BRCC Community Link Newsletter, Fall 2022

Learning Can Be Fun!

Educational Foundation

Organization, the Rudy Tucker family, and the Shenandoah Valley Kiwanis Club

the

Can Be Fun program by

need-based scholarships totaling over $ 2,730 to 14 students.

Ridge Community College Educational Foundation.

friends in the Shenandoah Valley,

by

Development Office, Blue Ridge Community College, Weyers Cave,

24486. If

Angie Glenn, Development Services Coordinator,

BRCC Educational Foundation Board

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

Elkins

Dinah Gottschalk Donna

James

Larry K. Landes Thomas C. Mendez David R.

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

Fall 2022

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

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

Message from the President

I remember when I was a child, anticipating Christmas like no other time of the year. It was always a season filled with such happy memories, at least until that one year that I found a stack of unwrapped presents behind the dresser in my parents’ room. I almost didn’t get my prized light-up Hess truck that year, but I did learn a valuable, hard-earned lesson in patience.

As the academic year began on the campus of Blue Ridge Community College in late August, that feeling of eager anticipation swept me up again, the same as when I was ten. Just like then, I spent the entire summer eagerly looking ahead to the start of the year, wishing I could find what the campus would be like once our students returned.

After two long years of watching the majority of our students enroll in online classes, all of us at BRCC were thrilled to see full parking lots, students eagerly asking us questions about the location of buildings and classrooms, and the joy and the energy that pervades our “Welcome Week” activities.

As usual, the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation was an integral part of our Welcome Week festivities. In

Casino Royale-All in for BRCC!

Make sure to save the date and join us on April 14, 2023 for what is sure to be an exciting night of fundraising and friendraising for BRCC! Even if you don’t fancy yourself a gambler (rest-assured no real risk is involved as you will be playing with BRCC “funny money”), there will be delicious food, lively libations, and fun for everyone. Watch the Foundation’s website (https://www.brcc.edu/edfound/) and your mailbox for more information and sponsorship opportunities; please feel free to contact Sally Jane Conner at (540) 453-2203 or ConnerS@brcc. edu for additional information.

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 above. Thank you for your continued support!

BRCC President, Dr. John A. Downey

addition to the hundreds of students on campus that benefitted from Educational Foundation scholarships this year, donors supported our Adventure Club hot dog giveaway, the arrival of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on the Road Artmobile Exhibition, and our new student ice cream social on the campus commons. Meanwhile, every campus office was busy supporting students, distributing ID cards and parking passes, acclimating them to student clubs and organizations on campus, and introducing them to our four-year university partners by providing transfer information.

The energy during Welcome Week reminds me of my childhood Christmas memories. Just like the joy I felt opening that Hess truck I was hoping Santa wouldn’t take back, there are few greater joys on a college campus than those that occur at the start of a new academic year. Every year that we begin anew, you are on our minds with deep gratitude! The support you provide us year in and year out, really helps compound the joy we feel in helping students create a better life for themselves through a community college education!

Welcome Week Activities Include Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Artmobile

On August 25, BRCC welcomed the Artmobile to its campus in Weyers Cave as part of Welcome Week activities kicking off the fall semester. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts “VMFA on the Road: An Artmobile for the 21st Century” featured a new exhibition, Revealing and Obscuring Identity: Portraits from the Permanent Collection. This exciting exhibition of paintings, photographs and prints from the museum’s permanent collection explores portraiture through a variety of periods, cultures and styles.

Diverse works by more than 10 artists, including Kitagawa Utamaro (Japan), Gordon Stettinius (American), André L’Hote (French) and S. Ross Browne (American), are featured in the exhibition. Admission to VMFA on the Road was free and the public was invited to attend. Over 200 people took advantage of this special opportunity.

VMFA Artmobile is seen behind Dr. Wynne DiGrassie and Stephanie Atkins representing the Veterinary Technology Club.

Student Spotlight: Paul Sanders

by Sarah Sedwick

After he retired, Paul Sanders only had three items on his bucket list: visit a foreign country, learn to fly an airplane, and go to college.

