GPA: Education briefs

By: 
Tammy Walro

Sign-ups under way for Penta adult post-secondary programs
        Registration is under way for full and part-time programs at Penta Career Center, Adult Post-Secondary.
        Full-time programs begin Monday, Aug. 19 and include Automotive Mechanic Technician; Builder, Contractor and Remodeler Technology; Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Mechanic & Repair; and Welding.
        Penta’s part-time courses have flexible starting dates and include programs like Plumbing Apprenticeship and Forklift Training.
        Penta Adult Post-Secondary announced a second location at 760 W. Newton Rd. in Bowling Green for adults interested in programs such as Medical Billing and Coding and Phlebotomy Technician. These classes are forming now and are set to begin in October 2019.
        For companies and businesses, Penta offers customized workforce development training on site at business locations or in Penta’s classrooms and labs.
        Penta also offers more than 300 online courses in areas such as medical terminology, computers, finance and marketing. Through a partnership with Ed2go, the online courses are taught by expert instructors and start at $99 per six-week course.
        Adults seeking to improve their reading, writing, and math skills or study for the High School Equivalency exam can register for Penta’s Aspire Career Pathways Readiness program, offered at various locations.
        To register for any of the Adult Post-Secondary programs, call 419-661-6554 or visit the Penta campus at 9301 Buck Rd., Perrysburg.
        Additional information is available by visiting www.pentacareercenter.org and clicking on “Adult Education.” Financial aid is available for students who qualify.
 
Harris-Elmore Alumni Banquet
        The Annual Harris-Elmore High School Alumni Banquet was held May 24 at Ole Zim’s Wagon Shed in Gibsonburg.
        A total of 115 graduates and guests enjoyed dinner and fellowship. After an invocation given by Bill Draeger, President Richard Kuhlman welcomed those gathered and introduced the other officers, including Kenny Neeb, Keith Damschroder, Margaret Shaffer and Joyce Kontak.
        Honor classes were then introduced, including:
        • Class of 1949, with five attending.
        • Class of 1959, with 14 attending.
        • Class of 1944, honoring the sole attendee, Blair Miller.
        • Class of 1954, with 13 attending.
        • Class of 1964 with 13 attending.
        The class of 1961 – not an honor class – was recognized for always having a large group of graduates attending the banquet. This year there were 14 classmates plus guests for a total of 21 in attendance.
        Prize winners were Claudene Kuhlman, whose birthday was May 25; Blair Miller and Betty Haar, who tied as oldest graduates; Mary Lou Kruse, who was wearing her HEHS ring, and to Keith and Judy Damschroder, graduates married the longest (60 years). 
 
Walbridge School reunion
        An alumni reunion is planned for those who attended Walbridge School in Walbridge.
        The reunion will be held at the Walbridge VFW Banquet Hall, 109 N. Main St., on Thursday, Sept. 19. Social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Entertainment will follow.
        Spouses and guests are welcome. The cost is $20 per person. Reservations are required by Sept. 5. Call Vicki Ducket Sigler at 419-508-4653 or Cheri Sigler Carr at 419-343-1368 to make reservations.
 
Terra State College Information Day
        Terra State Community College will host a variety of events to inform the community about the services the college has to offer and to assist students in enrolling for fall 2019 classes.
        College Information Day will be held Thursday, Aug. 1 from 8 a.m-7 p.m. Everyone is welcome and registration is not required. Admissions and academic program presentations, campus tours, FAFSA help, admissions application assistance, resume assistance from OhioMeansJobs and free food will be available.
        All new Terra State students who still need to register for classes can choose from five Rapid Registration sessions on Wednesday, July 31 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. or 2-4 p.m.; Monday, Aug. 5 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. or 1-3 p.m.; or Thursday, Aug. 8 from 1-3 p.m. Call 419-559-2349 to reserve a spot.
        Walk-In Advising Days will be held to help students enroll in classes for the fall 2019 semester beginning Monday, Aug. 12 and ending Tuesday, Aug. 20. All walk-in days are from 8 a.m-7 p.m. in Roy Klay Hall.
        During Walk-In Advising Days, new and returning students can apply for admission if they have not already done so, take the appropriate placement tests, meet with an advisor, enroll in classes and receive assistance with financial aid. No appointment is necessary, but students are encouraged to arrive early.
        Visit www.terra.edu/apply to apply to become a Terra State Titan or contact the Terra State Admissions and Advising Office at 419-559-2349 or admissions@terra.edu for more information.
 
Small Business Basics
        The Ohio Small Business Development Center at Terra State Community College is offering free, two-hour “Small Business Basics” seminars that will address questions about starting, buying or expanding a small business.                Seminars will take the confusion out of an entrepreneur’s efforts and help them avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary steps. Participants will learn the basics of name registration, licensing, taxes, zoning, business entities, employees, insurance, financing and business planning. The August schedule includes:
        • Wednesday, Aug. 7, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Ottawa County Improvement Corporation (conference room), 8043 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor.
        • Wednesday, Aug. 28, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Terra State Community College (Building B, Room 103), 2830 Napoleon Rd., Fremont.
        To register or for more info, contact Bill Auxter, director of the Ohio Small Business Development Center, at 419-559-2210 or bauxter@terra.edu.
 
