Looking Forward to (the day after) Christmas

No surprise, really, that people everywhere - including many of us here, at Your College - are looking forward to Christmas Day. But some of us in the Tall City are also looking forward to the day after Christmas.

"With 5 million tons of additional trash expected to enter the system during the holiday season, Keep Midland Beautiful is asking residents to recycle," Kathleen Thurber writes in this article from the Midland Reporter-Telegram. "Its staff said about 4 million tons of the trash created comes from wrapping paper and boxes, which can be recycled."

"They're challenging Midlanders to reduce their trash creation by one bag this season, which they say can be done by dropping off paper products, cardboard, aluminum cans and plastics at a nearby recycling container."

You can do it ... and Your College can help. You can find recycling containers here, on the MC Main Campus, in the south parking lot of the Al G. Langford Chaparral Center ... they're large and brightly-painted ... you can't miss them.

This is just one way that Your College is at work in Your Community ... and it's just a part of a year-end program at MC. Recycling on the campus is a joint effort among faculty, staff and students. To learn more about the Midland College Campus Recycling Program, you can visit their website at www.midland.edu/recycling/ or call 685-4618.

Light Blogging Over the Next Couple of Weeks

Midland College administrative offices and most services will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 17, for the holiday break. Administrative offices will re-open at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, January 3.

That's not to say everything will be locked-up and quiet during that time. CLICK HERE for more information about Winter Interim Semester course, Spring Semester registration, police services and bookstore hours.

In the meantime ...

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

"Transfer 101" at Your College

MC is standing by to help you reach your goals ... even those goals that might take you to classrooms far removed from those at Your College.

This week, I've been reading a number of Tweets from Transfer101, an online resource created by the University of Texas System in partnership with The Texas A&M University System and the Texas Association of Community Colleges.

"Planning on going to a university," they ask. "Well start talking! Get in touch with an advisor NOW, and start planning."

Transfer101 notes, "making the jump from a Texas community college to a four-year university is easier than you think. Whether you’re a high-school student or currently attending a community college, this portal provides a wealth of resources that will walk you through the process step-by-step."

Another good resource - one that Transfer101 recommends from the get-go - is the Advising Office at Midland College. You can reach them by phone at (432) 685-4704, on the web at www.midland.edu/services/advising and by e-mail at advising@midland.edu 

Sounds of Christmas at MCPt. 6 - "Carol of the Bells"

Financing Your Future at Your College

Yesterday, I was reading THIS POST from blogger Lynn O'Shaughnessy of The College Solution, and found it to a VERY good read ...

"Is your family going to qualify for financial aid," O'Shaughnessy asks. "Odds are that you will increase your chances of capturing financial aid if you can avoid common financial aid myths. Here are four of the biggest financial aid whoppers." CLICK HERE to read the rest of her post.

Some of the points she makes apply to all college applicants, regardless of their prospective school - whether it's a community college such as ours, or a major university.

Blogs such as College Solutions are one good source of information. The Financial Aid office here, at MC, is another one. For more information on financing your future at Your College, you can contact our Financial Aid office at (432) 685-5510, or online at www.midland.edu/admissions/aid/

So, How'd They Do?

A few days back, I cited the Midland College Student Government Association as an example of "Kids Who Care," in recognition of their annual Canned Food Drive. The drive was conducted campus-wide, and this year benefited the Food Pantry at Memorial Christian Church.

So, how'd they do? ...

Lots of Things on Students' Minds, Faces

Walk around the campus of Your College, and you'll notice an interesting variety of looks on students' faces. There's some excitement and anticipation, for example ... after all, Christmas is just ten days away. But there's also some seriousness and anxiety ... bear in mind, we ARE in the midst of Finals Week at Your College. And then, there's relief and relaxation from those students who have taken their final Finals.

Sounds of Christmas at MCPt. 5 - "Glory to God In the Highest"

Spring Into the Classics at Your College

"Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life."
~ Henry L. Doherty

"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty."
~ Henry Ford

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These two Henrys - one a pioneer oilman, the other a pioneer carmaker - lived in another time and another place ... but I can't help but think, taking the above quotes into consideration, that they would have approved of College Classics at Midland College.

