Scholarship Fund Established at VGCC in Memory of Local Teacher

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Friends and colleagues of the late Robert C. Pirie, Jr., have established a scholarship fund in his memory at Vance-Granville Community College.

Pirie passed away in May at the age of 75. A Vance County native, he was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, including service in Vietnam. He retired from the Vance County school system after teaching for more than 30 years, primarily at Zeb Vance Elementary School.

From left, Mike Bullard, Billy Horner, Wanda Bullard and VGCC Endowment Director Eddie Ferguson meet to discuss plans for the scholarship in memory of Robert Pirie. (VGCC photo)

Retired educators Michael and Wanda Bullard, along with Pirie’s best friend, Billy Horner, and his wife, Patricia Horner, helped set up the scholarship at VGCC. “I was a student of Mr. Pirie’s during his first year of teaching and then had the honor of teaching with him for 12 years,” Wanda Bullard said. “He encouraged me to become a teacher and then became my mentor. We became very close and I thought of him as a second father. I am one of many that he encouraged and supported.”

Bullard noted that Pirie received several awards for his math teaching abilities. He also coached the Zeb Vance Eagles Pee Wee football team for many years and was well-respected in the school system and the community. She recalled that Pirie and Horner shared a love of college sports, attending numerous Duke University home football games and ACC basketball tournaments together.

When Pirie struggled with health issues in his later years, Bullard and Horner helped take care of him. “He was like family to both of us,” Bullard said. “We wanted to start the scholarship in his name as a way to continue his legacy of encouragement and support of students being the best they can be.”

“We are touched that those who knew and worked with Mr. Pirie, those he taught and those he inspired, have been generous and thoughtful enough to honor his memory through a scholarship,” said VGCC Endowment Director Eddie Ferguson. “When fully endowed, this new scholarship will help VGCC students continue their education, and that’s a perfect way to pay tribute to an outstanding educator.”

Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 9,400 scholarships to students since 1982. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff.

Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education.

For more information or to make a contribution to help fully endow this scholarship, call Kay Currin at (252) 738-3409.

Contributions to the scholarship fund can be mailed to the Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund, at P.O. Box 917, Henderson, NC 27536.

VGCC Holds Convocation, Recognizes Employees’ Years of Service

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-Information and photos courtesy Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College held Convocation on Friday, August 16, 2019, at the Main Campus in Henderson.

Faculty and staff with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service were recognized and are pictured below.

5 Years of Service (front row, seated, left to right) Dr. Erica Fleming, Julie Hicks, Erin Folz (second row, left to right) Leslie Hurt, Stacey Soles, Victoria Whited, April Rossi, Melanie Copeland, Faith Harris, Stephen Barney (third row, left to right) Stewart Lyon, Isaac Talley, Robert Newby, Gregory Wilson, Steven Graham, Luther Curtis, Wallace Evans, Ken Wilson, Mike Brodie.

10 Years of Service (front row, left to right) Frankie Frink, Veta Pierce-Cappetta, MaryBeth Vick (back row, left to right) Sean Newton, Lyndon Hall.

15 Years of Service (left to right) Rusty Pace, Dr. Tracey Carter, Lisa Edwards.

20 Years of Service (seated, left to right) Julie Jones, Wille Mae Foster-Hill, Jennifer Allen (standing) Craig Saunders.

25 Years of Service (left to right) Susan Cease, Donna Gill, Tomeka Carter.

30 Years of Service Larraine Abbott.

VGCC’s 50th Anniversary Celebration to Include Food Truck Rodeo, Live Music

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Vance-Granville Community College invites the public to join administrators, faculty, students and staff in a celebratory event, sponsored by Duke Energy, in honor of the college’s “50 Years of Excellence Since 1969.”

This “golden” anniversary celebration will include a food truck rodeo on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, from 4:30 until 7:30 p.m. at the gazebo of the Main Campus in Henderson (200 Community College Road).

The band “Liquid Pleasure” will also be entertaining the crowd with live music.

*Please note that alcoholic beverages and drugs are strictly prohibited at VGCC. 

VGCC Grad Pursues NCSU Degree Through New Partnership  

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Ethan Cole starts his first semester as a full-time student at North Carolina State University on August 21, making history as a pioneer in a partnership between NCSU and his former school, Vance-Granville Community College.

Cole, who hails from Kittrell, enrolled at VGCC after graduating from Franklin Academy High School in 2017. The next year, VGCC joined N.C. State’s Community College Collaboration, or “C3,” program, and Cole was among the first to sign up. Essentially, that meant he would apply for dual-enrollment and then be guaranteed admission to NCSU to earn a baccalaureate degree, once he had completed an associate degree at VGCC while maintaining good grades.

Ethan Cole (pictured here) starts his first semester as a full-time student at North Carolina State University on August 21, making history as a pioneer in a partnership between NCSU and his former school, Vance-Granville Community College. (VGCC photo)

For Cole, it was an ideal way to pursue a longtime dream. “I already knew I wanted to go to N.C. State when I first enrolled at Vance-Granville,” he said. “I’ve had that goal for many years. My dad went there, we’re Wolfpack fans in my family, and I knew it was a good school for things like business and engineering.”

The new C3 program presented Cole with a chance to get “a foot in the door to the university,” he said. “Not a whole lot of people knew about it at the time, but it seemed like a good avenue to go down, so I went for it.”

Cole completed what he recalled as a straightforward NCSU application process, was accepted, and met with Martha Harmening, the C3 director from the university, for advising. She came to the VGCC campus, so Cole did not even have to drive to Raleigh.

“She helped me to know the right classes for my major,” Cole said. “I told her that, initially, I had been thinking I would study business administration after transferring from VGCC to N.C. State, but then I started thinking about moving to engineering, particularly mechanical engineering. She explained the criteria and the classes I needed to be accepted specifically into the engineering program.”

By enrolling in C3, Cole was technically an NCSU student, even though he was taking VGCC classes. Getting into the competitive engineering program was never guaranteed, however.

After graduating from Vance-Granville with an Associate in Science earlier this year, Cole took a single chemistry class at another community college in order to become eligible for his chosen major. “I’ve now been accepted into the engineering program,” he said. “I am particularly interested in engineering on the automotive side, developing newer, more efficient vehicles.”

With his VGCC credits in hand, Cole is scheduled to graduate from the university in 2022, for a total of five years in higher education.

He feels that the community college has prepared him well for the next level. “One of the best things VGCC has is the atmosphere of being around other students who are focused and trying to do their best, and that keeps you focused, too,” Cole reflected. “Also, the teachers are down to earth and give extra time and attention to their students.”

