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ERAU Boasting Record Enrollment, Major Construction Projects, Nobel Prize Winning Research

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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s (ERAU) Prescott campus has never been more upward bound, according to President Barry Butler. He reported on the “State of the University” when he visited campus in early October.

Butler, speaking before the ERAU-Prescott Board of Visitors and several administrative officials, emphasized that the university has never been in better shape – academically, financially and reputationally.

Named president in March 2017, Butler is the sixth person to lead ERAU’s multiple campuses. He holds degrees in aeronautical-astronautical and mechanical engineering. Butler emphasized ERAU’s international reputation as a leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics university. “This institution is the unquestioned higher education leader in aerospace education and select areas of research,” he said.

Butler, whose office is on the Daytona Beach campus of ERAU, praised Chancellor Frank Ayers and his administration and faculty at the Prescott campus for leading the way in identifying and recruiting top students.

It was noted that the Prescott campus enrollment was approaching 2,700 when the fall term began in August. That is about an eight percent increase over last year, and represents a growth of more than 1,000 students since 2012.

Overall, counting the cumulative enrollment at the Prescott, Daytona Beach and Worldwide campuses (which are scattered across 33 states and nine countries), current global enrollment numbers 31,000 students.

Earlier, Chancellor Ayers told the same group that financially, the Prescott campus was rock solid in its budget.

Ayers pointed out that in just three years, more than $70 million had been committed to new construction.

Using a PowerPoint presentation, Ayers highlighted these points:

  • The university had received a $700,000 grant to conduct research and develop a program devoted to school security at all levels.
  • Enrollment is expected to increase at the same or higher growth rates in the future.
  • Construction has begun on a $20 million residence hall to meet housing needs of the growing student body.
  • 15 new faculty members have been hired to sustain the university goal of having only 23 or 24 students in a class.
  • Job placement rate for graduating students is at a record high of about 95 percent.
  • The Department of Business is soon to be elevated to a College of Business.

ERAU Students, Faculty Among Those Involved in 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics Research

Ayers made a special point of recognizing faculty and students who were among scientists and researchers who contributed to the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory’s collaborative research.

He mentioned in particular two students, Marek Szczepanczyk and Kiranjyot Jasmine Gill, who were student co-authors of the paper about the historic discovery.

Gill was the only undergraduate involved in the LIGO research. She also was the youngest. She is a physics and particle physics major who plans to become an astronaut. She will receive her degree from ERAU. Currently, she is being recruited by universities around the world to enroll in their graduate programs.

Ayers said that Gill has been called “…the best student scientist in the world…” by world experts, including the three Nobel Prize in Physics winners who were recently announced.

 

ERAU Leadership Predicts Continued Leadership in Higher Education

Butler and Ayers concluded their State of the University comments by discussing future strategic themes for the institution.

Specifically, they cited those programs and curricula where the university will excel. Among them were those emphasizing aerospace, aeronautics, aviation, cybersecurity and intelligence, engineering, science, business, unmanned aerial systems, aviation safety and other related disciplines.

Ayers pointed out that 80 regional, national and international companies, corporations and governmental agencies had been on campus for a job fair.

“These recruiters are from some of the biggest organizations in the world – Microsoft, Amazon, Intel – and of course, major industries directly involved in aviation and aerospace. They want our students,” Ayers said. QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN

Photo by Ray Newton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ERAU Student Selected to Golf in World University Games

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Being selected as one of only two American golfers for the second largest amateur athletic event – The World University Games (WUG) – was “…the biggest honor I’ve ever received,” said Matt Andrews, a junior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott.

Andrews, from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and his teammate, Dylan Rottner from Fort Worth, Texas, were picked from among thousands of college and university golfers across the country to represent the United States at the WUG in Taipei, China in late August.

“All of us at the university are so proud of him and excited that he had this opportunity to represent himself, Embry-Riddle and his country at this world competition – second only to the Olympics,” said Andrews’ mentor, ERAU head golf coach Kim Haddow.

