A Publication by the Students of the FRCC-Larimer Campus

VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2 APRIL— MAY 2008

OPPORTUNITY ‟S KNOCKING!

ACCOUNTING CLUB ‟S CAREER DAY

BY TAWNY DENNIS , RANGEVIEW REPORTER

Standing in a conference room in front of several people who

have the power to make or break your career can be intimidating.

Actually, it can be downright scary. Accounting Club Advisor

SeonAh Kendall believes that, ―No matter how confident you feel

about interviewing, you can‘t get enough of it.‖ That is why the

club has organized a Career Day at Front Range on

April 30, which will be filled with mock interviews and

seminars.

Kendall had the idea for a career day after she had

seen one at Colorado State University, and she thought

it would be a good event for the Accounting Club to

put together. Kendall, who teaches accounting at Front

Range, received her associate degree in accounting

from Front Range and transferred to CSU where she

received her Bachelor of Science in business admini-

stration, with a concentration in accounting. She also

received her Master of Science in the same field, with

certificates in financial and tax accounting.

Kendall, along with Lauren Smith, oversees the

Accounting Club, and there are student co-presidents

who run it. Rachel Anderson is one of them. She

learned about the club when one of her former account-

ing instructors had mentioned wanting to get a club

started. ―It looks really good on your resume,‖ were the

words that sold Anderson on it. She is passionate about

accounting because it is organized, and her busy life-

style ―absolutely has to be organized,‖ since she has a 2

-year-old son named Jayden to take care of. So an accounting

club fits right in.

Anderson has several responsibilities as a co-president that

include making sure all the members are in the know about the

activities of the club, as well as making sure that the Student

Government Association (SGA) is up to speed on what is hap-

pening with the club. She set up a universal email account that all

members have the password to so that all emails can be read, and

their calendar of events is up to date.

The Career Day will be an all-day event in the Longs Peak

Student Center. There will be mock interviews all day, as well as

several different seminars. There are expected to be four seminars

throughout the day, including a seminar about employer expecta-

tions. The East Conference Room will hold the seminars and the

West Conference Room will hold interviews, with the small con-

ference room including panel interviews. These panel interviews

will not be an all-day event, but will still be available for those

students who want to experience an enhanced interview process.

Kendall likes the idea of holding panel interviews because she

―heard from former students that they were not prepared for panel

interviews‖ after they graduated.

Several local companies have already agreed to participate in

Career Day, with Sample and Bailey, a local certified public ac-

counting firm, participating in the mock interviews. Jan DeBell is

an instructor in the Dental Assisting Program at Front Range, and

(Continued on page 4)

Guest columnist Jessica Smith mushes her dogsled team in Jackson Hole, Wyo., during the winter of 2005-2006. Read about her other exciting jobs on page 20. Photo by Anna Rumminer

2

MEET OUR EDITORIAL TEAM

EDITORIAL TEAM (left to right): Molly McCarthy, Max Haghighi and Lindsey Fisher

Photo by Kate Tarasenko

MEET OUR PHOTO TEAM

MISSION STATEMENT:

The Rangeview provides a voice for FRCC’s Larimer campus. We strive to give our readers accurate and balanced coverage on a variety of news and events in an effort to keep our campus well-informed about its college community. We approach our responsibilities with the goal of maintaining the highest journalistic standards to the best of our abilities.

Faculty Advisor &

Managing Editor………...… Kate Tarasenko

Editorial Team…….…...……Lindsey Fisher

………………….…………Max Haghighi

………………….…………..Molly McCarthy

Photo Team…….. .………… …...Marie Abe

…………….……………..Tawny Dennis

……………..…………..Jenn Killmer

Layout…….. ..….……...……Kate Tarasenko

Assistant Layout Team………Ashley Bailey

…………………………….Kate Elisha

…………………………….Jill Prenger

Advisory Board……….... .…..Karl Dukstein

……………………..…….Kathy Mendt

……………………..…..…..Erin Smith

……………………..…..…..Rob Suglia

.……………… …...….Kate Tarasenko

SUBMISSIONS POLICY:

We welcome feedback, letters to the

editor, articles and op-ed pieces (as

well as story ideas and tips) from all

members of the FRCC community.

Please do not exceed 600 words.

The Rangeview also accepts photos

and artwork in j-peg format (min..

1,200 pixels on the long side).

All submissions must be emailed

directly from your FRCC account as

a Word.doc or j-peg attachment, and

must be accompanied by full name

and local phone number, to:

Rangeview@FrontRange.edu

All submissions are subject to final

approval by the Editing Team/Advisory

Board, and may be edited for length,

clarity, and potentially libelous content.

Please submit your

calendar items and events to Rob.Suglia@FrontRange.edu.

ALL CONTENT © 2008 RANGEVIEW PHOTO TEAM (left to right): Tawny Dennis, Jenn Killmer and Marie Abe

Photo by Kate Tarasenko

3

ALSO

IN THIS ISSUE:

Serving the Students

Vet Services.…………….4

GED Program……………6

Scholars’ Square

Criminal Justice..………...7

Women‘s Studies..……….8

Humanities…...…………10

Club Hub

WITT…………..………..11

Blazin‘ Sacks…………...13

Campus Wellness

Nursing Program………..15

Holistic Health………….16

Medium Cool

Art…………...………….18

Survey of the ‗60s............19

Warhol & Dylan…..…….17

Itty Bits

Textbook Bill…..……….12

Be Our Guest

Smith‘s Adventures..…..20

FROM OUR READERS

The students involved in this publication are

learning a lot, I am sure, and it is very good

for the campus.

Keep up the good work.

Gordon Goldsmith

Supervisor

Department of Public Safety

Writing Forum Update

In the previous issue of The Rangeview, I

described the possibility of a Spring Writing

Forum that would involve a unique chance

for those on campus (students, instructors

and others) to share in written dialogue out-

side of our traditional classroom situations.

This project is still in motion, but will not

occur during the week of Spring Fling. In-

stead, the planning process is being extended,

with the hope of offering the forum in the

summer and/or fall of 2008.

In the meantime, I encourage you to search

online for information about the Thomas

Jefferson for Protection of Free Expression

and the Community Chalkboard and Podium

(also known as a ―Free Speech Monument‖)

in Charlottesville, Va. to learn more about

the interest that others have with highly visi-

ble forms of written expression, and opportu-

nities for dialogue about freedom of expres-

sion.

Our own writing forum can be unique in its

ability to inspire and reveal academic dia-

logue on new levels, and I am interested in

gaining additional feedback on the perceived

value of the project and suggestions for dia-

logue. This may involve some questionnaires

to instructors, so be on the lookout for up-

coming fliers and other materials. Stay tuned!

Susan Marshall

English Instructor

The Rangeview

is funded by Student Life using student fees,

and by the Department of Arts & Letters.

Content for The Rangeview is provided by

the journalism students of JOU-106,

the Fundamentals of Reporting.

FALL 2008

Register for JOU-106,

the Fundamentals of

Reporting, and write for

The Rangeview!

(CRN 52526;

3 transfer credit hours)

Also offered as an

Honors Institute class.

The Rangeview dispenser at Harmony

Library is always empty! This is a positive!

People very much enjoy the newsletter, and

several of the staff have mentioned articles they

have seen in The Rangeview.

I believe the newsletter gives the FRCC

campus great exposure to the general public

walking through the library doors. The people

who work on campus, students on campus,

and issues of interest...are humanized through

The Rangeview.

My congrats to you and your students. Keep up

the good work.

Annie Fox

Campus Librarian

Harmony Library

Please congratulate everyone on such great

work with The Rangeview! I notice how

quickly the copies seem to be snatched from the

stands around campus.

Susan Marshall

English Instructor

Fall 2008 Scholarship Deadlines:

Louisa Preston Music: April 22

Flying Solo Single Parent: May 30

Leona Stanford Vollintine Charitable

Trust: June 1

4

and she has agree to speak at one of the seminars, as well. The

particulars have not been completely sorted out yet, but stu-

dents should expect a full day of valuable information.

Anderson has several responsibilities to fulfill on the day

of the event. She needs to make sure everything works. ―On the

day of the event, I will be there all day. I need to make sure that

my plans are followed, and that any surprise situations come

up, that they are handled immediately,‖ she explains. She also

needs to be available to show students how important a day like

this really is to them. Anderson wants students to know that the

more interviews they do to practice their skills, the more they

will be prepared for a real interview someday.

On top of everything, she will also be showing students

how fulfilling it can be to get involved in student activities.

According to Anderson, ―[Student activities] build soft skills

and leadership ability. I have actually found that my ability to

be a student has greatly improved since being involved with the

club.‖ She says that since she has joined the club, her team-

work skills have improved, as well as her leadership abilities.

Being a member in a group like this can help students work

with others in groups more efficiently.

