Granville Chamber to host New Teacher Breakfast

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The Granville County Chamber of Commerce and Granville Health System are sponsoring the annual New Teacher Breakfast on Friday, August 19th at 7:30 am at Granville Central High School, 2043 Sanders Road, Stem. This event welcomes and recognizes new employees to the Granville County School system and allows them an opportunity to meet local elected officials, as well as  business and agency leaders in Granville County.

Presiding will be Angela Allen, President of the Granville Chamber, with remarks from Dr. Lee Isley, CEO, Granville Health System.

Granville County Chamber banks, real estate, and insurance members are invited to set up business displays to provide information for the newcomers. Chamber of Commerce member businesses contribute items for gift bags for the 100 new teacher employees.  Businesses interested in donating gift bag items should contact either of the Chamber’s offices – Toni Anne Wheeler, 919.528.4994, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com or Wanda Garrett, 919.693.6125, wanda@granville-chamber.com.

Fourteen graduate from EMT-Paramedic training at VGCC

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Vance-Granville Community College honored 11 men and three women who completed the college’s year-long Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic program on July 13.

The graduates included Michael Hunter Robbins of Bunn; Catherine Garner of Creedmoor; Fuller Caton, Herbert Hill Davis, James Hughes, Cassidy Ivey, William Jenkins, Tyler McDaniel and Courtney Moss, all of Henderson; David Drumheller of Mebane; Jonathan Kraemer of Raleigh; Harvey Grim of Roxboro; Joseph Farlow of Timberlake; and C.J. Phillips of Youngsville.

Vivian Loyd, a Registered Nurse and Paramedic Level II instructor, was the instructor for the class.

EMT-Paramedic instruction includes 596 hours of didactic (classroom) training and 500 hours of clinical education, or field internship. To be eligible to take the EMT-P course, students had to have already completed a 203-hour EMT-Basic course and passed a state exam.

An EMT-Paramedic has enhanced skills beyond the EMT-Basic level, including being able to administer additional interventions and medications. The EMT-P delivers the highest level of pre-hospital medical care in North Carolina.

In order to successfully complete the EMT-P course, students had to pass several different exams, including a “scope of practice” exam. This scenario-based evaluation tested the hands-on and critical thinking skills of students, as they delivered the appropriate treatment to multiple trauma patients and dealt with pediatric, environmental, and mental-illness situations. Each student also had to complete an 80-hour Anatomy and Physiology course.

Now that students have completed the EMT-P course, they must take the 100-question North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services credentialing exam to become state-certified.

VGCC offers Emergency Medical Services training from the basic to the Paramedic level, in addition to continuing education. For more information on enrolling in these courses, call Stephen Barney at (252) 738-3273.

VGCC names 269 students to President’s and Dean’s Lists

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Vance-Granville Community College has announced that 125 students earned President’s List and 144 students earned Dean’s List academic honors for the spring semester that ended in May.

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:

Zachary T. Andrick of Henderson;

Jacob H. Daniel and Selene Govea Rostro, both of Oxford.

 

Associate Degree Nursing:

Madelaine L. Sachs of Henderson;

Renee Jackson of Kittrell;

Devan F. Wilkins of Louisburg;

Sandra H. Rose of Stem.

 

Associate in Arts:

Kaleb S. Williamson of Bullock;

William P. Unger of Butner;

Samantha J. Shannon and John M. Weeks, both of Creedmoor;

Ryan W. Sharp of Franklinton;

Cristin D. Abbott, Jennifer A. Burns and Kourtney J. Cockrell, all of Henderson;

Elizabeth D. Cole of Kittrell;

Marshella D. Ashby of Littleton;

Salwa S. Assaedi, Kristy R. Ball, Grisel Govea Rostro and Sydney A. Towers, all of Oxford;

Charles Braswell of Raleigh;

Abigail G. Hey of Stem;

Joshua L. Taylor of Warrenton;

Jasmine C. Blacknall of Winston-Salem;

Katrina Z. Hodges and David M. Restrepo, both of Youngsville.

