THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 18, 1994 TAG: 9409160224
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
JOHN BAILEY IS such an admirer of the community college system that he wants to share his enthusiasm with the public.
As the recently chosen student ambassador for the Portsmouth campus of Tidewater Community College, Bailey will assist with public relations and act as a representative at various community functions.
``I want to help enhance the image of the school,'' Bailey said. ``I want to show students that community colleges can offer as good an education as a four-year college. It's less expensive and not as overwhelming. There are alternatives to spending large sums of money and going to a huge school.''
Promotional programs planned by Bailey include a series of formal lectures on campus.
For the college's annual fall picnic, Bailey plans to help organize publicity with the various clubs on campus, as well as promoting shelters for the needy.
``This is a major fund-raising event, sponsored by the Student Government Association, for the HER Shelter for battered women in Portsmouth, and Oasis, a general shelter for those in need,'' he said.
During the 1995 spring semester, high school students will be invited to the college, where they will have access to a number of information booths. Questions will be answered concerning clubs, curriculum programs and the computer drafting program.
``This will really tell them what the school has to offer,'' Bailey said.
Bailey, 23, is a native of New Orleans, where he developed a love for jazz. The son of John and Sherie Bailey, he is a Churchland resident.
The Baileys moved here when his father was transferred with the military. He graduated from Churchland High School and enrolled at Tidewater Community College in the fall of 1989.
He received an associate's degree in business administration and after a year's sabbatical decided to return to school. A political science major, Bailey attends one class in business law at TCC and four classes weekly at Old Dominion University.
After completing two more semesters at TCC, Bailey will be a candidate for an associate's degree in general studies.
After reading an advertisement for the ambassador's position in the campus newspaper, Bailey was chosen for the position after completing an application and an interview session.
``This is an experimental scholarship program . . . like an internship working in the field of public relations,'' Bailey said.
Bailey works with the Student Activity Office 20 hours a week and in return, receives 15 free credit hours at the college.
Bailey, who has studied public speaking, tied for first-place in the most recent Portsmouth Campus Black History Month public speaking contest.
His hobbies include reading, working out at a gym, and listening to music, particularly jazz.
Bailey hopes to become an intern with the Central Intelligence Agency.
``I would like to go into public service, possibly politics with the State Department or the Foreign Service.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
John Bailey, a graduate of Churchland High in Portsmouth, has been
chosen TCC's student ambassador.
by CNB