Red Cross Blood Drive

Justeen Elliott and Jennifer Camarillo are potential student donors at the Spring Red Cross Blood Drive on LBCC campus. They must read an informational booklet, especially prior to their first donation. The halls were fairly empty, but a steady flow of donors arrived, by appointment and drop-in basis.

Stephanie Hendrickson has been a Red Cross employee for 2.5 years, and she is on her way to becoming an x-ray tech/ radiologist. She brings humor to a possibly stressful event, since some donors are willing but anxious. Hendrickson is studying to become an x-ray tech/ radiologist.

Tonya Horton completed her donation quickly, with the help of a therapeutic squishy device. She was surprised with how painless and fast the donation was.

Paul Tannahill Likes a Good Challenge

You know how Clark Kent was reporter by day, and superhero extraordinaire by night? Similarly, this juxtaposition shows through Paul Tannahill's personality, despite the similarity in his passion for hidden challenges and a need for improvement.


Not only is he the E-learning Systems Administrator for LBCC (a name he came up with, to replace the un-thrilling title of "Media Technician 4), but he has several interesting hobbies.


His professional experiences began with an interest in the military, fresh out of high school. He was inspired to instruct, after seeing how Marines do things. After four years of enlistment, he left to work for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He felt compelled to improve the educational method, because of the “procedural style” of training, that he found excessive. Instead of direct lecture, he helped to create more of a visual aid/ graphic approach to gun training.


In 1999, Tannahill endured an ear injury, requiring a tympanoplasty to the right ear drum. After recovery, he began instructing on various computer applications, and noticed a disturbing symptom. After an eight hour day, he was “mumbling in class.” He learned that the surgery on his ear had included permanent manipulation of some nerves, including some for his tongue. He says this was life-altering, “I side-stepped out of the career path I had chosen for myself.” It was a difficult pill to swallow.


He took a three-year position as a land surveyor in Linn and Benton counties, and in this time, Tannahill put much thought into his passion for teaching. He wondered if there might be an option relying less on spoken instruction. “How do I get back into that?” he kept asking himself.


After work as a course-builder at OSU, using the Blackboard platform, he was offered a position at LBCC just over three years ago. It was an easy decision for him, especially because the political environment is much less prevalent at LBCC. He said, “I love what I do. If I could afford to do this job for free, I would.” He is able to implement a respected Marinecorps motto: “Improvise, adapt, and overcome.” He is ultimately responsible for making sure Moodle is constantly transforming, to meet the needs of its customers: teachers and students.

Outside of the workplace, Tannahill has even more unique interests. Among them, two have really gotten major focus. He loves mountain biking, and even said “I could show Bear Grylls how to do it!” He likes the adrenaline and passion involved in the sport. Even lesser-known is the hobby of geocaching. He says he is privy to many secret locations, including where he claims is “the best swimming hole in the world.” His geocaching name is “pablomac,” and he has many followers on youtube and twitter, as well as heading up SWAG (Santiam Willamette Area Geocaching). He even loves combining the hobbies: He takes a bike to find the hidden treasures. 

It is evident that Tannahill thrives on a sense of adventure, whether in the workplace, or teetering on a cliff’s edge. The sense of accomplishment is definitely what keeps this man on his feet, and inspired to always search for ways to improve what he can.

Scholarship Workshop Educates Students

“You can’t win the lottery if you don’t play," LBCC's Financial Aid representative Sharon Wall stated, "The scholarships available through LBCC allow for much higher odds than a state lottery."

Many LBCC scholarships (read: free money) go un-awarded as a result of few qualified applications. This event helps educate prospective applicants and many students do not realize the short amount of time and effort required in the process. The packet is a few pages worth of questions to answer and two recommendation letter worksheets. Download and fill one out every term, because there is nothing to lose!

Students should review the list of scholarships available on the LBCC website, because as Wall states, "most students qualify for at least one." April 22, 2011 was the deadline for Fall 2011 applications, and Wall helped prepare the fifteen to twenty students at the workshop. With only nine days prior to the application deadline, it was time to expedite the process for those getting started during the April 13th workshop.

According to Wall, there are "thousands of scholarship awards per term, including up to six worth $1000.00 each." Wall was not comfortable quoting the exact dollar amount, stating that it fluctuates every term. She said the easiest way to get information about up-to-date scholarship availability is to look on the scholarship database, which is easily located on the LBCC website. 

Some terms there are dozens of applicants, and other terms, only a few. In contrast, there are an estimated thirty scholarships currently listed on the database, which are processed through financial aid. 

The financial aid office processes the majority of the school’s scholarship applications, but there are exceptions for the few that are department- specific (such as Biology, Auto-mechanics, and Animal Sciences).  There are additional websites to search for non-LBCC scholarships. These are referenced on the website, but they are not endorsed in any way by the school. 

 
 When the applications are received and reviewed for completion, they are processed through the LBCC Foundation office (a special group whose primary job is to determine awards of scholarships). Once awarded, scholarship funds are applied to a student's LBCC account to first reduce student loans. Unsubsidized loans are eliminated first, because they are the types of loans that begin accruing interest the minute they are disbursed to the student’s account, instead of the more kind subsidized loans.

The amount awarded may not exceed the estimated cost of attendance, so if a student were lucky enough to be awarded that much, other scholarships would fall by the wayside. Scholarships awarded in Spring count toward Fall term (and subsequent terms, if applicable), and Fall awards count toward Spring term.

