In Difficult Times Good People gravitate towards Absolute Truth
Thank You to Special Events Committee & Maintenance & Custodial Staff
Publisher's note: The narrative below is inspired by the installation of Barbara Tansey, on October 5, 2012, as Beaufort County Community College's Fifth President, and scribed in her words to express her well considered thoughts regarding this momentous occasion.
Since the origination of the revitalized Beaufort County NOW three years ago this week, it has always been our expressed intent to use our technological capabilities to construct an information platform that well connects our community, far flung and yet local still, without the filtered buffers of conventional media.
President Tansey's words, spoken in her acceptance speech this day, brings you closer to the moment, and what is kept in her heart, and we are only too happy to be of some assistance.
President Barbara Tansey enjoying a few moments before her installation: Above. "America the Beautiful" sung by Redeemed, Larry Moore, Donald Wallace, Wesley Beddard: Below. photos by Stan Deatherage
Good morning and thanks to each of you for making this a special day. For those of you who know me well, you know I don't excel at accepting compliments. Your comments and remarks have been wonderful but soooo difficult to accept. I kept wondering who you were talking about.
With that said, I would like to share whom we are talking about. This may be the installation of Barb Tansey but it is a day of celebration for all the people who made today possible. Many of whom are in the audience today. You each know who you are, so take my message and appreciation to heart.
So how did I get here?
Well.......One of my earliest memories began with the value of education instilled in me by mom, Wanda Turner and dad, the late Dean Turner. Mom was a professional seamstress and Dad managed the local International Harvester dealership. Since we lived in the country and had only one car, mom often made house calls in the evening to some of her older customers. There were four kids and my sister Joan was just a baby, so we weren't allowed to go inside their nice houses. Yes, Joan, I am blaming you for that one!
While we waited in the car, Dad spent the time in the old Plymouth wisely. He drilled me on spelling words, math problems and multiplication tables. I quickly understood we were expected to do well in school and we were expected to behave. If we didn't - you know what happened when we got home.
President Barbara Tansey, surrounded by her husband and her grandchildren, awaits her installation: Above. photo by Stan Deatherage
But the value of education wasn't the only thing drilled into us. All four of us developed the "Turner" work ethic which is comparable to the tenacity of a pit bull. Sometimes I don't know if I should thank mom and dad for giving me this lifelong gift or apologize to my colleagues and employees for an overzealous work ethic. Nevertheless, thanks, Mom!
A very special thanks goes to my husband, Tom. I am sure that our marriage of 16 years has been much more than you bargained for. Just remember - you were the one who encouraged me to fly away with you and begin a new career journey. Perhaps the nine moves in 15 years from the Atlantic to the Pacific weren't quite what you meant. It has been a heck of a fast ride of 13 years in the community college world. Thanks for being my rock and my port in the storm. I couldn't have done it without you and your love and support.
President Barbara Tansey taking the oath at her installation: Above. photo by Stan Deatherage
To my two sons, one of whom is here today with his family. Tiger, I apologize for all the inconveniences you experienced as you grew up with a career mom. Thank heavens for Kraft macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, hamburger helper, our neighbor, Mrs. Quick, and of course, Grandma and Grandpa Turner.
To Tom's son and daughter who are here today with their families, thank you for the many vacation days you had to take to faraway places for yet another visit to see your dad. You must admit, you saw a lot of the United States because of my community college journey.
President Barbara Tansey doing the oath: Above. photo by Stan Deatherage
To the grandkids with us today, including one who took time off from her studies at Wichita State University to be here, thanks for the joy and laughter you bring into our lives. Your visits provide a special break in our lives that we look forward to. I trust you will remember your part in this presidential installation. If your Grandma can become a community college president, you can become anything you can dream. Think big - but do start a little sooner than grandma did.
Last, but not least is my sister. Both she and I have been late bloomers in our careers. She completed nursing school at the age of 54. I entered my Community College pathway in my late forties. Hopefully, we have not only been an inspiration to each other but more importantly we hope to inspire others to reach out for their dreams at any age.
