JSRCC Celebrates the Holidays From Around the World

The Office of Student Life and the JSRCC Libraries recently co-sponsored "Reynolds Celebrates the Holidays", an educational program about several different cultural holidays that take place throughout the world. The event took place in the Parham Road Campus Library, and the presenters included JSRCC students, faculty, and staff. The names of these presenters as well as the holidays that they discussed included Laura Castro (Christmas in Colombia), Kiran Versi, Sayed Akbari , Gabriela Benavides (Los Reyes), Nate Cook (Bodhi Day, Santa Lucia Day), Kristen Sikorsky (Las Posadas), Ying Wang and Yan Zhang and Jie Ren and Hong Wu (Chinese Lunar New Year), Laurie Weinberg (Hanukkah), and Kiesha Pope (Kwanzaa).

The presentations involved descriptions of how each holiday is celebrated, cultural decorations, vivid pictures and powerpoint shows along with holiday music. Some of the presenters even DRESSED for the holiday! The program was a great success, and it truly provided a wonderful opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to "celebrate the holidays" at JSRCC!
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JSRCC Partners With Angel Tree

If you were at Virginia Center Commons during the month of December you might have seen a number of JSRCC faculty and staff working at the Salvation Army's Angel Tree booth lending a helping hand to the community. In early November several JSRCC faculty and staff members teamed up to find a community service opportunity that would benefit kids who may not be able to experience Christmas in the same capacity as others. The Salvation Army Angel Tree program allows individuals and partnering corporations to have the opportunity to personalize a gift for a child in need by adopting an Angel and purchasing toys or clothing items for a perfect match. Two teams of JSRCC faculty and staff were created to provide the Angel Tree program with the necessary man power to make sure that children in Richmond would be all smiles on Christmas Day. One team worked in Virginia Center Commons Mall receiving Angel Tree gifts, and the other worked in the distribution center where all the gifts were sorted for each child.
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JSRCC CAPERS Host Ethics for Life Forum

The Reynolds CAPERS program recently hosted an Ethics Forum for over 200 local high school students at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. The forum opened with an overview of the CAPER Consortium/Focus of the Day by CAPER Tech Prep Coordinator Harvey Crone, followed by dynamic presentations by Hugh Gouldthorpe, Jr., of Owens & Minor, Inc. on "The Golden Principles of Leadership" and Tim Lawrence, Executive Director of Skills USA on "Preparing Today for Successful Careers"

The Capital Area Partners for Educational Reform (CAPER) is a Tech Prep Consortium that utilizes the mutual expertise of its partners to affect educational reform that will prepare students to be life-long learners and productive citizens who compete successfully in the global economy of the 21st Century. The mission of CAPER is to coordinate ongoing cooperation, collaboration, and communication between area public school divisions, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, and the community at large to assure excellence in academic and career and technical education for all students throughout the Consortium's service area. .

JSRCC recently hosted its annual 4-year College Transfer Day Event, where admission representatives vested campus to answer questions about the admittance process and transferability of courses. Over the past two years JSRCC has joined the Virginia Community College System in adopting several statewide agreements with various public and private senior institutions, including the University of Virginia, The College of William and Mary, Longwood University, Sweet Briar College, the College of Engineering and the College of Agriculture and Life Science at Virginia Tech, Mary Baldwin College, and Norfolk State University.

Many members of the JSRCC family gathered to celebrate Thanksgiving on the Downtown Campus. Have a safe holiday and a Happy Thanksgiving!

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College hosted a gala Local Officials Dinner on November 2, attracting 125 delegates, supervisors, city council members, college board members, foundation board members, and their spouses.  This was their chance to tour the Downtown Campus and learn more about Reynolds programs and students.

The evening started in the library with extraordinary foods (mahi-mahi, mussels, lamb, beef, sausages, and delightful accompanying dishes and wine) prepared by the culinary arts students and their faculty around a theme of salt.  The library joined the celebration by creating two display cases with books and collectibles based on the salt theme.  (Did you know salt comes in many colors?  Pink? Black?  Tasty!).

