ters
ters
A publication of
Valencia Foundation and
the Valencia Alumni Association
SPRING 2004
Governor Bush announces
historic proposed funding
increase during visit
to Valencia
Matters
FLANKED by the presidents of many
of the state’s community colleges, Florida
Governor Jeb Bush visited Valencia on
January 15 to announce a historic
proposed increase for community college
funding. The proposal calls for
$104.5 million in new operating funds for
the state’s 28 community colleges, a
7.6 percent increase from the current
budget and the largest proposed increase
in 14 years.
Calling it a “different day” from previous
years, in which funding for community
colleges has failed to keep pace with
tremendous enrollment growth, Bush told
a large crowd at Valencia’s West Campus
that Florida’s community colleges are
“doors of opportunities opening for
thousands upon thousands of Floridians.”
His proposal will not only fully fund
enrollment growth but will also provide
increased funding for the state’s matching
Governor Jeb Bush at Valencia
programs for community college
foundations and facilities.
“I’ve said this in the past and I’ll say it
again,” Bush said. “I think of all the public
institutions in the state, our community
colleges are the most citizen-focused, costeffective and where we get the biggest
bang for the buck.”
Valencia president Sanford Shugart was
jubilant, noting that the money invested in
Valencia and the other community colleges
will help them offer more degrees and
classes and build additional facilities to
serve the more than 800,000 students
currently enrolled in the system.
“I can’t thank Governor Bush enough for
funding us and our mission. His response
to our fiscal challenges means more than
just dollars and cents. It means that we’ll
be able to expand our programs critical to
training the state’s workforce and help to
diversify our economy.”
In laying out his proposal, Bush praised
the system’s role in job training and
economic development as well as its
articulation agreements with the state’s
four-year universities and colleges. More
than 50 percent of upper-division
university students in Florida started at a
community college in the state.
Valencia has been one of the fastestgrowing colleges in the state for more
than a decade and is ranked as the secondlargest producer of Associate degrees in
the nation.
“The Governor has a clear grasp of the
important role the nation’s best
community college system will play in the
future of Florida’s economy,” Shugart said.
“Investing in community colleges is an
investment in Florida’s future. It is part of
the infrastructure that leads to economic
prosperity.”
The proposal is part of Bush’s $55
billion state budget, which legislators will
tackle when they meet for their annual
session in Tallahassee in March.
valenciamatters
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What’s Inside:
collegem a t t e r s
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Interview with Michael Gyurnek
Black Advisory Committee Stepping Up Presence
Valencia Receives Favorable Review from SACS
Poet Michael McFee Speaks at Valencia
Valencia Names New Administrative VP
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alumnim a t t e r s
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Alumnus Enjoys First Year in Legislature
Alumni Wins Regional Award
Alumni Reception on Tap
Paralegal Grads join Alumni Organization
Alumni Arena
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C.T. Hsu: helping design
Valencia’s future
Anyone who lives in Central Florida
eventually encounters ample evidence that
C.T. Hsu lives here, too. The Orlando
architect has made his mark designing
functional structures cloaked in eyecatching appeal.
“My interest in architecture has been in
the more modern type of design” says Hsu.
His company, C.T. Hsu + Associates,
created such striking Orlando landmarks as
the new Orange County Convention Center,
the recent Citrus Bowl expansion, the
Florida Turnpike headquarters complex, the
huge Universal Studios transportation
center, the Florida Splendid China theme
park, Ming Court restaurant, and the
Festival Bay retail-entertainment complex—
as well as city halls for Kissimmee, Ocoee,
Casselberry and Clermont. Traveling
through downtown Orlando on Interstate
4, you get a close-up view of the graceful
continued on page 7
givingm a t t e r s
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Student Views
Your Giving Matters
RIDE for Scholars a Success
collegem a t t e r s
Michael Gyurnek: Continuing
the non-traditional legacy
VALENCIA has a rich history of
success with non-traditional students—
those who begin their studies here after an
extended absence from school. The
experience is often a two-way street,
enabling many non-traditional students to
overcome previous problematic academic
efforts while sharing life experience with
classmates recently graduated from high
school.
After a long-ago beginning at a
Michigan community college, Michael
Gyurnek has made the most of his
opportunities for excellence at Valencia,
earning a 3.97 grade-point average while
finishing his A.A. degree. He is currently
studying for an A.S. in Office Systems
Technology Management while working as
an orientation specialist, an academic
advisor and an assistant in the West
Campus Student Development Office. As
president of the Chi Epsilon Chapter of Phi
Theta Kappa, he also uses the leadership
and management skills he developed over
a 22-year career in the food service
industry to encourage Valencia students to
help make Central Florida a better place.
Gyurnek graduated from high school in
1981 near Detroit, and two semesters of
community college in Dearborn convinced
him that work was preferable to school.
He began working as an assistant
restaurant manager, and after stints at
McDonald’s restaurants in three states and
studies at two more schools along the way,
he found his dream job in Orlando in 1997
after a visit to Walt Disney World.
“I worked as a guest service manager at
the American Adventure in Epcot,” he says.
“It was the greatest job I ever had. I had a
good rapport with the college students, so
they promoted me to manage the college
program, working 70 hours a week
training and scheduling people. I won the
Partners in Excellence Award, and our
Liberty Inn restaurant won the Gold Plate
Award.”
