CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – You are invited to take part in an evening of frighteningly good fun at the John Tyler Community College Theatre Club’s Spooktacular Fall Festival. The festival will feature a haunted house, a trick-or-treat trail, creepy crafts, games, and much more. There’s something for all ages! The Spooktacular Fall Festival will be held at Tyler’s Midlothian Campus, located at 800 Charter Colony Parkway, on Friday, October 27, 2017, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. All activities will take place inside the T Building in the lobby and in The Lynn Theatre (room T112). 

The Spooktacular Fall Festival is free and open to the community. For more information about this event, e-mail theatreinfo@jtcc.edu or call 804-378-1217. For directions to the Midlothian Campus, go to www.jtcc.edu/locations. 

John Tyler Community College, celebrating 50 years of providing educational opportunities to Central Virginia, is the fifth largest of the 23 community colleges in Virginia. With campuses in Chester and Midlothian and off-campus classrooms throughout the area, John Tyler offers affordable, quality programs for students who want to earn a degree or certificate, transfer to a four-year college or university, train for the workforce, or switch careers. The College, which served more than 13,900 students during the 2016-17 academic year, offers more than 60 majors, including associate degrees and certificates. The institution also serves more than 9,400 learners annually through the Community College Workforce Alliance.

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – More than two-thirds of careers require some education beyond high school. Now’s your chance to explore some of the higher education options available to you and your family. On October 30, 2017, John Tyler Community College in partnership with the Virginia Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers will hold its annual College Night. Representatives from more than 75 colleges and universities will be on hand to answer your questions and to talk to you about a variety of topics, such as programs, classes, paying for college, the application process, and student resources. 

College Night is open to all high school students and their parents, as well as to adult learners who are thinking about starting or continuing their college educations. It will take place from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. in the Nicholas Center at John Tyler Community College’s Chester Campus, located at 13101 Jefferson Davis Highway. There is no charge to attend.

For additional information about the event, contact Dr. Ann Sorensen, internship and career placement coach, at asorensen@jtcc.edu or 804-706-5166.

John Tyler Community College, celebrating 50 years of providing educational opportunities to Central Virginia, is the fifth largest of the 23 community colleges in Virginia. With campuses in Chester and Midlothian and off-campus classrooms throughout the area, John Tyler offers affordable, quality programs for students who want to earn a degree or certificate, transfer to a four-year college or university, train for the workforce, or switch careers. The College, which served more than 13,900 students during the 2016-17 academic year, offers more than 60 majors, including associate degrees and certificates. The institution also serves more than 9,400 learners annually through the Community College Workforce Alliance.

On October 24, all current Tyler students will have the chance to vote for their new Student Government Association (SGA) officers. 

From 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. that day, voting stations will be set up on the first floor of Moyar Hall at the Chester Campus and by the library on the second floor of Hamel Hall at the Midlothian Campus. Students unable to come to campus that day will be able to vote electronically from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. A link to a Google form ballot will be sent to student e-mail addresses that day.

The winners of the SGA elections will be announced October 27.

Here are your candidates:

Candidates for SGA President Candidates

Heather Ashbeck 
Heather is in her last year at John Tyler Community College. She is currently enrolled in the Pre-Social Work degree program. Heather works in the Student Activities office and is involved in several of the college’s clubs, including: President, Sociology Club; Vice President, Students Veterans Organization; and Treasurer, Phi Theta Kappa – BOO Chapter. She also is a student representative on the committee examining the possible creation of a food pantry at Tyler for those students and faculty members in need. Heather possesses great leadership skills that she acquired by serving in the Air Force for 18 years. Being a mother of three children with ages ranging from 11-21, she brings a unique ability to understand the wide variety of issues and concerns of all students, of all ages, at Tyler. After graduating in May 2018, Heather will attend VCU where she will continue her education in social work.

Dana Legere 
Dana is a second-year student at John Tyler Community College, studying medicine. Dana has loved medicine ever since her little sister, Amanda, was diagnosed with a rare brain anomaly. Dana has enjoyed working with the brain, and she plans to go into a career researching neurological disorders. As well as medicine, Dana enjoys being involved in the community as a leader. She has volunteered at the Richmond Animal League, Richmond for the Homeless, and she has been involved in many community activities, including monthly “Pray Through RVA” nights. In the past, Dana has volunteered by helping with door-to-door campaigns for the 2008 presidential election. as well as local elections throughout Virginia. Dana continues to carry out her civic-engagement duties on and off campus everyday as a Tyler Student Ambassador and as a co-leader of the JTCC organization THRIVE, a student ministry. Dana is beyond excited to participate on Governor McAuliffe's Millennial Civic Engagement Task Force this fall and cannot wait to help John Tyler Community College students become more civically engaged. “If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes,” - Corrie Ten Boom.

