Press Release Archive
For more information about any of the press releases below, contact Jennifer Stoner, executive director of communications and marketing, at (708) 709-3949 or Tina Saigh, communications and marketing specialist at (708) 709-7801.
IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER EXHIBIT OPENS AT PSC CHRISTOPHER ART GALLERY NOV. 7
[Released 10/31/11] The Christopher Art Gallery at Prairie State College (PSC) is hosting the exhibit “In the Eye of the Beholder” from Monday, Nov. 7 until Thursday, Dec. 8.
Featured artists are members of the Area Artists Association of the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, including Barbara Balis, Carol Block, Tom Brand, Laurie Schirmer Carpenter, ANKO (Anneke Dekker-Olthof), Kathy Gleser, Julia Holmaas, Laurel Izard, Connie Kassal, George Kassal, Deborah Landry, Rich Manalis, Brett Maniscalco, Sara Scherberg, Ginny Scott, Carole Stodder, Melissa Washburn, and Gwynne Winsberg.
The group exhibit will highlight the diversity and professionalism of the Area Artists Association, which was established in 1980 to increase the appreciation and recognition of local and regional member artists through the exhibition and promotion of their work.
An artists’ reception will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 10, at the gallery, located on the PSC campus at 202 S. Halsted St. in Chicago Heights.
The Christopher Art Gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. Visits also can be made by appointment. For more information about the exhibit or to make an appointment for a visit, contact the PSC Foundation at (708) 709-3636.
PRAIRIE STATE COLLEGE BREAKS GROUND ON GARDEN OF LEARNING
[Released 10/19/11] A group of faculty, staff, and students at Prairie State College (PSC) gathered Oct. 14 for the volunteer groundbreaking of the new PSC Garden of Learning. Sustainability Coordinator Beth Koprowski (kneeling, left) organized the event to launch the garden project, intended to bring together the PSC community with other area individuals and organizations to learn basic gardening skills and grow fresh vegetables. The garden also will provide an educational resource to study and address issues of food distribution, healthy living, and agriculture.
VETERAN'S DAY CEREMONY AND RIBBON CUTTING FOR THE NEW STUDENT VETERAN'S CENTER AT PSC SCHEDULED FOR NOV. 9
[Released 10/15/11] Prairie State College (PSC) is honoring veterans and introducing the newly established PSC Student Veteran’s Center during a special Veteran’s Day ceremony from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 9, in the Atrium on the PSC campus, located at 202 S. Halsted St. in Chicago Heights.
Among the features of the celebration will be a Color Guard and National Anthem presentation and a special “Missing Man Table” and memorial display. PSC administration and staff members also will present the new Student Veteran’s Center vision and services offered, and a student veteran will give his perspective of the center.
The celebration is open to the public, and will come to a close with a special ribbon cutting and tour of the center, which is located on PSC’s campus.
HEALTH FAIR HOSTED AT PRAIRIE STATE NOV. 10
[Released 10/04/11] Prairie State College’s (PSC) Health Promotion Programming is hosting the fall semester health fair, “Health is the Greatest Wealth,” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 10, in the Atrium of the PSC campus, located at 202 S. Halsted St. in Chicago Heights.
Dozens of vendors including clinicians, exhibitors, and educators will be on campus. Other health professionals expected include chiropractors, dental/eye specialists, and physical therapists. There also will be a number of screenings including cholesterol, blood pressure, chiropractic wellness exams, anonymous HIV testing, glucose (please fast eight to 10 hours prior to attending the fair), and pre-vision screenings.
The fair features exciting door prizes, giveaways, exhibitions, and interactive educational activities on topics including sexual health, nutrition, stress management, fitness, and drugs/alcohol.
The health fair is a campus-wide event that is free and open to the public. Darcelle Dieudonné, retention coordinator, health promotion, encouraged faculty, students, and staff at PSC, as well as members of the community to attend, saying, “health is indeed the greatest wealth that anyone can have. Come take advantage of the free health screenings so that you may remain healthy.”
Participating agencies include Ingalls Health System, South Suburban Family Shelter, Aunt Martha’s Health Center, Advocate South Suburban Hospital, and some private health services, including therapeutic services, health career agencies, and several other campus/local social agencies.
