Pierce College News

Pierce College District offers a variety of arts, entertainment, and educational events to enrich the lives of the community members we serve. In addition, some departments like Theatre and Music offer hands-on learning opportunities for our students. More events can be found at calendar.pierce.ctc.edu.

To request disability accommodation for any event, 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.

November 2006

Nov. 1 – 30: Pierce College Fine Arts Gallery Showcases Faculty Art
The November exhibit at the Fine Arts Gallery celebrates the talents of the college faculty. This year, paintings and prints by Paul Clinton and photographs by David Johnson will be featured. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Fridays. Pierce College Fort Steilacoom is located at 9401 Farwest Drive, S.W., Lakewood. The Pierce College Fine Arts Gallery is located in the Olympic Building, Room 265. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.pierce.ctc.edu/art or call (253) 964-6718.

Nov. 1: Pierce College Presents Multicultural Storytelling
Pierce College Fort Steilacoom student programs will host a multicultural storytelling event on Wednesday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to noon, in the Theatre. The event features performers from American Indian, Chinese, and Irish heritage that spin their ancestral tales with story and song. The event is free and open to the public.

Award-winner Patrick Ball unites Irish words, traditional music and history in his performance. Author and storyteller Clara Yen recalls centuries old Chinese folktales and family stories about her parents’ life in China. Blackfeet Indian singer, songwriter, lecturer, and storyteller Jack Gladstone blends legend, history, and metaphor into songs. For more information, call: (253) 964-6673.

Pierce College Theatre Presents: The Nerd by Larry Shue
Nov. 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 7 p.m.
Nov.15 and 16 at 10 a.m.
This comedy, about a young architect who is visited by an unknown man who saved his life in Vietnam, was first presented by the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre before its Broadway production. Tickets are $7 for the general public and $2 for students. The performance is in the Pierce College Fort Steilacoom Theatre. Pierce College Fort Steilacoom is located at 9401 Farwest Drive, S.W., Lakewood. For more information, call: (253) 964-6572.

Nov. 13 – 16: Pierce College Celebrates International Week
A variety of events featuring the diverse cultures that reflect the Pierce College student body and the local community will be showcased. Events will occur at both the Puyallup campus and Fort Steilacoom. The events are sponsored by International Education and Puyallup student programs and are free and open to the public.

An Inter-College International Quiz Bowl kicks off the week on Monday, Nov. 13 at the Puyallup Campus Connection Cafe and the 3rd Floor Cascade Building at Fort Steilacoom. Two five-member student teams will compete simultaneously from both locations answering questions about geography, politics and global issues. A faculty panel judges the event.

Other activities at the Puyallup campus include the following:

• Indian Cuisine led by instructor Sunita Shastri – Tuesday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m., Connection Cafe
• Fair Trade Coffee lecture by University of Puget Sound Professor Warning – Wednesday, Nov. 15, noon, Connection Cafe
• Sumi Painting workshop with Kathryn Whitacre – Wednesday, Nov. 15, 6:30 p.m., Multipurpose Room
• The Middle East – What’s The Deal? panel discussion – Thursday, Nov. 16, noon, Connection Cafe
• Bonus Event: Major Rebel and Terrorist Groups Today lecture by History Faculty Chris Vanneson – Monday, Nov. 27, noon, Multipurpose Room

At Fort Steilacoom, Char Simons will be presenting “Iran: Facts and Fictions” on Thursday, Nov. 16, noon, Cascade Bldg., Board Room.

For more information, call the Puyallup campus at: (253) 840-8416. For information about more events at the Fort Steilacoom campus call: (253) 964-7327.

Nov. 29: Farwest Jazz Night
The Farwest Jazz vocal jazz ensemble will perform with special guests on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 7:30 p.m. in the Fort Steilacoom Performance Lounge in the Cascade Building. The event is free and open to the public. Farwest Jazz consistently wins the highest awards at regional jazz festivals and regularly performs at the International Association of Jazz Educators convention. For more information, call: (253) 964-6652 or visit www.pierce.ctc.edu/music.

December 2006

Dec. 3: Pierce College Music Department JazzNite with Jay Thomas
Pierce College Jazz Ensemble I and II will perform with trumpet and saxophonist Jay Thomas at this popular annual event on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. at JazzBones in Tacoma. Tickets are $5 for the general public. Students are free. College credit is available in all performance groups. JazzBones is located at 2803 6th Ave., Tacoma. For more information, contact Dr. Jere Knudtsen at (253) 964-6572.

