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VITAETTAECONNECTINGVALENCIA ANDTHE COMMUNITY
VITAERooted in the Latin word for “life,” vitae (vee-tay)means: the course of one’s life or career; a short accountof a person’s life; a résumé. Because the purpose of thismagazine is to keep you connected to Valencia, the titleVitae reflects the collective résumé of alumni, faculty,staff and students who have proudly walked throughour doors.VALENCIA ALUMNIASSOCIATIONBOARD OF DIRECTORS:PresidentGeorge Ruiz ’08Vice PresidentMichael J.G. McLaughlin ’03SecretaryMarceline (Marcy) A. Porter ’05DirectorsIdania I. Garcia ’10Lisa A. Lovell ’81, ’83Mary E. Myers ’05CONTRIBUTORS:EDITOR:Lois McNamaraJeanne MauzyPaulette SmithMelissa TchenCarol TraynorLuis ZaragozaCarol TraynorDESIGN & ILLUSTRATION:Mostapha Aguenegou ’04, ’05Chris Beck ’99Michael Montalvo ’05Dean Scott ’83, ’08Katie Simari ’09Steve WebbPHOTOGRAPHY:Don Burlinson(unless otherwise credited)1800 S. Kirkman Rd.Orlando, FL 32811Phone: 407-582-1017Vitae is published biannually by Valencia’s Marketing and StrategicCommunications Division in coordination with the Valencia AlumniAssociation for approximately 56 cents an issue. Opinions expressed inthis magazine do not necessarily reflect the official position of ValenciaCommunity College or the Valencia Alumni Association.The Valencia Alumni Association provides opportunitiesfor lifelong personal, educational and professional growthfor alumni and students of Valencia Community College.Valencia is a member of the Florida College System.3Vitae Takes Top Prize in National CompetitionIn February, the 26th Annual Educational AdvertisingAwards sponsored by Higher Education MarketingReport announced that the 2010 Summer/Fall issue ofVitae magazine won a gold award for exceptional qualityand creativity in the category of “External Publication—Schools with 20,000 or More Students.” The EducationalAdvertising Awards is the largest competition of itskind in the country and includes private and publiccolleges throughout the U.S. Vitae’s competition includedpublications from Purdue University and Harper Collegein Illinois.Shanghai, ChinaPhoto courtesy of Deymond Hoyte
ISSUE No. 76CONTENTS2 Valencia News4 Valencia Events10 Lifelong Learning4Interview withSandy Shugart12 Arts at Valencia20Student Essays1419 Legislative UpdateInterview with Bill Mullowney20 Sweet SuccessFlorida’s Top ProfessorAlumni Life22 Class Notes26 Where Are They Now?29 Homecoming 2010VITAE, SPRING 2011FEATURES614Change Your World ViewA look at Valencia’s expanding study-abroad programGetting Down to Business in ChinaValencia business students get a firsthand lesson in globalization1
Watch for “ValenciaCollege” to Appear onResumes EverywhereValencia Community College willsoon be known as Valencia Collegeafter trustees approved PresidentSandy Shugart’s recommendationto rename the school to moreaccurately convey its mission andprogram mix, including the addition ofbaccalaureate degrees.The president stressed that thecollege remains committed to itscore principles of an “open door,”affordable tuition, and learningcentered philosophy for which it hasbecome known as one of the bestcommunity colleges in the nation.Valencia produces more associateBachelor’s DegreesCome to ValenciaValencia launches its ownbachelor’s degree programs for thefirst time in its history this fall, withelectrical and computer engineeringtechnology and radiologic andimaging science. They add toan already strong presence ofbachelor’s programs offeredthrough UCF’s regional campusat Valencia. They also are inhigh demand by Valenciastudents and lead towell-paying jobs in stableindustries—health careand high technology.Similar bachelor’sdegrees had beenoffered by the Universityof Central Florida untilJuly of 2009, when budgetcuts forced the universityto eliminate the programs.The B.S. in Radiologicand ImagingSciences will offerconcentrations inComputed Tomography,2 Valencia Newsdegree graduates than any two-yearcollege in America.The new name is considered abetter fit for the role Valencia plays ineducating the majority of Orange andOsceola county high-school graduates.In fact, more than twice as manylocal high school graduates enroll atValencia than at all public universitiesin the state combined.The college’s highly successfulguaranteed transfer program into UCF,known as DirectConnect, has alsoturned Valencia into a sought-aftercollege destination for many students.More than 20 percent of UCF’s upperdivision is made up of Valenciatransfers with many in the pipeline,thanks to the seamless transition.Magnetic Resonance Imaging andQuality Management. The degree willprimarily be offered through onlinecourses for the flexibility they offerto working health-care professionals.The program aligns with associatedegree programs in DiagnosticMedical Sonography and Radiographyalready offered by Valencia.The B. S. in Electrical andComputer Engineering Technologywill have concentrations in ComputerSystems, Electrical/ElectronicSystems and Laser and Photonics.It aligns with the A.S. in ElectronicsEngineering Technology and theA.A. in Engineering. The curriculumprepares graduates for engineeringoccupations related to electrical/electronics, computer systems, digitalelectronics, digital and wirelesscommunication and lasers and optics.
