Alumni
I just wanted to say thank you to LFCC and it's commitment to the community. I enrolled as a student in Jan. of 2004 and graduated with a Practical Nursing Certficate in July of 2006. Without LFCC, financial aid and scholarships I would not be working in the community as a LPN. Thank you to LFCC for it's ability to help people better
themselves in order to provide a future for their families.
Clay Athey’s parents instilled in him the concept that it was his responsibility to give back to the community in whatever capacity he could. While attending Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC), Athey discovered that the College and its faculty and staff also fostered that belief. This helped to enforce a sense of service in Athey that is exhibited in his legal and political careers.
After receiving an associate’s degree in business administration from LFCC in 1988, Athey continued his educational pursuits at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in history in 1990. Athey did not stop there. He continued, receiving a juris doctorate from the University of Dayton School of Law in 1993.
“I learned so much at LFCC. It was the perfect place for me, especially since my family was of modest means and I had to work to afford to go to college,” Athey said. “In addition to the affordability, the personal attention from my professors made all of the difference.”
Now a partner with Napier, Pond, Athey & Athey P.C., Athey practices mainly corporate and land use law. In addition to his successful career as a lawyer, Athey became involved in public service, serving on the Front Royal Town Council from 1996 to 2000. Athey then went on to become mayor of the Town of Front Royal from 2000 to 2002. The next step in his political career was the Virginia General Assembly.
Athey’s first term as delegate began in January 2002. Representing the 18th District, which includes part of Fauquier and Frederick counties and all of Warren County, Athey is a huge advocate for LFCC and the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) in general. “I strongly believe in the community college system, which gives people the opportunity to better themselves and their lives. Community colleges reach the broadest group of people, from kids in high school to grandparents and people out of work.”
His dedication to community colleges is exhibited in the legislation Athey has sponsored. Athey was chief patron of legislation that established articulation agreements between community colleges within the VCCS and four-year public institutions of higher education. Approved by Gov. Mark Warner in March 2005, the legislation will go into effect beginning with the academic year 2006-07.
“With the rising costs of tuition at four-year colleges, it is important that community colleges and four-year institutions become partners,” Athey said. “By working together, individuals of modest means can cost-effectively afford to attend college.”
Athey’s service to his community is a good reminder to others that everyone can make a difference in their world. “I got involved in politics and public service, because I have to answer the question, ‘What have I done to help my fellow man and the kids who are our future?’”I was a graduate of Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC) back in 1984. While a student there, I created New Wave Electronics and used it to manufacture custom light-emitting diode (LED) and switch panels for fire alarms and fan control panels.
New Wave Electronics actually started as a joke. One of the instructors – might have been Charlie Spiro – suggested that we sign up for as many technical subscriptions as possible so we could keep current with technology. He said that if we made up a company name they would be more likely to send us some free issues, thus New Wave Electronics. At the same time, I was taking the technical communications class. That was a class completely focused on writing resumes, business letters and proposals.
During the summer, my Veterans’ Affairs money stopped coming, so I got the idea to issue a proposal to my former boss, for whom I did all the custom fabrication work. He accepted it. I then made weekly trips to Rockville, Md. to pick up parts and drop off the finished product. Eventually, I hired a few LFCC students to help me. I kept the company for a total of three years and was working full time in the third year. At that point, there were rumblings that the fire marshal was going to mandate UL listing of all my equipment, so I sold the company for $50,000. That's when I started with Thorn Automated Systems. I am most proud of that part because it was really me doing it myself with the knowledge I had learned from working and from LFCC.
I then used Thorn Automated Systems to design prison integrated security systems such as card access, CCTV fire alarms and door control.
I also went to Capitol College where I received my bachelor’s of science in electronics engineering technology in 1996 while working for Allied Signal. There I worked on satellite communication and command and control systems. I also designed the Shuttle Forward Command Modulator Control System for the first MIR docking with the Space Shuttle.
I am currently the network administrator for the State of Oregon Judicial Department.
I used to be a student at LFCC, graduating back in 1980 with associate degrees in electronics, education, and general studies. Recently, while visiting family near Middletown, I dropped off a copy of my doctoral dissertation (degree conferred 8/05) by your office (not that I expect you to read it, but rather as a testimony to the utility of community colleges).
In all seriousness, had it not been for the U.S. Army and LFCC, there would have been no way to transcend past academic mistakes and ultimately, social class. Despite the myriad problems facing our world today, it is still possible in America to achieve greater things if one only has the desire and a little persistence. If an eigth grade dropout who grew up on a small farm can easily do it, so can anyone, and LFCC is a good place to start.
I thought I'd drop you a line and let you know how this LFCC graduate is doing at William and Mary:
Great! Last semester's orientation had me nervous about the intensity of the classes, the workload, and how enormous the campus felt, but things soon became routine as I learned how to dash across campus in 10 minutes for another class, and professors began to give me feedback on assignments.
I've ended up with my desired English major and a Russian language minor--incredible! I never thought I'd be taking Russian, and it all started last fall when I needed to either finish the Latin I'd started in high school or take another foreign language. In the bustle of moving down to school and registering for classes, I hadn't given the subject appropriate thought, and ended up making some last-minute decisions, which turned out for the best. In fact, I've applied for the St. Petersburg study abroad this summer, and I really hope that I can go and continue my Russian studies there. Not exactly a track I would recommend to everyone, but I am loving the fast-paced learning environment and the other students.
Also, thanks to Nicole Martin and Kim Lewis's classes, the workload did not come as a shock at all, and I ended last semester on the Dean's list with a 3.6 GPA.
I'm also working online for the University of Hawaii's research department as a student writer, thanks to a connection from my Dad's tour of duty on Hickam AFB, HI.