More than 10,000 athletes representing 170 University Sports Federations throughout the world had students at the games. About 450 American athletes competed in more than 20 events.

Andrews is a junior mechanical engineering student. He was named the Cleveland Golf/Srixon All American Scholar of the year. He also was named an NAIA All Scholar Athlete because of his academic achievements as well as being named the Cal Pac Conference golf champion for the second consecutive year.

Haddow says Andrews has been a leader both academically and athletically at ERAU since his freshman year and a role model for both the men’s and women’s golf team. QCBN

 

By Ray Newton, QCBN

Photo caption:

#1-4     ERAU head golf coach Kim Haddow calls Matt Andrews a leader as an athlete and student.

Photo by Ray Newton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ERAU Book Drive Rebuilding Library Destroyed by ISIS

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It is not unusual for honor organizations to have charitable projects. But a project that is 7,300 miles and two continents away?

The Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University chapter of the National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is conducting a book drive to help rebuild a once spacious and internationally renowned central university library that was destroyed by ISIS terrorists in June 2014.

To date, hundreds of books have been collected and will be sorted and sent to Mosul, Iraq by the ERAU honor society.

For example, the Prescott Habitat for Humanity ReStore contributed hundreds of books, which will go overseas. “What a tremendous way for people in the Quad Cities area, through our Habitat store, to help those unfortunate victims who have had their educational opportunities taken away,” said ReStore Manager Patrick Holt.

Another major contributor was Prescott Valley resident Marilyn Wall. She is the wife of the late Douglas J. Wall, a former ERAU board member and the attorney who negotiated the sale of the Prescott campus in 1977 to Jack R. Hunt, who was president of the Dayton Beach, Florida, ERAU campus. Wall also was later the president of the Arizona Board of Regents, the governing body for the three state universities.

“I and members of my family, who so believe in education, are honored to be a part of something an organization at ERAU is doing to benefit those who lost their educational resources.”

She contributed dozens of books from their professional and personal library.

Books in Any Language, Genre Accepted

One of the drive organizers, James Gulliksen, a graduating ERAU senior with a degree in Global Security and Intelligence Studies, says the United Nations considers the sacking of the vast Mosul facilities to be “…one of the most devastating acts of destruction of a library collection in human history.”

Thus, the ERAU Honors Students Association is collecting books of any language and any genre to send.

Those who would like to donate books can take them to three drop-off locations at ERAU: the ground floor under the stairs of Hazy Library, the Student Union front door area or the first floor of the Academic Complex near the center of campus.

Large donations of books that need to be picked up can contact Gulliksen at gullksj@my.erau.edu to make such arrangements.

Assisting with the charitable project is the ERAU Honors Student Association, coordinated by Dr. Anne Boettcher, director of the Undergraduate Research Institute and Honors Program. Boettcher also is president of the local Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society chapter.

Financial contributions to help cover costs of shipping the books to Iraq may contact Dr. Jonathan Gallimore at gallimoj@erau.edu or 928-77-3941.

The ERAU chapter of Phi Kappa Phi belongs to the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. It was installed last November following a rigorous review of the university academic program to ascertain that it met and exceeded stringent academic standards.

Membership, by invitation only, is extended only to the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors. Top graduate students may also qualify, as well as faculty, professional staff and alumni who have attained scholarly distinction. QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN

Photo Captions:

Prescott Habitat for Humanity ReStore Manager Patrick Holt helped Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students Jonathan Strang, a sophomore from San Antonio, Texas, and Chace Carlson, a senior from Snoqualmie, Washington, load hundreds of books contributed from Habitat bookshelves. The books will be sent from ERAU to Mosul, Iraq, to help restock a formerly world-class library that was destroyed in 2014 by ISIS terrorists.

Photo by Ray Newton

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defining a Cultural Shift in Education

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Technology integrates everyday life, transforming the way people learn, adapt, create solutions and work together. As education continues to prepare children to achieve the American dream, digital innovations inspire problem solving through iterative and collaborative learning.

