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ACCLAIMED AUTHOR HEADLINES HERSTORY

Celebrate the success and struggles of women around the world, including a presentation by Sister Helen Prejean, the acclaimed author of “Dead Man Walking.”Lecture: Sister Helen Prejean Dead Man Walking – the Journey ContinuesMarch 27, 2 p.m., BC MC Theatre and 7 p.m., BC Varsity GymThe author of “Dead Man Walking” and “The Death of Innocents” will speak about her experiences with death row inmates and the families of their victims.

CALENDARLecture: Bullying – from the Playground to the Workplace March 5, 1 p.m., BC LAC 2311/2313 and March 18, 9:30 a.m., RBC Performing Arts Room

Film: Dead Man Walking March 6, 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. SWGCC History Room

LEGO Building Competition: Southwestern Illinois JrFLL Expo March 8, 9:30 a.m. to noon, BC LAC 2311/2313

Herstory Book Sale March 19, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., BC MC First Floor Alcove

Open Forum: Diversity Chats – The Death Penalty March 20, 9:30-10:45 a.m., BC MC Theatre

Performance: Dead Man Walking – the stage play March 26, 28 and 29, 7 p.m., BC MC Theatre

10th Annual Herstory Weekend in honor of Women’s History Month March 28 and 29, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Governor French Academy, 219 W. Main St. An $8 donation, $6 with a clothing donation, is required to attend.

Sale: All women’s history books are 20 percent off at campus bookstores in March

For more information or complete descriptions of events of Herstory month events, visit fac.swic.edu/herstory.

APPLAUSE ALL AROUND!March 7 is National Employee Appreciation Day.

SWIC can’t do the great things it does each and every day without the dedicated efforts of all of you.

Thank you for your hard work, dedicated service and contributions to SWIC and our students.

– The Board of Trustees; President Georgia Costello, Ph.D.; President’s Staff and Human Resources

Mardy Eisloeffel, Dennis McKay and Larry Petri have more than 110 years of service combined.

SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENTEvery five years the Illinois Community College Board commissions Northern Illinois University researchers to conduct a statewide and by-district economic impact study of our community colleges. Among other positive findings, the 2009 ICCB study reported every tax dollar invested in an Illinois community college yielded a three-fold return on that investment.

But that was then and this is now. While the 2014 ICCB economic impact study is a work in progress, a recently

published American Association of Community Colleges nationwide study reveals return on investment increases since 2009 for external stakeholders, as follows:

• The net community college impact on the U.S. economy in 2012 was $809 billion in added income, or 5.4 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product.

• For taxpayers, the per-dollar return on investment is $6.80, or nearly 7-to-1.

• For students, a dollar invested in a community college education yielded $3.80, or nearly 4-to-1.

Supporting data shows community college students earn $500,000 more over an employment lifetime compared with high school graduates; and in some fields they enjoy higher starting salaries than university graduates. According to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, “nearly 30 percent of Americans with associate degrees now make more than those with bachelor’s degrees.”

The AACC study also showed students who earn a community college degree or certificate “typically require fewer safety-net services, experience better health and have lower rates of crime—all of which result in saving taxpayers some $19 billion over students’ careers.”

The study showed nearly 150,000 internationals paid an estimated $1.2 billion in tuition and fees in 2012 alone. With the continued exponential growth of online instruction, including here at SWIC, being located in America’s Heartland does not keep us from serving this dynamic market, which is already being served by others in our ICCB system.

Closer to home, the announced withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year means community colleges will be called upon to serve those most deserving of American-education stakeholders, which is why we accelerated the completion of our new Veterans Services Center.

Summarizing: the AACC and forthcoming ICCB studies come as states re-examine their historically sound investments in community colleges.

The new incentive is a 7-to-1 return on that investment.

Pay It Forward,

Georgia Costello, Ph.D.

MARCH CALENDAR4 Employee and Family Member Wellness Screenings, 7 a.m.-noon, BC IS 2009. Walk-ins welcome until 11 a.m. See eSTORM announcements or the Feb. 26 everybody email for more details.

5 Employee and Family Member Wellness Screenings, 7 a.m.-noon, BC IS 2009. Walk-ins welcome until 11 a.m. See eSTORM announcements or the Feb. 26 everybody email for more details.

