LOTS OF GOOD STUFF HAPPENING AT UW-TACOMA
The start of a new school year has given University of Washington-Tacoma (UWT) a lot to crow about.
On Sept. 24, UW Tacoma kicked off its 25th year by welcoming 1,310 new students to its growing campus, more incoming students than ever before. These 440 freshmen and 870 transfer students our bring enrollment up to around 4,500. (Look for exact figures in early October.) Of these freshmen, 68 percent are first-generation college students. One hundred and twenty come to UWT through the Pathways to Promise program, a partnership UWT has with local high schools to help foster a college-going culture in the South Sound. With these students come 47 new full-time faculty members, ready to inspire students with classes on everything from smartphone app development to humanitarian journalism and the psychology of super-heroes.
Small wonder UW Tacoma is in the list of top 10 fastest-growing public master’s institutions, according to the Almanac of Higher Education. Enrollment increased over 85 percent, starting with 2,111 in 2002 and reaching 3,919 in 2012.
The UWT family celebrates the beginning of the school year at Convocation, this year on Sept. 26, with food, music and a local business fair showcasing downtown Tacoma and UW Tacoma’s community partnerships. Students, faculty and staff converge on campus from three locations in the surrounding community, marching down the new Prairie Line Trail. Community members greet the students and “pin” them with special badges recognizing the campus’s 25th anniversary.
The campus is growing right along with the student population. The Prairie Line Trail at UWT Station opened Sept. 25, bringing a green space full of pedestrians, bicyclists and Japanese maple trees to UW Tacoma. The trail follows the original tracks of the Prairie Line, which formed the western end of the Northern Pacific Railway and was integral to the growth of Tacoma. The path honors this history with exposed tracks tracing the rail line’s original route, large silver signal cabinets (called “bungalows”) and railroad crossing signs.
In early October, public art comes to the trail as the Japanese Language School Memorial is installed near the corner of 17th and Pacific Ave. From 1911 to 1942, the Japanese Language School was a center for the Japanese community that once thrived in downtown Tacoma. Most did not return to Tacoma after WWII, and the building, which stood on Tacoma Ave., was demolished in 2004. The Japanese Language School Memorial will celebrate and honor this community, the school, its principal and its teachers. The unveiling of the memorial is scheduled for Oct. 10 at 10 a.m.
Around campus, Tacoma’s downtown continues to thrive. In fact, the city has been named one of the top 50 college towns in the country – the only city in the state of Washington to make the list. In the ranking, by Best College Reviews, Tacoma was particularly celebrated for its livability and the large number of potential workplaces in the area.
“Art, seafood, microbreweries, and coffee make Tacoma a joy,” says the site. It praises the variety of employers in the region, including universities, state agencies and departments, healthcare providers and Boeing.
UW Tacoma has also been named a 2015 Military Friendly School for the fifth year in a row. The title, given by veteran-owned Victory Media, is only awarded to 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country. The UW system as a whole was ranked second in the nation in the list of Best Colleges for Veterans by U.S. News and World Report. For more on UW Tacoma’s commitment to veterans, see the campus’ Veterans and Military Services site.
TACOMA TEACHER SEMIFINALIST FOR GRAMMY
While it’s still five months away, you’ll have a new reason to watch the 2015 Grammy Awards as Tacoma Public Schools has a potential winner in the running for a Grammy honoring a music instructor.
Out of 7,000 nominations nationwide, Micah Haven, Meeker Middle School’s band director, is one of 25 semifinalists who will compete for the Grammy Music Educator Award, which recognizes someone who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrates a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools.
“Micah is an amazing music instructor, one of a fantastic team at Meeker,” said Tim Berndt, Meeker principal. “The kids love to play for him, and he gets the most from them.”
Haven, a Pacific Lutheran University graduate, is in his fifth year as band director at Meeker, where he teaches 260 students at the elementary and middle school levels. With trumpet as his principle instrument, he also teaches a before-school jazz band.
“I’m incredibly humbled and honored to be among these semifinalists, some of whom I know and look up to,” Haven said.
All semifinalists have the chance to earn $6,000 for their music departments. Haven said he would use the award to buy instruments for students who can’t afford them.
“Money should never hold back a student from music,” Haven said.
Haven’s teaching philosophy goes beyond the band room and is reflected in his motto: Pursuing excellence as musicians, students and citizens.
“I want my students to grow as people and think outside of themselves. I hope they take what they do in music to help our school, their community and the world,” Haven said.
