|
|
|
| For Release: IMMEDIATE | Contact: Public Affairs |
| Date: October 19, 2001 | (919) 807-6963 |
Dalton to State Board: "Community colleges are critical"
Award Winners Announced
Little Switzerland: "Education has always been a number one issue, and now more than ever community colleges are critical," North Carolina State Senator Walter Dalton (D-Rutherford) told the State Board of Community Colleges during the Board Retreat in Little Switzerland, North Carolina on Thursday, October 18.
Dalton, Senate Higher Education Appropriation Chairman, is a strong supporter of community colleges. He heaped praise on the System and gave the State Board members his assessment of the fiscal situation that now exists.
"This was a tough year and we had to make cuts, but we tried not to impact students," Dalton said. He praised the North Carolina Community College System administration for their cooperative effort in lobbying the General Assembly. "They are well respected and they know what they are talking about." That, Dalton said, really helped the community college cause with the lawmakers.
Dalton was instrumental in getting legislation passed that can generate some additional funds for community colleges. The bill provides certain exemptions to the Umstead Act for community colleges, allowing them to enter into partnerships with private industry on product testing, business incubators and video conferencing. "This is a way to generate a little more green for the colleges," Dalton said.
Dalton commented on the enrollment increases the community colleges and recognized that they are experiencing extreme belt-tightening. "This is a tough time to cut budgets," he said. He added he was extremely concerned about the rising number of unemployed and high school dropouts who are turning to community colleges for services. "Community colleges have to be there to catch these people who would have no other alternative," he said.
At the State Board meeting at Mayland Community College on Friday morning, announcements were made regarding several award winners who will be honored at the Day of Recognition Luncheon on November 16 in Research Triangle Park.
The Excellence in Teaching finalists were announced. The ultimate winner will be named at the luncheon and will receive a monetary award of $5,000 funded by the Z. Smith Reynolds Corporation. The finalists are:
|
Interpreter Education Instructor | Blue Ridge Community College |
|
Sociology Instructor | Carteret Community College |
|
Occupational Therapy | Pitt Community College |
|
Nursing Instructor | Richmond Community College |
|
History Instructor | Wilson Tech. Community College |
Two new awards will also be presented at Day of Recognition.
The President of the Year was selected from a field of 21 nominees. The winner is Dr. Donald Cameron, Guilford Community College President. He will receive a monetary award of $5,000.00 and the GTCC Foundation will receive $1,250.00, both funded by Wachovia Bank and Trust.
The Staff Person of the Year was selected from a field of 43 nominations. The winner is S. Reginald Boland, Vice President of Student Services at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. He will receive a monetary award of $3,750 and RCCC Foundation will receive $1,250, provided by BB&T.
-NCCCS-
RETURN TO TOP OF CURRENT PAGE
Last modified: Friday, May 20, 2011 02:19:40 PM
This page maintained by Public Affairs.