6 Employee and Family Member Wellness Screenings, 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., SWGCC Wilmsmeyer Room. Walk-ins welcome. See eSTORM announcements or the Feb. 26 everybody email for more details.

6 One-day sale—50 percent off all clearance clothing, BC Bookstore

10-16 Spring Break (College Closed)

17 St. Patrick’s Day sale—All wearing green take 20 percent off SWIC apparel, BC Bookstore

18 Concert in the Café, “Waterloo German Band,” 7 p.m., BC MC Café

20 Exhibition Opening Reception: High School Art Show, 6-8 p.m. (awards at 7 p.m.), Schmidt Art Center

21 George Portz and the Friends of Bluegrass, 7 p.m., BC MC Theatre; tickets - $6

22 Creative Kids: Budding Vases, 12:30 p.m., Schmidt Art Center; RSVP by March 19 – ext. 5278; $5 per child

Copper-Enameled Jewelry, 2-4 p.m., Schmidt Art Center; RSVP by March 19 - ext. 5278; $50 per person

25 Chamber Singers Concert, 7 p.m., Schmidt Art Center

Save the Date!Don’t miss out on the college’s annual Trivia Night and Auction. Whether you’re a trivia buff or just like bidding on cool items, you won’t want to miss this fun night.

Friday, May 2

More details to come!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

SWGCC College Activities Board members show off the blankets and books they collected during their recent 8-Hour Challenge. Front left, Ashley Bringer, Josephine Omohundro, Garrett Brown, Tiffany Cope and Elyssa High, all of Granite City, display the supplies they will donate to local children’s shelters.

NEW BRIDGE OPENS—Highway Construction Careers Training Program students and staff were on hand for the ceremony opening the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge. Gov. Pat Quinn recognized the group in his comments for their work on the bridge project. Pictured from left are Donte Haire, Program Coordinator Melissa Snelson, Aaron Sanders, Jennifer Dayton, Instructor Gary Eversmann, Angie McCline, Illinois Department of Transportation representative Janice Gower and Construction Building Apprentice Director Jim Moore.

ALL THAT JAZZ – East St. Louis Community College Center Site Supervisor Rick Gregory presents at the recent Jazz Seminar. This well-attended event featured a presentation on the history of jazz by local historian and host of

“Jazz Unlimited” on St. Louis Public Radio Dennis Owsley, as well as a performance of Miles Davis songs by SIUE jazz groups.

A LESSON IN EDUCATION—As part of Leadership Belleville’s Education Day, President Georgia Costello, Ph.D., and six other leaders from area secondary and postsecondary institutions addressed challenges educators face. In addition to an overview, Leadership Belleville members had an opportunity to ask questions. Pictured are, left to right, front row, Costello, Governor French Academy Headmaster Phillip Paeltz, St. Clair County Regional Office of Education Superintendent Susan Safarty, Belleville District 118 Superintendent Matt Klosterman; back row, Leadership Belleville alum David Paeth, Lindenwood University Associate Dean Cindy Manjounes, Belleville District 201 Assistant Superintendent Brian Metzner, Althoff Catholic High School Assistant Principal Greg Leib and Leadership Belleville alum Steve Parrish.

SPORTS TALKSeveral former Olympians from the U.S. Olympic Alumni/MO-IL Chapter stopped by the Sam Wolf Granite City Campus to share their experiences with students, faculty and staff and kick off the start of the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Pictured, from left, are Jim Chapin, ’76, ’80 and ‘84 Speed Skating; Craig Virgin, ’76, ’80 and ‘84 Track and Field; Stacey Smith, ’80, Ice Dancing; and John Carenza, ’72, Soccer.

EASY AS PIECulinary Arts and Food Management Program Coordinator Leisa Brockman recently judged the National Pie Day pie-baking contest, held at The Pie Pantry in Belleville.

MARCH CAMPUS BRIEFSBELLEVILLECheck out this month’s Concert in the Café! Don’t miss the Waterloo German Band live Tuesday, March 18 at 7 p.m. in the MC Café.

Talented high school artists will have their works on display at the William and Florence Schmidt Art Center from Thursday, March 20 through Thursday, April 3 as part of the 2014 High School Student Art Show. The opening reception and awards ceremony will be held from 6-8 p.m. March 20. The awards will be given out starting at 7 p.m.

