Spring 2015
Spring Fling Auction Friday, April 17, 2015
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Make plans now to join us for the annual Spring Fling Auction on Friday, April 17th. This year’s theme is Under Construction, so wear your finest construction wear, and you could win a prize for best dressed! Our Diamond Sponsor, Moseley Architects, and Platinum sponsors GravesLight Wealth Management of Wells Fargo Advisors and W.M. Jordan Company, invite you to join them for the silent auction at 6:00 p.m. and the live auction beginning at 7:45 p.m. in the Robert E. Plecker Workforce Center. Diamond Sponsor
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
BRCC Educational Foundation Board Chair Thomas C. Mendez Vice-Chair Cathleen P. Welsh Secretary John A. Downey Treasurer Robert S. Baldygo
Kelly R.S. Blosser Alphonso P. Boxley III Debra S. Callison Stephen W. Claffey Denise E. “D.D.” Dawson Lawrence H. Hoover Jr. Nancy Hulings
Elizabeth Jerlinski Camala B. Kite Martha Livick Mary N. Mannix Mary McDermott Beverly B. McGowan Karen E. Santos
Jerry D. Sheets Stacey D. Strawn Steven E. Stroop Alan J. Sweet Travis J. Tysinger Cynthia Weidner
Community Link is an official publication of the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation. It is distributed to friends in the Shenandoah Valley, as well as BRCC faculty and staff, and is published quarterly by the Development Office, Blue Ridge Community College, Weyers Cave, VA 24486. If you have any questions or comments regarding this publication, please contact Angie Glenn, Development Services Coordinator, at (540) 453-2307 or glenna@brcc.edu.
BRCC Student Profile: Deanna Corder
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After being named a 2014 Frank Lanza Healthcare Scholarship winner, BRCC nursing student Deanna Corder said when she learned that only 20 healthcare students nationwide received the recognition, she was in disbelief. “I was honored that my hard work was paying off and being recognized, because it really has been hard work,” she said. The panel of judges selected the recipients, “by application based on academic and leadership endeavors as well as community service.” When Deanna was asked about those qualifications, she stated, “It would not have described me in high school.” The 43-year old mother of three says she’s glad to be an example for her kids; to be able to show them that you get out of something what you put in. For many years Deanna says she qualified who she was with “just” – “just a mom,” “just a wife,” and now she says there’s no more “just.” “I’m a really good student, and a good mom and wife.” Acknowledging that she can take credit for her hard work and success has come with time and she’s looking forward to taking that preparation to the workplace. “I’m not only going to school to be a nurse, I’m going to school to be an exceptional nurse.” Looking forward to her upcoming internship in the critical care unit (CCU) at Sentara RMH, Deanna feels the experience will provide her with a “wealth of information.” Her husband is a physician’s assistant specializing in cardiologyelectrophysiology at Martha Jefferson Hospital, so she’s looking forward to having more detailed cardiology discussions with him after the internship as well.
Recipient Deanna Corder and Sponsor Wes Graves from the scholarship luncheon
Her future plans include working in geriatric nursing, as she has always had an admiration and appreciation for the elderly. “I think they’re so deserving of our time and patience they’ve earned it!” And, if she can talk her kids into sharing their college funds she’d like to go back to school to become a nurse practitioner.
Online Giving Option Available Did you know that you can make an investment in BRCC online? If you value what BRCC provides to our community, and want to help make a difference for students today, it’s as simple as going to the BRCC Educational Foundation’s homepage at www.brcc.edu/edfound, and clicking on the “Online Donations” link!
BRCC Faculty Profile: Adekunle Attends NASA Fellowship Program
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BRCC Assistant Professor of Computer Science Olugbemiga Adekunle spent 10 weeks last summer collaborating with scientists at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, as part of a faculty fellowship program. Adekunle worked on a project to help NASA design the next generation space suit. “My research involved improving sound capabilities in the space helmet’s communication system,” Adekunle said. “I was basically implementing a programming algorithm to reduce noise.”
a NASA brochure. Adekunle agrees that the experience will pay dividends in the classroom. “It really gave me examples of real-world problem solving,” he said. “I can better assist students in programming to design set ups, tools, and short cuts to make things easier. That will reduce frustration and remove some roadblocks for beginning programmers.”
An additional benefit of working with NASA is the exposure to programming languages that are used in government and industries today, to keep on the cutting edge of software development. “I was also able to make Fellowship participants were a mixture students aware of internship and scholarship of faculty from 4- and 2-year schools who opportunities that they could take part in teach in STEM-related fields. One of the main objectives of the program is to “enrich now,” he said. and refresh the research and teaching [of Adekunle plans to apply for a summer 2015 faculty] through infusion of NASA mission- NASA Glenn fellowship and continue his work. related research and technology content He is pursuing a PhD in Instructional Design into classroom teaching,” according to and Technology from Old Dominion University.
Leaving a Legacy for Future BRCC Students The Blue Ridge Vision Society encourages all who support the College’s mission to use their financial and estate planning to help the College maintain the affordable access and educational excellence our community expects and deserves. When you make a place for the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation in your long-term planning, you are making a difference for generations of BRCC students to come, and helping to educate the deserving students of tomorrow. When you inform Blue Ridge Community College that you have done so, you lead by example, encouraging others to do likewise. Please let us know of your plans, and allow us to publicize your name along with the other people who have so thoughtfully remembered the College. If you have included the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation in your estate planning, or would like further information regarding planned giving opportunities, please contact Sally Jane Conner at (540) 453-2203, ConnerS@brcc.edu, or Post Office Box 80, Weyers Cave, VA 24486-0080.