Candidates for SGA Vice President

Emma Capps 
Emma is a second year student at Tyler and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa’s BOO Chapter. She is also the founder and chair of the Young Americans for Freedom chapter at JTCC. When she earns her Associates Degree in Liberal Arts, Emma plans to transfer to the University of Virginia and major in either political science or political philosophy, policy and law. She has interned for political figures in Dallas, Texas and New York City and has been invited to speak to various civic organizations across Virginia. Emma has also attended numerous political conferences across the country, from Washington D.C. to West Palm Beach, Florida. In May 2015, she organized and hosted a rally in support of law enforcement after Virginia State Trooper Chad Dermyer was shot and killed at the Greyhound bus station in Richmond. Additionally, she is a free speech activist. Her motto is: Be Courageous, Be Kind, and Be Truthful. Emma hopes to be able to spread that message to all JTCC students through the office of Vice President.

Braxton Payne 
Braxton is currently enrolled full-time at John Tyler Community College at our Chester Campus. Braxton hopes to one day attend Penn State; William and Mary; or George Mason University to obtain a degree in a major relating to business, law, or social work. Braxton is excited to run for vice president of the Student Government Association to strengthen his leadership abilities and to become more involved in student activities. He believes that through hard work and dedication the team of leaders elected, the SGA will make a positive impact here at John Tyler.

Candidate for SGA Secretary 

Chelsey Bufton 
Chelsey has been a student at John Tyler Community College since the spring of 2015. She is currently in the Pre-BSN program, working toward her life goal of becoming a neonatal nurse. Chelsey is a wife and a mother of a four-year-old daughter. She lives in Virginia Beach and travels to Tyler to for her classes. She is extremely dedicated and passionate about JTCC and has a hard-working and compassionate personality. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering at her local church and at the children’s hospital in Norfolk. She also helps at her daughter’s preschool by planning activities and organizations. “Helpfulness, caring, organization, responsibility and loyalty” is a promise Chelsey guarantees to all Tyler students.

Candidates for SGA Treasurer

Alexis Gomez 
Alexis is running for the Student Government Association’s Treasurer for the academic year of 2017-2018. For him, this is a great opportunity to help the initiatives of the student government and organizations at John Tyler Community College. Alexis genuinely cares about the goals of our students, and the legacy they wish to establish within our community. Therefore, he is committed to using the best of his knowledge and ability to help the triumph and success of our community. “Vote for me as your treasurer, and I promise to dedicate my work to assist in your success”.

Elijah Pullings 
Elijah believes he is a great fit for the treasurer position because he has always been passionate about finances and how they are managed. Currently, he is an active investor in the stock market and has a growing portfolio. He spends his free time listening to CNBC and Ray Dalio – one of the world’s greatest investors. He has attended great investor meetings, such as the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting. Moreover, he is the presiding director of a nonprofit organization called the Youthpreneur foundation.

Candidates for SGA Communications Coordinator

Alex Dizon 
Alex is in her first semester at John Tyler and is running for the Student Government Association’s communication coordinator position. Alex plans to transfer to UVA or the College of William and Mary after her time at John Tyler to major in biomedical engineering or biology. Although new to John Tyler, she is no stranger to responsibility, as she was the president of two clubs in high school and received four awards for her involvement in the community. She would like to apply her leadership experience, dedication, and organizational skills to the communication coordinator position. Alex will do her best to keep the community informed and engaged in activities occurring throughout the school.

Lauren Intravia 
Lauren is in her first official year here at John Tyler Community College, although she completed several courses throughout her senior year at Monacan High School through Tyler. She is currently majoring in Educational Studies (K-6) and hopes to eventually minor in sociology. Her future career goal is to be an elementary school teacher for underprivileged children/Title One Schools. Lauren is running for the position of communications coordinator because she not only likes to be involved with the school environment but also her future. Lauren feels that she can help many others in this same direction by sharing with them opportunities, so they can have the ability to better their future. She is a very organized, creative, and outgoing person and feels that all of her strengths make her a perfect fit for this position. As George Lucas once said, "You have to find something that you love enough to jump over hurdles and break through the brick walls.”

