Reynolds receives top safety ranking

StateUniversity.com ranked J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College #4 in the state of Virginia for campus safety. The ratings are based on incidents of campus crime including assault, theft, motor vehicle theft and violent crimes. StateUniversity.com is a leading source of data and information on higher education. The site features profiles about colleges and provides tools to help prospective students narrow their choices.

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Department of Police Chief Paul Ronca said, “learning in a safe environment is a JSRCC priority. The Police Department recognizes that this can only be accomplished through partnerships created with our faculty, students and staff. Our officers work diligently to provide an excellent and professional department that is committed to the safety of our community. However, the credit is not the Department’s alone, it belongs to all of the JSRCC faculty, students and staff."   

Ronca joined Reynolds as the Chief of Police in 2010. The J. Sargeant Reynolds Police Department adopted the community policing model and believes safety of the college can only be achieved with our internal and external partners. 

Reynolds hosts an update on Jobs for Vets

(left to right) VCCS Chancellor Glenn DuBois, JSRCC President Gary Rhodes,
Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, Senator Mark Warner, Congressman Bobby Scott.

Virginia’s leaders came together on Reynolds’ Parham Road Campus recently to update each other and the community on efforts that encourage private sector employers to hire veterans. Following comments from Virginia’s Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, Senator Mark Warner and Congressman Bobby Scott, representatives from the Armed Forces discussed the transferable skills that today’s military veterans could bring to the private sector workforce.

Noting that unemployment rates for veterans returning from war is now more than of 12 percent, Warner said that jobs in the energy field offer the most potential. Dominion representatives concluded the event with information about their Troops to Energy Jobs Initiative, a new initiative designed to accelerate the training and employability of veterans in key energy positions. According to troopstoenergyjobs.com, Troops to Energy Jobs is currently in a pilot stage, and includes selected pilot utilities that have been recognized as Top Military Employers and that work in states with a strong State Energy Workforce Consortia. Dominion Resources Services, from Dominion Virginia Power is one of those companies. The goal is to expand the program to the entire energy industry.

Virginia Community College System Chancellor Glenn DuBois and other VCCS representatives also provided remarks regarding the role community colleges could potentially play in this initiative. Military personnel explained that although the skills and experience they receive over the course of their careers often match private sector needs, they lack the civilian certifications necessary for private sector employment.

Reynolds campuses embrace multiculturalism

Some of the most successful events hosted by Reynolds are coordinated through the College’s Multicultural Enrichment Council. This semester, the MEC hosted a Diversity Health Fair, a multicultural movie series, and a book discussion. The vision of the MEC is to create and implement multicultural experiences for faculty, staff, students and the community. The Council also attempts to educate the college community on the importance of fairness and inclusiveness, and the acceptance of differing views, beliefs, opinions, and perspectives of other people—both inside and outside of the classroom.

For the holidays, the MEC is showcasing information on Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights (celebrated December 20 through December 28) and Kwanzaa, a Celebration of Family, Community and Culture (celebrated December 26 through January 1). Read more about these holidays and the traditions associated with them at www.reynolds.edu/events.

Stay tuned for events during the spring, including another book discussion, a Black History Month speaker series, and a women's history month event that includes a panel of renowned women and a spring concert.

Diversity Health Fair participants get moving.

Diversity Health Fair exhibitors offered information on back health, child safety, men's health and more.

MEC book discussions and movie nights always include a discussion about the cultures and traditions portrayed in the films and novels. Traditional foods are often served as well. Recently, traditional Persian cuisine was offered during the discussion of the movie "House of Sand and Fog."

Goochland Campus opens doors to community

Nearly 100 people visited the Goochland Campus recently while attending the campus’ Open House during Community Night.

During the event, attendees were able to take free one hour classes. Some of the classes offered included, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Emerging technologies – Hybrids and Electric Vehicles, Pathways for Education Careers, Fall Floral Design, Winter Storage for Your Lawn & Garden Equipment and Basic Spanish in 40 minutes.

Along with free classes, the participants were able to apply to the College and register for Spring 2012 classes.

“The Goochland Community did a great job in supporting the Goochland Campus,” said Chuck Swaim, assistant dean for the School of Business and Engineering. “The comments in our feedback surveys were extremely positive and encouraged our College to repeat this event every semester! We are very proud of our campus and it is nice to hear that our community recognizes the hard work of our faculty and staff.”

