The Nineties: Comments about the Nineties - A Journey Through The Years - A History of New River Community College (1958

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90's Comments

One of the most memorable events at NRCC during my time here was when several college employees were asked to perform at the annual Christmas dinner. There was a great variety of acts and the two deans (Dr. Warren and Dr. Lewis) were not about to be left out. Dr. Lewis decided that he and I would do a country music song— him on the piano and me singing. Dr. Warren was the master of ceremonies. It was fun night, but the rehearsals were the most fun of all!

AMY J. H. HALL
Administrative Staff Specialist
Employment at NRCC: 1991-present

I have been a part of the NRCC family for almost 15 years now and have many wonderful memories and treasured moments. I think I could write a book when it comes to unusual telephone calls and the funny things that people can come up with. My job here is the best thing that ever happened to me. I enjoy my work and the people I work with and work for.

BONNIE HALL
Information Center Operator
Employment at NRCC: 1987-present

The people at NRCC have been an extended family, and that is special. I have several fond memories, but the most special one was the love, support, and encouragement that came during the birth of my daughter, Rachel.

One of my proudest moments has been the achievement of the ELC’s accreditation by the National Association of the Early Childhood Education and the state licensing.

ANNE SIMMERMAN
Director of Early Learning Center
Employment at NRCC: 1992-present

It was the end of a long SACS committee meeting at the end of a long day toward the end of a long semester. An English professor from southern Mississippi, who was relatively new to the area, listened sleepily as Dr. Barnes, arriving late, described his tedious day entertaining out-of-state dignitaries.
With her head propped on her hand, elbow on the table, she intoned sympathetically in her soft southern accent, drawing out the syllables. “And this was all-ll out of your la-a-rg-e-e-ss.” Obviously flustered and turning a deep purple, the president retorted in alarm. “I, I know it’s big.” His eyes darted around the room for support. “But I’m not accustomed to having attention drawn to it!”

ELAINE LONG SCOTT
Professor of English
Employment at NRCC: 1988 - present

Something that has continued to amaze me during my time at New River Community College is the generosity shown to our students and the institution as a whole. Figures reported in this history show the growth of the NRCC Educational Foundation, but they don’t capture the stories behind it: the professor who came to me with funds for new eyeglasses for a student in one of her classes, while insisting that she not be identified as the donor...the widow who had to pause and dab away tears before going on to say she had decided to honor the memory of her husband with a scholarship donation...the family members who surprised their mother by endowing a scholarship in her honor...the donor who noticed a scholarship student was driving a dilapidated vehicle and promptly bought him a much nicer used car...and so many similar instances of selflessness. A routine part of my job is to write “thank you” cards and letters, but I never feel completely up to the task. How can you properly thank people for their generosity? Perhaps you can’t; maybe the success of students is thanks enough.

MARK ROWH
Director of Institutional Advancement
Employment at NRCC: 1989-present

Even though I had taught at a Missouri high school for 30 years
and at a community college for 20 years (as an adjunct instructor), I was extremely nervous as I began teaching full time at New River Community College. I was afraid that the college teachers would look down on this poor little high school teacher. I was also not too sure of what to expect from the “strange” Virginians. The only ones I had seen had been in Civil War movies.

The first person I talked to was Dr. Charlie White. It did not take long to discover that hidden behind that mountain drawl was a caring and very bright person. As I met more Virginians, I became more relaxed. It was nice to discover that these Virginians were good ole hillbillies like me.

My stay here has been great!

LEE ROY ROGERS
Instructor of Mathematics
Employment at NRCC: 1992-present

     As I approach retirement, I look back on the many wonderful years I have spent teaching at New River Community College. I have been truly “blessed” to be a part of this wonderful institution and to work with such a caring, loving group of people.

     Students have given me so much joy. In the AST department, we have many students who have lost their jobs and have come to NRCC to learn new skills so that they can be employed again in a better job. On one occasion, a student, with tears in her eyes, told me that she thought she would have her job forever until she retired. Many of them are scared to death the first day of classes and lack self-confidence. It is so gratifying to see them graduate—so proud, so confident—with many of their family members present. I am very proud and happy for them, and it gives me much pleasure to think that I played a small part in helping them along the way to this moment.

     Dr. Ed Barnes hired me, and I will forever be thankful to him for having the confidence in me to hire me full-time, after my being away from teaching for ten years, and for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the “NRCC family.”

     The administrators, staff, and teaching faculty are the most dedicated, loyal workers that I have had the opportunity to work with. New River Community College will always hold a “special” place in my heart.

