Nontraditional Student Finds Success at College of Technology

Brandalin Barnes of Chubbuck has found herself doing homework at her daughter's volleyball games and reviewing note cards at her son's basketball games while preparing for finals at Idaho State University this spring.

"I've incorporated school into my life where ever I can," said Barnes, who will graduate with an associate degree in nuclear operation technology from the Idaho State University College of Technology and will walk at ISU Commencement on May 11. "Going to school full time and being a mother is definitely a balancing act. Sometimes my house looks like a disaster but you get to it when you can. It has been a little crazy sometimes."

Many nontraditional university students are familiar with that balancing act, and Barnes has made the most of hers. She was honored as the ISU College of Technology's Outstanding Student Award winner earlier this spring. A mother of four, she has earned a 4.0 grade point average in her program. She and her husband, Craig, are parents to Curtis, 16; Ben 13; Carlie, 12, and Savanah, 8. Continue Reading about Barnes

Growl Bengals, Growl: New Statue Comes to Life Through 3D Imaging

The newest addition on Idaho State University's campus took on a life of its own through the use of lasers, GPS, and specialized software. Students studying in the ISU Geomatics Technology program created a three-dimensional image of the new bronze Bengal statue shortly after it was unveiled in the fall. The statue, which overlooks the Hutchinson Quadrangle, was measured using the latest surveying technology available.

The project, which was organized by faculty in the geomatics technology program, demonstrated the accuracy of available surveying equipment. "We wanted to use the laser scanner on something that the students are familiar with," said Darren Leavitt, ISU Geomatics and Civil Engineering Technology instructor. "The statue was the right size to give our students a starting point and familiarize them with this technology." Continue 3D Imaging Article

Car Enthusiast's Dream Continues

Bill and Rosemary Kobus established two endowments in 2012 at the College of Technology. Both endowments were made in memory of Bill's brother, Rick Kobus. Rick, 66, died doing what he loved––working on his pickup truck. While he was under the truck, the back end slipped and fell on top of him, tragically ending his life. Working on cars was more than a hobby for Rick, it was his passion.

Since the 1960s, there was a steady stream of vehicles in his life. Some of Rick's most memorable and prominent were a 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle, a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air, and a 1936 Chevrolet truck that was once in a field with a tree growing out of it. Rick won numerous awards at car shows around the country, including "Best of Show" for his Chevelle.

Those close to Rick say that he ate, slept, and breathed cars. Once he started working on a restoration project, he wouldn't stop until it was finished. Rick's family says working on other people's cars was one way that Rick showed he cared.

The two endowments established on behalf of Rick Kobus are in the ISU Automotive Technology and Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing programs. The endowments will provide students with scholarships and allow them to continue their education. Bill and Rosemary know this tribute on behalf of Rick will keep his memory alive and help others pursue their dreams.

The automotive technology endowment is the first for the program, which has been at ISU for more than eight decades.

ISU RECEIVES TOP DESIGNATION FOR NUCLEAR TRAINING
Nuclear Energy Institute Designates ISU as a Regional Center of Excellence

The Energy Systems Technology and Education Center (ESTEC) at the Idaho State University College of Technology will soon be coordinating the nuclear energy education and training for technicians in a nine-state region.

The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) has designated ESTEC as the Northwest Regional Center of Excellence for Nuclear Education and Training. The top designation includes the states of Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, South Dakota, North Dakota, Utah, and Nebraska. ESTEC is one of five regional NEI-designated centers in the country.

ESTEC's role as a regional center will be to collaborate with the community and technical colleges in those states to distribute and coordinate curriculum, pursue program improvements, integrate technology, and share information. Continue ESTEC Article

Automotive Program Donates Bikes

They're used to working under the hood but now they're helping Santa under the tree. Students in the Automotive Technology program at the Idaho State University College of Technology are taking time away from four wheels to focus on two.

For the past five years, the automotive program has collected abandoned bikes from area police departments and repaired them for children in need. This year, students in the program completely rebuilt 14 bikes that were donated to the Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency (SEICAA). The bikes will now be distributed to area children just in time for Christmas.

Using money from their student organization, SkillsUSA, brand new seats, chains, tires, and grips were purchased for the bikes. Since a bicycle is a child's first mode of transportation, students involved with the service project say there's no better way to help out around the holidays.

Jeremy Dustin, ISU student, said, "Just knowing the feeling that comes on Christmas morning when a child sees a bike. That feeling makes it all worthwhile."

The SkillsUSA student organization is the same group that puts on the Chrome in the Dome car show every spring inside the ISU Holt Arena.

Aircraft Maintenance Program Receives Large Donation

The competitive edge for students graduating from Idaho State University's Aircraft Maintenance Technology program just got a little sharper after receiving a donated flight simulator. The new, fully functional simulator will provide vital hands-on training for students enrolled in the program and prepare them to successfully enter a growing industry.

The donated flight simulator was provided by Western Aircraft, a Boise-based company that has taken a great interest in the College of Technology. Western Aircraft says their commitment and investment to higher education helps to ensure that their industry needs will be met by a future workforce. Cont. Aircraft Article

Grant Received to Fund Nuclear Scholarships

For the third time in almost as many years, the Energy Systems Technology and Education Center (ESTEC) at the Idaho State University College of Technology has been awarded funding for student scholarships. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently awarded $149,400 to Idaho State University for distribution to students this fall.

The funding will provide ESTEC with the opportunity to support five scholarships in the amount of $6,500 for incoming students into the program. An additional 13 scholarships will also be awarded to students currently enrolled in ESTEC. Continuing students will receive up to $5,500 over two semesters. Cont. ESTEC Article

ISU Program Celebrates 75 Years of Continuous Operation

The Idaho State University College of Technology's Cosmetology program celebrated its 75th anniversary on Friday, September 21, 2012. The celebration included an open house, tour of their facilities, and a special program to recognize their more than 2,000 alumni.

During the recognition program, selected alumni shared stories about their time at ISU and the professional successes they've achieved using their education. A visual history of the program was also on display during the diamond anniversary event. Bob Kimber, a longtime friend and supporter of the cosmetology program also made a special monetary donation during the event. Kimber donated $7,500 to go towards student scholarships.

The Idaho State University Cosmetology program was formally approved by the Idaho State Department of Law Enforcement on September 25, 1937. The program started in a house of Fifth Street before eventually taking up a permanent residence in the Roy F. Christensen Building. Thousands of clients visit the program every year to receive actual services from students preparing to graduate.

ISU Workforce Training Partners with National Education Association

The Idaho State University College of Technology's Office of Workforce Training will be offering professional development instruction to more than two million National Education Association (NEA) members fall of 2012. WFT's web-based training is made available nationally through an agreement with NEA's Member Benefits Corporation (MBC).

The online instruction focuses on helping teachers incorporate current classroom technology into their lessons. The need to integrate technology successfully follows a national trend to increase student success by teaching them in the digital environment in which they live. Workforce Training's professional development offerings are content specific and based on teacher selection. Each lesson is designed and presented by teachers who have a track record of success in their content areas.

The just-in-time webinar concept was developed by Arlen Walker and Jeff Hough of Workforce Training in response to a need expressed by many Idaho School Districts as part of an eighteen-month project to enhance education with technology. "This is a unique product that allows teachers to pick the just-in-time training they need," said Mark Stevens of NEA/MBC. Workforce Training at ISU will be the sole provider of such short, convenient, web-based instruction made available through NEA email and national publications.