|
|
 |
|
Ancilla College News - Current Events Many from the local communities were on hand to get a closer look at the next-generation patient simulator, complete with several demonstrations of iStan’s capabilities offered throughout the day. iStan is capable of mimicking the anatomical workings of the human body to a level of realism beyond all previous simulators, giving students and local emergency personnel a level of hands-on training that far exceeds the established norm. “He is a fantastic asset to this area, our school, our program, and our students,” said Ann Fitzgerald, Chair of the Division of Nursing and Health Science at Ancilla College. “All healthcare providers will benefit from having him here. It’s amazing to watch students work with iStan. They learn so much and no one gets hurt.” Two of those students – Susan McCarty and Laura Boller – were on hand to help with the demonstrations. Efforts to obtain the iStan simulator lasted well over a year, as Ancilla College collaborated with a number of local organizations to raise money for the equipment. In addition to raising funds on their own, Ancilla College received donations from Teachers Credit Union, Lilly Endowment, Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, 1st Source Bank, Marshall County Community Foundation, Starke County Community Foundation, and the Starke Memorial Hospital Medical Staff. Fitzgerald offered her sincerest thanks on behalf of Ancilla College and the nursing department to all those who helped make the purchase of iStan a reality. “We could not afford this project alone,” said Fitzgerald. “We needed to collaborate with all resources available in the surrounding communities to afford iStan and his accompanying equipment.” Fitzgerald currently estimates that local health care providers and EMT’s will be able to train on iStan sometime next year. The reason for the delay, according to Fitzgerald, is the steep learning curve of iStan’s intricacies that the nursing staff will need to master before they can make iStan an available training tool for the local communities.Ancilla-CCSJ Open House Greeted by Strong Turnout Representatives of Ancilla and CCSJ were on hand Wednesday, June 24, to present two new bachelor’s degrees to the public that will be offered at Ancilla College this coming fall semester. The two degrees – Business Management with a concentration in Human Resources Management and Criminal Justice with a minor in Paralegal – were the focal points of the open house, held at the Donaldson-based campus. Under a recently signed agreement between the two colleges, prospective students would be able to pursue a bachelor’s degree from CCSJ in either field of study while taking the necessary classes at Ancilla College. “This brings to fruition more than a year’s worth of work,” said Dr. Daniel Lowery, Vice President of Academic Affairs at CCSJ. “We’re delighted to be bringing two of our signature programs to Ancilla College. This partnership couldn’t be working any better from my perspective, and we think it will be a tremendous success for both institutions and for the students involved.” Dr. Joanna Blount, Dean of Academic and Student Services at Ancilla College, was greatly encouraged by the public turnout for the event. “The enthusiastic response we received shows the strong desire in our local communities for continuing education,” said Dr. Blount. “Partnerships and collaborative efforts like this one can only enhance the educational offerings in the local area.” According to Dr. Blount, discussions between Ancilla College and CCSJ have already begun regarding the addition of other bachelor programs, dependent on the success of the two already in place.Ancilla College, IU-Kokomo Sign Articulation Agreement “This agreement is important to our students in that it addresses licensure in education at three levels: Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary,” said Dr. Joanna Blount, Dean of Academics and Student Services at Ancilla College. According to Dr. Blount, the Secondary Education agreement will pertain to five areas of study: Language Arts; Social Studies; Mathematics; Science; and Fine Arts/Visual Arts. Representatives from both colleges were on hand at Ancilla College’s Gerald J. Ball Library on Wednesday to make the agreement official. Ancilla was represented by Dr. Blount, Sr. Carleen Wrasman, PHJC, and Dr. Ron May, President, while IU-Kokomo was represented by Dr. Patricia Swails, Interim Dean of Education. “IU-Kokomo is just thrilled to be able to partner with Ancilla College to prepare highly qualified teachers for Indiana’s students,” said Dr. Swails. “This agreement will give Ancilla College graduates an additional opportunity to pursue a bachelor’s degree and it will be one way these graduates can get an Indiana University degree close to home, at a small campus that closely mirrors that of Ancilla College.” As Chair of the Department of Education at Ancilla College, Wrasman was especially pleased to see the agreement finalized between the two sides. “This ‘2+2’ agreement was designed for our education students, who will find this agreement honors the courses taken at Ancilla,” said Wrasman. “I encourage Ancilla graduates to take advantage of this opportunity as they continue their education towards a bachelor’s degree and a teaching license.”Ancilla College to Host Demonstrations