College tour makes stop at Germanna Wednesday

Germanna Community College students planning to transfer will have the chance to meet with admission representatives from approximately 50 colleges and universities during the annual College Tour Transfer Fair. Representatives will be available 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at GCC’s Fredericksburg Area Campus in Spotsylvania and 12 p.m.-2 p.m. at Germanna’s Locust Grove Campus.

The tour will then move on to Spotsylvania Towne Centre from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. For more information, call Germanna Career Transfer Counselor Sheryl Williamson at 540/834-1043.

Assoc. Prof. Phyllis Smith a Virginia Nurse of the Year finalist

Phyllis Smith, an associate professor of nursing at Germanna Community College, is a finalist in Virginia March of Dimes Virginia Nurse of the Year Awards.

Assoc. Prof. Phyllis Smith

Three hundred and twenty-five nurses were nominated and 121 were chosen as finalists. Twenty-one will receive awards at the Virginia March of Dimes Awards Gala Nov. 1.

Dr. Carolyn Pevey, Pam Duff win VCCA Showcase Awards

Dr. Carolyn Pevey and Pamela Duff won Virginia Community Colleges Association Showcase Awards for their faculty and staff work at Germanna Community College at last week's 2014 VCCA Conference at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington.

Dr. Carolyn Pevey

Dr. Pevey was nominated by Dr. Gayle Wolfe, who wrote, in part:

"Dr. Pevey is a dedicated and enthusiastic member of the Social Sciences department. She is an excellent instructor. Her Principles of Sociology courses contain a research project in which students actually than just reading about it in the library. The level of student engagement is quite extraordinary. Her students’ assessment scores on scientific reasoning are improving as a result of her dedication to this course element. Carolyn is a passionate instructor who sets high and attainable standards for her students."

Pamela Duff

Duff is executive assistant to Germanna President David A. Sam.
Her nomination was written by Dr. Pevey,  who said in part:

"Pam Duff exemplifies the culture of service that is one of the core values of Germanna Community College. Although she must be one of the busiest people on campus, [she can always be counted on] ... to go the extra mile ...  she supports faculty in delivering course content, achieving professional development, and managing student issues."

Germanna won the following communications awards:

• 1st Place Annual Report -GCC Educational Foundation
• 2nd place- GCC Annual Report
• 2nd place - Magazine Advertising
• 2nd place - Newspaper Advertising
• 2nd place- Writing - Michael Zitz 
• 3rd place - Publication-external 

Germanna's Welcome Day orientation set for Aug. 16

Germanna Community College's Welcome Day orientation for new students and their families is set for Saturday, Aug. 16.

Caring faculty at Germanna made all the difference for Christina Martino

Christina Martino says she chose Germanna Community College because students are “not just another number” here.

The 20-year-old Martino, who was elected 2013-14 Student Government Association vice president, is a Spotsylvania County native who was home-schooled. She will be the student commencement speaker when she graduates tomorrow during 7 p.m. ceremonies at the Fredericksburg Expo Center and plans to transfer to Liberty University in the fall.

“My older sister went here and said there’s one-on-one attention from the professors. The class sizes are smaller and the faculty is much more involved here than at most colleges. I’m really impressed by how much they care about the students.”

Martino is considering going into special education as a career.

“I had some experiences in high school working with autistic children and I really enjoyed it,” she said.

Martino also cited affordability as a factor in her decision to start

She said she would tell others considering starting at a community college and transferring to get their bachelor’s degree that, “for me, it’s been a great option. Germanna provides great resources—including free tutoring—along with faculty who care about you and your personal success. I think there’s a '13th grade' misconception about community colleges. Like most things in life, community college is what you make it. I think Germanna provides what’s necessary and goes above and beyond in helping students.”

She cited psychology Prof. Michael Shockey and English Prof. Cheryl Huff as examples of faculty members who provide university- quality instruction with personal attention.

“They really care about the students and love their jobs,” Martino said.