Brcc community link summer 2017

Summer 2017

T

This fall, we’ll be celebrating BRCC’s 50th anniversary and all the good work the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation has done to support the college over the years.

This includes $3,204,643 in scholarships awarded to deserving students since the Foundation’s inception, and program support provided to the college averaging $802,733 annually over the past five years. Program support includes emergency financial assistance for students, equipment purchases, Instructional Mini-Grants, Staff Association professional development, student expenses, Strategic Innovation Grants, Career Coaches, Nursing faculty, and much more all funded with your support!

BRCC’s 49th Graduation

Non Profit Org. U. S. Postage and Fees Paid BRCC

BRCC’S 50 TH ANNIVERSARY

M

More than 240 grads walked across the stage to receive their degree, diploma or certificate from BRCC President, Dr. John Downey on May 13. The College conferred 897 degrees, which included 596 associate’s degrees, 4 diplomas, 163 certificates, and 134 career studies certificates.

April 20, 2018, 6:00 p.m., Robert E. Plecker Workforce Center

23rd Annual Spring Fling Auction

October 18, 2017, 7:30 a.m., Waynesboro Country Club October 19, 2017, 7:30 a.m., Spotswood Country Club, Harrisonburg October 20, 2017, 7:30 a.m., Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center, Staunton

September 23, 2017, 6:30 p.m., Crosskeys Vineyards

Community Breakfast Series

No RSVP needed; just stop by.

For more info www.brcc.edu/get-there or (540) 453-0264.

50th Anniversary Gala

Tuesday, June 20, 5-7 pm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Waynesboro Library Wednesday, June 21, 5-7 pm. . . . . Lucy F. Simms Center (Harrisonburg) Thursday, June 22, 5-7 pm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staunton Library Tuesday, June 27, 5-7 pm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Churchville Library Wednesday, June 28, 4:30-6:30 pm . . . . . . . . . Elkton Community Center

September 8, 2017, 12:00 noon, Robert E. Plecker Workforce Center

of our info sessions at a location near you this summer! There, you can learn more about our programs, services, financial aid, and even apply and enroll if you’d like!

President’s Luncheon

Whether you’re checking out the possibilities, or ready to sign-up, come to one

Save the Date!

www.brcc.edu/get-there

! e r e Th t e G

Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation, Inc. P. O. Box 80 Weyers Cave, VA 24486 (540) 453-2211 www.brcc.edu/EdFound

Better Career? More Money? Quality of Life?

Address Service Requested

Please make plans to join us at Crosskeys Vineyards Saturday, September 23rd at 6:30 p.m. to celebrate 50 years of making an impact in our community. Mark your calendars now and be on the lookout of more information! If you have questions about this event, please contact Sally Jane Conner at (540) 453-2203 or ConnerS@brcc.edu.

BRCC can help you

Student speaker John Butler; Augusta County Assistant Prosecutor Holly Rasheed; BRCC President Dr. John Downey

“What you and I hungered for were those things that feed our passions. It was our passions that brought us to BRCC,” said John Butler Jr., Human Services graduate and student speaker. Mr. Butler’s passion is to help people succeed and attain a better life. He struggled as a nontraditional student at BRCC, but credits instructors for encouraging him to stick with it when he felt like giving up. His plans now include pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work at Mary Baldwin University.

Ms. Holly Rasheed, a 2011 BRCC graduate, and currently the youngest attorney in Virginia, delivered the commencement address. Ms. Rasheed said that BRCC prepared her for the rigorous coursework at UVA and University of Richmond’s T.C. Williams School of Law. BRCC Educational Foundation Board Chair Cathleen P. Welsh Vice Chair Mary Louise Leake Secretary John A. Downey Treasurer Cynthia F. Page

Kelly R.S. Blosser Alphonso P. Boxley III Rob W. Cale Denise E. “D.D.” Dawson Douglas G. Driver Silvia T. Garcia-Romero

Teresa H. Gauldin Nancy Hulings Elizabeth Jerlinski Camala B. Kite David L. Ledbetter Martha Livick Mary McDermott

Beverly B. McGowan Thomas C. Mendez Karen E. Santos Jerry D. Sheets Alan L. Shelton Linnea J. Spradlin

Community Link is an official publication of the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation. It is distributed to friends in the Shenandoah Valley, as well as BRCC faculty and staff, and is published quarterly by the Development Office, Blue Ridge Community College, Weyers Cave, VA 24486. If you have any questions or comments regarding this publication, please contact Angie Glenn, Development Services Coordinator, at (540) 453-2307 or glenna@brcc.edu.