The LBCC Scholarship website has various search functions, including specific term, academic subject area, keyword, minimum GPA, and area of residence requirements. It is important to verify that the applicant meets all qualifications, so that processors are able to evaluate the applications. Two letters of recommendation are required for application, which are preferably from professional references.

It takes about a week to process applications, and a few weeks past that to mail response letters, notifying students of their award status. Some students receive several awards, and some receive none. For the amount of effort of required, the odds of "winning" are high, and would mean a lower amount owed after graduation.


An art student whispered a question about her qualifications, and decided to leave part-way through the presentation, when informed she did not qualify for a specific desired scholarship. Students' other questions after the presentation were specific to their circumstances, regarding their eligibility. Aside from the fine details, the workshop was straightforward and exhaustive to the average student.

mug shot and portrait

Jeb Oliver - one of the co-founders of the LBCC Veteran's Club

In his natural habitat- the LBCC Commuter office. Jeb is wearing custom-designed military boots. 4/22/2011.

Scholarship Workshop

Sharon Wall begins the Scholarship Workshop Wednesday April 13, 2011.The most important aspect of the process is learning to search for scholarships on the LBCC scholarships website.

Students are pleasantly surprised to learn that the application process is stream-lined for the scholarships through the LBCC Financial Aid office. Wednesday April 13, 2011.

A student has questions for Sharon Wall after the first workshop session. Wednesday April 13, 2011.

First photo post

Stephanie Podrabsky waits for her Math 111 class, near the Cycloidal Pendulum in White Oak Hall at LBCC. This tends to be a quiet area, and those not studying may appreciate the mesmerizing quality of this project.

Quite possibly the largest compass on campus...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aron Beugli, with his Chemistry homework, sits near the Cycloid diagram in White Oak Hall. There is no doubt that students are in the Science area of campus, with science homework and diagrams all over the lobby.

LBCC Veterans Club invites you!

Soldier's Cross

      

            May 25, 2011 marks the date for the LBCC Memorial Day Vigil, as planned by the Veteran’s Club.  Their regular club meetings are on Thursdays in the LBCC Fireside Room, but this is their big annual event, which will be held in the LBCC courtyard.

"It’s not just a club.” While there is no official mission statement or club motto, this sentiment was repeated several times from all of the club members.

Club members experienced difficulty in arranging to have a traditional Soldier’s Cross at the Memorial Day event. This is because a firearm is the main part of the centerpiece and there are laws against viable firearms on campus. School officials granted permission in this circumstance, to include the Soldier’s Cross, along with the American flag, and the various service flags (Army, Marines, Navy, etc.).  Various military service facts will be posted around the courtyard, along with comparison of combat and humanitarian efforts, discussion of the stigma often affiliated with veterans and the military, and the importance of observing the holiday beyond the excuse for a weekend barbeque.

            The student president of the club, David Mayotte, says the unofficial club mission statement is “To help with the transition from military to civilian life, and create a community.” As many veterans know, this sense of community is strengthened when the military branch or even specialty are shared. 

Mayotte states that the group meets the invaluable need to breach the red tape that veterans experience, especially regarding school issues, and to connect veterans with useful contacts already known to the group. Raising the awareness of veterans on campus is Mayotte’s main focus, to help avoid the sense of alienation that is often inevitable.

            The club has been asked to help train faculty on specific interaction with veterans, with a range of specific needs. A current club goal is to add to new student orientation, about the club and the help available. As the club grows, some possible goals include: veterans tutoring other veterans, organizing a veteran’s textbook sale/trade, and open discussion on other helpful school-related issues.

            Bill Stanley, the Veteran’s Club vice president, says that can be difficult to find new club candidates. Many prospective members act receptive, but rarely follow through, or have specific reasons for lack of club interest. Many veterans seem “done with it,” in regards to their military experience and affiliation. Stanley says that anyone with ANY military experience, whether it be personal, family, or close friend, is welcomed. Even the Corvallis military surplus store is supportive of the club, and has made donations.

Bill felt he had great difficulty finding a “niche” here, after his separation from the military. The club had many solutions for this issue, for Bill, and for his brother Dave. He notes that the camaraderie in the military is difficult to replace, once returning to the civilian world. Finding other veterans helps.

Jeb Oliver is the original co-founder (along with Maria Ballard, who is no longer in the club), over a year ago. Since his military involvement, it is personally rewarding for him to be able to help others. He discusses needs veterans have, for “someone to talk to,” and “to relate to others.” He refers to family members with military experience (including his father’s career choice), and that by itself, is enough to be welcomed into the club with open arms. Most important to him is that the club members “take care of each other. It’s a good thing.”

Honoring a fallen serviceman.

At a Glance:
What: LBCC Veterans Memorial Vigil
When: May 25 
Where: LBCC courtyard
Club officers: David Mayotte - student president; Bill Stanley - vice president; Jeb Oliver - co-founder
Faculty advisor:  Lewis Franklin (also head of LBCC Graphic Arts department)

Spring Has Sprung!!

 It's the sign of Spring term beginning, 

with daffodils blooming in all of the flower beds at LBCC,

and many students carrying class schedule and location.

The LBCC solar panels are drying out, along with the quad.

It will be more than just a walkway, when students actually

want to spend time doing homework or socializing here.

My first post

awwwwww LAWL (in honor of Uncle Davie and classmate Justeen)