RRCC News Releases - 2012
December 2012
RRCC Announces the 2012-2013 Employees of the Year: Red Rocks staff honored for superior performance
Lakewood-Each year the Red Rock’s Community College faculty and staff take time to select and honor their colleagues for outstanding performance, based upon three constituency groups: Faculty, Classified, and Administrator/Technical/Professional.
The 2012 RRCC Faculty of the Year is history and humanities lead instructor Chris Howell, who came highly recommended by fellow faculty members. In letters that nominated Howell for the award, faculty spoke glowingly of their fellow lead instructor. Howell, who has been with RRCC for 10 years, teaches world history and ancient history. He is known for keeping his department organized and informed, not only about what is happening on campus, but on changes at the state and national level that could impact his area. Howell also leads student field trips on his own time to both national and international destinations, most recently to India.
Red Rocks Theatre and Dance Presents Velocity: The Fall Dance Concert :: 2012 performance is showing on December 6-8
LAKEWOOD, CO – Red Rocks Community College Theatre Arts and Dance department proudly presents Velocity: The Fall Dance Concert. Velocity utilizes the combined choreography and dance talent of Red Rocks Community College dance department instructors and students to create an evening of dance. Performance pieces will include hip hop, lyrical dance, jazz, contemporary dance, swing, and tango.
RRCC Fine Woodworking department to hold open house :: Annual event showcases student and faculty work
LAKEWOOD, CO – The Red Rocks Community College fine woodworking and lutherie department will host an open house on Saturday, December 15 from 1-4 p.m. The exhibition will feature a large variety of pieces that were produced by students and faculty over the 2012 fall semester. Guests will enjoy the opportunity to view expertly crafted furniture, stringed instruments, and handmade drums from the new drum-building course at RRCC.
November 2012
RRCC Presents Food for Thought for Florence Crittenton High School
Luncheon to inspire teen moms to seek higher education
Lakewood, CO – Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn that throws us off course in pursuing our goals. Teen pregnancy and motherhood can certainly make higher education seem unattainable. Such is the idea behind Food for Thought, a luncheon event at RRCC’s Lakewood campus on December 7. RRCC Psychology Chair Amy Buckingham is partnering with Florence Crittenton High School to encourage young mothers to continue their studies and seek the resources that are available to them to attend college.
RRCC Theatre and Gateway Program Present Scars: Breaking the Cycle
Performance is a dramatization of real-life stories by students
Lakewood, CO - Red Rocks Community College presents the fourth annual theatrical performance of Scars. The one-night performance will be on December 9, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the college’s Lakewood campus, 13300 W. 6th Avenue (west end, lower level). The thought-provoking production features essays of life stories written by students who have faced serious challenges in their pasts and are working on a fresh-start.
RRCC announces Regis University transfer scholarship winners
Regis supports community college students pursuing four-year degrees
Lakewood, CO - Regis University College for Professional Studies continued their tradition of supporting community colleges last month, awarding several Red Rocks Community College students scholarships. Those selected in the 2012-2013 scholarship cycle were exceptional students who met the requirements for a Regis scholarship and wish to pursue a four-year degree at the private university.
Red Rocks Business Course Culminates in Running a Marathon
Change Through Challenge applies business principles to physical feat
Lakewood, CO - Andrew Johnston, accounting instructor at Red Rocks Community College, took a look at why many students drop out and lose the advantage higher education gives jobseekers. "It's not that they are unintelligent," he explained. "The students I encounter at Red Rocks are typically very intelligent. Many have simply never received the skills necessary to be successful in their personal life, educational pathways, and lifelong career goals."
RRCC Students Explore Engineering Design and Sustainability
Partnering with Local Aquaponics Business
LAKEWOOD-Red Rocks Community College launched the Red Rocks Institute for Sustainability in Education (RISE) to turn big concept ideas – innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainability – into educational activities that would prepare students for careers in the 21st century. “RISE helps students make connections between coursework and careers through hands-on learning that is relevant to the real world,” says Liz Cox, RISE Director.
October 2012
RRCC Offers Career Assessments to Students and the Community
Explore career options by taking two of the most widely-used assessments
LAKEWOOD, CO – If you are curious about how your personality and interests show up in the workplace or are considering a career change and need some guidance, this assessment event is for you. Red Rocks Community College will host a Career Assessment Workshop on Saturday, November 10 from 9 a.m.– 12 p.m. at the Lakewood Campus. The cost for the assessment report and interpretation is $30 for current Red Rocks students and $50 for community members.
