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Friday, July 24, 2009
Keith Goree, St. Petersburg/Gibbs Ethics Instructor, dies at 49
Epilogue: William Keith Goree Goree, a St. Petersburg resident, began teaching Ethics at the college in 1986 and had written ethics books, articles and curricula. He became Director of the college’s Applied Ethics Institute in 2005, and was instrumental in establishing its first Advisory Board. Through his leadership, the Institute developed a variety of programs for students such as the Ethics Bowl, the High School Leadership Academy, the “Characters with Character” library story time for children, and other programs designed to create meaningful ethical discussions in our community and to help businesses and professional groups maintain the ethical standards necessary for long-term success. “Everyone would agree that Keith is an outstanding teacher of ethics and has touched thousands of students’ lives helping them discover how they can become better human beings,” said Jane Till, Acting Instructor-in-Charge, Applied Ethics and the Applied Ethics Institute. “His daily life models the ideals of compassion, wisdom, justice, and humor and most importantly – courage.” Goree received accolades for his efforts. In 1999, he received the Carol Burnett Prize for Ethics in Journalism, and in 2005 he won the William H. Meardy Faculty Member Award, one of the most prestigious commendations given to community college faculty. In October, Goree was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Although he briefly went into remission after chemotherapy treatment, the leukemia returned last month. In September, Chris Robinson, son of SPC Director of Libraries Deborah Robinson, will honor Goree by competing in a race sponsored by Team in Training, which is part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Robinson will run with Goree’s name and picture on his shirt Goree’s wife, Anna, is an Academic Advisor at the Allstate Center and they have two grown children, Leann and Michael, who are pursuing careers in law and music. “This is a loss felt deeply by our college family,” said Karen Kaufman White, Provost, SP/G. “My heart is full of more than 25 wonderful years of knowing Keith. Like so many others, I will be eternally grateful for all that Keith brought to my life, both professionally and personally. “Our hearts go out in a special way to Anna, Leann and Michael, as we remember our friend always.” Services were held Monday in St. Petersburg. Donations can be sent in memory of Goree to: SPC’s Fire Science Program now among nation’s largest academic fire programsSt. Petersburg College’s Fire Science Program has grown to become the largest program of its kind in the state of Florida, and one of the largest in the country. But Charles Crowther, the program’s chair, says budget cuts are a serious threat to the program in the coming months. The program, which is offered 100 percent online, serves between 500 and 600 students each term. But Crowther said recent budget cuts will likely cut into education reimbursements paid by fire jurisdictions. Without those reimbursements, he said, fire fighters may put off the education they need to qualify for promotions and higher pay grades. The tight money situation is something he has seen before, Crowther said, and there is little to do but wait for things to improve. “There is not much you can do,” he said. “Unless jurisdictions continue their educational reimbursement programs, people will back off.” To attract new students, Crowther said the program is designing a four-year program based on the national FESHE model -- the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education Program. The desired result will be a standardized baccalaureate program that could be pursued by firefighters across the country. FESHE was developed by the U. S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy (NFA). SPC’s current associate degree consists of 36 credits in fire science. Within the curriculum are five sub-plans that allow students to earn certificates for Fire Inspector I and II, Fire Officer I and II, and Fire Investigator. All the certificates are transferable into other fire programs. The program is popular among firefighters because it is entirely online. Attending classes can be challenging for firefighters because of their constantly changing work schedules, Crowther said. The popularity of the online program has sparked vigorous growth in SPC’s program over the past few years, he said. Another factor that has driven growth is that the state of Florida pays a monthly stipend to firefighters who earn their associate degree. The program also is very useful in preparing students for promotional examinations. College’s second new "green" building is certified LEED® GoldFor the second time in two months, The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded St. Petersburg College LEED® Gold certification for one of its new campus buildings.