Today’s students represent “a generation of kids who don’t know that the world existed before Google, laptops, smart phones and tablets; when the world did not have WiFi,” said Jaime Casap of Google for Education, who spoke recently at a Prescott Valley Economic Development Foundation meeting. “This generation has a different expectation of technology and the Internet because of the world they grew up in. I’m not saying it’s better, just different. We need to recognize that kids are learning differently — not better or worse — but differently. The world has gone global, social, visual and technological.”

Relaying an international sentiment that education changes families’ destinies, Casap acknowledged learning as the source of the nation’s superpower status and the springboard for his own career success. Now, that same opportunity for people to accomplish what they want in life requires what he labels a culture shift in education.

“We no longer live in a world where the education system has served us well,” Casap said. “We are not a manufacturing economy anymore. We are a connected, global-based economy. What are the right educational models we need for that? Let’s take the best ways we know and bring education to the next level.”

Anticipating one million computer science jobs in the country in the next 10 years, Casap identifies a vast gap between demand and supply. He debunks the myth that computer science “is hard to do or that you need 17 levels of math to know how to do it…It’s going to be part of everything.”

While Arizona turned out 484 computer science graduates in 2014, he noted, the number of open jobs in the field now totals nearly 9,700 statewide. That is despite an average annual salary of $85,000, nearly double what graduates earn on average with other degrees.

“Nine of 10 parents want their kids studying computer science, but only one in four schools in the U.S. offers any kind of computer science at all,” Casap stated. “Then, there’s the boy versus girl issue. There’s a definite disproportionate number of boys doing computer science than girls. And we have more girls. Sixteen percent of the programmers at Google are female. We need to find ways to encourage girls to get more involved in science and computer science as well.”

Technological advancement has been part of education for years. Motion pictures and television each revolutionized the way people have been taught. The difference now, according to Casap, is the pervasiveness of technology in daily life and the availability of research collected over the past 10 years.

Economists worldwide have been asked about skills needed in a technical world, Casap said, and “the most fascinating thing is not fascinating at all. It’s the same list that has always been around.” That list contains problem solving, teamwork, communications, critical thinking, creativity, literacy, leadership, foreign languages and emotional intelligence.

“It really gets to the ‘soft’ skills,” said Dan Streeter, superintendent of Humboldt Unified School District (HUSD). Streeter stressed the importance of these “transferrable” skills in the 21st Century workforce, in addition to subject mastery and global engagement.

Computer coding is taught at HUSD’s K-12 schools and the district also is beginning a two-year roll-out of a computer science program at Bradshaw Mountain High School, Streeter said. Through the Mountain Institute Joint Technical Education District, students can graduate high school with an A+ Computer Certification.

“Subject mastery is important, but we need to go beyond that to what students need to be successful in a time when such a rapid pace of change is occurring,” Streeter explained. “Our district’s teachers have been focused on problem-based learning. They are working with rubrics that help critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication. Kids are having an opportunity to tap into things that they are passionate about. And we know that is a motivator for any of us. So a final grade is not just given to a student based on a product, but there now is a focus on the process that got us to that product.”

Rather than asking young people what they want to be when they grow up, Casap suggests inquiring about the problem they wish to solve. “It doesn’t have to be a global problem. It doesn’t have to be world hunger. It could be how to make carts go faster or make quieter blenders. What do we need to learn to solve that problem? Who is solving that problem today and what did they learn? Who can collaborate to solve that problem? Where can you take classes to solve that problem? Who is following it on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook? What videos and documents? You could go on and on, because you have the world at your fingertips.”

 

The focus on problem solving “gets closer to what motivation is – purpose, autonomy, mastery,” Casap said. “Information has no value. It’s a commodity. What is important is how to use it.”

 

When Google evaluates leadership skills, Casap added, “We mean, ‘Can you build consensus? Can you influence? Can you follow when someone else takes the lead?’ It’s a collaborative world… Whatever you build gets better when put in front of someone else… The world operates on a global scale… Real collaboration is the ability to ask good questions, change your mind and build consensus.”

Streeter described a “mindset out there about the need for educational reforms. It’s important that we come to an understanding that education itself is not broken. The world is changing. It’s not about ‘reforming’ education; it’s about ‘transforming’ education.”

