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MAKING W hen Bob Cook described his late mother, Betty Pickett Cook, he used many comparative phrases such as “a true lady, but really tough” and “a determined yet compassionate leader who would stop at nothing to be sure everyone had the care they deserved.” In the 1970s-80s, Betty served on the Florida State College at Jacksonville Foundation Board and the FSCJ Board of Trustees. Today, Bob is the Foundation’s board chair. But there is much more to Betty P. Cook’s story than serving on FSCJ boards. She “committed her time and treasure,” said Bob. “My mother was so dedicated to her community, Nassau County. She gave her lifetime to helping others.” Mrs. Cook was born in Jacksonville and raised in Callahan, in Nassau County. After she graduated from Callahan High School, she earned her nursing degree at St. Vincent’s School of Nursing in Jacksonville and joined the Nassau County Health Department. She eventually became the director of nursing, developing Nassau County’s first medical indigence plan that was later adopted by many other county health departments in Florida. After 30 years of service, Mrs. Cook retired from the Nassau County Health Department. Retirement? Not for Mrs. Cook. at’s when she accepted an appointment as the first woman administrator for Nassau County The semesterly newsletter of Florida State College Foundation Volume | Issue May 2014 In this issue: GENERATION RN SM P ROGRAM ............... 3 ART E NHANCES CAMPUSES .............. 4 MILITARY AND VETERANS S ERVICE CENTER ........ 5 2014-2015 ARTIST S ERIES ................... 5 HOPE R ECEPTION ..... 6 ALUMNI S POTLIGHT ..... 7 To make a gift to Florida State College Foundation, please visit our website or contact Maggie Hightower, Interim Executive Director, at 904-357-8896. floridastatecollegefoundation.org Betty P . Cook: A N ‘E XCEPTIONAL L ADY and, thereafter, was appointed to the FSCJ Board of Trustees, where she was the first woman appointee from Nassau County. Considering all of her accomplishments, Mrs. Cook was the most proud of the 43 acres of land she and her husband William granted for the building of FSCJ’s Betty P. Cook Nassau Center in Yulee. is initial land grant enabled the College to establish permanent facilities in the county. At the opening ceremony she said, “is is a great day for Nassau County.” And it has continued to be a great reminder of how much she wanted educational opportunities to be available in her hometown. rough the years, Mrs. Cook contributed significant funds to support student scholarships for primarily Nassau County residents, who attended workforce preparation programs at the Betty P. Cook Nassau Center. She also established an endowed scholarship fund through the FSCJ Foundation, which continues to be available today. Applicants must be enrolled at the Nassau Center, maintain a 2.5 GPA, complete the financial aid application and demonstrate need. In November 2013, Nassau County and FSCJ lost one of its most beloved and generous donors whose legacy lives on in each student who walks through the doors of the Betty P. Cook Nassau Center or is awarded the Betty P. Cook Endowed Scholarship. “Giving back is just what she did,” said Bob. “She was an exceptional lady.”

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When Bob Cook described his late mother, Betty Pickett Cook, he used many comparative phrases

such as “a true lady, but really tough” and “a determined yet compassionate leader who would stop at nothing to be sure everyone had the care they deserved.”

In the 1970s-80s, Betty served on the Florida State College at Jacksonville Foundation Board and the FSCJ Board of Trustees. Today, Bob is the Foundation’s board chair.

But there is much more to Betty P. Cook’s story than serving on FSCJ boards.

She “committed her time and treasure,” said Bob. “My mother was so dedicated to her community, Nassau County. She gave her lifetime to helping others.”

Mrs. Cook was born in Jacksonville and raised in Callahan, in Nassau County. After she graduated from Callahan High School, she earned her nursing degree at St. Vincent’s School of Nursing in Jacksonville and joined the Nassau County Health Department. She eventually became the director of nursing, developing Nassau County’s fi rst medical indigence plan that was later adopted by many other county health departments in Florida. After 30 years of service, Mrs. Cook retired from the Nassau County Health Department.