For more information, contact Dieudonné at (708) 709-7998 or ddieudonne@prairiestate.edu.
OPT IN TO TECHNOLOGY AT PSC
[released 10/21/11] Bridge the gap between technology and a new you. Prairie State College’s (PSC) new Opt In program consists of two computer training centers and free classes to teach basic technological skills.
One location is at the Adult Training and Outreach Center at 202 S. Halsted Street, Chicago Heights, room A145. The hours are Monday through Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. The second is located at the Matteson Area Center located at 4821 Southwick Dr., Matteson, Computer Training Lab. The hours for this location are Monday through Thursday from 3:30 through 6:30 p.m.
No matter what skill level you have or want to have Opt In can help. Learn how to use the Internet, e-mail, and even Facebook. Free classes on Microsoft programs and computer basics are available. Tutors also will be available to help improve math, reading, and writing skills with the help of Internet resources. Explore the world of information technology and get support in potential careers and with job searches through the Illinois WorkNet Center.
“We set out to eliminate the digital divide not only for current students but also for members of the community who may not have access to computers,” said Terri Winfree, vice president of community and economic development at PSC. “This program can help people jump-start their career or get assistance on a personal level to increase their comfort level with technology.”
Both computer labs and on-site tutors are free and open to the public. This program is funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Drop in to opt in to at the location nearest you.
For more information about this program, contact Lisa Zeigler at (708) 709-3548 or lzeigler@prairiestate.edu.
PSC FOUNDATION SEEKING SUPPORT FOR SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER
[released 10/19/11] Each year hundreds of Prairie State College (PSC) students turn to the PSC Foundation for assistance paying for tuition, fees, and textbooks. To provide financial assistance for current and future PSC students, the PSC Foundation is hosting its annual scholarship fundraiser from 6:30 p.m. to midnight, Friday, Nov. 11, at the Olympia Fields Country Club, located at 2800 Country Club Drive.
The theme of this year’s event is “Star Spangled Scholarships: Sparkling Support for PSC Students.”
“When PSC students face financial struggles—job loss, medical bills, children’s school expenses that take priority over their own—the PSC Foundation is able to assist students to achieve their educational goals,” said Great Lakes Bank Foundation Director Jeanne Stevens, who co-chairs the event. “With the generosity of community supporters who will join us for this celebration of scholarships, no PSC student will have to choose between paying a utility bill or buying a costly textbook.”
The celebration begins at 6:30 p.m. with an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, and a performance by the PSC Jazz Band.
Dinner begins at 8 p.m. in the Normandy Room, and features a special salute to veterans and student testimonials performed by the PSC Speech Team. The Stand Up for Scholarships quick pledge event, a live auction, and a dazzling dessert pyrotechnics show also will be featured during dinner.
A complimentary coffee and cookie bar, dancing in the Pavilion Room, and a cash bar will follow dinner.
Auction items include travel and getaway packages; an Olympia Fields Country Club golf foursome; electronics; gift cards for a variety of stores and restaurants; wine baskets; entertainment opportunities, ranging from museums and architectural tours to dance lessons and concert tickets; and much more.
Information on how to donate, as well as a full, updated list of auction items, is available at http://prairiestate.edu/foundation/news-events.html#auctionitems.
The event is black tie optional. Reservations currently are being accepted, but space is limited. Individual tickets are $175. A portion of each ticket may be tax deductible. A vegetarian meal option also is available by advance reservation.
To purchase tickets for the event or donate to the Foundation, call (708) 709-3636.
ANNUAL COLLEGE FAIR HOSTED BY PSC OCT. 25
[Released 10/14/2011] Prairie State College (PSC) is hosting the Illinois College Exposition Fair (ICE) from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25, in the Atrium on the PSC main campus at 202 S. Halsted St. in Chicago Heights.
More than 100 representatives from in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities will be on hand to answer high school students’ and their parents’ questions about programs, campus activities, and admissions requirements. Current PSC students who are thinking about transferring to earn a bachelor’s degree also can learn about their transfer options.
There will be two financial aid seminars about applying for federal financial aid at 6:30 and 7:15 p.m. in the Conference Center Auditorium.
