September 2018 Central Connection
August 31, 2018
State fair projects highlight sustainability
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| Kathy Harris, a student at รศรรสำฦต- Grand Island, displays vermicomposting equipment at the Nebraska State Fair. She was one of several รศรรสำฦต students and interns who developed sustainability projects for the fair. |
People visiting the J-Tech Solar Sustainability Pavilion at the Nebraska State Fair had the opportunity to participate in a variety of interactive projects created by รศรรสำฦต students and interns.
“Thanks to the support of the รศรรสำฦต mini-grant and the Nebraska State Fair, students and interns were able to develop and build sustainable interactive projects,” said Ben Newton, environmental sustainability director. “They worked very hard on these projects over the summer and came up with some very unique and innovative sustainable projects.”
These projects included:
Aquaponics Herb Garden
This in-home aquaponic herb garden is so compact anyone can find a place for it in their home. Aquaponic gardening is an extremely sustainable way to garden because it uses only a fraction of the water and doesn’t require any type of fertilizer. Project creator Rob VanHeufeln of Grand Island is a Hastings Campus student and environmental sustainability intern.
Bumblebees of Nebraska
This display featured an observation hive for Bombus Impatiens, a local bumblebee species. Bee-friendly flowers adorned the enclosure’s upper level while its lower cavity served as the hive headquarters. Project creator Kazia Podraza of Aurora is a Grand Island Campus student.
Crayfish Aquaponics
Aquaponics is the combination of gardening with the cultivation of aquatic animals. Waste from the animals is used to fertilize the plants, which in turn purify the water. Project creator Eric Wimer of Lincoln is a Hastings Campus student and an environmental sustainability intern.
Earth Wall
This two-foot wall is made out of upcycled glass bottles and aluminum cans with concrete as mortar and is used in sustainable construction of Earthship homes common near Taos, N.M. Project creators were environmental sustainability interns Cynthia Garcia of Shelton, a student at the Kearney Center; Rob VanHeufeln; Leah Wagoner of Hastings; and Eric Wimer.
Hay Bale Wall
The four environmental sustainability interns also were project creators of a four-foot wall stuffed with hay inside chicken wire and finished with adobe plaster. Hay is a great insulator and a sustainable alternative to insulation. It was historically used in the Sandhills of Nebraska due to a lack of sod.
Hydroponic Misting
The hydroponic unit consisted of a central water reservoir, pump and planting stations. Hydroponic units use water in place of soil to provide nutrients for growing plants. These units often use fewer resources and conserve space. The project creator was Kazia Podraza.
Plarn Project
Transforming single-use plastic grocery bags into plastic yarn – or plarn – to create a braided rug or any number of other products. Project creator Liang O’Brien of Grand Island is a รศรรสำฦต-Grand Island graduate and a current environmental sustainability intern.
Plastic Reuse
Repurposed number 2 HDPE plastics (milk containers, shopping bags and lids) can be made into garden stepping stones and used as replacements for the cardboard at the bottom of reusable bags. Project creator James Swartz is a student from Columbus.
Pollinator Gardens
This display features the site design and photos of the pollinator gardens at รศรรสำฦต’s Columbus and Grand Island campuses. Both gardens were created with the support of a Greener Towns grant from the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. Also on display is a mini-pollinator garden. Project creators were environmental sustainability interns Jan Blair of Columbus, who is a student at the Columbus Campus, and Liang O’Brien.
Sustainability Crossword
Test your sustainability knowledge with this crossword puzzle. The project creator was Jan Blair.
Veggie Re-Use
On display are the beginning and planted stages of six different vegetable scraps grown in containers filled with water and sunlight. Along with this is an herbal fairy with a solar-powered watering pump. The display table is also made out of reused pallets. The project creator was Cynthia Garcia.
Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting is the use of worms to break down organic material into compost/fertilizer. The display featured red wiggler worms and organic material in a plastic tote. Visitors learned how to start their own vermicomposting Project creators Cathy and Brianna Harris of Grand Island are Grand Island Campus students.
Zero Waste
This project looks at the everyday items used by consumers and offers solutions to achieve zero waste and become more environmentally friendly. The project creators were Jan Blair and Leah Wagoner.