Ariana Paz 
Ariana is a freshmen majoring in business administration. Currently, she works at Chick-Fil-A and volunteers in the emergency room at St. Francis Hospital. Ariana is running for communications coordinator because she believes that the student body deserves someone with an outgoing personality to be their voice. She is a really easy person to get along with and believes she has the leadership skills that are essential to be in this position. Ariana hopes she is given the opportunity to keep the student body up-to-date with all the fun events JTCC has planned. “Every vote is important. so make it count and let your voice be heard!”

Questions about the SGA elections may be directed to the Student Activities Office at studentactivities@jtcc.edu. 

By Holly Walker

Students, faculty, staff and members of the community are invited John Tyler Community College’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony. The ceremony, honoring past and present members of the armed services, will take Friday, November 10 at 11:00 a.m. in The Lynn Theatre (T Building) at Tyler’s Midlothian Campus. Alison Foster, John Tyler Community College alumna will deliver the keynote address. Foster works for the Virginia Department of Veterans Services as the Virginia Transition Assistance Program Manager. She also has served in the Army Reserve for 14 years, where she is a Sergeant First Class and is currently assigned to a Military Intelligence Detachment at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency in Springfield, Virginia. Before that, Foster spent 10 years assigned to the National Ground Intelligence Center and served two tours, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2007 and Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn in Iraq in 2010. Foster, a graduate of Midlothian High School, attended John Tyler Community College from August 2005 – August 2008. After earning an Associate of Arts and Sciences from Tyler, she transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies.  

In addition to the keynote speech, Tyler’s Veterans Day Ceremony also will include recognition of Tyler’s faculty, staff and student veterans and a memorial tree planting.

For more information about Tyler’s Veterans Day Ceremony, contact Lisa Kendrick at lkendrick@jtcc.edu or 804-594-1527.

By Holly Walker

Thank you Tyler Trailblazers for voting in the Student Government Association elections on October 24. Meet your newly elected Student Government officers.

President: Dana Legere
Vice President: Emma Capps
Secretary: Chelsey Bufton
Treasurer: Elijah Pullings
Communications Coordinator: Lauren Intravia

Congratulations to the winners! Thank you to all the candidates who ran and to all who helped organize and who volunteered during the SGA election day.

To learn more about Tyler’s Student Government Association, contact the Office of Student Activities at studentactivities@jtcc.edu or 804-706-5188 (Chester) or 804-594-1516 (Midlothian).

By Holly Walker 

At times, college can seem a bit overwhelming – especially for students who are working, helping family and juggling other responsibilities while going to class and studying. John Tyler Community College understands that its students often find themselves trying to balance learning and their lives outside of the classroom. So, in addition to ensuring students receive a great education, the college continually looks for ways it can support students as they work toward their goals. These resources for students come in many forms: free tutoring; library services; advising; financial aid; scholarships; and student clubs, interest groups, and activities – just to name a few. 

Recently, Tyler became one of only four colleges nationwide to receive a $50,000 grant from Jobs for the Future. The grant is allowing Tyler to team up Persistence Plus to launch a pilot program designed to help first-year, program-placed students complete their majors and move into a rewarding career. The program, Nudging to STEM Success, uses mobile technology and behavioral science to encourage students to remain in college and to take steps that can move them forward on their paths to graduation.
 
Starting this fall, first-year, program-placed students at Tyler are receiving text message nudges to help them navigate challenges they may be facing, offer them tidbits of advice, and motivate them to make decisions that will keep them on a path to graduation. The platform allows for student responses, ensuring those who need additional support can get it. 

The grant-funded pilot program will continue through December 2018.

By Holly Walker

We need your creative help! We need ideas for what items should go into John Tyler Community College’s 50th anniversary time capsule! 

Representatives from Tyler’s welding and precision machining programs spent the past year designing and building the time capsule (view of the capsule lid seen in the photograph above). In December, the time capsule will be closed, only to be reopened in 50 years, when the college celebrates its 100th anniversary! Instead of being buried once closed, as many time capsules are, ours will be on display at the Chester Campus, hung on the wall near the security desk on the first floor of Moyar Hall.

So, what will the people of Tyler find when they open our 50th anniversary time capsule in 2067? That is up to you! 

All ideas are welcome. As you think about what should go in the capsule, consider mementos that preserve a snapshot in time from 2017; items that speak to your hopes for the college’s future; objects that reflect life at Tyler; or anything you think would provide fun and interesting insights into what Tyler was like when it was 50-years old. So far, we have a 2017 JTCC Nursing Program pin and patch; an autographed banner from our 2017 Literary Festival guest author; a 50th anniversary flag; and a Tyler jump drive. 

