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

    Historians and history majors among our campus community certainly remember the significance of Sunday's date - December 7. The date was designated by Congress in 1994 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. While we take time to remember our veterans and fallen soldiers on other days throughout the year, today might be a good time to reflect on the contributions of those who served in World War II either in the military or on the home front from 1941 to 1945. That generation of men and women helped ensure our freedom and helped make our nation what it is today. So if you know a veteran of World War II, be sure to thank them today for their service during a time of need for our nation.

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

• Work began this week on replacement of the HVAC system in Building 1 with the moving of some electrical panels. The contractors will begin dismantling the entire system on Thursday, December 18, and Friday, December 19. As a result, the heating system on the first floor of Building 1 will be inoperable during those days. So, please dress accordingly! Alternative work sites in the library will be available for those who are uncomfortable. Vice President of Academics Crystal Ange reports that she will work to reschedule any exams that may be set for Building 1 on Thursday, December 18. The plan is to have the HVAC system replaced and operational by the time we return from Christmas break. Thanks very much to Vice President of Administrative Services Mark Nelson and his staff for their work on this project and thanks very much to the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners for approving the funds to make this project possible.
• Don't forget that the deadline for signing employee contracts is Monday, December 8!
• For your planning purposes, Vice President of Administrative Services Mark Nelson has reminded us that the pay day for this month is December 23, 2014 just in time for late Christmas shopping.

• A blood drive sponsored by the Beaufort County Community College Association of Nursing Students, or BCANS, on Tuesday collected 54 pints of blood - 13 pints over the club's goal. Thanks very much to all who donated blood, event organizer Brittany Moss and all those who helped!

• Thanks very much to the students in Ted Clayton's welding program who delivered a replica of a trawler to be displayed in the renovated lobby of Building 1. Ted and some of his students surprised me with it early this week. Please stop by and take a look at their creation. It is over the top!

• In news regarding the Digital Sign Campaign, Foundation Specialist Marcia Norwood reports that $63,198.32 in donations and pledges has been received, over 75 percent of the way towards the final goal! This total includes $1,500 in recent contributions. To make a donation, contact Marcia at 252940-6218.
• Just a reminder of the upcoming Foundation trip to see MOTOWN, the Musical at the Durham Performing Arts Center. The trip is tentatively scheduled to 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 round-trip transportation, lunch and orchestra seats at the musical, is $200. To check on seat availability, contact Marcia at 252-940-6218.
• Applications are currently being accepted for the position of Executive Director of the BCCC Foundation through December 10, 2014. If you know of someone who may be interested in the position, please direct them to the posting at http://jobs.beaufortccc.edu/postings/245.

• Want to sell your old textbooks? The Fall 2014 Book Buy Back event will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 17, and Thursday, December 18, in front of the library on the upper level of Building 5. A photo identification will be required.

• Don't forget the BCCC Staff Association canned food drive for the Zion Shelter and Kitchen through December 17. Contributed items can be dropped off under the tree in Building 5, in the lobby of Building 1, in JoLinda Cooper's office in Building 3 and in the faculty reception area of Building 12. If you want a sense of the gratitude of the recipients, please stop by and talk to Staff Association President Gail Ambrose.

• BCCC's Small Business Center was featured recently in the Washington Daily News for its efforts in helping a Belhaven-area wood products company expand. In case you missed the article, you can read it on the Daily News website at http://www.thewashingtondailynews.com/2014/11/29/smallbusiness-center-helps-local-businesses-expand/. Our Small Business Center is certainly a vital part of the economic development picture in our region and I thank the center's Director Lentz Stowe for his hard work in this effort!
• If you are or someone you know is interested in a career in the health care industry, but would prefer a short-term training option, why not consider BCCC's new Medical Office Specialist Program offered through the Division of Continuing Education. Instructor Michele Mayo will offer coursework in this fast-paced curriculum that will meet here on the college campus as well as via the Internet. For more information about this new program, contact Lou Stout, director of Workforce Initiatives at 252-9406307 or by email at lou.stout@beaufortccc.edu. Information about the new program is also available on our website.
• Wondering what to get your friends and family for Christmas? Don't forget the gift certificates available from BCCC's Division of Continuing Education. 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.

• BCCC T-shirts have arrived! If you ordered a T-shirt from the Student Government Association, please stop by the office of Student Activities Coordinator Theresa Edwards to claim yours. If you didn't order one, Theresa reports that a limited supply of shirts is available.

• Students Striving for Success Through Leadership held a silent auction to raise money for their community service projects Wednesday and Thursday. The SSSL Club has supported several community agencies in the past with donations and volunteer time including Eagles Wings, Zion Shelter and Kitchen, the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and Angela's House. The club has regularly been a co-sponsor of Breast Cancer Awareness Week here on campus. I would like to thank everyone who placed a bid in support of their efforts.

• Congratulations to Lisa Hill who has been named Dean of Arts and Sciences. Lisa has served as Director of High School Programs here at BCCC since the opening of our first early college high school and will continue to serve in that capacity as well until her successor can be hired. Congratulations also to Felicia Carr who has been named Assistant to the Registrar succeeding Joy Landeck who is retiring.
• Vice President of Student Services Rick Anderson, Financial Aid Director Megan Sommers and Assistant Financial Aid Director Jo Woolard recently attended a federal financial aid workshop in Atlanta and will have updated information to share with the college community.
• I am delighted to welcome back Law Enforcement Programs Administrative Assistant Pauline Godleywho was recently hospitalized. I am glad she is feeling better.
• I am sorry to announce the pending retirement at the end of the year of Director of Career Services Sandria McFadden but I know that Sandria will enjoy having more time to spend with her grandchild!

December 9	Men of Success, noon, Room 112, Building 12.
December 12	Active Shooter Roundtable, 8 a.m., Board Room, Building 10.
December 12	Student Services Division meeting, 8:30 a.m., Room 928, Building 9.
December 16	BCCC’s Best recognition ceremony, noon, Student Lounge, Building 9.
December 17-18	Exams.
December 18	Faculty/Staff Christmas Luncheon, noon, Multi-Purpose Room, Building 10.
December 19	Faculty Work Day.
December 22	January 2 – Christmas and New Year’s Holidays and Vacation.
January 5	Faculty Work Day.
January 6	Faculty Senate Executive Council meeting, noon, Conference Room, Building 12. January 7 – First Day of Class.

    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.