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When Virginia Peninsula Community College men's basketball team defeated Sandhills Community College, the third-ranked team in NJCAA Division III, on Jan. 13, it was regarded as an upset. But not to Gators coach Chris Moore, who said on the eve of the game he had a good feeling about his team’s chances. “I always trust our training,” he said one day after his team’s historic 102-96 victory. The Gators were 7-4, including a three-game losing streak, in...

The Virginia Peninsula Community College men's basketball team, which had been off since Dec. 20, finally returned to the court. The long rest didn’t adversely affect the Gators, as they rolled to a 99-66 victory over Oxford College of Emory University (Ga.) on Sunday, Jan. 12., their first game in more than 20 days. Sincere Moore (Matoaca High School in Chesterfield) had 22 points and five steals for the Gators, who improved to 9-4 overall and 2-0 in Region 10. It was...

The Virginia Peninsula Community College men's basketball team, which has been off since Dec. 20, was scheduled to return to action Jan. 7. However, due to expected inclement weather, the Gators' home game against Washington Adventist's junior varsity squad has been postponed until Jan. 15. Game time is 7 p.m. at the SafeHaven Empowerment Center. The Gators (8-4) have  a pair of upcoming Region Ten road contests, Saturday, Jan. 11 at Sandhills (N.C.) Community College and Sunday,...

The Virginia Peninsula Community College men's basketball team, which has been off since Dec. 20, was scheduled to return to action Jan. 7. However, due to expected inclement weather, the Gators' home game against Washington Adventist's junior varsity squad has been postponed until Jan. 15. Game time is 7 p.m. at the SafeHaven Empowerment Center. The Gators (8-4) have  a pair of upcoming Region Ten road contests, Saturday, Jan. 11 at Sandhills (N.C.) Community College and Sunday,...

As the winter chill takes a firm hold, College officials are offering tips to help you stay safe. Whether you’re at home or on the road, it’s important to be prepared. Here are some pointers for surviving the cold weather: Personal & Family Safety Bundle up: Make sure all family members have extra blankets and warm clothing. When heading outside, layer up with hats, gloves, and mittens for maximum warmth. Multiple layers of loose-fitting clothing are highly...

The Virginia Peninsula Community College men’s basketball team went into the holiday break on a winning note after defeating Monroe University of the Bronx 83-72 on Dec. 20. Sincere Moore (Matoaca High School/Chesterfield) led the Gators with 21 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. Asa Fehrenbach (Lafayette/Williamsburg) had 14 points and seven boards, Jayden Sepulveda (Landstown/Virginia Beach) scored 11 points, and Keshaun Johnson (Nansemond River High School/Suffolk)...

Deon Moore, who has led Kecoughtan and Phoebus high schools to numerous state titles, has been named the track and field/cross country coach at Virginia Peninsula Community College. Moore had a simple explanation for his interest in the position with the Gators. “After coaching high school for so long and winning, I was looking to move up to the next level,” he said. That desire is exactly what VPCC athletics director Chris Moore, no relation, said is so important to a...

Virginia Peninsula Community College’s pinning ceremony Dec. 17 recognized 26 graduates of the nursing program. It was the largest cohort in recent memory, said Jenni Jones, the director of the College’s Allied Health programs. However, a more impressive number is 80% of the students in the class accepted positions as registered nurses before receiving their pins. “It’s exceptional to have that many,” Jones said. She added the program has a...

Faith Dry was one of four Virginia Peninsula Community College students awarded an internship for the annual Virginia Theatre Association Conference in late October. She enjoyed it so much she hopes to experience it again next year but would prepare for it differently. “If I go back, I would like to do strength training because there’s a lot of heavy lifting. I was sore for a week,” she said. “I definitely broke a sweat.” Katie Orlowski had a...

Peter Berquist, an assistant professor of geology at Virginia Peninsula Community College, has been selected as a 2025 Outstanding Faculty Awards recipient by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and Dominion Energy. Berquist and 11 other recipients will receive a $7,500 gift from Dominion Energy during a March 4, 2025, ceremony in Richmond. Since 1987, these awards have recognized faculty at Virginia’s institutions of higher learning who exemplify the highest...

Virginia Peninsula Community College was a co-host for the LEAD Peninsula Education and Workforce Development Day on Dec. 11. The day began with participants meeting at the College’s Workforce Center, where VPCC’s Todd Estes, VP of Workforce Development and Innovation, and Dr. Adrienne E. Cosby, director of the Business Solutions and Professional Development, provided an overview of Workforce Development. In the afternoon, the event shifted to the Torggler Center for Fine...

Virginia Peninsula Community College recognized the two most recent cohorts in its Fire and EMS education program Dec. 12 at Legacy Hall in New Town. College President Dr. Towuanna Porter Brannon told those at the ceremony, including many family members, friends and mentors, the students should be proud of their decision to enter such a noble profession, one where they put others first. “They have chosen a path of service and courage and compassion, a calling that demands not only...

The Virginia Peninsula Community College men’s basketball team suffered two losses last week, snapping a five-game winning streak. The Gators (7-3) had won each game on their streak by nine points or more. On Dec. 14, the Gators traveled just a few miles down the road to face The Apprentice School in Newport News, falling 70-58 in a noisy and packed gym. Against the Builders (6-2), the Gators had four players share team-high honors with 11 points, but shot 36.9% from the floor and...

Dr. Towuanna Porter Brannon has noticed in her higher education experience that community college students don’t always have a seamless transition to a four-year institution. As president of Virginia Peninsula Community College, she’s taking steps to change that. Her most recent effort came Dec. 12 when she and Dr. Janette Muir, vice provost at George Mason University, signed an agreement to make the move between the two colleges smoother for students. VPCC became the...

Virginia Peninsula Community College President Towuanna Porter Brannon will be honored by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) with the 2025 Peninsula Humanitarian Award. The award recognizes individuals for their commitment to promoting respect and understanding among people of diverse racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Dr. Brannon is one of five recipients who will be recognized at VCIC’s 57th annual Peninsula Humanitarian Awards Dinner set for Feb. 27 at...

When Chris Moore approaches the main basketball court at SafeHaven Empowerment Center and sees “Home of the Gators” on an oversized banner, he sees more than the words. For him, it’s a sign of the growth of the athletics program at the College. “It’s been a long time coming,” said Moore, the College’s athletics director and men’s basketball coach. “It’s about the culture, just what VPCC...

The Virginia Peninsula Community College men’s basketball team began its busiest stretch of the season by going 3-0. Sincere Moore and Jayden Sepulveda led the way for the Gators, who are in the midst of playing seven games in 17 days before taking a break for the holidays. Things got started with a 110-58 win over Johnston Community College (N.C.) on Dec. 4 at the SafeHaven Empowerment Center. Moore (Matoaca High School/Chesterfield) led five Gators in double figures with 19...

Jakobe Reed and Since Moore each scored 19 points to lead the Virginia Peninsula Community College men’s basketball team to a 75-65 victory over Southern Maryland on Nov. 23. Reed also had five and three steals. Moore added 11 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Keshaun Johnson just missed a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds. Asheton Glass had nine points, four rebounds and two steals. The Gators (3-1), who led 31-26 at halftime, outrebounded the hosts 47-34, and...