SFCC Shines at FACC State Convention
South Florida Community College garnered an array of awards and recognition during the 61st Annual Florida Association of Community Colleges (FACC) Convention in Jacksonville, Nov. 17-19.
SFCC received four Communications and Marketing Commission Awards of Excellence for informational and promotional material. The college’s Community Relations and Marketing Department received second place in the Newsletter – Electronic category for Panther Tales, the college employee newsletter. The department garnered second place in the Brochure category for a printed piece promoting enrollment in the SFCC Summer Bridge Program. A second place award in the Newsletter – Print category went to the SFCC Cultural Programs’ newsletter, Artist Applause. A photograph of two SFCC students in the Bungee Run competition during the 2009 Community College Week won second place in the Best Photography in a Published Piece category.
SFCC’s FACC chapter received a membership award for having 50 percent or more of employees as members and was designated a Region IV Gold Chapter based on points it earned for such factors as membership, participation in state and regional commissions, education and social activities, and fundraising. Melanie Jackson received a Region IV Unsung Hero Award for her work in raising money for the scholarship fund through the annual SFCC Holiday Luncheon.
Several SFCC employees were elected to commission boards. Dr. Robert Flores became the director of Region IV and the Facilities Commission, while Cheryl Arpasi remains secretary/treasurer of that commission. Tami Cullens was elected secretary of the Trustees Commission. Melanie Jackson will serve as past-chair of the Technology Commission and on the Bylaws Committee. Courtney Green was elected treasurer and Susan Cartwright was elected secretary of the Occupational Workforce Commission. Lena Phelps was elected treasurer of the Learning Resources Commission, and Jennifer Young was elected treasurer of the Communications and Marketing Commission.
SFCC’s attendees proved once again to be a lucky group as many walked away with an assortment of small door prizes and silent auction items. Cathy Lewis won a fall harvest basket, a Mary Kay basket, and a gardener’s basket while Phelps won an FSU basket, an Indian River Press basket, and a Miami International Book Fair basket from the silent auction. The biggest prize went to Keith Loweke who won a two-night stay at the Wyndham Hotel-West Shore in Tampa.
The 61st annual convention also proved to be a historical one as convention delegates voted to approve a health care plan for part-time employees and to officially change the name of FACC to the Association of Florida Colleges (AFC). SFCC’s delegates to the convention were Arpasi, Cartwright, Eddie Cuencas, Dr. Flores, Green, Callie Johnson, Lewis, Loweke, Lindsay Lynch, Phelps, Laura Wade, and Young. Also attending were Jackson, Dr. Norm Stephens, SFCC president, and members of the SFCC District Board of Trustees Tim Backer, Cullens, and Gary Delatorre.
Melanie Jackson receives the “Unsung Hero” award at the FACC Convention from SFCC for her work raising money for the FACC scholarship fund.
Lindsay Lynch accepts the FACC Gold Chapter award for SFCC.
Melanie Jackson, Dr. Norm Stephens, Dr. Robert Flores, Callie Johnson, and Cathy Lewis arrive for the Opening General Session.
Callie Johnson, Keith Loweke, Jennifer Young, Eddie Cuencas, Courtney Green, and Susan Cartwright pose with FACC Keynote Speaker, Stedman Graham.
SFCC Trustee Tami Cullens, Eddie Cuencas, Keith Loweke, Cheryl Arpasi, and Melanie Jackson at the Presidential Gala Dinner.
Laura Wade, Lindsay Lynch, and SFCC Trustees Gary Delatorre and Timothy Backer at the Presidential Gala Dinner.
Cathy Lewis and Lena Phelps enjoy each other’s company at the Presidential Gala Dinner.
Keith Loweke and Courtney Green enjoy the FACC Welcome Party hosted at the River City Brewing Company on the St. Johns River.
Lindsay Lynch accepts SFCC’s Membership Award for having 50 percent or more of employees as members.
Thanks to SFCC FACC for recognizing my contribution to FACC over the past years. It has been a priviledge to serve at SFCC and also as a state officer for the past 5 years! The SFCC eLearning team shares this award with me for their continued hard work on the Holiday Luncheon Door Prize project, which continually raises over $1000 annually to support book scholarships for our employees! Many thanks to Kathleen Benn, Joann Kramer and Christian Negron.
Go Panthers!
Melanie Jackson