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

    Changes are coming to our committee structure following a recent day-long retreat by members of our leadership team. In an effort to streamline our committee structure and make them work more efficiently, the number of committees are being reduced as is the number of individuals who serve on those committees. We have also tried to limit each faculty or staff member to serving on just one committee during an academic year whenever possible. Watch for more information about the new committees and committee assignments during the coming weeks.

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

    Arts and Sciences

• BCCC continues to wait for approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges of its new Agricultural Technology Program. However, in anticipation of that approval, we are moving forward with some aspects of the program to be ready to offer classes in the fall. Billy R. Askew has been hired as our agricultural technology instructor and classes in agricultural economics, sustainable agriculture, agricultural chemicals and plant science are tentatively scheduled to begin in August. Watch for more announcements regarding this new program.

    BCCC Foundation

• In news regarding the Digital Sign Campaign, Foundation Director Judy Jennette reports that a total of 39,708.32 in donations and pledges have been received, about 49 percent of the way towards the final goal. To make a donation, contact Judy at 252-940-6326.
• You won't have to travel to New York City to experience the best of Broadway thanks to a schedule of five day trips being planned by the BCCC Foundation in the coming season. Judy is planning five trips to the Durham Performing Arts Center to see Saturday matinee performances of Dirty Dancing on September 20, Phantom of the Opera on October 18, MOTOWN on February 21, Kinky Boots on March 14 and Newsieson June 6. If you would like to receive more information about any of these trips, contact Judy at 940-6326 or Marcia Norwood at 940-6218.
• The deadline for submitting applications for scholarships from the BCCC Foundation for Fall 2014 Semester is June 30. The scholarship application can be found on the Foundation's web page.

    Bookstore

• BCCC Bookstore Manager Tommy Hodges reports that the BCCC Bookstore will be closed June 26 through June 30 for the end-of-the-year inventory. Please note that you will not be able to make any purchases from the bookstore during this time.

    Business and Industrial Technology

• A new virtual welding machine is adding a new dimension to the Welding Technology Program at BCCC. The $55,000 Lincoln electric VRTEX^® 360 virtual welding machine was funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. Lead Welding Instructor Ted Clayton reports that the machine is "so close to reality, it makes the hair on my arms stand up." You can find more information, including photographs of the new machine in use, on the BCCC News Blog at http://bcccnewsblog.blogspot.com.

    Continuing Education

• I am pleased to announce that Stacey Gerard has accepted the position of Vice President of Continuing Education at BCCC. Gerard comes to us from the Beaufort County Schools where she has served as Career and Technical Education Director and Instructional Technology Director. Stacey is scheduled to begin work here on July 21. I look forward to having her join the leadership team here and hope everyone will make her feel welcome.
• Registration is continuing for College for Kids 2014. The worlds of sailing, hunting, video games and sewing are the activities young people can explore during College for Kids 2014. Classes, will be offered, generally, in one-week blocks, beginning July 14 and ending August 14. The registration deadline is June 30. All classes are offered on the BCCC campus. For more information about the schedule of College for Kids classes, visit the BCCC website or the BCCC News Blog at http://bcccnewsblog.blogspot.com.

    Gullfest Countdown

• The Gullfest Planning Committee met this week to continue working on next year's spring festival. The committee will try to confirm as many events as possible for the coming festival as early as possible to build excitement for the event. To date, Gullfest events include a return of the car show, Little Gulls Zone, a food court, arts and crafts and music featuring local bands. Names of some celebrity attendees have been mentioned as has the possible return of the N.C. National Guard's Paintball Arena. Continue to watch this space as well as the Gullfest page on the BCCC website for news about events that will be featured at Gullfest 2015!

    Personal and Personnel Notes:

• Congratulations to Director of Counseling Kimberly jackson who recently earned certification from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Certification Program. The Myers-Briggs test is the most widely used personality inventory in the world.
• Best wishes for a long and happy retirement to Learning Resources Center Secretary Betty Beacham who will be leaving us at the end of the month. I know she will enjoy spending lots of time with her new grandchild!
• I am sorry to report that BCCC is losing its friend and collaborator Bob Heuts who recently resigned his position as Beaufort County's Economic Development Director. Bob and I have worked on a number of projects together and he has been a good friend of the college during his tenure in Beaufort County. I know we all wish him well in his new endeavors.
• I am also sorry to report that Anatomy and Physiology Instructor Catherine Gouge is leaving BCCC to accept a position in Arizona
• Finally, I offer condolences on behalf of all to BCCC faculty and staff to Basic Skills Director Tony Taylor on the recent death of his wife.

    And in the coming weeks, watch for the following:

• June 24 — New Student Orientation, 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 5:30p.m., auditorium, Building 8 followed by registration.
• June 24 — Mobile Vet Van, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., parking lot between Buildings 1 and 2.
• July 3 and 4 — Holiday.
• July 9 — Bloodmobile visit, 3 to 7 p.m., Multi-Purpose Room, Building 10.
• July 16 — Pinning Ceremony for Practical Nurse graduates, 4 p.m., Multi-Purpose Room, Building 10.

    Beaufort County Community College is a public comprehensive community college committed to accessible and affordable quality education, effective teaching, relevant training, and lifelong learning opportunities for the people served by the College.