June 19, 2006


Judith Rogers
adjunct faculty in Communication Skills

When did you start at Columbus State?

I started in the fall of 1980 and have taught 99 quarters in my 26 years of service as an adjunct faculty at the college.

I also have designed and presented business writing and customer services seminars in Business and Industry Training Services.

In addition to being an instructor at Columbus State, I am a public information officer at Columbus Public Schools. I will retire from the district after 17 years of full-time employment.

What is your fondest memory of Columbus State?

My fondest memory is Dr. Nestor saying, "So YOU'RE Judy Rogers!" when he gave me a service certificate. He remembered a letter I had written asking consideration of a tuition break for children of long-term adjuncts. His response then was, "We're working on it."

What will you miss most?

I will miss the people--the changing faces and perspectives of new generations of students and my colleagues in the department and across the college.

What will you do with your spare time in retirement?

I hope to get an agent for the two children's books I've written and write at least two to four fiction and nonfiction books. I will also be able to enjoy more time at my geodesic dome on two acres in Hide-A-Way Hills near Logan, while keeping the condo in the city. I will be busy in different kinds of ways.

Any anecdotes, stories or thoughts you'd like to share about your time at Columbus State?

I've written a short story about Dr. Nestor visiting with current students in Nestor Hall who don't know who he was. In the story, I can see and speak with him and so can the students, but other staff can't. I hope someday it's published in Spring Street. I was jokingly told the year I first submitted it that Columbus State staff already know that Nestor is haunted, they don't need a short story to remind them.

From a temporary part-time job in response to a blind ad in the "Delaware Gazette" 26 years ago, it's been a wonderful parallel career track. Working as a professional communicator in the corporate world for Doctors Hospital and for the Columbus Public Schools has made me a better teacher, coach and mentor. The students today give me hope for the future.

 

Robbins earns Award of Excellence from B&W Magazine; has works published

Tom Robbins, professor of Architecture, and his wife Sam (Frances) Robbins, a former adjunct faculty member in Communication Skills and Humanities, were recognized for their photographic images by the fine art photography Black and White Magazine.

The Robbins were two of over 900 professional and advanced amateur photographers who submitted over 16,000 images for the magazine's Portfolio Contest 2006. Tom was one of 20 individuals to earn an Award of Excellence, and Sam was one of 60 to receive an Award of Merit.

The August B&W special issue, on newsstands now, features six of Tom's contest entries and two of Sam's.


"Grasses Stirring Softly" was photographed in Illinois in 2003 by Tom Robbins.

"Needless to say, we were honored to have received awards with such a talented group, thrilled that we were both published, and very pleased with the international exposure," says Tom Robbins.

Black and White Magazine is the premier high-quality magazine of black and white photography for collectors of fine photography. Each issue contains 10 Spotlight articles featuring works by master and promising emerging photographers, as well as over 200 illustrations. The magazine is distributed in the United States, Canada, Mexico and 28 other countries and can be found in the magazine sections of bookstores like Barnes and Noble and Borders.


"La Danza" by Sam Robbins was photographed in Yohualichan, Mexico in 2005.


"Water Under the Bridge" was captured by Tom Robbins in Columbus in 2004.


Tom Robbins photographed "Railing, Old North Church" in Boston in 2003.

 

Shinn and Sturgill retiring

Linda Shinn, administrative assistant to the provost, and Dorothy Sturgill, bookstore textbook and warehouse supervisor, are both retiring after many years of service to the college. To celebrate their July 1 retirement, their colleagues are hosting receptions to wish them well in their future endeavors.

The provost's office will say goodbye to Shinn on Thursday, June 29, from 2-4 p.m. in Davidson Hall on the second floor student lounge area. If you have any questions, contact Betty Tatum, administrative assistant in the provost's office, at ext. 2455.

The Bookstore is hosting a reception for Sturgill Thursday, June 29, from 1-3 p.m. in Rhodes Hall Room 232. If you have questions, contact Sherita Golden, project specialist in the Bookstore, at ext. 5988.

 

First Women's Health Initiative to discuss healthy cooking

The Women's Health Initiative, sponsored by the Columbus State Wellness Activities Initiative, will present a program on healthy cooking Tuesday, June 27, from 12-1 p.m. in Eibling Hall Room 07.

During the presentation Deane Cobler, assistant professor in Hospitality Management, will teach how to prepare healthy meals, as well as provide a healthy cooking demonstration.

Participants can collect five credits toward the Wellness Challenge.

To participate, contact the Human Performance Center (HPC) at ext. 3843 or Don Laubenthal, coordinator of the HPC, at ext. 3627 or dlaubent@cscc.edu.