Hall of Fame

Former Jefferson State Coach Inducted into NJCAA Hall of Fame

The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Baseball Coaches Association recently inducted former Jefferson State Community College Baseball Coach Don Green into its 2013 Baseball Hall of Fame class.

Coach Green was honored, along with other inductees, at the pre-tournament banquet of the 2013 NJCAA Division I World Series on May 24 in Grand Junction, Colorado.

For 28 years Donald Green piloted the baseball program at Jefferson State. He compiled a 622-428 (.592) career mark in the NJCAA, which ranked him in the top 20 all-time among inactive coaches in the association when he retired in 1996.

Green’s teams won the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) North Division 10 times and twice captured the Region 22 title. He was named the North Division Coach of the Year on nine occasions and was a two-time Region 22 Coach of Year recipient.

In addition to coaching, Green promoted baseball in the Alabama region, serving as president of the ACCC Baseball Committee for three years. From 1991 through 1996, he held the position of Athletic Director at Jefferson State.

A native of Birmingham, he was an accomplished athlete at Jones Valley High School. He attended Florida State University and Samford University on football scholarships, lettering three years at Samford, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. He later earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Alabama.

He was inducted into the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2001 and the ACCC Hall of Fame in 2004.

Green passed away on April 14, 2011 after a long battle with cancer.

Junior Cook-Off

Birmingham's First Junior Cook-Off unites high school students through food

By Mia Watkins - al.com

Local high school students mixed it up and bonded over food at Greater Birmingham’s First Junior Cook-Off Tuesday, May 7 at the Shelby-Hoover campus of Jefferson State Community College.

Two teams of four, Team Champion and Team Heat, containing members from both Hoover High School and Wenonah High School came together to compete in a cooking competition sponsored by Alagasco, Energen and BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama.

Team Champion took home the first place title along with $100 gift certificates. Team Heat also won $50 gifts with their runner-up title.

Members of Project Corporate Leadership organized the event as way to make difference and to unite school students who wouldn’t normally have a chance to interact with each other outside of sports.

“The only time they get to see each other is on team schedules,” Project Manager Tremele Perry said. “We wanted to bring the schools together where they can combine as a team to work towards a common goal.”
Unlike the Wenonah students who have a culinary arts program complete with a professional kitchen, Hoover students had to look to their teammates for help adjusting to the environment.

Teamwork was an important part of the competition as well as overcoming obstacles, according to Teddie Butcher, food and nutrition teacher at Hoover High School.

“All of this, it challenges each individual as a person,” she said. “The more exposure they have in their life to a variety of experiences, they just have a lot better outlook.”

Students say they had to learn each other’s strengths quickly to create a dish in the hour and fifteen minute timeslot they had.

“It was different,” said Wenonah junior Mychala Redeaux of Team Champion. “We had to get to know each other really fast so we could work fast together and get this done as a team.”

The competition used local fruits, vegetables and herbs donated by Pepper Place and fresh tilapia. Chef Chris Vizzina of Campus Dining Inc., who helped organize donations for the event, said it helps pass down culinary knowledge to students looking to break into the field.

“We should prioritize food in our community,” he said. “I think it starts with the students. It starts with teambuilding such as this, working with new ingredients, combining two different schools so that one can share the skills with the other.”

The dishes were judged by a panel of celebrity judges including Vizzina, Chef Clayton Sherrod, Chef Michael Anderson of Todd English P.U.B. and Food Network’s Martie Duncan.

Sherrod also lent his technical expertise to the students during the competition. He also gave them tips on properly knife usage and setting up flavor profiles. After the cook-off, judges gave each team a critique.

“It doesn’t do any good to have a competition and have everybody their merry way after it’s over,” he said. “Whereas, they could learn something from not only the judges but learn something from each other.”

Duncan spoke to the students about her career and the options they have within professions related to cooking.

“You’re looking at a skill set that could take you around the world if you want it to,” she told them.
She said participating in events like the cook-off is important to her because she wants students to know they have an ally.

“If there’s something for kids, I can hardly say no,” she said. “It’s been my heart for many, many, many years now to do some sort of a charity education program for kids who need help getting to that next thing.”
Perry said his team has given its proposals and plans to local schools in hopes that the program will continue.

“We already have commitments from schools,” said Perry. “They’re very excited about it. We’ve given the schools the plans and proposals.”

Youth Cooking Competition

Cooking Competition Held in Birmingham

By Josh Zavadil

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) -- A fun food competition put some future chefs to the test on Tuesday in Shelby County.

High school students competed in a cooking competition at Jefferson State Community College's Shelby County campus.

The competition is part of a corporate leadership project sponsored by Alagasco and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.

Students from Hoover and Wenonah High Schools were blended together in two teams.

Next, they went to work preparing an entire meal from scratch.

The event's organizers hope the competition teaches the students valuable life lessons.
"Food is the common ground, so we believe that once you change a young person, they can change the community," Tremele Perry said. "Once the community is changed, the state is changed, and we're all better."

This year's event is the first ever for the program, and the organizers hope it will become an annual event.