The next step in the award process is when 10 finalists are announced in December. The winner will be announced during Grammy week 2015 and will be flown to Los Angeles to accept the award and a $10,000 honorarium.
DICKENS FESTIVAL PRESENTS SPEAKERS SERIES
The 10th annual Dickens Festival is presenting a speakers series “Dickensian: Poverty in the 21st Century.” The series will be held at King’s Books, 218 St. Helens Ave. The first speaker at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9 will be Sid Olufs, a professor of political science at Pacific Lutheran University. He will be speaking about: “The Shifting Story of Inequality in the United States.”
On Thursday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. Dexter Gordon, a professor of African American Studies and Communications at Pacific Lutheran University, will speak on the subject of “Poverty, Race and the Search for the American Dream.” On Oct. 11 at 10 a.m. he will participate in a conference at UWT, Center for the Study of Community and Society, Tioga Building 1907 Jefferson called “Restore the American Dream: A Community Conversation on Big Money, Inequality and the Average Voter.”
On Thursday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. Troy Christensen, Chief of Operations and Strategy at Metropolitan Development Council will speak on the subject of “Exiting Poverty: A Theory of Change.” Christensen is known for his deep passion and mission to end homelessness.
Kristi and Steve Nebel will open each of the talks with song. The Nebels are a touring Americana duo known for songs with socio-political messaging. They live in Tacoma.
The 10th Annual Dickens Festival at Stadium takes place Dec. 5-7. This includes a Saturday night dinner/ball/auction to benefit Metropolitan Development Council, a day of festival activities in collaboration with the Seymour Conservatory on Saturday, Dec. 6, and on Sunday, a concert with professor John Doan called "Christmas Unplugged" featuring the story of Victorian music and entertainment.
Charles Dickens was the first great urban novelist in England who used fiction to criticize economic, social, and moral abuses in the Victorian era. In a letter to his friend Wilkie Collins dated Sept. 6, 1858, Dickens wrote: “Everything that happens […] shows beyond mistake that you can’t shut out the world; that you are in it, to be of it; that you get yourself into a false position the moment you try to sever yourself from it; that you must mingle with it, and make the best of it, and make the best of yourself into the bargain.”
CITY LAUNCHES ‘COURAGE TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE’ INITATIVE
“COURAGE to End Domestic Violence” is a City of Tacoma initiative to help raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence and the network of services available to help victims. Deputy Mayor Victoria Woodards will lead the COURAGE to Break the Silence Rally at noon Friday, Oct. 3, at Tollefson Plaza (South 17th and Pacific Avenue).
The COURAGE Initiative will debut Tuesday, Sept. 30 at the Tacoma City Council Meeting with a proclamation and presentation. The launch of the COURAGE initiative corresponds to October’s National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and provides the opportunity to introduce the initiative’s two awareness campaigns – “Men Against Domestic Violence” and “A Step in the Right Direction.”
The two City campaigns are designed to bring attention to the need to expand the discussion about domestic violence and address it as an issue that is built into the culture, said Pam Duncan, the City’s contracting services manager.
“The ‘Men Against Domestic Violence’ campaign puts emphasis on the important role men have in challenging other men to build healthy relationships and speak up when they see or hear something that is unhealthy,” Duncan said.
In discussions with community providers and experts, City staff heard compelling research and narratives that men were often missing from the domestic violence discussion.
“Men need to stand up and be a voice for ending domestic violence,” Deputy Mayor Victoria Woodards said. “Too often domestic violence is portrayed as a ‘women’s issue’ but it is really an everyone issue.”
To help highlight the need for all voices, “A Step in the Right Direction” campaign showcases eight shoes or pairs of shoes decorated by domestic violence survivors from Tacoma. The shoes are part, of a collection that will be displayed at COURAGE events in October and on the City’s Facebook page starting Monday, Oct. 6.
The community is encouraged to like and share its favorite shoes from the eight featured. The three artists who receive the most votes will be recognized by the City and the winning shoes will be donated to the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center and YWCA Pierce County’s joint supporting auction.
In recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the City has planned and partnered with local nonprofits to offer a variety of events starting Oct. 1 and concluding Friday, Oct. 31 at noon in Tollefson Plaza with COURAGE: the Silent Rally.
For more information about the initiative and events, go to http://www.cityoftacoma.org/COURAGE.
