JSRCC prepares teachers for urban schools
Reynolds continues to address the most critical needs of area teachers. Last week, the College’s Center for Teacher Education hosted its second Urban Teachers Institute, a week-long initiative designed to enrich teachers’ understanding of students in urban school settings and strengthen content knowledge in much needed math and science areas. With support from the Community Foundation, JSRCC partnered with Virginia Commonwealth University and public schools in the City of Richmond, Henrico County and Petersburg to offer the Institute.
>> read the full press release
Reynolds partners with Piedmont to offer Learning Community Summer Institute
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College partnered with Piedmont Virginia Community College to host this year’s Learning Communities Summer Institute (LCSI). During this intensive workshop, 25 JSRCC faculty focused on implementation of learning communities (LCs) and LC-related strategies. An essential characteristic of learning communities is collaboration across disciplines, and the LCSI amplified this spirit by collaborating both across discipline and across institutional lines.
Learning communities are a kind of co-registration or block scheduling that enables students to take courses together. The courses themselves are typically linked by integrated themes and assignments, developed through ongoing faculty collaboration. Considerable research indicates that learning communities have a positive impact on student persistence, retention and graduation rates. Essentially, students who perceive themselves as members of a community, tethered to their college experience, are more likely to be successful in their courses and programs. Unsurprisingly both students and faculty show higher levels of satisfaction as the result of participation in learning communities.
Reynolds partners with the Metropolitan Business League to offer Small Business Boot Camp
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College has joined the Metropolitan Business League and other partners to offer the 2008 Small Business Boot Camp, a summer-long series of workshops designed to share general business and finance practices with small business owners. Workshop topics include how to access capital, keep records and create a website. Sessions specific to the restaurant and construction industries will also be offered. All workshops are scheduled at JSRCC’s Parham Road Campus from 10 a.m. to noon in Georgiadis Hall, room 351. For more information and a full summer schedule, visit www.thembl.org.
Other partners include the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance, New Visions New Ventures, the Technology Resource Center, the Greater Richmond Small Business Development Center, the Chesterfield County Department of Economic Development, the Henrico County Economic Development Authority, the City of Richmond Department of Economics, Hanover County Economic Development and the City of Richmond Office of Minority Business Development.
“Freedom
Writers” essay contest winners announced 
JSRCC recently
hosted another “Around the World Through Books” discussion
featuring The Freedom Writers Diary, by Erin Gruwell and
the Freedom Writers – an inspirational story about
how a teacher and her “at-risk” students used
writing to change and inspire the world around them.
As
a bonus, the winners of the college-wide Freedom Writers
Essay Contest were announced following the book discussion.
Essays were submitted by students in two categories – research
and personal narrative. Faculty and staff also entered
a separate personal narrative essay contest. Winners are:
Research Paper Category:
1st Place: Ginger Edwards, “Mothers,
Come Home for your Children!”
2nd Place: Wendy O’Brien, “Alcohol
and Addiction”
3rd Place: Jerica Beninson, “Violence
Is a Learned Behavior”
Personal Narrative Category:
1st Place: Michelle Richards, “Cleaning Up”
2nd
Place: Rebecca Wall, “Writings on the Wall”
3rd
Place: Ginger Edwards, “Following Your Dream” Faculty
Submission: Miles Mccrimmon, “Telling Tales out
of School: What Ms. Gruwell and the Freedom Writers Have
to Teach Us”
Reynolds celebrates Earth Day 2008
JSRCC staff and faculty gathered on April 22 to learn more about the history Earth Day and discuss ways in which they could live and work a little greener. Reynolds faculty member Richard Groover presented some background as well as helpful suggestions.
Groover is a Biology professor and teaches a course at JSRCC entitled “Biology of the Environment.” He shared a history of what he referred to as “an explosion of environmental laws” in the 1970’s and talked about easy ways for individuals to make a positive impact – including turning lights off, recycling and reducing gasoline consumption. Raffle winners were awarded with reusable grocery bags, donated by Ukrops Supermarkets, as well as fluorescent light bulbs, organic cotton t-shirts and pvc-free plastic reusable water bottles.
National youth violence
expert addresses campus safety
With
the perception of high-profile shootings and 
school violence
on the rise, Dr. Dewey Cornell denounced the concern during
his presentation at the J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Safety Symposium.
A clinical psychologist and a professor in
the School of Education at the University of Virginia, Dr. Cornell
focused on the importance of violence prevention in every crisis
management plan. His presentation included dissecting the shooting
at Virginia Tech and stressed that there are many more shootings
in restaurants and in homes than at educational institutions.
