Tag Archive for: #vancegranvillecommunitycollege

Five VGCC Students Join RIBN Program in NC A&T Ceremony

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Five Vance-Granville Community College students were formally inducted into the North Carolina Piedmont “Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses” (RIBN) program in a ceremony in August at North Carolina A&T State University’s Union Square Campus in Greensboro.

RIBN is a partnership involving the university, VGCC, Davidson County Community College (DCCC) and Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC).

This year’s inductees from VGCC are Jolina Chiong of Henderson, Madison Hetrick of Henderson, Jaslin Renteria of Henderson, Chris Trotman of Durham and April Zuniga-Trejo of Henderson.

At the induction ceremony, the A&T School of Nursing welcomed students from VGCC and the other community colleges who will be simultaneously enrolled at the university. RIBN students earn associate’s degrees in nursing over three years (while also taking A&T courses online) and then continue for one year of additional courses at A&T required for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

Above: Shown celebrating the induction of five new students in RIBN at NCA&T in Greensboro, from left, are VGCC Academic/Career Coach Seletha Pherribo, VGCC Dean of Health Sciences Angela Thomas, RIBN student inductees Jolina Chiong, Madison Hetrick, Chris Trotman, Jaslin Renteria, and April Zuniga-Trejo, VGCC Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Levy Brown, and Nursing Department Chair Erica Jastrow. (VGCC photo)

Erica Jastrow, the Nursing department chair for VGCC, presented each college’s student inductees with a certificate of induction as part of the ceremony, while Academic/Career Coach Seletha Pherribo read a brief biography of each one.

With five out of the 11 students selected for this year’s cohort, VGCC again had the most inductees among the three community colleges in the partnership. In 2017, VGCC had 11 of the 18 students selected, more inductees that the two other community colleges combined. In the first year of the partnership, 2016, the initial cohort consisted of three students, one from each community college.

The North Carolina Piedmont RIBN initiative is one of nine such partnerships that have been launched in North Carolina since 2008 under the direction of the Foundation for Nursing Excellence (FFNE) to increase the educational preparation of North Carolina’s nursing workforce.

In addition to recognizing the RIBN Advisory Board members, Jastrow thanked employers who have met with RIBN students to outline employment opportunities that lie ahead for graduates. “This really shows how desirable our RIBN students are,” she said. “The employers are seeking them out, wanting to come and talk with them.” She also thanked the community and university administrators for providing the fiscal and human resources to support the RIBN students.

Dr. Terry Ward, director of the A&T School of Nursing, praised the students for enrolling in RIBN. “You are going to reduce the impact on the financial debt for our country by saving money and creating a bridge to your education,” she said. “That’s extremely important in today’s times.”

Citing the rising cost of education for young people and the impact it is having, she added, “It’s amazing to see that so many people are doing what they need to do to create the future nurses that we need, to create people who will have economic stability and power. You are showing people it can be done.”

In addition to RIBN, VGCC has a partnership with A&T to allow graduates of its Associate Degree Nursing program to transition easily to the university’s four-year Bachelor’s program. For more information about Nursing at VGCC and bachelor’s degree options, contact academic/career coach Seletha Pherribo at (252) 738-3518 or Nursing department chair Erica Jastrow at (252) 738-3457.

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

VGCC to Host 7th Annual Small Business Summit at Warren Co. Armory

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-Information and flyer courtesy the Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center Facebook page

The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center will host the 7th Annual VGCC Small Business Summit on Monday, October 15, 2018, from 5 – 8:15 p.m. at the Warren County Armory & Convention Center.

This free event offers aspiring entrepreneurs, small business owners and non-profit leaders the opportunity to network and discover available resources in the community.

Deadline to register for the summit is Friday, October 5. Register online by clicking here.

Dinner will be served and is made possible by Duke Energy.

Schedule:

4:30 – 5 p.m. – Registration/Networking

5 – 6 p.m. – Keynote Address: What is Your Digital First Impression Online and Why it is Important – Martin Brossman

Your future customers want to know more about you then just what is on your website and they may trust you less if they don’t. We all are looking for secondary validation for everything from credible information for a product, business, person or service. This class is going to show you the free and low-cost way to make the best digital (web-based) first impression that will lead to more sales and more referrals for your business.