Kendall and Anderson have been working hard to organize

Career Day at Front Range. Kendall believes that this day can

help students become more comfortable when going into a real

interview situation. Anderson wants students who sign up to

know that ―the time to sign up is now. We have only 95 slots

that can be filled by students and they are filling up fast.‖ Sign-

up will continue until the week before Career Day. She also

wants students to understand that these interviews are being set

(CAREER DAY continued from page 1)

up to critique students, not to praise them. Students need to be

prepared to get criticism from the mock interviewers, and they

need to be able to take that critique and build on it. Students are

also expected to dress for the occasion, as well. ―Business cas-

ual‖ is strongly encouraged so that the students can take the event

seriously and really make it a ―mock interview.‖ This is supposed

to be a learning process for students so that when they have to

interview for an actual job, they are prepared and confident.

All students are welcome to attend Career Day. The event will

be held on April 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ®

SERVING THE STUDENTS

Accounting Club Co-President Rachel Anderson (right) tutors student Kelly Webster. Photo by Tawny Dennis

SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED :

FRCC‟S VETERAN SERVICES

BY JENN KILLMER , RANGEVIEW REPORTER

The recent buildup of U.S. armed forces will result in an

increased number of veterans seeking opportunities to further

their education. Front Range Community College has a program

designed specifically to assist these veterans in this endeavor

through Veterans Services.

In fall of 2006, Veteran Services moved to Admissions and

Records from Financial Aid. Vicki Peek, 49, was asked to be

both the VA certified official and the advisor to the students.

Before the move, veterans had to go back and forth between the

advising office and the financial aid office. Now, students can

complete their paperwork and their advising all in one central

location.

Veteran Services works with approximately 250 student-

veterans during any given semester – about 5 percent of the

student population – and they have three main goals to assist

them. The first is to help them process their GI Bill paperwork.

The second is to help them with their academic plan, and the third

is to inform them about the different outside resources that help

them with other benefits that are offered through the GI Bill.

Every February, Veteran Service hosts a Veterans Admini-

stration (VA) Open House and invites external resources, such as

the Larimer County Vet Center, Larimer County Work Force and

the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Peek says this event ―gives

students a chance to come together and meet each other…and

provides an entire event where they are comfortable and able to

come and talk.‖

Spc. Patrick Amie, 26, an FRCC student and a veteran of the

Iraq War, uses Veteran Services. He says it‘s ―a good liaison.‖

He felt that he was working with staff who ―understood what I

was trying to do as far as financial aid [was concerned], and who

were patient and understanding.‖

Amie and other student-veterans at FRCC are awarded

funds for their tuition and fees for school through the GI Bill.

The GI Bill has four different chapters that offer benefits to veter-

ans. These chapters are: 1606, 1607, 35, and 30. Chapter 30 enti-

tles a student who has served in the armed forces for three or

(Continued on next page)

5

(VET SERVICES continued from previous page)

more years a base pay of $1,101 if s/he is a full-time student. Reserve

veterans, who have served in branches such as the National Guard,

receive their benefits from Chapters 1606 and 1607. Chapter 35 allows

dependents of deceased or severely disabled veterans to receive bene-

fits.

Amie thinks that the GI Bill is ―a good thing‖ and says, ―Without

the GI Bill, I know that I would not be here.‖ He secluded himself for

the first eight or nine months after returning from war, saying, ―I

wouldn‘t go anywhere where there were groups of people or loud

noises. I was really shut down.‖ He believes that the bill helps in the

healing process by getting veterans back into school, saying that, ―A

lot happens psychologically and socially in a war environment.‖

Peek believes that the GI Bill is ―a wonderful opportunity and that

every veteran should take advantage of it.‖ However, she does think

that there should be changes. The veteran has a period of 10 years after

they are discharged from the services to start collecting their benefits,

and Peek would like to see that time period extended saying,

―Sometimes students are not ready or able [to attend school] until

maybe the ninth year, and they only get one or two semesters‘ worth,

and cannot get [their benefits] extended.‖ The completion of the initial

paperwork takes about 12 weeks to be processed. The veteran will not

receive their money until this process is completed, and she would like

to see that time shortened.

When Amie was stationed overseas in the Army infantry, he says

that he ―experienced the best and worst times of my life.‖ He valued

the ―esprit de corps‖ that was established among the men, and was able

to see things that he read about in the Bible first-hand. One event that

had a strong

impact on

him was

when a local

woman knelt

down and

washed his

first

sergeant‘s

feet with her

hair, while

keeping her

head down so

that no one

could see her

face. ―That

gesture of

gratitude was

crazy – it was

straight out of

the Bible,‖

Amie says. ―[It] broke my heart, in a good way.‖

Veteran Services is a young program in its new format, and is still

growing. Peek says that she herself is still learning, and that she is

―getting better at reaching out to the students.‖

SERVING THE STUDENTS

Beginning Tuesday, April 8, the Larimer County Vet

Center will be on campus at the Long Peaks Student Cen-

ter from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. every other Tuesday. Peek en-

courages all veterans to stop in and familiarize themselves

with this other resource in town, saying that it is ―not just

for counseling, but overall is a good place for resources.‖

The Larimer County Vet Center offers support groups for

social and psychological issues, as well as assistance with

medical benefits.

Peek encourages all the FRCC student-veterans to

seek help if they are having difficulty re-adjusting to soci-

ety, and to take advantage of the benefits that are offered.

These benefits include, among others: money, resume

writing, support groups, and help in finding jobs and hous-

ing. Veteran Services can also direct students to tutoring,

counseling and help with other academic issues.

Veteran Services provides many benefits and resources

to the veterans at FRCC. Peek urges all veterans to stop by

and says, ―It is an honorable thing to [seek help], and they

should not be ashamed at all.‖ ®

“A lot happens psychologically and socially in a war environment.”

— Spc. Patrick Amie, FRCC student

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army

Vicki Peek of FRCC’s Veteran Services Photo by Jenn Killmer

156 reporters have been killed in Iraq

since the start of the war.

— Source: Reporters Without Borders

6

SERVING THE STUDENTS

“GET „ER DONE”: GED AT FRCC

BY MAX HAGHIGHI , RANGEVIEW REPORTER

The end of the semester is fast approaching, and the looks on

faces of the students are reflective of fatigue and anxieties.

Quietly, however, less traditional students inconspicuously roam

the corridors of Front Range Community College in pursuit of

their entrance to the college way of learning.

According to the American Council on Education, ―In 2005,

424,000 passed the GED tests. More than 60 percent of GED

test-takers say they

intend to further

their education be-

yond the GED pro-

gram.‖

These are indi-

viduals who don‘t

look out of place at

FRCC. Maybe they

had to leave high

school to help take

care of their family.

Maybe they felt they

just didn‘t fit in with

the kids at the high

school they at-

tended, or maybe

they just didn‘t be-

lieve the high school

diploma would

really mean any-

thing, but now they know what it means to not have it.

It is very hard to get a job without a high school degree or a

GED. You also can‘t get into colleges or most vocational

schools without a high school diploma or GED. ACE claims that

people who have a GED or high school diploma make more

money than those who don‘t.

Two sisters, Rachel and Rebecca Torres are two such indi-

viduals. ―We were born to a family of loving and supporting

parents,‖ says Rachel, as she shuffled through her papers getting

ready for her class. ―My family moved to Colorado in 1994, and

my parents decided on the home schooling.‖

There was a sense of resignation in Rachel‘s voice when her

sister, Rebecca, chimed in, ―We attended conventional school,

but we just did not fit in.‖ Rebecca nodded in agreement.

―We were happy, confident, and friendly when we grew

up.‖

Rachel continued, ―We enjoyed the setting of home school-

ing and the personal attention we received.‖

As if to validate her sister‘s recollection of their educa-

tional experience, Rebecca added, ―We really enjoyed the pri-

vate piano lessons the best.‖

Steve Dirmeyer is the GED instructor who is shepherding

the two sisters among the host of other non-traditional students

through the program offered at FRCC. ―It‘s not too late.‖ Dir-

meyer said matter-of-factly. ―The GED Program provides an

opportunity to earn high school equivalency diploma. It could

be one of the best things they ever do for themselves.‖

Dirmeyer has been a GED instructor at FRCC since 2005.

―Both of my parents were teachers. My dad was a civil engi-

neer and my mother taught reading in the public schools.‖

Dirmeyer received a

Bachelor of Arts degree

from Colorado State

University in art. ―I‘m

not sure if I actually

chose teaching. Rather, I

just evolved into it.‖

Dirmeyer credits his in-

quisitive parents as well.

―They instilled a love of

reading and a great

respect for the profession

of teaching.‖

The GED Program is

an offering of the Center

for Adult Learning

(CAL) on the Front

Range Campus. The of-

fice is located in Blanca

Peak, and can be reached

at 204-8112. The coor-

dinator of the program, Margie Wagner, is judiciously involved

with all aspects of the course planning. She grew up in Fort

Collins and still lives in her family home in the Old Town area.

