Take Advantage of Every Opportunity

I know we should strive to learn something new as often as possible, but I never dreamt I'd be learning such a HUGE lesson on time management at 48 years of age.

In late October of 2012, my mother-in-law had surgery to repair a hernia operation from 18 years before; tests at this time showed a quarter-sized spot on her pancreas.  As a present, my wife and I had been given a trip to a resort in Florida the week before Christmas, 15-22 December.  The ability to take this trip came in doubt on December 11 when further tests gave my mother-in-law 3-4 months to live, whether she did chemo and radiation treatments or not.  It was decided (actually, my mother-in-law insisted) that we would take the trip and use it as an opportunity to recharge our batteries for the struggle that was to come.  As we approached the Kentucky-Tennessee border on the morning of 15 December, my wife's cell phone rang.  It was her brother calling to inform us that further test indicated we had1-2 weeks, not the previously discussed time frame.  Needless to say, we turned around at the next exit and returned to Louisville.  We struggled through Christmas, and on 27 December, exactly 9 years and 6 months after her husband passed (also of pancreatic cancer) we lost that truly wonderful lady.

It is with this in mind that I urge everyone to take advantage of the gifts, talents, and opportunities that we find in our lives.  Appreciate the little things that can truly impact us more than we can ever imagine.  Time is fleeting, and the opportunity to gain education is a gift that we MUST appreciate and use to the fullest potential we possibly can.

Good luck to all in the remaining weeks of this quarter.  Semper Fidelis and Semper Paratus.

Whitney T. Nall

Wow...January is over!!!

Can you believe we're right at the end of January??? Where did the time go???? We're already into 2013!!
I'm excited!! Not only did I complete my Culinary Arts degree last month but I only have one more class to take and I'll be receiving my Personal/Private Chef degree as well!! 

I'm enjoying the ins and outs of the personal/private chef class with Chef Smith.  He's such a knowledgeable man! Not only does he know a lot of things, but he doesn't mind sharing his wealth of knowledge and being brutally honest in sharing his achievements, successes and even failures.  I'm very confident in knowing that I will be able to succeed in my goal of having a personal/private chef business in the near future with his instruction and insight.

Alona Beasley-Jenkins
Culinarian Extraordinare :)

Well, we've just finished week 5 and midterms and it's seemed like a long road to get to this point but it's somewhat downhill from here for the rest of the winter quarter. One thing I'm grateful for is that the Student Veterans Association, Chapter 227 received a new faculty sponsor this quarter and we're back up and running with what looks like a bright future and an opportunity to give back to both the community and the veterans that give us our rights and freedoms - without them we couldn't do many of the things we do. Valentine's day is just around the corner which also means spring is around the corner as well, briniging with it a time of renewal and growth. Looking forward to finishing this quarter and seeing what the rest of the year holds: if its anything like this quarter, then it will definitely be a challenge.

Gil

A Busy Start to the Year!

I recently completed the curriculum required for my Culinary Arts degree.  The only other obstacle I need to tackle is my internship, which I started in December.  I also took a position as a Chef Apprentice at a local, casual fine dining restaurant.  After the holidays were over, I started right in to full-time work, full-time school, and an internship.  It has been hard to juggle but I've already accomplished a lot in the first half of this quarter.

I had many choices for my internship but decided upon Winston's Restaurant in order to stay within the Sullivan system to continuing build my rapport throughout the University as well as to take advantage of the opportunity to work with Chef John Castro.  At Winston's, I do prep and work the saute station during service.  Although business is not as crazy as some of the restaurants I have worked in, I have benefited from Chef Castro's vast knowledge.  My diligence during downtime has paid off; I was offered the Sous Chef position.  While the offer was an honor, I had to turn it down as my schedule could not handle the requirements of the job right now.  Sometimes, it is difficult to turn down great opportunities but I believe it is better to have too many opportunities than none at all!

Last month, I posted about an event I worked at the end of November, a charity auction for The March of Dimes.  I got paired up with Chef Harold Baker, the Executive Chef of Gary's on Spring.  A few days after the event, he called me and offered me a Chef Apprentice position.  Once again, my hard work paid off.  Since then, I have worked under Chef Baker at Gary's.  I am mainly working in Pantry making salads, appetizers, and desserts but I have also been able to cross-train on the other stations.  I am definitely looking forward to seeing what else Gary's has to offer me.  It has been a great experience so far!

Other than juggling both jobs, I am continuing to work on my Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management. It is a little more difficult to get through the lecture classes when I no longer have my culinary labs every week, but I am working hard and getting through.  Every day, I am reminded of why I made the decision to go through the Culinary program at Sullivan University.

I leave you with a saying that has stuck with my since high school.  Our class had a slogan that we created freshman year and lived through senior year: "YOGOWYPI," pronounced "yo-go-whippy."  While it may sound silly when you say it out loud but the meaning is much more: "You Only Get Out What You Put In."  Remember that the next time you face a challenge.

