Thursday, June 27, 2013

OCC “Man Up” program focuses on success in school and life


Graduates of the high school "Man Up" program
Many students struggle transitioning from high school to college. And, African American men struggle with this transition more than others, statistics show.

That’s why Oakland Community College leaders crafted a program whose goal is to keep young African American men in school and on track to succeed.

The goal of “Man Up,” now in its third year, is to engage students early in their high school and college careers, make them aware of pitfalls they will encounter in college, and teach them how to surpass them, says Lloyd Crews, dean of the Southfield campus and one of the program’s creators.

“There’s a huge academic gap between males and females and particularly, males of color,” Crews says. “What we’ve found as educators is that it’s important for young men to be successful from the start. If they come into a situation they are not prepared for, they often opt out rather than ask for help.”

One of the goals of “Man Up” is to teach students to not walk away from situations that are uncomfortable, meet challenges and get the work done, Crews says.

“The all-male environment has many purposes and one of them is to help them feel less apprehensive about saying they don’t know something, because when they meet they are ‘just a bunch of guys,’” he adds.

“Man Up” offers both high school and college students lessons that are personal and academic in nature. They include study skills, time management, note taking, self-advocating, healthy relationships and budgeting. It facilitates group discussions on personal responsibility and accountability, especially toward peers. African American men who are successful in a variety of fields are also invited to make presentations to students about their careers and the path that led them there.

The program has helped nearly 100 students in the last three years at high schools in Oak Park and Southfield and the OCC campuses in Southfield, Royal Oak and Orchard Ridge. High school programs usually last 12 weeks. The format on college campuses is that of an ongoing club where students take on leadership roles.

Gregory Anderson was a student leader with the “Man Up” program in the Orchard Ridge campus in Farmington Hills. He graduated from OCC in May and plans to enroll at Wayne State University to study finance and communications this fall. He said “Man Up” helped him improve his leadership skills and to understand that leaders must embody the message they bring.

“Having to be on top of other students made me be on top of my own work,” says Anderson, 28, of Southfield. “The biggest lessons were learning what it takes to be a man, learning what my responsibilities are.”

“The program is a bridge for students that go from high school to college,” he added. “This is a critical time and students are generally not very good at asking for help when they need it.”
The program aims to teach students what expectations are in college early on, says Jahquan Hawkins, Student Life Coordinator at the Orchard Ridge campus and an advisor for “Man Up.”

Hawkins felt drawn to advising the program because of his own difficulties transitioning from high school to college, he says.

“I was an honor student coming out of high school,” he says. “But because I didn’t establish good study habits, it was hard for me to adjust to college. My study habits put me at a deficit.”

He was able to recover from that deficit and now feels he is well positioned to help others with similar challenges.

The term “Man Up” was chosen for several reasons, Hawkins adds.

“We want young men to make the transition from boyhood to manhood and be accountable. 

They are also expected to pull the next man up and make sure they get to where they need to be.”

“’Man Up” also teaches about having a greater purpose than yourself,” he adds. “The “Man Up” program sheds light on the fact that you have influence over other people and you have to handle that influence responsibly.”

To find out more about “Man Up,” contact Dr. Lloyd Crews at lccrews@oaklandcc.edu.

OCC culinary students give couples a sweet treat

Culinary students and instructors at the Orchard Ridge campus of Oakland Community College in Farmington Hills are giving a sweet treat to six couples celebrating vow renewal ceremonies next week.


The students, members of a wedding cake design class at the Oakland Community College’s Culinary Studies Institute, spent their last week of class making hand-made gum paste roses and fondant daisies that will be used for decorative cake toppers for six couples who are celebrating many decades together, including several celebrating more than 60 years.

The couples live at The Park At Trowbridge, a Southfield retirement community operated by Brookdale Senior Living, which is hosting the Monday through Thursday celebrations. Festivities include bachelor and bachelorette parties, couples’ showers, a rehearsal dinner, a vow renewal ceremony and reception.
Lois Hennessey, an instructor in the cake design class, said she was tickled to receive the request for cakes as her own parents just celebrated 60 years of marriage.
“When we got the call, I thought ‘What are the chances?’ she said. “This celebration is so near and dear to my heart.”

