College of Continuing and Professional Education at KSU

Inspiration Begins with OLLI

Kathy Forbes Self-Portrait

Longtime OLLI art instructor inspires while being inspired

Kathy Rennell Forbes has been a mainstay at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the College of Continuing and Professional Education at Kennesaw State University since 2007. As an art teacher, she brings her love of the medium and years of experience to our OLLI students. So, what keeps her coming back?

“The diversity of the students. I have students who have come from all over the world and who are now in (metro) Atlanta,” she said. Their enthusiasm for life and art, as well as their enthusiasm for continual growth, also inspires her, she said.

Forbes holds a BFA in Art and Art Education from the University of Georgia. Her accolades include designing a quilt for the 1996 Summer Olympics, serving as president of the Georgia Watercolor Society, having one-woman art shows, and having her pieces in private collections both nationally and internationally. Recently, some of her pieces were purchased for the NBC drama “Parenthood.” Art Smith, Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef, bought pieces as well.

However, she said the OLLI experience with her students continues to inspire and motivate her more than anything else. Some have even been able to have their own art shows and be featured in art publications.

“These people are making a life transition. They are close to retirement, or retired, and are contemplating what’s next. I feel like I’m an instrumental part in helping them figure that out,” Forbes said. “I love my students. I get as much joy out of teaching as I do painting.”

“I make it a point in every class to get around to each student individually,” she said. In fact, feedback from her students has opened the door for ideas for new classes. Beginning January 28^th, Forbes will be teaching classes such as “Beginning Portraits in Watercolor,” “Painted Vacations in Water Media,” “Beginning Watercolor” and “Oil Painting Beginning.” Register soon!

For more information or to request our quarterly Newsletter,

please call Michelle Girage at (770) 499-3340 or visit ccpe.kennesaw.edu.

Gloria Frattale, Canton resident, stands with Barbara Calhoun, dean of the College of Continuing and Professional Education at Kennesaw State University. Frattale attended the Winter Career Training Expo on Jan. 17 at KSU Center, 3333 Busbee Drive. She was the winner in a drawing for an iPad2.

KENNESAW -- Gloria Frattale, Canton resident, is the winner of an iPad2, courtesy of the College of Continuing and Professional Education at Kennesaw State University. Frattale, along with nearly 700 people, came to the Winter Career Training Expo at KSU Center, 3333 Busbee Drive, on Jan. 17.

The Career Training Expo serves as an open house for the community to learn about certificate programs and other opportunities offered at CCPE. Free sessions are held throughout the night, which highlight the more than 45 certificate programs offered. Examples include culinary, paralegal, web design, languages, healthcare, project management and personal training.

In addition to the certificate programs are the OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute and SummerU. OLLI serves people 50 and older with a variety of classes, such as art, photography and history, as well as hosting social events. SummerU caters to first- through 12th-graders with weekly sessions on science, media, cooking and more.

Frattale said a friend told her about the Career Training Expo, and that’s why she came.

“I haven’t work for almost a year now, and I wanted to do something to find a better job,” Frattale said.

She attended the medical interpreter session. “It was really good,” Frattale said. “They gave us really good information.”

Barbara Calhoun, dean, said, “The career expo is an opportunity for prospective students to have 1-on-1 conversations with instructors, program managers and other staff members. They also get to attend an expo that gives them an idea a view of what the program is about. It provides educational opportunity to help people improve their quality of life and their family’s lives by attaining better jobs.”

Minds and appetites were satisfied at the College of Continuing and Professional Education at Kennesaw State University when culinary students showed off their skills Jan. 17. The College hosts a Career Training Expo biannually, and the Culinary Apprenticeship Certificate Program is one of more than 45 professional certificate programs offered.