There are many, many other people here today for whom this is their day of celebration. Present are representatives from 4 of the 5 community colleges and the communities where I had the pleasure of growing professionally. I hope you know and accept that today is your day, too. Because of you, I made it. You supported me, challenged me, stretched me and occasionally cajoled me. Thank you, there are no appropriate words for the extent of my appreciation for all you have done and the impact you havehad on me.
As you can tell, I did not make this journey alone nor will I continue alone as the President of Beaufort County Community College. I am indebted to so many, and yet, I have the nerve to once again ask a new team to believe in me.
There is always much to be done in the Community College world. Your next thought is probably what does she plan to do now and how will she get there?
I will get there with a team, of course, just like I always do. It will be made up of both those who are currently employed at Beaufort County Community College, participants from the community, and those who at the College who preceded me.
May I remind you that I am standing on the shoulders of those who made Beaufort County Community College what it is today.I am sure they would agree that building a community college is much like building a plane while you are flying it. You start with one building and a couple of programs. The students come and then more programs and buildings are needed and the cycle continues.You keep responding to the needs of the community and students and the College continues to morph.
Look at Beaufort County Community College today. Our community is so proud of all the College has done for the area and for the students it serves.Yet the College continues to change, improve and expand the program offerings.
I accept this responsibility along with the Board of Trustees. I will lead the Beaufort County Community College team of faculty and staff to the next stage of the College's expansion and development.
Together, we will focus on penetrating more deeply into our work force and the future workforce to upgrade their education and skill sets to higher levels. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had no unemployed or underemployed folks in our service area? I know we don't live in a perfect world, but we must try to create a highly skilled and educated workforce for the betterment of our community.
I will also work to maintain and improve Beaufort County Community College's quest for continuous quality improvement in teaching and learning,the provision of better support services for our students, faculty and staff; and in the improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness of all of our day-to-day operations.
Beaufort County Community College's faculty and staff have already begun looking at the impact of innovation in the use of technology, in teaching and learning and for data-driven decision-making. I will strive to provide them with the resourcesand professional development (within our means)and to provide the encouragement needed to successfully move the College forward.
Wow! This sounds like a whole lot of campaign promises and I am not running for office. And No! The promises are not full of hot air.
These three over-arching strategies (expansion, performance improvement and innovation)are very important and personal to me. They will help me and the Beaufort County Community College team reach our goal of becoming known as the Best Little Community College in Eastern North Carolina.
Go Back
Since the origination of the revitalized Beaufort County NOW three years ago this week, it has always been our expressed intent to use our technological capabilities to construct an information platform that well connects our community, far flung and yet local still, without the filtered buffers of conventional media.
President Tansey's words, spoken in her acceptance speech this day, brings you closer to the moment, and what is kept in her heart, and we are only too happy to be of some assistance.
In President Barbara Tansey's Own Words Regarding her Installation
Good morning and thanks to each of you for making this a special day. For those of you who know me well, you know I don't excel at accepting compliments. Your comments and remarks have been wonderful but soooo difficult to accept. I kept wondering who you were talking about.
With that said, I would like to share whom we are talking about. This may be the installation of Barb Tansey but it is a day of celebration for all the people who made today possible. Many of whom are in the audience today. You each know who you are, so take my message and appreciation to heart.
So how did I get here?
Well.......One of my earliest memories began with the value of education instilled in me by mom, Wanda Turner and dad, the late Dean Turner. Mom was a professional seamstress and Dad managed the local International Harvester dealership. Since we lived in the country and had only one car, mom often made house calls in the evening to some of her older customers. There were four kids and my sister Joan was just a baby, so we weren't allowed to go inside their nice houses. Yes, Joan, I am blaming you for that one!
While we waited in the car, Dad spent the time in the old Plymouth wisely. He drilled me on spelling words, math problems and multiplication tables. I quickly understood we were expected to do well in school and we were expected to behave. If we didn't - you know what happened when we got home.