The annual event is organized by the South Suburban Counselors Fair Committee, which includes counselors from PSC, Bloom High School, Bloom Trail High School, Crete-Monee High School, Marian Catholic High School, Peotone High School, Rich Central High School, Rich East High School, and Rich South High School.
Sponsors for this year’s fair include Country House and Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
The fair is free and open to the public. For a complete listing of colleges and universities attending the fair, visit prairiestate.edu/counselingAdvising/transferstudents/ICEflyer.pdf. For more information call PSC’s Counseling and Academic Advising Center at (708) 709-3506.
DONATE A CAR TO HELP STUDENTS AT PSC
[Released 10/06/11] Prairie State College (PSC) is accepting used car donations to help students in the automotive technology program. One donation can be used to educate hundreds of students in more than 10 degree and certificate programs.
These vehicles are used by students in the lab. Vehicles are used for up to five years and typically serve around 80 students a year in the program.
Donated vehicles can be any make or model from 1998 or after, however, the vehicle must be running. Vehicle drop-offs are welcome, but call ahead first. If a drop-off is not possible there also is a pick-up option. Donations are accepted all year long and there are special tax deductions when a vehicle is donated.
For more information about vehicle donations, contact Tony Gumushian, associate professor and coordinator of the automotive technology program, at (708) 709-3614 or tgumushian@prairiestate.edu.
For more information about the tax deduction forms, contact Cathy Kloss, executive director of the foundation, at (708) 709-3944 or ckloss@prairiestate.edu.
Prairie State College (PSC) is accepting used car donations to help students in the automotive technology program. One donation can be used to educate hundreds of students in more than 10 degree and certificate programs.
These vehicles are used by students in the lab. Vehicles are used for up to five years and typically serve around 80 students a year in the program.
Donated vehicles can be any make or model from 1998 or after, however, the vehicle must be running. Vehicle drop-offs are welcome, but call ahead first. If a drop-off is not possible there also is a pick-up option. Donations are accepted all year long and there are special tax deductions when a vehicle is donated.
For more information about vehicle donations, contact Tony Gumushian, associate professor and coordinator of the automotive technology program, at (708) 709-3614 or tgumushian@prairiestate.edu.
For more information about the tax deduction forms, contact Cathy Kloss, executive director of the foundation, at (708) 709-3944 or ckloss@prairiestate.edu.
Prairie State College (PSC) recently hosted the 5th Annual Hispanic Professional Connection. This event gives students an opportunity to network with members of the community. This year Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzales attended and spoke about the importance of retention. Pictured are (from left) Mildred Andaluz, PSC outreach assistant and bilingual advisor, and Andrés López, a local marketing professional.
PSC JOB FAIR SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 19
[Released 10/05/2011] Representatives from companies and institutions from across the metropolitan Chicago area will be recruiting for full- and part-time positions ranging from entry level to professional and managerial levels at the Prairie State College (PSC) annual fall job fair. This year's job fair is being held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, October 19, at the PSC Conference Center, located at 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights.
By attending the PSC job fair, attendees can identify potential jobs, expand networking opportunities, hone interviewing skills, gather information about companies, and more. Attendees also are encouraged to dress in business attire and bring résumés to present to recruiters for open positions.
"Job fairs are one of the most effective ways to land jobs because employers at job fairs are actively hiring," said Tanya Norfleet, coordinator of career development services at PSC. "Attendees should take the time to show employers they are serious, and should treat their time with employers like job interviews."
The PSC job fair is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is encouraged, and is available on the PSC Web site at http://prairiestate.edu/jobfair.
For more information, contact Norfleet at (708) 709-3755 or Ramien Manson, career advisor, at (708) 709-3922. Questions also can be sent to careerdevelopment@prairiestate.edu.
PSC BUILDING TRADES, PAINTING, AND DRYWALL PRE-APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM UNDERWAY
[Released 10/04/11] Prairie State College (PSC) students are hard at work at one home in Chicago Heights. The new Building Trades, Painting, and Drywall Pre-Apprenticeship Program is underway and the students are remodeling the basement.
The pre-apprenticeship program was offered tuition free to accepted applicants and was made possible by generous grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and JP Morgan Chase Foundation. The eight-week program is being offered in partnership with PSC and the South Suburban Community Development Corporation, with the support of Victory Apostolic Church and Christ for Everyone Ministries.
