Germanna Community College President's Blog

2012-01-29T12:20:00.001-05:00

2000 seek a healthier life & benefit Germanna's nursing program
http://ping.fm/iBW7F

2012-01-29T08:28:00.001-05:00

A good day for health and for health care education
http://ping.fm/fBEVB

2012-01-27T19:22:00.003-05:00

attending the Fredericksburg Chamber Gala

2012-01-27T19:22:00.001-05:00

enjoyed today's College Council meeting

2012-01-27T08:40:00.001-05:00

Thank you Chancellor DuBois for your testimony supporting the Governor's reinvestment in higher education
http://ping.fm/uhJLh

2012-01-26T12:32:00.001-05:00

chairing regular meeting of the Germanna Leadership Team

2012-01-24T07:55:00.001-05:00

attending meeting of Culpeper Chamber where Germanna student Sarida Saadeh received Butch Davies scholarship

2012-01-23T15:56:00.001-05:00

attending monthly meeting of state college & university presidents

2012-01-23T11:36:00.001-05:00

Germanna is pleased to be a partner and supporter of Culpeper's E-Squared
http://ping.fm/9VPpo

2012-01-22T10:34:00.001-05:00

Germanna tries to help close the skills gap
http://ping.fm/aefew

2012-01-20T15:15:00.001-05:00

more on Germanna student Melissa Eadie
http://ping.fm/VsB7w

2012-01-20T08:07:00.001-05:00

speaking to this year's class of Leadership Fredericksburg

2012-01-19T11:40:00.001-05:00

My column in today's Free Lance-Star
http://ping.fm/cI5Kf

2012-01-18T08:05:00.001-05:00

A bill that could help transfer students
http://ping.fm/ERIYy

2012-01-17T14:53:00.001-05:00

Good work by one of Germanna's part-time professors, James S. Price:
http://ping.fm/kuqTq

2012-01-17T14:19:00.001-05:00

Another Germanna student, Melissa Eadie, makes proud and humbled
http://ping.fm/vQfOU

2012-01-17T08:26:00.001-05:00

"Tell me, what is your plan to do/with your one wild and precious life?" Mary Oliver

2012-01-15T19:49:00.001-05:00

A great story about a great young man who is also a Germanna student
http://ping.fm/criSa

2012-01-14T08:34:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I facilitated a planning session for the Culpeper Career Partners Board at Verdun Adventure Bound

2012-01-13T09:33:00.001-05:00

Germanna students visit their representatives:
http://ping.fm/ETyTQ

2012-01-12T18:58:00.001-05:00

Germanna's Director Mike Farris answers questions about financial aid
http://ping.fm/CtD7M

2012-01-12T18:26:00.001-05:00

My column in today's Culpeper Star Exponent:
http://ping.fm/jDqKR

2012-01-12T18:10:00.001-05:00

Fastest-Growing Jobs During The Economic Downturn (2007-2011)
http://ping.fm/ExV5v

2012-01-12T11:44:00.001-05:00

vccs With Germanna students visiting our Delegates and Senators in Richmond, & being introduced from the floors of both houses

2012-01-09T12:49:00.001-05:00

Germanna & other Virginia community colleges scire well in Digital Community Colleges survey by e.Republic's Center
http://ping.fm/TFBJO

2012-01-07T16:23:00.001-05:00

"To do two things at once is to do neither." Publilius Syrus

2012-01-02T14:30:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to Germanna student Kayla Michelle Ennis
http://ping.fm/TZk5F

2012-01-01T09:17:00.001-05:00

Thank you Rev. Lawrence Davies for a life of service & congratulations on your retirement
http://ping.fm/W9YyZ

2012-01-01T08:44:00.001-05:00

Stafford County's Tim Baroody touts education and Germanna as key factors in economic development
http://ping.fm/37NVV

2011-12-24T20:40:00.001-05:00

Congratulations Germanna alums & Integrity Automotive owners Keith and Diane Morris
http://ping.fm/uBmcG

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T11:03:00.001-05:00

Christmas It may be snow that remakes friendships, bringing us together in early evenings to share warmth and food and company. It may be the memory of an ancient season, caught between childhood and age. But the crunch of snow on the porch announces each welcome visitor, the cold insinuation of wind through the door precedes each ruddy, smiling face. It may be snow that remakes friendships, but it's love that turns the snow into this season. And we renew ourselves around the fire of memory each time the cold door opens on the warmth of eyes. David A. SamThe best of the season to each and all. From Linda and David

