NICC Gas Utility Program Generates First Graduating Class

Posted 26 May 2009
At NICC’s graduation ceremony in Dubuque on
May 15, the first four Gas Utility Construction and Service (AAS) graduates walked across the stage to receive their degrees. Good job market news awaits. The program’s lead instructor, Bob Waechter, reports that graduates hired for entry-level gas utility jobs in northeast Iowa can expect to earn an average of $30-$35,000 annually, and jobs are plentiful because many skilled workers are nearing retirement. The curriculum input from area energy companies and their equipment donations also contributes to student and job placement success.

As NICC’s newest two-year industrial technology offering on
the Peosta campus, the Gas Utility Construction and Service
program trains students on the installation, maintenance and
operation of high and low pressure natural gas distribution systems used to supply residential, commercial and industrial facilities. The program’s first graduates say they are ready to work in a good career with great opportunities and the added job security with working for a utility company.

Graduates who form the Class of 2009 are:

·   Mike Chatfield, the son of Judie Reynolds and Jim
    Reynolds of Dubuque
·   Aaron Mathson, son of Wayne and Mandy of
    Prairie du Chien, Wis.
·   Andrew Millman, son of Randy and Dawn Millman
    of Dubuque
·   Collin Welsh, son of Pat and Sandi of Dubuque

Mike Chatfield previously worked for Gronen Restoration,
where he ran heavy equipment, refinished floors, worked in
demolition, and did carpentry and brick work as part of the
restoration efforts in old Dubuque. For Chatfield, the work
experience generated an appreciation for task variety in a new
career. “I really enjoy the variety that the gas utility career offers,” said Chatfield. “You’re checking meters, repairing appliances, and you’re always doing something different in gas utility work.” All the graduates enjoyed the five-credit, eight-week internships during their final NICC semester.

Each graduate rotated for four consecutive weeks between
Black Hills Energy and Infrasource. Interns read meters during the first week, performed operations technician work the second week and worked as service technicians the third week. During the final week, the graduates worked alongside construction crews in the field. “The internship was great,” said graduate Collin Welsh. “I was finally getting to work with live gas, not just the simulations we used earlier in our program.”

Lead instructor Bob Waechter said that the donations from
area companies make the hands-on learning approach of the
program possible. John Deere Dubuque Works, Alliant Energy,
Black Hills Energy and Infrasource provided students with a range of industry-standard equipment needed to do the job. The
companies donated or loaned fitting trucks, fusion units, telemetry equipment, loader backhoes, gauges and piercing tools for NICC students enrolled in the program.

Although many area customers may associate gas utility work with meter reading, gas line leak repair or the local company’s customer service representative, Waechter said there are many
opportunities in the gas utility field for specialization. NICC Gas Utility Construction and Service graduates are trained to perform complex tasks such as annual leak surveys, telemetry, corrosion repair, pipe welding, trenching and gas line installation.

NICC’s gas utility program is the only two-year program of
its kind in the state of Iowa. In 2006-2007, NICC built a 10,000
square foot industrial technology building equipped with a 2,500
square foot gas utilities lab, classroom space, office space,
computers and storage for heavy machinery. An outdoor field lab provides extra space for students to practice trenching, on-site pipe fitting and gas line installation. Gas utility students learn alongside NICC’s construction trades students in the new facility, which gives students time to learn in a cross-disciplinary setting.

Over the course of the program, John Deere has loaned
equipment such as a 410JTC loader backhoe. Black Hills Energy donated polyethylene pipe (PE pipe), meters, regulators and a meter set with telemetry. Black Hills Energy personnel also trained students in advanced regulation and measurement work. Infrasource, a national energy company based in Des Moines, donated one fitting truck that gas utility workers use to transport equipment to job sites, a John Deere 310 backhoe, a Vermeer backhoe/trencher and various other pieces of equipment.

Three of these first grads directly benefited from financial
support through The Alliant Energy Foundation. The Alliant Energy Foundation, an independent, non-profit philanthropic corporation funded by Alliant Energy shareowners, established a new scholarship for NICC Gas Utility Construction and Service students. The foundation awards three $1,000 scholarships annually to students entering or currently enrolled in the program. Through the coordination of the NICC Foundation, the funds will be available to qualifying students each fall.

To learn more about NICC’s Gas Utility Construction and
Service program, call the Peosta campus admissions office at (800) 728-7367 or (563) 556-5110, ext. 401, or visit here

State Auditor Vaudt Reviews 2010 Budget
Posted 20 May 2009
Continuing in his role as the “Taxpayers’ Watchdog” and his duty to report directly to the people of Iowa on the condition of the State’s finances, State Auditor David A. Vaudt has completed his review of the adopted Fiscal Year 2010 budget.

