News Releases

June 28, 2007

Cheryl Roberts will take over as president of Chemeketa Community College August 20, according to an agreement approved by the college board of education Wednesday night.

Roberts, who will become the ninth president of the community college, most recently was vice president at South Seattle Community College. She was selected following a national search. She succeeds Gretchen Schuette, who retires at the end of June after six years on the job.

Craig Smith, vice president and chief financial officer, will serve as acting president from July 1 through August 19, the board decided.

The contract for Roberts "is very similar to the contract we have had with Gretchen in terms and conditions," said Dan Ostlund, chairperson of the college board.

The contract with Roberts extends through December 31, 2009. It is renewable for two years. Her salary will be $160,000 annually.

In its final review of the retiring president’s performance, the board said her work has been "exemplary." Ostlund said, "Her leadership has carried the college through its most difficult and demanding era. President Schuette served the college, our diverse service district and the post-secondary education system throughout Oregon with competence, grace and humility."

In other action the board learned that enrollment for summer term is up about 4.8 percent.

The board also conferred status of president emeritus on Gretchen Schuette and conferred status of board member emeritus on Gwen VanDenBosch, who retired this month following 22 years on the board of education.

The board approved the 2007-2008 compensation table for exempt employees, including a 2.6 percent cost of living increase.

June 26, 2007

Chemeketa Community College held its graduation ceremony at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 16, at the Oregon State Fairground's Pavilion. For the first time, the ceremony included those receiving college degrees and certificates, as well as those receiving GEDs and high school completion diplomas.

Six students were selected this year to speak at graduation:
Amanda Rae Smith, Winema High School Completion Program
Maria C. Frausto, High School Equivalency Program (HEP)
Micah Sischo, General Education Development Program (GED)
Roberta Ann Moon, Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree
Mariana Vaughn, Visual Communications degree
Leobardo Duarte, Computer Programming degree

The following awards were presented at graduation:

Oregon Community College Association - Student Scholar Award
Megan Sykes
Jordan Wooley

American Association of University Women – Outstanding Graduating Woman
Gail D. Knoll

June 6, 2007

Chemeketa Students Receive Ford Foundation Restart Scholarships

Five Chemeketa Community College students have received Ford Foundation ReStart Scholarships, established to support nontraditional adult students who wish to begin or continue education at the postsecondary level. Each year 30 applicants are selected for this scholarship.

Chemeketa students receiving a Ford Foundation ReStart Scholarship are Lorinda Duncanson, Julie Jackson, Serguey Klemens, Patricia Rodriguez, and Deborah Van Hook.

June 1, 2007

Janine Moothart is community educator of the year...
CS Mott Award made by the Oregon Community Education Association

Janine Moothart, director of Chemeketa's Santiam and Dallas Outreach Centers, has been awarded the C.S. Mott Award for Community Educator of the Year by the Oregon Community Education Association. This award is presented to a community education professional or volunteer from a school district, community college or agency for outstanding service or professional achievement. The award was named in memory of Charles Stewart Mott, founder of the Mott Foundation, which established and helped maintain community education development centers in Oregon and many other states during the 1970s and 1980s.  

Janine has been a dynamic community education leader for twenty years, beginning with her role as vocational education coordinator for Polk, Yamhill, and Marion counties and cooperative work experience coordinator.  

Her successful role as director of two outreach centers in two very different geographical areas of Chemeketa's service district illustrates Janine's ability to work directly with constituents to meet local needs.  She is active in five or six Chambers of Commerce; she works closely with libraries and local governmental agencies, and she partners with dozens of other groups.  Janine is dedicated to the needs of students, using every resource she could find to station advising specialists and literacy volunteer coordinators at both of her outreach centers. Through her work with health care partners, she brought core health education classes to Santiam. Recently she established two alternative education programs with local school districts in order to serve high potential, low-achieving high school students.  Additionally, she started a very successful community education ESL program in one of Polk County's rural areas. Through all of these efforts, Janine skillfully works with two distinct outreach center staffs and runs two facilities that are located about thirty miles apart.  

May 23, 2007

Nancy Green Receives Statewide Corrections Award

Nancy Green, Corrections Education, Chemeketa Community College, and education manager at the Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP), received one of two Contractor of the Year awards recently from the Oregon Department of Corrections.

