Gaze at the Sky and Travel the Cosmos at the Triton College Cernan Center's Monthly Skywatch - May 22

The Cernan Earth and Space Center of Triton College next Monthly Skywatch will be conducted on Saturday evening, May 22, 2010, beginning at 7:30 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 7:30 p.m. 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 May 22 Monthly Skywatch, these telescopes will be trained on the planets Venus, Mars, and Saturn, as well as the waxing gibbous Moon, which will be located near Saturn. 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.
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 online.
Think Quality, Think Triton - www.triton.edu.

Triton College 44th Annual Commencement Set for May 23

Triton College will celebrate its 44th annual commencement at 3 p.m., Sunday, May 23, at the beautiful and spacious Rosemont Theatre located at 5400 N. River Rd., Rosemont.
This year's keynote speaker will be Dr. Frank Pasquale, mayor of the village of Bellwood.
Pasquale, the four-decade resident of the growing western suburb, was elected as mayor in 2001 and re-elected in 2005 and 2009. He previously served as a village trustee and as a commissioner of Memorial Park District.
Open, honest and transparent government, intergovernmental cooperation and public/private partnerships have been the hallmark of Mayor Pasquale's administration, not to mention a strategic focus on economic development and capital improvement projects that are driving new residential and retail development.
His first calling and career was to be an educator. He received a B.A. in education from the University of Illinois and continued his education at Chicago State University where he earned a master's degree in guidance and counseling. He went on to earn a doctorate in behavioral science from Nova University.
The mayor's teaching career began at St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Ill., as a teacher and director of guidance and counseling.
Later he became a vocational counselor at Wright College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago, before being named a dean's scholar and honors business coordinator and counselor chairman of Faculty Honors Committee.
His first full-time education career has prompted the mayor to embark on programs and initiatives that provide Bellwood students the opportunity to get the best education possible while recognizing the vital role of computer technology. Pasquale believes that literacy in this generation includes the ability to operate a computer and access to the latest technology and the Internet. To that end, the village's innovative program that offers a $200 rebate to every Bellwood household that purchases a new computer and accessories speaks to the mayor's commitment to closing the so-called digital divide.
For more information on the Triton College 2010 Commencement Ceremony, call (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3230.
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Triton College Softball Team "Swings for Susan" May 2

The Triton College women's softball team plans to do its part in raising breast cancer awareness during its final regular season home doubleheader Sunday, May 2, at noon, against Moraine Valley Community College.
The event called "Swings for Susan" will honor breast cancer survivors and raise funds in the fight against breast cancer with all proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The team will be collecting donations during both games.
"I hope it will be a special day," Triton softball head coach Art Kasak said. "The team jumped at the idea right away and thought it would be a great thing to do."
The team is encouraging breast cancers survivors to come out to the game as all survivors will be honored and receive a pink carnation.
Fans attending the games are also asked to get into the spirit by wearing pink shirts as well. Their will also be plenty of pink decorated throughout the field, including the baselines which will be colored in pink.
"We're going to make it a good way to finished up the regular season and like to have as many people there as possible," Kasak said. "We're looking forward to it."
For more information on being apart of the ceremonies or to be a donor, contact Triton softball head coach Art Kasak at (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3289.
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Paver Named Dean of Arts & Sciences at Triton College

Jonathan Paver, a resident of Oak Park, is the new dean of the School of Arts & Sciences at Triton College.
Paver, who assumed his position on April 5, was employed at Triton in the past and left for a position with the Teaching and Learning Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
In January of 2007, he returned to the River Grove campus as the Title III curriculum/instructional designer and recently served as the executive director of Professional Development, administering professional development programs and activities for all full- and part-time faculty and staff.
Paver has more than 11 years experience in higher education in the area of faculty professional development, distance education and instructional technology.
In addition to his career at Triton and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Paver has held positions at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Montana State University.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communications, radio/television broadcasting from Western Illinois University, earned a Master of Arts degree in religion and history from Trinity International University, and has completed graduate course work in history from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Jonathan is currently enrolled in the Instructional Technology Doctoral Program in the College of Education at Northern Illinois University.
"I'm excited to join the Arts & Sciences division at Triton College," stated Paver. "I look forward to working with the outstanding faculty in our area to support student success and assist students as they pursue their educational goals."
Triton's School of Arts & Sciences offers more than 40 programs with curricula focusing on providing students with core knowledge in their chosen fields of study while earning an associate's degree and completing their first two years of bachelor's degree requirements.

