SVCC Latest News Releases

Sauk Classic Kicks Off ’09-’10 Men’s Basketball Season

Sauk Valley Community College kicks off its men’s basketball season with the Sauk Classic men’s Tournament on Friday, November 6, and Saturday, November 7, in the SVCC Gymnasium.

On Friday night, Milwaukee Area Technical College will take on Kishwaukee College. Then, at 8 p.m., the Skyhawks men’s team will take on St. Ambrose University. On Saturday, Milwaukee Area Tech and St. Ambrose will take to the hardwood at 5:30 p.m. with the Skyhawks playing Kishwaukee at 7:30 p.m.

Come on out and cheer on the Skyhawks! In fact, a great way to do it is by joining the Sauk Valley Community College Booster Club! Memberships are available for students, individuals, families, and businesses. Your membership includes FREE admission to ALL Sauk HOME games and MORE! There are also great donor opportunities. Whether it’s fall, winter, or spring, you can enjoy the energy, action and fun through your support of these fine student athletes.

For more information about Sauk’s Booster Club, call 288-5511, extensions 234 or 401.

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SVCC Skyhawks Alumni Basketball Game Friday, October 30 at 7pm

State University Transfer Day to be held Tuesday, November 3 from 10:30am-1pm

Tuesday, November 3, 2009, the following universities will be available to meet with students in the West Mall in front of Admissions and Records from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.:

Eastern Illinois University
Illinois State University
Northern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University/Carbondale
Southern Illinois University/Edwardsville
University of Illinois/Chicago
University of Illinois/Springfield
University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign
Western Illinois University

"Adults Preparing for Today's Economy" Free Sessions November 2-6 at SVCC

Sauk Valley Community College is holding free sessions to help adults who are experiencing frustration in today's economy. These sessions are designed to show you some ways to improve your circumstances and become more successful.

The sessions are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Sessions:

November 2: How to Deal with Unemployment & Setting Goals for the Future; 6-8pm in 2K2
November 3: College Night & Financial Aid Workshop; 6-8pm in 2K2
November 4: Skills for the Workplace (including GED/ESL & Interviewing Skills); 6-8pm in 2K2
November 5: Support for Veterans; 6-8pm in 2K2
November 6: Individual Career Assessment for Adult Students; 11am-1pm in 1E8

Leadership Conference for Sauk Students Moved to Nov. 20

The upcoming student leadership conference, "Leadership Skills in a Changing World," originally scheduled for Friday, November 6, has been moved to Friday, November 20.

The conference, which is for all Sauk students, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is cosponsored by the Student Government Association, Office of Student Support Services, Phi Theta Kappa, and AmeriCorps.

Registration will be from 8:30 to 9 a.m. From 9 to 10 a.m., Dr. Mihel will welcome attendees and introduce keynote speaker Roberto Carmona. Leadership workshops will be held from 10 a.m. to noon. Then, Congressman Bill Foster (14th District) will speak during a luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. Workshop sessions will resume from 1 to 3 p.m. with a conference wrap-up from 3 to 3:30 p.m.

For workshop presentation information, contact Luis Moreno, dean of student services at ext. 360 or morenol@svcc.edu for a Conference Proposal Submission Form. For registration information, call Christina Warner, AmeriCorps assistant, at ext. 216.

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Sauk to Offer ‘Focusing Families on the Future’ on Nov. 3

If you are the parent of a teenager, Sauk Valley community college can help you learn how to better help your teen(s) prepare for college and beyond.

Sauk will Present the one-evening event, Focusing Families on the Future, from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, in Room 2K2.

Catherine Dorathy, Sauk’s coordinator of high school relations, will help participants find out educational opportunities available to area high school students, and explain Sauk’s Dual Credit program, which enables high school juniors and seniors to earn high school and college credit at Sauk simultaneously. In addition, current and former students will describe their experiences in Sauk’s Dual Credit Program.

Refreshments will be provided. Following the program, participants will be able to enjoy College Night.

For more information on Focusing Families on the Future, call 815/288-5511, ext. 266, or e-mail dorathc@svcc.edu.

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College Night on Nov. 3 Part of Sauk's 'Adult Student Week’

Sauk Valley Community College will feature ‘Adult Student Week,’ an entire week of events dedicated to helping adults achieve success at Sauk whether they are first time or returning students.

College Night, the week’s premiere event, will be presented from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, in Sauk's West Mall. More than 80 different representatives from colleges, universities, vocational-technical schools, and the military will be on hand to answer questions about their institutions and respective programs to prospective college students and parents. The largest gathering of its kind in the area, College Night is sponsored by Sauk and area high schools.

