The Wabash Valley College "View From The Valley" newsletter contains information about faculty, staff, and student accomplishments. All material is copyrighted and the property of Wabash Valley College.
VIEW FROM THE VALLEY
WABASH VALLEY COLLEGE
VOLUME 17 | ISSUE NO 03
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View from the Valley
Education is for improving the lives of others and leaving your community and world better than you found it.
MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Editor's Note 01
Upcoming Events 02 Alumni Spotlight 03 Mother Nature 04 05 Faculty Spotlight
06 New Beginnings at the Snake Pit 07 Gallery
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Editor’s Note A lot happening again on our campus this month. For up-to-date events and information, be sure to follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Youtube. In case you missed it in last month's issue: "We know education neither starts nor ends with us. We also recognize that we are a stepping stone for many in pursuing their educational and career goals. WVC is proud and honored to serve students who choose to start with us. With this in mind, we are inviting our alumni to share a bit about their educational and career journey. Beginning next month, The View from the Valley would like to recognize our Wabash Valley College alumni and their outstanding achievements. If you would like to share your story, contact us at 618-263-5033 or leachj@iecc.edu." After that was published, I was volun-told to be the first Alumni Spotlight; I am reluctant to do so. One, because I do not like to talk about myself. Two, because I know my story is not unique. Regardless, you can read about it on page 02.
I hope you enjoy reading about community and campus happenings in this issue.
Read on! Jonathan Leach
It’s officially my favorite time of the year: Autumn! I love so many things about autumn: Halloween (my all-time favorite holiday), cozy drinks, bonfires, the colorful nature, harvest moons, sweaters, pumpkins, and more autumn goodness. As the leaves change, the campus culture of Wabash Valley College (WVC) and the Mt. Carmel community changes as well. WVC clubs are starting to pick up momentum and get involved with students and the community. The Student Senate is planning on having a Trunk-or-Treat on Halloween and WVC clubs/sports are participating! I’m excited to see everyone in different costumes, trick-or- treaters get their favorite candies, and see WVC and the community get together for a spooky Halloween event. It’s football season, too, which means I’m often filming highlights for the Mt. Carmel High School Golden Aces’ football games. If you go to a Mt. Carmel football game at the Riverview Stadium, you’ll most likely see me walking on the edge of the field getting shots. I’ve only been almost trampled over by football players twice!
Through this VFTW volume, I hope you notice the positive changes and development in WVC and the community. Grab your favorite autumn drink and read on!
Peace! Maggee Bleyer
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UPCOMING EVENTS
October 18, 2022
October 25, 2022
A representative from the University of Southern Indiana will be sharing campus and program information in the science building lobby from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm.
Lady Warriors Volleyball vs. Frontier
October 27, 2022
October 19, 2022
A representative from Murray State will be sharing campus and program information in the theatre lobby from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.
Lady Warriors Volleyball vs. Rend Lake
October 31, 2022
October 20, 2022
Trunk -or-Treat Halloween Party
Lady Warriors Volleyball vs. Frontier The 39 STEPS ABRIDGED Production
November 02, 2022
October 21, 2022
Warriors Basketball vs. Greenville College
The 39 STEPS ABRIDGED Production
November 04, 2022
October 23, 2022
Warriors Basketball vs. Brescia University
November 06, 2022
The 39 STEPS ABRIDGED Production
Warriors Basketball vs. Indiana Elite Prep
October 24, 2022
Be sure to follow us on social media for any changes in the schedule and to find out about Student Lounge events!