After Dr. Rhodes made a presentation about the college, the JSRCC Ambassadors took guests on a tour of business and health programs, the middle college, and the Center for Teacher Education, before delivering guests to the top floor auditorium for coffee and desserts. 

Guests enjoyed the evening so much they stayed far beyond the planned-for closing time before picking up gorgeous baskets of flowers created by the horticulture program for their continued enjoyment. Guests have made many positive remarks about JSRCC, praising faculty and staff who work together for student success.  Thanks to all who helped with this important event.

On Sunday, October 8th, Reynolds students, faculty, and staff visited New York City to see "The Color Purple" at the Broadway Theatre on 53rd Street. Over 100 individuals participated in the trip, as participants traveled in two charter buses. The group departed the Reynolds Parham Road Campus Sunday morning at 6:00 and returned late into the evening.

“The adventure of visiting New York City and having the opportunity to see a Broadway show first-hand was exciting and proved well worth the many hours spent on the bus,” noted Reynolds Coordinator for Student Life Kemper Steele. .

The Office of Student Life sponsored the event by purchasing the show’s tickets at the original price and then selling them to the Reynolds family at a more affordable rate. The College also provided transportation at no cost to the participants.

“For many individuals, the trip was even more special, because it was their first visit to New York City,” added Steele.

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College will hold its first session of the “2006-2007 Around The World Through Books” discussion series on Thursday, September 28. The session will feature local author and Virginia Commonwealth University professor Nancy Wright Beasley and her book Izzy’s Fire: Finding Humanity in the Holocaust. The program will start at 7 p.m. in the North Run Corporate Center auditorium located at 1630 East Parham Road.

Beasely was inspired to write Izzy’s Fire: Finding Humanity in the Holocaust when she heard Buchenwald survivor Alan Zimm reciting names of family members who died in the Holocaust. This intrigued Beasly to further understand the significance of recording survivor history. Through her research, she discovered the miraculous journey that finally led Edna Ipson and her family from the heel of the Nazis to “the other side of hell.”

The program is a free community event sponsored by JSRCC’s Cultural Enrichment Committee for the purpose of encouraging cultural diversity throughout the Reynolds campuses and communities. For more information about this event and the forum series please contact Randy Pittman at 804-523 or visit www.reynolds.edu.

Mary Baldwin College, a private four-year college in Virginia, has entered an agreement for a guaranteed admission transfer program with the Virginia Community College System, including J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.

Mary Baldwin College President Pamela Fox and VCCS Chancellor Glenn DuBois approved an agreement that provides for guaranteed admission to the on-campus residential college or the adult degree program at Mary Baldwin for community college students who obtain a transfer-oriented associate’s degree.

"Mary Baldwin has had close relationships with specific community colleges where we have regional offices, but this agreement allows us to extend those connections throughout the system of Virginia's 23 community colleges,” said Dr. Fox. “We are so pleased to partner with the VCCS to enhance the educational opportunities for its graduates turning their two-year degrees into four-year degrees."

“This gives community college students one more avenue to success,” added Chancellor DuBois. “Mary Baldwin is a tremendous partner with our colleges, especially in the Shenandoah Valley. We look forward to working with them even more closely for the benefit of our students and their families.”

Those who qualify will have completed a transfer-oriented associate’s degree program with at least a 2.5 cumulative grade-point-average (GPA). In addition, students must have earned a grade of “C” or better in each community college course that is part of the degree program.

To be admitted to the residential college, students must be women; to be admitted to the co-ed adult degree program, men and women must be at least 21 years old. Mary Baldwin is waiving application fees for Virginia community college students under its agreement. Students also are asked to declare their intent to transfer to Mary Baldwin after a minimum of 15 credits toward the transfer-oriented degree is completed but before applying for graduation from the community college. Students will have the same access as Mary Baldwin native students to competitive programs, financial aid, scholarships, housing, parking or any other opportunities open to students with junior standing.

