VGCC Nursing degree propelled Jeannie Adcock to Duke Hospital

— press release courtesy VGCC

Restarting a career is never easy. It takes persistence and, often, a leap of faith, to change course, which is what many students come to Vance-Granville Community College to do. That was the case with Jeannie Adcock.

A Vance County native, Adcock completed a bachelor’s degree at East Carolina University and went into the working world. From 2009-2015, she worked at Maria Parham Medical Center in Henderson in administrative roles, with stints in marketing, as the physician liaison and as the development coordinator with the hospital foundation (today known as Triangle North Healthcare Foundation).

But after several years working in the health care field, she felt drawn to pursue a career on the clinical side. She decided she wanted to obtain an associate degree in Nursing and headed to her hometown college, VGCC. There, she found supportive faculty and staff members who helped guide her through the Nurse Aide I program and courses like Biology, before she could officially enter the Associate Degree Nursing program.
“I started the ADN program in August 2016,” Adcock recalled. “To say it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done might still be an understatement!”

Adcock said she was able to succeed, at least in part, by making some amazing friends. “You really can’t place a value on how important these bonds are to help you make it through, because no one else understands what you’re going through,” she said. Adcock also found excellent, experienced Nursing faculty members. “I was known as the ‘outspoken’ one in our class, and I’m sure my instructors ‘appreciated’ it,” she reflected with a laugh.

Adcock excelled in the rigorous, challenging program, earning President’s List honors and a pair of academic scholarships from the VGCC Endowment Fund. She later spoke at the annual Endowment Fund Golf Tournament to thank the community for supporting the college.

In 2018, she not only graduated but completed the program with among the highest grade point averages in her class. “Every curve ball that was thrown at me, I found a way to knock it out of the park,” Adcock recalled. “I was so proud to receive my degree on stage from Dr. Stelfanie Williams (then the college president), as she had been a very supportive and influential part of my journey.”

Adcock had set clear career goals from the beginning of her time at VGCC. “All of my instructors knew from the start that my plan was to go to work in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), so thankfully, I was one of the few members of our class to receive the ICU preceptorship in our last semester of school,” she said. That preceptorship was part of her invaluable clinical training which takes students to various health care facilities that partner with the college. “I completed clinical rotations at Granville Medical Center, Maria Parham, Central Regional Hospital, UNC and Duke,” she said. “When it was time to apply for jobs, I only applied to ICU’s, landed four ICU interviews/offers and accepted a job offer at Duke.”

Today, she is a registered nurse in the Neurosciences ICU at Duke University Hospital, which is ranked as the top hospital in North Carolina. “I couldn’t be happier with my decision,” Adcock said. “I have the best co-workers, and our providers are all amazing!” She even helps to train the nurses of tomorrow, including VGCC students who come to her unit for their own clinical rotations.

Her advice to those considering following in her footsteps as a student: “Don’t ever let someone tell you that you’re not capable of doing something! Never accept ‘no’ for an answer and don’t expect results without dedication!”

Granville County Chamber of Commerce

Granville Chamber Sunrise Forum; June 14; 7:45 a.m.

— info provided by the Granville County Chamber of Commerce

The Granville County Chamber’s Sunrise Forum will be held June 14 at 7:45 a.m.  The program will feature Granville County Manager Mike Felts.

Enjoy a light breakfast and informative presentation.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED: 919.528.4994, 919.693.6125 or email: tawheeler@granville-chamber.com; wanda@granville-chamber.com

(This is not a paid advertisement.)

Oxford Logo

Oxford Commissioners to Consider Adopting Budget at June Meeting

-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

The City of Oxford Board of Commissioners will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room, City Hall.

Agenda items include:

June Yard of the Month – Keith & Lynn Cox – 219 Hillcrest Drive.

Presentation from the Oxford Women’s Club to DOEDC.

Resolution naming the Center Stage at the annual NC Hot Sauce Contest.

Public Hearing to receive citizen input on the FY 2019-2020 Proposed Budget.