Wagner received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music perform-

ance from Colorado College in Colorado Springs, and a mas-

ter‘s degree in adult education from CSU. ―The ‗a-ha‘ moment

is what every teacher strives for! Most GED students are very

motivated and teaching them is a joy. Teaching adults is never

boring; I have great respect for them and I always learn from

my students.‖ Wagner went on, ―I have been a paid instructor

since January 1989 and, for the most part, I have enjoyed every

moment of it.‖ Subtly turning to Dirmeyer, Wagner wanted to

put the spotlight back on one of her many teachers.

Dirmeyer collected himself as if to command the attention

of his students, and continued as if reading from the same

hymn sheet, ―I enjoy the students who come to us and admire

them for making the choice to pursue their high school

degree.‖

(Continued on next page)

Sisters Rachel and Rebecca Torres (left to right) study for their GED exam with instructor Steve Dirmeyer. Photo by Tawny Dennis

7

Dr. Laura Manuel talks with sophomore Tyler Hamilton after their Intro to Criminal Justice class. Photo by Marie Abe

SERVING THE STUDENTS

(GED continued from previous page)

The Center for Adult Learning does not administer the GED

test, but prepares the student for the exam. ―It is an investment in

their future,‖ Dirmeyer said, ―and certainly more self-respect.‖

Along with self-respect, wanting to have a better life is

perhaps what brought the two sisters to the center. ―I never felt I

fit in the traditional school setting,‖ Rachel claimed reluctantly,

―but I had reached the decision that my education was more im-

portant than all my anxieties.‖

Rebecca added, ―We have both decided to go to college and

study to become nurses.‖

Rebecca credits ―the accommodation and the class

schedules‖ as the main drawing point to the center. ―They are

great.‖ She went on to say, ―I felt that the teachers at CAL took

me more seriously than in other schools.‖

Not to be drowned out by her sister, Rachel added, ―I like

the fact that all the teachers are very friendly and patient here.‖

Dirmeyer and the Torres sisters were getting restless to get

back to their daily routine. Committed to the pursuit of their

education, Rebecca articulated her admiration for the Adult

Learning Center. ―No matter what, don‘t give up. If you think

life is hard, it can get harder if you don‘t get your education,‖

she said, to which Rachel offered her tacit approval. ®

SCHOLARS ‟ SQUARE

CSI: FORT COLLINS —

FRCC‟S CRIMINAL JUSTICE

PROGRAM

BY L INDSEY FISHER , RANGEVIEW REPORTER

Showing off all her equipment for the Criminal Justice

Program, including fake blood, fake knives and bullet holes, as

well as her old crime scene dummy, Laura Manuel, 57, stood in

her office, anticipating the reveal of her brand new prop

dummy. Manuel is the lead faculty for the Criminal Justice

Program here on campus. The careers seen on popular TV

crime shows become reality in the many criminal justice

classes offered here.

Manuel is also a full-time instructor in the program, as

well as in psychology. She teaches Intro to Criminology and

Crime Scene in the Criminal Justice Program, as well as Intro

to Psychology, Psychology of Gender, and Social Psychology.

She earned her doctorate in educational psychology from the

University of Northern Colorado after she earned bachelor‘s de-

grees in her double major of political science and sociology from

the University of Michigan, as well as a master‘s in psychology

from UNC.

When asked about what got her interested in criminal justice,

she stated that, for her, ―like most people in the field, it wasn‘t

planned,‖ and she just sort of fell into it. ―After two years, I was

totally hooked, you know, an adrenaline junky,‖ said Dr. Manuel.

This is her second semester at Front Range after teaching at UNC,

Wyoming State, Metro State, Aims Police Academy, and High-

lands Ranch Academy.

Criminal Justice Studies is offered as an Associate of Gen-

eral Studies course, and has been gaining more student interest

over the four semesters it has been available. So far, it‘s only

offered on the Westminster and Larimer campuses, but there

are many four-year universities, including UNC and Metro

State, that offer a similar program. Dr. Manuel said that soon,

―the courses will be everywhere,‖ when asked about its grow-

ing popularity. The program seems to be gaining interest

among students, even since she has been here, Dr. Manuel

stated. ―It‘s one of the few areas that, as long as you aren‘t

criminal…if you graduate with something, I think you could

find a job; and it‘s a job security that‘s not going to go away,‖

she said. (Continued on next page)

8

SCHOLARS ‟ SQUARE

(CRIMINAL JUSTICE continued from previous page)

When asked why students should consider the Criminal

Justice Program here, Dr. Manuel explained the ―personal

touch‖ of smaller class sizes, and her experience, along with

that of three other instructors in the program, including Brent

Nittmann, Verne McClurg and Nancy Merritt, who all have

criminal justice ―in their blood,‖ and a great deal of field ex-

perience.

Also, the Two Plus Two Agreement

that FRCC participates in allows students

to transfer to two in-state universities,

with all credits guaranteed to transfer.

These universities are University of

Northern Colorado and Metro State.

Many of the credits will also transfer to

other in-state schools.

There are many jobs available to stu-

dents who graduate with an associate de-

gree in criminal justice. Some of these

jobs include working in a jail, as a prison

guard, in the police force, or as a dis-

patcher. Probation and parole officers are also available careers

in the criminal justice field, but a four-year degree is almost

always required.

―You have to be…21 to work in most of the fields,‖ stated

Dr. Manuel. By getting involved in the program, it shows a

student‘s interest in the field, has impressive qualities when

applying for a job, and also exposes the students to the experi-

ence of the instructors, Dr. Manuel said. ―If you pay attention

to the experience, I think it could save you a lot of time on the

street. In other words, things will be clearer to you from the get

-go,‖ she said. She also stated that, ―Obviously, like all studies,

it‘s partly what the student puts into it.‖

Some goals Dr. Manuel has for the Criminal Justice Pro-

gram include having more realistic crime scenes for students to

learn from, and to obtain more props for her classes. ―We‘re

getting more toys all the time,‖ she said. One of their new toys

is an old Resusci-Annie dummy (the CPR training dummy)

that fake blood and bullet holes can be applied to. She would

like to see some interest in an off-campus Criminal Justice

Conference coming up April 25 and 26 at Arapahoe Commu-

nity College. ―It‘s real detectives talking about interesting cases

like JonBenet Ramsey, and Columbine, and I

don‘t care what your major is, you‘re probably

interested in that,‖ she said.

Dr. Manuel also stated that she‘d like to see

some cooperation with other departments, like

the theater department, to create even more real-

istic crime-scene situations. She‘d also like to

start a criminal justice club. The formation of a

club would give the program a better chance of

having extremely qualified speakers come in to

share, said Dr. Manuel.

For fall semester, she is looking forward to

new and more equipment, using the depart-

ment‘s new digital camera to assess crime

scenes, and the new films on homicide investigation and serial

killers she just purchased, as well as possibly adding a new

class in the program regarding deviance. She encourages stu-

dents who are interested in the Crime Scene class to sign up for

it for fall because it may be offered only one semester during

the 2009 academic year.

Be sure to check out the course catalog for information

regarding the Criminal Justice Program for the upcoming se-

mester. For more information on the Criminal Justice Confer-

ence, contact Robert Whitson at 663-4840 or bjbpdx@aol.com.

®

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN MYRTIS-GARCIA?

WOMEN‟S STUDIES AT FRCC

BY TAWNY DENNIS , RANGEVIEW REPORTER

Before Carmen Myrtis-Garcia opens up her laptop for the day, she strolls up and down a sandy beach on the little Caribbean

island of Caye Caulker to find a comfortable place to sit for the day‘s classes. This scene could be considered routine for her

during the first two months of spring semester, as she has traveled to Belize with her husband, Michael, for vacation, while still

teaching online classes for Front Range. ―I appreciate the technology that allows faculty to travel and experience other cultures

while still teaching,‖ she said.

Myrtis-Garcia was born in Texas in 1952, but grew up in Illinois. She moved to Colorado with her first husband in 1983 with

her two sons, Jeremy and Mike, and discovered that Fort Collins was a good place to raise a family.

Myrtis-Garcia received her bachelor‘s degree in sociology from Colorado State University where she also received a certifi-

cate in interdisciplinary women‘s studies. She continued her education at CSU and received her Master of Arts degree in Student

Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE) and in women‘s studies. While working on her master‘s degree, Myrtis-Garcia was selected

from 40 SAHE students during the summer of 1996 to travel to Belize to complete an independent study at the University College

(Continued on next page)

9

SCHOLARS ‟ SQUARE

(WOMEN’S STUDIES continued from previous page)

of Belize (UCB) in Belize City. UCB

and CSU had teamed up as ―Sister

Universities‖ for the SAHE program.

Since she was a student in the CSU

Women‘s Studies Program, she de-

cided to incorporate a Women‘s

Studies Independent Study as well,

and acted as a consultant at UCB

toward the development of their pro-

posed Women‘s Studies Program.

