. They bring experience and knowledge into the classrooms on campus. Now, Sheridan College is rewarding them with credit for prior learning, streamlining their path to degrees and certificates.

“Credit for prior learning is a measurement of learning that someone has done outside the classroom that can be applied toward college credit,” said John Sutton, Sheridan College’s credit for prior learning advisor. “Credit for prior learning gives veterans more incentive to pursue a degree and stay in school and complete.”

In 2014, Sheridan College awarded 130 credits to veterans, up from 12 credits in 2010. Sheridan College’s credit for prior learning program, aligning with the national agenda to increase completion rates, is highlighted by the college’s Personal Wellness course.

In fall 2013, student veterans petitioned college officials to receive wellness credit for completing Basic Training while in the military. After comparing learning outcomes of both the college’s Personal Wellness course and Basic Training in all branches of the military, the college approved one wellness credit for veterans.

“We want students to complete; we want them to be motivated,” said Sutton, a graduate of New York University and the University of California-Berkeley. “Credit for prior learning allows us to validate the experiences they have had outside the classroom.”

Sheridan College, following extensive research paralleling various military occupational specialties to the college’s academic core competencies, is also awarding Diesel Technology credit to veterans who have experience in mechanics.

“The college evaluates each veteran’s military transcript to determine if any military courses or training meet specific course requirements, and then award the credit,” said Brett Burtis, director of veteran services at SC. “Student veterans can also use CLEP exams, industry certifications, challenge exams or portfolios to show they have met a course’s learning outcomes.”

There are numerous benefits for students who receive credit for prior learning, Burtis added, as it cuts costs from tuition, fees and books, and time spent taking courses, which can provide a more attainable road to completion.

“Our student veterans deserve academic credit when they can show their previous work experience is equivalent to our program requirements,” said Dr. Richard Hall, SC vice president of academic affairs. “Their chances of success increase when the time to degree completion is shortened.”

A number of student veterans have said receiving credit for prior learning has helped them. Studies have also shown that students who receive credit for life experiences not only have markedly higher persistence rates, but higher GPAs as well, Sutton said. Sheridan College’s goal is to open the credit for prior learning initiative to adult learners who bring relevant experience to campus.

“We are on the cutting edge for colleges in Wyoming in regards to credit for prior learning,” Sutton said. “As the college continues to explore innovative ways to facilitate students’ success, we will have more students earning certificates and degrees here. And, that’s a bonus for the college and for Wyoming.”

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Alumnus Ken Thorpe supports college, community

Both a graduate and champion of Sheridan College, Ken Thorpe takes pride when work beckons on campus.

Thorpe, manager of Powder River Heating and Air Conditioning, has been part of several construction and renovation projects at Sheridan College. His team will also be integral in the development of the new Whitney Center for the Arts and the Mars Agriculture Center at Sheridan College.

“We enjoy it. Everyone at the college here is great to work with. It’s great to work at a place where I went to school as a student and now I teach out here,” said Thorpe, who grew up between Sheridan and southeastern Montana. “I am pretty involved with the college. Sometimes I feel it is a home away from home.”

Thorpe has been with Powder River, which has offices in Sheridan, Buffalo and Gillette, since 2006 and helped establish Sheridan College’s Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) program, a four-year academic path born from collaboration between the college, the community and local businesses. Thorpe is an adjunct instructor in the program.

“The HVAC program allows an apprentice to come through a certified program and get his journeyman’s card, which is what we need, more journeymen in the trade,” Thorpe said. “We are giving students an avenue to get into the trades and get a journeyman’s card a lot easier. It’s one more way Sheridan College is listening to the community and its needs.”

Thorpe openly shares his affinity for the college. With the variety of events, active campus and community involvement, Thorpe, who recently served as board president of the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce, said he enjoys being a part of Sheridan College.

“The college is very accessible,” he said. “The campus makes so many opportunities available to the community. We wouldn’t have had opportunities like last year’s Insight Lecture Series if it wasn’t for Sheridan College and the Sheridan College Foundation. That’s just one of the many things the college makes available to the community.”

Thorpe graduated with a degree in music in the early 1990s, under the mentorship of Gib Leibinger, the late, well-respected Sheridan College faculty member. Thorpe attributes his passion for music and theater — he’s been involved with multiple shows at the Carriage House — to his mother, who is deeply involved in the arts. His family also includes electricians, carpenters and construction professionals, leading him to his career in the trades.

“I’ve been around construction my whole life. I was remodeling houses with my dad when I was a kid,” Thorpe said. “Construction was always close to me. I started working for Prill Brothers here in town 15 years ago. That’s how I got into the trades and took off with it. I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Thorpe said he’s amazed at the growth of Sheridan College since his time as a student. As a community member and industry professional, Thorpe said he’s thankful for the college’s commitment to the area.

“The college has been a great supporter of the community. The college realizes its role in town,” he said. “It’s a huge economic force in the community.”

21www.sheridan.edu

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22www.sheridan.edu

Sheridan College Recognizes ExcellenceEach year the Northern Wyoming Community College District recognizes several outstanding students, staff and faculty. Through the Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees (WACCT) and the American Technical Education Association (ATEA), we celebrate the accomplishments of several members of our college community for the 2014-15 academic year. These individuals have demonstrated excellence in their chosen area, contributed to the college, served in their community and led innovative change and improvement in the College District.

