VGCC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society receives awards

/by

— courtesy VGCC

VGCC Phi Theta Kappa chapter President Brenda Ellis of Durham (left) accepts an award for service on behalf of the chapter from Seth June, the outgoing Carolinas Region vice-president for South Carolina, during the convention in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The Vance-Granville Community College Alpha Sigma Chi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society recently brought home several awards from a regional gathering.

Attending the Phi Theta Kappa Carolinas Regional Convention in Myrtle Beach, S.C., March 9-11, were VGCC chapter President Brenda Ellis of Durham, chapter Vice President of Leadership Pamela Campbell of Littleton and chapter advisor Maureen Walters, who teaches English at the college. The Carolinas Region includes 84 Phi Theta Kappa chapters at two-year colleges in North Carolina and South Carolina. Students and advisors at the convention enjoyed a variety of educational seminars, guest speakers, social activities, elections of regional officers and award presentations.

Tiffiny Wolf (left), outgoing secretary for the Carolinas Region of Phi Theta Kappa, presents an award recognizing VGCC’s chapter with “three stars” to chapter Vice President Pamela Campbell of Littleton, during the convention in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

VGCC received three awards of excellence. The chapter was presented with the Carolinas Region service project award for outstanding participation in a “Carolinas Read to Succeed” project, which in VGCC’s case was an effort to collect school supplies and books for children in grades K-12 who are affected by domestic violence.

VGCC was further recognized as a “three-star” level chapter for its community service, the involvement of its members and its efforts at leadership development. Alpha Sigma Chi was one of only two three-star chapters recognized this year in the Carolinas.

Finally, chapter advisor Maureen Walters received the “Horizon Award” for her work in developing the chapter and demonstrating dedication to the mission of Phi Theta Kappa. “Not only did we have a great time at the convention, but we also put VGCC on the map for Phi Theta Kappa,” Walters said, regarding the three honors.

VGCC Phi Theta Kappa chapter advisor Maureen Walters (left) accepts the “Horizon Award” from Ricky Swing, outgoing president for the Carolinas Region, during the convention in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for students of two-year colleges. VGCC students honored with induction into PTK must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.5 in associate degree curriculum programs and have completed at least 12 credit hours toward their degrees. Since VGCC’s chapter of PTK was chartered in 1991, more than 1,900 students have joined. For more information, contact Maureen Walters at 252-738-3406 or waltersm@vgcc.edu.

–VGCC–

District 9 Guardian Ad Litem Will Be Hosting A Showing of the Film Entitled “Resilence”

/by

Be sure to listen to WIZS at 11 a.m. for Town Talk on Tuesday, April 3 as our guest Melanie Griggs will be live on the show with important information about Guardian Ad Litem in the four county area.

The following information was distributed by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.

What: Film Screening and Discussion

When: Friday, April 6, 2018, 1:45 p.m. until 4 p.m. – film starts at 2 p.m.

Where: Farm Bureau Room, Leslie Perry Library, Henderson, NC

RSVP: Melanie Griggs, (252) 430-5121 or melanie.h.griggs@nccourts.org by March 30, 2018

The child may not remember, but the body remembers. Researchers have recently discovered a dangerous biological syndrome caused by abuse and neglect during childhood. As the new documentary Resilience reveals, toxic stress can trigger hormones that wreak havoc on the brains and bodies of children, putting them at a greater risk for disease, homelessness, prison time, and early death. While the broader impacts of poverty worsen the risk, no segment of society is immune. Resilience, however, also chronicles the dawn of a movement that is determined to fight back. Trailblazers in pediatrics, education, and social welfare are using cutting-edge science and field-tested therapies to protect children from the insidious effects of toxic stress—and the dark legacy of a childhood that no child would choose.

VGCC Hosting CCP Information Sessions for High School Students and Parents

/by

— courtesy VGCC

VGCC Hosting CCP Information Sessions for High School Students and Parents

Vance-Granville Community College has scheduled a series of sessions offering information for high school students and their parents on the “Career & College Promise” (CCP) program. CCP allows eligible students to earn college credits towards a college degree, diploma or certificate while still in high school, without having to pay college tuition.

