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One of the highlights for the Delta College community at the end of each school year is the Annual Student Art Exhibition and Awards. While the Fine Arts Building Galleria (located in S-wing) showcases outstanding student work throughout the year, the Annual Exhibit is the one time the Delta College Art + Design faculty bring the show into the community. Past shows have been held in Bay City and Saginaw, but the pandemic struck, and the Midland venue had to be postponed. Rising to the challenge, faculty devised an alternative method for sharing selected student painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, design, graphic design, and photography.

The Delta College Associate in Fine Arts Virtual Student Exhibition 2021 is a sixteen-minute full-color, high resolution video displaying of student work from the past two years. The works were selected by Art Instructor Tamar Aldrich, Art Instructor Sanford Buchalter, Associate Professor of Art Ben Clore, Professor of Art Randal Crawford, Art Instructor Amy Gibas, Associate Professor of Art Michael Glowacki, and Associate Professor of Art Andrew Rieder.

Pictured: Best of Best in Show Winner “Perspective” by Jocelyn Gonzales, ART 111 Drawing II, Instructor Randal Crawford.

The Student Exhibit is important,” Michael Glowacki says, “to emphasize the value of showing your work as an artist. Showing work to the public furthers the support of the arts in our local communities while also preparing students for the process of applying to art exhibitions, the reality of sometimes not having your work selected, and furthering confidence in their craft.”

“Normally,” Michael adds, “one of the many benefits of an off-campus student exhibit is that we are able to showcase the hard work of our students while supporting a local arts venue in one of the tri-cities. With a virtual exhibit, the major benefit to give our students a well-deserved pat on the back while showcasing that the arts are not going anywhere even amid a pandemic.

“Students interested in pursuing a career in the arts are not only creative in the field but can be in life as well. It has been amazing to see how art students adapt to continuing their craft remotely. Some students had struggled at times including myself as an instructor, but, given the circumstances, a majority have had the attitude of ‘we are all in this together,’ and we figured out a way to successfully work remotely this past year. There has been equally impressive work created this past year in comparison to previous years before the pandemic. As an instructor, I will say it has been surprising how connections with students are still made, but I do look forward to meeting these students in person more regularly in the future.”

The Annual Student Art Exhibit will continue, hopefully in person for 2022, though Michael says they will also document and share the exhibit virtually as they have done this year. While the pandemic may have forced the faculty to create alternative methods, many of these have proved viable options or enhancements in our new normal.

Delta College Faculty regularly participate in their professions at the national level, as in Physical Therapist Assistant Associate Professor Christopher Hausbeck’s invitation to serve as an Item Writer for the National Physical Therapy Examinations (NPTE), administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). According to the FSBT, “Development of the NPTE is an important component of FSBPT’s mission to protect the public by providing service and leadership that promote safe and competent physical therapy practice. The contributions of Item Writers for the NPTE is critical in supporting this mission.”

Chris is ready to commit to the four-month term that includes a three-day training workshop to start. “The expectation,” he says, “is to create forty exam questions during the four-month term. The questions are reviewed and analyzed on multiple levels before eventually (hopefully) being accepted for use.”

This work is essential, Chris explains, since “passing the NPTE is required to become licensed in the field, which is necessary to work. There is a Physical Therapist version of the exam and a Physical Therapist Assistant version of the exam. Once an individual passes the exam, that person can work anywhere in the USA.”

The initial commitment for Item Writers is one-time, but, often, Chris says, “they are asked to serve for additional terms. There are multiple workshops held throughout the year with an ongoing staff of writers. The expectation is that each participant creates and submits their own questions with oversight from the Item Writer Coordinator.”

The benefit of this work goes both ways, Chris adds, “I am excited to get an insider’s perspective as to how the questions on this important national exam are constructed, so I can bring that knowledge back to my students and Physical Therapy Assistant Program at Delta College. It is also a neat way to give back to the profession.”

Surgical Programs Faculty at Delta College were excited to welcome a new addition to their classroom on April 29 this year. A new lap Surgical Technical simulator will be used by both Surgical Technology students and Surgical First Assistant students. The lap ST simulator will allow students to practice holding the camera for laparoscopic procedures as well as develop hand eye coordination and practice anatomy recognition exercises. This is essential knowledge and skill for Delta program graduates to have so they can assist surgeons with laparoscopic surgery procedures such as as clamping vessels, cutting, suctioning, and suturing. Delta College ST and SFA faculty will also receive special training in order to teach this new technology. Once again, Delta College faculty keep both themselves and their students up-to-date with technology to produce some of the most sought-after graduates in the field. To better understand how this technology is used, watch laparoscopy simulation training videos on the Surgical Science website: Video | LapSim® | Surgical Science

Delta College Faculty often serve in multiple roles at the college, including Crystal McMorris, Associate Professor of English, who is also Advisor to the Delta Collegiate, the student-run news organization that has operated at Delta College since its founding in 1961.

