The public is invited to attend a 98th anniversary event of the 1910 Mexican Revolution from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, November 20, at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center on the campus of Morton College, 3801 S. Central Avenue, Cicero.

Dr. Jesus “Chuy” Negrete, a historian, writer and philosopher from the University of Houston, is the program’s featured speaker.

The town of Cicero and the Cicero Mexican Cultural Committee are sponsoring the event.

Rich Snyder was Morton College’s representative on the five-member all-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference College Bowl Team October 17 at Elgin Community College.

College Bowl is an academic question-and-answer competition where contestants have just five seconds to answer questions in subjects like humanities, history, science, mathematics, literature, social sciences and current events.

Snyder assembled the third highest point total for an individual at the competition. 

Morton College finished tied for third at the eight-team competition with a 4-3 record. Oakton Community College of Des Plaines finished first with a 6-1 record and Moraine Valley of Palos Hills was second at 5-2.

The Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference provides competition in athletics and academics for its eight member schools, which include Morton, Elgin, Oakton, Moraine Valley, Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, McHenry Community College in Crystal Lake, Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, College of Lake County in Grayslake and Prairie State College in Chicago Heights.

In addition to Snyder, Morton College’s team members included Merin Dunkle, Len Kunkel, Richard Jakubowski and Maggie Guzman. Morton College’s College Bowl coaches are Bob Casey, Craig Casey, Scott Mitchener and Sandy Migitz.

In the Spring of 2009, Morton College will host a regional tournament with the winner advancing to the state College Bowl, which is sponsored by Illinois Community College Trustees Association and the Illinois Community College Student Activities Association.

A partnership with the Chicagoland Regional College Program is what attracted LaKeisha Hill to Morton College.

“I had enrolled in college before, but couldn’t finish because I needed to work,” LaKeisha explained. “I couldn’t take on a part-time job and go to school full-time. This (CRCP) allows me to do both.”

Her mother heard a CRCP radio ad and encouraged LaKeisha to find out more.

CRCP was marking its fifth anniversary with celebrations at its six partner institutions. CRCP Day at Morton College was October 29th. That day, Morton College students in CRCP wore their orange hooded-sweatshirts with the program’s logo on the front and the new slogan, “Serious,” on the back.

CRCP is a program that offers students at its partner schools paid tuition, medical insurance, student support services and much more in exchange for working as a package handler at UPS’ Hodgkins facility on the night or sunrise shifts.

LaKeisha, who is studying business and wants to have her own talent-management company, discovered the program requires time-management skills. She worked with Brenda Garcia-Searle, her academic advisor at Morton College, to have one-hour breaks between classes. LaKeisha uses the time to study and do her coursework.

“I like it a lot and I find everyone is very helpful,” said LaKeisha, who is encouraging her cousin to become part of CRCP.

“This being our fifth anniversary, we want to go to our partner schools and celebrate,” said Servelure McMath, CRCP’s Recruitment and Marketing Director. “We wanted to thank our partners for their support.”

The recent downturn in the economy is making CRCP look more attractive, according to McMath, especially to those who are trying to further their educations and find a way to pay for it.

“We’re finding more students are interested in CRCP, especially when they hear we offer medical benefits,” said McMath, who added UPS is a good company. “Our open houses are filling up quickly and we’ve had to close them earlier than before. It’s a sign of what’s going on in our economy.”

In addition to Morton College, other CRCP partner schools are Chicago State University, Governors State University, Moraine Valley Community College, Olive-Harvey College and Prairie State College.

More information about CRCP is available at www.crcprogram.com or by calling (866) 501-2727.

When representatives from the Chicagoland Regional College Program made a recruiting pitch at Rose Givhan’s job site two years ago, the now Morton College student thought their offer was too good to be true.

“I signed up and it’s true,” Rose said. “They have every aspect covered.”

In exchange for working 20 hours a week at UPS on its night or sunrise shifts, CRCP pays for tuition and books as well as provides medical insurance, housing and transportation assistance, and student support services for students at its six partner institutions located across the Chicagoland area. UPS also provides weekly, paid holidays and medical insurance.

“You will succeed and get your degree,” Rose said. “It’s a great opportunity to go back to school.”

Rose enrolled at Morton College because it was the closest partner school to her home in Chicago. Her goal is to be accepted into Morton College’s nursing program in the Fall of 2009.

Juggling the expectations of Morton College, CRCP, UPS and family required some adjusting on Rose’s part.

“It was awhile since I had been in school,” said Rose, who also works as a substitute payroll clerk with the Chicago Public School system. “The first semester was difficult, but I finally got into the groove.”

Rose also found a great support system through Morton College and CRCP.

“You have to work, but everyone is willing to work with you,” Rose said. “I love being at Morton College – there’s such a great diversity of students.”

Rose’s ability to adapt certainly is one of her strengths. For example, Rose doesn’t view the physical nature of being a package handler as an obstacle.

“It’s a workout,” Rose said. “I use it as my exercise regiment.”

Morton College is now a family affair. One daughter, Andrea Valdez, is a current student. Nefertiti Valdez, another daughter, will be enrolling in January for the Spring semester.

“When I came to Chicago (in the 1990s), one of my goals was to get a degree,” Rose said. “Thanks to Morton College and CRCP, I feel like I’m fulfilling that goal.”

You, too, can start your success story at Morton College. Registration for the Spring Semester begins Monday, November 17th.  Call (708) 656-8000 Ext. 250 or visit www.morton.edu for more information.