VGCC Graduate To Help Keep Navy Nuclear Vessels Ship-Shape

When nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines enter the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for overhaul or repair, they will find a Vance Granville-Community College graduate ready and able to help make the job go right.

Henderson native Danny Mangum Jr. has begun work in the Nuclear Engineering and Planning Department at the shipyard. After six months of training, he is scheduled to be a troubleshooter on nuclear submarines and carriers, documenting problems he may find in their controls engineering. He will also be changing control systems from analog to digital.

Danny, the son of Carol and Danny Mangum of Henderson, is a 1994 graduate of Southern Vance High School. He entered Vance-Granville Community College in 1996 and graduated from the college’s College Transfer program in 1998. While at Vance-Granville, Danny was very active in campus activities. He was an Ambassador, representing the school at on- and off-campus functions, and he was president of the Student Government Association. In the latter role, he was also the student representative to the VGCC Board of Trustees.

Following graduation from VGCC, Mangum attended N.C. State University in Raleigh, earning degrees in Electrical Engineering in May 2002 and in Computer Engineering in December 2002.

“I feel Vance-Granville prepared me well for my classes at N.C. State,” Danny said. “The small classes and instructor attention helped me learn to study so I was ready for the large classes where you are on your own at the university.”

While at N.C. State, Mangum was also active in campus activities. He was treasurer of the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, was secretary of the Engineers Council, was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and participated in a leadership development series. 

Danny has plans to attend Old Dominion University while in Norfolk and obtain a Master’s in Business Administration. He feels that degree will open up even better opportunities for him in the future. “I’m excited and ready to get started in my new career and new life,” he said.

Danny Mangum hasn’t forgotten or forsaken Vance-Granville Community College. He attended the meeting of the VGCC Alumni Association Jan. 28 full of ideas for reenergizing the organization. His fellow alumni elected him president for the coming year.