BRCC Community Link Spring 2018

Spring 2018

Spring Fling Auction Friday, April 20, 2018

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Make plans now to join us for the annual Spring Fling Auction on Friday, April 20th. This year’s theme is “Starry Night” so plan to sparkle and spend, bedazzle and bid! Join us for the silent auction at 6:00 p.m. and the live auction beginning at 7:45 p.m. in the Robert E. Plecker Workforce Center. Support BRCC, the greatest cause under the stars!

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

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 Rob W. Cale Karen C. Clark Kenneth S. Cleveland III Denise E. “D.D.” Dawson Douglas G. Driver Silvia T. Garcia-Romero

Teresa H. Gauldin Nancy L. Hulings Camala B. Kite Martha S. Livick Mary McDermott Beverly B. McGowan Karen E. Santos

William M. Saxman Jr. Jerry D. Sheets Alan L. Shelton Matthias N. Smith Linnea J. Spradlin Pamela K. Ungar

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.

BRCC Alumn

After the Storm: BRCC Vet Techs Pro

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BRCC grads Jessie Griffin, Dj Cannon, Jessica Stevens.

After connecting through social media, several Blue Ridge Community College graduates of the Veterinary Technology Program came together to volunteer to help animals in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in Houston. Jessie Griffin, a 2014 vet tech grad, lives in a Houston suburb. Her home was spared in the storm, so opening it up to others coming to volunteer with Harvey Volunteer Vets and other groups was “the least I could do.” Dj Cannon is an operations director for a veterinary practice in northern Virginia, and a recent graduate of the Masters in Public Health (Epidemiology) program at George Mason University. Two other alumni involved were Jessica Stevens and Brittany Kestner.

Why they got involved— Jessie: My church was turned into an evacuee shelter. [Since] my family was saved from the storm, it was the least I could do. My husband helped demo and clean houses while I worked with the animals. People four miles away from us lost everything. It was time to give back to what God has so graciously given to our family.

Dj: I wanted to simply give back and utilize skills we are so fortunate to have learned at BRCC. We knew they were in dire need and using my own personal vacation time, I went down with a few colleagues to make any difference we could.

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ovide Comfort to Houston-area Pets What they did— Jessie: I helped with vaccines and minor wound

Jessica Stevens and Dj Cannon vaccinate a dog.

care, and worked on animal intakes, wellness checks, moving cages, fluids, and vaccines.

Dj: We really did a little bit of everything. We set up temporary clinics to handle sick pets, displaced or lost pets, surrendered pets, etc.

We assisted with the delivery of hay bales (with the US military) to cattle farms. We saved a few lone ducks, transported exotic fish utilizing emergency oxygen setups to keep them alive.

We were able to do vaccines, heartworm testing, parvo testing, and deworming. After we left Houston, we drove straight to Florida where we helped out a wildlife center for a few days before finally heading home. There we treated many opossums, birds, squirrels, turtles, and other species that were affected by Hurricane Irma.

What was most moving?

Jessie: It all was heart wrenching. I tried not to let it affect me while working because I would not be my best. Just looking at the room full of cages at Houston Pets Alive, these animals were scared and felt alone. It broke my heart.

Dj: The most difficult situations were when people had to give up their pet because they had lost everything. Some of the pets were geriatric (older) and had been with their families since they were barely able to open their eyes. The owners were trying to make ends meet but really had nowhere to go and tried to do the best thing for the pets. Many tears were shed, many hearts filled with grief, and we were grateful, if even just a few days to be able to be sure their pets were safe, healthy, and as happy as possible given the conditions.

About their Blue Ridge education— Jessie: I appreciated that everything was hands on, which helped me because I am a tactile learner. Every conference I go to, or every doctor I speak to in Houston, has heard of the Vet Tech Program at BRCC and how amazing it is. I am incredibly proud to be a graduate of BRCC. Dj: The best part of my experience at Blue Ridge was the professors and technicians that shared their experience, knowledge, and wisdom. They were so supportive and sincerely love what they do. I owe my career success to them because they challenged us to think further, and helped us understand the challenges we will face in the profession, the range of emotions and situations we will be involved in and how to be successful leaders in our profession.