Public Hearing to receive citizen input on amending the Zoning Ordinance under sections 302.1 & 720 to convert an existing single-family dwelling into a two-family dwelling unit.

Consider adopting the FY 19-20 Budget. The final budget book will be available on meeting night.

Consider amending the Zoning Ordinance under sections 302.1 & 720 to convert an existing single-family dwelling into a two-family dwelling unit and adopting the consistency statement.

Consider calling for a public hearing for the July meeting to amend the table of permitted uses to allow a craft distillery in the B2 Zoning District.

Consider contracting with Stephen F. Austin for administrative services for the 2019 Community Development Block Grant Program (Neighborhood Revitalization Project).

Consider approving a Budget Amendment for WWTP West Lagoon Rehab.

Consider approving a Budget Amendment for the Orphan Landfill.

Add-On Item – Consider approving a Budget Amendment for the UDO Project.

Click here for the City of Oxford Board of Commissioner’s meeting minutes and agendas. 

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Board of Ed. to Hold Interviews for Vacant District 1 Seat

-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Granville County Board of Education will hold a special meeting to interview candidates for the vacant District 1 seat on the Board of Education on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at the Granville County Public Schools Central Office, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina.

Granville County Logo

Free Class Offered to ‘Outsmart the Scammers’

-Press Release, Granville County Government

As incidents of fraud are on the rise – especially among the senior citizen population – the Granville County Senior Center will be offering a free class on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. The “Outsmart the Scammers” program will be held at the Senior Center in Oxford at 10 a.m. and will be instructed by Zeke Blake, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones.

Participants will learn helpful strategies to protect themselves and their loved ones. Topics include how to spot “red flags” that may indicate a fraudulent encounter; how to identify resources to utilize if targeted; and an overview of the steps that should be taken for personal protection.

This program is offered through the Creative Lifelong Learning Program and is open to the public. The Granville County Senior Center is located at 107 Lanier Street in Oxford. For more details about this program, or to learn more about the Creative Lifelong Learning Program, call 919-693-1930 or visit www.granvillecounty.org.

VGCC Golf Tournament Reaches Historic Milestone During Anniversary Year

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College had many numbers to celebrate at the conclusion of its recent Endowment Fund Golf Tournament: 35 annual tournaments, 50 years of service by the college to the community and more than 1 million dollars raised to date.

In fact, the fundraising total for the 35th tournament, presented this year by CertainTeed of Oxford, was more than $114,000, which will help fund scholarships for deserving students and support the mission of the college. That brought the total amount generated by all VGCC golf tournaments since 1985 over the million-dollar mark for the first time, to approximately $1,101,000.

A total of 148 golfers formed 37 teams to play in either the morning or the afternoon round on May 7 at the Henderson Country Club.

“Strong support from the community is part of the history of this college, dating back to 1969, and this year’s golf tournament was an incredible example of that support,” said VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais. “On behalf of the students who will benefit, we want to thank all of the golfers and sponsors who made the tournament a success, demonstrating their commitment to higher education and to our region’s economic future.”

At the dinner held to round out the day, players received trophies as they also took home an assortment of door prizes and participated in a silent auction. In keeping with the theme of celebrating VGCC’s half-century history, attendees heard remarks from a member of the college’s first graduating class (who is now a faculty member), Faith Harris, and from a member of its most recent graduating class, Evan O’Geary of Henderson. Both expressed their appreciation to tournament participants.

In the morning round, the Sullins Engineering team of Ben Bryan, Tony Murray, Mike Hill and Scott Dickerson took home the “first net” trophy. The team of Xavier Wortham, Cecil Lockley, Darryl Moss and Robert Newby won “second net.” The “first gross” trophy went to the AAA Gas team of David Thomas, Blair Thomas, Hal Finch and Kyle Holtzman.

In the afternoon round, the Union Bank team of Dicky Flye, Andrew Flye, Hal O’Geary and Jan Fletcher finished with the “first net” score. The Boyd Chevrolet team of Mike Rainey, Russ Boyd, Brian Boyd and Bobby Wilkerson won “second net.” The “first gross” trophy in the afternoon went to the Institutional Interiors team of Tim Hill, Billy Stanton and Mike Baskett.