Through her commitment to freedom of the press, Crystal has mentored countless students on to careers in Journalism and Integrated Media, with many of them earning accolades along the way. This year was no exception as work by two Delta College student-journalists earned statewide recognition in the 2021 Michigan Community College Press Association Awards: one for commentary by Velencia Mejia and another for photography by Michael Pieper.

“This was a difficult year for student-journalists, who had to navigate a new way of gathering information during a pandemic,” Crystal said. As a Certified Media Advisor, Crystal’s role is to provide support and advice to the Collegiate staff, who make final decisions themselves regarding content they publish on their web site and social media, exercising their First Amendment rights. The print edition has been temporarily discontinued due to a lack of students on campus.

“Despite our challenges of budget cuts and social distancing, the student-journalists have continued to find ways to create content that engages readers in the Delta College community,” Crystal said. “The staff has shown dedication and creativity during this tough time.”

“I am especially proud of Michael and Velencia for their awards, but the whole staff deserves recognition for keeping the Collegiate going during an unprecedented time, when we could not even access our newsroom.”

The award-winning photo by Michael Pieper captured the action of Delta’s last home men’s basketball game before the pandemic upended college sports, and Velencia Mejia’s humor column offered insight into the life of a pregnant student.

Associate Professor of Surgical Technology Rebecca Hall is both a contributing author and executive editor of a new textbook, The Practice and Principles of Surgical Assisting. One of the nation’s top publishing companies, McGraw Hill, is the publisher. Rebecca explains, “It is being written by surgical assistants to be used by the surgical assisting programs. While McGraw Hill is the publisher, the Association of Surgical Assistants is the sponsor. They will own the rights to the book.”

Since the book is currently only 60% complete, Rebecca explains, it is not yet slated for a publication date. “The publisher needs 80% to begin building the book. I am hopeful the remaining chapters will come in in a timely manner.”

There can be no better authors and editors for textbooks than experienced teachers, especially from such a successful program as Delta’s. Both our students and faculty have much to look forward to when the book becomes available for classroom use.

On March 12, 2021, Professor of Psychology Dr. Ralph Worthing presented the paper “How Political Affiliation Affects Attitudes Toward Mask-wearing, White Privilege, and Systemic Racism” at the annual conference of the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, & Letters (MASAL), which was held virtually this year.

Dr. Worthing’s paper was based on an in-class survey research demonstration in his Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 Introduction to Psychology classes. Dr. Worthing asked students to indicate their political affiliation, then rate their attitudes toward wearing masks in public and the social issues of White Privilege and Systemic Racism.

Dr. Worthing opened his presentation with this comment, “A phrase than can make me cringe is ‘research has shown’. Research can be meaningful or meaningless, depending upon the skills and objectivity of the researcher. I like to have my students understand that concept by experiencing the process of research from the ground up. Hence, I engage my students in some type of study each semester. My goal is for the scientific method to become real to them rather than an abstraction.”

What could be timelier and more meaningful than the exploration of these attitudes, which intersect several very real social issues? Dr. Worthing has shared his presentation notes here, which students also read and reflect on to close the loop in their learning experience:

History Instructor Michael Evans is organizing the 36th International Conference on Medievalism to be hosted online by Delta College on November 4-6, 2021. The conference is run under the auspices of the International Society for the Study of Medievalism, of which Michael has been an active member for fifteen years.

“Medievalism,” Michael explains, “is the study of modern responses to, and interpretations of, the Middle Ages. It is inescapable in contemporary culture, from the success of medievalist fantasy television shows such as Game of Thrones and The Witcher, through media comparisons between Covid-19 and the Black Death, to the use of medieval rhetoric and imagery in extremist political movements.”

Even though there are many popular connections with this time in history, Michael says, “the study of the Middle Ages is in decline in higher education, coming under assault in the name of cost-cutting and ‘relevance.'” And yet, given the parallel events occurring in our time, Michael asserts, “This is, therefore, the ideal time to assess the state of medievalism today.”

Michael will also be speaking on “teaching and medievalism” at the online Global Medievalism conference on April 28-30, 2021, organized by the Medieval Studies Group from Unimontes, Brazil.

He is also continuing his research on Isabella Capet, a medieval queen of England, which he plans to develop into a book. He will be presenting papers about Isabella (remotely) at the International Congress on Medieval Studies (Western Michigan University, May 2021); the 10th Annual Kings and Queens conference (University of the Highlands and Islands, Scotland, June 2021); and the International Medieval Congress (University of Leeds, England, July 2021).