The guaranteed admission agreement is one of several statewide agreements adopted over the past two years with various public and private senior institutions, including the University of Virginia, The College of William and Mary, Longwood University, Sweet Briar College, the College of Engineering and the College of Agriculture and Life Science at Virginia Tech, and Norfolk State University.

Interested students should contact the JSRCC Career, Employment & Transfer Center at (804) 523-5970 for assistance.

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Reynolds Foundation donates $1M to remove financial barriers
for J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College students

As students headed back to campus at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College this fall the college celebrated a historic event by receiving one of its largest gifts ever donated by a private family foundation. The JSRCC Educational Foundation announced recently that a $1 million gift from the Richard S. Reynolds Foundation has been made to increase much needed scholarship funds for future generations of Reynolds students.

Known as the “Reynolds Family Scholarships in Memory of J. Sargeant Reynolds,” the family makes this generous gift in celebration of the qualities embodied in the late J. Sargeant Reynolds, for whom the college is named. By commemorating his outstanding character and unwavering integrity through a gift that fosters this potential in today’s young people the family foundation establishes a permanent scholarship fund.

Increasing tuition remains a financial barrier for students pursuing a college education and currently more than $238,000 in scholarship awards are made annually to applicants. Nearly 900 qualified students are not assisted, however, due to limited funds. For more information about how you can be involved in the Scholarship Program contact 523-5181 or visit http://www.jsr.vccs.edu/jsr_fnd/

Fundraising activities at the college are carried out by the JSRCC Educational Foundation, Inc. The College’s Foundation exists solely to support and promote the college. Foundation projects include scholarships, equipment, buildings and grounds, and curriculum enhancement, among others. Reynolds is the youngest and third largest of 23 colleges making up the Virginia Community College System. In addition to full-service campuses in the city of Richmond and the counties of Henrico and Goochland, the College operates several workforce development centers throughout the region offering specialized training and personal interest courses. Reynolds also offers 96 programs of study that lead to associate degrees, certificates and transfer opportunities. The College serves approximately 18,000 for-credit students annually.

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Governor Kaine Recognizes 40 Commonwealth
Legacy Scholars at Virginia's Community Colleges

Governor Timothy M. Kaine recently honored 40 rising community college student leaders, including JSRCC students Mark Trucksess, Alyme Lessard and David Cooke.

The 40 Commonwealth Legacy Scholars represent the inaugural class of scholarship recipients in the first-ever systemwide scholarship program sponsored by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE), which was created last year. One scholar was named for each of the 40 campuses at Virginia's 23 community colleges. The event also celebrates the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Virginia Community College System in 1966.

"Knowledge is quickly becoming the currency of our time," said Governor Kaine, "And the Commonwealth Legacy Scholarship Program is a valuable tool as we look to prepare individuals to compete and thrive in the 21st century economy."

In addition to the Governor, the students were recognized by Eva S. Hardy, a founding member of the VFCCE board of directors, and Dr. Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginia's community colleges.

"Today we celebrate the success of the 40 community college students who have been designated Commonwealth Legacy Scholars, the support of their extended families, the generosity of our patrons, and the power of potential," said DuBois. "That potential lives in these students and in each of our 23 community colleges as together we make a profound difference in the world around us."

Students selected for the merit-based scholarships are full-time, associate degree-seeking students attending college for the first time who have demonstrated academic excellence during high school as well as a commitment to develop their leadership skills.

The students receive up to $3,000 each for a full year of tuition, books and fees at a Virginia community college. The scholars plan to graduate from a Virginia community college and will become mentors to future Legacy scholars. Many of them have plans to transfer to four-year colleges and universities and several already had community college credits through the dual enrollment program.

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School is back in full swing

New and returning students arriving on our campuses this week found a flurry of activity. Building renovations, brand new construction, crammed parking lots, bookstore lines and welcome back cookouts signaled the fact that summer is gone and school is back in full swing.

As students arrived this week they were greeted by volunteers who helped them locate their classes and other points of interest. "We have had over 80 faculty and staff volunteer more than 180 hours to aid students in their first week at JSRCC. [I am] grateful for the incredible volunteer response I have had to the Greeters Program," said Meg Buchanan Foster, counselor for first-year initiatives and volunteer coordinator.

