Padd Solutions

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The Ranger

9/30/2010 07:00:00 PM • • 0 comments

For those of you who didn't know, AC has an excellent school newspaper: The Ranger. Scattered across campus, you will find racks holding this gem. Upon first glance, The Ranger may seem slim, even flimsy. Once you start reading the various articles, however, you will soon find that quality is much more important than quantity. Every article is skillfully written with AC students in mind. From events on campus to new educational programs and opportunities, you can find everything about AC you need to know as a student.

If you are an internet news junkie like myself, The Ranger caters to you as well. Check out their website here. With video in addition to the usual newspaper attire, The Ranger's online sibling provides even more content for those wanting to be in the know.

If you haven't picked up a copy of The Ranger recently (or ever), grab one the next time you walk by the newsstand, or check them out on the web. It's a good thing to be in the loop.

JPowell

I am badger, hear me roar?

9/28/2010 08:36:00 PM • • 5 comments

[Apparently, I missed the memo on introducing myself. Since I can’t be bothered to write an entire post about myself - because frankly, I’m not that interesting - I will slowly reveal information pertaining to my life throughout blogposts with what I decided to title: Hilary Facts. Hilary Fact #1: My name is Hilary Hulsey, I was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas.]

As I sat and wondered what to write about, I began to think of something we all have in common: we are Amarillo College badgers. Badgers the ... uh ... the what? Then, I realized the badger is an animal I know absolutely nothing about. Does a badger roar, coo, howl, or create any noise at all? What are its characteristics and how should I feel as a badger? Passive? Some universities and colleges have the unfortunate task of tolerating a mascot of shame: the orange, a tree, a bumblebee. But, I am here to tell you, AC: Fear not! The badger is an animal to reckon with.

According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, a badger’s first mechanism of deception is its ability to appear “cute and shy” (and walk with a waddle or swagger). So, while we sit in our classes, nestled comfortably and quietly in our beautiful campus, it’s safe to say the world may not fully grasp the brains, intelligence, and competitive learning that is taking place due to our deceptive nature as badgers. We may be burrowed in our “setts”, but we are lurking and waiting for the proper moment of provocation.

Badgers also have a “keen sense of smell [...] second only to that of members of the dog family”. I’d say this defines our ability to sniff out the differences between right and wrong and seek out the advice of our doctors, professors, and staff alike to make important life decisions. (I am unsure if badgers are brown nosers.)

Lastly, and most importantly, badgers have “long, thick claws”, “emit an unpleasant musk” and “are ferocious fighters that should not be disturbed”. Not to say we are serial killers, and I certainly won’t lash out if someone confronts me on campus, but having the fighting capability is certainly a bonus. Badgers can take on much larger animals such as bears and wolves due to their ability to defend themselves.

Amarillo College may be a community college, but those who get their start or achieve their respective degrees and certificates in our deceptively cute and shy institution should be feared for the strength we’ve gained from being a badger - our passiveness unless provoked, our ability to sniff out and utilize guidance to our advantage, and our will to fight for our place in the world through our career choices or taking on “larger animals” like universities.

Badgers are fiercely adorable animals. But I can’t seem to decide on a final thought to leave you with. “I am badger, smell my musk” isn’t very effective, is it?

