Monthly Archives: June 2022

PSC English and Communications Department has new Assistant Department Head – Christine O’Donnell

It’s almost as if Christine O’Donnell’s vocation was written for her. Of course, whatever was written, O’Donnell would have been happy to identify all the parts of speech and diagram the sentences.

“I was the student who enjoyed diagramming sentences,’’ she said, chuckling. “I’ve always been interested in English, even in high school.”

Today, O’Donnell is Assistant Department Head of the PSC English and Communications Department, a job she was promoted to in May. O’Donnell has been at PSC since January 2000, serving as adjunct instructor, Reading and Writing Lab supervisor and as Associate Professor.

PSC welcomes new Visual Arts Department director Brian Weaver

Brian Weaver considers himself fortunate that he found Pensacola State College.  He wasn’t really aware of PSC – he’s from Oil City, Pennsylvania after all – until applying for the position of Visual Arts Department head.

Now that he’s here in the Department head position, Weaver wants to help ensure that more people find out about PSC and particularly the Visual Arts Department, which, he said, is one of the finest he’s ever been affiliated with.

New Student Services Adviser Tyra Henderson is a PSC alumna who knows the challenges students face

Tyra Henderson started out at Pensacola State College as an EKG student, earning her certificate in the health care field in 2016.

She worked in health care for a few years, but when the pandemic hit, she said she just “couldn’t take it anymore.” 

“I was steered into health care because of the job market,’’ Henderson said. “But it wasn’t for me. I always wanted to be in academics.”

PSC receives $15,000 SkillsUSA/Lowe’s grant to enhance carpentry, construction technology programs

If it’s hard for companies to find employees in these trying days, it’s even harder to find good, dependable workers who are knowledgeable and well-trained in their crafts.
It’s no different when it comes to the construction industry.

James Reeves named a PSC Foundation Fellow for his unwavering support of the College

James Reeves was named a Pensacola State College Foundation Fellow on Monday in honor and appreciation of his significant and steadfast support of the College.

There have only been nine Foundation Fellows named since the College’s inception in 1948.  A portrait of Reeves was unveiled and is now enshrined along with portraits of the other Foundation Fellows in the PSC Hall of Honor outside the Milton and Dona Usry Board Room in Building 7. The Usrys were named Foundation Fellows in 2019.

A PSC Foundation Fellow is an honorary title bestowed on individuals and families who have worked to strengthen PSC through their influence and significant financial contributions.

Summer Youth Leadership Program Camp

John Solet, a Pensacola State College recruiter, made a presentation to youth attending the Poarch Creek Tribe’s Summer Youth Leadership Program Camp on Monday, June 13.
The three-week camp includes sessions on Job Skills, Leadership Skills, Teamwork, and Cultural Education. It was held in Atmore, Alabama.

Civil rights activist, renowned journalist to headline PSC Juneteenth celebration

Two civil rights pioneers ─ Lynda Blackmon Lowery, a Bloody Sunday marcher, and Jerry Mitchell, an investigative reporter ─ will headline Pensacola State College’s Juneteenth celebration this year.
Set for 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, June 18, on the Pensacola campus, the event commemorating the emancipation of enslaved black Americans in Texas also will include music, storytelling, poetry, folk dances, food and more.
“This is our second year to hold a Juneteenth celebration at the College. Last year’s event started off with severe storms, but the day turned out to be beautiful with a great turnout from the College and Pensacola communities,” said Tonie Anderson-Steele, a PSC professor and event organizer.

‘Henry Box Brown: A Musical Journey’ comes to WSRE Amos Studio June 17-18

The critically-acclaimed musical, “Henry Box Brown: A Musical Journey,” is coming to the WSRE Jean and Paul Amos Performance Studio thanks to a grant awarded to Equity Project Alliance through The Hive social responsibility program of Innisfree Hotels.
Sponsored in part by WSRE PBS, performances are at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, June 17–18. Tickets are $40 plus fee and for sale at henryboxbrownthemusical.com.

Attention gamers: PSC wants you for new esports team, club

OK gamers. Haven’t you been sitting in your bedroom playing “Call of Duty” long enough?

Maybe it’s time to come to Pensacola State College instead. Don’t worry, you can still play “Call of Duty” and maybe even compete on a true college team.

