Archive for Verde campus events

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO HOST CERAMICS SALE ON VERDE VALLEY CAMPUS DEC 14 FROM NOON TO 3:30 P.M.

By R. Oliphant
Wednesday, November 27th, 2024

Sale to be held at the Southwest Wine Center, Building 601, Clarkdale Campus

Yavapai Community College invites the community to a ceramics sale on Thursday, December 14, from noon to 3:30 p.m., at the Verde Valley Campus in Clarkdale. This event offers a chance to purchase unique, handcrafted treasures created by the College’s talented students and faculty—perfect for holiday gifts.

While you shop, enjoy a glass or share a bottle of the College’s student-crafted wine, adding a special touch to your experience.

Categories : Event, Verde campus events

WHAT HAPPENED TO AN ESTIMATED $20 MILLION IN CAPITAL PROJECTS ONCE RECOMMENDED AND LABELED AS “PRIORITIES” BY YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE EXPERTS FOR THE EAST SIDE OF YAVAPAI COUNTY (SEDONA AND THE VERDE VALLEY)? IT NOW APPEARS ONLY A LITTLE OVER $3.5 MILLION WAS USED. SEVERAL PROJECTS HAVE VANISHED FROM CONSIDERATION

By R. Oliphant
Friday, October 11th, 2024

Could it be that the need to purchase land and build a host of planned and unplanned projects on the west (Prescott) side of Mingus Mountain is behind what now appears to be a redirection of the funds?

Opinion: During its November 2022 Board meeting, the Yavapai Community College Governing Board unanimously approved a series of new capital projects in concept for the east side of Yavapai county (Sedona and the Verde Valley). The tentative  budget for them exceeded $20 million.

The decision to move forward with the Sedona/Verde Valley projects had  emerged only after there was an extensive study conducted by several experts hired by the College. They diligently gathered hard data and sought community input through a series of public meetings to assess the needs and future direction of the College. The projects for Sedona/Verde Valley were labeled “priorities” by the experts. The details and recommendations were all included in the College’s 3-5 year detailed Master Plan.

The Governing Board decision was warmly greeted by Sedona/Verde Valley residents, who feared that the Prescott-dominated administration was increasingly neglecting rural Yavapai County’s needs. The positive reaction was further reinforced when College leaders actively promoted the capital projects  in a closed meeting in the spring of 2023 with local east county politicians, framing the capital decisions as reflecting significant investments in the region’s future.

However, for reasons still unclear, after only a few months, the Prescott-based College leaders began retreating from commitment to the experts’ recommendations and the priorities for the east side of the County. Eventually, as time passed, aside from $3 million earmarked for remodeling Building “M” on the Verde Valley Campus and $550,000 for a possible prefabricated, twelve bedroom student apartment, the remaining projects were apparently abandoned.

Vanished are the experts’ plans and alleged priorities for a much-needed $9.25 million student housing facility, an $8.04 million expansion for a fermentation and craft brewing program, and $608,000 for a Commercial Driver Training program and testing site. What remained, as noted above, was the renovation of Building “M” on the Verde Valley Campus, and a vague promise of a prefabricated small student housing project costing an estimated $550,000. An estimated minimum of $17 million had disappeared.

Some now suspect that the College’s Prescott-based leaders may have quietly decided shortly  after the November meeting not to spend the money on the priorities on Sedona/Verde Valley projects, despite the expert’s recommendations.

For some, the actions of the College’s leadership resemble politicians seeking clever ways to invent a perception that something is being done for Sedona/Verde Valley while actually tucking the money originally tentatively approved into a west side purse for future use of west side projects. For example, in early 2023, to the surprise of east side residents, the College was discovered grading land on the Verde Valley Campus  80 plus vacant acres for a small, unplanned 10-space trailer park. The idea of such a project had once been briefly broached during a  2022 Governing Board meeting where then Sedona/Verde Valley Governing Board representative Paul Chevalier voiced strong disapproval of such a  project. It was neither brought back to the Board for a vote after the brief discussion nor does it appear as a capital project in the College’s budget.

The costs of the tiny  trailer park, which appear almost insignificant,  have never been revealed to the public. It is a minor project, intended, some suspect, as an attempt merely to appease local residents and create the perceptions mentioned above.

Meanwhile, Prescott-Campus based executives embarked on a capital spending spree for the College’s west side of the county shortly after the November meeting. They moved forward swiftly with the planned $12 to $19 million (or more) renovation of the Prescott Campus library (building 19). In a surprise, unplanned move they  purchased and began renovating a 42-acre church camp for at least $11 million.

In May 2023, the Prescott leaders received Governing Board approval for an unplanned $11 million expansion of the west County  CTEC facility. Though the CTEC expansion was paused after Arizona’s governor denied a request to fund it, or a portion of it, it is believed that the College continues to quietly seek funds for this project.

The College began actively fundraising through its Foundation for funds to construct a planned health sciences facility at the Prescott Center. The projected estimated costs range from $14.5 million to $30 or $40 million, all of which  depend on the final approved plans.