My Introduction

9/28/2010 07:23:00 AM • • 3 comments


Hello everyone, I am Edna Wischkaemper, one of the official bloggers for AC Online.
It is my pleasure to be part of this community and I thank you in advance for reading our posts.
I was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia. When I was a child, I remember that at my home, education was always a priority and my parents even made sacrifices to send us to school. Bogota is a big city with almost 6 million inhabitants. As in any city, people were always in a rush, driving, walking, striving to live and survive in a competitive and challenging environment.
A normal day in my life back then, in my teenage years, consisted of getting up at 4 a.m., taking English classes from 6 to 7 a.m. (to have better opportunities), working from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., then going to school from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. I worked basically to pay the bills, to pay my college education and to help my parents. After several years of hard work, perseverance and discipline, I obtained my bachelor’s degree from the University Autonoma of Colombia, as a Systems Engineer in 1993. I worked for the Colombian affiliate of CPC International in Bogota. I worked in several positions in the organization, as an Assistant, Systems Analyst, Systems Coordinator, and Financial Analyst. In my last position in the company, my boss sent me to several countries in South America, including Peru and Venezuela, to implement some financial applications. In fact, on one of those trips overseas, I met a nice man from Shamrock, TX, who is today my husband of 11 years. He is the reason I am living in Amarillo, TX. In my early years living in Amarillo, TX, I worked for the American Quarter Horse Association, AQHA, as a Programmer Analyst for almost 2 years. My husband and I decided that I should quit working to take care of our first baby, who is 9 years old today. Then our second child (who is 5 now) came 3½ years later. So, basically I have been a stay at home mom for 9 years.
Now, during the time I spent at home taking care of my kids, I founded a Web Design and Development business. Also, I pursued extensive training to become a Certified Dale Carnegie Trainer for the Texas Panhandle. I recently started teaching the class in Amarillo on Monday evenings. Four years ago, I started taking classes at Amarillo College to pursue an Associate Degree in Mass Media and Communication. It is never too late to go back to school as long as we are doing the best we can.
Two years ago I read a book named “One Person/Multiple Careers” by Marci Alboher. I really identify with this book. You probably already figured that out!
I am thrilled to share with you some of my experiences as a student at Amarillo College, and also in my daily life…I literally change hats throughout my day… as a mother, a wife, a student, an entrepreneur, a trainer, a friend…a human being who keeps dreaming and enjoys seeing her dreams come true!
See you online!

Newest AC Blogger

9/21/2010 04:44:00 PM • • 1 comments

Hey guys and girls, my name is Jacob Powell and I am the newest contributor to the AC blog. I will be chiming in here with thoughts from my experiences here at Amarillo College.
I thought I would give you a little information about myself so you know where my posts will be coming from. First off, I’m a Criminal Justice major. I hope to become a police officer for APD after finishing school. I have lived in Amarillo my entire life and graduated from Amarillo High.
I had originally planned to attend Texas Tech and get a degree in Engineering Technology. However, I received word that their program would be shut down, and to choose a new major. Having only planned on Tech my entire life, I was faced with AC or WTAMU. I chose AC, seeing lower prices for the same credits. I must admit I was not looking forward to attending a community college, having had my eyes set on The Big 12 for so long. Fortunately, this school has surprised me.
I’m a full time student in my first semester here at AC. What this means is that I get to take all those classes which appear horribly boring. On my plate are A Survey of Art and Music, Intro to Sociology, Intro to Mass Communication, Interpersonal Communication, and Government of the US. I have been excited to find that these classes are not only very interesting and well taught, but the students alongside me in class are just as much fun to get to know.
A Survey of Art and Music is a wide spread class, covering many different aspects of what we consider the “arts”. Film, dance, painting, sculpture, photography: it’s all here. While I don’t consider myself in the least bit artistic or creative, this course is opening my eyes to these fields.
Intro to Sociology and Intro to Mass Communications are both quite possibly my favorite classes. The instructors for these courses shared in winning The John F. Mead Award for 2010. Dr. Deborah J. Harding is my Sociology professor and, as any former student can vouch, more than keeps your attention while in class. She holds true to her beliefs while not forcing them upon you, allowing you to speak your own mind in class. Jill Gibson, my Mass Comm. Instructor, is equally impressive. She almost always starts off class with a funny video clip or web find, getting you ready for a mind-opening look into the work of mass communications and media.
Interpersonal Communication, or IPC, is another class which is expanding my views on life and those around me. While I’m not normally the type to look into my thought processes and wonder why they are the way they are, this class is certainly making me more aware of just that. Plus, everyone in my class tends to be very open, making for a very interesting discussion every day.
Government of the US is just that. It is your typical government class. In this case though, class discussions often go very deep, into the core values each student has and how they relate to the operation of government. .
I hope that this introduction has given you some insight into who I am and where my posts will originate. I look forward to sharing my experiences her at Amarillo College with you all.
Thanks for reading,
JPowell