Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Triton College Hosts Veterans Networking Group Meetings

The Triton College Veterans Networking Group recently announced their meeting dates for July and August.
Community members, if you are a veteran, please attend our Networking Group gatherings and visit with other veterans as they work towards their academic and career goals; share useful information, such as employment, G.I. Bill, benefits, etc.; plan social events, such as parties, book discussions, coffees, etc.
This is a great opportunity for individuals to obtain valuable information pertinent to veterans and their families.
Meetings are scheduled on the following Wednesdays - July 14 and Aug. 11, 1-2 p.m., in the Triton College Student Center (B Building, Club 2000, Room B-150A), located on the west side of Triton's main campus, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove.
For additional information or to be added to the Triton College Veterans Networking Group mailing list, please contact Deborah Hauck Ford, director, Center for Access and Accommodative Services, at (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3854, or send an e-mail to dford@triton.edu.
Think Quality, Think Triton - www.triton.edu.

Agwuncha Winner of Triton College Library Essay Contest

Triton College recently announced the winner if its 2010 Library Essay Contest.
Westchester resident, Chinelo Agwuncha, a high school student from the Proviso Math and Science Academy, is the winner of the 2010 TCL Essay Contest. Chinelo was awarded a $300 cash prize and a tuition waiver for a three-credit hour class at Triton College.
The annual TCL Essay Contest was open to all high-school students enrolled in their public or private high-school senior year in 2009-2010 in the 25 communities which Triton College serves. Participants in the Triton College GED Program were also invited to enter the contest.
The topic for the 2010 contest focused on the way technology is rapidly changing our everyday lives. Students were asked to submit an essay that reflected on the changes in communication and social interaction. Given the example of popular social networking Web sites, students were asked how these major changes affected their goals and lifestyles in general.
For additional information, call Dr. Dubravka Juraga, Triton College librarian, at (708) 456-0300, 3770.
Think Quality, Think Triton - www.triton.edu.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Triton College Hosts Blood Drive - June 17

Become a hero by participating in Triton College's Health Services Blood Drive, hosted by LifeSource Blood Center 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Thursday, June 17, in the Student Center Cafeteria located on the west side of Triton's main campus, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove.
You should know that by donating your blood and time you will help to save the lives of cancer patients, critically ill newborns, severely burned patients, organ transplant patients, accident victims and many more who have illnesses requiring blood products. Your single blood donation can save the lives of up to three people. Walk-ins are welcome.
You will need one of the following items with your name and photo as a form of identification: student ID, work ID, state ID, driver's license or passport. Prior to donating blood, it's important to eat a good meal and drink plenty of water. Please share this information with your colleagues, friends and family, and encourage them to donate blood.
To schedule an appointment, contact Vicki Roge (847) 961-0056 or vroge@itxm.org or schedule your own online appointments at www.lsbrighten.org.
For additional information, please call the Triton College Health Services Department at (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3359.
Think Quality, Think Triton - www.triton.edu.

Triton College Congratulates English as a Second Language Class of 2010

Triton College held its annual commencement ceremony for graduates of the Adult Education Department's English as a Second Language (ESL) Program May 27 at the Robert M. Collins Center Auditorium.
Approximately 175 students representing more than 60 countries made up the graduating class. To be considered for graduation, the students successfully completed the level 5 courses in reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.
Many students will transfer to college, working towards a degree or certificate. Others have already earned degrees from their native countries and are looking to go back to their current career or use the skills gained in the program to start a new career.
Triton College President Dr. Patricia Granados addressed the graduates during the ceremony.
"This commencement is just the beginning of many great things," Granados said. "We are very proud of all of your accomplishments and hope to see many of you back here at Triton College to help achieve your educational goals."
Mireya Vera, Community Service Director for Westlake Community Hospital in Melrose Park, delivered the keynote address. Vera challenged the graduates to decide on what is important to them as they move on in their lives.
"I know it has not been easy learning a new language and thank you for being role models, not only for our children, but our community," Vera said. "However I want you to think about what is meaningful to you. Where would you like to be five or even 10 years from now?"
Dr. Granados along with ESL Director Brigitte Oltmanns presented the certificates to all the graduates. Triton Board of Trustees Secretary Diane Viverito, Trustee Glenn Stam and Student Trustee Isiah Brandon were in attendance to award the trustee scholarship recipients. In addition, the second class of Triton ESL students was inducted to the National Adult Education Honor Society (NAEHS).
Triton joined the NAEHS in June of 2008 and the eight students recognized were awarded a certificate and letters of recommendation for employment and financial aid.
One of the NAEHS inductees was Maryna Gorbatiuk of Riverside. Gorbatiuk, a native of Ukraine, reflected positively on her experience with Triton's ESL Program.
"I want to give appreciation to all my teachers," Gorbatiuk said. "I learned a lot and most importantly know how to communicate with my fellow American classmates. I thank Triton College for giving us all the opportunity for a great future."