 

Associate in General Education – General Science:

Ashley A. Oakley of Roxboro.

 

Associate in Science:

Jordan S. Ligon of Bullock;

Alegra A. Bass and Melinda W. Langston, both of Henderson;

Alexander T. Cockman and Emily C. Rogers, both of Louisburg;

Nicole F. Bowman and Francis C. Scotland, both of Oxford;

Karly R. Blue of Stem;

Kellyann M. Cook of Stovall;

Nehemiah S. Yisak of Wake Forest;

Nicholas J. Didonna III and Christopher R. Worner, both of Youngsville.

 

Automotive Systems Technology:

Kenneth S. McConnell of Henderson;

Robert L. Mallory of Oxford.

 

Business Administration:

Sara Reid of Creedmoor;

April F. Brogden, Sarah K. Moss, Meghan J. Rossi and Allyssabeth R. Trowbridge, all of Oxford;

Heather A. Henkel of Wake Forest;

Ashley M. Kinton of Youngsville.

 

Carpentry:

Robyn Horner of Durham.

 

Computer Technology Integration – IT Support Track:

Quinton McDonald of Henderson.

 

Computer Technology Integration – Networking and Security Technologies Track:

Christina D. Manz of Creedmoor;

Andrew Hentze of Henderson;

Timothy A. Farley of Oxford.

 

Computer Technology Integration – Web Design and Support Track:

Angelica M. Garcia-Avelar of Durham;

Tabitha M. Jarman of Louisburg;

Rowan M. Morris of Warrenton.

 

Cosmetology:

Charlotte B. Slaughter of Butner;

Brittany D. Pickering of Durham;

Katrina W. Collie of Franklinton;

Sha’chrisa A. Williams of Hollister;

Kathryn L. Overby of Louisburg;

Kierra N. Richardson of Macon;

Myranda L. Carroll of Norlina;

Dar-Neshia S. Williams of Warrenton.

 

Criminal Justice Technology:

Tyler L. Hughes of Bullock;

Hunter C. Thompson of Creedmoor;

Justin R. Ali of Franklinton;

Benjamin B. Layton and Jamel Roy, both of Kittrell;

Chance S. Hayes of Louisburg;

Veronica M. Yount of Townsville;

Daysha M. Dawson of Youngsville.

 

Culinary Arts:

Emory L. Gant-Hawkins, Stacey H. Grissom, Harli R. Sams and Hayya A. Wright, all of Henderson;

Danielle N. Enright of Louisburg;

Dustin E. Gregory of Oxford;

Randy D. Bullock of Stem.

 

Early Childhood Education:

Battista S. Wilkins of Franklinton;

Mary A. Durand of Wake Forest.

 

Electrical Systems Technology:

Michael O. Smith, Jr., of Oxford;

Keith A. Tunstall of Warrenton.

 

Entrepreneurship:

Austin R. Lovegrove of Franklinton;

Sheila M. Alston of Louisburg.

 

Human Services Technology:

Victoria L. Currin and Robin L. Hill, both of Oxford.

 

Human Services Technology/Gerontology:

Cherie K. Jones of Creedmoor;

Larecia R. Bullock of Oxford.

 

Human Services Technology/Substance Abuse:

Joseph C. Brodie and Shurondia C. Williams, both of Henderson;

Kellie W. Taborn of Oxford.

 

Mechatronics Engineering Technology:

Charles J. Nordcliff of Creedmoor;

Thomas K. Boyd of Henderson.

 

Medical Assisting:

Adrienne M. Robertson of Henderson;

Samantha A. Patterson of Stem;

Denise N. Six of Wake Forest.

 

Medical Office Administration:

Tamara F. Glover, Raven K. Kay and April B. Peoples, all of Henderson;

Susan B. Smith of Kittrell;

Adrienne N. Adcock and Kristie L. Brough, both of Oxford;

Jenese N. Caldwell of Wake Forest;

Rebecca T. George of Warrenton.