Nicole Brown, workforce development administrator, said, "Ms. Green has been integral in facilitating the return of the GED program to OSP, as well as enhancing all aspects of the education programs offered to inmates there. During the year, she diligently worked to have a computer lab installed within the education area. She worked with administration at the penitentiary to bring the Inside Out College Prison Exchange Program into OSP.

"Ms. Green's initiative and dedication shine a positive light on our profession and our agency."

May 23, 2007

Chemeketa Community College has named Patrick Lanning to serve as its new dean of instruction. Lanning comes to Chemeketa from Lane Community College, where he has served since 1995 as a member of the faculty, a faculty coordinator, an interim division chair and division chair. For the past three and one-half years he has been that college's associate vice president for instruction. Lanning, who began his education at a community college, holds a B.S. degree in Psychology and an M.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies, both from the University of Oregon, and an Ed.D. from Oregon State University in Community College Leadership

April 17, 2007

President Gretchen Schuette, staff and students testify before Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education

President Gretchen Schuette

Student Kenzi Clements

Student Julia Jaure, High School Programs Director Susan Murray, McMinnville Director John Plett, Former student Deirdre Sauer, Enrollment Management Services Associate Dean Kathy Campbell and Director of Student Life Manuel Guerra

^{Requires Flash Player 8 or newer. Upgrade for free!}

March 22, 2007

Excellence in Education Award On March 22, the Oregon Department of Agriculture gave Chemeketa’s agriculture programs its Excellence in Education Award. The award was accepted by Craig Anderson, director, Chemeketa’s Department of Natural Resources, which oversees the agriculture programs. President Gretchen Schuette, agriculture program staff, members of the Board of Education, and others were on hand to congratulate the program on this recognition. Following is the text from the Department of Agriculture’s presentation (provided by the Oregon Department of Agriculture). In the heart of the Willamette Valley, Oregon's most intensive agricultural production area, is a community college that truly serves a community of ag students ranging from young farmers getting started in the business to professional pesticide applicators. From Spanish-speaking farm workers to winemakers. Chemeketa Community College in Salem is giving the agriculture industry what it needs through a variety of educational programs. Back in 1986, Chemeketa had come close to discontinuing its agriculture program because of a lack of students. But it wasn't long before the community college picked up a community ag program, and it has expanded ever since. With nursery, a variety of field crops, and wine grape production prevalent in the Valley, Chemeketa has tailored its curriculum to serve those industries. The Agri Business Management Program this past year provided instruction to students from 67 agribusinesses responsible for more than 50 million in gross sales. Students have ranged in age from late teens to early 80s. The knowledge these students gain through their Chemeketa coursework adds value to the business operation they return to. Understanding sound business management principles is a key to this program. Financial record keeping, business planning, training on how to borrow and secure loans, and an annual ag education tour to other parts of the U.S. and other countries are among the highlights of the AgriBusiness Management Program at Chemeketa.  Guest lectures from the private sector augment the work of two full-time instructors. The newest ag offerings at Chemeketa are the Vineyard Management and Winemaking programs, implemented in 1999 at the request of Oregon's winegrape industry in need of additional trained workers. Four years later, the Northwest Viticulture Center in the hills of West Salem was dedicated as the home of the program.  This is where practical hands-on training takes place.  More than 60 students a term are part of the program, which does offer accredited courses and associate degrees, including wine marketing. Nowhere else in Oregon is such training available. From managing a vineyard to making the wine, Chemeketa's program actually provides a great setting and working vineyard to provide unique instruction and practical experience that has led to successful employment in Oregon's wine grape industry. Chemeketa has become Oregon's leader in providing training for pesticide applicators. These courses fulfill core training requirements to renew various pesticide licenses issued by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Courses range from ornamental and turf herbicide training, to structural pest control.  Students learn to correctly identify the pest problem, and how to safely and effectively use the tool of pesticides in the course of providing a service.  Pesticide applicators come from around the state to receive the necessary training at Chemeketa. Training is also provided in Spanish. The fourth ag program at Chemeketa is technical training for Latino agricultural workers. With so much of the Willamette Valley's ag employment handled by Spanish-speaking workers, Chemeketa has provided a variety of courses that prepare them in the skills needed on today's farm. Tractor and farm equipment safety, pruning, winegrape canopy management­ these are examples of the types of courses well received by employers and their Spanish-speaking employees. By this fall, Chemeketa Community College plans to offer a horticulture degree. By serving and responding to the needs of the agriculture industry, Chemeketa's ag programs are worthy of being honored tonight for excellence in education.   