LEED® stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Gold is its second-highest designation. The certification was issued July 1 for the design-build project, built by W.G. Mills, Inc. and designed in association with Flad Architects. Both buildings opened in January. They were built to conform to the LEED® Green Building Rating System™, a nationally accepted certifier of high performance and environmentally sensitive buildings. “Environmentally friendly building operations provide nearly 40% of the solution to the climate change issue,” said Jason Green, SPC’s Sustainability Coordinator. “Even though climate change exists as part of a global challenge, we are attempting to address it locally through sustainable building design and other collegewide initiatives.” Both buildings were designed to decrease pollution and negative impacts on the environment; decrease impact on local aquifers; decrease energy consumption; and increase the quality of indoor air and the indoor working environment. John L. Evans, SPC’s Architect, said the college always has constructed buildings that are energy efficient. “Our design guidelines for this building were really not that different or more stringent than what we have been doing in the past,” he said. The Natural Science, Mathematics and College of Education building includes “green cleaning” products. Reflective roofing and paving materials result in cooler surfaces. Fourteen preferred parking spaces are provided for fuel-efficient vehicles/carpools, and bicycle storage and shower/changing facilities are located within the building. Composite wood products contain no added urea formaldehyde, and all adhesives, paints and carpets meet low volatile organic compound (VOC) standards. To ensure proper function and minimize energy loss through building exhaust, chemistry laboratory fume hoods were tested and commissioned. There is no smoking within 25 feet of any entry. The building’s design should inspire students, said SPC’s Interior Designer Charm Callahan. “This new green building provides an example for students to actually experience the impact of thoughtful and responsible design,” she said. Additional facts about the building:
“We can think of no better way to demonstrate our environmental commitment than through the LEED® certified buildings we construct, and the existing buildings we renovate,” said SPC President Carl M. Kuttler Jr. St. Petersburg College names new women’s basketball coach
Davidson, 28, has been an assistant at Columbus State University in Columbus, Ga., for four years. She was a Graduate Assistant at Austin Peay State University for a year, where she earned her master’s degree in sports administration. She was a two-time All-American at Division II Kennesaw State University, just north of Atlanta. Her three-year career averages at Kennesaw State were 20-points per game and 10 rebounds a game. “I have played with a lot of different players and for a lot of different coaching styles,” she said. “I have had a lot of opportunities to see what I liked and what I didn’t like.” Athletic Director Mark Strickland said he felt fortunate to find Davidson. “She has that youthful enthusiasm and she will run a tight ship.” Social Science building comes down
Workers began demolishing the Social Science Building on July 13 to make way for a parking lot. The demolition process should take about three weeks. SPC earns $40,356 energy efficiency rebate
Progress Energy employees Laura Whitted, Account Executive, and Nancy Loehr, Account Executive for CIG (Commercial, Industrial, & Government), present an energy efficiency rebate check of $40,356 to St. Petersburg College during the July Board of Trustees meeting. SPC President Carl M. Kuttler Jr. and BOT Chairman Deveron Gibbons received the check on behalf of the college as Jim Waechter, Director, Facilities Services, left, and Diana Wright, Energy Coordinator, look on. Paycheck deduction reminderBecause there are three paydays in July and to allow time for processing changes in benefits, benefit deductions were not taken out of the July 3 paycheck. Instead, deductions will be taken from the paychecks on July 17 and 31. The next time there are three paydays in a month (January), the deductions will be taken from the first two paychecks. QEP Training
Carol Weideman, standing right, leads faculty members from around the college in the Critical Thinking Assessment Test (CAT) Scoring Workshop July 10 at the EpiCenter. The CAT is designed to assess and promote the improvement of critical thinking and real-world problem solving skills. The test, administered during the summer term to five classes involving 66 students in Communications, College of Education, Ethics, and Paralegal Studies courses, will help the college gain insight into the impact of the critical thinking initiative and help guide future efforts in this area. Photo by Janice Thiel Graduation July 25 in Largo
The college’s 110th Commencement is at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, at First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks in Largo, which features a 3,000-seat auditorium with major audio and video performance enhancements. Approximately 300 graduates are expected to march, including those earning baccalaureate degrees. As in previous non-May ceremonies, a full faculty and staff procession with regalia will not be held. However, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend to show support for the graduates. Because of limited seating, reserved seating (ID required) can be arranged by contacting Tina O’Daniels at Ext. 5720. The commencement address will be delivered by President Carl M. Kuttler Jr. A Student’s Perspective will be shared by two graduates, one a two-year student and one a four-year student from the Management and Organizational Leadership program of the College of Technology and Management. The 2009 Outstanding Alumnus Award, announced at Spring 2009 Commencement, will be presented to E. Ann McGee, President of Seminole Community College. Invocation and benediction will be delivered by Rev. Terry Collier of the Network of Christian Counselors. Other notable people onstage: members of the Board of Trustees, President’s Cabinet, Baccalaureate Deans and Faculty Senate. For those students, family and friends who cannot attend the graduation ceremony on July 25, a link to view a live broadcast of the ceremony will be available beginning at 9:50 a.m. under “Click to View Broadcast.” Summer graduation details are online. “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” the title of 2009-10 One Book, One College program
“Abandoning the industrial-food pipeline to live a rural life – vowing that, for one year, they’d only buy food raised in their own neighborhood, grow it themselves, or learn to live without it. Part memoir, part journalistic investigation, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle makes a passionate case for putting the kitchen back at the center of family life, and diversified farms at the center of the American diet.” – from the publisher’s abstract. With relevance for a broad spectrum of disciplines and programs, the committee felt that this title would offer myriad opportunities for educational programming and curricular activities throughout the college, and fit well with the college’s Wellness and Sustainability programs. Multiple copies of the book are available now in hard copy, e-audiobook format, and on DVD in the SPC Libraries. Info Fest 2009
Academic Advisor Joseph Smith, left, speaks with Mary Blinkhorn, center, her mother, Jackie St. Pierre, and Coleman Dewell during one of the InfoFest sessions at the SP/G Campus on July 9. The collegewide event gave current and prospective students a chance to register for classes, tour the campus, and speak with staff from Student Services and Financial Assistance. Photo by Jennifer Ruechel Meeting noticesThe Nominating Committee for the SPC Alumni Association Inc. will meet on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 6 p.m. at the District Office, 6021 142nd Avenue North, Largo, Florida, in Consular Corporate Conference Room 102. The Board of Directors for the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art will meet to discuss general business on Wed., Aug. 5, 3:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium at St. Petersburg College’s Tarpon Springs Campus, 600 Klosterman Road, Tarpon Springs. The following committees also will have their general business meetings on the same day: Collections Committee, 2:15 p.m., Associate Curator/Registrar’s office; Governance Committee, 2:30 p.m., Director’s office; Finance Committee, 2:30 p.m., Fine Arts Auditorium.
