Presidential Report September 14, 2004
Many Thanks
Thanks are definitely in order for our incredible SCC Team who has gotten us through both Charley and Frances. I can't begin to tell you the sacrifices that our people have made to make sure that the College was safe and operational. When Commissioner of Education, John Winn, and the Chancellor for Community Colleges, David Armstrong, visited last week, they couldn't stop commenting on the miracles that we had worked. Thanks to everyone for going that extra "ten" miles! Certainly, relocating everyone from B Building - 60 staff and 4,000 students - was evidence of the "family" that exists at SCC!
Also, in keeping with emergencies, the new and improved State Rules allow the president to formally declare that the repairs to B-Building are an "emergency" as described in Rule. I am therefore declaring that B-Building represented an "emergency" for us. Also, since Physical Plant reports to Joe Sarnovsky, I am designating him as the individual who will be making this decision for future emergencies.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Lenny Portelli for compiling a 27-page proposal this summer that was accepted by Cisco which allows SCC to teach Cisco CCNA classes partially on-line. Only 22 schools in the US were approved for this pilot which allows students more flexibility by accessing 50% of the Cisco courses on-line and 50% in the classroom.
Congratulations to Bill Hope, who has just become a Certified Police Officer in the State of Florida. Way to go, Bill!
Congratulations to Wendi Malensek, Melinda White and Dr. Christine Robinson for their work on the NSF Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics Scholarships grant (CSEMS). The four-year grant totals $330,000 and will provide scholarships and mentoring to Computer Programming, Networking, Engineering, Information Technology and E-Business majors.
New Hire
As I am sure you have seen, we have hired Matt Hodge, UCF's Director of Annual Giving, to be the new Executive Director of the SCC Foundation. Matt comes to us with 10 years experience in Central Florida and he will begin October 4. Matt isn't even on board yet, and we have been advised by Sun Trust that they are donating $25,000 in unrestricted funds to the Foundation's capital campaign. Many thanks to Larry Stewart! We also just received a letter from a Winter Park attorney advising of a $20,000 planned gift that is being given anonymously. There is much to be done!!!
I would also like to thank the SCC Foundation and the members of the Presidents' Club for the $30,000 in unrestricted funds that are being used for $500, short-term, no-interest loans for our employees who have been hurt by the hurricanes. With 28% of the Presidents' Club membership made up of SCC employees, this is a great use for these funds and is being used as a model around the state. So far, 50 employees have accessed $25,000. Also, we have been fortunate to have the support of the state FACC office with a $1,250 donation, $1,000 from Florida Keys Community College, $250 from Pensacola Junior College, $120 from Chipola Community College, $200 from Palm Beach Community College, and $25 from Dr. Pat Windham. These funds will be added to the $30,000 available to our employees.
UCF Scholarship Recipient
Catherine Crutcher, one of our Honors graduates, was accepted into the Burnett College Honors College at UCF. She is the first recipient of the Honors to Honors Scholarship. This program is offered to nine community colleges with whom UCF has articulation agreements. Catherine is one of six children who have been home-schooled. Her goal is to be an attorney. Her brother just completed SCC's Police Academy and Beverly Bailey, Honors Advisor, has indicated that we most likely will enroll all six children in the family. Congratulations to Catherine for the scholarship achievement and to Beverly Bailey for working with UCF to establish this community college Honors scholarship program.
GM Training Program
I am pleased to announce that SCC's GM Technician Training Program has received an "Excellence in Practice Citation" from the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). The citation recognizes a comprehensive learning initiative entitled "Executing a Blended E-Learning Performance-Based Training Solution," designed and implemented by Raytheon Professional Services LLC. Jim Cox and his team are a big part of this program. Congratulations to Jim and the team!
Strategic Focus Group
As you know, we have cancelled the focus groups for this week. Carol's team is working to reschedule them the week of November 15. With that in mind, I would like to ask the Board to change the November 16 meeting time to include the focus group from 6-7:30 p.m. with the Board meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Meetings
We will hold the college-wide Diversity Retreat, rescheduled from Hurricane Charley, on September 27 and 28. I will see you in New Orleans on October 6 for the Annual Association of Community College Trustees Conference. And at next month's Board meeting, I would like to ask that you come at 6 p.m. for dinner with our new faculty.