Iowans heard many times during the legislative session about all the difficult choices to be made in order to “cut the budget.” Ironically, the adopted budget responds to the difficult fiscal challenge caused by a 2.7% decline in revenues with a 1% spending increase. Once again, the adopted Fiscal Year 2010 budget continues poor budgeting practices while pushing tough decisions to the next fiscal year.

Rockefeller Students Learn Power of Teamwork

Posted 13 May 2009
Rockefeller Alternative High School Program
students at NICC’s Calmar campus spent the day at Camp Ewalu, in Strawberry Point, to strengthen friendships and build trust in each other on May 1. Every year the seniors anxiously this trip, viewing the camp trip as a reward for their hard work. The Rockefeller students especially enjoy the Camp Ewalu high ropes course, which presents a series of challenges to prove the students’ strength in each other.
       
        At the first station, students had to work together on
problem solving. Each student must climb a 15-foot wall and the group learns that using teamwork will complete their goal. The last student to scale the wall could not have any help from peers at the base of the wall, and could only be assisted from above. Students cheer and encourage their peers to supply extra inspiration to accomplish the task.
       
        The camp’s second station was the towering rock wall.
Although many of the students did not think they could make it to the top, most of them did. At the top of the wall was a horn, and when the students reached the top, they sounded the horn to celebrate their victory.
       
        The zip line station provided the most relief for the student
participants. The students climbed up a pole and got strapped to the 150-foot zip line. The students felt the most fear when they had to step off the platform into nothing but air. As soon as the students got off the zip line, they felt very relieved and relaxed.
       
        The last, and most challenging, station was the leap of faith. Student had to climb up a 25-foot pole, reach the top and carefully climb onto a platform. At this point, most of the students felt that they had enough, but all students pushed themselves one step further. The station demanded that students take a leap of faith. Each student had to leap out into the air and try to grab a trapeze bar about five feet out in front of them. The students agreed that this was the most challenging station of them all.
       
        After this experience, the students grew much stronger and closer together. For many of the students, the day presented many challenges that they didn’t think were possible to overcome. Every student stepped up to their challenge and faced it head on. The ropes course was not only fun for the students, but provided a lifelong learning experience.

Students completing the Rockefeller Alternative High School
Program at NICC’s Calmar campus participated in their graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 13. NICC hosted the celebration program in the Wilder Auditorium. A record-breaking number of 23 students graduated from the program this spring.

NICC has partnered with five northeast Iowa community
school districts since January 1995 to provide an alternative high school opportunity for students. The program gives students an opportunity to complete their resident high school graduation requirements in a nontraditional setting. The small one-room program, with one full-time instructor and one part-time classroom associate, promotes a caring and supportive environment. Currently, five school districts are served by the Rockefeller Alternative High School Program: Decorah, North Fayette, South Winneshiek, Turkey Valley and Valley. Nearly 150 northeast Iowa students have now graduated with high school diplomas by completing high school courses through the alternative program.

For more information on the Rockefeller Alternative High
School Program, contact the Calmar campus at (563) 562-3263, ext. 342, or visit http://www.nicc.edu

Ropes Course Photo: Decorah students Curtis Rasing and Toni Kurtze are at the top of the wall and South Winneshiek students Isaac Rasmussen and Dustin Baumler assist North Fayette student Marsha Ourada to the top of a 15' structure.

NICC Plants Trees with Assistance from Alliant Energy and Black Hills Energy

Posted 30 April 2009
Northeast Iowa Community College planted 17 trees on Arbor Day, April 24, with the assistance of environmentally-minded organizations and energy companies. NICC’s annual spring planting efforts received support from the Trees Forever
organization, Black Hills Energy and Alliant Energy.

Black Hills Energy’s Power of Trees program provided
$2,000 in funding and Alliant Energy’s community tree
planting program, Branching Out, supported the college with a $2,000 grant. These programs support tree planting because the efforts help reduce peak electric demand, keep communities healthy and vital, and provide long term environmental benefits. The NICC tree planting volunteer crew planted the newest arrivals along the Burds Rd. north entrance into the Peosta campus.

“We enjoyed working with Trees Forever, Black Hills
Energy and Alliant Energy this year to bring our long term planting project to life,” said Barb O’Hea, NICC’s associate director for foundation. “This opportunity brings us together while making our city more beautiful. We’re making a significant impact in our environment simply by planting trees in the community,” O’Hea said.

Alliant Energy and NICC officials met on Monday, April 20,
to make this year’s donation to the college’s spring planting work. Craig Clefisch, strategic account manager, represented Alliant Energy on campus to formally make the company’s contribution. Over the past several years, NICC has increased its commitment to green initiatives through tree planting, reduced energy consumption and additional conservation measures.

"The Branching Out program is designed to encourage
energy efficiency, environmental awareness and community
stewardship," said Tom Aller-President of Interstate Power and
Light, an Alliant Energy company. "Alliant Energy enjoys partnering with Trees Forever and local communities to fund and implement tree-planting projects."

