Student who began his quest in 1967 will finally graduate on Dec. 19
It’s taken him more than 40 years, but Jerry Woodson is about to fulfill a promise he made to his parents in 1967.
On Dec. 19, at the age of 60, Woodson will don a cap and gown to receive his Associate in Arts degree and an Associate in Science degree in Paralegal Studies from St. Petersburg College.
He enrolled in a two-year business administration program at St. Petersburg Junior College more than 42 years ago, after he graduated from high school. His heart wasn’t in it, he said recently.
“It was my parents’ idea,” he said. “I didn’t take it very seriously.”
Woodson left SPJC in 1969, but he never gave up on the idea of getting his degree someday and making his parents proud.
“It’s been a long road,” Woodson said. “I always knew I had the ability; I just didn’t do it at the time I should have.”
What happened to Woodson is what happens to a lot of people who don’t complete the degrees they start. Life simply got in the way – a marriage, children, jobs, careers, businesses and grandchildren.
“I've got five kids,” he said. “I went into the bail bond business. I ran a security guard company for 14 years. I was a private investigator for 13 or 14 years. I was self-employed until 2005.”
Mostly, Woodson experienced success during those years. But it was a failure that got him back on track educationally.
“I had some problems in the security guard business, some tax problems, and I had to shut the business down,” he said. “So I went to work as an employee of another security guard company, and I worked 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. That gave me time to go back to school and study.”
Woodson resumed his studies at St. Petersburg College in 2007. He already has started work on a four-year degree in Paralegal Studies.
And he may not be done. Woodson says he’s seriously considering going on to law school when he finished his bachelor’s degree.
“I’d like to be an attorney,” he said, “even if I only get to practice for just one day.”
Woodson said he found his motivation to return to school and finish what he started within his own family. He wanted to keep his promise to his parents, and he wanted to set a good example for his eight grandchildren.
“I promised my parents that I would finish college, and I never forgot that,” he said. “I want my grandchildren to think that if an old guy like me can do it, then they sure can do it, too.”
Reminder: Graduation Dec. 19
St. Petersburg College will hold two Fall commencement ceremonies at First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Even those who can’t attend graduation can watch the ceremonies live online. To watch, go to www.indianrocks.org/Media.php and click on “Live Broadcast.” The broadcasts will begin at about 9:20 a.m. and 12:50 p.m.
First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks features a 3,000-seat sanctuary and is located at 12685 Ulmerton Road, Largo.
Visit the Graduation Web site for more information.
Board picks Furlong to be Interim President
 Tom Furlong |
Tom Furlong, who retired from the college in February, soon will begin negotiations to become SPC’s Interim President. He is scheduled to begin his duties Jan. 1.
“Tom’s long legislative record, the fact that he is the only candidate to have served in an interim capacity, and his knowledge of the college earn him my vote,” Trustee Dick Johnston said. Furlong twice served as acting president of Tallahassee Community College.
The remaining four board members echoed their support for Furlong.
“I am honored that the Board of Trustees has entrusted me with this great responsibility at this important moment in the history of St. Petersburg College,” Furlong said.
“I am very excited to re-join the SPC team as we transition from our long-time president to our new permanent president,” he said. “I am truly delighted to have this opportunity to work with our outstanding students, faculty members and staff during the coming months.”
Furlong, 62, was Senior Vice President, Baccalaureate Programs and University Partnerships, when he retired. He is not a candidate for the full-time position.
President Carl M. Kuttler Jr. announced in July that he was retiring and at the November board meeting said Dec. 31 would be his last day.
The other finalists who made presentations at the meeting were: Anne Cooper, Senior Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs; Syd McKenzie, General Counsel; and Kathie Sigler, retired Provost and Chief Operating Officer at Miami Dade College.
“We are so fortunate to have had such an impressive pool of candidates,” Board Vice Chairman Ken Burke said.
 Keith Goree |
Plaque commemorates Keith Goree’s contributions
Karen Kaufman White, provost of the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus, presented a memorial plaque to Keith Goree's family in recognition of his contributions to the college and to the Applied Ethics Department over the past 23 years.
The plaque, presented Nov. 20 during a department holiday observance, was purchased with donations from faculty and staff. It will be displayed in the Applied Ethics Institute.
