The Washington State Community College Foundation presented the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award to two graduates, recognizing the tremendous contributions they have made to their profession and community.
Andrew J. Strauss ‘96 was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award for outstanding professional achievement.
Strauss graduated from Washington State with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive and Diesel Truck Systems Technology. He soon began working for Thermo Fisher Scientific, a corporation proudly calling itself “the world leader in serving science.”
Presently, Strauss is a production leader overseeing 11 employees and all functions of finished goods within the warehouse. He has used his experience and education to improve productivity, increase efficiencies, and enhance morale at a multi-million dollar international corporation.
 “Louise” (Martin) Eagleson Holmes ‘77 was awarded the Distinguished Alumna Award for outstanding community service.
Holmes became a board member of the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley, in the late 1980s, serving as past president and interim president, working on numerous fundraising projects including the campaign to move the facility from Dodd Ridge Road to Mt. Tom Road.
In 2005, Holmes became a board member of the Marietta Community Foundation and was appointed to the Grant Allocations Committee.
Since joining the Kiwanis board in 2007, Holmes has served as the program chair, helped with Storybook Park where she read her book titled Miss Sadie and the Good Life to hundreds of children, volunteered at the Broughton’s Ice Cream Social, and aided the Gilman United Methodist Church with their monthly soup kitchen and annual clothing distribution. Holmes also donated 2000 copies of her children’s book to the Marietta Community Foundation’s Fort Frye High School Auditorium Fund. Recently, Holmes established a scholarship in the Foundation for Women in a business curriculum and was appointed to the health sciences building Feasibility Study Steering Committee.

 The following is the speech given by Robert Feathers during the Distinguished Alumni reception held Friday, June 13. It echoes a sentiment that we have all lived through as graduate and as mentor.

"Good evening guests friends and colleagues.

Calvin Coolidge said,

No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been reward for what he gave.”
Andy Strauss and family, we are here to honor you. I could tell you what an example student Andy was, or how Andy applied himself in his classes. I could mention his attendance, his achievements and accomplishments in the class room and the lab, and with other students, though all this is true, Andy is an achiever.
Andy soon learned, just because he left the college with a diploma in his hand, the learning was not is over, the learning was just beginning. Over the first few years of leaving the college setting, Andy could feel the cold breath of reality down his neck; life started changing very fast... including his own assessment of just how much he really knew.
But after college life, something happened to really open his eyes. It’s called a career, full time job and a lifelong partner, the family.
While in the class room setting, Andy caught two extremely important values you do receive in the text book, though it is mentioned. So what were the two values that have helped him succeed?
The first was excellence. Stretch your self and, “Be all you can be and then some”. In all things, give excellence!
The second lesson Andy caught was, pay attention to detail! Life, “It’s all about the details! Big and small, it makes a difference.
Those two lesions coupled with academic learning and hard effort has put Andy where He is today.

I want to relate a story of encouragement:

A young boy at the age of 8 was taking piano lessons. His piano recital was in two weeks and he had practiced at a fever pace to learn “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. He was ready!
His mother wanted to encourage her son, so she purchased tickets at the local theater to hear the Great Piano Maestro in concert. The day arrived and they made their way through the crowd to their seats. As the mother was talking to friends, she did not notice that her son had slipped away, climbed on stage and stared at the beautiful grand piano. He climbed upon the piano seat and begin to play twinkle twinkle little star.
The crowed at first paid no attention, and then begin to make fun of the young boy. The mother embarrassed tried to make her way to the stage, but then the Great Maestro appeared, walked over to the little boy and whispered in his ear, “Son Don’t Stop Playing, Don’t Stop Playing.” The Great Maestro put his arms around the boy and he accompanied him as he played twinkle twinkle little star. Silence fell over the large crowed as the two played that grand piano as never before head in the concert hall. Everyone was in awe, when the song was over, the Great Maestro and the little boy stood before a cheering crowed and bowed to the thundering applause.
So what the made the difference in the story, it was the grand master of the piano who accompanied this young boy to success. Andy, don’t stop playing!

Andy, from all of us here at Washington State, we take pride in your success, achievements, and congratulate you. Mom and Dad, you can not be left out of the picture, I know you are exceptionally proud, congratulations."

The Opportunity Scholars Program and Talent Search embarked on a journey to Chicago on June 6 at 8 a.m. Included in the scheduled sites and activities were the following: Sears Tower, Navy Pier, The Shedd Aquarium, The Field (Natural History) Museum, and The Art Institute of Chicago. In addition, the group took a bus tour throughout the city to include the Magnificent Mile, Lakeshore Drive, The University of Chicago, Greektown, Little Italy (which was so little we almost missed it!) and Chinatown, where we explored for a fast paced hour. We also tried the infamous Gino's pizza and had the good fortune to indulge in a dinner theatre experience at Tommy Guns Garage.
During free time students were encouraged to explore Millenium Park and the "Reflective (coffee bean) Surface" and Grant Park where there just happened to be a Blues Festival. Quite a lot of culture squeezed into 2.5 days! These activities are made possible by our federally funded grants from the U.S.
Department of Education.     

