National CTE Signing Day

LBCC participates in National CTE Signing Day for first time

On Feb.18, 31 high school students signed letters of intent at LBCC. Unlike traditional letters of intent, these were not for athletics.

LBCC participated in the National Career and Technical Education Letter of Intent Signing Day, where future trade students are broadcasted live along with about a dozen other schools nationwide.

“These programs are all competitive. Last fall, our welding class was filled, with 30 kids not getting in,” David Bird, the event organizer said.

Luckily for these high school students, by committing early and signing letters of intent, they are guaranteed a spot in the technical class of their choice come fall term.

The event had multiple speakers, including Snap On Tools representative Bill Overall, and International Technical Training Manager of Fiat Willie Daniels Jr.

“The careers that you are looking into can’t be outsourced I cant ship a car to Rio and get a guy to fix it. I need you,” said Daniels Jr.

The city of Albany is also invested in the event as they have donated $2.9 million to LBCC’s technical programs.

“Spend the funds on a future,” said Albany Mayor Sharon Konopa.

National CTE Signing Day impacted students, offering them the chance of a lifetime. This rang true for one student in particular.

“I’ve been working with metals since I was 11. It’s my passion,” said Jonathan Sattler, a future Welding and Fabrication Tech student.  

Sattlers family moved from upstate New York eight months prior to the event so that he would have more opportunities to chase his dreams. Thanks to LBCC and the city of Albany, it looks like the Sattler’s and many other students and their families have brighter futures ahead of them.  

“You don’t have to limit yourself the opportunities are endless,” said Overall.

Want to find out more?

LBCC's Welding Program

LBCC's Signing Day Page

More LBCC Trades Info

The Democrat Herald was there, too!

Judi Madarus: Linn Benton Community College's 'Lunch Lady'

 If one were to think of the classic grumpy lunch lady stereotype, Judi Ann Madarus would shatter the mold. Friendly, talkative, and cheerful, Madarus loves working in the Courtyard Cafe.

The Courtyard Cafe sits snugly behind Takena Hall, a roof of windows providing soft light throughout. Madarus sits in the center of the bustling cafe, checking students out and offering a smile, easily remembering each one's name.

Judi Madarus took over the position of supervisor after her mother, Carolyn DeLaine retired.

"We used to work upstairs in the Commons together," said Madarus, smiling as she remembered.

Madarus has worked at LBCC for 36 years now, after trying to retire during year 28.

She started out working hot lines and making food for banquets, and when she took over for her mother, she moved downstairs to the Courtyard Cafe. She came back from a brief retirement because

"I like the students and faculty. I'm a people person."

Judi Madarus is a cashier at a kiosk in the doorway of the cozy Courtyard Cafe, and she cleans and restocks over half of the cafe every weekday starting at 8 a.m.

When she's not at work, she loves to garden. Madarus used to garden here at LBCC, growing sunflowers outside the Cafe. The sunflowers were banned because of the cleanup involved once the flowers died in late fall.

 Spending time with her three grandkids, Austin Carson, 18, Koby, 14, and the youngest, Caylee, 11 is also a favorite pastime.

 When asked about her grandkids, she beamed excitedly, saying "They play one sport after the other. I go drive up and watch their games."


Madarus said it herself when she said "The pins are my legacy."

Everyone knows about her pins. "It started with one angel, and people kept bringing me more!"

Judi Madarus is not just known for her pins, however.

 Paige Kosa, a student smiled when asked about her. "She's nice, and she chats with me." Justin Hammond, a Computer Lab Aid said that "She brightens my day when I get my coffee for work."

 At-A-Glance

Name: Judi Ann Madarus
Born: In New York, moved to Albany, Ore. at 9 months of age.
Hobbies: Gardening, and watching her grandkids play sports as well as collecting pins.
Family: Two daughters and her grandkids, Austin Carson, 18; Koby, 14; and Caylee, 11.