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Welcome! Students gather for a small-group selfie in the Dawson Gym at รศรรสำฦต-Hastings. They were participating in PLAYFAIR as part of the First-Year Residential Experience (FYRE) during the fall semester’s opening weekend. |
Student news
Leaders of Promise Scholar
Alexis Moss of Hastings is one of 207 Phi Theta Kappa members selected as 2018 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholars. They will each receive a $1,000 scholarship.
She is a student at รศรรสำฦต-Hastings where she serves as vice president of scholarship for PTK’s Beta Alpha Delta chapter.
More than 1,200 applications were received for the scholarship program. Scholars are also encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in society programs and are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential.
A total of $207,000 is awarded through the scholarship program. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation provides $200,000 of the funding. The remaining amount is supported by donations to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation.
Project GPS Scholars
Eleven students were recognized as Project GPS scholars at an Aug. 23 ceremony in the Fine Arts Center at รศรรสำฦต-Columbus.
GPS stands for Growing Pathways to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). It is a National Science Foundation (NSF) scholarship program that targets high-achieving students with financial needs and who represent underserved populations in the STEM fields.
Project GPS scholars receive two years of tuition and fees and room and board. Behlen Manufacturing, DNA Genetics, Loup Power District, Nebraska Power District and Pillen Family Farms will provide tours, job shadowing and internship opportunities.
รศรรสำฦต is the only Nebraska community college to be awarded the $648,844 NSF grant to fund the five-year scholarship program.
The Project GPS scholars for 2018-19 are Alejandro Espino, Andreas Espino, Laura Nichols, Dylan Smith and Landon Sokol of Columbus; Michael Bates and Alexander Koch of Hastings; Kayla Kreizel of Humphrey; Jenessa Grooms of Ord; Tychique Kutalu of Schuyler; and Elizabeth Ewing of Stromsburg.
Keber, Ratzlaff celebrate 25 years at รศรรสำฦต
Two รศรรสำฦต employees have completed 25 years of employment.
Bernie Keber
Bernie Keber, executive assistant to Campus President Dr. Kathy Fuchser, joined the รศรรสำฦต-Columbus staff in 1992 as a part-time secretary in the facilities management department. On July 1, 1993, she was promoted to a full-time position as secretary for the campus president and associate dean of students. In 2002, she became an executive assistant and now serves in that role for Campus President Dr. Kathy Fuchser.
Her previous work experience includes employment as a clerk and typist, secretary, bookkeeper, fiscal coordinator and office manager at the Nebraska Human Resources Development Program in Grand Island and Lincoln and as a secretary and receptionist and then as an accountant for the Nebraska Department of Education in Lincoln; and as an accounting clerk and personnel secretary for the City of Columbus.
Keber graduated from Spalding Academy in 1971 and earned a secretarial diploma from the Grand Island School of Business in 1972.
She is a board member for Birthright of Columbus and an active member of St. Isidore’s Church. For the Columbus Campus, she helps with the annual toy drive and volunteers for its booth at Columbus Days.
She was active in the Big Sisters Program when she lived in Lincoln and in the Big Pals/Little Pals Program in Columbus for about five years. She also volunteered for the รศรรสำฦต booth at Festival Hispano in Columbus for four years.
Craig Ratzlaff
Craig Ratzlaff of Aurora started work at รศรรสำฦต-Grand Island on Aug. 15, 1993, as a personal development instructor. Not long after, he also started teaching education classes.
Prior to joining the รศรรสำฦต staff, he worked as a business teacher at Polk Public Schools and a guidance counselor at Broken Bow Public Schools where he also served as a GED examiner, ACT test supervisor, psychology teacher and college night organizer.
Ratzlaff is a graduate of Henderson High School. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration and education from Kearney State College and a master’s degree in education with emphases in counseling and student personnel services from Kansas State University in Manhattan.
He is a member of the National Career Development Association and has taught a number of career development classes. He also can help people earn certification as a Career Development Facilitator.
Ratzlaff also serves on the board of the Hamilton County Food Pantry.