As part of the expo, culinary students Josh Spearing, Alyssa Carlin, Robert Lewis, Heather Schwab, Jennifer Simon-Jones, Larry Widi and Adrianna Alvarez made dishes for the hundreds of expo attendees to enjoy. The crowd enjoyed pan-seared chicken salad with red onions, carrots, red grapes; bacon-wrapped dates with almonds and soy sauce; and caramelized apple crostinis, toasted with tarragon-infused oil and topped with bleu cheese.

At the information session, program manager Pam Moss gave the attendees – close to 20! – the logistics of the program, including length, cost and requirements. Spearing and Lewis were also on hand to speak about experiences at their apprenticeship sites such Four Seasons, Parsley’s and Gabriel’s.

Moss told the crowd, “We thought, ‘What can we do to offer a good culinary program that takes a different approach?’ Our program offers you exposure to different venues.”

Lewis said, “The chefs don’t treat you with disrespect. They will reassure you.”

Spearing said, “I didn’t think I had the skills to match (The Four Seasons), but (Moss) told me to give it a shot.” He went on to say the staff there is encouraging, and he has learned so many new skills.

In the future, Moss said they hope to add industrial suppliers to the apprenticeship sites to reflect different options for employment in the culinary industry. The next culinary certificate program will begin in September. For more information, visit ksuculinary.com or call (770) 423-6765.

Mardi Gras Comes to OLLI

Come join us in your purple, green and gold for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute’s “Mardi Gras” winter social at the College of Continuing and Professional Education at Kennesaw State University. The event will be held Monday, February 18^th, at KSU Center.

Three times a year the institute, also known as OLLI, invites anyone 50 years of age and older to attend a special social event designed just for them. Many friendships have been made at these events, and folks enjoy getting together for dinner and dancing.

Music will be provided by the Reflections Swing Band and everyone is encouraged to be creative as they dress in New Orleans style Mardi Gras attire. There will be a prize for the best costume.

Socials traditionally draw as many as 250 attendees who come out for an evening of great food, dancing and a lot of fun.

Attendees are encouraged to bring pop tabs to donate to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The pop tabs collected help families of children that are ill. “Through the OLLI program we not only have a really great time, but we also give back to the community,” Mrs. Girage said. We are also encouraging attendees to bring donations for the families in Northern Georgia who have encountered tough times during last weeks storms.

The cost of the social is $10 per person and includes dancing, a catered dinner and an opportunity to make new friends while catching up with old ones. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. and dinner is served from 6-7 p.m. Dancing will be from 6-9 p.m. Reservations are required and parking is plentiful!

For more information or to request our quarterly Newsletter, please call

Michelle Girage at (770) 499-3340 or visit ksuolli.com.

The Art of Calligraphy

For people 50 and older, “any artistic endeavor is therapy,” says Ruth Murphy, Calligraphy instructor at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) of the College of Continuing and Professional Education at Kennesaw State University. “Once you master a new art form or hobby, there is a great deal of satisfaction felt from within.”

Many students who enroll in Ruth’s calligraphy course start out just wanting to learn to ‘write pretty’ for personal greeting cards, wedding invitations and posters. But many of them complete the class with the realization that they have created beautiful works of art. “Calligraphy is rewarding in that you create something beautiful. I think we all yearn for beauty in our lives and if we create the beauty, how much better is that?” asks Ruth.

In learning this creative art form, students will strive to express harmony and emotion through the forms of letters. Ruth’s calligraphy course focuses on uppercase and lowercase as well as basic italic lettering using the broad pen. “Students start off with double pencils and graduate to the wider wedge,” says Ruth. “Each person in the course ends up with his or her own individualized form of italic calligraphy.”

Ruth defines calligraphy as more of a creative art form than a typical writing technique. “It is a form of drawing, focusing on the proper shapes in combination to make letters. It is different because you do not move your hand, you move your entire arm to create the shapes,” she says.

Find your new artistic endeavor and experience beauty through calligraphy! This course is great for beginners, teachers, draftsmen, and production technicians. The course fee of $79 includes all the materials you will need to create something beautiful. Next class begins March 4th at noon and runs for three consecutive Monday’s.

