1. SECTION E, PAGE 4 WWW.MARIETTATIMES.COM WEEKEND, AUG. 22-23, 2015
NEIGHBORHOODS
AT&T and Washington State work on College Ready Project
Washington State Com-
munity College (WSCC)
was presented with a check
for $8,000 as a contribution
from the AT&T Foundation
on Thursday, Aug. 13. The
contribution supports stu-
dent success through the
continuation of the College
Ready Project coordinated
through WSCC in partner-
ship with the Ohio Valley
Educational Service Center
(OVESC) which serves 12
school districts and two
career center districts. In
addition to the districts
served by the OVESC, Mor-
gan Local Schools are also
participating in the project.
The College Ready Proj-
ect focuses on the issues
that exist with college
preparation. Each year a
large number of rising sen-
iors test into developmental
courses when they begin
college. These courses are
designed to help them gain
skills they missed in high
school classes that are nec-
essary to succeed in col-
lege-level math and/or Eng-
lish courses. Oftentimes
these developmental cours-
es also delay graduation,
cost additional money, and
do not count towards a
degree. By providing those
essential skills to students
while they are still in high
school, students will save
both time and money once
they start their college
career.
“Helping students to be
prepared for college work is
everyone’s responsibility.
That AT&T has found it a
worthy cause to support
financially is a credit to
their commitment to this
community. WSCC is very
pleased to be working in
partnership with the school
systems in the region to
help ensure student success,
and we greatly appreciate
the assistance of AT&T,”
said WSCC President Dr.
Bradley Ebersole.
With the assistance of the
funds, the College Ready
Project will help high
school teachers and college
faculty work collaboratively
to identify the math and
English skills that students
lack when they reach col-
lege. Instructors will then
build those missing skills
into their high school class-
es. High school students
will be paired with mentors
for English and math tutor-
ing. At the same time, the
mentors will also work with
students to understand real
world expectations, explore
career opportunities and
prepare a post-graduation
career plan to reach their
career goals.
“There is no greater
investment that any organi-
zation can make than in the
education of Ohio’s future
leaders,” said State Repre-
sentative Andy Thompson.
“The work of Washington
State Community College
and its partners is to be
commended, as it keeps our
youth on track to graduate
high school prepared for
success in whatever endeav-
or they choose next.”
The focus of the project
will be centered on improv-
ing the college readiness of
the middle-quartile stu-
dents. These are students
who are close to being
assessed as college ready.
These students are often at a
disadvantage due to a lack
of resources or program-
ming available to assist
them. As Vice President for
Academic Affairs Dr. Mark
Nutter said, “One member
of our consortium termed
these students the “forgot-
ten middle” because there
are often programs to sup-
port the strongest and weak-
est students, but these stu-
dents seem to miss out on
programming aimed at
helping them.”
Students will be tested
using a college placement
test while they are still high
school juniors and seniors
so that additional assistance
can take place if needed,
before the students get to
college.
“Preparing our high
school students for success
after graduation benefits
them and our communities,”
said B.J. Smith, director of
external affairs, AT&T
Ohio. “The College Ready
Project is leveraging proven
strategies to keep students
in Southeast Ohio engaged
in high school, help them
succeed academically, and
graduate prepared for suc-
cess in higher education.
We are happy to support
this program.”
In addition to WSCC,
Belmont College, Zane
State College, Ohio Univer-
sity, Muskingum University
and Marietta College are
also involved in the College
Ready Project.
Pictured, from left: Chris Keylor, Superintendent, OVESC; Phil Ackerman, Director, Shared & Administrative Services, OVESC; Dr.
Bradley Ebersole, WSCC President; B. J. Smith Director, External Affairs, AT&T Ohio; Andy Thompson, State Representative; Dr.
Mark Nutter, VP of Academic Affairs, WSCC.
Noon Rotary names new officers
Noon Rotary Club of Marietta
announces 2015-2016 club offi-
cers: Heather Allender, center,
Marietta Community Founda-
tion, president; Davis Powers,
left, Skuttle Manufacturing,
president elect; and Suzy
Zumwalde, right, Marietta Fam-
ily YMCA, president Nominee.
Officers were inducted on July 1
and will serve for one year.
The Rotary Club of Marietta
was chartered on March 1,
1921 with 25 members and
continues to serve the commu-
nity today with over 100 mem-
bers.
Some of the club’s more visi-
ble community projects include
the bus stop at the county court-
house, the installation of his-
toric markers at local land-
marks, and the Centennial
Plaza at the entrance to the
bike path, which was a joint
project of this club and the Mari-
etta Morning Rotary Club. Serv-
ing youth happens each year
through Safetytown and the
club’s Scholarship program,
giving more than $10,000 in
scholarships to local students.
Marietta College’s Non-
profit LEAD program is
taking applications for the
new Nonprofit Accelerator,
which is designed to pro-
vide customized training,
individual support and
access to resources that
should strengthen an organ-
ization.
The program is run
through the College’s
McDonough Center for
Leadership and Business.
Organizer Heather Eichner
believes the program will
increase funding and
strengthen the volunteer
management process for a
nonprofit organization.
Six organizations will be
chosen to complete the
Nonprofit Accelerator
together.
Each participating organ-
ization is expected to pro-
vide:
¯ Two to four staff and
board members to partici-
pate in the program
¯ Commitment to com-
plete the nine-month pro-
gram
¯ $500 program fee
¯ West Virginia Non-
profit Association Princi-
pals and Practices
¯ Enthusiasm, innovation
and experience
Each participating organ-
ization should expect to
receive:
¯ Leadership develop-
ment
¯ 10 percent increase in
volunteer management
¯ Increase in funding,
fund-diversity and/or donor
base
¯ 72 hours of customized
group trainings and individ-
ualized support and
resources
¯ 20 hours of one-on-one
consulting assistance
¯ $500 scholarship for
additional training
¯ West Virginia Non-
profit Association Member-
ship
Applications are due by
Friday, Sept. 4. For more
information: Heather Eichn-
er, Nonprofits LEAD Pro-
gram Director at heichn-
er@nonprofitslead.org or
(740) 376-4559.
Funding for the Nonprof-
it Accelerator is provided
by The Bernard McDo-
nough Foundation, Marietta
Community Foundation,
Parkersburg Area Commu-
nity Foundation & Regional
Affiliates, The Ross Foun-
dation and Sisters Health
Foundation.
LEAD program
to offer help to
nonprofit groups
