Friday, Jan. 30, 2009
The Blue & White is published weekly for St. Petersburg College employees and interested visitors. It is designed for you to be able to scan the headlines quickly. If you are interested in an article listed below, click on the link and you will be directed to that article. You also can view the paper version locations or the printable pdf. Calendar items with a specific deadline are marked with an *.|
Calendar notes
| 
2009 Alumni Luncheon Highlights included guest speaker and 2008 Outstanding Alum Jim Sirmons and the introduction of the new STAR (Striving for Top Academic Rewards) scholarship by Alumni President Michelle Piccione. Raymond C. Townsend, Atlanta, won the rights to have the 2009 STAR scholarship named for himself or his family for a year. More than $1,100 was raised for the scholarship thorugh the luncheon. Door prizes were won by Charis Chambers, Kim Corry and Peggy St. Croix. |
SPC to offer four new Associate in Science degree programs
St. Petersburg College announced today that it will offer four new Associate in Science programs. The new degrees afford exciting opportunities for students. The new programs are:
» Associate in Science in Photography
» Associate in Science in Environmental Science Technology
» Associate in Science in Music Industry Recording Arts (MIRA)
» Associate in Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics Technology
The photography, environmental science and music programs should be ready for inclusion in the Fall 2009 curriculum. The Orthotics & Prosthetics program should be in the catalog in time for the January 2010 term.
Approval for all four programs was provided by SPC’s Board of Trustees at the board’s Jan. 27 meeting.
Stan Vittetoe, Provost of SPC’s Clearwater Campus and Vice President for Workforce and Continuing Education, helped with the development of the new programs. He said the college moved forward with development because of demand from both students and employers.
“The Orthotics and Prosthetics program will complement our existing four-year O&P program,” Vittetoe said. “Our new facility at the Caruth Health Education Center in Pinellas Park already has the necessary space and equipment. Students in the new two-year program will be able to easily transfer their credits to the four-year program if they choose to do so.”
By the same token, the Environmental Science Technology program will mesh with the college’s existing four-year program in Sustainability Management, Vittetoe said.
In December, SPC announced creation of a classes for aspiring music producers, DJs, post production engineers and others who would like to work in the music industry. The new two-year degree program in Music Industry Recording Arts is a more complete curriculum of that streamlined program.
2008-09 SPC Fact Book completed
The Department of Institutional Research and Effectiveness (IRE) is pleased to present the 2008-09 version of the SPC Fact Book. The Fact Book is intended to provide statistical information to support sound planning and decision-making as well as provide historical perspective of the institution. An electronic version of the 2008-09 Fact Book and links to prior years are located on the IRE Web site.
As with any collegewide publication, this document is the result of the time and effort of many individuals at the college. IRE would like to thank everyone involved in the production and review of this year’s document.
IRE is committed to continuously assessing and improving the level and quality of our work. To assist us in this effort, we ask that you please take a few minutes to share your perspective and level of satisfaction with the Fact Book and other IRE products and services by completing the Institutional Research Evaluation Survey.
Retired teacher Earl F. Kohler dies at 93
Earl F. Kohler, a career U.S. Army officer who went on to serve St. Petersburg College as a political science teacher for 39 years, died Monday in St. Petersburg. He was 93.
Mr. Kohler served in the Army as an intelligence officer during World War II, then went on to serve in both Korea and Vietnam. He retired at age 50 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1956, Mr. Kohler launched a new career on the faculty of St. Petersburg Junior College. Besides teaching political science, he served the college in a number of other capacities. He coached SPC’s Brain Bowl team, and in 1978 served on an 11-person search committee that recommended the hiring of Carl M. Kuttler Jr. as the college’s new president.
One of Mr. Kohler’s earliest students was Kuttler, whom he once remembered this way: "As the president of the Student Association, he stood out; as a student, I don't think he was that much of a standout," Kuttler remembered Mr. Kohler fondly.
“Earl Kohler was my teacher many years ago, and he had a tremendous impact on me,” Kuttler recalled. “He gave me a great love of government and politics, and he inspired me in many ways. He was a fine teacher. I will miss him.” Mr. Kohler retired in 1995 at the age of 80.
Graveside services were planned for Friday, Jan. 30, at 4 p.m. at Woodlawn Memory Gardens. His family has asked that any donations in Mr. Kohler’s memory be made to The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760.
