South Hardin HS students take Microsoft Certification testing at ECC
Wednesday / November 4, 2015
South Hardin High School students came to Ellsworth Community College last week to complete Microsoft Certification testing in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Ellsworth Community College’s Business & Computer Science Division hosted 18 South Hardin High School students who took a variety of Microsoft Certification tests last week. Mostly seniors, the students tested for Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint certifications accompanied by South Hardin instructor Erika Wolfe.
“We have a partnership with South Hardin High School, and we received grant funds to host them for this Microsoft Certification testing,” explains ECC Professor Janet Siert. “This was a great opportunity for those students. Because the results are immediate, we ended the event with a recognition ceremony and presentation of the Microsoft certificates.”
In addition to Microsoft testing, the students received campus tours and learned about college degree programs and career opportunities related to 
Business and Computer Science. ECC Administrators Dr. Martin Reimer, Dr. Lisa Stock, and Dr. Barb Klein were on hand, along with other ECC faculty, admissions staff, and Buena Vista University representatives to welcome the students during the recognition ceremony. Students learned about the Business Professionals of America (BPA) organization from ECC sophomore BPA participant Crosley Ryan, a South Hardin High School graduate.
A Microsoft IT Academy grant paid for each student’s $65 testing fee, and a mini-grant from the Ellsworth College Trustees covered the cost of a pizza lunch, information packets and giveaway items for the participants.
Siert organized the event in collaboration with ECC faculty members Greg Hodak and Larry Janssen. She said ECC hopes to host students from other area high schools for Microsoft Certification testing in the future.
ECC staff and administration spoke to the South Hardin students during their lunch break. Standing are, back row, from left: faculty member Greg Hodak, Dean of Enrollment Services & Registrar Dr. Barb Klein, and Provost Dr. Martin Reimer.