Van Brunt retires as Dean at VGCC
Bobby Van Brunt of Henderson recently retired after more than six years as an administrator at Vance-Granville Community College and a total of 19 years of service in higher education. His VGCC colleagues held a retirement reception in his honor on March 21 at the college’s Main Campus.
Van Brunt joined VGCC in 2006 as Dean of Applied Technologies and Public Service, later served as Dean of Business and Applied Technologies , and retired as Dean of Special Projects. He also taught courses in Logistics and other subjects while serving as Dean and chaired the college’s Global Awareness Committee.
Van Brunt, a U.S. Army veteran, graduated from Raleigh’s Broughton High School, and later earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from East Carolina University. His community college career began when he taught marketing and business courses, part-time, at Pitt Community College in Greenville and at Lenoir Community College in Kinston. Van Brunt then served as Occupational Extension Coordinator at LCC for five years and Dean of Business and Industry Programs there for four years.
During his retirement reception, Van Brunt was also honored by the VGCC chapter of Phi Beta Lambda, an organization for students preparing for business careers. The chapter was reactivated during Van Brunt’s tenure as Dean and has quickly grown into one of the largest chapters in North Carolina, while winning awards at state and national competitions. Chapter members presented Van Brunt with a framed picture of him with PBL leaders and a plaque that acknowledged their appreciation for his support and encouragement to the club.
Above: Students and faculty members from the VGCC chapter of Phi Beta Lambda honored Bobby Van Brunt during his retirement reception; in front, from left: student Ruthie Davis, chapter president Theresa Chiplis, Bobby Van Brunt, chapter adviser LaTonya Steele and co-adviser Carl Hann; in back, from left: chapter vice president Diane Power, co-adviser Delton Farmer and VGCC graduate/professional division member Lonnie Brame. (VGCC photo)