March 2, 2007 Chemeketa student named Most-Valuable Player Chemeketa student Alysse Carlson has been named the Northwest Athletic Association of Community College Southern Region most valuable player in basketball. She is 12th in the NWAACC with 17.7 points per game, third in assists with 6.1 per game and fifth in steals with 3.8. Two other Chemeketa players, Katy Lambert and Brittany Wilson, were named to the all-Southern Region second team. March 2, 2007 Chemeketa only community college in the nation to receive table-top scanning electron microscope designed by FEI Company for advancing science education The PHENOM-ED™ Previews on Capitol Hill in Support of Education Chemeketa is the only community college in the country to receive one of the world's first tabletop scanning electron microscope (SEM) designed specifically for education. The Phenom-Ed provides magnification up to 20,000x, far beyond the range of traditional optical microscopes giving students access to micro- and nanoscale worlds rarely seen in undergraduate and high school studies. Congressman David Wu (D-OR), Congresswoman Darlene Hooley (D-OR), Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senator Gordon Smith (D-OR), among many other guests, attended the unveiling in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 28. Ron Jantzi, associate dean, Math, Science, Trades and Technology, said the college had worked with FEI on the proposal for the distribution of the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). "We stood out as the college that could reach out to industries and train their scientists and technicians to use the SEM for industrial purposes," he said. "In other words, we had connections to the workforce. We also had nanotechnology applications that most two-year colleges do not have at this time." During the beta-testing of the microscope, Chemeketa faculty will also be developing a curriculum that can be distributed when testing is complete. FEI Company, a global leader in electron microscopes and focused ion beam systems, developed the microscope to bring a new teaching dimension to the classroom and foster interest in advanced science education. It is envisioned that the Phenom-Ed will provide educators a tool to greatly enhance traditional teaching methods and open the door for the next generation of innovative scientists. "We believe that the Phenom-Ed is the future of science education. It is easy to use, affordable and truly brings the study of science, technology, engineering and math to life for students," said Don Kania, President and CEO of FEI. "The Phenom-Ed embodies the commitment to improving technical education through innovation and will enhance the infrastructure to support the growth of science and technology in the U.S." The Phenom-Ed promotes active learning and interest in science by giving students an interactive, dynamic and fun learning tool. Fully-automated and easy-to-use, the system is the world’s first electron microscope with an interactive touch screen. About the size of a desk-top PC, the Phenom-Ed is a completely self-contained high-tech laboratory that can inspire students to explore the microscopic and nanoscale structures of such specimens as, bacteria, cells, plankton, insects, pollens, metals, forensic specimens, semiconductors, minerals and more. While teachers make the connection to core curriculum topics, students remain engaged and interested. "The Phenom-Ed brings to life aspects of science and technology that have traditionally been somewhat abstract through classroom instruction," noted Skip Rung of the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute. "This table-top scanning electron microscope makes it possible to teach the scientific investigative techniques and inquiry skills that have traditionally been taught at the advanced university level." Today's Phenom-Ed demonstrations will feature experts from the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI), an FEI partner in developing the tabletop SEM, as well as scientists and engineers involved in the development of the microscope and professors engaged in the beta-testing phase. They will answer questions for congressional leaders and provide insight into the impact of this technology breakthrough and future opportunities for science education. The Phenom-Ed is in the final stages of beta-testing at Chemeketa, as well as at Ohio State University, Jackson State University, the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Winona State University, and Portland State University. The development of the tabletop SEM was based upon work supported by the Department of Energy Solar Energy Program and the Department of Energy Biological and Environmental Research.

March 2, 2007

President Gretchen Schuette's Testimony Before Oregon House Subcommittee on Higher Education

^{Requires Flash Player 8 or newer. Upgrade for free!}

February 22, 2007

Chemeketa Board votes to maintain the current tuition and fee rates

At its regular board meeting last night, Chemeketa Community College's Board of Education voted unanimously to maintain the current tuition and fee rates into the next academic year. Tuition will remain $58 per credit hour for Oregon students, $199 for out-of-state students, and non-credit tuition will remain at $3.90 per contact hour.

Craig Smith, vice president and chief financial officer, said, "It is always a struggle to maintain levels of service without a tuition increase, but I'm happy the board passed this recommendation by the college. Right now, Chemeketa's tuition is second to the lowest in the state. This is a good signal to students that we are trying to keep the cost of college down."

