BRCC Community Link Newsletter, Summer 2023

2023 Commencement

AsPomp and Circumstance began and graduates took the floor of the Atlantic Union Bank Center, loved ones in the audience cheered, and Blue Ridge Community College’s 55th commence ment ceremony was underway!

Nearly 200 students walked in the ceremony on Monday, May 15, which had been postponed because of stormy weather over the weekend.

Student speaker Easton Jarboe reminded his classmates that, “From the professors and staff that kept campus running smoothly, to seeing friends in classes that made lectures something to look forward to, we have all been a part of a larger whole working to achieve our dreams,” he said. “So as we celebrate this momentous occasion, let us remember the power of community.”

Mr. Jarboe received his Associate of Applied Science degree in Information Systems Technology with a specialization in Cybersecurity. He plans to transfer to ODU in the fall.

Dr. Bruce Bowman, a 1978 graduate of BRCC, was the keynote speaker.

For the 2022-23 academic year, BRCC awarded nearly 900 degrees and certificates.

Chair–Andrew P. Vanhook, Vice Chair–Bret F. Harrison, Secretary–John A. Downey, Treasurer–Anastasia O. Triplett

Kenneth R. Boward Price A. Boxley IV Karen C. Clark

Kenneth S. Cleveland III Cynthia K. Didawick Steve F. Elkins

Dinah Gottschalk Donna S. Hahn James C. “Jay” Hawkins

Larry K. Landes Thomas C. Mendez David R. Metz

Summer 2023

Paula C. Moore-McClure Mary Pavlovskaya Tassie L. Pippert

Justin T. Rexrode William M. Saxman Jr. Matthias N. Smith

Courtney W. Thompson Pamela K. Ungar Keith J. VanBenschoten

BRCC Educational Foundation Awards $460,258 in Scholarships

OnMarch 24, 2023 more than 200 students and scholarship supporters gathered at BRCC to celebrate a record $460,258 in scholarship support benefiting 268 individual students during the 2022-23 academic year. Haven Leichliter, recipient of the BRCC Educational Foundation Scholarship in Honor of Dr. Robert S. Baldygo, BRCC Faculty Senate Endowed Scholarship, and the Mental Health America of Augusta A. R. “Pete” Giesen, Jr. Scholarship, shared her BRCC story, noting, “Not everyone’s story looks like mine… but I believe each of us students here today are connected by a common thread: we have been assisted in accomplishing our dreams by kind and generous hearts. I’d like to extend our appreciation to our donors here today. Your contributions to our education have brought us to a stronger standing in our academics, a better foothold to accomplish our dreams, and a little more hope in our hearts knowing that there are others out there who desire to support us.” Congratulations to our scholarship recipients and THANK YOU to our generous donors!

Community College Philanthropists Honored with 2023

Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy

The Carr Family Foundation / Mitch and Iris Carr of Staunton, Virginia, have received the 17th Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. They were nominated for the award by Blue Ridge Community College. More than two dozen individuals, families, and organizations have earned the 2023 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. The awards were presented at a luncheon ceremony in Richmond on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. New VCCS Chancellor Dr. David Doré was the keynote speaker.

“It is a privilege and an honor to be in the company of such an esteemed group of philanthropists,” Doré observed. “Were it not for your generosity, some of our students would have to put their hopes and dreams on hold, while others might have to abandon them altogether. Thanks to you, however, our students will be able to work in an environment that is relatively free of the kind of financial pressures that can paralyze or even derail their forward progress, and for that, we are extremely grateful.”

The annual event, hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE), honors leading philanthropists from each of Virginia’s 23 community colleges as well as the statewide foundation. Recipients are nominated for their outstanding commitment to the growth and development of Virginia’s community colleges and their respective foundations. This year’s class of distinguished philanthropy leaders has collectively contributed $14 million dollars to Virginia’s Community Colleges.

Mitch and Iris Carr have supported Blue Ridge Community College annually through the BRCC Educational Foundation since their first gift in 1997. In partnership with their son Todd, the Carr Family Foundation has invested in a wide range of important priorities – from student scholarships to their support for special events including BRCC’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, “BRCC Spells Success” Corporate Challenge Spelling Bee, and the Spring Fling Auction. Most recently their contributions have fallen into that increasingly-important unrestricted category – supporting the Blue Ridge Fund and the unrestricted component of the major gifts effort “Student Focus * Community Impact” Campaign for Blue Ridge Community College.