The Marietta office of Labcorp has closed. Anthem provides an excellent benefit in that certain lab procedures are covered at 100 percentif the appropriate lab procedures are followed.

If your physician provides you with written orders (a prescription) to have your blood drawn,
the following Laboratory Facilities are located within 1 to 25 miles:

• Quest Diagnostics
  Draw site located at Selby Hospital
  Marietta, OH  45750
  (must request labwork to be processed through Quest)
• Schwabe & Assoc Clinical Lab
  4200 Emerson Ave
  Parkersburg, WV  26104
• Labcorp of American Holdings
  1122 Market Street
  Parkersburg, WV  26101
• G & B Lab
  808 Division Street
  Parkersburg, WV  26101
• Outpt Med Outreach Services, LLC.
  111 Lafayette St. Suite 302
  Saint Marys, WV  26170

If your Physician draws blood in their office and then sends it out for processing, request that
they use a Network Laboratory Facility.  Labcorp of American Holdings will pick up the
specimen from the Physician’s office and send the results back promptly.

If you have any questions prior to lab work being done please call Anthem's customer service number listed on your ID card.

Continuous improvement becomes a way of life as people work together to ensure their product or service is the very best they can offer. AQIP projects have successfully implemented new procedures to improve processes at Washington State Community College. One example of this is the completed action project to expand distance learning offerings to improve student access.  
The Continuous Improvement Team, formerly known as the AQIP Planning Team, recognizes that people at Washington State Community College often initiate and complete improvement projects, big and small, that fall outside the scope of AQIP. In an effort to capture details of those projects, faculty and staff will soon have a new online form to record details of all projects, both AQIP and non-AQIP. The form allows entry of names of those involved, the project goal, outcomes, and other related information. Each project entered becomes a record stored in a database designed to create a repository of current and historical information about the good work taking place on our campus.  

The Right Path program provides activities during the school year and during the summer for kids in grades six through 12.  They are holding dances every Tuesday evening during the summer at the Gathering Place on 7th street.  We have agreed to sponsor the July 15 dance and all we need is around 12 chaperones.  Dances are from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., chaperones arrive 20-30 minutes before the dance begins.  This is also a great opportunity to have our name on the radio and we can have a table with giveaways.  Security staff and insurance are provided and Right Path provides people who are in charge for the evening.  Our only part is having the chaperones.  If you are interested in having a fun evening, please contact Dee Standish at ext. 1879.  Ear plugs will be provided!     

Melanie Kinker, a full-time student at Washington State Community College, and Rob Kinker's daughter, recently earned a black belt after taking 17 credit hours of karate at the college. Beginning as a post secondary enrollment options (PSEO) student, Kinker has accumulated 90 credit hours in her first year.
“I’m really motivated to do more with my body, to get more in shape – mind, body, and spirit,” said Kinker, who also teaches aerobics at Washington State.
It has taken Kinker three years to acquire a black belt. In 2007, she earned her brown belt on Warren High School’s prom night only to achieve her black belt on the same day, one year later. Apart from teaching karate, she hopes to begin pursuing the nine degrees of the black belt.
“This has been an awesome experience,” said Kinker. “It’s taught me a lot about maturity and self discipline.”
Kinker also participates in the free self-defense classes that are offered at Washington State Community College. Self-defense classes are open to the public

One of the most distinct pleasures of being a small part of the Washington State mission is to hear graduates speak of the life-altering experience education has become. While it’s unfortunate that we can’t capture the sentiments of each program and their graduates experience, we can, through the words of our practical nursing graduates during their recent pinning ceremony, get a glimpse into the commitment to education that not only our students make, but their family friends and loved ones, too. May this be a pleasant reminder to each of us what really matters most.

