WIZS – Your Community Voice. Noon News for 3 Nov. 2020. Stories include:
-Election day and coverage
-City Council will hear an Urban Redevelopment presentation
-Vance Granville Community College awarded grant
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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
The Cannon Foundation, based in Concord, North Carolina, recently awarded a $125,000 grant to the Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund. The funds will support VGCC’s Nursing Simulation Lab and Heavy Equipment Operator program simulators.
“With this grant, Vance-Granville Community College will continue to enhance our Nursing and Heavy Equipment Operator training programs, so that students can receive state-of-the-art preparation for their careers,” said VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais. “We appreciate the Cannon Foundation’s commitment to workforce development and education.”
Part of the grant will provide needed equipment for the new, 4,000-square-foot Simulation Lab on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County. This lab has recently been relocated from its previous space on the campus of Maria Parham Health in Henderson.
Much like it did at the previous location, the lab will provide students in Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing with opportunities to train for a variety of real-life situations, using high-tech manikins. The life-like “patients” can be programmed to replicate a variety of medical diagnoses and conditions.
The other, larger portion of the grant funds will provide simulators of a different sort. The Heavy Equipment Operator program, based on VGCC’s Warren County Campus in Warrenton, will benefit from new, improved training simulators, on which students can practice in a safe, controlled way. The trainers simulate equipment such as bulldozers and excavators.
The college’s HEO program is now a registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship program, and the updated simulation equipment will help align the training with current workforce needs.
“Our current Heavy Equipment Operator program has been in place since 2015 with the simulators we currently have through an agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration,” explained Kyle Burwell, VGCC’s director of Occupational Extension & Human Resources Development. “I am thrilled at the opportunity offered to us by the Cannon Foundation to purchase additional simulation equipment to enhance our HEO program so that students can practice and learn on updated equipment as they prepare to work in the field of Heavy Equipment Operation.”
The Cannon Foundation was formed in 1943 by Charles A. Cannon, chairman and president of the Cannon Mills Company. The Cannon Foundation continues his philanthropic legacy by funding primarily capital and infrastructure projects for organizations across the state of North Carolina. To date, the Cannon Foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $305 million.
“This new grant from the Cannon Foundation is good news for our community, for the students who will use this equipment to learn, and for their future employers,” said Eddie Ferguson, VGCC endowment fund director. “VGCC continues to partner with a variety of funders to provide high-quality training for good jobs in fields like health care and construction.”
The Cannon Foundation has supported VGCC in the past, including a grant of $150,000 to help complete the renovation of Building 10 on the college’s Main Campus.
– Early Voting
– Electoral College
– Christian Missions
– VGCC Golf Tournament
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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Vance-Granville Community College recently held its annual Endowment Fund Golf Tournament at the Henderson Country Club, raising more than $110,000. Proceeds will help fund scholarships for deserving students and support the mission of the college.
Delayed from its traditional spring date due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 36th annual tournament was presented by Gupton Services, Inc., of Henderson. This year’s fundraiser brought the total amount generated by all VGCC golf tournaments since 1985 to more than $1.2 million.
“We are extremely grateful for the community’s continuing support of VGCC, as expressed through yet another successful tournament,” said VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais. “Our region’s civic and business leaders know that our community college is a key driver of workforce and economic development.”
“Thanks to the contributions of numerous golfers and sponsors, our Endowment Fund will have more resources to help students continue their education so that they can prepare for careers and enjoy a brighter future,” added VGCC Endowment Director Eddie Ferguson.
A total of 128 golfers played this year, with 64 competing on Monday, Sept. 14, and the other 64 playing in a separate round on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
In the Monday round, the MR Williams team of Chris Cheever, Dennis Lambert, Daniel Faulkner and Tyler Beauchamp took home the “first net” trophy. The Golden Skillet team of David Fairey, Steven Wright, Steve Wright and Steve Wright won “second net.” The “first gross” trophy went to the Novozymes team of Fred Reikowsky, James Massey, Vinny Veruto and Mark Lasher. The Mast Drug team of Andrew Flye, Jan Fletcher, Rusty Crocker and Kirt Meadows took home “second gross.”