For the past 15 years Dr. Cornell conducted research on the
psychological profiles of juveniles who have committed murder,
and has professionally evaluated many juvenile offenders, including
a 14-year-old boy from Paducah, Ky. who fired into a prayer
group and killed three of his classmates.
The 2nd Annual Safety
Symposium showcased numerous law enforcement and fire safety
units including the Virginia State Police Bomb Squad and Henrico
County K-9 Unit.
Environmentalist Lois Gibbs urges Reynolds students to
protect
their communities
Lois Gibbs, an American environmental activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, recently visited J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College to share her personal story of Love Canal, New York – an entire neighborhood built on a toxic waste dump that was declared the first environmental disaster area in the United States.
“The biggest lesson I learned was that it is not about science, it’s about politics,” said Gibbs.
As a resident and the homeowner’s association president of Love Canal, Gibbs fought for her family’s and neighbor’s relocation in 1978. She started her research after her son began suffering from asthma, epilepsy, urinary and liver problems; and her daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia. Gibbs discovered that her neighborhood and children’s school was built on 20,000 tons of toxic chemicals. She later discovered that more than half of the children born in her neighborhood were born with birth defects and that several women suffered miscarriages or stillbirths.
“Love Canal was 30 years ago. You think we would know better than to build schools on toxic dumps,” Gibbs said. “But it continues to happen. If you’re low income and a neighborhood of color, you’re expendable.”
The U.S. environmental law known as Superfund was created in 1980 in response to the Love Canal disaster. The Superfund law protects the public from abandoned toxic waste sites. Gibbs lives in Virginia and now serves as the executive director for the Center for Health, Environment and Justice – an organization that helps families and communities that are facing environmental risks.
Gibbs encouraged Reynolds students to recycle and discontinue using harmful or non-biodegradable products, such as plastics made with PVC - better known as vinyl. For more information, visit www.chej.org or www.pvcfree.org.
Middle College - an “extreme make-over” for many Richmonders
When JSRCC President Dr. Gary Rhodes asked a panel of Middle College graduates to rate the affect the Middle College program had on their lives, all eight panelists gave a maximum score of at least a 10.
At the program’s recent forum featuring graduates, the panel shared with current Middle College students, JSRCC faculty and staff and supporters of the program their success stories and how the Middle College gave their lives an extreme make-over.
Kevin, a Middle College graduate, took the event one step further. As the current make-up artist for clients Coca-Cola and the BET Network, Kevin performed an on-site make-over for one student – a hands-on demonstration of how his education is paying off.
“The Middle College changed my life and I know it can change yours too,” shared Kevin. “By getting my GED, I was able to go to New York City and to chase my dreams in the big city. Earning your GED can do the same for you.”
NaToya, a 2005 Middle College graduate, expressed how the college entry program gave her new hope. She recently completed the Certified Nursing Assistants program and is taking JSR classes towards becoming a licensed practical nurse.
LaVon shared how her GED opened the door to becoming an assistant manager at a local restaurant. “While being an assistant manager might not sound glamorous, it wouldn’t have been possible without my GED. I want you to know it’s tough out in the real world. And without your GED, it’s really tough. I’ve been there.”
Sherika served as the moderator of the forum that featured her fellow graduates. She received a round of applause from her husband and three children after sharing her exciting story of how she went from entering the Middle College with no job to now enjoying a full-time job with benefits allowing her to choose the doctors for her family.
The Middle College program is a Virginia Community College System initiative designed to offer a college opportunity to individuals between 18 and 24 who have not completed high school.
This college recovery program is designed for those individuals who have had a desire to pursue college coursework, but need to attain a GED certificate first. The Middle College has worked with 400 students since 2003, serving about 100 students each year. Currently about 75 students are expected to graduate from the program in May.
>> Click here to see more photos
A
visit with friends from Ghana 
Reynolds hosted
a welcoming reception for visitors from Ghana – Sunyani Polytechnic
Rector, Professor Kwasi Nsiah-Gyabaah and Registrar Samuel
Ankama Obour – who discussed possible exchange
opportunities for students and faculty. Representatives
of students and faculty from Reynolds and John Tyler
Community College visited Sunyani Polytechnic Institute
last year during a summer study abroad. Sunyani Polytechnic
is a three-year college – similar to a U.S. community
college.