David Rigsbee took both the longest-drive prize on Hole 1 and the closest-to-the-pin prize on Hole 11 in the morning round.

Blake Montgomery had the longest drive while Heath Davis won the closest-to-the-pin prize in the afternoon round.

Numerous companies and individuals supported the VGCC tournament as sponsors. The afternoon round was sponsored by Altec Industries of Creedmoor.

Other Premier Sponsors included Bridgestone Bandag, Carolina Commonwealth, Charles Boyd Chevrolet Buick GMC, Duke Energy, Durham Coca-Cola, First Citizens Wealth Management, Glen Raven, John Nelms, Jr., M.R. Williams, Novozymes North America, Private Wealth Management of N.C., Robling Medical, Universal Leaf North America U.S., Inc., Vanco Outdoor Equipment and Wester Insurance Agency.

Platinum Sponsors included CenturyLink, Core & Main, Granville County Farm Bureau, Henderson Collegiate, Institutional Interiors, K-Flex, Kilian Engineering, Mast Drug Company, Union Bank and Variety Stores, Inc.

Gold Sponsors included Carolina Sunrock, The Athlete’s Foot, Golden Skillet, Ted’s Catering Service and Winston International.

Green Sponsors included Barnett Real Properties, Inc., Dill Air Controls Products, HG Reynolds Company, Inc., International Paper, May & Place, Newton Instrument Company, Nick & Sons Truck Repair, NT Techno, RFR Metal Fabrication, Vescom, North America, Wake Electric Membership Corp., and Watkins Plumbing.

Fairway Sponsors were Granville Health System and Greystone Concrete Products.

Tee Box Sponsors included Ag Carolina Farm Credit, Ahner Security, BB&T, Banzet, Thompson, Styers & May, Brame Specialty, Carolina Country Snacks, Century 21 Country Knolls Realty, Inc., City Tire, Inc., College Station Food Inc., Comfort Systems USA, Comfort Zone, Cross & Currin Attorneys, Curtis & Joanne Thompson, Dabney Drive Animal Hospital, Dave & Kay Currin, Dave Carver, Drake Dentistry, DDS, PA, Eddie and Debra Ferguson, Encore Tech, Frazco, Inc. Insurance – Real Estate, Fred’s Towing & Transport, Inc., Granville County EDC, Hicks, Wrenn, PLLC, Hight Warehouse, JM White Funeral Home, Mack and Judy Choplin, Marsha J. Nelson, Medical Arts Pharmacy, Morton and Sherman Implement Co., Inc., MPACT Solutions, LLC, One Source Document Solutions, Pete Smith’s Tire and Quick Lube, Phillips Dorsey Thomas Waters & Brafford, P.A., Pino’s Italian Restaurant, Postal Plus Business Center, Riggs-Harrod, Robco Manufacturing/Alumadock Marine Structures, Sherman & Boddie, Inc., Southern Educational Systems, Southern Laundry, Stainback, Satterwhite & Zollicoffer, PLLC, Sunrise Biscuits of Oxford, Thomas Hester, Vance Construction Company, the Vance-Granville Deans, Waste Industries, Whitco Bug Warriors, William L. Stark and Company, and WOW Wash on Wheels.

Other contributions were made by Ace Hardware of Oxford, Bamboo Garden, Barbara Harris, Bob Hubbard/Angus Barn, CDWG, Carolina Country Snacks, Chick-fil-A, City Tire, Deanna Stegall, George’s of Henderson, Ichibar Japanese Restaurant, Institutional Interiors Inc., Nan’s, The Peanut Roaster, Schewels Furniture Company (Henderson), Schewels Furniture Company (Oxford), Stella & Dot, Sunrise Biscuits, Tarheel Vending and Wholesale, Tidal Wave, US Foods, Vance Furniture, Vanco Outdoor Equipment, Robert Winston, ARC3 Gases, Backyard Retreat, Cal Rogers – Events 2 America, Circuit Tech, Dr. Ben Currin, Donald Seifert, Jim Crawford, Judge Henry & Mamie Banks, Lewis Electric of Oxford, Sarah Baskerville, Tru-Green Landscaping, and Walmart Distribution.