But the value of education wasn't the only thing drilled into us. All four of us developed the "Turner" work ethic which is comparable to the tenacity of a pit bull. Sometimes I don't know if I should thank mom and dad for giving me this lifelong gift or apologize to my colleagues and employees for an overzealous work ethic. Nevertheless, thanks, Mom!
A very special thanks goes to my husband, Tom. I am sure that our marriage of 16 years has been much more than you bargained for. Just remember - you were the one who encouraged me to fly away with you and begin a new career journey. Perhaps the nine moves in 15 years from the Atlantic to the Pacific weren't quite what you meant. It has been a heck of a fast ride of 13 years in the community college world. Thanks for being my rock and my port in the storm. I couldn't have done it without you and your love and support.
To my two sons, one of whom is here today with his family. Tiger, I apologize for all the inconveniences you experienced as you grew up with a career mom. Thank heavens for Kraft macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, hamburger helper, our neighbor, Mrs. Quick, and of course, Grandma and Grandpa Turner.
To Tom's son and daughter who are here today with their families, thank you for the many vacation days you had to take to faraway places for yet another visit to see your dad. You must admit, you saw a lot of the United States because of my community college journey.
To the grandkids with us today, including one who took time off from her studies at Wichita State University to be here, thanks for the joy and laughter you bring into our lives. Your visits provide a special break in our lives that we look forward to. I trust you will remember your part in this presidential installation. If your Grandma can become a community college president, you can become anything you can dream. Think big - but do start a little sooner than grandma did.
Last, but not least is my sister. Both she and I have been late bloomers in our careers. She completed nursing school at the age of 54. I entered my Community College pathway in my late forties. Hopefully, we have not only been an inspiration to each other but more importantly we hope to inspire others to reach out for their dreams at any age.
There are many, many other people here today for whom this is their day of celebration. Present are representatives from 4 of the 5 community colleges and the communities where I had the pleasure of growing professionally. I hope you know and accept that today is your day, too. Because of you, I made it. You supported me, challenged me, stretched me and occasionally cajoled me. Thank you, there are no appropriate words for the extent of my appreciation for all you have done and the impact you havehad on me.
As you can tell, I did not make this journey alone nor will I continue alone as the President of Beaufort County Community College. I am indebted to so many, and yet, I have the nerve to once again ask a new team to believe in me.
There is always much to be done in the Community College world. Your next thought is probably what does she plan to do now and how will she get there?
I will get there with a team, of course, just like I always do. It will be made up of both those who are currently employed at Beaufort County Community College, participants from the community, and those who at the College who preceded me.
May I remind you that I am standing on the shoulders of those who made Beaufort County Community College what it is today.I am sure they would agree that building a community college is much like building a plane while you are flying it. You start with one building and a couple of programs. The students come and then more programs and buildings are needed and the cycle continues.You keep responding to the needs of the community and students and the College continues to morph.
Look at Beaufort County Community College today. Our community is so proud of all the College has done for the area and for the students it serves.Yet the College continues to change, improve and expand the program offerings.
I accept this responsibility along with the Board of Trustees. I will lead the Beaufort County Community College team of faculty and staff to the next stage of the College's expansion and development.
Together, we will focus on penetrating more deeply into our work force and the future workforce to upgrade their education and skill sets to higher levels. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had no unemployed or underemployed folks in our service area? I know we don't live in a perfect world, but we must try to create a highly skilled and educated workforce for the betterment of our community.
I will also work to maintain and improve Beaufort County Community College's quest for continuous quality improvement in teaching and learning,the provision of better support services for our students, faculty and staff; and in the improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness of all of our day-to-day operations.
Beaufort County Community College's faculty and staff have already begun looking at the impact of innovation in the use of technology, in teaching and learning and for data-driven decision-making. I will strive to provide them with the resourcesand professional development (within our means)and to provide the encouragement needed to successfully move the College forward.
Wow! This sounds like a whole lot of campaign promises and I am not running for office. And No! The promises are not full of hot air.
These three over-arching strategies (expansion, performance improvement and innovation)are very important and personal to me. They will help me and the Beaufort County Community College team reach our goal of becoming known as the Best Little Community College in Eastern North Carolina.
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