The African American Image in American Media
In celebration of African American History Month, Reynolds Director of Marketing and Public Relations Malcolm Holmes presented images of African Americans in the
media and discussed the impact of those images on society. Holmes explored early advertising targeting African Americans – using broken English and grossly exaggerated caricatures to market household products. He presented familiar images like Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben to illustrate how African American figures were used in advertising and, in some cases, how their images progressed through the years. More recent African American spokespeople, such as Bill Cosby and Michael Jackson, began making millions on advertising in the 1970’s and 80’s. Holmes also notably referenced African American media pioneers such Ebony Magazine publisher John Johnson and Moss Hendrix, who opened a public relations firm in the 1940’s that grew to include Coca Cola and Ford Motors as clients.
Students thank
College friends for their sweet support
On Valentine's
Day, the Advancement team made surprise visits to a number
of special friends of the College. These individuals
were presented with gourmet chocolates made from Reynolds’ pastry
arts students - an appropriate gift of appreciation for
friends who help make the College so "sweet" for
many Reynolds students. These friends make generous contributions
to initiatives that benefit students like the Scholarship
Program and Annual Fund.
Record
number participates in Classified Council Scholarship Bowl
The Classified Council
would like to thank all that supported and participated
in the recent JSRCC Scholarship Bowl. Nearly 120 enthusiastic
faculty, staff, board members and supporters hit the lanes
last Saturday to raise money for the College’s
general scholarship fund. Special congratulations to Tim
Wilson who won the high score award and to The Champions
team who posted the best overall team score. The Text Kingpins
came in 2nd-place, followed by The Fab 5 in 3rd-place.
Again, thank you for your support and Lt. Branch, it is
never too early to start practicing for next year!!!
>> Click
here to see more photos
JSR Students visit General Assembly
A cadre of JSRCC students recently participated in “Community College Day” at the General Assembly. Strolling through the crowded hallways of the General Assembly Building, the students shared their personal stories with lawmakers.
Matthew Vinson told Delegate Frank Hargrove (R-Hanover) that he plans to graduate in May and transfer to the University of Virginia to become an engineer.
“I came to Reynolds after being home schooled, knowing I wasn’t ready to attend a big four-year university. Now, thanks to my experiences at J. Sarge, I’m properly prepared to continue my education,” said Vinson.
“I also know there isn’t a lot of money in this year’s budget, but I hope you will remember the importance of community colleges when making budget decisions over the next few weeks,” Vinson added.
Following the morning visits, the students walked to the Capitol Building where Delegate Jennifer McClellan (D-71st District) introduced them to the House of Delegates.
“That was my first time in the Capitol,” noted Nakesha Cole. “Being introduced to the entire House was really cool.” Cole graduates in May. She as been accepted into the International Business program at the College of William and Mary through the Guaranteed Admission Program and intends to enroll in the fall.
Additional delegates the students visited included, Chris Peace (R-97th District), G. Manoli Loupassi (R-68th District), John O’Bannon (R-73rd District), and McClellan.
>> Click here to see more photos
Reynolds professor
discusses
hearing loss and sign language on public radio
JSRCC American Sign Language and Interpreter Education Coordinator Bruce A. Sofinski joins University of Virginia Audiologist Mani Aguilar in an interview with Sarah McConnell from With Good Reason, a radio show broadcast in partnership with public radio stations in Virginia and Washington D.C. Their segment “Hear Today, Hear Tomorrow,” discusses hearing loss prevention and the popularity of American Sign Language.
>> Listen to the 
A Conversation With The Times-Dispatch
JSRCC President Dr. Gary L. Rhodes joined Virginia Commonwealth University President Dr. Eugene Trani for a discussion with members of the Richmond Times-Dispatch's editorial staff and newsroom.
Visit Inrich.com for an edited transcript from the January 20 Commentary Section
JSRCC hosts nursing completion ceremony
Over 150 nursing graduates from the nursing program recently participated
in the JSRCC Nursing Recognition Ceremony at Hanover High School. The program recognizes students recently completing the Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing. The ceremony opened with a welcome by JSRCC President Dr. Gary Rhodes and remarks Dean of School of Nursing and Allied Health Dr. Jean 
Donovan, followed by an inspirational keynote address from Reynolds alum and Assistant Professor Jamie Crosby, RN, MS.
Angela Starnes, a recent honors graduate, received the Frances B. Stanley Award, named in recognition of Emeritus Fran Stanley, RN, MS for her outstanding dedication to the college and the nursing profession. She retired from JSRCC after more than 33 years of service.
