GM Donates 2007 Chevrolet Silverado to JSRCC Automotive Training Program

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College’s GM Automotive Service Excellence Program (ASEP) received a new addition to its training fleet of vehicles, a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado, thanks to the commitment of GM in support of JSRCC’s automotive program. This vehicle is a crew cab dually with the 6.6L turbo diesel engine and Allison transmission. It is equipped with On-Star, cruise control and air conditioning.   

According to Alan Crouch, GMASEP Coordinator and Co-Program Head of Automotive Technology, “This vehicle fills a void in our fleet and allows us to train our students on light duty diesel technology. It will be used to support the training programs that GM ASEP students are required complete in order to produce the next generation of GM trained technicians.”

Automotive service technicians use their high-tech skills to inspect, maintain, and repair automobiles and light trucks that run on gasoline, ethanol and other alternative fuels, such as electricity. Today, integrated electronic systems and complex computers run vehicles and measure their performance while on the road. The increasing sophistication of automotive technology now requires workers who can use computerized shop equipment and work with electronic components while maintaining their skills with traditional hand tools. Technicians must have an increasingly broad base of knowledge about how vehicles’ complex components work and interact, as well as the ability to work with electronic diagnostic equipment and computer-based technical reference materials.

Crouch added, “It is the great support of the local GM Dealerships, recycle facilities and our high school partners that make our GM ASEP program a success.”

“We are proud to support training programs which prepare the next generation of GM technicians,” Todd Dawn, GM ASEP and AYES Program Manager noted. “Our commitment to our customers goes well beyond building a quality product. That commitment includes quality service after the sale, insuring we fix it right the first time. Our dedication to excellence starts at the training level, and by partnering with schools in communities around the globe, we can feel confident in our ability to provide our customers with an exceptional vehicle ownership experience”.

Courses in Automotive Technology are offered at JSRCC’s Goochland Campus, which is located near Routes 6 and 632 in the community of the Goochland Courthouse.

For more information on JRSCC’s Automotive Technology programs, please contact Alan Crouch, GMASEP Coordinator and Co-Program Head of Automotive Technology at (804) 523-5969 or by e-mail at acrouch@reynolds.edu. 

JSRCC Alumni Protect and Serve across the Commonwealth

Congratulations to two J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Alumni selected in May 2012 to serve in key roles in their communities!

DeWitt Cooper is the new Chief of Police in Tazewell, Virginia.  Mr. Cooper received his Associate Degree in Administration of Justice from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.  He has been in law enforcement for 17 years and previously served as the Chief of Police in Warsaw, Virginia.

Jeremy Holloway is the new Chief of Rockingham County Fire and Rescue.  Mr. Holloway received his Associate Degree in Fire Science from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.  He previously served as Rockingham County’s Assistant of Operations.  He also worked for the Waynesboro Fire Department and a volunteer in Grottoes.

Broad Appétit 2012 features JSRCC Culinary Arts Students

For the 5^th year, Broad Appétit served up a delicious afternoon of food, beverage, and entertainment for thousands in downtown Richmond on Sunday, June 3, and for the 5^th year J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College was a big part of the day’s event.   More than 20 students and instructors from the College’s Culinary Arts Program participated along with chefs from over 70 of Richmond’s finest local restaurants. 

The students served up nearly 500 plates of coffee-braised beef on a sour pretzel baguette with an arugula salad with homemade hot sauce and a charred corn aioli.  In addition, culinary students Christy Eliasek and Jamell Dickerson served as sous chefs for the entire competition.

 J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Culinary Arts Program hosted the Chef’s Demonstration Stage.  Chef Jesse Miller, Program Head of the Culinary Arts Program managed the stage, which featured the Throw Down in the Street competition.  In this competition, six chefs competed in multiple rounds to win the ultimate cooking showdown! Two chefs in each round were provided a mystery box of ingredients – a protein from a featured local provider, a starch, and a vegetable and given only 45 minutes to create the winning dish. Congratulations to Adjunct Faculty Member Mike Pendergrast who took second place in that competition for this Pork Two-Ways dish!