Retirement? Not for Mrs. Cook. Th at’s when she accepted an appointment as the fi rst woman administrator for Nassau County

Th e s e m e s t e r l y n e w s l e t t e r o f F l o r i d a S t a t e C o l l e g e F o u n d a t i o n

Volume | Issue May 2014

In this issue:GENERATION RNSM PROGRAM ............... 3

ART ENHANCES CAMPUSES .............. 4

MILITARY AND VETERANS SERVICE CENTER ........ 5

2014-2015 ARTIST SERIES ................... 5

HOPE RECEPTION ..... 6

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT ..... 7

To make a gift to Florida State College Foundation,please visit our website or contact Maggie Hightower,Interim Executive Director,at 904-357-8896.fl oridastatecollegefoundation.org

Betty P. Cook: A N ‘ E X C E P T I O N A L L A D Y ’

and, thereafter, was appointed to the FSCJ Board of Trustees, where she was the fi rst woman appointee from Nassau County.

Considering all of her accomplishments, Mrs. Cook was the most proud of the 43 acres of land she and her husband William granted for the building of FSCJ’s Betty P. Cook Nassau Center in Yulee. Th is initial land grant enabled the College to establish permanent facilities in the county. At the opening ceremony she said, “Th is is a great day for Nassau County.” And it has continued to be a great reminder of how much she wanted educational opportunities to be available in her hometown.

Th rough the years, Mrs. Cook contributed signifi cant funds to support student scholarships for primarily Nassau County residents, who attended workforce preparation programs at the Betty P. Cook Nassau Center. She also established an endowed scholarship fund through the FSCJ Foundation, which continues to be available today. Applicants must be enrolled at the Nassau Center, maintain a 2.5 GPA, complete the fi nancial aid application and demonstrate need.

In November 2013, Nassau County and FSCJ lost one of its most beloved and generous donors whose legacy lives on in each student who walks through the doors of the Betty P. Cook Nassau Center or is awarded the Betty P. Cook Endowed Scholarship.

“Giving back is just what she did,” said Bob. “She was an exceptional lady.”

StaffMaggie Hightower, CFREInterim Executive Director

Anthony SuttonDirector of Donor Relations and Special Events

Lisa MaldonadoDirector of Operations

Tania Yount, CFREDirector of Development

Parker LearyGift Processor/Data Assistant

Carla SodekAccountant

Tia SmithAdministrative Assistant

Board of Directors

Robert Cook, ChairDr. H. Wade Barnes, Jr., Immediate Past ChairCarl Cannon, First Vice ChairKaren Bowling, Second Vice Chair/ District Board of Trustees LiaisonMartha Barrett, SecretaryJeff Edwards, TreasurerMichael BellDr. Cynthia Bioteau, College PresidentHusein CumberAndrew KingBetsy LovettVelma Monteiro-TribbleRobyn MooreTimothy TrescaScott VerlanderWayne YoungEdward A. Nimnicht, II, Director EmeritusJames Winston, Director EmeritusDr. Stephen R. Wise, Director EmeritusDonald Zell, Director EmeritusKierstan Synder, Student Representative

Welcome to this issue of Making Waves that focuses on National Nurses Month, which is celebrated each year in May. We know you will enjoy reading about some of the people who have contributed to the College’s health-related fi elds of study and help make nursing students’ dreams a reality.

Th e nursing profession has been supported and promoted by the American Nurses Association (ANA) since 1896. Likewise, the ANA leads the annual May observance to raise awareness of the value of nursing and

help educate the public about the role nurses play in meeting the health care needs of Americans.

Th is year’s National Nurses Month theme, “Leading the Way,” not only speaks volumes about the dedicated men and woman who work as nurses and other professionals in the health care fi eld, but it also speaks to FSCJ’s commitment to off er a wide range of degrees and certifi cations, including associate and bachelor degrees.

To assist FSCJ students in their academic endeavors, the Foundation currently off ers 14 nursing scholarships and an additional six scholarships for other health-related programs. And we are also pleased to support fi ve endowed chairs in our nursing program.

We are grateful to those generous donors who have helped us provide these scholarships and endowments, which allow us to “Lead the Way” in supporting, educating and training individuals who enter this demanding yet rewarding profession. However, we believe even more scholarships and support will be needed to meet the demand for nurses. In fact, the Florida Center for Nursing forecasts that by 2025 there will be a shortage of more than 60,000 practicing nurses.

Again, we thank you for your continued support and wish you a pleasant summer.

Maggie HightowerInterim Executive Director

W E ’ R E L E A D I N G T H E W A Y W I T H Y O U R S U P P O R T

One of the Foundation’s generous donors, Florida Blue Foundation, states in its mission that it is dedicated “...to improve the health and well-being of Floridians and their

communities.” In addition, one of the Florida Blue Foundation’s fi ve focus areas

involves its commitment to the quality and safety of patient care, which it delivers through the development of “...a diverse, well-trained, frontline-care workforce to meet the health care needs of Florida.”

“Nurses are an integral component of the health care system and touch our lives in so many ways. However, the current nursing shortage has focused us on providing student scholarships and faculty endowments that will result in helping to meet the demand for advanced degree nurses,” said Velma Montiero-Tribble, director of grants and programs for Florida Blue Foundation.

Th e Florida Center for Nursing predicts demand for nurses will increase sharply beginning in 2014, coinciding with full implementation of health care reform. Furthermore, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects the job growth for registered nurses will increase 26 percent by 2020.

“Since 2004, when Generation RNSM was created, the Florida Blue Foundation’s board has continued to address nursing workforce issues in the state of Florida,” said Montiero-Tribble. “We are pleased to support Florida State College at Jacksonville nursing students by off ering them the opportunity to receive scholarships to help them achieve their educational goals.”

Florida Blue Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship Applicant must be accepted into the College’s Nursing Assistant, Practical Nurse, Associate in Science in Nursing, or other Allied Health program, and must be enrolled at least part time, be a Florida resident, fi le the FAFSA and complete the fi nancial aid process.

Florida Blue Nursing Endowed Scholarship Applicant must be a full-time student in their second year (3rd or 4th term) of the Associate in Science in Nursing degree program with a 3.25 GPA or higher. The application should include a letter of recommendation from a faculty member and proof of community involvement.

FLORIDA BLUE FOUNDATION’S

Generation RNSM Program Focuses on Nursing Education

MAKING waves - 3

1) Ascent by David Engdahl is suspended in FSCJ’s South Campus Student Center. He is the artist and donor of this sculpture and several other works of art.

2) Lithograph Coopers Hawk II by C. Ford Riley is one of 30 paintings, prints and drawings donated by Stellers Gallery.

3) Lithograph Autumn Fish by Joseph Raffael is one of 10 pieces of art donated by Robert and Thelma Nied.

4) Vaincre le Fain c’est Gagner La Paix by Bernard Lorjou is one of several pieces donated by Michael and Michele Cavendish.

5) Raku Pot by Joan Pevarnik, also donated by the Nieds.

D O N AT E D W O R K S O F A R T

Enhance Campuses

4 - MAKING waves

As you walk through the College’s public areas, you will notice a wide range of art displayed on walls and placed throughout every campus.

Th e Florida State College at Jacksonville’s permanent art collection contains hundreds of works given to the College by donors in the community, visiting artists and students. Th ese works are used as a teaching resource for students studying visual art and design.

Th ey also provide visual entertainment and contemplation for all those who visit the College. Th e addition of fi ne works of art to the campuses and administrative offi ces has enhanced the College environment and proved to be very popular with College employees.

“Our generous donors of art works are committed supporters of the arts who want to cultivate their enthusiasm in a new generation of artists and connoisseurs. Th eir contributions to the College allow us to provide a vibrant, dynamic and culturally rich environment for students and staff alike. We are so pleased to partner with them in this eff ort,” said Lynn Lewis, gallery coordinator, FSCJ Wilson Center for the Arts.

