Pierce College News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 28, 2005

Media contact: Dale Stowell, (253) 381-0616, dstowell@pierce.ctc.edu

Denise R. Yochum will become the president at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom in mid-January. Yochum’s selection was announced today by Pierce College District Chancellor Michele L. Johnson, Ph.D., following a national search.

Yochum, who is currently Vice President for Instruction at Grays Harbor College in Aberdeen, said she is honored to come to a college and district nationally recognized for quality and innovation. She cited recent awards the district has received for having the best library and best military education programs in the country.

“The thing I am most excited about is the quality of the people involved with Pierce College Fort Steilacoom and the district as a whole,” Yochum said. “The innovation of the faculty within the district and the recent national recognition speak clearly of a college providing top quality programs to its community.”

Johnson cited Yochum’s breadth of experience and outstanding communication skills among the reasons Yochum was picked from a strong field of finalists. In addition to the Pierce College Fort Steilacoom presidency, Yochum will serve as the chief academic officer for the district, which also includes Pierce College Puyallup and Pierce College Extended Learning.

“Denise brings the type of experience and skills that will help move Pierce College Fort Steilacoom forward,” said Johnson. “We look forward to Denise’s vision and leadership as we continue to work together to develop new facilities and programs to create opportunities for the communities we serve.”

Yochum has served as chief academic officer for Grays Harbor since 2001. She also has experience as a university and community college faculty member, the dean of an academic division, an administrator in workforce training, considerable background in distance learning and experience in designing classrooms and learning labs for colleges.

She is a doctoral candidate in Gonzaga University’s educational leadership program and her dissertation includes a study and analysis of student retention and success rates in distance learning classes, distance learning/ground hybrid courses and traditional classroom courses.

Yochum is scheduled to start on Jan. 16, 2006.

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom is at 9401 Farwest Drive S.W., Lakewood.

Pierce College Puyallup is at 1601 39th Ave. S.E.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contacts: Nancy Butterfield, (253) 964-7331 or nbutterfield@pierce.ctc.edu;
Dale Stowell, (253) 964-6780 or dstowell@pierce.ctc.edu

Tacoma, WA – Pierce College and Bates Technical College will host two free informational workshops for displaced homemakers Nov. 22 and Dec. 6. Staff members from the two schools will conduct the sessions, titled “Opening Windows of Opportunity.” The Washington State Displaced Homemakers program is sponsoring the workshops.

The events are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 22 at the Tillicum Community Center, 14916 Washington Ave., S.W., Lakewood, and Tuesday, Dec. 6 at the Tacoma Housing Authority Family Investment Center at Salishan, Room 101. The center is at 1728 East 44th St., Tacoma. Both workshops are scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon. The public is invited to attend.

The workshops will offers information about the skills employers are seeking, how displaced homemakers can transfer their skills to the workplace, and how to develop current strengths through education and training. College staff will be available throughout the workshops to share information about college and community resources.

For more information call (253) 964-6298. Pre-registration is encouraged.

To request disability accommodation for the Tillicum workshop, contact Pierce College’s Access and Disability Services Office at least 10 days in advance at: (253) 964-6468/V, (253) 964-6228/TTY, or dssaccess@pierce.ctc.edu.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 9, 2005
MEDIA CONTACT: Dale Stowell, (253) 964-6780, dstowell@pierce.ctc.edu

Pierce College Military Programs has been recognized as the outstanding military education operation in the country by a national education association.

The college will receive the Ray Ehrensberger award for outstanding military education from the Commission of Military Education and Training, a commission within the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education during the AAACE’s conference in Pittsburg, Penn., on Nov. 10.

The award is given annually to an accredited institution that has served the military education community for at least five years, distinguished itself through innovative and dedicated contributions to principles of adult military education, and embody those qualities of an institution committed to the lifelong learning of adults, particularly within the U.S. military community.

