Tri-C Honors Society Plan Takes Flight

It all started with a small feathered body in front of a glass building. Charli Slodov, a nursing student and Honors Society club member at Cuyahoga Community College’s Eastern campus, noticed dead birds in front of the new building. "It was so sad, they must have flow into the glass and killed themselves," she said.

Free time for the students at Tri-C is always at a premium, they often juggle work, school and families. The members of Phi Theta Kappa, the honors society, are typical in that regard, however they must also maintain a 3.5 grade point average. If all that is not enough, the members at Eastern campus also make time for animals.

Based on Slodov’s observation they did some research and concluded that window decals or silhouettes would help birds distinguish the glass reflection from the sky. They put together a plan and negoited a volume discout from Window Alert. With the guidance of Bassem Alkaimari, their faculty advisor, they have gone through channels and are waiting for the final approval from the president’s office.

While they wait, they have started to raise funds to purchase the decals. Lisa Szafraniec, a resident and event coordinator, posted bake sale signs thought out the campus ensuring a good turnout. By the end of several hours the tables were bare and they had grossed more than $200, which will be matched by Phi Theta Kappa.

Kyle Drachenberg, president of the club, who is majoring in electrical engineering, was all for the idea. Sitting in front of the baked goods he donated, he said, "I love animals – I have a small zoo at home with two dogs, two cats, fish and a turtle."

It seems that a small event can bring about great changes when busy people take notice.