Outlook Adjunct shows her commitment The celebration of FCCJ’s 25th anniversary this year is symbolic in more ways than one. On the surface, it represents the community’s ongoing support of education and the residents’ interest in learning. But it also symbolizes the cooperative effort of College employees to provide the highest quality education available. Those who try to define FCC]’s longevity are quick to name the quality of its full»time faculty, experience of its staff and commitment of its administration. One group that is often overlooked, however, is the College’s adjunct faculty. By virtue of their part—time status, adjunct faculty are sometimes considered as “half employees." Member of the reserve squad, as they are known, might teach as few as a single class per week, then have the rest of their time to do as they please. Since they only work a few hours a week, they can’t be too dedicated to the College, right? Not even close, according to Mary Ellen Potter, adjunct professor of flute and piano at South Campus. As a member of FCC]’S adjunct faculty for over 20 years, she is just one example of the important contributions adjuncts have made in FCC] history. Potter came to Jacksonville in 1969 after receiving her master’s degree in musicology from the College Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati. Her years of experience as an elementary and junior high school music instructor taught her that teaching was, in fact, her talent, but she longed for the opportunity to teach on the college level. When a friend told her about an opening at F]C for a flute instructor, she jumped at the chance. Being hired in 1970 fulfilled Potter’s goal, but it hardly filled her time. “My first semester I had only one flute student,” she said. “I came in for applied lessons once a week and that was it.” Pretty uneventful, Potter admitted, but with a baby on the way, she didn’t mind the light load. By the following semester, however, she was asked to take over a section of Introduction to Music Theory. Though she was eager to take on more classes, Potter now had a newborn to consider. But the decision was simple. “I brought him [the baby] in to work with me, and I paid one of the students to babysit in someone‘s office while I was in class,” she laughed. “I tell you, he practically grew up in the band room." Over the years, Potter’s reputation as a talented musician and dedicated teacher spread, resulting in an increased course load. Today, she is teaching applied lessons to 10 flute/piano students, two sections of music theory and one section of class piano. “With all of my classes and lessons, I am here literally five days a week,” Potter said. “In fact, I am here more hours than some fullrtime professors.” In addition to her classes and lessons, Potter also conducts the College‘s Flute Choir, an extra—curricular group made up entirely of flutists. Not a bad showing of dedication for a faculty member who, after 20 years of teaching, still doesn’t have her own phone. But don’t get Potter wrong, she loves her job. “I really enjoy teaching at this age level, A Publication of Florida Community College at Jacksonville “It truly is a pleasure to see these teenagers struggling with the problems of April 1 99 1 ‘v growing up, get on track and become caring, appreciative and contributing adults,” said Mary Ellen Potter, shown here with one of her students. seeing the lightbulbs go on when they finally grasp an idea and enlightening them,” she said. “I feel like I have a mission here; I wouldn’t want to do anything else." The College too, is grateful for its adjunct faculty. “For years FCC] has relied heavily on adjuncts like Potter,” said Bill Martin, associate vice president of instructional planning and development. “They assist us in offering a comprehensive class schedule in times when the budget will not support hiring more full—time faculty, and they often bring to the College special talents." Holding on to the hope that an increased budget will one day allow her to obtain full! time status, Potter keeps plugging away. As they say, “Good things come to those who wait.” The war hits home Much has been written about the Gulf War in the past four months. Reams of paper and miles of videotape have been devoted to the war’s effect on everything from gas prices and television ratings to book sales and international travel. Despite all of the attention given to the war’s effect on the homefront, there is at least one area that has been almost com— pletely ignored—education. Except for an occasional bomb threat, the media would have us believing that educational institu' tions have been unaffected by the war. Anyone looking for evidence of the war’s impact on education,however, needs to look no further than FCC]. Two nursing professors and at least five students were sent to Saudi Arabia as part of the 345th Combat Support Hospital Unit. The unit, part of the US. Army Reserves, is the only combat support hospital in the ]acksonville area, according to Norman Clark, staff training and operations specialist with the 345th. “We at - , Medical personnel, like those in the 345th, have been an integral part of operation Desert Storm. are a complete hospital just like any local hospital,” Clark said. “We can treat anything from a minor cut to a serious injury, requiring surgery.” After being placed on standby around Thanksgiving, the unit was given mobilization orders in mid— December. Troops went through one month of readiness training, including preparations for nuclear and gas attacks. On ]an. 12 they boarded planes headed for the Middle East and within a matter of days, they had set up camp “in the thick of the combat zone." Lt. Col. Angeline ]enkins and 2nd Lt. Denise Figueroa, both nursing professors at North Campus, are two of the registered nurses deployed with the unit. Informed that ]enkins and Figueroa may be sent over, Barbara Witherspoon, assistant dean of nursing programs, began