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Inspiration for today
"If you're reading this...Congratulations, you're alive. If that's not something to smile about, then I don't know what is." - Chad Sugg
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"There aren't a lot of people that you can talk math with," both Dr. Lucie Refsland and Dr. Shirley Davis agree. They've been talking math together for over a decade, but have much more in common than teaching math at New River Community and Technical College.
Lucie and Shirley began their studies at West Virginia University in 1954 living two doors a part in Arnold Hall. Lucie was studying home economics to become a 4-H extension agent, and Shirley planned to teach history. Neither planned on a career teaching mathematics. When Lucie realized that she didn't have an inclination toward baking cakes from scratch, she was encouraged by a business math instructor, Mrs. Easton, to change her course of study. Similarly, Shirley was steered toward studying modern math over history because of the employment opportunities available.
Both women married, had children and taught math in the public-school system before teaching at the college level. Lucie earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics education from West Virginia University, a master's degree in education administration from Duke University and a doctorate in mathematics education from Virginia Tech. Shirley is also a graduate of West Virginia University and holds master's degrees from WVU and Marquette University. She earned her doctorate from Michigan State University.
Both were adjunct instructors at local colleges before coming to New River CTC. Lucie taught in Greenbrier County Schools for 23 years. She began as an adjunct instructor with Greenbrier Community College Center in 1971 and became a full-time faculty member in 1989. She has held the rank of professor with New River CTC since 2001. Shirley retired from the Raleigh County public school system and began teaching for New River CTC full-time in 2005. Shirley has held the rank of professor since 2015.
Beyond their career paths, both have been recognized for excellence in mathematics education by the West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (WVCTM) and the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD). Both recently celebrated their 80th birthdays.
"I'm the most fortunate woman in West Virginia. I've had lots of opportunities, and I've been brave enough to take advantage of them," Shirley explained. "Coming to teach at New River [CTC] has been the best thing that has ever happened to me and the other wonderful thing is being friends with Lucie."
In a time when many are counting down the years to retirement, Lucie and Shirley aren't ready to take that step. "I love teaching. I love coming to work. I'm healthy, and I'll continue as long as I can," Shirley added. Likewise, with Lucie. She says she "will retire when it's no longer fun."
On December 7, both Lucie and Shirley will represent New River CTC at the West Virginia Community College Association Conference hosted by Mountwest Community and Technical College. Lucie will be recognized as New River CTC's Outstanding Contributor and Shirley will be presenting on "Mathematics Foundation: A Pathway Approach to Co-requisite Mathematics" with Sharon Evans and Sandra Lilly.
These two women have made an impact on thousands of students by making mathematics easier to understand and by overcoming stereotypes of the topic being "hard" or "boring".
"You can't learn math if you're afraid of it," Shirley explained.
In a time when girls were not encouraged to pursue careers in science and math, Lucie and Shirley were truly ahead of their time. Their advice to women interested in studying mathematics? Go for it!
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Massage therapy students enjoyed a tour of the Omni Homestead Spa in Hot Springs, Virginia. Holly Hicks, Spa Manager is pictured with the group of students
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Massage Therapy
New River CTC's two-semester massage therapy program launched in August with 11 students. This fast-track program prepares students to sit for the MBLEx licensure test upon completion and to enter the workforce with a solid knowledge base of several different massage modalities.
Loria Shumate Chasnoff and Drema Morgan are co-instructing the program and bring heir unique work experiences and knowledge base with over 45 years of combined massage therapy experience.
The first semester gives students a basic understanding of the industry, ethics education, basics in bodywork and proper body mechanics. Swedish massage, seated chair massage and Eastern modalities along with complimentary therapies have been covered in this semester.
The second semester will build from the first with advanced massage techniques, deep tissue massage, a comprehensive study in pathology and a student clinic that will be open to the public.
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| Instructor, Lorai Chasnoff works with Chelsea Blankenship during an Eastern modalities class. |
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| Student, Stephanie Lowthorp working on staff member Scott Winfrey during an instructional class. |
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Veteran's Day Celebrations at New River CTC
Students, faculty and staff on the Greenbrier Valley Campus gathered outside to honor our Veterans.
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Students, faculty and staff on the Raleigh County Campus formed a circle in the Rotunda during the event.
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The Mercer County Campus participated in the Veteran's Day parade in Princeton.
Students, faculty and staff at the Advanced Technology Center came together on Veteran's Day.
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Students, faculty and staff on the Nicholas County Campus met at the flagpole to honor our Veterans.
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News & Updates
- Information System Specialist Brian Hatcher recently earned his A+ certification. Congratulations, Brian!
- We will celebrate the life of Dr. John R. Mullens Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. in the Commons Area at the Nicholas County Campus. The celebration is open to all students, faculty and staff.
- Registration for spring classes is underway. Registration Day events are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1, Mercer County Campus; Tuesday, Dec. 6, Greenbrier Valley Campus; Wednesday, Dec. 7, Raleigh County Campus; Thursday, Dec. 8, Nicholas County Campus; Wednesday, Jan. 4, Mercer County Campus; Thursday, Jan. 5, Greenbrier Valley and Raleigh County Campuses and Friday, Jan. 6, Nicholas County Campus.
- Thursday, Dec. 1 is World Aids Day. Wear a red ribbon to show support!
- The College will also be offering general studies courses during a four-week winter session (Dec. 19 - Jan. 13).
- Do you know of an employee who is going above and beyond in supporting the College? We want to hear about them! Send information to communications@newriver.edu for inclusion in From the Hawk's Nest.
- Need assistance with placing an ad, creating or editing a promotional document? The Office of Communications is here to help. Please fill out one of our online forms for all requests. These forms go to both Libby and Jenni and help us ensure that projects are completed in a timely manner.
- The College will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday Nov. 23-25, and the College will be closed for the winter holiday Friday, Dec. 23-Friday, Dec. 30. The College will be open on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017.
- Holiday Potluck Lunch Schedule:
December 13-Mercer County Campus
December 14-Raleigh County Campus
December 15-Greenbrier Valley Campus
December 16-Nicholas County Campus
December 20-Advanced Technology Center
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Welcome New Employees
Brandon Lemon has joined the staff on the Raleigh County Campus in the position of Maintenance Worker I. He has been a Beckley resident for the last 40 years. His wife, Julie Lemon, is a teacher in Fayette County. Together they have four children and one grandchild. In his spare time, Brandon enjoys hunting and fishing.
Peter Hoeman has joined the faculty of the Mercer County Campus as an Instructional Specialist/Educational Counselor. He has spent most of his career working for non-profit agencies or in higher education. He has worked in housing in both settings, assisting low-income individuals. Peter is currently a board member of a non-profit agency that serves many of the same counties as New River CTC.
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New River CTC in our Communities
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Director of Facilities and Campus Safety Bob Runion attended WVAAPPA's Fall Educational Seminar/Conference on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016. New River CTC and Southern were the only two community colleges represented at the event. WVAPPA is an organization of local facility professionals employed in secondary education organizations throughout West Virginia. |
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Students compete in the Lego competition on the Greenbrier Valley Campus earlier this month.
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Assistant Professor Karen Carter-Harvey participated in a fashion show on Nov. 15 to benefit the Raleigh County Humane Society.
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Pastor Matthew J. Watts served as the keynote speaker during the Summit on Race Matters at the Greenbrier Valley Campus on Nov. 11.
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Fourth grade students at Valley Elementary learn about energy from Instructional Specialist Mike King.
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Below is a list of upcoming volunteer opportunities:
Planning is underway for the Beckley and Princeton Christmas Parades. The parade in Princeton will be on the evening of Monday, Nov. 28, and the Beckley parade will be on Saturday, Dec. 3. Interested in participating? Contact Jill Holliday.
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From Human Resources
1. A friendly reminder from Human Resources and Payroll. Due to the changes in FLSA and Kronos Time and Leave, starting 11/28/2016, all full time regular non-exempt employees, please remember to "click" on your Record Timestamp button at the start of your day, before and after lunch, and at the end of your day.
2. If you forget to punch, contact your supervisor, preferably by email, and report the missed punch. Next, log into Kronos and record a punch by clicking on the Record Timestamp button. Your supervisor will correct the missed/incorrect time punch.
3. All exempt and full time regular non-exempt employees are to approve their timecards in Kronos at the end of each pay period. If you need help with approving your timecard, contact your supervisor or the payroll office.
4. New River CTC's Leave Management system will no longer be used after 11/25/2016. Make sure that all your leave has been entered in Leave Management so correct totals can be migrated to Kronos.
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Blue & Green Days
The College will hold Blue & Green Days on Dec. 1, Dec. 9 and Dec. 16.
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West Virginia Community College Association Conference
Due to the budget situation in the state impacting community colleges, the West Virginia Community College Association (WVCCA) Board elected to delay the decision to hold an annual conference. After considerable discussion, the WVCCA Board developed an alternative format.
Mountwest Community and Technical College is hosting the WVCCA Conference at the Advanced Technology Center in South Charleston on December 7. This year's conference is scheduled as a one day, drive-in conference. Each community college will provide one 25 minute session based on the theme, "Power Up: West Virginia Community Colleges Meeting the Challenges of the New Economy. "New River CTC will present on "Mathematics Foundation: A Pathway Approach to Co-requisite Mathematics". Presenters are Sharon Evans, Sandra Lilly, and Dr. Shirley Davis.
New River CTC's attendance at the conference will be limited to the session presenters and the Outstanding Contributor, Dr. Lucie Refsland.
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