a great Valencia alumni blog

Please be sure to take a moment to check out this inspirational and insightful site:
http://willyoubemyhero.wordpress.com/
Here, in her own words, Laura (Valencia alumna, 2006) shares why she started her blog and the important goal she hopes to accomplish:
I’ve decided to write a blog that will chronicle my search for a spokesperson for people with the condition [...]

thank you

One of our students takes a moment to give thanks to the Henry T. Simmons scholarship for funding her education at Valencia.

foundation f.a.q for you

Valencia students, alumni, donors, faculty and staff have questions about what the Valencia Foundation is and how the organization supports Valencia Community College. Below are frequently asked questions and answers. Provided so you can be one of Those-in-the-Know.

remembering Evelyn Louise Breeze

“At the end of her life, Evelyn Louise Breeze would value her service on the School Board among her proudest accomplishments. During her terms, the county desegregated the schools and created Valencia Community College”

our students give thanks

Through your kindness, my next two semesters have been completely covered, including my textbooks, which we all know can be as expensive as tuition itself. As an independent, full time student, reaching the level of higher education beomces a challenge as we face everyday life. I will be forever grateful for what the foundation has [...]

alas, alumni welcome!

Did you know that annual alumni membership is absolutely free at Valencia?
Please take a moment to reconnect and get involved with exciting Alumni Association benefits and events.  We invite you to fill out the membership registration form online today!
Already a member?   Please complete the alumni class notes online. We’d like to know what you’ve been doing: [...]

dedication ceremony for the university center

Valencia Community College and the University of Central Florida (UCF) will host a public ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony for their new shared facility, the University Center, located on Valencia’s West Campus on South Kirkman Road.

making strides at urban flats

You are cordially invited to attend a happy hour full of free flowing wine and food, all the while benefiting a great cause: American Cancer Society’s ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Meet at Urban Flats in downtown Orlando from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday October 29th.

in memory of Tina Collyer

Family creates scholarship in memory of Valencia student Christine “Tina” Collyer

valencia grad to be published in literary anthology

Jared Silvia, a Valencia Community College graduate from the Winter Park Campus, has been selected to have his creative writing published in Phi Theta Kappa’s 2009 edition of “Nota Bene,” the society’s literary honors anthology.
 Silvia was one of 15 Phi Theta Kappa members nationally to have his work chosen for publication. Two of his short [...]

valencia student featured on CNN special

 Valencia Student to be Featured on CNN Special, “Latino in America”
Orlando, FL – Valencia Community College student Carlos Robles will be featured in the documentary, “Latino in America,” which will debut Oct. 21 and 22 on CNN and CNN en Español. Robles’ story will air on the 22nd.
The two-night, four-hour documentary, hosted by correspondent Soledad [...]

the university club of orlando

This student takes an opportunity to share her gratitude. The University Club of Orlando has supported education in Central Florida for generations, thank you for all you do for our community!

save the corks!

 
Save the Corks! ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Joins TerraCycle Program to Recycle Nomacorc Wine Closures
 
Nomacorc, the world’s leading producer of alternative wine closures, announced that ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Florida’s oldest and largest independent wine and spirits retailer, has joined its innovative recycling program. Beginning in mid-September, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits will [...]

wp autumn arts

Valencia is proud to work with the Winter Park Autumn Art Festival and is looking to support this event through student, staff and faculty volunteers. If you are interested in providing your time and talents please contact Sunni at sfavaliprevatt@valenciacc.edu.

In addition to presenting quality visual art, the festival provides entertainment and participatory events for the enjoyment of visitors and artists. The festival is held near Valencia’s Winter Park Campus at beautiful Central Park located along Park Avenue in downtown Winter Park.

a taste for learning and save the corks!

UCF Foundation and Valencia Foundation proudly join together to present A Taste for Learning on Saturday, October 17 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Rosen Shingle Creek. Tickets are $125 per person or $200 per couple.
Join us as vintners from around the world serve their finest wines and sample exquisite cuisine from restaurants like B.B. [...]

a note of thanks

One student shares her gratitude for the University Club of Orlando scholarship for the 2009-10 school year.

class notes: our valencia graduates

RON G. SWORD III 2007, 2009
Ron is a member of The Institute for the Advancement of the Aural Arts (IAAA), an international visiting group of seven musicians and educators who present concerts, master classes and workshops based on the most
contemporary musical thinking on a worldwide basis. Ron’s company, Sword
Guitars, builds guitars in microtonal tunings. His [...]

student speaks about community

We are constantly surrounded by students that take time each day to serve our community. This is one students thoughts about his community service and how it has changed his life.

