Glittering gowns for Booker T. students . . . All dressed up with somewhere to go. Students at Booker T. Washington High in Norfolk will soon receive more than 30 prom dresses and accessories donated by students, staff and faculty at TCC’s Norfolk Campus. “Going to the prom is a right of passage for high school seniors and we think everyone should have a chance to go, even when money is an issue,” says Irene Owens, Student Government Association president at the Norfolk Campus. - Jan. 20, 2010

Students (left to right) Emily Wilson, Jennifer Morgan and Irene Owens ready the gowns for delivery. Deserving teens will receive the apparel to wear during senior prom events this spring.      

TCC hosted over 350 people for state budget hearing . . . More than 120 individuals signed up to speak before state legislators about Gov. Timothy Kaine's proposed budget for 2010-12 at a public hearing hosted by TCC at the New Portsmouth Campus on Jan. 7. Members of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance committees are conducting a series of public hearings statewide before the General Assembly session begins Jan. 13.

TCC President Deborah M. DiCroce welcomed the legislators and spoke of key roles played by the state's community colleges as they educate, re-tool and prepare the workforce of tomorrow. The challenges are many, with record-breaking enrollment hikes in the face of recent and potential budget cuts. - Jan. 7, 2010

Computer giveaway benefits students . . . Students with the Virginia Beach Campus Computer Club delivered holiday cheer with the first-ever refurbished computer giveaway for deserving students at TCC. “It’s tough for students to get their work done without a home computer. We decided to make a difference,” says Gary Noah, the club’s advisor and an information systems technology professor.

Kecia Dear and Erin Barnette, two recipients of new home computers, listen to Gary Noah, professor of information systems technology, explain computer upkeep.

 

A request for used computers and accessories netted more than 20 computers this fall for the club to refurbish and distribute. “We have 30 members, and many of them worked diligently cleaning and repairing systems,” adds Noah.

The first giveaway happened in early December with five students receiving computers. With more than 30 initial applications, the students’ stories varied, but all showed a significant need for the systems.

The club plans to continue refurbishing donated computers and to accept more student applications for the systems. Contact Gary Noah at gnoah@tcc.edu for more information. - Dec. 23, 2009

 

Darleen Wright works to repair a donated home computer, while Roderick Cruz vacuums the inside of another system. Both computers will be donated to students who need them.

Among the first gingerbread house admirers were Dr. Earl Crouch, an ophthalmologist fresh out of surgery (below left), and CHKD volunteer Dale Pearson (lower center).

For the first time, the artful gingerbreads will be donated for a silent auction at CHKD to benefit the hospital.

"This not only gives the students a creative baking experience," says program head Don Averso. "It also gives them a chance to share their skills in a community service capacity. It's a labor of love for all of us."

FOX, WAVY and WVEC TV news noted the project, with FOX's Cheryl Tan also tapping TCC expertise in a how-to piece for her a.m. cooking segment, to air before the holidays.

Portsmouth Public Schools' staff tour new campus . . .

Sharing highlights of the New Portsmouth Campus with the city's high school principals, guidance counselors and student services managers, Portsmouth Provost Terry Jones gave a tour on Dec. 9. Portsmouth Public Schools (PPS) Superintendent David Stuckwisch brought the group to campus to see First College classrooms and offices and what the new facility offers.

The First College Program, a successful, innovative partnership with the city’s public schools, helps qualified high school seniors earn college credits. Stuckwisch has described the program as "a unique model that provides new pathways for our students, whether they pursue a bachelor's degree or seek employment," adding that the new campus offers wonderful opportunities for their students to continue their education. More than 100 students are enrolled in First College this spring. Next year First College will add technical and career tracks, to include welding and HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning).

Strategically located just off Interstate 264 on land donated by the City of Portsmouth, TCC's new $65 million Fred W. Beazley Portsmouth Campus opens for business on Dec. 21; spring semester classes begin on Jan. 11. The new campus will serve more than 10,000 students annually.

Provost Terry Jones describes the student services area, various classrooms and labs and the high-end library to about 20 Portsmouth schools staff.

Before the group finished the tour (photo-left), Marie Shepherd, PPS student services director, talked about the welding program with TCC instructor Jesse Cannady (far right).
Portsmouth schools Superintendent David Stuckwisch (above right) discusses with Craig Hill, PPS career and technical education coordinator, where First College students will arrive by bus.	Facilities, Planning and Development Director John Massey pours over room lay-outs with Provost Jones, an ongoing, critical process until the campus opens.