For more information about OLLI or to request our quarterly Newsletter, please call Michelle Girage at (770) 499-3340 or visit ksuolli.com.

Forget the S’mores – Summer University takes camp to a whole new level! KSU Center will be transformed into SummerU starting June 3 and ending July 26 (with the exception of July 1-5). Hundreds of youth, rising first-graders through high school seniors, will participate in weeklong activities on subjects such as science, film, LEGOs, culinary, art and more.

Summer University began in 1985. The tradition continued in 2012 as nearly 700 students swelled KSU Center, 3333 Busbee Drive, for a summer of interactive learning fun.

This year, new classes include a Teen Leadership Academy, Creating Your Own Web Page, Dynomite Dinosaurs, Baking for Teens, and MS Office. Returning classes include Improv for Kids, Art & Nature, Blast Off with Rocket Camp, and Comic Book Art & Manga.

Class times are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parents can drop their kids off beginning at 8:30 a.m. Extended care is available through 6 p.m. for an additional fee.

All campers will wear identifying wristbands. They will also receive a special SummerU-themed T-shirts. Instructors and assistants are all CPR-trained.

For more information on registration, prices and class schedules, visit summeru.com or “like” Summer U on Facebook at facebook.com/SummerUniversityKSU.

Students, campus groups provide glimpse into Language programs, travel and more

KENNESAW, Ga. (March 6, 2013) – The fourth annual International Night at the College of Continuing and Professional Education proved to be a standing-room-only event full of storytelling, cultural dancing, humor, food and more!

The event took place at KSU Center, 3333 Busbee Drive, and highlighted the various language programs at the College while introducing different cultures through artistic expressions and first-person narratives. Attendees dined on food provided by Gary Coltek, director of KSU Culinary and Hospitality Services, and Enzo Mancuso, Catering Manager.

International Night 2013 was a melting pot of collaboration from campus groups, instructors and students. Dancers included Kennesaw Square Dealers (square dancing), Anarkali Dance Team (Indian dance), Association of Latin-American Students dancers and others from the International Student Association (ISA). Other participants also shared stories of learning English and world travels.

Lyn Cohen is the program manager for Languages, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL). Pam Cannon is the program director, and Barbara S. Calhoun is the dean of the College.

Language classes are taught by native speakers, and students learn speaking, vocabulary and writing skills. Spanish, Chinese, Italian, Portuguese and English are among the offerings. Online classes are also available, which provide the equivalent of the classroom instruction in an interactive format. For more information on the programs, visit ccpe.kennesaw.edu/languages.

Contact

Lyn Cohen, Program Manager

Languages, TESOL, ESL

(770) 499-3023

KSU Center is located at 3333 Busbee Drive in Kennesaw. Located conveniently between I-575 and I-75, the center is the site for the College’s classroom coursework and is the site of many educational conferences and where companies choose to conduct advance training for their employees.

KENNESAW, Ga. (March 14, 2013) – Whether you enjoy taking care of people, desire to improve your professional development skills, or are motivated to transform your culinary skills into a full-fledged career, a FREE information session at The College of Continuing and Professional Education at Kennesaw State University will have what you need.

A Career Training Expo on April 18 will highlight careers in healthcare, professional development, and culinary. This event will allow prospective students to talk with students, program managers and instructors on what to expect of the programs.

Healthcare programs to be covered that night are Phlebotomy Technician, Medical Office Assistant and Medical Billing and Coding Specialist. Professional Development courses to be highlighted are Project Management and our NEW offering, Computer Concepts and Microsoft Office. Our Culinary Apprenticeship Certificate is new to this event.

The purpose of Continuing and Professional Education programs is to provide skills and training for people to re-enter the workforce or advance their current careers. We serve nearly 20,000 people annually and have close to 50 professional certificate programs.