College Classics is perhaps the most interesting of all Midland College classes to area senior citizens. The program, which was initiated in the spring of 1989, includes a series of courses designed especially for local residents who are 50 and older.

Classes are offered through a registration fee of just $25.00 per semester. Payment of this fee entitles the student to enroll in as many classes as he or she chooses. As a special service to the students for which the program is designed, many of the classes are scheduled between 1:00 P.M. and 5:00 P.M. The spring semester consists of three sessions and the fall semester consists of two. Sessions are four weeks in length.

The instructors are recruited from among MC faculty, 'continuing ed' teachers and community volunteers. With their areas of expertise and years of experience, these teachers truly bring to life such subjects as the American Indian, Movies in Review, Museum Masterpieces, History of China and Computer Basics to name a few. The generosity of these instructors allows the college to offer this unique program to a special segment of the community.

The schedule of course for Spring 2011 is now available, and registration begins Tuesday, January 18. Session I begins January 31; Session II begins February 28; and Session III begins April 4. For more information, you can call (432) 685-4724, or visit the links below.
• Visit the College Classics at MC web page
• Download/print a Spring 2011 College Classics schedule
• Learn more about College Classics registration
• Learn more about College Classics courses
• Learn more about College Classics faculty

Sounds of Christmas at MCPt. 4 - "Kings of Swing"

Saying "Goodbye" to a Member of the MC Family

The word's been circulating around campus for a little while ... but now it's out there, in the press - Kimberly Boone is stepping down as head coach of Midland College Lady Chaparral Volleyball. An article by the Midland Reporter-Telegram's Oscar LeRoy reports Boone "will be moving to Fort Worth to live with Blake Weaber, whom she will marry on December 18 in her hometown of Fort Smith, Arkansas."

The article goes on to note ... "Kimberly Boone couldn’t have asked for a better ending to her four-year stint as head volleyball coach at Midland College. The Lady Chaparrals enjoyed arguably the best season in the program’s history by going 35-7, winning the co-Western Junior College Athletic Conference title and finishing 10th at the NJCAA National Volleyball Tournament." CLICK HERE to read the rest of the story.

It WAS an awesome season, and Coach Boone was a big part of it. Whatever lies ahead we will miss her, and our prayers and best wishes go with her!

Sounds of Christmas at MCPt. 3 - "Dona Nobis Pacem"

Sounds of Christmas at MCPt. 2 - "Holiday Favorites"

A Little Help for the Big Guy

Got the following from Julia Vickery, who heads-up the Students In Philanthropy program here, at MC ... "The members of Midland College SIP will fill your child’s heart with the spirit of Christmas with a very special and personalized letter from Santa! Please fill out the attached form (make copies if you are ordering more than one letter) and give your completed 'Santa' form, with donation (each letter is a $5.00 donation) no later than December 10th to Julia Vickery, 238 SSC. Please call Julia at 685-4704 or e-mail at jvickery@midland.edu for more information."

Sounds of Christmas at MCPt. 1 - "Call to Advent"

Kids Who Care

All in all, we have some pretty good kids taking courses here, at Your College. They are kids who work hard, and kids who achieve ... they are kids who enjoy themselves, and kids who care about others.

Some great examples of that last point are underway right now ...

The Midland College Latino American Student Society (MCLASS) is conducting a toy drive for Casa de Amigos. Unfortunately, the principle toy donor will not be able to assist Casa de Amigos with toy donations this Christmas. That is why we are appealing to Midland College's generous nature to ensure that as many children as possible are touched by the Christmas spirit. All donations are due Thursday, December 16th, by 5 p.m., in the MC Police room in the Dorothy & Clarence Scharbauer Student Center. For more information, contact Chief Martin Garcia, Midland College Police Department, at (432) 685-6833.

Meanwhile, the Midland College Student Government Association has set-up collection boxes around campus for their annual Canned Food Drive, continuing through Friday, December 10. SGA voted last week to donate all food to the Memorial Christian Church Food Pantry. For more information, contact Stephanie Van Curen, Student Activities Coordinator, at (432) 685-4543.