VCCS Chancellor discusses reengineering efforts

The Virginia Community College System Chancellor Dr. Glenn DuBois visited Reynolds to discuss the progress of the VCCS Reengineering Task Force. The taskforce was created in Fall 2009 to advance Virginia’s community colleges beyond the status quo, to serve more students and to serve them better. While Virginia’s community colleges are experiencing unprecedented enrollment growth, state support is declining at equally unprecedented rates. Dr. DuBois presented information outlining the need for reengineering efforts, including the call to save Virginia’s middle class and continue the mission of Virginia community colleges – to give everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills so lives and communities are strengthened. In addition, reengineering efforts support Governor Bob McDonnell’s agenda for the Commonwealth to create a workforce with more postsecondary degrees.

“I think we all agree that 12^th grade is no longer an acceptable finish line,” Dr. DuBois said.

Reynolds Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. David Loope followed Dr. DuBois’ presentation with information about how Reynolds is already implementing some of the taskforce’s suggested changes. This includes new developmental math modules, designed to help students determine the exact amount of developmental and credit-level math they need for their degrees. This new process will help students move through developmental courses quickly and successfully (read more about this at www.reynolds.edu/math). He also discussed recent solutions that have impacted student enrollment and retention, as well as the College’s ability to foster a culture of high performance.

Now in its second phase, the taskforce is focused on implementing the ideas articulated in its Fall 2010 report to the State Board for Community Colleges. Visit rethink.vccs.edu to learn more about the focus of the VCCS Reengineering Task Force.

Reynolds students inducted to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Reynolds inducted more than 60 students into the Alpha Iota Beta and the Alpha Gamma Omicron chapters of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for two-year colleges. It recognizes and encourages the academic achievement of two-year college students and provides opportunities for individual growth and development.

Ms. Barbara H. Wolf, program officer at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, served as the ceremony’s keynote speaker. She spoke about leadership and the call to do more.

“We need to challenge ourselves and others around us to be the best we can be,” she said. “In the midst of all the chaos, we may not be able to change the world, but we can all as individuals become servant leaders.”

Phi Theta Kappa members have a strong presence on Reynolds’ campuses and throughout the community. Members have a commitment  to service, leadership, fellowship and scholarship. Today, Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education, with more than 1.3 million members and 1,200 chapters in the United States, U.S. territories, Canada and Germany.

Artwork creates hometown feel on JSRCC Goochland Campus

Dr. Rhodes and Artist Robin Caspari beside
the new Goochland Campus foyer centerpiece.

The Goochland Campus has been transformed into an art gallery featuring paintings and vintage photos of the county spanning the past 100 years.

“We wanted to give our Goochland Campus a hometown community feel, that welcomes our neighbors and the Goochland citizens that surround our campus,” says Reynolds President Dr. Gary L. Rhodes. “There have been a lot of volunteer hours and some wonderful works donated to the College to ensure the paintings and displays properly represent Goochland.”

Nearly 10 months ago, Rhodes and Goochland citizens Wayne Dementi and Phyllis Silber set out to transform the College’s Goochland Campus into a community center flexible enough to host events and meetings.

“Dr. Rhodes has really opened the doors of the Goochland Campus to the community,” noted Dementi. “Within Goochland and especially around the courthouse area, we were very limited in meeting spaces. Now we have a home.”

As visitors enter the campus’ main lobby, they are greeted by a mural of the Goochland countryside with the all too familiar setting of horses racing through a meadow. The painting by local artist Robin Caspari is one of her many works as she has been featured in national galleries, exhibitions, and publications and charitable causes, including the United States Humane Society and Corolla Wild Horse Fund.

The Goochland County Historical Society donated a number of prolific pictures of the county that portray country road settings, farms, mansions, railroad crossings and even a farm where Charles Lindbergh once landed his airplane. All the artwork has been provided by local artists. To showcase the artwork, a reception and self-guided tours were held on October 19 in the main lobby of the academic building.

Opticianry students help underprivileged children

Opticianry students Amanda Stevenson and
Angelica Dennis.

Opticianry program faculty and students joined dozens of other area eye care professionals at Richmond’s Arthur Ashe Center to volunteer with OneSight Vision, a traveling clinic providing free eye exams and new eyewear to children in need. Staffed by local doctors and trained volunteers, OneSight Vision turned the Arthur Ashe Center into an optical lab the size of a football field, equipped with everything needed for an eye exam and new eyewear. Children who visit these vans receive new prescription eyewear on-site.

