Tag Archive for: #vancegranvillecommunitycollege

VGCC Nursing Students Hosting Blood Drive on Sept. 18

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Members of Vance-Granville Community College’s Student Nurses’ Association are partnering with the American Red Cross to host a Blood Drive for the college campus and the community. The drive will be held in the Civic Center on Main Campus from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, September 18.

“The VGCC SNA is leading this initiative because our students know this drive can have such a lifesaving impact on many people,” said Heather Wilson, a nursing instructor at VGCC. “We want to show our community and the patients in need of blood just how much we can do to save lives.”

The Red Cross has more than 130 years of experience providing humanitarian aid – including more than 70 years of supplying blood to those in need, Wilson noted. “Each pint of blood we collect can help save up to three lives and will touch the lives of so many more,” she said. “What a great way to pay it forward and make an impact on people in our community and across the country.”

Everyone wishing to help the drive can schedule an appointment at the web address https://www.redcrossblood.org/give/drive/driveSearch.jsp using the sponsor code VGCC. Anyone with questions about the blood drive can contact Wilson at wilsonh@vgcc.edu or Erica Jastrow, VGCC’s department chair of nursing, at jastrowe@vgcc.edu.

An American Red Cross representative works with a donor at a recent Blood Drive on one of Vance-Granville Community College’s four campuses. The VGCC Student Nurses’ Association is hosting a drive at the Main Campus of the college on Tuesday, Sept. 18, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Photo VGCC)

The Red Cross has also started a new campaign called RapidPass, a new tool that allows blood donors to help save lives in less time. Completed on the date of the drive, RapidPass allows donors to complete their pre-reading and donation questions online from the comfort and privacy of home or office, reducing the time spent at the blood drive by up to 15 minutes.

The steps for RapidPass are: (1) visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass, (2) read the information, (3) answer the questions, and (4) print the pass or email it to yourself. RapidPass cannot be completed prior to the date of the drive, Jastrow noted. Donors who do not bring the printed pass with them to their donation or cannot show it on a mobile device will be asked to complete the questions again.

“RapidPass does not take the place of scheduling an appointment,” Jastrow said. “An appointment must still be scheduled. Saving lives is important to everyone, and everyone’s time is valuable. We hope donors will make the most of it with RapidPass.”

In addition to the normal whole blood donation, the American Red Cross will also have two double red cell machines, noted as Power Red appointments. Double red cell donations from Type O donors and donors with Rh-negative blood types play an important role in maintaining blood supply levels, the Red Cross says. Donors need to meet slightly higher hemoglobin and body height/weight requirements in order to be able to give a double red cell donation. Double red cell donation takes approximately 30 minutes longer than a whole blood donation and allows the donor to give two units of red blood cells.

“You lose less volume when donating if you give via the double red cell machine because you are actually returned all your products except the red cells,” Wilson said. “This means you feel better after giving blood via a double red cell than a ‘regular donation’ and are not as prone to dehydration.”

Jastrow added, “We look forward to seeing students, staff and members of the community at the blood drive, and we encourage everyone to share this information with friends, family and others who also would be interested in helping us save lives.”

Pope Foundation Honors Retired President Sawyer With New VGCC Award

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

The Pope Foundation has created a new Academic Achievement Scholarship at Vance-Granville Community College in honor of retired Variety Wholesalers, Inc., President Wilson Sawyer of Raleigh.

The scholarship will award $500 per year to a deserving student enrolled at Vance-Granville. Priority will be given to students who are employees of Variety Wholesalers (home store, distribution center or retail stores) and members of the families of those employees. Preference will be given to students who are pursuing a degree in Business Administration.

“Our business roots in the area go back many years and we are proud to call Henderson and Vance County ‘home,’” said James Arthur “Art” Pope, chairman of Variety Wholesalers. “Wilson never lost sight of our customers and our promise to deliver great value and prices. We’re grateful for his friendship and dedication over these many years. We hope this scholarship inspires a new generation of leaders who share Wilson’s commitment to service.”

