Thanks to LFCC's scholarship program, 167 students received financial assistance for the 2007-08 academic year.

Established by Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC) alumni donors in 2006, the LFCC Alumni Legacy Scholarship helps LFCC students who need financial assistance to continue their education. By contributing to this fund, you are helping students like Jason Spansel, the 2007-08 recipient of the LFCC Alumni Legacy Scholarship.

Spansel is a husband and father of a two-year-old daughter. In an effort to support his family and pay for college, Spansel works full time, in addition to attending classes at LFCC. He is pursuing an associate's degree in general engineering with a specialization in computer-aided drafting. With a college degree, Spansel plans to advance his career and better support his family.

In a letter of thanks to the LFCC Educational Foundation Inc., Spansel writes, "Working full time while taking care of a young family and pursuing my education has brought on some financial challenges. It has also made me realize the importance of a college education. Thanks to your generous donation, I can focus more on my academic career rather than worrying about finances. Thank you for investing in my future and helping me achieve my goals."

Please consider making a contribution to the LFCC Alumni Legacy Scholarship and helping more students like Jason Spansel. To make an online contribution, please visit the LFCC Educational Foundation Web site at http://www.lfccfoundation.org/ and click on the "Make an Online Donation" button to the left.

Did you know that one of the most important ways that you can give back to your alma mater and the community is by contributing to the Foundation? The Foundation generates support and resources for the College beyond those provided by the Commonwealth of Virginia, which currently provides less than 50 percent of the College's operating budget. Making a collective commitment to support the Foundation will demonstrate to community members and local organizations that LFCC alumni support the College's mission of providing high-quality education to all students.

You can help to enhance the future of students and our community by contributing at least $25 to one or more of the following funds by Dec. 31, 2007. Your contribution can be named in honor and/or memory of your favorite LFCC instructor. For a list of current LFCC faculty members, please visit http://www.lfcc.edu/Directory/faclist.shtm.

• John J. "Ski" Sygielski Endowed Scholarship Fund – John J. "Ski" Sygielski has been LFCC's president since 2003. This scholarship, which was established in his honor, will be awarded annually to full- and/or part-time LFCC students.
• Professor Anne Legge Literary Fund – Anne Legge retired from the College in October 2005 after teaching literature and writing for 30 years. In honor of her years of service, her colleagues established this fund to benefit the College's libraries. The purpose of the literary fund is to purchase books for the College's libraries to enrich LFCC's collections and support teaching and learning.
• Student Life Fund – You may have experienced first-hand the variety of extracurricular activities that LFCC offers. For many LFCC alumni, these unparalleled educational and social experiences changed their lives. We would like to continue to provide LFCC students with these unique opportunities that foster academic and personal growth. Funds are needed to expand the number of extracurricular activities, including conferences and service projects, in which LFCC students may participate.
• Where in Virginia is Dr Ski? Scholarships – During the summer of 2008, Sygielski will travel by bicycle to each locality in LFCC's service region to meet county and city government officials, the leadership of local public school systems and College donors to thank them for their support. The public will be invited to meet Sygielski at these stops, and a raffle for a $1,700 LFCC scholarship will be held at all eight localities. The Foundation is requesting funds for the scholarships.
• William H. McCoy Scholarship Fund – Dr. William H. McCoy made history by serving as LFCC's first president from 1969 to 1987. This scholarship, which was established in his honor, will be awarded annually to full- and/or part-time LFCC students.

Please complete and mail a contribution form—located on the Foundation's Web site: http://www.lfccfoundation.org/forms.html—along with your check payable to the LFCC Educational Foundation Inc., to:

LFCC Educational Foundation Inc.
173 Skirmisher Lane
Middletown, VA 22645

Please see the gift designation section on the form and write (on the line marked "other") the name of the aforementioned fund(s) that you wish to support.

To contribute online, please visit http://www.lfccfoundation.org/ and click on "Make an Online Donation" on the left-hand side of the Web page. Thank you!

LFCC's 2007 Outstanding Alumni Award recipient Jim Hisghman and LFCC President John J. "Ski" Sygielski talk at the alumni dance. Hisghman said that one of his favorite memories about LFCC was participating in the Fairfax Follies. "It's hard to believe that the show has been around that long. Even after graduating, I came back from Virginia Tech to participate in the show."

Jim Hisghman enrolled at LFCC in 1973, no thanks to the high school guidance counselor who told him that he wasn't college material. Fortunately, Hisghman did not listen and instead came to LFCC with the idea of becoming a teacher. That dream solidified in Hisghman's mind as he took classes at LFCC and graduated in 1975 with an associate's degree in general studies. Hisghman then transferred to Virginia Tech, where he obtained bachelor's (1977) and master's degrees (1983) in agricultural education.