 

Office Administration:

Mary A. Elberson of Henderson.

 

Paralegal Technology:

Heather L. Taylor of Franklinton;

Heather C. Bryant of Youngsville.

 

Pharmacy Technology:

Jordan R. Garrison of Henderson;

Lindsay C. Henry of Youngsville.

 

Radiography:

Mark J. Meinhart of Louisburg;

Kristel L. Dehart of Oxford;

Jamisha D. Twitty of Warrenton.

 

School-Age Education:

Andrea J. Hayes of Henderson.

 

Simulation and Game Development:

Brandon J. Carver of Durham;

Dustin L. Starnes of Henderson.

 

Welding Technology:

Nicholas Keeton of Bullock;

Joshua C. Pfohl of Franklinton;

Donnie S. Ayscue of Henderson;

Can Akyar, Ethan T. Bailey and Keodric D. Grant, all of Oxford;

Corey A. Di Lorenzo and Jared Q. Siemers, both of Wake Forest.

 

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

 

Accounting:

Dianna L. Deweese of Creedmoor;

Sarah J. Gabriel and Pamela D. Swanson, both of Franklinton;

Holly A. Waddell of Henderson;

Wannapha N. Robinson of Littleton;

Jennifer M. Burton of Norlina;

Starr Peace of Oxford;

Elizabeth D. Elliott of Youngsville.

 

Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology:

Frederik L. Gaube-Ogle of Stem.

 

Associate in Arts:

Farrah B. Foster and Don E. Sweet, Sr., both of Creedmoor;

Carlos A. Falcon of Durham;

Jared A. Akers, Courtney M. Brodie, Loren M. McCuiston, Robert D. Osborne and Richard K. Washington, all of Franklinton;

Cooper Antel, Nancy C. Bonilla, Brooklyn S. Davis, Alexis Hawthorne, Katelyn C. Kimbrell, Mary E. Oakley, Ashley J. Pendergrass, Ebony S. Robinson Solomon, Janet Rodriguez-Morales, Jakayla M. Thorpe and April Zuniga-Trejo, all of Henderson;

Taylor J. Abbott, Lillian D. Kanouff, Allison E. Long, McKenzie J. Taylor, all of Kittrell;

Jarrett J. Depizzol, Detra S. Hunt, Blake A. Massengill, Joshua W. Moody and Cassandra Saroza, all of Louisburg;

Amani M. Durden and Sierra S. Hawkins, both of Norlina;

Cecilia E. Barrenechea, Brenda Diaz-Salas, Haley N. Elliott, Emily H. Grissom, Marquida R. Harrington, Lydia A. Hendrick, Kemarie D. Jeffers, Ashley McEntee, Lane D. Phipps, Anna K. Thompson and Dylan E. Yacos, all of Oxford;

Keilah E. Alston and Jessica M. Shelton, both of Stem;

Grace E. Bowen, Andrew D. Lugg and Brianna H. Rigsbee, all of Wake Forest;

Hunter A. Carter and Stephanie Hommel, both of Youngsville.

 

Associate in General Education – General Science:

Kimberly M. Spence of Henderson;

Megan T. Whitman of Youngsville.

 

Associate in Science:

Daniel Cziraki of Creedmoor;

Christopher A. Plumley of Franklinton;

Kia S. Brodie and H’Kera P. Ktul, both of Louisburg;

Chelsee L. Mitchell of Macon;

Alana W. Towles of Oxford;

Micah C. Roberts of Stem;

Aaron W. Archambault of Wake Forest;

Henry M. Robinson of Youngsville;

Ayeley Akoto of Zebulon.

 

Automotive Systems Technology:

Jeremy D. Lemay of Henderson;

Luis G. Arroyo of Louisburg.