Cole excelled as a student, earning Presidential Scholar Award-level endowed academic scholarships, making the Dean’s List and working as a peer tutor at the VGCC Academic Skills Center.

Now, he is looking forward to new experiences at N.C. State, continuing to learn and preparing to start a career.

“The C3 program helps students to transfer and to have a guaranteed spot at N.C. State,” Cole said. “I would recommend it to people who want to get a four-year degree, especially if they are still searching for what they want to major in because it gives you some security and another option.”

Students who may apply for C3 include graduating high school seniors as well as current community college students who have completed less than 30 credit hours of college work.

For more information, contact VGCC’s Admissions Office at (252) 738-3234 or click here for additional details on the C3 program.

VGCC President Recognizes Faculty & Staff Member of the Year

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College President Dr. Rachel Desmarais recently presented medallions to honor the college’s faculty and staff members of the year for 2018-19. The medallions are provided by the National Institute for Staff & Organizational Development (NISOD) at The University of Texas at Austin as part of its excellence awards program, in which VGCC participates.

Stewart Lyon, honored as the outstanding faculty member, is the Program Head for Bioprocess Technology and was previously a Biology instructor for the college. He has been a VGCC faculty member for the past five-and-a-half years. “Serving at VGCC has been an awesome experience,” Lyon said. “We have a great community of faculty, staff, and students. I’m happy to be able to grow here.”

Blondelle T. Edgerton, the college’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) director, was recognized as the staff member of the year. A Louisburg resident, Edgerton has 24 years of service with VGCC.  “Working at VGCC has been a very rewarding experience, especially seeing our students mature and become successful,” she said.

From left to right: Stewart Lyon, Dr. Rachel Desmarais and Blondelle Edgerton. (VGCC Photo)

VGCC to Offer FREE Six-Part Series on Creating Digital Business Marketing

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-Information courtesy Sheri Jones, Director, VGCC Small Business Center

Small Business Six-Part Series on Creating a Digital Marketing Blueprint for Business

In a world where digital marketing reigns, the rules seem to constantly fluctuate. Small business owners need resources they can rely on that are easy to manage while maintaining all the other aspects of running a business. This six-part series provides small business owners with a blueprint, or framework, that will give them the knowledge and tools they need to successfully market their business in today’s online world.

Attendees who are present at each of the six 2-hour seminars will receive a 12-hour certificate of completion at the conclusion of the series.

Dates and times for each day in the series are listed below. These events will take place at the Thornton Library, 210 Main Street in Oxford, with instructor Melanie Diehl. Sessions are limited to 18 participants and lunch will be provided.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own technology, but laptops will be available for use during the seminars if needed.  It is important that participants also bring login information for their social media accounts.

To register for this series, please visit https://www.vgcc.edu/coned/small-business-center/#schedules

August 12, 2019

Lesson 1: Creating a Digital Marketing Blueprint for Your Business (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.)

Description: Before launching any marketing campaign it’s important to know what your business needs and why you need it. Not all businesses need to be on all platforms. Learn about the basics that will get your business started online and best practices for implementing additional platforms, or if you even need them!

Lesson 2: Identifying your Target Market (1 – 3 p.m.)

Description: Not everyone is your potential customer or client. In this session, we discuss how to identify your target market (aka Avatar) and how to create messages that they connect with and how to reach them where they are.

September 16, 2019

Lesson 3: Websites and Point of Sale Systems for your Business (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.)

Description: Your website is the one piece of the internet you actually own. There are multiple options for creating a website, from a single landing page to a multiple page site with customer access and shopping carts and more. How will you make online selling easy? In this session, learn from a panel of experts about websites and POS systems and determine what’s best for your small business.

Lesson 4: Email Marketing for your Small Business (1 – 3 p.m.)

Description: Email marketing has a 90% deliverability rate and an average of 38x ROI. Done right, it can really drive sales and brand awareness for your small business. This seminar will help you avoid common mistakes and maximize your emails for powerful impact!

October 14, 2019

Lesson 5: Facebook Marketing for your Small Business (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.)

Description: Learn the latest strategies for using Facebook to market your business: what’s new and why it’s important; the difference between a Facebook profile, a page, business manager and ads manager. Learn the difference between Facebook ads and boosted posts, and about groups and bots. Pre-requisite: Facebook personal profile AND Facebook business page.

Lesson 6: Harnessing the Power of Instagram (1 – 3 p.m.)

Description: With over 500 million monthly active users on Instagram, your business has the potential to reach, engage, and build a massive community on Instagram. But where do you start? Join us for this seminar where we will cover how to build your Instagram brand, the ins and outs of Instagram and hashtags. Bring your device and be ready for some hands-on time to practice what you learn in class. Pre-requisite: Instagram account.

SPONSORED BY:

Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation, Thornton Library and the VGCC Small Business Center.

VGCC Names 235 Students to President’s and Dean’s Lists

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College 

Vance-Granville Community College has announced that 106 students earned President’s List academic honors and another 126 earned Dean’s List academic honors for the spring 2019 semester, while three earned such honors for the summer 2019 term.

The President’s List recognizes students who achieved a perfect 4.0 grade-point average (GPA) while carrying a “full load” (of at least 12 credit hours) in 100-level or higher curriculum courses. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student had to earn a GPA that was at least 3.5 but less than 4.0, and have no grade lower than “B,” while carrying a “full load” of such courses.

Spring Semester President’s List honorees are listed below by program of study and then by residence.

Accounting & Finance:

Trina M. Leapley of Louisburg;

Aidan Colvin of Raleigh.

Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology:

Hubert T. McDonald of Bahama;

Zavious D. Oakley of Oxford.

Associate in Arts:

Clay T. Boyd and Rickelle T. Harrison, both of Creedmoor;

Sarah R. Frizzle and Kimberly Ross, both of Franklinton;

Mason B. Boone, Emani’ D. Foster, Emily Y. Isidro, Angelica N. Montano, Caroline A. Nutt, Joseph E. Penny, Brian Ramirez, Josie M. Roberson, Alondra M. Torres-Ornelas and Hannah D. Wells, all of Henderson;

Ashley E. Bolling of Kittrell;

Christian L. Jamgochian of Louisburg;

Christy L. Beasley, Spencer B. Boyd, Jacob N. Carver, Ker’Telian S. Fields and Alexander C. Wilkinson, all of Oxford;

Brittany L. Petrimoulx of Stem;

Kamiyah E. Wiggins of Townsville;

Luc Henry of Wake Forest.

Associate in General Education – General Science:

Kyra E. Corrigan of Wake Forest.

Associate in Science:

James Geary of Franklinton;

Amanda J. Cease, Tanisha Davis and Evin F. Swilley, all of Henderson;

Monica A. Botros and Isaac A. Saleh, both of Oxford;

Quavion C. Basyden of Willard.

Automotive Systems Technology:

David D. Bragg of Franklinton;

Toby J. Bradsher, III, of Henderson;

Xavier Durham of Warrenton.

Business Administration:

Charlene A. Kearney of Creedmoor.

College Transfer Pathway:

Michael E. Slaton of Henderson;

Jillian Hanchey of Louisburg;

Erica L. Evitts of Oxford;

Jacob A. Comer and Kristina K. Durham, both of Rougemont;

Paige B. Biallas, Jillian Stegemann and Eric Walston, all of Wake Forest;

Rose M. O’Malley of Warrenton;

Rebecca Lynam of Youngsville;

Micah D. Hall of Zebulon.

Cosmetology:

MacKenzie D. Hutson, Irina Z. Letts and Skylar N. Mulhollen, all of Henderson;

Kristen L. Smith of Raleigh;

Janice P. Shehata of Warrenton;

Kelley R. Oakley of Youngsville.

Criminal Justice:

Tanya Beal Smith of Butner;

Alexis R. Lincoln of Franklinton;

Brooke T. Bendel of Louisburg;

Mikayla Pendergrass of Stem.

 Early Childhood Education:

Courtney Crute of Bullock;

Stephanie L. Griffin of Creedmoor;

Milena F. Nelsen of Franklinton;

Lakee’ D. Steed and Rochelle D. Williams, both of Henderson;

Catherine A. Mendell of Oxford.

Histotechnology:

Melissa B. Anderson of Butner;

Michael A. Parziale of Cary;

Linda J. Livingston of Louisburg;

Rawia Dafalla of Raleigh.

Human Services Technology/Substance Abuse:

Christian A. Hargrove of Oxford.

Information Technology:

Robert D. Osborne of Franklinton;

David B. Ayscue, Jr., and Koty R. Glover, both of Henderson;

Ebony Thomas of Kittrell;

Spencer B. Duncan of Louisburg;

Emily Durling of Oxford.

Medical Assisting:

Destini L. Foster of Butner;

Katie A. Fuller, Danielle B. Groves and Kaylor M. Lawrence, all of Creedmoor;

Briana T. Barnwell and Crystal C. Williams, both of Louisburg.

Medical Office Administration:

Beverly Fearrington of Chapel Hill;

Margaret Avery, Kelsey B. Ivey, Maryjo M. Parks and Jerri L. Wilson, all of Henderson;

Robin E. Dorsett, Shalinda L. White and Elizabeth L. Wiggins, all of Louisburg;

Felicia B. Fuller of Oxford.

Paralegal Technology:

Evelyn Nolasco and Brandol J. Pahuamba, both of Louisburg;

Jennifer C. Norton of Wake Forest.

Radiography:

Paige D. Snider of Creedmoor;

Kacie L. Gann of Durham;

Kimberly Henderson of Raleigh;

Jesslyn E. Bader and Megan T. Whitman, both of Youngsville.

Supply Chain Management:

Jerome W. Richardson of Oxford.

Welding Technology:

Sean M. Stephenson of Creedmoor;

Lacy E. Hidalgo-Gato of Franklinton;

Sarah L. Fowler of Oxford;

Jacob K. Cash of Raleigh.

 

Spring Semester Dean’s List honorees are listed below by program of study and then by residence.

Accounting & Finance:

Joseph Sill of Louisburg.

Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology:

Christian A. Dockum of Creedmoor;

Tyrell Terry of Henderson;

Russell W. Hinnant of Youngsville.

Associate in Arts:

Amir L. Branch of Creedmoor;

Randi A. Bowen, Brittney A. Smith and Ashley L. Woods, all of Franklinton;

Areli Clemente, Danielle Daniels, Alejandro Duran, Jorge Alberto M. Gomez, Kaitlyn M. Harris, Aaliyah S. Jackson, Isaiah A. Johen, Jadyn M. Jones, Wendy H. Jordan, Evan A. O’Geary, Nychelle M. Robinson, Jessica A. Steed, Saray Trejo-Vega and Cristian J. Ventura, all of Henderson;

Robert J. Holovnia, Bethany R. Lee and Kaleb M. Pulley, all of Louisburg;

Chance P. Taylor of Omaha, Nebraska;

Savannah L. Brogden, Daniel F. Burnette, Calli S. Massey, Alyssa M. Thorpe, Erin P. Whitt and Hunter S. Wilkins, all of Oxford;

Tyshii L. Scarborough of Rose Hill;

Lily R. Averette of Rougemont;

Conner G. Bryant of Warrenton;

Ashlynn Basnight and Christopher D. Peace, both of Youngsville.

Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts:

Naomi Harrison-Carder of Henderson;

Samantha T. Marchese of Wake Forest.

Associate in General Education – General Science:

Autumn J. Julian of Henderson;

Carly M. West of Littleton;

McKenzie B. Howerton of Rougemont.

Associate in Science:

Joshua N. Meader and Astrid Portillo-Granado, both of Creedmoor;

Jacklyn C. Stanley of Durham;

Galen J. Day of Franklinton;

Fatima N. Hawter, Dylan T. Jackson, Shadi M. Nagi, Penny Phan and Charne A. Robinson, all of Henderson;

Ethan A. Cole and Brichelle K. Wright, both of Kittrell;

Amber E. Newton of Louisburg;

Keon D. Fogg of Manson;

Emily P. Willis of Norlina.

Business Administration:

Gadiel A. Ogaz of Franklinton;

Tara L. Burwell and Jennifer S. Crabtree, both of Kittrell;

Joseph H. Abbott of Stovall.

College Transfer Pathway:

Emma M. Cascino of Durham;

Mira M. Patel of Henderson;

Abigail D. Dickerson of Oxford;

Lilly A. Day of Youngsville.

 Cosmetology:

Kandace N. Rutter of Creedmoor;

Shanquia M. Coward of Franklinton;

Cannon G. Bigham of Louisburg;

Logan B. Breedlove of Oxford;

Jazmin L. King of Rougemont;

Laura E. O’Hara and Samantha J. Tackema, both of Wake Forest.

Criminal Justice:

Christy P. Valerio of Durham;

Keyla Lewis of Henderson.

Culinary Arts:

Noah O. Hendrick of Oxford.

Early Childhood Education:

Seham H. Mansour of Creedmoor;

Mia B. Harrison of Henderson;

Selita E. Taylor of Louisburg.

Human Services Technology:

Emili J. Hernandez Gaona of Butner.

Human Services Technology/Substance Abuse:

Grace A. Ohlandt of Franklinton;

Noah D. Yeargin of Oxford.

Information Technology:

Douglas Boulia of Creedmoor;

Benjamin A. Johnson and Elizabeth H. Wonsetler, both of Henderson;

Timon W. Bailey of Louisburg;

Lewis K. Carr of Raleigh;

Christopher R. Deitz of Stem;

Cody Brandenburg of Youngsville.

Mechatronics Engineering Technology:

Derek K. Gay of Franklinton;

Herbert H. Davis of Henderson.

Medical Office Administration:

Yamileth D. Portillo of Creedmoor;

Savannah N. Jones of Durham;

Sarah M. Cassell, Ashley A. Hedgepeth, Raeann Johnson, Denise M. Woodard and Roslyn C. Wynn, all of Henderson;

Holly R. Heston of Louisburg;

Lisha T. Harris, KeShonda A. McMannen and Kirstyn S. Woodall, all of Oxford.

Office Administration:

Tonya N. House of Henderson.

Paralegal Technology:

Lastacey D. Burwell of Kittrell;

Megan B. O’Quinn of Oxford;

Monica N. Woodlief of Wake Forest.

Pharmacy Technology:

Katelyn M. Cooper of Henderson;

Dawn C. Irby and Diana Aparicio Rodriguez, both of Oxford.

Radiography:

Shanice D. Alleyne, Karene K. Anderson, Matthew S. Battistel, Dwayne D. Huneycutt and Yvonne A. Stills, all of Creedmoor;

Michelle A. Matthews, Amber D. Peoples and Brooklyn Rooker, all of Henderson;

Angela J. Basili of Hillsborough;

Shayla A. Cash of Louisburg;

Megan I. Proctor of Macon;

Crystal G. Sorrell of Oxford;

Samantha Pierce of Raleigh;

Rubi J. Coyote Baizabal and Treva D. Gordan, both of Roxboro;

Marina E. Rombout of Stem;

Sabrina E. Bedard of Wake Forest.

Welding Technology:

Alexander-Ali M. Khafaga of Louisburg;

Dylan P. Lawson of Oxford.

Summer President’s and Dean’s List honorees are listed below.

President’s List: Spencer B. Boyd of Oxford (Associate in Arts) and Mary W. Wanjiku of Cary (Practical Nursing);

Dean’s List: James Geary of Franklinton (Associate in Science).

VGCC Pins 19 Practical Nursing Graduates

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Nineteen Practical Nursing graduates were honored for their completion of the one-year program at Vance-Granville Community College during a pinning ceremony on July 24 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus.

Upon receiving their diplomas, the graduates are now eligible to sit for the national exam for licensed practical nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Nineteen Practical Nursing graduates were honored for their completion of the one-year program at Vance-Granville Community College during a pinning ceremony on July 24 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus. Front row (L to R): B. Williams, L. Clayton, M. Wanjiku, E. Ogachi, T. Onchiri, M. Casady, S. Mugambi; Second row (L to R): S. Nyambariga, J. Kortor, C. Howarth, S. Wilson, M. Sellers, S. Alston, C. Blakenship; Third row (L to R): S. Hawkins, M. Goedeker, T. Adesina, B. Kilmer. (VGCC photo)

Among the Practical Nursing graduates recognized at the ceremony were Candice Howarth of Bullock; Mary Wanjiku of Cary; Shaquile Hawkins and Sharlett Wilson, both of Creedmoor; Timothy Adesina and Justin Kortor, both of Durham; Stephanie Alston of Henderson; Laveasta Clayton of Knightdale; Megann Casady of Louisburg; Mikayla Sellers of Middleburg; Brittany Williams of Oxford; Marylou Goedeker, Sylvia Mugambi, Stephen Nyambariga, Esther Ogachi and Teresa Onchiri, all of Raleigh; Cindy Blankenship and Suzanne Wiley, both of Wake Forest; and Bryanne Kilmer of Youngsville.

Welcoming remarks were offered by Dr. Levy Brown, VGCC’s vice president of academic affairs; Erica Jastrow, the chair of the college’s Nursing Department; and Candice Howarth, president of the Practical Nursing Class of 2019.

“Our Nursing program goes all the way back to 1970, almost to the founding of this great institution, of which we are celebrating 50 years of existence this year,” said Dr. Brown. “Now we are proud to add to that history the Practical Nursing Class of 2019, a diverse group of students from several towns in our region.” While many members of the class have chosen specific nursing specialties for their careers, many also plan to continue their education, he said.  He encouraged the graduates to “aspire, accelerate and achieve in every walk of life.”

“With success comes great responsibility,” Jastrow noted in her remarks. “The work that these graduates did a year ago was work for their future selves that are here graduating today. I hope that others are inspired by your success to begin working toward their future selves. We at VGCC would love to have the opportunity to work with others to help them achieve their personal and professional goals.”

High School Students Explore Medical Science at VGCC South Campus

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College has once again partnered with the Wake Area Health Education Center (AHEC) to offer a “Mini-Medical School” camp for high school students. The week-long camp was recently held at VGCC’s South Campus, located between Butner and Creedmoor.

Students used computer simulations and hands-on lab activities to learn about topics that included anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, cardiology, epidemiology, medical genetics and genomics. The course was taught primarily by Becky Brady, a registered nurse and chemical engineer.

Faculty members from VGCC programs that prepare students for health-related careers gave students information about academic pathways and employment prospects.

VGCC has partnered with Wake AHEC since 2014 on Mini-Med School camps. Based in Raleigh, Wake AHEC serves nine counties: Durham, Franklin, Granville, Johnston, Lee, Person, Vance, Wake and Warren. AHECs are located throughout North Carolina and are affiliated with the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers Program at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill School of Medicine.

NC AHEC’s mission is to meet the state’s health workforce needs and to provide education programs and services that bridge academic institutions and communities to improve the health of the people of North Carolina, with a focus on underserved populations.

On front row, from left: Tanisha Shetty of Green Hope High School; Darlene Villarroel-Lopez of Wake Forest High School; Abigail Gorman of Green Hope High School; Alexis Duncan of Regan High School; Jenna Curry of Granville Early College High School; Alhanna Cancel-Roman of Wake Forest High School; Kaylee Huff of Granville Early College High School; Shreya Gandi of Enloe High School; and Pooja Shah of Wake Early College of Health & Science; On back row, from left: lead instructor Becky Brady; Anushka Mandalapu of Wake Early College Health & Science; Nijaha Alston of Granville Academy; William Sharp of Leesville Road High School; Ashleigh Kiger of Mt. Tabor High School; Seth Jones of Granville Central High School; Brandon Bowling of South Granville High School; Brooke Bowling of South Granville High School; Lacey Blackley of South Granville High School; and Andre Hargrove of Granville Central High School. (VGCC photo)

VGCC President, Student Leader Celebrate College’s 50th Graduating Class

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Almost 500 graduates were honored at Vance-Granville Community College’s 50th annual commencement exercises on May 10, 2019. Dr. Rachel Desmarais, who became the seventh president of the community college earlier this year, served as the principal commencement speaker for the outdoor ceremony, held in front of the gazebo on the college’s Main Campus.

As VGCC celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, Board of Trustees Chair Danny Wright noted that Desmarais followed in the footsteps of Dr. Donald Mohorn, the first president of the college. Mohorn served as the speaker for the very first commencement exercises, back in 1970, when the school was known as Vance County Technical Institute. Wright added that one member of that first graduating class is today a faculty member at the college: Faith Harris, program head of information technology/computer education.

Dr. Rachel Desmarais, the president of Vance-Granville Community College, delivers the commencement address at VGCC on May 10. (VGCC Photo)

Desmarais began by reminding students of the special meaning of the college mascot, the “Vanguard,” which often refers to being in the lead. “Today, you are truly Vanguards – going forward and leading the way into the future as you leave this campus,” she said.

The president went on to give the graduates pieces of advice that she felt would have been helpful to her younger self when she graduated from college. “The first one is to focus on what you do best,” she said. “Now is the time to stop concentrating on your weaknesses and put more attention and effort into your strengths.”

Second, she advised students, “don’t be afraid to be an original.” She explained, “You’ve probably heard that there will be jobs in the next 15 years that don’t even exist today…. Now, that’s not to say that your education and skills training are useless – simply that different combinations and applications of skills will be required for future jobs. That’s where being an original comes in!”

Desmarais added, “Don’t be afraid to recombine your strengths, knowledge, and ability into something new – because that’s where innovation lies.”

Also offering inspiration to the Class of 2019 was the Student Government Association president, Jose Angel De Leon of Henderson, speaking on behalf of his classmates. De Leon graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice.

Jose Angel De Leon of Henderson speaks on behalf of the graduates at Vance-Granville Community College on May 10. (VGCC photo)

He said that, after high school, he “made some decisions that were truthfully not in my best interest” and later realized he needed to make a change. Crediting his mother with never giving up on him, De Leon enrolled at VGCC. “I found the courage to move forward like a raging storm,” he told his fellow graduates. “I have not looked back since.”

De Leon did not know what he wanted to do with his life when he enrolled. “It wasn’t until my instructor’s first lecture was over that I realized that I wanted to become a professor,” he recalled. “I wanted to inspire others the way he did. I now have two years of instructors who have inspired me to change others’ lives the way they did for me. The faculty and staff here at VGCC truly care about the students.”

He thanked professionals at the college for helping “sculpt” him into the person he is today. “I am proud to stand here before you as a man with a future,” De Leon said. He plans to continue his education at North Carolina Central University, with a long-term plan to earn his Ph.D. in criminal justice or criminology.

After Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Levy Brown presented the candidates for graduation, Board of Trustees chair Danny Wright and President Desmarais presented degrees and diplomas and congratulated the graduates.

Students in the Class of 2019 joined more than 14,000 others who have graduated from the college over the past half-century and made some history of their own, with the first graduates from a pair of degree programs that have been added in recent years: Histotechnology and the Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts.

Vance-Granville Community College President Dr. Rachel Desmarais places a medallion around the neck of Academic Excellence Award recipient Hope Crute of Youngsville, right. (VGCC photo)

One graduate, Hope Crute of Youngsville, was formally presented with the North Carolina Community College System’s Academic Excellence Award. During the procession of graduates, President Desmarais paused to place a medallion around Crute’s neck in honor of her outstanding achievement. One student from each of the 58 colleges in the state system is recognized with the award each year. Crute, a Franklin County Early College High School student, graduated with both an Associate in Arts and an Associate in Science.

Members of this year’s class, including those predicted to graduate at the end of the summer term in July, were awarded 221 Associate in Applied Science degrees in a variety of curriculum programs, 143 Associate in Arts degrees, five Associate in Fine Arts degrees, two Associate in General Education degrees, 75 Associate in Science degrees and 72 technical and vocational diplomas. Some 25 students graduated with more than one credential.

De Leon led the new graduates in ceremonially turning their tassels as the ceremony concluded. Music was provided by the Vance-Granville Community Band. Bearing the ceremonial mace for commencement was Bioprocess/Biotechnology Program Head Stewart Lyon, the college’s 2018-2019 Faculty Member of the Year.

LIST OF GRADUATES

Graduates are listed by program and then by residence. Names marked with asterisks (*) indicate graduates who are projected to graduate in July 2019.

Accounting:

Sally Jean Perry of Louisburg.

Accounting and Finance:

Alicia Denise Hinton of Castalia;

Tonya Faucette Saleh and Lissbeth Trejo Trejo, both of Henderson;

Jasmine Keona Dunston, Tammy Elizabeth Johnson Dudding and Trina Marie Leapley, all of Louisburg.

Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology:

Christian A. Dockum and Ethan Dean Hughes, both of Creedmoor;

Alberto M. Delahoz of Franklinton;

Tyrell Terry*,  Tyres Na’eem Terry* and Hunter T. Windley, all of Henderson;

Luis Fernando Briones Gomez*, Justin Albert Hicks, Zavious Damond Oakley* and Noah Ashton Reed*, all of Oxford;

Russell Wade Hinnant of Youngsville.

Associate Degree Nursing:

Lakeisha Monique Scott, James Elijah Temple and Rhonda Barnette Williamson, all of Bullock;

Catherine Gill Bullock and Emily Padgett, both of Butner;

Lilian J. Schleifer of Cary;

Kaylin Renee Gibson of Creedmoor;

Christine Atieno, Takera Shantell Green and Moses Maiko Onchonga, all of Durham;

Vanna Cunningham Farrar and Ashley Chea Sawyer, both of Franklinton;

Tuesday Ni-Asia Mathews of Fuquay-Varina;

Kathleen Elizabeth Lee, Allison Paige Stell, Tyler A. Thorp and Phylicia Johnette Wimbush, all of Henderson;

Keyona Donyitta Bullock, Jessica Brooke Honhart, Rachel Elizabeth Munson, Caitlin Anne Pernell and Chelsea Morgan Ray, all of Louisburg;

Frances Tuyet Beddingfield, Joseane Santiago Buckley, Teresa Ann Coley, Wanda Cozart Davis, Ashton Brummitt Hobgood, Hellen Ochanda Mbuya and Shanae Nicole Rhoades, all of Oxford;

Abigayle Makenzie Edwards, Leslie Michelle Judd, Angela Jepkoech Talam and Maritza Alexandra Vazquez, all of Raleigh;

Michelle Madison of Selma;

Ashley Nicole Flynn and Brandon Lee Smith, both of Wake Forest;

Melissa Candice Ramos of Warrenton.

Associate in Arts:

Daniel Esquivel-Contreras of Bunn;

Benjamin Vijay Mangalam of Butner;

Spencer Jones* of Castalia;

Delaney Faith Edwards, Rickelle Taina Harrison, Sarah Josephine Jones, Netana Anastasia Ojeda Stgermain*, Michael Seth Potts, Rosanny Reynoso, Brandi M. Umstead and Davina Larae Williams, all of Creedmoor;

Jai Malik Butts and Dillon Keith McIntyre, both of Durham;

Maria Teresa Ayala*, Jessica Lynne Burney, Morgan Paige Byrd*, Kaleb Lee Cahoon, Sarah Rose Frizzle, Harley Marie Keith, Michelle Delgado Medina, Bernaldo Antonio Pina-Paz, Tyler Rada,

Charles Michael Sawyer, Brittney Ann Smith and Craig Wilkie, all of Franklinton;

Ariana Aguirre*, Viridiana Chavez, Amber Sha’prieste Cotton, Matthew Scott Denton, Dalton Scott Elliott*, Megan T. Goswick, Jessica Paige Grissom, Zurisadai Guzman-Vazquez, Kaitlyn MacKenzy Harris, Sarah Emily Howarth, Henry Huynh, Dylan Tyler Jackson, Tim Jiang, Jadyn May Jones, Joshua Arthur Jones, Jade A. Lewis, Alondra Lopez, Darius Philip Macon-Majette, Ariel Delores Noel, Vianey Nonato*, Evan Alexandra O’Geary, Ashley Jane Pendergrass, Joseph E. Penny, Joel Renteria, Ethan Bryce Roberson, Jarrett Philip Seaman, Amaya Sealyn Sneed, Jonyiah Alise Teasley, Alexis McKenzie Watson, Hannah Denise Wells, Corey Kennard Williams, Jr., Kianna A. Wills and Al-Leain Ishamarie Young, all of Henderson;

Kimberly Hope Callis, Caitlyn Nicole Holmes, Ashlee Marie Perry, Charles Edward Thompson, Gracey Renee Vaught and Brinea Wright, all of Kittrell;

Rachael Mei Ling Minter of Littleton;

Jessica Alexandra Baker*, Shelbie Dion, Nathan Fields, Leslye Herrera, Rylie Hannah Howes, Lujain Issa, Ashley Brook Lloyd*, Rachel May, Kalyn McComas, Kassandra Plascencia and Anthony Smith, all of Louisburg;

Destiny Lynae’ Brown, Colby Latrell Richardson and Delana Symone Williams, all of Macon;

Katelyn Frazier, Daisha Monique Lemay and Sha’niya Lo-Angel Perry, all of Manson;

Caleb Richard Brauer, Andrew Barrington Cheek, Maya Hawkins, Wesley Scott Huff and Jasmine Luna, all of Norlina;

Chance Parker Taylor of Omaha, Nebraska;

William Jordan Abbott*, Christy Lynn Beasley, Savannah Leigh Brogden, Jacob Newby Carver, Laci Anne Davidson, Ker’Telian Sharey Fields, Willie Lorenzo Fields, Khalil Nasim Gay, U’lia Kiana Hargrove, Sonia Marie Hernandez, Miya Kimberly Jefferson, Glandra Tahjah Jolly, Asmaa Kassim,

Kristie Lumpkin, Kelan Javarious Marable, Anna Elisabeth McAuley*, Kacey Ann Ramsey*, Alyssa McKya Thorpe, Trinity Alexis Thorpe, Kimberly Nicole Vargo*, Shiloh Ann Whiten, Hunter Scott Wilkins, Alexander Chance Wilkinson, Jadakiss Davonne Wilson and Foster Thomas Yacos*, all of Oxford;

Emerald M. Scott of Raleigh;

Madeliene E. Williams* of Rougemont;

Brittany Lee Petrimoulx and Maria Guadalupe Rojas, all of Stem;

Kamiyah Elizabeth Wiggins of Townsville;

Nicholas Henry, Morgan Hopkins, Ashley Husske, Rachel Sudney Kelley, Jamie Elizaveta McGinn,

Jillian Stegemann and Rachael Glynn Yelle, all of Wake Forest;

Conner Gray Bryant, Moniah Dal’shaunda Bullock, Ellen Renee Denning, Danaja Bene’t Lee*,

Bryanna A’layza Richardson and Heriberto Vela-Leos, all of Warrenton;

Tabais Jaheim Mitchell of Williamsboro;

Emily Jean Bauer, Julia Brock, Dariana Cabrera, Sarah Callahan, Kyle Cook, Hope Crute, Meara McCrory, James Hunter Murphy, Hayley O’Neal, Sydney Venezia and Taylor Nichole Wagaman, all of Youngsville.

Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts:

Jessica Kathryn Hartley of Kenbridge, Va.;

Christian Daevon Ellison* of Kittrell;

Elizabeth Nicole Durand and Samantha Theda-Jean Marchese, both of Wake Forest;

Colton Michael Valentino of Youngsville.

Associate in General Education:

Michael Wayne Whittemore, Jr.,* of Kittrell.

Associate in General Education – General Science:

Dominique Raeshaun Richardson of Henderson.

Associate in Science:

Daniel Esquivel-Contreras of Bunn;

Spencer Jones* of Castalia;

Austin Michael Councilman of Creedmoor;

Jacklyn Colby Stanley of Durham;

James Geary*, Michelle Delgado Medina, Rebecca Kali Middleton and Morgan Daryl Wiggins, all of Franklinton;

Brian Joseph Boyd, Matthew Burnette, Matthew Scott Denton, William Zachary Egerton, Toni Sorensen Greene, Jessica Paige Grissom, Kaitlyn MacKenzy Harris, Fatima Najib Hawter, Henry Huynh, Tim  Jiang, Shadi Mohamed Nagi, Dawson Thomas Peoples, Joel Renteria, Ethan Bryce Roberson, Charne A. Robinson, Delaney Short, Tiffany M. Williams and Kianna A. Wills, all of Henderson;

Ethan Allen Cole and Ashlee Marie Perry, both of Kittrell;

Evan Theodore Casady, Maxwell Diaz, Abiral Singh Hamal, Leslye Herrera, Karalee Jensen Miller* and

Anthony Smith, all of Louisburg;

Katelyn Frazier and Shawn Lavonda Miles, both of Manson;

Kristen Miranda Senter of Middleburg;

Andrew Barrington Cheek and Shima’a Hauter, both of Norlina;

Amari Gekedd Bass, Monica A. Botros, Destiny Jonique Davis, Aivy Balan Derry*, Maggie Elizabeth Dickerson, Ashley Marie Parker*, Chase Michael Perry, Natalie Renee Russell*, Isaac Ayoub-Nagi Saleh and Jacob Bart Thomasson*, all of Oxford;

Nicholas Luchenbill Kurtz* of Raleigh;

Emily Jean Bauer of Rolesville;

Lily Rose Averette of Rougemont;

Desiree Raquel Talley of Roxboro;

Elizabeth Adcock and Kayla Michelle Blue, both of Stem;

Aaron Wesley Archambault, Lindsay Fenlason and Kynleigh Elizabeth Holley, all of Wake Forest;

Nihya Tyrae Alston, Ellen Renee Denning, Kamini Alexis Hudson, Kimberly Labra-Franco, Hannah Pastores Ortiz, Nyasia Monique Warren and Taylor Nicole Williams, all of Warrenton;

Quavion Chykiem Basyden of Willard;

Julia Brock, Sarah Callahan, Hope Crute, Dylan Hagen, Hayley O’Neal, Caroline Sofia Puca, Daniela Vargas-Donge*, Sydney Venezia and Cody Alexander Woolverton, all of Youngsville.

Automotive Systems Technology (Degree):

Brandon Matthew Sparrow of Creedmoor;

Christopher Ramon Hernandez of Henderson;

Branden Scott Lilley* of Louisburg;

Juan Avila-Velazquez and Blake Aaron Larcade*, both of Oxford;

Daniel Shaw of Wake Forest.

Automotive Systems Technology (Diploma):

Alfredo Rodriguez Jimenez, Jr., of Henderson.

Business Administration:

Sable Clark of Bullock;

Charlene Allen Kearney and Eboni Latoya Kilgore, both of Creedmoor;

Cody Nelson Garner of Franklinton;

Sharon Terry Bryant, Venita Jean Day, Christie Gail Ellington and Megan Brooke Penny, all of Henderson;

Danny Wayne Ayscue and Tara Lastacey Burwell*, both of Kittrell;

Adero Benjamin Bullock of Louisburg;

Justin Tyler Roberson of Norlina;

Latosha Cherie Hunt, Temeka Gill Marable and Bridget Marie Odom, all of Oxford;

Amber Lynn Taylor of Rolesville;

Leeanne Nicole Harp of Wake Forest;

Tiffany Lynn Gray, Barbra Ann Warren and Dar-Neshia Samone Williams, all of Warrenton;

Karen Noemi Intriago-Carrion of Washington, D.C.

Computer Technology Integration – Networking & Security Technologies:

Terrence Bowden of Oxford.

Cosmetology:

Hunter M. Boykin, Bridgett Nicole King and Samantha Briann Williamson, all of Franklinton;

Holly Rose Buchanan, MacKenzie Dawn Hutson, Chelsea Leigh Jones, Michelle Lynn King* and Irina Zhavrina Letts, all of Henderson;

Megan Lee Twisdale of Kittrell;

Jayliyah Aareyan Edgerton* and Anna Marie Wood, both of Louisburg;

Nikshya Williams* of Manson;

Jazmine Diane Hunt and Kaela M. Wood*, both of Oxford;

Kathleen Rae Feinman of Rolesville;

Aliah Kaitlyn Dillard, Laura Elizabeth O’Hara and Rachel Ashley Savage, all of Wake Forest;

Danielle K. Hargrove*, Danielle Seward and Janice Pitchford Shehata, all of Warrenton;

Traci Nichol Alston of Youngsville.

Criminal Justice Technology:

Adrianna Maria De Nuzzia and Akilah S. Hyatt, both of Creedmoor;

Brenda Gail Ellis of Durham;

Darryl Lamont Ragland of Franklinton;

Jose Angel De Leon, Jerry Lawrence Dickerson, Keyla Lewis, Kettisha Cheriss Marrow and Latoya Renee Seward, all of Henderson;

Charles Francis White of Hurdle Mills;

Yahaira Kelly Solis and Charmaine Ailean Sutton, both of Louisburg;

Sherese Lashonda Hicks* of Macon;

Reginald Tyrone Harris*, Madison Nicole Johnson, Savannah Ciara Kelly, Brandon Wayne Perry, Matthew Austin Smith and Olivia Jayde Williford*, all of Oxford;

Andrew Lewis Ayscue of Youngsville.

Culinary Arts:

Mia Symone Ray* of Butner;

Sonya Kearney Jackson of Franklinton;

Leonard Noel Lyons* of Henderson;

Rebecca Naomi Groover of Raleigh;

Dejah Davis of Stem.

Early Childhood Education:

Brittany Ann Yarboro of Butner;

Chelsea Ann Mickle of Durham;

Holly A. Perry of Franklinton;

Jessica Renee Bolton, Johanna Wilkins Ragland, Tracy Grissom Roberson, Ayesha Tia Rogers, Seniqua Dante Turner and Rochelle Danielle Williams, all of Henderson;

Shannon Chantel Manning of Norlina;

Sharon Wilson Barnette, Penny O. Glover and Charlie Kristine Vaughn, all of Oxford;

Hayley Autumn Massengill of Raleigh;

Deborah Ellenburg Burns of Youngsville.

Electrical Systems Technology:

Daniel Charles Ohrt of Creedmoor;

Cecori Lamon Dunston of Henderson;

Joshua Todd Neal of Stem.

Electronics Engineering Technology:

Douglas A. Gendron of Louisburg.

Global Logistics and Distribution Management Technology:

Melissa Edwards Waddell of Henderson.

Histotechnology:

Melissa Brook Anderson of Butner;

Michael Angelo Parziale of Cary;

Linda Jamira Livingston of Louisburg;

Rawia Dafalla of Raleigh.

Human Services Technology:

Gloria Ann Evans of Bullock;

Jennifer Stasia Bennett of Henderson;

Larecia Roberson Bullock and Hali L. Wheeler, both of Oxford.

Human Services Technology/Gerontology:

Sonya Jeanne Barnes* of Henderson.

Human Services Technology/Substance Abuse:

Gloria Jean Chavis of Butner;

Emilee Elizabeth Newhouse* of Creedmoor;

Grace Abigail Ohlandt* of Franklinton;

Jennifer Stasia Bennett and Feliciana Inconta Hernandez, both of Henderson;

Hali L. Wheeler of Oxford;

Jawanda La’meia Burchette of Stem.

Information Technology (Degree):

Mitchell Lee Greene and Robert Cam Hurt, both of Creedmoor;

Justin Keith of Durham;

Colin Hope, Aron Lee Magee and Alvin Bryan Richardson*, all of Henderson;

Cody Ryan Parrott of Kittrell;

Kassidy Lynn Holtzman of Norlina;

Lewis Keith Carr of Raleigh;

Alex T. Jackson and Tony Emmett Schuenemann, both of Stem;

Brandon Vestweber of Wake Forest;

Cody Brandenburg of Youngsville.

Information Technology (Diploma):

William Mark Woodlief of Oxford.

Mechatronics Engineering Technology:

Xavier Dominique Eaton of Bullock;

John Walter Slaton of Henderson;

Christopher Everett Long of Norlina;

Segun Adeyinka Folajin of Raleigh.

Medical Assisting (Degree):

Candice Antrice Downey of Creedmoor;

Ebony Le’shea Moniqu-Terry of Franklinton;

Ashley R. Hill and Petrina La-Vette Perry*, both of Henderson;

Emily Palacios* and Jessica Nicole Ruffin-Sutton, both of Louisburg;

Savannah Jackson Barnes of Oxford;

Erica Tunstall of Warrenton.

Medical Assisting (Diploma):

Destini L. Foster* of Butner;

Katie Anne Fuller*, Danielle Brook Groves* and Kaylor Michelle Lawrence*, all of Creedmoor;

Sheronica Raquel Griffin* of Franklinton;

Jennifer Louise Parker* of Knightdale;

Briana Taleen-Tign Barnwell* and Crystal Catlett Williams*, both of Louisburg.

Medical Office Administration:

Ashleigh Danielle Ray of Bunn;

Valerie Ann Robinson of Butner;

Eboni L. White of Creedmoor;

Savannah Noelle Jones* of Durham;

Cheryl Lynn Graham of Franklinton;

Morgan Maria Archer, Tranita Nicole Brown, Sarah Marie Cassell, Cassidy Jackson Grissom, Melissa Orr Simmons, Tashiyana Avante Turner and Raini Williams, all of Henderson;

Robin Elaine Dorsett, Susan Millard Edwards, Misty Rose Grabowski and Shalinda Leondria White, all of Louisburg;

Adrienne Fudge Edwards of Middleburg;

Shimeka Latice Kearney and Cartes Eaton Newell, both of Norlina;

Belinda Faye Davis, Tracy Ramsey Matthews, KeShonda Arielle McMannen, Ashley Nicole Piper and Robin Claiborne Williams, all of Oxford;

Hannah Scurto Parnell of Stovall;

Meri Beth Blake and Davita Chante Steed, both of Warrenton;

Kathleen Cardullo Green, Jessica Marie-Faithe Noll and Yvonne L. Richards*, all of Youngsville.

Office Administration:

Matt Stephan Larch of Henderson;

Lastacey D. Burwell Kittrell;

Indajah Sahmon Henderson of Oxford.

Paralegal Technology (Degree):

Katie Lynn Bean* and Amali Nagi Hauter, both of Henderson;

Evelyn Nolasco of Louisburg;

Holly Hodges Cashwell of Wake Forest.

Paralegal Technology (Diploma):

Celene Acuna of Henderson;

Lauren Elizabeth Cash and Melissa J. Padgett, both of Oxford.

Pharmacy Technology (Degree):

Jane M. Jones of Franklinton;

Darcel L. Alston of Henderson;

Katherine Rose Harris* of Kittrell;

Taylor Elizabeth Reams of Warrenton.

Pharmacy Technology (Diploma):

Glenn Thomas Burgess* of Creedmoor;

Adrienne L. Reams and Anthony Martin Wade, both of Oxford;

Monika* of Roanoke Rapids.

Practical Nursing:

Candice Compton Howarth* of Bullock;

Sharlett Elisa Wilson* of Butner;

Mary Wairimu Wanjiku* of Cary;

Shaquile Londale Hawkins* of Creedmoor;

Justin Kortor* of Durham;

Stephanie White Alston* and Mikayla Ashley Sellers*, both of Henderson;

Laveasta Perry Clayton* of Knightdale;

Cindy Cooper Blankenship* and Megann Joy Casady*, both of Louisburg;

Marylou L. Goedeker*, Sylvia Bosibori Mugambi*, Stephen Makori Nyambariga*, Esther Kwamboka Ogachi* and Teresa Nyanchama Onchiri*, all of Raleigh;

Suzanne Lee Wiley* of Wake Forest;

Bryanne Janelle Kilmer* of Youngsville.

Radiography:

Kristen Ashlee Bowman of Butner;

Shanice Donnia Alleyne, Karene Kavonne Anderson, Matthew Scott Battistel, Starsha Hargrove, Dwayne Douglas Huneycutt and Paige Donahue Snider, all of Creedmoor;

Allison Weaver Wiggins of Franklinton;

Brooklyn Rooker and Ashley Bobbitt Ward, both of Henderson;

Angela Joan Basili of Hillsborough;

Shayla Adair Cash and Dulce Guadalupe Huerta-Santillan, both of Louisburg;

Megan Irene Proctor of Macon;

Crystal Gail Sorrell of Oxford;

Samantha Pierce of Raleigh;

Rubi Judith Coyote-Baizabal, Celeste Justine Evans and Treva Duncan Gordan, all of Roxboro;

Marina Ellen Rombout of Stem;

Megan Tamara Whitman of Youngsville.

Welding Technology (Degree):

Michael Lee Hall of Creedmoor;

Carrie Ellen Johnson and Troy J’Qwan Little, both of Henderson;

Austin Davis Finch of Louisburg.

Welding Technology (Diploma):

Marquis Lamar Skinner* of Henderson;

Ismael Trejo Labra of Norlina.