OneSight collaborated with Richmond City Public Schools, Children Incorporated & The Rudi Johnson Foundation to provide free eye care for underprivileged children in the Richmond area. Reynolds Opticianry program student volunteers assisted with registration, escorting students between stations, and screenings. With a small amount of training, volunteers also helped students choose frames or operate the auto refractor, explained Reynolds Opticianry Program Head Yvonne H. Metten.

“This is a great opportunity to give back to my community,” said Opticianry student Leah Redden. “I know what we are doing here today is helping some of these children see better in school, so they can learn better. If they need glasses, they will walk out of here today with glasses….free of charge.”

“As a child I grew-up wearing glasses, so I know how important it is for these children to get fitted for the correct glasses,” said Opticianry distance learning student Angelica Dennis from Middleton, Va. “Plus coming to the event gave me the opportunity to visit the Downtown Campus for the first time.”

Watch the video.

Scholarship recipients lunch with donors

Reynolds President Gary Rhodes greets attendees at the
14th Annual Scholarship Luncheon.

Reynolds students benefiting through scholarships were given the opportunity to meet and thank their donors at the JSRCC 14^th Annual Scholarship Luncheon. Each year, the College brings scholarship donors and recipients together to share stories of accomplishment, gratitude and generosity. JSRCC Board Scholarship Recipient Isaac Marcuson offered remarks, as did Megan Mayo, the Reynolds Family Scholarship and Kevin Rogers Memorial Scholarship recipient.

After her son was diagnosed with asthma, Megan wanted to go back to school to pursue a career in respiratory therapy. She said to her scholarship donors, “You gave me the opportunity to make all the difference in my life…we always want to be a source of pride for you and for J. Sargeant Reynolds.”

Two years into her studies, she said she now has a sense of pride and accomplishment and says she hopes to be in a position to give back one day.

“Someday I hope to be sitting where you are…,” she said “…listening to a student that I have helped through a scholarship.”

In her remarks, Assistant to the Dean for the Ginter Park Center and JSRCC Scholarship Committee Member Cynthia De Riemer reminded donors of their impact and encouraged recipients to pay it forward.

“The money you spent on scholarships will never fall into the ‘I regret doing that’ category,” she said.

For more information about available scholarships, how to apply and important deadlines, visit www.reynolds.edu/scholarship.

Reynolds and Henrico County Public Schools sign Advance College Academy partnership

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and Henrico County Public Schools recently signed an agreement to establish a partnership creating the Advance College Academy (ACA), a concurrent enrollment program that allows high school students to earn an Associate of Science in Social Science degree in addition to a high school diploma.

“Before you graduate with your high school degree, you will already have walked across the stage and earned your associate degree,” Reynolds President Gary L. Rhodes said to the ACA students. Reynolds spring graduation is held before area high school graduations. “With 61 college credits, you will be able to transfer to many of Virginia's public and private colleges and universities.”

The pilot program launched this semester at Tucker High School with students taking advanced high school courses during their freshman year. They will continue advanced courses during their sophomore year before beginning college-level courses the summer prior to their junior year.

The selection process included components of the application process to Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School and Henrico County Public Schools specialty centers. There is no charge for students to enroll in the program or to earn their associate degree through the program.

“I chose the ACA program because times are tough and two years of college is giant,” said ACA student Brook Merritt.  “My expectation is to become a mechanical engineer at either Virginia Tech or the University of Virginia.”

“I think it is one of the best programs in Henrico County. The program gives our kids the opportunity to go through a very rigorous but also a very rewarding program,” said Henrico Superintendent of Schools Dr. Pat Russo, who explained that the program is the first of its kind in Virginia to offer both an associate degree and a high school diploma.

Barrish serves as Greater Richmond Tourism Association president

Interim Dean for the School of Business and Engineering David Barrish was recently appointed president of the Greater Richmond Tourism Association, a group that serves the tourism communities in the City of Richmond and surrounding counties as an organization for networking, education and information sharing. He has served actively with the Association for five years and spent the last year as president-elect. Barrish, and what he refers to as an excellent, energetic and professional group of cabinet members, focuses on making Richmond a top tier destination.