Attendees will learn about the requirements of the program and the steps to apply for admission in CCP. This information will help students prepare to enroll and register for classes in the upcoming Summer Term and Fall Semester at Vance-Granville.

These information sessions will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on these dates: Tuesday, April 10, at the Main Campus near Henderson (Building 8, Conference Room); Thursday, April 12, at South Campus between Butner and Creedmoor (Room G1131); Tuesday, April 17 at Warren County Campus in Warrenton (Building 4, Room W4103); and Thursday, April 19, at Franklin Campus, just outside Louisburg (Multipurpose Room, F4101).

VGCC’s Career & College Promise pathways lead to students acquiring entry-level job skills and/or credits that transfer to four-year universities. Students who select the College Transfer (CT) option will take general education courses that transfer seamlessly to any of the 16 public universities in the University of North Carolina system or participating private colleges or universities. VGCC currently offers two CT Pathways with a prescribed set of courses: the Associate in Arts and the Associate in Science.

VGCC’s Career & Technical Education (CTE) Pathways allow students to potentially earn certificates in more than 20 areas, including: Administrative Assistant, Heating & Air, Bioprocess, Business Management, Carpentry, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood, Electronics Engineering, Information Technology, Medical Office Administration, Paralegal, Robotics, and Simulation & Game Development; and diplomas in Carpentry, Electrical Systems, Information Technology, Paralegal and Welding.

Students and parents from anywhere in the four-county service area are invited to attend the Career & College Promise meeting of their choice and are not limited to attending the campus in their county.

For more information, contact Reba Bullock at (252) 738-3525 or bullockr@vgcc.edu. The CCP contacts for each county are:

· Vance County: Evangeline Mitchell, mitchell@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3289;

· Granville: Reba Bullock, bullockr@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3525;

· Franklin: Evelyn Hall, halle@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3611; and

· Warren: Faye Goode, goodef@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3594.

More information on the CCP program, including a Pathway Guide, is available at www.vgcc.edu/HighSchoolStudents/index.

– VGCC –

F-V-W Accepting Children for 2018-2019 Program Year

/by

— submitted by Felicia C. Gregory, Interim CEO F-V-W

The Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunity, Inc., Head Start is accepting children for the 2018-2019 Program Year for Franklin, Vance, Warren and Granville Counties. Children must be 3 years of age as of August 31, 2018. Parents of children with mental, physical or emotional impairments are encouraged to apply. The program will make special provisions to serve children with special needs. These provisions include, but are not limited to, adaptive equipment and transportation. For more information, please contact: Beth Darnell at (252) 492-4196.

PUBLIC MEETINGS N.C. 98 CORRIDOR STUDY IN WAKE AND DURHAM COUNTIES

/by

— press release

Raleigh, N.C.—The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) in collaboration with the Durham Chapel Hill Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will host public meetings on April 12, 2018 in Wake County and April 16, 2018 in Durham County.

The N.C. 98 Corridor Study is 27-miles long, extending from U.S. 70 in Durham County through Wake County to U.S. 401 in Franklin County, North Carolina. This project is evaluating safety, congestion, planned and existing roads, bicycle/pedestrian facilities, and transit use along N.C. 98.

The April 2018 public meetings will be held in an “open house” format; there will not be a formal presentation. Attendees may come any time between the hours listed below to view the conceptual designs and ask questions.

Wake County Location:

Thursday, April 12, 2018

5:00—7:00 p.m.

Wake Forest College Birthplace

450 N Main Street

Wake Forest, NC 27587

—

Durham County Location:

Monday, April 16, 2018

5:00—7:00 p.m.

Durham East Regional Library

211 Lick Creek Lane

Durham, NC 27703

For more information about the project visit, www.nc98corridor.com. In addition to the meetings, citizens may provide feedback via the “Contact Us” page. Interested citizens may follow CAMPO and DCHC on Facebook and Twitter. Social media links are available on the project website.

