Artists and art students will be given a “mystery box” of items that must be included in the design and will be able to use resources of their choosing from an art supply table.

“This contest is going to be the perfect opportunity for local aspiring artists and designers to show what they’re made of,” said Kevin Taylor, a 24-year-old Lake Havasu City resident, an MCC student who said he intends to compete for a scholarship.

“In the modern world of design, technology is making it easier to convey ideas visually, but employers will also expect you to be able to adapt to the ever-changing world of visual communications. I think that anyone who wishes to pursue this kind of career should think about enrolling in this program, (and) enter the contest,” Taylor said.

The contest will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. on June 6 on MCC’s Bullhead City campus at 3400 Highway 95, Lake Havasu City campus at 1977 Acoma Blvd., West and Neal-Campus Kingman at 1971 Jagerson Ave. Entry forms are available at the campus deans’ offices and on the MCC website at www.mohave.edu/viscomm. Entry forms are due at the campus deans’ offices by 4 p.m. on May 30. There is no fee to enter and more than $10,000 in scholarships is up for grabs.

The public is invited to attend and watch the artists compete in this “Chopped”-like competition.

“Careers in creative fields like visual arts are in high demand. MCC created the new visual communications degree in response to the broad student interest in design-related fields,” said Alan Hall, art faculty for MCC on the Havasu campus.

Hall said high school graduates are often recruited by expensive private art schools where graduates only receive certificates in graphic design with no option to transfer to a four-year degree program.

“MCC’s new associate degree with an emphasis in visual communications, gives students a solid foundation for a bachelor of arts program that will lead to open doors in high-demand careers,” Hall said.

Careers within the visual communications fields for those who have obtained a bachelor’s degree include graphic designers, who create logos, advertisements, websites and print publications for businesses; landscape designers, who develop outdoor spaces including parks, commercial and residential properties and developments; industrial designers, who assist in product design and development; architectural designers, who help to create structures, such as buildings and bridges and interior designers, who improve the spaces that people use.

Any Mohave County resident interested in an art or design field is invited to participate in MCC’s “Success by Design” scholarship competition. Twelve scholarships will be awarded, including $2,720 to the overall winner, which will cover the cost of one year of MCC’s tuition and fees for the visual communications program only.

A panel of independent artists and designers will judge the artwork based on presentation and the creative use of all of the mystery items. Third place winners from each campus contest will receive a $400 scholarship; second place winners from each campus will receive a $500 scholarship and first place winners will each receive a $600 scholarship.

From the first place winners, a grand prize winner will be chosen and receive an additional $2,120 scholarship, for a “full-ride” scholarship of $2,720. Scholarships distributed through the contest can only be applied to MCC tuition and fees for the visual communications program. They cannot be transferred or redeemed for cash.

“The design contest offered by MCC this summer is a terrific opportunity for students to compete for scholarships and will help students and the public to learn about the exciting opportunities in visual communications offered by the college beginning this fall,” Hall said.

For more information about the contest or the visual communications program, call MCC Connect at (866) 664-2832.

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Cutline: Jade Belton, an MCC work-study student, hangs a “Success by Design” poster on MCC’s Lake Havasu City campus.

From St. George, Utah, Racheal Blevins-Till, Alisha Bowling, Rachel Huntsman, Angela Johnson, McKenzi Luke, Angie Mack, Tala Motuliki, April Myers, Debbie Neve and Nicole Walters received their pins.

The following Utah residents also graduated from MCC’s RN program, Jessie Allen, from Enoch, Carly Ashworth, from Cedar City, Emily Bishop, from Kanab, Katie Christensen, from Toquerville, Shakari Mason, from Washington, Tyler McLemore, from LaVerkin, and Shannon Simonson, from Central.

From Colorado City, Kris Bradshaw, Marie Horsley, Ali Knudson and Marie Musser earned their pins.

Karl Cumming and Trina Thornley, both from Hurricane, Utah, successfully completed the RN program. Jordan Hatch, from Fredonia, earned an RN pin.

Registered nurses provide day-to-day care of patients as they recover from illness or injury, strive to maintain good health or manage patients’ daily living in a variety of environments.

For more information on MCC’s RN program, to go www.mohave.edu/nursing or call (866) 664-2832.

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Cutline: Nicole Walters, a RN student from the North Mohave county campus, attended MCC’s 42nd annual Commencement Ceremony on May 10 and was one of 24 graduates who received a professional pin in Hurricane, Utah on May 11.

From the Kingman area, Treeva Acton, Angelica Amador, Britany Conger, Cassandra Erickson, Jennifer Falk, Nicole Foley, Ellen Key, Melissa Lilly, Tiffany Mason and Garret Walker received their pins. The remaining students were from Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City.