Holiday cheer comes from sharing . . . TCC’s 2009 holiday outreach – to benefit hundreds of local families – on all four campuses included participation in the Salvation Army’s Christmas charity programs and a food drive for the Union Mission.  

Faculty and staff at Chesapeake Campus filled 150 stockings and decorated 150 bears for the Salvation Army Dress-a-Bear and Christmas stocking programs. The campus has participated in this program for more than five years.  “This is a true community project and without the help of students, staff and clubs like Phi Theta Kappa and Circle K, the program would not be successful,” says Joyce Banks, TCC’s project coordinator and supervisor of media resources at the Chesapeake Campus.   The Virginia Beach Campus spread holiday cheer by stuffing 75 stockings for the Salvation Army Christmas Stocking program. Every year, hundreds of children are touched by the Army’s Stockings and Bears programs.

Christie Bradley, Stacy Armstrong, Joyce Banks and Dianne Parker work together to dress Christmas bears.

 

Angel Tree volunteers Janelda Scott, Debra DeMills-Smith and Florence Baines organize donations.

Staffers at TCC’s Norfolk Campus and district office helped make the holidays bright for needy children by supporting the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. Gifts for 120 kids were collected including toys, clothing and shoes.  “I remember a time when without the Salvation Army my family’s Christmas would have been bleak,” recalls coordinator Debra DeMills-Smith, audiovisual supervisor at the Norfolk Campus. “It’s a real joy to be able to give back.”  For more than a decade, the Norfolk Campus family has been adopting “angels” each holiday season. And Portsmouth Campus staff, in the midst of moving to the new campus, remembered their neighbors by donating 75 Angel Tree gifts for needy children.

College-wide food drive benefits area homeless  Boxed macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, canned fruits and more were collected this semester by students on all four of TCC’s campuses for the homeless families and adults served by Union Mission. Organized by the Student Government Association, the non-perishable food items were valued at more than $1,100. “We had such a great response. Students seem to be feeling the effects of the recession and were motivated to help others in our community,” says Irene Owens, president of the SGA on the Norfolk Campus and project coordinator.
SGA members also spent time sorting clothing for homeless children and adults. Kristen Hewitt, Jennifer Morgan, Emily Wilson, Irene Owens and Jevon Saunders prepare items for delivery into the shelter.

TCC family gives generously . . . During harsh economic times, TCC staffers dug deep to support charities here and around the state through this year’s Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign. A total of $26,822 was collected for hungry families, at-risk youth and others in need.

More than 1,300 charities receive funding through the Commonwealth’s workplace-giving campaign. TCC’s coordinator, Wendy Webb, was assisted by campus representatives Mary Beth Apperson, Leona Davis, Margaret Dutton, Jackie Fernandez, Nancy Jones, Gwen Smith, Janet Sydenstricker, Monica Terry and Paula Wood.

TCC Engineering Club takes top award . . . TCC won Juror's Choice award in this year’s Canstruction, an engineering competition that raises awareness about hunger and brings in large food donations for the area Foodbank. TCC also won a new award for using the most cans.

TCC’s Engineering Club used more than 11,286 cans (almost 5 tons) to build their entry which reflected the theme, “Stop Hunger in its Tracks.” The structure featured a train coming out of a large, arched tunnel, and included lights and sound. Motion sensors, activated when a visitor steps near the structure, turn on the train headlight and crossing lights, as well as the sounds of a train whistle.

TCC’s 20-member team worked for six hours – despite the impending nor’easter – to create the structure in a 10̍ by 10̍ space on Nov. 11 at d’Art center in Norfolk. “This is the 11th consecutive year that we’ve been involved in Canstruction,” says Paul Gordy, TCC engineering program head and faculty advisor of the engineering club. “It’s great to be part of something that helps the community and provides a learning opportunity for students.”  - Nov. 19, 2009

Farm Fresh has donated all the cans for TCC's structures each year, thanks to Susan Mayo and Bruce MacCall, shown front left. TCC's Paul Gordy, shown right, described the team's project to WTKR, channel 3.

TCC celebrates International Education Week . . . A variety of activities included a talk about service learning with Gail Della Piana, a retired professor from Miami University in Ohio. Passionate about serving others, Piana shared her experiences, which included 12 years of travel with students to Ghana, West Africa – where TCC is planning a study abroad experience.

