Tansey Topics: A weekly look at what’s happening at BCCC | Eastern North Carolina Now

    A record 298 students received degrees, diplomas and certificates Thursday, May 15, at Beaufort County Community College's 47th annual graduation ceremony. Our keynote speaker, First Bancorp President Richard Moore gave the graduates sound financial advice - telling them to save their money and keep careful watch over their financial reputation. Russell Smith, chairman of our Board of Trustees had encouraging words for our graduates. "We are proud of your accomplishments and wish you nothing but the best," he said. I want to make note of several of our students who were recognized for their academic achievements including Ronnie James Jr. and Zachary Warren for the highest academic average in the college transfer programs; Christine Andersson, Jonathan Carter, John Dodson and William Wallace Jr., for the highest academic average in the associate in applied science programs, and Vickie Wilkinson who received the Academic Achievement Award. Thanks very much to Vice President of Academics Crystal Ange, Vice President of Student Services Rick Anderson, Jennie Singleton and their teams as well as the student marshalls for making graduation such a memorable event for our students, faculty and staff.

    Here's a look at other BCCC events happening on campus and in the community:

    Allied Health and Professional Services

    • Forty-four graduates of Beaufort County Community College's Associate Degree Nursing program received their nursing school pins on Thursday, May 15. The ceremony was held at the First United Methodist Church in Washington before an audience of about 350 BCCC administrators, faculty and staff as well as family and friends of the graduates. Congratulations to these students and to the nursing faculty and staff for their service to our graduates.

    BCCC Foundation Events

    • In news regarding the Digital Sign Campaign, Foundation Director Judy Jennette reports that a total of 37,643 in donations and pledges have been received for the Digital Sign Campaign at BCCC, about 40 percent of the way towards the final goal. Judy reports that Tideland Electric Membership Corp. has donated $250 to the campaign and Wells Fargo has pledged $5,000. I thank these two businesses very much for their support of this worthwhile cause. To make a donation, contact Judy at 252-940-6326.

    • The 11th Annual Cutthroat Croquet Tournament drew an enthusiastic crowd to Bonner Point in Bath on Saturday, May 17. The participants, who included several BCCC faculty and staff members, helped raise money for the Dorothy and John Tankard Memorial and Southern Bank scholarships for a BCCC student from Bath or Belhaven. Thanks to this year's tournament sponsors Tankard Farms and the Tankard Family, Southern Bank, P & G Manufacturing, Beaufort Equipment Co., Crop Production Services in Vanceboro, Atlantic Ag Aviation in Roper and Avalanche Motorsports in Washington and to all tournament participants. Special thanks also for their annual support goes to PotashCorp Aurora, Tayloe's Hospital Pharmacy and Rod Cantrell, CFP, Edward Jones Investments. A special "thank you" to Judy, Foundation Specialist Marcia Norwood and the BCCC Ambassadors for hosting the tournament.

    • Nine people departed the BCCC campus on Thursday, May 15, for a 15-day trip to England that includes a cruise on the Queen Mary II. This is the first international trip sponsored by the BCCC Foundation. Watch for more news and photos from this exciting trip when the travelers return!

    Business and Industry Services

    • Business and Industry Services Director Lentz Stowe has announced the availability of more than 20 online courses designed to help potential and existing business owners. The courses cover topics such as online selling, finance basics, forecasting sales, setting prices, social media marketing, hiring staff, customer relations and managing inventory, among others, that are designed to give entrepreneurs "a good introduction to the topics," according to Stowe. To access the courses, visit the N.C.

    Small Business Center website at https://www.ncsbc.net.

    Industrial Technology

    • BCCC's machining faculty and students joined forces with Vice President of Research and Institutional Effectiveness Jay Sullivan to create a new symbol for the college — a ceremonial mace — that was used for the first time at graduation. The mace features a brass and aluminum top that was machined by students and faculty in the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program. Its maple and walnut handle was designed and turned on a wood lathe by Dr. Sullivan. When not in use, the mace will be on display in my office in Building 1. I encourage you to stop by and see it. Thanks very much to Lead Machinist Instructor Matthew Lincoln and his students and Dr. Sullivan for their work on our beautiful, new mace.

    Library

    • The BCCC Library announces its summer hours. From now through Thursday, July 31, the BCCC library will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The library staff looks forward to serving you. Please note that the library will be closed Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day.

    Service Awards

    • BCCC faculty and staff celebrated the end of the academic year at the annual Service Awards Cookout on May 14 when BCCC's administration and some members of the Board of Trustees cooked hamburgers and hot dogs for a picnic lunch on the grounds. Associate Degree Nursing Instructor Lynne Modlin was recognized as Faculty Member of the Year for 2014-15 and Business and Industry Services Director Lentz Stowe was recognized as Staff Member of the Year for 2014-2015. Certificates of Appreciation were given for five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service. Recognition was also give to those staff and faculty members who have retired or will retire this year — Betty Beacham, Dell Enecks, Chet Jarman, Riley Mills, Joyce Pitt, Hal Swindell and Grace Ann Whitley. Thanks to all of these individuals for their service and thanks to event

    Chairman Rebecca Adams and her team for their work on this event.

    Personal and Personnel Notes:

    • Tansey Topics will be published every other week during the summer and will return to a weekly publication after the start of the Fall 2014 Semester. Have a great summer!

    • I'm pleased to announce that Business and Industry Services Director Lentz Stowe has agreed to serve as Interim Vice President of Continuing Education until Vice Presient Chet Jarman's successor has been hired.

    • I'm also pleased to report that retired BCCC President David McLawhorn is feeling better and back on the golf course after a recent medical procedure. Glad you're back "up to par" Dr. Mac.

    • Best wishes to Aaron Berry who is leaving us a new endeavor at the local airport.

    • Condolences are offered to several members of the BCCC family who have experienced losses in the past two weeks — condolences go to Director of High School Programs Lisa Hill on the death of her mother, to Educational Media and Graphics Services Coordinator Tricia Woolard on the death of her mother and Mathematics Instructor Grace Ann Whitley on the death of her husband. Let's keep these members of the BCCC family in our thoughts and prayers.

   •  And in the coming weeks, watch for the following:

   •  May 26 — Memorial Day Holiday.

   •  May 27 — Foundation Board of Directors meeting, 9 to 11 a.m., planning session, 11 a.m., meeting Board Room, Building 10.

   •  June 3 — BCCC Board of Trustees, consecutive committee meetings begin at 5 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m., meeting at 7 p.m., Board Room, Building 10.