On this Memorial Day weekend, we gather family and friends for picnics and barbecues. We hope for nice weather and good company, and there is nothing at all wrong with these activities and these hopes.
However, we should not forget the original and still timely purpose of what was first called "Decoration Day." Today, as throughout our history, men and women are placing their lives and bodies in harm's way so that we here at home remain safe and free. If we cannot actually decorate the graves of the fallen, we can stop in our activities to remember and silently thank those who did not come home. We can also take time to thank the living veterans for their high service.
We can remember the original purpose for this holiday:
http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html
Here follows an excerpt from the original proclamation of 1868:
Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic Washington, D.C., May 5, 1868
The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country....
... All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the Nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and found mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of free and undivided republic.If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation’s gratitude,—the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.
By command of:
JOHN A. LOGAN,Commander-in-Chief.
N. P. CHIPMAN,Adjutant-General.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
100% Pass rate for Dental Hygiene Students
Congratulations to the dental hygiene students and their faculty. Once again, 100% passed their National Board examinations.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
MORE's Celebration of the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
I was both humbled and honored today to be able to speak a few words at the Celebration of the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sponsored by the Multicultural OutReach Effort (MORE). Here are my comments spoken at James Monroe High School:
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that “Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.” He knew that to have an education was to have hope. To have an education was to have a dream, to have the knowledge, skills and character to achieve that dream. He knew that if we were truly to be judged by the content of our character, it was education that molded and shaped that character.
Dr. King said that "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. [That] Intelligence plus character is the goal of true education."
Dr. King knew that, for most of American history, education had been used to divide the races, to keep a whole people from having and achieving their dreams for themselves and their children.
“It is precisely because education is the road to equality and citizenship, that it has been made more elusive for Negroes than many other rights,” he said. “The walling off of Negroes from equal education is part of the historical design to submerge him in second class status. Therefore, as Negroes have struggled to be free they have had to fight for the opportunity for a decent education.”
He said that the family ”is the main educational agency of mankind,” and that as long as the family was being undermined, dreams and hopes were often replaced by despair and hopelessness.
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity," he said. And his entire life was dedicated to defeating ignorance and stupidity. His life serves as a model. He was educated and fought for others to be so educated. He saw his ministry and his activism as opportunities to teach with the entire nation, indeed the entire world, as his classroom.
His too brief life modeled his belief that “the quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important.” His life is a beacon that shines a light on our successes and failures, and guides us from the shoals of failure towards his dream of a society and educational system where we can truly be judged by the content of our character and not the color of our skin. Too many are still left behind. The beacon of his life glares a spotlight on what we have yet to do and aims us towards the way to achieve the dream of an empowering education for all of our citizens.
****
Thank you for the humbling honor of being in the presence of those of you who are heroes of America's Second Revolution, the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, and for the opportunity to combine some of my poor words with those great expressions by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that “Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.” He knew that to have an education was to have hope. To have an education was to have a dream, to have the knowledge, skills and character to achieve that dream. He knew that if we were truly to be judged by the content of our character, it was education that molded and shaped that character.
Dr. King said that "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. [That] Intelligence plus character is the goal of true education."
Dr. King knew that, for most of American history, education had been used to divide the races, to keep a whole people from having and achieving their dreams for themselves and their children.
“It is precisely because education is the road to equality and citizenship, that it has been made more elusive for Negroes than many other rights,” he said. “The walling off of Negroes from equal education is part of the historical design to submerge him in second class status. Therefore, as Negroes have struggled to be free they have had to fight for the opportunity for a decent education.”
He said that the family ”is the main educational agency of mankind,” and that as long as the family was being undermined, dreams and hopes were often replaced by despair and hopelessness.
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity," he said. And his entire life was dedicated to defeating ignorance and stupidity. His life serves as a model. He was educated and fought for others to be so educated. He saw his ministry and his activism as opportunities to teach with the entire nation, indeed the entire world, as his classroom.
His too brief life modeled his belief that “the quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important.” His life is a beacon that shines a light on our successes and failures, and guides us from the shoals of failure towards his dream of a society and educational system where we can truly be judged by the content of our character and not the color of our skin. Too many are still left behind. The beacon of his life glares a spotlight on what we have yet to do and aims us towards the way to achieve the dream of an empowering education for all of our citizens.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Russell James, Director of the Daniel Center, Earns Professional in Workforce Development Certification
Congratulations to Russell James, Director of the Daniel Center in Culpeper for successfully completing a certificate from the University Of Virginia School Of Continuing and Professional Studies and the Workforce Development Academy designating him as a "Professional in Workforce Development."
