KPC’s enrollment for next semester is tracking about the same as last spring. Classes that meet general education requirements, program prerequisites and requirements, as well as popular electives are generally the first to fill. Classes that are offered online are very popular as Alaskans juggle jobs, family and college.

Search for courses from the KPC website and then register at UAOnline at https://uaonline.alaska.edu/.

The first day of classes will be Jan. 12 at all KPC locations. For more information, contact Student Services at 262-0330.

50th anniversary items make great gifts

The KRC Bookstore has just put together two holiday gift packages that feature unique, collectable fiftieth anniversary commemorative coins and two interesting books that have roots at KPC.

The books in each of the two packages include both “The Flora of South Central Alaska,” by Boyd Shafer, and the fifty year history of KPC titled, “Keeping the Fire Burning,” by Tony Lewis and Clark Fair. Shafer taught classes at KRC for 36 years, retiring in 2002 and both Lewis and Fair have served as part-time instructors.

The collectable coins were produced to commemorate the shared fiftieth anniversary of KPC, Kenai Peninsula Borough, and Kenai Peninsula Borough School District as all three organizations were established in 1964.

There are two packages available for purchase. The deluxe package includes a full set of six coins with matching serial numbers, both in silver and copper, that honor Clayton Brockel, KPC’s founding director, Harold Pomeroy, KBP’s first mayor and Sterling Sears, KPBSD’s first superintendent. Each organization’s logo is on the reverse of the coins. The coin sets, along with a copy of each book, is being sold for $249. The second package includes a two-coin set of KPC coins, one copper and one silver, and the books for $99.

Proceeds from the sale of the collectable coins are slated to benefit a KRC art scholarship and that a total of 155 sets were produced.

KRC history professor to speak to local garden club

Jane Haigh, KRC assistant professor of history, will be giving a talk about Fannie Quigley’s Kantishna gardens at the Central Peninsula Garden Club meeting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 9 at the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association. This event is free and open to the public.

Quigley was a pioneer mining woman who lived for 40 years in the remote Kantishna mining district, now at the end of Denali Park Road. She was famous for her enormous gardens grown under challenging conditions and for her hunting and trapping.

Haigh is a respected historian and author of several Alaska history books, including “Searching for Fannie Quigley: A Wilderness Life in the Shadow of Mt. McKinley,” “Gold Rush Women,” “Gold Rush Dogs,” “Children of the Gold Rush” and “King Con: The Story of Soapy Smith.” Haigh has been honored as the Alaska Historian of the Year by the Alaska Historical Society.

New exhibit on display in KRC’s G.L. Freeburg Gallery

“Caution Hot,” an exhibit featuring the work of KPC student artists Sue Covich, Jessica Isenman-Bookey, Chelsea Springer and Sandra Sterling, is currently on display in KRC’s Gary L. Freeburg Gallery.

There will be an artists’ reception for this exhibit from 4:30-6 p.m. on Dec. 11. The exhibit will be on display through Jan. 1. The gallery is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

KRC searching for CNA instructor

KPC is looking to hire an exceptional individual to teach the Certified Nurse’s Aide course part-time at KRC in Soldotna. For more information about the position, visit the KPC website at www.kpc.alaska.edu/employment and apply to the adjunct job posting. For further information, contact 262-0317.

This column is provided by Suzie Kendrick, Advancement Programs Manager at Kenai Peninsula College.