News & Notes

German exchange students coming in October
North Lake College will once again host 10 students and two professors from Uelzen, Germany this fall. Patricia Corbett, senior administrative assistant to Dr. Linda Glasscock, has been organizing the exchange program since 1988, and will be taking a group of North Lake students to Germany in May 2006.

Corbett is in the process of putting together a program that will provide an overview of life in America. A trip to San Antonio, Galveston, Austin and Houston’s NASA are on the agenda. Volunteers are needed to help with transportation to and from tours and activities.

“But our greatest need is host families,” said Corbett. “These are delightful and charming young men and women who are anxious to experience American life with an American student.” Students who host a German exchange student are eligible to make the next trip to Germany in spring 2006.

For more information, call Corbett at 972-273-3010, or send an e-mail to pcorbett@dcccd.edu.

Student plays three roles in Shakespeare play
If you enjoyed the phenomenal production of North Lake Theatre Company’s Comedy of Errors, then take a look at Shakespeare in the Park. There is a familiar face among the thespians.

Bryan Pitts, or Duke Solinus in North Lake’s production, has three roles in Shakespeare in the Park’s rendition of Comedy of Errors. Although they are small roles (a messenger, a merchant and a ninja), Pitts says that its a start.

See Pitts on stage in Dallas at Samuel Grand Park, Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays, June 19 through July 24, at 8 p.m. Call 214-559-2778 for more information.
—Jessica Bradford

Islamic scholar visits summer government class
Shamshad Haider Murtazawi shared his knowledge and experience with Dr. Gabriel Bach’s students during the Summer I session. Haider studied Comparative Religions, Arabic and philosophy in Karachi University and Qum, Iran. He is currently the Islamic Scholar in Residence in Irving, serving the Shia Muslim community in Dallas. He was the first of three speakers for the class. Hurst mayor Richard Ward and Criminal District Judge Robert Francis were also scheduled during the Summer I classes.

Faculty and staff recognized
North Lake College’s faculty and staff were recognized in May at the college’s annual Recognition Day program. Dr. Linda Glasscock presided over the awards presentation, with the theme “A Focus for the Future.”

John Hitt was selected by student vote as “Full-time Faculty of the Year,” and Melody Bell was awarded “Adjunct Faculty of the Year” by the students.

Police Officer of the Year is Don McConaghie. Carole Gray, director of Disability Services, was honored for her contribution to the recognition of the college, and Marsha Anderson was awarded special recognition for community service for starting the Barton Book Donation Project at Barton Elementary in honor of her mother, Leona Anderson. Outstanding Continuing Education employee was given to Monica Clausen, health and fitness instructor, who has developed a first-rate fitness program for senior adults.

Numerous longevity awards were given out to both full-time and adjunct faculty, from 5 years to 25 years. Gregory Jackson and John Moseley received an award for 25 years of continuous service as adjunct faculty. Full-time faculty and staff longevity awards for 25 years went to Bill Proctor, Marty Ray, Gerry Brooks, Mary Ciminelli, and Bob Ironside.

By popular campus vote, Leigh Poston was chosen for the 2003-2004 Service Excellence Award. Oleg Kuprevich received the most nominations (6) over the past year. The Educational and Administrative Technology team (13 members) received 25 nominations for Service Excellence the third year in a row.

The President’s Award in Student Services was given to Christine DeLaTorre. Marsha Anderson and Zena Jackson won the President’s Award for Teaching & Learning. Larry Johnson was given the President‘s Award for Professional Development, Shirley Thompson for Resources, and Paul Kelemen for Planning and Accountability.

Student accepted at Dallas Police Academy
Kaveri Sanyal, a former student who completed 45 hours at NLC, has been accepted at the Dallas Police Academy. Prior to her acceptance, Sanyal was a video editor at WFAA-TV, Channel 8, and free-lanced for CNN. Sanyal was a video technology student at NLC and instructor Andy Chiles taught her in a few classes. “She was very motivated and interested in learning new techniques,” he said. “She is a hard-working, people-caring individual,” said Dan Joutras, athletic director at NLC. “We all wish her the best in her new endeavor.”

Andy Chiles finishes documentary
Video technology instructor, Andy Chiles, just finished a documentary entitled “Border Bandits,” which premiered last week at the Dallas Museum of Art. It will screen at the Dallas Video Festival on July 8. Chiles provided editing, audio recording and sound design for the documentary, which was written and directed by Kirby Warnock. The film tells the story of how the Texas Rangers killed between 3,000 to 5,000 Mexicans and Mexican-Americans between 1910 and 1920 in South Texas.

Blast from the Past winner
Congratulations to Nader Dowaik, a student assistant in the Foreign Language Lab, for correctly identifying April’s “Blast from the Past” photo as Lisa “Lolly” Arden. Dowaik will receive a free lunch, compliments of Subway.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Adeshola Olufem means “God Love You” in Nigeria. Femi, as Adeshola is called by family and friends, is a 31-year-old Nigerian and former video technology student at North Lake.

He has lived in the U.S. for 6 years and is a devout Christian employed with the Texas Department of Human Services for the last 3 years. Although Femi has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Nigeria, he said, “North Lake College is the best school ever.”

He said that he learned video production mainly to produce religious and educational videos for his family and people back home. His job with Human Services is perfect for him, as his motto is “helping all people to meet their basic needs.”
—Les Crader