Leepa-Rattner Community Day on June 1

© Francoise Gilot (French, b. 1921) My Family in Brittany, 1974 35×29 in. Color lithograph, ed. 33/50 On loan from the Patrick and Jackie Terrail Collection

The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art will host the LRMA Community Day on Saturday, June 1.

Enjoy an afternoon of enriching activities inspired by the Gilot and Picasso exhibitions. Participants can enjoy tours of the exhibitions, family-centered art-making stations, refreshments and music.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. At 1 p.m., Gilot’s daughter, Aurelia Colas Engel, curator of the Gilot lithographs, will give a presentation – Francoise Gilot and the Lithographic Stone.

This event is open to the public. Donations welcome.

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New Veteran Services Center at the Tarpon Spring Campus

St. Petersburg College’s Tarpon Springs Campus now has a new space for its Veterans Services Office.

Last year, SPC was recognized as the 15th most veteran-friendly college in the nation by the Military Times and Edge Magazine publications. The accomplishment is evidence of the continuous and far-reaching efforts by the college to support the professional development of our returning heroes. To bolster these efforts, the Tarpon Springs Campus provided new spaces for its Veteran Services Office. The new office, which officially opened on April 15, serves as administrative and support facility for all student veterans/dependents, as well as a gathering place to promote veteran networking, academic success and camaraderie.

The new spaces are located in the Agora building, in rooms 105 and 106. Hours are:

• Mondays and Thursdays 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Tuesdays and Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Fridays 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Enrique Bernal, the campus’ Veteran Support Advisor, can be reached at (727)712-5848 or 5731.

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Earth Day events at SPC

Earth Day volunteers work to clean up Habitat Park at the Seminole Campus.

Volunteers remove Brazilian pepper trees on the Tarpon Springs campus.

Various SPC campuses recognized Earth Day this month with events ranging from cleanups to a tree planting.

The Tarpon Springs Campus celebrated Earth Day on Saturday, April 20. About 30 students participated. Part of the group picked up trash in a natural Sandhill Crane site on the campus and along U.S. 19.

Another group from Tarpon Springs cut down Brazilian pepper trees on campus. The trees are an invasive, exotic species detrimental to Florida’s ecosystems. The Earth Day celebration was led by Assistant Professor Kelli Stickrath. Pizza lunch was provided by the campus’ Student Government Association.

At the Seminole Campus, a tree planting ceremony was held on Monday, April 22. A group also gathered on April 20 for a Natural Habitat Park cleanup.

Earlier in the month, SPC Downtown held an Earth Day seminar to teach people about recycling. Those who pledged not to waste the Earth’s resources, received a SPC Downtown aluminum bottle.

The Clearwater and St. Petersburg/Gibbs campuses held quad events this week. Clearwater was host to Dr. R.E. Cycler. With initials that stand for “Robotic Environmentalist,” the robot greeted people and crushed and recycled cans. It was the first time the robot, sponsored by the Engineering and Science and Adventure clubs, was on display in the Tampa Bay area.

See more photos on the college’s Facebook page.

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Student Spring Charrette: Putting art on a pedestal

The 2013 Student Spring Charrette, celebrating its 11th year at SPC’s Tarpon Springs Campus, runs through April 28.

Judges named artwork from Betty Stallard as the Best in Show. Those who selected the student winners were:

• Lynn Whitelaw, Curator of the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art
• Maria Edmonds, Chair of the Hispanic Leadership Council
• Townsend Tarapani, Tarpon Springs City Commissioner
• Rod Davis, Associate Provost, SPC Tarpon Springs Campus

Other student winners:

Painting -

• First Place: Gene Prine
• Second Place: Gaile Prine
• Third Place: Tom Wilke

Design -

• First Place: Catherine Peshek
• Second Place: Jooli Mastrangelo
• Third Place: Katherine LaFayette

Drawing I -

• First Place: Michael Karaszkiewicz
• Second Place: Shelby Grafton
• Third Place: Dalton Hopkins

Drawing II -

• First Place: Angeline Neugebauer
• Second Place : Philip Humphreys
• Third Place: Caitlin Kern

Mixed Media -

• First Place: Dalton Malony
• Second Place: Patrick Smith
• Third Place: Toni Williams

Comments from the judges:

• “The works in this exhibit were first class due to the wonderful instruction we have on the Tarpon Springs Campus.” – Maria Edmonds
• “This work was even stronger than the past year and shows much exploration.” – Lynn Whitelaw
• “The work was inspiring, profound and expressive, clearly a reflection of great instruction.” – Rod Davis
• “I can tell you, there was much deliberation among the judges. This show is a clear reflection of the instructor’s abilities and a testament to the talent within the Tarpon Springs community.” – Townsend Tarapani

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Animals, students bond at Tarpon Springs adopt-a-thon

It rained cats and dogs last week but people at the St. Petersburg College Tarpon Springs Campus were more focused on the animals at the April 4 adopt-a-thon.