Make your smart phone even smarter with new TPS app
Now at your fingertips: Student grades, custom school calendars, sports info, meal accounts & more
Information from the most-visited pages on Tacoma Public Schools’ website is now conveniently available in a mobile-friendly view. Download the district’s new, free app for iPhone and Android for easy access to these features:
Home Access Center: Student grades, test scores, homework assignments and attendance
Calendars: District-wide and school-specific events
News: Latest scoops about the district, schools, events, programs, people and partnerships
Parent information: Resource list with links to information about enrollment, volunteering, school uniforms, PTAs, innovative schools, test dates and more
Directory: Phone numbers and email addresses for most district departments, schools and school staff
Sports: General sports information, schedules and forms
Lunch Money Now: School meal account balances and management
Cafeteria: Menus
Social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram
Careers: District job openings
Notifications: Inbox for general, district-wide announcements and reminders
“We recognize that these days the world revolves around smartphones and powerful apps,” said Dan Voelpel, the district’s public information officer. “We’re about finding ways to help students stay engaged with their education and help parents stay in touch with what’s going on with their children in school. We’re proud to be among the first school districts in Washington to offer the community this convenient, mobile experience.”
Last school year the district conducted a web poll asking parents if they would find value in and use a district mobile app. Of the 266 responses, just five said “no” and five others said “maybe.”
HEALTH DEPARTMENT TESTS EMERGENCY MEDICATION DISPENSING
A rapid response to dangerous diseases – natural epidemics or following a terrorist release of anthrax or other biological agents – can make the difference between life and death.
In the event of such an emergency, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has a plan to dispense to all Pierce County residents within 48 hours medications that would help prevent disease from a biological agent exposure.
On Oct. 1 and 2, the health department put this plan to the test in a joint exercise with King, Snohomish and Kitsap counties and Washington State Department of Health. Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, local hospitals and the County’s healthcare systems assessed the logistics of distributing and dispensing large quantities of medications.
In addition, the exercise gave planners a look at the key decision-making, policy development, and communication capabilities the response requires. Activities focused on communication and coordination and on the set-up of a public dispensing clinic in Lakewood.
Medical providers, Pierce County Medical Reserve Corps, local, county and state agencies had specific roles in the two-day exercise. Mass distributing and dispensing involves setting up public clinics, distributing to public pharmacies and to private and government agencies, and to distribute to their staff and families.
“In Pierce County, strong partnerships support our emergency planning and make sure the public can get the resources they need to protect their health,” said Anthony L-T Chen, MD, MPH, director of health.
PROSECUTOR SEEKS LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE IN HOMICIDE
Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist will seek a life in prison without the possibility of parole sentence for Aaron Lamar Livingston, 39. Livingston has been charged with two counts of aggravated first degree murder and one count of attempted first degree murder. He is being held in the Pierce County Jail without bail.
“In Washington State, the death penalty is reserved for the most heinous crimes and the worst of the worst defendants,” said Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. “After we spoke with the families of the victims, as well as the surviving victim, and taking into account the facts and current law, I decided to seek a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.”
On May 23, 2014, Livingston murdered Andrew Giessler, 25, with an axe because he believed Giessler was in a romantic relationship with Livingston’s girlfriend. Livingston then choked his girlfriend, who survived. He strangled her roommate, Denyse Marshall, 60, to death.
After committing the murders, Livingston called his father to tell him what he had done. Livingston then contacted Tacoma police and provided a full confession. Livingston’s criminal history consists of non-violent property crimes in 1993, and subsequent traffic misdemeanors.
In February, Governor Jay Inslee issued a moratorium on the imposition of the death penalty. Prosecutor Lindquist and other elected prosecutors have said they will still consider the death penalty under the current law, which remains unchanged during the Governor’s moratorium.
Charges are only allegations and a person is presumed innocent unless he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
GREEN TACOMA DAY CONNECTS PEOPLE WITH GREEN SPACES
Each October, during one of Tacoma’s biggest service days of the year, volunteers come together to restore urban green space across the city of Tacoma. Residents, businesses, community groups and individuals are invited to join the Green Tacoma Partnership and the City of Tacoma in fun, engaging activities to restore and explore the city’s local green spaces.
On Saturday, Oct. 11, events will celebrate both Green Tacoma Day and Arbor Day, which coincides with Green Tacoma Day, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This Arbor Day, Tacoma celebrates 20 years as a Tree City USA community and Tacoma Public Utility’s 10th year as a TreeLine USA utility. The festivities will provide educational and family-friendly activities at Wright Park and restoration projects across the city. All community members are welcome and no experience is needed to participate.