ZANE D. SHOWKER FAMILY HONORED WITH 2017 CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP IN PHILANTHROPY

T

The Zane D. Showker Family has received the 12th Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. The family was nominated for the award by Blue Ridge Community College, and the award was given at a luncheon ceremony at the Country Club of Virginia on Tuesday, April 18, 2017.

Hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education, this annual (left to right) BRCC President Dr. John Downey; VCCS Chancellor event honors leading philanthropists from Dr. Glenn Dubois; Carol and Fred Showker each of Virginia’s 23 community colleges as well as the statewide foundation. This year’s class of distinguished philanthropy leaders has contributed a combined total of more than $10 million dollars to Virginia’s Community Colleges.

The late Zane D. Showker’s support of Blue Ridge Community College dates back almost to the inception of the BRCC Educational Foundation, with his first gift made in 1988. He continued to invest in BRCC until his passing in 2004, including establishing the Zane D. Showker Endowed Scholarship. Mr. Showker’s children take seriously the legacy of philanthropy that their father left for them, as evidenced by their support for organizations and causes throughout our community.

Their support of Blue Ridge Community College has extended even beyond student scholarships to include BRCC Enactus, Nursing program, Great Expectations program for foster care youth, Foundation events, and even unrestricted gifts.

“The late Zane D. Showker was a philanthropic giant in our community – investing in numerous educational institutions, including Blue Ridge Community College, as well as a significant number of local not-for-profit organizations,” said John A. Downey, president of Blue Ridge Community College. “At BRCC, he established the Zane D. Showker Endowed Scholarship to support students based on their financial need and academic performance. Mr. Showker’s children have continued the legacy of support for Blue Ridge, in part by growing the scholarship endowment in the years since Zane’s passing,” Downey continued.

Chancellor Glenn DuBois expressed his gratitude in his address to the crowd. “You are difference-makers. You are opportunity-creators. We thank you, not just for the dollars donated, but for the standard of leadership you represent. Your example motivates and challenges us all to do more to ensure that opportunity is there for those who come next.”

Keynote speaker John O. “Dubby” Wynne, chairman of GO Virginia and Reinvent Hampton Roads, said he was honored to be a part of the event, and he emphasized how the generous donations he and others have made are having a positive impact on the communities Virginia’s Community Colleges serve. “In many instances, your gifts are the difference between average or good and excellent in student performance,” he observed. Wynne also issued an appeal to members of the audience to increase their level of support to help train and educate Virginia’s workforce for economic growth.

THE TASSLE WAS WORTH THE HASSLE These graduates, along with a few hundred more, turned their tassels on May 13.

Charity Sloan “I found that Blue Ridge was more than a community college, we are a family made up of people with all sorts of backgrounds, stories, all races, ages, and religions. I realized that I was a part of something much bigger than myself!

As students, we support, encourage, and inspire one another – through simple gestures like taking a new student to the bookstore, smiling and waving like a fool to others in campus hallways to lift spirits, or providing simple words to inspire hope, such as you’ve got this or you can do it. We are a family that is determined to make each individual member better.

Each of us plays a part in making changes - hopefully positive ones - because we leave our marks on everyone we touch. We are the role models for the next generation of Blue Ridge students. For students who are also parents or who have younger brothers and sisters – those children look up to us and say, if she can do it, so can I!”

Chelsea White “The most important thing that I learned in nursing school is to be an exceptional nurse, not just a mediocre one. Our instructors have held us to the highest of standards throughout our program because, at the end of the day, our decisions will make the difference between life and death for our patients. For this reason, we must hold ourselves to the highest of standards as nurses and respect the responsibility that we carry.