                                                                                                                      Gail Della Piana

After the talk, students gathered with members of the International Student Alliance and put their creative skills to work painting murals showing their interpretation of the importance of global awareness. - Nov. 19, 2009

TCC hosted teens from Norfolk Public Schools . . . NPS students toured TCC’s Norfolk Campus to learn about career paths and college life during Disability Awareness Month, held each October. The group toured the culinary department, library, student services and the TCC Roper Performing Arts Center. They also participated in a workshop offered by the college’s Workforce Development division. - Oct. 21, 2009

Yeboah-Badu, hosted by Geraldine Wright, TCC biology professor, has a deep interest in sustainable agrarian methods, which promoted visits to TCC’s Horticulture program, as well as how community colleges operate. She hopes to bring back information to help her school consider developing a community college.

At TCC, Yeboah-Badu observed classes, interviewed administrators, talked with student groups, visited libraries and pursued academic activities of interest. In turn, Wright will travel to Ghana in May to learn from Yeboah-Badu and her colleagues at Sunyani Polytechnic.

VaCIE connects educators from Ghana, India, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom with faculty from Virginia community colleges. - Oct. 2009

Vera Ivy Yeboah-Badu

Racing for a cure . . . Damp, drizzly weather did not deter participants of the TCC team as they raced for a cure. With more than 120 participants, the team took the top award in the education category for the fifth year, raising funds and awareness to fight breast cancer through the Susan G. Komen event. TCC’s Race for the Cure team honored one of its own - Judith Hatcher, dance instructor, who lost her fight against breast cancer early this year. - Oct. 17, 2009

Flu ready - TCC helps staff avoid the dreaded seasonal flu . . . TCC staffers rolled up their sleeves to protect themselves from the seasonal flu. Flu shots were offered on TCC’s four campuses, as well as the Visual Arts Center and the Regional Automotive Center. Vaccines were administered by healthcare workers from Farm Fresh Pharmacies, in partnership with the college’s employee health insurance plan.  - Sept. 29, 2009

Delaina Rhichardson administers vaccines to Lou Tinan and Becky Hubiah.

A day to recharge . . . Classified staff gathered for a day of learning during this year’s Professional Development Day, held at the Chesapeake Conference Center. President Deborah DiCroce gave an update to the 120-plus attendees, and answered questions during a special session.

The group also focused on teamwork and team building through stories and a presentation by author and storyteller Harriette Johns Arrington, dean of academic programs at Paul D. Camp Community College. Also, Claudia Macon talked about budgeting during these tough economic times. 

As a community project to accompany the day, staff members collected school supplies for The Salvation Army. - Sept. 25, 2009

Classified Association members ham it up with Capt. Matt Satterlee, with the Salvation Army, before turning over the ample donation to the group.

Hispanic Heritage Month at TCC . . . TCC kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with fiestas, music, dancing and presentations including one by TCC’s own Gabriela Christie Toletti. A native of Uruguay, Toletti spoke about Praising our Hispanic American Cultural Patchwork. The celebration continues through mid-October, with events on all four of TCC’s campuses. (For all the events see News Release.)

- Sept. 15, 2009 - Oct. 15, 2009

Keynote speaker Hector Cantú spoke to TCC students and others at the Roper Performing Arts Center on the college’s Norfolk Campus. An award winning journalist and the co-creator/writer of the newspaper comic strip “Baldo,” Cantú spoke about his work and bringing a Hispanic perspective to day-to-day life through the gentle humor of “Baldo” and the family portrayed in the comic strip.

Kevin Brady, assistant professor of History, talked about Tejanos under the Texas flag. Tejanos are considered the first families of Texas. They came from Spain and Mexico and first inhabited the Texas frontier from the late 1600s through the late 1800s, nearly 150 years prior to the Texas Revolution. They are credited with creating the areas first towns, governments, missions, ranches and roads.

History professor and author William Paquette, Ph.D., spoke about 12/21/2012, the Mayan Calendar and the End of the World. He noted that the Hopi and Mayan elders do not prophesy that everything will come to an end. Rather, this is a time of transition from one World Age into another. The free, public talk attracted a large student audience and included Paquette sharing art work and images from the Mayan era.

Students enjoyed dancing lessons and a Spanish feast during one of final days of the TCC celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Batten Faculty Development Center at Norfolk Campus opens with great faculty interest . . .

TCC welcomed faculty and staff into the new Batten Faculty Development Center on the Norfolk Campus earlier this month. Designed to support use of technology in teaching, the center includes the newest technology for faculty experimentation and training to enrich course delivery.

Faculty and administrators have daily access to the facility, outfitted with state-of-the-art instructional technology, software and resource materials. Each campus houses a Batten Faculty Development Center, providing all TCC faculty with tools to improve teaching and learning in the classroom.