Wilson Sawyer, center, the retired president of Variety Wholesalers, Inc., in Henderson, has been honored by the Pope Foundation with the creation of an Academic Achievement Scholarship to benefit students of Vance-Granville Community College. With him, from left, are Eddie Ferguson, director of the VGCC Endowment Fund, and Kay Currin, endowment specialist. (VGCC Photo)

“There are two reasons I’m excited about this scholarship,” said the honoree, Sawyer. “Number 1, if it helps folks in the company that helped me for many years, that’s a plus. Number 2, I’m a big supporter of the community college program and I think it’s important to encourage folks to start their education here.”

Sawyer knows about the community college experience first-hand, he said. His daughter was a student at Central Carolina Community College in Sanford before transferring to a four-year institution when the family moved to Raleigh. “She excelled in college and I think it’s because of the basis that she got at the community college.” His daughter is now a school teacher, he said.

Following a lifelong career in retail, Sawyer retired as president of Variety Wholesalers in February.  He started his career in the Maxway store management program, rising to hold various roles. When Variety Wholesalers acquired Maxway in 1990, Sawyer stayed with the company as president of the Maxway division. After years of leading multiple store brand divisions, he was named president and chief operating officer of Variety Wholesalers Stores in 2003. When Bruce Efird joined Variety Wholesalers Stores as president in 2017, Saywer moved to holding company leadership. He remains on Variety’s board of directors and is assisting the company in an advisory capacity.

“We are excited that the Pope Foundation and Variety Wholesalers have chosen to honor Mr. Sawyer with this new scholarship,” said Eddie Ferguson, director of the VGCC Endowment Fund. “Both have been stalwart supporters of our students and the college through contributions to scholarships and activities such as our golf tournament which also benefit students.”

“I’ve been so impressed with the community support that has come to my attention since becoming Vance-Granville’s interim president,” added Dr. Gordon Burns, who assumed the new role in mid-August while VGCC searches for a permanent president. “This gift from the Pope Foundation will continue to honor Mr. Sawyer and help students each and every year, serving as a reminder of the importance of a community and its institutions getting involved in the education of our citizens. We are so grateful.”

Founded in 1986 and located in Raleigh, the Pope Foundation makes grants to advance individual freedom, personal responsibility and encourage opportunity for all North Carolinians. The Pope Foundation’s lifetime giving totals more than $145 million directed to over 400 nonprofits. The Pope Foundation receives its support from the Pope family, owner and operator of the Henderson-based Variety Wholesalers, Inc.

The new scholarship will add to the more than 9,000 scholarships that have been awarded to students since 1982, funded by interest earned on the Endowment Fund and Scholarship Program. Scholarships have been established by individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff to assist deserving students. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business, industry or organization with a lasting gift to education. In the Fall of 2017, Vance-Granville awarded scholarships to 306 students.

For more information, the Office of the Endowment can be reached by calling Endowment Specialist Kay Currin at (252) 738-3409.

VGCC Pins 15 Practical Nursing Graduates

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 -Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Fifteen Practical Nursing graduates were honored for their completion of the one-year program at Vance-Granville Community College during a pinning ceremony on July 25 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus.

Upon receiving their diplomas, the graduates are now eligible to sit for the national exam for licensed practical nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Among the Practical Nursing graduates recognized at the ceremony were Reuben Aluoch of Raleigh, Eunice Ayaa of Creedmoor, Christopher Ellis of Wake Forest, Nikitra Hall of Wake Forest, Jason Hurley of Youngsville, Rumana Ibrahim of Raleigh, Cassidy Ivey of Henderson, Tiffany Lemay of Warrenton, Eric Luckenbaugh of Durham, Charles Ngeve of Durham, Joyce Nyaanga of Morrisville, Rose Nyagaka of Raleigh, Wyverta Rawls of Raleigh, Cherrie Satterfield of Rougemont, and Youlanda Simpson of Durham.

Welcoming remarks were offered by Dr. Levy Brown, VGCC’s vice president of academic affairs; Erica Jastrow, the college’s chair of the Nursing Department; and Eunice Ayaa, president of the Practical Nursing Class of 2018.

