https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/f37676c3251263873c125e970b8e7978.pdf 16a5035c1048048fb0bc8d82f3fc69c6 PDF Text Text December 2022 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Trouble with Wheeler Terrace Apartments Kaylee Davis Chinook Contributor Photo Courtsey of Kaylee Davis Shown above are the Wheeler Terrace Apartments at Casper College. Students arrive on campus to move in this fall, only to be greeted by unsanitary leftovers from former tenants. You are a student at Casper College, and you decide to live in the Wheeler Terrace Apartments. You travel many hours to get to Casper and you are excited about your new adventure of living in the apartments after living in the dorms. There’s only one problem, you walk into your new home for the year and the smell hits your noise hard. You walk further into your apartment and the walls are dirty, there’s an old dingy microwave, food left in the fridge, and leftover clothes from the past tenants. That’s a brief description of how several apartments were at the beginning of the school year. Now, not every apartment was like that, and not every apartment will be, however for some students it was a disappointing scene upon moving in. The Wheeler Terrace Apartments are located on Casper College’s Campus, right down the street from the dorms. They are available for those who are 19 years old or are a sophomore. They are perfect for having more space to yourself, while still being on campus, and you have a kitchen, living room area, bathroom, and each tenant, two to be exact, have their own separate bedrooms. These are some of the contributing factors as to why students choose to live here, including those interviewed. During the summer months, there are students who can live in the apartments due to other circumstances throughout the break. Kaitlin Davidson, Residence Hall Coordinator, said they do have those students who live in Wheeler Terrace over the summer and that “their check-in and check-out process is the same for everyone who lives in any of our buildings.” For check-in, the RA will show you the damages that may be present in the room, and they write those down so that you aren’t charged for those when you check-out. When you check-out, the RA will note if there are any new damages to your room, and if they weren’t there before, then you may be charged for those. However, once you have moved out, a work order is sent in to clean or fix the damages. Most residents upon move in may do the basic cleaning such as vacuuming and wiping down the main surfaces. However, for some they had to do a bit more than the basics. Madi Lupher, a resident in Wheeler Terrace said that when she arrived, “there was a bag of fries in my freezer, a pair of old shoes, a football, and an absolutely disgusting microwave that was so bad inside it went in the garbage.” As a student who is excited about their new home, this is something that is frustrating. She felt that from the room’s appearance, it looked like the check-out process really didn't occur. Madi — See Apartments Page 3 New Visual Arts Center open to CC students Lucy Jane Crimm Chinook Writer Lucy Jane Crimm/Chinook Molly Harshman (right) helps Landri Engelk center her clay piece during the evening ceramics class. In 2016 Casper College began planning to demolish and rebuild the Dick and Marialyce Tobin Visual Arts Center, but the project came to a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic. The building finally opened for classes in October. While the project isn’t completely finished and some classes are still temporarily held in other buildings on campus, Casper College professors and students expressed excitement to see the project become a reality. “I’m thrilled that we’re in the new building,” Graphic Design Instructor Cynthia Harrison said. “To be in this building and to be with my department gives me much more of a sense of community and belonging.” The design of the new Visual Arts Center is modern, and the building features brand new equipment and technology. Students have access to over 30 new computers in the building and 20 new Mac computers in the Mac Lab with other computers also available for students to use in between classes. There is a new 13x19 photo quality printer for graphic design and two new Epson printers for the photography classes. The college included the art instructors throughout the process of designing the building in order to create a space where art students thrive. “Students are going to benefit in so many ways,” Ceramics Instructor Mike Olsen said. “The building is designed with creating art in mind. Every time I tour people through and I look at these spaces, I tell everyone I wish I could go back 30 years and start all over again. I want to take classes here.” Photography Instructor Shawn Bush mentioned that he’s most excited about the new dark room because he said it is nicer than any other college dark room he has seen. The new state of the art dark room for the film photography class features brand new, high quality technology, as well as a ventilation system that the old dark room didn’t have. Bush said, “It’ll be nice for the students to not have to sit in the fumes while they work in the dark room.” Students are excited to finally have a space where they can focus on their art and spend time with their peers. The building’s design is popular with students for its open plan and modern design. Graphic design major Alex Torres takes his 2D design, drawing and digital art classes in the new building and is excited to have a new space where he can work and be with other art students. “I really enjoy the new building,” Torres said. “I think it brings in a lot of life for the art — See Visual Arts, Page 4 Hearing the world around us Bailey Menzel Chinook Writer Photo Courtesy of Bailey Menzel Pictured above audio instructor Larry Burger inside the recording studio at Wheeler Concert Hall. When entering the mixing room of the sound department at Casper College, one is met by a wide range of shapes plastered on the walls and an array of sound equipment. The shapes insulate sound and the equipment is made up of mixing tables, speakers, buttons, and knobs of various sizes, each appearing to be more expensive and fun to use than the last. There’s a small area of chairs all in view of the large monitor to see every inch of the action in the small insulated room. And though the room isn't that large, what it lacks in size it makes up for in company with the beaming presence of audio instructor Larry Burger. Burger has taught in the audio department at CC for the past 15 plus years. He says he has tried to, “ Build his class structure around really trying to help each student get exactly what they want out it.” Such effort is seen very clearly upon entering the department, as visitors are met with smiling faces and a sea of tech jargon. The atmosphere comes from ignited passions for the material presented in Larry's classes. He is described by others as someone who loves his field of work and enjoys sharing that love with people. Aside from his time teaching audio at CC, Burger spends a good amount of time at his recording and audio business right here in Casper. Former student and now staff member at CC Tyler Sanner stated that he took his first class with Burger in the fall of 2010. He said he found himself at a point in life where he wanted to learn a lot more about sound. “After a little time in class and the personal audio experiences I had, I walked in one day and told Larry I wanted to make this a career, and I’m still here and he’s still facilitating that,” said Sanner. This is truly an example of Burger having an effect on the way someone hears the world around them. Sanner went on to continue his pursuit of the audio industry and now works as the college's digital learning/ AV coordinator. Sanner described the type of environment and knowledge he experienced throughout the past few years with Burger and emphasizing how he is on the “cutting edge of the knowledge in the industry.” “Sometimes I even have a hard time keeping up with him, as he is so passionate in this field,” Sanner said. Bridge Helm, also a student of the audio department, is frequently seen at events in Wheeler Concert Hall helping Burger set microphones or run the sound board for a choir concert or jazz band festival. Helm shared nothing but nice www.caspercollege.edu/chinook things about Burger. He said, “He is someone that makes you happy to learn. He’s not done until we are all hands on and hearing the difference at the end of the class.” Which seems to be a theme that is very prevalent in Burger’s mind as when asked what his favorite part about teaching in the audio department he replies “My hope is that by the end of the class, you start to listen and hear things a little differently, even if it’s in a minor way -- you begin to really hear the world around us,” Burger said. There are many elements that make up the teaching staff at CC -- experience, drive, enthusiasm and overall love for the subject. It is clear Burger brings those elements to the audio department in spades. Perhaps his hope should be everyone’s goal and not just a goal for an audio class -- to really hear the world around us. �Page 2 Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: As we enter the home stretch of the fall semester and into the holiday season, I want to touch on two separate, but related topics. The first topic is life balance. Please be sure to take care of yourself over the winter break by enjoying the weather, embracing the holiday season, spending time with your friends and family, or engaging in any activity that brings you peace and happiness. It is