The students who participated reported it was a great opportunity to gain some real-life experience and to interact with the local community.  They enjoyed answering questions and sharing information about JSRCC’s Culinary Arts Program with event participants.   

The College’s Culinary Arts program provides a comprehensive occupational-technical education and is intended to lead to employment in a variety of culinary, food service and retail paths.   The Culinary Arts Associate of Applied Science degree prepares graduates to enter kitchens as professional cooks in hotels, resorts, restaurants, catering operations and a variety of retail businesses.  

For more information on JSRCC’s Culinary Arts Program, please visit http://www.jsr.vccs.edu/curriculum/programs/Culinary_ArtsAAS.htm.

Daphne April Jones named Valley Proteins Fellow

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College student Daphne April Jones of Henrico County, Virginia, has been named as one of ten outstanding students selected by The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE) to be part of its second class of Valley Proteins Fellows.  The Valley Proteins Fellows Program was created to celebrate and enhance the leadership capacity of students who have demonstrated great potential. 

What makes one student’s potential stand out from others?  In this case it is not just the 3.90 grade point average that Daphne has been able to maintain while a student at JSRCC.  The fact that she earned the almost perfect GPA as a single mother raising 4 children gives one a little more insight into her character.  Then you find out that in addition to her four children, Daphne also has full legal custody of her 17-year-old brother Eric, who has special needs and requires 24-hour supervision and you begin to understand her strength of character.  With all this, she still finds time to be involved with the schooling of her children, lending a hand to their teachers. 

Daphne will begin her second year this fall at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and she has a goal in mind.  In fact, she has several goals in mind.  The first is to earn an Associate degree in Nursing at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.  The next is to transfer to Virginia Commonwealth University to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.  Once that is complete, she wants to earn a Master’s degree in Nursing and ultimately become a Nurse Practitioner.  Daphne is willing to do whatever she has to do to achieve her goals and she knows it will not be easy.    

The Valley Proteins scholarship will certainly help.  In addition to covering the students' full tuition and fees, the Fellows participate in a unique leadership curriculum and receive individualized assistance in obtaining financial aid and transferring to four-year institutions.  

According to Daphne, “This fellowship means so much to me.  It gives me the flexibility to concentrate on my studies, and not worry about the financial aspect of going to school.  The most exciting part of the fellowship to me is the 40 hours of community service each semester.  I look forward to giving back and hope to volunteer in area homeless shelters.”  

“The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education is dedicated to expanding opportunities by leveraging partnerships,” Glenn DuBois, chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, noted. “This program is a great example of the synergy that comes from joining together employers that are vested in the quality of tomorrow’s Virginia workforce and the community colleges that elevate it every day.”

Valley Proteins is a family-owned business that has been in business for more than 50 years and currently operates 12 plants in 7 states, including Virginia.  The management is committed to outstanding corporate citizenship, excellent customer service, technological innovation and support for the community college mission.

Richard Groover's dragonfly studies

Richard Groover, Assistant Dean of the School of Mathematics and Science at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College is passionate about the study of dragonflies.    In fact, in addition to his position at JSRCC, Mr. Groover is also a doctoral student at George Mason University studying Environmental Science and Policy.  He admits a fascination with dragonflies since childhood.  In fact, he is known locally as the “dragonfly guy of Hanover County.”

Dragonflies are strong predators that eat mosquitoes, and other small insects like flies.   They live near bodies of water (ponds, lakes, and streams) because they lay their eggs on or in the water.  To that end, Groover spent a recent sunny afternoon catching dragonflies and collecting dragonfly larvae from the retention pond outside JSRCC’s Workforce Development Center for doctoral research he will conduct this summer.    

His doctoral questions include:

1.       When a new pond is created, are there certain species of dragonflies that arrive first?  Groover has studied over 30 sites in Hanover County, Virginia over the past three years and determined that there are usually six species of dragonflies that are generally the first to colonize in a new pond.  

