Ski Gram

 

In an effort to more effectively communicate College information, I have taken your advice and shortened this communication tool using bullet points listing the information under the College’s four strategic initiatives.  At the end of this document, I included a KUDOS section celebrating the outstanding efforts of many in our College who are dedicated to teaching and learning and student success – as related to me through recent letters or emails.

 

1. Teaching and Learning

·    A meeting occurred today with Fauquier Campus personnel to determine the appropriate administrative/support structure at the Fauquier Campus (FC).  Further details will be forthcoming.

·    The next meeting of the Science Building Committee will take place 9/10.  According to John Piazza and Mike Spivey, all seems to be on schedule for a spring ground breaking.

·    A meeting for the “Corron Community Development? Building Committee will take place within the next couple of weeks to further define the footprint and capabilities within the building. Mike Spivey and Nancy Lloyd will facilitate those meetings.

 

2. Student Success

·    A meeting occured yesterday with Fauquier Campus personnel to determine the appropriate support structure for the Student Success unit.

·    Cindy Bambara will be responsible for the bookstore and food/vending services until a Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services is hired (hopefully by Thanksgiving).

·    John Piazza will be responsible for building projects and our buildings and grounds professionals until a Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services is hired.

 

3. Outreach and Partnership

·         Almost 100 students are participating in classes at Luray High School.  We are currently in discussions with the Town of Luray to determine the feasibility of establishing a permanent space in the former Wrangler Building.

·         We are currently negotiating a lease with Vint Hill to offer building technology and non-credit computer classes within one of its facilities.

·         Meadow Outdoors Foundation (The Plains, VA) recently formed a partnership with LFCC to offer classes on their grounds. This past July-August, Laura Ligon’s painting class worked en plein air at Great Meadow to paint landscapes.  If you are interested in offering classes or hosting a meeting on their grounds, please contact Kathy Howard at khoward@lfcc.edu

·         All storage trailers have been emptied and removed from the south parking lot.  Besides a small storage trailer next to the Buildings and Grounds office behind the Horticulture classroom, our current storage facility is the former Tri-Mountain Winery located on Reliance Road.

·         The Fauquier Director of Parks and Recreation and their architect met with us last week to discuss completing the Warrenton Greenway Trail to our Fauquier campus and build a picnic shelter for bikers, walkers, and our college community to use.  It seems as if, all goes well, federal funding will allow construction to begin in Spring 2005.

 

4. Resource Development

·    $25,000 was received from the Loeb Foundation (Warrenton) to purchase a piano and stage equipment for the FC.  Thanks to Lucy Weber and Nicole Martin for their assistance.

·    $30,000 was received from the Custer Foundation to establish scholarships within our nursing program.  Thanks to KW Wotring, and Foundation members Jennifer Sager and Anne Wiltshire for their assistance.

·    Many of us met with a variety of individuals from our service region to promote the College and discuss our funding needs.  During the next academic year, while we establish our infrastructure, the Foundation will focus its efforts on generating new scholarships and funding faculty and staff development opportunities.

·    We are currently advertising for a Vice President for Institutional Advancement.  We hope to begin the interview process by the end of September. We will begin the interview process for our Director of Institutional Effectiveness this week (9/7).  Amy Rosenberger has been hired part-time by the Foundation as its bookkeeper.  Tammy Haire will become the Institutional Advancement Administrative Assistant as soon as a replacement can be found for her at the FC.  (Tammy and her family recently moved to Winchester.) 

·    The Middletown Courts facility (Institutional Advancement & SBDC) is currently awaiting cubicles from Vint Hill.  Chris Allerton (PR), Carolyn Majors, and Bill Sirbaugh (SBDC) are currently located in the facility.

 

5. OTHER

·    In a recent realignment, our purchasing department will now report to the Margaret Barnett, Director of Budget and Finance.  Linda Bursey will report to Margaret, who will also be the College Foundation’s Treasurer, until a Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services is hired. Doris Ringer, recently announced her retirement, effective January 1, 2005.  A search for her replacement will begin within the next couple of weeks.  Linda and Doris will be working on both campuses over the next several weeks to complete our inventory processes.

·    Steel for our maintenance building should arrive this week.  According to Mike Spivey, the building is still on schedule to be completed by January 1, 2006.

 

LFCC KUDOS

I received the following LETTERS OR EMAILS regarding our LFCC peers:

 

·        This school is so organized and helpful!  - Catherine Waldie (student)

·        After a long and rigorous week of VCCS-sponsored training, Joan Osborne successfully passed the CIW Foundations Certification exam and can now claim to be a CIW Associate. Congratulations, Joan!