Photo courtesy of Richard GairValencia Professor toInfluence NationalNursing PoliciesRichard Gair in Israel, 2008Really DistantDistance LearningProfessor and Holocaust scholarRichard Gair will be taking a groupof students to Poland in June for atour of the major Holocaust sites.Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka,Warsaw and Krakow are part of theitinerary for which students will earncollege credit.Cutting theEnvironmental Costof CommutingHow can a large commuter collegereduce its carbon emissions?Valencia facilities staff soughtto answer that question in Januaryof 2010 when it enlisted the help ofsustainability consulting firm EcoAsset Solutions.The result: a decades-long,ambitious proposal that seeks toreduce the carbon imprint of 1.85million-square-feet of campuses and67,000 people.Using ideas that came from theemployees and students themselves,the proposal outlines dozens ofVITAE, SPRING 2011Linda Speranza has beenappointed to the National AdvisoryCouncil on Nurse Education andPractice, a Washington, D.C.-basedgroup that advises the Secretaryof the U.S. Department of Healthand Human Services and the U.S.Congress on policy matters relatedto nursing education, the nursingworkforce and improving nursingpractice.In addition to teaching full-timeat Valencia, Speranza practices parttime in emergency departmentsand in private practice. She alsoco-authored a book aimed at teens,“Heads Up: Successful Strategies forPlanning a Career in Health Care.”strategies including increasing thenumber of virtual meetings for staff;creating a compost pile for food waste;launching an online program to matchup carpool participants; and startingan inter-campus shuttle program.The proposal’s stated goal is toreduce the college’s carbon emissionsby 10 percent by 2015, 25 percentby 2025, 45 percent by 2040 and 85percent by 2060.Valencia has committed toachieving climate neutrality as asignatory under the American Collegeand University Presidents’ ClimateCommitment. Valencia is one of morethan 650 colleges and universitiesthat have committed to measure andIt’s All About Trust, orLack ThereofFor the past 10 years, the PRfirm Edelman has released aglobal trust and credibility survey,called the Trust Barometer, at theWorld Economic Forum in Davos,Switzerland. The Trust Barometeris the leading global survey of trustin business, government, mediaand NGOs.Valencia will host the report’s localrelease with an invitation-only dinnerfor community leaders on March 22followed by a breakfast on March 23.Matt Harrington, the president andCEO of Edelman U.S., will be there topresent the 2011 findings.Overall, the report states thatAmericans’ trust in business to do theright thing fell by eight points to 46percent, ahead of trust in governmentwhich fell by six points to 40 percent.A link to the study can be foundhere: www.edelman.com/trust/2011/.Valencia News keepsyou connected withthe latest college news,features and events atvalenciacc.edu/news.report greenhouse gas emissions anddevise an action plan to reduce theircarbon footprint.Existing sustainability efforts havealready helped the college increaseefficiency and reduce costs. Forexample, the installation of highefficiency chillers has resulted insignificant savings on cooling bills;using native species for landscapinghas reduced water consumption bymillions of gallons; and a three-yearrecycling program has diverted 350tons of waste from local landfills.Valencia News 3
April 2 - A Taste for Learning7 p.m.–10 p.m.Rosen Shingle CreekWine-tasting fundraiser for student scholarships.www.valencia.org/tasteApril 5 - Voices of Valencia Concert7:30 p.m.East Campus Performing Arts CenterVoices of Valencia, our community chorus, shines onour stage.Admission is free.April 6–10 – Winning Play of the 20th Annual FloridaPlaywright CompetitionApril 6, 7, 8 & 9 at 7:30 p.m.April 9 & 10 at 2 p.m.East Campus Black Box TheaterTickets: 10 general admission; 8 students, faculty/staff,alumni and seniors.Box Office: 407-582-2900April 22 & 23 - Spring Opera-Theatre Workshop7:30 p.m.East Campus Performing Arts CenterOpera and musical-theater students will perform a one-hourversion of Leonard Bernstein’s masterpiece “Candide,”followed by scenes from classics such as “Hello Dolly” andcontemporatry pieces such as “Wicked,” “Next to Normal”and “The Color Purple.”Admission is free.Photo courtesy of Kevin AbelAPRILApril 16 – Nursing Program 40th AnniversaryCelebration6 p.m.–10 p.m.Nursing alumni reunion with hors d’oeuvres and pasta bar. 25 per personwww.valenciacc.edu/alumnniApril 7 - Spring Symphonic/Jazz Band Concert7:30 p.m.East Campus Performing Arts CenterAdmission is free.April 9 - Run, Walk & Roll 5K Race6 p.m.West CampusAnnual race for scholarships.www.frontrunningsports.comApril 12 - Spring Choral Concert7:30 p.m.East Campus Performing Arts CenterSpring is in the air with our Show Choir and the ValenciaSingers.Admission is free.April 15-May 20 - Annual Juried Student ExhibitionOpening reception at 6:30 p.m. on April 15.Anita S. Wooten Gallery, East CampusA showcase of new works by Valencia’s fine arts andgraphics students.Admission is free.4 Valencia EventsScene from “Carousel,” October 2010.MAYMay 7 - 42nd CommencementSilver Spurs Arena, KissimmeeAdmission is by ticket only.JUNEJune 9–19 - A Midsummer Night’s DreamJune 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 & 18 at 7:30 p.m.June 12 & 19 at 2 p.m.East Campus Black Box TheaterThe perfect summer fare: light, funny, mystical and magical.Tickets: 10 general admission; 8 students, faculty/staff,alumni and seniors.Box Office: 407-582-2900