2.       Three years later, does the dominant species change in that pond?  After researching six ponds for three years, Groover believes that pond dominance does not change.

3.       Does wind have an impact on dragonfly dispersal?  To answer this question, Groover is conducting a manipulated experiment this summer.  For his experiment, he has leased a 200-acre pasture and built eight artificial ponds in a circle, each 300 meters apart.  With help from student volunteers from a number of local colleges and universities, he plans to release two types of dragonflies from the center of the circle, within the artificial pond area, and track how they disburse in different weather conditions.  The hypothesis he hopes to support is that the dragonflies will disburse downwind under the right conditions. 

Once Groover completes his research this summer, he will write and then defend his dissertation.  He hopes to receive his doctorate degree in 2013.  His long-term goal is to dedicate the remainder of his life to the study of dragonflies. 

David Barrish selected as Dean of School of Business

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College has named David Barrish as the Dean of the School of Business. Barrish will be responsible for directing strategic planning, environmental scanning, research and analysis, instructional program development and evaluation, enrollment management, development and implementation of distance learning instructional delivery and student outcome assessment.

 “This is an exciting time for the College as we realign our transfer engineering program, thus creating a clear direction for the future of both the new School of Business and new School of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering,” noted Barrish. “My team of expert faculty and staff will be able to enhance our focus on students in certificate and degree programs that enter the workplace immediately upon graduation and contribute to the economic growth of our region.”  

At Reynolds, Barrish has served as interim dean and assistant dean of the School of Business and Engineering on two separate occasions and has held the position of full-time faculty member, program head, and director of the School of Culinary Arts, Hospitality, and Tourism. Additionally, he possesses extensive experience in the private sector, where he worked for the Sheraton Corporation and the Richmond Hotels Company.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Barrish has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Restaurant Management from Ohio State University and a Master of Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Rhodes featured in library exhibit

Dr. Gary L. Rhodes is featured in the “Why Children’s Books: Inspiring Generations” exhibit at the Richmond Public Main Library on Franklin Street in Downtown, Richmond. The fascinating exhibit demonstrates the long-term influence of a children’s book. Whether it is the memory of reading with a parent, the first time a book is read alone or the emotional power of a certain tale, the stories shared by Rhodes and other notable Richmond personalities reaffirm the importance of free and easy access to books for all children.

April 12 – May 29, 2012

Richmond Public Main Library

Monday through Wednesday: 10 am-7 pm

Thursday and Friday: 10 am-6 pm

Saturday: 10 am-5 pm

For additional information, call (804) 646-0117

Gary L. Rhodes, Ed.D.

Dare to imagine

         

I have fond memories of my childhood. I was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, but grew up just across the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. Summers were the best. Most days I spent my time outdoors playing with my collie, Dutchess. I remember spending hours swinging on the tree swing in the back yard, playing ball or just exploring the world around me. I was an inquisitive kid with a vivid imagination. That’s probably why Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson stands out as one of my favorite childhood books.

I guess I was a little like Jim Hawkins—naturally curious, impulsive at times, always looking for that next adventure. My parents were wonderful because they encouraged me to imagine what could be and to explore new ideas. I remember coming home one day to find three brand new unicycles—one for my dad and the others for my twin sister and me. We had a lot of fun learning to ride those unicycles. That creative spirit has shaped who I am today.

My colleagues at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College have come to know me as an idea machine. Some of my ideas are better than others, but the point is to keep generating them. We should encourage our young people to dare to imagine. There is no better catalyst for creativity and innovation than a good book.

Opticianry program provides free eyewear for Middle College students

A friendly conversation between two colleagues turned into a worthwhile service learning opportunity for students in the J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Opticianry and Middle College programs.

Mary Jo Washko, director of Middle College, recently mentioned to Opticianry program head, Yvonne Metten, that 17 of her students needed corrective eyewear. Understanding the need, Metten met with local optometrist Dr. Evan Kauffman who graciously agreed to donate his time (valued at $2,100) to conduct free undilated eye exams for Middle College students.