Casap agreed. “At the end of the day, nothing is more important than that we have great teachers in our classrooms, and the tools they need and [that] they have the space and autonomy to teach and experiment. The future classroom starts on Monday. It’s the next step, the next iteration, the next measure. The model is always building, always changing, always getting better. We use technology, use the Internet, use our best powers of what good education looks like and constantly innovate. Transformation has no end point. It’s just constant iteration. We are just getting started… We can do it inside our normal K-12 systems.”

 

The labor force is moving from “manual to cerebral,” according to Richard Heath, executive director at the Northern Arizona University Campus in Prescott Valley. Opportunity exists for learners to “take advantage of all that is out there… You can’t put the genie back in the bottle.” QCBN

By Sue Marceau, QCBN

ERAU Annual Economic Impact Measured in the Millions

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erauA jaw-dropping economic impact estimated at more than $214 million annually in Yavapai County? And $278 million in Arizona? All because of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University?

That was the response by some who first heard the results of an economic impact study about ERAU’s Prescott campus. Such findings were revealed in a research report called, “Comprehensive Economic Impact of ERAU Operations in Florida, Arizona and the Counties Served by the Institution.”

Leaders at the world’s largest fully accredited university in aviation and aerospace education decided a couple of years ago to commission the independent economic impact study by Washington Economic Group, Inc., a Florida consulting firm with almost a quarter-century of experience.

Results were released in this summer and data reveal ERAU has a significant impact through six main activities:

  • Daily operation expenses, including payroll, utility expenses and aircraft operating expenses
  • Capital projects, including the completion of new facilities such as a 264- bed residence hall valued at $18 million, and a currently under construction STEM Education Center (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) valued at $22 million
  • Student living expenditures
  • Out-of-town visitor expenditures
  • Additional earnings of ERAU alumni living in the area
  • Revenues from worldwide campuses – 125 of them – where ERAU helps provide instruction.

Rodney Cruise, ERAU vice president for administration, (whose office is at the campus in Daytona Beach, Florida), says the study has been many months in the making, for it details economic impacts of both the Arizona and Florida campuses.

In Prescott, ERAU Chief Financial Officer David Hall says study results may be conservative, because campus enrollments and overall campus growth in this area have increased significantly in the past couple of years.

 

Campus Growth Has Dynamic Financial Impact

Among the positive economic indicators, Hall provided these details about campus growth and its impact:

  • The number of employees paid through by university is up from 399 in 2014 to 500 in 2016.
  • Nearly 200 Employees on campus because of contracted service such as Sodexo Food Service, Universal Helicopter, Follett Higher Education Services (bookstore, technology services and school supplies.
  • Student enrollment has been on the rise. Since last year, enrollment is up almost nine percent: 2,447 students in 2015, compared to 2,050 in 2014.
  • With the new residence hall, 1,186 students live on campus while others live with families, or rent homes or apartments in the Quad Cities area.
  • Tuition revenue is $80 million in 2016, up from $55.5 in 2014.

 

“A major source of money that has a direct impact on our local and Arizona economy is a direct result of out-of-town visitors who come to campus,” said Hall. “Our fall and spring graduations bring more than 5,000 visitors to Prescott. Our open houses and parents’ weekends bring an estimated 850 to 900 visitors. And a big source of visitors – the tours by prospective students and their parents – we estimate that to be about 4,500 or so annually.”

The WEG report also points out that jobs created because of ERAU have a direct impact of an estimated 1,567 jobs and an in direct impact of another 941 jobs in Arizona.

ERAU’s economic impact includes tax contributions and fees estimated at $27.5 million in just Yavapai County.

In addition, ERAU supports five industries that have been designated by the Arizona Commerce Authority as target businesses for growth. They are Aerospace and Defense, Semiconductor, Bioscience, Optics and Renewable Energy.

