VGCC Dedicates New Building At Franklin County Campus
The newest classroom building has been in use at Vance-Granville Community College’s Franklin County Campus since January. The college officially dedicated the building in ceremonies April 26.
Franklin County and college officials participated in the dedication, which was attended by state Rep. Lucy Allen of Louisburg and others from the county.
David Brooks, vice chair of the college Board of Trustees, welcomed guests and said: “The dedication of a new classroom building represents, of course, growth of the college’s physical facilities. But even more importantly, it represents increased opportunity for the citizens of Franklin County to receive the education and training they need in a more convenient location. More classes, seminars and workshops may be offered here on this campus so that the people of Franklin County will not have to travel as far to take advantage of these opportunities.”
Long-time Franklin County Clerk of Court Ralph S. Knott, the county’s liaison to the Board of Trustees, said that his participation in the efforts to get a Vance-Granville satellite campus in his county was one of the highlights of his career.
Knott used a story to describe the positive effect of the campus on Franklin County. He told of a young man who had been a troubled student and who was kicked out of high school. Knott said he saw the young man a couple of years ago, and the man told him he was attending classes at the Vance-Granville campus and was looking forward to transferring to a four-year school and making a success of his life.
Rev. Sydney E. Dunston, chairman of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, said he feels very strongly about the county and its future. “We are happy to have Vance-Granville Community College here, and we thank you for the great work you’re doing,” Dunston said.
VGCC President Randy Parker pointed out that the Franklin County Campus began in the Franklin County Health Department in 1991, and the first buildings on the present campus were completed in 1998. “To have constructed five buildings on this campus in that short time shows the growth of this campus and the educational and training needs it is providing for the people of Franklin County,” Parker said.
Parker introduced Bobbie Jo May, who has been director of the Franklin Campus since its beginning. May described the 17,000 square-foot, two-story building and all the educational opportunities it provides. Among these are spaces for continuing education, basic skills and literacy training, emergency medical services training, the Nursing Assistant program and more general college curriculum classes. She invited those attending the dedication to tour the building and see all the classes and facilities it offers.
John Foster, chair of the VGCC Trustee’s Building Committee, presented the building to the college. He praised the prime contractor for the project, Bordeaux Construction Co. of Durham, for completing the building ahead of schedule. He also praised the architects – Dove, Knight, Whitehurst and Andrews of Rocky Mount – for their functional design of the building.
During the ceremonies, Rose Mary Champion, chair of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, presented a Certificate of Appreciation to President Parker and Bobbie Jo May. It reads, in part, “…. Your efforts will benefit and enhance the business and educational community in the Franklin County area.”
Brooks and Parker unveiled a plaque that will be attached to the wall of the building’s lobby. The plaque contains construction data for the building and lists the members of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners who provide the monetary support for the operation and maintenance of the building.
UNVEILING
– David Brooks, left, vice chair of the Vance-Granville Community College Board of Trustees, and VGCC President Randy Parker
unveil a plaque that will be erected in the lobby of the new Classroom Building 5 that was dedicated April 26 on the Franklin County Campus.
(VGCC Photo)
RIBBON CUTTING
– Vance-Granville Community College and Franklin County officials cut the ribbon symbolically opening the new Classroom Building 5 at the college’s Franklin County Campus April 26. Wielding scissors, from left, are Commissioner Dr. Raymond Stone, commissioners Chair Rev. Sydney E. Dunston, VGCC President Randy Parker and Commissioner Don Lancaster. Behind them are members
of the VGCC Board of Trustees and other Franklin County officials.
(VGCC Photo)
