2011 June | Pierce News

Monthly Archives: June 2011

Wednesday, June 29

Fort Steilacoom

No activities scheduled.

Puyallup

No activities scheduled.

Look ahead…Thursday is the last day to withdraw from summer classes.

Pierce College's Ski to Sea team had a blast in the 100-mile relay May 29.

They came. They saw. They hula’d? Well, the Pierce College Depends on Marty team did all of that and so much more.

The seven-person team completed the 100-mile journey from Mt. Baker to Bellingham Bay in the Ski to Sea Relay on May 29. With a focus on having fun, building camaraderie, and improving their fitness levels, the team rallied and completed the arduous race. And, they’re just crazy enough to do it again! English as a Second Language professor Deb Ramirez is already planning another team next year. In fact, she’s hoping to add a second team, she said.

“We had a blast the entire time,” Ramirez exclaimed. “Even the team meetings were fun. It was always such a party atmosphere. I truly believe it has become an annual event for Pierce College sports enthusiasts.”

Check out a gallery of Ski to Sea photos on the Pierce College Facebook page.

The 2011 Pierce College Depends on Marty team was made up of professors Ramirez, Marty Lobdell, Denise Arnold, Peter Frisell, and Joseph Cates-Carney. They were joined by friends and family members Connie Poleski, Norm Arnold, and Scott Davis.

Team members trained for their individual events for weeks and met over several weekends to write wacky songs, train for the post-relay hula contest, and get motivated for the grueling competition. The team (and support staff) had custom t-shirts and created a team website.

Here are some additional race details:

Cross Country Ski at Mt. Baker Ski Area (Marty Lobdell)

Course Length: Approx 4 miles

Downhill Ski/Snowboard at Mt. Baker Ski Area (Denise Arnold)

Course Length: Approx 2.5 miles

Running (Connie Poleski)

Course Length: Approx 8 miles

Road Bike (Deb Ramirez)

Course Length: Approx 42 miles

Canoe (Norm Arnold and Peter Frisell)

Course Length: Approx 18.5 miles

Mountain Biking (Scott Davis)

Course Length: Approx 20 miles

Sea Kayak (Joe Cates-Carney)

Course Length: Approx 5 miles (4.3 Nautical Miles)

Jose Nieves, campus safety officer, and Maria Walton, from the Pierce Military Program, learn how to lift heavy objects off a trapped victim.

If disaster ever strikes Pierce College, a team of trained employees is now better equipped to provide assistance to the college and local community. Twenty staff and faculty members recently completed Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training with West Pierce Fire and Rescue. CERT is a national program that trains private citizens to offer assistance in times of hardship and disaster.

See a gallery of photos from the CERT training on Pierce’s Facebook page.

The Pierce CERT team received training in lifesaving medical treatment, search and rescue, fire suppression, and disaster psychology. The training, which was done over the course of five weeks at the Lakewood station, was aimed at providing the two main campuses and military sites with a trained group to lead any necessary, immediate emergency response.

On June 15, the team had a mock drill, in which they helped in the aftermath of an earthquake. Patients yelled for help, suffered (faux) injuries, and simulated the chaos of an actual emergency. Afterwards, the CERT trainers assessed the team’s performance and offered helpful advice.

For completing the training, the Pierce CERT members received a signed certificate and a CERT backpack loaded with materials they’ll need in a disaster. The kit includes a flashlight, pry bar, hardhat, gloves, a space blanket, reflective vests, and more.

A team of four from Pierce Puyallup completed the same training last April. They are Linda Gilbransen, Connie Rogers, Fran Matz, and Leeann Slupianek.

In addition to helping on campus when necessary, CERT members are trained to help in their neighborhoods and beyond. Local CERT teams have been called to help with a number of disasters, including major floods and fires, and to staff information booths at local events.

The Pierce College CERT team

Patsy Rammel

Benjamin Gomes

Myron Fritts

Alma Moore

Gregory H. Smith

Thomas Davis

Robert Britten

Roy Owens

Mia Yamasaki

Maria Walton

Kelly Benson

Maureen Rickertsen

Jose Nieves

Alex Keeler

Robert Warner

Karen Scott

Ann Salak

Amanda Haines

Shelley Miell

The 2010-11 scholarships winners

On June 1, the Pierce Foundation gathered to honor the donors and recipients of the 2010-2011 Pierce College Foundation Scholarship awards.

In total, 96 students received scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,250 each, totaling $134,782. Four of the recipients shared their experience at Pierce College with the 120 luncheon guests, highlighting the impact of receiving a scholarship.

The Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships over 15 years of creating possibilities for Pierce College students.

Six Business Management students were honored.

Six students in Pierce College’s Business Management program were recently chosen for the Leadership Excellence Institute Award, an honor recognizing the program’s best students, as chosen by professors Dr. Paul Gerhardt and Doug Edison.

The awards were based on academic achievement (a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher), student involvement in the program, and contributions to the community outside the classroom.

The students selected for this honor were Alisha Turpin, Brenda Nolan, Greg Kronlund, Natasha VanGorder, Leona Lau, and Joyce Moore. All are set to graduate from the Business Management program this summer.

“We recognize that our high standards and the students’ hard work must be meaningful to our institution and to the community we serve,” explained Gerhardt, who is also the program coordinator. “Recognizing this hard work with the Leadership Excellence Institute Award is a great start!”

The students were presented the awards by Pierce College Fort Steilacoom President Denise Yochum in a special ceremony on campus. Also present at the event were Suzy Ames and Carol Green.