Tag Archive for: #vancegranvillecommunitycollege

Longtime VGCC President, Dr. Ben F. Currin, Dies

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Dr. Benjamin Fleming Currin, long-time president of Vance-Granville Community College,  died on Nov. 23, 2024. Under his leadership, VGCC grew from a single campus to four campuses, doubled its enrollment and saw its Endowment Fund swell to $5 million. He was 88.

Ben was born on November 13, 1936 in Granville County to Sophia Hunt Currin and Elam Ray Currin. He attended the public schools of then Oxford City Schools. He graduated from Oxford High School in 1955 and earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill. He is survived by his wife, Betsy, a son, George and a granddaughter, Catherine.

According to his obituary, “Ben was a man of the people and had the rare ability to relate to and care about people from all walks of life. He and Betsy devoted their lives to education—he was a teacher, school principal, school superintendent, and community college president.”

Current VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais sent a message to staff and board members on Sunday afternoon to share the news of Currin’s passing. “It is with sadness that I communicate with you this weekend,” the statement read. “I know that some of you worked with him or went to college when he was president,” Desmarais stated. He held a variety of positions in public schools systems across the state, beginning in 1959 in Durham as a teacher and coach. He rose through the ranks and became the youngest principal in the state just a couple of years later when he was named principal at Eureka Elementary in Wayne County. By 1970, he was named superintendent of Rocky Mount City Schools and led the school system for more than a decade.

Currin was named VGCC president in 1981 and retired in 1998. During that time, VGCC experienced exponential growth.

In 2016, Ben received the I.E. Ready Award, the highest honor given by the North Carolina Community College System, which recognizes individuals who have made significant, statewide contributions to the establishment, development or enhancement of the community college system. Currin also was a Mason and a Shriner.

A graveside service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Oxford, North Carolina, 530 Hillsboro St., at a date and time to be announced.

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home is handling arrangements. View the full obituary at dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/raleigh-nc/benjamin-currin-12104838. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dr. Ben F. Currin scholarship at Vance-Granville Community College, or to Transitions LifeCare.

In an article about the I.E. Ready award written in 2016, WIZS News spoke with L. Opie Frazier Jr. about Currin’s accomplishments. Frazier was chair of the VGCC board of trustees for many of the years during Currin’s tenure as president, and Frazier called Currin “a godsend” as part of the written nomination for the award. “His greatest asset was his emphasis on students. The second was his enthusiasm. His successes are many – for example, the satellite campuses started under his leadership and the scholarship program that grew dramatically – because he wanted the best for students, and his enthusiasm helped him win friends at various levels to help him grow the college and serve more students,” Frazier wrote.

In remarks at the 2009 ceremony at which Currin received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, Dr. J. Reid Parrott Jr., retired president of Nash Community College, cited the positive impact Currin had on VGCC. “I want to tell you, I’ve been doing this community college stuff a long time, and there is no president of all 58 of our schools that has transformed an institution as quickly and as magnificently as Ben Currin did at Vance-Granville,” Parrott said.

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VGCC Drama Dept. Opens “Agnes Of God” Thursday For Weekend Run

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— Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

 

VGCC Drama returns to the stage Thursday with a three-member cast performing “Agnes of God,” the award-winning 1979 play by John Pielmeier.

Vance-Granville students Saylor Gray, JayAnn Gupton and KB Wiggs make up the all-female cast who take the stage for four performances. The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, Friday, Nov. 22 and Saturday, Nov. 23, with a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Sunday, Nov. 24.

The story is about a young novice, Agnes, who has been accused of killing her newborn child. A court-appointed psychiatrist, Dr. Martha Livingstone, is summoned to the convent to assess the young woman’s sanity. Miriam Ruth, the Mother Superior, determinedly keeps young Agnes from the doctor, further arousing Livingstone’s suspicions. Who killed the infant, and who fathered the tiny victim? Livingstone’s questions force all three women to re-examine the meaning of faith and the power of love, leading to a dramatic, compelling climax.

Because of the adult themes and language, the performance is suggested for audience members 16 and older or children accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Tickets for “Agnes of God” are on sale now. The cost is $20 General Admission, $15 for Seniors/Military, and $10 for Students and VGCC Faculty/Staff.

Purchase tickets online at www.vgcc.edu/vgcc-drama-agnes-of-god.

Headed to the opening night show? Stay afterward to participate in a “talkback” discussion led by VGCC psychology instructor Dr. Kristie Polk.

All shows will take place in the Small Auditorium on VGCC’s Main Campus in Henderson. The venue is located on the lower level of Building 2 (Room #2105), which is accessible from the campus’s central courtyard.

Some audience members may be triggered by content such as abuse, religion, death, and use of cigarettes. Disclaimer: the theatrical cigarettes used in the production contain no harmful ingredients for either the audience of the actors.

VGCC Drama presents “Agnes of God” by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.

To learn more VGCC Drama or Fine Arts at Vance-Granville Community College, contact Betsy Henderson, Department Chair of Fine Arts & Humanities, at hendersonb@vgcc.edu or 252. 738.3371.

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The Local Skinny! Workforce and Continuing Education Open House at VGCC

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Vance-Granville Community College is hosting a Workforce and Continuing Education Open House at the Henderson campus on Saturday, Nov. 16.

School representatives will be on hand from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help prospective students learn more about the programs available across the four campuses.

Whether pursuing opportunities after high school or looking for a career change, VGCC may have just what you’re looking for.

According to the VGCC website, Continuing Education classes are designed for adults looking to enhance their job skills, update their knowledge or pursue personal interests.

Learn about the diverse program that VGCC offers, including Commercial Driver’s License, Healthcare, Public Safety, Welding and Business, just to name a few. Faculty members will be on hand to share additional program information and participants can attend break-out sessions about specific fields and certifications they may be interested in pursuing.

And to top it all off, you can get help with registration, financial aid and setting up your student account – all on the same day.

The Open House will be held in Building 7 at the Main Campus, located at 200 Community College Rd., Henderson.

Visit www.vgcc.edu and click on Latest News and Upcoming Events tabs to learn more.

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Vance Early College Gets Ninth A In A Row, In Top 5 Percent Of N.C. Schools

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— Press release courtesy of VCS Chief Communication Officer Aarika Sandlin

Vance County Early College gets an A – for the 9th year in a row – and is ranked among the top 5 percent of public schools across the state for the 2023-24 school year.

More than 80 percent of VCEC graduates enroll in a four-year college or university after graduating high school, a figure that highlights the way the school prepares its students for higher education and future success, according to a press statement from Vance County Schools Chief Communication Officer Aarika Sandlin.

“This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all involved—our students who strive for excellence, our teachers and staff who inspire and support them, and our parents who play an essential role in their education,” said Principal Debbie Hite.

Hite said she appreciates the support from the school district and said the school’s culture for success is a collective effort. “It truly takes all of us! From our instructional coaches and child nutrition staff to the dedicated members of the superintendent’s cabinet and our transportation team, every individual plays a crucial role in supporting our students and enriching their educational experiences. I would also like to commend the leadership of our superintendent, whose vision and commitment to academic excellence have been instrumental in guiding our district toward success.”

Of Vance-Granville Community College, VCEC’s educational partner, Hite said, “We want to extend our gratitude to Vance-Granville Community College. Their support and resources have been essential in enhancing our students’ learning experiences and paving the way for their future success.”

VCEC offers an innovative educational model in partnership with VGCC. The school is located on VGCC’s main campus, giving students a unique opportunity to earn a high school diploma and an associate’s degree simultaneously. This blend of high school and college courses equips students with a head start on their higher education journey and helps them develop the skills and knowledge to excel in college and beyond.

VCS Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett praised Hite and the school’s commitment to teaching and learning. “The collaborative approach to teaching and learning, a focus on personalized learning pathways, and the commitment to an environment where students and staff are supported, challenged, and constantly learning and evolving is truly a model for success,” Bennett stated.

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TownTalk: VGCC Truck Driver Program & National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

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This week is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week and Vance-Granville Community College joins the nation’s trucking industry in a weeklong celebration of the millions of professional truck drivers who deliver America’s freight safely and securely every day.

