HELP NEEDED - ICC’s Beta Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa is collecting items for U.S. troops overseas. According to Emily Hamlin, chapter president, PTK is collecting such things as bar soap, playing cards, Jolly Ranchers, sunflower seeds, hot cocoa packets, laundry soap, Gatorade, gum, snacks, beef jerky, sunglasses, stationary, pens, Pop-Tarts, chips, and reading material. They also will accept letters from anyone wishing to write to the troops. The items may be dropped off at Mrs.. Roush’s office, room AC108. Deadline is Feb. 12. (More about PTK on Page 6.)

RECOGNITION - The ICC Foundation Recognition Dinner, to honor student scholarship recipients, will start at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Independence Museum. Tickets can be purchased through ICC’s Beth Tuszynski. Her ICC extension is 4207.

KANSAS DAY - ICC will host a Kansas Day program for middle school children Tuesday from 8:30 to 11 a.m. in the William Inge Theatre. The program, an ICC tradition, is being organized by Ken Brown, chairman of the Humanities Department.

STUDENT DAY - Students interested in public relations and advertising are invited to the annual Topeka Student Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 8 in the Poezez Education Center at Stormont-Vail Regional Health Care Center in Topeka. The event is sponsored by the Public Relations Society of Topeka and the Topeka Advertising Federation.

KMART - Kmart Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday. All 2,114 Kmart stores will remain open, at least through March.

ICC’s new dorm facilities are taking shape. The foundation is poured and the walls are going up on the 3-story, rectangle facility that replaces one of the athletic practice fields across the stream from the main campus.

The residence hall is projected to open July 15, providing 200 beds, each room equipped with cable television, telephone access and linked to the college’s fiber optic network for Internet access.

The dorms fees will be $4000 per school year which is below financial aid limits while providing laundry facilities, a recreational/study room, computer controlled temperature, security monitoring system in the hallways and a lighted parking area. Total cost of the dorms is estimated at $4.45 million.

A looming Belger-Cartage Company crane Tuesday began placing preformed concrete walls on the 150,000 tons of concrete foundation Crossland Construction, Columbus, prepared over the past two months. The preformed walls contain electrical wiring and brick veneer to match the exterior of the existing buildings on campus. Flatbed semitrailers haul the walls from where they are formed at Tulsa Dyna Span of Broken Arrow, Okla., to the 32-year-old ICC campus.

Jeff Wilson, manager for Crossland Construction, Co., says the project is 20 percent complete, and on schedule to meet the July 15 completion date.

The contractors have had nearly ideal weather as the temperatures have been above normal, and there has been almost no snow or rain since major construction began in November.

As the structure begins to rise, Comfort Contractors, Chanute, installs the plumbing, and Schwartz Electrical, Pittsburgh, handles the electrical aspects of construction.

Wilson said approximately 40 men are needed to complete construction. Currently there are only three Crossland Construction employees and a few of the subcontractors on site.

Weather conditions and the diminishing availability of masons were a concern of ICC’s President Judith Hansen at the first of the year. After touring Dyna Span, Dr. Hansen is encouraged that the completion date will be met, that will enable the college to prepare for the fall semester.

The temporary dorms (the white trailers) will be sent back to Texas as soon as the new residence halls are complete.

Dr. Hansen said, "They have served their purpose as a transition to the new residence hall." The new dorms will house students more comfortably, allowing the recruitment of more students from various programs the college provides. A task force establishing guidelines for performance and academics of those who stay in the new dorms was started Wednesday.

Completion of the new residence hall will necessitate a drive to acquire fund to build a new student union building that would include a computer lab, recreation room, tiered television area, gaming area and provide the ICC food service and the bookstore larger areas.

The old dorms will be used for additional dorms and are being considered for remodeling into married student housing, and a variety of "designated" uses.

Don’t like the classes you are taking? Want to make a change, but can’t find anyone in student services to help you? Have you checked with the admissions counselors?

ICC has two admissions counselors, Sonja Conley and Cindy Neises, who help students enroll, add classes, and drop classes.