Above: Graduates honored at the VGCC Practical Nursing pinning ceremony included, first (front) row, from left: Cassidy Ivey, Tiffany Lemay, Joyce Nyaanga and Nikitra Hall; second row, from left: Cherrie Satterfield, Eric Luckenbaugh, Wyverta Rawls; third row, from left: Christopher Ellis, Jason Hurley, Eunice Ayaa, Reuben Alouch, Youlanda Simpson and Charles Ngeve. (VGCC photo)

“Our Nursing program goes all the way back to 1970, almost to the founding of this great institution of which will celebrate 50 years of existence next year,” said Dr. Brown. “Now we are proud to add to that history the Practical Nursing Class of 2018, a diverse group of students from several towns in our region.” While many members of the class have chosen specific nursing specialties for their careers, many also plan to continue their education, he said.  He encouraged the graduates to “aspire, accelerate and achieve in every walk of life.”

“With success comes great responsibility,” Jastrow noted in her remarks. “These students will have the responsibility of preparing for a challenging licensing exam. So if they tell you they still have to study, they really are telling you the truth…. I also hope they will take the opportunity to share their success so that others might be inspired to take the same journey they did.”

Ayaa, the class president, offered thanks to the instructors both at VGCC and in the clinical sites where the students received on-the-job experience. “You all have taught us what will help our patients the most,” she said.

“To our family and friends, thank you for listening to us,” she said. “Thank you for letting us perform skills on you. Thank you for lending us money. I hope we will pay them back!” she added, to laughter from the room. “Thank you for helping us accomplish our dreams. We could not have done it without you — not forgetting the North Carolina taxpayers and our donors. Thank you for your generosity, for the scholarships and the financial aid we received when we could no longer work and pay for our tuition. We are so grateful.”

Heather Wilson, Nursing instructor and SimLab Coordinator, shared the story of the distinctive Nursing Pin which was awarded to each student by Jastrow during the ceremony. During the pinning, biographies were read by Kathy Bray, nursing instructor, and Vanessa Ramseur, nursing instructor, presented lamps to the graduates. The story of the lamp was shared by Patsy Pegram, nursing instructor, and the lighting of the lamps was initiated by Brande McIlroy, nursing instructor, while Crystal Senter, nursing instructor, led the Nursing Pledge.

More photos: Check out VGCC’s album on Flickr!

VGCC Joins Achieving the Dream to Improve Student Success

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-Press Release, ATD Network and Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College today announced it has joined Achieving the Dream (ATD), a network of more than 220 colleges in 41 states dedicated to improving student success.

As an ATD Network institution, VGCC will innovate to implement, align, and scale cutting-edge reforms, work with ATD coaches to build institutional capacity and connect with peers to foster learning and share information, according to college and ATD officials.

“We are already making a difference in the lives of students,” said Dr. Levy Brown, Vance-Granville’s vice president of academic affairs. “Now as a college, it is time to take the next step in our work to improve student learning and success.” Dr. Brown is the leader of the college’s ATD Core Team.

Dr. Joanne Bashford, left, and Dr. Linda Hagedorn of Achieving the Dream make a presentation to Vance-Granville Community College’s administration, faculty and staff at the college’s fall convocation in the Civic Center on Main Campus. VGCC today announced it has joined the network of more than 220 colleges in 41 states dedicated to improving student success. (VGCC Photo)

“The strength of local and regional economies, our ability to rebuild the middle class, and the possibility that a new generation will achieve their goals depends on community colleges,” said Dr. Karen A. Stout, president and CEO of Achieving the Dream. “Colleges that join the ATD Network show an exceptional commitment to becoming the kind of institution that will lead the nation into the future.”

“Achieving the Dream will serve to accelerate and advance Vance-Granville’s ongoing efforts to assist students in achieving their goals,” said Dr. Gordon Burns, VGCC’s interim president. “Participating in Achieving the Dream with its holistic approach to student success will result in Vance-Granville identifying college strengths, prioritizing areas needing improvement and systematically determining and implementing actions that will lead to greater numbers of students and graduates achieving their personal and career goals.”

ATD offers a capacity-building framework and companion self-assessment that allow colleges to pinpoint strengths and areas for improvement across seven institutional capacities in areas such as leadership and vision, teaching and learning, and data and technology.

