PCC Campuses to be Closed Monday
This Monday, May 27, is Memorial Day and all PCC campuses will be closed.
The summer semester will begin with classes the following day. 

First phase of Fremont Campus improvements get underway
The first of a two-part capital improvement project on the Fremont Campus began last week, with the initial phase aimed at making better use of current space. The $200,000 project involves renovating current west wing classrooms, with the Room 125 Computer Lab being moved to Room 131, where multiple computer stations/groupings will be constructed.  Room 125 will be subdivided into two rooms – a larger one to accommodate the Art Lab with sinks, plus smaller classrooms. Also, Rooms 127 and 129 will be subdivided into 3 smaller classrooms, with usage options provided by movable walls between them. Also part of this phase will be creating testing and quiet study areas, both with updated computer access, within the Learning Resource Center. The project will affect 3,875 square feet at a cost of $200,000 that was raised from donors. The project will be completed in time for the start of the fall semester on Aug. 19.

The bucks stop here thanks to Learning Center’s energy efficiency
Black Hills Energy has awarded PCC two rebate checks totaling $34,396 because of the Learning Center’s efficient energy system. Learning Center Director Ross Barnhart astutely noted that the checks represent approximately 1% of the Learning Center’s construction cost. Factors contributing to the energy saving are the high-efficient LED lighting that has several light levels capable of saving 15%, plus classrooms and individual offices that have occupancy sensors and 2 levels of lighting.

Hickenlooper in town Friday to sign two key SBDC-related bills
Everyone is invited to a cool event Friday afternoon when Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper will be in Pueblo to sign two bills into law in a ceremony scheduled for 1:45 pm at the Welty Paviiion on Pueblo’s Riverwalk. Both bills have ties to the Colorado Small Business Development Center. The first is HB 13-1003 and is titled “Economic Gardening Pilot Project Office of Economic Development.”  It involves funding to provide management, technical training and advice to small businesses.  The second bill is HB 13-1301 and is titled “Procurement Technical Assistance Center.” It aims to help entrepreneurs compete for government contracts.

Register for classes now -- summer semester will start Tuesday
Time is running out to get registered for summer semester classes that will begin Tuesday, May 28 (the day after Memorial Day). You also can register now for the fall semester in order to make sure you get the classes you want, when you want them. The class schedules are on the PCC website. To get the process started, go to the Go!Zone enrollment center on your respective PCC campus. A new student orientation session for new students this summer will take place from 9 am to 1 pm tomorrow (Thursday).

Learn how to play tennis on PCC’s resurfaced courts
The Renovation Undercover Agents Commission has informed us that PCC’s tennis courts will be resurfaced in time for the start of summer semester classes next Tuesday, May 28. If you would like to learn a bit about tennis and get in some playing time, we have a course that will make that possible on courts that will out-awesome any others in town. It will meet on Mondays and Wednesday from 9 am to 10:45 am from May 28 thru July 22. Students will need to bring their own racquet.

Get a fresh view of history by taking this innovative class
A new partnership between PCC and the Center for American Values in Pueblo (CAVP) is beginning with the offering of a 3-credit history class titled “U.S. History Since the Civil War” (CAVP - HIS 202) that will be taught by Michael Engle, who knows how to make subject matter interesting and fun. It will meet from noon to 2:45 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from May 28 thru June 24 at the CAVP on the Pueblo Riverwalk and at other historic sites in downtown Pueblo. The course will examine American history from 1865 to the present with special emphasis on American leadership, values, patriotism, integrity and honor. It will include class presentations, walking tours and guest speakers. For more info, contact Engle at 549-3100 or Michael.engle@pueblocc.edu. The class is open to the community.

Reminders ...
    • Get a massage – Our Massage Therapy students’ summer clinic is now underway and will run thru July 11. Fees are $25 for a 1-hour massage and $35 for 1½ hours. Book a massage by calling 549-3083.
    • Commencement DVDs: You can still order your own DVD copy, created by PCC’s Center for New Media, by going to http://www.pueblocc.edu/cmsinternet/xml/Grad-Vid/Order.htm.

Quote of the Day:
“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value."
~ Albert Einstein