June 17–August 5 - Friends of Anita S. WootenGallery ExhibitOpening reception at 6:30 p.m. on June 17.Anita S. Wooten Gallery, East CampusA re-dedication and memorial exhibition commemoratingthe life and work of gallery curator and artist AnitaWooten. Featuring selected works by Anita and her closefriends Robert Rivers, Victor Bokas, Cicero Greathouse,Que Throm, Michael Galletta,Nancy Jay and others.Admission is free.JULYJuly 15–16 - Valencia Dance TheatreSummer Repertory Concert8:00 p.m.East Campus Performing Arts CenterValencia’s resident dance company, Valencia DanceTheatre, in a joint production with the Valencia SummerDance Institute—our free summer dance program for highschool students—plus faculty and guest artists.Tickets: 8 for general admission, 6 for students, alumni,faculty, staff and seniors.Box Office: 407-582-2900OCTOBERStretch your legs –and scholarship funds.Join in as those of all ages and physicalabilities come together for the AlumniAssociation’s annual Run, Walk and Rollto raise scholarship funds for Valenciastudents. Participants and guests canalso enjoy refreshments and children’sarts and crafts activities.Month of October - Valencia Homecoming MonthVisit www.valenciacc.edu/alumni for month-long events.A Midsummer Night’s Dream, act IV, scene I.Engraving from a painting by Henry Fuseli, published 1796.Valencia 5K Run, Walk & RollSaturday, April 9, 2011In Memory of Justin Harvey– Former Alumni Association Board MemberValencia’s West Campus1800 S. Kirkman Rd., Orlando, FL5 p.m.6 p.m.RegistrationRace beginsFree kids fun run after the racewww.valenciacc.edu/alumniAlumni Life 5
CHANGE YOURWORLDVIEWStudy abroad boosts studentconfidence and job prospectsby Luis ZaragozaStudents looking for a leg-up in the jobmarket—and in life—should consider doingsomething bold:Get out of the country.For a while, at least.Through existing programs and faculty-ledprojects, Valencia students already have beento places such as Denmark, Brazil and theDominican Republic.But to give more students the chance tobreak away, Valencia is busily developing awider array of study-abroad opportunities.Here’s why: Spending time immersed in aforeign culture can have a profound effect onstudents’ lives and influence career choices,educators say. Experiencing foreign customsand languages, they add, gives students awider perspective on the world.That deeper knowledge is importantbecause if the United States is to remaincompetitive in the world economy, it needs6college graduates who can relate in a genuineway to people from many different cultures,educators say.Study abroad helps students “learn toappreciate and value different ways of doingthings,” says Jennifer Robertson, directorof Valencia’s Study Abroad and GlobalExperiences program, or SAGE.Life-changing experienceRobertson knows firsthand how studyabroad can influence your life.She traveled to Mexico as a girl anddeveloped a love for Spanish. This inspiredher to study Spanish in college and later teachSpanish and English as a Second Language.She would eventually land in Puerto Rico,where she founded and ran a language schoolfor seven years.She came to Valencia in 2001 to start theCenter for Global Languages, which is now a
division of the college’s continuing educationarm. It would become one of the largestprograms in the sprawling division.Late in 2010, she was chosen to run SAGEand is working with a 21-member advisoryboard of faculty and administrators toexpand college-based offerings and refinepolicy. Currently, short-term study abroadprograms are developed by faculty members.The college collaborates with other agenciesand schools to provide longer-term programsthat can lead to academic credit.Real-life learningAmong those partner agencies isCommunity Colleges for InternationalDevelopment, Inc., or CCID. The Iowa-basedagency coordinates study-abroad programsfor colleges across the country. It has aCommunity College Initiative Program with afocus on involving underserved young adults.VITAE, SPRING 2011Valencia Professor Lana Powell, whoteaches business, has participated in facultydriven foreign travel and collaborated withCCID to lead groups of students in two-weekstudy programs in Denmark.In recent years, she also has accompaniedValencia students to the Dominican Republicfor service-oriented trips co-sponsored by thecollege and the Catholic Diocese of Orlando.Their time there was spent helping theimpoverished people of the island nation.While in the Dominican Republic, studentslived in the remote mountain village of LaCucarita. They had to learn to cope witha scarcity of such basics as electricity anddrinkable water.