Born in 1942, Paul is a Waynesboro native. Upon graduating high school, he enlisted in the Army Reserves and began work at DuPont as a Chemical Technician, eventually working his way up to a Computer Analyst, before retiring in 1996. He then took a position as a Research Scientist with AstraZeneca until his retirement from that company in 2006.

Then, Paul set out to complete his bucket list! He was able to travel with his daughter to England and Spain in 2010. Reflecting on his travels, Paul relayed how much the trip meant to him; “what a fantastic part of my life, both for the experience, and the fact that my daughter was there with me.”

He then took on his second item – learning to fly an airplane. “I accomplished this at Eagles Nest Airport in Waynesboro in the summer of 2013,” said Paul. “I can now proudly state that I’ve actually taken off and landed at a Regional Airport, Shenandoah, right next to BRCC.” Funny enough, Paul’s airplane ride landed him exactly where he would fulfill his final bucket list item.

Valley Residents Graduate

Touting

the tagline “Get paid to train, get paid to interview, get paid to belong,” the Valley’s Job Starter program got off to a great start this summer! Job Starter is paid training that provides the skills needed to be successful starting a job in advanced manufacturing. Thirteen Shenandoah Valley residents graduated from BRCC’s Job Starter program on Friday, July 29. Participants spent several weeks training and learning about advanced manufacturing in the Shenandoah Valley. Specifically, they received training relevant to Job Starter partner companies: AccuTEC, Ball Advanced Aluminum Tech, Berry Global, Cadence, Dynamic Aviation, RegalRexnord, SupplyOne, and Virginia Panel Corporation.

Their paid training ($15 per hour) included time in the classroom, labs, and on visits to the participating employers. Participants also received gas cards and paid lunch vouchers through the BRCC Educational Foundation in partnership with area industry and Foundation workforce development supporters.

In a short essay he recently wrote in his English 111 course, Paul states, “All through the 46 years of my working career, I never went to college. This fact preyed upon me the whole time.” Paul decided to take his college search seriously, narrowing down his choices to those that could offer him hands-on, in-class experiences, as well as student interaction. He decided to take a campus tour at Blue Ridge Community College last May and quickly knew where he wanted to pursue his studies.

“What I learned during my campus tour is that any Virginia resident over the age of sixty, who attends a higher education public institution can do so for FREE! That capability opens many doors for me,” said Paul. He decided to enroll in Dr. Chris Shaw’s English 111 course, and while he only has a few weeks of classes under his belt, Paul remarked that the campus is very conducive to learning.

“I’m a little surprised at myself for getting this far with all of this,” said Paul. “I was a poor student in high school. Learning how to study, how to apportion my time, and how to gear myself toward learning all this stuff is new to me.” He’s taken advantage of the entirety of the Houff Student Center, as well as seen a few friendly faces along the way in various campus departments, including Financial Aid, Student Services, Public Safety, and the library – “all of whom, not only made me comfortable and welcome, but also showed a high degree of professionalism in their duties, all the time with a smile,” said Paul.

If he could give some advice to those looking into attending college, he says, “DO IT! Especially if you’re over sixty.” Paul’s newest goal is to continue his studies to earn some type of degree. “With all his experience and wisdom, it would be easy for Paul to see himself as special – and he is. Yet Paul sees himself as a student – another learner in a classroom of learners – and he approaches education not from any position of superiority, but as a peer,” said Dr. Shaw. “This is one of the things that makes Paul not only a great person, but a great student. Couple this with an abiding interest and a hunger for learning, and you’ve got a prototypical great student. That’s Paul in a nutshell.”

Graduate from BRCC Job Starter Program

Following completion of the program, the graduates interviewed with selected participating companies for positions such as Production Associate, Machine Operator, Manufacturing Apprentice and more. The average starting wage for these positions is $16 to $23 per hour. The program is a win-win for employers and prospective employees alike. Both have the chance to determine if there is a good fit between worker and company, leading to more successful employees and reduced employee turnover.

The next session of this successful program begins in October, partnering with Accutec, AGStacker, Berry Global, Cadence, Danone, Dynamic Aviation, Lycra, and Regal Rexnord.

Participants must:

• Have reliable transportation

• Be at least 18 years old, or be 18 years old by October 11, 2022

• Eligible to work in the U.S.

