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Geology Professor Pete Berquist started participating in search-and-rescue missions at Acadia National Park more than 15 years ago. Before joining Thomas Nelson’s faculty in 2007, Pete Berquist was a ranger at Acadia National Park in Maine for three years. He was also a visiting faculty member at a nearby college. “It kept me in geology and teaching, which is what I like doing,” he said. “It also allowed me to stay in kind of an outdoor-education realm, which is something I’ve always been interested in and engaged with.”

Jaden Kanai and his girlfriend's dog, Reesee Jaden Kanai entered the Thomas Nelson gaming challenge to test his skills and see how far he could advance. Although his favorite game Super Smash Bros. was involved, he didn't expect to win. “I honestly wasn’t too sure if I was going to win because the other guy I was playing at the very end, he was really good,” said Kanai, who is in his first semester at the College. “I was just playing for fun.”

Thomas Nelson Community College joins the WAVY-TV10 Coats for Families mission this year. For nearly 30 years the local news station has helped thousands of Hampton Roads residents stay warm in the winter. 10 On Your Side is collecting donated coats for all ages now through Jan. 23, 2022. Thomas Nelson is pleased to be among businesses, churches and other entities serving as drop-off locations.

Thomas Nelson’s performing arts department has billed its winter concert “Sing for Joy!” Diane Drury, a professor in the music department who is overseeing the event, said there are numerous reasons why. First, “Sing for Joy” is among pieces the College choir will perform. Second, it’s a joyous time of the year. Third, and perhaps most important, it tells the College community performing arts is ready to return to live shows.

Thomas Nelson’s Educational Foundation is pleased announced that $143,000 in scholarship funds are available for spring 2022. To help offset the cost of tuition, fees and other educational expenses, new and returning students can apply for any of the following:

The BayPort Foundation, the charitable arm of BayPort Credit Union, has introduced two new scholarships to benefit Thomas Nelson Community College students, the McGee Family Scholarship and Donald I. Steepe Memorial Scholarship. Both funds are family gifts as inaugural donors to the BayPort Legacy Giving Program, which honors those who share BayPort's commitment and philanthropic efforts. Of the scholarships, one will benefit an enrolled student and the other, a graduate.

Thomas Nelson’s Educational Foundation is pleased announced that $143,000 in scholarship funds are available for spring 2022. To help offset the cost of tuition, fees and other educational expenses, new and returning students can apply for of any number of the following:

The BayPort Foundation, the charitable arm of BayPort Credit Union, has introduced two new scholarships to benefit Thomas Nelson Community College students, the McGee Family Scholarship and Donald I. Steepe Memorial Scholarship. Both funds are family gifts as inaugural donors to the BayPort Legacy Giving Program, which honors those who share BayPort's commitment and philanthropic efforts. The scholarships target and enrolled student and a graduate.

The Pop-up Clothes Closet sponsored by Thomas Nelson’s Care Team on Nov. 9-10 was such a success organizers are already looking forward to the spring event. Doreen Dougherty, of Student Services, said more than 100 people attended the event, which took place on the Hampton campus in the Wythe Hall Gallery. “We were not sure what to expect due to the ongoing pandemic and the many synchronous and asynchronous classes this fall,” she said.

Thomas Nelson’s Student Government Association exists to give students a voice regarding all aspects of their college experience. However, for the organization to be successful, the students need College officials to hear them. That is exactly what President Towuanna Porter Brannon is doing with her inaugural student forum set for Dec. 3 via Zoom. The meeting starts at 12:30 p.m., with Brannon, who is nearing her first year as president, joining at 1 p.m.

Erin Nobile was having a normal day in her role as Thomas Nelson's career coach at Heritage High School when there was a shooting at the school Sept. 20. Erin Nobile, a Student Affairs counselor for Thomas Nelson, has been the career coach at Heritage High School since 2013. Her regular schedule has her at the school, which is in Newport News and nearly seven miles from the College’s Hampton campus, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

As a reminder, the Re-Employing Virginia’s (REV) program will end in December, according to VCCS officials. The state initiative was launched in 2020 to help students cover tuition and fees for degree and certificate programs in several high-demand fields.   The program’s funding for degree and transfer students enrolled for fall 2021 must be awarded, disbursed and processed by Dec. 31.

In observance of Thanksgiving, Thomas Nelson (becoming Virginia Peninsula Community College) will close at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 24.  Campuses in Hampton and Williamsburg as well as satellite locations will reopen Monday, Nov. 29.  During the closure, new and returning students may get information about spring 2022 classes, tuition payment, financial aid and more at tncc.edu. College officials extend best wishes for a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Students in Diane Tulipani's oceanography class recently ventured out into the York River for their lab. On a weekday morning in mid-October, seven Thomas Nelson students and two professors boarded the College’s research vessel for a trip on the York River. It was the lab portion of one of professor Diane Tulipani’s oceanography classes.

Students in Diane Tulipani's oceanography class recently ventured out on the York River for their lab. On a weekday morning in mid-October, seven Thomas Nelson students and two professors boarded the College’s research vessel for a trip on the York River. It was the lab portion of one of professor Diane Tulipani’s oceanography classes.