In the Tuesday round, the Salvation Army team (sponsored by Gupton Services) of Derrick Smith, Chad Langley, Wes MacLawhorn and Danny Wilkerson finished with the “first net” score. The Carolina Commonwealth team of Kenny Abbott, David Farrie, Mike Faulkner and Tommy Ross won “second net.” The “first gross” trophy went to the Institutional Interiors team of Tim Hill, Mike Baskett, Billy Stanton and Macy Foster. The Carolina Sunrock team of Blake Montgomery, Zach Satterwhite, Greg Johnson and Eric Royster took home “second gross.”
P.J. Schleiger took the longest-drive prize on Hole 1 on Monday, and Trey Watkins won the closest-to-the-pin prize on Hole 11.
Danny Wilkerson had the longest drive on Tuesday, while Greg Johnson won the closest-to-the-pin prize.
Numerous companies and individuals supported the VGCC tournament as sponsors, along with presenting sponsor Gupton Services, Inc.
Premier Sponsors included Henderson Fruit and Produce, Glen Raven, Wester Insurance Agency, Durham Coca-Cola, First Citizens Wealth, Charles Boyd Chevrolet Buick GMC, Duke Energy, Private Wealth Management of N.C., Novozymes North America, Inc., Universal Leaf North America U.S., Inc., Robling Medical, Union Bank, Bridgestone Bandag Tire, Carolina Commonwealth, Rose Oil Company, Inc., CertainTeed, Altec, Granville Health System, John Nelms, Jr., MR Williams, Kilian Engineering, Mast Drug Company and Coldwell Banker Advantage.
Platinum Sponsors included Core & Main, Variety Stores, Inc., Institutional Interiors, Henderson Collegiate and Oxford Prep.
Gold Sponsors included Winston International, Golden Skillet and Carolina Sunrock.
Contributors included Mako Medical Laboratories, Joe and Betty Jo Hamme, Newton Instrument Company, Jim Beck, Tru-Green Landscaping, Jim Crawford, ARC3 Gases, Dr. Ben Currin, B & R Properties & Development, Judge Henry and Mamie Banks, Donald Seifert, Sarah Baskerville and Walmart Distribution.
Green Sponsors included Greystone Concrete Products, Backyard Retreat, Barnett Real Properties, Inc., RFR Metal Fabrication, Wake Electric Membership Corp., Nick & Sons Truck Repair, Vescom North America, JM White Funeral Home, Watkins Plumbing, HG Reynolds, NT Techno, May & Place, Dill Air Controls Products and International Paper.
Tee Box Sponsors included AAA Gas & Appliance Company, Hight Warehouse, Encore Tech, Comfort Zone, Granville County EDC, Hicks & Wrenn, Mosely Plumbing Company, Inc., WOW Wash on Wheels, Sunrise Biscuits of Oxford, Century 21 Country Knolls Realty, Inc., One Source Document Solutions, Carolina Country Snacks, Banzet, Thompson, Styers & May, City Tire, Inc., Cross & Currin Attorneys, Southern Educational Systems, Vance Construction Company, Stainback, Satterwhite & Zollicoffer, PLLC, Phillips Dorsey Thomas Waters & Brafford, P.A., Whitco Bug Warriors, Robco, Frazco, Inc. Insurance – Real Estate, Marsha J. Nelson, Brame Specialty, William L. Stark and Company, Dave Carver, Pete Smith’s Tire and Quick Lube, Dabney Drive Animal Hospital, Alex Drake, DDS, PA, Sherman & Boddie, Inc., Riggs-Harrod, Ahner Security, H & W Investments, Henderson-Vance EDC, Benchmark Community Bank, Medical Arts Pharmacy, Ag Carolina Farm Credit, Hall’s Floor Fashions, Inc., Will Jakes-Edward Jones, Fred’s Towing & Transport, Inc., Professional Pharmacy, C & P Body Shop, Mack Choplin, Postal Plus Business Center, Waste Industries, MPACT Solutions, LLC and Eddie and Debra Ferguson.
Each year, the golf tournament is the major fundraising event for the VGCC Endowment Fund, through which more than 9,700 scholarships have been awarded to students since 1982. Scholarships have been established by individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff.
For more information, call (252) 738-3409.
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-Information courtesy Tanya Weary, VGCC Dean of Business & Industry Solutions
Vance-Granville Community College has scheduled open air job fairs featuring hundreds of local positions. These events are in response to the dramatic need for employees across our service area.