Dead Man’s Cell Phone :: A Play with Heart and Potentially a Kidney OPENS November 1, 2012
LAKEWOOD, CO –The Red Rocks Community College Theatre Arts and Dance Department, presents Dead Man’s Cell Phone by award-winning playwright, Sarah Ruhl, opening November 1, 2012.
RMEC Earns Renewal of Training Center Status :: Center also celebrates 20 years as Region VIII OSHA training institute
LAKEWOOD, CO – In November, RRCC’s Rocky Mountain Education Center (RMEC) celebrates 20 years as an OSHA Education Center Training Institute serving region VIII, which includes the states of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, and North Dakota. This milestone is also marked by the announcement this week that RMEC’s institute authorization has been successfully renewed for an additional five years by the Department of Labor’s OSHA.
September 2012
Largest Scholarship for Community College Students and Recent Alumni Offered
LANSDOWNE, VA – The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has opened the nominations process for the largest scholarships available to students and recent alumni from community colleges. Through the initiative, called the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Program, the private foundation will award up to $30,000 annually per recipient to help students and recent alumni from community colleges and two-year institutions pursue four-year degrees at any accredited college or university in the United States. Last year, the Foundation received approximately 800 nominations for these awards.
RRCC Opens Doors to New Student Health Clinic :: Student government behind drive for low-cost health services
Lakewood, CO - Red Rocks Community College’s Lakewood campus now joins three other community colleges in Colorado and 13 community colleges nationwide in providing a free/no-cost student health clinic on campus. The clinic, which opened this past Monday, offers a wide range of basic health care services.
Colorado Community College System Colleges to Benefit from $14.2 Million Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor
Denver, CO - On Wednesday, September 19, 2012, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that the Colorado Community College System colleges will benefit from a $14.2 million grant to enhance their current allied health related programs with the goal of training a highly qualified healthcare workforce.
Red Rocks Community College Celebrates the Graduation of 29 Physician Assistant Students
Lakewood, CO-– The Red Rocks Community College Physician Assistant (PA) program honored its 13th graduating class on August 17. In a joint ceremony, the program welcomed its new class of 31 students, promoted 28 current students to their clinical year in a traditional white coat ceremony, and graduated 29 students. Debra Nickell, PA Program Director, presided over the ceremony. Dr. Sacramento Pimentel was also in attendance to present a scholarship named in his honor.
August 2012
Auditions for Dead Man’s Cell Phone at Red Rocks Community College RRCC Theatre Arts and Dance to Present Production in November
Lakewood, CO- The Department of Theatre Arts and Dance at Red Rocks Community College announces auditions for the fall production of Dead Man’s Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl; directed by Lorraine Scott.
A cell phone, a stranger, and a dead man. Young Jean’s life is changed and renewed all because of a ringing cell phone at a café in Dead Man’s Cell Phone by MacArthur Genius Grant Recipient, Sarah Ruhl.
July 2012
Red Rocks Physician Assistant student accepted into 2012 Primary Care Leadership Program
Lakewood, CO- - Red Rocks Physician Assistant student Amanda Smithers has been accepted into the 2012 GE-National Medical Fellowships Primary Care Leadership Program (PCLP). In addition to her acceptance, Smithers has been awarded a $5,000 scholarship that will aid her during the program.
RRCC “Get it Done” for underserved youth in our community
AWRSAY luncheon raises scholarship money
Lakewood, CO –Scholarships make college a reality for many high school students and on June 20, 2012 the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth (AWRSAY) hosted their 2nd Annual “Get It Done” luncheon to benefit students who have overcome adversity in their lives.
RRCC “Gets it Done” for underserved youth in our community AWRSAY luncheon raises scholarship money
LAKEWOOD, CO – The Red Rocks Community College Foundation hosted its Inaugural Alumni & Friends Golf Outing on June 15 to benefit the First Responder programs at RRCC. The event attracted 64 RRCC alumni and guests who raised much needed funds to support the college’s EMS, fire science and law enforcement programs.
June 2012
RRCC solidifies green energy alliance with Jordanian colleges
Red Rocks welcomes visitors and introduces them to local officials
LAKEWOOD, CO – Red Rocks Community College’s green energy program just welcomed Dr. Ayman Maqableh and two other representatives from Al-Balqa’ Applied University/Al-Huson University College (HUC) in Amman, Jordan on May 31 to talk about further expansion of HUC’s fledgling green energy program and cement the partnership between RRCC, the municipalities of Lakewood and Arvada, and HUC.
