By Holly Walker

Tyler’s Student Emergency Fund provides assistance to students facing unexpected financial challenges. To support this fund and their fellow students, members of Tyler’s Rotaract Club and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society have organized a fundraiser with the help of Panera Bread. 

Here’s how it will work. Go to the Panera Bread located at 11649 Midlothian Turnpike from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., place an order, show this fundraising flier, and 20% of the proceeds from your purchase will be donated to support Tyler’s Student Emergency Fund. The fundraising flier may be printed off and shown to the cashier, or you can show the flier on your mobile device.

Spread the word! Share the flier! Encourage your family and friends to take part in this fundraiser that will support Tyler’s students.

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – John Tyler Community College invites the community to explore the college’s programs and services at two upcoming Tyler Open House events. During these events, prospective students and their family and friends will have the opportunity to learn about Tyler’s majors; talk to faculty and staff; tour the campus; find out about the services and resources available to students; discuss the admissions process; and get information on how to pay for college, including financial aid. Assistance will also be available for those who are ready to complete their admissions applications and get started on their class registration for the Summer 2018 and Fall 2018 semesters. Tyler’s Summer 2018 and Fall 2018 class schedules are available online and may be viewed at www.jtcc.edu/schedule.

Tyler’s Open House events will be held:

Tuesday, April 3
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Chester Campus (13101 Jefferson Davis Hwy.)
Nicholas Center, room N102

Thursday, April 5
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Midlothian Campus (800 Charter Colony Pkwy.)
Hamel Hall, room H109

During each Open House, information sessions will be held at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., and sessions about financial aid will be held at 12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Those interested in attending an Open House are encouraged to register for the event in advance at www.jtcc.edu/openhouse. 

Directions to Tyler’s campuses may be found at www.jtcc.edu/locations. 

Those who would like to learn more about Tyler but are unable to attend one of the April Open House events are invited to tour campus at another time. To sign up for a tour, www.jtcc.edu/tour. 

John Tyler Community College offers more than 60 majors that provide pathways to careers in high-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, a Nursing Education Center, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served more than 13,900 students during the 2016-17 academic year. It also assisted nearly 6,000 learners and more than 200 companies and organizations through its workforce development division, Community College Workforce Alliance. 

By Holly Walker 

Tyler students, faculty and staff are invited to take part in the college’s 23rd Annual Literary Festival. The festival will be held April 4 – 10 and will feature a wide variety of activities.

April 4
Student Speech Contest
12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Chester, Bird Hall, room B124

April 6
Juried Student Art Show
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Midlothian, Eliades Hall, room E107

April 6
Opening of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
7:00 p.m.
Midlothian, The Lynn Theatre (T Building, room T112) 
*Open to the community. Tickets required. Additional performance dates. 
 
April 9
Faculty and Student Readings
12:30 – 1:45 p.m. 
Chester, Bird Hall, room B132
Light refreshments will be served.

April 9
“Getting your Book Published” Workshop by Janice Repka
2:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Chester, Bird Hall, room B132 
 
April 10 
Faculty and Student Readings
11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. 
Midlothian, The Lynn Theatre (T Building, room T112)
Light refreshments will be served.

April 10
Poetry Workshop by Ian Bodkin
12:30 – 1:45 p.m. 
Midlothian, The Lynn Theatre (T Building, room T112) 

April 10
Fiction Workshop by Jessica Neterer 
2:00 – 3:15 p.m. 
Midlothian, The Lynn Theatre (T Building, room T112) 

On April 9 and April 10 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., explore books written by Tyler faculty. These books will be on display near the Literary Festival events. There will also be an opportunity for free books at the reading and workshop activities. 

By Holly Walker

Get ready for some fun and laughs as John Tyler Community College’s Theatre program brings The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee to life at The Lynn Theatre.  The show introduces you to six young teens, as they hilariously compete for the spelling bee championship of a lifetime. From touching stories about their home lives to the pout-inducing, soul-crushing sound of the bell that signals a misspelled word, you’ll find yourself routing for these tween spellers as they tackle a series of tough (and potentially made-up) words. 
 
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs April 6 – 8. Performances will be held:

Friday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 8 at 2:00 p.m.
Friday, April 13 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 14 at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 15 at 2:00 p.m.

All performances will take place in The Lynn Theatre, located in the T Building at Tyler’s Midlothian Campus (800 Charter Colony Parkway). 

Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3372275. Tyler students are free with a valid JTCC ID.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, with music and lyrics by William Finn, is based on a book by Rachel Sheinkin and conceived by Rebecca Feldman. It was originally produced on Broadway by David Stone, James L Nederland, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo, Barrington Stage Company, and Second Stage Theatre.

The Lynn Theatre’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is directed by Kerrigan Sullivan with musical direction by Starlet Knight and choreography by Olivia Berghuis.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI (www.MTIShows.com).

Learn more about The Lynn Theatre and Tyler’s Theatre program at www.jtcc.edu/theatre. 

By Holly Walker

Outstanding educational experiences; hands-on learning opportunities; high-tech labs; majors that lead directly to jobs; programs that put you on a path to a bachelor’s degree; networking with employers; seamless transfer to four-year colleges and universities; and services to help students succeed – these are just some of the outstanding offerings students find at John Tyler Community College. Whether you’re a first-time college student, coming back to college, or looking for skills that will help you switch careers, Tyler can help you find a path to the future you want.

Explore all that Tyler has to offer by attending one of our upcoming Open House events. During these events, you will have the opportunity to learn about Tyler’s majors; talk to faculty and staff; tour the campus; find out about the services and resources available to students; discuss the admissions process; and get information on how to pay for college, including financial aid. Assistance will also be available for those who are ready to complete their admissions applications and get started on their class registration for the Summer 2018 and Fall 2018 semesters. 

Tyler’s Open House events will be held:

Tuesday, April 3
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Chester Campus (13101 Jefferson Davis Hwy.)  
Nicholas Center, room N102

Thursday, April 5
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Midlothian Campus (800 Charter Colony Pkwy.) 
Hamel Hall, room H109

During each Open House, information sessions will be held at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., and sessions about financial aid will be held at 12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Those interested in attending an Open House are encouraged to register for the event in advance. 

If you are to attend one of these Open House events, you are invited to tour campus at another time. To sign up for a tour, visit www.jtcc.edu/tour. 

By Holly Walker

The talents of Tyler’s art students will be on display as the college holds its annual Juried Student Art Show. Dozens of pieces of art, representing a wide variety of mediums such as painting, photography, ceramics, 3D sculpture and graphic art, will be on exhibit. 

The show opening takes place Friday, April 6 from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. at the Midlothian Campus in Eliades Hall, room E107. During that time, this year’s juror, Cindy Myron, interim assistant chair of Craft/Material Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, will announce the show winners. Guests will also have an opportunity to talk to the artists, and refreshments will be served courtesy of the Art Club.  All are invited to attend. Admission is free.

This year’s Juried Student Art Show is part of Tyler’s Literary Festival.

Are you excited to be a Tyler Trailblazer? Do you like telling people about your Tyler experience? Then, consider becoming a student ambassador! Student ambassadors serve as representatives of John Tyler Community College. They help plan and staff events such as New Student Orientations; assist with student recruitment efforts; meet with prospective students; lead campus tours; staff welcome tables and information booths; and represent the college at various functions. Ambassadors also work scheduled office hours in the Office of Student Engagement.

The Office of Student Engagement is now accepting applications for the position of student ambassador. To be considered for this paid position, a student must:

• Be currently enrolled at JTCC and enrolling in Summer 2018 courses. 
• Be in good academic standing with JTCC. (Students hired as an ambassador must maintain a 2.0 GPA during their employment as an ambassador.) 
• Possess strong communication and leadership skills. 
• Be reliable and hardworking. 
• Be passionate about JTCC. 

If you are interested in being considered, apply now! Completed applications must be received by April 12 to be considered. 

Questions about the student ambassadors program may be directed to Amanda Carpenter at acarpenter@jtcc.edu.  

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – New and returning John Tyler Community College (JTCC) students still have time to apply for a JTCC Foundation Scholarship covering the 2018-2019 academic year. To be considered for one of these scholarships, a student must meet, at a minimum, the following requirements by the application deadline:

• Plan to attend JTCC during the upcoming academic year or at least the fall semester.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.
• Be enrolled in an eligible certificate and/or degree program. 
• Be a Virginia resident and have in-state tuition status.

To apply for a JTCC Foundation Scholarship, a student must:

• Complete the online application, which requires information about his/her academics, leadership and service to others.
• Obtain a minimum of two letters of recommendation. (Please note: Applications are not considered complete until at least two letters of recommendation are received through the online application.) 
• Provide official transcripts for GPA verification if he/she is a high school or home-schooled student.
• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) indicating JTCC School Code #004004. A new FAFSA must be filed each academic year.