While in graduate school at

CSU, working on her SAHE and

women‘s studies certificate, she

worked as an associate residence hall

director, financial aid adviser, and

owned a house-cleaning business.

She received a offer from Hewlett

Packard within a week of graduating

and accepted the offer to work in

middle management, but the day be-

fore she was scheduled to start, she

decided that the job did not feel right

and was not the job for her. ―My passion was in the area of

women‘s studies and I decided to stay focused on my dream,‖

recalls Myrtis-Garcia. She called HP to say that she was not

going to take the job and was once again looking for work.

―After a couple of years, I became very frustrated; I had mas-

ter‘s degrees in two programs and was still cleaning other peo-

ple‘s toilets,‖ Myrtis-Garcia recalls as she chuckles to herself.

She was hired at Front Range in 1999 to revise the Intro to

Women‘s Studies course. At the time, it was team-taught and

was offered only once per academic year. She revised the course

and wrote a new Curriculum Content Guide, which then allowed

the course to be offered each semester, and which also allowed

it to meet transfer requirements.

Another course Myrtis-Garcia has taught for several years is

Perspectives on Women and Social Change. This course focuses

on current global issues pertaining to the challenges and atroci-

ties facing women. Students study and discuss topics that many

people are unaware of and that, according to her, the mainstream

media rarely presents, such as sweatshop labor, health issues,

sex trafficking, honor killings, women and children in war

zones, economic issues, and much more. The course also

teaches students how to create positive change through grass-

roots activism.

Men are welcome to take the courses. ―I have found over

the years that men sometimes are a bit reluctant to take women‘s

studies courses, but they usually become very involved and of-

ten become the greatest fans.‖

After a couple semesters at Front Range, Myrtis-Garcia

received a grant which allowed her to create a new course.

While studying at CSU, she fell in love with the study of god-

dess cultures and religions. After realizing that there is very

little attention given to women in the devel-

opment of civilizations throughout time,

Myrtis-Garcia decided to create a course

titled ―Goddesses and Women of the An-

cient World.‖

Myrtis-Garcia had to search through

different publishing companies and book-

stores to find a sufficient textbook for the

course. The books she found were focused

on specific time periods, such as women in

classical Greece, or Egyptian goddesses.

Unable to locate an appropriate textbook for

her course, she decided to fulfill a lifelong

dream of being a successful author, and

started typing.

Fate stepped in only two paragraphs into

the textbook when she received an unex-

pected and surprising email from a publish-

ing editor from Kendall-Hunt Publishing

Company. She responded and, two weeks

later, she had a contract with the publisher.

The textbook took her 16 months to com-

plete and is currently used in several classrooms across the

country. Myrtis-Garcia uses the textbook for her classes as

well and is presently writing the second edition.

Her awards for teaching include recognition as an adjunct

FRCC Master Teacher (2000-2001), National Excellence in

Teaching and Leadership (2002), and a Larimer County

Woman‘s Award. She is currently nominated for Master

Online Teacher.

Myrtis-Garcia will be teaching three women‘s studies

courses and Survey of Humanities I online this summer. In the

fall, Myrtis-Garcia will be teaching two courses on campus

and two or three online courses before heading back to the

beach with her laptop next winter.

For more information on women‘s studies courses at

Front Range, visit FRCC‘s homepage and search the course

catalogue. Myrtis-Garcia can also be reached at

carmen.myrtis-garcia@frontrange.edu. ®

Women’s Studies instructor and author Carmen Myrtis-Garcia Photo by Lydia Herndon

“Ara

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10

SCHOLARS ‟ SQUARE

IN-KLEIN‟D TOWARD

THE HUMANITIES: STEVE KLEIN

BY MAX HAGHIGHI , RANGEVIEW REPORTER

Admittedly, we may anguish about the ways to attain that

magical 60 transferable credit hours so we can move on to an-

other diversified learning institution, let‘s say CSU. As one

weaves the web of their manifested destiny, one looks for the

electives to boost one‘s GPA.

Astute students flip the pages of the glossy course catalog

in order to judiciously select the less demanding course, one

that can offer one with one of those ―cakewalk A‘s.‖ After all,

core courses are going to sap out every ounce of one‘s human-

ity and bankrupt one‘s critical thinking. One looks for supple-

ment to nourish the mind and provide the necessary solace. If

solace is the foray, a course in humanities is just what the doc-

tor has ordered. In the opening day of the class, on the ―tabula

rasa,‖ also known as the white board, in

his classroom, Steve Klein, a humanities

instructor at FRCC, scribed,

―Humanities is not just as a college

course, but an ongoing process and prac-

tice in life.‖

Klein, with supportive parents both

financially and academically, was free to

choose a path less traveled, ―I had the

freedom to study whatever I wanted to,

in this case, history and the humanities,‖

Klein said reflectively.

Having been born and raised in Fort

Collins, Klein also took the chance to

live and study at the American College

in Paris for a semester. He found this,

―quite an eye-opening experience to see

that there is more than one way to live.‖

Klein noted as if he was conducting his

class, just as he has done since 2000, ―I

learned that different cultures have their own way of doing

things that are perfectly valid. I came back with a real interest

in learning about other cultures and about all the various

options out there.‖

Klein credits ―some great instructors at CSU‖ for confirm-

ing his interest in his journey to receive a master‘s degree in

history, with an emphasis on British colonial studies. He cred-

its this achievement to the lack of patience and ability to perse-

vere with ―the study of French or Asian history,‖ and went on,

―it could have turned out differently,‖ Klein said grudgingly,

―but my terrible ability with languages put an end to that idea.‖

Still carrying the torch for knowledge, Klein went on, ―I also

gained a fascination with World War I as the pivotal event of

the 20th century which has remained with me to the present.‖

As if enamored by the question of relevancy of the humani-

ties, Klein became vivacious, ―How would I look at the world

if I were a Buddhist or a Muslim? Can I honestly say that one

religion is better than another, one culture over another, one

form of expression, philosophy, economic or political system

better or worse than another?‖ He then sat down as if to reflect,

―These have always been the questions that I have enjoyed

asking. I suppose the humanities have been sort of an ongoing

voyage of self-discovery.‖

In that voyage, Klein counts living in Japan as probably the

major event in his life so far. ―Having spent 12 years there

would tend to have an influence on one‘s life. Although, think-

ing about it, I don‘t know if it really changed me all that

much.‖ Klein reclined back in his chair, rocking his head gen-

tly as if to convey he wasn‘t quite done. ―I sometimes tend to

look at myself as kind of like a chameleon. I have the habit of

adapting to my environment to survive.‖

His approach to teaching has been in particular to develop

the students‘ writing and critical thinking skills. ―If you are

going to make a statement,‖ Klein said, looking down through

his wire-rimmed glasses, ―then be able to back it up with

evidence. That is how one develops the skills necessary to get

through college and life.‖

So, the lingering question as to what

aspects of teaching the humanities does he

enjoy most brought yet another foray of

philosophical reflection. ―Several-fold,‖

Klein said, as if recoiling to effervesce

with a confetti of ideas. ―The humanities

are fascinating,‖ he began as if patching

the quilt with fabrics made from history

past.

―Americans make up roughly 6 percent

of the world‘s population. Our view of the

world is not the only one. Other countries,

cultures, and religions have their own

views that are equally valid.‖ He went on,

―I don‘t think we can continue in this in-

creasingly interconnected world without a

basic understanding of other people‘s

worldviews. If we don‘t understand others,

then we as a nation will continue to have friction with others.‖

As if to hem the border, Klein continued, ―Our basic identity is

not of our choosing. We are who we are as a culture because

of 10,000 years of human history. Our political system is a

democracy because we trace our political ancestry back to the

British parliamentary system and, before them, to the ancient

Greeks. We speak English because the biggest block of colo-

nists came from Britain. If the French had won the colonial

wars of the 18th century, we would probably be speaking

French. We basically are the culmination of random historical

accidents. And yet, amazingly, we often think our way of life is

the best way of living.‖

As for parting comments, Klein continued salting his lan-

guage with history related nuggets, ―Unfortunately, it is very

difficult to survey the humanities. It‘s like trying to put the

ocean in a bottle.‖ ®

Humanities instructor Steve Klein Photo by Tawny Dennis

11

CLUB HUB

SELF-SERVICE :

WOMEN IN TECHNICAL TRADES

CLUB

BY MARIE ABE , RANGEVIEW REPORTER

Don your protective eyewear and roll up your sleeves, ladies,

because the Women in Technical Trades Club (WITT) has an-

nounced: We want you!

Joyce Benesh-Williams, advisor to the WITT Club and an

FRCC adjunct, says, ―A technical trade means technical – hands-

on. You‘re fixing things, repairing things.‖ Essentially, it‘s any

occupation beyond the confines of an office, which includes auto-

motive, welding, computer-aided drafting (CAD), architectural

engineering, construction, machining, heating, ventilation, and air

conditioning (HVAC), and much more.