The Evelyn Bacon Award was presented to Connie Newton. The award was established in 1978 to honor Mrs. Bacon’s retirement and service as program head of nursing. This award recognizes outstanding academic performance (at least a 3.0 or higher), outstanding clinical performance and outstanding interpersonal skills. Documentation of leadership in the program and the community are also viewed as components of this award.
After the award presentation, graduates participated in the traditional candle lighting ceremony and recital of the Nurses’ Pledge. Following the program, graduates along with their family and friends, enjoyed a catered reception.
The Reynolds’ Nursing Program is designed to prepare its students to participate as collaborative members of nursing care teams and to provide direct care to patients in a variety of health service facilities and agencies. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, students are eligible to take the licensing examination to become a Registered Nurse.
Additional Award Winners
Fundamentals of Nursing - Kelly Hennessey
Beginning Medical Surgical - Mary Christine Schaffer
Psychiatric Mental Health - Ebony Smith
Maternal Child - Deborah Williams
Nursing of Children - Latasha Pegram
Advanced Medical Surgical – Mohammad Chaudri
>> Click here to see more photos
VCU guarantees transfer for Reynolds Engineering students
\Dean of Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Engineering Dr. Russell D. Jamison recently presented the University’s programs to Reynolds Engineering students – emphasizing the demand for engineers with well-rounded educations. Although engineering depends heavily on math and technology, he said it also requires creative thinking, communication and the ability to work in teams.
“With so many jobs being outsourced overseas, it is important to have an understanding of business and commerce,” Jamison said. “Companies want people who get it. So you need to know how to read a balance sheet if you want to be valuable to a company.”
In addition to opportunities to receive up to $3,500 a year in renewable scholarships, Jamison also reminded students about guaranteed admission agreements between VCU’s School of Engineering and JSRCC.
Reynolds History
professor publishes “demonology” dissertation 
Dr.
Thomas B. de Mayo’s dissertation “The Demonology
of William of Auvergne: By Fire and Sword" has been published
by The Edwin Mellen Press. Auvergne, a master of theology at
the University of Paris and bishop of Paris from 1228 until
his death in 1249, served as a major advisor to the young Louis
IX. This book examines his demonology to determine why and
how he constructed his theories out of contemporary lore about
demons and other spirits. de Mayo, a full-time History professor
at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, also recently had
an article entitled "William of Auvergne and Popular Demonology" published
in Quidditas, the online journal of the Rocky Mountain Medieval
and Renaissance Association.
The article can be read online
at http://humanities.byu.edu/rmmra/pdfs/28.pdf.
Reynolds President
appointed to regional workforce task force
JSRCC
President Dr. Gary L. Rhodes has been appointed by City of
Richmond Mayor Doug Wilder to serve on a Regional Partnership
Team – designed
to develop a strategy for a regional workforce initiative and
explore a regional workforce development area. In addition
to providing governance and policy direction for regional alignment
efforts, the team will explore merging the City of Richmond
and the Capital Area Workforce Investment Boards. The task
force’s work is scheduled to occur from January through
July and will be facilitated by Dr. William Bosher, former
Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Success tips shared
with new Reynolds students
New JSRCC students were
welcomed at this spring semester’s Student Orientation
Advising and Registration (SOAR) program, where existing students
and faculty shared essential tips for a successful college
career. In addition to receiving a full college orientation,
attendees participated in The Reynolds Experience – an
interactive game show that presented important information
about financial aid, placement tests and registration. Students
were later given campus tours.
“At Reynolds, we try to connect students to resources
within the College that will help them meet their goals,” said
Meg Buchanan Foster, Counselor for First Year Initiatives. “We’re
always looking for opportunities to showcase our academic,
advising, career and financial services.”
The SOAR program is administered through the Office of First
Year Initiatives, which helps provide a successful start for
new students at JSRCC through a variety of programs. For more
information, call (804) 523-5917 or e-mail soar@reynolds.edu.
Students
receive goodie bags for
exam week
Reynolds students received free exam
packs this week from the Office of Student Life to help get
through a busy and important part of the semester.
Essential goodie bag items included candy, highlighters, note
cards, pencils and snacks.
Reynolds book discussion series continues with The Bastard
of Instanbul
The College recently hosted another successful “Around
the World Through 
Books” discussion
featuring The Bastard of Istanbul, written by award-winning
Turkish author Elif Shafak. In an engaging and passionate manner,
Shafak unfolds the tragedy and roots of two families, one Turkish
and one Armenian, who have been tied together since the 1915
Armenian deportations.
