Fall 2015 Club Information
Adult Student Life Club
Karen Riordan, Staff Writer
Adult Student Life Club
Are you a PVCC student who is 25 years or older? Then check out PVCC’s newest club – Adult Student Life Club. This club focuses on providing engagement opportunities for adult students to address the challenges they may face. If you are an adult who has enrolled in college for the first time, or if you are going back to school, then there is a place for you in the Adult Student Life Club. Student contact: Gina Edwards, gle235@email.vccs.edu. Staff contact Denise McClanahan, dmcclanahan@pvcc.edu.
All Living Creatures
Kaitlyn Duvalois, Staff Writer
If you are an animal lover, then All Living Creatures is for you. Their goal is to educate people about different animals. Staff advisor: Frances Rees, frees@pvcc.edu
Anime Club
The Anime Club is for people with an interest in anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture media. The club’s goal is to make everyone feel welcome, while sharing common interests. They meet Fridays in M155 between 3-5 PM. Contact: Kayla Paschall, kdp2460@email.vccs.edu.
Art Club
Kellyn Torres, Staff Writer
The Art Club at Piedmont Virginia Community College is a fun, art-oriented club with many annual events. The Art Club sponsors the annual Day of the Dead Candy-Thon, the Film Series, artist workshops, college visits and much more! Student contact: Aubrey Tomlin, atomlin8755@email.vccs.edu. Faculty advisor: Beryl Solla, bsolla@pvcc.edu.
Black Student Alliance
Quamia Dennis, Staff Writer
BSA members work together to cultivate leadership, stimulate cultural and educational awareness and contribute service to the College community PVCC. The club meets every Wednesday at 12 noon in the main building M175. Faculty advisor: Justin Wert, Jwert@pvcc.edu.
Board Game Club
Members of the Board Game Club learn and play games from around the world such as simple German family games to collectable card games to complex historical war games. This club meets Tuesdays on the third floor of Dickinson from 3 to 6:30 or 7. Feel free to drop in for an hour or two during that time. Faculty advisor: Bruce Glassco, bglassco@pvcc.edu.
The Book Club
Karen Riordan, Staff Writer
Want to expand your mind? Interested in meeting new people within a community of readers? Excited to learn about different cultures and new ideas? Come to a Book Club meeting. The president of the Book Club, Alexis Williams said, “We choose a book to read, and we meet the first Monday of every month at noon and discuss it.” For more information, contact Crystal Newell, cnewell@pvcc.edu or Alexis Williams, anw23435@email.vccs.edu.
Brony Club
Jackie Layton, Staff Writer
The Brony Club shares a common interest in the show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Club members exemplify honesty, generosity, compassion, optimism, devotion and leadership. Members participate in activities once a week, focusing on these characteristics and include watching the show, enjoying fan content, fundraisers, and service projects. The club’s goal is to be a place for people to feel like they belong, with no judgment. Faculty advisor: Wendi Dass, wdass@pvcc.edu
Business Club
Katya Beisel, Staff Writer
The Business Club has three goals: leadership development, entrepreneurship, and personal finance. They frequently invite business professionals and entrepreneurs to speak at PVCC so that students can learn from the experiences of seasoned professionals. The Business Club also strives to foster a more educated, professional community, with an emphasis on professional etiquette and deportment. Contact Business Club founder and President Scott Cast, sac2689@email.vccs.edu for more information.
Chess Club
Learn the game of chess, play the game of chess, develop skills for the game of chess. For more information contact staff advisor: Charlie Huffman, chuffman@pvcc.edu, Student Contacts: Hunter Hough (Co-President), hbh215@email.vccs.edu Abel Pors (Co-President), aep22252@email.vccs.edu.
Christian Student Fellowship (CSF)
Kellyn Torres, Staff Writer
The CSF or Christian Fellowship Club meets on a weekly basis to discuss excerpts from the Bible, pray, and engage with others who share a common interest in biblical studies and fellowship. CSF meets on Wednesdays during College Hour, The group is open to all students interested in fellowship and Biblical studies. For more information contact student Contact/President: Cory Coogan, ccc21218@email.vccs.edu Staff advisor: Andre Luck, aluck@pvcc.edu.