From the Lake Havasu City area, MCC honored the following 12 graduates:  Jennifer Andrews, Monica Arriaga, Whitney Azar, Kristan Caserman, Ashlee Douek, Kelly Ellena, Erin Engel, Ann Garcia, Allison Johnson, Elizabeth Meneses, Monica Poehner and Sara Rust. The remaining students were from Bullhead City and Kingman.

From the Bullhead City area, Natacha Brandon, Allana Bush, Kelli Conroy, Amanda Dillon, Carla Garcia (Flores), Katrina Gray, Debi McIlwain, Cindy Sherman and Brianna Tuman earned their pins. The remaining students were from Kingman and Lake Havasu City.

Registered nurses provide day-to-day care of patients as they recover from illness or injury, strive to maintain good health or manage patients’ daily living in a variety of environments.

Allana Bush, from Bullhead City, was honored with the Clinical Excellence award, which is given to a student who maintains a high commitment to nursing and a standard of excellence in its practice.

“Allana Bush went above and beyond in the clinical setting and classroom to support her fellow classmates in their progression as nursing students,” said Michelle Christensen, an RN instructor. “She willingly established study groups and invited them to participate. She sought out every opportunity to learn about the clients she was assigned to care for and their disease processes. Allana was caring, compassionate and professional at all times.”

For more information on MCC’s RN program, to go www.mohave.edu/nursing or call (866) 664-2832.

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 Cutline: Bullhead City resident Amanda Dillon speaks during MCC’s registered nursing pinning ceremony held on May 9. Dillon was one of 31 RN graduates from MCC.

From Kingman, Brandi Allman, Vanessa Depuy, Nichole Kersey and Julia Khodarevskaia earned their pins.

From the Bullhead City area, Amber Benjamin, Andrea Burgess, Amanda Holmberg, Nicole Mahan, Alicia Sanchez and Robin Wood earned their pins.

From Lake Havasu City, Nikki Hansen, Dani Lemmel and Michaela Murphy earned their pins.

Hygienists’ services include oral health education, cleaning and polishing teeth, applying sealants and fluoride treatments, and administering local anesthesia.

Sanchez was honored with the Golden Scaler award based on her academic standing and her ability to become a role model to her peers. Holmberg received the Star award based on her demonstration of extraordinary compassion during patient care and dedication to the profession.

For more information on MCC’s dental hygiene program, to go www.mohave.edu/dentalhygiene or call (866) 664-2832.

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Cutline: : Bullhead City resident Alicia Sanchez receives her pin on May 10 from MCC’s dental hygiene program.

“I’m feeling great,” said the 23-year-old Kingman resident who graduated from MCC with an associate degree in computer information systems. “I’ve been in love with computers since I was a kid. I feel on top of the world right now.”

Mohave Community College proudly saluted 593 graduates during the 42^nd annual Commencement Ceremony held on Friday, May 10 at the Mojave Crossing Event Arena in Ft. Mohave.

“The investment of time, money and energy that these students have made will result in more opportunities, rewards and a higher quality of life for themselves and their families,” said MCC President Dr. Michael Kearns during his opening address.

The Class of 2013 included 437 students who earned associate of applied science degrees in a career/technical field or associate of arts, business or science degrees that transfer to a university toward bachelor’s degrees in art or science. The remaining graduates earned certificates of proficiency. Certificates can be completed in less time than a degree and are a stepping stone to employment or an associate degree. MCC awarded 79 different certificates and degrees in various academic fields. MCC also honored General Education Development (GED) graduates during the ceremony.

Of the Class of 2013, 163 students studied at MCC’s Neal Campus-Kingman at 1971 Jagerson Ave. Also, fourteen of the overall students graduated from MCC’s Extended Campus, which includes online learning.

More than 2,000 attendees also applauded 153 students who graduated with honors and 29 high school students who graduated with associate degrees from MCC on Friday before earning their high school diplomas. These students accomplished that feat by taking MCC classes offered at their high schools during the daytime and taking additional MCC classes online or on the campus during the evenings.

Graduates were present from all of MCC’s campuses, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu City, Neal Campus-Kingman, North Mohave county in Colorado City and Extended Campus, which includes online learning.

Kearns chose Dean of Student Services Jann Woods as the ceremony’s Macebearer. As a college commencement ceremony tradition, the Macebearer leads the president into the ceremony as a symbol of protection of the president and the institution. Woods is retiring from her position in August to return to teaching at MCC.

For the second year, MCC presented the Ellen Licari Service to Students award to a member of the college community who has achieved success in providing services and mentoring MCC students. Diane Olson, a student services advisor on MCC’s Bullhead City campus, received the award, in part, for her efforts to help organize meaningful student events on the campus.

Daniel Lara, the dean of science, engineering and technology division at Linn-Benton Community College in Oregon, accepted the honors of delivering the commencement address. Lara abandoned his pursuit of a career writing novels and began teaching at a community college when he was 23 years old. Lara quickly began to embrace his teaching role and after two years began teaching full-time at Mohave Community College.