of iStan Technology The open house, scheduled for June 30, will last from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT. Live demonstrations will be offered at 8:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. during the day in the nursing lab. A next-generation patient simulator, iStan is capable of mimicking the anatomical workings of the human body to a level of realism beyond all previous simulators, giving students and local emergency personnel a level of hands-on training that far exceeds the established norm. “We want to let the community know what type of training the simulation can provide,” said Ann Fitzgerald, Director of Nursing. “This is a state-of-the-art, high-fidelity mannequin. The more realistic you can make the simulation, the better learning experience the student will have.” Efforts to obtain the iStan simulator lasted well over a year, as Ancilla College collaborated with a number of local organizations to help raise money for the equipment. “There’s no way we could have afforded something this high tech and expensive on our own,” said Fitzgerald. “Together we could, and that’s what we did, and that’s why we want to share it with the surrounding communities so we can all benefit from the simulations and training he can provide to anyone in health care. “I just think it’s exciting that we have iStan. It’s amazing the things that he can do. I’m extremely excited and proud that we were able to come together as a community to be able to provide this type of service in this area. Just because we don’t live in a major metropolitan area doesn’t mean we should expect substandard health care.” To RSVP for the open house, interested parties are encouraged to contact Janeen Berndt at 574-936-8898 Ext. 395 or by e-mail at janeen.berndt@ancilla.edu.Ancilla College to Host Placement Party and Orientation Prospective students will have the opportunity to gain admission to Ancilla College, register for classes, and attend new student orientation all on the same day. To gain admission, students will need to fill out a free application to Ancilla College, submit high school and college transcripts, and take the college placement test. The placement test, which does not have a time limit, will begin at 8:30 a.m. Eastern. New student orientation will run from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. This will be the only placement party and orientation available to prospective students in the month of July. Interested parties are asked to RSVP by contacting the Admissions Department at (574) 936-8898 Ext. 330.Reservations Still Available for Ancilla-CCSJ Open House Representatives of both colleges will be on hand to present two new bachelor’s degrees that will be offered at Ancilla College starting this coming fall semester. The two degrees – Business Management with a Concentration in Human Resources Management and Criminal Justice with a minor in Paralegal – will be presented to former Ancilla graduates and those interested in pursuing either one of the degrees. “This is an unprecedented event for Ancilla College,” said Dr. Joanna Blount, Dean of Academic and Student Services. “It is seldom that a senior institution such as Calumet College of Saint Joseph will bring two bachelor’s degree programs to the two-year campus. “This is an exciting opportunity for Ancilla graduates. I believe this to be the first steps in a long-lived partnership with Calumet College of Saint Joseph. Next year, we will be researching other bachelor’s degrees to bring to Ancilla, including psychology, teacher education, and restoration ecology.” The open house will be held from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and attendance is by RSVP. Those interested in furthering their education through these programs are asked to RSVP by calling (574) 936-8898 Ext. 322.Ancilla College Announces Extended Independence Day Break The decision mirrors the policies of most state and federal agencies, who will also close their doors on July 3rd. All offices will reopen on Monday, July 6th.Ancilla College Summer School Enrollment Increases Contributing to these increases was strong student interest in completing pre-requisite coursework for entry into the College’s fully accredited Nursing program for the Fall 2009 semester. The second summer term for 2009 begins on Monday, June 29 and runs through Thursday, August 6. A complete schedule of classes for “Summer Two” is available on the College’s website, www.ancilla.edu. Select “Student Resources” and then “Course Schedules” to access the Summer Two schedule. Please call (574) 936-8898 x 330 or 1-866-ANCILLA for information about either Summer Two or Fall 2009 classes. Students may register in-person in the Registrar’s Office through the start of classes. New students should first contact the Admissions Office prior to registration. Ancilla College Earns Highest Possible Score on Department of Education Financial Rating Scale Based on financial data provided by each college and university, the Department calculates a financial score, with a range of -1.0 to 3.0; -1.0 is the lowest possible score, and 3.0 is the highest possible score. Ancilla’s score for the past three years has been the maximum 3.0. Colleges must score 1.5 or higher to pass the financial responsibility test. Three separate calculations make up the overall test score. The first, the