Outlook A Publication of Florida Community College at Jacksonville February 1994 Vol. 10, No. This employee benefit takes the byte out of high prices From spring break and 36—hour summer work weeks to tourist attraction discounts and tuition reimbursement, FCC] staff consider themselves fortunate when it comes to employee benefits. Thanks to IBM and Apple computer companies that pot is even sweeter. Through a state contract pricing agree— ment, eligible full—time FCC] employees and full'time FCC] students can purchase — for personal use IBM and Apple computers, printers and related equipment at substan— tial discounts. Though discounts vary from product to product, they are usually 50 to 75 percent off list price, according to Kurt Armstrong, product specialist, information systems and services, MCCS. “Some are less, but generally speaking, employees will get good prices on any equipment,” he said. There is, however, a catch. “One problem is that the price list changes from month to month, so not all items are available all of the time,” said Scott Freudenthal, systems programming and telecommunicav tions manager, MCCS. “Secondly, even though some equipment has a 30; day availability, others have a much longer waiting list.” Consequently, Armstrong suggested checking on product availability as Despite the drawbacks, the purchase plan is still a good deal for College employees, especially for staff or faculty members who have been thinking about purchasing a computer to do work at home. “If I were to buy a computer for my personal use, I would soon as possible. buy it through this “If you’re program,” thinking about Freudenthal said. buying a F or more computer infomnation on down the road, IBM computers you should check ahead, or you may be waiting a long time for delivery,” he said. “There are already so many on back order that the manufacturers simply can’t keep up with the demand.” and equipment, call Jerry Eggert at 1285. Refer to the university contract. For more information on Apple computers and equipment, call Julie Miller at or Scott Freudenthal at 63213270. Refer to the individual purchase plan 11. Diesel mechanics instructor performs some real 6wizardry9 at Geis Marine Center Everyone has heard the old saying: one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. But john Stuke, professor of diesel mechanics at Geis Marine Center, has experienced the phenomenon firsthand. It all began last December when GMC Director Michael Sheklin, a long—time fan of industrial art, showed Stuke a photo— graph of a sculpture made completely out of diesel parts and asked if he could create something similar. Stuke said he’d give it some thought. Within a week he had completed his own industrial sculpture — a seven—footv tall figure made out of an old engine block, cam shafts, a fly wheel and assorted other diesel parts. Though Stuke was pleased with the results, it wasn’t until a student commented that his creation looked like the Tin Man from “The Wizard of Oz” that he really began to see the potential for a project of this kind. “I started looking at things differently [from that point on]. I saw a blower in the corner — it looked like Dorothy — and the valve springs looked like her hair,” he said. And how could he help but notice the striking resemblance between an old starter and Dorothy’s dog Toto? For six weeks, Stuke, six diesel mechanic students and Gus Plait, professor of welding, worked during lunch breaks and after class to complete Dorothy and Toto as well as the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow. Using only scrap parts destined for the dumpster, the project was certainly a novel way to recycle, but more importantly, Sheklin said, it was a unique way to learn. “Seventy percent of learning in any vocational program is hands-on, so this was a real learning experience for the students,” he said. "This project gave the students the opportunity to do some very creative and unusual work — because you never really know what you’ll be asked to do when you’re on the road to employment.” Shouldn’t that be the “yellow brick road”.7 Postscript: Coincidentally, the project was completed just in time for the FCC] Artist Series’ presentation of “The Wizard of Oz” stage show at the Civic Auditorium. Through an arrangement with the venue, Stuke’s figures were put on display in the lobby during the show’s run in Jacksonville. The figures may now be seen in the lobby of Downtown Campus. Top left: On display in the lobby of the Civic Auditorium, it’s the Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, Dorothy and Toto or better known as “The Welded of Oz.” Above: Professor-turned-artist John Stuke poses with his first creation, the Tin Man. INSIDE , OCR Text: Outlook A Publication of Florida Community