When his roommate began attending
Valencia’s Criminal Justice Institute,
Michael began thinking about his own
interrupted education. “I had been told by
several people that Valencia was one of the
better schools in the area, and I realized
that the best thing for me to do was to
leave something I love in order to pursue
my education.”
After hearing a presentation by Victor
Collazo, West Campus Student
Development coordinator, he applied to
work on the Campus Welcome Team,
which he considered a great opportunity
to meet people. “I got the orientation job
because I wasn’t afraid to talk to people or
conduct campus tours. On the Welcome
Team, we supported a lot of the clubs and
organizations on campus, including Phi
Theta Kappa.”
He joined the Chi Epsilon Chapter last
year and became its Inter-Club Council
representative. Since being elected chapter
president in April, he is most proud of
developing ties among PTK and the
Valencia Nurses Association, the
Respiratory Care Student Association,
Valencia Ultra Sound Association, Valencia
Dental Hygiene Students Association and
Valencia Volunteers. The groups joined
together this year for a drive that provided
$1,500 in school supplies for Ivy Lane
Elementary School in Orlando. Drawing on
his management experience, he timed the
drive to coincide with inventory reduction
at the West Campus Bookstore, where he
solicited donations of large numbers of
pens, pencils and teachers’ supplies. A
second drive delivered 4,400 pounds of
clothing to Orlando’s Lisa Merlin House for
battered women and children.
“At Disney I learned the value of
partnering. Several of our PTK officers
have been officers for other campus
groups. Our ability to partner with these
different groups benefits the community a
lot more than having just one club trying
to do something.”
In 2004, Michael plans to run for
international president of Phi Theta Kappa,
which may temporarily slow his academic
pace. “Every time I make long-range goals,
life has a way of stepping up and changing
them, but eventually I want to get a
Michael Gyurnek
master’s degree in astrophysics or
astronomy, then a Ph.D. in cosmology or
planetary atmospheres,” he explains.
“I’ve benefited immensely from
interacting with my professors, fellow
students and the staff at Valencia. The
professors make you feel comfortable in
class so you can excel at what you’re
doing, and I don’t think I’ve ever
encountered a friendlier staff. I can
honestly say I’ve not had a bad professor.
All have been good or very good—like Dr.
Lewis, who teaches humanities and makes
you think out of the box, and Dr. Morales,
who teaches earth science and wants you
to put your own words behind what you’re
learning.”
A Word from the President
Growth and change. They are not always comfortable and they
ordinarily require us to stretch ourselves, sometimes beyond what
we thought we could accomplish. Our students tell me about
themselves – how they got here,
what obstacles they’ve
overcome, and where they plan
to go next. Through their life
stories, I am witness to the
struggle and the exquisite joy
that come from growing and
changing to achieve your
dreams.
Over the past 37 years,
Valencia has evolved to
meet the dynamic
needs of
Central
2
Floridians. As a learning community, Valencia too must grow and
change. And much like individuals, we sometimes find these
processes challenging and yet rewarding.
You have joined us in this journey–as a student, a professor,
college staff, an economic partner, a donor, an advocate or a
friend.
I suspect that whatever it is you believe you know about
Valencia, it is different now. We have changed as the college
continues to grow. Today I’d like to share with you just a few facts
about Valencia that you might find surprising or at least
interesting.
n Valencia serves some 60,000 students annually through credit
programs, Valencia Institute and workforce development and
training.
n We have four full-service comprehensive campuses, and within
10 years will add two more.
n The college has one of the highest graduation rates among
1,200 community colleges nationwide.
n More than 90 percent of all allied health professionals receive
their training through community colleges, including Valencia.
Sanford C. Shugart, President
valenciamatters
n All Central Florida hospitals are funding expansion of the
nursing program to meet critical workforce needs. Valencia
nursing graduates had a 94 percent pass rate on state boards.
n Valencia’s engineering graduates are recruited by the nation’s
finest university engineering schools.
n The Winter Park Campus has a student enrollment as large as
Rollins’ traditional undergraduate population.
n About half of Orange and Osceola high school graduates
attend Valencia within four years of graduation.
n 96 percent of Valencia A.S. graduates are placed in jobs
earning more than $34,000 a year.
n Our Honors Program attracts students with SAT scores of
1,400 plus. In fact, UF designated Valencia as Florida’s best
two-year honors program. Our honors graduates have their
pick of prestigious universities and full scholarships to UF,
Duke, Emory, Vanderbilt and Georgetown.
Valencia is quite a remarkable place. I hope that you’ll consider
renewing your relationship with us to help the college continue
to grow and change to meet the increasing needs of our students
and our community.
SPRING 2004
Black Advisory Committee
stepping up its campus presence
Valencia’s Black Advisory Committee is
beginning the new year with a new
purpose. Born a number of years ago to
help identify and recruit African American
students to Valencia, the committee was
initially an advising body to the college
president.
“Recently we’ve learned that the college
doesn’t have much of a problem
identifying and recruiting,” Committee
President Vickie Brooks says. In fact,
14.3 percent of Valencia’s 2002-2003
student body was African American. “Our
focus now is on retention and financial aid.