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Gaze at the Sky and Travel the Cosmos at the Triton College Cernan Center's Monthly Skywatch - June 19

The Cernan Earth and Space Center of Triton College next Monthly Skywatch will be conducted on Saturday evening, June 19, 2010, beginning at 8 p.m. The Monthly Skywatch consists of two parts - an indoor planetarium program and an outdoor telescope observing session. The telescope observing portion is only held if weather permits.

The indoor portion of the Monthly Skywatch, which begins at 8 p.m. (a half hour later than normal) in the Cernan Center's dome theater, introduces audiences to a wide range of Earth- and space-related subjects. These include a tour of the current nighttime sky, a presentation on the latest astronomical discoveries and highlights and plans for NASA space flights. Each month, the Cernan Center's Monthly Skywatch staff also presents a segment that features a timely subject or focuses on a particular celestial object that is well placed for viewing that month.

Weather permitting, the Monthly Skywatch will then re-convene on the lawn in front of the Cernan Center to observe the wonders of the sky through telescopes. Members of the Chicago Astronomical Society assist Cernan Center staff members in offering their telescopes and expertise to those in attendance. At the June 19 Monthly Skywatch, these telescopes will be trained on the planets Venus, Mars, and Saturn, and perhaps an assortment of star clusters and double stars. There is no charge for the telescope observing that follows the Monthly Skywatch.

Monthly Skywatch programs are a full 60 minutes in length to allow this series to cover more subjects in greater depth than ever before. Admission to the indoor planetarium portion of the Monthly Skywatch is $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under or senior citizens 55 and over. Because the planetarium component of the Monthly Skywatch presents scientific information at a more advanced level than our regular shows, we recommend it primarily for persons 13 years and older.

The Monthly Skywatch program is one of three programs that will comprise the June 19 and July 17 "Super Saturday" schedule.

On June 19, a pair of children's presentations (Zip! Zoom! Whiz! and The Friendly Stars mini) will be presented at 7 p.m., followed by the Monthly Skywatch at 8 p.m. and the Endless Photons laser concert at 9:30 p.m.

For more information about the Monthly Skywatch series, call the Cernan Center at (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3372, or e-mail the Cernan Center at cernan@triton.edu.

For information about other shows and ticket prices, please call the Cernan Center's Program Line at (708) 583-3100 or visit the Cernan Earth and Space Center online at www.triton.edu/cernan for complete information about the Cernan Center, as well as a current sky map, moon and planet information, online shopping at the Cernan Center's Star Store and links to many other Earth- and space-related resources.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Fencl Named Outstanding Faculty of the Year at Triton

Triton College congratulates Dr. Terry Fencl on being named Outstanding Faculty of the Year for 2010 - an award honoring faculty members who have established an extraordinary record of contribution to the learning experience of their students and to their discipline.
Fencl has demonstrated a distinguished teaching ethic, an exemplary record of professional accomplishment in the form of scholarly achievements and outstanding service to her peers, students and Triton College.
Since 1980, she has been a full-time instructor of speech and theater at Triton. First, teaching in the Interdisciplinary Studies Department, a department offering interdisciplinary clusters of general education courses in communications, fine arts, social and behavioral sciences, and humanities.
Fencl helped move one of the college's learning communities to an online format preserving the interdisciplinary mandate and connecting the virtual community of online learners to the classroom community of on-campus learners.
She is currently teaching online theater courses in this Community of One Model, as well as online public speaking. Additionally, Terry serves as a mentor to faculty who are developing online courses.
"I am so honored to not only be receiving this award but to be receiving this award from my peers and students," said Fencl. "I find it a privilege to be working at a great school and with great people, doing what I love on a daily basis."
Fencl is indeed dedicated to teaching. She is always helpful in the collaboration of curriculum, lesson planning and has shown a great strength in the assessment of learners and team teaching.
"One of the great pleasures of working at Triton College is the extraordinary talent, commitment and dedication of the faculty to not just fine teaching, but great teaching," Fencl said. "I am happy to be a part of such a wonderful team."

