Three VGCC Paralegal program graduates are first to become state-certified

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The Paralegal Technology program at Vance-Granville Community College can now boast a 100 percent passing rate on the state certification exam, after three of the program’s first graduates recently became North Carolina Certified Paralegals.

Kevin Ward Allen of Franklinton, employed with the Law Office of T. Allen Gardner in Louisburg, Kristy Hope Orr of Henderson, employed with the law firm of Perry & Waters in Henderson, and Michelle R. Williams of Raleigh, employed with the law firm of Howard, Stallings, From, Hutson, Atkins, Angell & Davis in Raleigh, sat for the paralegal certification exam at the North Carolina State Bar in October. All three passed, becoming trailblazers for the two-year VGCC program, just as they were when they were among the first seven to earn their degrees in May 2015.

VGCC Paralegal Technology graduates have the opportunity to become certified because the program was designated as a “Qualified Paralegal Studies Program” by the State Bar earlier this year. The certification program is voluntary for North Carolina paralegals. Certified paralegals are required to take continuing education courses, helping them to stay current in the legal field and in turn enhancing the quality of legal services they provide to attorneys and clients.

The 150-question certification exam tests the paralegal’s knowledge of the following areas of law: Civil Litigation; Commercial Law; Criminal Law; Ethics; Family Law; Legal Research; Real Property; and Wills, Trusts & Estate Administration.

“We are so proud that all three of our first graduates to take the exam were successful on their first attempt,” said Antoinette C. Dickens, the Paralegal Technology program head/instructor for the college. “Kevin, Kristy and Michelle are outstanding representatives of VGCC and of their employers.”

All three will now be designated as N.C. Certified Paralegals (NCCP). Most other states recognize certifications from accredited certification agencies and organizations and extend reciprocity, as well.

“We are proud not only of our students, but of our faculty who have facilitated their professional growth,” said Bobbie Jo May, dean of the college’s Franklin County Campus, where the Paralegal program has been based since its inception in 2013.

For more information on the program, call Antoinette Dickens at (252) 738-3609 or (919) 496-1567, ext. 3609.

North Carolina Central University Teams with Vance-Granville Community College to Launch Eagle Voyage Criminal Justice Program

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The North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Department of Criminal Justice and Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) signed an agreement today (Dec. 2) launching Eagle Voyage, a new program offering a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice on the VGCC campus.

Representatives of the college and the university held a signing ceremony in the Civic Center on the community college’s Main Campus in Vance County, where VGCC will provide classroom space and technology support and NCCU will provide a two-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree for students holding an associate degree in Criminal Justice from VGCC.

Not only will Eagle Voyage represent the first bachelor’s degree program available at VGCC facilities, it will also mark the first time in which a full-time NCCU academic coordinator will be based on a community college campus to coach, advise and assist students working toward their four-year degrees.

With credits transferring from the associate’s degree, students will complete the accelerated program over the course of nine, eight-week mini-sessions and one summer at VGCC. NCCU will assist with recruitment of students for each annual cohort.

“This is another exciting learning and partnership opportunity for NCCU and Vance-Granville Community College as we continue to work together to highlight our ability to provide a more seamless educational experience for our transfer students,” said Dr. Johnson O. Akinleye, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. “This partnership with Vance-Granville Community College adds to the growing number of partnerships that NCCU has with community colleges across the state. It is through these types of partnerships that we are able to provide access to educational opportunities and academic resources to prepare Eagle Voyage scholars for success in the field of criminal justice.”

Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC, said her institution has been working to strengthen relationships with four-year universities to promote student success.

“Research indicates that when community college students have clear academic and career pathways, they are more likely to continue their education and graduate, and they have better employment outcomes as well,” she said. “Through this partnership, our Vanguards will have a new way to continue their own academic voyages, soaring as Eagles into successful careers as leaders in criminal justice and public service.”

Courses will be taught in a hybrid format consisting of a one day per week onsite session at VGCC’s Main Campus, with additional work completed online via Blackboard, a Learning Management System. Students enrolled in the B.S. program in Criminal Justice at Vance-Granville Community College will be encouraged to join student organizations at NCCU and take advantage of other university resources such as access to the James E. Shepard Library and other NCCU online services.

Students also will have learning opportunities outside the classroom involving real-word experiences and programs to promote public safety. Upon completion of the degree, students will be qualified to work in public or private criminal justice agencies and similar organizations.

“It is truly amazing to realize that right here on this one campus, someday, we will have students ranging from the ninth grade level at the Early College High School all the way up to college seniors completing their bachelor’s degrees at NCCU,” said Dr. Angela Ballentine, VGCC’s vice president of academic and student affairs, in her remarks at the ceremony. Also participating in the program were VGCC Public Services department chair Steven Hargrove, NCCU Dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Dr. Debra Parker, and VGCC Criminal Justice program head William Clements.