With the capacity framework as a guide, ATD’s approach integrates and aligns existing college success efforts and offers valuable support in preparing for accreditation, fostering conversation about goals, and making bold, holistic institution-wide changes because initiatives that don’t reach most of a college’s student body have not shown strong results.

A team from Vance-Granville and teams from the other colleges joining ATD this year met in June to plan for the launch of their ATD work, which will initially focus on student learning and success.

Dr. Joanne Bashford and Dr. Linda Hagedorn were on VGCC’s Main Campus on Thursday and Friday to meet with the Core Team, administration, staff and faculty for Vance-Granville’s launch of the initiative. Dr. Bashford serves as a Higher Education Services Consultant and Leadership Coach for ATD. Her career in community colleges spans 25 years and includes serving as the President of Miami Dade College’s InterAmerican Campus, a diverse campus of 19,000 students located in historic Little Havana, until retiring in 2017. Dr. Hagedorn is Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs, International Programs, Student Services, Diversity and Equity, and Community Program at Iowa State University and a data coach for ATD. As an Achieving the Dream Data Coach, Dr. Hagedorn has been consulting with community colleges since the initiative’s inception and is currently working with six community colleges.

ATD Network colleges report data using metrics that answer critical questions about who attends college, who succeeds in and after college and how college is financed. To advance goals of social mobility and equity, the metrics provide information on how low-income and other underserved students fare. These metrics are categorized into performance metrics, efficiency metrics and equity metrics at points during the student experience from access through post-college outcomes.

As colleges in the new cohort progress, they may apply to participate in initiatives supported by philanthropic funding and managed by ATD. These initiatives help incubate new ideas that help colleges refine practices based on evidence of what works and allow ATD to disseminate knowledge to the broader network and the field.  New initiatives address the challenge of engaging adjunct faculty more deeply as key members of colleges’ workforces and implementing degree programs using only open educational resources (OER).

Achieving the Dream, along with more than 100 experienced coaches and advisors, works closely with ATD Network colleges to reach more than 4 million community college students.

Davis-Royster Funeral Service Endows VGCC Scholarship

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Davis-Royster Funeral Service, Inc., of Henderson has endowed a new Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund scholarship to help area students pursue an education.

The Davis-Royster Funeral Service Academic Achievement Scholarship is named for the family-owned and operated funeral service that has been operating in Vance County since 1991. The company, founded by James H. Royster and owned by Mary Davis-Royster, provides a variety of funeral and memorial services and resources customized to meet the needs of families.

“We have demonstrated through our funeral business a commitment to service based on sensitivity and integrity,” said Mary Davis-Royster. “The people of our service area have been so supportive of us for nearly three decades. We want to give something back to these communities through this educational opportunity to show our appreciation.”

Members of the staff of Davis-Royster Funeral Service, Inc., celebrate their new scholarship with representatives from Vance-Granville Community College. From left are James H. Royster, founder of Davis-Royster Funeral Service; Mary Davis-Royster, owner; Paul Crews Jr., director’s assistant; Robert L. Wright II, funeral director; Dr. Stelfanie Williams, Vance-Granville’s president; the Rev. Richard Henderson, member of the VGCC Endowment Fund Board of Directors; and Eddie Ferguson, director of VGCC’s Endowment Fund. (Photo VGCC)

Through the new scholarship, preference will be given to students enrolled for nine credit hours or more in the Business Administration curriculum program at Vance-Granville. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 will be required.

“The leaders of tomorrow for our community are turning to Vance-Granville today and will be doing so for years to come to secure the education and skills training they need to run area businesses. Our scholarship will serve as an encouragement and a valuable means of support,” Mrs. Davis-Royster added.

Mrs. Davis-Royster also serves as the licensed mortician for the company, and Mr. Royster is the funeral service assistant. Also leading the staff are Paul Crews, Jr., who is the director’s assistant, and Robert L. Wright II, licensed funeral director and embalmer.

“We are appreciative of the extended Davis-Royster Funeral Service family for their support of Vance-Granville’s students,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, VGCC’s president. “Their gift today will be meeting the needs of future business leaders for generations to come.”