Short, comprehensive workshops will also be offered each day to give potential and returning adult students the information they need quickly and simply to get back to college. Workshops include:

How to Deal with Unemployment and Set Goals for the Future, 6 p.m., Monday, November 2, Room 2K2. Janice McCoy of the Whiteside County University of Illinois Extension Office will discuss letting go of grief and hurt feelings due to a job loss and setting goals to move forward.

Focusing Families on the Future, 6 p.m., Tuesday, November 2, Room 2K2. Open to high school sophomores and their parents, this program will provide information on careers, Sauk’s renowned Dual Credit Program, CTE programs through the Whiteside Career Center, and a panel discussion with current and former Dual Credit students.

College Night and Financial Workshop, 6 p.m., Tuesday, November 3, Room 1K4. Deb Stiefel, coordinator of Financial Assistance, will discuss different financial aid opportunities available to students, the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA), and more.

Skills for the Workplace (Including GED/ESL and Interviewing Skills), 6 p.m., Wednesday, November 4, Room 2K2. Virginia Johnson, director of academic development, will provide information on Sauk’s adult education programs, and Deena Jones of Wahl Clipper Corporation will provide insights and tips on job interviewing skills.

Support for Veterans, 6 p.m., Thursday, November 5, Room 2K2. Veterans Counselor Tom Breed and Kristina Fordyce, veterans’ affairs/financial assistance specialist, will show how veterans can get assistance with educational benefits, counseling, and readjustment services.

Individual Career Assessment for Adult Students, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, November 6, Room 1E8. Current and past adult students at Sauk will provide insights and experience about their own career assessments.

For more informatio on College Night or any of these programs, Call Gerald Winger, recruiter at 815/288-5511, ext. 240, or Ana Salgado, recruiter, at ext. 432

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College's Anime' Club (UNO) to Host 'Sweets and Treats' Bake Sale

College's Anime Club (UNO) to Host 'Sweets and Treats' Bake Sale

Sauk Valley Community College’s anime club, UNO (United Neo Otaku), will host a “UNO Sweets and Treats Bake Sale” from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., on Wednesday, October 28, at the Subbies Snack Bar area.

UNO celebrates the season with Japanese sweets and Halloween treats. As the club raises funds for a trip to the ACEN anime convention ACEN in summer 2010, they will sell baked goods and desserts to the public. Students, faculty and staff will not only be able to purchase some festive treats, but purchase some Japanese dishes such as Melon Pan, a sweet biscuit cookie. And, for an extra treat, UNO members will be dressed in festive costumes while manning the booth at the sale.

For more information, contact UNO advisor Heather Dowd, at ext. 434 or e-mail dowdh@svcc.edu.

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Theater Department to Present Modern Rendition of Greek Tragedy Medea

Sauk Valley Community College’s Theater Department tackles the most intense of Greek tragedies this fall as it presents a modern adaptation of Euripide's drama Medea.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 19; Friday, November 20; Saturday, November 21; and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 22, in the Mathis Theatre.

Sauk’s production of Medea is a new adaptation that takes on one of the most complex and fascinating characters in the history of drama: the scorned and cunning Medea. Jason Hedrick, director of theater, explained that Medea, a startling combination of heroine, victim, and villain, shocks audiences to this day as she takes revenge on her husband Jason who exiled her and taken up with the daughter of King Creon.

“We’re going Greek this year,” said Hedrick who directs the production. He added that in the spring, the theater department will offer a Greek comedy.

Hedrick, along with Technical Director Andrew Kida, and Costume Designer Jennifer Salamone have designed a production that puts a new artistic spin on a classic. Sauk’s story, set in a post-eco-collapse landscape, propels one of the world's oldest plays into the future.

The lead role of Medea, Hedrick said, is a task that only the bravest actor would undertake, and Sauk theater major Erica Dimming of Sterling is the woman for the role. Dimmig skillfully executed roles in last year's productions of Joseph Heller's Catch-22 and Kurt Vonnegut's The Euphio Question.

“Erica is ready for the most complex role in her study here at Sauk and one of the most challenging roles in the history of theatre,” said Hedrick.

Playing Medea’s husband Jason (of Jason and the Argonauts) is theater major Nick Woods, Sterling. Jennifer Salamone, Dixon, will lead the Greek chorus. Salamone, who was in Catch-22 and The Campus Shakespeare Hike, also directed and performed in the area’s first productions of The Vagina Monologues, hosted by the Mathis Theatre last spring. Supporting Salamone are fellow chorus members Sarah Giroux, Dixon; and Hannah Pierson, Walnut. Rounding out the cast is Patty Bush, Morrison, as the Nurse, James G. Jaeger, Sterling, as the Tutor; Justin Lilly, Lyndon, as Creon; Schuyler Bielema, Dixon, as Aegeus; Jorge Chirinos, Sterling, as the Messenger; Nathan and Ethan Waters, both of Rock Falls, as Creon's Guards; and Maxwell Grove, Sterling, and Griffen Bielema, Dixon, as Jason and Medea’s sons. Grove appeared in Sauk’s production of Cabaret, and 5-year old Griffen Bielema takes on his first stage role.