According to Barbara Kessler at UVA, "The PWD certification designation signifies exceptional knowledge and practice of the workforce development professional competencies." Good show, Russell.
According to Barbara Kessler at UVA, "The PWD certification designation signifies exceptional knowledge and practice of the workforce development professional competencies." Good show, Russell.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Annual Report provides glimpse at what makes Germanna Community College special
This year’s Annual Report, available now, celebrates the contributions and achievements of Germanna students, faculty, alumni. And it recognizes the generosity of community stakeholders whose contributions have become more important than ever as the state has been forced to make budget cuts.
Among those featured:
- Ninety-four -year-old Germanna computer science student Claire Ducker, for providing an inspiring example of what lifelong learning is all about.
- Associate Dean Judi Bartlett, whose selflessness in giving of her time sets a standard of going above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to caring about, taking a personal interest in, and helping students.
- Retiring English instructor Rob Sherwood, who brought an energetic, imaginative and fun approach to learning despite a long and debilitating battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
- David Rose, who has been a part of Germanna since the College opened in 1970 as a student, faculty member and a member of the GCC Local College Board.
- Hugh Cosner, whose generosity to Germanna earned him a statewide award for philanthropy.
Friday, December 19, 2008
GOV. KAINE RECOGNIZES IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN BUDGET INTRODUCTION SPEECH
IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY APPROVES GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED VCCS REDUCTION, NO LAYOFFS ARE ANTICIPATED AT GERMANNA.
I write to reduce confusion about the governor’s proposed budget adjustments. This week
Gov. Tim Kaine recognized the important role community colleges can play in saving financially strapped Virginia families money on tuition and in jump-starting the Commonwealth’s economy during a speech he made to introduce his proposed state budget adjustments.
For 2010, Gov. Kaine proposed a further reduction of another 5% on top of the 5% we’ve already cut out of the biennial budget (2008-2010) for a total of 10% starting July 1, 2009.
The good news is that this is just 5% less than where we are now. The good news is also that his budget “also includes increases in the Community College Transfer Grant program, helping more students begin their higher education at a two-year college and then transfer to a four-year institution to get their degree at a lower cost to their families.”
We are doing everything we can to avoid layoffs and/or pay cuts, while recognizing that Germanna must do its part to help deal with a projected $3 billion shortfall in state revenues.
If the General Assembly approves the reduction level Gov. Kaine proposes for community colleges, no layoffs are anticipated at the college for the coming year.
We recognize that in the current economic climate, sacrifices must be shared across all government agencies, indeed across society. We are as prepared as we can be to shoulder our part of that sacrifice.
Germanna has already been taking the following actions to prepare for this cut without layoffs:
· Offering early retirements (3 have accepted so far)
· Freezing most hiring
· Maximizing efficiencies and looking at restructuring positions
· Exploring further partnerships with other community colleges and universities and other organizations, including some in the private sector
This does mean that we have to continue to tighten our belts while trying to serve the needs of students and communities. But we clearly recognize that the governor sees community colleges as a critical tool in helping Virginia and Virginians to recover, and thus has treated us differently than other parts of the budget.
We appreciate the difficult decisions involved in this budget and appreciate that the governor sees us as an investment in the future.
“Even in this atmosphere,” the governor said, “our excellent schools, colleges and universities produce the ideas and graduates that will keep driving our economy. The advances we have made in career and technical education and our restructuring of workforce efforts under the community college system enable us to better prepare our dedicated workforce.
I write to reduce confusion about the governor’s proposed budget adjustments. This week
Gov. Tim Kaine recognized the important role community colleges can play in saving financially strapped Virginia families money on tuition and in jump-starting the Commonwealth’s economy during a speech he made to introduce his proposed state budget adjustments.
For 2010, Gov. Kaine proposed a further reduction of another 5% on top of the 5% we’ve already cut out of the biennial budget (2008-2010) for a total of 10% starting July 1, 2009.
The good news is that this is just 5% less than where we are now. The good news is also that his budget “also includes increases in the Community College Transfer Grant program, helping more students begin their higher education at a two-year college and then transfer to a four-year institution to get their degree at a lower cost to their families.”