“Some of the students were almost in tearsseeing the conditions people were living in,”Powell said.For instance, local water systems operatedfor only a short time each day, forcingresidents to grab what they could while thetaps were running. Whatever jug or basinwas handy was put into use. They would thenhave to sterilize and filter the water to make itdrinkable.The taps didn’t necessarily run every day.If no water was left over from the previousday, residents would have to trek miles onfoot to find a working spigot and then haulthe heavy liquid back home.Such ordeals gave students a betterappreciation of what they have back home,Powell said.Taking actionOn their return from the DominicanRepublic, some of the students took action toraise money to help make life better for theirformer hosts.Vanessa Hornedo, when she was a studenthere, sold her handmade jewelry at two7
Lana Powell, a Valencia business professor(second from left, bottom photo), led astudy abroad trip to Denmark last year,while Richard Sansone, a professor ofPortuguese (bottom left, top photo) isshown with a group he accompanied toBrazil recently.lectures in ways she couldn’t have imaginedbeforehand.“I hardly ever have a class where I don’tthrow out one of those experiences,”Powell said.CommunicationA trip to Colombia while a student atRollins College “changed my entire outlookon my life and career,” said Richard Sansone,a professor of Portuguese at Valencia who hasled student trips to Brazil.public events to raise money.Total immersion is invaluable in learningHornedo also was among the studentsa language, since it’s not all about the words,who wrote a book, “In Our Village,” about the Sansone said.La Cucarita community. The book serves asStudies have shown that as much as 70a fundraising tool. The money raised goespercent of communication is nonverbal,toward scholarships for students in the area.he said.Since local students can’t get more than anAn example: Nodding your head in theeighth-grade education near home, they have U.S. means yes, while the same gesture in Italyto move away at a young age to further theirmeans no. Students are more likely to pick upeducations.on those nuances by interacting with nativeThe work of Hornedo and others illustrates speakers, he said.how some students develop what can beSansone requires students on his tripslifelong bonds with people they befriendto conduct interviews with local residents.abroad.Students pick up valuable information on theBack home, as an instructor, Powell haslocals’ interests in sports and other leisurefound that her experiences abroad fortify her activities, and they can observe and hopefully“In Our Village: La Loma, Dominican Republic,” was edited byprofessor Christie Pickeral and written by a group of Valenciastudents about the lives of the people they met while hostingyouth summer camps in the mountainous regions of theDominican Republic. The book features photography takenby Dominican children with donated Nikon cameras, whichbecomes the heart of the book. Copies are available for 20 at anyValencia bookstore or through the Diocese of Orlando MissionOffice, with proceeds going toward scholarships for the children.8absorb other subtleties of language such astone and inflection.Students who can steer themselvesthrough a foreign land acquire a degree ofconfidence that will serve them well in theirfuture careers, Sansone said.“Many of the students have never been in asituation where they can’t relate to people intheir native language,” Sansone said. “That’swhy I insist that they truly engage. This isnot tourism. I tell them to take off their U.S.glasses and put on Brazil glasses. It works.These students open up like flowers.”Robertson says students who study abroadcome to appreciate the value of learninganother language.“The job market is extremely competitive,”Robertson said. “Having a second languagegives you an advantage over the rest.”Which country students choose to study independs on their interests, she added.“If you’re interested in business, you mightwant to go to China,” she said, noting theemergence of the powerhouse economy. “Ifyou’re into art, you might want to go to Italy.”In Florida, learning Spanish or Portuguesepresents “huge opportunities,” Robertsonsaid, referring to the two dominant languagesin Latin America.Yet another reward of study abroad is thatstudents develop a greater appreciation forthe diversity of American culture, said Powell,who as
for alumni and students of Valencia Community College. Valencia is a member of the Florida College System. Vitae Takes Top Prize in National Competition In February, the 26th Annual Educational Advertising . Medical Sonography and Radiography already offered by Valencia. The B. S. in Ele
