SJRCC PRESS RELEASE February 2008 Looking Back, Moving Forward Celebrating 50 Years of Education and Enrichment! St. Augustine Campus kicks off 50th Anniversary Celebration Students, faculty and staff gathered February 25 at the St. Augustine Campus to kick off the College's 50th Anniversary Celebration. The celebration welcomed retired faculty and included speeches from senior faculty members as well as the St. Augustine Campus founding Provost Bill Reedy. Current Provost Dr. Glen Moore welcomed approximately 100 students and faculty to the event held 50 years to the date that the College was opened for organizational purposes. Moore announced that celebrations were being held simultaneously on the Orange Park and Palatka campuses. The celebration was sponsored by the Student Government Association and Phi Theta Kappa. PTK president Jodi Verkleir hosted the event. During the ceremony, Verkleir invited five guests to light a candle representing each of the College's five decades. Each guest represented unique areas of the College. Verkleir was the first and represented current students; Ed McDonald, an alumnus and faculty member, represented alumni; Nona Mitchell-Asconi, the St. Augustine Campus senior faculty member represented faculty; Bill Reedy, the founding St. Augustine provost and Cathy Reed represented the administrative staff. Reed was Reedy's administrative assistant for 18 years. During the celebration, senior faculty members Ed McDonald and Nona Mitchell-Asconi gave students a glimpse into the history of the College and the journey of bringing a campus to St. Johns County. Reedy also gave a speech on the College's history and successes. Also in attendance was former FloArts instructor and gallery director David Ouellette. PHOTO CAPTIONS: Top photo: PTK president Jodi Verkleir watches as senior faculty member Nona Mitchell-Asconi lights a candle. Center photo: SJRCC alumni and one of the SAC's senior faculty members recalls the College's earlier days. Bottom photo: From left: founding St. Augustine Provost Bill Reedy, former administrative assistant Cathy Reed, SJRCC alumnus and faculty member Ed McDonald, Provost Dr. Glen Moore and St. Augustine Campus senior faculty member Nona Mitchell-Asconi. Return to SJRCC home page.