40th Anniversary Events

Each year, John Tyler Community College hosts a number of community events that celebrate learning. In 2007, John Tyler Community College planned a number of special events to commemorate the College’s 40th anniversary and our defining moments over the last 40 years. All events, with the exception of the kickoff, were open to the public and, with the exception of the jazz concert, were free of charge.

Past Events:

40th Anniversary Kickoff Celebration – On January 5, 2007 faculty and staff gathered in the Nicholas Student Center at 7:30 a.m. to kickoff of the College’s 40th anniversary celebration. The event featured special guests Kay Robertson, a member of the College’s first graduating class and a long-time employee of the College, and Ben Hamlin, a John Tyler alumnus. At the event, the College also unveiled Feeling Fabulous at 40, a new employee wellness program.

Rock Chester Aerobics
Thursdays - January 25; February 1, 15 and 22; March 1 and 8; April 12 and 19, 2007
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Nicholas Student Center, Room 102, Chester Campus

The Community was invited to participate in Rock Chester, a free, low-impact aerobics class where individuals were encouraged to have fun and exercise at their own pace. Because moves were explained, the class was great for beginners, while new moves were added throughout the class to keep things interesting for all skill levels. The class also incorporated resistance training to build strength. Most importantly, there was high-energy music and an AFAA-certified group exercise instructor focused on keeping the class interesting, beneficial, safe and fun.

An Afternoon in Africa
Saturday, February 24, 2007
12:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Nicholas Student Center, Chester Campus

For the second year in a row, John Tyler Community College celebrated the wonders of Africa through music, art, theatrical performances and film at this free, exciting community event which included films, film discussion, music from Mali, children’s story time, Ghana photography exhibit, an art show, theatrical performances, African craft sales and light refreshments.

12th Annual Literary Festival
Thursday, March 29, 2007
7:00 p.m.
Nicholas Student Center, Chester Campus

On March 29 at 7:00 p.m. the 12th Annual John Tyler Community College Literary Festival took place in the Nicholas Student Center at the College’s Chester Campus. This year’s guest speaker was Sheri Reynolds, whose novel The Rapture of Canaan was an Oprah book club selection and New York Times bestseller. Orabelle's Wheelbarrow, Reynold’s first play, also won the Women Playwrights' Initiative playwriting competition in 2005. The evening featured a light reception and readings.

Jazz Concert featuring Robert Jospé and Inner Rhythm
Thursday, April 5, 2007
7:00 p.m – 8:30 p.m.
Nicholas Student Center, Chester Campus

Robert Jospé and his band Inner Rhythm are a high-energy jazz and world-beat ensemble. Jospé is known for his inventive use of rhythmic style and using the influences of salsa, samba, swing, funk and African rhythms in his own music, so the night held some surprising combinations as well as jazz classics.

Fool for Art Community Festival
Saturday, April 21, 2007
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Midlothian Campus

John Tyler Community College welcomed the entire community to its Midlothian Campus for the Fool for Art Festival once again. The Festival featured top-notch arts and crafts vendors, as well as free interactive classes and activities for all ages. Festival attendees made chromatography T-shirts, captured genes in a bottle, created poem necklaces, competed to see who could make the best paper airplane, and learned how to use their digital cameras.

Step Back to 1967: Classic Car Cruise-in & Drive-in Movie Night featuring American Graffiti
Saturday, September 15, 2007
6:00 p.m.
Chester Campus

Hundreds of people came out for a night of cool cars, fab food and timeless tunes, as we watched American Graffiti on the big screen and admire some of the hottest cars around. This event was free and open to the community.

Check out the Step Back to 1967 flyer.

Founders Day Groundbreaking
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Times TBD
Midlothian Campus

Each year, John Tyler Community College observes Founders Day on October 2 in honor of the first day of classes held at the College in 1967. In 2007, Founders’ Day marked a momentous occasion at the College, as we broke ground on a new academic building at the Midlothian Campus. The new building will alleviate crowded conditions at the campus and help the College better serve the community’s growing educational needs by housing a larger library, more classroom space and faculty offices.

Veterans Day
Monday, November 12, 2007
11:00 a.m.
Midlothian Campus

Members of the community joined John Tyler Community College’s faculty, staff and students as they honored past and present members of the armed services during the College’s annual Veterans Day ceremony.

For more information on other ways John Tyler Community College is at work in the community, please visit our community activities and outreach page.