Creative Writing Club
Karen Riordan, Staff Writer
Consider joining the Creative Writing Club. In the fall, the group focuses on their own writing in a relaxed atmosphere. This includes a weekly free-writing period with optional prompts and sharing. In the spring, the club works on publishing the student literary magazine, The Fall Line. The first club meeting is Wed, Sept. 9 at 3 p.m. in the Writing Center Lab (M627). After that, the club will meet every other Monday at 2 pm. For more information, contact co-presidents, Annette Cashatt (alc2711@email.vccs.edu) and Russell Wright (rlw2897@email.vccs.edu). The faculty advisor is Jennifer Koster, jkoster@pvcc.edu.
Dance Club
The PVCC Dance Club is a FUN way for the PVCC community to enjoy all forms of dance with no experience necessary – just a LOVE of moving! This clubs provides students with many dance opportunities throughout the year, including FREE technique classes, choreography and performance opportunities, and much more! Staff advisor: Anne Megibow, amegibow@pvcc.edu student contact: Kai Filippucci, kcf283@email.vccs.edu.
Engineering and Technology Club
The PVCC Engineering and Technology Club is designed to gather PVCC engineering students for social and career-oriented purposes. Student contact: Mark Potter, President, mpotter5001@email.vccs.edu. Staff advisor: Hunter Moore, hmoore@pvcc.edu.
Film Making Club
The mission of the Film Making Club is to bring together students who are interested in film and filmmaking in order to encourage and provide support and guidance for student filmmaking interests and activities. Faculty advisor: Kay Bethea, kbethea@pvcc.edu.
The Film Series
The Film Series presents a variety of films including current and visually interesting films. For more information contact faculty advisor: Beryl Solla bsolla@pvcc.edu.
The Forum
Karen Riordan, Staff Writer
The Forum, which is the student newspaper is on the cutting edge of the latest news and information on campus. There is something for everyone to do including writing articles, taking photographs, copy editing, and creating the layout. Discover how you can make writing more fun and rewarding. The Forum meets monthly. The first club meeting will be on Sept. 8, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., room M-160. For more information, contact club President Antonia Florence at aflorence0004@email.vccs.edu or faculty advisor Dr. Tamara Whyte at twhyte@pvcc.edu.
French Culture Club
Katya Beisel, Staff Writer
Dedicated to the promotion of French language and culture, PVCC’s French Culture Club seeks to give students a space to enjoy the language and culture of France. While no language skills are required, native-speakers are encouraged to join the club. For more information contact the student contact: Tulio Vitale (President): tbv272@email.vccs.edu or faculty advisor: Kris Swanson, kswanson@pvcc.edu.
Gender Equality Club
Our mission is to promote gender equality by educating the PVCC community about gender inequality and providing a forum to discuss issues related to gender. Gender equality does not imply that all people experience and express gender identity in the same way, but that all people should have equal rights and be treated with the same respect. For more information and details about this club please contact Connie Jorgensen, cjorgensen@pvcc.edu.
German Club
Jackie Layton, Staff Writer
The German Club promotes knowledge of and interest in German language, history and culture and provides a relaxed setting. Members engage in various activities such as watching German movies, practicing their German speaking skills, playing German board games, and organizing parties periodically, such as Oktoberfest and Karneval/Fasching. Contact staff advisor Patricia Jassmann, pjassman@pvcc.edu for more details.
Graphics Club
Kellyn Torres, Staff Writer
The Graphics Club at PVCC hosts the “Graphics Club Hour” where the students can engage in many activities that revolve around the graphic world. The club annually hosts guest speakers, workshops, and movies. The club is intended for those students who are in the Graphic Design Program but is open to all students interested in or experienced in all things related to design. Student contact: Aubrey Tomlin atomlin8755@email.vccs.edu. Faculty advisor: Aaron Miller Amiller@pvcc.edu.
Horticulture & Environmental Club
Jackie Layton, Staff Writer
Started in 2007, PVCC’s Horticulture & Environmental Club was formed to provide students and community members with an organic garden to learn about environmentally-sound horticulture and sustainable practices. Each year, produce from the garden is donated to local food banks in central Virginia. Club member and natural science major Fletcher Gore said, “I like how our garden is making a difference and how it was created for us.” One of the 2015 goal is to have all eight garden beds filled with vegetable plants. Information is available on the Horticulture & Environment club page, Facebook page and blog. Contact co-advisors David Lerman (dlerman@pvcc.edu) or Jennifer Scott (jscott@pvcc.edu) for further information.
