VGCC Trustees Expand Pharmacy Tech Programs with Certificates

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

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.

Student’s Artwork Selected for N.C. Display

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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.

Families Living Violence Free

Important Reminder from Families Living Violence Free

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-Information courtesy Peggy Roark, Coordinator for Families Living Violence Free

If someone you know or someone you suspect is a victim of domestic violence, please call

FAMILIES LIVING VIOLENCE FREE

24/7 Crisis line English 919-693-5700

24/7 Crisis line Hispanic 919-690-0888

There is always someone there to listen, to help! Everything is confidential.

Please…you could be saving a life….it could be your own.

Families Living Violence Free:

125 Oxford Outer Loop Road 

PO Box 1632

Oxford, NC 27565

Email: Proark@flvf.org

Office: 919-693-3579

Crisis: 919-693-5700

Hispanic Crisis 919-690-0888

Website: www.flvf.org

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IT IS REAL. YOU ARE NOT CRAZY. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I BELIEVE YOU.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

News 05/23/18

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2018 Vance Co. Relay for Life Only One Month Away!

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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.

 

Student Spotlight Award Winners Honored

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

A total of 17 Vance County Schools students, who everyday display good character and compassion for others and who are committed to making the most of their educational opportunities, were honored during the evening of May 21 at the “Student Spotlight” banquet held at the Henderson Country Club.

Approximately 150 family members, school system administrators, local educators and local community leaders, attended the event to honor each of the award-winning students.

Jason Brown, a graduate of Northern Vance High School who went on to star in the National Football League, was the featured speaker for the event. He gave a passionate address to the students and guests that focused on overcoming personal obstacles and working hard to achieve your goals.

The banquet was presented by the staff of The Daily Dispatch, the newspaper in Henderson. Nancy Wykle, publisher of the newspaper, led the proceedings. The Daily Dispatch is the leading sponsor of the “Student Spotlight” recognition program, along with Vance County Schools. Additional sponsors for the program include: the Vance County Public School Foundation; Prim Development and Residential Rentals; Mako Medical Laboratories; and the Henderson Kiwanis Club.

Those who helped to fund the banquet are Duke Energy, Greystone Concrete Products Inc., H.G. Reynolds Inc., Judge Randolph Baskerville and Vance-Granville Community College.

Those students honored as “Student Spotlight” award winners for 2017-2018 included:

“Student Spotlight” award winners are shown and include, first row from left, Omar Saleh, Tanner Abbott, Jordan Glover, Jeremiah Williams, Catherine Cruz-Ochoa, Carley Walthall and Angela Ponce. On the second row from left, are LaKaiyah Miller, Jordon Hester, Christian Castillo, Eyana Hargrove, Emani Foster, Ja’Quavious Harris, La’Tina Crute, Kwaji Bullock and Madonna Baselios. (Photo: CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN / The Daily Dispatch staff)

  • Tanner Abbott, a third grader at Aycock Elementary School
  • Madonna Baselios, an 11th grader at Southern Vance High School
  • Kwaji Bullock, a 12th grader at Northern Vance High School
  • Christian Castillo, a seventh grader at Henderson Middle School
  • La’Tina Crute, a fifth grader at Pinkston Street Elementary School
  • Catherine Cruz-Ochoa, a fourth grader at Carver Elementary School
  • Emani Foster, a 10th grader at Early College High School
  • Jordan Glover, a sixth grader at Eaton-Johnson Middle School
  • Eyana Hargrove, a 12th grader at AdVance Academy
  • Ja’Quavious Harris, a fourth grader at Zeb Vance Elementary School
  • Jordon Hester, a third grader at Clarke Elementary School
  • LaKaiyah Miller, a fourth grader at New Hope Elementary School
  • Angela Ponce, a third grader at E.O. Young, Jr. Elementary School
  • Omar Saleh, a fourth grader at E.M. Rollins Elementary School
  • Isreal Terry, a seventh grader at STEM Early High School
  • Carley Walthall, a fourth grader at Dabney Elementary School
  • Jeremiah Williams, a fourth grader at L.B. Yancey Elementary School
City of Henderson Logo

Remainder of Henderson City Council Budget Sessions Canceled

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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson

During the Public Meeting Budget Work Session on Monday, May 21, the Henderson City Council concluded its budget deliberations; therefore, the remainder of the budget work sessions have been canceled.

