U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis visits Reynolds

In his most recent State of the Union address, President Barack Obama issued a challenge to train 2 million Americans and place them in middle-class careers through community college-employer partnerships. In a recent visit to the J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Downtown Campus, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis discussed this and other initiatives at a roundtable with African American business leaders in the Greater Richmond Region.

Billed as the “State of the Union Roundtable and its meaning to the African American Community,” the forum was moderated by JSRCC President Dr. Gary Rhodes. After an introduction by Dr. Barbara Glenn, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Secretary Solis addressed the participants and then engaged in an open dialogue covering employment challenges, training opportunities, federal funding initiatives, and  faith-based and community partnerships.

“We need to help businesses by making it easier for them to reach these college students,” noted Solis. “We need to reach those that need our help and create opportunities for these students to be successful.”

Secretary Solis was first elected to public office in 1985 as a member of the Rio Hondo Community College Board of Trustees. She served in the California State Assembly from 1992 to 1994, and in 1994 made history by becoming the first Latina elected to the California State Senate. As the chairwoman of the California Senate Industrial Relations Committee, she led the battle to increase the state's minimum wage from $4.25 to $5.75 an hour in 1996. She also authored a record seventeen state laws aimed at combating domestic violence. She was confirmed as Secretary of Labor on February 24, 2009.

Academy Award winner speaks at JSRCC for Black History Month

(L-R) Robert Agaba, Lily Mirjahangiri and Willie Burton

“The Help” movie sound mixer and two-time Academy Award winner Willie Burton recently spoke at the College as a part of the Multicultural Enrichment Council’s Black History Month programming.  Burton is credited with breaking barriers for African-Americans and minorities entering the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) in the 1970’s. His accomplishments include two Oscars for Best Achievement in Sound Mixing (Dreamgirls) and Best Sound (Bird). He also won a British Academy Award in 1983 for War Games. Burton encouraged the audience not to lose focus on their personal and professional goals. “Character, spirituality and the relationships you foster are keys to success,” he said. “Believe in yourself, keep the faith and keep on fighting to achieve your dreams.”

FIRST PERSON: Meet Alumnus Matt Vinson

I am so thankful for the clear vision that I have had for my life and for God’s guidance and help to achieve my goals.  My name is Matthew Vinson and I am a 2008 graduate of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (JSRCC) and a 2010 graduate of the University Virginia with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.  It had been my dream since high school to become a civil engineer and to work in that field. 

After graduating from high school, I enrolled at JSRCC full time in the Engineering Associates degree program.  The education and activities at JSRCC prepared me as a person and a student to go onto bigger things in life.  One of those things was to transfer to the University of Virginia to complete my four-year degree.  The community college made this easier by having transfer days each semester where representatives from four-year universities presented information on their specific programs and transfer agreements.  Establishing contacts and receiving information from various colleges definitely helped me in my transfer process.  Applying for department scholarships was another valuable aid.  Good grades and my clear goal of becoming a civil engineer were beneficial in winning several scholarships throughout my scholastic years. I am thankful that I only accepted loans for one year at UVA—this kept my total debt below $10,000. 

After a year and a half of part-time civil engineering work at Willmark Engineering in Ashland, I finally got full-time work as a contractor for Dominion Virginia Power.  I am working in the Electric Transmission Operations group, at their headquarters in downtown Richmond.  This is an exciting new field of engineering and I am hoping to be brought on as a permanent employee soon.  The timing of this job was an answer to prayer.  My wife, Heather and I had a one year old, Noelle, and were expecting another one, when I started the new position in December.  Now we are a family of four with the birth of our second daughter, Vera.  This job provides steady work and a healthy income enabling me to provide for my family.  I am so glad that I am not over burdened with college debt, thanks to the Virginia Community College System and the numerous scholarships at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and the University of Virginia.  

Creating great nurses for Richmond

Nursing Retention Specialist Carol Rodi
tutors Reynolds nursing students.