Lifelong Wellness Professor Renee Hoppe says making masks wasn’t something she’d ever thought about before 2020, “but now, making twenty masks or more a week is just part of my schedule.” It all started last July. “I hadn’t taken my kids, ages 4, 7, and 8, anywhere and realized that this virus wasn’t going away. I couldn’t keep us in a bubble forever, but I tried. I knew we would need masks, but how uncomfortable was that?! I had watched the news, and just about everyone I saw wearing them had ineffective, ill-fitting masks, and I wasn’t impressed.”

“I started YouTubing patterns and sewing designs. I went through a few styles before finding a pattern developed by an engineer who created a mask design for kids at St. Jude Children’s Hospital. It’s a 3D style mask, so it doesn’t touch the nostrils or mouth. I could get on board with that, but could my kids? I was pleasantly surprised how well received this design was. Now I was onto something!

“By the end of the week, I had six pattern sizes to custom fit everyone in the family, but I was still pretty slow at making them. I could make two masks an hour on a good day. Eventually, I started turning them out faster and customizing the design. I ramped up my collection of different-sized bendable nose pieces, different colors and sizes of elastic, matching thread colors, sizers, fun fabrics, and several different thicknesses for polypropylene filters to fit inside the masks. Several of these materials were not easy to purchase for a good portion of 2020, but now there are many options for available.

“For anyone who knows me, of course, I’m going all out and probably over the top to make sure the masks I make are the most effective and comfortable they can be. My kids now have to wear them seven or more hours a day, so I was going to give it my best effort. Fortunately, I did pretty good. People would see our masks and notice how well they stayed on and asked where we got them. Plus, the patterns screamed fun, from Baby Yoda to Unicorns to Red Wings – I made them all. The conversation always ended with me offering to make the other person a mask. This caught on like wildfire, and I couldn’t help but to keep offering. I wanted people to be as comfortable as possible and give them options. One of my kid’s teachers loved his mask so much, he said he was going to wear it every day he had to be at the school. Well, of course I couldn’t have that, so I made him twelve more to allow for a variety. I also started using my Circuit and making custom logos and designs on the masks. Oh yeah, I ramped it up a notch to make it more fun for those on the receiving end.

“I have to say, there were lots of late nights trying to stay up with the requests, but it felt good to help out, and I liked the joy it brought people. They were so thankful, just for a mask. The kindness and appreciation keep me going. One night, I sat down and said to my husband, ‘I bet I’ve made over 500 masks already.’ He said, ‘At least!’ It made me feel good to reflect on how many different people were wearing them: schoolteachers, healthcare workers, coaches, players, grandparents, grocery store workers. I thought, ‘I did something good in this pandemic.’ It felt awesome.

“After a while, people would reach out to me and want to purchase a mask. I said I wasn’t selling – I was just making them whenever I had free time for those that needed one. Almost a year later I am still watching JoAnn’s for sales and coupons, so I can continue to sew masks for those that need them. At this point, I believe I am close, if not over, 1000 masks, and I don’t see myself stopping until masks stop being a top accessory when leaving the house.”

Delta College English Faculty walk their talk by having works chosen for publication in the Center for Community Writing 2020 issue of Still Life Art & Poetry Journal. Instructor Donald Winter [pictured], Associate Professor Mark Brown, Professor Stuart Barbier, Professor Denise Hill, and Professor Jeff Vande Zande each submitted poetry to the annual publication which is open to all Saginaw, Bay, and Midland County residents—or to all visitors to the Saginaw Community Writing Center or Bay Community Writing Center. Professor Mark Brown’s poem “Miles” won the distinction of first place in the adult category for Still Life’s annual contest!

Here is a link to a PDF of the journal, which is also available in print at public libraries in the area: Still Life

The call for submissions for the 2021 issue of Still Life is open through July 15, 2021. Visit the Community Writing Center for more information.

During the fall 2020 semester, Associate Professor of Management Dawn Fairchild’s students in Entrepreneurship: Ideas & Innovation course (ENT131) interacted virtually with a team from Soran University in Kurdistan, Iraq where they researched problems and developed an international sustainable business solution in the arts and entertainment industry.

Teams competed against peers to craft sustainable solutions that engaged businesses within their communities using a human centered design approach (design thinking). Through the competition, students developed skills to collaborate across cultures, solve problems, develop innovative business concepts, and cultivate teamwork and leadership skills while solving global challenges at the local level.

There were a total of 26 teams made up of over 500 U.S., Iraq, and Jordan students. Students earned badges throughout the competition to display on their LinkedIn profiles. Badges included:

• Critical Thinking and Creative Problem Solving
• Cross-cultural Communication
• Virtual Collaboration
• Empathy
• Adaptability
• Entrepreneurial Thinking

Judges critiqued the business concepts and prototypes each team submitted. The top teams selected pitched their ideas at the Virtual Global Business Expo in December. The Delta/Kurdistan team received an honorable mention and a runner-up standing. Their final presentation and prototype (they developed a website) can be viewed at youtu.be/npZ_6lItkQw.