PWA
April 11, 2005
Vol. 17, No. 27
Making the right decisions
Jerry Kent, grins like a kid with a new puppy and says, "This is the best job I’ve ever had." He’s manager of the Nursing Science Resource Center, known as the Simulation Lab (Sim Lab for short) where nursing students learn hands-on skills with state-of-the-art artificial patients.
Jerry, a fifth-generation D.C. resident, has long ties to UCC, beginning in ‘66 after graduating from RHS. He got an automotive certificate. "Then I decided to join the Air Force and save the world by fixing trucks," he said. After basic training he was told mechanics weren’t needed after all and sent to photo-mapping school. Then he received orders to become a medic. "I couldn’t stand needles or blood," he noted, but he was sent for training in Missouri anyhow. "I’ve never made a decision in my life," he jokes. "Decisions have always been made for me." On a positive note, that’s where he met his wife, Cindy.
In‘69 and ‘70 Jerry was an air rescue medic in Vietnam, "hanging out of helicopters, getting shot at; I was so young and dumb I thought it was fun." Honorably discharged, he promptly returned to UCC.
Soon, though, he wanted to get a job and get married, so became a nursing assistant at the V.A.Hospital. By then he knew that nursing was his destiny, so he continued to take pre-nursing classes when he could.
In ‘76, Jerry enrolled in UCC’s nursing program, supported by the V.A. which paid him a salary plus covering tuition and fees. "It was life-changing," he said. "We had two children by then. I could never have gone to nursing school without the V.A.’s support."
Upon graduation he went to work in the long-term care unit. "My take on nursing is that it’s not about tubes and technology; it’s the refined art of caring," he said. "And working with those veterans–even if they were sometimes cranky–was an absolute honor. I loved the work." He also took distance classes through UCC to earn his bachelor’s in ‘82
Then in ‘86, he said, "I turned into the nurse who went awry. I followed the money instead of my heart, taking various management jobs, hating every minute." Then, in June, 2003, he was hospitalized in intensive care with a bleeding ulcer. "My doctor asked what was doing this to me, and I had to face the truth."
He soon retired from the V.A, promptly got the Sim Lab job, and has been happy ever since.
Cindy and Jerry’s three children have all attended UCC. Daughter Courtney is in the nursing program, and Emmalee is in early childhood education. Cindy also went to UCC, commuted to the U of O to get her bachelor’s, then got her master’s in counseling through Northwest Christian College’s distance program at UCC. She now works for the Roseburg School District.
Race the Rapids results
UCC took fourth place in the with a time of 55 min–the winning team was clocked at 54 min. UCC team members were Charles Young, Jan Woodcock, Julia Johnson, Candace Spears, Dan Yoder and student Justin Pitman. The water was swift, brown, and the waves were big. Dan and Charles had the wettest ride as they were paddling in the front. The team reports that they had a blast!
Thanks to President Nisson's donation, the team contributed $250 to underprivileged kids in Douglas County.
SSS/TOP program funded
UCC will be receiving $256,000 a year for four years to fund the SSS/TOP program. The grant will allow the college to serve 160 students each year with a variety of retention and student success initiatives. Special recognition was given to Doris Johnson for her assistance in securing the funding. Congratulations all!
UCC cookbook
The counseling department is compiling a cook book to raise funds to assist students. Currently they are gathering pot luck or party recipes. Everyone is invited to send your favorite recipe to Ann Marris. Please include your name and phone extension.
Drop deadline - April 22
Classes that are officially “dropped” by the deadline will not be listed on your transcript.
Blue ribbon month
April is Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Please show your support for this cause by wearing a blue ribbon all month. Ribbons are available in Campus Center and Workforce Training.
Suspension class
UCC auto shop is looking for vehicles needing suspension work such as shocks, struts, ball joints, wheel bearing, tie rods, idler arms, etc. Call 440-4695 to request a work order.
Open Swim
The pool is open! Anyone can swim from noon to 1:30pm for only $2.50 or purchase a $25 mini pass redeemable for 15 swims.
UCC staff swims free with a Spirit Pass.
For Sale
Free-range eggs, chicks, laying hens, roosters. Call Cat at 863-7310.
The Spanish Club invites you to learn about Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. See the Calendar on this page for listing of free events.
Calendar
Monday, April 11
3pm Safety Committee, ESB,Umpqua Rm
Tuesday, April 12
7:30 PIE Staff Training, TC, Rm 119
8am NATEF Conference, CC, Timber Rm
11am Associated Students of UCC, CC, Club Union Rm
5pm Art Gallery Talk “Frida Kahlo as Artist,” Whipple Fine Arts, Rm 11
6pm UCC hosts Business After Hours, Gymnasium
7pm UCC Board, Admin, Board Rm
Wednesday, April 13
7:30 PIE Staff Training, TC, Rm 119
9am Army Recruiting, CC, Lobby
Noon Spanish Club, CC, Club Union Rm
Noon Computer Club, ESB, Rm 33
12:30 Cultural Enrichment, ESB, Umpqua Rm
2pm Film Festival “The Life & Times of Frida Kahlo,” documentary, Whipple Fine Arts
6pm Free Film: “Frida,” American version, Whipple Fine Arts
Thursday, April 14
7:30 PIE Staff Training, TC, Rm 119
9am Music event in Jacoby Auditorium, school children, buses, traffic near auditorium
Noon UCC Senate, CC, Timber Rm
1pm Phi Theta Kappa, CC, Club Union Rm
3pm College Now Mtg, CC, Timber Rm
7pm Art Gallery Talk “Frida Kahlo: Mexican Artist - World Icon,” Whipple Fine Arts, Rm 11
6pm Apprenticeship Committee, CC, Club Union Rm
Friday, April 15
8am Red Cross Blood Drive, CC
11am Dental Program Advisory Committee, FFC, Rm 2
Saturday, April 16
7pm Miss Douglas County Scholarship Pageant, Jacoby Auditorium
Birthdays
Gordon Perkins 4/14
George Crombie 4/14
Webb Marris 4/16
Esther Wilson 4/17
Chris Johnson 4/17
Hire Dates
Brenda Vallier 4/14/00
Maria Burzynski 4/15/04
Campus Cafe
Monday, April 11
Garden Vegetable w/Tortillini Soup
Potato Bacon Soup
**Spicy Chicken Salad Curry Wrap
Tuesday, April 12
Bean & Ham Soup
Cream of Broccoli Soup
**Mediterranean Tuna Sandwich
Wednesday, April 13
Seven Bean Medley Soup
Chicken Alfredo w/Penne Pasta & Roasted Red Pepper Soup
**Shanghai Express Salad
Thursday, April 14
Creamy Turkey Vegetable Soup
Lumber Jack Vegetable Soup
**Arizona Flat Bread Sandwich
Friday, April 15
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Clam Chowder
**Wahoo Taco
** Indicates the Daily Special.
Hours
Monday-Friday, 7:30am-2pm