November 21, 2008

TGIF November 21, 2008


Good frigid Friday to all of you! I hope you’ve all been able to dig out your winter coats, gloves, hats, etc. I always seem to have a hard time finding that stuff when the cold weather hits. But it’s like finding old friends to help get through these winter months.

If I had to give this week a theme, I’d have to say it’s been a “week of validation” for Ohio Hi-Point and the value we provide to our region. Monday I attended a luncheon at Clark State Community College (along with Sharon Halter, ABLE Coordinator, and Amy Main, Adult Education Health Occupations Coordinator) to meet with Clark State’s accreditation team. This team of representatives from all over the country wanted to hear how Clark State has partnered with us to serve students. We were able to share how we’ve worked with Clark State in our Tech Prep programs to give many students a head-start toward college, how they’ve been leaders in facilitating dual enrollment classes for us, how they have co-located on our campus to bring higher education to Logan County, how our Adult Education Practical Nursing Program is pioneering a blended-curriculum program in Marysville with Clark State, and how we are partnering with them to bring public safety services training to Logan Co. Afterward, I received a personal thank-you from David Devier, VP of Academic and Student Affairs at Clark State, for sharing and for the tremendous cooperation he has received from my staff on all these initiatives—he couldn’t say enough about the professionalism of all of you in the high-school, adult education, and even facilities and grounds for making them feel so at home here. Thanks to all of you for living up to the high bar we’ve set!

On Wednesday, Darlene Chiles, Adult Education Director, attended a meeting with the Logan County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development as a member of a stakeholder team convened to position Logan County competitively as businesses look to locate here. Prior to the meeting, she had given the visiting consultants a tour of our facilities. She shared with me and our Board on Wednesday evening that the visiting team just couldn’t say enough at the stakeholders meeting about what an asset Ohio Hi-Point is to Logan County; as a matter of fact, they cited us as the number one asset to the County in attracting new businesses. How about that!! (Darlene said it was actually a little embarrassing that they kept raving about us at the meeting, but of course she didn’t stop them!) I think it’s important for all of you to hear examples such as this when outside sources come to our region and recognize the quality educational opportunities we provide. We expect a lot of ourselves, we deliver, and people are noticing!


Thursday evening I had the opportunity to present to the Logan-Union-Champaign Regional Planning Commission at their annual meeting. This group included about 140 county commissioners, county engineers, elected officials, and other leaders from this three-county region. Jack Reser, Logan County Commissioner, had asked me to speak because we serve this same region. I agreed because I thought it was a perfect fit! Jack also shared with the group as he introduced me how very impressed the visiting consulting team for the Chamber had been with our facility. The theme of my presentation was the history of our site in Bellefontaine, the establishment of the Ohio Hi-Point Joint Vocational School District, and our impact on the region. I have to say I had a lot of fun digging through some old records to learn more about how our District was established. Did you know the initial 3-mill, 5-year levy to establish the District, initially placed on the ballot in November of 1970, failed twice before it was finally passed in May of 1972? I didn’t! Reading through those old leather-bound board minutes from the meetings of our original Board of Education helped me to understand that it took a very dedicated group of persistent pioneers to make our school a reality. We all owe them a tremendous debt, and I’m sure they would all be proud (or are proud if they’re still with us) of how far we’ve come in our first 35 years! Many thanks to Robert Walker and Shane Haggerty for their assistance in helping me put this presentation together.

I understand there’s some big football game going on this weekend? Have a great weekend and stay warm!