Take a moment to meet Jim Adduci, Vice President for Mission Advancement and Development at Calumet College of St. Joseph. I asked Jim to talk on camera about his long and illustrious history with CCSJ. Jim has been involved with the college as a student, faculty member and administrator for over 40 proud years. He was instrumental in launching the CCSJ Athletics program in 1999 and more recently in providing the vision necessary to construct a new athletics/community center on the CCSJ campus. (CW)
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Friday, December 19, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Keta's Contemplations
I recently took the opportunity to interview Naketa Washington, who has just started her career at Calumet College this past fall. She is an accounting major, member of the track team, and a work study here in the admissions and financial aid office. I took some time to hear about her experience thus far in the CCSJ family, learn about her goals for the future, and listen to her advice for those who might follow in her footsteps. “Keta” as we all like to call her, provides a valuable insight into life at CCSJ from her own very unique perspective. We are very proud to have her here and look forward to her continued successes. Enjoy!
What are some of the factors you considered when choosing a college?
The athletic program and location were both very important factors to me. I wanted a college where I could take my academics and athletics seriously, not just a party school. A couple of the other schools I looked at were Ohio State and Tennessee University. In the end Calumet College allowed me to pursue my academic and athletic goals, while staying close to my family as well.
What was your initial point of contact with Calumet College and your first impression?
The head track coach Don Reed came to our school; he was really different from the other recruiters. He seemed super excited all the time, he just jumped out of the box. It made me really want to be a part of the program because of his passion.
Did you find the financial aid process difficult to understand? How were you able to navigate through it?
I didn’t think I would end up owing very much with the athletic scholarship and my family’s income. I did take out a small loan for some books, but my tuition was covered. At first I was a little disappointed there wasn’t on campus housing offered, but in some ways, I like the responsibility of paying for things on my own and having my place off campus. My first impression of the financial aid office staff was that they looked nice. I was expecting them to be a little mean or at least very direct and straight to the point, but at CCSJ financial aid they really seemed to care and take time with me.
At Calumet College the Staff and Faculty refer to ourselves here as the Calumet College Family, have you experienced this feeling during your time here?
The first time I really experienced this was when the financial aid and admissions office took the time and effort to try to surprise me for my birthday. At first I was disappointed that I hadn’t even got a happy birthday, but then I saw a decorated cake go by out of the corner of my eye. They all took the time to make me feel special. That evening Coach Stamper and a couple of the track guys took me out to dinner for my birthday as well. It was an awesome day and I felt people really cared.
I also feel this family effect through being a part of the track team. I’ve never had a big brother. Now I feel that the guys on the team really treat me as a sister; they are so respectful and know what to say and do to make me feel comfortable.
What are some of the factors you considered when choosing a college?
The athletic program and location were both very important factors to me. I wanted a college where I could take my academics and athletics seriously, not just a party school. A couple of the other schools I looked at were Ohio State and Tennessee University. In the end Calumet College allowed me to pursue my academic and athletic goals, while staying close to my family as well.
What was your initial point of contact with Calumet College and your first impression?
The head track coach Don Reed came to our school; he was really different from the other recruiters. He seemed super excited all the time, he just jumped out of the box. It made me really want to be a part of the program because of his passion.
Did you find the financial aid process difficult to understand? How were you able to navigate through it?
I didn’t think I would end up owing very much with the athletic scholarship and my family’s income. I did take out a small loan for some books, but my tuition was covered. At first I was a little disappointed there wasn’t on campus housing offered, but in some ways, I like the responsibility of paying for things on my own and having my place off campus. My first impression of the financial aid office staff was that they looked nice. I was expecting them to be a little mean or at least very direct and straight to the point, but at CCSJ financial aid they really seemed to care and take time with me.
At Calumet College the Staff and Faculty refer to ourselves here as the Calumet College Family, have you experienced this feeling during your time here?
The first time I really experienced this was when the financial aid and admissions office took the time and effort to try to surprise me for my birthday. At first I was disappointed that I hadn’t even got a happy birthday, but then I saw a decorated cake go by out of the corner of my eye. They all took the time to make me feel special. That evening Coach Stamper and a couple of the track guys took me out to dinner for my birthday as well. It was an awesome day and I felt people really cared.
I also feel this family effect through being a part of the track team. I’ve never had a big brother. Now I feel that the guys on the team really treat me as a sister; they are so respectful and know what to say and do to make me feel comfortable.
