February 2007 News Releases

• 2-23  Strength And Faith Are Themes Of SWGCC Family Night Out
• 2-20  Southwestern's Allied Health Job Fair Set For March 5
• 2-20  Southwestern's Café Serves Up Musical Sounds Galore
• 2-20  Red Bud Campus Mini Job Fair Brings Employers To You
• 2-19  SWIC To Host College Goal Sunday And Metro East College Fair
• 2-16  Suzette Hechst Named New Kids' Club Director At SWIC
• 2-2  Jazz Bands To Converge On SWIC's Belleville Campus Feb. 10
• 2-1  Aspiring Poets Sought For Red Bud Area Poetry Contest

STRENGTH AND FAITH ARE THEMES OF SWGCC FAMILY NIGHT OUT

Watch men split boards with their bare hands, rip phone books in half and bend metal bars as the Conqueror's International Strength Team performs for the Sam Wolf Granite City Campus Family Night Out March 6.

The event starts at 6:30 p.m. in the campus Commons, 4950 Maryville Road. Family Night Out is free and open to the public.

These world-class athletes use feats of strength to inspire people of all ages to accomplish their dreams. The evening presentation will focus on setting goals for your self and working to achieve those goals.

At noon, the Conqueror's will hold a presentation just for SWIC students that focuses on Academic Excellence.

"You won't believe some of the things that these guys can do," said Mandy Robinson, Campus Activities assistant. "It's powerful and amazing."

The Australian Great White Shark Adventure, April 3, will be the final Family Night Out program of the season.

For more information, contact Robinson at 618-931-0600, extension 6642, or toll free in Illinois at 1-800-222-5131, extension 6642.

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SOUTHWESTERN'S ALLIED HEALTH JOB FAIR SET FOR MARCH 5

Looking for a career in one of the fastest-growing fields - health care? If so, you'll want to head to Southwestern Illinois College's Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave, for the Spring 2007 Allied Health Job Fair.

The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, March 5 on the second floor of the Belleville Campus Main Complex, near the Theatre. The event is free and open to the public.

"The fair can offer you a fresh start in a new career. The event enables you to make business contacts in the health care field," said Bonnie Heuer, Career Transition Coordinator.

More than 20 employers are expected to participate in the fair sponsored by SWIC's Career Activities and Employment Center and the Allied Health program areas. Individuals are encouraged to dress professionally and bring several copies of their resumé.

Employers currently scheduled to participate include:

Note: This list may not include all companies attending and may contain companies unable to appear due to last minute cancellation.

Call the Career Activities and Employment Center at 618-235-2700, extension 5562, or toll free in Illinois at 1-800-222-5131, extension 5562, for more information.

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SOUTHWESTERN'S CAFÉ SERVES UP MUSICAL SOUNDS GALORE

College Activities will serve up a hot menu of music this spring at Southwestern Illinois College's Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave.

This spring, the popular Concert in the Café series features a diverse musical lineup. The free concerts begin at 7 p.m., Tuesdays throughout the spring. Check out these upcoming concerts: The "You Can't Beat Experience" Band, March 6; Four of a Kind Band, March 20; Raven Moon, April 3; and The Casuals, April 17.

Performances are held in the Main Complex Café and are open to the public.

Polkas, swing, jazz, old standard and rock 'n' roll favorites all make their way to the stage as part of the series.

For more information, contact College Activities at 618-235-2700, extension 5561.

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RED BUD CAMPUS MINI JOB FAIR BRINGS EMPLOYERS TO YOU

If a new job is something you're after this spring, then stop by Southwestern Illinois College's Red Bud Campus, 500 W. South Fourth St., between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 7.

The campus will host 15 employers in search of qualified, highly motivated individuals to fill vacancies in their companies. Southwestern's Career Activities and Employment Center organizes the event.