The VGCC Criminal Justice associate degree program prepares students for careers in the local, state, and federal law enforcement, corrections, and security fields. Emphasis is placed on criminal justice systems, criminology, juvenile justice, criminal and constitutional law, investigative principles, ethics and community relations. VGCC also offers a certificate in Criminal Justice & Special Populations and a separate Basic Law Enforcement Training program.

NCCU’s bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice equips students to apply critical and analytical thinking skills in problem-solving situations, develop leadership and written and oral communication skills, and exercise ethical and sound judgment.  The NCCU Department of Criminal Justice is the only program in North Carolina that is certified nationally by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.

For more information, please visit NCCU online at www.nccu.edu/criminaljustice or contact William Clements at Vance-Granville Community College at clementsw@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3242.

 

North Carolina Central University prepares students to succeed in the global marketplace. Flagship programs include science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines, nursing, education, law, business and the arts. Founded in 1910 as a liberal arts college for African-Americans, NCCU remains committed to diversity in higher education. Our alumni are among the nation’s most successful scientists, researchers, educators, attorneys, artists and entrepreneurs. Visit www.nccu.edu.

 

Vance-Granville Community College, one of the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System, is the local source for higher education and training in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, north of the Research Triangle. Established in 1969, VGCC today serves students at four campuses (one in each county of the service area) and online. The college offers more than 40 curriculum programs, as well as occupational certifications, continuing education, adult education, customized training for employers and the first two years of a four-year degree. For more information, visit www.vgcc.edu.

Vance-Granville Community Band to present free holiday concert on Dec. 3

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The Vance-Granville Community Band will perform its eighth annual Christmas Concert, entitled “Making Spirits Bright,” on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. in the Civic Center on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County. Admission is free and the public is invited.

The band has prepared a program featuring a variety of holiday-themed favorites, including “All I Want for Christmas is You,” “A Holst Christmas,” a march called “Christmas Joy,” “The Bells of Saint Mary,” “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” a sing-a-long of popular Christmas songs, and “May the Good Lord Keep and Bless You.”

The concert will also feature students in the VGCC Music Scholars program: Shontiara Williams of Oxford (on vocals and piano), Kaleb Williamson of Bullock (guitar), Tiffany Barnes of Henderson (vocals) and Charles Keith of Raleigh (bass).

VGCC music instructor Ivory Brock is the band’s primary conductor. Also conducting for a portion of the concert will be Brian Miller, the recently-retired band director at Louisburg High School.

First formed in 2008, the all-volunteer Community Band has included VGCC students, local high school students, educators, and interested citizens from all four counties of the college’s service area (Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin) and beyond. For more information, call Ivory Brock at (252) 738-3222.

VGCC Vanguards lose three, look to bounce back in Vanguard Night rivalry game

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The Vance-Granville Community College Vanguards men’s basketball team came up short in three recent games, all by margins of 10 or fewer points.

Traveling to Laurinburg to take on the St. Andrews University JV squad on Nov. 16, the Vanguards lost 76-71. Raekwon Hall of Raleigh led VGCC in scoring, putting up 27 points along with 4 rebounds. Ty’Quon Reid of Durham had an impressive performance, as well, with 22 points, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 rebounds. With 13 points, Alcyone Moore of Charlotte was the only other Vanguard scoring in double figures.

VGCC returned home to face a conference opponent, the Patriots from Patrick Henry Community College, on Nov. 18. Despite making a strong comeback in the second half, VGCC fell 68-64 to PHCC, a team that has had only one loss this season. This time, Chris Pernell of Raleigh was the top scorer for the Vanguards, with 23 points. Reid had 18 points, while Hall contributed 13 points. Donal Gooch of Raleigh had the most rebounds (5), steals (4) and blocks (3).

Back on the road, the Vanguards suffered a non-conference loss to Central Carolina Community College, 83-73, on Nov. 22. The game was played at the “Region X Blast-Off” tournament at Sandhills Community College. Hall again led the Vanguards with 27 points, while also making 5 steals, 3 assists and 3 rebounds. Reid put 13 points on the board and contributed 5 assists. Gooch led in rebounding, with 6, and scored 10 points. After being sidelined by an injury, Tyrek Beverly of Oxford made his first appearance of the season for VGCC, putting up 8 points.