Alumni Quick Quotes We recently asked BRCC Alumni to tell us how BRCC made a difference in their life, and we received some wonderful responses! Watch future issues of Community Link for inspiring BRCC alumni success stories that showcase how your investment in BRCC changes lives. “I attended BRCC from 1995 to 1997 majoring in computer science. I graduated earning an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science. It was something that I never thought I could do considering I was married with two children. I feel that if I had not attended BRCC, where I obtained the skills and knowledge of computers along with computer languages, that I would not be in my current position. Thank you BRCC for being there when I needed you, and for providing me a road to success. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Betty Jean Bowen, BRCC ’97 “Blue Ridge gave me the education I needed to succeed. The people were fantastic and very helpful in all aspects. A fantastic stepping stone and experience... I would recommend Blue Ridge to anyone, for any reason.”
Michael Andrew Marx, former BRCC student, Self-employed Small Business Owner
BRCC Students Making a Difference
A group of BRCC students and administrators traveled to Richmond in January to thank local legislators for their support of BRCC and to encourage their continued commitment to higher education in the Commonwealth. Pictured above are BRCC students Rachel Mehegan, Karen Deengar, and Leanne Womack and President John Downey with Delegate Tony Witt and Delegate Steve Landes.
Spring Fling 2015
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Spring Fling kicks off at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 17th, and is your one-stop shop for spa and fitness packages, restaurant gift certificates, overnight getaways, fabulous vacations, family fun (including canoeing, camping, and passes for local landmarks and historical sites), Spring Fling supporters always embrace the event’s theme, as landscaping services, artwork, handmade quilts, jewelry, and evidenced by attendees at last year’s 80s themed Spring Fling Auction. tickets for plays and sporting events! So come and bid on your favorite items and help BRCC raise funds to respond to educational needs of the central Shenandoah Valley. In addition to our sponsors already featured, the Foundation would also like to recognize Silver sponsors: Bowman Family Dentistry, Diveley Lind & Associates, LLC, Follett Higher Education Group, Tim and Nancy Hulings, InterChange, John L. Matherly, CPA, McDonalds/ Boxley Organization, The Rockingham Group; as well as Bronze Sponsors: Cargill, Dental Health Associates, Eddie Edward Signs, First Citizens Bank, Frontier Community Bank, Houff Transfer, H&R Inc., Kline May Realty, Lenhart Pettit, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Central Virginia, Riddleberger Brothers, Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative, Shentel, and United Bank. Please visit the event website at http://www.brcc.edu/edfound/sf for an up-to-date listing of sponsors and items donated. Tickets for this event are $75, and space is limited. If you would like to attend or sponsor the event, or donate an auction item, please contact Sally Jane Conner at (540) 453-2203 or conners@brcc.edu.
Sampling of auction items (view full list of items at http://www.brcc.edu/edfound/sf-items): Adirondack Chair Set handcrafted and donated by Bob Baldygo. Passes for four ski lift tickets donated by Massanutten Resort.
Overnight stay for two donated by Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center.
Ohio State corn hole boards donated by Sally Jane Conner. One-week getaway to the Florida Keys donated by Julia and Chris Bland. Machine pieced and quilted “Labyrinth” quilt handmade by Cathy Barker. Two gift certificates to be used toward “Learning Can Be Fun” classes donated Handmade, thrown & altered, highby BRCC Continuing Education. fired stoneware donated by Terry Porter, Crickhollow Pottery. Bose Soundlink Bluetooth speaker donated by Crutchfield, Harrisonburg. One year family membership donated by Explore More Discovery Museum. Two tickets and a parking pass for a 2015 Washington Redskins home game Guided hike on Naked Creek/ donated by Diveley Lind and Associates, Shenandoah National Park donated by LLC. Tim Hulings. Handcrafted jewelry donated by KSB Dinner with the President at Bluestone Designs. Vineyard donated by Curt and Jackie One-year pass for unlimited cloth car washes donated by Petersons Enterprises. Greens fee (including cart) for four donated by Spotswood Country Club.
Hartman & John and Sandy Downey. Howlite Turquoise Michael Golan necklace and earrings donated by Crown Jewelers.
“Morris Apprentice” quilt donated by Cathy Matherly and Bonnie Spoon. Dinner for 10 at Country Home Cooking donated by John and Cathy Matherly. Four tickets to the Furman at Virginia Tech football game donated by Carl and Cheryl Rosberg. Original watercolor painting donated by Anne McFarland. Weekend retreat in Highland County log home donated by Robin Sullenberger. Crossbow donated by Parker Compound Bows. Four tickets and many extras to the 2015 NASCAR Toyota Owners 400, April 25 at the Richmond International Raceway donated by E & M Auto Paint and Supply Corp. “Nurse in Green” print donated by the P. Buckley Moss Society. Travel voucher donated by Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport.
Two-night stay in the continental Four complimentary recreation passes United States donated by Travel donated by Wintergreen Resort. Leaders.
Address Service Requested
May 9, 2015, 10:00 a.m., BRCC Grounds (rain date May 11, 2015, 6:00 p.m.)
BRCC Commencement Ceremony
April 17, 2015, 6:00 p.m., Robert E. Plecker Workforce Center
20th Annual Spring Fling Auction
Save the Date
Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation, Inc. P. O. Box 80 Weyers Cave, VA 24486 (540) 453-2211 www.brcc.edu/EdFound
Non Profit Org. U. S. Postage and Fees Paid BRCC