Projects  |  Campus News  |  Faculty & Staff News  |  Student News   In This Issue … December 7, 2007 Senator Dennis DeConcini visit… Vice President Administrative Services… PVCC’s President Circle meeting… Holiday charity events… Campus donates change to the United Way… Online auction a success… High School Guidance Counselors Breakfast… Council District 2 Business Round Table… PVCC North enrollment event… Music Theatre Workshop performance… Graduations and pinnings… ASU West debate… PVCC Featured Student… Sale to benefit Art Club… Arizona Community College Association meeting… Executive Leadership Institute Program… Historical note…    Campus News   Senator Dennis DeConcini visit  We are delighted to have hosted an appearance by former Senator Dennis DeConcini, who regaled us with stories from his political memoir, From The Center of the Aisle. Following a delightful introduction by PVCC faculty member Jim Patterson, Senator DeConcini commenced a discussion about the differences in attitudes between senators today and senators in the past. He recalled how Democrats and Republicans could disagree politically, yet take time to discuss differences and work actively towards a consensus. As Democratic Senator from the State of Arizona from 1977 through 1995, the Senator is perhaps best known for authoring the DeConcini Resolution, concerning the Panama Canal. He served on numerous commissions throughout his senatorial career, including the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.  In 2006, the Governor of Arizona, Janet Napolitano appointed Senator DeConcini to the Arizona Board of Regents. His memoirs are available at local bookstores and on amazon.com.  Jim reminds us that if you would like the Senator to autograph his book, we can arrange to send it down to his office in Tucson. For those who missed this event it will be aired at a future time on MCTV. (check listings) We expect to have a copy on site at the college within the next few weeks.        Vice President, Administrative Services The search for the Vice President of Administrative Services continues. The hiring committee will begin reviewing external candidate applications the week of December 10 with the hopes of beginning first interviews at the end of January. Second interviews and open forum presentations by the top finalists will follow a couple of weeks later. The committee anticipates that a candidate will be selected by early March 2008. The search for the Vice President of Administrative Services continues. The hiring committee will begin reviewing external candidate applications the week of December 10 with the hopes of beginning first interviews at the end of January. Second interviews and open forum presentations by the top finalists will follow a couple of weeks later. The committee anticipates that a candidate will be selected by early March 2008. PVCC’s President’s Circle meeting On Monday, Dec. 3, Paradise Valley Unified School District Superintendent, Dr. John Kriekard, co-chaired  PVCC’s President’s Circle. The special topic/discussion on the agenda was strategic planning, “Helping to Shape PVCC’s Future (2008-2012).” Thank you to Dr. Laurie Pemberton, Faculty Senate President Jeff Lace, and Michaelle Shadburne for facilitating the meeting. I asked group members to volunteer for standing work committees. Members selected our “iStart Smart” program as the theme for this year’s College Showcase in April. The membership of the President’s Circle has now increased to 25. The group includes leaders from the community, government, education, and industry. PVCC will be the beneficiary of their expertise, as they partner with us on projects in development and advocate for the college in the community. Holiday charity events Two charity events are scheduled for this holiday season. 1. This year, PVCC’s End-of-Semester Employee Holiday Luncheon will support the PVCC Student Leadership’s Adopt-A-Family program and the PV Emergency Food Bank. The lunch will be held from 11:30 am -1:00 pm in the Kranitz Student Center on Friday, Dec. 14. Donations of non-perishable food and/or personal hygiene items will be collected at the beginning of the buffet line. 2. The United Way Raffle Gift baskets are currently on display downstairs in the Kranitz Student Center and upstairs in the offices of Institutional Advancement. A raffle ticket can be purchased for only $5. Winners of the drawing will be announced at the End-of-Semester Employee Luncheon on Friday, Dec. 14 at the Kranitz Student Center, between 11:30am – 1:00 pm the. See if your favorite basket “Brings in the most Dough” for the United Way. Some of the baskets are valued up to $250. These will make delightful holiday gifts! Be sure to get your raffle ticket today.  Campus donates change to the United Way; Online Auction a success Congratulations to the Paradise Valley community College bookstore and cafeteria for raising over $350.00 with donated change for the United Way Campaign. The PVCC on line auction just closed today, bringing in a total of $1,100. We join with Chancellor Rufus Glasper thanking each and every one of you for your generosity and commitment to the good deeds of the United Way. High School Guidance Counselors Breakfast On Friday, Dec. 7 we hosted the High School Guidance Counselors Breakfast, to encourage closer ties between PVCC and our K-12 educators. Of particular emphasis was a discussion of services to be provided to students seeking information on college choices. Thank you to Ivette Quintero, student service coordinator, for facilitating the meeting, and to all who contributed to the program. Council District 2 Business Round Table On Tuesday, Dec. 4, the PVCC CPA Mainstage Theatre was the site of Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Neely’s Council District 2 Business Round Table Breakfast. The topic of discussion was “Streamlining the Development Process” and included members of the real estate and economic development community in the discussion, presented by the City of Phoenix Department of Community and Economic Development.  