We also want to play a stronger role in
supporting the college. We want to be pro-
active and seek students who need our
assistance. Some of us plan to speak at
various forums and serve as mentors to
students. We also plan to participate in
College Night and become involved with
the Valencia Foundation. We are a talented
group, and it would be a shame to waste
that talent when we have so much to
give.”
Brooks credits Dr. Stan Stone, who
serves as the committee’s advisor, with
helping the members redefine their role
with the college.
“Dr. Stone has been excellent in
identifying resources for us so we could
make better decisions. He also helped us
connect with the African American Cultural
Society. Now we have two student
representatives from that organization on
our committee, and we’re collaborating on
ways we can provide support. He has
opened those doors and we will be able to
take a more significant role in the life of
the college.”
“This committee is going to create a
signature project that we can adopt as our
own,” she adds.
One other action item for the
committee during 2004 will be updating
its own membership. “We want to create a
more balanced mix of members who have
a vested interest in secondary and higher
education,” says Brooks, a former
elementary school principal who has
enjoyed a 26-year career with Orange
County Public Schools.
Valencia earns favorable review from Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools
The SACS accreditation process is
believed by many to be the most
comprehensive and objective form of
validation of standards that a higher
education institution can receive. This
year’s successful SACS review represents
Valencia’s third reaffirmation since the
college’s initial accreditation in 1969.
This year, for the first time, the
accreditation process involved an
alternative, non-traditional self-study
titled, “Becoming a More LearningCentered College: A Systems Approach to
the Design, Implementation and Evaluation
of Institutional Change Strategies.” The
study, which included a majority of faculty
and staff in the process, addressed
significant long-range challenges critical to
the college’s central focus on student
learning, such as strategic planning,
curriculum that emphasizes basic
competencies like critical thinking and
communication skills, Valencia’s “LifeMap”
student advising system, and the use of
technology to enhance learning. The
college anticipates that the outcomes of
the study will result in more effective
teaching and learning, with a greater
correlation between the college’s
resources and its purpose.
North Carolina poet Michael McFee
speaks at Valencia
Valencia names new
administrative leader
More than three years of preparation
concluded with the announcement of
Valencia’s reaffirmation of accreditation at
the December annual meeting of the
Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools (SACS) in Nashville, TN.
Michael McFee, one of North Carolina’s
most famous poets regaled Valencia
audiences in late November. He read his
works and interacted with students, faculty,
donors and community leaders. McFee’s
appearance was part of the College’s new
poet and artist series, Visions and Voices.
His poetry has appeared in Southern
Poetry Review, Paris Review, American Poetry
Review, The New Yorker, Poetry, The Nation
and The Atlantic Monthly. He has published
six collections of poetry, edited an
anthology of contemporary North Carolina
poetry in 1994 and compiled an anthology
of short stories by North Carolina writers
in 2000. His most recent collection of
poetry is called “Earthly.” He has won
numerous awards and fellowships for
teaching and writing, including a
Discovery/The Nation Award, a Pushcart
Prize and a National Endowment for the
Arts fellowship in creative writing.
continued on back cover
KEITH HOUCK, former executive director
for Gray Harris & Robinson P.A., has joined
Valencia Community College as Vice President
for Administrative Services. Houck formerly
served on the Valencia Board of Trustees from
1997 to 1999 and has served on Valencia
Foundation’s Board for two years.
The Vice President of Administrative Services
functions as chief business officer overseeing
the college’s business, financial and information
resources, as well as facilities management.
Houck brings considerable experience to his
new role as a former administrator, fiscal
Concert to
benefit Valencia
Valencia Community College is again
welcoming Australian guitar virtuoso
Tommy Emmanuel for a special performance
at 8 p.m. on March 6 at the Plaza Theatre
on North Bumby Avenue in Orlando. A
portion of the concert proceeds will benefit
the Valencia Foundation, which provides
scholarships and support for the college’s
students. Tickets are $20 in advance, $15
for students, and $25 at the door. For ticket
information, please call the Plaza Box Office
at 407-228-1220.
Tommy Emmanuel is known throughout
Australia and Europe for his extraordinary
acoustic style, and has performed for
hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide.
Heralded for his amazing finger style guitar
by artists such as Jerry Reed and the late
Chet Atkins, Emmanuel has worked with
some of the world's best musicians,
including Eric Clapton, Bill Wyman, Stevie
Wonder, The Chieftans, and many others.
He performed for an estimated 2.5 billion
viewers at the closing ceremonies of XXVII
Olympiad, Summer Olympic Games, held in
Sydney, Australia in 2000.
Emmanuel’s accolades are numerous, and
include selection as “Best Guitarist” by
Rolling Stone magazine in 1990, a Grammy
nomination in 1998 for his collaboration
with Chet Atkins on “The Day Fingerpickers
Took Over the World,” and 1998’s Best
Country Instrumental Album award from the
Nashville Music Awards.
manager and
consultant for Gray
Harris and Arthur
Young (now Ernst &
Young), and as an
accountant and
grants manager for
Florida State
University. Houck
has also been an
active advocate for
children’s issues
across the state.
