1964-2014

To the Triton College Community:

As I write to you today, the temperature outside is drop-ping and I would like to know where our summer went!However, despite the chilly weather, things are warmingup at Triton College!

As I reported to you in my last letter, we had a ribboncutting ceremony on August 27th for our renovated swim-ming pool. At the celebration, we were joined by a largenumber of our district’s residents who regularly use thepool. All the attendees expressed their happiness with theresults of the renovation work and also how much theyenjoyed using our beautiful new swimming pool.

The following day, August 28th, we kicked off our 50th Anniversary celebration with the first of many events in the year-long recognition of our anniversary. We began with the Sundialdedication on our rebuilt campus Quad area. We were joined in these festivities by scores ofTriton students and district residents as well as government leaders and officials from withinthe Triton District. The Sundial dedication was immediately followed by a cake cutting cere-mony, where Chef Denise Smith-Gaborit and her HIA program bakery students unveiled amagnificent cake commemorating Triton College’s 50 years of service to our residents. ChefDenise and her students deserve high praise for their beautiful creation, as evidenced by theaccompanying photo.

More good news comes by way of our fall enrollment numbers, which saw an increase of 1.4%.This increase in fall enrollment follows an 8.5% increase in our summer enrollment. Theseincreases indicate that our efforts to spread the word about the educational opportunities at Triton College are succeeding, and we will continue to work hard to inform our district residents about all the outstanding educational opportunities we offer.

As I’m sure you are aware, we received incredible news on our $53 million bond issue whenMoody’s investment service issued an “Aa1” rating on our bond issue. This is the second highestrating that Moody awards and indicates that Triton College bonds are “of high quality andsubject to very low credit risk,” and that Triton College “has a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations,” according to the Moody’s website. Investors’ confidence in Triton’s financial picture is evidenced by the fact that all the bonds have been sold, and our high rating fromMoody’s translated into hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest cost savings.

We anticipate unveiling the finalized renovation plans at our December 16th Board meeting,and I hope you will join us to see our exciting plans. Our presentation will be the culminationof a series of meetings that began this past summer with four different public communitypresentations throughout the Triton district, as well as a special Board of Trustees meeting onOctober 7th at which in excess of 60 Triton students, staff, and district residents provided theirinput. We also received correspondence to the Board through Triton’s President’s Office. It wasimportant to the Board that the entire Triton community be afforded an opportunity to havetheir voice heard on our campus renovation project. I am confident that when these projectsare completed, Triton College will be very well positioned to serve our district’s residents for the next 50 years.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Page One, and I look forward to hearing how Triton College canserve you. Please feel free to contact me through the Triton College Office of the President at(708) 456-0300, Ext. 3201 or email me at markstephens@triton.edu.

Best Regards,

Mark R. StephensChairman, Triton College Board of Trustees

A Message from Our Chairman

Volume 8, Issue 9, 2014

Community members who take classes in Triton’s swimmingpool join in the excitement of its grand re-opening.

Elected officials came out to support Triton College in its50th year at the morning (above) and evening (below)times of the sundial dedication.

Chairman Mark Stephens stands with (l to r) Chefs ClaudineGleeson and Denise Smith-Gaborit of Triton’s HospitalityProgram, who, along with students, created the 50th anniversary cake.

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Triton College’s LPN Program named thefourth best program in Illinois

Triton College is proud to announce thatits LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) Programwas ranked the fourth best LPN Programin the state by PracticalNursing.org!PracticalNursing.org recently released its Illinois list of the top 20 LPN Programs,naming Triton’s well-regarded programamong the list. The online resource usedthe pass rate results from the 2008-2012NCLEX-PNs, an examination used for thelicensing of nurses, to analyze 44 commu-nity colleges, technical schools and privatenursing schools in Illinois that offer thestate-approved curriculum for licensure,

Did You Know?

narrowing it down to the top 20 schools.Other factors taken into considerationincluded the number of students takingthe exam and the number of years of testdata available. Triton’s LPN Program serves as a comple-mentary component of the college’s ADN(Associate’s Degree in Nursing) Program.The LPN Exit Option allows students study-ing in Triton’s ADN Program to have theoption of temporarily exiting the associ-ate’s degree program to study and takethe LPN licensure test. Students who passthe test can practice as an LPN, whilefinishing their studies toward an ADN –efficiently helping students reach theircareer goals! To see the ranking, visit www.practicalnursing.org/lpn-programs/Illinois.For more information about Triton’s Nurs-ing Program, visit www.triton.edu/Nursing.

