Granville Chamber to hold Business-After-Hours with local car dealer

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Granville County Chamber member Oxford Car & Truck will be hosting the Chamber’s monthly Business-After-Hours Thursday evening, August 25th from 5:30 ‘til 8:30 pm, at their 1010 Linden Avenue, Oxford location.  Owner Eddie Caudle and his staff are looking forward to hosting this evening event, and to providing an opportunity for networking, food and entertainment following a busy work day and leading into the weekend.

Expect delicious hors d’oeuvres, prepared by Chamber member Ted’s Catering, beverages and entertainment provided by a local DJ while networking with business associates and community leaders.

Please reply to one of the Chamber’s offices the number from your business or organization who plan to attend – wanda@granville-chamber.com, 919.693.6125 or tawheeler@granville-chamber.com, 919.528.4994 by August 19th.

VGCC Scholarship established in memory of nurse Priscilla Brooks

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A new scholarship is being established at Vance-Granville Community College in memory of Priscilla Brooks, a longtime licensed practical nurse in Granville County. Brooks passed away suddenly on Jan. 13, 2016, at age 75.

“Priscilla was a great nurse and a problem-solver, inside and outside of the doctor’s office,” said John W. Watson, Jr., an attorney and the son of one of the doctors for whom Brooks worked. “More than anything, Priscilla enjoyed connecting with the people around her, whether they were patients, Duke medical students or the young nurses who attended to her in later days.”

Friends and family members established a memorial scholarship fund after her death and have collected more than $4,000. More contributions are needed to fully fund the scholarship, so that the college will be able to award it to students regularly. The ultimate goal is to raise $50,000, and an anonymous donor has pledged to match $5,000 in new contributions. The new scholarship is intended to assist VGCC Nursing students.

“Priscilla’s desire for nursing became evident early in life,” according to Ella Schmit of Oxford, one of Brooks’s three younger sisters. “One day, a large open truck carrying a troop of Boy Scouts accidentally turned upside down in front of her home and threw children all over the front yard, up and down the highway…. Priscilla and her mom ran out the door and Priscilla, at only 13 years old, immediately ran from one child to the next, helping them and treating them as best she could. It was apparent even then that she was a real nurse at heart.”

Determined to become a nurse, Brooks graduated from Stem High School with honors and went on to the Mary Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing in Raleigh. She worked at a couple of hospitals, finally going to work for Doctors Watson and Tarry in Oxford. “She stayed with them for years, and she always called them ‘her’ doctors,” Schmit said. “When Dr. Watson retired, Dr. Eugene Day took over his practice. Priscilla continued to work for Dr. Day. She adored him and continued to give from her heart. She cared for her patients and doctors.” Patients, meanwhile, sometimes considered Brooks to be “one of the doctors,” Schmit recalled.

Brooks eventually retired after more than 40 years in nursing, but kept helping people all the way to the end, Schmit recalled. She was always caring and showing concern for people outside of the doctor’s office, tending to the sick in their homes. “She helped people stricken with Alzheimer’s to be able to stay at home as long as possible and assisted the elderly, making sure their medicines were correct, that they had proper nutrition, and that they felt safe,” Schmit said. She also loved to help children, who, like her family, called her “P” for short. “Priscilla wanted to make a difference in the world, and she truly did,” her sister said. “She was a confidant to so many people, and I am proud to call her my sister.” Brooks left behind a daughter, Lisa Jones, who resembles her mother in her appearance and in her compassionate heart, Schmit added.

“This scholarship will be a lasting way to honor and remember Priscilla’s incredible legacy of compassion and excellence in health care, and it will help VGCC Nursing students to follow in her footsteps,” said VGCC Endowment Director Eddie Ferguson.

Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 8,500 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 may be mailed to the Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund at P.O. Box 917, Henderson, NC 27536.

Granville Sheriff’s Office asks for your help in convict escape

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The Granville Sheriff’s Office is seeking assistance in locating Stephen Royster Hicks, DOB 11/5/80. Stephen Royster Hicks escaped custody while attending court at the Granville County Courthouse. Hicks is currently serving time for three counts of Larceny of Motor Vehicle, Assault and Battery with the DOAC in the Caswell Correctional Center in Blanch, NC. He is also facing a future sentence of 15 years for a 2015 Burlington Bank Robbery.

Stephen Royster Hicks was last seen driving a 2013 Mustang GT Royal Blue in color. Possibly still in the local area. Granville County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Hicks’ younger brother, Thomas Hicks, for assisting in the escape. Please notify the Granville County Sheriff’s Office at 919-693-3213 or Granville County Crimestoppers 919-693-3100.