"By attending LFCC, I was able to work full time, stay close to home and save money for my continued education," Hisghman said.

After completing his bachelor's degree, Hisghman began teaching at Strasburg High School and then transferred to Signal Knob Middle School, where he taught for 15 years. After 30 years of teaching, Hisghman retired in May 2007. His impact in the classroom and his leadership of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter at Signal Knob were evident in the success of the chapter. Hisghman said that during 12 out of the 15 years he taught at Signal Knob, the FFA chapter placed as a finalist for the best in the state. Hisghman was also honored as one of four finalists for the National Agricultural Science Teacher of the Year award.

When asked what he enjoyed most about teaching, Hisghman quickly responded, "It had to be the kids. I loved working with the kids and seeing them succeed."

In recognition of his service to the community and his commitment to education, Hisghman was honored at the 2007 alumni reunion by receiving the Outstanding Alumni Award. "The award was quite a surprise. It means a lot to me and is greatly appreciated. I could not have gone on to college without LFCC. The College was relatively new to the area, but if LFCC had not been there, I doubt if my career would have turned out so well. LFCC put me in a position to succeed," he said.

Hisghman credits his time at LFCC as shaping his career aspirations. Now that he is retired, Hisghman is pursuing another love—working on his farm in West Virginia.

Ann and Rob Simpson have a gift for photography and teaching, leaving a lasting impression on those they meet.

The Simpsons' fun-loving personalities suit them well in the classroom and in the field, as they snap photographs of wildlife and other natural wonders. Their enduring personalities also make an impact on anyone who comes in contact with the couple.

Rob, an associate professor of natural resources management who has been with LFCC since 1974, and Ann, an instructor in biology/anatomy and physiology at the College for approximately 15 years, are both community college graduates. Ann's associate's degree even came from LFCC! The couple also own a business called Simpson's Nature Photography, co-teach nature photography classes at LFCC, organize nature photography and natural history tours around the world and are published authors, releasing three nature photography books in 2007.

In the summer of 2007, camera-making company Canon selected the husband-and-wife team to travel to national parks in the western United States to teach photography workshops using Canon products. In turn, the Simpsons chose to take current and former students with them as assistants on the summer-long trip.

The Simpsons incorporated their hands-on teaching style into the workshops. During presentations, the Simpsons always tried to involve the audience in the event, Ann said. Often, Rob added, they would ask questions like: "How does this animal make you feel?" or "What do you think this flower looks like?" He happily recalled the answer provided by one child after looking at a redbud flower: "a pink moose."

Their methods were successful. Both said they have received hundreds of e-mails from people they encountered over the summer. "We made a lot of friends," Rob said.

When Ann and Rob Simpson talk about their work as instructors, smiles come easily to their faces. Joy emanates from them as they discuss the ultimate result of lives dedicated to teaching. "We enjoy the reward of seeing [students] do something with their lives," Rob said. "We've seen just amazing things happen."

Carla Dove, who returned to LFCC as a graduation speaker in May 2000, is a case in point. Dove, a first-generation college student, came to LFCC in the early 1980s after a year-long stint at Blue Ridge Community College. She graduated from LFCC in 1983 with an associate's degree in applied science and natural resources management. From there, she went on to earn a bachelor's degree from the University of Montana and master's and doctoral degrees from George Mason University. Her specialty is ornithology—the study of birds—and she is a research scientist/program manager for the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. She describes her work there as being "kind of like CSI for birds." She uses the museum's collection to help identify birds that have struck aircraft, and the information she provides helps civilian and military aviation authorities avoid future strikes.

Without Rob, Dove may not have become the woman she is today. He basically introduced her to her life's work. Under Rob's tutelage, she became very excited about studying birds, "and I never looked back."

Ann's impact on students is just as apparent. "Ann Simpson is more than a professor—she is also a personal mentor. She has not only taught me about biology and photography, but about how to succeed in life. She is a wonderful source of motivation and encouragement," Jennifer Davis writes in an e-mail from Australia, where she is performing research on short-term removal methods of the cane toad at James Cook University in Queensland as part of her studies to earn a master's degree in tropical ecology.

Davis, who accompanied the Simpsons on their summer trip, enrolled at LFCC after graduating from Penn State University with degrees in psychology and sociology that left her dissatisfied with her career opportunities. She graduated from LFCC in 2005 with an associate's degree in natural resources management and a certificate in outdoor and nature photography.

Ann and Rob love teaching at the College and knowing that their students have become successful. "Lord Fairfax [Community College] is just a special place to work . . . . It's like a family here," Ann said.

Rob added, "I like what I do. Personally, I can't see me doing anything else but teaching, and Ann's the same way."