International Club
Kaitlyn Duvalois, Staff Writer
The International Club’s main mission is to welcome PVCC students from other countries and make them feel like they are not alone. The International Club hosts various activities throughout the year, like bake sales and a salsa dance party. Student contact: Jonathon Languasco, jbl27@email.vccs.edu. Faculty advisors: Irina Timchenko, itimchenko@pvcc.edu and Jorge Grajales-Diaz, jgrajalesdiaz@pvcc.edu.
Investment Club
The Investment Club is one of the oldest clubs on PVCC’s campus. Its mission is to educate and improve its members’ knowledge of investing in the markets as well as foster a deeper understanding of business. Brandon Zeman, president of the club, can be reached at blz220@email.vccs.edu.
Japanese Club
Kellyn Torres, Staff Writer
The Japanese Club focuses on expanding knowledge of Japanese culture and language at PVCC. Meetings occur once or twice weekly, usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays before the Japanese class. Noriko Donahue, the staff advisor, hopes her students learn more about Japanese culture through activities such as cooking, learning Japanese card games and much more. Some of the most popular activities that happen throughout the year are the visits to the Japanese garden to enjoy a nice cup of tea and also going to a karaoke night once a year. And yes, everything is strictly Japanese! Contact Ruihong Sun at rs25968@email.vccs.edu for more information.
Latter-day Saints Club
Jackie Layton, Staff Writer
The purpose of the Latter-day Saints Club is to increase gospel understanding through the scriptures. Latter-day Saints seek to create goodwill among people of all religious beliefs, political persuasions, and of every race who desire to preserve and protect religious freedom. “The protection of conscience is a vital ingredient,” said Dallin H. Oaks, an American attorney, jurist, author, and religious leader in a recent address entitled Challenges to Religious Freedom, “because it helps people from a wide spectrum of beliefs feel assured that their deepest concerns and values are respected and protected …As we work together to protect religious freedom…We should love all people, be good listeners, and show concern for the sincere beliefs of others.” All are invited to come and experience the peace that comes from being acquainted with the scriptures. The club will meet Tuesdays at 12:10 p.m. at PVCC. The room will be announced at a later time. Contact advisor Andrew Renshaw (renshaw@pvcc.edu) for more information.
Photo provided by Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
LGBTQA Club
Katya Beisel, Staff Writer
The LGBTQA group seeks to raise awareness of the issues faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning people and allies. Outreach and inclusion are top priorities for the LGBTQA club, which seeks to foster a community of acceptance and tolerance regardless of sexual orientation or gender. Events sponsored by the LGBTQA club include the Ask-a-Queer booth, which centers on opening dialogue between queer students and their curious straight or cisgender peers, and answering sensitive questions without fear of judgement or offending. Contact Eddie Edwards at eme2730@email.vccs.edu for more information.
LIFE (Life is For Everyone)
Quamia Dennis, Staff Writer
The mission of the LIFE club is to promote the value of human life. The club’s goal is to teach and educate about fetal development and abortion realities. This club represents the unborn who are in danger of losing their lives. For more information about this club, contact staff advisors Nicole Winkler (nwinkler@pvcc.edu) and Kemper Steele (ksteele@pvcc.edu), or club president Robert Palmer at rmp2140@email.vccs.edu.
Masquers Club (Theatre)
Jackie Layton, Staff Writer
The Masquers Club is organized and directed exclusively by students interested in any aspect of theatre, including film. The Masquers are actively involved in major theatre productions and production of smaller theatrical events. Participation of students both as audience members and performers/technicians is encouraged. Contact staff advisor Brad Stoller (bstoller@pvcc.edu) for more information.
Mu Alpha Theta
Quamia Dennis, Staff Writer
Mu Alpha Theta is PVCC’s chapter of the mathematics honor society. The Mu Alpha Theta club awards students with scholarships and access to mathematical conventions. Members are able to wear honor cords at graduation. Mu Alpha Theta meets at the main campus in room M811. For more information contact Diane Valade dvalade@pvcc.edu or the chapter contact at MAT@pvcc.edu.