High School students explore health and science at two VGCC campuses

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High school students from across the region recently attended “Mini-Medical School” camps organized by the Wake Area Health Education Center (AHEC) in partnership with Vance-Granville Community College. The camp was held first in June at VGCC’s South Campus, located between Butner and Creedmoor, and in July at the college’s Franklin County Campus, just outside Louisburg. Between the two locations, 44 students completed the program.

This was the college’s third summer partnering with Wake AHEC on the Mini-Medical School, which is an intensive, week-long day camp that uses computational science (computer simulation) and hands-on activities to study key aspects of medicine.

Students learned about topics that included anatomy and physiology, bioprocessing, biochemistry, pharmacology, cardiology, epidemiology, medical genetics and genomics. The course was taught primarily by Becky Brady, a registered nurse and chemical engineer. VGCC Bioprocess Technology program head/instructor Dr. Tara Hamilton also taught a session at each camp.

Faculty members from VGCC programs that prepare students for health-related careers — including Nursing, Medical Assisting, Radiography, Pharmacy Technology, Human Services Technology, and the college’s newest program, Histotechnology — gave students information about academic pathways and employment prospects and conducted hands-on activities on the last day of the camp.

Students not only had a chance to learn about careers and hone their science skills, but they also became certified in CPR and Youth Mental Health First Aid during the course of the program.

The students who completed the school at South Campus included Naim Bell and Sai Dasari, both of Apex Friendship High School; Koen Winemiller and Kiran Winemiller, both of Cary Academy; Gracie Athus of Cary Christian School; Sarah Flexman of Cary High School; Britney Dyck, a home-schooled student from Cary; Leah Paul, a recent graduate of Crossroads Christian School in Henderson; Saarika Virkar of Enloe High School in Raleigh; Sarah Doherty and Ellie Smith, both of Holly Springs High School; Tanay Singhal of the N.C. School of Science and Math; Jordan Bell of North Raleigh Christian Academy; Sri Rayarao of Panther Creek High School in Cary; LeAnn Black and  Hannah Bonini, both of South Granville High School; Riley Valencia of Southern Wake Academy in Holly Springs; Aryan Jain of Wake Early College of Health & Sciences; Samaria Lynch and Javia Wilson, both of Warren County High School; Mariam Assaedi of J.F. Webb School of Health & Life Sciences in Oxford; and Rose Vaughan of Woods Charter School in Chapel Hill.

Those who completed the program at Franklin Campus included Edin Medrano and Iris Medrano, both home-schooled students from Creedmoor; Karson Turner of Enloe High School in Raleigh; Rachel Hortman, a recent graduate of Fuquay-Varina High School; Yvon’ne Lyle of Garner High School; Saikiran Devanga Chinta of Green Hope High School in Cary; Jacob Harris of Henderson Collegiate School; Sascha Anderson of Vernon Malone College and Career Academy; Autumn Boone of Middle Creek High School in Apex; Lizzie Leegins and Jillian Radford, both of North Johnston High School; Caroline Pruitt of Sanderson High School in Raleigh; Sabrina Bedard, Nadia Hodges and Amanda McPhatter, both home-schooled students from Wake Forest; Sarah Bryant, Victoria Michel and Malik Pettis, all of Wake Forest High School; Kendall Smith and Brandon Yarborough, both of Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy; Parker Stantz of Wakefield High School; and Bryson Vick of Warren County High School.

Wake AHEC serves nine counties in central North Carolina from its office in Raleigh: Durham, Franklin, Granville, Johnston, Lee, Person, Vance, Wake, and Warren counties. 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. The mission of the statewide AHEC Program is to meet the state’s health and health workforce needs. NC AHEC provides educational 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.

Vance County Schools Press Release

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Vance County Schools

For Immediate Release

July 27, 2016

A “Meet and Greet” event will be held on Thursday, August 25, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Civic Center at Vance-Granville Community College to provide an opportunity for students, parents and community members to meet Debbie Hite, the new principal at the Vance County Early College High School.

The public is invited to attend.

VGCC student recognized as a Microsoft Office ‘Master’

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Andrew S. Dawson of Henderson recently became the first Vance-Granville Community College student to earn the “Microsoft Office Specialist Master” certification.

The certification is awarded to someone who successfully passes a set of certification exams that test proficiency in multiple Microsoft software applications. Dawson completed the Excel 2013, Excel 2013 Expert-level, Access 2013 and Word 2013 certifications, all during the spring 2016 semester. He said he hopes in the future to accomplish the same certifications for the newest (2016) versions of the Office programs.