The program includes six weeks of training in the classroom and two weeks practicing the skills they learned. In the basement remodel, the students are doing all of the framing, insulation, drywall, and painting. The course also prepared them to do electrical work and plumbing repairs.
“This community effort is working together to provide remedial education, addressing barriers to employment, training in the painting, drywall, and carpentry industry, on-the-job training, entrepreneurial skills, and potential entry into union pre-apprentice training,” said Lisa Zeigler, PSC grants program project manager.
An orientation and testing day for spring session is being held at 8 a.m., Thursday, January 5, 2012 at the PSC Conference Center, located at 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights. For more information on this program, contact Lisa Zeigler at (708) 709-3548 or email lzeigler@prairiestate.edu.
Photo Caption: PSC students shown here are working on a frame for a basement wall at a house in Chicago Heights.
TACTILE AND ABSTRACT ART SHOW OPENS AT PRAIRIE STATE COLLEGE OCT. 3
[Released 09/28/2011] The Christopher Art Gallery at Prairie State College (PSC) is featuring works from various artists during the exhibit "Blurred Perception: Tactile & Abstract," Monday, Oct. 3 through Thursday, Oct. 27.
The exhibit is sponsored by the PSC Foundation, and features Chicago artists Lynn Basa, Diane Cooper, Rebecca Moy, Erin Waser, Casey Wasniewski, and Rhonda Wheatley, and Kathleen Waterloo of River Forest.
An artists' reception is being held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 6 at the gallery, located on the PSC campus at 202 S. Halsted St. in Chicago Heights.
Exhibit curators Waser and Waterloo say the exhibit "consists of a common thread through the use of differing materials, technique, and psychological layering. Each artist achieves their own tactile and abstract by a 'layering onto' or 'layering over' approach; or rather additive/subtractive processes. Despite this diversity of abstraction, unexpected yet exciting similarities exist in each work and the visual texture screams 'touch me' or else lies seductively beneath the surface."
The exhibit is an Art Trek event, and is free and open to the public. Art Trek is a group of organizations in the southern suburbs dedicated to increasing awareness of the visual arts in the community.
The Christopher Art Gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. Visits also can be made by appointment. For more information about the exhibit or to make an appointment for a visit, contact the PSC Foundation at (708) 709-3636.
COMMUNITY GARDEN PROJECT BEGINS AT PSC
[Released 09/27/2011] The Sustainability Center at Prairie State College (PSC) is developing a Garden of Learning on campus to bring together PSC students, faculty, and staff, as well as organizations in the community to learn basic gardening skills and grow fresh vegetables. The garden also will provide an educational resource to study and address issues of food distribution, healthy living, and agriculture.
Local organizations, including churches, retirement communities, and schools, as well as individuals in the community are welcome to rent a 4' x 8' plot for a $25 maintenance fee.
PSC will provide gardeners with a limited supply of basic gardening tools, water, and access to workshops and gardening expertise. Some soil amendment, seeds, or seedlings may be available, depending on grants or donations.
A groundbreaking volunteer work day is scheduled for 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 14 at the garden, located on PSC's main campus at 202 S. Halsted St. in Chicago Heights, Ill.
The Garden of Learning is offered in coordination with the PSC Foundation, Respond Now, St. James Health and Wellness Institute, and the University of Illinois Extension.
To reserve a plot in the garden or to learn more about the initiative, contact Beth Koprowski, sustainability coordinator, at ekoprowski@prairiestate.edu or (708) 709-7950.
ARRIVE ALIVE
[Released 09/27/2011] Prairie State College student David Jones, of Steger, learned the effects of driving drunk in this simulation. The college hosted the Arrive Alive Tour to show students the effects of driving under the influence and texting while driving.
During her recent visit to Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, Ill., Illinois Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon (left) met with PSC student Aslener Taylor (right), who interviewed Simon for an article for the PSC student newspaper.
LT. GOV. SIMON'S COMPLETE COLLEGE TOUR LANDS AT PSC
[Released 09/23/2011] Illinois Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon visited Prairie State College (PSC) Wednesday to learn about PSC's various programs and initiatives aimed at helping the community's students earn a degree or certificate.