Carol Rodi sits among a small group of JSRCC nursing students at the College’s Academic Support Center. You can tell by the discussion that these students are nearing graduation. You can sense their anxiety too.  Rodi’s throwing out “what if” scenarios of a patient presenting cardiac symptoms. And she’s asking for quick answers.

“When do you defibrillate? And what about blood thinners? What do you need to know?” she asks.

Many of these students are gearing up for final nursing exams. Rodi, the College’s nursing retention specialist, spends most of her time tutoring nursing students so they are prepared. It’s clear she’s good at it, since so many graduates have thanked her personally at their pinning ceremony.

“For some students, I guess I do help them study for and pass that final exam,” she says. “But for most of them, I really think I give them a broader understanding of caring for their patients…I put what they’ve learned into real situations. If their patient is in trouble and they’re having certain symptoms, what do they [our nursing graduates] do?”

As one tutoring session ends, Rodi makes her way down the hall from the Academic Support Center to a classroom, explaining that the next session needs a larger room to accommodate the group. Before she can unlock the door, a student shouts, “Please say you’ll be tutoring us today.”

Rodi has a master’s degree in Nursing. Before Reynolds, she worked as a critical care nurse in a burn center for a large healthcare system. However, she believes the associate degree level of nursing education is the most important. For her, she says, it was the most difficult. She received her RN from a college in a small town and says that Reynolds students are incredibly fortunate to complete their clinical requirements at VCU Health System.

“This level is so important because this is the level we put it all together,” she said.

Rodi’s position is grant funded through the College’s Academic Support Center. She was initially hired through a grant aimed at increasing nursing graduation rates.

JSR LEAD students visit General Assembly

From Cheri Morrell, a JSRCC LEAD student, on her recent visit to the Virginia General Assembly during VCCS Community College Day.

Our adventure began with an early morning meet up at the JSRCC Downtown Campus. The JSR Lead (student leadership development team) representatives for this particular visit were: Zac Carroll, Ryan Harris, Kelly McIntosh, Angela Miller, Cheri Morrell, and Shane Roberts. Dr. Rhodes, Malcolm Holmes, Steve Vehorn, and Bess Littlefield were kind enough to brief us of the protocol and events of the day while we waited for our transportation. Next up was a quick ride over to the Library of Virginia for some history of the LVA, the Capital Building, an explanation of state government and the General Assembly itself - then we were off for our perilous journey across the street to the General Assembly Building. While there we were fortunate to meet privately with several delegates including Delores L. McQuinn, John A. Cox, John O’Bannon lll, Peter Farrell and senators Thomas Garrett, Jr. and Henry L. Marsh.  Shane Roberts in the automotive field of studies was a big hit with Senator Garrett and Delegate Farrell as both requested tours of the JSRCC campuses with Dr. Rhodes! The icing on our cake was the opportunity to sit in the gallery during an actual General Assembly session where we were not only announced and asked to stand, but applauded by the House of Delegates!  It really doesn’t get much better than that, folks. We then finished off our day with a lovely stroll back across the garden area and enjoyed a leisurely lunch; it was a fun-filled, educational day…J. Sargeant Reynolds style!

Students visit with General Assembly lawmakers

(L-R, Shane Robertson, Zac Carroll, Kelly McIntosh,
Cheri Morrell, Ryan Harris and Angela Miller)

JSRCC students recently attended “Community College Day” at the Virginia General Assembly, sharing their Reynolds experiences and stories with a number of lawmakers.
Louisa High School graduate Shane Robertson expressed to Senator Thomas Garrett, Jr. (R-22^nd District) that he is currently working towards his Automotive Technology  Associate Degree while also working for an automotive dealership in Orange, Va.

“I think it is important for me to get an associate degree,” noted Shane. “By earning an associate degree, it shows employers that I know how to do math, that I’ve passed courses in English and know how to do critical thinking and speaking in front of groups. Those are important skills.”