Take advantage of Triton College scholarshipsScholarships are a great resource forfinancial assistance toward youreducation, and Triton College offersdozens of them!

For a listing of Triton’s scholarships,visit www.triton.edu/scholarshipsor www.triton.edu/foundation. You can also contact the Financial Aid Office at (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3155, to learn more.

Triton’s Testing Center earns nationalcertification

Triton College’s Testing Center has set thebar high for other post-secondary testingcenters in the nation. The college’s vitalresource was recently awarded Test CenterCertification by the National College Test-ing Association (NCTA).

Triton’s Testing Center was recognized as a leader in excellent testing practices foroffering a secure testing environment andtrained testing staff to serve the testingneeds of both students and communitymembers.

“We are proud to be recognized for thisachievement that validates our efforts thatwe put into supporting and serving the

testing needs of our students,” saidEmmanuel Esperanza, director of Triton’sTesting Center. “This certification alsoencourages us to continue to improve tomeet NCTA’s standards.”

The criteria for certification are rigorousand based on the NCTA Professional Stan-dards and Guidelines, which were devel-oped to guide post-secondary test centersin the delivery of quality testing programs.The Triton College Testing Center is one ofthe few test centers in the United Statesand Canada to have completed this inten-sive certification process. This certificationwill be in place for five years and can berenewed by demonstrating continuedcompliance to national standards.

For more information about the TritonCollege Testing Center, call (708) 456-0300,Ext. 3252, or visit www.triton.edu/testing-center.

You’ve got mail! The Triton College spring 2015 class schedule has already hit mailboxes in your community. In the schedule, you’ll find:

• A variety of classes available this spring, including coursesthrough the college’s ContinuingEducation Department.

• The spring 2015 semester calendar.

• Tuition and financial aid information and more!

7

Enroll Today! 708.456.0300 or www.triton.edu 3

We’ll Reserve One for You!

Foundation Kicks Off Good to Gold!Million Dollar Fundraising Campaign

In honor of our 50th anniversary celebration, Triton College

commemorative lapel pins havebeen ordered in a limited quantityand are available on a first-come,first-served basis free of charge to

community members.

Celebrate with us, show your Tritonpride and wear your pin with honorto help us promote our golden

anniversary celebration.

If you’re interested in receiving this unique Triton collectible

that helps us promote our historicalcelebration, please call Tom Olson,communication relations associate,at (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3460 or sendan e-mail to tomolson@triton.edu.

We’re grateful for the quality exposure and recognition we’ll

get on your behalf when you wearthe pin proudly!

In recognition of Triton College’s milestone 50th anniversary, the Triton College Foundation (a 501(c)(3) organization) recently launched a new and exciting fundraising campaign – The Triton College Foundation Good to Gold! Million Dollar Campaign.

Current/former students, alumni and community members, you’re invited to etch your forever mark in Triton’s history by participating in this extreme initiative.

The Good to Gold! campaign will consist of the Foundation offering a thousand $1000 packages available for purchase with proceedsfunding scholarships and benefiting the students of Triton College – the ultimate beneficiaries.

Each package includes: one engraved paver brick around the 50th Anniversary Sundial; an exclusive anniversary sponsor ad (gold) in the Foundation President’s Reception ad book and in the Triton College 50th Anniversary Black Tie Gala ad book; slide recognition at each event; an exclusive anniversary sponsorship at the Triton College Foundation golf outing; recognition

on the TC Foundation website and college publications; and more.

Here’s your chance to congratulate a graduate, commend a friend, recognize a family member, memorialize a loved one, acknowledgeTriton’s milestone celebration or engrave a name in history – all in support of an extremely worthy cause.

Be one of a thousand that’ll raise a million – join in our bigger than big Good to Gold! crusade!

For exclusive details, please call the Triton College Foundation at (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3758, or send an email to tcfoundation@triton.edu.

Featuring the culinary talents of Triton’s Hospitality students and local restaurants.

Triton College Student Center (B Building, West Campus) 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove, Illinois

Tickets: $60 per personTable of Eight: $440

($55 per person table discount)

Sponsorship opportunities and ad book reservations also are available. Donations of silent auction items are appreciated.

For details, call (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3758, or send an e-mail to tcfoundation@triton.edu.