Sonja and Cindy are extremely busy year round working with students. Part of their job as admissions counselors is to help with enrollment. These two ladies were on campus until seven p.m. the first two weeks of this semester enrolling students in classes. Often, they are so busy with students that they don’t get to eat lunch. And this is only part of their job. These two ladies are often the first contact prospective students have with ICC.

Cindy and Sonja attend college fairs throughout the year. The college fairs are held in large communities, either at a college or convention center, and allow high school students from that area to meet and ask questions of representatives from hundreds of colleges. Last semester the ladies drove almost six hours one way to attend a college fair in Norman, Okla., on the campus of Oklahoma University.

After the initial rush of enrollment slows down, these two get busy with high school visits. In an ongoing attempt to increase enrollment, Cindy and Sonja have added a number of high schools to their list of visits. There are around 20 high schools in Oklahoma, including Skiatook, which is about an hour and a half from ICC.

In Kansas, the ladies visit about 75 high schools. Cheney High School, which is a three hour drive one way, is about the farthest for either of the ladies to visit. These visits don’t take as long as a college fair, but Cindy and Sonja often go to more than one school in a day. There are some weeks when these two leave at six in the morning and return home at six in the evening, only to do the same thing the next day.

When football or basketball recruits come to campus on Saturdays, these two ladies are hard at work. They work with the coaches preparing information packets and giving tours of the campus. They also work with other departments. For instance, if a prospect is interested in the theatre department, Cindy and Sonja work with David Sherlock, chairman of the communications department. Cindy went with Mr. Sherlock to Kansas City to a workshop to promote ICC. Often, students can’t get away from their high school until late afternoon. Sonja and Cindy stay late to be sure that these students get all the information possible in hand before going home.

To be sure that they have a full to bursting schedule, they both are organization advisors. Sonja is the advisor to Student Senate, which requires her to be out, often past midnight, for bowling nights and movie nights. Cindy is the advisor to the Ambassadors.

If this isn’t enough for two ladies to handle, Sonja and Cindy are also active behind the scenes of homecoming, Pirate Camp, and graduation. They contribute a lot of time and ideas to these campus functions, as well as their other duties.

With all of their responsibilities, Cindy and Sonja are still available and happy to be part of the ICC team. If they aren’t in their offices, they are probably working off campus to keep ICC at the top of its game. Drop by their offices in the student union and say hello. And remember, if no one else is available to handle that enrollment question, try one of these two ladies.

Dixie Schierlman, ICC Dean of Student Services, has been chosen to participate in the National Institute for Leadership Development, LEADERS program for administrators in higher education.

The National Institute for Leadership Development is internationally recognized by colleges, universities and businesses for its visionary, holistic programs that produce leaders who effectively challenge assumptions, eliminate barriers and create new pathways to successful solutions. Participants are chosen for their professional abilities, their interest in advancement in higher education, and the quality of their proposed projects.

ICC Sample Shows the St. Louis Rams as Early Favorites

Although the temperatures don’t reflect it, playoff time is here, in the National Football League anyway. The countdown has started towards Super Bowl 37. The drama is increasing. Teams that performed well are getting beat. There are surprises at the end of each weekend. Who will make it to the big game? Who will win this year’s Super Bowl. With the game scheduled for February 10 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the Buccaneer staff decided to see what the students and staff at ICC think about pro football’s biggest game of the year.

While some of the ICC population doesn’t care about the game, and still others don’t care who goes and who wins, there are still a number of football fans willing to share their predictions.

Willie Anderson, ACE director, picked the St. Louis Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers as the two teams making it to the big game. The winner, according to Mr. Anderson, will be the Rams.

John Eubanks, ICC accounting instructor, agreed with the Rams; however, he thinks the Oakland Raiders will represent the AFC. Mr. Eubanks also thinks the Rams will win the championship.

Mike Taylor, ACE counselor, looks for the Green Bay Packers to win the NFC playoff and the Raiders to win the AFC playoff, pitting these two teams against one another in the Super Bowl. The Packers, according to Mr. Taylor, will win the game.