May 2012
“An American in Paris” photography show begins June 1 in RRCC’s Susan K. Arndt Gallery
LAKEWOOD, CO – When he finished his undergraduate degree at Colorado State University, Denver native Kealan Benjamin-Wardle needed inspiration, so he visited his sister who was then living in Paris. He started to explore the City of Light via his camera lens. Though he’s long since moved off of his sister’s couch, he is creating a significant body of work in France, some of which will be exhibited starting June 1, at Red Rocks Community College.
RRCC Awards Over 1,300 Degrees/Certificates at Graduation on May 12
LAKEWOOD, CO – Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) presented more than 1,300 degrees and certificates at the college’s 42nd annual commencement ceremony at the Lakewood campus on Saturday, May 12. RRCC granted Associate of Science, Associate of Arts, Associate of Applied Science, and Associate of General Studies degrees, plus certificates in hundreds of fields from Accounting to Wind Technology.
New Study Shows Community Colleges in the Colorado Community College System Contribute $3.01 Billion to the State and Local Communities
DENVER, CO - Today, Dr. Nancy McCallin, president of the Colorado Community College System, released a study detailing the economic impact the Colorado Community College System’s 13 colleges have on their local communities and on the state as a whole. This study documents the vital role community colleges play in the economic future of Colorado and in the lives of the 162,000 students they enroll. Highlights of the study found that the state-wide, total economic impact of the 13 colleges in the Colorado Community College System is $3.01 billion annually.
Red Rocks Event Wraps Up a Year-long Celebration of the Arts
ArtSmart program encourages all to appreciate the art in everything
LAKEWOOD, CO – A powwow, traveling children’s theatre, giant paint-by-numbers painting, live elevator music, and random “art attacks” were just a few of the activities provided by Red Rocks Community College’s ArtSmart committee this past year. The college is hosting a free celebration this Monday, May 7 from 6-8 p.m. as the finale of their year-long program of recognizing the arts in everything around us.
Early Childhood Education at RRCC Receives National Accreditation Program raises quality of early childhood teacher education
LAKEWOOD, CO–Red Rocks Community College's Early Childhood Education program has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) following a rigorous three-year process. NAEYC’s Commission on Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation granted the accreditation without any conditions or required areas for improvement.
Red Rocks PTK Honor Society Earns International Recognition
LAKEWOOD, CO – The Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Kappa Sigma, returned from an international convention in Nashville this past month with an armful of recognition. From the nearly 1300 chapters worldwide, Alpha Kappa Sigma was recognized in the top 100. Additionally, they received Distinguished Officer Team (Corissa Bowman, Sara Holden, Lori Ebenhack), Distinguished Chapter Officer, (Corissa Bowman) and Distinguished Advisor (Carolyn Mattern) awards.
April 2012
AWRSAY Scholarship Named After RRCC-Arvada Advisor Dan Macy
LAKEWOOD, CO – Finding scholarships and grants is critical for graduating high school students who can’t afford to attend college but wish to become educated. Arvada and Wheat Ridge students with connections to service organizations such as Rotary Club and Kiwanis have help thanks to Dan Macy and the other founders of the Arvada-Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth (AWRSAY).
Macy, a career counselor and academic advisor at Red Rocks Community College, has worked with AWRSAY since its founding 11 years ago. In that time, 265 scholarships to Red Rocks Community College have been awarded by the organization to students in need who are associated with service clubs. Five per year--25 total--of these scholarships are worth $1200 and are named after founding individuals, including the addition of Dan Macy this year.
Red Rocks Foundation Board recognizes excellent faculty
LAKEWOOD, CO – Heather Duncan has been selected as the 2012-2014 Student Voice Endowed Teaching Chair. The RRCC Foundation Teaching Chair program, the only multi-year faculty award in the Colorado Community College System, is a meaningful way of recognizing and awarding outstanding faculty.
240 Union Restaurant Raises Money for Scholarships at Red Rocks Community College
LAKEWOOD, CO – Fine dining…and lunching will provide much needed scholarship dollars for students at Red Rocks Community College as a result of the 11th annual Red Rocks Community College Foundation Benefit at 240 Union Restaurant in Lakewood on Wednesday, April 25, 2012.
RRCC Presents "Food for Thought "for Florence Crittenton High School
Luncheon to Inspire Teen Moms to Seek Higher Education
LAKEWOOD, CO – Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn that throws us off course in pursuing our goals. Teen pregnancy and motherhood can certainly make higher education seem unattainable. Such is the idea behind Food for Thought, a luncheon event at RRCC’s Lakewood campus on April 24. RRCC Psychology Chair Amy Buckingham is partnering with Florence Crittenton High School to encourage young mothers to continue their studies and seek the resources that are available to them to attend college.