As Sauk’s theater department goes Greek this fall and spring, it continues its long tradition of producing challenging, new theatrical works. In addition to the drama Medea, Sauk will present the most satirical and riotous Greek comedy of them all this spring: Aristophane's Lysistrata.

Tickets for Medea are $10 for adults, $5 each for seniors, children, and groups of 10 or more, and $2 for Sauk students. For reservations, call Sauk’s Information Center at 815/288-5511, ext. 385. A dinner theater will be offered for the Saturday, November 21st performance for an additional $18.

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Two Dance Classes to be Offered Sundays Nov. 8 - Dec. 13

Sauk Valley Community College will offer two fun dance courses this fall.
The first is the “Double Step Dance” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Sundays, November 8 through December 13, in the East Mall. Participants will learn basic steps, patterns, and turns of this area’s most popular style of dance, “swing on the move”.

Also offered will be the “Lindy Hop Dance” from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Sundays, November 8 through December 13, in the East Mall. This very energetic dance combines elements of partner and solo dancing by using movements and improvisation dances along with the formal eight-count structure partner dances.

Cost for either class is $35 per person. To register for either or both classes, stop by Sauk’s Office of Admissions and Records, Room 1J1, between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, or between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays. For more information, call the Office of Personal and Professional Development at 815/288-5511, ext. 212.

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Discover the 'The Zen Circle’ on November 3

SVCC to Offer Workshop on ‘The Zen Circle’

Every individual possesses the ability to find calm and tranquility in this busy world. Sauk Valley Community College will offer The Zen Circle from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, in Room 2L3.

This program will act as a guided tour for the process of Self Realization and explore the territory of inner peace with a real Zen monk as the tour guide. Time will be allowed for group discussion.

Cost for the class is $20. To register, stop by Sauk’s Office of Admissions and Records, Room 1J1, between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, or between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays. For more information, call Sauk’s Office of Personal and Professional Development at 815/288-5511, ext 212.

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Sauk's Chapter of PTK Inducts 29 New Members for Fall '09

SVCC Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Inducts 29 New Members for Fall '09

Twenty-nine new members were recently inducted into the Beta Alpha Gamma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) at Sauk Valley Community College. The new members and their hometowns include:

AMBOY: Alex Brady.

DIXON: Arlinda Bajrami, Jeffrey Carr, Jordan Kulhanek, Emily Mekeel, Taylor Myers and Kenneth Williams.

MANLIUS: Gail Coyle.

MORRISON: Chitra Patel.

OREGON: Kaitlyn Kielsmeier and Brian Stafford.

OHIO: Leah Metcalf.

ROCK FALLS: Korissa Driessens, Aaron Epps, Lailonie McKinney, Cheri Todd and Katie Wilkinson.

STERLING: HeLeanna Babin, Linda Collins, Brennen Dir, Karissa Glazier, Adrienne Martinez, and Paige Mewhirter.

SUBLETTE: Sharon Curl.

TAMPICO: Abigail Foster and Karen Newman.

WALNUT: Ann Berry and James Nugent.

WYANET: Rebecca Green.

Sauk's PTK chapter currently has more than 90 members. PTK, the most prestigious honor society for two-year colleges, has chapters across the U.S., Germany, and Puerto Rico. To become a member, students must have a 3.5 GPA and at least 12 college credits.

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Sauk Offering Open-entry ESL classes off campus through Dec. 17

SVCC Offering Open-Entry ESL Classes Off Campus

Sauk Valley Community College is offering open-entry ESL (English as a Second Language) classes at four off-campus locations through December 17. These classes, which help non-English-speaking students develop English speaking, reading, and writing skills, are open entry so students may register anytime during the semester. Locations include:

Sterling

Whiteside Area Career Center, 1608 Fifth Ave., 5 to 7:45 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. Instructor: Nicholas Velasquez.

St. Mary’s Parish Center, 600 Ave. B, noon to 2:30 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays. Instructor: Devila Thekdi.

Rock Falls

Rock Falls Middle School, 1701 12th Ave., 5 to 7:45 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays Instructor: Deb Proctor.

Dixon

Church of the Brethren, 215 N. Court, 9 to 11:45 a.m., Mondays and Wednesdays. Instructor: Cindy Enzler.

Registration for an ESL class is easy. Students need to attend a class session and registration will be conducted on site. There is no charge to the student as tuition is paid for through state and federal grants. Textbooks are provided for use in class.