To learn more about how you can donate works of art to the College now or through a planned gift, please contact Tania Yount, the Foundation’s director of development, at (904) 632-5087.

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4

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BLUE WAVE CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM LAUNCHED

MAKING waves - 5

FSCJ ARTIST SERIES 2014-2015 BROADWAY SEASON

Did you know FSCJ’s Military and Veterans Service Center (MVSC) provides academic support services, job preparation assistance and resource referral services to active military, veterans and their family members? And it’s

conveniently located next to the College’s Downtown Campus at 940 North Main Street.Th e MVSC furnishes educational resources in an eff ort to further academic success,

leading to a degree, certifi cation or licensure and employment in a high-demand, high-wage career fi eld. Coupled with professional respect, responsibility and accountability, the MVSC is the principal advocate at FSCJ for active military, veterans and their family members, ensuring their unique needs and challenges are met.

The service center offers:• Academic Advising and Counseling• Degree Planning• GI Bill Educational Benefi ts• Student Services Counseling• Academic Admissions and Enrollment• Disabilities Services Referrals• Jacksonville-Area Veteran Assistance Referrals• Education and Career Mentoring• Career Workshops and other Community Events• Computer Lab, Study Rooms and Student Lounge

FSCJ off ers Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard service members a variety of online degree and certifi cate programs for members stationed anywhere in the world, as well as on-site programs for members stationed in Jacksonville. Active duty and veteran military members may speak directly with MVSC staff and VA vocational counselors to learn how the center can help them.

For more information, visit fscj.edu/military-veterans or call (904) 357-8890 or (800) 700-2795.

MI L I TA R Y A N D VE T E R A N S SE R V I C E CE N T E R

Ready to Help

The FSCJ Artist Series is proud to announce a multi-year partnership with Chase. From the creators of South Park and winner of nine Tony Awards, Th e Book of Mormon will play a limited one-week engagement Feb. 3-8, 2015.

In addition, the Chase sponsored FSCJ Artist Series’ 2014-2015 season also features:

AnnieOct. 21-26, 2014

Dirty DancingDec. 9-14, 2014

I Love Lucy® Live On StageMarch 17-22, 2015

The FSCJ Artist Series presents Broadway musicals and plays, as well as concerts, at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts and at the Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts. It is a fundraising arm of Florida State College Foundation, Inc., which supports talented performing arts students attending FSCJ.

Season tickets to the FSCJ Artist Series’ 2014-2015 Broadway in Jacksonville are on sale now with four-show package prices starting at $129. Season ticket prices vary depending on the show time, day of the week and seating location. Call (904) 442-2929 or 1-888-860-BWAY, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or visit artistseriesjax.org.

SAVE THE DATE: MY FAVORITE COOKBOOK

6 - MAKING waves

Th e recent HOPE (Helping Others Pursue Education) reception celebrated this year’s Herbert W. Scheidel Community Leadership in Action Award winners. Past scholarship recipients and Scheidel Scholars attended the event held on March 26, 2014 at Maggiano’s Little Italy.

2014 Community Leadership in Action Award

Winner – David Paly$2,500 toward his chosen charity and a Scheidel Scholarship, including becoming a Scheidel Scholar and funding to complete his associate degree at FSCJ.

Finalist #1 – Laurent Antonio James$1,000 toward his chosen charity and a one-time $500 tuition scholarship.

Finalist #2 – Willie Walker$1,000 toward his chosen charity and a one-time $500 tuition scholarship.

Th e Herbert W. Scheidel Community Leadership in Action Award was inspired by the life and legacy of Herb Scheidel. It recognizes emerging leaders within the Jacksonville community who go above and beyond to positively impact the lives of others. Th e award is presented each year to a current FSCJ student who has taken action to expand the opportunities of those who are less fortunate by volunteering with exceptional service at a nonprofi t agency located in the Northeast Florida area.