chorus groups seek new members

Valencia Community College’s ensemble and chorus groups are looking for new members for the fall term. Opportunities are available to all students, staff, faculty and community members.
 There are three opportunities available:
 Voices of Valencia
Now in its 13th year, the Voices of Valencia is a musical group for singers of all levels. The group performs all over [...]

community

President Sandy Shugart elaborates on Florida’s community colleges adding bachelor’s degrees, changing their names to “college” or “state college,” and Valencia’s partnership with UCF. Dr. Shugart provides readers an update on these issues with a focus on Valencia’s direction.

thankful words

I hope that this letter makes you feel a great deal of satisfaction and happiness that you have given me.

martin and gracia andersen foundation

The Martin and Gracia Andersen Foundation was able to award ten student scholarships for Nursing students.

facebook & twitter

facebook, twitter, e-mail oh my!

she’s betting on valencia

Geraldine Gallagher, CFRE, sits down with Helen Von Dolteren-Fournier. Helen Von Dolteren-Fournier, JD, CFP, President of AEGIS Law Firm PL, is the chair of Valencia Foundation’s board of directors.
 
Q: What influences in your life have encouraged you to be philanthropic and community-minded?
According to my mother, Helen Calafut-Von Dolteren, it doesn’t take much to be [...]

bequest for students with a spark

Patti Riva, a Valencia employee, chose to make a willed bequest leaving a portion of her estate to the Valencia Foundation. When asked to share why she became a Legacy Society member, Patti reflected on the joy she’s known from being a spectator to the actions of determined students.

fine wine and spirits

A Taste for Learning would not be possible without the generosity and support of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.
Through the sponsorship and support of ABC Fine Wine and Spirits, vintners from around the world will be pouring their finest wines. Join us on October 17 and speak and mingle with international winemakers and vintners throughout the [...]

new scholarship winner from sungard

SunGard Public Sector recently announced the first award for the Freddie Filmore Jr. Memorial Scholarship through Valencia Foundation.
The scholarship recipient, Tonia Henselin, is a Valencia Community College student working toward her associate of applied science degree in criminal justice. She plans to transfer to the University of Central Florida and continue her education to become [...]

who is counting?

I like to count things. Our CFO, Michelle, and my college professor friend, Brian, would tell you I am neither a financier nor a mathematician. But still I like to count.
So when I saw the list of Orlando’s 50 most powerful people, I had to dissect it. We have a whole untold story.
Among the 50 [...]

vcc is not for me!

Disturbed by the reduction of our academic institution to a few small letters Valencia Alumn Donna Marino asks for five more letters and one syllable. After all, it seems a shame to limit a college that knows no bounds to a simple acronym.

courageous conversations to support our learners

I read an article this weekend in the New York Times about how the economy is impacting the ability of students to afford tuition and of foundations and colleges to offer scholarships.
The article, “Scholarships for College Dwindle as Providers Pull Back Their Support,” paints a dismal picture of a perfect storm: At the same time [...]

it’s not because of us . . .

Impressions from Valencia Foundation staff member: good work isn’t of our own design but that of small community groups working for a larger purpose.

florida citrus sports donates $1 million to take stock

Sandy Shugart, Elisha Gonzalez-Bonnewitz, Chuck Beverly and Chuck Olgilvy
Florida Citrus Sports Chief Executive Officer Steve Hogan announced today that the FCSports Foundation has made a $1 million donation to help Valencia bring Take Stock in Children (TSIC) to Orange County. FCSports, the founding partner, has committed to sponsor children for five years in the program [...]

campaign raises $27 million

Valencia Foundation recently celebrated the successful culmination of its first-ever campaign to support Valencia Community College (Valencia). With a mid-2004 kick-off, the campaign drew more than $27 million in community support, exceeding its $20 million goal.
This year, the college will serve about 60,000 students, many of whom will need financial assistance to learn, train and [...]

crew golf drives home scholarships

I would like to share my sincerest gratitude to the women (and men) of Commercial Real Estate Women of Orlando for another successful golf tourney, proceeds to benefit student scholarships. They’ve raised about a quarter of a million dollars for Valencia students so far — and are now helping us to provide 2+2 scholarships for [...]

$1 million seneff family gift endows honors college

The foundation celebrated the successful culmination of its $27 million capital campaign, recognizing board members and major donors. Keynoting the event was Jim Seneff, chairman and chief executive officer of CNL Financial Group Inc., who explored the role of Valencia and philanthropy in the community, sharing the reasons his family had made the college a [...]

mike bosley places first in nursing scholarship dance-off

I’m proud to announce that at the 2009 charity dance-off, choreographed by Femmes de Coeur friends and donors, Valencia was triumphant! Among the four nursing schools competing, our hoofer, Dr. Michael Bosley, assistant provost of our new Lake Nona campus and husband of speech professor and foundation board member, Dr. Amy, WON hands down (or [...]