As you’re coming up with ideas, keep in mind the time capsule’s size. It’s not very large, so space is a consideration. Also, think about what technology be like in 50 years (let’s hope USB drives still work!). 

Submit your ideas to the Time Capsule Committee through the online form found at https://jtcc.edu/50/timecapsule. The committee will be accepting ideas throughout most of November.

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – The community is invited to join John Tyler Community College’s faculty, staff and students as they honor past and present members of the armed services during the College’s annual Veterans Day ceremony on November 10, 2017. The ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m. in The Lynn Theatre (T Building, room T112) at the Midlothian Campus, located at 800 Charter Colony Parkway. 

This year’s ceremony will include a keynote address by John Tyler Community College alumna Alison Foster, who is the Virginia Transition Assistance Program Manager for the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. For the past 14 years, Foster also has served in the Army Reserve, where she is a Sergeant First Class and is currently assigned to a Military Intelligence Detachment at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency in Springfield, Virginia. She also spent 10 years assigned to the National Ground Intelligence Center and served two tours, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2007 and Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn in Iraq in 2010.  Foster, a graduate of Midlothian High School, attended John Tyler Community College from August 2005 – August 2008. After earning an Associate of Arts and Sciences from Tyler, she transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies.  

In addition to Foster’s address, Tyler’s Veterans Day Ceremony will include recognition of Tyler’s faculty, staff and student veterans and a memorial tree planting.

For directions to Tyler’s Midlothian Campus, visit www.jtcc.edu/locations. For more information about John Tyler Community College’s Veterans Day Ceremony, contact Lisa Kendrick, office and events specialist, at lkendrick@jtcc.edu or 804-594-1527. 

To learn more about how John Tyler Community College supports active members of the military; military retirees and veterans; and their families, visit www.jtcc.edu/veterans. 

John Tyler Community College, celebrating 50 years of providing educational opportunities to Central Virginia, is the fifth largest of the 23 community colleges in Virginia. With campuses in Chester and Midlothian and off-campus classrooms throughout the area, John Tyler offers affordable, quality programs for students who want to earn a degree or certificate, transfer to a four-year college or university, train for the workforce, or switch careers. The College, which served more than 13,900 students during the 2016-17 academic year, offers more than 60 majors, including associate degrees and certificates. The institution also serves more than 9,400 learners annually through the Community College Workforce Alliance.

Club Spotlight: Student Veteran Organization
The phrase “Deeds Not Words” is John Tyler Community College’s official motto. Those words hold an entirely different meaning to the nearly 400 John Tyler students who are serving or have served in the armed forces of the United States as well as the 8% of our students who are the members of a military family. The Student Veterans Organization (SVO) exists to serve and advocate for these students. Founded in 2012 by student veterans to address the specific needs of military-connected students, the SVO provides a network of support for veterans and their spouses and/or dependents who are enrolled at Tyler. The SVO also seeks to educate and raise awareness within the JTCC community about the experiences and sacrifices of student veterans and work with the college administration to meet the unique needs of student veterans.  One need not be a veteran to join the SVO. Any registered student or graduate/alumni can join. The JTCC SVO is a recognized chapter of Student Veterans of America (SVA).

The SVO meets one Friday a month by video teleconference so that students on both the Chester and Midlothian campuses can participate. The meetings are from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. on the Chester Campus in room M213 (Moyar Hall) or on the Midlothian Campus in room E102 (Eliades Hall). The final SVO meeting for the Fall 2017 semester is November 30.

Additionally, the SVO engages in both social and community service activities.  For the last three years, the SVO has visited patients at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center to provide personal hygiene items and small gifts.  This year’s visit is scheduled for December 1 and the SVO, in conjunction with two other JTCC student groups, will be asking for donations in November. SVO members also plan to take part in the Polar Plunge, an event that benefits Virginia Special Olympics, in Virginia Beach in February 2018. 

To support its planned activities, the SVO sells coffee and snacks each Tuesday morning from 7:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in Moyar Hall. If you are on the Chester Campus and would like a good cup of coffee (or want to support a great organization), stop by and Have a Cup of Joe with the SVO! 

For more information about joining the JTCC Student Veterans Organization, contact Mike Murphy at 804-706-5031 or mmurphy@jtcc.edu. 