In addition, Pearson Publishing donated $2,500 to the Keith Goree Memorial Scholarship Fund. Under the direction of Jim Olliver, provost of the Seminole Campus, Goree’s telecourse lectures were copied to DVDs and presented to his family.
Goree, a longtime Ethics instructor and director of SPC's Applied Ethics Institute since 2005, died July 16.
Moratorium placed on surplus items to storage
The warehouse in the Olympia Building on the Tarpon Springs Campus wil not accept any more surplus furniture and other items for storage until sometime in February. Construction is about to start in and around the building.
“We are going to have to place a moratorium on any items coming into the warehouse for a couple of months while we re-arrange the contents of the warehouse,” said Susan Reiter, vice president of Facilities Planning & Institutional Services. “The rearranging is necessary so we can prepare for the start of construction.”
A new College of Education building is to be built on the Tarpon Springs Campus, and that building will occupy about 50 percent of the space now occupied by the warehouse.
“We have a great need to reorganize, relocate, dispose of and donate as much of the existing items in the warehouse as possible,” Reiter said.
There will be no exceptions except those approved by Susan Reiter or Scott Weaver.
Contact Bill Miller at 341-3098 if you have questions.
Scholarship House groundbreaking
SPC and its Foundation, in conjunction with the Educational Foundation of the Florida Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. (BPW), and Business and Professional Women St. Petersburg/Pinellas, celebrated the ground breaking for the Helen K. Leslie BPW Scholarship House Nov. 20, at 7001 Burlington Ave. N. (near the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus’ Wellness Center).
Named for an SPC Foundation board member who is a BPW past national president and local businesswoman, this two-story, 5,000-square-foot facility will house 17 female students who have demonstrated a financial need and a history of academic and community leadership. The furnished house will include bedrooms, a bathroom for every four women, a communal kitchen and living area, and a laundry room.
SPC collects money as part of asbestos settlement
The college is to get a check for $32,500 as payment in a class action suit involving asbestos and a number of asbestos producers.
The payment is part of a $62-million court judgment in favor of the 410 educational institutions involved in the class action suit. The court recently approved payment of 15 percent of the original claim – SPC’s total claim was $217,000. Additional settlement money should be coming to SPC next year.
The original suit, Central Wesleyan v. W.R. Grace, et al., was filed in 1987. Colleges that wanted to be part of the class action suit had to submit monetary claims in 2005 and 2006. SPC complied with that requirement, and has been researching its claim since that time.
Susan Reiter, vice president of Facilities Planning & Institutional Services, said Anna Gillman of the Safety and Environmental Services Department deserves the credit for the hours of researching required to be able to submit such a strong claim for the settlement funds.
The settlement was approved by the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals for 410 institutions that filed claims in the class action. The colleges claimed that the asbestos producers had provided insulating material that caused property damage because of the presence of friable asbestos in their facilities.
Important pay date notices
Please note the following changes regarding pay checks during the upcoming holidays:
Early Web Time deadlines before winter break
Employees - please have all time entries done by Thursday, Dec. 17.
Supervisors - please approve all leave and time entries by Friday, Dec. 18.
Jan. 1 pay issued Dec. 31
Because pay day falls on New Year’s Day, that week’s pay will be issued on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009. This means you will have an extra pay day in the calendar year – 27 rather than 26 and you still will have 26 pay days in 2010. (This occurs every 10-11 years.)
The Dec. 31 pay day is the third of the month and therefore won’t have any deductions. So what does this mean?
- Your gross wages for 2009 will be more than last year since we have one more pay day in the 2009 calendar year.
- For those who have direct deposit, you will see your money in your account Dec. 31.
- If you receive a paper check, it will be available at your site Monday, Jan. 4.
Vote for Dollars for Scholars Thrift Store on WEDU's Be More Awards
WEDU's Be More People's Choice Poll is open. Described as the Emmy Awards of the non-profit world, this online poll gives you the opportunity to help us spread the word about the Dollars for Scholars of St. Petersburg Thrift Store.
The new thrift store has raised more than $30,000 for student scholarships from the sale of donated items since it opened in June. In January, $25,000 will be awarded to needy students at St. Petersburg College.
Get the details of how to cast your votes at WEDU.org and vote until Dec. 18 for Dollars for Scholars for the People's Choice Award, and Michelle Piccione for the Volunteer Award. Invite your friends and family to cast their vote too.