In order to provide this service, the Opticianry program had to obtain frames, lenses and improved equipment. Metten met with Elizabeth Littlefield, vice president for Institutional Advancement, and representatives with the Richmond Eye and Ear Foundation Fund to see if there was an interest in funding this initiative. The Richmond Eye and Ear Foundation Fund, a component fund of The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia, awarded $37,600 to the Opticianry Program on April 2, 2012. Funds from this grant were used to purchase lenses and frames for JSRCC Middle College students and to purchase a lens edger which helps Opticianry students fabricate lenses in less time.

On April 23, a Vision Fair was held exclusively for Middle College students. Under the watchful eye of Dr. Kauffman, Opticianry students provided preliminary exams for nearly 25 Middle College clients. Specifically, they conducted tests for color blindness and provided keratometry and slit lamp evaluations. They also worked directly with the clients in the selection and fitting of eyewear.

"Improving a student’s ability to see will have a tremendous impact on his or her ability to be successful not only in their college program but also in their occupation," said Washko.

The Middle College is a college entry program for individuals between the ages of 18-24 who have not completed their high school education but have the goal of attending college. The program includes GED preparation and college level preparation for employment coursework to help students pursue their goal of a college education. There is no cost to the student to participate in this program.

JSRCC hosts 8th Annual Gardenfest

Just in time for spring planting, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and the Goochland-Powhatan Master Gardeners hosted the 8th Annual Spring Garden Fest, a day that featured valuable gardening sessions and the opportunity to purchase plants and flowers ready to plant.  Almost 500 people attended the event, which ran from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on the College’s Goochland Campus located at 1851 Dickinson Road in Goochland.

David Seward, Horticulture Program Head, remarked, “It was a very successful day even with the mid-day rain and a good time was had by all!”

More than 20 different gardening sessions were conducted throughout the day including "Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Garden," "Successful Grape Growing in the Home Garden" and "Landscaping with Edible Plants. Throughout the day, local Master Gardeners were on-hand to answer questions and provide gardening tips.

Anita and Craig Waters honored with 2012 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy

Anita and Craig Waters of Glen Allen, Virginia, have earned the 2012 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. The couple was nominated for the award by JSRCC.



Back row (l to r): Tim McDermott, Mary McDermott, Capt.(Ret) Lawrence Hall, Craig Waters, Chancellor Glenn DuBois, Dr. Gary Rhodes

Front:  Frances Waters, Pam Hall, Anita Waters


The award was given at a luncheon ceremony at the Country Club of Virginia on Tuesday, April 17, 2012. Anita and Craig Waters established the Alan Waters Memorial Scholarship named after their son who was pursuing his associate degree in automotive technology before passing away in 2007. Through their annual golf tournament, the Waters have raised more than $87,000 in scholarship funds to benefit nursing and automotive students. Anita is Marketing Director with the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, a duathlete and marathon coach. An avid golfer and cyclist, Craig is an executive with Dominion.

Their pursuits reflect the strength and grace with which they’ve turned personal tragedy into empowerment for our students to compete and to win. The Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy luncheon is hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE) to honor the leading philanthropists from each of Virginia’s 23 community colleges as well as the statewide foundation. This marks the seventh year the awards have been given. This year’s class of distinguished philanthropy leaders has contributed a combined total of more than $48 million dollars to Virginia’s Community Colleges.

"These philanthropic leaders are tremendous partners," said Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges. "These individuals, organizations and employers are difference-makers who play an essential role in helping our colleges fulfill their mission of addressing Virginia’s unmet needs in higher education and workforce development."

The honored philanthropists will have a scholarship named after them which will be awarded next fall to a student attending their community college. The one-year scholarships are funded by Wells Fargo and Dominion.

The luncheon’s keynote speaker was Mr. Steve Gannon, executive vice president, deputy general counsel – legal for Capital One Financial Corporation. Mr. Gannon is a member of the Virginia State Board for Community Colleges and a director of the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education.

