KOTCHMAN NAMED CHIPOLA COLLEGE ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR

 

            MARIANNA—Tom Kotchman, a major league baseball scout and minor league coach, has been named Chipola College’s 2009 Alumnus of the Year.

 

            Kotchman’s life has been connected to Chipola College since he signed a baseball scholarship there in 1973. He went on to a successful career in professional baseball, but he continues to give back to the little college that gave him his start.

 

            As a major league scout and one of the most respected managers in the minors, Tom has helped sign several Chipola players to big league contracts. But more importantly, he makes regular visits to Chipola to share advice with all the players, not just the big prospects.

 

            Chipola baseball coach Jeff Johnson says, “There are a lot of alumni who say they want to help and some even write checks, but Tom goes above and beyond. Anybody who knows Tom would say that he is a giver.” Chipola president Dr. Gene Prough agrees. “Tom loves Chipola. Even before his daughter Christal played at Chipola, he was always in touch, asking what he could do to help our student-athletes. That connection is still strong today,” Prough said.

 

            Kotchman is very open about the influence that Chipola had on his life. “My time at Chipola playing for coach Ellis Dungan was very important for me as a player and more so as a man,” Kotchman said. “You cannot put a price on the life lessons I learned at Chipola. Years later my son Casey was offered a scholarship to Chipola but was drafted in the first round and is currently playing in the big leagues. My daughter Christal received a scholarship to Chipola where she was the starting shortstop on their national championship softball team.  As a family we will be eternally grateful to coach Johnson, AD Dr. O’Daniel, college president Dr. Gene Prough and softball coach Belinda Hendrix for the opportunity that was given to Christal,” Kotchman said.

 

            Christal went on to play for the College of Charleston, and Casey was drafted by the LA Angels and now plays for the Boston Red Sox.

 

            Tom could probably be a major league manager today, but he chose family over his career. In 1990 at age 35, he'd managed an Angels' Triple-A club to rave reviews and was on the fast track for a major league assignment. But he had a young son and daughter who were growing up with dad out of town, so he walked away from that future as a Major League manager and went home to be a dad. In 1990, he took a scouting position in Florida and a short-season Rookie Ball manager assignment. 

            "That was so important to me and my sister, having him home with us when we were young," said Casey. "Choosing us over his career, told me that once the cheering stops, all you have is your family. I was privileged and spoiled to have him do what he did."

 

            Three decades after Tom played at Chipola, he helped sign a young Marianna High School graduate Jeff Mathis to a big league contract with the Angels. Jeff is the son of one of Tom’s 1974 Chipola teammate’s Danny Mathis. 

 

            Tom Kotchman attended high school in Seminole, Florida, and played baseball at Chipola and Georgia Southern. He was signed by the Cincinnati Reds in 1977 and played two seasons in Class A.

            The 2009 season marked Kotchman's 31st year as a minor league manager. In 11 seasons with the Boise Hawks, the team never finished lower than second. He has managed the Provo Angels and since 2005, the Orem Owlz. Through 2009, he had compiled a career managerial record of 1,584 victories with eight league championships, including Orem's '09 Pioneer League title.                                                               

 

 

 

CHIPOLA BRAIN BOWLERS WIN DELTA BURKE TOURNAMENT

 

            ORLANDO—The Chipola Brain Bowl Blue Team beat perennial powerhouse Valencia Red (330-220) to claim the championship of the Delta Burke Tournament in Orlando for the second straight year.

 

            Chipola finished the preliminary rounds 10-0, earning the number one seed for the playoffs based on points per game. Chipola beat South Florida CC in the quarterfinals, Case Western University (Ohio) in the semifinals, and host Valencia in the championship.

 

            Five Chipola players scored among the top 30 individuals in a field of more than 140 players. Dallin Kelson was sixth overall. Ethan Hewett finished 10th. Drew Padgett was 11th. Nathan Hooppell finished 14th and Cody Pickens was 30th.

 

            The Chipola team will have some time off before their next tournament in January, 2010, where they hope to qualify for the community college national championship.

 

            The Chipola A and B teams finished first and second respectively at the ACF Fall Academic Tournament Oct. 31 in Gainesville. Chipola finished third behind first place University of Florida and second place Florida State University in a 20-team tournament in Orlando on Oct. 24.           

 

            Chipola is the two-time, defending Florida State champion. The team also has finished second in the NAQT national tournament for the past two years.

 

            The Chipola Brain Bowl coaches are mathematics professor Stan Young and Humanities professor Dr. Robert Dunkle.

 

 

 

 

 

CHIPOLA STUDENTS AND FACULTY ATTEND NATIONAL CONFERENCE

 

            FT. LAUDERDALE—Students and faculty from the Chipola College Teacher Education Department attended the NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) conference on Nov. 12 in Ft. Lauderdale.

 

            Professors Dr. Santine Cuccio, Dr. David Hilton and Allan Tidwell accompanied students Mary Atwell, Valetta Bledsoe, Angela Henderson, Stephanie McIntosh, Deborah Miles and Cassandra Witt.