Dec. 5: Pierce College Fall Film Festival
The Fall Film Festival features films by Pierce College students but is open to submissions from the general public. The event is Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 2:30 and 8 p.m. at the Pierce College Fort Steilacoom Theatre. The event is free and open to the public. Films should be submitted to the Humanities Desk, Cascade Bldg., Room 365 by 4 p.m. on Nov. 30. For more information, call: (253) 964-6659.

Dec. 8: Pierce College Music Department Performs Winter Concert
The Pierce College Fort Steilacoom Concert Band and Fort Steilacoom and Puyallup Concert Choirs will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 at Pacific Lutheran University’s Lagerquist Hall in Tacoma. Tickets are $5 for the general public. Students are free. College credit is available in all performance groups. For more information, contact Dr. Jere Knudtsen at (253) 964-6572.

You can train for a new career from the comfort and convenience of your home or office with online courses in fields like medical coding, real estate and appraisal, and home inspection. All classes are continuous entry so you can register and start a class at any time.

If you are looking for a new career or to upgrade your current skills, are comfortable navigating the Internet and using email, and have access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection, these online courses are a great way to help you achieve your career goals.

Choose from:

Advanced Medical Coding
This course is especially designed for medical coders who want to upgrade their skills and prepare for professional national certification examinations. Learn from professionals in the field with personalized attention. Most courses can be completed within 90 to 180 days. You can choose from Advanced Coding for Physician’s Office; Advanced Coding for Hospital; Coding, Reimbursement/Documentation for Physicians; or ICD-10 Medical Coding. Fees vary.

Payroll Practice and Management
Payroll is one of the fastest changing career fields in the business world today. Constant fluctuation in government rules and regulations make it difficult to keep up. This series of four individual classes is designed to instruct the payroll professional in all facets of payroll from the basics of “What are wages?” to the intricate complexity of fringe benefits taxation and garnishments. These courses are suited for both beginners and experienced payroll professionals who want to increase or update their skills. Courses include Wage & Hour Law; Fringe Benefits, Compensation and Taxation; Taxation and Compensation; and Payroll Management and Year-end Reporting. Each course is $99.

Home Inspection Training
The home inspection industry is growing. Home inspectors work with real estate agents, sellers and buyers to help them determine potential problems. You’ll learn about structures, exteriors, roofs, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, interiors, and insulation and ventilation systems. You’ll also learn how to work with customers and write up inspection reports. Upon successful completion, you’ll receive a certificate of completion and will be allowed to use the AHIT Certified Inspector Logo. Course fee is $995.

Real Estate and Appraisal
Keep current in your profession or start a new career with our real estate and appraisal courses. You’ll learn the fundamentals of Washington real estate, real estate practices, law, and principles and procedures of appraisal. The real estate industry is a growth field with a variety of career opportunities. Like other online programs, you can enroll anytime and study from anywhere. Course fees vary. The college also offers the real estate classes by correspondence. For more information, see www.pierce.ctc.edu/real-estate/, call (253) 964-6529 or cvadheim@pierce.ctc.edu.

Travel and Tourism
Whether you are new to the travel industry or an experienced professional interested in continuing your education, we have a class to interest you. Learn about the airline industry, cruise industry, how to book tickets, car rental business, tour operators and independent travel agencies. Each course takes approximately 20-30 hours to complete and you have 90 days to complete each course. Course fees vary.

CAITA Training
CAITA Version 5 is Dassault Systemes’ computer aided drafting and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software solution that allows you to define and make the tools needed to manufacture products. This series is designed for design, tooling, and manufacturing engineers, commercial and consumer designers, and other CAD/CAM users new to CATIA software or who will be upgrading to version 5. There are eleven courses to choose from including Intro. to CATIA V5, Assembly Design Fundamentals, Part and Project Integration, Surfacing Intro. and more. Each course is $400. To view courses, course descriptions and a free demo, visit www.v5train.com.

For more information, or to register for online career and job training courses, call: (253) 840-8450 or email kbeaumont@pierce.ctc.edu.

Fort Steilacoom student programs will host a multicultural storytelling event on Wednesday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to noon, in the Theatre. The event features performers from American Indian, Chinese, and Irish heritage that spin their ancestral tales with story and song. The event is free and open to the public.

Award-winner Patrick Ball unites Irish words, traditional music and history in his performance. He plays the Celtic harp and is considered one of the premier Celtic harpers and storytellers in the world today. He tours throughout the United States and Canada and has recorded nine instrumental and three spoken word albums as well as performed in two solo musical theatre pieces. He is the recipient of the Circle of Excellence Award from the National Storytelling Association.

Author and storyteller Clara Yen recalls centuries old Chinese folktales and family stories about her parents’ life in China. She was featured at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee, and she teaches in Livermore, California, where she is also a storyteller in residence at the Dublin Library and an artist in residence for Stagebridge. Her book Rat Comes First, which originated with her father, retells the story of how the Chinese zodiac characters were named.

