Florida Sterling Council Brings Performance Program to Tallahassee
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TALLAHASSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE In the News January 18, 2013- February 11, 2013 January 18, 2013-February 11, 2013 TALLAHASSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE In the News • WCTV. 4, 29 • PRWEB. .5 • The Wakulla News. .5, 10 • Tallahassee Democrat. .5, 8, 9, 11, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 33, 34, 38, 39 • The FAMUAN . .6, 35 • Capital Outlook. .7 • WFTV . .12 • Community College Times . .13, 31 • Florida Trend . .14, 15, 16 • EDC Business Outlook . .18, 19, 32 • WFSU . .24 • Norwalkplus.com . .28 • WTXL . .30 • FSView . .35 January 2013-February 2013 TALLAHASSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE In the News Electronic Media • December 29, 2012, WCTV – feature on men’s basketball player Trevor McDade was picked up by CBS affiliates in San Antonio, Flint (Mich.), Huntsville (Ala.) and Wichita (Kan.) • January 8, WCTV – Mary Brogan Museum hangs on by one vote • January 15, WCTV/WTXL– MLK Brunch at TCC Tallahassee Democrat - January 18, 2013 4 Wakulla receives gifts, funds worth celebrating Bonnie Holub Christmas has come and gone, leaving folks to enjoy new gifts and looking forward to the excitement and possibilities that come with a new year. And so it is with Wakulla County. Over the past year, Wakulla County received several large gifts filled with the promise of educational, recreational and economic opportunities for years to come. First is the $4.5-million allocation from the 2012 Florida Legislature to Tallahassee Community College to establish the Wakulla Environmental Institute. The Executive Director for the WEI, Bob Ballard, was appointed in July and is working to create a “world class” environmental institute near Crawfordville. The WEI is already offering online courses which can lead to a water quality technician certificate or environmental science technology A.S. degree. Future plans include a new TCC WEI facility, which will offer a range of traditional classroom studies, online classes, field experiences, ecotourism activities and other services. TCC recently earmarked an additional $382,000 for the purchase of land for the institute adjacent to Highway 319, south of Crawfordville. The initial architectural drawings for the facility illustrate a Florida “cracker style” building apropos to the wooded landscape which will be built to serve as a model for energy efficiency. TCC was awarded $670,000 in September from the Florida Department of Education to support a 21st Century Community Learning Center Program in Wakulla County for the 2012-2013 school year. And more funds are expected. The total award will be close to $3 million over a five-year project period. The funds are being used to provide children with additional academic and personal enrichment activities through after-school and summer programs. The program serves PreK through middle school students and incorporates strategies to increase parent involvement in their children’s studies. The 21st CCLC is a collaborative effort among TCC, Wakulla County Schools, Wakulla Christian School and Communities in Schools of Florida. Over 120 Wakulla students are currently receiving after school academic enhancement through the program. In November, $500,000 was awarded to the Wakulla County Tourist Development Council from the Gulf Tourism and Seafood Promotional Fund, a fund supported by BP in response to the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill. “The Wakulla Tourist Development Council is looking forward to working with our local tourism and seafood industry partners to make the most of this rare funding opportunity,” said Wakulla TDC Director Pam Portwood. The money is being used to accelerate Wakulla’s tourism and seafood marketing campaigns and promote a brand for Wakulla’s seafood products, “Fresh from Wakulla,” similar to the name recognition for “Vidalia” onions and “Ruskin” tomatoes. With these funds, the WTDC will implement sophisticated and far-reaching marketing strategies to make Wakulla, and our resources, more recognizable across the state and country. And maybe as a side benefit, the “Wakooola” pronunciation will disappear. Dare we hope? And then there’s a unique gift of anticipation. You probably know the feeling. As a child you knew Santa was coming and you anticipated he would leave a treat in your stocking and something really special under the tree ... if you were good, of course. You didn’t know what you were going to get, although you believed and hoped with all your heart, it would be what you asked for. You might say there is a similar feeling of anticipation in Wakulla these days. Although it is too early to tell what gifts will materialize through the RESTORE ACT of 2012, (Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012) the county is preparing for the possibility of receiving $2 million to $20 million worth of project funding, according to David Edwards, Wakulla County Administrator. And maybe even more. Edwards noted that if these funds are awarded, they won’t necessarily be awarded directly to Wakulla County, but could fund a range of projects that directly benefit Wakulla County and surrounding areas. The Wakulla County RESTORE Act Advisory Committee was formed last month to receive project proposal applications and advise the Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners on projects for potential RESTORE Act funding. The application process has not yet been established, but will be implemented if and when the funds are available. Stay tuned to Wakulla County as these opportunities grow with the new year. Wishing you and yours a healthy, happy and prosperous 2013. Tallahassee Democrat - January 20, 2013 5 TCC selected for Plus 50 program TCC • Tallahassee Community College was recently chosen to join the Plus 50 Encore Completion Program, a national effort to train 10,000 baby boomers for new jobs in health care, education and social services. The program is sponsored by the American Association of Community Colleges. TCC will assist adults age 50 and over in completing degrees or certificates in high-demand occupations that give back to the community – such careers as nurses, radiological technicians, dental hygienists, diagnostic medical sonographers and other specialties. TCC is one of 17 colleges recently selected for the project. The Plus 50 Encore Completion Program is funded with a $3.2 million grant to AACC provided by Deerbrook Charitable Trust. For more information about the Plus 50 Initiative at AACC, see plus50.aacc.nche.edu WCTV- January 23, 2013 Texas Campus Shooting Prompts Safety Questions in Our Area Some might consider the meeting between school reps and the senate education appropriations committee to discuss campus safety funding a strange coincidence. It came just one day after a Texas college campus shooting injured three people. “Unfortunately it’s not odd, in the world of law enforcement and just the world we live in, these types of situations can happen at any moment, any day, and any time,” said Florida Sate police chief David Perry. Chief Perry says those factors, along with the openness of many college campuses increase the need for campus safety. Tallahassee Community College president Jim Murdaugh spoke with the committee on how money could be used to provide guidance services for students who show emotional or behavioral warning signs. “There’s non-recurring issues that can be dealt with and there’s recurring issues that can be dealt with in terms of the staffing that we can provide for mental health services and other services for students,” said Murdaugh. Technological efforts, like the emergency blue light systems that are commonplace on campuses across the country, can help. But Perry says that state money for more manpower would go a long way in keeping students safe. “One officer for every 600 students. That’s a measure that the state university chiefs hope will still be reviewed and adopted in time when budgets do allow,” said Perry. The committee will determine how much more funding to provide, if any, after Governor Rick Scott releases his budget for the state. WCTV- January 23, 2013 Campus notes: TCC to host a joint ‘majors fair’ The University Center at Tallahassee Community College will hold a joint Majors Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday. Students can visit TCC’s Student Union Ballroom and talk with representatives from TCC’s five university partners: Barry University, Flagler College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Saint Leo University and Thomas University. The event will provide students with information on next steps after earning an A.A. degree at TCC., including how to enroll and complete a bachelor’s degree in programs offered through the University Center at TCC. No appointment is necessary. Tallahassee Democrat - January 28, 2013 6 Annual Black History Month calendar honors citizens, inspires youth to follow dreams Annual Black History Month calendar honors citizens, inspires youth to follow dreams JORDAN CULVER Cherry Hall Alexander said when she first started honoring local black leaders in a calendar 13 years ago she wanted to show young black children they had heroes close to home. Thirteen years later and it’s safe to say she’s making an impact on her targeted audience — just ask Tallahassee Community College freshman Delaitre Hollinger. Hollinger has been busy since the start of 2012. He made a name for himself as an activist and ran for City Commission Seat 1. He said he plans to go to Florida A&M University and complete a degree in journalism next. He credited Alexander’s yearly calendars, which he has been collecting since fourth grade, for starting him on the right path. “Being here tonight and being honored among so many people here in the community is really surreal for me,” he said. “The calendar is doing what it’s supposed to do. It’s inspiring the youth of the community to be all they can be.” Hollinger was one of 14 black leaders honored during an unveiling Monday evening for the 2013 Cherry Alexander African-American History Calendar.