Each year, the golf tournament is the major fundraising event for the VGCC Endowment Fund, through which more than 9,400 scholarships have been awarded to students since 1982. Scholarships have been established by individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. For more information, call (252) 738-3409. Get a FlightScope simulator, this gives you all the tools to build a repeatable swing you can trust.

The Sullins Engineering team of, from left, Scott Dickerson, Mike Hill, Tony Murray and Ben Bryan took home the “first net” trophy in the morning round of the 35th Annual Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund Golf Tournament at the Henderson Country Club. (VGCC Photo)

The team of, from left, Robert Newby, Cecil Lockley, Xavier Wortham and Darryl Moss won “second net” in the morning round of the 35th Annual Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund Golf Tournament at the Henderson Country Club. (VGCC Photo)

The “first gross” trophy went to the AAA Gas team of, from left, Blair Thomas, David Thomas, Kyle Holtzman and Hal Finch in the morning round of the 35th Annual Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund Golf Tournament at the Henderson Country Club. (VGCC Photo)

The Union Bank team, which included, from left, Dickie Flye, Andrew Flye, Jan Fletcher and Hal O’Geary, finished with the “first net” score in the afternoon round of the 35th Annual Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund Golf Tournament at the Henderson Country Club. (VGCC Photo)

Runner-up in the afternoon round of the 35th Annual Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund Golf Tournament, winning “second net,” was the Boyd Chevrolet team of, from left, Brian Boyd, Bobby Wilkerson, Mike Rainey and Russ Boyd. (VGCC Photo)

The “first gross” trophy in the afternoon went to the Institutional Interiors team of, from left, Macy Foster, Billy Stanton, Mike Baskett and Tim Hill in the afternoon round of the 35th Annual Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund Golf Tournament at the Henderson Country Club. (VGCC Photo)

NCDOT

Granville County Intersection to be Realigned

-Press Release, NCDOT

Work will begin soon on a project to realign N.C. 56 where it intersects U.S. 15 and N.C. 50 in Creedmoor.

The N.C. Department of Transportation recently awarded a $3.4 million contract to have Carolina Sunrock LLC of Raleigh improve the junction.

Currently, drivers headed east on N.C. 56 must make a series of turns to stay on the highway as it follows West Lake Road to Durham and Wilton avenues. The realignment will create a direct tie between West Lake Road and Wilton Avenue, improving traffic flow by eliminating the turns needed to stay on N.C. 56 in the Creedmoor city limits.

A new two-lane, median-divided connector will be constructed to the north of the existing West Lake Road, and a new alignment for West Lake Road will branch off the N.C. 56 connector. The project also calls for sidewalks that will connect to a city sidewalk project.

Work is expected to begin next week, and the new roads are scheduled to be open to traffic by June 1, 2020.

West Lake Road and North Pine Street will maintain partial access throughout the project. The plans are phased to avoid complete road closures and allow access at all times to properties and businesses in the project area.

Oxford Logo

City of Oxford: Planning, Public Safety Committees to Meet Mon., June 10

-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

The Planning, Business & Community Development Committee for the Oxford Board of Commissioners will meet on Monday, June 10, 2019, at 12:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the First Floor Training Room, City Hall, 300 Williamsboro Street in Oxford.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the City’s procedures for public hearings related to planning and zoning issues.

All those interested are invited to attend.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————-

The Public Safety Committee for the Oxford Board of Commissioners will meet on Monday, June 10, 2019, at 1:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the First Floor Training Room, City Hall, 300 Williamsboro Street in Oxford.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the disposition of a 1989 Fire Cat truck.

All those interested are invited to attend.

New VGCC Scholarship Endowed in Memory of Local Couple

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Dr. M.W. Wester, III, and his wife, Sara Wester, of Henderson have endowed a new scholarship at Vance-Granville Community College in memory of Dr. Wester’s parents.