Copyright 2013 WIAT-TV CBS 42

Groovin' for a Cure

Jeff State's Chilton-Clanton Center Helps American Cancer Society

Students, faculty and staff at Jefferson State's Chilton-Clanton Center were “Groovin’ for a Cure” at Chilton County’s annual Relay for Life event on April 26. 

The team raised more than $1,000 for the American Cancer Society. Way to go guys!

Outstanding Alumnus 2013

Deborah "Lee" Yount Named Outstanding Jefferson State Alumnus

Jefferson State’s 2013 Outstanding Alumnus Award was presented to Deborah “Lee” Yount. Lee is the President and CEO of Glenwood, Inc. where she has served as president for 30 years. Lee is a tremendous leader in healthcare and in our community. She has a distinguished record of service and has made life better for many Alabamians. 

Lee was born in Birmingham and graduated from Ramsay High School in 1971. She earned an associate degree as a mental health technician from Jefferson State in 1973. She continued her education at UAB and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a Master’s degree in Education with a specialization in Developmental Disabilities Management. She has over 40 years experience in supporting people with autism and behavioral disorders.

After college, she served as the Director of a program for troubled youth and as a counselor and assistant director of a substance abuse treatment facility. A little over 30 years ago, she interviewed for the position of executive director at Glenwood, Incorporated. Glenwood, Incorporated is a private, non-profit organization that provides treatment, education and research in the area of children’s mental health. During her interview, Glenwood board members had a big concern… they were impressed with her education and professionalism, but they wondered how can they hire someone so young for the executive director position. They made a terrific decision and hired her, and she has been there ever since.

When she started, Glenwood had 35 staff members, two programs, and served 19 children. Today, Glenwood has 380 staff members, more than 20 programs around the Alabama, and serves more than 8,000 people each year. The growth under her leadership is obvious. What might not be so obvious are the many professionals who got their start at Glenwood under her leadership, and are now working in their field to help others in their own communities.

Jefferson State’s 2013 Outstanding Alumnus is certified as a Fellow by the American College of Healthcare and is also certified as a Behavioral Healthcare Executive. She has served in numerous leadership roles on Alabama task forces and groups devoted to improving the quality of life of individuals with autism, mental illness, and behavioral health disorders. She is a leader and she leads by serving others. She exemplifies integrity, empathy, stewardship, and commitment. She inspires others to share in her passion and Glenwood’s vision of creating a better life for families and our community.

All of us at Jefferson State want to say “thank you” to our 2013 Outstanding Alumnus Award winner for her service, leadership, and her spirit of giving back to others.

Scholars Bowl Team

Jeff State Scholars Bowl Team Traveled to UAB on April 26

Birmingham Reads 2013

Jeff State Supports "Birmingham Reads 2013"

On April 18, Jefferson State participated in the Birmingham Reads 2013 program. 

Birmingham Reads provided an opportunity for volunteers to read to Birmingham’s school aged children. 

Twenty-four students, faculty and staff members from Jefferson State read to students at Huffman Academy. 

Brandy Core, office manager for Jefferson State’s Educational Talent Search program, coordinated our efforts. Books ranged from “Curious George” to “Dr. Doolittle.”   

Each child was provided a personal copy of the book and was encouraged to read it to a family member after school. Birmingham Reads 2013 was sponsored by Better Basics.

Jeff State Students Help Community Art Project

By Dave Baird

The Birmingham Museum of Art is heading two special community art projects. Communities United will take place April 13th at Smithfield Estates Park in Pratt City Alabama. It brings together students and residents of different ages, backgrounds, and regions to create public art for local parks. Participants will complete two community art projects, one for Smithfield Estates Park and another for Shields Conference Center at W.C. Patton Park.

Two bare walls on buildings from the mining era in Smithfield Estates Park, will serve as a canvas for community murals. Mrs. Ellen Spencer, the neighborhood president, says, "Art will not only enhance the beauty of the park, but also the serenity and overall experience of our visitors."

Students from University of Alabama at Birmingham's Greek community will join drawing students from Jefferson State Community College, students from Daniel Payne Middle School's after school care program, and residents of Smithfield Estate's subdivisions to create the murals.

Communities United will also provide panels to be displayed at Shields Conference Center in W.C. Patton Park. Special needs students from Jackson-Olin High School, Carver High School, and Woodlawn High School will paint the panels.

Birmingham Museum of Art's artist-in-residence Toby Richards has coordinated Communities United, says hopes the art will instill a sense of pride and hope. He says "The art we create on April 13 will be enjoyed by visitors of the parks today and for many generations to come."

Honors Convocation

Attend Jefferson State's 2013 Honors Convocation

 

Make your plans to attend Jefferson State's annual Honors Convocation on Thursday, April 18, 2013. The event will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the HSB, Shelby Campus. 

Take an hour to be uplifted by the excellence of our students as their academic, civic and social contributions to the college and community are celebrated, and spend a few extra minutes catching up with members of the Jeff State family you might not see as often as you would like to. 

 

It's a joyful afternoon, so come and share!