“We at the university are committed to working with local and state business and governmental leaders to be certain we are doing our part to contribute to the overall economy of Arizona. Certainly, this is true in Prescott. I think the results of the economic impact study demonstrate that commitment,” said ERAU Chancellor Frank Ayers. “I’d also add that the fact that we are consistently ranked as one of the top 100 places in Arizona to work shows our ongoing commitment to quality of life for our faculty, staff, students and the greater community.” QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Chief Financial Officer David Hall and Chancellor Frank Ayers say the economic impact report demonstrates that the university is a positive force in Yavapai County and Arizona.

Photo by Ray Newton

 

 

Fast-Track Management Courses Offered

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fast-trackYavapai College’s Fast-Track Management Program has late-start courses geared toward working adults for professional development beginning Oct. 17. Students can take one course or earn a Management Certificate with eight courses, build managerial skills, confidence and professional recognition with the Yavapai College Management Certificate program. Online courses in a seven-week format with optional on-campus sessions are provided. The program is accredited, and costs $237 per course. Employer partnerships are also available with courses taught on-site at the workplace for employee professional development. For more information contact Dr. Joy D’Angelo, Program Director at 928.776.2343, joy.dangelo@yc.edu

Emphasis on NAU Expansion of Programs to Meet Student and Employer Needs

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yavapaiNAUCiting recent empirical research results, Northern Arizona University President

Rita Hartung Cheng received enthusiastic response as she announced that the university would aggressively expand its program offerings at the NAU-Yavapai campus in Prescott Valley.

Cheng presented study results to the Prescott Valley Town Council in a meeting on Aug. 18.

“As you can see, we are investing more in our Prescott and Prescott Valley presence. Earlier today, we formally opened our new NAU Visitor and Outreach Center located in the heart of the entertainment district. But more important, we are ready for more students, enhanced degree options and even stronger cooperation with this council and other partners in Yavapai County.”

Cheng, now in her second year as president at NAU, continued, “This community is a critical center of Arizona’s workforce and economy. We are proud that NAU can be your partner. Almost 5,000 NAU graduates currently live in Yavapai County, and more than 1,000 students from the county are enrolled at NAU right now.”

From 2010 to 2014, some 924 Yavapai County students received bachelor’s degrees from NAU.

“We’re proud of this progress, but we’re just getting started,” she said. “Our cooperation with business and community leaders, coupled with support of this council, is opening more opportunities for Yavapai County residents of all ages.”

She also affirmed that the university would go beyond academic programs for the benefit of the community. She said that NAU wanted to join with the community in supporting the arts, cultural events and sports programs.

She specifically noted that the NAU IceJack hockey team would play six hockey games in the Prescott Valley Event Center this season.

Cheng stressed that decisions about what courses to offer should be based upon quantitative research not speculation. She said data collected helps the university make solid decisions.

“Local employers told us that NAU is a valuable asset to the community,” she said. “We want our degrees to fit employment opportunities and student demand, and our research provided those insights.”

“I am so glad this expansion is happening,” said Prescott Valley Mayor Harvey Skoog. “It’s one of the greatest assets this community and the greater community can have – a genuinely solid university program that meets student and employer needs.”

“More health care training is needed, especially in registered nursing, to meet the demands of a market with a growing retiree population and diverse medical needs,” said Cheng.

She also noted that there are educational opportunities in finance, accounting and education.

“Employers encouraged us to provide more ‘soft skills’ in programs, so that students will graduate with strong communication and team-building abilities as well as technical and academic expertise. Industry leaders tell us there is room for more student internships, too. We also have more opportunity for providing training that qualifies for certificates rather than bachelor’s degrees.”

Cheng cited existing relationships with several Quad Cities-based groups such as Yavapai Regional Medical Center, Prescott Unified School District, Humboldt Unified School District and Yavapai College.

“We have opportunities for new partnerships. The Mountain Institute JTED is interested in 2+2+2 programs that will align their students with Yavapai College and NAU and create new learning pathways. Local employers, too, expressed interest in providing NAU students with valuable internship experience,” she said.

Medical programs are receiving special emphasis in the expansion mode. NAU is offering training services to OB delivery nurses, and is providing one of NAU’s birthing simulators to YRMC so its staff can provide its own regular training sessions.