• Hold a high school diploma or GED

If you have questions about the Job Starter program, please contact Andrea Livick, Manufacturing Liaison Assistant, at (540) 453-2327 or livicka@brcc.edu.

Meet Our New Foundation Board Members

Cynthia Didawick

Cynthia K. Didawick received her BA from Bridgewater College in 1977. In 2002, she received an Eisenhower Grant to complete her Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in a shared program with UVA and VCU. Cindy taught in Staunton City Schools for 30 years, then worked part time as a GRASP counselor, student teacher supervisor at JMU, and as a consultant for the Virginia Department of Education in math education. Cindy previously served on the LEARN board, and resides in Staunton with her husband, David.

Donna Hahn

Donna S. Hahn, DNP, RN, NEA-BC has been the Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer at Sentara RMH Medical Center since 2007. Donna received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from EMU, a Master of Science in Mental Health Nursing degree from UVA, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Health Systems Management from UVA. Prior to Sentara RMH, Donna held nursing leadership positions at Waynesboro Community Hospital and Augusta Healthcare, Inc. Donna has served on the boards of VHHA HosPac, Bridgewater Retirement Community, and the Virginia Organization of Nurse Leaders, as well as nurse advisory boards for BRCC, EMU, and JMU. Most recently Donna joined the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce Talent Coalition Team.

Jay Hawkins

James C. “Jay” Hawkins leads a dynamic and growing business as a multi-restaurant owner of Chick-fil-A Waynesboro and Chick-fil-A Staunton. After becoming one of the youngest owner-operators in Chick-fil-A history, Jay now serves as a Chick-fil-A owner-operator coach for Chick-fil-A Inc and thought leader on performance management, culture creation, and leadership development. He is an author and thought leader on personal growth, leadership, and business, and is a John Maxwell Certified Business Coach and Speaker. Jay is a native of Greenville, S.C. and a graduate of Clemson University. As a committed man of faith and family, Jay is the humble husband of his beautiful wife, Katherine, and a continually learning father to his children, Caroline, James, Luke, and Jack.

Anastasia O. Triplett

Anastasia Triplett is the vice president of finance and administration at Blue Ridge Community College, joining BRCC in April 2022. Anastasia graduated from Shepherd College in 2003 with a BS in Business Administration and earned her Master’s in Business Administration from Shenandoah University. Anastasia began her career in higher education 16 years ago at what is now Laurel Ridge Community College where she worked for eight years before moving on to George Mason University. She has a strong connection to the community college system not only in her career but also as a former student where she earned her Associate in Business Administration. She is a current resident of Gore, Virginia, where she lives with her husband Shawn.

Fine Arts at BRCC

Performances this fall:

If you are in search of fine arts, theater, and culture close to home, BRCC’s Fine Arts Center is a wonderful community resource. The Fine Arts Center offers fine and performing arts opportunities for students and the community. Our gallery features local artists as well as BRCC art faculty and students. The Center also houses a kinetic gallery; constructed of glass panels, it can be configured in a variety of ways to exhibit 3-D and 2-D works as well as installation art. In addition to art exhibitions and installations, BRCC’s black box theater hosts musical and theatric performances throughout the year.

Barefoot in the Park featuring the Waynesboro Players directed by Brendan Wells

Thurs-Sat, November 2-5, 7 pm; Sun, November 6, 2 pm Fri-Sat, November 11-12, 7 pm; Sun, November 13, 2 pm students FREE Tickets: waynesboroplayers.org

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella: Youth Edition directed by Kyle LeGore

Fri–Sat, December 2-3, 7 pm Sun, December 4, 2 pm Fine Arts Center Black Box Theatre FREE. Reserve Tickets in Advance Exhibitions this fall: October 17, 2022 – December 5, 2022

I Am: Identity in African Art Of Natural Liberty and Independence: George Catlin’s Portraits of Native Americans

In partnership with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Culture & Diversity merge with BRCC Art Department in this collaborative exhibition.

Visit BRCC’s Fine Arts Center’s webpage at https://www.brcc.edu/fac/ to stay up to date on exhibitions and performances, or contact Jennifer Whitmore at (540) 453-2380 or WhitmoreJ@brcc.edu.