 

Business Administration:

Malinda M. Porter of Creedmoor;

Lois J. Daniels of Louisburg;

Justin T. Roberson of Norlina;

Temeka G. Marable and Broguen McKeown, both of Oxford.

 

Computer Technology Integration:

Bradley D. Harrison of Franklinton;

William T. Wesley of Oxford.

 

Computer Technology Integration – IT Support Track:

Tristin McClay of Creedmoor.

 

Computer Technology Integration – Networking and Security Technologies Track:

Mitchell L. Greene of Creedmoor;

Steven J. Lynch of Norlina;

Zachary T. Stevenson of Oxford.

 

Computer Technology Integration – Web Design & Support Track:

Amie E. Hilton of Oxford.

 

Cosmetology:

Cassie A. Shaffer of Butner;

Mia B. Harrison of Henderson;

Jennifer L. Creech, Areli R. Rayo Ramirez and Melissa D. Sweeney, all of Louisburg;

Kendall L. Barber of Norlina;

Jordan G. Reina of Roxboro;

Shannon W. Wood of Spring Hope;

Maria G. Ordonez Santiago and Sherika C. Powell, both of Warrenton.

 

Criminal Justice Technology:

Christopher L. Davis of Bullock;

Lindsay E. Brown, Jessica N. Duke, Dustin L. Hodnett and Harold T. Todd, all of Oxford.

 

Culinary Arts:

Jasmyne Schmitt of Bracey, Va.;

Tiffany M. Williams of Henderson;

Taylor M. Abel of Manson.

 

Early Childhood Education:

Anita M. Fuller of Franklinton;

Deanna McFarland of Rougemont;

Tonya H. Burrell of Youngsville.

 

Entrepreneurship:

Diaman R. Dismuke of Henderson.

 

Human Services Technology:

Betty S. Sampson of Butner;

April M. Carroll of Creedmoor;

Katie L. Floyd and Quiana J. Miller Fisher, both of Henderson;

Hannah B. Hill of Oxford.

 

Human Services Technology/Substance Abuse:

Angelique M. Taylor of Macon.

 

Medical Assisting:

Heather A. Harwood of Castalia;

Amanda J. Newton of Franklinton;

Ashley D. Kittrell of Kittrell;

Julius A. Glasper of Oxford;

Kayla L. Hutson of Stem;

Brittany L. Ray of Wake Forest;

Kelly N. Tharrington of Warrenton;

Dallas T. Glover of Youngsville.

 

Medical Office Administration:

Melanie Lugo-Nieves of Creedmoor;

David L. Norris of Erwin;

Misty R. Grabowski of Louisburg;

Tina M. Hatcher and Anthony M. Wade, both of Oxford;

Jessica R. Carroll of Timberlake;

Brittany L. Dillard of Warrenton.

 

Office Administration:

Matt S. Larch and Shanetta B. Wright, both of Henderson;

Helen Jordan of Wake Forest.

 

Paralegal Technology:

April M. Thompson of Henderson;

Kelly D. Persinger and Melody M. Williams, both of Louisburg;

Marilyn A. Swensen of Oxford.

 

Pharmacy Technology:

Ashley N. Hobgood of Norlina.

 

Radiography:

Anna P. Tilley of Creedmoor;

Sabrina D. Johnson of Louisburg;

James A. Lea of Roxboro;

Morgan H. Keith of Stem.

 

Simulation and Game Development:

Kenneth M. Watson of Henderson;

Austin H. Smith of Oxford.

 

Welding Technology:

Brandon T. Brown of Creedmoor;

Andrew S. Hamrick of Henderson;

Devin R. Barham of Louisburg;

Quentin T. Tully of Wake Forest.

 

–VGCC Press Release–

VGCC to offer second Enrollment Day on July 20

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Vance-Granville Community College will hold the second “Enrollment Day” of the summer on Wednesday, July 20, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., at all four of its campuses. On Enrollment Day, VGCC counselors and other staff members will be ready to assist anyone who is interested in enrolling at the college for the Fall 2016 semester, which starts Monday, Aug. 15. No appointments are required.