The Batten Faculty Development Centers were made possible through a gift of $1 million from the late Frank Batten Sr., founder of Landmark Communications, and are part of the Batten Program for Technological Innovation and Leadership at the college.   - Sept. 3, 2009

A Day of Caring - TCC joins the annual volunteer day across the region . . . More than 50 TCC staff members joined neighbors and co-workers for a day of community involvement during this year’s United Way Day of Caring. A little muscle went a long way with volunteers painting, landscaping and repairing playground equipment and fencing at a home operated by For Kids Inc., an organization assisting homeless families in Hampton Roads.   - Sept. 11, 2009

FOX-TV features TCC in "Kelly Can" segment . . . Visual Arts Center ceramics professor Dianne Hottenstein (top left photo) volunteered recently to show Fox reporter Kelly Gaita (top right) the basics of "throwing a pot." The taping went over an hour and was condensed into a segment for a morning news clip, as well as placed on their website. Nick Vitale (top left), the new Face of FOX43 who taped the session, took photography classes at the VAC a few years back before living in California. Welcome back, Nick; glad you remembered your TCC experience! - Sept. 1, 2009

Students flock to register and find enrollment advice at TCC's four campuses . . .

This summer, students of all ages, groups and purpose have been flocking to TCC for academic counseling, program exploration and enrollment. TCC facilitators on each campus have led hundreds of new students through FOCUS orientation sessions, including campus tours and enrollment coaching.

Right, a case in point, admissions coordinator Shameka Weaver (left) advised new student LaToya Pollard (center) and returning student Chelsea Shira, who were looking at different degree programs.   - Summer 2009

Camp Osprey tunes kids into nature . . .

For the fifth year running, TCC’s Camp Osprey has offered a nature-packed adventure experience for children. In two sessions, 40 campers, ages eight to 11, joined biology instructor Lisa Behm for a week of outdoor activities, lab work and classroom instruction.  

“TCC’s Chesapeake Campus is an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, and part of our work is to promote environmental stewardship,” says Behm. “We’re charged with encouraging our future environmental leaders. The more experiences they have in nature, the more informed they will be when making decisions for our world.” 

Camp Osprey includes daily nature hikes, fishing, crabbing, instruction on the use of a compass, lab experiences with microscopes, bird field identification, animal field signs and tracks, and a live animal presentation by the Virginia Zoo. 

Behm adds, “I’ve been running this camp for five years now, and every session has an ah-ha moment. Last year’s happened when we were inside the classroom. The children were fidgety, so I took them to the pond for crabbing. As soon as we got the lines baited, they calmed down and were so peaceful. Watching them connect with nature is worth everything.”  - Aug. 4, 2009

Interior design students win prizes in real-life builder’s project . . . Students in the Advanced Rendering Class of the Interior Design program applied their skills to a real-life design contest this summer. They took on a challenge from the Ainslie Group, residential homebuilders, to prepare design ideas for two new units at their Lake Archway Project off Indian River Road.

 “Be as creative as you want,” was the advice given to the students by Jeff Ainslie, president and owner of the Ainslie Group. The project included, in color, a floor plan, great room and dining room perspectives, and a scale model of the kitchen/eat-in area, said professor Alex Reichardt.  

Judging, held July 27 at TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, was conducted by Ruby Ainslie, design specialist for Ainslie Group, and Ross Millard, an architect for the Ainslie Group. The judges looked for three main components: originality, presentation and livability.  

The award winners were (shown below, left to right) Brenda Davis – first prize, Michelle Alderman – second prize, and Heather Dickinson – third prize. The top three winners received iPod’s from Ruby Ainslie and Ross Millard for the Ainslie Group, and the top eight winners received $25-$100 gift certificates by Ron Steele, manager of Artarama.

Other Student Work . . .

All about weeds – from green roofs to lawns . . . Summer means TCC Horticulture students can take a seasonal class on weeds. An elective in the Horticulture program, “weed science,” focuses on the management of weeds in turf grass, ornamentals, greenhouses, nursery production, aquatic situations and green roofs. 

Students learn about herbicide-resistant weeds, invasive-plant determination and management, as well as federal and state noxious-weed laws. 

“This class is geared for students working, or planning to work, in the commercial green industry,” says Sherry Kern, TCC horticulture instructor. “We do lots of hands-on work and even take weed walks to identify different weeds.” 

As with most horticulture offerings, there is an undercurrent about environmental concerns. “When you look at the environmental impact and money spent on weed control, it becomes important to investigate other non-chemical options,” adds Kern. “And while many weeds are only eliminated with herbicides, some can be controlled by hand weeding and other techniques.” 