We are doing everything we can to avoid layoffs and/or pay cuts, while recognizing that Germanna must do its part to help deal with a projected $3 billion shortfall in state revenues.
If the General Assembly approves the reduction level Gov. Kaine proposes for community colleges, no layoffs are anticipated at the college for the coming year.
We recognize that in the current economic climate, sacrifices must be shared across all government agencies, indeed across society. We are as prepared as we can be to shoulder our part of that sacrifice.
Germanna has already been taking the following actions to prepare for this cut without layoffs:
· Offering early retirements (3 have accepted so far)
· Freezing most hiring
· Maximizing efficiencies and looking at restructuring positions
· Exploring further partnerships with other community colleges and universities and other organizations, including some in the private sector
This does mean that we have to continue to tighten our belts while trying to serve the needs of students and communities. But we clearly recognize that the governor sees community colleges as a critical tool in helping Virginia and Virginians to recover, and thus has treated us differently than other parts of the budget.
We appreciate the difficult decisions involved in this budget and appreciate that the governor sees us as an investment in the future.
“Even in this atmosphere,” the governor said, “our excellent schools, colleges and universities produce the ideas and graduates that will keep driving our economy. The advances we have made in career and technical education and our restructuring of workforce efforts under the community college system enable us to better prepare our dedicated workforce.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
A Christmas message
Friends and Colleagues,
Here in Virginia, with the Blue Ridge as a backdrop and history alive around us, the snow falls, the skies suddenly clear, and the semester ends.
At year end, we take time to reflect, to celebrate, to remember, and to plan for the future.
Whatever holiday we celebrate, let us remember the origin of the word comes from 'holy day.' Let us remember that every day is sacred, an opportunity that comes to us once to live this particular day in the best way we can.
In this season of renewed hope, in a time of great challenges and opportunities for our nation and our commonwealth, let us remember that we work in a place of hope.
Let us remember the sacred trust we hold here at Germanna Community College. Every day we have been given the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives. Each student we meet presents us with this opportunity.
Each student we meet is the opportunity to fulfill hope: The hope of the individual student. The hope of the family who entrusts us with that student. The hope of our community that this student will be an effective and contributing citizen. Each student we meet gives us the opportunity to help someone find a dream and earn the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to achieve that dream.
Each student presents us with the sacred opportunity to pass on the ethic of service to a cause larger than the self, the ethic of shared leadership, shared responsibility, shared power.
We face great challenges with a strength that comes from this common commitment.
We are blessed to be in this business of hope, and I am proud and grateful to work with all of you at Germanna.
As we spend time with our friends and families, let us remember the lyrics of that wonderful Christmas song,
“Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams”
and recall the many men and women serving our country who will not be home for Christmas except in their dreams, and pray for their safety and that they come home before the next year ends.
I wish you all a blessed time with your families and friends, a safe and happy holiday season, and the bounty of a new year with more opportunities to serve at a place of hope.
David
Here in Virginia, with the Blue Ridge as a backdrop and history alive around us, the snow falls, the skies suddenly clear, and the semester ends.
At year end, we take time to reflect, to celebrate, to remember, and to plan for the future.
Whatever holiday we celebrate, let us remember the origin of the word comes from 'holy day.' Let us remember that every day is sacred, an opportunity that comes to us once to live this particular day in the best way we can.
In this season of renewed hope, in a time of great challenges and opportunities for our nation and our commonwealth, let us remember that we work in a place of hope.
Let us remember the sacred trust we hold here at Germanna Community College. Every day we have been given the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives. Each student we meet presents us with this opportunity.
Each student we meet is the opportunity to fulfill hope: The hope of the individual student. The hope of the family who entrusts us with that student. The hope of our community that this student will be an effective and contributing citizen. Each student we meet gives us the opportunity to help someone find a dream and earn the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to achieve that dream.
Each student presents us with the sacred opportunity to pass on the ethic of service to a cause larger than the self, the ethic of shared leadership, shared responsibility, shared power.
We face great challenges with a strength that comes from this common commitment.
We are blessed to be in this business of hope, and I am proud and grateful to work with all of you at Germanna.
As we spend time with our friends and families, let us remember the lyrics of that wonderful Christmas song,
“Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams”
and recall the many men and women serving our country who will not be home for Christmas except in their dreams, and pray for their safety and that they come home before the next year ends.
I wish you all a blessed time with your families and friends, a safe and happy holiday season, and the bounty of a new year with more opportunities to serve at a place of hope.
David
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