6 – 6:10 p.m – Break

6:10 – 7:10 p.m. – Stock Your Pantry With The Right Business Resources

Got a business idea you’d like to cook up from scratch or the possibility of expanding your business or nonprofit? Then, be inspired, gain courage and practical insights from our dynamic panel of experts from planning and zoning, insurance, accounting and legal. Panelists will share insights into pitfalls to watch out for when starting the process as well as where to find resources that can help you succeed. They will also be available for specific questions during the Q&A session to help you better achieve the outcomes you desire for your small business. Ask questions, plan next steps, meet like-minded peers and walk away ready to take action so that your “pantry” is stocked with the right business resources so that you can be successful.

7:10 – 8:10 p.m. – Top 10 Tips: How to Work with Media – Kristen Baughman

What’s a social influencer? How about a micro-influencer? Join Tabletop Media Group’s Founder Kristen Baughman for a session on “Top 10 Tips: How to Work with Media.” During her presentation, she will cover how your brand can help your small business gain more exposure by pitching and engaging with bloggers, media, Instagram stars and more.

Co-Sponsor(s): Duke Energy, Warren County EDC; Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center, Chamber of Commerce of Warren County

For more information, contact Tanya Weary, Director, VGCC Small Business Center at (252) 738-3240 or smallbusiness@vgcc.edu.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

VGCC Health Sciences Clubs Conducting Second ‘Prom Attire’ Drive

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

The Vance-Granville Community College Health Sciences clubs are collecting donations at all four VGCC campuses for a “Prom Attire” collection drive through February 28, 2019.

All donations will be collected for a giveaway event to provide local high school students free attire to fulfill their prom dreams, according to Stacey Soles, VGCC’s program head for Medical Assisting and clinical coordinator for Radiography.

The drive is the second for the Health Sciences Clubs in Radiography, Human Services, Pharmacy, Histotechnology, Medical Assisting and Nursing.

Dozens of prom dresses were donated for the first “Prom Attire” collection drive held earlier this year on Vance-Granville Community College’s four campuses. A drive is now underway through February 2019 to collect suits, shirts, dresses, shoes and accessories to be donated to high school students for free to fulfill their prom dreams. Donations can be dropped off at any VGCC campus. (Photo Credit: VGCC)

The club leaders are asking that only clean, gently-used or new items be donated. All sizes will be accepted. The clubs also request that no dated items be donated.

Items that will be accepted are:
• Suits & Shirts: Tuxedos, suits, suit separates, dress shirts, slacks, vests;
• Ties & Shoes: Neck ties, bow ties, dress shoes;
• Dressy Dresses: Gowns, prom, party, formal; and
• Accessories & Shoes: Jewelry/hair accessories, handbags/clutches.

Soles said that the clubs could use more items for males. “In our initial drive, we received a good number of dresses that are available for distribution next year,” she said. “We are especially in need of suits, dress shirts and slacks for men.”

Drop-off locations are located at:
• Main Campus, Building 5, Room 5225: Audrey Stainback;
• South Campus, Building 2, Room G2212: Stacey Soles;
• Franklin Campus, Building 1, Room F1101: Priscilla Lewis; and
• Warren Campus, Building 1, Room W1101: Ruthie Davis.

For more information, donors should contact Stacey Soles at (252) 738-3515 or soless@vgcc.edu.

VGCC Trustees Approve Firm For Presidential Search, Adopt 2018-19 Budget

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 -Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

The Vance-Granville Community College Board of Trustees approved a firm to assist in the search for a new president, adopted a budget for the current fiscal year, and welcomed a trustee who is returning to the board after being away for two years. The actions came at the bi-monthly meeting on Monday, Sept. 17, on the college’s Main Campus.

The Trustees selected the firm of Executive Leadership Associates (ELA) LLC of Emerald Isle to assist in the search for a replacement for Dr. Stelfanie Williams who left the college in August to take a job with Duke University.

ELA describes itself as “a consortium of former North Carolina community college presidents who are committed to ensuring that our internationally recognized community college system continues its proud tradition of excellence — one community college at a time.”