VGCC offers a number of nationally-recognized Microsoft Office certifications, free of charge, to students, faculty and staff. The “Microsoft IT Academy” program helps ensure that test-takers have the most up-to-date knowledge and skills that are valued by employers. VGCC was one of the top five community colleges in North Carolina for the number of participants in the certification program in 2015.

Dawson is a student in the Computer Technology Integration – IT Support Track program. He is projected to graduate from the college in the spring of 2017 and plans to pursue an information technology career. A full-time student, Dawson is also a part-time tutor in the VGCC Academic Skills Center.

“Andrew is a very dedicated and knowledgeable student, and we’re so proud of his achievements,” said VGCC Information Technology program head Faith Harris. She added that Dawson’s certification will help him succeed in the job market.

“It’s kind of mind-boggling that this will be a great addition to my resume, and I got it for free as a student,” Dawson noted.

For more information on VGCC Information Technology offerings, contact Faith Harris at (252) 738-3235 or harrisf@vgcc.edu.

VGCC ranked as best online two-year college in North Carolina

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Vance-Granville Community College was recently recognized as the top two-year college in North Carolina for online programs, and, in a separate ranking, was named one of the top five two-year colleges in the state for the second year in a row.

In its list of the “Best Online Schools in North Carolina for 2015-2016,” the California-based organization, Accredited Schools Online (ASO), ranked VGCC first among all of the state’s two-year institutions of higher learning.

“Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) is one of North Carolina’s leaders in providing individual online courses, as well as fully-online degree programs,” ASO wrote in a summary on its website, www.accreditedschoolsonline.org. “Students are afforded the opportunity to complete course work in a way that meets today’s demanding schedules and fulfills the educational requirements of this challenging economy. For many students, a degree from VGCC is the first step to a four-year college or university degree. While online courses offer convenience, they are fully as comprehensive as on-campus courses and create unique challenges for students. Self-motivation, the ability to follow instructions, and basic computer skills are crucial for the successful distance learner.”

Accredited Schools Online is a comprehensive accreditation resource that provides prospective students and families with the tools needed to make well-informed decisions about their education.

ASO’s rankings took into account a number of factors, including the number of online programs and subject areas available, the percentage of students receiving financial aid, the academic/career counseling services offered, the cost of tuition, and the student-to-faculty ratio, which in VGCC’s case was 14 to 1. ASO awarded VGCC a score of 99.56 out of a possible 100.

“Vance-Granville continues to gain national recognition for excellence, thanks to the efforts of our innovative faculty and staff,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC. “We have taken a leading role in expanding opportunities for distance learning programs that are affordable, accessible and high-quality. Whether they take their classes online or on-campus, our Vanguards receive an outstanding educational experience that prepares them to achieve professional and personal success.”

VGCC has expanded its online course offerings in recent years. In 2015, the college launched the VOLT (Vanguard Online Learning through Technology) initiative, primarily with working adults in mind. Through VOLT, five two-year degree programs are now offered 100-percent online — Associate in Arts (College Transfer), Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Medical Office Administration – Coding Specialist, and Global Logistics and Distribution Management Technology. In addition, students can take online courses in combination with traditional face-to-face courses to complete any VGCC degree program. The fall semester begins on Aug. 15.

VOLT students enjoy several specific benefits, including priority registration and guaranteed course availability. They also have access to many online resources that are available to all VGCC students, such as library services, testing and the Bookstore. Courses offered through VOLT have the same low tuition as all other VGCC courses, making them more affordable than their counterparts at for-profit institutions. In addition, Duke Energy, a longtime corporate supporter of VGCC, has provided funds for scholarships specifically for VOLT students.

For more information about VOLT, visit volt.vgcc.edu or call Evelyn Harris at (252) 738-3254, Kathy Wolford at (252) 738-3335 or Melanie Copeland at (252) 738-3271.

Meanwhile, VGCC was also recognized by BestColleges.com for the second consecutive year as one of the top five two-year colleges in North Carolina.

Just as in 2015, VGCC came in fifth on the list, in which BestColleges.com ranked the top 25 two-year and top 25 four-year schools in North Carolina.

The BestColleges.com website notes that VGCC “offers a broad range of subjects” and goes on to highlight VGCC’s technological resources for students, including the Moodle learning management system for online courses, software like Microsoft Office 365, which is available to all students free of charge, and the college’s mobile app.

