Eco-Friendly Graduation Gowns
Harper College’s graduation robes will be blue this spring, in honor of the College’s official colors. But they’ll also be green. With an eye on the environment, Harper for the first time will dress its graduates in biodegradable gowns that break down when thrown away. The gowns are made of a natural fiber that comes from renewable, managed forests and decomposes in the soil within a year when discarded; the zipper is made of recycled plastic. The gown’s packaging also is earth-friendly, containing material that facilitates the decomposition process. In the past, the College rented gowns that were collected after the graduation ceremony and dry-cleaned. “Each time those were used, they had to be cleaned, pressed, transported by a truck and wrapped in plastic bags. All of that used an enormous amount of fuel and chemicals,” says Maria Moten, Dean of Enrollment Services and co-chair of Harper’s Graduation Committee. “These new gowns are just as good quality, but they’re eco-friendly, which helps us demonstrate to students the importance of looking out for the environment.” The gowns, from Josten’s, are a first of their kind, and boast the same texture and style of typical graduation gowns. They were approved by Harper’s Green Committee, an employee group tasked with finding new ways for the campus to be eco-friendly, and are a growing trend at colleges and universities across the nation. The gowns are Harper’s latest go-green initiative. The College also practices energy reduction and water conservation; boasts an active student Environmental Club; equips its janitorial staff with green cleaning products; and offers a host of environmental courses, including non-credit certificates for children and adults, credit courses in environmental toxicology, ethics and other issues; and green workshops for designers, architects and contractors.
Media Note: Samples gowns can be made available for reporters and photographers.
Press Contact: Erin Brooks, Media Relations Specialist, 847.925.6159, [email protected]
Speech Success
Harper College’s Speech and Debate team finished second among two-year schools in the Illinois state competition this month, taking more than half of its 27 acts to the finals round and boasting one state champion. Sophomore Annie Sauter of Buffalo Grove took first place in the Speech to Entertain category, delivering a 10-minute speech on the dangers of teenage “sexting” – the exchange of provocative pictures and texts via cell phone. It’s her second year on Harper’s award-winning team. “As always, our entire team’s strong public speaking skills, as well as members’ teamwork, helped us achieve this honor,” Coach Jeff Przybylo says. The team will take the stage again at its annual Night Before Nationals performance, a preview of the squad’s acts delivered before members depart for the national competition. That event is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 30 in the Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $6 for general admission. For tickets, call 847.925.6100 or visit www.harpercollege.edu/boxoffice. Harper’s team has a history of success; the group has won six state titles, and finished sixth nationally in 2009.
Press Contact: Erin Brooks, Media Relations Specialist, 847.925.6159, [email protected].
Honoring Alumni
The Harper College Alumni Relations Office is seeking nominations for its annual Distinguished Alumni Award, an honor saluting former Harper students for outstanding career and community achievements. The awards first were handed out in 2008 as part of the College’s 40th Anniversary celebration. Ten recipients, representing a variety of educational journeys, have been honored since then. This year, between six and eight Distinguished Alumni will be inducted. Recipients will be lauded at a November reception; they also must agree to return to campus at least one more time within the year to be a guest speaker or participate in a student roundtable. “The recipient of this award will have the opportunity to inspire others, including the students who are now part of the same campus that helped so many alumni get their start,” says Catherine Brod, Educational Foundation Executive Director and Vice President of Community Relations. Previous honorees have included an Emmy-nominated screenwriter, an 80-something retiree still taking – and teaching – courses, a mayor, a fire chief and a National Geographic-honored geoarchaeologist. To be eligible, nominees must have completed Harper credit courses, made notable moves in their career and shown professional growth in their chosen field, and had a positive impact on their community through leadership or volunteering. The deadline for nominations is midnight Tuesday, April 20, 2010. Forms are available at the Alumni Relations Office, Room A317, Building A on the Palatine campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine, or online at www.harpercollege.edu/alumni. For more information, call 847.925.6490.
Press Contact: Erin Brooks, Media Relations Specialist, 847.925.6159, [email protected].