Music Club
Kellyn Torres, Staff Writer
The Music Club is dedicated to promoting an organization where students interested in both musical performance and music listening can engage in making music, open discussion and sharing musical interests. The club meets weekly in the Maxwell Box Theatre. Contact Mike Baize (mbaize6274@email.vccs.edu) or Jacob Brumback (jrb264345@email.vccs.edu) for more information.
Native American Student Union
Katya Beisel, Staff Writer
A new addition to the array of clubs offered at PVCC, the Native American Student Union (NASU) is dedicated to raising awareness of Native American peoples and the issues they face. The union gives students who are interested in native cultures or are native themselves a place to meet like-minded students. “We have a mix of native and non-native students who all share a common interest in the culture and public education around the culture,” said club member Emily Kate Gillespe. The NASU participated in the 2015 International Food Festival, and spreads information about area indigenous events, including Virginia pow wows. According to Gillespe, the NASU is planning a trip to Cahokia mounds – an important pre-Columbian cultural and spiritual site of Mississippian cultures – next year.
Outdoor Club
The Outdoor Club at PVCC serves to promote knowledge of our local area’s excellent natural areas through adventures and exploration. While exploring these places and getting together, we will build teamwork skills, learn camping and survival techniques, view natural habitats, exercise, make new friends, and have fun! Staff advisor John Gulley can be reached at jgulley@pvcc.edu.
People Empowering People (PEP) Club
Katya Beisel, Staff Writer
The People Empowering People Club, or PEP Club, seeks to lessen the barriers, misconceptions, and prejudice that disabled people often face. Every spring, they host a wheelchair basketball game between the Charlottesville Cardinals and PVCC students. They seek to educate and raise awareness for the disabled and serve as a voice for students with physical, intellectual, mental, and other less visible disabilities. Faculty supervisor Susan Hannifan said, “When we have events on campus, whether it’s wheelchair basketball or a motivational speaker who has struggled with learning disabilities, it is always inspiring to see what these people have overcome and how they are giving back to our community.” PEP club welcomes all PVCC students. Contact Ta’Nisha Kinney at tsk2438@email.vccs.edu for more information.
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK)
Katya Beisel, Staff Writer
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is the national honor society for two-year colleges, and PVCC’s chapter is active in our community. It organizes frequent fundraisers, attends a regional conference in the fall, and creates college-wide projects. An application to join PTK can be found on their webpage, along with the requirements for membership. However, all meetings are open to non-member students, and provisional memberships are available for curious, undecided students and those who do not meet eligibility requirements. PVCC’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter prides itself on its Five Star Status, which recognizes a chapter’s excellence. According to chapter president Brandon Zeman, “[PVCC’s] chapter focuses on fundraising throughout the year . . . students should be on the lookout for fundraisers organized by PTK.” To learn more, contact Zeman at blz220@email.vccs.edu.
Political Club
The Political Club provides a safe place for people to debate current international and national issues and to encourage students to get involved in College policy and disband political animosity. Staff Advisor Connie Jorgensen can be reached at cjorgenson@pvcc.edu.
Pottery Club
Quamia Dennis, Staff Writer
The Pottery Club is a fun club where students are able to create masterpieces out of pottery clay. The Pottery Club is an artisan club designed to help develop and nurture skills. The pottery club is offered to ceramics students and art-loving students. The pottery club meets in the Art building/Dickinson building. To learn more about the pottery club contact Tom Clarkson at tclarkson@pvcc.edu.
Radiography Club
Ryan Winkler, Staff Writer
The PVCC Radiography Club is reserved for PVCC students who have been accepted into the radiography program. The club will be holding elections for the junior class at the beginning of the summer semester. Primarily, the Radiography Club fundraises for a yearly conference. The current president, Chuck Kovacik, can be reached at clk2974@email.vccs.edu.
Science Club
Kaitlyn Duvalois, Staff Writer
If you are a lover of science, then this is for you. The Science Club here at Piedmont has a goal of promoting science and showing that it does apply to everyday life. Their other mission is to make science less exclusive within our community and get people involved so they can see that they are able to observe natural wonders too. To learn more, contact Taylor Wright at tlw23806@email.vccs.edu.
