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

    BCCC has welcomed middle grades students from across Beaufort County during the past two weeks. Under the direction of Vice President of Student Services Rick Anderson and his team, the county's eighth grade students toured BCCC's nursing, cosmetology, agribusiness technology programs automotive technology and science programs where they had a first-hand glimpse of what the course offerings in these programs include. This week, seventh grade students attended a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math career day hosted by the Police Activities League in Building 8. These visits are an excellent way to expose young people in our region to the opportunities available to them if they continue their education after high school! Thanks very much to Rick, Student Activities Coordinator Theresa Edwards and all those involved for making these visits such a success.

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

Administrative Services

• A reminder that employment contracts for full-time employees have been delivered. Employees have 30 days from Friday, November 7, to sign and return the contracts to the Human Resources Office. Since the 30-day period falls on a weekend, contracts must be signed and returned no later than Monday, December 8.

BCCC's Best

• I encourage all faculty and staff to nominate a student for BCCC's Best for November. This month's character trait is "inquisitive" or someone who demonstrates a natural desire to learn and seeks information for their own benefit. The nomination deadline, is Tuesday, November 18 with the recognition ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, November 25. Thanks to Vice President of Student Services Rick Anderson and Director of Counseling Kimberly Jackson for developing this project to honor our students!

BCCC Foundation

• In news regarding the Digital Sign Campaign, Foundation Director Judy Jennette reports that $52,198.32 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 trip to Durham to see MOTOWN, the Musical, is still a few months away but only a few seats remain, Judy reports. The trip will also include a meeting with Ralph G. Barrett, assistant professor and chairman of the Department of Music at North Carolina Central University and lunch at 'Que, the latest restaurant venture by Pitmaster Ed Mitchell. The cost of the trip, which includes roundtrip transportation, lunch and orchestra seats at the musical, is $200. To check on seat availability, contact Judy or Foundation Specialist Marcia Norwood at 252-940-6218.

BCCC's Mission and Vision

• BCCC's Planning Committee is beginning to update the Mission and Vision statements for the college and is seeking the opinions of faculty, staff, students, trustees, Foundation directors and members of the community. It is vital for these statements to reflect the purpose, primary objectives, goals and aspirations of our college. The committee has prepared a 12-question survey that can be completed online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BCCC14Mission. Please complete this survey by 5 p.m., Wednesday, November 26. Thanks very much to the Planning Committee for their work on this project.

Division of Continuing Education

• If you have someone on your Christmas gift list who is hard to shop for but likes to pursue new interests, then why not give them the gift of learning? Just in time for holiday shopping, the Division of Continuing Education is offering gift certificates that can be redeemed for any of the classes offered by the division including those that meet online as well as face-to-face. The division has a lot of new classes starting this winter and spring include local African-American history, guitar lessons, organic gardening, social media exploration, wine appreciation, College for Kids and many others that someone on your holiday list would enjoy. For more information about these certificates, contact Eva Peartree at 252-940-6375 or visit the division's webpage at www.beaufortccc.edu/coned/contin.htm. Thanks to Vice President of Continuing Education Stacey Gerard and Records Specialist Abbie Skiles for this new opportunity to promote our Division of Continuing Education classes..

Gamma Beta Phi

• Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society' food drive for Eagle's Wings, a local food pantry ends Monday. Nonperishable food items are being collected at drop-off sites in Buildings 9, 11 and 12. Let's all support this worthwhile effort to aid those of us who need food assistance.

Gulls on the Run

• Hungry? Then plan to have dinner Monday night at the Pizza Inn in Washington where BCCC's Running Club members will be serving pizza for tips that will help fund club activities. For more information about this event, contact club Advisor Michele Mayo at 252-940-6495.

Landscaping News

• Tractor Supply Company in Washington has recently donated five trees to BCCC. A willow is being planted near Building 8, three flowering crab apples and cherry trees will be planted in a cluster on the south side of Building 12 and an apple tree will be planted behind Building 10. Thanks very much to the company for this gracious donation to help improve the appearance of our college.

Shop Local/Educate Local

• BCCC is looking forward to participating in Shop Local day, sponsored by First South Bank and the Washington Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, November 29. Local businesses are offering special promotions and discounts on Buy Local Day to entice shoppers to buy local, spend local and be local. As part of this effort, BCCC will have a display in downtown Washington and will conduct a raffle at that display. We will be offering a $250 scholarship that can be used for curriculum or continuing education classes, books or supplies. Thanks to Marketing Coordinator Wes Sumner for arranging the display and spearheading this effort.

Spring Registration

• Don't forget that BCCC has extended registration for Spring Semester 2015 which is scheduled to begin Wednesday, Jan. 7, college officials announced this week. Spring Registration, originally scheduled to end Friday, Nov. 7, has been extended until 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. The move was made to give faculty advisors, financial aid staff members and others who provide services to students and prospective students the ability to meet demands for registration and class enrollment, according to Vice President of Student Services Rick Anderson. Students may register Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday, Dec. 12. Last chance registration will be Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015.

Vote for Washington as Coolest Small Town!

• At last count, Washington is in second place for the designation Coolest Small Town in America, an annual contest sponsored by Budget Travel magazine. The designation is based on consumer opinion and votes on various social media outlets. If named as one of the top towns, Washington will gain national attention. To vote, go to www.BudgetTravel.com. Click on the image for Coolest Small Towns. From there click on any towns on the list of Current Top Nominees. Next find Washington, N.C. and click on the green thumbs up. Let's all vote and help make Washington a cool small town!

Personal and Personnel Notes

• Thanks very much to Administrative Assistant Bebe Major for her great work in designing the new look for the lobby in Building 1.
• I am delighted to welcome our new Webmaster Keith Sullivan who begins work on January 5 and Tony Keech, a new part-time police officer who began working earlier this month.
• Congratulations to History Instructor Keith Lyon. He was invited to present a paper at the 30th Annual Ohio Valley History Conference sponsored by Austin Peay University's History and Philosophy Department. His paper, "In the Shadows: Sin and Sacredness and Second Great Awakening Camp Meetings," is a look at the drinking, gambling and other nefarious activities associated with religious revival gatherings
• Finally, I offer condolences to the family of Harold Lane upon his death on Thursday. Harold and his wife, Louise, were contributors to the Foundation and served on the Foundation Board of Directors for many years.

And in the coming weeks, watch for the following:

November 17	Gulls on the Run fund-raiser at Pizza Inn.
November 18	Professional Development – How to Take Total Advantage of Blackboard, noon, Room 104, Building 1.
November 19	Gullfest Team, meeting, 2 p.m., Core Team; 3 p.m., Leaders Team, Board Room, Building 10.
November 21	New Trustee Orientation, Board Room, Building 10.
November 21	Division of Student Services meeting, 8:30 a.m., Room 928, Building 9.
November 24	Campus committee chairmen and vice chairmen meeting with the SACS-COC Leadership Committee, 3 p.m., Room 1220, Building 12.
November 25	Student Government Association meeting, noon, Student Lounge, Building 9.
November 25	BCCC’s Best, noon, Student Lounge, Building 9.