For its exemplary community service projects over the past year, the Bellevue College chapter of Rotaract received a Rotary International Changemaker Award at Rotary’s District 5030 conference in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho recently. It’s the first time any Rotaract chapter has received a Rotary award in district history.

Eileen Cho, president of the chapter and a student at Bellevue College, said: “It’s a huge honor. This award really capped a hugely successful year, where we helped a lot of people.” Rotaract, part of Rotary International, is a leadership and community service organization for students and young professionals.

The 40 active members of BC’s chapter organized several projects to benefit communities in foreign countries. Most recently, they collected 300 pounds of donations, including school and art supplies, clothes, soccer balls and other items, which were handed out to needy Peruvian children by six members who traveled to the country. They also spent time on the trip painting buildings at schools and orphanages.

Earlier this year, club members staged a bake sale that raised money for “End Polio Now,” Rotary’s polio eradication program. The money, which was matched by the Bellevue Rotary Club, went to vaccinate children. Also this past year, members collected food for local food banks and volunteered to help athletes train for the Special Olympics.

On May 8 and 10, the club will hold another bake sale to raise money for mosquito nets for several villages in Papua New Guinea, helping to prevent malaria. Another upcoming fundraiser hopes to raise $750 to purchase backpacks, walking sticks, school supplies, vitamin supplements and textbooks for blind children in Nepal. And the club organized an event called “The Ability Experience,” to be held May 17-18 on campus, that seeks to educate students and the public about global health and disability issues.

For more information, check out the club’s latest video at http://vimeo.com/39957928, or visit its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/rotaractatbc.

“On behalf of everyone at the college and the Foundation, we sincerely thank all those who gave so generously, making this year’s luncheon a huge success. The support we received will have a tangible and beneficial impact by helping many deserving students complete their education, giving them a shot at better-paying jobs and a better quality of life for themselves and their families,” said Bill Kent, an executive with Mortenson Construction and president of the Foundation’s board.

A roster of 30 businesses, led by primary corporate sponsor Columbia Athletic Clubs, underwrote the luncheon’s entire cost, allowing every dollar given by guests to support Bellevue College students.

Ronan Farrow, special advisor to the U.S. Secretary of State for Global Youth Issues and director of the State Department’s Global Youth Issues office, and son of director Woody Allen and actress Mia Farrow, gave the keynote address. Additionally, several Bellevue College students in difficult financial circumstances spoke about how scholarships, made possible by generous donors, enabled them to stay in school and flourish in their classes.

Directed by a board of 30 community volunteers, the Bellevue College Foundation is a non-profit organization that receives and manages individual and corporate support on behalf of Bellevue College. It awards more than $100,000 annually in merit- and need-based scholarships and, since its inception in 1978, has raised more than $20 million to support scholarships and program enhancements at the college.

About Bellevue College: Chosen by 38,000 students last year, Bellevue College (BC) is one of the largest educational institutions in Washington State. BC offers associate degree programs covering the first two years of a college education as well as four-year bachelor’s degrees, certificates and continuing education programs in more than 90 professional and technical fields, such as information technology, telecommunications, business, education, health and public safety.

Following the lecture, Swedish Medical Center will host a reception featuring “Ask a Doc,” where doctors will be available to answer health-related questions.

DeGaetano, founder and CEO of the Parent Coaching Institute, has appeared on “The Today Show” and NPR’s “Fresh Air,” and has been featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. She is a best-selling author of several books, including the acclaimed “Parenting Well in a Media Age” and regularly conducts trainings for school districts, social service agencies and parent/community organizations throughout the world.

The event will take place Thursday, April 19 at 7 p.m. in the Carlson Theater on the college’s campus, located at 3000 Landerholm Circle SE in Bellevue. Tickets can be purchased before the event for $12 by emailing bcspringlecture@gmail.com or $15 at the door. For more information, visit http://bcparents.org/Fundraisers.html.

The scholarships will help parents in financial need attend classes in the college’s Parent Education Program, as well as enroll their children in its cooperative preschool. The program’s offerings teach parenting skills and provide active learning experiences for parents and children that support the development of creativity, literacy and other essential skills.