The visit was a continuation of Simon's Complete College tour of the state's 48 community colleges to see college completion efforts at each campus. She is on a fact finding mission to gather information on barriers to each college's completion goals, and to learn about completion efforts.
While at PSC, Simon spoke with faculty, students, staff, and administrators about the school's responsibility to help students succeed in meeting the goals they set forth when entering as a student at PSC, whether that be earning an associate degree, a certificate, or preparing to transfer to a four-year college or university and earn a bachelor's or graduate degree.
Simon has set a goal to increase the percentage of working-age adults in Illinois with college degrees or certificates from 41 to 60 by 2025.
One of her strategies in that effort is to focus on students as they transition from high school to community college and from community college to a four year college or university, calling to task community colleges, saying "there are areas where we can make some improvements for students along the way."
"Community colleges' roles have changed," Simon stressed. "There is no longer a perception that that's where you go if you can't get in anywhere else… Many people are looking at the value of their educational dollar," she said, adding that, from that perspective, community colleges have become a very appealing option.
"Community college connects students who want more opportunities with employers who want a more-skilled work force," she said. "An educated workforce is something [community colleges] have the opportunity to make happen."
PSC President Eric Radtke echoed her sentiments and acknowledged the important role PSC plays in reaching that goal, stating, "we are trying to help our students in their educational journeys and help them make it to that finish line." He illustrated that commitment by presenting to Simon a copy of the American Association of Community Colleges "Accepting the College Completion Challenge: A Call to Action" document, signed by every member of the PSC Board of Trustees, as well as himself.
In addition to addressing the faculty, staff, and students of PSC, Simon participated in a tour of the school to witness first-hand some of PSC's efforts in action. The tour included visits to the Learning Achievement Center and the Student Success Center, two hubs of student success-focused programs at PSC, as well as the English Lab, the Hawkes Learning Systems Lab, and the Nursing Lab. She ended her tour visiting the Tech Wing, which houses PSC's automotive, welding, and HVAC labs, as well as the campus fitness center, and gymnasium, giving Simon a cursory glance at the wide spectrum of programs PSC offers.
FOSSIL, GEM, MINERAL, AND JEWELRY SHOW AT PRAIRIE STATE OCT. 15 AND 16
[released 9/19/11]The Prairie State College (PSC) Natural Science Department is hosting the South Suburban Earth Science Club Fossil, Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15 and 16, at the Prairie Center Gym on PSC’s main campus at 202 S. Halsted St. in Chicago Heights, Ill.
The event is co-sponsored by the South Suburban Earth Science Club (SSESC).
The annual show is an opportunity for gem and fossil enthusiasts to meet the experts, get a close look at the latest finds, learn about the geological history of the area, and purchase rare gems, fossils, and artifacts. Scouts also will have the opportunity to earn their geology badges at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. Additionally, Joel Knapper, NASA ambassador, will make presentations throughout the show about past, current, and future NASA programs.
The family friendly event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Lee Anne Burrough, PSC associate professor of earth science, at lburrough@prairiestate.edu or (708) 709-3674, or Jan Podbielski, of the SSESC, at jan@janskidesigns.com or (708) 625-5876.
Craig Stern (center), owner of Rogers Enterprises, Inc. in Matteson, Ill., recently was named recipient of the Prairie State College (PSC) 2011 Michael R. Monteleone Community Service Award. He is congratulated by PSC Board of Trustees Member Marc Wiley (left) and PSC President Dr. Eric Radtke (right).
STERN HONORED WITH MONTELEONE AWARD FROM PRAIRIE STATE COLLEGE
[Released 09/15/2001] Prairie State College recently honored Craig Stern, owner of Rogers Enterprises, Inc. in Matteson, Ill., with the 2011 Michael R. Monteleone Community Service Award.
The award is given annually to a community member in the PSC district who has contributed in an extraordinary way to education through community service as either a volunteer or a community leader.
Stern was honored for his work with the South Campus of the Glenwood School for Boys and Girls (Glenwood), a community supported non-profit boarding school for the area's economically and socially disadvantaged children. Glenwood offers its students a comprehensive residential, education, and life-skills program in a structured and nurturing environment.
