With the start of the new year and new semester also comes the introduction to a new learning management system — Moodlerooms.

Until now, ANGEL was the system used for online classes, said Greg Gardner, academic affairs associate vice president.

“ANGEL got bought out by Blackboard and so we were forced to make some transition,” Gardner said.

Chris James/Pioneer
Construction is under way on the new Boeing building on Tuesday, Jan. 17. The construction site is located at South Air Depot Boulevard and SW 59th street.

Boeing, the world’s leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners, will be closing its decades-old Defense, Space and Security plant in Wichita, Kansas, by the end of 2013. This closure will bring more than 800 jobs to the metro area for aerospace engineers with the remaining jobs going to San Antonio.

This announcement could more than double Boeing’s workforce in the coming months.

In addition to building commercial jetliners and military aircraft, they design and manufacture satellites, launch vehicles, rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, advanced information and communication systems.

A new scholarship is available through OCCC for students. The Dr. Marion Paden Distinguished Leadership Award has been established for students who have given back to the community.

According to the description on the OCCC employee website: “A percentage of the $15,000 endowed scholarship from Regent [John] Massey will be awarded annually to a deserving student on a case by case basis.”

The scholarship was created in the name of Paden, vice president of enrollment and student services.

“We want to recognize people who balance educational experience with some civic experience and service learning,” Paden said. “We want to reward people who balance scholastic endeavors with a service heart.”