January 31, 2007

Chemeketa Early Childhood Education Department Sponsors Training on Healthy Brain Development

On Thursday, March 8, Chemeketa Community College's Early Childhood Education Department will present training on "Healthy Brain Development in a Media Age", with presenter Gloria DeGaetano, the founder and CEO of the Parent Coaching Institute. DeGaetano is a highly respected and sought after national speaker and keynoter, who is often is selected to deliver cutting edge information and tools on the unique needs of parents in today's society.

The all-day workshop will be held at Chemeketa Community College, Chemeketa Auditorium, Building 6. Training on "Health Brain Development" will be from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost of this training is $65, which also includes lunch and Ms. DeGaetano's book, "Parenting Well In A Media Age".

In addition, an evening presentation on "Parenting Well in a Media Age" will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission to the evening event is by donation; money raised will be used to fund the Early Childhood Education program at Chemeketa.

This workshop is designed for teachers, early childhood educators, Head Start and ECEAP programs, childcare providers, home and family life instructors, nurses, health care professionals, and parents; and who attend will be able to get Mental Health Training continuing education units.

With over 30 years experience as a teacher, reading specialist, school district administrator, university instructor, and national speaker, DeGaetano is considered a leading voice for new, innovative approaches in family support and has been recognized for her ground-breaking, visionary work in changing the paradigm in how we teach and parent in a media age. Gloria's latest book, "Parenting Well In A Media Age", has been acclaimed by both parents and parent advocates.

This workshop explains the impact of overuse of TV and video on young brains and how families can better use screen technologies to support, rather than hinder, young children's development. Topics include:

• The Developing Brain: New Insights for Best Parenting Practices
• Screen Entertainment: Changing Young Brains and Their Potential
• Media Violence: Conditioning Young Brains to Violence
• Appreciating Young Brains: Optimal Development in a Media Age

For more information or to register, call Pam Ditterick, 503-399-5107.

December 12, 2006

The Chemeketa Community College Board of Education is continuing to collect suggestions regarding the qualities and characteristics students and employees believe are most important for the next president. If you have not had the opportunity to attend one of the forums to share your thoughts, you may still contribute your ideas this week by e-mail or postal mail.

Comments about the qualities and characteristics that are most important for a new president may be sent by e-mail to: presidentialsearch@chemeketa.edu. If you prefer sending your suggestions by postal mail, they should be addressed to: Board of Education, President’s Office, Chemeketa Community College, PO Box 14007, Salem, OR 97309.

We appreciate the ideas that many of you and others have already contributed in the 11 forums we have held to this point, and we look forward to hearing any more ideas this week.

Thank you for your help.

Dan Ostlund
Chair, Board of Education
Chemeketa Community College

November 17, 2006

Chemeketa's President Announces Summer Retirement

Gretchen Schuette, president of Chemeketa Community College since 2001, has announced her retirement, effective June 2007.

“I want to have more time with family and friends,” Schuette said in her statement to Chemeketa employees and board members Friday afternoon. “Gretchen is making the decision to retire for all the right reasons,” said Dan Ostlund, chair of the Chemeketa Board of Education. “Issues of the heart reflect the character of her leadership.” The board will meet Nov. 28 to lay plans for finding a new president, Ostlund said. “Chemeketa has excellent support staff that we will depend upon during the transition,” said JoAnne Beilke, another member of the board. From 1988 until 1992 Schuette served Chemeketa as dean of Humanities, Sciences, and Learning Assistance. Positions she has held at other institutions include superintendent of the Gresham-Barlow School District for three years, dean of distance and continuing education and director of Portland Area Programs for Oregon State University, interim commissioner for Oregon Community Colleges, and executive vice president of Mt. Hood Community College. Schuette has served on the Oregon State Board of Higher Education since January 2004. “Gretchen is a most skilled and knowledgeable leader,” said Ed Dodson, a member of the board. “She has exhibited a passion beyond anyone I have ever worked with. She was the right leader for the difficult economic times the college has gone through.” “Community colleges are, in my judgment, the most productive public investment I know of,” Schuette said. “We do indeed provide a skeleton key to students, to again borrow the metaphor—a key that can open so many different doors in students’ lives, and the results are a great return on investment for individuals and for communities. I am grateful to have had a great ride as president of a wonderful college.”

November 13, 2006

Chemeketa Will Offer Pharmacy Technology/Pharmacology Program

Beginning fall 2007, Chemeketa Community College will offer a one-year certificate in Pharmacy Technology and a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Pharmacology.