Disney-Style Success
Disney’s secret to success isn’t magic. It’s a thoughtful approach to customer service, honed over a half-century of experience in the face of fierce competition and the public’s ever-changing tastes and attitudes. Harper College will share tips and tricks from one of the world’s entertainment empires at a special daylong Disney Institute aimed at arming local businesses for success as the economy begins its economic rebound. “Disney’s Approach to Quality Service,” hosted by Disney Institute facilitators, is geared to all types of businesses – from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies – and will help owners and others anticipate customer demands, exceed client expectations, understand the need for consistency and create a service plan that promotes Disney-level quality. “We’re offering a rare chance to get Disney’s success secrets straight from Disney,” says Mark Mrozinski, Continuing Education Dean at Harper. “This program will challenge you to see your organization in a new light, and help you inspire your business leaders, energize your workforce and boost your bottom line.” The session, offered through Harper’s Continuing Education Department, is appropriate for all business sectors – from retail outlets and restaurants to healthcare providers, developers and government organizations. It runs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 29 at the Wojcik Conference Center on the College’s main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. The cost is $349. To register or for more information, call 847.925.6300 or visit www.harpercollege.edu/ce.
Media Note: Disney Institute leaders are available in advance of the program for interviews. They are able to offer tips for finding success amid a down – but rebounding – economy, and offer suggestions for preparing a business to thrive once the recession is over. Contact Erin Brooks, Media Relations Specialist, 847.925.6159, [email protected].
New Economy Job Help
Making a great first impression is paramount – particularly in a rebounding job market. Harper College will show you how you how to do it, whether you’ve landed an impromptu interview at a job fair or encountered a promising professional lead at a local coffee shop. That’s the subject of the College’s next edition of Career Stimulus, a one-year-old monthly career-boosting program focused on getting local residents the job-hunting and job-nabbing support they need. The March session, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Friday, March 26, will feature nationally recognized image development expert Susan Fignar as its keynote speaker. Breakout sessions will address salary negotiation skills, tips for selling yourself to future employers and proven tactics for finding – or reigniting – a passion for your career. Career Stimulus, launched in March 2009 to provide Northwest suburban residents with post-layoff help in a downturned economy, has drawn 300 regular members and helped hundreds of community members revamp their resumes, energize their job hunt and work toward new careers. “Today, as companies begin to hire again and more people begin to land interviews and get jobs, our local residents are facing different career concerns than they were in the recent past,” Adult Learning Special Assistant Nancy Wajler says. “We’re looking to fill those new needs with even more sophisticated support.” Career Stimulus is free for first-timers. Subsequent sessions are $10. Memberships also are available for $85; they include a year of meetings, one-on-one sessions with one of Harper’s career coaches, workshops, and materials for and admission to an intensive “NetWorthing” session focused on making networking work. For more information, visit www.harpercollege.edu or call 847.925.6438.
Media Note: Previous Career Stimulus participants who found jobs through Harper’s program are available for interviews. Harper’s Adult Learning Special Assistant, Nancy Wajler, also is available for comment on the success of job clubs and how they may need to change as the economy slowly climbs out of its downward spiral. To book interviews, contact Erin Brooks, Media Relations Specialist, 847.925.6159, [email protected].
College Savings Aid
Statistics show the cost of college tuition, room and board at four-year public institutions rose by 30 percent from 1998 to 2008 – and it’s still growing. This spring, Harper College will host a free seminar aimed at showing parents, grandparents and others how to financially prepare for higher education. The “Saving for College” session is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 21 in the Wojcik Conference Center on Harper’s main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine. The event will offer tips from college experts and professional advisors, who will cover the basics of saving for higher education and provide tools to help attendees navigate the college savings process. “Whether the young person in your life is 4 or 14, it’s not too early – or too late – to start investing in their education,” says Katherine Sawyer, Associate Executive Director of the Harper College Educational Foundation. “Saving that money, though, can be daunting, particularly amid rising tuition and a gloomy economy. This seminar will give attendees the confidence and know-how they need to start saving the right way.” The event, hosted by the Harper Heritage Society’s Professional Advisor group – an offshoot of the College’s Educational Foundation – also will include Harper financial aid experts. To register, visit www.harpercollege.edu/foundation and select the Professional Advisor Seminar Series, or call 847.925.6490 for more details.
Media Note: Reporters are welcome to attend the event and talk with participants about the task of saving for college amid shrinking financial aid resources and rising tuition costs.
Press Contact: Erin Brooks, Media Relations Specialist, 847.925.6159, [email protected].