College at Jacksonville February 1994 Vol. 10, No. This employee benefit takes the byte out of high prices From spring break and 36—hour summer work weeks to tourist attraction discounts and tuition reimbursement, FCC] staff consider themselves fortunate when it comes to employee benefits. Thanks to IBM and Apple computer companies that pot is even sweeter. Through a state contract pricing agree— ment, eligible full—time FCC] employees and full'time FCC] students can purchase — for personal use IBM and Apple computers, printers and related equipment at substan— tial discounts. Though discounts vary from product to product, they are usually 50 to 75 percent off list price, according to Kurt Armstrong, product specialist, information systems and services, MCCS. “Some are less, but generally speaking, employees will get good prices on any equipment,” he said. There is, however, a catch. “One problem is that the price list changes from month to month, so not all items are available all of the time,” said Scott Freudenthal, systems programming and telecommunicav tions manager, MCCS. “Secondly, even though some equipment has a 30; day availability, others have a much longer waiting list.” Consequently, Armstrong suggested checking on product availability as Despite the drawbacks, the purchase plan is still a good deal for College employees, especially for staff or faculty members who have been thinking about purchasing a computer to do work at home. “If I were to buy a computer for my personal use, I would soon as possible. buy it through this “If you’re program,” thinking about Freudenthal said. buying a F or more computer infomnation on down the road, IBM computers you should check ahead, or you may be waiting a long time for delivery,” he said. “There are already so many on back order that the manufacturers simply can’t keep up with the demand.” and equipment, call Jerry Eggert at 1285. Refer to the university contract. For more information on Apple computers and equipment, call Julie Miller at or Scott Freudenthal at 63213270. Refer to the individual purchase plan 11. Diesel mechanics instructor performs some real 6wizardry9 at Geis Marine Center Everyone has heard the old saying: one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. But john Stuke, professor of diesel mechanics at Geis Marine Center, has experienced the phenomenon firsthand. It all began last December when GMC Director Michael Sheklin, a long—time fan of industrial art, showed Stuke a photo— graph of a sculpture made completely out of diesel parts and asked if he could create something similar. Stuke said he’d give it some thought. Within a week he had completed his own industrial sculpture — a seven—footv tall figure made out of an old engine block, cam shafts, a fly wheel and assorted other diesel parts. Though Stuke was pleased with the results, it wasn’t until a student commented that his creation looked like the Tin Man from “The Wizard of Oz” that he really began to see the potential for a project of this kind. “I started looking at things differently [from that point on]. I saw a blower in the corner — it looked like Dorothy — and the valve springs looked like her hair,” he said. And how could he help but notice the striking resemblance between an old starter and Dorothy’s dog Toto? For six weeks, Stuke, six diesel mechanic students and Gus Plait, professor of welding, worked during lunch breaks and after class to complete Dorothy and Toto as well as the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow. Using only scrap parts destined for the dumpster, the project was certainly a novel way to recycle, but more importantly, Sheklin said, it was a unique way to learn. “Seventy percent of learning in any vocational program is hands-on, so this was a real learning experience for the students,” he said. "This project gave the students the opportunity to do some very creative and unusual work — because you never really know what you’ll be asked to do when you’re on the road to employment.” Shouldn’t that be the “yellow brick road”.7 Postscript: Coincidentally, the project was completed just in time for the FCC] Artist Series’ presentation of “The Wizard of Oz” stage show at the Civic Auditorium. Through an arrangement with the venue, Stuke’s figures were put on display in the lobby during the show’s run in Jacksonville. The figures may now be seen in the lobby of Downtown Campus. Top left: On display in the lobby of the Civic Auditorium, it’s the Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, Dorothy and Toto or better known as “The Welded of Oz.” Above: Professor-turned-artist John Stuke poses with his first creation, the Tin Man. INSIDE , Z ArchiveInABox,JAX,Outlook Newsletter Resorted,1994,February 1994,February 1994 1, February 1994 1