This program prepares students for occupations in a wide variety of health service areas. It will also prepare those currently working in the field to take the national board exams, which will be required of all pharmacy technicians after Oct. 1, 2008.

The first year of the program includes courses on the human body, as well as the diseases that attack it and the medications used for treatment. Students will also learn over-the-counter medications, health information systems and procedures, coding and reimbursements, pharmacy law and ethics.

The second year involves such specialized areas of pharmacology as long-term care, home care practice, ambulatory, oncology, community or outpatient pharmacy practice; addiction pharmacology and physiology; exploring the financial, legal, political, and ethical aspects of the health care system in the United States; and management functions, concepts, and principles. Students will also study the multicultural aspects of an individual and the stereotypes that a healthcare worker should avoid. Finally, the program will include nutrition, development of eating patterns, current dietary trends, nutrition information in mass media, and current national and international problems involving nutrition.

For more information about this program, call 503.365.4696, or send your inquiry by e-mail to cbuckhol@chemeketa.edu.

September 21, 2006

Chemeketa Board of Education approves free tuition for dependents of Oregon military personnel who have died on duty since Sept. 11, 2001.

At its Sept. 20 meeting, the Chemeketa Community College Board of Education approved free tuition for dependents of Oregon military personnel who have died on duty since Sept. 11, 2001. This free-tuition benefit is part of a package labeled “Chemeketa’s Response to 9/11.”

Craig Smith, vice president and chief financial officer, told the board the package was in response to the question, “What can we do as a college for those who have made these sacrifices?”

In addition to fallen Oregon military personnel, the package has benefits for Chemeketa employees and students who are called to active duty and for Oregon veterans who were disabled as a result of military service since Sept. 11, 2001.

Employees activated by the military will receive leave without pay from the college for up to five years, and their dependents will continue to receive tuition waivers during that active-duty period. Students may receive refunds of paid tuition and fees if they are called up during a term, and their grades will not suffer for their absence.

Veterans who were disabled 50 percent or more while on duty after Sept. 11, 2001, will have their tuition waived for up to 100 credits or attainment of an associate degree, provided that satisfactory academic progress is being made.

The free tuition for spouses of fallen veterans also extends to 100 credits or a degree. The waiver for veterans’ children extends to their 21st birthday.

Speaking in support of the package, board member Jerry Watson of Keizer reminded the board that his son returned 17 months ago from a tour in Iraq. “I’m really supportive of this idea. It’s a gesture that we should make,” he said.

September 14, 2006

WOU and Chemeketa Community College create dual enrollment program

MONMOUTH – Western Oregon University has teamed with Chemeketa Community College to allow students to be jointly admitted and eligible to concurrently enroll in both institutions beginning fall 2006.  The dual enrollment agreement will be signed on Thursday, Sept. 14, at 9:30 a.m. in the Chemeketa Community College Board Room.

A dual-enrollment program offers students more options in curriculum and student activities, as well as access to student services at both institutions, including fee-based services. Perhaps the most significant benefit is the ability to coordinate financial aid between the schools, making college more affordable. 

Students will pay tuition and fees at the institution where they are taking classes. Scholarship applications are available from both institutions, but financial aid will be given through the institution granting the degree.

The benefits of this agreement for both institutions include increased enrollment and more effective and efficient use of resources between the institutions, including faculty, facilities and support services.

"This agreement enables both institutions to work together to provide students with greater access to a college degree," said Dave McDonald, interim dean of admissions, retention and enrollment management at Western Oregon. "We will be able to serve more students in better ways together than we could have on our own."

Jim Eustrom, dean of Chemeketa's Student Development and Learning Resources, said, "We are thrilled to be formalizing this partnership with Western Oregon University. Western is a natural connection for so many of our students as they move on from Chemeketa to work toward success in their educational goals. This partnership will make this transition easier and more effective for so many."

Students will be admitted using the current WOU freshman and transfer admission requirements. The admission deadline will be one week before the start of classes each term based on WOU's academic calendar.

The management of this program and academic advising will be shared between WOU's Office of Admissions, Enrollment Management and Retention and Chemeketa's Enrollment Services Department.

Chemeketa Community College has similar dual-enrollment programs with Oregon State University and Portland State University.