More than 100 women from across the College's service region celebrated the first LFCC Women's Luncheon. The luncheon featured keynote speaker Helen Thomas, former United Press International White House bureau chief and author.

Several donors funded the LFCC Women's Luncheon held in September. The event raised funds for the New Beginnings Scholarship Fund, which will be awarded to LFCC students who are single parents. To date, the Foundation has raised more than $12,500 for the New Beginnings Scholarship Fund. Pictures from the event are available on LFCC's Web site at http://www.lfccfoundation.org/events/womensluncheon.html. Please click on the images to enlarge them and read the captions.

The Foundation is in the beginning stages of planning its next Women's Luncheon and its first Men's Luncheon. The purpose of the luncheons is to celebrate women and men and raise much-needed funds for the College. By Jan. 11, 2008, please visit the College's Web site (http://www.lfccfoundation.org/2008_luncheon_speakers/index.asp) to offer your suggestions on keynote speakers for the events. Your suggestions will be taken into consideration, but please remember that there is no guarantee the speaker and/or funding for the speaker will be available. Thank you!

On Sept. 19, LFCC student Margie Clark spoke at LFCC's Women's Luncheon and met the legendary journalist Helen Thomas. On Sept. 27, she met U.S. President George W. Bush. Through hard work and determination, this high school dropout and single parent is achieving her dreams and experiencing things she never imagined. To read more about Margie's story, please read the Sept. 28 news release about her visit to Washington, D.C.: http://www.lfcc.edu/News/Releases/list_view.asp.

Before Bush signed the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, he asked Clark (the young woman to the left of the president) to step forward. "My first thought was, 'Is he really talking to me?' That's why I have such a stunned look on my face," Clark said.

A new, exciting exhibit—"Honored Alumni of Lord Fairfax Community College – Our Pride… Your Legacy…"—will be unveiled in 2008 and will creatively feature photographs and profiles of LFCC's most esteemed alumni. The traveling exhibit will be showcased at the College's three locations and special events. Through this exhibit, LFCC is proud to honor those alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their careers, have performed outstanding community service, have shown a commitment to LFCC's values and have been outstanding role models for the LFCC community. To nominate an individual, please visit http://www.lfcc.edu/alumni/alumni_honoredalumni.html. Stay tuned for information about its unveiling!

The new LFCC Web site will debut in 2008. To see the winning Web site design that LFCC employees, students, alumni, board members, donors and friends voted for, please visit http://www.lfcc.edu/SiteDesigns/.

On Sept. 29, LFCC held its third annual Alumni Reunion and the first-ever Family Fun Day Homecoming activity. Numerous alumni returned to LFCC to visit with friends and faculty during the day-long event.

Parents and children enjoyed face painting, music, food, games and a moon bounce at the Family Fun Day activities at LFCC.

The College is in the process of reaffirming its accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. As part of the reaffirmation process, LFCC has submitted a five-year Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) on the topic of critical thinking. Critical thinking is a set of habits, involving such attributes as using creativity to find solutions; evaluating and justifying claims; and reflecting on our own thinking. The goal of the QEP is to help individuals who come in contact with LFCC to explore their thinking and find ways to improve it, both inside and outside the classroom. For more information about the QEP topic, the various activities supporting the QEP and the reaffirmation process, you can visit the College's Web site at http://www.lfcc.edu/SACS/.

The power of potential! Discover how LFCC is achieving its potential by visiting http://www.lfcc.edu/annualreport/2007/ and reading the 2006-07 LFCC Annual Report. The completely electronic publication showcases outstanding College achievements, poignant student profiles and inspiring quotes from LFCC instructors. This is your community college! Learn about how LFCC is accomplishing Dateline 2009 goals, as outlined by the Virginia Community College System's strategic plan, and celebrate its many successes. Thank you!

Julie Gaven (the red-headed young woman, second from the left) was one of a handful of students from Virginia's Community Colleges to meet Queen Elizabeth.

Julie Gaven ('07) is currently enrolled as a full-time student in the honors program at James Madison University, double majoring in English and communication sciences and disorders. This summer, Gaven met Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the queen's visit to Virginia for Jamestown's 400th anniversary celebration.

"To say it was 'pretty amazing' would be an understatement! It was a very memorable ceremony, and just getting to actually meet the queen face-to-face was one of those special 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunities that I will treasure for years to come," Gaven said. "The queen asked several questions about how students transfer from two- to four-year colleges. She was so genuinely interested in learning more about it that her entourage had to interrupt our conversation in order to get her to her next appointment."

Alumni, we would love to hear about your accomplishments and successes after leaving the College. Please take a few minutes to complete the "What's New With You" form by visiting http://www.lfcc.edu/Alumni/alumni_whatsnewwithyou.asp.

Check out what is happening at LFCC, and join us at an upcoming event!