DSC student chosen for prestigious national scholarship

May ’15 grad one of 90 in the U.S. to receive Kent Cooke Scholarship

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 29, 2015) - Daytona State College soon-to-be graduate Melissa

Diaz got a big surprise when she came for a meeting in the president’s office on April 28.

The stellar associate-degree student found out she will receive a prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, as one of 90 scholars nationwide chosen this year. The scholarship is for up to $40,000 per year and is intended to cover a significant share of Melissa’s educational expenses when she transfers to the University of Florida, Gainesville, in the fall – including tuition, living expenses, books and fees – for two to three years to earn her bachelor’s degree.

“Melissa represents the fulfillment of the Daytona State College mission,” said Interim President Thomas LoBasso. “Here, she found an open door to explore her possibilities, to grow and to test her leadership abilities in ways that have prepared her to successfully advance through her next academic challenge and through life. To say we are all proud of her is an understatement.”

The Cooke Foundation scholarship award is the culmination of Melissa’s exceptional dedication to

her studies and the college community during her time at DSC. She became president of Phi Theta Kappa’s Mu Rho Chapter, leading it to becoming a five-star chapter, and headed the “Honors in Action Project” that focuses on community health awareness; conducted bowling and movie nights for the Conklin Center for the Blind; participated in the Heart Walk for the American Heart Association; and helped sponsor blood drives on campus.

Melissa also was named among the Florida College System’s 2015 All-Florida Academic Team, which recognizes outstanding students for their academic achievement, leadership and service to their communities.

She has set her goals on a career embracing political science and law. She is one of only a few associate of arts degree students ever to present a scholarly paper to the Florida Political Science Association, and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in political science at UF, ultimately earning a law degree.

“Melissa is a dedicated individual,” says Steven Pruitt, DSC student activities coordinator and PTK advisor. “She has been a major part of bringing the Mu Rho chapter of PTK back to life at Daytona State. It has been an honor to be a mentor to Melissa, and help foster her leadership skills and abilities.

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DSC Symphonic Band concert to feature Spanish flair, local student’s conducting debut

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 28, 2015) - When the Daytona State College Symphonic Band takes
the stage for its Thursday, May 7, performance at the News-Journal Center, it will be part of a worldwide tribute to renowned Spanish composer Luis Serrano Alarcón.

For sophomore Kevin Bogdan, DSC’s 2015 Outstanding Student in Music, the event will have a more personal tone, as it marks his debut as a guest conductor.

The Symphonic Band is among 70 ensembles worldwide that has been invited to play Alarcón selections during a month-long event called “Muestra Internacional de la Musica Valenciana 2015.” The event is sponsored by the M.I. Academia de la Musical Valenciana in Alarcón’s native Valencia, Spain.

“We will perform three Spanish works, including Danza Sinfonica, Amparito Roca and La Lira de Pozuelo,” said Dr. Doug Peterson, chair of Daytona State’s Mike Curb College of Music, Entertainment and Art. Last year Peterson traveled to Madrid and Valencia, Spain, as part of a conducting exchange with Maximillian Santos, a Madrilenian conductor who shared the stage with Daytona State’s Symphonic Band during 2014’s Independence Day concert.

During the May 7 performance, Peterson will share the stage with Bogdan. The 20-year-old Seabreeze High School graduate and oboe player, who attended Daytona State on a full music scholarship, will earn his associate of arts degree in May and has been fielding music scholarship offers from multiple public and private universities in Florida.

Bogdan will conduct Gustav Holst’s Suite in E Flat. He expects it to be another link in a chain of learning experiences that will help him arrive at his ultimate goal of earning his doctorate degree and becoming a music educator and band director.

“Every time I see a band in front of me, every time I pick up my instrument, I try to learn something,” he said. “Having the opportunity to guest conduct is a part of that experience and I am truly grateful.”

Peterson said Bogdan shows exceptional dedication. “He has a sincere interest in music, and I feel very strongly that he has an innate ability and a real conductor’s mentality,” he said.

That vote of confidence, and the scholarship, made earning his AA degree Daytona State an easy choice.