Stern served as chairman of the Glenwood South Campus Board of Directors from its inception in 1996 until 2010, when he was appointed chairman of the Glenwood Board of Trustees. During his tenure, he has been a champion for the admission of girls to the school, which began in 2001. He also was instrumental in expanding the high school opportunities for Glenwood students, including the college preparatory curriculum offered by Marian Catholic High School.
Stern also was a coach for Flossmoor Baseball for more than 20 years, where Samuel Banks, president of Glenwood, who nominated Stern for the award, said "he was a coach, a leader, a confidant, and sometimes even a shoulder to cry on for his players."
"For more than 20 years, [Stern's] impact on the education of children at Glenwood School and his coaching and mentoring of young people in the community have made a difference in the lives of hundreds," Banks added.
When accepting the award at a recent PSC board meeting, Stern said, "Thank you to the students who are a credit to Glenwood School and to the community. This is very meaningful because I believe all kids deserve a chance. I appreciate all that Glenwood School and Prairie State College do for Education."
LT. GOVERNOR SIMON TO LEARN ABOUT CHICAGO SOUTHLAND COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
[Released 09/09/11]Lt. Governor Simon is conducting a statewide tour of community colleges to find out about barriers to college completion. Her next stop is Chicago Heights, and she will learn about completion efforts in the Chicago Southland. Lt. Governor Simon is visiting with representatives from the South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium (SMHEC) at Prairie State College (PSC) on Wed. Sept. 21, 2011, at 8 a.m. at the Chicago Heights campus.
During the meeting with Presidents and senior administrators, Simon will learn how the SMHEC member schools work collaboratively focusing on programs that promote college readiness, support college completion, and identify economies and efficiencies that result in streamlining and cost savings. SMHEC’s partnership of two-year, four-year, and for-profit institutions that share resources to enhance educational opportunities for individuals in the Chicago Southland is unique in Illinois. "SMHEC is a very unique consortium and a model for collaboration. We're very proud of the significant accomplishments which we've achieved at lower costs through our cooperation," said Dr. Eric Radtke, president of PSC and the SMHEC President’s Council.
After the meeting, Simon will spend the next few days touring the SMHEC member community colleges to learn the specifics of each college’s degree and certificate completion efforts. In addition to PSC, the SMHEC members are DeVry University, Governors State University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Joliet Junior College, Kankakee Community College, Lewis University, Moraine Valley Community College, Northwestern College, South Suburban College, Saint Xavier, and the University of Saint Francis.
This visit is a continuation of Simon’s tour of the state's 48 community colleges to see college completion efforts at each campus. She is on a fact finding mission to gather information on barriers to each college’s completion goals, and to learn about completion efforts. Simon is meeting with leaders, faculty, and students and will make reform recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly at the culmination of her tour.
For more information on the upcoming visit, contact Jennifer Stoner, PSC executive director of communications and marketing, (708) 709-3949. For information on SMHEC, contact Genny Bosen, SMHEC executive director, (708) 534-4984.
PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR AND ANNUAL STUDENT WORK EXHIBITION OPENS AT PRAIRIE STATE COLLEGE
[Released 08/29/2011] Prairie State College (PSC) Photographer of the Year honoree Sherryl Smith says "photography leads me on my journey. I am not sure where I am going, or how I will know if I have arrived. I just know it's a road that I must travel."
A selection of Smith's photographs will be on display from Monday, Aug. 29 through Thursday, Sept. 22, in the Christopher Art Gallery at the PSC Chicago Heights campus, located at 202 S. Halsted St.
The Photographer of the Year award is given annually to an outstanding PSC photography student. In addition to being the featured artist in the student show, Smith also will receive a $1,500 scholarship.
Smith, a resident of Park Forest, says her most current works include subjects that are damaged, destroyed, or on the verge of being condemned.
"I like to believe that in destruction there is possibility for renewal - the yellow flowers that sprout up from the rubble next to an old house held together by thin sticks and peeling paint," she said.
The exhibit also features selected works by students in fine arts, photography, and graphic communications. Student artists in the exhibit are Tiffany Berry, of Glenwood; William Billingsley, of Matteson; Peggy Brown, of Matteson; Carol Bruns, of Beecher; Chaz Cates, of Park Forest; Carlos Colunga, of Chicago Heights; LaTasha Covington, of Glenwood; Robyn Eisel of Olympia Fields.
