Creating partnerships that change lives                                                 January 2017

 

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In This Issue
20th Century African American Art Exhibit
Innovative Faculty and Staff Receive Over $65,000 in Foundation Funding
Raytheon Partnership Supports Student Veterans
Two SPC Alumni Named Educator of the Year Finalists
SPC Nursing Students Make an Impact in Colombia
Create a Legacy That Gives an Education
SPC Alumni Class Notes
Connect with Us!



SPC Foundation
Board of Directors
Beth A. Horner
Chairman

Joseph G. Blanton
R. Michael Carroll
Kenneth P. Cherven
Stephen O. Cole
Paul Demirdjian
John W. Dosher
Deveron M. Gibbons  
Robert L. Hilton
Amy Lockhart*
William D. Law*
Bill McCloud
Angela McCourt
Frances Neu*
Steven Shepard
Shan Shikarpuri
Richard B. Winning
David Zillig

Directors Emeriti
Leon R. Hammock
Helen K. Leslie
Alfred T. May
Henry B. Sayler

Honorary Director
Wendell R. Ware

* Ex officio members



Over the past several weeks, the Foundation has lost several long-time friends. Most recently, our heavy hearts said goodbye to  Ms. Maria Nieves Edmonds. 

In 1976, Maria began her 28-year career at what was then St. Petersburg Junior College. She served the college in many leadership roles including co-founding the Women on the Way program with Dr. Vilma Zalupski and Mrs. Helen Gilbart. The program, which promotes success among women returning to college, celebrated its 35th anniversary last year.

Maria's passion for helping students continued beyond her retirement in 2004. In addition to serving on the boards of several local agencies and non-profits, Maria worked tirelessly to establish and promote the Gabe Cazares Memorial Scholarship in 2013 to honor the former Clearwater Mayor and Pinellas County Commissioner who was her long-time friend and mentor. Last year, she helped lead our efforts to secure support from Consulado De Mexico En Orlando to establish a scholarship benefitting students of Mexican descent.

These accomplishments only begin to tell the story of Maria's service to this community. She will be deeply missed by all of us who had the good fortune to know and work with her and by the thousands more whose lives she helped improve. 

Sincerely,
Frances Neu
VP of Institutional Advancement &
Foundation Executive Director, St. Petersburg College
New Generation by 
Elizabeth Catlett
20th Century African American Art Exhibit

The Beauty of Truth and Freedom: 
African American Art in the 20th Century
Highlights from the Stewart-Sheffield Collection
 
February 4 - March 4, 2017
St. Pete/ Gibbs Campus Music Center
6605 5th Ave N., St. Petersburg

This extraordinary exhibition centers around the themes of civil rights, education, family and music. Throughout the 20th century, many African American artists responded to the struggle for freedom and civil rights, and the need to preserve African American family life and culture, by producing works that spoke to these issues, often challenging the social and political order.

An opening reception will be held on Sat., Feb. 4 from 1 to 5pm with art collectors, Drs. James Stewart and Caryl Sheffield, leading a discussion beginning at 2pm. A $10 donation benefiting the St. Petersburg Chapter of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Inc. (ASALH) is suggested. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free for SPC students and children.
Innovative Faculty and Staff Receive Over $65,000 in Foundation Funding

Twenty-seven proposals designed to promote student success will be funded through the SPC Foundation's Innovation Grants Initiative this year. Grant recipients will receive awards of up to $3,500 to implement projects that broaden traditional curricula and enrich the learning experience for SPC students. In total, over $65,000 will be awarded this year. A committee comprised of college and community representatives reviewed and evaluated the proposals. The Innovation Grants Initiative was launched in 2011 to support the college's efforts to improve student success. The Foundation has awarded close to $400,000 since the inception of the initiative.

Raytheon Partnership Supports Student Veterans

Above: Frances Neu receives a check from Raytheon Planning and Production Control Specialist Kelly McDonald. Also pictured, Clearwater Campus Provost Stan Vittetoe and Mitch Lee, Army veteran and Ret. Senior Vice President, Raytheon (far right).
Raytheon Company has established a partnership with the SPC Foundation to support veterans though student scholarships and the Ride 2 Recovery program. Ride 2 Recovery is an innovative initiative that brings hope and purpose to veterans through cycling based programs; SPC's Clearwater campus is home to the local chapter.
Two SPC Alumni Named Educator of the Year Finalists
Educator of the Year Finalist, Alison Blanco
Alison Blanco and William Black were named as finalists for the 2016-17 Pinellas County Outstanding Educator of the Year award. Pinellas County School District narrowed down 120 nominations to 10 finalists. The winner will be announced at the annual Evening of Excellence on January 31.

Alison Blanco graduated from SPC's College of Education in 2012 with a B.S. in Exceptional Student Education. Alison says many have complimented her for being well prepared in the classroom and she credits this to her outstanding professors and advisors at SPC. Alison currently teaches Math at Osceola Middle School.
Educator of the Year Finalist, William Black

William Black also graduated from SPC's College of Education in 2012 with a B.S. in Elementary Education. William believes teaching has an impact like "a pebble dropping in a pond." He currently teaches 5th grade at Anona Elementary.
SPC Nursing Students Make an Impact in Colombia

SPC Nursing students Cailey Walsh and Christine Danaher in Bogota, Colombia
SPC RN-BSN students Cailey Walsh and Christine Danaher were selected to participate in the College of Nursing's first international community practicum experience. The students traveled to the Universidad El Bosque in Bogota, Colombia, to work with a local high school to develop a safe sex education program for students.

The week culminated with Cailey and Christine providing 4 educational sessions attended by 80 high school students. The sessions were very well received and students enjoyed the interactive format.

Cailey and Christine commented that the experience gave them many new things to consider which they plan to incorporate into their own clinical practice.
Create a Legacy That Gives an Education

Bequests, charitable remainder trusts, gift annuities, IRAs, and gifts of property are some of the ways you can provide significant and lasting support to SPC.  To learn how your planned gift can meet your financial objectives while supporting the work of the College and the aspirations of students, call us at 727-341-3302.  Change a life today!
 SPC Alumni Class Notes

Class of 2006: Thais Baziquetto-Allen played volleyball for the SPC Lady Titans during the 2004 and 2005 seasons before transferring onto Western New Mexico University where she earned a B.S. in Chemistry. Currently, in her second year as Head Coach at Seward County Community College, Thais led the Lady Saints to a 27-5 conference record in her two years while guiding Seward to their first NJCAA National Tournament appearance in 13 years. She was named the Jayhawk West Coach of the Year in November.

Class of 2015: Trisha Bryant-Rodriguez, A.A. in Business Administration. While pursuing a B.S. in Public Policy and Administration at SPC, Trisha serves as Executive Officer for Heroes Relief Inc. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of veterans and their families. 
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