2011-12-22T11:25:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to Germanna's Tamika Craft, Administrative Assistant to VP Woolford, & husband Dwayne on the birth of Dwayne Jr. on Dec. 21

2011-12-22T08:42:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to the Bavarian Chef in Fredericksburg & Foti's in Culpeper for being in the top 50
http://ping.fm/tLfWW

2011-12-21T18:55:00.001-05:00

Germanna Commencement
http://ping.fm/kXtcp

2011-12-21T18:54:00.001-05:00

Germanna Commencement
http://ping.fm/lxdoD

2011-12-20T09:35:00.001-05:00

Germanna's Student Government Association does good work:
http://ping.fm/785zI

2011-12-20T08:48:00.001-05:00

Coverage of Germanna's first-ever December Commencement ceremony:
http://ping.fm/y10Pk

2011-12-19T11:31:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to Germanna student Jay Buckle
http://ping.fm/3hr9t

2011-12-17T09:07:00.001-05:00

A Germanna business program for busy people
http://ping.fm/mt5F9

2011-12-17T09:06:00.001-05:00

A Germanna business program for busy people
http://ping.fm/vaULV

2011-12-16T20:54:00.001-05:00

Welcome Jennifer Mihalcoe and Ben Sherman
http://ping.fm/CcHzj

2011-12-16T14:18:00.001-05:00

Details on Governor McDonnell's reinvestment in higher education:
http://ping.fm/wmgL2

2011-12-16T11:53:00.001-05:00

Germanna December Commencement is Moday night at the Federicksburg Expo Center
http://ping.fm/gQnyR

2011-12-15T20:36:00.001-05:00

Morgen Jones of Orange started college at Germanna Community College at age 13. No problem.
http://ping.fm/yYffO

2011-12-15T20:35:00.001-05:00

Morgen Jones of Orange started college at Germanna Community College at age 13. No problem.
Morgen Jones of Orange started college at Germanna Community College at age 13. No problem. She's done so well that at 17, she's become the first community college student ever admitted to VCU's Virginia Capital Semester Program.

2011-12-15T20:34:00.001-05:00

Germanna IT students raise money with Zombies
http://ping.fm/AAktF

2011-12-15T12:55:00.001-05:00

Grow by Degrees campaign by the Virginia Business Higher Education Council pays off in Governor's proposals:
http://ping.fm/7B2Uw

2011-12-15T11:12:00.001-05:00

National coverage of Germanna's Homeland Security Summit
http://ping.fm/vuYyl

2011-12-14T15:43:00.001-05:00

Verizon Internet had a massive outage last night, 12/13/11 from 10PM to 12/14/2011 1AM. We apologize for any inability to access services

2011-12-14T15:37:00.001-05:00

Germanna appreciates Governor McDonnell's efforts to reinvest in higher education:
http://ping.fm/32Bp0

2011-12-14T11:00:00.001-05:00

Once again, Germanna's email has been hit with a virus and is down for a few hours. Apologies. Please call.

2011-12-14T09:05:00.001-05:00

attending bimonthly meeting of Chancellor's Council of Presidents by teleconference

2011-12-14T07:56:00.001-05:00

Germanna's preliminary plan for fixing our earthquake-damaged building in Fredericksburg has been approved by the State.

2011-12-13T09:54:00.003-05:00

Just attended combined meeting of Range Chamber and Rotary

2011-12-13T09:54:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to Sandy Shugart and all the folks at Valenca Community College for winning the Aspen Prize
http://ping.fm/lZRAt

2011-12-12T14:36:00.001-05:00

Register now for January Classes at Germanna. Plenty of classes available on campus or online, including at Fredericksburg Campus.
http://ping.fm/QlL3A

2011-12-12T10:59:00.001-05:00

Germanna Comunity College BIO 101 students' video
http://ping.fm/oPCSp

2011-12-09T21:49:00.001-05:00

Germanna's Homeland Security Summit
http://ping.fm/DIZIW

Shootings at Virginia Tech and in Caroline County

2011-12-09T11:16:00.001-05:00

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the students, faculty, staff of Virginia Tech and to the family of the victim. Colleges should be places of enlightenment, free of fear. We must not develop a siege mentality and we cannot turn campuses into fortresses. They must remain places where members of our communities are able to come and go freely in order to benefit from all we have to offer.