Houck holds both a bachelors degree in
business administration and a master’s degree
in public administration from Florida State
University.
valenciamatters
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alumnim a t t e r s
Valencia alumnus enjoys first year in Legislature
“I’ve watched our community grow, and
living here has been good for me. I felt it
was time to give something back,”
explained Quinones, who has built a
“I've watched our community
grow, and living here has been
good for me. I felt it was time to
give something back.”
Representative John Quinones
AMONG the freshman lawmakers in
the Florida Legislature this year is Rep.
John Quinones from Osceola County’s 49th
District. Quinones, who earned his A.A.
degree from Valencia in 1986, was elected
in November 2002 after his first campaign
for statewide office.
successful Central Florida law practice over
the past decade. He graduated from
Miami’s St. Thomas University Law School
in the top 20 percent of his class.
His father, a practicing attorney in
Puerto Rico, moved the family to Central
Florida in 1979. After graduating from high
school, Quinones worked at Walt Disney
World to finance his classes at Valencia and
the University of Central Florida. He
earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing
from UCF before heading to law school.
Quinones reports that his first year as a
legislator has been both a challenge and
an education: “There’s so much to learn.
You have to educate yourself constantly on
the changes in the law. That’s what keeps
me so fascinated with the process.”
As chairman of the House Subcommittee
on Workforce and Economic Development,
Representative Quinones states he would
welcome an expanded role for the
community colleges to improve Florida’s
workforce. “I would like to see a
partnership developed between
community colleges and the business
community,” he says. “For example, UCF
has a business incubator, and I would like
to see that on the community college level.”
Quinones has sponsored five bills during
the latest legislative session, including
Alum wins regional award
Valencia Alum Dick Batchelor, Class of
1970, was recently recognized as the
Region 3 Winner of the Florida Association
of Community College’s LeRoy Collins
Distinguished Alumni Award. This is the
fourth year in a row that Valencia’s alumni
has been chosen for this prestigious
statewide awards program. Walt Disney
World President Al Weiss won in 2002,
Orange County Chairman Richard T. Crotty
Student scholarships
awarded for spring term
Congratulations to the following Valencia
students who were awarded alumni
scholarships for the 2003-2004 Spring Term:
Lawrence Kiang, Kathleen A. Klein and
Jimmy D. Lee were recipients of the Valencia
Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship
Program.
Patricia Heck, Thanh Nguyen and
Georgeann M. Tabb were recipients of the
Akerman, Senterfitt & Eidson Scholarship.
Each student will receive $350 to assist
with tuition and books.
4
valenciamatters
won in 2001 and Miami Dolphins
placekicker Olindo Mare won in 2000.
Mary Collier, Collier Jaquar, also received
the regional award in 1997.
Batchelor is currently a member of the
Valencia Foundation Board of Directors and
is the President of Dick Batchelor
Management Group, an Orlando firm that
specializes in corporate relations, public
affairs and governmental relations.
Dick Batchelor receives award at annual FACC
convention.
Valencia alumni can meet, greet
and hear sweet music on March 6
Why not get reacquainted with old
friends on Saturday, March 6, at a free
reception prior to the Tommy Emmanuel
concert. (See page 3 for more info on this
amazing artist.)
The Valencia Community College Alumni
Association and the Valencia Foundation
are sponsoring a reception beginning at
7 p.m. on March 6 at the Plaza Theatre,
425 North Bumby Avenue, Orlando. It’s the
perfect opportunity to meet and greet old
friends and make new ones, and learn
about the latest developments at your alma
mater!
Don’t miss this chance to say hello, and
catch an amazing show all in the same
evening. Tommy Emmanuel promises to be
a sell-out, so get your tickets today, and
plan to attend the pre-show reception at
the Plaza Theatre. No r.s.v.p. is necessary,
just plan to be there!
For more information on the Tommy
Emmanuel show, please contact the Plaza
Theatre Box Office, at 407-228-1220.
legislation that would allow students who
are not proficient in English to take a
translated version of a portion of the FCAT.
“I will cherish my experience at Valencia
all my life because coming out of high
school I had really experienced some
language barriers having recently arrived
from Puerto Rico,” he says. “Valencia gave
me the opportunity to hone my English,
reading and writing skills when I needed
remediation, and also gave me the
advantage of small classes and one-on-one
attention from my instructors. I’m thankful
for the opportunity I had and would
recommend Valencia to anyone looking for
a good education.”
Attention
Valencia
Paralegal
grads!
Valencia Community College
recently founded the first alumni
organization targeted to graduates
of the Paralegal Studies program.
The Ken Bevan Paralegal Chapter
will meet at a local restaurant every
other month on an informal basis to
network and exchange ideas and war
stories. This is a great opportunity to
catch up with former classmates and
old friends, along with making new
acquaintances and reconnecting with
Valencia Community College.
Call today to sign up.
If you are interested in joining as
members of the Valencia Alumni
Association Ken Bevan Paralegal
Chapter, please contact Susie Andrew
at sandrew@valenciacc.edu or call
407-582-3124.
Alumni Arena
THIS SECTION is by, for and about our Valencia
alumni. Please share your good news about any of
your professional, educational or personal
achievements. Call the Alumni Relations Office at
(407) 299-5000, extension 3125; write to us at
P.O. Box 3028, Orlando, FL 32802-3028; or e-mail
alumni@valenciacc.edu.