August 22, 2006

Chemeketa Names New Director of Development/Associate Executive Director for Chemeketa Foundation

Chemeketa Community College has named Denny Miles of Salem as its new director of development and associate executive director of the college’s foundation. Miles will be responsible for college fundraising programs as well as assisting in foundation management.

For the past three years, Miles was development director for the Willamette Humane Society in Salem. In that position he managed all fundraising programs, volunteer activities, society events and thrift store operations.

Prior to his work with the humane society, Miles spent 16 years as president of Miles & Associates, a public affairs and issues management consulting firm headquartered in Salem. From 1979 to 1987 he was a senior assistant and press secretary for Oregon Governor Vic Atiyeh. Earlier, he taught cinematography at Oregon State University, where he was also assistant director of the university’s department of public information.

Miles attended Pacific Lutheran University and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State. He is the past president of the Oregon State University Alumni Association, where he served on the association’s board of directors for eight years. From 1991 to 1999, he was a member of the Salem Airport Advisory Commission, serving three years as commission chairman.

The Chemeketa Community College Foundation raises money for student scholarships, buildings and equipment. Last year the foundation awarded more than $225,000 in scholarships to 228 students. Its capital projects have included the Northwest Viticulture Center, the Child Development Center, Chemeketa’s Woodburn Campus and Santiam Center. The foundation is governed by a 17-member board of directors.

July 28, 2006

Chemeketa Accreditation Reaffirmed

Following a recent evaluation, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities has reaffirmed its accreditation of Chemeketa Community College.

The commission reaffirms accreditation of colleges and universities at least once every ten years, following a self-study by the institution and a visit by a full evaluation committee from the commission.

In its report, the commission commended the college for its work in the following areas:

• Serving the needs of the surrounding communities by delivering programs in both traditional and non-traditional formats.
• Chemeketa’s stewardship of the college’s buildings and grounds and long-term facilities planning was commended.
• Developing partnerships within the community.
• Promoting a spirit of innovation across campus and encouraging employees to be entrepreneurial and creative in serving the community and responding to financial challenges.

The commission also made three recommendations, which the college is addressing:

• Continue the re-designed college strategic planning process, which began with the adoption of a Strategic Intent statement last year.
• Finalize learning outcomes, which are currently in development, for assessment of the general education component of college transfer degree programs.
• Ensure consistency in completion and use of program-level assessments.

July 27, 2006

Chemeketa Board Gives President 'Exemplary' Rating

On Wednesday, July 26, the Chemeketa Community College Board of Education once again gave Chemeketa's president, Gretchen Schuette, an "exemplary" evaluation. This is Schuette’s fifth year as president of the college.

The board cited Schuette’s ability to work effectively with such diverse groups as the Oregon University System, the legislature, parents, city leaders, students, public education school boards and professional groups.

The board evaluated Schuette’s performance in five areas: working with the board of education, educational planning and leadership, management style and relationships with constituents, community involvement, business and finance, and college personnel.

"Across the board, President Schuette received 'excellent' performance ratings in each area," said board chairperson JoAnne Beilke.

"As an academic leader in the state, President Schuette is unsurpassed in valuing diversity and advocating greater cultural competency," said Beilke. "By her influence at Chemeketa, she has created a diversity platform that is being modeled in other schools and agencies. Her philosophy of equality is evidenced in the annual Museum of Tolerance treks that combine college staff from all levels with civic leaders and board members. She also sponsors the Chemeketa Community Leaders Group, a college advisory group made up of professionals from virtually all diversity populations within Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties."

In the area of business and finance, Beilke said Schuette has "taken Chemeketa through difficult times with dignity and grace. This year's modification of tuition and fees demonstrate her creative approach to funding alternatives. She is conscientious about enrollment growth and clearly committed to maintaining financial soundness as the college moves forward."

After several years of tuition increases, Schuette's team recommended no tuition increase for the 2006-2007 academic year. The board approved the recommendation last spring.

In other action, the board elected Dan Ostlund, Silverton, as chair and Ron Pittman, McMinnville, as vice chair for this year.

June 28, 2006

Chemeketa Board of Education Approves Bond Levy for November Election

On Wednesday night the Chemeketa Community College Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution asking district voters to approve an $89 million bond levy in the November election, which will finance capital construction and capital improvement.

"We believe that Chemeketa is making a real difference to people in our district, and these facilities will help meet our area's education and training needs over the next several years," said JoAnne Beilke, chairperson of the board.