Cheng said the university would work with Yavapai College to adopt a concurrent nursing program to streamline the path to an NAU bachelor’s degree in nursing. “This is a proposal that the Arizona State Board of Nursing is expected to consider in the near future. The Arizona Nursing Association has adopted a goal of having 80 percent of Arizona nurses with a bachelor’s degree by 2020, and we’re ready to be a partner in that effort to strengthen education of healthcare professionals.”

Arizona Governor Ducey recently named Cheng to the State Board of Education, and she said she was eager to work with Yavapai County Superintendent of School Tim Carter, who has been a member of the State Board of Education for several months.

“We’re taking a fresh look at our service to local school districts,” she said. “We are prioritizing the expansion of our faculty on the ground here in Yavapai County.”

“Being able to have NAU provide higher education degree opportunities for our youngsters so that they don’t have to leave the community will make a major difference in the quality of life we already enjoy,” said Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Marnie Uhl.

“I look forward to the future growth of our partnership with NAU. All of us are going to benefit,” said Yavapai College President Penny Wills. QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN

 

Photo by Ray Newton

ERAU Business Students Shine Among Nation’s Brightest

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studdsQuad Cities businesses or organizations looking for exceptional business talent do not have to look far. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) business students have proven themselves again, coming out on top in the prestigious National Leadership Conference competition, and demonstrating why recruiters come to campus to search for talent.

In performances that pitted ERAU against other top national business schools including Harvard and Duke, three ERAU students – juniors Adin Herzog and Jacob Burl, and senior Andre Lamunyon – won first place nationally in the Economic Analysis and Decision Making category.

“I’m particularly thrilled at our incredible first place finish as well as the other impressive Top 10 finishes our students had,” said ERAU Business Department Chair Robin Sobotta, Ph.D. “This level of performance confirms the high quality of our students, the strength of our business program, and the amazing capability and dedication of our faculty.”

Sobotta also praised the other ERAU students who competed in 17 events and placed in the top 10 or better in eight of those events and in the top 15 in four others.

In addition to the first place finish, ERAU students placed nationally in the following categories:

  • Computer Applications – 3rd
  • International Business – 3rd
  • Forensic Accounting – 4th
  • Accounting Professionals – 6th
  • Strategic Analysis and Decision Making – 7th
  • Cyber Security – 8th
  • Business Law – 9th
  • Accounting Analysis and Decision Making – top 15
  • Business Decision Making – top 15
  • Financial Analysis and Decision Making – top 15
  • Hospitality Management – top 15

Sobotta said of the award winners, “This is an extraordinary accomplishment. Hundreds of notable universities sent their best and brightest students to this competition. Despite the fierce intensive testing, our students performed admirably in a broad variety of rigorous business categories.”

In addition to the tests, students participated in interactive workshops and networking experiences with major business and corporate organizations.

Accompanying the students to Atlanta were Cindy Greenman, Ph.D., program chair; and Katie Green, college adviser. Joining them when they arrived was Christian Llosa, an ERAU graduate who is an executive with Delta Airlines-Air Cargo division.

Sobotta says that the PBL National Leadership Conference is an annual event with the purpose of bringing business and education together in a positive working relationship.

 

ERAU Students are Winners

Before venturing to Atlanta to compete for national honors, the 2016 PBL team was the overwhelming winner at the PBL State Leadership Conference in April. Competing in 48 individual and team events, 40 students compiled an exceptional 43 first-place finishes and the largest number of total awards (88) of all those higher education institutions attending.

Among competitors were students from Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, Eastern Arizona College, Phoenix College and others from throughout Arizona.

ERAU chancellor Frank Ayers had nothing but praise for business faculty, who “…foster a spirit of excellence and who support the amazing students at the state competition.”

Since the ERAU business club was established in 2004, the PBL has won 10 straight state competitions in Arizona.

It has competed in four prior national conferences.

“We are very proud of our young people,” said Ayers. “In the end, these students can apply what they have learned to any business-based situation or problem and be assured of success.”