I believe we have all started the journey to leading exceptional lives by graduating from Blue Ridge Community College. Education serves as an integral stepping stone in the process of building an exceptional life. We should strive to be unusually compassionate, unusually motivated, unusually dedicated, and unusually humble; just to name a few exceptional traits. My hope for each of you is that you will live an extraordinary life full of success, happiness, and unforgettable experiences.”

You Can Make a Difference With your continued support, many students like Charity, Chelsea, and Matthew are able to make their educational dreams come true. The Foundation closes out its fiscal year on June 30, 2017, but there is still time to contribute to the 2016-17 Blue Ridge Annual Fund. The Annual Fund provides not only scholarship support, but also support for instructional technology, faculty innovation, and staff professional development, improving the educational experience for all students. If you want to be a part of building the dreams of today’s students while ensuring them one of the finest educations available, then make your gift to the Blue Ridge Annual Fund.

Matthew Heineck “One good thing that came out of my failed attempts at college was a love of philosophy. I read several philosophy textbooks I had picked up from various places that got my gears turning and I took a Socratic approach to life, but what really made me rethink my life was reading a book on ethics and morality called The Right Thing to Do. That was where I found the quote that would ultimately change my life, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world. –Mahatma Gandhi.” It was the one tiny anchor I had been looking for.

I took two classes in my first semester to get my feet wet and I decided that the best way to do this was to dive headlong into the campus itself. I did exactly that and for the past four years, I have done nothing but excel in my studies and in campus-related life. I’ve struggled with some things here and there but this has been a very different experience for me than my previous three attempts at college. I will graduate in May of 2017 with a 3.82 GPA from BRCC. I’ve been accepted into JMU as a general transfer student.

You never know where life is going to take you unless you find a path and walk it.

You all have started your paths, now keep walking them. Keep your eyes open and your ears up, for you never know when all it will take to see an opportunity is for you to turn your head.”

Spring Fling 2017 We are pleased to report the 22nd Spring Fling Auction was a great success! More than 200 friends attended – and together with your support – over $76,000 was raised. This includes sponsorships, cash donations, ticket sales and auction purchases. The funds raised translate to almost 15 full scholarships for BRCC students. The BRCC Educational Foundation thanks all those involved in making this a meaningful event. Be sure to make plans now to join us for the next annual Spring Fling Auction on April 20, 2018.

BRCC Employees Give Back BRCC employees were recently surveyed about their civic engagement in BRCC’s service area. 90 employees answered the request, confirming that BRCC’s workforce is actively engaged in the community. As a team, BRCC employees are partnering with over 170 organizations across the service region, including Arts Council of the Valley, American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Cat’s Cradle, Habitat for Humanity, Open Doors Shelter, Rockingham Educational Foundation, Inc., Shenandoah Valley Partnership, and United Way of Greater Augusta, just to name a few!

ZANE D. SHOWKER FAMILY HONORED WITH 2017 CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP IN PHILANTHROPY

T

The Zane D. Showker Family has received the 12th Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. The family was nominated for the award by Blue Ridge Community College, and the award was given at a luncheon ceremony at the Country Club of Virginia on Tuesday, April 18, 2017.

Hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education, this annual (left to right) BRCC President Dr. John Downey; VCCS Chancellor event honors leading philanthropists from Dr. Glenn Dubois; Carol and Fred Showker each of Virginia’s 23 community colleges as well as the statewide foundation. This year’s class of distinguished philanthropy leaders has contributed a combined total of more than $10 million dollars to Virginia’s Community Colleges.

The late Zane D. Showker’s support of Blue Ridge Community College dates back almost to the inception of the BRCC Educational Foundation, with his first gift made in 1988. He continued to invest in BRCC until his passing in 2004, including establishing the Zane D. Showker Endowed Scholarship. Mr. Showker’s children take seriously the legacy of philanthropy that their father left for them, as evidenced by their support for organizations and causes throughout our community.

Their support of Blue Ridge Community College has extended even beyond student scholarships to include BRCC Enactus, Nursing program, Great Expectations program for foster care youth, Foundation events, and even unrestricted gifts.