For homeowners, Kern advises that the best defense is a good offense. “If you have a full, healthy lawn with no bare spots, you’ll have a better chance at maintaining it with regular fertilizations and weed-control treatments.”

   - July 16, 2009

Students learn about aquatic weeds with guest speaker Laurie Fox, an expert who visited the class.

Dreams of "chefery" . . . A group of 20 teenagers with dreams of culinary careers filled TCC’s Culinary Arts Department kitchens June 23-26. The young chefs-in-training from Hampton Roads high schools had the unique opportunity to work in TCC’s professional kitchens as part of Summer Chefs, a week-long experience offered by the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP).

Walter Ellerbe, a Johnson & Wales University alumnus and Alumni Council President who will be opening Ellerbe’s New World Cuisine in Ocean View this fall, served as the TCC chef instructor. The teens concluded their training, which included college readiness lessons, with a sophisticated buffet lunch.

The rising seniors were selected as a result of their performance in C-CAP’s Cooking Competition for Scholarships, held in March. C-CAP Summer Chefs is made possible by funding from the Tidewater Tech Prep Consortium.

Kunzinger engages audience at book reading . . .

Professor and author Bob Kunzinger read excerpts from his works including Out of Nowhere: Scenes from St. Petersburg, Penance and Prof, at TCC’s Barnes and Noble at MacArthur Center. Dozens of listeners gathered for the readings and book signing that followed. Kunzinger has written several books and teaches English at TCC’s Virginia Beach Campus. 

- June 6, 2009

TCC helped roll out the Wizard, a college and career assessment website, at an event held at Earl Industries on April 29 . . . Potential and current college students can now explore careers, scholarships and programs best suited for their individual interests and abilities through a new "one-stop shopping" website. TCC hosted the regional demonstration of the "Virginia Education Wizard," a free service available at www.vawizard.org, on April 29 at Earl Industries LLC in Portsmouth. Designed by Craig Herndon, the tool developed from an idea of Chancellor Glenn DuBois, head of the Virginia Community College System. - April 29, 2009

TCC President Deborah M. DiCroce takes a look at the site with Chancellor DuBois as I.C. Norcom High School student Laricia Bowman works the keypad.	Kadeem Hall, an I.C. Norcom student, explores the website with help from Craig Herndon, director of educational resources and Wizard, and Paulette Turner, I.C. Norcom guidance counselor.

iTunes U comes to TCC . . . TCC’s tech-savvy students will soon have a new way to learn. Using instructional applications from iTunes University, faculty and staff are learning how to produce podcasts of lectures and reading materials for student use in the classroom and at home. Barry Adams, Ph.D., with Apple Corp., came to campus twice this spring to demonstrate the creation of innovative podcasts that engage students. - April 21, 2009

Architect students draw cityscapes . . . Mason Andrews works with architect students from Hampton University at TCC's Norfolk Campus, which is noted for its interesting mix of architecture styles. Working to draw urban spaces, the group sketched the surrounding buildings, including the Andrews building, named after Andrews’ father, the late Mason C. Andrews, the physician who delivered America’s first in-vitro baby.  - May 13, 2009

Preparing for the world of work . . . Students connected with representatives from more than 50 businesses and organizations during career days and job fairs held college wide in April. Participating organizations ranged from BAE Systems to Hampton Roads Navy ROTC

to Sinclair Communications to Virginia State Police. - April 8, 2009

Here, students chat with TV station CW27 representative.

Gang talk . . . Addressing regional issues with gangs, TCC held a workshop on the subject this spring. Presenter Lt. Rick James with the Norfolk Police Department talked about gang statistics including risk factors and signs and symbols. A similar session held in December at TCC helped raise awareness of this issue.

Connie Meyer talked with students at the Norfolk Campus about sexual assault awareness prevention. Sponsored by The Women’s Center, Meyer gave tips and strategies to identify and prevent violence against women. Meyer, and husband Bruce Meyer, were given the Citizen-Advocate Award by the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy for their work on legislation to require religious ministers to report child abuse and neglect statewide. Meyer serves as lay president for Prevent Child Abuse Hampton Roads, while Mr. Meyer serves as vice president for advocacy for the group, as well as a member of TCC’s college board.    - April 14, 2009

Taking back the night . . . Faculty, staff and students at TCC’s Norfolk Campus participated in Take Back the Night, an event designed to protest rape and violence against women. The local event was part of the internationally held march and rally, which enables women to move freely at night, fear-free. TCC’s marchers carried hand-made signs and walked the streets of downtown Norfolk. The event included a rally with student speakers and a performance by TCC’s jazz band.  - April 13, 2009