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December Notes

Shepherd and Lord Fairfax sign a chemistry 2+2 agreement

Dr. Virginia Hicks (r.), assistant provost for academic community outreach, joined Dr. Kimberly Blosser, vice president of academic and student affairs, to sign a chemistry 2+2 agreement with Lord Fairfax Community College. This agreement, the first between the two schools, will provide a seamless pathway for Lord Fairfax science majors to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry at Shepherd.

Plautz presents President’s Lecture on the circadian clock

Dr. Jeffrey Plautz, senior solutions architect at HighWire Press, gave a President’s Lecture talk on December 4 titled “Time Flies: An Inside Look at the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology” that focused on work he did with one of the winners of the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to help pioneer some important findings on the circadian clock. Pictured above (l. to r.) are President Mary J.C. Hendrix, Dr. Plautz, and Karen Rice, director of lifelong learning.

Leadership Jefferson participants visit Shepherd

A group from Leadership Jefferson visited campus on December 13 for a two-hour introductory session held at the new Applied Business Lab. The group was welcomed and given an overview of new initiatives at Shepherd by Acting Provost Scott Beard. Presenters and their topics included Holly Morgan Frye, Community Relations, Service Learning, and Tourism Initiative; Dr. Ben Martz, Potomac Applied Business Council and Center for Regional Innovation; Jessica Kump, Office of Sponsored Projects Initiatives and Funding; Dr. Virginia Hicks, Dual Enrollment and 2+2 Programs; Bill Sommers, Enrollment Overview, New Programs, and Scholarship Opportunities; Dr. Richie Stevens, Graduate Programs; and Dr. Jason Best, Strategic Research Initiatives. The Leadership Jefferson session concluded with a walking tour of campus.

The primary goal of Leadership Jefferson is to educate current and future community leaders about Jefferson County’s assets, opportunities, and hurdles in order to strengthen the sense of community and ensure a prosperous future. During the 10-month program, participants develop leadership skills and hone their leadership abilities through training sessions and guidance from peer mentors.

Art Market showcases student, faculty, and alumni artwork

Shepherd’s Department of Contemporary Art and Theater hosted its annual Art Market on December 8, offering the public a chance to learn more about Shepherd’s nationally accredited art program and to do some holiday shopping. The market included one-of-a-kind drawings, paintings, prints, mixed media, sculpture, handmade jewelry, photography, note cards, postcards, and more. The theater program provided a photo booth, complete with costumes from Contemporary American Theater Festival productions, for photo opportunities. Visit Shepherd’s flickr album for more photos from the Art Market: www.flickr.com/photos/shepherdu/albums/72157689450498061

Beard directs opera concert at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia

Acting Provost Scott Beard, who also serves as the artistic director of the Washington Opera Society, led and directed a concert of opera and holiday favorites at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia on December 16. The sold-out concert featured renowned singers Tim Augustin (tenor), Nicole Butler, Fairouz Fouty and Elizabeth Treat (soprano), and Gustavo Ahualli and Kwangkyu Kim (bass). Beard also directed a chorus of young professionals that included music students from Shepherd University and Catholic University. Tamira Patterson (pictured above (r.) with Beard and Jasmine Mays (l.) from Catholic University), a senior music education major at Shepherd, also conducted the chorus and soloist Tim Augustin in Gounod’s “Sanctus” from his St. Cecelia Mass.

Service dogs and J.C. visit Scarborough Library

Four therapy pups for PurposeFULL Paws, a local nonprofit that raises and trains service and assistance dogs, visited Scarborough Library on December 7 to give students the opportunity to relieve stress as final exam week approached. The visit was arranged by Dr. Ann Marie Legried, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, who brought her Yorkshire terrier, Scarlett, to the event.

On December 12, J.C., the Shepherd ram mascot, visited with students, staff, and faculty on the Scarborough Library porch. J.C., attired in his blue Shepherd cape and gold muffler, posed for many selfies and served as a talisman for students who patted him for good luck on their finals. Student Affairs staffer Michelle Lawson serves as J.C.’s handler.

Visit Shepherd’s flickr site to see more photos of J.C. and the pups: www.flickr.com/photos/shepherdu/albums.