Primary Reserve Ratio, considers the relationship between expendable reserves (net assets) and unrestricted expenses. The second, the Equity Ratio, compares total net assets to total assets; colleges with large debt levels will receive a lower Equity Ratio score compared to colleges with little to no debt. The third ratio, the Net Income Ratio, compares the change in unrestricted reserves to unrestricted revenue. A variety of significant factors contributed to Ancilla College earning the maximum score for 2008. Most significantly, Ancilla College has no short term or long term debt on its balance sheet. Other important factors for Ancilla College include successful fundraising, maintenance of a balanced budget, and a strong cash and investment position compared to operating liabilities and expenses.14th Annual Ancilla College Golf Tournament Tees Off The tournament, which followed a four-person Florida scramble format, is the single largest fundraising event for the College. Over $19,000 was raised for the Annual Fund, which helps supply money for student scholarships. “The turnout for this year’s tournament was fantastic,” said Tom Sibal, Associate Director of Institutional Advancement and organizer of the tournament. “With the tough economic times we are in right now, for us to have 41 teams playing this year is simply incredible.” Those who attended were treated to a steak dinner and had the opportunity to bid on a pair of Notre Dame football tickets for the upcoming game against the University of Connecticut. There were also a number of door prizes and raffle items that were given away over the course of the day. Contributing sponsors included 1st Source Bank, Fiduciary Management, Inc., golfballs.com, Lake City Bank, Physicians Hospital System, Starke County Development Foundation, and Town and Country Press. Christo’s Banquet Center provided lunch for all involved. The team of Jason Schwertd, Matt Warring, Jim Szymusiak, and Donna Howell took top honors with a final score of 56. “In a difficult economic climate, it was humbling to see a record number of participants and sponsors turn out to make this year’s tournament a great success,” said Todd Zeltwanger, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement at Ancilla College. “I want to thank all of the volunteers who helped to create an enjoyable day for everyone. The proceeds generated from the event will provide tuition assistance and scholarships for both current and future Ancilla College students, enabling them to ‘Start Here and Go Everywhere’.”Ancilla Faculty Member Kribs Selected for Prestigious Study Opportunity Kribs, Associate Professor of English and Division of Humanities Chair, attended the workshop, entitled “Progress and Poverty: The Gilded Age in American Politics and Literature, 1877-1901” from May 17-22. Alongside fellow invitees from states such as California, Washington, Texas, and Florida, Kribs had the opportunity to sit in on lectures given by scholars who have done extensive research on the topic. Those in attendance also had the opportunity to do research of their own on the topic. According to Kribs, this professional development opportunity gave her a chance to be a student rather than a professor for the week, an experience she described as “recharging”. “This is a chance to go to something I have a real interest in,” said Kribs. “It was great, the best professional development opportunity I’ve ever been to. Personally, it’s a chance to take in some information rather than give it out.” The National Endowment for the Humanities is a federal agency that each summer supports “Landmarks of American History and Culture Workshops” so that faculty can work in collaboration and study with experts in humanities disciplines.Ancilla, Calumet College to Co-Host Open House According to Dr. Joanna Blount, Dean of Academic and Student Services at Ancilla College, “This is truly a wonderful opportunity for the community and for Ancilla College graduates to continue their higher education through Calumet College of Saint Joseph while remaining in the community.” The two degrees – Business Management with a Concentration in Human Resources Management and Criminal Justice with a minor in Paralegal – will be presented to former Ancilla graduates and those interested in pursuing either one of the degrees. “This is the first step in our collaborative effort with Calumet College,” said Blount. “We are already investigating a similar partnership for new degrees next year; psychology, teacher education and restoration ecology.” CCSJ Vice President Dr. Dan Lowery will be on hand to answer questions. Representatives from both the Business and Criminal Justice departments at CCSJ will also be on hand. Desila Rosetti, Business Professor, will be available to talk with students about the business program. The faculty for these programs will have their offices at Ancilla College, but will also be considered part of the faculty at CCSJ. The criminal justice position will be a new hire, a joint appointment between the two colleges. A job description is available on the Ancilla College website. “It is not often that two colleges agree to a joint faculty appointment,” said Blount. “This is a sign of our commitment to bringing higher education home to our community.” The open house will be held from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and