JSRCC Professors Dr. Mayda Topoushian and Dr. Ghazal Hashmi
lead the discussion while Mediterranean refreshments were served.
The book discussions are free, community events sponsored by
JSRCC’s Multicultural Enrichment Council for the purpose
of encouraging cultural diversity throughout the Reynolds campuses
and communities.
For more information visit www.reynolds.edu/book.
Community College Horticulture Students from across Virginia 
Help Decorate Governor’s Mansion for the Holidays
Richmond – Community
college horticulture students from across the commonwealth
spent the day at Virginia’s Executive Mansion, helping
decorate the historic residence for the holiday season. First
Lady Anne Holton greeted the students and thanked them for
their hard work.
“It’s not every day you get to come in here and
decorate,” said Sheryl Hall, a Virginia Western Community
College horticulture student. “I could never turn down
an opportunity to say I decorated the governor’s mansion.” “It’s
a wonderful experience,” added Dena Parker, a student
of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. “It’s
a hands-on opportunity you carry with you.”
The students worked under the direction of Amy Bridge, the
director of the Executive Mansion and Tommy Autry, owner of
Tommy’s Garden in Richmond. The students assisted with
several projects, including creating centerpieces, decorating
the chairs of the grand dining room, and assembling the greens
that will be hung throughout the mansion’s first floor.
>> Read
the full story & see more photographs
JSRCC participates in fitness walk
All three Reynolds campuses participated
in a 15 minute fitness walk – part of Commonhealth’s
Keep the Beat program to help prevent and control high blood
pressure. Commonhealth is a Virginia resource that encourages
healthy eating, exercise and lifestyles.
The Keep the Beat program provides tips on how to manage and
prevent high blood pressure, offers blood pressure screenings
and coordinates monthly challenges.
Anthony Booker is the College’s first Student LEAP Award
grand prize winner
Anthony Booker, 22, is a student at the
Middle College and recently received a Student LEAP Award for
demonstrating one of the 11 positive learning environment behaviors.
Award winners can redeem LEAP certificates at the Business
Office for a $5 Wawa gift card. Each month, winners are pooled
and a grand prize winner is drawn and receives a $25 gift card
for Regal Cinemas.
JSRCC is committed to providing a positive
learning environment in which all faculty, staff, and students
can learn together in a setting that encourages the free
exchange of ideas and information. To accomplish this goal,
members of the college have established 11 expectations for
learning. Faculty and staff members may award students for
demonstrating one or more of the following principles: punctuality,
courtesy, consideration, focus, accountability, participation,
preparation, privacy, professionalism, respect and responsibility.
Reynolds Career,
Employment, and Transfer Center partners with U.S. Navy
and VUU marketing students to host Halloween Expo 
The J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Career, Employment and Transfer Center recently partnered
with the U.S. Navy and students participating in the Virginia
Union University Navy Marketing and Recruiting Internship
Program to host a Halloween Expo on the Parham Road Campus.
According to event organizer Eric Richie, the event was designed
to create awareness of career opportunities in United States
Navy. “Ultimately, representatives from the local Navy
Recruiting District wanted to use the event as an opportunity
to generate a list of "qualified" leads for future
enlistment,” said Richie.
The Halloween Expo was the first of several events planned
this semester by the 15 VUU students participating in the
Navy internship program. The program is an industry-education
partnership managed by Orinda, California based EdVenture
Partners (EVP) that gives students an opportunity to apply
their classroom work in real-world situations. EVP is the
only marketing education consultancy in the United States
that brings together educators, students, clients and their
channel partners for mutual collaboration and benefit. Students
from different Richmond area colleges are selected to participate
in the program each year.
“I think the students had great turnout for their first
event. They worked hard on the front- end and made the last
minute adjustments necessary to make the event a success,” said
Professor Antoinette Lloyd of Virginia Union University.
Congratulations PTK inductees
Reynolds recently inducted 62 students
into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. With more than 1.3
million members and 1,100 chapters, PTK is the largest honor
society in American higher education and is recognized as
the official honor society for two-year colleges.
>> Click
here to see more photos
JSRCC builds a community of stronger families
The Office of Student Life and the Early
Childhood Develo
pment
Department joined forces to offer
“A Community Building Stronger Families,”
a reading and crafts fair designed to recognize the many JSRCC
students that juggle work, school and family. The fair included
storytelling, crafts, healthy snack ideas and homework tips
for both parents and kids. Every child also received a free,
age-appropriate book as a give-away.