Former ICC football player Evan "Tank" Whitley agreed with Mr. Taylor. He felt the Packers would beat the Raiders in the Super Bowl.

Ray Pruitt, ICC football player from N. Little Rock, Ark., felt the Rams would play the Raiders and win.

David Ecton, sophomore from Fredonia, likes the Chicago Bears and the Steelers for the final two teams. David thinks the Steelers will win the game.

DeMarcus Rhodes, ICC football player from Wichita, gave the question a lot of thought. He felt the Steelers were a cinch for the AFC and to win the Super Bowl, although he wasn’t sure who their opponent would be. DeMarcus said either the Rams or the Bears would represent the NFC.

Jasper Durbin, freshman from Independence, likes the Rams over the Raiders.

Troy Lucas, ICC resident advisor, didn’t like any of the NFL teams. He said that the NFL was just lucky that the Miami Hurricanes couldn’t play or they would win another national championship.

David Aikins, ICC physics/math instructor, said the Rams would beat another Miami team, the Dolphins. He also said the win would be by at least 17 points.

Admissions counselor Sonja Conley didn’t really know who would make it to the Super Bowl, but she did say the Baltimore Ravens would win it.

Justin Fields, sophomore from Neodesha, likes the Rams over the Steelers.

Jake Grzenda, ICC baseball player from Olathe, likes the Rams over the Raiders.

Jimmy Turk, ICC baseball player from Owasso, Okla., agrees with Jake on the Raiders losing, but he thinks it will be to the San Francisco 49ers.

Trey Hightower, also from Owasso, Okla., thinks the Bears will beat the New York Jets.

Nathan Collins, freshman from Lubbock, Tex., likes the Steelers over the Rams.

Nick Palsmeier, sophomore from Fall River, thinks the Raiders will beat the Rams.

Jacob Trammel, freshman from Elk City, agrees with Nick.

Buccaneer Editor and ICC sophomore Trish JuAire isn’t sure about the Super Bowl. I think the NFC divisional playoffs will be the Packers against the Bears. The AFC divisional playoffs will feature the Steelers against the Raiders. I hope the Bears and Raiders go to New Orleans and I would like to see the Raiders win it all.

Jay Smith was elected to the ICC Board of Trustees Jan. 8. Mr. Smith, Superintendent of Schools for the Cherryvale School District, fills the vacancy left by John Toth, who resigned to move to Kentucky.

Mr. Smith and Dean Cunningham, a computer studies instructor at Independence High School who resides in Independence, applied for the vacant position. Trustee Chairman Jana Shaver, who organized interviews of the two candidates, said earlier the decision to pick one candidate was "difficult."

Trustee Dan Dollison made the motion to appoint Mr. Smith. The Board voted 5-0 to appoint Mr. Smith to the vacant position, deciding that it was in the best interest of the college to elect a representative from the Cherryvale area. Mr. Smith’s term will expire July 1.

Revered ICC instructor Jeanine Thompson is on the road to recovery. "Mrs. T" had a mild heart attack Jan. 8. After being kept at Mercy Hospital in Independence overnight, she was taken to Jane Phillips Regional Medical Center in Bartlesville, Okla., where she underwent a scope treatment. She remained in Bartlesville for two days, before being released to her home Jan. 11.

Mrs. Thompson is resting comfortably at her home in Independence and hopes to be back at ICC the first part of February. Her cardiologist told her to "do nothing for at least three weeks." After a checkup last week, she was told that she could start walking, to build up her strength.

Although the cause of the heart attack has not been determined, the doctors do know that the problem occurred in the lower portion of her heart and that little damage was done. The doctors informed her that the little amount of damage is due to her overall good health.

Mrs. Thompson said, "I want everyone to know that I miss them and will be back as soon as the doctor gives me the okay."

The ICC women’s basketball team traveled to Kansas City Jan. 11 to pay its respects to Jamal Abdoul Washington, the brother of player Fareeda Washington, who past away on the morning of January 5th. Washington’s cause of death is still unknown at this time. He was 23.

Fareeda was not made aware of the unfortunate happenings that took place earlier in the day until after the Lady Pirates had defeated Johnson County Community College that evening.

