NTC News

Archive News Stories:
2009: July • August • September • October • November • December
2010: January • February • March • April • May

Administrative Assistant/Executive Secretary Visit Interior Decorators Home

Ann Harmon, interior decorator, was the site for another great field trip by the NTC Administrative Assistant/Executive Secretary class. The beautiful home in Shadow Lake, Claremore was decorated for the holidays but, most importantly, was an excellent example of business best practices. Ann explained how her business was built from a passion and as a result, she never feels like her job is work. She loves what she does but never lets her work control her. Because her office is in her home, she emphasized the need to preserve her family time, not taking business calls during the non-traditional business hours or seeing clients without an appointment. In accordance with IRS regulations, she has a separate office entrance to the front of her home, allowing a percentage of the total home as a business expense and ultimate tax deduction.

Ann built her successful business as her only career but did not get her college degree until she was 50 years young. Raising her family was her priority but always knowing that she needed a college degree to complete her credentials. Ann listed important key factors that make all business owners successful such as; all clients must be treated equally, not giving special rates to one compared to others, work hard and earn your client’s trust, be confident in what you do, and believe in yourself. Ann built her successful business on strong work ethics, faith, and a dedication to something that she loves so very much. Even as a very young child her family knew she had a special gift for decorating.

Always serving the greatest hospitality and making her guest feel very welcomed into her home, Ann served the students hot Apple Cider and holiday treats.

NTC’s Claremore Campus Hosts Blood Drive

Story and photo by Karen Flatt Northeast Technology Center’s Claremore campus hosted a blood drive on December 14th. The drive was held by the Oklahoma Blood Institute. The campus generated between 30-40 blood donations at the event.

Photo: NTC employee Joyce Doolittle donates blood during the Claremore campus blood drive on December 14th. The drive was held by the Oklahoma Blood Institute at NTC’s newest campus in Claremore.

 

 

 

 

Students Complete

Story and photo by Kenny Day Northeast Technology Center’s Kansas campus hosted a Program Completion Ceremony on December 16th to recognized those students finishing their full-time program in the middle of the year. In all, 16 students were recognized for completing their training in December.

Dr. Patty Tipton, the Campus Director at the Kansas campus, greeted guests and spoke some words of appreciation to the graduates who have worked so hard in their programs. She then recognized the program completers one at a time, with the students receiving their certificates from their instructors.

Automotive Service Technology Instructor David Sampson presented certificates to four students completing his class: Anthony Andrews, Jason Rutherford, Jonathan Shouse, and Ron Tuell.

Business Management and Administration instructor Virginia Hendren had five students complete her program: Arlene Rutherford, Tina Scroggins, Beryl Simmons, Ronni Wagnon, and Kyle Whitmire.

Electrical Technology instructor Wade Friesen recognized four students completing the program: Joseph Bogan, Robert Glass, Jacob Quick, and Cory Tucker.

Instructor Jenny Morgan helped distribute awards to recognize her three students completing the Health Careers Certification program: Jamie Collette, Mary Johnson, and CJ Whiteman.

This year marks the first year for NTC’s Kansas campus to hold a mid-year completion ceremony in December. The event was well attended and filled the seminar center at the campus.

Practical Nursing Program Pinning at Kansas Campus

Story and photo by Kenny Day

Northeast Technology Center’s Kansas campus proudly recognized the Fall 2009 graduates from its nursing program on December 11th at 10:30 a.m. The graduates all completed NTC’s Practical Nursing program. The Kansas campus is located just south of highway 412 on highway 59.

Graduates from the program include Ginger Hilburn, LPN, Siloam Springs, AR; Mindy Singleton, SPN, Wesley, AR; Mary Ann Brown, SPN, Siloam Springs, AR; Samantha Christiansen, SPN, Gentry, AR; Brian Wagnon, SPN, Locust Grove, OK; Jennifer Doty, SPN, Rose, OK; Stacy Bell, LPN, Rose, OK; Sarah Law, LPN, Jay, OK; and Tiffany Seagraves, LPN, Siloam Springs, AR.

Photo:
Instructors for the course at NTC include Nita Beck, Janet Trimble, and Stacee Gillespie. The program coordinator for the NTC district is Stella Dotson.

NTC Pryor Campus Gives Blood to Help Others for the Holidays

When you think of celebrating Thanksgiving, most people think of family, friends, turkey, and pumpkin pie. But at Northeast Technology Center’s Pryor campus, they celebrated by giving the gift of life to others.

NTC’s Pryor campus hosted a campus blood drive on Tuesday, November 24th. The drive was held by the Oklahoma Blood Institute. Students, teachers, and staff took their turns at giving blood to help save lives around our state.

The campus holds a similar blood drive every year in the fall. This year, they were able to generate 50 units of usable blood.

Photo:
Dadrianne Terry, a senior from Foyil high school, gives blood at Northeast Technology Center’s Pryor campus on November 24th. The campus generated 50 units of usable blood from the drive.