“It is kind of like a back-to-school
night, except the kids get to see where their parents go
to school,” said Student Life Coordinator Kemper Steele.
Community exhibitors included Read Aloud Virginia,
Richmond Behavioral Health Authority and United Way Airs,
a 2-1-1 service that connects people with important community
programs and volunteer opportunities.
Author attempts to revive “wild fermentation” 
The JSRCC Sustainable Agriculture Club recently
hosted an evening featuring Sandor Katz (aka Sandorkraut),
a food fermentation revivalist, activist and author of Wild
Fermentation: The Flavor, Nutrition, and Craft of Live-culture
Foods. Katz travels widely to teach and promote food
fermentation.
Fermentation creates compelling flavors, preserves
food and adds nutrients. Katz shared the simplicity of fermenting
food, presented the health benefits of kimchi, sauerkraut
and other live-culture ferments, and discussed the diversity
of fermented foods and drinks consumed around the world.
“We live in what I call a bubble of refrigeration,” said
Katz. “But that is fairly new and still not available
in many parts of the world. Fermentation is an ideal way
for many cultures to get from seasons of relative abundance
to seasons of relative scarcity…it is the most effective
way to preserve nutrients in food.”
The most profound benefits of fermented foods,
Katz says, are live cultures – natural bacteria that
are essential for digestion. Flavor is another benefit of
fermentation, although Katz admits that what is considered
flavorful by some, others “wouldn’t touch.”
“What is a delicacy in some parts of the world, many
people in this room would consider really scary,” he
said.
The Sustainable Agriculture Club is part of the JSRCC Horticulture
Program and emphasizes small-scale biointensive techniques
that build soil and do not require large investments in machinery
or equipment. For more information, contact Cindy Conner
at 804.798.8456 or e-mail sunfieldva@aol.com.
Stories from the Middle
College
What if there were no
Middle College at Reynolds? Middle College graduate Sherika
says before she came to Reynolds to earn her GED, “I
didn’t have a job. I was on public assistance. We were
bringing in $600 a month and spending $800 a month with 3
little kids.” Not only did Sherika earn her GED through
the Reynolds Middle College, she went on to successfully
take college classes at Reynolds. At a Middle College Forum
in October, Sherika told students now enrolled in the program, “Last
year I made $41,000 and social services told me I no longer
qualify for assistance. That made a big difference to me.
When my children grow up they’ll want to do better
and they won’t settle.”
>> Read the full story
10th Annual Scholarship Luncheon
Creates Personal Connections
Since the College’s Scholarship Program
began 
in
1983, nearly $3.5 million has been awarded to more than 2,000
students – removing one of the most common barriers to
attending college. Recently, at the 10th Annual Scholarship
Luncheon, scholarship benefactors were able to make personal
connections and see first-hand how they have touched the lives
of JSRCC student recipients.
“I’m not sure how I would have
paid for college if it wasn’t for this scholarship,” said
Laura Briere, 18, recipient of the Reynolds Family Legacy
Scholarship. “I am taking one semester at a time.”
Briere is currently working full-time as a caregiver at a
local daycare, taking four classes and working towards a
degree in early childhood education. She is like many scholarship
recipients – balancing work, family and school. Cherise
James-Cobb, past recipient of the Lillian Amburgey Re-entry/Hermitage
Women’s Scholarship, followed the scholarship’s
benefactor, Stacy Person, on the dais.
“They say you can’t see the wind
beneath your wings, but mine is right here,” said the
mother of five to Person. “This has had a rippling
effect on my family. My 19 year-old is now a student at Reynolds – all
from one gush of wind.”
A key initiative of the College is to increase
the number of scholarships available to students. For more
student testimonials or information on scholarships and how
you can help remove barriers for students contact the JSRCC
Educational Foundation.
>> Click
here to see more photos
Reynolds Book Discussion Series Continues with What is
the What
The
College recently hosted another successful “Around
the World Through Books” discussion, featuring the
Dave Eggers novel What Is the What: The Autobiography
of Valentino Achak Deng. Based upon a real life story,
What is the What walks readers through the life of a boy
separated from his family after his village is destroyed
in the Sudanese civil war.
