As many of you are probably aware we are part of a statewide grant focusing on developing a seamless program of study from secondary to post secondary in the manufacturing pathways. We are partners in this grant with several Kansas high schools as well as Flint Hills Tech College, Wichita Tech College, Butler CCC, and FHSU.  
As part of this grant we hosted instructors and administrators from Nemaha Valley High School this Friday.  The goal of the visit was to share ideas and resources and begin the conversations that will hopefully grow into a great partnership. They brought their Welding, Construction/Drafting, Automotive Technology, and math teachers.  Andy, Don, Wes, Janelle, Justin, Norm, and Monty attended from MATC.

From Dan:  Join me in congratulating the recipient of our Human Resources Management Network Scholarship Janie Gilmore.  Janie is currently enrolled full-time in our Business Administration Program.  Nice work Janie!

We were visited by one of our Business Administration graduates today on his way to San Diego.  Here is what Brandon Pfannenstiel, LSSN (Leading Naval Stores Seaman Professional) sent back when we asked him for a testimonial:  "In a nutshell my career in the United States Navy has advanced quickly due to the training and help I received here at MATC. My rating (job) in the Navy (Logistics Specialist) goes hand in hand with curriculum I experienced in the Business Administration classes I attended. Also I would like to add that through my Associates degree I was able to enlist at a higher rank and pay than most. I believe your organization has given me the tools I need to ensure the job I have been selected for is completed to the best of my ability. I believe with enough ambition and hard work anyone can do great things and I would like to thank the staff for believing in me and helping me set the foundation of my professional career."


The State Library of Kansas, the Kansas Center for the Book and Manhattan Area Technical College proudly announces Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Kansas author Bill Martin, Jr., as the selection for the seventh annual Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Week. Kansas First Lady Mary Brownback will serve as honorary chair for the special week, Nov. 13-19, 2011.  Mrs. Brownback kicks off the project with a reading of the book in the Bill and Bernard Martin Children’s Room of the Morrill Public Library in Martin’s home town of Hiawatha.  If you would like to be a volunteer reader for Manhattan Area Technical please see Donna in the library.

McAllister’s Deli called earlier this week and told us that they are sending a check for $143.00 to go towards the United Way of Riley County. This was 10% of their sales last night from 5:00-9:00 p.m.

I just recently learned of a celestial body coming into view next week. The asteroid known as 2005 YU55 will sweep closely past the Earth (missing us by 200,000 miles) on November 8. This rock, measuring 1300 feet across, will come between the orbit of the Moon and the Earth; about 40,000 miles just this side of the Moon's orbital path.  Despite its very close proximity to Earth, asteroid 2005 YU55 will not be visible to the naked eye but can be seen through a telescope. Best viewing conditions will be around 8 p.m. as the it passes the Great Square of Pegasus.  This asteroid also passed about 18 months ago in April 2010.  It is estimated that though it will pass us many more times, it would not hit the Earth for several hundred years, if it even ever does.

Speaking of Asteroids passing close to the Earth...
At the Federal Communications Commission's June 9, 2011 Agenda meeting, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Chief Jamie Barnett, joined by representatives from FEMA and the National Weather Service, announced that the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) would take place at 2:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time) on November 9, 2011. The purpose of the test is to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the EAS as a public alert mechanism. EAS Participants currently participate in state-level monthly tests and local-level weekly tests, but no top-down review of the entire system has ever been undertaken. The Commission, along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will use the results of this nationwide test to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the EAS as a public alert mechanism, and will work together with EAS stakeholders to make improvements to the system as appropriate.

Remember that Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend.  Set your clocks back one hour Saturday evening.  While you are at it, check/change the batteries in your smoke detectors and shake up any fire extinguishers in the house to loosen the power (mono ammonium phosphate) that can become compacted after sitting too long in one position.

Have a great fall weekend.

Rob

Click here to see a larger version

While the Blemo was created in November 2004, the content that you get through this site was uploaded to the Internet in July 2009.  Since it was launched in this format it has been viewed almost 16,000 times in the USA, Europe, Asia, Canada, and a number of other countries.  We are starting to average almost 400 views a week mostly using Internet Explorer as a Browser and on computers that use Windows as their platform.  Seeing all of the international hits makes me think that it sure is a small world, and getting smaller all of the time.

Sorry, I cannot hear "Small World" without Disney's incessant song going off in my head.  I guess I could share the joy.  Click on the picture below and turn your sound on...if you dare.

You can click on it a second time to turn it off but it may still play in your head the rest of the day.

We will be using the last of our federal stimulus money to replace the drop ceiling in the commons and East hallway and to re-tile the nursing lab floors.  Both of these are well overdue for an upgrade and are embarrassing to look at now.  While the work goes on, beginning Friday the 4th and running for about a week, there will be some inconveniences...like access to the main restrooms or the office at times.  The short explanation of how to cope will be to follow the signs to see where to go or to see where to "go".  