Construction of an unplanned new culinary school facility on the Prescott Campus is underway, at an estimated cost of $1.5 million. This facility may compete directly with the existing culinary program in Sedona.

Smaller projects appear to be going forward, such as a $650,000 road sign near CTEC (land purchased, sign estimated to cost $500,000 according to budget). The new Commercial Driving facility, a Prescott Campus apartment for visiting faculty, and renovation of the Prescott Campus cafeteria are among some of the other projects completed in the last few months on the west side of the County. All of which cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

At its September 2024 meeting, the Governing Board held a closed secret executive session to discuss the potential purchase or lease of additional land in Prescott. While the specific details of the meeting remain undisclosed, it is widely suspected that the discussion involved funding for a new  west-side project.

Given the numerous planned and unplanned capital expenditures on the west side of the County, one might rightfully question whether funds originally allocated for Sedona and the Verde Valley have been quietly diverted to finance this surge of projects. For some, the available evidence strongly points to that conclusion. What do you think?”

Categories : Construction, Sedona Campus, Verde campus events

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE PATTY MCMULLEN-MIKLES ART GALLEY ON VERDE VALLEY CAMPUS TO FEATURE AN WABI-SABI EXHIBIT OCTOBER 3 – 31

By R. Oliphant
Wednesday, September 25th, 2024

The opening Reception is Thursday, October 3 from  5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. At 5:30 there will be a dedication ceremony for Dick Marcusen sculpture

The Patty McMullen-Mikles Art Gallery on the Verde Valley Campus of Yavapai Community College will feature an exhibit of Wabi-Sabi  artwork that is imperfect, irregular or asymmetrical. Wabi-Sabi is the mindset of accepting and finding beauty in the imperfect, impermanent and incomplete.

The opening reception is scheduled for Thursday, October 3 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. It will include a dedication ceremony for the Dick Marcusen Sculpture at 5:30 pm. Marcusen is a local sculptor and foundational artist.

The new sculpture will be installed by Building “F” near the gallery. It is a metal artwork created by Dick Marcusen from the beginning of his art career. One of the founding members of the Yavapai College Art Department, Marcusen began teaching at the Community College in 1971. Over the course of 30 years at Yavapai Community College, he taught Jewelry, Sculpture, Three-Dimensional Design, Welded Metal Sculpture, and Woodworking. He welcomed digital media into the art program and was instrumental in creating the beautiful Prescott Campus Sculpture Garden. The sculpture was donated by Albert Kaminski, an adjunct science instructor at Yavapai Community College  who also enjoyed art classes. The dedication, as noted above,  will take place at 5:30 p.m.

Categories : Art programs, Verde campus events

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, WINE & WAGS EVENT, 4-6 P.M. AT VERDE VALLEY CAMPUS IN CLARKDALE

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, July 25th, 2024

$25 admission fee to Mabery  Pavilion offers wine, music and more. Campus will also host free pet-friendly activities including dog grooming, pet photography, dog adoption, and puppy pools.

On Thursday, August 8 Yavapai College will combines its free Verde Valley Open House with its Wine & Wags event, 4-6 p.m., at the Verde Valley Campus in Clarkdale.

The Verde Valley Humane Society will be on-hand with adoptable dogs.

The $25 admission fee to the pavilion purchases a wristband, which includes table seating in the pavilion, a glass of wine and a charcuterie boat. Those without a wristband are welcome to pull up a chair near the pavilion and enjoy the live music, as well. For more information about Wine & Wags, please visit: www.yc.edu/WINEWAGS.

Categories : Verde campus events

CLARKDALE ARTISTS EXHIBITION ON VERDE VALLEY CAMPUS

By R. Oliphant
Friday, September 22nd, 2023

September 28 – October 26, Patty McMullen-Mikles Art Gallery

Yavapai Community College will hold a “Clarkdale Artists Exhibition” on the Verde Valley Campus from September 28 to October 26 at the Patty McMullen-Mikles Art Gallery. 

The opening reception is Thursday, September 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  The Gallery is open three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Categories : Art programs, Verde campus events

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE FIVE YEAR MASTER PLAN INCLUDES CONCEPT OF $9.25 MILLION STUDENT HOUSING PROJECT ON THE VERDE CAMPUS

By R. Oliphant
Wednesday, December 14th, 2022

Housing of up to 60 beds will provide student access to unique destination programs offered at the Campus

The Yavapai Community College Governing Board 4-1 approved in concept creation of a small student residence facility of up to 60 beds on the Verde Campus at its November Board meeting.  The initial estimated cost for the facility was put at $9.25 million. 

Actual approval for the housing project must come when the Governing Board meets in May 2023 and approves its budget. The plan does not include housing for faculty.

 If approved, it is believed the Community College executives will use revenue bonds to pay for its construction.  These are bonds that are issued upon approval of the Governing Board and do not use taxpayer funds for repayment.  Rather, income derived from a variety of sources generated by the Community College are used for such projects.

It is believed that that the current residence halls on the Prescott Campus pay for themselves.  In other words, they are not subsidized by County taxpayers. No doubt, Prescott based executives hope that the Verde facility will likewise pay for itself.

