Author: Mark Rummel

Challenger Learning Center at SC4 to launch with a public event on April 30

The Challenger Learning Center at St. Clair County Community College’s (SC4) Experience Center will celebrate its official public launch on April 30, 2022, with an event on the College’s Port Huron, Mich., campus.

The Challenger Learning Center at SC4—in partnership with the Challenger Center, a nonprofit STEM education organization, and in collaboration with its Unity in Learning partner, which also includes the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, the Leslie Science & Nature Center and the Yankee Air Museum—is the only Center of its kind in Michigan and one of 40 Challenger Learning Centers nationwide and around the world. It is a fully immersive, space-themed, STEM experience aimed at deepening understanding and appreciation of STEM careers and topics and building critical 21st-century skills.

The Challenger Learning Center at SC4 offers unique learning and team-building opportunities for students, educators, corporations and community residents, as well as unparalleled programming for 5th-8th grade learners (adaptable for 8th grade+) that aligns with national education standards. Early registration for the first space mission offering, Lunar Quest, is now open.

The launch event on April 30 is free and open to the public, though registration is required. It will take place throughout the Experience Center, located in the Clara E. Mackenzie Building, and will feature opportunities to tour the Challenger Learning Center, meet a NASA astronaut, conduct Super Sciences experiments and see live animals.

Guests to the April 30 launch event also can take advantage of other Experience Center highlights, including the Dr. Bassam H. Nasr Natural Science Museum, Live Sturgeon, Wind and Solar, Jacob’s Ladder, Electromagnetism, Green Screen Photo Experience, Mineral Gallery, Fossil Dig, Bird, and Technology exhibits.

“We’re thrilled to announce our official launch date of the Challenger Learning Center at SC4 and welcome visitors to campus,” said Dr. Deborah Snyder, president of St. Clair County Community College. “We need to provide more opportunities for learners of all ages to engage in STEM experiences—to get them excited and passionate about solving 21st century challenges. We are so excited about what this addition in our Experience Center can and will do for our local and regional communities.”

Challenger Center was founded in 1986 in the aftermath of the Challenger shuttle tragedy. The families of the crew came together and created Challenger Center to carry on the spirit of their loved ones and continue the Challenger crew’s educational mission. Challenger Center, with its network of Challenger Learning Centers and digital programs, have reached more than 5.5 million students worldwide.

“We are so excited to open the doors to this new Challenger Learning Center and welcome the Southeast Michigan community to see all that it has to offer,” said Lance Bush, president and CEO of Challenger Center. “SC4 shares our vision and commitment to inspire the next generation. We’re proud to help play a part in that commitment with the addition of the Challenger Learning Center at SC4.”
 
Added Mel Drumm, president and CEO of Unity in Learning, “The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is delighted to collaborate with SC4 upon the opening of the new Challenger Learning Center. This new informal learning experience will immerse each participant into life-like simulations well beyond anything previously available in Southeast Michigan. As the newest member of the region’s Unity in Learning collaborative, the Challenger Learning Center will join with three regional science, nature and aviation organizations to become the region’s newest destination for hands-on discovery, exploration of the natural world and experiences that take flight.”

To register for the April 30 event, visit challenger.sc4.edu/launch-event/. For more information and to book a Lunar Quest mission, visit challenger.sc4.edu.

New Year, new you, new money!

Happy New Year!! Doesn’t it always feel good to begin again? Are you enjoying your new classes? Did you get any cool gifts over break?

I love the feeling in the air in January. There is this invisible encouragement that comes from within, and you can’t help but want to do something new and set a few resolutions. I will admit that I believe that “New Year resolutions” are downright cheesy! Why wait until everyone else is making goals to follow the trend and then not follow through after 30 days?

However, what if we could remedy that trend? I have always been a visual person, and there is something about seeing your thoughts in a visual form that always makes a mere thought reality for me. What if you could do the same with your financial health? I propose that we do something different this year and create a Financial Literacy Vision Board! Yes, let’s have a vision boarding party for our money! Statistically, we are 1.4 times more likely to accomplish our goals when we can picture them. So, if you want to have a better chance of reaching your financial goals, you’ll want to learn how to create a vision board.

What is a vision board?

A vision board is a collage of pictures and phrases that represent what you desire to accomplish. Unlike a “life” vision board, a money vision board is specific to your financial goals. Will you be saving, paying off debt, or increasing income? 

Financial vision boards are also different because they often utilize charts — such as a savings goal thermometer — that track progress. So, if your vision is to become debt-free, you may include a debt payoff tracker as a part of your financial vision board. 

How to make a vision board for your finances

Creating a vision board is more than just gluing pictures to a poster board. It requires you to be clear on your goals and aspirations. That’s why writing down your financial goals is the first step for making a vision board for your finances.

  1. Write down your financial goals. Be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.
  2. Gather Supplies.
    1. Board
    2. Old Magazines
    3. Pictures from Online
    4. Glue
    5. Scissors
  3. Create! Turn on your favorite playlist and focus. Give it a good effort and have fun.
  4. Review your board daily. Place your board in a place where you can see it often.

This year let’s be intentional about being different and better than we were last year. Let’s Build!

Reference:

Forbes. (2018, April 15). Neuroscience Explains Why You Need To Write Down Your Goals If You Actually Want To Achieve Them

SC4 celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 17

St. Clair County Community College will present its 20th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration “Where Are We Now?” at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17, in the Fine Arts Theatre on SC4’s Port Huron campus. 