“The Carrs are thoughtful philanthropists in education and longtime friends of Blue Ridge Community College. We are grateful for their support – most especially in recent years when they have made major investments in the Foundation. By providing unrestricted funds, the Carrs give the Foundation the flexibility to respond to College needs and priorities as they arise. This support also demonstrates a level of confidence in Blue Ridge Community College that we sincerely appreciate,” noted BRCC President John Downey.

Community Doubles Down to Raise Funds for BRCC

BRCC Educational Foundation’s Casino Royale event on April 14, 2023 was a huge success, raising over $73,000 to support scholarships awarded to deserving students, grant funding for innovative programs, advanced technology in the classrooms, and a variety of other initiatives to enhance educational opportunities in our community! Along with wonderful food, fun, and a live auction, attendees enjoyed learning how to play poker, roulette, craps, and blackjack (using “funny money”), all in support of BRCC. We couldn’t have done it without our Casino Sponsor, Graves Light Lenhart Private Wealth Management, and our Jackpot Sponsor, Massanutten Resort, as well as all our other generous sponsors and attendees. Thanks for betting on BRCC to provide educational opportunities!

Nursing and EMS Students Participate in Emergency Training Exercise

BRCC EMS and Nursing students participated in an emergency training exercise on April 21, 2023. To make the mass casualty event realistic, participants played roles as victims, wearing makeup representing injuries and using scripted scenarios. This type of exercise is more challenging than a classroom scenario, and involved multiple hospital emergency departments, and over 50 casualties. EMS and nursing students diagnosed and triaged patients in a very chaotic environment, mimicking a real-life mass casualty event.

BRCC

Veterinary

Technology

Club Funds Virginia State Police K-9 Vests

Every year, BRCC’s Veterinary Technology Club raises funds for animal-related causes. This year, the club raised $4,250 for the purchase of five ballistic vests for Virginia State Police K-9 officers.

Part of the club’s fundraising effort was a “pie your teacher” contest. This endeavor raised $850 and resulted in a 10-way tie amongst Vet Tech program faculty and staff, meaning all Vet Tech program faculty and staff (and at least one program dean) received a pie to the face! Everyone had a good laugh at their expense and enjoyed raising funds for such a worthwhile cause.

New VCCS Chancellor Visits BRCC

Dr. David Doré, the new chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, (VCCS) visited BRCC on May 2, 2023. He met with students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the Blue Ridge Community College Board and the BRCC Educational Foundation Board and shared his vision for the future success of the VCCS.

Student Spotlight: Andrea Ryder

Fourteen years after graduating from Buffalo Gap High School, Andrea Ryder was determined to go back to school and earn her degree at Blue Ridge Community College.

“I decided to enroll at Blue Ridge because of the fact that it is a community college,” she said. “I chose BRCC because of its blended ages of students. I also liked the choice of either in-person or online classes, and that it was close to me,” Andrea explained.

She knew from experiences in the workforce that she wanted to enroll in the human services program, and definitely wanted to work closely with people. She also knew she wanted to specialize in substance abuse counseling. “The main reason I chose this program is because I’ve seen first-hand what damages addiction can cause, but I’ve also seen how sobriety is achievable,” she said. “I want to do my part in helping our community and make a difference in someone’s life.”

During her time at BRCC, she took substance abuse classes and also earned her Certified Substance Abuse Counselor Assistant (CSAC-A) credential.

Like most BRCC students, Andrea works in addition to taking classes. Currently, Andrea is the Child Care Program Director for the Staunton-Augusta YMCA where she is in her second year of managing the after school program, and her third year of planning their summer camp program for elementary school students.

Andrea is a member of BRCC’s Phi Theta Kappa honor society and will graduate this May. After graduation she plans to work at an addiction treatment center as a substance abuse counselor.

You Can Make a Difference

Blue Ridge Community College is doing everything we can to keep our students on track with their educational plans, and the Foundation is vital to helping make that possible. By investing in the Blue Ridge Fund now, you give the Foundation the flexibility to respond to the College’s needs in a timely and effective manner. To make a gift, please use the enclosed envelope, or scan the QR code. Thank you for your continued support!