ACTIVITY CENTER FEATURES DAILY “EXPERTS”

The Iowa Lakes Community College Activity Center will showcase a wide variety of state-of-the-art programs again this year at the 2007 Clay County Fair.

The Activity Center, located in the former Arts Barn (next to the Chop Shop and just south of the outdoor arena), will be staffed by program coordinators and students and will feature hands-on (and they mean ‘hands-on’) technology and educational advancements.

During the nine-day extravaganza, fairgoers are encouraged to bring their questions to the experts.

On Saturday, Sept. 8, the programs represented will include:  Wind Energy and Turbine Technology, Biomass Energy Processing (Renewable Fuels), Marine & Small Engine Technology and Massage Therapy.  Fairgoers who stop by the booth when Massage Therapy graduates are in attendance (generally on weekends), will have a chance to receive a free massage.

On Sunday, Sept. 9, programs include Sales and Marketing Management, Business Administration, Marine and Small Engine Technology, Auto Collision Technology, Paralegal, Biomass Energy Processing and Massage Therapy.  ABE-GED coordinator Barb Grandstaff will be on hand to talk about program and award scholarships.

Monday, Sept. 10, will be the day to bring questions for Farm Equipment & Diesel Technology and Auto Technology.  Rosie Coleman Continuing Education and Allied Health programmer, will be answering questions of individuals who need continuing education credits.

The Criminal Justice instructors and students will offer a limited numbers of “DNA” kits.  In addition to fingerprinting young children (using a removable ink) parents who sign a form can receive a DNA kit.

Tuesday, Sept. 11, will find Farm Equipment and Diesel Technology staffers on-hand in the morning hours.  In addition, instructors from the Motorcycle & Small Engine and Nursing programs will be at the booth.  Students in the nursing programs at Iowa Lakes use this opportunity as an assignment in ‘public health’ and bring updated information on a current health topic to share with fairgoers. 

Wednesday, Sept. 12, the displays will be from the Human Services and Administrative Assistant/Office Specialist programs.  Becky Simons and key students in the Medical Office Technology program will be there to explain the program and answer questions.

Thursday, Sept 13, the Aviation program will be on hand to answer questions.   Fairgoers will also find the Sustainable Energy Resources program, Environmental Studies program and the Welding program featured.  The college’s Broadcast Media program will be featured during the mid-day hours, and Wind Energy & Turbine Technology program instructors and students will be there to answer questions during the afternoon.  The Continuing Education Medical Health program will also be in attendance.

Friday, Sept. 14, will feature Iowa Lakes Welding, Automotive Technology, Early Childhood Education and Child Care programs.  Kevin Fehr will be on hand to discuss the Landscape and Turfgrass program. Also, with Friday being the day most young people will be off from school, the Secondary Programs (which allow students to take college credit classes while in high school) will be highlighted. In addition, students may ask questions about opportunities in their school district. 

Saturday, Sept. 15, the college will have the Continuing Education program coordinator who organizes Emergency Medical Service and Fire & Rescue recertifications available to answer questions and provide information.  Other programs being featured include: Wind Energy & Turbine Technology and Paralegal programs.  Making a return appearance will be graduates of the Massage Therapy program who will be offering free massages during posted times.  The college’s Web Specialist will also be there to talk about marketing the Iowa Lakes Web site.

The last day of the fair, Sunday, Sept. 16, the college will highlight the housing options available to Iowa Lakes Community College students with the housing director from the Emmetsburg Campus.  Massage Therapy graduates are expected at the booth again to provide free massages, and the college’s Web Specialist will be returning as well.

Iowa Lakes will also be in the swine barn.  There, children and adults alike are invited to pet the baby pigs that will be on display.  There will be Agriculture Production Technology and Agribusiness instructors and students on hand to answer questions from the public. 

The college’s other booth will be located in the Clay County Regional Events Center.  In addition to many administrative personnel at the booth, topics to be covered during the nine days of the fair include online learning, TRIO, admissions, Institutional Advancement, Surgical Technology, Hotel & Restaurant Management, Automotive Technology, Health Care Administration, medical programming and Medical Office Technology, the success centers as well as the Retired and Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP).