Welcome to Corby's Corner

I am surrounded by Incredible. Even after 15 years of employment at Florida State College at Jacksonville, (with much of that time spent connecting media friends with our faculty, students, staff and administrators), I am impressed daily by the wealth of knowledge, dedication, drive, creativity, generosity and humanity embodied in those with whom I come into contact. This venue is a way for me to share more of who I know and what I learn with media and the community. Here are some examples:

Jamie Halstead, a 2010 Associate in Arts degree graduate with a 3.74 GPA. Jamie was student editor of the Campus Voice and its chief photographer for more than a year. She volunteers for at least five charitable organizations and is starting her own organization to help parents with terminally ill children. She has five children of her own and is continuing her education at Florida State College. She has not missed one of her own children’s field trips or award ceremonies. She’s incredible.

Dr. Rob Martin, Jeana Davis and about 70 other members of our new Database of Experts. Dr. Martin, professor of Marine Biology, has been interviewed about six times by one TV station alone to update the public on the effects of the Gulf oil spill and the causes and effects of the St. Johns River foam. Jeana Davis, professor of Student Life Skills, shared a very personal aspect of her life when she appeared live on a morning show with five-year-old adopted daughter Alivia. Alivia was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Jeana works to inform about the cause and prevention of FAS, and offers support for parents of other children affected by FAS. Incredible contributors to our community and our College, I think.

Dr. Phyllis Renninger, director of Resource Development, her three grant writers and support staff. This small team brought in an incredible $10 million in funded grants in about a year for 2008-2009; funds that support education and workforce development. Can’t wait to see what’s up Dr. Phyl’s sleeve or hat for the future. If you’ve ever written a federal grant and won or even lost it, you know it’s not magic but hard work and skill that gets the awards.

This venue may be called Corby’s Corner, but it’s really a space for everyone to come and find out what they might not know about Florida State College, its people, its facilities and its programs. Visit often. There's a lot to learn. It's incredible.