The program is a free community event sponsored
by JSRCC’s Multicultural Enrichment Committee for the
purpose of encouraging cultural diversity throughout the
Reynolds campuses and communities. The next book discussion
is scheduled for November 29th from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in
the Gallery and will feature Bastard of Istanbul by author
Elif Shafak.
Forum
features international exchange faculty from Netherlands
.jpg) |
Dr. Gary
L. Rhodes, Frans van Eekelen, Bob Bogaard, Dr. Genene
LeRosen |
What do college students in Amsterdam
have in common with students attending J. Sargeant Reynolds
Community College? With the exception of putting mayonnaise
on French fries and taking public transportation or riding
bicycles to class instead of driving cars, more than you
might imagine.
International exchange faculty Frans
van Eekelen and Bob Bogaard fielded a myriad of questions
from Reynolds students at a forum recently held on the Parham
Road Campus. The presenters covered a wide range of topical
areas including global warming, immigration, transportation
and state-supported public education. They also discussed
universal
social issues like crime, literacy, racism and homelessness.
“Our country has a very
diverse population,” said Bogaard. “But everyone
has at least two languages and our literacy rate is close
to 100 percent.”
When asked what he found most unusual about Reynolds, Eekelen
reflected on the College’s establishment of a police
department on campus. “That is very rare in Holland.
We only have security officers at some colleges in what we
would call bad areas,” he said.
Reynolds faculty members Barbara Steward and Steven Sowulewski
are hosting Eekelen and Bogaard. Next year, Steward and Sowulewski
will visit The Netherlands.
Learn more: http://www.holland.com/global/
Reynolds
Faculty Studies Best Practices for Troubled Students
Several faculty and staff recently attended
a webinar entitled “Responding to Troubled and At-Risk
Students” to gain best practices in threat assessment
and responding to troubled students. Gary Pavela, J.D.,
a faculty member at University of Maryland and Paul Joffee,
Ph.D., clinical psychologist for the Counseling Center at
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign were presenters.
The presenters used recent incidents
of violence at other schools, colleges and universities,
including Virginia Tech and Columbine as case studies for
presenting best practices. Among the many pieces of
advice given, Mr. Pavela strongly emphasized the importance
of institutions creating a culture that actively engages
students. “You have to get into their heads and
into their hearts,” said Pavela about students. “Pay
attention to your school and your campus culture.”
Dr. Ivan Harrell, coordinator for student
affairs at JSRCC, emphasized how important it is for faculty
and staff members to recognize students who may be troubled
and at-risk. “There are some warning signs; but it
can often be an isolated incident. Some students don’t
necessarily understand what appropriate behavior is in an
educational environment.” He further emphasized
how important it is for faculty and staff to notify Police
and Security Services when interacting with a student who
may be exhibiting behavior that could be dangerous to him/herself
or others. Police and Security Services and the Office
of Student Affairs work very closely to address these types
of situations and connect students with needed resources.
Faculty and staff are encouraged
to contact the Office of Student Affairs at (804) 523-5296
if they have any questions about working with troubled
or at-risk students. The handouts from the presentation
can be found at: Reynolds.edu
Science Night presenters discuss bones, geology and geography
at annual forum
If
you attended the recent J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Science Night you came away being able to identify male and
female bones and having a deeper appreciation for the landscape
that stretches across the United States and Canada and the
Galapagos Islands.
Reynolds Professor of Biology Dr. James
H. Martin III opened the evening with his presentation “Real
CSI – The Skeletal Remains.” Martin used male
and female skulls and other bones to demonstrate how crime
scene investigators determine the gender of human remains.
“I hope through my presentation
people will watch crime shows like CSI and have an understanding
of what really goes on during a crime investigation,” said
Martin. “CSI is a fine show for entertainment, but
tonight I’ll show that it isn’t very realistic.”
Following Martin, Associate Professor
of Geology David H. Walz took the audience on a scenic tour
of the North American continent. Using his personal photos,
Waltz showed the diversified continent is full of arid deserts
bounded by majestic, snow-covered mountain chains; rocky,
shelly, and sandy shorelines; great, sinuous river systems;
expansive, flat steppes; active, slow-moving glaciers; and
semi-tropical and grassed savannahs.
“I’ve had some students tell me they have traveled
all over Europe, but haven’t been past West Virginia,” said
Walz. “There are some beautiful areas in North America
and I hope to show the students they should see America first.”
Associate Professor of Natural Science
James E. Ezell closed the program with his presentation “Expedition
to the Galapagos.” Ezell shared experiences from his
trip this past summer to the Galapagos Islands. During his
presentation he described the unique and special characteristics
of the islands' geology, flora and fauna.