            The Chipola professors made a presentation entitled, “Chipola’s Ground Water Outreach Project (Curricular Potential to Initiate Researchable Questions)” for attendees of the conference.  Students attended seminars, workshops, and exhibits that provided experiences on implementing science in K-12 school classrooms.   They were introduced to hands-on-minds-on learning strategies, skills, and the newest teaching technologies.  These were embedded in all science disciplines and within disciplines, such as cell and molecular biology.  The students were given free books, lesson plans, rock kits, foldables, models, videos, and CD’s for use in the classroom. 

 

            The overall purposes of the trip to the NSTA were to model to pre-service teachers the importance of professional development and lifelong learning, which has been a tradition at Chipola College since the inception of the baccalaureate programs in 2003.  Dr. Cuccio was pleased to introduce Chipola student attendees to another conference attendee, Jessica Sloan, a graduate of the Chipola Secondary Science Education program and currently a high school science teacher in Mayo, Florida.  Because of her initial conference experience while a Chipola student, Jessica continues to value the opportunity to keep her science education knowledge, skills, and technology up to date.

 

            NSTA president, Pat Shane, said, “The purpose of this conference is to improve teacher retention through resources, respect, renewal, leadership, discovery, motivation, passion, expertise, growth and connections.”

 

            Dr. Cuccio said, “Our Chipola students used the following words to describe their experiences:  awesome, overwhelming, essential, impressive, informative, exciting, effective, engaging and helpful.”

 

            For information on Chipola’s Education programs, call 850-718-2276.

 

 

 

 

Chipola Teacher Outreach Program Recognizes Area Schools

 

            MARIANNA—The Chipola College Teacher Outreach Program (TOP) recently recognized area schools for participation in the program. 

 

            The Teacher Outreach Program is part of Chipola’s Teacher Education program which offers four-year teaching degrees in math, science, elementary and exceptional education. TOP is designed to mentor and support high school students in the five-county school district who are interested in a career in education.     

 

            Under the supervision of mathematics professor Dr. Cherry Ward, Chipola students in TOP served area high schools to coordinate activities for their Future Educator’s Clubs (FEC).   

 

            Niki Seley, TOP facilitator, worked with Vernon High and coordinated all activities with the participating schools.  Other Chipola students working as coordinators were Amanda Williams at Graceville High and Bethlehem; Brandi Perkins at Malone; Karla McBryar at Marianna High; Anna Beth Parmer at Holmes County High and Danny Rutherford at Ponce de Leon High.

 

            For the 2008-09 year, the Ponce de Leon High FEC was presented the Gold Club Award, for the highest number of community service hours, member attendance and club projects. 

 

            The Malone High School FEC earned the Silver Club Award.  Holmes County High, Marianna High, Vernon High and Bethlehem each received Participation Awards.

 

            At the end of the 2009-10 school year, participating FEC clubs will be invited to Chipola College for a tour of education classes and facilities.

 

            For information on the Teacher Outreach Program at Chipola, contact Dr. Cherry Ward at 850-526-2761, ext. 3265 or email wardc@chipola.edu.

 

 

 

 

                                  PONCE DE LEON FUTURE EDUCATORS WIN GOLD

 

The Chipola College Teacher Outreach Program (TOP) recently recognized area schools for participation in the program.  For the 2008-09 year, the Ponce de Leon High FEC was presented the Gold Club Award, for the highest number of community service hours, member attendance and club projects. 

 

 

 

 

                                        MALONE FUTURE EDUCATORS WIN SILVER

 

 

The Chipola College Teacher Outreach Program (TOP) recently recognized area schools for participation in the program. The Malone High School FEC earned the Silver Club Award. 

 

 

 

Student and Visiting Artists work on display at chipola

 

            MARIANNA—Original works by Chipola College art students and an FSU professor are on display at Chipola College.

 

            Student work is on display in the Chipola Arts Center, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., through Dec. 7.

 

            The student show represents the work of students in Chuck Carbia’s Drawing I course with an emphasis in Collage Drawings and Tonal Studies, and Kelly Boehmer’s Crafts I, Color Pictorial Composition, and Introduction to Two-Dimensional Design courses.

 

            Guest artist Denise Bookwalter has her work on display in the gallery of the McLendon Fine Arts Building.  Bookwalter’s show is titled: "The Spandrel is as Interesting as the Thing Itself.”

 

            She works in a range of print media including traditional and digital processes, artist’s books, installations and dimensional prints.  Her work examines the development of technology, most recently aviation technology, and its effects on culture and society. Her work has been exhibited in a variety of international venues.

 

            She received a BA from Northwestern and an MFA from Indiana University. She is Assistant Professor of Art at Florida State University and is Area Head of the Printmaking Department.  She is the director and a founding member of FSU’s new artists’ book press, Small Craft Advisory Press.     

 

            The Bookwalter exhibit may be viewed weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Nov. 30 through Dec. 16.

 

            For information, call 718-2277.

