-Information courtesy, Sandra C. Wilkerson, Director of Admin and Events, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce
The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Handyman Solutions at 10 a.m. and Mold and Moisture Medics at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 30, 2018. Both ribbon-cuttings will be held at 129 E. Parker Street in Henderson.
All available Chamber Ambassadors are asked to attend.
If your business is celebrating a milestone anniversary, contact Jay Andrews at jay@hendersonvance.org to schedule a ribbon cutting.
-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to Board, County of Vance
Please be informed that Vance County’s public safety committee (Brummitt, Faines, Wilder) is scheduled to meet Tuesday, June 5 at 3:30 p.m. in the administrative conference room. Topics to be discussed include fire service restructure and EMS matters.
All commissioners are invited to attend.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsresize_0000s_0079_VANCECOUNTY.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-05-24 17:01:532018-05-24 17:01:53Public Safety Committee to Meet Tues., June 5
Vance-Granville Community College honored Steve McGrady, chair of the college’s Science Department and an instructor, for his recent receipt of the inaugural Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty recognition by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).
In a session with the VGCC Board of Trustees on Monday, May 21, Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the college president, recognized the long-time member of the college faculty for the honor.
“This great honor reflects your long-term commitment to academic excellence, teaching and learning, and student success at Vance-Granville Community College as a faculty member,” Dr. Williams said. “Your dedication has been recognized at the national level.”
McGrady, who is a resident of Durham, was named last fall as the VGCC Faculty Member of the Year for 2017-2018, one of three of the college’s Glen Raven Excellence in Teaching and Leadership Awards. Glen Raven Inc., the manufacturer with a site in Norlina, is a longtime VGCC supporter and partner.
Above: Dr. Stelfanie Williams, VGCC president, left, presents a congratulatory letter to Steve McGrady, honoring the Science Department chair for his Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty recognition by the American Association of Community Colleges. (VGCC photo)
McGrady, a full-time VGCC instructor since 1990 and leader of the Science department since 1992, is a graduate of Wake Forest University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree, and of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned his master’s degree in biology. He teaches courses in biology, chemistry and geology for Vance-Granville. Prior to joining the faculty at VGCC, he taught at Richmond Community College in Hamlet, N.C.
McGrady was the recipient of the VGCC President’s Leadership Award in 2006 after helping to lead a “Global Studies” initiative that took a group of faculty and students on an educational trip to Costa Rica.
McGrady and now-retired instructor Button Brady coordinated the VGCC Science Camp for middle school students from its inception in 2011, and he has overseen the camp on his own for the last two summers. This year’s camp is scheduled for June 11-15 on the Main Campus.
He served as co-chair of the VGCC Endowment Fund Faculty & Staff Drive from 2010 through 2012 and is a graduate of the VGCC Leadership Institute of 2005-06. McGrady has been involved in the college’s Male Mentoring program as a mentor and has served as chair of the college’s Academic Affairs Committee.
The AACC is the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges, representing nearly 1,200 two-year, associate degree-granting institutions and more than 12 million students. The award received by McGrady is named in honor of former AACC President and CEO Dale P. Parnell. The designation was established to recognize individuals making a difference in the classroom. The AACC said recipients are chosen for demonstrating passion for students and the classroom; showing a willingness to support students, inside and outside of the classroom; participation in college committees; and going above and beyond what is required to ensure that students are successful in their academic endeavors.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/VGCC-Williams-and-McGrady.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-05-23 17:00:142018-05-23 16:34:31VGCC Department Chair McGrady Recognized for National Faculty Award
Vance-Granville Community College’s Board of Trustees approved the addition of new certificates in the Pharmacy Technology curriculum program and the College and Career Promise (CCP) Pathways at the bimonthly meeting on the college’s Main Campus on Monday, May 21.