"We owe our success to our 30,000 hard-working associates, and plenty of them, in turn, owe a good deal of their success to community colleges," said Gannon in applauding the opportunities created by philanthropic donations made to community colleges. "We can’t spare any lost potential. In a global economy that rewards innovation and technical prowess, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels."

Congratulations to the 2012 Art Show winners

At J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, spring means the walls of the Gallery in Georgiadis Hall on the Parham Road become an art gallery for the Student Art Show, displaying many creative works in all shapes and sizes. This year, 95 works of art were submitted to the campus exhibition, which ran from April 3rd to May 2. Here are the award categories and winners.

Reynolds Award (Best in Show) - Eric Atkinson

Reynolds Award 1^st Runner Up - Elizabeth Heaton

Reynolds Award 2^nd Runner Up - Ling Lin Ku

1^st Place Photography - Jonathan Albrecht

1^st Place Painting - Ling Lin Ku

1^st Place Drawing - Sang Rok Lee

1^st Place Design - Alan McLeod

Congratulations to all the winners!

Reynolds hosts Around the World through Books discussion of "The Immortal life of Henrietta Lacks"

More than 80 J. Sargeant Reynolds students, faculty, staff, and guests enjoyed the Around the World through Books discussion of The Immortal life of Henrietta Lacks on Thursday, March 29.

Carol Rodi from Reynolds’ School of Nursing and Allied Health and biology professor Janet Adams led a lively discussion about the poignant, true-life story, written by Rebecca Skloot, of the contributions to science and medicine from cells taken from Henrietta Lacks in the 1950s. Originally from Clover, Virginia, Henrietta Lacks underwent cancer treatment at Johns Hopkins hospital in Baltimore, where some of her cancer cells were removed and tested. The cells continued to survive and for more than 50 years have offered opportunities for ongoing research. In the 1970s the Lacks family learned about the existence of Henrietta’s cells, and as the cells had begun making a significant amount of money for labs that marketed them, ethical, business, and legal questions arose around the rights of the family to compensation for the cells.

Known as HeLa cells, the cells continue to be widely used in research and health care today, and the ethical, business, and legal issues around cellular research are also ongoing.

At Thursday night’s event in the Gallery on Parham Road Campus the presenters and audience discussed some of these issues, including questions of informed consent and how it has changed over the years, the funding and business of modern scientific cellular research, and ethical concerns surrounding these topics.

Sponsored by the Multicultural Enrichment Council, this was final event in this year’s book discussion series.

Capacity crowd attends Reynolds Science Night

Nearly 400 people enjoyed an evening of thought-provoking sessions and engaging conversations during the College’s 8th Annual Science Night event held on March 28.

“It was a wonderful setting for our students, faculty, staff and neighbors from the community,” said Raymond Burton, Dean of the School of Mathematics & Science. “Our committee and presenters worked hard for this special evening and I am glad they had such a large and interactive audience.”

Professor Brian Dunn

Professor David Walz opened the session with his presentation “America the Beautiful” that included an array of photos taken while traveling across country. During the slideshow, Walz declared himself as just a regular guy that enjoys traveling and taking pictures with a cheap camera. “I let mother nature provide all the majestic views for me,” he noted.

Walz shared that one of America’s the best kept secrets is the falls in Great Falls, Virginia located outside Washington, D.C. “When I first saw them, I thought I was in the western part of the United States,” added Walz, who also shared that he and his wife try to see all 48 lower continental states every 10 years.

The evening’s second presenter, Dr. Bryan Rhodes, elaborated on his topic “Being Skeptic of Skeptics: Is there evidence for Climate Change?” Dr. Rhodes challenged the audience to focus on the facts and think past what they are hearing in the news and their preconceptions.

“When you think about climate change, that is a vision, as none of us have been completely around the world to see all the effects,” noted Rhodes. “Climate does change – why it changes and what effects humans have on that change is still the big question. Some of it (global warming) is natural. How much we are contributing to this phenomenon, is what we don’t know.”

Professor Brian Dunn closed the evening with his presentation “Germany: A Nation Transformed, Enraptured, and Devastated by Science” that featured a collection of German scientist and how their discoveries effect the world even today.