Information sessions will begin at 6 p.m. Location is KSU Center, 3333 Busbee Drive. Parking is free and plentiful. For more information or to register for this free event, visit ccpe.kennesaw.edu or call (770) 423-6765.

CONTACT

Ann Vancza, Program Director
(770) 423-3650
avancza@kennesaw.edu

KSU Center is located at 3333 Busbee Drive in Kennesaw. Located conveniently between I-575 and I-75, the center is the site for the College’s classroom coursework and is the site of many educational conferences and where companies choose to conduct advance training for their employees.

Pictured are Pam Cannon (seated),

Lyn Cohen (back left) and Katia Reynolds (back right).

KENNESAW, Ga. (March 18, 2013) – The Language Department at KSU’s College of Continuing and Professional Education won the Georgia Adult Education Association (GAEA) Innovative Programming Award on March 11.

The GAEA conference took place March 11 and 12 at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Ga. According to its website, gaea.org, the organization functions as the umbrella organization serving adult educators from all segments of the profession.

Our award-winning program was the transition of the English as a Second Language (ESL) placement test from a pencil/paper format to online. In the past, the staff members would work with students (who spoke various languages) to get them started on the test and assigned to the appropriate class after the test was graded manually. Language barriers caused difficulties in actual class enrollment, and students would have to wait while scores were tabulated for their class assignment.

The placement test, now in an online format, includes a translation feature. Once the test is completed, the approved-level class plus the student’s personal information route immediately to Registration, making course enrollment much quicker and easier.

Staff members instrumental in the process include Lyn Cohen, Language Program Manager; Katia Reynolds, Administrative Associate I; Pam Cannon, Program Director; and Nancy DeLisle-Brown and Angela Kyriacou, instructors. For more information on our ESL program, visit ccpe.kennesaw.edu/esl.

CONTACT
Pam Cannon, Program Director
ESL, Professional Development II
Paralegal/Human Resources/Language
(770) 423-6638
pcannon5@kennesaw.edu

Learn a New Language

Curiosity is Fearless

Did you know Spanish is one of the oldest and easiest languages to learn? Nancy DeLisle-Brown, Spanish instructor for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), thinks that everyone should learn Spanish.

Spanish I – Conversational is offered quarterly at Kennesaw State University through the College of Continuing and Professional Education. OLLI classes promote lifelong learning and continued intellectual and personal growth for those of us who are age 50+. OLLI is located at KSU Center where there is easy access and plentiful parking.

Nancy’s classes use conversations, role play, recording of pronunciation and phrases as well as listening to songs in Spanish to enhance the learning experience. Common phrases, vocabulary, pronunciation and conversation are taught in a simple and logical order to help the learner develop language skills in a natural way.

This course begins with the basics of conversation; students in OLLI’s Spanish course learn step-by-step how to construct sentences from words. Anyone who is age 50 or older and looking to gain comfort in their travels, social events, daily life and professional situations would benefit from taking this course.

OLLI’s next Spanish I – Conversational course begins on April 11 and runs for 7 consecutive Thursday’s. The cost is $159 and the class time is from 10am – 1pm. OLLI maintains a small class size so that students get the most out of all classes, so make sure to reserve your spot today!

For more information or to request our quarterly Newsletter, please call

Michelle Girage at (770) 499-3340 or visit ksuolli.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Michelle Girage, Coordinator
(770) 499-3340
mgirage1@kennesaw.edu

KENNESAW, Ga. (April 8, 2013) – When it comes to education, the stakes are never too high! The College of Continuing and Professional Education at Kennesaw State University is rolling the dice with its Casino Night Scholarship Fundraiser. The event, the first of its kind, is Sept. 28, 2013, from 6 to 10 p.m. at KSU Center, 3333 Busbee Drive.

Vegas might be the theme of Casino Night, but education is its purpose. The College of Continuing and Professional Education offers more than 45 professional certificate programs in areas such as Culinary, Web Design, Healthcare, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Paralegal and more.