The competition was sponsored by Future Leaders of America. QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN

Photo by Cindy Greenman, courtesy ERAU

 

 

 

 

 

 

Garden Party Grows Support for Education

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partayAmidst perennials and pine trees, Watters Garden Center was the scene of a lively auction that raised funds for the Prescott Unified School District summer math and reading programs. Watters owner and Prescott Frontier Rotary Club member Ken Lain says the club brought in $36,000 at the annual Grapes 4 Grades party through donations, sponsorships, ticket sales and the auction on Sunday, June 26.

“Lisa and I look for ways to give back to our community and a garden party is a natural extension of the energy of our Rotary club,” said Lain. “We give heavily through our church and through our business here at Watters Garden Center, but with Rotary we have a direct global impact, and we see the difference.”

Nearly 300 business owners and residents attended the wine-tasting and fundraising event. “This, our 11th year, was our most successful Grapes 4 Grades yet,” said Pinon Realty owner and broker Mary Fusinski, a Rotary member and Grapes 4 Grades co-chair. “The community was truly amazing. Local businesses as well as businesses from outside the area – including from the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff and Laughlin, Nevada – supported the event because the funds support our children. People were leaving saying, ‘We can’t wait until next year!’”

Among the auction items were a flight simulation, furniture, artwork and resort getaways donated by local businesses. A Watters Garden Center landscaping package brought in the highest bid at more than $1,500.

“The idea of a wine tasting was novel back in 2004, and has it ever grown!” said Rex Townsend, Rotary president and Farmers Insurance owner. “The community has rallied around the ideas of Rotary as a community service club and the ideals of ‘Service above Self’ and supporting our local school children.”

“I’ve been reading to the kids during their summer program for more than 20 years now and see the direct result Rotary is having,” said local radio station owner Sanford Cohen.

Prescott Frontier Rotary also supports the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp, where high school students who demonstrate leadership skills are granted scholarships to the camp and trained by local business leaders so they will be prepared to have a positive influence in the community.

“At our core, Rotary stands for world peace through international student exchanges, making sure polio is gone as a threat globally, with a new directive of clean drinking water for the planet,” said Dr. Steve Meyers, a Rotary member. “With 1.6 million members serving in 33,000 clubs in every country in the world, Rotary can impact global issues like these.”

The Prescott Frontier Rotary meets at noon every Tuesday at Casa Bonita, 1317 E Gurley St. in Prescott. “I invite like-minded business leaders to join us,” said Lain. “We learn about our community, receive global updates and find ways to serve beyond ourselves.” 

For more information, visit www.PrescottFrontierRotary.com or call 603-496-5809.

By Bonnie Stevens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo caption:

Steve Sischka, owner of Olsens grain stores, served as emcee for Grapes 4 Grades, as Ken Lain of Watters Garden Center made guests feel welcome.

Courtesy photo

 

Photo caption: (photo in Dropbox)

Windermere realtor and associate broker Heidi Marshall and Sandy Griffis, executive director for Yavapai County Contractors Association, were among the nearly 300 guests supporting local students at the fundraising event.

Photo by Bonnie Stevens

 

 

 

 

NAU Emphasizing Commitment, Presence in Prescott Valley

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kuhjNew and returning students will find several changes at the Northern Arizona University regional campus in Prescott Valley when classes begin Aug. 29.

NAU President Rita Hartung Cheng recently announced that the university not only will continue but also will enhance its commitment to Prescott Valley’s Strategic Economic Development plan focusing on business development, education and workforce development.

Cheng said that NAU would expand its outreach, recruitment and market research in Yavapai County. “Efforts will include market research in partnership with the City of Prescott Valley to review current area job openings, employer needs and expansion opportunities,” she explained. She also mentioned developing more public-private partnerships.

The guaranteed tuition rate of $5,842 this coming year is especially appealing to degree-seeking students. That is considered the best university tuition in Arizona for full-time students, according to Jeri Dennis, the regional campus program coordinator.