HOPE RECEPTION CELEBRATES Scheidel Recipients

(Left to right) Shielah Overholser, Willie Walker, Ashley Szczukowski, Miyuki Scheidel, Dr. Cynthia Bioteau, David Paly, Hugh Jones, Jr., Laurent James, Maris Brien

We invite you to this year’s My Favorite Cookbook event to be held on Oct. 9, 2014 at the Jacksonville Main Library on Laura Street. Last year, the FSCJ Foundation raised $25,000 in scholarship funds for the Culinary Arts program through this fundraiser, which showcased Top Chef contestant Grayson Schmitz. This year, siblings Matt Lee and Ted Lee are looking forward to hosting the event and interacting with FSCJ culinary program students and reception attendees.

Siblings Matt Lee and Ted Lee grew up and learned to cook in Charleston, SC. Their three cookbooks, “The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook,” “The Lee Bros. Simple Fresh Southern” and “The Lee Bros. Charleston Kitchen” have won a total of six James Beard and IACP Awards. They are currently on-air commentators for Cooking Channel’s Unique Eats and have written regularly for The New York Times, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, GQ, and Martha Stewart Living, and are contributing editors at Travel + Leisure.

For sponsorship and ticket information, please contact Tania Yount, the Foundation’s director of development, at (904) 632-5087.

Since Alex Tecson graduated from FSCJ 10 years ago, earning his Associate in Science degree in nursing, he has returned to the classroom at Jacksonville University to earn

a bachelor’s degree in nursing and two master’s degrees. Th us, he has quite an impressive collection of abbreviations

after his name, including RRT, RN, CCRN, MSN and MBA. He is currently working full time as a nurse navigator in the Neuroscience Progressive Care Unit at Baptist Medical Center in downtown Jacksonville. He is also an adjunct clinical instructor for FSCJ’s nursing program.

Th e story of his educational journey begins at Florida State College at Jacksonville. After fi ve years as a respiratory therapist, Tecson realized he wanted to advance his role in the health care setting and returned to college to earn his Registered Nurse (RN) Associate in Science degree.

“I started attending FSCJ in 2000, which was my fi rst choice for a college because of the aff ordable cost and location,” said Tecson. “I worked as a respiratory therapist side-by-side the critical care nurses during nursing school. Being in that type of patient care environment made a major impact on my career direction.”

“Going through and graduating from the RN program taught me that if I want to make a diff erence in people’s lives to a greater degree, then I needed to continue my education,” said Tecson. “So, through the years I have earned my Master of Science in nursing and an MBA. I will soon graduate with my doctorate in nursing practice degree from Jacksonville University.”

When asked about the best advice he could off er prospective and current FSCJ nursing program students, Tecson replied, “Nursing is a great career choice with endless paths for growth and advancement. However, it is not for everyone. Research tells us that 30 percent of new graduates leave the profession of nursing within the fi rst year of licensure. I believe a student needs to be 100 percent certain that nursing is for them before registering for classes.”

Th ere is no doubt Tecson is working in a profession that suits him quite well. “Th e most rewarding part of nursing is saving a life. It is a validation that I made the right career decision,” said Tecson.

Alumnus

AL E X T E C S O N PE R S O N I F I E S VA L U E O F ED U C AT I O N

MAKING waves - 7

“Th e most rewarding part

of nursing is saving a life. It is a validation that I made the right career decision.”

Florida State College Foundation is an IRS Approved 501 (c)(3).

501 W. State StreetJacksonville, FL 32202-9968

(904) 632-3237fl oridastatecollegefoundation.org

NON-PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDJACKSONVILLE, FLPERMIT NO. 3804

OU R M I S S I O NOur mission is to secure fi nancial resources for Florida State College at Jacksonville to provide students in need access to an affordable, quality education and to enhance the lives and the economic development of Northeast Florida.

OU R V I S I O NWe envision a community where, through availability and excellence in education resources, individuals and families will achieve their potential, have income stability and live happy, productive lives.

CO R P O R AT E PA R T N E R S