We Are Mission Ready 5IF.BHB[JOFPGUIF1VFCMP$PNNVOJUZ$PMMFHF'PVOEBUJPO"MVNOJ"TTPDJBUJPO 7PMVNFt*TTVFt'BMM Greetings from President Erjavec ~ LEGACY ~ LEGACY breadth and depth of experience and knowledge that complements our outstanding team. We are well If you were to ask me to describe the culture at Pueblo positioned to “Open the Door to Community College in three words, I would simply say – More Educational Opportunities” Community, Unity, Opportunity! The academic year was as we take our “Military Friendly” kicked-off with great enthusiasm as we welcomed new designation to a whole new level Patty Erjavec, MNM leadership to the college. Chief Academic Officer, Dr. and are excited that we have opened President Deborah Schmidt, Dean of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Ralph a new downtown studio at the Salvatore, and Dean of Student Success, Keith Wilder corner of First and Main Street. By establishing a venue for are outstanding additions to our team and have brought a easy access to comprehensive educational opportunities in the heart of Pueblo, we hope to strengthen Pueblo’s economy with community-based outreach and preparatory enrollment services. PCC is committed to providing a welcoming environment for Last summer, the community targeted populations that include, but are not necessarily limited was invited to celebrate the to, veterans, TAA (Trade Adjustment Assistance) eligible, WIA 80th Anniversary of Pueblo (Workforce Investment Act) eligible, displaced homemakers, Community College at a unemployed, underemployed, and others. In short, we do campus picnic and concert. not want a student’s First Step to Success to be intimidating, frustrating, or financially unachievable. As you will see as you peruse this magazine, the college thrives on opportunities to engage in community partnerships. Whether it is welcoming nearly 1,000 Montezuma and Dolores County high school students to the Cortez campus when SCCC sponsored the 2nd Annual Montelores Career Fair, hosting a 40th anniversary party on the Fremont Campus to commemorate the historic meteorite landing that struck a garage roof in Canon City on Oct. 27, 1973, or providing history and leadership courses at the beautiful Center for American Values in Pueblo, we embrace each as a learning experience for our students. We value our education partners, community colleagues, donors and benefactors, and appreciate your commitment to academic excellence and student enrichment. PCC Panther Pride runs deep. I invite you to visit our campuses to see for yourself and encourage you to contact me with new opportunities for student engagement. We celebrate our student success, we honor our veterans, and we appreciate your continued support for “The Best of Pueblo”! Honor the Past Ensure the Future Publisher – PCC Foundation Editor – Diane Porter Designer – Diane Hochevar 7PMVNFt*TTVFt'BMM Published semiannually by the Pueblo Community College Foundation & Alumni Association “It was simply wonderful to open the campus to the community 80SNBO"WFOVF "#t1VFCMP $0 as we celebrated 80 years of academic excellence!” ~President Erjavec www.pueblocc.edu/about us/foundation Panther Statue Attractive Addition to Pueblo Campus They did the bulk of the work on the statue in Central’s welding lab, instructor Jake Drummond which is well-equipped and oversaw work on the project. provides a good atmosphere Just prior to the unveiling, for project work. Later, the statue was weatherized students in Central High’s with corrosion protection and welding classes continued sealed with several coats of the project. Clear Coat applied by PCC’s Approximately 16 Automotive Collision team months and roughly 400 of James Cordova, Danny work hours later, the Sepulveda, and Jorge Tafoya. A project that utilized Rodriguez, PCC students new panther statue was Machining students created the work and intricate taking college welding classes unveiled and dedicated in a a silver plaque to accompany skills of college and high at Pueblo Central High ceremony on the first day of the statue, and it was school welding students, School, became intrigued PCC’s fall 2013 semester. cemented in place by PCC’s as well as several different with the idea of creating a Removing the draping that Facility Services staff. Pueblo Community College statue of a panther, which had covered the statue were The nearly 400-pound departments, has become is the College’s mascot. PCC students Sophia Avila panther statue, located part of the College’s After finding an image that and Dustin Richardson. between the Gorsich and permanent landscape. appeared to show movement Sophia devoted countless Central Administration In May 2012, Otis in a somewhat aggressive, hours working on the statue buildings, is a fine addition to Driftwood and Gilbert forward-stepping way, they while Dustin did the finish the PCC Pueblo campus and began to create the image in grinding and sanding. PCC steel. is visible from Orman Avenue. i#FTUPG1VFCMPw Recognizes PCC and Four Employees When it comes to great