“What it comes down to is, yes, I could have gone straight to a university, but there are so many opportunities here that it was easy to justify my decision,” he said. “The bottom line is no matter where you go to college, it doesn’t matter. The experience you get is going to be determined by what you put into it. The point is to never stop learning and, if you’re a music student, practice, practice, practice.”

The May 7 concert kicks off at 7:30 p.m. in the News-Journal Center’s Davidson Theater, 221 N. Beach St. in downtown Daytona Beach. The event is free to Daytona State and Volusia and Flagler County students; all others $8 per person or $15 for two. Tickets, featuring reserved seating, are available at the News-Journal Center box office Wednesday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or online at www.DaytonaState.edu/TheArts. For more information call (386) 226-1927.

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Students honored in annual DSC writing competition

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 27, 2015) – Writing is alive and well at Daytona State College, evidenced by the number of winners at this year’s Outstanding Student Writing Awards ceremony. Eighteen students were honored for their writing excellence on April 16 with dozens of college leadership, faculty and family members in attendance.

The winning pieces were among more than 50 submitted for the annual competition, with categories ranging from poetry and short fiction to argumentative and narrative writing, general research and literary analysis.

“This ceremony is an opportunity for the learning community at Daytona State to come together in celebration of the talents and success of our students and their faculty mentors,” said Donna Mixon, chair of the Outstanding Writing Awards Committee.

The writing competition was spearheaded four years ago by English Prof. Richard Vollaro.

English Prof. Richard Kraskin, who was master of ceremonies for the event, said student writings were submitted to the awards committee judges by faculty. Names of the authors were removed prior to submittal. “We asked them to provide us with what they believed to be excellent examples of student work,” he said, “whether it be something that was done for a class assignment or personal work the students have shared with their professor.”

Certificates were presented to the top three finishers in each category. First-place award winners also received a $25 tuition and book voucher from the DSC Foundation. Students had the opportunity to read their work to family, friends and faculty who attended the ceremony in the Hosseini Center on the Daytona Beach Campus. A book compiling the work of the competition’s top entries will be available in the DSC library.

Dr. Evan Rivers, chair of the School of Humanities and Communication, closed the ceremony by affirming the importance of writing and acknowledging the department’s faculty. “Thank you to all of those English faculty who work day after day, week after week, to support, to cajole and to inspire our students to learn how to express themselves more effectively and to help develop their writing skills.”

The top three winners in each category were:

Poetry	Student	Title	Submitting Professor
1st Place	Ciara Prendergast	"Gullible Heartbreak"	Richard Vollaro
2nd Place	Deborah Jones	"Silver Sharp"	Jill Clark
3rd Place	Grady DiGiovanni	"Piece of Me"	Jill Clark
Narrative
1st Place	Sarah Dodge	"Iron Duckling"	Sally McGhee
2nd Place	Valerie Nadeau	"Poor but Still Rich"	Richard Vollaro
3rd Place	Glenda Parson	"Driving for Dummies"	Patricia Vetter
Literature Analysis
1st Place	Michael Said	"Mayberry to Ferguson"	Lynn Hawkins
2nd Place	Phyllis Moten	"Reaping What You Sow!"	Judith Isakson
3rd Place	Emily Linton	"Psych: A Case of Solving Our Detached World"	Harun Thomas
Argumentative
1st Place	Alexandria Fuller	"The Two Chairs through the Artist's Eyes"	Donna Mixon
2nd Place	Donald Schmidt	"Disciplinary Reaction"	Richard Vollaro
3rd Place	Sadie Cooke	"Virtual School: Close, but No Cigar"	Brian Lysholm
Research
1st Place	Mishelle Yelverton	"Happy Little Trees"	Richard Vollaro
2nd Place	Anita Smith	"The Balance of Wildlife and Urban Development"	Richard Vollaro
3rd Place	Emily Dias	"Obesity"	Judith Isakson
Short Fiction
1st Place	Deborah Jones	"9 to 5"	Jill Clark
2nd Place	Kirsten Cooper	"Toothbrush"	Michelle Lee
3rd Place	Sierra Bowles	"The Cabin in the Woods"	Jill Clark

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This week at DSC; Spring Open House, STEMinar, Guitar Ensemble, Music Production Rocks! - and a play

The Spring Open House offers anyone considering a college education a chance to explore the many pathways offered by Daytona State to begin or advance their career or re-tool for a new job. Future students can enter a $500 scholarship drawing from the Daytona State Foundation.