Beyond the math classes and the quiet tapping of calculators

in Redcloud Peak are the fully equipped welding and automotive

shops. Seeming out of place amidst the trucks and transmissions

on display, sophomore Barb Drager, 20, president of WITT, dis-

cusses the nuts and bolts of the new club. Drager was the driving

force behind the formation and progression of WITT, which was

founded this spring. Presently, she is pursuing her Associate of

Applied Science in automotive technology. By first impressions,

one might not expect to find this petite blonde working beneath

the hood of a car, let alone grasping a wrench. Drager, however,

along with seven other women, and even one male, represent the

current members of WITT. For now, the club itself is in the de-

velopment stages and is independent from any national affilia-

tions.

Benesh-Williams emphasizes that WITT is a ―ground-level

organization.‖ Membership is open to any and all levels of ex-

pertise in technical trades – no experience necessary. She then

adds that, ―The focus is to be a resource and support group for

women in the technical trades, so they have a place to come

and gather info, and to share resources.‖ This club concentrates

on women specifically because it‘s such a non-traditional arena

for them, and their experiences in these work environments are

distinct and more challenging. Although a far cry from genera-

tions in which it was taboo for women to be anything but

nurses and housewives, there still remains a shortage of women

in these fields. In 2006, the U.S. Department of Labor reported

that, from a sample of 1,245 individuals employed in the auto-

motive repair and maintenance industry, less than 10 percent

were women.

Drager attributes this minority partially to women‘s gen-

eral lack of interest in this field where it oftentimes involves

heavy physical work. She also says that, ―Through my educa-

tion here, sometimes when I would struggle with something, I

thought it was because I was a girl.‖ Likewise, it was no reas-

surance that her male classmates always seemed ―naturally

good.‖

The incident, however, which pushed Drager to form

WITT, concerned a woman in the Automotive Program who

had issues understanding some of the subject matter. Being the

only female in her class, she wasn‘t comfortable enough to

seek help or ask questions. Unfortunately, after six months, one

-fourth of the way through the program, she dropped out. ―I

never want to see that happen again,‖ declares Drager, adding

that, ―I don‘t want anybody to feel like they‘re alone and they

have nobody to talk to.‖

Currently, WITT is meeting with Project Self-Sufficiency

to become involved in their program ―Cars for Families.‖

Based in Loveland and Fort Collins, PSS aids families who are

on government support, such as welfare or assisted living, by

providing them with donated vehicles. Through this donation,

these families have transportation for work and school for their

children. The goal of PSS is for each family to become more

independent. Although this partnership is still in the works,

WITT is devising a plan to donate additional vehicles to PSS

from the Automotive Program which are used for educational

purposes, in addition to providing repair work.

Drager believes that, ―We‘re way above standard here at

Front Range.‖ The Automotive Program is certified by the Na-

tional Automotive Technicians Education Foundation

(NATEF), which ensures that the ―structure and resources [of]

training programs‖ meet the national model of excellence for

car care. She then explains that there‘s plenty of one-on-one

(Continued on next page)

WITT Club officers (left to right): Secretary-Treasurer Audrey Burgio, Vice President Andrea Perry, and President Barb Drager

Photo by Marie Abe

12

CLUB HUB

(WITT continued from previous page)

instruction between students and teachers. The

maximum capacity is 16 students per class. In

terms of the shop where students get their hands

dirty, Drager says the only issue is that they‘ve

―outgrown the facility‖ and often have to wait in

line for spare tools.

Drager‘s initiative for the WITT club is to

rally woman to share what they‘re struggling with,

and create a sense of community.

Chiming in, Benesh-Williams adds that, ―The

guys push each other around and say things, and

[that‘s] okay, but they‘re on the border of, ‗How

can I be polite and nice [to females] and also in-

clude them in the picture?‘‖ WITT is in no way

―male-bashing.‖ It‘s merely a means to cultivate a

woman‘s perspective on technical trades in a sup-

portive, welcoming environment.

This month, with the aid of FRCC instructors, WITT will be

hosting a Spring Car Care Clinic. Tooting their horns on Tuesday,

April 22, the women of WITT will be instructing novices on car

maintenance in the student parking lot from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

And for those road-trippers this summer, they will also provide a

checklist for a ―pre-trip inspection.‖ From checking tire pressure

and oil, to identifying and administering car fluids, WITT has it

covered. The clinic is free of charge, along with handouts to stash

in one‘s glove compartment to reach for when in a rut. Inter-

ested students and staff need only arrive prepared to learn.

To join WITT, or if you have any questions, contact Barb

Drager at barb.drager@frontrange.edu. Individuals may also

stop in for meetings which are held on the third Wednesday of

each month from 5 to 6 p.m. in RP130. ®

―Hard work spotlights the

character of people: some turn

up their sleeves, some turn up

their noses, and some don‘t

turn up at all.‖

— Sam Ewig

FROM THE OFFICE OF

THE GOVERNOR

DENVER (April 8) — Gov. Bill Ritter signed

into law legislation that will bring greater trans-

parency to the cost of college textbooks.

Senate Bill 73 was co-sponsored by Sen. Ron

Tupa and Rep. John Kefalas (of Fort Collins

District 52). The bill‘s main advocate was the

Associated Students of Colorado.

It requires publishers to: publicly disclose

the price of textbooks and other course materials

on Websites and other means; sell textbooks

separately and ―unbundled‖ from CD-ROMs,

workbooks, and other related materials; and dis-

close substantial content revisions between cur-

rent and prior editions.

―This is a consumer right-to-know bill for

students and educators alike,‖ Gov. Ritter said.

―It represents an important step toward transpar-

ency and will help students and their families

plan their budgets. Textbooks cost students hun-

dreds of dollars a semester, and with two stu-

dents in college myself, I know that every dollar

counts.‖

®

A male mallard duck shields itself from the breeze on the shore of the lake in North Lake Park in Loveland. Photo by Jenn Killmer

13

CLUB HUB

TAKIN‟ IT TO THE FEET:

BLAZIN‟ SACKS HACKY SACK AND

ALTERNATIVE SPORTS CLUB

BY L INDSEY FISHER , RANGEVIEW REPORTER

―Having an actual community base within the school‖ is one

of Leon Weaver‘s biggest goals. Weaver, 20, is the president of

the newly formed Blazin‘ Sacks Hacky Sack and Alternative

Sports Club on FRCC‘s Larimer campus. In his four semesters

here as a student, Weaver has seen his club grow from just an

idea to a footbag club (as of spring 2007), to a full alternative

sports club this semester, upon the suggestion of the club‘s vice

president, Glen Purdum. ―We‘re a group of friends, we get to-

gether, we hang out, and we play silly games,‖ stated Weaver.

Blazin‘ Sacks incorporates not only footbag, but also dodge-

ball, kickball, Frisbee golf, Ultimate Frisbee, and paintball. All

their activities are chosen by members at the club meetings,

which are held Wednesdays at 3:00

in the Longs Peak Student Center‘s

small conference room. When

asked why students should get in-

volved in the club, Weaver re-

sponded, ―We‘re based off of the

principles of athletics, teamwork,

friendship and fun.‖ He stated that it

is like a P.E. class for college stu-

dents. He also said that it‘s a good

way to ―meet new people… and to

have a blast at some [usually non-

competitive] sports.‖

Weaver stated that he believes

people enjoy alternative sports be-

cause traditional sports carry a

stigma with them that push people

away because they feel they need a

certain skill level. Alternative

sports, on the other hand, don‘t re-

quire extreme skill and can be or-

ganized more easily because not as

many people or as much equipment

is needed. Alternative sports also

have a community base that is ap-

pealing, he says.

Bill Bethurum, 49, is an area

expert who can attest to this. ―With Hacky Sack or Frisbee or

whatever you do, there is a community of people that play in it.

And the reason they are there is because they enjoy the camarade-

rie, the small kind of family, the community that‘s part of that

sport,‖ he stated. Bethurum works at The Wright Life sporting

goods store in Old Town Fort Collins, which carries supplies for

many alternative sports including footbags, disc golf discs, Fris-

bees, and boomerangs.

Bethurum was exposed to Hacky Sack when he was in

college in 1979 by his friend Mark Paulin. They played footbag

(which is Hacky Sack without the trademark) during their col-

lege years, being exposed to the professionals of the First

National Footbag Touring Team. He remembered their

―amazing control and athletic ability.‖ Because of his exposure

to these professionals, Mag Hughes and Billy Hayne, he and

his college friends were invited to compete in the national foot-

bag championships. Afterward, he and his friends were invited

to tour with Ken Corp Hacky Sack, which was founded by

John Stahlberger and Mike Marshall, the ―fathers of Hacky

Sack.‖ After the Whammo Toy Company bought out Ken Corp

Hacky Sack, Bethurum toured in Europe and Canada to help

promote the sport and incorporate it into school programs.

During this time, Bethurum was a part of Colorado Foot-Boltz,

a competing footbag team. From 1985 to 1986, the Colorado

Foot-Boltz won the World Freestyle Championships.