Three dogs and a kitten were adopted at the event that drew 135 people. Representatives from Pasco County Animal Services and Placing Misplaced Pets attended and brought animals that were up for adoption.

Faculty, staff and students were given the opportunity to learn about the benefits of having a pet, according to the event’s organizers.

The event was part of the One Book One College series at SPC. The college selects a book every year to feature in its common reading program. This year’s choice is Garth Stein’s The Art of Racing in the Rain. The story is about a dog named Enzo, who yearns to be human and learns what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person.

Ten SPC student volunteers participated in the adopt-a-thon including members of the campus’ Student Government Association and the Latinos United Club. Pasco County Commissioner Pat Mulieri also was at the event and worked as a volunteer for Pasco County Animal Services.

Despite the severe weather outside, people who came to see the animals said they enjoyed the adopt-a-thon and found it “therapeutic.” Some students said they had recently lost pets and wanted to see the animals including a student who missed his dog he had to leave behind with family back home.

See more photos from the event on the college’s Facebook page.

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Rod Davis named Tarpon Springs Campus Associate Provost

Rodrigo “Rod” Davis has been named Associate Provost at the Tarpon Springs Campus.

“I feel very fortunate to have been given many opportunities at SPC to work and learn alongside wonderful people,” Davis said. “I’m optimistic about our college’s direction in the future.”

Davis has experience in several student services positions: Counselor/Academic Advisor on the Clearwater Campus; collegewide coordinator of the Male Outreach Initiative (MOI); Student Activities Coordinator; Interim International Programs Coordinator; and Outreach Specialist. He is pursuing his PhD in Education and Human Resources at Colorado State University.

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Faculty shares racing experiences with students

This month amateur race car driver and St. Petersburg College Tarpon Springs faculty member Brian Brillinger discussed his experiences racing with the Sports Club of America, even bringing along his red, 1971 BMW to show students.

Brillinger spoke with students at the Tarpon Springs Campus on Monday, March 11, and again at the Clearwater Campus on Monday, March 25. The event included information about amateur racing, licenses needed for racing, safety features and an interactive activity.

See photos from taken at the Clearwater Campus on the college’s Facebook page.

The event is part of a number of programs this spring in support of SPC’s One Book One College title The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.

At the Tarpon Springs Campus, faculty members have incorporated the book into lessons and assignments. Students have been participating in monthly book discussions with Jennifer Haber and Jeanna Ojeda at the Tarpon Springs Campus library.

Another event related to SPC’s One Book One College selection is an upcoming dog adopt-a-thon. The event is set for April 4 from 1 – 3 p.m. at the Tarpon Springs Campus outdoor amphitheater area. Faculty, staff and students will have the opportunity to learn about the benefits of dog ownership.

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SPC Week: Four days, five locations, no application fee

People looking to attend the college can apply during the upcoming SPC Week without paying the $40 application fee.

Starting March 18, SPC will be hosting enrollment events at five of its campus locations. The open house events will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. at St. Petersburg/Gibbs, Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, Downtown and Seminole. The $40 application fee will be waived for students who apply at an event.

SPC Week Events: March 18 – St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus March 19 – Clearwater Campus March 20 – Tarpon Springs Campus & SPC Downtown March 21 – Seminole Campus SPC Week participants should bring these items with them to apply for financial aid and/or get in-state tuition rates. Want an email reminder for SPC Week?

Participants can tour the campuses, learn about clubs and campus life, plan their class schedule, get advice about what career is right for them and speak with a financial aid expert in addition to applying. Veterans will be able to meet with the college’s Veterans Services staff who can answer questions about their GI benefits.

Each of SPC’s campuses has its own feel, clubs and programs. That’s why each campus will be providing SPC Week participants with a variety of events and activities unique to that location.

