Black River Technical College Pocahontas ▪ Paragould October 28, 2013 The Volume 11, Issue 14 River’s

Inside this issue: Holocaust Survivor Presentations to be Dietetics Club to Host “Fight 2 for the Cure “Fundraiser Held October 29-30 at BRTC Black River Technical Birkenau, but also his time at Mauthausen Concentration ASU Choral Music Director 2 College in collaboration with Camp where they were forced to carve tunnels into the Visits BRTC Choral Dept. the United States Holocaust sides of mountains and where Marty’s father died from Memorial Museum exhaustion and starvation. As the Allies advanced into Loan (continued) 2 (USHMM) will host Holo- Germany in the spring of 1945, Marty and other inmates caust survivor Martin Weiss went on a forced march to Gunskirchen, another sub-camp of Mauthausen, from where he was liberated by the United Randolph Home Scholarship for three presentations Octo- 2 Awarded ber 29-30. Weiss will be States Army on May 5th, 1945. speaking at 9:30 a.m. both After liberation, Marty eventually immigrated to the Tuesday and Wednesday MSSPS Awarded to 16 3 United States where he served in the Army during the mornings, and 7:00 p.m. Korean War. Marty has been a volunteer at USHMM Martin Weiss Tuesday evening. All presen- since 1998. Holocaust (continued) 4 tations will be held in the Randolph County Development Center auditorium on the “This will be the ninth Holocaust survivor to speak at BRTC as part of the Remembering the Holocaust - Survi- Campus Commentary… BRTC-Pocahontas campus. 4 vor Series, which began in April 2006 when we partnered Dr. Jan Ziegler According to the USHMM website, Martin (Marty) with USHMM,” noted Dina Hufstedler, Director of Com- Weiss was born January 28, 1929, in Polana, Czecho- munity Development and event coordinator. “The series slavakia, to Jacob and Golda Weiss. In May 1944, at the started with one presentation, but quickly grew to three to Important Dates age of 15, Marty and his family, including eight siblings, accommodate all of the area school groups that want to were deported from Hungary to Auschwitz-Birkenau. attend. We currently have over 1800 students from around His presentation will include the tragic story of what the area scheduled to attend next week’s presentations.” October 28 happened to him and his family at the hands of the Nazis. Dietetics Club “Fight for His experiences included not only the time at Auschwitz- (Continued on pg. 4) the Cure” Fundraiser October 29-10 Holocaust BRTC Loan for Science Complex Approved November 1 Officials at Black River Technical College received Flu Vaccines, 8:30-4:00, approval last week of a low-interest $9.5 million loan RCDC from the USDA’s Office of Rural Development to fund November 6-7 construction of a major new Health Science Complex on PTK Blood Drive the Pocahontas campus. The new facility will house the November 12 college’s Nursing, Phlebotomy, and Science programs, offering additional space for expansion of these high- PN Meet & Greet demand areas of study, according to BRTC President Dr. November 13 Wayne Hatcher. Business Etiquette Luncheon Several BRTC representatives were on hand to for- malize the project with the signing of loan documents. November 15 BRTC Board of Trustees Doug Cox and Dr. Paul Baltz LETA Graduation BRTC began the formal process of applying for the (seated, from left) sign loan documents presented by Justin Ladd loan from the USDA Rural Development Community November 21 with USDA. Other BRTC representatives present for the Facilities Direct Loan Program earlier this year, follow- signing were (back row, left to right): Angie Caldwell, VP for BRTC’s Got Talent ing approval from the BRTC Board of Trustees. A new Technical Education; Dr. Roger Johnson, VP for General November 26 Health/Science complex to allow for program expansion Education; Carolyn Collins, Interim VP for Student Affairs; Country Feast Brenda Gillogly, VP for Administration; and Dr. Wayne (Continued on pg. 2) Hatcher, BRTC President. Pa ge 2 River’s Edge Dietetics Club to Host “Fight ASU Choral Music Director for the Cure” Fundraiser Visits BRTC Choral Dept.

The Dietetics Club at BRTC will be hosting Dr. Dale Miller, a drop-in event to raise money for the Ameri- Director of Choral can Cancer Society. “Fight for the Cure” will Music at Arkansas be held today, October 28, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. State University in in the Randolph County Development Center Jonesboro, was a re- Banquet Room. cent guest of BRTC’s “Each semester, students in the Dietetics Choral Department, Club participate in a ‘Give Back Project’ – according to BRTC Choral Director some type of community service project of Jerrica Gray showing items donated Dr. Dale Miller of ASU (center) visits with members of Joniece Trammel. their choice,” explained Kathy Murdock, Die- for Dietetics fundraiser. BRTC’s Choral Music Department. tetics instructor. “Last semester, the students “Dr. Miller came to held a fundraiser for the Mary Sallee Single Parent Scholarship (MSSPS) fund, BRTC to show support for the BRTC Choral Department and to recruit stu- which they plan to do again in the spring.” dents for the ASU choral program,” Trammel explained. “His visit included According to Murdock, the “Fight for the Cure” event was the idea of Dietetics directing the BRTC choir rehearsal while encouraging the students in their student and club member Jerrica Gray with full support of the entire Club. All pursuit of a degree in music.” proceeds from the event will go the American Cancer Society in support of the "Collaboration between a four-year college and a two-year college is very fight against all types of cancer. important to students that are planning on continuing their education,” said Refreshments will be provided and tickets will be sold for $1 each for a chance Trammel. “It not only encourages students to continue their education, but to win a large assortment of prizes generously donated by area businesses and also connects them with an instructor in their field of interest." individuals. Tina Roberts and Jamie Mulligan, both breast cancer survivors from Dr. Miller invited any interested choir students to sing with his choir in Pocahontas, will be speaking beginning at 4:30. Spain in March of 2014. Loan Cont’d from Pg. 1 Randolph Home

