Monthly Highlights
March 2005 Highlights
FIVE CITIZENS FILED FOR ELECTION to the Lane Community College Board of Education in the May 17 special district election. Running for Zone 1, primarily western Lane County, are incumbent Paul Holman of Florence, on the board since 2002, and challengers Rich Cunningham of Eugene and Rob Spooner of Florence. Running unchallenged for Zone 3, primarily Springfield and Marcola, is former board member Pat Riggs-Henson of Springfield; incumbent Dennis Shine of Springfield, on the board since 2001, did not file for re-election. Running unchallenged for Zone 4, primarily eastern Lane County, is Susie Johnston of Pleasant Hill; incumbent Kathleen Shelley of Vida, on the board since 1996, will not run for re-election. Voters throughout the district vote on all positions, even though candidates running for a zone position must live within the zone. Election is to a four-year term beginning July 1, 2005, and expiring June 30, 2009.
AN ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE Oregon Transfer Degree-Business (ASOT-Business) was approved and will facilitate transfer to Oregon University System schools. Lane offers all required courses.
A BUS STRIKE affected Lane riders during dead week, March 7-13. Students and employees were advised in advance to stay informed and make their own transportation arrangements. Many riders carpooled.
LANE'S SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM continues to grow. A composter now in use for one year has processed 6.5 tons of kitchen scraps from Food Services, producing 4 tons of compost for groundskeeping purposes. Also, a rainwater collection system has been installed on Building 20 to conserve water and mitigate storm water run off; in the future, the collected rainwater also may be used for irrigation. For information about the sustainability program, see http://www.lanecc.edu/sustainability.
RUSSIAN EDUCATORS from private middle schools and high schools visited Lane as part of a tour of education in America arranged through a Rotary program.
THE TRIO LEARNING CENTER was awarded $1.25 million for another five years of service to first generation/low income students, and students with disabilities. The Department of Education grants awards to those programs who score in the top 10 percent of the competition. Lane has been very successful in improving the persistence, graduation, and transfer rates of its participants. The TRiO newsletter is available at www.lanecc.edu/trio.
COMCAST DONATED $1,500 TO THE RITES OF PASSAGE program at Lane. The check was presented by Robert Schroeter, government affairs manager, and his associate, Jennifer Jacobson. Accepting were Board of Education member Dennis Shine, President Mary Spilde, and Foundation Director Janet Anderson. See photo at http://www.lanecc.edu/mpr/news/newsatlane.htm
THE NURSING PROGRAM received accreditation affirmation for eight years. The affirmation included five commendations and seven recommendations.
THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM won its first Southern Region Title in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges playoffs, and placed second in the NWAACC tournament.
ARTISTS WHO TEACH, a Lane art faculty exhibit, was shown at the DIVA galleries in downtown Eugene throughout March.
BERNICE STATON, who donated $2 million to Lane for scholarships, passed away in February.
WENDELL BUTLER was named Employee of the Month. He is the general services coordinator at Lane's Downtown Center and has been with the college since 1998. He is co-chair of Lane's employee giving campaign for United Way and the Foundation.
VICKI RAMSEY died March 16 in an auto accident. She worked in Continuing Education for nearly 19 years and retired in October 2004.
Excerpted from Lane Weekly and news sources by Joan Aschim, public information officer, Marketing and Public Relations March 2005.