WACCT Student of the Year Nominee: Garrett KeySheridan College music student Garrett Key, originally from Wyoming, is a wonderfully curious student, and is always eager to assimilate new musical knowledge and techniques, Sheridan College music instructors have raved.

WACCT Classified Employee of the Year Nominee and State Winner: Zack HouckZack Houck, Sheridan College Grounds Supervisor, has accomplished amazing things since taking over as grounds manager. Last year he took it upon himself to try for a very prestigious and difficult to obtain designation from the Arbor Day Foundation, Tree Campus USA. Thanks to Zack, Sheridan College is the first campus in the state of Wyoming to receive this designation.

WACCT Professional Employee of the Year Nominee: Jenni WinterJenni Winter is the Director of Finance and Operations at Gillette College. She oversees the business operations, which include preparing and managing all department and campus budgets. Additionally, Jenni has made a positive impact on the college’s culture. She was involved in creating the Campus Spirit Award, a traveling trophy for departments who demonstrate the most campus spirit and enthusiasm for Gillette College at various events.

WACCT Faculty Member of the Year Nominee: Wendy OstlindWendy Ostlind, part of the college’s nursing faculty, was the nominee for Faculty of the Year. She is one of those rare individuals who, when she sees an area of need or of lack, will not sit idly by; rather, she will seek opportunities to fill the need, or if necessary, build from the ground up programs and curriculum that will meet the lack, her colleagues have said.

WACCT Trustee Leadership Award Nominee: Walter WraggeTrustee Wragge Walter, well respected and oft-reelected, has brought over four decades of his education career to the benefit of the Northern Wyoming Community College District faculty, staff, and most importantly, its students.

WACCT Foundation Volunteer of the Year Nominee: Kelly BarlowKelly Barlow is the treasurer of the Gillette College Foundation Board of Directors. Her commitment to our community and Gillette College is truly inspiring. She puts her commitment to Gillette College first and always schedules her time to accommodate board meetings, committee meetings and events. Kelly’s hard work, dedication and enthusiasm are evident in her community service and service to the Gillette College Foundation.

ATEA Faculty of the Year Nominee: John SikkengaJohn Sikkenga has guided Sheridan College’s Diesel Technology program for 25 years. He worked in the industry for 17 years before joining the college district. John has been able to build and maintain a program that is respected by industry partners and sought after by students. John has been an outstanding instructor, a great club advisor and a mentor to students.

ATEA Student of the Year Nominee: Bailey LongBailey Long, of Enning, South Dakota, is Gillette College’s nominee for Student of the Year, from the American Technical Education Association. Bailey will graduate with an Associate degree in Diesel Technology in May 2015. He earned a degree in Welding in 2014. Bailey spent the previous two summers excelling in large-scale mining repair jobs for L&H Industrial of Gillette.

Garrett Key

Wendy Ostlind

Jenni Winter

Kelly Barlow

Bailey Long

Zack Houck

Walter Wragge

John Sikkenga

State appropriation 65%Tuition & Fees 25%Local appropriation 10%

Economic ImpactFY14 Operating Budget ....................$27,346,467Full-time Employees.......................................... 197Part-time Employees ......................................... 147

Funding Sources for FY14 Operating Budget

State Appropriations

65%

Tuition& Fees

25%

Local Taxes 10%

Student Characteristics Fall 2014

Average Age ..............................................................25

Average Student Load (credit hours) Part-time ...........................................................4.5

Full-time ......................................................... 14.7

Gender ................................ 41% Male, 59% Female

From Wyoming ................................................... 85%

From Sheridan County ...................................... 59%

On-Campus Living Capacity ............................ 400

Sheridan College offers 56 programs of study with 446 certificates & degrees awarded in the 2013-14 academic year.

In-State Tuition & Fees for one Academic Year at

Sheridan College are $2,952 (30 credit hours)

23www.sheridan.edu

Sheridan College Fast Facts

This publication is made possible by a generous donation from the Sheridan College Foundation. Sheridan College Foundation Directors: Cindy Shoop (president), Bill Rohrbaugh (vice-president), John D. Pearson (treasurer), Trish Davis (secretary), Patrick Barker, Val Burgess, Susie Cannon, Matt Ebzery, Everett McGlothlin, Casey D. Osborn, Annette Rinaldo-Beisher, Kati Sherwood, Anthony Spiegelberg, Sandra Wallop, and Dr. Paul Young.

Annualized 2003-04 2008-09 2013-14Full-Time Equivalent 1,023 1,262 1,496 Headcount 1,383 1,839 2,089

-

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

2003-04 2008-09 2013-14

Full-Time Equivalent

Headcount

SC Annualized EnrollmentAnnualized 2003-04 2008-09 2013-14Full-Time Equivalent 1,023 1,262 1,496Headcount 1,383 1,839 2,089

3059 Coffeen AvenueSheridan, WY 82801

“I am here to help the men and women of our Armed Forces transition into college. I will assist you with each step along the way, helping you get the most out of your benefits.”

– Brett Burtis, Director of Veteran Services

For more information, connect with Brett at

307-674-6446 ext. 2720

Explore Sheridan College Where Your Military Benefits Go Further

www.sheridan.edu/veterans