Lady Warriors Volleyball vs. Shawnee Community College (Pink Out)
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT "Cowboy for sure," that was always my answer. "What do you want to do when you grow up?" "A cowboy." That answer changed when I learned that being a cowboy was more than just riding horses all day long; plus I hated wearing jeans and had never actually ridden a horse. The next logical job career option was a doctor. Then I learned how much college costs, and how much college I would need to do. But, once I was enrolled in high school, I found a knack for Chemistry. "A chemist," I thought, '"is what I want to be." I graduated from Mount Carmel High School in 2012 and attended Wabash Valley College beginning in the summer of 2012. It had been my intention for quite some time to stay in Mount Carmel, where I had lived my whole life. Not to mention the fact I had no idea of where I was to attend nor have enough money saved up to move away from home. I worked hard on campus, participating in Student Senate, Red Rage, International Club, and Science Club while also working two part-time jobs, and managing a 20-credit course load. By the summer of 2013, I had enough credits to graduate with my Associate in Applied Sciences. At Southern Illinois University I decided to major in Zoology. After the first two weeks of class, my major (and classes) changed to Criminology and Criminal Justice. In 2015, I graduated with a Bachelor in Criminology and Criminal Justice with minors in Forensic Chemistry and Psychology. I had many jobs throughout high school and college, but having no luck after graduation I took a job as a bartender and a summer gig at a nearby theme park. One year after graduating college, I landed an entry-level position in a youth home; my first full-time "big boy" job. It was a place I dreamt of working in my last two years of college. I loved it. The daily travel and hours of work, not so much. In 2018, I took a job closer to home, at my alma mater WVC. It was here where I learned trigonometry, human growth, ethics, sociology, and even piano. Years later, it was where I learned about working in higher education, counseling, and community connections. Q: What have you done at WVC? A: I worked as a TRIO Upward Bound Counselor, Retention Coordinator, and now Coordinator of Public Information and Marketing. Q: Are you glad you attended Wabash Valley College? A: Yes! I am so thankful for the opportunities I had to stay close to home and save time and money. There were also many classes offered in a wide variety of fields so I was able to sample a few different ones while they still counted towards my degree. I joined clubs and made new friends, even though I had never left my hometown. It was a good stepping stone before going into a large university. Q: What do you want readers to know? A: It is okay to not know what you want to do. I wanted to be a cowboy, a doctor, a chemist, a zoologist, or work in juvenile justice. Here I am working in marketing! How did that even happen? Regardless, I am grateful for my degree, and all my employers. It was through all of these changes, and hard work, that I found myself doing what I love.
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MOTHER NATURE
The solar array, constructed in 2010 on our Industrial Studies building, is intended to limit the amount of CO2 emissions and produce eco-friendly power. So far it has produced over 99.99 MWh. This number is equivalent to 154,835.61 pounds of CO2 emissions and the planting of 1,169.92 trees. In 2020, a 1.1-acre plot was planted in conjunction with Wabash Valley Service Company, IB Executive Turf and Landscape, Wabash Valley Stewardship Alliance, and Southeastern Illinois Farm Bureaus. The goal was to provide a habitat for pollinator species and promote awareness/education regarding the value of pollinator species to our local economy and the impact planting perennials has on soil quality. In May of 2021, a swarm of honeybees was discovered swarming outside of a WVC employee's office. A member of our very own administration suited up and transferred the bees into a bee box which was relocated to our pollinator plot on Oak Street in Mount Carmel. In 2021, Wabash Valley College decided to turn our campus into a Certified Wildlife Habitat to make a lasting difference for wildlife. The National Wildlife Federation's website urges communities to be proactive because "rapid and large-scale changes to our lands and waters mean wildlife are losing the habitats they once knew. Every habitat garden is a step toward replenishing resources for wildlife such as bees, butterflies, birds, and amphibians-both locally and along migratory corridors." We proudly display our certificate showing our campus provides native species and animals with food, water, cover, and places to their raise young. Wabash Valley College began planning for sustainability in 2010 with the formation of a committee known as the 255 Initiative. The 255 Initiative has taken on several major projects since its inception: instituting a campus-wide recycling program, the installation of a solar array on campus buildings, converting light sources on campus to LEDs, and establishing our campus as a Certified Wildlife Habitat.