For more information on these English as a Second Language classes or any of Sauk’s adult education programs, call Sauk 815/288-5511, ext. 231.

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Open-entry GED Classes Offered at Eight Off-campus Locations through Dec. 17

Sauk Offering GED Classes at Eight Off-campus Locations

Sauk Valley Community College is currently offering open-entry GED classes (General Educational Development) at eight off-campus locations through December 17. Classes are open entry so students may register anytime. The classes prepare students to pass the GED high school equivalency exam. These off-campus locations include:

Sterling

IETC, 2323 E. Lincolnway, Sterling, 9 to 11:45 a.m., on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Instructor: Ann Ufkin.
Whiteside Area Career Center, 1608 Fifth Ave., Sterling, 5 to 7:45 p.m., Mondays and Thursdays. Instructor: Gen Sanders.
YWCA of the Sauk Valley, 412 First Ave., Sterling, 9 to 11:45 a.m., on Mondays and Wednesdays. Instructor: Paul Miller.

Rock Falls

Rock Falls Middle School, 1701 12th Ave., 5 to 7:45 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. Instructor: Jeff Hardy.

Polo

Buffalo Grove Baptist Church, 801 W. Oregon St., 6 to 8:45 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. Instructor: Patricia Smith.

Prophetstown

Prophetstown High School, 310 W. Riverside, Ag Room, 6 to 8:45 p.m., Mondays and Thursdays. Instructors: Kim and Pam Meyers.

Dixon

Dixon Church of the Brethren, 215 North Court, 9 to 11:45 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. Instructor: Sharon Lilly.

Dixon Public Library, 221 S. Hennepin Ave., 5 to 7:45 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. Instructor: Lois Porter.

Students need to attend a class session and registration will be conducted on site. There is no charge to the student as tuition is paid for through state and federal grants. Textbooks are provided for use in class.

For more information, call 815/288-5511, ext. 231.

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Need Financial Aid? Complete FAFSA for Spring '10 Semester Now!

Students Urged to Complete FAFSA for Upcoming Spring Semester

Sauk Valley Community College's Office of Student Financial Assistance urges everyone who plans to attend Sauk and seek financial assistance for the spring 2010 semester to complete the 2009-10 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible.

Sauk's spring semester will run Monday, January 11, 2010 through May 13, 2010. It is important that all students that plan to attend Sauk this spring should complete their financial assistance forms now.

Filling out the FAFSA form may be completed online in Sauk's Office of Student Financial Assistance, Room 1G12, or by simply completing the application at fasfa.ed.gov. The form only takes the student a few minutes to complete, and students may be eligible for more than $5,000 in free federal and state aid annually.

For more information, call the Office of Financial Assistance at 815/288-5511, ext. 339, or visit Sauk online at svcc.edu.

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Three Sauk Organizations to Sponsor Blood Drive on Oct. 26

SVCC Organizations to Sponsor Blood Drive on Oct. 26

Sauk Valley Community College’s AmeriCorps, Nursing Program, and Student Government Association will sponsor a Red Cross Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, October 26, in the College’s West Mall.

Walk-ins or appointments are welcome. For an appointment, call 815/288-5511, ext. 216 or 430.

According to information from the American Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood products to hospitals throughout the country, nearly five million patients need blood in the U.S. each year. The Red Cross, , provides half of the nation’s blood supply, provides relief to victims of national and international disasters, trains millions in lifesaving skills, and serves as a communication link between military members and their families.

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Sauk Foundation to Sponsor AAUW Used Book Sale Oct. 23-25

The Sauk Foundation will sponsor the annual Association of University Women’s (AAUW) Annual Used Book Sale from 2:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, October 23; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 24; and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, at the Northland Mall in Sterling.

The sale will feature used books in all shapes, sizes, and categories from paperback to hardcover, romance to suspense, historical to cooking, children’s books, and more.

Proceeds from the sale will now go toward scholarships for female Sauk students including Sauk’s Single Parent Grant Program. The Sauk Foundation will continue the AAUW’s goal of the sale in which proceeds help fund scholarships for women. The AAUW’s Sauk Valley area branch, which has contributed funds to different Sauk scholarships, is disbanding after 63 years,.

The SVCC Foundation is a non-profit corporation that helps to broaden the educational opportunities and services that SVCC provides for its students. The SVCC Foundation funds numerous scholarships for Sauk students that total more than $160,000 annually.

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SVCC Honors Those Who Served: Veteran's Day 2009

Flag Football Wednesday, 10/28 at 3:00pm

Skyhawk Intramurals present Flag Football this Wednesday, 10/28 at 3:00pm. Meet at the West Football Field.