College offers GRE and SAT prep classes
Spread the word about two new test prep classes:
Combined GRE Math/Verbal review class
Feb. 4-April 1, Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m.,
Seminole Campus
$275 tuition includes textbook, practice test workbook and CD-Rom resources
This eight-week class includes preparation for the new analytical writing section
SAT review class
Feb. 21-April 25, Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon
Clearwater, Seminole, St. Petersburg/Gibbs and Tarpon Springs Campuses
Targeted for May 2 SAT test
$215 tuition includes texbook
This eight-week class includes preparation for
the math, verbal and essay sections
For more information or to enroll, call Lifelong Learning at 727-341-3184. Class size is limited.
Fort Myers Edison Estate/Pine Island Day Trip
Spend the day visiting with Thomas Edison’s Seminole Lodge, one of Florida’s historic treasures. His family quarters, electrical inventions, research laboratory and tropical gardens are all a fascinating reminder of a bygone era. His best friend, Henry Ford, made his winter home in Fort Myers in 1915, next door to Edison. A narrated river cruise is included in the day trip.
Mixed with the tales of yesteryear and the life of the Calusa Tribe, which existed more than 250 years ago, Pine Island is a hidden treasure tucked between Cape Coral and Sanibel/Captiva Islands. The Tarpon Lodge Sportsmen Inn, circa 1926, will be the luncheon spot on the island.
Friday, Feb. 20
Cost: $75 (includes admissions, transportation and lunch)
Call Lifelong Learning for information or to register 727-341-3184. Register now! Space is limited!
Study Abroad information meeting
Do you know a student looking for something to do this summer? Encourage them to check out SPC's Study Abroad program, where they can learn about another country and earn SPC credit at the same time.
England trip information meeting
Thursday, Feb. 5, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Clearwater Campus, LA 192
Visit the Study Abroad Web site for details on:
» Trip dates
» Cost estimates
» Application details
» Course offerings
» Image galleries
Cultural Corner
This weekly column features arts and entertainment events presented by St. Petersburg College and its partners. NEW items are noted for your convenience.
| Discounts Florida Orchestra: Faculty and staff now can purchase tickets at the student rate of $10. Call the Florida Orchestra Ticket Center at 727-892-3337 and identify yourself as faculty or staff to place your order. Students can purchase two $10 advance tickets through the mail, in person or by phone at the Florida Orchestra ticket center. Students must present ID when collecting tickets at the Will Call window on the night of concert. Subject to availability. Some restrictions may apply. Palladium: Faculty, staff and students receive a 10 percent discount to all shows produced by the Palladium or its partners at the Palladium. |
Continuing through March 29
St. Petersburg College: Legacy of Leadership, St. Petersburg Museum of History, 335 Second Ave. NE, on the approach to the Pier. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. $12 general, $9 senior and student, $7 ages 7 to 17, ages 6 and younger free.
Continuing through April 12
New exhibits: It's a Dog's Life: Photographs by William Wegman and Sanctuary: Anna Tomczak Photography, Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, Tarpon Springs. Admission: $5 adults, $4 seniors, free for children, members and students. Sunday admission free for all.
Continuing through Feb. 6
SPC Faculty Art Exhibition, Crossroads Art Gallery – Clearwater Campus.
Reception: Feb. 4, 6-8 p.m. Free.
Continuing through Feb. 15
King Hedley II, by Pulitzer Prize-winner August Wilson, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 3 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. American Stage Theatre, St. Petersburg. $31-$39.
Continuing through Jan. 31
St. Petersburg College Jazz Festival with the Helios Jazz Orchestra, Jan. 29; Manigua & O Som Do Jazz, Jan. 30; and The Sue Terry Quartet, Jan. 31. 7:30 p.m. nightly, Music Center. $10 donation/admission nightly.
Friday, Jan. 30
The Florida Orchestra Performs the Music of Pink Floyd, Brent Havens, guest Conductor. 8 p.m., Mahaffey Theater. $35-$85.
Tuesday, Feb. 3
Encore 2009 Chamber Series: C’est Magnifique!, featuring Quartet-de-minaret. Dessert and discussions with the artists follow concert. 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $10-$20.
Wednesday, Feb. 4
Dar Williams, with opening act Joshua Radin, 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $27.50.
Thursday, Feb. 5
Side Door Jazz: Kenny Drew Jr. Trio, presented by the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association. 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $20.