     I truly believe in the community college system and the opportunities it gives for students of all ages to learn and prepare themselves for the “working world.” I have loved my career. When I leave, I will leave with loving memories of this college and the wonderful people who make it the great institution that it is.

BECKY RIDPATH
Associate Professor of Administrative Support Technology
Employment at NRCC: 1974-present

An unforgettable event took place while I was working with the Trade Readjustment Act (TRA) Program helping a student who was laid off from her place of employment. She came to me to talk about taking CNA classes at NRCC. She needed a job that paid well, but she did not want to be in school for two years. As we began to look in the catalog, I informed her that she could go to school for a year and get her Practical Nursing Certificate and make more money than she would taking CNA classes. She said that she had to think about it, and she would get back with me. After a few days went by, she came back to my office and said that since TRA was going to pay for her to go to school, she had decided to enroll in the LPN Program. She is now a Licensed Practical Nurse at Radford Pediatrics in Radford, VA. Every time I take my son for his check-up, she tells everyone how thankful she was that I talked her into becoming a nurse. I told her that “All things are possible through those who believe.” It feels good to know that I was able to help one person fulfill her dream.

ELAINE POWELL
Administrative Assistant, Financial Aid Office
Employment at NRCC: 1996-present

I have said many times that NRCC is the nicest place I have ever worked. I say that by comparing it to the four-year colleges and universities in which I taught for twenty-one years before coming here. I think what one faculty member shared with me sums it up: “there’s a lot of love here.” The collegiality among NRCC’s faculty, staff, and administration is most unusual, and does indeed create a fine working atmosphere.

DAVID POTEET
Professor of History
Employment at NRCC: 1989-2003

I have enjoyed my years of working in the Admissions Office; and, as tough it has been sometimes, planning graduation ceremonies which were nice and dignified has been very satisfying. Even though some of my job responsibilities have remained the same through the years, working with different people and their different personalities has always kept the job interesting. If I had to select the one thing that I have enjoyed most, it would be the opportunity to follow students from their initial enrollment to the completion of their programs. I have taken great pleasure in watching some who have come in very unsure of themselves go on to do really well and then graduate.

SARA M. OLSEN
Registrar, Admissions Office
Employment at NRVTS/NRCC: 1969 - present

My fondest memory at NRCC has been seeing the joy on the faces of older students as they graduated after coming to college following being laid off. They came frightened, with little or no self-confidence, sometimes angry at having to go to school when they felt that they “should be working.” After seeing that they could be successful, self-esteem rose, and many of them are now my colleagues in Human Services. That is rewarding.

JANET P. MARTIN
Assistant Professor of Human Services
Employment at NRCC: 1976-present

The 1990s became a decade of maturity for the college. It seemed as if we had aged beyond belief, both in terms of the aging of academic programs and services and in terms of the aging of staff. The ‘90s ushered in many retirements as many of the original faculty and staff of New River’s elected to move into their next phase of life.

It was also a decade of budget cuts and diminishing support for higher education. Funding of higher education seemed not to be the major priority of the three governors of the 1990s. We tightened our belts, but we still continued to grow, especially with many TRA students who had lost their jobs because of plant closings, etc. Assessment of programs and services became fully established in the ‘90s. Additionally, for the first time in its history, planning took on a meaningful life. Not only were planning workshops held, but planning was utilized as a tool and not as a document to be placed on administrative shelves around campus and gather dust.

J. DOYLE LYONS
Associate Professor, Assistant to the President
Employment at NRCC: 1972-2003

     My fondest and most rewarding memories of NRCC are of its students. A recent student comes to mind and to me, this student epitomizes what New River Community College is all about...teaching!

     This student was enrolled in my fall semester Mathematics 03 class and at that time was a good student, not necessarily one who stood out from the others. However, the next semester she enrolled in my Mathematics 04 Mediated Learning class. It was during this class that I really got to know her and what a hard-working, focused student she was. She completed the Mathematics 04 early and asked if she could enroll in the Mathematics 163 Mediated Learning class then. Her goal was to complete Mathematics 163 that semester and then transfer to a four-year college. Not only did she complete the Mathematics 163, but she earned an “A” in the course. Her enthusiasm and work ethic were unbounded.

     She asked me to write a letter of recommendation for a scholarship to the four-year college. I was happy to do this, and, as I researched her academic record here at NRCC, I was surprised to learn that she had previously been a student here when she was “just out of high school”. Her grades were so bad that I could not believe that this was the same student!. She told me that since that time and prior to re-enrolling at NRCC she had served in the military, had gotten married, and had gone through a divorce. This re-focusing after a first “go at it” is so typical of many of our students.