all Benefits of work study positions Jonathan Togstad Jots with Jonathan The work study program at Casper College has benefited me and other students in a multitude of ways. I started as a work study in September of this year, and it has helped me greatly. I worked over the summer at a retail store and worked into August when school first started. That job became grating, and I knew that it would be near impossible to work there and focus on schooling. I was ecstatic when I started working at Casper College and that feeling continues. Being a work study is a really rewarding experience, as I can help fellow students and keep up with my schooling. Working at the IT Helpdesk lets me assist students in their needs and has allowed me to feel part of my community, which is something I never felt in high school. My job has been very essential to the success of my first semester in college. In addition to the experience itself being rewarding, it also alleviates the stress of tuition while being a pretty stress-free environment itself. I know several people who work at Casper College share similar sentiments. Kyler Stocks told me on countless occasions how much he enjoys his job as a tutor and his other responsibilities. Stocks works with the ACE program (academics, community, and enrichment) and a lot of his day is spent helping middle school and high school students with homework, his specialty being math. Stock also added that his place of work is a fun hang out spot for students as well and his favorite part of his day is interacting with students. Ben Petersen, who works at the pre-school, spends time keeping children safe and interacting with them. He often asks how their day has been and has fun with them on the playground. Petersen also helps take care of babies and puts them to sleep. The work study program has also led to full-time positions on campus. When I spoke to Shelby Garner for a profile, she discussed how being a work study opened up the door for her to become a financial aid counselor. Garner says starting as a work study first gave her a different perspective from other counselors; it allows her to see it from both the point of view of the student and from her own point of view as the counselor. In fact, Garner now manages the federal work study budget. There are a wide variety of work study positions on campus. While the jobs are sometimes difficult to look for, they are a unique opportunity and provide great benefit to students and the community. If interested, visit the Casper College website for more information or ask Casper College faculty or staff if there are openings in a field of interest. Christmas time is here, happiness and cheer If you’re like me, you love Christmas. I wait all year for the season to come back into full force. The houses are decorated, the music is playing, the lights are strung up around town, and the stores have had their Christmas decorations out since Halloween. I absolutely love it. However, not everyone does, and this time of the year can be very difficult for many Americans. Whether that be stress, financial hardships, or losing a loved one, this time of year may not be full of happiness and cheer. According to an article at choosingtherapy.com, over “14% of Americans experience the winter blues.” With that in mind, the article also states that “69% of people feel stressed by either their ‘lack of time’ or ‘lack of money’ when it comes to the holidays. In addition, over half feel worried about the pressure to give or receive gifts.” For example, parents with children who are hopeful that Santa is bringing the toy they wished for, the parent may be hopeful they can pay the bills for the month, along with making their kids wish come true. This all leads into a season of depression, -rather than a season of joy. When around these individuals who are experiencing pain and stress, it’s hard for me. As the Christmas freak I am, it’s difficult to understand why they are so crabby or why they don’t want to go look at the Christmas lights, or why in the world is their house not decked out to the max with bells of holly? Beauty everywhere, yuletide by the fireside, and joyful memories there. So, what can we do to help those individuals find the beauty? What can we do so that they can make new memories, while remembering any joyful memories they once had? Well, for starters we can remind them to think of all the happy memories that filled their lives in years past. We can encourage them to create their own, new, happy traditions. We can talk to them about volunteering their time for a charity around the holidays, and they may even find someone they can connect with. The final December 2022 CHINOOK “ too easy to become fixated on a single aspect of our lives, and thus unintentionally neglect other, equally important, aspects. So please don’t become sidetracked by hustle and bustle of the holidays, and fall out-ofbalance. The second topic is similar to the first, except emphasized from a slightly different angle; namely emotional health. You likely already know the holidays can be a challenging time as many people struggle with increased anxiety or depression. Adding the extra burden of believing everyone should be happy this time of year can make everything seem even worse. Whether this scenario describes you personally, or you have a friend or loved one who struggles with some of these challenges, please take extra care this year to watch for signs of emotional distress. There are many resources at the College, the county, and the state to help anyone having a tough time. Also know you can reach out anytime to any member of our staff, and ask for assistance, and we will put you in touch with trained professionals who can help you or a loved one sort things out and get back to a healthier and happier emotional state. Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season… Please be sure to take care of yourself over the winter break by enjoying the weather, embracing the holiday season, spending time with your friends and family, or engaging in any activity that brings you peace and happiness. — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President Pass the honey Bailey Menzel Hush, Hush Have you ever dealt with a boss, coach or perhaps maybe even a coworker that was always in a bad mood, or perhaps they were the type to belittle you and lash out at you instead of offering constructive criticism? I’m sure everyone has experienced this at least once in their life. And no doubt, those interactions affected your daily emotional state, and while you probably carried it home inevitably complaining to your friends about it later. Now, in environments like these it is normal to try to face the problem head on, find Kaylee Davis Deets with Davis thing we can do is remind them that if they aren’t ready for all the Christmas “magic” then it’s okay. They don’t have to attend every party or watch every movie if they feel uncomfortable. The main thing is that they know we are there for them. Christmas time is here, happiness and cheer… Well maybe this year, we can all be our merry cheery selves while also thinking about how we can help those around us feel or find their own joy, whether that be from the season or just life in general. So, let’s all try and be the merriest bunch of Christmas freaks we can; while remembering that maybe not everyone is having the happ happ happiest Christmas. But it’s our job to try and spread our cheer to them along the way whenever the time feels right. a new job, tell your HR rep, join a new team, etc.. But what do you do when the person exhibiting these behaviors is an educator, someone that you are paying for the privilege to listen to and learn from? Where do you draw the line of what is and isn't acceptable? What kind of environment is expected for a college class? Where do we give instructors credence because they are humans too, and where do we see the line of professionalism crossed? After all, we are paying for an education, we should have a steadfast environment to receive it in. After completing a certain general education requirement last semester, I came upon an interesting realization -- , It would've been a more enriching experience had another teacher not treated me the way they did. And in that realization, it was clear that a lot of other students felt the same way. The entire mood of the room would be different on the days that the certain instructor was present. Anyone could see the way the mannerisms of the students would change whenever the certain instructor was near. I even had one girl state to me, “If they’re having a bad day, we will be too.” What kind of a learning environment is that? Is that really what these students are paying for? The troubling part is, in my own experience this teacher only covered my class a few times. It wasn't someone that I was even personally taking classes from. But, it only took those few times for me to understand the depth of what everyone was talking about. I began to see what others meant by small belittling comments and mannerisms that don’t inspire confidence in students. In all of my years of adult life, I have never had an educator speak to me in the manner they did. It almost made me laugh. And as this person is a very prominent instructor in the department, so I saw them very frequently. I also had classes with majors in their department who were not shy about describing their treatment from this instructor either. Is this really the best we can do? As students, what is the best course of action? Do we let someone belittle us and make us dread showing up for the education that we ultimately are paying for? Or is there a way for us all to collectively check our egos at the door and try to do better all together? In the end it seems like we all just want a pleasant learning environment, and we strive for acceptance and belonging. It is easy to feel like you don't want to belong though when someone is so unpleasant in their demeanor every day. I guess it all goes back to that old saying, “ You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.” For now, I guess it's better to keep our opinions Hush, Hush. �December 2022 Page 3 CHINOOK Apartments............................................ said “it took myself and my two sisters and mom over three hours to clean the apartment so I could bring in my stuff.” In terms of cleaning, several apartments had walls that were covered in stains and other substances, floors that had stains, and kitchens that had minimal cleaning prior to moving in. Maddy Henry said upon move-in, she had to deep clean the entire kitchen, remove the stove top burners as they still had leftover food and rust inside of them. She also said that “the washer had mold growing in it, so I ran the machine at least three time on the cleaning setting with Clorox laundry sanitizer, and then had to scrub it again by hand.” Maddy said it took her around five hours to clean the main parts of the apartment, as well as the bathroom and shower. They both also had to clean and, in some cases, take a mop to their walls to clean off food, stains, and more. One room still had food on the walls and cabinets in the kitchen and leftover food in the refrigerator. Other rooms had several things that were broken, such as the washing machine which took weeks to get someone in to fix, hinges hanging off of doors that have had work orders put in but never fixed, doors that won’t lock, and more. There were several others whose room wasn’t as bad as those who were interviewed, however several I asked had issues with their room that should have been fixed before. However, this isn’t the case for every apartment, as there were others that were completely move-in ready and had everything cleaned and some had new appliances. Aspyn Green, who lives on the first floor, said that “her room was move-in ready and required little to no cleaning prior to move in.” Could it be that several kids just had the unlucky draw of a room? Or, is this something that maintenance and others should look into? Davidson Visual Arts............................................ students. The old building was kind of dingy, but this one’s a lot more bright and open. My favorite part of this building is that it’s open until 12 a.m.” Students and instructors are excited now that construction on the new building has seen major progress this year, but this project endured its share of bumps in the road, and while the building was supposed to be finished by the beginning of the year, it is still not completely done. The unexpected delay in the construction of the building meant the classes that would’ve been in the new building had to be spread out across campus. “We were all displaced all over campus because of the delay,” Harrison said. “It was a little bit confusing for the students because at the last minute we had to find different locations for their classes across campus.” Luckily Casper College worked out a way for all of the classes to proceed in different locations temporarily, except for the film photography class. “I couldn’t teach film photography because we have to have a dark room,” Bush explained. “We have to have the space. We have to have ventilation. It has to be pitch black, (and) it has to have red lighting. That stuff just wasn’t possible -- it wasn’t feasible to make a temporary space for that.” While most of the classes are now held in the new building, there are still some students who haven’t taken art classes in the new building because of the delays. Geology, GIS and digital photography major Shawn Condelario is one student who felt the negative impact of the delays. Condelario’s digital photography II class was supposed to be in the new Visual Arts building, but the class is still temporarily held in Liesinger Hall. “Originally we were told it’ll be ready at the beginning of this school year, then it’ll be ready at mid-term– as of yesterday, it’s still not ready and it’s probably not going to be ready this entire semester,” he said. “Our [digital photography] class keeps getting moved to wherever there’s an open spot.” Condelario is excited for the new building to be finished and said he is looking forward to having his photography classes in it once it is “up and fully operational.” Since the photography studio is not fully complete, Condelario said he had to set up a makeshift studio in his living room. He noted that he is lucky to have that living room space to set something up because he can’t imagine the students making do in their dorm rooms. “We have a new studio space, and it’s a wonderful space, but I have only been able to use it one time this semester– and when I did use it, we had construction workers coming in and out,” Condelario explained. Despite the delays, students and instructors are excited to see the construction of the new Visual Arts Center nearing the finish line and hope this building will benefit current and future Casper College students. “I’m even looking forward to retiring and being able to come in and use this space as a student instead of just as an instructor,” Olsen said. CC students practice the art of 'talking' Siera Quinn/Chinook Writerr Pictured above is the Casper welcome statue along Wyoming Blvd in Casper Wyoming. continued from page 1 stated that many of the rooms that need to be fixed or are dirty, “they are unaware of any of the issues.” So, it could be a case of information that wasn’t properly passed along. Whatever the case may be, the hope is that future residents of Wheeler Terrace will never be disappointed or disgusted upon opening their door for the first time. continued from page 1 Lucy Jane Crimm/Chinook Above, Stoner Lawn and Landscape places a statue outside the Visual Arts Center. Shown to the left is the sitting area visitors will see upon entering the new building. Sierra Quinn Chinook Writer Kaylynn Mack arrives on campus for today's lesson. She is a class instructor for the Continuing Education program at Casper College. As an instructor, she has the opportunity to interact with students from varying levels of society; today is no different. Kaylynn chats with a 77-year-old student of hers. The older gentleman expresses his frustration and confusion after a woman became angry after he positively commented on her appearance. Recognizing the generation gap, she explained to him the feminist status quo and the stand against female objectification. He was in genuine shock at the revelations. Relieved to have his confusion cleared, he thanked her. Exchanges like this show us how listening to understand promotes civil discourse in the Casper community. Casper College students take part in Living Room Conversations that prepare them for civil discourse in the community. “I think it is very important to give everybody the benefit of the doubt and refrain from jumping down their throats. Not everybody has access to the internet and is in the know and such.” said Mack on her approach to challenging conversations. Evidence of the nation's lacking civil discourse skills and social upsets reported in the news media lead Cara Rodriguez, a long time English instructor, to act. She “scrapped” her composition lesson plans and said, “we are going to learn how to talk to people,” and began hosting Living Room Conversations in her classroom a few years ago. “I think listening to somebody is the best gift you can give them.” according to Rodriguez as she described student benefits since beginning her new lesson plan. She said many students uncover they were not really listening prior to taking part in a Living Room Conversation in her class. Listening to understand versus listening while forming a rebuttal, that is. Rodriguez explains that by listening, students form new perspectives after connecting individual life experiences to the opinions they form, creating a connection in the process. There have been some special moments inside of my class where students are like, ‘I had no idea that was real or that was an experience that someone actually had.’ It has been really cool.” said Rodriguez. Not all of Rodriguez’s students welcome her classroom Living Room Conversations, “Some people put up a wall and it is a real bummer to me.” she said. Like outside the classroom, not everyone feels comfortable publicly taking part in difficult conversations. In September, the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences held a “Living Room Chats Across Our Campus” event as part of their annual seminar. The event was an opportunity for students to engage in difficult conversations, in a controlled environment, while supporting mutual respect for the parties involved. The event topic and conversation guide were provided by Living Room Conversations, a website that promotes guided conversation with a diverse group of individuals to connect people within communities. “A conversation is going to be free flowing. But putting guidelines on how we keep it civil, appropriate, and safe for everybody and practicing that, those guidelines just kind of become your new natural.” said Amanda Nelson, a Casper College paralegal instructor. She said participants of Living Room Conversations become “better conversationalists”. And college students need this practice. Sixty percent of college students aged 18 to 24 report reluctance to engage in one or more controversial topics, according to a 2022 study, “Campus Survey Expression”, published by Heterodox Academy, a nonpartisan nonprofit group. Worse, fifty-six percent of reluctant students cite fear of peer criticism as a motive to avoid controversial topics. “Acting out of fear versus finding a way to unify just drives us further apart,” said Rodriguez when discussing the negative impact on communities that “do not allow for civil discourse”. People should not be fooled by divisive news headlines. Instead, they should seek difficult conversations with community members. A conversation of listening and learning, encouraging civil discourse and recognition of the people behind the story. Disagreement does not have to equal disrespect in the Casper community. Living Room Conversations is a nonprofit organization trying to connect people, regardless of opinions and differences, through listening and understanding. Their website provides topics and a conversation guide, along with rules to enable a diverse group to respectfully engage in open dialogue. To host a Living Room Conversation or to learn more visit livingroomconversations.org. www.caspercollege.edu/chinook �Page 4 CHINOOK December 2022 That One Unforgetteable Coworker Sierra Quinn Chinook Writer Kathy Quinn sat eating her lunch in Tobin Dining Hall while trading wise cracks with coworkers through the cafeteria hum. In-between jokes, she told the story of how she moved to Casper 38 years ago from Iowa. She said she moved to help babysit her nieces and nephews when her brother-in-law accepted a job in Wyoming. When asked if that was an easy decision, Quinn quickly replied, “No question about it.” with conviction in her voice. For Quinn, caring for others and making people laugh is second nature. In the 38 years since her move to Casper, Quinn continues to impact the lives of those near. Whether it is a laugh, advice, or help, she delivers on all three. In her nine years working at Casper College as a custodian, she has become a memorable personality across campus, even though she refuses to admit it. “It was always a great time to see Kathy. She always made an effort to stop in to say hi, raid my candy bowl, and just see what else she could do to help,” said Julie Hansen, the School of Science academic assistant. Quinn worked in the Wold Physical Science building four years ago where she and Hansen first crossed paths. Quinn boasted the claim that she, “fooled” the college’s administration into believing they have had a “good employee” for the last nine years “shhh” she whispered. Hansen said, Quinn’s “dry sense of humor” is what makes her special, that and making others feel important. Hansen said she misses working with Quinn, who now works in the Strausner Hall building. “She is the one that would go out and she would scatter salt by our cars, so we did not slip getting into our cars,” said Hansen, adding that Quinn memorized staff vehicles at the PS building. Quinn stayed humble, jokingly disregarding her act of kindness as nothing special. She said, all she ever did in the PS building was, “eat all their candy and free food.” But what Quinn admits about herself, and what her coworkers have to say about her never quite matches up. Yolanda Isaldo, a custodian in the Gertrude Krampert Center for Theatre and Dance, described Quinn as someone who is always giving to her church and community. Isaldo said Quinn makes her feel “important,” which positively impacts her workday. “She is like a mentor to me. She guides me and lectures me when I am not doing what I am supposed to be doing, especially with school,” said Isaldo. Quinn attributes her characteristics to her grandmother and father, who were important influences in her life. Quinn said she now lives by a motto of “always be humble and kind.” “Okay, I try really, really hard to. Sometimes I hit a pothole here and there.” she admitted while shrugging her shoulders. While many coworkers have enjoyed Quinn's genuine shenanigans, retirement for her is looming. She laughed at the topic, saying she has no plans to become a relic like William (Bill) Jensen, who retired at 86 years young from Casper College as a custodian in 2020, according to Quinn. When asked where she planned to be in five years if not at Casper College, she said with a serious face, “On a beach. In a bikini.” Quinn said she hopes to move with her husband after her retirement, to some place where shoveling snow is unnecessary. “I am going to be a snowbird. I am going south, and I am not coming back,” said Quinn. Wherever her adventures lead her after retirement, Quinn will take with her the humor and kindness she is known for here at CC. When Quinn was asked to pose for Sierra Quinn/Chinook a photo, she straddled her broom like a Kathy Quinn, pictured here at work in Strausner Hall, poses witch, turned her head back and asked, for a photo, entertaining coworkers. “Like this?” www.caspercollege.edu/chinook �December 2022 Page 5 CHINOOK Mysterious PTK Invitation Solved Sierra Quinn Chinook Writer From top left Margaret Biskup, Caroline Hansen, and Erica Pasley. From bottom left Noelle Romer, Jacob Klaudt, Jade Hefenieder. Sierra Quinn/Chinook Eligible students receive a mysterious correspondence at the beginning of each semester to join Zeta Alpha Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, triggering curiosity about what the campus organization represents from students every semester here at Casper College. “People think being part of honor society means learning more boring stuff,” said Noelle Romer, President of Zeta Alpha Chapter.. Core officers of the Zeta Alpha Chapter at CC demystify what the organization does, share potential membership benefits, and explore a common misconception to aid students receiving a Phi Theta Kappa invitation. Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is an internationally recognized college honor society that participates in research and community service projects yearly with several key membership benefits. This fall, the Zeta Alpha Chapter is researching the biological drive behind “play” as part of their annual Phi Theta Kappa Honors in Actions research project, according to Romer. Romer also said the club will also organize a community impact service project this upcoming spring, similar to last spring’s CC Cares Day event. Other club operations include organizing service awards for staff and smallerscale projects, said Romer. Invitations to join PTK. are extended to CC students who have completed 12 credit hours and a minimum G.P.A of 3.5 said Romer. The Zeta Alpha Chapter was established at Casper College in 1946 and the advisors for the club are Casper College instructors, Jared Bowden and Teresa Strickland. Students also weigh whether or not to accept the invitation to PTK. Romer expressed that joining the Zeta Alpha Chapter enables student members to experience community, engage in networking, and connect with volunteer opportunities and gain access to additional scholarships. Such benefits are generally conducive to academic student success, which carries over into professional careers. Additionally, chapter officers like Romer gain beneficial leadership and research skills, among other professional competencies in their unique roles. “If they (students) are worried about it taking up their time, it won't,” explained, Vice President of Fellowship, Jade Hefenieder. A common misconception among the student body is that membership participation in an honor society is an intense experience. Hefenieder said she wants prospective members to know that participation within Zeta Alpha is low-pressure, with minimal time commitment, while still reaping many membership benefits. Romer described the optional club meetings. “Members meet once a month and it is a time to socialize, talk about upcoming projects, play games, and discuss volunteer opportunities,” said Romer. The case of the mysterious PTK invite is now solved . If students wonder if PTK is right for them, Romer shared a final thought. She said, “Honor students are of all shapes, sizes, and personalities. We have a really cool mix of people you wouldn't expect to see and I love the diversity.” To learn more about the Zeta Alpha Chapter, contact Noelle Romer at noelle.romer@mycc. caspercollege.edu or Jade Hefenieder at jade.hefenieder@mycc. caspercollge.edu. Making a difference through Student Senate Kaylee Davis Chinook Contributor “If you really want to make a difference, the only way is to be a part of the committees running things” says McKinley Kessler, public relations officer for Student Senate. This club is a great way for you to become involved in your school, become a representative of your school department, while meeting new people. Kassidy Brooks stated why she applied for Senate. “With my major, I am always around similar people with similar ideas and interests, with senate, I am able to meet new people from a variety of schools and their representatives that are associated with the club.” Student Senate meets every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., with Devin Fulton being the club’s advisor. Kassidy, who is the Vice President, said that Fulton is an energetic, fun guy who lets the members run the meeting and allows them to voice their opinion on things. While being in Student Senate allows you to be in the know about the going-on’s in the school, you can develop leadership skills, while putting your creative side to use by planning events for the students here at Casper. One of the most popular events was the Casino Night in the spring, and since it was such a hit, they’re bringing it back this winter! If you choose to run for Student Senate, applications are sent out in the spring for upcoming sophomores to apply to. McKinley said the process