Pierce College military programs has education centers on Fort Lewis and McChord and is one of just 30 institutions nationwide that is an online education partner with the U.S. Army through eArmyU. The program serves more than 2,000 students per term, five terms per year. The program was nominated for the award by the Fort Lewis Education Office.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contacts: Nancy Butterfield, (253) 964-7331 or nbutterfield@pierce.ctc.edu;
Dale Stowell, (253) 964-6780 or dstowell@pierce.ctc.edu

Lakewood, Wash. — Pierce College’s science and engineering clubs have rescheduled a pumpkin-tossing tournament that was rained out earlier this month. The two teams will battle for the honor of being the first to hit the bull’s eye with a pumpkin tossed by a trebuchet (a catapult-like device) on Friday, Nov.18 at 11:30 a.m. on the hill behind the dental hygiene parking lot at the Fort Steilacoom campus. The event, scheduled to run until 1 p.m., is free and open to the public. Pierce College Fort Steilacoom is at 9401 Farwest Drive S.W., Lakewood.

This is the third year of the competition, although the activity began about a decade ago.
“It’s all about having fun with science,” said Ralph Morasch, scientific instruction technician. “One of our goals is to show students science in action. The competition accomplishes that. Students can take what they’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to a real world situation.”

During the competition students make adjustments to the trebuchets by using scientific calculations and launching milk cartons filled with water. The milk cartons provide a consistent weight of 4 kilograms. This allows students to make hypotheses and change various equipment variables.

A trebuchet operates using counter weights. The science club machine was built from a model found online. The engineering students designed their pumpkin-throwing machine and have spent many hours preparing for the event. Each machine stands about 8 ft. high.

The engineering club won last year and holds the record for the pumpkin tossed the farthest distance of 450 feet.

For more information contact Ralph Morasch at (253) 964-6731 or rmorasch@pierce.ctc.edu.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contacts: Nancy Butterfield, (253) 964-7331 or nbutterfield@pierce.ctc.edu;
Dale Stowell, (253) 964-6780 or dstowell@pierce.ctc.edu

Pierce College Puyallup and Fort Steilacoom will celebrate International Education Week Nov. 14 – 17 with presentations on traveling and working abroad, an international knowledge quiz, a fashion show, and a Pierce College choir performance.

In sessions titled “See the World,” students and teachers who have studied or taught abroad, Peace Corps volunteers, and others who have volunteered or worked or performed abroad will share their experiences and photographs. All events are free and open to the public.

The schedule for the week is as follows:

Pierce College Puyallup, 1601 39th Ave. S.E.:
Monday, Nov. 14, noon to 1 p.m., Cafe Connections, College Center
International Knowledge Quiz: Puyallup vs. Fort Steilacoom

Tuesday, Nov. 15, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., College Center mezzanine
See the World: Presentations and displays by those who have taught or studied abroad. The choir will perform at Cafe Connections at 12:30p.m., followed by a Peace Corps film at 12:45 p.m.

Wednesday, November 16, noon-12:50 p.m., Room A141
Welcome to Germany: Bettina Schwesig & Gian Schuler, students from the University of Hildesheim, will give an informal presentation on life in Germany and the United States.

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, 9401 Farwest Drive S.W., Lakewood.
Monday, Nov. 14, noon to 1 p.m., Cascade Building, Performance Lounge
International Knowledge Quiz: Puyallup vs. Fort Steilacoom

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Cascade Building, fourth floor.
See the World: Presentations and displays by those who have taught or studied abroad.
(This program will not include music or film.)

Thursday, Nov. 17, noon to 12:50 p.m., Performance Lounge
International Fashion Show: Clothing from around the world will be modeled and explained.
For additional information contact Patrick Cavendish at (253) 964-7327 or cavendish@pierce.ctc.edu.