Persons who speak Spanish and do not speak English, or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meeting by calling 704-342-5419.

Aquellas personas que hablan español y no hablan inglés, o tienen limitaciones para leer, hablar o entender inglés, podrían recibir servicios de interpretación si los solicitan antes de la reunión llamando al 704-342-5419.

###

NC Dept of Agriculture

Be careful when burning debris in spring

/by

— courtesy NC Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2018

Be careful when burning debris in spring
Wildfire risk typically higher through May; burning debris is the No. 1 cause of wildfires

RALEIGH – The N.C. Forest Service is urging residents across the state to think safety and exercise caution during the spring fire season, which typically lasts from March to May.

“Burning debris is the No. 1 cause of wildfires,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “If you’re thinking about burning debris, contact your county forest ranger first. The ranger can offer technical advice and explain the best options to help maximize safety for people, property and the forest.”

During the spring fire season, people do a lot of yard work that often includes burning leaves and yard debris. There are many factors to consider before doing any burning. Following are tips to protect property and prevent wildfires:

  • Consider alternatives to burning. Some yard debris, such as leaves and grass, may be more valuable if composted.
  • Check with your county fire marshal’s office for local laws on burning debris. Some communities allow burning only during specified hours; others forbid it entirely.
  • Make sure you have an approved burning permit, which can be obtained at any NCFS office, county-approved burning permit agent, or online at https://ncforestservice.gov.
  • Check the weather. Don’t burn if conditions are dry or windy.
  • Only burn natural vegetation from your property. Burning household trash or any other man-made materials is illegal. Trash should be hauled away to a convenience center.
  • Plan burning for the late afternoon when conditions are typically less windy and more humid.
  • If you must burn, be prepared. Clear a perimeter around the burn area of flammable materials.
  • Keep fire tools ready. To control the fire, you will need a hose, bucket, a steel rake and a shovel for tossing dirt on the fire.
  • Never use flammable liquids such as kerosene, gasoline or diesel fuel to speed burning.
  • Stay with your fire until it is completely out. In North Carolina, human carelessness leads to more wildfires than any other cause.
  • These same tips hold true for campfires and barbeques, too. Douse burning charcoal briquettes or campfire thoroughly with water. When the coals are soaked, stir them and soak them again. Be sure they are out cold and carefully feel to be sure they are extinguished. Never dump hot ashes or coals into a wooded area.
  • Burning agricultural residue and forestland litter: In addition to the guidelines above, a fire line should be plowed around the area to be burned. Large fields should be separated into small plots for burning one at a time. Before doing any burning in a wooded area, contact your county ranger, who will weigh all factors, explain them and offer technical advice.

For more information on ways you can prevent wildfires and loss of property, visit https://ncforestservice.gov.

VGCC Welding student receives top academic honor

/by

— courtesy VGCC

VGCC Welding student receives top academic honor

Vance-Granville Community College has named student Andrew Lynam of Youngsville as its recipient of the North Carolina Community College System’s Academic Excellence Award for 2018. One student from each of the 58 colleges in the state system is honored with the award each year.

Lynam will be officially recognized at Commencement in May, when he is scheduled to graduate from the college with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Welding Technology, around the same time that he graduates from high school. Lynam is home-schooled and first enrolled at VGCC at age 16 through the Career & College Promise program.

“I find my motivation in my family and in my desire to achieve excellence,” Lynam said. “I have had the opportunity to grow through the hands-on instruction of my teachers, who have encouraged me to be my very best.” For the past three semesters, he has been named to the VGCC President’s List, an honor that recognizes students for achieving a perfect 4.0 grade-point average.

Andrew Lynam of Youngsville, seen here in the Welding shop on VGCC’s Main Campus, is the college’s recipient of the North Carolina Community College System Academic Excellence Award for 2018. (VGCC Photo)

“With my instructors’ encouragement, I have earned four different welding certifications, two for structural steel and two for sheet metal, boosting my chances of getting a job,” Lynam added. He also earned a Gold-level National Career Readiness Certification. After graduation, Lynam said he would like to work in the welding field, earn a bachelor’s degree and become a certified welding inspector. “My experience at Vance-Granville Community College has allowed me to successfully achieve my lifelong desire to work hands-on while still having job variety and unique experiences,” Lynam said.

