Get to know staff and faculty through art and hobbies

Do you ever wonder what Pine Technical College’s staff and faculty are up to when they’re not on campus?

This semester, the community of Pine Tech has taken the opportunity to share with fellow Pines hobbies, crafts, and artwork that keep them busy when they’re away.

Take a walk through the main hallway and you’ll find on display many items from the PTC staff. Some items include hobbies from PTC President Dr. Robert Musgrove, such as canned goods from his garden and maple syrup, wine bottle lights (made by his wife), and memorabilia from his home state of Texas.

Other pieces from staff include handmade quilts, hardanger and Brazilian embroidery, an outfit, jewelry, a canoe paddle, and a published book.

On the opposite side of campus is another display case filled with paintings, photography, scrapbooking, and ceramics.

Stop on by and see just what some of our staff and faculty enjoy outside of Pine Technical College.

Temporary Disability Coordinator Katie Krier begins to put hobbies/art display together. 

Main hallway display

Paintings/photography display

Paintings/photography display

Fall Jump Start event welcomes new students

PTC’s Fall Jump Start event was a success! On Thursday, Aug. 22, Pine Technical College staff,faculty, and some students were on hand to welcome new students to the Pine Tech family.

Fall Jump Start is an event that invites new students to stop by with their family and friends one evening before the first day of school. This event allows the students to obtain their parking permit, secure a locker, access their student email account, and buy books beforehand so that they may have a less hectic start the following week.

That evening, students, along with their families and friends, were greeted at the door by members of Student Affairs, some popcorn, and a chance to win a door prize. The main hallway was lined up with booths of support services such as Disability and Counseling services, the Student-Parent Success Program, Childcare Aware, and the student group, Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization. “We want to show the new students what we have to offer them,” said Sarah Hammel, CEO President and fellow PTC student. “Students can join our organization, or host a booth at our upcoming business expo in March.”

Students were also able to take the time to locate their classrooms, meet some PTC staff, and enjoy ice cream and treats in the student lounge.

“We include various campus or community resources on campus so that they are more aware of what is available to them,” informed Ching Ching Olson, Student Success Coordinator. “All in all, it is an opportunity for them to get to know PTC staff members and all its resources.”

After two success years of having this event, and reaching nearly 2/3 of our new entering students this fall, PTC plans on continuing. We will look to host this event again right before the start of fall semester 2014.

Dean of Student Affairs, Paula Hoffman, was on-hand in the LRTC to assist students with their new emails, D2L, and more.

Student Success Coordinator Ching Ching Olson gets popcorn ready for students and their families.

Janis Wegner of the Business Offices was available to answer students' questions about their Higher One accounts, and more.

Fellow Pine, and Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization President discusses a hallway display to a new student.

Student Affairs staff member Mandi Sinell helps a new student get her parking permit.

Child Care Aware says goodbye to Erinn Shaw; welcomes Anne Kubesh

Pine Technical College’s Child Care Aware will welcome a new Region 7E Coordinator to their team.

Beginning September 3, 2013, Anne Kubesh will take over the Coordinator position, filling the vacancy left by Erinn Shaw, who has been reassigned to the Duluth/Hermantown office.

Kubesh has been a part of the PTC team for years now, first as a student and President of Student Senate. This past spring, Kubesh graduated from PTC’s Early Childhood Program and recently took the position of Student-Parent Support Coordinator. Her student-parent coordinator position will end August 31. (News on the status of the Student-Parent Grant will be forthcoming.)

We look forward to her joining our program on September 3, 2013,” said Wendy Walburg, District Director. “Among other things, Anne will be providing coaching and technical assistance to child care providers as they prepare to receive their Parent Aware Rating. Parent Aware is Minnesota’s new Quality Rating and Improvement System for child care. Welcome, Anne.”

New opportunity for RNs! Complete your B.S. through Bethel University at PTC!

There is an exciting new opportunity for RNs! Beginning August 22, 2013, RNs can finish their B.S. in Nursing through Bethel University right here at Pine Technical College!

