LAKEPORT, Calif. – Computer access is improving for Mendocino College students at the Lake Center thanks to a donation to the Mendocino College Foundation.
College and foundation staff recently announced that a $1,000 gift is enabling the college to employ aides for additional hours and keep the Lake Center’s computer lab open on Fridays.
“As funding for some of our student support services has declined in recent years, the donation has helped us to provide access to the computer technology that has become so essential for student success,” said Mark Rawitsch, dean of the college centers in Lakeport and Willits.
As a result of budget cuts, the center’s computer lab was closed on Fridays during the fall semester.
Students requested that the lab be open to them on Fridays, said Lake Center Operations Supervisor Arlene Peters.
College students may use the computers in the lab between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and now from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays.
Although the computer lab is not open on Thursdays (closed due to classes scheduled in the lab), the Learning Lab at the Lake Center offers eight to 10 additional computers for student use.
The Learning Lab is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., and Fridays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Rawitsch suggested the allocation as the best way to utilize the recent gift from Mary Lou and Wade Koeninger.
The funding allows the college to employ two computer lab aides and keep the lab open extra hours this semester, the dean said.
Elaine Bishop, a 16-year employee of the college, and her husband Trett are the individuals offering assistance to computer users in the lab.
“Since many of our local students do not have easy access to computers at home, we’re pleased to be able to increase our Lakeport computer lab hours for students this semester,” said Rawitsch.
Mendocino College Foundation Executive Director Katie Wojcieszak has assisted the Koeningers in their continuing efforts to help Mendocino College students, both present and future.
For more information about making donations to the foundation or about foundation scholarships and programs, call the foundation office at 707-467-1018 or visit the Web site at http://foundation.mendocino.edu.
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