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 *.
Record 765 graduates awarded degrees at 109th commencementMore than 5,000 family and friends looked on Saturday morning as 765 graduates received their college degrees at Tropicana Field. Those walking included 33 from the first group from the Early College Program. It was the largest group of graduates in SPC history, easily besting the 662 who graduated during ceremonies two years ago. President Carl M. Kuttler Jr. presided over the ceremonies, the college’s 109th commencement. Kuttler recognized faculty and staff members of the college, and told the graduates that SPC faculty and staff members work hard to contribute to SPC’s national standing and reputation. The Outstanding Alumnus Award went to E. Ann McGee, President of Seminole Community College in Sanford/Lake Mary since 1996. McGee grew up in Largo and graduated from St. Petersburg College, as well as Florida State University and Nova Southeastern University. McGee was unable to attend the ceremonies, but will be formally honored at the July commencement. Receiving the Apollo Award, the college’s highest honor for two-year students, was Melinda Thackrah, a Clearwater Campus student who graduated with a 3.96 grade point average. The award, given annually by the St. Petersburg College Alumni Association, also carries with it a $1,000 scholarship. In her speech, Thackrah described how she returned to college after a debilitating accident that resulted in a long and difficult recovery period. “I believe that I exemplify what is possible through the open door policy of the community college system,” Thackrah said. “I am a high school dropout who was recently accepted to one of the pre-eminent liberal arts colleges in the country, New College of Florida. “I have often said that my family and friends helped me survive the accident, but SPC gave me back my life,” she said. Among the graduates were 100 from SPC’s College of Education; 230 from the four-year baccalaureate program; 59 from the Collegiate High School and 33 students from the Early College program. The latter two groups completed high school while earning two-year college degrees. Mother and daughter get their degrees on the same day
|
 Dolores and Michele Parry |
Dolores Parry and her daughter, Michele, started their educational journeys at different times and at different places. But both of them ended up together at Tropicana Field on Saturday, where each graduated with associate degrees.
Michele, 18, started at SPC’s Collegiate High School three years ago, and picked up her high school diploma Friday night and her associate degree on Saturday; Dolores, 52, started taking courses at SPC five years ago, hoping to earn an associate degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
Michele breezed through her program in timely fashion, working part-time at Stetson University College of Law in her off-hours; Dolores, who had last been in an academic setting in her Pennsylvania high school in the early 1970s, struggled a bit, and had to cope with surgeries and other setbacks that caused her to interrupt her studies.
But both of the Gulfport residents made it to the finish line on the same day. Dolores made things interesting by spending time in the hospital, not once but twice, in the days leading up to graduation. She went from the hospital to her daughter's high school graduation Friday.
“Someone I knew told me that she had gone back to school after her kids were raised, and I thought that sounded like a good idea,” Dolores said a few days before graduation. “So I did it. It has taken five years, but I will finally graduate.”
Hospitality and Tourism Management was an obvious choice for Dolores, because she already has been working in that field for much of her life.
“I’ve done serving and bartending, and I owned my own sports café at one time,” she said. “Also, my family owned a boarding house and motel on the Jersey Shore and I worked there when I was growing up. If we didn’t work, we didn’t eat.”
For Michele, the path was quite different. A gifted singer, Michele was studying voice at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High when she decided to transfer to the Collegiate High School for her sophomore, junior and senior years, where she could earn her high school diploma and an associate degree at the same time.
Mother and daughter now will follow different dreams; Dolores plans to seek a management position in the hospitality industry, while Michele will move on to Eckerd College to major in biology.
“She wants to be a pediatrician,” her mother said.
Michele said the fact that she and her mother graduated on the same day was more coincidence than anything. Her mother would have graduated last year if some health issues hadn’t gotten in the way.
“Graduating together was really a surprise,” Michele said. “But I feel that I am just as proud of her as I am of myself – she has gone through much more than I have to get where she is.”
Benefits Open Enrollment going online
Signing up for 2009-10 benefits is going electronic. The college is implementing an online Open Enrollment process this year called PeopleSoft eBenefits that will be available through the portal.