World Hijab Day Extends to Linn Benton Community College

   
LBCC gets involved with World Hijab Day More Than Ever

     World Hijab Day is worldwide event that was spurred by Nazma Khan in New York. The first one was in February 2013, and it has grown ever since. The event's purpose is to spread knowledge of the wearing of hijabs and why women choose to wear them, rather than being forced in most cases.
    LBCC participated this year due to the Human Civil Rights Club. They organized the event, and it meant a lot to them according to Sophia Metzler. "We've had a lot of cases of violence [toward Muslim women]...and there's been a recent spike. Hopefully this will create a peaceful environment on campus." Another member of the Human Civil Rights Club, Emily Carsen said that the event was intended to "Give a cool hands on experience." World Hijab Day was held in several seats in the library set up in front of a screen, showing a PowerPoint discussing the basics of Islam. Five women who wear hijabs were later asked questions through a mediator for the rest of the event. Ashwag Alamari said that the event was very important to her, "It means a lot, it is a great opportunity to make people understand. Our religion doesn't support killing." Flowers were later passed out, as well as people getting the chance to try on a hijab to be able to experience one. Hopefully, the event will occur next year as well.


At A Glance:

Who: The Human Rights Club
What: World Hijab Day
When February 1, 2016  at 12pm (And will occur in future years in the month of February)
Where: The LBCC Library

College Night is Bigger Than Ever at Linn Benton Community College

College Night expands to consume whole campus in 2016 

College Night is the biggest recruiting event of the year for Linn-Benton Community College. In the past, College Night has been in the Commons Cafeteria. However, this year’s event has expanded.

According to Danny Aynes, the director of enrollment services, the event used to be “...very crowded, making it hard to hear.”

College Night is now no longer just held in the cafeteria, but on the whole campus. Not only will there be a showcase in the much nicer Russell-Tripp Performance Center, but there will be open access to many other parts of campus, including the library, bookstore, nursing labs, welding shops, and much more.

Claudia Davila, an organizer said, “This year is expected to be very successful because of the full campus involvement.”

Students will get hands on experience with the classroom and the teachers they will be seeing in the fall, and gain a better understanding of what to expect.

Trista Ochoa, another organizer said this will “...give the community an idea of what really goes on at LBCC.”

All prospective students are welcome, and you can register for the event at www.linnbenton.edu/college-night

At a Glance:

Where: LBCC Campus
When: February 8 2016
Time: 4:30pm
How to Register: www.linnbenton.edu/college-night

Photo Story: The Black Curtain Society: Unveiled

During rehearsals for The Black Curtain Society's first play of 2015, "Theatre of Terror: The Brothers Grimm" Nicolette Pullen tries on her costume and makeup as Phoebe May figures out the fog machine behind the scenes. 

On opening night of "Theatre of Terror: The Brothers Grimm", October 29th  2015, Kaitlynn Pettit applies makeup quickly. The house is going to open in just a few minutes, so every dab has to be just right. 

Nicolette Pullen rests next to Jamie Lee while receiving instructions from Dan Stone at the auditions for "Cat in the Hat" in November 2015. The play requires high levels of energy and physical endurance, and everyone is tired, even though auditions are only half over. 

Dan Stone shows technique to the cast of "Cat in the Hat." The exercise is to build cardiovascular endurance for the play in February 2016. From left: Jamie Lee, Nicolette Pullen, Timothy Cruse, Kristy Speed, Jacob Birchard, Sullivan Macintosh, Dan Stone, Paige Kosa, and Elizabeth Calder. 

During "Cat in the Hat" rehearsals, shoes must be removed by the cast so they will be less likely to kick and hurt one another as well as being able to be more flexible in what they are doing. Because of this, they often practice in the choir room on campus instead of the theatre which has a strict "no bare feet" policy due to constant construction onstage.

Just Some Artsy Ones

These photos didn't make the cut, but I liked them.

New and Improved Action Shots!

Ah, these are MUCH better. This is LBCC's women's basketball team during practice.

Time runs out on a drill during practice November 24th 2015. The team is currently prepping for their next game in December, and the training is intense. 

Jerry Coe and Courtney Landis look on as Kaylee Buhrkuhl, shoots, and Nicole Magnuson walks away as a defeated defender.  

Courtney Landis looks on as Jerry Coe works on defense with Nicole Magnisun and Hannah Creswick