The deadline to apply for a JTCC Foundation Scholarship is 5:00 p.m. on April 16, 2018.

Additional information about the John Tyler Community College Foundation’s scholarship program and the online application can be found at www.jtcc.edu/scholarships. Questions about the program or the scholarship process may be directed to the Foundation Office at foundation@jtcc.edu or 804-594-1476. 

Through its scholarship program, the Foundation provides funding that helps recipients pay for expenses such as tuition, fees and textbooks. For the 2017-2018 academic year, the Foundation awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships to nearly 200 students.  For the upcoming academic year, several new scholarships will be available, including completion scholarships, designed to help students finish their programs and earn credentials, and a new nurse externship scholarship established by Chippenham-Johnston Willis (CJW) Hospitals, which will help nursing students with expenses in their third and fourth semesters, provide part-time jobs during that time, and can lead to full-time employment at CJW.

In addition to its scholarship program, the JTCC Foundation secures resources that 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 the community.

John Tyler Community College offers more than 60 majors that provide pathways to careers in high-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, a Nursing Education Center, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served more than 13,900 students during the 2016-17 academic year. It also assisted nearly 6,000 learners and more than 200 companies and organizations through its workforce development division, Community College Workforce Alliance. 
 

By Holly Walker

Have you thought about owning your own business? What skills will you need? What’s involved in getting a business off the ground? These are just some of the questions J.B. Bryan will discuss when she joins us for Tyler’s Women in Business Speaker Series.

Bryan has over 20 years of experience and is president and CIO of J.B. Bryan Financial Group, Inc., a company with locations in Richmond, Washington, D.C., and New York. She is also featured regularly on Virginia this Morning on Channel 6 and is the author of AfroEconomics. 

This discussion, “Education and Today’s Entrepreneur” will be held April 9 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in Bird Hall, room B124 at the Chester Campus. All Tyler students, alumni, faculty and staff are invited to attend.

The Women in Business Speakers Series is sponsored by the Division of Engineering, Business and Public Services with support provided by Student Activities.

Are you trying to get a handle on your financial future? Do you want to gain a better understanding of steps you can take to protect your savings and investments? Then, join us for Tyler’s Financial Success Summit on April 17. The Summit, sponsored by Tyler’s Business Department, Financial Aid Office, and the Virginia Credit Union with the assistance of Student Activities, will take place at the Chester Campus, Bird Hall, room B124, from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Tyler students, alumni, faculty, staff and members of the community are invited to take part in one or all of the seminars, which include:

9:30 – 10:30 a.m. – Psychology of Spending

10:30 – 11:20 a.m. – Taking Control of Money

11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. – Identity Theft

Sessions will be led by Thomas Katosivich from Virginia Credit Union. There is no charge to attend. Light refreshments will be served. Participants will be entered into a drawing for a $500 Amazon gift card.

If you have questions about the Financial Success Summit, contact Dr. Nikki Hicks, associate professor of business management at nhicks01@jtcc.edu or 804-706-5129.

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – John Tyler Community College proudly welcomed 83 new members to the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society during an induction ceremony at the College’s Chester Campus on April 6, 2018.  Phi Theta Kappa recognizes the academic achievements of community and junior college students. To be eligible for membership in John Tyler Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapters, students with 24-45 credit hours need to have a minimum GPA of 3.75, while those with more than 45 credit hours must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5. 

John Tyler Community College’s two Phi Theta Kappa chapters, Tau Rho and Beta Omicron Omicron, inducted the following new members (zip codes appear in parentheses):

Tau Rho Chapter

Julia Bailey (23860)
Haywood Baugh (23231)
Kourtney Baumfalk (23120)
Nedira Brown (23831)
Gregory Bucknam (23236)
Daphne Campbell (23237)
Jacob Compton (23139)
Mariah Deal (23831)
Ashley DeHart (23838)
Candice Dodd (23831)
Helen Drivick (23235)
Ashley Floyd (23836)
Christina Foust (23112)
Patrick Glynn (23832)
Kenya Grice (23237)
Valerie Hadaway (23831)
Arlene Kidd (23225)
Hannah Landry (23831)
Andrea Mullins (23831)
Jean Murphy (23832)
Sherry Oglesby (23231)
Carrie Parnell (23237)
Larry Reynolds (23860)
Anna Robertson (23047)
Connie Robinson (23224)
Eutopia Rogers (23860)
Roselin Saye (23840)
Jaclyn Shaffer (23113)
Megan Stewart (23838)
Rachel Trainor (23831)
Christopher Walker (23834)
Jennifer Waters (23139)
Belinda Wright (30253)
 