Bethurum‘s favorite part of the sport is that, ―It‘s kind of a

small community, but [the people] are tight-knit and they are

open and friendly and warm, and really genuinely human.‖

Last year, Bethurum was in-

ducted into the Footbag Hall of

Fame.

Footbag, as well as disc golf

and Ultimate Frisbee, are still

played today in clubs and organi-

zations such as Blazin‘ Sacks.

Disc golf and Ultimate Frisbee

offer differing perspectives to

the traditional disc-throwing

sport. Edora Park houses the

only disc golf course in Fort

Collins, but more are being con-

sidered by the city‘s Parks De-

partment, with public discussion

tentatively scheduled for April

22, according to Bethurum.

There are also competitions and

leagues available for these sports

in the community. Organiza-

tions like Blazin‘ Sacks are good

places to gain exposure to a lot

of different alternative sports and

to learn how to play them, he

says.

In Blazin‘ Sacks, there are

currently eight official club

members, three of whom are officers. As with all campus

clubs, it is funded by student fees. Their activities off campus,

paid for by FRCC, must be approved by the dean. However,

Weaver says the club is ―a meeting place where students can

talk about getting together outside of school to participate in

fun activities.‖ Students don‘t need to be official members to

participate in many of the club‘s activities. Everyone is invited

to the activities that aren‘t club-funded.

(Continued on next page)

Members of the Blazin’ Sacks Hacky Sack and Alternative Sports Club (standing, left to right): Club Advisor Elaine Milligan, freshman Zachary Habel, Vice President Glen Purdum, President Leon Weaver, sophomore Calen Haire; (front row) freshmen Andrew Saks and Quinten Haire, and sophomore Torri Cech. At their April 9 meeting, they discussed a paintball field trip.

Photo by Marie Abe

14

“The only thing that will redeem

mankind is cooperation.”

— Bertrand Russell

CLUB HUB

(BLAZIN’ SACKS continued from previous page)

To become a member and to be able to participate in all Blazin‘

Sacks activities only requires one to attend two club meetings. Activ-

ity locations, dates and times are decided at club meetings.

When asked about his goals for the club, Weaver responded,

―My personal goal for the club is to see it continue on for years and

years to come, even after I leave, [and] for it to be something people

can actually relate to Front Range, and most importantly, to have

fun.‖ He would really like to see the club ―have a legacy.‖ Weaver

credited his officers Glen Purdum and Zach Habel for contributing

so much time and commitment, and all the club members for their

efforts in volunteering their hours in the community.

For more information on activities and leagues pertaining to

alternative sports in the community, contact The Wright Life at

www.wrightlife.com or 484-6932.

For more information about the Blazin‘ Sacks Hacky

Sack and Alternative Sports Club, contact Student Life, or

drop off a note for Weaver in the Student Life office.

Weaver reminds everyone that Blazin‘ Sacks ―accepts all

ability levels.‖ ®

Footbag Hall of Famer Bill (“Beeal”) Bethurum (foreground, center) executes a mid-air catch with Foot-Boltz teammate Randy Nelson (right) while teammate Scott Cleere (left) anticipates their next move during a footbag demonstration held outside The Wright Life in Old Town in June 1987. Photo by Grace LeSage

15

CAMPUS WELLNESS

SCRUBBING IN FOR FRCC‟S

NURSING PROGRAM

BY MOLLY MCCARTHY , RANGEVIEW REPORTER

Interested in becoming a nurse? Well, get in line,

because the waiting list for Front Range Community

College‘s Nursing Program is almost three years long.

While some may be surprised at how popular FRCC‘s

Nursing Program is, one doesn‘t have to look far to find

that some of Colorado‘s top nurses have completed this

very program. Today, Front Range‘s Nursing Program

has the lowest attrition or drop-out rate for community

colleges in Colorado. It has also achieved a 95 percent

pass rate for the licensing exam that is required of all

nursing graduates before they‘re able to start their ca-

reers. This is the highest percentage in Colorado, includ-

ing universities.

Marty Bachman, chair and program director of the

Nursing Program says, ―We think we‘re pretty good,‖

pointing to their current statistics. Bachman, who holds

a bachelor‘s degree from the University of Northern

Colorado, a master‘s degree from the University of

Colorado, and a Ph.D. from Colorado State University,

works hard to make sure that all of her students succeed. Bach-

man was working as a pediatric nurse at Poudre Valley Hospital

and was convinced to teach outreach classes for FRCC West-

minster nursing students in Fort Collins before the Larimer cam-

pus even existed. She immediately fell in love with working

with students while still having interaction with patients at the

hospital. ―It‘s fun because I get to do both,‖ Bachman says.

After serving Front Range for 22 years, Bachman has be-

come the chair and program director, overseeing 55 nursing fac-

ulty, five of whom have been nominated recently for Master

Teacher, including Cheryl Lang, Connie Vogel, Dawn Murphy,

Claire Gilliland and Robyn King. She is responsible for student

support, and making sure that success for students is obtainable.

―When you see a student really get it, that is so exciting,‖ she

states.

Bachman has helped create such a thriving nursing program

at Front Range that there is literally not enough room to hold the

number of students who want to participate in it. She claims

there are three main reasons why the program is unable to ex-

pand. There is a shortage of full-time faculty, and the campus

has no more room for classes or expansion. Lastly, there is a

lack of hospital space in the surrounding area to accommodate a

larger student nursing program.

Currently, they are able to accommodate 200 students per

year because the curriculum is set up in rotations. The nursing

curriculum includes class time, lab time, and ―clinicals.‖ The

clinical component of the program occurs as students work un-

der the supervision of a registered nurse to get hands-on ex-

perience with patients. Front Range sends nursing students to

hospitals in the surrounding area, including to PVH, the Medi-

cal Center of the Rockies, McKee Medical Center, North

Colorado Medical Center, and to local nursing homes to com-

plete their clinical portion of the program.

With Front Range offering the only nursing program in

Fort Collins, it‘s in high demand. Also, with aging baby

boomers, there is expected to be an increase in demand for

nurses in long-term care facilities. Other nursing programs in

northern Colorado are offered at the University of Northern

Colorado and at Aims Community College, both located in

Greeley.

Each year, about 100 nursing students graduate from

FRCC and are required to pass a licensing exam, just like doc-

tors or lawyers. This licensing exam is issued by the state and

costs $200 to $300. Students are given six hours to complete it

and, if successful, are able to start their career soon after.

Randy Sims, age 50, is a nursing student who plans to

graduate in May and then take the licensing exam in June.

Sims, who holds a bachelor‘s degree in psychology from

Oklahoma Christian University, and a master‘s degree in

American family therapy from Abilene Christian University,

looks forward to starting his next career in nursing. He found

(Continued on next page)

Nursing Program Director Marty Bachman sets up IV bags to prepare for a student lab. FRCC’s Nursing Program is unique to Fort Collins. Photo by Jenn Killmer

16

CAMPUS WELLNESS

(NURSING continued from previous page)

his first 25-year long career in American family therapy to be a

good stepping stone to nursing. ―It helps me work with people

because I‘m used to that, as well as knowing how to talk and read

people,‖ he says. Sims, who is interested in working in intensive

care or the emergency room, is looking forward to graduating and

getting to work with people in a hospital setting.

Sims believes the most rewarding thing he‘s taken from

nursing is ―the sense of accomplishment.‖ He says, ―Nursing was

more difficult than getting my bachelor‘s or graduate degree ever

was.‖ This may ring true for many since there is so much curricu-

lum to cover in a two-year span. However, the sense of accom-

plishment for completing nursing school from such a highly ac-

claimed program is what many celebrate even after graduation.

Recently, six Front Range nursing graduates have been

nominated for the prestigious Nightingale Award. This award,

given to outstanding nurses who rise above all the rest and

demonstrate great dedication to their jobs, were recognized at

an annual dinner in March to celebrate the candidates. This

year, both Bachman and Sims were able to attend and support

the Front Range alumni and honorees, including: Jason Dahl,

Laura Dougherty, Michael Emerman, Aimee Hinton, Debbie

Hogfeldt, and Tenley Roeder. At that dinner, a regional win-

ner was selected, and that winner will then be eligible to re-

ceive the state award, which will be announced on May 10.

FRCC students wishing to apply to the Nursing Program

must first sign up and be added to the waiting list. Additional

program requirements and prerequisites include maintaining a

2.5 GPA and registering for the required classes for all nurs-

ing students, which can be found on the Nursing Admission

Information page on FRCC‘s homepage.

So go ahead and give the FRCC Nursing Program a shot.

®

WHERE EAST MEETS WEST:

THE HOLISTIC HEALTH PROGRAM

BY JENN KILLMER , RANGEVIEW REPORTER

In a time where everyone is concerned about their health and

well-being, Front Range Community College helps address these

individual concerns by offering a nontraditional approach to

health and wellness that is designed to enhance personal growth

for the layperson.

