Student Appreciation Day, "Catch-Up Day," and Open House event make a busy week

With Student Appreciation Day, "Catch-Up Day," and the Third Annual PTC Open House all taking place within two days, PTC students, staff and faculty are wrapping up a particularly busy week.

On Tues., the PTC Student Senate sponsored and hosted the College's first-ever Student Appreciation Day. The day's activities included a free lunch of grilled brats and dogs served by President Musgrove and Dean of Student Affairs Nancy Mach, followed by Wii bowling and karaoke at Wagon Master's Eatery in downtown Pine City. More than 100 students participated in the luncheon, and more than 40 students and staff followed the party to Wagon Master's including President Musgrove and other administrators.

"Student Appreciation Day is a way for staff, faculty and the Student Senate to show and remind all PTC students they are appreciated," Student Senate Vice President Amanda Spencer said. "And, it comes so on time -- right at the mid-term and right when we can use a good party!" Spencer added.

Wed. brought "Catch-Up Day," and the Third Annual PTC Open House. Catch-Up Day, a day for students to catch up with their tutors and advisors, is a day built into the Academic Calendar -- a planned day with no classes. Staff rewarded students "caught" studying on every half-hour with a prize. Prizes given out included imprinted PTC mugs and bookbags.


Photo: President Musgrove and Dean of Student Affairs Nancy Mach serve food in the Student Lounge during Catch-Up Day.

The annual open house event kicked off at 5 p.m. on Wed., and featured "PTC mini-movies" in the auditorium with old-fashioned popcorn. All faculty members and advisors were on hand to show off classrooms and labs and answer questions about enrollment, programs, different degrees and career options. The event was open to the public, and nearly 150 were in attendance.


Photo: The Third Annual PTC Open House saw a record turnout.

"Catch-Up Day" coming Oct. 28

The Pine Technical College academic calendar lists Wed. Oct. 28 as "Student Advising Day," but this year, there's a new twist on the mid-term tradition.

"We've always scheduled a day for student advising, and it typically lands right around the mid-term," Dean of Student Affairs Nancy Mach said. "It's a day where students catch up with their advisors and a day where students catch up with their tutors, plus they can catch study tips and test-taking tips via special workshops or sessions on this day. Therefore, we're calling it 'Catch-Up Day!'" Mach explained.

Catch-Up Day events will start at 9 a.m. Although the day is not a mandatory day for students, all staff, faculty and advisors will be on hand. Catch-Up Day will lead seamlessly into the scheduled evening event, the College's Third Annual Open House, beginning at 5 p.m.

Clever PTC staffers will be serving free food with ketchup throughout Catch-Up Day, and prizes will be awarded every half-hour for students "caught" studying. For more information regarding the day's schedule of events, call 320-629-5100.

Pine Technical College receives 300K grant

The Department of Education awarded Pine Technical College a $300,000 grant in October, 2009 to be used for the creation of an engaging computer game to support learners in developmental math.

John Heckman, Director of the Johnson Center for Simulation at Pine Technical College, is partnering with the Northeast Higher Education District and Mesabi Range Community and Technical College to bring the project to fruition. Heckman will guide the project’s technical development while NEHED, MRCTC and PTC will provide subject matter expertise.

"A big challenge for many people entering the world of higher education is that meeting the mathematics requirements can be very difficult," Heckman said. "Most new students need remedial coursework to prepare for intermediate and college algebra," Heckman added.

Heckman indicates it will take about three years to complete the project, though some sections of the game may be ready for testing by next fall.

The U.S. Department of Education awarded $11.25 million in grants for 29 projects. The grants are to benefit displaced and under-employed workers pursuing degrees or credentials in community or technical colleges, and its funded projects focus on preparing adult learners with marketable skills and knowledge to address employer needs in high-growth occupations.

"A relatively small number of grants were awarded, and ours was the only one in Minnesota," Heckman noted.

Pine Technical College to host Open House event

Pine Technical College will host Set Your Career in Motion: Third Annual Open House, Wed. Oct. 28, 5 to 8 p.m. at the College. The event is open to current and prospective students and their families, business and industry partners, PTC Foundation donors and the public. In its third year, the event is predicted to draw about 100 attendees.

"This is anyone and everyone’s chance to tour the College, meet instructors, talk to advisors and College administrators, and get valuable program and career counseling on the spot," said Nancy Mach, Dean of Student Affairs. "It’s not to be missed!" Mach added.

Set Your Career in Motion: Third Annual Open House will be held at Pine Technical College, 900 Fourth St. SE, Pine City. Refreshments will be served, and valuable door prizes will be given to several lucky winners.

"We host the event to showcase how important and attainable higher education is," said Dani Chandonnet, Director of Admissions. "On top of that, this is the College’s chance to tour its equipped labs and classrooms, and to introduce our knowledgeable and helpful faculty and staff members to students, new students and their families and friends," Chandonnet added.

Chemistry class plays ball

Students in Chemistry instructor Alexis Grinde's CHEM 1250, Principles of Chemistry I, made their own bouncing polymer balls using borax, glue, cornstarch, water and a few other materials, to gain an understanding of how differing chemical compositions affect the bounciness of the polymer balls as well as other characteristics.

Balls have been toys practically forever, but the bouncing ball is a more recent innovation. Bouncing balls were originally made of natural rubber, though now bouncing balls can be made of plastics and other polymers or even treated leather.

The bouncing ball in Grinde's chemistry lab is made from a polymer. Polymers are molecules made up of repeating chemical units. Glue contains the polymer polyvinyl acetate (PVA), which cross-links to itself when reacted with borax.




Photos: Chemistry students make bouncing polymer balls in the lab.

PTC's "roadshow" is a hit

Pine Technical College admissions staff has been traveling and representing PTC at various college fairs and public events; the "PTC roadshow" has increased the College's visibility and reach. You might have seen us at any of these events in September or October:

• College Fair at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College at Rice Lake;
• College Fair at Forest Lake High School;
• College Fair at the Pine City armory;
• National College Fair at the Minneapolis Convention Center, a two-day event;
• Guest presenting at the Hinckley Job Club;
• Guest presenting at the Chisago City Job Club;
• Guest presenting at the Milaca Job Club.

Or, catch the PTC roadshow at any of these upcoming events:

• College Fair at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College, Oct. 19;
• College Fair at St. Francis High School, Oct. 22;
• College Fair at Cambridge-Isanti High School, Oct. 23.