attendance is by RSVP. Those interested in furthering their education through these programs are asked to RSVP by calling (574) 936-8898 Ext. 322.Ancilla Announces Creation of Savina Kralis Nursing Scholarship Fund Nearly 60 years ago, Kralis received her nursing education training from a former Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ (PHJC) hospital in Gary, Indiana. Her education benefitted her during the time she served as a nurse, and also as she and her late husband, Jerry, raised their 12 children. Kralis recently established The Savina Kralis Nursing Scholarship Fund to benefit Ancilla College at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation(KCCF). By establishing this scholarship, Kralis wanted to share the blessings she has received with others pursuing a career in nursing. The fund will provide scholarships to deserving nursing students at Ancilla College. As an endowment fund at the KCCF, the principal will be invested and only earnings will be used for scholarship purposes. Due to the nature of endowments, the fund will be managed and invested with the growth and perpetuity of the fund as a goal, allowing scholarships to be made from the fund forever. “Back in the 1900’s, the Poor Handmaids prepared nurses in the hospitals they operated,” said Dr. Ron May, president of Ancilla College. “Today, the Poor Handmaids continue to support nursing education through their sponsorship of Ancilla College and its accredited nursing program. Mrs. Kralis’ endowment continues the legacy she benefitted from many years ago. On behalf of the nursing program at Ancilla, I thank her.”Ancilla Grads, Faculty Earn Recognition Longson, a Plymouth resident, earned “Scholar of Distinction” after graduating Summa Cum Laude amongst all 2009 Ancilla College graduates. “After the past two years of working full time and nights away from my husband, it made it all worthwhile,” said Longson. “I can’t thank him enough for putting up with me.” Longson, who plans to pursue her bachelor’s in elementary education at IUSB, said the education she received at Ancilla College meant “everything”. “I am a first generational college student,” said Longson. “My mom and dad didn’t go to college, or even think of going to college. They went straight into the workforce.” Yochum, Assistant Professor of Education, was selected as “2009 Educator of the Year” by Ancilla College students. “I am thrilled and humbled to receive the award, because it validates my career choice,” said Yochum. “Ancilla is a wonderful place to teach.” Longson also earned departmental honors in Early Childhood Education. Other departmental honorees include: Kimberly Blosser (Plymouth) – History, Criminal Justice, and Behavioral Sciences; Matthew Bova (Indianapolis) – Business; Dianna Cooper (Plymouth) – Religion; Byron Faulstich (Plymouth) – Education; and Carolyn Kirchenstien (Mentone) – Nursing. Faulstich and Brittany Safranek (Peru) were honored with the Scholar/Athlete award for their outstanding work in both athletics and academics. Jennifer Rose (Knox) and Melinda Weeks (Plymouth) were each given the Portfolio Award. Faculty member Kristin Korcha was also recognized with the Assessment Award for her work in assessing sophomore portfolios. Who’s Who Among Students in American Two-Year Colleges honorees include: Melissa Berg (Plymouth); Byron Faulstich; Erin Grace (Plymouth); Amber Howard (Knox); Whitney Johnson (Argos); Trisha Kimmey (Knox); Shelly Longson; Shannon Martinez (Michigan City); Deborah Masson (Plymouth); Leah Puckett (Plymouth); Jennifer Rose (Knox); Michele Snyder (Plymouth); and Allen Stoneberg (Plymouth). Phi Theta Kappa Honorees include: Andrea Baker (Pierceton); Melissa Berg; Kimberly Blosser; Matthew Bova; Dianna Cooper; Dalta Jensen (Hamlet); Trisha Kimmey; Carolyn Kirchenstein; Casandra Long (Bourbon); Shelly Longson; Deborah Masson; Stacy McVicker (Walkerton); Alyssa Milo (Knox); Rhonda Music (Culver); Leah Puckett; Jennifer Rose; Tracy Rossman (Winamac); Allen Stoneberg; Amanda Talaga (Plymouth); and Melinda Weeks (Mishawaka). Magna Cum Laude honorees include: Kimberly Blosser; Byron Faulstich; Whitney Johnson; Deborah Masson; and Jennifer Rose. Cum Laude honorees include: Natasha Baughman (Plymouth); Melissa Berg; Trisha Kimmey; Carolyn Kirchenstien; Shannon Martinez; Rhonda Music; Brittany Safranek; and Allen Stoneberg. Ancilla College Celebrates 42nd Graduating Class Seventy-five of the 93 applicants for graduation were in attendance to receive their diplomas. Congressman Joe Donnelly, U.S. Representative of Indiana’s 2nd District, served as the keynote speaker for the event. Byron Faulstich, President of the Student Government Association, and Betty Chesak, President of the Alumni Association, also spoke at the commencement. A reception organized by the Ancilla Alumni Association followed, as Ancilla faculty, staff, students, and their families gathered in Cana Hall for fellowship and refreshments. An Honors Convocation was also held on Friday, May 8, at the Ancilla Domini Chapel, as students and faculty alike were honored for their achievements. “Commencement is the highlight of the year at colleges and universities,” said Dr. Ron May, Ancilla College President. “Ancilla College is no different. It is a day to recognize persistence and achievement. It is a day of affirmation for faculty and staff and a day of