“It is good for the region to bring out of market dollars because they multiply once they’re here,” explains Barrish. “All tourism monies stay in the region. Anyone that benefits from tourism understands that out of market dollars are great for the local economy.”

Barrish moved to the Richmond region in the 80’s to raise his family in a history-rich environment with strong family and community values. He says of his experiences:

“Working at Reynolds is permitting me to give back to the community by preparing graduates. But the GRTA is just another facet of how I could give back to our community. We love our community and we love to share it with those that are visiting and, through our work, we are able to spread the word about what a phenomenal place Richmond is. I like to believe that economically, socially and culturally, Richmond is benefiting through my work. I think it’s a chance to help visitors understand the rich American story from multiple perspectives.”

The Association is a nonprofit, nongovernmental and nonpolitical organization – and a very low cost opportunity for members to network. Members meet regularly to share information about destinations, attractions and the city’s history.

“You get a better, refreshed understanding of the community,” says Barrish.

Opticianry faculty, students receive industry awards

Students and faculty of the Reynolds Opticianry program were nationally recognized during the ABO/NCLE National Opticianry Conference held last month in Cincinnati, Ohio. This year’s awards and recipients were:

Caitlin Loving, 2011 graduate, received a $250 scholarship for her paper on Macular Pucker

In 1951, Mr. Leslie W. Myers founded the Beverly Myers Awards program in memory of his daughter, Beverly.  It was the wish of Mr. Myers that the awards are granted to outstanding students enrolled in Opticianry programs, which are accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation. 

Ashraf Karimi, 2011 graduate, received a $500 scholarship for her “eposter” on Pediatric Dispensing

HOYA, a vision care company, established a student scholarship this year that was available to any student that was enrolled in an NFOS (National Federation of Opticianry Schools) member school. The student was to submit an eposter on any topic (optically related of course) of their choice.

Kristi Green, former JSRCC Opticianry program head, received the Joseph Bruneni, FNAO (Fellow of the National Academy of Opticianry) Memorial Education Achievement Award from the National Academy of Opticianry in recognition and appreciation for outstanding service to the field of Opticianry education.

Doug Pelkey, adjunct faculty has been elected to serve on the OAA board. 

Established in 1926, the Opticians Association of America (OAA) serves as the only national organization representing opticianry's business, professional, educational, legislative and regulatory interests. OAA fosters, supports and sponsors programs of competency certification, licensing and continuing education for professional development.

The Tracey Wells Report: My Reynolds Ambassadors Experience

Being a part of the Reynolds Ambassadors program has been a great experience. I have met a lot of people and experienced many new things and it is only September. When the program started in May, none of us really knew what we were getting into as we sat around the table filling out paperwork. Before we knew it, we were doing training for S.O.A.R. which is a program that freshmen attend where we help them find their way around campus and schedule classes. For four weeks, we were practicing leading tours at the Downtown and Parham Road campuses. We also held rehearsal for our skit about values at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.

            On the first day of student orientation, there we were seven of us standing tall—Zack, Phoebe, Carolyn, Angela, Cheri, Moe and I. We all came together for one purpose—to prepare first year students for their first semester, making sure that each student left with all their questions answered. Because of the anticipated volume of freshmen, we had help from members of Student Council.

Our first S.O.A.R. started at the Parham Road Campus. Everyone had to report to campus by 7:30 a.m. We all gathered around the front of Georgiadis Hall to greet the students and their parents as they arrived. All of all sudden, people started swarming into the building from left and right. For about an hour, everyone was either helping students with their user names and passwords, checking people in or directing students to the different display options we had available. After an hour of doing that, we gathered the students and parents into the auditorium. Then Dean of Students Dr. Brian Richardson did his opening speech to warm up the crowd for us. This took about 10 minutes and we became very fond of his wrap up side joke to finish his speech.

“The people you see here wearing those shirts represent student leaders at our college and they are here to help you. Now I have a question. Are those shirts forest green or are they hunter green? If you can come up with the right answer you will win a prize.”

(I still do not know the answer to that question about the color of our Ambassadors' shirts.)

             After Dr. Richardson’s speech, each of us went to the stage and introduced ourselves and told everyone our majors. Next, we did our little skit, that I’m proud to say got a big applause. After the skit, we dismissed for tours and the Jeopardy game. The game taught the students about some of the policies and procedures that are in place at J. Sargeant Reynolds. Sometimes the game got really intense as everyone was going neck and neck, trying to raise their hands first. In the end, they all were winners and each student was given a free flash drive. After the Jeopardy game, the ambassadors presented a 30 minute tour of the Parham Road Campus. When we did tours at the Downtown Campus we were given the same amount of time. It was easier and faster to do the tours Downtown because we were not hot and we had access to elevators and steps. The Parham tours required a lot of walking outside and it was very hot. 