• Advanced Technology College - April 28, 5-7 p.m.
  Showcases for individual program areas include: Bachelors of Science in Engineering Technology and Information Technology; Technology, Computer Science, and Building & Architecture; Public Services - Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, Fire Science and Criminal Justice; and Workforce Careers – Automotive, HVAC, Industrial Management Technology, Machining, Welding, Electrical Apprentice, Plumbing Apprentice.
• News-Journal Center - May 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m.    
  Showcases for individual program areas including: Music, Music Production Technology, Drama, and Dance. FREE admission to the Symphonic Band Concert at 7:30 p.m.

Monday	4.27	Dining On Campus | Cafe 101
Monday	4.27	The Bean (DB Campus, Karl Learning Resource Center, #210) Monday through Thursday	7:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Monday	4.27	New Tricks (WDSC TV-15)	8 p.m.
Tuesday	4.28	Southeast Museum of Photography (Hosseini Center)	11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tuesday	4.28	WISE: Diabetes - Myths and Facts	2-3:30 p.m.
Tuesday	4.28	Mr. & Mrs. Murder (WDSC TV-15) Australian crime comedy television series.	9 p.m.
Tuesday	4.28	Electrical Systems Troubleshooting April 28-May 1	8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Tuesday	4.28	** Spring Open House: Advanced Technology College **	5-7 p.m.
Tuesday	4.28	Guitar Ensemble (NJC)	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday	4.29	1 Million Cups (Cinematique of Daytona)	9 a.m.
Wednesday	4.29	STEMinar: How Fish Move Through Water (Hosseini Center)	5:30 p.m.
Wednesday	4.29	Midsomer Murders (WDSC TV-15)	8 p.m.
Thursday	4.30	Core Strengthening Workshop (Reservations Required)	12:30 p.m.
Thursday	4.30	Play - Transitions: Reflections on Coming-of-Age (NJC)	7:30 p.m.
Thursday	4.30	Seize The Date (WDSC TV-15)	7:30 p.m.
Friday	5.01	Music Production Rocks! (NJC)	7:30 p.m.
Friday	5.01	Foyle's War (WDSC TV-15)	8 p.m.
Saturday	5.02	Southeast Museum of Photography (Hosseini Center)	1-5 p.m.
Saturday	5.02	Saturday Britcom Line-up (WDSC TV-15)	7 p.m.
Saturday	5.02	Play - Transitions: Reflections on Coming-of-Age (NJC)	7:30 p.m.
Sunday	5.03	Southeast Museum of Photography (Hosseini Center)	1-5 p.m.
Sunday	5.03	Play - Transitions: Reflections on Coming-of-Age (NJC)	2:30 p.m.
Sunday	5.03	Doc Martin (WDSC TV-15)	8 p.m.
Sunday	5.03	Pie in the Sky (WDSC TV-15) A light-hearted British police drama	9 p.m.

Find out what's happening this week at DSC... 

Daytona State summer sessions looming large; classes start May 18 and July 1

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 24, 2015) – Daytona State College registration is moving fast
toward summer classes that start May 18 and July 1.

Current and new students should sign up soon to assure a seat, says Dr. Richard Pastor, vice president for student development. “Last minute can be too late if a class is full or, if too few students sign up,  not offered,” he advises. It’s also a great time to sign up for DirectConnect to UCF at Daytona State, he adds.