1970s
DEBRA L. HOLLISTER, A.A. ’73, subsequently earned her
B.A., M.S., and Ed.D. from the University of Central Florida.
She is a familiar figure to students on Valencia’s East
Campus, where she serves as a psychology professor.
DANA J. WRIGHT, A.A. ’73, A.S. in nursing ’73, is retired
following a rewarding career in the nursing field that
focused on education and critical care, primarily respiratory
trauma. Dr. Wright’s career took her from Orlando to
clinical and academic settings up and down the East Coast.
After earning a B.S. from the University of Central Florida in
1975, she received a Master of Educational Administration
degree in 1979 from Auburn University and earned a
Doctorate in Nursing from Case Western Reserve University
in 1982. She was named to Who’s Who Among American
Women in both 1995-1996 and 2003-2004. A member of the
New York State Commission on the Status of Women, she
looks forward to volunteer opportunities through her
association with the American Association of University
Women and the International Federation of University
Women. She and her husband live in Amherst, NY.
1990s
PAUL R. CHAPMAN, A.A. ’91, shares his academic expertise
with Valencia students as a professor of humanities on the
Osceola Campus. Paul received both his B.A. in Humanities
and his M.A. in International Affairs from Florida State
University.
PETER CROSS, A.S. in Engineering Technology ’92, has
advanced in the computer software field to become an
expert in factory automation for 300mm wafer
manufacturing. After earning a B.S. in computer science
from the University of Central Florida, he began working
for Intel Corp. in Phoenix, AZ, where he now serves as a
lead software automation and standards technologist. The
co-author of many software standards in his field, he has
SPRING 2004
written articles for publications including Semiconductor
Manufacturing magazine. He is studying for his M.S. in
Industrial Engineering at Arizona State University and
recently wrote to one of his former Valencia instructors,
“The encouragement I received early on in that A.S.
program from you and the other faculty members made a
world of difference in my future career path.”
SHAWN L. DEMERS, A.A. ’98, writes, “I am a slightly older
student who went back to school to pursue a law degree. I
started at Valencia in 1997, went on to FSU and graduated
in 2000, and finally finished law school at FSU in May of
2003. Valencia was one of my best academic experiences!”
Shawn lives in Orlando.
MARLENE KLINGEMAN, A.S. ’95, is continuing her
education at the University of Central Florida, where she
has earned a B.S. in Molecular Biology/Microbiology and is
studying for her M.S. in Psychology.
2000s
DIANE FAHR, A.A. ’01, recently graduated from the
University of Phoenix with a B.S. in Business, majoring in
Management. An accounting clerk at Valencia’s Downtown
Center, she is also a board member of the Valencia Career
Staff Council.
TANGELA ROBINSON, A.A. ’03, works at Valencia’s Atlas
Outpost Center as an Atlas Outpost Specialist II. She resides
in Clermont.
MARGARET D. ROTH, A.S. in Paralegal Studies ’00, is
employed as a paralegal with Sigman & Sigman, PA, in
Altamonte Springs. Maggie and her husband, David, reside
in Winter Springs.
BRANDON E. SHOLAR-FETHERLIN, A.A. ’03, is a former dualenrollment student who actually earned his associate’s
degree from Valencia five weeks before he graduated as
valedictorian of El Shaddai Christian School. Brandon
maintained a 3.75 grade-point average at Valencia while
earning the Florida Academic Scholars Award and being
named to the National Dean’s List for 2003. He plans to
continue his college education in the Central Florida area.
MICHEL SOEURETTE, A.A. ‘03, is currently a senior working
on requirements for a bachelor’s degree at the University of
Central Florida. Michel writes, “I enjoyed my membership
with PTK West and hope to do the same with the Alumni
Association.”
Alumni Board
of Directors
2003-2004
Kyle M. Lublin
President
Roger G. Keyes
Vice President
Patricia E. Calhoun
Secretary
Alumni Relations Board
James D. Allen
Mary S. Allen
Sue Ann Bouchard
Cynthia "CJ" Jo Burt
Georgia Claire Caldwell
Deborah A. Donohue
Ilona F. Edwards
Suzi E. Spencer
Teresa Gallagher
Judith A. Gallo
Mary A. Grieder
Pamela J. Jennelle
Joshua C. Keck
Tamara K. Lamm
Jennifer M. Lauda
Sharon L. Lewis
Linda I. Marcia
Betty H. Palmer
Connie M. Parrish
Margaret D. Roth
Eileen B. Stana
Alumni Relations Staff
Susie Andrew
Fiona Baxter
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valenciamatters
givingm a t t e r s
Student
Views
THE FOLLOWING article was
written by Rachel Potter, who is a
current student at the college and is a
copy editor for the school newspaper,
Valencia Source. Potter enjoys writing
and plans to graduate from Valencia in
2004 with her Associate in Arts degree.
Independent label
emerges from music
production classes
Non-profit company builds
students’ production
experience.
“To have a record label, I think, is very
pioneering for a community college,” says
Rich Wright, president of Valencia’s record
label, Flat Foot Records.
That’s right. Valencia has its own record
label. Flat Foot Records, a division of Flat
Foot Entertainment, is its own entity; a
separate company altogether from Valencia.
However, it has everything to do with the
college’s students.