The Triton College Foundationcordially invites you to the

22nd AnnualFoundation President’s Reception

honoring

Ronald M. SerpicoMayor,

Village of Melrose Park&Diane Viverito

Secretary,Triton College

Board of Trustees

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014Reception begins at 6 p.m.

Enroll Today! 708.456.0300 or www.triton.edu4

Triton College graduate headed to Georgetown University

Speaking of Success…

Levystka learned that she was accepted into the elite institution in Washington, D.C.The 21-year-old who emigrated from theUkraine two-and-a-half years ago to find abetter life for herself in America had multi-ple offers from universities, but she choseGeorgetown because she felt it would offerher the best opportunity to advance in hereducation.

Levystka, who grew up in the poor countryof the Ukraine, dreamed of one day havingthe opportunity to pursue a college educa-tion in the United States as a means to helpsupport her family. Knowing only a little ofthe English language and feeling embar-rassed about her accent, she found awelcoming environment at Triton College.From the faculty and staff on campus toTriton’s students, she received the support

Triton College graduate Khrystyna Levystka,of River Grove, is now attending George-town University on a scholarship!

Just two days before she graduated with herassociate’s degree from Triton on May 17,

Building a greater Triton Collegeplans include modernizing the Child Develop-ment Center with an integrated childcareprogram and a lab school teaching environ-ment for Triton students. In addition, Triton isproposing to update the Student Center,modernize Triton’s on-campus greenhouses,improve academic and athletics facilities onthe east campus and construct a demonstra-tion kitchen and bistro lab for Triton’s hospi-tality students.

Through the selling of the bonds, TritonCollege intends to modernize its campus,which would address the needs of its studentsand prepare them for a highly competitiveworld economy, as well as create many newexciting job creation opportunities for theresidents of the west suburban area. The newdollars will position Triton as a leader in theeconomic development of the district.

Triton College is on its way to making campusimprovements that would not only supporteconomic development in the district but alsoprepare Triton’s students for a competitive jobmarket.

Following board approval of $53 millionworth of bonds, the Triton College Board ofTrustees and administration presented a BondRevenue Campus Renewal Projects publicmeeting on Oct. 7 to present proposedcampus renovations the institution plans topursue. More than 100 individuals attendedthe meeting held in the Robert M. CollinsCenter Auditorium, sharing suggestions onwhat projects should take precedence overothers.

Economic development is the common themeof many of Triton’s new proposals. Trainingstudents for the jobs of tomorrow is the primeobjective. Some of the proposed renovation

and guidance she needed toward complet-ing her education.

Levystka began her educational career atTriton by taking English as a SecondLanguage courses before enrolling full-timein classes and being accepted into Triton’sScholars Program for academically talentedin-district students. The Scholars Programexposed her to university transfer opportu-nities, as well as challenged her withadvanced courses, graduating from Tritonwith a 4.0 GPA. She plans to pursue a degreein business administration to teach othersabout how to maintain their finances – a goal she is very passionate about.

For more information about TritonCollege’s Scholars Program, visitwww.triton.edu/Scholars-Program.

During this past summer, through a series ofpublic community presentations throughoutthe Triton district, Triton College presentedthe proposal to rebuild its campus. At thesemeetings, the citizens of the district wereinvited to offer their suggestions.

At the Sept. 23 Triton College board ofTrustees meeting, the Board approved thebonds to fund multiple proposed projectsthat would be constructed within three yearsof the approval date.

Currently, the Triton College Board ofTrustees is accepting suggestions in regardsto the proposed projects as they prepare todetermine which projects are the most feasi-ble and purposeful to pursue.

Rendering of proposed campus renovation project -A Building.

Rendering of proposed campus renovation project -R Building, student athletic fitness center.

Rendering of proposed campus renovation project - B Building, demonstration kitchen bistro.

Enroll Today! 708.456.0300 or www.triton.edu 5

Events you’ve missed...

Employee/retiree picnic

Alumni Athletics Day

The Cernan Earth and Space Center build-ing at Triton College is sporting a new, out-of-this-world accessory – solar panels!

With support from a $54,000 grant fromthe Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN)and the Illinois Department of Commerceand Economic Opportunity (DCEO), anarray of solar panels were recently installedonto the campus building to supportTriton’s mission of becoming more sustain-able, as well as to provide students with a hands-on learning opportunity, as thecollege looks to add new academicprograms focused on renewable energy.

John Lambrecht, associate vice president ofFacilities at Triton, said the array includes 54solar panels, each with the capacity topower 250 watts at maximum power, whichwill supplement the power of the buildingat times.