     She received a full scholarship to the four-year college. During her spring break this year she came by to visit. She told me that she had made the Dean’s List her first semester there and was told by the dean that she could invite a faculty member to the dinner given in honor of Dean’s List students. She asked the dean if the faculty member had to be from that school...if she could invite her community college math teacher.

     What an honor to think that a student who had “moved on” wanted to invite a community college teacher to such an important occasion for her. To me, this action says it all—community college faculty truly do play an important role in the lives of their students.

BRENDA LYONS
Instructor of Mathematics
Employment at NRCC: 1978-2002

Some of my favorite moments at NRCC have come during times that I have been reading student papers. Some of their comments live on. For example, one student wrote, “The inevitable will eventually happen sooner or later.” At another time, I had asked students to make a list of things they could do to help the environment. One student said—thinking, I hope, of spray propellant cans—”Don’t use pressurized arousal products.” (He meant “aerosol.”)

MADELEINE LOVE
Instructor of Biology
Employment at NRCC: 1987-present

A very special feature of NRCC is its administration. Ed Barnes’ very presence was a unifying force, and that quality has been perpetuated by the current administrative staff. It is an incredibly supportive staff, one that is always responsive but not one that micromanages. I especially appreciate the fact that they are very visible, approachable, and complimentary. Where else would the college president walk into a class and lead 78 students in singing Happy Birthday to their teacher, as Jack Lewis did in my class? Nowhere else.
My most rewarding moments have come at times such as when the second-year nursing students have returned saying things like, “Thank you for killing me last year.” And I’ll always smile when I remember one student saying, “Mrs. Linzey, I never knew that I could do what you made me do.” That’s what teaching is all about.

Juanita Linzey
Associate Professor of Biology
Employment at NRCC: 1993 - present

My experience at New River Community College was wonderful. I returned to school as a result of a federal mandate that individuals working in the mental health profession have a bachelor’s degree. I was really nervous about returning and was actually feeling a little bitter about being forced to do so. I wasn’t sure I could make it, and I kept wondering how I could balance the needs of my children, my job, and my classes. Just as I expected, it was tough; however, I found that I got a lot of support from all of my teachers at NRCC. After New River, I then went on to Radford University where I received my bachelor’s degree in the year 2000. Even though it took me awhile to finish my degree, I am so glad I did because of the confidence I have gained. I would encourage other parents, even those who are middle-aged or older, to take advantage of the programs at NRCC.

SUSAN LINDSEY
Special Instructor for
New River Community Services
Student at NRCC: 1993-1998

I feel very lucky to work here at NRCC! I know we have absolutely the finest students in the world! Their attitude, enthusiasm to learn, and personalities are wonderful. One time we had a fight in the lounge during lunch hour, and the ENTIRE lounge jumped in to stop the two combatants and clean up the mess. Not a word was said to encourage the fight, and no instructions on cleaning up were needed. It just happened automatically. Nobody really said a word after it occurred either. It was as if they just wanted everything to go along peacefully and as good-natured forever. I was stunned, and I remain impressed with that one, defining moment.

BEN KRAMER
Activities Counselor
Employment at NRCC: 1993-present

A few years ago a student came into the Writing Center, wild-eyed and agitated. She hadn’t been using computers long, and now her professor wanted research from a particular web site. Could I help her find it? I asked for the page’s URL. She didn’t know. I asked for the name of the page, or some key words in the text. She didn’t know. With some exasperation, I asked her what she did know about the page. “Well,” she said, “I know it has a picture of a tree on it. I was kind of hoping we could just look through the pages until we came to it.”

JANET HANKS
Director of Academic Assistance
Employment at NRCC: 1998-present

I began working at New River Community College in March of 1998. I taught a Microsoft Word class at night for five weeks and it was a wonderful experience. The following academic year, I was asked to teach classes as an adjunct instructor. Some classes were for the AST department and some for the IST department. I was also asked to teach a student development course designed to help people prepare for their job search. That year, I had a woman in my IST 100 class who had been in my STD 106 class the previous semester. She had been laid off from a factory job. She was a middle-aged woman of color who came from a long line of factory workers, and it had been years since she sat in a desk in a classroom with the goal of earning a degree. To say the least, she was terrified—especially of the computer class. During the first week of class, she sat quietly petrified in the back of the classroom. One day, while I was walking around helping students with an assignment, I put my hand on her shoulder and asked how she was doing. She looked up at me with tears in her eyes and said, “I don’t think I can do this.” I looked down and saw her trembling hands on the keyboard and gingerly touching the mouse. I just put both hands on both her shoulders, looked her in the eye and said, “Yes, Ramona, you can. We’ll do what it takes to make this work for you, I promise.” She was doubtful, but we went to work.

