Taking It EasyThis Weekend ... NOT!

A busy weekend ahead, here on the campus of your college ... and chances are it's going to STAY busy right through Commencement, and the end of the Spring Semester. Let me offer some examples ...

The C-SPAN Digital Bus is making a stop at the MC campus this weekend, Saturday, February 26, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Abell Hanger Science Faculty Building. If you've got a thing for politics and current events, then THIS is for you ... the best view of our government to be found OUTSIDE the Beltway. The customized coach was launched as a means for engaging visitors of ALL ages through interactive multimedia. Admission is FREE, the public is invited, and we're hoping you'll 'get on the bus.' CLICK HERE for more information.

There's more ...

The MC Business and Economic Development Center hosts the monthly homebuyer education courses at the Midland College Cogdell Learning Center, at 201 W. Florida Street in Midland, Texas. The next Homebuyer Education course will be this weekend, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 26. In addition to providing free one-on-one business counseling, the BEDC also provides free confidential housing and credit counseling. CLICK HERE for more information.

But wait, you also get ...

Midland College (MC) and the Midland Community Theatre (MCT) are partnering to produce the Broadway musical, HAIRSPRAY, April 29 - May 7 in the historic Yucca Theater in downtown Midland. But auditions for the production will take place this weekend, on February 27 and 28 at Midland Community Theatre, and March 1 at Midland College's Wagner & Brown Auditorium, in the Allison Fine Arts Building. Auditions begin at 6:30 p.m. each day. CLICK HERE for more information.

Man, I'm getting tired just POSTING all this!

Springtime Is on the Way, and That Means ...

A Bus Stop at Your College

All aboard! ... Midland College and SuddenLink are joining together to bring the newly-launched C-SPAN Digital Bus to to the MC Campus. The public is invited to learn about public affairs through interactive multimedia. We hope you'll decide to climb aboard for a visit ... and bring the family!

February 26, 2011
10:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
Abell Hanger Science Faculty Building Parking Lot
Midland College
3600 North Garfield Street, Midland, TX 79705

The C-SPAN Digital Bus will partner with Midland College and Suddenlink Communications to visit Midland on its national tour. During the stop, visitors will have the opportunity to tour the Digital Bus and learn about C-SPAN’s public affairs programming.

C-SPAN was created by America's cable companies in 1979 as a public service. The C-SPAN customized coach was launched in June 2010 as a means for engaging visitors of all ages through interactive multimedia. Digital Bus visitors are experiencing C-SPAN’s unique public affairs content across high-tech platforms such as HD-TV, the internet, and radio, encouraging customers to follow “Washington, your way.” Hands-on demonstrations feature the C-SPAN Video Library and the network’s social media offerings and there are special resources for civics teachers and their students.

The Digital Bus is designed to provide interactive, self guided multimedia tours demonstrating C-SPAN’s programming via varied distribution platforms to all visitors, including:
• TV monitors to demonstrate the C-SPAN Networks in both standard and high definition.
• Computer kiosks to demonstrate C-SPAN’s many web offerings including the Video Library.
• Laptops and mobile application devices to demonstrate C-SPAN’s social media presence and radio offerings.

The C-SPAN Digital Bus and crew also travel the country producing programs and promoting civic engagement through education.

For more information, contact Rebecca Bell, MC Dean of Public Information, (432) 685-4556, (432) 853-7099, rbell@midland.edu

A great opportunity, this month, to "do lunch" with the Business & Economic Development Center at Your College. The BEDC promotes economic development in the community by providing comprehensive management, financial, and technical assistance and training to individuals, small businesses, entrepreneurial ventures, and non-profit organizations in the form of seminars and free, confidential counseling.

For more information about Midland College BEDC services, contact Betsy Seanard, BEDC Associate Director, (432) 684-4309, or bseanard@midland.edu

For example ...

"New Tax Laws:  2010 and Beyond
Stop!  Before you file your 2010 income tax return, you may want to be aware of some of the new tax laws.

On Thursday, February 17, the Midland College Business and Economic Development Center will host a noon seminar for business owners and individuals to help “decipher” the new laws.  Martha Dunham, CPA, will be the presenter and will discuss highlights of tax law changes for 2010 and 2011 and their impact on small businesses and individuals.  The seminar will take place from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Midland College Cogdell Learning Center, 201 W. Florida.  Cost is $20, which includes lunch.  For reservations and more information, please call (432) 684-4309.

