SCJ student Garrett McLain was astounded to have received a once in a lifetime offer from the University of Oxford. McLain aced the grueling admissions process for the three year Bachelor of Arts program of Philosophy and Theology at one of the world's most recognized schools, but that was the easy part. Raising the money to fulfill his dream of attending Oxford will prove to be a whole different story.

Think of the coolest thing you've ever gotten in class. It could be a pencil for getting the only A on a test. Maybe it's a gold star for having perfect attendance for a whole semester. It could even be a huge bag of quarters for winning the citywide prize bowl. Well, how does a free iPad 2 sound to you? Pretty fantastic, right?

World-renowned blues man Austin "Walkin' Cane" Charanghat wowed FSCJ students with his soulful repertoire, performing at all FSCJ campuses and the Deerwood Center Jan. 23-26. Charanghat's musical talent has taken him all over the world, playing festivals in Australia, Nepal and France, but Chranghat has always held college campuses in high regard, as he's been performing at FSCJ for more than five years.

When you smile and say hello to a stranger, is it disrespectful for them not to respond? When you go to lunch with a friend, is it rude for them to text while you are talking? These are just a few of the questions raised at this year's first Socrates Café at South Campus Jan. 18.

Thirty percent of college students feel overwhelmed with stress, according to Traci Irven, a lead wellness facilitator for Corporate Care Works. The company is providing the services behind FSCJ's new Student Assistance Program, a program dedicated to helping students through their scholarly struggles. Irven was at Kent Campus on Wednesday, Jan. 18, to talk to students about the program and give advice to those who have more on their plate than they can chew.

FSCJ professor Dr. Davina Jones has a message for the city of Jacksonville: We all need support sometimes, and there are people in Jacksonville who will help us. Inspiring Success That Equals Purpose (ISTEP), the company Jones started with her father, Archbishop David A. Jones, partnered up with the Turkish Cultural Center to hold a seminar featuring guest speakers Dr. Sue Decker and Mayor Alvin Brown at the Deerwood Center on Jan. 30.

James Williams nearly didn't graduate from high school. His problems began in early childhood after his parents divorced. He moved back and forth between parents, switching elementary schools more than 10 times. James struggled to keep up, failing the third grade twice, and he eventually ended up at an alternative school after being kicked out of Kirby Smith in the 7th grade for fighting.

The Environmental Science program at FSCJ provides students with an opportunity to help save the environment an work in the great outdoors. The program is designed to provide students with basic skills, knowledge and abilities in the fields of environmental compliance and technology. According to a 2010 U.S. News and World Report study, Environmental Science is one of America's 50 Best Careers.

Money management seminar teaches budgeting skills

For the majority of broke college students, a penny saved is a miracle. On Nov. 8, Paul McMillian, a branch manager for Wells Fargo, talked to over 80 Kent campus students about how to make money management less painful. McMillian helped participants demystify the important but often incomprehensible credit score and tackled the challenge of making a budget that any student can stick to. Our nation's high unemployment rate is no secret, and college students are among the hardest-hit by the job shortage. For this reason, budgeting is a critically important skill for struggling students.

Aleah Roundy armed herself with a guitar and took to the stage Oct. 27 to begin Open Mic day at FSCJ's South Campus. Covering Gravity by Sara Bareilles to begin the festivities, Roundy was first to perform on the chaotic day. "It's my favorite song to play. I think It's really deep, something I really view and connect with, and if there's an opportunity to play at FSCJ, why not? I freaking love singing."