Tools for School
        The Salvation Army-Port Clinton Service Unit is accepting applications and donations for the “Tools for School Program.”
        The program will assist school-aged children in Ottawa County who are in need of school supplies and book bags for the 2019-2020 school year. Applications are available at The Salvation Army Office, 1834 E. Perry St., Port Clinton; The Sutton Center, 1848-1856 E. Perry St., Port Clinton; Ottawa County Department of Job and Family Services, 8043 West SR 163, Suite 200, Oak Harbor, and at all Ottawa County libraries.
        Donations for Tools for School may be dropped off at a variety of drop sites including The Salvation Army Office, Trinity Lutheran Church in Elmore and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Williston, among others.
        Distribution days are Aug. 19 and 20 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at The Salvation Army.
        This program is supported by the Ottawa County Republican Women and local donations. For more info or to make a donation, call Salvation Army Director Maureen Saponari at 419-732-2769.
        Items still needed include book bags, pencils, pens, glue sticks, crayons, loose leaf paper, one-subject notebooks, composition notebooks, washable markers, colored pencils, pencil pouches, erasers, folders, highlighters and dry-erase markers.
 
Downtown Fremont event
        Downtown Fremont will host the Croghan Colonial Bank Farmers Market and Fremont City Schools All Together Fremont Events from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3. Attendance is free and is a rain or shine affair.
        In addition to multi-cultural food and music, the annual school supply giveaway hosted by LIFT Fremont will be conducted.
 
BGSU, Owens partnership to benefit nursing students
        Bowling Green State University and Owens Community College have announced a new partnership designed to help nursing students who have completed Owens’ Associate of Applied Science in registered nursing go on to earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing at BGSU.
        “We are proud to establish this pathway with Owens Community College, which not only helps area students continue their education, but also supports the Institute of Medicine’s initiative recommending that 80 percent of the RN workforce have a BSN by 2020,” said Dr. Jim Ciesla, BGSU College of Health and Human Services dean.
        Currently, 64 percent of the Ohio RN workforce has a Bachelor of Science in nursing.
        BGSU’s RN to BSN program is 100 percent online and assists the working registered nurse to complete the BSN degree in a flexible and convenient manner. The goals of the program include helping RNs broaden their professional career opportunities, enhance their academic credentials and advance their health care knowledge.
        Owens students will be able to complete general education courses for BGSU while they are taking their courses at Owens. After receiving their associate degree and passing the NCLEX exam, students can begin working on their BSN and complete it in as few as four semesters.
        “We are very excited about the nursing program transfer pathway agreement with Bowling Green State University,” said Catherine Ford, M.Ed., R.T.R, dean, Owens School of Nursing and Health Professions. “Owens nursing graduates can now seamlessly transfer to the BGSU BSN Program, allowing them to begin working as a registered nurse in two years while continuing their education as a BGSU student. This collaboration is especially important as the need for registered nurses in northwest Ohio and nationwide continues to be very strong.”
        Graduates of the RN to BSN program may find employment in a variety of health care settings, including acute care, home health, community health, school nursing, long-term care, hospice and health departments.
        The agreement is in effect from Fall Semester 2019 through June 30, 2025.
 
Teaching Excellence Award
         Ramadevi Kannan, Owens Community College assistant professor of accounting, has been named a regional recipient of the 2019 Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Teaching Excellence Award. The ACBSP recognizes individuals each year who exemplify teaching excellence in the classroom.
        Professor Kannan was honored, along with other regional recipients, at the 2019 ACBSP Conference in Houston, Texas in June. She received a crystal medallion and a $250 check. In addition, Kannan was selected from all regional award winners as the recipient of the ACBSP International Teaching Excellence Award for 2019, which was not announced until the awards ceremony at the conference. She was presented with an engraved crystal award and a check for $500.
         “Ms. Kannan has a reputation for working very closely with students to ensure they have the tools needed to be successful. She is fair and kind when dealing with students’ issues and she delivers the curriculum to suit multiple learning styles. Furthermore, I recently learned that Rama even went so far as to financially assist a student whose laptop was stolen during the semester. That level of dedication to students is extraordinary, and illustrates her kindness and compassion for helping students succeed,” said Elizabeth “Libby” King, chair, Business Technologies, Owens Community College.
 
