JSC President Barbara E. Murphy

December 4, 2009

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As the semester winds down, thanks to all for your continued efforts to stem the spread of the flu and other illness on campus. Special thanks to Jeanie Cass, JSC nurse practitioner, for keeping us abreast of the situation and working to keep us all healthy. (And congratulations on her recent award as this year’s top New England rural health practitioner.) We still have the H1N1 vaccine available for students; contact Jeanie at ext. 1662 for info.

Keeping Abreast of JSC News
A reminder that one of the best ways to stay up to date about everything happening at JSC – including the many activities and accomplishments of our faculty and staff, such as Jeanie’s award -- is to read the monthly reports I submit to the Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees. These are posted on the day of each meeting on our Web site at http://www.jsc.edu/WhoWeAre/InitiativesAndReports/BoardofTrusteesReports.aspx. The next report will be posted Dec. 10.

Student Performances
Starting tonight and running through next week, we have several opportunities to see the wealth of talent our students have. Be sure to catch the JSC Dance Club tonight and tomorrow evening (assuming tickets are still available for this popular event); the Student Music Ensembles on Wednesday, Dec. 9; and the JSC Band concert on Thursday, the 10th. All take place at the Dibden Center starting at 7 p.m.

Graduation Reception Dec. 16
Our annual reception for August and December graduates takes place Wednesday, Dec. 16, in the Stearns Dining Hall, from 6 to 8 p.m. Please join us to applaud our students and their families at this event – but please DO let Heloisa know you are coming. RSVP to her at ext. 1240 by Wednesday, Dec. 9.

JSC Holiday Party Dec. 17
The annual JSC Holiday Party happens the next day, Dec. 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. the Stearns Performance Space. This is a great opportunity to kick back, partake of some good food and drink, and socialize with colleagues. Please join us!

An Official Johnson Java!
We are collaborating with Brown & Jenkins Coffee Roasters on a specially packaged and labeled “Badger Blend,” which will be available in 10-ounce bags for holiday gift-giving. The “official brew of JSC” will be available for purchase in the Stearns Center Coffee House by mid-December. Thanks to Tadd Stone of Aramark for coordinating this effort.

Thanks and Best Wishes to Sin Young Hill
Congratulations and a very fond farewell to custodian Sin Young Hill, who is retiring after nearly 25 years at JSC. Sin started at JSC March 4, 1985, and her last day on the job will be Dec. 11. She has been an important and dedicated member of the JSC team, and we are grateful for her stellar service.

Academics and Pojazz in the News
If you missed the WCAX-TV feature on the evolving “culture of research” at JSC on Nov. 16, you can still catch it online. A video link is available at http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=11516426. Along the same lines, the JSC poetry/jazz group Pojazz was featured on Vermont Public Radio’s “Vermont Edition” on Friday, Nov. 27. You can hear samples and what Prof. and Pojazz member Tony Whedon had to say by visiting http://www.vpr.net/episode/47393/.

Thanksgiving Generosity
It was wonderful to learn that the JSC community contributed so generously to the “Thanksgiving Basket Project” organized by JSC students James Demsey and Ashley Favreau, contributing 22 boxes of food and $619 in cash. Thanks to everyone who participated in this event. We should all be proud of this tremendous show of support to our local community.

More Community Connections
Another wonderful opportunity for JSC faculty, staff and students to get involved in the local community has emerged with the establishment of a Lamoille County chapter of “Neighbor Keepers.” The group holds a potluck dinner the first Tuesday of every month at the United Church of Christ in Johnson (across the street from the Grand Union) at 6 p.m. It is an informal, evolving gathering and a great way to meet new people and help build community. Contact Ellen Hill at ext. 1439 or Ellen.hill@jsc.edu for more information – or just or show up with a dish to share at the next meeting, on Tuesday, Jan. 5.

‘Life in Washington County’ at Stearns Cinema, Dec. 8
The latest Vermont history documentary from Prof. Bill Doyle and students in his Government and History class is hot off the (DVD) press and will be premiered at the Stearns Cinema at 2:30 on Tuesday, Dec. 8. Congratulations to Bill on this, the sixth installment of his award-winning documentary series.

Northeast Sports Network
We are entering into an agreement with Northeast Sports Network (www.nsnsports.net) to film and provide live Web streaming of 20 JSC varsity sports games and other events (performances, speeches, etc.) from January – December 2010. As part of this effort, we will be creating several 30- and 60-second spots promoting JSC athletics, academics, facilities and student activities that will be aired during breaks in the action. Adjunct faculty member Jacque Langley and her video company, which employs several JSC students, is producing the spots. We plan to “repurpose” the spots for a variety of marketing efforts, including student recruitment, retention, and alumni support.

Emergency Planning
Planning continues by the JSC College Crisis Response Team, which is meeting every two weeks to map out evacuation and academic-continuity plans in the event of a crisis, such as a flu outbreak or another event requiring us to cancel classes on campus. Faculty input will be solicited as we develop contingency plans. For more information, contact Sharron Scott at ext. 1445 or sharron.scott@jsc.edu.

Childcare Openings at JSC
The JSC Child Development Center, which provides exceptional child care for preschoolers in McClellan Hall, has several openings for the spring semester. Contact Bev Corrow, CDC director, at ext. 1385 or Beverley.corrow@jsc.edu for more information. This is an excellent program with an experienced, consistent staff. Please spread the word to friends and family members.


Best wishes to everyone for a wonderful holiday season with friends and family. As always, I welcome your comments and ideas.