Harper College notes
Celebrate women's history: Harper College's celebration of Women Make History Month continues at 2 p.m. today with author Kathy Steffen, reading from her debut book, "First There is a River." The free event takes place in Room A243 of Building A.
The historical novel, inspired by Steffen's great-grandmother -- a cook on a West Virginia riverboat -- tells the story of a woman who runs away from her abusive husband, fleeing to her uncle's riverboat in 1900.
Steffen's second novel, "Jasper Mountain," is set to be released in November. At this reading, she'll tell the story behind writing both of the works.
Fiber artist and printmaker Jennifer Jenkins' exhibit, "I Practice Gymnastics Every Day," will be on display through Thursday in the Art Exhibition Space, Room C200, Building C. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
The works are two-dimensional abstracts. Jenkins -- former student and now teacher at the Savannah College of Art and Design -- draws from the microscopic world to create a "mess" of inks and embroidery thread, forming the basis of complex works.
Women Make History Month honors women who have played a role in achieving equal rights and salutes the contributions women have made to today's society.
Rock the vote with MTV: MTV's "Rock The Vote" drive, featuring alums from the hit shows "The Real World" and "Road Rules," visits Harper's Performing Arts Center at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Road Rules veteran Rachel Robinson and Real World star Alton Williams will host a free, nonpartisan discussion on the potential impact of the 18- to 24-year-old vote and the importance of registering to vote.
In conjunction, Harper student clubs and organizations are sponsoring a voter registration drive across campus through Thursday. The Rock the Vote initiative aims to get 20 million young adults to the polls for the upcoming national election.
"I think more students are galvanized about the upcoming election," said Michael Harkins, a Harper associate professor who teaches history. "Hats off to the students."
Doors to the Performing Arts Center open at 1 p.m.. For more on the Rock the Vote event, or locations and hours of voter registration tables, call (847) 925-6242.
The power of playtime: Harper College's Child Learning Center will offer "The Power of Play" at 7 p.m. Thursday in Room J143 of Building J. The event will feature a keynote address by Michael K. Meyerhoff, an author and adjunct Harper professor who has spoken nationally on the topic of play-based learning and the importance of early childhood education.
"If children are in a play-based environment … there is a desire for learning," said Michele Robinson, assistant professor of early childhood education. "We just have to do a better job of educating parents on how play works."
The evening also will include comments from a kindergarten teacher on what skills a child should have when starting school.
The presentation is free and open to the public. RSVP at (847) 925-6262.
Comedy at Harper: Harper College's new Laugh Shack Comedy Series continues, held in Room A238 of the Student Center Lounge, Building A, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine.
Described as a "hipper Tracey Ullman," Jen Kober will take the Harper Laugh Shack stage at 8 p.m. April 4. Winner of the Stand-up Comedy and Sketch Comedy categories in the 2003 Houston Comedy Games, Kober has developed a routine that combines stand-up, storytelling, and spontaneous singing.
Kober has appeared on Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen, Comic Relief 2006, and The Comedy Festival, delivering shows "full of homespun southern-style storytelling and creative culinary concoctions that will leave your mouth watering, and your jaw aching from laughter."
Completing the Harper Laugh Shack Comedy Series is comedian Vidur Kapur at 8 p.m. May 2 in Room A238 of the Student Center, Building A. Kapur's comedy is based on the social commentary of a one-man culture clash -- he's a gay, Indian immigrant raised in a conservative middle-class family.
Selected as top comic for NBC's "Stand Up for Diversity Initiative," Kapur was featured at the 2007 New York Comedy Festival and has appeared on NBC's Last Comic Standing and MTV World.
Individual show tickets for the Laugh Shack Comedy Series are $10 in advance, or $12 at the door for general admission and Harper faculty, staff and senior citizens. Tickets are $5 in advance, and $7 at the door for Harper students with valid ID.
For tickets and more information call (847) 925-6100, or visit online at harpercollege.edu.
Musical mosaic: The Harper College Community Music Center's third annual Concert Series continues at 7:30 p.m. April 12 with "Tango Fantastico," featuring The Alma de Tango Quartet and special guest tango dancers Javier Gomez and Olga Kokaurova.
All concerts are held on Harper's main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. General admission tickets cost $15 per concert, with discounts for students, seniors and children.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit harpercollege.edu or call (847) 925-6100.
Harper survey: According to a recent survey, 99 percent of transfer graduates and 98 percent of career graduates said they would recommend Harper College to friends and family.
The survey was conducted in fall 2006 and spring 2007. 1,105 graduates responded to the survey, which was done by phone and mail. Other results of the survey:
• 89 percent of transfer graduates and 93 percent of career graduates said they would return to Harper in the future
• 73 percent of employed career graduates were in a job related to their Harper program, and 79 percent reported being satisfied in their jobs
• 76 percent of transfer graduates reported being enrolled at least part-time in another institution
• 73 percent of transfer graduates reported that all their Harper credits transferred to their new institution
• 72 percent of transfer graduates were enrolled in a major related to their major at Harper
Harper Speakers Bureau: Provided as a community service, the Harper College Speakers Bureau provides access to local experts in a variety of subjects.
Speakers are available to community organizations such as chambers of commerce, library groups, service organizations and other civic groups for free. Experts cover a diverse array of topics including art, astronomy, career training, cultural trends, ecology, entrepreneurship, estate planning, exercise, small business development, math and science.
For more information on booking a speaker, call (847) 925-6701 or visit harpercollege.edu.
Child Learning Center: The Harper Child Learning Center's preschool program offers a curriculum to form a broad base of knowledge children can use as they advance into the primary grades.
The learning center also strives to create a preschool environment that treats children as individuals and invites parents to visit so they may share in their children's activities.
More information about choosing a preschool is available in a podcast on the Child Learning Center Web site at harpercollege.edu. Parents also may sign up for a free visit at the center by calling (847) 925-6262.
Campus spa: The Therapeutic Massage Clinic at Harper is staffed by students in the program and offers clients Swedish massage at a cost of $35 for a one-hour massage ($30 for seniors 65 and older).
There are peaceful, private massage rooms available. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (847) 925-6000, ext. 2805.