Hayley Charron

First year - done

I can not believe it, but I have completed my first year as a student! This is a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. The past year has been full of school, homework, studying, and work. I have listened to class mates complain about their grades, and how they have no time to study because they have so many things to do. It amazes me how someone can make the decision to go back to school, or for a different degree, and not be fully committed to it. I probably have not had much of a social life this past year, but I am getting something done. Why would someone repeat a class once or twice, delay their graduation and pay for it over and over again? Was it worth the time spent at the mall? But I guess everybody has to decide for themselves where their priorities are. I am glad that my husband has been so understanding!

Now there are only two more quarters left until I complete my associate's degree, and then I will continue on to the bachelor's. Considering how fast this first year went by I think the rest of it will go by just as fast.

Claudia

so i just won the pellegrino almost famous north central regionals that were held at kendall college in chicago. i was so shocked and honored to win. i will be heading to napa valley in california to represent sullivan university in the nationals. i am so excited and so grateful to sullivan for this opportunity. two years ago i was a bartender and i had no idea where my life was going. i knew i loved food and that i needed to find a career that i could grow in and love. i had no idea it would lead me here! thanks to the chefs and teachers at sullivan i have gone above and beyond the expectations i had for myself and there really is no way to express how grateful i am.

the world is waiting for you if you have the ambition to take it!

kamisha jones

Fortunate

You know going back to school for me was such a huge decision, I was nervous...It would be such a significant change in my life.....

See, I already have my Bachelors degree and was faced with my third career change in life.  I really had to think long and hard about what would I enjoy doing on a daily basis.  Where would I take my experiences, business knowledge, skill set and strengths?  Where would I make an impact....

It took me a almost 6 months to make this decision!  You see this is my time and my dime....my loan to pay back....so a financial investment as well for me and my family.
I came to Sullivan with two choices in mind....I first met with Admissions and they (Fawn) were great.  She understood where I was at and helped me to further research my two choices.

I emailed and called Ms. Schenkenfelder, Director of the Pharmacy Technician Program, and she took the time to meet with me, to offer hands on knowledge of the career choices after completion of the program.  She offered an insight to the classes and instructors.  She listened to my research and what I thought I could bring to this career change.  It was a delighful and insightful meeting. 

I selected the Pharmacy Technician program so that one day I could make a new path for myself, another career change.  I can see so many ways that this path can direct me, so many opportunites for me to chose from as I move forward. 

I am so glad that I made this choice as I feel it was the right one for me. I feel so lucky to have chosen Sullivan, met such knowledged and professional instructors, supported by such good staff as well.  I am proud to say as well, that I have many new friends too!  I feel that I will have so much to offer in my new career path.

Take the time to do your research, to find where you feel you best fit.  Don't be afraid by a change as my friends we will have many changes in our lives and we go through our journeys!  Good luck to each of you in your decisions and career path (s).

EdieJo Morreau

2012 Has been AAAMMMAAZING!

Well, a day late and a dollar short is nothing out of the norm for me these days. Of course it is Jan 1st and I missed the December deadline, but if that was all that has happened I am doing fine. 2012 has brought some of the biggest life achievements for me. In May my other half, my best friend proposed to me. In October I walked with my first of two degrees. In November I broke ground on my first business. And in December I was able to open the doors. Not a bad year if you ask me.

Now with all this being said, it is no wonder why I am a day late. Running a business, especially a bar/ restaurant is something I have always dreamed of doing. Now did I dream of the 60+ hour work weeks, Not really. However it has been so fulfilling and an awesome time each and every day.I have hired a Sullivan Culinary student and handed him my kitchen. Ben continues to blow away my guests with his food. I spend most of my time concocting drink behind the bar and coming up with the next tid bit of knowledge to teach the next guest who may enquire. Our grand opening featuring Dave Pickerell of Whistle Pig Rye went awesome. Just a fantastic feeling to see MATCH growing into the business of my dreams.

 

School is beginning again tomorrow and will add another challenge to my already thick schedule. I would not have my life any other way though. I am not one for having a spare minute. Thanks to my wonderful new Kindle Fire HD from Christmas I can sit and complete my online classes from anywhere:) I truly hope everyone had a great 2012 and that 2013 brings the same:)
Cheers
Veronica Shipman

A New Year at the Halfway Mark

It's a new year now and hard to believe I've only been at Sullivan for a year and am already halfway done with my degree. This last year has been a polar opposite to my previous experiences at a larger college.
Sullivan has been amazing at creating an atmosphere of learning without the "pressure cooker" environment. Class sizes are small enough that the teachers can connect with students and offer the lessons in depth and focus on the needs of everyone in the class.
Many people start feeling run down and want to take a break at this point, but because of the focused programs at Sullivan make it much easier to push through and reach the end. So for the folks who are getting close to the end, be sure and get in touch with the Career Services to help with resumes and practice interviews. As for the new students entering Sullivan, enjoy your time and get all you can from your program.
Welcome to 2013 everyone, make it the year of life changes!