The class will donate six cake toppers decorated with plaques bearing each couple’s name and a 100-piece cake to be enjoyed by friends, family and residents of The Park At Trowbridge in Southfield. The five-week class ended two weeks ago. 

Instructors froze the cake parts they could make ahead of time and students and instructors who could stick around will assemble the cakes on Tuesday for the Thursday reception.
In addition to the sugary flowers, the class used decorative jewels on the toppers to go with the ‘diamonds’ anniversary theme and glued them with piping gel.

“The toppers are keepsakes and not to be eaten,” said class instructor Michaelle Stidham. “They have wires and little gems in them.”

The cake portion – which is edible - will be raspberry and chocolate with butter cream frosting, she added.

“It is really special that a senior living retirement community has that many residents celebrating 60 years plus around the same time,” Stidham said. “The students thought it was pretty cool.”

The cakes will be assembled at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Oakland Community College for the Thursday reception.

“We do these kinds of services and other charity events in our community but we thought this was extra special,” said Program Coordinator Chef Susan M. Baier, who helped coordinate the event for the senior living retirement community residents.

All events will be held at The Park At Trowbridge, 24111 Civic Center Drive in Southfield. They include a bachelor and bachelorette party at 7:15 p.m., June 24, a couples’ bridal shower at 3 p.m., June 25, a rehearsal dinner at 6 p.m., June 26, a renewal ceremony 2-4 p.m., June 27 and a reception at 7:15 p.m., June 27.

“We are very excited to be hosting such a meaningful event for our residents,” said Michael MacDonnell, Executive Director at The Park At Trowbridge. “It is our hope that this event will give hope, spread joy and help others to remember their marriages with fondness.”
The OCC Culinary Studies Institute offers programs in restaurant management, baking and pastry arts, culinary arts, and hotel management and a variety of culinary events and dining experiences throughout the year. Visit our website to learn about our student success stories and newsmakers.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Graduation photos available online


Graduation pictures taken by an Oakland Community College photographer are available for students to download free of charge. Click here to view and down load photos. Enjoy!


Academic Support Centers closed Friday

Alert! All Academic Support Center (ASC) offices and testing centers will be closed Friday, June 14. The M-TEC testing center at 2900 Featherstone Road in Auburn Hills will be open.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Golf outing to raise money for scholarships

Lloyd Crews, Cheryl Blake-Bagley, Gheretta Harris and Rich Whitmore
Lloyd Crews, Cheryl Blake-Bagley, Gheretta Harris and Rich Whitmore

Oakland Community College is hosting its 22nd annual “Golf for Scholarships” outing on August 23.


The outing, on the beautiful and historic Pine Knob Golf Course, has generated more than $750,000 and funded more than 420 scholarships for students since it started 21 years ago.

Last year’s event raised more than $43,000 for the "Golf for Scholarships" endowment fund, allowing for nearly 70 scholarships to be awarded. 

The event is a great opportunity to network and play a friendly game of golf while raising money for scholarships.

The day’s schedule includes registration and a continental breakfast at 10 a.m., a shotgun start at 11 a.m. with a box lunch and a dinner at 5 p.m. at the golf course, located at 5580 Waldon Road, Clarkston. The event includes Hole-In-One Prizes, beverages on the course, golf competitions and giveaways.

Event and team sponsorships are available at all levels. In addition to the predetermined sponsorship packages, customized sponsorship packages can be created to meet individual needs.

To register or to become a sponsor, click here.  For a map and directions, click here.  For additional information, click here, call 248-341-2138 or email organizers at OCCFoundation@oaklandcc.edu.

Sponsorships will be accepted at all levels until the day of the outing or until it is sold out.  A presenting sponsor at the $10,000 level is exclusive and the sponsor’s logo will be imprinted on golfer gifts.  The deadline to pledge for presenting sponsor is July 8.

Oakland Community College is the largest community college in Michigan and ranks 23rd among the nation’s 1,200 associate degree-granting schools.  With five campuses throughout Oakland County, it offers degrees and certificates in more than 160 fields, including university transfer degrees in business, science and the liberal arts, as well as workforce training and certificate programs.  About three quarters of a million students have enrolled at the college since it opened in 1965.  Visit OCC online.