Jane and I met with City staff members Ron Fehr, Lauren Palmer, and Karen Davis this week to share our vision for anticipated growth and need for future facilities.  We want to ensure that we work together while we create our new Campus Master Plan and involve all appropriate parties in that planning.  Karen has invited us to come meet with the rest of the staff that are experts at this sort of thing and help guide us as we continue to grow.

I'll wrap up this Blemo with some sad news.  Former Director of Manhattan Area Vocational Technical School and then President of Manhattan Area Technical College Bill Berry passed away recently.  Bill served this institution, USD 383, the Manhattan area, and technical education for 22 years from 1974 to 1996.  He did great things at the school and will be remembered fondly by those who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.

Rob 

From Dan:  Please join me in congratulating this semester’s recipients of the Lewis and Ernest BrAun Merit Scholarship:  Christina Bryan from our Associate Degree Nursing Program and Braden Erickson from our Practical Nursing Program.  Nice work Christina and Braden! 

Also from Dan:  The MATC Flag Football Tournament came to an end yesterday out at Griffith Park!  The championship game came down to Building Trades and EPD 1 after Building Trades defeated Auto Collision and EPD 1 defeated HVAC in the first two games…..But as you know “There Can Be Only One” WINNER, WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!!!!!!

--EPD 1 are the Champions!!!--

It was a great tournament and I would like to thank all of the teams that participated, I think everyone had a great time. Thanks to all of the volunteer referee’s and scorekeepers, that was a huge help. Special thanks to Scott Voos for refereeing both days and setting up the schedule; Linda McQueary for keeping the time right on schedule; and Chris Collins for helping referee and coordinate the tournament.   The HVAC department will now have to surrender the traveling football trophy to EPD. Stay tuned for the March Madness basketball tournament when EPD will have to defend their trophy from last year.
Here's an interesting statistic:  MATC's football teams have never been defeated by another college team.

Lori Chambers on the Left

We'd like to recognize Lori Chambers, one of our Adjunct Instructors in the Business Administration Program, for her recent accomplishment.   She has been selected as the 2011 Kansas Business Educator of the Year.  Congratulations to you Lori, on this incredible accomplishment.  We understand that the competition was very tough this year.

Here is Jeff Jones with President Mark Queen, of the Thursday noon Manhattan Rotary Club after his presentation to the group about Cyber Security last week. Here is the schedule of other, upcoming FREE presentations.

Manhattan Public Library – Auditorium - Thursday, October 27 - 4 pm

Manhattan Public Library – Auditorium – Thursday, October 27 - 6 pm

Saint Thomas More Catholic  Church – Room A - October 18, 6 pm

If you would like to have a Cyber Security awareness presentation eMail Ben Eckart at beneckart@manhattantech.edu.

Our 2010 - 2011 Building Trades House sold yesterday.  It always feels good to find folks who are impressed enough by our Building Trade student's craftmanship, and the instruction that got them there of course, to make such an investment.  This year's house is coming along nicely and I am told we will start framing the main floor next week. 

Don't forget to go get your Orange Leaf yogurt (next to Bed, Bath, and Beyond in Manhattan) on Monday, between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.. Our Dental Hygiene Sophomores have made some yummy arangements with Orange Leaf Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt as a fund raising project.

From Nicole, our Director of Admissions: A huge thank you goes out to everyone who helped make Open House a success. It is such an important day to highlight the great things we do at MATC and allow the community, prospective students, friends and family to see things first hand. It was wonderful to have local radio station, 102.5 on campus to host a live broadcast. Props to our SGO President, Chris Collins for getting a sponsorship from Briggs in order to make it happen. Chris and our SGO, Vice President Aaron Warnke had the opportunity to speak on the radio as well.  On behalf of the student body, faculty and staff another thank you goes out to SGO for hosting a delicious, free BBQ. Great job SGO! Not only did many of you help set up and serve food, you also gave tours to middle school students all morning.  Thanks again to everyone for all of their help and hard work, Open House cannot be successful without you. Do not forget to save the date, we will do it all again April 12th.

From Dan:  The MATC blood drive earlier in the week was a huge success! Our goal was to have 38 productive units this semester and we flew by that goal with 45 productive units.  I would like to thank all that helped out with the blood drive, from unloading the truck to helping escort and hand out snacks during the drive. You guys and gals know who you are and I think that I have personally thanked you. I would like to mention some of our SGO reps that were here to help me starting at 7:30am and pretty much helped out all day; those individuals were Rodney Auston, Chris Collins, Cory Pickard, and Connor Divine…thanks guys!  Most importantly I would like to thank all of you that helped out by donating your blood, the Red Cross nursing crew was very pleased with the results.