Triton's President's Leadership Academy Unveils Banner Campaign

The Triton College President's Leadership Academy 2010 kicked off its campaign project to create a greater awareness of Triton within the community with a banner unveiling ceremony May 20 adjacent to the main entrance of the River Grove campus.
Triton College President Dr. Patricia Granados unveiled the first banner to the crowd of students, staff and community members in attendance for the event. Before displaying the banner, Dr. Granados praised the academy for their efforts.
"I'm very proud of our Leadership Academy 2010," Granados said. "They worked very hard as a team on this project for the betterment of the college."
The academy selected the banner project as their initiative to promote Triton College in high traffic areas throughout the communities the college serves. This goal will be accomplished in several phases.
The first phase of this project is complete with banners hung in front of Triton College, in River Grove at the intersection of River Rd. and Grand Ave., and in Melrose Park at the intersections of North and Fifth, and North and First avenues.
The banner design will complement Triton's Achieving the Dream efforts to promote student success initiatives.
River Grove Village President Marilynn May and Melrose Park Mayor Ronald Serpico were on hand for the ceremony as both municipalities worked with the academy to display the banners in their respective villages.
"Triton College is a very important part of our town," May said. "I'm very appreciative of the educational values of the school and the esthetic beauty of the campus. The banners look outstanding and River Grove is proud to be a part of this."
"The village of Melrose Park is thrilled to be involved with this project," Serpico said. "The banners are located at extremely busy intersections and I also want to acknowledge our Public Works Department for their efforts. It's always great working with Triton and I'm happy we were able to make this happen."
The Triton College President's Leadership Academy is an annual program designed to build leaders from within the college. By bringing together employees from various employee groups, a sense of teamwork and camaraderie is established, thus setting forth a future that is supported by committed leaders, realizing and fulfilling the mission and vision of Triton College.

Triton College Honors the Village of Franklin Park

Triton College played host to residents and village officials from the village of Franklin Park as Triton honored the community at the May 19 Franklin Park Honor Day event. Guests enjoyed refreshments and entertainment, while celebrating the outstanding partnership between Triton and the village.
"We are very proud to be partners with the village of Franklin Park in helping its residents meet their educational goals," said Triton College president, Dr. Patricia Granados. "The commitment of Mayor Barrett Pedersen and trustees to education for the betterment of the community is what has allowed our relationship to flourish."
The evening presented an opportunity for Franklin Park residents to learn more about Triton's programs. In addition to academic information being available, deans and department staff were on hand. Several of Franklin Park's officials and residents were in attendance, including trustees John Johnson and Cheryl McLean, along with members representing the Franklin Park and Veterans park districts, and village administration.
Franklin Park and its residents have been active in a number of Triton programs and services within the community. Most notably, 31 village residents ranging from 59-90 years old are part of Triton's Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). Last year, these volunteers donated 4,806 hours for three different Triton non-for-profit partners in the village - CNN Franklin Park, Leyden Family Services and Leyden Township.
In March 2010, Triton's School of Continuing Education was hired to provide customer service training to employees of the village. Triton is currently working with the Franklin Park School District 84 to provide four summer children's camps. In addition, 339 students took advantage of English as a Second Language classes held at Passow and Pietrini elementary schools and East Leyden High School in Franklin Park last year.
Mayor Barrett Pedersen knows the importance of education and how Triton has served his community with approximately 900 Franklin Park residents enrolled for classes during the spring semester.
"I am very proud to be representing the village of Franklin Park as our community is honored by Triton College," Pedersen said. "Triton College is responsive to diverse educational needs and is committed to fostering a lifelong learning environment that empowers individuals personally, professionally and culturally. We are pleased to be their neighbor and proud to be their partner in our shared community."
For more information on Franklin Park Honor Day, call (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3220.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Triton College Cernan Center Announces Summer Super Saturday Show Schedules


Children and adults alike can add enjoyment to their leisure time by attending a program at Triton College's Cernan Earth and Space Center Super Saturday events this summer.

From now-Aug. 8, the Cernan Center will be hosting two exclusive "Super Saturdays" of expanded show performances on the evenings of June 19 and July 17, replacing its weekly series of offerings.

The expanded show schedules will be as follows: Saturday, June 19, 7 p.m. - Zip! Zoom! Whiz! and The Friendly Stars Mini Show; 8 p.m. - Monthly Skywatch; 9:30 p.m. - Endless Photons Laser Concert; Saturday, July 17, 7 p.m. - Rusty Rocket's Last Blast and Patriot Mini Laser Show; 8 p.m. - Monthly Skywatch; 9:30 p.m. - A Momentary Lapse of Summer (a Pink Floyd laser concert).
Admission and More Information

Admission for either "Super Saturday" 7 or 8 p.m. show - $8 for adults and $4 for senior citizens 55 and older, and children ages 2 to 12.

Admission to the 9:30 p.m. Laser Concert - $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens 55 and older, and children ages 2 to 12.

Super Saturday Special to attend any two shows on one night - $12 for adults and $6 for senior citizens 55 and older, and children ages 2 to 12.

Super Saturday Special to attend all three shows on one night - $18 for adults and $9 for senior citizens 55 and older, and children ages 2 to 12.

Special rate tickets must be purchased at the same time.

For more information or complete show descriptions, please call (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3372, or visit the Cernan Center's Web site at www.triton.edu/cernan.

The Cernan Center is located on the west side of the Triton College campus, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove, Ill.