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Saturday, December 13, 2008
Running to Valhalla, Jogging at Wihala
Your first image of Northwest Indiana is probably not that of a long sandy beach with a view of the Chicago skyline. It's more likely associated with BP Amoco, U.S. Steel or one of the other foundations of the local economy that dominate the news of the region. As a refugee from the north side of Chicago, the leafy college town of Iowa City, Iowa, and the frozen tundra of St. Paul Minnesota (just a few of my "hometowns"), I was thrilled to find out about Whihala Beach, located in Whiting, just minutes from the CCSJ campus, when I moved to Hammond several years ago.
To get to Whihala, you just drive down Whiting's main street, 119th, heading east. You'll jog left a bit and go over the trains tracks and there you are. Maybe you've already seen the video of the jet skiers at Whihala on the CCSJ Video Showcase web page. If not, check it out. I've also seen windsurfers, fishermen, boaters, swimmers, sunbathers, strollers and sandcastle artists at Whihala. My favorite activity at Whihala is a good brisk jog, and the best time to do this is early spring or late fall when the beach is mainly deserted and it's just me and the gulls and the distant promise of downtown Chicago. My jogging route usually takes me from the entrance of the beach to the terminus, where the colossal Horseshoe casino begins. The 20-30 minutes of my typical jog is the time period in which all problems vanish and I find clarity in the universe.
A few years ago I found myself jogging Whihala on New Years Eve Day. The temperature had risen to an eerie 50 degrees or so. I was nearly alone on the beach, contemplating the year to come, as I made my way along the barren beach. By the end of my run, I decided that the coming year was going to be a particularly good one. Right now, I couldn't tell you if that year was particularly good or not. That's not the point, really. It was simply the moment of peace that the soothing strip of sand and the endless expanse of blue provided by Lake Michigan at Whihala Beach that mattered.
CW
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To get to Whihala, you just drive down Whiting's main street, 119th, heading east. You'll jog left a bit and go over the trains tracks and there you are. Maybe you've already seen the video of the jet skiers at Whihala on the CCSJ Video Showcase web page. If not, check it out. I've also seen windsurfers, fishermen, boaters, swimmers, sunbathers, strollers and sandcastle artists at Whihala. My favorite activity at Whihala is a good brisk jog, and the best time to do this is early spring or late fall when the beach is mainly deserted and it's just me and the gulls and the distant promise of downtown Chicago. My jogging route usually takes me from the entrance of the beach to the terminus, where the colossal Horseshoe casino begins. The 20-30 minutes of my typical jog is the time period in which all problems vanish and I find clarity in the universe.
A few years ago I found myself jogging Whihala on New Years Eve Day. The temperature had risen to an eerie 50 degrees or so. I was nearly alone on the beach, contemplating the year to come, as I made my way along the barren beach. By the end of my run, I decided that the coming year was going to be a particularly good one. Right now, I couldn't tell you if that year was particularly good or not. That's not the point, really. It was simply the moment of peace that the soothing strip of sand and the endless expanse of blue provided by Lake Michigan at Whihala Beach that mattered.
CW
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Thursday, December 11, 2008
Meet Victor Lozano
I was able to find CCSJ Junior from East Chicago Victor Lozano studying for one of his exams today in the Study Buddy cafeteria. I wanted to see how his finals were going as well as what his overall experience has been like here at CCSJ.
Victor said, “What drew me to Cal College were the small class sizes and the one-on-one personal help from the teachers”.
When I asked him what he liked about CCSJ he replied, “Everything! There is not one thing I don’t like. Everything is very organized here and the students as well as the staff are great”.
I then asked him what his biggest challenge has been while at CCSJ. Victor said, “Definitely statistics class! I am majoring in Business Management and had to take the class this year. It was really challenging, but I got through it”.
Before we parted, I asked Victor how his finals were going and he said, “Finals are good. I didn’t have a final in every class because some finals were just the last test of the semester. But I did have one presentation in my public relations class. I had to create my own business. The presentation went well!” Victor stated that the business he created was a wedding planning business. This is something he is really interested in doing after graduation.
Well that’s all for now. I hope you enjoy the long break and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We’ll see you next year.
Crystal Chocholek
Victor said, “What drew me to Cal College were the small class sizes and the one-on-one personal help from the teachers”.
When I asked him what he liked about CCSJ he replied, “Everything! There is not one thing I don’t like. Everything is very organized here and the students as well as the staff are great”.
I then asked him what his biggest challenge has been while at CCSJ. Victor said, “Definitely statistics class! I am majoring in Business Management and had to take the class this year. It was really challenging, but I got through it”.
Before we parted, I asked Victor how his finals were going and he said, “Finals are good. I didn’t have a final in every class because some finals were just the last test of the semester. But I did have one presentation in my public relations class. I had to create my own business. The presentation went well!” Victor stated that the business he created was a wedding planning business. This is something he is really interested in doing after graduation.
Well that’s all for now. I hope you enjoy the long break and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We’ll see you next year.
