Profiles - About Alumni for May 2009

President’s Outstanding Alumni-Prescott: Shirley Johnson, 2003-04, FTO/CPR/EVOC

Shirley writes “Starting school at Yavapai College was the beginning of putting down roots in the unfamiliar territory of Arizona.” She earned her first degree, an Associates of Science, in 2004. Shortly after graduating, she decided to continue her education in the EMS division to earn the Emergency Medical Technician degree.

While attending required classes, she was also a student worker in the YC Central Receiving Department as the Delivery Technician. She assisted Reed Winfrey in the day to day operations of Receiving. “I was timid at first - working hard at school, as well for the Receiving Department. It took me a while to learn the ropes of the job, tie in school commitments and the demands of being a single mother. It was a hard road to hoe, but a life worth living is a life worth working for.” She quickly learned all the ins and outs and started to recognize how to balance her time between family/social and work/school.

Shirley became very familiar with all of YC’s departments and liaison infrastructure, and also with the community of Yavapai County. “The College became my second home, and the college teachers and department employees were as familiar as family. To be friendly, helpful and committed are part of my core values, and the way the employees of Yavapai Collage treated me was a reflection of the way they valued my work and me as a person.”

Shirley left the college to pursue a career in EMS with Lifeline Ambulance. In the first year of service, she completed several special training courses; the Emergency Vehicle's Operating Chores Instructor, the Basic Life Skills Critical Care Unit training; and her Field Training Officer certificate - which is ability to teach company Standard Operating Procedures. She also completed her CPR instructor rating. She is now one of the first people the company has utilized to train and orientate new hires to the job.

Last year Shirley was honored to be asked to join Yavapai College’s board for the EMS Department. This board gives recommendations to help instructors with classes, and assists in setting up functional day to day practicalities for operations to meet the needs of students and instructors. “I hope to always be a part of the college and hope to positively influence the lives of the people I care so much about. My future endeavors include coming back to Yavapai College to pursue a career in Registered Nursing.”

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President’s Outstanding Alumni-Prescott: Tom Robbins, 1974, Graphic Arts

Tom Robbins was an excellent art student in Dick Marcusen’s Yavapai Art classes. He matriculated from Yavapai to Northern Arizona University. He distinguished himself in the Art Department at NAU and graduated. To support his family in the Prescott, He founded Kopavi Construction in Prescott and has built many fine homes and business here.

Robbins serves beautifully as an example of a homegrown Prescott and Yavapai County citizen - a member of a four-generation local family who stayed on in Prescott and supported a rich family tradition of service to Y. C. and our community. An astonishing aspect of this account is that without exception every member of this four-generation family has attended classes at Yavapai College, Tom’s grandfather (Fred Phillips), his dad, Tom, his brother Tim, and his two sons, Asa and Jesse. This interesting list also includes most of their wives many who still attend regularly. So… four generations of Robbins family experienced renewed potential by enrolling at Y.C. from its founding until now.

Tom has been involved with several organizations over the past years where he has spent much time doing service to this community.

Tom and his sons are all Eagle Scouts. The boys were inspired to accomplish the level of scouting not by Tom insisting they become Eagles, but by him telling them the stories of the fun times he had and great joy he had in doing the work with scouting in becoming an Eagle. Tom helps with Cub Scouts Den 6, Boy Scouts Troop 7, and Troop 1. He’s involved in numerous scout projects such as the annual rain gutter boat race, the annual pine wood derby, sailing on the Argosy, (the Boy Scouts of America Training Ship), ALL the scouting trips in, around, and out of the state and into Mexico, summer scout camp at Camp Raymond, extensive trail work, and assisting with Camp-a-Ree. He has given financial donations, donations of materials as well as contacting and finding contractors in the city to donate their time and materials for projects for scouts to accomplish their projects.

Tom also assists at the small local charter school, Skyview, on Rush Street where Mrs. Pam Robbins teaches. Skyview is an Arts-based school. Tom helped to build their beautiful outdoor Greek Theater. He also, over the past 12 years, has given numerous hours, significant financial donations, loaned and donated equipment, and is ever available to help the staff, students and their families maintain quality instruction for Skyview’s students. Skyview school is has close relations with the educational department at Yavapai College.

Once the Smoki Museum became oriented to becoming a museum to educating and sharing the perspective and preservation of Native Americans, Tom decided to enthusiastically assist within the working of the organization. He has served on the Board, assisted in the annual rug auction, and as usual became involved in several construction and refurbishing projects. The Exterior garden project between the museum and pueblo was headed up by Tom. It was starting as an Eagle Project by having the “hole” dug into the ground. Without someone volunteering to do this part the garden area would not have been able to have been started or reach its present state.

Through a number of years Judge, Bob Keebler had Tom assist with coaching, and doing several volunteer jobs for the Little League/Baseball/Soccer association.

Tom contributes to making all our lives in this area better particularly in education and youth related areas. We’re proud to have him as an alumnus.

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President’s Outstanding Alumni-Prescott: Michael Taylor, R.A., Class of 1985, Architecture and Construction

Michael Taylor was nominated for the President’s Outstanding Alumni of the Year Award by Chuck Walker, a past President of the Yavapai College Foundation. “While Michael does not seek the bright lights, he is an excellent candidate for the nomination of Yavapai College Graduate who has made an outstanding commitment to our community. He has architecturally designed landmarks that will live in Prescott for many decades to come. He gives back to our community in a quiet way, not seeking publicity or fanfare by doing many non-profit projects. He is an ideal candidate for what I believe the award recognizes.”

Michael attended Yavapai College and was trained in architecture and construction, receiving his AAS Degree in 1985. For twenty–four years, he has served our community by designing and overseeing construction for public and private buildings that visually and functionally impact our area. You will undoubtedly recognize some of his more notable projects. He designed Yavapai College’s Del E. Webb Family Enrichment Center, and is tickled that his twin granddaughters, Alexis and Brookelyn, were in the schools’ first class. Tim’s Toyota, the new 41,000 square foot dealership, Summit Plaza, and Founders Bank are also his projects. He has constructed several area churches and a number of new Central Yavapai Fire District facilities. The above are just a few of his many projects in our area.

He is a generous man in volunteering his time for community activities. Because of his strong interest in education, he served on the JTED committee that spearheaded the passing of that initiative in our last elections. He is proud of his involvement in the Greater Prescott Area Prayer Breakfast. He also currently serves on the Prescott City Manager’s Committee for reform of the development process within the city. Other organizations benefiting from his time were the Central Arizona Partnership, The APS Growth Forum, and the Prescott Preservation commission, to name a few.

For almost fourteen years Michael has organized off road rally races that take place on the Prescott area service roads. He loves the outdoors - camps, and explores the Southwest backcountry by jeep, often with his family. Michael grew up jeeping and is keeping the family tradition alive. One of their favorite family destinations is Colorado.

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President’s Outstanding Alumni-Verde: Randall Garrison, Associate of General Ed.-Fall 1990, Associate of Applied Science Computer Information Systems-Spring 1997, Phi Theta Kappa-Fall 2000

I am honored to nominate Mr. Randy Garrison for the President’s Outstanding Alumni Award. You will find Randy is a man who possesses the attributes worthy of this distinction. Randy attended Yavapai College where he earned two degrees before graduating Summa Cum Lade at Northern Arizona University. He accomplished this while working full time and caring for his family.

The Garrison family is one of the early pioneers of the Upper Verde Valley. In the late 1800’s, Randy’s great, great grandfather and his sons struck out from Nevada to find a better life. Traveling for two years the men finally drove their herd of cattle over Mingus Mountain and down into old Cottonwood, where the family ran a cattle ranch and later a dairy. The need for clean water resulted in the Garrisons drilling a well and putting in a holding tank. As more people moved into the area they ran pipes from the Garrison tank and before long the Cottonwood Water Works was born. The family owned the water company for over 100 years before recently selling to the City of Cottonwood. Prior to the sale, Randy continued in the footsteps of his grandparents and ran the water company with his father for over twenty years. Today Randy is in land development with Casmir Properties, LLC.

Randy’s pioneer roots have instilled in him a strong work ethic. His ongoing desire to grow and learn led him to Yavapai College in 1990. He began by taking classes that appealed to him, enjoying the study as well as the many interesting people he met. Randy took a class every semester at Yavapai with the exception of the semester his daughter Shelby was born. Shelby had a very difficult early life and spent time in Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Randy’s commitment at that time was to his wife Debbie, and their daughter Shelby.

Commitment is one word I would use to describe Randy Garrison. His community involvement has been extraordinary and he makes Cottonwood a better place in which to live. After serving on the School Board of Mingus Union High School for two years, Randy was selected for the Board of the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District and is currently the President of that Board. Mr. Garrison is a dedicated leader; always ready to commit the time and energy needed to provide a quality education for the students. He is a pleasure to work with and is respected by staff and administration for being a fair and supportive board member. Randy is an advocate for all children, especially those with special needs, understanding firsthand the amount of time and energy a disabled child requires. He is committed to insuring that all children have the opportunity to learn in a loving environment.

Randy serves on many committees for the City of Cottonwood; most noteworthy is his work with the Economic Development Council where he has been the chair for two years. Because Yavapai College holds a special place in Randy’s heart, he has become an active member of the Greater Verde Valley Chapter of the Yavapai College Foundation. Randy spends many hours each month attending meetings, assuring that Yavapai College continues to be a positive addition to the entire Verde Valley community.

I sincerely hope that I have done justice to fine work Randy Garrison has contributed to this community. He has been a student and a scholar. He works diligently to insure that public education performs well for students of all ages. He is committed to his community and to his family. He is an inspiring leader who does not seek personal recognition, but is willing to give of his time and intelligence to make his community a better place in which to live.

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President’s Outstanding Alumni-Verde: Andrea Swavee

Andrea is the Office Manager for Student Affairs at the Verde Valley Campus of Yavapai College. Along with this responsibility comes being in charge of Registration at the Verde Valley Campus and being an assistant to Barbie Duncan the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs on the Verde Valley Campus. Andrea graduated from Yavapai College and went on to get not only her BS degree, but just last spring she completed her M. Ed. She helps to plan and coordinate both Evening of Recognition and Commencement on the Verde Valley Campus.

Andrea goes above and beyond in everything that she does. She is a help to everyone on campus, and through her example of leadership, she is an inspiration to all Yavapai College students who come into Registration to be helped. Andrea participates in Relay for Life and the Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowling for Kids Sake. She also helps keep score at the Mingus Union High School Cross Country events.

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