Eddie Ferguson, the director of the VGCC Endowment Fund, added, “The funeral service has chosen a meaningful way to honor their legacy of decades of service to the community. We are proud they have chosen to partner with us to help our students succeed.”

The new scholarship will add to the more than 9,000 scholarships that have been awarded to students since 1982, funded by interest earned on the Endowment Fund and Scholarship Program. Scholarships have been established by individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff to assist deserving students. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business, industry or organization with a lasting gift to education. In the Fall of 2017, Vance-Granville awarded scholarships to 306 students.

For more information, the Office of the Endowment can be reached by calling Endowment Specialist Kay Currin at (252) 738-3409.

VGCC Graduates 17 Cadets in 106th BLET Class

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Seventeen new cadets graduated from the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program at Vance-Granville Community College in a ceremony held in the Civic Center on Main Campus. After passing the state certification exam, all are authorized to work in any law enforcement agency in North Carolina.

Honored during the May 15 ceremony in VGCC’s 106th BLET class were Tyima Barbara Johnson, William Gant Sipfle and Dylan Blake Wilson of the Henderson Police Department; Lauren Elizabeth Matthews and David Alan Watson of the Granville County Sheriff’s Department; Jonathan Cameron Burnette, Alan Gregory Mitchell and Devin Antonio Younger of the Oxford Police Department; Michael Patrick Burns and Torrance Danyel Terry of the Vance County Sheriff’s Department; Dontravious Marques Harrison, Darnell Anthony Powell and Kenneth Latrel Richardson of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office; Brice Anthony Warren of the Roxboro Police Department; Randy Dale Parrott of the Crabtree Special Police Department; and Margaret Alyssa Bailey and Brian Nicholas Vermilya, VGCC students.

Shown above are the latest graduates of the VGCC Basic Law Enforcement Training program with the program administrators: front row, from left, Andrea Hyson, VGCC Law Enforcement/BLET director and graduates William Douglas, Torrance Terry, Margaret Bailey, Michael Burns, Lauren Matthews, and VGCC Law Enforcement/BLET coordinator/instructor Glen Boyd: second row: graduates Tyima Johnson, Devin Younger, Johnathan Burnette, Alan Mitchell, Randy Parrott, Brian Vermilya, and Dylan Wilson; and back row, graduates Dontravious Harrison, Darnell Powell, Kenneth Richardson, David Watson, William Sipfle, and Brice Warren. (VGCC Photo)

Also recognized were graduates of VGCC’s 105th BLET class: William Furman Douglas of the Henderson Police Department; and Stephanie Paige Covell and Angel Rosemaria Tanner, VGCC students.

In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Levy Brown, VGCC’s vice president of academic affairs, applauded the graduates and thanked their families for providing support during the 16-week program. Dr. Brown expressed his appreciation to the faculty and staff who had instructed Class 106 and thanked the area law enforcement agencies who sponsor and hire the cadets.

“These cadets of Class 106 vary in age, background and experience, but they are united by their common desire to protect and serve their respective communities,” said Dr. Brown. “They now join the ranks of the 105 classes before them who have given this program its excellent reputation for preparing law enforcement professionals.”

Speaking as leader of the class, Cadet Devin Younger added his thanks to the instructors and introduced Capt. James Champion of Butner Public Safety, representing the instructors of the program, who was chosen by the cadets as the keynote speaker for the graduation.

“We cannot change the past, but we can affect the future,” Capt. Champion told the cadets. “One way we can affect the future is to maintain and protect our own integrity. Building trust with the community is fundamental to effective policing. Sound conduct by law enforcement officers such as yourself improves community interaction and enhances communications. No matter how much good you do, people will only remember the bad.”

Citing a variety of synonyms for the word “integrity” — honesty, honor, good characters, strong morals, among them — Capt. Champion said, “Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Your personal choices in your life and in your career are the only things that can make you lose your integrity.”

“Please remember, it’s OK to fail,” he said. “When you make a mistake, admit to the mistake, learn from it and get better.”

