Germanna bans vaping on campus

GERMANNA BANS VAPING ON CAMPUS

If you’ve got ‘em, don’t vape ‘em.

Germanna Community College has banned “vaping” on campus.

During a meeting at the college's Stafford Automotive Center, GCC’s Local College Board voted Thursday evening to ban the use of electronic cigarettes in campus buildings and within 25 feet of entrances and exits.

Germanna President David A. Sam noted that many believe use of e-cigarettes to be healthier than tobacco, but there’s debate about whether it’s safe. Some say it's helped them quit smoking tobacco.

Dr. Jeanne Wesley, GCC’s Vice President for Workforce, told the board that there have been complaints about students vaping.

She didn’t speculate about safety, but said: “I can tell you one thing. They stink.”

A heating element powered by a battery allows e-cigarettes to atomize a flavored liquid solution that often includes nicotine, creating aerosol instead of smoke. 
According to Americans for Nonsmokers Rights, 587 U.S. campuses banned vaping as of Jan. 1.

Only e-cigarettes that are marketed for therapeutic purposes are regulated by the FDA. The agency has proposed a rule that would extend its authority to cover e-cigarettes. Congressional Republicans oppose the change.

The new Germanna ban also includes clove and herbal cigarettes. A ban on tobacco smoking at GCC had already been in effect.

Getting to Know: Student Success Coach Matt Fitzgerald

Germanna Community College has launched a Student Success Coach Program. The coaches stay with students from enrollment through graduation, giving them the help they need to succeed in college and in life.

We’ll meet each of the coaches in a series of Q&A profile—Matt Fitzgerald works with students at the Fredericksburg Area Campus in Spotsylvania.

•  Where are you from?   

   I'm from Stafford and am in the process of moving to the Fredericksburg area.

Matt Fitzgerald

• ·     Where did you go to high school and college?

     I attended Colonial Forge and Mountain View High School. I then came to Germanna and graduated with an associate’s degree in General Studies. I also transferred to the University of Mary Washington and finished there with a B.S. in Psychology.

• ·     How long have you worked at Germanna?

    Two years.

• ·     What do you like about working at Germanna? About being a Student Success Coach?

        I enjoy working with the other faculty and staff. Everyone is focused on the students and their success. Being a Success Coach, I am able to work with students one on one and be a part of their college experience.

• ·     What’s the biggest challenge you face in your job?

     Reaching the students. Emails and calls do not always bring responses. Most of the time I find them in class and then I set up a time to meet up later.

• ·     What’s your advice for Germanna students?

     Read the directions and ask questions. If you are ever doubtful or unsure, you need to ask questions. College is a place and time in your life where you hold all of the control. You have the choice of being successful or not.

• ·     For students graduating from high school and thinking about college?

    What do you want for your future? What do you need to do in the present to get there? College may or may not be in your plans, but be sure of what path will lead you to the life you want.

• ·     For older students thinking about returning to college?

       You are an inspiration. You have lived life and are now returning to school. Having an age-diverse college is beneficial to everyone. For the younger students, this is a great way to further develop their social skills: interacting with actual adults. It is also an opportunity for those students that are older to become a mentor in the classroom.

• ·     What misconception does the public have about community colleges and community college students?

      Community college is always considered to be “Plan B”. The last resort effort to go to school, or where everyone goes who is kicked out of their University.

·     Are you married and do you have children?

     I will be getting married this Spring, and no children at this time.

• ·     Fun fact about you?

    I have been playing drums for 15 years and I have tattoos!

• ·     What’s your favorite book?

    “Stuff Christians Like” – by Jon Acuff

• ·     Your favorite movie?

     “Kill Bill” (1&2), “Star Wars” (all), “Edward Scissorhands,” “Ironman.”

• ·     Your favorite TV show?

     “Chopped,” “Fast & Loud,” “American Pickers,” “Duck Dynasty.”

• ·     Your favorite sport and team?

   Football, Hokies. I also like to bowl.