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FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
AUTHOR: MAGGEE BLEYER
Tosha Baker is the full-time business instructor for Wabash Valley College (WVC). Although this is her second year teaching full-time, Baker has worked in higher education for 12 years. Born and raised in Mt. Carmel, IL, Baker attended WVC and then transferred to Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). She also participated in SIUC’s study-abroad program where she attended Grenoble École De Management in Grenoble, France. Baker has a master's degree in Business Administration. Baker’s growing interest in business and enjoyment of encouraging students to reach their full potential led to her becoming an instructor. “I found that I enjoyed encouraging and inspiring students to rethink limitations that they believe to be true about themselves,” Baker stated. “I am a first-generation student, and I wanted to lead the way and allow other students to go beyond what I did in my education. I was inspired to teach [business] because the majority of my family worked in a factory. I would often hear about managerial and team issues and that led me in my adult life to research best business practices. I looked for the truth in motivating others, leading teams, and the best way of taking care of staff as a manager. I believe that what I teach might not only help future business leaders but the lives of their employees and their families, which were like mine.” When asked about her goal as an instructor, Baker responded, “My mission is to inspire students and help them realize their full potential in pursuing business.” When entering Baker’s classes, expect discussion, hands-on activities, teaming, and the gamification of material. Baker’s style aims to engage her students and help them learn the class materials in fun, interesting ways. Baker also has lectures, but, as she said, “Sometimes [the lectures] turn into motivational speeches or larger discussions.” anhjdasddf
Baker teaches a variety of classes: Principles of Management, Introduction to Business, Introduction to Sales, Introduction to Economics, Human Resource Management, Advertising, Introduction to Retail, Managerial Accounting, and Principles of Marketing. She also arranges internships. Students who are passionate or curious about business can join Baker’s sponsored club: the Marketing Business Management Club. The club meets weekly to discuss fundraising opportunities, community involvement, and an end-of-the-year trip. While being a full-time business instructor, Baker is also on the Wabash Valley Arts Council and works part-time as the House Manager for the Brubeck Arts Center Theatre. Outside of working, Baker enjoys biking, trail running, and spending time with her family. She attends Bible studies and, in her words, “[I spend] too much time reviewing J.R.R. Tolkien’s works.” "“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
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View from the Valley NEW BEGINNINGS AT THE SNAKE PIT AUTHOR: MAGGEE BLEYER
The Wabash District #348 Athletic Complex is bringing the community together with its new renovations. Also called the “Snake Pit'' and the “Riverview Stadium” by Golden Aces’ fans, the Athletic Complex’s planning stages for its new makeover began three years ago. The idea for the Complex was detailed and presented to the public in February of this year. The Wabash District #348 school board agreed to this new look for the Complex. Contracts were signed, agreements were made, and back work began. Flash forward to now, and the Complex is completely different. A “new everything” has taken over: new turf, new Press Box, new track, new lighting, new rails, jump pits/pole vaults, and other unique elements. Although renovation is still ongoing, Wabash District #348 students and the Mt. Carmel community is enjoying the changes. September 16th, Mt. Carmel Jr./Sr. High School (MCJSHS) had its first football game and its 2022 homecoming. Before the game began, the Aces celebrated the new changes to the field with a ceremony of “New Beginnings.” Players from Boys’ Soccer, Girls’ Soccer, Boys’ and Girls’ Track and Field, the Marching Aces Band, the cheer team, and the football team all had their first “kick” or “flip” to mark their new beginnings at the renovated Complex. The 2022 homecoming game played in the Aces’ favor; The Golden Aces’ football team defeated the Lawrenceville Indians’ football team with a score of 60-6. At this game, the football team, cheer team, and Marching Band all got to experience the field for the first time in front of an audience. Boys’ soccer took the field on September 22nd and, since then, the team has continued playing games on the new field. From a college perspective, the Wabash Valley College Radio/T.V. Program has also experienced the field’s new changes. Whether that’s working in the new Press Box or operating from the field, the Radio/T.V. Program has already found its way within the Complex’s environment. Before all of these renovations, the Complex was only accessible to the Golden Aces’ football team. Now, the Complex is home to many sports and students. Changes will continue to happen but, until then, the Mt. Carmel community is ready to conquer any visiting sports team that visits the Snake Pit.
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VIEW FROM THE VALLEY
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