Monthly Archives: August 2022

PSC observes Suicide Prevention Month with walk, panel discussions, mental health screenings, more

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts it bluntly:
“Suicide is a serious public health problem …and is a leading cause of death” in the United States.
How bad is it? There is a suicide in the United States every 11 minutes according to the CDC. For military veterans, the statistics are grimmer – veterans have an adjusted suicide rate that is 52 percent greater than the civilian population.

Sue Havens shares inspirations, processes for ‘Cull+’ art exhibit

Pensacola State first-year photography student Davan Royster moved slowly through the College’s Switzer Gallery, taking in every bit of the compelling artwork of Sue Havens, whose “Cull+” exhibition is now on display.
And there was a lot to take in, especially as Royster studied a large “Brick & Mortar” design, a city-grid inspired piece of art that can be deceiving, depending on one’s perspective – almost a “forest for the trees” situation.

Sparkie Harrison becomes new director of College’s Century Center

Administrator was Career Pathways Counselor for PSC Adult Education Department
Sparkie Harrison is the new director of the Pensacola State College Century Center in the most northern part of Escambia County.

Pensacola State-built mini house is ready, should last 200 years

Some first-time homeowner is going to get an awesome home. So awesome that it could be the only home they’ll ever need to buy.

“This is a 200-year house with the proper maintenance and care,’’ said Tony Grahame, Pensacola State College Carpentry Program Coordinator, as he stood on the covered porch of the 600-square-foot mini-home on Tarragona Street. “It’s an exceptional example of good building-science practices and the students’ amazing work.”

Pensacola State International Festival set for April 15

Performers, vendors, volunteers, sponsors are needed for April 15, 2023 event.
How many cultures are represented at Pensacola State College? In Northwest Florida? The Gulf Coast and the American South?

PSC Student Resource Guide provides info on virtual tutoring, employment, food pantry, more

We hope the first week of the fall 2022 semester went well. But we also know that sometimes things happen. Dogs eat homework all the time. There’s not much we at Pensacola State College can do about that. Still, there are problems and concerns that students might face that PSC can help overcome. There are…

Students are back. Fall classes have started. Campuses are buzzing. Finally!

Art instructor Paula Work talks to students on Aug. 15, the first day of the fall 2022 semester. Ashanti East wasn’t taking any chances on Monday, Aug. 15, the first day of the 2022 Pensacola State College fall term. A full 15 minutes before her second class of the day – a humanities course –…

Play a musical instrument? Cool! Join one of PSC’s bands

Play guitar? Want to earn college credits for playing guitar? Well, the Pensacola State College Jazz Ensemble sure could use your shredding. (Not sure if musicians “shred” in jazz but go with it.) PSC Band Director Doug Holsworth is seeking musicians of all types to fill the rosters of the College’s two bands – the…

PSC Welcomes New EOC Director Brett Patterson (and read about his cool side gig)

By day, Brett Patterson helps some of our community’s most vulnerable folks attend Pensacola State College. By night, Patterson jams with his wife Lee Patterson as the musical duo Snake and the Rabbit ─ a well-seasoned outfit that will likely find a way into regional music venues once the couple is a bit settled in Pensacola. Patterson is the new director of the PSC Eldon L. Norman Education Opportunity Center (EOC) and is only three weeks into the job. A TRIO program funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the EOC assists low- and modest-income and/or first-generation college students enroll in a postsecondary institution or to return after a period away.

Eagle Scout and PSC freshman Nicolas Salazar already makes community a better place

Nicolas Salazar just graduated from Pace High School a few months back, but he’s already made an impact in making Northwest Florida a better place.

Salazar, an incoming Pensacola State College freshman, was named by WEAR-TV Channel 3 as a community “Angel in Our Midst” in November 2021 for his work to help needy animals in the community.

PSC Foundation welcomes Gulnaz Okumus to team

Gulnaz Okumus speaks Turkish, English, Russian and Tatar. If numbers are a language, she speaks that too.

Okumus, a native of Turkey, is an accounting specialist for the Pensacola State College Foundation, joining the Foundation team in June. She only arrived in the United States a year ago, but said she feels that her new hometown is “a piece of heaven.”

PSC game room on the way, as is College’s inaugural esports team

Pensacola State College is bringing a little old-school fun and a little new-school pizazz to the Pensacola campus this fall.

The inaugural PSC Pirates esports team will start competition in October and has already signed two student players with more expected to join in the coming weeks.

Also coming this fall is the PSC game room, which will have a pool table, air hockey, arcade games and foosball. The game room will be in the PSC Delaino Student Center – Building 5 and located in the large room that was formerly Academic Advising. A rear portion of the room is being remodeled to be the PSC esports arena where the esports team will compete.

PSC pins 65 new nurses at Summer Pinning Ceremony

Pensacola firefighter Blane Coomer has already delivered a baby this year after responding to a call. That’s even before he received his nursing pin.
On Aug. 5, Coomer made it official. He was one of 65 Pensacola State College Associate of Science in Nursing students who received their nursing pins during a Pinning Ceremony at First Pentecostal Church in Pensacola.

Sue Havens’ ‘Cull+’ exhibit opens Aug. 15 at Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts

The work of artist Sue Havens has been exhibited in New York City, Germany and Sweden, and featured in the pages of Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine and the New American Painting magazine.

Beginning Aug. 15, Havens’ work will be on display in the Switzer Gallery in the Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts on Pensacola State College’s Pensacola campus. The exhibition titled, “Cull+,” showcases Havens’ work in a variety of media from painting to sculpture and collage.

The exhibition runs through Sept. 23. An Opening Reception is set for 5:30 p.m. Aug. 25, preceded by an Artist Lecture at 3 p.m.

PSC welcomes (back) Officer Kim Cooper to police force

A lot of the faces are different. There’s new construction and some buildings are long gone.
Still, Pensacola State College’s Pensacola campus feels familiar to Kim Cooper, who joined the police force in late June. Actually, she rejoined the College police force.