Calvin Green, of Crete; Stephanie Kuester, of Homewood; William Matthews, of Matteson; John McDonnell, of Flossmoor; Miriam Meade, of Chicago Heights; Ann Moser, of Homewood; William Moser, of Homewood; Lisa Marie Parks, of Chicago; Amber Peoples, of Richton Park; Ebony Rogers, of Olympia Fields.
Tayvis Rucker, of Sauk Village; Shane Senesac, of Crete; Tenyiah Simmons, of Steger; Kathleen Skelton, of Homewood; Anthony Vicidomini, of Crete; Brianna Weaver, of Country Club Hills; DeJon Williams, of Country Club Hills; Jeremy Wright, of Chicago Heights; and Sarah Zakrzewski, of Richton Park.
The Christopher Art Gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. The gallery will be closed on Labor Day, Sept. 5. Visits also can be made by appointment. For more information about the exhibit or to make an appointment for a visit, contact the PSC Foundation at (708) 709-3636.
PRAIRIE STATE COLLEGE HOSTING ANNUAL FOODAPALOOZA
[Released 08/24/11] Last year, two tons of food and $1500 was raised for Respond NOW through Foodapalooza, an annual food drive and music festival. That was a ton more food than the previous year. This year, the goal is to collect even more food and money for Respond NOW, an emergency assistance agency helping residents in the south suburbs.
Prairie State College (PSC) is hosting the 6th Annual Foodapalooza, from 3 to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011, at the outside pavilion on the Chicago Heights campus located at 202 S. Halsted St. The event is co-hosted by Rooster Audio/Visual Services and Respond NOW.
The performers for the evening include the Marian Catholic High School Marching Band, PSC Jazz Band, Dream Drop Distance, Rhythm & Moves, The White Roosters, Finishing School, Wolcott, Aardvark Aarmy, and Workout Music.
Additional sponsors include PSC Student Review (student newspaper), Homewood and Tinley Park Best Buy, Homewood Dairy Queen, UPS, Southtown Star, 103.5 KISSFM, B96, Radio Dobrez Inc., PSC Student Government Association, PSC Campus Programming Board, and Barnes & Noble Bookstore.
The fee to attend the event is five non-perishable food items.
For more information, call (708) 709-3500.
State Representative Anthony DeLuca speaks at PSC
State Representative Anthony DeLuca was the featured speaker at Prairie State College (PSC) Fall Faculty Convocation 2011. With a theme of “Know Our District” he addressed over 80 full time faculty members as they prepare for the fall semester. DeLuca provided an overview of the area and specifically about Chicago Heights, where PSC is located. Shown here with Rep. DeLuca is Dr. Alanna Cotch, English professor at PSC and one of the organizers of the faculty convocation.
PSC GRADUATE WINS COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD AND A SCHOLARSHIP
[Released 08/10/11] Prairie State College (PSC) graduate Adriana Popovich recently was named the 2011 winner of the Dr. James H. Griffith Community Service Award at Prairie State College (PSC).
The award is named after the former trustee, who served on the PSC Board of Trustees for 25 years. It is intended to recognize a person or group at PSC who has contributed in an extraordinary way to the community.
In addition to the receiving the community service award, Popovich also was named one of the eight recipients of the Senator Toi W. Hutchinson General Assembly Scholarship, affording her a tuition waiver for one full academic school year at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she plans to study broadcast journalism. Popovich was selected as a recipient of the award based on various factors including grades earned as a student at Beecher High School and Prairie State College as well as financial need.
Popovich served as the 2010-2011 student trustee on the PSC Board of Trustees. In that capacity, she attended the ACCT Leadership Congress, where she met with student trustees and board members and presidents from all over the United States to discuss issues facing community colleges. She also attended the Community College National Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C. As a participant in Student Advocacy Day in Springfield, Ill., she was able to discuss with state senators and representatives the concerns facing community colleges.
Jennifer Stoner
Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
(708) 709-3949
jstoner@prairiestate.edu
Tina Saigh
(708)709-7801
tsaigh@prairiestate.edu