“The late Zane D. Showker was a philanthropic giant in our community – investing in numerous educational institutions, including Blue Ridge Community College, as well as a significant number of local not-for-profit organizations,” said John A. Downey, president of Blue Ridge Community College. “At BRCC, he established the Zane D. Showker Endowed Scholarship to support students based on their financial need and academic performance. Mr. Showker’s children have continued the legacy of support for Blue Ridge, in part by growing the scholarship endowment in the years since Zane’s passing,” Downey continued.

Chancellor Glenn DuBois expressed his gratitude in his address to the crowd. “You are difference-makers. You are opportunity-creators. We thank you, not just for the dollars donated, but for the standard of leadership you represent. Your example motivates and challenges us all to do more to ensure that opportunity is there for those who come next.”

Keynote speaker John O. “Dubby” Wynne, chairman of GO Virginia and Reinvent Hampton Roads, said he was honored to be a part of the event, and he emphasized how the generous donations he and others have made are having a positive impact on the communities Virginia’s Community Colleges serve. “In many instances, your gifts are the difference between average or good and excellent in student performance,” he observed. Wynne also issued an appeal to members of the audience to increase their level of support to help train and educate Virginia’s workforce for economic growth.

THE TASSLE WAS WORTH THE HASSLE These graduates, along with a few hundred more, turned their tassels on May 13.

Charity Sloan “I found that Blue Ridge was more than a community college, we are a family made up of people with all sorts of backgrounds, stories, all races, ages, and religions. I realized that I was a part of something much bigger than myself!

As students, we support, encourage, and inspire one another – through simple gestures like taking a new student to the bookstore, smiling and waving like a fool to others in campus hallways to lift spirits, or providing simple words to inspire hope, such as you’ve got this or you can do it. We are a family that is determined to make each individual member better.

Each of us plays a part in making changes - hopefully positive ones - because we leave our marks on everyone we touch. We are the role models for the next generation of Blue Ridge students. For students who are also parents or who have younger brothers and sisters – those children look up to us and say, if she can do it, so can I!”

Chelsea White “The most important thing that I learned in nursing school is to be an exceptional nurse, not just a mediocre one. Our instructors have held us to the highest of standards throughout our program because, at the end of the day, our decisions will make the difference between life and death for our patients. For this reason, we must hold ourselves to the highest of standards as nurses and respect the responsibility that we carry.

I believe we have all started the journey to leading exceptional lives by graduating from Blue Ridge Community College. Education serves as an integral stepping stone in the process of building an exceptional life. We should strive to be unusually compassionate, unusually motivated, unusually dedicated, and unusually humble; just to name a few exceptional traits. My hope for each of you is that you will live an extraordinary life full of success, happiness, and unforgettable experiences.”

You Can Make a Difference With your continued support, many students like Charity, Chelsea, and Matthew are able to make their educational dreams come true. The Foundation closes out its fiscal year on June 30, 2017, but there is still time to contribute to the 2016-17 Blue Ridge Annual Fund. The Annual Fund provides not only scholarship support, but also support for instructional technology, faculty innovation, and staff professional development, improving the educational experience for all students. If you want to be a part of building the dreams of today’s students while ensuring them one of the finest educations available, then make your gift to the Blue Ridge Annual Fund.

Matthew Heineck “One good thing that came out of my failed attempts at college was a love of philosophy. I read several philosophy textbooks I had picked up from various places that got my gears turning and I took a Socratic approach to life, but what really made me rethink my life was reading a book on ethics and morality called The Right Thing to Do. That was where I found the quote that would ultimately change my life, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world. –Mahatma Gandhi.” It was the one tiny anchor I had been looking for.

I took two classes in my first semester to get my feet wet and I decided that the best way to do this was to dive headlong into the campus itself. I did exactly that and for the past four years, I have done nothing but excel in my studies and in campus-related life. I’ve struggled with some things here and there but this has been a very different experience for me than my previous three attempts at college. I will graduate in May of 2017 with a 3.82 GPA from BRCC. I’ve been accepted into JMU as a general transfer student.

You never know where life is going to take you unless you find a path and walk it.

You all have started your paths, now keep walking them. Keep your eyes open and your ears up, for you never know when all it will take to see an opportunity is for you to turn your head.”