to apply was quite easy, she “submitted my name, wrote up a personal biography, and while I didn’t campaign, my boyfriend, Colter, bless him, got the word out that I was running for an office.” As for new Freshman, they are newly elected to their offices, which are representatives for their school, whether that be the School Of Science, the School of Business and Industry or they can be an elected Freshman Representative. This year there were five newly elected officers to round out Student Senate. If you are interested in running, there are typically eight office spots to fill up once elections start. If you are a media/communications major, you may find that being a Public Relations officer is beneficial, as they talk to the student body, explain what is going on in the Senate and use this information to create media projects that promote the Student Senate and the events and activities happening on campus. If you enjoy assuming leadership roles while being very organized, you may enjoy running for Vice president. Brooks said her position is more than just leading the meetings when the President is gone. She also “has to oversee all of the Casper College’s clubs, record their membership, see who is president of each club, as well as make sure that each club is abiding by the rule set by the college for what they are supposed to be doing.” Have any questions about applying for Student Senate, or any of the positions? You can find Brooks in the Werner Ag Pavilion while Kessler on several days a week is working the school’s food pantry! You can contact advisor, Photo Courtesy of Kaylee Davis Devin Fulton at devin.fulton@caspercollege. The Student Senate at Casper College gathered for a recent meeting on campus. The organization meets every Wednesday evening during semester. edu, or you reach him at 307-268-2638. Garner connects through financial aid office Jonathan Togstad Chinook Contributor Submitted Photo Shelby Garner posed for a photo. Garner works in the Casper College financial aid office. A college campus involves many moving parts, and Casper College is no different. Students often lose sight of the other departments on campus besides the ones they interact with on a daily basis. Enrollment services, the Goodstein library, the financial aid office, and many others are necessary for a functioning college. While it may feel like those departments are in the background, financial aid counselor Shelby Garner puts a face to her office on campus. Garner worked at OfficeMax for about six years until she realized she needed a change, so she came to CC as a work study in the financial aid department in 2011. When asked what her first impression was of Garner, Hathaway and Scholarship Specialist Anna Miller said, “Oh I loved Shelby. I could tell she was a kind soul to begin with and a very caring person.” Working as a work study, she then transitioned into a full time role as a Financial Aid Counselor. Garner said that she traditionally sees herself as an introvert, but “blossomed” and gained a lot of confidence from helping students and going to the summer financial aid institute. The institute is a week-long event that assists newcomers in learning the ins and outs of financial aid. Last year she even taught a course at the event. Garner’s day to day duties involves consoling students on their financial troubles and aid students in applying for the FAFSA. Garner described her relationship with students by saying, “I find a lot of fulfillment in the consoling aspect… as you see on my door I’ve got a sign that says you’re the most important part of my day. I really try to foster that with my students because sometimes we are the only people they get a chance to talk to.” In order to really connect with students Garner said that she uses her own college experiences as examples for struggling students. When she went to college, she said she changed her major “three or four different times” in her first two years. She let others push her in directions that weren’t the right fit for her and it took a long time before she finally found her calling. Garner added that she even dropped out all together for five years before returning. Garner said part of the reason for her struggles was feeling like she had nobody to talk to on campus, “it made it really difficult for me to choose my path.” Garner said Garner detailed that she received a teary-eyed phone call from a student in a similar situation to the one she found herself in years ago. She wants to be that listening ear that she herself needed when she was going through the trials and tribulations of college life. “It humbles you,'' Garner said. “...that a student trusts you with this information.” However, her job is not done without any difficulty. Miller said that Garner works a tough job balancing assisting students with the often black and white federal regulations. She dubbed the financial aid office from the students’ perspectives as “the office of no.” She also mentioned that the office can get stressful, especially when it comes to the start of the fall semester. “We always joke in our office that our brains forget August every year and how stressful it is,” Garner said. The department always receives last minute FAFSA submissions, and it can often become difficult trying to figure out what’s the top priority for the day. In addition to her work in financial aid consoling, Garner also takes on other responsibilities at CC. Garner works with the state program GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) that often targets underprivileged students and assists them when it comes to paying for college. Garner said that many students with lower income are stuck in “survival mode” and think that college is not a reality for them, and the program tries to take students out of that mindset. Miller who also collaborates on the program says that they even start talking to as young as middle school. “It's never too early to start thinking about what's after high school,” Miller said. Garner’s other duties include man- aging the school’s work study budget and planning financial aid events that take place all around campus. She said events help destigmatize the “office of no” title and add some humanity to the often stressful and bureaucratic process of acquiring federal student aid. Garner also serves as an advisor for the NSLS (the National Society of Leadership and Success) and talked about how her group went to Sam’s Club to buy food for the student food pantry located in the Union Building. She describes herself as a “jack of all trades in a lot of ways.” Garner has a large and sweeping impact on Casper College and will continue to do so for years to come. She juggles many responsibilities even outside her day to day work duties and makes an effort to build meaningful connections with students. Her contributions to on campus events and even working with students off campus reflects such connections. Miller said of Garner, “She somehow magically bridges that gap where the student always leaves her office feeling confident, more knowledgeable, (and) less stressed. She has the magic gift that I do admire about her.” If a student is needing to meet with Shelby Garner, Anna Miller or other faculty, the financial aid department is on the third floor of the Gateway Building. �Page 6 December 2022 CHINOOK Basketball season underway Evan Eathorne Chinook Writer The highly anticipated men’s and women’s basketball seasons started at the beginning of November and are well underway. Both teams are looking for a chance to make a run to the national tournament this season. Although the games didn’t begin until early November, Men’s Basketball Head Coach Shaun Gutting said the team hit the gym two weeks before the start of the semester in August. According to freshman Tyler Pacheco, “Before the season began, we were playing pickup games, weight training four times a week–, we had position workouts, and (we) practiced Monday through Saturday.” The work paved the way for the team to have excellent chemistry, friendships on and off, and maximize each play- er’s strengths when the season finally came around. “I bring shooting, hustle plays and energy when we need it,” Pacheco said. As someone that is used to leading the team like he did at Kelly Walsh High School in Casper, Pacheco still found a spot early on in his career on a crowded T-birds team, and he is living out his life-long goal of playing college basketball. The men’s basketball team gets a lot of hype at CC, and they are looking worthy of that hype so far this season, per the team’s 10-3 record. The men have endured a fairly difficult schedule to start the season, as they have already faced off against the #1 team in the country with Indian Hills Community College. Although the T-birds lost 94-69, the team fought hard against the best competition at this level. They continue their season and quest for nationals this weekend in a matchup against Trinidad State College. Equally important is the Lady T-birds season. After returning many players from last year and adding some solid Freshman talent such as Logann Alvar, the team is looking to get back to the national tournament in Lubbock, Texas. This offseason, the woman started with skill work, conditioning, and 5-on-5 in order to get back up to speed. So far, the team boasts a record of 11-1, with the only loss coming to Salt Lake Community College in a close 96-92 overtime game. Women’s Basketball Head Coach Dwight Gunnare and freshman guard Alvar stated that the team’s strengths are its fast break offense and depth on the bench that can do a little bit of everything. “They put out a great effort everyday,” said Gunnare. The team has good