Summertime: The perfect time to quit smokingIf you have Aetna Health Insurance, your tobacco-free future is only a phone call away. Call the Aetna Quit Tobacco Program, provided by Healthyroads Quit&Fit® for your no-cost, confidential kickoff session at 1-800-650-2747. This benefit also is available to your spouse and dependents who are over 18 years old. According to the American Lung Association, many smokers make several attempts to quit before they succeed for good. Your best bet is to keep trying. Why not make it a smoke-free summer? The money you’ll save from quitting also can help make this your best summer yet. Of course, the amount you save depends on how much you smoke right now. But if you smoke a pack a day, you could save several hundred dollars by the end of the summer! You easily could use this money to take your family to an amusement park or sightseeing. Plus, your family won’t have to work around your smoke breaks anymore! Quitting cigarettes can save you more than pocket money. It also can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in health care costs. Eighty-seven percent of lung cancer cases are caused by tobacco. Cigarette use also can cause emphysema and chronic bronchitis. If you don’t quit tobacco for yourself this summer, give it up for your kids. Some experts believe that summer is a time when many young people try smoking for the first time. Because children have a lot more free time, they may be more tempted to try new things. And if they see you smoking, or find your cigarettes lying around, they may decide to give it a try. Set a healthy example this summer and give up cigarettes for good. Best of all, those that quit still can qualify for the discounted medical rate; you can qualify mid-year if you have met all of the following requirements:
The discount would be effective Jan. 1, 2010. For additional information go to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Human Resources and Payroll home page. Explore SPC wellness to read additional wellness articles. For more information, contact SPC’s Wellness Coordinator Cathleen Shears. Adapted from Aetna promotional material, used with permission. |
Keith Goree, a long-time Ethics Instructor at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus, died July 16 at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. He was 49.
The Natural Science, Mathematics and College of Education building on the Clearwater campus received the certification. The other LEED® Gold building is the Student Services building on the St Petersburg/Gibbs Campus. 
St. Petersburg College has selected Denisha Davidson as the new women’s basketball coach. She replaces William Smith, who remains on the faculty at the college.
The title for the fifth annual “One Book, One College: SPC Reads” program will be “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” by renowned novelist Barbara Kingsolver. The book, chosen by a selection committee comprised of faculty, librarians and students from across the college, chronicles the family of the author’s year-long quest to eat only home-grown or locally-grown food.
» The Music Center Presents: Rebecca Penneys
Monday at 9 p.m., Friday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 8 p.m.
For details on other Department of Music events, visit the Department of Music Web site
» Stories from the Campfire: Living Life Without Limits
Sunday at noon and 9 p.m., Wednesday at 9 p.m.
» CoMotion Dance Theatre - Spring 2009 Dance Concert
Sunday at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m., Thursday at 8 p.m.
Watch the video on the CoMotion Web site.
» Frontline: Behind the Lines
Tuesday at 9 p.m. For details on other Palladium events, visit the Palladium Web site.
» The Music Center Presents: Percussion Ensemble
Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., Thursday at 8:30 p.m., Saturday at 8:30 p.m.
For details on other Department of Music events, visit the Department of Music Web site.
» A Night at the Palladium: Divertissement Ensemble
Saturday at 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. For details on other Palladium events, visit the Palladium Web site.