After the 2-5 Vanguards travel to play the reigning national champions, Richard Bland College, on Nov. 24, they will come home to play nationally-ranked Louisburg College on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m. The annual rivalry game known as “Vanguard Night” will take place at Aycock Recreation Center (307 Carey Chapel Road) in Henderson, and admission is free. Vanguard Night festivities will include a performance from VGCC’s “Vanguard Spirit” Pep Squad, a DJ and prize drawings.

VGCC and Dill Air Controls Products join forces with Apprenticeship program

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Vance-Granville Community College and Oxford-based Dill Air Controls Products, LLC, recently signed on to join the North Carolina Triangle Apprenticeship Program (NCTAP), in an effort to provide new opportunities for local students and to prepare a skilled workforce.

NCTAP offers students a unique start to a professional career and develops them into future industry leaders. The program focuses on integrated basic training which develops technical, methodological and social skills. Typically starting in the 11th grade of high school, the four-year program leads to a student obtaining an associate degree at the community college and paid, on-the-job training at the participating employer.

Students in the program will be employed full-time by the company after they graduate from high school, and their VGCC tuition and fees are paid by the employer. Including salary, benefits and college tuition, the value of the program to the student is approximately $150,000 over four years.

VGCC and Dill Air Controls Products are currently spreading the word to students in Vance County and Granville County about this opportunity. The company intends to select its first two apprentices in 2016. They would complete the program in 2020.

Dill Air Controls Products is a leading manufacturer and distributor of tire and tank valves, tire pressure gauges, tire pressure monitoring sensors and service tools for the aerospace, automotive and commercial products industries. Company officials said they were pleased to announce the new partnership with NCTAP and VGCC. “We look forward to participating in this program to grow our employee base with local students who are committed to contributing to the manufacturing industry in Granville County,” said Dill’s President, Brian Rigney.

“This new partnership will support student success while building upon Vance-Granville’s tradition of collaborating with local employers and our local school systems to lead the economic development of our region,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC.

For NCTAP, the college’s involvement represents an expansion into what the apprenticeship program calls its “northern region.” Additional companies will be invited to join the partnership with VGCC. The college will focus on apprenticeships related to the college’s Mechatronics Engineering, Electronics Engineering and Welding Technology programs at first, but other Applied Technologies programs could be involved in the future.

According to NCTAP vice chairman Kent Misegades, his organization is particularly excited to work with VGCC because the college offers the Mechatronics program, which is not currently offered by any community college in the Raleigh-Durham area. “Mechatronics is the way to go for a student in advanced manufacturing, because it trains you in a broad range of skills,” Misegades said.

Zachary Chaney of Roxboro, who works for CaptiveAire in Youngsville as an NCTAP apprentice, recently spoke to representatives of VGCC, Granville County Schools, Vance County Schools and Dill Air Controls. “NCTAP is a great opportunity to work and learn at the same time,” Chaney said. “I feel more confident now, knowing more about all aspects of manufacturing. It’s given me not only a paycheck, but also a sense of pride and accomplishment.”

Misegades said students entering the program must meet certain requirements but are not required to have a certain type of prior experience in the field. He said the program is looking for candidates with an interest in engineering or manufacturing. He plans to hold orientation for participants in March or April of 2016, followed by a pre-apprenticeship program in the summer. Then, students would officially start the apprenticeship in the fall. Misegades noted that NCTAP is registered with the N.C. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Labor.

For more information about the apprenticeship program, high school students and their parents should talk with their school guidance counselors or contact Ken Wilson at VGCC, at wilsonk@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3259.

Leo Kelly Fills Wright’s Seat

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Leo Kelly, Jr. will fill the unexpired term of late Vance County Commissioner Eddie Wright.  County Attorney Jonathan Care told WIZS News that Kelly was unanimously voted in by the commissioners.  Clerk to the Board Kelly Grissom said, “He will be sworn in on December 7.”

Kelly will fill the seat for approximately one year because the district 5 seat was already due for election in 2016 anyway.  At that point, Kelly can choose to run for the seat.

Kelly was voted in by the board at the November 2nd meeting, as we originally reported during the 12:37 P.M. News on WIZS 1450 AM on November 12th.

Early in the process, Archie B. Taylor, Chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners, sent a request to the chairman of the local Democratic party asking for the names of individuals good for the position who fulfilled the requirements.  Betty Boyd, who is the Third Vice Chair and in charge of publicity, told WIZS News, “We met last Thursday night (Oct 15) at Perry Library.  Four candidates made a three minute speech.  Leo Kelly received the nomination to serve the unexpired term of the late Eddie Wright.”

