• Cynthia Kay Butterman was the recipient of the Adult Education Outstanding Alumni Award. She was introduced by Adult Director Richard George during an evening ceremony, March 16.

The mission of Tri-Rivers Career Center is to prepare secondary and adult students to contribute, advance and succeed in the 21st Century workforce…to be responsible community members, and to embrace learning as a life-long process. Tonight we are recognizing one of our alumni who has certainly fulfilled that mission.

On December 8, 1998 Cynthia Kay Butterman filled out an application form to enter Tri-River’s Practical Nursing Program. Classes started on August 11, 1999 and on June 16th 2000 she graduated from our Practical Nursing Program. The faculty and staff recognized that Cynthia was someone special, as she received our highest student award the Margaret Helen Gast award.

Upon graduation and receipt of her diploma Cynthia took the NCLEX-PN, passed it on her 1st attempt, and received her certification as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Her learning and desire to advance in her chosen career did not stop there.

In 2003 she applied to and was accepted into the Med Central College of Nursing. At that time she requested a letter of reference from Tri-Rivers School of Practical Nursing and I would just like to share a couple of quotes from the letter that was sent to Med Central.
This was written by our Nursing Education Manager and shared with her permission.

“During the admission phase to our program, I found Cynthia to be enthusiastic and responsible. During her personal interview, I remember a bright, cheerful individual with a positive goal in mind. …Cynthia was always well prepared; an active participant in class, often sought out by other students. The Nursing Faculty comments were always positive regarding her clinical evaluations. Strong communication skills, well-organized, critical thinking skills, advocate for her assigned patient / resident, team player. Always willing to help another student or a staff member.”

Cynthia was accepted at Med Central and in 2007 graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Nursing, passed the NCLEX-RN, also on her 1st attempt, and received licensure as a Registered Nurse. She then continued her education by being accepted into the University of
Phoenix’s Masters in Nursing Program and in 2010 graduated with a MSN/ED degree.

As Cynthia was continuing her studies, she was not just studying and learning new skills, but juggling work and education. Cynthia’s work experience includes working as a STNA at Marion General Hospital, as an LPN at area care centers, working as an LPN then as an RN at Heartland Rehabilitation Center, working in the Intensive Care Department at Knox Community Hospital, and being a part-time clinical instructor at Marion Technical College.

Most recently, she accepted a full-time position as the coordinator of the LPN Transitions Program at Marion Technical College.
As you can see Cynthia is living out our mission of life-long learning and continuous education. She has been one busy person and we salute her for her dedication to her studies and to her profession.

The 2011 Tri-Rivers/Lautenslager Recipients were honored during a dinner Wednesday, March 16.

The first Distinguished Service Award was presented in 1993 to Jack Lautenslager, who is often referred to as “Mr. Tri-Rivers.”
Mr. Lautenslager spearheaded the efforts to pass the original levy that provided the funds to build the Career Center that opened in 1976, according the Superintendent Charles Speelman.

Lautenslager continued to share his expertise and talents with Tri-Rivers his entire life. Today the Distinguished Service awards are presented in his memory to individuals or groups who donate their time, resources, and talents in order to make Tri-Rivers Career Center and Center For Adult Education successful.

2011 recipients are:

• Henry Lumber, represented  by Mike Henry, was recognized for their generosity to Tri-Rivers over the years, including donating the lumber that Construction Technologies students to use to build the racks for the WMRN Coats For Christmas  held annually at the Career Center. “This act of kindness year after year, provides our students with an opportunity to practice their skills and to be part of a significant community event, said Steve Lawrence, instructor for Construction Technologies. “It also allows us to display the coats so recipients can easily search for that perfect coat.”

Lawrence said Henry Lumber has also provided donations to our programs. “In an effort to help young people learn the necessary skills for their trade and to reward them for their successes along the way, Henry Lumber has provided donations to our programs throughout the years.”

Henry Lumber has been part of this area for over 50  years. It is a locally owned family business that sells residential and commercial building products. Tri-Rivers salutes Henry Lumber for their tradition of quality products and services and for their distinguished community service to TRCC and the area.

• Dr. Mark Davis has been a friend of Tri-Rivers for many  years—sharing his expertise as an instructor for our Adult Education Public Safety Services programs, serving on advisory committees and providing expertise to our staff, said Sandy Redd, School Nurse. “He is also an alumni of our Paramedic Program. In the past we have had students do their clinicals in his office.”

Dr. Davis, who has a family practice, has for many years assisted schools with sports physicals, which benefits all the area students involved in sports, including our students at Tri-Rivers.

“Dr. Davis is the kind of doctor that nurses love to work with because he listens to them and respects their input,” said Redd. “He truly cares about what is best for the patient.”

He is a volunteer firefighter/EMT. Dr. Davis has distinguished himself by his caring nature and dedication to the community.

• Judy Falk, RN, Clinical Director of the Marion Area Health Center, has been a vital link to the job shadow experience for Tri-Rivers Health Technologies program, said Laurie Wise, the program’s instructor. “This two-year program for students interested in a career in healthcare and patient care skills combines lecture, student centered learning activities and lab.”

Wise said a great motivator for students is the knowledge that in the senior year of the program, they actually can earn the opportunity to put their knowledge and skills to practice in the clinical area. “The job shadow experience in not only important as a motivator but also an opportunity for students to be exposed to professional role models,” said Wise.

Falk, a registered nurse for 36 years, is a strong patient advocate and her philosophy is treating every patient as if they were family. This caring and compassion for the profession shows in her interactions with the students, said Wise. “She is a positive role model and  welcoming face as they embark on the job shadow experience.”

• Deb Schmidt of PNC Bank has been instrumental in the success of Tri-Rivers Career Technical Student Organization’s largest fundraiser—Kiddie Korner, located in PNC Bank’s drive-thru during the Marion Popcorn Festival. “With her help in 25 years I estimate we have grossed around $100,000. With each game costing twenty-five cents to play, that’s a lot of quarters,” said Obra Horn, Welding Instructor and one of the coordinators for Kiddie Korner.

“Deb has been very instrumental in our success over the years. She has always made sure the drive thru was power washed before we get there to set up. She has always checked in on us throughout the event. Anytime we needed anything, she is always there to assist” said Horn.

It all began 25 years ago when Eldon Phillips came to us with a proposal to purchase some kids games and use them to raise funds for our students at the then National City Bank-now PNC. We are so thankful they have allowed us to use their drive-thru for Kiddie Korner for so many years. Profits from this fundraiser have sent students to leadership camps and competitions.

Picasso? Monet? Van Gogh? No, Tri-Rivers Preschoolers!! Budding artists? Absolutely! A recent auction featured our preschoolers precious pieces that they worked very hard to create.
Funds raised from the auction will help buy supplies for the preschool classrooms. What talented youngsters!

Tri-Rivers Early Childhood Learning Center is for Preschool age children  3 to 5 year old.
The program helps prepare kids for Kindergarten. It offers a Discovery Room with opportunities to explore science, math, and sensory experiences, as well as a Literacy Room with reading, writing and story telling.

Preschool Age Children—3 to 5 years old
Full-time Enrollment—$115/week
Hours: 6:30am-5:30pm
For more information contact Director Kattie Harmon at 740-389-4681, Ext. 301

For more information or registration call
Director Kattie Harmon, 740-389-4681, Ext. 301