National Award Winning Welding Instructor to Offer Public Courses in Beginning, Advanced Welding

Story and Photo by Kenny Day

On Monday, November 16th, Jeff Smith received the award of a lifetime. Smith was honored in Chicago with the Image of Welding Award as the National Welding Educator of the Year. The award was presented to him by the American Welding Society. When Smith began as the welding instructor at Northeast Technology Center’s Pryor campus 10 years ago, he wasn’t a good teacher. By his own accounts, he was a terrible teacher. “My first year here, I wasn’t a very good teacher. Not very good at all. In fact, I was terrible,” Smith said. “When I turned in my keys at the end of the year, I wondered what was going to happen…if I’d be back.” Then, a colleague introduced him to some videotapes of education speaker and motivator Harry Wong, and it turned Smith’s career around in a big way. He wrote to Wong and thanked him, and later had the opportunity to meet Wong and corresponded with him on numerous occasions. Wong later featured Smith in an article about teaching success, and earlier this year, Wong nominated Smith for the Image of Welding Award through the American Welding Society. Smith has turned his teaching career around and turned his students into highly successful welders. One of the most amazing accomplishments his students have achieved is that 100% of his students have become certified, which is a truly amazing feat. Now, Smith is proud to be offering his training not only to full and part time students during the day, but also will be making it available in the evenings for those who can’t come during the day. Beginning in January, Smith will be teaching an Advanced Welding course at night. The Advanced class runs on Monday nights beginning January 25th through May 3rd. Students taking the course at night can work to become certified, and the opportunity to receive training from a national award winning welding instructor is a rare opportunity. The course costs $ 485, which is a fraction of what similar training costs at other area schools.

Photo:
NTC Pryor Welding Instructor Jeff Smith holds his award for the Image of Welding National Educator of the Year. Smith was presented the award at the American Welding Society convention in Chicago on November 16th. He was nominated for the award by famous educational author and motivator Harry K. Wong.

Administrative Assistant Students Decorate Tree for the "Festival of Trees"

Administrative Assistant/Executive Secretary students at Northeast Technology Center assisted Safenet Services (domestic abuse shelter & services) with preparations for the Festival of the Trees at Rogers State University’s Centennial Center. NTC students decorated trees, helped set up trees, prepared for the evening activities of “Cookies & Coco” for children, and volunteered wherever they were needed in an effort to prevent abuse and promote a better quality of life for victims of domestic abuse. The Festival of Trees is a major annual fundraiser that is designed to promote the construction of a new shelter. Safenet Services serves Rogers and Mayes counties.

Photo: Left to right are: Sharon Kelley, Earlene Washburn-Instructor, Christina Phillippe, Jamie Bacon, and Jessica McClelland.

Administrative Assistants Students Visit CASA

Administrative Assistant/Executive Secretary students at Northeast Technology Center heard from Angela Henderson, Director of CASA-Court Appointed Special Advocates. Angela explained how she gave up a career that paid very well and provided a promising future. She explained how she could not just perform any job. She needed a career that is rewarding and meaningful. While her job provides lots of hugs and gratification, it is quite exhausting and very emotional. Careers should be more than just a paycheck-they should be rewarding and meaningful. The NTC students were given examples of how a career can be more than just a paycheck. One should look forward to going to work and feel like they are making a remarkable difference.

Photo: Seated Left to Right are: Susan Pennington, Sharon Kelley, Angela Henderson-CASA, and Kent Martin-NTC Instructor.
Back row Left to Rright are: Earlene Washburn-NTC Instructor, Carol Mustain, Jamie Beaver, Jessica McClelland, Evelyn Johnson, Christina Phillippe, Laura Hamilton, Joyce McKinney, and Diane Bryant.

NTC Administrative Assistant Students Dress for Success

NTC Administrative Assistant/Executive Secretary students acquire luxurious, name-brand business suits for their job interviews.
The class was recently treated to new business suits for their job interviews and ultimate careers. Dress for Success Tulsa is a non-profit agency that promotes “Suits to Self-Sufficiency”. Their Mission statement is to promote the economic independence of women by providing professional business attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help thrive in work and in life. Each student was given a business suit, complete with accessories, including purse, hosiery, jewelry, scarves, and shoes. Personal shoppers were assigned to each student as they selected their personal favorite, fitted and tailored to their own specific style. Dress for Success provides this free service in hopes of projecting confidence and pride during the interview process. After the career is launched, each student will be given two additional suits with the intentions of facilitating success.
Dress for Success Tulsa responds to the needs of our communities by providing programs that help women acquire jobs, retain their new positions and succeed in the mainstream workplace.

Photo: Standing left to right: Ronda Adkissos, Executive Director, Earlene Washburn-NTC Instructor, Joyce McKinney, Stephanie Sitsler, Jamie Beaver, Carol Mustain, Anita Cook, Diane Bryant, and Kent Martin-Instructor. Seated left to right: Christina Phillippe, Bea Scates, Natasha Ross, Jessica McClelland, and Laura Hamilton.