About Bellevue College: Chosen by 38,000 students last year, Bellevue College (BC) is one of the largest educational institutions in Washington State. BC offers associate degree programs covering the first two years of a college education as well as four-year bachelor’s degrees, certificates and continuing education programs in more than 90 professional and technical fields, such as information technology, telecommunications, business, education, health and public safety.

Visit Bellevue College on the web at www.bellevuecollege.edu

“Some of our students can’t afford to get enough to eat every day. This is a simple way for folks to have a healthy lunch and receive help with their studies in a safe, friendly and supportive environment,” said Faisal Jaswal, assistant dean of student programs.

The program began on Feb. 1 and has been serving approximately 60 students every Tuesday and Thursday. Jaswal notes that it’s just one part of a comprehensive resource network available at the college to assist students. This can include referrals for housing, child care, health services and other forms of assistance.

The special dark-roasted blend was created especially for the college. The 12-ounce bags sell for $9.50, and over 450 have been bought to date. Right now, they can be found in the bookstore and coffee shop on campus, and plans are in the works to sell them at outlets in the community.

About Bellevue College: Chosen by 38,000 students last year, Bellevue College (BC) is one of the largest educational institutions in Washington State. BC offers associate degree programs covering the first two years of a college education as well as four-year bachelor’s degrees, certificates and continuing education programs in more than 90 professional and technical fields, such as information technology, telecommunications, business, education, health and public safety.

Visit Bellevue College on the web at www.bellevuecollege.edu

After studying job data and trends, College officials recognized explosive job growth related to the ongoing computerization of medical records and sought to develop an educational program to help graduates land well-paying careers in the field. According to estimates by the American Medical Informatics Association, it will take as many as 200,000 workers to satisfy the projected job market demand, with thousands of positions in Washington State alone.

Graduates of the program can expect to find positions in anything from large hospitals to small physicians’ offices, developing and managing systems to record the vast amounts of electronic health information. The first classes are set to begin fall quarter, September 2012. The college expects to enroll 45 students in the first year, with annual enrollments growing to 90 students by year four.

“This new degree program is another example of how Bellevue College is educating people for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Dr. Kevin McCarthy, dean of Bellevue College’s Health Sciences, Education & Wellness Institute. “We did a lot of homework to identify a field that is going to be in-demand for many years to come. Our efforts are helping residents of our state gain access to affordable education so they can get jobs and progress in their fields, enabling them to better support themselves and their families.” 

The program completed the approval process on Jan. 23 when the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) gave its authorization. It joins two other four-year degrees currently offered at BC: a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Interior Design, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Radiation and Imaging Sciences.

Community colleges like BC have typically offered only two-year degrees and certificates. However, a study by the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Board in 2008 concluded that existing universities could not provide enough graduates with bachelor’s degrees to meet the employment needs of companies and organizations here in Washington. Although no specific plans have been finalized, BC officials are currently studying options for creating additional bachelor’s degree programs in the future.

About Bellevue College: Serving 38,000 students each year, Bellevue College (BC) is the third largest educational institution in Washington State. BC offers associate degree programs covering the first two years of a college education as well as four-year baccalaureate degrees, certificates and continuing education programs in more than 90 professional and technical fields, such as information technology, telecommunications, business, education, health and public safety.

WHEN:  Events take place the week of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, beginning Jan. 16 (see below). On Thursday, Jan. 19, Mr. Harrell will speak twice, at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., with a reception to follow at 12:30 p.m.

WHERE:  Bellevue College’s Carlson Theater (for Jan. 19 event) on Bellevue College’s campus; 3000 Landerholm Circle SE

OF INTEREST:

•  The Thursday event is part of a week-long celebration of Dr. King’s life, beginning with participation by students, faculty and staff in the 30th Annual MLK Rally and March in Seattle, on Monday, Jan. 16.

•  BC is honored to have Seattle City Councilmember, community leader and civil rights champion Bruch Harrell deliver this year’s keynote address on this year’s theme, “Dream with Vision, Live with Purpose,” on Thursday, Jan. 19.

•  Other events include:

o  Seminar titled, “Respect our Rights: Are We Living the MLK dream?” on Tuesday, Jan. 17 in room C130 o  Day of Creative Expression on Wednesday, Jan. 18 in room C130.

o  A Community Potluck and Dance, sponsored by the Black Student Union, will cap the week on Friday, Jan. 20.

