July 2007 News Releases

• 7-31  Tee Off To Benefit SWIC Scholarships Aug. 27
• 7-20  SWIC Offers Fall Electrical And Electronics Training
• 7-11  Blood-Thirsty Plant To Take Center Stage In Cult Classic
• 7-9  Belleville AmeriCorps Seeks Tutors For Fall 2007

TEE OFF TO BENEFIT SWIC SCHOLARSHIPS AUG. 27

Even if you're not a scratch golfer, you'll make a hole-in-one at the Southwestern Illinois College Golf Scramble Monday, Aug. 27! In addition to enjoying an afternoon of golf at the St. Clair Country Club in Belleville, you also will be supporting local students heading to college.

The registration fee is $125 per golfer, $500 per foursome, and includes greens fees, cart, lunch, beverages, hors d'oeuvres, practice balls and prizes. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The registration deadline is Monday, Aug. 13.

"I'm excited that we're able to offer our friends in the community this opportunity to play at one of the finest golf courses in the area, while at the same time raise funds for SWIC scholarships," said Foundation Executive Director Norman Madsen, Ph.D.

In addition to what many scrambles offer - lunch, prizes and contests - the Foundation Golf Scramble will not be par for the course. The Foundation is seeking vendors to offer food and drink samples at various holes on the golf course.

"We anticipate that this twist on the golf tournament will make the day as entertaining as it is competitive," Madsen said.

For more information, contact the SWIC Foundation at 618-235-2700, ext. 5215, or visit http://www.swicfoundation.com/  to print a registration form.

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SWIC OFFERS FALL ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS TRAINING

Contrary to what some people believe, Southwestern Illinois College can do a lot more than just prepare students to transfer to a university. SWIC also offers a variety of programs that can lead directly to employment, including Electrical and Electronics Technology. For students looking for a career in this promising field, SWIC can provide the necessary educational opportunity.

At SWIC, students can earn a variety of basic and advanced certificates, plus Associate in Applied Science degrees in the electrical and electronics fields. Students can tailor their educations to receive: a basic certificate in Electronics Technology; advanced certificates in Industrial Electricity, Electrical Technology, Industrial Electronics, Microcomputer Technology, Communications Electronics, and Avionics; and an Associate in Applied Science degree in Electronics Technology or Industrial Electricity.

The goal of all of the certificate and degree programs is to provide the student with the basic education and credentials they'll need to find employment as an electronics technician, industrial electrician or general purpose electrician, according to EET Program Coordinator Tom Zach. "Once students earn their associate degrees, they can transfer to programs at local universities such as Southern Illinois University Carbondale, to complete a bachelor's," notes Zach.

SWIC offers EET courses in a number of formats at the Belleville, Sam Wolf Granite City and Red Bud campuses. Beginning courses typically are offered at all three campuses for fall and spring semesters, but the locations for particular advanced courses can vary.

The majority of EET courses take place evenings on a regular semester schedule, which means students attend class one night a week for the entire 16-week semester. In this format, students can elect to take one to four classes each semester.

"SWIC also offers some of the basic courses in a fast-track format, offered primarily during the day, in a prescribed sequence, and on an accelerated schedule, so students can complete all requirements for the basic Electronics Technology certificate in only two semesters," said Zach. "The intent of the certificate program and fast-track format is to provide students, in a short time frame, with basic credentials to help them find employment in the field and perhaps continue their education while they earn."

The fast-track format is typically offered at the Sam Wolf Granite City Campus every fall semester and the Belleville Campus each spring semester.

No matter which format a student chooses, the program is set up to allow students considerable flexibility to meet their educational and employment goals, Zach notes. With the available elective options, students can tailor their educations to fit their interests.

For more information regarding the Electrical or Electronics Technology program, contact Zach at 618-235-2700, ext. 5432, or 800-222-5131, ext. 5432, or visit www.swic.edu

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BLOOD-THIRSTY PLANT TO TAKE CENTER STAGE IN CULT CLASSIC

A mild-mannered flower shop assistant and a plant, named Audrey II, team up for one hilariously dark musical comedy this summer when the College Activities Office at Southwestern Illinois College presents "Little Shop of Horrors."

Part love story and part macabre comedy, "Little Shop of Horrors" follows down-on-his-luck flower shop assistant Seymour Krelborn's discovery of a strange plant; his infatuation with fellow employee, Audrey; and the antics which surround the survival of his strange new plant that has a taste for blood.

This cult classic stage production has thrilled audiences in high schools, colleges and communities across the country. The story hit the big screen in 1986 in a film version featuring Rick Moranis and Steve Martin.

Check out these performances to be held at SWIC's Belleville Campus Theatre, 2500 Carlyle Ave.:

• 6 p.m., Friday, July 20 (Dinner Theatre)
• 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 21
• 2 p.m., Sunday, July 22
• 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, July 27-28
• 2 p.m., Sunday, July 29

Get your tickets today! General Admission seats are $10. Dinner theatre tickets are $24. Call
618-235-2700, extension 5561, or toll free 1-800-222-5131, extension 5561, to reserve your seats.

For more information contact Kelly Turner at kelly.turner@swic.edu.

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BELLEVILLE AMERICORPS SEEKS TUTORS FOR FALL 2007

You could make a difference in the life of a child and earn an Education Award in the process.

Belleville AmeriCorps is seeking tutors to work with Belleville children in kindergarten through eighth grade this fall. You could help students with language arts and math lessons, possibly social studies and science activities, while earning an Education Award to help pay for your college education.

In addition to tutoring, AmeriCorps members participate in service projects, team-building activities, personal development seminars and leadership development courses. "If you have experience working with youth, are open to new experiences and have a passion for service, you could be an AmeriCorps team member," said Field Coordinator Mandy Guinn. "AmeriCorps alumni are constantly amazed at the skills and experiences they take with them in their continuing journey through life and career."

Applications for full-time, part-time and other positions for the 2007-2008 year are now available. Contact Belleville AmeriCorps at 618-235-2700, extension 5713, or visit http://www.swic.edu/americorps/gtd.jsp to download an application. Applications are due no later than Friday, Aug. 3. Interviews will be conducted in August.

Belleville AmeriCorps members not only serve as tutors in Belleville School District No. 118, they also complete service projects serving Belleville neighborhoods and various community organizations.

Full-time AmeriCorps members commit to providing 1,700 hours of service from mid-August 2007 to early September 2008. That means members spend roughly 35-40 hours per week serving the community and receive a stipend, health insurance and education package totaling more than $15,000.

Part-time AmeriCorps members spend roughly 25-30 hours per week from August 2007 to July 2008. As compensation for 900 hours of service, members receive a living allowance and Education Award package totaling more than $7,000.

Reduced-time positions are available as well. Time commitments for these positions vary from 300 to 675 service hours. Individuals earn living allowances and educational awards based on their level of commitment.

Education Awards earned by Belleville AmeriCorps members may be applied toward college or vocational training expenses, as well as repayment of student loans. Individuals do not have to live in Belleville in order to be Belleville AmeriCorps members, but they do need to be self-motivated and interested in community service, Guinn adds.

AmeriCorps is the national service initiative signed into law by President Bill Clinton. The Illinois Commission on Community Service and the Department of Human Services administer AmeriCorps programs in Illinois.

Belleville AmeriCorps is a partnership of Southwestern Illinois College, the City of Belleville, School District No. 118 and the Franklin Neighborhood Community Association.

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