Our programs have made it possible for thousands of our students to either re-enter the workforce or advance in their current careers. However, some of our prospective students might not be able to afford our classes. Through this fundraiser, we want to help them not only reach their goals, but surpass them.

Barbara S. Calhoun, dean of the College of Continuing and Professional Education, said, “It is vital that these scholarships are available for our students. There is nothing more powerful than an education, and it is absolutely crucial in today’s world. That’s why this fundraiser is so important.”

So what can people expect? The KSU Center will take on a Las Vegas casino feel, complete with gaming tables, prizes and musical entertainment. Rhubarb Jones, former Eagle 106.7 personality and current KSU communications instructor, will serve as our esteemed master of ceremonies. He will be accompanied by Scott Whitlock, KSU’s soon-to-be-retired head softball coach. Expect the unexpected with these two!

All ticketholders must be at least 21 to attend (IDs will be checked prior to entry). Tickets are $100 each and include $25,000 in “Casino Bucks” for games, two drink tickets, a buffet of heavy hors d’voeuvres, promotional items, opportunities to win prizes and more. Sponsorship levels are also available, and donations are always welcome.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ksufundraiser.com. To request interviews and/or high-resolution images, contact Davia Lassiter at dmosley7@kennesaw.edu or (770) 423-6915.

KSU Center is located at 3333 Busbee Drive in Kennesaw. Located conveniently between I-575 and I-75, the center is the site for the College’s classroom coursework and is the site of many educational conferences and where companies choose to conduct advance training for their employees.

Texas Red presents history with a twist

Who knew an expert on the American West can be found at KSU Center? Quentin Thomas – AKA “Texas Red” – will be gearing up to teach “Spirits of the Great American West,” beginning April 17, as part of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI).

OLLI is one of the many components of the College of Continuing and Professional Education at KSU. Programs and events are geared toward people age 50 and older.

According to www.texasred.org, Thomas’ nickname stemmed from a penname (he writes “cowboy poetry”). The retired USAF colonel is well-known in Roswell and Woodstock for his energetic and emphatic history lessons of the Sioux Indians, Louisiana Purchase and Texas Rangers … just to name a few!

“I grew up in an era when everybody was playing cowboys and Indians,” said the native Texan. “Our heroes at that time had fan clubs and so forth, and they all had a code of the West. All of the great cowboy characters had that.” He said the genre instilled good character in a lot of young people.

According to his class outline, the lessons will begin with migration theories on the population of the Americans and conclude with the end of the Open Range era with some questions on the existence of Great American West spirits.

An optional component to the class is a trip to the Booth Museum of Western Art in Cartersville where he serves as a docent. Cost is $10 for adults and $8 for adults 65 and older; the price is not included in class registration.

Topics such as migrations and the Trail of Tears might stir debates, but Thomas doesn’t shy away from it. He said, “Usually we are trying to clarify misconceptions.”

Small classes are also important to him. Thomas said he wants people to feel comfortable asking questions. He said, “I teach in big gigantic ovals. I don’t want it to be so linear. I want to be able to carry the story all the way through to a natural stopping place even though we may expand on it in a later class.”

Overall, Thomas wants his students to come out of the class with more curiosity. He said, “I want them to go research it. (When) they do, (they) come back with more questions.”

He adds, “I try to be very candid and honest. You can’t be too politically correct because there is no room in history for that.”

“Spirits of the Great American West” begins April 17 and runs for eight Wednesday sessions, 10 to 11:30 a.m. The cost is only $99; call today to reserve your seat! To register for the class, visit ksuolli.com.

For more information on OLLI programs, contact Michelle Girage at mgirage1@kennesaw.edu or 770-499-3340.

Culinary students showcase improved skills during Mystery Baskets: Part II

Big flavors and even bigger appetites were all part of the second installment of Mystery Baskets on April 3, 2013, at the College of Continuing and Professional Education at Kennesaw State University. The students in the Culinary Apprenticeship Program were able to once again showcase their skills during CCPE’s take on The Food Network’s show “Chopped.”