The Soccer Club
Karen Riordan, Staff Writer
You do not have to be Christiano Ronaldo to join the PVCC Soccer Club. The purpose of the club is to promote the game of soccer, interact with peers, stay fit, and develop good sportsmanship skills. While the participants may not make it to 2018 World Cup, they will surely have fun. They hope to win some games too. The Soccer Club plays in the regular season organized by SOCA (Soccer Organization of Charlottesville – Albemarle). The club meets on Fridays at 11 a.m. at “the park” of UVA, located next to the Law School. They also practice on the field between Carrs Hill and the UVA tennis courts during the week. Edwing Alicandu, captain of the Soccer Club said, “This fall, I will be recruiting players, both men and women, for the team that will play on the winter and spring leagues.” Alicandu also said that he hopes to organize some friendly games against other community colleges so that “we might have a chance to see the PVCC Bears play against other community college teams.”For more information, contact student manager and captain of the program, Edwing Alicandu at eja2215@email.vccs.edu or Faculty Advisor Steve McNerney at smcnerney@pvcc.edu.
Sonography Club
Quamia Dennis, Staff Writer
The Sonography Club’s mission is to mentor students and help them in the professional and the business world. Summer Halls says, “I always see posters of the sonography club, and they are always doing good deeds around PVCC, even if it’s doing bake sales and helping students with certain work ethics. This type of club I would recommend others to join.” For more information about this club, contact Lisa Burrington at lburrington@pvcc.edu.
¡El Club de Español!
Kellyn Torres, Staff Writer
Or Spanish Club, as it is formally known, is a growing community at Piedmont. The Spanish Club seeks to promote the Spanish culture and language throughout our college. The club meets weekly; students of all levels are welcome to attend. The club organizers make it possible for students who attend to hear occasional presentations, engage in arts and crafts using the typical piñata paper–“paper picado.” The club also organizes visits to the Casa Bolivar at the University of Virginia and to the downtown salsa classes. To learn more, contact student leaders Alexander Urpí (axu2db@virginia.edu) and Brigith Bautista (bnb23473@email.vccs.edu).
Student Government Association (SGA)
Kaitlyn Duvalois, Staff Writer
The SGA is the main student-run organization. Their goal is to represent the student body and make going to Piedmont a great experience. SGA holds numerous events throughout the school year, like fall Halloween mixer, or the Spring Fling. They hold council-style meetings so everyone is able to voice their opinions at the meetings. They are focused on the well-being of the students. Contact SGA President Camron Perry at cfp2258@email.vccs.edu to learn more about getting involved!
Student Veterans of America
Katya Beisel, Staff Writer
Given that PVCC was recently ranked a top college for military service members and their families, it is no surprise that PVCC has a chapter of Student Veterans of America. The group is open to former service members as well as their spouses and eligible family members. According to chapter Vice President Victor Salas, the SVA serves as a community and support network for student veterans and their family members. A key focus of the group is aiding veterans in making the transition into campus life and the PVCC community. The SVA regularly hosts cookouts for the group. Contact staff advisor Jackie Fisher at jfisher@pvcc.edu for more information.
Tennis Club
Karen Riordan, Staff Writer
Looking for a sport that makes you work up a sweat while having fun? Then join the Tennis Club. Playing tennis has many benefits – physical, social, and emotional. Whether you are a first timer or have been playing tennis since you were young, come check out PVCC’s Tennis Club. Game, set, match – come play with us. For more information contact Tom Cude at tec2453@email.vccs.edu.
Ultimate Frisbee Club
Kaitlyn Duvalois, Staff Writer
Here at Piedmont we have numerous athletic clubs, like the Ultimate Frisbee Club. They all meet up and just have a good time and play Frisbee, usually on Fridays. They also compete in various tournaments. To learn more, contact Kyle Sherrill at ks21504@email.vccs.edu.
Virginia 21
Kaitlyn Duvalois, Staff Writer
The Virginia 21 club is a group of students that advocates supporting the younger generation in the political world. Their main goals are to keep college affordable, increase job prospects after graduation, and engage young people in politics. To get involved, contact Xavier Roberts at fxr28@email.vccs.edu.