Friday, Feb. 6
St. Petersburg College Piano Concert Series: Rev. Sean Duggan, solo recital, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. Free.
Friday, Feb. 6
Palladium Pipes Series: Nathan Laube, 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $12-$22.
Friday, Feb. 6 and Sunday, Feb. 8
Florida Orchestra Masterworks Concert: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4, David Alan Miller, guest conductor, Betti Xiang, erhu, 8 p.m. Feb. 6, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa, and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. $19-$65.
Saturday, Feb. 7
Keyboard Conversations: Chopin for Lovers!, Jeffrey Siegel, pianist, 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $15-$25.
Saturday, Feb. 7
Dance video: The Sleeping Beauty by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, 1:30 p.m. Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art. Free.
Sunday, Feb. 8
Opera video: A Night in Venice by Johann Strauss, 1:30 p.m. Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art. Free.
Tuesday, Feb. 10
St. Petersburg College Jazz Band Concert, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. Free.
Saturday, Feb. 14
Valentines and Stardust: An evening of romantic American standards featuring Randy Carmichael, son of legendary composer Hoagy Carmichael and an acclaimed pianist and singer. A romantic buffet dinner is offered before the concert. 6 p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. show. Palladium. Dinner $25. Concert only, $15, $20, $25.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
Side Door Brown Bag Series: Lunchtime concert with Judith Alstadter on piano, noon. Palladium. Bring lunch – beverages provided. $10.
Feb. 18-March 6
Photography Show, Crossroads Art Gallery, Clearwater Campus. Reception: March. 4, 6-8 p.m. Free.
Thursday, Feb. 19
Side Door Jazz: Nate Najar with Cynthia Sayer, 7:30 p.m. Palladium.
$20
Feb. 20-22
Florida Orchestra Masterworks Concert: Blue Danube, Klauspeter Seibel, guest Conductor, Markus Groh, piano. 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Ferguson Hall; 8 p.m. Sat., Feb. 21, Mahaffey Theater; and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, Ruth Eckerd Hall. $19-$65.
Friday, Feb. 20
Heissler Organ Series: Isabelle Demers, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. $5 suggested donation. SPC staff and students free with ID.
Friday, Feb. 20
An Evening with Leo Kottke, 8 p.m. Palladium. $32.50, $52.50
Tuesday, Feb. 24
Encore 2009 Chamber Series: C’est Magnifique!, featuring Jeff Multer and Friends. Dessert and discussion with the artists follow concert. Palladium. $10-$20.
Wednesday, Feb. 25
WMNF and the Palladium present: Loudon Wainwright III, opening act: Kathleen Edwards, 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $25.
Friday, Feb. 27
St. Petersburg College Band Concert, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. Free.
Saturday, Feb. 28
“Passages of Martin Luther King Jr.,” produced by Bob Devin Jones and The Studio@620, a dramatic reading and song. A Q & A session with playwright Clayborne Carson and historian Ray Arsenault follows. 7 p.m.
Palladium. Adults $12, Students $6
Friday, March 6
Heissler Organ Series: David Enlow, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. $5 suggested donation. SPC staff and students free with ID.
March 7-8
Florida Orchestra Masterworks Concert: Verdi Requiem , Stefan Sanderling, conductor; Indra Thomas, soprano; Gigi Mitchell-Velasco, mezzo-soprano; Jeffrey Springer, tenor; Dean Elzinga, bass; and the The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, Richard Zielinski, Artistic & Music Director. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 7, Mahaffey Theater; and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8, Ruth Eckerd Hall. $19-$65.
Friday, March 13
Madrigalians Concert, “Oh Eternal Spring,” 7:30 p.m St. Petersburg College Music Center. Free.
Check out the upcoming events at the Florida Orchestra in their online calendars:
February | March
Some simple tips to decrease hot water usage and save money!
The Issue
Hot water consumption!
The Larger Issue
- Between 80 and 90 percent of the energy used to heat water is wasted. With 110-million households in the country, that’s a lot of inefficiently used energy.
- The cost of heating water amounts to 14% of your utility bill.
Be Part of the Solution
You don’t have to take cold showers, eat on dirty dishes or wear dirty clothes to save. Follow these simple steps to reduce your hot-water consumption:
- Install low-flow showerheads. These high pressure aerated showerheads deliver 2.5 gallons per minute rather than 4 to 5 gallons per minute and can reduce hot water consumption by 30 percent. A high quality, low-flow showerhead costs around $15 and will pay for itself within four months.