·        About Jennifer Clark & Glenn Seymour—“I speak for many when I tell you that we are so lucky to have Jennifer Clark at the Fauquier campus. She is professional, competent, friendly, and always able to give creative advice to solving tech problems. No matter how many projects, she responds courteously, and she doesn’t act irritated. We feel especially appreciative and grateful for her presence on campus. Glenn Seymour is wonderful too, so we are freed up to attend to student learning in the most efficient way.” –Kate Simpson

·        About Nicole Martin, Joan Osborne, John Updike, Richard Dovell, and Elizabeth Martini- “Each of the above had special input to me as a student there, and I would be remiss not to mention that this page could easily contain all the persons employed at the Fauquier Campus. Nicole Martin is the standout for me—she is a vivid example of instructional excellence. The other folks mentioned above were grand examples of computer, math, geology, and learning lab expertise. Their commitment to excellence made me strive for the best. I feel they succeeded. –Tom Reese-student

·        Kudos to Julie West and Doug Cumbia for assisting student Daniel Eikhorn. Thanks to your team there is an opportunity to continue his education. Daniel is excited and looking forward to beginning his college education. –Jeff and Sharon Rezin

·        Carolyn Majors-I just wanted to thank you for your kindness and efficiency. Your voice on the phone, your promptness in getting materials to me and your warmth and kindness made me feel like I was leading in the right direction.  I am so impressed; you are an example of true grace under pressure. –student

·        Good news on Sandra Jardine. Diane and I just stopped by the college to sign up for a class. After wandering around, we were helped Ms. Jardine, who went above and beyond what I would normally expect-it was a real pleasure dealing with her. She is a credit to you and to the college. –Leon Smith

·        KW Wotring-I just wanted to let you know all of the positive feedback I am receiving regarding your Health Academy in June. Everything went wonderfully! Thank you so much for inspiring our students!! –Dani Pond

·        All about Brenda Box—Don’t think we haven’t noticed how much you support the TRIO program. You do such a wonderful job of recruiting for us. Your support is very appreciated. Thank you for taking the time with the program, and for doing it all with a positive spirit.-Your Friends in TRIO

·        Many many thanks to Jennifer Cave and Kelly (in the Science department).  I appreciate all your hard work. The science labs at Fauquier will be in good working order. –Kay Dunkley

·        Cheers to Nellie Manning- When the college was closed due to the Personnel Meeting a lady had entered the Student Success Center and was told by the guard that the College was closed. She expressed her dismay then anger that she had taken a day off work, driven from New Market and had no way of knowing the college was closed. Several of us were walking past the front desk when Nellie Manning approached and reassured the lady that she would do her best to assist. The smile and words of appreciation were thanks enough for Nellie I am sure, but I felt all of you should be aware of how professionally Nellie handled an irate student and restored goodwill.-Doris Ringer

·        Top Notch-Jeanian Clark & Nancy Lloyd-Thank you so much to both of you—you guys are top notch and always so helpful!! –Ellen Hicks (American Background Information Services)

·        Kudos to Kathy Poston and Northern Shenandoah Valley Workforce Center x 2

o       The Northern Shenandoah Valley Workforce Center at LFCC has provided me with the extra funding necessary to reach my goal of becoming an LPN. Working with Kathy and the other staff has been a pleasant experience. They have all gone beyond my expectations to see that not only my needs but also many students’ needs are met which helps ensure that we are all successful. In addition, the last minute requests for testing fees and financial requirements that seem to stress a student out were relieved by Kathy’s helpful hands and always with a smile. –Stacy Donnelly (student)

o       Over the years, we have valued your assistance in providing us with referrals and working with us on some hard to serve students! Thank you for responding in such a timely and thorough way to help us generate the best proposal possible! –The TRIO staff

·        Way to go Elaine Cassel x 2-

o       I just wanted to thank you for a good web class. Thanks too for being on top of grading our assignments. It was really great to get a grade after we finished a module.-Jaclyn Bloss (student)

o       Thank you for everything! I have truly enjoyed both psychology courses with you and learned an immense amount of material I had never experienced before! I’m going to really miss these online courses with LFCC. I’m graduating from a 4-year university this May, but I certainly won’t forget that I am also an alumnus from LFCC. –Jennifer Sayre

o       Dr. Ski – I graduated from LFCC last year and brought a friend by the college to register recently and things have really changed.  There were actually people in the hallways asking to help us.  It was good to see Mary Knupp and some other people I knew too.  My friend was very impressed since that type of thing never happened at GMU – Michelle (Shenandoah University student)

o       Steve Wisecarver and Brenda Byard: Hi guys! I started at JMU last week and everything is in full swing. I'm taking 5 classes this semester....1 math and theother 4 education classes including a practicum. I must admit I was really missing LFCC the first week...JMU's students are mostly single white females under the age of 21...however, I'm now getting to know more people and feeling a little less lonely. …Thanks to you guys I was able to walk in there with confidence and not feel totally lost. The Intro to Teach class, although it didn't transfer, is a must for education students transferring to a 4 year university. Without it I
would really feel out in left field. I think it is important to pat you guys on the back (you can share that with Dr. Ski :)) So...that's where I am now, I just wanted to keep in touch. If there is anything you need to help you prepare upcoming students for transfer, I'll be happy to help. If I don't know the info...I'll find out. Thanks again for everything. - Liz Dodson

 

EVALUATION OPPORTUNITIES

Please let me know if this communication tool is helpful and how it can be enhanced.  Write me at  johnski@lfcc.edu.  If you know of someone who would benefit from this information, please pass it on to them or have them contact me directly.  Thank you!