Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Wayback Wednesday: A Scholarly Crest

Welcome and welcome back, scholars! Let’s begin this semester’s Wayback Wednesday series with a nod to the Parkland College Crest. Coat of Arms. Crest… Coat of Arms.

Why the confusion? Well, while it’s always been called the Parkland College Crest, technically, it should be called a coat of arms. You see, the crest is a component of the entire coat of arms, traditionally located above the helmet, which is missing here. The design does still retain the shield as the centerpiece of a traditional coat of arms, so that's good. (And here is where your Friendly Neighborhood Archivist admits that she is, perhaps, a bit too persnickety on the subject for her own good and will concede that modern times have certainly allowed for bending the traditional rules of heraldry.) Anyhoo, here’s your Parkland history fix for the month.  

The Parkland College Crest is the outgrowth of an effort begun in 1968 to develop a college seal. Working with Dick Karch, then Assistant Dean for Student Activities, designers from Josten’s (that’s right, the class ring people) took a list of ideas and included five items in their final suggested design.

The design was finalized in 1972, and the ideas which it suggests were extensively reviewed and written into “An Interpretation of the Parkland College Crest” by Paul Kunkel, while as Director of Development.  Here is the original document: 

You’ll always find this explanation of the Parkland Crest in the college catalog (see page 14), and you’ll see the crest again on the commencement program at graduation. However, your Friendly Neighborhood Archivist knows there is at least one spot where you can find the Parkland Crest here on campus, and it’s kind of in an unexpected place.  There may be more.  Let us know where you found it! 

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Wayback Wednesday Extra: Symbolize the new academic year with your own coat of arms!

This information was found in Record Groups 5-3, Institutional Accountability and Research, and 6-2, Comptroller, Business Office. 

Wayback Wednesday is a feature of the Parkland College Archives. If you have ideas you'd like to see in future posts, email us at archives@parkland.edu. The Archives is open to faculty, staff, students, and the public by appointment. 


Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Tips for a Positive Parkland Experience

Fall classes start on August 24th, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time here at Parkland.


  • Remember the ramps.  Parkland's layout can be confusing at first.  Keep this in mind - if you're walking UP a ramp, you're walking towards the college center (X-wing).  If you're walking DOWN a ramp, you're walking away from the college center.  
  • If you drive, make a note of the parking lot when you arrive.  The lightpoles in the parking lots all have markers that indicate which lot you're in, like B7 or M1.  If you get confused walking out, remember your lot.  The letter of the parking lot will often correspond to the nearest wing of the college, for example B7 is nearest to the B wing.
  • Check out campus events, like Convocation and Activities Fair in the Student Union, August 27th at noon.  You can expect a welcoming address from the President and VP, a free lunch starting at 12:30, and explore the different clubs, organizations, and facilities Parkland has to offer.  Plus fun games and cool prizes!  You might even win an iPad!
  • Help is available!  Need research assistance?  Ask a Librarian!  Need someone to proofread your work, or help with your math homework?  Visit the Center for Academic Success in D120.  Need help finding a job?  The Career Center in U238 has local job listings and can provide assistance with your resume!
  • Get involved.  Visit Student Life in U111 to learn about the various extracurriculars available at Parkland.  You can also get your student ID here, which you need to check out material in the Library.  Not to mention a student ID will score you discounts at select local businesses!
  • Ask Questions!  That's how you learn, so don't be shy!  

And of course, the Library is here to help.  
Contact us: 
By phone 217-373-3839
By text 217-615-0079
By e-mail library@parkland.edu
By chat (click here)