Beta Omicron Chapter

Heather Anderson (23832)
Andrew Bell (23114)
Elaina Buie (23060)
Amanda Burry (23236)
Janay Cameron (23114)
Emma Capps (23059)
Eric Carlson (23236)
Laurie Carlson (23236)
Brittany Carpenter (23834)
LaKeita Clark (23040)
Nina Copeland (23235)
Andrew Craig (23233)
Melissa Denisco-Morici (23120)
Kylie Dimattio (23236)
Emerson Doner (23114)
Hannah Emanuele (23103)
Lauryn Evans (23838)
Joy Flowers (23112)
Christine Franke (23236)
Tabitha Frazier (23116)
Betty Gentry (23236)
Laura Griffith (23236)
Erika Hetrick (23236)
Jessica Hevener (23235)
Ramzy Hudson (23832)
Aya Khattab (23235)
Palmer Korpal (23235)
Jessica Lessnau (23112)
Elizabeth Lowry (23832)
Robert Manderbaugh (23139)
Brenna McCormick (23238)
Sean Minogue (23112)
Cheryl Moore (23832)
Cassandra Morris (23236)
Aleyna Motsett (23112)
Joselin Ollarves (23832)
Kisha Peat (23860)
Kenneth Richardson (23112)
Mary Robinson (23838)
Stephen Rogers (23113)
Samuel Scott (23236)
Bryce Sizemore (23836)
Ciara Noelle Smith (23832)
Laura Spaulding (23112)
Alexzane Taylor (23832)
Zambia Taylor (23803)
Danielle Tolford (23236)
Luc Tran (23114)
Amanda Waddell (23112)
Jeffrey Walker (23234)
Madeline Wright (23139)
 

John Tyler Community College offers more than 60 majors that provide pathways to careers in high-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, a Nursing Education Center, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served more than 13,900 students during the 2016-17 academic year. It also assisted nearly 6,000 learners and more than 200 companies and organizations through its workforce development division, Community College Workforce Alliance. 

Advisory Notice from Virginia's Community Colleges

Media Contact for Notice: 

Jeff Kraus
Asst. Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications
(804) 592-6767
jkraus@vccs.edu

RICHMOND – In accordance with Section 23.1-307 (D) of the Code of Virginia, the State Board for Community Colleges provides notice that it will consider tuition and mandatory fee increases for Virginia’s Community Colleges, effective fall 2018, at 9 a.m., May 17, 2018, at 300 Arboretum Place, Richmond, Va.  

The State Board will consider tuition and mandatory fee increases of between 1 percent and 3 percent for all undergraduate students, subject to further actions of the General Assembly.  The community colleges would use the revenue generated from the tuition increase to pay for:

• Increased state employee fringe benefit costs; 
• Operation and maintenance of new buildings;
• Technology infrastructure upgrades;
• Contractual obligations; and
• Investments in strategic initiatives to improve student success.

About Virginia’s Community Colleges: Since 1966, Virginia’s Community Colleges have given everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills so lives and communities are strengthened. By making higher education and workforce training available in every part of Virginia, we elevate all of Virginia. Together, Virginia’s Community Colleges serve more than 252,000 students each year. For more information, please visit www.vccs.edu.
 

By Holly Walker

Tyler’s Student Emergency Fund assists students facing unexpected financial challenges. To support this fund and their fellow students, Tyler’s Rotaract Club and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society have organized a fundraiser near the Chester Campus with the help of Chipotle. 

To support this fundraiser, all you need to do is eat! Stop by the Chipotle at 2423 W. Hundred Road in Chester on Tuesday April 17 between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. Show the fundraising flier when you place your order, and Chipotle will donate 50% of the proceeds from your purchase to JTCC’s Student Emergency Fund. (Please note: Online orders will not count toward the fundraiser.) The fundraising flier may be printed off and shown to the cashier, or you can show the flier on your mobile device.

Spread the word! Share the flier! Encourage your family and friends to take part in this fundraiser that supports Tyler’s students.

By Holly Walker

Join us on April 19, and discover the wide-ranging projects students work on at John Tyler Community College. During the college’s annual Social Sciences Research Expo, students will display their work and talk to attendees about their findings. This event always inspires great dialogue on a number of topics. After seeing the displays, Expo attendees will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite projects.