Working with ARCON Associates, Inc., inLombard, Lambrecht explained that thesolar panels were installed in the design of a satellite in tone with the planetarium.

Also fittingly, a mural of former astronautEugene Cernan on the moon, whom thespace center is named for, was painted ontoone of the panels.

Triton’s Associate Dean of Arts and SciencesDr. Gabe Guzman said, “This project focuseson the ‘Earth’ part of the Cernan Earth andSpace Center. “By having the solar panels atthe Cernan Center, we see this as an oppor-tunity to educate our students on renew-able energy, as well as the community andyouth that visit the Cernan Center for theirpublic shows.”

He continued, the panels will measure anddisplay the amount of solar energy beingcollected that the public is welcome to viewat the Cernan Center.

Guzman added that jobs in renewableenergy are growing, as the demand foralternative energy sources increases, soTriton is working to develop new academicprograms that will prepare students forgainful employment within this field.

The college looks to add more renewableenergy components to complement Triton’sdeveloping curriculum, he said.

Newly installed solar panels add shine to Cernan Center building

Future Focus

Fall Family Fun Fest

Enroll Today! 708.456.0300 or www.triton.edu6

Taking care in teaching students about a career in public service, healthcare

Program Spotlight

Triton’s health careers and public serviceprograms offer innovative teaching strategiesthat prepare students to be “competent,caring, adaptable, critical thinking health careprofessionals.” The college’s program is consis-tently offering new degree opportunities andupgraded technology to meet the demands ofthe fastest growing career in the job market.With Triton’s strong partnerships with localand regional health care systems and hospi-tals, students within the program receive areal-world education that includes clinicalexperience.Triton’s experienced faculty who’ve taught inthis respected field know firsthand how impor-tant it is to show care to patients and victims.“Our careers are not about our bravery, but

It takes a big heart to work in the health andpublic service industries, as many of them aresaving lives, sometimes risking their own inthe process.It’s this caring nature that the faculty ofTriton’s School of Health Careers and PublicService Programs emphasize in their classes.“Having a good paying, dependable job isn’tthe only reason why you should venture intothis field,” said Deb Krukowski, coordinatorof Triton’s Diagnostic Medical SonographyProgram. “A big reason a person should, andmostly they do, go into the health careersand public service fields is because they wantto help people.”

rather our ability to effectively provide thecare, attention and help a person needs tosurvive,” said Bill Justiz, coordinator ofTriton’s Emergency Medical TechnologyProgram, who also works as afirefighter/paramedic with the Chicago andRiver Grove fire departments. “I’m humbledby the opportunity to not only work in thisselfless field but to then educate others whoare interested in pursuing a career in EMT.” Triton’s School of Health Careers and PublicService Programs include:• Allied Health• Diagnostic Medical Sonography• Emergency Management• Nursing• Emergency Medical Technology• Eye Care Assistant• Facilities Engineering Management• Fire Science Technology• Nuclear Medicine Technology• Ophthalmic Technology• Radiologic Technology• Respiratory Care• Surgical Technology

For more information about any of theabove programs, call (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3723, or visit www.triton.edu.

Triton College introduces new mascot – TROY!

You’ve asked for it – and now he’s here! TritonCollege welcomes its new mascot, Troy, who’llserve as an ambassador of the college, spreading

the word about the academic and athleticprograms, resources and services that Triton offers.

And the best part is, you helped to create Troy! For everyone who took part in the online survey to the students who participated in the mascotdesign contest, you all played a hand in the

creation of Troy. Bravo!

Be sure to catch Troy at Triton events and aroundthe community!

chaos: Seven-year old Queenie is on the run afterstealing her new best friend Gus, the talkingblowfish, from a pet store. Struggling actor Peteris desperate to perform while his mother hauntshim with guilt. Samantha is trying to pull togetherher family which is spinning out of control. At thecenter of it all is Grace, a woman trying to findher way back home. This new work takes audi-ences on an unexpected journey to the possibilityof healing. Visit www.triton.edu/VPC for timesand ticket prices.

The Cernan Earth and Space Center sends audi-ences on a journey into space with various showsavailable that change month to month. Showsare available at 7:30 and 9 p.m. on Fridays andSaturdays and 2 and 3 p.m. on Sundays. Visitwww.triton.edu/cernan for up-to-the-minuteupdates.