•  All events are free and open to the public. For more information on the events, contact BC’s Office of Multicultural Services at (425) 564-4064.

About Bellevue College: Serving 38,000 people each year, Bellevue College (BC) is the third largest educational institution in Washington State. BC offers associate degree programs covering the first two years of a college education as well as four year bachelor’s degrees, certificates and continuing education programs in more than 90 professional and technical fields, such as information technology, telecommunications, business, education, health and public safety.

Visit Bellevue College on the web at www.bellevuecollege.edu

 
Free FedEx at Blue Nile – Order by 12/23 for Christmas delivery!
 As part of the Founding Circle, Bellevue College has the distinction of being the only institution in Washington State to take the lead in making this commitment. The students of Bellevue College made this possible through an initiative that created the Student Environmental Sustainability Fund (SESF). Using a designated student fee, the fund provides resources for environmentally beneficial activities and upgrades on campus. “It’s about what we can do for the college, the community, and the nation as a responsible global citizen,” said Associated Student Government Environmental and Social Responsibility Representative Megan Phan. The college is currently in the midst of a major audit of all lighting, HVAC and water systems to identify opportunities to save resources and money. The audit is being conducted through the State Energy Savings Performance Contracting program.

The Challenge is inspired by the exceptional performance of existing green revolving funds, which have a median annual return on investment of 32 percent, as documented by “Greening the Bottom Line,” a report published by the Sustainable Endowments Institute. A bright spot in a rocky economy, these profitable investments are helping to create green jobs in campus communities, while lowering operating costs on college and university campuses.
“We’re transforming energy efficiency upgrades from perceived expenses to high-return investment opportunities,” said Mark Orlowski, executive director of the Sustainable Endowments Institute, which is coordinating The Challenge along with 13 partner organizations. “Bellevue College should be commended for rising to The Challenge and investing in energy efficiency improvements on campus.”

Please visit www.bellevuecollege.edu/sustainability for more information on Bellevue College’s sustainability efforts, or www.GreenBillion.org to find out more about the Billion Dollar Challenge.

The Safeway store at Evergreen Village in Bellevue (1645 140^th Ave. NE) is covering the cost of tuition for Bellevue College student Eldin Juzvin. After completing a certificate in Retail Management, Juzvin hopes to earn a degree in Business Administration.

Managers at the Marshalls store at Overlake Fashion Plaza in Redmond (2150 148^th Ave. NE), the second winner, encouraged student Elena Semaykina to take English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and created a work schedule that allows for regular attendance.

“In these difficult economic times, many students face challenges in juggling work, school and family obligations. The instructors here at Bellevue College have found that some of the most successful working students have supportive and understanding employers, like Safeway and Marshalls. This support can come in a variety of ways, including flexible work hours, tuition reimbursement, mentoring, and more,” said Program Chair Tom Graham.

Bellevue College’s Developmental Education department offers classes in English as a Second Language, Adult Basic Education (reading, writing and math), GED preparation, and workplace readiness.

Dr. Chin is the founding Executive Director of Year Up Puget Sound, a one-year job training and internship program for young adults. Previously, she served as executive director at Jubilee Women’s Center, Community Birth & Family Center, and Open Arms Perinatal Services in Seattle. She is also a partner in Social Venture Partners, where she served as Board Chair in 2008-09.

Dr. Chin received her Ph.D in Education from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and her B.A. in Political Science and Art from Wellesley College.

She joins a Bellevue College Board of Trustees comprising Vicki Orrico, Paul Chiles, Marie Gunn and Steve Miller.

Every star has a story. Some are as old as time, faint and almost forgotten. Others burn bright and end their lives in powerful explosions. New stars are created every day, born of vast clouds of gas and dust. Through every phase of their existence, stars release the energy that powers the universe.

BC’s Geer Planetarium uses the advanced Digistar 3 computer system to project and move images.

Tickets for the popular shows are free, but because seating is limited they should be reserved at the Brown Paper Tickets website: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/198381

An additional 15 seats will be saved for those who were unable to reserve advance tickets online. At 7pm on the night of the show, a waitlist sign-up sheet will be posted outside of the Planetarium.

“Stars” will also be presented again on November 4 and December 2.

The Geer Planetarium is in Room B244 on the Bellevue College campus. More info: http://scidiv.bellevuecollege.edu/sami/