Raul Valery, the Program Director for
Music Production Technology and Chairman
of the Board of Directors for Flat Foot
Entertainment, has been involved in
developing this label every step of the way.
In the fall of 2002, Valery asked the Music
Production Advisory Committee for Valencia
if they had any ideas for his Music
Production program. “One idea was to
create a course that mimics a record label,”
Valery says. “We had one band that we
worked with to create a music video. It was
a good experiment, but it didn’t really go
anywhere.”
Soon after, Valencia Community College
President, Dr. Sanford C. Shugart, came in
6
continued on back cover
valenciamatters
Your giving matters
FOR my birthday I was given a lovely
book called the “The Songs of Joy,” a
reflection on the Book of Psalms. In it, I
ran across a thought the author attributes
to Nelson Henderson: “The true meaning
of life is to plant trees under whose shade
you do not expect to sit.”
That struck me as perhaps not just the
meaning of life, but also a poignant way to
describe the core of generosity: to plant
trees under whose shade you don’t expect
to sit. It is an unselfish gift.
Such is the spirit of our Valencia donors.
Your generosity humbles me.
In the foundation’s history, some 6,000
people and organizations have contributed
to the success of our students. About 225
of those have donated more than $10,000
over time; several have given more than
$1 million each. But it isn’t solely our
major donors who make a difference. It
took the other 5,000-plus philanthropists
to raise the foundation’s total net assets to
more than $30 million. Both the enormous
gifts and the more modest donations work
together to make a remarkable difference
for our students.
As we enter a bright new year, I’d like to
share with you a bit of exceptional news,
which is especially extraordinary given
market conditions, the local economy,
state-matching uncertainty and increased
competition for charitable dollars.
n At the same time that the
endowment of foundations nationwide
dropped 16 percent, Valencia’s endowment
grew by 20 percent because of your new
gifts and investment performance recovery
n Our investment portfolio is up about
18 percent this year, bringing us much
closer to a total portfolio recovery.
n Your private giving increased by
10 percent a year and your average gift
size grew by fourfold.
n Over the past few years, the
foundation has awarded some $3 million in
scholarships. We were able to do this by
raising new dollars and in partnership with
the college, so we did not invade principle.
n The Valencia Foundation endowment
is about 12 times the size of the average
community college foundation.
n Your foundation – in an era of everincreasing, much-needed scrutiny of nonprofits – earned an unqualified audit
without exception. There was not a single
Valencia Community College Foundation is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and
employment. We value the richness of diversity in its many forms and respect the dignity of each individual. We
do not practice unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religious creed,
disabiling condition, age or marital status. Our focus is to support Valencia Community College’s mission, as we
strive to unlock access to learning for students of all backgrounds.
unacceptable or questionable issue in the
expert opinion of our auditors.
These are victories worthy of note.
Charitable foundations tend to focus on
numbers. I suppose it’s an occupational
hazard of sorts.
It is how we are evaluated by granting
agencies. It is how our auditors ensure our
stewardship of your donations. It is how
we measure our own performance. It is
“The true meaning of life
is to plant trees under
whose shade you do not
expect to sit.”
how we are benchmarked against other
501(c)(3) non-profits.
But it’s not what we’re all about.
At our annual meeting I noted that
Stephen Covey has the right idea: “The
main thing is to keep the main thing the
main thing.” Our main thing is not a bunch
of numbers. Our main thing is ensuring our
students have the opportunity to learn.
The numbers simply support that.
Thanks to our donors, Valencia – no
matter what else occurred locally,
nationally or philanthropically – has been
able to continue to support student
scholarships and to ensure the long-term
growth of our endowment so that we will
provide scholarships forever.
That is the main thing. We have served
thousands of students. Their stories are
unique and yet with so many common
threads: individuals facing incredible odds,
overcoming challenges, eyeing a
crossroads, and dreaming of a future that
builds better lives for themselves and their
families.
Our students demonstrate our main
thing.
Geraldine Gallagher, President and CEO
Valencia Foundation
Their stories speak of hope:
n of making a difference,
n of defying those odds and obstacles,
n of overcoming a history that
predicted they wouldn’t succeed,
n of being a first-generation college
graduate,
n of becoming a role model for their
children,
n of achieving an education despite
limited financial means,
n of making the seemingly impossible
possible.
I am reminded of a favorite childhood
book, Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in
Wonderland.”
To the Queen, Alice laments: “There is
no use trying. One can’t believe impossible
things.”
In response, the Queen explains: “I dare
say you haven’t had much practice. When I
was your age, I always did it for half an
hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed
as many as six impossible things before
breakfast.”
Your gifts allow our students to know
that what they once believed was
impossible is actually within their reach.
Please celebrate the brilliant realities they
create thanks to your generosity.
As a donor, you have planted a tree
whose shade will provide opportunities for
countless generations.
SPRING 2004
Members of the Blue Knights, a local
organization of retired and active law
enforcement officers, were some of the
many participants who helped the Valencia
Alumni Association RIDE for Scholars in
November. The RIDE for Scholars helped
the Alumni Association raise over $7,000
in support of Valencia students. Thanks to
all who supported this year’s ride!