To request disability accommodation, contact the Access and Disability Services Office at least 10 days in advance at: (253) 964-6468/V, (253) 964-6228/TTY, or dssaccess@pierce.ctc.edu.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contacts: Nancy Butterfield, (253) 964-7331 or nbutterfield@pierce.ctc.edu;
Dale Stowell, (253) 964-6780 or dstowell@pierce.ctc.edu

Pierce College Digital Film presents the end-of-the-quarter Fall Film Festival on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 2:30 and 8 p.m. in the Pierce College Theatre, Cascade Building, Fort Steilacoom. The event is free and open to the public.

The festival will feature films by Pierce College students, and also is open to submissions from the general public. Films should be submitted to the Humanities Desk, Cascade Bldg., room 365 by 4 p.m. on Nov. 30. Pierce College Fort Steilacoom is at 9401 Farwest Drive S.W., Lakewood. For more information call (253) 964-6659.

To request disability accommodation, contact the Access and Disability Services Office at least 10 days in advance at: (253) 964-6468/V, (253) 964-6228/TTY, or dssaccess@pierce.ctc.edu.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contacts: Nancy Butterfield, (253) 964-7331 or nbutterfield@pierce.ctc.edu;
Dale Stowell, (253) 964-6780 or dstowell@pierce.ctc.edu

Lakewood, WA – Audiences will savor theatrical romance and tragedy this month as Pierce College presents Splendor in the Grass. Performances are at 7 p.m. in the Pierce College Theatre Nov. 11, 12, 18, and 19. Tickets are $7 general admission and $2 for students and seniors. Call (253) 964-6710 for reservations.

Set in a small Midwestern city in the 1920s, the play was directed for the screen by Elia Kazan and featured leading actors Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty. The tale of ill-fated high school romance is set within the backdrop of the stock market crash. Bud and Deanie are passionately in love. When separated by family duty, Deanie falls into despair resulting in her commitment to an institution. By the time she is released their world has turned upside down.

The screenplay by William Inge was adapted for the stage by F. Andrew Leslie. Pierce College Theatre instructor Fred Metzger directs the production.

All performances will be in the Pierce College Theatre in the Cascade Building, Fort Steilacoom, 9401 Farwest Drive, SW, Lakewood.

To request disability accommodation, contact the Access and Disability Services Office at least 10 days in advance at: (253) 964-6468/V, (253) 964-6228/TTY, or dssaccess@pierce.ctc.edu.

Update: due to the inclement weather forecast for Friday November 4, the Pumpkin Toss has been postponed. The new date will be posted here when it has been set.

For More Information Contact:
Dale Stowell, Director District College Relations, (253) 964-6780
dstowell@pierce.ctc.edu

Lakewood, WA – Pierce College’s science and engineering clubs will battle for the honor of being the first to hit the bull’s eye with a pumpkin tossed by a trebuchet (a catapult-like machine) on Friday, Nov. 4 at noon on the grassy knoll behind the dental hygiene parking lot at the Fort Steilacoom campus. The event is free and open to the public.

This is the third year of the competition although the activity began about a decade ago.
“It’s all about having fun with science,” said faculty member Ralph Morasch. “One of our goals is to show students science in action. The competition accomplishes that. Students can take what they’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to a real world situation.”

During the competition students make adjustments to the trebuchets by using the scientific method and shooting milk cartons filled with water. The milk cartons provide a consistent weight of 4 kilograms. This allows students to make hypotheses and change various equipment variables.

A trebuchet operates using counter weights. The science club machine was built from a model found online. The engineering students designed their pumpkin throwing machine and have spent many hours preparing for the event. Each machine stands about 8 ft. tall.

“Each year, the engineering club students make mechanical adjustments to the trebuchet and it has resulted in further improvements,” said engineering club advisor Ken Schroeder. “It’s a fun way to get hands on experience.”

The engineering club won last year and holds the record for the pumpkin tossed the farthest distance of 500 feet. They are favored to win this year as well.

To view pictures from last year’s event visit www.pierce.ctc.edu/chemistry/club.htm.