Two years later, I sat with tears in my eyes as she received Phi Theta Kappa honors as a graduate of New River Community College--with a degree in Information Systems Technology.

LORETTA F. HALL
NRCC Recruiting Officer/Tech Prep Coordinator
Employment at NRCC: 1998-present

     Many of my students are amazed to learn that I am basically a very quiet, shy person. Chuck Dean loves to share a story about my first class with him. Mr. Dean was calling roll the first day of class, and had asked us to inform him if he mispronounced our name or if we preferred to be called by another name. When he came to my name at the end of his roster, he called Theron Wurzburger. I very meekly replied that I liked to be called Ray. Mr. Dean did not hear what I said, but instead of asking me to repeat myself he asked me if I could spell it. In a very loud voice, I stated R-A-Y.

     I still enjoy telling about two other situations that occurred after I had become an instructor at NRCC. I was lamenting to one of my classes that I had caught two students cheating on a computer assignment. One of my students asked me if I had ever cheated in school, which of course I replied no. Nancy Waters, a wonderful “older” student, who was normally very polite, responded that certainly I had never cheated on a computer assignment because they did not have computers when I was in school. She really knew how to make me feel old.

     Accounting is a very difficult course for most students, but eventually most students will grasp the concepts if they persevere. One day I was giving my students a pep talk and explained to them that eventually the “light would come on.” One young lady, who was seated in the front row, looked up at me very pitifully and asked “But what if your light doesn’t burn very brightly anyway?” I still get a laugh out of this story, even though it occurred several years ago.

T. RAY WURZBURGER
Assistant Professor of Accounting
Employment at NRCC: 1987-present

Occasionally, students ask me why I am teaching at NRCC since I am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). My response is usually that I love what I do and that there are so many things much more important than money. I have worked at several places over the years, some wonderful and others not so wonderful, but NRCC is by far the best place I have ever been employed. I am proud to say that I have held several roles (student, classified staff, and faculty) here and look forward to continuing as a faculty member until my retirement.

T. RAY WURZBURGER
Assistant Professor of Accounting
Employment at NRCC: 1987-present

The best thing about my NRCC experience was working with Jeananne Dixon and students who were successful because they accessed the LEAP program and its services. This proved to them that they were bright people who learned differently, and once learning this, they could do well academically.
One of the most unforgettable persons I met at NRCC was a student who was in his sixties when he took the strategies class that I taught. He met with me weekly and realized through specific strategies that he could learn to read. He shared his life story with me as we presented a workshop for GED teachers. It made a tremendous impact on everyone in the session. Another fond memory that I have is of helping a student with cerebral palsy, who was older than the typical student, work toward a degree at the college. It made a significant difference in his life during those years.

The major changes I witnessed while I was at NRCC were the changes in developmental math and English utilizing computer programs in place of some one-on-one tutoring. Students with learning disabilities often struggled due to lack of knowledge of basic concepts.

LOUISE WADE
Retired Faculty
Employment at NRCC: 1989-1998

In the years that I have been at NRCC, I have seen a lot of changes with each new president. I feel each one has helped us stay up-to-date with technology. It makes me very proud to work here when I hear students talk about the wonderful treatment they get here from faculty and staff. I hope we never get too far away from day to day human contact with the students.

MONICA CARDEN
Fiscal Technician
Employment at NRCC: 1980-present

     The best thing about my NRCC experience was the ability to gain skills to start a new career while also being in a fun, yet professional atmosphere. Each of my instructors had his or her own special way of teaching so that students would understand. Very one-on-one! My fondest memory was being part of the Tutoring Connection. I felt part of the NRCC family by being able to share my knowledge with other people who needed help. It was never a chore but pure excitement, and it was something that I looked forward to and took pride in.

     My most unforgettable event was the March of Dimes Walk-a-thon, sponsored by PBL. I co-chaired this event in 1998 and was thrilled at the turnout. The excitement came with knowing that children who needed help would get it. Who says hard work never pays off?

     The major change that I witnessed was the age of the students (post-baby boom). The results of the NAFTA trade agreement hit Southwest Virginia pretty hard, leaving lots of near-retirement aged people with no choice but to seek another career for their final working days. I noticed change in some instructors in the way they taught in order to cater to those who had been out of school for many years. Very thoughtful!
On a final note, I was a shy person until I met Dr. Bruce Brown.

TRAVIS BURCHAM
Federal Express Driver, Phoenix, AZ
NRCC Student: January 1997-May 2000

     My experience at New River has given me so many good memories of working with students, faculty, and staff.