 

 

 

 

FALL FESTIVAL OF MUSIC SET AT CHIPOLA 

 

            MARIANNA—Chipola College’s Chamber Chorus, Rock and Jazz Ensemble, and Show Choir invite the public to a free Fall Festival of Music and Art in the Chipola Arts Center, Sunday, Nov. 22, at 2:30 p.m.

 

            Music will be presented by the Chamber Chorus under the direction of Bethany Kiral, and accompanied by Dr. Josh Martin.  The audience will enjoy songs such as Bonse Aba, a traditional Zambian Song, and works by P.L. van Dijk and G.F. Handel.  The Chamber Chorus will be joined by community members for a portion of the concert.

 

            Chipola’s Show Choir will entertain with three high energy medleys including Aladdin, Medley from the Broadway musical Jekyll and Hyde, and Disco Fever: A medley of ‘70’s Dance Hits.

 

            The Rock and Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Daniel Powell will swing into action with a compliment of standard jazz tunes and familiar rock favorites to close out the show.  Students and community members in this ensemble have worked to provide a top-tapping concert that will feature various jazz styles that challenge the members to improvise and work together. 

 

            Guests also are invited to enjoy a Student Art Show from the teaching studios of Chipola adjunct art instructors Kelly Boehmer and Chuck Carbia.

 

            Joan Stadsklev, Chipola director of Fine and Performing Arts, says, “Parents of our students will be honored during the event. We especially want to thank them for sending their children to Chipola.”

            This non-ticketed event is free and open to the public.

 

            For more information contact Joan Stadsklev at 718-2301 or stadsklevj@chipola.edu

 

                                                                

 

 

CHIPOLA INDIANS PERFECT AFTER FIVE GAMES

 

            MARIANNA—The Chipola Indians are off to a perfect 5-0 start on the season.

 

            Chipola scored an 84-77 overtime win at Northwest-Shoals (AL) on Nov. 15. Dexter Ellington led the Indians with 27 points.  Marvin Fitzgerald pulled down 20 rebounds and scored 16 points. John Taylor scored 14. Sam Grooms had 13. Delwyn Graham had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

 

            The Indians whipped Georgia Perimeter 79-66 on Nov. 14. Chipola trounced Atlanta Metro 87-67, Nov. 13.  The Indians scored a big 87-78 win over Bevill State on Nov. 12. The Chipola Indians kicked off the 2009-10 season with a 96-74 win over L. B. Wallace on Nov. 6.

 

            Chipola (5-0) is ranked third in the FCCAA State men’s poll. Central Florida (5-0) is first. Northwest Florida State (5-0) is second. Gulf Coast (4-0) is fourth. Tallahassee (3-1) is fifth.

 

            The Indians host the Panhandle Classic Dec. 3-5 in the Milton H. Johnson Health Center.  Chipola plays Enterprise-Ozark, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. The Indians face Georgia Perimeter Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. and Central Florida, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m.

 

            The classic features all five Panhandle teams in the following games: Thursday, Dec. 3, 5 p.m., Miami-Dade vs. Central Florida; 7 p.m., Chipola vs. Enterprise-Ozark; Friday, Dec. 4, noon, Pensacola vs. Miami-Dade; 2 p.m., Tallahassee vs. Santa Fe; 4 p.m., Gulf Coast vs. Alabama Southern; 6 p.m., Northwest Florida vs. Central Florida; 8 p.m., Chipola vs. Georgia Perimeter; Saturday, Dec. 5, noon, Tallahassee vs. Alabama Southern; 2 p.m., Pensacola vs. Georgia Perimeter; 4 p.m., Gulf Coast vs. Miami-Dade; 6 p.m., Northwest Florida vs. Santa Fe; 8 p.m., Chipola vs. Central Florida.

 

            For the latest scores, call 718-2CJC, or visit www.chipola.edu

 

 

 

CHIPOLA LADY INDIANS RANKED FOURTH IN STATE

 

            MARIANNA—The Chipola Lady Indians improved to 3-2 on the season with a pair of wins in the Chipola Alzheimer’s Classic.

 

            Chipola scored a 62-56 win over Monroe (NY) on Nov. 13. Bianca Jarrett led Chipola with 18 points and 6 rebounds.  Lindsey Carr 17 had points and 5 rebounds. Jasmine Shaw scored 14 and pulled down 7 rebounds.

 

            The Lady Indians suffered a 90-59 loss to Jefferson College on Nov. 14. Tykiesha O’ Neil led Chipola with 19 points and 6 rebounds. Malesha Petterson had 14 points and three rebounds. Lindsey Carr scored nine.

 

            Chipola scored a 72-67 win over Trinity Valley on Nov. 15. O’Neil led Chipola with 23 points and 7 rebounds. Kendra Powell had 14 points and 12 rebounds. Tawatha Tucker scored 11.
            The Lady Indians host Florida Community College, Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 6 p.m., in the Milton H. Johnson Health Center.

 

            The Lady Indians (3-2) are fourth in the FCCAA State women’s poll. Gulf Coast (4-0) is first. Pensacola (5-1) is second. Northwest Florida (4-0) is third. Tallahassee (3-2) is seventh.

 

          

 

 

 

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