Brcc community link summer 2015

Summer 2015

47th Commencement

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BRCC held its 47th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9. More than 230 graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas as their families cheered. It’s not often that you hear “That’s my grandpa!” shouted at a graduation ceremony, but BRCC provides educational opportunities to everyone—grandpas, teenagers, and anyone in between. Also overheard during ceremony was, “Can you imagine this area without Blue Ridge?” which is certainly something to reflect upon. The College awarded nearly 1000 degrees, diplomas and certificates during this academic year, and has served over 100,000 students since doors opened in the fall of 1967. BRCC’s SGA President, Karan Deengar, and BRCC Alumnus, Dr. Greg Corder, gave remarks.

Both spoke about the caliber of BRCC faculty, and how their high standards challenged them and gave them opportunities for growth. Dr. Corder, who graduated from BRCC in 1994, teaches at Thomas Harrison Middle School and is also an adjunct professor From left to right, BRCC’s SGA at Mary Baldwin, JMU, and Shenandoah President Karan Deengar, BRCC University. Karan plans to pursue a business President Dr. John Downey, and BRCC Alumnus Dr. Greg Corder. degree at JMU.

BRCC Educational Foundation Board Chair Thomas C. Mendez Vice-Chair Cathleen P. Welsh Secretary John A. Downey Treasurer Robert S. Baldygo

Kelly R.S. Blosser Alphonso P. Boxley III Debra S. Callison Stephen W. Claffey Denise E. “D.D.” Dawson Lawrence H. Hoover Jr. Nancy Hulings

Elizabeth Jerlinski Camala B. Kite Martha Livick Mary N. Mannix Mary McDermott Beverly B. McGowan Karen E. Santos

Jerry D. Sheets Stacey D. Strawn Steven E. Stroop Alan J. Sweet Travis J. Tysinger Cynthia Weidner

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.

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BRCC Alumni-Faculty Profile: Warren Wise

There is always a twinkle in Warren Wise’s eyes. Is it because he knows all the numbers in the Fibonacci sequence? Perhaps. Most likely though, it’s because he’s about to tell a funny story or joke to a colleague, or to lighten the mood in one of his mathematics classes. He loves being at Blue Ridge and it shows.

“BRCC is a wonderful place to teach,” says the veteran classroom instructor. “You work with good people, the students are here to learn, and you have the resources you need to teach in whatever style you’re most comfortable.” Wise is one of 40-plus BRCC employees who are also alums. They benefited from the instruction, support services, and scholarships found here and are paying it forward to the next generation of Blue Ridge students through their work and support of the Foundation.

In 1968, Wise arrived at BRCC not really knowing what he wanted to do as a career. As one of about 600 students, he decided to take advantage of what, even then, was an excellent transfer agreement with James Madison University. Any student planning to transfer needed a pre-calculus class. “I got a D on the first test,” Wise recalls. “Sally Fulton was the instructor, and I didn’t know it at the time, but she would come to be my guardian angel.” Fulton wrote him a note saying that he should sign up for an easier math course. After beating a path to an academic advisor, Wise learned he was in the easiest math course. He had a decision to make.

“I realized right then that if a college education was something I wanted, I had to work harder,” Wise said. So knuckle down he did, and after a few more notes of encouragement from Fulton, like “keep up the hard work” and “I think you should major in math,” Wise went on to graduate with honors from Blue Ridge and JMU. The personal attention from community college faculty makes an impact. “Without her taking notice of me, I might have ended up floating through the system, as happens to a lot of students,” Wise notes. “Her personal approach gave me direction and focus.”

After a few years in secondary education (which included a dead pigeon in the desk drawer prank), Wise answered an ad for a teaching position at Blue Ridge in the learning lab. When he walked in to the interview, none other than Sally Fulton was conducting the search. “I don’t think she remembered me from Adam, but she hired me!” he said.

“I worked very hard, but I loved working for her. It was oneon-one math instruction. I didn’t even get a lunch break,” he recalls.

After Fulton retired, Wise became director of the learning lab, which led to a “six-month-turnedfour-year” stint as interim division chair, and finally in the early 1990s, to classroom teaching where he’s been ever since. His math department faculty at JMU were great role models for teaching.

“Great communication skills are a must. Subject matter knowledge is important, too, but you have to be able to convey that knowledge.”

Wise thinks technology has made the biggest impact on both teaching and learning in both positive and negative ways. “Technology has given teachers and students so many options. A presentation can be viewed over and over until a concept is learned,” he notes. “But from the viewpoint of the student, you still have to learn the material. It doesn’t matter how many times you watch it on the computer screen.”

Blue Ridge has always had a small school “family” atmosphere. Wise sees that as a strength.

“We all knew each other. It felt like coming to school with family. Classes were small and you got personal attention,” he said. “Even now, we’re bigger, but faculty still get to know students.”

