Author: Mark Rummel

PORT HURON – The St. Clair County Community College radiologic technology program has continued for a fifth year its impressive 100 percent first-time passage rate on the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT Exam), a national registry exam that grants certification in radiologic technology.

Eleven SC4 graduates passed the 2018 exam, bringing the total number of SC4 graduates passing on their first try to 50 since the program began at the college in 2012.

According to SC4 Dean of Health Sciences Jenny Giles-Voss, the excellent training and preparation provided to students is thanks to the expertise and dedication of Instructor of Radiologic Technology Sandra Geliske and Program Director Monica Rowling.

“A perfect record like this is very rare,” Giles-Voss said. “It illustrates the high level of commitment we have to our students in ensuring they are ready to thrive in this career path upon graduation.

“Specifically, Monica has had a remarkable record of preparing skilled radiographers in our region. We are fortunate to have her and our amazing team of faculty experts teaching future generations of health care professionals.”

Prior to launching the program at SC4, Rowling worked as the hospital-based radiography program director at Port Huron Hospital, now McLaren Port Huron, for 24 years where all her students there also passed the exam on their first attempt.

“I continue to be impressed by the commitment and perseverance of our Blue Water Area students,” Rowling said. “They make me so proud every year and make a positive difference in the lives of patients here in Port Huron and far beyond.”

SC4 radiologic technology graduates work at Beaumont hospitals, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital, McKenzie Health System, McLaren Port Huron, Lake Huron Medical Center, Concentra clinics, Henry Ford Macomb Health Center, Orthopedic Associates, Advanced Orthopedics and Ascension Crittenton Hospital, among others.

SC4’s radiologic technology associate degree program – which received an impressive maximum eight-year accreditation award from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) in 2016 – prepares students to become radiologic technologists by combining imaging technology with patient care skills to create quality radiography images. The program has a 24-month, competency-based curriculum that includes practical experiences in hospitals and imaging centers.

There are 22 other radiologic technology programs in Michigan, including 16 associate degree programs, two bachelor degree programs and four hospital-based programs.

The Times Herald wrote about the restoration of the D.B. Harrington locomotive on St. Clair County Community College campus.

Students,  volunteers and community members are looking to restore the locomotive in its former glory. Joe McFalda, SC4 professor of welding, says it is a great way to work on metalworking and blacksmithing skills for his students.

Read the whole article here.

PORT HURON – St. Clair County Community College is more than just a school to Marysville City Manager Randy Fernandez; it’s like family.

Not only did he attend the college but so did his five siblings, two sons and even four nephews. The oldest of six, Fernandez, 62, shares his alumni status with his three brothers, Marty, Jeff and Ralph, Jr.; two sisters, Paula McVety and Laura Ann Nesbitt, a middle school counselor in Fort Gratiot; two sons, Mitchell and Matthew, and their mother, Shelly; and nephews, Garrett, Grant, Nelson and Bailey.

 

While the Fernandez family is split when it comes to school colors of blue and green, the one thing they never debate about is the value of their local community college.

“I truly enjoyed my experience at SC4,” he said. “I recommend it to every student or parent who asks. I think it’s the way to go.”

The Port Huron native graduated from Port Huron Central as class vice president in 1974 before attending SC4 on a partial tennis scholarship and earning his associate’s degree.

“For me, it was a natural progression,” he said. “I had a job. I loved my parents and my siblings. I honestly wasn’t ready to go away. Plus, I’m not sure every student or parent can afford it today.”

Fernandez said he formed good study habits and life skills at the college that have stayed with him long beyond his years there.

“From high school to college, it helped me use my time management skills better,” he said. “I’m very proud to have a Michigan degree, but I’m equally proud to tell them I have a degree from St. Clair County Community College.”

Fernandez went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan where he roomed with fellow community college transfer classmates Bob Wacker, Tim Redmond and Neil Lucas.

“It was just a no-brainer to me to transition from community college,” he said. “After two years, I was ready. I was more prepared as a student and as an individual to make the jump to Michigan.”

His early beginnings at SC4 have served Fernandez and the community well.

The State of Michigan’s first Hispanic city manager, Fernandez has spent the last seven years with the City of Marysville, nearly five as city manager, and previously was employed for more than 28 years with the City of Port Huron. There, he wore a half-dozen hats from water supervisor, city assessor and DDA director to overseeing community development, recreation and the McMorran Auditorium. He later earned his master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University.

Fernandez said he reinforced the importance of a getting a good educational start at the local community college with his sons Mitchell and Matthew throughout their childhood.

“It was a natural progression that everyone in my family understood, and I re-instilled that with my boys,” Fernandez said. “I think they’re better for it.”

Mitchell is now working for Henderson Brothers, a major insurance company in Pittsburgh, while Matthew, who graduated this spring from Michigan State University with a degree in business/marketing entrepreneurship, is now working with the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County and owns Tee Box Club, an online golf company.

According to Fernandez, SC4 is the perfect place to start with an ever-evolving campus, approachable instructors, and personable staff and administrators.

“I’ve never met the U of M president, and I’ve met every SC4 president since I went there,” Fernandez added. “I’ve even had food and drink with them. You can’t do that at a major university.”

PORT HURON – Former St. Clair County Community College student athlete Billy Kerr has come full circle and feels right at home in the small Thumb Area community of Peck, Mich.

Kerr, a 1995 Peck High School graduate, is adjusting to life as the high school principal/superintendent of the Class D high school, located in Sanilac County. He started in the position in January 2016.

“If I would have had to follow Mr. (Mike) Tubbs as the superintendent, it would have been tough and hard to do,” said Kerr. “I had the opportunity to work under a great mentor in Frank Johnson.

“Frank stayed on six months longer to help me with the transition. He took me everywhere and taught me so much. He had the experience of working through bond projects in Memphis and Yale.”

It has been quite a journey for the 6-foot guard, a left-hander who loved to shoot the 3-pointer during his Skippers career. He grew up as a four-sport high school athlete – football, basketball, baseball, golf.

Basketball was and still remains Kerr’s passion. That drive, passion and dedication led to two seasons – 1995-96 and 1996-97 – under SC4 coach Dale Vos.

“I loved my years at SC4 so much,” Kerr said. “Going there was the best decision of my life. I felt comfortable with the school and being on the basketball team. I thought the English and History departments were very strong, and I really enjoyed Mr. (Jim) Voss’ speech class, which is a big part of what I do now.”

“With my background and my personality, it was a great fit. At the time I didn’t want to be anywhere else on earth.”

Kerr transferred to Central Michigan University for a year before finishing up his education at Saginaw Valley State University.

He returned to the Thumb Area for his first teaching position. He taught 12 years at Kingston High School, including 10 years as the Cardinals’ athletic director.

“We lived in Marlette because it was halfway for Leann and myself to our jobs,” Kerr said. “At the time, Leann (a 2001 Peck graduate) was teaching in North Branch. We love being back home.”

The Kerrs live outside of Peck with their three children – daughters Sawyer, 10, and Harper, 5, along with Wilder, a 2-year-old boy. Leann is the Peck Elementary School principal.