After the tours and the jeopardy game, the new students went to advising and registration. The students were separated by major and were sent to different locations to get started. This process took a couple of hours because each student’s schedule had to be setup to start them on the path to success.

At the conclusion of the S.O.A.R. session, we came together to discuss how the day went. We laughed at how some of the crazy parents would try to sneak out of their own sessions in the auditorium and go to their child’s sessions to see which classes they were registering for. S.O.A.R. officially ended two weeks before school started.

 During the first week of school, we were helping students find their classes and print class schedules. We also had a Back to School Fair, where we helped served popcorn, pizza, drinks, and free school supplies. This really wrapped up the summer session of my Ambassador experience. I can’t wait to see what is in store for the rest of the academic year.

Learning Communities share experiences

Learning Communities at Reynolds remain a practical way to learn. The concept of a Learning Community is to coordinate what you’re learning in one class and apply it to another. Two or more classes are linked together during the same semester and students are enrolled in both/all classes. Professors work together to coordinate assignments, content, and improve crossover learning between the courses.  Classes are typically back-to-back, or at the same time on alternating days.

Being part of a Learning Community at Reynolds also means you get credit for “shared experiences” and discussion. For instance, the VCCS Excellence in Education Award-winning Learning Community, "Getting a Clue," which pairs sections of ENG 111 and SDV 100, featured a shared experience this fall. All eight "Clue" Learning Communities (nearly 200 students) received free access to the 1997 film, Good Will Hunting, through their laptops. The College also featured five public showings of the film. Students in the Learning Communities were invited to write about how the film portrayed various educational themes and settings.

Learn more about Reynolds Learning Communities at www.reynolds.edu/lc.

Program Spotlight: Sleep Tech

Many of us have heard by now that sleep – quantity and quality – can be at the root of a myriad of health issues such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. It’s no wonder business at sleep labs are exploding. As usual, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College is answering the call to help fulfill workforce needs. JSRCC now offers a fully accredited Sleep Technology for Polysomnography Certificate program online. Students can complete the program in just two semesters (27 credits) and be well-prepared to take the national exam for certification. Course work is offered online and clinical work is coordinated with sleep laboratories in each student's local area. When they’re done, they’re likely to be offered a job pretty quickly, says Program Head Michelle Sartelle.

“Techs are needed in private labs and almost every major hospital,” said Sartelle. “If you’re a good problem solver, have good customer service skills, are comfortable with computers, and you like working the night shift, you could be a great sleep tech.”

Sleep techs monitor brain waves, heart rate, breath, oxygen, leg movement and eye movement, among other things, to determine treatment for a variety of sleep disorders. Patients are often hooked up to several monitors, so it’s also the sleep tech’s job to make them calm and comfortable.

JSRCC’s Sleep Technology for Polysomnography Certificate program is the only program in Virginia and one of 36 in the country. The program is one of many allied health programs offered through the College. For more information about the program or current clinical sites in Virginia, contact Michelle Sartelle at msartelle@reynolds.edu or (804) 523-5375.

Campus construction update

Here’s a quick and dirty update on recent campus construction…the renovations between Burnette and Georgiadis Halls on the Parham Road Campus are nearing completion. New brick pavers have been installed. Irrigation, landscaping and seating will soon complete that project. The Workforce Development and Conference Center construction is moving right along. Upon completion, the Community College Workforce Alliance will relocate and operate in this building. The first floor will offer a large multi-purpose room, a flex room, two classrooms, three large conference rooms, 17 offices and a catering kitchen. The College administrative offices, including the President’s Office, will be upstairs.

A rendering of the soon to be
Workforce Development Conference Center
on the Parham Road Campus.

Other recent completed renovations on the Parham Road Campus include the relocation of the Financial Aid and Central Admissions and Records offices to Georgiadis Hall. Third floor Georgiadis Hall corridor renovations have also been completed. The Marketing and Public Relations Office as well as the ODU Teletechnet program is scheduled to relocate to Georgiadis Hall within several weeks. Burnette Hall’s roof is also being replaced this month. At the Goochland Campus, the student commons/community room is being renovated and major renovations on the Downtown Campus remain ongoing.

