Tansey Topics: A Weekly Look At What's Happening At BCCC | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Beaufort County Community College hosted its first campus-wide Open House in may years on Thursday and people from across the service area took the opportunity to see what we do and how they fit. Nearly 100 people took time to tour the campus, meet with faculty and staff members and learn more about what we do at BCCC. Thanks to Vice President of Research and Institutional Effectiveness Jay Sullivan, Grant Writer Sara Singleton and their team for their work to make this a successful event for the college and the community.

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

• Open enrollment began Wednesday and continues through Friday, October 31 for participants in the State Health Plan and N.C. Flex. This is your chance to elect new benefits or drop others. The Human Resources Office will schedule sessions beginning next week for those who have questions about enrollment to visit the office for answers to questions or help with enrollment.

• Fourteen students at Beaufort County Community College were recognized as "BCCC's Best" earlier this week. The students were cited for their perseverance in school or in life. Congratulations to Fashikie Freeman, Norlina Kelly, Regan Michael, Troy Roelofs, Renita Rogers and Christina Rutledge of Washington; Cassandra Sanchez of Bath; Davina Mazique of Belhaven; Amanda Riddick of Bethel; Michael "Andy" Crisp of Chocowinity; Jackie M. Clark of Grimesland; Chana White of Jamesville; Tammy Turnage of Vanceboro, and Elizabeth Cobb of Williamston. Thanks to Vice President of Student Services Rick Anderson and Director of Counseling Kimberly Jackson for developing this project to honor our students!

• The BCECHS Interact Club recently installed its officers for the 2014-2015 academic year. Part of Rotary International, Interact is a service club for young people who want to join together to tackle issues in their community about which they care the most. The BCECHS Interact Club is sponsored by the Washington Noon Rotary Club. Interact Club advisor Steven Wood led the ceremony. Congratulations to officers Aeyalle Williams, president; Quierra Ross, vice president; Brena McDonald, secretary, and Fatima Shamseldin, publicity chairman.

• In news regarding the Digital Sign Campaign, Foundation Director Judy Jennette reports that $51,848.32 in donations and pledges has been received, over 60 percent of the way towards the final goal! To make a donation, contact Judy at 252-940-6326.
• The Foundation's 21st Annual Golf Tournament drew an enthusiastic crowd of golfers to the Washington Yacht and County Club on Saturday, September 26. Congratulations to all the winners - you can see photographs of the first place winner in each flight on the BCCC Facebook Page - and thanks to PotashCorp Aurora, major corporate sponsor of the event, and all the co-sponsors for helping make this event possible.
• Registration continues for the Foundation's trip to Durham to see the stage production of The Phantom of the Opera on Saturday, Oct. 18, The trip will also include time for a visit to the renowned Paul Green Theater in Chapel Hill with a lecture by Professor Jeff Phipps. The cost of the trip, open to all BCCC students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the college, is $200 per person.
• The deadline to register for the discounted rate to the trip to Ireland April 21 to 30, 2015 is Monday, November 10. The cost of the trip is $3,359 per person, double occupancy, including air transportation. The price will rise $350 per person after the early booking deadline. Only nine seats are left for the trip, so be sure to register soon to take advantage of the discount and to ensure your place. To register, contact Donna Burgin with New Trends in Travel at 252-945-7403 or by email at donnaburgin18@gmail.com. For information about the trip or to receive a brochure, contact Judy or Foundation Specialist Marcia Norwood at 252-940-6218.

• Just in time for our Open House, improvements have been made to the machine shop floor in Building 4 and the ceiling of the automotive shop in Building 2. Thanks to Lead Machinist Instructor Matthew Lincoln and Automotive Technology Instructors Bryan Van Gyzen and Richie Alligood for their work on the project.

• Over 250 people attended the BCCC and Beaufort County Schools Candidate Education Forum Tuesday night to hear Beaufort County commissioner and state legislative candidates discuss education issues. The top priorities of the candidates were education funding, school safety and economic development through education and job training, although the candidates differed on how they would address these priorities. Watch for more information, including information on where you can view a recording of the forum. Thanks to Learning Resources Director Penny Sermons, Associate Degree Nursing Instructor Jeanne Martin and their team for an excellent event!