Green Tacoma Day is an annual celebration of the Green Tacoma Partnership’s work to restore 1,881 acres of urban green space, while Arbor Day celebrates the planting, growing, and caring of Tacoma’s trees. The service day offers great opportunities for the Tacoma community to get to know each other and the local green spaces.
“I participate as a way to connect with others in caring for our planet. I encounter great people who are energetic, knowledgeable and willing to make a difference in Tacoma,” said Monty Smith, Director of Sustainable Roots at the Northwest Leadership Foundation.
Restoration activities will range from removing weeds and invasive plants to planting native trees and shrubs at locations across Tacoma.
Science and Math Institute student, Daemien Zarapkar noted, “Participating at Green Tacoma Day 2013 was exciting and a good learning experience. I experienced something marvelous – I felt like I actually did something for the environment. I personally participated for volunteer hours, but I gained more than I bargained for - I gained hope for nature. I saw … community members willing to clean up the environment.”
Restoration activities are planned at First Creek, Franklin Park, Garfield Gulch, Gog le hi te Wetlands, Julia’s Gulch, McKinley Park, Oak Tree Park, Pacific Lutheran University, Puget Creek, Swan Creek, Tacoma Nature Center, Tacoma Community College and Wapato Hills Urban Wildlife Habitat. Those not wanting to get their hands dirty can join fun and games celebrating trees and the fall colors at Wright Park.
Visit http://www.greentacoma.org to learn more about the Green Tacoma Partnership, find Green Tacoma Day event details and sign up for a restoration event near you. Registration is not required, but is encouraged.
Green Tacoma Day kicks off the fall Green City Days series, which is expected to attract more than 2,000 participants from across the Puget Sound region to celebrate the benefits of urban green spaces. Following Tacoma’s day is Green Everett Day on Oct. 18, Green Kent Day and Green Redmond Day on Oct. 25 and Green Seattle Day on Nov. 8.
Everett, Kent, Kirkland, Redmond, Seattle and Tacoma make up the Green Cities Network that collectively works to restore over 7,500 acres of publicly owned urban green spaces. Forterra works with local nonprofits, community groups, city agencies, neighborhood leaders and local businesses to support healthy urban green spaces for the future of our region through the Green City Partnerships program. People can learn more about Green City Partnerships and Forterra at http://www.forterra.org/greencities.
City of Tacoma, Metro Parks Tacoma, Forterra, Citizens for a Healthy Bay, TAGRO, Port of Tacoma and Pierce Conservation District are all Green Tacoma Day partners helping the event grow and accomplish more work every year.
Specific site details and registration information available at http://www.greentacoma.org.
IT’S GETTING SCARY AT WILD WAVES THEME PARK
Wild Waves Theme Park, Washington’s largest amusement park, will transform into a scream park every weekend in October as Fright Fest returns for its 13th year (for 13 days!) to deliver hair-raising fun for park-goers of all ages.
The state’s biggest Halloween event begins on Oct. 3, running through Nov.1, and will feature more than 25 rides operating in the dark, as well as TWO bloodcurdling haunted houses. Park guests’ greatest fears will come to life in the Chamber of Souls, where indentured monsters lurk around every dark corner. The Playground 3D Haunted House is back again this year with new surprises and more terrifying three-dimensional fun. Thrill-seekers who dare to enter will navigate an abandoned carnival with a pair of 3D glasses.
Little goblins will be able to enjoy endless Halloween fun at Booville, a scare-free zone for kids 12 and under that has been made bigger and better this year. Kids will love playing in the glow-in-the-dark bubble tent, making Halloween-themed crafts, and letting out their inner musician at the Monster Music Factory. They will also delight in complimentary face painting, and balloon art. New this year are a giant inflatable slide, an inflatable obstacle course and a 4D gaming trailer.
On Friday and Saturday nights, MOViN 92.5 and the MOViN Party Patrol will broadcast live from Celebration Square. Guests can stop by to win prizes, get their picture taken, and meet night host Justin and late night host Kel.
“Wild Waves Theme Park looks forward to Fright Fest every year,” said Todd Suchan, Wild Waves Theme Park’s general manager. “And this year we didn’t hold back. We may be known for our summertime fun, but every member of the family can enjoy the thrills and chills of the park this October with Booville and our two haunted houses.”
Tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate of $22.99 at http://www.wildwaves.com and 73 Safeway stores across Washington. Gate tickets are $27.99 for adults and $9.99 for kids under 48-inches tall. For those who want to experience Fright Fest VIP style, they can purchase an additional House R.I.P. Pass for $25 that allows for quick access to the haunted houses or an Ultimate R.I.P, Pass for $35 that allows for quick access to both the haunted houses and five select rides.