The Office of Police and Security Services got in on the action this week by hosting a "Blue Light Special" series. The blinking blue light of a police car in the courtyard signaled free coffee and donuts for faculty, staff and students. According to police chief Garth Wheeler, these activities offered members of the college community an opportunity to ask questions and learn about safety and security issues on campus.

The Office of Student Life sponsored welcome back cookouts featuring live remote broadcasts by Power 92 JAMZ. While enjoying the food, music and antics of station personalities, students played games to win t-shirts and tickets to upcoming events in the Richmond area.

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J. Sargeant Reynolds becomes first multi-campus Virginia community
college to have wireless Internet access on all of its campuses

Both students and faculty at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College are all-smiles as they ring in the fall semester with wireless Internet capabilities. The new wireless network allows anyone with a wireless enabled computer to access the Internet anywhere on Reynolds’ three campuses. >> Read the full story

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Sowing seeds for student success
Annual kick-off signals start of new academic year

Fall Convocation marked the end of summer break and the start of the new academic year. As faculty and staff arrived at the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center recently for the annual event, they were greeted at the door by an engaging group of Reynolds Ambassadors sporting their trademark burgundy blazers. Once inside the atrium, friends and colleagues reconnected over coffee and pastries, sharing stories of summer travel and scholarly exploits.

A highlight of the event was a keynote presentation by Tim Warneka, author of Leading People the Black Belt Way: Conquering the Five Core Problems Facing Leaders Today. Among the many practical strategies suggested to foster student success, Warneka, assisted by our very own Dr. Ivan Harrell, demonstrated how pushing and/or pulling people is less effective than truly leading people. “Leaders who master this process can channel the energy of others into practices that can generate success for the entire college,” said Warneka.

 

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Local Middle School Students Thrive on Summer Challenge

Hosted by JSRCC, the Technical Challenge was a free summer enrichment program designed specifically for local middle school students searching for additional hands-on experience related to careers in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. The five-week program was funded by a NSF-ATE grant titled "Pathways to Teaching".

The Technical Challenge Summer Program also gave students the opportunity to develop skills in the use of modern equipment, enhance academic and social skills, and foster an appreciation for the impact of industry and technology on mankind.

This year's Technical Challenge ran from June 27, 2006 - August 1, 2006. On the sixth day of each subject area students took a field trip that related to that curriculum. For science the students got to go to the Richmond Metro Zoo where students learned about the animals featured and their habitats. For mathematics the students spent a day at Three Lakes Park where they looked for mathematics in nature and for technology education the students spent a day at G-Force Karts at Richmond's Raceway Complex. G-Force covered the cost of the group racing, and was one of the favorite activities of the summer program.

Through "Pathways to Teaching", the Center for Teacher Education addressed the overall goal of the program’s grant: "to increase the number, quality, and diversity of teachers in the J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College service area, especially in mathematics, science, and technology education." The grant provided pathways avenues to broaden the teaching for middle school students, high school students (especially in the area Career and Technical Centers), J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College students (especially in the AAS degree programs), and the four-year universities (namely, Old Dominion University and Virginia Union University).

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Incoming Students Enjoying the SOAR Experience

JSRCC & JTCC Sign Articulation Agreements with
the University of Richmond School of Continuing Studies

Creery and Moslow Join JSRCC Educational Foundation Board

Learning Communities Team Presents Dr. Rhodes With "Geoduck"

JSRCC Personnel Play Leading Role
at Regional Interpreter Conference

J. Sargeant Reynolds Summer Adventure

Career Exposure at a Middle School Level

State Farm Donates Computers to JSRCC Auto Body Program

JSRCC Family Volunteers at Special Olympics Virginia

JSRCC/CAPER recipient of Business/ Industry Partnership Award

Reynolds Ambassadors Gear Up for Exciting Year

They are smart, energetic and ready to tell the world how JSRCC is providing them opportunities to achieve their educational and career goals. The 2006-07 Reynolds Ambassadors spent most of the day last Saturday learning about the exciting things that are happening at the college and getting a real understanding of the important role they will play in sharing the student perspective with our target publics. In addition to giving tours on campus and assisting with S.O.A.R. (Student Orientation, Advising & Registration) and other events, the ambassadors will be featured in future promotional materials, including advertisements, brochures, web profiles and blogs.