Kelly was a longtime Dean at Vance Granville Community College.  A news article published by the college in 2009 quotes VGCC’s president at the time, Randy Parker, as saying, “Leo Kelly is the longest-serving full-time employee in the history of our college, and his dedicated leadership has made an enormous difference in the lives of so many people in our communities.”

VGCC Vanguards 2-2 to start basketball season

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The Vance-Granville Community College Vanguards men’s basketball team won their first two games of the 2015-16 season before dropping the next two to nationally-ranked opponents.

VGCC kicked off the regular season with a 67-57 victory over conference rival Wake Tech Community College on Nov. 6 on the Vanguards’ home court, Aycock Recreation Center in Henderson. Sophomore Raekwon Hall led VGCC in scoring, with 25 points, while also contributing 3 assists and 4 rebounds. Freshman Chris Pernell of Raleigh put up 12 points. Another freshman, Donal Gooch of Raleigh, was the top rebounder, with 10. His fellow freshman, Antonio Adams of Oxford, was not far behind with 9.

Two days later, VGCC won on the road, dominating the JV squad at the University of Mount Olive, 101-57. Seven Vanguards scored in double figures, led by sophomore Alcyone Moore of Charlotte with 17 and freshman Aaron Robinson of Graham with 15. Moore was also the team’s top rebounder (13). Ty’Quon Reid, a freshman from Durham, led the team in assists (11) while also contributing 13 points and 5 rebounds.

The Vanguards’ first loss came at home when they hosted the Bobcats from Bryant & Stratton College of Virginia on Nov. 10. The Color Guard from J.F. Webb High School in Oxford started off the game with a salute to veterans during the playing of the National Anthem. VGCC kept it close during much of the first half, but after the break, BSC pulled away to win 97-55. The Bobcats, who, like VGCC and Wake Tech compete in Region X of NJCAA Division II, were ranked 14th in the nation at the time. Moore again was the leader in scoring, with 14 points, while Reid added 11 points. Adams put up 5 rebounds to lead in that category.

On Nov. 14, VGCC lost at home to the Storm from Davidson County Community College by a score of 107-90. Davidson County CC was ranked seventh in the nation for Division III. Reid led his teammates in scoring with 34 points. Hall added 23 points of his own. Gooch had the most rebounds (12).

Upcoming VGCC home games are set for Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m., versus Patrick Henry Community College, and Friday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m., versus Virginia University of Lynchburg. Both are at Aycock Recreation Center in Henderson, and admission is free.

VGCC Phi Beta Lambda chapter installs new leaders

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Vance-Granville Community College’s Chi Beta Chi chapter of Phi Beta Lambda, the business student organization, recently elected officers for the 2015-2016 year. New officers were installed and members were inducted at a ceremony on Nov. 5 on VGCC’s Main Campus.

The officers include president Angelica Bridges of Oxford, vice president Ambrianna Winston of Oxford, secretary Ashley Allen of Henderson, treasurer Tiffany Barnes of Henderson, and historian Shekinah Yancey of Oxford. Bridges and Yancey are students in the Business Administration program, while Winston, Allen and Barnes are majoring in Office Administration.

VGCC alumna Shelonda Finch of Oxford, a former Chi Beta Chi chapter president, was the special guest at the ceremony and performed the formal installation of officers and induction of members. Finch continues to be a “professional division” member of the chapter, as are other alumni as well as college faculty and staff members.

The chapter advisor is Business Administration instructor Derrick Cameron. In his closing remarks at the ceremony, Cameron addressed the newly installed officers, saying: “Going forward, think of yourselves as leaders, or ‘Vanguards.’ You have a great PBL tradition to emulate. Since being reactivated in 2008, this chapter has succeeded in receiving several state and national accolades, representing students and VGCC well.”

Phi Beta Lambda is the national organization for college students who are preparing for a variety of careers in business. The Greek letters stand for the English words “Future Business Leaders,” and PBL is affiliated with the Future Business Leaders of America, an organization for high school students. FBLA/PBL seeks to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. PBL members have opportunities to attend conferences and participate in a number of competitions. For more information, call Derrick Cameron at (252) 738-3447.

VGCC registers 350 potential lifesavers

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A recent Vance-Granville Community College service project added some 350 people to the registry of potential bone marrow donors. In partnership with the Project Life Movement and the “Save the Fox” campaign, the college held events on each of its four campuses during the week of Oct. 26-29.

Students, faculty, staff and community members signed up and swabbed their cheeks to provide DNA samples at these events. The painless registration process took only a few minutes, but could save a life if a participant turns out to be a match for someone in need of a bone marrow transplant. Such treatments are the only hope for many people diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia and other blood cancers and diseases. Around 60 percent of those in need of a donation currently cannot find a donor match, according to Project Life, a national movement that started with students at Davidson College and has spread to more than 25 other schools and has registered more than 13,000 donors.