To access eBenefits, you will need a network userID and password. Those budgeted employees who do not currently possess a network userID and password will be notified shortly on how to obtain one.
Also, please be reminded that to maintain the integrity of the college’s insurance programs, employees, retirees and COBRA participants who are college insured will be asked to provide verification of their dependents who also are covered under the plans for 2009-10. All employees should have received notice of this at their home address. If you have questions about the Dependent Eligibility Verification process, contact Ron Boyce in Human Resources at Ext. 6827.
Rays rap returns to Tampa Bay
Since SPC Student Activities Coordinator Davie "Big Gill" and company landed on YouTube with the Tampa Bay Rays rap "It's our Season," more than 37,000 people have logged on to watch. Recently, FOX News covered the '09 season remix. Check out this news story or listen to the remix online.
Palladium named "Best Community Performing Arts Center"
The Palladium at St. Petersburg College was named "Best Community Performing Arts Center" in the May/June edition of Tampa Bay Magazine.
The listing noted: "This architecturally beautiful, 880-seat community theater is committed to representing cultural diversity and emerging artists, as well as enriching the lives of people in the community. From their Side Door Jazz series to the St. Petersburg Opera, their programming is entertaining and affordable."
New TAR/TRV form now online
The Travel Authorization Request (TAR), Pre-TAR and Travel Request Voucher (TRV) forms have been combined into one form. Links to the form and to instructions for filing the form are posted on the Travel Department Web site for your use.
This new form replaces the TAR, Pre-TAR and TRV forms.
NOTE: You will need to have macros enabled in order for the check boxes on this new form to work properly.
Apply for Educators in Industry by May 15
The summer session of Educators In Industry (EII) runs June 8 - 11. Participants will meet on Monday from 1–4 p.m. at Pinellas County Schools Administration building, and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at various businesses. Six visits (two a day) will be made to business and industrial sites to acquire knowledge regarding career opportunities in Pinellas County. Visits will include such sites as WorkNet Pinellas, L-3 Communications, Tech Data, Pinellas Waste Water Plant and PSCU Financial Services.
In addition to the business and industry site visits, the EII board members expect participants to attend a banquet in November.
Registration form (pdf)
As in all workshops that require you to be away from your work site, please be sure to get your supervisor’s permission to attend.
Meeting notice
The St. Petersburg College Foundation Inc. will have a Planned Giving Committee meeting on May 19, and an Executive Committee meeting on May 20, at the District Office of St. Petersburg College, 6021 142nd Ave. N., Largo. These meetings will consider routine business of the Foundation.
Cultural Corner
This weekly column features some of the arts and entertainment events presented by St. Petersburg College and its partners. NEW items are noted for your convenience.
Discounts Palladium: Faculty, staff and students receive a 10 percent discount to all shows produced by the Palladium or its partners at the Palladium. |
May 14-17
Webb's City: The Concert Version, the original musical comedy by Bill Leavengood and Lee Ahlin in concert version, offering all the essential scenes and songs with minimal scenery and costumes. 7:30 p.m. May 14-16, and 1 p.m. May 17. Palladium. $16.50, $21.50, $26.50.
May 15-17
Florida Orchestra Masterworks Concert: Mahler Symphony No. 2, Resurrection, Stefan Sanderling, Conductor. Featuring the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, Richard Zielinski, artistic and music director. 8 p.m. Friday, May 15, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center; 8 p.m. Saturday, May 16, Mahaffey Theater; and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 17, Ruth Eckerd Hall. $19-$65.
NEW - Saturday, May 16
Tour of the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum, part of Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art’s The Decades Series, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Leaves from LRMA, $8 members; $10 non-members.
NEW - May 18-July 17
Pinellas County Schools Spring Show, Crossroads Art Gallery, Clearwater Campus, Reception – May 20, 6-8 p.m. Free.
NEW - May 23-24
Oz with Orchestra: The Wizard of Oz, with the film on the big screen with the orchestra performing the Oscar-winning score. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 23; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 24. Mahaffey Theater. $35-$45, children $25 & $35.