Established by the American Trucking Associations in 1988 to recognize the vital contributions of truck drivers to our daily lives and to the economy, the national observance highlights the contributions of the nation’s 3.5 million truck drivers who deliver 70 percent of the country’s total freight to communities large and small.

Vance-Granville Community College has actively supported trucking in its four-county service area since launching a commercial driver’s license program in 2020. Originally offered in collaboration with Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute, VGCC’s program achieved the criteria to run independently late last year. To date, 290 VGCC students have graduated from the nine-week program, many of whom have been hired immediately or gone on to open their own trucking business.

“Kelvin Sharpe, our truck driver training coordinator, says, ‘Give us nine weeks and we’ll change your life,’” said Kyle Burwell, VGCC dean of Business & Industry Solutions. Since 2020, the program has graduated close to 300 individuals

Vance-Granville’s next Truck Driver Training course begins Oct. 21. There’s still time to register, and Burwell said there is a mandatory orientation that will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the Henderson campus. The session will conclude on Dec. 20.

To view participant requirements and register, please visit www.vgcc.edu/cdl.

Burwell and lead instructor Georgie Bullock were guests on Tuesday’s TownTalk and provided more details about the program.

As with driving any vehicle, Bullock said the top priority to convey to students is safety. Safety and patience.

“Take your time, watch everything moving around you,” Bullock said. “Always be prepared to stop,” he said. Driving on the open road is one thing, but driving a big rig through town can be unnerving at first, Bullock acknowledged.

“They can get kinda nervous driving through town,” he said. But city streets are part of the everyday training routes, as well as the testing route.

“If you can’t drive in town, you don’t need to be a driver,” he said.

Burwell calls the VGCC program “turnkey,” meaning that once the students complete the course, any one of three licensed examiners are on campus to administer the CDL test. The only thing left to do after a student passes the examination is go to the DMV to get their photo taken and get their CDL.

Burwell said she is thankful that the program’s instructors and coordinators stress safety, whether they’re on the driving range or on the road. There is no room for error or distraction when you’ve got 80,000 pounds of truck and cargo behind you.

Bullock tells students, “When you’re on the road, be 100 percent focused on what you’re doing.”

Learn more at www.vgcc.edu/cdl.

 

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Sowing Seeds NC, Inc. Named 2024 VGCC Small Business Of The Year

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The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center recently named a Franklin County family-owned farm as the recipient of the Small Business of the Year award.

Sowing Seeds NC, Inc. is the nonprofit food ministry of Mcphetridge Family Farms, a sustainable small farm located outside Franklinton.

Leadership joined Franklin County officials and community members as the VGCC Small Business Center presented Sowing Seeds NC, Inc., with its 2024 Small Business of the Year award.

Joni and Todd McPhetridge had a passion for combatting food insecurity long before moving to the Franklinton area in 2018. A few years later, a local food pantry began sharing their leftover items with the McPhetridges, who figured the farm animals could consume items past their prime—but when they realized some of the food was still good, the McPhetridges decided to share with friends and family. The pantry began supplying more items to support this new initiative, to the point the family had to start announcing the extras on social media to make sure they did not go to waste.

By early 2023, the McPhetridges realized their ministry was growing consistently enough to warrant its own air-conditioned building, somewhere to keep food preserved in the summer. They officially launched Sowing Seeds NC, Inc. and they have grown tremendously since. According to their website, the organization has already served over 13,400 individuals this year, and they anticipate serving 31,800 by the end of 2024. A small team of volunteers regularly helps unload and organize food, as well as man the pantry during its open hours.

In spring 2024, Sowing Seeds NC participated in the Entrepreneurial Business Grant Program, a collaborative effort between the VGCC Small Business Center and the Northeast Franklin Revitalization Group. Joni McPhetridge completed the course with a robust arsenal of tools to foster the success of Sowing Seeds NC, an expanded network of professional relationships, and a grant to improve the Sowing Seeds NC facilities.