For Wise, teaching’s biggest reward is finding out that he made a student’s perception of math ‘do a 180.’ “The best feeling is when a student says, ‘I’ve never been good at math, and I still can’t say I like it, but I know I can do it.’”

BRCC Vet Tech Club Gives Back

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On April 27, BRCC’s Vet Tech Club joined with Invisible Fence to donate seven pet oxygen mask kits to the Virginia State Police K-9 tactical units statewide. These kits will be used to provide oxygen to canines serving our community injured in the line of duty, potentially saving their lives.

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John and Cathy Matherly Honored

John and Cathy Matherly have earned the 2015 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy.

The award was given at a luncheon ceremony at the Country Club of Virginia April 21, 2015. Hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education, the 10th annual event honored leading philanthropists from 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 $12 million dollars to Virginia’s Community Colleges. The Matherlys were nominated for the award by Blue Ridge Community College, and a scholarship in their honor will be awarded this fall to a BRCC student.

Mr. Matherly served on the BRCC Educational Foundation Board of Directors from 2008 through 2014, and chaired the Finance Committee for much of that time. He is also an important member of the College’s Campaign Leadership Committee, working tirelessly on behalf of the BRCC Educational Foundation’s third major gifts campaign. For the past five years, Mrs. Matherly has made a quilt and donated it for sale in the Foundation’s Spring Fling Auction. Not only are the Matherlys being honored for their generous philanthropy, but Mr. Matherly has been instrumental in connecting many significant people to Blue Ridge Community College. These include new donors, prospective donors, Board members, and event sponsors.

VCCS Chancellor Glenn DuBois said “we pay tribute to fellow Virginians who, through leadership, partnership and wise philanthropy, are helping us address the commonwealth’s unmet needs in higher education and workforce development. These distinguished individuals are sharing with us from their hearts, from their hands, and from their experiences. They give of themselves,” he said.

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Thanks to the generosity of the BRCC community, the 2015 Spring Fling Auction was a great success, raising almost $72,000! The BRCC Educational Foundation thanks all those involved in making this a meaningful event.

Brothers Bruce and Ken Bowman at Spring Fling. You know what they say about boys and their toys!

Spring Fling 2015

BRCC faculty member Melissa Crowder-Rhoden congratulates her colleague Lisa Kara, who won the “Best Dressed” prize for her interpretation of the Under Construction theme.

Over 200 supporters attended, fully embracing the “Under Construction” event theme. Be sure to make plans now to join us for the next annual Spring Fling Auction on April 22, 2016

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$305,656 in Scholarships Awarded

Thanks to your support and generosity, during the 2014-15 academic year 200 BRCC students benefited from a record $305,656 in scholarships awarded through the BRCC Educational Foundation. Scholarship recipients were given the opportunity to meet the BRCC supporters who helped make their educational goals a reality at the annual scholarship luncheon held on March 27th.

Student speaker, Deanna Corder, had this to say: “Education has reminded me of the impact I have to make a difference. Before Blue Ridge, I felt invisible. Now, I am educated; I am empowered. Blue Ridge has given me a voice. The acknowledgement of academic achievement through scholarship funding is just the beginning of my success story, and I hope that one day I will be able to pass your generosity on to other students here, remembering the honor I felt to receive such a gift.”

Carl and Cheryl Rosberg have established an endowed scholarship at BRCC. Carl also spoke at the scholarship luncheon, sharing the following: “I recall the first time I was part of a team that reviewed applications for BRCC scholarships. I decided that I would have a yes, maybe and no pile. I began— yes, yes, yes, yes, and found myself wiping the tears due to the touching stories. When Cheryl and I meet with our scholarship recipients they are always very appreciative. We tell them that the best way they can thank us is to help others in their lifetime, or as we like to say ‘pay it forward.’ I often think about the huge number of people you help when you fund a scholarship. Just think about all the recipients here today, and all the people they will touch and help in their lifetime. The investment is priceless!”

You Can Make a Difference With your continued support, many students like Deanna are able to make their educational dreams come true. The Foundation closes out its fiscal year on June 30, 2015, but there is still time to contribute to the 2014-15 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. Simply use the enclosed envelope today, and know that you are making a difference for your community. Did you know that you can make an investment in BRCC online? It’s as simple as going to the BRCC Educational Foundation’s homepage at www.brcc.edu/edfound, and clicking on the “Online Donations” link!

Address Service Requested

April 22, 2016, 6:00 p.m., Robert E. Plecker Workforce Center

21st Annual Spring Fling Auction

October 7, 2015, 7:30 a.m., Waynesboro Country Club October 8, 2015, 7:30 a.m., Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center, Staunton October 16, 2015, 7:30 a.m., Holiday Inn, Harrisonburg

Community Breakfast Series

September 25, 2015, 12:00 p.m., Robert E. Plecker Workforce Center

President’s Luncheon

Save the Date

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

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