VGCC’s newest Trustee, Dr. Doris Terry Williams, was sworn in for a four-year appointment on the college board by retired District Court Judge J. Henry Banks. From left are Judge Banks, Dr. Williams and Jerry Stainback, the attorney for the Board of Trustees, who assisted with the swearing in. (Photo Credit: VGCC)

The firm will help the VGCC Board of Trustees by guiding the search process, creating a presidential profile of the ideal candidate needed, and recruiting and screening applicants as needed. The search will begin in October with plans to have the new president in place in March 2019. The trustees are expected to present finalists to the State Board of Community Colleges for evaluation early in 2019, according to Dr. Gordon Burns who is serving as interim president for the college. Dr. Burns served as president of Wilkes Community College in North Wilkesboro for 18 years before retiring in 2014.

Six firms responded to the requests for proposals, according to Trustee Deborah Brown, chair of the Trustees’ presidential search committee. Serving with Brown are Trustees Herb Gregory, vice chair; N. Annette P. Myers, Abdul Sm Rasheed, Donald C. Seifert, Sr., and Sara C. Wester.

Budget Adopted

The Trustees adopted a budget of $33,166,414 for the new fiscal year, approving VGCC’s budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 on a recommendation from the Budget Committee of the board, chaired by Trustee Abdul Sm Rasheed.

On the Current Expense side of the budget, $19,438,484 comes from the State of North Carolina, $2,587,868 from the four counties served by the college, and $9,273,716 from institutional funds. In the Capital Outlay budget, $1,726,846 comes from the State and $139,500 from the counties.

At the county level, Vance County is contributing $1,151,597 to the current operating funds; Granville, $752,184; Franklin, $369,168; and Warren, $225,625, with an additional $89,294 coming from institutional funds. Among capital improvement funds from the counties, Vance is contributing $73,874; Granville, $39,626; Franklin, $20,000; and Warren, $6,000.

The 2018-2019 budget is allocated as follows: institutional support: $5,433,372; curriculum instruction: $10,362,152; continuing education: $2,705,504; academic support: $1,368,526; student support: $2,075,516; plant operations and maintenance: $2,018,035; proprietary/other: $2,272,851; student aid: $5,064,112; capital outlay, excluding capital improvements: $786,141; and capital improvement projects: $1,080,205.

Dr. Doris Terry Williams Appointed To Board

Dr. Doris Terry Williams was sworn in to a four-year term on the VGCC Board of Trustees after being selected by the Vance County Board of Education to fill the vacancy created when long-time Trustee L. Opie Frazier, Jr., retired.

Dr. Williams, a retired educator and administrator, returns to the Board of Trustees after being off the board for two years. She was previously appointed to the board by the Governor’s Office in 2010 to fill an unexpired term and was reappointed in 2012 for a full four-year term.

As the owner and chief executive officer of EdComm, LLC, her own consulting group, Dr. Williams provides consultation regionally and nationally on education and community development issues.

A Vance County resident, she lived in Warren County and served on the Warren County Board of Education for 12 years, including five as the board chair. She has served as executive director of the Rural School and Community Trust and director of the Trust’s Capacity Building Program. She is now a senior fellow with the Rural Trust, which is a national non-profit dedicated to addressing the crucial relationship between good rural schools and thriving rural communities. She also has served as assistant dean and associate professor in the School of Education and director of University-School Partnerships at North Carolina Central University.

In other action:

  • The Trustees voted to close the Child Care Center on the Franklin Campus no later than June 1, 2019. The decision comes after an extended evaluation leading to the conclusion that the center is not financially sustainable, Dr. Burns told the board. Information packets that list other options for child care in the Franklin County area have been prepared for parents who currently have children at the center. The center, which currently has nine children, was originally created to provide Vance-Granville’s curriculum students with an environment to advance their Early Childhood experiences and to provide child care services for our students and staff. The center has been used mostly by the public in the past several years, Dr. Burns said.
  • In an update on capital projects, Trustee Donald C. Seifert, Sr., said a design contract was executed in August for $320,400 for fire alarm replacements and renovations to heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems on the Main Campus. Fire alarm replacement work will be bid out in February 2019 with work expected to begin the following May. The HVAC renovations will begin in the summer of 2020. Meanwhile, renovation work is scheduled to start this month on the second phase of renovations to Building 10. Space is being renovated to add a Practical Simulation Lab for Law Enforcement, Fire/Rescue and Emergency Medical Services programs.
  • Steve Graham, VGCC’s vice president of finance and operations, reported for the Investment Committee, citing a 12 percent growth in the college’s investments since the beginning of 2017.
  • Trustee Sara Wester, chair of the board’s Personnel Committee, provided an informational report on new employees, retirements, resignations and changes in positions.
  • The Curriculum Committee, chaired by Trustee Barbara Cates Harris, presented new appointments to the Advisory Committees for college programs for the 2018-2019 academic year. The appointments were approved by the Trustees.