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – The public is invited to attend the upcoming meeting of the John Tyler Community College Board on Thursday, November 16, 2017, at 3:00 p.m.  The meeting will take place at the College’s Midlothian Campus, located at 800 Charter Colony Parkway, in Hamel Hall, room H109. A sign-up sheet will be made available 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the meeting for those persons interested in addressing the Board.

John Tyler Community College, celebrating 50 years of providing educational opportunities to Central Virginia, is the fifth largest of the 23 community colleges in Virginia. With campuses in Chester and Midlothian and off-campus classrooms throughout the area, John Tyler offers affordable, quality programs for students who want to earn a degree or certificate, transfer to a four-year college or university, train for the workforce, or switch careers. The College, which served more than 13,900 students during the 2016-17 academic year, offers more than 60 majors, including associate degrees and certificates. The institution also serves more than 9,400 learners annually through the Community College Workforce Alliance.

By Holly Walker

When taking painting classes, students learn how to use shadow and light, blend colors, show perspective and create texture. They continually practice these techniques, developing their artistic approach to painting landscapes, faces, animals and more. But, art is about more than technique and style; it’s about connections. That’s why Professor Colin Ferguson and the students in his painting class are always eager to participate in the Memory Project. The Memory Project is an initiative that gives children and teens, from all over the world, who have been abandoned, orphaned, abused or neglected, a personal keepsake. Each art student who participates in the program receives a photograph of a child or teen. After studying the details in the photograph, the artists go to work, using the skills they’ve been refining with Ferguson’s help. This year, Ferguson and his students painted portraits of children from the Philippines. This is the twelfth time Ferguson and his class have participated in the Memory Project. In past semesters, they have painted portraits of children from Syria, Madagascar, Ghana, Nepal, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Peru, Uganda, Myanmar, Haiti and Ecuador.

The newly completed paintings are currently on display on the second floor of Eliades Hall at the College’s Midlothian Campus. They will be exhibited until Monday, November 13. Then, the portraits will be taken down, wrapped and shipped to the Memory Project, which will deliver the paintings to the children who are featured in them.

By Holly Walker

The community is invited to The Lynn Theatre as John Tyler Community College’s Theatre Program presents Fear and Misery in the Third Reich. The play, written by Bertolt Brecht and translated by Eric Bentley, features eighteen scenes. Each could be regarded as a separate playlet, covering the years from 1933 to just before Hitler's entry into Vienna. Each is preceded and linked by a short verse, forming a sort of kaleidoscope of life under the Nazi dictatorship. The whole forms a horrifying picture of darkest tyranny, lightened by the occasional gleams of defiance. The play is being performed through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

All performances will be at the Midlothian Campus in The Lynn Theatre (T Building). Performance dates and times are:
November 10 at 7:00 p.m.
November 11 at 7:00 p.m.
November 12 at 2:00 p.m.
November 17 at 7:00 p.m.
November 18 at 7:00 p.m.
November 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are $10. Tyler students are free with their student ID. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.jtcc.edu/theatre. 

By Holly Walker

Calling on all John Tyler Community College students! Would you like to see your work in print? Then, enter the college’s 2018 Sherwood Forest Art and Literary Competition. The competition is currently accepting entries. There are four categories:

• Art (including photography)
• Fiction
• Creative non-fiction
• Poetry

Rules for each category may be found at www.jtcc.edu/sherwoodforest. 

Those who place first, second and third in the competition will have their work published in the Sherwood Forest Art and Literary Review, will receive a prize, and will be recognized at the college's Annual Awards Night Ceremony in April 2018. Honorable mentions may also be published if space is available.

The contest is open to Tyler students only, and your Student ID number must be included with your submission. Each student may submit two entries total, one submission per category. All entries must be submitted electronically to Mike Gray at mgray@jtcc.edu by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 26, 2018.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Gray at mgray@jtcc.edu or 804-594-1481.

By Holly Walker

LiveSafe is a free mobile app that provides Tyler students, faculty and staff with a quick, convenient, and discreet way to communicate directly with John Tyler Community College security officials. LiveSafe gives you the ability to report emergency situations; suspicious behavior; or other safety or security concerns by sending texts, pictures, videos and audio in real-time to JTCC security. Users are also able to live chat with a college security official, to invite their contacts to “virtually escort” them from place to place; and to access important college safety resources. 

The LiveSafe app can be downloaded from the App Store or from Google Play. For more information about LiveSafe, visit www.jtcc.edu/about/safety-security/livesafe-mobile-app.