places to work, it’s hard to beat Pueblo Community College. Moving up to Gold from last year’s Silver PCC employess honored in Best of Pueblo contest: (left to right) Stuart medal finish, PCC was rated “The Best Place to Work” in The Hyatt, Dr. Lana Carter, Gary Franchi, and Charles Hurley. Pueblo Chieftain’s “Best of Pueblo” contest. Four PCC employees were also medal winners. Charles Hurley and Stuart Hyatt won silver medals as the Best Graphic Designer and Best Administrative Assistant, respectively. As a member of the Marketing & Communications Department team, Charles has put PCC on the Pueblo map in terms of the graphic design work he has produced for publications, advertisements, flyers, posters, banners, billboards, etc., not to mention the beautiful look for the Scala TV monitors that are located in every PCC building. Meanwhile, Stuart keeps the Arts & Sciences Division running with utmost efficiency through his dedication, attention to detail, and hard work. Dr. Lana Carter, who won the bronze in the Best Boss category, did a superb job as Chief Academic Officer and Executive Dean of Arts & Sciences before being ~ LEGACY named Dean of the Fremont Campus earlier this year. Gary Franchi won bronze in ~ LEGACY the Best News Story category for a feature story (Texas Invasion) that he wrote and Chief Academic Of!cer Dr. Sunny Schmitt (left) had published in The Chieftain. and Erin Hergert, PCC Marketing Director, accept the Best Place to Work award. Pueblo Junior College ~ LEGACY & WWII College funds were Guard or the Military or invested in the purchase of Naval Reserve, will be United States War Bonds. granted a leave of absence by the College until forty College classes were days after he receives his being affected by the war. honorable discharge.” In 1943, a new College division, Vocational Training for War Production, was created. The Civil Pilot Training Program and other war effort classes were held in the Rood Candy Building. Enrollments declined 7KHEDVHPHQWZDV Pueblo Junior College’s As more PJC personnel from 310 in 1940 to 124 set up for machine tool (PJC) involvement with were drafted or wanted in 1943. Then in February instruction. the World War II war effort to sign up to serve their 1944, the College’s began on October 5, 1939, country, it was necessary 7KHILUVWIORRURI involvement in the war when the Junior College for the Junior College the building was used for effort began to wind down. Committee, the College’s Committee to establish a aircraft engine classes. The Civil Aeronautics governing board, approved Administration War Pilot Training (Ground Training Service Program Instruction) of the Civil with the U. S. Army was Aeronautics Authority. An discontinued. In May 1944, airplane mock-up was used the College was notified for pilot training in the that the war-related Food gymnasium. Production Classes were to be closed after which the The College’s College began planning for involvement in the war training of the returning effort was not confined veterans. to pilot training. In July, 1942, Mr. Edgar E. To close this chapter in Hemenover presented a the history of the College, new government program policy. “Any member of the 7KHVHFRQG the 1944 Tsanti yearbook which included various faculty who is drafted by floor was used for radio was dedicated to those classes for the war effort. Selective Service System maintenance, blueprint PJC members who did In 1942, PJC faculty began for service with the armed reading, and sewing classes. not return and a memorial forces, or who is ordered plaque was placed at the training waitresses for the $LUFUDIWVKHHW Pueblo Air Base. to service by the National base of the College flag metal and general sheet pole. metal classes were held on the fourth floor. Other classes offered were radio code, electrical, and welding. When PJC students completed the training, they headed to the ship yards and aircraft plants. Center for American Values Joining Forces Pueblo Community College is honored to list the Center for American Values in Pueblo (CAV) as one of its community partners. With this partnership, PCC and the Center continue to expand their outreach initiatives in the communities they serve. “This opportunity to partner with the Center for American Values is yet another great example of our commitment to engaging students,” said PCC President Patty Erjavec. Previous partnerships in Pueblo have been established with the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center and St. Mary Corwin Medical Center. Last spring, the partnership with CAV began with a four-week course, U.S. History Since the Civil War, by PCC history instructor Michael Engle. Instead of attending classes on PCC’s Pueblo campus, those history students convened at the beautiful CAV headquarters, which is located on the Pueblo Riverwalk just off South Main Street, and also visited other historic sites in downtown Pueblo. “With such a poignant learning environment and Michael Engle’s enthusiasm and knowledge, our students will capture the essence of U.S.