Speak with representatives of the Avon; Coulterville Care Center; Creative Memories; Edward Jones; Hallmarc Travel Company; Harrisonville Telephone Company; Human Service Center; Kruz Kennel; Mary Kay Cosmetics; Primerica, Member of Citigroup; Randolph County Herald Tribune; Red Bud Regional Hospital; Sabreliner Corporation; Sonic of Waterloo; University of Phoenix; and the United States Air Force.

"Community members are welcome," adds Job Specialist Susan Schultz. "We offer the Mini Job Fairs twice a year as a service to the community. I encourage anyone looking for employment to stop by."

Schultz offers these tips to individuals on a job search: ensure that your resumé is accurate and up-to-date; ask someone else to review your resumé to make sure information is clear; check for typographical or grammatical errors; research any company you're interested in speaking with; and come dressed professionally with plenty of resumés in hand.

If you need assistance creating a winning resumé or want more information about the upcoming job fair, contact Schultz at 618-282-6682 or 1-800-222-5131, extension 8113.

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SWIC TO HOST COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY AND METRO EAST COLLEGE FAIR

If you plan to attend college, then head to Southwestern Illinois College Sunday, Feb. 25 for the Metro East Baccalaureate College Fair and College Goal Sunday.

SWIC, in conjunction with the Illinois Association for College Admission Counselors, will host the 19^th Annual Metro East Baccalaureate College Fair from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the Belleville Campus Varsity Gym, 2500 Carlyle Ave.

You can visit with representatives from more than 70 college and universities to learn more about their programs, campus activities and admissions requirements. The list of institutions includes: Bradley University, Illinois State University, McKendree College, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, SWIC, Drury University, Fontbonne University, Maryville University, Southeast Missouri State University, Saint Louis University, Washington University, Truman State University, Benedictine College, Creighton University, Murray State University, Michigan State University and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, among others.

SWIC's Financial Aid and Student Employment staff will lead two financial aid workshops during College Goal Sunday for high school juniors, seniors and their parents.

This statewide program is designed to provide free information about applying for college financial aid. The event is for students of all ages, especially for low-income students.

Workshops include:

• 1 p.m., Theatre, "How to Find Money for College," for high school juniors and their parents.
• 2 p.m., MC 1240, "Completing Your Financial Aid Application Online," for high school seniors and their parents.

At the 2 p.m. seminar, SWIC's Financial Aid and Personal Advocate Linking Service (PALS) staff members will help students and their parents complete the 2007-2008 Free Application for Federal Student Aid online.

To complete the FAFSA online, seniors and their parents need to bring the following: 1) 2006 Federal Income Tax returns with W2s 2) Social Security numbers 3) driver's license or state ID 4) records of untaxed income 5) bank account balances 6) list of the net value of investments.

For more information, call SWIC toll free in Illinois at 1-800-222-5131: for Metro East Baccalaureate College Fair, call SWIC Counselor Michelle Luraschi at extension 5157; for College Goal Sunday, call Financial Aid and Student Employment at extension 5288.

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SUZETTE HECHST NAMED NEW KIDS' CLUB DIRECTOR AT SWIC

Suzette Hechst of Brentwood, Mo. has taken the helm of Southwestern Illinois College's Kids' Club, the child care center for SWIC students, faculty and staff.

Located at the college's Belleville Campus, the facility is one of only 16, out of 1,004 Metro East childcare providers, accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. NAEYC determines and promotes only the highest quality standards in the early childhood field.

"I am excited to be here and to help the child care program grow," Hechst said. "I also look forward to enhancing educational programming for the children that SWIC students, faculty and staff entrust to our care."

Hechst, who comes to SWIC with 5.5 years of experience as child care director for the YMCA in St. Louis, holds a bachelor's degree in child care administration from Oklahoma Christian University and is working toward a master's degree in early childhood education at Webster University. She is also a NAEYC member and validator, as well as a member of the National Coalition for Campus Children's Centers.