The Social Sciences Research Expo will be held at the Midlothian Campus, in Hamel Hall, room H109 from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Admission is free, and all are invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

Stop by, and support Tyler’s students! 

If you’d like to know more about the Social Sciences Expo, contact Michael Rutz at mrutz@jtcc.edu or 804-594-1467.

By Holly Walker

Would you like help paying for college? Then consider applying for a John Tyler Community College Foundation scholarship. Each year, the Foundation awards scholarships to new and continuing Tyler students. Some scholarship are general, while others are for specific majors; for students who live in a particular city or county; or for students with financial need.

Nearly 200 students received scholarships through the program for the current academic year. Would you like to see yourself on the scholarship recipient list in 2018-2019?

To be eligible for a JTCC Foundation scholarship, at a minimum, you must meet the following requirements by the application deadline:

• Plan to attend JTCC during the upcoming academic year, or at least the fall semester.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.
• Must be enrolled in an eligible certificate and/or degree program. 
• Must be Virginia residents and have in-state tuition status.

To apply for a JTCC Foundation Scholarship, you must:

• Complete the online application, which requires information about your academics, leadership and service to others.
• Obtain a minimum of two letters of recommendation. Applications are not considered complete until at least two letters of recommendation are received through the online application. 
• Provide official transcripts for GPA verification if you are a high school or home-schooled student.
• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) indicating JTCC School Code #004004. A new FAFSA must be filed each academic year.

Students applying for a JTCC International Studies Scholarship must submit their completed application and all supporting material by March 15.

Students applying for all other JTCC Foundation scholarships must submit their completed materials by April 16.

More information about JTCC Foundation Scholarship Program, including a link to the online application, may be found at www.jtcc.edu/scholarships. 

If you have questions about the Foundation Scholarship Program, contact foundation@jtcc.edu. 
 

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – John Tyler Community College will hold its 50th annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 11, 2018, at 4:00 p.m. The ceremony will take place in the Multipurpose Building at Virginia State University, located at 20809 2nd Avenue in Petersburg. John Tyler Community College’s graduating class will be approximately 1,139 strong.

This year, four members of the Class of 2018 will offer remarks during the ceremony. The student speakers are Julia Bailey of Hopewell, who will be graduating with a degree in Liberal Arts and a career studies certificate in Paralegal Studies; Janay Cameron of Midlothian, who will be graduating with a degree in General Studies, Pre-BSN Specialization; Warren Reid of Farmville, who graduated at the end of the Fall 2017 semester with a degree in Funeral Services; and Lauren Sanford of Chesterfield, who will be graduating with a degree in General Studies.

John Tyler Community College offers more than 60 majors that provide pathways to careers in high-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, a Nursing Education Center, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served more than 13,900 students during the 2016-17 academic year. It also assisted nearly 6,000 learners and more than 200 companies and organizations through its workforce development division, Community College Workforce Alliance. 

By Holly Walker

Math is changing at Tyler! These changes, which go into effect with the Fall 2018 semester, will help ensure students are learning the type of math that will be most helpful to their academic and career path. The changes are also part of a course alignment taking place within the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), so students can more easily move from one VCCS institution to another.

This transition involve the elimination of some math courses, the addition of new math courses, and changes to the math courses required within Tyler’s majors. 

• These changes will not impact students who have completed the math requirements within their majors. 
• Students who wish to improve their grade in a currently offered math course must retake the class during the Fall 2018 semester. After that semester, “old” math classes will not be offered. To retake one of the courses being phased out, students must contact Admissions and Records (A&R) with their name, ID number and name of the class they wish take. Once A&R verifies the student is eligible to retake the course, A&R staff will enroll the student in the class.
• Students who have not started or completed their program’s math requirements are encouraged to meet with their faculty advisor to discuss the new math offerings.

By Holly Walker

Thinking about taking a summer course to catch up, get ahead, stay on track or support a professional development need? Eager to plan out your class schedule for the fall semester? You can sign up for both semesters now! Both semesters offer on campus, online and hybrid (partially on campus and partially online) class options, covering a variety of topics. 

To explore the classes being offered, go to www.jtcc.edu/schedule.

For tuition information, visit the tuition rate and tuition deadline pages. 

Current Tyler students may register for classes online through the myTyler portal or sign up in person by visiting the Admissions and Records Office on either campus.

If you’re not yet a Tyler student but are ready to get started, visit www.jtcc.edu/admissions/get-started-at-tyler for guidelines that will help you through the enrollment process.