Carolyn Perry, director of the Vance-Granville Small Business Center, has added her own perspective on what makes Sowing Seeds an exceptional organization:

  • Sowing Seeds serves with open hearts. Because they serve others genuinely and selflessly, positive outcomes have followed. Whether it’s volunteering, helping their neighbors in the surrounding communities, or contributing to a cause, their open-hearted approach has led to meaningful connections and positive change throughout Franklin County.
  • Sowing Seeds shows up and gives its best. When good things started happening, it was essential that Sowing Seeds be present and actively participate—showing up consistently, whether it’s at work, in relationships, or in community activities. Giving their best efforts supports their ever-growing network of partners.
  • Sowing Seeds reflects adaptability and openness. Life is full of changes and challenges. Being adaptable and open-minded allows Sowing Seeds to navigate these transitions effectively—embracing new opportunities, learning from their setbacks, and remaining flexible in their approach.
  • Sowing Seeds treats people well. Building a strong network involves treating others with kindness, respect, and empathy. Positive interactions create lasting connections, both personally and professionally. When people are treated well, they won’t forget that feeling.

Warren County Economic Development, VGCC To Hold Soft Skills Training Course Sept. 25

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Warren County Community and Economic Development, in partnership with Vance-Granville Community College, is hosting a Soft Skills training course on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Warren County EMS Emergency Operations Center, located at 890 US-158 BYP in Warrenton.

Dr. Laurica Yancey, a Warren County native and instructor from the Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) Corporate Learning and Professional Development department, will lead the training.

This training is designed for local business and non-profit organization owners, human resource and hiring managers, as well as work supervisors focusing on two crucial topics: “Generational Differences in the Workplace” and “Recruiting Strategies for Today’s Market.” Participants will gain valuable insights into managing a multigenerational workforce and refining recruitment strategies to meet the demands of the current job market.

The course is sponsored by Warren County Community and Economic Development.

Registration is now open and can be completed online at https://www.vgcc.edu/coned/clpd/.

For more information, contact Megan Williams, economic development specialist, at 252.257.3115.

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VGCC “Fill The Pantry” Craft Show Set For Saturday, Oct. 12; Vendor Registration Open Until Sept. 20

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The second annual “Fill the Pantry” Craft Show is set for Saturday, Oct. 12 at Vance-Granville Community College.

Organizers are looking to build on the success of last year’s event, which brought together more than 40 vendors at the VGCC Civic Center on Main Campus in Henderson. This year’s event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Vendor registration is open now – simply complete the interest form found here: https://vgcc.jotform.com/232125467677059. The registration fee is $25 for each 10-foot by 10-foot space. This fee is non-refundable and vendor registration will be considered complete when the fee is paid.

Vendors will be asked to donate an item from their inventory to be added to the list of raffle items that will be given away throughout the event.

The cost of general admission is 3 canned food items, non-perishable goods or paper products that will be used to replenish the VGCC pantry for students.

Craft show organizers request that all vendor registration payments be made before the Friday, Sept. 20 deadline.

For more information about this event or the Vance-Granville Community College food pantry, please contact 252-738.3323 or douglasa@vgcc.edu.

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TownTalk: Duke Energy and VGCC Foundations Support Small Business

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The Vance Granville Community College Foundation has received a $50,000 grant award from Duke Energy Foundation to support small business growth in the four-county area it serves.

And community college officials have come up with a creative way to make sure that the money is equitably distributed to do the most good.

The VGCC Foundation was one of 21 community organizations from across the state to share in $700,000 in this round of funding, said Beth Townsend, Duke Energy local government and community relations manager. Since it was established in 2020, the program has given more than $2 million in grant funds to small businesses across the state.

Townsend was a guest on Wednesday’s TownTalk, and was joined by VGCC’s Carolyn Perry, director of the Small Business Center, and Kyle Burwell, dean of Business and Industry Solutions, who provided details about how the money would be used.

The VGCC Small Business Center will select grant fund recipients through a series of workshops, one based in each of the four counties the college serves. Each workshop session will be comprised of four evening classes for a total of 10 hours of instruction. The sessions will culminate with a five-minute pitch contest, after which five of the session’s 10 participants will receive a $2,500 award to support their small business.

Workshop dates and locations are as follows:

  • 16–19: VGCC South Campus, Creedmoor
  • 30 – Oct. 3: VGCC Main Campus, Henderson
  • 7–10: VGCC Warren Campus, Warrenton
  • 14–17: VGCC Franklin Campus, Louisburg

Perry said there are just a few requirements to participate – applicants must be 18 years old and must be residents of the county of the workshop they sign up for. Only one participant per household is allowed and anyone associated with VGCC is not eligible to take part, she said.