Spend your day with a new, furry friend at Puppy Day on Friday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Quad! Take a break to play with a pooch and maybe even take one home with you!

Get your tickets for George Portz and the Friends of Bluegrass before they’re gone! The long-running annual concert takes place Friday, March 21 at 7 p.m. in the MC Theatre. Tickets are $6. For more information, call ext. 5561.

Kids, ages 5-12, can get a taste of contemporary street art Saturday, March 22 when The Schmidt offers “Budding Vases” as part of its Creative Kids series. They will use yarn-bombing to create a colorful vase that will be da’ bomb. Cost is $5 per person. Reserve a spot by March 19 at ext. 5ART (5278).

The SWIC Chamber Singers will explore a rich tapestry of a cappella music from the finest composers of the past and present Tuesday, March 25 at 7 p.m. in The Schmidt. The concert is free.

The Bookstore’s hours are changing. Beginning after Spring Break, the bookstore’s hours are Monday to Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SAM WOLF GRANITE CITY CAMPUSGet your fill of sweets and treats at the Culinary Arts Club Mardi Gras Dessert and Snack Sale. Indulge on Fat Tuesday, March 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Commons.

Grab your spare change for the Culinary Arts Club Quarter Auction! Bid on Pampered Chef Items Thursday, March 27 in the Commons. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the auction begins at 7 p.m.

HOW TO: REQUEST DATA THROUGH INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCHDo you need data for a grant or program review? Institutional Research and IT staff have developed a new Institutional Data Request Form to help you get the information you need.

There are two ways to reach the form:

• eSTORM: Log in to estorm.swic.edu. Using the menu on the left, click Forms & Templates, then Institutional Research, then IDR Form.

• InfoShare: Visit infoshare.swic.edu. At the top of the page, click Departments. Using the menu on the left, click Institutional Research, then Data Requests (IDR).

The page explains how to request the data you need. On the form, please provide as many details as you can.

Director of Institutional Research and Data Management Sherri Patterson, Institutional Research Specialist Michael Leiker, Institutional Research Associate Nicholas Kolweier, Technical Specialist Laura Mondy and Functional Analyst Djuana King teamed up to provide this service.

COMING SOON: NEW ONLINE SWIC APPAREL STOREAffordability and simplicity will be the most notable features of the new SWIC online apparel store that will go live by March 15.

The new store is part of an agreement with the Purchasing department to designate Illinois-based Club Colors as a preferred provider of branded SWIC merchandise for college purchases.

The link to the new store will be in the same spot on the SWIC home page with a new image to indicate our new partnership.

PHOTO BOOTH FUNKashmir the Snow Leopard and Vice President for Student Development Staci Clayborne joined in the photo booth festivities at this year’s High School Visit Day. Area high school seniors visited the Belleville Campus to learn more about the college and all it has to offer.

BIRTHDAY BUDDIESKashmir joined the festivities at SIUE when Eddie the Cougar celebrated his birthday. Several other area mascots joined the party, which included a halftime basketball game and photo opportunities with kids in Eddie’s Junior Club.

FREEZIN’ FOR A REASON—Members of the Public Safety department recently participated in the Polar Plunge, taking a dip in the freezing waters of Carlyle Lake to raise money for Special Olympics. The group raised $4,261 for their plunge into the 33-degree water. Pictured from left are Public Safety Officer Marcy Barrows; Special Olympics athlete and SWIC student, Patti Haake; Public Safety Officer Clayton Proffitt; Public Safety Sgt. Christie Rasmussen, with her arms around daughters Payton and Paige; and Public Safety Dispatcher Tim Clover.

GENEROSITY ABOUNDS – The PSOP Foster Grandparent Program recently received a $10,000 donation from the William Froelich Foundation. Pictured, from left, are Assistant Director of the Foster Grandparent Program and RSVP Quintella Matthews; Senior Volunteer Programs Secretary Kathryn Anderson; Foster Grandparent Program Advisory Council members Anne Mongiovi (of the William Froelich Foundation), Shirley Henderson and Joyce Laux; and Senior Volunteer Programs Director Sharon Hamilton. Council members not pictured include Lynn Clapp, Gordon Bush and Geraldine Jenkins. The PSOP SeniorLink Computer Club also received a $10,000 donation from the foundation.