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – Intriguing, thought-provoking, serious, and fanciful are just a few of the words that can be used to describe the variety of artwork on display in John Tyler Community College’s 2018 Juried Student Art Show. The show, currently being exhibited in the college’s new gallery space at its Midlothian Campus, features more than 70 works by nearly 40 Tyler art students. The display showcases an array of artistic mediums ranging from photography, drawings and paintings to animations, 3D sculptures and ceramics. 

This year’s Juried Student Art Show was juried by Cindy Myron, interim assistant chair of craft/material studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. Myron announced the show winners on April 6, 2018 during the opening night of the exhibit. The 2018 winning artists are as follows (zip codes are in parentheses): 

Best in Show

Josie & Lila by Rose Anderson (23832)

Plaza Artists Material Award

Bird’s Nest by Joshua Cloninger (23139)

Clayworks Ceramic Award

Buck Brew by Cindy Kirby (23832)

Karen Gammon Drawing Award

veil by Anthony Taylor (23219)

Richmond Camera Photography Award

Cowardly Perception by Sean Paul Mayfield (23228)

J. Wade Ferrell Award

Stitched by Sarah Dallessandro (23114)

Jonathan Burnley Graphic Design Award

Rift by Laurie Carlson (23236)

JTCC Bookstore Award

The Swiss Family Robinson Tree House by Laurie Carlson (23236)

Honorable Mentions

Nude by Deug Kang (23831)
Contour by Nicholas Oukolov (23112)
Through My Eyes to Neverland by Terry Lynn Smith (23834)

The community is invited to visit John Tyler Community College to enjoy the 2018 Juried Student Art Show, which will remain on display until May 2, 2018. The exhibit is located at the Midlothian Campus on the first floor of Eliades Hall in the Art Gallery, room E107. The gallery is open to the public Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. For directions to Tyler’s Midlothian Campus, go to www.jtcc.edu/locations.

Those interested in entering an art program or taking art courses at John Tyler are invited to explore the college’s class offerings at www.jtcc.edu/schedule. Registration for both the summer and fall semesters is currently underway. Visit www.jtcc.edu for more information on how to get started at Tyler. Rising 3rd – 12th graders are also invited to take part in summer Arts Camps at Tyler. For dates and camp information, visit www.jtcc.edu/summerstem. 

John Tyler Community College offers more than 60 majors that provide pathways to careers in high-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, a Nursing Education Center, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served more than 13,900 students during the 2016-17 academic year. It also assisted nearly 6,000 learners and more than 200 companies and organizations through its workforce development division, Community College Workforce Alliance. 

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – Mr. J. Richard “Dick” and Mrs. Jeannine Commander have received the 13th Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy, honoring their work with John Tyler Community College (JTCC). Nominated for the award by the John Tyler Community College Foundation, the Commanders were recognized during a luncheon ceremony on April 17, 2018.

For more than 20 years, the Commanders have invested their time, talent and treasure to help Tyler’s students succeed. One example of their dedication to Tyler and its students is the Commander Family Scholarship, established by the Commanders in honor of their daughters. Through this scholarship, the family provides students the opportunity to explore their talents and build a pathway to a successful future. The Commanders take a keen interest in the students who receive this scholarship, learning about their interests and goals and staying in touch with them throughout the year.

“Jeannine and Dick Commander embody a commitment to community,” says Dr. Edward “Ted” Raspiller, president of John Tyler Community College. “For more than two decades, they have generously supported John Tyler Community College’s students, providing scholarship opportunities and ongoing encouragement that inspires students to pursue their academic and career dreams. The Commander family is truly dedicated to strengthening their community by empowering individuals through education.” 

The annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy luncheon, hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education, honors 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 $6 million dollars to Virginia’s Community Colleges.

Keynote speaker Paul Koonce, executive vice president and president and chief executive officer with the Power Generation Group, Dominion Energy, called the community college system “one of Virginia’s greatest inventions.” He also borrowed a passage from a 1903 Teddy Roosevelt speech to underscore the invaluable connection between higher education and opportunity. “’Far and away, the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.’ Our purpose (as donors) is to make sure that prize – meaningful work – the best prize that life offers, remains within reach of every Virginian.”

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 offers more than 60 majors that provide pathways to careers in high-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, a Nursing Education Center, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served more than 13,900 students during the 2016-17 academic year. It also assisted nearly 6,000 learners and more than 200 companies and organizations through its workforce development division, Community College Workforce Alliance.