Monday, October 29, 2012

Family Fun Night drew students, parents and kids to campus on a Friday night





Last Friday night, more than 200 students, parents, and kids attended “Family Fun Night,” an event co-sponsored and co-hosted by PTC's Student-Parent Success department and Student Senate.

"It was a night full of fun activities for families," explains Laureen Williams, Student-Parent Success Program Director. "Various departments and student clubs hosted activity stations for all ages, including bowling, a haunted hallway, and so much more; plus, we served dinner, awarded prizes, and it was offered free to anyone who attended," Williams adds.

This was the second time the event has been offered in PTC's history, and with the newer Student-Parent Success program established in 2011, campus activities that engage student-parents are becoming more frequently-occurring and popular.

"More than two-thirds of our student population are also parents, and it's important to recognize and encourage this sector of our student body that is likely experiencing numerous and varied demands on their time and energy," says Danielle Chandonnet, PTC's Director of Marketing and Admissions. "It makes sense for us to do what we can to engage them as well as the whole family," Chandonnet adds.

"While attending college, budgets aren't very forgiving and typically don’t allow much room for family entertainment," Williams says. "This event gives students a chance to have a fun night and show their families where they attend school, too. So many of the children didn't want to leave at the end of the event, and it's fun to see all the smiling faces and happy families as they left our campus!"
 

Monday, October 15, 2012

Pine Technical College honors Medical Assistants Recognition Week

 
In honor of Medical Assistants Recognition Week, Oct. 15 – Oct. 19, 2012, students and faculty in PTC’s medical assistant program are working to promote their profession within the larger campus community.

“Every year, MARWeek (Medical Assistants Recognition Week) is celebrated during the third full week in October,” says Krista Hoekstra, PTC’s Director of Nursing and Health Sciences. “Because our medical assistant program is new as of this fall, it’s especially exciting for us since it’s our first year honoring the profession with our inaugural cohort,” Hoekstra explains.

Medical assistants (MAs) work in the allied health profession and perform both clinical and administrative procedures, and with this summer’s historic Supreme Court ruling that upheld the president’s healthcare law in June, the impact for the healthcare profession and the demand for medical assistants in East Central Minnesota and Western Wisconsin is expected to be significant. It is projected that a new model of healthcare delivery in hospitals and clinics that relies heavily upon medical assistants working alongside nurses and doctors will become the new standard, sparking a need for qualified medical assistants.

“With their unique versatility, MAs are proving to be the allied health professional of choice for this decade,” Hoekstra says. “In fact, according to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the MA profession continues to be one of the fastest-growing occupations, and we’re proud to offer such a comprehensive associate degree program to help fill the need as well as, of course, give our students and graduates an in-demand, valuable career,” Hoekstra adds.
 
Photos at top: Students enrolled in PTC’s inaugural medical assistant cohort practice laboratory procedures in the college’s all-new, state-of-the-art medical assisting laboratory in MEDA 1201: Clinical Procedures.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Pine Technical College to host forum for political candidates

Pine Technical College will open its doors to the public for the eighth edition of its election year Candidate Forum. With a larger number of candidates, organizers are offering the forum in a two-night series.

The first evening, Tues. Oct. 16, will feature local candidates seeking the Mayoral position and positions for the City Council, beginning at 7 p.m. The following week, Tues. Oct. 23, will feature candidates seeking to fill the District 11 Minnesota Senate and District 11B Minnesota House of Representatives. Both events will be held in PTC’s auditorium, room 20.

As in years’ past, candidates will be given an opportunity to introduce themselves and will be asked to answer questions prepared by forum sponsors. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of the candidates; a panel of sponsor representatives will screen questions to ensure appropriateness as well as eliminate duplications.

Pine Technical College, the Pine City Area Chamber of Commerce and WINDOW Victim Services are co-sponsoring the event and encourage the public to attend. Listed below is the agenda for each evening of the Candidate Forum as well as registered candidates.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012 ● 7 p.m. ● PTC Auditorium, Room 20

Candidates for Mayor of Pine City
Mark Campeau
Paul Janssen


Pine City Council Candidates
Paul Dunbar
Linda Hanson
Robyn Miche
Steve Ovick
Brian Scholin

Tuesday, October 23, 2012 ● 7 p.m. ● PTC Auditorium, Room 20

District 11 Minnesota Senate Candidates
Tony Lourey
Bill Saumer

District 11B Minnesota House of Representatives Candidates
Timothy Faust
Ben Wiener

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Student Senate leaders register voters with annual campaign, “Get Out the Vote"

Going on now through the end of the week, PTC’s student senators are working to register students, visitors, staff and faculty members as voters. Student senators are working in shifts, staffing a table at the entrance to the Student Lounge, urging anyone at least 18 years old who is not already a registered voter to complete the registration cards.

“It’s an especially important election year, no matter what political party you’re affiliated with, and every voice needs to be heard,” says Student Senate Treasurer April Sheldon. “We’ve already registered more than 25 new voters this week with the campaign,” Sheldon adds.

There is no charge to register, and just one form of identification or a Minnesota driver’s license number is required. Student senators are available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Friday this week.

PHOTO at top:
Student Senate Parliamentarian Tim Soderbeck gives directions to a student registering to vote.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Pine Technical College to host Sixth Annual Open House, Oct. 24

Pine Technical College will host an open house, Wed. Oct. 24, 4 to 7 p.m. The event is open to current and prospective students and their families, business and industry partners, PTC Foundation donors, and the public. In its sixth year, the event is predicted to draw more than 100 attendees.

“This is anyone and everyone’s chance to tour the college, meet instructors, talk to advisors and college administrators and get valuable program information on the spot,” says Paula Hoffman, Dean of Student Affairs. “I’m so proud of PTC and all that we do, and this event is a great opportunity for the community to discover and explore all we have to offer,” Hoffman adds.

PTC's Sixth Annual Open House will be held at Pine Technical College, 900 Fourth St. SE, Pine City. In addition to instructors, advisors and admissions representatives on hand, refreshments will be served, and door prizes will be awarded to several lucky winners.

“We’re excited to showcase our hi-tech, equipped labs and classrooms, and to introduce our knowledgeable and helpful faculty and staff members to new students and their families and friends,” says Robert Musgrove, Ph.D., President of Pine Technical College. “We're proud of all we offer, and we want our community to know and see all that we have,” Musgrove adds.