     NRCC is truly, as our sign says, “where good endings begin.” I knew it would be different from any place I had ever worked when the president (Ed Barnes) hugged when when I accepted the offer of employment—and when the dean (Doug Warren) told me, “No one is going to be checking up on you; we know you’ll be here” after I had remarked that no one seemed to be checking on my arrivals and departures. It’s hard to imagine a better place to work. I always knew I was sent here for a purpose.

     One experience that occurred during the early 90’s altered my perspective toward evaluations. After 21 years in the Navy and then five years of employment in a chemical company, I came to NRCC with a lot of experience with evaluations—and with an attitude that evaluations were, for the most part, useless. I confess that I felt uneasy when Dr. Helen Harvey, my division chair, asked me to come to her office to discuss a student evaluation that she was reviewing. She wouldn’t reveal on the telephone whether the evaluation was positive or negative. When I walked into her office, her expression still showed no indication of what type of meeting we would have. Then she handed me the piece of paper on which one of my students had written, “Mr. Brumagin makes me want to learn.” What greater compliment could any teacher receive?

JIM BRUMAGIN
Retired, Associate Professor of Instrumentation Technology
Employment at NRCC (Full-time and adjunct): 1983-present

     My experience at NRCC as Professor of Psychology and president of the Faculty Assembly has been a powerful and meaningful experience of sharing and teaching some incredible students whose potential in particular circumstances has exhibited genius qualities, superior intelligence, and extremely adaptive potential. NRCC is a great place to work and assist in stimulating future leaders, community servants, and scholars.

     Some of my experiences in teaching and research were developed by the good fortune of having taught previously in graduate and doctoral institutions where the love of learning and scholarship shaped much of my learning and provided a plethora of opportunity for both growth and sharing in published articles and books and numerous speaking engagements at various colleges and universities.

     A notable fact about my ancestry has involved the recognition that I am the actual grandson of an American slave. He remembered the life and experiences of slavery in the United States which imprinted powerful memories that were seared upon his blossoming youthful years. Memories shared by my father about his father’s life in early America have strengthened my resolve to share the importance of justice, freedom, and respect for all people without consideration of their origin, station, or claim in life.

VERNIE L. BOLDEN
Professor of Psychology
Employment at NRCC: 1992-present

Having taught at NRCC for close to twenty years (part-time and full-time), I can vouch that the change has been significant in the way material is presented in writing classes. I can remember the days when preparing for a class meant making sure my notes were in order and an occasional use of the overhead. Today, I walk into a fully electronic classroom with computers at every station. At my disposal are an elmo, a computer, a VCR. I have the means to present the topic in a variety of ways. I can converse with students via the computer; I can take students to web sites that add to the topic in question. Through PowerPoints, the material can be made visual and more informative. The greatest challenge, I find, is trying to keep up with the technology and its use. However, I do feel it has given an added dimension to teaching.

BONNA S. BEAMER
Instructor of English
Employment at NRCC
(adjunct and fulltime): 1977-present

Humor was such a significant part of the culture of the college during my tenure that it is difficult to select a single incident. However, there was one incident which everyone present seemed to enjoy. During the self-study phase of the reaffirmation process, the steering committee had gathered in the conference room adjacent to my office. I was engaged in a discussion with a community leader about acquiring some resources for the college and was successful in my endeavor. Following my own meeting, I rushed to the steering committee meeting, beaming about my success and, with some degree of enthusiasm, sharing it with the steering committee. Frances Heller, an English teacher and a Mississippian, in her beautiful southern drawl proclaimed that my success was due to my largess (she pronounced the word in two drawn-out syllables). Astounded, I blurted out, “large what,” and there was an eruption of laughter. My own brother had suggested that two ax handles were necessary to measure my backside.

ED BARNES
Retired President of NRCC
Employment at NRCC: 1972-1984; 1991-1999

The campus of New River Community College is certainly reflective of the natural beauty bestowed on the state of Virginia by our Creator. Our campus shares in this blessing of beauty through the changing of the seasons. Springtime is heralded by the delicate pink or white blooms of the Dogwood trees while the summer offers flowers, lush green Mountain Laurels and leafy majestic oaks populated by scampering squirrels. Not to be outdone, Autumn’s blaze of glory adorns our campus with rich hues of gold and orange while scarlet Cardinals sing their songs for our pleasure. Winter brings us snowy silhouettes cast beneath a frosty full moon hanging expectantly over the campus. It has been said that Virginia is God’s country and the campus of New River Community College is without a doubt a jewel in her crown.

KAREN D. COVEY
Instructor of Speech
Employment at NRCC: 1991-present