RIDE for
Scholars a
ride for
success
Valencia
Foundation Staff
Geraldine Gallagher, CFRE
President, Valencia Foundation
ggallagher@valenciacc.edu
(407) 582-3155
Pamela Dorn
C. T. Hsu from front page
rainbow curve that highlights the new
Lynx intermodal transportation and
operations centers—both qualities based
on preliminary designs by Hsu +
Associates.
“My Asian cultural background has been
very helpful here in the United States,”
says Hsu. “I’ve been able to use an ‘East
meets West’ approach on a lot of projects.
I’ve found that I can see things quite
differently from architects who come from
a strictly Western culture.”
Hsu’s 25-member firm enjoys the
freedom to limit their projects to those
they feel they can do well, often using
modern design concepts but also dealing
with clients who want an historical
interpretation. Over the years they have
employed both approaches to design at
Valencia. They have renovated the college’s
historic Downtown Center, are creating the
new design for the Osceola Campus’ first
building, and are updating the East
Campus Master Plan, designing new
facilities that blend into the campus
architecture.
Aside from his professional history with
the college, Hsu’s interest in Valencia is
personal. He has gained a high regard for
community colleges through firsthand
experience.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in
his native Taiwan, Hsu immigrated to the
United States to study for his Master of
Architecture degree at MIT. When he
graduated during the 1970s, he took a job
with an architectural firm in Casper, WY,
where the oil industry was a bright spot in
an otherwise weak economy.
“When I went to school in Asia, there
was no such thing there as the community
college concept, although it is now
becoming more common, even in China,”
he explains. “When I graduated from MIT,
Administrative Assistant, Valencia Foundation
pdorn@valenciacc.edu
(407) 582-3150
my wife was studying at Simmons College
in Boston. When we moved to Wyoming,
she was forced to stop her studies until we
discovered Casper College, a community
college that also has a “two-plus-two”
program with the University of Wyoming.
She was able to finish her college degree
through an extension of the university. I
can still remember our first interview at
Casper College because the faculty and
staff were so very friendly to us and
helped us a lot.”
“When we arrived in Orlando, my wife
and I knew from our experience in
Wyoming that community college students
are often in greatest need of financial
assistance, and we felt that the community
college concept here was deserving of our
efforts and our resources.”
Hsu, who came to Orlando in 1981 to
work for a local architectural company,
started his own firm two years later. Today
C.T. Hsu + Associates has since grown into
what he calls a “medium-sized company”
whose design portfolio now includes theme
parks and other entertainment projects for
clients in 16 countries on five continents.
“I worked out of our home for six
months until I felt comfortable with the
flow of work, then I incorporated in 1984
and hired my first employee, Tim
McNicholas, who’s now my partner. After
Tim had worked with me for a while, I
encouraged him to go to MIT or Harvard
to study architecture. He graduated from
Harvard, then worked in Boston for a
while, and finally rejoined our firm in
1989. He’s been able to take on a lot of
our projects, though I’m usually involved
in them at least at the concept level.
Recently we had a second person in the
company leave to study at Harvard and
then return to us. Since I’m in my 50s, Tim
is in his 40s and our third person is in his
30s, I feel like I’m part of an ongoing
legacy here.”
Hsu is one of Valencia’s strongest
advocates and over the years has
employed two Valencia Graphic Design
graduates, including one who recently left
to start his own company. A leader in many
civic and community organizations, Hsu
serves on the Valencia Foundation Board of
Directors and has helped raise thousands
of dollars from the business community to
create scholarships for Valencia students.
He and his wife, Jean, established the
need-based Hsu Family Endowed
Scholarship at the college several years
ago. And he has made substantial
contributions to support the general
scholarship fund. Not content with simply
funding a scholarship, he has been
instrumental in convincing others to follow
suit.
“I’ve been fortunate to be involved in
different Orlando organizations. I’ve been
able to influence the Taiwanese Chamber
of Commerce of Greater Orlando to start a
scholarship fund at Valencia,” he says.
“With our AIA (American Institute of
Architects) chapter, I made the suggestion
that we partner with the foundation to
increase the size of our golf tournament
and use the extra revenue to benefit
Valencia. We were able to raise $26,000 in
2002 and $21,000 in 2003 in spite of
slower business this year.”
He adds “I’m very proud that my
colleagues at the AIA have agreed to
continue the tournament next year and
hopefully make it a tradition. This year one
of our firm’s associates, Nathan Butler, is
president of the Orlando chapter and was
instrumental in our success. Naturally I’m
also very proud of our staff members who
take a leadership role in our community
and benefit an institution like Valencia.”
Michelle D. Lightcap
Controller, Valencia Foundation
mlightcap@valenciacc.edu
(407) 582-3130
Johanna M. McElrath
Donor Relations Manager, Valencia Foundation
jmcelrath@valenciacc.edu
(407) 582-3154
190 S. Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: (407) 582-3150
Fax: (407) 582-3156
foundation@valenciacc.edu
www.valencia.org
Officers
Larry K. Walker, Chair
Alan C. Helman, Vice Chair
Jess D. Bailes, Secretary
Helen Von Dolteren-Fournier, Treasurer
Thomas Yochum, Immediate Past President
Raymer F. Maguire, III, Past President
Directors
Leticia J. Marques
Jacinta M. Mathis, Esq.
Mercedes F. McCall
Richard McCree, Jr.