Pine Tech will be the host site for the class, which will be online plus classroom sessions about every five weeks. Professors from Bethel University will teach at PTC, and the PTC class will broadcast live in two-way interactive television to the following remote sites:

Kanabec County Courthouse in Mora;

Mille Lacs Health System Hospital in Onamia;

St. Croix Regional Medical Center in St. Croix Falls, Wis.

For more information, contact Bethel University Admissions Office at 651-638-6400.

PTC offers exciting new science class for fall semester!

Want to learn more about our ecosystems, our environment, and human impact?

New this fall, Pine Technical College is offering Introduction to Environmental Science (ENSC 1250). The class is 3 credits and fulfills Minnesota Transfer Curriculum Goals #3 Natural Science and #10 People Environment.

This course will introduce students to the discipline of Environmental Science through:

•Exploration of the relationship of humans to their environment from local, regional, and global perspectives.

•Observation of natural ecosystems and examination of the impact of human activity on natural resources and environmental quality, environmental ethics, and strategies to maintain a sustainable biosphere. 

This new class will be offered two days a week: Mondays (lecture/lab from 9 -11:55 a.m.) and Wednesdays (lecture 9 to 10:55 a.m.).

For further information, contact Eric Jensen at: jensene@pinetech.edu.

PTC Student Senate evolves with first-time events

Pine Technical College’s Student Senate has taken on some new excitement: a new President-elect, a trip to the Minnesota State College Student Association Summit, and summer trips to the Como Zoo and Wild Mountain.

Former Student Senate President Anne Kubesh graduated in May, leaving the President seat vacant. A campus-wide election was held in April, and after votes were tallied, Tim Soderbeck was named President-elect. He will assume his new position in late August, when fall semester begins. “It was bittersweet this spring with graduation and leaving Student Senate, but I know it’s in good hands with Tim as the new President,” remarked Kubesh.

As Student Senate President, Soderbeck hopes to see more participation from PTC clubs, and plans to utilize the Student Life Board located in the student lounge. “I’m very excited for this year,” Soderbeck stated.

Photo: Former Student Senate President Anne Kubesh and President-Elect Tim Soderbeck enjoy PTC’s Spring Fling back in May.

In March, three members of the PTC Student Senate and Staff Advisor attended the MSCSA third annual summit in Washington D.C. This was the first time PTC students have attended the summit.

Student Senate Staff Advisor Amanda Spencer, Treasurer April Sheldon, Tim Soderbeck, and Voting Senator Kaylynn Anderson spent three days at the nation’s capital where they participated in mock meetings before meeting and engaging with Representatives Al Franken and Rick Nolan at the federal level.  During their meetings they were able to ask questions, and they discussed student issues with Franken and Nolan such as Pell Grants and student-loan rates.

“It was very informative,” Sheldon said about participating in government meetings at such a high level, and learning what students can do for themselves and their school.  “There was some very exciting stuff with MSCSA,” she continued.

Sheldon was also elected to serve PTC as the Alternate Governing Council Representative for the North Central region of the MSCSA.

“It was a good experience for everyone,” noted Spencer of the trip. “The students learned a lot. MSCSA did a lot to prepare for it (the summit).”

Photo: Student Senate members (l to r) April Sheldon, Tim Soderbeck, Staff Advisor Amanda Spencer, and Kaylynn Anderson represent Pine Technical College at the third annual MSCSA summit in Washington D.C.

Also for the first time, the Student Senate has sponsored summertime activities. Back in June, PTC Senate members, students, and their families joined each other for a day of fun at Como Zoo. Approximately 60 people attended the outing.

On Friday, July 19 fun was had by Senate members, students and families at Wild Mountain.

“This year was the first year we’ve done summer activities, and they have been successful,” said Spencer. “The students seem to really enjoy them, and they are the reasons we put these events together.”

To find out more about the Minnesota State College Student Association, go to www.mscsa.org.

Fall Semester begins next month!

Fall Semester is right around the corner! Are you regiestered? Have you applied?

For students who have already registered, Fall TUITION is due by Monday, August 5, 2013. Please complete the 2013-2014 FAFSA, or make payment arrangements by August 5th.

The LAST day to apply is ONLINE is Friday, August 9.