had been identified as the institution’s top building “We are very excited about this project,” Cald- Scholarship Awarded priority more than two years ago, and the Board well said. “Currently, for every available nursing and Administration had considered various funding slots, we have an average of three qualified appli- Jordan Whitted has options before learning of the USDA option. cants seeking admission.” been named recipient of the Randolph Home The Financial Feasibility study indicates the Because Nursing is a science-intensive program Healthcare Scholarship remainder of the cost of construction and furnish- of study, the need is apparent also in the demand at Black River Tech- ings will be funded by BRTC. The project is ex- for science classes, notes VP for General Education nical College. She is pected to commence this fall, with a projected Dr. Roger Johnson. “Not only will this facility help the daughter of Virgin- completion date of July 31, 2015. us to serve the number of students who need sci- ence classes either as prerequisites for Health Sci- ia and Kris Roberts of To be located northeast of the existing science ence programs or for Gen Ed requirements,” he Maynard and a gradu- building, the new 44,000 sq. ft. facility will almost explained, “but it also means all our science stu- ate of Maynard High double the current capacity of the science labs. It dents will greatly benefit from modern new class- School. She studying will allow for an additional ten students annually in rooms and equipment.” to become a nurse with Jordan Whitted the RN program, an additional eight students in PN a desire to work as a Labor and Delivery Nurse. (Nursing I, II, and II) classes, or 24 additional Possibilities for renovation and re-use of the The Randolph Home Healthcare Scholarship is students annually, and an additional eight students current science building are under review, and $1000 per semester and it is awarded to a student in the Nursing Assistant class, representing a poten- include new programs of study in other areas of who is pursuing a healthcare related certificate or tial annual increase of forty CNA students. The Allied Health, in Agricultural Science, or in Pre- degree. The scholarship is awarded for both the Fall RN and PN class expansions are contingent upon Engineering or other STEM (Science, Technology, and the Spring semesters, provided that the recipient approval from the Arkansas State Board of Nurs- Engineering, Math) programs, according to Presi- maintains a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. The ing, and the CNA program expansion must be dent Hatcher. application process includes submission of the schol- approved by the state’s Office of Long Term Care, “We appreciate the assistance from the USDA’s arship application, a transcript, and a 100-200 word according to BRTC’s VP for Technical Education Rural Development staff, the support of our Board, self-descriptive essay. Angela Caldwell. The ASBN expressed its en- and especially the immense effort from our own dorsement of BRTC’s planned expansion in a letter staff,” he added. “This much-needed project repre- For more information about scholarships availa- of support, citing a critical need for trained health sents a major step forward for our students, college ble at BRTC, contact the Office of Financial Aid at care workers in the state and nation. and our community.” (870) 248-4000. Pa ge 3 MSSPS Awarded to 16 Students for Fall 2013 Semester