- Wash your clothes in cold water. Washing machines do not require a minimum temperature. In fact, cold or warm water can be used for most laundry loads. Using cold rather than hot water can amount to a savings of $60 annually and keep 1,300 pounds of CO2 out of the air.
- Use your dishwasher! A fully loaded, efficient, standard capacity EnergyStar (www.energystar.gov/) dishwasher uses less energy than washing dishes by hand.
- Lower the temperature of your water heater. If you have a booster heater on your dishwasher, you can lower the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees F.
- Install a timer on your electric water heater. Installing a $30 timer that turns the heater on in the morning and off at night can pay for itself in about a year.
- Repair leaks.
- Install an insulation blanket around your water heater to make it more efficient.
Want to become involved with SPC’s exciting sustainability initiatives?
To participate in the sustainable | SPC initiative, e-mail green.jason@spcollege.edu or call 341-3283.
This article and other health information are available on our Wellness blog.
Forty teams have joined the Wellness Challenge! All college sites are represented with teams and the challenge is on!
Creative team names include:
- Team Triumph from Business Services at Epi Svc
- DO Divas, from the District Office
- FIT WITS from Web and Instructional Technology at the Seminole Campus
- Read Runners from the Library at St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus
Overall feedback on the Wellness Challenge is extremely positive and some of you have great questions and suggestions.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Q: Can partial points be earned? For example, do I earn four points if I eat four servings of fruits and veggies or do I earn zero points for failing to reach the five-serving goal?
A: To earn five points you need to eat all five servings, so no partial points. Serving size information is found on the Guidelines page.
Q: Must I comment on the most recent Wellness blog or can I comment on a past blog to earn credit? If commenting on prior posts is allowed, is there a limit each week?
A: Yes, you can read any posted archive article. You can earn one point per day, so a maximum of seven points per week.
Q: I wear my seat belt every day, every time I enter a car, but others do not. If you want to encourage people to wear their belts, then wouldn’t a daily point possibility be more enticing?
A: Yes! That is an excellent suggestion, so we have changed this to 1 point per day, 7 points per week for wearing a seat belt every day. No partial points are awarded. So, it is very important to download the updated Tracker that reflects this change.
Did you know? If you run your curser over the red triangle on the Tracker page, you will see additional notes. Stay tuned for weekly Wellness Challenge Updates.
For additional wellness articles, visit the SPC wellness link on the HR home page.
If you have a wellness question, please contact Cathleen Shears at Ext. 3083 or shears.cathleen@spcollege.edu.HR notes
Visit the Human Resources Web site for interviewing tips for supervisors.
Locker Room: Basketball teams suffer losses
The men’s basketball team lost to Hillsborough Community College Monday night 82-61, moving to 11-10 overall and 3-2 in the Suncoast Conference.
The women’s team lost its last three games, including Wednesday against Indian River CC. The team is 3-9 overall, and 1-5 in the Southern Conference.
The men play again Saturday when they meet Manatee CC at 4 p.m. at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus gym at 6605 Fifth Ave. N. The women play again Wednesday against Palm Beach CC at 7 p.m. at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus gym.
All home games are free and played at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus gym at 6605 Fifth Ave N. To keep up with the college’s athletic teams, please visit www.spcollege.edu/athletics.
On SPC TV
Here is the broadcast schedule for the original cultural programs recorded by SPC for broadcast on the college station. SPC-TV can be seen on Bright House 620, Knology 19, Verizon 27 in Pinellas County.
Or watch them on SPC TV:
Wednesday and Saturday at 12 and 9 p.m.
» The Music Center Presents: St. Petersburg College Band
Sunday 12 and 9 p.m.; Friday 8 p.m.
» CoMotion Fall Dance Concert
Monday 9 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
You can also view a slideshow from CoMotion's Fall Dance Concert or visit the CoMotion Web site.
» A Night at the Palladium: An Evening with Rosa Rio
Sunday 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.; Wednesday 9 p.m.
For details on other Palladium events, visit the Palladium Web site.
» The Helios Jazz Orchestra: Live by the Stacks
Tuesday 8 p.m.; Thursday 9 p.m.
» A Night at the Palladium: Statesman of Jazz
Monday 8 p.m.; Friday 9 p.m.
For details on other Palladium events, visit the Palladium Web site.