• The St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus event will take place to a ’70s theme. Hourly tours will be offered, and attendees will be able to visit of the campus’ Music Industry Recording Arts (MIRA) studio and SPC’s MYRA radio station. Participants can stop by Retro Joe’s on the second floor of the library between noon and 2 p.m. for free coffee, snacks and root beer floats. They also can attend a MIRA performance at the campus’ Student Services building. During the event, there will be drawings for six Barnes & Noble $50 gift cards.

• At the Clearwater Campus, SPC Week participants will be able to explore the college’s various degrees and departments at a Campus Expo in the campus’ new Ethics and Social Sciences building. Sample refreshments will be provided by The Hard Drive Cafe. The campus tour will include stops at the Learning Resource Commons, Crossroads Gallery, the high-tech Collaborative Center for Emerging Technologies and the Writing Studio.

• The Tarpon Springs Campus will host a scavenger hunt tour with a pirate theme during its SPC Week event. Attendees will be greeted with music, popcorn and snacks, then given a map of the campus. The scavenger hunt tour will include stops at the College of Education, Cafe Olympus, the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, the campus’ soccer fields and the Wellness Center. Applicants will be registered to win one of three $50 Barnes & Noble gift cards.

• SPC Downtown will be offering a tour of its campus, located in the heart of St. Petersburg. It is housed with the SPC Downtown Arts Cultural Center and within walking distance of all of the area’s numerous restaurants, theaters and other cultural venues. For SPC Week, the campus has reached out to area GED programs to notify potential students about the opportunities available at SPC Downtown. A drawing for a Barnes & Noble gift card also will be held.

• Highlights from the Seminole Campus SPC Week event will include guided tours of the campus’ Learning Commons, specialized classrooms, TV Studio and state-of-the-art Digitorium, plus information about new construction coming in June 2013. The event also will include hourly drawings for gift cards and SPC Theme gifts. Participants will be able to meet with academic chairs and faculty to learn more about the campus’ programs, specifically:

• Entrepreneurship Program
• Digital Arts, Media & Interactive Web Design
• Environmental Science Technology
• Hospitality & Tourism Management
• Public Policy and Administration

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SPC Night at Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art March 21

On Thursday, March 21, 6-8 p.m., SPC students, faculty and staff are invited to SPC Night at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art at the Tarpon Springs Campus.

The event is free with student or employee ID and will feature museum tours, pizza, activities, music and more.

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SPC Board of Trustees Feb. 19 meeting recap

The Board of Trustees met Tuesday, Feb. 19 at the Caruth Health Education Center.

The full agenda, including all presentations, is available on the board’s website. The full meeting video (which is 1 hour and 31 minutes long) also is linked on the site.

Meeting highlights included:

• The board approved the construction manager for the new Midtown Center, Gilbane Building Company. The company was chosen from among 17 applicants and, as part of the agreement, has committed to use local minority subcontractors for at least 30 percent of the work. Watch this portion of the meeting video starting at 0:27:03.
• The board approved the purchase of the current Midtown location and a property across the street from the St. Petersburg Housing Authority. The site will continue to house the college’s Midtown operations until the new Midtown Center is built, then will be converted for auxiliary use. Watch this portion of the meeting video starting at 0:47:48.
• The board approved the sale of a small piece of land at the Tarpon Springs Campus to a developer who intends to build a Wawa on adjacent property. The item was tabled at the last board meeting while the college clarified terms of the sale, including money that will go to site improvements. Watch this portion of the meeting video starting at 0:23:55.
• Anne Cooper, senior vice president for academic and student affairs, reported on efforts for excellence in teaching and learning, new faculty evaluations and presented continuing contract recommendations, including mini-profiles of some of the faculty.
• The board agreed with a recommendation to discontinue the college’s Parks and Leisure Services associate in science degree program. Patty Jones, vice president for human resources and public affairs, gave an update on marketing efforts since February 2012 and a preview of the continuing transition of the college’s marketing.
• Downtown/Midtown Provost Kevin Gordon reported on efforts to improve the student success rate.
• Dean Kim Hartman reported on achievements by the College of Education.
• Teresa Phoenix, chair of the Career Service Council, gave an update on professional development training efforts that begin this spring.

The Board of Trustees next meets at 8:30 a.m. on March 19 at the EpiCenter.

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