Call (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3506, for more informa-tion, or visit www.triton.edu/vpc.

Enroll Today! 708.456.0300 or www.triton.edu 7

On Triton College’s campus, everyone is talented –from the students, to the college’s faculty andstaff, to community members within Triton’sdistrict!

You’re invited to see and hear just how talentedthe Triton community is with many free eventscoming up on campus this fall and winter.

In the Triton College Art Gallery, the Berwyn ArtLeague will present the works of lifelong andbeginning artists in many media through Nov. 21.For local art lovers, this is a show to see! A publicreception will begin at 7 p.m. on Nov. 21 in thegallery.

Following this exhibit, works by Triton’s studentswill be on display from Dec. 1-11. Presenting anarray of artwork on exhibit and for sale, this showcomes just in time for the holidays! A publicreception will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 11 inthe gallery.

The art gallery is located in Room J-107 of the

Triton’s talent on display for all to see and hearJ Building. All art gallery events are free andopen to everyone.

Triton’s musical performances include a FacultyArtist Series at 7 p.m. on Nov. 12, with pianistJoann Cho; and several performances to usher inthe holiday season:

• Holiday Concert Band Program, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 5

• Winter Jazz Ensemble Concert, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 11

• Triton College Concert Choir, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 12

All performances will take place in the PerformingArts Center of the Robert M. Collins Center on theeast side of campus. Admission is free.

For a night of theater, you can catch “There’s anOcean in Nebraska” by Chicago playwright DanaLynn Formby on Feb. 28 and March 1, 2015 inTriton’s Cox Auditorium, located in Room J-108 ofthe J Building.

In the topsy-turvy world of “There’s an Ocean inNebraska,” adventures quickly move toward

New faculty come to Triton College this falleager to educate, guide and encouragestudents to achieve their goals in the class-room and in their lives.

The new faculty members are Aja Gorham,College Readiness Writing; Tuan Dean,College Readiness Math; David Bowen, Math;Richard Chan, Microbiology; Daniel Martens,Criminal Justice; Rudy Gostowski, Chemistry;Michael Tweed, Architecture; and ElizabethMoxley and Margaret Young, both Nursing.

Staff of the Triton College Child Develop-ment Center achieved the Gold Circle ofQuality through ExceleRate Illinois, thestate's new quality rating and improve-ment system for early learning and devel-opment programs. The Gold Circle ofQuality demonstrates the Child Develop-ment Center’s commitment to excellence in providing children with comprehensivecare and an enhanced learning experience.

New faculty memberscontribute to Triton’smission of studentsuccess

Triton College ChildDevelopment Centerreceives state awardfor excellence

2000 Fifth Ave.River Grove, IL 60171

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1964-2014

2000 Fifth Ave.,River Grove, IL 60171

Triton.edu(708) 456-0300

Triton College is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution.

Page One provides a bridge of communication between TritonCollege and its surrounding communities. We seek to buildstrong relationships with district residents and achieve our mission through the sharing of information about Triton’s students, faculty, events and programs. The publication is

produced by the Marketing and Public Relations Departmentat Triton College.

Please direct all comments and questions to pageone@triton.edu.

For more information, please call (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3130,

or visit us at www.triton.edu/collegeability.

You Have Collegeability.Affordability. Transferability. Employability. Enjoyability.

DATES TO REMEMBER . . .

Nov. 12 Triton College Faculty Artist Series, 7 p.m., Performing Arts Center in the Robert M. Collins Center (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3506, www.triton.edu/VPC.

Nov. 18 Job Club Meeting: How to Apply Online, 1 to 2 p.m., Room B-130B of the Student Center (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3619, or email richwilliams@triton.edu.

Dec. 1-11 Fall Student Art Show, Fine Arts Gallery, Room J-107 (J Building), A public reception is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 11 in the gallery (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3506, www.triton.edu/VPC.

Dec. 5 Holiday Concert Band Program, 7:30 p.m., Performing Arts Center in the Robert M. Collins Center (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3506, www.triton.edu/VPC.

Dec. 11 Winter Jazz Ensemble Concert, 7:30 p.m., Performing Arts Center in the Robert M. Collins Center (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3506, www.triton.edu/VPC.

Dec. 12 Triton College Concert Choir, 7:30 p.m., Performing Arts Center in the Robert M. Collins Center (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3506, www.triton.edu/VPC.

REGISTER NOW FOR SPRING SEMESTER!Classes begin Jan. 20