News from the Front: Produced by the Office of Institutional Advancement PVCC
 
Campus News  | Faculty & Staff News  | Student News  | Projects
 
In This Issue … NOVEMBER. 20, 2009
PVCC Helps Struggling Families... Grab a Pizza Today for the United Way...Important Dates... 2009 Collaboration of Caring... High School Senior Night Dec. 9... Christmas Dance Concert... Fall Dance Collection... Paradise on Broadway... A New Doctor is In... Douglass Featured on History Channel...
Barney Named Coach of the Year... Honors Students Named to All-Academic Team... Hoop of Learning Students Attend Conference... Pumas Race to Finish at Nationals... Puma Women Vie for First National Soccer Title... New Spaces Envisioned for KSC Remodel...
 
Campus News
 

PVCC Helps Struggling Families
A family of five is struggling to make ends meet since both parents were laid off from their jobs. The rent is due and they face eviction. When asked what they wanted for Christmas, the mom began to cry and replied, "Any help would be greatly appreciated."

A single mother of four children works as a housekeeper. The children’s father is incarcerated and
her pay barely covers the family’s living expenses, much less a holiday meal or gifts. Another single mother regularly donates plasma to buy items for her son that she can't buy with food stamps.
She is trying very hard to provide for her son, but life situations continue to make it a struggle.

These are the stories of just three of the 10 families PVCC's Student Life and Leadership is adopting for the holidays. Can you help make their season a little brighter? A master gift list is located in the Student Life & Leadership Office itemizing the food, household items and gifts requested. Donations to this campaign will be accepted through Dec. 11.

Please stop by Student Life & Leadership Office, KSC 135, to sign up to help a family.  Individuals and departments are encouraged to participate. For more information, call 602-787-7240 or email Ryan Martin at ryan.martin@pvmail.maricopa.edu.

Grab a Pizza Today for the United Way
Hungry? Don't forget to get a pizza from noon to 8 p.m. today from the Peter Piper Pizza at 245 E. Bell Road. Pick up a flier from the Student Life Office and treat yourself to lunch, or head over after work. You will receive 10 free game tokens. Fifteen percent of the proceeds will be donated to the PVCC United Way campaign.

Important Dates

  Nov. 26-29  Thanksgiving Holiday
  Nov 30 Last Day Student-Initiated Withdrawal Accepted
  Dec. 4  Spring Tuition Due (After Dec. 4 due on the day of registration)
  Dec. 4  Spring Financial Aid Applications Deadline
             (After Dec. 4, applications are accepted but funds may be delayed)
  Dec 13 Last Day of Regular Classes
  Dec 14-17 Final Exams
  Dec 25 to Jan. 2 Winter Break (Campus Closed)

2009 PVCC Collaboration of Caring
There's still time to donate items for PVCC's 2009 Collaboration of Caring. Many faculty, staff and students already generously contributed to these drives for the needy sponsored by Phi Beta Lambda, the Veteran Students Association, PVCC humanities classes and the ACE program. The donated non-perishable food, clothing, shoes, toys and personal hygiene items will be distributed during the holiday season. Collections continue next week at the following times and locations:
  • Canned and nonperishable foods for Desert Mission Food Bank
    9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Wednesday, Nov. 25
    KSC Hallway table and boxes outside of the Life Sciences, M and E buildings
  • Unwrapped new toys for the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots program
    10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 20, 23 and 24 in the KSC Hallway
  • New socks and gently used or new shoes for Shoebox Ministries
    24 hour collection boxes through Nov. 25 in the Life Science building, KSC, fitness center
    and E building
  • New or gently used jeans and shirts for the American Red Cross and Goodwill
    8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21; weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Nov. 24.
If you have questions about PVCC’s Collaboration of Caring, contact Chris Hunt, Service Learning/Honors program advisor, at 602-787-7888.
 
High School Senior Night Dec. 9
High School seniors and their parents are invited to Paradise Valley Community College from 6:30
to 8:30 p.m., Dec. 9, in the PVCC Studio Theatre – M Building. Meet faculty and staff; find out about choosing a major; learn about PVCC’s two-year career and university transfer programs; and discover a wealth of financial aid options. Contact Ivette Quintero at ivette.quintero@pvmail.maricopa.edu
or call 602-787-7176.

Fall Dance Collection
Dynamic guest choreographer Aaron McGloin brings his beautiful and yet peculiar and unexpected works to the PVCC Fall Dance Collection 2009. Quitalyn Love-Cheramie presents an exciting fusion of modern and jazz techniques while PVCC dance students Jacquelyn Raffield and Kelsey Harper-Smith premier a duet and solo dance reflecting their own personal styles. The collection will also feature the choreography of Erin Nielson, Ava Flemming, Sonia Valle, Slawomir Wozniak and the amazing acrobatics of Axe Capoeira Groupo.