Jessie Griffin gives some puppy love.

BRCC Student Spotlight

Mentorship Builds a Future Leader in Construction

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Blue Ridge student Alex Alvarez might design your dream home one day. The 2016 Spotswood grad just completed a successful job shadowing/mentorship at The Gaines Group, an architectural firm with offices in Harrisonburg and Charlottesville. His mentor, Charles Hendricks, recommends this type of internship for all students as a great way to learn about any industry from the inside.

“Job shadowing helps them figure out how the industry works and lets them see what they’re passionate about,” he says. “It gives them exposure to make good decisions about their career path.

People who are passionate about it will seek internship opportunities.”

Alex spent several hours each week at the firm for about a year, learning several design software programs, to complete projects like a house, a garage (for his dad), and even an indoor soccer complex (for his brother).

“I learned AutoCAD, Sketchup, renderings, detail sections, Photoshop, and many more skills,” Alex says. He says he was surprised to learn how much things like building codes affect the design process. “Not everything is about design. You have to know the building codes, like how wide a door can be, for example. It has to work in the real world.”

Alex’s educational goals are to finish here at BRCC, transfer to Virginia Tech in the Bachelor of Science in Building Construction program, and ultimately pursue a graduate degree in architecture. In the near future, Alex has a job lined up with Venture Builders as a framer. It will be much more physical labor than the internship, but it will give him a chance to see a design project come to fruition “in the real world.”

You Can Make a Difference With your continued support, many students like Jessie, Dj, and Alex are able to make their educational dreams come true. The Blue Ridge Annual Fund provides steady scholarship support, as well as funding 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. Online giving has never been easier! Scan this code to make a donation now to the BRCC Educational Foundation, Inc.

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Spring Fling kicks off at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 20th and is your one-stop shop for spa and fitness packages, restaurant gift certificates, overnight getaways, fabulous vacations, family fun, landscaping services, artwork, handmade quilts, jewelry, and tickets for plays and sporting events! Join us for a casual night under the stars, or come as a star if you are feeling fancy! You’re sure to have a stellar night bidding on your favorite items and helping BRCC raise funds to respond to educational needs of the central Shenandoah Valley.

In addition to our sponsors already featured, the Foundation would also like to recognize Silver Sponsors: Alpha Omega Wealth Management, Bowman Family Dentistry, Clark & Bradshaw, Dental Health Associates, Endless Horizons, Interchange, John L. Matherly, CPA, McDonald’s/Boxley Organization, Riddleberger Brothers, Inc., and Shentel, as well as Bronze Sponsors: John and Sandy Downey, Eagle Carpet, Inc., Eddie Edward Signs, First Citizens Bank, Tim and Nancy Hulings, LB&D Insurance and Financial Services, Lenhart Pettit, and Rockingham Insurance.

Please visit the event website at http://www.brcc.edu/edfound/sf for an up-todate listing of sponsors and items donated.

Tickets for this event are $75, and space is limited. If you would like to attend or sponsor the event, or donate an auction item, please contact Sally Jane Conner at (540) 453-2203 or conners@brcc.edu.

Sampling of auction items:

• North Fork Valley Canopy Tour for two at NRocks Outdoor Adventures; Circleville, WV. Donated by Endless Horizons.

• Wheel thrown, altered, high-fired stoneware. Handcrafted and donated by Terry Porter, Crickhollow Pottery.

• One year unlimited cloth car washes. Donated by Peterson Enterprises, Staunton.

• Canoe day trip on the Shenandoah River. Donated by Shenandoah River Outfitters, Inc. • Lawn fertilization and weed control application. Donated by Williams Brothers Tree & Lawn Service, Inc. • Dinner with the President at Bluestone Vineyard. Venue donated by Curt and Jackie Hartman. Food and beverage donated by John and Sandy Downey.

• Black walnut and holly semi-enclosed bowl. Handcrafted and donated by Tom Laser.

• Garden consultation donated by Country Side Farm & Nurseries, Inc. • Vacation getaway—Shenandoah National Park. Donated by Delaware North @ Shenandoah National Park.

Address Service Requested

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

23rd Annual Spring Fling Auction

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