Spring Fling 2017 We are pleased to report the 22nd Spring Fling Auction was a great success! More than 200 friends attended – and together with your support – over $76,000 was raised. This includes sponsorships, cash donations, ticket sales and auction purchases. The funds raised translate to almost 15 full scholarships for BRCC students. The BRCC Educational Foundation thanks all those involved in making this a meaningful event. Be sure to make plans now to join us for the next annual Spring Fling Auction on April 20, 2018.

BRCC Employees Give Back BRCC employees were recently surveyed about their civic engagement in BRCC’s service area. 90 employees answered the request, confirming that BRCC’s workforce is actively engaged in the community. As a team, BRCC employees are partnering with over 170 organizations across the service region, including Arts Council of the Valley, American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Cat’s Cradle, Habitat for Humanity, Open Doors Shelter, Rockingham Educational Foundation, Inc., Shenandoah Valley Partnership, and United Way of Greater Augusta, just to name a few!

ZANE D. SHOWKER FAMILY HONORED WITH 2017 CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP IN PHILANTHROPY

T

The Zane D. Showker Family has received the 12th Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. The family was nominated for the award by Blue Ridge Community College, and the award was given at a luncheon ceremony at the Country Club of Virginia on Tuesday, April 18, 2017.

Hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education, this annual (left to right) BRCC President Dr. John Downey; VCCS Chancellor event honors leading philanthropists from Dr. Glenn Dubois; Carol and Fred Showker each of Virginia’s 23 community colleges as well as the statewide foundation. This year’s class of distinguished philanthropy leaders has contributed a combined total of more than $10 million dollars to Virginia’s Community Colleges.

The late Zane D. Showker’s support of Blue Ridge Community College dates back almost to the inception of the BRCC Educational Foundation, with his first gift made in 1988. He continued to invest in BRCC until his passing in 2004, including establishing the Zane D. Showker Endowed Scholarship. Mr. Showker’s children take seriously the legacy of philanthropy that their father left for them, as evidenced by their support for organizations and causes throughout our community.

Their support of Blue Ridge Community College has extended even beyond student scholarships to include BRCC Enactus, Nursing program, Great Expectations program for foster care youth, Foundation events, and even unrestricted gifts.

“The late Zane D. Showker was a philanthropic giant in our community – investing in numerous educational institutions, including Blue Ridge Community College, as well as a significant number of local not-for-profit organizations,” said John A. Downey, president of Blue Ridge Community College. “At BRCC, he established the Zane D. Showker Endowed Scholarship to support students based on their financial need and academic performance. Mr. Showker’s children have continued the legacy of support for Blue Ridge, in part by growing the scholarship endowment in the years since Zane’s passing,” Downey continued.

Chancellor Glenn DuBois expressed his gratitude in his address to the crowd. “You are difference-makers. You are opportunity-creators. We thank you, not just for the dollars donated, but for the standard of leadership you represent. Your example motivates and challenges us all to do more to ensure that opportunity is there for those who come next.”

Keynote speaker John O. “Dubby” Wynne, chairman of GO Virginia and Reinvent Hampton Roads, said he was honored to be a part of the event, and he emphasized how the generous donations he and others have made are having a positive impact on the communities Virginia’s Community Colleges serve. “In many instances, your gifts are the difference between average or good and excellent in student performance,” he observed. Wynne also issued an appeal to members of the audience to increase their level of support to help train and educate Virginia’s workforce for economic growth.

THE TASSLE WAS WORTH THE HASSLE These graduates, along with a few hundred more, turned their tassels on May 13.

Charity Sloan “I found that Blue Ridge was more than a community college, we are a family made up of people with all sorts of backgrounds, stories, all races, ages, and religions. I realized that I was a part of something much bigger than myself!

As students, we support, encourage, and inspire one another – through simple gestures like taking a new student to the bookstore, smiling and waving like a fool to others in campus hallways to lift spirits, or providing simple words to inspire hope, such as you’ve got this or you can do it. We are a family that is determined to make each individual member better.