NEW - Thursday, May 28
Florida Orchestra Coffee Concert: An American in Paris, Alastair Willis, conductor, 11 a.m., Mahaffey Theater. $24-$40.
NEW - Thursday, May 28
Side Door Jazz: Trio Vibe with vocalist Edgar Wilcox, presented by The Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association, 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $20.
NEW - May 29-31
Florida Orchestra Pops Concert: Broadway by Request, Richard Kaufman, conductor, Broadway veterans Lisa Vroman, Debbie Gravitte and Ron Raines, vocalists. 8 p.m. Friday, May 15, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center; 8 p.m. Saturday, May 16, Mahaffey Theater; and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 17, Ruth Eckerd Hall. $19-$65.
NEW - June 5-6
Sonata-Sonatina Festival, 10 a.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. Participant registration required, $30. Spectators free.
NEW - June 5-9
St. Petersburg Opera: La Traviata, 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 5; 2 p.m. June 7; and 7:30 p.m. June 9. Palladium. $20- $61.50.
NEW - June 5-28
Tuesdays With Morrie, by Jeffrey Hatcher after Mitch Albom, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 3 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. First show in the new American Stage Theatre at St. Petersburg College, St. Petersburg. $31-$39.
NEW - Friday, June 12
St. Petersburg College Piano Concert Series: Rebecca Penneys, solo recital, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. Free.
NEW - Saturday, June 13
Piano Master Class: Rebecca Penneys, 10 a.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. Free.
NEW - Saturday, June 20
Summer Bash, social event celebrating the arts in the community with music, light appetizers, beer, wine and soft drinks. 8-10 p.m., Fine Arts Lobby, Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art. $15; benefits museum educational programs.
Continuing through July 19
Florida Artist Group: 58th Annual Exhibition. Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art Auditorium. Free.
NEW - July 24-Aug. 16
Doubt, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; and 3 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. American Stage Theatre, St. Petersburg. $31-$39.
NEW - Sept. 25-Oct. 11
Fences, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; and 3 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. American Stage Theatre, St. Petersburg.
Check out the upcoming events at the Florida Orchestra in their online calendar:
May
This article and other health information are available on our Wellness blog.
Good fat
Have you ever wished for more body fat? Three studies published in the April 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine describe a good type of fat that many wish they had more of, brown fat.
Scientists have known about brown fat for many years. They know that infants use brown fat to stay warm. It makes up about 5 percent of an infant's body. It was believed that brown fat was not important or was non-existent in adults.
Studies using new technology, PET/CT scans, show that most adults have little hidden pockets of brown fat, about a half-ounce or less, and wish they had more.
How is brown fat different from yellow fat?
Regular fat (yellow fat) is all over the body, used to store energy and to insulate the body. Brown fat, found in small amounts in the adult, is a power house of energy and its job is to burn calories, increase the metabolism and heat the body to maintain a healthy core body temperature.
What does this mean as a new approach to weight loss?
Scientists now are exploring new ways to generate more brown fat in adults. According to Aaron Cypess, one of the study researchers, “We calculate that if you had three ounces worth (of brown fat), that would be enough, if maximally stimulated, to burn up to 400 to 500 calories per day.”
One pound of yellow fat is equal to 2,500 calories of stored energy, so without much effort, an adult could easily shed some unwanted (bad) yellow fat.
Other facts about brown fat:
- Women have more yellow fat and brown fat than men.
- We have less brown fat as we age.
- Sitting in a cool temperature at about 60 degrees stimulates brown fat.
- Lean people have more brown fat .
- Drug activation and fat transfer are two types of research to study the process to increase brown fat in adults.
- Brown fat is considered a good type of fat because it increases your metabolism naturally.
To contact SPC’s wellness coordinator, contact Cathleen Shears at shears.cathleen@spcollege.edu
To explore additional wellness updates, visit the SPC Wellness blog.
Locker Room: Sports season complete at SPC
The St. Petersburg College athletic season for 2008-09 is over.
It ended Saturday when the baseball team was eliminated after two games in the state tournament in Winter Haven.
After losing a heart-breaking game 5-4 with Santa Fe Community College Friday, the team came back Saturday and lost to Palm Beach CC 12-1 in five innings.