Presiding over the meeting was Board of Trustees Chair Danny Wright.

The Board of Trustees will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, November 19 at the Main Campus.

VGCC Lady Vanguards Begin Home Play in Close Match With Patrick Henry CC

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College’s women’s volleyball team started the 2018 season with a close home match against Patrick Henry Community College on August 29, one of 17 matches on the full schedule.

Seven of the matches are scheduled at the Lady Vanguards’ home site, Aycock Recreation Complex. The Vanguards compete in Region X of National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III, which includes a number of community colleges in North Carolina and Virginia.

Future home matches at Aycock include a contest with Central Carolina Community College, on Thursday, September 20, at 7 p.m.; Rockingham Community College, on Thursday, September 27, at 6 p.m.; and a doubleheader with Wake Technical Community College and Northern Virginia Community College on Friday, October 12, at 3 p.m. Home games that were scheduled with Sandhills Community College on September 13 and Louisburg College on September 15 are being rescheduled because of Hurricane Florence.

Evin Swilley (6) sets the ball for her fellow Lady Vanguards in a match against the Patrick Henry Community College Patriots at Aycock Recreation Complex on Aug. 29. VGCC welcomes Central Carolina Community College to Aycock for the next home match on Thursday, Sept. 20. (Photo Credit VGCC)

The Region X tournament is slated to begin Saturday, October 20, in Sanford.

In the first home game against the Patrick Henry CC Patriots, the away team had a 3-0 victory over the Lady Vanguards. The first set of the match was a dominant 25-14 win for the Lady Patriots, but the Lady Vanguards put up two competitive matches to round out the night, falling 26-24 and 25-21. In the second match, the Lady Vanguards had built a four-point lead late in the set. In the final set, they had notched a 20-20 tie before the Lady Patriots pulled ahead.

The Lady Vanguards were led by Evin Swilley with 11 kills and five assists, and she led the scoring with 11 points. Amber Newton and Kaitlynn Cooper had 17 and 13 digs, respectively.

In the first contest of the season, the Lady Vanguards fell to Wake Tech, 25-7, 25-18 and 25-13, in the away game. Swilley had 11 digs in that match, and Cooper had 12 total attacks. Cooper led the scoring with five points.

Jessica Smith of Roxboro is in her second year as head coach of the Lady Vanguards volleyball team.

For more information on VGCC athletics, contact Jermiel Hargrove at hargrovej@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3246.

VGCC Releases Women’s 2018 Volleyball Schedule

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-Information courtesy Vance-Granville Community College

The Lady Vanguards of Vance-Granville Community College have begun their 2018 volleyball season. Seven of the matches are scheduled at the Lady Vanguards’ home site, Aycock Recreation Complex. The Vanguards compete in Region X of National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III, which includes a number of community colleges in North Carolina and Virginia.

Future home matches at Aycock include a contest with Central Carolina Community College, on Thursday, September 20, at 7 p.m.; Rockingham Community College, on Thursday, September 27, at 6 p.m.; and a doubleheader with Wake Technical Community College and Northern Virginia Community College on Friday, October 12, at 3 p.m. Home games that were scheduled with Sandhills Community College on September 13 and Louisburg College on September 15 are being rescheduled because of Hurricane Florence.

The Region X tournament is slated to begin Saturday, October 20, in Sanford.

All Campuses of Vance-Granville Community College Closed Sept. 13-16

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-Information courtesy Vance-Granville Community College

Due to the threat of inclement weather, all campuses of Vance-Granville Community College will be closed and all classes and activities are canceled Thursday through Sunday, September 13-16.

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!