Kevin Myers
Robert M. Rich, Jr.
Charles A. Rogers
Chris Schmidt
Wayne Schoolfield
Joanne C. Serros
Sanford C. Shugart, PhD
Lawrence D. Slocum
John P. Stilwell, II
Jan Stratton
Paul Tang
Teresa L. Tobin, RN, BSN
Jeanne L. Van Meter
Lex Veech
Jean-Marc D. Allard
Dick J. Batchelor
Patrick J. Buffa
Peter L. Chamberlain,
MBA, PhD
Mary Smedley Collier
Roger Duryea
Orlando L. Evora, Esq.
Carolyn M. Fennell
James W. Ferber
K. Sue Foreman
Dr. Paul C. Gianini, Jr.
Keith W. Houck
C. T. Hsu
Jay L. Ivey
Linda Landman-Gonzalez
Kyle M. Lublin
Richard J. Maladecki
Directors Emeriti
Avie N. Abramowitz
Marie N. Caruso
J. Robert Crowell
Julian K. Dominick
Paul J. Halyard
Allan E. Keen
Raymer F. Maguire, Jr.
Edward J. Manning
Andrew N. Serros
Robert M. Vickery
Thomas Yochum
7
valenciamatters
valenciamatters
Calendar of Events
March
March 6
Tommy Emmanuel Concert
8:00 p.m. - The Plaza Theater
407-228-1220
May
Commencement
9 a.m. - Honors Program
Graduate Reception & Ceremony
11:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m.
May 26
Foundation Board Workshop
12 noon - Valencia
Downtown Center
407-582-3150
Alumni Reception - 7:15 p.m.
March
15–19
Spring Break
Valencia Closed
April 7
Valencia Alumni Association
Board of Directors Meeting
5:30 p.m.
Valencia’s Downtown Center
April
April 8
President’s Reception - 5 p.m.
Valencia Downtown Center
407-582-3122
April 28
Foundation Board Meeting
12 noon - Valencia Osceola
407-582-3150
April 30
Spring classes end
Valencia Community College
407-299-5000
matters
May 8
June
June 23
A publication of
Valencia Foundation and
the Valencia Alumni Association
Valencia Community College
Post Office Box 3028
Orlando, FL 32802-3028
an equal opportunity institution
matters
Foundation Board Meeting
12 noon - Valencia East
407-582-3150
Matters
valenciamatters
Calendar of Events is often subject to change. For the latest information and listings,
call the Office of College and Community Relations at 407-582-3122.
©2004 Valencia Community College/CCR111003-01 30M
Student Views
from page 6
with his band, Shugart and Friends, to
record an album in Valencia’s studio.
Flat Foot Records is different from most
record companies because it is a non-profit
organization. All the work for the company
is done by students in the music
production classes or by the interns within
the company. Grants will be solicited by
the company in order to award
scholarships to the interns and provide
money for the business activities.
“It’s cool because the company is
intertwining with the school’s actual music
production,” Wright explains. “The
educational value of real life experiences is
providing an extraordinary opportunity for
current and future students.”
When one of Flat Foot’s projects hits the
big time, royalties will be reinvested in the
venture. “If we get a multi-platinum record
from one of our artists, we’ll be getting
lots of scholarships,” says Valery.
Flat Foot Records is recording material
by Anna Eschbach, a 16-year-old opera
soprano, a metal band called 9-Pints shY,
and Shugart and Friends.
valenciamatters
“We’re getting the attention of major
record labels and some local radio stations
want to get involved,” Valery says. “Lots of
people want to help us.”
Flat Foot Records’ staff includes students
in Music Production I and II courses as
well as graphic arts and film production.
For anyone who would like to audition
for the label, e-mail:
FlatFootAnR@hotmail.com or demos can
be left with the music production and
technology department.“Dr. Shugart
suggested that we make a real company
for students to intern in,” explains Valery.
Poet McFee Speaks at Valencia
McFee was born in Asheville, N.C., and
graduated from the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in English
and a M.A. in English. McFee has taught at
UNC-Chapel Hill since 1984 and is currently
the Bowman and Gordon Gray
Distinguished Professor of poetry and
writing.
The Visions and Voices series continues
with two April appearances. On April 1,
Campbell McGrath will appear on the West
Campus. McGrath is the author of five
books, including his latest titled “Florida
Poems.” His awards, in addition to a
fellowship from the MacArthur Foundation,
include the Kingsley Tufts Prize, the Cohen
And so, in the spring of 2003, Flat Foot
Entertainment was launched. The name
was creatively derived from an unofficial
poll taken by the Audio Engineering
Society. The results say that a
disproportionate number of sound
engineers have flat feet.
from page 3
Prize, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a
Witter-Bynner Fellowship from the Library
of Congress. He teaches for the Florida
International University MFA program and
lives in Miami.
On April 29, Clyde Edgerton will
entertain audiences on East Campus. A
well known southern fiction writer,
Edgerton’s latest novel, “Lunch at the
Picadilly” was released in September 2003.
He is also the author of “Walking Across
Egypt” and “Raney.”
For more information on Valencia’s Poet
Artist series, please contact Tina Schuler at
tschuler@valenciacc.edu or call
(407) 582-3219.
Michael McFee