Coming to a Screen at Your College, Tonight

Here's a preview of the film "Freedom Riders" which will be presented this Saturday evening at Midland College. Admission to the screening is FREE and open to the public, and we hope you can join us

Watch the full episode. See more American Experience.

Basin PBS and Midland College present "FREEDOM RIDERS," a Stanley Nelson Film, in a Special West Texas Preview Event, February 5, 7:00 p.m. in the Wagner & Brown Auditorium, Allison Fine Arts Building.

Almost There ... Almost There ...

After the weather we've had the past few days, a temperature somewhere - anywhere! - in the 40s would seem positively balmy. Of all the 'Winter Weather' shots I've taken around campus this week, this one is among my favorites :-)

Coming to a Screen at Your College, Tomorrow

Here's a preview of the film "Freedom Riders" which will be presented this Saturday evening at Midland College. Admission to the screening is FREE and open to the public, and we hope you can join us

Watch the full episode. See more American Experience.

Basin PBS and Midland College present "FREEDOM RIDERS," a Stanley Nelson Film, in a Special West Texas Preview Event, February 5, 7:00 p.m. in the Wagner & Brown Auditorium, Allison Fine Arts Building.

Enrollment at Your College Surpasses 7,000

Spring 2011 semester enrollment figures indicate another record enrollment! MC enrollment is reported to be 7,425, which is a 9 percent increase over the spring 2010 semester. "This is the largest enrollment for any single semester — fall, spring or summer — in MC’s history," stated Dr. Michael Chavez, Dean of Enrollment Management.

“I am very pleased to see that all of our efforts in recruiting, advising and admitting students are paying off with another record enrollment for the spring 2011 semester,” MC President, Dr. Steve Thomas said. “This simply means that more and more students are taking advantage of the affordable and high quality education provided by Midland College. Our increasing enrollment indicates that the Midland community values MC, and we want to continue to provide Midlanders with quality education. MC students and the Midland community depend on us to provide academic courses that will transfer to four-year universities, hands-on career and technology training and opportunities for lifelong learning. They depend on us, and we will continue to deliver.”

Coming to a Screen at Your College, This Weekend

Here's a preview of the film "Freedom Riders" which will be presented this Saturday evening at Midland College. Admission to the screening is FREE and open to the public, and we hope you can join us

Watch the full episode. See more American Experience.

Basin PBS and Midland College present "FREEDOM RIDERS," a Stanley Nelson Film, in a Special West Texas Preview Event, February 5, 7:00 p.m. in the Wagner & Brown Auditorium, Allison Fine Arts Building.

The Scene from Courtside

In addition to his other duties as MC's Director of Athletics, Forrest Allen is also a VERY GOOD photographer ...

Coming to a Screen at Your College, This Weekend

Here's a preview of the film "Freedom Riders" which will be presented this Saturday evening at Midland College. Admission to the screening is FREE and open to the public, and we hope you can join us

Watch the full episode. See more American Experience.

Basin PBS and Midland College present "FREEDOM RIDERS," a Stanley Nelson Film, in a Special West Texas Preview Event, February 5, 7:00 p.m. in the Wagner & Brown Auditorium, Allison Fine Arts Building.

SNOW WAY!!

Ice and the uncoordinated definitely do NOT mix. Although starting my morning off with a swift slip and slide every few steps wasn't exactly what I was expecting, I must say this winter wonderland affect is a nice change for Midland. Of course my hopes were set on class being canceled, but now I just get to look forward to cuddling up on the couch with a nice cup of hot chocolate after a good day's work.

I have to admit it was a good thing my Kickboxing instructor had us run the mile around campus last week rather than this week, otherwise she would be stuck teaching a bunch of snowmen. It's crazy to think that this time yesterday I was wearing a sundress driving with the windows rolled down, and just a few short hours later a peek out the window showed a pure white snow covered lawn with more coming from the sky. I'm not complaining at all because it seems like in every class of mine, my teachers have decided to let us go early so we could travel safe. If that's the case I think the snow should come visit West Texas more often!!

Pretty ... AND Pretty Chilly

Took some photos of the campus, early this morning, as I was walking from the parking lot to my office in Fasken LRC. I've posted a complete album of shots on MC's Facebook page ... just click on the "Photos" tab.

It's On

Midland College is open today - Tuesday, February 1. Please take care, and give yourself a little extra time to get to campus. And bundle up ... it's COLD out there this morning! We'll have updates on the MC website, if needed.