Crystal Chocholek
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Saturday, December 6, 2008
Ten About Hammond
CCSJ is located in Hammond, Indiana though our mailing address is in neighboring Whiting. Huh? Just go with it. In any case, I thought I'd share with you:Ten Things You May Not Know about Hammond, Indiana
1) Home to a world class golf course: Lost Marsh
2) One of the oldest cities in Lake County - founded in 1847
3) Named for George Hammond who built a slaughterhouse here
4) Located just two miles from the Chicago border
5) Has a marina on Lake Michigan
6) Second most populous city in Lake county with 83,000 residents
7) The Hammond Pros was one of the country's first professional football teams
8) Newly renovated Horshoe Casino doubled in size to 100,000 square feet
9) Has a stop on the Chicago - South Bend South Shore train line
10) Home to Calumet College of St Joseph since our move from East Chicago in 1976
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Thursday, December 4, 2008
FA Haiku #2
The Sky's Not Falling
Gift aid so they say
Does not drop down from the sky
File FAFSA online
Gift aid so they say
Does not drop down from the sky
File FAFSA online
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Monday, December 1, 2008
Espressos, Lattes, and Cappuccinos! Oh My!
As the Assistant Director of Admissions, I don’t sit in an office all day looking over applications and calling prospective students. I also go out on high school visits, college fairs, and to community events. When you spend as much time on the road as I do, you need a little pick me up (get your mind out of the gutter). For me, it’s coffee. I don’t drink it as much, but when I do, I go for the specialty coffees, your espressos, lattes, and cappuccinos.
As the Assistant Director of Admissions, I don’t sit in an office all day looking over applications and calling prospective students. I also go out on high school visits, college fairs, and to community events. When you spend as much time on the road as I do, you need a little pick me up (get your mind out of the gutter). For me, it’s coffee. I don’t drink it as much, but when I do, I go for the specialty coffees, your espressos, lattes, and cappuccinos.
I decided to compile a short list of places that I stop at when I need that little pick me up (quit laughing). Here is the list:
Starbucks: I get their Carmel Macchiato with skim milk. It tastes great, but it’s pricey. When I have extra cash, I’ll splurge and go to Starbucks.
Dunkin Donuts: I love their Carmel Latte. It’s reasonably priced, except in Chicago. Unfortunately, not all Dunkin Donuts are the same and each one makes them differently. Can’t they all just make them the same so I don’t have to repeat myself four times at 7:00 A.M. when I’m heading to a college fair the day after the CCSJ sporting event?
The coffee shop at the Portage Travel Plaza: I can’t remember the name of this place because I very rarely get out that way. But when I do, I always stop and get their Mocha Carmel Latte. It’s priced right and tastes great.
Granted, these are only my opinions and you may have your own favorite places to get coffee. Wherever you go, that one cup, or more for some of you, will help you get through the day.
Now, I wish there was a Tim Horton’s nearby. Looks like I’m road tripping to Toledo, Ohio.
P.S. Ryan Sexson, you still owe me a cup of coffee from last basketball season for that Judson game.
Becky Leevey
Assisstant Director of Admissions
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As the Assistant Director of Admissions, I don’t sit in an office all day looking over applications and calling prospective students. I also go out on high school visits, college fairs, and to community events. When you spend as much time on the road as I do, you need a little pick me up (get your mind out of the gutter). For me, it’s coffee. I don’t drink it as much, but when I do, I go for the specialty coffees, your espressos, lattes, and cappuccinos.
I decided to compile a short list of places that I stop at when I need that little pick me up (quit laughing). Here is the list:
Starbucks: I get their Carmel Macchiato with skim milk. It tastes great, but it’s pricey. When I have extra cash, I’ll splurge and go to Starbucks.
Dunkin Donuts: I love their Carmel Latte. It’s reasonably priced, except in Chicago. Unfortunately, not all Dunkin Donuts are the same and each one makes them differently. Can’t they all just make them the same so I don’t have to repeat myself four times at 7:00 A.M. when I’m heading to a college fair the day after the CCSJ sporting event?
The coffee shop at the Portage Travel Plaza: I can’t remember the name of this place because I very rarely get out that way. But when I do, I always stop and get their Mocha Carmel Latte. It’s priced right and tastes great.
Granted, these are only my opinions and you may have your own favorite places to get coffee. Wherever you go, that one cup, or more for some of you, will help you get through the day.
Now, I wish there was a Tim Horton’s nearby. Looks like I’m road tripping to Toledo, Ohio.
P.S. Ryan Sexson, you still owe me a cup of coffee from last basketball season for that Judson game.
Becky Leevey
Assisstant Director of Admissions
Read more...
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