Congratulations Triton College Class of 2010!

Graduates hit a milestone in their journey as Triton College held its 44th annual commencement ceremony at the Rosemont Theatre on May 23.

Triton College staff, faculty and administration gathered to congratulate the graduates and their families. The day was a celebration of the graduate's commitment, dedication and success in completing their academic studies at Triton.

Some students moved through their course work in two straight years, some managed a class or two each semester, some made the campus their second home and some obtained their degree via online offerings.

This year, Triton College graduated more than 1,500 students that participated in various programs offered by the college and nearly 500 of those graduating students participated in the graduation ceremony.

The ceremony opened with a greeting from Triton College president, Dr. Patricia Granados.

"It is an honor for me to be here today to share this exciting moment with each of you." said Dr. Granados. "Each of you has much to be proud of. And, I can truly say, that as I look out into the faces of our graduates, we too, as members of the Triton College community, have much of which to be proud of."

President of Triton College Student Association, Dante Colloly, spoke to his peers reflecting back on his journey at Triton. Colloly gave sentiments about those who helped him along the way.

Mark Stephens, chairman of the Triton College Board of Trustees expressed the pride and accomplishments he shared with the students as he introduced the 2010 commencement speaker, Dr. Frank Pasquale, mayor of the village of Bellwood.

Mayor Pasquale opened by expressing gratitude and appreciation to the president, board of trustees and graduates for allowing him the privilege of speaking at this year's commencement ceremony.

"I am both honored and enthused to be able to congratulate you on your accomplishments today," said Pasquale.

Being an advocate for education, he spoke on taking advantage of the life tools and knowledge that Triton College provided to the graduates.

"Triton College holds a special place in my heart, I believe in what the college stands for, the excellence they strive for and teach to all their students," Pasquale said. "Take advantage of the degree that you have obtained, use it to advance in your life as far as you can. Triton is a great spring board for you to achieve your goals."

The ceremony closed with the graduates receiving their diplomas from the college's president and board members.

Sheena Williamson, a member of this year's graduating class, received an Associate in Science degree. "It has taken me a long time to get here but in the end it doesn't matter how long it took you," said Williamson. "What matters is that you finished. Just keep pushing yourself, keep your head up and remember you can do this, you can do anything you want."

Williamson plans on attending Eastern Illinois University in the fall semester to obtain her bachelor's degree.
Another Triton graduate, David Prus, received his Associate in Arts degree and plans on attending DePaul or Loyola this fall to study history.

"In a small way, I am leaving Triton exactly as I arrived, uncertain and nervous of the future, but in an even bigger way," said Prus. "I am leaving a changed person forever, I am confident that I can make my dreams come true and Triton College helped me see that anything is possible."

Congratulations to the Triton College graduating class of 2010!

East Leyden Wins Triton College HIA Cook-Off

At Triton's first Hospitality Industry Administration (HIA) High School Cook-Off, East Leyden High School students Max Schammert and Kenny Patroski, were each awarded $500 scholarships to Triton College, a culinary knife kit, a pastry knife kit and Triton chef jackets as winners of the TV style cook-off competition.

Six pairs of students from local high schools, were asked to compete. The participants were given one hour and 15 minutes to cook and prepare the menu items according to the recipes that were provided. Family members and teachers were able to watch the contest via monitors in the dining room.

Contestants were asked to prepare dishes from a menu selected by judges. The students were evaluated during the cooking and planning process, as well as on the taste and presentation of the final product. Students from Triton's HIA Program volunteered their time to assist with the competition. An HIA student represented each high school team to assist them with equipment usage, sanitation practices and overall safety.

Second and third place awards went to Proviso West students Gabriel Maldonado and Kevin Le, and West Leyden students Emilio Ricardo and Pawel Trznadel respectively, who were given knife kits. All participating teams received chef jackets.

Triton College Offers Summer Camps for Kids

Triton's Continuing Education Office will offer a series of one-week summer camps for kids. Camps are held in either morning or afternoon sessions on Triton's main campus, located at 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove.

Camps include:
LEGO ROBOTICS (Ages 8-12)
9-11:50 a.m., Monday-Friday, June 14-18 and July 12-16
COMPUTER DETECTIVES I (Ages 8-12)
1:30-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, June 14-18 and July 12-16
CREATIVE PAPER ARTS (Ages 5-10)
9-11:50 a.m., Monday-Friday, July 5-9 and July 26-30
GREEN GARDENERS (Ages 5-10)
1:30-4:25 p.m., Monday-Friday, June 14-18 and July 12-16
JUNIOR COOKS CULINARY CAMP (Ages 7-11)
1:30-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, June 21-25 and July 19-23

For a complete listing and description of children's camps, check out our special camp Web site at www.triton.edu/camptriton or for registration information, call (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3501.