The team was leading 4-2 in the bottom of the ninth Friday when it got away. After an error and a single, Santa Fe had runners on the corners with one out. That's when a three-run homer ended the game.
It was the 12th consecutive year Coach Dave Pano has taken a team to the state tournament. The team finished 32-23 overall and was second in the Suncoast Conference.
Conference winner Manatee CC also was sent home after two games. Both of the teams that beat SPC remained in the tournament Monday.
The tennis team completed its play in the national tournament in Tucson, Ariz., Thursday.
In only its second year of play, the team finished 13th out of 33 teams at the tournament.
Coach Phil Girardi and Assistant Coach Hiroko Nishikawa watched as SPC placed several players deep into the later rounds of the tournament. No. 1 singles player Madeline Johnson, and No. 2 singles Dania Navarro made it all the way to the quarterfinals of their singles and No. 1 doubles draws.
For results please visit www.spcollege.edu/athletics.
Bike to Work Day
If you notice a lot more bicycles on the roads Friday, here’s why: It is Bike to Work Day, a nationally recognized event to encourage people to commute to work via bicycle.
We don’t see a lot of organized events for Bike to Work Day here in Tampa Bay, but don’t let that stop you from getting out on the road on your bicycle and pedaling off to work.
There are a lot of benefits associated with commuting by bicycle. Of course, there’s all that gasoline you save by using your own pedal-power. And don’t forget those greenhouse gas emissions that don’t happen.
Bicycling is great exercise, too. You can be kind to the environment and improve your own health and conditioning.
If you decide to take part in Bike to Work Day, here are some things to keep in mind:
- PLAN: If you have access to a shower at work, that’s a great benefit. But don’t forget to bring along a towel, soap and toiletries.
- BRING A CHANGE OF CLOTHES: No one wants to take a shower and then put on the sweaty items you just took off.
- BIKE SAFELY: If you haven’t ridden to work before, you may face some issues you don’t normally run into, such as the heavy commuter traffic. Chose a route where the traffic may be a bit lighter, or one that includes bike trails or lanes.
- RIDE WHAT YOU GOT: Riding to work shouldn’t require a fancy and expensive touring or racing model. Any old bike in good working order should do the trick. If you’ve got a bike in the garage, haul it out and use it – just make sure everything is tight and oiled up, and be sure to check the air pressure in the tires.
Is bicycle riding simply not your cup of tea? Maybe you’ll find a better fit on June 15, the 18th annual International Motorcycle & Scooter Ride to Work Day. Check it out at www.ridetowork.org.
Want to become involved with SPC’s exciting sustainability initiatives?
To participate in the sustainable | SPC initiative, visit www.spcollege.edu/sustainability or call Jason Green at 341-3283.
Onward and upward
SPC’s Department of Institutional Research and Effectiveness won the 2009 Florida Association of Institutional Research (FAIR) Best Paper Award.
Maggie Tymms, Nicole Carr and Jesse Coraggio’s submission, Using Technology to Efficiently and Effectively Gather Information from Recent Alumni and Employers, brought the honor to SPC. Tymms and Carr presented the paper at the Annual FAIR conference in March in Cocoa Beach. Along with the recognition from FAIR colleagues as a "Job Well Done!”, the paper will be submitted to AIR 2010 as the FAIR Best Paper presentation.
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 and Verizon 47 in Pinellas County.
» CoMotion Dance Theatre - Spring 2009 Dance Concert
Sundays at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.; Tuesday at 9 p.m. and Thursday at 8 p.m.
Watch the video on the CoMotion Web site.
» Frontline: Behind the Lines
Wednesday at noon and 9 p.m. and Saturday at noon and 9 p.m.
» The Music Center Presents: St. Petersburg College Band
Sunday noon and 9 p.m.; Friday 8 p.m.
» A Night at the Palladium: Harambee; African Culture Showcase
Monday 9 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
» The Music Center Presents: Percussion Ensemble
Sunday 11:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.; Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 9:30 p.m.; Thursday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m.
» A Night at the Palladium: Nathan Laube
Monday 8 p.m.