The job fair begins at the college’s Warren County Campus (Warrenton) on November 17, 2020; at Main Campus (near Henderson) on November 18, 2020; at South Campus (Creedmoor/Butner) on November 19, 2020; and at the Franklin County Campus (Louisburg) on November 20, 2020.
VGCC’s Career Services, Small Business Center and Customized Training have teamed up to offer the first open air job fair event in our service area. Employers from across Granville, Franklin, Vance and Warren Counties will be there seeking to fill jobs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“We’re really just trying to connect the businesses and employers with our job seekers throughout the counties that we serve. There are a lot of jobs and we are sure we can help you find one,” said Tanya Weary, VGCC Dean of Business & Industry Solutions.
This event is free and open to the public. Participants will meet employers from across the service area who will be hiring and eager to fill jobs with competitive wages, benefits and more. Job fair seekers will also be able to gain tips on getting the job they are after.
“We are excited to offer job fairs at each of our campuses,” Linda Fletcher, Director of Career Services said. She continued, “The college is committed to developing strong communities and improving the quality of life for our community members. Jobs are the key. Local employers have jobs and need good candidates ready to work. We welcome both VGCC students and community job-seekers at each of our open air job fairs.”
Attendees are expected to adhere to social distancing guidelines, and capacity levels will be observed and mandated throughout each event. Job fair participants are reminded that health screenings and masks or face coverings are required for everyone while on campus.
VGCC Career Services encourages job seekers to consider adding to their skill set through additional training and/or education. We can help with career exploration for career-changers or determining the next step in developing an established career. In addition, our students receive assistance with resumes, interview preparation, and job search skills. Take the next step with us toward a better future.
For more information, visit: https://www.vgcc.edu/career-fair/, or contact Linda Fletcher, Director of Career Services, at (252) 738-3466 or fletcherl@vgcc.edu.
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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Vance-Granville Community College is offering virtual information sessions for anyone interested in applying to the Nursing programs at the college. VGCC offers training options to become a Registered Nurse (RN) through the Associate Degree Nursing program or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) through the Practical Nursing program.
The upcoming sessions, offered through Zoom (www.zoom.us), are specifically geared to help prospective students prepare to apply to enroll in a Nursing program for the Fall 2021 semester. Applications for these programs are due in February and March of 2021.
Three of the sessions will focus on the RN and LPN programs. In the past, students who were not offered a spot in the Associate Degree Nursing program were able to enroll in the Practical Nursing program instead, making this a beneficial option for many students who are ready to get started with their nursing careers.
Sessions are scheduled for Oct. 29 at 11 a.m. (bit.ly/VGCCNursing102920), Nov. 17 at 6 p.m (bit.ly/VGCCNursing111720), and Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. (bit.ly/VGCCNursing120220).
Two other sessions will focus on the Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN) program. This partnership between VGCC and North Carolina A&T State University allows students to complete both the Associate Degree Nursing, or RN, program, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
These sessions are scheduled for Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. (bit.ly/RIBN111320) and Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. (bit.ly/RIBN120320).
After registering, participants should receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Zoom meeting.
Registration in advance for each session is required. For more information, please email Dr. Erica Jastrow (Practical Nursing and RIBN programs) at jastrowe@vgcc.edu or Dr. Anna Seaman (Associate Degree Nursing program) at seamana@vgcc.edu.
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-Information courtesy Tanya Weary, VGCC Dean of Business & Industry Solutions
Join VGCC beginning Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. on the Main Campus in Henderson for Ice House Entrepreneurship Training. Sessions will run Tuesdays through November 17.
You will learn to:
This program offering is FREE, and capacity is limited. Registration is required and is available at https://www.ncsbc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=530400092.
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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Vance-Granville Community College recently received just over $188,000 from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund to help local residents obtain job training.
The GEER Fund, created as part of the federal CARES Act, will provide scholarships for eligible VGCC continuing education students pursuing short-term workforce training programs within certain pathways that will lead to state or industry-recognized credentials. Students can receive up to $750 in assistance per course. Scholarships can potentially help cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, supplies, credentialing tests, transportation, or childcare.
At VGCC, the eligible pathways include the following programs:
VGCC officials may add more programs to the list, based on local workforce needs.
“We are excited about the opportunities that the GEER Fund will open up for many students, especially those who have lost their jobs and suffered financially due to the pandemic,” said Dr. Jerry Edmonds, vice president of Workforce Development and Community Engagement for VGCC. “There are jobs available and many employers need talented workers, so now is a great time to retrain and gain new skills, so that you can prepare for a new career or advance in your chosen field.”