He quickly advanced to administrative positions and after five years, accepted a position at a community college in Oregon, where he now oversees 154 full- and part-time faculty and staff. He also teaches online classes part-time for MCC’s Extended Campus.

“Graduates, each of you has overcome adversity and made sacrifices in order to reach this moment,” Lara said during his address. “During your time at MCC, some of you have lost loved ones or struggled with the challenge of caring for an ailing parent, child, spouse or friend. You have sacrificed financially and emotionally, balancing the challenges of work, school and family. But each of you has met these challenges and prevailed. And your families and friends, who have sacrificed alongside of you, have also prevailed. We the faculty, staff and administration at Mohave Community College applaud your achievement.”

For more information about MCC, go to www.mohave.edu or call (866) 664-2832 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

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MCC Commencement: MCC awarded more than 600 certificates and degrees during its 42^nd annual Commencement Ceremony on May 10 at the Mojave Crossing Event Center.

Jamie Echols and Gabriel Fernandez, both from Bullhead City, received their pins. From Lake Havasu City, Jeff McCraw, Kathy Nielson, Jeffrey Place and Kimberly Walker were pinned. Larry Ayers and Dawnia Coffin, from Kingman, received their pins, as well as Hayden Jones from Show Low, Ariz. Phoenix resident Heath Sandifer and California resident Jennifer Kaley also successfully completed the program.

Physical therapist assistants help restore mobility to clients who have been affected by an injury or disease.

“These students took charge of their future when they began this program and saw it through to completion,” said John Twomey, a local physical therapist, who also was the ceremony’s guest speaker. “You made a good choice for yourself, your family and this community.”

The PTA students and faculty selected two students to receive special recognition during the ceremony. Ayers received the Horizon Award, which recognized his academic excellence and Nielson received the Catherine Fitzgerald Leadership Award, which honored her commitment and involvement in student organizations while maintaining a high grade point average.

For more information on MCC’s PTA program, to go www.mohave.edu/pta or call (866) 664-2832.

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MCC PTA Nielson: Pictured (L-R) MCC PTA program director Joelle Grossman presents the Catherine F. Fitzgerald award to Kathy Nielson. Nielson received the award which honors a major donor to the program.

Lizbeth Escobar, Ashley Porter, Theresa Prescott, Alyssa Raymond, Brianna Raymond, Kathryn Severt and Coralynn Viramontes, all from Bullhead City, received their pins, along with Paige Simon, a Lake Havasu City resident. Each student also received special recognition for their above-and-beyond efforts during the program. Severt was recognized for her academic excellence and Viramontes was honored for her leadership within the program.

Dental assistants expose and develop X-rays, maintain infection control, perform lab procedures and some administrative duties, as well as aid dentists during examinations and treatment. MCC’s dental assistant certificate program can be completed in two semesters.

“The faculty and staff of MCC’s dental programs are extremely proud of this group of women,” said Tracy Gift, dental program director. “They have worked hard both academically and clinically. One hundred percent of the students passed the dental radiography certification prior to graduation.”

For more information on MCC’s dental assisting program, to go www.mohave.edu/dentalassist or call (866) 664-2832.

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Dental Assistant 2013 Graduates: MCC is graduating eight dental assistant students. Pictured (L-R) Front row: Carolynn Viramontes, Alyssa Raymond, Katie Severt and Teresa Prescott; Back row: Ashley Porter, Paige Simon, Briana Raymond and Lizbeth Escobar.

The contract will cover resurfacing of five parking lots on the Neal Campus-Kingman and installing PVC pipe under a portion of one lot. Four vendors submitted qualified bids for the project.

The Board will also be asked to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Hurricane Valley Fire Department and Leeds Special Services District to award MCC college credit to students who successfully complete the Emergency Medical Services courses in the paramedic program area.

Several staff reports will be presented to the Board. MCC President Dr. Michael Kearns will advise the Board that the college has received its 2011-2012 audit report from the state of Arizona. That reports states that MCC “complies, in all material respects, with the requirements laid out in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States …”

Jill Loveless, dean of instruction, will report to the Board on the first statewide Developmental Education Summit, which was organized and hosted by MCC on April 19. Forty-seven people, representing 11 colleges participated. “This was an opportunity for faculty who teach developmental levels of math, reading and writing to discuss challenges and share solutions,” said Loveless.

Loveless will also update the Board on changes that will be incorporated into transitional math classes for fall to begin achieving a higher percentage of students successfully completing developmental math.

Jann Woods, dean of student services, will give the Board a report on the students graduating this Friday and on the graduate survey that was taken recently.

Executive Vice President Dr. Lynn Cundiff will share information about a new contract with Barnes and Noble, which operates the campus bookstores. The new agreement provides a 5 percent reduction in the students’ cost for books and a more effective book buy-back policy, plus a provision for several book scholarships on each campus.