The City Council will formally approve the budget during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, June 11, 2018.

Town Talk 05/22/18

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News 05/22/18

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VGCC President Williams Resigns To Take VP Position At Duke

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of Vance-Granville Community College, announced today that she has accepted the position of Vice President for Durham Affairs at Duke University, effective Aug. 13, 2018.

“It has been an honor and joy to lead and serve at Vance-Granville Community College,” Dr. Williams said. “I am proud of the success over these years, and I am confident that, with the fine faculty and staff and community support, the best is yet to come for the college.”

The announcement came today after the VGCC Board of Trustees voted to accept the resignation. “Dr. Williams has provided outstanding leadership for Vance-Granville Community College,” said Danny W. Wright, board chair. “Her vision and intellect, passion for student success, and commitment to community engagement will be assets to Duke University, and she will be missed dearly at VGCC and the surrounding communities we serve. Stelfanie is very deserving of this opportunity, and we are heartened to know that she will continue her great work and contributions in higher education.”

In an e-mail to VGCC trustees, faculty and staff members, noting their contributions to the college’s success, Dr. Williams wrote, “You all are an amazing group of professionals! Thank you for your commitment and great achievements over these years.”

Dr. Williams succeeded Randy Parker as the sixth president in the history of the college on Feb. 1, 2012. She came to VGCC from Central Carolina Community College where she last served as the vice president of economic and community development. A graduate of Duke University, she began her community college career at CCCC as an instructor for Basic Skills and progressed through several positions on the faculty and in administration at community colleges in North Carolina.

Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of Vance-Granville Community College, announced that she has accepted the position of Vice President for Durham Affairs at Duke University, effective Aug. 13, 2018. Photo courtesy VGCC.

In her new position at her alma mater, Dr. Williams will lead and coordinate Duke’s diverse and innovative community efforts in areas such as economic development, affordable housing, early childhood, K-12 and workforce education, student engagement, neighborhood relations and community health, according to a press release from Duke. She will also continue building connections between Duke and Durham Public Schools, Durham Technical Community College and North Carolina Central University. She succeeds Phail Wynn, former president of Durham Tech, who is leaving after 10 years in the position.

“Duke’s commitment to public service and the unique attributes of the Durham community excite me about the bright opportunities ahead for thoughtful collaboration,” Dr. Williams is quoted as saying in the Duke release.

Among local and regional boards and commissions, Dr. Williams currently serves on North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s Commission on Sound, Basic Education and the MyFutureNC commission created to get more North Carolinians better educated.

Dr. Williams was named “President of the Year” by the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges earlier this year. In 2014, she received the I.E. Ready Distinguished Leadership Award, named for the first president of the North Carolina Community College System, by North Carolina State University.

She was born in New York City, raised in Sanford and attended The Asheville School in Asheville, N.C. She attended Duke University, where she received bachelor’s degrees in Public Policy and Spanish, and Western Carolina University, where she earned a master’s degree in Project Management. In 2011, Williams completed her doctorate, an Ed.D. in Adult and Higher Education, from NCSU.

For the selection process leading to Dr. Williams being named as VGCC’s president in December 2011, the college’s Board of Trustees appointed a Presidential Search Committee and a nationwide search was conducted. The board was assisted in that process by a search consultant from the North Carolina Association of Community College Trustees.

Trustees Chair Wright added, “We will miss Dr. Williams, but we wish her the very best as she moves on to another opportunity for educational leadership at Duke University…. Over the next several weeks, she will be working with the board, college personnel, and community partners to prepare the institution for future growth.”