Governor Roy Cooper announced the initial allocations of North Carolina’s GEER Fund in August. At that time, Bill Carver, the interim President of the North Carolina Community College System, said, “North Carolina Community Colleges are uniquely positioned to offer short term workforce preparation to assist in the State’s economic recovery. This funding will be used for targeted programs providing cost-effective, high-quality opportunities for North Carolinians wanting credentials leading to career advancement.”
For more information, contact Dawn Michelle Tucker, Dean of Continuing Education & College + Career Readiness, at (252) 738-3288 or tuckerd@vgcc.edu.
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Cathy Davis, counselor/accessibility coordinator/Student Assistance Program coordinator/Title IX investigator, at Vance-Granville Community College, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.
Davis was the first of several guests scheduled to join Town Talk in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. “Domestic violence is on the rise, and this is another topic that we will not remain silent about,” she stated.
With a mixture of events for students and the general public, Davis said VGCC is committed to raising awareness and assist those experiencing abuse. “We are trying to keep the community in community college, and we are all about breaking down barriers to support.”
Upcoming VGCC Domestic Violence Awareness Events:
October 8 ~ 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Healthy Relationships Video Presentation Hosted by Safe Space (video via Zoom platform with a Q&A wrap session after the viewing)
October 15 ~ 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Drive-Thru Giveaway at Each of the Four VGCC Campuses
October 22 ~ Wear Purple and Post Encouraging Words of Support Via Hashtags
October 29 ~ 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – VGCC Website/Facebook Scavenger Hunt
Students will use the VGCC website or Facebook page to answer the following questions. The first four students to send answers to the scavenger hunt will receive a restaurant gift card. Please send the answers to Ruthie Davis at davisr@vgcc.edu.
In addition to events scheduled for October, VGCC offers a Student Assistance Program (SAP) to all students and their household members year-round for FREE!
The SAP offers help for personal, professional or school concerns by providing free, confidential, short-term counseling and personal consultation. Additionally, the SAP provides student-life resources for issues such as legal and financial consultation, online learning and resources.
For more information on SAP, please visit www.vgcc.edu/sap or call 1-800-633-3353.
For additional coverage on domestic violence awareness, please join WIZS live at 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com at 11 a.m. to hear discussions with the following scheduled guests:
Monday, October 12 – Infinite Possibilities, Inc.
Monday, October 19 – Families Living Violence Free
Thursday, October 22 – Debbie Scott with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office
To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Vance-Granville Community College is presenting activities every Thursday during October as part of the observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
VGCC’s Counseling department and Psychology Club are partnering with local domestic violence prevention organizations Families Living Violence Free, Safe Space and Infinite Possibilities, along with mental/behavioral health provider Cardinal Innovations.
The series kicks off on October 1, at 11 a.m., with an online panel discussion featuring representatives of those organizations.
“Domestic Violence is on the rise, and this is another topic that we will not remain silent about,” noted VGCC Counselor/Accessibility Coordinator/Student Assistance Program Coordinator/Title IX investigator Cathy Davis.
This hourlong Zoom session is open to students, faculty, staff and the community. Participants must register in advance for this webinar at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bR5vp7M1QF6bzyF1ldwLLw
On October 8, at 11 a.m., a second online event will feature a video presentation on “Healthy Relationships,” hosted by Safe Space. After watching the video, there will be an opportunity for discussion and questions. Participants must register in advance for this webinar at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sX745OJsSGS_K4aD__s2HQ
On October 15, there will be a drive-through giveaway on each of VGCC’s four campuses, between 12 and 1:30 p.m.
Later in the month, on October 22, students, faculty and staff will be encouraged to wear purple and to use social media to spread positive messages about domestic violence awareness, using the hashtags #ChangeHappensHere and #LoveShouldntHurt.
Finally, on October 29, VGCC students should pay attention to www.vgcc.edu and college social media accounts for information on a “scavenger hunt.”
Davis encourages all students to use the free services of the Student Assistance Program (SAP) if they have domestic violence concerns, in addition to reaching out to their local organizations. More information on the SAP is available at www.vgcc.edu/sap. To seek assistance through the SAP, call 1-800-633-3353.
For more information, contact Cathy Davis at davisc@vgcc.edu or (252) 226-9547.