Entrepreneur Help
Making a small business flourish can be a daunting task, particularly in a difficult economy. But it’s not impossible. With an eye on helping small business owners compete and excel in a continued rough-and-tumble climate, Harper College is hosting Entrepreneur’s Quest 2010, a daylong seminar filled with expert tips on marketing, sales, branding, business strategies and the latest technology. Social media trends – including details on promoting businesses, boosting sales and improving customer service via networks like Facebook and Twitter – will be among the topics. This year’s edition also will include a panel discussion offering strategies and wisdom from successful, seasoned entrepreneurs. “Staying in business can be difficult struggle for any small business owner anytime, but especially in a time when America is still battling the effects of a devastating recession,” Small Business Development Manager Bonnie Richter says. “This workshop will offer strategies for surviving and thriving despite economic challenges, and competing in the nation’s new business landscape.” If small businesses go out of business, many jobs go, too: more than 70 percent of jobs are created by small business clients like the ones Harper is targeting at the Quest event. Sam Glenn, an author, comedic speaker and founder of the motivational resource company EverythingAttitude.com, will serve as the keynote speaker. Glenn’s new book, “A Kick in the Attitude,” offers tips for using positivity to achieve success. The event also will feature Mike Muldoon, a marketing and management professor and president of a consulting and business coaching practice. Entrepreneur’s Quest 2010 runs from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24 at the Wojcik Conference Center on Harper’s main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. The cost is $60 for those who register by April 1, and $75 afterward. That includes lunch. To register or for more details, visit www.harpercollege.biz, call 847.925.6520 or email [email protected]. The event is sponsored by the Small Business Development Center at Harper College, which provides free resources and one-on-one counseling and advice for small business owners and entrepreneurs. For appointments, call 847.925.6520.
Media Note: The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Harper College has had many success stories, despite the poor economy. To interview successful entrepreneurs for this story or others, or for comments on small business start-up tips, contact Erin Brooks, Media Relations Specialist, 847.925.6159, [email protected].
Acing Alpaca
Amanda Joseph is only in her first year of Harper College’s fashion program, and she’s already making a name for herself. The 19-year-old Palatine resident beat out dozens of other competitors from colleges and universities across the nation and Canada to take second place at a recent national competition requiring contestants to design a cutting-edge textile from alpaca fibers. The honor scored Joseph a $750 scholarship, a trip to Nashville, Tenn. to collect the prize, and bragging rights among a field of entrants from schools like the Art Institute of California, the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and Kansas State University. Joseph drew inspiration from the image of a melting glacier field to create her piece: a brushed, woven alpaca fabric on which she incorporated an additional technique: marbling the fabric with paints. The annual Fiber to Fashion Design Competition is sponsored by the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association. Alpaca, though not widely used in fashion, is similar to cashmere in its substantial price and luxurious texture. “Contests like these draw some of the best talent there is in the area of fashion and textile design,” says Donna Sculley, Joseph’s textiles instructor. “The fact that Amanda won as a first-year student speaks to her notable skill and potential in the industry, and showcases the kind of talent we attract here at Harper. We’re excited to see what the future holds both for her and for us.” Harper students have come up winners at the contest before. Most recently, student Yulia Kersten earned first place in the 2009 competition’s textile category for her felted alpaca fabric, and took home a Consumers Choice Award. In 2008, a trendy knee-length alpaca coat designed by student Olga Pasman of Schaumburg won the top prize in the contest’s fashion category and was manufactured afterward and sold online.
Press Contact: Erin Brooks, Media Relations Specialist, 847.925.6159, [email protected].
Free Ultrasounds
The Harper College Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is seeking volunteers interested in receiving free ultrasounds. Available tests include obstetrical ultrasounds (participants must be at least 18 weeks pregnant; they will receive a copy of the images), carotid artery ultrasounds (participants must be at least 50 years old), venous ultrasounds of the lower legs (participants must be at least 18 years old) and echocardiograms (participants must be at least 18 years old). All exams will be performed by students on state-of-the-art equipment, under the supervision of a registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. The free tests, lasting about an hour each, are non-diagnostic. Volunteers will not receive a medical report, but will be instructed to follow up with a doctor if abnormalities are suspected. Volunteers are needed through May 1. Ultrasounds have been used since the 1950s and have no known harmful effects. Harper’s program conforms to all patient safety regulations. To schedule a free ultrasound appointment, call 847.925.6104.
Press Contact: Erin Brooks, Media Relations Specialist, 847.925.6159, [email protected].
Photo Opportunities
Event: Night Before Nationals Speech and Debate Team performance
Time: 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 30
Location: Performing Arts Center
Event: Career Stimulus program. The program draws large crowds of local job-seekers.
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Friday, March 26
Location: Wojcik Conference Center
Event: Entrepreneur’s Quest 2010 for small businesses
Time: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24
Location: Wojcik Conference Center