The Holistic Health Program, led by Dr. Annita Stansbury,

59, is a certificate program that offers

many alternative methods for those

who want to explore health and well-

ness issues that go beyond traditional

Western practices. The program offers

25 to 30 classes a semester, and has as

many as 200 to 300 students per year.

A few of the classes in the program

include: Managing Life‘s Stresses;

Digestive Wellness; Intro to Reflexol-

ogy; Intro to Massage Therapy; and

Mind, Body Healing and Health.

Stansbury is the program director

for the Holistic Health Program at

FRCC, a position that she begun in

May 2006. She says that the program

is not all about ―woo-hoo stuff. We are

about solid education.‖ Stansbury

comes from a strong research back-

ground and says that she is ―not going

to recommend something unless there is solid scientific re-

search behind it.‖

The program began approximately six years ago under

FRCC‘s nursing department. It was created by the department

head at that time, Becky Lynch. Shortly afterward, it grew so

large that it was separated into its own program.

The Holistic Health Program has three main goals. The

first is to raise awareness of what holistic practice is and what

the specific practices are. The second is to provide certifica-

tion for individuals who want to become a holistic practioner

in a general fashion, and the third goal is to provide specific

modalities that people can adopt into practice.

Stansbury earned her associates degree in nursing at

FRCC in 1994, and then a Bache-

lor of Science and Nursing from

the University of Northern Colo-

rado in 1998. She continued her

education and earned her master‘s

in 2000. Stansbury is also a Clini-

cal Nurse Specialist and a Certified

Family Nurse Practitioner. In addi-

tion, she has recently finished her

Ph.D. at Clayton College in

Birmingham, Ala.

Stansbury‘s dissertation is on

stressors on nursing students and

the use of mindfulness-based stress

reduction, which, according to

Stansbury, ―is a way of learning to

be present in the moment, not liv-

ing in the past or looking to the

future.‖ She taught the nursing

(Continued on next page)

17

CAMPUS WELLNESS

(HOLISTIC HEALTH continued from previous page)

students different guided meditation practices that deal with

breathing and walking.

She also had them do therapeutic jour-

naling to identify what their stressors were.

According to Stansbury, ―By identifying the

stressors, the students are able to change

how their body responds to the stressors,

and they become healthier.‖ Through this

method, she says that she had ―really im-

pressive numbers. It really changed them

around.‖

Stansbury began teaching at FRCC as an

adjunct in the fall 1999. She began teaching

full-time in the nursing department in 2004

and was there for two years. She moved into

her current position as program director for

the Holistic Health Program in May 2006.

Stansbury has always been interested in

alternative health methods, and studied her-

bology independently for years. She says that, ―I really got inter-

ested when I went into the master‘s program and I did my thesis

on use of alternative modalities, and how advanced nurses could

incorporate them into practice.‖

Stansbury has also incorporated holistic modalities into her

own personal life and says, ―It has done a lot of good things for

me…I actually don‘t think that I would still be here without

incorporating them.‖ Because of the success she had in her

own life, she wanted to ―share [the modalities] with the

world.‖

She chose to teach at FRCC because it‘s

her alma mater, she likes the population that

she teaches, she also appreciates the com-

munity college concept where anyone can

come and learn. Even though Stansbury

learned ―lots and lots‖ at UNC, she says

that, ―FRCC gave me the roots to be suc-

cessful because I had fantastic teachers.‖

Stansbury wants the students to know

that anyone can take these classes and that

they are not just for people who have a

―bent towards alternative.‖ According to

her, the program‘s classes and modalities

are ―applicable to any type of career path

because we teach skills that can help with

whatever their practice is.‖ The program

has included a variety of different students

in different career paths, ranging from engineering and for-

estry to vet-techs and nurses.

When taking holistic classes, Stansbury believes that the

student will ―learn how to do [their practice] in a holistic

fashion…It changes who you are.‖ ®

“Andy Warhol, TC 232” Contents of Andy Warhol’s time capsule #232 (date unknown) (See related story on page 19.)

MEDIUM COOL

Dear Landlord

Dear landlord,

Please don't put a price on my soul.

My burden is heavy,

My dreams are beyond control.

When that steamboat whistle blows,

I'm gonna give you all I got to give,

And I do hope you receive it well,

Dependin' on the way you feel that you live.

Dear landlord,

Please heed these words that I speak.

I know you've suffered much,

But in this you are not so unique.

All of us, at times, we might work too hard

To have it too fast and too much,

And anyone can fill his life up

With things he can see but he just cannot touch.

Dear landlord,

Please don't dismiss my case.

I'm not about to argue,

I'm not about to move to no other place.

Now, each of us has his own special gift

And you know this was meant to be true,

And if you don't underestimate me,

I won't underestimate you.

Bob Dylan, 1968

18

MEDIUM COOL

WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS:

FINE ARTS AT FRCC

BY MARIE ABE , RANGEVIEW REPORTER

Many individuals create art as a means of recreation and ex-

pression, like the old saying: ―art for art‘s sake.‖ There is more to

art, however, than visual stimulation and execution. Art is the eye

that glimpses our world‘s history. Margaret Sharkoffmadrid, 48,

instructor in the Arts and Letters Department, calls attention to this

connection concerning a work of art and the story it reveals,

through its materials, techniques, and subjects it uses.

―Understanding the context behind the objects is enriching and

exciting,‖ she says.

To put those quizzical brows to rest, her last name is merely a

marriage of her maiden name, Sharkoff, and her husband‘s name,

Madrid. Over the years, Sharkoffmadrid has earned a bachelor‘s in

education and a Master

of Fine Arts in painting

from CSU. She even has

her own painting and

drawing studio inside her

home. Here at FRCC,

she teaches Drawing 1,

Art Appreciation, and an

art history class which

covers the prehistoric

period up to the Renais-

sance.

When called for,

Sharkoffmadrid also

teaches Art Education

and Art Appreciation at

CSU. In June, while

students are frolicking on

beaches and forsaking

textbooks, she can be

found beneath a pile of

AP essays—an endeavor

reserved for some 100

exam readers comprised of AP high school teachers and profes-

sors. Taken in May, this three-hour national exam, in conjunction

with the AP Art History course, requires each student to write nine

essays. ―You do the math,‖ she says. That‘s roughly 2,000 essays

to grade in just over a week. And because of her experience, she

also takes time to stroll ―up and down the rows,‖ to assist any un-

seasoned exam readers.

When studying art, Sharkoffmadrid maintains that she

―prefer[s] an inclusive approach.‖ She adds, ―We live in an in-

creasingly global society, and technology makes it possible for us

to have almost immediate access to the world.‖ Examining an art-

work‘s form is just the beginning. It‘s important, she contends, to

additionally understand the history behind the object.

As educated individuals, Sharkoffmadrid deems that there‘s a

responsibility to be more aware of our world‘s cultures and, to a

greater degree, current issues. For instance, the Iraqi Na-

tional Museum was looted in 2003 following the overthrow

of Saddam Hussein‘s regime. Among the hundreds of treas-

ures stolen was the roughly 5,000 year-old Warka Vase. The

carved reliefs on the vase boast one of the world‘s first narra-

tive pictures and ―is a record of some of the earliest civiliza-

tions: the Sumerians,‖ says Sharkoffmadrid. The three-foot

tall piece was later returned, anonymously, to guards at the

museum gate – in pieces. This misfortune was aggravated by

the incident in which U.S. troops marred the ruins of Baby-

lon by constructing a helicopter pad atop the ancient city and

filling their sandbags with fragments of archaeological evi-

dence. In response to these shocking episodes, the U.S. De-

partment of Defense launched an awareness program. The

purpose was to train and educate soldiers in preserving ar-

chaeological sites and objects, and rein in black-market arti-

facts.

In addition to their extensive training, U.S. troops are

now given special archeologi-

cal art cards. Replacing those

―most wanted‖ playing cards,

which depict portraits of Sad-

dam Hussein and his govern-

ment officials, these new cards

were developed by James

Zeidler, CSU‘s senior research

scientist in the university‘s

Center for Environmental

Management of Military

Lands (CEMML), assisted by

CEMML graphic artist, Tracy

Wager. Both Zeidler and Wa-

ger were asked by Laurie

Rush, archaeologist and cul-

tural resources manager at

Fort Drum (where units un-

dergo ―heritage training‖), to

design and produce these

cards. Each card has its own

image promoting cultural and

archaeological awareness,

thereby assisting soldiers in

either identifying a certain artifact or site, or by imparting a

helpful tip, such as, ―Drive around, not over, archaeological

sites.‖ The four of spades advises: ―If possible, fill sandbags

with clean earth, free of man-made objects‖ so that acci-

dents, such as the damage to the Babylon site, can be

avoided.