He and his wife, Carol, have two sons: Eric Ratzlaff of St. Louis, Mo., and Joel Ratzlaff of Omaha.
In tribute: Holly Johnson, Don Anderson
Holly Johnson
Holly Lynn Johnson, 71, died July 5 in Columbus.
She was born Feb. 4, 1947, to Duane and Ethel Johnson of Shickley.
She graduated from Shickley High School in 1965 and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. She also had an associate of applied science degree in data processing from รศรรสำฦต.
She lived in Denver, Colo., for 12 years, working in the areas of data entry, programming and computers.
She moved back to Nebraska in the early 1980s. She became a full-time information technology instructor at the Hastings Campus in 1982 and transferred into the same position at the Columbus Campus in 1986. She retired in 2013.
She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a society for women educators, and the National and Nebraska State education associations.
Survivors include her mother; her sisters, Carol Mischke of Austin, Texas, and Kay Johnson of Minneapolis, Minn.; and two nieces and a grand nephew.
A memorial will be held at Shickley United Methodist Church at a future date. Condolences may be sent to Ethel Johnson, Cottonwood Place, 3271 29th Ave. Rm. #120 Columbus, NE 68601.
Don Anderson
Don Anderson, 80, of Lincoln died Aug. 5 at his home.
Services were Aug. 12 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lincoln.
Butherus-Maser and Love Funeral Home. Memorials can be made to Teammates, South Lincoln Rotary or Trinity United Methodist Church. Condolences may be directed to www.bmlfh.com.
He was born on Jan. 23, 1938, in Beaver, Iowa, to Raymond and Bernice (Argo) Anderson. He graduated from high school in Jefferson, Iowa, and later earned a business and economics degree from Northwest Missouri State.
He married Mary Adams on July 30, 1961, in Shenandoah, Iowa.
His employment in Grand Island included serving as president of Chief Construction; president of the buildings division of Chief Industries Inc.; and president and CEO of MFS/York/Stormor, a division of Global Industries. After retiring in 2004, he and his wife moved to Lincoln.
He was involved in many community activities, including serving as a member and officer on the รศรรสำฦต Board of Governors.
Survivors include his wife; children, Beth McElroy of Lincoln, Jenny Colson of Lincoln and Craig Anderson of Danville, Calif.; a sister, Norma Voshell of Keller, Texas; and eight grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Andy Anderson, Arne Anderson, Bob Anderson and Gerald Anderson; and sisters, Mildred Stevens, Gladys Cummings and Shirley Milleson.
Employee news
Administrative Office
Mike Gapp has joined the staff as an assistant environmental health and safety specialist.
Leah Paulsen has resigned as a human resources specialist.
Columbus Campus
Transferring into new positions are Erica Leffler, from recruiting and admissions coordinator to Early College coordinator, and Kim Severyn, from campus security guard to full-time custodian.
Bev Schrieber has retired as a nursing instructor, a position she has held since 1981. She also was coordinator of the Columbus Campus’ nursing program.
Prior to joining the รศรรสำฦต staff, she worked as a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital and the May Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
She earned a diploma in nursing from Naeve Hospital School of Nursing in Albert Lea, Minn.; a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Midland Lutheran College in Fremont; and a master’s degree in nursing from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln.
Schreiber was a member of the CASA Board and the Immanuel Lutheran School Board of Education.
She and her husband, Dave, have two sons, Travis and Jon, both of Columbus. They also have a grandson.
Grand Island Campus
Michael David has joined the staff as a criminal justice instructor
Carrielynn Peace, New Student Orientation coordinator, has transferred to the Columbus Campus as an admissions generalist.
Paul Powell has retired from his position as an English instructor.
Hastings Campus
New employees include Daniel Deffenbaugh, associate dean of instructor for academic education; Sally Kopke, business occupations administrative assistant; and Corey VomWeg, library resource center assistant.
Employees who have resigned include Jason Galvan, information technology and systems instructor; Allan Brax, N-PACE precision ag instructor; and Amy Novak, N-PACE project manager.
Joe Roberts has retired from his position as a HVAC maintenance technician.