Also taking place right now is a very different kind of animal adoption effort. Through this fall semester, the MC Veterinary Technology Program has housed six dogs and five cats from City of Midland Animal Services. During their stay at MC, they received all their vaccinations, and their licenses, and they are all spayed/neutered. CLICK HERE to learn more about these temporary guests at Your College. Anyway, it's time for them to be returned to the City of Midland ... but staff and students at MC's Vet Tech Program are hoping that each of them will instead find a "forever home" ... with you. If you are interested in adopting, or have any questions, please feel free to contact MCVT Clinical Director Lynn Robbins at (432) 685-4753.

Then there was the annual Frito Pie Chili Supper Fundraiser last week, hosted by the MC chapter of Students in Philanthropy ...

I know, I know ... you're going to say, "well, it's Christmas, and everybody's doing something special." That's true ... but take the word of someone who's been working full-time at MC for almost three years, now, and has been covering activities such as these month-after-month ... this is just another week on the campus of Your College ... thanks to kids who care.

Holiday Evening at MC, Pt. 3: The Music

The Annual Midland College Holiday Evening takes place THIS evening (Thursday, December 2), on the MC Main Campus. CLICK HERE for more information. Among the events taking place that evening will be the annual Sounds of Christmas
Concert.

"The Department of Music cordially invites you to attend its 'Sounds of Christmas' evening concert," writes Nicholas Elderkin, MC Assistant Professor and Director of Piano Studies. "The performance will feature Midland College's Chap Singers, Jazz Ensemble and Orchestra. This is an event you won't want to miss!"

The concert is TONIGHT, 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in the Wagner & Brown Auditorium, Allison Fine Arts Center. Admission is FREE. If you haven't heard MC's student ensembles perform, you're in for a real treat! By the way, Get to Allison Fine Arts early, and enjoy the opening reception for the Fall Student Art Show, which begins at 6:45.

There will be more music around the campus of Your College this evening. There's "Christmas at the Dollye Neal Chapel," which begins at 5:15. Enjoy music by guitarist, Jacob Porter, in a candle-lit setting filled with holiday cheer. Top it off with hot chocolate as you walk to the Hodge Carillon Tower Lighting, which begins at 6:30. There will be carolling by the MC Chap Singers during the lighting.

To get the toes warmed-up for tapping tonight, here are a couple of performance videos, one from MC student Rebecca Lien, and another from MC faculty member Jacob Porter.

Holiday Evening at MC, Pt. 2: The Food

The Annual Midland College Holiday Evening takes place tomorrow evening (Thursday, December 2), on the MC Main Campus. CLICK HERE for more information. Among the events taking place that evening will be the annual MC Students In Philanthropy Chili Supper.

"Spice up your life with chili from the Students in Philanthropy, Thursday night, 5:15-6:15 p.m., in Rooms 110/111 of the F. Marie Hall Academic Building - part of MC's Holiday Evening," writes Julia A. Vickery, MC's Student Development & Students In Philanthropy Coordinator. "$4 a bowl - WHAT A DEAL!!! We will also have raffle tickets available for purchase. Raffle items include a 22" flat screen TV; a night at the Hilton; a Massage; and a Beauty Basket ($150 value)."

"ALL MONEY goes back to the non-profit agencies in Midland. Please help us have a banner year!"

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The Midland College Students In Philanthropy Club (SIP) is an in-depth leadership training program which provides student members the opportunity to improve the quality of life in their community. Students learn about the importance of philanthropy and the role of nonprofit organizations in the community. Through the fundraising and grant-making process, students not only make needed contributions to nonprofit organizations, but also gain leadership and stewardship training through a structured program designed to educate, support and promote philanthropic leadership in the community.

Holiday Evening at MC, Pt. 1: The Art

The Annual Midland College Holiday Evening takes place tomorrow evening (Thursday, December 2), on the MC Main Campus. CLICK HERE for more information. Among the events taking place that evening will be the annual MC Art Student Hallway Sale.

The art sale features paintings, watercolors, ceramics and photography - all of which make great Christmas presents. This is a great time to buy unique holiday gifts. Here is a sampling of the paintings that will be for sale this year.

The 16th Annual Midland College Student Art Hallway Sale will take place over two days in in the Art Wing of Allison Fine Arts Center.
Thursday, December 2, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Friday, December 3, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.