“The turn of the last century was a period of great political unrest, but at that same time, governments of ambitious powers invested heavily in scientific research and technology development for several reasons,” Dunn said during his opening. “They wanted to improve their economy and also wanted to politically and economically influence other nations.”

Reynolds celebrates Women’s History Month

The JSRCC Multicultural Enrichment Council recently presented “Empowerment: Connecting the Past, Present and Future” in celebration of Women’s History Month. Keynote speaker Cassandra D. Emery, Executive Director/CEO, YWCA of Richmond, set the tone for the day by providing a powerful opening message to the audience.

Lunch was followed by two lively panel discussions. The first panel featured Cheryl Hicks, author, historian and associate professor at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Sindy Benavides, political director for the Northern Virginia Senatorial Campaign, and Tonya Mallory, CEO, Health Diagnostics Laboratory, Inc.

“Understanding the past is a good way to judge the future,” noted Hicks. “Ask for advice and guidance from people you respect, and act as if you don’t know everything. There are people out there that want to help you and you can learn from.”

“While shaping our thoughts, sometimes we are enemies of our own self, and criticize our own self too much,” said Benavides. “As women, we need to find the confidence and move forward.”

Sindy Benavides



The second panel featured students Carolyn Hajeck (JSRCC), Alexis Rodgers (Virginia Commonwealth University) and Shakeena Pierce (University of Richmond). They each shared stories of overcoming obstacles, inspirational mentors and plans for the future. The program was emceed by CBS 6 co-anchor Reba Hollingsworth and concluded with a performance by The Jazz Ladies.

Advance College Academy makes first visit to Reynolds

“J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College…..A World of Opportunity” – that was the sound of the Advance College Academy (ACA) students showing their JSRCC spirit during their first visit to the College’s Parham Road Campus.

The ACA consists of Henrico County Public School students who are in a newly designed program that allows them to obtain an Associate of Science degree in Social Science, in partnership with Reynolds, during their last two years of high school. The Class of 2015 will begin taking Reynolds courses in summer 2013.

“We thought it was very important for the students to visit the campus and especially the library,” noted Dr. Miles McCrimmon, JSRCC Professor of English, who is helping to coordinate the ACA. “These students are some of the brightest in the Henrico County Public School system and it is important for them to see and learn how to use the many resources available to them.”

During the visit, Reynolds librarian Hong Wu gave the students a tour of the College’s library, demonstrating how to research topics through electronic means and how to find current materials physically located in the library.

“I was very impressed by the group of students,” added Wu. “They showed great interest in the research materials and asked some great questions. I hope to see them all in our library as they continue with the program.”

Following the tour of the library, the students engaged in a discussion of “art in our society” and spent time expressing their thoughts on paper during an open writing assignment.

After their visit to Reynolds, they traveled to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts where they received a personal tour and enjoyed lunch on the lawn.

“After seven months, it is very exciting to see how these students are progressing through the Academy,” said McCrimmon. “Their enthusiasm for Reynolds, the Academy, and their fellow students continues to impress us all.”

JSRCC Police Department adds three sworn officers to its ranks

The J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Department of Police recently hired three additional full-time police officers. This brings the total number of sworn officers covering the College’s three campuses to 16. Reynolds is one of only six colleges in the Virginia Community College System with sworn police officers. Northern Virginia Community College, Southwest Virginia Community College, Thomas Nelson Community College, Lord Fairfax Community College and Virginia Western Community College are the others.

Photo L-R: Wyatt Hicks; Rondell White; David Campbell

More than 125 students join honor society ranks

Reynolds inducted more than 125 students into the Alpha Iota Beta and the Alpha Gamma Omicron chapters of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society on Saturday, February 25. Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for two-year colleges and recognizes and encourages the academic achievement of two-year college students and provides opportunities for individual growth and development.

Mr. Richard Groover, JSRCC School of Mathematics and Science assistant dean, served as the ceremony’s keynote speaker. Groover challenged the inductees to give back to the community and become leaders.