guards in Alvar, Julia Polamo, and Joslin Igo that can get hot CC fall sports recap quickly with their shooting as well as players on the inside that can fight it out for some boards. When talking to the Coach, I could tell he was excited to see these girls battle this year, have some success, and get some recognition. Gunnare’s passion for coaching the game shone through when he said, “I love sports and it was a way to stay involved. Do what you love. You might not get rich from it but you’ll enjoy it.” The same passion seems to pass into his teams when they play. In fact, even new players feel it. “I love it! It’s hard work but I’ve enjoyed it so much. I really feel blessed to be a part of this team and this program,” said Alvar. If they can continue having fun and playing how they’ve been, they truly have as good a shot as anyone in the region to Evan Eathorne/Chinook make some noise and get into Tyler Pacheco takes two shots at the free throw line in a game the National Tournament. against Impact Academy from Las Vegas on November 19. Evan Eathorne Chinook Writer As fall of 2022 turns to winter, another season of Thunder-bird soccer and volleyball with it. Casper College’s Men’s Soccer Team finished a rather strong a rather strong season, with a record of 14-3-2 (6-1-1 in conference play). The team flew all the way to the Region IX semi-final where it played against Laramie County Community College in a heartbreaking double-overtime tie game. Many of the players come from countries such as Europe, Asia, and Australia.The team also included some talented in-state freshmen on the pitch this year, including the likes of Hayden Hollinger, Cayden Allaire, and Cole Venable. Venable, a Wyoming native from Worland, won the Region IX Freshman of the Year honors after scoring nine goals this season. The Lady T-bird soccer team also experienced some success this season, posting a 10-4-2 record. Unfortunately, the team was bounced out in the first round of the postseason in the same fashion as the men, a 1-1 tie to LCCC. On the court, Lady T-bird volleyball started off its season in Iowa with a tough tournament match against Indian Hills Community College on August 19, where they lost 2-3. The tournament marked the start of a hard-fought season, “We played one of the toughest schedules that we have ever had”, said Coach Sharman, “In our first tournament we played all the top seeds and were right there with them.” Following the tournament, there was a shift in the girls’ play because, like anything, confidence is key, and players began to lose theirs. The team ended the season with a record of 7-28. While the team may have endured a tough season, some good came to the players too. According to Sharman, the women finished the year playing some of their best team ball. Sharman spoke to the team’s strengths. She said, "We served aggressively this year and took some teams out of rhythm and that helped us defensively setting up what we wanted to do." Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez Katarina Vulic sets the ball to Paulina Dziedzic in a recent game at Casper College. No wheels on campus Bailey Menzel Chinook Writer Picture this, it’s a cold day in Casper, the kind of cold that freezes your nostrils and makes your breath short, you have just gotten done with your first class of the day and you’re due for another class in ten minutes, you now have to walk through the icy wind for half a mile to get to your next building, you could take your vehicle if you have one, but there is guarantee you will find parking in enough time, if only you could ride your scooter to the next building and be there on time, but the policies on campus have forbidden you from doing so. At Casper College the campus policies are very clear, absolutely no skateboards, scooters, or longboards allowed to be ridden on campus, that means a long walk for some students, while others may not notice at all, this may seem like an arbitrary or prejudiced rule, but at its core the policy is in place as a matter of safety. Being a campus that con- sists of 28 different buildings and over 200 acres of land, it is understandable that some students would desire a faster mode of transportation, aside from walking or driving since the parking is also scarce in the more congested areas of campus. Therein lies the need for another mode of movement, students who bicycle have the advantage of being able to ride nearly up to the door, so many wish to be able to ride their skateboard or scooter to try to speed up the time spent outside, or time spent traveling across campus. Second year Computer Science Major Damian Moore, who is an avid sportsman, has many opinions pertaining to the subject, Moore believes that being able to ride his longboard on campus would make his life exponentially easier stating that “Ten minute periods between classes can be very short, especially if you need to talk to your teacher before you move on, so many times I was late to my classes even though I was hustling to get there, a longboard would’ve cut my time in half,” A thought that has no doubt crossed many students’ minds as they were running to make it inside no doubt. Although Moore only has one semester left to attend on campus, he still looks forward to more discussion on the subject in the future. Though the campus is large and the weather can be brutal, the policy isn’t in place just to make students’ lives harder, it actually comes from the layout of how the campus is arranged. In his corner office located towards the back of Strausner Hall, Head of Security John Becker, when asked why the policy is actually in place, stated that “the campus was not built to accommodate skateboards and things of that nature, the roadways are far too narrow,” a safety hazard that truly is unavoidable. Becker then went on to say that perhaps if we had wider streets or more of an area for skateboards on the sidewalk it wouldn’t be an issue at all, it is far from campus security to wish any more time in the cold Bailey Menzel/Chinook Pictured above is one of the bike racks on campus offered for students to house their equipment between classes outside of Liesigner Hall on the students than absolutely necessary. Also to be noted, Campus Security has no problem with the idea of wheels on campus, however it is just not realistic with the layout of our streets. Even though it seems like a minor inconvenience, the is- sue of a large campus and limited options for movement on wheels is still prevalent, but the policy will remain in place to limit the use of wheels on campus until there is more space for riding and less of an issue due to safety. For now, it looks like things will stay the way they are, even though the campus security has no personal bias against the use of certain wheels on campus, students will just have to walk, make sure they bundle up to combat the cold, and manage their time between classes as best they can. Join our staff this spring! Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & promotion The Chinook is a one credit class titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu �December 2022 Page 7 CHINOOK Hathaway's Impact Diversity and Inclusion Committee at CC Photo Courtesy of Benjamin Petersen Pictured left is Benjamin Petersen, a cyber security major at Casper College. He described how the Hathaway Scholarship impacted him. He earned the scholarship during his time at Kelly Walsh High School and has been utlizing the scholarship to its fullest potential at Casper College. Submitted Photo This year's Diversity and Inclusion Committee gathered for a photo recently, The group meets monthly. Jonathan Togstad Chinook Writer The Hathaway scholarship has been a prominent factor in the academic careers of both Wyoming high school and college students for over a decade. Students that attended a Wyoming school from 2005 and beyond are almost guaranteed to have heard of the Hathaway scholarship. The scholarship greatly benefits the cowboy state and has allowed many students to attend college than would have otherwise. Anna Miller, the Hathaway and scholarship specialist at Casper College detailed the origin of the scholarship. She said the scholarship got its name from the governor in the 1970s, Stanley Hathaway. He created the mineral trust fund, with the purpose of allowing more Wyoming high school students to achieve higher education. When asked how the scholarship impacts students in the community, Miller said that it helps motivate students as they know if they work hard they will gain free money for college. When discussing some of the requirements for the scholarship, Miller talked about how career and technical education courses impact students, ”...they can do four years under one of those umbrellas where they really may find their niche which will help them once they move on to higher education go onto a field they know they want to be in”. Evan Knifer, a current student at Kelly Walsh high school, admitted he did not know much about the Hathaway scholarship but would like to know more. “I’m not all that familiar with it, but it would be good to know more about it, so I can get free money for college.” Knifer said. Knifer went on to say that he will now be pursuing the scholarship knowing the benefits and opportunities it affords students. Ben Petersen, a Casper College student, how the Hathaway has impacted his education. He said the scholarship influenced his career because the coursework required to earn the Hathaway required him to take a “wider range of classes, so I was more familiar with a lot of different things”. He said that the BOCES classes, college level courses that can be taken in high school, offered by the scholarship