Also from Danny:  Please join me in congratulating Louisa Asbury as our newest MATC Ambassador!    Louisa is a spring 2011 graduate of our Practical Nursing program in which she was selected as a National Technical Honor Society student and is now in her first semester in the Associate Degree Nursing program. Louisa has been very active in our Student Government Organization and she is currently serving as one of the SGO secretaries.  We are very happy to have Louisa representing MATC!

If you know someone who is looking for education and trainng opportunities that are not offered here at MATC have them log on to Career Zoom www.careerzoomkansas.com .  This is a website set up by the Board of Regents as part of our Technical Education Authority marketing and public relations charter.  It is a terrific site that will guide folks to resources throughout the state.

Regardless of how scared J.J. Brotten looks
 here she didn't cry at all. 

It's cold and flu season again.  The health department came by and gave flu shots for about 20 of our employees last week.  Even though the H1N1 scare doesn't seem as prevalent this year, it is important to get the flu shot when you are exposed to as many people as we have on campus on any given day.  Remember, if you are sick...STAY HOME. 

Our latest Kansas Traveling Exhibit is here: THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE: MEXICAN AMERICANS IN KANSAS, 1900-1950.  The connection between the United States and people of Mexican descent goes back several centuries. Mexican immigrants have come to Kansas for a variety of reasons. This exhibit explores the jobs which brought most early Mexican workers to Kansas, including sugar beet production and working on the railroads. The culture and traditions of Mexican Americans are also highlighted, including fiesta, the Quinceanera, and Las Posadas.  Those Who Came Before: Mexican Americans in Kansas, 1900-1950 was produced by the Kansas Humanities Council and is part of the Kansas Interpretive Traveling Exhibits Service.  Visit or call Manhattan Area Technical College for details. Those Who Came Before: Mexican Americans in Kansas, 1900-1950 is open for viewing from October 12, until Wednesday November 2, from the hours of 8:00-4:00 M-F. Admission is FREE.

Here is another reason why our Information and Network Technology program was selected as a Center of Excellence.  This link leads to a case study we participated in through Titania Limited cyber security solutions:  https://www.titania-security.com/sites/default/files/finalMATCcase%20study.pdf.  Being Cyber security month, Ben and his class have been busy.  They accepted a proclamation by Manhattan's Mayor, got the Governor to declare Cyber Security Month for Kansas in a proclamation, and have begun going out and presenting to the public.  Yesterday, Jeff Jones, a fourth semester INT student presented to a large crowd at the noon Rotary in Manhattan.  It was Jeff's first public speaking engagement and , although nervous, he did a terrific job. 

This is payback from Trysta for my putting her face on the spirit wear mannequin a few weeks ago.  Our evening custodian Denise came through last week and really did a great job decorated the office for Halloween, with all of her own stuff.  This ghostly apparition will great you when you come through the Student Services door.  Sorry if it's too scary for some.  I get to look at that face in the mirror every day and am just now getting used to it.  :). 

I hope everyone has a terrific weekend.

Rob

MATC's fall Open House is just around the corner.  Please encourage folks to take a few minutes to come by and discover all of the great strides the faculty and staff have made in your community's two-year college.

Here is something strange I noticed earlier in the week.  I keep an eye on the Dow Jones Industrial (DJI) average almost daily and can pull up trend graphs.  The top graph shows the DJI roller coaster ride over the past few months.  The bottom graph is the Blemo activity during the same period.  Does anyone else notice that the Dow seems to rise every time you guys get on here and read the Blemo?  Well, maybe it's just a coincidence, or maybe you should pass it on and possibly help the economy. ;)

The Red Cross Blood Drive will be here next Tuesday.  If you haven't signed up yet you can do so in the Commons near the scholarship cases or in Student Services.  If you are not sure whether you may donate or not, sign up and allow the Red Cross personnel to screen you to determine your eligibility.

  

From Dan:  Hello All!  The Student Government Organization will be sponsoring a Mid-Term BBQ coming up on the same day as Open House; Thursday, October 13th starting at 11:30am. Come out to the east parking lot and enjoy a FREE meal; there should be a few picnic tables out there, however, feel free to break out the lawn chairs and just set up in the parking lot.  Hope to see you out there!

ATTENTION: SCHEDULE CHANGE:

All of our lunches will start at 12:00 pm in Room 304 at MATC and last approximately 45 minutes.

The new schedule is as follows:

October 14:   Electric Power and Distribution

October 21:   Information and Network Technology
October 28:   HVACR
November 4: Medical Laboratory Technician and  Biotechnology

Our Dental Hygiene Sophomores have made some yummy arangements with Orange Leaf Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt as a fund raising .  Here's your chance to help others while you help yourself by self-serving.  Hope that's not too confusing.  Anyway, Take the family out for a frozen treat Monday the 17th.

I'd like to ask that you keep Leigh and Connie Poston in your thoughts and prayers as Leigh deals with some serious medical difficulties.

I hope everyone has a great, safe, and restful weekend.

Rob