For more than a quarter century, the KPC Showcase, a lecture, entertainment and arts series, has promoted the humanities on the Peninsula.

In recent years, thanks in part to a generous grant from the Anna Fossett Goodrich Humanities Program of the Damon Memorial Fund, the program expanded to include a wide array of presenters and performers from around the state, nation and the world.

This month, “Truth or Deception in the Media?” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 20 in the KRC McLane commons by Ron Levy, KRC adjunct instructor. Event posters around campus feature images of the leading presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, with the statement, “How the media influences our decisions in subtle and not-so-subtle ways- see what lurks beneath the obvious.” Discussions will include ethical behavior in journalism and the impacts of social media in the making of ‘citizen’ journalists.

On a lighter note, the Showcase event “Honeymoon on the Yukon” will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 27 in the KRC McLane commons. The presentation is compliments of John Messick, KRC assistant professor of English, and his wife Mollie, who is currently a writing tutor in the KRC Learning Center. Three days after their wedding this past summer, friends dropped them off in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory with all their gear for the ultimate adventure honeymoon: canoeing 700 miles through Canada and Alaska on the Yukon River. They invite the public to join them as they share impressions of the epic journey including insights into the “culture, literature, and landscape of the third longest river in North America.”

For more information about these events or to pitch a future presentation idea, contact Dave Atcheson at 262-0346 or email daatcheson@alaska.edu.

Scholarship season has arrived

KPC students, current and prospective, are being reminded that no one ever was awarded a scholarship unless they completed the application process. In an age where costs continue to rise and the importance of post-secondary education is growing, scholarship financial assistance has never been more important.

Students will find the process straightforward and completely online at the KPC website. The web-based procedure makes it possible for students to apply for both campus-based scholarships and others offered in the UA system. There are options outlined for different types of students including Kenai Peninsula Borough high schoolers.

Students need to remember to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as it is used to help identify eligible applicants for some scholarships.

Students visit KPC’s scholarship page at this link: http://bit.ly/2dXZf9P and complete the steps outlined. By completing this one application, students’ eligibility will also be evaluated for all University of Alaska Statewide and UAA scholarships that do not require supplemental materials to be submitted. The deadline for applying for KPC-based scholarships is Nov. 4 at 5 p.m.

For more information, contact the KPC Financial Aid office located in the McLane building or call 262-0331 or email: kaoverpeck3@kpc.alaska.edu.

KPC Peer Ambassador program launched

The KPC Peer Ambassador program is designed to provide select KPC students with education, training and experience in leadership, career development and community outreach. Peer Ambassadors, under the tutelage of KPC Recruiter, Emily Knight, represent the college at various events throughout the academic year.

This year’s ambassadors include Georgette Morgan, Alasha Brito, Trish Tuluk and Natalya Oskolkoff.

Students serving in the ambassador program must maintain high academic standards and be at least a part-time student; as compensation for service, they receive a three-credit KPC tuition waiver.

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