Beginning Nov. 1, the first day to register for spring 2020 classes, the dreaded experience of waiting in line will, if not be completely obliterated, will be lessened considerably, thanks to new tech called PirateQ (get it? Q? Queue?). Using any computer, or even a smartphone, students will be able to log into the PirateQ interface and claim a place in the virtual line. It's all pretty technical, but we 'splain it all for you here.

Get in line for the details

It was a loving and happy, albeit bittersweet, occasion as the McGuire Martin family, members of the Irish Politicians Club, good friends and representatives of the PSC Culinary Arts program gathered for a reception and check presentation recently at the Molly McGuire Culinary Arts Dining Room. During the reception, at which delicious hors d’oeuvres were served, the Molly McGuire Culinary Arts Endowed Scholarship Fund grew by $60,000 in a presentation of two checks, $25,000 from the Martin family and $35,000 from the Irish Politicians Club. Troy Moon brings you a taste of the event.

Have a seat for a delicious presentation

Eight Presidential Scholars were honored recently at a Recognizing Excellence reception on the PSC Pensacola campus. The students, most recent high school graduates, were awarded scholarships based on a variety of factors, primarily stellar academic achievement. Also honored were the 12 PSC Student Ambassadors who are students that represent the College at various events, from college fairs to on-campus functions and receptions.

"They are the very best students we could recruit to PSC," President Ed Meadows said about the Presidential Scholars, noting that there are “hundreds of other students who have earned scholarships from Pensacola State College this year. So when I say the Presidential Scholarship recipients are the very best we have, they are also the most competitive we have.”

Meet the Scholars and the Ambassadors

In an office tucked within the Performing Arts building on Pensacola State College’s Pensacola campus are strewn tools of the trade and countless mementos that sum up the occupant's work and passions.

A fabric measuring tape is loosely curled on a credenza desk. An "Applause" sign prop rests on the window sill. A sewing machine sits on the floor against the wall, next to a dress form on which a period gown is hung. On the floor next to a bookshelf sits a replica tombstone, memorializing the resting place of one "Wee G. Bord."

Oh, and there's a "Star Wars" trash can.

Those items, as well as dozens of others on the shelves and walls, sum up the eclectic life and career of LaVonne French, adjunct instructor of dance at PSC. And also the costumer for the PSC theater department, currently dressing the cast for the upcoming production of "The Producers." And also the adviser for the PSC Dance Theatre, a student activities group.

And that's just what she does on-campus. Off campus she's the artistic director of the SWERVE/dance Company, a modern dance troupe; she's the chair of the Parrish Performing Arts Stage at the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, as well as a member of the festival's scholarship committee; she's a board member of the recently formed Indie Art Council Pensacola. She was costume designer for Steve Wise's award-winning science fiction short film "Sur'vi." And if you've attended any of the Pensacon science fiction and fantasy conventions you've no doubt seen French giving a panel on Star Wars costuming, or as one of the costume judges for the Cosplay contest.

Ah, "Star Wars," another of French's passions. She's a devoted local chapter member of two renowned "Star Wars" fan groups, the 501st Legion (the bad guys) and the Rebel Legion (good guys).

An instructor at Pensacola State since 2008, French thrives at the College.

"It's a great environment," she says. "I love all my colleagues. The department here is such a great department and Don Snowden is a fantastic department head. But the first and foremost reason we're here is for the students. I love working with them. To see them, when they finally get that 'Aha!' moment, when things click with them, it's like, 'Ah, yes! I did my job!' They're just fun and funny and every day brings something new. It's just great to be around them."

French loves the creativity afforded by the various PSC departments, not just her own.

"Of course, you have all the creatives in the performing arts department, but you also have the visual arts department across the street. Every spring I take my modern dance class over there for a choreographic project. I have them look at what's currently hanging in the exhibit and they have to pick one or two and create a movement study based on that art. It gets them out of their environment, and I just think that makes them a more well-rounded artist."

Occasionally her on-campus and off-campus worlds intersect.

"When I costumed 'Sur'vi,' I had to research different techniques to manipulate textiles and fabric so I could properly distress the costumes. A couple of years ago we did '1984' here, and I was able to weather some of those clothes using the same techniques."

Halloween is French's favorite time of year, although she usually has a different way of celebrating.

"We usually have a show every fall, so I'm working on that, with not a lot of time to do Halloweenie things," she says.

"The Producers" opens Nov. 8 at the Ashmore Auditorium. Call 850-484-1847 for information or to order tickets by phone.

-- Mike Suchcicki

The hundreds of high school students who are expected to attend the 23rd Annual Pensacola State College Health Career Fair on Oct. 25 will experience health career opportunity stations, including EMT, radiography, pharmacy, dental hygiene, nursing and more.

Get the diagnosis

Tammy Henderson is Pensacola State College's Human Resources director and is also the AFC chapter Member Spotlight for October. “Back in the late ‘90s while serving as the chapter’s membership officer, I worked so hard on recruiting that I gained the nickname of ‘That AFC Lady!’ People would pass me in the hallways saying, ‘I’m gonna join, I’m gonna join...,’ because my outreach to potential members was very broad.” She works hard for PSC and AFC in so many ways. 

Meet your HR Director

PSC is working on Workday , a planning system that will have a profound impact on just about everyone on the PSC campuses and centers. As we countdown, meet the Workday team and get an update on the project.

Go behind the scenes with Workday

Pensacola State College's popular Kids College recently was named Best Summer Camp in the 2019 edition of Inweekly's Best of the Coast, a ranking of favorite businesses and activities around Northwest Florida. "We're elated!" said Deven Walther-Thead, Coordinator, Recreation and Leisure with the Continuing Education Department. "We worked hard in the months leading up to Kids College to ensure the program would be a success, and while I expected it to be a lot of work, I didn’t expect to have so much fun with the kids - they make it all worth it!" This is the third Best of the Coast accolade for Kids College, with several times as runner-up, Walther-Thead said.