For the most recent construction update report, visit http://www.reynolds.edu/_news/documents/ConstructionupdateSept2011.pdf.

Welcome Students!

This week Reynolds celebrated the arrival of over 12,000 students to the College for the Fall Semester. To welcome the students, the Office of Student Life hosted Welcome Back parties on each campus that featured live radio remotes, information tables and numerous give-aways including water bottles, pens and free drinks, popcorn, pizza and snow cones. The Office of Student Life will be hosting a number of additional upcoming events, so be sure to visit www.reynolds.edu/events for a full listing. Good luck this semester.

Meet your representatives

Read the bios of this year’s JSRCC Student Council Officers and Student Ambassadors. Student Council Officers serve as advocates for all Reynolds students. If you have a concern or suggestion, your Student Council representative can help you communicate it to the right person at the College. Student Ambassadors are College leaders that serve the College as tour guides, orientation leaders and hosts of high profile College events. During new student orientation, they work with small groups of incoming students, familiarizing them with the campus and assisting them with class registration.  At the beginning of each semester, Ambassadors help welcome students by staffing “greeters” tables, where they provide information to students about classroom locations, where to get a student ID, and how to get a student parking sticker.  During the academic year, they provide tours to prospective students and assist during events for alumni and other outside constituents.

See their faces and read their bios here: http://www.reynolds.edu/studentaffairs/Student_ambassadors.html.

Reynolds hosts distinguished Cyber Camp

This summer, more than 80 computer hackers from across the United States attended a U.S. Cyber Challenge Camp hosted by J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Reynolds is the first institution in Virginia to host the distinguished camp which offered specialized training sessions on cyber crime and terrorism prevention taught by renowned faculty and cyber security experts. A job fair, ethics discussion and roundtable discussion (which included State Secretary of Technology Jim Duffey and CEO’s from major cyber security firms) were also part of the camp.

According to JSRCC Information Security Officer Kristopher Cox, Cyber Camps provide a unique training opportunity in a field with excellent employability.

“Industry experts will tell you how important it is to hire people that know how to identify and stop threats to information systems,” said Cox. “As the volume of online attacks increase and scams become more sophisticated, the need for skilled practitioners will never be more critical.”

All attendees were able to network with employers. Many have genuine job prospects. The week concluded with a virtual “capture the flag” competition. The five winners of that competition received scholarships for further training.

Reynolds Opticianry team volunteers for RAM

This summer, Reynolds had a team of opticians at the 12^th annual RAM (Remote Area Medical clinic) mission in Wise County – an annual three-day event offering free medical, dental and vision care. Close to 1,000 eyewear prescriptions were filled or ordered over the course of the event and more than half of the orders were made on-site in the mobile eyeglass lab. About 450 orders were brought back to Richmond to be made and mailed to patients seen that weekend.  

More than 1500 volunteers were on site to help patients through the various areas and to provide food and cool drinks throughout the day. This was the first year Reynolds Opticianry faculty Kristi Green attended. She was invited by Opticianry Board Member Ray Guin and was pleasantly surprised to see Reynolds Opticianry Alumnae volunteering - Patti Guin and Linda Davis.

Kristi said “the Opticianry program is excited about the opportunity for future students and alumni to also work with the RAM organization.”

Brainy AND good looking

The science labs in Burnette Hall have never been more intriguing. Newly renovated, they now feature a stunning collection of restored and new works gifted to the College by Dominion Resources. From glossy and updated Periodic Tables to abstract oil paintings from Richmond artists, the pieces remind us of what is beautiful, fascinating and weird in the scientific world.  Reynolds President Dr. Gary Rhodes sees this installation, and the art beautification efforts overall, as a way to make students more comfortable and engaged – thus, more effective – in the Reynolds learning environments. Meet the people behind the project.

>>view the video

(left to right) Dr. Gary Rhodes, Reynolds President

Jennifer Kocen, Glave Kocen Gallery

Donna Kelliher, Dominion Resources

JSRCC receives a permanent installation of the Dr. W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr. Gallery

Reynolds has received a transformational gift to add to the aesthetic and intellectual energy of the Downtown Campus. For the first time, renowned area dentist and watercolor artist Dr. Perkinson is donating 60 works from his contemporary collection.