Barnes and Nobel will be using a new, efficient software package that will significantly assist MCC with the timely, accurate and efficient ordering of books for students.

The Board of Governors’ meeting will begin at noon on Friday, May 10 in Room 508 on the Bullhead City campus at 3400 Highway 95. It will be broadcast live by Interactive Television (ITV) to Room 508 on the Lake Havasu City campus at 1977 Acoma Blvd., West,　 and the Neal Campus-Kingman at 1971 Jagerson Ave., and to Room 301 on the North Mohave Campus at 480 S. Central in Colorado City. The public is invited to attend in person or by ITV.

The public can view the full agenda, including appendices not exempt by ARS 38-431.0, in the library on each MCC campus within 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. They can obtain a copy through the Office of the President, 1971 Jagerson Ave., in Kingman, or go online to:

http://www.mohave.edu/documents/Board_of_Governors/2012-2013/BG_Agenda_05-10-2013.pdf

Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, MCC endeavors to assure accessibility to its programs, facilities and services to all persons with disabilities. Persons needing accommodation for this meeting can contact the Disability Services Office at 928-757-0813.

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From Lake Havasu City, Shawna Britt, Thomas Cochran, Tara Machnicki, Amber Romm and Angela Stock were honored during the pinning ceremony and Randi Moody and Krystal Rubio, both from Kingman, also received their pins. It is a tradition to award allied health students pins upon their successful completion of the programs.

“You students have accomplished what most people can’t,” said program director Dr. Robert Goodrich during the ceremony. “Congratulations to all of you students and good luck to you.”

Surgical technologists assist in operating rooms by helping to ensure a sterile environment and assisting doctors with the surgical tools they require during procedures.

Rubio was honored with a certificate of achievement for a perfect score on a pre-test that students are required to take prior to taking the national exam for their final licensure.

“I studied over spring break,” Rubio said. “I set out to get a 100 percent, but I didn’t think I would. I thought for sure I missed at least three.”

As part of the MCC degree program, surgical technology students are required to participate in at least 125 operating room procedures where they have to “scrub up.” Moody received a “Milestone Achievement” award for participating in 404 “scrubs” during the clinical portion of the program; she was one away from breaking the program’s record. Caitlin Hansen, a 2012 Kingman graduate, still holds the record of 405 “scrubs.” Stock received recognition for participating in 376 operating procedures and Britt “scrubbed up” for 350 procedures.

Goodrich said students’ participation in that many procedures is very difficult. He said procedure times can range from 30 minutes to eight hours and can be challenging to schedule in addition to other school work, employment and social commitments.

“I was very impressed with the enthusiasm of the students to get as many cases as they can to improve the quality of their education,” he said.

Stock said juggling the procedures with her other academic and social commitments was “tough, but great.”

“Now, it’s relaxation time, then job hunting,” she said.

For more information on MCC’s surgical technology program, to go www.mohave.edu/surgtech or call (866) 664-2832.

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MCC Rubio: Krystal Rubio, an MCC student from Kingman, hugs Amber Moore, a surgical technology clinical instructor, after receiving her pin during a ceremony held at MCC’s Lake Havasu City campus on May 7.

The most recent data available reveals a 30 percent increase in the number of MCC students who received a federal Pell Grant from Fall 2009 to Fall 2011. Grants do not have to be repaid and are awarded based on a student’s financial need, cost of attendance, full- or part-time status and planned length of attendance.

Summer and fall registration is underway and students are already taking advantage of the new option to pay ahead and make a low down payment and monthly payments to cover the cost of their Fall 2013 tuition.

Summer classes include introductory college classes for students who are new to the experience and business classes aimed to advance the careers of working professionals. Students interested in taking the accelerated, eight-week summer courses should schedule an appointment with an advisor soon.

To learn more about how to afford college, the public is invited to attend an MCC financial aid workshop where staff will also be available to help students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the initial application for all federal and most state financial aid programs. There is no cost to apply for financial aid or enroll at MCC. The FAFSA must be filed annually to determine federal aid eligibility.

“MCC is pleased to offer these workshops to the public to assist those interested in pursuing a college education to understand their financial options, and receive assistance in completing the application online,” said MCC’s financial aid director Shannon Sheaff. “The online application allows students to renew their FAFSA annually with ease, and to connect most students and their families with the IRS to retrieve their income tax data instead of entering it manually.”

On the Lake Havasu City campus, workshops will be offered from 4-6 p.m. on Thursdays through May 30 in the testing center on the campus at 1977 Acoma Blvd., West.

For more information about MCC, call (866) 664-2832.

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Financial aid workshop 1: Matthew Kells, an enrolling student, uses the FASFA computer in MCC’s student services office on the Lake Havasu City campus.