Germanna has always been a safe place to learn and work. Nonetheless, the college continually takes steps to make our security tighter, smarter and better able to respond to any problem nimbly and effectively, and we will continue to do so. We will review the actions taken at Tech and learn from their responses.

We also send our deepest our concerns and care to the officer wounded in Caroline yesterday. Both incidents show that law enforcement personnel daily put themselves at risk to protect and serve all of us.

2011-12-07T20:09:00.001-05:00

More coverage of Germanna's first Homeland Security Jobs Summit
http://ping.fm/fymgg

2011-12-02T08:48:00.001-05:00

Jobs await applicants in homeland security & intelligence says panel at Germanna summit
http://ping.fm/GrpeS

2011-12-01T08:43:00.001-05:00

welcoming speakers and guests to Germanna's Intelligence & Homeland Security Jobs Summit

2011-11-28T19:06:00.001-05:00

attending State Council of Presidents

2011-11-27T10:29:00.001-05:00

Former Germanna dual enrollment student faces challenges, but you can help
http://ping.fm/QUaTw

2011-11-27T09:58:00.001-05:00

Jobs in homeland security and intelligence go way beyond being a spy or computer programmer. Come hear more
http://ping.fm/6QnyF

2011-11-25T11:49:00.001-05:00

Good news for parents of Spotsylvania high school students in Germanna dual enrollment classes
http://ping.fm/i4eKC

2011-11-25T09:41:00.001-05:00

Germanna host summit on thousands of current job openings and business opportunities in homeland security and intelligence community
http://ping.fm/7qcZp

2011-11-23T09:01:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving Message:
http://ping.fm/N3kd8

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T08:47:00.001-05:00

Friends and Colleagues,

To those individuals and organizations we work with in our service area: Please accept this simple message of thanksgiving for your friendships and partnering with Germanna. Without your support, Germanna would have found it difficult to continue effectively serving our students and communities. So many businesses, educational institutions, nonprofits, and governments stepped forward to offer us space and other support after the August earthquake that it is too long a list to write here. So many of you donate time and resources to our Foundation to invest in the good work we do. So many of you serve on our Boards and Advisory Councils.

To those who serve at Germanna, whether part-time or full-time employee, volunteer, board member, or contractor: Thank you for all that you do and have done in spite of the great challenges we have faced. Despite budget cuts, economic uncertainties, earthquakes and hurricanes, you have continued to focus on students and their education and success. Some of you have lost private offices or moved off campus. Some of you have taught using online tools for the first time. Some of you are bunched together in hallways and corners. All of you have faced stress, change, and disruption in small or great degree.

Therefore, all of you are at the head of my list of things for which I am most humbly grateful: That I have the honor to serve Germanna, our students, and our communities alongside each of you is a great privilege and thankful duty.

I thank each and every one of you from my heart.

May you celebrate Thanksgiving with those you love, with good memories of those who are no longer at your table, with hope that those who are serving in harm's way return safely and soon to your table, and with warm food and gratitude within.

David

The Nature Conservancy

2011-11-22T12:08:00.001-05:00

The Nature Conservancy, a group on Flickr.

2011-11-22T11:27:00.001-05:00

More good news for Virginia
http://ping.fm/xbIAD

2011-11-22T08:18:00.001-05:00

Germanna had a good contingent attending last night's Madison County Chamber annual dinner

2011-11-22T08:13:00.001-05:00

Germanna's green building attracts attention
http://ping.fm/jXuG4

2011-11-21T08:28:00.001-05:00

Germanna's Educational Foundation 2012 Philantropist of the Year, the Stafford County EDA:
http://ping.fm/JSatO

2011-11-20T07:49:00.001-05:00

Help Germanna's Student Government in a worthy cause
http://ping.fm/dRgUj

2011-11-19T11:57:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to the Germana Educational Foundation's 2012 Philantropist of the Year, the Stafford County Economic Development Authority
http://ping.fm/luYWi

2011-11-19T07:46:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to Germanna alumna Mary Murphy
http://ping.fm/mIcok

2011-11-18T14:44:00.001-05:00

Linda and I will be thanking all the supporters of Germanna's Educational Foundation at tonight's Annual Dinner
http://ping.fm/NRTYW

2011-11-18T14:39:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to Germanna's VP Rick Brehm and to Len Kogut VP at Southwest Virginia CC for graduating from Lead Virginia
http://ping.fm/u7bxn