Citing Proverbs 10:9, Capt. Champion concluded, “People with integrity walk securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”

In recognition of National Police Week, May 13-19, and Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, being observed on the day of the cadets’ graduation, the Butner Public Safety captain led a moment of silence for 129 officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2017.

Glen Boyd, coordinator and instructor of Law Enforcement programs and BLET at VGCC, presented awards to several students. Lauren Matthews took home the Academic Achievement Award for having the top grade average in the written tests each cadet must pass. Torrance Terry earned the Physical Fitness Award for scoring highest in the various fitness tests the cadets undergo during physical training.  David Watson won the “Top Gun” Award for having the highest accuracy score in firearms qualification.

Certificates were presented to the graduates by Andrea Hyson, the director of Law Enforcement programs and BLET at VGCC, and Boyd. Abidan Shah, pastor of Clearview Church, provided the invocation and the benediction for the ceremony.

For more information on the BLET program, contact Hyson at hysona@vgcc.edu.

More photos: Check out the VGCC album on Flickr.

VGCC Graduates 19th ‘Tea & Etiquette’ Class

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College has graduated its 19th “Tea and Etiquette” class with an Afternoon Tea highlighting the celebration.

The class held its final meeting and graduation ceremony on April 26 at First Presbyterian Church in Henderson with a tea party organized and carried out by the students of the class.

Graduating were Mary Adcock of Oxford, Vickie Bailey of Creedmoor, Jean Carter of Roanoke Rapids, Kay Currin of Oxford, Patty Currin of Oxford, Sandy Lehman of Roanoke Rapids, Frankie Marks of Oxford, Sharon Murrell of Henrico, and Dr. Paula Wood of Bracey, Va.

Above: Seen here in a parlor at First Presbyterian Church of Henderson are, from left, graduates Mary Adcock of Oxford, Sharon Murrell of Henrico, Kay Currin of Oxford, Dr. Paula Wood of Bracey, Va., the class instructor Dr. B.K. McCloud of Oxford, graduates Sandy Lehman of Roanoke Rapids, Vickie Bailey of Creedmoor, Jean Carter of Roanoke Rapids, Frankie Marks of Oxford, and Patty Currin of Oxford. (VGCC Photo)

The instructor for the class was Dr. B.K. McCloud of Oxford. Vance-Granville has been offering the class since it was founded by the late Constance Lue in 2006.

Among the tea selections for the graduation were Southern Tea Lady’s, Lemon & Ginger Delight Black, and Harney & Sons Fine Teas. On the menu were: for savories, Goat Cheese Pepper Boats, Petite Ham Biscuits, Quiche Florentine, and Aunt Virginia’s Asparagus Sandwiches; fruity scones served with clotted cream, lemon curd and strawberry preserves; and, for sweets, Luscious Lemon Bars, Salted Caramel Strawberries, Orange Blossoms and Brownie Tuxedos.

The graduation also included a rousing rendition of “The Old North State,” the official state song of North Carolina, written by William Gaston and collected and arranged by Mrs. E.E. Randolph.

In the course, students learn about the history of tea; the difference between an afternoon tea party, a royal tea party and “High Tea”; and the proper way to make the best pot of tea. They have tastings of a wide variety of teas (black, white, green, Oolongs and herbal) at each class meeting. Beyond the specifics of teas, students study grace, civility and etiquette.

For information about future tea classes, contact Gabbie Norfleet at (252) 738-3275 or ped@vgcc.edu.

View a photo album from the graduation on our Flickr site at https://www.flickr.com/photos/vancegranvillecc/albums/72157669044789608.

State Board Approves Dr. Burns as Interim President at VGCC

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College 

The North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges has approved the appointment of Dr. Gordon Burns as the interim president of Vance-Granville Community College.

The former leader of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro was the longest-serving president in the history of the western North Carolina college, retiring in 2014 after 18 years at WCC and 46 years in education.

The approval came today (Friday, July 20) at the regular meeting of the State Board, held this month at Pitt Community College in Winterville, following the VGCC Board of Trustees’ selection of Dr. Burns as its choice for an interim.