In contrast, at the main campus of the three state universities, tuition for fall 2016 will be as follows for new students: Arizona State University, Tempe $10,640; Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff $10,764; University of Arizona, Tucson $11,769.

Tuition for out-of-state or international students is significantly higher.

Dennis said a major benefit for NAU-Yavapai students is that they can finish a complete bachelor’s degree in just three years because of the carefully structured, flexible degree plans. She has been with NAU for 16 years.

Another example of expansion and more visibility for NAU will be the NAU Visitor’s Center. It officially opened July 1. It is located in the heart of the Entertainment District, just across from Harkins Theatre.

The Visitor’s Center is open Monday through Saturday, with NAU staff providing programmatic and curricular advice about the university programs not just in Yavapai County but also the entire university system.

In addition, it contains a contracted bookstore, merchandise and learning resource marketplace, which is open to the general public.

Students who transfer into the NAU program from Yavapai College have the benefit of having their college academic credits transferred without penalty.

Cheng says that the university values its ongoing partnership with Yavapai College and is excited about expanding opportunities in Prescott Valley and Yavapai County.

In mid-June, at an Arizona Board of Regents meeting in Flagstaff, Cheng told ABOR members, “We know that the opportunity we provide in smaller communities around the state has a big impact. Our graduates in these communities provide vital economic stability and service, and serve as champions for other seeking expanding learning opportunities.”

Recently, she emphasized that enrollment growth, increased research funds and the meeting of a $100 million fundraising campaign goal had attracted positive attention throughout Arizona.

 

Cheng Praises Past NAU Regional Leadership, Seeking Applicants For New Executive Director

Cheng praised the leadership efforts of Dr. Susan Johnstad, who since 2010 has guided what was once a fledgling program with only 12 students into a major player in higher education in the Quad Cities and central Arizona communities.

Johnstad, an NAU administrator since 2003, was charged with developing the regional campus in Prescott Valley beginning six years ago.

“Seeing the transformation from a start-up program to what we have now has been challenging, yet gratifying,” said Johnstad. “And it is going to keep expanding, given the visionary leadership President Cheng is providing.”

Johnstad, who earned her doctorate at the University of Indiana, recalls when just a handful of faculty taught a slightly larger handful of students a few years ago. Now, the regional campus has 10 full-time and 20 part-time and adjunct faculty. More than 150 students have received degrees and are now finding good jobs or attending graduate school.

“We’re enrolling quite a few military vets, too – highly motivated people who want to earn their degrees and get going without being deeply in debt,” she said.

 

Degree Programs Are Innovative, Challenging

In the past six years, the NAU Regional Campus has expanded to offer “…innovative degrees which focus on developing real world skill for the current job market,” Johnstad said.

She explained the bachelor of arts degrees offered included the following:

  • Applied Human Behavior—exploring human development, relationships and communities;
  • Community Development and Sustainability—focusing upon addressing dynamic social, economic and environmental issues while at the same time protecting community resources;
  • Entrepreneurship—developing management and economic skills to innovate, plan, launch and grow both new and established organizations;
  • Service Management and Leadership—learning what it takes for leadership roles in service economics such as sales and marketing, hospitality and tourism, and technology and consulting.

Program coordinator Dennis explained she especially liked the creative and entrepreneurial spirit that characterize the campus and the students. “The faculty and staff are definitely student-oriented. We enjoy our work and the students daily. We’re going to miss Susan, but we know we’ll be entering a new era of expansion.”

Johnstad, who is the assistant vice president and campus executive officer, is accepting a new administrative role at NAU. She will relocate to the NAU North Valley campus in Phoenix, where she will be the associate vice president for online and statewide programs for Extended Campuses.

Cheng indicated a national search is currently underway to fill the executive director position in Prescott Valley. She indicated the community would be included in selecting a leader for the vacancy. QCBN

 By Ray Newton, QCBN

More information about Northern Arizona University-Yavapai is available by visiting the campus office at 7351 E. Civic Circle, Prescott Valley; or by calling 928-775-4567 or online at yavapai.nau.edu.

 

Photo by Ray Newton