The Pharmacy Technology certificates, which will be available this fall, expand opportunities in a program that already offers an associate’s degree and a diploma providing qualified students with the skills and knowledge needed to practice in a variety of pharmacy settings. The suggested course sequence for the 13-hour certificate program, which can be completed in one semester, offers courses in Introduction to Pharmacy, Pharmacy Practice, Pharmacy Calculations (including a lab), and Trends in Pharmacy.
Certificate coursework applies towards completion of a diploma or an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. The CCP Pathway offers qualified high school students the opportunity to earn college credit for free while enrolled in high school.
Above: Trustee Board Chair Danny Wright, left, and VGCC President Dr. Stelfanie Williams, right, present a plaque to Sovanny “Sophie” Taylor of Louisburg, honoring her for her service as Student Trustee for the Board of Trustees in 2017-2018. Taylor, who graduated this year from both the Franklin County Early College High School and VGCC, was president of the VGCC Student Government Association. She plans to continue her education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill this fall. (VGCC photo)
Graduates of the Pharmacy Technology curriculum are eligible for employment in hospitals, nursing homes, private and chain drug stores, research laboratories, wholesale drug companies, pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities and pharmacy benefit management call centers. Graduates are also prepared to take the National Certification Examination developed by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). VGCC’s program has also become an Advocate Educator through the PTCB Educator Program.
The action came after a recommendation from the trustees’ Curriculum Committee, chaired by Trustee Barbara Cates Harris. In other action from the committee, the trustees voted to close a curriculum certificate program in Sustainable Electrical Energies, effective in the fall, because current trends in the workforce no longer support the demand for the certificate. Upon committee recommendation, too, the board approved the offering of an Occupational Extension course in Food Service Management to Captive/Co-opted Groups at Polk Correctional Institution in Butner.
Capital Projects
In an update on the college’s Capital Projects, Trustee Donald C. Seifert, Sr., noted that the structural renovation and restoration of masonry at the Main Campus will be placed out for bid this summer after the competition of the final assessment fieldwork.
The bidding process for fire alarm replacement work on the Main Campus has been delayed up to two months by reviews in the State Construction Office, he said.
In addition, he noted that design development and construction documents are scheduled to be completed later this month for renovations to Building 10, with bids going out in June, and Welding Laboratory renovations at the Franklin Campus have been inspected and accepted after being completed earlier this spring.
Quality Enhancement Plan
Jeffrey Allen, dean of enrollment and outreach for VGCC, gave the board an update on the college’s Quality Enhancement Program, designed to streamline the college’s advising process with more emphasis on student success.
Labeled as “Advising in 3D — Dream, Design and Discover,” the QEP has three goals: (1) Students will develop a rapport/relationship with an advisor; (2) Students will know the steps to completion of their academic and career goals; and (3) Students will become responsible, independent and empowered for their education.
Among the various steps being taken to meet those goals, advising and orientation are now mandatory; academic and career planning courses require students to identify their programs of study, review courses completed, and plan semester-by-semester for completing course requirements for graduation; and an emphasis is being placed on career services, the Academic Skills Center, financial aid and other resources to help ensure student success.
“We are pleased with the progress we’ve made for our students through the QEP,” noted Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC, “and we see many opportunities for student success going forward.”
SGA President
The board recognized the Student Government Association president, Sovanny “Sophie” Taylor, who finished her term as a Student Trustee.
Taylor, who is a graduate of Franklin County Early College High School as well as Vance-Granville Community College, said that she found her academic experience at VGCC “refreshing” because of the support and care demonstrated by staff and faculty.
Taylor will enter Honors College at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a junior this fall, she told the board. She plans to study molecular genetics.
Other Action
In other action:
The trustees approved student, patron, child care and facility rental fees for the 2018-2019 academic year, recommended by the Budget Committee, chaired by Trustee Abdul Rasheed.
Trustee Sara Wester, chair of the Personnel Committee, reported on new employees, retirements and resignations.
The Investment Committee, chaired by Trustee L. Opie Frazier, Jr., reported on growth in the college’s investments.
