NEWS

*Photo of the Day:

Photo provided by the Kenai Fishing Academy

NOTE: Please share with the KPC community! The photo of the day is WILDLY popular and we would love to see your photos. Send photos (as attachments) with or without captions to iynews@uaa.alaska.edu! All photos will be given credit.

*kpcWORD going on a summer hiatus: LAST ISSUE TODAY!
The KPC advancement office would like to say thank you to all our loyal readers over the last academic year. We look forward to debuting a new LOOK to the kpcWORD next semester! A reminder that we will continue to accept photo submissions over the summer. Take lots of pictures while enjoying the Alaskan summer!

*LAST DAY for UA Benefits OPEN ENROLLMENT!
Today, May 16, is the last day for employees to make changes to benefits, including health plans. Be aware that this year is different! In the past, if an employee did not return an enrollment form, their current plan election and dependent coverage level continued in the new plan year. This year, all the plans are changing so everyone is asked to review options and turn in an enrollment form. If an enrollment form is not turned in, the employee and dependents will be enrolled in the mid-level 750 Plan, REGARDLESS of the plan the employee previously had. For more information, click here. To download a form, click here.

Kenai Peninsula Borough funding update
Read the following articles published in local media outlets regarding KPC's funding from the borough:
Peninsula Clarion; Homer Tribune.

KPC Distance Education: Access and Success update
Read the latest edition of the the Title III Grant newsletter. This edition includes updates on Starfish Retention Solutions, e-Learning opportunities, math initiatives, eLive 10 and departmental events.

FY11 Year-end purchasing deadlines
The following information provided by KPC Accounting Supervisor Niki Countryman. Everyone is asked to comply with the following deadlines and make the year-end smoother for the business office.
Questions should be directed to Teena Dyer at extension 20310.

EVENTS

End-of-season Friday Dialogue: TODAY
The Roundtable: Center for Mediation and Community Dialogue invites the public to come enjoy festive food (it's a potluck, as always), good company, and high-quality, thought-provoking conversation. The potluck begins at 6:30 p.m. with discussion at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 13 at the Kenai River Center on Funny River Road in Soldotna. The topic will be: Here and Now--What concerns you most today? Is it national debt, the latest war, world economy, Alaska special legislative session (oil taxes), the Borough budget, redistricting (state/borough), or something else entirely? Attendees are encouraged to think about what discussion topics should be on the list for Friday Dialogues next year.

Triviapalooza time: TODAY
The Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center invites locals to put together a team of 6-8 people and enter to win $250 and the title of Master of Trivia. Registration is $15 per person for this community quiz bowl, which includes a table and a beverage ticket per person. Beverages include Kassik's Beer and pizza will be available. Proceeds go to benefit Triumvirate Theatre and the Patrons of the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center. The event will happen at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 13 at the KVCC. Contact Laura Forbes at 283-1991 to sign up.

Garage Sale to benefit Haiti Mission Trip: TODAY & Tomorrow
There will be a HUGE garage sale to benefit survivors of the recent Haiti earthquake. KRC Student Services Assistant Susan Lee will travel to Haiti at the end of the month as part of a mission to serve the Haitian people. The garage sale is being promoted by the KRC Student Union and proceeds will go toward buying desperately needed items needed by the Haitian people affected by the earthquake. The garage sale will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, May 13 & 14, at 345 Dolchok, off of Beaver Loop Road in Kenai.

KPC's Kachemak Bay Campus announces Bayview Hall Open House: TODAY
There will be an open house to showcase the college's newest building: the KBC Bayview Hall, from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, May 13. The public is invited to check out the new facility that FINALLY brings the campus together in one, central location!

Homer Photo Fest
The Homer Photo Fest will take place May 31 through June 4, 2011. There will be five days of public lectures and workshops by national known artists, a group photography exhibition and portfolio walk with work by participants of the 2011 Homer Photo Fest, and one on portfolio reviews. Organizers are working on the final details of the Homer Photo Fest 2011 featuring citywide photography exhibitions, exhibition openings, print viewings, portfolio reviews, workshops, lectures and round table discussions about photography. At 7 p.m. on Thursday evening, June 2, there will be an opportunity to see all the portfolios of participating photographers in the classrooms of KPC’s Kachemak Bay Campus. This event is free and open to the public. On June 3 there will be First Friday opening night gala exhibition featuring work by attending artists. This event is free and open to the public. The Homer Photo Fest ends on June 4 with a silent auction and seafood banquet dinner (advance tickets required; call 907-235-5680) as a send-off to a very fun filled week of photography.

REMINDERS

KRC commencement photos available on Facebook
Visit the Kenai Peninsula College Facebook page (click on photos in the left menu) and find over a hundred images of the 2011 Kenai River Campus graduation.

Summer semester begins May 16
KPC will kick off the largest summer semester in history this month. As of last week, total enrollment across the KPC system was up 56 percent compared to the same date last year.