For new students, the process of enrollment begins with an application for admission and an application for financial aid. Then, students must request their official high school transcripts, and in some cases, their transcripts from other colleges they have attended. Next, they should meet with an academic/career coach and schedule a placement test, unless it is waived. Finally, students complete an orientation session, either online or in the traditional face-to-face format. On Enrollment Day, incoming students will be able to accomplish all of these tasks or schedule them, so they can stay on track to start classes in August.

VGCC’s Main Campus is located on Poplar Creek Road in Vance County (about midway between Henderson and Oxford) at the intersection with Interstate 85 (Exit 209).

The Franklin County Campus is located just west of Louisburg on N.C. 56.

South Campus is on N.C. 56 between Creedmoor and Butner.

The Warren County Campus is located at 210 West Ridgeway Street (U.S. 158 Business) in Warrenton.

Registration for fall classes at VGCC is ongoing, through July 29. For more information, contact VGCC at studentsuccess@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3330, or visit any campus.

Servants on Site Rebuild Hope in Henderson

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Churches and families in Henderson send youth and adult mission teams to all parts of the U.S. and beyond, but last week 200 or so youth and adults poured into Henderson to work, serve and do mission work in this area on 14 different projects thanks to the efforts of Rebuilding Hope, Inc.  This local Christian, philanthropic organization is led by Randolph Wilson and many others.  Crossroads School in Henderson, Central Baptist Church and other local churches were instrumental in helping make the week’s work a success as well.

Robbie Parham with Rebuilding Hope told WIZS News the groups completed 99 percent of the 14 projects attempted, with 10 of them being in Vance County, three in Granville County and one in Warren County.  He said, “It is a real joy to see the teams that finished early go out and continue to work and help the other teams wrap up.”

Servants on Site (SOS) returned to Henderson for a sixth straight year, and they came here with the theme “Marked For God’s Purpose,” in reference to Ephesians 4:1 with the general meaning that with Christians there are marks of what it means to live a life worthy of the calling.

Part of a press release about the efforts said, “SOS is continuing itsRebuilding Hope SOS2016 (roofing2) mission as a tool for churches to mobilize, equip, and discipline students in an evangelistic effort to impact the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. … SOS is a 7-day summer mission project for youth (completed grade 6 through college) and adults to work on construction projects for homeowners in our community with immediate and limited resources. … Rebuilding Hope would again like to express its appreciation to everyone who has been involved with these uplifting summer mission projects over the last 5 years.  Together we have made an impact in our community by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not only in word, but in actions.”

Fun, fellowship, praise and worship, and evangelism were enjoyed by all.  Parham said, “Our young missionaries will head home with a renewed prospective on what it means to be The Church that Christ has called us to be.”  He said, “They have replaced despair with hope and shown the true meaning of the gospel.”

Many roofing projects were completed as a part of the week’s work.

Parham said Rebuilding Hope has outgrown its present home, and the organization is trying to purchase the old Coca-Cola Bottling Company building on Raleigh Road.  He said, “(We) believe that increased visibility will bring more volunteers to reach more neighbors and re-purpose and old Henderson landmark into a Christian outreach.”

Rebuilding Hope is always looking for volunteers regardless of a person’s gifts.  Click the link above to learn more.

New VGCC Scholarship established in memory of Sam Watkins

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A new scholarship at Vance-Granville Community College will honor the memory of longtime Vance County business and community leader Sam Watkins Jr.

His son, Trey Watkins of Wake Forest, recently visited VGCC to formally establish the “Sam Watkins Jr. Academic Achievement Scholarship” on behalf of himself and his wife, Sarah.

Sam Watkins, who died in 2014 at the age of 80, was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a U.S. Army veteran. For many years, he was the president of Rose Oil Company, a member and chairman of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission, and a member of the Maria Parham Medical Center Board of Trustees.