Maritime Academy Sail Training for students
        The Maritime Academy of Toledo is sponsoring three students to go on a live-aboard sail training program from July 21-Aug. 3.
        Students boarded the U.S. Brig Niagara in Bay City, Michigan, traveling to Green Bay and then Kenosha, Wisconsin. The voyage, partially circumnavigating Michigan’s lower peninsula, will take the students through some of the most scenic territory in the country.
        The two-week trip and corresponding school assignments will result in the students earning two hours of summer school credit in Maritime Lab. A number of Maritime subjects will be covered including Chain of Command, Vessel Familiarization, General Personal Safety, Emergency Procedures, General Seamanship and Ship’s History.
        Students serving as cadet trainees aboard the Niagara on the “Around the Mitten” Voyage include Xavier Runion, senior in Maritime Occupations Career Tech; Lauren Pitzen, junior in Maritime Occupations Career Tech and Skylar Young, senior in Culinary Career Tech.
 
Wood Co. residents enroll in WGU Ohio
        Nearly 30 Wood County residents are working toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree at Western Governors University Ohio.
         WGU, an accredited online university, was conceived by a group of governors in 1997 to offer students, particularly adult learners, the chance to go to college, while working and caring for their families. Last year, Ohio became the eighth state to partner with WGU to offer its programs in heath and nursing, business, teaching and information technology.
        WGU’s partnership with the state means that eligible Ohio residents may receive tuition support through the Ohio College Opportunity Grant, Ohio National Guard and Reserve Scholarship, Ohio War Orphans Scholarship or the Ohio Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program.
        WGU Ohio offers a flexible model that embraces different student lifestyles.
        Students earn their degrees by demonstrating what they know and can do (competencies) instead of measuring seat time in a classroom.
        Students accelerate through course material as quickly as they can demonstrate mastery of the competencies. Degree programs start on the first of every month, year-round.
        Each student gets one-on-one support from faculty.
        WGU collaborates with employers in the development and ongoing transformation of its curriculum, ensuring that what students learn is current and relevant.
        WGU’s tuition is about $3,500 per six-month term for undergraduate programs and about $3,800 per term for graduate programs. The flat-rate tuition model means students may complete as many courses as they are able to each term at no additional cost. All learning materials are included in the flat fee, so there are no additional textbook costs for students.
        More information on WGU is available at www.wgu.edu/ohio.html.
 
Sergent named dean of new Terra State division
        Ann Sergent, originally from Woodville, has accepted the Dean of Liberal Arts and Business position at Terra State Community College. Since October 2016, Sergent has moved from Interim Assistant Dean of Business Humanities and Industrial Technologies (BHIT) to Assistant Dean to Interim Dean.
        On July 1, Terra State reorganized programs into three divisions – Allied Health, Nursing and Science; Liberal Arts and Business and Technology and Skilled Trades.
        Terra State President Dr. Ronald Schumacher believes Sergent is a great fit. “I appreciate all the work Ann did as the Interim Dean while we were investigating the opportunity to go to three divisions,” he said. “I’m excited to see the energy she’ll bring to this position and to see the continued success of the division under her leadership.”
        Sergent has been employed at Terra State for eight years. Before her Interim Assistant Dean position, she started at Terra State as an adjunct faculty member and also worked as an advisor.
        She is excited to lead this new division. “I work with a great group of people and I love our students. That’s why we’re here,” she said.
        Moving forward, Sergent wants to help strengthen the programs the College already has. “We’re lucky to have Mike Czeczele on board to lead our music program and I’d like to build our Agribusiness program. Agriculture is huge here.” She also specifically wants to help get the business program accredited.
        Prior to her employment at Terra State, Sergent started working in business as a retail store manager before going back to college. After that, she started teaching.
        She received a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Sciences and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Bowling Green State University.
 
Program increases girls’ financial literacy
        Girl Scouts of Western Ohio announced a new partnership with State Farm Insurance called “Financing My Future,” a financial literacy program for Northwest Ohio Girl Scouts in grades K-3. The program is being made possible by a $15,000 grant from the State Farm Companies Foundation.
        “Financing My Future” will be launched in summer 2019 and the 2019-2020 school year. The program teaches the basics of business, budgeting, economics, and entrepreneurship to increase girls’ financial literacy and prepare them for more intensive math classes in school. Girls will participate in financial literacy-focused badge workshops, troop programs and events. In the first year, the program aims to serve 300 girls.
        “Girl Scouts has been teaching girls how to be financially savvy since our founding,” said Roni Luckenbill, CEO of Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. “Through the Girl Scout Cookie Program and our life skills and entrepreneurship badges, we are invested in teaching girls about finances. We are grateful to State Farm Insurance for this grant because now we can teach some of our youngest girls about financial literacy.”
        “At State Farm, our mission is to help people. Our culture is designed to ‘be here to help life go right’ in every community where we live, work and serve. We believe financial education is critical for healthy, vibrant communities, and we are proud to support Girl Scouts of Western Ohio,” said Benjamin Justice, Public Affairs Specialist at State Farm Insurance. “Girl Scouts of Western Ohio is doing great work to help girls understand business and economics through programming to build girls’ courage, confidence and character."
        To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join Girl Scouts, visit gswo.org, or follow Girl Scouts of Western Ohio on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. 
 

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