Chef instructors Frazer Breckenridge and Greg Brooks facilitated the session. The students were given a basket that contained a starch, protein and vegetable. The challenge? Create and plate a dish in 90 minutes.

With the fervor of an episode of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” 12 culinary students mastered their dishes. Examples of the cuisine included a salad of Brussels sprouts, pecans and honey, Thai spring rolls with rib eye and vegetables, risotto with caramelized pearl onions in cream sauce, and sweet potato ratatouille with apples, peppers and onions.

The grand finale of the program is the Chef’s Table on May 1 where students will have their skills on display for family, friends and staff. Graduation is June 20.

The next Culinary Apprenticeship Certificate program begins Sept. 4, 2013. Spanning nearly nine months, the program is designed to mirror the European model, which provides students the opportunity to apprentice alongside professional chefs.

Classes take place at KSU Center, 3333 Busbee Drive. While students learn knife techniques and other important skills in the kitchen, it is at their culinary apprenticeships where they get a taste of the real world. Fine-dining establishments such as Elevation Chophouse, Villa Christina and Park 75 at the Four Seasons and companies such as Endive Catering and Parsley’s Custom Catering also serve as their classroom.

For more information, contact Pam Moss, Culinary Apprenticeship Certificate program manager, at (770) 423-6963 or pmoss6@kennesaw.edu.

Digital Is Where It Is

Curiosity is Fearles

Wondering what to do with that digital camera you purchased months ago? Intimidated by all the settings and options when you power it on? We have the solution for you at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Kennesaw State University. The College of Continuing and Professional Education offers a course through our OLLI program that is geared toward the photography novice. This course is certain to create a new appreciation among its attendees for their digital cameras.

Since the 1990s, digital cameras have become more and more common, and also more affordable. Because of this, it's now easier than ever to get started with photography. Luckily, you don't need to buy a professional-level camera to get good results. The most important factor is the skill of the photographer.

“Since switching from film to digital, I have always been fascinated with how much control you have in digital photography,” said Norm Paschal, OLLI’s Digital Photography instructor. From easier picture storage to instant picture results on a small screen, “digital is where it is,” says Norm.

Capturing memories is just one of the perks you can enjoy with digital photography. You can take snapshots of your friends or document your family's trip to the beach. If you want, you can print them on photo paper, or you can just view them on a computer, TV, or digital photo frame.

Class Begins May 1st and runs for 3 Wednesday’s from 1 pm - 3 pm. Cost is only $89, call to reserve your spot today!

For more information or to request a quarterly Newsletter, please call

Michelle Girage at (770) 499-3340.

Programs provide perks for employers

KENNESAW, Ga. (April 29, 2013) – What is the No. 1 qualification sought in potential employees?

Computer skills are a necessity in every business, large and small. As technology changes, it is vital for businesses to be on the cutting edge of the newest trends and programs.

The College of Continuing and Professional Education at Kennesaw State University’s Computer Concepts and Microsoft Office® certificate program provides training in computer and software fundamentals. Programs to be covered include Windows 7 and Internet Explorer 8. Upon completion, your employees will be able to show improvement in creating spreadsheets, presentations, databases and more. This class begins May 13 and lasts 13 weeks.

For more specific training in Microsoft Office® applications, the College of Continuing and Professional Education offers these classes with levels ranging from Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced. Training in Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Access are all available.

“Stronger employees result in stronger businesses,” said Ann Vancza, program director for the courses. “The courses are designed to boost productivity and efficiency – two qualities that will never be outdated.”

For more information on schedules and cost, visit ccpe.kennesaw.edu/computers or contact Vancza, program director, at avancza@kennesaw.edu or (770) 499-3650.