A mother of two, Angela Miller discussed with Delegate Peter Farrell (R-56^th District) that she hopes to transfer to the University of Richmond and become a special education teacher. “Reynolds has given me an opportunity I can afford, as I take the first steps toward my degree to teach.”

Angela and Shane were joined by fellow students Zac Carroll, Ryan Harris and Kelly McIntosh.

Following the morning visits, the students walked to the Virginia State Capital where they toured the building that holds the nation’s oldest legislative body. During the general assembly session, the group was introduced and welcomed by Delegate John O’Bannon (R-73^rd District).

Using science to win wars

When John Lewis explains that he’s a liaison officer with the Joint Warfare Analysis Center (JWAC), it’s easy to believe.  At a buff six feet, he has the physical presence that would surely come in handy during a deployment to Afghanistan. Yet, it is John’s advanced degrees in electrical engineering that landed him in a warzone.  Back in Dahlgren, VA he is vague on the details of his job – those are classified – but offers this guarded explanation: “We help war fighters solve very hard problems using math, engineering, data and intelligence.”  As a liaison officer, John says he translates engineering “geek speak” into more manageable terminology for soldiers.  

While John won’t divulge details about his assignments at JWAC, what he will tell you is how pleased he is with the education he received at Reynolds. “I’m a community college guy.  That’s how I started.  I took vocational classes in high school, and plenty of study halls.  I didn’t plan on going to college, but my time in the National Guard proved to me that I could do hard things.  I decided to enroll at J. Sarge, and it was the best thing I could have done.” 

Using his G.I. Bill, Pell grants, and “every scholarship I could apply for” John began on a different kind of adventure.  He credits the basic-level course offerings, small class sizes and, particularly, the interest of the professors with much of his success.  “One of my professors told me that I had picked up electronics so well that I should consider becoming an engineer.” Which he did; after earning his associate’s degree in ‘95, John transferred to Virginia Tech to earn his bachelor’s degree in engineering.  “When I first got to Tech, I was pretty nervous.  You know, could I compete with these Tech students? But, with what I’d learned at Reynolds, I was so well prepared, it was incredible.  I finished with a 3.97 GPA.  I think I had one B+ my entire time.  And, this is from someone who had started at Reynolds taking remedial Algebra 1.”

Eventually, he would earn his master’s in engineering, but John can still quote formulas he learned at the College in Dr. M.L. Foy’s physics class.  “She was one of the most thorough and best professors I’ve ever had in any university I’ve attended. Dr. Foy taught concepts beyond the abstract.  These were real world examples we learned.” Examples that he applies to the classified operations of JWAC:  “Ultimately, we’re using science to win wars.”   

JSRCC hosts nursing recognition ceremony

Recent graduates of the J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree program participated in the biannual Nursing Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, January 10.

The ceremony opened with a welcome by JSRCC President Gary L. Rhodes, Ed.D., followed by an inspirational keynote address from Amy Gillespie, RN, MSN, Ed.D. who serves as Nursing Leadership Advisor for the Nurse Leadership Institute of Virginia. Gillespie told the 74 nursing graduates to remember three points: keep focus on the patient by listening attentively; be brilliant at the basic skills; and never stop learning.

Graduates earning special awards during the ceremony include:

·        Susan Sisk—Fundamentals of Nursing

·        Janet Schaeffer—Level II Medical-Surgical Nursing

·        Caroline Garnett—Maternity Nursing

·        Christina Dobyns—Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing

·        Osiris Granger—Pediatric Nursing

·        Sandra Toro—Level III Medical-Surgical Nursing

·        Deirdre Mailloux—Evelyn Bacon Award

·        Charles McDonough—Fran Stanley Award

The J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College 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 hospitals, health service facilities and agencies. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become a Registered Nurse.

View pictures from the recognition ceremony

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.