As the 2012 National Scripps Spelling Bee enters its final day of competition, Germanna's Dr. Ann Woolford recalls her surprise at the trepidation she encountered when she asked accomplished, successful adults to do what third-graders do. Why are we so afraid of spelling? She has a theory. Read about it and watch the video at Fredericksburg.com.
In today's Free Lance-Star, Prof. Lisa Murphy and Adjunct Prof. Russell Carter explain how Germanna is making a difference for its students, their families, local businesses and our communities.
These programs train students, including many career-changers, for new jobs in growing fields such as health care and cyber security. This strengthens the local economy by helping to close the "skills gap." The Virginia Employment Commission recently reported that in our area 3,000 jobs were unfilled because companies could not find qualified employees. When a person gains the skills to do one of those jobs, that is a success for the worker, the employer, and the community--with or without a degree...The dedicated faculty, staff, and administrators of Virginia's community colleges live in the communities we serve. We see our students not only in classes but at our places of worship, at our children's schools, and at the grocery store. They are our friends and neighbors. These relationships keep us motivated to improve our services to better meet their needs. You can't replace that with an online class from a for-profit corporation.
Lisa Murphy, a professor of mathematics, co-chairs the engineering department at Germanna Community College. Russell Carter, a retired businessman, is an adjunct professor of history and English at GCC.
The Rev. Lawrence A. Davies and Germanna Vice President for Academic Affairs and Students Services Ann Woolford place a wreath during 2012 Memorial Day ceremony at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery.
On Monday, the National Park Service sponsored a Memorial Day Program at the National Cemetery in Fredericksburg, honoring American military personnel who have given their lives for their country. The Rev. Lawrence A. Davies of Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) delivered the keynote address and the Rev. Thomas Hughes of St. George’s Episcopal Church offered an invocation and benediction. The Rev. Davies and Dr. Ann Woolford, vice president for academic affairs and student services at Germanna Community College, placed a wreath at the foot of the Humphreys Monument.
--See Clint Schemmer's Past is Prologue blog.
June 1 is the deadline for applications for GCC Educational Foundation scholarships for the 2012-13 academic year.
Applying is as easy as clicking a button.
Go to the Germanna Community College home page and click on the “Educational Foundation” button, then “Scholarships” and click “Apply for Scholarships.” After completing the on-line application, students will be considered automatically for all of the GCC Educational Foundation’s scholarships.
Applicants do not need to apply separately for specific scholarships, although they can specify a preference if they wish. Scholarship award decisions will be announced beginning in early July. For more information about the GCC Educational Foundation’s scholarship program, call (540) 423-9060 or write Scholarships@Germanna.edu
Each year more than 200 GCC students are awarded over $200,000 in scholarships by the GCC Educational Foundation. Applications and all supporting materials must be submitted to the Foundation by June 1.
Most, but not all of the scholarships are based on financial need and require that a FAFSA (financial aid form) be sent to the GCC Financial Aid Office.
He was homeless as a child, lost his job to Hurricane Katrina, then developed cancer.
But John W. Tyler won't be stopped by anything.
Tracy Bell, editor of The Stafford Sun, reports on a Germanna Community College student who won a national award for technological innovation while undergoing cancer therapy.
He says only thinking of his young daughter kept him going through exhaustion and depression related to the treatments.
Now doctors tell him he's beaten lymphoma.
And John Tyler has a lot to live for.
Left to right, VCCS Chancellor Glenn DuBois, GCC Student Government Association President Morgen Jones, Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Ann L. Heidig, Germanna President David A. Sam, GCC College Board Chairwoman Jill Johnson and U.S. Rep Rob Wittman help Germanna President David A. Sam cut the ribbon today at the Grand Opening of the college's Science & Engineering Building and Information Commons. A crowd of 250 looked on, then toured the high-tech green building.
Fredericksburg.com story and photos on the event.
Germanna Middle College graduate Ariya Suwannawong before Wednesday night's GCC Spring Commencement, which attracted a crowd estimated at 2,000.
Check out Free Lance-Star coverage of Wednesday night's Germanna Community College commencement on Fredericksburg.com.
BY PAMELA GOULD
The Free Lance-Star
Beth Turner was one of the first students when Germanna Community College opened its doors in 1970. Now 70 and a licensed professional counselor, Turner said she could be “the poster child for the difference community colleges can make in a person’s life.”
Turner gave the commencement address at Germanna Community College’s spring graduation ceremony Wednesday night. Nearly 950 students completed associate degrees or academic certificates this semester, qualifying them to take part in Germanna’s 40th graduation.
Turner shared that she was a recently divorced mother of two young children and living in Culpeper when she began taking classes at the Locust Grove campus 42 years ago. MORE
GCC Nursing Prof. Karen Mittura pins graduate Vickie Finn.