Caption: Culinary Apprenticeship Certificate students, chef instructors and Pam Moss, program manager, are all smiles at Chef's Table on May 1 at the College of Continuing and Professional Education at Kennesaw State University. (Photo by Reid Traylor)

Culinary students present grand finale

KENNESAW, Ga. (May 7, 2013) – Future chefs put nearly nine months of learning on display during Chef’s Table on May 1 at the College of Continuing and Professional Education at Kennesaw State University. This event served as the grand finale for the Culinary Apprenticeship Certificate program at the college.

Each year, classes begin in September and end in May, followed by graduation in June. Students enrolled in the program are exposed to the European model of instruction which provides an opportunity to apprentice alongside professional chefs. Classes take place at KSU Center (3333 Busbee Drive, Kennesaw, GA, 30144).

While students learn knife techniques and other important skills in the professional kitchen at KSU Center, it is at their culinary apprenticeships where they get a taste of the real world. Fine-dining establishments such as Elevation Chophouse, Villa Christina and Park 75 at the Four Seasons and companies such as Endive Catering and Parsley’s Custom Catering also serve as their classroom.

“A Salute to Sustainability” was the theme at this year’s Chef’s Table. Family, friends and instructors feasted on offerings such as scallop and shrimp ceviche, stuffed mushrooms, Jamaican jerk chicken, chicken garbanzo salad, tarragon and gruyere petite quiches, and halibut tacos.

Pam Moss, Culinary Apprenticeship Certificate program manager, said, “It’s such a joy to see the growth and development of our students from start to finish. Our instructors and mentors do such a great job of training and guiding these future chefs.”

Chef instructors Greg Brooks and Frazer Breckenridge guide the students throughout the program. Chef mentors are Rich Bradshaw from Elevation Chophouse, Drew Ihrig from Endive Catering, Robert Gerstenecker from Park 75 at the Four Seasons, Andreas Georgakopoulos from Villa Christina, and Marc Sommers from Parsley’s Custom Catering.

The fifth cycle of the Culinary Apprenticeship Certificate program begins Sept. 4, 2013. The next free information session is July 25 at 7:15 p.m. at KSU Center. For more information on the program, visit ksuculinary.com. For more on the information session, visit ksuexpo.com.

OLLI gets summer sizzling

with “Wild, Wild West” social

KENNESAW, Ga. (May 7, 2013) - Break out your cowboy (or cowgirl!) hats and your best boots and join the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for its “Wild, Wild West” summer social at the College of Continuing and Professional Education at Kennesaw State University on June 17 at 6 p.m.

The OLLI experience is geared toward adults 50 and older. Classes explore calligraphy, Tai Chi, watercolor, history – even Facebook! Socials are held throughout the year just for this special group. Nearly 250 people come out to listen to live music, meet new people and, most of all, have a good time.

The Society Express Band will provide the soundtrack to this summer’s social. Participants are encouraged to dress in their best western garbs. A prize will be awarded for the best costume!

Attendees are also encouraged to bring pop tabs to donate to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The pop tabs collected help families of children that are ill.

“Through the OLLI program we not only have a really great time, but we also give back to the community,” said Michelle Girage, program director.

The cost of the social is $10 per person and includes dancing, a catered dinner and an opportunity to make new friends while catching up with old ones. Payment is required in advance. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. and dinner is served from 6-7 p.m. Dancing will be from 6-9 p.m. Reservations are required and parking is plentiful! Visit ksuolli.com or call 770-423-6765 or 770-499-3340 for more information.

Chet Austin, namesake of the Teen Leadership Academy debuting at this year's Summer University.

Chet Austin Teen Leadership Academy

to debut at KSU’s Summer University

KENNESAW, Ga. (May 14, 2013) -- Local youth will be part of a new program this summer when the Chet Austin Leadership Academy begins at Summer University at the College of Continuing and Professional Education at KSU. For nearly 15 years, “SummerU” has offered camps in science, art, technology and more to make for a summer of interactive learning fun.