  7:30 p.m., Dec. 4 and 5

  $12 adults | $8 seniors & staff |$8 students |Children under 10 free
  Tickets: www.pvc.maricopa.edu/cpa/

Christmas Dance Concert
Tickets are on sale now for the Christmas Dance Concert featuring AZDanceGroup, a professional contemporary touring dance company under the artistic direction of Kenda Newbury. She also is creator
of AZDance's Movement E-Motion, an inspirational dance program
for individuals with physical challenges and different abilities. This performance features guest artist Astrit Zejnati, a principal dancer with Ballet Arizona and MEM.  These entertaining, inspirational and thought-provoking works fuse the techniques of ballet, jazz and modern dance. For show information go to www.azdance.org
  2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6
  PVCC Center for the Performing Arts
  $12 adults | $8 seniors & staff |$8 students |Children under 10 free
  Tickets: www.pvc.maricopa.edu/cpa/

Paradise on Broadway
The PVCC Musical Theatre Workshop presents "Paradise on Broadway: A Musical Review" featuring
15 talented performers presenting works from some of America’s best musical theater composers
and lyricists.
 
  7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12
  $10 adults |$8 seniors & staff | $5 students |$3 Children
  Studio Theater, M-East Building
  Tickets: www.pvc.maricopa.edu/cpa/

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Faculty & Staff News
 
A New Doctor is In
Adjunct English Faculty Stephanie Polliard recently completed her dissertation to receive her Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in curriculum and instruction from Northern Arizona University. Polliard has been teaching English 101 and 102 and Introduction to Literature at PVCC since 2006 and says she hopes to become a full-time faculty member.

Douglass Featured on History Channel
Don't miss Geography Faculty John Douglass on the premiere episode of the 2009-10 season of "How the Earth Was Made" on The History Channel. The episode focuses on the how the Grand Canyon was made and features Douglass' Stream Table at PVCC. Douglass created a model of the Grand Canyon on a 20- x 8-foot table to simulate the stream processes he believes cut the 300-mile canyon one mile deep. Douglass spent two days in the field looking at evidence of his research with the History Channel film team before demonstrating his theory with the table on campus.

  How the Earth Was Made
  7 p.m.  and 11 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24
  The History Channel

Barney Named Coach of the Year
PVCC Head Coach Dave Barney was chosen by his peers as the 2009 national Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year by the National Junior College Athletic Association. Barney's cross-country team returned from nationals this year just shy of earning back-to-back national championships. He is PVCC's first and only cross country and track and field coach and his men's and women's teams combined have won four national championships since 1996. 

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Student News
 
Honors Students Named to All-Academic Team
PVCC students Jenny Lovett and Cherie Hutchison were selected by the Honors Faculty Committee to represent the college on the 2009-1010 All-USA Academic Team for their academic achievement, leadership and service. This honor includes two-year tuition scholarships at any of
the three Arizona state universities. 

Lovett and Hutchison each have a 4.0 GPA. Lovett is an aspiring teacher. Hutchison is PVCC's Fine and Performing Arts Merit Scholarship winner and was chosen as one of three Emerging Artists this year. Her work is on exhibit this month in the Center for the Performing Arts Lobby.

Hoop of Learning Students Attend Conference
Kristy Flores and Kandace Gishey from PVCC's Hoop of Learning and ACE programs attended the Arizona Indian Education Association's American Indian Youth Conference Nov. 12 and 13 at the University of Arizona. "Today's Learners - Tomorrow's Leaders" was the theme of the conference, which encourages and helps youth achieve their academic and career goals and make positive change in their communities.

Accompanied by Hoop of Learning Coordinator Nizhoni Marks, Flores and Gishey participated with American Indian students from across Arizona and had the opportunity to connect with students
from their own tribal communities. They attended sessions and networked with higher education staff and community leaders.

Pumas Race to the Finish at XCountry Nationals
The PVCC Men's Cross Country Team ran a tough race to defend last year's national championship
but fell a disappointing two points short of winning the 8K run and the 2009 national title. However, three Pumas ended the season as All-Americans: George Alex (4th overall), Tailhar Hasson (12th) and Aaaron Sherf (15th). The men’s team previously dominated the 2009 Region I meet in Casa Grande to claim the Region I Championship, and all seven Puma runners earning All-Region honors.

The Puma women finished 18th in the nation after finishing fourth in the region and qualifying for nationals with a 15th place ranking. Erin Sesemann and Katrina Lee earned spots on All-Region teams.

Puma Women Vie for First National Soccer Title
The Puma women's soccer team are in Tyler, Texas, this week with their eye on a national   championship. In the first round of the National Junior College Athletic Association tournament,
the women defeated Community College of Rhode Island 1-0. It was a record 19th win for the
season and 12th straight win for the 2009 PVCC soccer club. The Pumas take on Johnson County Community College today. The winner will go on to vie for the championship on Sunday.

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Projects Update
 
New Spaces Envisioned for KSC Remodel
PVCC Vice Presidents Jacalyn Askin and Shirley Green, co-chairs of the Kranitz Student Center remodel steering team, presented the “function over form” concepts behind the project during a brown bag lunch with faculty and staff Thursday.

Dr. Askin says the plan is to “increase student and community engagement and maximize learning” by designing spaces for critical student services and creating a place for students to remain on campus outside of classes.

Dr. Green says the recurring theme of the project is to create a one-stop shop for students, including self-service options and using technology to improve efficiency. PVCC is experiencing unprecedented enrollment and is looking at new ways to creatively alleviate the congestion in front of Admissions and Financial Aid offices during registration crunch times.

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Do you have an interesting program, or outstanding accomplishment or student to highlight?
If so, e-mail the institutional Advancement Office at institutional.advancement@pvmail.maricopa.edu.

A publication of the Paradise Valley Community College Office of Institutional Advancement
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