The event will feature a celebration of King’s legacy with songs, dances, videos and a selection of words spoken by Dr. King. The event also features panel discussions on health care disparities and racism; investing in small business; diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in education and more.

Scheduled presenters and performers include:

  • Alphonso Amos
  • Jessica Brown
  • Bishop Kim Brown
  • Cerees Hazely
  • Natasha Holmes
  • Dr. Pete Lacey
  • Althea McLellan
  • Dr. Annette Mercatante
  • NAACP Youth Council
  • Lurlene Nichols
  • Harold Powell
  • Mayor Pauline Repp
  • Shawn Shackleford
  • L’Anesha Stanley
  • Marion Stewart
  • Jessica Totty
  • Kevin Totty Sr.
  • Kanchan Wankhede
  • Kevin Watkins
  • Daysha Woodley

Admission is free and can be reserved by emailing dei@sc4.edu. Seating is limited. Masks required inside campus buildings. The event also will be livestreamed at sc4.edu/dei-live for those unable to attend in person

The event is sponsored by SC4’s Global Diversity Advisory Council, SC4’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Port Huron branch of the NAACP.

For questions, call SC4’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at (810) 989-5564.

Alumnus Robert G. Sargent, Ph.D., establishes scholarship fund to support students pursuing engineering

Robert G. Sargent, Ph.D.

Future St. Clair County Community College students will benefit from a new endowment fund held at the Community Foundation thanks to a gift from Robert G. Sargent, Ph.D., an SC4 alumnus and professor emeritus at Syracuse University, to provide two scholarships each year to students who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering.

“I attended SC4 in 1954 through 56 when it was Port Huron Junior College,” Sargent said. “I came from a working-class family and didn’t have any money to pursue an education at a university. I had decided to obtain a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering because I enjoyed math and science in high school and had received several awards for my electrical projects in 4-H. Port Huron Junior College provided the opportunity I needed to get an outstanding education for the first two years of pursuing my engineering degree.”

Sargent is now known as a world-renowned pioneer and authority in simulation work, receiving many career awards and presenting at lectures in the United States and around the world.

He, along with his 1950’s SC4-to-U-M engineering alumni peers, recently visited SC4 and took a campus tour with Bonnie DiNardo, SC4 executive director of community and public relations.

“We hadn’t been to the college in years and were very impressed by the size of the campus and the technology being used, especially in STEM-based facilities such as the Health Sciences Building, the Experience Center and the Challenger Learning Center,” Sargent said.

He added, “None of us probably would have gone to college without SC4. There are endless possibilities in STEM careers—especially in engineering fields—and a tremendous need. People can have a great life, income and support. Community colleges like SC4 can continue to play a huge role, and scholarships can help students pursue such fields for years to come.”

Sargent has established The Robert G. Sargent Scholarship Fund through the SC4 Foundation held at the Community Foundation that helps SC4 engineering students with financial need who plan to transfer on to a university to further pursue their engineering education.

“Helping such a distinguished alumni, like Dr. Sargent, plan a major gift to the college was a pleasure. He knew exactly what he wanted to do for the students and I was happy to help him finalize a qualified charitable distribution that meant his gift was not only very meaningful and impactful but provided a tax savings for him as well,” said Jackie Hanton, Vice President for the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.

Sargent graduated from St. Clair High School after attending a one-room schoolhouse located in St. Clair Township where he was the only pupil in some of his grades. He was the first in his family to attend college.

While a student at SC4, Sargent participated on the tennis team, in Circle K, bowling and with the Letterman’s club—and worked multiple jobs to pay his college tuition. He also connected with a large group of about 12 like-minded students with whom he’d stay in touch throughout his lifetime.

Sargent earned an Associate of Science degree from SC4 before transferring to the University of Michigan where he roomed with fellow SC4 alumni. “All of us who went on from SC4 to U-M together were well prepared,” said Sargent, who continued to juggle jobs while a full-time U-M student.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan, Sargent accepted a position at Hughes Aircraft where he received his first exposure to digital computers. He returned to school after two and a half years in the industry to pursue a Ph.D. in simulation.

After receiving his doctoral degree, Sargent joined Syracuse University to participate in their new Systems and Information Science graduate program. Shortly after his arrival, Sargent became involved in contractual research between the United States Air Force and Syracuse University. His work in simulation was sponsored by both institutions, creating an environment and relationship in which he could foster significant contributions to the field throughout his career.

“We thank Dr. Sargent for his generous gift to help SC4 students and for his continued advocacy of community college pathways for transfer students and degrees,” said Dr. Deborah Snyder, SC4 president. “SC4 alumni such as Dr. Sargent are doing remarkable work. His distinguished career in simulation has impacted countless individuals, here in Michigan and around the world.”

SC4 students can apply for the Sargent scholarships for engineers beginning in 2023. Selection will be based on financial need with a preference for students transferring to a university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering.

The SC4 Foundation connects donors with opportunities to support St. Clair County Community College in whatever way fits their interests. Whether it’s supporting students, opportunities on campus or enhancements of learning spaces, the SC4 Foundation is proud to support our community’s college.

St. Clair County Community College and the Community Foundation bring to the area a combined 175 years of service to the community in education and philanthropy. Since 2018, the collaborative philanthropic partnership between the organizations allows donors to have an even greater impact on both SC4 students and the community.