Whitney Amrine – I would like to thank my parents, most of all, for the support and help they have provided me with this past year, and my brothers and sisters for always believing in me. To my boyfriend, Wes, for always being there for me, and my best friend, Meagan, for all the late night study sessions. I would also like to thank my classmates for their support; we’ve become quite a family over the year!
Brandy Bissell – Thanks to my family and friends for all of the support I’ve received this year. I appreciate everyone so much. Thank you, Crystal, for the laughs we shared. Thanks to my classmates for the continuous support throughout the year. Last (and definitely not least), thank you, Nick, for being you. Without you, I wouldn’t have had such a great year.
Lynda Bonnette – Larry, I thought it would take moving Heaven and Earth to make it through this program, but all it took was having you beside me. Thanks for all of your patience, encouragement, and love. Thank you to my family and all my friends. And a special thanks to the instructors and to Linda Sullivan who was so kind and helpful during my clinicals, and Marietta Memorial Hospital.
Brianna Casto – I want to thank my mom and dad. You guys are so great. Zac, thank you for your pep talks and encouragement. Jena, thanks for being my sister. To the rest of my family and friends, thank you for your support and love.
Amy Clouse – First, I would like to thank my fellow classmates for their help and encouragement. Secondly, a big thanks with hugs to Susie for taking excellent care of Gracie and Emily while I went through school. Thanks to my step-dad, Dennis, for helping me study, and for the motivation I needed to go to nursing school. Thanks to Jerry for feeding and clothing me all year. I have really appreciated all of the support from my friends and family. Thank you!
Seth Deem – I would like to thank my family for supporting me through all the ups and downs of the past year. I would also like to thank my classmates for studying and working together thru the last year. I would also like to wish everyone the best of luck in their nursing profession.
Isaiah Geese – My wife and kids for putting up with me and for their constant support and to the instructors for their knowledge and patience.
Shannon Hammer – I would like to thank my family and my good friends for all of your continued support in helping me to reach this very important career goal. I love the field of nursing and I have finally made it! Thank you to you all!
Meagan Haught – First, I want to thank Whitney for always being willing to be my study buddy. We finally did it. Next, Lisa for always supporting me and encouraging me to finish the program. Also, my grandparents for being so supportive throughout the whole program. Last, my parents, for always believing in me and helping me get through this tough year. Thanks guys, couldn’t have done it without you!
Younghee Hendershot – Albert Einstein said, “There are two ways to live your life: One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Believe me, this is not possible for one person to do alone! I would not be here if it had not been fro the tremendous help and encouragement of so many wonderful people like my family, friends and faculty. It’s been a miracle year for me! I would like to work hard and repay this miracle to people out there who need my care. Thank you!
Cathy Hess – In 1978, I graduated high school. Thirty years later, in 2008, I am graduating nursing school. Thank you, mom and dad, for getting me an A in nutrition. Thanks to my daughter, Shey, and my husband, Ronnie, for everything. My instructors, I have loved, hated, feared, and respected you all at one point or another. I’m now left with love, respect and thanks. There is a method to your madness. You made me a nurse! My classmates, your friendship, understanding, acceptance and support have enriched my life and I love you all.
Adam McKitrick – I would like to thank all of my family and friends for their love and support. I especially would like to thank my wife, Traci, for her hard work and sacrifice during the past year. Lastly, my mother, Pam, for all of her support for my entire life.
Crystal Sallee – I want to thank my mom and dad for giving me the strength and ambition to follow my dreams. To my children and grandchildren, thank you for loving me even though I was so busy with school. My husband, Paul, thank you for your support and understanding this past year. Kelley, my daughter, thank you for being my role model and blazing the trail before me. Thank you, classmates and teachers, for sharing this dream with me.
Meagan Skees – Thanks to everyone who has supported me and put up with me this year! Without you I couldn’t have done it. I love you guys! Thanks a million.
Lisa Tate – I would like to thank the Washington State faculty and staff and my wonderful LPN instructors for helping me to accomplish my dream. To all my fellow classmates for your friendship and encouragement throughout the year. Together, we made it through to the end! To Erica Knick and Julie Bates for all your help. To my beautiful daughter, Holly, you were my inspiration to become a nurse. I am so proud of you, and someday soon I will be standing here to pin you on your special day. Finally, to my fiancé, Mike, and his family—without your love, support and patience, I would not have had the honor of standing here today. You believed in me. I love you and will forever be grateful.
Leslie Taylor – There are so many people to thank for getting me here. The teachers who taught me, my classmates for all of the encouragement, and Brianna for waking me up during naps to study. My family, for praying for me and listening to my breakdowns. Mr. Greacen, this would not have been possible without you. I will always be grateful. I also need to shout out to Gary and Sharon, Frye, Blacksmith Barbecue, WIA, Career Pathways, and OSP. It’s been an awesome, tiresome year. I look forward to sleeping, watching TV again, reading books that are not textbooks, and most importantly, I look forward to caring for those in need of my newfound knowledge.
Cindy Ward – I would like to say a special thank-you to my daughter, Amanda, for all of the encouragement and praise she has given me. To my mom, Ella, for the moral support and “you can do it” talks. But a special thank-you goes out to the wonderful man in my life who has stood by me, gave words of encouragement and a big hug when nothing else would do. Thank you, Dick, for everything. I love you.
Mollie Wise – I would like to thank my mom, dad, and sister for their love and support and my amazing fellow classmates for their daily support.
Vicky Wittekind – Thanks to Dean, Marcus and Maris, Mom and Dad for all the support and understanding.