Early College, Yavapai-Apache Nation, Testing Center, College readiness, and growing the economy were highlighted in his interview in the Verde Independent newspaper

Dr. James Perey

In an interview with Verde Independent reporter Bill Helm, the Executive Dean of the Verde Campus, James Perey, highlighted five areas as “successes in 2018 and future successes in 2019.”  He pointed to the program that on five occasions brought high school juniors to the Campus as one of the five major successes.  He also cited the College serving the Yavapai-Apache Nation as another.

Expanded industry certification testing, working  with K-12 districts on college readiness and matriculation, plus growing the economy by presenting a dozen workshops and developing a variety of partnerships with industry in the Verde Valley rounded out his five areas of success.

You may read the entire interview of Dr. Perey by Bill Helm in the Verde Independent by clicking here.

Will improve communication

The Clarkdale Town Council may take action on a memorandum of understanding tomorrow June 12, 2018 between Yavapai County Community College and the Town regarding the placement of a radio communications antenna.  According to the college, the installation of the antenna will improve radio communications in the Foothills area.  New leather information was available.  Source of information: Town of Clarkdale (Verde Independent) 

“Heart and Soul of the Verde Campus . . ..”

Longtime Verde Valley resident and art instructor Tom Schumacher was recently honored by staff and faculty for his forty years of service at Yavapai College’s Verde Valley campus in Clarkdale. “To me, Tom Schumacher is the heart and soul of the Verde Campus,” said fellow instructor Terence Pratt. “He’s had an indelible effect on our institution and has built an art department that hundreds of our citizens have benefited from.”

Among his many accomplishments is the wine-making program on the Verde Valley Campus. In 2009, the wine-making program was established primarily because of Tom’s persistence and hard work.  Five years later the Southwest Wine Center became a reality. Schumacher recalls working with 30 volunteers on a blazing-hot June day to plant the first acre of grapevines, and thinking, “God I hope these things grow.” They did! There is now a 13 acre vineyard and a $3 million dollar  academic winery on the Verde Campus, thanks to his groundbreaking efforts.  The first wines from the winery have won accolades from the wine industry.

“I’m very proud of our viticulture and enology programs, not only for what they have done for the (wine) industry, but for the community. The community is now thriving because of this industry.”

Schumacher holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Rhode Island School of Design.  Along with his wife, Deborah, a financial aid advisor at Yavapai College, he has  raised their two children in the Verde Valley. He says he plans to continue teaching ceramics and Photoshop at the College along with creating his own artwork.

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Blog story of May 27, 2017 & addressing Board indicating serious concern with poor maintenance may have helped spur College into action (Deb McCasland’s visit may also have been a tremend0us help)

On May 27, 2017 the Blog ran a story indicating its concern with the care and treatment of the Butterfly garden on the Verde Campus.  It pointed out that the College had a $3 million dollar maintenance budget and argued there was no excuse for the poor condition of the Butterfly garden.   Robert Oliphant, who edits the Blog, also reported on the concern over the Garden at the June 2017 Governing Board meeting and provided the Board with photos showing the deterioration.

At the time of the May 27 story the Blog  found weeds growing profusely in the garden, unplanted dead trees in large pots that had been left in the area for months, and paths that were weed filled and potholed.  It appeared little care and attention was being given to the care and  development of this garden on the Verde Campus.

The only Governing Board member to show interest in the Oliphant’s concern about the Garden deteriorating was Governing Board representative Deb McCasland.  She made a special visit to the Garden and expressed her concern about the situation to several people. 

Since the Blog’s story and McCasland’s visit, the Blog is happy to report that the College has made major improvements. It has improved the walking paths by adding appropriate pathway sand and filled the potholes. (There needs to be more sand added to some existing paths as the College didn’t order enough.)  Most weeds have been removed in most of the Garden.  The dead trees were removed and the College has planted new ones. A Gazebo planned for the area has been built and new benches were moved into the Garden.

Clearly, a major effort to clean up and complete the beautiful area for butterflies has been made.  Kudos to the College for its efforts.

Now, the College must finish the job.  The building blocks the Blog found in the garden in the spring need to be removed, more sand added, and weeding continued. The newly planted trees will need extra care over the next five years, the area properly weeded, and walking paths maintained.  The Verde Campus Butterfly Garden  will need the same kind of care, attention and maintenance given the College’s beautiful Richard Marcusen Sculpture Garden on the Prescott Campus. Let’s hope it can follow through.