By Holly Walker
Throughout the year, we often look for ways to reach out and help others, and during the holiday season, the desire to give back becomes even stronger for many people. 

On Tuesday, November 28, this sense of global generosity will be celebrated, as people from all over the world come together to participate in #GivingTuesday. This is a day when individuals, organizations and businesses give back and make a difference in the lives of others. These gifts come in many forms – the donation of time; the collection of food; the organization of fundraisers; the gift of money; and more.

At John Tyler Community College, community is part of our name, and we believe in giving back and supporting our students and the communities we serve. Throughout the year and during the holiday season, our student groups, employees and Foundation support our college family and our community. 

Team up with John Tyler Community College for #GivingTuesday.

• Find out how you can help our student organizations with their community projects, contact Che Boisseau, Tyler’s student activities coordinator, at studentactivities@jtcc.edu. 
• Support Tyler’s students through the John Tyler Community College Foundation, which provides scholarships, helps obtain equipment for programs, and more. This year marks the college’s 50th anniversary, and the Foundation has set up a special anniversary scholarship to commemorate this milestone. Find out more about the 50th Anniversary Completion Scholarship at https://jtcc.edu/50/scholarships. Ready to give your support? You can donate online at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/johntylergiving. 

By Holly Walker 

Leigh Baxter knows John Tyler Community College. From teaching to now director of admissions and records and the college registrar, Leigh has focused his career on helping students. While serving on Tyler’s 50th Anniversary Steering Committee, Leigh began a conversation with a colleague about a river walk that was held 10 years before during the college’s 40th anniversary. That discussion inspired Leigh to launch a personal celebration of Tyler’s 50th anniversary that he called 50K for 50. His goal? To do a 5K walk or run in each of the three cities and seven counties that make up the college’s service region. 

He kicked off his anniversary adventure in Amelia County during February. There, he explored the trails of Sailor’s Creek State Park. In Charles City County, the home of President John Tyler, his 5K took him along the Capital to Capital trail from the county courthouse to Sherwood Forest, the late president’s home. His journey to Prince George County brought him to a new park on the banks of the Appomattox River for the FOLAR 5K (FOLAR stands for Friends of the Lower Appomattox River). In Petersburg, Leigh made his first visit to the National Battlefield Park, site of the Battle of the Crater. His trip to Colonial Heights took him to Ft. Clifton and White Bank Park, located in the area where Swift Creek meets the Appomattox River and home to waterfront trails. In May, Leigh travelled to Sussex County, where he lapped the track in Stony Creek Park. Sporting his JTCC colors, Leigh visited Dinwiddie County in June to participate in the RBC Twilight 5K. In Surry County, the Chippokes Plantation 5K took him through the state park along the banks of the James River. A tour of the Midlothian Mines Parks gave Leigh a different view of Chesterfield County. Located near the Tyler’s Midlothian Campus, the park includes a pathway around a lake, wooded trails and mine ruins. In October, Leigh wrapped up his tour of Tyler’s service region in Hopewell, where he took part in the City Point 5K. During most of his 5Ks, Leigh was joined by his friend Deb. Brenda Miller, associate professor of IT at Tyler, and her husband Brian, also participated in some of the outings. 

Leigh says the 50K for 50 was a fun way to experience the places Tyler’s students live and work. He got to visit beautiful places, enjoy the company of friends, learn about Virginia history, and talk about John Tyler Community College with those he met along the way.

#JTCC50

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – For 50 years, until his passing in 2016, Homer Eliades enthusiastically served John Tyler Community College (JTCC) and the JTCC Foundation. This fall, Eliades’ generosity and dedication to the college, the foundation, and Tyler’s students were celebrated as the Eliades family announced a gift from the estate of Homer Eliades, $50,000 for student scholarships.
 
“Dad found such satisfaction and joy in his work with the college,” said Peter Eliades, Homer Eliades’ son. “Knowing that he was helping provide opportunities for local citizens and building an important resource for our community was a source of joy and pride for him…so much so that his final wishes included a bequest to the foundation.” 

In the 1960s, as a young attorney in Hopewell, Eliades dreamed of starting a college in his beloved city. Making education available and accessible was important to Eliades, a belief instilled in him by his father. In 1966, he was appointed as a founding member of the John Tyler Community College Board, a move that would begin his five decades of uninterrupted service to the college and its foundation. During those years, Eliades was a vibrant force at Tyler, supporting the college and nurturing its growth in a number of ways. He became a founding member of the JTCC Foundation Board, donated countless hours of pro-bono legal services to the college and foundation; supported special projects and funds; and even recruited his son, Peter, as a member of the Foundation Board. In 1990, Homer Eliades memorialized his father by establishing the George H. Eliades Endowed Scholarship. In 2012, the college honored Eliades’ long-time service to Tyler by naming the Midlothian Campus’ first academic building Eliades Hall.