PVCC North Enrollment event We would like to remind everyone that PVCC North at Black Mountain will be open for a special community enrollment event on January 10, 2008 at the Cactus Shadows High School, Room 302 between 5:00pm and 7:00pm. Both credit and noncredit courses are available. Visit www.paradisevalley.edu/pvccnorth for more details. Late afternoon classes and evening classes are offered for the convenience of our students, providing them with greater access to educational opportunities. You may also call 602-787-6700 for more information. Remember the wise words of Edith Hamilton, “To be able to be caught up into the world of thought, that is being educated.”   Music Theatre Workshop performance  This weekend, Saturday, Dec. 8, and Sunday, Dec. 9, the Music Theatre Workshop performance of “No Frills,” a satirical spoof of the musical revue genre, will be presented by the PVCC Center for the Performing Arts. The cast of five men and seven women, directed by adjunct faculty member Dan Kurek will perform on the beautiful Mainstage Theatre at the PVCC Center for the Performing Arts. Originally performed at New York’s Cherry Lane Theatre, this cabaret style review was written by Tony Award winner Martin Chamin, best known as lyricist for the hit musical Annie. For more box office information call 602-787-7738 or log onto www.paradisevalley.edu/cpa. Graduations and pinnings    We wish to extend our congratulations to those students, faculty and staff who will be participating in next week’s program graduations:            Dec. 11, 6pm at the CPA Paramedic/EMT graduations            Dec. 12  2pm at the CPA Nursing pinning ceremony for PVCC, SCC and SHC                           6pm at the CPA  PVCC and JC Lincoln Nursing pinning ceremony            Dec. 13  6pm at the CPA  Fire Academy graduation      And thank you to Dean Mary Lou Mosley, for her leadership of our growing occupational programs. Faculty & Staff News   ASU West debate     On Friday, Nov.30, PVCC philosophy Professor Surrendra Gangadean participated in the debate entitled, The Existence of God, with ASU philosophy professor Ted Guleserian at ASU West. Many of our PVCC students braved the rain that evening to attend this event. The lively discussion lasted for three and a half hours! We are proud of Prof. Gangadean’s contributions to this intellectual exchange of ideas.        Student News   PVCC Featured Student      Ashley David is our featured student this week. We saw Ashley perform her own choreographed dance and voice piece at the Fall Dance Ensemble last week. She is an honors student at PVCC, received a dance scholarship award and maintains a GPA of 3.9. “Don’t be afraid to change your mind” is Ashley’s advice to her fellow students. Entering as a pre-med student she changed her major three times, finally choosing dance and dance/education as her major. She credits her mentor, PVCC dance professor Sonia Valle for being supportive and understanding, and helping her realize the many opportunities available in dance. Ashley has found many mentors here at PVCC, and has enjoyed the friendly and safe environment that the school offers. This multi-talented student, who has auditioned for American Idol and sung in front of Shania Twain and Mohammed Ali, is an outstanding example of a PVCC student. When she was 13, despite having a broken ankle, she won a singing contest. The prize? Ironically, a mountain bike. We applaud her continuing determination and talent. Ashley will be transferring to ASU to pursue a bachelor’s degree in fine arts.  She plans to teach dance.     Sale to benefit Art Club     Examples of student artist’s work were on sale in the KSC this past week. Members of the Art Club, Aleksandra Buha (photography), Chris Hunt (pastels) and Josh Meives (ceramics) were among the students exhibiting their work, as a fundraiser for the Art Club. Prof. David Bradley, faculty member, is sponsoring the “Partners in Art” display. Projects Update   Arizona Community College Association Meeting      On Dec. 5, I attended the ACCA (Arizona Community College Association) monthly meeting, at which time the state’s community college presidents met with the presidents of NAU, ASU, and UA in order to forge stronger educational collaboration. Executive Leadership Institute Program On Dec. 6, I had the pleasure of facilitating a presentation, “Ethics for College Leaders” at the League for Innovation’s Executive Leadership Institute. My co-facilitator was Dr. J. William Wenrich, Chancellor Emeritus, Dallas Community College District. Included were strategies for developing a framework for ethical decision making and case studies in ethical issues.  Historical note   Today is the “Day that shall live in infamy,” December 7, Pearl Harbor Day. On that day in 1941, the Battleship Arizona was sunk, thus triggering the entry of the United States into World War II.  During this holiday season we should all take a moment and remember the fine servicemen and women, past and present, who risk their lives for our country In closing     In closing, I want to extend my best wishes to our students and faculty during next week’s final exam week.  It has been a wonderful and challenging semester, and I know that we all are looking forward to a holiday break and our celebratory luncheon next Friday.    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