Following below are excerpts from the Master Plan approved in concept by the Governing Board:

 

 

Categories : Verde campus events

YAVAPAI COLLEGE’S VERDE ART GALLERY PRESENTS A SPECIAL EXHIBIT OF MARK HEMLEBEN’S PLEIN AIR STUDIES

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, January 12th, 2020

Opening reception is from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Friday, January 17 on Verde Campus,  Building F

Yavapai Community College’s Verde Art Gallery will present a special exhibit of Mark Hemleben’s Plein Air studies created before the artist finalizes the work. The opening reception is from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Friday, January 17 at 601 Black Hills Dr., Building F in Clarkdale.

Hemleben is an award winning Plein Air painter from Jerome. His works are beloved and collected by art lovers around the globe, including William Shatner who is a collector.

Yavapai College Verde Art Gallery, 601 Black Hills Drive BLG F Clarkdale. Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Categories : Verde campus events

VERDE CAMPUS LIBRARY OFFERING SPECIAL PROGRAMS IN NOVEMBER

By R. Oliphant
Friday, November 8th, 2019

Book discussions and healthcare seminars open to the public

The Yavapai Community College library on the Verde Campus will feature book discussions and healthcare programs during November.

At 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 12 at 2 p.m., the public may  join author Iris Yang for a discussion about her book, Wings of a Flying Tiger. Yang tells the story of one cousin’s courage and another’s determination to help a wounded American pilot during World War II in Japanese occupied China.

From noon until 1 p.m. Wednesday, November  13,  “Healthy Boundaries in Everyday Life” will be the topic discussed by licensed associate counselor and adjunct faculty member Chris Hout.  Hout’s presentation is on:  “How can I draw a line in the sand with someone I care about?” and “What are healthy and unhealthy boundaries?” The program is presented to the public  as part of the Distinguished Guest Lecture Series.

On Thursday, November 14 from 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. healthcare and ethics with nursing is the topic and will be presented by professors Cindy Schroeder and Elizabeth Franco.

Yavapai Community College’s Verde Valley campus is located at 601 Black Hills Drive in Clarkdale. The library is located in Building “M.”

Categories : Verde campus events

YAVAPAI COLLEGE SEEKS ARTISTS FOR “VISIONS OF THE VERDE” STATEWIDE JURIED ART SHOW AUG. 20 THROUGH OCT. 11; ORIGINAL WORKS TO BE SHOWN AT THE VERDE CAMPUS ART GALLERY

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, June 22nd, 2019

Submissions must be received by Monday, July 15, and artists will be notified by July 29. No entry fee is required; the catalyst for this program is the Smithsonian Institution’s Water|Ways 6-week tour, which has a stop in Camp Verde

(Yavapai Community College announcement follows.)  As part of the Smithsonian Institution’s Water|Ways 6-week tour stop in Camp Verde, the Yavapai College Verde Art Gallery is hosting a “Visions of the Verde” statewide juried art show Aug. 20 through Oct. 11. Artists are invited to submit original works for the show that “depict, address, and celebrate the Verde River” or that “are influenced by the Verde watershed.”

Friends of the Verde River, a non-profit organization based in Cottonwood, is partnering with Yavapai College to bring the Visions of the Verde show to the Verde Valley Campus. The exhibit welcomes all media, styles, and techniques. Submissions must be received by Monday, July 15, and artists will be notified by July 29. No entry fee is required.

A prospectus for the Visions of the Verde art show is available for download on the YC website at www.yc.edu/artgallery.

Opening and closing receptions will be held on campus at the Verde Art Gallery, from 5 to 7 p.m.  Friday, Aug. 23 and Friday, Oct. 11, respectively. Appetizers will be served, and the college’s award-winning, student-crafted wine will be available for purchase at both receptions.

Designed specifically for small-town museums and libraries, the Smithsonian Water|Ways exhibit began touring Arizona in 2018 and will continue its circuit through spring 2020. Camp Verde Community Library is one of 12 stops on the tour, and one of only two Water|Ways exhibitions in northern Arizona.

The Water|Ways exhibit, made possible in collaboration with Arizona Humanities and Arizona State University, is the catalyst for the Visions of the Verde art show and multiple other community events focusing on the Verde River, its economic and cultural impact on Yavapai County communities, and efforts to conserve and protect the Verde watershed.

For additional information about the Water|Ways exhibit and related community events, visit https://verderiver.org/waterways. Verde Valley Campus is located at 601 Black Hills Drive, Clarkdale, AZ. For information about Yavapai College visit www.yc.edu or call 928.634.7501.

Categories : Verde campus events

EXPLORE VERDE VALLEY CAMPUS SET FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 24

By R. Oliphant
Friday, April 20th, 2018

Event set for 4 PM to 6:30 PM with free barbecue, live band, and campus tour

Yavapai Community College has invited the public to explore the Verde Valley Campus on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 from 4 PM to 6:30 PM. The College announcement says that attendees will learn about Yavapai College’s educational programs, resources, services, and more. There is also a free barbecue, live band, and campus tours.    The Campus is located at 601 Black Hills Dr., Clarkdale, AZ.

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Categories : Verde campus events
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