Projects  |  Campus News  |  Faculty & Staff News  |  Student News   In This Issue … November 16, 2007 Child of the Kosmos… Schedule change for DeConcini visit… National Disability Employment Awareness Month… New Life Sciences Building design… Learning Support Services… 2007 All-USA Team members…   Campus News   Child of the Kosmos at the CPA I encourage all of our faculty, staff and students to attend PVCC's drama, Child of the Kosmos, November 16 - 18; Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. It is a remarkable production, written and produced by Theatre faculty member Alan Tongret, directed by Theatre faculty member Gary Zaro, with original music and sound design by Fine Arts Chairperson, Dr. Christopher Scinto. This play was produced in cooperation with the PVCC Science Division, with Dr. Casey Durandet as Science Advisor. I am certain you will find this to be an extraordinary production, creatively staged, artistically enacted and definitely worth seeing! Congratulations to our talented faculty members, production staff, science advisors and to our artists and Art faculty member Adria Pecora, who mounted the creative art displays that are featured in our CPA Lobby. Schedule change for Dennis DeConcini visit Due to time constraints, former U.S. Senator DeConcini has had to shift his schedule slightly. He will speak at a public forum Friday, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. November 30, in KSC208, where PVCC students, faculty and community are invited to ask questions. He will also sign his book, Senator Dennis DeConcini: From the Center of the Aisle. A native Arizonan, he served in the U.S. Senate for 18 years, from 1977 to 1995. He currently serves on the Arizona Board of Regents, which governs the three public universities in Arizona. This promises to be a rewarding event, and I encourage you to attend. National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 200 Celebrate Abilities Please join us for a conversation addressing the experiences of Employees with Disabilities at Maricopa. This will be an opportunity for people with disabilities (visible and hidden) and people who care about their experience to connect and talk together about opportunities and challenges within the community college system.  The conversation will be facilitated by Rory Gilbert, Manager for Diversity Initiatives, MCCCD. November 28, 2007, 9:00 – 11:00 AM, PVCC Please RSVP (at least three days notice) A light meal will be provided. National Disability Employment Awareness Month is an opportunity to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of Americans with disabilities and to underscore our Nation's commitment to advancing employment opportunities for all our citizens.   Americans with disabilities strengthen our country's workforce, and their achievements help keep our Nation the world's economic leader. Landmark reforms such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 have helped to ensure that individuals with disabilities are better able to engage in productive work and participate fully in the life of our Nation. It is important that we continue to expand on these opportunities for Americans with disabilities by eliminating the barriers and false perceptions that hinder them from joining the workforce. By enhancing the workplace environment for people with disabilities, employers can help provide access to jobs that allow these individuals to demonstrate their potential and realize their dreams. (A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America) This conversation is sponsored by Maricopa Diversity Initiatives. For more information contact Rory Gilbert or call 18211. Faculty & Staff News   Learning Support Services Congratulations to Dr. Rick Sheets, PVCC’s Learning Support Center Director who has just become the 41st President of the College Reading & Learning Association (CRLA). This national organization, founded in 1967, numbers 1,200 post-secondary learning assistance members, and offers International Tutor Program Certification. As part of his duties, Dr. Sheets organized CRLA’s recent 40th Anniversary Conference in Portland, Oregon, where more than 700 members attended. “The theme at this year’s conference was Focus on Learning, and it dealt with the three dimensions of learning: student learning, staff learning, and organizational learning,” Dr. Sheets says. “And I’m proud to say that PVCC’s three dimensions of learning was cited as an example.”   The presidency carries a three-year term, so he expects to be quite busy for some time to come. “This year was a trial by fire,” he says. “Next year I’ll be dealing with states and regents. I’m both honored and excited to be a part of this.” Student News   2007 All-USA Academic Team Members I am pleased to share the news that on Thursday, the PVCC Honors Faculty Committee announced the All-USA Academic Team members for 2007-2008.  Please join in congratulating these extraordinary student leaders. Michael Bouey, a tutor in the LSC, senator in the Student Leadership Council, orientation leader for the iStart Smart program, and member of the Honors Program, finds time to excel in his academic studies and actively serve in the Arizona National Guard.  Michael is a Phi Theta Kappa member, a PEAK Leadership program participant, and an advocate for student community service. Rebecca Martos, selected as one of only five students at the Arizona Town Hall representing the Maricopa Community Colleges, never stands still.   An officer in Phi Theta Kappa, member of the Student Honors Advisory Board, Foundation Scholar, recipient of the Eliot and Arlene Kauffman Memorial Scholarship, the 2007 Canticles Honorarium, and Certificate of Achievement for Fine and Performing Arts Scholarship for music, Rebecca threatens to be a PVCC “lifer.” In being named All-USA Academic Team members, both students will receive tuition scholarships for two years at any of the three Arizona state universities.  In addition, their application essays will be judged at the state and national levels by Phi Theta Kappa.  Winners on the national level will be honored by USA Today and Phi Theta Kappa.  Please congratulate these students and their Honors coordinators and PVCC faculty for all their accomplishments. Projects Update   New Life Sciences Building Design Development On November 2, 2007, there was a Design Development Presentation by the PVCC Life Science Building architects, Marlene Imirzian & Associates. The architects presented the design and development phase of the project, and the fundamental aspects have not changed, although the floor plan in the administration area has been revised. The exterior collaboration spaces have been reworked in size and location to work within the proportions of the overhang, but the classrooms and lab layouts remain the same as in previous presentations.   During the presentation, we learned that the glass at the hallways will allow for the majority of the offices to receive borrowed light, while at the same time, eliminating direct sunlight and glare in the interior spaces. The copper used in the project will be pre-aged and sealed, thus it will not continue to age and will not stain surrounding surfaces. The roof drain pipes and pools at the northwest and south ends of the building were discussed. The pools will hold water only for a short period of time during rainstorms. Most of the time, the pools will be empty and have river rock at the bottom. Concrete seat walls and steps surround the pools to allow for gathering spaces. The drainpipes will have openings along their height to allow water to spill down the pipe during a rainstorm. These openings will be in the shape of a double helix. One large creosote bush will be relocated because of concerns of construction damage. Since the trunk is 14 inches in diameter, due care will be taken during its move. We will continue to keep you apprised of any future developments in this project. In the meantime, we hope you share our excitement over the design of the new Life Sciences Building. We are certain it will be one that PVCC faculty, staff, students and the community will be proud of. Cordially, Mary Kay Kickels President Do you have an interesting program, or outstanding accomplishment or student to highlight? If so, e-mail the News Desk at pvcc.news@pvmail.maricopa.edu A publication of the Paradise Valley Community College Office of the President 2007 © Maricopa County Community College District