For more information: Contact Kelly Turner kelly.turner@swic.edu

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JAZZ BANDS TO CONVERGE ON SWIC'S BELLEVILLE CAMPUS FEB. 10

A star-studded Jazz Festival awaits you at Southwestern Illinois College's Belleville Campus Theatre, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Saturday, Feb. 10.

The 19th Annual Jazz Festival features non-competitive performances by area junior high school, senior high school and college jazz bands; a clinic by guest trombonist Wycliffe Gordon; and a 7:30 p.m. concert that includes Gordon and guests Reggie Thomas, Bob Borgstede, Miles Vandiver and Zeb Briskovich.

Junior high, high school and college performances kick off at 8:45 a.m. Performing this year are: the Granite City High School Jazz Band, 8:45 a.m.; the McKendree College Big Band, 9:30 a.m.; the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Jazz Combo, 10:15 a.m.; the West Junior High School Jazz Ensemble I, 11 a.m.; the SWIC Jazz Band, 2 p.m.; the Belleville West High School Jazz Band, 3:30 p.m.; and the Central Junior High School Jazz Ensemble I, 4:15 p.m.

Gordon will conduct his educational clinic at 1 p.m., and music lovers are welcome to attend.

"It is exciting to have someone of Wycliffe Gordon's caliber visit SWIC," notes Ed Jacobs, assistant professor of Music and director of SWIC's Jazz Band. "He is a world-class jazz musician and educator, and one of the most dynamic performers you'll hear anywhere. I think the participating students will remember this jazz festival for years to come."

Gordon has taken his straight-ahead style of jazz around the world, performing for students and dignitaries alike. He's the winner of the 2001 and 2002 Jazz Journalists Association Trombonist of the Year awards and the 2000 Jazz Journalists Association Critics' Choice Award for Best Trombonist. He is the youngest member of the U.S. Statesmen of Jazz.

He has headlined at legendary jazz venues worldwide and has played with jazz legends including Wynton Marsalis. In addition, professional ensembles including The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Wynton Marsalis Septet and The Brass Band of Battle Creek have performed his original compositions.

Gordon shares his talents with upcoming musicians in the Jazz Studies Program at The Julliard School. He's conducted master classes, clinics, workshops, children's concerts and lectures worldwide at all educational levels.

The star-studded evening concert lineup also includes Southern Illinois University Edwardsville faculty member Reggie Thomas; SWIC Assistant Professor of Music Bob Borgstede on guitar; and St. Louis-area musicians Zeb Briskovich on bass and Miles Vandiver on drums.

For more information about festival activities, contact Jacobs at 618-235-2700, extension 5354, or 1-800-222-5131, extension 5354.

Editors: For additional biographical information on Wycliffe Gordon and downloadable photographs, visit www.wycliffegordon.com.

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ASPIRING POETS SOUGHT FOR RED BUD AREA POETRY CONTEST

Are you the next Elizabeth Barrett Browning, T.S. Eliot, Robert Frost or Maya Angelou? Show your stuff at the Southwestern Illinois College Red Bud Campus 2007 Poetry Contest.

The contest is open to the young and young-at-heart from Monroe and Randolph counties. This year, poems will be judged in seven divisions: adults and SWIC students, faculty and staff; eleventh and twelfth graders; ninth and tenth graders; seventh and eighth graders; sixth graders; fifth graders; and fourth graders.

Only one poem per contestant will be accepted. Individuals should staple the entry form and poem together, ensuring that their name appears nowhere on the poem itself. Each poem should have a title listed at the top of the entry.

First, second and third place winners will be selected in each division. Each winning author will have his or her poem published in a booklet that will be distributed during an awards ceremony scheduled for 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 25.

Your entry form, accompanied by your poetry submission, must be received by 10 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 21 in the Red Bud Campus office, Room 175, 500 W. South Fourth St.

For more information, contact Student and Community Services Coordinator Deborah Oakley at 618-282-6682, extension 8104.

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