"Homer was a true Trailblazer, and his legacy is woven into the fabric of John Tyler Community College in many ways,” said Dr. Edward “Ted” Raspiller, president of the college. “Through the generous gift he left us, Homer will continue to change even more lives for decades to come.”

The JTCC Foundation secures resources that provide scholarships for students; fund academic programs, student support services, capital projects, and renovations to modernize classrooms and labs; and stimulate innovation within the college faculty and staff. This work ensures the college continues its pledge of providing academic excellence to students while expanding the services it offers to meet the community’s workforce requirements. Since most of the college’s graduates live and work in the area, gifts to the foundation are an investment in both students and also the community.    

John Tyler Community College, celebrating 50 years of providing educational opportunities to Central Virginia, is the fifth largest of the 23 community colleges in Virginia. With campuses in Chester and Midlothian and off-campus classrooms throughout the area, John Tyler offers affordable, quality programs for students who want to earn a degree or certificate, transfer to a four-year college or university, train for the workforce, or switch careers. The college, which served more than 13,900 students during the 2016-17 academic year, offers more than 60 majors, including associate degrees and certificates. The institution also serves more than 9,400 learners annually through the Community College Workforce Alliance.

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – With family and friends cheering them on, more than 40 John Tyler Community College students celebrated their completion of the Nursing Program during the college’s Fall 2017 Nursing Pinning Ceremony. The ceremony was held December 14, 2017 at the Nicholas Center on the Chester Campus. In her address to the students, Dr. Terri Clinger, professor of nursing at Tyler, encouraged students to continuously build on their educations and skills and to become role models of excellence. “Nursing is a lifelong journey,” she said. “Your education at John Tyler Community College is only a first step. We provided you with a strong foundation, and it’s now up to you to continue.” Tyler nursing alumna Michelle Hayes, who currently works at CJW Medical Center, shared her personal journey and offered insights into what she has learned so far. Hayes advised her new peers to keep learning, to expect challenges, to never give up, and to one day pay it forward by mentoring those who are new nurses. 

The 43 nursing graduate candidates recognized during the ceremony were (zip codes appear next to name):
Courtney Abbott (23113)
Erika Alexander (23223)
Ashley Barrios (23116)
Lea Beasley (23233)
Rachel Bennett (23832)
Mary Church (19134)
Jessica Cooke (23234)
Jennifer Corbin (23060)
Tiffany Costa (23221)
Hayley Creasy (23113)
Sheina David (23226)
Ashley Elkins (23236)
Natalie Evans (23112)
George Fernandez (23235)
Jessie Gallier (23831)
Crystal Gomes (23223)
Mallory Gray (23236)
Allessa Green (23885)
Savanna Hartbarger (23832)
Caitlyn Hastings (23235)
Rachel Holder (23831)
Rachel Johnson (23235)
Megan Jordan (23238)
Jillian Laurent (23838)
Megan Lewallen (23234)
Ashley Miles (23139)
Maureen Mitchell (23832)
Candace Moncayo (23112)
Sarah Ray (23112)
Mekella Reid (23002)
Sharon Ruffin-Harris (23224)
Shawna Singleton (23237)
Emily Sirotta (23842)
Julia Springer (23838)
Phyllicia Stevens (23059)
Sydney Stinson (23139)
Desiree Taylor (23233)
Patricia Veatch (23113)
Jesslyn Walker (23832)
Sarah Waller (23832)
Bruce Weaver (23225)
Mariashley Wiglesworth (23838)
Emily Zinn (23838)

Pinning dates back to the 1880s. The pin, given to graduate candidates, symbolizes the school of nursing where the students earned their clinical experience, achieved academic credentials and began their socialization into the profession. The ceremony marks the completion of that rigorous training and is often viewed with the same importance as commencement.

John Tyler Community College, celebrating 50 years of providing educational opportunities to Central Virginia, is the fifth largest of the 23 community colleges in Virginia. With campuses in Chester and Midlothian and off-campus classrooms throughout the area, John Tyler offers affordable, quality programs for students who want to earn a degree or certificate, transfer to a four-year college or university, train for the workforce, or switch careers. The College, which served more than 13,900 students during the 2016-17 academic year, offers more than 60 majors, including associate degrees and certificates. The institution also serves more than 9,400 learners annually through the Community College Workforce Alliance.