Board Chair Danny Wright appointed a nominating committee composed of Frazier, Wester and Harris to prepare a list of nominees for officers for the Board of Trustees for 2018-2019.
The next meeting of the VGCC Board of Trustees will be held on Monday, July 16, at the Main Campus.
The sunflower painting of Nia Branch, a fifth-grade student at Clarke Elementary School, has been selected to represent Vance County Schools in a display of student artwork from across the state at the N.C. Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh.
The sunflower painting, which Nia is holding in the accompanying photo, will actually hang outside the office of N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson.
Clarke Elementary School Principal Crystal Richardson, left, Nia Branch, center, and art teacher, Alexa Molden, right. Photo courtesy Vance County Schools.
It will be included among the 115 pieces of student artwork in the display, with one student’s work from each of the public school districts in North Carolina.
Shown in the photo with Nia as she learned of her deserved honor are Clarke Elementary School Principal Crystal Richardson, left, and her art teacher, Alexa Molden. They also are shown with two certificates of recognition which Nia has received for her painting’s selection.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Clarke-Elem.-Nia-Branch...052318.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-05-23 16:57:542018-05-23 16:31:14Student’s Artwork Selected for N.C. Display
With only a month to go until the 2018 Vance County Relay for Life, WIZS would like to remind the local community of important Relay information and upcoming events.
This year’s Relay for Life event will be held, for the first time, in downtown Henderson on Saturday, June 23, 2018, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Specifically, the event will be held in the square between the H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library and the Henderson Police Department.
The opening ceremony will begin promptly at 11 a.m. Cancer survivors will walk the first lap shortly after the opening ceremony concludes at approximately 11:30 a.m. with the caregiver’s recognition to follow.
In another departure from past years, the 2018 Relay for Life will not be an overnight event.
A new registration process will also be used for this year’s Relay event. Survivors, caregivers and walkers may register for Relay for Life online at www.RelayForLife.org/VanceNC or by calling 1-800-227-2345 and choosing option number two from the menu.
The survivor registration and t-shirt pick up will be held Thursday, May 31, 2018, from 4 – 6 p.m. in the front lobby of Maria Parham Health. Please call Hope Breedlove at (252) 436-1605 with any questions.
The theme for this year’s Relay is the yellow brick road from “The Wizard of Oz.” Yellow bricks may be purchased in memory or honor of a loved one. June’s event will feature all of the bricks laid out to form a “yellow brick road” of those who have fought cancer. Bricks will be hand painted by Relay volunteer Liz Catlett. To purchase a brick or for additional information, please call Liz at (252) 431-4389.
Between donations and fundraising events, organizers hope to raise at least $100,000 for cancer research this year.
Upcoming Fundraising Events for Relay:
The Kerr Lake Cancer Crushers will hold a prime rib dinner and reverse raffle at Kerr Lake Country Club (KLCC) at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, 2018. The dinner will be catered by Gavin Jackson with Gavin’s Grub Hub. Tickets are $150 a piece and buy dinner for two with open bar and a chance to win several prizes, including a cash giveaway of $5,000. This event is open to the public and tickets may be purchased at KLCC or by calling (252) 492-1895.
A plant sale will be held in the Tractor Supply parking lot, Dabney Dr., on Saturday, June 9 starting at 9 a.m. Proceeds benefit Relay for Life.
M.R. Williams, Raleigh Rd, will be hosting a quarter auction on Saturday, June 9 at the Church of the Holy Innocents on Chestnut St. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. with the quarter auction to follow at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 to get in the door and everyone is asked to bring at least two rolls of quarters to participate in the auction. Tickets may be purchased by calling Charlene Sanford at (252) 438-1153.
North Henderson Baptist Church, Garnett St., will hold a pig-pickin’ on Saturday, June 16. Time is to be determined.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/relayforlife.png265504Kelly Bonduranthttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngKelly Bondurant2018-05-22 17:00:362018-05-22 16:44:492018 Vance Co. Relay for Life Only One Month Away!