Triton College Baseball Team Outlasts South Suburban in Extra Innings

It's never easy to win on the road. And for the Triton College baseball team, winning at South Suburban College in particular has been a challenge in recent years. But the Trojans finally got over the hump, defeating South Suburban at Bulldog Stadium for the first time since 2003 after their 8-7 triumph in 10 innings April 21 in South Holland.
The victory improved Triton to 26-12 overall as the defending Region IV champions earned their first regular season series sweep over the Bulldogs during Harry Torgerson's six seasons as head coach.
"It feels good to get a win at South Suburban," Torgerson said. "We've walked away from here on the short end of some tough games in the past. This win was nice to get going into what is a big weekend for us."
Triton will host North Central Community College Conference (N4C) rival Harper College, Saturday, April 24 at noon. Then on Sunday, April 25 at noon, Kishwaukee College will visit Symonds-Puckett Field with the number one seed in the Region IV Tournament hanging in the balance for the Trojans.
With the crucial stretch ahead, Torgerson went with a pitching-by-committee of four different hurlers against South Suburban to ensure everyone would be available over the weekend. However, the length of the game nearly spoiled those plans.
The Bulldogs scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at six. South Suburban loaded the bases with one out after tying the score before Josh Serrano (East Leyden) picked up a strikeout and a groundout to force extra innings.
A.J. Quinones (Oswego) led off the 10th with a walk and advanced to third following a throwing error when Ricky Divito (Driscoll) beat out a bunt for a hit. With one out, Mike Bolling (Guerin Prep) reached on a fielder's choice as South Suburban failed to turn a double play which plated Quinones to give Triton a 7-6 edge.
With Carlos Luciano (Clemente) up, Bolling stole second and advanced to third when the throw from the catcher went into centerfield. Luciano made the Bulldogs pay with an RBI single to score Bolling to add a key insurance run. Luciano went 4-for-5 with four RBI's.
The Trojans needed that extra tally as South Suburban would score a run in their half of the 10th before Serrano got James Dawson to groundout harmlessly to Luciano at shortstop to seal the win.
Serrano tossed the final four innings to improve to 6-0 on the season.
For more information on Triton College Athletics, visit www.triton.edu/athletics or call Athletic Director Harry McGinnis at (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3784.
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Triton College Softball Team Recognized by Broadview Park District

The Triton College softball team was honored by the Broadview Park District for participating in the park district's annual girls' softball clinic in February. Head Coach Art Kasak accepted the award during the park district's April 15 board meeting.
Kasak and his staff along with several members of the team volunteered their time conducting three separate sessions on the fundamentals of the game in helping the Broadview Park District build their softball program.
"This is the second straight year that Triton College has hosted our clinic and it was a huge success," said Broadview Park District Executive Director Katrina Thompson, MA. "We had more girls come out this year and we're very grateful to all the players and coaches who took time out of their schedules to give back to the community."
The plaque credited Kasak and the team for an outstanding performance in partnership with the Broadview Park District in making the clinic a success.
"One of the reasons we wanted to have these clinics is to show we're here to help," Kasak said to the board. "Hopefully ours players inspired some of your girls and this award is something I'll always cherish."
For more information on Triton College Athletics, visit www.triton.edu/athletics or call Athletic Director Harry McGinnis at (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3784.
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Triton College/Best Buy 20 Gets You 10 Facebook Fan Plan Kicks Off May 1!

Triton College in partnership with Best Buy will be launching a social networking initiative to encourage individuals to become fans of Triton's Facebook page.
The ultimate goal of this big-time, first-of-its-kind event is to increase Triton's Facebook fanbase to more than 2,010 members within calendar year 2010 and let the community know about the outstanding things happening at Triton College.
Beginning May 1, anyone who registers to become a fan of Triton's page will receive a special coupon that can be redeemed for a free $10 gift card with a purchase of $20 or more at the Winston Plaza Best Buy in Melrose Park.
Spend $20 and Best Buy gives you $10 towards your next purchase. It's as easy as that!
To take advantage of this great opportunity and stay on top of the many activities at Triton College, we encourage everyone to visit our Facebook page today at www.triton.edu/tritonfacebook and become a fan.
You can be a part of history - one of 2010 in 2010!
For additional information, call (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3166, or send an e-mail to rswanber@triton.edu.
Think Quality, Think Triton - www.triton.edu.