In the end, Sharkoffmadrid stresses that, regardless of an

individual‘s stance on the war in Iraq, the negative effect it‘s

having on our world‘s treasures is undeniable. ―It happens

that [the Warka Vase] was found in the region which is now

Iraq. But that doesn‘t mean it‘s Iraqi art,‖ she explains. ―I

think we have to honor these objects for what they tell us

about early man,‖ she adds. And so, these artworks concern

and belong to everyone.

(Continued on next page)

As another student sketches in the background, art instructor Margaret Sharkoffmardrid (left) reviews sophomore Deshawn Friesen’s homework for their Drawing I class. Photo by Marie Abe

19

MEDIUM COOL

“ANGELHEADED HIPSTERS”

TO CONVENE FOR

SURVEY OF THE „60S

BY MOLLY MCCARTHY , RANGEVIEW REPORTER

This fall, a variation of the required literature class

will explore the dynamic decade of the 1960s through an

interdisciplinary approach with literature, music, movies, art

and history, while still meeting the requirements of all other

Intro to Literature courses. Sandra Lieb, who has been teaching

a variety of literature classes here at Front Range since the fall

of 2003, was recently awarded a professional development

grant from FRCC to design and implement the new LIT 115-

602: The Culture of the 1960s. ―The hardest part about teach-

ing this course will be deciding what to leave out,‖ says Lieb.

The arts – literature, art, dance, theater and creative writing

– went through a fundamental period of growth and change

during the 1960s. The course will include an anthology of ‗60s

literature, a discussion of Andy Warhol and the Pop Art move-

ment, a screening of one of the iconic films of the era, such as

―Easy Rider,‖ and a concert and light show by a local Grateful

Dead cover band.

Lieb started her college career at George Washington Uni-

versity where she maintained a 4.0 GPA, and then transferred

to the University of Michigan where she graduated with a

bachelor‘s degree in English with high honors. She then was

chosen for the Woodrow Wilson Scholarship and used this full-

ride scholarship for Stanford, where she graduated with her

Ph.D. in literature and popular culture. She also sang in a rock

band, and published her dissertation on Ma Rainey, the highly

accomplished female blues singer. Her book titled, ―Mother of

Blues: A Study of Ma Rainey,‖ is still available on Ama-

zon.com.

Lieb‘s passion for music has only grown throughout her

lifetime; she started singing classical music at a young age and

then switched to folk music and electric, ultimately leading to

her role as a singer in her college band. ―It was all incredibly

fun,‖ she recalls, ―grad student by day, rock band by night.‖

She credits the band for allowing her to witness so many differ-

ent scenes such as parties, clubs, and weddings all around Cali-

fornia.

Lieb‘s interest in music also carries over into her work at

FRCC, and the new Culture of the ‗60s course will feature that

because music was such a big part of that decade. Lieb claims,

―I‘ll stress how popular music and its lyrics evolved from love

songs to political protest.‖

The course is designed to give students who are interested

in learning about such an influential time a place to get an in-

depth look at various events and pop culture trends that are still

prevalent today.

The 1960s was an exciting but tumultuous time that

polarized the nation. Consequently, Lieb will include a

disclaimer on her syllabus so that students are aware that

the controversial topics and views discussed in class do

not necessarily reflect her own or those of FRCC. The

course will discuss the Civil Rights Movement, the Viet-

nam War, political activism, and the drug culture. These

trends and issues will be explored and their influence on

the artistic expressions of artists, writers and musicians

will be analyzed. Students will examine the influence of

those trends on contemporary life. Much of what hap-

pened in the ‗60s paved the road for how we live today.

―Without Dr. [Martin Luther] King, I don‘t know where

we would be today,‖ Lieb says. People were very active so-

cially, culturally and politically to a degree we haven‘t experi-

enced since that time, according to her.

Lieb believes the most rewarding part of teaching a course

like this is ―showing an amazing period to people who have

vaguely heard of it.‖ It is important for college students today

to be educated about what happened during the ‗60s because of

the historical, political and artistic impacts this pivotal era has

had on American life.

The Culture of the 1960s will be offered in the fall on Tues-

days and Thursdays from 1:00 to 2:15, and it will fulfill the

Intro to Literature requirement. Lieb‘s section is the only one

that will focus on the ‗60s. Students who are interested in this

option should review registration materials closely and be sure

to register for the 602 section of LIT 115. ®

In the past, Sharkoffmadrid has led art history trips to

France, Italy and Greece, taught AP Art History at Langley

High School (a suburb of Washington, D.C.), and was the pow-

erhouse behind the ―Corcoran Partnership in Education,‖ a

joint venture between the Corcoran Art Gallery and Langley

High School which allowed students to discuss and respond to

art first-hand.

This instructor, however, isn‘t all paint and no play. Out-

side of teaching, she enjoys flower gardening and adds that,

―Since we live on a lake, we have a couple of small boats, and

we goof around on the water.‖ Her husband, Michael, is a sen-

ior photo editor for USA Today and resides there along with

her mother.

When asked why she chose to teach, Sharkoffmadrid was

instantly alight. ―I have loved art forever [and] wanted to teach

art for a long time,‖ she gushes. ―I hope my students leave with

an appreciation and understanding of the visual arts from a

historical perspective,‖ she says. She also wants them to remain

―involved in the contemporary gallery and museum scene.‖

Though recollecting every era of art history is daunting,

Sharkoffmadrid offers that it will become second nature the

more involved one becomes in studying and learning new de-

tails to excavate knowledge of artists and their work. She pre-

dicts that she will continuously have a thirst for art, concluding

that, ―I‘m still learning.‖ ®

(FINE ARTS continued from previous page)

20

LOOK FOR OUR NEXT ISSUE IN THE FALL,

AND WATCH FOR FLYERS ANNOUNCING FREELANCE DEADLINES.

RANGEVIEW@FRONTRANGE.EDU

ONLINE AT: WWW.FRONTRANGE.EDU/STUDENTLIFE

PRINTING BY THE IMPRESS TEAM AT OFFICEMAX IN FORT COLLINS , COLO.

ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING…

AND DOG-SLEDDING ,

AND DUDE-RANCHING

BY JESSICA SMITH

GUEST COLUMNIST

Summer is coming – are you ready for it? While cram-

ming for finals and wrapping up projects, most of us have

probably given some thought to what we‘ll be doing for the

summer to make a little money. If we must work, why not

enjoy it? Perhaps now is the time to start having the experi-

ences you‘ve always wanted, but never felt you had time for.

Taking on a slightly unconventional job for the summer or

for a gap year could be just the adventure that you need.

While speaking with fellow students in the cafeteria, I am

always surprised that so few of them are aware of the options

out there for undergrads seeking summer work. More and

more, I am starting to realize that the past few years of my

life have been a bit atypical. I left home the summer after I graduated from high school and began to move around. For the first

few years, I moved from a summer camp in Florida to various universities for the winter, earning my associates degree. After a

while, I realized I was unsure about my major and needed a break from the college scene. So I took a gap year...or three, before

returning to school at Front Range with an entirely different career in mind.

While out on the road, I came across employment opportunities that provided life-changing experiences I‘ll never forget. My

time away allowed me to take part in a different type of learning that I feel is just as valuable as any degree I‘ll ever earn.

If you are looking for ways to expand your resume, find a summer job that suits you. Tired of flipping burgers? Flip rafts in-

stead. In Buena Vista alone, there are over 50 different white-water rafting companies in need of guides. No experience is neces-

sary, as most companies provide training in the early summer. If white water isn‘t your cup of tea, try working on a dude ranch. I

had never even saddled a horse before I was hired as a wrangler. Environmental studies majors can take on seasonal jobs in na-

tional parks all over the country.

Students interested in childhood development or social work might benefit from a summer as a camp counselor. Maybe you‘ve

taken several language courses and are looking for an opportunity to be really immersed in a different culture. A quick online

search can turn up plenty of openings in exchange programs or people looking for au pairs.

If you are thinking of taking a little more time off, there are options for winter work, too. The first time I saw snow, I was 21

years old. Two years later, I was guiding dogsled tours outside of Yellowstone National Park. If you know how to ski, become an

instructor. The majority of these seasonal jobs provide on-site housing, which gives you one less bill to pay while you‘re there.

There is something for everyone out there; it‘s just a matter of finding what‘s right for you. Here is a list of Websites that have

been helpful to me over the years: www.funjobs.com; www.duderanch.org ; www.campjobs.com; and the National Park Ser-

vice‘s homepage at www.nps.gov/personnel.

Nobody wants to look back and think about what they could have done. It‘s time to get going! ®

Jessica Smith, 25, is a vet tech student who plans to work as a large animal vet tech and complete her degree in natural re-

sources. In addition to her work on a dude ranch and as a dogsled guide, she has worked at a summer camp for at-risk youth, as

an au pair in Austria, and as a nanny in the United States. She has also traveled in Central America performing missionary

work. Smith hopes to return to work as a guide for the National Park Service.

Smith (and pal) during one summer she spent as a wrangler on the Tarryall River Ranch outside of Lake George, Colo. Photo courtesy of the author