“One might say you are the cream of the crop,” noted Groover. “You are the top students. You are honor society scholars and you should be very proud.”

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.

Packed house enjoys book discussion on “Like Water for Chocolate”

Adjunct faculty member Jackie Gottstein enlightened over 100 students, faculty, staff and guests as Reynolds hosted another “Around the World Through Books” discussion recently in the Gallery of Georgiadis Hall on the Parham Road Campus.

The session featured “Like Water for Chocolate” by Laura Esquivel – a story about a young girl named Tita who has always known her destiny: to remain single and care for her aging mother. When she falls in love, her mother quickly scotches the liaison and tyrannically dictates that Tita's sister Rosaura must marry the luckless suitor, Pedro, in her place. But Tita has one weapon left--her cooking.

Through a vivid and thoughtful presentation, Jackie brought the book and the Mexican culture to life. The audience was also treated to delicious, artisanal chocolates created by JSRCC Chef Jesse Miller and his group of pastry arts students.

Sponsored by JSRCC’s Multicultural Enrichment Council, the final book discussion of the year will be on March 29 and will feature Rebecca Skloot’s “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.”  

The Places You’ll Go

When Jim Allison entered the Peace Corps, he carried more with him than a curiosity at seeing the world.  With his just-earned Engineering AS degree from Reynolds, Jim spent the late Eighties installing water systems in the Philippines. Sharing a laugh with his wife Milette, who he met while there, Jim recalls, “I think the boarding house we lived in charged 100 bucks a month. But, those were great times.” 

Like so many J. Sarge alumni, Jim’s “road to Reynolds” story is particularly fascinating because he was an adult student when he made the decision to enroll.  Growing up in Northern Virginia, Jim first attended college as a student at Randolph-Macon, which brought him closer to Richmond.  “And, I’d always worked construction. But, recruiters and head hunters kept asking me if I’d ever thought of becoming an engineer. I heard it from so many folks that I decided to take a serious look at it, and that’s how I ended up at Reynolds.”  It was a completely different academic experience for Jim – and, he flourished in it.

“The odd thing is that I’d just squeaked by at Randolph-Macon.  Then, I got to Reynolds and everything turned around.  The job of Reynolds is to prepare you for the next step and they do it incredibly well.  For instance, the professors are there to teach; their focus isn’t on publishing.  And, because of that, they are excellent instructors.”  In particular, Jim credits Dr. M.L. Foy and Fred McConnell for the fundamentals of engineering he learned in their classrooms. 

Jim recalls a time when his study group was meeting on a Sunday afternoon.  They were stumped by a math problem and decided to call their instructor at home.  “He actually drove in from Short Pump, and this was when Short Pump was really the country.  He drove in just to give us an extra lesson.  Not many professors would necessarily do that.” 

After Reynolds, Jim headed to Virginia Tech where he earned his Master’s Degree in Engineering. He worked as an engineer for the City of Richmond before leaving to help Milette run the couple’s business, a successful childcare center in Midlothian called The Learning Playhouse.  

Since 2007, Jim and Milette Allison have supported JSRCC as donors, adding precious resources to the college’s annual fund, the Fund for Reynolds. “I always figured I would give back.  It’s a fine school and I’ve had a number to compare it to.  For what it wants to do, Reynolds simply does it the best.” 

Bowling for scholarships

Over 60 enthusiastic faculty, staff, board members and supporters hit the bowling lanes recently to raise money for the JSRCC Classified Council Scholarship. Hosting the 9^th annual JSRCC Scholarship Bowl, Classified Council raised over $1,000 this year and has netted more than $10,000 for student scholarships since the inception of the annual event.

Congratulations to Donna Sheppard who won the high score award, posting a 337 and to the “Healthy Rollers” who rolled the best overall team score. Team “Going for It” came in 2^nd place, followed by team “Great Expectations.”

Classified Council would like to thank all supporters, and wants to remind everyone it is never too early to start practicing for next year!!!