If you do a little quick math, $50,000 divided by 4 equals $12,500. There will be 20 awards – 5 per county – which means that each grant will be $2,500.

The first three days of the process will involve coaching and developing a plan that will be pitched on day 4, Perry said, sort of like TV’s “Shark Tank.”

VGCC leaders have devised a creative way to help small business owners come up with innovative ways to infuse capital into their endeavors.

“When you start off with some capital,” said Burwell, you increase a business’s survival rate, not to mention provide stability and create additional employment opportunities. She said it’s a way to help businesses learn how to use funding and market themselves, which creates “a true impact for all of our communities.”

Perry said the Number One question she gets from entrepreneurs who seek advice and help from the Small Business Center is “Can you tell me where there are some grant dollars for my business?”

Owners of retail shops, restaurants and other small businesses looking to expand, their business, upgrade technology, improve marketing or downtown storefronts are just the kind of participant VGCC’s Small Business Center is looking for.

“We want to see how creative they’ll be,” Perry said. The timing right before the holidays could prove extra helpful; some small businesses depend on a brisk holiday sales season to boost their bottom line.

“Small businesses remain the backbone of the U.S. economy, and in rural areas, they also serve as the heartbeat of our local economies,” noted VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais. “This monetary commitment enables Vance-Granville Community College to promote the entrepreneurial mindset and support budding small business ideas into real businesses within our larger community.”

To learn more about this program and participant requirements, contact Perry at 252.738.3240 or perryc@vgcc.edu.

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VGCC Health Sciences Programs Has Dual Pinning Ceremony for 14 Graduates

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-information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

The Vance-Granville Community College School of Health Sciences’ Medical Assisting and Practical Nursing programs honored 14 students at their very first joint pinning ceremony on July 24. Family, friends, faculty and VGCC leaders attended the ceremony, which took place at the Civic Center on the Main Campus.

VGCC Vice President Kim Sepich offered a welcome and congratulations to the students upon successful completion of their programs. Dr. Mercedes Kamoru, program head for Medical Assisting, had five students honored at the ceremony. Nursing instructor Leslie Parrott had nine students honored.

Both programs had a student speaker who spoke on behalf of their peers, reflecting on their shared journey. Normalejandra Avila-Velazquez represented the Medical Assisting program, and Taushua Alston-Eaton represented the Practical Nursing program. The graduates expressed their gratitude to the faculty for their dedication and mentorship. They also thanked their families and friends for their unwavering support throughout their educational journey. The atmosphere was filled with emotion as graduates shared personal stories of their experiences and the impact of their loved ones’ encouragement.

The pinning ceremony is a rite of passage in the medical assisting and nursing profession, symbolizing the completion of rigorous training and the beginning of a career dedicated to caring for others. Each graduate was called to the stage, where they received their pin from a family member with faculty assisting them. The pins, shining brightly, represented not only the graduates’ academic achievements but also their readiness to serve with compassion and excellence.

Dr. Angela Thomas, dean of Health Sciences, led the Medical Assisting students through the Medical Assisting Creed; Dr. Brande McIlroy led the Nursing students through the Nursing Pledge and the traditional lighting of the lamps.

The pinning ceremony marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another. The Class of 2024 is now ready to take on the challenges and rewards of the Medical Assisting and Practical Nursing professions, armed with the education, experience and passion to make a meaningful impact on their patients’ lives.

Those who could not attend may view the event’s livestream on the College’s YouTube page.

 

VGCC Medical Assisting Class of 2024:

  • Normalejandra Avila-Velazquez
  • Kimberly Ayscue
  • Amber Bolton
  • Amaya Sneed
  • Yolanda Taylor

VGCC Practical Nursing Class of 2024:

  • Taushua Alston-Eaton
  • Alexus Barnes
  • Susan Chebet
  • Evelyn Faucette
  • Regina Nderitu
  • Enock Tanui
  • Toshiba Valentine
  • Dawn Williams
  • Jennifer Young

 

Visit www.vgcc.edu to learn more.