The “Save the Fox” campaign is named after North Carolina Superior Court Judge Carl Fox of Orange County. Judge Fox was diagnosed with blood cancer in April and has searched for a suitable bone marrow donor.

At a kickoff event on Oct. 26 at VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County, Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the college president, welcomed participants and commended the students, faculty and staff who contributed their time and energy to the project. “I love it when we take these opportunities to integrate service with learning and to give back to the community,” Dr. Williams said. “Like the students at Davidson College who started Project Life, our students are leaders of the future and can make a difference.” She particularly thanked the students in VGCC Health Sciences programs who took the lead in the registration drive. The very first student to register as a potential donor was Kala Williams of Henderson, a Pharmacy Technology major.

Also speaking at the kickoff was Project Life executive director David Lindsay, who received a successful bone marrow donation and helped found the organization with his fellow students at Davidson College. He thanked all of the participants in the VGCC registration drive. “This will create more chances that a patient like Judge Fox or a patient like me 25 years ago will have a second chance at a miracle,” Lindsay said. “That’s what the drive is all about: creating the possibility for miracles. Potentially everyone in this room is a match for someone you don’t even know.”

He noted that the decision to register as a potential donor, particularly for a young person, would have an impact for years to come. “Students who are 20 will be on the registry for 40 years,” Lindsay said. “Think about what it would feel like to get a call, find out you’re a match, and save someone’s life. I’m glad that Vance-Granville is now part of the Project Life movement, and I hope it becomes an annual event because the potential is immense.”

Attendees then heard remarks from VGCC Financial Aid Assistant Glynnis Wilson, who actually saved a life as a bone marrow donor. She was on the registry for more than eight years until 2006 when the National Marrow Donor Program called, informing her that she was a match. “People ask me if it hurt when I donated bone marrow,” Wilson said. “I always say that whatever I felt was nothing compared to what my recipient had endured. I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

VGCC Radiography student and Save the Fox student leader Nick Kemp of Franklinton thanked all of the volunteers who made the drive a success. “What we are really working for is the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life, hopefully multiple people’s lives,” Kemp said. “Everyone who registers is a potential lifesaver, maybe not for Judge Fox but perhaps for one of the hundreds of thousands of other people who are looking for a match.” He said that those who registered could look forward to a day “when your phone rings and you get the opportunity to help a fellow human being in need. I don’t know about any of you, but I hope my phone rings sooner rather than later.”

VGCC academic and career coach Seletha Pherribo, who helped spearhead the project, said that Save the Fox had helped unite the college and the community. After the first day at Main Campus, events were held at the Franklin County Campus on Oct. 27, the South Campus in Granville County on Oct. 28 and the Warren County Campus on Oct. 29. Pherribo thanked Project Life for its support. Project Life works with the Delete Blood Cancer organization to process the new potential donors. For more information on becoming a donor, visit www.projectlifemovement.org or www.deletebloodcancer.org.

Granville Chamber Breakfast

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The Granville County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Thanksgiving Breakfast is being held Wednesday, November 25, at 7:30 am in the Family Life Center of Oxford Baptist Church, Main Street, Oxford.

District 2 House of Representatives member Larry Yarborough will be the guest speaker for the event.  Representative Yarborough represents Person and Granville Counties.  He is a native of Mississippi and has lived in Roxboro for 20+ years.  From 2004 to 2008, he served as a Person County Commissioner.  Yarborough labels himself as “a common sense person that looks at issues by applying common sense.”

Bridgestone’s continued sponsorship of this annual event spans 25+ years.  The November Thanksgiving breakfast began as an industry-sponsored breakfast, and Bridgestone has graciously remained the event supporter for all these years.

Attendees may expect the usual Southern buffet breakfast, prepared by volunteer men at Oxford Baptist.  No one will leave hungry as we depart to begin the Thanksgiving holiday celebration!

Although there is no charge to attend the breakfast, attendees are requested to bring non-perishable food donations (canned food) for Area Congregations In Ministry (ACIM).

The School of Graphic Arts/Masonic Home for Children is continuing its tradition of providing attendees with desk calendars for the new year.  Also, the Chamber will be officially kicking off its promotion for the National  SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY – SHOP LOCAL  by providing attendees with Shop Small tote bags filled with inserts – – “goodies”, gift certificates, etc.  from Granville County Small Businesses.

Reservations are REQUIRED with one of the Chamber’s offices by November 20th to Wanda, 919-693-6125 or Toni Anne, 919-528-4994; wanda@granville-chamber.com, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com.