McGee-Benson named state’s “Adult Educator of the Year”
KILGORE, TX, Feb. 18, 2009 -- Kilgore College’s Bobbie McGee-Benson, instructor and director of Adult Basic Education, has been awarded the top award in the state for excellence in adult education.
McGee-Benson was crowned 2008-09 “Adult Educator of the Year” by the Texas Association of Literacy and Adult Education at its annual awards banquet Feb. 12 in Austin.
She has been in the field of adult education for 26 years, serving the last 12 as the director of KC’s Adult Basic Education program.
“Her position has allowed her to lay the foundation for the success of countless students,” said Dr. Julie Fowler, dean of KC—Longview. “She leads an exemplary program, and her desire to see students succeed never wanes.”
McGee-Benson was nominated by the KC Adult Basic Education staff. There are 54 Adult Education Co-operatives and 56 English Language-Civics Programs across the state that all have a director and assistant directors. Each of these directors and assistant directors were eligible to be nominated if they were TALAE members.
“I feel honored that the staff thought enough of me to nominate me for this award,” McGee-Benson said. “I never imagined that they felt that I was capable or worthy for that matter of winning a state award.”
McGee-Benson said she is very passionate about what she does, and is proud that the program gives adults in the community a second chance at an education.
The KC Adult Education program was also presented an award of recognition for the volume of student memberships in TALAE.
“One of our program’s former students who is now enrolled in college received a $3,200 scholarship for having the highest GED scores in the East region,” McGee-Benson said. “So for me to win this award out of all of the other administrators who also work hard and do a very fine job is all a reflection on the quality of the KC Adult Basic Education Program.”
The program was visited by the state office in December and was recognized as being an “exemplary” program.
“I’m just so proud to be a part of it,” McGee-Benson said. “Every time the program receives state recognition for achievement, as it has done for the last five years, I am elated.”
About the Adult Basic Education Program:
KC’s Adult Basic Education Program holds classes throughout the year, and all classes are free. Courses are offered in English as a Second Language, GED, Exam Preparation, as well as basic literacy-level to twelfth grade level instruction in reading, writing, social studies, science and math.
For new students, the staff assesses educational levels and designs a specific training program for each student. Day and evening classes are offered on the main campus in Kilgore, at KC—Longview, Gilmer, Gladewater, Henderson, Price (Carlisle), Overton and Tatum.
For more information on the KC Adult Basic Educational Program, call (903) 988-3738 or (903) 753-2642, or visit: www.kilgore.edu/abe.asp.
Source: KC News Release
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Kilgore College's Music Department to showcase outstanding musicians in concert
Pictured:(Seated L-R) Joanna Barroughs, Henderson; and Nancy Keen, Sabine. (Standing L-R) Michael Williams, Marshall; Luis Perez, Kilgore; and Eric Arroyo; Longview
KILGORE, TX, Feb. 16, 2009 -- The Kilgore College Music Department is hosting its annual “Friends of Music Best of the Best Concert” Monday, Feb. 23, at First Presbyterian Church in Kilgore.
The free concert is set for Noon and open to the public.
Outstanding musicians are voted on each spring by the music faculty to be showcased in the concert. This year, students performing are Joanna Barroughs (piano), from Henderson; Nancy Keen, (vocal) from Sabine; Michael Williams (piano) from Marshall; Luis Perez (vocal) from Kilgore; and Eric Arroyo (trumpet) from Longview.
Source: Kilgore College Press Release
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Student Activities Dept. accepting performers to join the free event
KILGORE, TX, Feb.12, 2009 -- The Kilgore College Student Activities Department is hosting a Black History Program 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at Dodson Auditorium on the KC campus. According to Raquel Wilson, coordinator of student activities, the event will pay tribute to African Americans that have contributed to our nation’s history.
Wilson said the program is open with approval to any choirs, bands, poets, actors, praise teams, steppers or dancers that would like to perform.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Wilson at (903) 988-7577
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"Good old fashioned suspense"
KILGORE, TX, Feb. 12, 2009 -- The Kilgore College Theatre Department will perform the suspense-thriller, “Wait Until Dark,” written by English playwright Frederick Knott. The play starred Robert Duval on Broadway, and was immortalized on film in 1967 by Audrey Hepburn and Efrem Zimbalist Jr. in the big screen version.
The play centers on a young visually impaired woman living in New York City who is being stalked and conned by three criminals.
It will be directed by theatre instructor Kathy Barber, with the set design and lights by Michael Atkins. Barber said there is no inappropriate language in the play, but some violence. She also said it may not be appropriate for children under 12 years of age, and nobody under the age of 6 will be admitted.
“There is no explicit gore,” Barber said. “It’s mainly good old-fashioned suspense.”
Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 – 21 (Tuesday – Saturday), with a matinee 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22. All performances will be in Van Cliburn Auditorium on the KC campus.
Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for students and $4 with a KC identification card.
The box office and will call window will be open one hour prior to each performance to purchase or pick up tickets. No admissions after the play has begun.
Patrons can make reservations and pick up tickets at the Will Call window on the afternoon or night of the performance. All seats are general admission.
For more information, contact Barber at: (903) 983-8126 or e-mail her at kbarber@kilgore.edu.
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Benefit concert will feature performances by the Kilgore College Chorale and Wind Symphony
KILGORE, TX, Feb 12, 2009 -- The Kilgore College Music Department and Ana-Lab Corp. of Kilgore are sponsoring a concert Thursday, Feb. 19, to raise money for organizations that help decrease world hunger. The concert is set for 7:30 p.m. in Dodson Auditorium on the KC campus.
The concert will feature performances by the KC Chorale, KC Wind Symphony and the East Texas Youth Chorus.