A total of $7,800 in scholarships has been graduate in May then transfer to Williams Baptist awarded to 16 students through the Mary Sallee College or Arkansas State University to pursue a Single Parent Scholarship (MSSPS) fund for the degree in psychology and become a counselor. Fall 2013 semester. Valorie Anderson and Leah She works for Above and Beyond Home Care as a Miller of Imboden, Emily Anderson, Melaina personal care aid and also as a waitress in Hoxie. Bailey, Brandi Beckman, Angela Emmitt, Verran- Flanigan graduated from Pocahontas High dah Flanigan, Brittany Madden, Mary Richardson, School in 2012 and is working towards an AA Stephanie Searcy, Amy Thielemier, Megan Walls, Valorie Anderson degree at BRTC. She plans to graduate Fall 2014 Amanda Rowe and Lacy Wheeless, all of Pocahontas; and and then begin working on an RN degree. Mad- Michele Davis and Kendreia Prater of Ravenden, den attended Hoxie High School and earned a each received $500 as full-time students; and GED from BRTC in 2008. She is taking general Amanda Rowe of Maynard received $300 as a part education courses at BRTC. Prater is a graduate -time student. This brings to date a total of of Pocahontas High School and is seeking a degree $161,448.00 awarded through the MSSPS fund. in psychology from WBC. Richardson graduated Valerie Anderson, Miller, Davis and Emmett from Couch High School in 2012 and has been have been designated as United Way recipients attending BRTC with plans to pursue a degree in through MSSPS. nursing. Searcy graduated high school in Ken- Leah Miller tucky in 2001 and has been a CNA for over ten Lacy Wheeless Valerie Anderson is a graduate of Oak Ridge years. She is taking general education courses at Central High School and has worked at Sonic since 2009. She earned a certificate from BRTC BRTC with hopes of completing the LPN and RN earlier this year and is now in the nursing program programs. at ASU-Newport and plans to become an RN. Thielemier is a 1996 graduate of Pocahontas Miller is a 2009 graduate of Sloan-Hendrix High High School. She is working on an AA degree at School and is working towards an AA degree at BRTC with a goal of becoming a Pharmacist. BRTC and expects to graduate in May. She plans Walls graduated from Pocahontas High School in to pursue a teaching degree in hopes of one day 2010 and is currently a student in the LPN pro- Michele Davis teaching art. Davis graduated from Sloan-Hendrix gram at BRTC. She plans to become an RN and Megan Walls High School in 1990 and BRTC with an AA de- later earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree. gree in 1998. She plans to graduate in December Wheeless graduated Maynard High School in from the respiratory program at BRTC. Emmett 2009 and Blackwood Beauty School in 2010. She earned a GED from Ogechee Tech and is working is a student in the Dietetics program at BRTC. towards an AA at BRTC then plans to pursue a Rowe is a 2010 graduate of Maynard High School degree in radiology. and is currently taking general education courses Emily Anderson is a 2000 graduate of Granite at BRTC with plans to pursue a degree in nursing. City High School and attended Southwestern According to MSSPS Chair Janna Guthrey, to Angela Emmett Illinois College. She has been a CAN for 13 years qualify for the single parent scholarship, individu- Amy Thielemier and is pursuing a degree in nursing. Bailey also als must be single parents with custody of minor plans to pursue a degree in nursing. She attended children, be enrolled in a program of higher educa- Pocahontas High School and earned a GED earlier tion, meet certain income guidelines, and be resi- this year and is currently taking courses at BRTC. dents of Randolph County. Beckman graduated from Maynard High For more information about MSSPS, contact School in 2012 and is working towards an AA Guthrey at 870-248-4092, or Natasha Rush, Finan- degree at BRTC, where she is a member of the cial Aid Officer, at 870-248-4019. President’s Leadership Council. She plans to Emily Anderson Stephanie Searcy

Verrnadah Flannigan Brandi Beckman Malaina Bailey Brittany Madden Kendreia Prater Mary Richardson Online River’s Edge Address: http://www.blackrivertech.org/rivers_edge/

P.O. Box 468 P.O. Box 1565 The River’s Edge is produced by the 1410 Hwy 304 East 1 Black River Drive Office of Development. Pocahontas, AR 72455 Paragould, AR 72450 [email protected] [email protected] Phone: 870-248-4000 Phone: 870-239-0969 [email protected] Fax: 870-248-4100 Fax: 870-239-2050 [email protected] www.blackrivertech.edu

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Campus Commentary… Holocaust not to learn by those too young to have personal Cont’d from page 1 remembrance. They are lessons too important not to remember by those for whom the WWII era is The presentations are free and open to the pub- now just a distant memory. They are lessons about lic. Sponsors of the event are: SEAS Project of the the dangers of prejudice, racism, stereotyping, BRTC Foundation; Mike and Barbara Dunn; First dehumanization and blind adherence to authority. National Bank of Walnut Ridge, Hoxie, Pocahontas They are lessons about the responsibilities of indi- and Bono; Dean and Brenda Gillogly; and Integrity viduals, of organizations, of states and nations. 1st Bank. They are lessons about what can happen in the face For more information or to schedule a group, of apathy, silence, indifference. contact Dina Hufstedler at 870-248-4187 or Jessica They are lessons we have opportunity to consid- McFadden at 870-248-4189.. er, share, discuss and hopefully take to heart on October 29-30 as we listen to the first-hand account one where we physically live and the greater one we Dr. Jan Ziegler of the experiences of Holocaust survivor Martin Weiss on the campus of BRTC in Pocahontas. share with all mankind—free from such events ever VP for Development Weiss will be speaking to student and community occurring again. audiences Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at This opportunity is rare, and will not be availa- It would be easy in some ways not to talk or 9:30, and Tuesday evening at 7 in the Randolph ble much longer, which makes this opportunity all teach about the watershed event in human history County Development Center. the more important. We hope you will take ad- known as the Holocaust. After all, nearly 70 years A former prisoner in the infamous Auschwitz vantage of this unique time—to learn, to remember. have passed since the end of World War II and the camp, and now a representative from the United I am grateful to be a part of a college and a liberation of the last of the concentration and exter- States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washing- community that understands the importance of mination camps scattered across the map of Europe ton, D.C., he will challenge listeners to reflect on Holocaust education. We are all enriched, young in countries under Nazi control. It would be easy. what happened and why, and he will inspire us to and old. We will be better citizens, and our Democ- But it would be wrong. understand and believe that our actions can and will racy will be strengthened by our presence at this The lessons of the Holocaust are too important make a difference in keeping our world—the small event.