Dr. Gordon Burns, retired president of Wilkes Community College, has been named the interim president of Vance-Granville Community College. He will lead the college while the Board of Trustees searches for Vance-Granville’s seventh president. (VGCC Photo)

Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the sixth president of VGCC, announced plans in May to take the position of Vice President for Durham Affairs at Duke University, effective Aug. 13. Dr. Burns will work alongside Dr. Williams for his first two weeks at Vance-Granville and will officially become the interim president on Aug. 11.

“We are excited to get someone of the caliber of Dr. Burns to help lead Vance-Granville during this time of transition,” said Danny W. Wright, chair of the VGCC Board of Trustees. “At Wilkes Community College, Dr. Burns demonstrated an ability to assemble and lead a strong team of administrators, faculty and staff that took their college to new heights during his tenure.”

“We feel very fortunate that, after just a few years of retirement, he still has a burning desire for community colleges and the excellent work we do to educate students of all ages.”

Vance-Granville will be his fourth community college home in North Carolina. Prior to his time at WCC as president, Dr. Burns served as executive vice president at Lenoir Community College in Kinston, and as vice president for instruction and dean of continuing education at Wilson Community College in Wilson. After completing high school in Easton, Pa., Dr. Burns earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Eastern Kentucky in Richmond, Ky., and his Master of Education and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the University of Missouri in Columbia. His Ph.D. major was Industrial Education with support areas in Educational Administration and Industrial Management.

Dr. Burns described his management style for the VGCC Trustees as “participatory.” “I like to engage and I like to involve the staff, faculty and students in the life of the college, the decisions that are made, the planning that is done and the execution of those plans,” he said. “I can honestly say that much of what was accomplished in my career was not accomplished by me. It was accomplished by the people that I supervised and that I worked with as team members.”

Operations will be the top priority during the transition, he said. “The ultimate compliment at the end of the period would be that we didn’t miss a beat, that the college continued on its journey. I would not be here to change things so that things would be done in the Burns way or in the Wilkes Community College way. They need to be done in the Vance-Granville way with the Vance-Granville people.”

“Dr. Williams has continued the journey of creating a great work environment and a great learning environment here and a supportive one for all, the students, the faculty and the staff and has worked well with Trustees in the governance of the institution,” he added.

At Wilkes Community College, Dr. Burns is credited with leading the college through a period of significant growth and successes in enrollment, donations to the college’s Endowment, construction and renovation projects, technology, academic offerings, planning, and school, university, business and industry partnerships.

At the VGCC Board of Trustees’ July meeting, a search committee of six Trustees was appointed to find the permanent president. Deborah F. Brown was appointed chair of the search committee, and Herb Gregory was named vice chair. Rounding out the committee are N. Annette P. Myers, Abdul Sm Rasheed, Donald C. Seifert, Sr., and Sara C. Wester. The committee was selected by Trustees Chair Wright.

Wright Re-elected Chair of VGCC Board; Two Trustees Reappointed

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

At their regular bi-monthly meeting held July 16, the Vance-Granville Community College Board of Trustees re-elected Danny W. Wright as the chair of the board for the 2018-2019 fiscal year, Herb Gregory as vice-chair, and Deborah F. Brown as secretary after nominations from a committee chaired by Trustee L. Opie Frazier, Jr.

Retired North Carolina Ninth District Court Judge Henry Banks swore in two Trustees for additional terms. Trustee Barbara Cates Harris was reappointed by the Granville County Board of Education for a second four-year term on the board. Chair Wright was appointed to a new four-year term by the Vance County Board of Commissioners. Wright had been appointed in 2015 to fill an unexpired term on the board. He was also a commissioner in 2011-2013 when he was appointed by the governor.

Building Update

In his update on capital projects, Trustee Donald C. Seifert, Sr., reported that preparations will begin in August to renovate seminar rooms in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus.

VGCC Trustee Danny W. Wright is sworn in for a new four-year appointment on the college’s board by Retired District Court Judge J. Henry Banks. Also serving as the chair of the board, Wright was appointed by the Vance County Board of Commissioners. He also served in 2011-2013 when appointed to an unexpired term by the governor. From left are Judge Banks, Wright, and Wright’s wife, Betty Wright. (VGCC Photo)

The assessment phase of an exterior masonry repairs project on Main Campus was completed in May, and a design service proposal has been sent to the State Construction Office (SCO) for review. The project is expected to be bid out in February 2019 with renovations starting the following April. The majority of the masonry work is being funded by the Connect NC State Bond passed by North Carolina voters in March 2016.