“I want to share with the students
the beauty of an untouched area,” said Ezell. “I
want them to know there are still areas in the world that
are largely still untouched by man.”
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here to see more photos
Chancellor's
taskforce on campus safety holds public hearing at
Reynolds
The Chancellor's
taskforce on campus safety held a public hearing this week
at the Parham Road Campus. The dominant issues that surfaced
were related to student mental health, classroom disruptions, and
concealed weapons on campus. The hearing was the first of
several taking place this week at community colleges around
the Commonwealth. The taskforce will release its findings
and recommendations early next year.
Reynolds Students Among City’s
First Police Cadet Class
Nine JSRCC students are enrolled in
a Police Cadet Program with the City of Richmond Police Department’s
first cadet class. For the next three years, the cadets will
attend classes as well as work in a civilian capacity with
the police department. Students completing this certificate
may transfer the credits to the Administration of Justice
AAS program at Reynolds or transfer to VCU's Criminal Justice
program.
“I want to be able to talk to
people and change their perspective of how people in my neighborhood
think of police,” said JSRCC student Daryl Goldsmith. “I
want them to see that police officers are the same as us,
but they care enough to enforce the laws and do what is right.”
The program is a pathway for those who
wish to become police officers or to serve in some other
capacity of law enforcement. It was developed to fill a critical
shortage in law enforcement in Richmond and the surrounding
areas. Students learn about issues pertaining to criminal
justice and law enforcement in a modern society including
law and order, police-citizen conflict, crime prevention,
collecting evidence, conducting criminal investigations,
the juvenile justice system, and the interface between police
and other criminal justice agencies.
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Groover Published
in Professional Journal
Richard Groover’s presentation
paper entitled “Impact of an Environmental Science
Class on College Students” has been published in Conference
Proceedings, a journal of the North American Association
for Environmental Education (NAAEE). The publication contains
keynote addresses, synopses of general sessions, workshops,
and symposia, and submitted presentation papers from the
largest annual international environmental education conference.
Groover is an assistant professor of biology at J. Sargeant
Reynolds Community College.
According to its website, NAAEE
is the professional association for environmental education.
Members promote professional excellence in non-formal organizations,
K-12 classrooms, universities (both instructors and students),
government agencies, and corporate settings throughout
North America and in over 55 other countries. Since 1971,
the Association has created opportunities for its members
to improve their skills in creating and delivering programs
and services that teach people how to think, not what to
think.
Students
Cheer on Washington Redskins
Nearly two full busloads of Reynolds
students and staff recently traveled to FedExField for the
Washington Redskins tough loss against the New York Giants.
The Redskins ended the first half leading the game 17-3,
but struggled in the second half and were defeated 24-7.
Despite the loss, students were
thrilled to witness an exciting game. For some, it was their
first visit to FedExField.
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Police and Security Services Host Open House 
JSRCC Police and Security Services
recently hosted an open house featuring facility tours, information
on the College’s new emergency communications system
and emergency procedures. Campus police operate the College’s
5911 emergency line and are available round-the-clock to assist
students, faculty and staff.
"Our department
strives to provide the safest environment we possibly can on
each of our campuses,” said JSRCC Police Chief Garth
Wheeler. “We have made many improvements over the past
several years including a camera system downtown, sworn police
personnel at each campus, a college safety program and most
importantly - the emergency communications center which serves
as the hub for a safer college community."
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New Criminal Justice Program to Address Law Enforcement Personnel
Shortage
Designed primarily for those wishing to
enter the law enforcement field and for those workers already
in the criminal justice field who want to upgrade their skills,
the certificate program will help fill the void of qualified
local law enforcement personnel.
The certificate program consists of six
classes that will automatically transfer if a student pursues
an Administration of Justice Associates Degree at Reynolds.
"This is another great example where
Hanover Public Schools and Hanover County officials have pooled
together their resources with J. Sargeant Reynolds Community
College in a strategic manner to make Hanover County a great
place to live for years ahead...in this case an effort to provide
a trained workforce in law enforcement,” said Rhodes.
Press
Center
The
Office of Student Life recently celebrated the return of students
back to campus by conducting welcome back parties on each Reynolds
campus. The celebrations included free ice cream, pizza and
drinks. Student also received a free JSRCC survival backpack
full of school items that will assist them during the semester.
for
the over 300,000 Virginians who suffer from asthma.