The digital magazine for faculty, staff, students and friends of Pensacola State College

November 20, 2020

In a large, warehouse-like classroom lined with displays of pipes and fittings and gauges and fans and dials and the word “volts” on little signs everywhere, Glen Gorman steps up to the raised dais in front of a half-dozen students and manipulates a computer mouse.

On a screen in the corner of the classroom, a YouTube video begins: “Victaulic Style 89 Coupling Installation Instructions.”

Perhaps coupling installation instructions aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but for students in Pensacola State’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning program, they are among the vital steps in achieving a workforce certificate and a potential job and a secure future.

Guiding the students along these steps is Gorman, 78, who brings a half-century of HVAC experience to his instruction, which he has been providing to PSC students for the past eight years. He will retire in December.

“I love this job,” he says. “I wish I could have done this many, many years ago.”

Read more about Glen Gorman and his fascinating career

Mom and Daughter inspire each other to finish PSC Nursing program

Holly Bartlett had raised eight children and was wondering what was next in her life. She was restless and still wanted to do so much more. She said she wanted to “leave a legacy” for her children – though most would say being a mother of such a large family is legacy aplenty. 

Her daughter Aubrey Hedlund was working at a fast food joint and was pregnant. 

That was two years ago.

Now, mom and daughter are registered nurses. They have just earned their Associate of Science in Nursing degrees from Pensacola State College. The women will receive nursing pins at a ceremony on Dec. 10 and receive their degrees on Dec. 12.

“It’s kind of surreal at this point,” said the 47-year-old Bartlett. “I always wanted to be a mother and have a large family and immerse myself in family. Once I turned 30 I thought I was too old to go back to school, which is ridiculous. The drive just got more intense the older I got.” 

Learn more about this inspiring mother-daughter duo

Gulf Power’s contributions fuel Pensacola State nonprofit training center

Pensacola State College and the Gulf Power Company have been serving Northwest Florida for generations now. And each of the powerful institutions is committed to ensuring that the region’s growth and success for generations to come. 

On Friday, Nov. 13, the Gulf Power Foundation presented a $30,000 check to the Pensacola State College Foundation that is just part of the company’s pledge contribution to the PSC Nonprofit Center for Excellence and Philanthropy, a training center for area nonprofit organizations. 

The check was the third $30,000 payment of Gulf Power’s $150,000 commitment to the Nonprofit Center, which was established in 2019. The company has pledged to contribute $60,000 more to the Center over the next two years.

“We love Gulf Power," said Andrea Krieger, PSC Executive Director of Institutional Development. “We both (PSC and Gulf Power) believe that we’re for the community.”

Rick Byars, Gulf Power Regional Manager of External Affairs, said the company has long been a Pensacola State partner and that the Nonprofit Center for Excellence and Philanthropy is an important venture that helps support critical nonprofit organizations in the region.

“We’ve always supported PSC’s workforce education and training," he said. “This is just another great example of PSC and Gulf Power working together to better the community.”

Thank you to the Cantonment Rotary Club for awarding Amber “AJ” Gill and Patrick Newburn with the Cantonment Rotary Club Culinary Endowed Scholarship at a luncheon in the Molly McGuire Culinary Dining Room on Nov. 4. They can now continue pursuing their culinary goals. Patrick says, “It is an honor to be a student at PSC and I cannot wait to see what the semesters ahead of me hold. With the support you have provided, I can continue toward a career as a chef that will help me provide for myself and my family.”

To learn more about how you can support scholarships at PSC:

https://foundation.pensacolastate.edu/opportunities-to-support-psc/scholarships/ 

Pirates, Treasure Your Health!

Wear your masks, keep them on, maintain social distancing (6 feet apart), don’t congregate in groups, wash your hands frequently, and please stay home if you are sick. Special thanks to our student athletes for helping with this important message. L-R: Vernisha Robin, Amaya Bazemore, Dexter McKenzie, Jorja Barrett and Bryan Scribner.

Movie Night on the Lawn

7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, Pensacola Campus Track & Field

This month's Movie on the Lawn will be "Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker." Social distancing standards and CDC guidelines will be followed at this event. Masks are required. Bring a lawn chair, cozy blanket, and your favorite movie snack and enjoy the movie! 

What do you do when you are a nonprofit public television station whose premier fundraiser is cancelled due to a pandemic? You produce a new show designed to accomplish your goals!

“Beyond the Menu” will spotlight some of WSRE’s longtime Wine & Food Classic restaurant partners who have greatly suffered this year. WSRE viewers will learn about each restaurant’s history, chefs and signature dishes with an opportunity to sample a chef’s choice menu item and wine pairing at each of the four featured restaurants when they support the WSRE-TV Foundation at wsre.org/beyondthemenu. 

Sure to be popular stocking stuffers this year, “Beyond the Menu” dining vouchers will be delivered in time for holiday giving in a fun package designed by our own talented Tracey Burgess. 

Congratulations to Tracie Hodson and the WSRE Development team, including show producer Jennifer Hill, and the WSRE production crew of Mike Rowan, James Roy and Ted King on their debut of “Beyond the Menu” on Thanksgiving night at 8. 

Learn more at wsre.org/beyondthemenu and have a wonderful Thanksgiving break next week. We are very thankful for all of our WSRE members from Pensacola State College! 

#GivingTuesday, a global day of giving and unity, will take place on Dec. 1, 2020. Even as we practice physical distancing, we can remain connected through kindness and generosity. During this season of giving, we hope you will remember Pensacola State College as your charity of choice. #GivingTuesday donations will be directed to our Fund for Excellence and will allow PSC to support both students and programs, in the most meaningful way or your gift can be directed to an area of your choosing. The Pensacola State College Foundation’s mission is to develop resources and relations that provide much-needed financial support for students, faculty and facilities and has stretched to encompass complex issues of accessibility and retention. Please give today.