The new Presidential Merit Award-level scholarship honors the legacy of the late Dr. and Mrs. M.W. Wester, Jr., better known as “Wes” and “Dee Dee” to their friends.

The late Dr. M.W. Wester, Jr. and Dee Dee Wester. (Photo contributed by the family)

The Westers met and married at Duke University, while he was a medical student and she was studying physical therapy. After completing school, they returned to his hometown, Henderson, where he opened a family medicine practice. He brought in a partner, Dr. Reg Tucker, and later Dr. Beverly Tucker, Dr. Roddy Drake, Dr. Randolph Mills and Dr. Franklin Mills.

The practice eventually became known as Henderson Family Medicine Clinic and is now Duke Primary Care Henderson. Dr. Wester was always interested in the education of new physicians and served as an adjunct faculty member at Duke and at UNC-Chapel Hill. He brought a number of medical students to the clinic in Henderson to complete their family practice rotations.

Mrs. Wester, born Eleanor Clardy, practiced physical therapy at Maria Parham Hospital for many years. Her hobby, however, was teaching ceramics, china painting and doll making at VGCC. She started teaching when the college was still a technical institute that was housed in the former Maria Parham Hospital in downtown Henderson, and she continued until 2008. Mrs. Wester also served on the VGCC Endowment Fund Board while she was serving as president of the Hospital Guild.

Sara Wester has continued her mother-in-law’s tradition of involvement with VGCC, as a member of the college’s board of trustees since 2004.

The new scholarship will be awarded to a student in a Health Sciences program.

VGCC Endowment Director Eddie Ferguson, Endowment Specialist Kay Currin and President Dr. Rachel Desmarais join Sara Wester and Dr. M.W. “Buddy” Wester, III, to celebrate the creation of the new scholarship in memory of Dr. Wester’s parents, during the 35th annual VGCC Endowment Fund Golf Tournament at the Henderson Country Club. (VGCC photo)

“This scholarship is a fitting tribute to the Westers’ lifetime of service and will inspire the students who receive it, as they pursue their own careers serving others through health care,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, VGCC’s president. “At the same time, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vance-Granville, we are reminded of the important role of continuing education classes like those taught by Mrs. Wester, which have provided not only skills but also joy to members of the community throughout our history.”

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, call (252) 738-3409.

Granville County Public Schools

Leadership Changes Announced for Granville Co. Public Schools

-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

At their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, June 3, 2019, the Granville County Board of Education approved recommended changes to numerous leadership positions at the school and district levels. These positions will become effective July 1, 2019, and will be in effect for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Superintendent McLean offered these remarks regarding these changes, saying, “We have made tremendous progress in the past two years. I am so proud of the amazing opportunities our staff provide for our students day in and day out. With these new appointments, it is my hope we will continue our trajectory of excellence and be poised for an even brighter future for our pupils.”

New Principal Assignments:

Billy Moore – Mt Energy Elementary School

Bethany Bonnemere – West Oxford Elementary School

Ashley Clark – Butner Stem Middle School

David Hackney – JF Webb School of Health and Life Sciences

 

New Assistant Principal Assignments:

Sophelia McMannon – Butner Stem Elementary School

Donald Johnson – CG Credle Elementary School

Benjy Downing – Wilton Elementary School

Charmain Day-Heggie – Butner Stem Middle School

Nancy Russell – GC Hawley Middle School

Sherria Grubbs – Northern Granville Middle School

Ashley Lloyd – Northern Granville Middle School

 

District Assignments:

Bill Graham – Principal of Granville Academy & District Disciplinary Coordinator

Angie Salisbury – CTE IMC & Secondary Coordinator

Shelby Hunt – Title I Instructional & Grants Coordinator (Elementary MTSS)

Gwen Loftin – Interim Technology Director

Vickie Hines – PK & Early Childhood Day Coordinator

Lauren Curtis – STEAM and Code Coordinator (Secondary MTSS)

All district-level staffing represent placements or re-assignments of pre-existing positions and duties that were previously held by other individuals.