Each of us plays a part in making changes - hopefully positive ones - because we leave our marks on everyone we touch. We are the role models for the next generation of Blue Ridge students. For students who are also parents or who have younger brothers and sisters – those children look up to us and say, if she can do it, so can I!”

Chelsea White “The most important thing that I learned in nursing school is to be an exceptional nurse, not just a mediocre one. Our instructors have held us to the highest of standards throughout our program because, at the end of the day, our decisions will make the difference between life and death for our patients. For this reason, we must hold ourselves to the highest of standards as nurses and respect the responsibility that we carry.

I believe we have all started the journey to leading exceptional lives by graduating from Blue Ridge Community College. Education serves as an integral stepping stone in the process of building an exceptional life. We should strive to be unusually compassionate, unusually motivated, unusually dedicated, and unusually humble; just to name a few exceptional traits. My hope for each of you is that you will live an extraordinary life full of success, happiness, and unforgettable experiences.”

You Can Make a Difference With your continued support, many students like Charity, Chelsea, and Matthew are able to make their educational dreams come true. The Foundation closes out its fiscal year on June 30, 2017, but there is still time to contribute to the 2016-17 Blue Ridge Annual Fund. The Annual Fund provides not only scholarship support, but also support for instructional technology, faculty innovation, and staff professional development, improving the educational experience for all students. If you want to be a part of building the dreams of today’s students while ensuring them one of the finest educations available, then make your gift to the Blue Ridge Annual Fund.

Matthew Heineck “One good thing that came out of my failed attempts at college was a love of philosophy. I read several philosophy textbooks I had picked up from various places that got my gears turning and I took a Socratic approach to life, but what really made me rethink my life was reading a book on ethics and morality called The Right Thing to Do. That was where I found the quote that would ultimately change my life, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world. –Mahatma Gandhi.” It was the one tiny anchor I had been looking for.

I took two classes in my first semester to get my feet wet and I decided that the best way to do this was to dive headlong into the campus itself. I did exactly that and for the past four years, I have done nothing but excel in my studies and in campus-related life. I’ve struggled with some things here and there but this has been a very different experience for me than my previous three attempts at college. I will graduate in May of 2017 with a 3.82 GPA from BRCC. I’ve been accepted into JMU as a general transfer student.

You never know where life is going to take you unless you find a path and walk it.

You all have started your paths, now keep walking them. Keep your eyes open and your ears up, for you never know when all it will take to see an opportunity is for you to turn your head.”

Spring Fling 2017 We are pleased to report the 22nd Spring Fling Auction was a great success! More than 200 friends attended – and together with your support – over $76,000 was raised. This includes sponsorships, cash donations, ticket sales and auction purchases. The funds raised translate to almost 15 full scholarships for BRCC students. The BRCC Educational Foundation thanks all those involved in making this a meaningful event. Be sure to make plans now to join us for the next annual Spring Fling Auction on April 20, 2018.

BRCC Employees Give Back BRCC employees were recently surveyed about their civic engagement in BRCC’s service area. 90 employees answered the request, confirming that BRCC’s workforce is actively engaged in the community. As a team, BRCC employees are partnering with over 170 organizations across the service region, including Arts Council of the Valley, American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Cat’s Cradle, Habitat for Humanity, Open Doors Shelter, Rockingham Educational Foundation, Inc., Shenandoah Valley Partnership, and United Way of Greater Augusta, just to name a few!

Summer 2017

T

This fall, we’ll be celebrating BRCC’s 50th anniversary and all the good work the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation has done to support the college over the years.

This includes $3,204,643 in scholarships awarded to deserving students since the Foundation’s inception, and program support provided to the college averaging $802,733 annually over the past five years. Program support includes emergency financial assistance for students, equipment purchases, Instructional Mini-Grants, Staff Association professional development, student expenses, Strategic Innovation Grants, Career Coaches, Nursing faculty, and much more all funded with your support!

BRCC’s 49th Graduation

Non Profit Org. U. S. Postage and Fees Paid BRCC

BRCC’S 50 TH ANNIVERSARY

M

More than 240 grads walked across the stage to receive their degree, diploma or certificate from BRCC President, Dr. John Downey on May 13. The College conferred 897 degrees, which included 596 associate’s degrees, 4 diplomas, 163 certificates, and 134 career studies certificates.

