Once again, the most recent semester at KPC was a great success. During the spring 2015 semester, KPC saw an overall increase of four percent in student headcount and one percent in semester credit hours.

Over the KPC system, the Kenai River Campus in Soldotna has the largest percentage of the total headcount at 67 percent, followed by the Kachemak Bay Campus in Homer (23 percent), the Anchorage Extension Site (nine percent), and the Resurrection Bay Extension Site in Seward (one percent). Currently, KPC ranks third in total credit hours and headcount in the University of Alaska system after Anchorage and Fairbanks.

In addition to the students taking classes for credit last semester, KPC had 202 Adult Basic Education and other non-credit students enrolled. Both the Kenai River and Kachemak Bay campuses provide adult basic education services to the public at no cost.

KPC’s summer 2015 semester is also seeing growth. Compared to this time last year, summer semester enrollment has increased three percent in total headcount and five percent in semester credit hours. Eighty-nine percent of the credit hours are being taken via distance education. At 938 students, KPC is seeing its largest summer enrollment ever.

KPC faculty members promoted

KPC Director Gary Turner has announced that three Kenai River Campus assistant professors have been granted tenure and promoted to associate professor effective July 1.

These outstanding faculty members include Pete Snow, KRC assistant professor of education, Henry Haney, KRC assistant professor of process technology, and Tom Dalrymple, KRC assistant professor of accounting.

Juried Student Art Exhibition award recipients announced

The closing reception for KRC’s 2015 Juried Student Art Exhibition was held on Friday, May 8, at the Gary L. Freeburg Gallery. The show, which was a great success, displayed the artwork of several talented KPC student artists. Celia Anderson and Nicole Lopez juried the exhibition this year and announced their award recipient selections at the reception.

The Best of Show award went to Abigail Ward for her cardboard and plastic piece entitled, “Isabella – The Dancer.” There were two Juror’s Choice awards this year; they went to Sue Covich for “Strigimorphae” (wood), and Jessica Isenman-Bookey for “Phaeton Falling” (steel). The three Honorable Mentions were awarded to Susan Lee for her digital print, “Home,” Alisah Kress for “Coming into Focus” (digital print on aluminum), and Keagan Whitcomb for “Collapsed DNA” (cardboard and plastic).

Share your home, help change the world

The KRC Learning Center is currently searching for host families for Kenai Peninsula College international exchange students. Families are needed to host a student for a semester or for the entirety of the 2015-2016 academic year. Host families will receive a $225 monthly stipend and get the experience of a lifetime during this cultural exchange. Note that international students will be responsible for their own transportation.

Families who are interested in hosting an international student and would like to complete an application are asked to contact Diane Taylor, learning center director, at 262-0328 or Mark Larson, exchange student liaison, at 252-3058 for assistance.

KRC commencement captured digitally

Thanks to KRC’s Videographer, Jack Bell, DVD recordings of the May 7 commencement ceremony are available for purchase. DVD’s are $15 each and $8 for each additional copy (price includes postage). To place an order, please send payment, name and address and the number of copies you would like to purchase to: Jack Bell, P.O. Box 741, Kasilof, AK 99610.

Information for this column is provided by Hannah Parker, Advancement Assistant at Kenai Peninsula College.