Watkins co-founded the Henderson Downtown Development Corporation, from which the North Carolina Main Street Program evolved. In 2008, he and his twin brother, George, were the recipients of the Community Hero Award given by the Vance County Commissioners for making the community a better place in which to live. He was a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine and, in 1985, he was Vance County’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year. He served on the local Salvation Army Advisory Board, the Citizens Bank and Trust Company Board, and chaired the local North Carolina National Bank (NCNB) Board in Henderson. In his later years, his proudest accomplishment was the forming of the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation, responsible for building a new public library and cultural center in Henderson. Watkins was also a beloved father and grandfather.

In awarding the new scholarship, preference will be given to students in the VGCC Nursing program. “We would like to support students with compassion, who show commitment and pride in their work in the health care field,” Trey Watkins said. “My father loved both the hospital and the college, so this would be a fitting tribute.”

Sam Watkins supported and partnered with the college in his economic development roles, and VGCC President Dr. Stelfanie Williams remembered him with fondness. “Sam Watkins was a tireless leader and advocate for his community,” Dr. Williams said. “His legacy of service will continue through a scholarship that will help Vance-Granville students for generations to come.”

Just as Trey is establishing this scholarship in his father’s memory, Sam and George Watkins endowed the S.M. Watkins Sr. Memorial Academic Achievement Scholarship at VGCC to honor their father in 1991.

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 about the Endowment Fund, call (252) 738-3409.

US Foods supports VGCC Culinary Arts student in competition

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US Foods, one of the nation’s leading food service distributors, is supporting a Vance-Granville Community College student in a nationwide culinary competition.

Renee Wilder, US Foods territory manager for the region that includes the college service area, recently presented contributions to the VGCC Endowment Fund to help send Dustin Gregory of Oxford, a student in the Culinary Arts program, to the Skills USA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky (June 20-24). There, Gregory will compete against college students from across the country. He qualified for the competition by winning the top prize at the state-level Skills USA conference in April.

VGCC faculty and staff held a “send-off” reception on June 16 in Gregory’s honor. He is the first student from VGCC to qualify for a national Skills USA competition. At the reception, VGCC Endowment Fund Director Eddie Ferguson recognized US vgcc-dustin-usfoodsFoods as the major supporter for Gregory, as well as other friends of the college who made donations to sponsor his trip to the conference.

Skills USA is a partnership of secondary and post-secondary students, teachers and industry, working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. Skills USA chapters help students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations excel. Among the benefits to VGCC students are opportunities to participate in competitions, which are designed by industry experts and showcase the nation’s top career and technical education students.

–VGCC press release–

Bear Hit By Car In The City Limits of Henderson

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For the second time in as many months, a bear has been hit by a car in the Vance-Granville area, and the resulting injuries required that the bear be euthanized.  Unlike last time when the bear involved was hit on I-85 in Granville County, this time it happened in the city limits of Henderson.

Police Chief Marcus Barrow told WIZS News, “Last night about 9:30 or 10:00 o’clock, a bear was struck on Ruin Creek Road at 85 right there by Sheetz and the hospital.”

No one was injured, but the car involved sustained the same amount of damage you might expect from striking a deer.

“The bear was struck and enough damage was done (to the bear) that wildlife came and had to put the bear down,” Barrow said.

The thought was, and the chief agreed, that even though it was on the edge of the city limits, this is pretty close to town for a bear.  He said, “I wouldn’t have thought a bear would be that close to town, but there’s enough woods in that area I guess.”

It was a 115-to-120-pound bear that North Carolina Wildlife Officials believed, according to Barrow, was about a one-and-a-half year old male.

Barrow said, “I would have much rather we found the bear in the intersection and tranquilized him and took it back out somewhere.  It’s just unusual to have a bear in town.”

$450,000 Grant To Improve Health In Granville

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Oxford N.C.  –  The Working on Wellness (WOW) Coalition has been awarded a $450,000 grant over three years from The Duke Endowment to help improve health in Granville County.