Seifert also reported the SCO is expected to issue a design contract this month for fire alarm replacements and renovations to heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems on the Main Campus. The fire alarm replacements will be completed first with the HVAC renovations expected to start in 2020.

The second phase of renovations to the newest building on campus, Building 10, are expected to start in August and be completed in December, Seifert said. Space is being renovated to add a Practical Simulation Lab for Basic Law Enforcement Training, Fire/Rescue and Emergency Medical Services programs, among other expansions.

Retired District Court Judge J. Henry Banks administers the oath of office to Vance-Granville Community College Trustee Barbara Cates Harris of Oxford. She has been reappointed by the Granville County Board of Education for a second four-year term on the college Board of Trustees. From left are Judge Banks; Harris; Maurice Harris, Jr., Harris’ grandson; and her husband, Phillip Harris. (VGCC Photo)

Budget Amendments

The 2017-2018 Budget Resolution was amended upon recommendation from the Budget Committee, chaired by Trustee Abdul Sm Rasheed. The State Current Fund increased $1,959,983 to a total of $21,512,238, the County Current Fund was unchanged at $2,578,292, and the Institutional Fund increased $340,947 to a total of $9,993,779, for a combined Amended Operating Budget of $34,084,309. The Capital Improvement Budget increased $348,943 to a total of $889,653. The total Combined Amended Budget is $34,973,962.

 Other Action

In other action:

  • The Trustees voted to terminate Warren County High School as an off-campus site with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The site had been approved in November 2015; however, the high school has requested that dually enrolled students take their college courses at VGCC’s Warren County Campus in Warrenton. No college classes are currently being offered at WCHS, and students are completing their work at the Warren Campus, according to Trustee Harris, chair of the Curriculum Committee. The change will be effective as of the Fall 2018 academic term.
  • An informational report on new employees, retirements, resignations and changes in positions was given by the Personnel Committee, chaired by Trustee Sara C. Wester.
  • New and amended board policies for the 2018-2019 Policy Manual were approved by the Trustees on a recommendation from the Executive Committee, chaired by Trustee Wright. The policies cover areas of organizational structure, public information and campus safety, personnel policies, academic affairs, institutional research and technology, and finance and operations.
  • Trustee Frazier, chair of the Investment Committee, reported on the progress of the college’s investments.

A Board Retreat has been scheduled for August 7, and the Trustees will participate in Ethics Training on August 29. The next meeting of the VGCC Board of Trustees will be held on Monday, September 17, at the Main Campus.

Search Committee Appointed To Seek Next VGCC President

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College 

A search committee of six members of the Vance-Granville Community College Board of Trustees has been appointed to find a successor to Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the college’s president who is taking a position with Duke University in August.

Deborah F. Brown has been appointed chair of the search committee, and Herb Gregory will serve as vice chair. Rounding out the committee will be N. Annette P. Myers, Abdul Sm Rasheed, Donald C. Seifert, Sr., and Sara C. Wester.

Trustees Chair Danny W. Wright made the appointment at the board’s regular bi-monthly meeting on July 16 at the college’s Main Campus.

Dr. Williams, the sixth president of VGCC, announced her plans in May to take the position of Vice President for Durham Affairs at Duke University, effective Aug. 13.

Looking back at her tenure at Vance-Granville, Dr. Williams offered her reflections to the Trustees, recalling the support given to the college through grants, donations and governmental and community partnerships; the thousands of students who have been educated and have graduated; and a supportive faculty, staff and Board of Trustees.

“I have one big wish for a bright future ahead for Vance-Granville Community College,” she said. “I appreciate the opportunity that you all have provided for me to serve over the past six and a half years. It’s the people who have really made this a special place and a great experience for me. I will forever be grateful. And I will forever be a Vance-Granville Vanguard.”