CCC welcomes new board member

"Education is vitally basic to self-fulfillment, understanding, and good citizenship."

Nathaniel M. White (and Tom Atwood, far left) took the oath of office December 9, 1998 for the CCC District Governing Board.

"My feelings about the importance of education and the availability of all types of educational opportunities led me to seek board membership," said White.

Originally from Arnolds Mills, Rhode Island, he moved to Flagstaff in 1969. White immediately began working at Lowell Observatory and is currently a senior staff astronomer. White is married and has three children.

An advocate for education, White believes "education is vitally basic to self-fulfillment, understanding, and good citizenship. It is a lifelong process."

White has served on many other boards in the community, including Flagstaff Leadership Board, Friends of Flagstaff's Future Board and Arizona Town Hall Board. He says these previous experiences will allow him to benefit the CCC District Governing Board.

"I hope to bring an independence in my thinking with the broad community interest at heart."

Five years from now White sees a bright future for CCC. It will be "an educational institution continuing to grow because of its excellent service."

Kozak named Faculty Member of the Year

"I create an environment where students feel comfortable to ask questions and feel empowered to learn."

Kate Kozak has been named Faculty Member of the Year. Kozak, a member of the CCC faculty since 1992, has an extensive background in mathematics and physics. She has a B.S. degree in both subjects and a master's degree in mathematics with an emphasis in statistics from Northern Arizona University.

She spent part of last summer at the Kennedy Space Center working on laboratory technical activities utilizing mathematics. The activities will help create innovative, application-based classroom modules to enhance student learning in two-year colleges.

While in the classroom, Kozak believes students need a positive and encouraging environment in which to learn.

She says the most rewarding aspect of teaching occurs when she hears students say they understand and enjoy math. "I create an environment where students feel comfortable to ask questions and feel empowered to learn."

Bowman named Associate Faculty Member of the Year

"I try to make sure my classroom is relaxed, open and student oriented."

Dave Bowman is this year's Associate Faculty Member of the Year. Bowman is a computer information systems instructor who has a broad background in teaching and computer consulting. His teaching career began in elementary education in 1973 and moved to the university level in 1995 at Northern Arizona University. He began teaching at CCC in 1996. In addition to teaching at NAU and CCC, Bowman does computer consulting in small business, accounting, spreadsheet, word processing, and network and internet programs and systems.

Bowman has a B.A. in elementary education from the University of Wyoming, and completed master's degree work in elementary administration also at UW.

He says the most rewarding aspect of teaching is "knowing that students enjoy learning in my classes and come away from them with something they can use in their lives." He believes it is important to create an atmosphere that is conducive to learning.

"I try to make sure my classroom is relaxed, open and student oriented--a place where they feel comfortable and respected."

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