The WOW Coalition of Granville County is one of five initial participants in The Duke Endowment’s new initiative, Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas. The program  takes a bold  approach to addressing chronic health issues such as unhealthy weight,  diabetes and heart disease.  Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas is kicking off in five diverse North  Carolina regions – Catawba, Chatham, Granville, Montgomery/Richmond and Wilkes counties – with  future plans to expand throughout the Carolinas.

The WOW Coalition represents a multi-disciplinary group of community organizations working collaboratively to understand and address community needs. The core team members of the coalition include representatives from Granville Vance Public Health, Granville Health System, Granville County Schools, Northern Piedmont Community Care, and Granville County Cooperative Extension.GHS WOW 061716

Currently, the WOW coalition is supporting the implementation of the highly effective and evidence-based CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) program at Stovall-Shaw Elementary School. “CATCH had proven effectiveness in launching children, families, and their communities toward healthier lifestyles”, said Amy Rice, Principal at Stovall-Shaw Elementary School. Stovall-Shaw is a newly designated Health and Wellness magnet. Over the grant period, resources and assistance will be offered to additional schools to spread and expand on the lessons learned at Stovall-Shaw.

Research shows that North Carolina ranks 31st among states when it comes to the overall health of its residents, with two-thirds of residents considered overweight or obese.   Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas recognizes that health and well-being  are created and sustained not just through individual and clinical efforts, but through the cooperation and support of the extended local community.

“Where we live, where we go to school and work, how we spend our free time – even our ability to access fresh food and safely exercise near our homes – all contribute to our health and well-being,” said Bailey Goldman, WOW Coalition Coordinator and Lead Health Educator for Granville Vance Public Health.  Members of the WOW Coalition all agree that to truly improve health  within our community,  we have to expand  how we think about what affects our health.  lt’s more than just what we eat and how many calories we burn. It’s how our community and its economy impact our health.  By focusing on children and families in these initial efforts we will learn a lot about how to increase quality of life for all people.

Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas provides opportunities to bring together leaders from hospitals, health departments, community agencies, and other stakeholders in community well being.  The funding provided by The Duke Endowment will strengthen the infrastructure of the local coalitions that are coordinating health improvement efforts, so that they are well-positioned to identify and implement interventions that work.

“The health challenges facing the Carolinas have been decades in the making,” said Mary Piepenbring, vice president of The Duke Endowment.  “They cannot be effectively addressed overnight, nor can they be solved by individuals and organizations   working alone.  We’re starting with communities that have considerable health needs, but also proven ability to take on local challenges.  They have a history of successful community-wide collaboration.”

Representatives from the five coalitions will participate in a learning collaborative with opportunities to share information  with each other as they develop best practices for organizing, planning and implementing evidence-based programs known to improve health.

“The coalitions selected by the Endowment are intentionally diverse and unique,” said Laura Edwards of Population Health  Improvement Partners, the North Carolina-based organization that will provide expert assistance to each local coalition.   “While there will be many opportunities for exchanging ideas, each community will receive support to pave its own path forward.  The hope is that eventually the lessons of the five coalitions can inform the work of others throughout the Carolinas.”

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Based in Charlotte,  N. C., and established in 1924 by industrialist and philanthropist James B. Duke, The Duke Endowment is a private foundation that strengthens communities in North Carolina and South Carolina by nurturing children, promoting health, educating minds and enriching spirits.  Since its founding, it has awarded more than $3 billion in grants.

(Press Release provided to WIZS News by Granville County Schools, and the Press Release was originally prepared by Granville Health System.)

Community College System’s top honor presented to former VGCC president

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Dr. Ben F. Currin, the former president of Vance-Granville Community College, formally received the highest honor bestowed by the North Carolina Community College System, the I.E. Ready Award, at a recent ceremony.