April 20, 2018, 6:00 p.m., Robert E. Plecker Workforce Center

23rd Annual Spring Fling Auction

October 18, 2017, 7:30 a.m., Waynesboro Country Club October 19, 2017, 7:30 a.m., Spotswood Country Club, Harrisonburg October 20, 2017, 7:30 a.m., Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center, Staunton

September 23, 2017, 6:30 p.m., Crosskeys Vineyards

Community Breakfast Series

No RSVP needed; just stop by.

For more info www.brcc.edu/get-there or (540) 453-0264.

50th Anniversary Gala

Tuesday, June 20, 5-7 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Waynesboro Library Wednesday, June 21, 5-7 pm . . . . Lucy F. Simms Center (Harrisonburg) Thursday, June 22, 5-7 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staunton Library Tuesday, June 27, 5-7 pm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Churchville Library Wednesday, June 28, 4:30-6:30 pm . . . . . . . . Elkton Community Center

September 8, 2017, 12:00 noon, Robert E. Plecker Workforce Center

of our info sessions at a location near you this summer! There, you can learn more about our programs, services, financial aid, and even apply and enroll if you’d like!

President’s Luncheon

Whether you’re checking out the possibilities, or ready to sign-up, come to one

Save the Date!

www.brcc.edu/get-there

! e r e Th t e G

Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation, Inc. P. O. Box 80 Weyers Cave, VA 24486 (540) 453-2211 www.brcc.edu/EdFound

Better Career? More Money? Quality of Life?

Address Service Requested

Please make plans to join us at Crosskeys Vineyards Saturday, September 23rd at 6:30 p.m. to celebrate 50 years of making an impact in our community. Mark your calendars now and be on the lookout of more information! If you have questions about this event, please contact Sally Jane Conner at (540) 453-2203 or ConnerS@brcc.edu.

BRCC can help you

Student speaker John Butler; Augusta County Assistant Prosecutor Holly Rasheed; BRCC President Dr. John Downey

“What you and I hungered for were those things that feed our passions. It was our passions that brought us to BRCC,” said John Butler Jr., Human Services graduate and student speaker. Mr. Butler’s passion is to help people succeed and attain a better life. He struggled as a nontraditional student at BRCC, but credits instructors for encouraging him to stick with it when he felt like giving up. His plans now include pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work at Mary Baldwin University.

Ms. Holly Rasheed, a 2011 BRCC graduate, and currently the youngest attorney in Virginia, delivered the commencement address. Ms. Rasheed said that BRCC prepared her for the rigorous coursework at UVA and University of Richmond’s T.C. Williams School of Law. BRCC Educational Foundation Board Chair Cathleen P. Welsh Vice Chair Mary Louise Leake Secretary John A. Downey Treasurer Cynthia F. Page

Kelly R.S. Blosser Alphonso P. Boxley III Rob W. Cale Denise E. “D.D.” Dawson Douglas G. Driver Silvia T. Garcia-Romero

Teresa H. Gauldin Nancy Hulings Elizabeth Jerlinski Camala B. Kite David L. Ledbetter Martha Livick Mary McDermott

Beverly B. McGowan Thomas C. Mendez Karen E. Santos Jerry D. Sheets Alan L. Shelton Linnea J. Spradlin

Community Link is an official publication of the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation. It is distributed to friends in the Shenandoah Valley, as well as BRCC faculty and staff, and is published quarterly by the Development Office, Blue Ridge Community College, Weyers Cave, VA 24486. If you have any questions or comments regarding this publication, please contact Angie Glenn, Development Services Coordinator, at (540) 453-2307 or glenna@brcc.edu.

Summer 2017

T

This fall, we’ll be celebrating BRCC’s 50th anniversary and all the good work the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation has done to support the college over the years.

This includes $3,204,643 in scholarships awarded to deserving students since the Foundation’s inception, and program support provided to the college averaging $802,733 annually over the past five years. Program support includes emergency financial assistance for students, equipment purchases, Instructional Mini-Grants, Staff Association professional development, student expenses, Strategic Innovation Grants, Career Coaches, Nursing faculty, and much more all funded with your support!