making provisions for their classes to be covered almost immediately. “Some of the teachers had to double up and take on extra classes, but everybody was willing to do what had to be done,” she said. “They had enough to worry about, so we tried to do our part to keep things going for them here.” FCC]’s ties to the 345th didn’t end with its faculty members, however; several students were sent as well. Bill Inman, a student at North Campus, is serving as a lab technician with the unit. “Plucked out” right before final exams in December, Inman was able to make arrangements to complete his coursework before he left, according to his mother Loretta. “All of his professors were extremely cooperative in working things out for him,” she said. Reservist students, such as Inman, create a special challenge for professors who try to work out equitable arrangements. “I let them make the decision about what’s best,” said Barbie Baker, professor of biological science. Baker, who had three students deployed to the Middle East, wanted to relieve as much tension as possible. “They were under overwhelming stress about being sent into war, and I didn’t want them to worry about school too,” she said. Paula Thompson, professor of natural science, shared the same philosophy. “We started making arrangements as soon as they heard they may be sent. Then we just took it day by day," she said. While the deployment of these students has caused a slight decrease in enrollment, there is an even larger result to consider, according to ].T. Revenaugh, director of FCC]’s Military Institute. “The significant thing is not neccessarily the students who have withdrawn but the prospective students who didn’t register because they thought they would be called,” he said. Because of these special circumstances, Revenaugh is trying to work out a special term to coincide with the return of the troops. “It’s my job to provide for the needs of our service members, and at an unusual time like this, we need to go to unusual lengths to get their educations started again," h said. As foretlie soldiers themselves, they are adjusting to their new lifestyles. In a letter to Thompson, South Campus student/345th unit member Tammara Keene described the wild goats and camels, as well as the sand and dust storms. “You wouldn’t believe the sheep, camel and goat herders; they must be crazy to live out here,” she wrote. Ready to come home and “tired of playing army,” Keene summed it all up when she wrote, “The best feeling in the world will be going on the TWA flight home. I’ll be anxious to be back in school again.” And to the members of the 345th Combat Support Hospital Unit and all of the armed forces returning from deploy— ment, FCC] is eager to have you back. With the close of the war, plans are being made to bring the troops home. Members of the 345th are scheduled to be home some time this month. . .and just in time for the summer term. INSIDE , OCR Text: Outlook Adjunct shows her commitment The celebration of FCCJ’s 25th anniversary this year is symbolic in more ways than one. On the surface, it represents the community’s ongoing support of education and the residents’ interest in learning. But it also symbolizes the cooperative effort of College employees to provide the highest quality education available. Those who try to define FCC]’s longevity are quick to name the quality of its full»time faculty, experience of its staff and commitment of its administration. One group that is often overlooked, however, is the College’s adjunct faculty. By virtue of their part—time status, adjunct faculty are sometimes considered as “half employees." Member of the reserve squad, as they are known, might teach as few as a single class per week, then have the rest of their time to do as they please. Since they only work a few hours a week, they can’t be too dedicated to the College, right? Not even close, according to Mary Ellen Potter, adjunct professor of flute and piano at South Campus. As a member of FCC]’S adjunct faculty for over 20 years, she is just one example of the important contributions adjuncts have made in FCC] history. Potter came to Jacksonville in 1969 after receiving her master’s degree in musicology from the College Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati. Her years of experience as an elementary and junior high school music instructor taught her that teaching was, in fact, her talent, but she longed for the opportunity to teach on the college level. When a friend told her about an opening at F]C for a flute instructor, she jumped at the chance. Being hired in 1970 fulfilled Potter’s goal, but it hardly filled her time. “My first semester I had only one flute student,” she said. “I came in for applied lessons once a week and that was it.” Pretty uneventful, Potter admitted, but with a baby on the way, she didn’t mind the light load. By the following semester, however, she was asked to take over a section of Introduction to Music Theory. Though she was eager to take on more classes, Potter now had a newborn to consider. But the decision was simple. “I brought him [the baby] in to work with me, and I paid one of the students to babysit in someone‘s office while I was in class,” she laughed. “I tell you, he practically grew up in the band room." Over the years, Potter’s reputation as a talented musician and dedicated teacher spread, resulting in an increased course load. Today, she is teaching applied lessons to 10 flute/piano students, two sections of music theory and one section of class piano. “With all of my classes and lessons, I am here literally five days a week,” Potter said. “In fact, I am here more hours than some fullrtime professors.” In addition to her classes and lessons, Potter also conducts the College‘s Flute Choir, an extra—curricular group made up entirely of flutists. Not a bad showing of dedication for a faculty member who, after 20 years of teaching, still doesn’t have her own phone. But don’t get