2 April Swanson is MSVCC Instructor of the Year April 2, 2017 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 Bob Swanson of Tupelo, astronomy instructor at Itawamba Community College, has been named Mississippi Virtual Community College Instructor of the Year. “While I’m still a bit incredulous, the fact that I was selected out of so many worthy candidates somehow validates my online teaching mantra – that online students deserve a learning experience that is as similar as possible to the one received by their traditional, face-to-face counterparts,” Swanson said. “Thankfully, with today’s technology supported by the vision and know-how of ICC’s eLearning and TIS departments, this goal can largely be achieved.” The voting committee cited Swanson’s significant use of multi-media by adding and recording videos as something that sets his class apart, according to Denise Gillespie, dean of eLearning. Criteria for selection include demonstrates a genuine concern for students and the capability to inspire them; inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn; motivates students to learn and facilities in-depth learning; develops meaningful and innovative curricula; has the respect and admiration of his colleagues; arranges media and content in the online environment to help students transfer knowledge most effectively; strives to improve and grow both personally and professionally; provides online leadership in a manner that promotes student success through regular feedback, prompt response and clear communication of expectations and an innovator in online teaching and learning. Swanson participated in one of NASA’s 11 educator teams for its Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors program and flying on its Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy in March. The program is a professional development opportunity for educators designed to improve teaching methods and inspire students. SOFIA is based at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center’s facility in Palmdale, Calif. Swanson’s background includes Shannon High School, where he taught physics, physical science and earth science; professional meteorologist – six years as a TV weatherman and four years as assistant weather editor of USA Today. He earned bachelor’s degrees in both physics and philosophy from The University of Scranton and a master’s degree in meteorology from Penn State University. He and his wife, Meredith, are the parents of three sons, D.J., Nate and Henry. Related Articles ICC's Swanson participates in NITARP Itawamba Community College astronomy instructor Bob Swanson of Tupelo was among more than 30 participants from the NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program who attended the winter meeting of the American Astronomical Society from Jan. 6-10 in Seattle, Wash. He is the first Mississippi educator to participate in NITARP. For more than a decade, NITARP has partnered small groups of educators with a research astronomer for original, year-long research projects. At the AAS meeting, the educators from the 2018 class, along with some of their students, presented the results of their work over the past year. As part of NITARP’s 2019 class, Swanson will be teamed with three other educators from Iowa, Kansas and Massachusetts, as well as selected students, to work with astrophysicist Dr. Luisa Rebull of Caltech. They will present their research in detecting star-forming regions in the Lagoon Nebula, using archived data from the Kepler Space Telescope, at the 2020 AAS winter meeting to be held in Honolulu, Hawaii. “This NITARP opportunity allows me to directly involve a student, Jaydin Walthers ... ICC to honor Alumnus of the Year, Athletic Hall of Fame Sept. 23 Itawamba Community College will honor its 2021 Alumnus of the Year and Athletic Hall of Fame inductees during Homecoming activities, Sept. 23, at the Fulton Campus. They include Karen Camp McFerrin of Mantachie, Alumnus of the Year; and Cameron “CeCee” Austin Cavanaugh of Pontotoc and Jeff Tally of Saltillo, Athletic Hall of Fame. From 1968-70, McFerrin attended ICC, where she earned the associate’s degree. She was a Wesley Foundation officer, Drum Major, vice president of the Home Economics Club and charter member of Phi Theta Kappa, Hall of Fame, IJC Beauty and Dean’s List Scholar. She continued her education at the University of Mississippi, where she earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in home economics. She began her career working for the Mississippi Extension Service in Tylertown before returning home to accept a position at ICC, where she served as a recruiter, teacher and adviser. McFerrin played a vital role in the organization of the Indian Delegation. Through teaching nutrition classes, she empowered many nursing students to understand and implement the vital link between nutrition and health in their ... Three years later...Neither ICC nor TPSD could have imagined magnitude of Middle College success Three years ago, neither Itawamba Community College nor the Tupelo Public School District could have imagined the magnitude of success of its Middle College partnership. The accelerated journey to simultaneously achieving diplomas from both institutions has grown significantly, according to Brittany Terrell, transition counselor. “When reflecting on the past three years of the Middle College program, I am proud of the success these students have shown. I have witnessed students come out of their shell and find confidence in their academic abilities. Not only have they blossomed academically, but they are heavily involved with ICC’s extracurriculars, clubs and organizations.” Jay Salters of Tupelo, who received both his Tupelo High School and Itawamba Community College diplomas last spring, was president of the Tupelo Campus Student Government Association, one of only 12 members selected by faculty and staff members to the prestigious Hall of Fame and a member of the ICC Indian Delegation and a THS Ambassador. He was invited into membership in both Phi Theta Kappa (ICC) and the National Honor Society (THS). However, he’s not the only example. Austin Acosta, currently a ... Swanson set for SOFIA flight Bob Swanson of Tupelo, astronomy instructor at Itawamba Community College, will participate in one of NASA’s 11 educator teams for its Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors program and will fly on its Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, Mar. 5-11. During that week, his team will make at least two and possibly three research flights, each lasting about 12 hours. As part of his role as an Airborne Astronomy Ambassador, Swanson said that he is to do public outreach for the SOFIA program. He has recently released a song to iTunes, “Infra-Ready (Set to Go!),” to commemorate the opportunity. In his spare time, Swanson writes and records children’s music about weather (Stormin’ Bob Swanson, the Singing Weatherman) and gives science presentations to local schools, libraries and community groups. “To make my outreach as effective as possible, I try to bring all my talents to bear, including my passion for music and songwriting,” he said. The program is a professional development opportunity for educators designed to improve teaching methods and to inspire students. As part of the preparation, the Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors complete a graduate credit ... ICC selects 2020 Alumnus of the Year, Athletic Hall of Fame inductees Itawamba Community College has selected its Alumnus of the Year and Athletic Hall of Fame inductees for 2020. The honorees include Jim Mounce of Tupelo, Alumnus of the Year, and Kenneth “Kebo” Davis of Okolona and Tyson Lee of Germantown, Tenn., Athletic Hall of Fame. A native of Ecru, Mounce is a 1964 graduate of Itawamba Junior College. During his two years, he was a member of the football team, the baseball team, sophomore class president and class favorite, cutest. His educational background also includes the bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi; juris doctorate from the University of Mississippi School of Law and the master’s degree from Bellevue University. From 1969-85, Mounce practiced law in Tupelo, and from 1985-2000, he chief operating officer for Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society and president, CEO and chairman of the board for Woodmen Life from 2000 until he retired in 2009. Currently, he is serving on the boards of Sanctuary Hospice and the Itawamba Community College Foundation, Inc. and is a member of Harrisburg ... ICC alumnus Jason Dickinson returns to become Campus Police Chief 28 years after he first enrolled as a student Itawamba Community College alumnus Jason Dickinson of Mantachie has returned to his alma mater to become Campus Police Chief 28 years after he first enrolled as a student. On July 1, Dickinson started his new job after spending 23 years working patrol and investigating. Dickinson said he applied because he wants to make a difference in the young lives of the students. Although he has never worked in the college environment, he wants to help or keep them on the right path and explain to them what a bad decision can bring. Dickinson earned two associate’s degrees from ICC, one in agribusiness and the other, in Law Enforcement Technology. “My first stint as a student was in 1993, and it was an adjustment straight out of a small high school. The best part was I met my wife of 25 years now in music appreciation class.” Dickinson’s second time as a student begin in 2015, when he enrolled to obtain a law enforcement degree. He was working full-time as an investigator with the Itawamba County Sheriff’s ... Comments are closed.