The Lady Pirates attended the funeral as support for Fareeda and her family. At this time Fareeda is still at home. Women’s basketball Coach Jim Chambers is unsure about when or if she will return.

Each August for the past three years the ICC photography class has started the 16-week course with Instructor Ron McIntosh. Class members learn about composition, lighting, camera operation, shooting and darkroom techniques. The goal for each member of the class is to shoot a nicely composed photo, shoot it so that it is technically sound in exposure and focus, and to develop the negative and produce a photo in the ICC darkroom. Near the end of last semester each member of the class submitted what they considered to be their two best photos for the year. Those photos were then judged by photographers Bob Harris, professional photographer and operator of DJ’s Frame Shop in Independence, and Teresa Vestal, amateur photographer, graduate of the ICC photography course, and manager of the ICC Bookstore. Here are some of those photos.

The Independence Community College Foundation has announced its award for the volunteer raising the highest total in donation during the 2001 PHONE-A-THON on Dec 8, 9 and 10.

Frankie Harris, ICC Biology instructor, was awarded the honor and received $100 in gift certificates to purchase merchandise of her choice through Amazon.com. The on-line internet retailer donated the gift certificates to the ICC Foundation to be used as an award for volunteer efforts during the PHONE-A-THON.

Funds raised during the annual campaign are used to award scholarships to deserving students.

"It is important to me to make time to volunteer to make phone calls for the annual campaign. I feel a real sense of accomplishment in helping our students in this way," Ms. Harriss said.

"For some, attending college without the support of these scholarships would be difficult if not impossible. I think everyone has something to give. Even if you’re not blessed with abundant financial resources, you can donate your time.

"This way, anyone can support the students whether with their time or with their treasure. I think it’s wonderful that area businesses have become involved, too. I was quite surprised, but pleased to receive the gift certificate from Amazon.com.," Ms. Harriss said.

Many people did volunteer their time to make the PHONE-A-THON a success. A total of 26 volunteers and three ICC Foundation employees made phone calls to raise money for scholarships this year.

The volunteers included scholarship recipients, faculty and staff members, ICC board of trustee members, ICC Foundation board members, area business leaders and Dr. Judith Hansen, ICC president. In addition, several more Independence area retail establishments contributed goods and services during the PHONE-A-THON to be used as prizes for the volunteers. These donors included: Cotton’s Furniture; Laurel Street Bakery; Nancy’s Cake Creations; Twig’s Floral and Gifts; Bella Hair Design; Classy Clippers; The Cut Above; Perfect 10 Salon; Big Cheese Pizza; K-mart; DJ’s Frame Shop; Independence Country Club; Young’s True Hardware; Fast Lube; Pizza Hut; Simple Simons and Sonic Drive Inn.

This year’s financial goal is to raise $44,000 in scholarship funds. The annual campaign runs though Saturday. Donations should addressed to: ICC Foundation; Independence Community College; P. O. Box 708; Independence, KS 67301-0708. "Every donation to the scholarship fund is significant whether you can donate $5, $5000, or any amount in between," said ICC Foundation Director Cindy Roragen.

ICC’s Beta Omega chapter of Phi Theta Kappa is hard at work this semester. There are several irons in the fire for this organization. In addition to preparing for the induction ceremony in February, the regional meeting in March, and the international convention in April, they are doing sponsoring a number of local projects.

Beta Omega takes donations year round for the Montgomery County Safehouse. This semester, they are also adopting a room. The safehouse needs some refurbishing so the chapter will be painting a room. Donations of nonperishable food items and clothing can be left with ICC Instructor Karen Roush, chapter cosponsors, any time throughout the semester. You don’t have to be a Phi Theta Kappa member to donate.

Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society comprised of students with a minimum GPA of 3.5 on two-year college campuses. If your GPA isn’t 3.5, but you are interested in becoming a member, you could still be eligible. There are a number of benefits for PTK members, including transfer scholarships to a lot of universities. See either Mrs. Roush or Ms. Thomason, or any PTK member, for more information. New members are always welcome.