BRCC’s 49th Graduation

Non Profit Org. U. S. Postage and Fees Paid BRCC

BRCC’S 50 TH ANNIVERSARY

M

More than 240 grads walked across the stage to receive their degree, diploma or certificate from BRCC President, Dr. John Downey on May 13. The College conferred 897 degrees, which included 596 associate’s degrees, 4 diplomas, 163 certificates, and 134 career studies certificates.

April 20, 2018, 6:00 p.m., Robert E. Plecker Workforce Center

23rd Annual Spring Fling Auction

October 18, 2017, 7:30 a.m., Waynesboro Country Club October 19, 2017, 7:30 a.m., Spotswood Country Club, Harrisonburg October 20, 2017, 7:30 a.m., Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center, Staunton

September 23, 2017, 6:30 p.m., Crosskeys Vineyards

No RSVP needed; just stop by.

For more info www.brcc.edu/get-there or (540) 453-0264.

Community Breakfast Series

Tuesday, June 20, 5-7 pm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Waynesboro Library Wednesday, June 21, 5-7 pm. . . . . Lucy F. Simms Center (Harrisonburg) Thursday, June 22, 5-7 pm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staunton Library Tuesday, June 27, 5-7 pm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Churchville Library Wednesday, June 28, 4:30-6:30 pm . . . . . . . . . Elkton Community Center

50th Anniversary Gala

of our info sessions at a location near you this summer! There, you can learn more about our programs, services, financial aid, and even apply and enroll if you’d like!

September 8, 2017, 12:00 noon, Robert E. Plecker Workforce Center

Whether you’re checking out the possibilities, or ready to sign-up, come to one

President’s Luncheon

www.brcc.edu/get-there

Save the Date!

! e r e Th t e G

Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation, Inc. P. O. Box 80 Weyers Cave, VA 24 486 (540) 453-2211 www.brcc.edu/EdFound

Better Career? More Money? Quality of Life?

A ddress S er vic e Requested

Please make plans to join us at Crosskeys Vineyards Saturday, September 23rd at 6:30 p.m. to celebrate 50 years of making an impact in our community. Mark your calendars now and be on the lookout of more information! If you have questions about this event, please contact Sally Jane Conner at (540) 453-2203 or ConnerS@brcc.edu.

BRCC can help you

Student speaker John Butler; Augusta County Assistant Prosecutor Holly Rasheed; BRCC President Dr. John Downey

“What you and I hungered for were those things that feed our passions. It was our passions that brought us to BRCC,” said John Butler Jr., Human Services graduate and student speaker. Mr. Butler’s passion is to help people succeed and attain a better life. He struggled as a nontraditional student at BRCC, but credits instructors for encouraging him to stick with it when he felt like giving up. His plans now include pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work at Mary Baldwin University.

Ms. Holly Rasheed, a 2011 BRCC graduate, and currently the youngest attorney in Virginia, delivered the commencement address. Ms. Rasheed said that BRCC prepared her for the rigorous coursework at UVA and University of Richmond’s T.C. Williams School of Law. BRCC Educational Foundation Board Chair Cathleen P. Welsh Vice Chair Mary Louise Leake Secretary John A. Downey Treasurer Cynthia F. Page

Kelly R.S. Blosser Alphonso P. Boxley III Rob W. Cale Denise E. “D.D.” Dawson Douglas G. Driver Silvia T. Garcia-Romero

Teresa H. Gauldin Nancy Hulings Elizabeth Jerlinski Camala B. Kite David L. Ledbetter Martha Livick Mary McDermott

Beverly B. McGowan Thomas C. Mendez Karen E. Santos Jerry D. Sheets Alan L. Shelton Linnea J. Spradlin

Community Link is an official publication of the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation. It is distributed to friends in the Shenandoah Valley, as well as BRCC faculty and staff, and is published quarterly by the Development Office, Blue Ridge Community College, Weyers Cave, VA 24486. If you have any questions or comments regarding this publication, please contact Angie Glenn, Development Services Coordinator, at (540) 453-2307 or glenna@brcc.edu.