For more information about Fright Fest, including hours and a full schedule of events, please visit: https://www.wildwaves.com/fright-fest.
MUSEUM OF GLASS ANNOUNCES CONEY AWARDS
Museum of Glass announced the 2014 winners of the annual Coney Awards this past Saturday, September 20. Each year three prizes are awarded at the Red Hot Gala and Auction. This year Preston Singletary won the Red Hot 2014 Artist Grand Prize for his piece Birth of Raven, Armelle Bouchet O’Neill’s Formations won the Artists’ Choice Award and Ethan Stern’s Verdant was selected as the People’s Choice Award winner.
“Artists are so generous to the Museum and our fundraising efforts,” noted Susan Warner, executive director of Museum of Glass. “These awards are just one way we can continue to support artists and their careers.”
The Red Hot 2014 Grand Prize Award winner Preston Singletary will receive a one-week residency in the Hot
Shop and $10,000. The award was judged by esteemed jurors Tyler Budge, Amy McBride, Linda Tesner and Sarah Traver. Singletary is looking forward to using his residency to work on pieces for his upcoming exhibition at Museum of Glass, Raven and the Box of Daylight, scheduled for 2017.
Previous and current donating artists were invited to vote for the Artist Choice Award. The winner, Armelle Bouchet O’Neill, receives a one-week residency in the Hot Shop and $5,000. Bouchet O’Neill received the 2012 Grand Prize.
Guests at Red Hot voted for the People’s Choice Award, which went to Ethan Stern. Seattle-based Stern received the 2010 Best Emerging Artist Award.
Red Hot 2014 raised over $500,000 in support of exhibitions, programs and operations at Museum of Glass.
NON-PEAK FERRY SEASON RATES HAVE BEGUN
Non-peak season fare rates apply starting Oct. 1 for Pierce County ferry passengers that drive a vehicle or motorcycle onto the ferry.
Passengers driving vehicles 21 feet in length or less will see their rates decrease from the peak season rate of $21.65, to the non-peak season rate of $17.30, while motorcyclists will see a decrease from $11.65 to $9.30. The five-trip value pass for vehicles 21 feet in length or less remains at $69.15, while the five-trip value pass for motorcycle commuters remains at $37.20.
Walk-on passenger rates are the same year-round, and bicycles can be walked on at no extra cost.
Non-peak season runs from Oct. 1 to April 30. Visit http://www.piercecountywa.org/ferry for a full list of fares during the non-peak season.
The Pierce County Ferry System provides service between the town of Steilacoom and Anderson Island and Ketron Island.
NEW FISHER HOUSE BREAKS GROUND AT JBLM
Fisher House Foundation, which provides comfort homes for military and veteran families, is expanding into the Pacific Northwest. On Thursday, Sept 25, 2014, Fisher House Foundation will break ground on a new Fisher House for military families to support a loved one hospitalized for wounds, injuries, or illnesses. Fisher House Foundation president David A. Coker will join COL H. Charles “Chuck” Hodges, Jr., commander of Joint Base Lewis-McChord and COL Ramona Fiorey, commander of Madigan Army Medical Center, and community supporters to officially commence construction.
“We are thrilled to expand our network of Fisher Houses in the Northwest,” said David Coker. “This home will be the second at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and we consider ourselves fortunate to continue to support this community. When a military family has their world turned upside down, they can take comfort in knowing the Fisher House will be there for them.”
In a Joint Base Lewis-McChord news release sent Tuesday, Col. H. Charles Hodges Jr., JBLM installation commander, said, “Fisher Houses provide safe, comfortable environments for the families of our service members during what can be very stressful times. Having a second facility so close to our hospital on Joint Base Lewis-McChord will be a great resource for our military community.”
The new 10,000 sq. ft. Fisher House will join an original home that has provided a safe haven for soldiers, veterans, and their families since 1992. Because this home had a waiting list for many years, a second home will now add 12 suites to the existing seven, and will offer welcoming common areas including a well-appointed kitchen; large communal living, dining and family rooms; and patio. The home will be posthumously dedicated to long-time Fisher House supporter General John Shalikashvili, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The Seattle-Tacoma community has taken a dynamic role in supporting the construction of this new Fisher House. Bonneville Seattle radio stations energized their listener base through a Fisher House construction campaign, garnering hundreds of individual donations. Friends of the VA Puget Sound Fisher House also supported the construction of this new home. Delta Air Lines contributed significantly to the construction, leading the way with their corporate gift. Delta leadership and personnel continued their support during the ground breaking, with several uniformed employees taking part in the ceremony.