accomplishment & celebration for graduates and their families. All of our graduates worked hard to reach the ceremony, but some overcame great adversity in their journey. “We are grateful to Congressman Donnelly for participating in the ceremony. We also are grateful to graduate Byron Faulstich for sharing his thoughts and humor with those in attendance. “We are proud of our graduates and wish them well.”Congressman Joe Donnelly to Speak at Ancilla Commencement Donnelly is the congressman for Indiana’s 2nd District, a post he has held since January 4, 2007. A member of the Democratic Party, Donnelly graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1977 with B.A. in Government, and is also a 1981 graduate of the University of Notre Dame’s Law School. He has proven very active during his tenure as Congressman, serving as a member of the Blue Dog Coalition and acting as a member of two committees that aim to meet the diverse needs of Indiana’s 2nd District: Financial Services and Veterans’ Affairs. He has also served on the Agriculture committee. Donnelly previously served on the Indiana State Election Board from 1988 to 1989. He also was a member of the School Board for Mishawaka Marian High School from 1997 to 2001, serving as President during the 2000 to 2001 term. This year’s commencement ceremony will mark the graduation of Ancilla College’s 42nd class since opening its doors to the public in 1966.Ancilla Hosts Faculty Recognition Program Judy Bachelder, Reverend Dr. Sam Boys, and Sr. Judith Diltz, PHJC, were all honored during the ceremony. Bachelder, who has served as Instructor of Maternal/Child Nursing, will be promoted to Assistant Professor. Boys, Assistant Professor of Ethics/Religion, will be promoted to Associate Professor. Diltz, Instructor of English, will be promoted to Assistant Professor. All promotions will become effective in the forthcoming academic year. “I see it as an excellent opportunity to celebrate these promotions with our faculty and staff,” said Dr. Joanna Blount, Dean of Academic and Student Services. “It’s a time that faculty can come together for discussion, for social interaction, and frankly just to talk about instruction and learning.” The annual ceremony is organized by Glenda Bockman, Director of the Library. All three honorees were able to select books for the library collection, and their commemorative book plates were on display for all in attendance. Lunch was also provided to all. Ancilla Receives Grant from Marshall County Community Foundation A next-generation patient simulator, iStan is capable of mimicking the anatomical workings of the human body to a level of realism beyond all previous simulators, giving students and local emergency personnel a level of hands-on training that far exceeds the established norm. Ancilla College’s Ann Fitzgerald (Director of Nursing), Dr. Joanna Blount (Dean of Academic and Student Services), Tom Sibal (Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement) and Mike Brown (Executive Director of Finance and Administration) were all on hand at a recent program hosted by the Marshall County Community Foundation to receive the grant. “The monetary donation received from the Marshall County Community Foundation to help purchase the iStan high fidelity simulation mannequin will impact this community in a ripple effect for the next several years,” said Fitzgerald in a written statement. “Working with Marshall and surrounding counties will allow Ancilla College to create a Regional Simulation Center that will assist all healthcare personnel maintain and perfect their life-saving skills. Living in a rural area does not create an expectation of sub-standard healthcare, and at Ancilla College, we are working diligently to ensure our regional healthcare is second to none.” With the grant, Ancilla has raised $66,000 for the simulator, $23,000 shy of the total cost.Nazareth Home Showcased at Lampen Lecture Series Established in 1993 as a licensed foster home, Nazareth Home accommodates up to six children from infancy through age five and has served more than 90 infants and children. The children, all of whom are medically compromised, are placed at Nazareth Home by Lake County (IN) Department of Children and Family Services until they are able to be reunited with their families, adopted or reach the age where they need to be placed in another long-term foster home. “We’re all out to help the poor, the powerless, and the underprivileged,” said Kuper, who serves as Director of Nazareth Home. “What better way to do so than to help these children who have no voice in any of this. They’re here because their parents couldn’t take care of them. We’re filling the role of the parent.” The Lampen Lecture Series is held in the Evergreen Room of the Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center, part of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Ministry Center in Donaldson, Indiana. This year’s theme for the Lampen Lecture Series is “Dignity for All.” The series was designed to combine the universality of the Catholic Church, the international character of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, who sponsor Ancilla College, and the Earth Charter to promote thinking beyond one’s own experiences and interests.
PAGE 1 | PAGE 2 | PAGE 3 | PAGE 4
|
 |
 |
 |
Sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