Really, this e-mail is meant to say thanks to you and Lord Fairfax for everything. I know I wouldn't be here without the encouragement and preparation that Lord Fairfax supplied...and I cannot thank my real alma mater enough. Every time students ask me where I transferred from, I am sure to tell them about Lord Fairfax Community College. There's not a day that passes in Williamsburg for me when I am not grateful and thankful for being here, and Lord Fairfax was the beginning of all this.
Thanks again for all you and the college do for regular students like me. Most of us hardly realize how high the potential for the future is, and it's places Lord Fairfax that offer us a glimpse of the possibilities and the means to try and get there.
I enrolled at LFCC in the spring of 2004. At best was anxious. I soon found my place at LFCC and excelled beyond even my own imagination. Throughout the course of my studies I met many professors and staff who guided me along the way and many of them will forever hold a great place in my heart for the efforts they put forth in their jobs.
I graduated from LFCC in May 2005 with honors and an acceptance letter to UVA. Due to my family situation and moving my children, I choose to attend JMU. I started classes there this past fall and to my delight I finished that semester with a 4.0 GPA and an offer to join the Senior Honors Program. I would like to take complete credit for my accomplishments but I know that is simply not the case. I know that you think highly of the school, staff and students of LFCC. However, I thought you should know what I have learned about them since leaving last May. I have come to realize that the education I received, along with the encouragement and dedication of the staff, at LFCC was priceless. While I love JMU and the professors I have had the pleasure of meeting, I have come to realize that my four semesters at LFCC better equipped me for my future studies than I had realized. I am not saying that there are not many very smart and well-educated individuals at JMU. What I am saying is that the education I received at LFCC stands toe-to-toe with the one others have gotten from major universities and in many cases surpasses them.
I just wanted to say thanks to the staff of LFCC, most specifically to professors Brent Kendrick, Beth Guiliano, Alan Nordling, Andrea Ludwick, Anne Legge, Laurie Alphonse, Steve Wisecarver, Cyril Petras, Ann Simpson, Mark Doering, Kate Simpson, Joseph Whitehorne, and the rest of the staff at LFCC for all they have given me and for allowing me to reach farther than I had ever hoped.
Mary Beth Taylor and Thomas Price
Mary Beth Taylor and Thomas Price met in fall 1977 at the homecoming dance at Strasburg High School. Mary Beth graduated in summer 1978, and Thomas graduated a year later in 1979. Upon graduating, they both faced the age-old question, “What are your plans for the future?”
Mary Beth and Thomas’ plans included attending Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC), although both of them were drawn to the College for different reasons.
Mary Beth did not begin attending LFCC immediately following graduation. Instead, she found a full-time job in local government. She felt that—unlike her older brother and younger sister who made much better grades in high school—she was not cut out to attend a four-year institution. However, she soon discovered that she loved bookkeeping and wanted to further her fledgling career. LFCC was the perfect fit, providing convenient evening classes to fit around her work schedule.
“The instructors at LFCC were wonderful,” Mary Beth said. “I also enjoyed talking to other adults about their work experiences, since I was much younger and hadn’t been in the workplace that long.”
On the other hand, Thomas chose LFCC because of financial reasons and his sweetheart. “Although I had the GPA to attend a four-year university, my family could not afford it. I also wanted to stay close to home because of Mary Beth,” he said. “The people, instructors and social gatherings at the College made my experience very positive.”
The next few years were a whirlwind of big events. First, in 1981, Thomas graduated from LFCC with a certificate in blueprint reading and drafting. Then, in March 1982, Mary Beth and Thomas got married. Finally, in 1983, Mary Beth graduated from LFCC with an associate’s degree in accounting. Upon graduating, these Strasburg residents embarked upon successful careers in the community.
Currently, Mary Beth serves as the assistant county administrator for Shenandoah County. She has held this position for the past 10 years and is responsible for various human resource tasks such as hiring, discipline and training. Mary Beth also serves as the liaison to the Board of Supervisors on the Property and Public Works Committee and Personnel Committee and is involved in county functions such as solid waste, animal shelter and building maintenance.
For the past 23 years, Thomas has worked at Patton, Harris, Rust & Associates, a civil engineering firm, as a project manager and managing partner. In this role, he is responsible for planning, design and construction of commercial and residential development in the tri-state area. Thomas also currently serves as a member of the LFCC Board.
Over 20 years have passed since Mary Beth and Thomas graduated from LFCC. Still, the College is able to serve them through professional development courses. “The community needs to know that LFCC impacts the area through its workforce development programs,” the couple said.
Mary Beth most recently completed Spanish classes at LFCC, thus enabling her to assist the growing Spanish-speaking population. She also completed a few online courses when she was pursuing her bachelor’s degree in management and organizational development from Eastern Mennonite University.
Both Mary Beth and Thomas encourage individuals, especially young students, to attend LFCC. “Attending LFCC and getting the core courses out of the way allow time for young students to decide their major course of study,” Mary Beth said. “Some kids are just not ready for the big step of a four-year institution. Therefore, LFCC is a great transitioning experience.”
This sentiment stems from the experiences of the couple’s sons, Joshua, 22, and Jonathan, 20. Joshua is currently attending LFCC and will receive his associate’s degree in liberal arts in May 2007. He will also graduate from the Virginia State Police Academy in February 2007. Jonathan attended LFCC as a dual-enrolled student while at Strasburg High School. He is currently working at Charles P. Johnson and Associates, a civil engineering firm in Fairfax County, Va.
I have had such a great time at LFCC; from the experience of being a student here to working in Admissions. I will miss everyone here so much! You all have been a big part of who I am today. When I first came to LFCC I planned on completing two years and leaving. Now I am off to a big school like Virginia Tech. I will try to keep in touch with you all to let you know how things are going for me.