Pensacola State is launching a competitive esports team this fall, and the College is currently accepting applications for the PSC Pirates esports team. PSC also will launch an “Esports Club.”

College mourns death of Performing Arts Technical Director Robert ‘Bob’ Gandrup

Tragedy and heartbreak have come again to Pensacola State College.
Longtime PSC adjunct instructor and Performing Arts Technical Director Robert Gandrup died unexpectedly Monday, June 13, from cardiac arrest. He was 58 years old.
“For over 20 years, Bob designed, built, and painted sets, and designed lighting and sound, not only for the Performing Arts Department but also for special events at the College,’’ said PSC President Ed Meadows.

PSC remembers Carla Williams as a beloved professor, coach, mentor, friend to all

There were tears, laughter and sweet memories shared during a memorial service to honor Carla E. Williams on Wednesday in Hartsell Arena.            
“You raised someone who was very special and there is no one in this room who does not know that. And if there is anyone here who came because, you didn’t really know Carla but came because you wanted to celebrate her life, you know it now that she was a very special person,” Pensacola State College President Ed Meadows told Williams’ parents, James B. and Clara Mae Williams, and siblings, Ben Williams and Pam Williams, at the memorial service.                
Williams, a former PSC women’s basketball player, assistant basketball coach and math professor, died on May 24 due to domestic violence. Described as a leader, a friend, a teacher, a mentor, Williams’ death has left quite a void at the College and in the community.

Ground officially broken on PSC’s Bear, Jones, Moore and Reeves Center

Ground was broken Wednesday, June 8, on Phase II of Pensacola State College’s STEM facility ─ the Bear, Jones, Moore, and Reeves Center for Math and Advanced Technology.
Site work on the 46,133-square-foot facility ─ estimated to cost between $22 million to $25 million ─ began in January. The building is tentatively scheduled for completion by December 2023.
“The long-awaited groundbreaking for Phase II has finally arrived,’’ said PSC President Ed Meadows. “This facility will not only provide instructional space for our math department but will also allow us to expand our facilities for cybersecurity.”

Retired Marine is a Veterans Upward Bound success story – and now a Veterans Upward Bound recruiter

Retired Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Kent Helfert spent 20 years in the military, including three tours of Iraq and saw combat in Fallujah, where some of the deadliest fighting of the Iraq War took place.
Helfert, as a senior enlisted non-commissioned officer, trained Marines and led Marines to battle. Yet, when the disabled veteran went to the Veterans Administration for help in planning his future, he was told his military experience did match with one civilian profession.
“I was told I match up as a human resources type of guy,’’ Helfert said. “I said ‘Huh, I never thought about that’.”

Jon Stephenson brings track record and a commitment to students to new job as Associate Vice President of Student Affairs

Jon Stephenson is just a few days into his job as Pensacola State College Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, but he’s already admitted to being a few moments late for a meeting or two because he was helping students find where they needed to go.
He’s still learning the Pensacola campus, but Stephenson already has his priorities in order.
“I think everything depends on student services and having a student-first philosophy,’’ he said. “If you’re not displaying customer service and putting the student first, you’re not going to be successful.”

Former Warrington campus provost Marcia Williams remembered for ‘bubbly spirit’ and innovative ways

Just because you’re a serious worker doing serious work doesn’t mean that you have to be dry, boring or reserved.
Because Dr. Marcia Williams, former Provost of the Warrington campus, could be either the “life or the party,’’ as she was described in her obituary, or the lifeblood of a department, program or campus.
Williams passed away unexpectedly on May 25 after suffering a stroke. She was 71.

WSRE’s Jill Hubbs plants tree with President and First Lady on White House Lawn on Memorial Day

Just outside the White House Oval Office on Memorial Day, WSRE-TV General Manager Jill Hubbs joined President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and members of three other Gold Star families to plant a magnolia tree on the South Lawn.
The sapling ─ grown from a seed of a magnolia tree planted at the White House by President Andrew Jackson in 1835 ─ is a memorial to Gold Star families

PSC receives $2,000 NJCAA Foundation grant for women’s soccer team

Pensacola State College’s new women’s soccer program recently received a boost from the NJCAA Foundation.