A keynote address will also be given by Dr. Ernest Boamah, who teaches music composition at KC and serves as the music minister at First United Methodist Church in Henderson.
Charity givers will have seven charities from which to choose.
* Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger
* Catholic Relief Services
* One Great Hour of Sharing (Methodist and Presbyterian)
* Caring and Sharing (Church of Christ)
* The Rotary Foundation
* Helping Hands of Kilgore
Levels of support: Famine Fighter - $5,000+, Strong Supporter - $2,000 – $4,999,
Lover of Little Ones - $1,000 – $1,999, Benefactor - $200 - $999.
Any monetary amount will also be accepted at the concert.
Those unable to attend, but still wishing to contribute can mail donations checks to the Ana-Lab Corporation, P.O. Box 9000, Kilgore, Texas 75663
For more information contact Ryan Kelly, director of the KC Chorale, at: (903) 983-8122.
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Ten high school art students earn KC scholarships at annual art symposium
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| Faith Gardner, Henderson, 1st; Libby Bush, Tyler, 2nd; Taylor Shipman, Pittsburg, 4th; Marisol Osomio, Pittsburg, 5th. |
KILGORE, TX, Feb 11, 2009 -- Ten high school art students were awarded college scholarships Friday, Feb. 6, at the annual Kilgore College Secondary Art Symposium and portfolio competition. Faith Gardner of Henderson High School was awarded the top prize with a $2,000 scholarship to attend KC.
Put on for high school educators and students, 12 area institutions participated, submitting 60 student portfolios for judging. More than 500 people attended the event.
The following students were selected as the top-ten scholarship recipients. Denominations are applicable as KC scholarships:
Student High School & Instructor Scholarship
Faith Gardner Henderson, Jodi Waggoner $2,000
Libby Bush R.E. Lee, Linda Keane, David Ackerson $1,600
Justin Hughes Henderson, Jodi Waggoner $1,200
Taylor Shipman Pittsburg, Karen Ender $1,000
Marisol Osomio Pittsburg, Karen Ender $1,000
Courtney Springs Longview, Ellen Herbert $800
Katie Dukes Henderson, Jodi Waggoner $800
Jackie Davila Pine Tree, Mary Graham $800
Aaron Leonard Pittsburg, Karen Ender $800
Laney Green Longview, Ellen Herbert $800
Honorable mentions: M.K. Northum (Hallsville),
Lacey Williams (Spring Hill), Stephen Redman (Spring Hill) and
Sophia Arevalo (Robert E. Lee).
Jurors for the symposium were Gary Frields and Jason N. Hearne. Frields is a professor of art at Stephen F. Austin State University, and Hearne is a multimedia designer and co-owner of Video Box Studios, an animation studio in Los Angeles, Calif.
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| Courtney Springs, Longview, 6th; Aaron Leonard, Pittsburg, 9th; Jackie Davila, Pine Tree, 8th. |
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| Sophia Arevalo, Tyler, Honorable Mention; M.K. Northum, Hallsville, Honorable Mention. |
Source: Kilgore College Press Release
Photos by Lee Littlefield
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KC announces 9.7% increase in enrollment since last spring
KILGORE, TX, Feb. 5, 2009 -- Kilgore College President Dr. William Holda today announced that the college’s enrollment is steadily growing, up 9.7 percent from last spring. The college recorded 5,550 students enrolled on the twelfth class day, Jan. 28. On the twelfth class day last year, enrollment was 5,059. The enrollment count is the largest in the 74-year history of the college.
“Kilgore College is fortunate to experience continued healthy enrollment growth,” Holda said. “We are committed to providing increased access for students of all ages and look forward to the opportunities to serve our community with diverse educational opportunities.”
The enrollment figures are preliminary, however, pending some final administrative requirements. The deadline for spring enrollment data to be submitted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is March 15, so certified enrollment figures will be available around that time.
“This number is unofficial and will decrease a little bit over the next couple of weeks as we go through the process of verifying and correcting information,” said Staci Martin, registrar and director of admissions.
The increased enrollment announcement comes on the heels of a December report by Community College Week magazine that ranked KC as one of the fastest-growing colleges in the nation. The magazine ranked the top 50 community colleges with 2,500-4,999 students by percentage of enrollment increases, and named KC 37th on the list with a 9.2 percent increase in students from fall 2006 to fall 2007.
Enrollment has increased by 16.6 percent since the fall of 2006.
One factor in KC’s enrollment growth is the increase in the number of high school students taking advantage of the dual credit program. The program gives high school students an opportunity to enter their freshman year of college with college credits.
KC’s dual credit program has increased in the number of students since last spring by 54 percent, and by 65 percent in the number of semester credit hours taken.
Last spring, 448 dual credit students were enrolled in 2,069 semester credit hours. This spring, 691 students are enrolled in 3,425 semester credit hours, with 23 local high schools participating.
“It shows significant growth in both areas as a result of local independent school districts working to make dual credit available to their students,” said Terry Booker, dean of liberal and fine arts. “We were very pleased with the spring numbers.”
Last fall, KC had 725 students enrolled in 3,485 semester credit hours.
Trey Hattaway, Director of Enrollment Management and Marketing, said that he also attributes the continued growth to the economy.
“The same economy that helped us in 2007 is now seeing a downturn,” Hattaway said. “However, a slow economy usually sends people back to school for re-training, a change of vocation or just to upgrade their skills.”
Because of the economy, Hattaway said that students who would normally start their educational careers at a four-year school may start out at a two-year college because of the rising cost of higher education.
“Kilgore College is committed to being a ‘community’ college,” Hattaway said. “We are continually listening to our community partners in industry to see how we can assist them in keeping a qualified workforce available so that the downturn in the economy is minimal.”
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McGee-Benson named state’s “Adult Educator of the Year”