Germanna to award former Stafford supervisor honorary degree

Iconic Stafford County educator and leader Lyle Ray Smith will receive an honorary associate’s degree of humane letters during Germanna Community College's Wednesday, May 14 commencement ceremony, which begins at 7 p.m. at the Fredericksburg Expo Center.

Germanna President David A. Sam will present Smith with the award in recognition of his significant contribution to the progress and development of the college.

He served for a decade as a member of Germanna Local College Board and was part of the board that hired Sam in 2007.

Lyle Ray Smith at his Stafford County home

Smith was principal at Grafton Village Elementary School in Stafford County for over 20 years after beginning his career as an educator in the Caroline County School System, where he was a teacher, administrator and coach.

Among his students at Grafton Village Elementary was Germanna Dean Denise Guest, who said that Smith inspired her to become an educator.

Upon his retirement as an educator, he was elected to the Stafford County Board of Supervisors.

He said the current effort to expand Germanna’s presence in the county with a permanent location near Stafford Hospital:  “is very important, very much needed. It’s going to be a real plus. More and more residents need education and training to fill highly skilled jobs that are moving into the county.”

Pharmacy Tech certification program can quickly prepare you to land a job in a field that's hiring

Need a job in a hurry? Try GCC's Pharm Tech program ...



As health care needs grow with the aging of the Baby Boomers, drug stores across the country need people to fill Pharmacy Tech openings. Germanna still has seats open for the Fall in its Pharmacy Tech certification program/ It's a quick path to a job in a field that's hiring. For more information, go to the GCC Pharm Tech page, call 540/891-3000 or email John Stroffolino at jstroffolino@germanna.edu

Opening of new Stafford Center reflects both Germanna's and Stafford County's determination to meet growing needs in time of shrinking resources

Gov. Kaine to open Germanna Stafford Center Wednesday at Aquia Park. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Gov. Tim Kaine will cut the ribbon on Germanna Community College’s new Stafford Center at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, July 29.

The fourth location of Germanna Community College—which will have four classrooms, computer labs, and office space—is expected to offer 52 classes this fall and serve approximately 1,000 students.

The Center is a partnership between GCC and Stafford Economic Development Authority, which has invested $300,000 over three years to promote economic development through Workforce training. The center will also meet anticipated needs associated with the BRAC expansion at Quantico and the new Stafford Hospital Center.

The event is open to the public Wednesday at 10:45 a.m. at Aquia Park, located at 2761 Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1) in North Stafford.

Coca-Cola Foundation helps GCC student with learning disability excel in her 30s: 'I proved to myself that I can do it'

Cheryl Rose says she thought she could never go to college. Now she's a top student with a scholarship from Coca-Cola ...

Cheryl Rose, a student at Germanna Community College, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Through the Coca-Cola Two-Year Colleges Scholarship Program, the Foundation awards a total of 400 scholarships annually to students attending higher-education institutions granting two-year degees. All recipients have demonstrated academic success and participated in community service within the past year.


“The scholarship honors students who often balance responsibilities of school, work and family, but also find time to give back to their communities through community service,” said J. Mark Davis, president of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

“This is a big accomplishment for my family and for me,’ Rose said. “I was the first one to go to college out of myself and my two older brothers”

She said she had never thought she’d be able to go to college because her family lacked the money.

“I was an average student in high school—C’s, D's … I did not have anyone to tell me that if I made good grades I could earn a scholarship to go to school. I started college in my 30's. I proved to myself that I can do it, that I am smart, that just because I have a learning disability doesn't mean I can't achieve.”

New, interest-free Germanna plan makes paying for college easy

Sign up for GCC's new Automatic Payment Plan now and enjoy lower monthly payments, interest-free ...


Germanna's new Automatic Payment Plan is an easier way to pay for college that's affordable, convenient and interest-free.

Students who start early with the plan will have more time to pay, with lower payments. The last day to enroll online with no down payment is April 16.