Saluting the Best of the Class

With caps and gowns in hand, some of the areas top high school students posed for pictures with their peers and shared a luncheon specifically held in their honor. The area's valedictorians, representing Central Virginia high schools, were honored at the 20th Annual Best of the Class salute held at Kings Dominion on Friday, June 2.

In the morning, students interacted with other students and KD characters as WRIC-TV 8 camera crews video taped them. The video taped shots will be incorporated into Best of the Class commercial announcements, which will air on Channel 8 from June 10 to mid-July. J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College will be recognized as an event sponsor in the segments. During the luncheon, Dr. Thomas Hollins, associate vice president for student affairs, reminded the students to continue to study hard when they get to their respective colleges. He also encouraged them to participate in campus activities, embrace campus diversity, and to pick up a couple of classes at Reynolds during their summer breaks!

Each student received a certificate of achievement signed by Dr. Rhodes and WRIC general manager Bob Peterson. They were also given a JSRCC golf shirt commemorating the day. Tracy Green, director of outreach and recruitment and Malcolm Holmes, director of marketing and public relations also attended the event. JSRCC and nTelos were co-sponsors along with WRIC-TV 8.

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Rising To The Challenge!

For 36 hours last week Dr. Rhodes and Dr. Ivan Harrell joined nearly 150 area residents and community leaders in the Greater Richmond Challenge. The event, organized by the Greater Richmond Chamber, offered an opportunity for participants to devise creative solutions to the region's greatest problems as identified as part of the recent Vision 20/10 Mid-Decade Update project. Participants focused on transportation, education, workforce development, crime and public safety, and affordable housing.

The teams spent Thursday visiting sites in the region relevant to their topic and discussing what they learned. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, some of the recommendations brought forward include providing the "social capital" that educators say is needed in local middle schools, creating a regional transportation authority to plan and fund a system of roads, buses, trolleys and trains, holding public forums to discuss the need for affordable housing, and supporting programs to help felons make the transition from prison back into society.

 

Reynolds’ Locks of Love Summer Classes Welcome Back Event

J. Sargeant Reynolds and 106.5 the Beat radio station hosted a “Locks of Love” event Thursday, May 25 on the Parham Road campus. DJ Mike Street, of WBTJ 106-5 the Beat, cut his locks after growing them for over four years. Following his example, two Reynolds students decided to donate their hair to this worthy cause. Over 30 inches of hair will be sent to “Locks of Love” to create hair pieces for financially disadvantaged children suffering my hair loss due to medical conditions. J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College thanks those who donated their hair and 106.5 team for this great opportunity!

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Auto Body Golf Outing

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and the Auto Body Advisory Board recently held its annual golf outing at Hunting Hawk Golf Club. Proceeds from the event go to support the JSRCC Auto Body Repair Technologies program. The organizers wish to thank all the sponsors and participants for making this another successful event! >> Click here to see more photos

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Reynolds joins the Virginia Statewide Health Event

J. Sargeant Reynolds staff and faculty joined over 65,000 state employees in the National Employee Health and Fitness Day. At noon, each of the Reynolds’ campuses encouraged staff to take a 15 minute break to enjoy some brief exercise.

Reynolds was joined by 500 other state agencies participating in this Commonhealth Wellness initiative event. This successful program was hosted by JSRCC Human Resources department and was sponsored by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

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Congratulations iPod Drawing Winners
Edwin Radcliff and Lydia Waldron!

JSRCC students Edwin Radcliff and Lydia Waldron recently won an iPod for paticipating in the Reynolds.edu student survey. The college's web redesign taskforce would like the thank all students who participated in the survey. Stay tuned for more new and exciting changes at Reynolds.edu!