Blackfeet Indian singer, songwriter, lecturer, and storyteller Jack Gladstone blends legend, history, and metaphor into songs. He heard many of the stories of the Blackfeet Indian people from his grandmother. Gladstone founded the Native American Speaks lecture series hosted at Glacier National Park, which was recently presented with an award for excellence in the interpretation of American Indian culture by The Council for American Indian Interpretation. Born in Seattle, he currently resides in northern Montana.

Pierce Presents is sponsored by Pierce College Student Programs, The News Tribune and KPLU 88.5.

To request disability accommodation, contact the Access and Disability Services Office at least 10 days in advance at: (253) 964-6468/V, (253) 964-6628/TTY, or dssaccess@pierce.ctc.edu.

Washington State Govenor Christine Gregoire will witness the signing of an educational agreement between Changwon College and Pierce College on Oct. 17, 2006 at 9 a.m. at the Lotte Hotel, Seoul, Korea. The event coincides with the gubernatorial and economic trade mission to Korea and Taiwan. Changwon College President Hong, Sang Yong, Pierce College Trustee Beth Willis, and Chancellor Dr. Michele Johnson will be the signatories of the agreement.

Pierce College and Changwon College have been partners in international education for a number of years. During that time, the colleges have enjoyed the exchange of students and faculty. The exchange provides a unique immersion experience for participants as well as the opportunity for students of the host college to be enriched with the presence of a diverse student body.

The agreement signing reaffirms the colleges’ shared values of high quality education, exceptional student service, and the belief that international education is mutually beneficial. In addition, the agreement strengthens the college’s commitment “to continue the friendship and development of both institutions through exchange programs for faculty, students, curriculum and research.”

“We are honored to work with Changwon College and look forward to strengthening our relationship. Our students gain tremendous value from the shared experience. It provides them with the benefit of becoming culturally competent better preparing them to live and work in a global society,” said Chancellor Dr. Michele Johnson.

Dr. Johnson will visit Changwon College following the signing.

Pierce College is offering several business and professional development courses this fall for individuals who want to improve their skill sets and enhance their employability. Whether you’re interested in increasing your communication skills, improving your organizational skills or updating your computer skills, Pierce College can help.

Communication is Key to Effective Leadership
Two Sessions, Thursday, Oct. 19 and 26 from 5:45 to 8:30 p.m.
These interactive sessions will examine how your speaking and listening skills affect your ability to lead, how you can use non-verbal communication effectively, and explore communication skills during times of change, in team environments, and during periods of conflict. The sessions will be held at Pierce College’s South Hill Park located at 7416 South Hill Park Drive, Puyallup. The course fee is $99. For information, call: (253) 964-6601.

LEAN for Office and Administrative Staff
One-day workshop, Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The LEAN office approach teaches participants to reduce paperwork, improve workflow and productivity, and solidify teamwork. The workshop includes classroom instruction and interactive role-playing. It is offered in partnership with Washington Manufacturing Services. A box lunch and refreshments are included. The workshop will be held at Pierce College’s South Hill Park located at 7416 South Hill Park Drive, Puyallup. The course fee is $299. For information, call: (253) 840-8451.

Microsoft Office Solutions, Fast Track Career Courses
These courses are for those who have basic computer knowledge and want to learn various Microsoft programs quickly.

• Microsoft Word Beginning: 2 Sessions, Monday, Oct. 16, and Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Fort Steilacoom campus from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Microsoft PowerPoint XP: Choose from: 1 Session, Saturday, Oct.14, at Pierce College at South Hill Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 2 Sessions, Monday, Oct. 23, and Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Fort Steilacoom campus from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Microsoft Excel Beginning: Choose from: 1 Session, Saturday, Oct. 21, at Pierce College at South Hill Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 2 Sessions, Monday, Oct. 30, and Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the Fort Steilacoom campus from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Microsoft Excel Intermediate: 1 Session, Saturday, Oct. 28, at Pierce College at South Hill Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Microsoft Outlook: 1 Session, Saturday, Nov. 4, at Pierce College at South Hill Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom welcomes playwright T.M. Derrickson to campus on Thursday, Oct. 19, from noon to 2 p.m. in the Theatre for a writing workshop for screenwriters and playwrights. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call: (253) 964-6683.

The workshop will include a discussion about the art of playwriting and hands-on writing exercises. Participants are encouraged to practice their skills and bring paper and a writing utensil.

T.M. Derrickson’s plays have been performed in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle and Anchorage. Some of her works include Marking the Beast, Jimmy the Cockroach, A Question of Wills and a condensed version of Genesis entitled The Good Book, which will tour to Australia in 2007.

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.