“Andrew’s diligence and eagerness to learn have earned him a place among the most outstanding community college students in North Carolina,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of VGCC. “We’re proud of his academic accomplishments at such a young age, and we’re pleased that our excellent faculty and staff have been able to support him to achieve professional success.”

–VGCC–

VGCC to hold event aimed at homeschoolers

/by

— courtesy VGCC

VGCC to hold event aimed at homeschoolers

Vance-Granville Community College, in partnership with The College at Southeastern, will soon hold an information session specifically designed for high school-aged homeschoolers and homeschooling parents. The event, called “Generation Connect,” is scheduled for Tuesday, April 3, 2018, from 1-3:30 p.m., in the Civic Center on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County.

Attendees will learn about the educational opportunities available at both institutions, and the unique partnership that VGCC and The College at Southeastern have recently formed. The colleges will be helping students (at any age) who want to enroll at both institutions at the same time, in order to maximize their career options.

Vance-Granville offers more than 40 degree, diploma, and certificate programs to prepare students for further education or to enter a career directly after graduation. Students will find opportunities through programs in business, computer science, construction, education, engineering, health sciences, human services, industrial technologies, law and public safety, public services and transportation technologies. The college operates four campuses, one each in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, while also providing unique online opportunities, with six degrees available totally online.

The College at Southeastern began in 1994 as an undergraduate school of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, located in Wake Forest. The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees at Southeastern consist of a core curriculum which includes vital training in biblical studies, Christian worldview, world history, theology and English. In addition to their selected Bachelor of Arts major, all students complete a minor in Christian studies with the option of adding a second minor in their area of interest. For students on a Bachelor of Science track, all students have the option of transferring in credits from an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree, dual-enrolling in a vocational program at another institution like VGCC, or completing the business minor.

For more information and to RSVP for the information session, contact VGCC TechHire Project Manager Ken Wilson at wilsonk@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3259.

–VGCC–

(This is not a paid advertisement)

NC DIT Cybersecurity Pilot Program for Veterans a Success in First Run

/by

— press release from NC DIT

Cybersecurity Pilot Program for Veterans a Success in First Run
Apprenticeships help connect disabled vets with a new career

Raleigh, N.C. – Disabled veterans are getting access to skills and experience in the growing field of cybersecurity thanks to a unique partnership between state government, the tech sector and community colleges.

The Disabled Veterans Cybersecurity Apprenticeship program is a collaboration between the Department of Information Technology (DIT) and other state agencies; ISG, a Raleigh-based IT firm specializing in cybersecurity; and educational organizations in the state, including Wake Technical Community College and other community colleges. Only disabled veterans who are honorably discharged from service qualify to participate.

More than 200,000 members of the US military return to civilian life each year with 20,000 of them in North Carolina alone. Getting used to civilian life after a career in the military can prove difficult, especially for those who sustained service-related disabilities. The pilot program gives soldiers a new way to serve their country.

Five apprentices work eight-hour days Monday through Thursday, guided by mentors in their work. On Friday, the apprentices meet for training at ISG in Raleigh. They receive regular salary and benefits, and by the time they graduate from the program in October, they will be eligible to take the examination for and obtain a CISSP – Certified Information System Security Professional Associate certification. The two-year, $500,000 pilot program is in its second year.

“When I was selected for this program, it said to me, ‘Thank you for your service’ on a whole different level. It didn’t just thank me for my service, it thanked my family for the sacrifice that they made…. I really feel like the state is giving back. This is the thanks for my service, and now I am able to take care of my family,” said Vicky Steward, a retired first sergeant in the U.S. Army. Steward was injured almost 22 years ago in the Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia.