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – Scholarships create possibilities, easing financial stresses that impede student progress or even prevent students from reaching their educational and career goals. This academic year, nearly 200 Tyler students received more than $300,000 in scholarships thanks to the generous individuals, businesses and organizations that support the John Tyler Community College Foundation.

Scholarships also create a foundation of support and encouragement for the students who receive them. “The doors to college opened because of the George H. Eliades Memorial Scholarship,” said Betty Blodgett, John Tyler Community College alumna, former George H. Eliades Memorial Scholar, and keynote speaker at the John Tyler Community College Foundation’s 2017 Scholarship Celebration Luncheon. “Receiving the scholarship was not just about the money to help with all the college expenses. It validated that I was seen as having potential for bigger things.” Blodgett’s story resonated among many of the 2017-18 scholarship recipients who attended the luncheon for the opportunity to meet with and say thank you to the scholarship donors whose generosity makes Tyler’s Foundation Scholarship Program possible.

“Our scholarship program impacts lives,” said Dr. Edward “Ted” Raspiller, president of John Tyler Community College. “It helps lower or even remove financial barriers for students, and it connects them with people, businesses and organizations who truly care about their futures. I am so grateful for our donors who support this important program.”

The list of students who were awarded scholarships for the 2017-18 academic year is as follows:

The Scholarship Celebration Luncheon was made possible with the support of sponsors National Student Clearinghouse; Virginia Asset Management; Amsted Rail; Davenport & Company; Atlantic Constructors, Inc.; College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving; Eliades and Eliades, P.C.; Patient First; RealTime Accounting Solutions; and William H. Talley & Son, Inc.

Photographs taken at Scholarship Celebration Night may be found on Tyler’s Flickr page at www.flickr.com/johntylercc.

To learn more about the John Tyler Community College Foundation Scholarship Program, visit www.jtcc.edu/scholarships.

The JTCC Foundation secures resources that provide scholarships for students; fund academic programs, student support services, capital projects, and renovations to modernize classrooms and labs; and stimulate innovation within the college faculty and staff. This work ensures the College continues its pledge of providing academic excellence to students while expanding the services it offers to meet the community’s workforce requirements. Since most of the College’s graduates live and work in the area, gifts to the Foundation are an investment in the future of the community.   

John Tyler Community College, celebrating 50 years of providing educational opportunities to Central Virginia, is the fifth largest of the 23 community colleges in Virginia. With campuses in Chester and Midlothian and off-campus classrooms throughout the area, John Tyler offers affordable, quality programs for students who want to earn a degree or certificate, transfer to a four-year college or university, train for the workforce, or switch careers. The College, which served more than 13,900 students during the 2016-17 academic year, offers more than 60 majors, including associate degrees and certificates. The institution also serves more than 9,400 learners annually through the Community College Workforce Alliance.

By Holly Walker

John Tyler Community College will be closed for winter break from 5:00 p.m. on December 21 – January 1. We will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on January 2.

During the winter break, students will still be able to sign up for Spring 2018 classes through the Student Information Center in myTyler. In-person registration assistance will not be available while the college is closed, however, we will be offering assistance through the following e-mail accounts starting December 27.

• Help with the registration process: admissionsandrecords@jtcc.edu
• Technical support with Blackboard: edtech@jtcc.edu 
• Help with myTyler: mytylerhelpdesk@jtcc.edu

Those e-mailing these accounts should receive a response to your e-mail within 48 hours. 

The financial aid and student accounts hotline will be available during winter break, 24/7, and may be reached by calling 1-855-874-6684. 

Tuition Payment Reminder
The next tuition payment deadline is January 3. Tuition and fees must be paid by 7:00 p.m. on that day if paying on campus or 11:59 p.m. on January 3 if paying online, so that you are not dropped from your classes.  More information is available at www.jtcc.edu/tuition.

Extended Hours in January
To assist students with registration, Admissions and Records, the Advising Center, Financial Aid, Veterans Affairs and the Business Office will have extended hours on both campuses. These offices will be open from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 2 – Thursday, January 4 and Monday, January 8 – Thursday, January 11. These offices will be open for regular business hours on Friday, January 5 and Friday, January 12 from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you in 2018! Happy Holidays!