The Chet Austin Leadership Academy will focus on molding future leaders through training, team-building activities and more. Self-esteem, social etiquette, bullying and cultural differences are among the many topics to be explored. Barbara Calhoun, dean of the College of Continuing and Professional Education, will lead this initiative.

“I have a passion for training young people to develop to their full potential,” she said. “I think education and the exposure to business leaders will inspire and open the door of opportunity to the future for each young life we touch with the Chet Austin Leadership Academy.”

So, who is Chet Austin? The academy's namesake served as the CEO of Tip Top Poultry. A.L. Burruss, Austin’s longtime friend, served as president of the company from 1954 until his death in 1986.

Austin retired in 1999 and established the Al and Chet Education fund in 2005 that has greatly benefited the College of Continuing and Professional Education. He also made a major contribution for the establishment of a leadership program for credit students on the main campus at KSU.

Teen Leadership Academy sessions are June 3-7 for grades 7-12 and July 22-26 for grades 6-9. For more information, visit summeru.com.

From left are OLLI Scholars Nancy J. Emmons, Pauline Meyer, Judy Grancher and instructor Lynne Mock.

Program encourages adults 50+ to become tech savvy

KENNESAW, Ga. (May 14, 2013) – Do you want to be more computer savvy? The OLLI Scholar Computer Certificate Course at KSU’s College of Continuing and Professional Education has helped nearly 90 people to do just that.

The program, offered by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, began in 2008. To date, 84 people have successfully completed the program. The OLLI Scholar program offers people a chance to boost skills and/or learn new ones.

Participants have up to one year to take five foundation courses. They are “Introduction to PCs,” “Internet and Email Savvy,” Windows 7 – Level 1,” “Microsoft Word” and “Easy Steps to Safeguard Your Computer.” Computer novices are encouraged to take the “Let’s Begin with Computers” course first before the OLLI Scholar program.

All classes are taught by longtime OLLI instructor Lynne Mock, an engineer who also operates a consulting firm. She has more than 30 years of teaching experience. OLLI Scholars praise Mock’s instruction as well as the class setting and skills they attain. The specific age group – adults 50 and older – adds a certain comfort level for the participants in the program.

Michelle Girage, program director, said, “These classes are great for people who want to return to the workforce, refresh their memory, or show off to their grandkids!”

For more information on the class schedule, visit ksuolli.com or call (770) 499-3340.

KSU instructor to teach English abroad

KENNESAW, Ga. (May 16, 2013) – Maura Nicholson of the College of Continuing and Professional Education at Kennesaw State University will be traveling to Brasov, Romania, in June as a subject-matter expert for teaching English. She is an

For the past 12 years, the TESOL program has prepared many students to become successful instructors in the U.S. and abroad. Learning is available in the classroom at KSU Center or online (ksutesolonline.com).

Nicholson will be the director of instruction for the University of North Georgia’s Cadet English Language Training Team program, which sends ROTC cadets abroad to teach English to fellow cadets. She will be in Romania for three weeks to assist the American cadets in preparing for the classes.

She said, “The most exciting aspect of just about any trip for me is the opportunity to see another culture firsthand. Since we will be staying with the cadets, we will be immersed in the culture for three weeks, sharing our way of life and language with them and learning theirs in return.”

Lyn Cohen, Languages program manager, said, “It’s a great cultural exchange. The classes are primarily conversational English with topics that help each of the countries’ students learn about the other.”

In addition to teaching various TESOL courses at KSU, Nicholson also works at Druid Hills High School teaching ESOL (levels 1-4). She received her master’s degree in Applied English/Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Georgia State University and is a former adjunct instructor at KSU.

“I love teaching in the College of Continuing and Professional Education’s TESOL program. It attracts students who are truly interested in changing the world through language,” Nicholson said. “The program provides them with the tools they need to go abroad and teach in another culture, or stay here and teach English language-learners in a variety of situations.”

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KSU instructor to teach English abroad