Newsletter: August 2007

Profile of Jessica Gumkowski, a.k.a. "The Juggler"
BCMT's Marketing Coordinator
Jessica is a 2006 graduate of the Boulder College of Massage Therapy’s 1000-hour program. For the past 10 years, Jessica’s career background has been in event sales and marketing. In 2002, burnout led to a decision that a career change was in order. Jessica had always expressed interest in learning massage therapy, and, in January, 2003, she was offered a position at the college’s front desk. Being on the front lines at BCMT, Jessica decided to pursue her interest in massage therapy by enrolling in the two-year night program beginning in July, 2004. During her tenure at the front desk, word got out about Jessica’s previous career in sales and marketing and, as they say, the rest is history. So, while a student at BCMT and following graduation in June of 2006, Jessica has been applying her skills in a part-time position of marketing our wonderful college. Jessica is also an athlete and will be competing this month in the Timberman Half-Ironman on Sunday, August 19th. She is also preparing for the June 2008 Ironman Coeur d’Alene in Idaho. One of Jessica’s goals is to continue her education by enrolling in the Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) degree program at BCMT in July 2008.

Jessica is a “Juggler” of sorts, a woman who wears many hats. However, her career is fully immersed in the world of massage therapy, yet it is a balanced mix. Jessica’s involvement with BCMT in the role of Marketing Coordinator satisfies her Type A business personality and her hands-on promotion of massage therapy in her private practice (www.massageboulder.com) satisfies her embodiment of being a practitioner. Jessica derives a tremendous amount of satisfaction in representing the college and massage therapy in general, as an industry. She works closely with the admissions department to increase enrollment. Her massage private practice caters to the elite athlete. Jessica encourages each of her clients to consider an education in massage therapy as another avenue in pursuit of their goals. Jessica’s true joy comes from the realization the she is the best part of her clients’ day.

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Staff Spotlight: Profile of Judy Stattine
Student Services and Continuing Education Coordinator
Many of you know Judy, the “classy” woman with the calming presence behind the desk in the administration wing on the second floor of BCMT. Many of you know Judy as the “voice of knowledge” when calling about continuing education or advanced bodywork courses. However, most of you do not know what the “Day in the Life” of Judy Stattine entails.

Judy Stattine has been with BCMT since August of 2003. Judy just recently celebrated her fourth anniversary of this “interesting ride” at BCMT. When Judy assumed the position of Coordinator for Student Services and Continuing Education, she was offered an enclosed office, which she declined. She prefers being available…….to all.

Judy’s background is in office management, working with a volunteer organization, a dental office as well as with a cooking school, the Culinary School of the Rockies, for ten years. Her organizational skills have served her well at BCMT. Despite not having enough hours in a day, those familiar with Judy’s “office” a.k.a. “the nursing station”, know that somehow, Judy manages to multi-task, and then some! She always makes herself available to students who drop by with questions as well as faculty and staff who stop by to say “hello” or need her assistance. And, she does it all with grace, patience and a smile!

Judy enjoys the people contact, whether face-to-face or on the phone. Judy feels that the continuing education courses offered are quality products, and she is always encouraging people to enroll in one of the many classes available. Judy also likes BCMT’s quarterly system, which allows her to meet and get to know a multitude of students and to see them grow and change. She relishes the fact that BCMT is a fun place to work, but it is also a lot of work. So, if you go by Judy’s office and she doesn’t acknowledge you, she is not ignoring you…….she is just very busy!

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Alumni Homecoming Party News
A good time was had by all!
The first Alumni Homecoming Bash was almost all we hoped for. The band rocked, the dinner was yummy, the CE class by Elaine Calenda was excellent, old friends reminisced in small groups, an impressive break dance troupe performed, and we had a successful silent auction. Many attendees had never visited our campus on Longbow Dr. and were more than a little impressed. We have, quite probably, the most beautiful massage college in the world!!

Many people made the success of the event possible. Special thanks must go to all the donors of products and services for pre-event promotions, the raffle, the dinner, the bar, and the silent auction.

