The digital magazine for faculty, staff, students and friends of Pensacola State College
November 13, 2020
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Gean Ann Emond brain works like a calculator. She’s a numbers-cruncher whose gears turn best when there are spreadsheets and numbers and more numbers to work with. But that doesn’t make her a human calculator. Because a calculator doesn’t have a heart, nor the ability to make someone feel, smile and even laugh.
Gean Ann does. And all those qualities and more will be sorely missed. Gean Ann, the decades-long Pensacola State College Vice President of Business Affairs, is retiring. Her last official day is in late January, but with holidays and vacation time, she probably won’t be in her office on the Pensacola campus that often.
Last week, coworkers, family and friends met for a retirement shindig in the first-floor reception area of the beautiful new Baars STEM Building, which is expected to open for classes this year. There were cakes, cookies, beverages and a crowded room full of people there to send off Gean Ann with stories of love and laughter.
With Gean Ann, family is the priority. It was never her job that defined her. It is her role as a wife, mother and grandmother that is paramount.
“One of the important things, and I think it really helped me with the job I have, is my family,” she said. “That was always more important to me than anything I did here. I tell people that today: I expect you to do your job and do the best job you can do. But I understand it’s not the most important thing you have in your life.
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“Warm and Friendly” was Molly McGuire’s motto, and the adage remains the rule at McGuire’s Irish Pub, which has long been one of Pensacola’s most popular restaurants.
On Thursday, Nov. 5, friends and family of Molly – the restaurant’s and family’s matriarch ─ brought plenty of warm, friendly feelings to Pensacola State College. They also brought a check for $50,350 that will grow the Molly McGuire Culinary Arts Endowed Scholarship and provide even more funds for PSC students.
Molly McGuire Martin died in 2014. Her husband, McGuire Martin, along with family members and friends in the Irish Politicians Club – a social club based at McGuire’s Irish Pub ─ established the scholarship in 2015 in her honor.
With the latest donation, the endowment principal is now $350,350, making it the College’s sixth-largest endowed scholarship.
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During October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) and into November, PSC's Stitchin' to Serve group made Knitted Knockers that will be donated to women who have had mastectomies and other procedures. The group of knitters, crocheters and seamstresses meets most Thursdays during their lunch via ZOOM.
Knitted Knockers are handmade knit or crochet breast prostheses.
“Knitting is a cathartic process when you get going, and you’re helping a cancer survivor so why wouldn’t you do it,” said self-taught knitter Michael Payne, who has family and several friends who have beaten the disease.
Traditional breast prostheses are usually expensive, bulky, sweaty and uncomfortable, and typically require special bras or camisoles with pockets, explained Liz Moseley, one of the group’s organizers.
“They also can’t be worn for weeks after surgery. Knitted Knockers are soft, comfortable, and when placed in a regular bra, they take the shape and feel of a real breast,” she said. “Our Stitchin’ to Serve members create the Knitted Knockers, and we will ship them to the national organization in Washington state where they are checked, sized, stuffed and distributed.”
Since Knitted Knockers was established, more than 3,880 volunteer groups have provided about 211,000 prostheses to those in need.
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Get your CTE goals in gear with scholarships from Pensacola State |
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$105,000 in scholarship grants for PSC Career and Technical Programs this Spring Semester! Apply for a scholarship by contacting Deborah Hooks at 850-484-2161, or email dhooks@pensacolastate.edu. To view the media release on the grant, go to PensacolaState.edu/CTEgrants. Spring classes begin Jan. 8.
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The Pirate Food Pantry still is accepting donations at each of the PSC campus locations to help students in need. Items such as peanut butter, canned tuna or chicken, beans, and rice are especially needed. Quick snacks and meals that can easily be heated up are also in high demand. We know that this is a difficult time for so many in our community and that local resources are stretched thin. Anything you are able to donate will mean so much to our students.
If you are interested in providing a cash donation rather than items, contact Lynsey Listau, 850-484-2128, llistau@pensacolastate.edu.
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