Culinary Arts Pairs up with Sparks Kiwanis
After sweeping the Regional SkillsUSA Competition in Commercial Baking and Culinary Arts, TMCC Culinary Arts students once again experienced a “win.” Students from the program—under the direction of Culinary Arts Faculty Chef Karen Cannan and Chef Craig Rodrigue—prepared delicious appetizers for the “Pairings for Programs” fundraiser for Sparks Kiwanis Club.
In addition to empanadas, a variety of profiteroles, croquettes, toast points, bruschetta, as well as cookies and brownies for dessert, the event featured wine and beer tastings, a raffle and a ring toss. Proceeds from ticket sales will support Sparks Kiwanis Club.
“We had an exciting night… our Commercial Baking medalist from the recent Nevada State Skills competition made the majority of the food with help from classmates who helped in the lab, and manned the grill and assisted onsite,” said Chef Rodrigue.
Industry partners also provided support for this successful event, which included pulled pork sliders from Chef Jay Rathmann and BJ’s BBQ. Roundabout Catering, which includes Colin Smith, Marybeth Smith and TMCC's own Jamie Maxfield, provided mousse cakes. Additionally, a Charcuterie board—donated by Chef Jonathan Chapin and his Reno Recipes.com Catering and Personal Chef company—was designed and made by current TMCC Culinary Arts student Rowan Richard.
“Being a part of a good cause, good food, good music, good people and working with local partners doing fundraising and showcasing our students are the kind of events Chef Craig and I both love doing,” said Chef Cannan. “It felt really nice to be doing this again. Seeing the students interacting with guests and giving them their moment to shine is so rewarding.”
Professor Fred Lokken Receives Clark Santini Cup Award
Political Science Professor Fred Lokken
Recently, TMCC Political Science Professor Fred Lokken received the 2022 Clark Santini Cup Award due to his many years of teaching political science and his frequent appearances on television, radio and speaking at several public forums.
“Professor Lokken always thoughtfully explains and comments on local, state and national political issues and personalities,” said Bill Isaweff, Chair of the Robert Griffin-Clark Santini Memorial Endowment Fund Committee. “Every year we host an annual ceremony in which we recognize a person in our community we believe has used effective oral communication skills to advance the public interest.”
The Robert Griffin-Clark Santini Memorial Endowment Fund Committee, is a group of former debaters and friends of the debate program at the University of Nevada, Reno. The organization raises funds to support the UNR Debate Team, which includes funding scholarships, as well as tournament and travel expenses.
This year's awards ceremony took place in the Great Room of the Joe Crowley Student Union building on the UNR campus on Monday, May 2, 2022.
TMCC Mathematics Hosts First Math CoRequisite Conference
On Friday, April 22, TMCC’s Mathematics Department hosted its first Math CoRequisite Conference on the Dandini Campus. The all-day event welcomed mathematics faculty from College of Southern Nevada, Great Basin College, Nevada State College, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University of Nevada, Reno, Western Nevada College, and TMCC. Following a keynote address given by Victoria Dominguez of Citrus College, the conference also featured a series of breakout sessions that focused on implementing technology in a corequisite classroom, building support materials for Math 126, incorporating open educational resources (OER), training support specialists, challenges and a session that focused on building an advising toolkit.
“This first-ever NSHE Math CoRequisite Conference featured presenters from institutions across the state who are implementing math with corequisite support,” said Dean of Mathematics and Physical Sciences Anne Flesher. “It’s an exciting time, and we are ready to move past implementation and begin refining [the corequisite model in Nevada].”
In addition to the keynote address given by Dominguez, presenters included TMCC's Dr. Ted Lambert, Karla Henricksen, Rebecca McCleary, and Ryan Schoenfeld.
ACE High School Students Win SkillsUSA
TMCC High School students from the Diesel and CNC Turning programs were also awarded Gold in their respective SkillsUSA competitions. Twelfth grade student Anthony Hodge won gold in Diesel Technology and eleventh grade student Joana Gonzalez won Gold in CNC Turning. Both will attend the National SkillsUSA Competition in Atlanta along with their advisors.
“ACE High School and TMCC allow me to study CNC Turning in high school, which I think is unique. Not many students my age get to go to college while they are still in high school. Studying CTE at this age will allow me to show the community my talents and allow me to get a great paying job after I graduate from both ACE and TMCC. I am thankful to [Manufacturing Technology Instructor] Mr. (Laure'L) Santos and this great opportunity,” said Gonzalez.