“The gift is just beyond description,” says Reynolds President Dr. Gary Rhodes.  “Dr. Perkinson is helping art become a part of the student experience at Reynolds. We are so grateful for his generosity.” 

The installation is complete and faculty, staff and students are encouraged to visit the Perkinson Gallery in the wing housing the dental lab and dental assisting programs on the 5^th floor of the Downtown Campus.    

JSRCC tells guys to “man up!”

In honor of Men’s Health Month, Reynolds Associate Professor of Health and Physical Education Stephen Sowulewski coordinated a men’s health seminar with area health and fitness experts to encourage men to “man up” and make diet and exercise a priority. Guys learned how to be more proactive about their health by attending sessions from a panel of distinguished experts in internal medicine, urology, dietetics and more. Health fair participants included The Health Journal, The American Cancer Society, Men’s Health Network and Us Too Warriors: Prostate Support Group.

“Men need to be better stewards of their health,” said Sowulewski. “That’s why we’re bringing this issue to the forefront.”

In addition, Nordstrom offered expert grooming and styling tips for men.

“It’s tough out there for men looking for work,” Sowulewski noted. “It’s important that, in addition to having a healthy lifestyle, men present themselves well and feel good about how they look…that way you can shine on an interview.”

Women were also encouraged to attend the seminar because, as Sowulewski says, “it is often the women in our lives that ensure we go to the doctor and do what we need to do to stay healthy.”

Reynolds relationship with storm water

Parham Road Campus culverts offer friendly reminders
that all campus storm water leads to the
Chesapeake Bay.

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) are part of a storm water awareness program that promotes the protection of storm waterways which flow into the Chesapeake Bay. Storm water is rain or snowmelt that falls on roofs, lawns or paved areas, like driveways and roads, and is carried away by a system of storm water pipes, culverts or ditches. Contaminated or polluted storm water can lead to significant water quality problems, make it difficult for aquatic plants to grow, cause algae blooms and kill fish. Water can become contaminated by household chemicals as well as pet waste. Polluted storm water often affects drinking water sources, which cause human health to be at risk and water treatment costs to rise.

Remember, what you do on land can affect the quality of your water. Be mindful at home and on campus! For more information or to report illegal dumping, please call JSRCC Facilities Management and Planning at (804) 523-5224.

JSRCC serves mini dishes at Broad Appétit

Reynolds Culinary Arts students served long lines of hungry patrons at this year’s Broad Appétit, a Richmond street fair representing area restaurants and chefs. More than 60 of Richmond’s best chefs prepared “mini dish” favorites and competed for the “To Die For Dish,” an honor bestowed upon by a panel of experts.

JSRCC Culinary students spent countless hours preparing for the event only to brace scattered thunderstorms, heat and humidity (in full chef’s uniforms) to showcase one of Reynolds’ signature programs.

“Reynolds has fertilized the proverbial soil and has proven that Richmond is a bona fide food lover’s capital,” said JSRCC School of Business and Engineering Assistant Dean David Barrish.

Though other culinary schools participated in Broad Appétit, the Reynolds line was by far the longest, noted Barrish.

“Our community flat out loves us,” he said.

For a complete list of participating restaurants and sponsors, visit http://www.broadappetit.com/food-drinks.php

Reynolds graduates celebrate

May is an exciting month around JSRCC with many students reaching their goal of graduating college with a degree or certificate. At the College’s graduation, about 1,500 degrees and certificates were conferred and nearly 75 students were recognized for earning their GED through the Reynolds' Middle College Program - an initiative to offer a college opportunity to students ages 18 to 24 who did not complete high school.

The graduates and their guest were treated to an inspiring speech by University of Richmond President Edward L. Ayers who told graduates that while history changes, some virtues are constant. "You know what they are — courage, patience, determination, hard work, compassion and love."

JSRCC also recently recognized nearly 150 students who completed the Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing. Held in the Lipman Auditorium of the Massey Library Technology Center, the ceremony opened with a welcome by JSRCC President Dr. Gary Rhodes and inspirational words by Care Advantage CEO Debbie Johnston.

The Reynolds’ Nursing Program is designed to prepare its students to participate as collaborative members of nursing care teams and to provide direct care to patients in a variety of health service facilities and agencies. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, students are eligible to take the licensing examination to become Registered Nurses.

To all the graduates – Congratulations!