October 2007
Quick Highlights of Several Recent College Successes
Currently, the on-site committee of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is with us from October 22–25, 2007. After two days of meetings, I am pleased to say our “arrows are pointing northward.” To each and every person who played a small or significant role in helping the College community prepare for this once-in-a-ten-year experience, THANK YOU!
Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC) was recently recognized for excellence by the Lord Fairfax Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council at their annual awards program. Jim Bunce, adjunct instructor, was named Outstanding EMS Pre-Hospital Educator, and the College was recognized for Outstanding Contribution to EMS for the College’s support in establishing the program, investment of resources for program accreditation and addition of faculty. Special thanks to “KW” Wotring, dean of learning for science and health professions, Patricia Bradshaw, coordinator of health professions, and Pat Pope, adjunct instructor of EMS.
Since each of us are teachers, join me in congratulating this year’s Virginia Community Colleges Association (VCCA) Showcase Award winners representing Lord Fairfax Community College. The winners will be recognized and receive their awards at the 25th Annual VCCA Convention in Richmond on Thursday. The winners from the Fauquier Campus are Bettina “Tina” Fritz (support staff) and Margie Harrison (faculty). The winner from the Middletown Campus is Denise Broy (support staff).
VCCS colleges will migrate to the Blackboard 7 system for the spring 2008 semester.
Each year, one student from LFCC’s campuses is honored through the VCCS Student Showcase for demonstrating a proven academic record, contributions to campus life and community involvement. This year’s recipients are David Dutton (Fauquier Campus) and Michael Richardson (Middletown Campus). They will be honored on Saturday, November 3, 2007, at the VCCS Student Leadership Conference in Newport News, Va. Please join me in congratulating David and Michael when you see them on campus.
LFCC student, Margie Clark, was one of five college representatives from around the country who attended the signing of “The College Cost Reduction and Access Act.” The signing took place at the White House where President Bush gave his remarks and signed the bill that increases Pell Grant funding and lowers interest rates on student loans.
David Urso, Sandi Pope and Brandy Hawkins facilitated an outstanding Student Leadership Retreat at the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center in Front Royal last weekend for 20 students. This is one of many leadership activities being planned for our student leaders. Approximately 25 LFCC students will also travel to the annual VCCS Student Leadership Conference in November.
As we come to the end of the calendar year, I am happy to report we have raised over $800,000 for the College (with a goal of $1,000,000). As you know, these funds are being used for scholarships, faculty activities, cultural events, and student activities. To help us attain our goal, Charlie Spiro (representing faculty), Providence “PJ” LoPresti (representing staff) and Heather Painter (representing administrators) will be visiting each of you to discuss the Foundation and explain how it benefits you, the College and, most importantly, our students. Personally, I hope you will consider giving at least a dollar to assist us in achieving our goal. Some 2006 facts about the Educational Foundation you might like to know include:
The results of the vote for the new Web site design are available on our Web site at www.lfcc.edu/SiteDesigns/. Special congratulations to Linnie Carter, Jeanian Clark, Richard Farrow, Crystal Foltz, David Gray, Curtiss Grymala, Brandy Hawkins, Janet Ping, Aaron Riddle, Charlie Spiro, and David Urso.
LFCC will be the first College in the Commonwealth to offer Medication Administration Training (M.A.T.) for Child Day Care at our Fauquier Campus. Special thanks to Barbara Pickeral Lee, a College Board member representing Clarke County, for recommending this idea to us.
Congratulations to the Workforce Solutions and Continuing Education (WSCE) team, under the capable leadership of Jeanian Clark, who has or will provide customized training to the following new clients in our service region: Schmidt & Benton, Shenandoah University, Fauquier County Water Sanitation Authority, Rappahannock County Public Schools, Shenandoah County Sherriff’s Department, Massanutten Military Academy, Kraft Foods, Masonite International, Smitty’s Construction and the Free Medical Clinic of Winchester. Customized training was up 61 percent in August. Open enrollment training was up 30 percent in August. The highest percentage of WSCE students drive nine miles or less to attend courses!
TEENSAFE, a personal self-defense class for young adults is currently being offered at the College. This class will teach teens to identify and deal with aggressive behaviors as well as effective escape techniques.
Renovations in the William H. McCoy Special Events Center are nearly completed. It has been repainted, re-carpeted, and one of the walls was drywalled and wallpapered. New charcoal-colored stage curtains are expected to arrive within the next several weeks, hopefully before the Dinner Theatre in November.
Renovations in the Middletown Campus Fredy and Klara Kummli Student Center are still in progress. Student lounge furniture is arriving weekly and the final shipment of furniture and accessories should arrive within the next several weeks.
Progress on the Science and Health Professions Building continues. We anticipate having partial occupancy in March 2008 and are looking forward to offering summer 2008 classes in the new space.
Architectural finishes and interior design elements for the Corron Community Development Center have been selected, and we are planning on a late-winter 2008 ground-breaking. The building is expected to take one year to complete.
The new 6,000 square feet modular buildings are nearing completion. Due to some technical delays (e.g., easement approval for power, installing conduits, etc.) we anticipate occupying the building around Thanksgiving. The “Ski Lodge” will house the staff of the dean of learning for business, mathematics and technology, the Office of Planning and Institutional Research and will provide six large classroom spaces to be used by our nursing program and other disciplines.
The Children’s Garden has been removed to provide additional outside space for student and employee activities. We expect the project to be completed by the end of the semester.
Voice Over IP phones will be installed at the Fauquier Campus within the next several weeks, contingent on Verizon’s cooperation.
Special thanks to our Buildings and Ground professionals including Kathleen Johnson, Seretha Runyon, Mike Spivey and Anastasia Triplett.
As we begin our third month of classes, I want to share with you some of the changes we are implementing to ensure safety and timely communication within the College. I, and members of Cabinet, take our obligation to provide as safe an environment as possible at all three LFCC locations very seriously.
Following the tragic events at Virginia Tech last spring, we reviewed and updated the College's plans for response to critical campus incidents, because safety is foremost on our minds. As a result of this review, the following initiatives have been implemented at LFCC:
The College is in the process of implementing the following security measures at all three locations this year:
In 2005, LFCC hired Paul Wieber, a former law enforcement official, as our first security manager to coordinate the safety and security activities at all three LFCC locations and to supervise the efforts of our part time and contract security staff. Mr. Wieber maintains strong working relationships with local law enforcement agencies by serving on a variety of task forces, including the Frederick County Public Schools Youth Task Force, North West Gang Task Force and Virginia Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators Statewide Colleges and Universities. Over the past year, Mr. Wieber has participated in eight security and first responder training seminars and conferences.
All of these measures contribute to an environment of safety, but the key element is you. You are responsible for being cognizant of your own personal safety. By providing periodic safety and security seminars to students and employees and communicating personal safety tips and reminders, LFCC hopes to empower students and employees with knowledge to keep everyone safe. Please do not hesitate to bring your concerns to my attention or any LFCC administrator, faculty or staff member.
COVA Care is providing free flu shots until February 15, 2008, at CVS Pharmacies at 2207 Valley Avenue and 1725 Amherst Street in Winchester. To receive the free shot, please show your COVA Care plan ID card. Special thanks to Karen Foreman for alerting us to this benefit.
Since the last Ski Gram, I am proudly posting some of the letters or e-mails I’ve received about some of our LFCC peers under headings associated with our Quality Enhancement Plan.