My personal thanks also go to:

• Elaine Calenda, for sharing her incomparable knowledge of massage and donating the proceeds from the class to BCMT
• Jan Combs, problem-solver and paper shuffling supporter-in-chief
• Jessica Gumkowski, for fabulously creative and effective marketing ideas and website support
• Troy Lavigne, for orchestrating an excellent dinner as well as his unshakable belief in the possibility of success, even when others were in doubt!
• Rick Reynolds, for his dogged pursuit of great raffle and silent auction prizes, and his constant concern for the welfare of all our alumni.
• Linda Whittle and Stan Guralnick for creative raffle ticket selling at the event. They were both excellent salespeople.
• Zach Noffsinger took time from him Anniversary and also sold raffle tickets. (A special thank you to Zach's wife!!)
• Donna Hittinger, school bursar, for her tracking of the money, and dealing with the happy insanity of onsite silent auction sales!
• Aspen Sullivan, for her support with finding and contacting as many alums as we could.
• John Allen for party-day, errand running support
• Bruce Carter, without whose innovative help prior to, during the party, and for clean-up, this event would have floundered!
• All the volunteers who helped with set-up, serving, clean-up, errands, or anything else they helped with!
• All of the alumni who showed up for the party!!

We will stay in touch will all of you about upcoming classes, or other alumni events.

Many blessings to you all,
Honora Lee Wolfe, Founder

To view photos of the event [ click here ]

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To the Graduates of Boulder School of Massage Therapy:
John Waldbauer, 1979 BSMT Graduate, Died in November, 2003
My husband, friend, and lover, John Waldbauer, was an extraordinary human being. After beginning his healing ministry as a Catholic Priest in 1969, becoming a massage therapist in 1979, John devoted 23 years to the profession of Rolfing. He had a remarkable ability to engage his clients in their physical, emotional and spiritual journeys.

Over 1500 people were present at John’s funeral, each with a story about John’s kindness in their lives. The Rolfing community can be very proud of the way that John represented your work in the Milwaukee area.

As I was closing John’s Rolfing office, I found a note in his handwriting that reads: “There is no death, only a change of worlds”. I look forward to the time when he and I will dance together again! In the meantime, our son, Jonathan, and I live with the full blessings of John’s presence with us.

May each of you know the joy in your work that John lived with such grace.

Sincerely,
Karen A. Vernal

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Upcoming 2007 Continuing Education Courses

100-Hour Spa Elements Certificate Program
Stone Massage: September 7 – 9
Aromatherapy & Herbal Applications: October 12 – 14
Body Masques – November 9 – 11

100-Hour The Art of Zen Certificate Program
Foundational Techniques and Theory: Prone Position – September 7 – 9
Foundational Techniques and Theory: Supine Position – October 19 – 21

125-Hour Prenatal, Labor,Postpartum Certificate Program
Massage for New Mothers – September 15 – 16
Creative Support for Laboring Women – October 26 – 28
Advanced Techniques – November 16 – 18

150-Hour Orthopedic and Sports Massage Certificate Program
Neurovascular Compression Syndromes of the Upper and Lower Extremities – September 14 – 16

Sports Injuries and Dysfunctions of the Cervical Spine and Upper Extremity, including Frozen
Shoulder, Headache and TMJ Dysfunction – October 12 – 14

Sports Injuries and Dysfunction of the Lower Extremity and Lumbar Spine – November 16 – 18

Additional Continuing Education Courses
Natural Energy Flows: November 3
Beginning Canine Massage: November 10
The Psychology and Ethics of Touch: October 14
Therapeutic Movement in Bodywork: November 3 – 4
Russian Medical Massage for Fibromyalgia: September 29
Russian Medical Massage for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: September 30
Comfort Touch: Massage for the Elderly and the Ill: October 20 - 21

For further information or to receive a catalog, please contact: Judy Stattine @ 303.530.2100 or 1.800.442.5131 (outside of Colorado) or visit our website @ www.bcmt.org

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