Katy

 Major: English and secondary education
 Class Status: sophomore

 What are the names of the scholarships you received?
 Hull Education Scholarship
 Longwood Provost Scholarship

 How did these scholarships benefit you? These two scholarships have been extremely beneficial for  me. I have always wanted to be a teacher, and with these scholarships, I have been able to use the   money to help pay for my tuition and room and board. In having this burden alleviated, I can focus more   on my school and less on how I was going to pay for my education.

Why should Longwood employees support the Faculty and Staff Campaign? I know that there are other students out there who are just like me-going to college is a dream and without these scholarships either that dream would never come true or it would be clouded by the amount of debt racked up by loans. With the scholarships I have received as well as the ones other students have received, Longwood helps us achieve our dreams.

 Nancy

 Major: Business Administration
 Concentration: Marketing/Management
 Class Status: Senior

 What are the names of the scholarships you received?
 Charlotte N. Phillips Scholarship
 M. Ralph Page Diversity Scholarship

 How did these scholarships benefit you?
 Scholarships allowed me to attend and study at Longwood University throughout my undergraduate career. They have helped relieve the stress of paying for college from my parents and me. Scholarships have also given me the motivation to excel academically and achieve my highest potential. I can truly say that with the scholarships I have been awarded, I have been able to join organizations, attend conferences and become the person that I am today.

Why should Longwood employees support the Faculty and Staff Campaign?
Scholarships have been a blessing to me, and to know that there are so many people who want to help students is absolutely amazing. I hope that the faculty and staff will give and help students achieve success and become better citizen leaders.

 

Jamie

Major: Liberal Studies-Elementary Education, Class of 2012

Scholarship: Elizabeth Overby Omohundro Scholarship

Favorite thing about Longwood? I love the small community that Longwood provides. 

Favorite memory at Longwood so far? My favorite memory at Longwood so far was my participation in the Relay for Life. I was highly commended for my efforts and had a great time fundraising. I was proud to raise over $1000 for the American Cancer Society, and continue to participate and remember those I have lost to cancer. 

What has this scholarship meant to you? My scholarship has encouraged me to keep trying even when it seems like my financial situation won't allow me to finish my college education. When society seems to resemble that your dreams are out of reach, this scholarship reminded me that my dream is possible and becoming a reality.

What would your life as a student be without it? If I had not received this scholarship for the past two years, I would probably have transferred out of Longwood to a community college where I would not be enjoying my education. Financial aid was not covering the tuition increases at Longwood, or the extra textbook fees and such. This scholarship has allowed me to continue my education at the school of my choice. 

If you could say one thing to the donors of Longwood, what would you say? I believe that the support of Longwood is so important because it affects so many involved:  students, staff, administration, alumni, donors, and prospective students.  Longwood has become the community we live and love, and we should respect, support, and help to give back to the school that has given us so much.  The support of Longwood allows for this structured community to continue providing the opportunities that it does.  Without you, our community would fall apart; you are the encouragement for current students and administration alike. Your actions are honorable and will never be forgotten. I believe that everybody should help give back to others in need when possible. Your good deeds are a great reminder to never stop the chain of help, and love.

 

 

Sharon Sercombe
Job Title: Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs
Funniest moment/memory at Longwood: Gosh, there are so many! I'm a jokester and I love making people laugh-it brings such joy to my life. One year for the annual Halloween Bash, I dressed as "Ginger from New Jersey," a 1940's gal who worked in the ship yards at Norfolk - for the war effort, ya know. I told Wayne McWee, my supervisor then, that I was the temp for the day filling in for Mrs. Sercombe, and that I had 3 basic questions: when was break, when was lunch, and when do I get to go home! I also said I couldn't do any typing because I'd just had my nails done. I thought Wayne would fall over laughing and I kept up the character all day, using my best "New Joisey" accent. Several people dared me to go into Dr. Coles' history class since they were studying World War II at the time. So, I walked in the class, unannounced, and asked to speak to his students about the home front during the war years. Dr. Coles was stunned but said okay. The students stared at me in disbelief for a while, but then they finally got into it. I had a lot of fun that day, and, I think, brought some laughter to campus.
Length of time employed at Longwood: Since May 2006
Favorite part of working at Longwood: Getting to work with so many constituencies - faculty, staff, and students. Being a part of the small and big decisions that keep the university running. Meeting international administrators, teachers, and students. Keeping my boss on schedule!
Why you support the Faculty and Staff Campaign: I've worked in higher education for over 25 years. Supporting "my school" has been an important component of the "give and take" experience within the institution. The university setting has so much to offer: athletics, theatre, the library, entertainment-giving back is just natural!

 

Stephanie Buchert
Job Title: Associate Professor of Psychology
Funniest memory at Longwood: I was getting ready to show a video clip, and I heard music, so I thought it was coming from a student's ringing phone. In an effort to embarrass them, I started dancing to the song. The song did not stop. It turns out the music was coming from the computer, as it had switched to a public TV channel while I was getting the video set up. So the students thought I was just dancing for the heck of it. (I dance like Elaine from Seinfeld.)
Length of time employed at Longwood: I began in August 2004, so this is my 7th year at Longwood.
Favorite part of working at Longwood: I love working with students, both inside and outside of the classroom.
Why you support the Faculty and Staff Campaign: I donate because I think it's important to give back to Longwood. It has been such a big part of my life, and I want to be able to help out where I can.

 

Svetozar 'Coach Steve' Brdarski
Job Title: Associate Head Women's Soccer Coach
Funniest moment/memory at Longwood: Spending a few weeks explaining to people the point of 'a scarf' and why they need to wear it (despite it being the middle of summer and not 'scarf like' weather). And being amazed at the same time, when I saw/heard/and felt the spirit of Longwood as those same people marched up Johnston Drive for "The G.A.M.E." this fall. It was a moment that I will never forget and I feel very fortunate to have been a part of!
Length of time employed at Longwood: 7 years
Favorite part of working at Longwood: Helping people! We are all very lucky to have a job where we directly affect people's lives in a positive way that will impact their future.
Why you support the Faculty and Staff Campaign: I believe in the mission of our university because of the great people (students/faculty/staff/and community here) and feel that this University and community have enhanced my life.