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

    As negotiations continue in the General Assembly in Raleigh over the fate of the community college budget, Beaufort County Community College received bad news in a directive from the N.C. Community College System Office. The general expense certification to the 58 community colleges for the month of July - in other words, the amount of money we are allowed to draw from the state to meet our expenses - has been reduced by about 26.9 percent for the month. As a result, BCCC has had to keep its expenses in July at a minimum. This comes at a critical time for the college as we prepare for a new semester that begins in August.

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

    Academics and Student Services

• Registration for Fall Semester is reported to be strong and our open registration is reported to be very popular with our students. Fall registration continues through Wednesday, Aug. 13. Students may register with their advisor or at the Advising Center in Room 920 of Building 9 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Late registration is 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14. Classes will begin Friday, Aug. 15. Thanks to Vice President of Academics Crystal Ange, Vice President of Student Services Rick Anderson, their teams and all the faculty and staff who helped make this a success.

    BCCC Foundation

• In news regarding the Digital Sign Campaign, Foundation Director Judy Jennette reports that $42,408.32 in donations and pledges has been received, over half of the way towards the final goal! These donations include a contribution from the Beaufort County Farm Bureau agency force and the Woodmen of the World Lodge 623. To make a donation, contact Judy at 252-940-6326.
• Earlier this week, the Foundation's Scholarship Committee met and awarded 65 scholarships totalling $52,350 to 53 students. Of these, $9,300 went to Arts and Sciences students; $12,100 to Business Division students; $10,400 to Industrial Technology students, and $20,690 to Allied Health and Professional Services students. Scholarships play an important role at BCCC since about 60 percent of our college students receive some type of financial aid. Thanks to Judy, Foundation Specialist Marcia Norwood and committee members Mark Nelson, Sue Gurley, Kimberly Jackson, Sue Nicholson, Rick Anderson and Cecilia Scott for their hard work on this important effort. Thanks very much also to the donors who make these awards possible.
• Don't forget that he BCCC Foundation and the Washington/Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring a 10-day trip to Ireland April 21 to 30, 2015. A special presentation about the trip is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, at the Chamber office in downtown Washington. For more information or a brochure about the trip, contact Judy at 252-940-6326.

    Continuing Education

• BCCC welcomed Stacey Gerard this week as our new Vice President of Continuing Education A native of Blounts Creek, Stacey graduated from Chocowinity High School in 1995. She earned a Bachelor's degree in business education from East Carolina University graduating magna cum laude. She holds master's degrees in vocational education and school administration and has applied to enter the educational leadership doctoral program at ECU. Before joining the BCCC administration, she served as Director of Career and Technical Education and Coordinator of the K-12 Instructional Technology Program with Beaufort County Schools. In that position, Gerard oversaw programs including Agriculture, Business, Health Science, Marketing, Technology Engineering and Design and Trade and Industrial Education. I am delighted to have Stacey as the newest member of our leadership team!
• The Division of Education's College for Kids is under way. Last week about 15 students attended the Boating Safety Course and about 20 students learned to make video games this week. Classes will start next week in hunter safety and in mid-August in sewing. Thanks to Special Projects Coordinator Justin Rose for his work on this year's schedule of classes.

    Questions needed for Education Forum

• Don't forget to submit your questions for the Education Forum sponsored by Beaufort County Community College and the Beaufort County Schools. We are joining forces to sponsor the forum for local and state candidates for public office at 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 30, in the auditorium at Washington High School. The forum moderator will be Dave Jordan of WITN-TV. Students, faculty, staff and members of the community are welcome to submit questions for the candidates. These questions should be sent via email to Learning Resources Director Penny Sermons no later than Wednesday, August 20. Thanks very much to Penny and other members of the committee — Gail Ambrose, Dave Jordan, Jeanne Martin, Michele Mayo and Beth Wilder for their work on this project.

    Personal and Personnel Notes:

• Congratulations to Associate Degree Nursing Instructor Jeanne Martin who has been named President of the BCCC Faculty Senate for another year. She will be joined in leading the group by Vice President Michele Mayo, Secretary Dana Sauls, Treasurer Lynne Modlin and three committee chairmen - Kimberly Mullis, Instructional Affairs chairman; Thomyka Holloman, Faculty Affairs chairman, and Donna Dunn, Student Affairs chairman. I look forward to working with all of these fine officers and to their contributions to the life of the college.

    And in the coming weeks, watch for the following:

    July 30 — BCCC Foundation Board of Directors Planning Meeting, Board Room, Building 10.

    July 30 — Early College High School Orientation, Multi-Purpose Room, Building 10.

    August 5 — BCCC Board of Trustee meeting, committees meet consecutively beginning at 5 p.m., board meeting begins at 7 p.m.

    August 13 — Mandatory Lockdown Training for all faculty and staff, 1 p.m., Auditorium, Building 8.

    August 14 — Late Registration.

    August 15 — First Day of Class for Fall Semester 2014

    August 15 — Welcome Back Bash, 10 a.m., location to be announced.

    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.