2011-11-18T10:54:00.001-05:00

Learn about thousands of current job openings and business opportunities in homeland security and the intelligence community
http://ping.fm/MX8Rk

2011-11-17T19:49:00.001-05:00

at Germanna's Culpeper Center at the Chamber annual banquet

2011-11-17T19:48:00.001-05:00

attending Germanna Local College Board meeting

2011-11-17T13:47:00.001-05:00

Good news for Veterans
http://ping.fm/M7cDQ

2011-11-17T09:09:00.001-05:00

Germanna joins with our distinguished alumnus, Steve Jones, and family in honoring the life of his beloved mother, Delores Jones
http://ping.fm/6k7S3

2011-11-17T09:07:00.001-05:00

Coverage of Germanna's Veterans Day program
http://ping.fm/tHqeM

2011-11-17T09:05:00.001-05:00

Germanna mourns the loss of Carl Silver and joins in celebrating his life
http://ping.fm/Xl1ny

2011-11-16T17:26:00.001-05:00

Very nice coverage of our enrollment increase although the quake closed only 1 building, not the whole Fredericksburg campus
http://ping.fm/z4ROP

2011-11-16T11:16:00.001-05:00

corrected email for alumni to tell me your stories is dsam@germanna.edu

2011-11-16T11:09:00.001-05:00

Are you a Germanna alum? If you ever attended you are. Please consider sending me your story to dasam@germanna.edu

2011-11-16T08:54:00.001-05:00

Attending annual meeting of the State Board for Community Colleges in Charlottesville

2011-11-16T07:27:00.001-05:00

Germanna still growing
http://ping.fm/fHQeU

2011-11-14T08:45:00.001-05:00

Germanna's Educational Foundation Annual Dinner:
http://ping.fm/E1MJf

2011-11-14T08:41:00.001-05:00

Roy Branklin, retired Marine & student at Germanna Community College, opens the 2011 Veterans Day National Day of Remembrance Roll
http://ping.fm/4hict

2011-11-13T14:37:00.001-05:00

"The longer I live the more I mistrust/theatricality." Adrienne Rich

2011-11-13T14:04:00.001-05:00

"For in a democracy, every citizen, regardless of his interest in politics, 'hold[s] office'; everyone of us is in a position of responsibility; and, in the final analysis, the kind of government we get depends upon how we fulfill those responsibilities. We, the people, are the boss, and we will get the kind of political leadership, be it good or bad, that we demand and deserve." J F Kennedy

2011-11-12T18:30:00.001-05:00

Germanna student Kelli Hale takes ownership of her life and helps others turn theirs positive as well
http://ping.fm/J2Xxo

2011-11-11T14:09:00.001-05:00

In Richmond at state meeting on possible Goodwill and Germanna Community College joint efforts

2011-11-11T10:14:00.001-05:00

other colleges who have answered the roll call for those who are not able:
http://ping.fm/3rIwW

2011-11-11T10:11:00.001-05:00

with Pam Shifflett, reading some of the names those who cannot answer the roll call

Veterans' Day 2011

2011-11-11T09:05:00.001-05:00

When I was young, I vividly remember my mother making a point to buy a poppy for each of us to wear on our clothing for “Reembrance Day,” as she still called November 11. We know it as Veterans’ Day, but she was born November 30, 1918, just nineteen days after the guns fell silent to end the War to End all Wars, and that is what the day was called when she was a child. She always reminded me of 11-11-11 because the Armistice took effect on November 11 at 11 am.

Today is another 11-11-11. And, unhappily, many wars have followed.

Today, beginning at 9 am at both Germanna Community College campuses, students, faculty, staff and community members will read from the roll of those who have died in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. You are welcome to participate:

http://www.germanna.edu/germannahighlights.asp?article=3

Today we also pause to thank our veterans and remember those not here to be thanked. It is the least we can do.

We can also:

- hire a veteran
- retrain a veteran
- assist a veteran in trouble
- pray for those who are serving and have served
or just feel a deep gratitude in our hearts for those who have answered the call and stood their ground so we can live without having to defend ourselves.

The poppies that we wore memorialized the poppy fields in Flanders where many Americans lie instead of having come home. Around the cemetery, many battles were fought in the Ypres region. Heavy fighting over the years of the war cost about a million casualties. The battles were memorialized in a famous poem by a veteran of that war:

In Flanders Fields

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Veterans Department web site:

http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetday_faq.asp