“Delta is dedicated to supporting active military and veterans through our Force for Global Good,” said Tad Hutcheson, Delta’s Vice President for Community Affairs. “We are proud to partner with Fisher House Foundation to build the second facility at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.”
This new Fisher House will open in 2015 to serve military and veterans’ families.
HELP TACOMA PTA RECEIVE SYLVAN GRANT
As a proud supporter of National PTA, Sylvan Learning of Tacoma is encouraging all parents to commit to be the best Chief Education Officers (CEO) they can be this school year by taking the Sylvan Learning CEO Pledge on Facebook
(http://www.Facebook.com/SylvanLearning). Sylvan Learning of Tacoma and PTA are both committed to encouraging parents to play an active role in their child’s education and inspiring them to take on the coveted role of CEO this year is the first step. The pledge also helps parents support their
local PTA. The five PTAs with the most CEO pledges by Oct. 24 will receive a $1,000 grant from Sylvan Learning for 2014-2015 school-year initiatives.
“We not only want to encourage parents to take the CEO pledge but also grandparents, aunts, uncles and members of the local community as they all play a role in a child’s education,” said Gail Smith, owner, Sylvan Learning located in Tacoma. “By committing to be the best CEOs they can be, these individuals can come together to ignite a lifestyle of learning and set kids up for academic success now and in the future.”
PIERCE COLLEGE NAMED LEADER COLLEGE
Achieving the Dream has announced that Pierce College is one of 16 community colleges selected for the 2014 cohort of Achieving the Dream Leader Colleges – a national designation awarded to community colleges that commit to improving student success and closing achievement gaps.
“We are excited about the achievement gains we’ve made in a short period of time, and we remain committed to helping students complete their education goals,” said Chancellor Michele Johnson. “We are honored to be selected as a leader college.”
Achieving the Dream performed an extensive review of specified practice and performance activities. Pierce College has shown how data can inform policy and practice to help community college students achieve their goals, resulting in improved skills, better employability, and economic growth for families, communities, and the nation as a whole.
A few highlights of how Pierce College is raising the bar to better serve its students include improving overall retention rates of new, degree-seeking state-supported students. Between the 2009-10 and 2012-13 academic years, fall-to-fall retention rates increased from 53.4 percent to 58.1 percent. Overall fall-to-winter retention rates have also increased from 80.6 percent in 2010-11 to 84.9 percent in 2013-14. Since fall 2010, the overall completion rate in all precollege math courses has steadily increased, from 57.3 percent to 65.2 percent in Fall 2013.
Even more notable is that every demographic assessed (race/ethnicity, gender, Pell Grant recipient and first generation) experienced increases between 2011-12 and 2012-13.
“The work of improving student success is critically important to our education and economy,” said Carol Lincoln, Achieving the Dream Senior Vice President. “Pierce College has demonstrated that better student outcomes are possible when an institution focuses on policies and practices that help students learn at high levels and overcome challenges life throws at them. Pierce College is working hard to move the needle for whole cohorts of students, and deserves recognition for its relentless efforts and promising achievements.”
PIERCE COUNTY LIBRARY CHANGES DIGITAL MEDIA OFFERINGS
Pierce County Library is discontinuing two digital media services this month and expanding a third:
Axis 360, an e-book service, was discontinued on Sept. 26.
OneClickDigital, an e-book and audiobook service, was discontinued on Sept. 30.
Hoopla, a multi-faceted digital media service, expanded to include audiobooks on Oct. 1.
Customers can immediately search for e-books and audiobooks in the library’s OverDrive catalog at http://www.piercecounty.lib.overdrive.com.
As of Oct. 1 the library has expanded its offerings in the Hoopla catalog to include audiobooks. Customers can already download or stream music, movies and TV shows through Hoopla. The library also is increasing the checkout limits for customers from 8 to 12 within the Hoopla service.
Pierce County Library regularly reviews its collection to keep up with advances in e-book technology and to keep pace with changing customer interests.
Learn more about Pierce County Library’s digital offerings including music, magazines, movies and TV shows as well as e-books audiobooks. Download or stream to your electronic device of choice. All free with your Pierce County Library Card.
Questions? Email the library’s help desk or call (253) 548-3600.