RRCC hosts Japanese exchange students : International students learn English while
enriching their classmates’ cultural experience
LAKEWOOD, CO – Some of the students were spotted demonstrating calligraphy at the RRCC International Student Expo; while many more were practicing their English with other Red Rocks students while they were here. From March 9 through March 21, one teacher and 12 students in a study abroad program from Tsuruoka, a city in the Shonai region of the Yamagata prefecture of Japan, were on exchange at Red Rocks Community College.
Red Rocks PA Program Receives $300,000 Grant
LAKEWOOD, CO – The Colorado Health Foundation has awarded the Red Rocks Community College Foundation on behalf of the Physician Assistant (PA) program a $309,079, two-year grant that will increase the numbers of committed and highly qualified Physician Assistants practicing in Colorado’s rural and medically underserved communities.
Two RRCC Students Named to PTK All-Colorado Academic Team
LAKEWOOD, CO – Red Rocks Community College students Cody Oldham and Joe Heimer and have been selected for the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-Colorado Academic Team. Each year, the PTK honor society recognizes outstanding students at two-year colleges around the state based upon their academic achievements and community involvement.
OWN YOUR HEALTH: ATTEND 9HEALTH FAIR THIS SPRING
Screening Location on Saturday, April 21, 2012
RED ROCKS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
13300 West Sixth Avenue
Lakewood, CO 80228
7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Lakewood, CO — On April 21, 2012, Red Rocks Community College is partnering with 9Health Fair to present more than 20 free and four low-cost health screenings, as well as education, for people to keep their health in check. 9Health Fair, Colorado’s largest volunteer-run, non-profit health fair program, is urging anyone over 18 to attend. More than 150 communities throughout Colorado and Wyoming will host a 9Health Fair. For a complete list of screenings and locations throughout Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska, visit www.9healthfair.org.
March 2012
RRCC's Alpha Kappa Sigma Receives Colorado Region Distinguished Chapter Award
LAKEWOOD, CO - Alpha Kappa Sigma returned from the Colorado Regional Phi Theta Kappa Convention held on March 2 & 3 with some wonderful recognition.
RRCC Foundation awarded 2011 Nonprofit of the Year :: Recognized by West Chamber Serving Jefferson County
LAKEWOOD, CO - The Red Rocks Community College Foundation was presented with the 2011 Nonprofit of the Year award by the West Chamber Serving Jefferson County at its annual Chairman’s Inaugural Celebration lunch on January 27, 2012. “We are honored to receive this recognition,” said Dr. Michele Haney, president of RRCC. “Our Foundation provides crucial support to many students for whom higher education would be out of reach, and this award reinforces our efforts.”
February 2012
Red Rocks’ students gain valuable green tech experience :: Solar panel array helps to power Lakewood campus, provides hands-on learning
LAKEWOOD, CO – Red Rocks Community College is truly green. Not only do students get to learn from experience working with energy-conserving technology such as a 9,760-watt photovoltaic array collecting about a kilowatt-hour of energy per sunny day, the power produced is used to reduce the Environmental Training Center’s need for electricity by nearly half.
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RRCC Dedicated to Serving Needs of Deaf Community :: College announces programs designed to recruit deaf students
LAKEWOOD, CO – In the spirit of serving the diverse needs of our entire community, Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) has launched comprehensive programs and services to reach out to students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
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January 2012
Employees of the Year Announced at Red Rocks Community College :: Outstanding faculty, administrative, and classified employees recognized for merit
LAKEWOOD, CO – Each year, Red Rocks Community College recognizes three employees for exceptional service. One person is selected from each category of employee, which includes Faculty, Classified, and
Administrator/ Professional-Technical. Peggy Morgan, the vice president of business services, is administrator of the year for 2011. Jack Henderson, from facilities, is classified employee of the year. Heather Duncan, the mathematics department chair, is faculty of the year.
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RRCC Announces Opening of Environmental Training Center Addition :: New facilities to provide a higher quality of water distribution education
LAKEWOOD, CO – In a proactive response to recent unfortunate events in the water industry, Red Rocks Community College and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) have developed a distribution training center to provide quality education and skilled technicians in water distribution. After two and a half years of planning and construction, RRCC will hold a grand opening and tour of its new water distribution systems training center on Monday, January 30 at 11:30 a.m. The outdoor dedication will include recognition for those who supported the training center project through donations and those who were directly involved in its creation and implementation.
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