Advantages


• Easy online enrollment

• Monthly payment plan

• Flexible payment options

• No interest

Payment Methods


• Automatic bank payment

• Use your credit card or debit card

Payments are processed on the 20th of each month and will continue until the balance is paid in full. If a credit/debit card is used, a convenience fee in addition to the enrollment fee will be assessed.

Cost to Participate


• $25, $35, $40, or $45 nonrefundable enrollment fee (debit or credit card)

Simple Steps to Enroll in the Payment Plan

• Log on to www.germanna.edu

• From "Popular GCC Links," choose "FACTS/Credit" or "FACTS/Non-Credit"

AUNTIE EM! AUNTIE EM! IT'S A TWISTER! GERMANNA DRILL SET FOR 9:45 A.M. TUESDAY

Germanna Community College is participating in a state-wide emergency response drill Tuesday. March 17 at 9:45 a.m. so students, faculty and staff can become familiar with where to go when the school receives a tornado warning.

"Please cooperate with the hall monitors who have volunteered their time to help direct students and faculty to the shelter locations," said GCC Safety and Security Manager Mark Borchers. "The drill will not take very long," Borchers said. "I am hoping you will see that a little time spent in practice may make a big difference when a real storm occurs. Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions about how the drill was conducted, or other comments you wish to share please address them to mborchers@germanna.edu.

In the event a tornado or microburst should strike one of Germanna's campuses or sites, move to an interior room or hallway away from windows. If that isn't possible, shield yourself from windows or doorways where debris may be blown.

Generally, you're safer remaining inside, rather than trying to get in your car and drive home.

GERMANNA HOSTS DEBATE BETWEEN REPUBLICAN ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATES MONDAY NIGHT AT 7 AT DANIEL TECHNOLOGY CENTER IN CULPEPER

Republican attorney generals consistently end up becoming GOP candidates for governor

The three Republican candidates for attorney general will debate in Culpeper on Monday night.

The debate, at Germanna Community College's Daniel Technology Center, will be moderated by former Republican attorney general Jerry Kilgore.

The candidates are state Sen. Ken Cuccinelli of Fairfax; John Brownlee, a former U.S. attorney for Virginia's Western District; and former Arlington County School Board member Dave Foster.

All three candidates are scheduled to participate.

The Republican Party will choose its candidate at a convention May 30.

The debate begins at 7 p.m., and doors open at 6:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public, and sponsored by the Republican committees of Culpeper, Orange and Madison counties.

--Chelyen Davis

The Free Lance-Star


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AFTER FINDING HERSELF AT GERMANNA, LINDA OSORIO'S HELPING STAFFORD COUNTY COMMUTERS NAVIGATE THE ROAD TO WELLNESS

Former Germanna student Linda Osorio (above) recently opened Massage Matters Wellness Center in Garrisonville. She says believing in yourself and taking things one step at a time are the keys to success.
Linda Osorio says she didn't have much confidence when she came out of high school in Stafford County. She found herself, she says, as a student at Germanna Community College.

Now she's started her own business, Massage Matters Therapy & Wellness Center in Garrisonville, and is giving back to the college by sponsoring the Germanna soccer club.

She has a message for those who find themselves in a tough spot today: believe in yourself and never give up.

Osorio knows what it's like to feel that hope has almost slipped away.

She knows what it's like to be part of a stressed home environment because her mother struggled to support the family after her father left when she was 12.

"We had no electricity, no water at one point," she said. "I remember my sister and I were sitting in our bedroom one night with only candlelight. We were hungry and we talked about what we would want if we could have anything to eat. When my mom came home two hours later with two bags of KFC, it seemed like the best meal I ever had. We thought this was a miracle to be able to have something we really wanted." Good things, she said, happen when you really believe something can happen, "when you can taste it, feel it."

"Go at it moment by moment, step by step," Osorio said. "Martin Luther King once said, don't look at the whole staircase. Look at one step at a time. When you look at the whole staircase, you feel like you can't do it."