ISG has a job placement program in place to ensure that all of the participants are employed after they complete their training, said Maria Thompson, DIT’s chief risk officer. Employers will gain well-trained, reliable, and dedicated workers in cybersecurity, a field that does not yet have enough qualified workers, and veterans receive training and expertise in a rising and lucrative IT field. Veterans are comfortable with changing environments and learning new things, Thompson said. They have been trained to protect, they have already proven themselves able to work hard with high integrity, and they are adept at working on teams.

“All of those things are things that you need in cybersecurity,” says Tony Marshall, ISG’s president and chief executive officer.

DIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Eric Boyette said he and the department will work to bring more veterans into the program. The department intends to ask the General Assembly in the coming legislative session for support to double the size of the next apprentice class.

“It’s great to be able to offer these positions to these individuals, and watch them grow, watch them succeed, watch them teach others, watch them learn, and just be able to be supportive,” Boyette said. “This initiative really needs to grow … and we are going to figure out ways to make it grow.”

For an inside look at the program and to hear from participants, visit: https://youtu.be/fmVfifI_JxQ

###

Registration opens for Tour de Vance cycling event

/by

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – courtesy VGCC

 

Registration opens for Tour de Vance cycling event

Registration is now underway for the Sixth Annual Tour de Vance Bike Ride scheduled for Saturday, April 28. The ride has been growing steadily since its inception, drawing families and first-timers in addition to the most seasoned of cyclists for four separate cycling events.

For the first time, proceeds from the ride will benefit the Endowment Fund at Vance-Granville Community College, with donations supporting scholarships for students enrolled in Health Sciences programs at the college.

Several different options are available for cyclists. The 10-mile route is ideal for youth, families and beginners. A 20-mile course suits riders ready for a bit more distance. Experienced cyclists can choose a 31-mile “Forest and Farmland” circle route through the country or a 62-mile “Kerr Lake Look” that adds to that 31-mile circle route an out-and-back spur to the lake past the Nutbush Creek State Recreation Area.

The rides will start and finish at VGCC’s Main Campus, located off Interstate 85 and Poplar Creek Road at 200 Community College Road in Henderson.

“This event has become a hit not just with locals but also with cyclists from the surrounding area who enjoy an organized event that is challenging but also takes them on a view of the beautiful countryside in our area,” said Wendy Meyer-Goodwin, who has been working as event organizer since the Tour de Vance began. “Last year, we had our largest number of participants ever.”

All riders can register through the Vance-Granville Community College website at vgcc.edu/tourdevance. Online registration will end at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 27. On-site registration will be an option at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the event.

The 10-mile ride will cost $10 for each rider. The 20-mile ride will cost $20 for those who register by Feb. 28, increasing to $25 thereafter. The 31-mile and 62-mile (or “metric century”) rides will cost $30 for those who register by Feb. 28, increasing to $40 thereafter.

“Vance-Granville’s Endowment Fund is honored to be associated with an event that has become such a success,” said Eddie Ferguson, director of the VGCC Endowment Fund. “This bike ride promotes the importance of exercise and good health. We are pleased to use these proceeds to help our students enrolled in the many Health Sciences programs at VGCC.”

VGCC offers curriculum programs including Associate Degree Nursing, Radiography, Practical Nursing, Histotechnology, Medical Assisting and Pharmacy Technology.

Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. on April 28. The 62-mile ride starts at 8:30 a.m., the 31-mile ride at 9:30, the 20-mile ride at 10 a.m., and the 10-mile ride at 10:30 a.m. Law enforcement will accompany riders on the 10-mile route.

“This year, we are making changes to create a more fun and festive finish line,” Meyer-Goodwin added. “Instead of riders beginning at approximately the same time, we are staggering the start times to have more riders ending near the same time, in a congratulatory party of smiles, relief and story-swapping.”

Lunch will be provided.

Participating sponsors include Maria Parham Health, Carolina GI Associates PC, OmniPoint General Surgery, Nunnery-Freeman Barbecue, Spoke Cycles and Henderson Fruit & Produce.

For more information, contact Wendy Meyer-Goodwin at tourdevance@gmail.com.

–VGCC–