FSA reminder
Sign up and save money with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) in 2010. FSA enrollment ends Dec. 4.
Visit the EzFlexPlan Web site for an FSA overview.
If you do not have an FSA, download the FSA enrollment form, print it out and send it to:
Anh Nunag
Human Resources
EpiCenter Services Building
If you already have an FSA in 2009, you will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to access your information online and enroll for 2010. All online enrollments must be completed by Friday, Dec. 4, at 11 p.m.
Use your 2009 FSA funds by March 15
You have until March 15, 2010, to use money in your 2009 funds. All reimbursement requests for the 2009 FSA must be postmarked by April 30, 2010.
The reimbursement form can be found on the Human Resources Web site under “Benefits;” click on “Flexible Spending Account,” then “Claim Form.” Refunds are typically received in about two weeks.
Holiday bargains fund scholarships
Shop for holiday bargains and help fund student scholarships. Need more reasons to visit the Dollars for Scholars Thrift Store? How about:Make room for the holidays by cleaning out your closets - Donations can be dropped off during normal business hours. You also can arrange to have your donations picked up by calling the store at 727-341-3620.
Shop for bargain gifts that keep on giving - Find great deals at the store's tent sale Saturday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 8300 Ulmerton Road, Unit 102.
Get another tax deduction before the year ends - All donations to Dollars for Scholars, a 501(C)(3) non-profit charitable institution, are tax deductible.
Dollars for Scholars Thrift Store
10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday (closed Monday, Dec. 7 for parking lot maintenance)
SPC Caruth Health Education Center
7028 66th St. N, Pinellas Park
727-341-3620
Winter break schedule clarified
St. Petersburg College winter break dates are:
» Dec. 18-Jan. 10, no classes for students
» Dec. 24-25, 30 and Jan. 1, all college offices closed
Unlike Pinellas County Schools, the college is open on Monday, Dec. 21 for all budgeted employees, including 12-month faculty, counselors and librarians.
As directed by supervisors, some employees may be required to work during the winter break. Career Service budgeted employees who work on Dec. 22, 23, 28, 29 or 30 are entitled to a “floating holiday/holidays” — meaning time off, hour-for-hour, for time worked on. The time off must be taken on or before June 30, 2010.
Get all the holiday schedules for Follett's bookstore, Technical Support, ANGEL, MAP Centers and other student services offered during the upcoming winter break.
SPC staff and students get discount for Ditchfield Family Singers Christmas Show
The Palladium Theater is offering a special Christmas gift to St. Petersburg College students, staff and faculty. Bring your family to see and hear the The Ditchfield Family Singers Christmas Show on Sunday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m. and pay just $10 for adults, $5 for children.
Tickets for the public are $15-$25.
The Ditchfield’s Christmas show is a multi-generational holiday event that features all the best carols and holiday songs. The family is known for its tight harmony singing. Based in Sarasota, the Ditchfield’s play to sold-out crowds around the country.
To learn more about the Ditchfields and get a preview of the show, go to www.ditchfieldfamilysingers.com/
To receive the discount, bring your SPC ID to the box office or call 727-822-3590. This discount is not available through the Palladium Web site.
Holiday Decorations at Sarasota’s Ringling Museum
Join St. Petersburg College for a day trip to Sarasota’s Ringling Museum on Friday, Dec. 11.
Enjoy the holiday decorations and visit Ca d'Zan, the former winter home of John and Mable Ringling and several of their associates and friends.
Under the auspices of St. Petersburg College’s Lifelong Learning Department, Kim Cool, travel and leisure editor of the Venice Gondolier newspaper, will lead a day-long tour to Sarasota. The SPC college bus will depart at 8:30 a.m. from two St. Petersburg College campuses.
Travelers will experience a private guided tour of the mansion, and have access to the art and circus museums. Lunch will be enjoyed at Treviso, on the museum grounds. The bus returns to Pinellas County by 5 p.m.. Tour-goers will each receive signed copies of the author’s books “Ghost Stories of Sarasota” and “Circus Days in Sarasota."
The $75 trip cost includes transportation, admission, lunch, house tour and books.
For more information, call 727-712-5443 or 727-341-3196.