The organization’s school assessments start by regarding every college and university equally, no matter their size or brand popularity. Rankings are then determined based on acceptance, enrollment, retention, graduation and loan default rates. The last criterion is an indication of post-graduation employment, since those who have found work are less likely to default on their loans.

Texas-based BestColleges.com was founded in 2012 with the mission of helping prospective students find the college that best meets their needs. Visitors to BestColleges.com can find the tools and resources to succeed throughout their higher education career. Those in the college planning stage can take advantage of college rankings, a searchable database of schools, and financial planning guides.

–VGCC–

Electronic Compliance and Dismissal System For Certain Traffic Violations

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DA Mike Waters – ecadpressrelease

Electronic Compliance and Dismissal (ECAD) quicker and more efficient for citizens

Oxford, N.C.- Citizens of Franklin, Granville, Vance and Warren Counties can now easily request dismissal of certain traffic violations online with the launch of the new Electronic Compliance and Dismissal (ECAD) system. The application delivers a modern and user friendly experience to quickly process traffic violations online without having to appear in court.

“The online dismissal system is quicker and easier for citizens and provides immediate benefits to our courts,” said District Attorney Mike Waters. “Citizens are able to go online at home without having to miss work or wait in line, while saving time and resources of our district attorneys and court staff to process cases.”

Following Chief Justice Mark Martin’s vision for modernizing court technology systems statewide, ECAD was designed to reduce foot traffic in courthouses across the state while allowing the public a fast, convenient way to request dismissal for certain traffic violations online. The efficient, user-friendly system also benefits district attorneys by dramatically reducing the time needed to review and process dismissals of minor traffic cases.

“Online dismissals and services are changing the way the public does business with our courts,” said Judge Marion Warren, director of the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts. “This modern court technology is more efficient and convenient to process a significant portion of traffic cases online and not have to stand in line at the courthouse.”

Prior to ECAD, citizens had to appear in court and visit the courthouse to request dismissal. In 2015, over 220,000 cases with ECAD eligible offenses were dismissed in North Carolina. This represents a significant portion of the traffic cases handled in our state and underscores the importance and convenience for the public. There is no cost associated with requesting dismissal of a case online through ECAD, and the system is available 24/7.

The system was funded by S.L. 2015-241 (HB 97) in September 2015 and work on the system began in October. ECAD was piloted beginning in May 2016, and is now available in all 100 counties statewide as of July. New language will be added to traffic citations statewide to inform the general public about ECAD and the courts’ online services available at onlineservices.NCcourts.org.

The following offenses are the only offenses eligible for dismissal/disposition through ECAD:
No Operator’s License
Failure to carry a valid driver’s license
Expired operator’s license
Expire/no inspection
OR/allow registration plate not display
Drive/allow MV no registration
Canceled/revoked/suspended certificate/tag
Expired registration card/tag

Citizens who have received a traffic citation for any of the above referenced offenses, and are in compliance and seeking a dismissal through ECAD, can go to onlineservices.NCcourts.org. They will need their citation number, which is located at the top of their ticket, and a valid address. If these charges are attached to a moving violation, a court appearance is still required.

VGCC Trustees elect Danny Wright as chair; Wester, Seifert reappointed

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The Vance-Granville Community College Board of Trustees selected Danny W. Wright of Henderson as its next chair, succeeding Deborah Brown, as the board met for its bi-monthly meeting on Monday, July 18, on the college’s Main Campus.

Herb Gregory of Oxford was re-elected as vice chair, while Brown, a Henderson resident, was elected secretary of the board, succeeding Dr. Doris Terry Williams.

Wright first served as a trustee in 2011-2013, having been appointed by N.C. Gov. Beverly Perdue, and then returned to the VGCC board in January 2015 as an appointee of the Vance County Board of Commissioners. He is a certified public accountant who retired as a county commissioner in 2010 after serving for 28 years.

Brown, who currently serves as a Vance commissioner and is also appointed to the Board of Trustees by that body, thanked her fellow trustees for the support they gave her as chair. She became the chair in July 2012.

“Mrs. Brown has supported this institution, challenged this institution and kept us focused on important things,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, Vance-Granville’s president. “Thank you for that.”

Two long-serving board members began new terms. Resident Superior Court Judge Henry W. “Chip” Hight, Jr., who serves the Ninth Judicial District, swore in Trustees Sara C. Wester and Donald C. Seifert, Sr., both of Henderson, to new four-year terms on the board. Wester was reappointed by the Vance County Board of Commissioners; Seifert, by the Vance County Board of Education. Wester was first appointed in 2004, while Seifert has been a trustee since 1996 and served as chair for nine years.

