VGCC Trustees Consider New Programs, Elect Chairman, Approve Four Retirements
Vance-Granville Community College is studying the feasibility of offering two new curriculum programs geared toward helping area residents find employment in the changing economic environment.
The college’s Board of Trustees voted at its bi-monthly meeting July 21 to authorize college officials to study the need for adding Pharmacy Technology and Bioprocess Manufacturing Technology to the college curriculum. If the study shows there is sufficient interest to warrant beginning the programs, the board authorized the school to apply to the State Board of Community Colleges for permission to begin them.
Vice President Fred Wilson gave the trustees an overview of the two programs.
Wilson said Pharmacy Technology would be a one-year diploma program to prepare individuals to assist the registered pharmacists with duties such as filling prescriptions, keeping patient records, maintaining inventories, setting up, packaging and labeling medication doses, and performing clerical duties. Graduates could be employed in hospitals, nursing homes, drug stores, research laboratories, wholesale drug companies and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.
Graduates would be qualified to take a national certification exam.
Bioprocess Manufacturing Technology, Wilson said, would be a two-year associate degree program. Vance-Granville currently conducts a 128-hour Bioworks program at its Franklin County Campus near Louisburg, and the proposed program would markedly expand that training.
Bioprocess Manufacturing would prepare individuals to work as process operators in biological products manufacturing facilities. Students would combine basic science and communications skills, manufacturing technologies, and good manufacturing practices in the course of study.
President Robert Miller said the Novozymes America plant in Franklin County is an example of the bioprocessing industry that would hire graduates of the program. He added, “There is only one other program like this in North Carolina, at Central Carolina Community College in Sanford.”
Trustee Abdul Rasheed said, “It is exciting to see us getting into this field. Our state is making a significant investment in the growth of this industry.”
President Miller said he hoped to be in a position to get approval from the Pharmacy Tech state board and start the program by Spring Semester, which will begin in January 2004. The Bioprocess program would begin in fall 2004.
NEW CHAIRMAN
The board elected Donald C. Seifert Sr. of Henderson to serve as its chairman. The outgoing chairman, John K. Nelms of Oxford, was elected vice chairman, and Henrietta H. Clark of Henderson was re-elected secretary.
New Chairman Seifert said of his election: After the distinguished leadership from John Nelms and all chairmen before him, I only hope I can do half as well. This college will continue to move forward.”
Nelms is the longest-serving member of the Board of Trustees, having begun service as Granville County liaison in 1971 and becoming a board member two years later. He has served as chairman the past four years.
Trustee John Foster read a statement of praise for the leadership of John Nelms. It said, in part: “You believe in the college’s goals and purposes, and you are very supportive of the college, its mission and the administration. Your knowledge and foresight have helped to make Vance-Granville Community College what it is today – one of the best educational institutions in the state.”
The statement also recognized Nelms’ support of the Endowment Fund, which provides scholarships to deserving VGCC students. “The scholarships you have created and those others you have supported are of significant help to our students,” Foster said.
Nelms responded that his service on the board has been “a labor of love.” He thanked board members for giving HIM 110 percent and for working with no dissension. “The lack of dissension has been normal procedure for us, but I can tell you it’s not that way in all schools,” Nelms said.
He continued: “You have made this job one of the most enjoyable opportunities I have ever had. This school has gained great esteem for being well-run and well-maintained. It is serving its purpose well.”
Nelms added that the governor has reappointed him, “…so I’m not going anywhere.”
RETIREMENTS/NEW EMPLOYEES
The board approved the retirement of four employees, including a veteran department chairman, and the employment of 10 new instructors and a librarian.
Verna S. Bullock, an instructor in Commerce and Technical Programs, and Oren J. Dameron, an instructor in Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology, will retire on Sept. 1. James E. Hale, chairman of Commerce and Technology Programs, and Wilbur O. Slaughter, Welding Technology instructor, will retire Jan. 1, 2004.
Approved for employment were Monique D. Powell, librarian, and the following instructors: Ella Ruth Duncan, basic skills/GED; Anthony R. Gregory, air conditioning & refrigeration; Linda S. Barnes, developmental English and reading; Tracey Bennett, early childhood education; April J. Harrison, developmental math; Jennifer L. Jones, Office Systems Technology; Thomas L. Edwards, Office Systems/Information Systems Technology; Andrea M. Hilchey, physics/mathematics; Steven G. Sievert, Internet Technology/E-Commerce; and Paul F. Kotrodimos, developmental English.
CONSTRUCTION/BUDGET
Construction projects are continuing on schedule, according to a report from Building Committee Chairman David Brooks.
Final inspection of the 54,000 square-foot classroom building going up on the main campus is scheduled for Sept. 16. If the college gets the new building as it appears in September, that would be a full month ahead of schedule, despite the winter ice storms and spring rains.
Two new parking lots are on line to be complete by the beginning of Fall Semester on Aug. 18, and the 900 square-foot addition to the main campus bookstore is complete and being used.
The college is still waiting for approval by the State Construction Office of drawings for a new classroom building at the Warren County Campus in Warrenton. The estimated bid opening has been delayed a month until August, and that delays the estimated start of construction until September.
The trustees passed county current and capital budgets for three of its four campuses, which are funded by allocations from the four counties served by the college, for $1,626,553. The board expects final approval of the fourth campus budget at its September meeting.
President Miller reported to the trustees that Vance-Granville received a “superior” ranking in the latest Critical Success Factors Report by the N.C. Community College System. This report documents each of the state 58 community college’s performance on a set of standards developed to meet accountability requirements of the General Assembly.
VGCC was one of 31 schools getting the superior rank, compared to only five when the rankings began 10 years ago. This is the second straight year for Vance-Granville to be ranked this high, and Miller said, “We are striving for a perfect rating.”
Superior Court Judge Henry W. Hight Jr., left, administers the oath to three members of the Vance-Granville Community College Board of Trustees who have been reappointed to four-year terms. The trustees, from left, and their appointing authority, are: Abdul Sm Rasheed, Vance County Board of Education, John K. Nelms, Gov. Mike Easley, and J. David Brooks, Granville County Board of Commissioners.
In the second photo, outgoing Chairman John K. Nelms of the Vance-Granville Community College Board of Trustees presents a plaque of appreciation to Ivonne S. Caldwell of Creedmoor for her service to the board. Caldwell has served as president of the Student Government Association during the past school year and as a student representative to the Board of Trustees.
