CWI Compass Connect - May 2, 2017
In the Spotlight
Thursday, April 27, was a great day to be on the College of Western Idaho (CWI) campus! Three events – Garbology Day, St. Baldrick’s, and the Connections Project – took place at the Nampa Campus Academic Building and were each a huge success!
St. Baldrick’s – CWI raised $3,661 to fight childhood cancer, over doubling the $1,500 goal.
Garbology – Raised awareness among students, faculty, and staff to improve recycling and composting behaviors at CWI.
Connections Project – Amazing turnout from students, faculty, staff, and the community.
News Highlights
2017 CWI Commencement
Mark your calendars to celebrate College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) class of 2017 during the commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 13, at 7 p.m. The event, hosted at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, will recognize degree and certificate graduates, as well as GED completers.
Community members are encouraged to share messages with graduates using #cwigraduation on Twitter and Instagram. Messages will be streamed on screens for graduates to see while preparing for the ceremony.
This year's ceremony will stream through Facebook Live on the CWI Facebook page.
Visit graduation to learn more!
CWI Law Enforcement Students Hired at Canyon County Sheriff’s Office
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Law Enforcement students, Rob Dry and Sean Krone, were sworn in as Marine Deputies for the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, April 25.
Dry came to CWI Law Enforcement program in his late 40s after a decision to change careers. He looks forward to the opportunity a career in law enforcement provides to serve people in a meaningful way every day. Dry feels the academic and field training he has received in the program has prepared him for a fulfilling career.
Krone, a 32-year old Army veteran, worked in corrections for a number of years before deciding to leave that line of work to pursue a career in residential rehabilitation. After two years, Krone says the “brotherhood” is what brought him back. He came to CWI in hopes of finding a good career, with good benefits, a family atmosphere, and one he can retire from.
Dry and Krone are two of the first four CWI Law Enforcement students from Class 2 to be hired by agencies.
Mexican Consulate to Host event with CWI
In collaboration with the College of Western Idaho, the Mexican Consulate will be hosting “The True Significance of Cinco de Mayo” with the CWI Anthropology Club and the “The Pros and Cons of NAFTA” with the CWI Speech and Debate Team.
When: Wednesday, May 3, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Where: CWI Nampa Micron Center, Room 1701
The event is open to the public. Refreshments will be provided by the Mexican Consulate.
Faculty Appreciation Week May 1-5
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) would like to recognize the dedicated and hard-working faculty at College of Western Idaho (CWI) during Faculty Appreciation Week May 1-5, 2017. It is through their dedication, extra effort, and kindness that students at CWI are able to achieve their goals and move forward on their educational journeys. We celebrate the impact instructors make in the lives of our students and are inspired by all that they do.
Weddington Earns Certified Nurse Educator Certification
Congratulations to Joan Weddington, a member of CWI’s Nursing faculty, for earning the certified nurse educator certification (CNE). The CNE designation requires advanced education and successful completion of an examination specific to nursing education. Only 4,000 nurse educators in academic or healthcare settings have achieved certification as a nurse educator. THE CNE establishes the role of a nurse educator as an advanced professional practice discipline with a defined practice setting and standards of excellence. Joan demonstrates her commitment to education and passion for lifelong learning by enrolling in courses at Idaho State University.
Joan, who also serves on Faculty Senate, is often found sharing her knowledge and love of antiques (particularly Victorian era) with her colleagues in the Nursing Department!
McComas Named April 2017 Staff of the Month
Connor started his time at CWI completing the EMT Advanced program in 2011. In July of 2012 he was hired by the college and will celebrate his five year anniversary at CWI this July. He started as an Enrollment Specialist at the One Stop in the Micron PTE Center. Instantly he fell in love with higher education and found a passion helping students succeed. Connor has served the college as the Learning Community Coordinator for CTE Business and IT students for the past three years, and recently transitioned to his role as the Learning Community Coordinator focused on CTE IT programs.
Connor demonstrates the core value “Serving all in an Atmosphere of Caring”, as noted in his nomination. “He has been a great help for my program as well as Medical Administrative Assistant program regarding placing students in the respective classes. He went out of his way to help my students register for classes which they could not register because of different reasons. Connor has always been very helpful and always goes above and beyond to help out in any way he can. Connor is a great asset to CWI.”
Connor attended Carroll College in Helena, Montana (Go Saints!) and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in Communications, graduating with honors. After college Connor lived in County Cork, Ireland and developed a deep pride for his Irish heritage. Connor is currently the Staff Senate President of CWI and will finish his term at the end of May. He was elected to Staff Senate during his first year at CWI, and has been on the Senate almost his entire career. He served first as Staff Senator before being elected as Vice President for a year and then succeeding to the Presidency. Connor is proud of his four years on Staff Senate, serving with amazing, passionate staff members and making a difference at the college for all. "I am honored to be chosen as Staff of The Month, and to join the ranks of all the other CWI staff who have been recognized for contributing to the college," he said.
Connor was born and raised in Idaho and loves calling this state home. He lives in Boise and spends time with his mother and younger brother who live here as well. Anyone who has spent time around Connor knows that he is high energy and outgoing, he enjoys keeping those around him on their toes with his quick wit and humor. He describes himself as ‘A man with a twinkle in his eye' and having 'Just a touch of the rogue.’ In his spare time he enjoys practicing yoga, running races in his kilt, and cheering for his beloved New England Patriots. Connor also enjoys long walks on the beach and watching the sunset as he ponders the mysteries of the cosmos and what the future holds…
Please join us in congratulating Connor on his accomplishment!
Settlers of Catan Tournament a Success
The college of Western Idaho (CWI) Entrepreneurship Club would like to thank everyone who participated in the ninth Settlers of Catan Tournament last Saturday, April 22. A total of 28 students, employees, and community members enjoyed a fun afternoon of friendly competition. Congratulations to John Nordstrom for placing first, for the FOURTH time, and Sebastian Griffin, a dual credit student, for placing second in this semester’s event.
Idaho Center Boulevard Construction Expands
Intersection of Idaho Center Boulevard and Cherry Lane will be temporarily closed as part of roadway rehabilitation project
The city of Nampa will close the intersection of Idaho Center Boulevard and Cherry Lane beginning Tuesday, May 2. Motorists will be detoured to Ustick Road to the north of the intersection or Birch Lane to the south of the intersection. The closure will last approximately four days while crews install new water and irrigation lines.
The closure and detour is part of a project to rehabilitate Idaho Center Boulevard between Birch Lane and Cherry Lane. The much-needed rehabilitation project will result in a smoother ride for motorists between the entrance to the College of Western Idaho (Achievement Drive) and Cherry Lane.
Motorists should plan to use alternate routes for the next two months while crews work to improve the roadway. Local residents will continue to have access to their property.
The $700,000 project will rebuild the roadway and increase pedestrian safety by adding wider, paved shoulders. The project also includes the installation of water and pressure irrigation and relocation of power poles in the area. The project is anticipated to be complete by late June. The contractor is Sunroc, Corp.
If you have questions, please call 465-2221 or email projects@cityofnampa.us.