If approved by voters, the bond levy would fund the following projects:

• Health Science Education Center. This new building would provide training for more students in high-demand jobs in nursing, dental science, pharmacy and other health-care fields. The building would contain additional up-to-date science labs and medical equipment.
• Emergency Services Training Facility. This new building would provide a place for on-the-job training for the region's firefighters, law enforcement and emergency services personnel, as well as better preparation for students entering careers as emergency responders.
• Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Information Technology. This building would provide labs and classrooms for students in electronics, engineering, computer science, drafting, manufacturing and welding. This would be Chemeketa's first new building for trades and technology since 1974.
• Chemeketa Center for Business and Industry. This facility would house the Training and Economic Development Center and provide additional space for the college's developing programs that assist economic development partnerships and small businesses.
• New building for Chemeketa in McMinnville. This building would be located near Willamette Valley Medical Center and provide for expansion of health sciences programs and better access to college courses.
• New classroom building. This building will replace the deteriorating portable trailers, which were purchased used 35 years ago. Two of those modulars were vacated this year because of problems with mold. The new building will include classrooms and computer labs.
• Finally, this bond levy will help refurbish the college's existing buildings and grounds, making sure that it remains in compliance with safety, health and energy regulations.

In 1996 voters approved a $35.2 million bond levy that funded Building 6, housing Chemeketa's technology classrooms; a new library; and the Woodburn Campus development. The college also remodeled other spaces and repaired several other buildings.

"We've been good stewards of the taxpayer's money," Beilke said. "We promised we wouldn't come back for another bond for at least 10 years, and we have kept that promise."

However, the number of students attending Chemeketa has continued to grow, and headcount is up 31 percent since the 1996 bond levy passed.

"If population projections are accurate," said Beilke, "the children of baby boomers will continue to expand our student body. The new buildings will replace inefficient, unsafe modulars and provide the kind of classrooms and laboratories demanded of today's – and tomorrow's – workforce in the mid-Willamette Valley."

If voters approve the 2006 levy, the estimated cost of the 1996 and 2006 bonds together is 27 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. For a taxpayer with a $150,000 house, the annual cost of both bonds is estimated to be $40.50.

March 17, 2006

Grant graduates get tuition gift at Chemeketa

Salem businessman Larry Tokarski has pledged annual gifts that will pay tuition for up to 10 graduates of Grant Community School each year to attend Chemeketa Community College.

The first grants will go to former Grant students who will graduate from high school this spring and enroll at Chemeketa next fall. Each year thereafter eligible high school graduates will be able to apply for the scholarships. Up to 10 grants will be made each year, and students' tuition will be paid for two years.

"Larry asked me the one thing I would like for Grant students, and I said it would be the guarantee of at least an associate degree once they finish high school," said Grant Foster, principal at Grant Community School. "What he has done for us is a tremendous endorsement of our program and the students who have completed it."

Grant is an inner-city school that has expanded in recent years to include middle school programs in addition to elementary grades. It features dual-language immersion in which students learn half time in English and half in Spanish. As a community school, Grant also offers social services for children and families.

The Chemeketa Community College Foundation will administer the scholarship program. A committee composed of Grant and Chemeketa officials, students and parents will make the selections each year.

"I am so pleased that more Grant graduates will be able to attend Chemeketa," said Gretchen Schuette, president of Chemeketa Community College. "They will benefit from the many programs we offer here. The more education people receive the better our neighborhoods will be. We are grateful to Larry for his generosity and caring."

March 15, 2006

Next Tuesday, March 21, presidents of Chemeketa Community College, Clackamas Community College, Mt. Hood Community College, Portland Community College and Portland State University will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) forming the Portland Area Higher Education Consortium, a mutual pledge of five of Oregon's largest institutions to integrate student admissions and enrollment, academic planning and support services. The end result will be greater access to courses and degrees for students without having to negotiate multiple systems, and a more efficient and effective delivery of educational programs in the region.

The MOU agreed to by each school focuses on integrated admissions and registration for students, and coordinated financial aid and advising. The agreement, the first of its kind in the Northwest, also calls for joint academic planning, sharing classroom facilities where possible, and the opportunity for students to complete a four-year degree from Portland State while remaining on the community college campus.

To submit a news item please fill out our "News and Event Submission Form".

"Success is a process, a quality of mind and a way of being, an outgoing affirmation of life."
– Alex Noble

Updated June 28, 2007 by Marketing and Student Recruitment.