Reynolds Police participates in Public Safety Bike Ride

Reynolds Department of Police recently participated in the 13^th Annual Public Safety Bike Ride, assisting the City of Richmond Police Department who provided 100 bikes, helmets and bike locks to needy children. 

“It is always one of the most enjoyable events of the year to attend,” said Reynolds Police Sergeant William Judon. “To see all those kids riding bikes takes me back to when I was a kid riding around. And it makes it even better knowing our college’s police department is here supporting the community.”   

 Reynolds DUI/Texting simulator was also present at the event to provide awareness of the dangers of drinking/texting while driving.

Welcome Dr. Tim Merrill, Associate Vice President for Strategic Planning and Institutional Effectiveness

Dr. Tim Merrill enters his first year at Reynolds Community College as the Associate Vice President for Strategic Planning and Institutional Effectiveness.  Prior to coming to Reynolds, Tim spent five years as the Director of Institutional Research at Randolph-Macon College and four years as an Interim Program Officer at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

When asked why would anyone leave Hawaii Tim responded, “Closer proximity to family, more affordable costs of living, and there are only so many rainbows and waterfalls one can appreciate before they become boring - just kidding about the last one, it was a beautiful place to call home for several years.” 

Tim’s career has given him the opportunity to work for numerous universities of different sizes, both public and private.  He has a B.A. in Organizational Communication from Miami University, a M.A. in Higher Education Administration from George Washington University and a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Virginia. 

“(I want) to grow professionally and personally and to learn from a team of skilled and knowledgeable professionals who give back to this community, “Tim explained on what he is looking forward to while working at Reynolds. 

When not working, Tim enjoys spending time with his wife Kelly and their daughter Carter, age seven and son Timmy, age six.  Tim also enjoys playing pickup basketball, coaching youth soccer and staying up-to-date on movies and historical biographies.

Tim, welcome to Reynolds!!

Keeping up with Cassie Matthew, Class of '80

Cassie Matthew (left) at Reynolds’ Phi Theta Kappa induction ceremony with Dr. Susan Hunter, School of Nursing and Allied Health (center), and Dr. Wendy Bolt, Dean of Students.

Cassie Matthew, Class of ’80, was back on campus to share her unique story at this year’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) induction ceremony. While addressing the Honors Society students, Cassie shared that her own success was not a foregone conclusion.   

“I know I was meant to encourage people who might not have the typical support network.” Cassie Matthew, Class of ’80, established Hands-Up Ministries (HUM) with her husband to provide affordable homeownership possibilities in the City of Richmond’s Highland Park area. “I may have come from a middle class background, but I understand the struggles of those who haven’t. When I left Freeman, I just knew there was no way I was going back to high school. My professors at Reynolds treated me like an adult, which helped my self-esteem. I felt like I had a chance to make it.” 

After Reynolds, Cassie transferred to ODU, married, had children, and discovered a new passion. “I had always stayed active in the community and church. I was typical missionary, where you go for a week and come home. Then, I started helping in my own city. I wanted to make a difference for people, but our paths were never going to cross unless I was in their neighborhood; they weren’t going to be in mine. What’s the real problem with poverty? Most people I talked with said housing, so that’s the mission of Hands-Up Ministries.” 

An affordable dwelling is part of the answer, but not all. Cassie encourages those who are served by the non-profit to use education as a key to overcome real and perceived hurdles. “I felt like a failure, so I could relate to anyone who feels like they’re a failure. My conversation is that school is the answer. Apply for a Pell grant. Go for it. The discipline and confidence you gain from the college experience are life-changing.”