For more information, please contact Barb O’Hea, NICC’s
associate director for foundation, at (563) 556-5110, ext. 284.

Congressman Braley's Wind Energy Tour

5 Imagine 2020 Ideas Announced

Posted 24 April 2009
The Dyersville Area Imagine 2020 Steering Committee is pleased to announce the top 5 Imagine 2020 ideas:

#1    Community Center for use by seniors/historical society/groups
#2    Build trails to become a walking/bicycle-friendly community
#3    (tied with 4)  Build Alzheimer’s/dementia unit
#4    (tied with 3)  Pedestrian bridge between Candy Cane Park & Westside Park
#5    Better Highway 20 access and interchange to improve safety

The public went to the polls on Tuesday, April 21 to vote for five of the thirty ideas as chosen by the Idea Selection Committee.  These top five projects received the highest number of votes which has been confirmed by that committee.

“This visioning process got the community thinking about the future, and what is needed for this area,” said Karla Thompson, Executive Director of the Dyersville Area Chamber of Commerce.  “The steering committee thanks everyone who supported this important process, attended the Kick Off event, submitted ideas, encouraged others to think about the future.  Kudos to the Steering and Idea Selection Committee – everyone has worked so hard.  Now, the process of taking the ideas and making them reality begins.”

A public forum on each of the top projects will take place by September, 2009.  These will be led by individuals who could help enact the projects, but committees will be developed from these forums to research and help move ahead each project.  Notices about the public forums and follow up reports will be on www.dyersvilleimagine2020.com, in the Dyersville Commercial, the Chamber newsletter and on the local cable station. 

Thompson continued, “The steering committee strongly encourages all area people to attend the forum or forum(s) most directly related to their interest. So many of the projects are interrelated, and just because they did not make the top five does not mean they will not be recognized and integrated into community efforts. All 30, all 569 really, can have an impact on the area if someone takes the ball on any of them and runs with it.”

Now, everyone’s opinions, whether they voted or not, need to present at the forums so we can have action behind the dreaming.” stated Thompson.

Good Seats Remain for
Gretchen Wilson and .38 Special

Posted 16 April 2009
Good seats remian for this summer's Delaware County Fair Concert Events.

Gretchen Wilson will appear Thursday, July 16 and .38 Special will perform Friday July 17.  Both shows are slated to begin at 8:30 PM.

VIP tickets remain for .38 Special inlcuding reserved seating and all you care to eat and drink.

For more information, contact the Delaware County Fair at 563.927.6449

Groundbreaking for NICC
Industrial Technology Building

Posted 10 April 2009
Northeast Iowa Community College hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on April 7 to officially begin construction of a new Industrial Technologies Building at Peosta. The building construction, funded from the $35 million bond issue approved by voters in December 2007, will help NICC to better serve area employment needs and develop the skills of our area’s workforce.

 The new building will expand industrial technology program offerings and provide larger classroom and lab areas to enhance student learning  Programs that will move into the completed facility include Auto Mechanics, Diesel Mechanics, Electronic Technology, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Welding. A new Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) program will also be housed in the building and start in the Fall of 2010 when the building is expected to open.
(Photo Courtesy of NICC)


Monticello Chamber Announces
"Uptown Friday Night" Line-up

Posted 2 April 2009
Come and enjoy the food, fun, and music! FREE admission! Located next to City Hall on Sycamore Street. These GREAT events start at 5 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. In the event of rain, all activities will be moved into the community building. Fun for the whole family with lots of kid's activities sponsored by the Ross Elizabeth Baty Public Library and great food vendor.

June 12


The band mcphisto will rock the crowd with their covers of hard rock standars and thier own stuff. Check out their website.

Sponsors: Above & Beyond Home Heathcare and Hospice, The Cone Shoppe, Goettsch Funeral Home, Keleher's Jewelry, and REM Electric.

Food vendors are the Monticello Jaycees, Advancement Services of Jones County, and the Monticello Commercial Club. The Monticello Chamber will sponsor the beverage tent.

July 10


The band Monkey Business will be playing "Classic Rock" tunes
from Aerosmith to ZZ Top. Check out their website.

Sponsors: None yet.  Contact Kris at the Monticello Chamber of Commerce!!   319-465-5626

Food vendors are the Monticello Eagles and the Monticello Commercial Club. The Monticello Chamber will sponsor the beverage tent.

August 14


The band Bad Habits will be playing Classic Rock. Check out their website.

Sponsors: None yet.  Contact Kris at the Monticello Chamber of Commerce!!   319-465-5626

Food vendors are the Venture Crew and the Monticello Commercial Club. The Monticello Chamber will sponsor the beverage tent.

Dubuque, Iowa is a great place to live, work and raise a family.