Held on May 27 at the Brio restaurant in Raleigh, the luncheon marked a VGCC “family reunion” that brought together longtime college trustees, Endowment Fund Board members and senior administrators. Exactly half of VGCC’s six presidents were in attendance, including Dr. Currin; Robert A. Miller, who succeeded Currin; and Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the current president. Currin was joined by his wife, Betsy, herself a veteran educator and former vice president of Nash Community College.

Janet Lowder of Albemarle, N.C., the vice-chair of the State Board of Community Colleges, was on hand to officially present the award and medallion to Currin.

Named for Isaac Epps Ready, the first state director of the North Carolina Community College System, the prestigious award was created in 1983 to recognize individuals who have made significant, statewide contributions to the establishment, development or enhancement of the System. Previous winners of the I.E. Ready Award include former governors, former state legislators, former members of the State Board of Community Colleges, former Council of State members, former United States Senators, former college trustees, former college presidents and former System presidents.

Currin’s 40-year career in public education included serving as president of VGCC for 18 years starting in 1981. Under Currin’s leadership, VGCC grew from one campus to four, with a total of almost $18 million worth of new construction at all the campuses. Early in his tenure, VGCC also reactivated the college’s Endowment Fund, which grew from $12,000 in 1982 to $5 million at the time of his retirement and provided scholarships for numerous students. In retirement, Currin, who lives in Raleigh, continues to serve on the Endowment Fund Board of Directors.

Speaking at the ceremony, Currin said that VGCC’s service area was “the most gracious community I’ve ever lived in.” He recalled the generous support that the college received while he was president, sometimes quite unexpectedly. In 1998, retired librarian Nannie A. Crowder of Henderson and retired business executive Robert B. “Bob” Butler of Warrenton died on the same day, leaving more than $800,000 and more than $2 million, respectively, to VGCC. In Butler’s case, the bequest was a complete surprise, as he had no history of giving to the college and had not told college officials of his intentions. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Currin marveled, adding that he was equally impressed with all the other, smaller donations from citizens and businesses in the four-county area.

“It was just the most rewarding job I’ve ever had,” he said of his VGCC tenure. “I’m so proud to have served and to have been part of the growth of the college. I’m very honored and thankful for being recognized.”

During the ceremony, several attendees made remarks honoring the former president’s leadership, including James Edwards, the current VGCC director of communications who was hired by Currin in 1989 as marketing director; Eddie Ferguson, the Endowment Fund director who is also Currin’s cousin; Robert Hubbard, who was recruited by Currin to serve on the Endowment board and is now its vice-chairman; Opie Frazier and Donald Seifert, both longtime VGCC trustees and Endowment board members; and Robert Miller, who served under Currin both in the Rocky Mount City Schools and as a VGCC official.

“He hired me for my first job out of college, 46 years ago,” Miller said. “I cannot think of any individual that would be more deserving of this award than Ben Currin. I not only appreciate what he’s done for me, but what he’s done for education and what he’s done for Vance-Granville Community College.”

Dr. Williams congratulated Currin and thanked him for his service to the college and to North Carolina. “When I became president of VGCC in 2012, one of the first people I called was Dr. Currin. He then took me to lunch, and we go to lunch every few months or so, but I have to say, this is my favorite lunch, because I’m so happy to share this moment with you,” Williams said to her predecessor. “You are such a deserving recipient of the I.E. Ready Award. You have left a great legacy at our college, and it is an honor to continue to move the college forward and build upon that foundation that you created.”

A native of Granville County and a graduate of Oxford High School, Currin received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1959. He earned his master’s degree in education in 1962 and his advanced graduate certificate in professional education in 1963, both from UNC. He received his doctorate in education from UNC in 1970 in education administration with a minor in political science.

Currin assumed the VGCC presidency after having served as a teacher, coach and public school administrator, including 11 years as superintendent of Rocky Mount City Schools. While in Rocky Mount, he also taught graduate courses at East Carolina University as an adjunct professor.