National Park College (NPC), Airtech Supply (Airtech), Inc. and Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions Group (AMS) received a “grow-your-own” grant from the Arkansas Department of Career Education’s Office of Skills Development (OSD) to offer a LEAN Transformation series of trainings for employees. The grant is the first of its kind to be awarded since the OSD was created.
Hot Springs, Arkansas – Fredrick Kolp was selected as the National Park College (NPC) December Student of the Month. He is completing his Associate of Science degree in Engineering and will transfer to Arkansas Tech University in January to work toward a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. “Fred’s personal strengths are as impressive as his aptitude in Math and Science. He is an active, outgoing presence in class with a great sense of humor,” said instructor, Paula Welch. “He is the perfect student to get a group project rolling, but also knows how to sit back and let others take the lead. His openness to feedback exemplifies his ability to be a lifelong learner, an asset that will continue to serve him well in college and beyond. Fred is one of the most driven and career focused students in the engineering program.”
Hot Springs, Arkansas – The National Park College (NPC) Foundation received a $15,000 endowment for the Garry G. Newman Pay it Forward Nursing Scholarship Fund last month. Newman is retired from the United States Marine Corps. He said, “I have had a full and eventful life, with many occupations and extensive world travel. I wish to lend a helping hand to others so they may also prosper.” The scholarship will be awarded in the fall of 2017 to a graduate of Fountain Lake High School entering the registered nursing or licensed practical nursing program at NPC. The recipient must have completed the Medical Professions/Health Sciences program through the National Park Technology Center.
Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) instructor, Dr. George Maxey published Guide to Fossil Collecting by the Dallas Paleontological Society last month. The Guide took two years to complete and the first printing is already sold out. It contains 14 chapters which create a how to manual for locating, identifying and preserving fossils. Topics include equipment and procedures, excavation techniques, fossil preparation and preservation, displaying and photography, documenting a location, and even how to deal with museums and institutions. It includes detailed photography at each stage of the process. Maxey explained that the book was written so the amateur could follow along and use it, but contains professional level content and instructions.
Hot Springs, Arkansas – Students in the National Park Technology Center (NPTC) High School Graphic Design program competed in a contest to design the National Park College (NPC) holiday card. More than 40 entries were submitted which the selection committee narrowed down to four winners. 1st Place - Audrey Williams, junior from Lake Hamilton High School 2nd Place - Gabby Walker, senior from Lakeside High School 3rd Place - Jaden Childers, junior from Lake Hamilton High School Honorable Mention - Sydney Crawford, junior from Lakeside High School
Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) veteran student, James Clark was awarded the first $1000 Veterans Education Assistance scholarship from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10483 last month. Clark is working toward a degree in criminal justice and works on campus in the Veteran’s Center. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for more than 20 years and completed seven tours of duty. He was deployed to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Afghanistan and three tours in Iraq. He has four children.
Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) has been awarded a two-year, $174,816 Career Ready Internship Grant from Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation & Affiliates. An anticipated 84 new paid internships will be created during the 2017-2018 academic year. The goal of the program is to help students gain career related skills and connections while working toward their degree. Participating students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) and demonstrate financial need. “Paid internships benefit students, colleges and employers,” said Richard D. George, Great Lakes President and Chief Executive Officer. “Students gain meaningful workplace skills and are more likely to earn degrees and use their internship experiences to help secure good jobs upon graduation. Colleges will see increased completion and job placement rates, and employers gain a pipeline to fresh talent. It’s a win-win-win.”
Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) will be closed Monday, December 19 through Saturday, December 31 in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The campus will reopen for business and classes as usual Monday, January 2, 2017 at 8 a.m. The College will also be closed until 10:30 a.m. for faculty/staff development Monday, January 9, 2016. College classes for the spring semester begin Wednesday, January 11, 2017.
Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) Board of Trustees held their regular monthly meeting Wednesday, November 30. Items for report included recognition of outgoing board members, introduction of newly elected board members and an update from the NPC Foundation. The Board welcomed new hire Jennifer Hughes, administrative specialist III for the nursing program. The November Student of the Month was Cassie Dean. Dean is a criminal justice student nominated by her instructor, Martin White. She is a single mom who enrolled at NPC after being laid off as an airplane mechanic. White, along with instructor, Christopher Thrasher both raved about her work-ethic and performance in the classroom.
Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) Dean of Nursing, Janice Ivers was appointed to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN) earlier this month by Governor Asa Hutchinson. Her appointment expires October 1, 2020. The board was established by the Arkansas Legislature more than 100 years ago and is responsible for “developing standards for safe nursing care, approval of nursing schools and regulating licenses to practice nursing,” according to the ASBN website. Ivers is passionate about nursing and has been in the field for more than 33 years. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Central Arkansas.