SWIC IN THE NEWSThe Belleville News-Democrat featured three generations of students who are taking the same SWIC ceramics class, taught by Associate Professor of Art Guy Weible. Professor of Mathematics Laura Dyer, Ed.D., has taught all three students during the course of their SWIC education at the East St. Louis Community College Center. Read their story.

GET UP AND MOVE!Whether it is sitting at a desk, in your car or at a meeting, many people sit for long periods of time on a daily basis. All of this sitting can contribute to circulatory problems, stiffness and muscle aches that negatively affect health and productivity.

Stretching and moving around even briefly can help support activity levels and mental clarity, therefore boosting health. Try to get up once an hour and move for approximately three minutes. You could walk to the copier, go to the bathroom or do some stretches. You can reorganize your office so things aren’t quite so convenient to reach and you have to get up from your chair to retrieve something.

Get up and move once an hour for three minutes…it will break up the monotony of the day and keep you healthy and alert.

HIS BAGS ARE PACKED!Flat Kashmir is ready to travel this spring break! If you’re planning a getaway, near or far, be sure to bring the college’s portable mascot along.

So far Flat Kashmir has been to Germany, Maine, Jamaica, Colorado, the Dominican Republic and lots of other cool places. Help him add some stamps to his passport!

Download your own Flat Kashmir to bring along, or email melanie.reinhardt@swic.edu to get mini Flat Kashmir sent to you. Take some photos of him at your destination and then be sure to email them to kashmir@swic.edu to get them posted on his Facebook page.

HONORING OUR FALLENIn February, the United States flag and the state flag were flown at half-staff in honor of:

• Michael Holmes of the Illinois Department of Transportation

• Vincent Petrella of the Illinois Tollway

At the February meeting, the SWIC Board of Trustees:

• Accepted a $62,000 St. Clair County Multipurpose Senior Center Program Grant for SWIC Programs and Services for Older Persons to provide activities, information, and social/health services to seniors age 55 and older; and a $50,000 Manufacturing Outreach Services Grant from the Illinois Community College Board in partnership with the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center.

• Approved the following appointments: Aviation Maintenance Technology Instructor Matthew Harter; Manager of Student Accounts Lisa Curtis; Dual Credit Coordinator Amanda Guinn; full-time Commissioned Public Safety Officers Marcy J. Barrows and Keith E. Mumper.

“Regular Board Meeting Minutes” and “Other Board Minutes” are posted on www.swic.edu. Click on “About Us” and “Board of Trustees.”

FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUTSam Wolf Granite City Campus Executive Director Frank Miles has joined Smart Growth America’s “Local Leaders Council.” The 100-member council aims to develop livable communities across the country. Miles is one of four from the St. Louis area to join.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has appointed Professor Emeritus of Biology Leo Welch to the board of the Illinois State Museum.

GOT SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT? Email julie.ninnis@swic.edu with your individual or department accomplishments.

PUBLIC SAFETY BULLETINBy Public Safety Director Mark A. Green, CPP

Tornado season is fast approaching. Now is the time to refresh your awareness of tornado safety measures.

A tornado watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes. A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar.

Public Safety monitors the Emergency Broadcast System and local emergency service functions for tornado watches and warnings. Tornado information will be announced over the Public Address System and/or by Public Safety officers and other staff members.

Tornado safety directions can be found at swic.edu/publicsafety/emergencyplans.

The recent fire alarm at the Belleville Campus shed light on an important reminder—All alarms should be taken seriously. You must evacuate. Follow instructions from Public Safety or other first responders for re-entering your building. The alarm being shut off may not mean it’s safe to return to your office or classroom.

No smoking and no firearms signs are posted at every building entrance. A recent update to board policy prohibits the use of e-cigarettes and other devices that simulate visual, sensory and behavioral aspects of smoking in all college facilities and vehicles and within 15 feet of entrances/exits and windows.

In addition, pursuant to the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, firearms of any kind are not allowed on SWIC property, including buildings, athletic and entertainment venues, parking areas, sidewalks, common areas and vehicles. All weapons must be properly stored in a locked container and out of plain view prior to entering any college facility, vehicle or event.

Spring Break is March 10-16. Be sure to lock all doors, desks and files; secure valuable items such as laptops, computers, etc.; turn off all unnecessary lighting; and alert Public Safety if special needs are required in your area.