Building 10 Opening

An update on capital projects was provided, noting that the Building 10 renovation has been completed, final inspections have been performed and the building is ready for occupancy. Located across Poplar Creek Road from the rest of VGCC’s main campus, the building will house classrooms for Emergency Medical Services, Fire/Rescue Programs, Basic Law Enforcement Training, Law Enforcement In-Service training and other workforce programs. A dedication is planned for early August.

Investment Committee

Seven “very good, solid responses” were received to the Investment Committee’s request for proposals (RFP) for investment management services, said Steve Graham, VGCC’s vice president of finance and operations.

The Investment Committee, co-chaired by Trustees L. Opie Frazier, Jr., and Donald C. Seifert, Sr., reported that responses to the RFP will be reviewed and scored in July. A selection committee will hear finalist presentations in August. In September, a finalist will be presented to both the VGCC Endowment Fund Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees for approval.

Budget Amendments

Upon recommendation from the Budget Committee, chaired by Danny W. Wright, the 2015-2016 Budget Resolution was amended. The State Current Fund increased $2,126,684 to $23,633,789, the County Current Fund was unchanged at $2,390,408, and the Institutional Fund increased $218,052 to $13,119,445, for a combined Amended Operating Budget of $39,143,642. The Capital Improvement Budget increased $191,042 to $2,404,460. The total Combined Amended Budget is $41,548,102.

Fall Semester Enrollment

In her report to the board on recent activities and upcoming events, Dr. Stelfanie Williams informed the Trustees that the new Fall Semester starts Monday, Aug. 15. She said she has encouraged staff and faculty to focus on enrollment growth as the new academic year begins.

“I challenge the board to join us in our effort for ‘each one’ to ‘reach one,’” she said. “Try to find someone you think would benefit from the courses we offer, and help them get enrolled for fall.”

Dr. Williams also announced the following upcoming board events: the annual Board Retreat for the Trustees on Aug. 22, a North Carolina Association of Community College Trustees Fall Leadership Seminar in Charlotte on Sept. 7-9, and an Ethics Training session on Nov. 17.

Other Action

In other action:

  • The Trustees, on recommendation from the Curriculum Committee, approved the Sustainability Technologies program for closure by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and termination by the North Carolina Community College System. VGCC will contact students who have taken courses in the program to give them an opportunity to complete the credential before termination is effective in the summer of 2017. Low enrollment was cited as the reason for closing the program.
  • On recommendation from the Executive Committee, new and amended board policies were approved by the Trustees. The policies cover areas of public information and campus safety, academic and student affairs, and finance and operations.
  • An informational report on new employees, retirements, resignations and changes in positions was given by the Personnel Committee, chaired by Trustee Sara C. Wester.

The next meeting of the VGCC Board of Trustees will be held on Monday, Sept. 19, at the Main Campus.

J.F. Webb High School Campus

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Last week, on Tuesday, July 12th, the Granville County Board of Education held a special called meeting to take up discussion about the future of the J.F. Webb High School campus.  Superintendent Dr. Dorwin Howard presented information to the Board members regarding demographics and other information about Webb High School and the School of Health and Life Sciences which is on the Webb campus.

Following the discussion, the Board arrived at consensus to issue the following proclamation: The Granville County Board of Education and the Granville County Public Schools Administration are committed to maintaining the two distinctive schools that comprise the J.F. Webb High School campus, and to take continuous action to improve the academic achievement, student behavior, discipline and safety for all students.

Board Chair, Dr. G. Thomas Houlihan, also offered these additional comments, “Tonight the Granville County Board of Education adopted a statement that clearly supports the continuation of the School of Health and Life Sciences on the JF Webb campus.  The Board is concerned that rumors in the community assumed the school would be merged with JF Webb High School next year- this is in fact not the case, and furthermore, there are no plans to merge the schools anytime soon.  We look forward to the continued success of this school and support the efforts of all of our schools to serve all students to the best of their ability.”

Superintendent Dr. Dorwin L. Howard, Sr. also commented on the discussion, saying, “We are committed to providing the best possible education to all of the students at the JF Webb campus.  We will continue to work closely with the leadership teams at both schools to improve the academic achievement, student behavior, discipline and safety for all students.  Warrior pride is strong, and the future is bright for all students on that campus.”

(The final three paragraphs are verbatim from a Granville Co. Schools press release.  The first paragraph was altered slightly for clarity.)