• During the first week of the event, "See for Free," Basic Skills at BCCC has given over 125 official practice tests to students interested in earning their GEDŽ. Of these, 12 will be scheduled to take at least one section of the GEDŽ test. The event ends today and I and the Basic Skills staff are excited about the opportunities available to these test-takers. Thanks very much to Penelope and all of the Basic Skills staff for their hard work!.
• On Thursday, I led a team from the college to the Align4NCWorks Summit at Pitt Community College. Align4NCWorks is the NC Community College System's strategic initiative to develop best practices in workforce development among governmental agencies and industries focusing on partnerships among community colleges, business and industry, workforce development boards, public schools and economic development entities. BCCC gave a presentation titled Extreme Partnerships for HighStakes Training. Thanks to Vice President of Continuing Education Stacey Gerard, Customized Training Coordinator Lauren Dudley, Director of Workforce Initiatives Lou Stout, and Special Projects Coordinator Justin Rose for their work on this event.

• For the second year in a row, BCCC will open its doors to give prospective students the chance to attend classes for one day at no cost on Thursday, October 9. This will give those who may be hesitant to continue their education the chance to see what college life is like. For more information, visit the BCCC website at www.beaufortccc.edu and click on the Free Day icon.

• BCCC's Learning Resources Center will host a poetry reading at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 7, when former instructor Tim Mattimoe returns to the campus to read from his book, Calligraphy on the Moon's Face. Published earlier this year, the poems were written after his retirement and are inspired by his surroundings in Chatham County. Mattimoe has been writing haiku since he was 18 years old. He said he enjoys working in the form because of the discipline it requires. I look forward to meeting Tim and hearing him read from his works.

• Don't forget to support our Travel/Study group with its fund-raising event! The group is selling the attractions coupon book to raise money for students to travel to Belize. The books contain more than $3,000 in savings for businesses in Washington, Greenville, Kinston and New Bern. They are valid now and do not expire until December 2015. Tentative dates for the trip are May 26 to June 1. Student participants must be 18 years old or older, have a 2.5 grade point average or better and be enrolled in International Cultural Exploration for the Summer 2015 Term. You may purchase the book online at https://www.attractionsbook.com/ezpay/code/. Enter beaufortccc as the EZPAY code in order for our group to get funding from your purchase. You can also purchase the books from Instructor Suzanne Stotesbury or from any member of the travel group. For more information, contact Suzanne at 252940-6339 or at suzannes@beaufortccc.edu.

October 3-6	Student/Faculty vacation. Enjoy!
October 7	Poetry reading by former instructor Tim Mattimoe, BCCC Library, noon.
October 7	Professional Development - Tech Tools, noon, Room 104, Building 1.
October 7	BCCC Board of Trustees, 5:30 p.m., committee meetings; 7 p.m. board meeting, Board Room, Building 10.
October 8	Flu Shot Clinic, Multi-purpose Room, Building 10.
October 9	Free Day at BCCC.
October 9	Veteran on Campus service session, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call Sandria McFadden at 9406353 for an appointment.
October 9	BCCC Foundation Board of Directors, 11 a.m., Board Room, Building 10.
October 10	Student Services meeting, 8:30 a.m., Room 928, Building 9.
October 13	Allied Health Information Session on Medical Lab Technology Degree, 5:30 p.m., Room 1217, Building 12.
October 14	One Day at BCCC photography event.
October 14	Men of Success, noon, Room 112, Building 1.
October 14	Professional Development - Using Prezi in Instruction, noon, Emergent Technology Lab, Building 5.
October 16	SGA-sponsored Blood Drive, Multi-purpose Room, Building 10.
October 17	Student Services meeting, 8:30 a.m., Room 928, Building 9.
October 18	BCCC Foundation trip to see Phantom of the Opera.

    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.