Potter wrong, she loves her job. “I really enjoy teaching at this age level, A Publication of Florida Community College at Jacksonville “It truly is a pleasure to see these teenagers struggling with the problems of April 1 99 1 ‘v growing up, get on track and become caring, appreciative and contributing adults,” said Mary Ellen Potter, shown here with one of her students. seeing the lightbulbs go on when they finally grasp an idea and enlightening them,” she said. “I feel like I have a mission here; I wouldn’t want to do anything else." The College too, is grateful for its adjunct faculty. “For years FCC] has relied heavily on adjuncts like Potter,” said Bill Martin, associate vice president of instructional planning and development. “They assist us in offering a comprehensive class schedule in times when the budget will not support hiring more full—time faculty, and they often bring to the College special talents." Holding on to the hope that an increased budget will one day allow her to obtain full! time status, Potter keeps plugging away. As they say, “Good things come to those who wait.” The war hits home Much has been written about the Gulf War in the past four months. Reams of paper and miles of videotape have been devoted to the war’s effect on everything from gas prices and television ratings to book sales and international travel. Despite all of the attention given to the war’s effect on the homefront, there is at least one area that has been almost com— pletely ignored—education. Except for an occasional bomb threat, the media would have us believing that educational institu' tions have been unaffected by the war. Anyone looking for evidence of the war’s impact on education,however, needs to look no further than FCC]. Two nursing professors and at least five students were sent to Saudi Arabia as part of the 345th Combat Support Hospital Unit. The unit, part of the US. Army Reserves, is the only combat support hospital in the ]acksonville area, according to Norman Clark, staff training and operations specialist with the 345th. “We at - , Medical personnel, like those in the 345th, have been an integral part of operation Desert Storm. are a complete hospital just like any local hospital,” Clark said. “We can treat anything from a minor cut to a serious injury, requiring surgery.” After being placed on standby around Thanksgiving, the unit was given mobilization orders in mid— December. Troops went through one month of readiness training, including preparations for nuclear and gas attacks. On ]an. 12 they boarded planes headed for the Middle East and within a matter of days, they had set up camp “in the thick of the combat zone." Lt. Col. Angeline ]enkins and 2nd Lt. Denise Figueroa, both nursing professors at North Campus, are two of the registered nurses deployed with the unit. Informed that ]enkins and Figueroa may be sent over, Barbara Witherspoon, assistant dean of nursing programs, began making provisions for their classes to be covered almost immediately. “Some of the teachers had to double up and take on extra classes, but everybody was willing to do what had to be done,” she said. “They had enough to worry about, so we tried to do our part to keep things going for them here.” FCC]’s ties to the 345th didn’t end with its faculty members, however; several students were sent as well. Bill Inman, a student at North Campus, is serving as a lab technician with the unit. “Plucked out” right before final exams in December, Inman was able to make arrangements to complete his coursework before he left, according to his mother Loretta. “All of his professors were extremely cooperative in working things out for him,” she said. Reservist students, such as Inman, create a special challenge for professors who try to work out equitable arrangements. “I let them make the decision about what’s best,” said Barbie Baker, professor of biological science. Baker, who had three students deployed to the Middle East, wanted to relieve as much tension as possible. “They were under overwhelming stress about being sent into war, and I didn’t want them to worry about school too,” she said. Paula Thompson, professor of natural science, shared the same philosophy. “We started making arrangements as soon as they heard they may be sent. Then we just took it day by day," she said. While the deployment of these students has caused a slight decrease in enrollment, there is an even larger result to consider, according to ].T. Revenaugh, director of FCC]’s Military Institute. “The significant thing is not neccessarily the students who have withdrawn but the prospective students who didn’t register because they thought they would be called,” he said. Because of these special circumstances, Revenaugh is trying to work out a special term to coincide with the return of the troops. “It’s my job to provide for the needs of our service members, and at an unusual time like this, we need to go to unusual lengths to get their educations started again," h said. As foretlie soldiers themselves, they are adjusting to their new lifestyles. In a letter to Thompson, South Campus student/345th unit member Tammara Keene described the wild goats and camels, as well as the sand and dust storms. “You wouldn’t believe the sheep, camel and goat herders; they must be crazy to live out here,” she wrote. Ready to come home and “tired of playing army,” Keene summed it all up when she wrote, “The best feeling in the world will be going on the TWA flight home. I’ll be anxious to be back in school again.” And to the members of the 345th Combat Support Hospital Unit and all of the armed forces returning from deploy— ment, FCC] is eager to have you back. With the close of the war, plans are being made to bring the troops home. Members of the 345th are scheduled to be home some time this month. . .and just in time for the summer term. INSIDE , Z ArchiveInABox,JAX,Outlook Newsletter,Outlook Newsletter 06-07,April 1991,P01 (2).tif, P01 (2).tif