There are two sessions of summer classes; 6-week and 10-week classes start May 18, followed by a second 6-week session starting July 1. Many classes are offered online including:

• Principles of Computer Programming (COP1000)
• Microcomputer Applications (CGS2100)
• Computer Spreadsheet (APA1711)
• Biological Themes in Film (BSC2930)
• Priciples of Global Marketing (MARC2011)
• Introduction to Medical Assisting (MEA0005)
• Keyboarding and Formatting I (OST1100)
• Basic Office Procedures (OST2401)
• Personal Health and Wellness (PET2084)
• Introduction to Political Science ((POS2001)
• College Resources (SLS1101) – taken concurrently with Introduction to Composition (ENC1101)

While the region’s high school seniors prepare for June graduations, it’s a perfect time to get a head start on college with summer classes, adds Pastor. “New high school grads can get ahead now with a few courses toward their college degree, and still have time for the beach and summer jobs.”

Plus, it’s a perfect opportunity for university students home for the summer to take general education classes at DSC and save money and time.

“It’s also a great time – with short summer terms – for adults seeking job advancement, skills updates or a fresh start with a career program at Daytona State,” says Pastor.

Daytona State offers short semesters and a selection of more than 100 courses toward degrees or certificates this summer. Applying to DSC is easy; and advisors can help with choosing courses or a major, as well as how to apply for financial aid and scholarships.

DSC’s Admissions offices welcome visits on campuses, as well as calls, (386) 506-3059, or emails, Admissions@DaytonaState.edu.

Next up after summer sessions: fall semester starts Aug. 24; students can enroll now for fall.

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DSC’s final spring open house set for May 7, News-Journal Center

Featuring $500 scholarship drawings  
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 24, 2015) - Get a center stage and behind-the-scenes look at

Daytona State College's Mike Curb College of Music, Entertainment and Art, including degree and certificate programs in Music Production and Recording Technology, during DSC's final Spring Open House, at the News-Journal Center on Thursday, May 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

In addition to learning about its art and cultural programs, this year Daytona State features a unique opportunity to hear a Symphonic Band Concert following the open house – free of charge (see more below about the performance).

The open house gives anyone considering a college education a chance to explore the many pathways at Daytona State to begin or advance careers or re-tool for new jobs. Admissions staff will be available to discuss programs offered at DSC, including the:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
• Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management
• Bachelor of Science in Education (7 degree choices)
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology
• Associate of Arts (University Transfer)
• Associate of Science programs
• Certificate programs

Visitors can take a tour of the college's News-Journal Center at 221 N. Beach Street, Daytona Beach and see state-of-the-art recording studios, as well as speak with Financial Aid experts to explore funding for college and register for a chance to win a $500 scholarship from the Daytona State Foundation, which covers the in-state cost of one class.

Refreshments will be provided. For more information about the Spring Open House, call (386) 506-4471, email Admissions@DaytonaState.edu or visit DaytonaState.edu/OH.

About the performance: The DSC Symphonic Band is honored to be among 70 ensembles from around the world invited to play a piece by a Valencian (Spain) composer during a 32-day period between April 14 and May 15, 2015. This event, called "Muestra Internacional de la Música Valenciana 2015," will feature the fiery and passionate music of Spanish Composer Luis Serrano. The worldwide event is being sponsored by the society M. I. Academia de la Música Valenciana. Free to Daytona State and Volusia and Flagler county students, all others $8 per person or $15 for two. Tickets are available at the DSC News-Journal Center Box Office at 221 N. Beach Street, Daytona Beach. Box Office Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; (386) 226-1927; online ticketing available at www.DaytonaState.edu/TheArts.

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Daytona State asks public to weigh in on presidential search

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 22, 2015) - The committee charged with selecting the best candidates to be considered for Daytona State College’s top post invites the public to weigh in on

what leadership qualities the institution’s next president should possess.

The Presidential Search Committee has developed an online survey that asks respondents to consider the top seven qualifications and characteristics a college president should have. The survey can be found at DaytonaState.edu/presidentialsearch and will be available through Thursday, April 30.

Survey responses will be used, along with comments gathered at a series of public listening sessions held at all DSC campuses this spring, to develop a presidential profile, a key component of the formal search process.

Headed by District Board of Trustees Vice Chair Forough Hosseini, the search committee is expected to select an independent firm this month that will assist with the search process and help the committee narrow the list of qualified applicants to be considered by the full board later this year.

For more information, please contact Tara DeBloom at (386) 506-3257, debloot@DaytonaState.edu.

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