allowed for a good kick-starter to college academics. When asked if he would be as successful at Casper College without Hathaway he said, “probably not… it would be a lot less enjoyable overall”. The Hathaway scholarship has been positively influencing Wyoming students’ lives since the first award season in 2005. For more information on the scholarship, contact Anna Miller or visit the Hathaway scholarship website. Jonathan Togstad Chinook Writer While there are many clubs and organizations on campus at Casper College, not many are as unique as the Diversity and Inclusion committee. The group, partly run by teacher and group organizer Kristina Pham, is mainly focused with the LGBTQ+ community on campus. The group has done things such as trying to include statements on the importance of pronouns in class syllabi and even creating maps to single use restrooms, so students can feel more comfortable. Their work has seemingly paid off according to a survey done through the student senate. Pham stated that she was pleasantly surprised that many students felt that the diversity and inclusion was good on campus, in addition she said that she believed that the pronoun statements in the syllabi were a main factor. She went on to say, “It often feels like the small things don’t make a difference, but I think the small things do make a difference.” Since 2016 and 2017, the group has mainly been focused on LGBTQ+ issues on campus but would like to expand out to socioeconomic issues; the group is currently working on programming relating to healthy meals on a budget. Pham says students who wanted to participate in diversity and inclusion on campus would not only be welcome but also very appreciated. They have yet to find luck with getting students as long term members, “I try really hard to get student members…they'll show up to maybe one or two meetings, and then we never see them again”. The organization would love student feedback on current and new programs, “who would know better than the students what the students need?” Pham said students who have “a little bit of social activism, social justice in their blood” and have an issue that they’d like to have discussed should go to a meeting. The Diversity and Inclusion Committee meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. SPRING 2023 TOBIN DINING HALL IS PROVIDING AN ALL-YOU-CARE-TO-EAT SERVICE FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER. YOUR BLOCK MEAL PLAN GIVES YOU ULTIMATE FLEXIBILITY AT TOBIN DINING HALL! ONE MEAL PLAN BLOCK SWIPE @CASPERCOLLEGEDINING = ONE PASS TO TOBIN DINING HALL CASPERDINING.SODEXOMYWAY.COM �Page 8 December 2022 CHINOOK Non-trads more motivated than traditional? Bailey Menzel Chinook Writer Photo courtesy of Tabbitha May Pictured above is Tabbitha May, a returning non traditional student completing her masters and re-taking a class at Casper College to earn a better grade. Casper College’s Student According to most standard rules and regulations set by Casper College, a traditional aged student is typically between the ages of 18 and 23 years and pursues college right after graduating from high school. Nontraditional students tend to be older than 24 years in age or have taken time off from education. So with those broad strokes of definition, what do non-traditional students have in common? Non-traditional students on campus believe they share a determination that might be unmatched by more formal, or traditional students. The student body of Casper College is known for many things across the city, none more so than its collection of non-traditional students; while they have no formal meeting place or group email chain, the non traditional or returning students on campus add to the culture of the student body in more ways than one, starting with a higher level of determination than the average student. According to Suzi Sanford, a non-traditional student enrolled in a double major for Spanish and Paralegal Studies says that things are different for her this time around taking classes, stating that “the technology is so much different this time around, I can afford more resources and i have more options for my style of learning, weather it’s online or lecture.” This is something that may be lost on traditional students as they have never seen a class environment any other way. While traditional students aren't exactly unmotivated, they might not have the same amount at stake for motivation to pass their classes as a nontraditional student, another non traditional student on campus Tabbitha May who is pursuing her masters, is only here to retake a class that she received a poor grade on while taking her freshman courses years ago. When asked, what is different this time around taking classes she stated, “Motivation is the biggest factor, I want to go onto better things and be done with all this, and the first time around I just really didn't care.” No one campus group is a complete description of the student body as a whole, but it seems non-traditional students on campus share a feeling of overall difference in motivation, the second time around. Not to say traditional students aren't motivated, the motivation is just different. Struggling with mental health? Here’s what to do Lucy Jane Crimm Chinook Writer Becoming a college student comes with many sizable life changes– moving away from home and family and friends while also making new friends, learning time management and adjusting to new found independence. Along with these changes can come new negative mental side effects. Navigating new or increased mental health issues can feel like a whole new overwhelming task, but it’s important to remember that there are resources available for Casper College students to help make the college transition a little easier. The most accessible resources for college students are the counseling services offered at the Wellness Center, located in the Union Building (UU) on the second floor in room 202. The Wellness Center offers free confidential individual and group counseling, as well as crisis intervention for all CC students. “Our services run on more of a short-term, solution focused basis. So we see students to help identify how to work through challenges that are coming up and impacting their academic life. Issues like depression, anxiety and relationships,” Director of Counseling Erin Ford said. “A lot of the things that we focus on are emerging adulthood, identity and managing emotions is a huge piece. How to understand what we are feeling and how to make our emotions work for us versus us working for our emotions.” All students are welcome in the Wellness Center– people who have already identified concerns going on, who have never done counseling before, who just need somebody to support them or need a way to talk out what’s going on in their lives. The professional counselors on campus are trained to help students through a variety of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, trauma, relationships, or other life adjustments. The counselors help students identify what they are feeling, what they want to feel and what steps they can take to feel that way. “Counseling is so neat because it is just a safe space where you’re talking to somebody who is professionally trained, doesn't know you for anything, doesn't know your background and you can just spill out everything in a totally nonjudgmental space. Weirdly enough that in and of itself, just having that space to sort things out helps make so much sense of things that are going on,” Ford commented. It is important for people to be able to identify signs that they may need to seek help from a licensed professional. New feelings of stress, ongoing anxiety, lack of motivation, ongoing sadness, irritability or any new ongoing negative emotions may be a sign that one should make an appointment to speak with a licensed professional. “Being in your head or overthinking is a really good time to come in and talk to somebody because typically when you are able to talk it out and get it out of your head, it is way easier to sort out,” Ford said. “Any kind of state in your life that you don’t know if that’s really how you want to be feeling and you don’t know what to do, it’s always great to drop in and come see us.” Fire Science major McKinsey Jerrel shared her own experience struggling with mental health in college. “My depression, anxiety and bulimia worsened since going into college,” she said. “I feel like the stress of assignments being piled on top of each other has made it worse as well as the isolation you get when you first move to a new place and don’t know anyone, especially when you’re [living] off campus.” Students today are facing unique challenges, social media and readjusting to life post-COVID are just two examples of the unique circumstances students have to face along with the normal stress of college life. Ford noted that social media is a big hurdle for students now because the platform makes it easier to compare yourself to other people. Such comparison can cause social disconnect that may couple with feelings of isolation and loneliness. The college encourages students to download and use a free app called “Nod.” According to the app description, Nod is designed to help students set their social skills and break them down into “small but powerful actions you can fit in your day or week.” The most important thing to remember when tackling mental health struggles is that no matter what, students are not alone. If dealing with persistent depression, anxiety, eating disorders, relationship struggles, or trauma, reach out to a trusted friend, family member, partner, CC faculty member or stop into the Wellness Center. “My advice to those who are struggling would be definitely ask for help,” Jerrel said. “There’s absolutely no shame in asking for help. Surround yourself with those you trust and those that have a positive vibe.” Additional Resources: Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - 988 Wyoming Counseling Center - (307) 237-9583 Wyoming Behavioral Institute (307) 237-7444 Campus Security - (307) 268-2688 Check Out the Digital Learning Center Students: Have you heard of MyCCMoodle? It’s the online space where your grades and syllabi live ... among other resources your instructor might share. The DLC makes sure you’re geared up to succesfully navigate the online portion of your courses. What we can do for you: 1. MyCCMoodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. Zoom – become a pro Zoomer and feel confident attending a Zoom class meeting 3. Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, Gmail, etc. 4. Online tutoring — Sometimes we all need a shoulder to lean on and NetTutor has the perfect one! 5. Quite place to study — Crack open your books in the DLC. Draw on our walls. Use our computers. Eat our snacks. Teresa Millan Camille Cockrell Mike McLemore Dave Siemens Don’t wait! Get your questions answered now. Download the MyCCMoodle app now! Tyler Sanner Drop by by Liesinger Hall, Room 132. or contact us at 307-268-3882 or dlc@caspercollege.edu. Casper College is an equal opportunity institution and as such, does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law in admission or access to or treatment or employment in its educational programs or activities. Direct inquiries or complaints concerning Title IV, Title IX, and Section 504 to Linda Toohey, vice president for student services, at 125 College Dr., Casper, WY 82601, 307-268-2667, or linda.toohey@caspercollege.edu, or the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 1244 Speer Blvd., Ste. 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, 303-844-5695 or TDD 303-844-3417. �December 2022 CHINOOK Come Play with PTK! Did you know? Play is a biological drive! There are extreme benefits to incorporating play into your life. Reduces feelings of negativity Increases chemicals that stimulate the brain Oxytocin: the love hormone Serotonin: the happy hormone Dopamine: the feel-good hormone Boosts intrinsic behavior and decreases extrinsic behavior Helps create social intelligence, cognitive intellect, and physical/mental resilience. Play deprivation can lead to: An increase in depression, anxiety, and mental illnesses. What’s the answer? CC Plays Day! Page 9 �Page 10 December 2022 CHINOOK First Fall Casino Night Lucy Jane Crimm/Chinook A Casper College student excitedly shows off the chips she won to the other players at the table during a Craps game at casino night Lucy Jane Crimm/Chinook This year is the first that Casper College has held casino night during the fall semester. During casino night, students had the opportunity to play games like Blackjack, Poker, Bingo, and Roulette to win chips and enter a raffle for various prizes. Lucy Jane Crimm/Chinook Left, Kristina Pham rolls the shooter during CC casino night Bingo. Pham is the physiology instructor in the school of social and behavioral sciences. Dr. Hawkes: Man of the students Kaylee Davis Chinook Contributor In November, the Casper College Ag Club held a Celebrity Sheep show, one where teachers and administrators could participate in by showing a sheep in front of a judge. While there were many preferences in attendance, the crowd favorite was Dr. Jerry Hawkes, Dean of the School of Science. In the student section, students cheered him on, created chants, and one even made a ‘Go Jerry’ poster. But why is he a favorite not only with those who work with him, but also with students he has or hasn’t taught? Colby Hales, assistant livestock judging coach said that Jerry can be described as “very caring for people and is the best boss I’ve had to work for.” When asked why, Hale said he must work with Jerry to coordinate Livestock Judging events, as well as happenings on the school’s ranch. “He is always very understanding.” said Hales. “I can see why the students I deal with love him. I’ve seen him work with students outside of class and I’ve seen him teaching a class he doesn’t have to teach.” The Chinook sat down in a room filled with Dodger fan items to interview a patient Hawkes who willingly answered questions. Hawkes is originally from Wyoming, where he called many towns home, but he graduated from Star Valley. After spending time on the rodeo circuit, he decided to pursue a future in education. He attended New Mexico State University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Range Science, M.S. in Agricultural Economics, and B.S., in Agricultural Economics. He also met individuals who helped shape him into the educator he is now. “My undergraduate advisor played a big role. I don’t think I would have graduated from college without Jim Libbin, as well as Lowell Catlett.” He said working with Mr. Libbin “showed how important the advisor and student relationship can be.” Several students describe the traits that make Dr. Hawkes that made him a leading favorite, both in and out of the classroom. They described him as “genuine, caring about the students, student advocate, contagious for laughter and had a passion for life and his work”. Bailey Mast claimed that he knew how to tell a story. Mast said, “Whether that be a personal story or a story that related to class and helped us understand the lesson.” When asked what helped students feel like they could connect to him in and out of the classroom, Hawkes said “I want to see them succeed and see what drives them. I’ve been fortunate that I got to teach a bit and meet the students. There’s so many who are intelligent and creative, and I am excited to see what the futures hold.” Madi Lupher, a sophomore, stated “Last year at the Ag Banquet, Jerry came up to my family and started talking to my parents about how fun and enjoyable he found me. I never took any classes from him, but he knew me from the college’s Casino night, and he had kept up communication with me since then!” Hawkes doesn’t have to support the students like he does. He doesn’t have to show up to the events, with several happening outside of school hours, but he does. Aspyn Green said “Jerry will come support things happening in the Ag department, such as competing in the lamb show.” Cambree Miller, a sophomore majoring in Agriculture Education, noticed that at the events she goes to, Jerry is typically there, not just for agriculture related events. “He is always socializing with everyone.” Hawkes spent 30 years of his career at New Mexico State University where he held the positions of professor, department head, and academic dean. After he retired, he knew he wanted to move back to Wyoming and continue to be in education in some form, which led him to Casper College for the last four plus years. He never thought that he would be in administration, but the role suits him. Hawkes said he “loves working with the students in whatever capacity. I am able to focus on student success, whether an advisor or teacher.” And at CC, he is sometimes thrown back into the classroom to teach when needed. “Every time they let me, I go in. Anytime someone asks I’ll go,” said Hawkes. And he Submitted Photo A group of students gathered at the Celebrity Sheep Show in November, hosted by the Casper College Ag Club. The students showed their support for Dean of the School of Science, Dr. Jerry Hawkes. isn’t just talking about agriculture classes as he will go in if a teacher is desperate enough for a substitute for the day. Hawkes said it’s a chance for him to connect with more students. Students in 2005 and 2010 chose Hawkes to receive the Donald R. Rousch Teaching Excellence Award. Hawkes spoke to the importance of the recognition. “That’s the one that stands out to me because that was student driven. When the students say I did okay, that was the nice one for me, especially when students think you’re here for them and you’re not stealing their time or money.” Hawkes said. Many students loved their time in the classroom with Hawkes. In the fall of 2021, he jumped in to help teach an Ag Economics class, and when the semester was up and students learned he would not be continuing in the spring, they expressed some disappointment. However, many say that fall semester helped them as new freshman, and they learned that Hawkes could be a teacher and in some ways a person they could trust. Hawkes is so popular among students because not only is he the Dean of the School of Science, but he is also a teacher and a leader. He is someone who cares about the students, their lives, and their success. He is the man for the students. Julie Hansen, Academic Assistant for the Science School of Science said, “Jerry was the first boss I had, and we will have worked five years together in February. However, we will retire together if that shows how much I think of him.” Proudly, Hansen described Hawkes stating, “He’s a wonderful quiet leader who will listen to everybody. He’s one who does not impose his rule of law per say.” Hawkes spoke to what he views as one of the best parts about this job. “I don’t have to do this; I get to do this. I love this. I am fortunate to do what I do, and it all comes back to the students. I haven’t had to go to work yet,” Hawkes stated. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2022-12 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2022-12 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from December 2022. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2022-12 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF