NCCU-VGCC Agreement Supports Growing Life Sciences Industry

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and Vance-Granville Community College leaders signed an agreement on January 28, 2020, opening the doors for more students to earn the Bachelor of Science in pharmaceutical sciences.

The memorandum of understanding is part of North Carolina’s Pathways to Success program and sets up a streamlined process for graduates of Vance-Granville’s two-year bioprocess technology associate of applied sciences degree to transfer those credit hours to NCCU’s baccalaureate program, entering as juniors.

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) chancellor Johnson O. Akinleye and Vance-Granville Community College president Dr. Rachel Desmarais signed an agreement on January 28, 2020, opening the doors for more students to earn the Bachelor of Science in pharmaceutical sciences. (VGCC photo)

“Training scientists for the pharmaceutical industry is vitally important for the region’s economy and a strong priority at the university’s Biomanufacturing Research and Technology Enterprise (BRITE),” said NCCU Chancellor Johnson O. Akinleye.

“By partnering with Vance-Granville Community College, we have increased the pipeline of top students entering NCCU who will complete their Bachelor of Science degree in pharmaceutical sciences. We hope that many stay on, as well, to earn a master’s or a doctorate in integrated biosciences.”

As part of the two-campus agreement, Vance-Granville students can get ahead by taking NCCU coursework prior to officially entering the university. Options include a summer lab-skills workshop, externships at BRITE, and Stackable Credentials to Strengthen the Pathway to Biopharma, an online certificate program offering instruction in regulatory sciences, project management and other knowledge specific to the biopharma industry.

Akinleye and Desmarais shake hands after signing an agreement furthering the partnership between NCCU and VGCC. (VGCC photo)

“We are delighted to enhance our current partnerships with NCCU by providing a new pathway for VGCC bioprocessing graduates to obtain a four-year degree in pharmaceutical science,” said Vance-Granville President Rachel Desmarais. “NCCU is a valuable partner in creating pathways to success for our students.”

The Stackable Credentials program, which has a number of components, receives funding from NIIMBL, the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals, which contributed more than $400,000 in 2018 to boost the university’s ability to train researchers, technicians and others for the life sciences field.

Biotechnology and life-sciences are among North Carolina’s fastest-growing industry segments, employing more than 75,000 workers with average annual salaries of $90,000, twice the state average. Since 2008, life-sciences employment has increased by more than 19% statewide and is expected to continue to grow as more biological products are used in drug research, development and production processes. A 2018 survey by Deloitte projects that as many as 60% of jobs in pharmaceutical manufacturing will be lacking qualified candidates to fill them by 2025.

“There are a number of career opportunities that our VGCC bioprocessing graduates will be exposed to while completing the degree in pharmaceutical science at NCCU,” said Levy Brown, vice president of Learning, Student Engagement and Success at Vance-Granville.

BRITE Director Hernan Navarro said the institute’s workforce-development approach to education is part of its mission.

“Today’s agreement gives BRITE the opportunity to expand its student base and gives Vance-Granville Community College students a way to advance their careers, so it’s great for both,” he added.

Faculty and staff thanked for their work on the project were Vance-Granville’s Bioprocesses Program Director Stewart Lyon and Dean of Arts and Sciences Cecilia Wheeler, along with NCCU Pharmaceutical Science professors Kevin Williams and Andy Li, and BRITE academic recruiter Natacha Janvier-Derilus.

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Land Planning Committee, Planning Board to Meet on Gaming Operations

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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson, NC

The Henderson City Council’s Land Planning Committee will meet jointly with the Henderson Planning Board on Monday, February 3, 2020. This meeting will take place at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, 134 Rose Avenue in Henderson.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the establishment or operation of new electronic gaming operations.

The public is welcome to observe.

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Black History Month, Local Authors & More Part of Granville’s Feb. Events

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-Information courtesy Granville County Government

Don’t miss these exciting events happening in Granville County:

“MY FORMER LIFE,” a program offered through Granville County Senior Services’ Creative Lifelong Learning (CLL) program, continues on Friday, Jan. 31 with guest speaker Tyson Laney, who will share his life experiences as a Vietnam Combat Veteran, N.C. Wildlife Officer, private investigator and musician. He may even share a song or two! This FREE program is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Granville County Senior Center, 107 Lanier Street in Oxford. Contact Marilyn Howard at 919-693-1930 for more information.

ADULT CRAFTERNOONS will be held at all branches of the Granville County Library System in February as participants learn to make wax melts. Sessions will be held at the Thornton Library in Oxford on Feb. 3 (6:30 p.m.), at the South Branch in Creedmoor on Feb. 4 (6:30 p.m.), at the Berea Branch on Feb. 6 (5:30 p.m.) and at the Stovall Branch on Feb. 10 (2 p.m.) Registration is recommended so that materials can be reserved. Call Adult Services Librarian Stefani Perry at 919-693-1121 to reserve your seat!

FEBRUARY IS “BLACK HISTORY MONTH!” The Granville County Library System will celebrate this annual observance with two free programs on African-American Voting Rights, presented by Sallyann Marable Hobson. On Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m., learn more about Granville County and Post Civil War North Carolina at the South Branch Library in Creedmoor, followed by programs on Feb. 12 (2:20 p.m.) and Feb. 24 (6:30 p.m.) at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford. The 2020 theme for Black History Month is “African-Americans and the Vote.” All are welcome to attend.

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Line dancing classes are scheduled for Saturdays during the month of February at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford. Instructed by Tracie Green, classes will be held at 10 a.m. and at 11 a.m. through Feb. 29. Contact Marilyn Howard of the Creative Lifelong Learning program (919-693-1930) for details! All ages are invited to participate.

LOCAL AUTHOR DISCUSSIONS are scheduled at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford on Feb. 1 and on Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. On Feb. 1, meet Brenda Yancey, author of “After Cancer: A Family’s Journey to Normalcy.” Yancey will discuss how a stage 4 cancer diagnosis changed the life of her family forever and how faith helped her family through this crisis. Dr. Jason Miller will follow on Feb. 16 with a discussion of his new novel “Langston Hughes,” which provides insight on Hughes’ works, as well as his influence on the Civil Rights movement. Contact Adult Librarian Stefani Perry at 919-693-1121 for more information.

UNDERSTANDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE programs are being offered through Feb. 18 at the Granville County Senior Center, 107 Lanier Street in Oxford. Instructed by the Families Living Violence Free organization, these informative sessions are being held each Tuesday from 1 until 2 p.m. and are open to the public at no charge. Participants will learn about healthy relationships, personal boundaries, how children are impacted and more. Call Marilyn Howard at 919-693-1930 for details.

AMERICAN MAH-JONGG is a card game that derives from the ancient Chinese and is increasing in popularity. The game of skill (and luck) is being taught by Joyce Martin on Mondays during the month of February at 3:15 p.m. at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford. There is no fee to attend this class. Contact CLL Coordinator Marilyn Howard at 919-693-1930 for details. (Limit 8 players).

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Early Voting for March Primary Begins Feb. 13

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

Early voting for the March primary will open on February 13, 2020, and close on February 29, 2020. Operational hours are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Warren County Board of Elections will be open on Saturday, February 15, 2020, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on the last Saturday, February 29, 2020, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

After the close of early voting, voters must report to their precinct on Election Day (March 3, 2020); the polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.

The last day to make party changes is February 7, 2020.

The March primary is a party primary; voters will only be issued the ballot of the party for which they are registered. Contact the Warren County Board of Elections at 252-257-2114 or visit the NC State Board of Elections website to view your voter information.

ABEL Leashing Ceremony to be Held at Warren Correctional Thurs.

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-Press Release, NC Dept. of Public Safety

After 18 months of training dogs to become service dogs, a “leash” ceremony where the dogs will go to new owners will take place as part of an “At Both Ends of the Leash” (ABEL) Program at Warren Correctional Institution. The program will be held on Thursday,  January 30, 2020, at 1 p.m. in Warren Correctional’s visitation area.

The program, a partnership with nonprofit Eyes Ears Nose & Paws (EENP) of Carrboro, allows offenders to train service dogs, working with EENP to develop the training regimen. The program’s end goal is to place the dog in the home of an EENP client with assistance needs.

The ceremony will celebrate the accomplishments and skills of not only these amazing animals but their offender trainers as well. Demonstrations will show the dogs’ skills in life activities geared to assisting their new owners. Speakers will include EENP Program Director Deb Cunningham, as well as officials and dog trainers from Warren Correctional Institution.

Artist Spotlight 01/29/20

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Home and Garden 01/28/20

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NC Coop Extension

Cooperative Extension with Paul McKenzie 01/29/20

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News 01/29/20

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Crossroads Christian School

Town Talk 01/28/20: Trey Snide Named CCS Colts’ Head Baseball Coach

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

WIZS’ own Trey Snide, the recently named varsity head baseball coach for the Crossroads Christian School Colts, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Snide said it was a conversation with the Colts’ athletic director Scottie Richardson on WIZS’ Sports Mayhem program that started the ball rolling. “They were looking for a baseball coach; it was vacant. About two weeks after that show, Scottie reached out to me and said he’d love to talk to me about the possibility of being the coach. We met at a restaurant here in town and he pitched the entire Crossroads culture to me.”

While baseball and softball have been part of the Colts’ athletic offerings for years, Snide said the school is looking to build a larger culture of excellence in these programs. “I love what they have going on at Crossroads. I love the culture they are focused on building.”

The opportunity to grow the baseball program appeals to Snide who said he was excited to “take my ideas of how I believe a baseball team should be and how they should act and build it from the ground up.”

Snide’s past coaching experience includes serving as the football coach at Dillard Drive Middle School in Raleigh, the basketball coach for the former Johnston Christian Academy in Smithfield and heavy involvement in the various sports programs at his alma mater, Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, NC, a private college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.

With baseball season around the corner, meetings with interested players and training sessions began four months ago, including practices over Christmas break. “I told the guys that we are here to build something special. Myself and assistant coaches Wes Collier and Robin Capps are dedicated to making it work,” said Snide.

The Colts’ first official day of spring sports begins February 10. The first game will be played at home on March 3 at 4 p.m. against Crescent Christian Academy. The team schedule is available at www.ccscolts.org.

To hear the interview with Snide in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.